scottditzen

Hey pal, things don't get done in the A.K. overnight.The Ohio Brewing Company was ten years getting off the ground. Heck, it took like 90 years to get a new stadium on campus. I am betting the Skyway will be ready when we get set to defend our Big East title in 2017.

The MAC is just too big. I feel no connection with teams in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. The East division is what I consider to be the MAC. I could care less about a trip to ball state or western Michigan. That being said I like buffalo as a contender only. They are a decent program all around and the MAC is desperate for good programs.Yet I don't understand why there is no connection....you mention Western Michigan for example, it's a terrific region with incredible beaches and some of the best micro breweries in the world. It should be a perfect road trip for us, but does anyone go? Since Marshall left, I'm not seeing too many fans travel to away games. This is the real issue with the MAC, the inferiority complex and perceived lack of interest amongst those who should be fans. That's what I want to see remedied asap.

Blue Steel....http://media.photobucket.com/image/%252522.../blue-steel.jpg

Strange...kind of makes me wonder why the league didn't hire more of a BCS insider to "front the company."This guy sounds like he's on the outside looking in, at least as far as football goes.

All right then, I'm definitely on board so lets go with it, see if the idea catches on.In that regard, I think the entire green space along the Stiles Field House could become an incredible version of our very own Monument Park. Well then maybe we should work on an Alumni Association donation :-)(and yes I'm willing to work with any Alumni representative to get this done)

I will second the idea for Heisman statue.And add that it should be prominently displayed and visible from inside the Info.Until then, I want to see every possible connection with Coach Heisman and Akron Historyon our scoreboard video screen. I like the Statue idea, but maybe as a "Roo" statue like two Roos some how built into the grass hill next to the endzone facility. I still think we need a Heisman statue on campus

If they ever get ahead of schedule, perhaps they should send some guys and heavy machinery over to the future Skyway....I would be very surprised if they were open in time for 2012 based on the rate of (in)activity over there.

We can all get our revenge on the haters by having fun on game day, and continuing to support the Zips.

I spent a few hours walking around the vicinity of the stadium yesterday. I've got to say, aside from the Stadium and the newer campus construction, there is still a long long way to go. Broken down housing, faded storefronts, the feeling of depression and malaise hanging in the air. For far too long there was little or no "Pride in the Community" and that is precisely why things have gone so down hill. Face it, we are at ground zero; a place that is basically back to square one, starting from scratch. Recently someone wrote the Beacon Journal saying that "anti-education hicks were dragging the City down with their negative attitudes, always against the UA and against progress." I think the truth is that instead of being anti UA, most in the region are in fact just waiting on the sideline, neutral, waiting to see if this campus rebuilding will be completely successful. Only then will they come around because that's human nature. But we have seen the positive steps. The new stadium is a tremendous catalyst for change, certainly. But it's going to take years for the surrounding area- and this even includes campus, to truly become a beautiful, lively place with a positive energy. (Okay, I will not tolerate the Skyway being on the same idiotic 10 year plan as Ohio Brewing!!!!) But we will be there on game days helping to make a great college atmosphere. It's great to know that so many people on this forum will be taking part in the change that is coming. Well, kid, I guess I just wish people could take a little more pride in the community in which they live. I've lived in two other states, and the way so many Akronites dump on their own town is a phenomenon I've only witnessed here.I'm not negative about NE Ohio. Not in the least. I am negative about people who seem to actually hate their own hometown. I wish they would leave and not let the door hit their a** on the way out.

Dcreds you forgot the K, it's spelled Ackron and don't forget it. Nice band by the way. DO ACRON HAVE E BAND?

The really big problem will be the safety issue of pedestrians crossing Exchange. That's one dangerous intersection to be walking around, it's much more like an interstate highway than the walkable, urban, neighborhood street that it should be. If they don't end up closing off that section of road, the situation is going to require traffic cops just like surrounding Progressive Field for Tribe games. Just as dangerous as the video billboards on Route 8 just south of campus? Or maybe the Beacon Journal's video board on their tower in downtown?It won't cause any problems.

I definitely agree with Zipsrifle re: the scoreboard posts. I think being metal they look great as is. I think the models showing square shaped brick supports looked kinda awkward...is there a such thing as too much brick? Also, why would they bother painting the metal posts "Akron blue" if they were just going to brick them over? I still think they're going to brick the four post holding up the the scoreboard. That's usually done near the finishing of the installing a scoreboard I've seen done at other schools.

