The University of Akron Athletics
Additional Reserved Bleacher-Back Seats on Sale for Akron Soccer
August 04 | Men's Soccer
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AKRON, Ohio – Thanks to the generous contribution of donors, 336 additional reserved bleacher-back seats will be installed at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field and will be available for purchase for the 2011 men's and women's soccer season, The University of Akron Department of Athletics announced Friday.
"We are thrilled that more fans can experience Zips soccer at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field," UA Director of Athletics Tom Wistrcill said. "The success of our program has created a sellout situation for many of our matches in recent years, and this additional seating will allow even more fans to enjoy the national championship quality of soccer we play. We have a waiting list of those wishing to be season ticketholders, and we are eager for the 336 new seats to fill up quickly."
Grandstand seating was sold out before the start of the 2010 season, when a record number of season tickets were sold. Priority will be provided to those fans on the waiting list, starting with those who already are men's soccer season ticketholders. After the waiting list is called, next in line are fans who purchased general admission season tickets last year, when reserved tickets were sold out. All of these fans will be contacted by a customer service representative from Akron's IMG Ticket Solutions staff. Finally, any remaining tickets will be made available to the public.
In addition to guaranteed access to each UA men's soccer match this fall, becoming a soccer season ticket holder comes with a number of added benefits, including an Akron Soccer Scarf, the first right to purchase postseason tickets and an invitation to an exclusive event on Thursday, Aug. 18 with men's head coach Caleb Porter and the team.
Construction of the new bleacher back sections is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2011 men's soccer campaign. Other scheduled projects, such as the construction of a ticket office and concessions stand in the southeast corner of the facility as well as public restrooms located underneath the grandstand, will be completed during the season.
Excitement for Akron soccer has never been greater, following the school's first team national championship in any sport, secured in historic fashion by the Zips last December. It was Akron's second consecutive appearance in a national championship game and a proper tribute to the fans who packed the pitch at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field, formerly Lee R. Jackson Soccer Field, all season long.
"The outpouring of support for our program has been overwhelming and certainly we feel this has played an integral part in the elevation of Akron soccer over the past five years," Porter said. "I am humbled by the generosity that has allowed for this construction to occur, and clearly FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet field continues to differentiate itself as one of the premier facilities in all of college soccer. With additional seating and amenities for our fans, even more people will be able to enjoy some of the nation's best soccer right here in Northeast Ohio."
The Zips were one of just four Division I schools to average more than 3,000 fans for men's soccer a year ago and finished second in the nation with an average attendance of 3,213. That passion has translated onto the field, where the men's team will have the opportunity to set an NCAA record for the longest home unbeaten streak (currently at 39 games) when Cleveland State comes to town for the season opener on Aug. 27. Even before the announcement of the new seating, a record number of men's season tickets have been sold.
The UA women's soccer team is also a program on the rise under head coach Chris Pfau. Pfau's side has qualified for the Mid-American Conference tournament in each of the last two seasons – the first two tournament appearances in program history – and won the MAC East Division championship in 2009. The Zips are unbeaten in MAC East play in the last two seasons (9-0-1) and will play seven home matches this fall, including a nonleague matchup with Michigan State on Sept. 4.
"The continued improvement of one of the finest collegiate soccer facilities in the country once again shows the University's commitment to championship soccer," said Pfau. "Our student-athletes are truly fortunate to play in front of our fans on such a great home pitch."
Men's soccer season tickets in these new seats cost $110 per seat, which includes a $25 contribution to the Z-Fund. As a reminder, men's general admission season tickets ($75) and Family Plan packages ($200) are still available for 2011. All other men's soccer reserved seating is currently sold out. Any men's season ticketholder can add a women's season ticket, for which all seating is general admission, for just $20 per ticket. Women's soccer season tickets cost $40, and all seating is general admission.
To purchase tickets, log on to GoZips.com/tickets, call 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or visit the C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field (located at the southwest corner of the venue, near Gate 1, at the corner of East Exchange and South Union streets). The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
