Doug Snyder

Excellent question. Here is what you are missing. Lots of people fall for this con so please don't feel bad. Most of these schools quality is based upon how difficult it is to get in. Granted, Akron is a public school and they have to let a lot of people in so things like average SAT scores and GPAs are lower. What they don't measure is what is in the head of a person when they graduate. I'd take the knowledge in the head of a UofA graduate upon graduation rather than a graduate of Kenyon College any day of the week. The kid from UofA will be better adjusted, smarter and more worldly than some spoiled kid from one of those small colleges. A kid from a small college is likely to spend his summer in Europe "traveling"....spare me. A kid from UofA is likely to spend his summer working or doing a co-op or an internship. A kid from UofA knows how to work when he/she gets out of school.There is a lot more to college than a comparison of SAT scores. I'll match both of my degrees, what I know and what I can do against any douchebag from one of these small schools. I fart in their general direction.You know GP1 you must be a multi billionaire. You are so much smarter than everyone else. You constantly tell people how they are fooled or conned and you know everything. Why do you waste your time on the Akron board?With your superior intellect and all knowing of everything you should be just vacationing non stop with all of the money you must have being smarter than everyone else.I am amazed at guys like GP1...and he is not that smart. Xavier, Case, Mount, Oberlin, John Carrol, and Carnegie Mellon are to small and pamper to (wealthy??). OSU, Michigan, USC, Florida and the ilk are to big!!! He went to the school of just the right size and it is the best. And his dad can beat up yours!!!He reminds me of a far left argument I hear all the time...and a lot in Bali. "The information is misleading and not complete and you are unaware of what is really happening....they are manipulating you”. Now...what they are really saying is "I am smarter that you and can decipher the limited information and make correct decisions" OR "I am smarter than you and can do better research to get complete information". It is not that I am so smart (I am not)....but I am highly sceptical of those who think they are. (Oh...and I don't like the far right either...I hope no one thinks this is political)

Please name a college at Mt. Union that is better than what UofA offers.The truth is and with the exception of the Ivy League, kids of average ability go to small liberal arts schools so they can be pampered by the low student/faculty ratio. Kids who want to compete at a higher level attend a larger institution with publishing professors who challenge the students with current information and are challenged by the other students. With the exception of Can't, I can't think of a single Ohio MAC school that Mt. Union would be better than.http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/18/best-coll...s-top-2009.htmlhttp://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews....rsities-midwestHmmm... lots of small schools in the lists. UIn fact...most are small schools. What am I missing??Based on your argument...does tha mean OSU is superior to UofA and MAC schools??Damn!!! You got me again. You make these wild ass irrational statements to catch people. "...you want it to be one way. But it's the other way." It is difficult discussing things with you. At times I think you are an arrogant flame thrower...then I have to remember that is the emotion you hope to get from your posts. Nobody is that big of fool.

Otto Mosers has great food....at least they did 20+ years ago. Not really a drinking place though...if my memory is correct. But the place was near the current Q...did they relocate??

Are all the gravel UA lots getting paved? Or just this one?More importantly, why are there still ANY gravel lots? A first class university should have all paved lots.I will pass that along to Mount Union University.We're a better school than Mt. Union. They aren't even a first class university. In fact, they are second rate. They probably don't have a single faculty member who has done any meaningful research in 20 years. Our national championship in D-1A soccer means more than all of their football championships in whatever division they play in. Feel free to pass along the information though.Your statement was not whether we are better but that all 1st class universities should have paved parking lots. MU is small...but a 1st class university.

Are all the gravel UA lots getting paved? Or just this one?More importantly, why are there still ANY gravel lots? A first class university should have all paved lots.I will pass that along to Mount Union University.

