Dr Z

Little help, Mr. President? University of Akron could sure use about $60 million to replace 64-year-old Rubber Bowl By Tom Reed OK, President Bush, the Ohio voters -- 51 percent of them anyway -- helped secure your re-election. Now, in the immortal words of Caddyshack's Carl the Greenskeeper: ``How about a little somethin' for the effort?'' We need jobs. We need better health care. We need about $60 million to replace the concrete eyesore that is the Rubber Bowl. Send the check in care of Mike Thomas, University of Akron athletic director, and consider it the first investment in your ``No Athletic Program Left Behind'' initiative. The Zips, who have ranked no higher than 108th in Division I-A football attendance since 2000, would certainly qualify. You are familiar with the decaying 64-year-old Rubber Bowl, aren't you, Mr. President? Someone had to give you a guided tour on one of your 250 trips to the Buckeye State in the past four months. You already have spent more time in Northeast Ohio than Browns owner Randy Lerner. As a virtual resident, you must know about tonight's Zips game against Marshall to be played here before a national television audience. The program has one of the nation's best quarterbacks in Charlie Frye. The Zips have a bright new coach in J.D. Brookhart, who has them contending for a Mid-American Conference East Division title. Only one problem -- the game is at the 35,202-seat Rubber Bowl. As a former major-league baseball team owner, you understand the importance of a fan-friendly facility. The Rubber Bowl radiates the warmth and charm of Prince Charles without the royal lineage. Any wonder why ESPN hasn't televised from here in 18 years? The university ran an ad slogan to ``Fill the Bowl'' for the 1986 contest against Murray State. The game drew 18,402 fans. Network cameramen are forever looking for the Rubber Bowl's good side. So are UA coaches who must take prospects to the stadium on recruiting visits seven miles from campus. It's too bad, Mr. President, because there are lots of good things going on at the UA campus. The university recently celebrated the opening of five new buildings: the Student Recreational Wellness Center, the Honors Complex, Simmons Hall, the second phase of the Student Union and the $12 million Athletic Fieldhouse. How deflating it must be to show potential recruits all that progress and then take them to the Rubber Bowl, built in 1940. There are some great old American stadiums and arenas still standing. This isn't one of them. The location is remote. The seats are uncomfortable. A climb to the pressbox rivals an ascent to the Empire State Building observation deck. Then there is the traffic, Mr. President. For major high school playoff games, it's a nightmare. There are Massillon football fans still searching for a parking space for the 2001 state semifinal game against Cleveland St. Ignatius. Unfortunately for the Zips, that's seldom a problem. Thomas remains frustrated by the program's inability to engage its estimated 80,000 alumni in Northeast Ohio. Not fielding a consistent winner obviously contributes. So does the fact that the MAC historically struggles to draw fans. Last season the Zips ranked 110th in attendance (averaging 13,812 fans) out of 117 Division I-A programs. They finished ahead of four fellow conference schools, including nearby Can't State. Thomas knows a modern, on-campus stadium would make a significant difference for the program and how it's perceived. He believes it could be done at a cost of between $40 million and $60 million. A consulting firm that toured UA last month echoed those comments. UA president Luis Proenza, however, has said there is no funding in place to act on the project and he doesn't want to pass on a large portion to the student body. That's where you come in, Mr. President. In two consecutive elections, Ohio -- for better or worse -- has been your lead blocker to the White House. It's time to reach for the checkbook. It will be our little secret. Let's just tell everyone that ESPN, while removing those light poles this week, dropped them on the stands causing structural damage. You swoop in and declare the Rubber Bowl a disaster area. It's hardly a stretch.

WHO CARES ? Beat Marshall.....Again.

Griz is over a half a foot taller than little 5'11" Johnny. He outweighs the poor little guy by 70lbs. Doesn't seem fair to me? Zips 28 Terd 19 ---------------------------------------------------- Ticket to game Free Parking $3.00 Watching the Zips beat Marshall AGAIN...Priceless. Up Next...Sportscenter ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- .....E_nvy Zip.S .....P lay .Co N ference USA ----------------------------------------------------

Heavy money going on Akron. Line at 8.5 right now. When is the last time you seen a line move 2 points in one day ?

Since you wouldn't answer my question, I'll answer it. Marshall favored by 10.5 Any Zips fans who are confident enough the zips will win, if you wave the points and take Akron straight up, you should be able to get 4 to 1 odds right now. To Marshall fans that think it's going to be a close game, take the Zips and the 10.5. Bet your house.

I thought this would go a little better. I did a search under the word "predict" under 'My Assistant' and come up with some. Mastodon did a pretty good job (not bad for a Marshall fan) Hey Zippers! I’m the fan of another MAC school and I just thought I would bring a little disparity to the board. While waiting for football season, I predicted each MAC team’s season (all subject to change). Here’s how I see Akron performing for the 2004 season: PENN ST* 26-34 L MIDDLE TENN ST 38-24 W VIRGINIA* 24-45 L Can't ST* 51-31 W NORTHERN ILL* 31-37 L BUFFALO 56-21 W UCF* 41-31 W BALL ST 42-21 W MARSHALL 34-38 L OHIO* 49-27 W MIAMI (OHIO) 31-41 L (6-5; 5-3) This is not meant to be inflammatory; I just want to get some discussion going. I know it’s early but tell me your predictions or thoughts (about Akron or anyone else). http://zipsnation.org//index.php?showtopic=372&hl=" target="_blank">thread source

Feel free to dig up old post and paste 'em in here to "brag" about your early predictions. Or dig up your old post and tell us why you change your mind about your early predictions.

