skip-zip

Then performance would be dependent upon things like your leadership, how well you run your program, talent development, etc. And that's fine with me also. Right now, the entire equation is ...............More Money = Better Team.

I think I commented on his post already, but since you brought it up again.....yes...I think that many of us have benefitted from this type of environment tremendously. Most people probably never get these kinds of opportunities at other place. But the question is, how do we take this accessibility and turn it into a benefit to attract more fans? These are the kinds of things I thought we'd see by starting a thread like this. You know how everyone says that players will venture to mid-major schools rather than high major schools for the opportunity to play earlier? Why can't the access that fans have to players also be a similar benefit that you get by being a FAN at a mid major school like Akron.

It would certainly take some big thing to make that happen. Probably a team ranked at or near the Top 25 for a consistent period of time. You're probably underestimating the bandwagon mentality of the typical NE Ohio sports fan. Remember, when our soccer team was ranked, I think we once pulled 7,000+ into a game against blOSU. Now imagine how much something remotely similar (yes, I know basketball would never be #1) would impact Basketball vs. Soccer.

Can I get an "Amen"?? Dave, we should have written our two posts together.

I'll make this short... 1) We've invested way too much over 30 years to establish ourselves as a 1-A school. I would be disgusted if we turned back now. 2) You think we have problems attracting fans now? Think people already have no belief that we can ever rise higher? Go ahead and make this move, which basically gives us no chance to compete on a national level with any recognizable team, and see how much they don't give a damn about Akron. Personally, I think they should take ALL of D-1A right now, and make them all operate with the same resources. It's the only thing that will level the playing field. The teams with the most money are the teams who have the best chance to win a title. Change that dynamic to reward the team that makes the best use of their resources to produce a real champion, and then we'll have something that's fair.

Hey Guys, Just to get this back on topic........ What do all of you think about what Balsy says in Post #2, and my response in Post #3? Would some of you be interested in find a place to get a few dozen people together to watch a Zips game? Maybe a different location each game for several televised upcoming basketball games? Please read those two posts and see if you agree about how this can really turn into something that lets the community know that "Zips fans are out here". As an added benefit, I think it would also help some of us continue to meet each other, and I also think it could collectively energize all of us to campaign for more Zips followers out in the community.

Balsy, you've certainly convinced me that we need the feedback from students and recent graduates, just as much as we need it from an old veterans of Zips Athletics like myself. The more and more I read these posts, I think that there is a lot to learn from current students, rather than just reflecting on our student days ourselves. And trust me, the memory starts to fade with age anyway Let me tell you this... I once sat in on a conversation with several people in the athletic department regarding their desire to put together a package to keep the AKRowdies coming back after graduation. It was supposed to include some type of "recent graduate" rate for Z-Fund membership. Did this ever happen?

Balsy....I've always said that I would rather come here to learn, share, and help the program.....as opposed to coming here to see a bunch of know-it-alls brag about their knowledge and connections. My student days at Akron go back 3 decades. So you might be right. Maybe myself, and many others don't understand how the students feel these days. That's probably not solving the problem for me to be saying "you students get free admission...so stop complaining". And as someone who's spent the majority of my career in corporate sales and marketing, I do agree with you that "come to the games since it's free" would not be an effective form of marketing. And neither is the "Game Today" poster that I see in front of the JAR, or handing out schedules. If students aren't interested, just simply letting them know that there is a game, and that it's free, would likely not motivate them too much. I'd love to see more and more thoughts on getting students more engaged. I think we might be touching on some of them in the other topic I started.

Some great comments here. Great discussion. I guess all of this just leads us back to the other topic I just started........the need for PRIVATE money keeps getting greater and greater. I know that the PUBLIC money available to run an athletic program like Akron's, as a percentage of the total amount needed, has been dwindling for decades. Here's yet another trap that will make Akron fade further and further from the pace with others if PRIVATE money just continues to be the premium that determines your ability to compete. Those with plenty of outside money will thrive, and everyone else will be left further and further in the dust. The time to act is now (I think I just gave a plug to my other topic).

Yes, I've done it many, many times myself. That's not the question. I'm wondering how we take this accessibility and use it to attract more supporters (the topic).

So, on these last two posts, are you both saying that getting to meet and form bonds with players would increase our fanbase? It seems that you might both be referring to the fans that already attend. If students have these interactions during their school years, do you think that would help them form more permanent bonds that might prevent them from becoming Suckeye fans once school is over? I've already mentioned how much I think these athlete interactions impact the very young fans, but I am not sure how much it impacts a college student. I feel like, a lot of times, older people on the outside of our usual fan base tend to find it humorous that us "regulars" know the names of players, and give us somewhat of a "none of those guys are going anywhere" attitude, as if it's silly to think so highly of athletes who have no chance of playing in the NFL or NBA.

I had already read the article. My first thought was that people want to raise a stink about having money diverted to athletics. Even though it's a small amount, THAT should tell you something about our students. This isn't good news. Just the fact that they are making an issue of it. It tells me that they likely aren't happy about it. FYI to Akron Students: You get FREE ADMISSION to ALL athletic events for a small amount of money. Stop complaining. You could be at a school that makes you PAY for your game tickets.

