LZIp Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 We all know that money rules the world. We know T. Boone Pickens basically runs Oklahoma State. Phil Knight and Oregon. The Wexner's and OSU. What I think we generally don't know is who the affluential people are that can make stuff happen at the University of Akron. Part of the issue with Scarborough was that he rubbed people the wrong way and we lost donations. Those seem to be going back up now under President Wilson. Who are the movers and shakers that influence important decisions at the U? I'll start the list, feel free to add or argue why someone shouldn't be included as necessary. I'm certain there are some businessmen I'm not aware of. Lebron James - Obviously not an alumni (yet anyways), but the global icon and soon to be billionaire has partnerships with the U and has remained connected in one way or another since high school. Matt Kaulig - Former Zips QB, race team sponsor, and successful businessman as the owner of LeafFilter. His involvement with the U and football program is well documented. Jason Taylor - NFL Hall of Famer who has dabbled some in the entertainment industry. Estimated NW of 25 million. Don't think he is very involved behind the scenes at the U, but there is at least a little bit of relationship there and I think his words would have power. Goodyear/Quaker Oats/Knight Foundation founders and descendants are or have been involved. Other names to consider who I am unsure of their net worth/involvement/power: Joe Gingo (CEO of A. Schulman) Yvette Nicole Brown (actor) Mary Taylor (Lt. Governor of Ohio, Governor candidate, former state auditor) Dan Auberbach/Patrick Carney (Black Keys) Chase Blackburn (nice NFL career) Domenik Hixon (nice NFL career) Jerry Hollendorfer (accomplished horse racer) Sandy Pianalto (Former president of the Fed. Reserve of Cleveland) Younger alumni who could maybe be players down the road: Alex Bliss (Alexis Kaufman) - WWE wrestler/champion, former cheerleader. DeAndre Yedlin/other professional soccer players Jatavis Brown 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Does Ken Babby have any involvement with the U? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziptrumpet87 Posted March 17, 2018 Report Share Posted March 17, 2018 Not sure about UA, but Joe Kanfer (CEO Gojo) is/was involved with downtown Akron. Also related to Mustard Seed owners. Seiberling family (Goodyear) Albrecht family (Acme) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted March 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 This seems to be academic focused rather than sports and does not show the $ amount of contributions. https://www.uakron.edu/development/honor-roll/index.dot?letter=K&donor_type=indiv I was unable to find anything like that for the Z Fund, which I suppose is the reason I created this thread - to learn more about who has the power behind the scenes on the sports side. If I were a betting man, I'd bet @Hilltopper and @skip-zip can provide some input there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 I see my name on that list so it must contain the Z-fund donors too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 1 hour ago, LZIp said: This seems to be academic focused rather than sports and does not show the $ amount of contributions. https://www.uakron.edu/development/honor-roll/index.dot?letter=K&donor_type=indiv I was unable to find anything like that for the Z Fund, which I suppose is the reason I created this thread - to learn more about who has the power behind the scenes on the sports side. If I were a betting man, I'd bet @Hilltopper and @skip-zip can provide some input there... That's a weird corporate list. Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland State, Ohio State, Can't State, etc., yet a company like Leaf Filter isn't on there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-mann17 Posted March 20, 2018 Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 On 3/19/2018 at 9:51 AM, Let'sGoZips94 said: That's a weird corporate list. Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland State, Ohio State, Can't State, etc., yet a company like Leaf Filter isn't on there. It's because Kaulig Capital LLC is the actual donor and not Leaf Filter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergeant Zip Posted April 1, 2018 Report Share Posted April 1, 2018 Matthew Cherry 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted April 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2018 (edited) 12 hours ago, Sergeant Zip said: Matthew Cherry Couple things - that sounds pretty neat. I'd like to see the movie. The trailer link at the bottom in the article takes you to some website that's all in some asian language. Are we sure he still holds the record for most punt return yards in a season?? I'd bet Jojo has that record now. edit - whoops! Just saw the article is dated for 2012. Edited April 1, 2018 by LZIp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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