Zip_ME87

When he gets inducted would be excellent.

Configure the arena to include seating that is removable for the ice rink and comes down to the edge of the basketball court when in place. It can be done with the proper sight lines. I think it's short-sighted to build an arena that cannot support hockey and have more flexibility than permanent seating up to the edge of a basketball court.

I disagree with using argument #2. Yes, it is true that we're not filling our current gym, but IMHO it's a self-fulfilling argument. We're not filling our current gym because it's a crappy place to watch basketball. The chairback seats are minimally acceptable, the wooden bleachers are uncomfortable, and the track is unacceptable. I hate sitting in the upper sections with people constantly walking in front of me doing whatever instead of being in their seats watching the basketball game. Also, the sight lines from Sections A, E, I, and M are atrocious, cutting off the view of the corner at the far end of the court on the same side as the seats. We're never going to fill the JAR for any game other than Can't and possibly OU, and we'll never get a big name opponent to come to a gym that can only seat around 5500. The atmosphere for VCU was awesome, but it was still about 1500 under advertised capacity. We were very fortunate that our payback from a Bracketbuster game was delayed a year and that opponent made the final four in the off year. It's time to replace the mistake called the JAR with an arena befitting UA and a city the size of Akron. An arena which includes an ice rink would be preferable IMHO, so that our club hockey team could play there and maybe become a full team someday. If Akron's King of basketball really gave a crap about his hometown, perhaps he could support fundraising for the arena. "LeBron James Arena" would be a nice legacy if he could significantly help to get it done.

I totally agree. Thanks to my friend, I sat 2 rows behind the students at WVU (across from the WVU bench) with Harry Huggins and his wife. The view and atmosphere (from a WVU perspective) were great. I personally see no issue with sitting behind our students as long as I have a good view. (I bring up Harry Huggins as an example that it's acceptable for a coach's brother to sit behind the students. I don't see any reason as a season ticket holder to not do the same. The biggest donors can still have the seats behind the benches.)

+1 Why are we being so "cheap" with basketball. It's time to correct the mistake that was made in the 1980's and replace the JAR. I don't understand why anyone would be against going in with the city and getting an arena downtown if it could be done. Campus has already expanded into downtown and more student housing continues to be built there. The basketball Zips deserve a real arena, with all chair backs, that holds about 10k. Don't waste any more money on the JAR.

Now that you resurrected that thread, I must say I've changed my mind as well. At that time, I was concerned about spending so much money on a football coach that the AD might damage our other sports. Unfortunately, he further damaged Akron Football. None of us know how this will play out, but I now think Terry is a great hire and will totally support him. I have confidence in his head coaching ability and love his enthusiasm. His introductory press conference was great, and I loved his energy at the VCU game. GO ZIPS!

+1 on everything you said. Great atmosphere last night; would have liked to have seen a better play called at the end of regulation. Nik had a great game, but I don't think he's the go-to guy in that situation, especially with the amount of time available. Coach Bowden is awesome. I don't ever remember that much energy from a Zips Football coach. I know patience will be required, given where the football program is, but I'm willing to be patient with a guy who's happy and excited to be at Akron. I have a good feeling as well. I lived in Huntsville, AL from 1991-1998 and vividly remember what he did at Auburn. (All but 5% of the sports section of any Fall Sunday paper was devoted to Alabama and Auburn Football.)

+1 I totally agree, CK. I'm excited about basketball season, especially the Final Four opponent at the JAR Thursday evening and the upcoming football season. I don't expect Terry Bowden to be able to fix all of our football woes in one season, but I think we'll see significant improvement. Beyond basketball and football, I'm very hopeful that the U23 Men will qualify for the Olympics and we'll see at least 2 former Zips on the USA Men's Soccer Team as well as our head coach leading them

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2011122...ts/sports3.html

Studio 90: Caleb Porter at U-23 Camp 12/21/2011 8:20 AM

Good point! I agree. For some reason, Korb has been an underrated player throughout his career. Whatever his deficiencies are, speed is not one. DC United protected Chris for the expansion draft. I wouldn't consider that being underrated.

Crew8 - Since you've been there before, can you verify that the team benches will be on the West side of the stadium? (I'm assuming so given the placement of the VIP Midfield and VIP Midfield Front Row sections.)

Wow, it is too bad that Paul Winters was turned down several times for the Football HC position by the University of Akron. What a great man that he would take the time to respond like that. Thanks for sharing ITZ.

Thank you again. Ives did a mock draft for Fox Soccer, and it appears that New England does indeed have the 3rd pick (as opposed to having traded it to Toronto FC).

Thanks. I guess I was too tired to find the key to the *. After looking at it again, that site is a joke. Speas can't be drafted without a GA deal, I believe, and I doubt that he gets one...which means Crew or UNC. Did that site even get the draft order correct? Given the other issues you pointed out, I'm unsure of the trade they claim that New England made with Toronto FC back in April. Unfortunately, the MLS site doesn't seem to have the draft order unless I overlooked it.

Which makes no sense. Why would he not sign a homegrown contract if he wanted to leave early? He will most more and be more valuable to the Crew if he signs a homegrown contract. A difference between $10-15k a year. A $30k salary or a $45k salary with the possible bonus money. I agree, which is why I found it "interesting". I couldn't find the explanation for the * on Ben's name at that site either.

Looks like the Canadians have the 1st 4 picks. Toronto has New England's pick, which is 3rd overall plus their own pick, which is #4 overall. Congratulations to Darren. I hope Montreal picks him #1 overall. Four former Zips in Montreal would be excellent. EDIT: Interesting that the website I linked projects Ben Speas being drafted #34 by the Philadelphia Union.

Because the site is run by someone with a juvenile sense of humor. Although I personally don't like the automatic "Can't" conversion, I recognize that those who pay for and run the board have a right to instill their humor whether or not I agree with it. The rest of us, of course, have the right to choose not to use this forum.

We could also be helped by the number of players we now have in the professional ranks. I noticed that Pina is in the Dynamo Academy. I wonder if he's asked Kofi about Akron (like Yedlin with Zakuani).

Soccer by Ives - Latest on 2012 GA Class (December 18, 2011)

Le Bron Speas Very bad call. The LeBron comparison is assinine. I don't think he was being serious. Anyway, he needs to sign that homegrown contract and we'll finally have a former Zip playing for an MLS club within driving distance! +1

It was a good game from the perspective that the Zips took it seriously and got the result they should have. Still a little more sloppy play than I wish we were seeing, but hopefully they'll work more of that out over the next 3 games before VCU shows up. BTW, it was nice seeing Darlington Nagbe at the game last night. It's too bad that our camera guys don't recognize our pro Zips. I think D got on the scoreboard once just because they were focusing on some kids near him. Oh well, the Rowdie's gave him some much-deserved "love" near the end of and after the game. D was probably happier not to get too much attention, anyway.

Very well-spoken interview by Ben with nice comments for both his current and former teams. Thanks Crew8.

And the KU AD gets an automatic induction into the NCAA Hall of Shame.

Charlie Weiss, Ron Powlus, others?. Gotta love how that Kansas AD is trying to catch up to Kansas State. Seems more like he's trying to catch up to K.e.n.t State. :rofl: When I posted, "others?" was my wishful thinking of Rob Ianello. Thank you Kansas; you really are trying to keep up with K.e.n.t State rather than Kansas State. :rofl: