mrelegazna Posted July 13, 2013 Report Posted July 13, 2013 Hey guys, So, I'm writing the UA football profile for this series that Reddit is doing... http://www.reddit.com/r/CFB/comments/1930f...ys_mega_thread/ ...and I need help on a couple of areas. I've been a Zip fan all of my life and I grew up in Akron. I can go on at length about the city, the team, and its history. However, there are two subsections that I am a neophyte about. One is "traditions." These include things like Ole Miss's grove and the "Walk" that players/fans take together to games in what seems like half the campuses on the country. I went elsewhere for college and haven't lived in Akron since, so the only games I went to were as a kid. Can someone clue me in on the Zips football culture when it comes to gameday rituals, ephemera, fan or player traditions, etc? Something more concrete than "The AK-rowdies are great." The other is "local dining/bars." Here, I know a bit more, but I haven't lived in Akron in forever so my knowledge is out-of-date and unimpressive. When I go back, I do go to the campus area, but it's been awhile and all I can contribute is this: Aroma. I've gone here a ton for coffee, but it's not impressive or unique, just an average cafe. Joe's Sun Bar and Grill. I've gone here a ton for drinks, but it's not impressive or unique, just an average bar. Euro(pe) Gyro. Again, decent, but average. Other profile writers brag about their bars/campus-area food, and their unique or award-winning elements, and I want to be able to, too. What say you? Quote
Zipmeister Posted July 13, 2013 Report Posted July 13, 2013 It's been a while since I attended a game, but two traditions I remember: 1. Get liquored-up in the parking lot before the game. 2. If you have kids, as soon as you get in the stadium let them run loose, ignore the game, scream and throw stuff as if nobody else was in the place. Ah, the good old days. Quote
ZachTheZip Posted July 13, 2013 Report Posted July 13, 2013 The Sun Bar and Grille is gone, EuroGyro was rebuilt into something pretty awesome, and Aroma/Manny's moved to a new building. As far as food/culture goes, since the university had spread out it now shares many things with downtown. The Diamond Deli is a place where UA students frequent now. Mr. Zub's in Highland Square is another place like that. if you're sticking to things immediatly adjacent to campus, your options will be limited. Everything around Downtown Akron is fair game now. Quote
LZIp Posted July 13, 2013 Report Posted July 13, 2013 I think my favorite place in Akron is by far The Lockview. Its pretty unique. I think 160+ beer selection (they dont carry macrobrews). Their food specialization is grilled cheese. http://thelockview.com/ As far as football tradition....uhhh..... Quote
ZachTheZip Posted July 13, 2013 Report Posted July 13, 2013 I think my favorite place in Akron is by far The Lockview. Its pretty unique. I think 160+ beer selection (they dont carry macrobrews). Their food specialization is grilled cheese. http://thelockview.com/ As far as football tradition....uhhh..... Forgot about the Lockview. Insomnia Cookies is another one. It's like a Jimmy John's for cookies that's open in the middle of the night. They're not exactly local or unique, but they add to the college town feel that's developed in the area between downtown and campus. Quote
ksu sucks Posted July 14, 2013 Report Posted July 14, 2013 The Lockview and Diamond Deli for sure. Although The Diamond Deli feels more like a college restaurant. Manny's and Eurogyro are UA staples. BTW...nice to see another Zip on Reddit. Quote
K92 Posted July 14, 2013 Report Posted July 14, 2013 ZipGrad01's world-famous grilled shrimp are destined to become a great Akron tradition, I think. Quote
Zipgrad01 Posted July 14, 2013 Report Posted July 14, 2013 ZipGrad01's world-famous grilled shrimp are destined to become a great Akron tradition, I think. They will be making an appearance soon and I am perfecting a few other items that are destined for UA tailgating greatness. Quote
zipsfan33 Posted July 15, 2013 Report Posted July 15, 2013 Does anyone remember the last year of the Rubber Bowl the on field mic crew started chants and said they wanted to carry them over into the Info. Z-I-P-S... never did it at the new places.. Personally I liked Z- I- P- S, Zips, Zips, Zips! Quote
UA1987 Posted July 15, 2013 Report Posted July 15, 2013 Does anyone remember the last year of the Rubber Bowl the on field mic crew started chants and said they wanted to carry them over into the Info. Z-I-P-S... never did it at the new places.. Personally I liked Z- I- P- S, Zips, Zips, Zips! There are two fan related demonstrations that I remember at the Rubber Bowl (too few I know). One was at the 1987 Can't State vs Akron game. There were 35,000 people at the game and The Wave went around the Bowl most of the contest. Second was the last game at the Rubber Bowl against Buffalo. Akron was on a goal line stand at the open end on the Bowl and the chant (as you mentioned) went out: Z-I from the West stands and then right after P-S from the East seats. It was loud, amazing, and it affected play on the field. Quote
Spin Posted July 15, 2013 Report Posted July 15, 2013 Acme/Zip was a tradition I wish was still around. We could sure use someone to step up like that again and get people down to the new stadium. Quote
akzipper Posted July 16, 2013 Report Posted July 16, 2013 Losing is the best tradition we have at Akron. Luckily every year they allow a select few of us to experience it. And every year they become more dedicated in assuring that the tradition continues... Quote
