72 Roo

JohnnyZip, can't I romance the bowl with a feminine gender to add warm fuzzies to the story? In truth, it might be better like a coyote ugly date. Both are scary! Maybe you have had better luck than me, but sacrificing an arm was a serious consideration many years ago. See you tomorrow night buddy. I'll be the guy with one arm.As for my friend Can't State Sucks, we do have great fans and that plays a factor in where a guy coaches. But keep this in mind, many programs outdraw us. This year UC Santa Barbara has twice had crowds over 8,000 for example. UCONN has gone over 5,000. If you go to Soccer America and look up the top attended games you will see some figures that blow us away. That being said, we all know that Akron fans are so rabid that if we can get better facilities and amenities the crowds will grow. Best of all they will bring much more revenue to continue building the program (altho no NCAA soccer program broke even last year).Beat the Bulls!

Gotta agree with the Captain. Ken Lolla did not have the patience to see his work thru to fruition. He had a kneejerk reaction to getting screwed by the NCAA selection committee and listened to the glowing story Univ of Louisville AD Tom Jurich painted for his soccer program. Lolla got a better stadium and conference, that's all. The Zips matched everything else U of L was offering. Plus Akron offers a future stadium that will be one of the best in the country. Mac has told Caleb that there will be shovels in the ground right after the conclusion of next year's season to begin moving and building a better field. He hopes the stands will be coming the season after that. Ken has to have had second thoughts about his decision. His wife is from this area and has never lived anywhere else. Greater Louisville schools are lousy. Think of your kids in Cleveland city schools to understand their situation! Ugly thought.Our program can still get better, believe it or not. Caleb thinks that after having two #5 recruiting classes the past two years he will have the #1 class this year. Mac is actively exploring getting the soccer team as an affiliate of Conference USA to get us the hell out of the piss pour MAC. If that happens and the new stadium becomes a reality we will have established a dynasty that even the selection committee can't ignore.My biggest concern is that we lose Caleb to a school with deep, deep pockets. That's why Mac needs to keep Caleb happy. The new stadium and conference would do it I suspect. See you all at the Buffalo game. I hope we beat the hell out of them in night never to be forgotten. I love the bowl, but want ICS more. The bowl has been on life support and it has come time to let her go. I grew up in Ellet and remember my mom and dad letting me walk a couple miles to the bowl for games there. I know she looks like a tramp, but in my mind I will always remember her as a beauty.

Z.I.P.I'm only catching you if the Rowdies agree to help out. Offer them some Mai Tai's and I'm sure they will be on board. This team is a true top 5 team and they start 4 freshmen and 4 sophmores. Get 'em a new conference, like affiliation status with Conference USA, and a stadium and we will be in the top five every year.I've said it before "It's good to be a ZIP."

Thanks. Caleb is right on the mark. The Zips weren't at their best, the defense fell apart. But the Rowdies were the greatest. Truly a fantastic night to never forget.

I went to this game with my wife. It was a classic for the Zips. At the half we led 1-0. OSU didn't sit back, as in the past, and hunker down with their defense. They actually tried to attack. At times they were very good and gave us some concern. But our D was playing tight and very composed. Our forwards and midfield had yet to put together a penetrating attack, but they were taking what OSU gave. The start of the second half saw OSU come out as a different team. They seemed to be a step faster than us. Our D relaxed, got loose and left men unmarked. It was soon 2-1 OSU. We seemed to wake up and use our speed on the flanks and the great possession and penetration of Steve Zakuani. He drew two defenders everywhere he went. But, good Lord, did he rise above it. He has got to be the top runner for the Hermann Trophy (soccer's answer to the Heisman). His speed and footskills were better than many in the MLS. With pressure, speed and a great counterattack the Zips made up two more goals after conceding one more to OSU. Zips 4, OSU 3.It was a great atmosphere in spite of playing in one of the worst soccer stadiums in D-1. 2/3's of the crowd were Zip fans. I live in Columbus and the local OSU fans were impressed. The stars of the game were unquestionably the AK-Rowdies. They started strong, got a little quiet when we went down 2-1 and then rose to the occassion with support for the Zips that put OSU to shame. They took over the place. There were three busloads of them and an equal number of fans in cars. After the game it was shear joy to watch the reaction of the team to them as the Rowdies lined the fence and the players ran over to them in celebration. I even saw a few Lambeau Leaps from the players. Many OSU fans stopped exiting and watched in jealousy. There is a true love affair between this team and the fans. Caleb came over to the Rowdies and spoke to them but I couldn't hear what he said. A few idiot OSU fans decided to start cheering as everyone else quieted down to hear Caleb. Too bad they were drowned out by the Rowdies all game long. Can any of the Rowdies share what Caleb said? Whatever it was the Rowdies went nuts. I've heard and seen the Rowdies at many games. They are one of the best cheering sections in college sports. As their number grow I can see them taking over any playing venue. They can, and do, make the difference in some games outcomes. You Rowdies are the best. I can't wait to hear you in Infocision, our future soccer stadium and the JAR once again.

