Balsy

Without wanting to rehash the old "culture" debate/discussion. I still think this is the #1 problem, above all the weather...opponent, record etc. Those other factors are what affect the loyal fans like you and me. If it's raining and 41 degrees, we loyal fans are less likely to show up. The other "maybe" fans (like current students, football fans in the local area) still won't show even before those excuses. I have all juniors this year so I'll tell you what, I'll pick their brains a bit and see what their opinion is on what would get them to a college football game for their colleges and anything they tell me I'll relay to you guys. Not saying it'll be groundbreaking...but they are pretty thoughtful young folk. I still think it's the culture. From top-to-bottom. From the moment new kids step on campus to the moment of graduating.

It is nice to see the Zips on ESPN Sports Center. (screen grab from the video link posted earlier)

Lets hope so! Go Zips!

Oh my bad, the Plasma Center is where the Apartments are now right? And South Dorm is where the Town Houses mostly were? I can't remember now...and that wasn't long ago...

You are correct. The Rooneys, if I'm not mistaken, were also a huge advocate for the Expansion Browns being created. Now an argument could be made by cynical conspiracy theorists it was partially because it would mean 2 wins for the Steelers every year with the joke that was the Expansion Draft for the browns in '99. But everything I've seen from Rooney has seemed to indicate he genuinely enjoyed and treasured the Browns rivalry. Indeed, I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Rooney's for that. And let's be honest here, I have a tremendous amount for the Steelers franchise, because they've done a great job. I'm jealous of it. But I've been exposed to so many not cool steelers fans at Browns games, that it's soured me a bit. Like every time I've followed my team to another stadium, I have cheered for my team, but I haven't been an in your face jerk about it.

I agree with you guys, a big game in person is much better than on TV. I've gone to a lot more bad weather games where we've lost than where we've won. So if it's bad weather, a weekday game, and I work the next day...it's definitely going to be a factor in me going to the game. Sorry, but it is. There's nothing like being tortured both on the field, and with the weather, when you have to work the next day. But that's the unfortunate thing about the Zips fandom. None of us can afford to "take a day off" as it were, because then the stadium is effectively empty (well...more empty), unlike the bigger fanbases, if there is someone who doesn't go...there will be someone else to take their place. At any rate, I will be there Tuesday. And I am bringing 4-5 people. One is a Kent grad, but we can forgive her because she's my sister.

Oh yeah!? Well...unfortunately...you're probably right.

As a tortured Browns fan, who has been surrounded by Ass-hat steeler fans at games, act like you've been there before. (not saying all steeler fans are ass-hats mind you...) Like the guy who thought it necessary to scream "Another pittsburgh steelers FIRST DOWN..." while standing in the aisle dramatically doing the first down thing. Every. Single. Time. It was cute the FIRST time...in the third quarter when you're up 5076-0 it's time to grow up and stop. I think that's the type of behavior he was referring to.

I think the big new dorm they built, South Hall, where the Plasma center used to be, across from the exchange deck, was always supposed to replace the Grant Dorm and Gallucci. Both have not been in operation in years.

Must be a generational gap. I enjoy more games on TV than I ever have in person. Though...I am a tortured Zips and Browns fan...and I've been to so many terrible games in my lifetime. Barely notice the stoppages in play at home. At the stadium, the TV breaks are almost unbearable.

On a Tuesday Night...the week of Thanksgiving. Like saying anything less then 15k is a disgrace is setting it up to call it a disgrace. We'll never draw more than 10k on a Tuesday night. No way. We'll never draw more than 10k on the Week of Thanks giving. No way. What we all should be pissed about, and immediately complaining (as fans) to the AD and MAC Commissioner, is why Kent got the Home Rivalry game vs us scheduled in like September last year? (early in the year) which drew a respectable crowd by Kent standards (because more of our fans and theirs will show up for a warm weather Saturday game), and we got stuck with a November, just before thanksgiving schedule in the newer stadium. The Rivalry Game should be played on a Saturday, in warmer weather. More people will show up.

I've been having a blast reading their fan forum after this loss. It's hysterical! The epic meltdown!

He didn't look that good at the begining of the year...remember, we had a HUGE debate on this forum where the Fire-Bowden contingency had a meltdown over Nelson being listed last.

Bowden will retire as head coach of the Akron Zips (I've been saying this for years, but consider them marked). I say he'll get a 3-year extension. His original contract was 5 years. After two, it was extended for another 2 keeping it at 5-years.

I was one game off on my predicted record...but nailed these two predictions. Lets hope I nail the last two...

And now, Zips are (still) in complete control of their own destiny with the Race to Detroit. Akron wins vs Kent their in. End of story. That's a pretty exciting place to be with one week to go.

Barring Kato is injured, he is the starter going forward. Had he been struggling, this might be a discussion worth having. If you have 2 or three more games left in the season, you start him. Even in the Bowl game, you almost need to play him for him to get experience for next year.

Updated List: Camellia Bowl Bahamas Bowl Potato Bowl Dollar General Bowl *St. Petersburg Bowl *Boca Rotan Bowl *Quick Lane Bowl Teams Bowl Eligible: Toledo Ohio Akron Northern Illinois Western Michigan C. Mighican Teams in the Hunt: Buffalo Miami Teams Eliminated: Bowling Green Ball St. Kent State E. Michigan

He's also had luck go against him...(last year...all the injuries)...so I guess he was due...the zips were due...a karma correction.

My god what an awesome win! Both BGSU and Ohio of our backs in the same year! Phew. I know I called for a Zips win...but I'm a Zips homer, so I always call for a win. It just feels good to actually win a game that we needed to win.

And for the love of god HOLD ON TO THE BALL!

Awesome, awesome, awesome stand by the defense.

Every possible thing against Akron.