Z.I.P.

CAN SOMEONE ANSWER THIS: Following Akron's goal line stand of BeeGee, UA had the ball on their one yard line. Then on gametracker the ball moved to the Akron 20 without a play running off. What the heck happened there?? In any case, WE WIN and as always:

Let's talk a little about what might be upcoming this year and in the more distant future as a result of the success the team has already had and a potential long post-season run. A year ago New Mexico maintained the consensus #1 national ranking through a long-period of the season (3-weeks or longer I believe), and even though I think they lost a regular season game at the very end, UNM coach Jeremy Fischbein won national Coach of the Year honors from the NSCAA. While no one on the team is paying attention to this at this point, you have to feel that if UA beats Michigan and has no losses going into the regular season finale in Bloomington, that our chief Ken Lolla deserves the same. Even thought this year's squad is one of the youngest in the MAC, this season's performance has GOT to have a positive impact on recruiting. There are three Northeast Ohioans, and Cleveland Soccer Academy clubbers who earned All-Star honors at the Adidas ESP (Elite Soccer Players') camp, the nation's premier camp for HS seniors-to-be this past summer. I have no knowledge of recruiting in the Midwest, so I don't know if any have verballed, or what their academic status is, but if you want to google them they are fullbacks Mark Blades, from Lakewood and Barry Rice of Parma; and Wickliffe MF Ken Walker. After losing super players the last couple of years like Medina's Israel Jones to SMU and the Walsh kid to Tosu, we can hope this is our year to set the program on a top-10 course for several years to come. Finally, since it's already been mentioned by a roo on this board, I know more people will speculate about the future of our head coach. There will be schools making inquiries, and dreaming of stealing chief away, but he's expressed his deep feelings about being a member of the Akron-Canton community for about 20 years now, with an interlude away. Nope, Mike Thomas has 0 chance of taking him to the Queen City (Cinci has a respectable program, ranked in the top-20 earlier this year, which tied #4 St Johns at home this month, but they've never been a national power), however, if a top ACC program were to have an opening, no doubt talk will begin. Probably even more dangerous to the university will be the number of MLS expansion franchises due to start up over the next couple years. Lolla does have national team coaching experience, and the pros have Moolah no university can compete with. Go Zips! Sweep the Big-11!

Sorry, ol'timer, but I have to correct you on this one. Ken was playing for the Canton Invaders I believe in 1986. His final year at Duke was about 1982 or '83. He graduated from DU in 84. I'm trying to remember some of the players on that team which beat Akron at the Tacoma Dome. I do remember Duke beat the Columbia team with Desmond Armstrong in the semis. What a speed merchant Armstrong was on the US national team before his injuries. That 1-0 final win for Duke was one of the few in that era that didn't go to OT. BTW -- can you tell us sometime what "ball ammunition lock and load" means? I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering.

Well, it's not the score. You probably don't remember a few short years ago when UA outshot WMU in the MAC tourney about 22-2 and lost 1-0. And about the only team that's ever gone undefeated in an NCAA soccer season is the UNC women (multiple). I'm not sure if its ever occurred in the men's game, though I vaguely remember one of Yeagley's teams in the 80s may have done it at Indiana. And, as far as the record goes, believe me, being #2 in the nation is the most enviable position there is. #1 has a target on their back that everyone can take aim at. Our toughest game may be this week when the lads head to NYC to play St John's, which GoZips says is now #3! 2 vs 3. What a great matchup. Having seen St Johns on FSC, I think if we score twice, we win. Frankly, a draw wouldn't be bad at all. We finish the regular season @IU, where I'm not sure if we've ever won. I would rather see an L somewhere on the schedule, than go into the post-season with none. I don't get the feeling this team feels like they're "destined for greatness", or anything like that. It's hard not to be humble, when you're from Akron. Sorry I missed the audio. If anyone finds out about free audio before any UA game/match, please send the word out to The Nation. Mahalo from da Zip in Paradise

Consistency is more important than the occasional big crowd. I was almost shocked to read last year that the team was drawing worse than it did back in the 1970s even (averaging only a few hundred). I hope the team's play will carry over, not just for the rest of this year, but for the future as well. As more people are introduced to the NCAA level of soccer, they will inevitably be drawn to return over and over, as I was thirty years ago. Which is another reason why it's important to make the next football/futbal facility on campus versatile -- with enough space to fit an international-size pitch, and a great real grass field. None of that Spartan Stadium stuff (e.g., San Jose Earthquakes home), please! Keep up the hard work Zipitistas!

