Dr Z Posted December 2, 2005 Report Share Posted December 2, 2005 Just getting back from Detroit and still pumped up. I would like to try to convience those of you that were not able to make it to the Mac championship game to go to the Bowl game on the 26th. Ford Field was MUCH nicer than expected. I'm not a huge dome fan but I have to say, that field is AWESOME. Very well designed and a great place to watch a football game. Especially when your team wins. It's a great time of year to watch a game inside the dome. Anybody that was at the Thanksgiving day game will appreciate the comfort level that Ford Field has to offer (PS this is NOT a push for a dome at Akron) UAM did a GREAT job with the alumni party before the game. The cheerleaders cheering everybody as you walk in was a "touch of class" Made you feel wanted and got you pumped up if you weren't already. Getting to meet a few new faces from the board and a few who say the read but don't post was nice. It always nice to see zipsnation out and about. Getting to meet ex players and players parents gives you a great feeling that you know you are rooting for a bunch of class guys down on the field. One parent told me to look for good things from the O line last night. You were right. Great call. What a great time. You guys can help me out describing your bus ride and your hotel experience. I stayed at the Mariot and had a great time. Chime in if you were there and let everybody know what a great time we had. So get off your duff's and get your tickets to OUR FIRST BOWL GAME !!!! (man is that fun to type out) I'd also like to thank all the players and coaches for all your hard work. You made yesterday UNFORGETABLE. You are all truly WINNERS. One more baby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted December 2, 2005 Report Share Posted December 2, 2005 Great post! I'd love to meet some people from ZipsNation so I could buy you all a beer. The only person I know is ZipsWin!. I think I know who a couple might be, but I'm not really sure so I never say anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickzips Posted December 2, 2005 Report Share Posted December 2, 2005 How bout a zipsnation gathering/tailgate prior to the game. I know I'm planning on going to the bowl game. I won't be in class, won't really have any huge commitments the day after christmas, and will be closer to detroit at my house than I am on campus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Morgan Posted December 2, 2005 Report Share Posted December 2, 2005 I'm all for an all "Zipsnation" pregame event! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted December 2, 2005 Report Share Posted December 2, 2005 I'll be there also. If they offer a package similar to yesterday($119hotel/tic) I will opt for that. The hotel was really nice and the pregame party was good also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipsrifle Posted December 3, 2005 Report Share Posted December 3, 2005 I'm in for a pregame tailgate. We were at Hockeytown and that seemed to work well. I'll ask around work for another good place. I'm a little miffed. I never heard about an "Alumni Party"? Was that stuff on Gozips.com and I just missed it? I don't want to be leftout of the fun again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InTheZone Posted December 3, 2005 Report Share Posted December 3, 2005 Tailgating is out. Apparently they don't allow it anywhere near Ford field. A bar gathering would be fun though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskieMobileMan Posted December 3, 2005 Report Share Posted December 3, 2005 Congrats Zips. You guys really have our number this year. I nominate you guys as our next "Toledo" since we beat them this year. I am thankful that we don't play you every year. I just wanted to add my two cents about Ford Field. You guys probably have a better opinion of the place since you won, but I am trying to not be influenced by this. As far as I am concerned the place absolutely sucked for a football game. I wanted to tailgate before the game, but we quickly found out that that wasn't going to happen. We went to the Eastern Market to try to tailgate, but we realized that that wasn't going to happen when there was nobody else there to tailgate and it was in the middle of the ghetto. You cannot tailgate around Ford Field and Comerica Park. Our Toledo friends that we were with showed us a mud lot about 3 blocks from the stadium where they may tailgate for Lions games, but again there was nobody there and it was scary being the only people there. We were at Hockey Town following our expedition around Detroit, and while it was a nice big bar, it was ungodly expensive. $6 kool aid long islands, $8 24 oz CANS of beer! I guess that is what you should expect from a downtown bar when the wings are playing. As far as Ford Field is concerned, I will admit that I was in awe with the place when I got there, but that quickly changed when the game started. It was my first game in a dome and I am now convinced that FB should be played outside no matter what the weather is