Zip_ME87

I think in order to fall as far as #5 (based on just the UNC game), the team would have to lose -- on the road -- by at least 3 goals. Maybe if they lost to both UNC AND WFU by a total of 3 or more, then maybe #5 would be reasonable. But remember both opponents are themselves ranked top-5. In my opinion Carolina and Wake should each be between #2-4. Two draws would quite possibly keep us in #1 -- depending on what Maryland and whoever else is in the top-5 does. But that's spoken like an Obama-voting futbol fan. We could, on the other hand, just go 2-0 and not worry about the election season. You're right...lets just win the games so we don't have to worry about that. I would hope that we'd still be in the Top-5 if we lost. I respect you if you love soccer, but I might really have to question your choice for president. Choice? Was there a real choice?

The Great GP1 will not be attending. Going to the mountains for the weekend. To be honest, I wouldn't drive across the street to watch a college soccer game let alone 70 miles to Winston-Salem. Go to downtowon WS and start at the Mellow Mushroom. It is kind of in the center of the "things to do" area of the city. Pizza is good. Walking distance from Marriott and Embassy Suites. If you want to go to a really good BBQ place, go to a place called Gadzooks (I think). It is on the street that runs between the basketball arena and the football stadium up the hill on the same "block" and side as the football stadium. You will have to drive there as the bb arena and fb stadiums are off campus a few miles. Jim Noble has a great place to eat in WS as well. Eat a good dinner and go to the Fox and Hound across the street to watch sports after dinner. Thanks for the info. Sorry we won't be meeting, but have a great time in "the mountains"...Smokies? Obviously, I would go much further than across the street to watch Zips Mens Soccer, but no problem if you don't "get it" or "get into it". Just not sure why the sarcasm was necessary.

Now there's dedication...driving for 8 hours after the football game! Get plenty of rest that Saturday morning. Go Zips!

Awesome! Are you going to the UNC game on the 3rd? I opted to go to the Syracuse Football game on the 4th and then fly into Greensboro on the morning of the 5th. So, I'll only be at the WF game. Hope we can meet up.

I just made arrangements to attend the game at WF on September 5th and am wondering if GP1 or anyone else on ZN.O is planning to be there. I tried to PM GP1 , but it wasn't working. If anyone is going, please PM me so we can try to get together on gameday.

At this point (pre-season), what matters is respect...others respect Akron and Akron gets attention from its high ranking. However, as Caleb said, what really matters is being #1 at the end of the season...to be peaking at the right time. I think this team has the talent to be #1 throughout the season, but it's going to be tough, especially given that the Zips play UNC and WF on hostile pitches to start the season.

Coach gave a great interview on Top Drawer Soccer. Included a mention of the AK-Rowdies. Go Zips! Top Drawer Soccer interview & SI.com article. Gotta love the national coverage of UA!

I would say LeBron still has a lot of growing up to do. I could respect him if he took the high road and just said that he really appreciated all the love and support Cavs fans showed him while he was here. He doesn't have to love Cleveland. I don't love Cleveland; there's a lot of bass-ackward things I hate about it. I wish the lame mayor and city council could get their sh*t together and really make a plan and stick to it. It actually has a lot going for it except the dumb*sses in charge. But, I just can't believe anything LeBron says, even when he professes his love for Akron. I never liked the guy and like him less now.

I hope to be wearing mine this Friday after returning from LA. Ordered it before I left last Friday and was promised it would go out right away upon the bookstore receiving them. After all the noise we made about wanting these, I hope they sell out.

I would think Tulsa and Creighton would be more challenging than UM or UC. But, never take any opponent for granted.

Did you notice the graduation rate and what it is based on? ... Percentage of students who began their studies in fall 2002 and completed their degree program within 4 years Most engineering students take 5 years to complete their degrees because of Cooperative education, which is encouraged. Basing graduation rates on completing degrees in 4 years negatively skews the data.

Here is an exchange that I had concerning this through "Ask the AD" a few months ago... My Question/comment: Dear Tom, I'm very interested when the Akron Athletics Department is going to either offer some better apparel options themselves or work a deal with Barnes & Noble to do so. The apparel options currently available are not very good. For example, it would be awesome to show my pride in our nationally ranked Men's Soccer team. An Akron Soccer polo that I could wear to work on casual day would be outstanding. A replica soccer jersey would also be a nice choice. How about some apparel that has "The University of Akron" and "Fear the Roo" both on it. I'm very fortunate to have an Akron Soccer Scarf because I bought a season ticket last year. But, I think it's time to offer Soccer scarves in the team shop for anyone to buy. The university could make a good profit, and everyone who wants to do so, can show their pride in our awesome team. Thanks as always for your attention. AD Response: Thanks for the note and it's good to hear from you. You raise a great point about our merchandise options at this point, but I've copied Bryan Huettmann, our licensing director who I think will have some good news for you and our other fans who want Zips Merchandise. Thanks again for your support and Go Zips! Tom Bryan Huettmann's response: I am pleased to inform you that Barnes & Noble Bookstores is planning on offering new soccer items for the upcoming season including a jersey, various apparel and a scarf. They will have a visible presence at all home soccer matches, in the student union and football game day at the stadium. Please feel free to contact me about anything. Your opinion is appreciated. Go Zips! Bryan Huettmann InfoCision Stadium Manager Director of Licensing The University of Akron Department of Athletics 373 Carroll Street, Suite 75 Akron, OH 44325-5201 O: (330) 972-2639 Not sure what was meant by "a scarf", but it appears that only season ticket holders will have access to them once again this season. In my opinion, that might be ok to start the season, but when we show up in the NCAA playoffs, and especially at the College Cup, all Zips' Soccer fans who want one should have a scarf. Go Zips!

