Zip_ME87

Channel 8 just reported that LeBron didn't play tonight because of back spasms...and that he was NOT even on the bench.I wonder...

I'll let all of you take this as you want... (I will note that he has not called me yet)I personally apologize as well and can sincerely feel for you. At BC, myteam lost in a heartbreaking regional final and I never thought I'd ever getto the Final Four. I still haven't recovered and I have yet to watch areplay of the game from 1994. If you give me your phone number I'd be gladto call you when I have a free moment.-------------------------------------------------------- Rick Boyages Associate Commissioner Mid-American Conferenceoffice - 216.566.4622 x307 | cell -614-208-8767 rboyages@mac-sports.com |www.mac-sports.com/-----Original Message-----Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 1:35 PMTo: Rick BoyagesSubject: Try againDear Mr. Boyages -I will admit you have a point. I did attack you and your staff in my e-mail,so I'll try it again.1) Why the total lack of respect that the MAC received from the NCAA/NIT?Akron had a low enough RPI (less than a number of NIT participants selectedat large). I thought strength of schedule was accounted for in RPI. It seemsthat it has to be partially counted because, if you defeat someone with alower RPI, your RPI can actually drop. So, does SOS count twice?Furthermore, Can't State, with a decent history in the NCAA Tourney, wassnubbed by the NIT as well. What is the point of RPI, if RPI is not used asthe determining factor. The MAC should really press this point.2) Why does it seem that MAC lobbying for it's teams is lacking? Also, italways seems that the MAC is against Akron...look at last year's footballschedule with 3 MAC home games in November. (I know you work basketball, soyou can't answer to the football issue, but that is why you're getting theangry e-mails. It seems to us that it is always an uphill battle, evenwithin our own conference.)3) MAC marketing also seems weak. To illustrate this...While your officesare in Terminal Tower, I saw no MAC merchandise or MAC advertising in TowerCity Center. The only MAC merchandise I saw was deep inside Champs. I evenhad a number of folks ask me in the Food Court if there was some big eventgoing on because of the number of young people around in college gear. Isuggest that the MAC should really work on this.4) I suggest that you monitor the referree contract better. It does seemthat the MAC is not getting the quality that it should. Calls this year onall sides seemed inconsistent.In closing, I will say that I apologize for the tone of my first e-mail, butmy emotion comes from the hurt that I feel for Nick, Cedrick, Quade, Nate,John, Jeremiah, and mostly Dru and Romeo --- who have no 'next year'. Ihonestly haven't slept for the past 2 days because I have been so sick forthem. No, I don't know them personally, but the intimacy of JAR Arena andthe number of home games I've seen in the past 2 years makes me feel veryclose to them. Keith is an outstanding coach who might be served better togo elsewhere. I hope not. We lost a great one when Bobby Huggins left; I'dsure hate to lose KD, too.As I said in my previous e-mail, I can live with the human error and Miami'swin. Good luck to them. The Zips played close with them in all of ourmeetings this year. But, I do ask that you look at your approach to lobbyingfor your member teams and helping them out with their scheduling in any wayyou can. It is unfair to ask our guys to constaantly travel. After all, theyare college students, not just athletes. Sincerely,

NICE !

sgm405,I'm an Akron/OSU fan as well, but this is one I will be sitting out. I wish the Buckeyes well. But, I won't be watching.I didn't watch the NFL for 3 years after they stole my team from Cleveland, and I absolutely will NOT WATCH THE NCAAs without my GREATEST Zips team in at least the NCAA-(mis)operated NIT.

Hey Steve,Welcome. As everyone else has said, you really brightened an otherwise gloomy day! Looking forward to seeing you in the Blue and Gold next season!I like the Fear the Roo on your website. Now, you just need to add the link to ZipsNation. What's up with the Latin?http://www.stephenswiech.com/Entrance.html

As always, you guys were great last night. You even had my Ohio State buddy shouting "K.e.n.t S.t.a.t.e sucks". He loved all of it.BTW...My OSU buddy loved the Zips, especially the great defense. He kept telling me the Zips absolutely deserve to go to the dance just for the GREAT defense they play. And, so you know, he wore dark blue (no OSU gear) and was high-fiving with Zippy at the Alumni reception.

