For Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones, a new turf football field at United Heroes League in Hastings represents much more than a place to play. It represents the friendships, opportunities and sense of belonging that helped him through the challenges of growing up in a military family, and now he has an opportunity to provide those same experiences for another generation of children.
Jones joined United Heroes League founder Shane Hudella, representatives from the Minnesota Vikings and Scheels, Hastings Community Education and local student-athletes for a groundbreaking ceremony announcing a new turf field at the United Heroes League facility. The project, supported by Jones' A&A All the Way Foundation, the Vikings and Scheels, will expand athletic programming for military children while providing a home for Hastings girls flag football and additional community activities.
The project will transform the organization's existing outdoor hockey rink into a multipurpose facility, allowing ice sports to continue during the winter and turf activities to take over from April through October. The removable turf will support football, soccer, lacrosse and other activities, providing more opportunities for military families and the surrounding community to use the facility throughout the year.
"This is the future for United Heroes League," Hudella said during the announcement, explaining that the additional playing surface will allow the organization to expand its programming and reach more children.
The idea has been on Hudella's wish list for several years, dating back to when the organization was developing its hockey facilities. The project remained financially out of reach until Jones, the Vikings and Scheels joined forces to make it possible.
"It's a dream come true," Hudella said during an interview following the ceremony.
The facility will continue operating as a hockey rink from November through March. Once winter ends, crews will have approximately two weeks to melt the ice, clean the rink and install the turf, with the goal of having spring activities underway in early April. The turf will remain in place throughout the summer and into the fall, with the space also available for concerts and other community programming.
Hudella said the flexibility will allow United Heroes League to make greater use of its existing facilities while introducing new sports and activities. Beyond military families, the new field will provide a home for Hastings girls flag football and opportunities for the community's Special Olympics flag football team.
For Jones, the military connection is deeply personal. Both of his parents served in the Army, and Hudella explained that there was a period during Jones' childhood when both parents were deployed simultaneously, leaving him in the care of relatives for approximately a year.
That experience helped Jones understand the challenges children face when military service takes their parents away from home. During the ceremony, he reflected on how sports provided an outlet during those difficult years. Whether he was playing football, basketball or soccer, athletics gave him an opportunity to release frustration, connect with other children and build friendships that have lasted into adulthood.
Jones said the connection between his foundation and United Heroes League became apparent almost immediately when he began participating in activities with military families and local students.
"I would say from day one when I came out and I was on the course with some of the soldiers and high school kids as well, and just getting to connect with them, and I'm like, wow, this is this is my upbringing," Jones said.
He explained that although he did not serve in the military, his parents' lengthy service gave him an understanding of military life and the sacrifices families make. Learning about United Heroes League's programming for military children strengthened that connection.
"And once I found out what they were doing for the for the kids, the military kids, it just hit home for me," Jones said.
Hudella has seen that connection develop throughout Jones' involvement with the organization. He described the running back as naturally humble and outgoing, but said there is an additional level of comfort when Jones spends time around military families.
"I think there's a certain level of comfort for him when he's here," Hudella said. "He's around other military families, and for those that have served, it doesn't matter if you were Navy and I was Army. If we meet and we're hanging out, we're family because we serve together."
Jones' family will also have a permanent connection to the facility. His foundation's logo will be featured at midfield, while commemorative bricks recognizing his parents' military service are already part of the United Heroes League grounds. Jones said he looks forward to bringing his son and future children back to see the field and understand how their family helped create opportunities for others.
"If somebody would have told me when I was eight years old, nine years old, or even 18 that I'd be doing this, or me and my family would have our foundation on the middle of the 50-yard line, I would have told you that's not that's not true," Jones said.
The project also represents a significant development for the Hastings girls flag football program, which completed its inaugural season this year and is preparing for continued growth. Head coach Victoria Zeyen and fellow coach AJ Croucher attended the announcement with members of their team, expressing excitement about what a dedicated home field could mean for the program.
Zeyen said the facility demonstrates that girls flag football has established a lasting presence in Hastings, and that support from organizations such as the Vikings and United Heroes League will help the sport continue growing.
"I think this just brings it entirely to a new level," Zeyen said. "It's here in Minnesota. It's here in Hastings, and it's here to stay."
Croucher said the Raiders came within one game of qualifying for the state tournament during their inaugural season despite having a young roster. With a middle school program developing, the coaches see considerable opportunities for growth, particularly as more girls become familiar with a sport that is still establishing itself in Minnesota.
