Reptilians could ruin our soccer pitch

[Zip_ME87]

What are the costs involved compared to the money it would bring in? What would the publicity of "eyes on the campus" be worth if you could buy it?

You don't know that it would bring in any money nor do I which is the reason I would file the public records request for the agreement. Talk about narcissistic...point that right back at yourself.

Is Coach Embrick even capable of recruiting the kind of high school player who would be concerned about divots?

Any collegiate soccer player would be concerned about playing on a cow pasture. Heck,there was an uproar in Seattle when the Sounders and Dynamo had to play on a synthetic field (that of the Seahawks) where there was too much rubber on the field. The field looked black rather than green. How would you like those conditions for Zips football?

What is the attendance at the soccer pitch since the team isn't what it use to be?

Last night it was 2785 which is inline with the average. Close to or greater than 50% capacity. Better than football's 36% capacity for its first home game with the Bowden name and significant improvement last year behind it.

What do First Energy and Cub Cadet think about this?

Who cares. They made a one-time payment for naming rights.

And most of all, is the grounds crew so incapable that they can't have the stadium ready for soccer season? When the soccer games were played at Cleveland Browns Stadium, was it a World War II minefield???

No grounds crew is capable of reseeding/resodding such that the grass is actually rooted in a span of about 4 weeks, especially if we have too much rain.

I see a lot of panties bunched up and no facts to back anything up. I'm looking out for the whole university (as usual) not just the narcissistic wants of a few.

You spout off about how great this will be for the university and how much money it will bring. Where's your data? How much will this bring in if we have to fix the soccer pitch every year or even if we don't since you think it's no big deal.

I'm looking out for the whole university. UA has received a lot of attention in the professional soccer world, which by the way has a REAL world championship not a fake proclaimed one. I can't remember the last time a university was metioned by name during a World Cup like they did with DeAndre Yedlin this past summer. Mens Soccer brings UA better free marketing than the university actually buys for any of its sport. Furthermore, tuition is high enough now, and the university already has enough red ink that they don't need to be sinking additional money into some 3-week gimmick. Others have already pointed out with real examples that bringing a training camp like this doesn't do anything to improve the bottom line. I've heard that the figures (whatever analysis has been done) show the same in this case, but I haven't seen that evidence. Again, my reason for requesting the information.

[Spin]

You don't know that it would bring in any money nor do I which is the reason I would file the public records request for the agreement. Talk about narcissistic...point that right back at yourself.

The Browns already said they were looking at facilities and negotiating costs.

Any collegiate soccer player would be concerned about playing on a cow pasture.

Were national team members concerned about playing at Cleveland Browns Stadium?

Last night it was 2785 which is inline with the average. Close to or greater than 50% capacity. Better than football's 36% capacity for its first home game with the Bowden name and significant improvement last year behind it.

Showing only stats that support your cause doesn't work with me.

You spout off about how great this will be for the university and how much money it will bring. Where's your data? How much will this bring in if we have to fix the soccer pitch every year

Again, the Browns aren't looking for a handout and the U isn't going to hand over the keys unless it makes sense. Not to mention, eyes on campus.

or even if we don't since you think it's no big deal.

Now you're putting words in my mouth. Are you interested in having a real conversation here or just want to pound fists and yell? I have no time or interest in the latter.

[Balsy]

Spin +1.

[Zip_ME87]

Now you're putting words in my mouth. Are you interested in having a real conversation here or just want to pound fists and yell? I have no time or interest in the latter.

I didn't attribute words to you that weren't already there. Your statements as a whole lead one to believe that a football team practicing on our competion soccer pitch is no big deal to you. Are you interested in a debate or just poking at this and that and not realizing how the words you're typing can be interpreted whether or not that was your intent? This means enough to me that I will respond to you or anyone else who has such an opinion as much as it takes. Whether or not I change yours or others opinion, I won't stand by and have the soccer program that Caleb Porter built at UA degraded by having a football team practice on its competition pitch. I know that I may not have been clear that I don't care if the Browns come to UA, as long as they stay out of FES-CCF. Caleb may no longer be at UA and may be completely focused on his MLS team, but he respected and still respects UA like few other UA coaches I've seen. As long as I'm around, I'll defend what he built to the best of my ability.

As far as stats, I used the most recent figure. If you look at attendance numbers when Caleb Porter was here, even after winning the National Championship, they fluctuated from game to game and exhibitions didn't draw large crowds. I'm not going back and digging up attendance figures for all of Jared's games as head coach. I'm sure the team has yet to draw a crowd of 5000+ under him, but the AK Rowdies haven't been as organized as they used to be under Ian Tayek, either. The student attendance at the football game vs Howard wasn't what I thought it should have been either. I was encouraged by their numbers last night. Hopefully we see that again Sunday and beyond as well as better student attendance at football games.

