InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field

File:InfoCision opening day2.JPG

InfoCision Stadium was constructed as part of a building initiative undergone by the University of Akron called the "New Landscape for Learning."[http://www.uakron.edu/president/strategic_plan_initiatives/new_landscape_for_learning.dot Strategic Plan & Initiatives: "New Landscape for Learning"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307181904/http://www.uakron.edu/president/strategic_plan_initiatives/new_landscape_for_learning.dot |date=2012-03-07 }} Retrieved September 13, 2009. The $300 million construction program included the construction and renovations of numerous buildings on campus, including the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences building, an honors complex, a student recreation center, and a student union.[http://www.uakron.edu/nll/ "New Landscape for Learning"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510054825/http://www.uakron.edu/nll/ |date=2013-05-10 }} Retrieved September 13, 2009. The Rubber Bowl, the former home of the Zips football team, was located {{convert|6|mi|km}} away of the Akron campus.{{cite news|url=https://www.ohio.com/akron/news/zips-band-performs-coda-at-old-stadium|title=Zips band performs coda at old stadium|journal=Akron Beacon Journal|date=November 14, 2008|access-date=November 26, 2017}} Due to the high maintenance costs for the facility, the decision was made to construct an on-campus stadium.[http://www.wbnx.com/akronu/index.php The University of Akron InfoCision Stadium and Summa Field: "History"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603084941/http://www.wbnx.com/akronu/index.php |date=2015-06-03 }} Retrieved September 13, 2009.

To build the new stadium, several dormitories had to be demolished and the properties of local tenants were acquired using eminent domain.[http://translate.roseville.ca.us/ma/enwiki/en/Rubber_Bowl World Lingo: "Rubber Bowl"]{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Retrieved September 13, 2009.{{cite news|url=https://buchtelite.com/2986/uncategorized/march-to-save-mannys/|title=March to save Manny's|work=The Buchtelite|date=April 15, 2008|access-date=November 26, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://emdo.blogspot.com/2007/12/on-exchange-street-eminent-domain.html|author=Brandon Welk|title=On Exchange Street, eminent domain becoming imminent: Akron OH Buchtelite, 10/25/07|publisher=Eminent Domain Watch|date=December 17, 2007|access-date=November 26, 2017}} In order to house the displaced students, the University spent $22.6 million to purchase Quaker Square, a former Quaker Oats Company oat silo that was converted into a hotel.{{cite news|url=http://www.uakron.edu/im/online-newsroom/news_details.dot?newsId=11602&pageTitle=News&crumbTitle=UA+Buys+Quaker+Square+Complex|title=UA Buys Quaker Square Complex|date=June 13, 2007|access-date=November 26, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://cleveland.about.com/od/akronattractions/p/quakersquare.htm|author=Cindy Orley|title=Quaker Square – Akron Ohio|website=About.com|access-date=September 13, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203143010/http://cleveland.about.com/od/akronattractions/p/quakersquare.htm|archive-date=2009-02-03|url-status=live}}

File:InfoCision AmericanFlag.JPG

The home opener of the 2009 football season marked the first game held in InfoCision Stadium. In it, the Zips defeated Morgan State 41–0.[http://www.gozips.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10800&ATCLID=204792951 "Akron Opens InfoCision Stadium With 41–0 Win Over MSU"]{{Dead link|date=November 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} Retrieved September 12, 2009 To mark the occasion, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to inaugurate the new stadium. Amongst those who cut the ribbon were Don Plusquellic (Mayor of Akron), Betty Sutton (member of the United States House of Representatives), and Luis Proenza (President of the University of Akron).[http://www.ohio.com/multimedia/photo_galleries/viewer?galID=59138757&storyID=59138302 Opening ceremony gallery – Ohio.com] Retrieved September 12, 2009.

