Thank you, Anthony Ponikvar (& Mens Soccer Team)

[Zip_ME87]

I could have put this in a number of threads (such as, Proud to be a Zip, UA Pride Night), but I thought it deserved its own. I don't know how many members of this board read "Inside the Box with Poni", but I, and I'm sure many others, especially appreciate this quote from his September 22nd installment:

"Since this is my blog and gozips.com has given me free range to talk about almost anything that I want to, I would like to take a second here to address the student body here at The University of Akron. You all go to Akron, be proud of that. This is an amazing place to be right now. Knowing this, it makes me, and the rest of the team, absolutely sick to see the amount of other schools' paraphernalia that we see around campus.

If you feel that you need to wear some other school's name on your chest while you are at The University of Akron, then maybe you aren't at the right school. We work hard every single day to give you guys something to be proud of and it kills us to see you support some other school."

http://www.gozips.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_...TCLID=204975880

[if this was already posted elsewhere, I feel that it deserves to be posted again, as I just did.]

[jberry1337]

That's awesome, and I couldn't agree more. I hope a decent number of people read this and throw their OSWho gear to the back of the closet. I'm way too tired of seeing scarlet and gray more often than blue and gold.

[UAZipster0305]

Such students should be ridiculed to the point of embarrassment for wearing other school's gear on campus. It always happens with the freshman wearing their high school letterman's jackets to college. Other universities' gear should be no different. Poni is right, it is discouraging to see such things.

[Dr Z]

"Since this is my blog and gozips.com has given me free range to talk about almost anything that I want to, I would like to take a second here to address the student body here at The University of Akron. If you feel that you need to wear some other school's name on your chest while you are at The University of Akron, then maybe you aren't at the right school. We work hard every single day to give you guys something to be proud of and it kills us to see you support some other school."

Preach it my brother!

I know this can't happen, but since games sell out, it would be fun to deny students admission if they had some other school's apparel on.

Maybe banish them to a particular section.

[Wally B]

Why not????? At the very least this should be student enforced

[72 Roo]

I love the point Anthony is making and you all are supporting. But let me offer this. I recently came to Akron for a College of Business meeting. I was impressed by the significant change I have noticed on campus in the number of students sporting Akron sportswear. Way better than it has ever been. Can it get better? Of course, but you guys and other Zip supporters are making a difference and don't belittle the affect you are having. To put this in perspective, on Monday I took my daughter to The University of Cincinnati for a visit and review of their medical programs. Few of their students sported UC clothing. They did not even come close to what I saw on our campus.

Keep driving for more visible support of Akron in what students wear. But we are on the right track and I believe that with guys like you and Anthony the outward support of our school will continue to get better.

[Buckzip]

Always been proud to be a Zip. Didn't just start with the soccer teams success.

I have had my Akron sticker on my vehicles for 20 years.

I have 2 Akron hoodies and countless hats in my closet right now.

I actually wore my Akron jersey to my daughters soccer game last night.

The coach for the opposing team asked me if I knew Akron was a power in soccer..It was hard for me not to say duh.

[Dr Z]

I think a lot of it has to do with the quality of apparel also. I don't want to wear something that isn't cool. When I went to school in the early 90's there was hardly any cool Akron stuff. That has changed now. I hope it continues to get better.

Another idea off the top of my head. Have a student stand at the entrance of our games with a 5 x 7 card that has something written on it that explains that The Zips would appreciate your support, and would appreciate it if you wore Zips gear instead of our competitions gear. Maybe even put Anthony's picture and his quote on it. Politely hand it out to anybody wearing another team's apparel.

[Zip_ME87]

Always been proud to be a Zip. Didn't just start with the soccer teams success.

I agree Buckzip. I just liked that Poni commented on it in his blog.

I think a lot of it has to do with the quality of apparel also. I don't want to wear something that isn't cool. When I went to school in the early 90's there was hardly any cool Akron stuff. That has changed now. I hope it continues to get better.

Same in the mid-80's, but I still didn't walk around wearing other schools' apparel.

[Captain Kangaroo]

ZipswWin! has a good story about a couple of former UA baseball players that wore their OSU gear to the Zips/OSU game a couple years ago. Sucks when former players sport opponents gear.

It's cool to see a Zips player outwardly proud of his school. You'd think it is common, but it isn't. Makes me want to support him all-the-more.

[Buckzip]

ZipswWin! has a good story about a couple of former UA baseball players that wore their OSU gear to the Zips/OSU game a couple years ago. Sucks when former players sport opponents gear.

It's cool to see a Zips player outwardly proud of his school. You'd think it is common, but it isn't. Makes me want to support him all-the-more.

That is about as low as it goes. Students are bad enough, but the athletes themselves is pathetic.