BostonZip

Great stuff. Interesting to note that on the graphic it states that the hillside seating in the south end zone will be "only used when all other seating is sold."

Halftime StatisticsScore: Penn State 31, Akron 0First Downs: Penn State 17, Akron 0Total Net Yards: Penn State 345, Akron 9

Opening Night MAC attendance:27,759 – Villanova at Temple16,481 – Coastal Carolina at K.S.U16,054 – North Texas at Ball State14,514 – Troy at Bowling GreenAverage: 18,702

Final:K.S.U. 18, Coastal Carolina 0First shutout victory for K.S.U. since 1994.

I inquired about the flag situation and got a prompt reply from the athletic department:There will be three flag poles installed soon in the landscaping just north of the North End Zone Building. The flags will include the American flag, State of Ohio flag and The University of Akron flag. The design will be similar to the flagpole layout at Buchtel Hall and at Buchtel Commons on the east side of campus. Paul HammondAssociate Athletics Director for Facilities and OperationsThe University of Akron

Article and photo gallery about the press box on the Zips website.

By Patrick McManamonBeacon Journal staff writer The theory is pretty simple, really.New stadium. New expectations. New levels of pressure for the guy who lives daily with pressure — the coach.But Zips coach J.D. Brookhart swatted that theory aside like he was swatting a mosquito.Coaches coach to win every day, every game, he said.That's the same whether it's a new stadium or an old one, whether it's year one, three, 33 or 493 (which it seems it is for the coach of the Zips' opening opponent Saturday afternoon — one Joe Paterno).''The goal is to win every week,'' Brookhart said Monday at the team's first regular pregame news conference. ''It's why you're in the business. You're in it to compete.''Even if your stadium is brand spanking new.The media was given a tour of InfoCision Stadium after Brookhart's news conference.And it's well deserving of any accolades thrown its way. It's a gem — and could serve as a model for smaller schools pondering a new facility.The stadium has NFL-quality press box, suite and club-seat levels. Most important for the average Joe or Jan, seating is intimate.Any and all tickets place you right on top of the play. It's akin to being seated just off the field, because it pretty much is right off the field.The general-admission seating might be the best bargain in town. For $15, fans can sit anywhere they want in the upper section of the visitors side of the field. Arrive early, and the 50-yard line seats are there for the taking.UA officials say there are plenty of general-admission season tickets left, which is a bit of a mystery, given the value.It's against this backdrop that the Zips open.Read the column here.

Anybody know what the narrow thing is that recently was installed at midfield on the facing of the loge level on the west tower? Ribbon board? Scoreboard? Advertisting?Also, our friends are back working atop the bomb shelters again today!

Beacon Journal article: Crowd impressed by UA's InfoCision Stadium

They only added the St. V/Hoban game after the Morgan State date was announced. They were previously slated to play at Green Field.Actually, the original site of the game this year was Hoban's Dowd Field, until the Info date became available.

One item that is not visible on the cams is a flag pole (for the American flag) inside the stadium. Does anyone see one in person?One of the renderings showed a flag outside the stadium in front of the west tower, but that obviously won't do for when the crowd stands and Ohio's Pride strikes up the national anthem.Would be a bad thing to overlook.

I don't think I saw this posted here, but gozips.com last Friday posted a parking map, tailgating policy, student and stadium guide and other information on a What You Need to Know for Zips Football 2009 page.

Trees, landscaping going in behind the north end zone building.

Very true. Akron and Canton, both right off the highways, are much more convenient than Massillon.Nothing against Massillon, which rolls our the red carpet for the teams, but Akron = more fans which = more revenue for the OHSAA.

There is a sense of optimism before every football season. But for the 2009 Akron Zips there is the added anticipation of opening their new stadium. With nine returning starters on offense, including quarterback Chris Jacquemain, the Zips hope a potentially powerful offense can lead the way to a successful inaugural year at InfoCision Stadium.From 1940 to 2008, Akron football teams called the Rubber Bowl their home. This season they move back to campus and into their new facility - InfoCision Stadium. It is the first on-campus stadium built in the MAC since Miami’s Yager Stadium’s in 1983.On the new facility, Zips head coach J.D. Brookhart said “I keep getting amazed by the place…. It (the stadium) changes everything. It changes recruiting.It changes game day. It changes community pride. There are so many things this stadium does not only for the players, but the entire community,”But with the opening of a new stadium, there are also expectations. Since its magical season of 2005, when the Zips won the MAC East Division title and then defeated Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship game, Akron has gone 14-22 over the last three campaigns. Some observers believe the slide puts head coach J.D. Brookhart on the perverbial hot seat in the Rubber City.Read the preview.

Just what all kinds of research go on at UA?! Do they know something we don't?!I think this is the first product of the corrosion program. The roofs are designed to last 100,000 years.Maybe those are lights the guy is installing atop those entrance buildings today. That might look kind of cool. I notice there are lights in the brick posts between the wrought iron fencing, and in the low brick wall atop the front of the north end zone building.

Does anyone know if the ends of the upper stands on the east side will be enclosed in anything?

University of Akron Press is publishing a book on UA football:Our Boys in Blue and Gold: A Chronicle of Zips FootballTara Kaloz, editorForeword by Jim TresselFrom Amazon:Product Description"Our Boys in Blue and Gold" chronicles Zips football from the late 1800s until today. Stories from the The Buchtelite have been carefully selected to provide a complete and unique picture of the university's crucial games and motley characters. Historic images fill the pages with a timeline of the game itself.About the AuthorTara Kaloz is a student in the Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts creative writing program at the University of Akron. She writes fiction and is an avid fan of all things that come with autumn including football.Perfect Paperback: 144 pagesPublisher: University of Akron Press (September 17, 2009)

Speaking of lights, does anyone know if additional lights will be added above the west tower? It looks like there is room for another bank on each of the structures. I seem to recall seeing a post a short while back saying the lights were "almost done" but I can't seem to find it.

A Zippy sighting on Cam 3!

I think the ribbon board extends the length of the stands...it's just not all operational yet.

A similar pattern is visible on the ribbon board on the front of the east stands.

The cams are back on...the world seems right again.

Thought folks on this site might enjoy this Helmet Schedule. It's a free download. Note: Retro helmets were used this season. http://simononsports.blogspot.com/2009/04/...all-helmet.html

I'm hoping the cams remained dark yesterday only because no one was around over the weekend to turn them back on. Would be a shame to lose this great interest generator.