Men's basketball

It's true: The university does not have a contract with adidas, as of today.

The agreement with adidas expired June 30.

However, the prior contract with adidas explicitly prohibited the university from negotiating with a third party (such as Nike) regarding the wearing of similar products until the contract expired. Clearly, that happened, because the Nike announcement was made on June 18.

That means, provided there was no secondary agreement (which the university did not provide me a copy of), the university breached its contract with adidas. Perhaps that is why adidas and UA are still negotiating next year's contract.

You can download a copy of the old agreement to see for yourself.

Here are some other notes I have about it…

Contrary to media reports, nowhere in the old contract does it mention that the university is tied to adidas until 2013. However, the contract does have an "agreement to agree," meaning the parties will negotiate in good faith to renew the contract. Adidas also has the right of first refusal, which means it can match Nike's offer, but it probably won't since it sounds like LeBron James is giving Akron a great deal.

The university must spend $200,000 on adidas merchandise. If it does not, UA is liable for the difference.

However, the university gets A TON of merchandise. Here are some of the most staggering figures: 80 pairs of shoes for administration/coaching staff, 20 pairs of coaching shoes for the football team, and $8,000 of merchandise at retail value at the athletic department's discretion.

The Zips get $10,000 in merchandise if they appear in a bowl game. If they win the MAC East (and appear on ESPN, of course), the team gets $2,000.

Adidas gets a boatload of exposure out of this, including ads in media guides, stadium signs, a link on GoZips.com, PA announcements during home games, radio ads, TV ads, a tent at the football games and four season tickets to both football and men's basketball games.

Obviously, the contract demands that Akron players must wear adidas gear while competing. One exception: where adidas merchandise does not comply with MAC or NCAA rules.

Except for the aforementioned $8,000, the university pays wholesale prices (45 percent off on shoes, 50 percent off on apparel and accessories).

Football

Here are two new scholarship offers…

Patrick Tucker, safety, Cincinnati
Offers: Akron
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 210
Speed: 4.59
Notes: Tucker's brother plays offensive tackle for Virginia Tech. He is looking to have fun at college and major in sports medicine. Tucker is HUGE for a safety. Rivals.com is surprised he doesn't have more scholarship offers.

Sam Ojuri, running back, Barrington, Ill.
Offers: Akron and Eastern Michigan
Height: 6-1
Weight: 192
Speed: Not listed
Notes: Ojuri averaged 11 yards per carry as a junior. Akron offered him a scholarship in the spring. The running back plans to make an unofficial visit this summer.

Men's basketball

Something fishy is going on.

The university declined my public records request for the athletic department's contract with adidas because, well, there IS NO CONTRACT.

That is in stark conflict with an official GoZips.com story (and various other media reports) that the Zips' agreement with adidas lasts until 2013.

Don't believe me? Here is PDF of the letter I received. (Don't blame the sender. This order came from above him.)

Something doesn't add up. I love Dr. Luis Proenza. His underlings, however, have been known to be much less than forthcoming.

Notes…

Romeo Travis will play for the Cavaliers summer league team again in Las Vegas. This time, Dru Joyce will join him. Play begins July 14.

It's never too early to look at the next year's recruiting class.

Here are two targets for 2010…

J.D. Weatherspoon, power forward, Columbus
Offers: Akron, Bowling Green and James Madison
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 200
Notes: Weatherspoon is a physical, athletic player with a reliable mid-range jumper. He wants to play for a school that has good team chemistry. Other schools watching Weatherspoon include Syracuse, Xavier, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Georgetown, Wake Forest and West Virginia.

Casey Prather, small forward, Jackson, Tenn.
Offers: Akron, Alabama, Mississippi, Southern Illinois, Vanderbilt and Virginia
Height: 6-5
Weight: 180
Notes: In his sophomore year, Prather averaged 24.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game. It's probably that third statistic that makes the Zips' coaches drool. Keith Dambrot loves his defensive 3's.

Men's basketball

CBSSportsLine.com wrote an interesting story about LeBron James and Chris Paul's Monday evening, which included seven pick-up games at UA's Rec Center.

The nation's best and brightest basketball people have converged in Akron for the LeBron James Skills Academy. Some of the ZipsNation members have poked their heads in and gotten a look at future Zip Zeke Marshall. Read some of their comments if you have a chance.

Football

Do you want your name on InfoCision Stadium?

The university wants to sell naming rights to just about every facet and part of the new football facility, the ABJ reports.

Stadium notes…

The university has, however, sold all 13 luxury suites. It has raised $21.5 million, which is great progress toward the $30 million goal. (I'm wondering this to myself: Assume the Zips tank this season. What if a big donor gives a gift contingent on firing a coach? It happens at bigger universities.)

Here's a nugget hidden in the story: There will be a cash bar inside the stadium, but it seems to suggest it will only be available for the loge patrons. The U might plan more places to whet your whistle.

The webcams show some serious progress (and a whole lot of mud).

