Tailgating

[Zipsrifle]

Just called and ordered my season tickets. Apparently Zipsfest is no more (or will move) and they are going to have reserved spots for tailgaing in this area. Now, I'm not sure if it's up by the stadium near the beer tent or where the displays were last year. Anybody grab this $40 option? I'm cheap so I probably won't go this route.

[Z-P]

Hey ZR.............

Where did that pic come from? That was from 03 because I see Jud Cummins in the shot, correct?

BTW this is Z-P OTR (as ususal)

[InTheZone]

Hey ZR.............

Where did that pic come from? That was from 03 because I see Jud Cummins in the shot, correct?

BTW this is Z-P OTR (as ususal)

That can't be from '03 because we are playing Miami at home. I don't see Jud in that picture anywhere. Cummins was a RT anyways and you can't see the RT in that pic.

[Z-P]

ITZ..........

You're probably right...........upon a closer peek, I'm seeing another number at G.

However, there were multiple protection sets depending on the play call, so JC was at various places depending on the action............but mostly backside T.

That's still one hell of a photo............where did ZR get it? I'd like to see more.

[InTheZone]

I'd like to see some pictures from the spring game. Hey UAM, I saw somebody taking pics at the game, how come they were never put up on gozips.com??

[Zipsrifle]

The pics are on Gozips.com. Under the story archive. The two best sets of pics are from the Marshall game and from the Miami game.

Marshall pics

Miami pics

I spent about 2 hours trying to find a picture of the RB Packed for something on MACbbs, but I was unsuccessful. Who did UA hire to take pictures? I've seen 3 great crowds in the past 2 years.

[Captain Kangaroo]

At the risk of ruining the "Photography Thread" I'll revert back to the original question "What's up with the new tailgating area?"

As someone who's got about two decades worth of Rubber Bowl tailgating under his belt, I'll offer the following thoughts:

* $40.00 for a season pass to the tailgate lot is about $25.00 more than tailgating in the grass lot. For the extra $25.00 it does seem like you get a good return:

- Prizes

- Paved area (nice on a rainy/muddy day)

- Sponsor offers

- Personalized sign (if it is "Zippy on a Stick" I'm filing a lawsuit)

- Invite to a pre-season coaches "outing?" (Golf? Croquet? Hunting? It wasn't specified)

What do you forfeit?

- Tradition...the "Grade A" Zips tailgating has been along the fence in the lower bowl for years. Old habits are tough to break.

- Tents are nice to erect on very sunny or rainy days. Tough to stake a tent down on asphalt. Note: If there's no wind, it is no problem

- In the grass, your buddies can pull up their cars and you can essentially have your own tailgate party with no size restrictions. Pull the grills, tents, etc out of the truck and off you go. Now it gets more complex. My buddies aren't going to shell out $15.00 per game, or $40 per season to park in the Rubber Bowl lot. I might, but they won't. Do they lug their stuff from the grass lot to the asphalt? One of us shells out the $15.00 for the asphalt spot and the others shell out the $4.00 for the grass parking?

- Will the public in-general "buy into" the asphalt parking concept? Remember: These are the same cheap-ass fans that needed to be begged with freebie tickets to come to Zips games.

- Tailgaters are primarily do-it-yourselfers. They aren't into the "prefabricated fun."

I think that's one reason the Zipsfest concept didn't catch on. "Tailgaters" are in the lot hanging with their friends...eating their food...tossing a football...jawing with opponents fans, etc. Not listening to tribute bands.

In my perfect world there would have been a paved road leading from the Zipsfest area out towards the BMX track. A tailgate "midway" could have been created with cars parked on either side of the paved "road." This would have kept the traditional tailgate area intact.

Can the tailgating in the front, asphalt area work? Hey, it could be great. You see designated lots like this at virtually every stadium and they end up being a great party atmosphere. Packing all the serious tailgaters into one nice area could essentially create a "new tradition?"

One suggestion is that the University mark off the lots spaces and designate space numbers today/now. I wouldn't mind prepaying for a spot if I could guarantee where I was placed...how big the lot was...etc. That way I could go down to the bowl and size it up. The University could even do this in a .pdf and send it out to the season ticket holders. The .pdf could be updated as the spots fill up on gozips.com.

I'm going to have to give it some thought and ask some more questions to the University before I can say I'll do it. It's a tough call at the moment...like buying a pig in a poke. I need to peek in the poke.

BTW: Here was my favorite pic:

[Zipsrifle]

Excellent points Cap'n. I think the ones that hits home the most are the parking for friends. Every game I have a different number of friends showing up. For the ones that show up with me, we like to park together, block off a little area and set up. I also think that your idea of having a paved road right down the middle is an excellent idea. Put the party in the middle. Nobody will know you're up front till they walk to the game. That is also the narrowest area of the parking lot. Maybe UA should come here to test their ideas. Our consulting fee could cover the cost of the site!

[ZipDude]

Oh my Padre you are MOTO (Master of the Obvious) that pic is from 03 and in fact it is 78 himself in the flesh.

I could go for some more of those myself.

