Ponderings ... Is It Just Me?

[GoZips]

For the past few months (since the end of basketball season) I just do not feel a connection with the

university sports programs. A lot of grumbling, player defections and dismissals, poor coaching

decisions, etc. etc.

Football: The university tried the infamous "let's see what this under qualified man can do" only to

be sadly disappointed. So, what do they do? Let's try this mistake again. Its not fair to dismiss

Ron Ianello without giving him an opportunity. Really? Ianello is likely to fail. He has already

created turmoil in his program and he has not even coached a single game. Just an overall bad

feeling about the state of affairs with in the football program.

Soccer: While pleased with last year's performance; how can you not be; there is something just

not right. Player defections with excuses. The university dragging its foot; so to speak; over

upgrading the facilities which the program earned. Feeling of tension is what I get.

Basketball: What idiot tosses out a slimy rumor of a major player defection in the midst of turmoil

within the men's basketball program? Darn good thing I'm not a moderator. Or, bingo ... banned.

That was the worst "joke" ever on this board. Coach has his hands full righting a badly tilted ship.

It is not often that a team produces a 24-11 season and leaves its fans with a sour taste.

Athletic Director: No leadership. No vision. No plan. Hire your cronies. Grade "F". blah

[Zip_ME87]

For the past few months (since the end of basketball season) I just do not feel a connection with the

university sports programs. A lot of grumbling, player defections and dismissals, poor coaching

decisions, etc. etc.

Football: The university tried the infamous "let's see what this under qualified man can do" only to

be sadly disappointed. So, what do they do? Let's try this mistake again. Its not fair to dismiss

Ron Ianello without giving him an opportunity. Really? Ianello is likely to fail. He has already

created turmoil in his program and he has not even coached a single game. Just an overall bad

feeling about the state of affairs with in the football program.

Soccer: While pleased with last year's performance; how can you not be; there is something just

not right. Player defections with excuses. The university dragging its foot; so to speak; over

upgrading the facilities which the program earned. Feeling of tension is what I get.

Basketball: What idiot tosses out a slimy rumor of a major player defection in the midst of turmoil

within the men's basketball program? Darn good thing I'm not a moderator. Or, bingo ... banned.

That was the worst "joke" ever on this board. Coach has his hands full righting a badly tilted ship.

It is not often that a team produces a 24-11 season and leaves its fans with a sour taste.

Athletic Director: No leadership. No vision. No plan. Hire your cronies. Grade "F". blah

Unfortunately, I'm with you GoZips, in that I also have uneasy feelings about our sports teams.

Football: I agree. I have major doubts about iCoach that he will have to prove wrong. I would feel so much better if UA had hired a successful Head Coach from FCS, Div. II, or even Div. III...at least a coach like that would have proven experience at being the head guy. Also, going 3-9 last season, then kicking folks out of Lot 9 and doubling the parking prices for the upcoming season doesn't seem to me to be a great way to sell season tickets.

Soccer: I'm astounded by the transfers. I hadn't thought about this possibility, until it happened, that those players may have been more loyal to coach Gifford than to Coach Porter/UA. Also, I had heard rumors of the Zips acquiring 2 additional non-US players for this Fall. But, I cannot verify that from any 2nd source, and I see that Coach Gifford picked up 2 players of the same rumored non-US "background". We still have a great team with awesome and dedicated players who should have another great season; it's just disconcerting to see players transfer from such a seemingly good situation. Finally, why is it taking so long to start selling season tickets and finalizing prices for soccer...why the indecision?

Basketball: I also agree that posters on this forum should be more careful about how they choose to post their conjecture.

[ksu sucks]

Soccer: While pleased with last year's performance; how can you not be; there is something just

not right. Player defections with excuses. The university dragging its foot; so to speak; over

upgrading the facilities which the program earned. Feeling of tension is what I get.

Do you know something about this situation that we don't? Or is this similar to your claim that Akron wouldn't get the #1 bid in the NCAA tourney last year?

Athletic Director: No leadership. No vision. No plan. Hire your cronies. Grade "F". blah

I'm going to second Z.I.P's sentiments and recognize the university for distancing itself from this website. For every poster who actually has some knowledge of what's really happening in zips sports there's fifty who don't. The real issue is that 30 of those 50 who know nothing keep posting as if they know something.

Call me crazy, but I'm going to give the AD and Ianello a year or two before 'grading' them. They must be devastated, I know. I'm sure iCoach checks zipsnation daily for Can't State's current grading.

