This is my first time on ZipsNation. I signed up in 2008 but have never posted until now. I need some help....how do I change the user name?? Oh yea... I graduated from Akron in 81 if that means anything.
About attendance...
I know everyone wants to see the Info packed THIS year. But it will not happen quickly unless we have an electric year and go 10-2 or somewhere close. Even then, I am not sure. We should not be swinging for the fences but try and build a solid long term program. If we get and incremental 5k in average attendance each year I would be thrilled.
I went to one game last year and I came from California to attend. I took a friend who was not a Zips fan and we both were impressed with the facilities. I am sure he will return if the product is above average. And I did not think the tickets were over priced...but I am used to paying more for football games.
Here are some ideas that have crossed my mind...and they are not completely thought out. Just free form thinking.
1. Partner with local schools in the Akron area for a double header. HS followed by the Zips. It would introduce the Info to potential recruits and potential fans. Maybe 1-2 per year. Thoughts??
2. I played football at Jackson and we attended a Can't game (Akron was small time then…1974) as a team. We went on the school buses and had lunch at the game. Is that not legal now?? If it is legal...we should do that with all the local teams in the tri-county area. That was a memorable game even though Can't got drilled. I believe it would be good for recruiting and introduce many to the Info and sports facilities.
3. We need to market the local guys in a big way. Hopefully we can get a few that will help out by excelling on the field.
4. Partner with a local company like the old "Acme-Zip" games. Back then...it was the only game that drew.
5. One big event I remember was when they brought in the Dallas Cowgirls for a game. Good crowd despite the rain. I think it would still work today.
In my opinion, we need to introduce as many people to the Info as possible. You can talk all you want about student support, but that will not fill the stadium. And student support will not happen until the Zips become competitive. We need an "all of above" approach.
One more thing. There is a great debate on how to schedule. People think the basketball team schedule is to easy. The football team's to hard. One thing for certain...no one ever debates and discusses what our record would have been if we scheduled EASIER teams. But they debate the legitimacy of our record against weaker opponents. I think the latter is the better debate if it maens a great record. Look at the Boise’sand Nevadas of the world...they have/had a lot of cupcakes on the schedule...or did when they were on the way up. Our football team should schedule more winnable games against FBS teams. Then let the debate begin. Winning breeds confidence...helps recruiting and will allow us to slowly improve our program and strength of schedule. Give me the bottom 3 of the big 10, big 12 and WAC. Lose Ohio State's phone # unless it really has that much impact on recruiting…which I doubt. Slow, steady and mehodical has to be our approach. That is not the way people think today...but the administration should take the path with the highest probability of success.
Go Zips
