The University of Akron football program has launched a season-ticket promotion that will place one fan in the unusual position of scripting the opening offensive series for the Zips’ home opener against Robert Morris.
How the promotion will work
Announced Aug. 4, the raffle enters every season-ticket holder for a chance at the top prize, which the athletic department calls the "Offensive Coordinator of the Game" experience. The winner will be revealed Aug. 19 and will spend two days attending practices and team meetings in advance of the Sept. 12 game at Akron’s home stadium.
- Aug. 4: Promotion announced by Akron Football.
- Aug. 19: Raffle winner to be named.
- Sept. 12: Home opener vs. Robert Morris; winner consults on opening series.
According to the university, the winner will be able to consult with head coach Joe Moorhead on the first 10–15 plays of Akron’s first possession. Moorhead — who has been a head coach at Mississippi State and served as an offensive coordinator at Oregon — reportedly was initially skeptical but ultimately embraced the idea.
“I won’t let the circus roll into town,”
That is how Moorhead described his approach to the promotion, assuring fans that the program will retain final authority over play calling. Akron athletic officials framed the raffle as a fan engagement and ticket-sales initiative for a program that has struggled for sustained success on the field.
Response and implications
The stunt has generated national attention and sparked conversation beyond the typical Akron fan base. While the opponent scheduled for Sept. 12, Robert Morris, competes at the FCS level and the matchup is not among the Zips’ toughest tests on the schedule, the promotion has succeeded in creating buzz for a program that often draws attention only during midweek MACtion or when facing larger, higher-profile opponents.
Officials have been explicit that the prize is largely an experiential one — giving a supporter behind-the-scenes access and the thrill of participating in game planning — rather than relinquishing in-game authority. That balance appears intended to protect competitive integrity while still delivering a memorable day for a season-ticket holder.
University leaders and the coaching staff have presented the raffle as part of a broader effort to generate enthusiasm and increase attendance for Akron home games. The promotion’s publicity value has already been evident: it prompted discussion among college-football fans and commentators beyond the local market.
Local context
Akron plays in the Mid-American Conference, a league often associated with passionate regional followings and weekday television windows known as MACtion. The Zips, however, have one of the smaller annual football budgets among Division I programs and have struggled to build consistent on-field success. Promotions like the raffle aim to convert casual interest into ticket purchases and foster stronger game-day atmospheres.
While the team’s coaches insist they will maintain control over actual play selection, the raffle raises practical questions for game-week preparation and competitive planning. Allowing a non-staff member to participate in pregame meetings and influence the opening series requires close oversight from the coaching staff to ensure the chosen plays fit the game plan and the opponent’s tendencies.
Akron’s athletic director originated the idea, and the school has framed the opportunity as part of the fan experience — an attempt to turn armchair quarterback fantasies into a one-day reality. Whether the stunt translates into sustained attendance gains remains to be seen, but for now it has placed the Zips in the national conversation as college football season approaches.
| Item | Date |
|---|---|
| Announcement of promotion | Aug. 4 |
| Winner announced | Aug. 19 |
| Home opener (consultation/play calls) | Sept. 12 vs. Robert Morris |
The promotion is, by design, low risk in terms of competitive stakes but high profile for publicity. For many Akron fans, it is another reminder of the ways college football leverages spectacle and fan engagement to keep programs relevant and supporters invested in the lead-up to kickoff.
