Zips fan Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 The football team went through a very rough stretch the last two years. The stadium has been empty during that stretch and numbers continue to struggle. We now have a team that can be exciting and competitive. How long will it take for the Zips to regularly put 15K in the stands? 20K? How long until we see another sellout? If the Zips remain competitive during their conference games, I think we should draw 15K for remaining home games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lance99 Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 The football team went through a very rough stretch the last two years. The stadium has been empty during that stretch and numbers continue to struggle. We now have a team that can be exciting and competitive. How long will it take for the Zips to regularly put 15K in the stands? 20K? How long until we see another sellout? If the Zips remain competitive during their conference games, I think we should draw 15K for remaining home games. I was thinking about that at the game yesterday. I would love to see 20k at every home game. If the team turns the corner, you will see a increase in fans this season. Just hope the weather holds long enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 I was thinking about that at the game yesterday. I would love to see 20k at every home game. If the team turns the corner, you will see a increase in fans this season. Just hope the weather holds long enough. Good crowds next year. Great crowds and a Game 1 sell out in 2014. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lance99 Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 Good crowds next year. Great crowds and a Game 1 sell out in 2014. I hope so, I had to go back and look at the pics I took while at the game I hope that this does not continue, starting this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy5 Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 Good crowds next year. Great crowds and a Game 1 sell out in 2014. Yeah, I don't think we'll see a big change this year. If the team plays good enough for big crowds, people won't notice until it's cold. They'll be there next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akron1 Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 I would love to see a promo for the Miami game like tickets for $6.60 in honor of the Zips historic win. I hope The U of A gets creative and gets people into the games to watch these guys play hard. Make it affordable for people to come in and buy those $6.00 beers. Come on Tom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 catch 22 What was missing was the crowd, and the festive atmosphere. But when you are there, and you are winning, you expect to have lots of fun. (I was there). But without the crowds, the experience doesn't quite have that infectious aspect. Winning will solve this. But winning on the level that will solve this will not happen immediately. What is worse, the full crowds tend to stagnate and also not happen immediately after winning does. This wil take time. But once the place is full, and electric, the tide will be turned. People will have to be turned away, and be upset they couldn't be apart of it. Not any time soon. First, the winning. If the guys we brought in to make it happen don't make it happen, no one will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roo Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 Should be a big crowd vs Can't State obviously, but until we get a marquee win over a named opponent, a big recruit from this area or consistently win, then I dont see things change much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K92 Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 Akron is not the only one with attendance problems. I don't know what the answer is. There is no place I would rather be than a college football game, so I struggle to understand why there aren't more people who feel the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 The football team went through a very rough stretch the last two years. The stadium has been empty during that stretch and numbers continue to struggle. We now have a team that can be exciting and competitive. How long will it take for the Zips to regularly put 15K in the stands? 20K? How long until we see another sellout? If the Zips remain competitive during their conference games, I think we should draw 15K for remaining home games. First, lets understand a couple of things historically. We've only barely been over that 15k mark for any stretch, ever, even when we've counted by tickets sold, and usually when bolstered by a huge Acme/Zip game crowd to start the season, or being in the middle of a NCAA minimum attendance drive. This was even after experiencing seasons as successful as 7-3-1, MAC Championship contending runs, MAC Championship seasons, and post-MAC Championship + Bowl Game seasons. So, just reaching the 15k mark, legitimately, would be a HUGE deal. Reaching 20k would be unbelievable. As for your final sentence, if we are in the hunt for a MAC title this season, you could possibly see a 15k plus crowd this season. If not, I think you already saw your largest crowd this season back on August 30th, unless Homecoming draws in tons of alums. Remember, it would take well over 10k in single game and walk-up ticket sales to reach that number anytime this year. That's a big, big task right now, especially after seeing an attendance drop off of about 3,000 between the first two home games, even