Z.I.P.

My local cable dictatorship put ESPNU on their digital lineup ($10 above basic I think) about 2-3 months back, and since then I find myself watching it more than any channel besides the obvious -- Fox Soccer Channel.

If anyone is awake at this hour, tune your sets to Fox Soccer Channel, where former Zip All-American defender Cameron Knowles is using his no nonsense tactics to help the Portland Timbers of the A-League to a one-nil lead over the California Victory, early in the second half. The game will be replayed once or twice during the weekend, so Akron fans can see their former hero, who was let go in the preseaon by the MLS Real Salt Lake, only to end up with what may be a better team in the "minor leagues" (Real has 11 points in the standings after 12 games, while Portland is a contender in the A-league).I'll have to see how long this season lasts, and see if I can be in the area later this year.Has anyone heard the progress of the ex-Akron player in Germany, who was on the same club that Casey Keller was in goal for?

I don't think it's just me, and I doubt I'm the only one who's noticed it: the change in UA's recruiting strategy this year (class of '08): a much higher number of the players offered are strong students, as well as players. I suspect JD & staff will offer fewer 4+ star players who are marginal students this season, and will instead look closer at the 2-3 stars who are also stars in the classroom. Well, considering the past three classes, you don't have to be a rocket scientist! (to figure out this strategy) Comments?

Well, Boise State added about $5 million to their football budget this year (assuming that pesky women's tennis program doesn't poach any of it), which is their share of the about $12M the WAC got in payout from the Fiesta Bowl. Hurry up and get us one of those paydays JD!

I would be absolutely shocked if the new stadium turf were anything but field turf. How else could you hold the 100+ events/yr that there're talking about? I'm sure a lot of HS games will be played there. No way you could do that with grass. Unless...you were stupid like the Steelers and wanted to play in a sod chunk fest every week.Even OSU is going to field turf.That's interesting Cappy. I hadn't heard any figures like that about expected use. Are they talking about music concerts in addition to ball games? What else -- gym class?

Marginally related: I tuned into ESPNU this afternoon just before the USA-Brazil U-20 World Cup match, and they were showing the NCAA Clay Target Riflery Championships! Looked like skeet shooting to me -- as little as I know about the subject. Most of the shooters they showed were from Big-12 schools, Missouri and TX A&M, and one from ColoState. I never heard of this being an NCAA sport. Anyone else catch this? It will probably replay, and they only showed the qualifying preliminaries before it was over, so must be a Pt II later.BTW -- ZR: As you can see from the thread on the Soccer board, the new stadium will not be used by UA Futbol.

Well, on the one hand, it might allow the stands to be a bit closer to the field than if it were fit for futbol. And, it increases the odds that the new stadium will have an artificial surface like field turf. Has anyone heard anything on this "ground".ZIP

Does anyone out there in the Nation know when the U dropped its men's tennis team? I remember having a classmate from El Salvador, who was a member of the team back in the early 80s. This just popped into my mind, and I couldn't remember hearing anything on this -- I do remember the men's swimming team was dropped when I was a student -- before the new natatorium was built. I think we also had wrestling about that time too. What other sports have been dropped?

ALOHA, from sweaty Honolulu. The kid knows June Jones and Co., from the days when his dad was coaching at Boise State. Good luck to him in learning the Haka. We know from history that Hawai'i kids can come to Akron, so why not the other way around? I'm trying to remember my friend from Waipahu's name who was promised by Owens that he would get to come home to play at Aloha Stadium, while the coach was working to replace Hawai'i with Howard on the schedule. Here's the local bulletin board thread, for those interested: Sportshawaii.com/hs/viewtopic.php?t=17167I believe he's a 2-star on Scout and not on Rival's radar. The fact that no one but Akron and Hawai'i have offered -- i.e., no other MAC schools -- tells me he may be a questionable D-1 prospect. The time I saw for him in the forty was 4.7, not 4.5. But, Will and Dad: If you come to Manoa for school, don't ask to borrow Colt Brennan's soap, bring your own. And if you're staying in UH dorms, you better bring a lifetime supply of B-52 roach killer. There is no Stiles Field House here, just a field behind the softball park, where you have to stay standing to keep the red ants from biting. I speak from experience, guys! But, you don't have to worry about drawing attention from the Suckeyes, as UH is the only show in town, and you are in the spotlight. Either way, I'll be following your development. Best of luck, and always remember !And BTW, Cap'n, you only beat me to this story because you have a six-hour time advantage, OK?

Caleb expects it to be in place by the start of '08 season. I hope to be there as well.

I can't believe no one on here has mentioned the feature story in Sports Illustrated this week on Zip-turned-Dolphin Jason Taylor! I would call it a major Smooch Job, the kind that pro athletes pay agents Big $$$ to get placed in Big Time pubs.I've always wondered just what position JT would be playing in his post-football career, and this story underlines the whole process (which began when he was "discovered" by an LA modeling agent, or thereabouts, while still at Akron), drawing the former MAC All-Star as some sort of cross between Lance Armstrong and Jimmy Brown. A major player on both the NFL entrepreneurial and charitable squads, with financial hooks in a juice shop chain and looking to expand ala his heroes and names-dropped friends, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, while at the same time making an entree into the world of Hollywood, not just as an actor, but producing a reality show. I suspect JT is either in or approaching the 10-figure net worth category ("with a bullet", to quote Casey Casem). I just hope when the Alumni Association approaches him again, he plays the Local Hero role over the poor shy outsider role he played when I met him at the Pro-Bowl.Jason Taylor Athletic Complex at Ohio Energy Stadium?

