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[NewZipsFan]

Who cares? Is the Big East more maligned than the crappy MAC? The MAC is THE WORST man, THE WORST. It's worse than just bad. It's dirty grey, it's the former Soviet "stans", it's the worst kind of athletic badness, which is to say that it's small-time and terribly bland. The MAC is lentil soup with no spice and no taste, it's trying to keep a buddy from laughing when trying to distinguish one directional school from another, it's explaining to people that there are those who actually give a s__t about beating Can't, even as they look at you like you're a kook. The MAC is the lay-down-to-be-murdered-by-Wisconsin for cash league, the "is that really D-1 football?" league, where every school is so close to each other in the same region that it all looks and feels the same. The MAC is the kid who never gets chosen for pick up teams, it's the Debby Downer of sports leagues. It's Pleasantville in black and white, except the film never shifts to color. The MAC is the Siberia of sports leagues, it's where teams are exiled for being too shabby, too boring, for lacking any vitality. When someone wants to snidely make fun of something crappy they call it MACtastic.

I would be happy to see UA join ANY other league of substance. If it's the MWC/C-USA, let's go! If it's the Big East, minus the Pitts and Syracuses, so be it. The MAC is where you're left when the music stops and THERE ARE NO CHAIRS LEFT. If North Korea were building some horrible old version of a Soviet version of a crappy old Fiat, the designs for which they stole in 1956, and the North Koreans were still throwing these buckets of 1956-technology crap together, they would be called THE MAC. "Hey Comrade, can I help you push start your grey, 1973 MAC so you can struggle to the coal mine, belching black smoke in -3C temperatures this morning?"

Now that we have KD pushing the BB team, Porter maintaining a top-flight Soccer program, perennially competitive track teams and Terry Bowden, who sure as hell better do good things with this football program (please God!) I can see the crowds gathering at the wall. Soon there will be brave ones who climb the wall to cut the barb wire and then the crowds with sledge hammers will show up. We're in East Germany right now, and it's cold and it's dark and it's grey. I want West German goodness. I want some color. I want freedom from the MAC and all it represents.

All I can say to that is ---- WOW! I surely hope you write for a living - because that was pretty dadgum great.

AND -- I think I agree with you 100%. Well done, sir....

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

In fact, from now on, when someone says "how are you feeling today?" and your response might have been "pretty grey, pretty dadgum grey" the new and most logical response ought to be "Man, I'm just really feeling MAC today. It's just a MAC of a day brother."

If the MAC had a trademark odor, it would be oily kerosene, the smells of which normally one would associate with a wet oily bilge in an old Navy vessel. THAT'S THE MAC.

MAC team colors ought to normally be variations on the color of the residue that you wipe from the lower quarter panels on your car in early March, if you had not washed the car all winter.

[GP1]

Is the Big East more maligned than the crappy MAC? The MAC is THE WORST man, THE WORST.

I would have to say no to your question, because not enough people pay enough attention to the MAC to bash it.

On the second point, the MAC is straight Dollar General

[LZIp]

Some of you are just too negative. The MAC has its good teams like NIU, Ohio, Temple, Toledo and then its bad teams just like any other mid major. What was the MAC's bowl record this year again?

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

Some of you are just too negative. The MAC has its good teams like NIU, Ohio, Temple, Toledo and then its bad teams just like any other mid major. What was the MAC's bowl record this year again?

Here's the world's answer to the question "What was the MAC's bowl record this year again?"

1) WHO CARES?

or

2) THE WHAT? WHAT'S A MAC?

or

3) THE MAC IS STILL A JOKE

or

4) IS THE MAC REALLY FBS? HUH...

or

5) WOW, I DIDN'T KNOW DIV II TEAMS PLAYED IN BOWL GAMES

[NewZipsFan]

I would have to say no to your question, because not enough people pay enough attention to the MAC to bash it.

On the second point, the MAC is straight Dollar General

"Straight Dollar General"..... SDG... From now on when something is lame, uncool, unsophisticated, or just plain uninteresting... It will be referred to as SDG.

Can't wait for the kids to catch on to the coolest, non-SDG, slang term...

Can't State is soooo SDG

[akzipper]

"Straight Dollar General"..... SDG... From now on when something is lame, uncool, unsophisticated, or just plain uninteresting... It will be referred to as SDG.

