Hilltopper
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My timeline with Zips football starts in 1969 so I don't remember that one, but I did see the one in the early 90's also. It was huge and took several minutes to streak across the sky. What a sight!
Well, I wasn't around in the 60's so I can't help you there, but I do remember in the early 90's during a HS football game when a meteor rolled down across the sky. I lived near Sandusky and I figured it landed in Lorain county somewhere. It actually landed in New York, it was HUGE!My brother and I were remembering this morning about a night Zips game when we were kids (circa the mid-60s) when there was a big meteor that crossed over the stadium. I tried googling it, but didn't get anywhere.Anybody else recall this event? I think it might have been an Acme-Zip game.
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Who pissed on your Wheaties this morning?
What else is there for marketing other than cash in the in drawer at the end of the day? Marketing results are ultimately measured in money. It is a business and they have to function on money...not wishes. Reminds me about an old saying about wishes, "Make a wish or $#!+ in your hat. See which one fills up first." Billboards have not and will not work. Can't State wishes that billboard on Rt8 would work. You are wishing that a billboard somewhere in Akron will work at raising brand awareness (see below for MAC brand awareness). Is the fact that UofA has a football team a secret? I doubt that.MAC schools individually have brand awareness and the league has a brand awareness. The exposure on ESPN, early season beat downs by BCS schools and disgraceful performances in bowls the past couple of years have given them increased brand awareness...although not a brand awareness they would like to have. Here is the MAC brand: a third tier D-1A conference (Dollar General). Sane people are not willing to pay to see third tier conferences play (we on this board are all actually a bunch of idiots for paying to go see it). Change that with a billboard.?.I have had Wake Forest season tickets the past two years. They play in the ACC (second tier conference) and they have a 32,000 seat stadium (around the size of UofA's and some ACC teams play in 80,000+ seat stadiums). They have been historical losers (remind anyone of a team we all love?). The past three seasons they have had winning records, an ACC championship, a couple of first team All-Americans getting drafted in the first round, three straight bowl appearances (the last two they won) with a BCS bowl appearance. Their games are NOT sold out when my wife and I go. They play Mississippi, Virginia, North Carolina, Vandy, Maryland, Clemson, Virginia, VA Tech, Miami, etc. Does everyone in NC know they have a football team and a good one? Of course. Will a billboard increase brand awareness? Barely.The point is this. I spent years in the forest believing there was some magical marketing "trick" that could get people to come to games. The new stadium is the "trick". MAC schools are playing "trick or treat" with their advertising and only marketing the "trick" end of it because there is rarely a treat when you get to a game. The people of NE Ohio are not stupid and they know a crappy product when they see it. Most have a good understanding of football with the exception of Browns fans. The problem the MAC has now is they are selling a crappy product and people know that; meaning the brand awareness is there. Never assume your customers are stupid. Fans have had too much TV exposure with the MAC to continue to fool people. MAC schools can't run adds saying, "Don't believe your own eyes. Listen to what I say. Our product is great."Since we should not spend all of our time complaining, I will offer solutions. The MAC and MAC schools don't need more brand exposure, they need less if they are planning on tricking people to come to games. ESPN games with empty stadiums are not helping the brand. Getting killed by BCS schools is not helping the brand. Getting killed in bowl games by CUSA teams is not helping the brand name. Some say adding more bad teams to an already bad conference will somehow make it a better brand (the logic behind this is almost insane...... 13 bad teams + 2 horrible teams = good football
While I love the idea of the scholarship, I don't think a $450 scholarship will build the brand awareness that the football team desperately needs at this time. It pains me that we finally have a brand to market, and let an economically sound opportunity slip away. I know you like to see cash in the drawer at the end of the day from your marketing, but building a brand is not about that, you have to see the forest through the trees when measuring brand awareness.
It would be too much taking into account how much billboard advertising returns.Here is a better idea. Take half the money they spend on billboards and flush it down the toilet. Take the other half and spend it on scholarships for students. No matter what, half of the money will be spent wisely in lieu of ALL the money being flushed down the toilet on billboards.So how much do you think it would take to put a UA athletic banner put on the Can't State Urban Institute building on that corner?
