Captain Kangaroo

It is tough to say from only watching 80 minutes of just one practice. Most of what was done was drills on blocking sleds...stuff like that. My gut feeling: Secondary seems to have speed. That will likely be our defensive strength. Linebackers: Rohr is the best one. The others may be fast, but they are not as fundamentally sound as him. I saw quite a few of the LB drills. The young guys have decent size and speed, but that only goes so far. They will need to be in the right set at the right time, make sure tackles, "read" the offense...all that stuff only comes with experience. My guess is they'll struggle in the early half of the schedule and improve as the year goes on. It looks like Showers and Groza will struggle to break the 2-deep. DL: Still seems small to me. Although it is a longshot, there's still some hope that Hight could make grades and be eligible in the fall. Tim Wilkes made a couple nice plays, pushing bigger OL's around. OL: Really depleted. Spaulding (222 lb) was playing a bit of OL just to fill the slot. A couple of the true Fr.'s are going to see heavy PT this season. That will be a position to watch in the summer. Right now, you have to wonder where Biggs' holes are going to come from? Even with 4 senior OL's last year, the "better" teams contained Biggs pretty well. He got the bulk of his yardage vs. the bottom feeders. RB: Ringer looked ok...made a couple nice moves here and there. Kennedy...McDaniel...couldn't get a read on either. Rumor has it the kid from Youngstown could be the steal of the 2005 class. Swiger was booming 47 yarders pretty consistently. I don't see the Wisconsin transfer supplanting him.

Took in the Aeros/Mets game today, and stopped to watch the Zips practice on Jackson Field afterwards. What I could see: The Getsy/Arthur battle is for real. Both looked "ok," neither one looked stellar. The word on Getsy is he's having a tough time shaking off the rust from his transfer year...and beyond that he only played a handful of snaps at Pitt. Jabari has worked pretty hard in the offseason too, so the "battle" may rage into the summer. My edge would go to Jabari because I've seen him run...and with our OL, the QB is going to need to be pretty elusive. Our CB's look pretty good. We're pretty undersized at LB. Rohr seems to have taken a vocal role in getting the youger LB's to step it up. If they F'd up a drill, he let them know it...especially if it meant everyone had to run the drill again. Kasparek looks good. A lot bigger than before. He worked hard the entire practice. A #44 was in the backfield (FB)? John Martin? He's a transfer...from Colorado as far as I can tell. Our WR's are all small. Not that that's horrible...I like Hixson and Montgomery...but they're small. Ditto our DL's. In general, were a pretty small team. Biggs looks fine. You hear a lot about searching for leaders on this team...especially on offense. I have to believe that's a priority coming out of the spring, and maybe a reason JD might name a #1 QB after the spring game. Leadership typically comes from the QB position on offense, and it is tough to "lead" when you might be #2 on the depth chart. Hey, it was a beautiful day...the guys were all working hard...and we're still undefeated in 2005. Life's good. Go Zips!

Coincidentally, I spoke to someone from the University today regarding the Zips 2005 schedule. That person mentioned Middle Tenessee as an opponent, so I would assume there's still a good chance the game is still "on." However, the Zips schedule has not been finalized, so you never know.

Marcus Crenshaw and Demetrius “Mechie” Johnson have quit Can't State’s men’s basketball team. According to team sources, Crenshaw never bought into the program’s structured philosophy and demanded to be given free reign offensively to stay in Can't. The same sources said Crenshaw decided to give up his spot on the roster at the end of the season believinghe would find an offer to transfer to the University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin. That opportunity has since disappeared. Crenshaw averaged 4.7 points per game while shooting just 36.2 percent from the field and 40 percent from the foul line in his freshman year. The 5-foot-9 Detroit native also turned the ball over 40 times and totaled just 36 assists while averaging more than 15 minutes per game as the Golden flushes’ backup point guard. He started five of the 33 games he played. Johnson is a bigger loss. He averaged justtwo points in less than 10 minutes per game as a sophomore last season, but, unlike Crenshaw,he had a team-first mentality that will be missed. Johnson’s attitude and work in practice earned him some significant minutes as a role player off the bench in the final two weeks of the season. His three blocked shots in the second half of the regular-season finale with Ohio University were the keys to a victory that clinched a first-round home game for Can't State in the Mid-American Conference tournament. Johnson was not willing to return to the flushes for another year as a role player. According to team sources, the 6-foot-4 swingman hopes to transfer to a Division I school that will allow him the chance to start. He would not have found that opportunity in Can't in 2005-06. The departures give Can't State coach Jim Christian two open scholarships. After finishing eighth in the MAC in 3-point shooting at a mediocre 35.2 percent, the flushes will most likely fill one of those open spots with a sharp-shooting wing from the junior-college ranks. The team will also add either a junior-college or true-freshman point guard in the near future

