UA’s InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field to host 'LeBron Appreciation Day'

''This is home for me. I love this place. I love Akron, Ohio, to death. Every day I wake up, I understand that I'm not only carrying myself as an individual, but I'm carrying the city. No matter where life may head me throughout my whole life, I'm never gone from here.''

LeBron James, Akron’s favorite son, professed his love and commitment to the city of Akron as he accepted his NBA Most Valuable Player Award May 2 at James A. Rhodes Arena on The University of Akron campus.

But will he or won’t he remain a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers and stay in Northeast Ohio?

That question is not only on the minds of many Akronites and other Northeast Ohioans, but of basketball fans from all over the world. Will the NBA superstar stay with the Cavaliers or sign with another NBA team once he becomes a free agent on July 1?

James’ beloved city and its businesses, educational institutions and residents want to let him know how they feel about him. And they are throwing a big celebration to communicate it loud and clear.

Rise Up! Akron

InfoCision Management Corp., with its headquarters in Akron, and several local sponsors, including UA, the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, FirstEnergy Corp., FirstMerit Bank, Akron General Medical Center and GOJO Industries, among many others, is holding “LeBron Appreciation Day” on Saturday, June 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field on UA’s campus.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is designed to show James how much he is appreciated by the city he grew up in and its citizens for everything he has done for Akron and Northeast Ohio.

The free Fan Fest and Rally begins at 10 a.m. at InfoCision Stadium, which will be bustling with family-friendly activities, food, music from local band Cold Blue Steel, the Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Band and the Firestone High School Band, fun and games for the kids, contests and chances to enter drawings to win prize-packs from the Cavaliers, the University and other local businesses and organizations. The contests include No. 1 Fan and the best LeBron Look-a-like.

Legendary former Cavalier Campy Russell and Fred McLeod, the Cavaliers’ play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports Ohio, also will be on hand to sign autographs and participate in the rally and other festivities.

Fan Rally begins at noon

The film “More Than a Game,” which documents James’ rise to stardom and his special relationships with his St. Vincent-St. Mary High School teammates, will play on the stadium video screen during the Fan Fest. And to get everyone pumped-up at the Fan Rally, which begins at noon, Akron’s own Eric Mansfield, 7 p.m. anchor and reporter for WKYC-TV in Cleveland, will be leading the cheers.

Free T-shirts will be given to the first 10,000 guests to arrive. Other prizes include the book “MVP,” by Cleveland Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto and DVDs of “More Than a Game;” and special messages on the stadium’s Jumbotron from several Northeast Ohio community leaders and sports legends, including Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic and Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel.

“Not only is LeBron James an avid supporter of The University of Akron, but he is a wonderful ambassador for the city of Akron and the Northeast Ohio community,” said UA President Luis M. Proenza. “In addition to his extraordinary athletic talent, he is a tireless philanthropist who is dedicated to giving back to his community through all of the charitable events he sponsors, including his basketball camps here at the University and many others.”

Carl Albright, InfoCision president and chief executive officer, also expressed his gratitude to James, and says he hopes this celebration will fill InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field.

“Other cities are just looking at him for his talents, not as a person. However, here in Akron, we’ve proudly watched him grow and have supported him in his journey to superstardom,” said Albright. “We’d love to fill InfoCision Stadium as much as possible to show him how much we appreciate him as our hometown hero.”

For more information on contests, prizes and a schedule of events, visit InfoCision’s “LeBron Appreciation Day” website.        

Media contact: Laura M. Massie, 330-972-6476 or massie1@uakron.edu , or Gretchen Fri, InfoCision, 330-670-5079; or Gretchen.Fri@infocision.com.