Elton Overview

[Zipgrad01]

Funny, that isn't the vibe I'm getting. As for fault, you have the order wrong and when you say "community" you can start with the student body.

Your vibe is not correct. I am not blaming you. The problem was here way before you got here.

As for the student body...you are correct. However, UA is a commuter school, so student body and community go hand in hand. They were raised to not care about UA all while strolling through campus with a nut on their shirt. I used to be that guy, so I know.

[GeorgeThomasABJ]

Your vibe is not correct. I am not blaming you. The problem was here way before you got here.

As for the student body...you are correct. However, UA is a commuter school, so student body and community go hand in hand. They were raised to not care about UA all while strolling through campus with a nut on their shirt. I used to be that guy, so I know.

I agree there doesn't seem to be a lot of loyalty among the students. I've tried to explain the concept to my older son. This is a kid that plans to go to Can't and be a Zips fan. My rooting allegiance is to another school. That helps me to be more objective when writing about Akron.

[Dr Z]

My rooting allegiance is to another school.

Could be worse, the BJ used to have a Zips writer with a tattoo of a Youngstown penguin (not a joke). Unless you have one of those?

[GeorgeThomasABJ]

Could be worse, the BJ used to have a Zips writer with a tattoo of a Youngstown penguin (not a joke).

I have a tattoo of the mascot of the school I attended and still root for. I've seen a few Zips fans with Zippy or the new "Z" that's in fashion. Loyalty is loyalty.

[Dr Z]

I have a tattoo of the mascot of the school I attended and still root for.

Is this a requirement for the position?

[K92]

I would get a Zips tattoo, but I am confused about what colors it should be.

[GeorgeThomasABJ]

Is this a requirement for the position?

No, it was a way to acknowledge an institution that played a huge part in helping me to grow up. Nothing more. Nothing less. I also have a Star Trek-related tattoo. Why? Because there was some level of what that series espoused that resonated with me. If they're both to be ridiculed, so be it.

[Dave in Green]

The internet has given newspapers a much better handle on what people want to read than they could ever get out of newsprint. Every click on ohio.com is recorded, and the metrics can be analyzed in excruciating detail. What GT is giving us is not his personal opinion on what Browns coverage vs. Zips coverage should be in the ABJ. What he's telling us is that the business side of the ABJ analyzes the metrics, and Browns stories get clicked on and read by way more people than Zips stories.

Sports is an emotional subject, and most folks posting here are emotional about the Zips. Emotions can cloud logic. Business success is built on logical decisions. The ABJ is making logical decisions on the balance of Zips coverage vs. Browns coverage based on readers registering their votes by what stories they choose to read. In order to understand and appreciate this, Zips fans need to try to temporarily suspend their emotions and try to look at it from the business side. GT is doing his best to try to help us understand this.

[GeorgeThomasABJ]

The internet has given newspapers a much better handle on what people want to read than they could ever get out of newsprint. Every click on ohio.com is recorded, and the metrics can be analyzed in excruciating detail. What GT is giving us is not his personal opinion on what Browns coverage vs. Zips coverage should be in the ABJ. What he's telling us is that the business side of the ABJ analyzes the metrics, and Browns stories get clicked on and read by way more people than Zips stories.

Sports is an emotional subject, and most folks posting here are emotional about the Zips. Emotions can cloud logic. Business success is built on logical decisions. The ABJ is making logical decisions on the balance of Zips coverage vs. Browns coverage based on readers registering their votes by what stories they choose to read. In order to understand and appreciate this, Zips fans need to try to temporarily suspend their emotions and try to look at it from the business side. GT is doing his best to try to help us understand this.

I was trying not to offend anyone by saying exactly that.

[Buckzip]

George, any word on Tommy Brown? I can't believe the NCAA is taking so long..

Well, actually I can.

[GeorgeThomasABJ]

No word. They are hoping for a decision "soon."

For anyone who is looking for breaking news, I often tweet it before I write it. Twitter: @GeorgeThomasABJ

I tweeted that out earlier.

[Zipmeister]

No, it was a way to acknowledge an institution that played a huge part in helping me to grow up. Nothing more. Nothing less. I also have a Star Trek-related tattoo. Why? Because there was some level of what that series espoused that resonated with me. If they're both to be ridiculed, so be it.

That's the same reason I got my "Lebanon Correctional" tattoo!

Seems like in the last couple of days you have made up for not posting for 6 months George.

Live long and prosper.

[GeorgeThomasABJ]

That's the same reason I got my "Lebanon Correctional" tattoo!

