MEET THE TEAM SET FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 10

With the season opener against Wisconsin only a few weeks away, the 2008 version of the Akron Zips will take the practice field Monday, August 4.

Fans will get the chance to grip and grin with the Zips Sunday, August 10 at the Meet the Team Celebration from 4 to 6 p.m. Where you might ask? All we know is that it will take place on campus. Fans are encouraged to check GoZips.com for more details during the week.

Click here to access the 2008 Akron Zips Football Media Guide

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UPDATE ON FOOTBALL ALUMNI

Reggie Corner and Jabari Arthur are the newest Zips in the NFL. Corner will be wearing number 27 for the Buffalo Bills. You can read his blogs on the Buffalo Bills Web site.

Arthur will be wearing #10 for the Kansas City Chiefs.

HOLLYWOOD WILL WAIT: JASON TAYLOR HAS MORE FOOTBALL TO PLAY
Another Zip alum wearing an NFL uniform, currently that of the Washington Redskins, is focused on nothing but football.

Jason Taylor, who was recently traded from Miami, didn’t like all the publicity that came with his run in with new Dolphin Coach Bill Parcells. However, now that all the commotion has died down, he is looking forward to helping the Redskins win — and for more than one season.

This feature by the Canton Repository contains some interesting Q & A, where Taylor describes his experiences as a Zip, and how former coach Gerry Faust taught him how to be a man.

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ZIPS SOCCER HAS EXCELLENT RECRUITING CLASS

According to collegesoccernews.com, The University of Akron, the defending MAC Soccer Champions, had the fifth best recruiting class in the nation. This is the second year in a row that the Zips recruiting class has earned the fifth ranking.

The ranking notes that coach Caleb Porter is attracting the kind a talent to the Akron program that is turning heads on the national scene for the second year in a row. GoZips.com has a Q & A with Coach Porter.

REDHAWKS’ SEASON FULL OF UNCERTAINTY…Cincinnati Enquirer

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CMU FOOTBALL ON VERGE OF SETTING SCHOOL RECORD

The Chippewas have 17 starters returning from last year’s championship team, including “poster boy” quarterback Dan LeFevour. CMU, the pre-season pick to be MAC Champions, would set a school record should they achieve that feat. So says this video report by…WJRT-TV/Mid-Michigan

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The Zips may be starting practice Monday, but the Owls of Temple can’t wait that long.

TEMPLE TAKES TO THE FIELD TODAY…The Philadelphia Inquirer

Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com

MEN’S SUMMER BASKETBALL PREIVEW

Akron head basketball coach Keith Dambrot says the Zips will not only have the youngest team in the Mid-American Conference this season, but one of the youngest in the nation. That said, Dambrot still expects his Zips to win this year.

GoZips.com

Men’s Basketball 2008-09 Prospectus

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MAC FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS - DAY 2

The reaction to this week’s MAC Media Day continues to come in…

The Midland Daily News takes an in-depth look into the career of Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour. CMU, LED BY LE FEVOUR, PICKED TO WIN MAC…Midland Daily News

Central Michigan may now be “the man,” as The Morning Sun of Mt. Pleasant reports, but Western Michigan and Ball State are two schools that could rip that well-worn title away. MAC TO BE BALANCING ACT IN 2008.

Miami joins Bowling Green and Buffalo as the three teams “anointed” to lead the MAC East in 2008. So reports that bastion of journalism integrity, The Pulse-Journal of Liberty TWP Ohio.

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I’ll give the Pulse-Journal credit — they seem to devote a lot of coverage to the MAC, even if the story hook is old news, like the MAC produces good quarterbacks. QUARTERBACKS HAVE EXCELLED IN THE MAC.

Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com

AKRON’S LAST-PLACE FINISH MEANS PRESSURE ON BROOKHART

University of Akron head football coach J.D. Brookhart has plenty of bulletin board material to motivate his Zips after Tuesday’s MAC Media day at Ford Field in Detroit. Akron, coming off a difficult season, is picked to come in seventh — dead last in the East Division. My god, even Kent was picked to come in fourth.

As for the leaders, Bowling Green was picked to come in first in the East. Central Michigan was picked to win their third consecutive West Division Title.

Brookhart looking for redemption
On the surface, one might conclude that the last-place prediction means there is no pressure on the Zips. Quite the contrary. Akron has made little progress as a program since its 2005 MAC Championship. In fact, the gear shifter has been stuck in reverse since that glorious last-minute game winning Getsy to Hixson pass. Brookhart must begin caulking up successes again if he is going to regain his reputation as an upandcomer.

