LosAngelesZipFan

I thought Kasparek played great in the MCCC-- hope he gets featured more this year. Not fast but big target, reliable hands. Hitting him consitently would really open things up for the rest of the offense.

Sorry, I mis-spoke...I thought the JD deal was done. They also need to do this in a way that they both are happy-- UA doesn't need a repeat of Huggins vs Faust. It would be great if they got creative and structured deals that really rewarded success and longevity.

They've got JD a solid extension-- have they done the same for KD? They fact that he WANTS to stay at Akron should not be held against him! It should be rewarded! UA should be making a commitment to keep him in the top 3 or 4 of MAC coaches and lay out a long term staying bonus. Any news on this?

1) How did BG get the game at Cleveland Stadium?2) Why is OSU playing 2 MAC schools this year as well as Cincy? 3) How did "our" BC home game end up at Central Michigan? (There were lots of rumors in Dec. that we had that game)4) How did Can't get a home game against Minnesota?Here's my concern... scheduling seems odd for 2006 for lots of schools. Unfortunately it feels like UA's schedule is off strategically-- we've got no big name home opponent in while other MAC schools, including Can't of all things, actually has a Big Ten school.

I think it is HORRIBLE that the BJ has had no coverage of spring practice so far...there should be an article every day about how the MAC's #1 recruiting class is starting to pan out, how good Luke can become, the development of WR, who will take over at RB, the inner workings of JD, the 5 year plan, the stadium, etc. I thought some progress had been made in getting appropriate levels of coverage, but the evidence is maybe not so much.Akron's institutions, like much of NEO, has "small town-itis"-- the nagging sense that anything that happens locally can't be as meaningful or significant as what is happening some place else. It makes me sick that the PD, let alone the ABJ, covers UA so sparingly. (Another great, non-sports example-- Steven Litt, the PD's architecture writer, has done nothing on UA's new campus-- not a line, not whisper, and yet he had an entire article about UC's 20 year effort to re-invent its campus...)The impact that UA (and Can't State for that matter) have on the economic and social fabrics of NEO cannot be underestimated. That UA is not given preeminant coverage in these papers is, IMHO, disgraceful. UA admin should be cracking heads behind the scenes on this...

Has there been ANY coverage of Zips spring football so far? I am in Maui right now (sidebar...you may be wondering why I am online instead of at the beach...I've got napping-age children and it is my turn to watch them) and the local rag has had articles everyday about UHawaii football.

It still pisses me off that they are playing in Cleveland....anyone know the story behind how that happened?

They should shoot to tear down the bulk of those ugly yellow brick buildings...Memorial Hall in particular but Leigh too. They are just ugly, outdated, and reinforce the negative stereotypes of the old UA.

The U doesn't touch the endowment capital, just the interest from it. UA has had a very active fundraising and investment management group at least since I was there in 85-89. You're right, this is one way to measure institutions. Given Proenza's incredible track record to date, I would assume they are in the midst of planning some sort of "capital campaign" which would greatly increase the endowment. UA should shoot to for like a $200 million campaign with the stadium fundraising counting towards that goal.

I totally agree-- hosting a BCS school and losing in a good game is much better for fan interest than beating a 1AA. A 1AA team puts us on the wrong side of the expectation curve...there is always a chance we beat the BCS school just like there is a chance we lose to the 1AA school. Hosting Minnesota or BC makes a statement, win or lose, about where the program is going but UA's momentum is put at total risk by hosting a 1AA school and doing anything but completely destroying them. Did this situation happen because of the AD change?

I thought Mack's comments to Rasor about a Big East break up were really interesting. He seemed to be setting his sights on being ready for that possibility, which I think is fantastic-- lay the groundwork now based on current momentum and be ready if and when it happens. Is the Big East is going to spin apart as the gravitational pull of football and basketball pull in opposite directions-- is it reasonable to hope that Akron could be a solid contender to pick up a slot in a new IA fb and bb conference?

french has the sound of big time sports, he just needs a spotter. The sound of Zips sports improved dramatically when he became the guy (he was still doing the morning show then and was hilarious). I can't help but associate JJ Dunn with the bad old days of UA sports. Lovely guy but this is an area that could be upgraded.

Akron #1. Toledo.....#4.

So this is incredibly creative and fun-- how could this not get mentioned in any story, not one, anywhere? Geesh.

Please, what was the story? I get there was a Trojan Horse-like effort of some sort...can someone please fill in the blanks.

This isn't looking good....49-45 cant...Zips are stone cold this half...the post earlier this week about the 2nd half lull the Zips go through is prophetic

THIS is the angle that would be nice to see the BJ and PD cover-- I would even be OK with slavish devotion they show to Cowlumbus State if they at least covered UA achievements like this recruiting class.For instance...the PD has give NO coverage to UA's new landscape. A $400 million project-- as big as Gateway (The Jake and Q)-- and no coverage, no description, no architectural critique, no "look at what's tranforming Akron and isn't that great for NEO". Pisses me off...

The lebron idea is not out of the question-- I asked one of his mgmt people to press Nike ot make a huge donation and align the school behind them.

What does the ranking mean on ESPN? Akron is only middle of the road on this (but at least ahead of Toledo).

You went to the Cal game? Any thought of going to Nevada game?I keep saying I would LOVE to get a football game out here but I know the payday has to make the trip worthwhile.

Does this sound like a pipe dream? Yes. But so does Getsy hitting Hixon from 40 yards out to beat NIU after Wolfe gained 8000 yards as does the Zips battling back to close within a touchdown of Memphis in the last 5 minutes.BELIEVE THAT ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD!And if we don't get him, we still have a great recruiting class, a coach we believe in, a very good QB, and a great stadium. Well, 3 out of 4 with plans to correct the 4th.

Does anyone know how to get tickets to the Nevada game? Is the Athletic Dept or Alumni Assoc going to organize something? Does anyone on this board have any interest or plans to go? It would be incredible if a small but vocal and roo-laden cadre of Akron fans showed up in Reno on Feb. 18.

Just read the PD online that Chichester is definitely out at the evil empire but they failed to mention he visited UA recently. Any news on whether JD has reeled him in?

Rasor is interviewing new AD Mack Rhoades in the next few weeks for his excellent blog (http://blogs.ohio.com/rasor/)...what would you want to know?My number one is about the football stadium-- where, when, what. I'd also love to know what he has in mind for making UA football, basketball, and soccer the dominant programs in NEOhio. I'd also love to know if there is any discussion of doing something about the JAR.

Curious...for those that played on the UA teams and are from the area, is there any home town/NEO loyalty or is it basically "If I can't go to OSU, then I would just as soon go to Eastern Michingan as UA". Do UA marketing programs targeted at NEO make a difference in recruiting by raising the U's profile.