I know the CFB pre-season zines are supposed to be designed to please every school's fans as much as humanly possible (I think one picks Buffalo to win a game this year!), but this Phil Steele guy is either a glutton for punishment, or a certified Golden Flush alum. He has picked Can't State to win the MAC East for the third year in a row -- I mean his third straight prognostication of that sort.I know he's based in Cleveland, but what did he do before he started putting out his pub? Gotta be from CANT!

Watched the game yesterday morn, while recuperating from surgery. How happy I was to hear -- about a dozen times -- that the color commentator was a "former North Carolina State tight end"!And, I DID watch the basketball replay, and its conclusion. The last fifteen minutes was recorded after the clock expired -- I still can't comprehend how a clock starting LATE results in time being ADDED?!?!Anyhow, I came away with the conclusion that if Jeremiah Wood plays like that in his senior season, he is going to be a legit NBA prospect! Great moves and footwork for a guy his size. I wonder if he's been or considered attending the NBA Big Men's Camp, now held I believe in Vegas (formerly Hawaii). Five grand is all it costs.

Does this mean the game will not be broadcast by any ESPN channel? If so, this is bad news, as the new network isn't on any radar (let alone TV) screens outside the Midwest.

Pointshavers dot com??? Holy crap man, you should be looking for the Toledo Rockets, not Akron Zips!

That was Rick Acord, from Windsor, Ontario. Oh, Canada!

Mr Go Zips,Could you tell the assembled multitude of Zippers if this tournament is scheduled to precede the game you have predicted in Seattle, vs the Gonzaga Bulldogs? If not, what is the approximate timetable for that game? Nov or Dec?from Honolulu to Fairbanks? Not in this lifetime my friend! Seattle in the fall/winter is bad enough.p.s.: Don't forget to kiss the ooglik! Mahalo

Putting aside the political comments and remarks from the non-soccer crowd, here is what this means:The MAC is on the move in men's soccer! Hartwick, located I believe in the soccer hotbed of Oneonta, NY (home to the National Soccer Hall of Fame -- or possibly in Rochester, an even bigger hotbed) is a long-time college powerhouse. For many years Hartwick was a member of NCAA Division II, but competed against a very strong D-I schedule and I believe may have once (in the 1970s?) won an NCAA D-I soccer title (does anyone else know? -- I just heard this news and am amazed!). The soccer faithful know that this is huge good news for Akron and the MAC. I'm equally sure that Hartwick would not have come to the MAC without Akron's (i.e., coach Porter's) effort to pull them in. I think for the immediate future, you can forget about Akron moving soccer out of the MAC. In fact, look for programs at WMU and NIU to grow even stronger and field consistent nationally-ranked teams. Buffalo is also a strong program that is a natural rival for Hartwick. Take it from me, this is Grrrrr---reat!

PHEEWWWW! From the title, I thought you meant Zippy passed AWAY! He ain't not spring chicken ya know.

I don't know anything more about the kid than what I've read on this board, but at first glance I have to ask: 5-11 and a shooting guard? Doesn't look like he could be expected to play the point. He hasn't hit the map beyond NE Ohio yet.Not to doubt, or detract from the kid's potential -- he's scored a bunch of points for sure -- but just because he's "committed" to Akron, dowsn't mean Akron has committed (offered) to him. Who was the Bedford PG who committed to Michigan and Ohio State BOTH, but whose only D-1 offers came from Hipsher and South Florida, where he ended up? Let's wait until we hear more on this story before we name him the heir apparent to Nick Dials.

Q: When Philip Morris carries the ball, do they play the theme music from "The Marlboro man"?

How many NCAA schools offer rifle as a championship sport? There are sports like men's volleyball, water polo and yachting that have fewer than or only around 30 competitors. Yachting on thin ice!

Well stated. AND grammatically correct. I hope my spelling is OK. Is it "gramatically", or "grammaticly"? You know, I had a professor who would highlight spelling and grammar errors on students' papers, and make them re-write before giving a grade on content. I liked him, but I'm sure he drew the ire of engineering students.

Timmyboy, thanks for this tidbit, that I haven't heard about elsewhere. What is her name/position -- is she expected to start next year? Get much PT at UI?

I have my doubts whether this will come about this season. I raised the same "rumor" with coaches earlier this past season, and was told there were no plans to play GU in the future, only the tourney in Alaska. Also, Why would Gonzaga invite Akron to play the nationally-televised game in Seattle, when they could easily get a Memphis or Louisville type opponent. Unless they're looking for someone they find easier to beat than Nevada was, I can't fathom the two teams playing any "Battle in Seattle". Very few in the River City would be interested in seeing the Zips, honestly. I, on the other hand, would jump on the next plane, to fly the 3000 miles, and it would be a lot more comfortable than Fairbanks, I am sure.