zippyrifle32 Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 Make noise or leave by Kiel Fleming kiel@buchtelite.com Sometimes it is hard to tell if you are at a Zips sporting event or a funeral. If you are going to go to a game, then either cheer or don't bother going. I would rather see empty seats than a sea of people who appear asleep. I don't blame the students; they are going nuts. You can't go two minutes without hearing a witty chant aimed at the opposing team. However, no one else is making noise. When one group is making a lot of noise, it gives the game a better atmosphere and the momentum of what is happening can swing in favor of the team with the better crowd. Nothing kills a chant quicker than a whole bunch of people who don't bother joining in. The solution to this is simple. Give the students the good seats and stick the Sunday morning sports fans in the cheap seats. There is nothing worse than the lower bowl area of Rhodes Arena. The ushers should poke those people with a stick during timeouts to see if the crowd is still alive. do any of you akron oldies have an opinion on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 Make noise or leave by Kiel Fleming kiel@buchtelite.com Sometimes it is hard to tell if you are at a Zips sporting event or a funeral. If you are going to go to a game, then either cheer or don't bother going. I would rather see empty seats than a sea of people who appear asleep. I don't blame the students; they are going nuts. You can't go two minutes without hearing a witty chant aimed at the opposing team. However, no one else is making noise. When one group is making a lot of noise, it gives the game a better atmosphere and the momentum of what is happening can swing in favor of the team with the better crowd. Nothing kills a chant quicker than a whole bunch of people who don't bother joining in. The solution to this is simple. Give the students the good seats and stick the Sunday morning sports fans in the cheap seats. There is nothing worse than the lower bowl area of Rhodes Arena. The ushers should poke those people with a stick during timeouts to see if the crowd is still alive.do any of you akron oldies have an opinion on this? I do find it funny that students...who, for the past 20 years until the advent of the AK-Rowdies organization, were essentially invisible now feel they should take over the lower seats. That amazes me.Her point does have some validity. Kicking the old farts in the lower seats out is unfortunately not the solution. The JAR needs to be reconfigured to allow more students in the lower section while maintaining the $$ AK-Oldie fan base that's already there. The general fees the student pay for entrance are nice, but the $800 per center court seat license and $250.00 per seat reserved ticket cost make booting the elderly impossible.Until there is a major JAR renovation, the JAR is what it is. Hopefully the student support of 2005-6 isn't a one hit wonder. If it continues and grows, it certainly could accelerate the JAR's future renovation.Since I'm almost 40, how long can I continue to rag on the AK-Oldies before I'm one of them? Is it already too late? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gozips19 Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 i must say as a recent grad who now sits with the "oldies" i see your point... as a student i couldn't understand why none of the season ticket holders never really cheer. there is the cheers for a first down or when a reef makes a bad care but no real spontainious cheering. as a season ticket holder for football i some times get weid looks for either standing too much or for simply being too loud. i hope that with the increase of students at games will help genterate a buzz that will carry over to the "oldies" for it is the "oldies" that are and will forever be the base of the university. lets hope we see more of both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-P Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 Some posts are like a fart . They break air, stink and blow away.............end of story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 Some posts are like a fart . They break air, stink and blow away.............end of story. I here Kiel Fleming is trying to get your season ticket converted to a student ticket as we speak! Watch your back, Z-P!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balki Bartokomous Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 It should be noted that Kiel is a He, not a Her.Also, when the zips games are on TV and all you see is the crowd sitting there, thats lame. Look at a Duke game on TV. Hell they gave the duke student section their own tv channel for the UNC game. Akron needs to strive to be more like that. I agree with Kiel, though I'd rather smack some of the fans who don't cheer, up side the head. Poking them with a stick might be a bit tame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UADavid Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 They are at the games year after year. Let's wait and see how much you're jumping around in 50 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgm405 Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 I'll chime in, because this has been something that has always bothered me. The alumni who sit in the lower levels frustrated the living heck out of me. You want a good laugh? Watch how frustrated they get when the Zips don't score right away and they have to remain standing...and how fast they fall into their seats when they do. Look, I understand that they can't be standing the entire game, jumping up and down, and doing the other things the students sections do. But can't they chime in a bit more on the "defense" and "let's go zips" chants? Heck, do it every other play. Can't they stand and cheer from time to time, when the Zips make a big run or need a confidence boost from the crowd when things aren't going well? Do the cheers, yell a little bit...Just do SOMETHING. