Zipsrifle

Ya gotta spend money to make money. It's an investment!

Trust me, the land owners around the University know that they are sitting on a goldmine. They new it 10 years ago and they know it now. It's not rocket science. You own a slum on the edge of a growing University jammed in the middle of a city. What do you think is gonna happen? Rent the place out to some kids and just keep the place from falling down, make a little cash and wait for your payday! That's not to say that all the talk of a stadium at the corner of Brown and Exchange wouldn't raise property prices there, they are just going to be inflated that much more now.

I don't know about you guys, but I hope that our competition THINKS we're a bunch of cupcakes. Let them goof all all week before the game and do a little looking past us. I like nothing better than hearing a silet opposing stadium. I wasn't there, but I hear that the Akron "upset" at Navy Homecoming a few years ago was a pretty good shocker! Last year was great, but the losses to Army, CMU, Ball State and the Blowout at Miami made for less than a solid season. I expect us to raise the bar this year. We need to win the games we're supposed to and pull off a couple upsets, scares before we get respect nationally. I like the fact that some sites don't have us winning the MAC and possibly not going to a bowl. We've got a good core coming back, and with JD's recruits and his philosophy entrenched, I'm looking for a strong showing in the MAC, a strong showing OOC, and another trip (or two) to my home turf, DETROIT!

I know there is an entire season in front of us before this game, but it's been on my mind. I really, really, really hate OSU and I have been looking forward to the '08 game since it was announced. What has me concerned is if the Akron fans will be able to show up in force because the Buckeye fans will buy up all our tickets. I don't care what magazines or papers say about where our team will finish this season, I have every expectation of watching the Zips in at least one game in Detroit this year. A solid season this year and we should be able to travel very well to Ohio Stadium. Will UA be doing type of filtering on their ticket sales for that game? Season Ticket holders get first shot or something? It would really piss me off if the Akron section was full of OSU fans and true, blue UA fans were dispused throughout the stadium.The "Other Stuff" is equal part rant and true question. Are there any "2005 MAC FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS" License Plate Holders? I really would like one for "The Ziptruck" and all I can find are the same "MAC Champion" shirts they were selling after the MAC Championship game. I guess I'm just looking to rub it in the noses of the multiple "Directional Michigan" drivers I pass everyday.

Uh, I don't think this is going to be a problem in college Football. I wish it would, but it won't.

Yea, this article puts a damper on my Staduim hopes. I agree that parking shouldn't be a problem, they've been pouring money into parking decks so there should be enough parking in the area. I just hope the tailgating lot is near the stadium and you don't have to pay an arm and a leg. As far as the U buying property, I think the current administration is pissed at previous ones for not buying up some of the stadium land earlier. Now, they are probably just buying everything they can around the university when it comes up for sale. As for the the RB, I would imagine they will continue to rope off sections, slap down Quickcrete and wood too keep the place alive.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to make many football games this year as another Zip fan will be arriving mid-season. I'll be monitoring via the internet though....I'll have to upgrade my connection. With any luck, there will be two more "Home" games for me this year in Detroit!

Though I don't think the official 2006 Formula SAE results are posted yet, a little surfing dug up a copy. It appears that for the 5th time in the past 10 years the Zips have placed in the top ten in the Formula SAE competition! For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, there are numerous National Engineering Competitions each year. The most prestegious is the Formula SAE competition. To put this in perspective, FSAE is the "College Football" of college engineering competitions. Each year, Universities from across the globe build a race car from scratch and compete over 5 days. The competition used to be just one competition in Detroit each year. Recently, the competition has grown to 6 events held all across the globe. The Detroit competition is still premier event, with well over 100 schools participating. The Zips finished 10th this year, which is quite an accomplishment. Of all the other Ohio schools, you'll find only Toledo at #18 in the top 40. I don't know the detailed results, but I would imagine those will be out shortly. I also don't know a lot about their car, but I've posted a few links below. If you're curious about what this is all about, these will be excellent places to start. Congrats to the team!Akron Site Unofficial top 40....scroll down a little bit.

Nope, it's hasn't gone anywhere. Still by the Airdock at the end of Derby Downs.....still crumbling....and empty, just like we're used to it. I would imagine the one update will be a sign stating that we were in the 2005 Motor City Bowl. Maybe a few more 2X8 pieces of wood replacing the fiberglass bleachers.OH, wait, I bet you were talking about the "New Stadium"......nope, nothing new.

It's Sink or Swim time for Charlie. I'm a huge 5/9 fan, but honestly, if he doesn't get it done this year,I think he's out. He only showed glimpses of NFL ability last season. Lots of people gave him the benefit of the doubt because it was his Rookie year, but those excuses are gone now. If he doesn't make it, it's not because he didn't throw everything he had at it, it's because he just doesn't have what it takes. I wish him the best of luck and hope he has a stellar year.

I don't know what modivates #9, but I wouldn't chalk it all up to the threat of another QB. What I do know that Charlie is/has been giving 110% for the past year. If he doesn't make it, it's not because he didn't give his best effort.