like. I would have much rather seen my third game at the Rubber Bowl this year than to see the game at FF. I really like your stadium. The RB would ROCK if you guys ever filled that place to capacity. Several people that I have talked to described the game as like watching a movie at Ford Field. I agree with this analysis. It didn't seem real to me. Also the place got WAY too hot by the end of the game. I can only imagine how hot the players were. Some snow falling on my head would have been a relief. Once again, congrats Zips, you deserved that win. Enjoy your return trip to Detroit. Make our conference proud with a OOC win. Just play better than how you did against Army (I was there) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted December 3, 2005 Report Share Posted December 3, 2005 I've been to a few domed stadiums and Ford field is the best one yet. Where I was sitting there was a nice breeze blowing and the site lines are good. It's not a college stadium for sure, but thats OK for special games like the MACC and bowl games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplock Posted December 4, 2005 Report Share Posted December 4, 2005 I thought it was a great venue. The wife (and a lot of folks, let's be honest) would not have been at this game this late in the season exposed to the elements. But when you spend $350 million on a facility , it ought to be special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip Watcher Posted December 4, 2005 Report Share Posted December 4, 2005 Nice posts all .. After a couple of days letting this sink in .. some thoughts on the festivities and experience: - We went to the Detroit Beer Co. before the game to drink. Missed the notice on the UA event at Ford Field. Beer Co. was nice & fun .. we'll head there for a bit at the MCB probably. - I loved Ford Field. A HUGE upgrade from the Silver Dome and a nice place to catch the best football game I've ever witnessed in person (top 3 minimum). Our 50 yard line perch gave us an excellent angle on just about every play, and I hope we can get similar seats for the MCB. - I would guess that there were about 25-33% MORE Zips fans there than NIU. The distance difference on a weeknight took its toll on the Huskies fans, all of which I found to be enjoyable folks to be around. In the 3rd quarter I made a trek to one of the endzone sections to compare and spoke with a few ushers that said there were certainly more Zips fans. It's not like we brought 10k, but it was a nice showing by the Nation. - The NIU folks I encounterd in watering holes / casinos after the game were nice to meet. They handled what must have been a tough kick in the gut type loss with class, generally without exception. What I encountered around town was far different that what is currently happening over at the MAC boards. - Ran into the good Dr. Z, Pouch & some friends later in the night and very much enjoyed celebrating the victory with them. - This line is intended to call out any Zips fans we encountered who read this board daily, yet aren't registered and don't post. This means YOU my man BIRD! - Late night we found ourselves back at the team hotel for more revelry. I've had the opportunity to be at team hotels for other events (NCAA ... etc) but it was never MY team's hotel. This was an unbelievable experience being at the team hotel after a huge win in the post season. Got to raise some cheer with Frenchy, CK, Dr. Z. and a bunch of others. UAM made an appearance & was rightly congratulated. Truly a fun time and great place to be. Marriott was a nice lodging option. A great event and party to be at. I feel bad for those who couldn't make it, since this will be the biggest win this season regardless of what happens at MCB. Go Zips!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipper Posted December 4, 2005 Report Share Posted December 4, 2005 Without a doubt, we had more fans there than NIU. I still can't figure out where the idea that they had more fans there came from. I thought it was completely obvious. Maybe people are still just going along with the idea that we don't bring fans. It just wasn't so this time. I'm glad UAM is being congratulated, but I think it's important that we thank the guy who did this for us - Mike Thomas. I sincerely hope he made the game. We can appreciate UAM, JD, Keith, etc., but let's not forget to appreciate the man who brought them in (and ultimately Dr. Proenza for hiring Thomas! And the board for hiring Proenza ) We can only hope the next AD is as successful as Thomas - in hiring the right personnel, at least. We are on such a trajectory thanks to his expectations and belief in what Akron could be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted December 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2005 I'm glad UAM is being congratulated, but I think it's important that we thank the guy who did this for us - Mike Thomas. I sincerely hope he made the game. I saw Mike standing on the sideline on Thursday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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