Univ. of Akron will pay students up to $20 to attend final three home games

The NCAA Tournament rapidly approaching means the end of the college basketball regular season is near as well. With only a few games remaining, the number of opportunities for fans to see their team in its home arena is dwindling. At the University of Akron, coming out to support the Zips could earn students a few extra dollars.

Men’s basketball coach Keith Dambrot recently announced an incentive for his team’s final three home games of this season. Beginning with Wednesday evening’s contest versus Toledo, each game that draws 800 or more students will result in each student receiving $5.00 on their Zip Card for attending. Any student who attends all three games will get an additional $5.00 bonus.

“Akron students have helped our program make the James A. Rhodes Arena one of the toughest places to play in the MAC,” Dambrot said via the school’s web site. “This Student Appreciation program is just one way for us to show our appreciation for everything they do. We need our students out, in force, at our final three home games to help us win our third MAC regular season title in the last four seasons.”

While Dambrot has been at Akron since the 2004-2005 season, it was on February 10 of this year that the school had its largest student contingent during his tenure. The 2013 MAC Coach of the Year may not need to offer money to get the trend to continue, but it certainly won’t hurt.

Photo via: Twitter/ZipsMBB
H/T SB Nation