72 Roo

I've seen the plans for the new soccer stadium and they are far better that what is shown online. The concept of grass seating behind one goal, as exists now, will continue. I hope that keeps the Goal Patrol happy. The enthusiasm for Zip soccer is continuing to build, but we have to be be realistic when it comes to funding a stadium. The new stadium with design, site prep, relocation, construction, utilities, drainage and playing surface will cost $12 million. No amount of top 5 recruiting classes can produce enough pressure to get the athletic dept to spend that kind of money. Caleb believes it may have to be done in phases which is scarey. They are never done as projected and costs usually cut down the scope of the project.What we need is to have a major donor underwrite the project. Then things will happen quickly. As said in earlier posts, the tennis courts will go, Carroll and Memorial Halls will be torn down to be replaced by one building. The outdoor living room, which the stadium will abutt, will become the south entrance to Buchtel Hall. Those projects have funding. The stadium does not. Caleb is forced to become his own fund raiser, which he is actively doing. Once built, though, the stadium will have a magnificent setting that will be a source of pride to every Zip and member of the nation.We can't expect Caleb to continue to pull in top 5 recruiting classes w/o a better facility. You better believe that all the other schools that want these top kids will hammer us for our facility and our conference. We must leave the MAC for an associate membership in a better conference for soccer. The Big East would be fabulous, but they won't touch us as long as Central Florida wants in for football and all sports. Money talks the loudest and football is want drives most all conference full membership. They won't take us as an associate, got too many members now.For now the best we can do is show up for the games, create an exciting atmosphere for the public and a menacing one for our opponents. If we stay on top and continue moving deeper in the playoffs, Mac and Caleb will find a way to continue our growth. And Yes, Virginia, I do believe we will win a national championship!

If Jacq returns at QB they sure as hell won't score any points. Don't buy the B.S. that he is making great strides. Once he is up against a 1st team MAC defense he will implode like last year. Pray that Rodgers is ready. This Spring and next Fall our greatest improvement, bar none, must be at QB. Last year we had the worst in D1 football. Optimistically, we only have one direction to go. If we can solve that issue and find WR's and DB's we could make some noise in the MAC.

Capt'n,I couldn't agree more. Wins and win ones that count and we will secure a following. Potential Akron ticket-buyers are savvy people. They know when you are playing good basketball and when you are not. They want to back a winner that wins when they need to. Not 100% but more than 50%. In short, they want to believe. Our base isn't here yet.It reminds me of the supposed good ole days when Jin Dennison coached. There is still a faction that believed he won all the time. Which he did not. In fact, if you checked his record he was consistently beat in the big games against the top 50% of the OVC standings. Coaches like Roy Kidd (EKU) Jim Fiex (sp?) (WKU, Frank Beamer (Murray State) and Boots Donnelley (MTSU) gave him a losing record against the conference best.Measuring success against wins, doesn't tell the whole story. You gotta win when it's important. Our record in those situations is spotty at best.The only thing that is consistent is , but I still respect 'em.

Take it for what it's worth. I've seen too much alibiing on this site when it comes to our fan support. District and the other VCU posters are right, attendance was poor. It was poor because we expect more of ourselves that 4100 for a nationally televised game against a quality opponent. Over the last five years only K.e.n.t. has had a better record. Our record a home is nationally recognized and feared. Still, late in the season, when we are in the thick of an exciting end of season run we only draw 4100. That projects poorly as VCU fans have stated. The lower bowl looked half filled. Apparently the blue hairs were still home taking their mid morning nap or Metamusal. Even if sports marketing at Akron sucks, which it unquestionably does, we should have the passion for this team that fills a small arena.The MAC is not the conference I want to be in, but we can never be considered for a better conference if we can not bring a rabid following that fills up our gym and away gyms. That creates excitement and opponents will welcome our competition. It starts with us, the fans, and builds from there.Let's stop being happy with mediocrity and set the bar higher.

