Z.I.P.

I am still dumbfounded by what happened in the Zip in Paradise's Thanksgiving weekend sports schedule.There I was on Saturday morning, sitting in the broad luxury of the end zone seating at the University of Hawai'i Stan Sheriff Center Arena, waiting for the start of the first of four women's college basketball games in the Rainbow Wahine Invitational. I had to open my morning Honoolulu Advertiser to check the exact schedule of games. But when my eyes locked on the sports page my jaw dropped into my lap at what I viewed!The morning Advertiser gave scores from something called the "O'ahu Classic", at li'l old McKinley High School Gym, and one of the scores from the previous day's competition was Utah defeating Akron. AKRON??? How could this happen? No one sent the Zip in Paradise THAT memo. And the only word in the newspaper was the score from the day before -- not a word about the schedule for that or any upcoming day's games. So, obviously, unlike past years, the Lady Zips did not receive their complementary blue and gold leis on arrival at Honolulu International Airport. How sad, that this group of Zip student athletes were neglected by both the alumni base AND the tournament committee (committee of 1.5)Ends up, I wasn't the only one who was bereft of info on this event -- and that is indeed the understatement of the century, for this tournament was the ultimate in Fly-By-Nite college basketball.I literally RAN out of the Sheriff Center and rushed (safely and slowly -- as holiday shoppers clogged all arteries) to McKinley HS, only to find the parking lot taken over by shoppers from the city's official craft fair event. I parked severla blocks away and walked back to the gym, only to find the doors locked. As I was leaving a pair of coaches from Eastern Washington University walked up, and I asked when the tournament started. In an hour they said. Another half hour later the doors opened, and I asked the only person who looked remotely like a tournament official (he was wearing a T-Shirt with "Malike Sports" emblazoned) when Akron was playing. He told me he had to go and find out, as there was no schedule printed or posted. He returned several minutes later, only to tell me that Akron did not play on Saturday at all -- that they were scheduled to play on Sunday. I asked who their opponent would be, but he was unable to tell me. His remark was the most telling thing I heard all weekend, "It's my sister who's running the tournament, I'm just helping out while I'm on vacation".Well, apparently the Lady Zips got what they were looking for -- a very good competition including two NCAA tournament teams in Nebraska and sweet-16 finalist Marist (they didn't play the Red Foxes) -- in front of what may have been a total audience of several. I guarantee there was a total of ONE local basketball fan in attendance. Yes! I was there! As it ended up, even the tournament name (O'ahu Classic" was different from what appeared on GoZips.com (Hoop and Hollar Classic or something like that). Good luck to Jody and the Lady Zips. Hope you had a good time and PLEASE Come back again for your lei greeting!

If they would take just one of those 55 millions, and put it into coaching salaries, they would get as much, if not more bang. As it is, they are depending on selling out the new FB stadium to keep the old jalopy from breaking down permanently. Yeah, it might look bright and shiny to you, but it's a jalopy nonetheless.

He may catch more passes that way!

Regarding Michigan State being the leading contender: Last I checked, Will had just two offers -- Akron and Hawai'i. Has that changed?

Hey -- at least we don't have to face Truck Robinson in this game, like the last time I remember playing them -- in Evansville in 1971! That was considered the best small college team ever, and we stopped their undefeated season! Thanks to Roberson, the Massillon kid.

Whoops! Sorry, I was just talking to myself again. :o I just wonder why the Viks couldn't have played decent basketball when I was living on campus. They've gone through so many coaches (including the most recent quitting to take a Pac-10 ass't job) I can't tell you who's in charge now. I can tell you -- from the game description, that they can shoot. And that's without Hawai'i transfer Dominic Waters who was WAC Freshman of the Year. This won't be as big a loss as some might think, as PSU should represent the Big Sky in the dance come March. They will hopefully be somewhere around #80-125 in RPI. They're better than several MAC teams.

Does anyone know if Will is still going to be coming to Aloha Stadium this Friday for the Hawaii-Boise State game???If so, I will try and find him, and convince him that he should stay in Akron instead of enjoying the constant 70 and 80 degree days and lovely trade winds of O'ahu, OK? p.s.: Wish me luck!

=>I am here to help you all! No need to have broken hearts. Miami never offered Parrish. After getting a verbal from Julian Mavunga, Miami had had expended the only scholarship to give (Tim Pollitz is only senior on the team).It's gerat to see our Bimmer pals looking for talent far and wide. I can't remember the last Samoan basketball player in the MAC. Ball State did have a Hawaiian volleyball player once, but that was the Midwestern Intercollegiate VB Association.Can we expect to ever see Uncle Leo back in HI again? We miss his haole sideline dance.Zip in paradise

Ummmm. You didn't major in math, did you sport? Jus'kiddin'.