PG West: CV's 'late bloomer' no shrinking violet Friday, April 08, 2005 By Rick Shrum, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Two years ago, Mike Gielarowski was weary of baseball. So he took a mulligan. He didn't go out for the Chartiers Valley varsity, focusing instead on his other athletic specialty -- golf. "I was burned out on baseball," Gielarowski said. "I had played it for a whole year straight." At about the midpoint of the Colts' 2003 season, though, Gielarowski "realized that I missed baseball. I wanted to come back." It's been quite a comeback. Gielarowski, a right-handed pitcher, returned to the diamond last year and sparkled. He had a 4-3 record, a 1.26 ERA, and 61 strikeouts for a 7-12 team. Oh, and he also had the admiration of college recruiters, who were enamored of his junior achievements and started courting him. The Colts have shown a lot of kick this spring, with a 3-0 record through Tuesday, all outside Section 3-AAA. Their opener last Wednesday was a masterpiece by their 6-foot-2, 175-pound ace. Gielarowski (pronounced "gill-a-rowski") fired a three-hitter, striking out 11, in a 2-0 non-section victory at Upper St. Clair. Frank Brown wasn't surprised. He is the Chartiers Valley coach, the man Gielarowski approached and asked to return. The man who started working diligently with this budding prospect in the fall of 2003. The man who helped transform him from an unknown into a first-team All-Section 7-AAA performer a year ago. "I think he's a late bloomer," Brown said. "Mike has gotten a whole lot better in the past year and a half. He's developed physically and as a player." Coach and right-hander generally agree on things . . . except on style. "Mike is absolutely a power pitcher," Brown said. "I think I'm a finesse pitcher," said Gielarowski, of Scott. He certainly has a quality fastball, according to Brown. "He's in the high 80s now." That's not the extent of his repertoire, however. Gielarowski said he also has an efficient curveball and split-finger fastball. Fortitude and ingenuity also have placed him high on a hill. "He is the kind of guy who, when he gets in trouble, is at his best," Brown said. "Maybe we make an error, or he gives up a hit or two. He finds a way to get out of trouble." That was evident a week ago, when Gielarowski barely outpitched Upper St. Clair's Pat Slowey, who struck out 12 in six innings. The Panthers put two runners on with one out in the seventh, and final, inning. Gielarowski then quelled the budding rally. "He got two big outs," Brown said. That clutch pitching impressed Panthers coach Jerry Malarkey, who hadn't seen Gielarowski before. "We had a couple of situations where we had guys on base, and he knuckled down and got out of the inning," Malarkey said. "I thought he had poise, and he threw strikes. He was able to locate his fastball and curve pretty well." That poise undoubtedly was acquired from the person who has had a major influence on his life. His mother, Diane, is a single mom with four children: Mike and his three younger siblings, two boys and a girl. Apparently, and amazingly, Gielarowski is more demanding of himself than he is on opposing batters. He was perturbed that he walked three against Upper St. Clair. "Normally, I'm a good control pitcher," he said. And he disputed talk about being pressure-resistant. "I have to be tougher out there mentally." Baseball is now his priority. Gielarowski, who shoots in the high 70s to low 80s, did not play for the Chartiers Valley golf team last fall. He's a full-time pitcher, an occasional second baseman and a contact hitter. The scholastic season is in its infancy, but college baseball is a long-range probability -- perhaps at the major-college level. "He's been getting a whole lot of interest, especially lately," Brown said. Gielarowski, who has a grade point average above 3.0, favors Akron at the moment. But Duquesne, West Virginia, Marshall and Can't State are among the other programs that have inquired about him. "He's a very good kid with an excellent work ethic," Brown said. "If he gets better, I don't know if there's a ceiling for him. "Some college will be getting a gem."

My guess is that a 30,000 seat stadium would require parking for only about 10,000 cars max, probably less. Since the stadium would be located on the campus of a university that supports about 15,000 commuter students...all of whom are gone on Saturdays (no classes)...parking wouldn't be a problem at all. I'm sure busses could be used to shuttle people to/from parking decks downtown if necessary. Also, streets immediately surrounding the stadium would be blocked off on gamedays. Man, you can almost see it now.... My biggest concern: They tear down The Sun Bar and Grille!

Franklin Regional defensive lineman commits to Pitt Subscribe By Paul Schofield TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, April 5, 2005 Franklin Regional High School junior tackle John Malecki made two choices this past weekend, and the Pitt football program may be the big winner in both cases. Malecki decided to attend Pitt's select junior day over Penn State's junior day on Saturday. And then after Pitt offered him a scholarship, he accepted. He is the third player from western Pennsylvania to commit to Pitt early, after Johnstown defensive tackle Scott Corson and Gateway linebacker Dan Loheyde. "John said he always wanted to remain a Panther," Franklin Regional Panthers coach Greg Botta said. "He wanted to stick around the area and play for Pitt." Botta said he knew Malecki was someone special the first time he met him during his sophomore season. "He had a great growth spurt between his sophomore and junior seasons," Botta said. "He blossomed into a tremendous player. He runs to the football well, has great speed, excellent strength and a great work ethic in the classroom and on the field. He has a nose for the football and he dominated in the conference." He was an All-Greater Allegheny Conference first-team player on offense and defense. Malecki, 6-foot-3, 270 pounds, had 76 tackles, seven quarterback sacks and 21 tackles for losses last season. "I wanted to stay close to home," said Malecki, who was receiving interest from Penn State, West Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Akron, Indiana, Illinois and North Carolina.