Can't wait for the kids to catch on to the coolest, non-SDG, slang term...

Can't State is soooo SDG

I would actually say Can't is more comparable to a thrift store than a Dollar General. A place full of worn out garbage that nobody wants anymore. Calling Can't "Straight Dollar General" would be an insult to the store!

As far as the rest of the MAC is more like Dollar Tree. Where everything is under a $1, with Akron being the only school worth more.

[LZIp]

Here's the world's answer to the question "What was the MAC's bowl record this year again?"

1) WHO CARES?

or

2) THE WHAT? WHAT'S A MAC?

or

3) THE MAC IS STILL A JOKE

or

4) IS THE MAC REALLY FBS? HUH...

or

5) WOW, I DIDN'T KNOW DIV II TEAMS PLAYED IN BOWL GAMES

that is your opinion, but you would be kidding yourself if you think anybody truly cares about the WAC, MWC, CUSA, Big Sky, whatever

[K92]

I would actually say Can't is more comparable to a thrift store than a Dollar General. A place full of worn out garbage that nobody wants anymore. Calling Can't "Straight Dollar General" would be an insult to the store!

As far as the rest of the MAC is more like Dollar Tree. Where everything is under a $1, with Akron being the only school worth more.

You got your Big East, your Big XII and your Big Ten...maybe the MAC just needs to rebrand with Big in the title...

[scottditzen]

-edit-

You guys got this thread so far off topic you confused me!!

[NewZipsFan]

You got your Big East, your Big XII and your Big Ten...maybe the MAC just needs to rebrand with Big in the title...

I actually, literally, laughed out loud when I read that...

So great to be able to joke about something rather than get so passionately pissed off all the time

I think the basic truths are these:

1. The Big East is a better conference for a college football team than the MAC. In college football, if you were the Big East Champion you would have an automatic bid to the Orange Bowl (at this point in time). If you are the MAC Champion, you have NO guarantee of a BCS Bowl - period.. So that means you basically have 0% (yes, I said 0%) chance of winning a National Championship (under the system that exists today).

2. Akron fans want to win - and they want to win NOW... not in two or three years, on August 30th - Period.

3. To my untrained and uneducated eye - but with my general positive outlook on the situation - I believe that if Coach Bowden can get 4-6 wins (and I mean anywhere between 4-6 is over the top, but I have faith that Coach Bowden can do it), the culture could be changed very quickly. Legacies are built usually with a quick burst of success - that then build on itself over a sustained period of time. It is time, and very feasible that this could be the beginning of a great era in Akron Football. I'd say ya'll are deserving and due.

4. But even 3-4 wins - if the team shows us that they're working hard, having fun, playing with exuberance - most of the fans will respond to that in a positive way, and stay on board for year #2.

5. I would bet my dog that we will have at least a 7-5 record in 2013.

6. If I am right - what would the appropriate reaction from the fans and administration be?

[NewZipsFan]

I actually, literally, laughed out loud when I read that...

So great to be able to joke about something rather than get so passionately pissed off all the time

I think the basic truths are these:

1. The Big East is a better conference for a college football team than the MAC. In college football, if you were the Big East Champion you would have an automatic bid to the Orange Bowl (at this point in time). If you are the MAC Champion, you have NO guarantee of a BCS Bowl - period.. So that means you basically have 0% (yes, I said 0%) chance of winning a National Championship (under the system that exists today).

2. Akron fans want to win - and they want to win NOW... not in two or three years, on August 30th - Period.

3. To my untrained and uneducated eye - but with my general positive outlook on the situation - I believe that if Coach Bowden can get 4-6 wins (and I mean anywhere between 4-6 is over the top, but I have faith that Coach Bowden can do it), the culture could be changed very quickly. Legacies are built usually with a quick burst of success - that then build on itself over a sustained period of time. It is time, and very feasible that this could be the beginning of a great era in Akron Football. I'd say ya'll are deserving and due.

4. But even 3-4 wins - if the team shows us that they're working hard, having fun, playing with exuberance - most of the fans will respond to that in a positive way, and stay on board for year #2.

5. I would bet my dog that we will have at least a 7-5 record in 2013.

6. If I am right - what would the appropriate reaction from the fans and administration be?

Dadgummit -- I totally missed it... Not Big Lots... it would be "Big MAC"....

