Z.I.P.

Read the article about the MLS move to increase roster sizes. I'm not sure how the ability of clubs to sign their ex-academy players will effect the MLS draft, but I know there are five former Columbus Crew Academy players wearing the Blue and Gold. Sarkodie, Barson, Speas, Schmitt...I forget the fifth, but they all are future professionals. With this rule change, might we see most or all of them wearing those ugly yellow unies in Columbus? http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id...mls&cc=5901

Can we get a translation service on this board??

Not many of you will know his name, and most of those who do know little about him. Mike Harkins was the university's all-time leading scorer until, I believe, Len Paul broke his record in the early 70s. Though I never met the man, I grew up hearing stories of his heroics at Memorial Hall. Harkins was an all-around player, who could score, or make his teammates look good with his own playmaking skills. Harkins went on to become one of the most respected small college coaches at Eastern Montana University, and was an assistant coach to Bob Knight on the US Olympic team in 1976 in Montreal. He wrote a book on the game of basketball that was one of the most-read books in coaching. He was a real legend, who I understand on more than one occasion was considered for the head job at UA. When I first moved to Hawaii, I met the commissioner of the league that the Div II schools here played in, and learned that he had been Athletic Director at EMU during Mike's coaching days there. We had some long conversations about his old friend. I believe Mike Harkins was the best coach the University of Akron ever produced, even without most Akron fans knowing him. And he had friends from coast-to-coast. Mike Harkins died in Billings last month at 81. Beacon Journal story: http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/89468682.html

Another matchup of ex-Zips at Home Depot -- the stadium, not the hardware store -- on tap for Saturday as 0-2 CD Chivas USA and rookie holding midfielder Blair Gavin take on the upstart (2-0) New York Red Bulls with winger Sinisa Uviparipovich. Game broadcast is on Fox Prime Ticket where I'm at. Start time is 4 pm EST. That's 10 in the morning ovah heah. As the article says, NY has never won at CDCUSA. http://www.cdchivasusa.com/news/2010/04/ra...hern-california

It's certainly not the Amish. Says you. English!

Well, I have to go with this authoritative source, but I was thinking it was the first game following the Pioneer Bowl loss to Montana State -- that was my freshman year. I guess I was thinking about that defeat at the hands of mighty Truman State. And I would have bet the loss was more than 3 TDs. That's what all the inhalin' from the 70's did to Z.I.P.'s brain cells. BTW -- I was at the Indiana State game -- I coulda swore it ended in a tie! Maybe it's a good thing I left before the extra point.

I'm with you on the above ZMan. If I could make one request, I'd ask KD to hire Brad Stevens as Offensive Coordinator. Our defense isn't that far behind -- sometimes equal to Butler, but we have a long way to go offensively. I'm looking forward to next December, when the Bulldogs come to the Isles. Not to Keith: There's one spot left in the event! http://www.diamondheadclassic.com/

For those who saw the game, you know that Steve-o was not the only ex-Zip who excelled. In fact, with the exception of the goal scorer Kandji, the MVP for the Red Bulls was ex-Akron midfielder Sinisa Uviparipovich (Maury's nephew I think). Sinisa did a great job from the same Left Wing position as Zakuani for New York, holding court in Seattle's offensive half for much of the first stanza -- maintaining ball control and executing many offensive runs as playmaker for RBNY. Sinisa has taken over from former all-star Dave VanDen Bergh who was traded early last season to Dallas as the ARBee's point forward. His centering passes and right-footed corner kicks were beautiful, as New York kept Seattle's defensive feet full for the first 45. Both Zakuani and Uviparipovich were subbed early in the second half, but were the stars of this game for their teams. As far as attendance in Seattle, the game was played in a sub-50 degree drizzle, perfect London or Seattle football weather. The Sounders have sold out every game they've played -- forcing management to increase seating from 23k to 31k now to 36k. I think the announcer said they have 32 thousand season ticket holders. The Mariners can't beat that #. I think I saw, when I looked last year, that season tix are available at <$20/game. Damn cheap for a pro sports franchise.

Thanks. Looks like Blair beat Landon to ball. Some Superclassico! http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/recap-bud...over-chivas-usa Chivas USA has gone from a title contender to a team struggling to make the playoffs. Won't take long before sniping will start along line of, "We got rid of Preki, and end up with this?" It ain't easy being a goat! Also, Ben Zemanski. Fighting with his former and current teammate for playing time. http://www.cdchivasusa.com/news/2010/03/ro...emanski-settles

Ohio guard says, "I do declare". The guy put together a great run, but I don't see him being a first round pick. What'cha think? http://thepost.ohiou.edu/Main.asp?SectionI...ArticleID=31103

If this is still up here on April 2nd, I'll believe it. Well, maybe not.