[Dave in Green]

If you take the soccer pitch out of the equation, this whole discussion would have never gone nuclear hyperbolic. I don't think the soccer pitch is even in the equation, so most of the commotion here just seems to me to be wasted energy. It's a simple business decision. If there's a net benefit to UA they should go for it. If it creates more trouble than it's worth they should drop it. Apparently UA has crunched the numbers and seen a net benefit or they would not have submitted a bid. Time to relax and see what happens.

[Zip_ME87]

I agree DiG with modifications: If the soccer pitch is not in the equation, and UA has properly analyzed the offer being made and seen a realistic net benefit which will not bleed more red ink from an already hemorrhaging bottom line and further drive up tuition

The AD has made previous rash decisions, and UA's new president is unknown. I just don't have your confidence.

[Zip_ME87]

I'm not sure what is wrong with a thread going "nuclear hyperbolic" on this forum as long as posters are not personally attacked. Opinions and ideas are all open for debate and attack. Everyone has different experiences and passions. I'd rather debate or support opinions on this website as well as read things that I may not have seen about my alma mater than to have limited information like before ZipsNation.org was created.

[yazan07]

Some folks forget our school is a school.

This is a good point. This is a University of Akron facility we are talking about. A university of Akron facility built for University of Akron students and a University of Akron program. As a University of Akron facility it makes sense that it should be used to serve the Cleveland Browns.

[Staton14]

What is the attendance at the soccer pitch since the team isn't what it use to be?

Last night it was 2785 which is inline with the average. Close to or greater than 50% capacity. Better than football's 36% capacity for its first home game with the Bowden name and significant improvement last year behind it.

Technically, I think the capacity is much lower as the actual capacity would be the number of fixed seats, I would think. Nonetheless, it was a very nice crowd last night.

[Zip_ME87]

Technically, I think the capacity is much lower as the actual capacity would be the number of fixed seats, I would think. Nonetheless, it was a very nice crowd last night.

Kudos to the Ak Rowdies and their leadership. The hill looked great last night, at least 3/4 full. I hope they can keep that up and bring sizable crowds for football (at least 2 sections) and basketball.

[Spin]

I didn't attribute words to you that weren't already there. Your statements as a whole lead one to believe that a football team practicing on our competion soccer pitch is no big deal to you.

I never said anything of the sort. In fact I did ask if anyone thought the grounds crew was so inept they couldn't have the field ready for soccer season. I guess that was your "answer".

So yes you are putting words in my mouth.

As far as stats, I used the most recent figure.

Only the figure that somehow proves your stance. Why not use actual attendance numbers? Why not use any other stats? Why do you feel the need to get so defensive about soccer that you need to put down another UA program to make soccer "look good" when nobody is putting soccer down?

[Spin]

This is a good point. This is a University of Akron facility we are talking about. A university of Akron facility built for University of Akron students and a University of Akron program. As a University of Akron facility it makes sense that it should be used to serve the Cleveland Browns.

If it makes economic sense and it puts "eyes on campus" then it very much serves the University and its programs.

A Browns fan from another county comes to see the training camp, and decides to stop in one day to see a football game, soccer game, basketball game. Or he brings his high school age kids and they decide they want to know more about Akron. That it isn't CSU or Tri-C or LCCC or _______ College. Maybe he (like me) is returning to school at 30+ 40+ 50+ and likes what he sees. Maybe someone notices the banners in the soccer stadium and comes to a game, the Student Union, the Rec facilities, the dorms, the green spaces. The ballpark. OK not the ballpark.

The campus has a lot to offer and the more eyes it gets from outside, the more the whole university loses its stigma.

[Zip_ME87]

I never said anything of the sort. In fact I did ask if anyone thought the grounds crew was so inept they couldn't have the field ready for soccer season. I guess that was your "answer".

So yes you are putting words in my mouth.

"Spin", it is! 'The grounds crew is so inept' within your question indicates you think that any competent grounds crew can easily repair the soccer field for the season. Ok by interpreting that I guess I did put words in your mouth in the strictest sense of doing so. But, that sure seems to me that you think a football team practicing on the soccer pitch is no big deal because it can easily be repaired. Yes it can be repaired, but properly such that it lasts in good condition through the Fall? And, in years when we have too much rain. No.

I don't know how else I'm supposed to read that.

Only the figure that somehow proves your stance. Why not use actual attendance numbers? Why not use any other stats? Why do you feel the need to get so defensive about soccer that you need to put down another UA program to make soccer "look good" when nobody is putting soccer down?

That was an actual attendance number. If you mean average attendance numbers, no I don't have them. As far as putting down another UA program, I did no such thing. I made a "better" comparison. I did not put down another program. You're putting words in my mouth.

[Zip_ME87]

It would go a lot quicker if we would just fire him.

+ infinity x infinity

[Zip_ME87]

How Big-Time Sports Ate College Life

[Dave in Green]

I'm not sure what is wrong with a thread going "nuclear hyperbolic" on this forum as long as posters are not personally attacked. ...

Technically there's nothing wrong with this. I see it all the time on the football and basketball forums. I just thought soccer fans were different.