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UADavid Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 They may not do it at every game, but they were all over Can't in the second half of that game. We all were. When the team does exciting things, the fans follow. I was astounded by the old guy in front of me swearing at the officials. Anyhow, I think everyone needs to do what they can and stop bellyaching about the older zip fans. They are at the game! Where are the rest of the students? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 I must admit, it's gotta be frustrating to be at a game and see large segments of the fans lacking animation, but I also gotta say, that's still better than seeing empty seats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgm405 Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 They may not do it at every game, but they were all over Can't in the second half of that game. We all were. When the team does exciting things, the fans follow. I was astounded by the old guy in front of me swearing at the officials. Anyhow, I think everyone needs to do what they can and stop bellyaching about the older zip fans. They are at the game! Where are the rest of the students? So they did it one game...the team did a lot of exciting things this year...I mean, undefeated at home and basically pounding everyone in the process...should have been more then the Can't game. Where are the rest of the students? Sitting up in the bleachers or sitting at home because you can't see jack sitting in those bleachers...that's where. But at least the alumni got on another team for 1/13 games... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UADavid Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 I use the Can't game as an example because it is the most recent home game. I think that the criticism hurled at the older zip fans is ridiculous. They aren't fans because they don't cheer loud enough? Think about what you're saying before you start some kind of age war about Akron athletics. They are fans, enough said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 Thanks for the sane response David. I guess I qualify as an oldtimer, Iv'e got 36 years invested as a Zips fan. I went to my first Acme-Zip game at age 10 in 1969. Basketball started in 1972 and haven't missed many home games in either sport. The problem with the lower bowl seats at the JAR is the price is so high only more "mature" Zips fans can afford them.What people forget is that the "Reserved" 65 year old fan you see today is the same guy that at 45 waa screaming for the referee's head when Huggins was the coach in 86. Since then he has had to live through the Crawford and Hipsher regimes of horrible basketball. Those loyal fans deserve praise for sticking with the Zips through thick and thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyZip Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 There's no war starting. I'm in complete agreement with this thread. There's nothing like screaming and yelling your head off and watching your team make a 8-0 run and having the opposition call timeout. Then you look to the mid court lower level seats and see 9 or 10 people standing up yelling and everyone else breaking out the golf-clap (if they're even aware there's a game going on). Or being in an important conference game with a close score and with less than two minutes left and being able to hear a needle drop inside the arena (minus student chants). IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO JUST SHOW UP!!!!! I'm glad there are folks out there that want to support the U by buying their expensive season tickets, but for gosh darn sakes, support the team in other ways than positive thoughts. I'm glad you all are out there, but if you dont want to give us some home court advantage (Like Can't has at the MACC or OU at the Convo), please give your tickets to someone else or just dont buy em and retire to the upper reserves.P.S. I think this will change as the Zips improve athletically and the current generations graduate. I know for one, i'll be buying a lower level season ticket, and I'm gonna be making one hell of a racket as usual (and I wont care about dirty looks).GO ZIPS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 Where are the rest of the students? Sitting up in the bleachers or sitting at home because you can't see jack sitting in those bleachers...that's where. But at least the alumni got on another team for 1/13 games...Worst excuse I have ever heard. "I don't want to go to a free basketball game where my team is playing because the bleacher seats aren't very good."If that is truely some students excuse, we are better off if they stay home.Fan stands for "fanatic", not "well I'll go to see them if I get seats behind the hoop for free."Sure it's fun to sit behind the hoop, but a real fan will sit anywhere to see there team.Just ask Browns fans.JAR needs redone so we can get more students down below to make a ton of noise.I am guessing if Mack is as good as I heard he is, this will happen sooner than later.Good topic. Story in the Buchtelite could have been more extensive.I still like the idea of an alumni section too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgm405 Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 Where are the rest of the students? Sitting up in the bleachers or sitting at home because you can't see jack sitting in those bleachers...that's where. But at least the alumni got on another team for 1/13 games...Worst excuse I have ever heard. "I don't want to go to a free basketball game where my team is playing because the bleacher seats aren't very good."If that is truely some students excuse, we are better off if they stay home.Fan stands for "fanatic", not "well I'll go to see them if I get seats behind the hoop for free."Sure it's fun to sit behind the hoop, but a real fan will sit anywhere to see there team.Just ask Browns fans.JAR needs redone so we can get more students down below to make a ton of noise.I am guessing if Mack is as good as I heard he is, this will happen