Ten....

[FearTheRoo]

...is the number of people I approached last night at the JAR wearing OSU gear. Each time I said, "make sure you stop by the Zips team shop to get some Akron gear. Please don't wear buckeyes gear into our house. It's disrespectful."

[BZip_08]

Awesome. Thank you. I was in the foyer the entire time during pregame and even the first few minutes of the game, and I didn't see too many.... for once!Also I saw more little kids at the game last night all decked out in Getsy and Frye jerseys. I loved it, even if they were wearing football jerseys at a basketball game, who cares they're future Zips!

[GoZips88]

I agree - GREAT to see so many young ones wearing Akron gear. Passionate loyalty stands a pretty good chance when you work on it when they're young. From day 1 my son and daughter have been taught that "Akron" is GOOD and everyone else doesn't really matter (especially hippie school Can't, party school OU, and THHEEEEEEE ohio state university). My kids have always had Akron gear to back it up and wear it proudly to school often. Rome wasn't built in a day - we HAVE to keep working on it! Who knows, that little comment about wearing OSU stuff may cause one or more of them to think twice next time about wearing it to an Akron game! Nice job!

[FearTheRoo]

Great observations and comments guys. Awesome to see Frye and Getsy jerseys at the game!

[RowdyZip]

On this topic...I think it's just stupid to come to a game wearing any other team colors, besides the two involved. Don't own any Zips stuff? Can't afford it? Wear a blue shirt!!! On that same topic, despite all the "security" the rowdies had SEVERAL people infiltrate the low seats wearing non-uniform gear. Including a couple girls not even wearing Akron shirts!!! That irritated me heavily with the amount of people decked out in full AK-Rowdy glory up top (not complaining, just saying ) AAAAAAnd another thing. Had an evening class at CBA tuesday night and was looking around the class prior to start and this is what i noticed (out of 71 people). Girl in the back wearing an 'Ohio University Athletics' hoodie. Guy up front decked out in puffy OSU coat and 'O' hat. Girl three seats away, wearing a K-E-N-T sweatshirt!!!!!!! Guy in the front row wearing Zips hat, and me in the third row in my Zips hat. Nothing irritates me more than to see our students wearing other school's colors on campus. ESPECIALLY IN CLASS!!!Rant: OVER.

[zipseuph]

being a comuter school I've grown to accept the fact that most people will wear OSU stuff around campus, but the moment you set foot into the JAR or the Rubber Bowl with any other schools stuff is the moment I start to get pissed. what causes one to do that? it would be like going to a Browns Steelers game in Colts gear. you just don't do it. why? because it's stupid. I don't even need an intelegent argument for this one it's so dumb. but on a more important note I have to ask. How do we go about fixing this? I think talking to those guys was absolutly awsome but what else can you do? what do you guys think about a trade in day? a game at the Jar or an event on campus where people come in with gear from another school and trade it in for Akron stuff.

[AK-Zips]

being a comuter school I've grown to accept the fact that most people will wear OSU stuff around campus, but the moment you set foot into the JAR or the Rubber Bowl with any other schools stuff is the moment I start to get pissed. what causes one to do that? it would be like going to a Browns Steelers game in Colts gear. you just don't do it. why? because it's stupid. I don't even need an intelegent argument for this one it's so dumb. but on a more important note I have to ask. How do we go about fixing this? I think talking to those guys was absolutly awsome but what else can you do? what do you guys think about a trade in day? a game at the Jar or an event on campus where people come in with gear from another school and trade it in for Akron stuff.

it has been done a few times in the last couple of years. Namely 2005 soccer game vs. OSU which still is the highest attended soccer game on campus, ever, and also the 2005 spring football game. I even went ot goodwill and bought a $2 OSU t-shirt just so i could trade it for an Akron shirt. Ifelt that i did two good deeds here. one, i got a new Akron shirt for $2 and two, i got one OSU shirt off the local rack and it's now in tennessee somewhere! thank you thank you! they should bring this back... it would be huge!

[you am i]

i don't know if this qualifies as an intelegent argument, but so what if 10 people wore osu stuff to the game. i'd love to see the place filled with people wearing akron related gear, but if a few people wear osu stuff they are probably osu fans and i don't take offense to that. giving them a hard time is going to make them less likely to want to come back for another game. people can like whatever teams they want. some people are osu and zips fans, or fans of one or the other. that's fine with me. welcome to the game and please come back. if i go to a browns-ravens game and see someone wearing a colts hat, i think to myself, he's a colts fan. i do not get angry with him for wearing a colts hat to browns stadium.

[Captain Kangaroo]

i don't know if this qualifies as an intelegent argument, but so what if 10 people wore osu stuff to the game. i'd love to see the place filled with people wearing akron related gear, but if a few people wear osu stuff they are probably osu fans and i don't take offense to that. giving them a hard time is going to make them less likely to want to come back for another game.

