The University of Akron Athletics
athletics emails tom 2012 13 january 9 2013
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
On behalf of Zips Athletics, we wish you a happy and healthy 2013! Here’s a resolution we can share: to cheer on our Zips, as often and as loudly as possible, when they’re competing on campus as well as out of town!
Zips Line is happy to return in the new year with some new content. Since we took a few weeks off, this version will catch you up. Let us know what you think.
MEN’S HOOPS OPENS MAC PLAY TONIGHT
Join us at James A. Rhodes Arena tonight as our Men’s Basketball team hosts Western Michigan in our Mid-American Conference opener at 7 p.m. Tickets are available here. Our Men have won five consecutive games and have the best record in the MAC as conference play tips off.
If you’re joining us tonight, please be in your seats early as we present commemorative game balls to both Head Coach Keith Dambrot (for winning 300 career games) and Zeke Marshall (for scoring 1,000 career points). We will close Tommy Evans Lounge five minutes early to help with this.
Please note that the lower bowl for almost every remaining men’s basketball is sold out through season tickets and mini plans. We still have some seats available in our upper reserved sections through mini plans (you pick which games as part of a 3-, 5- or 7-game package) as well as general admission tickets, but don’t delay … we’re expecting capacity crowds for many of the upcoming games, especially Ohio and Kent State.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. KENT STATE ON SUNDAY
There’s many reasons why you should attend our Women’s Basketball PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge contest vs. Kent State at 2 p.m. Sunday at the JAR, but let’s have Rachel Tecca and Hanna Luburgh tell you why in this video. You can purchase tickets here.
Our coaches and student-athletes are hosting a pre-game youth clinic – a few spots are still available, so please click here to sign up a child between ages 5 and 14!
Tommy Evans Lounge will open for all Zips fans at 12:30 p.m. Don’t be late so you can claim your free rally towel!
Coach Kest and her team start MAC play at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Ohio. At 9-4, this year’s team has won more non-conference games in a single season than any other in program history!
PROGRAMMING UPDATES
... Our Men’s Basketball game at Kent State on Saturday, Jan. 19 was moved to a 3 p.m. tip-off to air live on ESPNU …
… Zips Live, our weekly radio show, is back to Monday nights for basketball season. Hosted by Bill Morgan, the show will be broadcast at 7 p.m. live from the Winking Lizard in Fairlawn, airing on Fox Sports Radio 1350 and available on iHeart Radio …
… Zips Basketball with Keith Dambrot, presented by Wentz Financial Group, airs a few times each week on SportsTime Ohio -- click here for the updated broadcast schedule.
…both Jodi Kest and Keith Dambrot do weekly video updates on GoZips.com. Visit the Women’s Basketball and Men’s Basketball team pages to watch their latest reports.
… if you missed it, here are video links to the entire #ThanksCaleb Reception for Caleb Porter …
MAC FOOTBALL OPPONENTS ANNOUNCED
The MAC announced today our 2013 football opponents for conference play. At home we will host Ball State, Ohio, Toledo and, of course, Kent State in the annual PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge rivalry contest. We will travel to Bowling Green, UMass, Miami and Northern Illinois. Six of our eight conference foes, and nine of our 12 overall opponents, competed in bowl games this past season, so it’s another exciting slate for Coach Bowden and his team.
Our non-conference schedule has already been announced, with home games vs. James Madison (Sept. 7) and Louisiana-Lafayette (Sept. 21). We’ll also travel to UCF and Michigan.
Dates for the eight MAC games will be released in late February or early March, and times will be unveiled at the beginning of the summer.
You’ll hear from us soon about football renewals and new sales, including some exciting changes we’re eager to share with you. We’ll also be announcing our Spring Game and Kickoff Luncheon dates so you can block those off on your calendar.
STUDENT-ATHLETE VIDEO PROFILE OF THE WEEK
Starting this week, in this e-mail we will share a link to a video profile of a different Zips student-athlete so you can gain more insight into the men and women who wear the blue and gold. First up: senior wide receiver Marquelo Suel.
JOIN THE DRIVE FOR 5
Our fundraising plan, “Drive for 5,” has been well-received in its first month. Remember, we want to have 5,000 donors and raise $5 million annually by 2015 … but we need your help to make it happen! If you’re not currently a Z-Fund member, please join now … and if you already have, help us recruit new members and be rewarded for it!
The first person to send in his Drive for 5 commitment was none other than former football head coach Gerry Faust. Thanks, Coach!
ZIPS CONGRATS TO …
… Men’s Soccer student-athletes Scott Caldwell and Wil Trapp, for signing homegrown contracts with the New England Revolution and Columbus Crew, respectively …
… Caldwell, who also was named NSCAA Scholar All-America Player of the Year …
… incoming freshman Shawn Barber, who won the elite competition Friday at Stile Athletics Field House as part of the Zips’ inaugural Pole Vault Convention …
… men’s basketball coach Keith Dambrot for earning his 300th career win with our 62-58 victory over Princeton …
… Men’s Basketball senior center Zeke Marshall on scoring his 1,000th career point during our 91-63 win against Coppin State, following a MAC Player of the Week performance the week prior vs. Texas Southern and Princeton …
… Football coach A.J. Milwee, who was promoted to offensive coordinator …
… Junior midfielder/defender Amber Kern for being named to the Women’s Soccer Academic All-MAC Team …
… Forwards
Sina King and Demetrius
Treadwell for each being named MAC East Player of the Week
during December …
... The men's track and field team for being ranked the No. 7 dual-meet team in the nation
by Track and Field News ...
ZIPS CLIPS …
… the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Elton Alexander on the Zips being one of the teams to beat in the MAC …
… the Akron Beacon Journal’s George Thomas on the Zips’ preparation for conference play tonight …
… Fox Sports Ohio’s Zac Jackson on how far Zeke Marshall has come in his career to score 1,000 points …
… Terry Pluto from the PD on Coach Dambrot being a major success at the mid-major level …
… junior wide receiver Dee Frieson was profiled by his hometown paper, Clay Today of Clay County, Florida …
… freshman guard Anita Brown was featured in the Tribune Chronicle before Women’s Basketball faced Youngstown State …
ASK THE AD …
As always, if you have a question or want to comment about Zips Athletics, click here now or at any time on the “Ask the AD” button on the home page of GoZips.com.
Go Zips!
Tom Wistrcill
Director of Athletics