Thanks BleacherBum..."...Akron True, Gold and Blue..." is the way I learned the song. But, I always hear the band sing it "...Akron U, Gold and Blue..." and thought I was completely wrong. I didn't realize that both are correct.

I saw another post on the board in one of the threads today about an article referring to the University of Akron as AU, so I thought I would bring this up (for those who are borthered by "AU" or "Akron U")...Our fight song refers to us as "Akron U""...Akron U, Gold and Blue, All for you, and the Zip(per)s too!"Given this, it seems unjustified to complain about being referred to as AU, Akron U, or Akron University. Although, I prefer UA myself and try to avoid AU.Akron Blue and Gold:We cheer the Akron Blue and Gold.We cheer as the colors unfold.We pledge anew, we're all for you,As the team goes crashing throughFight! Fight!We cheer The Akron Warriors bold,For a fight that's a sight to behold.So we stand up, and cheer and shout,for the Akron Blue and Gold.Ziiip! Zip go the Zippers!Ziiip! Zip go the Zippers!Akron U, Gold and Blue,All for you, and the Zippers too!

That is funny...our 2 posts (almost the same) 3 minutes apart.And, yes we do agree...

He referred to us as AU. Ah well, I guess any publicity is good publicity. Our fight song also refers to us as "Akron U""...Akron U, Gold and Blue, all for you, and the Zip(per)s too!"So, I don't think we can fault others too much for referring to us as "AU" or "Akron U"

WKYC actually did have footage from the Buffalo game last night and mentioned that the Zips would play Can't for the MAC East title on Sunday.

If the bracket information at this site is correct, looks like the Zips will be playing Thursday night (#2 at 7pm or #3 at 9pm).http://www.madduxsports.com/mid-american-c...tournament.html

Captian I have all the respect in the world for you I do and I know you are now starting to believe in the ROWDIES, I just want to point out a few things. EVERY road game I have gone to this season, (BG, OU, Niagra, EMU and now Duquesne) We have been louder then the whole building...EVEN at OU the 5 of us that were loud were being asked by the O ZONE why so quiet which means they could and did hear us through out the whole game. Same with toledo and the 50 who attended that game it took until we lost for their students to chant we cant hear you...I am headed to Buffalo Thursday I hear they are the best student section in the MAC I will judge them when I go. I do agree we can compete with the NO ZONE!!! GOOOO ZIPS!!! Speaking of the Niagara game...I remember "ROME E O, O E O" being the loudest thing that night! Gave me chills! I'm really looking forward to the experience at the Q.GO ZIPS!

http://www.thehogs.net/Draft/exclusives/index.php?id=866"Two small school linemen made an impression as well; Missourri Southern State's Allan Barbre and Akron's Andy Alleman. Barbre posted the absolute best 40-time of all offensive linemen (4.84), Alleman the second best (4.91). Both proved that they move well and will now likely draw considerably more attention and looks from some NFL teams."

AMEN! and my feelings have nothing to do with Charlie Frye. I haven't a clue from his play so far whether or not he can be an NFL QB, but the Browns (C-L-O-W-N-S, if they draft a QB), have all of these more pressing needs before they draft a QB.

I don't see how LeBron can be at a 7 pm Zips game in Akron and then play the Heat in Miami at 3:30 pm on Sunday afternoon. I'll be surprised if Mike Brown allows this given the Cavalier's recent struggles.