[MDZip]

While I am a little disappointed in what appears to be a few mis-steps with the football program, I'm going to chalk it up to newness. Yep, I think there have been issues but I have no choice to see how this plays out, I don't really have any other options (well other than to make ZW's "Quit on the Zips" list )

Not concerned with soccer in the least. Another great recruiting class and I have a lot of faith in Coach Porter and his program. If there is any program on solid ground, it is soccer. I will be senidng in for my season ticket as soon as they are ready.

Basketball is a little disconcerting but again I trust Coach Dambrot. He has been very successful and if he felt that the program needed what happened to become even more successful, then I'm all for it. Even if somehow his hand was forced, seems like he had a reasonable backup plan.

Womens basketball and soccer are both on the rise and track has sustained an excellent run. Even if those are more minor sports, its still nice to see some success there.

A lot of my uneasiness stems from all of the realignment going on right now. Akron has made big strides in the last several years and I would hate to see us sliding back because of it, but I think it is a very real possibility, I have, however, sent in my Z-fund donation and will continue to support my alma mater.

Go Zips!

[Zip_ME87]

While I am a little disappointed in what appears to be a few mis-steps with the football program, I'm going to chalk it up to newness. Yep, I think there have been issues but I have no choice to see how this plays out, I don't really have any other options (well other than to make ZW's "Quit on the Zips" list )

Not concerned with soccer in the least. Another great recruiting class and I have a lot of faith in Coach Porter and his program. If there is any program on solid ground, it is soccer. I will be senidng in for my season ticket as soon as they are ready.

Basketball is a little disconcerting but again I trust Coach Dambrot. He has been very successful and if he felt that the program needed what happened to become even more successful, then I'm all for it. Even if somehow his hand was forced, seems like he had a reasonable backup plan.

Womens basketball and soccer are both on the rise and track has sustained an excellent run. Even if those are more minor sports, its still nice to see some success there.

A lot of my uneasiness stems from all of the realignment going on right now. Akron has made big strides in the last several years and I would hate to see us sliding back because of it, but I think it is a very real possibility, I have, however, sent in my Z-fund donation and will continue to support my alma mater.

Go Zips!

Wow MDZip. Nice response. I admit, I needed that! (I just can't help having some doubts.) And, I wholeheartedly agree with "I have, however, sent in my Z-fund donation and will continue to support my alma mater." I wish I could get some new UA soccer gear, with the World Cup gearing up. Perhaps that would help some, too!

[ZachTheZip]

UA should distance itself from this website, at least as far as direct contact with fans is concerned. But if they are wise they will continue to use back channels and indirect communication to get out the information they want heard. It's what Texas is doing with their Rivals board, manipulating the information being sent out to give themselves an advantage.

[Zipmeister]

UA should distance itself from this website, at least as far as direct contact with fans is concerned. But if they are wise they will continue to use back channels and indirect communication to get out the information they want heard. It's what Texas is doing with their Rivals board, manipulating the information being sent out to give themselves an advantage.

How would UA go about distancing themselves from this web site? Is their distance from this web site currently less than infinity?

[Quickzips]

Personally, I think a lot of people are just starting to suffer from a case of the offseasons. Nothing is really happening in the world of Zips athletics, so any little information that does come out gets jumped on, overanalyzed and generally freaked out about (see last week's basketball meltdown). A lot of these things are the type of thing that would barely be noted during the middle of one of the seasons.

As far as football goes, I've been losing interest for years. Basketball has become more "my sport." It isn't that I don't care, it's just that I find basketball more exciting. I've had my reservations about Ianello from the start, and nothing he's done thus far has eased those, but then again without having played a game let alone a season there is nothing he really can do to ease my reservations. I'm withholding judgment until I start seeing some results. Its the only really fair thing to do.

I admit, that I still don't follow soccer all that much either. I can't say I'm that worried about the soccer program, but at the same time, I'm not as informed as others on here.

As far as basketball, I actually like the moves that have been made. Despite having been to 4 straight conference title games, KD recognized that the formula for success in the MAC is starting to change and he's brought in guys to try and keep up with/get ahead of the curve. Zeke is sticking around, despite getting a little frustrated by the tedious summer schedule and I think we should be on a pretty good track for some more good basketball.

