Zip_ME87

Yeah, I watched much of that game on the Ohio News Network (ONN). The Crew announcers were pretty ignorant, not once mentioning (at least not that I heard) that Steve played for Akron, even when he scored.

Yea, I saw that... Blair Gavin scores first MLS goal I sure hope the weather in Columbus is good next Saturday (May 15th). I have my ticket to see Blair and Ben.

Stories of African (and English, and American) Soccer: Steve Zakuani and the Congo From England to America ..."When I asked him about going to school at Akron, Zakuani lit up: “Ah, I loved it. Just loved it….obviously I took the Gen Ed classes but I also took classes on the black experience, Africans, Americans, government, and it opened up my mind. As much as I loved training at Akron, I loved my classes just as much. I loved it… the teachers make you think. You don’t agree with everything, but you learn about everything. That was awesome.”....

Chivas USA Maul Revs Watch the video embedded in the story. Blair's goal comes sometime around the 81st minute (near the end of the video). "What a shot by the first round pick out of Akron." Notes vs Revolution "Chivas USA closed the scoring in the 81st minute when rookie Blair Gavin scored the first goal of his MLS career, winning a ball at the top of the box, turning quickly, and curling a left-footed shot to the far post." Chivas USA Impressive in Win... "Rookies Ben Zemanski and Blair Gavin continue to be a nuisance to opposing midfielders."

Anyone else see #11, Steve-O's third goal of the season on Saturday on a breakaway? He's starting to break out. No, it happened during the 2 minutes I had to step away from the tv. Someday I'll fork over more cash to Time Warner, and get a DVR. Too bad the Crew tied the game. EDIT: Since you brought it up, I went to the Sounders website and watched the highlight. NICE moves! BTW...it was good to see Teal get into the game in Houston on Saturday, but it was already well out of reach for KC. I think Teal got 17+ minutes.

+1

1) To show support for our star player 2) To show appreciation for him choosing The University of Akron - out of all of the places in the world - for his press conference. 3) To show appreciation for bringing every national media outlet to the JAR, which offers both Akron and UA incredible exposure. 4) To show appreciation for visually relating incredible success to Akron, The University of Akron, and Keith Dambrot. 5) Because in Cleveland and NE Ohio, it's very rare for us to have something/somebody so great in sports. We need to appreciate it while we have it, and look no further than the Cleveland Indians for a perfect example of that. Sorry, I'm just not buying LBJ is doing this for UofA. I'm also not buying it does anything for the BB program. If he really wanted to have a press conference going back to his roots, he would have it at St. V-M. He want's UofA because it provides a bigger arena for him to promote himself. I know a lot of you want to believe LBJ sits around thinking about this stuff all day long, but he actually has people think about these things for him. This is a marketing creation by the geniuses at Nike. A commercial won't be far behind. Believe what you want. The event was FREE to the public. If LeBron's fans wanted to join him for this, they could do so at NO COST. There was no fee to park, no fee to get into the JAR. He mentioned numerous times that he appreciates his hometown, Akron. He played his senior year of high school at JAR. I don't think he did this for UofA. He wanted to share his award with teammates, friends, family, and fans. Personally, I appreciated the ability to celebrate with him and his teammates...I was glad to be there, as well as I'm sure the other 3500 or so were too.

Good read. Thanks. I'm looking forward to Blair's and Ben's visit to Columbus when Chivas USA comes to town on May 15th.

Confirmed at the JAR PD Rasor

From what I have heard recently, the grandstands will not be built this year. The field will be moved and include better drainage and the new lights will be installed. I also heard additional berm seating on the north side...which will be interesting to see how this works with the team benches.

"My chances of going to the NFL from Akron are a little less than it would be if I go (to Ohio State)." His chances of being the next Maurice Clarrett are also increased (if he goes to Ohio State).

"Turf" does not necessarily mean artifical. Athletic Turf

I'm pretty sure it's in Vegas. Not sure the details. ZW is correct. KD told me last night it is the Las Vegas Tournament, just before Christmas.