Seems like in the last couple of days you have made up for not posting for 6 months George.

Live long and prosper.

There was nothing to make up. When basketball season ends, I try to take as much vacation as possible. Then I'm given other assignments. While I was able to squeeze some Zips track and baseball in, I had little control over what I was assigned which included the NFL Draft, Browns rookie minicamp, full minicamp and other things.

[Zipmeister]

Sorry, I thought you had posted ................

Until today, THIS the first time I've logged in in well over six months.

[LZIp]

I know Zipmeister tries to be a troll 100% of the time, but surely I'm not the only one who has no idea what he's going for 75% of the time

[Blue & Gold]

Very good Penn State game preview on Ohio.com today. Also some interesting content from an interview GT did with a Penn State blogger.

[jupitertoo]

I find it astonishing that the ABJ beat reporter - and Elton Alexander, for that matter - didn't know about the Chisholm shooting. It's up to the writer to do this digging himself...not to wait for the SID to bring it to him. Clearly the kid is a key part of the Akron program...why wouldn't you look into his high school career and do other research to learn more about him so you can bring greater value to your readers? Sitting in the press room and waiting for SIDs to bring you story ideas ain't my kind of journalism. And as for Chisholm, it's incredible that this kid is able to play DI ball after that horrendous injury.

[GeorgeThomasABJ]

I find it astonishing that the ABJ beat reporter - and Elton Alexander, for that matter - didn't know about the Chisholm shooting. It's up to the writer to do this digging himself...not to wait for the SID to bring it to him. Clearly the kid is a key part of the Akron program...why wouldn't you look into his high school career and do other research to learn more about him so you can bring greater value to your readers? Sitting in the press room and waiting for SIDs to bring you story ideas ain't my kind of journalism. And as for Chisholm, it's incredible that this kid is able to play DI ball after that horrendous injury.

You have little idea WHAT gets said in interviews with players. You have no ideas what gets asked. But for the record, I've asked Chisholm TWICE in two seasons was there anything in his background that motivated him or inspired him. CRICKETS. Do you suggest a drive to Harrisburg? The story came from the Harrisburg side of things. And more often than not, this is how getting a good story works: you get a call you get a tip. You happen upon it. How you work it is a different matter. When I get information, I write about it. People here can complain about coverage as much as they want, but the fact is, I do my job. Secondly, Dave in Green explained it best. SItting in the pressroom, huh? If you're who I remember you to be, unfortunately, things work a lot different in the newsroom than when your father was in the newsroom.

[jupitertoo]

My father left the newsroom in the 70s (the Maidenburg era, if that means anything to you), but I have worked in news much more recently. No doubt things have changed, particularly at the ABJ, but you have a tendency to throw out excuses and take great umbrage to any criticism. Further, I have attended more than a few Bowden and Dambrot press conferences and have been in the locker room in interview situations. You noted earlier in this thread that the SID hadn't clued you in to the shooting angle. No, I'm not suggesting you should have driven to Harrisburg without a tip, but I'm guessing you could have learned a lot about him by talking to his HS coach. It just seems to me that you feel the Zips, and mid-major sports in general, are somehow beneath you given your affinity for the football factory down south. With that, I'll shut up.

[g-mann17]

You have little idea WHAT gets said in interviews with players. You have no ideas what gets asked. But for the record, I've asked Chisholm TWICE in two seasons was there anything in his background that motivated him or inspired him. CRICKETS. Do you suggest a drive to Harrisburg? The story came from the Harrisburg side of things. And more often than not, this is how getting a good story works: you get a call you get a tip. You happen upon it. How you work it is a different matter. When I get information, I write about it. People here can complain about coverage as much as they want, but the fact is, I do my job. Secondly, Dave in Green explained it best. SItting in the pressroom, huh? If you're who I remember you to be, unfortunately, things work a lot different in the newsroom than when your father was in the newsroom.

Don't let us get to you Mr. Thomas. The internet is full of people who love to criticize but likely hate their yearly reviews in their own jobs.

With that said, Alexander Graham Bell has this amazing invention that would allow you to converse with people you would normally have had to ride hours to see. Check into that.

[Dave in Green]

With the experience of having spent my entire professional career working in and with the news media, I can assure everyone here that it's pure fantasy to imagine that even the best reporters uncover every good story on their beats. Even the best reporters miss way more good human interest stories than they uncover. There's no reason for GT to try to defend himself against baseless charges from anonymous critics whose own professional lives under close scrutiny would prove to have their share of imperfections and missed opportunities just like all of us.

