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Steve Zakuani exploring options, coach says
By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 03:08 p.m. EST, Dec 18, 2008
University of Akron soccer fans will soon learn the future plans of All-American forward and Hermann Trophy finalist Steve Zakuani.
Coach Caleb Porter said Zakuani should decide later this month or early January about whether to turn pro or return for his junior season in 2009.
''He is exploring his options. Obviously, he is a hot commodity both in the [Major League Soccer] and overseas,'' Porter said.
Zakuani, who was born in the Republic of Congo and now resides in London, led all Division I scorers with 47 points (20 goals and seven assists) in 2008.
He led the Zips to the No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a berth in the third round of the tournament, which resulted in a 1-0 loss to Northwestern.
He and Wake Forest seniors Sam Cronin and Marcus Tracy are the three finalists for the Hermann Trophy, which is given to the nation's best player in a vote of coaches. The trophy will be awarded Jan. 9 in St. Louis.
On Wednesday, Zakuani became the second sophomore to be named Division I player of the year by Soccer America magazine.
For Zakuani to join the MLS, he cannot simply declare his intention to turn pro as in sports such as basketball and football. In soccer, underclassmen must first be invited with what is called an adidas Generation Contract by the MLS.
That invitation is annually given only to a handful of underclassmen who are considered definite pro prospects. It provides a three-year guaranteed contract and a two-year option. It also comes with an educational stipend for players to continue their studies and reach graduation.
''It's really a safeguard for underclassmen who decide to leave early . . . so they don't turn pro and find they are not going to make it,'' said Porter, who said Zakuani has not been notified yet about whether he will get an invitation.
If Zakuani decides to play overseas, he would not have to go through the same process. He would merely have to declare his intention to turn pro.
''He has not made a decision yet and won't until he looks at everything that is available,'' Porter said.
Also in UA soccer, goalkeeper Evan Bush has been invited to participate in the MLS player combine Jan. 9-13 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Bush is one of 65 college seniors invited to play in the event, which leads to the MLS superdraft Jan. 15.
Bush is the UA and MAC all-time leader in career victories (62) and shutouts (49).
Football
The future of the Rubber Bowl is uncertain, Athletics Director Mack Rhoades said. ''At this point in time, no decision has been made what to do with the Rubber Bowl. We are looking at options, but everything is in the exploratory stage,'' Rhoades said.
The university-owned stadium played host to its last Zips game Nov. 13. The team will begin playing on campus next season in the new InfoCision Stadium.
Men's basketball
Guard Ronnie Steward is on schedule to return to the lineup in early January. Steward, a redshirt freshman and a key reserve, had a condition know as compartment syndrome. He had surgery on his lower right leg Dec. 1 and had the staples removed last Saturday. He was in uniform for practice this week but shot on the side and did not participate in drills.
Women's basketball
Sophomore forward Kara Murphy, a St. Vincent-St. Mary graduate, has led the Zips (3-6) in scoring the past eight games. That is nothing new for her since she has been the top scorer in 19 of 40 career games (47.5 percent).
She has reached double figures eight times in nine games this season and 33-of-40 games in her career. She began the week averaging 18.1 points, which placed her 41st in the nation and fourth in the Mid-American Conference.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
University of Akron soccer fans will soon learn the future plans of All-American forward and Hermann Trophy finalist Steve Zakuani.
Coach Caleb Porter said Zakuani should decide later this month or early January about whether to turn pro or return for his junior season in 2009.
''He is exploring his options. Obviously, he is a hot commodity both in the [Major League Soccer] and overseas,'' Porter said.
Zakuani, who was born in the Republic of Congo and now resides in London, led all Division I scorers with 47 points (20 goals and seven assists) in 2008.
He led the Zips to the No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a berth in the third round of the tournament, which resulted in a 1-0 loss to Northwestern.
He and Wake Forest seniors Sam Cronin and Marcus Tracy are the three finalists for the Hermann Trophy, which is given to the nation's best player in a vote of coaches. The trophy will be awarded Jan. 9 in St. Louis.
On Wednesday, Zakuani became the second sophomore to be named Division I player of the year by Soccer America magazine.
For Zakuani to join the MLS, he cannot simply declare his intention to turn pro as in sports such as basketball and football. In soccer, underclassmen must first be invited with what is called an adidas Generation Contract by the MLS.
That invitation is annually given only to a handful of underclassmen who are considered definite pro prospects. It provides a three-year guaranteed contract and a two-year option. It also comes with an educational stipend for players to continue their studies and reach graduation.
''It's really a safeguard for underclassmen who decide to leave early . . . so they don't turn pro and find they are not going to make it,'' said Porter, who said Zakuani has not been notified yet about whether he will get an invitation.
If Zakuani decides to play overseas, he would not have to go through the same process. He would merely have to declare his intention to turn pro.
''He has not made a decision yet and won't until he looks at everything that is available,'' Porter said.
Also in UA soccer, goalkeeper Evan Bush has been invited to participate in the MLS player combine Jan. 9-13 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Bush is one of 65 college seniors invited to play in the event, which leads to the MLS superdraft Jan. 15.
Bush is the UA and MAC all-time leader in career victories (62) and shutouts (49).
Football
The future of the Rubber Bowl is uncertain, Athletics Director Mack Rhoades said. ''At this point in time, no decision has been made what to do with the Rubber Bowl. We are looking at options, but everything is in the exploratory stage,'' Rhoades said.
The university-owned stadium played host to its last Zips game Nov. 13. The team will begin playing on campus next season in the new InfoCision Stadium.
Men's basketball
Guard Ronnie Steward is on schedule to return to the lineup in early January. Steward, a redshirt freshman and a key reserve, had a condition know as compartment syndrome. He had surgery on his lower right leg Dec. 1 and had the staples removed last Saturday. He was in uniform for practice this week but shot on the side and did not participate in drills.
Women's basketball
Sophomore forward Kara Murphy, a St. Vincent-St. Mary graduate, has led the Zips (3-6) in scoring the past eight games. That is nothing new for her since she has been the top scorer in 19 of 40 career games (47.5 percent).
She has reached double figures eight times in nine games this season and 33-of-40 games in her career. She began the week averaging 18.1 points, which placed her 41st in the nation and fourth in the Mid-American Conference.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Akron, OH
Posted 10:13 AM, 12/19/2008
Stay in school, Steve. Get a functional degree. The MLS ain't the NFL. If you can't play pro in Europe, do something useful with your future off the field here.
-The Voice of Experience
hudson, oh
Posted 02:07 PM, 12/19/2008
Hope he leaves, and gets off the taxpayers dole. I wonder how many of these free-riders ever pay back the school for their scholarship. I took out student loans and worked at McDonald's while Jason Taylor went for free on my dime. I'm still paying the student loans off. Did Jason ever repay his scholarship, and the exposure to pro scouts that I and his fellow students paid for?
Posted 12:48 PM, 12/21/2008
Mark, are you still here being a negative nancy? In no way does Zakuani on the "taxpayers dole". He has an athletic scholarship and not to mention his going to Akron and every other major student Athlete brings money to the school. In the end he makes money for the University.
You continue to be negative and spew lies on here, I dont see why you aren't banned yet.
But on Steve, I hope he does go and get paid. He will be able to come back and finish a degree in the offseason or after his career. Once in a lifetime opportunities like the chance to play professionally cannot be passed up. The experience he will get will be well worth it. GOOD LUCK STEVE.
