Z.I.P.

Well Pimp (Mike!) ,This could be seen as bad news. I used to attend UNLV, when they were a nationally-ranked futbol program -- but that was 20+ years ago. My take is that while Mario has the potential to be a top-flight national-caliber coach, he has no head coaching experience, and little background in Midwest or Eastern soccer circles. I'm looking for UA to pick up a new mentor with some D-1 head coach experience, and at least several years of coaching and recruiting in either the Midwest or the Atlantic Seaboard. And while I'm at it, I'd encourage Roo Board members to have a little bit of patience with the Mid-American Conference soccer lineup. The biggest problem is a lack of numbers at present, but I'm expecting the competition to increase significantly in the not-distant future. There are so many great players coming out of SW Michigan and the Chicago areas that I don't think it can be long before both WMU and NIU become strong competitors in the MAC. Maybe we should be careful what we wish for, if we expect to dominate the league for the forseeable future. It WOULD be nice though if we could add a team or two with some national rep -- like Oakland, or even Evansville to replace Kentucky. Hopefully both UA and the MAC are working on this as a priority.Meanwhile, we are :macc:

:macc: played hard against a team that was better than many of us realized or expected. They hardly had a missed tackle the entire game, let's give the Tigers credit. On our side, we played Zips football, tenacious, never say die, but on this occasion they had too many athletes for us. I think the next time we see a Zips team on the football field, they will have more playahs, and will be better able to compete with athletic units like Memphis. We have no reason to tonight. I'm sure you will all have lots of discussion when you return from Ford Field. Here's just one interesting sidelight: In I think the third quarter, ESPN went to a commercial break, and when they put up the scoreboard, what appeared on the screen was "Valid Container Location Needed". First time I've ever seen an error message on national TV.

Hey LA Zip! Welcome aboard the Nation. I don't have any problem with playing @ The Coliseum, but first they owe the Zips in Paradise a game at Aloha Stadium to make up for the match the last coach cancelled. You don't mind making the trip to O'ahu first, now do you? Party at Zippy's: www.zippys.com We are :macc:

Yo Roo dogs. I know this subject is over a week old -- It took me a while to thaw out from the trip to the frozen Bay Area after returning to Hawaii. But I wanted to send in my report before it became le histoire ancienne. The trip for UA began with the obligatory Oakland Trib article on Friday, describing how Cal was an inch away from getting LeBron in a Bear uni thanks to coach Braun's close buddy Keith Dambrot. The Zips could have used some of Bron's NBA officiating, as the team in blue was called for fouls each and every time they tried to front "The Show" Powe and his Left Coast Comrades -- 6-10 DeVon Hardin, an even wider body in the paint. THAT and not Akron's offensive strategy was the reason Rome and Futchy were tagged wtih 3 fouls each in the first 12 minutes. While I appreciate the effort to appear objective, sometimes, when one side shoots 21 free throws in a half (while the visitors get just two!) it really IS home cooking from the stripes. In this case, I will admit -- and sitting ten feet away from Keith, I would encourage any doubters to ask the coaches or players themselves -- two of the officials actually did a professional job, which goes to show just how much power one referee has to take the game away from the players. The ref in question was a gentleman with the same name as one of my favorite coaches -- Humboldt State's Tom Wood. On this occasion, I got the impression for the only time other than last year's Michigan State-Hawai'i football game that the outcome of this game was determined before the start. As I say, don't take it from me -- ask others who were close to the floor (near the $5000 seat license front row I was in). And I'm sure the difference in fouls would have been even greater had coach not picked up the "T" midway through the half. One of the other refs didn't seem able to blow his whistle -- at leat that was consistent both ways -- and the other spent a good deal of time trying to make up for Mr Wood's errors. I congratulate him for the effort at least. Favorite moment of the night? Bubba (or was it Nick?) getting tackled by a Cal player with ref Wood just three feet away. After a word with Dambrot, Wood's loud shout was "I'm not makin' a chicken shit call like that"! At least Akron got the ball out of bounds, but less than five second later Woods whistles Dru for traveling when he was shoved from behind. Truth be told, Akron's 14 point loss (they hit a three-pointer near the final buzzer), was about the difference in the officiating. I think on a neutral court, with non-PAC-10 officials these two teams would be very close competitors. Boy -- did Rob Preston play his heart out -- with career high and five three-pointers. Akron actually tried to play tit-for-tat with Cal's goliaths, but after falling behind by near double figures early on -- UC made 18 of their 21 first half FTs -- the Zips were left to putting up 3-pointers to play catch-up. It worked for a while, and they got within 6 points with six or seven minutes to play, but Mr Woods and the Bear post attack went to work to put the game away from there. I was impressed with several Zips, including Darryl who has really worked hard to prepare for his senior campaign. The youngsters showed Akron will have a deep squad in the future. In particular, I was impressed by how Nate Linhart looked on the floor in mop-up time. He played with great confidence and showed good athleticism. He's going to be a fine player. Also, what a nice surprise to meet a half-dozen or more of Quade Milum's woman-folk. And the Dial's were great companions in the front row. Hope to see them sometime at an NCAA tournament venue. From what I understand, the Bears should be visiting the JAR in the future, as EMU will head to Berkeley next year I think. But, if anyone plans a trip to the U of Cal in the future, do NOT plan on driving onto the campus -- you can't even take a car onto UC without a permit. But do park downtown and enjoy yourself at one of their world-famous eateries. Its hard to imagine such a conglomeration of Tibetan cuisine in such a short distance! But is catfish baked in a clay pot really a Tibetan favorite? How many catfish can you find in Tibetan streams? Personally I loved the Thai dinner of salmon in spicy peanut sauce. I can't wait to go back -- even the brisk weather (34 and 35 degrees on Saturday and Sunday mornings) was a refreshing (and fortunately very temporary) change from Hawaii's constant 70 to 80 degree temperatures. Best of luck to the Zip crew. This could be our year -- if we can find some rebounding somewhere. And let's see if we can't get the Zips into the Rainbow Classic next year. Go Zips!

