Zip_ME87

Yes. Did you miss him?

No, unfortunately Steve wasn't there. As I recall: Wil Trapp Scott Caldwell Chad Barson Sinisa Ubiparipovic Ben Zemanski Darlington Nagbe Evan Bush David Meves Kofi Sarkodie Michael Nanchoff Chris Korb Aodhan Quinn Robbie Dershang Blair Gavin

https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/552840019900383232 New recruit @yedlinny had his first training session as a #THFC player today & will wear the number 12 shirt. #COYS

Kudos to KD, the Zips Mens Basketball team, the UA Athletics Department, and our former soccer players and families who were able to attend. Great game and fun time for someone who has had football, basketball, and soccer season tickets. I hope Zips Mens Basketball is able to maintain the focus they showed last night throughout the grind of the MAC schedule.

Yedlin: It all Happened So Fast A Seattle Sounders corner-kick came to nothing. Worse still, it sent Philadelphia Union flying up the other way on a counter-attack that was sure to end in a goal. The Sounders over-committed, but young Yedlin, whose mistake caused the break, began to pump his fists and legs, working his way up through the gears. He became a blur. He turned the rest of the world into a slow-motion movie. Cristian Maidana had a 15-yard head start. But like a racehorse charging down the backstretch, Yedlin passed the stunned Argentine, snatched away the ball and passed it off calmly to a team-mate. No desperate tackle. No professional foul. Yedlin knew he would get there and with how much time to spare. One coach seduced by this searing, un-teachable speed is Jurgen Klinsmann, The former striker has a soft spot for pure pace up the flanks. Klinsmann relied on an unknown David Odonkor when in charge of his native Germany at the 2006 FIFA World Cup™. Odonkor lacked finesse. His career amounted to little. But his blazing run up the right against Poland kept the hosts from going out in the first round. A month after the World Cup, Yedlin caught another coach’s eye. Mauricio Pochettino raced to get the wide man’s signature for Tottenham Hotspur. “He’s a young player with great potential who has already achieved a lot,” the Argentine said of the Sounders youth academy product. It took months for Yedlin’s work papers to go clear – a lumbering governmental bureaucracy perhaps the only force able slow his progress.

I get it, and I agree. If you don't mind my asking, what kind of things do they include in the mail/emails/pamphlets related to soon becoming an alumnus as you're approaching graduation? It sure seems like the perfect time to congratulate one on getting one's degree, becoming an alumnus, and asking one to remain involved with the university, if possible, as we are all part of the university community. It would also seem the perfect time to state something to the effect that the university recognizes a recent graduate may have loans, their starting salary isn't as high as they might be earning in 5-10 years, and in recognizing this the UoA Ath Dept offers this relatively inexpensive and convenient alumni package in the hopes that you will continue to support the Zips.

So, you're saying you hope that I get over wanting to improve myself and things that matter to me? Thanks. I like you, too.

I loathe that saying. That was what Ken Lolla thought when he left. Who would have thought that Caleb Porter could sell Akron to blue chip soccer players? I'm so glad that CP and my parents, grandparents, their parents, etc. didn't have that attitude. I, too, am happy to have Keith Dambrot. That doesn't mean I shouldn't expect any more from him.

Purchase 2015-16 UA Alumni All Sports Ticket Package is listed under Season Tickets for every sport on this page.

I was curious to see if any blOSU fees went to athletics even though they generate so much money from Football and Basketball. They seem to have a decent breakdown of fees they charge. http://registrar.osu.edu/policies/feesexplanation.asp

Poster for Zips Mens Soccer reunion at the Mens Basketball game tomorrow. Thanks to Coach Dambrot and Zips Mens Basketballfor making this reunion happen.

http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2015/01/03/15/28/150103-mnt-jk-qa-2015-plans ussoccer.com: DeAndre Yedlin has been granted a work permit and is on his way to Spurs. What types of challenges will he face there, and what advice have you given him? JK: “I think with DeAndre Yedlin we all know that he’s a very talented kid coming through the ranks and he needs time. He’s still raw, he’s still developing and Tottenham knows that. Yes, we hope he’s going to play there right away, but if he doesn’t it’s not the end of the world because he has to learn to grind things out and fight his way through. He’s in a very good environment there that teaches him to focus daily on his job and deliver his qualities. Then hopefully over time he comes through to make his mark on the Premier League. He has the talent to do so, but it will be a lot of work for him.”

