Where were the Akron fans?

[ksu sucks]

I thought that entire game was as evenly played. The teams were even, the bands were even(Ohio's band is overrated in my opinion). The crowd was about 50/50 Ohio/Akron. Fair enough. There's tons of Ohio alumni in the Cleveland area. But for almost the entire game all that you could hear was Ohio fans. We were amazed at how quiet the Rowdies were. Frankly, it was embarrassing(Trust me, I was doing my fair share of yelling).And what about our alumni? You guys just sat in your seat. ESPN 2. National T.V. Can we get a little louder? I think our alumni attendance was pretty pitiful when you think about how many Akron alumni live in the greater Cleveland area. Is the issue our Alumni Association? What does it take to get some alumni together and make some noise? If the Alumni Association sucks, then I think the AK-Oldies need to step it up and start doing what the actual alumni groups are too unorganized to do. Bottom line...Akron fans could learn a lot from Ohio fans. Kudos to them. In terms of numbers, it wasn't bad. But in terms of noise...we have a long way to go.

[bandzip]

I thought that entire game was as evenly played. The teams were even, the bands were even(Ohio's band is overrated in my opinion). The crowd was about 50/50 Ohio/Akron. Fair enough. There's tons of Ohio alumni in the Cleveland area. But for almost the entire game all that you could hear was Ohio fans. We were amazed at how quiet the Rowdies were. Frankly, it was embarrassing(Trust me, I was doing my fair share of yelling).And what about our alumni? You guys just sat in your seat. ESPN 2. National T.V. Can we get a little louder? I think our alumni attendance was pretty pitiful when you think about how many Akron alumni live in the greater Cleveland area. Is the issue our Alumni Association? What does it take to get some alumni together and make some noise? If the Alumni Association sucks, then I think the AK-Oldies need to step it up and start doing what the actual alumni groups are too unorganized to do. Bottom line...Akron fans could learn a lot from Ohio fans. Kudos to them. In terms of numbers, it wasn't bad. But in terms of noise...we have a long way to go.

We were well over 50/50. The side opposite the Akron bench and behind the band was full of people in Akron gear. I was just talking to a couple people about it today. Ohio's fans cheering almost the entire game and everyone was standing, clapping and singing along with the fight song while the only time the Akron fans even bothered to get out of their seats was at halftime and with less than a minute left in regulation. I understand that it's the start of spring break, but Rowdies, wtf? Maybe 100 students for the MAC Championship Game 45 minutes up the road? The OZone put you guys to shame. Figure it out for real. The most frustrating were probably the girls games when there were about 20 Rowdies or so, all sitting down 5 minutes into the game.

[Captain Kangaroo]

People forget the Rowdies are what...5 years old? The O-Zone, in some form, is decades old.The folks in the OU "Old Zone" did the same cheers as students that they do now.Conversely, if you are a 40 yeal old Zips alum, what cheer did you do as a student? What cheer was a fixture at Zips games 10 years ago? Answer - None.The Zips cheerleaders tried to get an organized crowd cheer going at the very end of the basketball season. It was a GREAT idea, but the execution was horrible. They needed to get fliers in every one of the seats telling fans what to do, and how. Instead they tried to teach a somewhat complicated, very lengthy cheer to the crowd during a 2-minute time out. Bad move. You can't build a tradition in 2 minutes. The Zips crowd participation and energy is light years ahead of where it was even 5 years ago. But it has a ways to go.OU's participation and energy is what we should shoot for.

[tpsjugglerdude]

I thought that entire game was as evenly played. The teams were even, the bands were even(Ohio's band is overrated in my opinion). The crowd was about 50/50 Ohio/Akron. Fair enough. There's tons of Ohio alumni in the Cleveland area. But for almost the entire game all that you could hear was Ohio fans. We were amazed at how quiet the Rowdies were. Frankly, it was embarrassing(Trust me, I was doing my fair share of yelling).And what about our alumni? You guys just sat in your seat. ESPN 2. National T.V. Can we get a little louder? I think our alumni attendance was pretty pitiful when you think about how many Akron alumni live in the greater Cleveland area. Is the issue our Alumni Association? What does it take to get some alumni together and make some noise? If the Alumni Association sucks, then I think the AK-Oldies need to step it up and start doing what the actual alumni groups are too unorganized to do. Bottom line...Akron fans could learn a lot from Ohio fans. Kudos to them. In terms of numbers, it wasn't bad. But in terms of noise...we have a long way to go.

The most frustrating were probably the girls games when there were about 20 Rowdies or so, all sitting down 5 minutes into the game.

How many Rowdies have every shown up to a women's tourney game before? It is hard to get students into women's basketball. I was one that made it to the women's game but I missed the first 10 minutes of the game because I was in the security office because they didn't like my 2ft X 4ft check made out to the refs. By the time I came back you could just tell we didn't really have a chance. Yes there were 100 rowdies....in the rowdie section. There were more scattered throughout the arena. Tickets cost money, the Rowdies bought tickets all 3 days. Thats a lot of money we can't buy a ticket for every single Rowdie who wants to go. Instead of complaining about there only being 100 maybe you should donate some money to the Rowdies to help pay for some tickets. Its easy to complain when its not your money being spent.