Last year at the Bowl

Closing out the Rubber Bowl thus setting the stage for a little mojo going into InfoCision Stadium next year is also squeezing the vice a little tighter for the Zips. The Athletic Department needs a winning season to inspire Zips fans to buy tickets, which by the way are going to be just a teeny weeny bit more expensive in the new place.

MAC PRESEASON FOOTBALL POLL

EAST DIVISION

1. Bowling Green

2. Miami

3. Buffalo

4. Kent State

5. Temple

6. Ohio

7. AKRON

WEST DIVISION

1. Central Michigan

2. Ball State

3. Western Michigan

4. Toledo

5. Eastern Michigan

6. Northern Illinois

PREDICTION FOR LAST PLACE ONLY INSPIRES ZIPS…The Akron Beacon Journal

FLASHES EXPECTING TO CONTEND IN ‘08…The Akron Beacon Journal

CMU PICKED TO WIN THIRD MAC TITLE…Sports Illustrated

CENTRAL, BGSU FAVORED TO WIN MAC…TOLEDO TAPPED FOR FOURTH IN WEST…The Blade

FALCONS PICKED AS DIVISION FAVORITES…BG News

TEMPLE’S GOLDEN TRYING TO KEEP EXPECTATIONS IN CHECK…Philadelphia Daily News

CMU, LED BY LeFEVOUR, PICKED TO WIN MAC…Midland Daily News

UB TAKES NUMBER 3 SPOT IN POLL IN STRIDE…Buffalo News

CMU’S GOAL - THREEPEAT…Traverse City Record-Eagle

POLL PUTS BALL STATE SECOND BEHIND MAC JUGGERNAUT…Journal-Gazette (Ft. Wayne)

Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com

THE ISSUE OF RESPECT REARS ITS UGLY HEAD…AGAIN!

Boy, you just can’t win. Can Akron ever play a team from a major conference without the “respect” issue coming up? It has happened again. At the Big Ten (11) kickoff event, Wisconsin Head Coach Bret Bielema was put on the defense after a reporter questioned the quality of the Badgers’ schedule. This year, Wisconsin plays Fresno State, Marshall, Cal-Poly, and of course, AKRON.

“Do you want to answer your own question, or do you want me to,” Bielema snapped after the reporter’s question.

Year after year Zips fans hear the same thing. We heard it last year against Ohio State. Hell, we even heard it last year against UConn, which by the way ripped us worse than Ohio State. The one time it did backfire, was when we heard it agasint NC State. But even when you beat the big boys, you still read on their fan forums something like, “I can’t believe we lost to a team called the Zips!”

I know we’re not a top-flight D-I, Bowl Championship Conference program. But technically, we are on the same level. The best way to finally bury the respect issue is to start knocking off these BCS teams on a regular basis — earn respect.

Later in the news conference, Coach Bielema gave the Akron program some street cred calling the Zips’ offense “unique” and “very dynamic.” “I don’t feel I need to defend (the schedule). But I need to educate, I guess I should say more than anything,” he added.

Until Akron’s football program climbs to the next level, Zips fans will have to stomach the jokes, the laughs and the lack of respect. Other than supporting the program, we are virtually helpless. It is time for the Athletic Department and Football staff to step up and shut the naysayers up for good.

Full article in the Wisconsin State Journal

Contact Don Olson at:  donolson160@yahoo.com

HOME GAME TIMES ANNOUNCED FOR QUIRKY SCHEDULE

The University of Akron Athletic Department announced the home game times for the 66th and final season for the Zips in the Rubber Bowl.

I’ve said from the beginning that this schedule has its pros and cons. I like the fact that most games are on Saturday. However, once ESPN gets involved toward the end of the season, things get wacky, as usual.

Most of the home games, once again are played at night, with the exception of the Cincinnati game on September 27, which begins at 3:30 p.m. The next week, the Zips only travel to that school located in Portage County. Then, it’s back home to the bowl with a game against BG with a 6 p.m. kick off.

And what’s with two bye weeks in a row? You must really get pained into a corner to make a schedule like that. In all my years of watching Zips football, I can never remember a two consecutive weeks off. Of course, if the Zips are banged up pretty bad at that point in the season, the scheduler will look like a genius.

Another thing I don’t like about this schedule is that Akron does not play Miami. Instead, we see the Cardinals of Testicle Tech invading the Rubber Bowl (I couldn’t resist myself), the first time the Zips will play Ball State since 2004.

