The Student Section is Too Limited

[zipseuph]

http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/86071737.htmlyou guys might wanna check this one out

[#1 rowdy]

http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/86071737.htmlyou guys might wanna check this one out

Wow! Pretty much what everyone at ZN.O has been saying for some time. Hopefully Tom W. will read this and realize that something needs to be done.

[scottditzen]

Echoes the topic on WKNR this morning: Why OSU isn't drawing better. Despite the obvious differences in programs, there are similarities here, I think. And just like Gaffney, the conclusion of the WKNR callers is that the Schott is not an exciting environment for the students. Too many of the best seats are expensive, reserved for elderly, "low energy" fans lol. The JAR is seriously lacking, we all at ZN know this. I just hope the new AD is working on a plan for some drastic, much needed changes. p.s. On the bright side, it's really good to read the ABJ covering the issue

[Blue & Gold]

p.s. On the bright side, it's really good to read the ABJ covering the issue

AMEN!!! Thank you, Tom Gaffney!!!

[Quickzips]

Not sure what motivation the AD's office has to expand the student seating section when the Rowdies can't even fill the 176 seats they have right now on a regular basis. Basic economics, supply and demand. Demand is obviously not high enough for the GREAT seats the Rowdies already have, so why would they increase supply?

[Dr Z]

Not sure what motivation the AD's office has to expand the student seating section when the Rowdies can't even fill the 176 seats they have right now on a regular basis. Basic economics, supply and demand. Demand is obviously not high enough for the GREAT seats the Rowdies already have, so why would they increase supply?

Make the seats desirable to be in. That is easier said than done, but that's what needs to happen. That's why Youtube Tom gets paid the big bucks.

[zipfan85]

i think it's not so much for the rowdies, but for the non-rowdies. the article mentions how can't is able to fill their sections, but that's because they are not technically a student organization like the ak-rowdies. they just need to have the seats available for all students.

[Blue & Gold]

i think it's not so much for the rowdies, but for the non-rowdies. the article mentions how can't is able to fill their sections, but that's because they are not technically a student organization like the ak-rowdies. they just need to have the seats available for all students.

I go to Can't games on occassion with some unenlightened Can't State friends. The only time their student section is filled is for the Akron game.

[Blue & Gold]

Not sure what motivation the AD's office has to expand the student seating section when the Rowdies can't even fill the 176 seats they have right now on a regular basis. Basic economics, supply and demand. Demand is obviously not high enough for the GREAT seats the Rowdies already have, so why would they increase supply?

It is very disappointing that the Rowdies fail to fill those tiny sections. 1000 students for soccer, but less than 100 for basketball? Yeah, that's front-running @ it's best. I shudder to think what soccer attendance would be should we have a down year.But kudos to the Rowdies that do show up. You guys do a great job!

[Quickzips]

The article does have some good suggestions when it comes to marketing the team more, particularly to students. But like I said earlier, when it comes to the proposal to increase the designated student seating area, there just isn't a lot of reason for the AD's office to do that. It isn't like it costs that much to join the Rowdies (last I checked annual membership was $10). The seats they get offer a lot more than you regular general admission seats (chair backs if you do decide to sit down, not having to look around the track railings, being right on the floor). Yet they can't fill them most of the time. I know we are very limited by the overall crappiness of the seating layout in the JAR, and it is largely on the AD's office to drum up student support so that those seats do get filled, but still. Until the Student Section we have now is filled on a regular basis, and there starts to be more demand for good student seating, I don't think you will see major renovations to the JAR to increase student seating.

[RowdyZip]

The problem is the exclusiveness of the area. The ushers are like nazis looking for bands to get in. Check IDs, let all students in, and once it's packed every game, discuss expansion and selectivity

[ZachTheZip]

It's too late to change anything this year. Besides, TW hasn't even been here for a whole year yet so he hasn't had time to see how things work. I think you could make the student section the East chairs, and if it's a problem you could move the teams' benches to the other side.A unified student section exists for football games and soccer games, with every student able to sit there. You can do the same at the JAR. People join the Rowdies for the shirts and for the rewards that go along with it like organized road trips and early access to tickets. They'll still join without getting seats behind the baskets. And they'll still all sit together since they are the ones who get there early every game. But instead of being detached from the rest of the students they would form a strong core with all the other students around them.

[Flash]

i think it's not so much for the rowdies, but for the non-rowdies. the article mentions how can't is able to fill their sections, but that's because they are not technically a student organization like the ak-rowdies. they just need to have the seats available for all students.

I go to Can't games on occassion with some unenlightened Can't State friends. The only time their student section is filled is for the Akron game.

