In the eyes of the President: Santa Barbra

[plowerman78]

Wow what a weekend. From waking up way way early Friday morning to catch a 6:30 am flight out of Columbus (saved 200 bucks), to driving into Santa Barbra during the sunset on the Pacific, to going down to Michigan, to the 70 plus minutes of scoreless soccer against Louisville, all, all was worth it coming away with the National Championship. Here are some of my thoughts on the weekend in the eyes of the President.

-Michigan Game – to be honest with you, I kinda saw this coming. With all the talk about 7-1 this and 7-1 that, I figured it was fuel to the fire to Michigan. Also at the same time they were as hot as any team in the tournament so you throw both of them together yeah not shocking. But at the same time, going down 1-0 I never lost confidence in the Zips in that game. Perrys strike from 40 away was absolutely amazing, and in the 2nd half being there you could sense that it was only a matter of time until the Zips took the lead and they did just that with Kofi’s header. Kinda funny when Nano kicked that free kick, I said out load “wow that looks good” and bam right in the net off Kofi’s head it went. Nice win, very dominating with possession.

-IN –N- OUT Burger – Yes I know shocker here I did try it. Honestly it was really good, BUT I’ll take Swensons any day of the week. When you’ve had the stuff the last 3 and a half years yeah it’s tough to beat.

-Santa Barbra: What a beautiful place. Honestly you can see why the team was so happy to get out there from what is going on here in Ohio. From the sunset on the Pacific Ocean to the mountains in the distance, it is seriously a sight to see.

-Harder Stadium: What a great venue to watch a game. They announced 9600 at the Championship game seemed like 11000. Pitch looked and felt great, everyone around in terms of the staff working was very knowledgeable and helpful with any questions you had. Did have 1 problem with Harder, and i was parking. Honestly if you weren’t important in the eyes of the College Cup Committee you weren’t parking close. And when I say not parking close I’m talking parking in the east deck to go to Polsky not close. Was the exercise something I needed prolly (I am a bigger guy as many of you know) but with a 15000 seat stadium you gotta think that they would have had a closer lot or lots to the general public.

-Gaucho Locos: Heck of a time with you all this weekend. Thank you so much for cheering with us this weekend and also the great time on Saturday doing the loop with you all. By teaming up, it helped so much in creating an atmosphere that many were not expecting especially with 4 east coast teams in the College Cup. Definitely can say the best student section in the west and the best student sectio0n in the east combined to help make this a weekend not many will forget. Btw to the Locos all I have to say is “There were 10 Can't State Girls at a Bar” lol

- Louisville Game: Talk about a great championship game. First off hats off to Louisville on a great game. You proved that you deserved to be in that title game. Now to the game itself, the difference was the way Akron came out in the second half. As I’ve talked about before on the ZTV Sports Report, this Akron team was so so hungry to get that national title and that’s exactly what you saw in the second half. Though he didn’t score Darlington controlled that second half, should he of scored on that breakaway, yes but I think he thought maybe Darren was going to take it. Regardless the runs he was making in combination to him controlling the ball when he had it made him unstoppable. Defensively Chad Barson, Chad Barson, oh Chad Barson how I love you today. Unreal play to save the National Title for us. Also Meves played a great game, the foot save right before the clearance off the line was something special. Now on the goal by Caldwell, again just like the Michigan game on Friday you knew it was only a matter of time before the ball went in the net for the Zips, and on one foot of Scott Caldwell we won ourselves our first National Title.

-AK-ROWDIES: For the 30 or so at Santa Barbra hats off to you all on getting out there. Again I wish there was a way to get more of you out there but unfortunately the powers that be wouldn’t allow it. For those of you that watched it at Barley, Tap House or in your bedrooms at home, realize you were as much part of this as the 30 in Santa Barbra. Remember you were part of something special here, this first national title in school history. Now let’s get out to basketball lol.

-Akron Community: This goes to every single Akron fan, ROWDIE, Alumni ect. BE PROUD TO WEAR AKRON ACROSS YOUR CHEST!!! People said that this could never happen, they said we were a school in too weak of a conference and couldn’t compete with the big boys. What are those people saying now? Nothing. Be proud of the U of A for what we did this past weekend.

-Celebration: Obviously they will prolly get the key to the city and let’s not forget the fact they have to visit the White House now, but in my opinion January 8th needs to be the date to honor this team. Do it with the biggest basketball crowd and stick it to the Can't fans there as well.

