Z.I.P.

I too am glad to see -- for the sake of the future of Mack Rhoades -- that the King of Wadsworth and most of Medina County is in favor of the new hire! I've been off-line due to travel and computer problems (finally logged-on from out-of town tonight) since just after Kelly K's dismissal. I DO have a connection to the new coach, as a friend's son was an assistant to Coach Kest at UTCC. I will be in contact with the dad and maybe son to ask about her personality, etc. Hope to catch the Roo pack again soonest.Be Good! And give King Gozips the honor to which he has grown accustomed. Uh-oh, I imagine you are already doing that, eh!?

My problem with the website's coverage of soccer is that their news on men's recruiting comes only in a piecemeal fashion, while they run a single headline on the entire women's recruiting class. I've never understood why they can't provide a report on the whole men's class, but its been this way for as along as I can recall. I just shrug my shoulders.

Can anybody explain to me why the soccer board is always either not on the forums page, or else has all threads removed? I'd like to place some news on there occasionally, or just blather about our squad, but it seems every time I go to, I can't even find it. Give us our Zipfutbal!

Yes indeed LAZF. I feel your pain. It sure is a pain to live in a town (island chain?) where the two daily newspapers obnoxiously run (usually front-page) stories on the hometown college football team virtually every day of the year. And where every home and away football game and all home bb games are televised across the state. Aren't you Akronites lucky you don't live in a place like THAT.

You folks don't seem to see the irony here, do you? If losing a year's salary is the most worrisome thing you can find in changing women's basketball coaches, that says a lot about how the program got where it sits today. From that perspective I suppose the only reason we have a team is to satisfy Title IX requirements.What no one has mentioned so far, is that if Kelly is sacked, we will likely lose with her the top recruit in school history, West Virginia state Player of the Year, Sarah Tokodi of Parkersburg Catholic HS -- the #66 ranked HS player in the nation according to the respected Blue Star Girls BB Reporthttp://www.bluestarbb.com/BlueStar-ClassRa...t-Class2006.htmI can't say that things are going to turn around right around the corner -- I'm still lacking a crystal ball -- but I can say that if Akron quits on coach Kennedy now, it will put the program in a bigger hole than its already in. I would equate it to K-ent State firing coach Corrigal, it will take 2-4 years to get back to the low level we are already at. Akron made a major investment in Kelly Kebe (now Kennedy) by hiring her away from Iowa State. She was one of the hottests assistants nationally, and Akron put a relative lot of $$ on the line, her salary is over 100k -- not very far behind KD's -- as we had to outbid Fresno State for her services at the time.It would be a shame for the new AD to make the wrong decision right out of the gate.Zip in Paradise

OK Balki. I don't know if you're confusing Oregon with your home in Eastern Slobovia or what, but having followed Pac-8 baseball (that's all the teams they have, including in the past Portland State), I was pretty sure Oregon didn't play baseball. I checked out Goducks.com, and there's no link to any baseball team or stadium in Eugene. Might it be the Beavers' place in Corvallis?

Well folks, now that UAM has moved on to what he considers a bigger and brighter future, we can try and suggest how the department can build upon what legacy he and MT left behind.The bone I have to pick with the university has to do with what Mike described to me as the "competition" between various departments and institutions at the university for sales of university licensed merchandise. There is no single location a person can go to to see all the university logo merchandise available for sale. There's one supply of "stuff' at the Zips Team Shop in the JAR Arena. The GoZips website has a supply. There's a catalog of merchandise available through the Alumni Relations Office. There's another separate selection at the Barnes and Noble owned bookstore. I guess there's another bookstore elsewhere. There're local sporting goods stores where you can find items unavailable anywhere else (see the similar thread on the "basketball" heading), and there are national chain stores like the "Lids" outlets that sell caps never seen before.In discussing this situation, I was told that because of rivalries between groups on campus, the "official" athletic department sales through the website and JAR shop were unable to offer for sale many of the products sold by other outlets because they didn't want to upset the applecart by which those university departments and outside contractors make profits, and extra income. And -- for the flimsiest of reasons -- the "official" university outlet decided they didn't want to sell T-Shirts for the first Division 1 bowl game in UA history. For a while, the only place to get "Fear the Roo!" shirts and "stuff" was through the bookstore, but it was awfully hard for people out of town to purchase anything from that store. For the life of me I cannot figure out why this situation must exist. I wonder if the Buchtel Hall administration is aware of this. Why can't they make it as simple as possible for consumers, both in person and on-line to buy all the items the university licenses through one single outlet, both brick and mortar and internet? I challenge the University of Akron to remedy this problem to the benefit of all concerned. Why do there have to be rivalries over sale of merchandise -- especially by separate offices within the university proper? Don't they all work for the students, alumni and community? Yes -- there's plenty of room for improvement, and to build on the fine foundation left by the Mike Thomas ohana. So let's Just Roo it! (should I copyright that, like "Fear the Roo!"?)Go Zips! :macc:

HuuuH? Say what?? That's the next department on campus that needs to have someone kick their Roo into the 21st Century!

