Coach retains control as fan play-calling promotion drives ticket sales
The University of Akron’s decision to let a season ticket holder script the opening drive of the Zips’ Week 2 home game against Robert Morris has generated widespread attention and a notable uptick in season-ticket purchases — but head coach Joe Moorhead has made clear the fan will not have unchecked control during live action.
The promotion, announced in early August, entered every season-ticket holder into a drawing to be the person who calls plays for the opening drive of the home opener. Season tickets, listed on the athletics website at a base price of $75, have seen an increased demand since the marketing push.
National coverage followed reports that some visiting supporters were buying into the raffle with the aim of influencing the scripted drive in a way that could undermine Akron on the field. David Ubben of The Athletic reported that elements of the Robert Morris fanbase were attempting to win the drawing with the stated intent of sabotaging the play-calling experiment.
In response, Moorhead told players and staff that he will vet and, if necessary, change any submissions from the raffle winner. He emphasized he will not allow the promotion to reduce the competitive integrity of the game.
“I won’t let the circus roll into town,” the coach said, according to the program’s communications.
How the process will work
Details provided by the Akron athletic department and comments from senior deputy athletic director Matt Pottorff indicate there will be parameters around what the winning season-ticket holder can submit. Those include preapproved plays and oversight by the coaching staff so that the opening drive aligns with the team’s gameplan.
- A season-ticket holder will be selected by raffle to design the opening-drive script.
- Any proposed plays must be reviewed and approved by the coaching staff, led by Moorhead.
- The head coach retains the authority to modify or reject plays in the interest of competitive play.
Akron Athletics suggested that a recommended list of plays will be offered as part of the promotion, and Pottorff has indicated guidelines are likely to be posted to ensure the approach matches what the team typically scripts. Those safeguards aim to balance fan engagement with on-field competence.
Local impact and national attention
For Akron, the promotion has two immediate impacts: a revenue and attendance boost from increased season-ticket sales, and amplified national visibility for a program that has been working to grow its fan base. The offer to let a fan “call plays for a day” is an accessible entry point for supporters; the low starting price for season tickets made participation more attainable.
Still, the prospect of opposing fans winning the drawing introduced a potential risk. Moorhead’s involvement as the final arbiter of the opening drive aims to mitigate that risk while preserving the novelty that produced the strong response.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Game | Week 2 home opener vs. Robert Morris |
| Promotion | Raffle for season-ticket holders to script opening drive |
| Season ticket starting price | $75 |
| Oversight | Plays must be approved or modified by coach Joe Moorhead |
Akron’s athletic staff framed the safeguards as a way to protect the team’s performance and reputation while still offering a memorable fan experience. With the head coach directly involved in approving the opening-drive script, the program intends to keep the moment entertaining without compromising its competitive standards.
As the home opener approaches, local fans and season-ticket holders will be watching how the raffle is implemented and whether the guardrails put in place satisfy both supporters and coaches. The promotion has already done what marketing teams hope for: it sparked engagement and moved tickets. The next test will be how that engagement plays out on the field under the supervision of the coaching staff.
