MDZip Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Not living in Northeast Ohio any more, Zips sports is one of the ways I can use still feel connected to the University. I do contribute time and money (I have a football and soccer season ticket even though I only get to use each once or twice a year). I go to Zips events when I can, I went to Puerto Rico with the mens team and went and saw the women play when they were in my area this year. There is so much to like about Zips athletics right now and yet my enthusiasm is really low right now. Athletics can play such an important part in a face for a University, there are plenty of examples of places just like Akron who seem more impressive because that public face is well known and sucessful. It seemed like the Zips were really on the verge of something special and this just feels like more than just a huge set back. The Zips had been known for being a quality team, for a long winning streak, for a clever marketing campaign, all this season and now what are they known for? All of the people I had been pumping up the Zips for all year now know them as the team that had that point guard drug dealer. Akron had enough strikes working against it already to have gotten so close and to do so well, now if they make the NCAA tournament its isn't as likely they will make a National splash which is what the whiole season looked like it could lead up to. These chances come around so seldom, especially for schools like Akron. With other bad situations (Rydell Brooks, Chris Jacquemain) the Zips were kind of an afterthought but now with national attention this year, this was the worst time for something like this to happen. I'm upset that I am not more excited, this should be great ending, a #1 seed and a #3 seed for the women and yet I still am having trouble garnering the enthusiasm. I'm angry that this could potentially piss away a great season and senior year for Zeke and all of the hard work of the rest of the team. I wish no ill will on Alex, young people do dumb things, I am just so upset over the timing on all of this. Had it happened after the season, it would have been a story but not like this. Had it been early in the season, well the narrative of the season certainly would have been different. I wanted to post this before the games are played because I hope to see some passion and fire from these teams to show they are just as angry about all of this as I am, and I did not want it to seem like a sour grapes if things go badly. I wanted to wait until a little of the national attention died down as well. I can't just sweep this under the rug. I will still root for the Zips but my heart is just not in it like it should have been. I am angry about that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jupitertoo Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Win the next two games and you'll feel much better. Guaranteed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MontrealExposloveZippy Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 A very good and honest post. The timing of AA's situation was devasting-Hopefully, everything goes well for him and that he wasn't involved, but the fact is he's not playing. Our leaders will step up this weekend and I know we will be DANCING!! Come on ZIPS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 @MDZip, I felt exactly like you do for about the first 48 hours. That's when I forced myself to just stop thinking about the negative and the what could have been. The longer you live, the more aware you become that stuff happens at the most inopportune times. I've tried to keep my focus on what a magical story it would be if the Zips overcome this. There is no story in sports bigger than the one about overcoming adversity. In a way, the position the Zips are now in is almost a comfort zone, as they're back in their historical position of being the underdogs that few believe have a chance. There's still a huge amount of talent and depth on this team. If they can be mentally tough and quickly adapt to the situation, they can pull some big surprises out of the bag for their opponents. Winning the MAC tournament championship would put the Zips right back into the national discussion. The experts will all say that there's little chance of the Zips winning a game in the NCAA tournament even if they get there. We've heard it all before. It's a challenge, and I think that this team is up for that challenge. The future is also bright. We have many good players returning and some quality recruits on the way. All the good things that happened earlier this season will help the Zips in the future, whether it comes to attracting more talented recruits or getting more respect from the national media from the start of the season. The actions of one player off the court do not negate what all the players accomplished this season as a team, nor does it doom them to no further accomplishments. We fans should not allow those actions to ruin our enthusiasm for this team and our optimism for what it's still capable of accomplishing. We need to always remember to Think Bigger, especially at those times when events conspire to cause us to think smaller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MontrealExposloveZippy Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Well put DIG +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 "...beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will..." - Yoda With that thought, why would I be angry at the Zips? If they somehow lose this weekend, I'll be disappointed, but I have trouble bringing myself to be angry at young adults between the ages of 18 and 23. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDZip Posted March 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 "...beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will..." - Yoda With that thought, why would I be angry at the Zips? If they somehow lose this weekend, I'll be disappointed, but I have trouble bringing myself to be angry at young adults between the ages of 18 and 23. Maybe I didn't make myself clear since I was kind of long winded, I never said I was angry at any of the student-athletes, I am angry at the very real potential of lost opportunities and for the embarrasment it brought my school on a national level. I'm not quite as old as Dave so maybe it just takes me more time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 I am angry at the very real potential of lost opportunities and for the embarrasment it brought my school on a national level. You are looking in the wrong place for embarrassment. We have a football stadium named after a telemarketing company that got far worse publicity and engages in worse behavior than a kid involved with pot. It's so pathetic I can't even get angry at that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legendofzippy Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Of course you're angry. Alex talked all year about championships, meanwhile he's involved in something he knows could lead to a suspension or maybe vacated victories down the road. You never know what the NCAA is going to do. Going to be tough to win Friday, but at least they have a week of practice to prepare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 I get where you are coming from, MD. Speaking for myself, the anticipation of Friday's game is definitely not at the level is would have been had we been rolling like we were only 10-or-so days ago. But - I like these Zips. The remaining guys have given nothing