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Do IT this week: Layering
Construction on schedule for $61.6 million facility set to open in September
By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Sunday, Oct 05, 2008
Mack Rhoades invents reasons to stroll past it, and is unafraid to live occasionally in the future.
J.D. Brookhart avoids it with a passion, and focuses on the present with the same zeal.
At the University of Akron, Rhoades is the director of athletics, and Brookhart is the football coach.
Their disparate approaches here refer to InfoCision Stadium/Summa Field, the football facility under construction on campus that will become the Zips' new home starting with the 2009 season.
''I look for ways to walk by it. I like to check to see what has changed,'' said Rhoades, who was named athletic director Dec. 20, 2005, and has been one of the driving forces behind the stadium. ''I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say that if I don't see a change much in a week, I begin to get a little concerned.
''We keep an eye on it, but everything is fine; the construction folks are doing a terrific job.''
Right now, the stadium is a blend of steel
girders and concrete slabs. It is now less than a year away from its first practical use — a game against Indiana University on Sept. 19, 2009 — so it is more abstract than actual.
That's why Brookhart, whose team has three home games remaining at the venerable Rubber Bowl, prefers not to contemplate events and circumstances that are about a year away.
''I have not looked at it since August. I don't walk that way for anything. I don't look at it on my computer,'' said Brookhart, referring to a camera pointed at the stadium that can be viewed on the school's Web site. ''I go through the back door [to his office]. It's habit.
''It doesn't help me this year. It's not a focus for me.''
Goodbye Rubber Bowl
Focusing on the future can be left to others, including Rhoades. That's natural and expected because the Zips' 66-year tenure in the Rubber Bowl will end, and the replacement will be a $61.6 million stadium on campus that is much needed and long overdue.
''It's not only a new facility, but it will change the culture of football on this campus. Nobody has ever experienced football on campus,'' Rhoades said. ''We know traditionally all the great things that come with that: the students, the tailgating, the band pregame going through campus.
''It's a camaraderie, a festivity that will be all new to us. That's probably what is most exciting to all of us.''
Rhoades has to think about the future, because he hears so much about it.
''When you talk to people out in the community, the first question I am asked is about the new stadium and how it is progressing,'' Rhoades said. ''People can't wait until we open it up.''
The new facility means that a UA association with the Rubber Bowl that began with an Oct. 5, 1940, game against Western Reserve will end. The remaining games, all in the Mid-American Conference, are against Bowling Green (Saturday), Toledo (Nov. 5), and Buffalo (Nov. 13).
The seating capacity of 31,000 at the Rubber Bowl makes it the second-largest college stadium in the state, behind only Ohio Stadium. Millions of fans have watched the Zips there since 1940. UA has a 190-121 lifetime record in it, including a 30-16 record in the past eight years.
The Rubber Bowl has also played host to Browns games and high school games, as well as numerous concerts.
''That last game, there is going to be some sadness because there is some nostalgia that goes with it,'' Rhoades said. ''It served this entire community well, not just in football, but special events that were there as well.
''It has served our football program well. It has been a gathering point for the community.''
But age has been showing at the Rubber Bowl in recent years, and it has become more of a liability than an asset.
''It's time to move on. Time has taken its toll,'' Rhoades said.
Modern amenities
The new stadium, which was financed through committed funds, pledges and donations ($20 million) and bonds ($41.6 million), will have a seating capacity of 30,000.
It will feature 17 suites (16 seats each), 172 loges (four seats each) and 486 club seats. It will have a seven-level press tower, 21 rest rooms, a state-of-the art scoreboard, a synthetic playing surface and numerous meeting rooms for game-day operations.
When Rhoades accepted his position in 2005, he saw a new stadium as one of his primary goals.
''For me, that was one of the challenges that I embraced in taking the job. Absolutely, it was a priority,'' he said. ''If we are going to be competitive, a stadium was critical. There is no way, in terms of our vision for the football program and growing the program, that it could happen without a new stadium.''
Work on schedule
Some fans have worries about the stadium being ready in such a short time (20 months from start to finish), but that is not a concern, said Paul Hammond, UA associate athletic director for facilities and operations.
''We are on schedule. Obviously, we are working feverishly to get the building part done, so we can work inside in the winter,'' said Hammond, who is the athletic department liaison regarding the stadium. ''We have a great group of contractors . . . very enthusiastic. It will be ready.''
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Mack Rhoades invents reasons to stroll past it, and is unafraid to live occasionally in the future.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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akron, oh
Posted 08:02 AM, 10/05/2008
This new stadium is another in a long list of postive things UA has done not just for the university, but for the city as well. Now if they could just bulldoze the south side of exchange and start from scratch, maybe that area would not look and feel - and act - like a ghetto.
North Hill, OH
Posted 10:35 AM, 10/05/2008
Is it September 19, 2009 yet? :)
Akron, OH
Posted 11:25 AM, 10/05/2008
This is a really good thing for UA and Akron! Go Zips!
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:37 AM, 10/05/2008
I like the way you think, Tim. UA is also benefiting Northern Ohio with all of its academic and athletic growth. That south side of Exchange could feature UA's new arena instead of placing it downtown so the Mayor can pretend it's his.
Mogadore, OH
Posted 01:04 PM, 10/05/2008
Have any plans been made yet for the Rubber Bowl? Demolition, re-use, other??? I haven't heard anything yet. It would be nice to have a farewell party next summer, like a Rockin on the River or Rock the Lock type of gathering on a Saturday evening?
Posted 01:16 PM, 10/05/2008
It will be the THIRD largest stadium in Ohio, not second, after Ohio State's and the University of Cincinnati's.
Akron, OH
Posted 01:39 PM, 10/05/2008
Keep on bulldozing the ghetto southward, from Exchange all the way to I-76.
akron, oh
Posted 01:41 PM, 10/05/2008
Good idea Dennis!!! A big blowout concert party and then blow the thing up.
Posted 08:45 PM, 10/05/2008
UA and Summa are doing great things for this city. The positive ramifications of this new stadium are going to be felt in many different ways around the community! I can't wait for opening day!
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:51 PM, 10/05/2008
UA is indeed great for this city and for Northern Ohio. If it weren’t for UA, Summa and the rest of the medical corridor wouldn’t exist in the form and size they do today. UA is the linchpin
for our community and Northern Ohio.
Posted 11:26 AM, 10/08/2008
good to see Cant State is still sucking and we are still getting better. GO ZIPS
