Worst Fans in the NCAA

[Dave in Green]

Where were the students last night? They missed one of the most entertaining games at the JAR in years. Hope our students make it for the Miami game and the remaining games. The Zips and the rest of the fans need our students! They do such a great job. Hope to see you there!

I mostly blame the JAR.

Absolutely. The facility was to blame, not the students. The JAR was only allowing older folks in for this game. The JAR stopped students at the door and wouldn't let them in. If I were a student, I'd organize a protest against the JAR for discrimination.

[meatwad]

Where were the students last night? They missed one of the most entertaining games at the JAR in years. Hope our students make it for the Miami game and the remaining games. The Zips and the rest of the fans need our students! They do such a great job. Hope to see you there!

I mostly blame the JAR.

Absolutely. The facility was to blame, not the students. The JAR was only allowing older folks in for this game. The JAR stopped students at the door and wouldn't let them in. If I were a student, I'd organize a protest against the JAR for discrimination.

I'm picking up on your sarcasm.

[jem101]

Where were the students last night? They missed one of the most entertaining games at the JAR in years. Hope our students make it for the Miami game and the remaining games. The Zips and the rest of the fans need our students! They do such a great job. Hope to see you there!

I mostly blame the JAR.

Absolutely. The facility was to blame, not the students. The JAR was only allowing older folks in for this game. The JAR stopped students at the door and wouldn't let them in. If I were a student, I'd organize a protest against the JAR for discrimination.

Obviously, the JAR wasn't stopping us students from attending, but it may have been preventing an accurate reading of how many students were actually there. The floor seats were fairly empty last night, but who is to say that there weren't quite a few students in the GA seating? Until we have one large designated student section, it is going to be really difficult to tell how many students attend. From where I was sitting on the floor, I picked out several students in Rowdies shirts in GA. I know that last year as a freshmen I didn't join the Rowdies and I attended quite a few games in the GA section.

I'm not on the Rowdies board, but if I were here is my suggestion for filling the floor seats: I think that the floor seats should be opened up for all students 10-15 minutes before tip off. If you're a Rowdy and want to guarantee a floor seat, then show up a little early. Otherwise, those seats should be offered to the other UA students. Last night's basketball game was great and it's a shame that more floor seats weren't filled.

[RootforRoo44]

Where were the students last night? They missed one of the most entertaining games at the JAR in years. Hope our students make it for the Miami game and the remaining games. The Zips and the rest of the fans need our students! They do such a great job. Hope to see you there!

I mostly blame the JAR.

Absolutely. The facility was to blame, not the students. The JAR was only allowing older folks in for this game. The JAR stopped students at the door and wouldn't let them in. If I were a student, I'd organize a protest against the JAR for discrimination.

Obviously, the JAR wasn't stopping us students from attending, but it may have been preventing an accurate reading of how many students were actually there. The floor seats were fairly empty last night, but who is to say that there weren't quite a few students in the GA seating? Until we have one large designated student section, it is going to be really difficult to tell how many students attend. From where I was sitting on the floor, I picked out several students in Rowdies shirts in GA. I know that last year as a freshmen I didn't join the Rowdies and I attended quite a few games in the GA section.

I'm not on the Rowdies board, but if I were here is my suggestion for filling the floor seats: I think that the floor seats should be opened up for all students 10-15 minutes before tip off. If you're a Rowdy and want to guarantee a floor seat, then show up a little early. Otherwise, those seats should be offered to the other UA students. Last night's basketball game was great and it's a shame that more floor seats weren't filled.

I agree entirely Jacob...ZachtheZip and i had this exact conversation at halftime last night. What would also be a good idea is to announce it as well over the PA that they can move down. The strictness of only allowing rowdies down low is a bit stupid.

[zippy5]

Where were the students last night? They missed one of the most entertaining games at the JAR in years. Hope our students make it for the Miami game and the remaining games. The Zips and the rest of the fans need our students! They do such a great job. Hope to see you there!

I mostly blame the JAR.

Absolutely. The facility was to blame, not the students. The JAR was only allowing older folks in for this game. The JAR stopped students at the door and wouldn't let them in. If I were a student, I'd organize a protest against the JAR for discrimination.

