Founded in 1964, the Chicago Lions Rugby Club has grown into one of the Midwest s most successful rugby programs. Between 1966 and 2000, the team secured 16 Midwest Championships before advancing to the Super League, where they reached the 2007 Championship game. The Lions also found success in Rugby 7s, winning 15+ Midwest Championships and claiming the 2007 National Championship. The club expanded further in 2018 by launching a Women s team, which went on to win the Midwest Championship in both 15s and 7s in 2019, marking an unprecedented achievement in American rugby.

In 2007, Lions President Keith Brown partnered with Chicago Hope Academy founder Bob Muzikowski, recognizing a shared mission to provide transformative opportunities for Chicago s Near West Side youth. Their collaboration led to the creation of the Chicago Hope Academy Eagles Rugby team, which won its first state championship in 2015 under the guidance of Chicago Lions coaches.

As their partnership grew, the Lions for Hope Field was established, providing a dedicated space for youth rugby development. The success of this initiative set the foundation for the Lions for Hope Sports Complex, an ambitious project designed to provide high-quality athletic and educational opportunities for the local community.