Z.I.P.

UC-Davis? They were D-II just a few years ago. That's a program in a hurry!

Excuse me, but did anyone notice that the press release is from two-thousand-and-SIX??? What is this, Groundhog Day?

Greg Oden and Mike Conley. OJ Mayo and Bill Walker.Imagine if Akron signed a pair of HS players of this dimension.They have. Their names are Tony Ampai and Blair Gavin.Zips soccer turned the corner on Wednesday, as second-year head coach Caleb Porter reeled home two leading members of United States Youth Soccer. US National U-18 midfielder Blair Gavin, formerly of Sereno Golden Eagles (saw him play in U-15 in the 2003 Region IV tournament I believe), a starter on the U-18 squad, though I believe he's eligible to play for the US in the U-17 World Cup this summer in South Korea; and Tony Ampaipitakwong, US -17 National Team midfielder, who I believe came up through the Dallas Texans Red Club, whose director is now assistant coach at Akron. Tony and Blair are teammates at the US Youth Residency Program at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida and with Bradenton Academics in the USL's Pro Development League. These are two names that soccer people across the US are more than familiar with -- they could be integral parts of future US senior national teams and MLS or international club play.Also signed to a letter of intent is English junior prospect Steven Zakuani, brother of English Premier League Fulham FC's Gabriel Zakuani. Their father Mao Zakuani is a well-known Congolese refugee organizer in London.And -- a blast from the now: Akron wins the battle for Georgie Nanchoff's offspring, from Walsh Jesuit. I really want to come back, and relive the old days when I would sit in the bleachers with Georgie and Louie, and the Hungarian mafia, listening to the Browns' games while we played great teams like Yeagley's hated Hoo-deys. Now Yeagley's only two-time Captain is our coach, and its a new day for Zip soccer.One other way of looking at this is that this is the kind of class that Ken Lolla used to see teams like IU bring in, and wish he could get his hands on players "like that". We Got 'em, baby! Bring on the best of college soccer. The only problem will be the same one OHo State has -- how long can they hold onto these kind of players before they are gone to European professional play, ala Caleb's last great recruit at Indiana, National Freshman of the Year Lee Nguyen, or Real Salt Lake's Nik Basagno. They may also spend time away from the UA in international play, such as this year's U-17 World Cup. Nonetheless, fun is on the way.

Both Toledo and @ Central Michigan are very winnable games -- in fact, if UA is going to beat anybody in the Q, they had better start by beating these fellow bottom feeders right now.

I know exactly what you folks are talkin'about! The thermometer at my house here in Honolulu hit the almost unbearable temperature of fifty-five degrees this morning. And with the wind chill, I swear it was in the forties! If this keeps up, the University of Hawai'i might consider turning down the air conditioning on campus. Brrrrrr!Zip in Paradise

Not IS -- WAS. He (Bart WolstEIn)passed away very unfortunately in 2004 (5?). He had an agreement with MLS to put an expansion team in NE Ohio, if he could build the soccer-specific stadium they demanded.Akron admin would NOT be interested in a stadium project off-campus, and MLS will never accept a stadium that is not primarily under control of their club (parking and concessioan revenue, etc.). I can't help wondering how Dick Tomey feels about having a 23k seat stadium for his Spartans.How long before the soccerhaters take over this thread, like the past one(s)?

UA Women's Football coach Kate Byrne has verbal commitments from 4 players -- three of them state championship winners. Two members of Strongsville's state championship squad, and members of FC Cleveland will join the Zips in 2007. They are forward Jodi Campo, and midfielder Andrea Schweisthal. Also joining the new recruiting class is Rochester Rhinos FC fullback Kyra Petrole, who also won a New York HS championship in Canandaigua, NY, while making the USYSA East region ODP pool. Perhaps the premier player in the 2007 class is Pine-Richfield HS forward Jordan Boranoski, from Western Pennsylvania. Jordan is a member of the Pittsburgh Tribune- Journal Pittsburgh Top 11, a first team all-state player in PA, and, like Petrole, was named to the ODP regional player pool.Look for the growth and development of the Zips' women's soccer team to continue with this strong group of recruits.

From what I've heard, Akron hasn't offered him. And I'm not sure any other D-1 has either.Hello, Lee Owens?