I can't believe Cleveland was even considering Joey. Living in Michigan, I am force fed Detroit Sports. Though Frye has to improve from last season if he wants to keep playing in the NFL, Harrington is a lost cause. That guy has been beat upon so bad up here, he probaby cries himself to sleep every night. Oh, and he sucks too.

Oh, I can't believe I forgot this one. The Institute for Global Buisness. Apparently it will be right next to the current CBA. Pretty cool. According to the link, it looks like this one will be a go, they are just looking for money. Institute for Global BusinessShort Video

Congrats to Dom. JT, Dwight, Charlie....I think Akron is capable of producing one draft pick a year. BTW, I noticed that there were two other, rather early MAC draft picks. I don't remember what the guy's name is, but NIU had a great lineman that was supposed to be 1st round material earlier in the season....I didn't see his name mentioned. Any info on this?

I've been doing a little surfing on improvements going on around campus. I stumbled across this presentation from a developer. It shows the new exchange street housing, spicer village, greek village and a few other things. University Park PresentationSpicer Village/town - The Zip-Strip as I knew it will be gone. Looks like it will be pretty nice. In the picture, Exchange is along the top, Brown is along the left side, Spicer goes goes right through the middle.Spicer VillageGreek Village - It doesn't look like there is a lot of momentum behind this one. It does appear that it would be very nice. That area basically looked like an old residential area that was turned into student housing....Oh, wait...it was.Greek VillageThis isn't an on-campus thing, but it shows the direction the city is going. New housing going up near downtown. This seems to be the big thing lacking in many cities is housing downtown. Downtown HousingThough I didn't dig up anything new on the stadium, there is a significant void in the redevelopment of the Spicertown area. That would be where the stadium is supposed to be. I'm convinced of the location, just come on with the designs already!

Chirp....Chirp....Chirp...Chirp....Chirp..Chirp....Nice one Debbie Downer....Not funny.

.500 does not deserve a bowl game. The MAC has lost it's edge in the past few years and until we start smacking down BCS teams, we don't deserve to go to a "Big" Bowl. Personally, I love the idea of bowls in Detroit and Toronto. MAC fans don't travel well long distance, but a short drive will bring them in. I'm hoping for the MCB again this year (short drive for me!)

If an estate owns the song, then pay the damn royalties. Who cares, I'd pay $35 bucks for something that didn't sound like the crap I downloaded from the internet. Hell, I was at Michigan Tech this past winter, way, way, way up in the boonies in the UP and They had stacks of marching band CD's for sale. I think it is downright embarrasing that we're a D1-A school that can't market as well as a DII school located in the middle of Lake Superior. Lets get our act together already!

After 10 years of drought, the best memories came in the past two seasons. Hixon's catch last year, with him being sick and all, is IMO, the best. JD has definately squashed the "How are we going to lose this one" mentality of Zip fans. #2 for me would be Marshall in '04. If I had to choose a "Best memory gone bad" it would be Miami in '01. As a solid underdog, we were handled pretty easity in the first half. Akron came out in the 2nd half and fought their way back to the lead late in the game. Miami fans were flooding out of the stadium, the few Zip fans in attendance were stoked and then the legend of Ben started.....

It's about time! Newt has poured his heart and soul into this program and it's great to finally see him get some national recognition for it. He has NOT had an easy go at building up this team. For years he had to compete against Ohio State, Kentucky, West Virginia and Xavier, all offering scholarships when he had none. He managed to build a program that has been on the cusp of making the National Championship match several times in recent years. He has fought to get upgrades to the leaking dungeon in Schrank South so that it is now one of the best ranges in the state! Thanks Newt, you deserve it!

Since the stadium will be a place where thousands will be first exposed to UA, it would be nice to have tons of display areas to show off what is happening on campus. The stadium, if done right, will be one of the premiere athletic facilities in Ohio and UA should use that opportunity to show the public everything UA has to offer!

Is it me or does that seem like a lot of stadium for 40 million? Maybe that is the actual cost of construction and doesn't include any land purchases, architecture or engineering fees. The new UA Fieldhouse cost 40 million. Of course, if we're looking to integrate some dorm rooms, that could jack the price of ours up quite a bit, the UCF looks like it will be just a stadium.

My tiny high school was surrounded on 3 sides by corn fields and one side by a melon field. Our athletic teams sucked and THAT weight room put the old UA Varsity Weight Room to shame! I've mentioned it before, and I'll say it again. I think when the stadium is built, the Zips should be playing on "Proenza Field"! The guy is flat out amazing!

My entire tenure at UA was dominated by the old, square, unoramented, yellow brick buildings. I have not attachment to any of them so the more that go, the better!

Here's how I'd rank the MAC Stadiums I've been to, according to my preference.1) Miami - Great atmosphere, great stadium, no problem seeing the game.Central - I loved the atmosphere, no problem seeing the game.Ohio - I didn't really like the stadium layout, but could see the field.Eastern - WAY to far from the field, but I like how it's integrated with the arena.Akron - It's a dump, but the most stadium like of all the MAC stadiums I've been to.BG - Oversized HS field in the middle of farm country.Can't - Poorly thoughout HS field with terrible traffic patterns. I think the first two are far above the others, who are almost equal in my minds.