RocketRobert

Yes, pay no attention to the sour grapes served up by that supposed Rocket fan. You guys won it all. We didn't even win our division. No more to be said. UT's campus has undergone some significant changes just within the past year or two. A big dorm section was added to the east of campus and they did it up right. Nice looking buildings that complement the architecture of the campus, as opposed to going the low budget "barracks" route. There were residential buildings erected on the south side of the campus as well. Last year, I believe, someone made a big donation to upgrade the center mall area of the campus. (I forget what its called..) There are additional plans for further expansion and upgrades in the near future. I think the biggest negatives are on the south side where there is a railroad track and an electrical substation that probably will not go away for a very long time, if ever. I also have a concern about a parking garage that is soon to be erected on the SW corner of the campus. While parking is very badly needed, that corner is kind of a main route to the campus and it would be a shame to forever destroy the aesthetics of that intersection. (Not that it's particularly pleasing now, but it could be.) Enough about Toledo. What do you guys care, right? It sounds like there are some great things happening in Akron. Hopefully your success in football this season will give you an additional boost!

Sneaky, sneaky, sneaky.. While the whole world is expecting Northern Illinois, Bowling Green or Toledo to roll through the MAC you guys quietly win the games you have to as the others stumble and fall. What a diabolical plan. Seriously, though--unbelievable game. As good a game as I've seen all year. I never would have thought anyone could beat Northern twice. When your QB threw that pick near the end my heart sank. I thought it was all over...and so did the Huskies. You guys have a lot of good players and your offense runs really smooth. (Ours used to do that. ) Congratulations on the championship. Quite a banner year for your athletics. I hope you get that new stadium that some of you are hoping for. You deserve it!

Congrats to you guys for representing the East in the MACC. You earned it fair and square and it represents a great accomplishment by your team. I wish you success in mobilizing a big crowd for the game. If anyone is straddling the fence as regards staying home vs driving up, just GO! The Ford is a really cool venue and you can have a great pregame experience at Hockeytown Cafe across the street. (I strongly suggest making a reservation well in advance, though. It does get pretty full a couple hours before game time.) There is a parking garage right next to Hockeytown and there are a good number of small lot's within walking distance. You'll have a great time. I would go myself, but I have to take off work for midweek games. While it's not "impossible" for me, it's not a good thing to do too often..if ya know what I mean. This talk about the MACC being "meaningless" without a bowl invite--baloney! Winning your division is a big honor and the MACC is the ultimate goal for any MAC team. A bowl is just icing on the cake. While I'm thrilled that UT has been invited to the GMAC, I do think it sucks that that you guys weren't. Actually, I think it sucks that the bowl system is about 90% commercialism. College athletics is not "professional" sports and it's a shame that commercialism has become such a large part of it. OTOH, I suppose the argument could be made that without the commercialism there would probably only be a handful of bowls and a lot fewer teams would ever have an opportunity for post season play. None-the-less, the selection system stinks and I wish the NCAA had the fortitude to fix it. Anyway, hang in there. Maybe there is still an invititation in your future. I've been to the Rubber Bowl once, quite a few years ago--you guys beat us so I never went back! I thought it was kind of a cool stadium, but kind of weird, too. I hope the success you had this year leads to a new stadium for you, if that's what you feel you need. As far as Toledo fans feeling our team is somehow "elite," well--I guess the team's successes from 2000 forward may have gone to our heads a little. But, don't worry, we've had our share of humiliation, too. While we set some attendance records in '01, it hasn't been exactly "stellar" since then and that is a source of frustration for us, too. Congrats again on a greatly improving program. I'll be watching you Thursday!