Rachel Tecca Talks Akron Football!!!

In this video Rachel takes us inside Infocision Stadium. She talks about what it is like on game day and all the fun we have as a team! 

21 Questions with DiAndra Gibson

1. Nickname?
        Dee 

2. How did you choose your number? 
       When I was in the 3rd grade I started travel ball and looked up to Lebron

3. What has impressed you the most about Coach Kest and her staff? 
       She is very passionate about the game. The staff is very supportive. 

4. Funniest Teammate? 
       Megan Barilla 

5. What is your favorite shot on the court? 
       Elbow jumper 

6. What motto do you try to live by? 
       Keep calm, carry on 

7. Who is your role model and why? 
       Taylor Ruper, because she has worked really hard on her game 

8. Who is your favorite professional athlete? 
        Rondo- Boston Celtics 

9. What is your dream job? 
       To become a detective or csi agent 

10. Tell me about your position coach? 
       Coach Jackson- She is amazing :) She is very supportive and helpful on and off the court 

11. Hometown? What is something unique about it/your favorite thing to do there?
        Ravenna, OH  So many nice people and I love to hang out with my friends there 

12. What's on your iPod? 
         A lot of hip hop/rap 

13. Who got you in to playing basketball? 
        My Dad and older brother 

14. Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions? 
        I pray during the national anthem 

15. If I had to take a road trip I would go? 
        To California 

16. My favorite Halloween costume? 
        A dead zombie 

17. The reality TV show I would most like to be on? 
        The Real World 

18. The best thing about being a Zip? 
        The wonderful campus and Auntie Annes in the student union 

19. Favorite place on campus? 
        Zip Lounge 

20. Favorite restaurant? 
        Chipotle 

21. Favorite class? 
        Psychology 

Women's Basketball Schedule Announced

University of Akron head women's basketball coach Jodi Kest announced the program's 2012-13 schedule, which features contests with nine different opponents that played in postseason tournaments last year.

"I am really happy with the non-conference schedule we put together," Kest said. "Our goal is always to prepare the team for Mid-American Conference play, and I think we have done just that. I feel that with our solid mix of returners and newcomers, we will be in a position to be successful this season."

Akron's non-conference portion of its schedule includes games with top teams from the Big East in WNIT qualifier Cincinnati, Atlantic-10 conference champion and NCAA tournament team Dayton, and George Mason out of the Colonial League.

"I am very excited about the kind of season the MAC is going to have this year," said Kest. "There will be some changes with a lot of new coaches on the sidelines, and teams will have to come ready to play every night. The conference is stronger, but I like our squad and our team chemistry is very good. I have confidence that our early games will properly prepare us for competition in the MAC."

2012-13 University of Akron Women's Basketball Schedule

Sat., Nov. 3 – Malone (Exhibition)
Sat., Nov. 10 – Hiram
Tues., Nov. 13 – at Tennessee Tech
Fri., Nov. 16 – Bryant
Sun., Nov. 18 – at St. Francis
Sat., Nov. 24 – at Providence
Mon., Nov. 26 – at St. Peter's
Sat., Dec. 1 – Canisius
Wed., Dec. 5 – at George Mason
Sat., Dec. 8 – Wright State
Sat., Dec. 15 – Cincinnati
Tues., Dec. 18 – Dayton
Thurs., Dec. 20 – at Youngstown State
Thurs., Jan. 3 – at Chicago State
Thurs., Jan. 10 – at Ohio*
Sun., Jan. 13 – Kent State*
Wed., Jan. 16 – at Northern Illinois*
Sat., Jan. 19 – at Western Michigan*
Wed., Jan. 23 – Toledo*
Sat., Jan. 26 – at Central Michigan*
Thurs., Jan. 31 – Bowling Green*
Sat., Feb. 2 – Buffalo*
Wed., Feb. 6 – Eastern Michigan*
Sat., Feb. 9 – at Miami*
Sat., Feb. 16 – Ball State*
Wed., Feb. 20 – at Bowling Green*
Sat., Feb. 23 – at Kent State*
Thurs., Feb. 28 – Ohio*
Sun., March 3 – Miami*
Wed., March 6 – at Buffalo*
March 9-16 – Mid-American Conference Tournament

