Zip_ME87

As you already know, Z.I.P., I will see you there. Looking forward to meeting you and others. I changed my plans a little and am actually flying into LAX on Thursday night, but won't be into Santa Barbara until Friday afternoon. Safe journey. GO ZIPS!

I don't know what $ amount you think UA should throw at the HC position, but throwing money doesn't ensure a winning coach and causes you to have to make adjustments in other UA coaches' salaries or suffer degradation in those other sports. And, as far as "Bring in a winning coach with a proven track record for building winning programs", any coach who is truly winning with a proven track record at the FBS level, would be filling one of the vacancies in one of the more established FBS programs. If you're talking about bringing in "a winning coach with a proven track record for building winning programs" from an FCS or lower division, there's no guarantee that winning at those levels translates to winning in FBS. Although, I personally would have preferred a head coach from an FCS or DII winning program. There was also a cost to staying in the Rubber Bowl. In order to sell tickets, UA had to ensure that is was reasonably safe for patrons and for the team. I don't believe upkeep ( ) was free.

Here's the link to the official release on NSCAA.com

If you look at the Championship website on NCAA.com, an autograph session is listed after semifinal #1.

This is a HUGE problem for us.... i know its been said before. Although its just one of many, of the THIS is one of the HUGE reasons students (future Alumni) aren't supporting the program iCoach could take lessons and maybe start with pizza's iCoach needs to understand that respect is a 2-way street that begins with him. He needs to start the process by giving alumni, students, and fans reason to respect him/his program. He could have used yesterday's win as a start by commenting that he hoped it was a start of more to come next season and that he would be dedicating the off-season to hard work on the recruiting trail and evaluation of things that went right and wrong. But, no, his immediate post-game comments were lame, telling the STO sideline reporter that she wasn't a good omen for the Zips and other sorry comments. I'm sorry, but I can't remember any coach being more aloof than iCoach.

+1

I believe that everything you have seen concerning Coach Porter's locale next season is all conjecture. He has stated before that the "grass isn't always greener elsewhere"; The U of A/donors have provided the upgrades to the soccer pitch that he requested. He's able to recruit with and above the other top teams in the country. He has commitments from Ohio and other parts of the country, including a player from the Sounders developmental system. He has two former players who have gotten looks from the USMNT and the DR of Congo National Team. He has coached for US Men's developmental teams. All the indications to me show that he likes working with/developing young talent. He, personally, has the respect of NSCAA, and his/our Akron Zips have respect throughout the country. He likes Akron, and he makes a good living here, doing what he loves. Why would he want to uproot his family for Chivas USA or DC United? Yeah, maybe the money is more, but I can't see how he could be happier at either location than he is/can be at Akron. This is MY OPINION (no inside information on my part). However, I will say, that the one thing that I'm sure will keep Coach Porter happy at Akron beyond all others is for a huge crowd to show up for the NCAA 3rd round tomorrow. No matter what adversity OUR team has had this season, they are the 3rd seed (out of 48 teams who made the NCAA Tourney out of >200 D1 teams) . They need and deserve OUR support. We all need to let go of our NEO "woe is me" mentality and support OUR team in full force tomorrow. THIS IS AKRON! GO ZIPS!

I know there's already an Akron vs IU thread, but I think this deserves it's own. Coach Porter continues to show how AWESOME he is. In this message to fans, Caleb says that he has bought 500 tickets to Sunday's game vs IU that he is giving out on campus to students. Whether you are a student, an alumnus, or just a fan, please show up to this game. Indiana is a strong opponent, and this team and coach deserve our support. They have so much pride in themselves and The University of Akron, it's the least that we can do to pack Lee Jackson Field for 2 hours on Sunday and show them how thankful and proud we are of their hard work and to help them reach their ultimate goal. Thank you Coach Porter for completely embracing my Alma Mater and its history and for wanting to make it even better! Thanks so much to this team for all of their hard work on and off the field, during the season and off-season (which I've discovered they don't get much time off given developmental leagues and US developmental team play).

You're awesome Zach. When I attended UA in the early to mid-80's, Apathy was the way. It's awesome that you care enough to post, on average, 4 comments per day. However, you need to pick up the pace...I wouldn't want to see the NewsCollector get too far out in front of you.

