zip81

Despite attendance figures there is no way that 15,000 actually walked through the gates at any game this year. Now it's the day after Thanksgiving (big shopping day); the Zips are staring a losing season in the face; and the game is on ESPN U for those that don't want to put up with the Rubber Bowl hassles. They may announce an attendance figure of 15,000, but I'll bet a day old drumstick that 10,000 or less will actually be in the seats. The NCAA allows schools to use "paid" or "actual" attendance to meet the requirement.Obviously we use the "paid" number.The attendance requirement is a joke.Notice when they do that they don't have the nerve to announce the attendance at the Bowl...they would get laughed out of the stadium.I'll bet actual butts in the seats will be about 7 or 8 thousand...

As a Zip alum (1981 Mass Media: Communications) who worked in Cleveland radio and TV for almost 20 years, this forum strikes a nerve.First of all, Akron is in a very unique and unfortunate position when it comes to media markets. It is simply too close to Cleveland. WAKR-TV was an abc affiliate because back in the 50's when abc (the old NBC blue network) began, they were grabbing affiliates anywhere they could find them. Thus the overlap with Channel 5.To answer the one post, yes, Channl 23 covered the Zips rather well back in the day when they had anchors such as Dick Russ, Mark Williamson, Len Rome and Carl Dickens. Carl Dickens was news director, sports anchor and called Zips play by play on WAKR radio.Cleveland TV does not cover Akron, or Can't sports for that matter, because they feel the interest is not there. High school sports receive more coverage than the Zips or flushes. The only way to combat this is to have a winning program with bowl appearances and NCAA tourney runs year after year until some type of community buzz is created.What riles me is the coverage they give CSU basketball...still on the coat tails of Kevin Mackey and the run they had back in the late 80's.The news coverage received is a reflection of the attendance. I guarentee if the Bowl was filled every week,the news coverage would follow.You can't compare Akron with Youngstown when it comes to media markets.Youngstown is market number 103, Cleveland/Akron is 17.I've always said that if Akron were geographically located where Canton is, it would have it's own TV market...much like Dayton (which Akron is bigger than) in relation to Cincinnati.I personally used to preach Akron athletics to the sports guys at Channel 8...usually getting a in return.The only way we'll get more coverage is to win, win, win...and then we'll only get so much more coverage....unfortunately that's the way it is.Go Zips and

After reading the other posts on this topic, I have to say something that I've always felt:Despite being a Division I program, when it comes to marketing and paying attention to detail, our University is still, in many ways, Division II.

I understand what you are saying, however, it is not the responsibility of the newspaper. They are simply selling space.It is the responsibility of the customer to update their ads!!!!

I really thought this season was going to be great...especially after the NC State win.A disappointment.

Remember..Frenchy is an OU grad!!!

This is tough to watch.

Arthur drops another one.

At the end of 3OU 17Akron zip

Well Zip fans....just about time to turn out the lights.OU 17Akron 0

How did they get the ball back?

Here we go...C'mon Zippers!!!

I don't think J.D. can get this team motivated no matter what he says, and maybe the problem is he doesn't say anything. Too many players seem to be too lackadaisical. Stec looked like he was stolling in the park going back after that fumbled snap, for my money he gave up on that play and it cost us a TD. Getsy gets sacked on the last play before the half. If the offense can't score maybe we should give our piss poor special teams a chance to kick a field goal? Too many Akron players don't want to win this game, and that has been the problem with most of the team members all year. If you can't get motivated with this game, you deserve to lose.

I'm not ready to give up on Luke yet.OU has made their fair share of mistakes. But we don't capitalize on them.We have made mistakes, in addition to playing with our heads up our dupa.If we cut down on the mistakes we can still win this one.

So what does JD say in the locker room?

I hate to say it, but OU is looking like the better team tonight.We're lucky to be down by only 7.

Guess what, announcers haven't mentioned Ohio State once.

both teams moving the ball, but making stupid mistakes.Nice pass Akron.down to OU 35.

Zip Fans..anybody out there watching the game?