UAM

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/8655845...ack.html?pg=all

2,000 tops. See ya'll soon.

Good morning folks - long time no talk. Its been great hearing from so many of you this week and I do look forward to seeing you this weekend in Nippert Stadium.Change is always a challenge and this week has been odd for many of us here at UC. Satuday will be the capper. As for this thread everyone is entitled to their own opinion, which is one thing about this board and nation that is great. I respect GP1 a great deal and enjoyed he and his wife's friendship while at UA. They are great fans and love UA dearly. Leaving UA was tough for me as I enjoyed working with Mack, but the opportunity at UC was a great one and when paired with some other factors that Z-P mentioned it was a home run. Having the chance to build a BCS external operation from the ground up is a challenge I could not pass up. Package that with the opportunity to work with someone I know and trust and the chance to bring the best of the best from my past along with me (Tommy and Jemaul - two of the finest young ones I have ever been around) made coming to UC a better decision than other opportunities would have been at this point in my career. A wise man told me once that life is full of lessons if you pay attention -focus on today and not yesterday.I do cherish my time at UA, my dear friends - many on this board and countless others off. The cell has been burning this week but it has not stopped since March 13.This is a good thing.Stay positive for JD and the guys as they are doing the right things for the long term. Same goes for the other great coaches and staff at UA. Dr. Proenza is a visionary and will keep the ship pointed in the right direction. He is a marvel!Good luck this weekend and do enjoy your trip to UC. If there is anything we can do off the field to make your stay better please let us know. Call us at 1-877-CATS-TIX. UCM

All boards in Rhodes Arena were installed prior to the 2002-03 season. The old boards were falling apart during games, just as Can't State's is now.The end boards all are controlled by the computer statistics system, there are no controllers punching in numbers. It is all automated.The center video panel is a video system programmed for video, not stats. I do not forsee the video boards being used for numbers and text during play as this is our main method for gaining video highlights. Using stats and not video would rob us of this system, which would add yet another cost to our challenged budget.This crew is student-run as we do not have the Big 10 budget to hire out crews for this type of operation.We change out the opening video each year and spent over 10K for the new elements this year, this first capital investment since the system was installed. Creatively I would never use the same "open" from year to year. In fact, if I hear "Let's Get It Started" on the radio I usually put in a CD or kick the radio very hard. HA.While I appreciate the feedback, and take many ideas from this board as Z-P and CK will attest to, I think it is a bit unfair to compare our operation to the Indians, Cavs and Browns. Their full-time crews make a lot of cash and have huge budgets. We are operating the finest operation in the MAC, which in comparison to the folks at Miami, Bowling Green, Ohio, Toledo, Can't, etc... is no comparison.Nothing scrolls over the side boards during play - the stats remain constant. the only thing that changes is during dead ball periods.As for the idea of a 3-minute highlight video in-between the Can't State linup and our own, that will not happen. If anything we want there to be a shorter period in this area of the game script, perhaps only taking a tad longer for our new PA guy to vocally prompt the crowd. I would never show soccer or football highlights immediately before a basketball game - that is basketball's time to shine. Highlight reels of this generic type are show earlier in the gameday presentation, usually between the 45-30 countdown. After the 30-mark we focus on music, the band, the dance team, the cheer team and several other entities that claim time in our operation. It is really hard to keep everyone happy and my guys have done an outstanding job with this circus all season long. We have run the ESPN clip with Boomer and the football highlights several times this season, as we have the little cartoon featuring Zippy. We try not to over-do clips and elements, which I feel has been done this year to a degree. But, again, this is a student crew and they are learning as they would with any other element of education. If they were full-timers it would be different, but overall it is still the best in this league, which should be a comfort to most UA fans.Now, if anyone has a better idea of how to layout the points/fouls for 10 players (5 per team), plus clock, time outs, etc... I am open to suggestions and will seriously consider any offers per the presentation for 2006-07. With two games left I doubt we will change anything for this season.Thanks for the feedback...

