sgm405

Now before anyone jumps on me...I didn't start/join this group lol. And I'm not supporting it. Just posting something I saw that I thought everyone would find interest in. http://uakron.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2230960377&ref=nfFor those of you without Facebook that can't check it out, it says the following:"I believe that the AK ROWDIES are an embarrassment to The Univeristy of Akron. If you are an Akron fan who does not wish to be associated with the Ak ROWDIES join this group and speak out!"And the most interesting parts to this story...1) I looked at the girl's profile who started the group...there is a picture of her at the game and under the comments, there is one from Jeremy Sallee saying "MUCH LOVE TO THE ANTI-AK ROWDIES REPPIN' HARD!!! PUT EM TO SALLEEP!! HAHA YESSIR"2) Checked out the members...Dru Joyce, Quade Milum and Jimmy Conyers are also in the group. And before we bash these guys, please note that athletes on Facebook sometimes get so many requests and stuff that they just accept without even looking at it, so I dunno..might be the case here, might not be.I have a feeling that this is going to get ugly though... :blink:

What exactly are you teaching them? I guarantee the response was more of "why is this dude worried about what I am wearing? Maybe if I just agree with what he's saying, he'll leave me alone." Trust me...that's what I would've done.

I would guess there were about 1,500 "passive" followers of local college athletics at the game. You state you'd rather they stay at home than have them come down to the JAR and have a great time? That's bizarre.No one in the stands was born a Zips fan. They went to games with their parents as a kid...they attended the University and simply decided to check out the team one day...at some point every one of us that walked through the turnstiles at a Zips sporting event attended as an impartial observer. Those of us on this board, for God knows what reason, got "hooked" on U of A athletics. But there are thousands of potential Zips fans in this area who, when they come down to the JAR...or tailgate in the Rubber Bowl lot...have the potential to get "hooked" too, and subsequently build our fan base. Belittling those who want to come to Zips events and check out the team is flat-out stupid. Thank you!I can't stand when I hear stories about someone from Akron making a smart ass remark or ripping into someone wearing an OSU hat/shirt/whatever to the game. As others pointed out, maybe they're an OSU Alum relocated in Akron and want to become a fan...do you think doing this crap to them is going to make them want to be a part of the fan base?I wear a Rice Owls hat to every game. I like the fit and style of it, and I personally don't like any of the Zips hats that Lids offers. So I wear the Rice hat. Am I less of a fan? At this point in time, we don't need to do anything that pushes potential fans away, even if they are potential "bandwagon" fans, even if they do come to the game in another team's gear. As CK said, maybe give them one of the free shirts? Or instead of questioning and belittling them, say hey and tell them you hope to see them here for the rest of the year. OSU has fans everywhere in Ohio...they have been an enormous success for decades in athletics and have built a winning tradition. And anytime you have a winning tradition, you'll have a tons of fans...everywhere...even in Akron. A lot of you guys could save yourself a lot of gray hairs and frustration if you simply accept that as a reality. For the 1637123th time...STOP WORRYING ABOUT OHIO STATE!Quit whining about the newspaper writing 500 words about OSU and only 450 about Akron...quit complaining about OSU getting top bill on the late night news (which - by the way - Akron got last night)...and most of all, stop ripping into and questioning people who also like the Buckeyes. Doing that is only going to drive away current and potential Zips fans, not bring them in. And at this point in our athletic program, we need whatever fans we can bring in...no matter what hat or shirt they're wearing.

That's exactly why. It is as childish as when an elementary school child does it. We are a University of Adults. It was classless IMO. However, gutsy and ballsy and I want to see more, but don't cross the line. So chanting Can't State Sucks is OK but holding a sign that says it isn't? Gimme a break. Someone should e-mail him about that....aw crap, I forgot...again!

Don't bother e-mailing the guy...

One more thought...Pyrotechnics at a Zips game? Wow! lol...loving it

Now we shouldn't rush the court every time...only special games. A huge win, a buzzer beater win, and/or a win against your Rival.

Random Thoughts...- Holy Cedrick Middleton...25 points, six three pointers...what a game! I'm starting to wonder if he should be starting and Dials should be the "spark plug" off the bench. - Dru Joyce was - again - the heart of the Zips basketball team. 18 points, 10 of them by getting to the line. Man are we going to miss him next year. - Romeo's injury seemed to wake him up. A bad start, great finish - 16 points, 8 boards- Where was Quade? 2 points, 4 rebounds...not what I expected, which was a breakout game. - Couldn't Nick Goddard have busted up that zone a little?- Weird game...I thought the refs were making horrible calls in favor of Can't, yet we shot wayyy more free throws. Strange. - Linhart was great defensively and grabbed some key boards, but he certainly had his struggles offensively and took some very poor shots. I firmly stand by my earlier opinion of him. - Oh my God...was the the alumni...STANDING? At a time that wasn't the tipoff? Seriously though, I hope you guys see what you could do when you make noise...the JAR was rockin'. - Great job by the Rowdies as usual...still need to work on being in sync with each other, but then again, when was the last time we had both sections? It'll come. - Special thanks to the girl standing directly over the Rowdies wearing the jean skirt...according to a female friend of mine, you had some new Victoria Secret underwear on. - My only beef for the night...AK-Rowdies...for the love of God, when we win a game like that, with TV crews in the building...STORM THE COURT! I know...they announced to everyone to not step onto the court...they have to do that. What, is the ONE security guard going to stop and arrest everyone? In the future...big games = storm the court!Great win, Can't sucks...see you all Sunday!

