The University of Akron Athletics
Read the Latest Edition of Zips Line – November 25, 2014
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BIG BASKETBALL WINS IN CHARLESTON
Congratulations to our Men’s Basketball program and Head Coach Keith Dambrot on two huge wins in the Gildan Charleston Classic, where we finished in third place with a 2-1 record after defeating both USCs – the University of Southern California from the Pac-12 and the University of South Carolina from the SEC. Coach Dambrot has worked hard to develop relationships that invite us to participate in these types of tournaments (the Diamond Head Classic last year, Puerto Rico the year prior) and have the chance to play high-major competition on a neutral court
This is the first time in school history we have won two games in one season against schools from the biggest conferences in college athletics, and we’re looking to add a third at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Penn State from the Big Ten (on ESPN3).
Thank you to the roughly 100 Zips fans who travelled from northeast Ohio (as well as other parts of the country) to join us in Charleston to cheer on our team. We had a large “team” dinner Saturday night with many of those who made the trip, and we’ll continue to try to find opportunities where our fans can interact with our student-athletes and coaches in such a personal and unique setting.
BIG BASKETBALL WINS BACK HOME, TOO
Head Coach Jodi Kest and our Women’s Basketball team are off to a hot start with a 3-0 record, thanks to winning both games in the inaugural Akron Classic as well as an exciting 82-73 victory over Northern Iowa on Education Day in front of 800-plus screaming fifth graders. This week’s Z360 looks at Education Day and much more.
We play a good Valparaiso team at 7 p.m. tonight at Rhodes Arena – tickets are available here.
FOOTBALL GAME MOVED
Hopefully by now you have heard that our Football game at Kent State was moved from tonight to 1 p.m. Friday as a result of the weather conditions that first delayed and then ultimately caused the cancellation of Kent State’s game last week at Buffalo. If you already had tickets, they still will be valid Friday.
ESPN3 and the Akron IMG Sports Network will air live the Battle for the Wagon Wheel, which our team intends to bring to the game and then immediately bring it right back to our locker room in Akron for another year. Go Zips!
A HEARTBREAKER
Unfortunately, we learned again how penalty kicks is such a cruel way for a season to end. Congratulations to our Men’s Soccer team on a gutsy performance Thursday at Ohio State, where we tied 1-1 after 110 minutes of play (90 for regulation plus two 10-minute overtimes) before heading to PKs to determine which team would advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
It took an incredible 15 rounds (it starts as five rounds and then adds one at a time as needed if still tied), and while it ultimately didn’t go our way, I’m so proud of our team and Head Coach Jared Embick for how they handled that moment – both during and after. We never wanted to see our tournament run end, yet there is a lot of youth on that squad who will only improve next year.
A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP
Last week we announced that Ron Arenz will not return as the Head Coach of our Volleyball program. While Ron worked very hard for seven years and mentored many successful student-athletes, ultimately I determined that it was time for our program to move in a different direction.
I certainly welcome feedback from you – especially alumnae of the program – as we seek to find the next leader for our team.
CONGRATS TO …
… Men’s Basketball freshman guard Noah Robotham, named MAC East Player of the Week after a strong week in Charleston …
… junior kicker Robert Stein, named MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week after hitting three field goals and three PATs in our 30-6 win over Massachusetts …
… Swimming and Diving, which finished second among 10 teams at the three-day Magnus Cup Invitational at Cleveland State last weekend …
… No. 14 Rifle, which defeated No. 13 North Carolina State on Saturday …
… the newest Zips who will join our Women’s Golf and Baseball programs after signing National Letters of Intent …
AND FINALLY …
On behalf of everyone with Zips Athletics, we wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!
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
