MDZip

A lot of you seem to have very short memories. Our last victory over Ohio State really did very little for the program.

But what a great way to go out. This must be what it feels like to be say, a UK in basketball (but without the associated NCAA violations ).

Next years scarves better have some sort of National Championship insignia.

You know who I feel the worst for? (dangling preposition intentional ). Anyone who is soccer fan who roots for a team other than Akron in the MAC. Man, thats got to be depressing looking at another ten years of this.

Twas the day before Christmas and all through the campus Were smiles on all faces, from grandkid's to Grandpa's The trophy was stashed by the Info with care In hopes of another National Championship there But in two years the socceroos have now lit the lamp with one runner up and one national champ And what to my wondering eyes now appears But a Zips golden age in the last five years What's been accomplished is not a mere trifle With two NCAA champs in track and in rifle A multitude of titles in cross country and track The NCCA, NIT and 4 straight games for the men in the MACC The ladies did likewise with a MAC East title in soccer And each basketball lady still needed her locker As each sport has shown us to never say never And they reached the MAC semis for the first time ever And though it now seems eons ago The football team finally made it to the show Though it seems more than five years ago it occurred It's proof a terrible season is not the last word So though to all Zips fans we still empathize Its still the best time to be fans as we must recognize To all of you Zips fans through thick and through thin Merry Christmas to all and may the Zips continue to win!

Incorrect, Dave. I'll bet I spent at least ten seconds thinking of and typing this.

What if he has no access to any money? Have you ever not had a dime to your name and no chance to go out and make any? I'm not saying that is the case with him, but there are guys playing college football around the country who grew up in shacks and have zero money. Universities are making millions off of these players and they don't have enough money to take a girl out on a date. There is something wrong with that in my mind. Sure, and it was usually because I just had to pay my tuition costs. That's my point, these athletes have most of their expenses paid and yet still can't come up with some pocket change when they need it. They are eligible for student loans too if that is what they need. You're right, universities make a lot of money off them but they do get benefits in return (sometimes over $100,000 worth of scholarship money. Not exactly peanuts). I just don't like seeing revenue sports get treated differently than non-revenue sports, should we eradicate all of the other sports? Those folks might need money too. And why are any of them treated differently than the rest of the of the student population? They could probably use some pocket change too. I'm not sure why an athlete should go into debt while in college if he can make a legal income while in college. A player should be free to go out and EARN money while in school. For example, if earning money for an ex-jock includes going to autograph signing sessions, then a college athlete should be able to earn a living in the same way. There is no money exchanged between the University and player at that point. The player is doing nothing illegal. The player is offering a legal service another person is willing to pay for. That is free enterprise and a player should be able to take part in the free enterprise system in this country. As long as a player is earning a legal living and in compliance with NCAA academic standards, there is no reason to not allow it. Now there we might finally agree. Any student should be free to do that. If I'm a business major (and an athlete) and I invent Facebook, no reason I shouldn't profit from it while I'm in school. And if I'm well known enough people would pay for my autograph, good for me. Its the benefits that are set aside just because someone is a college athlete that irk me (like what the OSU athletic director was saying is needed). It just gets tough separating what the athlete can earn vs. say a dealership giving them a car in exchange for an "autograph".

What if he has no access to any money? Have you ever not had a dime to your name and no chance to go out and make any? I'm not saying that is the case with him, but there are guys playing college football around the country who grew up in shacks and have zero money. Universities are making millions off of these players and they don't have enough money to take a girl out on a date. There is something wrong with that in my mind. Sure, and it was usually because I just had to pay my tuition costs. That's my point, these athletes have most of their expenses paid and yet still can't come up with some pocket change when they need it. They are eligible for student loans too if that is what they need. You're right, universities make a lot of money off them but they do get benefits in return (sometimes over $100,000 worth of scholarship money. Not exactly peanuts). I just don't like seeing revenue sports get treated differently than non-revenue sports, should we eradicate all of the other sports? Those folks might need money too. And why are any of them treated differently than the rest of the of the student population? They could probably use some pocket change too.

Just saw a press conference where the OSU AD blamed it all on the lack of pocket money for athletes and suggested that a fund was needed in case an athlete needed to pay for gas or take his girl out for a nice dinner. What crap, these folks have their college education paid for on completely non-academic reasons but somehow it would help if they had a little pocket change for something like desperately needed tattoos? He also only used the word "he" so apparently it should only apply to those in revenue producing sports? Really get tired of the coddled college athlete image, its one of the reasons I love the Zips soccer team.

But is that left or right?

Five Buckeyes including Terrelle Pryor have been suspended for the first five games of next season (quite frankly seems a little severe for trading a tattoo for an autograph). Too bad we won't be good enough to take advantage of it.

It's good to be the king.

For every bracket where a team wins a bunch of games in row, another team, theoretically "loses" that many as well. And the College Cup "loser" for this year is ... Princeton, who lost to UMBC, who lost to William and Mary, who lost to SMU, who lost to UNC, who lost to Louisville who lost to the best team in the country.

I agree. It is easy to hit those shots in practice...but not in the flow of a game. He's always been a streaky shooter. We just need to ride this streak out until he turns it around. Can I predict he'll make at least 5 threes when we play Miami Fl? Who's giving me odds? No way, something seems to happen when he sees the word "Miami" on the front of a shirt.

