In December 2024, the University of North Florida announced its partnership with Sporting Club Jacksonville (Sporting JAX), a professional women’s and men’s soccer club on the First Coast.

According to UNF Director of Athletics Nick Morrow, UNF currently has a “facilities use agreement” with Sporting Jax that expires on December 31, 2026.

A facilities use agreement grants an external party permission to use an organization’s space, equipment, or property for a specific purpose and time.

Morrow confirmed “no definitive plans are in place” for an extension with Sporting Jax.  

UNF and Sporting Jax Agreement

Though the initial agreement was announced in late 2024, UNF was named the Official Sport Innovation and Performance Partner of Sporting Jax in September 2025.

Reportedly, this partnership brought technological involvement from VALD, Playerdata, and VUEmotion.

According to UNF, this “expands the club’s partnership with UNF and positions Northeast Florida as a national epicenter for data-driven development and applied sport performance research.”

Director of Sporting Jax PR Bailey Husker commented on the partnership, insisting that questions on “developmental plans” be directed to Morrow.

“As far as our partnership with UNF, we are enjoying a very positive and supportive partnership,” said Husker. 

Practice Field Construction

Amid rumors of a supposed practice field included in the agreement, Morrow confirmed no such thing existed.

“The construction of a practice field was never part of the agreement with Sporting Jax,” said Morrow in an email with Spinnaker. “Any use of a practice facility [for Sporting Jax] would be a separate agreement.”

However, Morrow revealed that an imminent construction announcement, unrelated to Sporting Jax, was forthcoming. 

“We do plan to move forward with building out 2.5 grass practice fields on the north side of campus,” said Morrow. “We hope to start construction next month and will have an announcement once plans are finalized.”

Sporting Jax at Hodges Stadium

According to Morrow, UNF’s facilities-use agreement with Sporting Jax allows the Men’s and Women’s teams to host their professional games at UNF’s Hodges Stadium. 

Sporting Jax recently hosted its preseason game last Saturday, Feb. 21, at Hodges Stadium. 

According to the schedule on their website, UNF will host all Sporting Jax “home” games this season.

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