Z.I.P.

Woke up at 5:30 this morning and the radio was playing NPR's Morning Edition. On came a nice article about LeBron's upcoming film debut, and his continuing commitment to Akron. Though of course he had to hem and haw about where his next act would be playing. It was a really nice puff piece, courtesy of our friends at W-K-S-U -- who have learned to fear the Roo Click for the web article:http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...ft=1&f=1006

I only have one worry for this game. With Phil "Monster Hands" Tonga out in NCAA purgatory, there is no one to lead the Zips in their pre-game haka. That could spell doom, especially if the Lions have a Polynesian dance coach of their own. Or they bring back Tim Manoa.

"Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice and, ...well, don't you go trying' to fool me like that!"Syracuse University, the George W. Bush of college football.

I remember when this used to be true for Akron 8 or so years ago, I'm glad those days are behind us.I think Jupitertoo was speaking from personal experience. It's still true for Ohio U. Than Can't State hopes they can get through Delaware State unscathed.

Shades of 2005. 6-6 overall could certainly be a MAC East championship record. I will be very surprised to see more than seven wins. But, I can say that about every team in the East. :PBTW -- I wasn't aware that Colin Blowhard was another OU alum. Now we know.

It's great to hear of KD's support for Caleb and UA futbol. He realizes how significant it is to have a national contender in such an up-and-coming sport. And knowing what an altruistic individual Keith is, I'm certain there will be no jealousy when the soccer coach makes more $$ than the basketball coach, if that's required to maintain the top level of UA soccer.HOWEVER, ending the tongue-in-cheek aspect of this post, as in basketball, eventually there is no way UA can compete with the big powers financially. I don't know that Caleb would leave for an ACC job (about the only schools that could pay significantly more), but I really do think the true competition, once we get one or more College Cups to show off in the JAR, is an MLS HC job in one of the upcoming expansion cities, especially St Louis, that being Caleb's home state. That may be the one reason why we should employ patience in our expectations. The sooner the titles start rolling in, the more will be the pull of the Big Time. And, IMHO -- seeing Caleb move on from Akron to the highest level of the sport would be a huge achievement, and would likely ensure that we would remain a national power. Pardon my dragging futbol into the BB board.

Is a globally known fact of life. As it is that when it comes to Akron soccer is anti-climactic. Where is this year's College Cup being played? I don't know why they don't just move the whole tournament to Hawai'i. That would end the need for any "Akron Rule".

I ran across a reference on the USYSA Nationals Tournament site for the Cleveland Internationals, who are the regional champs, that Akron has a verbal commitment from Taylord Ballard, a defender from Olmsted Falls and the Internationals SC/FC 1993. One of about 8-10 players on that team with D-1 scholarships.

Is Baker really Bearcat? Sounds like Bearcat is the beneficiary of this activity.

Just so everyone knows, this ruling was not protested just by Akron's own soccer fans. The NCAA got "the message" from across the nation, from all parts, and most importantly from coaches and administrators who knew that if it could happen to Akron, it could happen to anyone. Paranoia is one thing, self-preservation lies on everyone's pitch.

Can't wait to see and hear you guys perform. Your enthusiasm is infectious. I can guarantee there will be one Zip and his wife on campus at least two hours before the game to follow you from Guezzeta Hall to the stadium.Go Zip band. Create your new traditions! You guys will make us proud. Hey Mr 72, I have a suggestion for a tradition you can be responsible for starting: The Seattle Sounders Emerald City Supporters fan group marches to every home game behind the club band from Occidental Park, about a quarter mile from Qwest Field. You and the Mrs. should become the pied pipers who pull in tailgaters and your fellow Zips to follow the band members to the stadium. And if you get a great Mexican torta truck to set up outside the stadium, like they have at Qwest, I might come myself!

Welcome! I'm in 208 also. second row seats 22 & 23. The folks at the ticket office told me the section had sold out and I guess we have you to thank. Well done and lets have some fun this year. Stop by and say hello. 72 Roo, congratulations! You're in the same section as where I was for the Sounders-Barcelona game at Qwest. I hope someone told you that that is a "stand-up" section. You have to stand and chant for the Full 60:00, or they pull you out and give your spot away to a younger man. At least you don't have to worry about someone taking it away while you go out for a cold brew. Fear da Roo! For we will be

Has anyone seen the pre-season predictions? Gozips.com has the story of SA's placing Ampai on their Second Team All-America team. What no Zemanski? No Kofi? No Blair? No Teal? No Nagbe, Barson, Caldwell, Speas?I'm expecting a top-three ranking from this most respected of US soccer pubs. They rated our recruiting class #1 earlier, and had a nice write-up.Go Zips