Starting to get old dude.

Based on that analogy, what would you say the opening line is going to be on the Akron Marshall game?

One of ESPN's BOTTOM TEN teams was REAL afraid Click here to find out what bottom ten team sent Johnny home with his tail between his legs

You peeked my curiosity Z-P. Wayne State (1-6) Ashland (3-5) I can still hear David L(oser) Morgan telling Ellen Alexander at JD's hiring press conference... "How come they didn't hire Winters, that was a slam dunk, I had to look this guy up?"

Zips, reason for Roethlisberger getting his name "Big Ben" Read 4th paragraph Ohio State makes new poll. JT recruits starting to "shine" Anybody want to play a drinking game? Listen to the game on the radio, anytime JJ or Joe or whatever his name is this week says "no doubt about it" drink half a beer First time I really listened to a game since Stams started. I like him. Better pound Ball St this week, can't wait for Marshall

Akron early 10 point favorite against #8 (on your list ) Ball State this week. Can't wait for the Marshall game !

This is why, when you listen to the game on the radio, you can hear the gym door open and shut every time a cheerleader takes a squirt.

Also take something to throw into that dumb mascot's "scream machine" (which is a trash can, no kidding) Maybe those boiled peanuts they have

The Dolphins released fullback Doug Easlick from the practice squad and waived wide receiver Ronald Bellamy from the 53-man roster. . . . The team had long snapper Shawn Lynch, offensive tackle Lance Nimmo and wide receiver Jake Schifino in for work outs. . . . Defensive tackle Tim Bowens will return to practice today.

I'll give you the cheapest solution. Make one. Here is a link to vector graphic artwork. You can blow these up to billboard size if you want. My friends and I made magnets for our cars like this. Zips Helmet logo (with some minor editing) Take off the circle

Virginia has the same thing, it is AWESOME. This is a GREAT idea, trust me. How many games has it rained at the Rubber Bowl in the last say, five years?

Don't leave out the coaches

Doesn't look good right now. Looks like French and Stams. Sunshine network is showing "Ballroom Boxing" instead of UCF football ESPN Gameplan is showing the "red hot" Buckeyes going for 3 straight....Go Hawkeyes!

Bottom 10, Yikes! We can't lose to a bottom 10 feeder. Too many MAC teams on this list. UCF is going to come in and dominate the MAC and then move...ooops forgot the dominate part

Can't lose to a team with the longest current losing streak. I want some revenge. Last time I went to CF, we got smoked, I'm not going this time, so we should win. Akron 3 point underdog. The Golden Knights now possess the longest current losing streak (nine games) in Division I college football. With Army upsetting Cincinnati and East Carolina topping Tulane, the top two teams on the list entering last weekend jumped off their perch. Now the Knights get the headlines. And to think UCF nearly jumped off the list as well. A late-game comeback at home over MAC kingpin Northern Illinois (4-2, 3-0) had UCF up one point in the final minutes. But Madison High product Josh Haldi shook off a three-interception game to direct the Huskies into field-goal range for the game-winner in the final seconds. Just about any coach in any sport will tell you the first step toward success is to beat the teams you are supposed to beat. Despite the Zips' overall record (2-4), Akron quarterback Charlie Frye is doing exactly that to keep the Zips in the hunt in the MAC East Division, where they are 2-1. By knocking off woeful Can't State (1-5) and doormat Buffalo (1-5), the Zips remain in step with the second-place Miami RedHawks and just a game behind division-leading Marshall. Both of those teams are due to visit the Rubber Bowl late in the season. The schedule breaks Akron's way again this week with a road game at - ta-daa - Central Florida. If Frye can take care of that bit of business, Akron then plays three of its final four games at home, with a bye week between Ball State (1-5) and Marshall. Jake to get look from other teams (bottom right) MAC getting some respect (see #7) Frye is next? Did anybody else notice that Swiger was BOOMING his kickoffs Saturday night? :blink:

Just out of pure curiosity ZIPMAN, do you wear a "new" logo Akron shirt or do you wear one of those old athletic gold shirts with the "action A" on it? Time to upgrade either way. Best Zips shirt available for the money. Zips jersey with ZIPMAN on the back for $65. http://www.athlete-tech.com/ Then you'll be representin' in the bay!! ZIPMAN jersey (click here)

Any team that is going to spend one of their top 3 picks on a player will make it through his first million dollar contract. Check around the league. PS Don't use the worst run franchise in the NFL as your example. My last post defending Frye.

I love #5. Not only a great athlete, but a great student of the game. Film junky (I have heard many say this). That goes over HUGE on draft day in the NFL. I heard the same of Pennington when he was entering the draft. He will slip on the boards at the end of the season and then rise after teams get to see him upclose. Good NFL QB. Don't question it. I Wonder if Jason Taylor will have any say on getting him on his team. I think #5 can play for them right now.