2017 MAC Media Day

[Balsy]

10 hours ago, zzx said:

 

Both Freshman WR Andre Williams and LB Dylan Meeks have surfaced on the roster -- along with some other new names

 

6 hours ago, zipsoutsider said:

There are 102 listed - 3 more will make the camp invite list. I am assuming 1 of the three will be Bell.

 

There are a few new names indeed.  I will be updating the Roster sheet tomorrow so we can get a closer look for everyone.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Here is the last installation of my MAC Media Day interviews. I was able to speak to Coach Bowden for 10-or-so minutes.

 

The event was much more well-attended than I anticipated. With so many different radio, TV, print and blog reporters vying for everyone's time, it was pretty difficult for a reporter to get an uninterrupted audience. I'd have prepared, and handled it differently if I did it again.

 

This interview started in the hallway...then went into the TV studio...then we went back out in the hallway...and then back in the main ballroom. 10 "interview minutes" took roughly an hour and 15 minutes "real time" to complete. 

 

Coach Bowden

 

Also - a few people said they had difficulty with the Warren Ball interview. Here is an embedded link that should be easy for anyone to open (same interview as before, just in a more user-friendly format).

 

Warren Ball

[72 Roo]

Thank you for your interview post. TB seems very optimistic w/o going overboard. It seems to me that he clearly knows he has to produce this season. I hope he does. I appreciate you going the extra mile. I hope you are credentialed for all Zip sporting activities. When you represent ZNO you carry a lot of clout. 

[Dr Z]

A few lighter questions. 

 

 

[Captain Kangaroo]

Great job, AJ! 

Nice touch that it was set in front of the Jayson Taylor backdrop!

[Balsy]

I like how AJ does a better job than GT....

Edited August 2, 2017 by Balsy

[Blue & Gold]

Ohio dot com: Defense hopes to bounce back to 2015 form after injury-plagued 2016

[Dr Z]

______The Zips Media Guide is available online. 

 

 

 

[Dr Z]

15 hours ago, Blue & Gold said:

Ohio dot com: Defense hopes to bounce back to 2015 form after injury-plagued 2016

A few good quotes in this article. I like reading coach Amato's confidence. If the defense returns to (2015) form, and WB (o-line) becomes an offensive force, it could be a fun 2017. 

 

“I don’t want to blame it on us being young,” he said. “I just don’t think there was enough communication, enough chemistry between the guys. It was just a lot of guys getting used to one another. I feel like this year is going to be much different because we’re way close and it’s more of a brotherhood. Last year is way behind us and we’re just looking for this year.” Amato said the team has the potential to return to the status the defense held nationally in 2015 when they dominated in the run game. “We’re going to be really good, I think,” Amato said.

[Dr Z]

Kent State Players Hurt by Zips Bringing the Wagon Wheel ?

 

Nick Holley and Demetrius Monday weren't so forgiving of representatives from arch-rival Akron who brought the Wagon Wheel Trophy the Zips earned by edging Kent State last season to Canton and perched it in a seat at their table, about 20 feet from where the Flashes were stationed. “You can't print my thoughts on that,” said Holley, when asked about the presence of the Wagon Wheel at MAC Media Day. “The words I've got for you I can't say. We'll just keep it at that.” “You can't say it don't hurt,” said Monday. “We'll see you (on game day).”

 

 

[K92]

56 minutes ago, Dr Z said:

Kent State Players Hurt by Zips Bringing the Wagon Wheel ?

 

Nick Holley and Demetrius Monday weren't so forgiving of representatives from arch-rival Akron who brought the Wagon Wheel Trophy the Zips earned by edging Kent State last season to Canton and perched it in a seat at their table, about 20 feet from where the Flashes were stationed. “You can't print my thoughts on that,” said Holley, when asked about the presence of the Wagon Wheel at MAC Media Day. “The words I've got for you I can't say. We'll just keep it at that.” “You can't say it don't hurt,” said Monday. “We'll see you (on game day).”

 

 

 

[Captain Kangaroo]

"Don't be surprised to see the Wagon Wheel back at MAC Media Day in 2018."

 

Strong words from the Record-Courier scribe. 

[LZIp]

1 hour ago, Dr Z said:

Kent State Players Hurt by Zips Bringing the Wagon Wheel ?

 

Nick Holley and Demetrius Monday weren't so forgiving of representatives from arch-rival Akron who brought the Wagon Wheel Trophy the Zips earned by edging Kent State last season to Canton and perched it in a seat at their table, about 20 feet from where the Flashes were stationed. “You can't print my thoughts on that,” said Holley, when asked about the presence of the Wagon Wheel at MAC Media Day. “The words I've got for you I can't say. We'll just keep it at that.” “You can't say it don't hurt,” said Monday. “We'll see you (on game day).”

