ZippyRulz

Apparently the $400/semester is correct. So 27,000 students x $800/yr = $21.6M that goes to the athletic dept. (actually somewhat less if you pro-rate for part-time students). I don't know how Can't can do it for about 11% as much.

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/university-of-akron-students-want-to-know-how-much-of-their-fees-go-toward-athletics-1.554002

Frenchy brought it up with KD in the pregame interview. KD was, not surprisingly, in favor of renovating.

To me it sounds like there is now an urgency/readiness to do what is possible with basketball facilities, and incremental upgrades to the JAR is what's possible at present. It has been an issue/limitation all during Dambrot's tenure as coach but the Rubber Bowl was an even bigger issue and had to be addressed first. It also sounds like it is not meant to be the final long-term solution, since Dr. S. states in the article that upgrades are needed (wouldn't be wasted) even if it's only used for purposes other than basketball. Personally, I wouldn't care about a reduction in seating capacity; it would still be adequate for most games in the near-term and a scarcity of tickets for bigger games would actually create a little more buzz around the program and may also increase demand for season tix which would also be good for the program. I don't think attracting quality opponents depends on the number of seats as much as the amount of money they would get.

CUSA arenas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Conference_USA_basketball_venue_navbox

I would guess that is the case. CUSA meets in a little over 2 weeks to decide about UAB. It's already news in Texas, at any rate http://www.chron.com/sports/article/University-of-Akron-looks-to-renovate-its-arena-5979456.php

It's hard to see putting $38M into the JAR vs. a 50% downpayment on a new building.

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/12/26/pitt-officially-introduces-pat-narduzzi-as-their-new-head-coach/ Italian Youngstown guy Bo Pelini faces Italian Youngstown guy Pat Narduzzi on 9-5-15. I wonder if these guys were HS classmates. Or maybe their great-grandfathers were, back in the old country.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/hawaii-athletic-director-says-hawaii-football-could-be--going-away-232207654.html I shuddered a bit when I saw mentioned somewhere the possibility of the P5 increasing scholarship limits. Taking away the top 20% of talent from the G5 would be devastating to the whole tier.

I will enjoy the British accent regardless of how the team does

Like this. That would include 2009

We out-rebounded them 40-38. They shot 20 foul shots and made 17...that was the difference.

and most repetitive remark of the night...at least opponents still feel sky high about beating us

Did they ever mention Akron's ranking in the mid-majors poll?

UAB's Collin Lisa commits to Buffalo http://www.abc3340.com/story/27635379/uabs-collin-lisa-commits-to-buffalo

That's why.

http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2014/12/10/7364723/akron-zips-football-season-recap-what-happened "I am positive that the injury to Kyle Pohl ruined the season. He was playing his best football when he went down and he didn't look the same after the concussion. His performance all year was relatively disappointing. Another factor that may have led to a losing record was the absence of an emotional leader in Alan "Tank" Arrington. Tank was the offensive line coach for the 2012 and 2013 season. He got on the players when they didn't have a good attitude. When someone wasn't doing what they were supposed to do, Tank got on their back. Every player listened to him. Tank lost his life in a car accident in Mississippi last December. ........ Kyle Pohl will likely return, but don't be so sure that he will be the starter behind center next season. Also, nearly the entire receiving corps will return for the 2015 season. Zips fans should have confidence in that group of talented players. Finally, I want to let Akron fans know that better things lie ahead. Yes, it was another losing season, but Terry Bowden has this ship moving in the right direction. Yes, they had an easy MAC schedule, but losing is part of the growing process. Hang in there folks, things will improve."

Thanks for that nice breakdown, JZ. However, I think CG should have been moved exclusively to offense after the KP concussion as a running/blocking FB. I believe he would have been even more helpful to the defense that way by giving us more ball control on offense and keeping the D off the field more.

Are we in any danger of bigger basketball programs trying to lure some of these guys away? Noah/Kwan/Pat?

I really don't know, but just speculating: I'm sure TB knows a lot of the coaches in CUSA since it's a big fraternity, and probably a lot of AD's as well. His major role would have to be touting our football facilities and convincing CUSA powers-that-be how, when, and why our football program is on the rise and how that would be accelerated by joining CUSA. The AD could do most of the pimping of our other sports.

Do it. We can recruit better if the student athletes know they will be traveling to Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and Texas instead of within the rust belt. Better soccer. Better football/baseball weather (although baseball would no longer be required). Multiple big dance bids. Broader exposure for our brand. With or without other MACsters.

Mack Rhoades to hire a new football coach at Houston. I don't think this counts as a hiring screw-up by Mack since Levine was already on staff and promoted to interim HC when Sumlin went to TAM. I just realized this was their first season in the house that MR built. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TDECU_Stadium

Works for me. CUSA North: Toledo, UA, Ohio, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky.

I can't imagine the Big 12 won't expand now that the lack of a CCG cost them a playoff spot. http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2014/12/7/7347577/tcu-baylor-college-football-playoff-big-12-expansion Unless NCAA changes the CCG rules (whenever that might happen).

More nourishment for the rumor monster: http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball-blog/hc-uconn-huskies-conference-realignment-woes-could-continue-if-cincinnati-memphis-leave-american-athlet-20141205-story.html