I talked to a gentleman this week who was the liason between the state university presidents and the Ohio legislature. He said Akron is free to build all the dorms they want if we can afford it. No new money would be coming from this biennial state education budget or those in the future. For those of you who go back a way you may recall that the satate board of regents capped the on campus housing for Akron because they never saw us as the residential university of NE Ohio. That went to K.E.N.T. That policy was later abandoned as the regents decided to let the market regulate housing. Ever since UA has been ramping up housing and Proenza has said before he leaves Akron will have a big residential student segment, at least 5,000. We will not have enough housing to meet demand for at least 10 years. But every year the situation will get better, just not as fast as most of us would like. The dorm growth is tied to the money we can get w/o hurting our bond rating. The university is doing a great job with what it has to work with. Give 'em time and you better believe Akron is emerging as one of the most attractive universities in the Midwest.On a personal note, I taught in the College of Business as part of their Professor For a Day program last week. I came away impressed with the students attending Akron. You guys are super. I'm looking forward to the energy you bring and the contributions you are making now.

MD,Great pickup on this article. Now all we have to do is get Kofi a gold polo shirt like the rest of the baclkine.This would be one hell of a time to be a Zip fan if the football team had a few more wins to go with the great success of the soccer team and the excitement over BBall.

I spoke to Caleb about the new stadium design. He said there will be a grassy hill, like now behind the east goal, but, like now, there will be no hill behind the west goal. There will be grass seating all along the sideline opposite the grandstand. The grandstand will replace the current bleacher type stands currently on the south touchline. When up the new stadium will be one of the finest in the country.The problem is funding. Caleb was told by Mac that the first phase would start no later than the end of next year's season. In that phase the field would be moved to accomodate the grandstand, water and irrigation would be installed, so would electric, sewer and drainage. actual construction of the 3,500 grandstand may be 3 years away.Let's hope the national ranking, phenominal success of this team and the chance to leap into the top 10 programs in the nation will spur some movers and shakers to find funding sooner. I'd hate to lose Caleb to a program with deeper pockets. Don't think it can't happen. Universities are coming after him as we speak (so to speak). Don't get me wrong, there remains many reasons for him to stay, I just want to give him more. Akron should be his home for years to come.

It is insane to keep going with a QB that can not meet the challenges of the game. CJ was a huge factor in the Cincinnati loss and repeats that again tonight. Is Rodgers so much worse that we must stay with CJ and hope he doesn't kill our chances? Maybe some of you who are closer to the practices can comment on how much ability Rodgers truly has. I thought he had a lot, but I don't see that being developed in any game situations. JD owes it to his team, the university, alumni and the fans to get better quarterbacking. If this is his answer for last season and now this one, I can't support him keeping his job. I'm tired of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Twice now this season. I thought I would be more upset about this, but I'm not. This outcome is what I've come to expect from this coaching staff. That, in itself, tells you how sad the situation is.

Lee, ZipAlum and any others,If you remember Schroeders you have instantly become my best friends. I remember going to Schroeders with friends and having a beer in the afternoon. I'd have one and call it a day. My friends did not see it the same way. My friends did not graduate. What a great place for the university. There was a story with everyone who walked thru the door. Not a place I would want my kids to frequent, but somehow I survived my stops there. This thread started about the transformation of the campus. It is nothing short of incredible. Yet I liked it when I went decades ago. The best part of the situation is that the growth will continue with more resident halls, the finishing of Coleman Commons this Spring, a new education building, a new international business building, a soccer stadium and a new arena all on the books in the next several years.If your son is serious about Akron, it will be a great place to be. You will be proud of your decision. Go Zips!

Thanks so much for that clip. It was great to relive those last few seconds. You made my day, what little there is left of it.We didn't play well, Didn't deserve to win. But we did and that's all that matters. Good Lord, it's great to once again reaffirm that On to beat BG.

Thank you. It's nice to get one right, even if it is so damn obvious. Winning cures all. As for K.S.U., I care about this rivalry more than any other in college football. I hope we leave the MAC and go to Conference USA or, in my dreams, the Big East. But K.e.n.t. will always suck and I will always relish beating them.

Great topic. I like your suggestion of a BC style jersey. Our numbers are too big for the field they are on. Especially in front. I'd also do away witht he slanted numbers and go with the style wore by the St. Louis Rams. On the pants I'd put a more dominant "A" and I'd leave the helmut alone. Not sure if i like it, so I'm giving it time to grow on me. Love the idea of gold tops instead of white.Get psyched. This is K.e.n.t. week! Enough said.

