Balsy

To be fair though, there's been several ZNO members (myself included, recent grad, graduated 2013) that have talked at length on this forum about how the student body is where to start. I've previously suggested that Athletics should hold competitions to official student orgs (greek life, Relay for Life, etc...) for $ prizes that go towards those groups charitable efforts. I've personally seen this work on a mid-level scale with student orgs fundraising for Relay For Life. When I was a chairperson for that, student orgs would organize their members to show up at stuff in order to gain points towards competitions and $$ towards their team's fundraising. It worked. You could start small, and grow it. Banner competitions with # of members present. IDK, literally ANYTHING is better than what they're doing now. The problem with this, is you've got to have decision makers who give a damn enough to plan this well (unlike most events at UA, haphazardly planned IMHO), and you...and I can't stress this enough...NEED TO INCLUDE STUDENTS IN THE PLANNING/DECISION MAKING PROCESS...in order for it to be any kind of a success. And the planning needs to focus on not just the competition/reason for students to show up, but get everything down from the entertainment side. Example of what not to do: They had a sweet t-shirt/rally towel giveaway last year at the first home game, for like the first large amount of students, and they DID show up. They made the giveaway at half-time (so they didn't just walk in and then walk out). But I watched a freshman, who had gone to the game herself, walk around the stadium unable to find where the giveaway was...even several people working there directed her in the wrong direction. I finally pointed out to her where it was (because I'd walked by it previously). Stuff like that matters. That ONE student's lasting memory of a Zips game was that no-one knew anything about where the giveaway was, and had to walk around the stadium over and over just to find it. Just saying. Perhaps I'm overthinking this. My fond football memories were 3-33. And being drunk at the Syracuse game, where my friends and I left at some point before the game was over.

Same. They occasionally appear on Ebay though.

I thought you of all people would be pro bussiness. LeBron is First and Foremost a Businessman. What's going to get more sales, LeBron James Buckeye gear...or LeBron James Zips gear? There were these a couple of years ago... And then they did these give aways... And then did this advertising... Even after all that...you're acting as if he hasn't been involved with UA at all. I will admit, I was in your position a couple of years ago...wishing he'd support UA more. But it HELPS his image to be pro State Ohio University, especially since he's back in Cleveland. It HELPS his business. And you think for a moment if they produced a Zips JAMES football jersey it would sell anywhere near as much as a Suckeyes one would? Business is Business. And I think he's been as involved with a university he didn't graduate from, than some alumni have been of their own alma-mater. You can call be a hypocrite, because I've turned 180 on this issue. But viewing this more objectively, I have to say I've changed my stance.

I have a pretty good knack at predicting W/L when it comes to OCC schedule. I've got Zips pulling it out. The Zips could be 11-0, on the verge of an undefeated season which has never happened in Akron's history, (which means it would have beaten some Big-10 team) and we'd still be talking about 5000 people at the game. Because the other 4100 wouldn't be able to make it because it'd be on a Tuesday night.

The sad thing is, if we don't have the conversation...no one will. These kind of conversations don't take place on campus, with the people who have to power and $ to attempt to enact change.

Like everything on this forum, instantly derailed.

The Pirates still exist? I kinda purposefully left out the Crew and the Jackets. The Blue Jackets IMHO, are a Columbus thing for the most part. Though I guess we should add them to the list. 8 Pro Teams (Browns, Indians, Pirates, Crew, Blue Jackets, Steelers, Cavs, Penguins).

Another excellent point! I totally overlooked the media/sponsor bit. It's easy to get behind something, if it's the only thing in town...but when there's limited advertising $$ who are you going to focus in on, the Pro team, or 1/12 local colleges? Totally agree with the "Big-Yawn-10"...I don't understand why so many people watch OSU games? I mean I get it, they want to be a part of something that wins...and wins a lot. But there's no stake in the game at all. You expect them to win, and win big. If they don't win big, you're upset. If they lose, you're even more upset. Like where is the fun in that? When you already know the outcome... Of course we're a bit biased, but watching games that have a level of parity is far more enjoyable.

Touche. I meant to double check Temple...but apparently forgot. My bad. Still...12 programs instead of 13...

