The REAL reason the Akron has poor fan support can be summed up in one word. “Poverty” Face it, the Canton, Akron, Massillon, Cleveland area is dying. Yes we are in direct competition for recruits with OSU. Yes we compete with OSU for fans and TV time. We compete with every division one team in the country in that regard. It is a little more in your face when the bigger school is just a few hours south. Cleveland is one of the most poverty stricken cities on the nation. Akron is just south of that. I wonder if this lack of income will spill over into Akron?? http://www.carolinajournal.com/opinions/di...ry.html?id=1877 I grew up in Massillon. I now live in Columbus. I run into people all the time from back home while in Columbus. And they all say the moved to Columbus for Jobs. IF PEOPLE DON’T HAVE MONEY FOR GAS, FOOD, DIAPERS, AND CHILD SUPPORT, THEY DARN SURE DON’T HAVE MONEY FOR ZIPS TICKETS PERIOD!! The overall morale of the town is down. People don’t have the money to care about anything extra. If my AEP is past do then who gives a crap about the zips. I have friends from back home constantly saying the wish they had jobs. You do not hear that as often in Columbus. Because people in Columbus have steady work they can steadily purchase OSU tickets and go to tailgate parties. The other reason why Akron has poor fans support is because of the way they played against the Bearcats. I won’t say anymore about that. I would love to see Akron get more play in the media. The Akron Beacon Journal should be ashamed of themselves for giving OSU more pub then the Zips. If Akron wants to change that, then beat OSU and leave no doubt. Do it consistently. Also…does Akron have a high school 7 on 7 tournaments? Or an O-line big mans challenge. Perhaps give them a chance to get some young guys up to the campus and subject them to the new facilities. Then check up on them during the rest of the high school days. If my brother, who played receiver for Akron, didn’t tell me Akron put up a new indoor facility I would not have known. I was living in Massillon and had no clue. I WAS A MASSILLON TIGER FOOTBALL PLAYER AND HAD NO IDEA AKRON WAS BUILDING NEW ATHLETIC FACILITIES. Akron needs to find reasons to get ball players on their campus. …Sorry I ran on a bit fellas….l8ta