Z.I.P.

You should have flushed the money you gave to Can't down the toilet. I cannot think of a single program Can't has that is as good as what UofA offers. I cannot think of a single program at Can't that comes close to our Polymer Science School. UofA has a much better engineering school. UofA has a much better business school. My brother is a doctor and he says the best nurses around are UofA graduates. UofA has the nationally known Ray C. Bliss Institute. UofA yearly produces the highest percentage of first time bar sitters that pass the exam on the first try. I will give it to Can't that they have a first rate fashion museum . Let me say again. The only thing Can't is known for is the unfortunate matter that happened in the 1970s. That's pathetic. I have no respect for the president of Can't. I have no respect for the students at Can't. I have no respect for the sports programs at Can't. I have no respect for the faculty at Can't. I have no respect for the janitors who clean the buildings at Can't. They could bulldoze the whole place as far as I'm concerned. If Portage County went back to being a swamp, nobody would miss it. LMFAO! And, as Z.I.P. stated: the so-called "rivalry" between Akron and Can't is 100% emotional (and political), and has no basis in reason. I rest my case.

Well...the coach did get a trophy! And I think GP-1's comment deserves a bit of reflection: This is not a tough one for me. Beating Can't is the answer not just intellectually, but also emotionally. Actually, the so-called "rivalry" between Akron and Can't is 100% emotional (and political), and has no basis in reason. They are two fine neighboring institutions of higher learning. I have contributed to deserving programs in each, and will continue to. Now as to Akron beating the SuckNuts? I would give a nut for that one. They fall out of the palm trees here all the time.

I saw that. It was great. Thank you Men's Soccer! I missed that one, but did see a promo showing THIS year's College Cup finally (they were showing last year's final all fall). Not sure if it was Nanny or maybe Z carrying the ball. Hopefully I'll see it more times after this endless parade of crummy bowl games is over. BTW-- where did we finish overall last year? 24 pts for second in soccer, did we get any more?

Well, no doubt the charges will be thrown out, considering the black racist nature of the American criminal justice system.

Anybody still on backorder? I got my shirts today. Shipping took three days to get from Akron to Indiana, then two from IN to HI. I like it -- the gold stands out very nicely.

Or they could come back and be a placekicker for the Zips American football team. There's a former Columbus Crew player doing that for Tressel.

Please, someone tell me what we're not understanding. I see all of the Akron guys making somewhere around 50K. 50k is a hell of a lot more than most fresh grads will make in their entry level first jobs. 28-35k is the norm. GA contracts are higher than the "league min." Look at Zakuani... his guaranteed 2010 is over $160,000. I would expect that the GA guys will be making around $100,000ish. Okay, time for a little lesson on the subject of Generation Adidas contracts. (lesson plan made from Z.I.P.'s memory) #1. The contract is a "bonus" payment -- which I imagine can be paid in one lump sum, or paid out over a term. #2. Zakuani's G.A. payment was reportedly $175k -- by far the biggest ever to that point. Frankly, I would expect Kitchen to get more than that, whether he goes #1 or not. #3. G.A. players do receive a annual contract beyond the G.A. bonus check, however, in most cases, I believe the Adidas contribution is intended by MLS management to allow clubs to pay far less than what should be the going rate for talent. I wonder how much of the annual payment shown for Stevie Z is part of his G.A. deal. #4. The MLS minimum salary is set at what -- $45k now? Believe it or not, that is a vast improvement from just 3 years ago when it was the massive amount of $12,500. Although most of those receiving the bottom rung of contracts are guys who are not on the roster for a full season. I'm naturally disappointed that we will lose these seven stars. But it also helps contribute to the mystique of Akron Soccer. So let's get on the recruiting trail. As I have said, I'm told a January by-invitation-only camp at the Styles Ctr will be a large contributor to the 2011 roster for international talent. Can Root4Roo sneak in for an upcoming article?

That is my sentiment exactly.

I was thinking that I posted this earlier, but I guess not -- the first day I returned home to O'ahu from Santa Barbara, I had two strangers walk up to me while I was wearing the soccer T-shirt with just the A-Roo logo and ask me if I was from Akron! They both said they had seen the team win the championship over the weekend, and said what a fine team Akron had. So, maybe, just maybe, someone DOES pay attention to the Beautiful Game. Of course this is outside the Continental United States, so Skip-zip can claim an exemption from the rule.

I have only attended one collegiate ice hockey game in my life, first Sat in December, 1984. Sandwiched around my first visit to the horseshoe stadium for the OHSAA football finals, and the Zips meeting the Suckeyes at St John's Arena was a game between #1 and #2 -- OSU and BGSU in the amazingly tiny ice rink sitting just outside the front doors of St John's. I would say it may have seated a hundred people, but not comfortably! Playing at Value City is a bit of an upgrade for the Bucks. I seem to recall that OSU defeated #1 Bowling Green that day, but BeeGee came back, and won the national title later in the year. The rink had photos and clippings on the wall of the first black college hockey players at OSU in the 50s. It was a museum-like atmosphere, as much as a playing venue -- due to the age. I would not be surprised if it was used in the 1940s. Wonder if it's still standing.

