Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field

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Pratt & Whitney Stadium
Rentschler Field, The Rent
Pratt Whitney Stadium logo.png
Rentschler Field 2017.jpg
Pratt & Whitney Stadium is located in Connecticut
Pratt & Whitney Stadium
Pratt & Whitney Stadium
Location in Connecticut
Former namesRentschler Field (2003–2015)
Location615 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT 06118
Coordinates41°45′35″N 72°37′8″W / 41.75972°N 72.61889°W / 41.75972; -72.61889Coordinates: 41°45′35″N 72°37′8″W / 41.75972°N 72.61889°W / 41.75972; -72.61889
OwnerState of Connecticut
OperatorSpectra[1]
Capacity38,066 (standing room to 40,000, expandable to at least 42,704)
Record attendance42,704 (Sept. 2013)
SurfaceKentucky Bluegrass
Construction
Broke groundOctober 21, 2000[2]
OpenedAugust 30, 2003
Construction cost$91.2 million
($128 million in 2020 dollars[3])
ArchitectEllerbe Becket
Structural engineerBVH Integrated Services[4]
Services engineerDiversified Technology Consultants[5]
General contractorHunt-Gilbane Joint Venture[6]
Tenants
UConn Huskies (NCAA) (2003–present)
Hartford Colonials (UFL) (2010)
Hartford Athletic (USLC) (2019)
Toronto FC (MLS) (2020)
Website
Official Website

Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field is a stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut. It is primarily used for football and soccer, and is the home field of the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies. It may also host the Connecticut Underground of the Freedom Football League; in the fall of 2010, it was home to the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League. The stadium, which opened in 2003, was the first stadium used primarily by an NCAA Division I-A (now FBS) team to open in the 21st century. The permanent stadium capacity is 40,000, consisting of 38,066 permanent seats with a standing-room area in the scoreboard plaza that can accommodate up to 1,934 people. It also has a game day capability to add approximately 2,000 temporary seats as it did for UConn football vs. Michigan in 2013. Connecticut played on campus at Memorial Stadium in Storrs, before 2003.

Rentschler Field was originally the name of the company airfield for Pratt & Whitney that formerly occupied the site. The airfield, which began operations in 1931, was named after Frederick Rentschler, who founded Pratt & Whitney in 1925 and also founded its parent company, United Technologies. It was originally used for test flights and maintenance operations, and later for corporate aviation. The 75-acre (30 ha) site was decommissioned as an airport in the 1990s, and donated to the state of Connecticut by United Technologies in 1999. A subsequent 65-acre donation by United Technologies in 2009 allowed for the construction of additional grass parking lots adjacent to the Stadium.

Pursuant to a lease agreement with the State, UConn plays all its home football games at Rentschler Field.

History[]

The New England Patriots considered moving to Connecticut and sharing a stadium with the UConn football team in the mid-1990s. The new stadium was supposed to be built on the Connecticut Convention Center site in downtown Hartford. However, when the Patriots completed the deal for Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, the Hartford stadium plan was scaled down and the location was moved to East Hartford. The current capacity of 40,000 can expand to 50,000 with limited rehabilitation and has the layout and design for expansion of up to 60,000 seats in the future.[7]

The stadium is owned by the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management, while operations are overseen by the quasi-public Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA). Global Spectrum, L.P. has managed the building on behalf of CRDA since 2013. Previously, the Stadium was managed by Bushnell Management Services (2011-2013), Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG)(2007-2011) and Madison Square Garden L.P. (2003-2007).

Prior to the 2013 season, a new 28 feet high by 73 feet wide and a 15HD pixel video display was installed replacing the stadiums original scoreboard.[8]

On July 16, 2015, it was announced that the stadium had been named Pratt & Whitney Stadium in a deal between Pratt & Whitney and UConn. The playing surface is still named Rentschler Field.[9] In return, Pratt and Whitney donated additional land that will be used for game day parking.

Connecticut Huskies[]

Rentschler Field during the North Carolina at UConn football game, 2009

The UConn Huskies football team has an all time 62–53 record at Rentschler Field.