 

 

I'm glad we offended the hippies. More drama for the rivalry is a good thing.

[Buckzip]

On 8/1/2017 at 7:57 PM, Balsy said:

I like how AJ does a better job than GT....

I believe everyone on this board could do better than GT....

[CDMac]

1 hour ago, Buckzip said:

I believe everyone on this board could do better than GT....

Has there ever been a serious discussion about the avid Zips supporters starting their own publication? 

Anyone in the community here professionally linked to media?

Maybe there is a coup to oust GT as the sole media voice covering Zips football and replace him with fan driven content??

[72 Roo]

Oh boo hoo.  I feel so horrible for offending our rival. What an injustice! Oh the inhumanity of it all! Wait, this is Kent and I could care less. Hell, I'd take the Wagon Wheel to Sunday Mass if it would pee Kent off. If it's up to me we take the Wagon Wheel to every public event we can. If they don't like it, take the trophy away from us.

 

Finally, I think the Record-Courrier reporter was correct. We will beat Kent again and the damn Wagon Wheel will be at the 2018 MAC Football Media day. At our table.  Count on it! 

[zipsoutsider]

25 minutes ago, 72 Roo said:

Oh boo hoo.  I feel so horrible for offending our rival. What an injustice! Oh the inhumanity of it all! Wait, this is Kent and I could care less. Hell, I'd take the Wagon Wheel to Sunday Mass if it would pee Kent off. If it's up to me we take the Wagon Wheel to every public event we can. If they don't like it, take the trophy away from us.

 

Finally, I think the Record-Courrier reporter was correct. We will beat Kent again and the damn Wagon Wheel will be at the 2018 MAC Football Media day. At our table.  Count on it! 

I doubt they meant hurt, as in snowflake hurt. I think it was probably meant as more a shot their ego that they failed. D1 athlete's want to win.

[skip-zip]

1 hour ago, CDMac said:

Has there ever been a serious discussion about the avid Zips supporters starting their own publication? 

Anyone in the community here professionally linked to media?

 

That's a really, really interesting idea.  

 

Printing and distribution is obviously costly if it's an actual physical publication.  I can vouch for that as a sales exec. who's been a part of plenty of "mini-magazine" or mini-newspaper type projects.  If that's what you might be thinking.  

 

Coordinating the "News" part of such a publication is out of my area of knowledge.  All the reporting, writing, etc.  You'd need to rely on someone else to figure out what is involved in doing that part.   

 

Do any other major schools even have their own exclusive newspaper-like publication for sports?  And is it done by an independent entity?  I wouldn't even know.   

Edited August 3, 2017 by skip-zip

[CDMac]

@skip-zip - I was thinking more of digital media (I probably should have used a different word other than, "publication") so as to steer clear of the printing and distribution costs.

 

I bring this up because with the expertise around this forum I think we could put together something but it would "take a village".

 

We all bring different strengths to the table and I'm just thinking out loud about what is possible.

 

I guess we can have others chime in on what they might be able to bring to the table.

 

For me, I've been known to write a little; I am a application support engineer so I could handle some/most of the IT needs (or be able to coordinate it), and it appears I am the mastermind behind this evil plot to overthrow GT.

 

Quote

Do any other major schools even have their own exclusive newspaper-like publication for sports?  I wouldn't even know.   

 

I know of some HIGH SCHOOLS that have media departments that have their students cover games/events and some do radio/tv broadcasts/commentating.

 

I'm talking about something by the fans, for the fans though; not necessarily something through the school - and very specifically football-centric.

 

Does anyone know how strict Akron is about issuing media credentials for team events/gameday? What requirements are there to get issued a pass? I don't know if zipsnation would qualify as media or not (I know of some other forums have been trying to get media access for NFL teams for a while without luck). Then again, that's the NFL.

 

I'm sure there are high quality videographers and those who would make good reporters that would love to have media access to the team.

 

I'm just throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks and see what interest might be there in undertaking something like this

[Buckzip]

Not sure we have anyone here that we would call a "insider". It would be great if we could actually get more information on this team. 

[ZipsVoice]

Heck, one of the reasons we all come to ZipsNation is BECAUSE there is no other place to find information about our 'Roos.  This IS the place that is the alternative to George and Elton.  I do try to bring to the board info on the lesser sports like swimming and diving, track and field, softball, and women's soccer just to fill in the info-starved Zips fans who want to know more that stuff about Bball and FBall.  So, I'd be glad to contribue articles to an on-line publication if we ever got something like that going....but for now this is our On-Line sports news for Zips fans....

