Looks Pretty Official

[MDZip]

I did get a response to my note to Ms. Keller (I have to give her credit for sending a reply Thanksgiving morning). I responded to her in saying that I certainly understand the safety concern but do not understand why in four days, at least a neutral site could not be found and I do not understand how it is in any way fair to move the game to the opponents site. I do not expect a response back on that one.All of the other things people have cited against the Zips (the NIT snub, being the only team left out of a bowl in 2005) really had very little to do with NCAA decisions. This one does. That's what made me mad enough to write to complain. I wish more people would do so. I was hoping to see the game with my son and nephew while I was back for Thanksgiving. I will concede some blame on UA for the field conditions but I cannot accept the fact that it was moved to an opponents field. That is just wrong. At least her answer does indicate that when the Zips take out NW on their field, there is at least a chance that the next round will be back in Akron (of course as an out of stater I won't likely get to see it).This was Ms. Keller's response:Thank you for your email. The overall safety and experience of all student-athletes participating in the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship is our utmost concern. Appendix G in the men's soccer championship handbook clearly states that if a seeded teams' field becomes unplayable then they will lose the opportunity to host championship competition. Reports from various staff including those from the University of Akron indicated that the field had become unplayable. Therefore the decision was made to move the game to Northwestern University. The goal of all preliminary round competition is that it be played at one of the participating institutions. In light that Ohio State had already arrived in Akron and the game needed to be completed as soon as possible in safe conditions was the main reason that particular game was played at the local high school on an artificial turf field. In the event Akron wins this weekend, a review of its field will be made and only then will a decision be made to determine whether or not Akron will host quarterfinal competition.

[Let'sGoZips94]

Why do they keep dinking around the point!? We don't really care that we can't "host" it, all we care about is why it's moved to our opponents stadium. That's just stupid.

[skip-zip]

MDZip....first of all, I can't sympathize with you enough that you have the opportunity to come to Akron this weekend, and will not be able to see the game. I think that's a real shame. Gosh...it seems to me that from the message you received from the NCAA that they even would have moved the Suckeyes game to Cowlumbus...if they had had the chance. That just ridiculous. My biggest complaint is......if a team spent the entire regular season EARNING a good seed...shouldn't you at least extend them the courtesy of finding a local alternative game location?????? Rather than handing the home-field advantage over to the opponent????.....who was a lower seed??????If their rule gives them the ability to change a game location to the OPPONENT'S FIELD..... without first considering an alternative location for the TEAM THAT EARNED THE RIGHT TO HOST THE GAME....then it is a bad rule that needs to change.

[RootforRoo44]

keep sending emails and make sure we flood their lines with calls on friday. Make them regret doing this.

[bandzip]

I did get a response to my note to Ms. Keller (I have to give her credit for sending a reply Thanksgiving morning). I responded to her in saying that I certainly understand the safety concern but do not understand why in four days, at least a neutral site could not be found and I do not understand how it is in any way fair to move the game to the opponents site. I do not expect a response back on that one.All of the other things people have cited against the Zips (the NIT snub, being the only team left out of a bowl in 2005) really had very little to do with NCAA decisions. This one does. That's what made me mad enough to write to complain. I wish more people would do so. I was hoping to see the game with my son and nephew while I was back for Thanksgiving. I will concede some blame on UA for the field conditions but I cannot accept the fact that it was moved to an opponents field. That is just wrong. At least her answer does indicate that when the Zips take out NW on their field, there is at least a chance that the next round will be back in Akron (of course as an out of stater I won't likely get to see it).This was Ms. Keller's response:Thank you for your email. The overall safety and experience of all student-athletes participating in the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship is our utmost concern. Appendix G in the men's soccer championship handbook clearly states that if a seeded teams' field becomes unplayable then they will lose the opportunity to host championship competition. Reports from various staff including those from the University of Akron indicated that the field had become unplayable. Therefore the decision was made to move the game to Northwestern University. The goal of all preliminary round competition is that it be played at one of the participating institutions. In light that Ohio State had already arrived in Akron and the game needed to be completed as soon as possible in safe conditions was the main reason that particular game was played at the local high school on an artificial turf field. In the event Akron wins this weekend, a review of its field will be made and only then will a decision be made to determine whether or not Akron will host quarterfinal competition.

She sent me the exact same response, letter to letter. She never answered my question about the neutral site though...