Big Zip

Funny how the excitement of a season can be dashed so quickly. Wasn't expecting a win but was expecting competitiveness.

Sadly the Zips seem to just be getting man handled by the UCF offense.

I enjoy following Jeremy on twitter but he sure is sensitive sometimes.

I once heard Noel Leathers (some of the old timers may remember him) say leading a University was a lot like leading an Elephant...you could nudge a little left or a little right but you weren't going to make that elephant completely turn around. At least it was something like that....point being the impact a single person can have on a University isn't as big as you think it. The plans (albeit not exactly) to change UA into the campus it has become were already created when Dr. Proenza got here. He get the credit for having the balls to finally implement it but the plans were in place in long before. A President's role is a leadership role but also a role that allows them to lobby government agencies and government officials for the needs of your University. Dr. Proenza had a lot of experience in this realm when he came to UA and was well respected. Like it or not a person like Tressel (although not the higher education influence) has influence and his words/presence will get you an audience with many people. If he was hired and put the right people in key positions beneath him he could succeed. I think he is smart enough to know where he is deficient and to let others take over. Finally, GP1 I may be incorrect but I do believe you have voiced a displeasure with the way higher education is run from athletics, to graduation rates, to student loans. With this in mind, perhaps an individual that doesn't come to the job with all of those preconceived notions in his head and a willingness to do something or try something different is a viable solution. If you don't like the current state of higher education I would think you would cheer for a different way of thinking about it and a different person to lead them. Just a thought...I'm sure you'll let me know you want someone from the business world which is fine but my thought is a different type of President with a different background may be what the doctor ordered.

I was looking at the roster this morning and not including JC transfers this team has amassed 11 transfers going into this year: Jeff Allen -- Coastal Carolina - DL Nordly Capi -- Colorado State -- DL Zenel Demhasaj - OL - Pittsburgh Nick Hirschman - Colorado - QB CJ James -- Colorado State - DL Jerome Lewis - Virginia Tech - TE Moses McCray - Florida State - DL CJ Mizell - Washington State - LB (he's listed as a only a junior after all his bouncing around?) Henry Orelus - Florida State - OL Drew Phillips -- BYU - WR Se'von Pittman - OSU - DL So 5 DL, 2 OL, 1 QB, 1 WR, 1 TE, 1 LB. Have to say the coaching staff is doing everything they can to improve the talent on the field for this team. This list doesn't include players like Jamel Turner the former OSU recruit who never made it to OSU. How many of these guys are starters this year? I'm looking forward to seeing a depth chart and starting to get pretty excited about what Coach Bowden and his staff are doing.

The game ison ESPN3....Does that mean the Internet?

I haven't had Time Warner forever and hate this deal.

That picture looks like it was taken in front of right next to Munich Glockenspiel right in the heart of Munich.

I would love to see some real journalism on this front. Why doesn't the ABJ (your local newspaper) poll 100 or 200 students who have not graduated in six years. I don't know how they get this information but I'm sure there is enough information readily available. Hell reference local HS graduations with FB to see who says they are at UA. Contact those individuals and find out why people aren't graduating. Actual do some leg work and journalism to try to understand the problem instead of just criticizing the University. What would be interesting to see from this research. # of Students who started school 7 years ago at Akron # of Students still attending school at Akron # of Students who earned an Associate Degree # of Students who transferred out # of Students who dropped out in after year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 # of Students from group above who plan to go back to school We all know the traditional student at Akron is different than the traditional student at Miami so comparing them isn't perhaps the best choice but we definitely should be compared against schools like Toledo, CSU, Wright State, Youngstown State etc.

I remember the blue board too but still think the 10th anniversary of the current iteration is a big deal.

I may be off but it seems to me that early next year is the 10th Anniversary of the launch of Zipsnation. Is this true? If so, shouldn't their be some sort of planned celebration? And those of you at UA who read this....I think you need to get involved and throw some money at it. I know your budgets are tight but the people on this board are the people who support this program through thick and thin.

Why does this have to turn into a conversation of whether he helps the program or not? Why can't it just be cool that the guys on the Akron team get an opportunity not afforded every other team in the country. Can't it just be that the Akron team playing with the greatest basketball player in the game is pretty sweet? Everyone on here seems like they want to argue about everything...sometimes things can just be.

If you don't think this comes up when recruits come to campus and talk to the players you're out of your mind. Brian Walsh tweeted it out last night that ONLY at Akron do you get a chance to play open gym with Lebron James. Anyone wonder if the media will get the picture with Quincy and Reggie with Lebron in the Indians hat?

Just drove by campus and the Exchange Street corridor seems to be moving along still. the amount of student housing along Exchange is actually looking pretty awesome. I still struggle to fathom $600 a month for 22 Exchange as one of of five people. $3K a month per apartment...I have to believe they are making money hand over fist.

This is a pretty interesting conversation. What I think it points to and it too is an over discussed topic....Akron needs to be in another conference with real or perceived bigger/better schools. Say what you will about Conference USA and the Big East etc. their perceived value is better than the MAC.

So Matt Futch (according to his bio on GoZips.com) was a Grad Assistant at Akron. That doesn't seem like the normal path -- Grad Assistant to Head Coach regardless of level.

What a ballsy statement from a guy who hasn't had any success as a head coach. A guy who sucked at one of the easiest schools in the country to recruit and after failing still got another opportunity then subsequently rehired the same crap staff. Wow! Anyone trying to schedule KU? http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-sat...-190338969.html

GP1 really? Shaka Smart?

No offense to the Zeke brain trust but signing on to a Summer League team and not getting playing time seems like a bad decision. If this is what the NBA thinks of Zeke then he should probably pack his back for Europe. Meanwhile Ryan Hollins signs a contract with the Clippers. As bad as a Hollins is he continues to get NBA jobs.

The rights are not forever according to the article.

GP1 has a valid point although I think he might have it backwards. I understand it is all about the benjamins as the kids say but there is a difference playing in the no. 1 league in the world versus the minor leagues. Not being drafted can be a blessing in disguise for Zeke because he can go to the best fit for him versus who drafted them. If the NBA doesn't work out, Europe isn't going anywhere and he can go there after he run (long or short) in the NBA.

I wish Alex the best but how productive is he going to be with a 3rd degree felony on his record? Whenever he fills out a job application he has to check the box that says he is a felon. It is going to be a tough road for him and I believe teaching is not an option due to the felony. He would also have a tough time in the financial industry if I'm correct.

I'm wondering and maybe I'm absolutely crazy but he might think Akron has a better chance at a bowl game than Colorado. I assume he believes he'll be the starter and playing against the MAC would provide him with a better change at bowl eligibility than starting at Colorado and playing in the PAC-12. However slim that hope may be I would guess he's probably right. Six wins at Akron has to be easier than six wins at Colorado.

I'm saying his season ends early, he gets paid to rehab and learn for a year. He essentially gets a full year of on the job training. In a year he'll have fully rehabbed and had a full year to learn under the Patriots organization.

Hate to say it but Hines barely played here...I doubt he was going to make the Patriots. This may be a blessing in disguise for him.