This Saturday - Akron vs. Ohio is set for a 4 p.m. tip-off on ESPN2.Next Saturday - Akron vs. Can't State is set for a NOON tip-off on FOX Sports Net.LIKE YOU I AM VERY PROUD OF OUR BASKETBALL TEAM. OUR GUYS HAVE WON 19 GAMES THIS YEAR AND ARE IN A POSITION TO WIN THE MAC REGULAR SEASON TITLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY.I APPREICIATE YOUR SUPPORT OF THE ZIPS AND HOPE THAT YOU CAN HELPOUR TEAM REACH OUR GOAL OF WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP BY BEINGIN YOUR SEATS EARLY FOR OUR REMAINING TWO HOME GAMES, THIS SATURDAY AT 4 PM AGAINST OHIO AND NEXT SATURDAY AT NOON AGAINST Can't STATE.BOTH GAMES ARE ON NATIONAL TELEVISION AND WE NEED SELLOUT CROWDS TO CHEER OUR TEAM TO A PAIR OF BIG WINS.IF YOU DO NOT ALREADY HAVE YOUR TICKETS PICK UP THE PHONE AND ORDER SOME FIRST THING TOMMOROW MORNING. THE NUMBER TO CALL IS 1-8-8-8-99-AKRON, THAT’S 1-888, 9-9, AKRON.IF YOU HAVE SOME FRIENDS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN TO A GAME THIS SEASON PICK UP A FEW EXTRA TICKETS AND BRING THEM ALONG TO SEE THE ZIPS IN PERSON. WE’VE ALWAYS GOT ROOM FOR EXTRA FANS AND AS WE SAW LAST WEEK AT NEVADA HAVING A HOME COURT ADVANTAGE IS A GREAT THING.OUR TEAM APPRECIATES YOUR SUPPORT OF AKRON BASKETBALL AND LOOKS FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN RHODES ARENA FOR THE NEXT TWO SATURDAY AFTERNOON GAMES AND OUR RUN TOWARDS THE MAC TITLE.

The newspaper and confetti thing is done by Can't State so you probably will not see it at Zips games.Matt Newhouse, a current student, has done a great job with this group. He had the visior to take it to a new level this year. From what I have been told their will be some truly unique things coming up at the remaining home games. Be sure to post your thoughts on the AK-ROWDIES section of this board.If other fans want to get in the swing of things do so from whereever you are seated. Why limit the fun to only the lower level end zones? Get a group of 5-8 fans and join in - the result is that others will join in and the whole place will be electric. This takes time but we need fans of all ages to join in and be energized from the start.The guiding charge for this group is...1. Be Pro-Akron - if you are loud and proud you are a factor in the game2. No Profanity - You can be more effective by being creative with your words and chants. Anyone can regurgitate profanity, but something out of the norm will get inside the head of the opponent.3. No Destruction of Property - We have enough challenges already.And when playing Can't State... 4. No mentions of May 4, 1970Our hope for this group is that the students will be energized by our team and be consistent for our remaining games this season and for many years to come.As with Marshall '04 FB and the '05 FB postseason we ask you to come early, be loud, and wear your Akron gear to the game. If you see someone with Browns, Indians, Cavs, or dare I type Buckeyes gear on at a ZIPS event give them grief and urge them to get their BLUE & GOLD on. The most dedicated fans do not wear other team colors to Zips events!See you on the 25th and thanks for your support!UAM

No license in JAR for beer. Sorry.Coors Light is the official beer of the Zips. Guiness has not offered a deal, nor have Bass, Red Stripe or Harp.

UA Athletics will be showing this game in Rhodes Arena, doors will open at 8:30 p.m. on the 17th.Since this is a ESPNU game it WILL NOT be offered on over-the-air television in the Cleveland market. The reason for this is that ESPN wants folks who do not have ESPNU to either big their cable companies to add it to the system OR go our and buy a dish and SUBSCRIBE to the channel.Thanks for your support and we hope to see you in Rhodes Arena for the game vs. Nevada.UAM Staff

The Spring Game will be in the field house on either the first or second Satruday in April 2006.

These hats, and the t-shirts worn by the team in the locker room will be on sale exclusively in the Zips Team Shop. We are working with the licensee on getting these in early next week with the items in the store in on Wednesday, November 7. FEAR THE ROO!

