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Temple Ponders New Stadium Wistercill proclaims (Laughably): 1.) No, people aren't flocking to ESPN3 to watch MAC football. No one watches it. While there is some merit to the argument that modern television is sapping a small sector of college football's game day attendance, that point is absolutely irrelevant to Akron's attendance issues at InfoCision. 2.) Why doesn't he mention his hiring of Rob Ianello as a contributing factor to InfoCision's poor attendance? I did a little more research that the lazy reporter from Philly and from what I can tell, Rob Ianello's pigskin holocaust was the #1 reason the stadium has been 80+% empty. November Tuesday night games with 7/8pm starts placed a distant 2nd. I am confident that Bowden will do the impossible and make Akron a winner in football, as long as UA doesn't do anything stupid to impede him. Thank God a search committee reached out to the guy. It just sucks that he was given such a big hole to fight out of.

I buy the fact that the big schools are separating themselves from the non-Power 5 conferences. Even a K.e.n.t. grad can figure that one out. I buy that the cost of running a D1-A football program is escalating somewhat dangerously. UAB is tangible evidence. I don't buy Power 5 schools increasing scholarships and leaving table scraps for the non Power 5. Do you really want to be the 8th string DE at Alabama? Or the 6th string RG at Pitt? I don't buy that dropping down to 1-AA would do anything for the Zips long-term. 1.) You can still stink at the 1-AA level if you have a crappy coach hires and poor leadership 2.) You only save 22 football scholarships by going to 1-AA (vs. 1-A). 22 scholarships is a joke, even at Akron. The Zips need to start winning some football games. I wish you can turnaround a program as decimated as Ianello left us in 2 or 3 seasons, but is just isn't possible. Hopefully the new play makers we'll have at WR, RB and QB next season, and a solidified OL will bring the offense up to the defense's level and we'll start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in 2015.

I get a little Dambrot and Zips basketball feeling when I read about Mike Brown and the Bengals. One line in particular stood out.

I thought I'd attempt to take something out of the individual sports categories and bring it here for separate discussion..... I've been on my Soapbox lately about elevating our status, and I've framed it in this manner... 1) We need more money... a lot more money. 2) In order to get more money, we need more supporters. We are a small group, but what can WE do to help. I am talking about us here on THIS site. Let me start the discussion, and share a couple of recent observations: 1) I LOVE the new pre-game basketball video where it says that Akron is OUR city. This is Akron's team. I think this is the right approach, and a good starting point to focus on encouraging our local people, right here in Akron, to support the LOCAL team. 2) I LOVE a few of the more recent merchandise additions for our YOUNG fans, and how people have been using them. Those of you who take your kids to the games dressed in Zippy Ears, cheerleading outfits, etc., get my utmost respect. This is how we bring our kids up right, and increase our chances of making more lifelong Zips fans instead of joining the larger group that wants to wear Red and Silver. 3) The "A" and "Akron" that have been used for so long was replaced by the "Roo Head" and "Fear The Roo" (which became successful on a national level) to keep our merchandising fresh and creative. As we venture into the "Z" era we accomplish much of the same. This increases sales and increases the exposure of our brand. Hopefully I have started the ball rolling...........We need money to grow, and we need more supporters, so what thoughts do people have about how we.....as individuals.....can help. Please, lets come up with things that don't involve "different leadership", or "just win more games". I want this to be about US and what we can do to help. Lets face it, we all likely became fans during a climate of success that's not much different than what we have right now. And WE became fans. Big fans. So, how do we get others to do the same?

Mr Griswold, You are spot on, it is what it is.

ABJ has a story on the soccer promo at the basketball game. Also the other day I got a pop-up ad for the promotion but can't remember what site it was on -- may have been ohio.com.

Carmelo is no longer on the team.

@MaxZip, I agree with you that "little things" can be done in the "short game". Some improvements to the JAR and some entertainment added to the Basketball game experience. If, as someone said, IMG holding the entertainent back from happening, then why do we have IMG? I haven't seen an obvious increase in ticket sales since they've become involved. What are they doing for us? Someone enlighten me, please, if you can. I can't justify a new UoA, on campus arena. However I do believe that Akron, Summit County, and UoA might justify a downtown arena. I believe the reason that it didn't get to the ballot last year is that everyone saw it as UoA's arena. The idea seemed to be thrown together with little thought of marketing it to the voters or of its uses beyond UoA athletics. I don't understand why some folks on ZN.o are so hell bent on, if there is a new arena, it's being on campus. Downtown Akron is barely off campus. Being able to host concerts, high school graduations, UoA Mens & Womens Basketball, and other activities for Akron and surrounding counties/communities seems like it could work. Perhaps if UoA could bring some level of funding to it through donations and fundraising, then maybe asking the voters for the rest might work. I, too, have personal gain in mind in that I prefer to go to Akron with my entertainment dollar rather than Cleveland as well as I'd like to get more enjoyment out of Akron basketball games with a more comfortable and better in-game experience.

LOL...I'm surprised at myself right now. I either forgot that detail, or don't remember ever seeing or hearing it.

Right on! Maybe I can move to Akron where everybody is crazy about the Zips! Thanks!

Tonight Miami took undefeated and #3 ranked Virginia into double overtime before losing. Miami's for real. Also tonight, the same South Carolina the Zips beat in Charleston upset #9 Iowa State to raise their season record to 9-3.

Let me preface this by saying I am Akron born and raised and have three degrees from UA. That being said, if I am a 17 or 18 year old talented male basketball player, it is unlikely UA would be at the top of my list. The basketball facilities are second rate, the student fan base and support are nearly nonexistent, and the city has little to offer when compared to others. As such, Dambrot has little to work with in recruiting other than the success of the program, and he has done well to get the talent he has and be a consistent power in the MAC. The fact that the football program has been such a drain and the community's lack of support for an arena further hurt the program. Based upon the cards he's been dealt, Dambrot has been great. He's clearly the best we've had since Huggins and we should be happy to have him.