Captain Kangaroo

The 2009 Zips Basketball Golf Outing was held at Silver Lake Country Club yesterday. As always, it was a great event. Here are my 45-minutes quick notes:* My team cruised it's way to a 3-under 69. Only 10 strokes off the lead! Beautiful day for golf...sunny and 70 degrees.* Cost was $150. For that you got 18-holes and a cart at a private country club, nice golf shirt, door prize (I got a $25.00 gift certificate to a local restaurant), lunch and the chance to ask the Coach whatever you wanted. That's a pretty good deal in my book.* On the new arena -- It is projected to be across the street from Canal Park. With the money that the University has sunk into the football stadium, it needs the partnership of the city to finance the project. On-campus is just not feasible. That said, that corner of Main and Exchange is essentially on-campus anyhow...it isn't like it is in Ellet. The arena will likely seat in the area of 8,500 fans. 10k maximum. No one wants it any larger since it would simply be unnecessary. There will likely be a minor league hockey team opening up the arena with the Zips.It was stressed that getting the arena off the ground quickly is a major priority. The way I understand it, an arena should be completed within the next four years. The feeling within the Zips program is there's a finite window of opportunity to take the program to "the next level." If we want to compete with the Dayton's and Xavier's of the college basketball world...really compete with them with top-to-bottom "equivalent" student-athletes and not just gritty/scrappy performances...we need the new arena. And quickly. If we don't get it we'll still be good, but our ceiling will always be limited. That's the reality of the situation.* Brett McKnight has a back problem. He will play with it for his final two seasons @ UA, but he'll need to get an operation once his college career comes to a close.* Humpty re-injured the same ankle he hurt in the spring. It is bugging him. Seems like it will linger into the early season. KD felt the team has the PG depth to overcome it (until Humpty's 100%), but certainly it is a concern.* Darryl Roberts was happy to get his scholarship. It was inferred that the team expects more out of Darryl this year. Not because he's on scholarship, but because he's perhaps not been as dedicated as he can be to basketball. I read a little between the lines on that observation, so if someone heard the comments differently than me, feel free to correct me.* It was mentioned that an Akron/CSU game would be the talk of the town in north east Ohio. Dambrot stated the ball in in Gary Waters court to sign the contract. If I'm Tom Winstrcill, one of the first things I do is get on the phone to CSU and find a way to make that game/series happen. The fans demand it, and it is silly that the teams don't play. * It was mentioned that Wisconsin is a team that might come to NE Ohio to play the Zips because they want to focus on recruiting this area. The Zips/Badgers meeting would be at The Q, not the JAR however. Look for it in 2010-11.* KD continued to beat the drum for better marketing of his team in order to fill the JAR. He cited the 4,700 that came out on Credit Union night to see a 4-22 CMU team as a prime example of what marketing to corporations can do. * KD cited the paltry 4k (estimated) in attendance for the Top-20 ranked Nevada game as an example that bringing upper-echelon teams to the JAR is not going to fill the place. I disagree with him on this topic...and probably always will. The Nevada game was held over Christmas break...the Zips were not all that heralded a team coming into the game (no NCAA appearances, no MAC championships)...and Nevada, ranked #12 in the nation, doesn't excite local fans like say an Indiana, ranked #93, would. To make that game a poster child for what's not possible is a mistake. Play Nevada at home this year, same conditions (Nevada #12), and it is a sell out. The Zips needed to take that NCAA berth and MAC Championship step to take attendance to the next level.* No one asked any questions about Zeke. I thought that was odd.* Cventinovic has really improved his conditioning in the off season. Look for him to break out in 2009-10.* Assistant coach Terry Weigand's son Trevor, who is battling cancer, is doing well. He's undergone quite a bit of chemotherapy, and it will continue, but cautious optimism abounds for him. That was great to hear.* KD implored the luncheon attendees to get out and support the National Championship-caliber soccer program. As a coach, it seems very important to him to see real proof that the community will support a winner. If the general public gives lackluster support to such a high-level program...well...it doesn't reflect well upon the local fan base. UA can't afford to lose Caleb. And keeping a...maybe THE...top level coach in the country happy should be within UA's budget. You can't keep Urban Meyer in the MAC, but you can keep Caleb Porter. That will be a big key to Tom Winstrcill's administration's success.* KD said he has only spoken to the new AD once. He looks forward to a long chat with Tom once he gets on campus permanently September 9th. He like the guy's energy and marketing background. He also went out of his way to praise Hunter, stating "This new AD must really be great if he beat out Hunter." The hope is that Hunter will stay at UA in some capacity, but a lot of time remains before that decision is made.ZipWatcher, ZipsWin and several other board members were present. If they have other information-of-interest to offer, please add it below.

