Switching Conferences

[Class of 82]

I'm sorry, but I simply don't see what's so unappealing about the MAC. Without Cincy and Louisville, C-USA looks an awful lot like the MAC in my eyes, only a lot more spread out and disjointed (not to mention unstable).And if you ask me, the Big East's BCS standing seems more than a little precarious, and the BCS is the primary reason you might want to get there as far as football goes, isn't it? In basketball, I fail to see how adding Akron would be seen (at least as things stand currently) as a positive gain by the other schools.Maybe it's just me, but the prospect of becoming the premier power in the MAC sounds pretty darned good and pretty attainable. When we do THAT, maybe I'd be ready to talk about other goals. But what's wrong with first things first?P.S. Just giving my opinion. No intent to insult or disrespect anyone else's opinion, which they are fully entitled to.

[ZachTheZip]

I'm sorry, but I simply don't see what's so unappealing about the MAC. Without Cincy and Louisville, C-USA looks an awful lot like the MAC in my eyes, only a lot more spread out and disjointed (not to mention unstable).And if you ask me, the Big East's BCS standing seems more than a little precarious, and the BCS is the primary reason you might want to get there as far as football goes, isn't it? In basketball, I fail to see how adding Akron would be seen (at least as things stand currently) as a positive gain by the other schools.Maybe it's just me, but the prospect of becoming the premier power in the MAC sounds pretty darned good and pretty attainable. When we do THAT, maybe I'd be ready to talk about other goals. But what's wrong with first things first?P.S. Just giving my opinion. No intent to insult or disrespect anyone else's opinion, which they are fully entitled to.

What's unappealing about the MAC is the lack of any money whatsoever, along with being forced to play weeknight games just to have the chance of being on TV, plus playing a bunch of no-name schools, plus the terrible officiating, not to mention that nobody will take the team seriously as long as they are in the MAC.Being the premier power in the MAC doesn't mean anything to anyone beyond the 200 or so fans of the conference.

[Dr Z]

Let's win a few championships in football and make a few trips to the NCAA tournament in basketball. Let's fill our new stadium game in and game out for a couple of years. Let's fill up the JAR more than once or twice a year. Then maybe... just maybe... we can start talking about this.

Explain to me why we have to win all these things first before we "move on"?Can't we get really good somewhere else just as easy (if not easier) than where we are?I'm not saying we are moving or not, I just don't understand the point of "winning" and THEN moving.

[Ryno aka Menace]

Let's win a few championships in football and make a few trips to the NCAA tournament in basketball. Let's fill our new stadium game in and game out for a couple of years. Let's fill up the JAR more than once or twice a year. Then maybe... just maybe... we can start talking about this.

Explain to me why we have to win all these things first before we "move on"?Can't we get really good somewhere else just as easy (if not easier) than where we are?I'm not saying we are moving or not, I just don't understand the point of "winning" and THEN moving.

Exactly Louisville, Cinci, South Florida, and UConn haven't won jack!! Neither has East Carolina, or Memphis which are the other teams rumored to be going next. Hell I wouldn't be surprised if Marshall and Central Florida beat us to the punch and move to the B.E. first.

[GP1]

I have a better idea. Let's go to a conference where we compete well and earn trips to our league championship game and bowl games. We can create interest with post season play and league championships and give the people of NE Ohio something to go watch other than loses against larger programs. That league would be..........the OAC. We aren't going anywhere and that is a good thing.

I thought all you division three homies were dead.GP1, I always thought you had vision and a vested interest in the growth and development of the Zips.Your post reads like something straight out of the sixties. Back then, people argued against moving up to the (dare I say it?) MAC. I heard all those whiny short sighted arguments back then. The Zipsmoved and improved. It is time to move up again.The up side is just too great to pass by. Its all about money. Its all about ambition. Its all aboutpride. Its all about the community. Its all about recognition.Come on, GP1, join the future.

Please do not change my quote and go on a rant about my opinion if you change my opinion. My original post says the MAC and not the OAC.

[zen]

Let's win a few championships in football and make a few trips to the NCAA tournament in basketball. Let's fill our new stadium game in and game out for a couple of years. Let's fill up the JAR more than once or twice a year. Then maybe... just maybe... we can start talking about this.

Explain to me why we have to win all these things first before we "move on"?Can't we get really good somewhere else just as easy (if not easier) than where we are?I'm not saying we are moving or not, I just don't understand the point of "winning" and THEN moving.

