What keeps you coming back?

[K92]

This is the question for you zn.o'ers: What keeps you coming back? Why do you put yourself through the misery of losing season after losing season? Why do you come to Zips games by yourself? Why do you wear your Zips apparel after another embarrassing loss? Why subject yourself to the ridicule from fans of other more prominent programs? Why do it? Seriously. I want to know.

I have been asked questions like these this year and found it hard to put my reasons into words.

UA is my school. It's where I earned my B.A. I wasn't born in Akron, but it's where I came of age. And when I come back, it feels like home.

I have heard patriotism described as "My country, right or wrong". I guess the Zips are "My team, win or lose".

I know that's really simple and doesn't really answer the questions asked. After all, there are a lot of alumni with the same Akron experience as mine that root for the Buckeyes.

What would you say?

[Valpo Zip]

That's my school. I didn't go to any other school. I try to feel excited about the buckeyes, Notre Dame, and other schools...it just didn't work.

I guess i should put it this way: I would be more excited about the zips winning a MAC championship once every 20 years than any other team winning their conference 20/20 years. Therefore, i would keep doing my part in sending my checks and screaming my lungs out hoping that each year will be that 1/20 year.

When they don't win, at least i have the peace of mind that i did what i had to do.

[ZachTheZip]

The cheerleaders & dance team.

[Let'sGoZips94]

I was brainwashed when I was born. Bleed blue and gold, puke scarlet and gray, and pee Can't yellow.

There's no school in Ohio like Akron, at least for me. I know all the players like they are my friends, the Rowdies are like my second family (one VERY large family), and just the atmosphere is fun. What other college allows this? OSUcks is too big; Can't State, well, who would want to get to know them.

Bottom line, I'm honored to be a Zips fan.

[zip37]

I graduated with a BS and MA from the U of A, but I've given up on the football program, I go to Soccer matches and basketball games [both genders].

[cornbread]

The teams you follow and sports you identify with have a way of finding you. Wasn't a Zips fan until about 3 years ago, now I will follow them forever. Way life is.

[GP1]

For me, it is less about what would keep me coming back and more about what would keep me away. If I lived in ne Ohio, I'd love to go to every game under one condition. That is, the team has to be watchable. I can put up with losing, but I can't put up with horrible football. I would go if the team showed signs of life and won at a minimum 4-6 games a year.

I would probably hold off on season tickets if I still lived in Akron until I was somewhat comfortable my money wasn't going to be flushed down the toilet on a horrible product. I'd pick and choose which games I went to and if the team showed signs of life I would go to more and more. I don't think that makes a fan fair weather because I could still put up with a losing season, just not in this manner and quantity.

[interfx]

I come back to see the Marching Band (I'm a former marching band person)...

They are there every game (rain, shine, sleet or snow), spend 6+ hours a week preparing, do it for a single credit hour, and are often the largest group of people in the stadium, stuck at the far end of the stadium... If you took the band, their friends and parents that come back to watch their kids - sometimes I wonder how many people are there to watch football. (based upon the number of fans in the stadium this year)

[Hilltopper]

The Hot Dogs.

[Dave in Green]

I graduated from a university 1,000 miles away many years ago. I now live in the Akron area, and UA is my adopted home school for the foreseeable future. My favorite sport is basketball, and I'm happy with the direction UA is going under KD and enjoy going to all the games. Football is my second favorite sport, and the last couple of years have been miserable. If I thought that UA had totally given up on having a decent football program, I might consider skipping UA football games.

But I'm an optimist. I respect all the good things that have happened to UA under Dr. Proenza. I believe that he's committed to making the football program as respectable as other areas of UA. I've been around long enough to see other schools rise from the ashes of a disastrous football program to become perennial winners. I know it can be done, and I believe that it will be done at UA. If at any point I become convinced that this is not going to happen, I reserve the right to give up on UA football and find something else to do.

I have to say that the total experience of watching football in the new stadium is not totally awful even when the team is losing. My seat is in a section of hardcore fans, and there is a lot of camaraderie among us. I also enjoy the spectacle of the marching band, which I think has really taken a leap forward this year. If the Zips were a perennial doormat, that might offset all the good stuff about attending UA games and cause me to give up on attending football games.