). The MAC either needs to take the step of moving to I-AA to save itself, or the following:1. Ditch the ESPN week night games.2. Only one BCS pay day per year.3. Stop adding teams and actually reduce the number of teams to 10 with nine conference games per year.4. Ditch the MAC Championship played in front of 50,000 empty seats at Ford Field.
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We now return you to your regular scheduled program, you have been in the Twilight Zone.It's prediction time!@Penn State - Akron pulls off the shocking upset in a 47-31 win over the Nitpicking Lions thanks to Chris Jacquemain's play at QB under the direction of QB coach Walt Harris, who's name sends PSU fans into a frenzy still to this day.Morgan State - Akron sets some school records in the grand opening of Infocision Stadium as the Zips win 105-3 with at least 6 TDs coming directly as a result of Carlton Jackson fumbles. Indiana - The Zips win once again with a score of 24-17. Special teams scores 17 of our points.@CMU - The Zips continue their win streak after Dan Lefevour injures himself while hitting on one of the Zips dance team members.BYE - BYE always puts up a tough fight, but I think the Zips will pull it out.Ohio - The bobcats stand no chance against the Zips in their homecoming game. Frank Solich later seen driving away from the Barley House after consuming several gallons of beer, and then getting arrested for repeatedly running over the metal Zippy at the campus McDonalds in his drunken rage.@Buffalo - Akron forfeits this game as a result of the team not having any passports to allow them into Canada@Syracuse - not being able to get into Buffalo, the Zips continue driving until they reach Syracuse, where they promptly dismantle the oranges causingto have an aneurysm. @NIU - Another Zips win here. Akron receives exactly one vote in the coaches' poll.Can't State - Can't's kicker tries to redeem himself by attempting a 99-yard FG, which is blocked straight backward by Jalil Carter through Akron's uprights for a quick 3 points for the Zips. The Zips take this one easily.Temple - We finally take our revenge. Temple responds by dropping out of the MAC citing their intent to join the Sun Belt where they might get a winning season.@BGSU - Things look bleak for the Zips until Nikki McCoy, despondent for being kicked off the Falcons' WBB team, returns to help Akron by throwing a drinking-game party at the BG bench.EMU - No insane special teams plays this time, as the Zips easily knock off the Eagles to end the regular season. The MAC finally kicks EMU out of the conference who are quickly picked up by the Big Ten to replace Michigan after they go winless in football.
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It seems to me that GP1 lives somewhere on the east coast(Virginia?). The fact that Ohio does require front plates may be the reason they don't have one at the team shop. You might be able to find someplace online that can custom make one for you.
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Here is a nice story about Green. Sounds like he will fit right in with the Zips.Green is a marked man
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Good for Dan Hipsher. Even though he wore out his welcome here, I'm sure he's a fine bench coach for a major D-1 program. He was the master of drawing up a play to score on an inbounds after a time out.
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Thanks for filling in the blanks. I forgot to Mention the accident with his father, I'm sure it did have an effect on him. I think he would be a great recruit for the Zips.
You need to check the info on his mom. It was printed in the Canton Rep his mother left North Canton to help Erick's sister in Washington State. He went with her and was going to stay out there but he wanted to come back in NC. His teammates paid for a one way ticket so he could come back. He missed a lot of summer ball and did not being the season as a starter. His mother gave the coach permission for him to live there while she was out of state. You also left out the part where his father was killed in an industrial accident a few years ago. I am sure that playes a big part in his getting into trouble.Link to StorySome info from a friend of mine who is a Hoover football fan and season ticket holder. Howard has tons of talent as a running back, but his true position would be inside linebacker where his size and speed made him a devistating tackler. He didn't play every down on defense during highschool, just the ones that counted. He has been in alot of trouble during his HS career and currently lives with his HS head coach. His mother is a real piece of work. She moved to Vegas for a while and left him with the coach. Since the move things have improved academic wise, but maybe not enough to graduate. He has an older brother who is currently attending Akron.
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Here are some highlights of Howard.Erick Howard
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Some info from a friend of mine who is a Hoover football fan and season ticket holder. Howard has tons of talent as a running back, but his true position would be inside linebacker where his size and speed made him a devistating tackler. He didn't play every down on defense during highschool, just the ones that counted. He has been in alot of trouble during his HS career and currently lives with his HS head coach. His mother is a real piece of work. She moved to Vegas for a while and left him with the coach. Since the move things have improved academic wise, but maybe not enough to graduate. He has an older brother who is currently attending Akron.