Live by the big play, die by the big play. It's that simple. The team grew overconfident in their ability to extend the playbook. You can't depend on the same thing to occur every week. Defenses catch up eventually. Also, they are not good enough to make mistakes and win at the same time. I'm sure Buffalo will look at the film of this game and think they can do what CMU did to us. This would be a good time to discover a consistent rushing game to compliment Getsy's passing. I'd find it hard to criticize a first half like Akron had offensively -- though they should have put up more points. But if they cut out the turnovers, everything will be fine with this team. I'll give JD the benefit of the doubt at this early point in the season, and Luke gets to feed off that. Hopefully, they learn from this game, and make the changes that will propel the Zips to a championship season. Keep the faith!

Can ANYONE out there explain what occurred this week? The MAC office makes the official announcement: The vaunted Mastodons of Indiana-Purdue-Ft Wayne, the longest name in the NCAA (outside of IUPU-Indy?) are declared the newest member of the league for men's soccer (and men's tennis only?) -- and oh yeah, your team plays them tonight in their first league match ever. Talk about cutting through red tape! And also: Is anyone watching the UConn-St Johns game?? Near the end of the half they showed the NSCAA top-25, and...where was Akron? I did NOT see them on that list, when they should have been just ahead of St John's at #7, I believe. AND...If St John's plays against us the way they're playing tonight, I predict we kick their butts. They have NO finishers. If anyone attends the game between the Lady Zips and the Emus of Ypsilanti, let me know if that freshman starts in goal for the Emus. She should be getting shell shock by now. In Hawaii, the two opponents she faced put about 75% of their shots-on-goal in the back of the net. Get the ball in the box and let it fly! Go Wahine and Kane Zips!

Coach Kelly Kennedy has added some height to her team for the 2006-07 season, receiving a verbal commitment from Sylvania Northview's 6-3 Center, Rianna Miller. Rianna is a teammate of 2005 incoming recruit Niki McCoy, and has a winning pedigree. Northview made the Divison II Final Four the past two seasons, before being knocked off by the eventual state champs. Miller averaged about 13 points and 10 rebounds as a junior and was I believe third-team all-state. Way to go coach! Just what we need -- too bad she can't play THIS year! Zip in Paradise

Well, the first thing to remember is -- these games don't count in the season record, since they're pre-season. The past couple seasons we've played Michigan and -- trying to think -- Michigan State? And those games didn't matter much once the season began. I think this is at least a little different for a couple reasons: 1. The UA really went all out to plan and promote these games, and 2. The opponents for the men, SMU and UMd both seemed to play their starters for most of the contest, rather than playing youngsters (ala an NFL or even MLS) exhibition alot. Getting two goals past Steven Sandbo, the Columbus-bred SMU keeper who has played for US National teams since 14 was a great accomplishment. And they made Medina's Israel Jones ask "Why did I leave for Texas anyway?" Not sure when the next ASCA poll comes out, but I won't be surprised if we crack the top-25. It looks like Akron will be known for tough hard-nosed fullbacks once again. If they can find someone with consistent scoring touch, then they could go far. As far as my feelings about the Westfield Cup, well, I got my T-shirt, and it will be one of the nation's top events beginning next year when it becomes part of the regular season. For this year though, show me a W @St Johns and it'll be time to really take note! I also want to congratulate Katie Byrne's crew. Even though they finished second, they look to be much improved this season. Time will tell. Go get em. LassieZips!

Well zipboy, the fact that Keith and Co. apparently took a flyer on the best player in the city since LBJ says a lot about the confidence they have in the hand they've been dealt. A year ago, Marcus looked like a surefire Zip recruit. The additions of Conyers and Dials who are both natural shooting guards (though Dials will be forced to the point this year) made Johnson redundant. I think he will probably be a fine player at UofD. Best of luck to him. Now where can we find a pure PG?

Here's to Katie and Ken. I thought this year's games would be typical preseason practices, but from a look at the box score, it appears that both KL and SMU coach Schellas Hyndman played the guys who should be on the field when the real season begins (didn't notice if SMU's US 18- GK from Columbus was in net, but my homie, Duke Hashimoto of national champs Honolulu Bulls led the Ponies w/3 SOG). so it looks like a legitimate outcome over a team that is probably better than their #10 ranking, IMHO. Good luck to both teams in the finals. What a shame the Akron Wahine don't get to play final-4 Florida! Kudos to ODU. We'll see how we do tomorrow, but it looks like coach Byrne has a "Fix" to the sporatic offense. Is she a MAC FOY? Gonna be a good season at Lee Jack.

