Captain Kangaroo

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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New, expanded recreation centers help campuses compete By THOMAS J. SHEERAN AKRON, Ohio (AP) - Dominic Mann was thinking about attending the University of Akron and made up his mind after seeing the school's expansive new recreation center, complete with a rock-climbing wall and lots of glass to watch the workouts. ''It made a difference,'' said the 19-year-old freshman, who began his weekend on a recent Friday evening playing basketball at the rec center as his girlfriend, Ashley Ragland, 18, of Bedford Heights, used weight equipment to tone her leg muscles. Mann, a freshman from Warrensville Heights near Cleveland, played varsity basketball in high school and sees the recreation center as a way to stay in shape for his goal of becoming a non-scholarship walk-on member of the Akron Zips team. ''I like to be active,'' he said. ''I don't like to stay in my room.'' Colleges and universities have recognized the value of recreation centers to attract applicants, make a campus more attractive in keeping students and encouraging non-classroom interaction between students and faculty members. The Corvallis, Ore.-based National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association representing campus recreation directors and administrators surveyed its collegiate members and found 333 of 700 colleges and universities are building or expanding recreation centers or plan to soon. Ohio State University is in the middle of a four-year, $139 million recreation center project and Boston University will open its $90 million recreation center on Friday. In northeast Ohio, two state universities that compete against Akron for applicants in the region have recreation centers under construction. Cleveland State University recently began construction for a $29 million center intended to make the urban campus more student-friendly. Youngstown State University hopes to have its $12.1 million center, billed as the first at a public university in Ohio built entirely with private funds, open by August. The culture change on campus can be dramatic with a new recreation center. At the University of Michigan, which just completed $4 million in upgrades to four recreation centers, the number of visitors rose 66 percent to 45,000 in January over January 2004 at the recreation center that got the most improvements. William Canning, director of recreational sports at Michigan, said he's convinced that the retention rate - how many students re-enroll year to year - will increase in part due to the recreation center scene. ''The students who come to Michigan don't come for recreation facilities,'' he said, but ''they stay and have a better quality of life'' because of the centers. There's plenty of evidence that young people pay attention when a campus builds or upgrades its recreation center, which typically means basketball courts, swimming pools a running track and, in recent years, rock-climbing walls, specialized training, nearly limitless weight equipment, Internet connections and late-night hours. Indiana University said an independent student survey showed 87 percent of its students were involved in some recreational sports activity. Seventy-nine percent said it was important to their campus experience, said Kathy Bayless, director of campus recreational sports. ''That does not mean they are gym rats, but they are doing something in recreational sports,'' Bayless said. Recreation centers can serve as an additional social setting, an important factor on a commuter campus like Akron, where many students head home after class. ''I've definitely met more people,'' said Peter Ipnar, 21, a University of Akron junior sociology student from Smyrna, Del. He has lived off campus and comes back after-hours a lot more since the university opened its $40 million recreation center last August. ''I never lived on campus, so I didn't meet many people,'' said Ipnar, sweaty from a workout on the 53 1/2-foot rock-climbing wall. ''It really builds your upper body and endurance.'' Ragland likes the atmosphere of people hustling to get in shape or stay in shape. ''It's fun. It's kind of intense with workouts and people screaming,'' said Ragland, who uses weights, leg-press equipment and a treadmill in three or four 1 1/2-hour visits weekly. ''It's helped tone my arms, legs and stomach,'' she said. Another plus: faculty members can use the center, leading to more contact between students and professors outside the formal classroom setting.

New, expanded recreation centers help campuses compete By THOMAS J. SHEERAN AKRON, Ohio (AP) - Dominic Mann was thinking about attending the University of Akron and made up his mind after seeing the school's expansive new recreation center, complete with a rock-climbing wall and lots of glass to watch the workouts. ''It made a difference,'' said the 19-year-old freshman, who began his weekend on a recent Friday evening playing basketball at the rec center as his girlfriend, Ashley Ragland, 18, of Bedford Heights, used weight equipment to tone her leg muscles. Mann, a freshman from Warrensville Heights near Cleveland, played varsity basketball in high school and sees the recreation center as a way to stay in shape for his goal of becoming a non-scholarship walk-on member of the Akron Zips team.

First "bandit," now "licker?" JD has some odd lingo. :blink:

Ohio State: Remember, I played hoops: Guess you could say it was a "gamble?" Before I played for the Carolina Panthers (Julius Peppers): I played hoops with North Carolina (see me below, with Ronald Curry): Speaking of Ronald Curry of the Raiders... He played hoops for Carolina too: And don't make me paste that Jason Taylor pic again! Pouch...you've been drinking too much of your wife's Michelob Ultra. Take out the lime and get with the times!

I agree. Romeo owes me nothing. If he can pull it off, good for him. Yeah there's concerns that come March his body would give-out and we'd have an early exit from the MAC tourney...but we've done that for a decade and I've survived. Cole Magner...Javon Harris...it isn't too uncommon to be a dual sport player in the MAC. He's 20 years old. He's a physical freak. He did it when he was 18, so what's the big deal if he wants to do it now? I know Lebron would give his left nut to be playing football...that's why he did it through 11th grade even though he somewhat risked blowing $millions$. Ideas for the 2005 Commemorative Beer are starting to flow...

I played both hoops and football for The U of A. Turned out pretty good for me? Any input from Russell Holmes?

I think this is the first time a poster has actually "quoted" himself? Now that I have a few more minutes: A friend of mine at the University swears up and down that it will be a miracle if the 2005 Zips win more than five games. I just don't believe that...not for a second. Of the 6 games I have penciled-in as Zips' wins, Can't is the only 2005 opponent to win more than TWO games in 2004! Those games should all be "locks," even without Frye and Co. Middle Tennessee is a decent opponent, and the game is on the road. Realistically, that's a 50/50 shot. Purdue? It would be pretty insane to predict our first Big10 win since the 1800's will come this season. I do feel confident that we'll have a better showing than we did vs. Penn State last season. NIU: They are a damn good football team. It will be a tall order to beat them. But...they're at the Rubber Bowl and we're tough at home. BG?: Man, that's a tough road game. Insane to pick the Zips in that one. Miami?: If we couldn't beat them at home, with Frye, it seems pretty safe to say the oddsmakers will have us as heavy underdogs. There you have it. We should be expected to win 6. If we can payback MTSU, that's 7. But that's a beating of six pretty weak teams, and doesn't lend itself to a bowl game. Beat NIU...8 wins and we can start talking bowl possibilities. Remember however, that 10-win MAC squads have been left out in the cold bowl-wise. 8 seems to me to be the maximum possible wins in 2005, if all planets align.

After a quick glance at our 2005 opponents...6-5 is expected. 7-4 is certainly possible. Note - Schedule below isn't in chronological order Home Can't (W) @ Purdue (L) @ Middle Tennessee State (?) Home Army (W) @ BG (L) Home NIU (L) @ Ball State (W) Home OU (W) @ Miami (L) @ Buffalo (W) Home Central Michigan (W)