Z.I.P.

Do we have Youtube footage of that? The fist-pump? Would love to see it!

Carli has other talents: (From the Ohio State Fair site) Junior Fair Horses - Horses - Pole Bending- pony (9-18 yrs) 1st - Smith, Aryn, Lucas, OH 2nd - Pimm, Carli, Plain City, OH We old timers can't help wondering how she'd look riding a near-mascot from Put-in-Bay.

Coming back on point as much as I can in this smoke-filled room, here I go: We have now had two coaches and recruiting leaders leave the program in the past year -- both of whom improved the program's recruiting stance -- we were, for the first time, going toe-to-toe for High Majors, on the back of our NCAA appearance in 2009. Over the past year our recruiting position has gone back to where it was BEFORE our tournament appearance. I guess it goes to show, you have to strike while the iron's hot. We didn't. Now, as far as Quickzips' "apples and oranges" argument goes: We are able to recruit against anyone in the country in soccer because we have a long history of success in a number of different areas , please try to remember back to the age of Coach Ken Lolla. The reason why we were a good, but not great soccer program was because we COULDN'T compete with the top-10 teams for US international youth players. Now we not only compete, but normally win those recruiting wars. We long to be the Gonzaga of the East in BB. But first we have to be the Beast of the MAC. Pardon my skepticism, but I don't hear any roar from the JAR. It's up to Keith to make that jump, and legacy or no legacy, it's time to hold his hand to the fire. The time is now, not in three years -- the soccer team has just one goal -- a national title in 2010. Likewise appropriate goals to demand from the other programs are a competitive football team -- and a MAC champion in basketball. That's putting all our fruit in the same basket, and coming out with Jamba Juice. Do they have that in Green yet, Dave?

Anybody ranked in the top-10. That's the only acceptable build-up to a MAC conference season. And, after a , teams will learn that they have to come to us, if they want a shot at #1. That's why the two wins on the road over Top 5 ACC teams was Sooooooo important. There is no longer any reason why we should have to travel to play these teams -- except maybe every third season. Is that the ding-aling you were looking for? --edit-- After thinking, my best answer is: Anybody -- so long as it's in Santa Barbara and in December.

What they mean is the last four AT-LARGE teams. This is just another way to screw any possible Mid-Majors that might sneak in, while not touching Northern Arizona or Alcorn State. They don't have the balls to do this to their vaunted automatic qualifiers, a dozen or more of whom are worse than any at-large selection. Am I not correct, that the "bottom-four" at large teams will get stuck with 16 seeds? The bottom four at-large teams will likely be 11-13 seeds, or wherever they would be have been seeded. Then explain why they are being forced to play an extra game -- just to wear themselves out before taking on the BCS Boys? I may be full of Okolehau, but I trust the NCAA Selection Committee about as far as I can throw 'em. Well, if you add 3 teams to the dance, someone is going to have to play an additional game. Might as well include the 3 teams that wouldn't have gotten in otherwise. This only affects the team that would have been the last team in under the old format. And my point is that if anyone is forced to play additional teams, it should be the LOWEST RANKED teams -- not the lowest ranked AT-LARGE teams. As I've been saying, the lowest-seeded at-large team is usually a 12 seed. That leaves about 16 automatic berth conference champions who are lower seeds. Let THEM play in Dayton!

Maybe a former player for the Director of Basketball Operations position. I would love to see Cedrick Middleton come back if playing in Europe doesn't work out for him. Any chance Dials would change his mind about working for the Sweaters? I know I'll get hammered for this, but it looks like the rats are abandoning the ship, like ASAP. Don't look outside your portals Zips fans, but that thar is an iceberg! One assistant coach moves on to a better position and a kid who graduated from the program 2 years ago and was never reported as having been offered a position on the staff takes a job with another school and the rats are abandoning the ship? Not sure I buy that. We've lost assistant coaches before (Shaka Smart and Jeff Boals both come to mind). I actually take it as kind of a compliment. Tells me that Dambrot is surrounding himself with good people and theres some recognition out there for the quality of program that we have been running here. Unless you are privy to some information that I'm not, I don't see how this is really an indication of a larger underlying problem. Not talkin bout one assistant coach Qz. Talkin about wholesale "changes", none of which at dis time appears mo bettah. KD is one of my favorite Akronites, no doubt, but my view from da i-lawns says da nex'two years are make or break time for UA BB. Unless Gamechanger's li'l one becomes a MAC POY type in the off season of one season, I don't see things gettin any better than last year. 4th place is not an unrealistic pick, given the circumstances. What does Dylan Ennis know that you don't? This may be your opinion, but I'd like to see guys like Euton, Gilliam, Egner, Abreu, Treadwell, etc, actually play together before I'd draw that conclusion. JohnnyZip, I wish I could share your confidence -- and, I'm hardly giving up on this team, but my analysis is, we've gone from competing with and at least once beating Big East and ACC teams for recruits, to being satisfied over taking "late-bloomers" and "hidden gems" recruited by the Wisconsin-Milwaukees and CSUs of the world. I think Dylan Ennis agrees with me. Outside of Zeke I can't think of one time where we've went up against Big East and ACC teams for a recruit and had any chance of winning out. A quick review of our history of recruiting on rivals bears that out. In fact, going back to 2004 I can only find a couple of recruits that the Zips even offered who had Big East & ACC offers. Brian Walsh-SG-2008 had offers from Maryland, West Virginia, Pitt & St. Joe's. Signed with Xavier, ironically recently transfered to Akron. Mike Shanahan-SG-2008 had offers from Pitt, Duke and West Virginia. Signed with Pitt. Zeke Marshall-C-2009 had offers from Pitt, Virginia and Virginia Tech. Signed with the Zips. Reality just doesn't line up with your line of thinking. Even the point about Dylan Ennis is invalid. Yes, Ennis decommitted from the Zips. His current list of offers, Nebraska, Northern Iowa, Rice, UIC, Creighton, and reportedly UW-Green Bay. Not a Big East or ACC school among them. People need to stop looking at Zeke's committment as some sort of sign that we are ready to consistently steal top talent from the power conferences of the college basketball world and see it for what it is. An outlier situation where all the stars lined up for us to nab a talented big man away from some very good programs. I think the main difference between my thinking, and that of Quickzips and Daveingreen is that they are readily able to ACCEPT that Akron will never be able to compete with and secure High Major type recruits, and that therefore KD and staff should not waste their time on future Zeke Marshalls and get in line with the mediocrity of the MAC, while I REFUSE to accept that reasoning. I guess I've become infected with Porteritis, while the rest of the ZipsNation has gotten your shots to prevent it from taking effect. I only hope the bug is strong enough that it is immune to KD and Co.'s vaccine. And the smoke around my head? It's a screen against the nurses of mediocrity.