How does that work. Do you have to pay for the spaces you use or just one and are allowed to use more for tailgating?? Are you required to have a season ticket to get a parking space?? How much earlier do people come for tailgating?? I am reading people start at 7AM?? That can't be real...I am never even up at that time. (obviously I am a neophyte when it comes to these events). My plans are to go to the games this year as I will be in the area during the season. I have no idea what parking costs are and where parking will be available.Thanks

I also graduated from Miami and follow them....although not as closely as the Zips. I believe their program will continue to improve. Their last coach was a lot like ICoach in regards to instilling team discipline. I do not believe he was that great of a coach though (and the jury is still out with ICoach even though I am not one of those criticizing him at this point). But I believe it is easier to follow a disciplinarian than the alternative. Last year they had a bit of luck and a favorable schedule. The new coach has a better pedigree (IMO) and is a Miami grad so I don't foresee a quick exit from him. I know many will deny and debate it here....but Miami has some recruiting advantages. So they will always do well recruiting MAC quality athletes. I was told by some players that Woody and BO would help recruit for Miami "if you don't go to X or get a scholarship at big school...Miami is a good alternative". I doubt that is true today (for sure with Bo and Woody) but they have a history that the Zips do not.I will be at the Miami game this year and will have to wear 2 hats. If Miami and UofA fight for the title each year as Miami and Marshall did in the past…that would be a dream come true for me.

I agree. Obama is currently losing to the generic Republican by 8%. Believe me, when the generic becomes real, that number will turn quickly. Obama is so easy to beat is isn't even funny, yet the Republicans won't be able to do it.There was a good article written recently about how FOX News has destroyed the Republican Party. Great read. FOX basically puts lunatics on the air and because they are on the air all the time, they become normal to the viewers. There was once a time when people like Hannity and Bill O' would have been laughed off the air by Republicans. Palin is alive today because FOX kept her alive. Bachmann is alive today because FOX kept her alive. Newt is alive today because FOX kept him alive. There is a list as long as your arm of fools who are kept alive by FOX News.I watch many news organizations. NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, MSNBC, CNN, Sky, BBC and even Al Jazeera at times. The reason why Fox became so popular (they are by far #1 in the ratings) is that the mainstream media went left to far left and there was a huge vacuum in the middle and right. Independents will be watching CNN and Fox. Don't blame Fox...blame the demise of unbiased journalism (unless you think it is a journalists job to make the president successful or OK get shivers up their leg when they listen to him). But...you think the masses are idiots. That is why you are in fact an elitist...just not an intellectual one.

I'm sure most of her followers would say "You need to stop being an intellectual elitist!"GP1 an intellectual elitist?? You just made his day...no year!!! lol you made me laugh...thanks it has been a difficult day.

Please give us your prediction on how bad you think they will be punished. That way, if you are wrong, we can all laugh at you.Like clockwork. I wouldn't give you the pleasure. Just keep listening to BSPN.I love how Buckeye fans think this whole thing is a conspiracy theory from ESPN to destroy the university and they have done no wrong and none of this would be an issue if ESPN wouldn't keep up with their smear campaign. That's where I get my laughs....just adds another notch to why people cant stand Buckeye fans.Although I have never met him...I like BukZip. So I don't think you are speaking for everyone.Like BuckZip...I graduated from 2 schools. I can root for both and I can chew gum and walk at the same time too. Go Zips

Zach....this is college and you are always rebuilding (or in Caleb's case..reloading). In college teaching it is "publish or perish", in retail it is "expand/grow or die", in business it is "what have you done for me lately". He just wants to build a culture where growth and constant improvement are expected of everyone...including himself. I have no problem with his statement. Would you rather have him say..."we will get where we want this year and we can rest on our laurels"?? You want him to admit failure and make drastic changes. That in my mind would be failure. We may as well start over with someone who believes in himself and his program. The fact that he says of himself that he is "green and growing" means that there will be improvement expected by him of himself.

Your comparing the skill set of the QB's you listed above to which QB on our team??? Sorry if I was not clear.. I was referring to the claim that running QBs do not survive. I think it is just the opposite in college football. Look at the most successful teams and you will find QBs that are mobile and can make something on a broken play. CK has been an outspoken advocate for Nicely and his post ignores or manipulates the facts. Check the "bowels" of ZNo and you will find his posts from last year extolling the virtues of Nicely. Me?? I don't care who the QB is but have some concerns about Nicely at this time. Just win. I do believe that having a mobile QB is the best option for the college game. I also think CK missed leadership/huddle presence in his list. But this debate will get resolved soon enough on the field.Go Zips !!

