Overview
- On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the University of Akron announced Martin Allan (Marty) Whims II as the winner who will help script the Zips’ opening series for the Sept. 12 home opener against Robert Morris.
- Coach Joe Moorhead will meet with Whims in the days before the game to review the Robert Morris scouting report and discuss Moorhead’s prewritten list of roughly 12 to 24 “openers,” with Moorhead keeping final play‑calling authority.
- The winner was chosen by a random drawing run by Akron’s College of Business and George W. Daverio School of Accountancy that narrowed entries from season‑ticket holders to nine finalists, a field that included national personalities and longtime fans.
- The promotion went viral after an Aug. 4 post, generating roughly 23 million social views, a surge in season‑ticket and suite sales, and a last‑minute sponsor in Arby’s, and the opening series will be shown on ESPN+.
- Akron officials say the stunt was designed to energize a fan base after years without a winning season, and Whims, a longtime ticket holder and Akron graduate who is a real estate CFO, will meet the team before the game to get a behind‑the‑scenes experience.