Now when it comes to the question of Zipsnation's relationship with the AD's office, it isn't the AD's job to monitor and contribute to this site. It is pretty rare to see a professional or college sports program that associates itself with a internet fan forum, and personally I think that is the way it should be. Too big of a can of worms whenever you start interjecting yourself into the ups and downs of a large group of diehards. Let the diehards do their thing and the AD do their thing.

Ohh, and one last point. The whole Zeke thing a week ago, was not cool. If your going to post something like that in jest, you better darn well make some indication that you aren't serious.

[GP1]

For the past few months (since the end of basketball season) I just do not feel a connection with the

university sports programs. A lot of grumbling, player defections and dismissals, poor coaching

decisions, etc. etc.

I've been feeling a little "off" about the program the past couple of years as well. Maybe it is the distance, but I don't think that is it....it probably has more to do with going to ACC games and seeing a little school like Wake get good at times and knowing we are miles behind them. I believe I have had a bit of an awakening the past couple of years and it goes beyond the AD and JD and everything at UofA. In fact, I think things at UofA are about as good as they have ever been...new football stadium, WBB getting better, MBB functioning at a high standard and last but not least...soccer.

I hate the league we play in, but that is where we belong. I hate that we are so far behind BCS schools, but that's the way the NCAA wants it. I hate that we allow ourselves to be punching bags for BCS teams, but that is the state of college sports as well. I could go on. I just think so many things are stacked against us and we can never overcome them because college sports are designed for us to be at the back of the bus. I really hope the NCAA realigns so there is something to look forward to in terms of fair and better competition.

Captain Kangaroo says being a Zips fan is "work". That's putting it mildly. I work enough and I am exhaused at the end of the week. More work is the last thing I am looking for on a Saturday.

[Zipmeister]

For the past few months (since the end of basketball season) I just do not feel a connection with the

university sports programs. A lot of grumbling, player defections and dismissals, poor coaching

decisions, etc. etc.

Football: The university tried the infamous "let's see what this under qualified man can do" only to

be sadly disappointed. So, what do they do? Let's try this mistake again. Its not fair to dismiss

Ron Ianello without giving him an opportunity. Really? Ianello is likely to fail. He has already

created turmoil in his program and he has not even coached a single game. Just an overall bad

feeling about the state of affairs with in the football program.

Soccer: While pleased with last year's performance; how can you not be; there is something just

not right. Player defections with excuses. The university dragging its foot; so to speak; over

upgrading the facilities which the program earned. Feeling of tension is what I get.

Basketball: What idiot tosses out a slimy rumor of a major player defection in the midst of turmoil

within the men's basketball program? Darn good thing I'm not a moderator. Or, bingo ... banned.

That was the worst "joke" ever on this board. Coach has his hands full righting a badly tilted ship.

It is not often that a team produces a 24-11 season and leaves its fans with a sour taste.

Athletic Director: No leadership. No vision. No plan. Hire your cronies. Grade "F". blah

I hadn't heard that the men's basketball ship is badly tilted. When did this happen and what caused the tilting? What will the coach have to do to right the ship?

[Dave in Green]

Football: UA does not have the money or clout to get a proven winning D1 coach. Everyone else is a gamble. I think UA made an intelligent gamble, and got about as good a potential coach as UA is going to get. He may fail. But when I looked into Ianello's background, I liked what I saw. Even if he fails, I don't see it as a bad gamble.

Soccer: UA was ranked #1 in the country and came as close to the national championship as you can get without actually winning it. UA has the best college soccer coach in the country, one that every other school would love to have, and many tried to get. Everyone was afraid that after last season's showing he was gone. He stayed. He didn't leave. The best soccer coach is back at UA with another great recruiting class. If you dug deep enough to find negatives in that scenario, you've dug clean through China and out to the edges of the known universe.

Basketball: KD's biggest critics didn't like the way he put his teams together. He blew up what he was doing and made more changes for next season than he's ever made before. Circumstances may have played a role in some of this. But he made some really intelligent gambles with players like he hasn't had before. As with Ianello, the gambles may fail. But writing off the kind of gamble that many were asking for begs the question: Exactly what does it take to satisfy the naysayers before a single game has been played? As for the false rumor, fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. All basketball fans on ZN.O were put on notice not to take a certain poster seriously, and are now personally responsible for their own reactions to future comments. We don't need no steenkin' moderator intervention on that unless we also want someone to change our diapers.