I would only request that someone take my place in waving the following sign before the ESPN cameras: WE LIKE YOU COACH BUT WE'VE HAD ENOUGHMahalo nui loa

But Ken has already proved himself as a great coach -- not just in AKron but now at UL. His squad pulled off a huge victory at Indiana this season, and drew with OSU in Cow'bus. His team has at least a 50-50 shot at the NCAA -- not sure what their RPI is. How about a Zips-Cardinals matchup at Lee Jackson in Round 1? Go Zip futballaz!

If anything, it is MORE basic to the soccer committee than it is to basketball, because the Sagarin is the ONLY RPI for soccer, while basketball has several floating around with different mathematical quotients.It is good to see we have a voice on the committee in Mary-Lu Gribschaw. That is another legacy of our former administration.

Thanks OZ, that's great news that we produce both great footballers and scholars. I don't buy the story from the guy in Soccer America that collegiate football (soccer) is the thing that keeps the US from competing better internationally. I see more international stars coming to the US to get degrees -- and hopefully compete in MLS.

Let's try to keep our paranoia in check, eh?Akron has gotten at-large berths to the tournament several times in the past. The selection committee is made up of people who are football (soccer) coaches and administrators, who are well familiar with Akron's tradition in the sport. The real question to be decided is: Is Akron one of the top 16 teams in the nation -- deserving of a home game in the first round? The team can take it from there, win out and we should be playing at home at least to start the NCAAs. If Akron loses in the MAC tourney, then they will be sent on the road, most likely. I have to view our RPI -- again a crucial part of the puzzle, but I can't see a scenario where we are not in the NCAAs.

Is it just me, or does that banner look like a Pontiac ad?

Whoa, whoa! What'd he say??? Possible return of John Mackey?? Where'd he here that?

I saw this on ESPN, and what the NFL doesn't seem to realize is, it makes as much sense to the average Londoner as a 22-foot Wayne Rooney would make on South Beach!Okay futbal haters, you can all go Google Wayne Rooney now! BTW -- I wonder what the long-term plans are for this thing. Will it be on e-bay next week? Maybe the UA should pick it up to sit in front of the new stadium.

Can ANYONE out there explain how in the world Central Michigan is so highly rated this year? They won just 13 games a year ago, now they're a nationally-ranked mid-major?? Do they have THAT good a recruiting class???

LOL! That's a good one -- especially as when I was a Zip, about half our team was from the Toronto area. Though many were Portuguese immigrants, such as Joao Pereira, the all-American Canadian international.

I think this player just showed up on Scout.com for the first time with an offer from Akron. He's listed at 6-4, 190, with a 4.45 40. It is his only offer -- but all the other schools associated with him are from the Pac-10 and WAC. I wonder if he will get other offers yet -- its getting late.

Hey, if Turner Gill leaves, UBuff will be back to #115 or below in...well, instantly. But, if I were in Vegas, my money would be on UB -1. Sorry, but that's MHO.

The guys are right about Caleb. BUT, can you tell us what YOU have heard about fundraising? I'm told it is off substantially, that the department is treading red ink, in part because of the bloated marketing staff. Comments?

Okay -- but I still don't understand why Brett McK isn't available automatically. If he's that good -- and I suspect Go Zips may not be exaggerating as much as usual here -- his absence could cost us a game early on.First big hurdle to cross this season: The might Viks of PSU. As former ED of PSU Students for Unity, I can tell you they will be loaded for roo.

You can see the first NCAA men's soccer RPI on the NCAASports.com site. Akron is in the #22 position, which should be good enough to garner an at-large NCAA tournament spot, if they somehow fail to win the MAC -- no sure thing given that NIU, WMU, Buffalo and Hartwick are all good programs, capable of being champs. RPI is a crucial determinant in the minds of the selection committee, so we need to keep an eye on it as the season wears down. A year aog Akron closed the season at about #48, or somewhere in that area -- not high enough to get in after losing to the Huskies in MAC Tourney action.We get better and better each week, so I am as confident as ever. Look for Akron to break into the top-20 of the coaches poll this week.

That was about the worst blown (non-)call I've ever seen. Even the return man hesitated a moment waiting for the whistle -- THEN took off, and hoped he didn't get the penalty I'm sure he was expecting! I'll bet they get a formal apology from the Big East -- but that crew should be the ones offering it!