Bring Back the Tire Drum?

[Zipsrifle]

This was brought up on another post, but I thought a poll would be nice to pass the time. Back in the day, UofA had a tire drum. I think we need some tradition and this is something unique that no other school can claim! What do you think?

[ZachTheZip]

It's something that should never have gone away.

[zipseuph]

the way I always pictured the tire drum was like this.a huge tire (b0ig enough to fit a bass drum and a drummer in) put the little drummer boy in there and have the cheerleaders push him around for a song or two. just don't stand close after the drummer gets out

[ZippyRulz]

When/why did the tire drum go away? I've been watching Zips football since mid-80's and I don't remember it. I think we should just let it R.I.P. since it's been gone so long and Akron is no longer the tire capital it was (although it should be on display somewhere around campus/stadium). I would rather have a mini-blimp flying over the stadium as a new tradition, attention-getter, signboard, camera angle for scoreboard & broadcasts, etc...the Zip Airship, if you will.

[zipseuph]

I think the Akron Band needs a "staple" if you would. with the building of goodyears new headquarters and the new stadium I think this would be the perfect time to bring back the tire drum. and besides Akron is still known as the rubber city and just because Firestone isn't here anymore doesn't mean we shouldn't celebrate our uniqe history

[Zipsrifle]

When/why did the tire drum go away? I've been watching Zips football since mid-80's and I don't remember it. I think we should just let it R.I.P. since it's been gone so long and Akron is no longer the tire capital it was (although it should be on display somewhere around campus/stadium). I would rather have a mini-blimp flying over the stadium as a new tradition, attention-getter, signboard, camera angle for scoreboard & broadcasts, etc...the Zip Airship, if you will.

I agree on the blimp. The only problem is that it would likely have to follow a wire around the stadium as those little blimps they sell would likely not be able to overcome any strong gusts of wind! I couldn't believe that Can't has a blimp at the BB game last year and we did NOT! I wonder about WTF the pomotional people do with all their time.

[ZippyRulz]

I'm not talking about a cheesy little arena blimp. I'm talking about maybe half the size of a real blimp, free-flying & radio controlled, not on a wire. It could fly over campus/tailgating/downtown/route 8 pre-game, then hover over the stadium during the game. It could be done with or without Goodyear sponsorship. I think it would add a lot to the atmosphere.The tire drum would be fun to bring out if we had a throwback game and wore retro uniforms. Otherwise, to me it represents the old dirty industrial Akron and subsequent flight of the rubber factories out of town. Some kind of unique drum made out of space-age polymer materials would be cool though.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I agree. Rubber and tires are pretty irrelevant in Akron today. They have been for almost three decades. Keep the drum tire re-tired.

[Blue & Gold]

I'm not talking about a cheesy little arena blimp. I'm talking about maybe half the size of a real blimp, free-flying & radio controlled, not on a wire. It could fly over campus/tailgating/downtown/route 8 pre-game, then hover over the stadium during the game. It could be done with or without Goodyear sponsorship. I think it would add a lot to the atmosphere.The tire drum would be fun to bring out if we had a throwback game and wore retro uniforms. Otherwise, to me it represents the old dirty industrial Akron and subsequent flight of the rubber factories out of town. Some kind of unique drum made out of space-age polymer materials would be cool though.

Can't we ask Goodyear to fly the real blimp over The Info for our home games? It's certainly going to be a community event and I see the blimp out flying around all the time anyway.

[Zipsrifle]

I'm not talking about a cheesy little arena blimp. I'm talking about maybe half the size of a real blimp, free-flying & radio controlled, not on a wire. It could fly over campus/tailgating/downtown/route 8 pre-game, then hover over the stadium during the game. It could be done with or without Goodyear sponsorship. I think it would add a lot to the atmosphere.The tire drum would be fun to bring out if we had a throwback game and wore retro uniforms. Otherwise, to me it represents the old dirty industrial Akron and subsequent flight of the rubber factories out of town. Some kind of unique drum made out of space-age polymer materials would be cool though.

Can't we ask Goodyear to fly the real blimp over The Info for our home games? It's certainly going to be a community event and I see the blimp out flying around all the time anyway.

If people in Akron don't buy Goodyear replacement tires for their vehicle, seeing the blimp over UofA events won't change their mind. In the end, the Blimp is an advertising platform and 25,000 people at ICS pales in comparison to the 100,000+ and TV exposure they would get in Happy Valley or Ann Arbor. I think we see the Goodyear blimp when ICS opens, but not much after that.

[zipseuph]

I think the whole tire drum thing would be a great way to link us to our rich history of inventions. and besides the rubber era was probably a far better era for Akron than today. if you think the place was dirty then I would hate to hear your thoughts on it now. Akron has been the home of so many inventions that we would have to pick one to go with. one day the polymer thing just might dry up and then what would we do with a "polymer tire" I want the tire drum back because it is a uniqe way to celebrate Akrons rich history in a way that would give us a staple for our sporting events.

[ZippyRulz]

Yes, the Goodyear blimps are always in use at large network-covered games, that's why we need our own but I'd think Goodyear would be willing to pitch in. Bring back the Spirit of Akron !

[Captain Kangaroo]

Just out of curiosity...I wonder what Goodyear has contributed to Infocision Stadium? I'll guess -- nothing. Am I close?For Summa to out-contribute a company the size of Goodyear is pretty sad.

[Zipsrifle]

Goodyear was in some pretty dire straits over the past few years, but yea, you would think they would pony up enough cash to pay for a gate or something!

[zipseuph]

so don't put goodyears name on the tire. or maybe go to them to get some funding for this thing. maybe goodyear didn't donate any money to the stadium because no one asked them to. maybe if we can use this tire to get the door open back up between goodyear and the U.