after the good performance at FIU last week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Adams Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 First, lets understand a couple of things historically. We've only barely been over that 15k mark for any stretch, ever, even when we've counted by tickets sold, and usually when bolstered by a huge Acme/Zip game crowd to start the season, or being in the middle of a NCAA minimum attendance drive. This was even after experiencing seasons as successful as 7-3-1, MAC Championship contending runs, MAC Championship seasons, and post-MAC Championship + Bowl Game seasons. So, just reaching the 15k mark, legitimately, would be a HUGE deal. Reaching 20k would be unbelievable. As for your final sentence, if we are in the hunt for a MAC title this season, you could possibly see a 15k plus crowd this season. If not, I think you already saw your largest crowd this season back on August 30th, unless Homecoming draws in tons of alums. Remember, it would take well over 10k in single game and walk-up ticket sales to reach that number anytime this year. That's a big, big task right now, especially after seeing an attendance drop off of about 3,000 between the first two home games, even after the good performance at FIU last week. Probably right about the largest crowd of this season. As some of us realized long ago,football has never been a great draw even with good teams. The 'new stadium'effect was gone in a few games. This year will be tough. No CAN"T home game. Too bad they go to Tennessee this week. If they get bounced,people will lose interest..again. Only hope is that they could knock off Miami and BGSU while the weather is still decent. 4-5 wins for the season MIGHT get a few more folks interested for next year. Gotta beat MIAMI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akzipper Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 I don't know what the answer is. There is no place I would rather be than a college football game, so I struggle to understand why there aren't more people who feel the same way. I agree with you. I feel like there's nothing better than a Zips sporting event with a large crowd. I have to drive 3 hours, and still try to make it to a few football games a year. I feel like people in Northeast Ohio take it for granted, because I would love to be at every home game. But I can understand the frustration/lack of interest in Akron football. I'm sure most people don't know who our coaches are now, and think think of us as a 1-win team. I hate to put it this way, but the program was a joke. Things are getting better, but we're not there yet. Can a 66-6 win change anything? probably not. But it can't hurt. Playing tough at UT sure could turn some heads. UA Football needs to not only start winning, but become the "place to be". Much like soccer and somedays basketball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zestycoyote Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 I agree with you. I feel like there's nothing better than a Zips sporting event with a large crowd. I have to drive 3 hours, and still try to make it to a few football games a year. I feel like people in Northeast Ohio take it for granted, because I would love to be at every home game. But I can understand the frustration/lack of interest in Akron football. I'm sure most people don't know who our coaches are now, and think think of us as a 1-win team. I hate to put it this way, but the program was a joke. Things are getting better, but we're not there yet. Can a 66-6 win change anything? probably not. But it can't hurt. Playing tough at UT sure could turn some heads. UA Football needs to not only start winning, but become the "place to be". Much like soccer and somedays basketball. With the local attitude the way it is, Akron has beat beat UT to make anyone notice. Losing 20-17 would be exactly the same as losing 56-17. Unfortunate and stupid, but most of the students/locals see a UA win as a fluke and a loss as business as usual. Until the team has a winning season (or upsets a big team), the attendance will be crappy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbyake Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 Akron games need an experience that people want to be a part of. The winning is only part of the formula. If they forced everyone in the top sections to sit below, and tarped off the top, Akron fans could create a better atmosphere. Take San Jose Earthquake games for example, only 10,000 fit in that little stadium but the atmosphere is incredible. Another example is the Seattle Sounders, they average 36,000 in a 66,000 stadium but the games look packed because the upper sections are tarped off. Akron football is not at the level where the upper sections are necessary. Create an atmosphere that people enjoy being a part of. They'll share the experience on social media to help get others interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akzipper Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 Akron games need an experience that people want to be a part of. The winning is only part of the formula. If they forced everyone in the top sections to sit below, and tarped off the top, Akron fans could create a better atmosphere. Take San Jose Earthquake games for example, only 10,000 fit in that little stadium but the atmosphere is incredible. Another example is the Seattle Sounders, they average 36,000 in a 66,000 stadium but the games look packed because the upper sections are tarped off. Akron football is not at the level where