I just want to say how classy the NIU fans have been, in their trip to the Rubber Bowl, and at Ford Field. Akron and No Ill are two blue collar football teams, they fight harder than almost any teams in college football. This was a war on the field tonight, and its a shame one team has to lose. I DO hope this replays on ESPN Classic -- as the UA-Marshall game did last year. It was too bad the announcers wanted to talk more about USC than about Akron and NIU. Most of the teams in CFB wish they had a coach like Novak or Brookhart. Two real class acts. Let's hope we can keep them both in the MAC for years to come.

You know what would be a wonderful gesture? Regardless of what ANYONE thinks, Coach Brookhart should invite coach Owens to stand on the sideline with the team at the Motor City Bowl. Let's accept the fact that this team was built by Owens, and JD made it into MAC Champions. Let's go Zips!!! Complete the trifecta: beat Maryland and California. Mahalo to everyone who showed up at Ford Field tonight. Mahalo to everyone headed to the turtle house Saturday. I'll see anybody headed to the Bears' den on Saturday. Zip in Paradise

Go to the MAC website, <www.mac-sports.com> and click on the MACC logo, then on the Marathon section. It will tell you how you can get a voucher for a free MACC ticket with a fill-up at a Marathon station. Only problem is, all the stations participating are in Toledo and Bowling Green -- except one in Sandusky! Good news for Zipman -- but he's probably trotting to the game! Another hint: In past years different MAC schools sold MACC tickets at different prices --and BGSU's were the cheapest. I believe you could pay by credit card over the phone, then pick up the tix at will call. Check it out and see their price. You might try Can't State too -- they should be having a fire sale.

Zips win in shootout at Storrs over the Huckies. Evan Bush is player of the game, making a first half save on a penalty kick my Mpho Mpanya, then stopping two UConn PKs in the shootout. Sinisa Ubiparipovich scored twice in the first half (15 goals on season) for Akron as they took a 2-0 lead, led 2-1 at the half. UConn controlled the ball second half, and had 17-8 advantage in shots after 2 OTs. Evan Bush for Mayor...Governor...President!!! Next up, the Terps in College Park. Coach Sasha Cirovski, President of the NSCAA, which placed Akron 8th in the final poll (Soccer America had them #1) will have his turtles ready for the NCAA quarterfinal matchup, with a trip to the Final Four on the line. I think the Roos will be ready too. And I think Maryland had better FEAR THE ROO!!!!!!!!

