MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- After a three-year hiatus, the Jacksonville Raiders semi-pro football team has returned to Camp Lejeune’s Liversedge Field to play six home games during its 2005 season this fall.
“Part of the reason we chose to play at Camp Lejeune is that we’ve had a great deal of success there in the past,” said John Davis, head coach of the Raiders. “The enthusiasm that Marines bring to the games as fans is very inspiring for the team, there’s just a great atmosphere for us at Lejeune.”
The team, made up of local residents, military service members and others traveling from neighboring counties, has called Camp Lejeune home in the past, playing games at Liversedge Field during the 2000 and 2001 seasons before leaving in 2002.
The Raiders, a non-profit organization committed to using the game of football to bring economic development, affordable sports entertainment, as well as service to the community, decided on Liversedge Field as its home stadium because of its successful history here and the positive environment created by the fans, according to Davis.
“We are very exited to be playing at Camp Lejeune again,” said Davis.
All of the Raiders home games at Liversedge Field are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday nights. Ticket prices are $8 for ages 12 and up, $5 for ages 8-11 and free for those age 7 and under.
The team is hoping to repeat the successes of its 2002 season by reclaiming the Eastern Football Alliance National Championship, according to Dominique Davis, the Raiders offensive coordinator.
“It’s really good to be back to our real home, we love playing in front of the service members and their families,” said the offensive coordinator. “With the support of the military community at Camp Lejeune, we’ll be able to win some games in front of the home crowd. The fans can be like an extra man on the field, we really hope that people will come out and cheer us on.”