ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net

Spoken like a true douche bag. STZquote name='ZippyRulz' date='Jun 20 2009, 12:58 PM' post='85224']Here's an idea: have your 10 beers before the game, enjoy a nice cold, fizzy, tasty soda during the game, and then have another 10 beers after the game. It's hard to tell exactly at what point redneck turns into alcoholic but if you still feel you need those few extra beers during the game then yes, you should probably report to AA.

Yeah, but in general you're terms and concepts are really completely subjective. What you consider light drinking that enhances a social experience would be perceived as sloppy alcoholism by some. I know teetotalers who are so offput by the idea of booze that they consider anyone around them who has had even one drink to be disgusting. As far as alcohol being available and dispensed, it is available and dispensed pretty much everywhere, in almost all settings in this country. Restaurants, bars, groceries, stadiums, universities. It's everywhere, even with this country's odd prohibition mentality. To have it so totally available, except for two hours at the Info on game days, where UA could make money, attract fans and create a better game day experience, is nonsensical. To those who would judge people in society who enjoy drinking, in whatever setting, I say mind your own business and worry about your own affairs. If you can't enjoy being in settings where people are buzzed/drunk, than you must hate basketball games, football games, concerts, restaurants, bars, parties, festivals, wineries, etc.STZ

I haven't heard much about tailgating for this Fall. With 5 Saturday home games, and one on a Friday, has anybody started to get plans together for tailgating? So far I;ve gleaned the following:1) Several months ago there was talk of an "official" lot somewhere in the student slums near the old softball field.2) In the latest discussions of beer at the Info, some poster mentioned that the university and APD were leaning toward a "common sense" provision regarding tailgating, something along the lines of plastic cups being acceptable to patrolling police, but no clearly open alcohol containers, a sort of don't ask don't tell container situation.3) Grillers who have tailgated in the past, what are your thoughts about charcoal versus propane for grilling? I much prefer charcoal, but am not sure about handling coals at the end of a cookout in the tailgating situation.Any updates, plans, rumor control, etc.?STZ

Because of the decision of the board, I can guarantee you that I will either:1) Spend more time at OBC and other eateries before games, and will ensure that I'm nice and ripped before I ever get through the Info turnstiles, since hey, that buzz has to last for the entire game.or2) Break Info rules and will sneak a flask or bottle into the place. I suppose that the local bars and restaurants will be pleased that their pre and post game business will be increased. Both of these options are negatives for the university though. If middle-aged fans like me plan to sneak booze into the joint, you think the younger kids won't? Same for the pre-game buzz. Is it better for Info security to have to deal with a handful of people who buy and drink too much watered-down beer at the stadium, or to deal with many people drinking the hard stuff from flasks, or being drunk before they ever walk into the joint? Hey Info security, you can suck it bitches. I'm arriving liquored up and plan to bring my flask with me. Good luck stopping me!STZ

Anybody using the term "classy" has no class. SRZ

Big Guy, are you in the trades? An engineer?

Wisconsin. Not sure why, just like 'em.STZ

I'm with you BigZip! Well said. I'm strongly hoping that I'll be able to buy beers at the Info.

Ditto to everything you said. We lived in SoCal and Northern Cali, also lived on the East Coast. Chicago too. I love Akron, but mostly for its livability and potential. The economic bad news has driven a lot of the vitality from this place, and I am endlessly puzzled at those who insist on living here, in misery. It definitely gnaws at me. In my perfect world I'd live here year round except in February, March and the first couple weeks of April. Oh, and in that perfect world, there would be just enough growth here to make it a more dynamic and engaging place. Let's hope UA leads Akron toward that eventuality.STZ Similar experience here, SeeTee. I can't tell you how often people ask me why I would ever leave SoCal to return to Akron. When I tell them that the quality of life here is actually far better at about 1/2 the cost, they look at me like I'm crazy. (The only times I wonder... for a second or two... about it are in mid-winter when it's 2 degrees!)I don't know. I guess I just have an idea that Akron... for all of its warts... has incredible potential. And a significant part of that potential is the continuing development of the university in all of its aspects, but particularly in football's and basketball's ability to involve the community in a common source of excitement and pride. Crazy me.

Flasks it'll be then! Perhaps a Zippy flask to celebrate the opening of the Info? Where can I get Zippy engraved on a flask around here? STZ

Class of 82, I grew up in Akron, moved away, lived on the West Coast for many years, and came back about four years ago. You are exactly right about the incredibly negative vibe that exists in NE Ohio. I don't know whether that's simply a product of 40+ years of bad economic and demographic news. It probably is.Don't let anyone intimate that somehow you should just be more positive, however. The negativity aspect of this area is a real downer, and I say that as someone who loves it here and plans to retire in the Akron area. STZ Well, kid, I guess I just wish people could take a little more pride in the community in which they live. I've lived in two other states, and the way so many Akronites dump on their own town is a phenomenon I've only witnessed here.I'm not negative about NE Ohio. Not in the least. I am negative about people who seem to actually hate their own hometown. I wish they would leave and not let the door hit their a** on the way out.