[PB1719]

I'm more concerned with having full lots, all over campus.

[GP1]

"Straight Dollar General"..... SDG... From now on when something is lame, uncool, unsophisticated, or just plain uninteresting... It will be referred to as SDG.

Can't wait for the kids to catch on to the coolest, non-SDG, slang term...

Can't State is soooo SDG

Actually, there is a funny story behind this that started the saying. To this day, when I call the MAC Dollar General, it drives some on this board insane.

My wife, Mrs. GP1, the luckiest woman in the world, went to Miamioh (got here MBA from UofA). I forget how many years ago it was, but Akron played Miami on a Tuesday or Wednesday night ESPNWhatever game. Miamioh had an alumni party to watch the game in uptown Charlotte so we went. At that time, the MAC was really at a low point.

Miamioh beat us that night 3-0. Almost a completely unwatchable game. On the way home, my wife says, "Being commissioner of the MAC must be like being VP of Sales and Marketing for Dollar General. You can trick someone to come in to shop once, but once they see the crap you are selling, it is hard to get them to come back."

Mrs. GP1 described exactly why, for a long time now, MAC stadiums sit empty. You are new to the MAC...Would it surprise you to know the MAC has been around since the late 1940s? In over 60 years now, they have not been able to do anything with the league, but like a cockroach, it still lives.

[zipsfan33]

Hey Newzipsfan,

"5. I would bet my dog that we will have at least a 7-5 record in 2013."

How old is your dog and what kind is it???

[Zipmeister]

7-5 in 2013 will:

have a lot of fans thankful, but Joe Akron unmoved,

the administration handing out contract extensions,

and with any luck keep you out of Michael Vick's old jail cell for wagering on your dog.

[Captain Kangaroo]

7-5 in 2013 will:

have a lot of fans thankful, but Joe Akron unmoved

7-5 got 15k people to drive to Detroit for the Motor City Bowl.

[NewZipsFan]

Hey Newzipsfan,

"5. I would bet my dog that we will have at least a 7-5 record in 2013."

How old is your dog and what kind is it???

Ok - so I don't have a dog It was a "metaphor". I actually don't bet -- unless it includes someone cleaning out my refrigerator or some other task I hate to do (ok - never do).

So - 'Joe Akron' won't be moved to do anything different at 7-5? Who the hell is Joe Akron, then? Is he the guy who is always at the game regardless (you know - a real fan like all of us) or is he the guy who lives in Akron/went to Akron but is really an OSU fan - and will complain about Akron's football success/progress unless we win a National Championship?

[Captain Kangaroo]

So - 'Joe Akron' won't be moved to do anything different at 7-5? Who the hell is Joe Akron, then? Is he the guy who is always at the game regardless (you know - a real fan like all of us) or is he the guy who lives in Akron/went to Akron but is really an OSU fan - and will complain about Akron's football success/progress unless we win a National Championship?

Joe Akron Thread

[NewZipsFan]

Joe Akron Thread

Ok - so:

"He's usually found on a couch, where he can deftly perform the "YMCA/O-H-I-O" motions horizontally. He has never been to a Zips sporting event, yet can tell you everything that is wrong with Zips athletics.:

and

"I think of Joe Akron as any Summit County resident (or greater Akron area resident - I live in Stark) who is a sports fan, especially a college sports fan, but who has never been interested in the hometown U."

The description of those guys, to me, isn't Joe Akron. He could be called, "Joe FromAkronArea". He doesn't deserve to be called "Joe Akron", IMO.

Joe Akron should be the guy that goes to as many games as he can - regardless of record, weather, or an OSU game going on at the same time. He should be the guy who wears Akron gear all year long, and depending upon his financial situation - contributes to some fund within the University (academic or athletic) or volunteers his time with a booster club. If we don't take pride in the Akron name, we can't expect anyone else to. Not slamming you guys - at all -- I'm just trying in my own small, insignificant way, to change the underlying "red-headed step-child" feeling that seems to permeate many in the area.

[johnnyzip84]

Joe Akron should be the guy that goes to as many games as he can - regardless of record, weather, or an OSU game going on at the same time. He should be the guy who wears Akron gear all year long, and depending upon his financial situation - contributes to some fund within the University (academic or athletic) or volunteers his time with a booster club.

Oh. You mean Zips_Win!