I agree with you blueandgold. Free throws are critical to defeating the top teams in the MAC Tourney.And, of course,

"Bubba must come up big for us to be victorious." - 71 Bobcat(While OU didn't win, he did help to turn a potential 32 point loss into a 31 point loss...I guess that's coming up big)sgm405 - That is one of the funniest things I've ever read! :-)

We haven't beat a quality team on the road since Oral Roberts about 2 months ago. We lost to Toledo last night in pretty much the same manner we lost to them in the MAC tourney last year. Playing hard is great, but we need to stop crapping our pants late in the game vs. Toledo. I was hoping last night's game was going to prove we've gotten over the hump. We're still trying to figure out how to jump the hump...Hey, it could have been worse. We could have lost to a crap NIU team at home, like OU did last night. I'm with you Captain. The Zips played hard, but I really wanted that "quality road win" we haven't had in some time...and evidence that the Zips can get in done at The Q.

I don't want to be down on this team any more than I think anyone posting here does. But, the fact is that the MAC Tournament cannot be won at the JAR. This very good team, that I love, has got to find a way to win big games away from JAR Arena.

Personally, I like the Kangaroo A Head logo that Akron has now. It looks much better than anything we had when I was at UA. And, "Fear the Roo" is awesome! Just wish the marketing dept was so inept (or non-existent) in using it.

This is the kind of game I fear in the Bracketbuster against Austin Peay. It's home, the Zips should crush them, but overconfidence can find a nasty way of spoiling things (painful example: 2006 Zips Football season).I'm not trying to be pessimistic...I believe the Zips will win, but KD needs to drive home the message to not become complacent. Do NOT take any team for granted!And, as always,

Sorry Skip-Zip. I didn't mean to give the impression that it was at an actual competition event. The pictures were taken in Auburn Science Center where they are working on the Challenge X car. The article was discussing UA's participation. I'd post the Ohio.com link here, but the pictures aren't included in the online version (Thank goodness!) I don't think the engineering students would wear anything other than plain street clothes, business attire, or UA stuff to an actual competition.But, your point is still valid...that I'm sure they knew the ABJ was coming to do this article. And it just doesn't look good to have an Ohio State shirt on while discussing UA's participation in Challenge X.Now I'll stop ranting...I just needed to vent to others who share my frustration.

I must admit, I don't remember that. Do you remember exactly when it was? With my Co-op jobs, i was at UA a semester, then out of state a semester...off and on.The thing that really irks me about those ABJ pictures is that I would love to show that article to colleagues of mine and tell them how great UA Engineering is. But, the first thing they'll do is say 'If it's so great, why the Ohio State shirt?"

Anyone else appalled by the 2 pictures on the front of today's ABJ Business Section (section D)? Nice article...bad choice of apparel! I may be making more of this than I should, but here is a copy of the e-mail that I sent to the Dean of the UA College of Engineering today:Dear Dr. Haritos,First of all, let me say that I wish the UA Challenge X Team success in its latest endeavor. However, in my opinion, the two pictures on the front page of today’s Business Section (Section D) of the Akron Beacon Journal are a slap in the face to the University of Akron. As an Engineering Alumnus, I respectfully request that the UA College of Engineering adopt a policy whereby engineering students competing for and representing the University of Akron not be allowed to wear clothing of other universities during media interviews. Although I am an Ohio State sports fan, it is unacceptable to me that a member of a UA competitive team, Challenge X in this case, be allowed to have his picture taken for publication of a UA-related news article wearing apparel of another university. You would never see newspaper pictures of Romeo Travis, Dru Joyce, or Nick Dials wearing another university’s uniform. The University of Akron College of Engineering is an outstanding institution as has been proven time and again by the numerous competitions won by UA engineering students/teams. FEAR THE ROO applies to more than just athletics! Obviously these students have chosen UA because of its outstanding engineering programs. They should be proud to promote and represent the university they attend and represent. Please remind your students that UA is what all of us choose to make of it and that they should be proud to represent it well. After all, their diplomas will say “University of Akron”, not “Ohio State”.