Akron Cable Personality Arrested Wearing Foil, Jock Strap 43-Year-Old Man To Appear In Court UPDATED: 10:22 am EDT April 7, 2005 AKRON, Ohio -- An Akron cable personality and former City Council candidate was arrested Wednesday after an overnight disturbance, The Akron Beacon Journal, NewsChannel5’s partner, reported Thursday. According to police, Anthony Hudson, 43, was wearing a jock strap over his pants and was sheathed in aluminum foil -- and proclaiming himself the King of Egypt -- when arrested. Hudson, whose shows often include nudity, has acted so erratically at recent city council meetings that city officials have added tighter security at city hall, the paper reported. Hudson was charged with felonious assault against a police officer, resisting arrest and criminal damaging. Hudson was treated at Akron City Hospital and then taken to the Summit County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

I like how the 2nd leading scorer is torn between Findlay and Can't State... Balanced OCC wins second straight over City Thursday, April 7, 2005 JARROD ULREY ThisWeek Staff Writer By David J. Yunker/ThisWeek Watterson's Ryan Ferst drives past Worthington Christian's Colt Cunningham last Friday during the District 10 Division II-III-IV All-Star Game at Worthington Kilbourne. Ferst scored 24 points with four 3-pointers for the Dark team in a 121-99 loss to the White team. Cunningham had 13 points for the winners. When the OCC all-stars began preparing for the District 10 boys basketball game last Friday against the City League at Worthington Kilbourne, one of the things coach Ken Braun of Groveport stressed was getting everyone involved. That's exactly what happened, and inevitably the OCC's balanced offense held off a late rally by the City to win 110-107. The OCC has won the last two contests and is 5-2 since the rivalry was renewed in 1999. "With these all-stars, there was still a competitive edge of wanting to win the game," said Braun, who led his team to a Division I district runner-up finish. "When we got together and started practicing, I told them, 'I want you to have fun and I want you to share the basketball with each other.' They did a good job of making opportunities for each other and I was happy with all of them." Gahanna's Nate Linhart had eight points and four rebounds during his 10 minutes in the first half as the OCC built a 52-38 halftime advantage, and then he scored eight of the OCC's first 10 points in the second half as the OCC built a 62-43 advantage with 18 minutes, 1 second remaining. The City, behind Linden's Shaun Gunnell, Mifflin's Cordaryl Ballard and Africentric Secondary's Donald Suel, stormed back with a barrage of layups and 3-pointers. Gunnell had 15 points during one 10-minute stretch of the second half, including one 3-pointer, Ballard made four 3-pointers in the second half and Suel added two. Suel had 19 points in the second half and finished with 30. He was named game MVP. Gunnell finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds and Ballard added 22 points. Linden's Sam Payne had nine points in the first half and finished with 16. "At first everybody was just lolly-gagging around, but then we just started playing," Suel said. "It's fun getting a chance to play with people around the City and just learning how to play with other players." Linhart, who has signed with Akron, led the OCC with 18 points. Westland's Josh Bostic added 15, Gahanna's Kollin Hancock and Groveport's Brandon Johnson both finished with 14 and Worthington Kilbourne's Mounir Benzegala had 13. Benzegala made three 3-pointers and Johnson had two. "We knew we just had to play defense and try to get smarter shots," said Bostic, who is considering Can't State and Findlay among his college options. "It was definitely bragging rights if nothing else. Nate Linhart, I thought, played well. Mo Benzegala, Justin Patrick, really the whole team, played as a whole. We just played team ball."

Tosa East survives Rybak's onslaught 2/2/2005 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel By DAVE BOEHLER dboehler@journalsentinel.com West Allis - For 30 minutes Tuesday, John Rybak couldn't be stopped. During that span, the West Allis Hale senior had 35 of his team's 49 points. Fortunately for Wauwatosa East, Rybak did not dominate the final 2 minutes. Rybak missed 2 three-point shots and made just two free throws in the final 2 minutes. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders made 8 of 10 free throws in the final 76 seconds to escape with a 61-53 victory over the Huskies. Rybak, who will play at Akron next season, finished with a personal-best 37 points on 13-of-26 shooting (50%). But it was no consolation to him, because Tosa East (12-2) remained in first place in the Greater Metro Conference with a 7-1 record and Hale (9-5) fell to second place at 6-2.

Last update on Gozips.com is dated March 24th? Has there been a practice since? I know there was a week off for spring break, but what's the deal with the coverage, or lack thereof?

