State-of-the-Art Facilities

With the campus and the athletics department completing its $300 million facilities upgrade in the summer of 2004, The University of Akron has become one of the most modern and up-to-date campuses in the Mid-American Conference. A new field house and student recreation center, along with an on-campus football practice facility, are the newest additions to the athletics venues.

The newest addition to the UA Athletics Facilities Complex is the Athletics Field House. The field house, which is adjacent to the new Student Recreation Center, Lee Jackson Field, Ocasek Natatorium and Rhodes Arena, is not only one of the finest indoor facilities in the region, but also one of the best in the United States.

The field house features a full 120-yard AstroPlay field, 300-meter track, strength and conditioning center, indoor golf facility, football locker rooms and spectator seating for 1,200. The new varsity strength and conditioning center, with over 8,000-square-feet of space, will include both strength training and rehabilitation equipment. The Zips' indoor golf facility is among the best in the nation and includes a putting green, bunker, video player development simulator and study lounge for the student-athletes. Additional components include a new training room, varsity locker rooms, plus new athletic equipment and storage areas.

The Student Recreation Center includes such features as a four-lane, elevated running track, basketball courts, rock-climbing wall, recreational pool and weight room.
Both projects were part of a $300-million, five-year campus improvement program. Under this initiative, The University added nine new buildings and created 30 acres of new green space, including 30,000 trees, to build a "New Landscape for Learning" in Akron. The first of the new structures, the Polymer Engineering Academic Center, opened in June of 2001.

Field House Features:

120-yard football field with an AstroPlay surface. AstroPlay is the same surface that is utilized at the Rubber Bowl and the Zips' new on-campus practice field. 110 individual wood lockers in the football locker room with shelves, a bench seat and a lockable area for valuables. An 8,000-square-foot weight training facility which includes both strength training and rehabilitation equipment. 300-meter six-lane track featuring a Mondo surface. The track features an eight-lane straightaway and areas for jumping and throwing events. 3,500-square-foot sports medicine center featuring taping, treatment and rehabilitation areas.

Outdoor Practice Field:

Starting in the fall of 2004, the Zips began holding football workouts on the UA campus on the new practice fields adjacent to the Field House. That field is also used by the men's and women's soccer teams and is available for use 120-yard AstroPlay practice field with goalposts at each end.
60-yard grass practice field.

portions from gozips.com