The progress of next season's team performance will be important to my decision about purchasing season tickets. This season is obviously rock bottom. There's nowhere to go but up. I'm expecting progress every season after this. If progress doesn't come, I will reluctantly conclude that Dr. Proenza and UA are not committed to having a competitive football team.

[zen]

<-Alum

The way I see it, If I am here when things aren't going well, then I will have earned the right to be right there when things get good and to enjoy rolling my eyes at the bandwagon full of screaming flag wavers trying to run down the newly arrived front-runners

[ZachTheZip]

Apparently whatever keeps us coming back isn't enough to get anyone else to do the same.

[MDZip]

Your question appears to ony relate only to football, but I think it is a much bigger reason. When I went to Akron, quite frankly I didn't like it, it was the only school option for me for a number of reasons. When I graduated and moved 350 miles, I didn't think I'd ever really give it another thought. But then my horizons broadened a little after I went to other schools and I realized it really was quite a little educational gem even if it looked like a few concrete blocks dropped in the middle of the city. So then I stopped being embarrassed of being from there and at the same time Proenza started the Landscape for Learning and completely transformed the campus. I told people that if it looked back then the way it looks now (with all the accompanying student ecoutrements), I might have actually wanted to go there. When I was in the honors program we had a special study carrell in the library, now they have that beautiful new dorm.

Anyway, I started to realize what a diamond in the rough Akron really was, so I let other people know it as well. I started to contribute money and then realizing that sadly, a lot of perception of a university has to do with its sports teams so I started giving money there as well. The place has enormous potential and I want to help it realize it. Since the sports teams are entwined with the university, I enjoy them too. Even though the football team is having a poor year, its still an event to go to the games (especially for me because I only get to go a couple times a year). The football team will turn it around (I will be there to see their only victory this year) and all of the other teams are worth supporting. Going to the Zips NCCA basketball tournament game was a ton of fun and so was the soccer championship at Cary last year. Have my tickets ready for this years championship as well. I believe in them that strongly. So it's not about just the football team, its support of the entire university. Someday all of that potential is going to break through and many other folks will recognize what I do.

[lance99]

Apparently whatever keeps us coming back isn't enough to get anyone else to do the same.

''We can always have more [fans] and we need it,'' said Bach, the athletics spokesman.

''We're laying the foundation for a successful football and athletics program.''

My question is: Where?

For me, whats keeps me coming back is very simple. I grew up there, my brother goes to school there. It was my thing to do. Even when I was a kid back in the 80's, I followed the Zips from, as my oldest brother put it, "Jar Wars!" with Huggins, to seeing players down at the pit on Carroll for a pickup game(I must be getting old). Also seeing the football team going from DII to D1. Even durning the 90's, I always supported the Zips. I want them to do well at everything!

[GP1]

If progress doesn't come, I will reluctantly conclude that Dr. Proenza and UA are not committed to having a competitive football team.

Dr. Proenza wants a good team. His problem is he made a bad hire in TW and TW in turn made a bad hire in CoachI. If the problem started at the top, it needs to be fixed at the top. A lot is riding on the outcome Friday.

[Lee Adams]

Born and raised in the Akron area. Graduated in 1974. Was going to some games when I was still in high school. Actually went to games when I was a student. Unlike now. Moved out of the area for about 10 years. When I came back I bought season tickets. I follow other teams but don't go to those games. Its certainly not like being an Ohio State fan. Hell practically everyone in Ohio whether they finished high school or not seems to be an OSU 'fan'. But its not the same without that connection.

Oh and when I was going to school they won. That helped keep me interested.

[Zipsrifle]

Well, I didn't really get into UA football until well after I graduated. I got my BS at Akron and had a blast while I was at school, but I was just too involved with other activities to really follow the football program. Actually, I was a Michigan fan growing up and scored season tickets to UofM football after graduation. I got a job in Michigan right out of school and I figured it would be awesome until... I started going to the games. The people at those games are what really got under my skin. I think it started when they played Miami, which was a solid MAC team at the time. At halftime, I remember Michigan was up by something like 10 points and EVERYONE was complaining, including the 30% of the people who showed up about 5 minutes before halftime. They won by like 3 TD and walking out of the stadium still EVERYONE was whining and moaning. I remember wondering "why?" They won handily, they should be HAPPY!. This was the atmosphere for almost every game with the exception of the big games. It was depressing. I also don't think there was a real connection with UofM....it wasn't my school.

