RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Hovey Field, located on the campus of Virginia Union University (VUU) in Richmond, might not seem like much at first glance. With just 10,000 seats nestled between N. Lombardy Street and Brook Road, it’s easy to assume the stadium is nothing special. However, a deeper look reveals a rich history that stretches over a century and has shaped the lives of generations of football players, fans, and alumni.

Hovey Field has been the heart of VUU football since it was built in 1909. Its creation was driven by George Rice Hovey, the second president of the university. Concerned that VUU’s football team was playing off-site, Hovey decided to invest his own money into building an on-campus stadium. In 1907, he used $7,900 to purchase the land where the field now stands, and two years later, the first football game was played on this historic ground.

Today, Hovey Field stands as the second-oldest college football stadium still in operation, surpassed only by Harvard Stadium. For 115 years, it has been a site of competition, camaraderie, and celebration, all contributing to the legacy of VUU’s football program.

For Coach Alvin Parker, Hovey Field is more than just a stadium — it represents the history and tradition of Virginia Union football.

“It wasn’t always as beautiful as it is now, but its history, its legacy, there have been a lot of championships, a lot of games, and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears put into this field,” Parker said.

Hovey Field’s significance goes beyond the playing field. It has served as a gathering place for alumni and fans, particularly on game days when the atmosphere is electric.

The success of VUU’s football team in recent years has only added to the excitement surrounding Hovey Field. With back-to-back CIAA titles, the Panthers have captured the attention of the local community and beyond. The renewed support for the team is part of a broader resurgence of interest in HBCU football, and Hovey Field plays a central role in this growing movement.

For Parker, Hovey Field represents something bigger than just football.

“That says a lot about the historical factors of VUU and just the whole historical makeup of HBCUs being able to take something and thrive on it and make it better, like we’ve done here,” he said.