All-star game effort leaves B-C senior thinking about future By DAVE PURPURA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MOUNT VERNON - Kristen Black isn't sure what she wants to do after high school. Part of her wants to go to a southern university and play softball, a feeling reinforced the past few weeks with the start of that sport's regular season. "Maybe I'd get a better (scholarship) and see some pretty good competition," the Bloom-Carroll senior said Friday night. And then there's basketball. Black isn't quite sure she's ready to give up that sport, in which she was a successful power forward and averaged 12 points and eight rebounds this year for the district semifinalist Bulldogs. After her nine-point, eight-rebound performance in the District 11 All-Star Game at Mount Vernon, Black is as torn as ever. "I don't know yet," said Black, who is considering Ohio Dominican and Otterbein but was approached by a Marietta College scout after the game. "This was a fun game. We ran, which is different than what (Bloom-Carroll) did, and we got to do a lot of what we wanted. It was good to get out there one last time. I'll see what happens." Black was one of four area players in the game. She and Pickerington Central swingman Lauren Stephenson played together on the South team; Pickerington North's Cydnei Stoudt and Candyce Brown were on the North team, which won 72-64. Butler University-bound Brown had 12 points, four rebounds and a steal and Stoudt finished with 11 points, seven boards, a steal and an assist for the North, which got two 3-pointers from Licking Heights' Jessica Brink to widen a five-point lead with two minutes left. "I wanted to prove to myself that I still had it and I was in shape," Brown said. "At the beginning, it was tough to get in the rhythm, but once you play a few minutes, it feels just like another game." Stephenson, a 6-footer who has been heavily recruited the past few years but was adamant about signing late, verbally committed to Akron two weeks ago and will sign her letter of intent later this month. She came out with a bang Friday, scoring eight of her 11 points and grabbing all four of her rebounds in the first half of an up-tempo game to which she was well-suited. "I didn't want to sign early and pass up any opportunities," Stephenson said. "It wasn't who I was leaning to at first, but in the end they were there and it was the right fit." Pickerington North point guard Jenna Schone, District 11's and the Eagle-Gazette's All-Fairfield County Player of the Year, was out of town for spring break and did not play. She will participate in the North-South All-Star Game a week from Sunday at Capital University. Millersport guards Holly Lewis and Caylee Clark were selected to play but did not attend. Keith Ebright, the recently retired assistant coach from Pickerington North, was honored as the District's Assistant Coach of the Year. Ebright and Dave Butcher, honored as the Division I Coach of the Year, coached Pickerington and Pickerington North to 520 wins and six state championships from 1983 to 2005. Originally published April 2, 2005

That was very informative! Thanks. I'm looking foward to future interviews.

Seven NCAA Tournament Teams Highlight 2005 Men's Soccer Schedule Zips will take on seven teams that made the NCAA Tournament field in 2004, including National Champion Indiana March 31, 2005 AKRON, Ohio - Defending NCAA Champion Indiana, Round of 16 participant Ohio State, and Elite Eight qualifier St. John's University highlight the 2005 University of Akron men's soccer schedule released today. Akron will be in search of its fifth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance as it opens regular-season play at Lee Jackson Field on Sept. 2 against Evansville University. "We are very excited about this schedule, said head coach Ken Lolla, who is entering his 13th season at the school. "Not only did we retain some top opponents we have played each of the last few years, but we also picked up nationally prominent programs in Indiana and St. John's." Northeast Ohio's own version of the NCAA College Cup will take place on Aug. 18-21 as the Zips play host to the inaugural Westfield Cup at Lee Jackson Field. The preseason tournament will match Connecticut (NCAA Tournament) against Maryland (2004 College Cup participant) in the first game on Aug. 19, with the Zips taking on Southern Methodist (NCAA Round of 16) in the nightcap. August 21 will feature consolation and championship matches. After nonconference matches vs. Robert Morris (Sept. 4) and Wright State (Sept. 11) on the road, and Cleveland State (Sept. 9) at home, the Zips will travel to New Jersey for the Princeton Tournament. UA faces host Princeton on Sept. 16, followed by a match against powerhouse Loyola (Md.) on Sept. 18. IPFW visits Lee Jackson Field on Sept. 23, followed by a trip to Oakland University on Sept. 25. The Zips then play host to a pair of Big Ten foes in Ohio State (Sept. 30) and Penn State (Oct. 3). Both were NCAA Tournament teams last season with the Buckeyes advancing to the third round. "I feel like this schedule is as good as we have had in recent history," Lolla said. "To get into the NCAA Tournament we can't just rely on winning the conference. Strength of schedule is very important in the selection process and this will prepare us for the postseason." The defending Mid-American Conference tournament champions, Akron opens MAC play at Buffalo on Oct. 7, followed by its first-ever trip to St. John's on Oct. 12. The Red Storm were 12-6-4 last season and made their third Elite Eight appearance in the last four seasons. The trip is followed by a pair of home games against league foes Bowling Green (Oct. 16) and Northern Illinois (Oct. 21). "This season the No. 1 seed for the MAC Tournament will play host to the semifinal and final matches, so that puts a premium on doing well during the regular season," Lolla said. The Zips wrap-up MAC action at Western Michigan on Oct. 23 and close out the regular season with three nonconference matches. Michigan comes to Lee Jackson Field on Oct. 28 as the Zips will try to avenge last year's first-round NCAA Tournament loss to the Wolverines. UA then plays host to Kentucky on Oct. 30. The Wildcats are beginning their first season as a member of Conference USA. Akron's final tune-up before the MAC Tournament (Nov. 11-13) is a big one as it travels to Bloomington, Ind., to take on the defending NCAA Champion Indiana Hoosiers on Nov. 3.

