xu9697

6,800+ last night for OU. That is a nice turnout, though I know the arena seats 13,000+.

I have agreed both in this thread and in the past= students are the key.With that being said, if the student turnout is poor already, would it really be any worse with an "off campus" downtown arena? And, would an "off campus" downtown arena with possible restaurant/shopping and maybe even hotel attached make it more of an attraction for "Joe Akron" and "Jack NE Ohio" ?

Went to the Air Force @ Navy game this past October. Just got an ad from Navy, offering, "$3 tix to Lehigh @ Navy men's basketball game for all football season ticket holders". Perhaps not a bad idea for Akron to look into.

I really hoped that STO was going to be more involved with the MAC, and most specifically Akron and Can't (necessary evil, I know). That channel, by and large, has been a disappointment.Instead of trying to create a channel, UA and the MAC (based in Cleveland for heaven's sake!!) should start working more with STO to build some programming.

The economy has forced the overpriced to get lean. Comparing super bowl commercial cost to an Akron basketball ticket price is apples and oranges. The economy should have little to do with the attendance at an Akron basketball game. I know a few of my friends out of work looking for low cost entertainment. They have no idea about Akron basketball. How would they ever know? Why not take advantage of the current economic situation to advertise the product as such...affordable sports entertainment? How about getting more students to the game. I counted 37 at the RI game. Yes I realize the semester has not started, but plenty of students live close enough.Ding, ding, ding!!2,500 people at a basketball game where the school has 23,000+, with a large majority living within an hour's drive. The problem begins right there.

That is a good question right there. Specifically WZIP. Have any of you EVER heard anything about the Zips on that station? Never a commercial or mention of any upcoming games or ANYTHING.What's the deal with that?BTW, i dont think it has anything at all to do with the Cleveland media either. This problem is very simple: We do not have anything resembling a real athletics marketing department. Until they clean house and put some people that have a clue what they're doing in those jobs we will continue to waste time arguing over this. All of us on here do more for getting people in those seats than they ever do just by our word of mouth and support.Excuse my ignorance= is WZIP the same as 1350? I have started to listen to that (1350) along with 850 on the radio on my way home MOSTLY b/c I want to hear some Zips talk. 1350 talks about the same stuff as 850. Have not heard ONE THING about Akron...perhaps something about Ianallo becoming the new coach, progress of Zeke Marshall, etc. RIDICULOUS to blame or have something against Cleveland with the failings of attendance, proper UA coverage, etc. Cleveland local tv news doesn't even cover CSU that well, and in the PD there are articles about Akron, Zips, etc. Aeros get coverage as well. In addition, when the Info was about to open/opened there was quite a bit of TV coverage on the opening. Quite a few articles about the Zips soccer run as well. Point is= Do something NEWSWORTHY and it WILL get covered in Cleveland!!!!

I would love to see Houston, Tulsa and SMU on the Zips schedule. And Marshall. People who don't know football think Marshall made a bad move leaving the MAC. While CUSA isn't at the Big East level, it is light years ahead of the MAC. Marshall made the right call.I totally think they made the right call. And I agree those teams would be great coming to the INFO. Lots of history with SMU and Houston. But their level of success seems to have diminished somewhat. I suggest you check out SMU and Houston's 2009 schedule and season's results.Meant Marshall, not SMU and Houston. Sorry for the confusion. And yes, I know..Marshall made and won a bowl game this year. We'll see if it is sustained.

I sent one and received a quick response (less than 24 hours...might have been like 6 hours). Very nice touch. I would love to ask him more things, but I don't want to be a stalker!!Actually, it would be nice if he/the department posted some of the most frequently asked questions and answers. Might reduce some repeat questions and give us an idea of what others are curious about.

I would love to see Houston, Tulsa and SMU on the Zips schedule. And Marshall. People who don't know football think Marshall made a bad move leaving the MAC. While CUSA isn't at the Big East level, it is light years ahead of the MAC. Marshall made the right call.I totally think they made the right call. And I agree those teams would be great coming to the INFO. Lots of history with SMU and Houston. But their level of success seems to have diminished somewhat. While fans might have more interest in some of those names, not sure if the kids they recruit care that much about going to some of those Texas venues and/or care about those teams/schools. Now, that is not to say they care that much about Akron, Toledo, etc. I just believe, if all things were equal from a TV and revenue standpoint, Marshall (the university) would prefer to be more involved with the East and "near south" than with Texas, Oklahoma, etc. And, I also think that their level of success, especially in football, would be even greater in a redeveloped conference. Perhaps that belief is based on how successful they were in the late 90's and early 00's...might have little to do with where they were and more to do with just luck of timing with Moss, Pennington, Leftwich, etc.

