Zip_ME87

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.

I don't know when it will be officially released. Some of what I've heard 2 ACC games...at UNC and at WF No Indiana, as you stated playing the other Big 10 teams we played last year...so tOSU, Mich St, Penn St away; Michigan at Akron. Akron at Cleveland State. Given last season's schedule: MAC home: FAU, Buffalo, W. Mich MAC away: BGSU, NIU, Hartwick

I was there...WVU actually scored just after time expired at the end of the game. The refs conferred and agreed time had expired. The Zips best chance was thwarted by a WVU player (not the goalkeeper) getting a foot on the ball and deflecting it right at the goal line (awesome play). Thanks for the eyewitness report How was the action in terms of possession? Zips controlled the ball most of the time and had more shots on goal....5-1, I believe. It was disconcerting that WVU scored just after time ran out. It was at the end of the field opposite the scoreboard, so I had to wait for the refs. Also more calls against WVU than the Zips, but I don't recall any yellow cards. The next 2 games against Maryland and Indiana will be interesting.

I was there...WVU actually scored just after time expired at the end of the game. The refs conferred and agreed time had expired. The Zips best chance was thwarted by a WVU player (not the goalkeeper) getting a foot on the ball and deflecting it right at the goal line (awesome play).

Pictures would be greatly appreciated.

Mountaineers Soccer On Saturday, April 10, WVU plays host to 2009 NCAA runner-up Akron at 3 p.m... In the 2009 season, Akron ran through its competition, during the regular season and NCAA Tournament, unscathed before falling to Virginia in the title game in penalty kicks (3-2). Although the loss in PK’s during the regular season would have counted as a tie, the result goes down as a loss for Akron, as it finished the season at 23-1-1. The team returns the corps of its lineup, including 2009 M.A.C Hermann Trophy winner Teal Bunbury. ... "Akron didn't lose a game last year,” coach Marlon LeBlanc says. “They had the best defense and highest scoring team in the country. We're playing arguably the best team in America on Saturday. That alone will present a great challenge. Just a little misinformed (concerning where Teal plays in 2010) EDIT: The lady Zips also play at WVU on April 10th: The Mountaineers play conference foe Pitt in the Betty Puskar Breast Care Center Soccer Invitational on Saturday, April 10, at 11 a.m., and will face Akron at 5 p.m. WVU Women's Soccer

No ill intent taken and no problem with your "minor rant"...just don't want to be misread as not supporting Akron Football. Good discussion and opinions, many of which I agree. However, I will never agree that football is the "be all, end all" as some have suggested. I love football the same as others here, but Akron has other strengths that need to be given their due.

Thanks ZW. That was the point I meant to make. I actually felt bad after seeing the unintended reactions to my post because I am a Zips fan. For me the Zips are #1, be it basketball (women's and men's), soccer, football, or any other sport in which UA teams compete. My best memories of all sporting events I've ever attended were at the 2005 Motor City Bowl, the 2009 NCAA Tourney in Portland, and the 2009 College Cup in Cary, NC. (Although I must admit beating Michigan 5-1 in Ann Arbor and hearing the Rowdies chant "Brutus hates you" at the Suckeyes goalkeeper while the Zips trounced them during the regular season are up there, too. Ahhh, if the Zips could just pull off that upset at Ohio Stadium in 2011.) Go Zips!!!

How do athletic programs such as Gonzaga's and Cleveland State's survive?

After re-reading your post, I must agree with this (which I overlooked previously)..."If we want to fill seats, we needs to work together, not point fingers." I'll stop pointing fingers because I believe it is all about winning. If Zips Men's Basketball can win games against quality opponents, then "Joe Akron" will come to games as proven, in my opinion, by the 2009 Zips Men's Soccer Team. I know from personal experience that some "Joe Cleveland"'s (who are not Akron alumni) came to several games including the 4200+ against Tulsa just to see great soccer. It will be interesting to see how that translates this Fall. Unfortunately, Akron will be playing many of the Big 10 opponents on the road this year since we played so many of them at home last year. Our big OOC draws at home this year will likely be Tulsa and Michigan.

STZ, I didn't mean anything derogatory about you by agreeing with DiG and CK. In your original post, you stated "I am a completely half-assed college BB fan, and I enjoy the pro game WAY more than college BB. I watch even the premier college BB teams on the tube and have a hard time getting past their lack of skill, their lack of size, the silly length of the clock shot, just the whole package doesn't grab me." If this is the case, then it seems to me that Akron BB will probably never "grab you"?

Stick with football. 1.) One of D.I.G's all time best posts 2.) I think we have located the elusive "Joe Akron." Who knew he was right under our noses all these years?! +1

Didn't take it personally...just a difference of opinion. My point is that Zips basketball could get us (or could have kept) out of the "God-forsaken MAC" if focus were put on it. Whereas you say (paraphrased) 'the University never successfully formulated, and followed through with, a plan to get students to the games'; I would say that UA never successfully formulated and followed through with a plan to make it big time in college sports. They keep trying in football even though, IMHO, basketball is closer---Basketball was close in the mid-80's...UA chased the coach away. Basketball has made a comeback in the mid-2000s, and the focus is still not there. I honestly don't mean to "bash" Akron Football. I support Akron Football and have had season tickets for sometime now (not as long as you/others because I lived out of state for 11 years.), but I think we could get further faster with more focus on basketball. Too bad Infocision wasn't built for soccer and football....UA could be the Seattle Sounders of College Soccer, 30,000+ a game to watch the nation's best college soccer team!

Check your facts...I believe "Maybe we should get a new coach to lead us to the Final Four." was not part of KD's quote. That was Terry Pluto's inference. However, I disliked KD's quote as well. "The only downside is it might raise some unrealistic expectations."...if you don't believe that you can ever win the Championship, then you never will. To be fair, I believe Gary Waters can be more upbeat because he has a few advantages..."a great arena" (which allows him to play majors at home) and no football program (which allows more money to be funneled into basketball). Akron had a huge opportunity in the mid-80's to make a name for itself in basketball, but the powers that be flushed it in favor of D-1A football. Now we have a $61M football stadium and a 3-9 football team that plays in it. In football, Akron has played for and won 1 MAC championship with a 5-3 conference record. In basketball, with no new facilities, we've competed in the MAC Tourney Championship game 4 years in a row. Yes, we've only won 1, but we've been there 4 years in a row. Yes, basketball needs to improve, but to do so, the University and alumni need to commit to it.

+1 The fans in the lower seating respond pretty well to the AK-Rowdies when there is something worth cheering about. Also, the fans in the lower seating stand for the Zips introduction and the first basket unlike many in the GA sections.