Can Akron every outgrow the MAC

[Zips fan]

The MAC is a solid midwestern conference that has tremendous history and a collection of schools that have been around for over 50 years. Akron has invested in its facilities and made no secret that the school has aspirations of moving up if the opportunity arises. Will The University of Akron ever be able to achieve at such a high level that we will be in line to move up? The are several schools with strong traditions (Toledo, Miami, WMU) that have not even come close to making the jump. Our facilities are top notch, but our revenue and operational expenses are very MAC level right now. I know football is having a bad couple of weeks, but will we ever break the MAC level crowds? Are we destined to be rivals with Can't forever and battle the rest of this conference with mid level support, mid level budgets, and occasional upsets that are rare enough to only get the locals attention for a week or two. What will it take for Akron to grow bigger that our counterparts? We have an awesome new stadium and we still are battling for attendance. I like the MAC and think it is where we belong currently, however; I fear that if we don't start to capitalize on our enhanced facilities now, others will catch up and we will be MAC forever.

[zipsbandman]

Shouldn't the question be can Akron compete in the MAC?

[bandzip]

Are you serious? The question right now should be can Akron compete in the MAC?

My thoughts exactly.

[zip37]

Let's win the conf in several other sports i.e. vollyball, softball.baseball etc. on a regular basis then things will fall in place.

[zipsbandman]

Let's win the conf in several other sports i.e. vollyball, softball.baseball etc. on a regular basis then things will fall in place.

Has not worked for Can't

[Z.I.P.]

I like the MAC and think it is where we belong currently, however; I fear that if we don't start to capitalize on our enhanced facilities now, others will catch up and we will be MAC forever.

I'd rather be satisfied with being "MAC forever", than being known as Marshall was, as "too good for the MAC". My greater fear is that we might have the limited success that Marshall had -- or that occurred 25 yrs ago at NIU -- and immediately put ourselves in those schools' place. I'd be very happy to have Akron as the dominant program in the MAC. In fact, that's my highest estimation.Now, before it goes any further, where's that new emoticon? Why can't you find a dead horse when you need one?

[Spin]

Interesting question. I follow four sports, don't know much about the rest.The men's basketball team could grow to that point one day. Maybe soon. The men's soccer team already has. In fact I can't get excited about watching them play the bottom half of ANY conference.Baseball, football, long way to go. The football staff has the tools to do some serious recruiting now, no more excuses.

[Valpo Zip]

Our facilities are top notch

Have you been to the JAR? how about Lee Jackson Field?

[Buckzip]

No, we are part of why the MAC sucks.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

Zips fan, your post suffers a bit from bad timing. Many of us here have been arguing for months now that the new facilities would help to create separation for UA, and it is my opinion that the Info was built with the idea of catalyzing the program into much bigger and better than the MAC has to offer. However, after seeing the Zips appear to have regressed on the field in such a depressing and demoralizing way this season, there are few who will entertain notions of grandeur for this program right now.I'm with you though, I very much look forward to BETTER COACHING, better recruiting, better teams and eventual move into a better conference. STZ

[Spin]

Well, you don't just build a new building, put the players from the RB recruiting era in it, and become world beaters overnight. It's going to take a few years before we see the benefits.In basketball, that's not as big a deal. Why? The 64 team NCAA Tournament. Just win the MAC Tourney, and you are in The Show. If there's an announcement for a new building soon, that helps. The Zips have a track record in the MAC, and a true center. Soccer, yes, need a new stadium. For the fans, and for the program. But we're a top 10 team and put players in the MLS. Recruits come here.

[mivid12]

Well, you don't just build a new building, put the players from the RB recruiting era in it, and become world beaters overnight. It's going to take a few years before we see the benefits.In basketball, that's not as big a deal. Why? The 64 team NCAA Tournament. Just win the MAC Tourney, and you are in The Show. If there's an announcement for a new building soon, that helps. The Zips have a track record in the MAC, and a true center. Soccer, yes, need a new stadium. For the fans, and for the program. But we're a top 10 team and put players in the MLS. Recruits come here.

nothing personal...but this could be one of the dumbests post ever....akron hardly competes in the MAC (thnx to a useless HC...but that'll change soon)how about just winning football games....how about winning more than you lose.........28-36

[RACER]

i don't kow if akron will ever get a chnce to get out of the mac.as long as we are in the mac the football program will not do much.you may get a 8-5 season with a bowl win at best.the mac has one big problem.no TV money.gate money means very little.most of the revenue comes from tv contracts;which the mac gets nothing.if they ever can build up to beating up on the mac .they need to jump ship the first chance they can to another conference.it would almost be worth it to jump into another b-ball conference depending which one.if football would have to go it alone for a few years.you probably would bring alott more $ from b-ball.when is the last time a mac school finished in the top 25.not was in the top 25 one time for one day,but actually finished the end of the season.the mac is a graveyard conference,and we are stuck in it for now.

[Zipmeister]

Until we dominate the conference in club baseball and rifle, we are stuck in the MAC.