KingZip Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 This preseason banquet on Sept. 27 sounds like fun. I called and got my two tickets earlier today. Can't figure out the draw of the cavs coach though.... would have been better to have a cavs player who is from Akron. Anyone else going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipster Posted September 28, 2005 Report Share Posted September 28, 2005 So, anyone go? Fill us in.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted September 28, 2005 Report Share Posted September 28, 2005 Posted on Wed, Sep. 28, 2005 Akron basketball Zips, Cavs growing together Cleveland coach Brown tells Akron players to use this opportunity By Tom Gaffney Beacon Journal sports writer It was a night to celebrate two basketball programs conjoined by more than mere geography Tuesday. The University of Akron and the Cleveland Cavs are teams being remade by hungry coaches with lofty goals and visions about how to reach them. The Zips' Keith Dambrot and the Cavs' Mike Brown shared Tangier restaurant with about 250 fans at Akron's preseason basketball banquet. The talk was about how a new season is imminent, and that the two teams could be growing in the same direction. ``It is appropriate that Mike Brown is here because what we are trying to do, they are trying to do,'' Akron athletic director Mike Thomas told the audience. ``We are all excited about the bright future here. And we are excited about the new regime in Cleveland.'' Dambrot, who led the Zips to a 19-10 record in his first year as coach in 2004-05, hardly had to remind anyone in the crowd about the relationship he has with the Cavs' LeBron James, whom he coached at St. Vincent-St. Mary. ``One of the competitive (recruiting) advantages here is the relationship we have with the Cavs,'' Dambrot said. ``One of the things that our players have heard is that we will be playing in open gyms with LeBron.'' Brown, 35, who was named the Cavs' coach in June, was the banquet's keynote speaker. He related how his team and the Zips can grow using the acronym of CAVS, stressing ``character, ability and vision in order to be successful.'' Brown addressed many of his comments to the Zips players, who were assembled in the front of the banquet room. ``Opportunity means you are given a chance,'' Brown told the players. ``You play at a big-time school in a big-time program. ``I think this program is on the way up. You have to take advantage of the opportunity you have been given... being part of a Division I program.'' Dambrot promised the fans that his team would be entertaining again and that, hopefully, success will follow. ``One of the problems we have at the University of Akron is that we haven't set our goals high enough,'' he said. ``We have to expect more of ourselves.'' The Zips open practice with a ``Midnight Madness'' session at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15. The opener is Nov. 26 at home against Youngstown State Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zip37 Posted September 28, 2005 Report Share Posted September 28, 2005 There were basketball people there that I haven't seen since Bob Huggins left the program, lots of former players, H.S. coaches and lots of fans. The food was good, the beer cold and the fellowship outstanding. With ball ammunition lock and load. As you may or may not know, Crawford and Hipsher did not continue the pre or post season banquets that were started by Huggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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