If you’re a running fan, you’ll want to check out Icahn stadium. This track and field stadium is found on Randall Island park provides opportunities to the athletes who wish to run. The huge blue stadium is located 5 miles out of downtown Manhattan and has a massive history with field runners. Not only this, but the stadium has held many other important sporting events here.
The impressive part of the stadium is that it is located in an area where there are so many other amenities. The games and tournaments held at Icahn help boost the business in the park as well. This blog post will briefly overview Icahn stadium and why it is an important institution and stadium in New York. Our grandson has Spring and Fall lacrosse practices out here, so we will add more to this each time we get a chance.
History of Icahn Stadium and Connection to Downing Stadium
Downing Stadium, initially inaugurated in 1936 as a component of a broader New York City Parks program that included the building of the Triborough Bridge, was then replaced by Icahn Stadium in 2005.
The new stadium is called Icahn Stadium in honor of American industrialist Carl Icahn, who contributed $10 million to its building.
Downing Stadium created history when it hosted the 1936 U.S. Olympic Trials, where Jesse Owens advanced in two events in the forthcoming Berlin Olympics and when it first opened. The first college football game to be shown on television was played at Downing Stadium in 1939 between Fordham and Waynesburg. The New York Cosmos soccer team and other athletic events and summer concerts were subsequently held at the location. Ebbets Field’s stadium lights, which were removed after demolishing, were left to provide lighting in Icahn stadium.
The historic building required renovation after years of use. The old stadium was demolished to unlock the land’s full potential, and Icahn Stadium, Field 10, a soccer field certified by FIFA, was built on its north side. There are only five Class 1-certified tracks in the United States, and the track and field built are one of them (along with Rock Chalk Park, Hayward Field, John McDonell Field, and Hutsell-Rosen Track).
The Layout
The 5,000-seat stadium is lit by two lighting towers and is partially covered by a cantilevered roof. Additionally, a scoreboard, fencing, lights, and bleachers are installed on the soccer field to the north of the stadium for spectator events.
The Icahn stadium has a 400 m “Mondo Super X Performance” running track, “World Athletics Class 1” approved, and it has hosted numerous international, state, and regional sporting events and competitions.
Role Of Icahn in Society Today
Icahn Stadium serves New York City residents as well as those outside the city. It is managed by the Randalls Island Park Alliance (RIPA). It houses parts of the Randalls Island Kids (RIK) summer camp, the Jesse Owens track club, and other RIPA’s Randall’s Island Kids (RIK) programs. As a public-private partnership to advance Randalls Island Park, RIPA was established in 1992.
The Alliance works to recognize the Island’s unique ability by creating recreational and sporting amenities, restoring its massive ecological landscape, recapturing, and preserving parkland, and supporting community-based initiatives for New York City children. This is done in collaboration with the City council as well as the surrounding community. Over 14,000 underprivileged public school students from South Bronx and Harlem participate in free youth sporting events provided by RIPA.
Available Sporting Events
Track Races
Over 200,000 high school, college, and professional athletes and spectators have competed at Icahn Stadium since it opened. The number of scheduled meets and activities has increased yearly, drawing more visitors to the venue.
The Reebok Grand Prix was inaugurated in 2005 and contested there. The yearly summer competition, now referred to as the Adidas Grand Prix of the Diamond League, draws outstanding runners worldwide. It was identified to be one of the best meetings with Olympic and world champions since its inception.
Usain Bolt, the famous Jamaican sprinter, ran the 100 meters in 9.72 seconds on the track at Icahn Stadium on 31st May 2008, breaking the previous record of Asafa Powell by reaching 0.2 seconds earlier on the finish line.
Furthermore, at the Adidas Grand Prix on 9th June 2012, Kenyan sprinter David Rudisha broke the 800m American mark with a performance of 1:41.74 seconds.
Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse’s New York Lizards announced in December 2012 that they would host two of their 2013 home matches at Icahn Stadium. The squad competed at the location on the 6th and 13th of June, 2013. That league has since dispersed, but the PLL has taken a few looks at holding events there in the past years.
Soccer At Icahn Stadium
The final of the New York Cosmos’ annual Cosmos Copa NYC football competition would take place in the stadium, as opposed to Randalls Island, the team announced on 27th June 2013. The final was moved because of scheduling concerns. However, in 2014, the Cosmos Copa playoffs were held at the location.
Role Of Icahn Stadium as a Training Center
Icahn Stadium served as a training facility as part of New York City’s 2012 Summer Olympics bid. Since it already complies with IAAF requirements, prospective New York City Olympic campaigns could use the facility as a training center.
Wrapping It Up
Icahn stadium is a fine place to visit if you are a fan of watching track or field races. In contrast, the training ground provides a world-class surface to run and practice if you are a runner yourself. The top-notch facility is already on the standards of the Olympics, which is an honor in itself.
In addition, the spectators enjoy the Manhattan skyline and east river from their seats. Not only this, but the stadium is also available for rental purposes as well. The 5000-seating capacity can easily accommodate a graduating batch and their families for a graduation ceremony.
Icahn Stadium is worth a visit whether you’re a devoted follower of track races or just seeking a fresh spot to watch sports. The stadium is top-notch, and the scenery is breathtaking. Additionally, everyone in your group will be happy with the food and beverage options. So why are you still waiting?