Captain Kangaroo

I remember when Allan Hanson backed out of his commitment. It didn't take KD too long to find a willing taker (for the scholarship) in Cedrick Middleton. I would think if Ennis has reneged on his commit, KD will not sit idly bye hoping and praying he gets the re-commit. You can bank on the scholly already being offered to others.

George is a solid hire. He's always been extremely friendly and helpful. I'm happy for him.

Lets just hope Dambrot doesn't text Wistercill about this!

I bought my tickets already. In the ghetto (standard reserved) and only 4 of them. Like you BZ, have followed all the Zips athletic programs faithfully for multiple decades. The way I look at it... you really can't let one guy, or one regime, or a set of inane policies destroy your faith in UA athletics. I'll have a great time this upcoming fall/spring following the Zips programs regardless of whatever misguided or ignorant policies are enacted. I can't let The Man get me down. I still haven't had a chance to form an opinion on the new football staff. I met Ianello at the Cadillac Ranch. He wasn't very personable, but did speak to me for about 5 minutes. He's definitely more business-like than JD, but I don't know that it means he's an a-hole. And like GP1 said - Ianello can be a raging a-hole if he wants...as long as he wins. Did Ianello f-up a text message? Sure. Who gives a rat's ass? That's the most minor thing in the world. If we beat Syracuse, no one will ever remember it. Or if they do, they'll be laughing about it. If we go 2-10 this year, no one will remember it either. There will be bigger concerns than texting. I met with Coach Latina for a few minutes too. He seems like a great guy. I sent, and subsequently re-sent an email to the football staff asking for a chance to meet with them and build a relationship with ZipsNation. I guess I'll need to re-re-send it. To date...it has been ignored. That irks me... especially when other UA programs, and previous staffs have welcomed the opportunity to spread information and good news regarding their respective programs. Buy your tickets and bring the family to the games. Even though they don't realize it -- The University needs us "good fans," who have invested with our wallets and our hearts. And I'll need company in Ghetto Lot #999 (next to Luigi's dumptster).

I'm sure you gained so much insight while riding the pine. You have any idea how much talking goes on behind the scenes? Any idea how decisions are made, or how coaches find out about other jobs? You really think TW didn't have the entire staff knowing what was going to happen if they failed? Do you really think the coaching staff didn't already know going into the season what was going to happen? TW started September 10th (officially). Reno resigned 10/31 (officially). A whole 41 days. Everyone wants to blame the new guy, but Hunter had more information on the goings on than anyone. If any decision was made TW only signed off on it. It was JD's hire, he had as much say in it as anyone. But you guys jump on the AD. With no proof of what went on from the University's side. Someone sold you a bill of goods. People believe what they want to believe, regardless of what I type, so I say to all - enjoy your weekend.

So let me get this straight: The University didn't cancel. The Department of Athletics didn't cancel. But the Football Office did? Isn't the Football Office somehow tied to The University, or The UA Department of Athletics? We have an entirely new coaching staff... and they cancel an event where the staff can meet-and-greet with 100+ of the Program's biggest supporters. Big short-sighted mistake, IMO.

You can call my account of it "crap" if that is what you want to do, but unless you show where your "knowledge" is somehow more accurate than mine both are complete opinion and conjecture. I would not assign as strong a statement to my name without 100% certainty. I state every ounce of my reputation on this board on it. I hope that will suffice.

Since the University decided to cancel the Football Golf Outing, I was curious how many ZipsNation members would be interested in holding our own event some time this summer? Scramble format...probably 1/3rd the cost of the $160 University-sponsored event last season. Maybe we could even convince a guest celebrity to speak or participate? I'm simply curious...no commitment necessary...I don't even know that I could put it together...but how many ZN members would be interested?