Tell "Aairtime" to check in on the 'Nation sometime! I nominate him for the Varsity "a" (lower case intentional) Hall of Fame. Any founding fathers of "The Pouch" should be there! Any students that came to games in the Crawford and early-Hipsher era should have statues erected in their honor. Dark years, man.... Back in my day...and that of Z-Pouch, ZipsWin, etc. they wouldn't even let students near the floor. All lower arena seats were reserved for season ticket holders. Hence us 80's guys are ineligible for the Varsity "a". At least we caught a few 20 win seasons and some post-season action. Whoda' thunk there's be such a horrid dry spell of 16 years without a post season berth back in '89? Restore the Roar, KD!

I'd love to do my part and fill a couple rubbers myself. Know any cheerleaders that would like to assist? Ah, the side benefits to a slow board...

Judgment Day Published: Thu, Mar 31, 2005 Today's private workout could be Clarett's last chance to win over NFL scouts. VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF WARREN — On the morning before the biggest day of his newest client's life, Jeff Luchs was walking through an Arizona airport talking to a reporter by cellphone when he noticed something odd. A few feet in front of him, a prisoner, being escorted by a federal marshal, began fighting with the marshal. And winning. "The guy was kicking the marshal's [butt]," he said. So Luchs — who stands at 6-foot-3, 260 pounds — quickly got off the phone and, along with his fellow agent Steve Feldman, jumped into the mix, held the prisoner down and helped the marshal get control. Minutes later, he called the reporter back and continued the interview. "I've never seen that in an airport," Luchs said, laughing. "Here's your headline: Clarett's agents subdue prisoner." It's a true story. Really. It happened on Wednesday morning, the day before Luchs and Feldman are scheduled to join former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett in Warren for a private workout in front of NFL scouts. "My wife thinks I'm crazy for getting involved with that," Luchs said, referring to the fracas, not Clarett's situation. "But you have to be crazy to do what we do." Well put. Overhauling his image Luchs and Feldman, who signed on with Clarett just weeks before February's NFL combine in Indianapolis, are keeping their fingers crossed that the former Warren Harding standout can do today what he didn't do in February — run strong 40-yard dash times — and continue to do what he did do in February — namely, repair his image. So far, so good. "He's growing up every day," Luchs said. "People forget how young he is. He's younger than the seniors coming out. But he handled himself with class at the combine. "This is a guy who, after his workout, when he didn't do as well as he hoped, still sat down with the NFL Network for an interview because he had already made the commitment. The whole weekend he was mature, humble, classy and respectful and those are words you wouldn't historically put in the same sentence when you were talking about him before." Of course, those things mean little if the 21-year-old Clarett of Youngstown's South Side can't impress scouts today. After posting disappointing 40 times ranging from 4.7 to 4.8 seconds in Indy, Clarett needs to run closer to the 4.5 range today to have a chance of being selected on the first day of April's draft. Plans change Originally, Clarett wanted to use Ohio State's facilities for his private workout, but the Buckeyes' brass turned him down. As did Youngstown State and Akron. Akron, incidentally, was already planning on holding a pro day on Friday for standout quarterback Charlie Frye, but wasn't interested in getting involved with Clarett. So Clarett's agents turned to Harding and coach Thom McDaniels. McDaniels said yes, despite not having talked to Clarett in more than 11 months. "All we required was for them to sign a waiver that said we wouldn't have liability if he gets hurt," said McDaniels, who will miss the workout because he's vacationing in Florida. "He's our player. And I did everything I could to help set it up and make sure all the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed before I left." Problem is, Harding doesn't have world-class facilities for an NFL workout. The closest all-weather track is at aging Deemer Park — where the Raiders hold track meets — which is, needless to say, not the best place to hold a workout on the last day of March in Ohio. "We're going to do anything we can to help him get ready," said Harding assistant Matt Richardson, who will oversee the workout. "We would do the same thing for any other former player." If it rains, the workout will be moved indoors to Farmer Jim's soccer complex in Cortland, which might actually be better suited to running a fast 40 time. Both places will be closed to media, although Clarett might speak to reporters afterward. Key day Since Clarett has not played college football in two years — he was suspended his sophomore year and missed his junior year after losing a lawsuit against the NFL that would have allowed him to enter the draft early — he needs to show he's got the necessary speed to play in the pros. Luchs and Feldman adjusted his training over the past few weeks, working mainly on speed and agility, rather than strength, but no one knows if it's helped. "We'll see what happens," Luchs said. "But the bottom line is, no matter where he's drafted, it's going to be far below his true value. He's capable of so much more. "We're not so concerned with this draft as we are with getting Maurice ready for minicamps and playing at the NFL level." McDaniels has been openly critical of the people advising Clarett the past two years — "Justifiably so," he said — but said he feels "much better" now about Clarett's choice of agents and lawyers. NFL ability McDaniels, who coached at Canton McKinley before coming to Harding, has coached several eventual NFL players, including former Ohio State standouts Mike Doss (safety, Colts) and Jamar Martin (fullback, Dolphins). In addition, his son, Josh, is the quarterbacks coach for New England. He knows NFL talent when he sees it. "I can't speak for him now, since he missed the last two seasons, but when he played for me and for [buckeyes] coach [Jim] Tressel and for me, he demonstrated NFL ability," McDaniels said. "And I think if he had played three years at Ohio State, and then ran the times he did in Indy, he would still have been drafted high." But that's in the past and Clarett can't change his past. He can, however, change his future. And today's workout is the first step. "All the cards are on the table," McDaniels said. "He needs a very good workout to sustain any interest he has from NFL teams." No matter what happens, though, Clarett will be welcome in Warren, Richardson said. "He's done a lot for our community and for our football team," Richardson said. "He'll always be a Raider."

