Akron Softball Facilities

Lee R. Jackson Field

The University of Akron's effort to upgrade its athletics facilities continues as the school broke ground in August 2005 on a new softball field, located adjacent to the Lee Jackson Track and Field complex, and across from the Athletics Field House. The Zips took the field for the first time in their home opener on April 12, 2006 vs. Robert Morris.

On Aug. 22, 2005, Cavanaugh Construction began the removal of the tennis and basketball courts which sat on the field's location.

In addition to the playing field, the facility includes 40-foot dugouts with brick veneer trim, double bullpens beyond each dugout, double batting cages and hitting drill area by the home team dugout, and an eight-foot outfield chain link fence identical to the one that currently surrounds the Lee Jackson practice field. There is also elevated bleacher seating for 300 with ADA access, a press box and an inning-by-inning scoreboard in right field.

The dimensions of the field are 195 feet down the foul lines, 205-foot gaps and 220 feet to center field.

Lee Jackson Field Quick Facts:

Built: 2006
Capacity: 300
Dimensions:
Left Field- 195
Center Field- 220
Right Field- 195

Stile Field House

The Stile 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.

Locker Room and Team Lounge