[Kangaroo Craig]

I looked on line for the tailgate option, but could not find it. Could someone help me? I noticed that if you order the family pass (4 general admission tix), it says something about a special tailgate area. is this what they are talking about? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Zipsrifle]

I called the UA ticket office and they offered it to me after I bought my ticket. I suggest giving them a ring.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I called the UA ticket office and they offered it to me after I bought my ticket. I suggest giving them a ring.

If the University really wants this thing to be successful, they need to educate and promote it pretty heavily between now and September. If it is simply a word-of-mouth thing via the ticket office and a few fliers at the Spring Game, it will fail.

How about an "Inagural Tailgate Event" on the August Meet the Team Day? Have the team set up down in the new tailgate area and "sell off" the pre-marked spots for the home opener. The key is the home opener. If it is packed for that, it will be fine for the remainder of the season.

Also, if this area is packed with "corporate types" and the real fans are shut out...it will fail.

Also...I think year #1 should be a freebie, and fees should be added in subsequent seasons. If it is fun and well organized, people will pay a nominal fee to do it in 2006. If the initial season isn't free, at least the first game should be. Charging $15.00 for tailgating in a fixed area on asphalt, when you can do the same for $3.00 in the nearby grass with 100% parking flexibility, is a tough sell to the Akron Tailgaters. Trust me.

That's my thoughts after about 100 tailgate parties in the Rubber Bowl lot over the past 20 years.

[GP1]

Hey ZR.............

Where did that pic come from? That was from 03 because I see Jud Cummins in the shot, correct?

BTW this is Z-P OTR (as ususal)

They played at Miami in 03. It has to be 04 because the uniform change was made in 03 and they are at the Rubber Bowl.

[Dr Z]

If the University really wants this thing to be successful, they need to educate and promote it pretty heavily between now and September.

How about an "Inagural Tailgate Event" on the August Meet the Team Day?  Have the team set up down in the new tailgate area and "sell off" the pre-marked spots for the home opener. 

Also...I think year #1 should be a freebie, and fees should be added in subsequent seasons.

Excellent points !

[Zipsrifle]

Oh my Padre you are MOTO (Master of the Obvious) that pic is from 03 and in fact it is 78 himself in the flesh.

I could go for some more of those myself

OK, to start off with, I gave the links to the pics. They are at Gozips.com from the Miami game this year at the RB. I don't think anyone at UA would throw an '03 pic in just to screw with us. In addition, they don't have beige walls with blue bleachers at Yeager. I don't think we played them at night in '03 either.

Now to my second point.

If the University really wants this thing to be successful, they need to educate and promote it pretty heavily between now and September. If it is simply a word-of-mouth thing via the ticket office and a few fliers at the Spring Game, it will fail.

How about an "Inagural Tailgate Event" on the August Meet the Team Day? Have the team set up down in the new tailgate area and "sell off" the pre-marked spots for the home opener. The key is the home opener. If it is packed for that, it will be fine for the remainder of the season.

Also, if this area is packed with "corporate types" and the real fans are shut out...it will fail.

Also...I think year #1 should be a freebie, and fees should be added in subsequent seasons. If it is fun and well organized, people will pay a nominal fee to do it in 2006. If the initial season isn't free, at least the first game should be. Charging $15.00 for tailgating in a fixed area on asphalt, when you can do the same for $3.00 in the nearby grass with 100% parking flexibility, is a tough sell to the Akron Tailgaters. Trust me.

That's my thoughts after about 100 tailgate parties in the Rubber Bowl lot over the past 20 years.

CK to UAM: Hello, UAM,...this is the Captain. Where is my check for consulting on the RB Tailgate project?

[ZipDude]

i don't know how to do the quote thing, But I think soimeone is right and someone is wrong. The game was against Miami and that was in 04. But 78 did sometimes get flipped over on the left side either inside or outside the left tackel, whoever was playing on that play. It certainly looks like him. I see 61 62 69 79 but maybe its Little Gres there.

Sorry

[KingZip]

The idea about the selection process taking place in the preseason would be a good idea if meet the team day were at the bowl. That event was at the fieldhouse last year and I was told will be there again from now on.

"If the University really wants this thing to be successful, they need to educate and promote it pretty heavily between now and September. If it is simply a word-of-mouth thing via the ticket office and a few fliers at the Spring Game, it will fail.

How about an "Inagural Tailgate Event" on the August Meet the Team Day? Have the team set up down in the new tailgate area and "sell off" the pre-marked spots for the home opener. The key is the home opener. If it is packed for that, it will be fine for the remainder of the season.

Also, if this area is packed with "corporate types" and the real fans are shut out...it will fail.

Also...I think year #1 should be a freebie, and fees should be added in subsequent seasons. If it is fun and well organized, people will pay a nominal fee to do it in 2006. If the initial season isn't free, at least the first game should be. Charging $15.00 for tailgating in a fixed area on asphalt, when you can do the same for $3.00 in the nearby grass with 100% parking flexibility, is a tough sell to the Akron Tailgaters. Trust me.

That's my thoughts after about 100 tailgate parties in the Rubber Bowl lot over the past 20 years."