infofan

I believe renovation is going to happen before new construction, but even at that there are limitations. Those 4 big load bearing posts in the corners limit us from having a bowl-surround seating configuration. But i think if the track were removed and seating were run from floor to wallson both sides and in endzones , with concourses behind you could improve sightlines and have from 5200 - 6000 seats. Thats plenty for our fan base. Gonzaga built a new place 3 years ago that only holds about 6000. The big problems here are cost and timeline. It might be in excess of 10million to redo the JAR, and were spread pretty thin right now. ( hasnt baseball been promised some facilities?). Time wise, they redid Rose Arena at CMU in the off season and had it ready for this past basketball season. Likewise, at UT they re did savage arena in off season. If thats not doable they could probably set up portable seating at the Knight center for 4000 or so. Or could they do anything seating wise in the fieldhouse?? I think something else that is needed in any renovation/facility enhancement is a practice court. None of this is likely in immediate future but I wish the powers that be ( tom W, Dr P) would make some comment about facilities.

I have to ask this question............ Dont read too much into it. But an observation at the end of the Notre dame game made me curious. I saw CJ Oldham and Josh Egner get in game at the end ( and I salute the staff for giving them a brief taste of the experience). The official boxscore also says that Kyle Peterson got in the game, though I didnt see him in. No offense to those guys but why didnt Dakotah get in the game before any walk ons did? We know that we have six guys coming in and only 5 leaving so far so either Nick or someone else has to do a "Swiech" and transfer out. It just seemed curious that Euton didnt see the floor...........

While we didnt have the outcome that we all wanted today at the United Center, I was glad to see Steve and Brett come out to applause and let Josh and CJ get a brief taste of the dance! (I also thought Josh got fouled at the end). Just wondering though- Why did CJ, Josh, and Kyle Peterson ( according to box score- tho I didnt see him get in)get in the game but not Dakotah Euton. No offense to CJ and Kyle but why would you NOT play a scholarship player before playing the walk ons?? Or is Dakotah hurt?

I too heard the discussion, right before the Lady Zips game. They werent exactly "ripping apart" the fanbase. But they were calling it like it was- Flat out embarrassing for a school this size with as many students ( getting in free) ( and only 10$bucks for a lower level seat) to draw 1431 fans. I was one of them and Im all but giving up on the apathetic fanbase we have. Yes the JAR sucks, but when a game means so much ( 1st round of MAC tourney) any self respecting person who calls themself a fan on here should make it! You can DVR american idol or whatever is on the CW and support the team. I realize some people had committments but come on ...........

Yes our seed seems to have the easier road to the MAC final but that being said..........Lets give Eastern some credit. They have almost beaten us two years in a row havent they? Not a great matchup, but we play our game with the intensity they had at Can't and we come out on top. Zeke palyed well at Can't, we need him . Dont forget how much that last game with Can't always seems to take out of us. The last 2 years it was a very nervous opening round at the Q for the Zippers.

Great idea go zips!! Any zip fans going wear blue!! Of course for some inexplicable reason Can't has black uniforms and white uniforms( as do we) even though their colors are blue and pee yellow so who knows what the team will wear. Lets hope for a good turnout from akron fans.

Zips vs EMU game still on but............... the Can't State men's basketball game that was slated for 7 tonight at Western Michigan has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 21 in Kalamazoo. ''There were a lot of other schools in the conference in the same boat as we are,'' Asst AD Ashby said. ''The Mid-American Conference was great in working with us on rescheduling games on both the men's and women's side. While the weather can't always be predicted, when we are aware of a bad storm coming, it just is not in the best interests of the student athletes to send them out in it.

Hmmmm. all that snow. Wouldnt be surprised if their season average attendance of 514 isnt reached!!!What a shame the two best and newest arenas in league- EMU and NIU are so poorly attended.

I've been around long enough to remember the names of Billy Turner, Frank Thompson, Bobby Smith and Jerry Sloan. As I recall, both Evansville and the Zips both had a guy named Jerry Sloan playing for them. Those were the true glory days of Zip basketball. That team would have destroyed any of later day Zip teams. I remember being a young boy and the thought of those guys had me out shooting jumpers for hours at a time, I wanted so much to be as good as they were. I too am old enough to remember the old glory days of college division basketball at "akron U" ! mideast regionals, sometimes at home, games televised on TV 49, Bob Wylie calling the barnburners on radio sponsored by the Firestone Bank, and names like Len Paul, Will Schwartzinger, Harvey Glover, and others. They were great times but realistically I cant say they would have "destroyed later day zip teams. This years team perhaps, but still they built their 25 win seasons with wins over northern Michigan, Indaian PA, muskingum, Tiffin, etc. Not exactly world beaters. Im not criticising those teams, nor am I criticizing Hip Zip, but it reminds me of times people have said Mount Union could kill a mac school in football. I just dont buy it.

