CSU to the MAC?

[MDZip]

I usually stay away from these subjects, but i feel the need to interject here. IMHO both sides are deluded to what the real problem has been. I love my home town, but this whole why don't they do this for us complex has to go. It's just another chicken or the egg debate. How long do we have to repeat the aged mantra of "If only the Cleveland stations/Beacon would give us coverage" spiel? We can't expect them to build the program for us, it has to be the other way around, and it is happening. What was the difference between the student sections at the Cant game?? Where were the AK-oldies in 94' when we truly sucked??? The program is growing because the fans are organizing themselves. Brining the "cheer" leader in from the b-ball games?? Brilliant. Look at TxA&M, they've done this for years and their game days have become legendary, not just because they won games (especially now). If the fans/students have fun they will return (more so if we win) and our fan base is growing. In fact we may have the best game day experience in the MAC right now. The AK-oldies is just the start, i foresee many spirit groups in the future and expanded activities once we settle into the 411. Will the band march through campus?? Will groups reserve their own tailgating zones?.............................. yes! i believe so. Will it be because ch3 sent a camera crew....... no. If we have the biggest party in NEOhio will they want to know what is going on?............yes! Will a winning team help..... of course! Will we see an attendance boost from the 411....... yes Will that boost wane?...... yes. Will that matter if our base grows (w/out free ticket give aways)...... no! Will Cant do the same?...... probably not. Would it help the rivalry, the MAC, and our profile in the Cleveland/Akron Metro area if they do.... YES (think Browns/Steelers, OSU/UM) Do i want to see house divided UA/Can't State bumper stickers?.................... yes and my brother can kiss my roo loving Point is, if you want something done right..... do it yourself. Stop waiting for someone else to do the work!

Something else I think is kind of a positive sgn - when I joined this board only about a year and a half ago, I was member number 1310. I'm encouraged by all of the new posters and just noticed that the number recently went over 5000. I know they're not all active, but an icrease of over 3500 in a year and a half is pretty encouraging. I really think there is some momentum starting to build. Part of that has to be attributable to the basketball team's success over the last few years, c'mon football, help us out (the 05 MACC is arting to look a little stale ).

[tbozeglav]

It's not just basketball and the fact LeBron is supporting Akron's basketball program, its other sports too. Men's soccer is downright amazing and every game I have been to here at home has had a large attendance.Want to know an interesting fact? Akron is playing OSU on Nov 7 and so far the AK-Rowdies president has gotten so many people who want to go that we currently plan on taking 3 tour busses full of students... FOR A SOCCER GAME. Imagine what the possibilities could be once football starts picking up more wins

[Wally B]

Like i said, it's everything all together. The school is moving forward, the fans are organizing, and the exposure on ESPN/etc. is helping. Don't believe me?? i live in rural central NC in a county seat of 20,000 that's the heart of NASCAR, with resident legend - King Richard Petty. I was passed on a local street by a red pick-up sporting a large A-roo decal on the back window! (screw my co-worker who has a tiny Can't State-alumni sticker in her side window that baby was BIG!) I LOVE IT! GO ZIPS!OT Side note: I'm not that passionate about the roo-zoo moniker.... .. A group of Roo's is known as a mob.... I'd much prefer the MOB SQUAD or some variation thereof.

[Wally B]

It's not just basketball and the fact LeBron is supporting Akron's basketball program, its other sports too. Men's soccer is downright amazing and every game I have been to here at home has had a large attendance.Want to know an interesting fact? Akron is playing OSU on Nov 7 and so far the AK-Rowdies president has gotten so many people who want to go that we currently plan on taking 3 tour busses full of students... FOR A SOCCER GAME. Imagine what the possibilities could be once football starts picking up more wins

FOR A SOCCER GAME..... Don't underestimate the power or draw of Akron's most successful team............

For you non soccer folks - check the stats at the end, not to mention the passion of the fans interacting with the students! Down here UNCG - is one of the top teams in the country and i love watching Akron when they visit. UNCG has one of, if not the, best facilities in the nation and has it's soccer team host homecoming every year. I don't know if tOSU has the same following.....

[Wally B]

One last thought.... think of the coverage we'd get from the Cleveland media after we beat the Vikes! Brings out passion in soccer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmlbNiRfo90&NR=1Gotta love the ROWDIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to see the same thing at the last Rubber Bowl game!

[scottditzen]

My two cents...I live in the Cleveland market and have to say Akron has gotten A TON of publicity from the MAC b-ball tournament here in Cleveland.WKNR does a fantastic job building interest in this event, and their shows with Tony Rizzo and Kenny Roda are filled with callers from Akron and Can't and other MAC schools, talking up all the rivalries. They love it. Even Bernie Kosar came on the Rizzo show to talk about how he much liked Akron, and how he thought the Zips got screwed vs. Miami with "the shot." In fact, the media up here was drooling over the idea of an Akron-Can't State final. Local media was talking about selling out the Q. Then we shot ourselves by getting killed that game. Anyhow back to football. There are tons of potential fans up here in Cleveland area who are starving for either:A. A winning team or B. A big party We all want both, but the U has to realize just how important B. is as well. It is essential that the school help foster a fun atmosphere and total fan experience on gameday. This is the best way for the program to gain more interest from sports fans in Akron, Cleveland and all over. And it will bring back our alumni too. The BG game was proof positive that we're heading in the right direction with tailgating at least. So much fun that day. With the new stadium on deck, this is a once in a lifetime chance to start off on the right foot. To start a new and positive chapter in the history of Akron sports. So lets keep the party going!!!

[zip81]

Having the stadium on campus and all that goes with it is going to be major fun.

[zipsbandman]

Our fan base is growing. Our campus is starting to attract the traditional college student. I think the BG game proved me right. Even with the weather, I never would have imagined seeing the rubber bowl packed to see a .500 zips football team against an opponent other than Can't State. I don't recall seeing a packed homecoming game period in my time at UA. When I was a freshman, the thought of a student section was laughable. Yet we had an entire section of Rowdies with thundersticks on Saturday. Awesome We'd be opening up those endzone seats if we had a team like Ball State's. Soccer games at UA are like going to high school football games. Those are even packed. Also, zipsnation is like a bee hive nowadays. Lots of new posters and tons of new messages posted each day.