Exactly Louisville, Cinci, South Florida, and UConn haven't won jack!! Neither has East Carolina, or Memphis which are the other teams rumored to be going next. Hell I wouldn't be surprised if Marshall and Central Florida beat us to the punch and move to the B.E. first.

Seriously, I wonder how much of a helpful factor it is when your recruiter can tell a player that you can play in the Big East.

[UA1987]

Let's win a few championships in football and make a few trips to the NCAA tournament in basketball. Let's fill our new stadium game in and game out for a couple of years. Let's fill up the JAR more than once or twice a year. Then maybe... just maybe... we can start talking about this.

Explain to me why we have to win all these things first before we "move on"?Can't we get really good somewhere else just as easy (if not easier) than where we are?I'm not saying we are moving or not, I just don't understand the point of "winning" and THEN moving.

I don't know exactly what Class of 82 meant, but if we do not start to win consistently over the next few years, 5 years from now the Info will be half full on good days and on other days Mount Union will out draw us.. Few fans, no revenue, no recruits, no conference would be interested.

[ZachTheZip]

Let's win a few championships in football and make a few trips to the NCAA tournament in basketball. Let's fill our new stadium game in and game out for a couple of years. Let's fill up the JAR more than once or twice a year. Then maybe... just maybe... we can start talking about this.

Explain to me why we have to win all these things first before we "move on"?Can't we get really good somewhere else just as easy (if not easier) than where we are?I'm not saying we are moving or not, I just don't understand the point of "winning" and THEN moving.

Exactly Louisville, Cinci, South Florida, and UConn haven't won jack!! Neither has East Carolina, or Memphis which are the other teams rumored to be going next. Hell I wouldn't be surprised if Marshall and Central Florida beat us to the punch and move to the B.E. first.

Seriously, I wonder how much of a helpful factor it is when your recruiter can tell a player that you can play in the Big East.

People go on about how playing "big name" teams helps recruiting. In a Big East scenario every single conference game is against a "big name" (but usually beatable) team, plus any major non-conference games we would end up scheduling. Plus, you always have a shot to play for a national title, while right now the best thing we can hope to achieve is a game in Detroit in the middle of winter.

[GP1]

Come on, GP1, join the future.

How much "building for the future" can we take? A bridge to China would take less time. I don't know about you guys, but 20+ years of DI-A futility is a bit much to take. The future is now. It's time to start winning and get people to the games. We have a good AD with some good teams and coaches....let's do something with it so you guys can stop wasting your money and time going to see futility or the future being built or whatever rationalization you want to come up with. Wouldn't it be more fun to go watch a MAC Champion play and bowl games and games that really matter in November.This whole idea that we need to constantly lose under the guise of "building for the future" is insane. I actually think many on this board have seen so much losing they are addicted to it and psychologically the move to another conference is a move to heap more abuse upon themselves. UofA would get killed in football, basketball and just about every other sport people care about in the Big East. Can you imagine what UCONN's W BB team would do to ours? Yikes it would be ugly. You don't get recognized for losing, you just get forgotten. I know this isn't football, but how many of you need to be reminded that Providence and Seaton Hall have teams in the Big East? They aren't recognized because they are forgotten and their fans stop going to games years ago.Any move to the Big East would require an immediate increase of seats to InfoCision Stadium to at a minimun 50,000 seats (double the size). Where is the money going to come from? Santa Claus? More bonds? Has anyone seen the bond ratings for governments around NE Ohio? InfoCision will be a GREAT MAC stadium. Let's use it to become a great MAC team.

[Class of 82]

I'm sorry, but I simply don't see what's so unappealing about the MAC. Without Cincy and Louisville, C-USA looks an awful lot like the MAC in my eyes, only a lot more spread out and disjointed (not to mention unstable).And if you ask me, the Big East's BCS standing seems more than a little precarious, and the BCS is the primary reason you might want to get there as far as football goes, isn't it? In basketball, I fail to see how adding Akron would be seen (at least as things stand currently) as a positive gain by the other schools.Maybe it's just me, but the prospect of becoming the premier power in the MAC sounds pretty darned good and pretty attainable. When we do THAT, maybe I'd be ready to talk about other goals. But what's wrong with first things first?P.S. Just giving my opinion. No intent to insult or disrespect anyone else's opinion, which they are fully entitled to.

What's unappealing about the MAC is the lack of any money whatsoever, along with being forced to play weeknight games just to have the chance of being on TV, plus playing a bunch of no-name schools, plus the terrible officiating, not to mention that nobody will take the team seriously as long as they are in the MAC.Being the premier power in the MAC doesn't mean anything to anyone beyond the 200 or so fans of the conference.

