Trinity Health Stadium Explained

Trinity Health Stadium
Former Names:Dillon Stadium (1935–2022)
Logo Image:Trinity Health Stadium.png
Location:250 Huyshope Ave Hartford, Connecticut 06106
Renovated:2018–2019
Operator:City of Hartford
Surface:Seeded grass (1935–2018)
FieldTurf (2019–present)[1]
Capacity:Football and Soccer:
9,600[2] (1935–2019)
5,500,[3] expandable to 10,000[4] (2019–)
Concerts:
20,000 (1935–2019)
10,000 (2019–)
Dimensions:115 x 74 yards
Tenants:
American footballHartford Charter Oaks (ACFL/COFL) 1964–1968
Hartford Knights (ACFL/SFL) 1968–1973
Connecticut Crushers (NWFA/IWFL) 2001–2010
New England Nightmare (WFA) 2010–2012
  • SoccerHartford S.C. (ASL) 1964–1968
    Connecticut Yankees (ASL) 1972–1978
    Hartford Bicentennials (NASL) 1975–1976
    Hartford Athletic (USLC) 2019–present
    UConn Huskies (men's & women's) (NCAA) 2019
    AC Connecticut (USL2) 2021–2023
    Hartford City FC (NPSL) 2022–present
  • Ultimate FrisbeeNew York Empire (UFA) 2024 (selected matches)

    • Trinity Health Stadium[5] (formerly Dillon Stadium) is a multipurpose facility in Hartford, Connecticut. It has been host to concerts and sporting events. It was formerly the home of the New England Nightmare of the Women's Football Alliance (WFA).[6] It is now the home of USL Championship club Hartford Athletic. The UConn Huskies men's and women's soccer teams played a majority of their 2019 matches at Dillon Stadium after starting their seasons at Al-Marzook Field in West Hartford, Connecticut.[7] [8]

    Sports

    Football

    Dillon Stadium was built in 1935. Formerly named Municipal Stadium, it was renamed in 1956 after James H. Dillon, the City's recreation director. [9] Dillon Stadium was the home of two minor league football teams in the 1960s and 70s: the Hartford Charter Oaks of the Atlantic Coast Football League and Continental Football League, owned by the Brewer family, and the Hartford Knights, also of the ACFL and Seaboard Football League. Dillon is now used primarily for high school football teams, including the Bulkeley Bulldogs, the Sport Medical Tigers, the Prince Tech Falcons, and the Capital Prep Trailblazers. Dillon also hosts the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Game between Hartford Public Owls and the Weaver Beavers. Lights were added in 1964 to accommodate the Oaks. The stadium also hosted occasional club-level college football games hosted by the University of Hartford. The Hartford Colonials of the United Football League, in part because of a change of management at Rentschler Field, experienced significant delays in renewing their lease for the 2011 season and had backup plans to relocate to Dillon Stadium (or Willow Brook Park), although neither venue was believed to be ideal for the UFL.[10] The Colonials did sign a deal with Rentschler in June, but suspended operations on August 10, 2011; the league later folded it outright.

    Soccer

    International matches

    DateTeamsMatch TypeAttendanceNotes
    September 9, 1973 1–0 International Friendly 4,200 [11]
    June 21, 1975 Hartford Bicentennials 0–2 Friendly 10,746 [12]
    June 8, 1977 Connecticut Bicentennials 0–2 Lazio Friendly 3,154 [13]
    August 17, 2019 Hartford Athletic 5–1 Friendly 4,685 [14]
    October 26, 2019 Hartford Athletic 1–2 Portmore United F.C. Friendly – [15]
    July 21, 2023 Friendly – [16]
    C.D. Olimpia 0–1 C.S.D. Municipal Friendly – [17]
    July 16, 2024 Olancho FC 1–2 C.S.D. Municipal Friendly –
    Friendly –

    Professional matches

    DateTeamsMatch TypeAttendanceNotes
    December 3, 1973 Hartford Hellenic 3-2 New Haven City –
    October 10, 2020 Hartford Athletic 0–1 Saint Louis FC 2,194 [18]
    March 22, 2022 Hartford City FC 0–3 Oyster Bay United FC 200 [19]
    April 7, 2022 Hartford Athletic 3–1 Oyster Bay United FC 1,634 [20]
    April 20, 2022 Hartford Athletic 1–2 New York Red Bulls 5,144 [21]
    March 23, 2023 Hartford City FC 1–2 Lansdowne Yonkers FC 500 [22]
    April 4, 2023 500 [23]
    April 17, 2024 Hartford Athletic 2-3 New York City FC II 2,552 [24]