Zipgrad01 Posted July 16, 2013 Report Posted July 16, 2013 Losing is the best tradition we have at Akron. Luckily every year they allow a select few of us to experience it. And every year they become more dedicated in assuring that the tradition continues... Wow Quote
LZIp Posted July 16, 2013 Report Posted July 16, 2013 Losing is the best tradition we have at Akron. Luckily every year they allow a select few of us to experience it. And every year they become more dedicated in assuring that the tradition continues... Just wanted to quote this pathetic excuse of a "fan" Quote
gozips19 Posted July 16, 2013 Report Posted July 16, 2013 Not too many traditions but the players and coaches do walk into the stadium from their buses. Fans, the band, cheerleaders, etc line the street in between the fieldhouse and stadium. Also there's the tradition of the Ak Rowdies starting the Z-I with the rest of the stadium responding with P'S! There's great tailgating in lot 9. Around the stadium there's not much diversity food wise but BW3 has always been the staple for Zip fans. Hope that helps Quote
K92 Posted July 16, 2013 Report Posted July 16, 2013 Does "Old Grand Dad for the win" count as tradition? How about chanting K.S.U.C.K.S. when we sing Hey, UA? Marching A is a pretty cool tradition in my book. Also, I don't think very many teams have 2 fight songs like we do...(or am I the only one that counts Win for Akron as fight song #2?) One thing I think should become tradition is "Cowbell Go Zips" with the entire Info crowd stomping out the beat. That would be great. Quote
johnnyzip84 Posted July 16, 2013 Report Posted July 16, 2013 Does "Old Grand Dad for the win" count as tradition? How about chanting K.S.U.C.K.S. when we sing Hey, UA? Marching A is a pretty cool tradition in my book. Also, I don't think very many teams have 2 fight songs like we do...(or am I the only one that counts Win for Akron as fight song #2?) One thing I think should become tradition is "Cowbell Go Zips" with the entire Info crowd stomping out the beat. That would be great. If only Old Grand Dad would work its rot gut magic EVERY week I think the Roo Walk has potential. Maybe a "no doubt about it" chant could find a place. I've always enjoyed Eat 'em up, eat 'em up. Go Zips go! Quote
Zipmeister Posted July 16, 2013 Report Posted July 16, 2013 Does "Old Grand Dad for the win" count as tradition? How about chanting K.S.U.C.K.S. when we sing Hey, UA? Marching A is a pretty cool tradition in my book. Also, I don't think very many teams have 2 fight songs like we do...(or am I the only one that counts Win for Akron as fight song #2?) One thing I think should become tradition is "Cowbell Go Zips" with the entire Info crowd stomping out the beat. That would be great. I need more Cowbell Quote
Zipmeister Posted July 16, 2013 Report Posted July 16, 2013 Not too many traditions but the players and coaches do walk into the stadium from their buses. Fans, the band, cheerleaders, etc line the street in between the fieldhouse and stadium. Also there's the tradition of the Ak Rowdies starting the Z-I with the rest of the stadium responding with P'S! There's great tailgating in lot 9. Around the stadium there's not much diversity food wise but BW3 has always been the staple for Zip fans. Hope that helps If true, no wonder we don't have any notable traditions. What ya doing today honey? Shoppin at Wall-Mart, eatin at BW3 and goin to the game. Quote
ZachTheZip Posted July 16, 2013 Report Posted July 16, 2013 BW3s would be a better tradition if they would renovate. In all my travels, I've never seen one that looks more like a dive bar. Quote
uhgrad2002 Posted July 16, 2013 Report Posted July 16, 2013 The band seems to be the most positive tradition. People get in to clapping along with Win for Akron and The Akron Blue and Gold as the band does its pre-game performance. Zippy gets a lot of attention too. The fan walk with the players is a nice idea but doesn't get much fan participation. When Infocision Stadium opened they tried to get fans to do a "U-A" with their arms to music (can't remember the name of the tune) similar to what tOSU does with Hang on Sloopy and "O-H-I-O" but there are only a few of us diehards still doing it. Quote
akzipper Posted July 17, 2013 Report Posted July 17, 2013 When Infocision Stadium opened they tried to get fans to do a "U-A" with their arms to music (can't remember the name of the tune) similar to what tOSU does with Hang on Sloopy and "O-H-I-O" but there are only a few of us diehards still doing it. These are the types of things we have to avoid. The Zi-ps, Z-I-P-S, U-A, chants all scream OSU ripoffs. Quote
UAZipster0305 Posted July 17, 2013 Report Posted July 17, 2013 These are the types of things we have to avoid. The Zi-ps, Z-I-P-S, U-A, chants all scream OSU ripoffs. Amen. I would list the ZNO annual beer list as a pretty strong recent tradition. Though not a contributor, I am sure there are many envious fan bases. Quote
interfx Posted July 17, 2013 Report Posted July 17, 2013 Here's some old videos of the Zips marching band and traditions back in the 1970s some good shots of crowds in the Rubber Bowl in these videos. http://www.zipsalumniband.com/something-called-pride/ http://www.zipsalumniband.com/video-saturdays-challenge/ (BTW - The alumni band comes back each year to continue some of these traditions. Not as easy as it looks 30 years after you graduate) Quote
ZachTheZip Posted July 19, 2013 Report Posted July 19, 2013 Can't believe you left John Heisman off your list of great coaches. Not to mention Gordon Larson. Quote
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