I think Duke got waxed by Eastern Michigan in the NCAA's a couple years ago. 15 point beating? Why are you so confident the Zips couldn't do the same? Remember: Hipsher is no longer the coach, so wins over Top 25 schools are now possible.

Middle Atlantic Conference, huh? *********************************************************************** Kozicki has change of heart, transfers to Akron By PETE NEVINS For the Pocono Record Soccer star Ashley Kozicki is becoming a Zip this fall so he doesn't get zipped in the scoring columns anymore. After spending his first two collegiate seasons at St. John's, Kozicki is transferring to the University of Akron, nicknamed the Zips, with his prime motivation to score goals again. As a freshman, the former Pleasant Valley High School All-State player booted in five goals and had four assists for St. John's. This included assists in the Red Storm's NCAA playoff wins over Santa Barbara and Creighton and the team's lone goal in the 2-1 national championship loss to Indiana. Then last season, Kozicki was moved to defense to help the team after two starting defenders were injured. He started at left back in the team's NCAA playoff victories over Boston University and UCLA and in its 1-0 quarter-final round loss to Maryland. He finished the season without a single goal and with only two assists and this was the same player who had booted in 58 career goals and had 52 assists during his career at PV. "I understood last year with the injuries why they needed me on defense, but I got the feeling in talking to the coaches after the season that they were going to leave me there; I wasn't going to play forward anymore," he said. Kozicki decided during Christmas vacation to transfer and put together a list of schools in which he was interested. "It was mostly the same schools I was looking at when I graduated from high school, Penn State, Indiana and also Akron," he said. "I talked to the Akron coach (Ken Lolla) and he was a great guy. I knew some of their players from competing against them in tournaments when I played for FC Delco and for the Pennsylvania State team." Akron is the defending Middle Atlantic Conference soccer champion and has competed in the NCAA tournament the last four years. Last season, the Zips finished 13-5-3 and lost to Michigan, 2-1, in the first round of the NCAA playoffs. Lolla told Kozicki he would use him as what is called a withdrawn forward or an attacking midfielder in the team's 4-2-3-1 alignment. "It's the same formation we used at FC Delco and I'll be playing right behind the striker in the middle of the line of three," he said. "The coach felt that he didn't have any players on his team that fit that position the way he hopes I will. You have to do a lot of creating and you still have the opportunity to score a lot of goals," Kozicki said. The 21-year-old youngster will enter Akron in May and take summer classes. He will be eligible to compete in the fall. After dropping out of St. John's, Kozicki spent this semester in New Orleans with his girlfriend, Casey Hirsch, who is a senior psychology major at Loyola University. He is working for a landscaping company, building on his experience working for the Chestnut Hill Nursery in the West End. "I'm running on my own and I play soccer with a bunch of guys from work, two of them are from South Africa, on Saturdays," he said. Academically, all of Kozicki's credits from St. John's will transfer to Akron with the exception of two courses; one entitled "Discovering New York," which probably will be of little use at the Ohio school. He is a strong student and made the St. John's and Big East Conference Academic Honor Roll. "I'm on schedule to graduate on time in May, 2007. I graduated Pleasant Valley in January (2003) and entered college early that spring. I was majoring in Marketing at St. John's, but I plan to switch to English," he said. He doesn't plan to follow in the footsteps of his father, Bill Kozicki, a long-time English teacher at Pleasant Valley, but instead wants to use the major to study for a job in journalism, perhaps writing for a newspaper. First, Kozicki's number one career goal is, as it always has been, to play professional soccer. "I've networked with a lot of players who are competing professionally; actually, three of my teammates at St. John's are playing for the Columbus Crew only two hours from Akron. If I do well at Akron and score goals again, I think my name is out there and I can make it to the pros," he said.

