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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)

i believe Lancaster is the last name of the first black member of University of Akron track team. First name might be Elmer? Dont know who Haynes is

Guess is the students are not there because of the drop off in international students nationally. The graduate programs in Polymer Science are heavily made up of foreign students. Without them, many classes would be literally empty.

Also in 1986, game in the Jar against Cleveland State. In a sense it was a rivalry game between two up and coming coaches- Bob Huggins for the Zips and Kevin Mackey at Cleveland State. The atmosphere was beyond electric. The previous game Akron beat Kent before some 5500 fans; the Cleveland State game had an announced attendance of 7186! The JAR never had close to that many seats even with all bleacher seating on the upper level and behind the baskets. The aisles were completely packed. People jammed themselves together; the fire marshals must have been sent to a bar somewhere for drinks. The place was rocking! The Zips won that one but it was the atmosphere that made it super special.

The new roster limits will have an impact on both the men and women's soccer teams for next year. While we should know by now, things change! The NCAA and the courts may not be finished with us. Plus budgetary issues, particularly at Akron, may affect our ability to be competitive within these rules. With that said, the currently announced roster sizes for 2025 men and women's soccer stands at 28. The women's team has already posted a Spring 2025 roster of 18. They have signed 8 incoming players (think some may enroll for Spring ). If all of those players remain active for next Fall, that means they could add only 2 more players via the portal or elsewhere. The men's team typically has more than 28 on the roster and add some late in the game. They may have to cut current players and/or adapt their recruiting calendar. They both can add additional scholarships as long as the number is equal for each squad- not likely given the budget at Akron. The whole new world continues!

I do not want to make judgements about players as I have great respect for all athletes who can compete at a division one level. That said- most of those 4 players would not be significant contributors next year. Certainly Langstaff would have likely been a contributor. I continue to feel that this team needs serious help on the offensive side- none of these players were likely to score goals. They have signed 8 players for next year- most if not all are three star rated by Top Drawer Soccer. If they are as good as their stars (I know, big IF), the program will take a big step next year if they can find some goals. If not- trouble!

Another frustrating 1-0 defeat. I am not a soccer expert but I am a loyal fan of both the men and women Akron teams. I was only able to watch the first half and, given the final result, have little desire to watch the second half replay. Akron had the wind in the first half but it did not appear to be a large difference-maker and EMU did not score when they had that advantage in the second half. Several thoughts- Akron played them even in the first half. We were not dominated. Every player for Akron at forward was a freshman. It seemed Akron committed a bit more to attack- specifically Morgan Pentz seemed to play more forward and it made a difference- IMO. The defense continued its tough play with effective use of body positioning, etc. The problem is that Akron simply has no goal scorers. Where are the goals going to come from? Which players would worry another team as potential attacking players? In this layman's view, there are four potential scorers on the roster and three didn't play (Pentz being the exception). Some of the freshmen display potential in terms of speed, hard shots, etc. but do not possess the touch, ability to put shots on frame, or skill with the ball to be productive- at least not currently. So- to win more- the other three have to overcome injuries and/or whatever is keeping them on the sideline and return. Next Akron has to find multiple players who can score at the MAC level and fast. Hopefully several 2025 freshmen can do that. In addition, I think the coaches have to find a transfer student(s) who can make the kind of difference that Emil has made for the men. The final piece that can turn their hard work into wins. Know they will not get someone as good as Emil but still she needs to provide the attributes that are missing currently with the other players. I think the current coach has the persuasive ability to make the sale! She needs to.

if your analysis of the women's soccer situation is correct- what do you hope for them to show today? If our coach does a good job of coaching during matches, that the team plays hard as you have suggested earlier (I agree, by the way), and that the problem is not attracting players with more ability- what can they do/show today that will give you the feeling that "they've got what it takes to move up"? The only option to me to to overcommit to offense and hope the hardnosed defense can keep the ball out of their net- they certainly have nothing to lose. Would a 4-2 defeat be more hopeful than a 1-0 defeat?

Capt is correct- 28 soccer scholarships is insane- schools will drop the sport. But the same is true for baseball, softball, wrestling, lacrosse, field hockey et al. The same approximate number of scholarships to the number of "starters". The answer to Capt.'s question is- there is never a 23rd scholarship kid. All recruits think they will start. Many of those who end up 23rd on a ten starter team depth chart will conclude that it is the coach's poor judgement that led to that "mistake". Just ask Joe Burrow during his time at OSU. GP1 does an excellent job on this board re the state of college sports and I have no desire to butt into his space (might match his intelligence but never his passion). The crap is hitting the fan in college sports and taking away a great entertainment option for those who want to root for their team with some hope of winning!