THIS JUST IN: From the Zips' Western Office in the Central Pacific. We can now inform da fanbase that dakine Akron Zippers an'da Golden Bears of UC - Berzerkeley will meet on Saturday night, December 3rd on the fabled Left Coast of America. To allow this opportunity to not slip thru the fingers, Guru Keith simply traded one Oakland game for another. Get your aero-plane tickets now friends. The Great Eastern and Great Western branches of the family Zip will be puttin' on a gathering of the tribes where the Sacramento River meets San Francisco Bay. So who's comin'?

I don't know about this story. If its true, I'll do everything in my power to get across the lake to Cali, but can someone please tell me where on Akron's schedule there's room for a trip to the West Coast? Also, for Rats, UC plays @EMU in November of this season. MAYBE, if we get a game @UC this season, the two teams could flip in '06, with EMU @Cal and UC@ Akron. As you no doubt know, both EMU's new coach Ramsey and Keith are ex-assistants to Ben Braun at EMU.

THIS HINT: I don't have any inside info (for that you need to ask Ratfink), but someone may wish to post a shot of 6-5 recruit Jimmy Conyers to compare with Foust's mug. I hear Conyers is (also?) in town.

Hooweee! I can't add anything concrete about the likelihood of Brandon Foust becoming a Zip, but believe me, if it happens this is the biggest news of the year in Akron basketball. Foust was a top 50 national recruit out of Brookhaven (he decided to transfer before Lavender). Only averaged about 4 pts his first season under Kelvin Sampson, but the last 10 games I think he got over 10 ppg and >5rpg. Put him with Nick and Romeo, JWood and the incoming group and Akron belongs in a new league, the MAC won't be able to keep up with us. Hooweee!

Friday UA announced long-time Columbus State pitching coach, and former K-S-U Golden Flesh star Pat Bangtson as the new leader of Zips baseball. I have to see this as a super pickup for the university, given his background and potential to recruit the NE Ohio area. And a couple weeks ago, AD MT chose Donnie Darr, another product of the K-S-U program as new UA golf coach. Two quick -- and excellent choices in my opinion. I'm not sure how some others on here will feel about UA looking to grads of our arch rival -- what's it called, Kannot State? -- but in this case, my feeling is, go to where the best candidates are, and when our rival is a power -- and their baseball and golf teams certainly are that, then we stand to improve by drawing on some of their mana. That's m-a-n-a -- not m-a-m-a.

Well, my Vegas menehune spies tell me he has looked better than people were expecting, and has a chance of making their training camp roster. Not that big a surprise to me. After all, no Zip has ever had more pure athletic ability or been more highly recruited. If only he could have had some direction, inside or out. But, if he gets grounded he still has what it takes to perform at a very high level. And I think we all wish him the best. Go DT, go!

1. Football (simply because of the national interest and $$$ attached to being a prime-time player in the sport) 2. Basketball 3. Mens' Soccer 4. Mens & women's Track & Field (because we've had many all-Americans recently) 5. Baseball (no reputation, except for a lonely MAC title years ago) 6. Volleyball (some rep, and a consistently good team that has plateaued to the point where the staff is in trouble if they fail to compete for a MAC title soon -- we need to realize "good" doesn't hack it any more) 7. Softball (again, some rep, but when they failed to compete a change had to be made) 8. Women's soccer (on the fence -- could step into the elite like the men, or stay in mediocrity -- the future is in 2005, gotta move back to double-digit wins and top half of MAC, at least) 9. Golf (don't understand why there's no women's team yet, but this is a big sport for the Akron area) 10. Rifle (Maybe should be ahead of golf and others (I'm sure ZR agrees!) if only because of national reputation. After that...swimming, tennis and whatever else is lucky to get any attention at all -- but that can chance just by hiring the right person to guide the program.

When I was a student in the 70s-early 80s, there were several club sports played on campus that were very strong. For example the UA ski club competed against teams from the region, and more than once finished second to Notre Dame in the Midwest club ski championships. The archery club I believe did win the national championships once. There is no information on GoZips.com about any club sports at UA. Does anyone out there close to the school know what the current situation is in club sports, and why it's never mentioned -- unlike other schools (e.g., OU hockey club gets mentioned frequently on their athletic website)?