By this time, I'm sure ITZ has been told this on a nearly daily basis, so let's make sure we don't overburden him with the facts. Zips (American) football fans are having enough trouble these days. But, in three years they can start all over again.

It's what many of us wish could and would happen to amateur athletes (Getting a life after college). But, I'm not sure what your point is GP-1 -- and come clean, did you marry a sweater girl?

What they mean is the last four AT-LARGE teams. This is just another way to screw any possible Mid-Majors that might sneak in, while not touching Northern Arizona or Alcorn State. They don't have the balls to do this to their vaunted automatic qualifiers, a dozen or more of whom are worse than any at-large selection. Am I not correct, that the "bottom-four" at large teams will get stuck with 16 seeds? The bottom four at-large teams will likely be 11-13 seeds, or wherever they would be have been seeded. Then explain why they are being forced to play an extra game -- just to wear themselves out before taking on the BCS Boys? I may be full of Okolehau, but I trust the NCAA Selection Committee about as far as I can throw 'em.

Maybe for football. Wasn't he all-state in volleyball?

Maybe a former player for the Director of Basketball Operations position. I would love to see Cedrick Middleton come back if playing in Europe doesn't work out for him. Any chance Dials would change his mind about working for the Sweaters? I know I'll get hammered for this, but it looks like the rats are abandoning the ship, like ASAP. Don't look outside your portals Zips fans, but that thar is an iceberg! One assistant coach moves on to a better position and a kid who graduated from the program 2 years ago and was never reported as having been offered a position on the staff takes a job with another school and the rats are abandoning the ship? Not sure I buy that. We've lost assistant coaches before (Shaka Smart and Jeff Boals both come to mind). I actually take it as kind of a compliment. Tells me that Dambrot is surrounding himself with good people and theres some recognition out there for the quality of program that we have been running here. Unless you are privy to some information that I'm not, I don't see how this is really an indication of a larger underlying problem. Not talkin bout one assistant coach Qz. Talkin about wholesale "changes", none of which at dis time appears mo bettah. KD is one of my favorite Akronites, no doubt, but my view from da i-lawns says da nex'two years are make or break time for UA BB. Unless Gamechanger's li'l one becomes a MAC POY type in the off season of one season, I don't see things gettin any better than last year. 4th place is not an unrealistic pick, given the circumstances. What does Dylan Ennis know that you don't? This may be your opinion, but I'd like to see guys like Euton, Gilliam, Egner, Abreu, Treadwell, etc, actually play together before I'd draw that conclusion. JohnnyZip, I wish I could share your confidence -- and, I'm hardly giving up on this team, but my analysis is, we've gone from competing with and at least once beating Big East and ACC teams for recruits, to being satisfied over taking "late-bloomers" and "hidden gems" recruited by the Wisconsin-Milwaukees and CSUs of the world. I think Dylan Ennis agrees with me.

Look bigzipguy, we know you like to show your talent for finding gametracker scores that you think no one else has. You win! Now how about showing your humility by providing the link. You'll certainly win my vote in this election. My name's Z.I.P. and I approved this message.