“I plan to spend a few days in London visiting old friends and family before going up to Liverpool to train with Everton for a few days.” I wonder if this is just a courtesy from Everton. i.e., is it an actual trial or just a "meet and greet"? Not sure how that works with EPL clubs -- anyone? Z.I.P., I don't know how that works either, but great find Zach...thanks. I particularly liked... "Zakuani was brought up in London and joined the Arsenal academy at the age of nine but was released when he was 14. In 2007 he was spotted by the University of Akron whilst at the Independent Football Academy in north London and went to the US to play for the university’s football side, the Akron Zips. He also turned out for USL Premier Development League side the Cleveland Internationals before being drafted in to MLS side Seattle Sounders in 2009."

I also thought Teal looked good. Comments about Teal's performance on Big Soccer Picture of Teams with Nelson Mandela

+1 The next five games are all that matter, ONE at a time. As far as starters leaving, we know Korb and Ampai are gone. We shouldn't worry about the others until the season is over. Since we can't play for them, the best thing to do now is not worry, but to show up, get others to show up, pack Lee Jackson Field and make it miserable for our opponent(s).

As I figured would happen when I posted "no help" from our MAC Tourney opponents. EDIT: Once again, tOSWho gets a seeding when they weren't even in the top 16 in RPI or in the top 25 in the Coaches' Poll. I wonder who controls the NCAA MONOPOLY?!

It is well done...thanks for posting.

I spoke with Tom several times in the Spring during basketball season and again in the Team Shop at Infocision when it first opened, and he immediately responded to my greeting and was very cordial. EDIT Perhaps he has soured given all of the (deserved) criticism concerning iCoach and the direction of Zips football. Of course, if he can place my face with my name, he probably doesn't appreciate my concerns about toning down the LeBron connection (which they seem to have done in the JAR) either. [And, before anyone goes ballistic in favor of or against LeBron, my comments have just been along the line of "the Zips should be celebrated in the JAR, not LeBron". For me, it's all about the Zips...even when LeBron played for the CAVs, I didn't like the overkill on the logos, banners, etc. This is The University of Akron, not LeBron State. If he wants to donate money to build LeBron James Arena at The University of Akron, that would be awesome and he could plaster his image all over it because he paid for it.]

I have full confidence that the Zips can defeat anyone in our bracket at Lee Jackson Field. As far as Maryland, it will be tough (if they make it), but it will be on a neutral field. I have my tickets to California and look forward to seeing the Zips take on any of the other 3 teams that make it there with us! GO ZIPS!

+1 Best wishes to Humpty.

Congratulations to Steve. I would have loved to see him play for the US, but it's cool that he'll be playing with his brother.

Unless I'm missing something, there's only 3 forwards listed as going to South Africa. Also, this game is an international "friendly"...since it doesn't count, I believe the point is to get a look at all of these players. Therefore, I expect Teal to get PT.

LMAO, I missed that the 1st time Thanks! Kinda like Steve French when the Zips scored on the kickoff return against Western Michigan in the "other football". BTW...GREAT news concerning Teal. I'll record that game and watch it when I get home following work and the next debacle at Infocision Stadium.

I'm expecting to pay a mark up on Stub Hub. I saw them in Columbus this season (4-0 Sounders), but want to experience Qwest Field.

This would be great. I don't want to see Zakuani leave the Sounders because I'd like to go to a game in Seattle next year, perhaps vs KC or Chivas, or another MLS team where some of our current players may be. From what I've seen, best atmosphere in MLS (and possibly any major league sport).

Interesting tweet from Steve Zakuani (http://twitter.com/stevezakuani11) "Received some good news for my career! The future is bright! Life gets better! Hope 2 share w/ u all soon, gotta deal w/ some logistics 1st!" - today Z.I.P., or anyone, any idea as to what Steve may be referring? Move overseas?

Can you provide a link to the RPI? I see the Zips are still #2 behind Louisville in the NSCAA poll, but I didn't find the updated RPI rankings. NCAA Soccer RPI. Thanks. That worked once I cleared my cache. Edit: No help from our opponents this weekend: Buffalo (106), BUGS (108), W. Michigan (127)