Year Record
2003 5–1
2004 6–1
2005 4–2
2006 3–4
2007 7–0
2008 4–2
2009 4–2
2010 6–0
2011 4–3
2012 3–3
2013 2–5
2014 2–5
2015 4–2
2016 3–4
2017 2–4
2018 1–5
2019 1–5
2021 1–5

Sellouts[]

Date Opponent Result Seats
September 13, 2003 Boston College L 14-24 40,000
November 8, 2003 Rutgers W 38-31 40,000
September 11, 2004 Duke W 22-20 40,000
September 25, 2004 Army W 40-3 40,000
September 30, 2004 Pittsburgh W 29-17 40,000
October 13, 2004 #17 West Virginia L 19-31 40,000
October 23, 2004 Temple W 45-31 40,000
November 20, 2004 Buffalo W 29-0 40,000
September 1, 2005 Buffalo W 38-0 40,000
September 10, 2005 Liberty W 59-0 40,000
October 7, 2005 Syracuse W 26-7 40,000
October 22, 2005 Rutgers L 24-26 40,000
November 26, 2005 South Florida W 15-10 40,000
December 3, 2005 #16 Louisville L 20-30 40,000
September 16, 2006 Wake Forest L 13-24 40,000
September 30, 2006 Navy L 17-41 40,000
October 20, 2006 #4 West Virginia L 11-37 40,000
November 11, 2006 Pittsburgh W 46-453OT 40,000
October 19, 2007 Louisville W 21-17 40,000
October 27, 2007 #11 South Florida W 22-15 40,000
November 3, 2007 Rutgers W 38-19 40,000
November 17, 2007 Syracuse W 30-7 40,000
September 13, 2008 Virginia W 45-10 40,000
October 25, 2008 Cincinnati W 40-16 40,000
November 1, 2008 West Virginia L 35-13 40,000
October 17, 2009 Louisville W 38-25 40,000
November 28, 2009 Syracuse W 56-31 40,000
October 2, 2010 Vanderbilt W 40-21 40,000
October 29, 2010 West Virginia W 16-13OT 40,000
November 27, 2010 Cincinnati W 38-17 40,000
September 21, 2013 #15 Michigan L 24-21 42,704

[10]

Soccer[]

Hartford Athletic[]

On March 11, 2019, it was announced that the renovations at Dillon Stadium would not be completed on time for Hartford Athletic's home opener on May 4 against Charlotte Independence.[11] Hartford Athletic played seven games at Pratt & Whitney Stadium.

Date Teams Attendance
May 4, 2019 Hartford Athletic United States 1–1 United States Charlotte Independence 11,346
May 10, 2019 Hartford Athletic United States 1–2 United States Memphis 901 FC 5,045
May 25, 2019 Hartford Athletic United States 1–1 Canada Ottawa Fury FC 5,346
June 1, 2019 Hartford Athletic United States 1–1 United States North Carolina FC 5,003
June 8, 2019 Hartford Athletic United States 2–1 United States Saint Louis FC 5,132
June 16, 2019 Hartford Athletic United States 2–3 United States Nashville SC 4,489
June 29, 2019 Hartford Athletic United States 0–3 United States Bethlehem Steel FC 5,012

Major League Soccer[]

On September 23, 2017, New York City FC played a home match at Pratt & Whitney Stadium, against the Houston Dynamo, in the stadium's first Major League Soccer game. The game was relocated from Yankee Stadium in New York City due to a schedule conflict with the New York Yankees.[12]

On September 11, 2020, Governor Ned Lamont announced that Toronto FC would finish their season's home matches at Pratt & Whitney Stadium due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.[13]

Date Teams Competition Attendance
September 23, 2017 New York City FC United States 1–1 United States Houston Dynamo MLS 10,165
September 27, 2020 Toronto FC Canada 3–1 United States Columbus Crew MLS
Trillium Cup		 –
October 3, 2020 Toronto FC Canada 2–1 United States Philadelphia Union MLS –
October 14, 2020 Toronto FC Canada 1–1 United States New York Red Bulls MLS –
October 18, 2020 Toronto FC Canada 1–0 United States Atlanta United FC MLS –
October 28, 2020 Toronto FC Canada 0–1 United States New York City FC MLS –
November 1, 2020 Toronto FC Canada 2–1 United States Inter Miami CF MLS 1,394
November 24, 2020 Toronto FC Canada 0–1 United States Nashville SC MLS Cup
Playoff 1st Round		 –

United States men's national soccer team[]

Rentschler Field has hosted several United States men's national soccer team's home games, including Landon Donovan's last game for the National Team on October 10, 2014.[14]