Bryan Hipsher and LeBron in the same backcourt. What could have been....

Mike Berry: Never played a down. He was the highest-rated player of the class with a Rivals 2-star rating. Mike Bradshaw: Never played a down. From Nick Sparks' HS Jumbo Bridger: Played part of one season, then quit. Listed at 6'2", 300 lbs. More like 5' 11", 270 lbs. Tim Crouch: Still a Zip. Expected to start in 2005. Tyee Davis: 5th fastest 60meter time in the nation his HS senior year. Never played a down. Mike Donaldson: Reserve OL to-date. Expected to start in 2005. Jeff Garrison: Never played a down that I saw. Off the team as far as I know. Gabe Gonzales: Had an up-and-down 2004. Expected to start in 2005. Sekai Greer: Off the team as far as I know. Did see the field a couple times. Mark Groza: Buried deep on the depth chart through 2004. Name seems to be surfacing as a potential contributor in 2005? Mario Harris: Never played a down. Davis Hector. DL from Michigan. Never played a down. Dom Hixon: Best of the Class. No one else is close. Love him. Aaron Holderman: I'm assuming he's off the team? I never saw him play. Ron Rease: QB from Toledo. Never saw the field. Jermain Reid: Saw a little PT last season. Expected to see more in 2005. Jay Rohr: Solid linebacker. Antonio Shippy: Transferred to Hampton, I believe? Billy Sullivan: Solid punter and decent PK. Darius Thomas: DL from Florida. Never played a down. Brian White: Starting DL. Andy Willis: Predominately a reserve. Scheduled to start in 2005. Looks like a 45% player retention/grad rate for 2002, assuming all goes well. Really ony one "star" from the class (Hixson). With all due respect to the guys that have stuck it out from the 2002 recruiting class...what a lousy overall recruiting job by Lee that year.

Last year Rivals.com allowed free access for one week (June, I believe?). They listed 21 Zips recruits. I stashed the list away...forgot about it...and recently stumbled across it again. Of the 21 Zips recruits listed, 4 actually signed with the Zips (Jose Cruz, Scott Uziel, Elliot Bates and Zach Anderson). 4 out of 21 = 19%. Just a statistic for all you recruiting junkies out there who follow the Rivals' site.

Holt to Akron Woodbridge RB to be a Zip CHRIS ERRINGTON cerrington@potomacnews.com Tuesday, March 29, 2005 A season ago, Derrick Holt helped Woodbridge win seven games and earn a spot in the state playoffs by being a load at full back and making life miserable for area defenses. Now he plans to do the same to the Mid American Conference. Holt announced Monday that he will attend Akron University in the fall as a preferred walk-on and that he could earn a starting spot in the Zips backfield as a freshman. "At 6-foot, 238-pounds, Derrick is a good-size fullback at any level, including D-I," Woodbridge coach Keith King said. "He's a great kid with a great personality and I definitely think he can fit in right away at Akron. They want a big back that can run the ball for them and get those tough yards. "That's just the type of back he is." Akron finished 6-5 overall last season, a game behind Miami, Ohio in the MAC's Eastern Division. The Zips open the 2005 season on September 10 at Purdue. Because Holt earned his qualifying scores for the ACT and SAT late, Akron had already filled its allotment of scholarships by the time it spoke with him during a recruiting visit last weekend. Still, with a pressing need to fill an opening in the backfield, Akron coaches asked Holt to walk-on with the knowledge that he'd be awarded the next available scholarship. King said that could come as early as April and definitely prior to Holt's sophomore year. At Woodbridge, Holt, a second-team all-Cardinal District running back, rushed for 644 yards and seven touchdowns on 123 carries in the Vikings' run-heavy I-formation offense. He could be used more in a one-back set at Akron and can expect to see a lot more passes thrown his way out of the backfield. "Derrick's going to run well between the tackles and do well on trap plays, but he's not nearly the elusive type," King said. "You just don't get that very often with a kid of his size." Holt said he felt comfortable immediately after spending time with Akron's players and coaching staff, making the decision to move away from friends and family much easier. "I'd originally wanted to stay close to home, but I've got to do what I've got to do," Holt said. "I really liked the coaches and the players when I was out there. I could really relate to them. "I'm a bit nervous now, but I'm more just ready to get started." Holt, who bench presses 365 pounds and squats 500, yet still runs a quick 4.5 40-yard dash, will remain in shape as a member of the Vikings' outdoor track team and continuing to work out in the gym. King said there are still some area's Holt must fine-tune before he makes the move to Akron. "Derrick definitely needs to work on his hands because they're going to expect him to be able to catch the ball more than he's used to," the coach said. "He could be one of the strongest kids coming out of the area in a long time and he has the opportunity to get by on just sheer athletic ability if he has to, but he's going to work to get better now and the (Akron) coaches will work to make him a better football player when he gets there. "I really think he's going to be fine."