Lack of money? That has a lot more to do with empty seats in the Rubber Bowl than the conference we're affiliated with. If we consistently fill the new stadium, getting decent home-and-home agreements becomes more than realistic. Heck, Indiana is the opener. I think that will be only the first of many good OOC home games to come.And if being the premier power in the MAC is meaningless, then we're in deep trouble, because we haven't even been consistently competitive in the MAC since we joined. So far, our achievements in the MAC include one shared division title that got us nowhere and one minor bowl game that we lost.Bottom line... I guess I'm just encouraging a little patience and pragmatic realism.

[GP1]

Let's win a few championships in football and make a few trips to the NCAA tournament in basketball. Let's fill our new stadium game in and game out for a couple of years. Let's fill up the JAR more than once or twice a year. Then maybe... just maybe... we can start talking about this.

Explain to me why we have to win all these things first before we "move on"?Can't we get really good somewhere else just as easy (if not easier) than where we are?I'm not saying we are moving or not, I just don't understand the point of "winning" and THEN moving.

Exactly Louisville, Cinci, South Florida, and UConn haven't won jack!! Neither has East Carolina, or Memphis which are the other teams rumored to be going next. Hell I wouldn't be surprised if Marshall and Central Florida beat us to the punch and move to the B.E. first.

Seriously, I wonder how much of a helpful factor it is when your recruiter can tell a player that you can play in the Big East.

Great question zen. Let's examine this.In recent years, we have recruited the type of player you need to succeed in the Big East and few of them are on the roster now because the University does not do what is necessary to keep those kids in school. That has not changed.If we join the Big East, how many of you who have been critical of JD's recruiting will keep your mouths shut when at risk kids start showing up again and the school has no way to support them? Pitt is taking them, Rutgers is taking them, WVU is taking them, Louisville is taking them and the others do also. Do you guys think we will be able to win with the suburban league teams you guys so yearn for?

[Class of 82]

Let's win a few championships in football and make a few trips to the NCAA tournament in basketball. Let's fill our new stadium game in and game out for a couple of years. Let's fill up the JAR more than once or twice a year. Then maybe... just maybe... we can start talking about this.

Explain to me why we have to win all these things first before we "move on"?Can't we get really good somewhere else just as easy (if not easier) than where we are?I'm not saying we are moving or not, I just don't understand the point of "winning" and THEN moving.

I don't know exactly what Class of 82 meant, but if we do not start to win consistently over the next few years, 5 years from now the Info will be half full on good days and on other days Mount Union will out draw us.. Few fans, no revenue, no recruits, no conference would be interested.

I agree. But then the answer is to start winning consistently, isn't it? In the long run, a crappy Big East or C-USA program that can't compete with the best MAC teams isn't going to draw any better than a mediocre MAC team that can't beat the best MAC teams.What needs to happen, IMO, is for the brain trust running our program to take full advantage of the new stadium and the excitement (and attendance) that it generates. If we do that, then maybe someday we can "move up" to a better conference and actually be ready for it when we get there.

[UA1987]

Let's win a few championships in football and make a few trips to the NCAA tournament in basketball. Let's fill our new stadium game in and game out for a couple of years. Let's fill up the JAR more than once or twice a year. Then maybe... just maybe... we can start talking about this.

Explain to me why we have to win all these things first before we "move on"?Can't we get really good somewhere else just as easy (if not easier) than where we are?I'm not saying we are moving or not, I just don't understand the point of "winning" and THEN moving.

I don't know exactly what Class of 82 meant, but if we do not start to win consistently over the next few years, 5 years from now the Info will be half full on good days and on other days Mount Union will out draw us.. Few fans, no revenue, no recruits, no conference would be interested.

I agree. But then the answer is to start winning consistently, isn't it? In the long run, a crappy Big East or C-USA program that can't compete with the best MAC teams isn't going to draw any better than a mediocre MAC team that can't beat the best MAC teams.What needs to happen, IMO, is for the brain trust running our program to take full advantage of the new stadium and the excitement (and attendance) that it generates. If we do that, then maybe someday we can "move up" to a better conference and actually be ready for it when we get there.

I can agree with that. I cannot imagine anyone considering us for an offer to move until we can prove we have fans and can generate revenue at home over the next several years. Fans will come to Akron with consistant winning against reasonable and interesting competition.