the upper sections are necessary. Create an atmosphere that people enjoy being a part of. They'll share the experience on social media to help get others interested. I hope they never have to tarp off any sections of the stadium. It may improve the atmosphere, but it makes it look as if UA has given up "Why have the seats open if we will never be good and no one will sit there" It's the same as if the school would have built a 10k stadium. Not only is it embarrassing, but it gives a bad reflection on the direction of the program. While it may be embarrassing to see small crowds, it's even worse to see a program accept that as normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKSportsFan Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 The atmosphere is dreadful att his point. all the fans sit on their hands and hardly even make a sound. This is most noteable when the defense has held the opposition to a third down and we need one more stop to force a punt. Not a peep comes our fans. The loudest cheers came when the refs made a bad call. Touchdowns didnt even rouse the crowd like it should. Its pitiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 I got yelled at by event staff for stomping my feet on third down. Too loud for the people below me, they said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 The atmosphere is dreadful att his point. all the fans sit on their hands and hardly even make a sound. This is most noteable when the defense has held the opposition to a third down and we need one more stop to force a punt. Not a peep comes our fans. The loudest cheers came when the refs made a bad call. Touchdowns didnt even rouse the crowd like it should. Its pitiful. Do any traditionally bad schools have great stadium atmosphere? You guys need to understand that crowd involvement/attendance will improve the better the team gets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKSportsFan Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 maybe Im just one of those type of fans that cheers no matter what? Whats wrong with me?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootforRoo44 Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 Akron games need an experience that people want to be a part of. The winning is only part of the formula. If they forced everyone in the top sections to sit below, and tarped off the top, Akron fans could create a better atmosphere. Take San Jose Earthquake games for example, only 10,000 fit in that little stadium but the atmosphere is incredible. Another example is the Seattle Sounders, they average 36,000 in a 66,000 stadium but the games look packed because the upper sections are tarped off. Akron football is not at the level where the upper sections are necessary. Create an atmosphere that people enjoy being a part of. They'll share the experience on social media to help get others interested. The top of Infocision is the best view. Sitting down low sucks, i'd rather be up a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootforRoo44 Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 I got yelled at by event staff for stomping my feet on third down. Too loud for the people below me, they said. Did they really yell at you guys after i left? We really hate the big time atmosphere at UA, don't we? . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 The atmosphere is dreadful att his point. all the fans sit on their hands and hardly even make a sound. This is most noteable when the defense has held the opposition to a third down and we need one more stop to force a punt. Not a peep comes our fans. The loudest cheers came when the refs made a bad call. Touchdowns didnt even rouse the crowd like it should. Its pitiful. You need to come sit in my section. We make lots of noise and have lots of fun. My voice was shot after yelling "thats an Akron First Down!" 43 times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 The top of Infocision is the best view. Sitting down low sucks, i'd rather be up a bit. Unfortunately, the way they built the stadium, the best seats would have been right about where the concourse is located. I hate the idea of breaking up the crowd like that. It creates almost two separate crowds. I would have much preferred a bowl-like set up, with tunnels going back to the concourse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 The atmosphere is dreadful att his point. all the fans sit on their hands and hardly even make a sound. This is most noteable when the defense has held the opposition to a third down and we need one more stop to force a punt. Not a peep comes our fans. The loudest cheers came when the refs made a bad call. Touchdowns didnt even rouse the crowd like it should. Its pitiful. It is sad, but what UA needs to do is create a Bowden Jumbotron video that instructs the crowd why they need to yell their lungs out when the opposing team in in the red zone or facing a critical 3rd down. I think if they ran the video a few times in the appropriate spots, people might start catching-on. It sucks that our fan base is so clueless on their responsibilities of being a 12th man and making things difficult for the away team. But they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipmeister Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 maybe Im just one of those type of fans that cheers no matter what? Whats wrong with me?? Proper discussion of this topic would require another (much bigger) thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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