A.D. Mike Thomas has recently interviewed for the Pittsburgh job.

I have mixed feelings about this situation....

Thomas is doing a decent job at Akron so far...but if he leaves I wouldn't be too upset.

Since Thomas came to Akron from Virginia, I had a feeling he wouldn't be here too long.

The Michigan State A.D. is a top candidate for the Pitt job....supposedly he has ties with the University.....we'll see what happens

Anybody else's thoughts? :snore: :wave:

Thomas has withdrawn his name from the Pitt job....

<a href='http://gozips.ocsn.com/genrel/051503aaa.html\' target='_blank'>http://gozips.ocsn.com/genrel/051503aaa.html</a>

AkronObsessed Wrote:Thomas has withdrawn his name from the Pitt job....

[/URL]http://gozips.ocsn.com/genrel/051503aaa.html[/URL]

As quoted in the linked article from gozips.com:

"This summer, work is scheduled to begin on phase one of the multi-million dollar renovation of Lee Jackson Field and installation of new astroplay playing surface in the Rubber Bowl. In the near future, feasibility studies will begin in both the construction of a new on-campus football stadium and renovation of Rhodes Arena"

Questions:
1) Anybody know what the Jackson Field renovation is all about? I thought it was set up pretty well for track, baseball and soccer. Would they be ready already to install the new softball field, remove tennis courts, etc.?

2) Has anyone heard what the goals are for renovating the JAR? Would this include adding seats? Currently all the seating is on movable bleacher type platforms which push back to make room for multipurpose practice areas. Perhaps with the new fieldhouse opening next year they can go with more permanent seating arrangements?

--ZR

Hello ZippyRulz....good to see you around!

To answer your first question, they will keep the baseball diamond, but I think they're going to adjust it somehow....they are taking out the tennis courts and softball fields. This is because Akron Football will be putting in 2 practice fields. 1 field is going to be turf, the other will be grass. How convenient this will be!!!

The Jar Arena is getting totally gutted. The seating, I assume, will be increased. The bleacher seats will be taken out and those blue seats that the reserved sections have will take the place of the bleachers. That'll look sweet.

COME AROUND HERE MORE OFTEN!!

AkronObsessed Wrote:Hello ZippyRulz....good to see you around!

To answer your first question, they will keep the baseball diamond, but I think they're going to adjust it somehow....they are taking out the tennis courts and softball fields. &nbsp;This is because Akron Football will be putting in 2 practice fields. &nbsp;1 field is going to be turf, the other will be grass. &nbsp;How convenient this will be!!!

The Jar Arena is getting totally gutted. &nbsp;The seating, I assume, will be increased. &nbsp;The bleacher seats will be taken out and those blue seats that the reserved sections have will take the place of the bleachers. &nbsp;That'll look sweet.

COME AROUND HERE MORE OFTEN!!

Thanks, AO. I haven't checked in for a while but w/the ACC expansion going on I had to see what the buzz was from the MAC gang.

I wonder how they'll tweak the baseball diamond. Too bad they can't just eliminate it and play all their games at Canal Park. Where did you hear about the football practice fields? I thought that was going to be south of Exchange St. at Buchtel field where the womens softball team plays. I'm not doubting you, I just hadn't heard that yet. I guess that will mean all football practices will be open to the public, opponent scouts, etc. It will be nice with the tennis courts gone, more open and green with no fences.

Was there anything written about the JAR renovation in the ABJ or somewhere? Or was it talked about at SuperSaturday? My wish would be that they remove the corner stairwells and make a complete oval with a couple thousand more seats. Then we'll really be ready to host some high school games! (too late for LeBron though) They probably don't need the classrooms in there anymore which would free up a little space; otherwise they would probably have to expand to the east (and raise the roof) if they want to make it much bigger. Well, I was just glad to hear there's some improvements planned...could only help.

Later...ZR

You're thinking (or heard) the football fields would be moved to the softball fields. This idea is old, and never really got underway. With the new facility, they'll take place of those darn basketball and tennis courts like they should. Very convenient for players.

Haha..good one...the Akron Beacon Journal write about the University of AKRON??? NO WAY!! Last time I checked all they cared about was the lowly Cavaliers. I bet the Beacon doesn't even know a new facility is already half-way done. The JAR Renovation was talked about at Super Saturday, yes.

I also heard at Super Saturday about the practice fields.

AkronObsessed Wrote:You're thinking (or heard) the football fields would be moved to the softball fields. &nbsp;This idea is old, and never really got underway. &nbsp;With the new facility, they'll take place of those darn basketball and tennis courts like they should. &nbsp;Very convenient for players.

Haha..good one...the Akron Beacon Journal write about the University of AKRON??? NO WAY!! Last time I checked all they cared about was the lowly Cavaliers. &nbsp;I bet the Beacon doesn't even know a new facility is already half-way done. &nbsp;The JAR Renovation was talked about at Super Saturday, yes.

I also heard at Super Saturday about the practice fields.

Hmm...next time I'm on campus I'll have to look and decide if there will be room for 2 new practice fields on LJF. I hope they measured carefully. Wish I coulda been at SS-II but I had to work. Hopefully seeing the football activity on campus will create additional interest in the team for students and staff. Now if we could only get the ABJ interested! :bluethumb:

I'm a little surprised Thomas withdrew from the Pitt job (clearly higher profile) but with all the enhancements going on at UA it will look good on his resume, esp. if it all leads to more success on the field(s) for the Zips. Kinda hard to keep moving the family too, I guess.