The playoffs started in 1974.I was surprised to see Rockne host a playoff game.So I was wondering.Gately,Hanson,Rockne,Lane have hosted IHSA playoff games.Have Eckersall,Winnemac,Stagg ever hosted a IHSA playoff game? Also do they still play Frosh/Football games at Dan Ryan Woods.I know they used to.Also Do they still play Football games at Kroc Field? I read about it not long ago but have not heard of anybody playing there anymore. Hales still host some games each year & Plunkett Athletic Complex which sounds new plus it looks like many schools are building their own fields now which is nice.
Were IHSA playoff games ever played at these sites? Other Stadium Questions
- Thread starter superac777
- Start date
MC played Springfield Centennial at Eckersall in the mid to late 90s. We were also the visiting team there against a CPS team at least once in the same era.
2001 the St. Rita Mustangs played the Mather Rangers @ Winnemac Stadium in the first round of the state playoffs.
I knew Gately was closed awhile for renovations so maybe that opened things up for other stadiums.
I haven't been there in over 10 years, it was horrible then, it has got to be atrocious now.
Why haven't they replaced it like Gately and Lane ?
No clue why Raby is playing a state semi final at that dump called Hanson Stadium...that game should be at Gately or at worse Lane Tech. Nothing is happening Saturday. If anything make their game a doubleheader with the CPS Prep Bowl Final. Proximity to Raby should not matter
A college classmate (who had gone to Weber and played at Hanson) related stories to me from his dad and grand-dad about the huge crowds that would attend prep games at Hanson after World War II.
Technically that was Champaign Centennial in '98. Also played Oswego there in 5A semi in '99 ,Rock Island in '96 and Simeon '97.
Last edited:
When I started freelancing for the Southtown, I remember covering JCA-Harper in the first round of the '96 playoffs at Stagg. I also covered some Carmel games at Eckersall including the Champaign Centennial game that was previously mentioned. Also, I think the '95 Rita-Lake View game I covered was at Winnemac.
IMO Hanson should be shut down until the turf is replaced. Right now there are 2 inch or more gaps in between some of the numbers and tears all over. Find a donor if necessary if money can be found by the park district to build turf soccer fields all over then I'm sure there's money for field turf at hanson.
It's unique: they re-surfaced the track, leaving it a quarter mile, and it still has a 200-yard straight.