The September 20th game against Army in West Point will be televised by ESPN. Other than that, the Zips will only be on the four-letter network two other times during the regular season, which is probably the reason for the sanity in this year’s schedule.

However, kick off for the Thursday, November 13th game against Buffalo begins at 7 p.m. Good luck getting out of work in time to see the beginning of that one. The other weeknight home game is the previous Wednesday, November 9th against Toledo.

Since the Athletic Department is packaging season tickets for this and next season, it will be interesting to see if the incentives for first dibbs for seats in the new stadium will mean more butts in the seats at the Bowl this year.

Is the excitement beginning to build? We’ll see. I’ve been there since 1985 and don’t see changing that now. Hope to see you there!

2008 University of Akron Football Schedule

News Release from Akron Media Relations

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NIKE AND LE BRON TO DRESS THE ZIPS NEXT SEASON

“…The University of Akron is my hometown school.” LeBron James

Lets see how spiffy the basketball Zips look next season as they begin wearing Nike/LJ23 gear. Lebron and the University announced a partnership through the 2011. The remainder of the Zips athletics teams will continue their agreement with adidas until 2013.

” Because of my ties to the Akron Community, the University and Coach Keith Dambrot, it is important to me that UA is designated a Nike/Lebron James LJ23 school,” said James. “I want to be sure that Coach Dambrot’s guys look great head to toe.”

“This is just another example of LeBron’s commitment to the City of Akron, its University and our basketball program,” said Dambrot. “This announcement is important to us in many ways. It furthers our connection with one of the greatest players in the world.”

The announced partnership is great news for the basketball program. It can’t hurt recruitment to have a guy like Lebron hanging around. As for the new look, I’ll hold judgment until I see what Lebron has to offer.

Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com

AKRON GUARD IS NOW GUARDED

Rydell Brooks is no longer a member of the University of Akron basketball team.

Broke team rules? Nope.

Couldn’t make grades Nope.

Attempted Murder, Felonious Assault and Carrying a Concealed Weapon? Yepper.

You see, the folks at the Hilltop frown on getting in a foot chase with police (allegedly) and shooting at them.

The University announced that Brooks has officially been expelled from school. So, instead of working out at the JAR Arena, Brooks is now sitting on his can in the Summit County clink under $1 million bond.

No real loss on the court. Brooks didn’t even play one second on the hardwood last year, and only played 18 minutes the year before. His career average is less than five points per game.

His basketball career seems to be over. If convicted, he can earn his degree from the College of Hard Knocks. Lets hope he gets his act together. Too bad he had to learn it the hard way.

UA Basketball Player Expelled Following Arrest…WKYC-TV

Akron Player is Expelled…Akron Beacon Journal

Miami Linebacker Picked Pre-Season All MAC

College Football Preview magazine has picked Clayton Mullins as one of the best players in the conference before the season even begins…Dayton Daily News

Miami Media Relations

Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com

LATEST SIGNING IS BLUE CHIP FROM FLORIDA

Kyle Petersen’s jersey is currently hanging in the rafters of Community School in Naples, Florida. Zips fans can only hope that the 6 foot 4 inch guard duplicates his career while wearing the blue & gold and playing in the JAR Arena.

The Zips announced that Petersen will be a preferred walk on to the team’s ‘08-’09 roster, which means he’ll have a spot on the team, but will not receive a scholarship — right off the bat anyway.

Petersen is not only a star on the hardwood, but he also performs in the classroom, graduating high school with a 3.8 grade point average.

His jersey was retired last month after he concluded a high school career that rang up 1, 217 points.

Petersen’s statistics are impressive. His senior year, he averaged 19 points with 5.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He also was selected all-state and player of the year for his high school’s division.

“Kyle is a very fundamental player,” said Akron Head Coach Keith Dambrot. “He’s a good shooter, averaging about 50 percent from the field as a senior, and has a great basketball IQ. I have no doubt that he will fit in with our current players and system very well.”

Petersen will join five others in the current recruiting class. On Monday, the Zips announced that Nikola Cvetinovic, Alex Sullivan, Andrew Parrish, Brett McClanahan and Anthony “Humpty” Hitchens have signed national letters of intent.

We are excited about our five new additions,” Dambrot said. “This class defines our recruiting philosophy of bringing in high character people, and high school players from winning programs who are also good students. We will graduate four talented scholarship seniors at the end of this season, and this signing class will address our needs when those players depart.”

