clarkwgriswold

Well, we're already playing the Concords, as well as the Louisvilles. I get your point and your passion Captain, but I am still showing up if there's a change. I enjoyed them just as much in the OVC, OAC, DII and D1-AA as I do now. I hope to God there's not a change but I will be there to support the teams if there is. At the end of the day, I think we're all getting ahead of ourselves. Every other MAC school is going to have to face those issues and will face the same limitations and I think there will be a solutions beyond Akron alone.

I think we all need to realize that we're not exactly a strong cross section of the University of Akron consumer here. We are strong and informed fans of the athletic program. That's what brings us here. The average UA consumer is aware of athletics at the school but little else. They could care less whether the teams competed in the Big10 or CYO and wouldn't lose a second of sleep over any cuts. For me, as long as the teams are competitive and the games are entertaining and not unduly expensive, I will show up and support the teams of my alma mater, whether they're playing Concord or Louisville. I'd also venture a guess that the average UA consumer (not us) could not distinguish between a game between two good high school teams and two MAC teams.

That's the one factor that keeps me from full panic. With so many schools struggling financially in athletics there are bound to be some corrections system-wide.

Really looking forward to seeing Brian Trimble after hearing Groce's comments. Sounds like he's a next level shooter and should help replace some of the shooting they lose to graduation. Sounds like he can handle the ball too which brings some real value, like Tyler Cheese, when LCJ is off of the floor. He and Daily are going to give the Zips some dangerous wing players. I understood KD's approach in focusing on freshmen, but the infusion of transfers (e.g. X, Riak. LCJ) and JUCOs (Cheese, Banks, Reece) has added a lot of excitement to the program. Dailey, Trimble and Currie will be a huge infusion of talent.

One thing I think many have failed to acknowledge is that this day has been coming for some time. It has only been accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis. We can debate the cause of the problems and the finances all day every day, but the reality is that these are all issues that have been on the horizon for some time but that have aggravated and exacerbated by poor leadership and planning by those in power at the university and the NCAA. At this juncture, the university has to chart a course without regard to the territorialism of the respective sports programs and stick with the plan in the face of the inevitable protests and whining. The plan also has to involve making difficult objective choices rather than just cutting the low hanging fruit.

Is that the total of Student Fees or the portion that goes to athletics?

In simple terms, that's a lot of money for bad football.

That too, he was Mr. Polytechnic!

For him. LOL.

They'd better get flexible or you're going to see some schools start to break away from the NCAA.

I know it is a sore spot with many, but the last guy that proposed budget cuts was Scarborough and he was run out of town on a rail. He was brought in to be the bad guy and make cuts then was run in part for being the bad guy and making cuts. He didn't have the COVID-19 crisis for cover. Don't get me wrong, he messed up plenty, but he was the budget cuts guy.

Wow, this really has me looking forward to next season.

The athletic program can't be all things to all people. My son attended a snooty east coast school that played top notch D1 men's and women's basketball and participated in lower level leagues in every other sport. Schools need to pick their poison. Do you think anyone really cares about the football teams of Gonzaga, Butler or Georgetown? I get that this is a football area, but if UA bases its decisions on historic success, football is in trouble while soccer and basketball should be less impacted.

Enjoy Groce now. If he is successful next year and his budget gets cut in proportion to the President's plan for the athletic department (20%), he might not be here much longer. We can only hope other schools feel the same plan and follow a similar plan.

"We will have a much leaner and smaller athletic program." "I have directed the athletic director to provide a plan for a 20% reduction in athletic expenditures for FY 21. There is considerable uncertainty about the future of mid-major division 1 athletics. Additional reorganization and reduction may be necessary in the future as we learn more about the future of athletics." Translation- Ouch, this is going to hurt. Much pain ahead. In today's climate, the athletic department needs to become much more focused. Focus on proven success and substantially cut or eliminate programs whose costs outweigh their benefit to the University. This focus is something that should have been pursued years ago rather than a scattershot approach to being all things to all people. Unfortunately, a crisis had to bring us here. Some difficult value judgments are in the very near future.

I think a proper penalty would be that Mballa cannot play against the MAC champs. That'll teach 'em. ?

I'm sure that Buffalo assistant was a lone wolf, just like that guy at Louisville that sullied poor Rick Pitino's reputation. ?

If it sells like some of their other stuff, I will get one in a grab bag at next year's Spring game.

Also, do you know where Geno does his banking? We have a community college a county over that would like to attach his accounts. Sayles isn't going to light up the scoreboard but there's no reason he can't give you 15 to 20 minutes, 6-8 points and 4-5 boards a night.

Agreed Golde.

Beacon article on Marshall- https://www.beaconjournal.com/sports/20200422/university-of-akron-mens-basketball-newest-addition-has-traits-for-zips-program GT apparently has trouble spelling "Ford."

All of those guys are too short other than Bill Russell.

And if Kareem was 19 you could see no reason why Groce couldn't get him here (along with Bill Walton, Elvin Hayes and Artis Gilmore).

If someone is offering the Zips a good 6'10" post player, woohoo. Sign 'em up! The reality is that the game has changed and that the very few that meet that description are not coming to the MAC. The statement that got us debating this a couple of years ago was something to the effect that the Zips needed more guys like Zeke and Big Dog. Well. who couldn't use clones of two of the best players in their program's history? I'm sure OSU would like to have more guys like Greg Oden and Clark Kellogg. The other questionable side of the big man argument was the implication that capable big men were readily available and the the Zips were missing out on them. It's a different game now. Programs want guys who can get out and run and shoot the three. If you'd have said the words "stretch 4" ten years ago you'd have received a blank stare. In the MAC, you need talented players, whether they're 5'8" or 7'0".

Good for Matt. I know he took a little heat initially at Buchtel as he was replacing a relatively successful and liked coach. CVCA is doing great things. Their football program has been on an upswing since they hired Dan Larlham. Matt should be able to do good things there.