Maybe a former player for the Director of Basketball Operations position. I would love to see Cedrick Middleton come back if playing in Europe doesn't work out for him. Any chance Dials would change his mind about working for the Sweaters? I know I'll get hammered for this, but it looks like the rats are abandoning the ship, like ASAP. Don't look outside your portals Zips fans, but that thar is an iceberg! One assistant coach moves on to a better position and a kid who graduated from the program 2 years ago and was never reported as having been offered a position on the staff takes a job with another school and the rats are abandoning the ship? Not sure I buy that. We've lost assistant coaches before (Shaka Smart and Jeff Boals both come to mind). I actually take it as kind of a compliment. Tells me that Dambrot is surrounding himself with good people and theres some recognition out there for the quality of program that we have been running here. Unless you are privy to some information that I'm not, I don't see how this is really an indication of a larger underlying problem. Not talkin bout one assistant coach Qz. Talkin about wholesale "changes", none of which at dis time appears mo bettah. KD is one of my favorite Akronites, no doubt, but my view from da i-lawns says da nex'two years are make or break time for UA BB. Unless Gamechanger's li'l one becomes a MAC POY type in the off season of one season, I don't see things gettin any better than last year. 4th place is not an unrealistic pick, given the circumstances. What does Dylan Ennis know that you don't?

If Huskies are any good, they should win this -- where are they playing?

What are we talking about here?? Is there a link I missed?

Thank you ZW!

Maybe a former player for the Director of Basketball Operations position. I would love to see Cedrick Middleton come back if playing in Europe doesn't work out for him. Any chance Dials would change his mind about working for the Sweaters? I know I'll get hammered for this, but it looks like the rats are abandoning the ship, like ASAP. Don't look outside your portals Zips fans, but that thar is an iceberg!

What they mean is the last four AT-LARGE teams. This is just another way to screw any possible Mid-Majors that might sneak in, while not touching Northern Arizona or Alcorn State. They don't have the balls to do this to their vaunted automatic qualifiers, a dozen or more of whom are worse than any at-large selection. Am I not correct, that the "bottom-four" at large teams will get stuck with 16 seeds?

Take your chill pill Zipper! I agree that such a move by the Big East would be a gamble -- but to even bring the "Akron-to-the-BE" up in the conversation is more absurd. The reality is that Villanova's consistent top-10 team -- with a national championship -- in the second biggest NCAA sport, makes them more valuable than Temple as an overall property. This is the same logic that went into the UConn decision to move up in football less than a decade ago. But that is a large public school -- does Nova have the reasources to equal UConn's potential in FB? I think that decision is the only thing that prevents Villanova from immediately jumping at the idea. For the Big East , this is one strategy to prevent the league from imploding into football and basketball leagues. Or it could be an admission that they will never get Notre Dame to join for football and Nova is the way second-place choice.

I think, if the U was smart, they would do like the Seattle Sounders after a poor performance, and offer everyone who attended their money back!

Didn't he used to be the basketball coach at South High School? Could this be his son -- anyone? edit: Joe Siegferth was the legendary basketball coach at Akron Central and Central-Hower HS from the early 60s till 80s, I believe. He coached future Basketball Hall-of-Famers Nate Thurmond and Gus Johnson as well as Akron legend Billy Turner. Our Ticket Manager is Joe Siegferth III. I assume, his grandson.

"ACC teams, which held four of the top six spots and six of the top 12 in the preseason NSCAA Top 25, went 1-5-1 against other ranked teams in the opening week. Perhaps no result was more surprising than No. 24 Michigan State's 4-3 overtime victory over No. 6 Maryland (more on that later). Louisville, ranked No. 20, defeated North Carolina State and tied favored Duke. Six of the league's nine teams took losses, and Boston College and No. 2 Virginia were the only teams to get through the week unscathed. Overall, the ACC is a surprisingly mediocre 7-8-2." There is no dominant conference this year, it appears. But NIU, with their draw at Portland, looks like a potential top-25 (and NCAA tournament) team -- again. Last year they started the season with a draw at UNC.

Thanks MD, I was just about to post that seat chart from UCSB. Total capacity of Harder is 17,000 (it was the stadium for their football team which played D-1 until 1972 I think, then came back as a non-scholarship program -- I think they were in the same conference with Dayton) briefly in the late 80s-early 90s, before killing it off for good). I suspect the blue and gold areas only seat about 2500 max, and they have over 1000 season ticket holders (I'll ask their ticket Mgr, I e-mailed her yesterday). Probably most season tix holders won't attend the Cup, unless the Gauchos are playing. BUT -- IF UCSB makes it, the place could be packed to the gills. They draw up to and occasionally over 10k for regular season games. However, they lost their opener last weekend to Cal St Bakersfield -- so I wouldn't count on them getting the home field. I'm planning to arrive in SB on Tue. the 7th and do the Sideways Soccer Tour. No foam on my pinot, please.

If that is the worst team in the Big East, what does that say about the MAC? They would probably go undefeated if they were in our league.

Akron Zips Soccer on your phone??? Dude! I've been waiting for technology to catch up with The Beautiful Game. Now at last we're seeing it happen. As far as "boring" goes...well, I just want to thank ESPN for not placing that Syracuse game on the tube. If Michael Jackson had known the power of Akron football to cure insomnia he wouldn't have had to turn to that doctor's needles.