The University of Akron Athletics
Read the Latest Edition of Zips Line – May 7, 2015
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CONGRATS TO OUR GRADUATES
Graduation season is always an exciting time of year. I want to be one of the first to congratulate the 39 student-athletes, and all of the graduates, that will receive their University of Akron degree this weekend. I hope you enjoy this momentous occasion with your friends and family.
With spring sports still competing, several of our student-athletes will not be able to make their graduation ceremonies.
Prior to Baseball’s game against Buffalo on Friday, we will present Andrew Fanning, Joseph Havrilak, Zakary Knettel, Matt LaRocca, Matt Rembielak and Darius Washington with their diplomas. UA Provost Mike Sherman will be on hand to present the degrees.
Make sure you show up at Lee R. Jackson Field before the 3 p.m. first pitch to show your support and appreciation for these student-athletes in this unique presentation.
DIAMOND CLASSIC SET FOR NEXT WEEK
The last weekend of the Baseball regular season is one of my favorite parts of the year. Not only do the Zips face off against neighborhood rival Kent State for bragging rights and a point in the PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge, but both teams come together to raise money and awareness for Akron Children’s Hospital as part of the Ninth-Annual Diamond Classic for the Kids.
The matchup will take place on Thursday, May 14, at Canal Park in downtown Akron. Tickets are $5 each, with all proceeds going to Akron Children’s Hospital. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
I encourage you to attend this great event, help raise money for a good cause and cheer on the Zips to a victory over the Golden Flashes.
PNC WAGON WHEEL CHALLENGE UPDATE
This year’s PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge is coming down to the wire. With three sports remaining, Kent State holds a slim 6.5-5.5 lead.
The Zips need 2.5 points to win the 2014-15 edition of the challenge. The Baseball team takes on Kent State next week at Canal Park on Thursday and at Lee R. Jackson Field on Friday and Saturday.
Both the Men’s and Women’s Track and Field squads will face off against Kent State at the 2015 Mid-American Conference Championships, slated for May 14-16 in Muncie, Ind.
Buckle up for what looks to be an exciting finish to this rivalry challenge.
NEWEST ZIPS FOOTBALL SEASON TICKET PRIZE WINNERS
Congratulations to John Bohan, Scott Winans, Randy Fairfax and Pete Piglia, all of whom won prizes this week.
We will be holding weekly drawings for the next five weeks, with the cutoff for each drawing being Friday of the previous week. The sooner you buy or renew your Football season tickets, the more chances you have to win one of a number of great prizes, including: an in-game recognition as season ticket holder of the game for a home contest, a free season ticket package upgrade for the year, a bus trip invitation to MAC away game or autographed Akron memorabilia. If you already purchased for this year, you’re automatically rolled over for the chance to win these prizes until you win. You can call us at 888-99-AKRON (25766), visit the ticket office or visit GoZips.com/tickets to find the season ticket package that’s right for you.
CONGRATS TO…
… our Men’s Track and Field team for climbing to No. 23 in the latest USTFCCCA Division I team rankings. Both squads also had strong showings at the Longhorn Invitational and Jesse Owens Track and Field Classic (day one and day two recaps) …
… Shawn Barber and Clayton Murphy for earning MAC Men’s Track and Field Athletes of the Week, the seventh for Barber and sixth for Murphy this season. Barber was also named to the 10-member May Watch List for The Bowerman Award …
… Softball’s Erin Seiler, for being named MAC East Pitcher of the Week for the fifth time this year …
… Softball’s Taryn Allmon, Erin Seiler and Taylor Kirian, for earning All-MAC honors for the 2015 season …
… Yann Pfeiffer and George Baylis, for posting top-25 finishes in their first MAC Men’s Golf Championship event last weekend …
… Jawon Chisholm (Pittsburgh), Justin March (Kansas City) and Nmesoma Okafor (Cincinnati) for signing free agent contracts with NFL teams. They join Chase Blackburn (Carolina), Jalil Carter (Minnesota), Shawn Lemon (Pittsburgh) and Jarrod Pughsley (Kansas City) as former Zips currently on NFL rosters …
… the newest members of our Softball and Volleyball teams for signing to play with the Zips next season …
GOOD LUCK TO …
… the Baseball team, as it plays host to Buffalo this weekend in a key match-up with MAC Tournament seeding implications on the line for the Zips …
… the Softball team, as it takes on Northern Illinois tonight at 6 p.m. ET in the second round of the MAC Tournament ...
… Track and Field, as both squads play host to the Campbell/Wright Invitational this weekend at Lee R. Jackson Track and Field Complex …
UPCOMING EVENTS
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for two upcoming events, including the Second-Annual Varsity “A” Association Beer and Wine Tasting event on May 29 and the Football Summer Jamboree Golf Outing on June 8.
TIMEOUT WITH DIRECTOR OF STUDENT-ATHLETE SUPPORT SERVICES CHUCK LEWIS
Chuck Lewis, Director of Student-Athlete Support Services, has been tied to Akron Athletics since his time as a student-athlete on the Zips football team. A 2006 graduate of UA, Lewis worked for five years as the coordinator of academic services for Zips football before stepping into his current role in 2010.
As a member of the Zips football team, was it your plan to work in academic support services after graduation?
Originally I wanted to work in the broadcasting industry to try and utilize my communication skills as a sports broadcaster. When I graduated with a bachelor's degree, my academic advisor called me about a graduate assistantship working in academic support. At the time, I had never really thought about working in athletics, but it has now turned into my career that I enjoy daily. I knew that for me to work in higher education, I was going to need it to gain employment, which inspired me to pursue a master's in education.
What types of things do you consider when developing and implementing academic support programs?
We try to create an environment where we put student-athletes first by implementing programs that help them with time management skills and balancing their academic and athletics careers. We hold one-on-one meetings with student-athletes, and communicate daily with the coaching staffs and other faculty. It is our job in academic services to ensure that student-athletes have a comfortable place to study and to get the help they need to be successful; that also involves hiring the right people to guide them down the right path.
What is the most rewarding part of the job?
Being able to plant positive seeds in the lives of young people and watch them grow into something extraordinary. We help student-athletes reach their full potential both academically and athletically.
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
