Hanson Field

Last updated
Hanson Field
Hansen Field.JPG
Hanson Field
Location Macomb, Illinois
Coordinates 40°28′06″N90°41′03″W / 40.4684°N 90.6842°W / 40.4684; -90.6842
Owner Western Illinois University
Operator Western Illinois University
Capacity 16,368
Record attendance19,850 (October 20, 1973 vs. Central Michigan)
SurfaceMatrix Turf
Construction
Opened1950
Expanded2007
Tenants
Western Illinois Leathernecks (NCAA) (1950-present)

Hanson Field is a 16,368-seat multi-purpose stadium in Macomb, Illinois, USA. [1] The stadium which opened in 1950 is home to the Western Illinois Leathernecks football team and track and field team. The field is named after former WIU football coach/A.D. and Marine legend Rock Hanson. A unique feature of the facility is an extensive hillside that surrounds the field allowing for additional seating for thousands of spectators. Outside the stadium, a statue of former WIU track and field coach and two time Olympic gold medalist Lee Calhoun stands and a bulldog statue is located at the main entrance.

Contents

History

A record crowd of 19,850 watched the Leathernecks defeat Central Michigan, Oct. 20, 1973.

From 1996 through 2004, Hanson Field was the training camp home of the National Football League's St. Louis Rams. [2]

Highest-Scoring Game
On September 11, 2004, Western Illinois defeated Division II Cheyney State 98–7.

Renovations

In 2001, the main entrance of the stadium was renovated by adding an iron gate, brick pillars and an arch displaying the words, Hanson Field. The stadium's east side received a $5 million face lift prior to the 2007 season. The renovation to the student seating section, funded largely by a facilities enhancement and life safety fee at the request of student leaders, included new bleachers, increased seating capacity, a new entrance, restrooms and concession stands. [3]

In 2011, Matrix Turf was installed on the field. [4]

Colts Drum and Bugle Corp Summer Camp

Hanson field of WIU has been home to the Colts' summer training camp for a number of years. The nine-time Drum Corps International (DCI) World Class Finalist, from Dubuque, IA are a group of 160 high school- and college-aged musicians, plus 40 staff members and support team members. They train, work and live on the WIU campus for three weeks. Members live in the residence halls and practice at Hanson Field. [5]

See also

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The 2009 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the in Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2009 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The team was led by head coaches Mark Hendrickson and Don Patterson, who left the team late in the 2008 season due to health problems. The 2009 season was Patterson's last with Western Illinois. He coached the first three games before stepping down, ceding the head coaching duties to Hendrickson. They played their home games at Hanson Field. The team compiling an overall record of 1–10 with a mark of 0–8 in conference play, placing last out of nine teams in the MVFC.

The 2004 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Gateway Football Conference in the 2004 NCAA Division I-AA football season. They were led by sixth-year head coach Don Patterson and played their home games at Hanson Field in Macomb, Illinois. The Leathernecks finished the season with a 4–7 record overall and a 2–5 record in conference play.

The 2006 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Gateway Football Conference during the 2006 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by eighth-year head coach Don Patterson and played their home games at Hanson Field in Macomb, Illinois. The Leathernecks finished the season with a 5–6 record overall and a 2–5 record in conference play, placing sixth in the Gateway.

The 2007 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Gateway Football Conference during the 2007 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by ninth-year head coach Don Patterson and played their home games at Hanson Field in Macomb, Illinois. The Leathernecks finished the season with a 6–5 record overall and a 3–3 record in conference play, tying for third place in the Gateway.

The 2008 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) in the 2008 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by tenth-year head coach Don Patterson and acting head coach Mark Hendrickson, who coached the team in its first seven games while Patterson underwent cancer treatment. The team played their home games at Hanson Field in Macomb, Illinois. The Leathernecks finished the season with a 6–5 record overall and a 4–4 record in conference play, tying for fourth place in the MVFC.

The 1999 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Gateway Football Conference during the 1999 NCAA Division I-AA football season. They were led by first-year head coach Don Patterson and played their home games at Hanson Field in Macomb, Illinois. The Leathernecks finished the season with a 7–4 record overall and a 2–4 record in conference play.

References

  1. ↑ "Hanson Field". goleathernecks.com. Retrieved 2015-01-12.
  2. ↑ "2003 NFL Training Camp Locations". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Hanson Field-Macomb, Illinois". stadiumjourney.com. Retrieved 2017-08-01.
  4. ↑ "Hanson Field Matrix Turf Completed". GoLeatherNecks.com. 10 September 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  5. ↑ "International World Class Finalist and Drum and Bugle Corps to Train at WIU Summer 2023". www.wiu.edu. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
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