No matter what a defensive scheme does, if it can't put pressure on the QB you are doomed to lose. Even in the MAC, which is becoming mediocre at best, opposing QB's will eat you up. Remember what Temple did to us last year when we sat on a 21-3 lead with about 10 minutes left ... we lost. If JD stays wit the 3-3-5 we will be no better than .500 and Jd will be out a job.

I think the graphic from the ACC supporting Virginia Tech summed it up best. To paraphrase: Today we are all Huskies! ... Damn right.I feel horrible for NIU, its students, parents, faculty and staff. You are all in my prayers.

Like many of you I don't like what I see of this team. Sure we have major problems with depth as Bardo, Quade, Conyers, Goddard and McNees are showing they are in way over their heads. As far as I'm concerned they should be cut loose and use their scholies on other projects that may produce. But I urge caution as we let our frustrations spill over to K.D. He is still great for this program. We will coach occassionally in a way that will cause us all to question his sanity, but in the long run he is the best answer for this program.Let's face it, tonight we got out-played, out-coached and out-everythinged. This year will set us back to the rest of the mediocre MAC pack. Too bad. They streak was great but our fans are fickle and they never really supported this team the way they deserved when they weren't stinking up the place.

Caleb also has more people coming. He has a verbal from a player who is ranked the best in the country at his position.We are in a very strong position. If we can get soccer in another conference as an affiliate and solve the funding problem for the new stadium, we will challenge to win a national championship. The conference issue is being worked on. The coaching staff is confident it will become a reality and we will get out of the MAC, which is holding soccer back. Unfortunately, the stadium can't move forward w/o private funding. If anyone has $12,000,000 laying around Caleb will show you plans for the new stadium that will knock your socks off. A less exciting alternative will be to build it in stages. The good news is the program has the OK to build it if funding steps forward.

USAir1493,Hang in there and keep the shoutouts coming. You are one of us and that's agreat place to be. I was a five year man and ended up loving every year. By the time you leave this campus will have a new football stadium, three new dorms, a new soccer stadium, the 4.6 acre outdoor living room (park and gardens) will be built, Carroll and Memorial Halls will be replaced by a beautiful academic buiding, we will be the envy of the MAC, University Village (condos) will be started and you will be burstin' at the seams to be a Zip! A lot of people have left you a good situation and you will pay them back by leaving a great situation for some new athlete. By then you too will be passing on to others that

UAKid,I believe you are right. The MAC is not a viable conference for Akron to grow its reputation. 20 years ago it was a solid place to be. But with idiotic scheduling and the expansion of D-1 football, the MAC is now watered down and not deserving of any respect. Unfortunately for us, it is the best we can do and we are certainly not helping the MAC to grow its reputation. In spite of that we needto focus on what we need, which is a better conference. Personally, I do not feel Conference USA is the answer. To me our only hope is a long shot at the Bid East when they expand ( and after thay take Central Florida first) or a new conference that none of us can foresee for now.Either way, the Zips have to get out of the MAC if they want to reach their full potential as a total athletic program.

To my understanding the budgeting for the new soccer stadium is not yet complete. Another equally challenging issue is that the footprint for the soccer stadium calls for it to be moved 50+ feet closer to the student center. One side of the stadium, the side w/o stands, will abutt up against the new outdoor living room. If you haven't seen it, you really owe it to yourself to look up the plans. The outdoor living room will be 4.6 acres of gorgeous scenery. It will feature trees, a fountain, waterfalls, an amphitheater, bricked in walkways, benches, and beautiful lanscaping with unique designs. Once Carroll and Memorial Halls are removed, to be replaced by one building, the outdoor living room will make a wonderful pedestrian entry to the south of Buchtel Hall and the heart of campus.While I don't think we will see the new stadium until 2010, it will be worth the wait. Then we must begin to fill its 4,000-5,000 seats. Caleb will give us a great team to cheer on there. Even then, one thing will be constant

I was surprised at the attendence. This is typical Akron though. Our students, alumni and public don't appreciate the quality of the program KD is building. You have got to be a saint to coach at UA. Thank God we still have several good coaches. Hats off to KD and Caleb Porter as they begin and close their seasons respectively.

