Hodges Stadium

Last updated
Hodges Stadium
Hodges Stadium at night.JPG
Hodges Stadium
Location1S U N F Drive Jacksonville, Florida 32224
Flag of Florida.svg Flag of the United States.svg
Owner University of North Florida
Capacity 12,000
SurfaceNatural grass
Construction
Opened2004
Renovated2006; 2008
Tenants
North Florida Ospreys (NCAA) (2004–present)
Jacksonville Axemen (USARL) (2006–present)
Jacksonville Armada FC (NASL/NPSL) (2017–present)
United States national rugby league team (2009–present)

Hodges Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium at the University of North Florida (UNF), and the home field for the North Florida Ospreys soccer, track and field, and cross country teams. It is located on the university's campus in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. It is named for George and Kernan Hodges, who donated $2 million to upgrade the facility in 2006. [1]

Contents

The 12,000-capacity stadium opened in 2004 with s capacity of 9,400 and underwent renovations in 2006 and 2008 that installed additional seating, a press box, and a 9-lane Olympic quality running track. The facility additionally includes classrooms, offices, and the Browning Athletic Training and Education Center. Following the completion of the current track, it became one of seven facilities in the U.S. certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), allowing it to host all NCAA and IAAF events within its grounds. In addition to its use by UNF the stadium has become a center for rugby league football, serving as home field for the Jacksonville Axemen of the USA Rugby League (USARL), and hosting several international matches and training camps. [2]

History

The University of North Florida's field was first opened in 2004 in order to serve the North Florida Ospreys men's and women's soccer, cross country running, and track and field teams. [3] In 2006 Jacksonville philanthropists George and Kernan Hodges issued a $2 million donation to UNF to improve the facility. The donation funded the construction of seats for 10,000, an eight-lane 400-meter track, a press box, lighting, and classrooms and offices. The nameless field was renamed Hodges Stadium after them. [1] Other additions included the Browning Athletic Training and Education Center and a strength and conditioning center. [4]

In 2008 the stadium underwent another renovation to install a new state-of-the art running track. The university spent another $3 million to complete the 9-lane Olympic-quality track. It was designed by the Italian company Mondo and was the third facility in the world to feature the company's Mondotrack SX rubber surface. [4] It was built to meet National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) standards, and is one of only seven facilities in the U.S. to be certified by the IAAF. [3] [4]

Notable events

The stadium has held several international rugby league football matches and has hosted training camps for international teams. Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe visited UNF to organize for a club rugby league match to be played at Hodges Stadium. Crowe's South Sydney Rabbitohs played against the Leeds Rhinos on January 26, 2008, with 12,500 people in attendance. [5] In 2009, the Leeds Rhinos returned to UNF to play the Salford City Reds in an exhibition game. [6]

Rugby League Matches

DateHomeFinal scoreAwayCompetitionAttendanceRef.
26 January 2008 South Sydney colours.svg South Sydney Rabbitohs 24 – 26 Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos Australia Day Challenge12,500 [5]
18 January 2009 Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos 12 – 10 Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils Exhibition [6]
14 November 2009Flag of the United States.svg  United States 37 – 22Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 2009 Atlantic Cup 3,500 [9]
16 November 2010Flag of the United States.svg  United States 36 – 26Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 2010 Atlantic Cup 500 [9]
18 November 2010Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 32 – 12Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 2010 Atlantic Cup 2,500 [9]
20 November 2010Flag of the United States.svg  United States 46 – 12Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 2010 Atlantic Cup 2,800 [9]
4 December 2015Flag of the United States.svg  United States 20 – 14Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 2017 RLWC qualifying [9]
12 December 2015Flag of the United States.svg  United States 34 – 24Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 2017 RLWC qualifying [9]
22 July 2017Flag of the United States.svg  United States 48 – 6Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 2017 Americas Rugby League Championship [9]
13 November 2018Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 38 – 8Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 2018 Americas Rugby League Championship [9]
13 November 2018Flag of the United States.svg  United States 62 – 0Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 2018 Americas Rugby League Championship [9]
17 November 2018Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 62 – 12Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 2018 Americas Rugby League Championship [9]
13 November 2018Flag of the United States.svg  United States 10 – 16Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 2018 Americas Rugby League Championship [9]
16 November 2019Flag of the United States.svg  United States 16 – 38Flag of the Cook Islands.svg  Cook Islands 2021 RLWC Repechage 150 [9]
USA Tomahawks Record at the Hodges Stadium
CompetitionPlayedWonDrawnLost % Won
Americas Rugby League Championship 320166.67%
Colonial Cup 3300100%
RLWC Qualifying320166.67%
Total970277.78%

