FromdaBurgh

Good Morning ZIP NATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have some good news---NO...HE HASN'T MADE HIS "OFFICIAL" DECISION "YET"....BUThe got his SAT scores back and HE DID WONDERFUL. Lets say that he has qualified to go to ANY college he wants too. I know that he was EXTREMELY nervous about his SAT scores and being able to be NCAA qualified. BUT FEAR NOT ROO NATION.....he has QUALIFIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Momma is sooooooooooooooo happy!!! Zeke will be playing in the Triple Threat AAU Tournament which is being held at the Hoop Magic Sports Academy. Here is a link to their website: http://www.hoopmagicsa.com/home.htm. Thank you for all of your support and love.Talk with you soon ZIP FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PEACE & LOVE

It is really, really wonderful to see so many WPA students coming to Akron. I think that is one thing that has Zeke looking so hard at Akron. Between having Sweich, McNees and next year Marvase Byrd all on campus..he will certainly have familiar faces around him and that can only make the transition from high school to college a little easier. We all LOVE the Akron campus. As a matter of fact, Zeke's first visit to the campus was with his AAU coach and teammate (I wasn't with him) and I remember when I went to pick him up--the smile that was on his face. Coach Boals told me that Zeke couldn't remember his name....so while they were touring the campus..he would constantly ask Zeke..."Zeke--what's my name?" Now its a personal joke between me, Coach Boals and Zeke... I will tell Zip Nation that Zeke and I had a very, very important and crucial conversation about this whole "recruiting" process last night and although I am not at liberty to reveal anymore...I believe that within the next several weeks Zeke will be making his college announcement. I asked him 1 very crucial questions:1) If he, Zeke, were not a highly recruited basketball player and just Zeke Marshall, future IT student....which college would he want to go to for the next 4-5 yrs?Did he answer that question?....MAYBE, maybe not----I am under a gag order and not allowed to say anything further....

I sat katy corner to Zeke Marshall and the two Zips signees that I recognized. I was with in ear shot of LeBron, whom I know. My observation being that Zeke wastreated to a steady stream of dignitarys through out the game. Zeke got to meet coach Faust, LeBron and Romeo as well as Alex Sullivan and Nik Cvetinovic.The best part from what I could tell was the Zeke was involved in watching the game and absorbing the attention. Standing next to Nik I would say that Zeke whilea good four inches taller does not out weight Nik. Nik is a true wide body.For my money, I think the chances of signing Zeke went up, maybe doubled, by being at last night's game. Would love to know his thoughts about playing against Cant.Remember, at this time we have only one scholarship available. Zeke is just a junior in high school. I have switched from wanting Reggie Keely to wanting Zeke.Gawd, I hate Cant.Actually, Zeke didn't meet LeBron or Romeo. We had met Coach Faust during one of Zeke's "unofficial" visits to the campus so we already knew him. However, it was nice to meet the 2 income recruits, especially the kid from Romania, I just loved him. I have NEVER, EVER seen someone sooooo EXCITED about coming to a school. He almost couldn't contain himself when he was talking about it. When we saw Mr. James, I - Zeke's mom- freaked out...I was like "OMG..there goes LeBron, look Zeke there goes LeBron" and MY WONDERFUL, LAID-BACK ALL SO COOL SON...politely told me: "Mom, he's just a basketball player---relax" Uuuggghhh :blink: He was soooo cool about it. I wish we could have met him. I wanted to get a pic with him and Zeke, but he left early...too bad...he missed a great comeback by the Zips!!! Hopefully we will get a chance to meet him this summer when Zeke comes to play in the King James Jamfest next month.

WE SAW THE UA vs FSU Game!!!!!!! Unfortunately, Zeke and my husband missed most of it because Zeke had AAU practice last night (he's getting ready for their first tournament the 28-30 in Chantilly, VA). HOWEVER, momma was on it from tip off until the clock hit 00:00.I almost had a heartattack a couple of times. I know this much...Zeke being that INSIDE presence would have certainly helped the Zips on the offensive boards..at least it would have given JWood a break. But none the less....Akron pulled it together and played like the MAC CHAMPS they truly are.I JUST LOVE IT........ Bring on UMASS!! I wish we could travel to see the game. Coach Boals told me that they will be playing this Saturday. I hope that they televise it again...I can't get ESPNU so I'm praying that it is on ESPNC again.

YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for all of your LOVE, SUPPORT, RESPECT and ACCOLADES. We are working on his weight...I PROMISE!! I've FINALLY gotten him to eat more potatoes and he LOVES my lasagna...(I'm no slouch in the kitchen). Zeke has a really high metabolism and I'm working with a nutritionist (alright..so I didn't use spellcheck ) to help him pack on those HEALTHY calories. We don't want him to be sooooo big that it slows him down on the court. Both myself and my husband are encouraging Zeke to really begin to focus on making some sort of decision soon. You would be surprised to know that Zeke actually HATES all of this attention (although he is getting much, much better in dealing with it). We are getting ready for his AAU season...AND as a matter of fact we will be in Solon, OH at the Solon Cage Classic April 11-13 and at the King James JamFest April 25-27. He plays with the Pittsburgh Storm...so come on out you ZIP FANS and show some love to the big guy. We would love to meet you all.HEY ZIPPY....just know that Rhema was sooooo excited after dancing with you...she made us use the pics as our computer's background. WE LOVE U ZIP NATION!!!!!!!!

Greetings 2 all u ZIP FANS: This is a note from Zeke's mom. I've been sitting here reading all of the comments that you all have made concerning Zeke's recruiting. Let me first of all tell you this....WE L-O-V-E AKRON and my daughter L-O-V-E-S ZIPPY!!!! This whole recruiting process has been quite overwhelming for all of us and I've noticed that many of you are wondering if Akron has any chance of getting Zeke...the answer is YES! He really likes the atmosphere, the players and the coaching staff.Have any other questions....feel free to ask. Some I'll answer and some I won't (don't be disappointed). Would love to have an open dialogue about Akron and our feelings (and his) concerning the school.Have a GREAT EVENING ZIP FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope to hear from you soon.