Captain Kangaroo Posted October 14, 2004 Report Share Posted October 14, 2004 Anyone else find it funny that: 1.) The stadium story broke on Channel 3 news, and not The Beacon? Was the "leak" done to put the thumbscrews to the BJ for it's shoddy Zips coverage? 2.) Nothing regarding the stadium on GoZips.com? Did channel 3 have a "mole" at the architects office that leaked info to a news source a tad early? It will be interesting to hear the discussions on the coach's show tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Morgan Posted October 14, 2004 Report Share Posted October 14, 2004 I see the Beacon (David Lee Morgan) has a story on the stadium today, unfortunatley I cannot access it as I refuse to "sign up" for access to their website. Could someone post it on this site? Although I could pretty much tell you what it will say: "University announced preliminary plans for stadium.......blah, blah blah. University doesn't know how they are going to pay for it but say that students will not have to pay for it........blah, blah blah. Akron sucks, why build a new stadium when no one goes to the games anyway..... blah blah blah. Anyone going to the Ohio State game this weekend......blah blah blah." Sincerely, David Lee Morgan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipsrifle Posted October 14, 2004 Report Share Posted October 14, 2004 As you Requested: Zips officials don't want students to pay with fees By Katie Byard and David Lee Morgan Jr. Beacon Journal staff writers A consultant's plan to put a football stadium on the University of Akron campus has some good ideas, but university officials said there is no funding in place to move the project from the talking phase. ``Now we need an idea of how we might fund it and when it might be possible -- if at all,'' university spokesman Paul Herold said Wednesday. In March, ScheerGame Sports Development of Florida presented UA officials with a study proposing a $60 million stadium that could be built on the southern edge of the campus. The company said a large portion of the funding could come from student fees. UA officials, however, rejected the idea of using student fees and ``continue to explore financial feasibility'' for the idea, Herold said. The university for years has envisioned an on-campus site to replace the aging Rubber Bowl -- seven miles from the UA campus -- as the Zips' home stadium. ``We think it would be great for the students, alumni, Zips fans and the downtown community to have a stadium on campus,'' athletic director Mike Thomas said Wednesday. ``That's our goal.'' UA president Luis Proenza said officials need to pick up where the ScheerGame study left off by exploring various funding options. ScheerGame's ``idea was heavily predicated on student fees and we don't want to go there,'' he said. Students already are charged a facilities fee per credit hour (as much as $222.60 per semester) to pay off bond debt on the campus' new recreation center and new student center. They also have been hit with relatively big tuition hikes, which came in recent years as the state cut funding to higher education. An on-campus stadium would complete a makeover of the football facilities. The Zips are enjoying the luxury of a $12 million field house, complete with a full-length AstroPlay field. The team also can practice outside on a 120-yard field on campus. The 35,000-seat Rubber Bowl, a Works Progress Administration project completed in 1940, needs repairs and renovations estimated at more than $60 million to be brought up to ``modern standards,'' Herold said. In 1971, the city of Akron sold the Rubber Bowl to the University of Akron for $1. Based on an outline from the university, ScheerGame came up with two possible locations for a 20,000-seat, on-campus stadium: on the north side of Exchange Street, south of the new field house; and on the south side of Exchange, across from Lee Jackson Field. Proenza said the university has identified two other possible sites. He declined to be specific. ScheerGame didn't charge a fee for the study, Proenza said. The company was reimbursed $26,375 for travel and other expenses. He said the company completed the study with an eye toward being involved in the development if the project becomes a reality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted October 14, 2004 Report Share Posted October 14, 2004 My dad called the Beacon the next day when they didn't cover the story to ask why. The answer was that it wasnt newsworthy. All channel 3"s report was based on a press release by the architechural firm that made the drawings for the university. They "knew " that the university doesn't have the fund to build it right now. so in their minds there is no story. I guess enough other people called that they had to run something. IMHO its all political as to the Beacons attitude towards the university. Until there is a change of partys in Columbus and the resulting changes on the board of trustees at UA don't expect much "support" from the ABJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted October 16, 2004 Report Share Posted October 16, 2004 Until there is a change of partys in Columbus, don't expect much support for higher education PERIOD. Or lower for that matter. So, the BJ can count to $40 million. Whoopee! Gov Taft to Akron: "If you want a stadium, put up or shut up." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Zippies suck Posted October 16, 2004 Report Share Posted October 16, 2004 It does seem like a lot of money for a school that will be 1-AA in two years. Go BUCKS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted October 16, 2004 Report Share Posted October 16, 2004 Anyone else find it funny that: 1.) The stadium story broke on Channel 3 news, and not The Beacon? Was the "leak" done to put the thumbscrews to the BJ for it's shoddy Zips coverage? 2.) Nothing regarding the stadium on GoZips.com? Did channel 3 have a "mole" at the architects office that leaked info to a news source a tad early? It will be interesting to hear the discussions on the coach's show tonight. I thought that was funny too. Perhaps the ABJ had their chance and didn't find it newsworthy or else UA is looking elsewhere for their news outlet. Is it wise to "punish" the ABJ for their lack of interest in the Zips (they would probably say their readership is not that interested) or should the u. try to feed them some scoops to try and get more coverage? *When* we get good and make waves on the national scene there will be interest and the BJ will have to cover it and it will be embarrassing to them to get scooped by Cleveland TV and newspaper outlets. I think they will come around very quickly then. But as long as we're losing nothing's gonna change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted October 16, 2004 Report Share Posted October 16, 2004 Until there is a change of partys in Columbus, don't expect much support for higher education PERIOD. Or lower for that matter. So, the BJ can count to $40 million. Whoopee! Gov Taft to Akron: "If you want a stadium, put up or shut up." So you think that around $100 millon per year is not funding higher education at UA. The states contribution accounts for around 45% of the toatl operating costs of the university. As a taxpayer I must say when will it ever be enough to satisfy some people. Throwing more money at a problem is not always the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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