Hartung puts promising football career on hold to serve Mormon mission By John Enrietto Eagle Sports Editor This has been a tough week for Nate Hartung - and Wednesday was his toughest day. While Butler football teammates Adam Pritts and Josh Wachter signed national letters of intent to play in college, the 420-pound Hartung watched - and signed nothing. "I'd been dreaming about this day since I was a freshman," Hartung said. "I couldn't wait for it to come. I couldn't wait to figure out where I was going. "Not signing anywhere and not making the basketball playoffs - yeah, I've had better weeks." Hartung played center for Butler and averaged more than 10 pancake blocks per game. And that was with no defensive lineman lining up directly across from him. "I know I've never coached another kid like him," Butler coach Garry Cathell said. "And I know I never will again." Syracuse, Temple, West Virginia, Kansas, Akron and Army all offered Hartung full scholarships. But when word got out that Hartung, born and raised a Mormon, was planning to serve a two-year mission beginning next fall, those schools backed off. "It all started going the other way when a recruiting Web site did a story about Nate's plans to go on his mission," said Dick Hartung, his father. "That story went on the Internet Nov. 10. Right around then, those schools stopped pursuing him. "Army had to withdraw its offer because a service academy isn't allowed to recruit a player over 400 pounds." Hartung weighed as much as 450 pounds this season. He weighs about 420 now. Numerous other major schools - Pitt and Penn State included - backed off because of Hartung's size. "(Former Pitt coach) Walt Harris called me and expressed concern about Nate's heart. He wanted to know if anything was wrong with it," Cathell said. "There's nothing wrong with his heart and there never was. "Every coach at Penn State loved the kid, except for the line coach. He thought he was too big," he added. Hartung said he decided to serve his mission - expected of men ages 19 to 23 and recommended, but not required, by the Mormon church - months ago. "It's a tradition in my family and I want to do it," he said. "I'm all about family. I'm proud of my family." A Mormon mission sends young men away from home for two years, where they spends 60 hours a week doing ecclesiastical work, praying, studying and telling others about the Gospel. Contact with loved ones is limited to letters and two phone calls per year. The missionaries live together frugally in private homes and apartments, rising at 6 a.m. each day to study and to pray for guidance. They pay $400 per month while serving and can be sent anywhere in the world. There are 60,000 Mormon missionaries currently serving in 120 countries. "Nate has five uncles on his mother's side and they all served missions," his father said. "Panama, Korea, Germany, Japan, California, he could go anywhere, but they always send you away from home. "He's not being forced to go. It's a sacrifice he's choosing to make. Nate's the oldest of six brothers. He's setting a good example," he added. Nate Hartung's mother, Linda Siebach Hartung, was born and raised a Mormon. His father converted to the Mormonism Aug. 25, 1982, while playing basketball in Australia. He was 25 at the time - too old to serve a mission. Hartung's not worried about the precedent he might be setting as the big brother. "I don't look it at that way," he said. "I'm doing what I think is right. They'll do what they think is right." Hartung plans to begin his mission in September or October. He'll learn of his destination six weeks beforehand. And his football career isn't over. "It's merely on the back-burner," his father said. Other Mormon athletes have served missions, then resumed careers in their respective sports. That includes Pittsburgh Steelers nose guard Chris Hoke, who got a late start on his pro career after taking off two years at Brigham Young University to serve a mission in Brussels, Belgium. When Hartung visited Notre Dame, then-coach Ty Willingham recommended he serve his mission, then start over in football. "A kid has a five-year clock in terms of college football eligibility once he graduates high school," Dick Hartung said. "Only two things can prevent that clock from starting: church service and war service. "When Nate comes back, he'll be 21 and will still have five years of eligibility." Hartung hopes to be down to 350 pounds when his mission is over. "Rest assured, schools will be keeping him on their radar," Cathell said. "If he's 21, in shape and weighing 350, he'll be playing big-time college football." The only school willing to sign Hartung now and live with the mission was Temple. "They're hurting on the offensive line and wanted me to play next year, then begin my mission," Hartung said. "But what if I had a good freshman year? They may have tried talking me out of leaving. I didn't feel comfortable with it." Utah had interest in Hartung before then-coach Urban Meyer left for the University of Florida and took his staff with him. Brigham Young, also a Mormon school, never stepped forward with an offer. "That was a little disappointing," Dick Hartung admitted. "I mean, those are our people. But life goes on." Nate Hartung received a bid to play in the Big 33 all-star game this summer. After that, life for him will go on without football. For two years. "Oh, I'll be playing in college," he said. "I'm not done. This (mission) just takes priority, that's all."

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