- James A. Rhodes Arena
James A. Rhodes Arena, commonly nicknamed "The JAR," is a
basketball arena inAkron, Ohio , named for formerOhio governorJim Rhodes . The arena opened in1983 and is home to theUniversity of Akron Zips men's and women's basketball teams. It hosted theOhio Valley Conference men's basketball tournament in 1986. Renovations to the arena is2002 included a new hardwood floor and fourOpto Tech LED displays ("pictured"). The facility currently seats 5,500 people.The decision to name the arena after former governor Rhodes was highly controversial as he ordered the Ohio National Guard to nearby
Kent State University prior to the May 4, 1970 shootings. Because of anticipated protests, the dedication of the building was not publicly announced in advance.
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