Hodges Stadium
United States national rugby league team (2009–present) |
Hodges Stadium is a
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.[2]
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
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.[3]
History
The University of North Florida's field was first opened in 2004 in order to serve the
soccer, cross country running, and track and field teams.[4] 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.[2] Other additions included the Browning Athletic Training and Education Center and a strength and conditioning center.[5]
In 2008 the stadium underwent another renovation to install a new state-of-the art
International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) standards, and is one of only seven facilities in the U.S. to be certified by the IAAF.[4][5]
Notable events
The stadium has held several international
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.[6] In 2009, the Leeds Rhinos returned to UNF to play the Salford City Reds in an exhibition game.[7]
- February 2005 - Practice for the Philadelphia Eagles before Super Bowl XXXIX.
- April 2009 - UNF Rugby Football Club hosted their annual Alumni Game for the first time in the stadium.
- 2009 Atlantic Sun Conference Track and Field Championships [8]
- December 19, 2009 - North America Bowl between Jacksonville Knights and Team Canada a traveling all-star team.[9]
- July 23–26, 2015 - Hosted the USATF Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
- July 27–August 2, 2015 - Hosted the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships.
Rugby League Matches
| Date | Home | Final score | Away | Competition | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 January 2008 |  South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
24 – 26 |  Leeds Rhinos
|
Australia Day Challenge | 12,500[6] |
| 18 January 2009 | Leeds Rhinos
|
12 – 10 |  Salford Red Devils
|
Exhibition | [7] |
| 14 November 2009 |  United States
|
37 – 22 |  Jamaica
|
2009 Atlantic Cup | 3,500[10] |
| 16 November 2010 | United States
|
36 – 26 | Jamaica
|
2010 Atlantic Cup | 500[10] |
| 18 November 2010 | Jamaica
|
32 – 12 |  Canada
|
2010 Atlantic Cup | 2,500[10] |
| 20 November 2010 | United States
|
46 – 12 | Canada
|
2010 Atlantic Cup | 2,800[10] |
| 4 December 2015 | United States
|
20 – 14 | Jamaica
|
2017 RLWC qualifying | [10] |
| 12 December 2015 | United States
|
34 – 24 | Canada
|
2017 RLWC qualifying | [10] |
| 22 July 2017 | United States
|
48 – 6 | Jamaica
|
2017 Americas Rugby League Championship | [10] |
| 13 November 2018 | Jamaica
|
38 – 8 | Canada
|
2018 Americas Rugby League Championship | [10] |
| 13 November 2018 | United States
|
62 – 0 |  Chile
|
2018 Americas Rugby League Championship | [10] |
| 17 November 2018 | Canada
|
62 – 12 | Chile
|
2018 Americas Rugby League Championship | [10] |
| 13 November 2018 | United States
|
10 – 16 | Jamaica
|
2018 Americas Rugby League Championship | [10] |
| 16 November 2019 | United States
|
16 – 38 |  Cook Islands
|
2021 RLWC Repechage
|
150[10] |
| USA Tomahawks Record at the Hodges Stadium | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | % Won |
| Americas Rugby League Championship | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 66.67% |
| Colonial Cup | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| RLWC Qualifying | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 66.67% |
| Total | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 77.78% |
Updated 24 April 2021
External links
30°16′30.97″N 81°30′42.12″W / 30.2752694°N 81.5117000°W
References
- ^ "USA Track & Field - Facility & Map". Archived from the original on 2015-03-06. Retrieved 2015-08-11.
- ^ a b Schneider, Jason (October 10, 2006). "Ospreys receive major donation". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
- ^ Coleman, Matt (November 13, 2009). "UNF rugby support has worldwide draw". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
- ^ a b "UNF Athletics Facilities: Hodges Stadium". University of North Florida Ospreys. unfospreys.com. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
- ^ a b c King, Francine (October 10, 2006). "State-of-the-art track has UNF running with fast crowd". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
- ^ a b "THROWBACK: 2008 Australia Day Challenge". Rabbitohs. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
- ^ a b "McClennan proud as depleted Rhinos beat Reds in Florida". The Guardian. 18 January 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
- ^ "University of North Florida Athletics - UNF women, Pearce finish strong
at Atlantic Sun Championships". unfospreys.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. - ^ "Home". Archived from the original on 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Hodges Stadium". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
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