Zip_ME87

I'll probably freak out with you.

Because it would have been seamless and smooth if a different successor had been selected? What does seamless and smooth mean to you? I don't recall anyone stating that there wouldn't be some doubt in players' minds with Caleb's departure. While we all sit her wringing our hands and wondering what next year will bring, I suspect that Caleb is (or will be) meeting with each of his players, as he always has at the end of the season, and discussing their options and his recommendations with them. You don't put your heart and soul into a team and then just leave. That's probably why Caleb chose December 15th. That date would give him some time after the College Cup to meet with his players before departing. I would think that Jared is involved as well. I also trust that our seniors likely will be sharing their perspectives, too, because they all care about one another. There likely will be some who leave as has happened in the past. The last several years we've had underclassmen leave even when Caleb wasn't departing. I admit that I'm nervous given Caleb's departure, but Jared deserves his opportunity and our support. He's family and has been part of our success over the past 6 years.

I'll never forget standing outside the fence by the benches at the Shrank practice field and hearing Caleb say that. After hearing that, I had to turn away because it made me smile and chuckle (knowing how great our leader and team are), but he was having a serious, teaching moment; it wouldn't do for them to see me smiling. I knew other Zips fans would enjoy that quote. It's a classic. The other classic I'll never forget (and I'm sure other fans won't either) was sitting in the stands at Harder Stadium during the National Championship game and hearing Caleb's motivational "They're wilting!". Yes, I stayed late after the game Sunday as I did all season. Everyone who stuck around to show their support and respect to our team and coaches made me extremely proud to be a Zips fan. It was very tough, and I still tear up thinking about it. As Josh said in his article, we all hoped we'd send Caleb and our seniors off under better circumstances. Caleb and the players were gracious to us as always. They are winners, and the relationship Caleb and the team built with the Rowdies and fans is special.

Right on, Josh. We are family. My heart goes out to the players and coaches. They worked so hard and were definitely the better team. With all of the shots off the crossbar and posts, blown calls etc. it just seems that it wasn't meant to be this time. They deserved so much a better ending to this season. The Akron Men's Soccer Team is my "happy place" as I'm sure is the case for many fans. Every Spring game, every home game, every away game, supporting Scott and Chad in Pontiac with the Michigan Bucks, supporting Thomas Schmitt, Andrian McAdams, and Bryan Gallego with AFC Cleveland, supporting DeAndre with the Sounders U23 in London, Ontario was an absolute pleasure for me thanks to the guys. A practice prior to the first Fall exhibition game hearing Caleb bemoan, "I know you played 'shit soccer' all summer, but THIS IS AKRON", surprising the guys at baggage claim in the Cleveland airport after their trip from Hell return from the Creighton Tournament, slapping hands with the guys as we passed on a sidewalk in Oneota, NY prior to the Hartwick match, greeting them as they entered the field at Michigan State, Wil Trapp's first Akron goal, staying up late and outvoting UCLA with other Zips fans in the Senior CLASS Award fan voting, watching games with and getting to know players' families, and many, many other great memories this season and others bring a smile back to my face.

This would be nice but won't necessarily happen. When is the last time that Northwestern or Wisconsin visited Akron during the regular season?

I don't know that author, but he should check his facts...Coming out of college after his freshman season, Sarkodie’s eight goals and six assists at the University of Akron made it clear he spent plenty of time getting forward. ...Kofi was a Junior when he left.

I should have also mentioned 4 of the most successful Zips seniors may be playing in their last game on our campus today, also. I hope Zipsnation shows up in large numbers to give them our support and show them our gratitude. GO ZIPS!

Can we please stop with the stupid comparisons between Football and Soccer? The comparisons are stupid; not the posters on this board. It is what it is. I'd like to see us doing well in both sports. We're not going to get there with these pointless comparisons. Those who don't like soccer should refrain from posting in this forum just as I realized it was unproductive for me to post negative items in the Football forum (where I took out my frustrations during our previous Football Coach's tenure). Something that's easy to forget in cyberspace is that there are real people behind these posts and real athletes who play for the Zips. Posts like those I'm reading here dishonor us all. For me personally, I think today's match is the most important Thanksgiving weekend game in Zips history. The best Zips Head Coach ever (IMHO) may be coaching a game for the last time on our campus. I wish all Zips fans would show up today and show him and our team the support and respect they deserve.

2008

Many thanks to those who voted yesterday morning and gave Scott a comfortable lead. To me, that made the voting "easier" in the evening. Having that lead (and just needing to maintain it) and reading posts on here confirming that we were voting in numbers, were morale boosters for me.

Congratulations Zipsnation. When voting ended, Scott had a 26.5% to 25% lead. OUTSTANDING WORK!! GO ZIPS!!

No sleeping. We have to find a way to win.

Keep it up Zipsnation. "They're Wilting!!"

There's a number of us good guys online voting now. Keep it going.

Yay!!

+1 To those who did it...Great job this morning getting Scott back in the lead. We need to keep him there.

VOTE Zipsnation. This is the last day. UCLA was busy over night and put their candidate back in the lead.

Great job. Your votes are extremely important. Keep voting. It has to be somewhat discouraging to the competitors as well.

Please understand that I'm not looking for a "pat on the back". I just want everyone to know that we can do this. It took a lot of voting, but I've seen the numbers change. If we all do this (VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE...), we can make the difference for Scotty. THIS IS AKRON! VOTE.

Between last night and this morning, I've voted hundreds of times and put Scott back in the lead. Scott deserves this. He's given his his best for 4 years, and remember, he scored the winning goal to give the Zips our first ever team National Championship. VOTE Edit: At 9 am this morning, Scotty has a slim 0.4% margin. Voting ends Tuesday at 1 am EST (tomorrow midnight CST). Please vote. The west coast will be out in force, I'm sure, later today when they awaken. Edit 2: Corrected my mistake. Voting ends Nov 19th at midnight CST.

Vote Vote here through November 19th

Nice article George.

Remember to vote today, tomorrow, and through Sunday at: Vote here through November 19th

I don't believe the committee gave a thought to the MAC. It's about seeding the teams from the power conferences and then placing Akron wherever they can without losing complete credibility. It's interesting how BCS standings rule in the FBS, but RPI is only used when convenient in soccer.

My friend and I were at the basketball game having just come from the watch party at Johnny J's, and we were among those who booed. Caleb's scheduling paid off in 2009 and 2010 when Akron had a representative on the Selection Committee. That shouldn't have to be the case. Either RPI means something or it doesn't. The NCAA is a sham. It's worth posting the MLS observation again... The biggest controversy surrounding the brackets is the snubbing of Caleb Porter’s Akron. Despite boasting a 14-game winning streak in which they’ve allowed just one goal as well as a No. 2 overall RPI ranking, the Zips were handed the No. 5 seed – meaning they would have to travel to face UConn in a potential quarterfinal.