Obviously, the JAR wasn't stopping us students from attending, but it may have been preventing an accurate reading of how many students were actually there. The floor seats were fairly empty last night, but who is to say that there weren't quite a few students in the GA seating? Until we have one large designated student section, it is going to be really difficult to tell how many students attend. From where I was sitting on the floor, I picked out several students in Rowdies shirts in GA. I know that last year as a freshmen I didn't join the Rowdies and I attended quite a few games in the GA section.

I'm not on the Rowdies board, but if I were here is my suggestion for filling the floor seats: I think that the floor seats should be opened up for all students 10-15 minutes before tip off. If you're a Rowdy and want to guarantee a floor seat, then show up a little early. Otherwise, those seats should be offered to the other UA students. Last night's basketball game was great and it's a shame that more floor seats weren't filled.

I agree entirely Jacob...ZachtheZip and i had this exact conversation at halftime last night. What would also be a good idea is to announce it as well over the PA that they can move down. The strictness of only allowing rowdies down low is really really stupid.

fixed

[ZachTheZip]

Four or five years ago, the Rowdies sent a person upstairs at halftime with passes to get down to the lower sections.

Halftime is a reasonable time to do it.

[72 Roo]

Student attendance is a huge problem. If it isn't solved we will only see our program progress on a limited basis. I was one of the folks who said as soon as the on-campus housing increases the students will turn out big-time and make our games THE places to be every time we play. Now over 3200 students live in campus and we still have horrible student attendance for the quality of our program. The students are the key. When they show well they make each game an event. When basketball games become events, the general public will buy up all the other tickets.

The students are the key and I don't understand why they don't fill every GA seat.

[ZachTheZip]

Student attendance is a huge problem. If it isn't solved we will only see our program progress on a limited basis. I was one of the folks who said as soon as the on-campus housing increases the students will turn out big-time and make our games THE places to be every time we play. Now over 3200 students live in campus and we still have horrible student attendance for the quality of our program. The students are the key. When they show well they make each game an event. When basketball games become events, the general public will buy up all the other tickets.

The students are the key and I don't understand why they don't fill every GA seat.

Because the rest of the GA viewers (not fans) yell at them for acting like students attending a college basketball game. The JAR is not a movie theater, but the attendees seem to think the same rules apply.

That's why the students need to have their own section, seperate from the GA. Students and GA should not mix.

[UAZip0510]

They just need to stop with the entitlement crap. Why do you have to be an "official" Rowdy to sit down low? If you have a Zip ID, you should be allowed down low.

[RootforRoo44]

They just need to stop with the entitlement crap. Why do you have to be an "official" Rowdy to sit down low? If you have a Zip ID, you should be allowed down low.

Better yet, when a student walks in, hand them a wristband and inform them that their section is down low.

[tpsjugglerdude]

They just need to stop with the entitlement crap. Why do you have to be an "official" Rowdy to sit down low? If you have a Zip ID, you should be allowed down low.

Why is it that there are more people with "official" rowdy shirts who sit in the GA section then in the lower section with the Rowdy board?

[zippy5]

They just need to stop with the entitlement crap. Why do you have to be an "official" Rowdy to sit down low? If you have a Zip ID, you should be allowed down low.

Better yet, when a student walks in, hand them a wristband and inform them that their section is down low.

yes, students should not only all be allowed to sit down low, they should have to go there, until it is full.

i get the feeling that a lot of people going to games that don't sit down low actually are rowdies, but just kind of don't like the regulars, if you will. so they sit up top.

[RootforRoo44]

They just need to stop with the entitlement crap. Why do you have to be an "official" Rowdy to sit down low? If you have a Zip ID, you should be allowed down low.

Better yet, when a student walks in, hand them a wristband and inform them that their section is down low.

yes, students should not only all be allowed to sit down low, they should have to go there, until it is full.

i get the feeling that a lot of people going to games that don't sit down low actually are rowdies, but just kind of don't like the regulars, if you will. so they sit up top.

That may be somewhat the case, but also they may just be bad fans that don't want to be involved like normal college basketball student fans and dont want to be around that type of atmosphere.

