1 HANSON FIELD Hanson Field, home of the Fighting Leathernecks, is nestled In 2001, the stadium received a new main entrance, decorated HANSON FIELD QUICK FACTS in the heart of the Western Illinois University campus. by an iron gate, brick pillars and an arch displaying the words Dedicated ........................................ Sept. 23, 1950 Surface ........Matrix Turf (Installed Summer 2011) Named after former Leatherneck football, basketball and “HANSON FIELD”, surrounded by an eight-lane, all-weather Capacity....................................................... 16,368 baseball coach and athletics director Ray “Rock” Hanson, the All-time record ..................................... 234-122-7 track and field facility, renovated through a $518,000 project First game ....................................... Sept. 23, 1950 stadium, then located at the far north end of campus, was in 2002. (Western Illinois defeated Central Michigan, 28-7) dedicated on Sept. 23, 1950. As Western Illinois University SEASON AVERAGE ATTENDANCE has expanded, Hanson Field now rests directly in the center A $150,000 gift from Western Illinois alumnus Al Boyer along Games .............Attend. .........Per game of campus, just north of the University Union and east of the with other private donations and support from Musco Lighting 1. 1973 5 .......................69,075................ 13,815 Leslie F. Malpass Library. Western Hall, home to the Western of Oskaloosa, Iowa, provided broadcast-quality lighting at 2. 2003 6 .......................77,426................ 12,904 3. 2004 5 .......................63,942................ 12,788 Illinois Department of Athletics, is located to the north, while Hanson Field in time for the 2002 opener. The $175,000 project 4. 1976 5 .......................63,344................ 12,669 5. 2007 6 .......................75,540................ 12,590 academic buildings and residence halls are located, west, included removal of Hanson Field’s original light standards 6. 1975 5 .......................60,671................ 12,134 northwest and southwest. and installation of new directional lighting. Three 80-foot 7. 1971 6 .......................72,038................ 12,006 8. 1970 6 .......................70,800................ 11,800 galvanized steel poles behind the east stands and two 90-foot 9. 1972 5 .......................58,227................ 11,645 The stadium has seen several renovations throughout the 10. 1969 5 .......................56,150................ 11,230 galvanized steel poles behind the west stands now provide 11. 2010 6 .......................66,573................ 11,096 years, most recently the installation of a video board and new unobstructed sight lines for spectators. The system consists 12. 2001 5 .......................55,224................ 11,045 13. 2006 5 .......................53,506................ 10,701 scoreboard in 2014. A Western Illinois University arch was of 80 2,000-watt metal halide fixtures equipped with Musco’s 14. 2005 6 .......................63,310................ 10,552 installed right above the scoreboard during the 2014 season. trademarked glare control technology. 15. 1974 6 .......................62,596................ 10,432 16. 1989 6 .......................61,415................ 10,236 17. 1987 5 .......................50,735................ 10,147 18. 2009 5 .......................48,262.................. 9,652 Matrix Turf was installed during summer 2011. Matrix Turf The stadium has two permanent sculptures on 19. 2008 6 .......................57,743.................. 9,624 is one of the field surfaces used at Cowboys Stadium by the display. Near the southwest entrance, inside the 20. 1977 5 .......................48,019.................. 9,604 Dallas Cowboys, installed by Hellas Construction. The Hanson stadium, is a life-size bronze sculpture entitled SINGLE-GAME ATTENDANCE RECORDS Field renovation project also included: removal of the current “Excellence on Winged Feet.” It honors former Opponent .................................... Attend. grass surface and the track and field jump pits, installation track and field coach and two-time Olympic gold 1. 1973 Central Michigan ......................... 19,850 of Matrix Turf and renovation of the field events area. The medalist Lee Calhoun. The other is a concrete 2. 2003 Southern Illinois .......................... 19,287 3. 1972 Mankato State ............................. 18,900 installation of a javelin runway, four new pits for long jump bulldog which guards the main entrance and is 4. 1971 Illinois State ................................. 18,700 and triple jump, and redesigning the discus/shot put area put 5. 2003 Western Kentucky ....................... 18,263 often painted by student groups. 6. 1976 Eastern Illinois ............................ 