infofan

Can I make a suggestion----- for both BG game and senior night with OU. Im sure some of our game day people, administraters, and even players/coaches occasionally look at these blogs. How about stealing another page from the Cavs............Just like we have rise up on zipvision. Im proposing that instead of just having the cheerleaders throw out tshirts we have the players themselves maybe take off tshirts and throw them out into the crowd. Maybe even run up to upper level( ok- walk....)and throw out some tshirts, hats, stuffed zippies, whatever.. Show off some of that Nikola enthusiasm!!!! Run over to rowdies and high five em all. The idea- to fire up the fans!!!!! Also--- what ever happened to those videos on the scoreboard---- the one with Zippy fighting off the other MAC mascots, and rock the house, and ( from Rudy)"No one- no one comes into our house and pushes us around!", and its raining 3's. How bout a little entertainment on the big video boards, instead of just cam shots and ads.

Many thanks to the UBathletics site and LCTV20 for providing the video. Great game to watch. Even better seeing Can't go down on the same night!! Were undefeated when we outrebound the opponent!!! (Can you say key to the game Joe Dunn??)The guys showed up tonight!!! Still troubling- TOOO many turnovers and only 12-18 from the line.. Things to work on...Still, who'd have thought back in November when we barely beat Walsh wed be in 1st place ahead of Can't tech at the end of Feb!!! Also- many thanks to the Rowdies who traveled to the game!!!! Coach Dambrot and the players appreciate it!Lets fill the place sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I also have to disagree with the comment that local HS coaches are telling players to avoid UA. Theyre happy as hell when a recriter walks in the door or calls on the phone- whether thats JD or Reno OR a coach from EMU, BG, Liberty, or wherever. Other than the CVCA kid who passed us up to go to BG this was a down year locally- just not very talented. Im sure you guys remember the talk 2 years ago that Larry Dawson from Akron North was getting Big East offers. Well, he walked on here and while hes probably a great kid hes not on depth chart. My take on it is when youre 17/18 yrs old and impressionable, you probably want to get away from home. And maybe youve always dreamed of the greaat Ohio state and you want to play there or in big 10. You cant change a kids mind, right or wrong. Dont discount maybe the BIGGEST factor in attendance. Are 3 of our games on weeknights in November? And is it raining?? We cant control these things but if the schedule gods are kind to us, meaning all saturday games and weather is dry an avg of 20k+ is more than possible. Well only get one chance for a first impression in the INFO. Make it good and people will come back.

A few points to clarify.... My guess is Mack will not get the RU job. Sounds like Rutgers's grad Pernetti is the favorite. But no disputing that once your name is out there expressing interest in moving on theres no turning back. This is confirmed by Mack's not returning phone calls.As for Mike Waddell, I liked the guy and wish hed be a short list applicant but he told a mutual friend today hell NEVER be back. He did not get that Missouri job. Hes still at UC. And while he has good feelings about the area and UA he believes that under Mack Rhodes the situation has collapsed. No foundation, no fan development. All the momentum we had at Motor city bowl was lost. When Pruenza leaves ( within 3 or 4 yrs)the "shirts" may hit the fan budget wise. Thats why Mack is leaving. I dont know if I agree- I think Mack has done a good job. (Not great) Stadium was already a development in progress and JD and KD already here. Have we grown as a program while Mack has been here??

Dont forget to quote coach Martin. " We outworked Akron in finding new coaches and deserved to have Harris and Montgomery!! Were the better team!!!

Teams have tried it all season and in their WPIAL Class AAAA first-round game against McKeesport Area, North Allegheny was no different. Forwards Jeff Haus and Stephane Batton brutalized McKeesport center Zeke Marshall all day Saturday at Fox Chapel - double teaming, holding, trash talking and even striking the 7-footer in the crotch on an inbounds play late in the game.Marshall and the Tigers took the abuse in stride and emerged with a 52-38 dismantling of North Allegheny."Every game we play is a hard-fought game," McKeesport junior guard Ty-Meer Brown said. "We're a physical team as well. So any team that wants to play physical we can do that, any game. Zeke played an amazing game. Like Coach (Corey Gadson) said, big players step up in big games. That's what he did today."Brown and Marshall paced McKeesport (14-9) with 16 points each, while guard Sam Gooden scored eight.Marshall made the difference against North Allegheny (14-9). Guard Nick Dvorsky scored 13 points in defeat, but Haus and Batton combined for just 17 points."This is the first time he just really came out and just said, you know, 'I am going to go out and make the game,'" Gadson said. "That's what he did. He dominated inside and they really had no answer for him. I've seen him (do that) in other games, but today with so much at stake was impressive."Sixth-seeded McKeesport advances to face No. 3 Mt. Lebanon, a 60-45 winner over Kiski Area, this weekend. The Blue Devils (19-4) shared the Section 4-AAAA title with Peters Township

