Captain Kangaroo

$1.2 million dollars. That makes an impact in a MAC Athletic Department budget. Just to clarify, Can't State is highly, HIGHLY unlikely to see a $1.2 million dollar payout on this. Even if the case eventually does go to court, which in all likelihood it will be settled for a much smaller dollar amount well before it ever sniffs a jury, these types of liquidated damages clauses are just not favored much in the courts. The courts will likely look at that big, $1.2 million dollar figure and say you are essentially trying to put a barrier in front of the guy ever leaving his position. They will likely look at it as a loose form of indentured servitude (we've got a big problem with that in this country) and would be very hesitant to issue a judgment anywhere close to that amount. It really is puzzling to me why Can't State is continuing to push this. They are unlikely to receive a payout that is going to cover their costs, it is going to have a deterrent effect on future coaching hires, it isn't going to bring Geno Ford back. It just seems like leftover bitterness and animocity is clouding their judgment to the point where they are making a bad decision just to try and screw with Ford and Bradley. He signed a contract. @ $300k/year. He knew he'd be on the hook for 1.2 million if he departed with 4 years remaining. 300k/yr in Portage County is a ton of money. And now he's at 700k/yr, plus perks. We should all be so burdened with indentured servitude.

From the article: Seems pretty cut-and-dry? Ford should cough up the cash. I don't see it being a deterrent to hiring future coaches. K.e.n.t. is a nice mid-major gig, and any up-and-comer-ladder-climber would take it, regardless of the law suit outcome. They may not sign a stupid contract like Ford, but they'll sign one regardless.

$1.2 million dollars. That makes an impact in a MAC Athletic Department budget.

Andre in happier times

+1 Louisville would be a great rival too, if Lolla had the guts to sign on the dotted line.

I hear next week Lunardi is going to post his 2013 bracket predictions? Man, will that be interesting to read. Hope Zach posts the link. I expect to be clipping my toenails when the story goes to press, and may miss it.

Agreed. Akron and Indiana are bona fide, Top 10 heavyweights.

True. If the other team isn't winning anything, it ain't much of a "rivalry." It's a ton of fun to beating Ohio State, don't get me wrong. But they haven't stepped up to the plate and made it a "rivalry." I think next year's CSU match could be equally as intriguing/heated/crazy as Ohio State. Only because CSU manned-up and beat the Zips. Ohio State wants to be our rival. But they aren't. They're Robin. We're Batman. Yes, CSU beat us, but I wouldn't say they "manned-up". More like they played better than normal and we over looked the game and played down to them. It was a total fluke. A single game does not justify a rivalry. CSU is not our strongest rival, OSU is! I think OSU may be our strongest in-state opponent. But with an all time series record of something like 6-24-3 (off the top of my head, but I believe that's close) they just don't seem like a rival to me. It's giving their program too much credit. I think Penn State/UA is a better rivalry. But that's just me. I enjoy whipping both.

True. If the other team isn't winning anything, it ain't much of a "rivalry." It's a ton of fun to beating Ohio State, don't get me wrong. But they haven't stepped up to the plate and made it a "rivalry." I think next year's CSU match could be equally as intriguing/heated/crazy as Ohio State. Only because CSU manned-up and beat the Zips. Ohio State wants to be our rival. But they aren't. They're Robin. We're Batman.

I just laugh and laugh and laugh at all the scarlet and gray sheep who, upon reading anti-Ohio State posts in the past, smugly replied "You're just jealous. Zips fans are all jealous of Ohio State." So sweet to be vindicated. Everything every open-minded, free-thinking, non-sheep has said about OSU being a corrupt machine is proven to be true. Congrats to you, Non-sheep! It is always so sweet to see a complete fraud exposed. "Life Promises for Success: Promises from God on Achieving Your Best." History always repeats itself.

