Fridays Game Time

[Hilltopper]

I would like to know who thought a 1pm game time on the day after Thanksgiving was a good idea. I will not be able to attend, because like thousands of others , I will be at work on the busiest shopping day of the year. A 7pm start would have been much better. Anyone want a good deal on 9 reserved seats?

[Captain Kangaroo]

Game time is 3:30pm, not 1pm. It was changed to accomodate a MAC doubleheader on ESPNU.Note: I received my local newspaper this weekend and it still had the game time listed as 1pm. What a blunder. I guess that's one thing the new administration will need to learn - don't assume the local newpapers will carry through on updating ads. More often than not, they will run the "old" ad with incorrect game dates and times. It happens every year. The papers need their hand held, and you need to follow up with them 10 times a day to confirm the changes were made. Even then, you only improve your chances of a "correct" game day ad to 50%.

[Hilltopper]

Thanks for the update CK. I've been working like a dog for the last few months and haven't made it to many Zips games and kept up on things. 3:30pm still doesn't help me but at least the correct time is now out there.

[UADavid]

Game time is 3:30pm, not 1pm. It was changed to accomodate a MAC doubleheader on ESPNU.Note: I received my local newspaper this weekend and it still had the game time listed as 1pm. What a blunder. I guess that's one thing the new administration will need to learn - don't assume the local newpapers will carry through on updating ads. More often than not, they will run the "old" ad with incorrect game dates and times. It happens every year. The papers need their hand held, and you need to follow up with them 10 times a day to confirm the changes were made. Even then, you only improve your chances of a "correct" game day ad to 50%.

The University has bigger problems than the media. The scrolling signs on the North Deck say the game starts at 1:00 pm and this is a University owned and operated sign. As of 8:43 am wednesday they still had the wrong info.

[ZipAlumn]

The University has bigger problems than the media. The scrolling signs on the North Deck say the game starts at 1:00 pm and this is a University owned and operated sign. As of 8:43 am wednesday they still had the wrong info.

Unbelievable ....... well maybe not.

[zip81]

Game time is 3:30pm, not 1pm. It was changed to accomodate a MAC doubleheader on ESPNU.Note: I received my local newspaper this weekend and it still had the game time listed as 1pm. What a blunder. I guess that's one thing the new administration will need to learn - don't assume the local newpapers will carry through on updating ads. More often than not, they will run the "old" ad with incorrect game dates and times. It happens every year. The papers need their hand held, and you need to follow up with them 10 times a day to confirm the changes were made. Even then, you only improve your chances of a "correct" game day ad to 50%.

I understand what you are saying, however, it is not the responsibility of the newspaper. They are simply selling space.It is the responsibility of the customer to update their ads!!!!

[zip81]

After reading the other posts on this topic, I have to say something that I've always felt:Despite being a Division I program, when it comes to marketing and paying attention to detail, our University is still, in many ways, Division II.

[skip-zip]

Most of the problems stem from bringing in so many people from out of town to coordinate your marketing efforts. They are unfamiliar with the program, the city, the buying behavior of its fans, etc. Without this understanding, they seem to try to mold a program based on things that may have worked for them in another place, in another conference, etc. This is the nature of administrative jobs in college athletics.

[bigzipguy]

Zip81: You are 100 % correct when it comes to marketing. THis university must grow up in that area!!!!!

[zipper]

I remember UAM had that problem with the paper - even after he proofed ads they'd be wrong - especially on multiple run days. They'd get it right the first day and then, I guess due to laziness, they'd not check and then run the old version on the next day. Now as far as the sign being wrong on campus, that's a learning curve for Hunter, no doubt. But he'll get there.

[ZipAlumn]

Most of the problems stem from bringing in so many people from out of town to coordinate your marketing efforts. They are unfamiliar with the program, the city, the buying behavior of its fans, etc. Without this understanding, they seem to try to mold a program based on things that may have worked for them in another place, in another conference, etc. This is the nature of administrative jobs in college athletics.

In business you don't let the little thing get away from you or you'll never be able to overcome a big problem. The marketing portion of the Athletic Department should know about a sign listing the game time on campus, and should have got that changed. In my opinion there is no excuse for that screw up ... none. Just like there is no excuse for GoZips.com listing game quotes and box scores, but not listing them as happens all too often. There is no excuse for the inaccurate information that supposedly came out in preseason to the season ticket holders. I would never have accepted this shoddy work from an unpaid intern let only someone that was getting a paycheck.

[goodthts]

Most of the problems stem from bringing in so many people from out of town to coordinate your marketing efforts.  They are unfamiliar with the program, the city, the buying behavior of its fans, etc.  Without this understanding, they seem to try to mold a program based on things that may have worked for them in another place, in another conference, etc.  This is the nature of administrative jobs in college athletics.

In business you don't let the little thing get away from you or you'll never be able to overcome a big problem. The marketing portion of the Athletic Department should know about a sign listing the game time on campus, and should have got that changed. In my opinion there is no excuse for that screw up ... none. Just like there is no excuse for GoZips.com listing game quotes and box scores, but not listing them as happens all too often. There is no excuse for the inaccurate information that supposedly came out in preseason to the season ticket holders. I would never have accepted this shoddy work from an unpaid intern let only someone that was getting a paycheck.

Agreed! And why is it that we have a great business program and local marketing companies yet the administration looks out of state for companies?! Hey fellas, you talk of getting behind our local team, of supporting and cheering for the local guys yet you hire out of towners (and bad ones at that) who don't know anything about the area.I'm so sick of the small-town mentality that permeates NE Ohio. Grow a sack and start thinking positively. Make a commitment to succeed and maybe it will actually happen.

[zip81]

To continue our discussion on the prowess of UA marketing....I'm at the Rubber Bowl last night for the WMU game. I have my little certificate that came with my season tickets telling me that all I had to do was show up to the gift shop at the Rubber Bowl to get my free Zips blanket.So, I get up to the window and present my certificate. The girl behind the counter says they don't have any. (I knew something like this was going to happen). I pointed out that the certificate said that I could pick it up at the Rubber Bowl on game day, and this is game day.She said they had given a lot away and didn't have anymore. Then, what appeared to be her supervisor came up and pointed out in a rude way that this WAS the last home game of the season. I pointed out again that all the certificate said was that all I had to do was show up on game day at the Bowl..nothing about first come first serve.She became really snotty and said if I want to complain I had to go to the ticket office. I told her that I was making my comments for her to pass on customer input to her superior. Very, Very typical Akron U...and I've had that season ticket since 1985!I wonder if the marketing department has a course on customer satisfaction? If so, I suggest the sports front office attend!

[gozips19]

the same thing happened to me at the ub game! i brought my ticket to the team shop for the first 3 home games only to be turned away. at the ub game i did not have my voucher but asked to speak with a supervisor to explain that i don't live in the akron area and can not come down to the team shop during the week. i was told that was what i had to do to ensure myself a blanket. once i told him that it wasnt very good customer service and that i would consider not getting season tickets in the future did i get his card and told to call him directly (i wont mention his name) i chose not to call and was lucky enough to get my blanket at the last game. that's just not good customer service. why can't they mail them out with your tickets? its not like they were that heavy.