I like it. Everything I read says he was an excellent OC, if not a good HC. But being fired he had a guaranteed salary coming in. We must have made a substantial financial offer to him and that also supports a strong committment to this program. Other than Can't tech I think most Zip fans hate Miami more than anyone. That being said I believe academically it is a step above most MAC schools and that makes the job there a bit more challenging than here ( can U say Notre Dame). Lets see if any players follow him to UA, as happens with most coaches. Lets welcome him on weds night with a victory in front of his redsweatered cronies at the JAR.

Terrible announcers- ( Centinovitch, Dambro). Nice to see it, but the small screen reminds me of watching Zips vs Northwestern in soccer. Lets hope it ends better!

My understanding is Alex Allen of the football zips has received a 6th yr due to medical redshirt so it is possible. But it does lock up what would have been an available scholarship in 2012/2013.

I understand Dwight Smith has been released by the lowly Detroit Lions. If he cant stick around for his hometown team hes probably finished. But he had a great several years in NFL! For Minn, New O, and especially Tampa Bay. Where I still think he deserved MVP in their Super Bowl game- 2 int's for TD. And we all remember his time here. Wouldnt it be great if more of these guys ( like Alleman, Frye) would actually come back for a game now and then??

I agree- no return game in Youngsburgh, unless they pay us 200k in a 3 for 1 deal.As a fan I would enjoy the easy commute to Ytown for a road game. But in this economy dont discount the fact that Akron would be a cheap transport for YSU. Their AD may not WANT to play us but faced with a budget it may be better to taken a small guarentee from Mack Rhodes to play here than travel to Eastern Illinois or Ga Southern for nothing.

It is not etched in stone, but SDSU was the odds-on favorite as of late last week.Contracts probably the holdup for that game, but word came from Coach Ferri so its very credible. Just wondered- whats everyone elses opinion on playing YSU?? Yes theyre 1AA but they would bring fans, name recognition, and we do have a history with them. Lets not forget we payed a reported $300,000.00 tp bring in N TX a couple years ago to fill the schedule, and they brought maybe 6 fans with them and "0" local interest. Sorry to hear about the loss of the Steiner family ( our newest local recruit)

Glad to see you guys are able to listen to game but why not be there?? What happened to our 1000+strong AKRowdys ? The ones there are great but I doubt if more than 80 - 100 are showing up. The Zips are playing their butts off and deserve more than 2500 fans!!!

ZEKE UPDATEThe McKeesport Area boys basketball team looked every part of a section champion through four minutes against rival Gateway. The Tigers raced out to a 9-2 lead on the strength of two Parris Perdue 3-pointers and five blocks by center Zeke Marshall to send Friday's large Neenie Campbell Gymnasium senior night crowd into a raucous uproar.Advertisement Then something happened.Just before the end of the first quarter, Marshall picked up his second foul and McKeesport coach Corey Gadson took his star center out of the game.When Marshall returned after sitting out the first five minutes of the second quarter, he quickly picked up his third foul and just as fast found himself back on the bench.While the 7-foot University of Akron recruit could only sit and watch, the Gators systematically ran their offense. Freshman Barnett Harris came off the bench to pour in a game-high 19 points for Gateway, while sophomore Devon Cottrell pounded his way to a 12-point showing and junior Craig Banks scored 15.In the end, the Gators survived a late Tigers comeback to steal a 52-47 win and ruin McKeesport's chances for an outright Section 2-AAAA title.

To add a couple questions for the show....KD What are prospects of a scolarship for Darryl Roberts.KD Your thoughts of upcoming bracketbuster opponent Valpo.KD would you like to have the EMU convocation center moved down here to Akron??Go Zips. Keep the win streak going!

