The University of Akron Athletics
athletics emails tom 2013 14 jan 8 2014
|
|
|
|
PLEASE KEEP US IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
It has been a tough couple of weeks for Zips
Athletics, following the
passing of Football Assistant Head Coach Alan "Tank" Arrington in
an automobile accident on Dec. 23 in Batesville, Miss., as well
as the passing of T.J. Bowden, the son of Football Assistant Coach
Jeff Bowden and nephew of Head Coach Terry Bowden, in an automobile
accident on Dec. 26 in Winter Haven, Fla.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Arrington and Bowden
families and we ask that you do the same. I know many of you within
Zips Nation have expressed your condolences and that is much
appreciated as our program works through this challenging time.
Also, we ask that you continue to keep Men's Basketball Director
of Operations Dan Peters in your thoughts and prayers as he battles
pancreatic cancer. He
has taken an indefinite medical leave of
absence.
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL START CONFERENCE PLAY
Both Men's and Women's Basketball have hit their stride as they
begin the Mid-American Conference schedule. The Men take
a two-game win streak to Ball State tonight for the start of
league play, while the Women have won three in a row, including an 87-78 home victory over Ball State last
Saturday.
The Women play host to Central Michigan at Rhodes Arena on
Thursday at 7 p.m. The rematch of last year's MAC Tournament
championship game will be televised by Time Warner
Cable Sports Channel. This is an important game between two of
the favorites in the conference's East and West Divisions and we
look forward to having you in the stands to help Coach Jodi Kest's
team extend a 12-game home win streak.
The Women's game also will be themed Senior Citizens Night, with
anyone age 55 or older receiving a ticket for just $2 as well as
discounts on concessions. We will play Basketball Bingo during
timeouts throughout the game, with winners being eligible for a
variety of prizes.
The Men travel to Ohio on Sunday at 6 p.m., a game that also will
be carried by Time Warner Cable Sports Channel, before
returning home to face Miami (Ohio) on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The
Marines will hold their annual Chin-Up Challenge during pregame
near the student entrance in the northwest corner of the
building.
Tickets for Men's and Women's games are available on ZipsTickets.com or by calling
our ticket office at 1-888-99-AKRON (25766).
All games are video streamed and broadcast locally on SportsRadio1350.com (1350 AM) and nationally on iHeartRadio.
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ZIPS TRIPS
While we love to have you in the stands at Rhodes Arena rooting on
our teams, providing our student-athletes and coaches a friendly
cheering section on the road is also important. As was previously
announced, our Z-Fund planned a fan bus trip to the Men's
Basketball game at Ohio on Sunday. Earlier today that trip sold
out.
There is still room available on the Women's Basketball bus trip
to Eastern Michigan on Sunday, Jan. 26. That contest starts at 2
p.m., and the bus will leave campus at 10:15 a.m., and return
immediately following the game. On the return trip, we will stop at
the Hollywood Casino in Toledo. You can reserve your spot by paying
$35, which includes travel and a game ticket.
RSVP to Micklos Blake with the Z-Fund at (330) 972-7142 or by e-mail.
TRACK AND FIELD OPENS INDOOR SEASON
Track and Field starts the indoor portion of its season on Friday
night at Stile Athletics Field House when it holds the Akron Opener
from 7-10 p.m. Coach Dennis Mitchell and his staff work closely
with our marketing and promotions unit to make these indoor events
both exciting and fan friendly. Friday's meet will feature kids'
versions of sprints, shot put and discus. If you have yet to see a
track and field meet in our field house, this would be a great
first opportunity.
If you are unable to make it out, you can follow along by watching
our video stream.
In case you missed it, some of the nation's best young pole
vaulters were on campus last weekend for our second-annual Pole Vault Convention. The highlight of
the three-day event, which featured Olympic Team hopefuls, World
Championship Team members and NCAA National Champions, was seeing
2012 NCAA outdoor champion Jack Whitt break the facility record
with a jump of 18-04.75
UA sophomore Shawn Barber, the reigning Canadian record holder in
the pole vault, was one of four competitors to clear 18 feet in the
competition.
SCHEDULE UPDATE
Earlier this month we announced the game times for our Men's and Women's
Basketball doubleheader on Saturday, Jan. 18. The Men's game
that day against Toledo was selected to be televised by ESPNU and
will tip off at 11 a.m., while the Women will take on rival Kent
State at 1:30 p.m. These times were previously listed as TBA. Also,
a Men's ticket is good for both games.
The Men's game should be a fun matchup between the MAC's two
divisional favorites and the Women's game will be the latest
installment in the PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge against KSU, which we
currently lead 3-2 after Football's win over the Flashes in November.
ZIPS CONGRATS TO ...
... Men's Soccer Head Coach Jared Embick, named All-Ohio Coach of the Year ...
... Track and Field Head Coach Dennis Mitchell, received a two-year contract extension ...
ZIPS CLIPS …
... George Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal previewed the start of the MAC schedule for Men's
Basketball ...
... Stephanie Warsmith
and Katie Byard of the Akron Beacon
Journal analyzed the debate surrounding a new arena for
the university and city ...
... George Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal reviewed the 2013 Football season in a Q&A
with Coach Terry Bowden ...
... Ron Johnston of the Marietta Times profiled Women's Basketball's Sina King ...
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
|
