USF Soccer Stadium
Encyclopedia
The USF Soccer Stadium was built in 1978. The stadium is home to the soccer and track and field
teams from the University of South Florida
in Tampa, Florida
.
The 4,000 capacity stadium has hosted several events throughout the years including Lamar Hunt US Open Cup matches, the C-USA soccer tournaments for Men and Women, the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
five times, and the C-USA track and field championships.
In 1991, Claudio Reyna
led the Bruce Arena
-coached Virginia Cavaliers to a penalty kicks victory over Santa Clara for the NCAA title in the last championship hosted at the stadium.
In 1984, when Tampa hosted its first Super Bowl, the Washington Redskins practiced at the Stadium. Concerned about the lack of privacy at the stadium, the Redskins purchased a green tarpaulin that was attached to the fence around the stadium. The Redskins donated the tarp to the university and it remained in use for many years.
In the mid-1980s the stadium hosted pre-season training for the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL), including stars Herschel Walker and Brian Sipe. The Generals' players stayed and dined at nearby Fontana Hall.
In 2008, the stadium was remodeled using funds from USF and Hillsborough county. The renovations included new lighting, a new state-of-the-art Mondo track surface, and a new electronic scoreboard.
In fall 2010, USF announced and began construction on a new soccer stadium. It is expected to be completed by the fall of 2011 in time for the 2011 soccer season. The current stadium will remain in use as a track and field facility and for other events.
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
teams from the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
.
The 4,000 capacity stadium has hosted several events throughout the years including Lamar Hunt US Open Cup matches, the C-USA soccer tournaments for Men and Women, the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
The NCAA began conducting a Men's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1959 with an eight-team tournament. Currently, the tournament field consists of 48 teams...
five times, and the C-USA track and field championships.
In 1991, Claudio Reyna
Claudio Reyna
Claudio Reyna is a retired American soccer player and the current USSF US Youth Soccer Technical Director. He was the captain of the United States national team before retiring from international football following the USA's exit from the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He is widely considered one of the...
led the Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena is a former coach of the United States men's national soccer team as well as a former professional soccer and lacrosse player...
-coached Virginia Cavaliers to a penalty kicks victory over Santa Clara for the NCAA title in the last championship hosted at the stadium.
In 1984, when Tampa hosted its first Super Bowl, the Washington Redskins practiced at the Stadium. Concerned about the lack of privacy at the stadium, the Redskins purchased a green tarpaulin that was attached to the fence around the stadium. The Redskins donated the tarp to the university and it remained in use for many years.
In the mid-1980s the stadium hosted pre-season training for the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL), including stars Herschel Walker and Brian Sipe. The Generals' players stayed and dined at nearby Fontana Hall.
In 2008, the stadium was remodeled using funds from USF and Hillsborough county. The renovations included new lighting, a new state-of-the-art Mondo track surface, and a new electronic scoreboard.
In fall 2010, USF announced and began construction on a new soccer stadium. It is expected to be completed by the fall of 2011 in time for the 2011 soccer season. The current stadium will remain in use as a track and field facility and for other events.