Dr Z

Question for Wistrcill: You’ve been credited with doing a lot for the new stadium in Minneapolis, what was your role in building that stadium? Response: When you build a stadium, not unlike here, there are a lot of people that are part of the process. I was certainly a cog in the wheel there, trying to get things done. It is truly a campus facility at Minnesota, as I know it is here at Akron, and we had people from the Facilities staff at the University as well as the Athletics Department assisting there. My responsibility within the stadium was to assist with raising money, corporate sponsorships, and help the parts of the department that I oversee with programming those parts of the stadium, from media relations to marketing. A big component was making sure we balance the need for revenue in the stadium alongside making sure we had a real collegiate feel to it. That was our real goal, making sure the stadium blended in with the rest of campus and that when people came to a game there, they knew that this was a college athletic event. In Minneapolis, there are obviously a lot of pro sports teams, and we needed to differentiate ourselves in that regard. So it was all hands on deck for the stadium, and I certainly was involved in every bit of it and it was incredibly rewarding. Question for Wistrcill: What’s the ticket situation at Minnesota? Did they sell out for the season or just the first game? Response: They are sold out for the season. We had a nice process set up and we had incredible excitement regarding the stadium. We had 27 years of playing indoor football at the University of Minnesota, and if you know people from that part of the country, they’re hearty folk and they want to be outside. Getting them excited about outdoor football was not difficult! It was just a matter of putting a process in place to make sure we get them seated in the right way but they are definitely sold out for the season. Question for Wistrcill: How would you compare the challenge of selling tickets for a MAC school in Akron which is in the shadow of Cleveland where our pro teams are located, to selling tickets for Minnesota in Minneapolis where there are other pro teams located in the same city? Response: It’s obviously a different market and I’m new to this market so I’m going to learn a lot as we go along. I’m certainly going to need great support from the people around me here. What I do know is that sales require tremendous effort, every single day. If you don’t put focus on it everyday then you don’t reach your goals. I’ve sold different things in different parts of the country in different conferences, including professional volleyball and university athletics at different levels, and I can tell you, you need that constant focus. I’ve met great people here in my time spent in Northeast Ohio thus far and I know I’ll be able to connect with them and build some relationships. I’m anxious to start doing that and I think from there, you start to build bridges and in the end, you make sure both parties reach their goal. Ours might be a sales piece, tickets or sponsorship or something along those lines but on the other side, they want something too. They want great value for their investment; they want to make sure they’re getting something they’re paying for. I think if you work on both sides creating a win-win, then usually you can be successful. Question for Wistrcill: You mentioned Joel Maturi, what did he tell you about the Mid-American Conference? Response: He’s obviously a huge fan of the MAC. I’ve known Joel along time and from my years of knowing him, he has always been so incredibly complimentary about the MAC, about what it stands for and about the coaches, administrators and student athletes in the conference. I know he loved his time at Miami. He talked many times with me about how much he enjoyed being there. I know he loves Minnesota but I know he loved Miami as well and he certainly told me nothing but great things. And from all the research I’ve done, it seems like a fantastic place to be and was real attractive for me as I looked at this position. Question for Wistrcill: You’ve moved around quite a bit in your career, Akron’s had some athletic directors come and go, is this a long term position for you?Response: I’ve never taken a job looking for another job. You don’t do that. It’s not the way I live my life and it’s not the way I work either. What I know is that I think I’m a good fit for what Akron was looking for. As Dr. Proenza, Candace (Campbell Jackson) and I spoke more and more about the position, I think my skills and background and my vision for where we want to go, is a good fit here. I’m excited to get started and to meet all of our support staff, our coaches and get rolling.

Don't forget about announcing Zips football and basketball games on the radio. That's the most important thing they do.

Why is it so important that an AD stay around for the long term?