I agree. Maybe they attended OSU and just wanted to come down to the JAR to watch a great college basketball game? Why hassle them? Especially when it is 10 out of 5,700?If the University wants to eradicate OSU gear from the JAR, they should do the following:Take those t-shirts that the cheerleaders toss into the crowd during breaks...the one's of which 90% land in the lower reserved section...but to-date no lower-reserved section patron has ever been seen wearing one...take those shirts out into the lobby and when you see OSU gear, you go up to the person and say: "Hey, looks like you could use a Zips tee shirt? Try this one on for size and enjoy the game!"They wear the shirt. They leave with a good feeling about the Zips. It's a win/win.

[zip81]

i don't know if this qualifies as an intelegent argument, but so what if 10 people wore osu stuff to the game. i'd love to see the place filled with people wearing akron related gear, but if a few people wear osu stuff they are probably osu fans and i don't take offense to that. giving them a hard time is going to make them less likely to want to come back for another game. people can like whatever teams they want. some people are osu and zips fans, or fans of one or the other. that's fine with me. welcome to the game and please come back. if i go to a browns-ravens game and see someone wearing a colts hat, i think to myself, he's a colts fan. i do not get angry with him for wearing a colts hat to browns stadium.

I agree with "you."Anything else comes off as a little over the top...

[ZachTheZip]

i don't know if this qualifies as an intelegent argument, but so what if 10 people wore osu stuff to the game. i'd love to see the place filled with people wearing akron related gear, but if a few people wear osu stuff they are probably osu fans and i don't take offense to that. giving them a hard time is going to make them less likely to want to come back for another game. people can like whatever teams they want. some people are osu and zips fans, or fans of one or the other. that's fine with me. welcome to the game and please come back. if i go to a browns-ravens game and see someone wearing a colts hat, i think to myself, he's a colts fan. i do not get angry with him for wearing a colts hat to browns stadium.

Yes, but you still wonder what a Colts fan is doing at a Browns-Ravens game. Frankly, there should have been nothing but blue and gold at that game, because that was both team's colors. I don't want people showing up to games if they aren't going to support one of the teams that are playing. If all they wanted was entertainment, the game was on TV. Please make room for real Zips fans, especially if the game is a sell-out. If they won't support one of the teams, they are just taking up space that could be filled by someone who actually intends to cheer.

[zippyrifle32]

if it wasn't so crowded at half time i could have gotten a pic with my phone of the person wearing the yellow rowdies t-shirt with a white hat that had a little red "o" on it (and said suckeyes on the back)

[Captain Kangaroo]

if it wasn't so crowded at half time i could have gotten a pic with my phone of the person wearing the yellow rowdies t-shirt with a white hat that had a little red "o" on it (and said suckeyes on the back)

To me, the student section is a different story. General Admission is for the general public, and any clothing is fair game. I find it baffling that AK-Rowdies folks can deny student section entrance to an Akron student with the incorrect Zips T, but let someone with an OSU ball cap in.

[UA ALUM]

I don't want people showing up to games if they aren't going to support one of the teams that are playing. If all they wanted was entertainment, the game was on TV. Please make room for real Zips fans, especially if the game is a sell-out. If they won't support one of the teams, they are just taking up space that could be filled by someone who actually intends to cheer. YOU DON'T want people showing UP???????? are you KIDDING me??? How many SELLOUTS have you seen at the JAR? Once a year...thats IT!! I would take REAL ZIPS fans..FAKE ZIPS fans or CANT fans that just live in the area if thats what it takes to fill the JAR. I had 2 empty seats right next to me in the reserved section and would be thrilled if someone in an OSU shirt an OU shirt or the shirt off my old dead grandma was sitting there. When we have lines of people standing out in the cold begging for tickets to every game, THEN complain that non traditional fans are showing up to games and TAKING UP SPACE.You dont want people showing up?????????? YIKES

[Captain Kangaroo]

I don't want people showing up to games if they aren't going to support one of the teams that are playing. If all they wanted was entertainment, the game was on TV. Please make room for real Zips fans, especially if the game is a sell-out. If they won't support one of the teams, they are just taking up space that could be filled by someone who actually intends to cheer. YOU DON'T want people showing UP???????? are you KIDDING me??? How many SELLOUTS have you seen at the JAR? Once a year...thats IT!! I would take REAL ZIPS fans..FAKE ZIPS fans or CANT fans that just live in the area if thats what it takes to fill the JAR. I had 2 empty seats right next to me in the reserved section and would be thrilled if someone in an OSU shirt an OU shirt or the shirt off my old dead grandma was sitting there. When we have lines of people standing out in the cold begging for tickets to every game, THEN complain that non traditional fans are showing up to games and TAKING UP SPACE.You dont want people showing up?????????? YIKES

I would guess there were about 1,500 "passive" followers of local college athletics at the game. You state you'd rather they stay at home than have them come down to the JAR and have a great time? That's bizarre.No one in the stands was born a Zips fan. They went to games with their parents as a kid...they attended the University and simply decided to check out the team one day...at some point every one of us that walked through the turnstiles at a Zips sporting event attended as an impartial observer. Those of us on this board, for God knows what reason, got "hooked" on U of A athletics. But there are thousands of potential Zips fans in this area who, when they come down to the JAR...or tailgate in the Rubber Bowl lot...have the potential to get "hooked" too, and subsequently build our fan base. Belittling those who want to come to Zips events and check out the team is flat-out stupid.

