Coach Threatens to Move Team if New Stadium Not Built

AKRON - University of Akron football coach JD Brookhart is threatening to move the team if a new stadium is not built. The team has played in the decrepit Rubber Bowl for decades and is disappointed it does not earn as much game day revenue as teams with flashier homes. Brookhart is demanding a new stadium from the university and the city of Akron.

The Zips would like to improve its national standing and are prepared to move to a new university if that is what it takes. The UA Zips are a NCAA division I team and play in the Mid America Conference, a non-BCS league. Brookhart has heard from several schools interested in hosting the team. He wants a new stadium with at least 30,000 seats, any plenty of revenue creating amenities like luxury boxes and gourmet concession stands.

Meanwhile, officials in Akron continue to react to Brookhart's demand. "Does he [Brookhart] think the city is made of money? They can leave for all I care. We will still have the Aeros [Akron's minor league baseball team]," Akron mayor Don Plusquellic commented yesterday by phone.