I agree, but what if it were a dowtown Akron arena, and LeBron put up funds for the naming rights? Would that help convince voters to put up some of the money with UoA and possibly others putting up some of the money as well? I don't know that LeBron would want to do so, but he might help out.

I would do it if I lived closer. It's a 40 minute drive one way for me. I really like travelling over there only for 'live' events, not televised. Sorry.

Thanks Dave. Happy to read that the promo is at least in the ABJ. I got the pop up the other day on GoZips.com. It no longer does that. EDIT: “We’re flying a lot of those guys in,” UA men’s basketball coach Keith Dambrot said. “It’s good for Jared and with my son [Robby] on the team, I’m going to support soccer like mad. It’s a great deal for Akron.” Thanks KD. One of the reasons why I have continually said I like KD and support him. [i just want a little more from him (NCAA Tourney win) and for him (new downtown arena).]

That's a good question skip-zip. Are potential fans only interested in meeting and talking to student athletes that have a real chance of going pro some day? The soccer players/families I listed only include those in the pros in that I've not found a way to maintain relationships with those who are not. I attend Crew games, so I see the Trapps and Barsons there and keep in touch. I've visitied DeAndre's family in Arizona and gone to preseason games there and have been to Seattle to see a Sounders game as well as seeing DeAndre and family in Columbus when they played there. Same is true for the Caldwells in Columbus and Foxboro. I try to stay in touch with Robbie Dershang, Eric Stevenson, Bryan Gallego, Dillon Serna and others through twitter, and want to do the same with Clint Caso, but would others have any interest? I don't know. I'm excited to go to the Zips Mens Basketball game vs Western Michigan tomorrow to see some of our former Mens Soccer players, many of whom now play professionally. As far as I can tell, this has not been well advertised by the Ath Dept, even on GoZips.com. If the UoA Ath Dept advertised on/in local media that MLS fans have the opportunity to meet MLS players who played at Akron (with $10 GA tickets), would that draw additional fans to tomorrow's game? We'll never know because I haven't seen this mentioned outside GoZips.com. If it has been, can someone point me to the place that it is advertised?

BTW, I've made some awesome friendships just by taking a few moments to talk with soccer players and their families at home and on the road. I stay in touch with the Trapps, Barsons, Caldwells, and Yedlins/Waltons. When I went to Portland last season, I saw Michael Nanchoff after the game, and he was really grateful to see me. He said they all love it when they see Zips fans/alum at their matches in Portland or on the road. Clint Caso, Adam Najem, and Victor Souto are several players with whom I hope to stay in touch in the future. I would say for me this is a huge highlight of being a Zips fan and Akron alumnus. There are less of us; so, I think it's easier to get to know our players and their families with a little effort just letting them know we care. Scott Caldwell's father once told me that his other kids played at other universities, and he never encountered people anywhere else who cared as much as at Akron.

1. Not just post ideas to ZN.o hoping that the AD and others read them, but e-mail or talk to the AD, coaches , and others with our ideas. I don't mean rant and rave at them. For example, tailgating seems to be an issue for a number of ZN.o members. How many have e-mailed the AD with the suggestion that Lot 9 should be established as a tailgate lot for anyone who wants to tailgate. If someone is not interested in tailgating, ask them if they would accept Lot 10 or Lot 8 or some other lot. 2. The Soccer team still celebrates wins with the Rowdies, whatever number of them show up. Perhaps we should let the other coaches know that this is important to the fans. KD once said he'd invite fans into the locker room if that would get them to come to games. If interaction with the students and fans helps get people to attend games, I would think any coach and player would take the time to interact. I stick around after soccer games to talk with the players. They appreciate that I support them and in return they're happy to talk with me or take a picture with me, etc. It's hard after a loss because I don't really know what to say to them. I just try to let them know how much I appreciate that they chose to play for Akron. Perhaps I should do this for football, too. Do the players take the time to talk with fans when they go back across to the Field House? Is it possible to catch the basketball players after games? With soccer, the players have to head back over the the endzone facility to shower & change. So, It's relatively easy to catch them quickly after a match, but it seems we'd have to wait for sometime to talk with the basketball and football players. At any rate, I do appreciate all of our student athletes. I think we should all take every opportunity we can just to let them know how much we appreciate and support them.