i see a lot of mack bashing out here and i keep my mouth shut. i find it somewhat upsetting to see so many people dissatisfied with him because as a student athlete i love the guy. he is friendly and easy going and actually cares about you as a person. after having to discuss some stuff with him he asked about school, the season, and my family. compared to mack, mike thomas was a stiff and kind of cold. i'm going to admit that i don't know about the business end of things and about making the fans and student support happy. maybe mike is better with that and his organization etc. i'm just saying as an athlete i'm glad to have mack as our ad and i like his priorities and his vision for the athletic department. now that i've gotten that off my chest, i'll shut my mouth again. I'd like to think that Mack is a good guy, and it seems that way...and I think he's done well with the teams. I do remain a bit bitter towards him though. I wrote him a very professional letter around Christmas break voicing my concerns about selling off the student section. I'm still waiting for a response... Like I said in my Rowdies post, I never expect people to do everything I comment on or suggest - all I ask is to be heard and considered...you would expect that as any member of an organization (or in this case student at the University). But when I get no response whatsoever - to me - it sends a message that I don't really matter to that person.

See, I was right Just a misunderstanding on what was said.

This was the only thing I didn't like at the meeting. As I said in my other post, discussion is good. Sometimes the people who stand up and disagree with things that aren't working are the ones who end up elevating a group the most. I'm guessing that they were just trying to express coming to them with issues and that it just came out wrong...I hope.

Many of you have seen my posts throughout the year offering what I viewed as constructive criticism of both the AK-Rowdies and the Athletic Department. Different things have bothered me throughout the year - from the shirt rule, to sign-ups being closed, to half of the student section being sold off. I've often voiced my displeasure about things, simply because I want this group to be on and stay on the right track. Some might have viewed my past posts as negative - and maybe I was at times - but for the most part, I was trying to push views and opinions that I felt was for the betterment of the group. Some might have viewed me and others as "Rowdy-bashers"...I've always seen it as trying to help the organization and school that I love. I have always felt that if you're going to talk when you feel like someone is doing things wrong, you should also talk when someone is doing things right. And that is why I want to say this...Thank you to the AK-Rowdies leadership. I had the opportunity to speak with two of the leaders at length about issues, concerns, etc I've had with the group. Some things I now understand, some things I still disagree with. But the important thing to me is that they listened and took what i said into account. My opinions - whether or not they agreed with them - mattered. They took time out of their busy schedules to listen to one of their own. And that's huge. I still worry about some aspects of the group...but I also know that with any new organization, it will take time to grow. And it thrills me that, even though they've had some missteps so far, the Rowdies leadership is aggressively trying to get comments, opinions, suggestions - anything to help build new ideas to further the progress of the group. I don't care if they never do a thing I suggest - what matters to me is that they listened...they're willing to listen to criticism, consider it, and take what they see as the best course of action. That alone gives me great belief in these people in getting the job done. We're all Zips fans and we all take pride in everything associated with the University. While myself and/or others may have come across as "bashing" certain people in the past (Although like I said, I viewed it as constructive criticism), it's all because we want the best for the school, for the teams, and for the student section. Discussion is good...it lets those in power analyze comments/suggestions, which can lead to new and improved ideas. I have always and will always speak my mind when I believe in something, and I encourage everyone else to do so as well. I'm happy to tell you that you have a group of people who would love to get your calls, e-mails, etc and hear what you have to say...so try to contact them if there is something you want to comment on or suggest. I now know firsthand that at the very least, they'll take it into consideration. Whether or not I or others agree with everything that has happened in the past or will agree on everything in the future, it's good to know that we matter to the leaders of the AK-Rowdies...and for that, my friends - I offer a sincere thank you.

The current coach doesn't build a team that needs a 30 point scorer. Any of the main guys can carry the team when needed, but nio one player dominates. I prefer this method. Did Derrick Tarver have any role in building the team? My argument was in support of him doing the best that he could, not Dan Hipsher.I do prefer more of a team approach - who wouldn't. But I also wish we had a bonafide "go to guy" late in the game.