Don't know Rogers well enough to ask. What would Newton, Young, Vick, Smith, Tebow and Cribbs have to say??

Dr. Proenza hired the janitors of football. He is at fault for the problem we now experience with football. I don't see any other way to slice it. Tw might not be the best for football he Is doing well in other areas. Dr. P takes risks and expects returns. I don't see any the way to slice it. Not a big tw fan but he has not been all bad. I coach on the other hand is failing plain and simple. He was a tw hire so Dr. P will probably have to pressure tw to fire I coach early. Accountability Proenza is an amazing intellectual. He has vision that's borderline paranormal. But the guy doesn't know jack about football. He knows the importance good football can contribute to the University. But the nuts and bolts of how to form a successful football program is one attribute the guy lacks. So, he relies on consulting firms and the advice of others when it comes to football. And it hasn't worked out. Accountability is great. In principle. But there are Accountants who look at the football budget and say "We can't afford to pull the plug...we're stuck with this guy." Proenza won't approve terminating Ianello's contract with any more than 1-year remaining. Hell...UA sabotaged our 2009 season in hopes of saving JD's $250k in salary. That shows me the the reality of what finances can control at the corner of Brown and East Exchange. If the Zips go 1-11 in 2011, Ianello isn't going anywhere. And if he goes 4-8 in 2012, expect a contract extension. I don't see it playing out any differently. And all the bitching and moaning on this board is not going to change that scenario one bit. I have tried to stay out of the daily love fest for Coach I that goes on here, because I know that its not helping the program. If you don't think potential recruits are affected by some of the crap posted online on fan message boards, you need to have a reality check. This site may be all there is for a recruit to maybe get a feel for how the fan base supports the program. Call me a homer or a blind follower, but I am a Zips fan no matter what. And that means sticking with the program through the good and the bad. GP1, you should put all that energy and all those ideas into a message to Tom Wistricil and volunteer to help implement them. It looks like your UA education has paid off for you, maybe you can give a little bit back. +1 Even if I hated ICoach and was not a Zip fan....I would still think it is moronic to fire someone after one year given the recent history and lack of success of the program. Talk to me after this year...any discussion of a coaching change now is just silly. I would rather debate the merits of the shower vs the bath. But it is a free country with free speech (or it was when I left)...so if it makes you feel better...have at it. But as Hilltopper pointed out...it serves no one and can only have negative repercussions. I have always said...if you are a hammer, everything looks like a nail. The same people will always be complaining about something.

Seriously? This guy has been a recruiter (one of the best mind you) for decades, and you are going to tell him that he doesn't know what he is doing? This is one area where I have all the faith in the world in the guy. He brought in Jawon Chisholm after all the schools picked their guys and he looks to be the stud running back that we have been needing for a long time. Zack is a "researcher nerd" type. I think he adds value to the board and he truly loves the Zips. But don't take his opinions to seriously. You will spend all your time debating the merits of the shower vs the bath.

That's my question, as I said earlier in this thread. Is "great MAC shot blocker" enough to get any kind of attention whatsoever from the NBA? Because, that's really the only thing of real substance that impresses you about his game going into his 3rd year. I'm still hoping for a dramatic turnaround in some other areas. http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft/resul...dkenneth-faried

Man...you have kick the video game addiction.

