Akron Baseball makes dramatic return, aided by Skeeles Family Gift

The University of Akron News

02/28/2019

During his college days at The University of Akron, Bill Skeeles '77 was a member of the baseball program. Those experiences helped shape his ability to work with a team and become a leader. Those life lessons provided a strong foundation for Bill, as he and his wife, Mary, became successful entrepreneurs, founding PointeNorth Insurance Group in 1996.

Born in Steubenville and raised in Richmond, Ohio, Bill started playing baseball at a young age, coached by his father. His passion for the sport of baseball grew, leading him to The University of Akron, where he could pursue his education and play the sport he loved. Skeeles_graphic4

A nearly $1 million gift from Bill '77 and Mary Skeeles will have a profound impact on the returning Zips Baseball program.

Bill never forgot about his days on Lee R. Jackson's Athletics Complex baseball field and was excited when the University announced the return of baseball for the Spring of 2020. 
 
After a visit to Akron to watch the Zips football team in early November and to learn the vision and needs for the baseball program from new head coach Chris Sabo, Bill and Mary knew they wanted to be a part of bringing the University's very first sports program back to campus in time for the University's sesquicentennial. 
 
"The University of Akron provided me with a practical education and leadership opportunities that helped to shape me into the community leader and successful businessman I am today. Mary and I feel strongly about giving back. The opportunity at the University with Coach Sabo and the baseball program to make an impact on so many students was appealing to us. We knew this was the moment to give back," said Bill Skeeles.
 
Now, thanks to a nearly $1 million gift from William and Mary Skeeles, The University of Akron baseball program will make its dramatic return in the Spring of 2020 on Skeeles Field, a new synthetic turf field. The gift will support the renovation of the baseball stadium's playing surface, which is phase one of a $2 million renovation of the Zips baseball stadium on Lee R. Jackson Field.
 
"Bill and Mary's gift has a profound impact not only on our baseball program, but on the entire Department of Athletics and the University," said Larry Williams, Director of Athletics. "The baseball student-athletes will be able to get out onto a spectacular surface earlier and more often; the other sports programs will be able to utilize expanded space for training and camps; and club and intramural sports as well as the marching band and other student organizations will enjoy increased opportunities for their activities."
 
Interim President John C. Green said, "Support from our alumni is critically important, and we are most grateful to Bill and Mary Skeeles for this very generous donation. As we work to bring baseball back to The University of Akron in some creative ways, this contribution helps address one of the most challenging issues we had – the condition of the field."
 
"Akron baseball is extremely appreciative of the generous gift by Mr. and Mrs. Skeeles," Sabo said. "We feel this gift will be a difference maker for our rebirth as a baseball program at The University of Akron."
 
 
About the Skeeles Family
William H. Skeeles is a Principal, CEO, and President of PointeNorth Insurance Group. He leads and sets the organization's strategic course and guides efforts to grow and support the Independent Agency system through mergers and acquisitions. PointeNorth is one of the largest insurance agencies in the southeast with local ownership, generating in excess of $295,000,000 in annual premiums and serving over 50,000 businesses and households.
 
Bill earned a B.S. in economics from The University of Akron in 1977. After relocating to Atlanta in the late 1970s, Bill received his Juris Doctorate from The Woodrow Wilson School of Law and became an Independent Agent and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC).
 
Bill has served in the leadership of and remains active in numerous civic and industry-related organizations, including the Atlanta Jaycees and Kiwanis Club, Atlanta Country Club, Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia, Secure Risk, the Big I and PIA, and serves on a number of insurance carrier advisory councils.
 
Mary E. Skeeles is a Principal and COO at PointeNorth Insurance Group, focused on operations, transition, and culture management. Prior to joining the firm, Mary served in a number of operational leadership roles for several Fortune 500 companies and new ventures.
 
A native of Indiana, Mary attended Indiana University and the University of Evansville.
 
Active in a number of community and civic organizations, she and Bill enjoy fishing, hiking, travel, and golf.  They are also the proud parents of Katie, a graduate of Birmingham Southern College and member of the women's golf team. The couple resides in Marietta, Ga.
 
Bill and Mary have been donors to The University of Akron for 37 years.