16,808 the total cost of the project at $1.3 million. 7. 1975 Nebraska-Omaha ........................ 16,445 8. 1970 Drake ........................................... 16,100 Hanson Field has provided a rich, winning tradition 9. 2012 Illinois State ................................. 16,033 The east side received a $5 million face-lift prior to the for the Leathernecks, who hold an outstanding 10. 2004 Youngstown State ........................ 15,984 2007 season. The renovation to the student seating section, 229-116-7 record at home. The first game played funded largely by a facilities enhancement and life safety at the stadium was against Central Michigan in the fee at the request of student leaders, included: 1950 season opener. Western won that game and new bleachers, increased seating capacity, a new went on to win its first eight games at the facility. entrance, restrooms and concession stands. RECENT HANSON FIELD RENOVATIONS Hanson Field seats 16,368 fans, however, the Main Entrance (2001) Lights (2002) extensive hillside surrounding the playing field Track (2002) allows for thousands more to enjoy a game. Some Student Seating (2007) local residents can view the field from their homes Concessions Stands (2007) on Stadium Drive, which borders the stadium to Restrooms (2007) the east. A record crowd of 19,850 watched the Matrix Turf (2011) Leathernecks defeat Central Michigan on Oct. 20, Video Board (2013) 1973. New Scoreboard and Videoboard (2014) 2 HANSON FIELD In 2001, the stadium received a new main entrance, decorated by an iron gate, brick pillars and an arch displaying the words “HANSON FIELD”, surrounded by an eight-lane, all-weather track and field facility, renovated through a $518,000 project in 2002. A $150,000 gift from Western Illinois alumnus Al Boyer along with other private donations and support from Musco Lighting of Oskaloosa, Iowa, provided broadcast-quality lighting at Hanson Field in time for the 2002 opener. The $175,000 project included removal of Hanson Field’s original light standards and installation of new directional lighting. Three 80-foot galvanized steel poles behind the east stands and two 90-foot galvanized steel poles behind the west stands now provide unobstructed sight lines for spectators. The system consists of 80 2,000-watt metal halide fixtures equipped with Musco’s trademarked glare control technology. The stadium has two permanent sculptures on display. Near the southwest entrance, inside the stadium, is a life-size bronze sculpture entitled “Excellence on Winged Feet.” It honors former track and field coach and two-time Olympic gold medalist Lee Calhoun. The other is a concrete bulldog which guards the main entrance and is often painted by student groups. Hanson Field has provided a rich, winning tradition for the Leathernecks, who hold an outstanding 229-116-7 record at home. The first game played at the stadium was against Central Michigan in the 1950 season opener. Western won that game and went on to win its first eight games at the facility. RECENT HANSON FIELD RENOVATIONS Main Entrance (2001) Lights (2002) Track (2002) Student Seating (2007) Concessions Stands (2007) Restrooms (2007) Matrix Turf (2011) Video Board (2013) New Scoreboard and Videoboard (2014) 3 NFL CONNECTIONS ARIZONA CARDINALS Khalen Saunders (1-0) ....................... 2019- TENNESSEE TITANS Mike Wilson ..........................................1969 Jack Atchason ......................................1960 Steve Carpenter ...................................1981 MIAMI DOLPHINS Felix Lobdell .........................................1977 Bryan Cox ....................................... 1991-95 Herb Donaldson ............................. 2010-12 ATLANTA FALCONS David Bowens ................................. 2001-06 Ed Hartwell .................................... 2005-06 WASHINGTON REDSKINS Aaron Stecker ......................................2009 MINNESOTA VIKINGS Leroy Jackson ................................ 1962-63 Lamar McGriggs ............................ 1993-94 Jim Jackson .........................................1966 BALTIMORE RAVENS Brett Taylor ..........................................2018 Felix Lobdell ................................... 1976-77 Reggie Waddell ....................................2001 Ed Hartwell .................................... 2001-04 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS SUPER BOWL RECORD IN PARENTHESIS Jaelon Acklin ........................................2018 Jack Atchason ......................................1960 Bill Larson ............................................1960 BUFFALO BILLS Larry Garron .................................. 1960-68 Booker Edgerson ........................... 1962-69 Gary Birch ............................................1975