Patriot Bowl 1 – Pros and Cons

[johnnyzip84]

There have been numerous references to the 2007 football opener against Army on several threads, but I thought it might be interesting to focus attention on this game, and the concept of the “Patriot Bowl”, in a single thread. Like a number of people here, I have not been overly impressed with UA sports marketing since Mack took over as AD. Now I’m not sure if Chryst, Rhoades, or either had much to do with the formation of this event or for selecting the Zips to participate in the inaugural game. But I will say that I, for one, am VERY excited about the event. I not only am happy to see Akron selected to participate, but I like the general concept of the game as well. The UA administration and the MAC gets criticized a lot for not being very creative with sports marketing or for not “thinking out of the box”. Well if they DID have much to do with the decision to start an event like this, then I think they deserve a lot of credit. Regardless, here is how I view the pros and cons of this game.Pros1) Zip supporters have shown in recent years that they will travel (in numbers) relatively short distances, particularly to neutral sites such as Detroit and Cleveland.2) ARMY presents both a recognizable name and a beatable opponent. I agree with many who have opined that we should have no reason to EXPECT to beat them (after all, I think we’re WINLESS in the all-time series), but it should nevertheless be a game that the Zips have a legitimate shot of winning.3) I’m borrowing this one from somebody else, but I agree that letting the kids play at a professional facility provides a psychological boost.4) I won’t have to wait in line for an hour and a half for a mediocre (if I’m lucky) hot dog.5) I can buy beer!6) Associating the game with Labor Day weekend helps to reinforce the patriotic theme. I haven’t heard anything yet about possible TV coverage, but I have to believe that the combination of service academy involvement and holiday timing will make for a good event to carry.7) In terms of exposure, the MAC has benefited largely from end of the season events, such as the MAC Championship and Motor City Bowl. Placing this game at the beginning of the season could help get that exposure started earlier.Cons1) This eliminates a true home game at the Rubber Bowl.2) Some MAC teams will have to travel pretty far to play in Cleveland, if this is indeed where subsequent games are planned.3) I’ll pay considerably more for my mediocre (if I’m lucky) hot dog.4) I will pay $7.50 for my beer!I’m curious to see what other people are thinking. I can’t wait until this game! Zip go the Zippers!!!

[AK-Zips]

Akron's marketing staff had nothing to do with this. This was an agreed collaboration between the MAC office and the military academies. They will play these sequential games in Cleveland and feature a different military opponent each season. Akron was chosen for the opener because they are close and an easy first year test to garner the attention and support of the local fan base. The preliminary discussions have been going on with this type of press for a couple of years now. It has nothing to do with Akron's AD or any administration except for them approving the game, which was a no-brainer.Thank you, come again!

[KeeprOFtheHous]

Your post was not well thought out nor is it even applicable.1. playing at cleveland is dumb, esp eagainst ARMY, they have no fans nor will our students go and buy a $20 ticket $10 parking and $7.50 beers. 2. ho is it other MAC schools go to cleveland and play big teams i.e. wisconsin, ohio state and we get ARMY?????3. You mentioned playing in a pro stadium, well the following weekend they play the buckeyes whos stadium is about 30k bigger so there is not psych going on there..I think we are waitsting our $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and efforts unless it is a bigname team.

[johnnyzip84]

Akron's marketing staff had nothing to do with this.

By "they" I was referring to both UA and the MAC (when I said that "they" deserve credit). I should have made that more clear. So while the UA athletic office doesn't deserve any credit, the MAC does in my opinion.

[GoZips88]

Cons1) This eliminates a true home game at the Rubber Bowl.

A "Con?" I have it listed in my "Pro" column!

[FMR]

1) This eliminates a true home game at the Rubber Bowl.

It is no secret that Mack would prefer to play every game away if he could. The choice to go to Cleveland brought relief to the athletic anals as they only have to go to the Rubber Bowl 4 times next season.

I have not been overly impressed with UA sports marketing since Mack took over as AD.

Has anyone received their season ticket renewals yet? I heard that the Marketing department screwed up the mailing. It was suppose to go out April 7.

[johnnyzip84]

Your post was not well thought out nor is it even applicable.1. playing at cleveland is dumb, esp eagainst ARMY, they have no fans nor will our students go and buy a $20 ticket $10 parking and $7.50 beers. 2. ho is it other MAC schools go to cleveland and play big teams i.e. wisconsin, ohio state and we get ARMY?????3. You mentioned playing in a pro stadium, well the following weekend they play the buckeyes whos stadium is about 30k bigger so there is not psych going on there..

Keepr, I will respond to each of your points, but first let me say that I can understand some debate over whether my post was "well thought out" or not (though specifics to substantiate this claim would have been nice), but how in the world is this "not applicable"? The post concerns UA's involvement in Patriot Bowl 1. How could it be MORE applicable for a Zip football discussion thread? Now, I will respond to your individual points.1. I assume ARMY will bring the Corps of Cadets along, at the very least. What they may lack in numbers, they will compensate for with enthusiasm and tradition. How do you automatically assume that OUR students won't head up to the game? First, I would think that the Rowdies would have no trouble driving a little further for a single game. Look at what they did during basketball season (road games in which they could be heard clearly on the radio). Second, students were well represented at both games in Detroit in 2005.2. As another poster put it, Akron was a logical choice to represent the MAC in this first game, due to close proximity. It doesn't mean we won't participate in other neutral site games in the future against bigger names.3. I'll admit that I'm going completely on a hunch here. But I suspect that, while the cow-town horseshoe is undoubtedly a superior college venue in terms of size and amenities (particularly compared to MAC stadiums), I'll bet it has nothing on a professional facility as far a locker room comfort, technology, etc. I'm not belittling the atmosphere the Zips will experience at OSU, especially with the huge crowd that will be in attendance. I'm only saying that playing at Browns Stadium will provide a uniquely positive experience in its own right.

[Zip_ME87]

3. You mentioned playing in a pro stadium, well the following weekend they play the buckeyes whos stadium is about 30k bigger so there is not psych going on there..I think we are waitsting our $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and efforts unless it is a bigname team.

What matters about Cleveland Browns Stadium in that it is a PRO STADIUM...where our football players should aspire to be following college. Ohio Stadium is meaningless in that regard.