but a supreme effort this season. They are still very fun to support. After I get past beer #2 tomorrow afternoon, I will have forgotten about AA...perhaps be joining a different "AA"... and moved into "F K.e.n.t" mode. I've seen how the Celtics have excelled after Rondo's injury. On a different plane, I recall how mid-major Loyola Marymount rallied after Hank Gathers death to provide an improbable, awesome NCAA tourney run. We have the makings of a great story. Hopefully we can execute it. I think Kretzer, Gilliam and McAdams will make up for AA's missing points. All that said - I get the disappointment and anger. You wouldn't be a Zips fan if the whole situation didn't sucker-punch you in the gut to some extent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mivid12 Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 The first question that came to my mind when I heard about Alex was did any of his teammates know what was going on. If this question was addressed I missed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derrt Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 The first question that came to my mind when I heard about Alex was did any of his teammates know what was going on. If this question was addressed I missed it. , How could they not know? But lets move on. They still can win the MAC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Sorry, but you'll have to count Z.I.P. among not just the angry, but the demoralized bracket. We had sooooo much going for us, then it came crashing down. I'll be rooting of course for the kids, but with us having to play one of two teams we've recently lost to in the semis, while OU gets the winner of two losers, its advantage Ohio. I suspect our run of MACCs is about to burst. But let me just add, this is also intended as motivation to all who read this post. (I'm fighting to earn minutes off the bench for akzipper and skip-zip)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 I said this previously, but I will repeat it. We may actually have one of our best opportunities to gain new fans right now. If the Zips rise from this and enter the tournament, people will take notice. Sure, it's not the same as a major injury right before the tournament, etc., but the incident with Alex has people watching Akron. Probably even more so than when we were on a massive winning streak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jupitertoo Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 I said this previously, but I will repeat it. We may actually have one of our best opportunities to gain new fans right now. If the Zips rise from this and enter the tournament, people will take notice. Sure, it's not the same as a major injury right before the tournament, etc., but the incident with Alex has people watching Akron. Probably even more so than when we were on a massive winning streak. This takes the bullseye off the Zips and moves it to the Bulls, Flashes and Ohio. I'm not convinced the Bulls can beat Can't, so it's Akron-Can't tomorrow and I'm not sure Can't State can beat Akron twice in a week. The Ohio game - presuming they make it through their weak bracket - is anyone's guess. Where AA's loss really hurts Akron is in Round I of the NCAA, where depth at PG is crucial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoZips Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 The first question that came to my mind when I heard about Alex was did any of his teammates know what was going on. If this question was addressed I missed it. An investigation turned up nothing. The rest of the players are NOT involved. and, let's Go Zips ... !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Class of 82 Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 I can relate, MDZip. My first reaction was shock/disbelief. Anger followed close behind. But if the team and the staff can move on and keep plugging, all the while hoping the best for their friend and teammate, I suppose that's all I can do as a fan as well. I was very moved by the team's effort against Can't and even more so by KD's comments afterward. Many coaches might have thrown Alex under the bus, and a lot of people might have thought they had good reason. But not this coach. A young man he genuinely loves is in serious trouble, and that's his major concern. That, and continuing to teach and guide the rest of the guys on the roster. As fans, we're lucky to have a guy like this coaching our team. But I came away from watching that presser knowing that his players are even luckier. And not just Alex. That whole bunch will be better people from having been around this guy. When he says he cares about the kids in his program, they can kniow with absolute certainty that he really does mean it. So, I'm not angry anymore. And, ironically, I even have a renewed pride in a program that's faced no small amount of adversity and bad publicity this season. Anyway, don't sell these kids short. They still have a boatload of ability. Their dream can still come true, and I'll be pulling for them with everything I've got. Keep the faith, bro! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 While this may not be the optimum thread for this topic, it is close enough - 1.) I received my second Marketing "ZipsLine" email from Tom Wistercill where he writes a paragraph on Alex Abreu. Who writes ANYTHING regarding a player arrest in a Marketing email? You leave that stuff up to the newspapers... 2.) There were a lot of #11 jerseys sold to little kids over the past 6-or-so weeks. Hopefully one of the incoming Freshman takes the number, so the kids can wear their #11 with pride in 2013-14. Or, like my son, ask for black electrical tape to place over a #1 and make it a Tree jersey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoZips Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 ... There were a lot of #11 jerseys sold to little kids over the past 6-or-so weeks. Hopefully one of the incoming Freshman takes the number, so the kids can wear their #11 with pride in 2013-14. Or, like my son, ask for black electrical tape to place over a #1 and make it a Tree jersey. I completely agree. Hopefully one of the incoming freshman will take number eleven and help erase the sting. As your son did (great idea) convert those #11's into #1 to honor Akron's great power forward. Actually, you can make a couple of scenarios regarding #11. A.) should #11 just be put away for a couple of years; B.) be given to an incoming freshman likely to be red shirted; C.) given to a player expected to play as a freshman; or, D.) go to Nyles Evans the JUCO transfer likely to quickly become Akron's starting point guard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derrt Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Nyles Evans the JUCO transfer likely to quickly become Akron's starting point guard? I had to look this guy up, hopefully he gained some weight over this past year. Nyles was on the team that won the summer pro-am leauge for Akron-Canton in 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip Watcher Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Why don't we reassign the jersey # when we're sure it's available? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootforRoo44 Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Why don't we reassign the jersey # when we're sure it's available? +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 + = Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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