What Would a Good Football Program do for Zips Soccer?

[CincyZip]

I was 'working' today and was thinking about the possibility of a good, Akron Zip football team coming to fruition in two to three years. I have been told (I'm only in my second year at Akron so you know where I'm coming from) that Akronites actually do like football when played well. And even buy tickets to see it.

So I pictured a pretty full Infocision Stadium and thought about how football is the real money-maker in college athletics. In most schools, football funds most sports.

Then I thought about the soccer program. Obviously, soccer has proven that it does not need football to be successful. But what would a good football program, that is bringing in above average money for MAC schools, mean to the soccer program? Would it help them in that the extra cash will be around to disperse? Or could it hurt the program. Is it possible that a good football team could push soccer down the ladder in Zips fans hearts, and even placing them as the 'second sport'.

Thoughts?

[bisbee]

I was 'working' today and was thinking about the possibility of a good, Akron Zip football team coming to fruition in two to three years. I have been told (I'm only in my second year at Akron so you know where I'm coming from) that Akronites actually do like football when played well. And even buy tickets to see it.

So I pictured a pretty full Infocision Stadium and thought about how football is the real money-maker in college athletics. In most schools, football funds most sports.

Then I thought about the soccer program. Obviously, soccer has proven that it does not need football to be successful. But what would a good football program, that is bringing in above average money for MAC schools, mean to the soccer program? Would it help them in that the extra cash will be around to disperse? Or could it hurt the program. Is it possible that a good football team could push soccer down the ladder in Zips fans hearts, and even placing them as the 'second sport'.

Thoughts?

Given the success of the soccer program I don't think it would have any negative impact whatsoever.

[Captain Kangaroo]

In most schools, football funds most sports.

I think football is a drain on most school athletic budgets. It's just a more-egregious drain on the Zips budget than many other programs.

There are far more schools closer to UA's situation than there are Ohio State or Alabama's.

[bobbyake]

I was 'working' today and was thinking about the possibility of a good, Akron Zip football team coming to fruition in two to three years. I have been told (I'm only in my second year at Akron so you know where I'm coming from) that Akronites actually do like football when played well. And even buy tickets to see it.

So I pictured a pretty full Infocision Stadium and thought about how football is the real money-maker in college athletics. In most schools, football funds most sports.

Then I thought about the soccer program. Obviously, soccer has proven that it does not need football to be successful. But what would a good football program, that is bringing in above average money for MAC schools, mean to the soccer program? Would it help them in that the extra cash will be around to disperse? Or could it hurt the program. Is it possible that a good football team could push soccer down the ladder in Zips fans hearts, and even placing them as the 'second sport'.

Thoughts?

Zips soccer has had decent attendance numbers over the past 4-5 years. I remember going to soccer games in 2005-2006 where I thought the attendance was good (1000's).

Possible negative impact

The Beacon Journal has started to neglect Akron soccer lately. George Thomas runs the Zips Blog now and I believe he's your typical baby boomer soccer hater. The past few spring games weren't mentioned in the paper, even the game against Cleveland State. But this has nothing to do with football's success.

Parking conflicts could arise from home football and soccer games being played on the same day. We tailgate in Lot 9 for soccer games which is also used for football tailgating. If attendance increases for football games, it's going to be harder for us soccer tailgaters to park together.

Here's the only data I've found regarding Zips revenue and expenses. The data is very old, dates back to the Rubber Bowl days

If I could find current data, I'd love to analyze it.

[Zipmeister]

I think you should probably concentrate on work while you are there. Otherwise, you might cut off an arm. Anyway, I'm thinking your thoughts about football aren't in the same zip code as reality.

[fknbuflobo]

What Would a Good Football Program do for Zips Soccer?

Nothing!

I do not think Soccer would be affected at all, not any more than would the English Department, the Law School, or the Polymer Science Program. The Soccer program is too proven to be either hurt or helped.

The case that athletics (especially Football) is economically beneficial to the institution as a whole is a difficult one to make. This is an old argument. Economic causality is extremely hard to establish. General exposure/advertisement is the most solid point on which to stand.

I still wish Zips Football much success. I may even attend a match game.

[bobbyake]

What Would a Good Football Program do for Zips Soccer?

Nothing!

I do not think Soccer would be affected at all, not any more than would the English Department, the Law School, or the Polymer Science Program. The Soccer program is too proven to be either hurt or helped.

The case that athletics (especially Football) is economically beneficial to the institution as a whole is a difficult one to make. This is an old argument. Economic causality is extremely hard to establish. General exposure/advertisement is the most solid point on which to stand.

I still wish Zips Football much success. I may even attend a match game.

Teddy Bowden's magic is at work.

[RootforRoo44]

I think that a good football program could make soccer even bigger.

More people talking about Zips football means more people interested in the Zips. There would be at least somewhat of a "trickle-down effect" for soccer (and other sports). More importantly, when there are nights in which both sports have home contests, having more people at the prior football game will no doubt increase soccer attendance.

[Z.I.P.]

There would be at least somewhat of a "trickle-down effect" for soccer (and other sports). More importantly, when there are nights in which both sports have home contests, having more people at the prior football game will no doubt increase soccer attendance.

Sorry, the correct answer is: "No impact". The trickle-down effect has no more result in sports than in economics.

[RootforRoo44]

Sorry, the correct answer is: "No impact". The trickle-down effect has no more result in sports than in economics.

While I 100% agree with the economics part, I've personally noticed a rise in friends/family asking about the Zips and asking to come along to Baseball and basketball games just due to the success of the soccer team. They live in the area and soccer brought them in and now they are all around Zips fans. Now think about what would happen in an area that loves football if we had a successful and popular football team.

Get people talking about the football team and people will surely latch on and become fans...of all sports.

[Zipmeister]

You would think the success of the rifle team would have positively impacted soccer by now, but I just don't see it. In their last match the Zip shooters were near flawless in the quick-draw competition, and in the final event knocked over all 50 beer cans.