Pretty soon, the second Nemer trial will begin. Probate Court Judge Bill Spicer set himself up for inequity here. Certainly, you cannot pay one Nemer the astronomical value and pay the other Nemer a fair value. Or can you?

Men's basketball

In a conference that has seen first-round NBA draft picks, Zeke Marshall might be the most highly anticipated player ever.

The Plain Dealer's Elton Alexander heaved that high praise on the future center of the Zips, saying Marshall could be the most celebrated recruit in MAC history.

The MAC has produced top-10 picks such as Antonio Daniels, Wally Szczerbiak and Chris Kaman — all of whom have enjoyed productive NBA careers. That begs the question: Does Marshall have potential to be the Zips' NBA draftee?

If I had to compare Marshall to a current professional (from what I have heard about him), it would be Samuel Dalembert or Roy Hibbert – a center with defensive prowess and a skosh of offense.

Football

Speaking of recruiting, here are some observations…

The Zips are in the running for six different four-star players, according to Scout.com. This is the highest number of blue-chip targets since I started following recruiting in 2005.

Four are junior college athletes who play receiver or cornerback. The fact that Akron has pursued so many juco players at those positions tells me that coach J.D. Brookhart either 1) doesn't trust his young players at WR/CB or 2) believes it is more efficient to bring in a more polished player than train a high schooler with more upside.

There are a few skilled players who have interest in playing at Akron, but to whom the Zips have not offered a scholarship (at least according to the recruiting sites). One is Jeff Walker, a wide receiver from Coventry High School in Akron and a top-100 receiver.

A new scholarship offer…

Anderico Bailey, wide receiver, Covington, Ga.
Offers: Akron
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 175
Speed: 4.5
Notes: Bailey has interest in Kentucky and Vanderbilt. One of these days, I will count the Georgia scholarships offerees. I'm guessing it's at least five.

Men's basketball

Despite the recent reports, the University of Akron does not have a contract with Nike.

After I made a records request for the contract, a university official told me that the sides are still discussing the matter and do not have an executed agreement.

Men's basketball

The Zips will play under the banner of Nike and hometown hero LeBron James for the next three years.

Despite its contract with adidas, Akron signed a contract to have the James' "LJ23" brand as its apparel provider.

Assuming that Nike re-designs the team's look, Akron will be playing its third consecutive season with new uniforms. The partnership with the NBA's finest young star should add some credibility to the team nationally. It should also impress top recruits, who have been more willing to play for Akron in the past few years.

I am curious about how this contract is structured. I made a public records request, and hopefully I will be able to upload a PDF of it soon.

Football

Akron recently received its first verbal commitment.

Dee Frieson is a wide receiver from Orange Park, Fla. Although the recruiting sites lack information on him, a news report calls him a speedy slot receiver, who committed to Akron so he could play a similar role in a Division I offense.

Here are some new offers…

Henry Conway, offensive tackle, Cleveland (Shaker Heights H.S.)
Offers: Akron, Cincinnati, Indiana, Bowling Green and Ohio
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 295
Speed: 5.0
Notes: Coach Joe Moorhead told Conway he has a "conditional offer" from Akron, which probably depends on Conway raising his below-average grades. Conway has visited campus. He would like to play in the Big Ten or Big East. Rivals.com gives him three stars.

Pete DeSouza, offensive tackle, Hyattsville, Md.
Offers: Akron, Maryland and Syracuse
Height: 6-7
Weight: 305
Speed: 5.2
Notes: Maryland is at the top of DeSouza's list because he wants his mom to visit. He has only been playing football for three years, so it's likely he would redshirt his true freshman year.

Juantez Hollins, offensive guard, Alliquippa, Pa.
Offers: Akron, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Marshall
Height: 6-4
Weight: 254
Speed: Not listed
Notes: Hollins has "low" interest in Akron, Buffalo and Marshall, according to Rivals. He wants to attend a school where a lot of players graduate. Rivals.com gives Hollins three stars.

Darrin Drakeford, outside linebacker, Washington, D.C.
Offers: Akron, Duke, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan State, Pittsburgh and Syracuse
Height: 6-0
Weight: 215
Speed: 4.6
Notes: Drakeford might also play tight end. Pitt is one of his favorites after camping there. He also likes Syracuse, which was the first school to offer him a scholarship.

Jerrell Rhodes, running back, Durham, N.C.
Offers: Akron, Ball State and Buffalo
Height: 5-10
Weight: 195
Speed: 4.52
Notes: Rivals suggested that Rhodes is underrated, considering his high school production.

Todd Thomas, wide receiver, Beaver Falls, Pa.
Offers: Akron, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Illinois, Iowa, Miami (Fla.) and West Virginia
Height: 6-2
Weight: 202
Speed: 4.59
Notes: It is sort of surprising to see Thomas have so many "big-time" offers, considering he does not play receiver in high school and he's not the tallest or fastest guy around. Rivals.com gives him four stars. Michigan is leading the race so far.