I never bought into the he is an "Akron man" or he isn't an "Akron man", just hire the best guy. When the Steelers were looking for there new coach, I remember many in Pittsburgh saying that Russ Grimm should be hired because he was a "Pittsburgh man," instead, they hired the best guy for the job. If the best guy happens to be an Akron man, so be it.

OU grad Peter King is saying Julian is among the Ten Rookies who have impressed so far.

Those tailgating at PSU, no bottles.

The in-house favorite for the job was interim AD Hunter Yurachek, who some believe was sabotaged by an Internet rumor of Yurachek's pending hire last week.One of the dumbest things Ellen has ever wrote. So he figures it went down like this?Dr P "did you guys read Rasor's blog today, he says we are going to hire Hunter?" Board "OMG, if he says that, then we can't really hire him can we? We better take the second best guy instead of the best guy for the job" Dr P "I think your right, go ahead hire Tom, that is our best move"Idiot. Where is that photo of Ellen in his Halloween costume?Edit: Found it

Nice! Guys back on the roof of our favorite buildings too. I think they are waxing it.

I think that is a great point. He may be bringing "the next step" with him. I'm sure he laid that plan out in his interview.''My background is in sales and marketing,'' Wistrcill said Since Marshall & Akron used the same company to search for an AD, I was interested if the list was going to be the same. Tom was NOT on Marshall's list.

From Rasor:I received word from an upper-level administrator that my previous report is premature, at best.The university is now looking at an early September timeline for announcing the athletic director. Hunter Yurachek remains in "serious consideration."

Wow, most extensive basketball post in August ever! Looking forward to watching Zeke develop to see if we have a shot at the big dance. Can't wait until December......wait a minute, yes I can.

The Dolphins are getting busy today, making a number of roster moves as the preseason shakeup continues in the wake of the team's second game Saturday night.The latest decision includes a trade to the Chiefs. Offensive linemen Ikechuku Ndukwe and Andy Alleman have been sent to Kansas City, two sources said this morning. The compensation was not immediately known.Both Ndukwe and Alleman played key roles last season in filling holes left by injured linemen at both guard positions. Ndukwe started 15 games for the Dolphins last season after Donald Thomas went down with a foot injury in the first week of the season.Alleman, an interior lineman who can play both guard and center, started five games last season for the Dolphins while Justin Smiley was sidelined with a broken leg.The departure of Ndukwe and Alleman comes on the same day the Dolphins announced that they'd waived running back Anthony Kimble, linebacker Orion Martin, linebacker Tearrius George and nose tackle Joe Cohen.The Dolphins also terminated the contract of Ernest Wilford, while also getting rid of return specialist Chris Williams under the category waived/injured. Williams was injured on the play when the football bounced off his face mask on a punt Saturday night.

Nice article, I still like to read fans perspectives. That's what ZN is about.

This makes it sound like they are playing the 3-4????On the three-man line, Almondo Sewell is a sure starter and players such as Dan Marcoux, James Harvey, Deni Odofin and Hasan Hazime will get plenty of playing time. Ryan Bain (back) is a wild card in the mix if he can get healthy.The linebacking corps is paced by Mike Thomas, Brian Wagner, Aaron Williams and Sean Fobbs, with help from Shawn Lemon, Amin Kabir and Will Fleming.At the corners, Manley Waller and Miguel Graham are working with the first unit but are being pushed by Diamond Weaver.Safety is still unsettled, with Tyler Campbell, Jalil Carter and Wayne Cobham competing for two spots, and Josh Richmond a possibility if he gets healthy.

That's kind of vague? How about some specifics? Who looked good? What defense were they playing? Who was getting the snaps? The closer the PSU game is the more hungry I am for information. Help.

