Behind the Scenes: Meet Allan Hoon

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Hoon Bio

Allan Hoon
Director of Athletics Facilities, Events & Operations
Years at Akron- 15
Alma Mater: University of Akron
B.S. in Sport Studies '03
M.S. in Sport and Recreation Administration '05 (Kent State)

What was the deciding factors that brought you to UA?
Born and raised in Mentor, Ohio, and as an alumnus of UA, Northeast Ohio is home. During my undergrad years, many of the new facilities on campus were being completed as I graduated. Seeing them go up kick started my passion for Facility Management and grew through my Graduate Assistantship at that school to our East.

How has your position changed over the years?
The growth and change of our facilities create new opportunities and challenges to our positions here at UA at every turn. In 2007, when football and Olympic sport coaches moved into their new field house offices from their ones at the JAR, that completely changed the dynamic of how the building was used. It changed hours of operations and the size of our student staffing to say the least. Imagine going from a house with three roommates to 30, but with that change came the ability to create some amazing relationships with coaches.

Two years later the opening of InfoCision Stadium changed the landscape of not only our department and campus, but for the City of Akron. Most people see a football stadium, but do not realize that the field alone is home to Zips football and women's lacrosse, UA Marching Band, intramurals/club sports, countless high school football games as well as special events like the Blue Coats Drum and Bugle Corps, or the Welcome home LeBron James event and who could forget the Cleveland Browns Family Day! But when we look beyond the field, the beautiful seven-story tower is a different facility all to itself. Home to the Alumni Association and University Development department, Esports, I Promise School, Sports Science and Wellness Education department, Aramark kitchens, AVI food system staff, and the Athletics ticket office; InfoCision Stadium is an extremely busy venue. The 5^th and 7^th floors are utilized very similarly to the Student Union Ballroom or Quaker Square, hosting countless special events, banquets, baby showers, or weddings. These events are also run through myself and my staff. The constant coordination of these campus entities housed in this facility as well as the special event we host is a 24-hour task.

What are your current responsibilities?
I directly oversee two full-time staff, part-time staff, countless students and event staff for the daily operations/programming, game management and recruitment and execution of revenue generating special events in all our Athletics' facilities. Ensuring that proper maintenance, planning and protocol procedures are created and implemented to maintain our UA facilities for not just our 20 collegiate sports for over 500 athletes, but for the campus and community when their programs come our way.

What have you learned during your time on campus?
Be adaptable to situations, be available to your staff and others, be polite and professional even through adversity, be someone that people want to work with or for; and be consistent with all the items previously listed!

Do you have a favorite memory to share?
YES! In no specific order ...

2005 MAC Football Championship!
2009 OPENING DAY at a sold out INFOCISION STADIUM and seeing our amazing campus explode with alumni, pride, and an atmosphere never rivaled.
2010 Men's Soccer National Championship over Louisville and numerous visits to the FINAL FOUR.
Countless team championships from our Track & Field and Swimming & Diving programs

What makes you most proud to be a Zip?
I would say it starts with my passion for our facilities. Every time I hear someone say 'Wow!' when talking about some part of our facilities, a huge sense of pride washes over me. It is my hope that my abilities, my staff, and the resources our university provides us will allow me and those I work with to keep our facilities up to the 'wow' factor for many future Zips to come.

Anything you'd like to add:
Over my 15 years I have been very fortunate to work alongside as well as have had many great students/interns work for me. Any time I get to reconnect with any of them, and they tell me about their fond memories while at UA it helps reaffirm that I have been fortunate enough to be a part of many great things during my time here, and there is more to come!

The University of Akron Athletics

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