Z.I.P.

Good grief! I have a gametracker with AT&T. Hard to believe I'm ahead of the curve for once, electronically!

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story...mls&cc=3888

What year did Akron first play D-I basketball? This article says 1980-81. I swear they were D-I when I started there in 77.

Now, could Higherroad, by any chance, be...a Washington Huskie fan?

Akron's taking over the Pacific Northwest, BABY!!!

I always liked Ray's column. and BTW -- who said that about Linhart?

The digits of the date today 03-19 add up to 3+1+9 = 23.Dude. You must majored in math -- at Can't State.

They lost to OAKLAND? Yikes!

As annoying as it gets for people who follow the Zips like we do, you can't deny that the LeBron connection is getting KD far more airtime than any coach of a 13-seeded team would seem to deserve. Milk it for all you can, while you have the chance I suppose. LeBron didn't even need to do anything, which is the best part. It's not like he's out there actively shilling for the team to the national media, which would actually make me a bit uncomfortable.Keith just talked with the guy Arnie (forget his lastname) on Sporting News Radio. Just caught the end I think (cause my friend called to thank me for Cap'ns extra ducat), but Keith said he tried to convince Bron to leave St V's a year early, so he could play a year of college ball before the league. I'm assuming he was kidding. Then he talked about Romeo and Dru, and how with Bron, they would have been able to make a run at the title (and not the MAC, man!). I can see NO downside to LBJ's impact on the UA hoops scene.

I just heard Keith Dambrot on Sporting News Radio nationally. Did anyone else catch the interview with Arnie. Of course you can guess what took up the majority of the interview (#23 in wine and gold). Keith sounded like he and the team were loose. They should be, they're not supposed to be any good till next year.

Z.I.P. sends out mahalos to GoZips and the honorable Cap'n K for their efforts to hook up the Insurance King of Hawaii. And I got the t-shirt and program for myself in this deal! Ring up a Zips victory, Akron fans. I got my tax refund in the mail yesterday, so maybe I can make it to Portland by Saturday if "WE" win. Do it three years in a row Gonzaga (lose in round 1 that is).

Go Big Red! (Olbermann Rules!)

I just got a call from my good friend from here in Honolulu -- he's visiting Portland, originally to watch Hawaii-Portland baseball. He found out Akron was playing and called me thinking I might be in town for the game. Unfortunately, all tickets are SOLD OUT. If there is anyone who has an extra they are not using, my friend Geno (not Ford!) will be glad to pay and buy you a cup of brew inside the Rose Garden -- and he will gladly cheer for the Zips. Post here or contact me off-line, and I'll give you his # to call.Mahalo/Thanks from out here in the Zipless Hawaiian Islands.

The Doubletree is a modern, I believe "suites" type establishment downtown (opened about 2000 I recall). Never stayed there. I think it was fairly pricey, but I think Days Inn is the best budget joint downtown. There's also a Value Inn in city center. These ran between $80-120/nt when I last visited, in 2005. I've also stayed in couple places just across the river on the East side, not far from the Rose Garden, very basic motel accomodations, not a very nice neighborhood (busy, but run-down commercial district), but acceptable for a short stay. If you want a delux stay, try the Benson Hotel downtown. Or even if staying nearby -- try the London Grill at the Benson, a great eatery with fantastic seafood and steaks.

Cap'n, as I said on another thread: The Days Inn downtown, City Center is my usual hangout when visiting. Another possibility (unlikely, but worth a try): Portland State (my graduate alma mater) often has extra room in its dorm/"hotel", and rents out to visitors. Look under "University Place Hotel" or something like that on the PSU website. If there is space there, it should be quite cheap (though the rooms are tiny). You may need to give some PSU-related reasoning, like "we're checking out the campus for the next generation". BTW -- you can get anywhere in PDX on the MAXX trains, which are among the nation's best. Hope all Zippers have a great trip, and none defect to America's most livable city. (A great place to train to be an urban planner)

The March issue of Soccer America has the college recruiting roundup article, and of course (like every other pub) places Akron at #1 in the national recruiting war. It features a great shot of Kofi Sarkodie and ex-USA teammate and incoming Zip frosh Scott Caldwell from Massachusetts embracing (after a Kofi goal I presume). Here's what SA had to say about Coach Porter's newest class (The first line of the review must have either been written in early January, or the author forgot that Steve Zakuani received the worst snub in NCAA soccer history) :1. Akron. The Zips lost Hermann Trophy winner Steve Zakuani, who turned pro after his sophomore year and is with MLS's Seattle Sounders FC, but they more than made up for that loss with the signing of five former residents at the U.S. U-17 national team program in Bradenton, Fla. -- goalie David Meves, defenders Zarek Valentin and Chad Barson and midfielders Ben Speas and Scott Caldwell -- and Yoram Mwila, who was the captain of the U-17 Zambian national team. They join former Bradenton residents Anthony Ampaipitakwong and Kofi Sarkodie, who will be a junior and sophomore in 2009 respectively.Akron's incoming class also included Matt Mason and Eric Stevenson, who are part of a stellar class of Ohio seniors. (The U-17 connection will continue next year, with the arrival of U-17 captain Perry Kitchen.)

I'm willing to bet the Zags will pick up the cost of the charter. You know, Akron could do that too. Why don't we hook up Zip fan #1 to put us on Air Zoom Lebron? We got his shrink, why not borrow his pilot too?

BTW -- My cell phone, which is tuned to ESPN mobile is still saying the game is at 11:59 PM EST. We will see.

pst4:25 PT which is 7:25 ET...We are battling Minn/Tx (7:10), Clem/Mich (7:10), and Nova/American (7:20) for TV timeAND ...Seattle Sounders (and Steve Zakuani) vs New York Red Bulls (and UbiParipovic) on ESPN2 at 9 PM EST, six o'clock at Qwest Stadium in Seattle. It's gonna be a full night for Zips fans (and Zips in the Pac NW)!

I cannot even remember where I saw the 11:59 EST start on the web, but was an obscure site, so I'm not sure. Anyway, after checking flights, the cheapest roundtrip is $800 HON-PDX, so it looks like I'm out. I'll probably be watching with about 100 Zags alums and three Zips at a bar.

Can anyone confirm that the Akron - Gonzaga game is at 11:59 PM EST on Thursday? I've seen only one source and I'm not sure. If true, I might be able to get into PDX on Thursday for the game and out on Sunday. Someone please respond!

Okay guys! Found me a spare computer finally! I am a Portland State University alum and know the town well. There are a lot of cheap motel rooms in Portland, on the East side of the river. But when I visit, I stay at the Days Inn downtown in Center City. It runs now I suspect (last time in town was three yrs ago) at close to $100/nite. You may be able to bargain with them.Unfortunately, not a lot of dining opportunities, unless things have changed, near the Garden/Coliseum complex. I'd plan on going downtown -- its only 5-10 minutes across the bridge, but parking downtown can cost an arm and a leg. I'm not sure if I can make it myself, work schedule being full. Go Zips! Its nice to see Akron is not just a soccer school anymore.

Excuse me, but are positions 2 through 8 all men? This is a great victory in many ways! I'm wiping away a tear for the University of Akron's newest NATIONAL CHAMPION. We luv ya Jen!!!!!

Hey Van Delay,INTEGRITY OF THE GAME!!!!So quoth Mr McKnight.

Oh Yeah. That's what I meant!!!!