Great post!In regards to Marshall: I have to believe, in an ideal world, Marshall would still love to be part of a conference that involved the MAC teams that care (spending $$; have some history of success in football and/or basketball) and some of the C-USA east of the Mississippi teams. Marshall, Akron, Toledo, Miami, Temple, Buffalo, Southern Miss, East Carolina, UAB and Memphis would be a nice 10 (thinking football and basketball and regionally). Troy for their recent football success and Western Kentucky for their surprisingly storied basketball history would be a nice couple additions for a 12 team conference. Obviously, these 12 teams ARE NOT going to gather together. But the point is I'm not sure how much Marshall really cares/relates to Houston, SMU, Tulsa, etc...except for the fact that being there is good for lining the pockets.

Illini forum posters..many would be happy to see Mallory gone from the Illini:http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=169&f=2617&t=5319097Take it for what is worth.I still prefer Okruch

Well hopefully the coaching talent can win over some players.I'd rather they win games than players. Every press release about our new coaches has a quote from Ianello about how the position coach or the coordinator is a great recruiter, but I don't see mentions of them being good coaches.When you win games, you don't need to be an amazing recruiter because the talent will be drawn to you. We have enough talent to win the MAC already. That should be the main focus.Definitely agree with some of what you say, especially as it relates to COACHING and some of the comments made. I wonder sometimes if is good or bad that we get guys from bigger programs. Tough to tell where they are in their careers, and what they truly think of Akron football and MAC football. Younger guys should definitely look at what has happened to Meyer, Kelly, Jones, Gill, etc. Some of the older guys...are they just here b/c they still want to be a part of the game, and are not giving up on a dream and/or don't know what else to do with themselves and they will take almost any job. I tend to think, OVERALL, it is a good thing to have the guys from the big programs who have some of those experiences. It is definitely going to be an interesting spring as these guys get together and start rebuilding/retooling things.

Mitch Browning official!http://www.gozips.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_...TCLID=204866491And I thought LAST YEAR's coaching staff was impressive. This Ianallo is already proving to be a hell of a "recruiter".

We only have one downtown hotel today and it has less than 50% occupancy. Not sure how Akron can support another one. Space for visiting teams -- that's 10-12 rooms max. for basketball. Visiting Football teams stay at cheapest decent hotel, often 5-10 miles outside of town. OU always stays at Falls Sheraton.Also important to note that Zips only had 2,400 for possibly the premier non-conference home game of the year. Not a compelling reason to build an arena in today's economic environment.I hear the occupancy issue. And the economic issue. No doubt those are real. But it isn't going to be up tomorrow. This is at least 3 to 5 years away. And if you (not you personally) don't have a vision for that far ahead, then there is a problem.Also, I absolutely can't stand the 2.400 for premier game argument. First of all, to many, Rhode Island is NOT a premier game. 2nd of all, part of the reason I AVOID the JAR is nothing around it to do (most specifically..have to eat and drink somewhere, park there, then get back in the car and drive to the JAR) and most available seats (with chairbacks) for a reasonable price (not $30)are always the ones in the first 2 rows where everyone walks by and blocks the view. Give me a nice venue with some amenities next to it, and you will have the more "casual" fan (and the one that has to drive 50 minutes in GOOD weather) there more often. Obviously, the program and the schedule has to grow..but the pieces are there, and we have to move now if we want to have the right thing (whatever that might be) in 3 to 5 years.

C'mon guys!This is obviously not a black and white issue (and I don't mean race). There is a middle ground here.A BALANCED schedule is necessary. It is all about finding that balance and adjusting it each and every year based on the expectations of the team (internally, not externally).