We ARE moving a bit off the original top, but let's skip off altogether a moment: There's a radio sports talk show host in my town who -- largely because he does play-by-play of football and basketball -- has a record of dissing anyone who wants to discuss The Beautiful Game of football (or soccer, as you blokes call it). Now that he's a father, his kids are playing youth soccer. However he has only changed his attitude to the point of suggesting soccer helps youngsters increase their athleticism and hand-eye coordination or some such line, and that soccer is a "children's sport" that they'll give up when they become adults. If anyone's been to a MLS game lately, you will see those legions of soccer players are still attracted to the game into adulthood -- even if the culture sees the game as some sort of French Socialist subversion. Now I would be delighted if in my lifetime the National Football League made the transition to playing the game the rest of the world plays, but at best I see the game being a rival rather than supplanting US football (similar perhaps to the relationship between football(soccer) and rugby in Britain and much of the world). Akron is lucky to be ahead of the curve in developing their soccer program. Hopefully the new stadium will have real grass (or at the least real Field Turf -- not the imitation at the RB), so it can be used for soccer competitions, including the new fall tournament which could develop into one of the college game's biggest events. Go Zips! Go Futbolisto(a)s!

I was surprised that no one else has brought up the research presented in the Orlando Sentinel last month. They put together collected NCAA numbers and published the total athletic expenses for division 1-A schools, and break-downs for football and women's sports. The numbers give a lot of insight to why its been so difficult to compete for so many years in the MAC. Among all schools, the Zips are last in the MAC in revenues, and outside of the Sun Belt schools, only LaTech trails the UA. I think this is the correct URL for the article with tables: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-...=tf-main-sports Maybe someone with a little IT skill can put this on this site in text.

Thanks, Mr n! Now here's a bit of an update (though previous to the state meet) courtesy of my friend Paul from Carbondale PA. Carbondale News; Wednesday May 25, 2005. Lakeland claims pair of District 2 Class AA track titles Joe Tuzze, Mark Bucklaw and Nick Chaykosky claimed a pair of individual track gold medals to highlight the Lakeland Chiefs' District 2 Track and Field Championships. Tuzze, who has produced one of the top all-time dual sport careers in Lackawanna League history, finished his District 2 career with a record-setting heave in the shot put (56-1 1/4). His toss bested the mark set by Lakeland's Tom Prawkzik in 1989 (55-2 3/4). Tuzze added a gold medal heave in the discus (159-8) and ran the first leg of the Chiefs' 400 relay gold medal effort. - - - - - - - That's a pretty good triple if you ask me! I find it hard to believe this guy, with his combined speed and strength is not going to get a chance to earn a spot at linebacker --even though that's a position we're pretty jam-packed at. I hope the coaches see his versatility. There's also a photo of Joe and his 400 relay teammates -- he towers over and around the three others. Joe's a toe-headed giant in "Chiefs' Basketball" sweats with Prince Charles size ears and glasses. Looks like a real innocent boy. Shouldn't have any trouble keeping his nose to the books and playbook!

Not sure if we can say there was NO progress under Steve Parker of Cannot State. This year's team could be called the best in UA history -- though that's clearly nothing to write home about. Blake Sattler is one of the MAC's top players, and there's at least one top recruit expected for next year, who could be in the team's top three immediately. On the other hand, Mike has the facts right in the press release. They haven't moved into MAC title contention yet. Personally, I would have waited another year, but like some other coaches with which we are familiar (snicker, snicker), that might be one year too many. Every coach on campus knows the pressure: Win or you're gone. Am i correct though, that MT has yet to release a coach who he hired in his first four(?) years in the helm? The time is coming where we will find out whether the standards for his predecessors' hires are the same as those for his own. Coaches in tennis, volleyball, baseball, and womens' basketball are very much under the gun -- or should be given the recent history. I'm sure they all can see the writing on the wall. Good luck and Go Zips!

I'd be willing to bet the runner in the picture from Kiski Prep in Erie isn't Brad Kanuch of Johnstown. But I was wrong one before, so you never know.

Coach Parker has LOI from Cambridge HS player who finished #3 in OHSAA tourney. Check this site: www.jjhuddle.com/stories/BradWrightAkron.htm