[GP1]

I watched the game from in a bar last night and could not hear anything. I will say this, the crowd looked great on TV.

[w00t]

I watched the game from in a bar last night and could not hear anything. I will say this, the crowd looked great on TV.

That's because they put them all on one side of the arena. The other side was less than half full.

[Zips Win!]

I thought that entire game was as evenly played. The teams were even, the bands were even(Ohio's band is overrated in my opinion). The crowd was about 50/50 Ohio/Akron. Fair enough. There's tons of Ohio alumni in the Cleveland area. But for almost the entire game all that you could hear was Ohio fans. We were amazed at how quiet the Rowdies were. Frankly, it was embarrassing(Trust me, I was doing my fair share of yelling).

And what about our alumni? You guys just sat in your seat. ESPN 2. National T.V. Can we get a little louder? I think our alumni attendance was pretty pitiful when you think about how many Akron alumni live in the greater Cleveland area. Is the issue our Alumni Association? What does it take to get some alumni together and make some noise?

If the Alumni Association sucks, then I think the AK-Oldies need to step it up and start doing what the actual alumni groups are too unorganized to do.

Bottom line...Akron fans could learn a lot from Ohio fans. Kudos to them. In terms of numbers, it wasn't bad. But in terms of noise...we have a long way to go.

When have Zips fans ever really made any noise? A few years ago UA had a grad student at the JAR who would attempt to fire up the crowd. I thought he was really successful as he tried to get the Rowdies and the fans to make some noise. After a year or two, UA cut it out and now we have the same old crowd sitting on their hands. UA is just thankful for those that do show up at the JAR, getting them to stand up and make some noise would be asking way too much.

Even this year, the band director tried numerous times to get those in the lower bowl to stand up during the fight song, with no success.

If we have terrible crowd support at the JAR, exactly how are we just going to turn it on at the Q? I would love for fans to stand, chant Z-I-P-S, sing the fight song and learn some of the Rowdie cheers etc. Again, cannot just turn it on....

As for other ways to make "noise", I am not sure what you want. Heck, any verbal discussion about the team is frowned upon. God forbid anyone be standing and carry on a conversation about the the line-up for example. You would be questioning KD, and we know that's not allowed. Ditto for questioning aloud someone's shot selection, pass that was errant or general disgust with play. These comments would be considered offensive and you may be offending a player or parent. Again, very much frowned upon if heard by the wrong people, that is unless you are a KD cronie.

On Thursday, I heard folks in the suite behind me calling out players by name for their shot selection as we were giving up our lead. I hope no one at UA heard these comments or look out...

Personally, I would love for the arena to be loud and rocking with fans into the game. Unfortunately, at UA it's much safer to just show up and be a FAN without making any "noise" at all.

[RootforRoo44]

I thought that entire game was as evenly played. The teams were even, the bands were even(Ohio's band is overrated in my opinion). The crowd was about 50/50 Ohio/Akron. Fair enough. There's tons of Ohio alumni in the Cleveland area. But for almost the entire game all that you could hear was Ohio fans. We were amazed at how quiet the Rowdies were. Frankly, it was embarrassing(Trust me, I was doing my fair share of yelling).

And what about our alumni? You guys just sat in your seat. ESPN 2. National T.V. Can we get a little louder? I think our alumni attendance was pretty pitiful when you think about how many Akron alumni live in the greater Cleveland area. Is the issue our Alumni Association? What does it take to get some alumni together and make some noise?

If the Alumni Association sucks, then I think the AK-Oldies need to step it up and start doing what the actual alumni groups are too unorganized to do.

Bottom line...Akron fans could learn a lot from Ohio fans. Kudos to them. In terms of numbers, it wasn't bad. But in terms of noise...we have a long way to go.

When have Zips fans ever really made any noise? A few years ago UA had a grad student at the JAR who would attempt to fire up the crowd. I thought he was really successful as he tried to get the Rowdies and the fans to make some noise. After a year or two, UA cut it out and now we have the same old crowd sitting on their hands. UA is just thankful for those that do show up at the JAR, getting them to stand up and make some noise would be asking way too much.

Even this year, the band director tried numerous times to get those in the lower bowl to stand up during the fight song, with no success.

If we have terrible crowd support at the JAR, exactly how are we just going to turn it on at the Q? I would love for fans to stand, chant Z-I-P-S, sing the fight song and learn some of the Rowdie cheers etc. Again, cannot just turn it on....

As for other ways to make "noise", I am not sure what you want. Heck, any verbal discussion about the team is frowned upon. God forbid anyone be standing and carry on a conversation about the the line-up for example. You would be questioning KD, and we know that's not allowed. Ditto for questioning aloud someone's shot selection, pass that was errant or general disgust with play. These comments would be considered offensive and you may be offending a player or parent. Again, very much frowned upon if heard by the wrong people, that is unless you are a KD cronie.

