Zip_ME87

Thanks. Great read. I knew some of it but not all. Love the Zips, Love the atmosphere. Zips Mens Soccer games have become the greatest events in all of sports for me.

I think the story of how the AK-Rowdies came to be so involved at the Mens Soccer matches would be a good one. From what I remember reading, the story of showing up at Virgina Tech 2 years ago and the players' reaction to the surprise appearance by the Rowdies might be good.One of my favorite memories was in 2009 at Michigan when a group of 15-20 AK-Rowdies (perhaps not even that many) were louder than the 600 Wolverine fans in attendance. It was the first time in the Akron-Michigan series that the visiting team won (5-1 Zips).

Thanks for that account, Z.I.P., and the pictures.

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Thanks for posting.

Thanks Bobby.

No. 1 Tar Heels Fall In Overtime At Virginia Tech

AWESOME 4-0 WIN! GO ZIPS!

Bunbury flexes his muscle in romp over DynamoKANSAS CITY, Kan. – It’s taken most of five months for Teal Bunbury to round into form, but Sporting Kansas City are finally starting to see the best of their effervescent striker.Bunbury had no problem separating himself from the Houston defense Saturday afternoon at Livestrong Sporting Park, bursting onto two brilliant balls from Graham Zusi and Julio Cesar to drop his second brace of the season and propel Kansas City to a 3-0 victory.His seven goals so far are two more than he scored as a rookie, an improvement that is unlikely to stop any time soon while Bunbury and Sporting look to build towards the best record in the Eastern Conference.“When [Teal] is as physical as he was and finds himself teetering on that last line, he puts a lot of fear in a lot of teams,” manager Peter Vermes said. “He’s very direct, can go to goal and really has breakaway speed. When he gets around the goal, I think he can be deadly.”Deadly only begins to describe Bunbury’s performance against the Dynamo.He scored on two of his three shots and was clinical with both feet, claiming the game’s opening goal in the ninth minute by stabbing the ball past Tally Hall with his right foot. Then he added a second with a well-placed strike with his left 35 minutes into the second half. But aside from his efficiency in front of net, Houston simply had no answer for Bunbury’s pace and the service originating from deep areas that sprung him.“They were great balls in [to me],” Bunbury said. “I feel like I was just trying to be more aware, trying to make more runs. I know if I’m one on one with a guy, it’s my job to try to get in behind, get on the ball and finish.”Bunbury finished both plays with aplomb, but the balls played into him were equally brilliant.Julio Cesar’s driven half-volley into space to set up Bunbury’s second could be partially attributed to good fortune, but there was nothing lucky about the pass Zusi curled behind Andre Hainault to set up his teammate for the match opener.Zusi picked the ball up off the Sporting back line, drove toward the touchline and whipped a ball into the central channel for Bunbury without even picking up his head.“That’s something we discuss quite a bit, just the no-look ball in behind the defense,” Zusi said. “It’s very unexpected for them. We always try to have one of our forwards peeling off to get in behind them. It worked out pretty well today.”In fact, just about everything worked out well for Kansas City and Bunbury on Saturday. “I’m feeling good,” Bunbury said. “I’m having fun with it. You have to have fun and enjoyment. Credit to my teammates and coaches sticking by me. It’s just great to get wins. I love winning.”And Vermes can’t help but love what he’s seeing from his promising young forward, even if Bunbury is still only scratching the surface of his potential. “I don’t think we’ve seen his best yet,” Vermes said. “I really don’t.”

It's awesome that Matt is getting playing time and scored! Go Zips!

Are you talking about the football that is played in First Energy Stadium, Cub Cadet Field? BTW, you should correct your spelling...I believe it's Louiserville.

That was the point...it's not on their schedule because, for them, it's an exhibition. It's on the Zips' schedule because it's real. (This is the same situation as the Millikin game last season.)

No doubt that Zakuani should have won the Hermann. The Zips just didn't get enough credit at the time. I think we were still considered to be in a weak conference (still true) without much regard to our out-of-conference schedule. The Sounders taking Steve #1, followed by the Zips' outstanding performance in 2009 finally got everyone on board that Akron Soccer is the real deal.Where others fault the writers for not checking facts, I credit them for recognizing Zakuani was the true best mens' collegiate soccer player in 2008. (In fact, who won the Hermann for 2008? I don't remember.)

Mount Union, in nearby Alliance.It was the Bluffton University baseball team whose bus crashed in Atlanta in 2007. Mount Union's wrestling team bus crashed on US30 (I believe) in January 2011 returning from Ohio Northern.

Thanks for the updates...I'm glad to see these former Zips doing well. They helped us out; it's great to see them be successful.Go Zips!

