University of Akron Department of Athletics Annual Report
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/139552
NEWS AND NOTES The Z-Fund, the fundraising arm of Zips Athletics, provides financial support for all athletics scholarships, academic affairs, summer school, facilities, and operational needs of the department. • Generated $3.1 million in gifts while increasing its donor base by 18.9 percent in 2012-13. • Included in this year's gifts to the Z-Fund was $60,000 from local company H&M Metal Processing for the installation of electronic targets in the Zips rifle team's Robert A. Pinn Shooting Range, located in the University's Schrank Hall. The range is also used for training of area law enforcement agencies. • Solidified leadership gifts totaling $350,000 from Bob and Jackie Gill and Roger and Judy Read to help fund construction of a new track and field locker room in the Louis and Freda Stile Athletics Field House. Funds for the project will also be raised through a locker naming rights program. Friends of the program can donate $1,500 to have their named printed on a plaque on a locker, with a goal to raise $180,000. • Launched the "Zips Drive for 5", which seeks to elevate Zips Athletics by having 5,000 donors and fundraising $5 million annually by 2015. --To learn how you can get involved in the Z-FUND or to see the complete donor roster, see page 63. IMG College Partnership Generates Record Numbers Zips Athletics partners with IMG College to assist in managing its multimedia rights and corporate sponsorships. In 2012-13, IMG College's Akron property... • Reached an all-time high in corporate revenue, at nearly a million dollars. • Launched "Zips Football with Terry Bowden, presented by Wentz Financial Group" and "Zips Basketball with Keith Dambrot, presented by Wentz Financial Group" on SportsTime Ohio in high definition. 17 • Akron and Kent State battled it out in the PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge for the second consecutive season. This year's challenge wasn't decided until the last athletic competition of the year. • Thanks to 22 Exchange apartments and Alpha Sigma Phi, Zips fans at the Zips men's basketball game versus Miami (Ohio) on March 5 at Rhodes Arena were able to participate in the Guinness Book of World Records attempt of people wearing the most paper hats at an event.