Date Teams Competition Attendance
August 17, 2005 United States  1–0  Trinidad and Tobago 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification - CONCACAF Fourth Round 25,488
May 30, 2006 United States  1–0  Latvia Friendly 22,455
May 25, 2010 United States  2–4  Czech Republic Friendly 36,000
July 16, 2013 United States  1–0  Costa Rica 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup 25,432
October 10, 2014 United States  1–1  Ecuador Friendly 36,265
July 1, 2017 United States  2–1  Ghana Friendly 28,754
October 16, 2018 United States  1–1  Peru Friendly 24,959

United States women's national soccer team[]

Rentschler Field has also hosted several United States women's national soccer team's home games.

Date Teams Competition Attendance
Aug. 1, 2004 United States  3–1  China PR Friendly 15,093
July 14, 2007 United States  1–0  Norway Friendly 9,957
July 17, 2010 United States  3–0  Sweden Friendly 5,570
October 23, 2012 United States  2–2  Germany Friendly 18,870
June 19, 2014 United States  2–2  France Friendly 14,695
April 6, 2016 United States  7–0  Colombia Friendly 21,792
July 29, 2018 United States  1–1  Australia 2018 Tournament of Nations 21,570
July 1, 2021 United States  4–0  Mexico Friendly 21,637
July 5, 2021 United States  4–0  Mexico Friendly 27,758

Other Matches Hosted[]

Date Teams Competition Attendance
July 27, 2004 Liverpool F.C. England 5–1 Scotland Celtic F.C. Champions World Soccer Series Two 2004 24,271
July 16, 2013 Cuba  4–0  Belize 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup 25,432
July 29, 2018 Japan  1–2  Brazil 2018 Tournament of Nations 13,027

Hartford Colonials[]

2008
2008
Rentschler Field scoreboard in 2010 (Replaced with $1.7 mil, 28 ft X 73 ft w/ 15 HD pixel board in 2013)

The Hartford Colonials were a United Football League team that played their home games at Rentschler Field. During their (2010 UFL season), the Colonials played all four home games at Rentschler, after having played one there the previous season while they were known as the New York Sentinels. Attendance at Colonials games averaged a consistent 15,000 people, third place in the five-team league behind Omaha and Sacramento. The UFL suspended the Colonials franchise in 2011 and the franchise was officially terminated when the team's former owner (Bill Mayer) was named as the new owner of the Virginia Destroyers.[15]

Date Opponent Result Score Attendance
Saturday, September 18, 2010 Sacramento Mountain Lions W 27–10 14,384
Saturday, October 9, 2010 Florida Tuskers L 20–33 14,468
Saturday, October 16, 2010 Omaha Nighthawks L 14–19 14,056
Saturday, November 20, 2010 Las Vegas Locomotives W 27–14 14,554

Lacrosse[]

On May 19, 2019, Rentschler Field hosted the Quarterfinals for the 2019 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship.[16] In 2021 and 2022, Rentschler Field will host the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship for Divisions I, II, and III.

Date Tournament Result Spectators
May 19, 2019 2019 NCAA Division I Men's Quarterfinals Penn State 21-14 Loyola 8,568
Yale 19-18 (OT) Penn

Rugby union[]

On June 4, 2005, Rentschler Field hosted two rugby union matches; Wales vs USA Rugby and the 2005 U.S. Rugby Super League Championship game, between New York Athletic Club Rugby Football Club and Belmont Shore RFC in front of 8,027. Wales would defeat the US 77–3 and NYAC would defeat Belmont Shore 23–19.

Date Winner Score Opponent League Competition Attendance
June 4, 2005 Wales  77–3  United States IRB Friendly 8,027[17]
NYAC New York (state) 23–19 California Belmont Shore USRSL Championship

Whalers Hockey Fest[]

On August 24, 2010, a fan event, called Whalers Fan Fest, occurred, featuring many of the former players, draws were close to 5,000 people on a Saturday afternoon.

