akzipper

Well I think we're pretty gutted right now. Both because of graduations and transfers, so we can't say the program is better off now that when we he showed up. But he did have more success than KD.

I have a saved eBay search for "Akron Zips Nike" that I check out every week or so. It's my go-to for all my Zips gear now. Tons of team issued stuff shows up on there. I'm assuming it's all surplus that the players and coaches didn't need. But I have gotten an awesome Zips Football hoodie, a game worn football jersey, Akron/LBJ basketball quarter zip and two other Akron Nike pullovers. All came brand new with tags and everything.

The Cavs seem to be spiraling into a rebuild. Maybe if they choose to go younger they can finally bring him back home.

This one hurts. I will never forgive John for poaching our guys.

Nailed it.

$350k after 5 years to put towards a new arena. That should cover most of it.

Just the state of the internet nowadays. People will complain about EVERYTHING. It's exhausting.

I remember a group of KD's players were at Groce's introductory press conference. I was super bummed at the time and honestly that gave me a little bit of hope. Pretty sure they all transferred lol.

I had an inflatable Goodyear blimp hanging in my dorm from a basketball game around 07-08. So they must have cared about UA at some point lol.

Yup. These guys were asked to say something positive about a former coach. It's all so forced to create some hype around a program that will be going through a significant rebuild. On social media we saw overwhelming support from both current and former players when Ford was hired. Yet some of those same guys decided to bail on Akron almost immediately. Words mean nothing.

Do we want to see our team go .500 and get knocked out in the first round in Cleveland or have a shot at winning the conference and make the dance?

If Groce was still coaching the Zips, I'd say the same. Now? I couldn't care less and I want to win the MAC. If that means playing a cupcake schedule like Miami, then so be it.

Wishful thinking unfortunately. The second Groce left, I had a feeling it was the end of our run. Hopefully he enjoys the nicer weather down there.

Back when I was at UA they definitely were. I interviewed for a internship within the athletic department and they knew I was a poster here. I had a different account back then (Dambrot era) but they knew exactly who I was based on my posts. Nothing bad and I got the job. But they knew lol. From my experience everyone worked very hard and did what they could with the limited resources of a MAC school on a tight budget. They are young, come from big schools and know what they are doing. The problem is most don't see Akron as the final destination, but a career stepping stone. So there isn't much longevity and lots of turnover. My bosses all ended up in the Big Ten, Big 12 or SEC within 5 years of me working there. Personally working for the Zips would be my dream job. But I don't think many others see it that way.

Zips fans show up when it counts. Kent games, Cleveland, etc. They don't care about directional Michigan schools coming to the JAR in the middle of December because those games don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. In Charleston their basketball team is really the only show in town and they have a much nicer arena. Everyone there probably goes all-in on the basketball team. Whereas in NE Ohio we have pro sports down the road in Cleveland, as well as two MAC schools splitting the region.