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At the party last night someone asked coach if that was true, KD said they were not adding any players other than Zeke.
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Nice writing GoZips. I'm not sure that I would call out Jeff Boals just yet on looking only for the $$$. Nothing wrong with learning how another program does things, he still might end up being a KD type of coach.
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It just shows how little respect the MAC gets. We crushed Binghamton by 30 at their place 2 years ago and because they had one good season, they deserve to be ranked ahead of us? Same for a few others on that list.
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Who said white guys can't jump!
There sure is alot of air under Steves feet in that photo. I agree with ZW and CK, with out Steve stepping up his play late in the year, the Zips don't go the big dance. McNees gave everything he had that night, if thats not enough for some its their problem, not his. 
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What do you expect, look at the by-line, David Lee Morgan. Thank goodness he no longer covers the Zips.
I read the second sentence in the article (above) multiple times, and I STILL can't make heads or tails of it's grammar and logic. But I can tell you, the Big Time Tournament in Vegas is about twice as big in # of ballers.---Joyce said he expects about 552 teams from the U.S. and Canada to participate in the tournament for boys ages 10 to 17. ---And Joyce said he expects the tournament this year to be the largest of its kind, regardless of the time of year, because July is when bigger cities across the country hold similar tournaments. -
Who will replace Sean Miller at XU? I hope KD doesn't end up on somebodys list!http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2009040.../904070357/1065
Bobinski Looks For A FitChris MackAge: 39Currently: Xavier assistant coachReasoning: Mack was Miller's top assistant for five seasons and is a former Xavier player and graduate. He's also a strong link of continuation whose hiring would make for an easy transition. Several players have spoken out in support of Mack, and he would be most equipped to retain recruiting commitments and current players, many of whom he was instrumental in recruiting. Miller said if Mack doesn't get the Xavier job, then Mack would join his staff in Arizona.Fran McCafferyAge: 49Currently: Head coach at SienaReasoning: McCaffery has taken three different teams to the NCAA Tournament, including Siena, which he led to a first-round upset of Ohio State this season. He is known for graduating his players, which is a key component at Xavier.Brad BrownellAge: 40Currently: Head coach at Wright StateReasoning: Brownell has taken both Wright State and UNC-Wilmington to the NCAA Tournament, and has won 20 or more games in five of seven seasons as a head coach. He's never had a losing season and has finished worse than third place in his conference only once. Three times, he's won a conference championship.Brad StevensAge: 32Currently: Head coach at ButlerReasoning: He would be the youngest option certainly, but Stevens has proven himself to be an effective head coach, leading Butler to the NCAA Tournament in each of his two seasons in Indianapolis. He has Midwest recruiting connections and would fit the profile of Xavier's most recent hires - Thad Matta and Sean Miller - who were young up-and-coming coaches whose success at Xavier benefited their career but also the XU program.John GroceAge: 37Currently: Head coach at Ohio UniversityReasoning: Groce was the recruiting architect under Thad Matta at Ohio State and a key assistant to Matta at Xavier. Now at OU, he's establishing himself as a head coach, which may be a prerequisite for most candidates other than Mack.Ken McDonaldAge: 39Currently: Head coach at Western KentuckyReasoning: McDonald has been an assistant coach at Clemson, Georgia and Texas where he secured high-profile recruiting classes. After leaving Texas to take over at WKU a year ago, he led the Hilltoppers to a 25-9 season and a first-round NCAA Tournament victory.Louis OrrAge: 50Currently: Head coach at Bowling GreenReasoning: Orr has Xavier roots as a former XU assistant from 1991-94 and even deeper Cincinnati roots as a Withrow High School graduate. He was forced out of Seton Hall in 2006, but led Bowling Green to a Divisional title this season in the Mid-American Conference.Jim ChristianAge: 44Currently: Head coach at Texas ChristianReasoning: Christian successfully led Can't State to six straight 20-win seasons from 2003-2008 before taking over at TCU this season. Bobinski noticed the job Christian did at Can't State with admiration. Christian, who has nationwide recruiting contacts, is reportedly well-compensated at TCU but would be in a better position to win at Xavier. -
What if Roberts doesn't want/need a scholarship? I got the impression from an earlier interview with KD that Roberts was okay with his status as a walk-on.KD has consistently moved the program forward by making wise decisions that encompass the "do the right thing" philosophy. Giving Roberts his well-deserved scholarship certainly falls under this category. I would be disappointed if he doesn't get it, regardless of any potential recruiting loss. BTW, We met his family at the game in Portland and they were very nice.