We should win the East. Anything less than an East championship is a huge disappointment. Buffalo lost their top QB and RB. OU is terrible, and we beat them in Akron with great regularity, K.e.n.t. is horrible, there's a reason BG has a new coach/staff, and we have Temple @ home. The teams we are competing for a championship against are the dregs of Division 1 football. We should sweep the MAC East.

I agree. I'll likely be there....and I'll be partying in lot #9 the following morning.

It ran an hour late (11pm) tonight. I hope they compensate UA for that one.Nice production. Time for bed.

It's 10pm! What are you sitting at the computer for? Get down stairs and turn on FOX sports!

So what about the Tonganator. As I recall he was the second best guy named Tonga available at the time we offered. More hype than substance?From what I understand, he's injured.I stand corrected. It is not an injury. LA Harbor has apparently not submitted the academic info required to ensure his eligibility. UA has to wait for the bureaucracy to run its course.It isn't a clearing house issue, but the end effect is the same. Saving BuckZip the effort --

Elton is correct. We should finish 1st in the East.

If the Zips beat Penn State, I want D1-Real's pick for the following day's lottery numbers. Move over Jean Dixon!

What an absolute breath of fresh air to see the new AD reach out to the fans and say "hello" while the ink on his new contract was still wet. A guy that openly embraces "ZipsNation"...that is awesome! I look forward to meeting, and working with Tom. At first glance he seems to have the roll-up-you-sleeves mentality of Mike Waddell, but with the polish of Mack. I can see why Proenza made the tough decision to pass over Hunter.Welcome Tom!

Merriweather ahead of Greenwood is a little surprise too. If an freshman wr were going to be int he 2 deep, I expected it to be Greenwood.You'll understand once you see Meriweather. He's the real deal. Ultimately he needs to put on some weight, but skill-wise he's D1-ready.

So what about the Tonganator. As I recall he was the second best guy named Tonga available at the time we offered. More hype than substance?From what I understand, he's injured.

It is hard to argue that the 1952 season catapulted the Bearcats to the lofty BCS status they enjoy today.

I don't care what the depth chart says...look out for Torrence and LaFrance. They're both looking great.

Not true. Like Homayed, he is stuck in NCAA clearing house limbo. If the cases are not reviewed by next week, then they cannot enroll for the fall semester. Ultimately, both will enroll at UA. Hopefully they are eligible this fall.Don't let it hit you in the head.

I disagree.I loved parking in the Rubber Bowl lot. It really turned into a great party spot within the last 5-or-so years. What will be lost, tailgating-wise, is the ability to park wherever you want, however you want. The ability to be really obnoxious and have such ample spacing amongst fans that no one really cared if you were obnoxious. The ability to play football, golf, beer pong, whatever, without limits. All that was unique to the Rubber Bowl and is lost. But that's the price of moving up. Paying a premium to park an RV is VERY common at football games. I still think people will drink, play corn hole, cook out, play music and whoop it up @ Infocision. I know I will. For those students who want the beer pong, funnels, 110 decibel music etc, they will need to party in someone's off campus back yard, then walk to the game. That's the way it is done everywhere else.

Thanks for the update. Not very often you read about freshman just quitting. To have 2 in the same year is strange.Any word on Couch?Couch is Grayshirting. He'll enroll in the spring. The Zips can't dedicate 2 scholarships to punters.

Jake "The Steak" Delmonico, like Jake Brandt, was here for the entire summer...then quit 4 days into camp. Beat Brandt by 1 day.Abdallah Homayed is on-campus. but in NCAA clearing house "limbo." His grades and test scores are fine. There is an issue with credit for one of his HS classes. Who knows how long it will take the NCAA to get it straightened out. The issue is also affecting two other recruits from his high school, one who's @ BG.