In the 2014–2015 season, the cumulative total attendance for six games in the 30,000 seat facility was 55,019, the worst among all 125 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl subdivision.{{cite news|url=http://www.ohio.com/news/local/university-of-akron-football-attendance-lowest-in-nation-1.603992|title=University of Akron football attendance lowest in nation|journal=Akron Beacon Journal|date=June 28, 2015|access-date=November 26, 2017}}

InfoCision Stadium holds 27,000 spectators in traditional seating with an additional 3,000 the grassy knoll on the south end of the stadium.{{cite news|url=https://www.ohio.com/akron/news/no-ticket-for-ua-game-you-re-out-of-luck|author=Carol Biliczky|title=No ticket for UA game? You're out of luck|journal=Akron Beacon Journal|date=September 11, 2009|access-date=November 26, 2017}} The cost for the stadium complex, including the end zone facility, was $61.6 million. There is one team shop, located on the south side of the stadium. The scoreboard frame is {{convert|84|ft|m|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|60|ft|m|abbr=on}} high.{{cite news|url=http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/59030557.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090914090550/http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/59030557.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 14, 2009|title=Five things to watch at UA stadium debut|website=Ohio.com|access-date=November 26, 2017}} A {{convert|39|by|22|ft|m|abbr=on}} video board is surrounded by the frame. In addition, there are video ribbon boards located throughout. The seven-level press tower contains concession stands, restrooms, and {{convert|80000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} of academic space. Premium seating options include the Kaulig Companies Club Level, which features 522 Club Seats, 38 luxury boxes, two bar areas, and upscale concessions; 17 Suites, which include 16 private suites, and one presidential suite; and the Montrose Auto Group Press Level. The 7th level of the western building contains press rooms. Lower levels of the tower include locker rooms and sports medicine facilities.

The stadium also has a sloped, grassy hill at the south end of the field that seats 3,000 people.{{cite news|url=https://www.ohio.com/akron/news/the-hill-beckons-pumped-up-zips-fans|title=The Hill beckons pumped-up Zips fans|journal=Akron Beacon Journal|date=September 12, 2009|access-date=November 26, 2017}} The section is used to accommodate spillover from the 5,000 seat student section, also known as the "Roo Zoo", that is located in the bleachers adjacent to the hill on both sides of the field.

The stadium is named for InfoCision Management Corporation and the playing field for Summa Health System. In the press tower on the stadium's west side, the club seating is named after the Columbus-based Huntington Bancshares and the press box for the local Towpath Credit Union. Principal naming rights for the stadium were purchased through a personal donation by Gary Taylor, Founder and Chairman of InfoCision Management Corporation, a firm based in nearby Bath Township that operates call centers.[http://www.infocision.com/AboutUs/Pages/AboutUs.aspx InfoCision – "About Us"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925013259/http://www.infocision.com/AboutUs/Pages/AboutUs.aspx |date=2009-09-25 }} Retrieved September 12, 2009. Through Taylor's $10 million donation to the university, InfoCision secured naming rights for the stadium for 20 years.{{cite news|url=https://www.ohio.com/akron/business/donor-sees-gift-as-way-to-help-ua-community|title=Donor sees gift as way to help UA community|journal=Akron Beacon Journal|date=September 7, 2009|access-date=November 26, 2017}}

Summa Health System, an Ohio Non-Profit Hospital, purchased (by means of its for-profit insurance company, SummaCare) 20 years of naming rights for the field with a $5 million donation.{{cite news|url=https://www.ohio.com/akron/business/summa-backs-new-field-with-5-million-gift|title=Summa backs new field with $5 million gift|journal=Akron Beacon Journal|date=September 7, 2009|access-date=November 26, 2017}} FirstMerit Corporation, a financial services company headquartered in Akron, purchased naming rights for the club level seating of the press tower for 10 years.{{cite news|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/FirstMerit+Foundation+Donates+%241+Million+to+InfoCision+Stadium+-+...-a0187500199|title=FirstMerit Foundation Donates $1 Million to InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field|website=TheFreeLibrary.com|date=October 21, 2008|access-date=November 26, 2017}} Naming rights were transferred to Columbus-based Huntington after the buyout of FirstMerit. When the deal expired in 2023, that level was re-named in honor of Hudson based Kaulig Companies. Towpath Credit Union pledged $100,000 over five years to secure naming rights to the press box located in top level of the press tower until 2013, with an additional option for a 5-year extension through 2018.{{cite news|url=http://gozips.com/news/2009/2/3/2_3_2009_2195.aspx?path=football|title=Towpath Credit Union Inks Naming Rights|date=February 3, 2009|access-date=November 26, 2017}} When that expired, the Press Box was renamed in honor of the Montrose Auto Group of car dealerships.

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