On Thursday, I heard folks in the suite behind me calling out players by name for their shot selection as we were giving up our lead. I hope no one at UA heard these comments or look out...

Personally, I would love for the arena to be loud and rocking with fans into the game. Unfortunately, at UA it's much safer to just show up and be a FAN without making any "noise" at all.

Great post, i agree entirely. As stated before, OU fans shamed us yesterday and there was no reason for it with such a great game being played before everyone in attendance.

The whole OU's band is overrated thing is a little tough to say as i thought they were WAY louder than our band and their presentation is top notch. Also, about the OZone being older and their alumni knowing all the chants, you're exactly right. 95% of their fans do the "O-H-I-O" thing and they do it with more enthusiasm than about anything i've ever seen Zips fans do in unison. Very impressive.

Though it would be embarrassing to the conference to have a MAC team be the play-in game, if OU somehow was shamed by being put in that place i would be somewhat less upset as you know there would be a HUGE impressive crowd of OU supporters at that contest.

[zip81]

Well, as for the AK-OLDIES, I have been very disappointed in the lack of interest. We can't get any, any help from the Alumni Assoc. The Athletic Department at least let up put a table in the lobby at the JAR one time.

I've got a family and a job and can't do it all myself. Not a pity party, just the facts.

I thought there would be much more interest. I've put a lot of my own money into it...I'm at the point where I'm now giving the t-shirts away.

I've also offered the Alumni Assoc. to take it over....no reply.

[scottditzen]

Let me preface this by saying I had a great time at the game. I agree that OU's cheering was louder than we were, but they also seemed to have three times the number in their student section.

For whatever the reason, I think we have to do a better job getting organized for our games at the Q. We need to OWN that place! I'm afraid that for too many Akron fans, the idea of coming up to Cleveland is like driving to some far away, distant place. Those holdouts from the Hipsher era need to get hold of a map with I-77 lol.

Okay, here's one solution I think that might help. Next year, we absolutely NEED to have a bar/restaurant sponsoring the Akron fans. K.e.n.t. State usually has Flannery's on E. 4th. (And for that, I boycott them). But we need a place to call our own, and it needs to be ground zero where we can all meet up and get psyched for the game. We need to help provide an atmosphere that makes the casual fan desperately want to be a part of the action.

Again, the championship game didn't go our way. It was exciting, a terrific game. I met a lot of great fans from both sides. The media coverage was excellent...but we Zip fans just aren't quite there yet when it comes to bringing our numbers in full strength. We need to encourage more of our numbers to make the trip north and just have fun with this!

GO ZIPS

[tpsjugglerdude]

Okay, here's one solution I think that might help. Next year, we absolutely NEED to have a bar/restaurant sponsoring the Akron fans. K.e.n.t. State usually has Flannery's on E. 4th. (And for that, I boycott them). But we need a place to call our own, and it needs to be ground zero where we can all meet up and get psyched for the game. We need to help provide an atmosphere that makes the casual fan desperately want to be a part of the action.

We always do this year and last year it was Cadalic Ranch before that it was the Hard Rock.

[Hilltopper]

Let me preface this by saying I had a great time at the game. I agree that OU's cheering was louder than we were, but they also seemed to have three times the number in their student section.

For whatever the reason, I think we have to do a better job getting organized for our games at the Q. We need to OWN that place! I'm afraid that for too many Akron fans, the idea of coming up to Cleveland is like driving to some far away, distant place. Those holdouts from the Hipsher era need to get hold of a map with I-77 lol.

Okay, here's one solution I think that might help. Next year, we absolutely NEED to have a bar/restaurant sponsoring the Akron fans. K.e.n.t. State usually has Flannery's on E. 4th. (And for that, I boycott them). But we need a place to call our own, and it needs to be ground zero where we can all meet up and get psyched for the game. We need to help provide an atmosphere that makes the casual fan desperately want to be a part of the action.

Again, the championship game didn't go our way. It was exciting, a terrific game. I met a lot of great fans from both sides. The media coverage was excellent...but we Zip fans just aren't quite there yet when it comes to bringing our numbers in full strength. We need to encourage more of our numbers to make the trip north and just have fun with this!

GO ZIPS

Already done.

http://zipsnation.org/forums//index.php?showtopic=17568

[scottditzen]

Well, I missed that one. I LIVE HERE in CLE and had no idea...I'll have my ZN card revoked for sure!!

How was it?

[johnnyzip84]

Well, I missed that one. I LIVE HERE in CLE and had no idea...I'll have my ZN card revoked for sure!!

How was it?

I was there after the semi-finals win over WMU and had a lot of fun. They had a decent (OK, so-so) cover band playing and in between songs, chants of "Let's Go Zips!" kept erupting I also had the pleasure of meeting Nitro's father there.