Men's basketball

The university kicked Rydell Brooks off campus, following the walk-on's serious skirmish with police officers last month.

Brooks' attorney said the former Niagara guard could be reinstated to school if acquitted in court. Regardless, it's safe to say Keith Dambrot and Co. won't be asking him to return to the basketball court.

Brooks is in Summit County Jail, awaiting a trial on charges of attempted murder, felonious assault and carrying a concealed weapon.

Football

Another week, another softball update.

This time, my team played against a team that included Kent State quarterback Julian Edelman.

Appropriately, Edelman played left field, where he could take advantage of his laser arm. On a couple occasions, he crashed into the wall, showing off his other top attribute: toughness.

Edelman is one of 10 Kent State players on Phil Steele's preseason All-MAC team.

Our team swept Edelman's, in case you were wondering.

Men's basketball

Akron will add a 6-foot-4 walk-on guard from Florida.

Kyle Peterson averaged 18.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 steals per game at Community School in Naples, Fla.

After the fiascos with Rydell Brooks and Andrew Moss, Zips fans will be refreshed to hear Peterson has a 3.8 GPA and his high school retired his jersey, which tends to indicate high character.

Keith Dambrot praised Peterson's high basketball IQ. Akron's Honors College has already accepted Peterson. (Good luck with your final Honors project, buddy.)

His stats are not very impressive. However, Peterson should help the team practice and maybe earn some defensive minutes as an upperclassman.

Miscellaneous

The ABJ's Bob Dyer eloquently responded to an ignorant question from a UA professor: Why do high school sports exist?

You'd assume such a question would come from that annals of Kent State University, but no.

Men's basketball

Former Akron assistant coach Shaka Smart is headed to Gainesville to work under Billy Donovan at Florida.

Basketball people say Smart will be a big-time coaching prospect. He left Akron two seasons ago to be an assistant at Clemson. He knows a lot about basketball. Good luck to him.

Football

According to someone present at the trial, Joe Nemer is asking the jury to award him $3 million for his property.

The university has offered $1.038 million, which is reportedly above fair-market value.

I guess $3 million is the point where it stops being about principles.

Here are some new scholarship offerees, who might play football where Joe's bar sits…

Gary Gilliam, tight end, Hershey, Pa.
Offers: Akron, Connecticut, Virginia and Villanova
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 245
Speed: Not listed
Notes: Penn State, Pitt, Connecticut and Virginia are in Gilliam's top four. Akron's not a likely destination.

Jim Teknipp, tight end, McDonough, Ga.
Offers: Akron and Central Florida
Height: 6-6
Weight: 230
Speed: 4.8
Notes: Teknipp's family lives in Ohio. If they move to Florida, it appears UCF will win. If not, Akron has a chance.

Logan Ryan, cornerback, Voorhees, N.J.
Offers: Akron, Boston College, Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern, Rutgers, Virginia and West Virginia
Height: 5-11
Weight: 175
Speed: 4.46
Notes: His top five are Rutgers, Virginia, Boston College, Maryland and West Virginia.

Genesis Fonoimoana, safety, Los Angeles Harbor C.C., Calif.
Offers: Akron and Nevada
Height: 6-0
Weight: 205
Speed: 4.45
Notes: One thing's for sure, he has a great name. In his first year at LAHCC, Fonoimoana grabbed six interceptions and made 34 tackles.

Miscellaneous

Put this in your "I probably don't care" category, but I'll discuss it anyhow.

Last night was the annual Mike Rasor vs. Captain Kangaroo/Dr. Z softball duel.

CK and Dr. Z run the premier Zips Web site, ZipsNation.org. If you're a Zips fan, you should have it bookmarked.

Anyhow, our teams played a doubleheader in the Stow slow-pitch league. Correct me if I'm wrong about the exact scores, CK, but I think we won by counts of 21-3 and 15-7.

Here is the wildest play of the game: I drove a liner over the left-center fielder's head. I caught up with the runner ahead of me at third base. He planned to stop there. I yelled at him to keep running. We both scored.

CK, who was pitching, claimed we scored because of a missed cut-off man. It definitely went in my team's scorebook as a home run.

Despite all that, check out ZipsNation.org if you don't already. Like I said, spare me the "We don't care" comments. I know.

Men's basketball

Zips guard Rydell Brooks was charged with attempted murder of a police officer, stemming from an incident Saturday night.

Brooks sat out last season after transferring from Niagara University.

Prosecutors said police approached Brooks' SUV and "were greeted with gunfire." Police found guns and masks inside the SUV, which carried Brooks and another Akron man. Brooks allegedly fled from the vehicle after the shots.

Brooks' grandmother said the Buchtel graduate had never been in trouble before.

This is the second embarassing event in as many years for Akron, as walk-on Andrew Moss was arrested for armed robbery last fall.

With a crowded, youthful backcourt, Brooks wasn't likely to see much playing time.

I would have written about this sooner, but I have been in class all day.