Many thanks for the picture!

+1 for both. In the MAC it's Hartwick NO DOUBT. OOC it has to be OSUcks. I also agree. In the MAC, it's 'Wick'. Overall, I think OSWho is biggest rival; although, it's also FUN to beat Meatchicken...the Zips were the first team in that match-up to win on the other team's pitch, I believe (last season).

Just released: NCSAA pre-season poll 8-10-10

Rumor is that it will not be completed until the first men's scrimmage on the 25th. They're working hard, but the time frame was short on this. It's disappointing that the contractor isn't progressing a little more quickly. It's amazing what can be done when you are really dedicated to completing something, such as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, but perhaps it requires a LOT of money. Hopefully, they will complete the assembly of the bleachers behind each goal prior to the 1st Women's scrimmage; the south stands area can be blocked off with a "construction fence".

Zemanski embraces new role with Chivas USA

Some more pictures...from today (8-7-10). Soccer Pitch Upgrades August 7, 2010

Good article by Dohrmann. Next year is the U-17 (and I think U-19) World Cup, in Mexico. A good chance that future Zips Will Trapp and Bryan Gallego will be part of the U17s, as well as recruiting target Andrew Souder of Premier Academy -- now playing for Crew Academy. Zarek Valentin will be a star at MLS level, and will be quickly replaced by another star. Anyone who saw Perry Kitchen plan in last year's U17 WC saw what a fantastic long passer he is out of the back. Look forward to seeing him lead counterattacks beginning in mere weeks, if he can earn a spot in the lineup. Perry got a lot of playing time with the Zips in the Spring and looked great. It's awesome that he has already put in a semester at The U of A.

The greatest sport in the world, "football", is called "soccer" in the U.S.A. So, what's your point? I have bitten my tongue long enough. I wish the soccer Zips well and would never make disparaging comments about the team even though I have zero interest in the sport itself. The same courtesy is not extended by some of our soccer fans when speaking about the football Zips. I hope the soccer team wins every game, going from pre-season number one all the way through to NCAA champions! Because I am a Zip. And I wish ALL the Zip athletes success. If you are gonna take jabs at the football program and compare them to the soccer program, stay on the soccer board. If you are gonna make comments about soccer being a better sport than football or more popular world-wide than football, stay on the soccer board. Popularity abroad means nothing. David Hasslehoff is a star in Germany. The French think Jerry Lewis is a comedic genius. We are talking about NCAA sports here. According the latest statistics I could find from the NCAA, the largest crowd ever at an NCAA soccer game was 22,512 back in 1980. In 2008, the 86th ranked football team on the list, Central Michigan, averaged 22,659 for their home games. Here are the links. http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/stats/footb...ndance/2008.pdf http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/stats/m_soc.../Attendance.pdf Stop hating on the football program. Did I say I hated the football program? I made a "jab" back at some of the folks who find it necessary to state that American football is better than soccer on the soccer forum. Before you become all "self-righteous", I invite you to check out the other forums. I wish our football team the best. I want to see them do well. I have a football season ticket and soccer season ticket, unlike some who come into the soccer forum and say they would not spend one second watching soccer. EDIT: What I was commenting on was the arrogance of "the greatest sport in the world", for which American Football was implied. Arrogance like the NFL putting "World Champions" on the Super Bowl Champion rings. It's not a world championship; the world doesn't compete. Super Bowl Champions or NFL Champions, but not world champions. Soccer (or football as the rest of the world calls it) actually has a World Championship played every 4 years. So when you mention NCAA...no that was not the reference of the post I was replying to...it was "world". Guess I am FIRED UP like the thread title. Good night.

+1

The greatest sport in the world, "football", is called "soccer" in the U.S.A. So, what's your point?

+1 I really considered going to Carolina, but I have a mini-vacation in LA in a few weeks during which I will be fortunate to see Chivas vs Seattle (Gavin & Zemanski v Zakuani), and I really want to go to the College Cup again if given the opportunity. So, I just can't justify the additional trip when there's a good football matchup at home. ESPN2, FSC, or somebody should pick up the UA v UNC game. In at least 1 poll, it is #1 v #2, and a re-match of a 2009 semi-final. (Not saying that I believe it will be televised; just saying it should be.)

You're right. I mis-read that. Hmm. 2 minutes from campus and thinks we're crap. Is he an editor for the Beacon Journal? ...back to talking about being pre-season #1: YEAH!!! A good sign before the other polls come out (should be soon). Looks like the National Soccer Coaches Association of America pre-season poll will be out on August 10th. Source Scroll down a little bit to "2010 NCAA Rankings"

Zach, I think you should register for that site, just to ask this dipwad how he can stand to work so close to such a pit. And to express sympathy for such low self esteem. You think he's a Wake alum? Maybe the Great GP1 can offer therapy -- or at least some insight to his thinking. I have a Scout login, but you need to obtain permission to post on a particular school's forum. I can't get permission to post on WF's boards. But I can't think of any residential area within 2 minutes of campus that isn't a ghetto. Don't want to embarrass him in front of his fellow snobs. Not sticking up for him, but he stated that he 'works', not 'lives' 2 minutes from U of A. At least he recognized it as "U of A" and not AU. (Although I tend to think of our men's soccer program as gold...Au.)