For what it's worth, I felt he attendance wasn't 10,000. People were spread out on both sides. I sat with a friend on the general admission side at the 50 yard line in row 40 and we didn't have anyone within 2 rows of us. Sadly, I felt UC brought as many fans on that side as we did. To me, attendance is an issue and will be this entire season. The fans don't know what they will get with this team. We've lost the magic of our Motor City Bowl run and the casual fan wants to be convinced before they spend their money. Even if Zip football is a great bargain. We need to start winning. Compounding this dilemma is the fact that the Rubber Bowl is decrepid. We need InfoCision desperately. It will bring out the fans for a while. But if we fail to win that will not be enough to keep 'em.This is K.E.N.T. week and the most profound thing I can say is

He's not. Move on. Questions about Bain in 2008 are as useful as one's regarding David Harvey.Barring a miracle, forget about Bain in 2008.I hear David Harvey and Bain are seeing the same foot specialist. Both are expected to play as soon as Red Cochrane can resurrect the Acme Zip game

I think we have two different animals here. The marketing dept for athletics couldn't find their collective asses with two hands. They are woefully unprofessional.The marketing for the university is much, much better and deserves respect for the promotion of the emerging giant in N.E. Ohio. They, like the rest of us, could improve. But when compared to the Athletic marketers, they are superstars.Am I work in sales and marketing. Trust me, I'm in sales .

Damn! I like that! Pretty well sums it up when you are dealing with writers who don't do their homework. We'll be OK.

What celebration? For those of us who couldn't attend, I'd appreciate hearing your description of what happened.Thanks and Go Zips! Working our way to the College Cup, Final Four of soccer.

The Cardinals were impressive on both sides of the ball. To me they are better tahn us on both sides also. We need a focused, healthy team to beat them. I think if we continue to play the 3-3-5 defense against them the odds of a Zip victory are slim and none. Their O line opened some nice holes and they have the backs to hurt you when given a little space.I feel more confident about beating Syracuse than I do BSU.

Most of your assumptions are all wrong. First, you assume we have a marketing dept that understands marketing, wrong! They do not understand their customers, the market, branding, messaging, value proposition etc. Second, putting kids pictures is completely consistent with our marketing dept ...... another admission that they continue to miss the customer. The customer is not kids or their parents. The customer is the person(s) who has a growing interest in the Zips, is curious, wants to see what all the noise is about, what's to see if the stadium will be a tangible expression of a better program or is just window dressing. Third, this customer wants D1 football in NE Ohio. Whenever Akron or Can't have a big game the crowds come. The people want us to succeed, but they are spohisticated enough to know they don't want their hopes dashed on false promises. They have to believe we can deliver.Kids have nothing to do with that. Warm fuzzy's don't sell tickets. A clear, articulated vison of the future does. Give them hope and they will come. Our marketing is pathetic.

Absolutely. I was walking around there during the game, trying to visualize how it would look based on that one drawing we have for it. It's going to be a major improvement. I only hope they keep the hill behind the goal. That hill is the best thing our current stadium has going for it.Kid, the hill is definitely in the plans. In fact there will be hill seating (on the grass) behind the east goal and along the entire sideline opposite the grandstand. When the weather is good, about 50% of the time, it will be a great place to get close to the action and bring crowd pressure to the opposition. It could be one of the coolest places in the country. With the hill seating it will easily seat 5,000.Man I can't wait to get it and Infocision up and running!

Kudos to the Lady Zip soccer team. They will take many teams by surprise, like the Pitt Panthers. There is talent on this team and their new coach, Chris Pfau, seems to be very capable of growing this program to the best in the MAC. I can't wait to watch a double header in the new soccer stadium with the ladies, followed by the men, crushing peolpe who come to our house.Way to go ladies. You're starting the season great!

It's not lost on me that you have joined this conspiracy to drive me nuts. It seems you, too, Z.I.P. have lost your caps. No Gordon Biersch for you. And you can damn well bet that the next time I'm in the isles I will not be buying!

Caleb Porter has sent out his soccer newsletter to alumni and friends. In it was this statement on the much needed soccer stadium:Stadium PlansFor those of you who have not heard, we are in the process of developing a new soccer only stadium here on campus. The plans call for a brand new playing surface with new lights and a state of the art grand stand. Off the field, new game day locker rooms, restrooms and concessions will all be added. You can view the initial stadium plans online at http://www.osborn-eng.com/sports_akron.html. Groundbreaking is expected following the fall of 2009. We are currently in the development process for what looks to be one of the top facilities in all of college soccer.This is exciting news. It is coming faster than I thought it would. Caleb must be making headway on lining up major donors to make it happen. I've seen the plans for the stadium and they are better than what the website shows. With this facility and a better conference (CUSA ? affiliated membership) we will win that national championship one day.Kudos to Caleb and Mac for moving this program to the top of the national pecking order. I can see weekends where we go to Infocision for a game and then see top ten competition at our new soccer stadium. The campus will be the place to be.

Dude, the QB situation is scary, but you've got to help us out by discovering the SHIFT key for capitals, the space bar and an occassional comma. They are not in short supply and it's OK to use them liberally. You sure you didn't go to K.E.N.T.? The one thing we all know on this board is that So come on pal, help us in reading your posts. I'll even buy you a Great Lakes Elliot Ness Ale, my favorite