Your account of the situation could not be more incorrect. If you are going to rip on Zach for his critiques, at least do so with factual counterpoints. Coach Ferri was fired. However, he appealed...because it was unjust. The appeal process lasted several weeks. In the end, he elected to resign rather than spend money he did not have (in the "tens-of-thousands-of-dollars") for, at best, only a couple month's salary (after week 5 or 6, it was pretty obvious all the coaches were going to be let go). The story broke regarding alleged "recruiting violations," and the story mysteriously disappeared. There were no sanctions levied against the football program. No scholarships lost. Nothing. That speaks volumes for it's accuracy. BTW - Kudos to the local print media for happily printing the allegations, then sticking their head in the sand afterward. TW never apologized to Coach Ferri. That's probably the most laughable statement I've ever seen in the history of ZipsNation. Whomever fed you that line fed you a line of crap. That is all I will say about this topic publicly, for now. I hope the University appreciates it.

OMG...LOL

Or, he could be a good coach?

Another group that was a Lot 9 mainstay was the AK-Rowdies. I would be highly shocked if any of them... be they 4-year students... grad students... or post-Rowdy younger alumni have donated $1,000 or more to the Z-Fund. Thus they are getting the boot from Lot #9 too? Great way to treat the most enthusiastic, loyal group of students/future alumni. I'm 43 years old. Welcome to the club, AK's. Like Chris Berman said a few years ago "It's a GREAT time to be a Zip!"

I like 6' 3", 330lbs over the original 6' 1", 300lbs.

Response #1: If the Cavs lose LeBron, they are toast. He was a once-in-a-lifetime, miracle draft pick that staved off the inevitable. There would be an Oklahoma City Cavaliers if it weren't for LeBron. Response #2: The Indians can't win. They traded away all their great players for a sack of beans and some Dollar General jewelery. Their run of being competitive is over. They don't have the personnel or the bankroll. Response #3: Most Zips fans were pretty excited about Getsy in 2005. Response #4: The Celtics needed to find a way to win after Bird. It took them 22 years to do it. And they are the Celtics. The Cavs are the Milwaukee Bucks, sans LeBron. Once he's gone, they are essentially a MAC basketball team. I can't wait to watch South East Milwaukee State play the Zips in a couple years.

You can "aspire" and "want" until the cows come home...if no one wants to offer a scholarship, you either accept being a walk-on, or give up the dream.

Every mentions Lebron & Jordan, and the lack of championships. Jordan didn't win his first championship until he was almost 30. Jordan, Johnson, Bryant, Bird, Pierce & Thomas all had/have solid supporting casts. You take Lebron out, the Cavs have a 30 win team. He has never had a real supporting cast. I also would love to see Lebron playing under the "Jordan" rules. No Zone defenses at all, can start running from the wing and not get called for traveling. Also remember, the league royally sucked when Jordan was playing. LeBron never travels. He just Crab-dribbles. Go Zips.

Height: 6 ft - 2 inches Weight: 195 lbs Position: SS-Strong Safety And his name is actually Mark. And his last name is actually Murphy.......his dad, also Mark Murphy, played safety for the Packers. Rivals says he has offers from Arizona, K.E.N.T. and Indiana. I actually had a chance to help coach him in basketball at an early age. He is a good kid from a good family. His dad also coached at Akron under Faust, right?

I do. Every MAC team was excited about making the road trip to Florida. It was a lot more attractive than Muncie or Ypsalanti. I know every Zips player during that era had the Florida trip marked on their calendar.

LeBron is a cash cow for NE Ohio. Without him, the Cavs are back to Brevin Knight, Shawn Kemp... and 4k people coming to downtown Cleveland on any given night. He's the difference between the downtown bars and hotels being packed for 45 - 50 nights per year, and them being at 20% occupancy. If LeBron departs, downtown Cleveland will be a ghost town ... once again. Turning around the Cavs took one guy. Turning around the Indians takes 12 guys. And the Indians are no where near close to having those 12 guys. The Indians are WAY closer to being the Pirates than the Yankees. Or the Twins for that matter. Go Zips.

Puerto Rico...Canada...JUCO...transfers...it appears a paradigm shift in recruiting has taken place? I like it. I think the previous approach had a limited ceiling, unless we got lucky. Looking forward to our new small forward(s).

