Zip_ME87

My suggestion would be to do a pre-game band show in the field house. The players and coaches could then walk through that crowd with Terry Bowden addressing the crowd and then heading over to the end zone facility. By doing this in the field house, it could be done rain, snow, whatever.

I could see the team possibly walking through campus (Zips Fest) but not through Lot 9. Personally, I LOVE the experience of greeting our Soccer players prior to their games and letting them know I'm there to support them. No walk is too far for that or for doing the same for our Football players. I'm proud of all of them and will take the time to let them know I appreciate them and their coming to the University of Akron. GO ZIPS!

I will try to be there. It's going to be a very long, but FUN, Saturday starting with the Roo Walk at 11:45 am and ending with the Men's Soccer match in the evening. I encourage Zips fans to take the time to show our support to our players. I know how much the Men's Soccer team appreciates the March to the Match. I'm sure it means a lot to our Football players to see the fans take the time to support them prior to the game. EDIT: I just clicked the link provided by NewZipsFan...be there at 11:45 am the team arrives between 11:45 am and noon.

That link is to old information. Try: http://www.gozips.com/zfund/compliance The University of Akron Compliance Office at (330) 972-6857 The Directory on GoZips.com has more current information on whom to contact about Compliance rules. http://www.gozips.com/athletics/staffdirectory/index

Yes, I was an undergrad from 1982 - 87 (5-yr co-op program), and I wholeheartedly agree with the statement in bold.

Specifically this...do not fully realize how perilously close this program is to slipping from the elite, returning to the ranks of the very good also-rans, a position we have occupied for most of the program’s existence. This next hiring is monumentally important. I cannot over-emphasize that point. Seriously, you don't think we realize this? BTW...I happened to be a student at UA the first time UA Men's Soccer played for the National Championship. I'm not sure if that makes me a "youngster" in your book or not. EDIT: This is a good, healthy debate. I really don't have a problem with any of this discussion or anyone's opinions here. I've not been a soccer fan as long as ZIP or you; when Caleb says that it's a goal of his to "grow the sport", he can count me as someone whom he has turned into a fan of the "beautiful game". My fear is not just of Akron Men's Soccer slipping from the elite, but also turning away from the beautiful style we currently enjoy.

And I know at least one of our current players thinks highly of Brian Maisonneuve. I do see your and fknbuflobo's (as well as others') points, I just don't want to see Embick overlooked, which seems to be the Akron way in most things. [At least UA didn't do so when hiring our Men's Basketball Head Coach.]

I disagree with and am insulted by this statement here and it's alternate phrasing in your letter to TW. All of us have posted here because we are very much concerned about this. It is not your concern alone. Like you, I will support whomever is chosen as Caleb's successor because our Soccer Program means a lot to me.

Nice. Interesting how they referred to Penn St, Michigan, blOSU, and Michigan St as "some Big 12" matchups.

Yes, Porter is the reason recruits come to Akron. What I mean is that currently Akron (with Porter) recruits itself. We can possibly continue that for 1 more year if Embick is selected by showing that the Akron system is not changing. That would change for the following season if Embick is given the chance, but is not successful. I still think that Embick is the best option at this time. Give him a year, if he would agree, to prove himself. Making a wholesale change, even for another successful head coach, seems like a bigger risk to me. As far as the process in 2006, that AD IS GONE. THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN as much as you wish it could. EDIT: By the way, I realize there is no perfect answer to replacing the best Head Coach that Akron has ever had. There is risk in any approach that is taken. Our Men's Soccer Program means a lot to me. My opinion is that what we have works, and we should try to continue it. Caleb Porter was relatively unknown when he came to Akron. I don't think we have to hire a "name" in order to continue our success. I think Jared has put in a lot of hard work helping to build what we have and should be at least given an opportunity to show that he can continue it if he wants it.

If Embick were named head coach, Porter and he could continue to recruit for next season now. Also, thanks to Caleb, Akron recruits itself. With Embick named as the head coach, that may still continue because the system would not change even though Caleb is leaving. No guarantees, but this would be my preferred approach.

The only known is that Caleb Porter will not be the Zips Head Coach next season. Hiring an existing head coach brings no more guarantees than hiring a well-qualified assistant.

Although this is not MLS, NASL or USLPro, it involves a former Zip who is now a professional player...

Nearly seven weeks after Urso suddenly passed away after collapsing at a downtown Columbus bar, we learned that it was a preexisting heart condition he likely never knew he had that caused his passing. A reminder that every day is a blessing. Rest in Peace Kirk Urso.

You're just slightly behind the times Z.I.P. http://zipsnation.org/forums//index.php?sh...13+Philadelphia Seems that you may have forgotten.

Kofi Sarkodie (and Will Bruin) picked up an assist on an Oscar Boniek García goal in the 44th minute today for the Houston Dynamo. (match is still in progress) EDIT: Unfortunately Philadelphia won 3-1.

+1

I hope Fred (as Alfred told me he likes to be called) is making a speedy recovery. I want to see all of our Zips healthy and available. And, by the way, I think Renaldo has been doing great.

Agree. I will be there and am bringing 2 friends (who happen to be AK Rowdies) with me.

Kudos to all of the Rowdies quoted in this article...http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/marla...uccess-1.334782 Caleb Porter has been awesome for Akron and very much deserves this kind of support.

I agree with your conjecture. The only way I see some of this being prevented is if the assistant coaches are given an interim year to show that they can keep Caleb's system going. Conjecture on my part that players who came to Akron for Caleb's system are not going to stick around and buy into a new system.

I really like Dillon and wish he would stay at Akron longer, but I certainly would understand. I just want it all to work out well for the guys. I can't thank them enough for coming to Akron. I hope they'll be successful at winning an NCAA Championship, but moreso, I hope every one of them is successful beyond Akron on and/or off the soccer field. This is what I suspect will happen with a number of our players, especially if we make a complete change. Also, I don't see any way that Caleb and his staff will be able to effectively recruit for next season without a decision (soon) on the next head coach. I think MLS teams have been happy for players to stay at Akron under Porter because they don't have to sign the players, but they know our players get professional level experience in our system. A complete change in our system will change this.

Congratulations to Ampai on his recent goal and call up to the Thailand National Team... anthonyampaipitakwong.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/toyota-cup-first-leg/ Posted September 6, 2012 Last night was the first leg of two games, home and away vs BEC Tero. We had a slip up in the forth minute giving up a big mistake in the back and ending up going down 0-1. In the second half I was given a ball on the top of the box which I took my first touch forward and shot it low back post. I’ll be honest the goalie should have made a routine diving save but the ball was wet which ended up skipping past him back post! Goal is a Goal BABY!! Also there was news this week I was called up for a friendly match to represent the Thailand National Team on the 10th. I am very honored in this news and there will be more info about everything later. Until then, take care everyone and enjoy Your day!

I will be there for both games. Staying in Elkhart (< 20 miles away) at a reasonable rate. Sunday's game is at 2:15 pm EDT, as I understand it. GO ZIPS!

I don't think so. As long as Caleb is the head coach, he'll continue coaching the same as he always has. I witnessed nothing different in Omaha other than perhaps a little more hands on direction than usual.