Z.I.P.

I think most of you are missing GP-1's point. Which, as I understand, is: Akron's existence as some kind of "major college" football program is nothing but a pretense. They are not now, and have virtually no chance in the future of becoming a major player in college football. Unfortunately, at this point in time, I am afraid the weight of the evidence is in GP-1's corner. But the part I don't understand personally, is all the emotion being blown off at how the University of Akron's status in college football reflects the status of the city of Akron vis-a-vis similar and familiar cities. Is Akron a better place to live than Youngstown based on its college football experience? Does it mean that Akron is a better city than Cleveland, because the Forest City/Mistake on the Lake (choose your favorite) lacks a FBS football program? There are many excellent locales -- and many great universities which provide development and pride to their areas, which have no college football at all.

What do you expect from a planet named after a bad sportswriter?

I know what you're talking about. I knew a couple junior high students that knew about Akron's soccer team, but that was only because they play soccer themselves. Youth league soccer has been HUGE in this country for years now, but it still hasn't taken off on a general, pop-level yet. But considering how huge youth league soccer is in this country I can't help but believe (hope?) that it is still only a matter of time. I have no delusions of college futbol ever being another college basketball, let alone college football, but I do honestly feel it could one day easily rival college baseball as the #3 college sport. I suppose It would either be futbol or hockey. As hard as I tried not to be drawn into this false ideology (see -- can you tell I was a Soc major? ) I just had to research the subject, because I couldn't believe that baseball could possibly be the #3 NCAA sport attendance-wise. Akron baseball crowds of 25-30 years ago (my era) were smaller than the teams, and my own experience was of Hawaii leading the nation in baseball attendance consistently from the late 80s into the mid-90s, with attendance figures in the 3-4k range (Murakami Rainbow Stadium seats about 4k). Since that time, many universities have built much larger baseball stadiums, or teams are playing at minor league parks. I was amazed to find These attendance statistics for the 2010 season. But note that only 5 or 6 of the top 42 listed are outside the Southern tier. What I was thinking, was that women's volleyball would be the #3 sport in attendance terms, since over the past decade many Big-12 and SEC volleyball programs have gained a foothold and now outcompete the once-dominant West Coast programs, many averaging around 4-5k, especially Nebraska, Texas, Florida, Minnesota and quite a few others. I'll have to check to find out how VB compares to baseball, but let me admit -- the baseball stats come out of Wichita State, and to me at least, it was a Shocker. edit: Here are the latest NCAA women's volleyball attendance stats. I was expecting a lot more schools in the 3-5k area, but it was my Hawaii-centric perspective on the sport, my school having led the nation in attendance forever, and VB outdrawing men's basketball since forever here. edit #2: Finally here are 2008 NCAA men's soccer attendance figures. Only 25 programs draw 1000+ for men's soccer (I suspect women's soccer would be about the same), while 45 schools draw 1000+ for women's VB and for baseball the stats showed just the top 42, with the lowest (OSWho at #42) at about 1200/game. But the top draws (especially LSU) were a lot higher for baseball than VB or soccer. So maybe baseball has the lead, but as far as I can see it's still early in the game, and we're playing a full 90 here!

Sadly not. They lost 3-1 and Morehead was 0-3 this year. WOW! I'm pretty sure MSU is an even younger program than Akron. I saw them about 7 or 8 years ago, which was their first year I think. They lost about 6-0 to a mediocre Hawaii program (pre-Natasha Kai). This needs to serve as a lesson about being prepared every time out. I was skeptical about those suggesting Akron might be top-25 this season. I think it'll take another 2-3 years to get there, but it's well within the possible -- and extremely difficult with over 300 D-1 programs.

Frankly, I expect Cuse to "Paste Colgate"!

I just called the ticket office to see how many tickets were sold. I have 2 season tickets, but I am bringing along some people with me who do not. I figured we would be safe just getting them at the box office but wanted to be sure we wouldn't be in for a surprise Saturday morning. Was not able to talk to a live person, but listened to the message and learned the game is sold out! No, not the Syracuse game on 9/4/10! The Can't State game on 5/5/09. No, I am not kidding. You must be confused. That's a baseball game!

Hey Zach, not sure if you've taken any geography courses at the U., but you might want to check your map of the Sunshine State. USF is in Tampa-St. Pete. But good luck to the gents. The heat and humidity should get them ready for nex' weekend in Noth Ca'lina.