WHAT?? You mean it's not 78 degrees with 12mph tradewinds from the E/SE in Akron? Oh, my gosh, I thought everyone had tropical weather, with a chance of windward and mauka showers later in the day. But, as I told coach McFadden yesterday, I'd love to switch weather conditions with y'all -- for about 30 minutes! Why don't you come join me in (sunny??) San Francisco next weekend? I'm buying at Big Nate's Barbecue in SOMA before the Zips-Bears game. And I'd just like to second what Z-P had to say to the good Dr Proenza. Keep us on track, big guy. And have an extra drum stick for me. The Zip in Paradise, Honolulu, Hawai'i

June Jones called to say this was the worst game of the year. Only 75 yards passing by both teams on 11 pass completions. Woody lives, in the body of JD Brookhart! We ain't pretty. We just win. baby!

Congratulations to the Bobcats for getting that first down late in the game -- their only one in the second half. They would not have beaten Cannot State the way they played tonight. But that said, I will give Akron some credit. They had about 8 or 9 TFLs showing the Zip defense was way too fast for Ohio blockers tonight. If you take away the first three or four plays for Ohio, I think they had near negative total offense. Donnan had plenty good to say about Rohr and White and Co. It was nice to see the game -- a little over a half at least -- on live TV in the islands. And that was a lot more than was ever shown of the Miami-BUGS game. ESPN switched to basketball after less than a quarter, which might be the best thing the Redhawks could dream of. Did they actually give up THREE (3) safeties already??? It was 18-0, and now I see 20-0. That poor Miami punter, is he a freshman or what? I would have closed my eyes too -- and curled up into the fetal position! But in the end, it was not a good night for the MAC. Their marquee game weathered-out by Mother Nature. And when they showed the stands at the Rubber Bowl. I may have seen the entire membership of ZipsNation. Worse than that, the lighting was horrible, and the empty stands really DID look ready to collapse. Can't they even afford some paint? But, for Akron the news is: "don't turn out the lights, the fat lady ain't singin yet." We appear very much alive in the race for the MAC East title. Can you believe that? What a crazy season. That's almost as weird as Western Michigan being in contention in the West. So what was the highlight we can take out of this game? I'd choose the sideline report by Rachael Rush (was that her name) saying (she finally managed to get it out of her mouth after stuttering a few times) that Akron's next big move was to "move the Rubber Bowl on campus". It's a good thing Brett Biggs was the Florida HS weightlifting champion.

"Screwed" is what happened to Akron and the MAC, at the hands of the NCAA selection committee. Even Erik Wynalda on ESPN said that Akron should be playing now with "a chip on their shoulder". Coach Lolla tried to put a coach-friendly spin on the news, but the facts are the facts. We now will most likely have to go to hostile territory in Storrs, CT and College Park MD to make it to Cary NC, but we've seen both of those teams this year, and beaten the #1 seed, despite it being "just an exhibition". Wynalda also mentioned another keen fact. Last year's UC-Santa Barbara team was the Cinderella, getting an unjust 8 seed, but going out and doing the job on the pitch, to earn a national title tilt versus Indiana. They were led by their Kiwi assault, and we are led by ours. Let's be like the Gauchos, we both wear blue and gold, and we can give the Whosiers their comeuppance. Here's to the NCAA And here's to our opponents. Better be bulletproof.

Where do I apply to receive my royalties? I remember first using this phrase here just before last year's NCAA regional matchup versus the li'l tortuses of Maryland. Now they have the image on the fence at Lee Jackson -- which looked great on national TV on Fox CSP today. But UAM -- make that T-shirt tomorrow and I'll have one in time for the Cal trip. So Cool!