Anyone ever been? http://www.lexingtoncenter.com/shops/I was there in the late 1990's. This is the type of thing I think about when I see the plans that have been posted before.http://www.osportsarch.com/Portfolio.aspxAnywho, I am all about urban development and keeping things "on the street" vs. too much containment. However, I think if this is done the right way, with a hotel (space for visiting teams from Akron), with the right shops, right restaurants, etc. I think it can definitely work. Downtown malls are dying in general, but tying in a hotel, possible apartments and meeting/smaller rec area for students, the arena (and the events that come with it), the university and attractions like the Aeros...I do think this is a plan that can work and work for all.NOT trying to restart "downtown" vs. "campus" and which is better. I can see both sides. More focused on the fact that IF this type of facility is built, I think there is enough of a combination of office workers, visitors, arena and activity attendees and students to make it work.

Hook 'Em 24Roll Tide 17

All 3 not bad, but particularly good read by Zemek (even if you don't agree):http://cfn.scout.com/2/935687.htmlOVERALL, MAC PERFORMED well in the games, just came up short. Very close to 3-2 or 4-1. Only game that they really were not competitive in (after 1st half) was Northern Illinois in Canada Bowl.

Glad to be wrong, but...Charlie Frye= Charlie BatchSpot starter, solid back-up especially as he advances in years.

Must be because he is Italian

I think we are on the cusp of adding a few bigger names. It takes time. I watched my alma mater, Xavier, slowly build it up. Akron is doing the same.Going into next year with Zeke as a sophomore and a solid core returning around him, you will see a few more big-time match-ups.

Honestly, I don't have a great understanding of the recruiting cooridnator role in college coaching. Is it like the assistant to the traveling secretary? Ianallo is known as a great recruiter...but the head coach is kind of just the guy to "seal the deal" especially with the bigger/main targets. As much as I believe I have a great understanding of the GAME of football, I have much less of an understanding of the roles of an 8 to 10 man college coaching staff. Obviously good to see guys who have had success in their hired for position (like a Latina and Mendoza), tougher to sell a guy like Micelli who has not been (at least recently) a recruiting coordinator for a FBS school. In the end, a well-rounded staff of guys with various experiences in the college and pro game seems to be a good way to go. Diversity is the spice of life!

I like the hiring of Young b/c of his NFL pedigree, but ND hires on DEFENSE need to stop there. That D was putrid.

Ding, ding, ding= winner.I might give someone a break considering next week's home game vs. Oakland, but if you are choosing btwn a TV GAME and physical attendance and having an issue with it....

You have to be kidding? First of all, how many Big 10 regular season weeknight games have you seen? I think Indiana has played a non-conference game on a weeknight. SEC..a couple per year, probably mostly involving the lowest team= Vanderbilt.If you are a GOOD team in the MAC or Sun Belt, you get the "luxury" of playing a couple of Tuesday and Wednesday night games in the cold of November. ESPN screws the smaller conferences into these horrible time slots.I have said it for years, and I will keep saying it= keep it SOMEWHAT FAIR...MAC needs to step in and say, "no school will play more than 2 weeknight games...1 home and 1 away". If we can count on at least 5 Saturday home games, I can live with it.I am just one fan that, if we start getting to too many weeknight games= bye bye season tix! Not much sense in having a family of 4 driving 1 hour on a Tuesday night to sit in the cold.I understand the "convenience" of Saturday games. But you act like it's so out of the question to do 1-2 weekday games. Hell we had a Friday game (yes afternoon stinks but that is on the University because the game wasn't even televised). Half of the money we get is because of the ESPN contract. Basically it comes down to this. If we were 12-0 last year, there would be barely any complaints about November weekday games and no complaints about "cold" or travel time.Huh? I said 1 to 2 is fine. Makes sense for so many reasons, balances out exposure, ESPN's desires, fan's desires, etc.And, I don't care who the team is= part of what makes college football college football is Saturday football. Living on the west side of Cleveland, I am not taking my 4 year old and 2 year old (ages next year) to weeknight games. One, maybe. But I think there have been MAC teams in the last few years (Miami comes to mind) that play about 3 Saturday home games in some years.You are probably right= consistent 10 toi 12 win seasons will keep attendance up. But there is a group of fans that it excludes. And, it just isn't the way it should be. College football is about the whole day experience...not a Tuesday night.We can agree to disagree on that, but my biggest point that you cannot refute is that the lower level conferences are stuck with these games.