Friday, April 23, 2010

Coach Kest's Signs Contract Extension!!!

We are very happy to annouce that Coach Kest, the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year, has signed a new contract that will keep her at Akron thru the 2014-2015 season.


Kest, who just completed her fourth season at UA, led the Zips to their highest win total (18) in the 36-year history of the program last winter. Akron also recorded its highest win totals for MAC play (11) and at Rhodes Arena (11) while holding opponents to an average of 59.6 points per game, representing the best mark in school history and the third-lowest average in league history. Kest was the first UA women's coach to receive Coach of the Year accolades from the MAC last March and just the second Akron basketball coach (men's or women's) to do so.


As a product of last season's success, Kest drew interest from other schools but ultimately decided to remain committed to Akron. "Akron is where I want to be and I am very lucky to have an administration that wants me here," Kest said. "My heart is in Akron and I have officially withdrawn myself as a candidate from other openings. "I am very proud and grateful to continue representing the University of Akron and its women's basketball program. I would like to thank (UA President) Dr. Luis Proenza, Tom Wistrcill and (Senior Associate Athletics Director) Mary Lu Gribschaw for their continued support and loyalty to me and our program. I would also like to thank the Akron community for embracing me and our young athletes."

Akron secured a first-round bye at the MAC Tournament for the first time and advanced to the semifinals for just the second time since becoming a league member in 1992. The Zips were then selected to compete in the Women's Basketball Invitational, marking its first postseason appearance in 11 years and just their second appearance all-time. "Jodi has a proven track record of turning around programs and last season was the perfect example of the positive influence she can have as a leader," Wistrcill said. "Furthermore, she represents everything that is right about college athletics with an absolute commitment to the performance of her student-athletes both on the court and in the classroom. I am excited for the future of our women's basketball program."

Coach Kest has elevated the Zips to unprecedented heights, culminating with this winter's record-setting campaign. Under Kest, Akron has now won more games in her past two seasons alone (29) than in the six seasons prior to her arrival (24 wins from 2000-01 to 2005-06)."This is a very exciting time to be a Zip," Kest said. "We had a great season last year, in breaking numerous school records, and I know we are on the brink of even greater things in the future. I want to thank our current and former players for trusting our vision. I am really looking forward to coaching our current group of quality student-athletes. "The University of Akron is where I want to be for a very long time. I am excited to share this news with our recruits and their families."

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Summer Camp


Yes it is that time of year again...

The University of Akron's Women's Basketball Camps are quickly filling up and we would love to have you be apart of another great camp season. This year we are once again offering our individual day camp, lil kids camp, and our high school team shootout. Below you will find more information about each camp!


Individual Basketball Camp

Fee: $135.00

Dates: June 14-17, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

For children ages 9-14


Li'l Zips Day Camp

Fee: $25.00

Dates: June 15, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

For children ages 3-8


Team Shootout


Fees: $250.00 for the one-day session (four games)

$395.00 for the two-day session (seven games)

Dates: June 18-19, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m

Please contact Candace Wilson at 330-972-8274 or clw23@uakron.edu for more details

Akron Basketball Jock Jams '10

Are girls participated in the inagural University of Akron Jock Jams. This was a great event put on by our athletic department to support the Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) $700 dollars were raised and these funds will benefit the children of Haiti and Chile and other countries. Each team created a 5 minute routine whihc was judged by a celebrity panel highlighted by Tom Wistrcill, Director of Athletics.

As you can our team is not only talented with the basketball but on the dance floor as well! Even Coach Kest joined in the fun! It was a great night full of fun, and laughs all for a great cause!

Check out our girls in action above!!!

Jo Earns All-Academic

University of Akron senior Jolene Tamboue was one of 13 student-athletes named to the Academic All-Mid-American Conference team for women's basketball.

Tamboue is the sixth Akron women's basketball player to earn academic honors from the MAC and the second in as many seasons, following Kara Murphy in 2008-09. Tamboue currently owns a 3.353 cumulative GPA as a biochemistry major at UA.

The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. Members of the prestigious group are voted on by faculty athletic representatives at MAC institutions. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.

Congrats Jo!!!