[zipseuph]

I don't hate OSU I just hate it when people wear that stuff into our stadiums. if new people wanna come watch then thats more than alright with me. I just don't see the point in wearing other schools stuff to our games. I don't think we should lynch them or anything I just don't wanna see it happen so if there is a nice way to go about it that makes everyone happy (such as giving people with OSU shirts free Akron ones) then I'm all for it.

[FearTheRoo]

I don't subscribe to the opinion that they should stay home if wearing other school gear. I agree. If they are there to cheer then that is great. BUT, I cannot pass up the opportunity to TEACH. The response I got each time I confronted someone last night was typically that they didn't even realize/think about it. I understand this! I didn't have a tone of voice as to be condescending. I simply pointed out that hey, you are in our house. Next time, think a little before you come.

[sgm405]

I don't want people showing up to games if they aren't going to support one of the teams that are playing. If all they wanted was entertainment, the game was on TV. Please make room for real Zips fans, especially if the game is a sell-out. If they won't support one of the teams, they are just taking up space that could be filled by someone who actually intends to cheer. YOU DON'T want people showing UP????????  are you KIDDING me???  How many SELLOUTS have you seen at the JAR?  Once a year...thats IT!!  I would take REAL ZIPS fans..FAKE ZIPS fans or CANT fans that just live in the area if thats what it takes to fill the JAR. I had 2 empty seats right next to me in the reserved section and would be thrilled if someone in an OSU shirt an OU shirt or the shirt off my old dead grandma was sitting there. When we have lines of people standing out in the cold begging for tickets to every game, THEN complain that non traditional fans are showing up to games and TAKING UP SPACE.You dont want people showing up??????????  YIKES

I would guess there were about 1,500 "passive" followers of local college athletics at the game. You state you'd rather they stay at home than have them come down to the JAR and have a great time? That's bizarre.No one in the stands was born a Zips fan. They went to games with their parents as a kid...they attended the University and simply decided to check out the team one day...at some point every one of us that walked through the turnstiles at a Zips sporting event attended as an impartial observer. Those of us on this board, for God knows what reason, got "hooked" on U of A athletics. But there are thousands of potential Zips fans in this area who, when they come down to the JAR...or tailgate in the Rubber Bowl lot...have the potential to get "hooked" too, and subsequently build our fan base. Belittling those who want to come to Zips events and check out the team is flat-out stupid. Thank you!I can't stand when I hear stories about someone from Akron making a smart ass remark or ripping into someone wearing an OSU hat/shirt/whatever to the game. As others pointed out, maybe they're an OSU Alum relocated in Akron and want to become a fan...do you think doing this crap to them is going to make them want to be a part of the fan base?I wear a Rice Owls hat to every game. I like the fit and style of it, and I personally don't like any of the Zips hats that Lids offers. So I wear the Rice hat. Am I less of a fan? At this point in time, we don't need to do anything that pushes potential fans away, even if they are potential "bandwagon" fans, even if they do come to the game in another team's gear. As CK said, maybe give them one of the free shirts? Or instead of questioning and belittling them, say hey and tell them you hope to see them here for the rest of the year. OSU has fans everywhere in Ohio...they have been an enormous success for decades in athletics and have built a winning tradition. And anytime you have a winning tradition, you'll have a tons of fans...everywhere...even in Akron. A lot of you guys could save yourself a lot of gray hairs and frustration if you simply accept that as a reality. For the 1637123th time...STOP WORRYING ABOUT OHIO STATE!Quit whining about the newspaper writing 500 words about OSU and only 450 about Akron...quit complaining about OSU getting top bill on the late night news (which - by the way - Akron got last night)...and most of all, stop ripping into and questioning people who also like the Buckeyes. Doing that is only going to drive away current and potential Zips fans, not bring them in. And at this point in our athletic program, we need whatever fans we can bring in...no matter what hat or shirt they're wearing.

[sgm405]

I don't subscribe to the opinion that they should stay home if wearing other school gear. I agree. If they are there to cheer then that is great. BUT, I cannot pass up the opportunity to TEACH. The response I got each time I confronted someone last night was typically that they didn't even realize/think about it. I understand this! I didn't have a tone of voice as to be condescending. I simply pointed out that hey, you are in our house. Next time, think a little before you come.