-Next Year: Alright here’s my opinion on who stays and who goes. Perry is good as gone, Zarek is probably gone. Darlington is probably gone as well. Kofi I feel will stay, he is big into academics and since his brother stayed 4 years at IU he will probably stay 4 years at Akron. Darren might go but in the long run will end up staying. Nanchoff is the big one here. I feel like he is this year’s Blair. Kind of has a good draft stock going into this year’s College Cup, then shows what he can do and scouts fall in love with it. Honestly the crosses he was presenting alone on his left foot may get him. Should be interesting to see what happens I say he leaves early.

My final thoughts are this: Let’s all enjoy this as much as we can. This is something special that most of us have never seen. Realize this we are National Champs AND NO ONE CAN TAKE THAT AWAY FROM US!!! For myself this is kind of bittersweet, as some of you know I have stepped down as President of the ROWDIES due to an internship in the Spring Semester down in Florida. Am I still on cloud 9 because this is the way I go out, you best believe it. This is a season I will never forget from the Tulsa beat down, to the team honoring my late grandmother by wearing black armbands during the Buffalo game, to the shocking loss at CSU, followed up by a 4th straight MAC daddy. We saw them take out the evil empire in Indiana and then go into PK’s in a blizzard vs. Cal. We traveled 2000 miles to complete our mission and we did just that! Akron Mens Soccer 2010 National Champions!

[jem101]

Prez, as a fellow member of the Rowdies, all I have to say is "Thank You." What you and the other head Rowdies have established over the past 5 years is simply amazing. I feel like I owe it to you guys for giving me a great deal of school pride. Of course, the soccer team has a lot to do with that to . Wish I could have made the trip to SB and I think that not going is something that I'll regret for a long time to come.

As to having the recognition at the Can't game, I see a couple problems. First, I won't be in town for that. I'm sure no one else cares though . Second, that is just days before the MLS Superdraft. With the loss of 5-6 starters to the draft, you would wander if they would be able to be in town for the Can't game. Third, that date is a month away. I want to do something NOW! I'm still on cloud nine after that win and will be for the next week or so. Let's do something while the memory is still fresh.

[fknbuflobo]

Prez,

Well done for years! Feel good now, don't it?

Let us challenge these players to stay together for another championship. I certainly cannot blame anyone for turning pro, but they have the opportunity to do something transcendent here.

If they turn pro, I will root for them in the MLS (or Europe). There are many fine recruits coming in, not to mention really good players that saw little to no playing time this year.

Sarkodie – could go pro but won’t – future doctor – next to full national team

Nagbe – most likely pro - LOVE him to play senior year, Mid-Fielder in pros

Nanchoff – will play senior year, especially if Nagbe stays

Valentin – could turn pro, but should play another year – PLEASE Zarek.

Kitchen – fine player - heart of the team - needs another year

Mattocks – natural finisher – still learning – not yet ready for pros

Ampaipitakwong, Korb, Paez – Akron will always love you. Thanks and good luck.

[you am i]

You drove from Akron to the Columbus airport to catch a 6:30 am flight to California to root for Akron in the College Cup?

You know what the college experience is all about. You are the man.

[Zip_ME87]

Headaviatorrowdie, you are awesome and you'll be missed. Thank you and all of the Rowdies who made the trip to Santa Barbara and made this event even more special. This Championship is something we should all savor and that should be celebrated on its own. I know the Can't game brings a big crowd, but the Men's Soccer Team deserves the complete focus of the celebration.

I wish there was a way to personally thank the players who will be leaving (e.g., Ampai and Korb) for choosing to play for Akron. I didn't get a chance to thank them following their win. If any of them are reading this...THANK YOU!

[Z.I.P.]

I hate to say it but HAR may have put his finger on the prescient fact: #5 is the most skilled baller I have ever seen at the college level. He is simply magic with the football on his toe. And, he will soon be too good for American soccer. If the MLS wants this guy, I'm afraid they're going to have to put a lot on the table. Best of luck to the kid, he is not just an amazing athlete, but amazingly humble and easy going. I think when the team goes to the White House, BHO better get to know him. Perry has real leadership ability.

[Blue & Gold]

-AK-ROWDIES: ...Now let's get out to basketball lol.

Amen. You guys are officially America's soccer hooligans!!! Take your show to the JAR!!!