Winning record, overall successful first year for the new stadium, fun for the fans and increased buzz in the local community. That's what I want this year. I'm not even sure that I can quantify what exactly will make for a successful opening season at the Info, but for me there will be lots of little bits in play. How's the parking handled, is there local interest and participation in general merriment and tailgating on game days, are the concessions done well? Or are we left with a feeling that even with the new digs this is "small time" football that doesn't merit our interest and commitment? It's not enough to pour cash into the infrastructure. Football at it's heart is nothing more than an entertainment choice, and UA will have to do the little things right to generate something lasting.STZ

Whoa dude. How big a pile did it leave? How does one clean up a big canopy crap? STZ

Oh for crying out loud, PLEASE stop talking about Boals as if we all need to walk on egg shells because he's such a wonderful human being. This is a FAN board, as in FANATIC. College sports. Boals has left the program. He did good work while he was here, but he is now working against UA. If any of you believe that he isn't, as I type, working against the interests of UA and IN the interests of his new program, a program many of us here HATE, you're fools. Jesus, I hope some of you made out with him before he left, with the way you're whimpering about his departure. Get your silly man-love in check. He's gone. He is now the enemy, in the context of college basketball, which is why we post on this board.To the new OSWHO assistant Boals, good luck bro, but I'm hoping that UA crushes you and your new program on the basketball court for many years to come.KERBLAM! Now let's get on with it. There's no crying in college basketball! STZ

OH MY ACHING BACK for carrying this thread all winter. Seems my pain transferred to Bain.STZ

In 1986 I was a Sophomore at UA and worked at a metal shop in Barberton. The owner was a Can't State graduate, but even he was excited to see the Zippers in the Tournament. He brought a little 13 inch black and white portable TV to work the day of the Zips-Michigan game, and we all watched the Zips, who were completely and hopelessly overmatched by Michigan, at least on paper. Michigan went on to win (by 6 points I believe) but if I remember correctly the Zips were actually up at half time and really put a scare into the Wolverines. Very exciting for a college kid who was completely unaccustomed to seeing the Zips receive any kind of national exposure in any sport. I'll never forget that the shop shut down for the game and we all huddled around that little TV to watch. Great memory, including the owner/Can't State grad cheering like crazy for the Zips.Now, here are the Zips in a completely different era, taking the MAC and seeming stronger game by game. Great stuff KD and Co.! Keep it coming. Just think about coming years as well, with the recruits we're bringing in, this tournament appearance's effect on future recruiting, etc. Fellas, we may really be coming into something of a golden era for UA sports. GO ZIPS!SeeTeeZipper

I'm going in the opposite direction from many of you when it comes to my thoughts on attendance potential for this Fall....maybe. I wonder how many locals, who might have in other years spent $$ to travel in the region to see Cowlumbus State, or ND, or other "name" programs might be looking to watch a little D-1 college football and save a buck on tickets and travel during this looming recession/depression. Let's face it; if you live in the NE Ohio region, where are you going to see better and less expensive college football than at InfoCision? I agree with some posters here that it will be critical to the stadium's acceptance that UA not go cheap on the "fit and finish" details of the stadium. If it's well done, with comfortable seating and good concessions, I really do think it will draw better than many might expect in the current economic conditions, and draw some football fans who want to see some action while saving some coin. GO ZIPS!SeeTeeZip

BIG BUMP. With Spring ball around the corner, just had to get this up top one more time.Come on Bain, bring down some serious Pain onto the practice field I'll call the Plain.GO ZIPS!SeeTeeZipper

I was on the road around town quite a bit today and man, with the yellow panels that are going onto the superstructure the stadium is Popping and Locking. It's way visible from many spots beyond downtown. Very impressive, while also providing ample fodder for the inbreds and ingrates who populate our fine city and spend their entire days posting incredibly negative comments about UA on the ABJ site.To them I say SUCK IT LOSERS!GO ZIPS!SeeTeeZip

Damn! I was really looking forward to some use of the term "GuaranSHEAD" this Fall. As in "We are going to kick some serious ass, guaranSHEAD."Good luck you guys. I also hope that these sorts of transfers are the result of notable talent increases at those positions. GO ZIPS!STZ

Guys that was a great event last night. Thanks JohnnyZip for making arrangements at OBC, thanks CK for arranging for the video and Coach Ferri, thanks to Coach Ferri for making time to make the presentation, and thanks to OBC for letting us carve out our own little space. This should definitely become an annual ritual for Zips fans. GO ZIPS 2009!SeeTeeZipper

Welcome to UA all new recruits! This is one fine looking class. Great job Zips staff. Can't wait for games at the INFO this year and going forward. You can just sense that UA football is in the process of becoming something special.GO ZIPS!SeeTeeZipper

4 star recruit INDEED!GO ZIPS!STZ

I'll be there. Mug #89 will get some work Wednesday night.GO ZIPS!SeeTeeZipper

Goodness what a bunch of grumpy old farts you all sound like. Are any of you surprised by college kids tending toward liberalism? You're kidding right? Don't worry guys, they've got the entire rest of their lives to become disillusioned, bitter, cynical and angry. Let them (and their paper) enjoy what will likely be the most free-thinking and open-minded days of their lives, and by the way you were once idealistic too. At least I hope you were.Live and let live Zippers!SeeTeeZip