    College

    DateTeamsCompetitionAttendance
    September 8, 2019 Boston University Terriers 1–3 UConn Huskies Non-conference 328
    September 15, 2019 Harvard Crimson 3–1 UConn Huskies Non-conference 567
    September 17, 2019 Manhattan Jaspers 1–2 UConn Huskies Non-conference 1,221
    September 20, 2019 Columbia Lions 3–2 UConn Huskies Non-conference 2,241
    September 26, 2019 East Carolina Pirates 1–0 UConn Huskies 457
    September 26, 2019 Cincinnati Bearcats 1–0 UConn Huskies Conference 0
    October 4, 2019 Memphis Tigers 1–0 UConn Huskies 1,007
    October 8, 2019 Providence Friars 2–1 UConn Huskies Non-conference 758
    October 10, 2019 Houston Cougars 1–2 UConn Huskies Conference 216
    October 13, 2019 Southern Methodist Mustangs 0–1 UConn Huskies Conference 2,109
    October 20, 2019 Central Florida Knights 2–1 UConn Huskies Conference 1,625
    October 31, 2019 Temple Owls 1–1 UConn Huskies Conference 561
    November 5, 2019 Tulsa Golden Hurricane 3–6 UConn Huskies Conference 1,114

    Rugby

    DateTeamsMatch TypeAttendanceNotes
    June 19, 1982 59–0 9,000 [25]
    July 3, 2004 39–31 Friendly 5,840 [26]
    Trinity Health Stadium has hosted rugby on multiple occasions; including hosting the US men's national team and club nationals. In 1984, the USA Rugby Club National Championship was held at Trinity Health Stadium between Dallas Harlequin and Los Angeles Rugby Club with Dallas coming out victorious with a final score of 31-12.[27] The venue would then host the USA Rugby Club Sevens National Championship Series on August 21 and 23, 1993.[28] Old Blue R.F.C. would defeat the Kansas City Blues 40-22 to secure the national championship.

    Ultimate frisbee

    DateVisiting TeamScoreHome TeamLeagueAttendanceNotes
    June 29, 2024 14-25 -- [29]
    July 20, 2024 24-20 New York Empire UFA

    Renovation

    Hartford City FC, a projected indoor soccer franchise that also hoped to compete in the outdoor North American Soccer League, announced plans to reconstruct Dillon Stadium to create a 15,000 seat soccer-only stadium for the 2017 season.

    In 2014, the city awarded a $12 million contract to Premier Sports Management to redevelop the stadium in hopes of attracting a professional soccer team. The company was unable to interest various soccer leagues and instead partnered with an outside investor seeking to build a larger stadium on the site with city funding.[30] However, the city ended the project in October 2015 over financial and legal concerns with the investment group, who were later found guilty of embezzling $1 million from the redevelopment fund.[31] [32]

    On February 17, 2018, the State Bond Commission approved $10 million in public funding. This would help the Hartford Sports Group establish a USL club in 2019.[33]

    Concerts

    On June 27, 1966, The Rolling Stones played in Dillon Stadium, supported by The McCoys (with their up-and-coming guitarist, Rick Derringer). Near the end of the Stones' performance, fans rushed the stage, so electricity to the amplifiers was cut. Mick Jagger threw his microphone stand out into the crowd, and the Stones then left the venue, as fans began breaking chairs. Police gathered the crowd towards the exits.

    The Beach Boys performed there in 1972 and again in 1973.[34]

    On July 16, 1972, the Grateful Dead played in Dillon Stadium and were joined on stage by Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley and Jai Johanny Johanson of the Allman Brothers. Their July 31, 1974, performance at the field was released as an album titled Dave's Picks Volume 2.[35]

    DateArtistOpening act(s)Tour / Concert nameAttendanceGrossNotes
    June 27, 1966 [36]
    July 16, 1972 Summer 1972 14,000 [37]
    August 18, 1972 The Beach Boys
    The Kinks
    Phlorescent Leech & Eddie     		14,000 [38]
    August 20, 1972 [39]
    September 25, 1972 [40]
    June 23, 1973 [41]
    August 17, 1973
    August 24, 1973 The Beach Boys [42]
    July 31, 1974 Grateful Dead Summer 1974 20,000 [43]
    August 26, 1974 [44]
    August 29, 1974 [45]
    May 26, 1976 [46]