Oh heck yeah, 1992, I remember seeing them lining up for that long field goal thinking what in the world...amazing!!!! I miss Marshall too. Their fans were knowledgeable and traveled very well. Plus they gave our conference a ton of good publicity. But, for what it's worth, their absence opens the door for us to be the Flagship of the MAC. Marshall's AD was just run out of town, and they're looking for a new one now. I would imagine firing Snyder and bringing in a new head coach will be very near the top of the new AD's to-do list.Other than winning the MAC championship game, my facorite Zips moment of the recent past was that miracle finish to beat Marshall in the Bowl. Probably Charlie Frye's greatest moment as a Zip, I think. And seeing the replay on ESPN all day the next day was sweet!I think the only moment that tops this for me, in terms of Rubber Bowl game, was when Alcorn drilled the 57 yard field goal to beat Toledo in 1992 in our first game as a MAC member. It was an Acme/Zip game, packed house, and everyone ran out on the field afterwards. A great night. And that was also the year we posted our best-ever D-1A record of 7-3-1. I agree with those who miss Marshall. They were always the team that everyone was aiming to knock off. We don't have anyone like that right now.

It took us forever to get down blizzardy I-77 from Cleveland....there was no way we were gonna leave that game early!!!!

Welcome to the forum zipsfreak. Great suggestions imho.

Great article!!I think that one of the ingredients for upgrading our program is to maintain better contact with all of our former athletes. Especially ones like Mike Johnson, who go on to find success in the pros. These connections are vitally important for the school.

Thanks ZZZips!!For the record, it's 10-5pm through this week. Next week starts summer hours, 10-3pm. Giver Bryan a call.Bryan Huettmann, Director of Merchandising and Licensing - (330) 972-2639

Anyone know the current hours for the Akron Zips Team shop at the JAR? Or at least a phone number to find out???

uakronkid' date='May 11 2009, 03:51 PM' post='83324'What I want to see... I want to see:2. Close off Spicer to create a party/tailgate area.Definitely agree. And along those lines something has to be done about improving pedestrian crossing on Exchange Street. As it stands, there simply isn't going to be enough space on the sidewalk around the corners of Exchange and Union. Expect fatalities from people jaywalking from BW-3's, unless traffic on Exchange is all gridlock at that point. 8. Something that relates our Heisman connection. The Rubber Bowl had the Heisman lodge. Infocision needs a Heisman suite or an Heisman terrace (perhaps the top of the endzone facility?)Hey, that's my idea. I own it, and should be credited from now on. Good day sir.

Now that was an ESPN instant classic!!

1. I would love for the U to get as much mileage as legally possible out of the Coach John Heisman connection. Seriously, that is serious name recognition that our program can benefit from. 2. The fact that our school is so close in proximity to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the great great football heritage in NE Ohio is another unique angle that is worth exploring. 3. We have four months to start "manufacturing" the "Tradition of Akron Football." I want to see ample room in and around the Info for: *Tons of Framed black and white photographs *Old uniforms displayed*Nonstop well produced video highlight reels on tons of monitors throughout the stadium*Noteworthy players and coaches profiled in a highly visible monument area alongside the field house*Kangaroo sculptures EVERYWHERE...lets give the art students free reign to be creative.Perception is reality. We may not have a winning history, but heck, it IS a LONG history. And there is plenty to be proud of here. And oh yeah....JACQUEMAINE FOR HEISEMAINE.

Count me in on the giant Kangaroo bandwagon!! And good point about the start of new traditions...this season cannot start soon enough.

I hate to jump the gun on the stadium, but has anyone ever seen what the design for expansion would be like? They basically shut down Main St for Aeros games (8000 fans). I think it would rather easy to divert traffic around an Exchange St closure.Second the stadium is designed for expansion to 45k. The only way that becomes necessary is if we A: sell out B: win C: get out of the MAC. But for the record Nippert Stadium was just expanded to 35k in the last 5 years. Papa Johns was constructed at 42k. Rentschler was constructed at 40k.

From the tone of some of the posters, I think they will be hurling those seat backs AT the band.

How about "Adopt a Band Member" or where a few dollars donation will provide the donor with a cool Trading Card with silly, orserious "action shots." The front of the card can show Name/Instrument, along with a cool Zips logo. And on the back will be the "stats." The Bandmembers hometown, major, favorite music etc. It could be a really fun project, done cheaply with a normal printer with card stock paper. p.s. the length of this thread proves the days of apathy are over.