The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Athletics to Unveil John Heisman Statue
September 11 | Football
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AKRON, Ohio— Zips Athletics will unveil a John W. Heisman statue in a short ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 4 p.m. outside Gate 1 of InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field.
The 8-foot, 750-pound bronze statue was donated by THOMARIOS of Akron.
Fans are invited to witness this event.
Zips football then hosts Pittsburgh in the home opener at 6 p.m.
Born in Cleveland, Heisman grew up in Northwestern Pennsylvania. He played football at Brown and Penn, graduating from Penn Law School in 1892.
After starting his coaching career at Oberlin College, Heisman served as the head coach for football and baseball at then-Buchtel College for two seasons (1893-94), recording a 8-6-2 record (.750). He is the inventor of the modern-day shotgun offense. Heisman had a one-year contract to serve as gymnasium director and special teacher of gymnastics and football. He was paid a salary of $900.
Heisman went on to coach at Auburn, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Penn, and Rice.
After retiring from coaching, Heisman served as the New York City Downtown Athletic Club's first athletic director, starting in 1930. The club awarded its first trophy to the nation's top college football player in 1935 and re-named the trophy in memory of Heisman when he died a year later at age 66.
Single-game tickets for the Pittsburgh game are on sale now for as low as $15.
Tickets for the 2015 Akron football season start at only $60 each (a 40 percent savings over single-game tickets) and are available anytime at GoZips.com/Tickets, or from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Mondays through Fridays by either calling 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets).
Special experiences are also available for group outings of 20 or more fans for any home game this season.
