1 HANSON FIELD Hanson Field, home of the Fighting Leathernecks, is nestled HANSON FIELD QUICK FACTS in the heart of the Western Illinois University campus. Dedicated ...................................Sept. 23, 1950 Surface ...Matrix Turf (Installed Summer 2011) Named after former Leatherneck football, basketball and Capacity.................................................. 16,368 baseball coach and athletics director Ray “Rock” Hanson, the All-time record ................................ 233-117-7 First game ..................................Sept. 23, 1950 stadium, then located at the far north end of campus, was (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 Games .............Attend. .........Per game of campus, just north of the University Union and east of the 1. 1973 5 .......................69,075................ 13,815 Leslie F. Malpass Library. Western Hall, home to the Western 2. 2003 6 .......................77,426................ 12,904 3. 2004 5 .......................63,942................ 12,788 Illinois Department of Athletics, is located to the north, while 4. 1976 5 .......................63,344................ 12,669 5. 2007 6 .......................75,540................ 12,590 academic buildings and residence halls are located, west, 6. 1975 5 .......................60,671................ 12,134 northwest and southwest. 7. 1971 6 .......................72,038................ 12,006 8. 1970 6 .......................70,800................ 11,800 9. 1972 5 .......................58,227................ 11,645 The stadium has seen several renovations throughout the 10. 1969 5 .......................56,150................ 11,230 11. 2010 6 .......................66,573................ 11,096 years, most recently the installation of a video board and new 12. 2001 5 .......................55,224................ 11,045 13. 2006 5 .......................53,506................ 10,701 scoreboard in 2014. A Western Illinois University arch was 14. 2005 6 .......................63,310................ 10,552 installed right above the scoreboard during the 2014 season. 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 19. 2008 6 .......................57,743.................. 9,624 is one of the field surfaces used at Cowboys Stadium by the 20. 1977 5 .......................48,019.................. 9,604 Dallas Cowboys, installed by Hellas Construction. The Hanson SINGLE-GAME ATTENDANCE RECORDS Field renovation project also included: removal of the current Opponent .................................... Attend. grass surface and the track and field jump pits, installation 1. 1973 Central Michigan ......................... 19,850 of Matrix Turf and renovation of the field events area. The 2. 2003 Southern Illinois .......................... 19,287 3. 1972 Mankato State ............................. 18,900 installation of a javelin runway, four new pits for long jump 4. 1971 Illinois State ................................. 18,700 and triple jump, and redesigning the discus/shot put area put 5. 2003 Western Kentucky ....................... 18,263 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 9. 2012 Illinois State ................................. 16,033 The east side received a $5 million face-lift prior to the 10. 2004 Youngstown State ........................ 15,984 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. Hanson Field seats 16,368 fans, however, the extensive hillside surrounding the playing field allows for thousands more to enjoy a game. Some local residents can view the field from their homes on Stadium Drive, which borders the stadium to the east. A record crowd of 19,850 watched the Leathernecks defeat Central Michigan on Oct. 20, 1973. 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 ............................... 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 Wayne DeSutter ...................................1966 Dave Tipton .................................... 1975-76 NFL PRO BOWL Gary Birch ............................................1974 Bryan Cox (1-0) ....................................2001 Bryan Cox - Miami Dolphins .....1993, 1995, 1996 Don Beebe (0-4) ............................. 1989-94 Rodney Harrison (2-1) .................... 2003-08 Rodney Harrison - San Diego Chargers .....1999, 2002 CAROLINA PANTHERS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS Frank Winters - Green Bay Packers ............1997 Don Beebe ............................................1995 Gunnard Twyner ............................. 1997-98 Mike Wagner - Pittsburgh Steelers ... 1975, 1976 Jason Williams ............................... 2010-14 Bryan Cox .............................................2002 Aaron Stecker ................................ 2004-08 CHICAGO BEARS Herb Donaldson ...................................2009 Bruce McCray ......................................1987 NFL DRAFT Fabien Bownes ......................1995, 1997-98 NEW YORK GIANTS Year Player Rd Team .......... Pick Bryan Cox ....................................... 1996-97 Greg Lawson .................................. 1977-78 1952 Art Hudson 29 Detroit ............ -- Frank Winters ......................................1989 1961 Mike McFarland 20 Minnesota ...... -- CINCINNATI BENGALS Lamar McGriggs ............................ 1991-92 1962 Leroy Jackson 1 Cleveland ....... -- Mark Tigges .........................................1987 William James ............................... 2001-05 1966 Wayne DeSutter 6 Detroit ............ -- Gunnard Twyner ...................................1997 Rich Seubert (1-0) .......................... 2001-10 Jim Jackson 13 San Francisco