UA stadium plan approved

For former BJ types now living away from Akron, here is one of eight photos you can see on Ohio.com of the proposed $50 million stadium for the University of Akron. Just click on the headline to read the full story by Carol Bolliczky and see the photos.

The 30,000-seat stadium will be named for InfoCision and the field for Summa Health System, the two largest donors to the athletic project to date.

''This will be football the way it was meant to be,'' UA President Luis Proenza said.

The construction of the stadium was one of two major items approved by trustees on Wednesday.

They also took early steps to find financing for more projects to come a residence hall for 450 to 500 students next door to the stadium and a parking deck with 1,100 to 1,500 spaces somewhere on campus.

Cheerleaders, a band and Zippy were on hand, as were colored render ings depicting the look of the red brick, stone and glass stadium.

The project will be funded through a $30 million campaign that launched Wednesday with almost $21 million collected or pledged to date, plus perhaps $25 million in general revenue bonds.

UA students will not be charged for the stadium unless they hold a referendum and vote to contribute to the project through special fees. Each student already pays $222.60 a semester to retire bonds and operate the Student Recreation and Wellness Center and Student Center.

The stadium will offer something for everyone, including a variety of seating options from private boxes and loges to end-zone grass berm office space and 45,000 square feet on two levels for classrooms.