Thanks to all of you who contributed to the thread. It looks like the vast majority of those affected don't really care for the decision. I'll close this out, on my end, with a short story -- My wife graduated from UA both undergrad and from UA's School of Law. A couple years ago I introduced her to Gary Bogue, who does fund raising for UA's Law School. Afterwards, she decided to become a law school donor. Maybe three months ago, my wife said to me: "You know, I really enjoy donating to the law school. I would never have thought to do it if you hadn't introduced me to Gary." Fastforward to the beginning of April. My wife gets an invite to a symposium at UA featuring a NY Times writer who covers decisions of The United States Supreme Court. Invitations, she was told, we're only sent out to a select group. She immediately responded, and said she'd "...be honored to attend." We then went on vacation for 1 week. When we returned, my wife wrote an email to the woman responsible for the event asking for information on UA parking. The woman responded - "Oh, you can't come to the symposium. We had too many people respond. We took you off the list." That's it. As cold and inconsiderate as that. Without even the courtesy of a phone call or an email stating "I am so sorry, but the response to this event was overwhelming and..." My wife was furious. She wrote Gary, who is a solid guy, and voiced her disappointment. He did what he could to make amends, but the damage was done. This year, my wife will not be donating to the School of Law. Maybe the following year, we will re-visit the decision. Time will tell. How does this tie into the Football forum? At the Cadillac Ranch @ the MAC tourney, a person involved with UA Athletics approached me and stated "Hey, I just found out what you give to the Law School. We need to find a way to get your Z-Fund donation up to that level!" I assured the person that one day it would get there. Fastforward to last week, when Tom Wistercil announced his parking plan: Obviously TW does not consider my Z-Fund donation, or potential for future donations worth much. He also feels that I do not really have all that much invested (his words, not mine) in the University's athletic programs. That, as GP1 observed, is a real slap in the face. I will keep my season football and basketball tickets, and attend the other UA athletics events that I have always enjoyed. But if I am booted from Lot #9 due to my investment in UA athletics being considered insignificant, I will withhold my 2010 Z-Fund donation. Like my wife's law school donation, will revisit things the following year. But it appears UA does not value the money my family donates. And there is only one way to voice my displeasure over it...at least in a way the TW will feel, and understand. There are a lot of great people at UA, and programs I enjoy supporting financially. But I took a 10% pay cut the past two years, due to the recession. And also lost about 30% of my commission/bonus. This isn't the best of economic times, and I need to spend my money where I feel it is valued. Tom made his business decision. I'll make mine.

I think I made that explicitly clear in my opening post. The Zips fans in Lot 9 spend a ton of money on the Zips. Excerpt: I agree with ZW that this will probably be much ado about nothing. The lots won't magically be populated with Escalades and Rolls. If you've followed the Zips for any length of time, you know Pintos outnumber the SUVs. I just wonder - Why throw the rock at the bees nest in the first place? I guess Tom needs to learn his lessons on the job...I need to keep in mind he's only been in town for 9 months. And I'm sure he made a lot of promises in his interview that he could generate revenue.

perhaps true in terms of coverage in volume of content.... but perhaps not so true in terms of quantity of readership? This site is 100% Zips fans. The Plain Dealer, for example, is 0.045% Zips fans. In terms of reaching a target audience, I'd say we are, at worst, equal to print media.

I agree that this would have been a better way to handle it. $25 for that lot last season was too cheap. I think raising it to $60 or $75 this season would have pissed off a bunch of cheap-asses, and opened up numerous spots for the beloved high-roller donors. Something like that would have been a win-win (more close parking spots for the donors....more cash from those who elected to stay), and made everyone happy. Except for the super-cheap...and they will never be happy. I could see that lot being a $100 parking lot in 2-3 years, if the team was any good. If the team is 3-9, good luck selling parking at any price. And to YouTube Tom I say - "You are welcome." You didn't need to send out any surveys, or hire some fancy firm to analyze and poll the fans about the parking situation...you just got a $20,000 customer survey for free. Consider it my donation to the Z-Fund and give ZipsNation a lot 9 pass. I guarantee Gaffney and Alexander will plop their asses in that lot, for free, and they don't provide 1/100th the coverage of Zips Athletics that this site does.