Where's info on Logan Hawkins? I'm just trying to keep the list at the top as up-to-date as possible

I thought I'd pull this out. I think you've just made the one point that many of us just doesn't realize is as much of an impact on our attendance as it truly is. Within Two hours of Akron: We have 5 D-1 NCAA programs (OSU, Kent, Toledo, Bowling Green, Pittsburgh), 5 pro-teams (Cavs, Browns, Steelers, Indians, Penguins). As much as some will say this is "making an excuse" it really isn't. Our market is over-saturated with sports choice. And if most people were to rank the top-5 of the teams available within their area to go to a game/follow on a regular basis...it will be a mix of 3ish pro-teams (Browns or Steelers, Cavs, Indians or Penguins) and a college team or two, one being State Ohio University for almost everyone. So this is probably the biggest factor impacting our fanbase. If we were to expand it to 3 1/2 hours....watch out the numbers increase to like 13 NCAA D-1 Programs (Cincinnati, Penn State, Ohio University, Marshall, Michigan State, Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Temple), and 10 Pro Teams (Lions, Tigers, Pistons, Reds, Bengals).

I mean, I do find it kinda pathetic on their part... but I wear Akron stuff to an State Ohio University game...there's just more of them than there are of me. I'll take 17,000 Ohio State wearing fans in the stands if it means filling that place up, and then focus on getting them Akron gear, then not having them there at all. Hell, wear steelers, Browns, who-ever gear and be at the stadium. If we could get game day to have the look/feel off the following pictures I'd be ecstatic vs what we have now. To hell with having the right colors or not. 1) Fill the Damn thing up. 2) Make it fun/worth while 3) Market something uniquely cool/Akron to go along with the fun/worthwhile.

Yeah. It's funny how division/conference title mattered when State Ohio University was on the bubble and needs it to matter, and then suddenly how it doesn't matter when State Ohio University is on the bubble and needs it to not matter. There's a few on this board (me included) that believe that any excuse will be made for several programs in D-I football because of $$$$$$.

I like the drive, but I don't think surveys have the power they once did. We're drowning in surveys today...after we talk to customer service, in our emails, phone calls...and it's surveys are already inherently flawed as data gathering tools: 1) it relies on self reporting, 2) they're only taken by those who gave-a-damn enough to fill them out and, 3) can't filter BS answers from real ones. Not to sound like a broken drum, but they've got to make the games a community event, make the community have a stake in what's going on at Infocision stadium. I don't know how to do that...but however we do that, perhaps that's where we start? Hell I'll take the Ohio State loving bastards in my stadium as well.

Honestly, IMO, (and it was quite a...discussion...here on this forum) you guys should have been in the Championship Playoffs last year > the likes of State Ohio University. But oh well.. I, like skip, enjoyed that win of yours equally.

Doesn't that account for the the 9100 who are already always there? Like...we don't need 10,000 more like Dr. Z...he (and the rest of us) are ALREADY there. We need the OTHER 10,000 non-Dr. Z's there who might reasonably follow/go to a Zips game. What does it take to get THEM there?

Unless he's retiring at the end of the season next year, I put it at about a 10% chance he's not a Cavalier in 2018/2019.

Power of the Pen folks, the power of the pen.

This really sucks to hear. 19-years old. Probably will turn-up to be a previously unknown heart condition. Thoughts out to those in the Kent State community. Rivalries are a fun, but we can always get behind each other when a tragedy like this happens.

They did. But Apparently that plan is shot because of last season.

Jarrod Pughsley is hardcore Akron rep.

We had three blowouts, 2 to start off with, last year as well. When it comes to the Cavs I've learned 1) Don't get my hopes up and 2) Don't count them out until it's over. I for one do get enthusiastic about my hatred of the national media, who crowned golden state the 2017 champion BEFORE the season started, within weeks of the Cavs winning the 2016 championship. I get pissed off to hear the national media talk as if the 2016 Championship was a fluke. I can't stand the disrespect for everything NE Ohio in national media outlets.

He's been playing fine. JR Smith, Kyrie Irving need to step up.

Now if only the NCAA would protect the best interest and "good" of the kids who placed sports...