UAZipster0305

Some well-researched and highly thought out posts by wadszip in this thread. Kudos. As for wrestling, your point about some of the most fertile recruiting grounds in the area is noted. However, Can't having a nationally-ranked program is detrimental. As an analogy, consider academics...what are UA's nationally-ranked programs?...Polymer science/engineering and I/O psychology. Does Can't have those programs?...Nope. UA is competitive nationally because there is not a struggle to be the best in this region of the state. Also, does Can't have men's soccer?...Nope. There's a reason for that too. If UA adds a men's athletics program, it needs to be tennis. Look at what the woman have done / are doing. A men's program could be equally as successful. On-campus facilities are warranted, and a men's program would use the same facilities with no additional capital costs. Also, UA used to have a men's program, but I believe it was eliminated sometime in the late '90's. (Correct me if I'm wrong on that.) Tennis and wrestling are also the same size in terms of roster and coaches. I understand if you're partial to wrestling, but it just won't happen. The likelihood of any programs being added before we are in a more lucrative conference and the football program being in better shape on the field (and subsequently on the balance sheet) are slim to none. Then, there's the Title IX issue. With regard to the conference move, I think it's definitely UA and UT. I also think it's a toss up if only one is taken. UT has the better past, UA has the brighter future potential and larger media market. Either way, it would be a good move both for the adding conference and the institution that moves and a big loss for the MAC.

If GP1 makes a statement in the forest and Mrs. GP1 isn't around to hear it, is he still wrong?

Great post, CK. I agree about the board buzzing in a very positive way all season long. This is the same fan base that withstood 2-22 with iCoach. For some perspective on what negativity is, Frenchy should revisit some of those threads.

matches

...never gets old saying that!

And what would the Captain know about that?

Kudos for being a good sport, but I was referring to you ALWAYS equally presenting both sides of everything. Fair analysis of the trends in today's game too. I didn't have to post because you already voiced (typed) many of my thoughts. I'll add that we got waxed on the boards today in spite of us having the size advantage and anticipating it as a relative strength.

This statement is the essence of 95% of your posts, DiG. Prop Joe strikes again. (And I mean this in only the friendliest of ways.)

I question the mental health of anyone supporting Cleveland professional teams. Why would anyone electively tolerate that level of abuse?

A good coach/teacher recognizes the difference and always motivates.

To this end, I am mentioning that this is the last opportunity for the conference to improve its RPI. If the MAC wins enough games in the Bracketbuster, it may be enough to marginally improve our at-large chances.

A secondary MAC team is worthy of an NIT bid this year. Regular season champ or not.

The NIT bid goes to the winner of the MAC regular season. I'm greedy and want that in hand for the exact reason you mentioned...here, Can't (Bobkitties, Canadians), go on a date with your sister while we strut to the prom and charm the queen.

What I want to see in a new basketball facility (in no particular order)... 1) Location: Downtown across from Canal Park with street front shops/restaurants like at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. This replaces a blighted property in an optimal downtown area adjacent to the edge of campus and new student housing. The football stadium should have been on campus because there is a tailgating culture that requires being outside and having a park-like campus that draws fans and alumni during the day, which adds to the experience. This is not so for basketball. The nightlife is where it is at for the basketball crowd. And even though my proposed location is technically "off-campus" it is not the off-campus that was the Rubber Bowl. Big difference! 2) Size: <8,000 is thinking way too small...especially if we make it to a real conference with name brand opponents. Thinking small is what got Cleveland an outdoor only football stadium that is only used 10 times per year. Meanwhile, cities like Detroit and Indy host the Super Bowl and college bowl games. We should aspire to NOT be like Cleveland. I want to have a credible bid to host NCAA Tournament games. No way that happens with <8,000 when Columbus, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh all have large, elite arenas. Hosting such events bring economic benefits and carries national exposure. >=10,000 is necessary and could be fully utilized if a conference upgrade is in our future. 3) Functionality: The venue needs to be designed to provide an intimate atmosphere for basketball, but also be able to host hockey, concerts, and other events (Cirqu du Soleil, arena football, indoor soccer, etc.). Having a great basketball environment and a multi-purpose facility are not mutually exclusive if done intelligently. 4) Financing: Cut a deal with the City such that it is a jointly owned property. Doing so assists with paying for the arena provided it is multi-purpose (primarily for the City's benefit) and UA has 90% of the design input. The location noted above also benefits the City. Everyone wins!

I refuse to think like a Can't fan. Though I don't want the team taking this attitude, I'm prepared for nothing less than another MACC.

...and it only took three minutes to get that out there. I love the Nation!

It's 10:08PM, and...

Wow, a 6'6" sniper. That is tough to defend. We can't give this guy any second looks. Rebounding will be crucial, and it sounds like we have the advantage on that front.

It would be way short on members for soccer, which has to be considered vitally important to us. I'd add NIU and SIU in all sports (natural geographic rivals, one in each division) as they are good overall fits, have soccer programs, and add another state to the footprint. I would also invite Kentucky and South Carolina for soccer.

Or John Heisman. We don't capitalize on that at all even though he led us to victory over OSU and may have invented the forward pass on our campus.

What makes you think that given the past few years of our football program that we are the most worthy of the current MAC members to ascend? I will give you this if Coach Bowden delivers what we all expect. Right now though, I'd give the nod to OU as having the edge over us. They are solid in basketball and football (annually competitive for both MACCs) and respectable in all other sports and especially volleyball.

Great point. I second this! And things like this are the basis for a rivalry...not anything that occurs on an athletics field/court between Akron and Cleveland. UA-CSU in basketball is likely the only opportunity for athletic interaction anyhow.

Joe Akron doesn't help, but the original spirit of the comment was being completely ignored, not being outwardly discouraged. And I would consider your example as a highly isolated incident.

It is a good thing we don't have a rivalry with Cleveland or Columbus then!