why things are better now

[scottditzen]

I know things are pretty heated right now, and for good reason. Our program is at a crossroads and every game seems pivotal. The loss to Temple was eye opening and I have HATED THIS OFFENSIVE SCHEME since the spring game.......butisn't it great to have this forum? There is a groundswell of fans who are moving past the era of apathy, and more people are actually giving a damn about Zips football. This is positive. When Akron used to lose in creative and unbelievable ways back in the 90's, I had nowhere to vent and would call the athletic office and leave drunk and angry messages on their voicemail lol. I felt like my few friends and I were the only ones who really cared about the games!!!! Everyone sitting around us at the Rubber Bowl was dead quiet and motionless, even when Akron would make tremendous plays. For so long The Beacon Journal wouldn't write anything critical at all about the team and that just perpetuated the apathy. So even though a lot of us are arguing over all of this, it's still at the very least a good sign that people care. Welcome new posters to the forum and try and keep things above the belt and we'll get even more fans. We're all in the same boat here.

[g-mann17]

[skip-zip]

Good Post. An increase in the interest level is certainly a step in the right direction.

[Buckzip]

I know things are pretty heated right now, and for good reason. Our program is at a crossroads and every game seems pivotal. The loss to Temple was eye opening and I have HATED THIS OFFENSIVE SCHEME since the spring game.......butisn't it great to have this forum? There is a groundswell of fans who are moving past the era of apathy, and more people are actually giving a damn about Zips football. This is positive. When Akron used to lose in creative and unbelievable ways back in the 90's, I had nowhere to vent and would call the athletic office and leave drunk and angry messages on their voicemail lol. I felt like my few friends and I were the only ones who really cared about the games!!!! Everyone sitting around us at the Rubber Bowl was dead quiet and motionless, even when Akron would make tremendous plays. For so long The Beacon Journal wouldn't write anything critical at all about the team and that just perpetuated the apathy. So even though a lot of us are arguing over all of this, it's still at the very least a good sign that people care. Welcome new posters to the forum and try and keep things above the belt and we'll get even more fans. We're all in the same boat here.

Right on.When I first visited this site there was about 4 posters.

[Z.I.P.]

There is a groundswell of fans who are moving past the era of apathy, and more people are actually giving a damn about Zips football. This is positive. When Akron used to lose in creative and unbelievable ways back in the 90's, I had nowhere to vent and would call the athletic office and leave drunk and angry messages on their voicemail lol. I felt like my few friends and I were the only ones who really cared about the games!!!! Everyone sitting around us at the Rubber Bowl was dead quiet and motionless, even when Akron would make tremendous plays.

And you're crediting WHO exactly for this? Clearly to me, things began to fall administratively upon the change in leadership in the AD office. I'm not calling those guys Supermen or anything, but if you can't tell the difference, you're not paying attention. I fear we ARE sliding back to the Owens Era, and something has to be done, or the new stadium will be as empty as the one it's replacing. I'm not advocating a change in FB HC -- YET. But he's gotta make positive change to turn it around. The same goes for the AD office. Is anyone in charge? Are you listening Dr Proenza?

[Captain Kangaroo]

I know things are pretty heated right now, and for good reason. Our program is at a crossroads and every game seems pivotal. The loss to Temple was eye opening and I have HATED THIS OFFENSIVE SCHEME since the spring game.......butisn't it great to have this forum? There is a groundswell of fans who are moving past the era of apathy, and more people are actually giving a damn about Zips football. This is positive. When Akron used to lose in creative and unbelievable ways back in the 90's, I had nowhere to vent and would call the athletic office and leave drunk and angry messages on their voicemail lol. I felt like my few friends and I were the only ones who really cared about the games!!!! Everyone sitting around us at the Rubber Bowl was dead quiet and motionless, even when Akron would make tremendous plays. For so long The Beacon Journal wouldn't write anything critical at all about the team and that just perpetuated the apathy. So even though a lot of us are arguing over all of this, it's still at the very least a good sign that people care. Welcome new posters to the forum and try and keep things above the belt and we'll get even more fans. We're all in the same boat here.

You warm my heart!

[Class of 82]

Hey Scott,Excellent post!It may not be translating into butts in the seats just yet, but there IS a higher interest level in Akron football around the area these days. I trace it back to two games, first the dramatic win over Marshall in Charlie's senior year, and the MAC title game and that incredible Getsy/Hixon touchdown. (Sadly, last year's win over NC State, which COULD have built on that momentum, was followed by that ugly egg laid at Central Michigan a week later.)I wrote in another thread that I've never been more optimistic about the future of Akron football. The disappointing loss to Temple is aggravating in the short term, but it does not diminish my long-term hopes and expectations at all. Will we be the next South Florida and be ranked #2? Almost assuredly not. But I do believe Akron has an incredible upside that is unmatched by the vast majority of so-called "mid-major" programs, and certainly the rest of our MAC brethren.Anyway, enjoyed your take... a lot.Go ZIPS!

[Zip_ME87]

I know things are pretty heated right now, and for good reason. Our program is at a crossroads and every game seems pivotal. The loss to Temple was eye opening and I have HATED THIS OFFENSIVE SCHEME since the spring game.......butisn't it great to have this forum? There is a groundswell of fans who are moving past the era of apathy, and more people are actually giving a damn about Zips football. This is positive. When Akron used to lose in creative and unbelievable ways back in the 90's, I had nowhere to vent and would call the athletic office and leave drunk and angry messages on their voicemail lol. I felt like my few friends and I were the only ones who really cared about the games!!!! Everyone sitting around us at the Rubber Bowl was dead quiet and motionless, even when Akron would make tremendous plays. For so long The Beacon Journal wouldn't write anything critical at all about the team and that just perpetuated the apathy. So even though a lot of us are arguing over all of this, it's still at the very least a good sign that people care. Welcome new posters to the forum and try and keep things above the belt and we'll get even more fans. We're all in the same boat here.

I wholeheartedly agree. And as always...

[Z-P]

I think the emergence of "Fear the Roo" helped bring people in also. I've seen a significant increase in the # of tee shirts, hats, sweats, jackets on the street as since that came along.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I think the emergence of "Fear the Roo" helped bring people in also. I've seen a significant increase in the # of tee shirts, hats, sweats, jackets on the street as since that came along.

I took my son to a corn maze in Penisula this past weekend. One of the women walking through it had a FTR hoodie on. Another guy had a "Roo A" hat on. I was in my Akron hoodie. You'd never have seen so much Zips gear out in the boonies 5 years ago.Waddell's efforts on the Marketing front made it cool to sport Zips gear. If we could ever consistently win, you'd see the stuff everywhere.