Mac's Soccer Letter

[72 Roo]

Nation, a couple weeks ago Mac sent out a letter to the friends of Zip soccer. In it he outlined the outstanding accomplishemnts of this year's team, future developments and reviewed the "injustice" that was heaped on the team and the university during the playoffs. I will not go into great detail, but I do what to give you all a flavor for what was discussed.First, my overall impression was one of great confidence and respect for what Mac and Caleb have done. I don't post all that often. In the past, when I did post, I was critical of Mac. Now that time has passed and I continue to see what he is doing and the challenges he faces with reputation, little tradition, Inadequate attendence, a poor conference, facility upgrades and budget pressures, I have slowly become a Mac fan. His letter only re-enforced that opinion. As part of his review of this year's accomplishments Mac discussed the contract extension for Caleb. We have the best young coach in the country, hands down, end of discussion. The soccer world also knows this. Caleb is now paid with the top 5-10 soccer coaches in the country. His assistants all got raises, the recruiting and travel budget was increased, and a second fulltime assistant was added. The university is clearly committed to winning a national championship. Mac is talking openly of that expectation of Caleb and himself. Additional evidence of that is this year's recruiting class and our Spring schedule (the best in the country on both counts).Mac next shifted to the soccer facility on campus. A new field and lights are planned for the 2010 season. Lights bright enough for night TV broadcasting will cost $500,000. There are three options for the field: 1) $750,000 to install a new field with a surface and drainage to handle 35-40 events per season and most weather conditions, 2) $1,000,000+ to install a sand based field and drainage that could handle any weather and more than 40 events per season, and 3) an artificial turf field that could handle all weather and unlimited events. The second option is preferred by all in the program. In fact, the third option could be expected to affect recruiting as recruits do not want to play on fake turf. Mac and Caleb are studying their options and possible donors to make the sand based field and lights happen. After 2010 the grandstand, bleacher and birm seating will be addressed in what's called phase II.The team will get new locker rooms and a lounge in the utility building at the north end of Infocision this season. Funding needs to be signed off by the board of trustees. It is considered it will go through when presented. That will be a great plus and help convince these national class recruits coming in that they made the best decision of their lives. Finally, Mac reviewed how the "injustice" (his word) of the playoff screw-job played out. He discussed it with passion and detail. We appealed the NCAA's decision 3 freakin' times and we went all the way to the top. All parties refused to listen to our points. I don't know how you felt during that time but I was sick and very upset. For the first time, I was reminded to look beyond my own feelings and consider the administrators at the university who even felt worse. After reading his account I felt a closer bond to his athletic administration than ever. The only thing Mac didn't review that I would have expected was our future, or lack thereof, in the MAC. We already have the top OCC schedule in the country with the RPI to back it up. The MAC kills our momentum. Unfortunately, we repeatedly face teams that decide to keep 11 men on their half of the field in hopes of playing for a 0-0 tie. Case in point, at the BGSU game last season their coach acted like he won the national championship when he only lost 2-0 or so. We need a conference where teams want ot play and not hunker down. That type of competition will only make a us better during the playoff run.This team is in good hands. We will continue to win big on a national level. Thanks to Caleb and Mac for making the dream a reality and thanks to the many nation supporters. You folks are getting a rep as the most passionate in the country. To cite an example, I sat with an athletic administrator from Ohio State at last season's game in Columbus. She was overwhelmed by the Zip following and could not believe that we had more in attendence than OSU did. She quized me constantly on how it got that way, how we became so passionate and what OSU needed to do to get to where we are. She ended the night by saying next to Indiana, we are the best program she has ever seen. Not a bad compliment considering Iu's numerous national championships.Thanks again to all who read this far.

[RootforRoo44]

I love it....and im a person who had NEVER been a soccer fan until this program hooked me. I can't believe how excited i am for a soccer team/stadium. Go SocceRoos