Location Tampa, Florida Renovated 1998, 2008 Capacity 4,000 (all-seated) | Operator USF Opened 1978 | |
Surface Grass (field), Mondo track surface (track) Address USF Elm Drive, Tampa, FL 33617, USA Owner University of South Florida Similar USF Sun Dome, University of South Florida, USF Baseball Stadium, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Stadium | ||
Opening night at the new usf soccer stadium
The USF Soccer Stadium was built in 1978. The stadium is currently home to the men's and women's track and field teams from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. It also hosted the school's men's and women's soccer programs through the end of their 2010 seasons.
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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 final twice, and the C-USA track and field championships as well.
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 preseason 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 1991, Claudio Reyna led the Bruce Arena-coached Virginia Cavaliers to a penalty kicks victory over the Santa Clara Broncos for the NCAA Div. I title in the last championship hosted at the stadium.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies played one 1990 playoff game there before using the facility full-time in 1991 and 1992 for home games while playing in the American Professional Soccer League. The Tampa Bay Cyclones of the USISL played most of their home games there in 1995 and 1996 before moving to Jacksonville.
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 the fall of 2010, USF began construction on a new soccer stadium. The new Corbett Soccer Stadium hosted its first match on August 23, 2011, as the Bulls men's team defeated the crosstown rival University of Tampa Spartans 2–1 in the annual preseason Rowdies Cup. The original stadium remains in use as a track and field facility and for other events.