Great meeting those of you in attendance last night. Kind of gives you an "insider" feeling when a member of the coaching staff actually takes the time to come. Thanks to Capt for putting it together and to Reno for coming and in my opinion enjoying himself. I believe with more advanced planning and knowledge of an actual coaches presence next years gathering can be even greater. How bout putting it in one of the VIP rooms in the press tower overlooking the INFO?

In this case, it might be favorable for Akron to face a better team than JMU -- one who like Nevada two years ago would lead to their coming to Akron in the fall of 09, in a 'trap' they may not be aware is awaiting them. IOW -- we might be better off playing a team we have little chance of beating THIS year, in exchange for an opportunity to beat someone nationally ranked or 'name' in the NEXT year (of course to acquire such a foe we need more 'W's for the ESPN selectors). I don't know who that might be though. Any ideas?Bracketbuster games are to be selected on Monday, Feb 2nd. My educated guess is that well be sent to either Drexel or Old Dominion. While JMU is a possibility espn usually does not pit schools against each other when they have a history. We played a home and home with JMU in around 2003,2004 ( or so). Another possibility is Milwaukee from horizon league. Our RPIs are similar 110 vs 122. All things considered weve gotten treated pretty well by espn in bracketbuster selections in past. Certainly better thanCant St going to Mt St Mary Calif, or Cleve state going to Pepperdine.

I think Nicely is safe here. Scout.com has him as a firm committ and his reason for UA was a chance to play early. No such luck at Buckeye tech. But Nicely had committed to BG originally so who knows till he signs, especially with our offensive staff deserting us.

I'd be content to see a 15 or 16 seed Zips team have an opportunity to play a team like Pitt in the first round, and perhaps have a chance to put together a whole game like the 2nd half the Zips already played against Pitt this season. A strong showing against a high seed in the first round is a good way to start earning national respect.True Dave, a shot at Pitt or OSU might be nice but more likely wed be sent packing to Spokane or Tuscon against w #1 or #2 from out there. No chance for the average fan to follow the team or have a good shot to advance. The NIT, or other post game tournements arent perfect but lets not dismiss the thought till after March 14th

You are extremely confused Racer. Football bowls pay the teams to play, they don't charge them to participate. The CIT is a joke.That bowls pay their teams is somewhat of a fallacy. Sure the upper echelon are paid but the majority do not. I got this straight from Steve French. Bowls like the Motor city bowl gave Fla Atlantic and CMU $0 in cash. What they do give them for the reported $750000 is approx 17000+ $45 dollar tickets as their allottments. Whatever the schools sell is what they make. Florida Atlantic sold in the neighborhood of 200 tickets, and then spent upwards of $200,000 to charter flights, book hotels, throw parties, etc. Im sure Cmu did better than that but still made no money. Its simply exposure you get and that may be worth the expense! Remember- those bowls are like 3 /4 hour commercials on natl sports channels. I for one agree Id rather be playing in something/anything in the post season, with a legitimate chance to win and advance. Rather than the season ending on a lucky 3 pointer by Penno!!!!! Lets be realistic, As great as NCAA tournement is its like a 1 and done if youre a 15 or 16 seed!

I agree- nice work on tv- announcers, replay, graphics, etc. Horizon league streams all mens games on line. They could teach MAC a few things as far as exposure and marketing go. Like a natl game on tv every friday prime time instead of who knows when at noon for mac. crowd was 2600- pretty sad for 1$ admission. YSU only 5 assists for whole game. Pens 12 of 24 at line. Having seen them play Cleveland U last friday ( a good team) I appreciate our defensive effort tonight.

In my opinion poorly officiated game which took Brett out of it. That being said, great effort by Zips tonight. Especially Linhart, Chris , Nick, and Steve Mac. 10 guys played over 10 minutes which keeps them rested. Great to see all the UA fans and rowdies make the trip. Unless we see them in a bracketbuster game YSU will never schedule Akron again. Which is a shame but who can blame them. Im an 86 grad and remember when they were a huge rival in OVC days. Bring on Rockets. Go Zips!!!

YSU somewhat impressive tonight! Defeat Cleveland U 64-60 before 6200. Could be very formidable foe for Zips. YSU athletics will have live free video streaming Of Zips/Pens game for those interested. But first things first, flush the flushes! GO ZIPS!