Looks like Creighton at Akron could be a great game... Finlay leads Creighton past Virginia April 20th, 2010 8:34PM [sPRING SOCCER] Creighton rallied to beat 2009 national champion Virginia, 2-1, Saturday on a pair of goals by Ethan Finlay in a charity match that drew a crowd estimated at over 2,500 for the third annual National Champions Challenge at Morrison Stadium. The match raised over $178,000 for Kicks for the Cure, used to support cancer research initiatives at UNMC Eppley Cancer Center and Creighton University Hereditary Cancer Center. Shawn Berry scored on a deflection off of a free kick from 28 yards out to give Virginia the lead, but Finlay scored twice to give the Bluejays the win. Creighton returns to action on Friday night against the Canadian youth national team. Source

Zakuani had a nice score, but Seattle got robbed at the end of the game in stoppage time. Thanks to an Oscar-winning performance, FC Dallas got a PK in stoppage time to tie the game 2-2. EDIT: On another note...it is awesome to watch a nationally-televised game on ESPN2 where much of the discussion centers around one of the best players on the field and they say "in his 2nd season out of the University of Akron".

The Seattle Sounders (UA Soccer alum Steve Zakuani) are scheduled to play FC Dallas on ESPN2 at 8 pm this Thursday (April 22nd). EDIT (4/28/10): KC vs DC United on May 5th (not April 28th) on ESPN2 at 7 pm. (must have been an error in the earlier version of the tv schedule) Note that games and times are subject to change according to the source. MLS Master TV Schedule

You think Kest would be willing to coach the men's team too? haha jk sorry KD I think the attitude of the department is reflected in being able to retain coaches like Kest and Porter when the "big guys come calling"? This is awesome news, good luck Coach Kest, keep up the good work! This is great news. She convinced me to find time to attend a few women's games. Wish I could do more, but I'll find time for at least a few next season.

No, I mean give it a rest as to rambling on and on and on about character. Do you read that from Caleb Porter. No, he emphasizes what his recruits bring to the game. Recruit "high chacter" players, but tell me how they help the team.

I'm not sure I understand this. Are you openly lobbying KD to take on low-character players from broken families? I may not agree with everything KD does, and I am suspicious of this signing as I stated above, but I don't think that high quality players on the court and high quality players off the court are mutually exclusive. I am actually quite interested in this Diggs kid. Looks like he got some more playing time for New Orleans late in the season and was making the most of it. Looks like a kid who could help out. Any idea on how the NCAA would treat his transfer based on the New Orleans program shutting down? Would he still have to sit out a season? Good question. I didn't mean that I want low character players. We have great players on and off the court. I'm just personally tired of hearing KD go out of his way to stress "He also comes from a great family and is a high-character person – things that are first and foremost in our recruiting philosophy." How does he define "a great family" and "high character person"? What does that mean? I've met a lot of great people in my life that someone else might say is a trouble-maker just because they like to have fun. Everyone's human and imperfect. What do these players bring to the team? I can guess, in fact I have to, because KD didn't really say anything about how the team is strengthened. That was my point.

+1 And more of this... "He also comes from a great family and is a high-character person – things that are first and foremost in our recruiting philosophy."...Give it a rest, KD.

I'm with you. Our new Football HC is a good example (edit: of networking). But, I sure hope Coach Kest stays.

Thanks for the pictures Akronnnnnnnn!

The Kansas City Wizards visit the Seattle Sounders this Saturday (April 17th) at 3 pm ET. I know it's the same day as the Spring Game, but I sure wish this one was televised on an ESPN network so we could watch Teal Bunbury and Steve Zakuani go head to head. Guess I'll have to live with the highlights afterward. http://www.soundersfc.com/Matchday/Matches...ansas-City.aspx

In summary, from all that is here + a little: Home (*MAC): Virginia Commonwealth Cincinnati Cal-Northridge Tulsa Florida Atlantic* Buffalo* Michigan W. Michigan* Creighton Away (*MAC): S. Florida N. Carolina Wake Forest BGSU* Ohio State Oakland (MI) N. Illinois* Penn State Cleveland State Michigan State Hartwick*

Take out Notre Dame; add Cal-Northridge at home. Add Oakland (MI) and South Florida on the road.