Dear Zips Fans, Thank you for your loyal support of Akron Athletics. This has been a great fall for our sports teams as we have crowned a pair of Mid-American Conference Champions in women's cross country and men's soccer, and on the verge of a third after football earning its first-ever East Division title last week. Two of our championship teams are active this week in key postseason games and we need you on the road as the Zips are pursuing titles. This is your chance to be part of school history and make a memory for a lifetime. Supporting your Zips teams in person at national postseason events is an important part of our continued evolution as a Department of Athletics. The student-athletes, coaches and administration have built champions, and now it's time for you to come along for the ride. This is Akron's first trip back to the NCAA Men's Soccer Elite Eight since our national runner-up finish in 1986. It is also our first-ever appearance in the MAC Football Championship Game. It's time to show the nation our pride in The University of Akron and your Zips teams. Northern Illinois University is expecting to bring more than 9,000 fans to the game. This is the first trip for the either school to the MAC title game, and we need to show the millions of ESPN viewers worldwide that The University of Akron and its alumni, students, and fans are something special. You only get one chance to make a first impression with bowl scouts and this is our time. We need you to rise to the occasion and be in Detroit. In addition, Ken Lolla's soccer team needs you at The University of Maryland for Saturday's Elite Eight match (1 p.m.). The Terrapins are the top seed in this year's NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament and one of the toughest teams to beat in the nation, especially at home. While Akron has already defeated Maryland this year in the Westfield Cup final, the Zips have experienced the tough ground of Ludwig Field, most recently during the third round of the 2003 NCAA Tournament. I was in Connecticut on Sunday and it was one of the greatest thrills of my life watching the Zips topple the Huskies in penalty kicks. You do not want to miss what Ken Lolla's team has to offer. Our ticket office has several very affordable ticket and travel packages on sale now for both of this week's major events. I am personally asking all Zips fans to "Hop On Board" and travel with our teams over the next week. I am taking my family to both games and I hope that you will follow suit and be a part of this magical time for the Zips. As always if you have any questions please contact our Zips Athletics Ticket Office at 1-888-99-AKRON. In Blue & Gold Pride, Mike Waddell Interim Director of Athletics INFORMATION FOR FANS FOOTBALL vs. Northern Illinois Thursday, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m., Detroit Plan 1 - $20.00 Game ticket only at Ford Field in the Zips Section Plan 2 - $75.00 Game ticket and ground transportation to and from Akron on gameday (Charter Coach departs at noon Thursday from Rhodes Arena and returns immediately following the game) Plan 3 - $119.00 Game ticket and official team hotel lodging (Thursday night) (Hotel room can ONLY be booked with this package. Room sleeps up to four people). No transportation is provided with this option. MEN'S SOCCER vs. Maryland Saturday, Dec 3, 1 p.m., College Park, Md. Plan 1 - $7.00 for adults, $3.00 for youth and senior citizens Game ticket only at Ludwig Field in the Zips Section Plan 2 - $75.00 Game ticket and ground transportation to and from Akron on gameday (Charter Coach departs at 4 a.m. Saturday from Rhodes Arena and returns immediately following the game). INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS The UA Department of Athletics has arranged for complimentary tickets and buses for students to Thursday night's 7:30 p.m. Mid-American Conference Championship Football Game in Detroit and the NCAA Men's Soccer Elite Eight match-up with Maryland, Saturday at 1 p.m. in College Park, Md. In order to take advantage of the football offer, UA students can register at the Zips Athletics Ticket Office during business hours Sunday-Tuesday. The deadline for registration is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. UA students may register for the Soccer Trip at the Zips Athletics Ticket Office during business hours Monday-Thursday. The deadline for registration is 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Students must present a valid ZIPcard ID, at which time they will be issued a voucher for a game ticket and round-trip bus transportation to Detroit and/or College Park. These vouchers must be presented during load-in for the buses, which will leave from Rhodes Arena at noon Thursday for the football game and 4 a.m. Saturday for the soccer match. The buses will depart the venues minutes following the game for the return trip to Akron. For more information on these special postseason travel offers, please contact the Zips Athletics Ticket Office at 1-888-99-AKRON. Office hours are 1-5 p.m. 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

