Patriot Bowl attendance and attendance in general

[ZachTheZip]

I was just surfing around the internet, when I stumbled upon this thread from the Ohio high school forums. They talk about the game, but it's sort of a mixed reaction.http://www.jjhuddle.com/discus/messages/460259/524386.phpThey certainly have a realistic view of what attendance will be. Less than 20k, which I agree with, although I hope I will be proved wrong. They go into a bit of detail about why we won't get beyond the 20k mark, and why so few of those will be actual Akron fans.Also, one of the posters is a student at UA, and he seems to personify the attitude I see all over campus, AK-Rowdies not withstanding. What he says is pretty blunt, and feels like a punch to the gut, but it is true to an extent and provides an example of the attitude our Athletic and Marketing Departments have to deal with. There is very little school pride beyond what we and a few others possess. It is lacking in the student population, the very foundation of the university. I hate it and struggle to understand it, but the attitude of apathy is still there, and it seems like they want it to remain that way. Landscape for Learning was both a success and a resounding failure from this standpoint. Sure it attracts more students and athletes to UA, but they are just buildings. Something a little less tangible, such as a form of school spirit, has yet to manifest itself on campus and in the hearts of its students, in spite of our efforts. Something must be done by the powers-that-be at UA, and I have not seen it or even heard mention of a plan of action beyond the "if you build it, they will come" thought process. It doesn't matter how nice the buildings are if no one cares, and right now no one cares.The fact is they don't want to care. When they care, they get let down just like with all the other sports teams around here. Part of this can be rectified on the field/court by winning championships and bowl games. We've seen proof of that. But winning alone is not enough.The people need a push in the right direction. If the University won't do it, who will? The newspapers? The Beacon Journal has been improving, the Plain Dealer could care less, and for some reason the Canton Repository seems to only cover Akron's lesser known sports in blurbs hidden in the middle of the sports section. The TV News doesn't even know we exist, and "local" sports radio just insults us when Zips sports are brought up. Advertising seem like the only option, but unless I'm blind there has been almost no visible signs touting our athletics programs. No billboards, no TV commercials, incorrect print ads, ect.It is apparent that Mr. Rhoades only cares about the business end of things. He has sold huge tracts of seats in the Rubber Bowl to businesses that never show up for the actual games. He doesn't respond to e-mails, or even have some assistant send out a generic "Thanks for your interest in our program". What do we do when the guys in charge don't even acknowledge the people they are hired to provide services for?I guess I'm just ranting here. That got a lot of frustration off my chest. If anybody has any suggestions as to what the fans can do to show the Athletic Department and even the students that we care about our Zips, please speak up. There has to be something out there to spark interest. Hopefully it would cause a snowball effect when combined with winning teams.Those are just my thoughts. So... what do you think?

[74ZIP]

uakronkid, not necessarily defending the athletic dept. but i sent them a nastygram a month or so ago...i actually got 2 responses....1 allegedly from the AD hisself...someone is watching...but i do agree after watching ZIPS football since the 60's...not many people care a lot...and this place seems to be either a graveyard or a place for someone to jump off to something better...most locals will NEVER show up consistently...tooo much high school...too much LUCKEYES,too much Browns...GO ZIPS

[zipboy]

The first real sign of change in attitudes was in basketball this year. The football MACC was huge but it was more of an event to go the bowl game. When I hear that the coaches go into 2 different restaurants and get a standing ovation, I do seem some signs of change. What honestly takes it to happen is several sweet 16 appearances in basketball and/or a Boise State like performance in football. People like winners. If we are seen as not a fluke and a team that can play at the highest level for consecutive years, mindsets will change. I think that everyone will be pleasantly surprised with basketball attendance next year. And the AK Rowdies becoming alumni should help as well. There was about 50 hard core kids this year in the south basketball. If we get about 50 kids per year who graduate and like Akron Zips sports, that changes the dynamics of our fan base as well.

[eguins]

YSU averages 7000 season tickets each year.What does UA get?

[zipsbandman]

If Akron makes the NCAA tourney and becomes a legit power in the midmajor scene a lot of people will want to be associated with us. But lets put things into perspective. Akron basketball has torn our hearts out for two straight years already. That's more demoralizing to a fan base than you might think. Then look at our football team. They get to their first bowl game, win the championship, and then they completely lay an egg the next year allowing the critics to say, "typical Akron". As I walked out of the Q on the night of our freak loss this one person summed it all up for me, and I believe what I said is exactly the reason why the apathy is still there. He said, "Akron sucks and I even go there". I had nothing to say in response. I was pretty pissed too. I bet you his tune would have been different if we pull out the game. He cared enough to show up to the game didn't he? Overall, the mood is pretty down with Akron athletics, and it even shows through among the diehards. The football team has not shown signs of promise, and the stadium they play in is bush league. The basketball team completely dodges the post season. Meanwhile, the Cavs are rolling in the playoffs and the Indians are playing pretty well. The Browns had a phenominal draft, and even our star Frye looks to be phased out soon. Naturally, people are not going to be too high on the zips, and that's pretty understandable.Can this be reversed? It sure can, but it takes time. I'm not necessarily buying into the theory that the campus improvements are not doing anything among students. The nice football facilities are nice and all, but the stadium will be a facility for both the team and the fans. The project is going to be massive, and will transform the dynamics of campus. Akron needs to start attracting a different kind of student, and not the wannabe columbus state troll. Of course, we'll still get those apathetic wastes, but if we can attract the type of students that maybe an OU typically gets we can drown out the apathy. We need help from our teams too. That's where we trust Dambrot and co. to help us in that area.

[zen]

YSU averages 7000 season tickets each year.What does UA get?

and your answer is....

Meanwhile, the Cavs are rolling in the playoffs and the Indians are playing pretty well.  The Browns had a phenominal draft,

Youngstown is much more of an Island than Akron