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Yes- both the softball and lacrosse teams lost today but they both made their conference tournaments and represented the University well. They both showed they belong and that the future is bright. Given our disappointment this week re the football situation, these achievements are yet that much more enjoyable for Zip fans. Go Zips and damn the friends who took me to task in the bar Thursday night over the football thing. Forever a Zip- may these young women make us proud again next year.

This NCAA bid for women's lacrosse is gaining some significant exposure for UA and our athletic program- more than I think any of us would have expected. Realize most people in Northeastern Ohio know literally nothing about lacrosse- how it is played, what to watch for, what the rules are, or even how it is scored. Even fewer are aware of the skill, intelligence, and athletic ability necessary to play it at a high level. Encourage all of you to find out- you will probably become hooked- it is the fastest growing sport in the US. Aside from that- the screen showing that the Zips have clinched a space in the tournament has received over 1,000 likes on instagram in just 48 hrs. These are not UA fans- this is a national recognition liking the achievement of a new "guy on the block" so to speak. They are happy to see a new program succeed in a new location. Outside the tradition "hotbed" of the middle atlantic and northeastern states. They are also curious, checking us out- exactly who is this new lacrosse "power". I hope this might translate into a few transfer portal inquires and new areas for serious recruiting possibilities! All in all- all positive for the Zips!

THE WOMEN'S LACROSSE TEAM CONTINUES TO EXCEED EXPECTATIONS AND SET NEW RECORDS! They completely dominated Eastern Michigan in the conference semi final. They destroyed them with a 16-4 victory! For context, Akron lost to EMU in the regular season. EMU had the offensive player of the year (held scoreless by Akron today) and the league goalie of the year and Akron put 16 on her today. They play for the conference championship saturday- not bad for a team picked to finsh last in the conference. Go Zips

200 might be a bit high but GP1 is certainly correct that football is a major source (maybe THE major source) of male freshman enrollment at Mt. Union. I counted 100 freshmen listed on their football roster several years ago. Most will never see the field. They will lose many of them to state schools but their hope is that some will like the school enought to continue there with added loans/family funds even without the football. Those will be largely students who would never have gone to Mt. Union otherwise and therefore worth bringing them in as football players who will never play.

Great victory today by the lacrosse team. Robert Morris is an established program in the sport- having fielded a team for over 25 years with decent success. Back and forth even contest between the teams. Akron made the plays in the 4th quarter. This is their 6th year of existence including the covid years. This year's team set a number of firsts, including- without any stat sheets available: 1. most wins in a season- 9 2. most conference wins- 4 3. first time to make the tournament 4. Co conference regular season champions 5. most assisted goals per game in the conference- to me a measure of "teamism" 6. All eight seniors will graduate in 2025! Great day for all to be proud of these zips!

sorry to bring up this thing called academics- if memory serves, she was supposed to be a nursing major- guess that's gone? know Nurses dont get rich but perhaps there was more potential "profit" there than what she is likely command from NIL- after all she didnt play for a whole season due to personal issues- doesn't make me want to throw money her way.

The recent achievements for our Lax team are impressive and hopefully will continue to grow. Most wins in a single season, most conference wins in a single season- and remember they still have a game to go. They lead the MAC in assisted goals per game- a sign of "teamism". They play a style of offense that borrows a good bit from basketball- you will see transition goals, screens, isolation plays, picks, pick-and-rolls; on defense, they are pretty effective at a help-style defense called "slides". Add some elements from soccer and hockey- the result can be a fast-paced exciting game requiring speed, skill, intelligence, and lots of solid conditioning. Just two years ago, they were mired at the very bottom of the 130 division one programs. Now they can and do compete as a legit "mid-major" division one program. I liked their first coach but there is no denying their improved play under coach Jones. They are also graduating their players and sending them off to great careers. I don't know the whole list but do know of teachers, nurses, a number of physical therapists, one in medical school, social work, a Chem major in graduate school studying food science. Given the horrible situation in the revenue sports currently, it is pleasing to find one that maintains its roster a bit, is winning, and producing graduates. I hope they win this coming Sunday and add to their achievements. Go Zips!

As for incentives to stay, I would list developing meaningful relationships with players/students/coaches that will continue beyond playing days ( difficult to do when you bounce around four schools within your limited playing career) and obtain a degree in a field you enjoy and has good employment prospects (I can just imagine what shape her credits are in). Its not like she will be making millions playing professional basketball. Compare with Freeman- who will likely make millions but has employment opportunities with real degrees to back him up.