[GeorgeThomasABJ]

My father left the newsroom in the 70s (the Maidenburg era, if that means anything to you), but I have worked in news much more recently. No doubt things have changed, particularly at the ABJ, but you have a tendency to throw out excuses and take great umbrage to any criticism. Further, I have attended more than a few Bowden and Dambrot press conferences and have been in the locker room in interview situations. You noted earlier in this thread that the SID hadn't clued you in to the shooting angle. No, I'm not suggesting you should have driven to Harrisburg without a tip, but I'm guessing you could have learned a lot about him by talking to his HS coach. It just seems to me that you feel the Zips, and mid-major sports in general, are somehow beneath you given your affinity for the football factory down south. With that, I'll shut up.

Don't let us get to you Mr. Thomas. The internet is full of people who love to criticize but likely hate their yearly reviews in their own jobs.

With that said, Alexander Graham Bell has this amazing invention that would allow you to converse with people you would normally have had to ride hours to see. Check into that.

My father left the newsroom in the 70s (the Maidenburg era, if that means anything to you), but I have worked in news much more recently. No doubt things have changed, particularly at the ABJ, but you have a tendency to throw out excuses and take great umbrage to any criticism. Further, I have attended more than a few Bowden and Dambrot press conferences and have been in the locker room in interview situations. You noted earlier in this thread that the SID hadn't clued you in to the shooting angle. No, I'm not suggesting you should have driven to Harrisburg without a tip, but I'm guessing you could have learned a lot about him by talking to his HS coach. It just seems to me that you feel the Zips, and mid-major sports in general, are somehow beneath you given your affinity for the football factory down south. With that, I'll shut up.

Actually, you don't know me. As for being in the "locker room" in interview situations, perhaps you should use that access. Because you know what? In three years covering these teams, I've been in a locker room ONCE. As for being beneath me? Seriously. When you can take away that anonymity you hide behind, then we'll talk. I can take criticism, but you have one hell of an axe to grind and you have since the day I started. You don't want people to begrudge you your football likes, but you'll take a swipe at someone else? You know what that makes you? A hypocrite. Big time.

[Balsy]

Perhaps this conversation should be redirected from criticism/blame/attack/defense to something more productive.

Some Zips fans have expressed frustration that the Akron Zips are not being adequately covered in Akron publication. This frustration is amplified by the (seemingly) over-reporting of Browns, OSU, Cavs (etc) in lieu of the Zips.

George has expressed that, despite the Zips fans frustration, the current reporting situation is the result of several factors that no-one is necessarily responsible for. Traffic to websites, number of writers, weekly assignments outside of the control of the writer, access to the team etc... George has also added there are plans to add more content to the Zips Blog.

Several Zips fans and George have both mentioned an apparent lack of support to the University from the community. This is the local community, the alumni community and (most importantly) the student body. This is perhaps where we should focus the conversation. Nothing productive is being gained by this back-and-forth attack/defense. Though I am one of the frustrated fans who feels the ABJ is not doing enough coverage of the Zips, and should prioritize the Zips (and frankly Can't State) higher than they do...I do believe there is a larger problem than just individual editorial decisions.

I've always held the opinion that UA has lacked a sense of community. It has the numbers, it has everything anything else has, but for some reason it lacks that sense of itself. Perhaps that's where this conversation should be directed.

[Buckzip]

The problem here is not the ABJ or George Thomas.

The problem is that people in Akron don't give a damn about UA.

I know certain posters here want to blame everyone else from the Browns, to Cavs and to OSU. The reality is that UA has sucked in football forever. We consider a 7-4 record a good season. At other schools a 7-4 record gets coaches fired.

The ABJ is in business to make money. not to appease the handful of Zips fans on this board. If the majority of fans want to read about the Browns, Cavs and OSU, then that is what is covered.

Look at this place. This is the only Zips board and we have started the season and there is barely any discussion about the team or the games.

The SID for Akron knows there are no fans. Just look at the Media Guide. It's missing half the team and doesn't even both updating weights and positions of players.

The problem isn't the ABJ., The problem is our lack of fans.

[MDZip]

This could be a reason why. I'm not saying its 100% accurate (can't be because K.e.n.t ended up above the embarrassment line ). This was published by the Wall Street Journal and took a large number of factors into account. The Zips rank low is esteem and play. Not hard to figure out why a community has trouble rallying around the team. Most people want to be associated with winning (except for this group of masochists - well honestly all of us would like to be to but we chose to stay loyal to an alma matter that football-wise has given us very little in return).