Creighton happy to be playing us............................... From Omaha news.............. PEORIA, Ill. — Under the circumstances, Akron provides Creighton coach Greg McDermott with a near perfect Bracket­Buster opponent. The Bluejays drew a trip to play the Zips when pairings for the made-for-ESPN event were announced Monday afternoon. Creighton will face Akron on Feb. 19, with the time of the non-televised game to be determined. “It keeps us somewhere in the Midwest,'' McDermott said after his team wrapped up practice for Tuesday's game against Bradley. “I was worried we might have to go to either the East or West Coasts.'' Such a trip, especially to the West Coast, might have delighted Creighton senior Kenny Lawson. Lawson, a southern California guy, was hoping the Bluejays would draw a team from that area of the country, especially after it was announced last week that Creighton would be playing San Diego State in next season's Missouri Valley-Mountain West Challenge. “When I heard that, I was like, ‘Wow!' ” said Lawson, who played high school basketball in the San Diego suburb of Oceanside. “I couldn't believe they're going to get to play out there next year. Talk about bad timing.'' McDermott had concerns about the timing of a possible BracketBuster trip to either coast this month. Four days after their BracketBuster game, the Bluejays play at Wichita State, which is tied for the Valley lead. Creighton closes the regular season with a Feb. 26 home game against Northern Iowa, which is one game behind the Shockers and Missouri State in the standings. “Wichita State and Northern Iowa are two important games for us in regard to finishing out the season and possibly building some momentum for the conference tournament,'' McDermott said. “I was worried about how a long trip might have disrupted things for us.'' The trip to Akron will pit the Bluejays against a Mid-American Conference team that stands 12-9 overall and 3-4 in league play. The Zips are 8-2 at home this season, and are 2-1 in BracketBuster games played at Rhodes Arena. Overall, Akron is 2-5 in Bracket­Buster play, while Creighton is 6-2 in the event. The teams have met just once, with Creighton posting a 71-60 victory in the 2006 National Invitation Tournament.

Creighton it is. For what its worth this is a pretty decent named opponent. Theyre having an off year as are we but next year between them and VCU thats two good non conference games on the schedule. certainly better than Milwaukee, Seattle, and Jacksonville St who are facing 3 other MAC schools

Its common practice to save two or three spots for the last minute hold outs that get bumped from big schools because they waited too long so the last 4 spots ( or so - there could be last minute defectors) may be good gets or jucos. does anyone know status of Zach D'orazio and one other player ( dont recall his name) who we signed last feb but later announced they werent going to enroll until january 2011? Interesting ( if not depressing) to read highlights of last years signings http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/in...sign_a_lar.html and how few of them saw the field or are still in program. Lets hope for best on tuesday.

I give the academy award for acting to Mr Freeman for holding his nose and claiming he was elbowed intentionally by Zeke. In my opinion that was a terrible call. I dont claim to know the rules but it seems a player has to be permitted room to turn around. If you get your nose too close its going to get hit. Zekes not the strongest guy out there but if he wanted to elbow freeman hed be on the deck. Once again MAC officiating is as inconsistent as this years Zips! One other note - I heard Abreao's dad was at game. It looked to me like he was trying to impress instead of trying to execute. He got schooled, and hopefully learned from that.

To add to my original post. And I dont know why the university is being so tight lipped about this ( nothing yet on GOZIPS.com). Officially there is a tribute to the soccer team at halftime of the OU game wednesday. Also- and this should please Yaz and others. An insider at the city of Akron says "The University is planning the principal celebration for the men's soccer team at the JAR later in the month. We are holding January 18, 21, and 22 on the mayor's calendar for such an event right now. He will be involved. " Some people Im sure will start posting the mayor has no business being involved and that tarnishes the event. But bottom line im glad the university is planning an event period! The team and the fans deserve it.

Details have yet to be released but word is that the university will honor our national championship soccer team during the Ohio U game on next wednesday (jan 12th). Lets hope they do it right! Date picked is good- students and band will finally be back after missing Can't game. A souvenir program hand out would be great- help draw the 3300 that attend soccer games to join the 2000 basketball fans for a mac championship game rematch. Even though 7 zips are leaving for the draft or wil graduate, lets hope as many as possible of them will still be there. Any Caleb Porter sightings?? Did he streak his hair??

Just an FYI to former Chris Mcknight fans.............. Chris is playing for Boras in Sweden. While he now goes by Christopher, hes playing pretty well, scoring 16.9 ppg in 32 minutes per game. I wonder if Phil is over there. Havent seen him in the Jar this season but perhaps with Brett back in good graces hell return. Hes always welcome! Not sure how many former Zips playing in Europe but Jimmal Ball is still at it! Hes playing in France and Drew Joyce is playing in Germany. and of course Nate Linhart whos averaging 13 pts and 6 rebounds for Erie in the NBA d league over here.