[72 Roo]

I think there are many of us who would contribute just as you are willing to do. On a related note, what the hell is going on with information about this year's preseason. There is absolutely nothing. That can't be doing the progrum any good, even if TB wants to keep TW's shoulder issue a mystery. After one game everybody will know what our status is at QB. I have long felt that Akron has the worst sports information dept in the MAC. They are horrible in content, creativity and quantity. Williams has got to correct that. The ABJ has shown it will not get the word out to its readers so we need to try something different. This is truly unbelievable that a DI progrum has put out such minimal information on the sport that is considered No.1 by most of the public.

[skip-zip]

28 minutes ago, ZipsVoice said:

Heck, one of the reasons we all come to ZipsNation is BECAUSE there is no other place to find information about our 'Roos.  This IS the place that is the alternative to George and Elton.  I do try to bring to the board info on the lesser sports like swimming and diving, track and field, softball, and women's soccer just to fill in the info-starved Zips fans who want to know more that stuff about Bball and FBall.  So, I'd be glad to contribue articles to an on-line publication if we ever got something like that going....but for now this is our On-Line sports news for Zips fans....

 

I think it IS the reason why we all came here.  But something like CDMac is talking about could possibly fill the void in actual NEWS reporting, and could get it into the hands of people other than just the "choir" that participates here.   

[CDMac]

@skip-zip - I'm a relative newcomer here to the board as my son is a freshman. I found ZNO because it was turned up the most in "Akron Zips football" Googling.

 

You guys do a fantastic job here so I brought up the idea of collaborating on an online publication of sorts because I felt y'alls frustration in the lack of news about the team being disseminated by the local media. I guess ZNO is as good a place for the presentation of content as any.

 

The biggest hurdle I see in doing something like this (even on a small scale) is getting the required "credentials" to actually be able to get in front of the players and coaches in order to report the news that others may be interested in hearing (getting roster updates, injury status, roster battles, etc).

 

The BEST way that I can see that working would be to engage the Akron Communication Program students and get the University involved. I tried looking at the Buchtelite student paper and their sports coverage seems slight and the link to ZTVAkron.com (supposedly the online ZipsTV does not load any content).

 

Do they Zips not have a student beat reporter that comes from their journalism or communications programs? <=== I'll need to investigate this.

Edited August 7, 2017 by CDMac

[Balsy]

On 8/3/2017 at 2:36 PM, skip-zip said:

 

That's a really, really interesting idea.  

 

Printing and distribution is obviously costly if it's an actual physical publication.  I can vouch for that as a sales exec. who's been a part of plenty of "mini-magazine" or mini-newspaper type projects.  If that's what you might be thinking.  

 

Coordinating the "News" part of such a publication is out of my area of knowledge.  All the reporting, writing, etc.  You'd need to rely on someone else to figure out what is involved in doing that part.   

 

Do any other major schools even have their own exclusive newspaper-like publication for sports?  And is it done by an independent entity?  I wouldn't even know.   

 

We have several former student reporters on this site who have written and managed minor publications before, as well as a member or two have done it professionally.  I wrote, edited, and helped managed production of the Buchtelite for nearly 3 years.  Believe it or not, it took about $100,000 to operate per year (two semesters, twice-a-week); each issue would generate anywhere from $500-$1200 in revenue, a big chunk of the cost being printing/distribution.  Needless to say, we had been losing money for years when I was there, well managed years before left us with a savings account with which to cover the gab.  Advertising in publications just isn't what it used to be, and readership just isn't what it used to be.

I remember floating the idea (because I was desperate to come up with SOMETHING sports related that could generate revenue), and suggested summer issue or sports specific preview issue and stuff like that where we focus on selling to alumni/season ticket holders.  We were met with resistance because of whatever company Athletics works with, because it would interfere with whatever they do (which is BS...we were a STUDENT publication).  But secondarily no-one believed that there was enough buyers to cover the expense of publishing it in the first place.

 

To answer your last question, yes.  Almost all of the major D-1 programs I've worked have a student newspaper/publication that produces their own magazine that they then sell to alumni subscribers, people on the street, etc, with season previews, team-by-team break downs etc.  I know they exist, because I've worked with them before...Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee...providing them info on the Zips as well as photos (and credits) from my photographers.  They sent us free copies in return...and they were marvelous, I was very jealous we didn't have something similar to it.

You have to ignore the "student" newspaper part...because people want to assume it's somehow not serious...they are.  They're businesses, it's just the business is run exclusively by students of said university, as part of their bylaws.  I'll pardon you guys the rant.  Some are independent (like the Buchtelite Was).

Hope that was a little insightful?