Every school has “super fans,” and for The University of Akron, they just might be Dave and Shelly Harris of Stow. While most recognize them for their avid attendance at Zips sporting games and volunteerism to the University, they are also becoming known for their amazing Zips basement renovation.
Dave and Shelly both grew up in Akron. Dave spent his youth attending UA athletic events with his father, Roy, a member of the class of 1952, and later followed in his footsteps, graduating with an undergraduate degree in 1979 and a master’s degree in 1986. Michele ‘Shelly’ Bymakosa was a Zips cheerleader who graduated in 1981.
Guests know they are in "Zips Nation" right away in the newly decorated room at the home of Dave and Shelly Harris.
Both avid sports fans, Dave and Shelly met at Memorial Hall, former home of Zips basketball. The building closed in 2010, and, since it held such a strong place in their history, Dave approached George Van Horn, now senior associate athletics director, and asked if he could purchase a piece of memorabilia from the building. He was able to get four stadium seats.
When the couple’s son moved out of the family’s finished basement, Dave and Shelly decided to reclaim the space as their own. Rather than simply making a space for storage or a boring family room, they decided to go all out and show their love for the Akron Zips.
The stadium chairs seen here, which helped spark the room renovation, were once in the gymnasium at UA's Memorial Hall.
They used the stadium seats as inspiration.
“The room was built around the seats,” Dave said. “I wanted it to be a room where we could watch Zips games and look upon items that held so many great memories for us.”
Dave reinforced the walls so he could attach the seats properly and elevated them upon a step that is covered with turf designed with the Zips logo as it appears in the end zone of Summa Field inside of InfoCision Stadium. The room also displays Shelly’s cheerleading uniform, University bobbleheads, a set of lockers, championship banners and memorabilia from athletic events. Also adorning the walls are a media guide featuring a cover shot of their daughter, Jen ’07, during her career on the UA diving team, and blue and gold paint that perfectly matches UA’s official colors.
The Harris' bobblehead collection and other memorabilia is displayed in their new Zips room.
In addition to having a Zips-themed basement, Dave and Shelly are involved with the University in a number of ways. They were recognized in 2013 for their volunteerism on RooCrew, UA’s alumni volunteer network. They are season ticket holders for Zips football, men’s soccer, and both the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Shelly is a member of the Varsity A Board and Dave is a member of the National Alumni Board. Daughter Rachel is a 2012 graduate.
“It’s not every day you get to work with such outstanding alumni ambassadors like Dave and Shelly,” said Willy Kollman, assistant vice president of alumni relations and executive director of the UA Alumni Association. “Their spirit is contagious.”
Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd @uakron.edu.