Displaying items by tag: Scott Sarborough

The University of Akron Women's Committee is upset about UA's marching band uniforms - which are missing the word "Akron" and the letter "A".

And committee president Louise Harvey says that kind of change could be a sign that the University of Akron will indeed change its name at some point.

Harvey says the Committee donated $11,000 for some new band raincoats and bags...which don't have name Akron or "A" on them either.

"We are very unhappy to learn that the name 'The University of Akron', and not even the word Akron," Harvey tells WAKR.net, "is anywhere on the new uniforms, or the raincoats we purchased, or on the carrying bags."

The new uniforms feature the same "Z" logo adopted by the athletics department.

The women's committee sent a letter to UA president Scott Scarborough, Gov. Kasich and state education officials decrying the changes, and the rebranding of the University of Akron as "Ohio's Polytechnic University".

Harvey says she's concerned that a full name change is still in UA's future.

In a statement, UA Vice President for Advancement Lawrence Burns says:

"Using the 'Z' on the band uniforms – just as is being done on the football uniforms – along with the well-recognized 'Zips' and the blue and gold uniform colors, helps leverage our branding and marketing efforts, as no other school is using the 'Z'."

"We believe that the distinctive positioning of the University as 'Ohio's Polytechnic University' – not a name change, but a way to showcase its many strengths – encompasses the breadth and depth of the University and embraces its heritage of providing opportunities for generations of students to pursue the American Dream."

Burns says the university appreciates the Women's Committee's support over many years.