Z.I.P.

I'm assuming we all know Johnson. But what can you tell the 50th State Zip Club about Rydell Brooks? This is the first time I've heard of him -- will Google shortly. A certain ex-list member has instructed me not to speak of this subject, but maybe no one will be watching. The story is that Big Ten schools are assuming Marcus is pretty much a Zip already. Supposedly, it would take maybe an ACC invite/offer to get him out of town. But that may be wishful thinking. No inside knowledge here.

Couple of notes to add to the schedule notes placed by CK: It was disappointing to see that the Westfield Cup will be played as a pre-season (exhibition) event. The line-up -- SMU, Maryland and UConn could be the top tournament in the nation. I understand the staff is working to make it a regular season event in 06, hopefully with another strong field. In the meantime, give a little aloha to my braddah, SMU forward Duke Hashimoto of the national U-19 champs, Honolulu Bulls. In other soccer news, I notice that Jim Barlow has replaced Ken Lolla as coach of the US National U-15 boys team. His name's been listed since February. Not sure what Ken's future is with the 15s, or Bruce Arena's youth program overall. Ken was able to put his and Akron's name in the national spotlight, and should have more opportunities for national and international prominence at the US Soccer level, not to mention with national-caliber camps and scouting. Good luck Chief! No news on the wahine Zips schedule yet, but look for continued improvement in the OOC grid. This is a key year for the Roogals, as they need to move up and become more competitive in the MAC.

Well, to the best of my knowledge, Cameron has yet to see any varsity game action yet in the first two Real games. That was hard to tell from "Fox-LA"'s broadcast last week to fans of "YOURLAGALAXY". Say that this week vs Chivas, fellahs. Meanwhile RSL is on ESPN2 tomorrow, Saturday in their home debut vs the Colorado Rapids. I think its a 9 PM EST game in the eastern time zone. AND -- I just noticed that Cam has a new post to his diary on Gozips.com out today. See ya at the futbol game.

The expansion Real Salt Lake takes on LA Galaxy on Fox Sports at 9:30 ET tonight -- Saturday @Home Depot Center. Check out RSL fullback Cameron Knowles, the Kiwi Zip. He's one of the up-and-coming defensive players in MLS. Hopefully he'll get the start on Clint Mathis' side tonight. Jus'top Landon (& Coby)!!!

For those who didn't see this mentioned in the Jerkin' Banal, Niki McCoy, an Akron signee from Sylvania Northview HS was selected Ohio's Division I Co-Player of the Year! Also, Rachel Green from Canal Fulton Northwest HS was selected to the D-II Honorable Mention list. Things are looking up for the Lady Zips. Not that there's anywhere else to go, but I hope we continue to support Kelly's team, and provide her what she needs to compete in the MAC. Given what Bowling Green accomplished this year, there's surely room for a team to make dramatic improvement in a short period. Keep the faith, folks.

Now if Reimold makes the team, all they'll need is Dave Faulknor to round things out. And a couple more balls.

:blink: Don't look too hard for Allen Hanson. He was in my town three weeks ago for Bracket Busters, and I couldn't even find him on the bench. But, UW-M is a really well-coached team that plays way above their talent level. I think they could have won the MAC. Hopefully Keith will get his (more talented and athletic) team playing like that in a year. Zip in Paradise

All Akron basketball radio broadcasts are available on the internet thru CollegeSportsNetwork and Gozips.com. It only costs $6.95/mo. Otherwise you can try and hunt for a free broadcast hear or there. Rotsaruck!

All Akron basketball radio broadcasts are available on the internet thru CollegeSportsNetwork and Gozips.com. It only costs $6.95/mo. Otherwise you can try and hunt for a free broadcast hear or there. Rotsaruck!

Okay -- start by saying Akron did not lose to UB because of the refs. You gotta throw the rock thru the rim, no matter what. But, I wanted to relate this story that is one of the funniest I can ever remember at a basketball game. I was sitting behind the elderly ex-president of the small college whose game I was watching, and he was talking with a current administrator about the game of basketball. At one point, without doubt agreeing with Big Zip's dad, he asked -- "Since every other call in basketball is subjective, why don't they just eliminate the lines on the court and let the referees decide where the sidelines and baseline are too?" There are times when I want to ask that same question. But its still a lovely game. Not The Beautiful Game of soccer, but still lovely. Now -- if Akron can make it to the MAC title game, they will have 21 wins. IF they lose at that point, I think it would make them 21-10. That COULD still be good enough to earn an at-large bid -- but probably less than 50-50. The probably need to beat either Miami, Buffalo or Can't along the way. Go Zips!!!