During this time, when my wife and I came back home to see family, we would hop on over to UofA to catch the football games and I had a lot of fun even though we sucked. One day we picked up a camp stove and a card table, got a bunch of friends to come to the lower lot of the RB and tried tailgating and that was it, I was hooked. Ditched my Michigan season tickets and grabbed Zips season tickets, expanded my tailgating equipment drastically and started following the Zips everywhere.

Now, there just isn't another option. I like sports too much and I don't think I could ever ditch the Zips. Akron is MY SCHOOL, and if I'm going to follow college athletics, it will be the Zips. I take a beating at times, but I can handle it. Deep down, I have this belief that Akron will be great someday. UofA is on the rise, I want to be a part of that rise.

[johnnyzip84]

Watching Tony Dorsett effortlessly glide across the carpet at Pitt Stadium as a teenager cemented my addiction to college football in general. After high school I decided to go away for college (Engineering) and UA was my choice. I attended a few games per year as an undergrad (including some time in the long-defunct card section), but really picked it up a few years after graduating when my kids were old enough to enjoy Zippy and the other festivities. I have two degrees from UA and I’ve also been an adjunct instructor there, so my ties are now well established. The kids are young adults now, so my wife and I have the time to attend every home game and usually one or two road games as well.

I’m sure every football program has its share of memorable moments, but the ones (good and bad) that stand out for me (snow bowl, MACC, MCB, loser bowl, Western miracle, Miami taking a knee in the 1st half, meltdown against K.E.N.T. in LO’s last season, behind 3-2 at the half to the Red & Silver, winning at NC State & Syracuse, Alcorn’s 56 yarder, etc) are so indelibly stamped into my Zip “fanhood”, that I cannot imagine ever rooting for anyone else with the same passion. It’s an incurable disease, I’m afraid.

I also firmly believe that eventually we will enjoy happy times for Zip football (not saying when or for whom). These will make enduring seasons like 2010 worthwhile. In fact, seasons like this will make the good times just that much sweeter.

[RUMPLEMINTZ]

I graduated from a university 1,000 miles away many years ago. I now live in the Akron area, and UA is my adopted home school for the foreseeable future. My favorite sport is basketball, and I'm happy with the direction UA is going under KD and enjoy going to all the games. Football is my second favorite sport, and the last couple of years have been miserable. If I thought that UA had totally given up on having a decent football program, I might consider skipping UA football games.

But I'm an optimist. I respect all the good things that have happened to UA under Dr. Proenza. I believe that he's committed to making the football program as respectable as other areas of UA. I've been around long enough to see other schools rise from the ashes of a disastrous football program to become perennial winners. I know it can be done, and I believe that it will be done at UA. If at any point I become convinced that this is not going to happen, I reserve the right to give up on UA football and find something else to do.

I have to say that the total experience of watching football in the new stadium is not totally awful even when the team is losing. My seat is in a section of hardcore fans, and there is a lot of camaraderie among us. I also enjoy the spectacle of the marching band, which I think has really taken a leap forward this year. If the Zips were a perennial doormat, that might offset all the good stuff about attending UA games and cause me to give up on attending football games.

The progress of next season's team performance will be important to my decision about purchasing season tickets. This season is obviously rock bottom. There's nowhere to go but up. I'm expecting progress every season after this. If progress doesn't come, I will reluctantly conclude that Dr. Proenza and UA are not committed to having a competitive football team.

Proenza was getting lit up on booze in his million dollar suite Wednesday night laughing and having a great time while Ianello pissed another one away...............when are you people going to realize Louie has nothing to do with any athletic decisions? Candice runs the University, she hires and fires. She is the root of athletics....Tom is just a yes man that got his lunch buddy a job! Nothing really has changed with the crappy marketing department, because Candice likes those folks. Who ever came up with "A New Generation" should get a raise, because it truly is. Who ever thought of putting a bowlin pin on a football poster (Ianello) should get the boot....Tom was that a lunch date promise too?