This is insanity! How can anyone be a loyal fan- you have no idea to whom to profess loyalty? How can you be a coach in such a situation? You recruit a player; during the preseason and the season, you are still recruiting that player. After the season, you recruit the player yet again and get a commitment that the player is going to stay- allowing you start to build a roster knowing the player will be a part of said roster. Then several weeks later, the player leaves and you have to start again to build a roster without a key element, Insanity! The loser, of course, will be college athletics with a declining fan base and the player who will be going to her fourth school and likely not receiving the same value in a degree with a future.

On a personal note, as an undergraduate, I attended an "elite" private East Coast college with a 7% acceptance rate. I was not an athlete, child of an alum, nor child of a major donor. Their acceptance rates were much higher than 7%. The rest of us, therefore, had a rate even more restrictive. Tough to get into. My master's was done at Akron in an area that had a number of combined undergrad/graduate classes in which graduate students were expected to do more- but- gave me an insight into the undergraduate student requirements. I assure you the undergraduate students had demands that matched those at the "elite" school. The difference was largely the research/book success of the professors at the "elite" school. Virtually no impact on the education received by students unless the student sought to be a researcher. Quality of output is the most important criteria in measuring a college- UA can stand tall!

these rankings have little to do with academic excellence- most never have. They are based on public acceptance and exposure. The University of Akron has had historical disadvantages. First- lack of exposure due to localized student body. Second- the power structure of Akron largely didn't care because they sent their children elsewhere and they had the rubber industry. They started to care about 1980 when it became obvious the rubber industry was moving their manufacturing elsewhere- that meant employment at The University of Akron became important "core jobs" for the community. Next was the tendency of Akron residents to call our school "Hilltop High' which has largely disappeared and "Akron U" which has unfortunately not disappeared. Also some of The University's leadership has not been as aggressive as they might in seeking to expand its influence- Dr. Guzzetta for one and the collection of weak leadership/temporary leadership more recently. Lastly- the power of sports towards the value of academic rating. No one in the 1970s would have considered the University of Alabama a strong educational institution. There have been multiple TV stories about the enrollment growth and the increase in stature there that Saban has built. There have been others- Notre Dame, for example- not as strong academically back 100 years ago as it is now. I agree with the poster above- better to measure the quality of the output than the input! The University of Akron provides a solid education and better than most colleges. There is little objective logic to the above rating even if you remove Akron from the list.

You all are virtual teenagers. I started work at Akron June 1965! Started graduate school at night the same year. Not only was Buchtel open, there were apartment buildings across the street- believe they were called the Char apartments (i think) used as dorms to the growing student population. there were small former homes, some used as fraternity houses, where the library is. Akron has grown and developed as a strong regional University during this period and needs to feel prouder about its strengthening than it does. It is an excellent institution and changes like this pathway enhancement will give it the visual "look" that many people associate with a strong school. Looks great Forever a Zip!

Transfer from WVA was highly rated out of high school- Top Drawer Top 150 from IMG Academy in FL. Might be a very needed goal scorer.

Emmer Lancaster was the first African American graduate of the Municipal University of Akron. Dr. Lancaster began his education at @uakron in 1918 and was a member of the baseball, track, and debate teams. He graduated with an A.B. (Bachelor of Arts) in 1921. While his education experience at UA is remarkable in its own right, it is his career after he graduated and his commitment to small and minority owned businesses in Akron and across the country is why we are celebrating him and his accomplishments. From 1940 to 1968 he served as Special Advisor to the Secretary of Commerce concerning blacks in small businesses. While he was in Washington D.C., he would travel to New York City once a week to attend classes at NYU, where he earned his Masters of Science in Retailing. Also during his time in Washington D.C., Dr. Lancaster instituted “business clinics” around the country to help African American business persons construct business plans and expand profitable enterprises that created jobs. Under the auspices of the Commerce Department, Lancaster organized several national conferences to help African American businesses in America. The conferences helped with strengthening business curriculums at historically black colleges and universities; communicating detailed information about government services available to them; assisting with submitting proposals for government contracts; and providing opportunities to meet and learn from the more successful black entrepreneurs in the country. Due to his work, many African Americans became entrepreneurs who might not have otherwise; many existing entrepreneurs became larger and more successful; and many African Americans became gainfully employed who may not have had opportunities otherwise. After retiring, Dr. Lancaster returned to Akron and became active in the community until he passed away in 1984. In 1971, The University of Akron awarded Dr. Lancaster the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws “in recognition of his significant leadership in legal and social progress and understanding.” (📷 - UAkron Libraries)