Plain Dealer on the Zips

[scottditzen]

Hail to Akron's soccer Zips -- champions of the NCAA, and even better, friends for life: Terry Pluto

<H5>Published: Wednesday, December 15, 2010, 1:25 AM Updated: Wednesday, December 15, 2010, 1:51 AM

Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

AKRON, Ohio -- From another coach, it may sound like a self-serving sales job.

But when Caleb Porter talks about how his University of Akron men's soccer team not only won a national championship, but "did it the right way" ... well, you believe him.

It was about 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning when the Zips arrived at their campus following an all-night flight from California. They staggered off the bus into wind chills of 4-below, with about 25 family members, friends and fans awaiting the first national champions in Zips history.

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index....er_zips_--.html

</H5>

[Blue & Gold]

Thanks for the link!

Great article! Unlike most of TP's UA drivel, this piece was not patronizing in the least. Excellent, serious-minded read.

Here's a great quote:

"Before the [championship game], [Porter] told us two things," said Nanchoff. "He asked us to promise him that we leave everything on the field -- no regrets about how we played. Then he asked us to remember that the players on the team will be our friends for life."

Nanchoff said the second part really became reality after the game, when the team went to the beach.

"To celebrate, we ran into the [Pacific] ocean," he said. "Some guys had their uniforms still on. The coaches, the staff, all of us went right in. The water was cold. We were laughing. It was a real moment to remember."

A championship moment to be forever savored, one that no other Akron team had ever experienced before.

That makes me appreciate the Ocean Celebration video footage all the more! That was a sincere, spontaneous & forever-memorable moment in those young men's lives. Priceless!!!

[meatwad]

Thanks for the link!

Great article! Unlike most of TP's UA drivel, this piece was not patronizing in the least. Excellent, serious-minded read.

Here's a great quote:

"Before the [championship game], [Porter] told us two things," said Nanchoff. "He asked us to promise him that we leave everything on the field -- no regrets about how we played. Then he asked us to remember that the players on the team will be our friends for life."

Nanchoff said the second part really became reality after the game, when the team went to the beach.

"To celebrate, we ran into the [Pacific] ocean," he said. "Some guys had their uniforms still on. The coaches, the staff, all of us went right in. The water was cold. We were laughing. It was a real moment to remember."

A championship moment to be forever savored, one that no other Akron team had ever experienced before.

That makes me appreciate the Ocean Celebration video footage all the more! That was a sincere, spontaneous & forever-memorable moment in those young men's lives. Priceless!!!

I'm trying to make a comment or send something to Pluto to let him know to feel free to link to the youtube clip in the article, but my web filter at work is not allowing it. If anyone can comment on that story, please post a link to the video.

I can't tell you how awesome that moment was. Glad I can share it with the world!

[skip-zip]

Thanks for the link!

Great article! Unlike most of TP's UA drivel, this piece was not patronizing in the least. Excellent, serious-minded read.

Here's a great quote:

"Before the [championship game], [Porter] told us two things," said Nanchoff. "He asked us to promise him that we leave everything on the field -- no regrets about how we played. Then he asked us to remember that the players on the team will be our friends for life."

Nanchoff said the second part really became reality after the game, when the team went to the beach.

"To celebrate, we ran into the [Pacific] ocean," he said. "Some guys had their uniforms still on. The coaches, the staff, all of us went right in. The water was cold. We were laughing. It was a real moment to remember."

A championship moment to be forever savored, one that no other Akron team had ever experienced before.

That makes me appreciate the Ocean Celebration video footage all the more! That was a sincere, spontaneous & forever-memorable moment in those young men's lives. Priceless!!!

I appreciated it too, because I've been to California many times, and that water is COLD! It's even cold during the summer, except in the very southern part of the state. Looks like our boys found out the hard way! That was hilarious.

[scottditzen]

Right on! Agree that the quote captures the mood perfectly!!!

Thanks for the link!

Great article! Unlike most of TP's UA drivel, this piece was not patronizing in the least. Excellent, serious-minded read.

Here's a great quote:

"Before the [championship game], [Porter] told us two things," said Nanchoff. "He asked us to promise him that we leave everything on the field -- no regrets about how we played. Then he asked us to remember that the players on the team will be our friends for life."

Nanchoff said the second part really became reality after the game, when the team went to the beach.

"To celebrate, we ran into the [Pacific] ocean," he said. "Some guys had their uniforms still on. The coaches, the staff, all of us went right in. The water was cold. We were laughing. It was a real moment to remember."

A championship moment to be forever savored, one that no other Akron team had ever experienced before.

That makes me appreciate the Ocean Celebration video footage all the more! That was a sincere, spontaneous & forever-memorable moment in those young men's lives. Priceless!!!

[RootforRoo44]

Here's some audio from Terry Pluto on the Soccer Zips.

btw a mention of how "lousy" our American football team is.

LINK

[Dr Z]

Here's some audio from Terry Pluto on the Soccer Zips.

LINK

Thanks for the link.

I can't believe I just listened to WCan't State. I liked Amanda.

Bluto is worse to listen to than read. S's kill him to get through those lips. Ssssssocer. Sssssecond. Sssssanta Barbra. Ssssssippy Bus.

His best comment "crazy shootouts are like flipping a coin" I learned that the hard way last year.

His worst "Mrs Lee had a lot to do with where Cliff signed" When I used to read the BJ, he would write this about every FA. Give it up already.

What I learned: Akron was second in the country in attendance in soccer home games.