[Dr Z]

Joe Akron should be the guy that goes to as many games as he can - regardless of record, weather, or an OSU game going on at the same time. He should be the guy who wears Akron gear all year long, and depending upon his financial situation - contributes to some fund within the University (academic or athletic) or volunteers his time with a booster club. If we don't take pride in the Akron name, we can't expect anyone else to. Not slamming you guys - at all -- I'm just trying in my own small, insignificant way, to change the underlying "red-headed step-child" feeling that seems to permeate many in the area.

You just described a ZipsNation member. We are a cut above Joe Akron.

Edit: JZ, I also considered that response!

[Blue & Gold]

Ok - so:

"He's usually found on a couch, where he can deftly perform the "YMCA/O-H-I-O" motions horizontally. He has never been to a Zips sporting event, yet can tell you everything that is wrong with Zips athletics.:

and

"I think of Joe Akron as any Summit County resident (or greater Akron area resident - I live in Stark) who is a sports fan, especially a college sports fan, but who has never been interested in the hometown U."

The description of those guys, to me, isn't Joe Akron. He could be called, "Joe FromAkronArea". He doesn't deserve to be called "Joe Akron", IMO.

Joe Akron should be the guy that goes to as many games as he can - regardless of record, weather, or an OSU game going on at the same time. He should be the guy who wears Akron gear all year long, and depending upon his financial situation - contributes to some fund within the University (academic or athletic) or volunteers his time with a booster club. If we don't take pride in the Akron name, we can't expect anyone else to. Not slamming you guys - at all -- I'm just trying in my own small, insignificant way, to change the underlying "red-headed step-child" feeling that seems to permeate many in the area.

The way in which we've been using the term is in regards to labeling the average, uninterested-in-Akron athletics area resident. You are describing who we on ZNO refer to as diehard Zips fans.

[NewZipsFan]

The way in which we've been using the term is in regards to labeling the average, uninterested-in-Akron athletics area resident. You are describing who we on ZNO refer to as diehard Zips fans.

Well -- I guess my experience with college football is just a lot different than that of the Akron fans. Because obviously, to me, a diehard fan is the season ticket holder (even if they have to go without electricity for a couple months ... lol), the guy who has his team flags in the yard and front porch all year, the guy whose truck/car is his team's colors (either factory or custom), the guy who is camped out in the tailgating lot the night before the game so that he has enough time to smoke an entire cow, the guy who - dare I say it - is a face painter, the guy who actually GOES to the Spring Game and any open practices - any time, and the guy with the personalized license plate (no matter how funky he has to spell the team name or mascot i.e. Gaytor555 or TheYOU1).

That may be over the top -- but there are THOUSANDS of those guys, and we should aspire to have some of that diehard spirit. I'm sure there are Akron fans who fit that description -- but from everything ya'll have been saying -- there aren't many. The bar seems pretty low when it comes to what constitutes an Akron fan. Time to raise it up! Drink some Kool Aid, and believe (even blindly if you must) that this football team is going to be something to be very proud of, exciting to watch, and the newest powerhouse in the nation.

Glass is 100% full

[Hilltopper]

Well -- I guess my experience with college football is just a lot different than that of the Akron fans. Because obviously, to me, a diehard fan is the season ticket holder (even if they have to go without electricity for a couple months ... lol), the guy who has his team flags in the yard and front porch all year, the guy whose truck/car is his team's colors (either factory or custom), the guy who is camped out in the tailgating lot the night before the game so that he has enough time to smoke an entire cow, the guy who - dare I say it - is a face painter, the guy who actually GOES to the Spring Game and any open practices - any time, and the guy with the personalized license plate (no matter how funky he has to spell the team name or mascot i.e. Gaytor555 or TheYOU1).

That may be over the top -- but there are THOUSANDS of those guys, and we should aspire to have some of that diehard spirit. I'm sure there are Akron fans who fit that description -- but from everything ya'll have been saying -- there aren't many. The bar seems pretty low when it comes to what constitutes an Akron fan. Time to raise it up! Drink some Kool Aid, and believe (even blindly if you must) that this football team is going to be something to be very proud of, exciting to watch, and the newest powerhouse in the nation.

Glass is 100% full

I love your attitude NZF! I am sure things with coach Bowden will work out great. But just in case, I would not give anyone here on ZN.O your address, because the crowd in here can turn real ugly, real fast!