Founded as Buchtel College in 1870 The Campus: The main campus, in the heart of Akron, Ohio, has 80 buildings on 180 acres. Landmarks include the high-tech Goodyear Polymer Center, the renowned E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall and the stately Buchtel Hall.

Tailgaters arriving early

They bring their own comforts

Holding nearly 40,000, Akron's Rubber Bowl is the second largest college stadium in Ohio

Zip tailgaters have a Zip Fest

Tailgaters party right next to The Rubber Bowl

There are games to go with the anticipation of a MAC football contest

Origin of the "Zips" nickname

One of the unique nicknames in all of intercollegiate athletics belongs to The University of Akron. Originally Zippers, athletic director Kenneth Red Cochrane officially shortened the nickname to the Zips in 1950. Twenty-five years earlier a campus-wide contest had been conducted to choose a nickname for the University's athletic teams.   Suggestions submitted by students, faculty, and alumni included Golden Blue Devils, Tip Toppers, Rubbernecks, Hillbillies,   Kangaroos, and Cheveliers. The winner, freshman Margaret Hamlin, received a prize of $10 for Zippers - a $6 pair of rubber overshoes and a brand name of the BF Goodrich Company.