I always thought about how tough it must be to be a player or coach of another MAC men's soccer team. No matter how hard they work they to be the best with what they are given, we are kind of an anomaly in the MAC and it is unrealistic to knock us off. I almost feel bad for them, almost. I also wonder if this would in some way hurt recruiting to those other schools. Like, if players get offers from other mid-majors where they wouldn't have to struggle trying to beat the best team in the nation, maybe they would chose that school instead. I think our presence might help. We won the national championship as a MAC school. By that alone, the MAC can be regarded as a solid soccer conference. The other schools will get to play us every year, and at home every other. We've also shown that for a relatively cheap (compared to football and basketball) investment, MAC schools can compete at the top of this sport against the big names and get national recognition for it. Agreed! And Cleveland State would have had a tough job getting second in the MAC in 2010 -- so that shows beating Akron (once at least!) isn't impossible. Looking back, I wonder how that loss effected the team. Probably had very little if any effect on their confidence -- just tighten the waistband and move on -- the goal was still weeks away.

All right, all right. Pre-game. Somebody zapped Z.I.P.

Shot of Rowdy Crowd at Harder Stadium UC-Santa Barbara. Halftime of Michigan semifinal on Friday night.. BTW -- anyone remember the NCAA official who asked the Rowdies to "Restrain your rhetoric", after some barnyard chanting in the first half? I looked in the program, and the guy is the NCAA Soccer Championship Committee Member, and Head Coach at St Johns Univ (NY), John Diffley. Makes ya say, Hmmmmm.

Ampaipitakwong family with Lowes Senior Class Award Loses something in the download, but here is the shot I took of the Ampais at Harder Field on Fri., Dec 8.

I must have missed Mr Smith. But I met Simon again at the College Cup (and he provided some advice to the Rowdies, following their small run-in with the NCAA Committeeman). Amazingly. he looked about 6 inches shorter than when he went up to field free kicks at Lee Jackson in the early 80s. If you had asked me, I would have sworn he was a midfielder. And 6'6.

Agreed. It needs to be marketed the way Sports Illustrated markets their magazine - using a World Series or Super Bowl champion -- everything from a bound book of team highlights and DVD video to championship caps, jackets, wristbands, earrings, seat cushions and ear muffs. No ear muffs for me, please, but I would like a championship license plate holder and a window decal. Please, Mr Wistrcill.

Did anyone else notice the contract attached to the interview? Most especially this language: Assuming that you are amendable, please indicate your acceptance by signing below. Well, if that was written by Dr Proenza, he can at least claim that English is not his first language.

I agree, i could see us running the 2009 formation with Perry ( if he stays ) and Scotty in the middle like a Ben zemanski and Blair Gavin, bc perry is more defensive, and Scotty is more possession. Can you fill those of us who weren't here in on how the earlier formations differ from 2010's? 2009 was a basic 4-4-2 formation, perhaps a 4-4-1-1. The wing backs routinely overlapped into the offensive third, just as they continued to do in 2010. That is the style Porter teaches. Zemanski and Gavin, both holding midfielders, were singularly and unbelievably replaced by Kitchen, a freshman. Formation recognizably changed to 4-1 (Kitchen) –3– 1 (Nagbe)–1 (Mattocks). I like this formation because of the clear-cut and distinct responsibilities of each position. This was only made possible by the work rate, soccer acumen, and physical toughness of Perry Kitchen. Although perhaps not the best player on 2010 champions (I love saying that), Kitchen is the heart of that team. On a predominantly finesse oriented team, Kitchen is the only enforcer. He will not easily be replaced. God, I hope he remains a Zip one more year. Merry Christmas everyone! Did we all get what we were dreaming of this year? No doubt about Z.I.P. I got to view the first national title win, which many thought was this team's destiny. In reality, it was nothing but years of hard work to become the best at their craft that made this collection the best college futbol had to offer. I think fknbuflobo has it pretty straight. Another year of PK, with what we have coming in, and the amazing leftovers -- Akron is #1 in the preseason again. But on the other hand, maybe we should be grateful that we were able to experience one year of Kitchen's magic. If he were as good a player at another position, like say forward, he would have signed a pro contract earlier -- ala Jack McInerny. I have to think that that fact plays into Caleb's strategy, which seems to be "tie-up the backs first", as they are not just the heart of a winning team, but are less likely to jump straight from youth ball to the pros. Now, let's hope that Andrew Souders doesn't sign a pro contract in the next year-and-a-half. Does Gallego play CB? That will be an unbeatable tandem. And Yedlin on the outside? I hate to say it, but the next three years could belong to Akron. After that it's too hard to know, but I know we'll keep it humble under CP's control. Happy New Year!

Wow! Thanks for the update -- I would never have known that Teal Bunbury is on a new team if you hadn't informed me right there. Sporting KC! Will they be starting basketball, or hockey, or some other sporting clubs besides football? On another track, if the Timbers (and I intend to become a big fan, effective immediately) have a shot at Kofi Sarkodie with pick #2, they should send fireworks up over PGE Field. Thanks you Whitecaps! (No offense to the Nagbes)

Temple, Miami, CMU, WMU, BGSU, UBuff. All trending downward. It could be a new era for teams like EMU, and possibly Akron. The relatively incompetent may have the advantage over the absolute incompetents. Let's see which category we filter into.