@MaxZip, I agree with you that "little things" can be done in the "short game". Some improvements to the JAR and some entertainment added to the Basketball game experience. If, as someone said, IMG holding the entertainent back from happening, then why do we have IMG? I haven't seen an obvious increase in ticket sales since they've become involved. What are they doing for us? Someone enlighten me, please, if you can. I can't justify a new UoA, on campus arena. However I do believe that Akron, Summit County, and UoA might justify a downtown arena. I believe the reason that it didn't get to the ballot last year is that everyone saw it as UoA's arena. The idea seemed to be thrown together with little thought of marketing it to the voters or of its uses beyond UoA athletics. I don't understand why some folks on ZN.o are so hell bent on, if there is a new arena, it's being on campus. Downtown Akron is barely off campus. Being able to host concerts, high school graduations, UoA Mens & Womens Basketball, and other activities for Akron and surrounding counties/communities seems like it could work. Perhaps if UoA could bring some level of funding to it through donations and fundraising, then maybe asking the voters for the rest might work. I, too, have personal gain in mind in that I prefer to go to Akron with my entertainment dollar rather than Cleveland as well as I'd like to get more enjoyment out of Akron basketball games with a more comfortable and better in-game experience.

The "tons of games" that Zips Basketball wins only mean something to die hard Zips' fans. It is not rocket science to understand that others only see the Zips for what they accomplish in the NCAA Tourney...winless and blown out by another mid-major, 88-42, the last time we were there. That game was over in the first 5 minutes. VCU had 50 at half and needed no points in the 2nd half to win. That's the way others remember the Zips. Sorry, but that is how it is no matter how rose-colored one's glasses may be. BTW, Soccer's attendance was down last season from the previous season, I believe. Likely it will drop again in 2015 given the result in the 2014 NCAA Tourney. I'm a die hard; so, I'll be there supporting our young team to learn and improve over 2014. I hope we don't begin accepting stagnation in that program.

You asked.

A colleague of mine who is a Dayton alum attended that game. He couldn't believe how small our gym was. Think Bigger. Imagine Bigger. Ponder Bigger. Contemplate Bigger. Lose Bigger. Bigger Excuses. More Excuses. Stagnate [at best]. (I don't think you can Stagnate Bigger, or we'd probably do that.) Found the money for Football and Soccer, but can only find excuses for Basketball. I'm just about done caring.

Totally agree. One of the reasons why the Zips can't consistently draw a crowd. When people show up for a game against a good opponent, and it's actually a good (close) game, the Zips pee down their leg and give it away. Should have beat MTSU this season. Had 4 chances at the end. For the final chance, the Zips couldn't even get a shot off within 11 seconds or so.

Wil Trapp to January 2015 USMNT Camp http://columbuswired.net/wil-trapp-train-usmnt/

20+ win basketball seasons don't mean squat. People remember what a team did in the NCAA Tourney; not what they did during the regular season. I agree with the posters who have said that the administration is going to do what the administration is going to do and not listen to a bunch of posters on ZipsNation.org. However, anyone who thinks it doesn't come out of our pockets is WRONG. The last I checked UA is a state university and gets some of its funding from the State of Ohio to which many of us pay taxes. Also, whatever they put into facilities, they have to pick up out of our donations for scholarships. Some posters on this board are current students. Don't tell them it doesn't come out of their tuition and fees. I have no issue with putting some money into the JAR for the near term. However, if they eventually spend $38M on it, I'm done. I've watched uncaring ADs come and go and put funds into a football program that still has gone nowhere. If they were going to build Infocision and then give such little thought to the Head Coach, they should have shut down Akron Football and imploded the Rubber Bowl. They probably could have sold more tickets to that event than we draw in a football season. Those of you who can put up with the same stupidity year after year are welcome to it.