So zip37 says "AMEN" to that, huh? Pretty amazing. I though he respected Dennison? To me it reads like a hard bitch slap to the Zips fans who would be interested in what Dennison had to say. If zip37 doesn't give a rat's ass about what Dennison has to say, then I may have to rethink my position too. News f.l.a.s.h. -- There is no one purchasing a book detailing the History of Akron Football that doesn't know Jason Taylor. It is no wonder some people on this board dislike Ohio State fans. How can you not, when they enter and Akron Zips Message Board to throw tantrums towards Akron Zips fans? Someone wrote a book on the history of Akron Zips football, but OSU fan's ego says the target audience for that book doesn't "give a rat's ass what Jim Dennison has to say?" Makes perfect sense. People that buy a book written about University of Akron Football History MUST want to read what Jim Tressel thinks. Not Jim Dennison. Yep.Call Zips fans Morons...crybabies...whatever. You've apparently got some enthusiastic support in high places on Zips Nation when you do so. Knock yourself out.I have 15...20...who knows how many good friends who are also Ohio State fans. Many of them participate on the board. They all respect that this is a Zips fan site. I wish all OSU fans did likewise. I remain disappointed that a book on Akron football History needed to resort to a foreword from an Ohio State coach to sell books. But it isn't my book. If it was, Dennison, Faust or Taylor would probably have been given a pencil and paper for their thoughts. And as I said earlier, I'll probably still buy a copy.I hope the author enjoys the free press they received today.You are one of the biggest hardheads on this board and you completely missed the whole point of what I wrote. I know you like to get all high and mighty and up on your "UA is the greatest thing since sliced bread" soapbox, so I am sorry I actually use some reasoning to debate what people on here say. If you dont like it, tough.I came to UA in 1996 and I have no idea who in the hell Jim Dennison is. My point was...unless you are an OLD TIME Zips fan you dont know the guy. He doesnt speak to me because he wasnt a known comodity. As for Jason Taylor, the majority of friends that I have had no idea that he went to UA. He wasnt a big time college player, so he slid under the radar. If, as you say, the point of this book is to sell it to Zips fans then I think that is short sighted. The point is to INCREASE awareness and interest in the program, not just sell to old timers that know Jim Dennison and Jason Taylor.As for your other rhetoric that you spewed.....1. Am I an OSU fan? Yup, I have been since I started watching football at age 5. It is all I knew growing up, so sue me.2. Am I a Buckeye honk? Nope. I find a lot of shortcomings in that program and I voice those to OSU people when we have discussions.3. I didnt go to OSU. I could have, but I wanted to go to Akron because it was was the school that fit me. I have no loyalty issues. I am a zip and I have been since 1996. I get frustrated a hell with this program, but I get even more frustrated with people like you that belittle and attack every post I make because you are incappable of seeing past the fact that I also root for OSU. OH NO!!! When it all comes down to it, I root for my school over OSU.You know....this is so stupid. I have no reason to defend myself to anyone, especially the pricks on this board like you and Zips Win, etc.... If you want to kick me off, fine. I really couldnt care less about having discussions with people like you that are jealous hearted of successful schools, defensive and just plain intellectually dishonest. I will get off my soapbox now. Good dayOhio State fans are sooooo cute when they're angry.There is no fear of being banned, ZipGrad01. It would be too crippling to the board. You bring so very much to the table...I think our site would fold if we lost your valuable insight.Beyond that -- You know you can't live without reading ZipsNation.

Seeing how a guy like Julian Edelmann tore our defense up, Paulus could be Syracuse's best chance to beat the Zips. I'd run him out of the shotgun 20+ times. We've never been able to stop that play when facing an athletic QB.

One of his HS games will be televised on STO (or FOX) this fall. I forget the date. It will be cool to watch the "preview."If someone finds the game & date, please post it.

OL recruit Jake Brandt was on campus all summer...then 3 days into camp...packed his bags and headed home.

It is not a coincidence. The stadium design was selected during the previous administration. AD Mike Thomas and Associate AD Mike Waddell were previously @ Virginia.An interesting note - From the original conception and approval, to the 1st game @ Infocision Stadium, UA will have had 4...and possibly 5 different Athletic Directors.

Scholarship player or walk on?Miller was a scholarship player.

It is pretty old news.The vibe I got on Miller was -- He was recruited by Moorhead, who loved him. But no one else was all that high on the kid. I think the writing was on the wall after Nicely committed, Miller wasn't going to see the field @ UA unless he purchased a ticket.