The UofL field hockey team christened Trager Stadium on Sept. 22, 2000, with a 3-2 win over Ohio University. Located in Cardinal Park, the artificial turf surface field is one of the few NCAA Division I venues dedicated solely to field hockey.
In the 2022 season, the facility debuted a brand new turf which provided the finishing touch to additional upgrades which included a new state-of-the art video board on the north end of the stadium and secondary scoreboard on the east side. The project was funded through private donations to The New Standard campaign.
The knitted nylon playing surface is unique to AstroTurf and is preferred because it provides tight tolerances, non-directional play through its knitted fabrication and a uniform surface. It is the “original” AstroTurf carpet for field hockey-exclusive fields which are known for their playability, durability and low maintenance. AstroTurf fields have long been regarded as the unequivocal standard for field hockey performance.
The upgrades enhanced an already-elite facility which has served as the host site for six NCAA Division I Championships and three NCAA Division II Championships. In 2002, Trager Stadium became the first University of Louisville facility to host a national championship since the 1969 NCAA men’s basketball Final Four was held at Freedom Hall.
For the three straight years, the University of Louisville’s Trager Stadium was part of the road to the NCAA national championship. In 2019, the Cardinals’ home turf served as a host site for the NCAA first and second rounds after Louisville was selected as the overall No. 4 seed for the first time in program history. Prior to that, Trager Stadium showcased the NCAA Field Hockey Division I Championship in 2018. The 2017 season saw the Cardinals’ home facility house the ACC Championship and help crown the national champions in all three NCAA divisions.
Louisville is no stranger to elite field hockey, having served as the host site for six NCAA Division I Championships (2002, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2017, 2018) and the first and second rounds in 2019. Additionally, Trager Stadium has showcased three NCAA Division II Championships (2010, 2014, 2017).
Trager Stadium was home to the 2006 BIG EAST Championship and served the same role in the 2012 season.
Because of its state-of-the-art features, Trager Stadium is considered a premier championship venue. In August 2008, Trager Stadium underwent an expansion to include the Trager Field Hockey Complex and the Marshall Center. The entire project encompassed 14,350 square feet an includes a 1,500 seat aluminum bleacher system, concession stand and public restrooms.
The Trager Field Hockey Complex houses offices for the field hockey coaches and staff, locker rooms for home and visiting teams as well as storage and mechanical space. A new watering system and high tech videoboard were also installed recently.
The Marshall Center serves as a strength and conditioning facility for all of Cardinal Athletics’ Olympic Sports. The first floor is home to a 7,000 square-foot weight and strength training area, while the second floor of the facility contains over 1,000 square feet dedicated to cardio training.
A climate-controlled press box was built prior to the 2002 NCAA Championship, which brought in several local and national media representatives.
