Blue & Gold

+1. I remember hearing Bowden mention that Copeland was playing at a high level - a level that they thought he could reach coming out of high school. But that high?

WOW. This was an excellent program!!! Every Zips fan should give this a listen!

Much appreciated! I ALWAYS enjoy listening to Zips Live but am often unable due to other obligations.

http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/university-of-akron-football-competition-at-cornerback-a-strong-point-for-zips-1.707845

5 observations from a "Soccer for Dummies" reader. 1. Seattle is really good. 2. In the 2nd half the Zips looked absolutely amazing. 3. Hinds is going to be special. 4. We've really found something special in Lundt. Wow. 5. Adam Najem was awfully quiet. (Here's where my Soccer For Dummies soccer knowledge is definitely showing - Najem was named to the Akron Classic All-Tournament Team.)

Any chance the BJ makes Beaven the Zips' beat reporter. Unlike our current beat reporter, Beaven seems to have a little zest for the gig.

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/varsity-letters/abjvarsity-1.279974/st-v-m-senior-justin-sampson-pledges-to-play-football-at-the-university-of-akron-1.707209 “During the summer, Justin said Akron was No. 1 on his list, and he had eight or nine Division I scholarship offers from schools such as Boston College, Kent State and Toledo. He feels comfortable at Akron and likes the coaches.”

I'll definitely look for this article in tomorrow's ABJ/Ohio.com: http://www.ohio.com/blogs/varsity-letters/abjvarsity-1.279974/2016-abj-football-preview-scheduled-to-be-available-friday-1.706933 The 2016 Akron Beacon Journal High School Football preview section is scheduled to be in print and available to readers in the newspaper and online on Friday. There will be several previews about teams and leagues, capsules on teams and feature stories on top players and top teams. Additionally, the ABJ will publish an article on area senior players who have committed to play football at the University of Akron. Nine local players have pledged to be Zips in 2017, and there could be more commitments coming in the near future. UA already has several area players on its roster that helped the Zips win the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Is the sleeping giant finally awakening?

Didn't know Dennison was there. Glad he was invited - I'm certain that meant a lot to him (he's an extremely humble guy).

Matt is one awesome, dude. I know him personally. He's both passionate and intelligent, a rare combo. He also bleeds blue & gold

I've been a diehard Zips fan since 1993. I've waited 22 years to see this happen. God bless Bowden. And Amato.

True. But I will say that, ever since the Zips have started this pipeline from STVM, I've seen STVM play a couple times a year over the past three years, and have heard Malik's named called... a lot. He's one of those players who always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

Akron, Akron, Akron, Akron, Akron, Akron, Barberton, Coventry, Canton. Man, I like that.

Great local article. Well deserving of a click.

This is a pretty great clip. Bowden brings in an ice cream truck for after practice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4Rwsj6Sh3c

I don't know if this answers your question, or not. "Question No. 15: How will this model affect underclassmen and senior student-athletes who have traditionally been able to turn pro at the conclusion of the season/fall semester? Answer: Currently, players could become professionals at any time if leagues allowed it. In the U.S. the appeal would be made to the leagues to have measures in place to allow signing at the conclusion of the college season (MLS, USL, NASL). International teams would probably give no consideration to the college season." And I have another question which I was unable to decipher from the article. Would the Zips be playing soccer in the middle of winter? Or will there be fall ball, then an extended break. And then they'd finish the season in the spring around the same time as baseball? Big shift. Seems pretty radical to me right now, but after a couple years I guess I'd take the new structure for granted.

Wish I could have made it. Looks like it was a lot of fun. Beautiful day for it, btw. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuuZBeVtATQ&feature=em-subs_digest

http://www.cantonrep.com/sports/20160818/ten-year-old-to-join-akron-mens-soccer-team-as-part-of-team-impact

Not at all.

Dude, Tavian Dunn-Martin is really good.

Uh oh

Good call, guys. Must be too early in the morning. Lol

Nice blog entry from the 3 true freshman concerning the Bahamas trip. http://www.gozips.com/sports/mbkb/2016-17/releases/20160814xvxlo4 Apparently Tavian Dunn-Martin also had 8 assists to go along with his 13 points. He's a natural scorer. Constructive criticism: his shot looks to be a bit flat to me... but he's so quick he gets himself open for his shot almost whenever he wants to. Big Mike is a physical specimen. He can really get up & down the floor for 6'9" 260. To me it looks like he's slimmed down a bit from the video & pictures I saw of him in high school. When he first went into the game I initially thought it was Aaron Jackson (who didn't play; must be hurt?). Constructive criticism: Big Mike's gotta work on his post moves a bit... but he's a true adonis. This team is very deep with strikingly similar talent (except for Kwan; Kwan's size and skill set sticks out to me). Intra-squad scrimmages would be absolute battles & fun to watch. To me it looks as if the talent is spread so evenly that if you split the team and played 10 games, each squad would win 5. I believe my starting five would be (one the left): G - Robotham G - Williams G - Antino G - Dunn-Martin S - Utomi S - Ivey PF -Kwan PF -Olojakpoke C - Big Dog C - Big Mike 6th - A. Jackson 6th - Eubanks

Even when combining 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams I don't believe any college has more than one player listed. Odd?

GT for ABJ scrimmage #1 story. http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/university-of-akron-football-zips-have-solid-performances-and-come-out-healthy-after-first-scrimmage-1.704495 Here are GT's preliminary scrimmage notes: http://www.ohio.com/blogs/ua-zips/university-of-akron-zips-blog-1.277207/akron-zips-football-training-camp-scrimmage-aug-13-1.704494 And here is an encouraging statement about Kato Nelson that that didn't make the final story: "As for Nelson, he connected on 5-of-17 passes for about 70 yards. Looking at him, it’s not difficult to see what the coaching staff does. He has the potential to wreak havoc in the conference in the future."