Athletic Director: Personally, I have no problem with anyone hiring their cronies as long as their cronies prove to be winners. We can guess all we want about what might happen. But winners aren't determined until the games are played and the final scores are up. Since I'm not smart enough to predict the future, I'm waiting to see how things play out before I formulate an opinion on this one.

[ksu sucks]

unless we also want someone to change our diapers.

Sounds like a novel idea. I think a few ZNO posters are years overdue for a dipey changing.

[Zip_ME87]

k.su sucks,

What is the difference between "2009 Men's Hoops" and "2009 Men's Basketball". I thought they were one and the same, but according to your signature, they are not =.

"--------------------

2008, 2009 Men's Soccer= MAC champs!

2009 Men's Hoops= MAC champs!

2009 Men's Track and Field= MAC Champs!

2009 Women's Track and Field= MAC Champs!

2009 Men's Basketball= MAC runner-up!

2009 Rifle= MAC Champs!---->It Still counts!"

[72 Roo]

Calm down with your misgivings because the ship of the U of A athletic dept is not off course. We are by no means perfect and will make mistakes along the way, but we are in position to better ourselves. Soccer is fantastic and the two players that left did so because they probably would not se the field. We are going to be better than last year. make no mistake we have a top five program and the best coach in the land. The onmly disappointment is that the stadium has to be built in phases. Too bad. It will be built and we will continue to kick ass draw better than ever and play for championships.

I don't feel good about coach I or his staff. They seem to be in it to build their resume and have us impressed by their credentials (not). That being said I will give him two years to show me he can run a D1 program with rising aspirations. Regardless of what he does, it comes down to winning games. Win enough and this conversation is irrelevant. Let's give him the chance.

Our AD is in a no win situation. He was brought in to bring change and if he does so he will get ctiticism. That change is to get us out of our comfort level and prepare us for a higher level of play and conference. He knows, we know and the board of trustees know that the MAC sucks. That being said we have to earn the right to move up. We haven't and are years away from being attractive to Confernce USA. Forget about the Big East. I think an AD position needs years to evaluate as to performance. I like what TD has done so far. I think it is the foundation for growth. I will not fault him for that.

As far as basketball, KD is acting boldly and pushing himself and his program out of our non-productive comfort zone. He has embraced change and we need to support his efforts. BB will be OK.

So folks, take a deep breath. It's a terrible time of year with nothing going on. We are on the verge of beginning an exciting year in Zip athletics. I understand your angst, but call me for a beer first so we can talk each other off the ledge from time to time. Keep the faith.

[UA Fan]

I think you have to look at the facilities upgrades and the fact that the past 2 AD's have been hired away and are successful in their new jobs. There is commitment from on high. Football blew up but we don't have the Rubber Bowl any more to hamper a quick recovery, given the right coach. Some schools are dropping football or considering downscaling; at least we're not having that conversation. We also have a new gem in women's tennis. If we have to suck up to bigger donors to take the next step (e.g. arena) then we'll just have to tailgate a little further out. We've come a long way overall.

[zip37]

What otjer Bozo other than ZM thinks the basketball program is tilting at all [much less tiltimg badly]? SHEEEESH!

KD is a victim of his own success, like OSwho, it;s win all or nothing is good enuf, we would have killed for 20+ wins under Hipsher!

[ksu sucks]

k.su sucks,

What is the difference between "2009 Men's Hoops" and "2009 Men's Basketball". I thought they were one and the same, but according to your signature, they are not =.

LOL. Did I mention in my earlier post that I'm one of the ZNO members who knows nothing!

[Zipmeister]

What otjer Bozo other than ZM thinks the basketball program is tilting at all [much less tiltimg badly]? SHEEEESH!

KD is a victim of his own success, like OSwho, it;s win all or nothing is good enuf, we would have killed for 20+ wins under Hipsher!

What Bozo other (otjer) than 37 can't read?

If you reread this thread, more carefully this time 37, you will see that Zipmeister did not start the slimy rumor that the men's basketball ship was tilting (tiltimg).

He merely asked the dastardly rumor monger a couple of questions about the ship. SHEEEESH!

[Zip_ME87]

k.su sucks,

What is the difference between "2009 Men's Hoops" and "2009 Men's Basketball". I thought they were one and the same, but according to your signature, they are not =.

LOL. Did I mention in my earlier post that I'm one of the ZNO members who knows nothing!

K. I thought I was missing, or misreading, something.