sooner than later.Good topic. Story in the Buchtelite could have been more extensive.I still like the idea of an alumni section too. Hey, we can agree to disagree. Have you ever sat in the upper level? You can't even watch the game. From the barrier, to the people walking, to being up high...you might as well stay at home. Just my opinion. And nobody said the alumni weren't fans. We appreciate them showing up. We just feel that if we're now asking for more from the team, we need to ask more from the fans...as RowdyZip said, showing up is no longer enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippyrifle32 Posted March 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 personally i don't know what to make of the opinion. i have gone to every game i can, and while it's frusterating to see people not cheering, the students can't really say much because they weren't even there the past few years. i think that next year there will be more people, more students, and more energy generated at the games. when that happens the everyone will be up and cheering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fear the brown roo Posted March 15, 2006 Report Share Posted March 15, 2006 Where are the rest of the students? Sitting up in the bleachers or sitting at home because you can't see jack sitting in those bleachers...that's where. But at least the alumni got on another team for 1/13 games... i see plenty of good seats during the year that don't have any students in them. just how many bad seats are there in a 5500 seat "arena"? bad seats is a lame-ass excuse if i ever heard one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZipAlumn Posted March 15, 2006 Report Share Posted March 15, 2006 There's no war starting. ..... IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO JUST SHOW UP!!!!! I'm glad there are folks out there that want to support the U by buying their expensive season tickets, but for gosh darn sakes, support the team in other ways than positive thoughts. I'm glad you all are out there, but if you dont want to give us some home court advantage (Like Can't has at the MACC or OU at the Convo), please give your tickets to someone else or just dont buy em and retire to the upper reserves.As someone who has supported Akron University sports for over 40 years this thread really pisses me off. I went to every home game (and raised hell in Memorial Hall) in the 60's when I was a student, how many students today can say that. I never wasted my time worrying about who was yelling and who wasn't because I was too busy cheeering. I had reserved seats on the floor (where AK-Rowdies sit today) because there were hardly any students at the games in the early 90's. I've sat in the snow and rain at the Rubber Bowl when the band outnumbered the students at a football game. It seems to me that over the years us "old geezers" have almost outnumbered students at soccer matches. Now that the Zips have started winning a few basketball and football games the students suddenly think they have a corner on the "support my team" market. Quit worrying about who is standing and cheering and just be thankful that there are a lot of us around that support the Zips when the "student fans" can only be found at the Bucket Shop (showing my age again) or the Winking Lizard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UADavid Posted March 15, 2006 Report Share Posted March 15, 2006 As someone who has supported Akron University sports for over 40 years this thread really pisses me off. I went to every home game (and raised hell in Memorial Hall) in the 60's when I was a student, how many students today can say that. I never wasted my time worrying about who was yelling and who wasn't because I was too busy cheeering. I had reserved seats on the floor (where AK-Rowdies sit today) because there were hardly any students at the games in the early 90's. I've sat in the snow and rain at the Rubber Bowl when the band outnumbered the students at a football game. It seems to me that over the years us "old geezers" have almost outnumbered students at soccer matches. Now that the Zips have started winning a few basketball and football games the students suddenly think they have a corner on the "support my team" market. Quit worrying about who is standing and cheering and just be thankful that there are a lot of us around that support the Zips when the "student fans" can only be found at the Bucket Shop (showing my age again) or the Winking Lizard.amen to that although I graduated from The University of Akron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgm405 Posted March 15, 2006 Report Share Posted March 15, 2006 Look, this is turning into an Alumni vs. students thing, and that's silly. We're all Akron fans obviously. And obviously, both sides need work with the program. I've been sitting in the student section for 5 years and have seen a total change in the process. It used to be a few students sprinkled throughout the sections...it sucked, trust me, I was there. It was a big deal if we could get a defense chant. Let's be honest...that was when Akron was a mediocre school with mediocre sports programs. And I'll give it up to the alumni who were there when the students weren't. Things have changed since then. The school has become one of the better ones in Ohio, and is slowly turning from a commuter school to one that has students who actually stick around on weekends (biggest problem right there for student attendance). This year, the football team stepped up at the end of the season. So did the fans, students and alumni alike...10,000+ to Detroit was wonderful. Then the basketball team stepped up with a 20+ win season. For the first time, the student sedction was filled for most games. But that wasn't enough. The students made every attempt to DO MORE, coming up with player chants, team chants, and becoming a real factor in the game for the first time at the JAR. They knew that it was an improvement being there, but that to become a big time mid-major program, they needed to do more. THEY