Zippy87

I agree, but I also think the university/athletics do things that make that seem accurate. Our family went to a Friday night game (7 PM start) and my son wanted a snack with about 9 minutes left in the game. Went out and every single concession was closed and the workers were long gone. I mentioned another game we went to a few weeks before Christmas that the team shop wasn't even open. Can't ask others to take your athletics seriously if the people overseeing them don't treat them that way.

Serious question - if giveaways and promotions don't work, why does every college, minor league, and professional team invest so heavily in them? If you've been to every game for the last 25 years (which is AWESOME) then I'd say you are, as you said, a different breed. As I said in my earlier post, it's hard for diehards to see it from any other way than, "Zips hoops is awesome, I'm there no matter what." But that's not every fan or even the majority of them IMO.

Nobody here is going to stay away from games because of lack of promotions, ticket prices, concessions, lack of engagement. If you're posting here, you're a die-hard that's going to go no matter what. But some can't step outside that fandom to see things from another type of fans' perspective. I love the Zips. And I love them so much that when I see them not reaching their potential as a program or as Athletics as a whole, it frustrates the hell out of me, especially when so much of it is effort-based. If promotions, marketing, and ticket deals didn't help bring more people to games, nobody would do them. So we can plug our ears, call people insane, tell them they should be happy with what they get or we can have a real and honest conversation about this program, this University, and how they can help grow a program with a coach and players who deserve a better effort from everyone involved.

Sure, let's ignore a team (with an awful home field) who still sells out every game and had 10,000 people on their waiting list for Akron last year. Why look at others when we have the "Sub of the game" promotion to draw in everyone! 🙃 Nobody is asking the Zips to be the Bananas. As you said, very different in a lot of way. But any smart leader would look at what they're doing and be able to learn something from it.

Cool, no point in reading the rest then. Go Zips!

This is a multifaceted issue, why can't both be discussed?

If going to $10 to $7 is meaningless, why do stores list things for $9.99 instead of $10?

Nobody is asking the AD to "schmooze" anyone. I do find "cheap patrons" to be an interesting word choice, and part of the issue is I think that's how the administration views the people sitting in GA. Different sport and situation, but one of my favorite trailblazers in sports is Jesse Cole, co-owner of the Savannah Bananas. He built his team's culture around the idea that every single fan that attends a Bananas game needs to have a great time. Because those people will come back. Those people will tell friends about how much they had. Those people will feel more connected to the team. And those people will be more likely to spend more of their money on the team in the future.

Why are we comparing Akron to Wake Forest, a good ACC team with a legitimate arena that has hosted the NCAA Tournament multiple times? Do people there sit on old bleachers, some of which have an obstructed view of the game? Part of marketing in knowing and being realistic about what you have to offer. Yes, $10 for any non-chair ticket is too much. Something like $7 would be a fair price.

I get the need to engage and keep big donors happy but yeah, have people on your team dedicated the other fans. If budget is tight, get some GAs with energy and enthusiasm.

They used to at least try. I remember game day promotions, t-shirt giveaways for students, unique ticket deals. This Athletic Department seems apathetic toward anyone who isn't a wealthy donor.

For a bleacher seat, it is IMO. But the more unreasonable costs are the reserved ones.

Yeah, you can't do that. Honestly, the "big picture" issue with this Athletics Administration IMO is they don't put any effort into connecting with the average fan. Everything is focused on top donors - "The Summit Circle" being the latest example. They'd rather sell less tickets at a higher price than create deals/promotions at a lower "get in" rate to more people. Watch which people the AD mingles with at games and the picture gets much clearer.

On attendance: - Home games have been Southern Mississippi, Heidelberg, Bradley, Miami-Hamilton, Gardner-Webb, and Bowling Green. Which opponent is going to draw the average fan to the game? - Pricing is still too high. Looking at next Friday at Buffalo, it's $10 for a GA bleacher seat, $20-$50 for reserved, and $100 for floor. Good luck drawing the average fan. - Promotions are scarce and when there is one, it's barely promoted. We sat in the student section last night, taking advantage of the $10 winter break deal, and my wife asked why so many people would pay $10 for GA instead of $10 for a lower level ticket and I told her they probably didn't know. Why not do a Freeman t-shirt giveaway and give him half of the proceeds for NIL? Why not offer a free kids ticket with paid admission of an adult? Why not partner with a local business to do some type of giveaway? The effort, quite frankly, is embarrassing.

Freeman is now 9th all-time in points scored with 1,448.

Quick thoughts: - Tribble was fantastic tonight. Still has limitations to his game, but it's truly impressive how much he's improved his game on the offensive side - Really wish we would've added a big to rotate in off the bench. Interior defense and rebounding take a huge hit when. Freeman is out. - Awful officiating all night. - Great to see Dawson knock down a few from deep.

For a 9 PM game, I thought the crowd was good and very much into the game.

UMass is a good team. NET ranking is 82, higher than us and any team we've beat. The schedule doesn't get much easier for them with Dayton up next.

How soon we forget Khadim Gueye! But seriously, every successful D1 program is going to have some "bad apples". Naming 4 players in 13 seasons tells me culture was pretty solid back then too. I do appreciate Groce and the little things he does - having the team thank students for coming after games, having the players know and sing the Alma mater. We're really lucky to have had two really fantastic coaches back-to-back and for so long.

I haven't had any issues FWIW.

My only criticism of the final play was it took far too long to develop, especially within the context of having no timeouts remaining. I don't think he overcoaches, though.

Dawson had big games against SD State and UNLV. He finished strong is 2021-22. The talent is there, the consistency just isn't though.

I think what worries me is that I don't feel that I've even seen hints of either one figuring it out. X didn't take off right away, but he had a few standout games during the acclimation process where the talent was evident. Same with LCJ. Scott and Thornton haven't passed the eye test for me. I'm trying to stay optimistic, because if neither step up and Tavari stays stuck to the bench, that'd be a pretty big recruiting miss for this staff. Let's hope one can take the job and run with it.

Has to be Nate or Mikal. Tribble is already giving us more on offense than I expected and I don't believe in the last three listed.

I have to be honest and say it's crossed my mind that next year may be a retooling year. Of the 8 who play now, only Dawson, Scott, and Nate Johnson are due back. Tavari Johnson, Ryan Prather, and Amani Lyles could be transfer candidates. A lot of turnover could take place. We'll need a few guys to really step up, Baker to be pretty good right away, and for the staff to hit a few home runs (or at least triples) in the portal.