I hate to see this stuff happening when athlete's make stupid decisions, even Can't's. Don't get me wrong, I can't stand K.E.N.T. Let's not take too much pleasure in thier misery. Over the last three years I think our record with the law is just as bad or worse.Still

Nice win Zips! The best team won. The crowd was so-so but the Rowdies were magnificent! Congratulations to everyone of them. I drove up from Columbus with three other soccer coaches. These guys liked the Rowdies so much we stood behind them for most ofthe game. they loved the Rpwdies comments. And one coach was a former New Mexico player.The field looked great for the wear and tear it suffered today with four games. Butthe lighting is substandard. There were at least three spots on the field that were darker than others because the lights weren't positioned properly. The seating still sucks. I know we have a new stadium on the way in 2010 but for God's sake buy some more bleacher sections! That would provide more seating on the end of the pressbox side and either side of the teams covers. No wonder people hesitate to come in bigger numbers and no wonder our argue at playoff time to have more home games falls on deaf ears. When the stadium is built position the bleachers at the track. that would help coach Mitchell have bigger, featured meets and also draw more high school districts and regionals. Our track is one of the best in Ohio despite poor seating.Not having a decent facility for this premier team is like a My rant is over, so now I can breath. Great job Caleb!

I'm not a member of the Rowdies, but will be coming up to Akron from Columbus with four soccer coaches, one played at New Mexico and even he predicts Akron will win. BTW New Mexico is ranked #18 in the country while Akron is not in the top 25. I look for the Zips to have a great game as New Mexico is the real deal. I think Caleb has done a good job in rebuilding the team. They will be ready to win.I've told all the guys I'm bringing to be ready to be amazed at the campus, indoor practice facility and the great atmosphere at Jackson Field for big games.Let's Make a lot of noise. I know I will. Forget about be a coach, I'm coming as an avid fan.

Thanks Rifle. I found some interesting stuff on this site. The more I hear about my alma mater the more I am impressed with its leadership. Despite our occassional athletic setback, we are the place to be now and in the future.Go Zips Forever

Zipboy,The stadium project is well on its way. New leadership will not affect it one way or the other. For more thoughts see my post under last 10 posts.

Zipboy,The stadium project is going to get done. Some of the holdups are not Mac's fault. But he does lack a lot when it comes to communicating with the public and alumni. He has not done a very good job in setting expectations and then delivering on them. Instead, he feels the best strategy is to communicate the absolute least he can so as not to be held accountable for any delays. It is the exact opposite of building excitement and marshalling public opinion on your side to later work thru any obstacles that arise. But this is no new revelation to any of us on this board. He is not the worst AD we could have. In my opinion, though, he is not competent to lead us to where we need to be. That is, the top of the MAC and in position to be attractive to the Big East (or any similar conference) when they expand. In that I believe he has failed and will continue to do so.Keep the faith. Go Zips.

I agree with FMR. Mack is hard to work for and is generally considered by those in the athletic dept as a guy who wants no feedback or dialogue whenever a decision is to be made. He is an autocrat, who wants his way or you are not on his team. Hence, the marketing dept, that has been solely his hiring decisions, is the poorest in the MAC. The development area is also poor. Mack ran off Gary Bogue to the Law School by creating an atmosphere of tension and exclusion. Mack is in it for Mack. He doesn't get what it means to the regular guy/girl who has grown up loving the Zips. We all have seen how he is incapable of connecting with the Zip constituency because that would mean getting to know them, being accountable and sharing a vision. There is tremendous frustration amongst the coaches and it has only been growing. This situation will get worse before it gets better. The only encouragement I can offer is that I talked to a senior VP who is aware of the situation. He comments that Proenza is reluctant to make any move because he doesn't see Mack as hopeless.I don't share that opinion.