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THE SUN GOES DOWN

Kent State may have Ray’s Place, but for decades, The Sun Bar & Grill has been the hot spot for University of Akron students. Long before Exchange Street morphed into the “Zip Strip,” The Sun was just about the only place to sit down with friends, order up a pitcher and play a nice game of pool. Now, it’s all gone.

The Sun will soon meet with the wrecking ball, as room is needed for InfoCision Stadium.

Sun Sets on College Bar…The Akron Beacon Journal

(photo: Ken Love/Akron Beacon Journal)

Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com

CHANGE OF STADIUM COMES AT RIGHT TIME

She was a grand old dame in her time - but her time has past.

I usually have two distinct feelings when it comes to replacing sports venues. Either the new facility is a waste, in the vein of not needed, or it’s time to get rid of this pit. I felt that way about old Cleveland Stadium - that it was time to get rid of the pit. Jacobs (Progressive) Field was needed in the worst way. In addition, Baseball Commissioners Peter Uberoth and Bud Selig made it clear that if the Indians didn’t get a new house, they would be playing in another city, probably Tampa. My only issue with Progressive Field was that it was built with taxpayer dollars. The same with Cleveland Browns Stadium…also much-needed, but funded at the public trough - but I digress.

I felt that tearing down the Coliseum and building the Gund Arena was a complete waste. The Coliseum, the first sports venue with luxury suites, or loges, was still in the top ten of NBA venues. Had the suites been built between the upper and lower decks and closer to the action for the goober smoochers instead of up in the rafters, the Cavaliers would still be playing in Summit County.

Now we have the last season at the Rubber Bowl. Plenty of memories? You bet. There was a time when the second largest college football stadium in Ohio was a huge plus for The University of Akron. In fact, Gerry Faust said the Rubber Bowl was a big reason for his selection of Akron on the heels of his Notre Dame career. Faust had his sites on making Akron a major independent football power, such as Penn State, Syracuse, and a few other major non-conference programs. He never had the goal of joining the Mid-American Conference, a mid-major league. He thought Akron was a sleeping giant and our stadium played a big part. One thing went wrong - we didn’t win.

Since then, a whole new attitude surrounds sports venues. Look at Canal Park where the Akron Aeros play. Great field. Great Restaurant. Great Suites. Great $$$. The big time hit minor-league baseball about ten years ago. Compare Canal Park with Thurman Munson Stadium where the double A Canton-Akron Indians played.

I predict the same scenario that played out for Canal Park will play out for UA. Both projects are replacing a blighted area. Main Street has had its growing pains with the addition of Canal Park, with a high turnover rate of restaurants and night spots. Crime is also an issue. However, having the football stadium on campus is going to give Akron football, and the entire campus, a whole new feeling.

Yes, InfoCision was built with public money. But the university is a public school. Every building on campus is built predominately with public money. So I don’t have the same gripe with the Zips new stadium that I do for professional teams.

Yes, the Bowl provided us with many great memories. But time pushes on, and with the new stadium, so will Akron football - hopefully to the next level, whatever that might be.

Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com

WHEN WILL FORMER AKRON STAR REPORT?

According to an Associated Press article, former University of Akron star Jason Taylor wanted to clear the air on many topics in an interview Sunday. However, the question on the end of everyone’s lips (except for a few billion Chinese) is when will Taylor report for work at the Miami Dolphins training camp.

To that question, the world still waits. The AP article was printed in USA Today.

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SUMMER FOOTBALL WORKOUTS BEGIN TODAY

AKRON – Those on the InfoCision Stadium/Summa Field construction site are not to only ones feverishly working on Union Street this summer. The 2008 edition of the University of Akron football squad is ready to build on a successful spring in the weight room this summer, starting June 2.

“We made some real strides this spring,” said UA head strength & conditioning coach Dan Bailey. “It is also great to see a person like Chris Kemme who came in four years ago at 255 pounds with not a great deal of strength now weigh 310 pounds, run a 5.24 40-yard dash and now bench press 400 pounds.

“I am pleased to say all our tailbacks ran 4.5 or better and most all our top defensive linemen on the depth chart ran 4.9 or better in the 40-yard dash. We had a great spring and we will be focused mainly on continuing our overall conditioning this summer.”

Starting June 2, those here for the summer may voluntarily participate in an eight-week program under Bailey’s direction, consisting of four, two-hour sessions per week. After the summer program, the team will have a week of before reporting for camp on August 3.

(As a side note, a few spots are still available for the June 3 Akron Invitational at Firestone Country Club, a Z-Fund event to enable these and other Akron student-athletes the ability to take summer school classes. Please call 330-972-FUND or visit GoZips.com for more information on the Invitational or make a donation to your sport of choice.)