Updated 24 April 2021

30°16′30.97″N81°30′42.12″W / 30.2752694°N 81.5117000°W / 30.2752694; -81.5117000

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of North Florida</span> Public university in Jacksonville, Florida, US

The University of North Florida (UNF) is a public research university in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. It is part of the State University System of Florida and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Its campus comprises 1,300 acres amid a natural preserve on Jacksonville's Southside. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". The current president is Moez Limayem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">USA Track & Field</span> US governing body for track and field

USA Track & Field (USATF) is a United States national governing body for the sports of track and field, cross country running, road running, and racewalking. The USATF was known between 1979 and 1992 as The Athletics Congress (TAC) after its spin-off from the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), which governed the sport in the US through most of the 20th century until the Amateur Sports Act of 1978 dissolved its responsibility. Based in Indianapolis, USATF is a non-profit organization with a membership of more than 130,000. The organization has three key leadership positions: CEO Max Siegel, Board of Directors Chair Steve Miller, and elected president Vin Lananna. U.S. citizens and permanent residents can be USATF members, but permanent residents can only participate in masters events in the country, and they cannot win USATF medals, prize money, or score points for a team, per World Athletics regulations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Icahn Stadium</span> Track and field facility in Manhattan, New York

Icahn Stadium is a 5,000 seat track and field and multipurpose facility located on Randalls Island in Manhattan, New York City. Designed within the former site of Downing Stadium, it opened on April 23, 2005. Icahn Stadium is named after American businessman Carl Icahn, who made a $10 million donation towards the construction of the new stadium. The stadium features a World Athletics Class 1 certified running track with a 400-meter Mondo Super X Performance surface, and it has been the site of many international, national, and regional track and field events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UNF Arena</span>

UNF Arena is a multi-purpose arena located on the campus of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. It is home to the North Florida Ospreys men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball teams. It is also used for other events, such as concerts and graduation ceremonies, and has served as the site of the Orlando Magic franchise's training camp. It opened in 1993 and has a capacity of up to 6,300.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacksonville Axemen</span> Semi-professional US rugby league club

The Jacksonville Axemen are a rugby league team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They currently play in the USA Rugby League (USARL). They play their home games at the North Practice Soccer Fields at the University of North Florida.

Jacksonville is home to a number of professional sports teams, and the city has a long history of athletics. The Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL) compete at the major league level. Additionally, the PGA Tour is headquartered in the suburb of Ponte Vedra Beach, where it hosts The Players Championship every year. All Elite Wrestling, the second-largest professional wrestling promotion in the U.S. behind WWE, has its headquarters in the Jaguars' stadium, largely due to its shared ownership with the Jaguars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacksonville Dolphins</span> Athletic teams representing Jacksonville University

The Jacksonville Dolphins are the intercollegiate athletics teams that represent Jacksonville University, located in Jacksonville, Florida. The Dolphins participate in NCAA Division I athletics, and are primarily members of the ASUN Conference. Some teams in sports that are not sponsored by the ASUN play in other conferences; specifically, the men's and women's rowing teams are in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The men's lacrosse team had played in the Southern Conference (SoCon) from 2015 to 2022, but that sport will return to the ASUN for the 2023 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Florida Ospreys</span> Collegiate sports club in the United States

The North Florida Ospreys are the athletic teams of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. The Ospreys compete in the ASUN Conference in NCAA Division I. UNF became a full-fledged member of Division I in 2009; previously, the Ospreys were members of the Sunshine State Conference and Peach Belt Conference in NCAA Division II. UNF fields teams in seven men's sports and ten women's sports.

