Foundation to get naming rights to stadium club level
AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The FirstMerit Foundation,
the charitable giving arm of FirstMerit Corporation, has announced it is
donating $1 million dollars over 10 years to the University of Akron's new
InfoCision Stadium -- Summa Field. With this gift, FirstMerit Foundation will
have naming rights to the stadium's club level in the seven-level press tower.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070920/CLTU138LOGO )
Within the 30,000-capacity stadium, the FirstMerit Foundation Club Level
includes 522 partially covered chairback seats, 38 loge boxes, two lounge/bar
areas and upscale concessions. FirstMerit Foundation will have signage and
branding visibility both inside and outside of the stadium.
'FirstMerit Foundation's award to InfoCision Stadium -- Summa Field
reflects our long-term commitment to investing in our community,' said Julie
Robbins, executive vice president, Retail, FirstMerit Corporation and member
of FirstMerit Foundation. 'Not only will the new stadium host the exciting
home football games of the University of Akron Zips, it will also be a focal
point for high school football games, music concerts, commencement ceremonies
and other events that tie our community together. We proudly support the
University of Akron and this multi-use, on-campus facility.'
The FirstMerit Foundation's announcement coincides with the 'Topping the
Tower' on Tuesday, October 21, when the final steel beams are raised and
welded into place at the top of the seven-story press tower, of which the club
level is part. Construction of the stadium will be finished before the first
game kicks off on September 19, 2009 as the Zips face the Indiana University
Hoosiers.
About the FirstMerit Foundation
FirstMerit Foundation is a nonprofit charitable foundation which supports
initiatives that improve the quality of life in the communities served by
FirstMerit Corporation. Through contributions to education, health care,
housing, social services, cultural, and other charitable organizations, the
FirstMerit Foundation provides support and assistance to more than 4 million
people annually.
About FirstMerit Corporation
FirstMerit Corporation (Nasdaq: FMER) is a diversified financial services
company headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with assets of $10.6 billion as of June
30, 2008 and 160 banking offices and 175 ATMs in 25 Ohio and Western
Pennsylvania counties. FirstMerit provides a complete range of banking and
other financial services to consumers and businesses through its core
operations. Principal wholly-owned subsidiaries include: FirstMerit Bank,
N.A., FirstMerit Mortgage Corporation, FirstMerit Title Agency, Ltd., and
FirstMerit Community Development Corporation.
FirstMerit Corporation
Media Contact: Rob Townsend
Media Relations Officer
330.384.7075
Analysts: Thomas O'Malley
Director Corporate Communications/Investor Relations Officer
330.384.7109
SOURCE FirstMerit Foundation