FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – On Tuesday, the University of Saint Francis and the Fort Wayne Football Club announced a partnership to bring the Fort Wayne FC professional soccer team to Bishop D’Arcy Stadium as its home.
The partnership developed after conversations between USF President Rev. Dr. Eric Albert Zimmer and Fort Wayne FC Principal Owner Mark Music led the leaders to forge an agreement benefitting both parties.
USF and Fort Wayne FC signed a two-year agreement (with an option for another year) for the team to play its home games on Kevin Donley Field at Bishop D’Arcy Stadium. In addition, Music will donate a state-of-the-art video scoreboard to upgrade the current USF scoreboard.
The 2023 Fort Wayne FC season begins in May.
USF repre=sentatives released the following:
“We are excited about partnering with the Fort Wayne Football Club and working together to bring people to campus to experience this high-quality soccer. Mark Music, DaMarcus Beasley and the entire Fort Wayne Football Club run a top-tier franchise that the community embraces with enthusiasm. We thank the Fort Wayne Football Club for their partnership and look forward to many memorable games at Bishop D’Arcy Stadium,” Fr. Zimmer said.
We are excited to officially announce that we will be making the move to Bishop John D’Arcy stadium at the Univeristy of Saint Francis! Thank you for supporting our growth!
season 3 💙 @USFFW pic.twitter.com/gpl4pJZy2m— Fort Wayne FC (@FortWayneFC) January 10, 2023
“We’re thrilled to partner with the University of Saint Francis as we continue to bring high-level professional soccer to our community,” Music said. “Our club and USF share an ambitious vision of growth and making a positive impact on the city of Fort Wayne, and we can’t wait to get our third season started come May.”
USF installed a new turf at Bishop D’Arcy Stadium prior to the fall football season and upcoming upgrades include the opening of deluxe end zone suites. The proximity to downtown and the ample parking around the stadium are among other benefits that played a role in igniting the USF-Fort Wayne FC partnership.