Hey Candice! Can you sell beer to the common folk next year so we too can feel like Louie in the box?

Zips will win Friday! Go Seniors! Go Zips!

[zipsfan33]

Why do I go to football games? Well lets go back in time a little bit... My father served in Vietnam and when he was done settled in Akron, Ohio. He is a huge sports fan and decided since he lived less than 5 minutes from the Rubber Bowl to buy season tickets in 1966. Fast forward to 1987 when I attended my first game...The Acme Zip game... big crowd, fireworks, parachuters, etc. Since that day I have missed maybe 10 games total and as bad as things are I am proud as ever to wear my jersey, hat, hoodie or whatever it takes. Yes I graduated in 2003 and am currently attending for my post grad work, but I have paid for my season ticket since the day I turned 18 and didn't get in for a child rate. We had the best seats (in my opinion) at the Bowl up under the press box so we were covered from the rain and snow. I am very impressed with our location at the Info 40 yard line row 1 of the upper deck! I LOVE football and while it may not be great football, it is my beloved Akron Zips!

[zips4ever2008]

I was moving to Ohio from California with my family and Akron was the only school to accept me. Toledo said no and Can't put me on a waiting list. I graduated in 2008 with my degree. I loved college. I enjoyed the college life more then high school. I've seen lots of changes to UA and the athletics. I've been through it all with the sports teams but to be honest, football is the most frustrating. The year we won the MAC was so exciting and gave me reason to believe that the football program would start being dominent. Hasn't been the same since. Since my family has season tickets to football, it's just been frustrating watching this team play. We had four seats, but now we might go down to two or none at all. We're still trying to decide if we want to go to the last game. I might just to see if the team can finally get a win. My family and I also have season tickets to men's and women's soccer and men's and women's baseketball. We also go to volleyball, softball, baseball and tennis. I support my school and the teams. I will be honest to say that I grew up watching the Pac-10 and still do. I enjoy watching teams like USC. I want to be clear that this is for football only. I'm loyal to Akron, but this football program is really testing me. I will not support Ohio State. I hate them. So again, I might see the last game this year versus Buffalo to see if they can win. If nothing else, I enjoy the marching band. I just hope this program gets turned and starts winning and seasons like this can be forgotten.

[ditchrider1]

My first Akron game was an Acme Zip game at the Bowl against Salem College of Virginia. I was about 12 and my stepdad and his friends had a cook-out at one of their houses before hand. We all then went to the game and the place was packed! Akron crushed Salem and I had a great time. Ever since then I have followed the Zips. I was at the Rubber Bowl almost every weekend, friday night city series double-headers and then the Zips on Saturday. I watched them battle thorugh games against Redskins, Hurons, Colonels and Governors...the good ole' days.

While attending Akron, I hung out with alot of players back around 94-98' and always went to as many games a possible. I have tailgated at the Bowl, got hammered behind the plastic picket fence in the beer garden, sat in the rain vs. VA TECH, seen them blow leads vs Can't and UCONN and left early at the Marshall miracle...DOH! I even have the VHS tape of Chuck Frye leading the Zips to victory vs. Ohio in his debut. I made several road trips for the Zips for regular season, championship and bowl games.

I will always root for the Zips but the past two years I have fallen out of touch with them. I honestly liked them better when they sucked in the Rubber Bowl...it was less embarrassing. I do not like the "new" era of Zips football, I am not excited to travel to campus on Saturdays. The university has screwed the game-day experience...donations for parking, seriously? They should offer to come pick up people at their homes to attend games and drive them back afterwards! Alcohol for the elite in the suites? Where do they think they are an elite SEC school? Those loges will continue to be empty...Pretty soon they will be laying blue tarps over entire sections of seats like they did in the Rubber Bowl to make the stands look fuller.

I have not been back since the Syracuse game this year, it was boring and the atmosphere non-existent so now I listen on the radio and probably wont go back until I can justify spending my hard earned money on the product.

Call me crazy but I miss the Rubber Bowl days already.