That kind of attitude is a big problem, so if people are going to be down low, lets at least hope they actually want to be at the game enjoying it the correct way.

That being said, i'm getting a bunch of friends (who are alumni) together for saturday at least to help me make things a bit rowdier down on the north end and more like they used to be. The people not joining in will be the minority and will hopefully feel left out enough to join in.

[Blue & Gold]

That being said, i'm getting a bunch of friends (who are alumni) together for saturday at least to help me make things a bit rowdier down on the north end and more like they used to be. The people not joining in will be the minority and will hopefully feel left out enough to join in.

Good move.

[Blue & Gold]

That may be somewhat the case, but also they may just be bad fans that don't want to be involved like normal college basketball student fans and dont want to be around that type of atmosphere.

That kind of attitude is a big problem, so if people are going to be down low, lets at least hope they actually want to be at the game enjoying it the correct way.

I've seen this around the city, first hand. This is a generalization - so don't nit-pick over this admitted generalization - but if you go to a City Series basketball game, the student fans are pretty lame. Not a strong turn-out, most students more concerned w/ their texting than w/ the game being played, and it seems "uncool" to get excited or to show emotion about the game being played. I went to last week's Garfield-Buchtel game. GREAT game!! Mediocre atmosphere. LOUSY student-led atmosphere.

However, if you attend a Hoban or St.V/M game, the student section is all wearing school colors, have their faces painted, have chants, rarely (never?) sit down, etc., etc.

Maybe we're seeing a dichotomy of cultures coming together @ The University of Akron basketball games?

It is pretty annoying when you're sitting near some people who obviously try to be "too cool" to get into the game. Is it jealousy, that they don't want to give better athletes props?

[zipsfan13]

They just need to stop with the entitlement crap. Why do you have to be an "official" Rowdy to sit down low? If you have a Zip ID, you should be allowed down low.

Better yet, when a student walks in, hand them a wristband and inform them that their section is down low.

yes, students should not only all be allowed to sit down low, they should have to go there, until it is full.

i get the feeling that a lot of people going to games that don't sit down low actually are rowdies, but just kind of don't like the regulars, if you will. so they sit up top.

That's why I sat in the GA section for the game against Creighton. I used to sit with the Rowdies for every game during my first two years and a little bit last year, but I stopped because there's a group of them that think they're better than everyone else, which took the fun out of sitting down there. By the way, it's not the people who are in charge of the Rowdies, because I like them.

[Dave in Green]

I was hoping that scottditzen would expand a little on his remark about it being the JAR's fault. I suspect his reasoning is similar to what others have been saying.

The way I actually saw the crowd for the Creighton game is that it was a little light in all areas, including the Rowdies' sections on the floor. I can't say whether there were more missing students or more missing non-students. But the one constant I always expect to see is a full house in the two Rowdies' sections.

The JAR is obviously not the greatest facility, and tweaking the seating situation might help a little. But let's be honest about this. We can always dream up thousands of excuses for not doing things we really aren't interested in doing. The fact that the JAR is not the best basketball facility, the seating arrangement is not optimized, some fans try to discourage others from making noise, etc., are all weak excuses not to show up and enjoy and support the performance of this Zips team.

All excuses aside, the bottom line is that the Zips are playing good basketball right now and are entertaining to watch. They deserve more support from both the student body and the community.

[scottditzen]

I was hoping that scottditzen would expand a little on his remark about it being the JAR's fault. I suspect his reasoning is similar to what others have been saying.

The way I actually saw the crowd for the Creighton game is that it was a little light in all areas, including the Rowdies' sections on the floor. I can't say whether there were more missing students or more missing non-students. But the one constant I always expect to see is a full house in the two Rowdies' sections.

The JAR is obviously not the greatest facility, and tweaking the seating situation might help a little. But let's be honest about this. We can always dream up thousands of excuses for not doing things we really aren't interested in doing. The fact that the JAR is not the best basketball facility, the seating arrangement is not optimized, some fans try to discourage others from making noise, etc., are all weak excuses not to show up and enjoy and support the performance of this Zips team.

All excuses aside, the bottom line is that the Zips are playing good basketball right now and are entertaining to watch. They deserve more support from both the student body and the community.