Captain and All,Gary Bogue is a total class act. He could not stand working in the atmosphere Mac created. Uniformly, the guys Mac has brought in have not been equal to the ones they are replacing. There has not been a spirit of cooperation or respect within the athletic dept. It starts with Mac. He doesn't solicit advice or opinions. He has his own ideas and he ideologically inflexible. There is no espirit-de-corps in athletics administration and that spills over in how they treat a Zip public that seeks to help and feel involved.Guys like Gary, who thrive when working toward a common vision, have been pushed aside by attitudes of exclusion, arrogance and insecurity. The common Zip fan is not seen as a constituency that should be served. rather they are seen as a means to an ends. Therefore, they are ultimately seen as something to be used but not appreciated.Mac seems to have a strength in picking and taking care of coaches. He deserves credit for that. Unfortunately he seems exceedingly short on energizing the inate talent/passion on his staff and in the Zip followers. If there is good news it is that Gary, and some others, would consider coming back to athletics with different leadership. A VP at UA told me that senior administration is aware of the low morale. There is no promise to correct it but they are closely watching the situation.Personally, I think there is better athletic leadership out there than Mac. Most of the positives I see with the athletic program have been started by Bobinski or Thomas.

Ex,It becomes big only if we beat K.S.U. in the MAC tourney. Anything less and we are back to square one.BTW, does anyone share my concern that in the last two minutes the Zips, and especially Dials, let the ball fly with only 10 seconds of the possession clock gone and no rebounders in sight? I feel Dials make poor decisions under pressure, even tho' he got the ball to Woods for the winning layup.How about Romeo letting fly a 3 pointer when we should have been holding the ball?

Timmy,Loved listening to the music on Dan McCarthy's highlights. They both would look good in a Zip uniform. I'm glad we are shooting forthe elite players.Thanks Pal Oh, by the way, did I mention

I like the rivalry with OU. It's good for both schools and the MAC. Bhugh and OZoner make a few good points and they deserve credit for making 'em. They are right, we haven't won anything yet. We need to stay focused and set the bar very high. I hope they realize we aren't satisfied with beating them, although it feels so good. We want the MAC championship and a trip to the big dance. If someone is going to talk smack to us, which I don't feel these two guys did, that's OK. It happens on this board and others.We are building our program. There are not many teams in the MAC that can say that. Our attendance is increasing, we will have another 20+ wins season, recruiting is at the top of the MAC, we have a great coach signed for a long time who wants to be here, and one day marketing will wake up and start doing its job. But until we win the MAC and get to the NCAA's some of our rival posters are right ... we haven't done enough yet. I still like the OU campus.

Z.I.P.,Quietly the soccer program is working on a new stadium also. It would be moved to run north -south rather than east -west as it currently does. If you can imagine, it would run across the current field toward the student center. That would give more room on either side for seating and, hopefully, some amenities for the team such as locker rooms, storage, referee rooms, etc. It would seat between 3500 - 5000. Caleb has shown what everyone thought, the dude can recruit. Now if he can grow as a coach and get a new facility, we truly are a threat to be #1 in the country. Ultimately, though, if we want to sustain being #1 we have got to get out of the MAC. That was what drove Lolla away and that remains a fact of life. My dream is that football and basketball can continue grow so that when the Big East inevitably kicks out the non-football schools they will look to add 2-3 others. I see Central Florida as the first in with a possibility for Akron, Toledo or Marshall for the reamining slots.My sister lives at Hickam AFB. Let's have a brew when I next get out there.Mihalo

Thanks Maggiemoo for the link to the game. It must have been great to be there forthe 1,500 who showed up. I love the win, but a win and a sellout would have been sweet. Oh well, no one can control the weather, except the Big Guy. Come to think of it, isn't He a Zip fan? No doubt!