What were his grades like? Was he in danger of being a non-qualifier? All I can think to say is, at least he didn't take his talent to South Beach, that would be formulaic.

Hate to tell you this, but the stepping-stone strategy is becoming more deeply ingrained in Akron athletics. This guy, Coach Wyshner was something in the area of a miracle worker for Akron Tennis. Something between a Keith Dambrot and a Caleb Porter. And he took the opportunity to parlay his success the way the other two have not. I guess we have to wish him well. What other choice do we have? coach!

Please! Don't ANYONE tell GP-1 that Gozips.com is in a rebuilding phase!

How the Hell did you have a Luau Night, and not invite the Zip in Paradise? He mighta brought the okolehao.

If we're exploring the Akron Vulcans, whatever became of Sonny Gibbs?

As far as the early own goal goes, I have to wonder if perhaps David didn't intentionally let the ball roll in! It reminds me of The Most Interesting Man in the World. He once had an uncomfortable situation -- just to find out how it feels. It may be the last opportunity to discover what having the other side record a goal feels like, before they start playing games that count. After that point, I don't expect to read about many balls rolling over Akron's line. Don't be surprised if they beat their own NCAA record for GAA. The lineups look as if Caleb was going with basically the same players and PT as you'll see in the real season. I think Perry Kitchen should be expected to become a team leader. After all, he's been captaining the USA for two years. Just thought, I didn't notice Caldwell's name -- did he play? Also, how did Michael Balogun look? If he can shake off the rust, he could be the biggest surprise on the team.

I had no intention of returning to Akron this year...However, after reading this post... Maybe if I send this to ESPN, that will convince them that they MUST have a camera or two at this game. WHOA! Cover my eyes! Drealscout and Drealzippy...Which one is dreal one, brah?

Johnny, thank you so much for bringing this column to my attention. Steve Rushin used to be my very favorite sports writer -- and now I better understand why (it just figures we would both be Gunners fans!)-- when he had a weekly column INSIDE Sports Illustrated. He was dropped unceremoniously about three years ago, and I hadn't heard from him since. Here is the "personal" section about Rushin, and his wife - the former UConn great, from his Wikipedia website: Rushin is married to college basketball analyst and former basketball player Rebecca Lobo. In S.I., Rushin had written how he had slept with 10,000 women one night. He was referring, of course, to a WNBA game he watched and subsequently fell asleep. Rushin later recalled how Lobo confronted him in a Manhattan bar after reading that story. "She asked if I was the scribe who once mocked, in Sports Illustrated, women's professional basketball," he wrote. "Reluctantly, I said that I was. She asked how many games I'd actually attended. I hung my head and said, "None." And so Rebecca Lobo invited me to watch her team, the New York Liberty, play at Madison Square Garden. We both reeked of secondhand Camels. (And, quite possibly, of secondhand camels: It was that kind of a dive.) But my insult had been forgiven. It was—for me, anyway—love at first slight." He added: "She had the longest legs, the whitest teeth, the best-sown cornrows I had ever seen, and I imagined us to have much in common. I ate Frosted Flakes right out of the box, and she was on boxes of Frosted Flakes. I am ludicrous, and she was name-dropped in a rap by Ludacris. We were, I thought, made for each other."[30] Rushin and Lobo live with their three children in Western Connecticut.[31][32] In May, 2007, he was the Commencement Day speaker at Marquette, where he was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters for "his unique gift of documenting the human condition through his writing."[33] "Nineteen years ago, my commencement speaker was the honorable William H. Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court." he said. "And while I don't remember what he said that day, I do vividly recall being inspired by his example, and I vowed then and there that I too would pursue a career that allowed me to spend all day in a robe. And so I became a writer." Wow, what a great story! I had no previous knowledge of him, but I really liked his writing style in the article. One funny coincidence was that I was just watching the EPL round-up on FSC the other night and they were showing the highlights from the Fulham/Man U game when I turned to my wife and said something like "isn't that the greatest name for a sports venue?". I hate 'em, but here's an e-trip to the Ol' Traff: http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=...BA953BCC1600%7D

A note about the jerseys: They are fairly "clingy", rather than "blousy". The fabric stretches, but the fit is a little bit tight, so if you want a baggy fit, get one size larger than normal. I tried to return mine, which arrived yesterday, for an XL, since I've developed what I once called a "barrel chest" (and belly!). However, they were sold out of XLs in #10. I'll probably just keep it, and buy an XL for the trip to UCSB. No knock on wood this time, as I'm buying tix and going, no matter what. But, it might be difficult to wear the jersey without the team. Go Zips

Just spoke with Adam at the ticket office. The scarves have arrived, and one is on its way to Hawai'i. It appears that someone in the ticket office now is questioning whether WOMEN'S season ticket holders are entitled to a scarf. But I explained to Adam that that's what was written in the offer on Gozips.com. I hope they get that one squared away, and there is a sea of scarves at Lee Jackson -- AND (knock on wood) at UCSB in December. And MDZip, thanks for the mention of Doc Nash. Glad to hear he's doing well.