APU,Was it Kansas the Governors beat at the dance, to make Dickie V. stand on his head in the ESPN studio? Was that the same year as the Providence matchup?Next year the Zips can take the next train to Clarksville -- with Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Co.

Walsh?? Do you mean college or High School?

Would you believe...Nick Jezierny, (Boise) Idaho Statesman sportswriter is an OU grad? :blink: Yep -- and he says he likes to vote for a MAC team once-a-year. In other words, don't expect this (3 points from him) to continue past this week. Well, we can hope.Thanks Nick. Go MAC!

You got it Cap'n (and darn you for beating me to the classic "Fly's open, let's go Peay"). No question, the Rowdies should have a field day for this one. Don't forget the alzo sprach classico: "Show us your Peayness"! NO, NO, NO!"I do share the chorus' amazement at the selection, however. Especially if LeBron U gets screwed out of a national TV appearance by Toledo and Ohio. But, NMSU is a great draw for Bubba & Co. Have a nice stay in Las Cruces, ninos, and don't forget to enjoy the chilis relleno from La Posta! Remember, it could have been the Zips heading to the Sun and Fun Capitol of Lower New Mexico. BUT, next year Herb Pope plays to the O-Zone.

Gotta say, I was always surprised that people didn't seize on the obvious about James Rhodes Arena, and refer to it as "Murderer's Lane".

Okay! Time for my favorite Zippy, maybe favorite Zips' story (pardon if you've read it before):Akron players, staff, cheerleaders get to the Outrigger East in Waikiki back in December, 1991. I'm sitting on Mac Yates' (SID then), bed, and I hear the chick who plays Zippy in the hallway, say to the cheerleading coach, "Okay, I got Zippy's head. Where did you put his tail?" Needless to say, it was too late to FedEx half a mascot to the Hawaiian Isles for a weekend, so she got a free trip.Folks in the room were giving their own as they knew the "leave" was no accident, just as they knew Zippy was getting it on with the trainer on the side. lol!

Please allow me my own The world isn't limited by the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Neither should be the Zips' "territory". If Gonzaga is willing to travel to play top teams, perhaps so should Akron.Here's hoping our NCAA bid is in San Diego or Seattle (not sure if those are host cities), as was Can't State (SD) about 3 or 4 years ago. Otherwise, I'm left watching the last 30 seconds of each half on CBS, and wondering if I make a trip to Anchorage in November. Brrrrr.Zip in Paradise

And when did they play at Loyola Marymount. LA Zip and I woulda been screamin'!

Hopefully he develops better than the former Oakland city high hurdles champ. OK -- what the heck WAS his name??

I hope someone invites Steve Swiech! Might be a nice touch if he can sit on the bench. Assuming he's not playing that night himself.

Herb Pope to NMSU??? :blink: Wow! I look forward to seeing him in the WAC! Sorry to my bud Jamie Dixon.

Jason Taylor's response to my question, at a Pro Bowl autograph session, about what assistance he was providing to JD in recruiting: "Not much" (shrug).

MacReport, I have to question your numbers for the WAC coaching salaries (averages, as they are). Hawaii's June Jones is reported in Honolulu newspapers to have a salary in excess of 800k annually (contract signed little over a year ago). If his #s are reported in these, then the rest of the WAC coaches must be getting meal money only --and I know that the Fresno coach makes over a half mill, and Peterson in Boise must be close behind. So Hal Mumme has to work for tips?

For me, the difference between the two boils down to this.The more I watch Nate, the more I like him, the more I watched Tarver the less I liked him. Hopefully that statement will still be true in a few years. For me, the difference between the two boils down to this. Derrick Tarver, like him or not, was a go to guy. Nate Linhart is a role player. A good player...but a role player.No other Akron player has been offered a scholarship by the likes of Bobby Knight or Fresno State and I think UNLV. For all he lacks, D-Tarv had some tremendous ability offensively.So where's he at now? Update us, Captain!

Do you know something we don't? When did he verbal to Akron???

Can anyone out there verify the factuality of this statement? As I understand it, this is no longer the rule, since the move to 12-game schedules (13 for Hawai'i Warriors and opponents).

Are you sure that wasn't their new President you met at S&S? Gotta make some extra money -- and pad the resume! Never had this rivalry in my day -- never played 'em. So let me get with it: