Zips hope to field winner in new digs

[BostonZip]

There is a sense of optimism before every football season. But for the 2009 Akron Zips there is the added anticipation of opening their new stadium. With nine returning starters on offense, including quarterback Chris Jacquemain, the Zips hope a potentially powerful offense can lead the way to a successful inaugural year at InfoCision Stadium.From 1940 to 2008, Akron football teams called the Rubber Bowl their home. This season they move back to campus and into their new facility - InfoCision Stadium. It is the first on-campus stadium built in the MAC since Miami’s Yager Stadium’s in 1983.On the new facility, Zips head coach J.D. Brookhart said “I keep getting amazed by the place…. It (the stadium) changes everything. It changes recruiting.It changes game day. It changes community pride. There are so many things this stadium does not only for the players, but the entire community,”But with the opening of a new stadium, there are also expectations. Since its magical season of 2005, when the Zips won the MAC East Division title and then defeated Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship game, Akron has gone 14-22 over the last three campaigns. Some observers believe the slide puts head coach J.D. Brookhart on the perverbial hot seat in the Rubber City.Read the preview.

[zip37]

Hot seat to say the least, and well deserved.

[jaycevs]

I hope for the best, MAC teams better be ready for explosive offense and the Zips need some reminder that they can defend anything. The assistants have been brought in, the stadium project is complete, the facilities are some of the best in D1, so its time to compete, and get the large Alumni and Akron fan base behind them.