Johnny, thank you so much for bringing this column to my attention. Steve Rushin used to be my very favorite sports writer -- and now I better understand why (it just figures we would both be Gunners fans!)-- when he had a weekly column INSIDE Sports Illustrated. He was dropped unceremoniously about three years ago, and I hadn't heard from him since. Here is the "personal" section about Rushin, and his wife - the former UConn great, from his Wikipedia website: Rushin is married to college basketball analyst and former basketball player Rebecca Lobo. In S.I., Rushin had written how he had slept with 10,000 women one night. He was referring, of course, to a WNBA game he watched and subsequently fell asleep. Rushin later recalled how Lobo confronted him in a Manhattan bar after reading that story. "She asked if I was the scribe who once mocked, in Sports Illustrated, women's professional basketball," he wrote. "Reluctantly, I said that I was. She asked how many games I'd actually attended. I hung my head and said, "None." And so Rebecca Lobo invited me to watch her team, the New York Liberty, play at Madison Square Garden. We both reeked of secondhand Camels. (And, quite possibly, of secondhand camels: It was that kind of a dive.) But my insult had been forgiven. It was—for me, anyway—love at first slight." He added: "She had the longest legs, the whitest teeth, the best-sown cornrows I had ever seen, and I imagined us to have much in common. I ate Frosted Flakes right out of the box, and she was on boxes of Frosted Flakes. I am ludicrous, and she was name-dropped in a rap by Ludacris. We were, I thought, made for each other."[30] Rushin and Lobo live with their three children in Western Connecticut.[31][32] In May, 2007, he was the Commencement Day speaker at Marquette, where he was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters for "his unique gift of documenting the human condition through his writing."[33] "Nineteen years ago, my commencement speaker was the honorable William H. Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court." he said. "And while I don't remember what he said that day, I do vividly recall being inspired by his example, and I vowed then and there that I too would pursue a career that allowed me to spend all day in a robe. And so I became a writer."

Mahalo to GoZips! That's an early Mele Kalikimaka present. Does anyone think at this late date, that there's any way the Akron-Syracuse game might be picked up by ESPN Gameplan, or anything besides ESPN360?

I wondered that too. I've heard of Southern Methodist...Presbyterian...Texas Lutheran...but I've never heard of "Catholic University"? He may have attended The National Catholic University, in Washington, D.C.. They play football in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, whose members are Divison III, and all in Virginia or North Carolina. One of them, Roanoke defeated Akron for the NCAA College Division basketball title back in 1970 in Evansville, IN.

Wow! Have a link? Where did this appear?

“Akron wanted me to sit out the first year (redshirt), and then take the scholarship the next four years.” As I recall, that's not the definition of a red-shirt, but a brown shirt. Red-shirts GET the first-year scholly, and have four years to play four. He was apparently asked by Keith to pay his own way as a frosh -- then he'd have what -- five years to play four, or just four for four?

This sounds like an overwhelming public demand for the Great Gee Pee Wan. Will he fulfill the desires of the electorate, or say, "If elected I shall not serve, if nominated, I shall not run"? I have a pretty strong feeling...

I think in order to fall as far as #5 (based on just the UNC game), the team would have to lose -- on the road -- by at least 3 goals. Maybe if they lost to both UNC AND WFU by a total of 3 or more, then maybe #5 would be reasonable. But remember both opponents are themselves ranked top-5. In my opinion Carolina and Wake should each be between #2-4. Two draws would quite possibly keep us in #1 -- depending on what Maryland and whoever else is in the top-5 does. But that's spoken like an Obama-voting futbol fan. We could, on the other hand, just go 2-0 and not worry about the election season.

Temecula, California. One word: Pachanga! To clue in those scratching their heads, West Coast TV viewers are assaulted by the continuous running of a commercial promoting the new casino in Temecula -- Pachanga! Aaaaarggggghh!!!