Well folks, we have a PK shootout at Lee Jackson for the 2005 MAC Championship. Arrrrrrgh! Anything can happen now. Buffalo seems to have achieved their goal, as they had no offensive push or alignment from the opening whistle. They were packing in 5 defenders and their offensive opportunities were mostly the one-on four-or five variety. Let's see who lines up to take the penalty shots. #1 for Akron is late sub Justin Sadler. He sets it up. Goes straight to the left and right in the net, as the UB keeper goes to the right. Buffalo: Lee Catchpoole, the big Brit for Buffalo. He shoots right, Bush guesses left. 1-1. Second frame: Yohann Mauger for UA in the right corner of the net, puts the Zips ahead -- a rifle shot. #8 for UB -- Bush gets a hand on it but can't stop it! 2-2. Frame 3: Ozzie Michaelson for Akron in the left corner. Yanamaji in the left corner (just in) 3-3! 4th frame: #14 freshman Tutich: a low left corner shot in the net; Braithewaite for Buffalo -- left again, and in. 4-ror-4 . Frame 5: Ross McKenzie: casually into the left side and he spurs the fans to root for Evan Bush. No -- Buffalo puts it in the left side once more. OVERTIME PKs. Corey Sipos in the center of the goal as the UB goalie dives right behind it. UB #22 -- Bush again gets his hand on it, but it goes into the top left corner -- Yikes. Geir Nyheim (sp.) lines it up and just ahead of a diving keeper. 7-6 middle of frame 7; Andrae Clark for UB, EVAN BUSH STOPS THE TRY AND AKRON IS 2005 MAC TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We're #1

What a frustrating game this is. With 20 minutes remaining in regulation, Akron totally dominating. Buffalo has had no serious chances on Akron's net, and Akron 6-8 tries on goal, but stymied. The TV says just one shot on goal by Akron and none by UB. That's very disputable, as the announcers have stated. And now Buffalo has received a pair of yellow cards for talking after foul calls, and now Johan Maugher gets one for Akron. The Bulls look more frustrated than the Zips. Buffalo actually has a couple of chances on goal, but puts one just across the goal mouth and over the end line. Now Evan Bush has hurt his ankle on a shot over the net. Oh, boy, this could be bad -- he hit his heel on the post jumping for the ball. He's staying in. 15:00 left in regulation. C'mon boys, rifle one in!

WOW! This is a first! Akron versus Buffalo for the MAC championship on Oceanic Cablevision CH 246 right here on O'ahu. Thanks Fox College Sports Pacific (Pacific?) for this opportunity. Akron is peppering Buffalo's box, having hit the crossbar two or three times already, but no goals through the first ten minutes. UA holds a 4-1 advantage in shots. I'm told the game is on cable Ch 31 in Akron if you want to try. This must be broadcast over a regional Fox network, as they keep advertising HS football from Michigan, and the EMU-Cal men's bb game on Friday from Y'lanti. That game will give us (me) a look at what Cal might be like when we (I?) see them in three wks in Berkeley. Go Zips!

My own prediction is that if Akron plays IU again, it won't be this month. In fact, if the guys win the MAC, they are completely deserving of hosting through the regional, in which case, they couldn't possibly play Indiana again until December 9 or 11 in Cary, NC -- the NCAA College Cup. I'm not sure if both Indiana AND Akron (both from the Great Lakes region) would be eligible to host regionals, but they should. In another case, Maryland moved into the #1 position in Soccer America's top-25 poll, with Indiana #2 and UA 3rd. UMd was #2 in the SA poll last week, while the NSCAA poll had New Mexico #2. UNM tied Sac St. over the weekend. In MY poll, which is no more or less valid than the others, Akron is #2 to the Hoosiers. Does anyone care about polls? Go Zips! Just win!

Well, I'm German. But I gotta go with Zippy.

This quote referencing Koufos of GlenOak HS also appeared in one of the pre-season CBB magazines -- one of the younger, and less well-known ones. But it rated the 6-10 Koufos the #24 recruit in the nation. Is it correct that he is just a junior? Thought it said he was a senior. Just to have the name "Akron" associated with such a prospect is a plum in my mind -- one that would not have occurred without KD in control. Let's reel him in.

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:

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!