STEPPED UP. The alumni do come to the games and many have been for a long, long time. And that is greatly appreciated...really, it is. Whenever I saw alumni walking through the Q last week I'd always give them a high five and/or thank them for coming out. But just coming is not good enough anymore. Alumi needs to DO MORE. Look around at the other mid-major programs. They're alumni and students are loud and proud. They make it difficult to play against their teams at home. Can you imagine if the entire lower half of the JAR was in together on a defense chant? How deafening could that be? Nobody is saying the alumni aren't true fans. We know they are...trust me. The alumni has always been there, and this year, the students stepped up to match them by showing up just as much as they did. The students then took it to the next level, becoming a serious factor in the game with chants, cheers, and noise. Now it's time for the alumni to step it up a notch as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UADavid Posted March 15, 2006 Report Share Posted March 15, 2006 The alumni do come to the games and many have been for a long, long time. And that is greatly appreciated...really, it is. Whenever I saw alumni walking through the Q last week I'd always give them a high five and/or thank them for coming out. But just coming is not good enough anymore. Alumi needs to DO MORE. Look around at the other mid-major programs. They're alumni and students are loud and proud. They make it difficult to play against their teams at home. Can you imagine if the entire lower half of the JAR was in together on a defense chant? How deafening could that be? Nobody is saying the alumni aren't true fans. We know they are...trust me. The alumni has always been there, and this year, the students stepped up to match them by showing up just as much as they did. The students then took it to the next level, becoming a serious factor in the game with chants, cheers, and noise. Now it's time for the alumni to step it up a notch as well...It's not up to you or me to say what level of support is appropriate for the alumni or anyone else for that matter. The fact that they support the team, however they choose to do so, should be enough for anyone. They don't need to stand on their head to prove themselves to me or you. We aren't all clones that say and do the same things, but we are all zip fans and I am offended that this argument is even being made. I say that as an '86 graduate who screams and yells at the games. To each his own and I hope we can put this alumni bashing (yes, that's what it is) to rest. Really, who the hell are you to tell them to step it up a notch. I'll bet many of the oldtimers have been following the zips longer than you have been talking. Let's stop judging the ak oldies and support the zips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgm405 Posted March 15, 2006 Report Share Posted March 15, 2006 It's not up to you or me to say what level of support is appropriate for the alumni or anyone else for that matter. The fact that they support the team, however they choose to do so, should be enough for anyone. They don't need to stand on their head to prove themselves to me or you. We aren't all clones that say and do the same things, but we are all zip fans and I am offended that this argument is even being made. I say that as an '86 graduate who screams and yells at the games. To each his own and I hope we can put this alumni bashing (yes, that's what it is) to rest. Really, who the hell are you to tell them to step it up a notch. I'll bet many of the oldtimers have been following the zips longer than you have been talking. Let's stop judging the ak oldies and support the zips. Hey, you can look at it any way you want to. It's not alumni bashing...I just got done praising them for all they give to the Zips...I just asked for more. Hey, if you're happy with the JAR getting noisy for 1 or 2 games a year, that's fine. But if you want more, if you want us to become a top mid-major, everyone's going to have to step it up. You can take offense all you want...maybe too much truth coming out? Hey, at least this discussion has brought some life to ya...and it's not even the Can't game! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beanie 4 Heisman Posted March 15, 2006 Report Share Posted March 15, 2006 Well look at any big time college basketball team. take the ACC for examaple. all of the stadiums have the students surrounding the court, excpet for floor seats. If we want to be a big time program i think this is one step in the right direction. Kick at least one side of the old people out next year and make it a student section, it will only make the stadium louder and have a better college basketball atmosphere. Side note: has anyone been to a major conference basketball game. if so when. i been to a duke v. unc and game a duke v. maryland game. along with 2 other games the people there are absolutly nuts this is how the rowdies could eventually be if we start moving the oldies out of the lower sections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgm405 Posted March 15, 2006 Report Share Posted March 15, 2006 Well look at any big time college basketball team. take the ACC for examaple. all of the stadiums have the students surrounding the court, excpet for floor seats. If we want to be a big time program i think this is one step in the right direction. Kick at least one side of the old people out next year and make it a student section, it will only make the stadium louder and have a better college basketball atmosphere. Side note: has anyone been to a major conference basketball game. if so when. i been to a duke v. unc and game a duke v. maryland game. along with 2 other games the people there are absolutly nuts this is how the rowdies could eventually be if we start moving the oldies out of the lower sections. Amen...eventually we'll get one of the lower sections...I hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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