taxpayer

Previously in this thread it was stated that some renovations making the JAR gameday experience more "fan friendly". Does anyone have any accurate info as to what that means?

With all the conversation about a new arena and the Zips 2-0 start what is your prediction for the attendance for Saturdays' game? I will start the festivities with my heart and not my mind......5,000

I love the private funding option. Hate the idea of practicing one place and playing games at another. I also doubt that metro Akron can consistently fill more than 6500 seats whether it's for mens basketball, minor league hockey or the level of concerts that would come to Akron since it's population base is small. The idea of locating near existing parking and some night life wouldn't hurt as long as the design results in a great facility for basketball; we already have a subpar facility. I will be interested in the immediate future as far as the JAR is concerned. The track has to go and the concessions are laughable as is the marketing to get the community in the building. I like the outreaches to schools and such but improve the concessions and run some cheap ticket promo's to get people in the building. Speaking of people, what ideas/promotions would get more students to attend...give them some good seats, like across from the players benches and move the current floor seats (few that there are) and the radio people upstairs. I rather have bleachers with students at both ends and along the side. Move a few VIPS and media people up with the track inhabitants. Until the JAR becomes a tough ticket how can we expect the University, City or private investors to belly up with the money?

I'd like to see a new venue for basketball as much as anyone. In my opinion, we've got the coach and I believe the quality of not only UA but a few other MAC teams is on the rise, that's the good news. The bad news is why would anyone invest in a new venue when the current one if typically half full for games except for Can't State, OU and CSU? The product has been pretty good for a few years and shows signs of getting better now and in the immediate future....but where's the fans? I don't subscribe to the "build it and they will come" as far as fans go. A new venue, done right, would definitely assist in recruiting as the competition, with the exception of Miami and Can't State) have better facilities. I'm not sold on the theory that a better team brings in more fans. Let's hope this year will be different and attendance and especially students attendance will increase dramatically. Should UA ultimately greenlight such a project, I'd recommend a smaller venue that those discussed above. From looking at some past attendance figures I believe 6 or 7000 should be the maximum occupancy. Build it so the fans and students are on top of the players (homecourt advantage) and it would be a gamble to wait until game day to purchase a ticket. I would defer to more knowledgable people as to the best use for the JAR should a new facility be built. I will say however, that there is a strong need for a practice facility as it stands today. My final comment is I'd rather see an on campus arena than one off campus but don't see anything but JAR improvements coming unless attendance spikes. A better marketing effort in a 30 radius wouldn't hurt either.

Aren't we better than this? I request the moderators delete this thread, please.

"These games typically seem to be among the highest attended for the year. The fans of the lower opponents attend in droves". Is that really true? If so, that's two of the most disappointing sentenances I've read regarding the Zips. Why isn't a Zips game a hard ticket to come by? 5,000 seats shouldn't be hard to fill with the recent success of this program. What would improve attendance other than scheduling all of the top 25 D1 programs into the JAR?

Thank you!

It's time for you veterans of this board to advise us newbies on where the out of towners can view the Zips this year. TV coverage? Internet site? Will Zips produce their own internet streaming broadcast? Thanks for the help in advance.

"i think that they need to schedule the middle of the road a-10 teams and more horizon league games at home." Agree and add attempt to schedule any A10 and/or Horizon League team into the JAR. It will take home&home or even 2 aways for 1 home game but I suggest doing it. "i think that we have to go for steady improvemtns to the schedule" Agreed, same with roster and facilities. Lounge will help keeping up with our competition. Now upgrade strength and conditioning will I understand is taking place. "gradually get the hirams off the schedule" Doubtful. ALL D1's, even the big boys play down the first game or two. It serves the D1's to help get rid of the jitters and it allows the competition to play in bigger venues with bigger crowds. They typically pick up some much needed revenue as well. It will be a slow process, but it seems Coach D is making the effort to raise up the program. All that's needed now are more wins and another MAC Championship, which will be another dogfight this year which is good for us fans.

Here's what this years team will be facing so far: #140 Ball State (2) #131 Valparaiso - OCC tournament #120 Dayton #110 Miami Redskins (2) #73 Marshall #64 Cant State #62 Duquesne - OCC tournament #60 Detroit #52 VCU #51 Mississippi State #47 Cleveland State

Here's what this years team will be facing so far: #140 Ball State (2) #131 Valparaiso - OCC tournament #120 Dayton #110 Miami Redskins (2) #73 Marshall #64 Cant State #62 Duquesne - OCC tournament #60 Detroit #52 VCU #51 Mississippi State per todays College Sport Madness

I know the home schedule isn't too impressive, however the schedule looks tough to me. Here's what this years team will be facing so far:#140 Ball State (2)#131 Valparaiso - OCC tournament#120 Dayton#110 Miami Redskins (2)#73 Marshall#64 Cant State#62 Duquesne - OCC tournament#60 Detroit? Unknow opponent at Valparaiso OCCVCU, Mississippi State & Cleveland State should be appearing soon on this list. That would put almost half of this years opponents in the top 144. It's a challenging schedule, we need to stay healthy and mature quickly.

