sgm405

Hmmm...Facebook group boycott? lol

Our Athletic Department is a joke. Hmmm we've had two home games, against Tiffin and Winston Salem. One was wasn't even listed on some schedules and was the same time as Browns-Steelers, the other was the weekend before finals week. Why is anyone shocked by the low turnout? Not even the alumni seats were filled, and they pay big money for those seats. So now, because we didn't sell out the JAR for two crap opponents scheduled at two crap time slots, they're cutting the student section in half? Do they not realize that we're the only ones in Akron that give a damn about this team right now? The Akron students have proven over the last year and a half, by sending a record number of people to the Motor City Bowl, by filling up the student section at the Q for the MAC Tourney, by supporting the football team even as they played like absolute crap, and by showing new-found support for the women's basketball team And because of TWO games, we cut the section in half? I don't plan to sit down low tomorrow...I hope nobody does. Let them see what happens when we're really not there. Let them tell Coach Dambrot, Coach Kest and their players why their home court advantage is gone. Let them see how few people show up for seats that, in all honesty, give you a crappy viewpoint of the game from most seats. I'll be in the general admission section tomorrow...hopefully I'll have some company.

No, you didn't just do that, you had to include a smart ass remark as well. I have no problems with comments/feedback...but there was no need for the "baby brother" comment

Romeo is keeping us in this one. Am I the only one who cringes every time Rybak enters the game? What a waste.

Just for your info he was not reading off a cue card, he was free winging what was written for him, he just kept looking up...I was there. I didn't think Dambrot was bad...what was bad was the shot setup, the lighting...everything technical

I agree...without Wood, we'll struggle. Milum and/or McKnight need to step upThis offense hasn't been flowing AT ALL lately...

Not looking great early on...I just keep waiting for this team to click...

Discussion can go here

Just said Wood has a hip injury...hadn't heard that.

It wasn't a complete joke last year. It was the best I've seen in 6-7 years of going to games. So things were changed, although everything was working. And now this year so far? Kind of a joke...

I think what bothers me is that it seems like an overwhelming majority of students/fans wants to go back to how it was in regards to the student section...it's not like it's a 50/50 argument. The old way (proven to be successful) is supported, the new way (failing so far) is not. Are we wrong? If not, will the leadership admit their mistakes and revert back to old, proven ways if we continue to have problems? Is this going to be an issue that hurts as as a whole fan base?

This is just a random observation that I thought many of you would enjoy...I work part-time as a substitute teacher for a few different local school districts. Last year as I was doing my student teaching I bought full size candy bars for any student in any of my classes who wore blue, gold, or something Zips on the day of the MAC Title game. That day, I got about 25-30 of them showing the Zips some love. Fast forward to today...With two classes left in the day (I'm on break), I have counted at least 10 (maybe even 15) students wearing Zips gear (on their own! haha). Fear the Roo shirts/hoodies, Akron basketball/soccer shirts, etc...it's all over. The school also has a bulletin board set up with college information - front and center is a Fear the Roo poster, with application information next to it.I think Akron is finally getting positive attention from the young people who will hopefully go on to be future Zips.

Isn't this how it was last year and look how it grew during one season! Iiiii like it! Yeeeep. That's what I don't get. Over the course of last season, the Ak-Rowdies grew so much to the point that people were waiting in line outside for that last Can't game. So what do we do? Change everything

Again...I did say I'd make a better, short version with video included. I'm not expecting them to play a 5 minute picture slideshow to start the game. I was simply asking if you guys thought they'd consider something like that.The picture slideshow was something I did for fun for Zips fans to enjoy...can't please everyone I guess...

I guess I just still don't get it. What is required for a good student section? I think there are only three things that you need:1) The student section to be filled2) The students in the student section to be wearing clothing somehow associated with their team (shirts, hoodies, school colors, etc)3) The student section needs to be loud and crazy, giving the team a home court advantage. Why is it so hard to just go with that? Why does it have to be mandatory to wear a certain shirt? Why do we need 20 different chants? Why does anyone need to sign a contract? Show up...support the team...be loud and proud - expect that and only that and you'll have the best student section Akron's ever seen.

