Soccer coach search continues

Men's soccer

A university source told me a decision on a new coach is coming soon. All four candidates were on campus last week.

Men's basketball

Another source confirmed the story that Ohio University and Bubba Walther may have violated NCAA policy.

Also, the team will wear gold uniforms for the last six home games. I haven't seen them yet.

Akron (12-3, 5-0) will play Eastern Michigan (3-10, 0-5) at Rhodes Arena tomorrow at 7 p.m. I don't know what the spread is, but I would bet my right leg on the Zips.

Football

Rivals.com upgraded Akron kicker recruit Igor Iveljic to a three-star status. That makes him one of the top six kickers in the country, the site says. Hopefully he can play next year. Maybe that's what got him to Akron in the first place -- the chance to start all four years.

Miscellaneous

The NCAA released its Graduation Success Rates yesterday. Akron did well. Here are some local colleges stack up with each sport. The average rate for all programs is 59 percent.

Men's basketball

• Kent State: 75


• Akron: 60


• Ohio State: 45

Football

• Kent State: 74


• Akron: 60


• Ohio State: 54

Women's basketball

• Kent State: 93


• Ohio State: 85


• Akron: 79

Overall men

• Kent State: 72


• Ohio State: 68


• Akron: 61

Overall women

• Ohio State: 92


• Kent State: 85


• Akron: 81

The Academic Progress Rate comes out in six weeks. That is the really important report. If any team scores below 925, like the football and women's soccer team nearly did in 2005, they lose the ability to transfer scholarships from ineligible players. 2006 is the first year of penalizing teams for academic inefficiency.