Can you say "ESPNU"? That new network is televising two first round MAC games on Monday. Unfortunately, unless you have DirecTV, you probably can't get them, as the new guys on the block only reach 3 million US households. I don't know which games are to be broadcast, but soneone on the MAC e-mail list -- an OU radio announcer, said they will both be IN the state of Ohio, due to logistical reasons. The trucks have to get back to Cleveland for the tourney at Gund. After that I don't know what games will be broadcast from the Gund -- other than the finals. I (and every other MAC fan outside the area) have our fingers crossed. GO ZIPS! (Wow! What a first half in Buffalo)

Incredibly...could be the first time in my life I've actually rooted for the Penguinis.

Any question who would be AD of the year? No doubt! Thanks Dude.

So tell me Surfer, if I fly in from the North Shore of O'ahu to the North Shore of Ohio, should I bring with me the Buffalo Keaulana koa longboard, or the 7' Kelly Slater ripper? Or am I going to be competing in the lineup with ice fishermen? Zip in Paradise

I don't know where he got the "news" but Vandelay's MAC recruiting website says that North Carolina took back the scholarship offer to Cruz after he verballed in August. No one else reported that info, and I don't believe it. I think Jose had a fine senior season. In any case, UNC is the loooooser!

Steve French is interviewing JD on his halftime show as I write. According to them, the Zips home games are Can't, Ohio, Army, NIU and CMU. Bowling Green game is on the road. BTW -- Ken Clark? No Clark Can't. Think about it.

Well, according to the Zips Radio Network, this Saturday, February 21 Coach Dan Hipsher's Zips face Drake. Be sure to tune in for that one fans. I can't wait to hear what happened to Keith Dambrot.

While we're on the subject, did anyone see Drew Carey at the USA soccer match in Trinidad? It's hard to imagine him in dreadlocks! :blink: But still, I liked the look.

Rifler, you are not just right on, but most prescient! Now that you've looked up that word I can tell you the latest rumor I get is that what the admin wants is not a new building (sorry if I steered this thread there), but a very heavy-duty rebuild to the current arena. It would include an upgrade to the court-front lower seating to make a more attractive section for the big-hitters (i.e, LeBron & Co.), with the lower seats placed slightly higher and apart from the court. Then the biggest change would be a complete re-do to the upper seating with all chair-backs put in, and the running track/practice areas removed, and a couple thousand new seats added to bring the capacity to about 8,000. Finally, the biggest change in appearance -- a third tier of seats added higher up, closer to the ceiling where it's believed space is lost. If anyone has better rumors, let them be known.

This is an historic recruiting class already for the Zips. However, there are still some big-time 2-star players who are being recruited by Akron and other schools including BCS schools. If anyone has info on these, please send it down the line. Jose Cruz, TE Johnstown PA Adam Coffee DT Miami Northwestern HS Reggie St Pierre DT Miami Central HS Tom Schmeding, OL Lackawanna (PA) JC Ben Davies OL Fork Union Mil Acad, VA Brandon Jackson S Plantation FL Joe Blanks, DT Erie Cathedral Prep (Akron vs Nebraska) Taylor Porter DE Marlington HS Tim Mayerbock OL Chicago St Patrick HS (UA vs NIU) Korey Coles WR Oxon Hills, MD (UA vs Can't St)

Shannon Kohatsu-JELSMA?? Sounds like some other bells were ringing during Christmas break on the Big Island. Could it have been a shotgun wedding, or an air rifle wedding? Get us da scoop Zipsrifle!

Reading glasses. ZW: Had to search thru my stash of old media guides, and found it in the classic 1991-92 guide from the year of The Great Hawaii Trip with the Alberts family, Cheerleaders and Zippy's Tail (don't ask about that one!). The attendance given for the 1986 OVC Tournament game vs Middle Tenn St (3-8-86) is 6,701. The record attendance is 8,168 for that Cleveland State game (not 7700 Cap'n) on 12-9-86. Next highest was 7,131 on 2-22-86 vs the Racers of Murray State. The opening night attendance for Bowling Green was 5,864 -- less than a sellout at the time. And I can vouch that they did indeed have backs on those chairs. I had to slouch back after BeeGee came back from down 9 in the final 55 seconds -- Akron didn't get off another shot. And the section I was in seemed to be the BG section -- aaargghhh! Zip in Paradise

First I accept some of your spanking for my comments of last week. Arguing in a forum with strangers I wouldn't hesitate to make such a comment. In general political terms there IS hesitation to accept athletes from "the other side of the tracks", whether it's Compton or 8-Mile. On the other hand, I broke the first rule of the board, thou shan't accuse a fellow Zip without knowing that Roo. So, please accept my apology, it was nothing personal. NOW -- we should consider the possibility that both Old School AND the Marshall guru (if that's not an oxymoron) are correct. There's the possibility that JD will or has already invited Raines to be a walk-on, if he pays his own way. Then if he minds his Ps and Qs, he could get a GIA the second year. Think about it.

Hey -- you guys take it easy on the BobbieKittens and the Athens area. It is after all, the Hemp Products Capitol of the northern Appalachian region.

Buffalo North. Hopefully the headlines reads, "Niagara Falls".