You're right that none of us were on the "committee" (was there one?) that made the FB hire. I was told by someone in the Athletics Department last year that Barry Alvarez recommended RI, and I've always taken that to explain why Coach I was hired. For whatever it was worth, TW took the advice of someone with success in college football and probably someone he knew. I think most of us take advice from a friend/acquaintance over someone we don't know. It still seems that proper due diligence was not paid to this hire given how quickly it happened. As far as basketball and soccer, I give TW a lot of credit for not messing with things that are working and for not destroying those or other programs at UA by concentrating too much on football (perhaps a slight overcompensation). At any rate, I think you give TW a little too much credit for soccer. If you read what was published at the time, it was Dr. Proenza himself who said 'get it done' as far as increasing Coach Porter's compensation so much that it would be unlikely for him to go to any other university. In Santa Barbara, immediately following the National Championship win, Dr. Proenza couldn't praise Caleb enough. As for the soccer stadium upgrades, you can mostly thank Coach Porter, his staff, and teams. It's easy to get donors on board with naming rights when you win, especially in an area so void of winners. I will say thank you to TW for actually making it happen. Finally, you won't hear me comparing TW to Mack Rhoades or Mike and Mike or anyone else. But, you will hear me compare Akron Football now to Akron Football since I was there in the mid-80's. For one shining moment in 2005, I was proud of Akron Football. It was awesome to drive to Detroit and see other cars on the turnpike and I-75 with University of Akron logos. However, Akron Football continues to stagnate. It was a significant driver of UA apathy in the 80's and it appears to continue that legacy today. The only other shining moment was the day Infocision Stadium Summa Field opened. A large crowd, on campus, attending a football game on a beautiful, sunny, late summer day. Real college gameday had come to UA only to be washed away the following week. A lot of folks on this board obviously are stronger than me at putting up with this. When I see us kick off twice in a game and put our play sheets down our pants, not even appearing professional, it's time for me to move on and forget that Akron has a football program.

Love it! I'd love to see the cut-out "big heads" of players like some college basketball teams do. Like the AK-Rowdies do at Akron.

Perhaps it's like Millikin last year...exhibition for them; real for us.

The in-game commentary by @Zvalentin20 is priceless... zvalentin20 Zarek Valentin GOOOOOAAAAAlLLLL Darren "Laka Dis" "Muscles Mcgee" Mattock. Assist to Scotty "too cutey" Caldwell. 19 left in the first halff 16 hours ago zvalentin20 Zarek Valentin @Tschmitt21 is bumping off players like a spidermokey! I get the sense AK knows they gotta push for it! 15 hours ago zvalentin20 Zarek Valentin Chad Barson gets a yellow. For either being too good looking or taking the guy down. The crowd is still in hot debate over the issue... 15 hours ago zvalentin20 Zarek Valentin Darren Buttocks and @Tschmitt21 combining really well. I sense chemistry like that cute old couple at Dennys... Great chances for Dareen! 15 hours ago zvalentin20 Zarek Valentin On a side note, AK has 10 shots on goal to cal states 1... And @zmnsk21 is look quite spiffy tonight. #putsomewhipcreamonthat 14 hours ago zvalentin20 Zarek Valentin 6:30 left in the second OT... Nothing in it at all. Just waiting, wishing, wanting and hoping for a winner!! 14 hours ago zvalentin20 Zarek Valentin Ggggooooooooaaaaaallllllllllllllll Scottie "too cutey, I can't handle it " Caldwell!!! I don't care how it happend. Winnnnn 14 hours ago zvalentin20 Zarek Valentin Cal state girls soccer team made fun of my plain black cardigan asking if it was ugly sweater day..... #imstillconfused 14 hours ago

Exactly how I remember it. EDIT: Of course Brookhart didn't have to shove the offensive play sheet down his pants. He only had one play that day...screen pass...no need for a play sheet.

I just watched the replay again, prior to halftime...one of our assistants had his play sheet stuffed down the front of his pants, too. I hope this isn't the football coaches' dress code. I agree, Big Zip...it's pathetic that this is what it's come to...I expected so little that all I can comment on is that we could at least look professional and/or like we know what we're doing on the sideline. Turning around this program begins with the people on the sideline, and they don't even respect it enough to look respectable. I don't seriously mean this, but if this is the way that football is going to be at The University of Akron, then we should eliminate it. It's unfair to increase the burden on Jodi Kest, Kieth Dambrot, Caleb Porter and all of our other respectable coaching staffs to sell their programs to potential recruits because our football coaching staff makes us look like we're clueless.

Absolutely, what an EMBARRASSMENT to see that on National TV. I don't want to even consider what anyone watching that game was saying about the University of Akron after seeing that. Yea, what's the deal with that!?!? TW needs to pull him to the side and have a little talk about how we look on the sidelines. I can live with the glasses, but man, keep stuff out of your pants, get some assistant to hold your papers. I usually joke about this stuff and just put it aside...but that does reflect on all of us. I hope TW talks with him.

Captain Caldwell! Way to go Zips! THIS IS AKRON

Absolutely, what an EMBARRASSMENT to see that on National TV. I don't want to even consider what anyone watching that game was saying about the University of Akron after seeing that.

Yes.