+1 well said

That's fine if Zeke is still "growing". He had better hurry the Hell up though, he'll be a junior next year. Guys only get four years in college to "grow". If my opinion doesn't count because I've never seen him play in person, how do any of the coaches count. Do you think any of those coaches would say anything bad about him to someone they don't really know? Coaches don't say anything negative about anything as it relates to players on other teams and even more, fellow coaches. When anyone talks about Zeke and his potential in the NBA, evaluation of how he does against top level teams and talent will be the most important. If an NBA general manager wants to look at Zeke, which is more likely to happen..."I'm going to review ZM from Akron. Get me the tapes of him against...(pick A or B below)." A. Central Michigan or some other schlub MAC school. B. His games against major conference schools in big games. At this point, the only reference point the GM would have is the game against ND. Here is the box score. Would anyone really need to see the game in person to perform an evaluation? Two nights later, Notre Dame was exposed for being a fraud and didn't even have a very good big men. NBA GMs don't care that a player is a good guy...they don't care that the player is "growing"....they don't care who the guy played for in college....they dont' care what guys like Smart, Huggins or Donavan think. They only care if a player fits into their system and if that player can produce at the EXTREMELY high level of play that takes place in the NBA. NBA games aren't developmental and players aren't expected to be "growing". Losing franchises pick players to "grow" them. The NBA is about performance at a professional level. I'm a big fan of Zeke, but if we are going to have conversations about any player playing professionally, the conversation needs to change from that of a fan to a brutal view of a person's talents. With Zeke, the Zips WILL win two more MAC Championships and they WILL continue to be the best team in the MAC. The NBA though?...... How come many teams pick Euros and stash them in Europe for a year or two while they develop. You are probably right...the San Antonio's of the world are bottom feeder organizations.

This seems personal. Why do people on this board feel they should bash (since you like the word) those with differing viewpoints. In this case...you misinterpreted my viewpoint. But even if I did believe Zeke would not make it as a pro, I don't think I should be criticized by you. Make your case why you feel otherwise and keep the personal attacks out. Grow up and learn to see other viewpoints (what do you think...like being told to grow up??) I normally think you are a rational poster, So I am going to take this as a knee jerk reaction to something, and someone, you feel strongly about. But I believe you went to far. Doug, I was not refering to you or your posts. I was refering to the entire vein of the posts in general. People, perhaps you as well, tend to under value Zeke's contributions to the cause. I am well aware of other people's viewpoints. This is an Akron board and I, for one, do not think that trashing Zeke unfairly is appropriate. Zeke will deliver. At this stage of Zeke's development the glaring problem is foul trouble. A fair part of that is playing in a league where truly big men are uncommon. The game officials seem to have a quick whistle when it comes to Zeke. Perhaps I am wrong. It sure seems that way. Zeke faired far better in the MAC championship game and the game against Notre Dame when it came to fouls. Those two games were far more representative of what he and the team should expect from game officials. Enough of the ticky-tacky fouls. Zeke does not have to score like Wilt Chamberlain to be an effective post player. Zeke is there to shot block, alter attacks on the basket, intimidate and secondarily rebound and score. A few assists help as well. I believe that people will be pleasantly surprised by Zeke's play in 2011-12. Thanks. I have always respected your posts in the past and think you are one of the few that actually add valuable, pertinent information. Many just want to sling snide comments from the peanut gallery. Since I am not in the area often...I rely on what you and many other thoughtful members think and write. Keep on posting.

This seems personal. Why do people on this board feel they should bash (since you like the word) those with differing viewpoints. In this case...you misinterpreted my viewpoint. But even if I did believe Zeke would not make it as a pro, I don't think I should be criticized by you. Make your case why you feel otherwise and keep the personal attacks out. Grow up and learn to see other viewpoints (what do you think...like being told to grow up??) I normally think you are a rational poster, So I am going to take this as a knee jerk reaction to something, and someone, you feel strongly about. But I believe you went to far.

Slow down...I did not mean to bash Zeke is any way. My point is that it would be foolish for him to go pro after the upcoming season as Zack suggested will happen if we get to the sweet 16. The dicision between him and a Euro in the upcoming draft is what my post was referring to. I believe he will play in the NBA but not sure as to how good he will be. A "rotation" player is one of the top 8 on the roster. That should be consider very succesful IMO.