This has been distributed to the AK-ROWDIES list for initial distribution. All UA students can take advantage of this offer which will be publicized to the masses on Monday, following the Holiday weekend. ---- UA Students To Travel En Force to Detroit for Title Tilt Vouchers for Bus Trip and Game Ticket Can Be Picked Up Starting Sunday Nov. 26, 2005 The Pouch - Attention all University of Akron Students... It's time for you to show the nation our pride in The University of Akron and your Zips football team. The UA Department of Athletics has arranged for complimentary tickets and busses for UA students to the upcoming Mid-American Conference Championship Football Game, this Thursday night in Detroit, MI. The game is set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff as your East Division Champion Zips battle the West Division Champion Huskies of Northern Illinois. Northern Illinois University is bringing more than 9,000 fans to the game. It's our goal to beat the Huskies on the field and in our show of school spirit. This is the first trip for either school to the MAC Football Championship Game, and we need to show the millions of ESPN viewers worldwide that The University of Akron and its students are something special. This is your chance to be part of school history and make a memory for a lifetime. These complimentary ticket and transportation packages are being provided courtesy of MAC title game sponsor MARATHON OIL and our TEAM AKRON family of Corporate Patrons. All UA Students have to do to take advantage of this special offer is to drop by the Zips Athletics Ticket Office during business hours Sunday-Tuesday and register. The deadline for registration is 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon. To register UA Students must present a valid ZIPcard student ID, at which time they will be issued a voucher good for a game ticket and round-trip transportation to Detroit. These vouchers must be presented during load-in for the busses, which will leave from the Rhodes Arena area at Noon on Thursday. The busses will depart Ford Field thirty-minutes following the game and will return to Akron at approximately 3 a.m. Friday morning. For more information on this special MAC Championship offer for UA Students please contact the Zips Athletics Ticket Office at 1-888-99-AKRON. Office hours are Sunday, 1-5 p.m. - Monday-Wednesday, 8:30-5:30 p.m.

Fan Travel Packages Set for MAC Football Championship Game Zips to Battle Northern Illinois, Thursday, December 1 at Detroit's Ford Field Nov. 25, 2005 Akron - The University of Akron Department of Athletics has put a plan in place for traveling and activities surrounding the 2005 MAC Football Championship Game. The match-up between Northern Illinois and the Zips will take place this Thursday, December 1 in Detroit, MI. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Ford Field, the home of Super Bowl XL. The following MAC Championship Game fan packages are available through the Zips Athletics Ticket Office. These trips will be available via Zips Express Charter Coach. All transportation will depart from Rhodes Arena at Noon on Thursday, December 1, 2005 and will return to Akron immediately following the game. Here are the packages... OPTION 1: Game Ticket only at Ford Field, $20.00. Tickets can be picked up at the Zips Athletics Ticket Office until close of business on Tuesday, November 29. All tickets purchased after this time must be picked up at OPTION 2: Game Ticket and Ground Transportation from Akron to the game and back, immediately following the game, $75.00 OPTION 3: Game Ticket & Official Team Hotel Lodging (one night) - $119.00 (Hotel room can ONLY be booked with this package. Room sleeps up to four people.) No transportation provided with this option. The only way to sit in the Akron Fan Section at Ford Field is to purchase your tickets directly from the Zips Athletics Ticket Office. All seating at Ford Field is reserved. If you would like to make your own lodging arrangements the Official Zips Team Hotel in Detroit will be the Marriott Renaissance Center, 313-568-8000. Please call this Marriott property directly, ask for in-house reservations. You will be inquiring about the MAC Fan/Alumni Rate. If you call the toll free Marriott reservations line you will not be given this rate. Gameday Shuttle Service to and from Marriott Renaissance Center and Ford Field begins at 5 p.m. and ends one hour after the game Game ticket Pickup will begin in the Hotel Lobby of Marriott Renaissance at 10 a.m. and will continue until 4:30 p.m. Tickets will also be available at Ford Field's GATE C WILL CALL WINDOW, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Â Â If you have any questions please call the Zips Athletics Ticket Office at 1-888-99-AKRON. Tickets will be on sale throughout the Thanksgiving Weekend; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, and from 8:30-5 p.m., Monday-Wednesday.

game will not be on the radio on Wednesday.... audiocast will be on GoZips.com along with GameTracker!

Radio on 1350 AM in Akron and Gametracker on the web at GoZips.com. UConn v. Stonybrook is postponed due to weather.