Send in your story about Rubber Bowl

In the summer oneither a Tuesday or Wednesday night My dad and Uncle would take me to the Rubber Bowl to watch the midget auto races and thier friend Joe Pinter drive his Ferguson powered very loud, very fast racer and when they called numbers I couldn't read them and they discovered I was nearsighted and had to get glasses which I never knew what I was missing. This was in the mid 40's

I love the old Zip games with 40,000 plus and the Walendas walking a tight rope--wow-now that was cool. They could still pack the place--but that would require dedication, hard work and creativity. Those were the days, my friend.

uhh... maybe if the abj actually covered zips sports they would have some stories of their own.

Rubber bowl stories. All I know is that bowl I kept by the bed in college for rubbers came in handy a time or so.

LOL

I can recall several :

My Uncle Art used to play for the semi-pro team (Akron Vulcans) during the 60's which we attended ....also my Dad who graduated from East '56 and my mom from Ellet '58 used to attend Turkey Day games between the local high school games there as well....remember them as being well attended too , at least in the 60's....

Any story would have to be about high school games, I don't recall Akron ever playing in an important game.

I went to Kenmore in the 60's and remember being there for many Turkey Day games, also weekend (Friday night) games. Don't forget about the concerts...sjt

I drove by it the other day.

I would have to say the last time we played Marshall was a blast. coming back from I think three TD's in the 4th to win it on a great pass from Charlie Frye and then a last second field goal to upset the Blundering Terd on their last ever trip to the rubber bowl. I would also say as a member of the band that the "snow bowl" on thanksgiving day against Can't State was awsome. couldn't see the lines and the zips wraped up their first ever MAC East title

dan wrote:

I would have to say the last time we played Marshall was a blast. coming back from I think three TD's in the 4th to win it on a great pass from Charlie Frye and then a last second field goal to upset the Blundering Terd on their last ever trip to the rubber bowl. I would also say as a member of the band that the "snow bowl" on thanksgiving day against Can't State was awsome. couldn't see the lines and the zips wraped up their first ever MAC East title

Wasn't that the same game where Byron Leftwich broke his leg and two lineman carried him down the field after each successive play as he kept trying to outduel Frye ? One of the best college games I ever saw.....on TV....!

The best memory I have of the Rubber Bowl, was watching the last Turkey Day City Championship game in 1990. Buchtel and Garfield played in that game, and it was one of the greatest High school games I ever seen. There were alot of people at the game, and the crowd was loud and standing the whole game. Turkey day games were a great tradition, and it ticked me off that they stopped it. But I will never forget that game, best game I ever personally seen at the Rubber Bowl.

I was in the U of A's marching band in the early 80's (yes they use to march) and playing in front of 35,000 + crowds. Some of my best moments were in that stadium.

My favorite Rubber Bowl memories weren't from any of the Zips games, but from the old City Series championships they used to play there on Thanksgiving Day. My dad would take my brother and I there every year and my mom would have the turkey cooked by the time we got home.

In terms of the Zips games, I don't remember much, as the best part was always the tailgating.

Does anyone remember the tunnel that was at the top of the stadium that ran under George Washington Blvd between the Rubber Bowl and a parking lot?

Darrin Alcorn's 50+ yard field goal to beat Toledo was pretty exciting.

Monsters of Rock, the year they had the four wheeler races, mud bogging, the Monster truck Michigan Ice Machine. The Labor day concert with Ringo Star and Frampton that was cool, Even with all the rain, The Don tried to get us toosed out cause someboby was having fun.. The Bowl will be missed!!

Simon and Garfunkel launched a reunion tour together. I worked as an usher. Good concert.

Screw the Urinal. They can move their headquarters to c-bus anyday now.

1. Only the Urinal would reference the shape of RB since this is the only school they cover?

2. They ask for memories of the RB? No mention of UA memories at the RB.
But then again, the Urinal still thinks it's AU. Forty-one years and counting and they do not even know the name of the home town school.

3. Of course, they want memories. They haven't reported on the team from the RB for years.

GO AWAY - Columbus Beacon Journal.

Zips Win wrote:

Screw the Urinal. They can move their headquarters to c-bus anyday now.
1. Only the Urinal would reference the shape of RB since this is the only school they cover?
2. They ask for memories of the RB? No mention of UA memories at the RB.
But then again, the Urinal still thinks it's AU. Forty-one years and counting and they do not even know the name of the home town school.
3. Of course, they want memories. They haven't reported on the team from the RB for years.
GO AWAY - Columbus Beacon Journal.

It's fine to be harsh. Yes the Beacon does not realize that it could potentially double it's circulation if it actually focused on Akron stories. But at least be harsh and accurate.
1. It's been The University of Akron since 1913.
2. The Rubber Bowl has been around since 1940.

So that is 95 years of The University of Akron (and an additional 43 of Buchtel College). And 68 years of the Rubber Bowl.

How about Doyle Baird vs. Nino Benvenutti, what a brawl! The Flame was packed after that one!

I have been trying to find it for about 20 years. I think I almost passed it once when I found this big blimp hangar....