Pioneer Stadium is a stadium owned and operated by California State University, East Bay in Hayward, California, United States. It currently hosts the East Bay Pioneers soccer and track and field teams.[1]

Pioneer Stadium
Interior view of the stadium in 2010
Map
AddressHayward, CA
United States
Coordinates37°39′26″N 122°03′38″W / 37.6572968°N 122.0606697°W / 37.6572968; -122.0606697
Public transitBus interchange University Shuttle from
Bay Area Rapid Transit Hayward:  G   O 
Bus interchange AC Transit: 60
OwnerCalifornia State University, East Bay
OperatorCalifornia East Bay Athletics
TypeStadium
Capacity5,000
Field size118 x 75 yards
SurfaceFieldturf
Current useSoccer
Track and field
Construction
Opened1964; 60 years ago (1964)
Renovated2010
Construction cost$1.9 million (renovation)
Project managerJim Zavagno (renovation)
Tenants
Website
eastbaypioneers.com/stadium

The stadium also hosts the East Bay FC Stompers of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) since the team's debut season at this stadium in 2016.[2] In past years, the stadium served as home venue for the East Bay American football team.

History

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Pioneer Stadium hosted the Cal State Hayward Pioneers football (back when the school was called California State University, Hayward). While the football team has historical success, most notably the 1969 team with a 9–1 record,[3] the team later discontinued in 1993 due to financial issues and poor attendance.

 
Stadium's athletics track in 2010

Since then, the stadium and the school have been without a football team. There has been talk of bringing football back to California State University, East Bay, but the possibility of it is unclear.[4][5]

In 1980, the stadium was the initial home field for the Golden Gate Gales of the American Soccer League (ASL).

In 2010, the stadium hosted the short-lived, but successful FC Gold Pride of the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league, until the team discontinued in November of that year.[6]

In April, 2023, due to field conditions at Laney College Stadium, Pioneer Stadium hosted a number of USL Championship games as the home stadium of the Oakland Roots SC,[7] in addition to the Roots' US Open Cup game on April 4 against El Farolito.[8] On May 1, Oakland Roots announced they would play their games at Pioneer Stadium full time for the 2023 season.[9]

Transportation

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The stadium is accessible by the CSUEB Shuttle bus and AC Transit bus route 60. Both of which go from the Hayward BART Station to the bus stop next to the stadium at the intersection of Carlos Bee Blvd. and W. Loop Road.[10][11][12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Cal State East Bay Pioneers Athletics: Pioneer Stadium". www.eastbaypioneers.com. 2017.
  2. ^ "Stompers launch rebranding and relocation initiative". www.npsl.com. February 23, 2016.
  3. ^ "Pioneer Football All-Time Results". 2017.
  4. ^ Duboc, Richard (October 6, 2010). "The Pioneer: Alumni Hoping CSU East Bay Will Start Football". thepioneeronline.com.
  5. ^ Cozart, Leanne (June 6, 2013). "The Pioneer: A Glimpse into CSUEB's Take on Implementing a Football Program". thepioneeronline.com.
  6. ^ "Women's Professional Soccer :: Women's Professional Soccer :: FC Gold Pride :: Pride Announces New Home Stadium". Archived from the original on 2009-12-19. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  7. ^ "Oakland Roots Sports Club Announce Venue Change to CSU, East Bay for April 1st Game vs New Mexico United".
  8. ^ "Oakland Roots set to play at CSUEB, what the club had to say". 29 March 2023.
  9. ^ "OAKLAND ROOTS SPORTS CLUB ANNOUNCES VENUE PLAN FOR REMAINDER OF 2023 USL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON". 5 May 2023.
  10. ^ "AC Transit: Maps and Schedules: Line 60". 2001–2010.
  11. ^ "Cal State East Bay: University Shuttle (Hayward Hills Campus)". www.csueastbay.edu. 2017.
  12. ^ "Cal State East Bay Pioneers Athletics: Pioneer Stadium". www.eastbaypioneers.com. 2017.
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