Na, both student sections were filled last weekend when Miami was in town, same with the ESPN Bracket Busters night. I will admit though that Wednesday games are not quite as packed as weekend matches.They really need to expand student seating in the JAR. The one side below the scoreboard is WAAAAY too small for a student section to affect the outcome of a game (K.S.U. game excluded). I know the MAC Center is soon going to be gutted to have a bowl-like seating arrangement around the court, perhaps Akron should think about doing the same.

[GoZips]

They really need to expand student seating in the JAR. The one side below the scoreboard is WAAAAY too small for a student section to affect the outcome of a game (K.S.U. game excluded). I know the MAC Center is soon going to be gutted to have a bowl-like seating arrangement around the court, perhaps Akron should think about doing the same.

Naw ... the University should stick with their plans to build an 11,000 seat arena (without a hockey rink).

[bUAkronG]

i think it's not so much for the rowdies, but for the non-rowdies. the article mentions how can't is able to fill their sections, but that's because they are not technically a student organization like the ak-rowdies. they just need to have the seats available for all students.

while you have a point, as other have stated, the seats should be made available to students.I've stated many times before that I am a huge Zips fan, but I am not a member of the Rowdies. I would jump at the chance to sit at the lower seats for a men's game.

[Dr Z]

i think it's not so much for the rowdies, but for the non-rowdies. the article mentions how can't is able to fill their sections, but that's because they are not technically a student organization like the ak-rowdies. they just need to have the seats available for all students.

while you have a point, as other have stated, the seats should be made available to students.I've stated many times before that I am a huge Zips fan, but I am not a member of the Rowdies. I would jump at the chance to sit at the lower seats for a men's game.

What is your reasoning for not joining the Rowdies? My student days have long passed. I'm fuzzy on the Rowdie-Rulz. $10 fee? Seems odd if your a student and there are empty seats in the "student" section, you can't get in unless your a Rowdie? Obviously there are hundreds of Rowdies that aren't even at the game.

[Z.I.P.]

Not sure what motivation the AD's office has to expand the student seating section when the Rowdies can't even fill the 176 seats they have right now on a regular basis. Basic economics, supply and demand. Demand is obviously not high enough for the GREAT seats the Rowdies already have, so why would they increase supply?

It is very disappointing that the Rowdies fail to fill those tiny sections. 1000 students for soccer, but less than 100 for basketball? Yeah, that's front-running @ it's best. I shudder to think what soccer attendance would be should we have a down year.But kudos to the Rowdies that do show up. You guys do a great job!

Yeah! Like when we fail to make the Final Four!

[bUAkronG]

i think it's not so much for the rowdies, but for the non-rowdies. the article mentions how can't is able to fill their sections, but that's because they are not technically a student organization like the ak-rowdies. they just need to have the seats available for all students.

while you have a point, as other have stated, the seats should be made available to students.I've stated many times before that I am a huge Zips fan, but I am not a member of the Rowdies. I would jump at the chance to sit at the lower seats for a men's game.

What is your reasoning for not joining the Rowdies? My student days have long passed. I'm fuzzy on the Rowdie-Rulz. $10 fee? Seems odd if your a student and there are empty seats in the "student" section, you can't get in unless your a Rowdie? Obviously there are hundreds of Rowdies that aren't even at the game.

I guess I have no legitimate reason. I just have always prided myself on being a huge Zips fan while not being a part of the Rowdies. I respect what they do but they have their negatives; sometimes they can be a bit too Rowdy for my taste.. That and I dislike all of the people who join just for the shirt yet like to claim they are Rowdies. It's like technically, yes, but in principal, no.So I don't really have much of a reason. It's just something I've never done. That being said, I'm content sitting in the upper sections for bball games. I'm definitely not complaining. Just merely pointing out that I wouldn't pass on the chance to sit lower.

[Let'sGoZips94]

I read that article in study hall today. I thought it was well written and brought up great points that Akron has lacked for a long time now. One of those points was that the special appeal to college sports is the students. Students can make or break a game in some circumstances. Tom, this is for you man:

[Dr Z]

I guess I have no legitimate reason. I just have always prided myself on being a huge Zips fan while not being a part of the Rowdies. I respect what they do but they have their negatives; sometimes they can be a bit too Rowdy for my taste.. That and I dislike all of the people who join just for the shirt yet like to claim they are Rowdies. It's like technically, yes, but in principal, no.So I don't really have much of a reason. It's just something I've never done. That being said, I'm content sitting in the upper sections for bball games. I'm definitely not complaining. Just merely pointing out that I wouldn't pass on the chance to sit lower.

