Zip_ME87

For anyone who grew up in Ohio, it is not ridiculous to be a Buckeye fan. I was a Buckeye fan long before I attended the University of Akron. Now that I am a UA Alumnus, UA is #1. But, being a Zips fan does not mean that I cannot be a Buckeye fan. As has been pointed out many times, the Zips and Buckeyes are not in the same conference and do not compete head-to-head often. When they do, I definitely want the Zips to win.I am an OHIOAN...a BUCKEYE. Why should I be happy that Florida beat Ohio State?

SGM, i agree. That was the point of my post...that the NCAA and NIT FEAR THE ROO, so we were not invited. Let's move on and be positive about next season!

BTW...Since the NCAA runs both the NCAA and NIT now, I meant the NCAA as a whole (either tourney).But, CK's response was what I was really expecting.Thanks.

I think you shoudn't quit your day job. I agree. Thanks Captain!

Maybe I shouldn't bring this up again because a number of people wanted to drop it, but it is possible to make something positive out of the T-shirt idea. How about something like:26 and 7 overall13 and 1 at homeNo NCAA invitation…FEAR THE ROO!

Very well thought out and said Zip Watcher. This is the kind of e-mail that I hope Coach Dambrot, staff, and team are receiving.I sent a supportive/positive e-mail 2 days ago, but it dwarfs in comparison to the sentiments you have stated here.

I'm with you. Go Redhawks! I read mostly supportive posts on their board as well and all of my colleagues who graduated from other MAC schools including Miami (and K.e.n.t) have been sympathetic and supportive.

Certainly can't count on the MAC to promote it. They can't properly promote a basketball tournament in an arena that's connected via walkway to the building where their offices are located. How could they possibly promote a football game in a stadium that's a number of blocks down the street?

I want to dot the "i" in NIT!! Thanks Zips Watcher and thanks Captain. I needed that!

I know it is a lower division but walsh university in N.Canton has a pretty good football team (a couple of former akron players who got shafted by akron now play here) an they are playin some of the toughest teams in their division. you can check them out if your serious. If you really want to do that, go past the Rubber Bowl out 224 and then drop south to Alliance. I believe they have a decent team there...a number of D-III Championships as I recall.Talk about a team that gets no respect in NE Ohio. Do you ever hear about Mount Union until the Stagg Bowl?Actually, how much do you hear about the Stagg Bowl?

I want to win too. But, I believe the Zips chances in Cleveland are every bit as good as at the Rubber Bowl. How many times have we said that the Rubber Bowl in its current rundown state is despressing. A game in NE Ohio, in a new stadium, an NFL stadium --- a place all of our players would love to eventually be --- should not be a disadvantage and it won't be if JD sells it properly.I'm sorry, but I'm not going to look at this as a problem. I see it as an opportunity to draw more fans if our new marketing firm is worth anything.

Good thinking zipsbandman!

Come on Zips fans...I know Cleveland is quite a distance from Akron, but the stadium is NOT run down. it's an Akron home game our players could really be pumped to play in an NFL stadium the ROO ZOO takes over the Dawg Pound It could be fun.

Yikes, what a scenario!

Shocker. He's usually one of the most critical members of the media? Yes, I was surprised too.Terry even defended KD for sticking up for his players when Les mentioned the foul shots. (And, Les didn't bring it up in a demoralizing way. His tone was sympathetic.)Maybe the ABJ and other NE Ohio media outlets will realize that they are partially responsible for the snub. If they gave us better coverage throughout the year, perhaps we would be more noticeable come post season.

Did anyone catch all of "More Sports - Les Levine" on Time Warner tonight (Tuesday, March 13th)? I caught the last 10 minutes of the replay at 11 pm. Terry Pluto had some nice things to say about KD...Something like, One thing about Keith Dambrot, they will always be good. Some years they will be good, other years, they will be great.Terry also mentioned the Zips' brutal schedule at the end of the season and that not even the NBA makes its teams play 3 (or 4) in a row like the Tournament.Finally, he mentioned K.e.n.t's 9 straight years of 20+ wins and history in the NCAA and NIT, and not even mentioned for the NIT (another mid-major/MAC problem)If anyone did catch the show at 6pm (or full replay at 11 pm), I'd like to know what else was said before I tuned in and if there were any callers discussing the Zips.

I apologize for starting this thread. I was doing multiple things at once and mixed them up. But, since I started this thread, this is what the ABJ posted already for tomorrow...http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/16897295.htmLeBron was out, but traveled to Memphis tonight.

Thank you Timmy. That makes sense.

Nevermind, I shouldn't have posted that. Yes the Cavs won.

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.