No matter a student's athletic ability or level of interest, The University of Akron has a sports program to suit everyone. UA has a rich tradition in athletic competition.

The University of Akron's storied athletics history dates back nearly 130 years. Now, 19 intercollegiate sports strong, with more than 350 student-athletes, the Akron Zips are 15 years into their Mid-American (MAC) membership and poised for academic and competitive growth well into this new millennium.

The Zips' intercollegiate athletics program offers basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball for women; and baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer and indoor and outdoor track and field for men. Rifle is a co-ed sport.

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UA has three main athletic facilities. The James A. Rhodes Arena (students call it "The JAR") contains a 5,942-seat basketball arena, jogging track and three cross-courts. The Ocasek Natatorium is a spectacular recreation complex that includes nine racquetball courts, a first-class weight room and an Olympic-size pool. The 31,000-seat Rubber Bowl is home to Zips' football. UA also has Lee Jackson Field and Buchtel Field that provide a running track, baseball diamonds, playing fields and tennis courts. The facilities are used for teams, recreation, physical education and intramurals.

A Student Recreation Center, packed with basketball courts, a rock-climbing wall, running tracks, juice bar, recreation pool, wellness center and more opened in 2004. An Athletics Field House and Golf Facility were built as part of the Student Recreation Complex.

Opened in 1940, The University of Akron’s Rubber Bowl is the largest football stadium in the Mid-American Conference, and the second largest collegiate stadium in the state of Ohio featuring a seating capacity at 31,000.

The Zips’ hourseshoe-shaped home has been a gathering spot for Northeast Ohio football fans and event goers for 64 years. In 1999, UA football fan No. 3,000,000 passed through the Rubber Bowl turnstiles, marking six decades of Zips gridiron action at The Bowl. A new AstroPlay surface was installed prior to the 2003 season.

The University offers a huge array of spring and fall sports for all its students at both the club and competitive level. Students may participate in everything from the traditional volleyball and basketball to the more unusual sports of lacrosse, water polo and flag football.

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