Sounds like a reason to me. Doesn't matter if somebody agrees or disagrees with you, it's a reason. I wonder how many are in your shoes? I have no inside information, but I'm willing to bet that Youtube Tom changes something next year.

[zipsfan13]

I guess I have no legitimate reason. I just have always prided myself on being a huge Zips fan while not being a part of the Rowdies. I respect what they do but they have their negatives; sometimes they can be a bit too Rowdy for my taste.. That and I dislike all of the people who join just for the shirt yet like to claim they are Rowdies. It's like technically, yes, but in principal, no.So I don't really have much of a reason. It's just something I've never done. That being said, I'm content sitting in the upper sections for bball games. I'm definitely not complaining. Just merely pointing out that I wouldn't pass on the chance to sit lower.

Sounds like a reason to me. Doesn't matter if somebody agrees or disagrees with you, it's a reason. I wonder how many are in your shoes? I have no inside information, but I'm willing to bet that Youtube Tom changes something next year.

I'm also a student who loves Akron sports but doesn't always choose to sit with the Rowdies. During my first two years at Akron, I sat with them for many games, yet never really felt like I was part of the group, because it seemed like many of the members looked down on me for not attending as many events as they did. I'm sure I will get bashed for saying this, but I really feel that the Rowdies are made up of cliques, which kind of cause some people to stay away. I can think of at least a few people that feel the same way as I do. I will say, however, that I have never had a problem with the "head" Rowdies, and have always enjoyed them. This is not meant to bash the Rowdies, I'm just giving a possible reason as to why some students would rather sit in the bleachers than with them.

[bUAkronG]

I guess I have no legitimate reason. I just have always prided myself on being a huge Zips fan while not being a part of the Rowdies. I respect what they do but they have their negatives; sometimes they can be a bit too Rowdy for my taste.. That and I dislike all of the people who join just for the shirt yet like to claim they are Rowdies. It's like technically, yes, but in principal, no.So I don't really have much of a reason. It's just something I've never done. That being said, I'm content sitting in the upper sections for bball games. I'm definitely not complaining. Just merely pointing out that I wouldn't pass on the chance to sit lower.

Sounds like a reason to me. Doesn't matter if somebody agrees or disagrees with you, it's a reason. I wonder how many are in your shoes? I have no inside information, but I'm willing to bet that Youtube Tom changes something next year.

I'm also a student who loves Akron sports but doesn't always choose to sit with the Rowdies. During my first two years at Akron, I sat with them for many games, yet never really felt like I was part of the group, because it seemed like many of the members looked down on me for not attending as many events as they did. I'm sure I will get bashed for saying this, but I really feel that the Rowdies are made up of cliques, which kind of cause some people to stay away. I can think of at least a few people that feel the same way as I do. I will say, however, that I have never had a problem with the "head" Rowdies, and have always enjoyed them. This is not meant to bash the Rowdies, I'm just giving a possible reason as to why some students would rather sit in the bleachers than with them.

I think that's what I meant to say but couldn't figure out how to say it. Like I said I appreciate what the Rowdies do but it almost feels hard to become one of "them".

[zippyrifle32]

Not sure what motivation the AD's office has to expand the student seating section when the Rowdies can't even fill the 176 seats they have right now on a regular basis. Basic economics, supply and demand. Demand is obviously not high enough for the GREAT seats the Rowdies already have, so why would they increase supply?

yeah but those behind the basket seats suck. nobody wants to pay to sit there so they graciously give them to the students...

[zippy5]

Don't kill me, this is just my honest opinion. Like other posters have pointed out, the Rowdies have turned into a semi-sorta clique. There's like the 15 or 20 "regulars" that sit on the North side at the JAR and attend everything. Which is a great thing, but people don't want to be associated with them. Some think they get too "rowdy" some think they're too cool for the Rowdies. I'm not saying get rid of the Rowdies, but let all the students sit down there! when it gets full every game, instead of 3 games a year, then get exclusive. I used to sit down there every game, but none of my friends want to anymore, so I don't. There are hundreds, thousands? of kids like me that go to the games, but don't sit with the Rowdies. Make it a student section, not a Rowdie section. Make it the cool thing to do. It would be tough, but it would work really well if we could get all the students to sit in one section. Open a few reserved sections up? Make one GA above the basket students only? Just some suggestions, but we have one of the worst setups for student seating in the country.

[ZachTheZip]

Look at football or soccer games. There are still cliques or just groups of friends standing together. The groups just happen to be next to each other instead of seperated by seats. If you're feeling isolated at basketball games it won't be any different in any other sporting event because people tend to socialize almost exclusively within their circle of friends.