Credit where credit is due

The football team played hard and with passion. The players on the bench were involved -- even doing organized cheers to support the unit on the field. There was some imaginative play calling. Tonight I am not even going to look at the down side. Yes, another loss, but it was a fun game to watch/cheer on and for the first time this season I at least feel some hope for the future.

Volleyball - check it out

I went to the UA - BGSU volleyball match Saturday. It was fun - lots of athleticism, lots of enthusiasm on the court. They have 2 more home matches (Nov. 12 & 14).

Reality takes some getting use to

So, it turns out that just maybe the reason Matt Rodgers was not the starter at the beginning of the season goes beyond simple coach's stupidity. Well, maybe if they knew a little more than some people thought they did about that, they know a little more than some people think they do about other things. Not a knock on Rogers, either. Hopefully we will see in a few weeks that he is getting the offense under control, and maybe IU will turn out to be a better team that they are getting credit for. At any rate, I hope they stick with Rodgers now. I certainly cannot see how putting that other guy back in (if he even is let back on the team) could help things after what happened. If Rodgers gets the game to slow down for him and figures out how to mix his running in effectively, he may be ok.

The attendance was a disappointment, but perhaps it should not have been. Most people are "team fans" more than they are "sports fans". If their team is not involved, they are not going to leave the house. The people that were interested because of the new stadium probably either went to the first ever game, will go to a game with some relevance to them or will go "someday". As for having a Big Ten team come -- Saturday's attendance is close to what Can't State has gotten when they hosted BCS schools (20,000 for Minnesota, 16,000 Saturday and 10,000 at Browns Stadium against BC).

Part of the problem may be too much to choose from. Think about how many FBS schools are within driving distance, plus excellent smaller school programs, pro teams, other attractions. Not to mention TV.

What Akron wants to do is not so easy. I attended The University of Hawaii in the late 70's/early 80's when they were looking at a similar situation. They joined the WAC (when it included BYU and a number of other good programs), played in the brand new Aloha Stadium, and usually hosted at least one prominent program (USC, Arizona State are a couple). Thirty years later they are still looking to join the big boys. In an area with something like 700,000 population with a lot of supposed sports fans and not nearly the competition for fans that we have, they average 41,000 in a 50,000 seat stadium playing teams like Boise State and Wisconsin this year, and Notre Dame, Michigan, USC, etc,,, in years past.

It is going to take some time, lots of work and some luck. If UA manages to catch lightning in a bottle by uncovering a superstar or a magical squad, great. That could generate a lot of interest in a hurry. But failing that, I think we have to look toward the natural audience and play up the positives. Marketing needs to be active and keep targeting students. Not only can that put some bodies in the seats now but it can build a base for the future. Also target alumni -- they have a natural tie to the University. Encourage them to come back to campus. To the outside, keep marketing the new stadium, the excitement of football and that it can be a family affair. Go for the people that would like to take their kids to a game but can't afford the Browns or don't want their kids to see what goes on in the stands there. Make this not just the University's team but Greater Akron's team.

And for God's sakes, some of you out there - quit trashing the MAC! I have never been able to understand that anyway. Year after year the MAC has a quarterback rated among the top QBs in the country, the play is usually pretty wide open and high scoring and most games have meaning in the standings right down until the end of the season. But even if you don't like the MAC, do you really think trashing the league is going to help entice those who are not yet Akron fans to give it a try?

OK, the bubble has burst. Nine games, a league title race and bowl eligibility remain. Lets have some fun out there. Hey - UA!

On campus views

For those who have not been able to get on campus to see the stadium, here are a few shots taken Saturday.

This is from the student center (new building on the site of Gardner Student Center) looking towards Zip Fest (left of frame to about the midground center, in front of the buildings in the middle ground. The white structures in front of the buildings are tents about the center of Zip Fest)
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This is a little better shot of the stadium. Carroll street ran behind GSC about where the sidewalk is. It now ends at Rhodes Arena, left edge of the buildings behind the Zip Fest in the first shot.
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This is the crowd heading towards the stadium from the center of campus, just after the band passed through. It was magical to see a steady stream of fans walking towards the stadium.
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Heading in Gate 1
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Of all the sights during the day, the students on the hill was my favorite
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Summa Field under the lights

I hopped off Rt. 8 tonight, following the glow of stadium lights over the University of Akron campus. Just took a quick drive around and stopped in the parking lot behind the natatorium. I could not see the field, but the stands and everything I could see inside the stadium were quite brightly and evenly lit. Also, the scoreboard was working with a football theme movie playing. From the far side of the lot (with the scoreboard at the opposite end of the field), the video was bright and clear and the sound was the same. It makes me that much more eager to get inside for a game.

Lets Go Zips!