With all do respect, it sounds like they basically brought everything up...and said too bad. I guess it's nice that it was at least discussed...I was just hoping for better results. I might sit down low for a few games, but I'd be all for the sitting in GA...I did last game and it was still a good time. If you guys want to get a section together, let me know and I'll be there with some friends.

You're right, the pre-game stuff is sooooooo good right now. By better, I would use primarily video with some pics mixed in...just FYI

I cant make it to any meetings...I would love to hear what went on though.

Thanks guys...I wonder, if I made a better, shorter version, might they play it before the games???

Hope you guys like it...http://youtube.com/watch?v=TkMXcb-FGsA

Since we're throwing around our credibility, here's mine. I've been following sports and going to sporting events since age 4. I have worked as a sports reporter/commentator/producer for WZIP, WKNR, and Internet Radio. I have had the opportunity to commentate both high school and college games, including four seasons following Lebron james, Romeo Travis, and Dru Joyce with St Vincent St Mary and a bit of work with our own women's basketball team. I have reported from the locker rooms of the Akron Zips, Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Indians, and Cleveland Browns, a truly wonderful experience in itself. Currently, I'm also working as a high school english teacher and have gone to a great number of high school athletic events. I know sports, and I have seen many, many great cheering sections - high school, college, and pro. I've also held a variety of leadership positions throughout my life, so I feel confident in speaking on what it takes for a group to be successful, especially one that is up and coming. Oh yeah, I've also been going to Akron athletic events for 7 years, from sitting with 9 or 10 fellow students in the lower sections to now, being a part of the great AK-Rowdies organization. Now, onto my thoughts... - The incident Saturday was not "necessary"...it is never "necessary" to treat a fellow student in that way. What was accomplished by the student being booted, leaving tons of empty seats open? An opportunity to flex some "leadership muscles" and let people know who is boss? - You lose a ton of credibility with me when you claim that the lower seats would sell out if made available to the public. At full price PLUS donation? Hahahahahahahahha. How long have you been going to Zips games? Do you not recall just years ago, when both students and general admission ticket holders were allowed on the lower level? Nobody was there...trust me, I was one of maybe 10-15 faithful fans sitting down low. Most people have no interest in that seat, mainly because all of the seats other than the ones on the ends have a blocked view of the court. Just a silly, silly statement. - There have been a dozen opportunities to pick up the t-shirts. The problem? A great number of people don't even know about these opportunities! now, I know mistakes happen...I'm not bashing the leaders here, because contacting and keeping track of 600 members is a difficult task. However, you also can't bash the fans who have no idea what's going on, and punish them for the mix-ups of them not being contacted. - Let's wait another game or two before we judge the crowd. Game 1 was against a cupcake opponent during Browns-Steelers I...Game 2 was the weekend before finals, a time when many have locked themselves in their rooms to study. Trust me, the stands will fill up. Oh, and the band members are required to be there...and yes, there is a difference. - Not everyone can go to those meetings...I know I cant. People are speaking out on here with their problems with what is going on because we know other members as well as those in leadership roles post here. Eric Baker has already responded to some of the concerns and has been very gratious in working with us to solve the problems...I think that means we've accomplished our mission, dont you?

A few random thoughts...1) First, a thank you to Eric for not only posting here but also emailing me about our concerns with some of what happened Saturday. It's good to know there is a leader within the Rowdies who takes criticism well and looks to take action in correcting what went wrong. Kudos to you Eric. 2) I agree 100% about the band...no way should they be in the prime seats. Put em back up top! (I have a feeling this was more of an athletics decision and less of an AK-Rowdies decision though)3) I also still agree on the attire...who cares if people wear the shirt or not, if they're wearing some kind of Zips gear, cheer loud, and make a ton of noise, that's all you need. No opposing team is going to care what shirt anyone is wearing...they will care if it's too noisy to communicate on the court while trying to run their offense. 4) If anyone hasn't already added it, request to be friends with ZipsNation on MySpace. The addy is: http://www.myspace.com/zipsnation

You had me until the hat part...personally, as long as it is blue or gold, I think any hat is fine.

KNCLZip,Good thoughts on the website...I know me and a few others started a myspace awhile back and would be more than willing to post stuff on there.

Rack it folks...excellent post