Another bit of luck, over the past few days, Southern California has been hit by a once every 10-15 year torrential downpour. Glad the College Cup was the weekend of the 10th and not the 17th.

There are only two sports "in the barn", cross country and soccer, but in the Capital One Cup standings (for all sports) the Zips are the current leaders. Don't think it's likely we'll pick up any more points this year but it sure looks nice right now, doesn't it?

I didn't see anyone reference this from the Plain Dealer. Scuttlebutt II: Word is, the league's interest in UMass for football is a big leverage stick aimed at the Temple Owls. Temple must decide by the first of the year if it wants to extend its allegiance to the MAC for football, or end it after the 2012 season. If the decision is to stay, then UMass will be welcomed to partner with the Owls, and (hopefully) the MAC will see fit to (a) get both to sign a long-term deal and (B ) have a seven-figure buyout clause for both if they leave early. The fallout would be another team added to a small MAC post-season bowl pool (three guaranteed) and Bowling Green once again becomes the pawn, moving from the MAC East Division back to the MAC West, where it began when the league first went to divisional play in 1997. If Temple opts to end its association with the MAC, UMass would be put on the back burner until the league found another team, preferably one interested in all-sports status, which would then put some pressure on the Minutemen to join the league in all sports as well.

Stayed a few extra days in California (should have stayed more) but thought I'd give my impressions of the weekend. The only issues of UCSB hosting the cup (odd seating arrangements and parking have been covered and they were minor) but they did a great job otherwise of hosting the cup. Had a terrific festival behind the stadium, there was plenty or room, the atmosphere was fantastic and of course the weather cooperated nicely. Got to meet Z.I.P which was good, always fun to meet ZN.O members. Did see him (and us) on TV when we got back. Actually, Z.I.P. was on a lot. Michigan: Sat in with the Rowdies at the beginning. Love those guys, they are a great student section, and they were joined by a number of UCSB students which was also cool (loved when the UCSB students flung tortillas on the field when we scored) Much as I liked them, eventually had to move because we could neither see nor hear what was going on . In a way it was good, because we never saw Michigan score because of it. Crowd was a bit deflated, but it was great because there was no one who felf that the Zips wouldn't still win it. Still a lot of confidence. When Kofi scored the second goal, the place went nuts and the only time I ever felt a clock going slower was in the last few minutes of the championship game. The best the Michiganders could come up with was a sign that read "LeBron hates you Akron" and little else. The one time I heard them attempt a chant it was something pretty lame like "You're from Ak-ron" to which the Rowdies responded "You have De-troit". The Rowdies were also admonished by either an NCAA or UCSB official after using the words "swallow" and "Douchebag" in separate cheers. After that they had had several cheers of "We're not swear-ing". Saturday night there was a little bit of a Zips rally at the Santa Barbara Brewing Company. Became a little strange when a Santa Claus pub crawl group came in (most have been 50 or more of them) but that added to the fun. Have to give George Van Horne and Tom Wistrcill credit because they went out of their way to say hello and talk to everyone that was there. Doc Nash (one of Akron's original soccer coaches) was also there and is a really good guy. Louisville: The next morning there was a "tailgate" pep rally at the Elephant Bar near the stadium. Lots of fans there and they had a nice spread for us to eat. Dr. P adressed the crowd and there was a lot of excitement and nobody seemed the least bit concerned about Louisville. Then on to the game. Lots of entertaining Rowdy banter again, and of course an outstanding game. No need to recap any of that. Did like the guy who shouted out "Ken, you made the wrong choice". After the game, the guys just were showing unbridled joy, so much fun to see how much they were enjoying themselves. I even got to touch the National Championship trophy while Darlington Nagbe was holding it. Afterward the team went back to the hotel where lots of folks were there to congratulate them. Never saw the Ocean dip but I did see them all head for the pool where they acted like a bunch of 18-22 year olds. Again, really fun to see. Louisville's "celebration" on the front porch was a bit more subdued. As I heard them celebrate, I thought about how unlikely it would have been say five years ago to ever conceive of a Zips National Team Championship in anything. What a great way to enjoy the sunset into the Pacific Ocean on an absolutely beautiful night. I do have some pictures and videos, which I'll try to post as soon as I can. Birmingham is not my favorite city, but I'd be happy to go there next year again.

Zeke out with 4 fouls (2 in about 2 minutes). I didn't see the game from the start, did the soccer National Championship get mentioned?

Akron Leaves with More than National Title. Nice article from College Soccer News.

Z.I.P. already mentioned me, but I am heading out Wednesday evening. A tour of the vineyards, a visit to Channel Islands National Park and a Zips Championship would top off the weekend nicely. By the way Top Drawer Soccer has a poll on their site for who will win the National Championship. Zips seem to be a prohibitive favorite.

RootforRoos blog has been noticed on the Big Soccer Board.

So four MAC teams got bowl bids, each of them is winnable, thought the NIU-Fresno St is probably the toughest. The three others are SunBelt foes. Time to start raising the league profile a little. A little surprised that Temple got left out.

PK's are best of five unless you are still tied, then it's 1-1 from then on. My bags are packed and I'm ready to go!

Overtime. Sh*t!