Hi Dave. I think the overall fan experience at the JAR is very low. But more directly to the current discussion, the seating layout to me seems to kill any sort of fan/student continuity. Now maybe I'm not doing a good job of describing it....but the way fans on each level are segregated by the track, along with the fact that younger fans are sent to the rafters....to me it's just not conducive to fostering an exciting, energetic crowd.

Remembering back as a student, it was so frustrating to have the upper stands trying to make all kinds of noise, only to look down at the quiet, comatose bodies filling every other blue seat.

Admittedly many students at the U are apathetic. But if we had a better facility (not necessarily larger) with a better seating layout, I'm sure we will have more students enjoying the atmosphere and making a habit of attending games.

p.s. agree with you that the facility is not a good excuse for students to ignore our streaking team.

[72 Roo]

I was hoping that scottditzen would expand a little on his remark about it being the JAR's fault. I suspect his reasoning is similar to what others have been saying.

The way I actually saw the crowd for the Creighton game is that it was a little light in all areas, including the Rowdies' sections on the floor. I can't say whether there were more missing students or more missing non-students. But the one constant I always expect to see is a full house in the two Rowdies' sections.

The JAR is obviously not the greatest facility, and tweaking the seating situation might help a little. But let's be honest about this. We can always dream up thousands of excuses for not doing things we really aren't interested in doing. The fact that the JAR is not the best basketball facility, the seating arrangement is not optimized, some fans try to discourage others from making noise, etc., are all weak excuses not to show up and enjoy and support the performance of this Zips team.

All excuses aside, the bottom line is that the Zips are playing good basketball right now and are entertaining to watch. They deserve more support from both the student body and the community.

Dave.... Well put. There are many things that influence the student attendance, but the bottom line is that they are not doing the job in supporting a program that is at the top of the conference year in, year out. We have all heard that the structure of the JAR needs overhauled and I agree with that. Also the seating policy for students in the lower bowl needs reviewed. But those cannot be accepted as excuses. We have to solve this because, selflessly, I dream of getting out of the MAC. A Gonzga-type program and a conference winning football team will help us get there. But, good post Dave.

[yazan07]

These people will stand up and cheer if you light a fire under them.

Two years ago marketing had a GA who would do all the little gimmicky promotional stuff but who would also go out on the floor in the last two minutes of a close game and get everyone fired up. I don't think it was any coincidence that he was one of the founders of the ROWDIES (I miss you Willy).

Towards the end of the game the other day I turned to the guy next to me in the band asked him if he remembered those days and how if there was just one person to get the crowed fired up, it would make a significant difference.

A few minutes later our director took it upon himself to walk out along the sideline, cowbell in hand, and essentially force the lower section to stand up and cheer. Yeah this is the same band director who a few months ago drew this comment (yeah I dug it up): "The overly aggressive band leader seems to think the game is about him"

I don't know about anyone else, but if thinking the game is about him means firing up the people who are usually sleeping, I'll take it. Really though, this shouldn't be his job. I wish someone in athletics would wake up. Those old people have potential, the really do. Someone just needs to push them.

Kudos to everyone who actually participates in supporting our team

[RowdyZip]

These people will stand up and cheer if you light a fire under them.

A few minutes later our director took it upon himself to walk out along the sideline, cowbell in hand, and essentially force the lower section to stand up and cheer. Yeah this is the same band director who a few months ago drew this comment (yeah I dug it up): "The overly aggressive band leader seems to think the game is about him"

Kudos to everyone who actually participates in supporting our team

I noticed the band director out there with the cowbell. I loved it. I'm convinced that majority of people sit on their hands because everybody else does. It's that crowd mentality, "Well, I don't want to look silly being the only one to stand up and cheer..." This is another reason I believe a layout change at the JAR would benefit the overall gameday experience.

If we had even one sideline section for students, and it was packed and loud and standing the entire game, I think it'd have at least a small effect on the rest of the crowd in the lower bowl. Again though, we're stuck with the Chicken and egg effect...students have to show support before the university would ever consider reconfiguring.

[scottditzen]

Dave I agree with you in every area. The team SHOULD be getting more support. But blaming students and people who do not attend gets us nowhere, even though they deserve blame lol.