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Thanks for clearing that up for us Keith. I look forward to selecting my seats soon.No snafoo! No one has seats at this point. The GA location on the invoices is just to specify that you have seats and how many seats you have. Fans will get their proper seats during seat selection. Seat selection will begin in May. Fans who purchased General Admission season tickets do not need to select seats becuase they are "General Admission". Fans who purchased family plans will get to select their seats because the Family Plan seats are reserved seats within the Family Sections.
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If thats what you want, it will have to take place at Buchtel Field.I'll digress from the band...But you gotta have the band!My new and very old tradition will be to tailgate early and often.......No time limits on when to show up, no rules on where to toss a football. Anything that is allowed at Penn State should be allowed an encouraged at UA. Gameday on Saturday should be the event to be at. The place that anyone driving by on route 8 or I-77 will want to stop by and be a part of. This cannot be accomplished in a few hours before kickoff... I better be able to show up whenever I want and be able to park in my assigned lot...Have the time to set-up shop, vist the bookstore, walk the stadiuma area, tour the student union, walk the campus, stop by and visit the hundreds of Zips fans hanging out discussing the upcoming game. Anything less and I will be a one-year season ticket holder while joining the ranks of those looking for a free ticket... -
My recollection from the time was that the JAR was scaled back in order fund the Pool across the street. A certain sate senator wanted it and if UA didn't agree, there would be no money for the JAR. I think his name is on the building.
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Total fluff piece. The way it was edited made it really vague on any hard facts. A let down for me.
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My guess on the Stats board would be that its ancient history as far as the hardware goes, most likely late 70's or early 80's technology that was never really a computer, but a console. No automatic calculations, nothing more than the operator putting a number in a box on a screen. It seems that its not really a priority to the folks who manage the JAR. As for the concessions, I looked into trying to make a bid to run the concessions a few years ago when I had a food and catering company. When I found out that the bidding consisted of pulling a # out of thin air and sending a check for that amount to the university as their "profit" up front, I backed away. No % of sales or other formulas, they get the $ even if you lose money as the operator. As an example, if you want the consessions for football, you would have to submit a bid for say $25k profit for UA. If you win you send in your check and then hope that the weather and a dozen other factors go your way in order to recoup your $25k before you make even $1. That why you won't see any real business running the concessions at the JAR.
This just baffled me. There were times when both teams were, say for example, shooting 8-16. One team it had the percentage as 50% and the other team 47%. It was goofy. It cannot be that hard to fix.I never buy concessions there so that is not much of an issue for me, but that cannot be that hard to fix either.The problems with the stat boards? I have no idea where these people learned math, but I could do a better job with a pocket calculator and filling the stats in manually. Shooting 3 of 17 is NOT 50%. -
Dude, a jury gave the Nemers over $1 million for their run down hell holes. Buying out The Chapel would cost 3 times your estimate at least.Just to throw out a couple of ideas...1. Buy The Chapel property for about $1.5M and help them find another location where they could custom build a new state of the art church. Then we could use that site for basketball or other campus expansion (+ tailgating). The problem is they currently have a good central Akron location easily accessible from Rte 8 so it may take more money to get them to move off our campus
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There are several factors which will determine seat location. The number of years as a season ticket holder, and the amount of $ you donate to the Z-fund are the 2 most important. Based on those factors, you are given a ranking from 1-6 with 1 being the lowest. I am a 6 with 38 yrs as a football season ticket holder and a contributor to the Z-Fund from day one. I just wonder how many more of the 3000 or so past season ticket holders are also at my level. I hope I'm not camping out over night at the entrance to the Info to get a good seat location.I bought 4 priority reserved tickets this year and for the 2009 season. From what they told me when I got my tickets people with priority seats would get to pick their seats ahead of others. First pick went to longest season ticket holders and then it went down in order. Who knows if they is still how they are doing it.
Zeke- 2009 McKeesport Prom!!
in Akron Zips Basketball
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