Madonna University Football to Launch New Era at The Hawk in 2026

"We're grateful to partner with the Hawk Community Center given its unique resources," said Madonna University President Chris Dougherty when signing the agreement. "I'm also thankful to the leadership in our Athletics programs for creating this long-term opportunity, and to the Livonia Public Schools and Detroit Catholic Central High School for the use of their facilities, since the program's inception in 2020."

The partnership provides a dedicated home field that will enhance the home-game experience for Madonna student-athletes, recruits, alumni, and fans. It also marks a major milestone for the program's long-term success. In recent years, the program has expanded its roster, broadened its recruiting reach, and secured its first win, positioning the team for continued growth as it transitions to a dedicated home venue.

"By welcoming Madonna's football program to The Hawk, we are strengthening our vision of Farmington Hills as a community where athletes' paths can thrive," acting City Manager Karen Mondora said. "This partnership enhances community connections and opens new avenues for residents, families and student-athletes to share meaningful experiences."

The Hawk, located at 29995 W. 12 Mile Road, is the City's premier entertainment, recreation and cultural facility. The 245,000-square-foot multipurpose destination supports health, wellness, creativity, and community engagement and is centrally positioned near Madonna's campus.

Additional details on game times, ticketing, parking, and promotional events for the 2026 season will be announced at a later date.

About Madonna University and Crusaders Athletics

Liberal arts education, career preparation, and service-learning have been the hallmarks of a Madonna University education for nearly 90 years. Michigan's most affordable, independent, Catholic, liberal arts university, Madonna offers more than undergraduate and graduate programs in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education and Human Development, Nursing and Health, as well as the School of Business. Madonna Crusaders athletics currently competes in 23 varsity sports. Crusaders teams have been members of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) since 1997 and members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) since 1987. The football program competes in the Mid-States Football Association.

About the City of Farmington Hills

The City of Farmington Hills is a place where everyone is welcome. Founded in 1973, it is one of the largest communities in Oakland County. Farmington Hills is home to more than 83,000 residents who speak more than 60 languages, and more than 75 Fortune 500 businesses, including multinational corporations like Nissan and Bosch. The City is routinely recognized as one of the safest cities of its size and is known for its extensive amenities, including over 600 acres of parks, 90 athletic fields, six miles of hiking and walking trails, the Farmington Hills Golf Club, and an Ice Arena. Farmington Hills is also home to The Hawk, an award-winning, approximately 270,000-square-foot recreation and arts venue, which includes The Hawk Theatre and The Hawk Makerspace. For more information, visit www.fhgov.com.

31555 West Eleven Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48336
Phone: 248.871.2500
Fax: 248.871.2501

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Note for reporters: Although the Cities of Farmington Hills and Farmington share similar names and are both communities in Oakland County, they are two distinct and separate cities. Farmington Hills is the larger of the two, both in population and size. Farmington is a historic city with its own unique governance and community. Please be sure to differentiate between the two cities in your reporting to avoid confusion.