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Dillon Stadium rebuild called 'important' to Hartford's rebirth . November 19, 2018 . . Tony . Terzi.
    2. Web site: Colt Park and Dillon Stadium.
    3. News: What's next for Dillon Stadium and Hartford Athletic? A turf field, players and more . November 21, 2018 . Shawn . McFarland . . November 19, 2018.
    4. Web site: Football, The Rolling Stones, elephants and soccer: A look at Dillon Stadium through the years.. Shawn. McFarland. courant.com. July 12, 2019 .
    5. Web site: Hartford Athletic and Trinity Health Of New England Announce Stadium Naming Rights Partnership.
    6. News: Menard . Vonda . New England NightMare Football Season Opener . April 5, 2013 . Hartford Courant . April 5, 2013.
    7. Web site: 2019 Men's Soccer Schedule . University of Connecticut Athletics . November 9, 2019 . en.
    8. Web site: 2019 Women's Soccer Schedule . University of Connecticut Athletics . November 10, 2019 . en.
    9. News: Dillon . James . City to place Dillon's Name on Stadium in Park . January 13, 2022 . Hartford Courant . 25 April 1956.
    10. News: Doyle . Paul . 2011-06-09 . Hartford Colonials Announce 2011 Schedule; Still Seek Home Field Agreement . Hartford Courant . 2011-06-10.
    11. Web site: USA v Bermuda, 09 September 1973 . 11v11.com . Association of Football Statisticians (AFS).
    12. Web site: Morrison . Dave . NASL Friendlies-Hartford Bicentennials . NASLjerseys.com.
    13. Web site: Morrison . Dave . Lazio Defeats Bicentennials, 2–0 . NASLjerseys.com.
    14. Web site: PREVIEW: Athletic Welcome Puerto Rico National Team to Hartford. August 16, 2019. Hartford Athletic.
    15. Web site: Hartford Athletic To Host Portmore United FC of Jamaican National Premier League. September 24, 2019. Hartford Athletic.
    16. 3 August 2023 . limited . Register . 1682557191662841857 . motaguacom .
    17. 3 August 2023 . limited . Register . 1682595305768853505 . rojos_municipal .
    18. Web site: Hartford Athletic vs. Saint Louis FC – October 10, 2020 . USLChampionship.com.
    19. Web site: HARTFORD CITY VS. OYSTER BAY UNITED 0 – 3 . us.soccerway.com.
    20. Web site: HARTFORD ATHLETIC VS. OYSTER BAY UNITED 3 – 1 . us.soccerway.com.
    21. Web site: HARTFORD ATHLETIC VS. NEW YORK RB 1 – 2 . us.soccerway.com.
    22. Web site: Hartford City FC vs Landsowne Yonkers FC . espn.com.
    23. Web site: Hartford Athletic vs Landsowne Yonkers FC . mlssoccer.com.
    24. Web site: Hartford Athletic vs New York City FC II . mlssoccer.com.
    25. Web site: England XV tour in Canada/United States of America 1982 1982 . espnscrum . 1 May 2021.
    26. Web site: FRANCE TOUR – Hartford, 3 July 2004, 13:00 local, 17:00 GMT . espnscrum . 1 May 2021.
    27. Web site: 1984 USA Rugby National Club Championship – Dallas Harlequins vs LA . August 30, 2019 . 17 October 2023.
    28. Web site: 1993 USA Rugby National Club 7s Championship Series . 17 October 2023.
    29. Web site: Salt Lake vs New York . 12 July 2024.
    30. News: Kauffman . Matthew . Carlesso . Jenna . February 23, 2018 . Mitchell Anderson Receives Six-Month Sentence in Dillon Stadium Fraud . Hartford Courant . May 10, 2018.
    31. News: Goldman . Ben . May 9, 2018 . Hartford recovers $510,000 lost in Dillon Stadium deal . WTIC-TV . May 10, 2018.
    32. News: Kauffman . Matthew . Carlesso . Jenna . December 6, 2017 . Ex-Dillon Stadium Developer James Duckett Gets 36 Months In Prison . Hartford Courant . May 10, 2018.
    33. News: CRDA Backs Woodbridge Businessman For Dillon Stadium Renovation . November 30, 2017 . Jenna . Carlesso . November 30, 2017 . Hartford Courant.
    34. Web site: Dillon Stadium, Hartford, CT, USA Concert Setlists – setlist.fm. www.setlist.fm.
    35. Web site: Mark . Leone . Grateful Dead Set Lists . Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science.
    36. Web site: The Rolling Stones . rocktourdatabase.com . Venue: Dillon Stadium.
    37. News: Regan . Michael . Heat Only Problem at 'Dead' Concert . 2 August 2020 . The Hartford Courant . July 17, 1972.
    38. Web site: The Doors – Hartford – Dillon Stadium 1972 . MildEquator.com.
    39. Web site: Jefferson Airplane – Aug. 20, 1972 . concertarchives.org . Venue: Dillon Stadium.
    40. Web site: Yes . rocktourdatabase.com . Venue: Dillon Stadium.
    41. Web site: The Allman Brothers Band / The Marshall Tucker Band / Sons of Champlin – June 23, 1973 . concertarchives.org . Venue: Dillon Stadium.
    42. Web site: The Beach Boys / Poco / Jonathan Edwards – Aug. 24, 1973 . concertarchives.org . Venue: Dillon Stadium.
    43. Web site: Dave's Picks Vol. 2 . The Best Of Website . 3 August 2020 . From the Grateful Dead Website... The show in question is a three-set wonder from Hartford's Dillon Stadium during the heart of the Wall of Sound era, July 31, 1974, four days after the release of the Dead's fine Mars Hotel album. Dwarfed by the Wall's irregular columns of speakers on a hot and humid Wednesday afternoon, the band thrilled the sold-out crowd of 20,000 with a far-ranging collection of tunes and jams that showed how far they'd come as musicians, songwriters and interpreters of others' songs in their decade together..
    44. Web site: Deep Purple / ELF / Aerosmith – Aug. 26, 1974 . concertarchives.org . Venue: Dillon Stadium.
    45. Web site: Loggins & Messina / The Doobie Brothers – Aug. 29, 1974 . concertarchives.org . Venue: Dillon Stadium.
    46. Web site: Tex Nugent – May 26, 1976 . concertarchives.org . Venue: Dillon Stadium.

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