Can't State comes in at #64 on this list. No one said it was going to be easy.

First, I agree with Mr. James.Second, what a nice recruiting tool!

I'm not thrilled with the John Carroll nor the Hiram games but having said that, this is a young team and they might be a little skitterish coming out of the box. I too, believe the 11/9 @K Sports Classic is away at Mississippi State.I believe one of the 2K games is against Duquesne, who is a rising A10 member and I don't like the fact the Zips play Detroit on Saturday 11/26 then travel on 11/27 and play at West Virginia on 11/28. WVU has six days to prepare for the Zips; the good news is most of their students will be home for Christmas break. Hopefully, Coach D has the Detroit game scheduled for a 1pm start so they can travel to Morgantown that night and have a light practice Sunday and then play Monday. That's a tough turn around as is playing VCU on 12/29 then playing a good Marshall team, at Marshall, on January 1st. Those will be very difficult circumstances for us.

Nice headline. Good to know someone likes the Zips other than fellow Zips then..... Link to article?

I will contact the basketball office and propose such a dinner/fundraiser. What would the attendance be, in your opinion, if it was a hamburgers, hotdogs, drinks and Coach D speaking event?

I get it that a nice country club setting is preferred and I'm thrilled to hear it's well attended. Do you think having a dinner or cookout with some speakers including Coach D would be a well attended financially productive addition to the Men's fundraising efforts?

Thanks MDZIP for the info. I'm puzzled that a decision was made to have a weekday "lunch" as opposed to dinner. The obvious answer is that lunch allows a morning flight and an afternoon flight but has this event been so popular and financially rewarding for the program to not hold it on a Saturday or Sunday? Do you all think there is enough interest to hold an evening dinner with the AD and Coach D holding court? Would the players be allowed to attend? I believe some of the golfers would attend both events and the working stiffs who can't make a week day event would be given an opprotunity to mingle and contribute as well......what do you think? This would be a little more enticing thay simply penning a donation check.

Could one of you technically versed please provide a link to the outing? Thank you in advance! I hope that this event will be heavily attended to provide more resources to Coach D to continue the ascent the program in on.

The bball season is still aways away but College Sports Madness recently began their annual predictions/previews.... A few familiar faces: #140 Ball State #131 Valparaiso #120 Dayton #116 Drake #110 Miami of Ohio Where will the Zips be? Link

The team completed their physical testing last week (bench, vertical leap, etc) and will begin practicing soon for the upcoming Canadian trip. Anyone hear any of the testing results? Anyone headed to Canada to watch the games?

Dave In Green - excellent post above. This sounds like a great way to start the game day experience vs CSU, a victory would make the post game festivities even more enjoyable.

Seems seating will be the same for the upcoming year so once again I believe it money well spent to improve the JAR's main entry foyer with better lighting, some better positioned flat screens with highlights or game specific programming and some additional kiosk's for food & drinks. Some improved exterior signage and lighting wouldn't hurt either.If the team is able to meet the challenge of an upgraded schedule and plays what apparently will be an uptemo style of play, the JAR will need to accomodate and more importantly encourgage a larger student body presence which could be an additional source of home court "advantage".

I can't imagine that the language isn't clear; if it isn't, shame on both parties and particularily Can't State. I believe it's time for University Presidents/Boards and the NCAA to put their foot down on this matter. A contract is a contract unless one party breaches a condition of the contract. The NCAA has turned a blind eye toward this subject for years. If a student athlete decides to move on there is a one year "sit" as a condition for transfering. If a coach makes the same decision, they are free to go. Most players commit to a particular school based upon the head coach who continually states his commitment to said university by referencing his "contract extension" which ends in 2016 for example. Player commits to school, attends one class, usually in first summer session and coach decides the grass is greener over there and departs. Players either decide to leave, which costs them a one year sit and the coach makes more $. The university has their player and acquires a new coach and the process goes on. What a lesson in business and ethics the NCAA and the member universites are teaching our young athletes and contributing boosters, I might add. I propose that the contract language either be modified with specific language that should a coach leave prior to his contract ending that he/she has a penalty to pay; a buyout clause equal to the contactual committment enterred into by both parties. If a coach is fired due to poor performance, the university is responsible to honor their contract and continue paying the coach. Evidently, language similar to this was in Coach Ford's contract at Can't State; I compliment Can't State for demanding the contract be honored, I just hope the language is very specific and clear for their sake. As far as the student athlete is concerned, if the head coach who recruited them elects to break their contract prior to the students graduation or gets fired, the student athlete is free to transfer to another university without penalty if they so choose. The current rules would still apply to players transferring if the coach who recruited them remains, a one year sit. Am I too idealistic? Your thoughts?