Stile Athletics Field House
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Nearly three years of work culminated in 2004 with the dedication
of the Student Recreation Center and Athletics Field House at The
University of Akron. Then, on June 13, 2007, another important day
came when the athletics' facility was officially named the Louis
and Freda Stile Athletics Field House.
The ceremony in 2004, which was held under the front archway of
the Rec Center, featured remarks by Dr. Luis M. Proenza, president
of The University of Akron, Dr. Donald Demkee, chair of the board
of trustees and then Akron quarterback Charlie Frye.
The dedication ceremony was one of the four to take place both as
The University celebrated the completion of the $300-million New
Landscape for Learning project.
"In collegiate sports and recreation, reaching `The Final Four' is
a masterful achievement," Proenza said. "Today, we redefine its
purpose as we dedicate the remaining four buildings in our New
Landscape for Learning initiative."
The New Landscape for Learning involved the construction of nine
new buildings, major expansions and renovations to 14 other
structures and the creation of 31 acres of green space.
President Proenza went on to call Thursday a monumental occasion
in the history of UA. He quoted the Latin words `Finis Coronat
Opus' which means `The end crowns this work'.
Frye, the Zips signal caller at the time, spoke about what it
meant to him to be able to practice in an on campus facility and
not have to drive to the Rubber Bowl six times a week.
"You don't even want to know how much I am saving on gas," Frye
joked. "It really means a lot to the entire football team to be
practicing in this great field house and on the outdoor field as
well. It makes us feel like a part of the campus community."
In June of 2007, the University's Board of Trustees approved the
naming of the facility to the Louis and Freda Stile Athletics Field
House in recognition of the Stiles' recent gift of $4.65 million to
create the Louis and Freda Stile Family Endowment at the
University. Sadly, in the in August of 2007, Louis passed away at
the age of 87.
The endowment will help support UA’s football and basketball
programs and/or assist students in need of financial support to
attend the University.
“Louis and Freda Stile have a strong commitment to the
University and to Akron,” said University President Luis
Proenza. “We are proud to have the Stile name associated with
the continued success of the University and Zips
athletics.”
Added Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades, “The Stile Field
House is the premier facility of its kind in the region and was
named after two wonderful supporters of the University and
athletics department. Their contributions are vital to the success
of our student athletes in the classroom and in competition. We are
fortunate to have such loyal, thoughtful and generous
friends.”
In December 2000, the Stiles donated the VelVel Apartments
property on Brown Street to UA, which became the site of the new
field house. Completed in 2004, the 155,500-square-foot facility
serves all 19 varsity sports and includes a 120-yard football
practice field surrounded by a six-lane, 300-meter track and a
varsity golf practice facility that is one of two in the
Midwest.
As donors to the University since 1952 and with lifetime gifts
totaling nearly $5.2 million, the Stiles are members of the
Leadership Club of the John R. Buchtel Society.
Louis Stile, who graduated from UA in 1943 with a bachelor’s
degree in business administration, was a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi
fraternity and Army ROTC. After graduation, he served in the U.S.
Army, then returned to Akron to begin a long and successful career
in real estate. Prior to his death, he operated and was the head of
Stile Realty, Stile Construction and Stile Management.
The Stile Athletics Field House, which is adjacent to the new
Student Recreation Center, Lee Jackson Field, Ocasek Natatorium and
Rhodes Arena, is not only one of the finest indoor facilities in
the region, but also among the best in the United States.
The facility features a full 120-yard AstroPlay practice field,
300-meter Mondo track, strength and conditioning center, sports
medicine senter, indoor golf facility, football locker rooms,
coaches' offices, team meeting space and spectator seating for
1,200.
The new varsity strength and conditioning center, with over
8,000-square-feet of space, includes both strength training and
rehabilitation equipment.
The Zips' indoor golf facility is among the best in the nation and
includes a putting green, bunker, video player development
simulator and study lounge for the student-athletes.
Additional components include a new training room, varsity locker
rooms, plus new athletic equipment and storage areas.
The Student Recreation Center includes such features as a
four-lane, elevated running track, basketball courts, rock-climbing
wall, recreational pool and weight room.
Both projects are part of a $300-million, five-year campus
improvement program. Under this initiative, The University is
adding nine new buildings and creating 30 acres of new green space,
including 30,000 trees, to build a "New Landscape for Learning" in
Akron. The first of the new structures, the Polymer Engineering
Academic Center, opened in June of 2001.
The Arts and Sciences building opened during the fall of 2002,
Phase I of the new Student Center opened in the spring of 2003
while Phase II was completed in August of 2004.
Driving Directions to the Stile Field House
From Route 8 South: Exit Buchtel Avenue. Go
straight through traffic light. Turn right on Carroll Street at the
next traffic light. Turn left on Spicer Street. Make a right on
Vine Street. Follow Vine Street to its end and make a right on S.
Union Street. The Athletics Field House will be on your right.
Parking is available in lot 10 directly behind the building.
From 77 North, Route 8 North, 76 West: Take 77
north/76West to Route 8 North. Take the first exit (Carrol
Street/Buchtel). Turn left at the stop light. The second traffic
light is the Carrol Street/Spicer Street Intersection. Turn left on
Spicer Street. Make a right on Vine Street. Follow Vine Street to
its end and make a right on S. Union Street. The Athletics Field
House will be on your right. Parking is available in lot 10 dictly
behind the building.
From 76 East/77 South: Follow 76 East/77 South to
the Route 8 North/Cuyahoga Falls exit. Take the first exit (Carrol
Street/Buchtel). Turn left at the stop light. The second traffic
light is the Carrol Street/Spicer Street Intersection. Turn left on
Spicer Street. Make a right on Vine Street. Follow Vine Street to
its end and make a right on S. Union Street. The Athletics Field
House will be on your right. Parking is available in lot 10
directly behind the building.
From the West on Market Street: Take Market to
Union Street and follow Union to Buchtel Avenue. At Buchtel turn
left and go to the first traffic light. Turn right at the light
onto Spicer Street. Make a right on Vine Street. Follow Vine Street
to its end and make a right on S. Union Street. The Athletics Field
House will be on your right. Parking is available in lot 10
directly behind the building.
From the West on Exchange Street: Take Exchange
to Spicer and turn left. Turn left on Vine Street. Follow Vine
Street to its end and make a right on S. Union Street. The
Athletics Field House will be on your right. Parking is available
in lot 10 directly behind the building.
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