James A. Rhodes Arena

James A. Rhodes Arena provides the Zips with a home-court advantage that rivals any facility in the Mid-American Conference.  The men's basketball team has posted a .858 winning percentage (91-15) since the 2004-05 season under eighth-year head coach Keith Dambrot and has not posted a losing home record since the 1995-96 season.  The JAR provides student-athletes with a top-of-the-line men's basketball locker room, state-of-the-art team lounge (scheduled for completion in July 2011), a 1-850-foot weight room (also due for completion in July 2011) and academic support facilities.

Rhodes Arena, which seats 5,500 for basketball, includes armchair seating on the lower level (1,323) and on the west-side upper level (773), bleacher-style seating throughout the rest of the arena, four Opto Tech 7.5' x 10' LED displays which showcase replays of the action on the floor plus other programming before, during and after the game, a new state-of-the-art scoreboard system, courtside tables with LED display capabilities and a newer floor featuring the school's logo and word marks.

Men's Basketball Team Locker Room

The men's basketball team locker room is designed with comfort in mind.  From the natural lighting from overhead windows to captain's chairs at every locker room, student-athletes are able to relax before, during halftime and after the game.  The men's locker room is attached directly to the sports medicine office and the coaches locker room and includes all-wood lockers and a greeting area with sofas and a flat-screen television.

Men's Basketball Team Lounge

The men's basketball team lounge features state-of the-art technology, including multi-screen audio/visual equipment for practice and game video analysis, and opponent scouting. The video systems, designed specifically to meet the needs of the Akron basketball program, will be synchronized with equipment located in the existing coaching staffs' offices to maximize efficiency in video study and game preparation.

The space in the lounge is flexible in its usability and supports a variety of functions, including team meetings, individual study time, social interaction and recruiting visits. Graphic elements emphasize the identity of the program and the branding of the University and Zips Athletics. Other amenities include study cubicles with computers and extra tall ceilings.

Strength and Conditioning

Stiles Fieldhouse Weight Room

The Stiles Fieldhouse Weight Room houses over 8,000 square feet of strength training and rehabilitation equipment, including: 16 Power-Lift multi-racks; 14 Olympic Lifting platforms outfitted with competition Eleiko weights; Cardio training equipment; and Hammer Strength, Nautilus and Nebula Fitness equipment

The Benjamin and Nancy Suarez Family Strength and Conditioning Center

The Benjamin and Nancy Suarez Family Strength and Conditioning Center, located in InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field, was dedicated on May 16, 2011.  The 2,600-square-foot facility provides UA student-athletes a state-of-the-art environment for training and rehabilitation, including cardio machines and Olympic competition-quality weight lifting equipment.

Rhodes Arena Weight Room

The weight room will service both basketball programs, as well as the volleyball and women's tennis squads.  The facility is located in proximity to each squad's locker room, team lounges and arena floor.

In addition to providing student-athletes with space for individual and group study time in the team lounge, the men's basketball team has access to the Academic Services Center, located inside Rhodes Arena.

At The University of Akron, it is the mission of Academic Support Services to educate, counsel and empower student-athletes to make effective academic decisions as they work to fulfill their educational, career and life goals.

Balancing academic success, athletic competition and personal growth along with student life can be very challenging for the student-athlete. The CHAMPS/Life Skills Program, as part of the Academic Support Services department, represents the comprehensive commitment by The University of Akron Department of Athletics to foster the total growth and development of our student-athletes.

Living Facilities

The men's basketball student-athletes have access to award-winning residence halls on campus in addition to top-of-the-line apartment living at 22 Exchange (approximately 1/4-mile from campus). 

Exchange Apartments

Located on the South Quad, Exchange Street is a six-floor building with elevator service. There are two Resident Assistants on every floor for supervision and guidance. Up to 500 students can choose from shared single rooms, two-person apartment units and four-person apartment units.

22 Exchange

Located in the heart of downtown Akron's entertainment district, 22 Exchange offers student-athletes amenities such as: 24-hour hi-tech fitness center and weight room; game room; study lounges; media lounges; wireless Internet; and a location close to restaurants and campus.

Coaches' Facilities

The men's basketball coaches' facility includes offices for head coach Keith Dambrot, his assistant coaches and other staff associated with the men's program.  Visitors and student-athletes alike can catch a glimpse at the 2009 and 2011 Mid-American Conference Champion trophies, as well as other memorabilia that helps tell the story of Akron Basketball.  Throughout the complex, uniquely-designed artwork recap past seasons, milestones and records, and other important dates and student-athletes that helped make the program what it is today.