Merry Christmas to all. For those who do not celebrate Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa or Happy Festivus. I used to get worked up when people said Happy Holidays, rather than Merry Christmas, but I've realized that there's no sense in offending people.

If you received any cool Zips-related gifts, leave a comment below. Maybe it's a trip to the Motor City Bowl. Maybe it's a Charlie Frye jersey. Maybe someone paid for you to have Luke Getsy's likeness tattooed on your buttocks. Maybe it's a Ken Lolla dartboard. I received a shiny new laptop on which I am posting this.

Track and field

As reported on GoZips.com, seven solid athletes signed to compete for the Zips track and field team. Speaking of track, coach Dennis Mitchell invited me to attend the Zips Invitational on Jan. 13. He did this because I called track a boring sport in the blog last month. He said Zips track events are different than what I imagine them to be.

I'll bring you my comments from that after the event. As I did with men's soccer, I will go to my first collegiate track event with an open mind.

Football

Three elite prospects are considering Akron that I haven't mentioned yet.

– Elijah Fields (S from Pa.)

• Elijah Fields from Pennsylvania is the 10th best safety in the country, according to Scout.com. He probably will go to Ohio State, but who knows. Fields is the only four-star prospect with interest in Akron.
• Jahmal Brown from Cleveland is the 81st best running back. His interest in Akron is listed as "medium." He would be the Zips' first three-star recruit, as Scout.com computes it. The Buckeyes are also in the running for Brown.
• Terrence McCrae from Pennsylvania is a wide receiver who runs a 4.5 in the 40. His interest in Akron also is "medium." A few Big 10 teams want McCrae, too, but Akron tops his list. Gladly, Jim Tressel doesn't want McCrae.

Football

Associate athletic director, and former interim athletic director, Mike Waddell sent me an e-mail saying the university has sold out its 9,400 tickets. Twenty student buses and 13 alumni buses will leave at 9 a.m. for Detroit the day after Christmas. The Motor City Bowl is sending more tickets, too. This will be about double the fans that went to the MAC Championship game in the buses alone. Akron could really have a turnout that surprises bowl committees across the country.

Unfortunately, you might have to wait for your Fear the Roo gear. A large shipment is coming in on Jan. 1. Until then, you are probably S.O.L.

But I have good news: While buying Christmas presents for my lovely girlfriend in Barnes & Noble Bookstore in the Student Union, I saw some Fear Gear. So get to the Student Union Thursday and you might have a chance to score some Fear Gear for that special someone.

Men's basketball

Akron lost 59-66 to Clemson in Puerto Rico today. In the end, Clemson was more athletic and more energetic in the San Juan Shootout championship game. The Zips outrebounded the Tigers, but Akron shot 32.8 percent. Clemson was known for its defense, and it showed in the second half when the Tigers kept Akron from scoring a field goal basically for the last 10 minutes of the game.

The bright spots from the eight-team tournament are plentiful:

• Freshman guard John Rybak and freshman forward Nate Linhart emerged into coach Keith Dambrot's rotation. In the post-game show, Dambrot said he was impressed with both. They will play solid minutes this season.
• The Zips proved they can play with big-conference teams on a neutral floor. The NCAA and NIT commissions will notice that.
• The Zips played three good games in a back-to-back-to-back scenario. NBA teams don't even do that. But the Zips are built to with Dambrot's 10- to 12-man rotation. That scheme also will pay off in the postseason.
• (Knock on wood.) Nick Dials' knee held up, and he has become one of the Zips' top offensive weapons.

New athletic director Mack Rhoades said the football stadium is his highest priority during his press conference Tuesday.

He's right. As a student, I can tell you a football stadium could propel Akron into elite-program status. There would be nothing stopping Akron from becoming the next Boise State — a team from a mid-major conference that achieves a high ranking in football.

I just hope Rhoades rides this wave of success of the university's programs to convince the city, community and university that the stadium needs to begin construction this year.

Men's basketball

The Zips (5-2) beat their Mississippi State (8-3) today in the San Juan Shootout semifinals, 83-72. It was Akron's first-ever win over an SEC team. Dru Joyce, Bubba Walther, Romeo Travis and Nick Dials had big games. They play undefeated Clemson tomorrow at 4 p.m. for the tournament championship. You can listen to the game on the radio.

I listened to the second half of this game. It seemed like Akron played a solid game against a big-conference team with an inflated record. The real test will be Clemson (10-0), who has received a good chunk of top-25 votes this year.

Football

Offensive guard Jared Dewalt verbally committed to Akron this week after being recruited by the Zips' receivers coach Jim Moorhead. Rivals.com ranks Dewalt as a three-star player. Dewalt played at Brush HIgh School in Lyndhurst. He was named team MVP, playing both sides of the ball. He is Akron's second three-star commitment so far. The other was RB from Virginia Andre Boone.

In comparison, Miami has one three-star player. Bowling Green has none.

Akron's recruiting class last year had five three-star players, but Brookhart and Co. are far from done. I can confirm that Akron also is going after three-star players Myke Compton (RB from Ga.) and Brandon Frey (OG from Ill.). I'm sure there are plenty more.

Football

On Thanksgiving, most people were thankful for family, friends, etc. I was, too. But my list also included ESPN Insider, where Rich Podolsky predicted the Zips to beat Memphis. If you have Insider, here's the link.

I can't post it here. It would be illegal. However, Podolsky said Akron's defense has improved. Luke Getsy can light up a scoreboard as easily as any QB. And Akron's fans will make a strong showing. That's why, despite a huge day from DeAngelo Williams, the Zips will win Dec. 26. By the way, the Tigers are a five-point favorite in Vegas.

Also, I don't subscribe to the Sporting News, but a reader informed me via Instant Messenger that four out of its five experts picked Akron in a close game over Memphis.

For what it's worth, a 6-9, 320 lb. offensive lineman will transfer to Akron from Minnesota. Jason Sekinger was ranked as a two-star player when he was recruited last year. So nothing all that noteworthy, especially since he has to sit out next year.

Football

The Sporting News named Akron linebacker Kevin Grant as a freshman All-American honorable mention. That is pretty high praise. Somehow, he snuck under the radar while Jay Rohr and Kiki Gonzalez received a lot of the defense's attention.

Men's basketball

As expected, the Zips trounced Mount St. Mary's, 74-61. Romeo "The Rock" Travis lead Akron with 17 and seven. Mississippi State is next on Tuesday afternoon. I've said it probably a dozen times. If Akron can win against large-conference teams, they will have a better shot at the postseason.

Miscellaneous

UA president Luis Proenza will announce Mack Rhoades as Akron's new athletic director tomorrow afternoon. Thanks to you stellar readers, my blog got the scoop before any other media source.