There is a big difference. The Euro's are trained in how to play the game correctly. They make foul shots, are good passers and know how to play zone and help defense. AND...they can be stashed and watched while they play in Europe and they keep their contract rights, Most of the guys you mention are expected to play one or 2 more years in Europe and the teams will not incur any costs. If you draft Marshall, you will spend money and he would have to prove he has talent to develop within maybe a 3 month period. And...Marshal has never shown the "fire in the belly" to do whatever it takes to improve or win. That is why the Cav’s took Eyenga last year with the last pick in the 1st round. They did not commit to any money and he would develop in Europe for a few years until they thought he was ready. Unfortunately he was not being used very well in France and they decided it was better to develop him over here. They did the same for a big center from Kansas that is playing in Russia now. He has been there for 2 years and will probably be another 2 more. But he costs nothing and they maintain his rights. This will be a very important year in his development. I think he will eventually get drafted but I am not sure if he sticks long term or if he will make anyone's rotation. I hope he does. He seems like a good kid and it would be great for the Zips.

In some ways, it does. In most ways, it doesn't. We have a top notch basketball program and a national champion in soccer. We have had pretty good track teams over the years. Other programs have performed well also. We have good facilities. There are positives. Our problem is we built White Elephant Stadium, which I like to refer to as The Big Dialer, and it sits empty because of poor performance on the field. The footbal team casts such a negative light on the rest of the Athletic Department because the games happen at the beginning of the school year, it makes it hard to get marketing traction for a good team like basketball. The University badly needs to get the team winning and people in the seats. The distance between where we are and where we would need to be is like the distance from the Earth to the Moon. While it isn't that far compared to other space bodies, it isn't exactly the easiest place to get to. We are much less like the Beverly Hillbillies Captain Kangaroo described and more like a guy who "built" a rocket and thinks he can fly it to the moon. A sample conversation might be like this: Skeptic: "That's a really nice rocket ship you've got there." UofA: "Thanks. We built it." Skeptic: "Do you know how to fly it?" UofA: "We built it didn't we." Skeptic: "I know you built it, but do you actually know how to fly it?" UofA: "Sure we do. We've seen other people do it before." Skeptic: "I understand that, but have you actually piloted one before?" UofA: "No, but we have a plan to fly it." Skeptic: "Where are you going to fly it to?" UofA: "Where else would we go? The moon." Skeptic: "How are you going to guide the craft to the moon?" UofA: "That's a silly question. Look how big the moon is. We'll just point it in the general direction and light a match." Skeptic: "You mean you don't have a guidance computer? They had guidance computers even in the 1960s when we were exploring space." UofA: "They were fools back then. Look up. If the three kings found Jesus by the light of the north star, we can find the moon by following the moon." Skeptic: "Ya, but the three kings were riding camels and not sitting on top of tons of explosive liquid." UofA: "There is little difference between driving a camel and driving a space craft." Skeptic: "Let's get back to the trip to the moon. Does the pilot have any experience piloting a spacecraft?" UofA: "Of course not, but he has an action plan." Skeptic: "Do you think the plan will work?" UofA: "The plan doesn't really matter, we built the rocket. The rocket alone will do all the work." Skeptic: "So nobody has any experience leading a group of people who could guide a craft to the moon? What about the ground crew?" UofA: "The ground crew is equally inexperienced. That doesn't matter though. We have this rocket and it will do all the work. Light a match and off you go." Skeptic: "Do me a favor. Don't light the match while I am within 100 miles of the rocket." UofA: "Don't worry. Everything will be OK. The rocket will do all the work." You know...if someone said GP1 talks to himself I would not have been surprised. So this post is not surprising at all. My guess is these convesations lead to him having a bad day as he feels insulted by the lack of respect given in the conversation.

....and Nicely will not be calling the plays. But....he may be making the on-field decisions. I hope Nicely reads this stuff and is embarrased. If not...then he is not our guy. One more thing to consider. In pick-up games organization can overcome better talent. Mount has a tradition of winning and discipline. That would serve them well in a pick-up game. The Zips?? They are still seeking an identity and there is no proof yet of discipline. I watched the spring game and all my attention was on the QBs. I was especially interested how the QBs handled themselves on the sidelines and after the game. I only want the Zips to win and I don't have a dog in this race…...but I was not very impressed by the leadership qualities shown in that game.