HARTFORD, Conn. (November 26, 2019) – Throughout the course of the 2019 season Hartford Athletic teamed up with the City, State, and outstanding community partners to restore Dillon Stadium as a community asset and achieve the mission of bringing the community together through the world’s game of soccer. Here are some highlights: 

Partnership: 

The Club received strong corporate support with 30 corporate partners this season including Founding Partners Trinity Health of New England, Stanley Black and Decker, Cigna, The Hartford, and Travelers. Every partnership included major community elements with just a few examples below: 

· Trinity Health of New England: Hartford Athletic and Trinity Health of New England celebrated Community Health Night at Dillon Stadium and supported the New England 61 Day Challenge. 

· Stanley Black & Decker: Hartford Athletic and Stanley Black & Decker raised over $4,000 for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality through the Club’s inaugural Charity Match with proceeds benefitting Hartford-based non-profit Girls for Technology. 

· The Hartford: Hartford Athletic and The Hartford came together to promote The Hartford’s Junior Fire Marshal Program designed to empower kids to become everyday heroes and educate them on the importance of fire safety including hosting a swearing in ceremony at Dillon Stadium prior to a Hartford Athletic home match. 

· Cigna: Hartford Athletic and Cigna launched the Cigna Every Save Matters program donating $75 to Team Impact for every save a Hartford Athletic goalkeeper made in 2019. 

· Travelers: Hartford Athletic and Travelers established the Community Champion Program, which donated a special group experience at a Hartford Athletic match to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend. 

· Citizens Bank: Hartford Athletic and Citizens Bank teamed up with Foodshare to donate 300 meals for every Hartford Athletic goal scored at Dillon Stadium as part of the Goals for Meals Program. 

Community: 

This year, the Club welcomed 4,000+ fans through the Community Ticket Program hosting those who would not otherwise be able to attend a match thanks to the generous contribution of the Gitlin Family and others. Hartford Athletic coaches, players and staff made over 150 community appearances across the state participating in soccer clinics, fundraisers, community events, and more. 

Dillon Stadium was also restored as a community asset. It became the home of UConn Men’s and Women’s soccer in 2019, as well as 28 regular season high school sporting events (both soccer and football) and 4 of the 8 soccer state championship games. The stadium also hosted “Community Day” where Hartford residents participated in on-field exercises, activities for kids, and received free back to school supplies thanks in part to the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. 

Hartford Athletic also championed the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Coaching Boys Into Men Program and received the Lawrence and Shirley Bostrom Pillars of Change Award. 

International Matches: 

Hartford Athletic hosted two International Matches against the Puerto Rico National Team and Portmore United FC (defending Champions of the Jamaican National Premier League) celebrating the vibrant and diverse community of our city. Each of those matches drew crowds of well over 4,000 fans. The matches combined to raise over $6,000 for the San Juan Center and West Indian Foundation.