What exactly are you teaching them? I guarantee the response was more of "why is this dude worried about what I am wearing? Maybe if I just agree with what he's saying, he'll leave me alone." Trust me...that's what I would've done.

[exexec]

This whole thread baffles me. I do't care who when where or why-just fill up the JAR! Why don't I care?-1. More money for the university!!!!!!!! It really is pretty much all about money! Maybe they could build the better stadium ya'll want with the extra bucks or a new 'JAR"2. If it is filled with anyone maybe they will be forced to build a bigger one to hold even more people.3.Anyone who shows up MAY become a good loyal vocal ZIPS FAN.What is not to understand about that. Also please let any kids sit in the empty seats among the rowdies-they may become a lifelong fan too-I became a ZIPS fan after I watched games in ld memorial Hall when I was 7 yrs old.

[w00t]

No, no, FearTheRoo has made a very salient point. In fact, it'd be great if he'd come over and pick out my clothes for me before the Buffalo game. I mean, if you have no reservation about approaching a complete stranger and informing him that his attire doesn't conform to your wishes, surely you'd be willing to go the extra mile and make sure that I'm dressed to your liking on Sunday, right? What about if I wear khakis, will you stop me and say that I'm treading dangerously close to representing MAC foes Western Michigan? What if I wear a replica soccer jersey? Am I defiling our basketball arena by wearing soccer gear in there? Did you stop any Can't fans and inform them that when they come to our gym, you'd really appreciate it if they would wear "Fear The Roo" t-shirts? There are ways to endear people to your cause... and you probably just made ten people hostile to it even if they didn't say so. The same guy who was so quick to trumpet the need for social grace when the student section holds up a sign he doesn't like doesn't see the audacity of criticizing a complete stranger's clothes right to his face... and further thinks it's the poor sap he just brazenly insulted that needs to "think before he acts". The irony is killing me. You'd make a great communist, FTR.

[ZachTheZip]

I like the idea about giving away UA shirts for one of the games, maybe as a promotion. Pro sports have bobblehead nights and pass out costumes (Varejao Wigs). UA needs a promotion like that to get people to bring kids. Maybe a baseball cap or something, since OSU caps are more common than OSU shirts. Today in my Sociology class of 50 students, there were 5 OSU caps and 3 OSU shirts on different students, plus 3 Ohio U caps. It really bugged me because thats about 1/5 of the class wearing that stuff the day after we beat Can't State. We need pep rallies before home games to increase school spirit, maybe in Memorial hall and all the students can walk to the JAR together for the game. Come on, it's not hard to implement so whats the big deal?I personally have 10 Akron shirts that I don't wear anymore in favor of newer stuff. How's about getting the Rowdies to donate old Akron gear they don't wear anymore and pass it out in the lobby during home games. We could trade them for OSU gear or something. Where's the creativity, the crazy promotions, the gimmicks to get people to the JAR.

[Valpo Zip]

We need pep rallies before home games to increase school spirit, maybe in Memorial hall and all the students can walk to the JAR together for the game. Come on, it's not hard to implement so whats the big deal?I personally have 10 Akron shirts that I don't wear anymore in favor of newer stuff. How's about getting the Rowdies to donate old Akron gear they don't wear anymore and pass it out in the lobby during home games. We could trade them for OSU gear or something. Where's the creativity, the crazy promotions, the gimmicks to get people to the JAR.

Those are some very good ideas... I am sure some of the rowdies leaders might be reading here. If not, i will try to bring those points up next time i meet one of the leaders.

[FearTheRoo]

No, no, FearTheRoo has made a very salient point.  In fact, it'd be great if he'd come over and pick out my clothes for me before the Buffalo game. 

I'm sure we can find something blue amongst your leisure suits and tie-dyed hippie shirts!Say what you want, but you know if I gave you two duckets for an OSU game and you had no OSU gear, you would rush to the store (in w00t's case, Goodwill) and buy up OSU gear to represent. Hell, I've seen my neighbors, friends and even family do it. You know it's true.

[rotsen]

I agree. I remember 2 years ago hearing two Zips employees talking before a football game at the Zips Tailgate area about the p.a. system broadcasting the OSU football game. Essentially, the one guy, was trying to explain to the other guy, that it was wrong for the sound people to be broadcasting another football game 2 hours prior to a zips kick-off.I watched and listened to both of them. They were working on or around that minivan that with Charlie Frye on the back of it. Anyway, the taller guy, would listen to the other guys point and he just kept repeating that OHIO STATE was Ohio's team. The other guy, turned to him and stated that if he kept that thought up he'd be out of there...I kept seeing the one guy after that, but never the taller guy.I guess the Zips did their job. 81