Has anyone seen the pre-season predictions? Gozips.com has the story of SA's placing Ampai on their Second Team All-America team. What no Zemanski? No Kofi? No Blair? No Teal? No Nagbe, Barson, Caldwell, Speas?I'm expecting a top-three ranking from this most respected of US soccer pubs. They rated our recruiting class #1 earlier, and had a nice write-up. A high pre-season ranking would help get the word out to those who didn't recognize the name "Zakuani" as the nation's best player.Go Zips

There are now two survivors who can remember Eastern Michigan's Golden Years, which ended in 1930.

Those are some interesting insights into that process, which those of us here haven't been privy to previously. My mistake about McNally/Atkinson. I recall the discussion with Hipsher, and I was under the the impression that McNally was the same one who had interviewed at UA. I did notice after my post that she came to UH-Hilo from Gannon College in Erie. Let us just thank heavens we got the right man, er, uh, person -- which was the gist of what I wrote.

Linky: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/...e=rss_localnewsIn brief, the fired UH-Hilo AD filed a $10 Million suit against the university alleging bias against the school and five administrators.

Link to Honolulu Advertiser story Lawsuit alleges gender, race bias.Back in 1999 or 2000, after Mike Thomas was hired as AD, I was sitting in the end zone seats at Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu between games of a college basketball tourney, and reading the newspaper. I saw a story about this lady -- Kathleen McNally, becoming the new Athletic Director at the University of Hawaii in Hilo, a D-II program. Without naming names (snicker, snicker), I turned to the head coach of the Akron basketball team, seated next to me, and mentioned to him that the lady in question had been a finalist for the AD position at Akron, coming from her position as AD at either Lehigh or Lafayette University (forget now which it was) in Eastern PA. I asked said head coach if he had ever met Ms McNally. That set off the coach a-rockin' in his flimsy chair, as he rose up and said words to the effect of "Holy Cow! I was on the search committee that interviewed her. If we had hired her, she'd be sueing everyone in the university for sex discrimination now."So, apparently, on one subject at least, Coach was a seer. I think he may have also seen the future when he hired Keith Dambrot as his assistant.

The folks at UBuff sound like they've never heard of petitioning the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility. In fact, most cases of injuries like Starks' are given the extra year. The exception would be if he had lost a year to injury already, rather than just a redshirt freshman (academic) year.

Interesting statement -- especially since she looks to have hired her replacement already this year. One winning season at Akron, and she'll get her BCS job. Will it be this season or next?

Going a bit off-topic, everyone should be prepared for the first Zip in World Cup competition, when Zarek Valentin plays in the U-20 WC starting Sept. 26th in Egypt. Also, I see that Malawi has qualified for the U-17 WC, which is in Oct-Nov in Nigeria. Mwila, our frosh f-lash MAY be eligible, but then again, chances are he's beyond the age group limits for that one. I don't know when camp will start for the U-20s, so its hard to tell if Zarek will be around Zip City for key games in September. In any case, we DO have depth...to say the least.

He coordinated the operation which brought Tubby Smith from Kentucky to Minnesota as men's BB coach. THAT is a great accomplishment by itself. His background at Wisconsin was in property rights management and marketing. I think at first blush that this is a good pick -- especially his BCS connections. Only small question is how he will handle a national title contender in a non-prime sport. Zips soccer is the engine that could propel the athletic department. Best of luck, Tom!

From the City Stars website. They won their first game in a couple months this past weekend I think over nearly-as-bad Minnesota. Pair of clean sheets for Evan.http://www.clevelandcitystars.com/slides/6...eam-of-the-weekhttp://www.clevelandcitystars.com/slides/6...-with-vancouver

Very impressive. Valentin and Barson starting on back line -- Caldwell came off the bench. How do you tell a guy with that much international experience he's a reserve -- only thing is there are three like that, and Kofi and Korb are the experienced guys. Matt Dagilis, as great as he is, looks like odd man out? What a defense! Don't worry about Meves. This kid is the highest rated GK in club history -- by far. And I still feelin it for Evan Bush.The crowd seems like it would have been one of the largest of last season -- is that an omen, that the new stadium needs say 4-5k seats?There was no info this summer in Gozips.com about any UA players in the PDL. Does that mean they forgot, or that no one played? How about the Big Norwegian?

Five is good. But Cleveland State got ONE! Holy Ali Kazamaini, Batman!