On September 21, 2019, the Chicago Lions Rugby Football Club fulfilled a dream of over 50 years to own their own field within Chicago city limits. In partnership with Chicago Hope Academy, the first field of the Lions for Hope Sports Complex was completed. The field is named after past Lions President, J. Tyke Nollman, who passed away in 2015.

The Lions built a premier artificial turf field lined for rugby and soccer with parking and stands serving East Garfield Park and North Lawndale. There are temporary bathrooms, locker rooms and a multi-purpose room all built out of shipping containers. So far, the gated complex has received rave reviews from the rugby and soccer community.

We are referring to the combined Hope/Lions land and multiple facilities as a campus. Starting south, we have the Lions for Hope Sports Complex (the South Parcel) bordered by Taylor and Polk Streets. Across the street to the North is what we call the North parcel that will have the new Chicago Hope Academy campus with their field and track. North of that bordering Harrison is the Hope Student Athletic Center (formerly known as Quest) and across the street is Altgeld Park.

When everything is finished, this “campus” will have facilities available for the west side youth that will compare to what the suburban kids take for granted.