"Whale Bowl"

From February 11 to the 20th, 2011, the stadium hosted the Whalers Hockey Fest 2011. A hockey rink was constructed on the field much like is done for the annual NHL Winter Classic. Events included a Hartford Whalers Alumni vs. Boston Bruins Alumni game, with an appearance from the Hanson Brothers, from the film Slap Shot, a double-header featuring both UConn men's and women's hockey teams, a Hockey Legends team faced off against the Mystery, Alaska Hollywood team, along with the Hanson Brothers from the movie Slap Shot,[18] and the second edition of the American Hockey League Outdoor Classic between the host Connecticut Whale and the Providence Bruins. Over 15,000 fans came out to watch the so-called "Whale Bowl", while over 1,700 attended the UConn men's game.

Date League Away Team Home Team Score Attendance
February 13, 2011 Atlantic Hockey Sacred Heart Pioneers (M) UConn Huskies (M) 3-1 1,911
Hockey East Providence Friars (W) UConn Huskies (W) 4-3 153
February 15, 2011 NESCAC Wesleyan Cardinals (W) Trinity Bantams (W) 5-1 100
NESCAC Wesleyan Cardinals (M) Trinity Bantams (M) 3-1 820
February 19, 2011 Atlantic Hockey Army Black Knights (M) AIC Yellow Jackets (M) 4–1 1,142
NHL Alumni Boston Bruins Alumni Hartford Whalers Alumni 4–4 10,000
AHL Providence Bruins Connecticut Whale 5–4 (SO) 21,673

Concerts[]

Date Artist Opening act(s) Tour / Concert name Attendance Gross Notes
September 16, 2003 Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band The Rising Tour 51,569 $3,788,325 [19]
September 18, 2003 66,000 [20]
August 26, 2005 The Rolling Stones Maroon 5 A Bigger Bang Tour [21]
July 31, 2007 The Police Fiction Plane The Police Reunion Tour 32,450 $3,318,015 [22]
September 15, 2018 A Will Away UConn Fan Fest [23]

See also[]

  • List of NCAA Division I FBS football stadiums

References[]

  1. ^ Doyle, Paul (July 17, 2013). "Global Spectrum Pleased With Its First Event At Rentschler". Hartford Courant. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  2. ^ "Ground Broken on UConn Stadium". Record-Journal. Meriden, CT. Associated Press. October 21, 2000. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  3. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  4. ^ "Rentschler Field Division I Football Stadium". BVH Integrated Services. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  5. ^ "Rentschler Stadium". Diversified Technology Consultants. Archived from the original on September 5, 2004. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  6. ^ Sedlak, Melissa (September 1, 2003). "Sales Records Fall at UConn Stadium". SportsBusiness Journal. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  7. ^ [1] |Blakeslee Building Solutions
  8. ^ "Scoreboard Unveiled at Rentschler Field". NBC 30. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  9. ^ Rent Being Renamed Pratt & Whitney Stadium At Rentschler Field
  10. ^ 2015 UConn Football Media Guide (PDF). UConn Huskies. p. 121. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  11. ^ "Hartford Athletics to start home schedule at Rentschler Field due to ongoing renovations at Dillon Stadium". Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  12. ^ "NYCFC's Home Game vs Houston Dynamo Relocated to Pratt & Whitney Stadium". New York City FC. August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  13. ^ "Governor Lamont Announces Toronto FC Reaches Agreement With State To Play Home Matches at Pratt & Whitney Stadium". State of Connecticut. September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  14. ^ Drehs, Wayne (December 22, 2014). "The Bitter End". ESPN The Magazine. Boone, Iowa: ESPN The Magazine.
  15. ^ "Omaha And Sacramento To Host Opening Games Of Four-Team 2011 United Football League Season In September" (Press release). UFL Press. August 10, 2011. Archived from the original on September 12, 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2011. The UFL has suspended operations in Hartford, Connecticut, where the Hartford Colonials played the 2010 season at the city’s Rentschler Field stadium. Colonials players will join the other four UFL teams through an allocation draft to be held on Monday, August 15, while head coach Jerry Glanville will assume a new role as a consultant to the league.
  16. ^ "NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Quarterfinals | Rentschler Field".
  17. ^ "Wales tour in Canada/United States of America 2005 2005". espnscrum. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  18. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 25, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. ^ "Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - Sept 16, 2003".
  20. ^ "Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - Sept 18, 2003".
  21. ^ "The Rolling Stones / Maroon 5 - Aug 26, 2005".
  22. ^ "The Police / Fiction Plane - Jul 31, 2007".
  23. ^ "UCONN Fan Fest - Sept 15, 2018".

External links[]

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