FACILITIES / DIRECTIONS

Belson Stadium

The home of the men and women's soccer programs, Belson Stadium is a state-of-the-art facility and one of the nation's premier home venues. Primarily funded by a $6 million gift from Maxine and Jerome Belson, the stadium has created a significant home field advantage for the St. John's men's and women's soccer programs.

The idea for a stadium was first hatched on a team trip to Italy after St. John's men's team won the 1996 NCAA National Championship. The Belsons joined the team on the trip and expressed a desire to make a home for the team they had adopted. On Feb. 1, 2001, the idea became a reality as ground was broken with the very same shovel that was used to break ground on the first buildings of the Queens campus in the 1950s.

"This is a great day for St. John's University," head coach Dr. Dave Masur said in 2002. "We owe so much to the Belson Family for their contributions and their love of St. John's, our programs and our student-athletes."

On September 21, 2002, with the St. John's men's soccer team ranked No. 1 in the country, the Red Storm began play at Belson Stadium by hosting nationally ranked Wake Forest. St. John's faithful showed up in full force, as 2,242 fans watched a fireworks show and ribbon cutting ceremony, and saw Andre Schmid score the first goal at Belson Stadium in a 1-1 tie with the Demon Deacons.

The final stages of the new stadium, which included a press box, private suites and media room, were constructed during the summer of 2004 and opened in time for the 2004 season. Uniquely situated on a raised platform with parking underneath, the stadium has seating for 2,168 fans as well as lighting, private suites and a press box.