As Z.I.P. has advised you all before: It makes no sense to do this project without doing it right.Zippy's Restaurant: www.Zippys.com Oh, yeah!!! Remember, I'm the guy who first suggested "Fear the Roo!" as a motto before that MD soccer game in '04. Z.I.P knows best.

LOL ITZ! If you consider our top-5 position in the world's NUMBER ONE sport, that places Akron in the NCAA top-10! IMHO! Yo quiero los futbolistos de Akron.

Oh, hey. Wait. I just read that we made the NIT? First postseason in 17 years? Most wins in school history? We WON a postseason game? ON THE ROAD? We beat the Temple Owls of the Atlantic-10? We beat them when they had the emotional edge of their coach stepping down? Well -- then I hope you will accept my deepest apologies for saying the things I wrote above I must have appeared like a world-class dipwad! How could I have said such things about the best team and coach our school has ever had? Please Keith, don't go to Cincinnati. We still want you in Akron! We can wait another year to be :macc: We've waited this long. Let's just be patient, and let our coaches do their jobs.

I cannot believe what I am reading! FIRE DAMBROT!!! HIRE WATERS!!! HIRE HIPSHER!!! HIRE OWENS!!! This guy couldn't outcoach his mother. And she at least was the best teacher on campus. And she knew psychology!

Sheesh! I think Fear the Roo spoke for most of the posters here by saying, "I don't know much about the NIT"!Of COURSE we all want to win the MAC tournament! That hardly needs to be stated, does it?? But this is a program that has only been in the postseason three times in its D-1 history -- and not at all in the past 17 years! The NIT is hardly some sort of booby prize. But there's another reality you need to realize -- the worst team in the NIT is better than about a third of the teams in the NCAA tourney -- i.e. the automatic qualifiers from low-level conferences. To get to the NIT final-four we would have to win either three or four games (probably 4). That would be a feat equal to or tougher than making the sweet-16 of the NCAA. Real college basketball fans do not disrespect the NIT -- it was once a bigger tournament than the NCAA -- teams turned down the NCAA to accept a bid to the NIT.Just win on Saturday, and this thread and poll are ancient history!

Ummm, excuse me, but it would be nice if this WERE a SEMI-final game. Unfortunately its just a QUARTERFINAL, the first of three required wins before Akron earns its appointment for The Big Dance. And no, we Can't look past the Broncos. They're the only team in the MAC whose coaching is as good as our own -- look out for this team next year, I think the MAC title in 2007 will come down to these two teams -- WMU has the top recruiting class in the league coming.Go BB Zips! We're #1. :macc: And of course:

If that's the case I think he will be out for the next game too. Can anyone confirm the rule?

Here's what I liked:"85 percent shooter from the line." He can make that 90% at Akron. There's always a place for players like that.

There are those, including the ESPN II guys who think he should be a candidate for POY. Considering how other favorites have fallen either as individuals or with weak teams, I have to think Romeo is a strong candidate still. If Akron wins it, he becomes favorite.

Got a "no longer available" message. What did the article say?BTW -- that NY Times piece was the best one I've seen on UA basketball yet. Hope it got national play.Z.I.P.

Gentlemen,Here's the bottom line: Seven wins! Without that magic number we're sitting home in December. You have to sacrifice early on if you want to achieve your goals overall. And, since they're having trouble finding a decent 1-AA team, it could be a Howard or Liberty type opponent. Sorry -- but this is the new reality in college football. Personally I think the 12-game schedule sucks and only helps the rich get richer, but I don't make the rules.

All I can say to comments about how much better Nevada is than Akron is: This reminds me of the comments about the football team after the Army game this year, or after the start in 04. Things can change in a hurry!Believe me, I've seen Nevada play plenty of times. I've seen Akron play. Nevada shot lights out last night, and took advantage of their home court, but on another night, with Akron being better prepared to play far from home and at altitude the result would likely be very different. Nevada -- and the rest of the WAC -- are very much a Mid-Major group of teams. I see them play over a dozen times a year in person and they shouldn't scare the MAC. When Nevada comes to the JAR next season -- provided they don't chicken out -- the Zips should be ready for PAYBACK, baby! This is a team that couldn't beat a mediocre Hawai'i team on the road this year. Geev'em, as we say in da islan's.Meanwhile, NU looks to have the inside track on an at-large. How many more are left for other mid-majors depends in part on whether they win their tournament on the Lawler Center floor. I don't see the WAC getting two teams in this year unless Nevada loses.See Ya