Nicer football stadium -> better recruits -> better team -> more hype -> higher attendance, etc. This logic didn't work for football. better coach was somehow left out of the equation Very true. Say, as an example, at the opening day game at InfoCision, there was a giant inflatable Zippy in the middle of the field. But instead of air, it was filled with diarrhea and vomit. And as the giant Zippy got bigger and bigger, the crowd cheered and cheered...until the kangaroo exploded and covered everyone with it's contents. The crowd leaves, covered with all this crap, angry and vowing never to return. By the prevailing logic in this thread it was a lousy idea to build the stadium, because people don't want to watch Zips football. Everyone ignores the exploding kangaroo. The kangaroo exploded. I saw it. I was covered. For whatever reason, I go back. But I can't blame the other 25,000 people who don't.

Take your base.

Dr Z has seen the light. Look at Dave with a quality one-liner.

And the prophesy is fulfilled. Mark it down. Dambrot gets his first CoTY. Miss Cleo ain't got nuthin' on me. I didn't want you to think I overlooked the post, Doug. You are absolutely correct. I took a big cut at this one, and missed. But from my standpoint, it is a lot more fun to step up to the plate and take multiple good rips at the ball, than to watch the game from a couch. Or stand in a batter's box, bat glued to the shoulder, hoping and praying for a walk. My questions for anyone would be - Did you enjoy reading the post? Was it a "fun read?" Generally speaking, do you enjoy posts like that on ZipsNation? Are those types of posts, whether they're from GP1 or Dr Z or ZipWatcher or anyone else...pretty much the reason you click on the site a few times per day? Or do you like repetitive, milquetoast generalities? Maybe blatantly false information and ill-founded rumors are your fancy? We have those here too. And for free! I like taking the big cut. And writing perspectives that are unique and thought-provoking. It always seems to generate some good follow-up, and keep the board active. I'll never bat 1.000, but when I walk away from the plate, I'm always satisfied with my effort. Dambrot told us in December that Egner and Euton would play big roles for the Zips in 2011...so even that guy misses once in a while? My on-base percentage may be no different that that player who only looks for walks...but I like to think the way I play the game is a hell of a lot more fun and compelling...and, we all know chicks dig the long-ball.

Cap'n, what happened two or three years ago really isn't all that relevant to this particular conversation. Just for that comment, you're on our Basketball Golf Scramble team again this year.

McKauly is gone?!

It is my opinion that this is the only thing that matters. I want to win games. I want the best players on the court that give us the best chance to win. I don't care who practiced well and who didn't. I want the guy that gives our team the best chance to win on the court during the games, because that's what fans come to see, the game. If you don't, then your attendance may suffer. Our Little League coach used to call us "The Practice All Stars." We stunk in games, but man were we awesome in practice.

Shocker.

CSU is more a rival than Ohio State. At least they beat us.

I agree. I hate that our coach is recruiting good players. He should be spending his time on lesser-talented, low-hanging fruit...we'd have a ton of commitments by now.

So we're now sans Diego?

First up: Brett McKnight was far more than a "one dimensional" player. Brett got tagged with being a sub-par defensive player in his sophomore season. Brett stood like a deer in headlights when a UMASS guard drove past him for the game winning basket. Brett has never been able to shake that unfair label. McKnight was a great shooter; a clutch shooter (better than any other Zip during his time at Akron); he also was a decent rebounder. So, one dimension just does not fit Brett. I can't imagine how many all MAC Defensive teams there would need to be before Brett McKnight appeared on one? Maybe "38th Team Honorable Special Mention All MAC Defense?" I'm forever grateful for the two free throws he stroked at The Q in March, and refuse to hate on the kid. He was a solid Zips player. Great kid. But his defense consisted of leaning on the opponent with his forearm. He was essentially one-dimensional ("one-dimensional" meaning a Top-20 threat on the offensive side of the ball, and a Bottom-20% player on the defensive side of the ball). No disrespect to your opinion, or anyone else's.

CK never is negligent in offering an informed, thought-provoking opinion. You know better. Click here for the definitive opinion on Diggs. Should your left mouse button be inoperative, I will offer the following highlight: You're welcome.

Bold prediction.

Other than giving Ianello credit for D'Orazio, I can't find much fault in the column. It's probably the most accurate independent overview of the Zips that I've ever read.