The University of Akron Athletics
Read the Latest Edition of Zips Line – April 17, 2015
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ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?
The Spring Game is finally here and we are excited to see the Football team back on the field. Coach Bowden, the staff and the student-athletes have been working hard all spring – including some very early practice times – to get better each and every day.
Tomorrow's festivities will begin at 10 a.m. ET with the annual Youth Clinic, which will be held at the Stile Athletics Field House. The event is open to boys and girls in grades K-6. Youngsters will run drills with Zips student-athletes and will have the opportunity to meet Coach Bowden. To register, click here (Password is CLINIC).
Zips Fest will open at 11 a.m. and will be located on Vine Street between InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field and the Stile Athletics Field House, while gates will open at Noon.
Following the Spring Game, which will start at 1 p.m., Coach Bowden and the student-athletes will be on the West Concourse to sign autographs. Fans can then head over to Lee R. Jackson Field to watch the Baseball team take on the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks at 3 p.m. ET. Men's Soccer will conclude the day at 7 p.m. ET by playing host to Sigma FC at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.
I recommend you come early as there will be a lot going on around campus. Fans are being asked to park in Lot 9, south of the stadium directly behind the videoboard, and that we are sending specific parking instructions directly to football alumni and suite holders.
Visit GoZips.com for more information, including where to park, a timeline of events and more.
RECAPING MY TRIP TO INDIANAPOLIS
As I mentioned in the last Zips Line, I spent part of this week in Indianapolis taking part in NCAA Council Meetings. In addition to filling out the remaining spots in the seven subcommittees, we spent a lot of time discussing concussion guidelines and how institutions will deal with the new protocols.
After meeting as an entire group, each subcommittee split off to meet. I am a member of the Championship Competition Committee, met for the first time this week. We voted on new committee members and began to discuss how we will handle all sport requests the will come forward from member institutions.
We have several meetings scheduled for later this year and, as we meet and discuss various topics, I will continue to provide updates and insights from our meetings.
A BIG WEEK FOR SHAWN BARBER
This week has been a big one for junior pole vaulter Shawn Barber. Earlier this week, it was announced that Barber is on the cover of the May issue of Track and Field News magazine. The honor came after Barber was named the publication's National Indoor Collegiate Men's Indoor Athlete of the Year.
On Wednesday, Barber was named to the 10-member April Watch List for The Bowerman Award. The Bowerman Trophy is presented annually by the USTFCCCA to the most outstanding male and female collegiate track and field athletes in the nation.
The week doesn't end there for Barber as he returns to action later today at the Mt. Sac Relays in Walnut, Calif. From there, he will jet to New York City, by way of Akron, where he will participate in the James A. Sullivan Award ceremony on Sunday, April 19. The award will be presented at 2 p.m. ET at the New York Athletic Club. The Sullivan Award honors the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States each year. I encourage you to watch the ceremony live online on Sunday.
CONGRATS TO…
… Men's and Women's Track and Field for a strong showing at last weekend's All-Ohio Championships, with four individuals earning wins during the event …
… the Akron Dance team for posting its best finish in school history last week at the National Dance Alliance Nationals …
… Softball's Erin Seiler for earning her third MAC Pitcher of the Week honor, as well as earning Zips' Student-Athlete of the Week accolades …
… Baseball's JT Brubaker, who helped the Baseball team to a three-game sweep of Northern Illinois and helped the Zips sweep MAC Pitcher of the Week honors this week in both baseball and softball …
… Daniel Utomi, for signing a national letter of intent to join the Men's Basketball team next season …
GOOD LUCK TO…
… Track and Field, who will send student-athletes to a number of events across the country this weekend …
… Men's Soccer in its match against Sigma FC, a Canadian soccer academy based in Toronto, Ontario, on Saturday at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field beginning at 7 p.m. …
… Softball as the squad takes on Toledo in a doubleheader today and Bowling Green on Saturday and Sunday, all on the road …
… Women's Tennis, who will play host to Northern Illinois today at 1 p.m. at the LaTuchie Tennis Center and will honor senior Olga Shkundia …
… Baseball as the squad host to Miami (Ohio) this weekend and look to remain at the top of the MAC East standings (currently tied with Kent State). Game one is set for 3 p.m. today at Lee R. Jackson Field …
… Women's Golf as the team concludes the regular season this weekend at the Lady Buckeye Spring Invitational …
WHAT TO WATCH…
… This week's edition of Zips Weekly, our weekly recap show …
… This week's Z360, which gives a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of kicker Robert Stein and a unique feature on Zippy …
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