[dgull021878]

The defeatists attitudes on here really sickens me. Greater Akron...hell, NE Ohio has such a inferiority complex...it really disgusts me.I've read complaints over the years from fans who wondered why would we move to D1...?? WTF?I've read complaints about fans wondering why would we build a new stadium...?? WTF??I've read complaints from fans questioning Akron and other MAC teams playing the Nebraska's of the world? ...again WTF?Now someone on this board states we could get "killed" by any Big East team? ARE YOU SERIOUS?Do we feel that inferior that we would give the Big East that much respect?THIS ISN'T THE 90'S!! This isn't the era of Mac teams playing Big 12 teams and getting destroyed 70-0!!The MAC has taken it lumps and bruises and embarrasments....guess what....that gamble paid off. The sacrifices paid off.How you ask??On any given Thurs, Fri, or Sat, you can see a MAC team "upset" a big school. This is not unheard of....its not uncommon....frankly, it's becoming normal.Yes, MAC teams are coming into their own. We don't get respect unless we whoop a "big" schools ass, but the saddest part is we don't even give OURSELVES credit.Why are people so surprised when an Akron beats Syracuse <- By all rights, we were supposed to. We're better.Why be surprised when Toledo "upsets" a team, or BG, or Ball State, or Miami, or CMU...etc.Take stock of the MAC's accomplishments -> WE ARE LEGITIMATE CONTENDERS!!So with that, I say FORGET THE BIG EAST!! The MAC continues to improve it's talent and competitiveness with each passing season. At some point, we'll get the respect and THE HOME GAMES AGAINST SO-CALLED BIG-SCHOOLS!!2 Problems however, still exist.1) The MAC needs to quit accepting any old team into the conference. You dillute the competition and prestige. We need to build the prestige of the league so that we can COMMAND the respect we yearn for.2) We lack the notoriety, alumni base, and fan support. This is primarily due to our "Big Brother" the Big 10 and high school football in the Midwest (it's a religion in these here parts). It's hard to compete with such a deep tradition, but if we don't dilute the league and continue on our path, we can be more competitive on a "commercial" level.Point is....STAY WITH THE MAC!

[zip81]

Win Baby...just win. ...and things like conferences will be taken care of on their own.

[Zip Watcher]

Moderator Note: I HEAVILY edited the "Football Country" post above for obscenities ... this is a public board that does involve younger viewers .. let's keep it clean folks.Go Zips.

[zip81]

let's keep it clean folks.Go Zips.

+1

[dgull021878]

Moderator Note: I HEAVILY edited the "Football Country" post above for obscenities ... this is a public board that does involve younger viewers .. let's keep it clean folks.Go Zips.

...my badd folks

[ZachTheZip]

Moderator Note: I HEAVILY edited the "Football Country" post above for obscenities ... this is a public board that does involve younger viewers .. let's keep it clean folks.Go Zips.

Could you make it so the whole thing's not bold? I like to think we're above the usual internet shenanigans (all caps, all bold, trolling, every word misspelled, ect.)

[Dead Horse]

The three most popular topics on MAC boards are:1. Fire the coach2. Bring in a new QB3. Move to another conferencePlease stop beating me!!!!

[Dr Z]

The three most popular topics on MAC boards are:1. Fire the coach2. Bring in a new QB3. Move to another conferencePlease stop beating me!!!!

Sports media makes a living beating you. Have you ever watched an ESPN pregame show?1. Control the line of scrimmage. 2.Limit turnovers. 3. Establish a run game. Millions watch it each week.The nice thing about the forum here is that nobody puts a gun to your head and makes you click on a thread entitled "Switching Conferences"We also encourage you to start your own creative and intelligent topics. We are all looking forward to it.

[zen]

The three most popular topics on MAC boards are:1. Fire the coach2. Bring in a new QB3. Move to another conferencePlease stop beating me!!!!

Sports media makes a living beating you. Have you ever watched an ESPN pregame show?1. Control the line of scrimmage. 2.Limit turnovers. 3. Establish a run game. Millions watch it each week.The nice thing about the forum here is that nobody puts a gun to your head and makes you click on a thread entitled "Switching Conferences"We also encourage you to start your own creative and intelligent topics. We are all looking forward to it.

lol@calling yourself 'dead horse'anyway, Dr.Z is so right it's not even funny.The problem with the advice you just gave is that it doesn't help them.What they want is to censor topics they disagree with.They could care less about having other intelligent discussions.

[Zips Win!]

Santa Claus?

Fausty the Snowman might chip in!!

[GP1]

Santa Claus?

Fausty the Snowman

My favorite Rubber Bowl memory.....