By Dave Cooperman

We have certainly seen enough of Akron on both the field and recruiting trail in recent years, yet I have never stopped and asked myself, “What the hell is a Zip?”

If you told me that Akron was once upon a time named the Akron Indians, or Akron Chiefs or something politically incorrect and they were forced to change their name, I likely would have believed it.  Surely the Zips must have been a compromise or a lost bet.  Much like St. Johns went from Redmen to Red Storm, Akron had to have suffered the same fate.

However that is not how this story begins.  The story begins in 1926 when the student body held a contest to name their mascot.  There were some good choices on the ballot.  Students considered Golden Blue Devils, Kangaroos, Hillbillies, Rubbernecks and Zippers.  Guess who won?  As it turns out Zippers was inspired by rubber galoshes and the zipper that was invented to seal up the rain boot.  I kid you not, it’s all laid out for you right here.

The Zips nickname was born and they have naturally taken on a kangaroo as a mascot because kangaroos are known to roam the Ohio Valley.  You think a hillbilly mascot would have some merit since they actually roam the Ohio Valley or perhaps a fly out of respect to the zipper that keeps your junk hidden.

Armed with this knowledge let us all hope we never lose to a team named after galoshes again.