Hodges Stadium
Location1S U N F Drive Jacksonville, Florida 32224
Florida United States
OwnerUniversity of North Florida
Capacity12,000
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]

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]

  • 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 [7]
  • December 19, 2009 - North America Bowl between Jacksonville Knights and Team Canada a traveling all-star team.[8]
  • 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[5]
18 January 2009 Leeds Rhinos 12 – 10 Salford Red Devils Exhibition [6]
14 November 2009  United States 37 – 22  Jamaica 2009 Atlantic Cup 3,500[9]
16 November 2010  United States 36 – 26  Jamaica 2010 Atlantic Cup 500[9]
18 November 2010  Jamaica 32 – 12  Canada 2010 Atlantic Cup 2,500[9]
20 November 2010  United States 46 – 12  Canada 2010 Atlantic Cup 2,800[9]
4 December 2015  United States 20 – 14  Jamaica 2017 RLWC qualifying [9]
12 December 2015  United States 34 – 24  Canada 2017 RLWC qualifying [9]
22 July 2017  United States 48 – 6  Jamaica 2017 Americas Rugby League Championship [9]
13 November 2018  Jamaica 38 – 8  Canada 2018 Americas Rugby League Championship [9]
13 November 2018  United States 62 – 0  Chile 2018 Americas Rugby League Championship [9]
17 November 2018  Canada 62 – 12  Chile 2018 Americas Rugby League Championship [9]
13 November 2018  United States 10 – 16  Jamaica 2018 Americas Rugby League Championship [9]
16 November 2019  United States 16 – 38  Cook Islands 2021 RLWC Repechage 150[9]
USA Tomahawks Record at the Hodges Stadium
Competition Played Won Drawn Lost  % Won
Americas Rugby League Championship320166.67%
Colonial Cup3300100%
RLWC Qualifying320166.67%
Total970277.78%

Updated 24 April 2021

30°16′30.97″N 81°30′42.12″W / 30.2752694°N 81.5117000°W / 30.2752694; -81.5117000

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.
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