I'm loving all of the feedback so far. On these two items here (highlighted above), I remember that we did "I believe" with the football team after the Pitt game at Heinz field. So, I think there is at least some awareness that the fans want to do this with players in other sports. I've often stayed late enough after basketball games to hear the students doing this with the players. I don't know if it happens all the time, but it happens. On your second point, I have waited with many other people behind the fieldhouse when football players are walking back to the locker room. Many of them acknowledge the fans, and many of them also stop to talk. Interesting Story: My nephew's parents are typical OSU Honks. However, I brought him to an Akron game once, got him down on the field, and got his picture taken with Zack D. by the fieldhouse after the game. He talked about it forever according to his parents, and it made me chuckle knowing that they are Suckeye fans. I think I may have converted the kid before it's too late!!! So, for all of you, I would suggest taking your kids out behind the fieldhouse after the games. Meeting players, I think, is a great way to get your children to feel loyalty for the Zips at an early age.

If we could get a few dozen people to participate in something like this, at the very least, we'd show the people who attend that bar that "it's cool to be a Zips fan". That could go a long way. I think this is a great example of something that could help. For example, I've been to many of the basketball gatherings at Johnny J's. When there is a good group, I think everyone else in the bar HAS to be saying to themselves, "Wow...look at all these Zips fans".

I thought I'd attempt to take something out of the individual sports categories and bring it here for separate discussion..... I've been on my Soapbox lately about elevating our status, and I've framed it in this manner... 1) We need more money... a lot more money. 2) In order to get more money, we need more supporters. We are a small group, but what can WE do to help. I am talking about us here on THIS site. Let me start the discussion, and share a couple of recent observations: 1) I LOVE the new pre-game basketball video where it says that Akron is OUR city. This is Akron's team. I think this is the right approach, and a good starting point to focus on encouraging our local people, right here in Akron, to support the LOCAL team. 2) I LOVE a few of the more recent merchandise additions for our YOUNG fans, and how people have been using them. Those of you who take your kids to the games dressed in Zippy Ears, cheerleading outfits, etc., get my utmost respect. This is how we bring our kids up right, and increase our chances of making more lifelong Zips fans instead of joining the larger group that wants to wear Red and Silver. 3) The "A" and "Akron" that have been used for so long was replaced by the "Roo Head" and "Fear The Roo" (which became successful on a national level) to keep our merchandising fresh and creative. As we venture into the "Z" era we accomplish much of the same. This increases sales and increases the exposure of our brand. Hopefully I have started the ball rolling...........We need money to grow, and we need more supporters, so what thoughts do people have about how we.....as individuals.....can help. Please, lets come up with things that don't involve "different leadership", or "just win more games". I want this to be about US and what we can do to help. Lets face it, we all likely became fans during a climate of success that's not much different than what we have right now. And WE became fans. Big fans. So, how do we get others to do the same?

LOL...I'm surprised at myself right now. I either forgot that detail, or don't remember ever seeing or hearing it.

I'm only lost on the "flying dinner plate" one.

I had been thinking all long that his open court ball handling skills were, by far, his greatest asset to us right now. I was shocked to see him repeatedly get his pocket picked out beyond the top of the key. I was really confused by the injury. I hope we learn more. I saw them waive for the Doctor, who was sitting behind me in the stands, as they were carrying him to the locker room (they wouldn't do that for a simple sprain or cramp). I was really concerned at that point, then see him riding the exercise bike next to the bench a few minutes later.

I figured that, but I had to ask after reading the post.

Maybe he will join many of his teammates, and see if there is any NFL interest since he claims "we ain't come to play SCHOOL" Besides attending his English classes, I hope he now gets constant reminders of the meaning of the term "Student/Athlete"

What? Are you trying to say that schools don't selectively schedule based on the strength of a certain prospective opponent?

It actually makes perfect sense to me. Pat was still looking lost last year, and Big Dog was getting several starts and looked like a real strong prospect. I'm sure just about everyone is surprised at the way that situation has turned around this year.

Did you forget that we also took them to overtime the previous or following year at their place? I think that would be a good enough reason to end the series, for another MAC school much closer in proximity, who was not on a string of 20+ win seasons. Miami was obviously much less of a threat. I just had a conversation the other day about Cleveland State ending the series with us. I'm sure college coaches all look at these things the same way.

I always forget about that Dayton game. We easily could have won that game, and led almost the entire way. It drew 4,059 in 2008-2009. So, about the same as those two VCU games that Dave has on his list.

It often seems so unfair that we have to compete in the same division as teams that are able to do this. In order to keep pace, we need more money. A lot more money. In order to get money, we need to attract supporters. In order to get supporters, you need people to believe that we can do something significant. It's that simple. They either need to tighten the restrictions on what schools can do, or the top level of D-1 is going to run away from us again. And I think the trend is towards the latter direction if they start allowing players to be paid, let schools slide with tons of NCAA violations and very little consequence, etc.