Written by: Zack West

“Believe,” “excitement,” “Fear the Daggum Roo” were just some of the messages to sum up the Breakfast with the Bowdens event at The University of Akron field house Saturday morning.

An audience of 400 came to see the “First Family of College Football,” UA football Head Coach Terry Bowden, joined by his legendary father Bobby Bowden and brothers Tommy and Jeff, to speak about the future of Akron football.

The event began with the announcement and release of the new UA slogan brought here by the Bowdens.

“In the South, we use the word daggum a lot to keep us from saying other stuff,” Bowden said.

All four Bowden members were presented with new “Fear the Daggum Roo” T-shirts.

Bowden went on to talk about his roots and his connection to the city of Akron. He grew up in Morgan Town, W. Va., and said that the two cities are very similar.

“Akron is a big small town,” he said.

From a football stand point, he said he wants players to fit the fast-paced scheme and wants them to “buy into doing whatever it takes to win.”

He told the crowd made up of alumni, faculty, season ticket holders, students and press members that the one word the team would be living by this season is “believe.”

“Every year our team has a slogan,” he said. “We have to believe we are going out there and we are going to win. We have to expect to win.”

Bowden’s father spoke of his 34 years of experience coaching the Florida State Seminoles.  According to Bobby Bowden, he walked into a similar situation at Florida State in 1976.

“We couldn’t fill the stadium,” he said.

According to Bobby Bowden, football is the window in which the public views the university. School is not about football, but that’s how people recognize the school.

“The whole key to winning is getting the best players,” he said. According to Bobby Bowden, the next move for his son is to get the best recruits.

“We have to change the perception of Akron,” said Terry Bowden, brother of Bowden, citing the recruiting challenges that come with a struggling program.

After the brief speeches, the panel was open for questions from the crowd. Some football questions were answered, along with some anecdotes from the family about their experience working together.

Excitement filled the crowd as a standing ovation followed the event as the Bowdens were officially welcomed to the Akron family.

One season ticket holder expressed that he has not felt this excited about a season of Akron football in his 20 years of going to Akron games.

The football team will have their annual spring game this Saturday at 3 p.m. in Infocision Stadium. Admission is free of charge, and all fans are welcome to preview the 2012 University of Akron football team.