Considering 2003-2004 was a year full of promise - SI had us ranked pretty high in the preseason - and that they got off to a decent start, it's tough for me to call them mediocre...I believe they had more talent on the roster that year than their record showed. When Hollingsworth went off the deep end, Tarver took the leadership role on the team and delivered the best he could. It wasn't his fault that the rest of the team was lacking. Anyone remember Tarver vs. Can't State in his 2nd to last home game? 33 points in 36 minutes...name me a guy on the current team that has that kind of ability to take over a game. But keep on hating on the guy...

I don't understand all the hate for Tarver. He saved us from mediocrity his senior year after Hollingsworth went off the deep end. He fought through medical problems...something the Jimmy V Foundation thought enough of to nominate him for their Comeback Award his senior season. Sure, he had his downfalls as a player...and sure, he was a bit selfish with the basketball...but maybe he had to be? Sometimes I wish we had a guy who wanted the ball that bad in crunch time situations...

Apparently, all the points he scored in garbage time...the trash-talk...it all ironically paid off.Actually Tarver is making pretty damn good money playing overseas and it looks like he's doing well:http://www.eurobasket.com/swe/d1.aspPlayer of the Year in his league...not too shabby.

I see Newble as far more athletic than Linhart...maybe that's just me. I'm actually surprised to see how many people think Linhart is an NBA prospect.

I'm not saying Linhart lacks the confidence to the "The Man"...he lacks the skills. Again, I hope I'm wrong...but I don't see much more than a very good role player.

For me, the difference between the two boils down to this.The more I watch Nate, the more I like him, the more I watched Tarver the less I liked him. Hopefully that statement will still be true in a few years. For me, the difference between the two boils down to this. Derrick Tarver, like him or not, was a go to guy. Nate Linhart is a role player. A good player...but a role player.

Random responses...- John Edwards made it to the league because he is 7 feet tall. That's a horrible comparison IMO. - Tarver might have lacked on defense and might not have been a team player but he had a far greater ability to take over a game than Nate Linhart has and probably ever will have. - Marcelus Kemp is a two guard, not a SF...and he did good but he didn't exactly shut him down (12/4 for Kemp...Nate went for 7/4). Let's see Nate guard an NBA SF prospect. Or score against one.- Linhart had 6 points, 14 rebounds in the game against WM last year. It was the only time last year (or in his career) that he's gone over 10 boards. He had a big game...but that's definitely not the norm. Again, I like Nate Linhart. But we're talking about a role player on a mid-major team that's averaging about 8/4 a game. He is going to get better, and he will have a very nice career at UA...but he lacks the speed, agility, awareness, and ability to score and create his own shot. He never gets to the free throw line. He averaging just about 3 fouls per game in just about 22 minutes per game. He's not the best SF in the MAC, he's not the best player on his team...not even close. Hey, I'd love to be wrong...but Nate Linhart in the NBA seems like a total pipe dream to me...just not gonna happen.

A few quick hits then on to my main point...1) I never said that Jeremiah Wood was an NBA prospect. He is what he is - a solid college post player. 2) Romeo Travis and Jeremiah Wood are nowhere near as skilled as Drew Gooden and Anderson VarejaoI just don't see why you view Linhart as an NBA prospect. What does he do great? Can he take over a game? Do you ever watch him and say "wow, he's something really special..."??? He may have NBA size, but he lacks NBA speed and agility...overall athleticism really...he also lacks NBA court awareness. Do you realize how good a guy has to be to make it to the league? Nate Linhart is a role player. You don't think Dambrot would center the offense around him if he had the capability to dominate? He's done it before (Tarver) and would do it to win. The offense is set up as is because the Zips don't have a guy who can take a game over consistently, they don't have an NBA prospect...but they do have a bunch of guys who are very solid college players who can step up at different times throughout a season...and that's great. Do you remember Derrick Tarver? 6'4", 215 two-guard. Had the ability to score in bunches. Took over games all the time. Far, far, far superior to Linhart...and all he got was a tryout with the Cavs (as a favor to LBJ). Nate Linhart is a good player with a decent shot and plays excellent defense. He'll have a solid career here at Akron. But NBA? Not a chance.

Great analysis, although I must heavily disagree with one thing...Nate Linhart = NBA Prospect? Now, I like Nate...but in no way can I ever see him in the league. He's averaging about 7 points and 3 rebounds a game. In 15 games so far, he's scored over 10 points only three times and has only gone over 5 rebounds three times as well. He has a decent shot and plays excellent defense, but does seem to have trouble against better competition, and struggles at times when pressured. He is a nice, solid role player. He's not the best player on the team, and I'm not sure he ever will be. I hope I'm wrong, but I think Nate would be extremely lucky to get paid to play overseas one day...and trust me, nothing to be ashamed of there. But NBA? I just don't see it...

Just a side note...Can't needs to win 12 of their last 14 (that includes this game) to continue their streak of 20 win seasons

Is it just me, or does Can't not seem as good this year?

Things are definitely looking to be on the up and up