The Rubber Bowl was a stadium located in Akron, Ohio, that was primarily used for American football. From its opening in 1940 until 2008, it served as the home field of the Akron Zips football team of the University of Akron prior to the opening of InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field. Throughout its history, it also hosted concerts, professional football, high school football, and other events. It was named after the predominance of the tire industry in Akron. The stadium had a seating capacity of 35,202 and was located in southeastern Akron next to Akron Fulton International Airport and Derby Downs, about 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown.
The Blue and Gold Wagon Wheel, now known simply as the Wagon Wheel, is awarded to the winner of the annual college football game between the Zips of the University of Akron and the Golden Flashes of Kent State University. The trophy is, as the name implies, the wheel from a horse-drawn wagon that is painted blue and gold, the school colors for both universities. It was first contested in 1946 when the rivalry resumed after World War II.
The Akron Zips football team is a college football program representing the University of Akron in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Akron plays its home games on InfoCision Stadium on the campus of the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. The Zips compete in the Mid-American Conference as a member of the East Division.
The Akron Zips are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio, United States. The Zips compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East division. Akron sponsors 17 varsity teams across six men's, 10 women's, and one coed NCAA sanctioned sports. The football team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of competition for college football.
The 2007 Akron Zips football team represented the University of Akron in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Akron competed as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The Zips were led by J. D. Brookhart in his fourth year as head coach.
The 2005 Akron Zips football team represented the University of Akron in the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season. Akron competed as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) The Zips were led by J. D. Brookhart in his second year as head coach. Brookhart would lead Akron to its first MAC title, upsetting Northern Illinois 31-30 in the conference championship game.
The 2004 Akron Zips football team represented the University of Akron in the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. Akron competed as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The Zips were led by J. D. Brookhart in his first year as head coach.
The 2002 Akron Zips football team represented the University of Akron in the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. Akron competed as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The Zips were led by head coach Lee Owens.
The 2017 Akron Zips football team represented the University of Akron in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by sixth-year head coach Terry Bowden and played their home games at InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field in Akron, Ohio as members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. The Zips finished the season 7–7, 6–2 in MAC play to win the East Division. They lost to Toledo in the MAC Championship. They received an invitation to play in the Boca Raton Bowl where they lost to Florida Atlantic.
The 2000 Akron Zips football team represented Akron University in the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season; they competed in the Mid-American Conference. They were led by sixth–year head coach Lee Owens. The Zips played their home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio. They outscored their opponents 333–295 and finished with a record of 6 wins and 5 losses (6–5).
The 2018 Akron Zips football team represented the University of Akron in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by seventh-year head coach Terry Bowden and played their home games at InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field in Akron, Ohio as members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. They finished the season 4–8, 2–6 in MAC play to finish in a tie for fourth place in the East Division.
The 2019 Akron Zips football team represented the University of Akron during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Zips were led by first-year head coach Tom Arth and played their home games at InfoCision Stadium in Akron, Ohio. They competed as members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
The 1989 Akron Zips football team represented Akron University in the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season as Division I-A independents. They were led by fourth-year head coach Gerry Faust. The Zips played their home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio. They finished the season with a record of 6–4–1.
The 1988 Akron Zips football team represented Akron University in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season as Division I-A independents. They were led by third-year head coach Gerry Faust. The Zips played their home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio. They finished the season with a record of 5–6.
The 1987 Akron Zips football team represented Akron University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season as Division I-A independents. They were led by second-year head coach Gerry Faust. The Zips played their home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio. They finished the season with a record of 4–7.
The 1985 Akron Zips football team represented Akron University in the 1985 NCAA Division I-AA football season as members of the Ohio Valley Conference. They were led by thirteenth-year head coach Jim Dennison, in his final season with the Zips. The Zips played their home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio. They finished the season with a record of 8–4 overall and 5–2 in OVC play to tie for second place.
The 1975 Akron Zips football team represented Akron University in the 1975 NCAA Division II football season as an independent. Led by third-year head coach Jim Dennison, the Zips played their home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio. They finished the season with a record of 7–4.
The 1973 Akron Zips football team represented Akron University in the 1973 NCAA Division II football season as an independent. Led by first-year head coach Jim Dennison, the Zips played their home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio. They finished the season with a record of 6–5 and outscored their opponents 289–203.
The 1969 Akron Zips football team represented Akron University in the 1969 NCAA College Division football season as an independent. Led by ninth-year head coach Gordon K. Larson, the Zips played their home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio. They finished the season with a record of 9–1, ranked third in the AP NCAA College Division poll, and outscored their opponents 316–103.
The 1968 Akron Zips football team represented Akron University in the 1968 NCAA College Division football season as an independent. Led by eighth-year head coach Gordon K. Larson, the Zips played their home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio. They finished the regular season with a record of 7–2–1, ranked No. 17 in the nation, and were invited to play in the Grantland Rice Bowl, functionally the Mideast regional championship game for the NCAA's College Division, against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