I cant top what you all have already said here!! Just an awesome experience at Barley House. Hats off to them for doing a heck of a job for UA! All tvs , all audio akron soccer on a football sunday. All waitresses/bar people in zips tees. I believe the Zips return on Continental to CLE at 647 am Monday ( weather permitting) so the campus arrival will be more like 8-9am. NCAA AKRON ALL THE WAY!!!

Just wondering here what happened to the rumored series with Marshall? It certainly makes geographic and fincial sense to play a former rival as close as they are. Does anyone know status?

Id like zip fans to give the guys at 1350 a break- especially Ken Carman. Yes he talks a lot about OSU and the Browns but you know what- listen to your neighbors and officemates-thats what THEY are talking about. But give him a little credit. Hes a 24 yr old Akron grad hosting a radio show for not much money trying to make a living. If he doesnt have any listeners the show and his job are history. So he caters to what most people, NOT US ZIP FANS, but most people want to hear.Last monday he had Tom Gaffney on talking Zips for most of an hour. He did a 3hour show before the CSU game talking almost exclusively about UA. talking to Wistrcil, Dambrot, Mcneese, and Porter. They are going to do that again before future weekday basketball games. He was scheduled to have Caleb on again today. Hes had Ian from the AK Rowdies on several times. And when Ive emailed him or texted zip comments to him hes always responded or acknowledged them. Its a free country- no one has to listen to them just like no one has to buy a ticket to a sporting event at UA. I wish a few people on here would give them a call or a text. They might talk more Akron sports if they thought there was interest. As for no interviews with Ianello- Coach I didnt even make an appearance on the Zips live show tonight. which is produced by the U of A.

Cal played today in 50degree weather (compared to our 44) so the temperature may not be such a factor. We all remember south florida coming in here in the tournament a couple years ago in frigid conditions and beating us. As Caleb said- they stand in our way to the championship . A sidenote...there will NOT be any radio coverage next saturday since French and Dunn are on road with basketball.

We wont all agree on whether Rob I is the coach to take the Zips to a bowl game/Mac title. But the fact is they were better the last 3 or 4 weeks with the fewest scholarship players (51? ) in D1 football. Another fact is we cant afford tofire him and pay him off for at least 3 years ( not saying I advocate that!). We finished 5th in a lousy conference where the diference between 1st and last isnt much. thats not saying much but you have to start somewhere. Now comes the real test- see how I coach can recruit. Im an optomist yes but I cant help but notice the similarities between Miami last year and Akron this year. New coach , former ND asst., not much of a fan base, 1-11 record. I wasnt impressed by Miami last week against us but they are 8-4, going to the MAC championship (to get demolished by NIU), and then to a bowl game. Can we aspire to attempt the same? I might add that perhaps UA athletic marketing could learn a lesson from this season- that goes for ticket prices, parking policies, and promotions.

Loved that quote by Alleman..................... Whoever has the most ammo- to shoot themself in the foot will lose the game! I think were definately the better loser!!!

I came across the first of the preseason college "rags" and found some interesting notes. Read Sporting News, Athlon, and Lindy's basketball previews. The most surprising thing was found in Sporting News, where they classify the MAC as a High major! SN seperates conferences into High (ACC, big 10, Big east, C-USA, Missouri Valley, MAC, Pac 10, etc), Mid majors( Big west, horizon, colonial, etc) , and Low majors ( Big sky, ivy, OVC, SWAC, Meac, etc). I wont debate their clasifications but definately surprising. Sporting News picks us to finish 2nd to OU. Puts Zeke on 1st team all MAC. Athlon also picks UA as runner ups to OU, playing in NIT. Lindys picks UA 4th behind OU, Miami, and Can't. They say well greatly miss Humpty as point guard. The consensus pick OU has 20 home games this year, having taken Walsh, Wooster, and St Francis off our schedule. While Basset is gone they dont confirm anyone else ( even Kellogg) having left the team.

heard bits and piecesof Can't coaches show tonight. Interesting to hear Can't linebacker coach Jim Fleming bash the Zips. I realize some bitterness is unavoidable but geez your son is still on the UA team and he had no respectful thing to say about Akron . Curious thing he said was he expected Akron defense to be strong with all the returnees ( I did too!). While he didnt give a score prediction the rest of panel expects a 41-14 drubbing at least. They cant see Akron scoring any more than 14. Tye Linder said if we do score more than 14 hes staying home from work on monday. Does anyone know status of Will Fleming?? My take on this game..... the pressure is squarely on Can't. everyone thinks the Zips suck so what better time to pull together and show some heart by keeping the game close. weve all wittnessed games when we were heavily favored and we layed an egg. maybe its the Golden Felons chance this year!