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I'm always a little skeptical of stats without links as I like to check myself and see the full context of the numbers cited. Just briefly poking around on the National Science Foundation website, I found a data table of academic institutions ranked from 1-643 by total R&D expenditures here. UA was #169 and OU #185 in the latest posted rankings (2013).

As a-zip ponted out in other threads concerning UA rebranding and logos, there may be things here, as well, of which we do not know. For example, I have to admit that I've not been impressed by the IMG Learfield ticket reps who were brought in to supposedly increase football ticket sales. I have no idea at what cost they were brought in, but given the numbers of butts in the seats, I wouldn't say (in my opinion) they have been a success. Badgering me over and over to get my friends to buy in is not a good strategy as I tried to tell them. I, probably like others in Zipsnation, lost credibility when I convinced some friends to buy season tickets given the new stadium, and then they were rewarded with the 'Ianello Pigskin Holocaust' to borrow CK's phrase. I told them numerous times that I cannot (and will not) go back to the well again until Zips Football accomplishes something again...a bowl game, a MAC Title/bowl game. Given the lack of butts in the seats, was the cost of IMG Learfield a good pay off for UA athletics? I don't have the data, but it seems that it could easily have been another hole in the budget. I like TW as a person. Very nice, friendly man, and I wish him well. But, I definitely think UA can get a more dynamic AD. If we could get Caleb Porter, a Big Ten (11, 13, 14, whatever) graduate, to come to UA and totally embrace it given where things stood when he was hired, I'm confident there is an AD candidate out there who would proudly do the things needed to take UA athletics to new heights.

I would add the business and political leadership of NEO to that. It's important to show them that Akron is addressing its shortcomings and putting together a vision that serves not only its institutional interests but those of the region as a whole. That's why the rebranding can't be just about a name change and marketing/p.r. semantics. It has to merely be the front door of a much deeper self-examination and strategic plan to move forward. We have to show these people that--even if it's not going to supplant Case/Cleveland Clinic & OSU from the table, that Akron-Can't deserve to at least by in the conversation.

You don't have to be a absurd optimist to see that this is really a glass half full for anyone taking a new job. Someone with vision can handle these problems, particularly the attendance issues. And the glass is half full simple because, on each point, there is reason to hope; Football program is unimportant but that could be said in relative terms for any non BCS team. Facilities are great, recruiting area is rich. Coach has a winning history. All that is needed is a vision and a bit of luck. Soccer program has some serious laurels to either rest on, or to take advantage of. Basketball program is among the most stable in all the mid-majors. Again, vision... Not feeble marketing, but vision will fix the attendance issues. Arena? Patience and hard work. This worm can turn.

I am going to change my name to George Costanza https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofOSlsNz5I8 Gotta stop replying with iPhone

Has there ever been a post that says nothing....and then the person who wrote the post "Likes" their own post?

I trust that you're not planning to join the local Optimists Club anytime soon. UA Athletics has a lot going for it...Infocision Stadium-Summa Field, Terry Bowden, First Energy Stadium-Cub Cadet Field, Jared Embick, Jodi Kest, Shawn Barber, DeAndre Yedlin on the USMNT and in the Premier League, Perry Kitchen on the verge of being on the USMNT for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and maybe beyond, Wil Trapp perhaps on the U23 USMNT and perhaps the USMNT, a D1 basketball team that has been to the NCAA Tourney a number of times and perhaps needs some new AD to help it take the next step, ... I'm very optimistic that UA will find an energetic, driven AD who will bring Zips Athletics more success.

BS

Jesus christ dude

SP JT Brubaker was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 6th round of the MLB Draft and OF Joey Havrilak was drafted in the 18th round by Detroit. JT will be playing for Pitt's short A team in Morgantown WV and Joey will probably see time with Connecticut of the NYPenn League (home of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers).

I am not optimistic about a great hire... in previous hires, you could look to the future... a growing soccer program, football in a growth period-with a new stadium or one that had a chance of being built, a stable and growing? basketball program, and overall athletic facility growth. Now the current hire will face an unimportant football program, with serious attendance issues and is a financial drain, a soccer program that has probably plateaued, a basketball program that hasn't taken the next step-- and has not given us reason to think they will, doesn't draw- even while winning. It's also a basketball team that wants a new building, at a University that is facing budget issues, at one of the nation's most subsidised athletic depts-- and at a time when the general long-term future of the NCAA is probably up for debate. I think an in-house interim AD -- of which there is not much choice is where this goes for a yr or two, then someone comes into overhaul a new very downsized athletic dept

I think it is stupid to avoid Ohio State conflicts. It isn't like there are tens of thousands of fans sitting at home watching Ohio State that would otherwise be at the Zips game. They don't come anyhow, so f 'em. I love 6 pm starts. Night games are always a blast. And all the family/kids events are long-since completed by 6 pm.

I like 6:00pm games on Saturdays better than the lunchtime kickoffs. 6:00pm is just about the perfect time for me, of course I understand that we should probably do whatever we can to keep our kickoff times as far away from the Columbus school's game times as possible as well for attendance purposes.

I've got a good feeling about this season. If we somehow don't "BreakthROO". will we ever? Still some questions on offense, but defense should easily be the best in the MAC.

It's hard to see putting $38M into the JAR vs. a 50% downpayment on a new building.