Costa Rica Recap

We had an amazing time in Costa Rica. It was an unbelievable experience for our team and staff. We were able to play two games and learn a lot about our team. Spending 9 days with this group was an enjoyable experience. The team really bonded and grew during that time. The excursions we were able to do will be lasting memories for our entire group. We are thankful for all those involved in allowing this trip to happen. We could not ask for a better experience!

Below is a link to our website which has a full recap of the trip. Take a look at all the pics and video blogs throughout our time in Costa Rica. 

http://www.gozips.com/sports/wbkb/2012-13/costa_rica/index

Women's Basketball Continues Practice For Costa Rica!

On August 12th, we will head south to Costa Rica for a foreign tour. Last Thursday we hit the court in preparation for the trip. The NCAA allows us to practice 10 days prior to our trip. It really has been great to be back on the court with our team. The returners haven't missed a beat and the newcomers are learning everyday. It really is a fun and talented group to work with. Take a look at some pics from practice the last few days. Also, make sure you check our website for up to date coverage from Costa Rica. We will be blogging, tweeting, and posting video from the trip!

Women's Basketball Active In The Community!!!

Our new graduate assistant, Preston Reid, gives us a look at what our girls have been doing in the community this summer! 

            Working the “Bike Kitchen” in support of the Lebron James Family Foundation was an absolute joy as well as an adventure for our student-athletes.  The team learned how to repair flat tires, assemble and re-assemble brakes, as well as many other tune up fixes.  The girls really enjoyed being able to fix up the bicycles in support of the foundation knowing that the bicycles they were fixing up were going to be given to less fortunate school children.  The group that is in charge of the “Bike Kitchen” were great hosts as they took the time to teach the student-athletes how to make the repairs on the bikes.  There were also other support members that came in with the “Bike Kitchen” group and took pictures of the girls working on the bikes as well as noting how well they were doing! 

            Last week, three of our student athletes went out to speak to the girls at the “Haven of Rest Sports Camp”.  Our girls talked about character traits, good attitude, the importance of a good work ethic, maintaining good grades, what a typical day is like for them, and how they have gotten to where they are today.  The campers really enjoyed asking the girls questions and being able to watch the girls shoot around.  Taylor Ruper made an NBA range three pointer that sent the camp into a celebratory cheer!  In the end the campers were happy to hear from and see our girls and our girls were happy to have had the opportunity to talk to the “Haven of Rest Sports Camp” for our fourth year in a row!     

Jackson Promoted to Associated Head Coach

Jackson has been an integral component of Kest's staff for the past four seasons, serving as the team's recruiting coordinator and offensive coordinator. She has also led the development of some of the best guards in program history.

"I am very happy to announce Melissa as our associate head coach," Kest said. "She has worked very hard over the last four years to help build our program into a Mid-American Conference contender. Melissa's relentless recruiting efforts and coaching capabilities make her very deserving of this promotion."

Akron produced one of the most prolific offenses in the country last season by averaging 73.8 points per game, the 18th-highest mark in the nation. Additionally, UA's field goal percentage (42.2), 3-point field goals per game (7.0), 3-point field goal percentage (34.4), and assists per game (15.3) all ranked in the top 35 nationally in 2011-12. The squad's scoring average was the best in program history.

Individually, Jackson was crucial in the development of Kara Murphy, the program's all-time leading scorer, and continues to mentor senior Taylor Ruper, who holds the program's career 3-pointers record.

"I am truly honored and thankful that coach Kest has the belief in me to promote me to associate head coach," Jackson said. "It is a privilege to work with coach Kest and the wonderful young women in our program. I am looking forward to the start of another year and our continued success."