The movie opens in October. Should be interesting for most Zips/Cavs fans.Click Here For the Whole Story5. It's a traumatic moment in the movie when Dambrot leaves SVSM. Some of the players felt betrayed, having believed he'd stay all four years with them. But where Dambrot really absorbs some cheap shots is in "Shooting Stars," the book by Buzz Bissinger. Dambrot is portrayed as a user and a screaming, vulgar maniac of a coach. Forgotten is that the reason Joyce II receives the biggest break of his career to become the head coach is because Dambrot pushed for it.6. All of those players were helped by playing for Dambrot -- a former head coach at the NCAA Division I level. He ran the Irish program as if it were a college team. It's quite true that James & Co. is the reason Dambrot was able to get another shot at college, Joyce II also learned much from Dambrot, as he has acknowledged in interviews over the years. That is basically ignored in both the book and the movie.7. No doubt, Dambrot can be rough in practice. But having watched at least a dozen of his practices at high school and college, he is demanding, but not over the top. While the players were hurt when he left for the Zips, Travis and Joyce III played for him at Akron. After going to Fairmont State to play football, McGee is now on Dambrot's coaching staff as a graduate assistant. James also holds his summer skills camp at Akron.

(FSN Show) Great idea! Now promote the hell out of it so people don't miss it. The recent tours they gave of the stadium were awesome. Use the stadium to sell, it will get people to come, WINNING will get people to STAY.

How about hiring a marketing guru? I would be willing to bet that a few "marketing gurus" are without jobs in this economy. I think Dr P has to show the willingness to financially support a marketing effort. I am mildly surprised about the hiring of Hunter. I say good luck to him. He has an awesome product to work with. It's a great time to be an AD for Akron!

Talked to the ticket office yesterday and asked about my tickets and parking pass, girl told me I should have them by the end of the month. Don't quote me, I'm just telling you what the girl at the other end of the phone told me.

Drew Astorino, Penn State...or Can't State...hard choiceI like this story, my uncle got the same call from JoPa, last scholarship that year (undersized local defensive player too), and wound up playing in the NFL.

I came to Akron after coach Dennison's time also. When I was a senior at Akron I sat at a game with a guy that played for Dennison. The way he described coach Dennison, you would have thought he was his father. Just one example. I'm guessing there are many more. IMO he would have been an excellent choice to write. As head coach of the Zips, Dennison established himself as the winningest coach in Akron football history, with a 13 year record of 80 wins, 62 losses and two ties. He was the first Zip gridiron coach to win ten games in a season, and the first to play for a national championship. He also became the first and only Zip Football Coach to be named Ohio Coach of the Year and Kodak National College Coach of the Year in 1976. In 1982, Dennison added the Ohio Valley Coach of the Year Award to his list of accomplishments.During his tenure as the Zips Head Coach, he produced three of the six best records in Akron football history, 10-3 in 1976, 8-3 in 1983 and 8-4 in 1985. The ‘85 team, his last, finished ranked 10th nationally and earned an NCAA I-AA playoff berth. Dennison has recruited or coached countless All-Americans, and numerous all-conference players. He is also proud of his 82% graduation rate at Akron.In 2002 and 2005, he was named NAIA Northeast Region Sports-Turf NACDA Athletic Director of the Year and was named NAIA Region IX Athletic Director of the Year in 2004 and 2005. In 2003 he became a charter member of the University of Akron Ring of Honor and in 2007 he received the University of Akron Alumni Honor Award.A passionate believer in positive mental attitude (PMA), Dennison is called upon to deliver his message about motivation and goal setting. Jim and his wife Sue are parents of a daughter, Mrs. Denise Morrow, and three sons, Jim, Greg and Matt and have ten grandchildren. The Dennison’s reside in Norton.

SI's Top Ten Big Ten Players (PSU has 3)#10 Evan Royster#6 Daryll Clark (From Y-town)#4 Sean Lee

Welcome aboard. If you type "akron zips forum" in google, ZipsNation.org is the first thing that comes up.We have 1548 registered members

Good for Nate. I figured he would have some shot at some B league somewhere.I might go with Hixon, if we were talking about "zips uniform" and not just basketball, guy is playing at the highest level and probably caught the biggest pass in Zips history.

Thank you for taking the time to post. VERY nice. Place should rock!