Pride not pigeon-holed
Posted July 28th, 2006 by mrasor
Football
Zips recruit Gary Pride might play running back or wide receiver, according to his high school coach Kerry Coombs.
- Congratulations to Domenik Hixon, who signed his first NFL contract. The Broncos drafted the former Zips wide receiver in the fourth round of the 2006 draft.
- Buchtelite sports editor Dan Kadar had a one-on-one interview with Charlie Frye yesterday. He said the former Zips quarterback has bulked up noticeably. His story will appear in the Buchtelite's 24-page Welcome Back issue.
- Since we're on the topic of the Buchtelite, we have planned an extensive series on the athletic department's finances. Look for that to start sometime in the fall.
Men's basketball
I must say, ESPN.com really impressed me today.
The Worldwide Leader wrote extensively on the MAC with a summer update. Not surprisingly, the package focuses mainly on Akron — its clear favorite to win the conference.
But will this be the year two MAC teams reach the Big Dance? Mid-major guru Kyle Whelliston says maybe, with Akron and Ohio being the frontrunners. Bracketologist Joe Lunardi says Akron will win the MAC, with Kent State receiving an at-large bid.
Here is a really interesting quote in that article from coach Keith Dambrot:
"Our players have all pretty much played with LeBron (James) or tried to guard him," Dambrot said. "He's kind of adopted us. He's so huge right now. It's amazing how we can get in the door (of recruits) with that connection. It's not all that different than with what (John) Stockton's done with Gonzaga."
When I've talked to Coach Dambrot, he's always been very honest. Rarely will he be more optimistic or pessimistic than how he really feels. This quote is all the more reason Akron needs to lock him up long-term.
I haven't spoke with Mack Rhoades since softball coach Julie Wright quit, but I hope he is still devoting his energy toward a new contract for Dambrot and J.D. Brookhart. Heck, lock up track coach Dennis Mitchell and rifle coach Newt Engle while you're at it.
The athletic department has already shown that it won't tolerate losing and poor leadership in asking women's basketball coach Kelly Kennedy to resign. Now Akron needs to tell its coaches that the university will be just as adament in awarding success.
July 29th, 2006 at 3:03 am
24 pages, never seen a big buchtelite before
July 29th, 2006 at 7:34 am
It is truly amazing to me that journalists like Mike Rasor worry themselves about the likes of James, Brookhart, Dambrot; et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, getting contracts re-negotiated and/or extended.
These folks have ample resources at their disposal to take care of themselves.
Apparently Rasor and his ilk aspire to be sports agents. If this is a line of work they covet, then, by all means let them prepare themselves for a new career. But as a journalists they look silly and foolish, that is, if they want to be top notch, professionally polished journalists.
Rasor is a young journalist. Maybe there is still time for him unlearn this silliness/foolishness and focus on reporting and editorializing on performance.
Leave the advocacy/negotiating to the professional sports agents hired for that purpose!
July 29th, 2006 at 9:50 am
Martin,
You are delusional if you think money isn't one of the most important parts of sports.
Akron has some good coaches. Another school could offer them more money to leave. Therefore, it follows that we should pay them enough to stay, which the university is not doing at this point.
I don't care if J.D. Brookhart has money to buy a new pickup truck. I just care that his plates are registered in Ohio.
July 30th, 2006 at 5:31 am
Mike:
Where did I say that money is not an important part of sports?
Clearly it is and I share your thought that it has gotten to be the most important part.
For you to put words in my mouth is further demonstration that you need to mature as a journalist.
My real point, which you sidestep by resorting to insult based on an unfounded assumption (thereby providing me with another "grow up Mike" opportunity for me), is that as a reader I do not find it appealing for newspaper people to become advocates for those they report on. This is a role for others (they hire) and those individuals themselves.
If the powers to be at the university cannot figure out what you and I agree on as a reality is sports but not only in sports, then the university programs will not make it to the next level.
My family and I have a number of degrees from Akron. I have two, my wife has two and two of our daughters have one each. This is to say that as alums we want to see Akron do well in academics as well as athletics.
Notwithstanding my connection to the university and my desire that it be recognized as a quality institution, I would not pick out individuals (e.g. the president, the dean of the law school, the football coach, et cetera) and advocate, in specific, for any one of them to get more lucrative contracts.
Repeating my point, these folks can and do get the resources to advocate for themselves, and, of course, as you point out, the university, in its own interest, needs to compete.
If you want to advocate, a more appropriate generalized way would be to argue for the replacement of university officials who cannot or will not read the tea leaves.
July 30th, 2006 at 6:48 am
Martin,
For the second time: You are missing my main point.
I am not an advocate for J.D. Brookhart's financial situation. I really don't care how much money he has in his pocket.
Here is my point, stated as clearly as I can.
J.D. Brookhart (and the other coaches) wins football games. He is a good recruiter.
Those traits typically make mid-major coaches a target for bigger institutions.
Bigger institutions lure away the Brookharts with more money and prestige.
Akron needs to pay him more so an offer at, say, Indiana doesn't look so good.
Therefore, it would improve Akron's chances at keeping a good coach. It would allow Akron to keep improving its football program. Theoretically, it would help them win games.
You can give me this "Grow up, Mike" stuff all day. The truth is, you are an educated adult picking a fight about something incredibly elementary.
July 30th, 2006 at 7:15 pm
wow way to be a little kid there Martin.
Wahhhh grow up mike wahhhh. I don't agree with what you say so you are wrong WAHHHH. I'm a 50 something year old loser who has nothing better to do than pick on college journalists WAHHH. My family has multiple degrees from Akron, thats why you should grow up WAHHHH.
I now challenge YOU to an extreme rules match. Nothing says "grow up" like having a folding chair wrapped around your face. Phil Steele has passed up on this, now its your turn to "Feel the BANG"