The eight-week voluntary program will consist of a 45-minute workout on the field to work on “straight ahead speed” followed by a lifting session on Mondays and Thursdays. Tuesdays and Fridays will be devoted to agility and conditioning on the field while addressing the lower body and power lifts in the weight room. Wednesdays will be a day to rest and recover.

Also during each week, 2008 captains Merce Poindexter and Doug Williams will organize and structure two 7-on-7 scrimmages and one 11-on-11 scrimmage. (Participation in these scrimmages is also voluntary and can not have the involvement of coaches/staff in any fashion.)

As the 2008 spring semester drew to a close, Coach Bailey and his assistant, Tim Campbell, tested the entire team (minus those who had any degree of injury) much the same as the National Football League scouts do, getting heights and weights, vertical jump (demonstrating the power one can generate), 40-yard dash (straight ahead speed), the pro agility or short shuttle (demonstrating lateral movement and the ability to change speeds) and the bench press (strength).

In addition to Kemme, some individuals Coach Bailey highlighted include:

Ryan Bain – at 6-2, 296 pounds – ran a 4.90 in the 40, had a defensive line-best 4.45 in the pro agility and bench pressed a team-best 465 pounds.

Hasan Hazime, who enrolled at Akron as a true freshman in January, has already added nearly 10 pounds since testing, up to 258, and ran 4.76 in the 40.

Poindexter, who has added four pounds since testing to now weigh 250 pounds, ran 4.59 in the 40.

Almondo Sewell, at 260 pounds, ran 4.73 in the 40 and bench pressed 455 pounds.

Joe Tuzze was honored by head coach J.D. Brookhart at the conclusion of spring drills due to Tuzze’s hard-work and dedication and he continues to be a role model for his ethic.

Mike Ward, a sophomore offensive lineman, added 40 pounds to his bench press over the last year, now pushing up 400 pounds.

Aaron Williams, who also enrolled at Akron in January as a true freshman, has shown continual improvement in all areas, gaining over 20 pounds (192 to 210). While he ran just 4.79 in the 40, the linebacker ran 4.42 in the pro agility.

 

(source: Akron Media Relations)

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2008 University of Akron Football Schedule

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Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com

 

 

 

InfoCision AHEAD of schedule

How about that? The stadium that many Golden Flashes told me would never happen is now AHEAD of schedule! That’s the word from the University of Akron Athletic department.

As you can see in the photo the tower footings for the west side of the stadium are set. Soon, we’ll be seeing the grandstands rise to the sky.

The Athletic Department also says ticket sales are brisk. In fact, all of the luxury suites have already been sold and the lodge boxes are going fast.

Over the past several weeks, the city closed Nash Street, allowing 90 percent of the excavation to be complete to date. While excavation is being completed, work has already begun pouring concrete for the retaining walls from the eventual Summa Field playing surface to the first row of the stands as well as beginning to pour the foundation for what will be the back of the east stands (opposite the press tower). In fact, you can see the outline of the lower bowl for both sides. The area that will be the east and west concourses are also starting to take shape.

“I go out and look at the site everyday I am in town and everyday I see something new,” said UA head football coach J.D. Brookhart. “I am amazed the progress they make from when I enter my office in the morning to the time when I leave for the day. I have said it before but I can not help reiterating how exciting this is for our program, the athletics department and the University.”

In the coming days, a portion of Union Street (running between the complex and the Lee Jackson Field Track) will be narrowed to one lane to allow a steel erector crane to operate. Also, footings for the press tower are being formed with the structural steel set to arrive in mid-June.

As mentioned by Coach Brookhart, InfoCision Stadium will not only benefit the football program but the entire athletics department and the University. The north endzone (closest to the Stile Athletics Field House) will feature a two-story facility, containing a new athletic training room, game-day operations for the football program and locker rooms with lounges for four Zips’ sports programs. The press tower will devote up to 80,000 square feet of space over three levels (floors 2-4) for the University to use for academic purposes.

InfoCision Stadium Web Cam

InfoCision Stadium Web site

(Source & Photo: Akron Media Relations)

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UPDATE FROM MAC RHOADES

UA will compete in a new sport, and efforts are being made to improve the academic performance of student athletes. Akron Athletic Director announced that women’s golf will be added to the University’s athletic program. Also, Rhoades provides us with an update on construction of InfoCision Stadium/Summa Field.

Click here for Mac Rhoades Podcast

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Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com