Z.I.P.

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

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