Matthew Driscoll is an American college basketball coach who is currently head coach of the University of North Florida Ospreys. Before coming to UNF, Driscoll spent twelve years as an assistant at Baylor University, Valparaiso University, Clemson University and the University of Wyoming. In a May 2008 Fox Sports survey of his peers, Driscoll was rated as one of the top 10 assistants in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harmon Stadium</span> Baseball stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, US

Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium, generally known as Harmon Stadium, is the baseball stadium at the University of North Florida (UNF), and the home field of the North Florida Ospreys baseball team. It is located on the university's campus in Jacksonville, Florida, near the softball complex and aquatic center. It opened in 1988 and has a seating capacity of 1,250. The stadium is named for Doug and Linda Harmon for their contributions to constructions costs, while the field is named after UNF's first baseball coach, Dusty Rhodes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dusty Rhodes (baseball coach)</span> American baseball coach

Jack Dusty Rhodes is a retired American baseball coach and the former head coach of the University of North Florida Ospreys college baseball team. He was the first coach in UNF baseball history, having founded the program in the 1980s and serving as head coach from 1988–2010. UNF's baseball field, officially Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium, is named in his honor.

Barlow Park is a multi-sports facility and stadium in Parramatta Park, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Taylor (athlete)</span> American track and field athlete

Christian Taylor is a retired American track and field athlete who competed in the triple jump and has a personal record of 18.21 m, which ranks 2nd on the all-time list.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Florida Ospreys men's basketball</span> College basketball team

The North Florida Ospreys represent the University of North Florida (UNF) in men's college basketball. The Ospreys compete in the ASUN Conference (A-Sun) in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). They play home games at UNF Arena on the school's campus in Jacksonville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Florida Ospreys baseball</span> American college baseball team

The North Florida Ospreys baseball team represents the University of North Florida in the sport of baseball. The Ospreys compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), in the ASUN Conference (A-Sun). They play their home games in Harmon Stadium on the university's Jacksonville, Florida campus. The Ospreys were founded in 1988 as members of the NAIA. They moved to the NCAA Division II level in 1994, and began their Division I transition in 2006. They became fully eligible at the Division I level in 2010. Most recently, the Ospreys won their first Atlantic Sun regular season championship in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Florida Ospreys men's soccer</span> American college soccer team

The North Florida Ospreys men's soccer program represents the University of North Florida in all NCAA Division I men's college soccer competitions. Founded in 1991, the Ospreys compete in the ASUN Conference. The Ospreys are coached by Derek Marinatos, who has coached the program since 2011. The Ospreys plays their home matches at Hodges Stadium, on the UNF campus.

The 2008 South Sydney Rabbitohs season was the 99th in the club's history. Coached by Jason Taylor and captained by David Kidwell & Roy Asotasi, the team competed in the National Rugby League's 2008 Telstra Premiership, finishing the regular season in 14th place out of 16 teams and so failing to reach the finals. The club also competed in the 2008 Under-20s competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendal Williams</span> American sprinter

Kendal Williams is an American professional track and field athlete specializing in the sprints. Representing the United States at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Athletics, he earned gold medals in the 100 meters and the 4 × 100 m relay, upsetting teammate and favorite Trayvon Bromell in the 100 m who had earlier that year become the first junior to break the 10-second barrier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015–16 North Florida Ospreys men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2015–16 North Florida Ospreys men's basketball team represented the University of North Florida during the 2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Ospreys were led by seventh-year head coach Matthew Driscoll and played their home games at UNF Arena on the university's campus in Jacksonville, Florida as members of the Atlantic Sun Conference (A-Sun).

References

  1. 1 2 Schneider, Jason (October 10, 2006). "Ospreys receive major donation". The Florida Times-Union . Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  2. Coleman, Matt (November 13, 2009). "UNF rugby support has worldwide draw". The Florida Times-Union . Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  3. 1 2 "UNF Athletics Facilities: Hodges Stadium". University of North Florida Ospreys. unfospreys.com. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 King, Francine (October 10, 2006). "State-of-the-art track has UNF running with fast crowd". The Florida Times-Union . Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  5. 1 2 "THROWBACK: 2008 Australia Day Challenge". Rabbitohs. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  6. 1 2 "McClennan proud as depleted Rhinos beat Reds in Florida". The Guardian. 18 January 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  7. "University of North Florida Athletics - UNF women, Pearce finish strong
    at Atlantic Sun Championships"
    . unfospreys.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17.
  8. "Home". Archived from the original on 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Hodges Stadium". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 24 April 2021.