Since they're not showing any curling right now, I decided to surf the channel finder, and low and behold...Foz Sports Atlantic is showing the exciting matchup from Rhodes Arena between the Zips and flushes. This is my first chance to see a Kelly kennedy-coached team. And amazingly...Akron scores the first ten points of the game. But then Can't woke up and Akron has now scored just two points in the past ten minutes plus -- no FGs in over 11 mins now. Can't however has not played well either, and leads just 15-12.I am not impressed by Akron's offense at all. They are unable to get the ball to anyone in scoring position. Their passes are not crisp. They show the defense where the ball is going beforehand. Frankly, at this point in the season, this is an indication of a poorly coached team of players. Jessie Crooks looks like a good player to me (she's scored fourteen of Akron's first 16 pts!) and the freshmen are OK. After that I see little talent on the floor in white.FINALLY -- Akron scores their first basket after 16 straight misses! It's now 23-16 Kant State. (23-5 run) Now Akron has made one of their last 19 FG attempts. Senior DeMarco just went down with a rolled ankle -- as if Kant needed more help.I see they're going to interview JD at halftime. Anybody else out there in the hinterlands able to watch this game?Good luck ladies. I hope you create some of your own.

Hey Packer, Howzit? This is Zip in Paradise in honolulu. I've seen your team play the Bows (my #2 team) this year, and realize Akron is going to have no fun time trying to match up against your size across the court. When Mo Charlo (6-7) goes to the 2-guard or even the wing NU (UN?) is huge. Fazekus could be a lottery pick -- though the Hawaii media poo-poos -- pupus?? his abilities, and there's no way UA has anyone who can compete the way Millsapp does for LaTech (having led the country in rebounding for three years, no one does). The one possible hope for Akron will be if our big guy, Rob Preston is able to get free on the outside and hit a couple early threes (he was the leading scorer I think vs Cal), that could draw Nick Fazekus away from the basket, opening up some things inside for Romeo and possibly some drives to the basket. Nevada is a team that pops the three a lot (like UA), and when they shoot cold (as vs LaTech Monday) they can definitely be had. Not sure if that's what happened vs Utah St., but the Aggies are as wide as the pack is high inside. There's talk in HI that Nevada isn't all that athletic, but the guards certainly are.My early prediction: Nevada 76 Akron 71 We're something like #66 RPI and Nevada is 36? That wouldn't be a bad or unlikely outcome, even though we HAVE to win to have any at-large chance IMHO. Do you think there's any chance of a WAC team besides NU getting an at-large?? I can't see it -- I don't care if the Commish IS on the committee. Have a good one there in Snow Country, Wolf. Look forward to your FB team returning for a beating next year. You're WAC Champs? Well Akron's :macc: It's high time for a WAC-MAC Challenge!

Hey no problema (howzit goin' out on Hametown Road, pardner?) -- except that the soccer thread never seems to be on the board when I want to post to it! What's up with that?Not to become too Texascentric, but here are some more Texans' alumni soccer people are familiar with: Mr Mohawk himself, Clint Dempsey and fellow MLS players Nick Garcia and Jose Burciaga. And looking at 05 College Cup semi-finalists SMU, they reportedly have a total of fourteen (14!) members of the club on their roster -- including 11 2005 recruits. Holy smokes! Would be nice to see Roderick Scott back on campus. He was a legend in blue and gold.And regarding the 2005 recruiting class, I wouldn't be that concerned. We have enough returning to be contenders for the grand salame next year without a single one of them. That's not to put them down, as there are some good players there, but if they want to be part of The Big Time they know where to come. It's possible one or two might not be invited by Caleb anyhow though, as his sights are a little bigger in the recruiting world than were Ken Lolla's, with all due respect. Wait till soccer fans see the 2006-07 class. It will blow you away, I'm sure -- similar to the difference between Lee Owens and JD's recruits. Go Zip booters (BOTH squads)!

A Division II school in my town (a private institution) has found an effective way to entice students to games: They give away partial scholarships or tuition credits to members of the student "Booster Team". Any student can receive credit for a part of tuition if they attend a certain number of games throughout the school year.Would that be legal in D-1 -- and would it be financially feasible at Akron? It may be worth some consideration.

Thank you Wooster Red Steve! I read in Sports Illustrated that the Hawkskins have reached the pinnacle of collegiate hockey. That duplicates what the Zips were able to do earlier this year in the world's most popular sport. Ohhhh -- you probably forgot that real men play SOCCER -- that's one of those sports Miami had to cut out because of BUDGET difficulties! I realize that budgets are getting squeazed in the Old School parts of the MAC, like Toledo and Oxford. Meanwhile, in Akron we have spent over $200M for a little campus "sprucing up", and in what should be just a few more months, we'll be discussing the start of construction for our new on-campus football stadium -- allowing us to blow away the rest of the MAC in facilities. Steve, things are looking so bright in Akron, I hear they're wearing in the JAR.BTW Roos -- think VOLLEYBALL -- as in MEN's VOLLEYBALL. If we start a team next fall we could still enjoy the play of Capt Kangaroo's favorite ex-Zip [AGAIN!]. Of course I'm referring to the former Hoban HS all-stater, who once played for his very popular father on the hardwood. And maybe we could scare up his girlfriend again. What ever happened to her, anyway? Is she hogging the Stetson Hatters' board? Question:When Miami had a golf team, were they called the ForeSkins?