[Zip_ME87]

Technically there's nothing wrong with this. I see it all the time on the football and basketball forums. I just thought soccer fans were different.

I have been in the past, but I had a really bad feeling about this. Now that Marla Ridenour's article is out, and Tom is quoted saying they put the proposal together in 2 weeks, I have an even worse feeling about this. I don't believe the university will be getting compensated well by the Browns, if at all. They couldn't have done proper due diligence in 2 weeks. This wreaks of wow factor, smoke, and mirrors. I'm going to have to think about what I can request under the Ohio public records law that will either confirm or alleviate my fears. As an alumnus who has season tickets for multiple sports and loves no other teams like the Zips, this really sucks. I wish so much they would have put their efforts into working with the city and county on a downtown arena/Akron entertainment venue that Zips basketball could use and maybe bring the Charge to Akron and get the CAVS to play a preseason game or 2 in Akron. Tie it all in neatly with Akron's hometown sports hero, LeBron James, and it seems like such a neat package. Instead they're doing something else with as much thought as they put into hiring Rob Ianello if not less.

[Zip_ME87]

“I told Moody’s and Fitch that we would be a disciplined organization with disciplined people engaged in disciplined thought and action,” he said.

The university would become more strategically focused and more efficient and would stop doing some things we can no longer afford, “not because we want to, because we have to,” he told the Roundtable.

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/new-university-of-akron-president-outlines-aggressive-program-in-talk-with-roundtable-audience-1.511609

Does President Scarborough really believe that putting together a proposal for the Browns in 2 weeks is being "a disciplined organization with disciplined people engaged in disciplined thought and action." I wonder what Moody's and Fitch would think.

I hope Zips alumni, students, and fans realize how badly this could affect UA if all of these attention getting things don't work and UA's bottom line bleeds even more.

[Spin]

"Spin", it is! 'The grounds crew is so inept' within your question indicates you think that any competent grounds crew can easily repair the soccer field for the season. Ok by interpreting that I guess I did put words in your mouth in the strictest sense of doing so. But, that sure seems to me that you think a football team practicing on the soccer pitch is no big deal because it can easily be repaired. Yes it can be repaired, but properly such that it lasts in good condition through the Fall? And, in years when we have too much rain. No.

Making fun of screen names now. How mature.

Insults and skewered stats (insulting other sports that draw far more TOTAL fans) I've had enough. I try not to take troll bait anymore. Go on ahead with your bad self. Maybe you'll get what you want and Can't will get all the publicity and fannies on campus. And you won't have to lose sleep hoping the grounds crew can fix a few divots from those lizards.

Have fun with that,

[Balsy]

This is a good point. This is a University of Akron facility we are talking about. A university of Akron facility built for University of Akron students and a University of Akron program. As a University of Akron facility it makes sense that it should be used to serve the Cleveland Browns.

Yeah, so having an empty stadium sitting on campus unused during off season makes perfect sense. Those students can continue to walk by an empty stadium on their way to class in the summer.

[bobbyake]

I posted the attendance numbers for last year and had a comparison to previous years in it. It is somewhere in this forum.

[Dave in Green]

Zip_ME87, the problem with starting multiple threads on the same subject is that they often end up with endless repetition. I just posted a response to Marla's story in one of the other threads, so I'm not going to repeat it here.

[Zip_ME87]

Zip_ME87, the problem with starting multiple threads on the same subject is that they often end up with endless repetition. I just posted a response to Marla's story in one of the other threads, so I'm not going to repeat it here.

I agree. I posted in this thread in response to others and started the 3rd thread to be sarcastic. In retrospect, that was stupid. I should have stuck to my original thread and not allowed others to provoke me. I'll look for it.

[Ando]

first off, apologies for not updating sooner. the intensity of the chemtrail`s has really been keeping me from accessing my extensive network of insider sources to properly investigate this thing

anyway, attached you should all find the results of my FOIA request that i filed with the appropriate government bodies. as you can see, what they replied with is very concerning, but what really has me concerned is all the things they`ve NOT said.

[Zip_ME87]

After a little research (<1 minute on Google), I've discovered it appears that the Ohio Big Foot Conference has passed for 2014, but here's the link for 2015. I thought it might be a good place for you to pick up some new sources.

Perhaps the Sasquatch Summit which is coming up in November would help, but it will cost you to fly to the PNW. I didn't have time to look through their agenda, but maybe they have some training classes to help you with tracking down legendary creatures and their land usage habits. Might be well worth spending some of your time. There could be someone there who could help you hone your skills at doctoring .pdfs, .jpgs, and other such files, too.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: I almost forgot. Stay away from anyone who has any real information, especially if they have the ability to think critically. Facts could really hurt what you're trying to accomplish. Also, you shouldn't let human intelligence get in your way. I wonder if perhaps you should look at courses offered at UA's rival university in Portage County. I bet they have a lot to offer to help you steer clear of such things.

Best wishes in your endeavors.