The only answer is for the U to be more proactive. They must take more steps to get people to the games, to make the games seem more like a special event.

They can do this by improving the fan experience. It's bad right now. And several have brought up good points that even with the vast limitations of the arena, something must be done about seating arrangements and bringing back someone like that crazy Willy guy that got everyone amped up. Those are just two no brainer ideas of several that are needed.

I blame the JAR experience.

I was hoping that scottditzen would expand a little on his remark about it being the JAR's fault. I suspect his reasoning is similar to what others have been saying.

The way I actually saw the crowd for the Creighton game is that it was a little light in all areas, including the Rowdies' sections on the floor. I can't say whether there were more missing students or more missing non-students. But the one constant I always expect to see is a full house in the two Rowdies' sections.

The JAR is obviously not the greatest facility, and tweaking the seating situation might help a little. But let's be honest about this. We can always dream up thousands of excuses for not doing things we really aren't interested in doing. The fact that the JAR is not the best basketball facility, the seating arrangement is not optimized, some fans try to discourage others from making noise, etc., are all weak excuses not to show up and enjoy and support the performance of this Zips team.

All excuses aside, the bottom line is that the Zips are playing good basketball right now and are entertaining to watch. They deserve more support from both the student body and the community.

Dave.... Well put. There are many things that influence the student attendance, but the bottom line is that they are not doing the job in supporting a program that is at the top of the conference year in, year out. We have all heard that the structure of the JAR needs overhauled and I agree with that. Also the seating policy for students in the lower bowl needs reviewed. But those cannot be accepted as excuses. We have to solve this because, selflessly, I dream of getting out of the MAC. A Gonzga-type program and a conference winning football team will help us get there. But, good post Dave.

[zipsfan13]

A few minutes later our director took it upon himself to walk out along the sideline, cowbell in hand, and essentially force the lower section to stand up and cheer. Yeah this is the same band director who a few months ago drew this comment (yeah I dug it up): "The overly aggressive band leader seems to think the game is about him"

I loved seeing the band director do that! He got the majority of the fans to stand up and cheer.

[jberry1337]

These people will stand up and cheer if you light a fire under them.

Two years ago marketing had a GA who would do all the little gimmicky promotional stuff but who would also go out on the floor in the last two minutes of a close game and get everyone fired up. I don't think it was any coincidence that he was one of the founders of the ROWDIES (I miss you Willy).

Towards the end of the game the other day I turned to the guy next to me in the band asked him if he remembered those days and how if there was just one person to get the crowed fired up, it would make a significant difference.

A few minutes later our director took it upon himself to walk out along the sideline, cowbell in hand, and essentially force the lower section to stand up and cheer. Yeah this is the same band director who a few months ago drew this comment (yeah I dug it up): "The overly aggressive band leader seems to think the game is about him"

I don't know about anyone else, but if thinking the game is about him means firing up the people who are usually sleeping, I'll take it. Really though, this shouldn't be his job. I wish someone in athletics would wake up. Those old people have potential, the really do. Someone just needs to push them.

Kudos to everyone who actually participates in supporting our team

This past summer I saw Willy working at an Aero's game, doing the same thing, pumping up the crowd between innings. Maybe the University could pay him to do this at the basketball games, obviously he is good, and recognizable.

[Hilltopper]

Someone from the marketing department must at least occasionally read threads on Zipsnation. For the first time all season, the yellow car finally won the Sheetz remote control car race promo. The red car was undefeated, because every time the yellow car got to the cones, it went out of control and drove in circles. Game after game, it became obvious to anyone paying attention, that there was something wrong with the yellow car. It became a running joke in my seating section and here on ZNo. Why is this important you may ask? Its important because it points out the lack of professionalism by the athletic department and the people who run the events at the JAR. Just like CK points out, its not one thing that makes people hesitant to come to a Zips game, but a whole bunch of little things. An overall lack of attention to detail makes the game experience less than it could be. A paid master of ceremonies or cheerleader would be a good idea. I loved it when the Pep band director took things into his own hands to get the crowd pumped up Saturday night. He did the same thing at the football games this season with the roving pep band. Maybe they could get him to fill the position.