From what I have heard from an inside source, interesting is an understatement... Care to elaborate? They told me to keep it private...someone heard from the inside and told me to keep it quiet. There are 3 players that confirmed last tuesday to Dambrot that they are transferring. There is also one player who is debating to stay on the team or to transfer. I'll let you guys guess who since I don't want to be the spoiler It's not too surprising. The team was too deep for its own good. Too many players of similar talent level. Somebody had to end up on the outside looking in. And then you have the players who were lucky enough to actually get playing time but still aren't happy, how would it feel if you were benched all year but the people who got to play were mouthing off and couldn't be content. It's just a bad combination. I find one thing pretty interesting: When players from the men's basketball team seek their option to transfer to another university, where they would have a better chance of playing, they are generally thanked for considering the overall welfare of the team, and basically wished well at their destination. BUT, when women's basketball players do the same thing, they are considered troublemakers, and told "good riddance, we never needed your type to begin with." Now is this just a difference between a successful program and one which has had less than a handlfull of winning seasons, or is it a more basic display of sexism? Just wondering in HI. BTW -- Did you see Keyla Snowden help her Kentucky Wildcats into the Elite Eight with 13 first half points, and all around hard-nosed play in upsetting one-loss Nebraska? You go girl!

Now that is one poorly constructed sentence. The 'Meister is gonna have a stroke! Lol This was either a simple typographical error that could have happened to anyone or perhaps a small mistake in translating zippyman's post from ancient Mayan to English. In ancient Mayan there was only a one letter difference between "be able" and "people." I don't understand why some of you be able are so judgmental. I'd say Zippyman better watch out. You know what's going to happen to the Mayans in 2012! I guess that means all Mayan speakers, meister.

that doesn't look like very much digging I did more in my back yard this weekend by myself. PS Thanks for taking the time to take the photo. I always appreciate anybody that takes the time to take a photo and post here. We have many members that aren't from the area. Yes! Mahalo and aloha.

Well, with all due respect Racer, I would say it's a matter of past experiences earning expectations. Keith Dambrot has earned the expectation of 25+ win seasons. Caleb Porter has earned the expectation of undefeated seasons. BUT, I tried to remember the last time the Zips football team had a winning record. I can't.

Didn't get to see it, but Steve-o slotted a perfect pass across the box to Brad Evans for the Sounders' initial score of 2010 against the upstart Philadelphia Union. This is from MLSnet.com http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/zakuani-d...ophomore-slumps

Zach, You might have read the same story as me. Two players wanted to transfer to Western Michigan. Oakland coach gave the first his release, then refused to do so for the second. The kid's reason for transferring was that Oakland didn't offer his preferred major, chem engineering. Then the coach made it out that the player contacted WMU before applying for the "official" transfer (signing the NCAA's required form). Sound familiar to any Akron BB fans? Young coach. Replaced their long-time favorite last fall.

Question: What "revenue" is there, other than gross receipts from tickets? I don't know how Hawaii can make almost four times as much revenue as Akron, when attendance is very similar.

I don't think they'd take him, but those other two sound pretty interesting. I think they could be competitive in the West by 11-12, if they get the right guy -- and either Hunter and Kowalczyk could produce for the Rockets. Hell, maybe Dan could too...but I doubt it. Wonder if Coleman Crawford's name is in the mix anywhere.

++ Concur with that sentiment -- as if I haven't been saying it for months. And, if TPSjuggler is correct -- we will be down to Zero on any slasher-type players. Is this addition by subtraction??

+++ Back atcha Cap'n. But, a chance at bringing the Zips West of the Rockies looks like an improvement to Z.I.P. Last time Akron played in Boise I was a freshman and the Broncos kicked their butts.

As if I wasn't already aware, Vice President Biden pm-ed me this morning to remind me. "Z.I.P.", he wrote, "This is a Big F%*@ing deal!" Take a Look at the Super Brackets. Thanks, Joe.! http://www.dallascup.com/teams/XXXI/accepted17616398.html

And don't you love how the author gave us an undefeated record for 2009? Me gustan Ticos

Gold helmets AND gold uniforms. No more beige!

Thanks Dave in Green, for coming around to the central point in the discussion (within an argument, within a thread). It leads perfectly to my suggestion to the NCAA basketball Gods. The rules need to be massaged to both provide some defense in the game finally, while at the same time give more credit to talent, and lead to increased parity in college basketball. Since my idea to take from soccer and hockey and add a goalkeeper is unlikely to pass muster (sadly, especially now that we have a 7-foot keeper), my proposal is that a lay-up or a slam-dunk should count for only one point! How much do you expect for such an easy shot? Reward teams that take chances, not those that take the easiest shots on the floor! I think it was John Wooden who first suggested making slam dunks worth less -- if you have to allow them at all (it was in his time, in the 60s that dunking was made illegal. If you can't bring that back then make it less valuable).