Lee R. Jackson Practice Field

The University of Akron football team is in its second season using the Lee Jackson Field Practice facility as one its two workout venues.

The facility is part of the Lee Jackson Field complex that includes a soccer field, track, baseball diamond, softball field and tennis courts.

The workout facility, among the best on-campus fields in the nation, was constructed during the summer of 2004 and opened for use just prior to the 2004-05 campaign.

The centerpiece of the facility is a 120-by-65 yard synthetic turf field that serves as the main practice venue for football. Pro Grass, out of Pittsburgh, Pa., installed the surface which is similar to the AstroPlay surface used at the Rubber Bowl and in the Athletics Field House.

Between the outdoor facility and the field house, the Zips football squad conducts all of its practices on campus, allowing it to utilize a state-of-the-art locker room also located in the field house.

In addition to the turf field, the complex includes a 50-by-60 natural grass surface which provides additional practice space for the football program, in addition to the men's and women's soccer teams. Illuminating the fields are four 90-foot light poles.

The main entrance to the field is off Exchange Street to the south. A red-bricked entrance with eight-foot high ornamental fencing surrounds the south entrance, with the turf field to the north enclosed by a black chain-link fence. A landscaped sidewalk area runs along the west side of the fields, and on the east side a path will run from Exchange Street to the Student Union.

All 18 of UA's intercollegiate athletics teams have access to the area, both in season and for off-season conditioning workouts. Akron's intramurals program will also use the synthetic turf field, giving students a chance to compete on a professional-caliber surface. Zips have choice of 100-yard synthetic turf field and 60-yard grass surface.