Ever felt the thrill of a world record? Right here at Icahn Stadium that feeling is palpable.
Icahn Stadium isn’t just a stadium. It’s a legacy built on the foundations of Downing Stadium. This older stadium hosted the 1936 US Olympic trials. Jesse Owens qualified for the Berlin Olympics there. Downing Stadium also saw the first televised college football game. Fordham played Waynesburg in 1939. The old stadium’s lights even came from Ebbets Field. They illuminate Icahn Stadium today.
Years of use took their toll on Downing Stadium. It was demolished. Icahn Stadium rose in its place. A generous $10 million donation from Carl Icahn made this possible. The new stadium boasts a World Athletics Class 1 track. It’s one of only five in the United States. The 5000-seat stadium hosts countless events. The Adidas Grand Prix is a major annual event. Top athletes from around the globe compete.
Icahn Stadium has witnessed history. Usain Bolt set a world record here in 2008. He ran the 100m in 9.72 seconds. David Rudisha set a US record in the 800m in 2012. The stadium even hosted Major League Lacrosse games and the New York Cosmos Copa NYC tournament.
Today Icahn Stadium is more than just a track and field venue. NYCFC invested $3 million in a new Kentucky bluegrass soccer field. Their reserve team NYCFC II will play there. The stadium’s versatility makes it a popular destination. It serves New York City residents. It hosts youth programs.
Icahn Stadium is more than a place to watch a game. It’s a living testament to athletic achievement. A symbol of community and the power of transformation. It’s a vibrant hub of activity. It’s a place where dreams are chased and records are broken. It’s a true New York City landmark. A place where history continues to unfold.