Having another field available will also address one of the practical challenges facing the program. Many of the girls participate in multiple spring sports, making practice schedules difficult to coordinate. The new facility will give coaches additional flexibility, allowing more athletes to participate without conflicts.
"We have a lot of multi-sport athletes, girls that are playing two sports in the spring, one alongside flag football," Croucher said. "So being able to have the opportunity to have an extra field, a good spot for them to practice, makes it so we're able to include more people from our community."
Croucher said the players were enthusiastic about the announcement, with some rearranging work and practice commitments to attend the ceremony. The involvement of professional athletes and the Vikings has also been particularly meaningful to the team, demonstrating that organizations at the highest levels of football are invested in creating opportunities for girls.
Zeyen added that Jones has already expressed interest in attending a future game at the facility to cheer on the Hastings players, something that would provide another memorable experience for the young athletes.
Jaci Hansey, representing Hastings Community Education and the girls flag football program, thanked United Heroes League and the Vikings for supporting the growth of the sport and providing a place where local athletes can continue developing their skills.
"Having a dedicated home base like this will mean the world to our young athletes," Hansey said.
While the team currently operates through Hastings Community Education rather than as a Minnesota State High School League-sanctioned sport, the coaches hope that designation will eventually change. Croucher said official sanctioning could help establish programs in communities that may not currently have the resources available in Hastings.
The coaches are also working to build interest locally. Croucher noted that more than 200 girls participated in the recent Hastings homecoming Powderpuff activities, compared with approximately a dozen on the inaugural flag football team. The difference represents a tremendous opportunity to introduce more students to organized flag football.
Zeyen encouraged girls at both the middle school and high school levels to consider participating, regardless of their previous football experience.
"I think we just want to share that anyone can play girls flag football, and so we're excited to build a team for year two," Zeyen said.
Croucher echoed that invitation, encouraging students who enjoyed Powderpuff to attend informational meetings and open practices before the next season.
The support behind the new field extends beyond Jones and his foundation. Brett Taber, Minnesota Vikings vice president of social impact, praised the partnerships that made the project possible and emphasized the organization's commitment to expanding access to football, including the growing girls flag football movement.
Taber recognized United Heroes League, Scheels, Jones, the City of Hastings and the Hastings school district for their contributions. He also praised Jones for his dedication to supporting military families, describing the running back's work away from football as an inspiration to those around him.
Lauren Halseth, representing Scheels, said the company has partnered with United Heroes League for five years and remains committed to supporting its mission of providing experiences and opportunities for military families. She praised Hudella and his team for continually finding new ways to expand the organization's impact.
The relationship between United Heroes League and the Vikings stretches back nearly a decade, beginning around the time the organization expanded beyond its hockey roots to serve children through multiple sports. Hudella said the partnership has continued to develop, with the Vikings providing opportunities that extend well beyond athletic equipment and facilities.
One upcoming example is a December trip that will take a group of veterans and their guests to Gillette Stadium for a Vikings game against the New England Patriots. Hudella said the experience will be provided at no cost to the veterans and their guests, allowing family members who have served in different generations to share an experience together.
For Jones, the new field is another way of using his professional football career to make a difference beyond the NFL. He spoke about the responsibility of serving as a role model and the lessons he learned through high school athletics, where he participated in football, basketball and track.
During his conversation with reporters, Jones explained that young people are constantly observing professional athletes, and he tries to remember that his actions can influence someone even during seemingly ordinary interactions.
"I like to say I have a cape on and I'm showtime at all times, just because I know that they're watching and they're look they're looking up to me," Jones said.
He also reflected on the discipline, perseverance and accountability he developed through sports, explaining that those experiences helped prepare him for challenges later in life. Learning to push through difficult moments and recognize his responsibility to teammates were lessons he carried beyond the playing field.
"You got to prove yourself wrong every time. Anytime you doubt yourself, you got to prove yourself wrong," Jones said.
As the ceremony moved toward the ceremonial groundbreaking, Hudella pointed out a bald eagle flying overhead while Jones had been speaking, adding a fitting moment to an event centered on military service, community and the opportunities ahead.
For United Heroes League, the turf field will provide another way to serve children whose families sacrifice so much. For Hastings athletes, it promises additional opportunities to participate in sports, develop their skills and build relationships. And for Jones, it means knowing that the athletic experiences that helped him through his own childhood will now be available to countless others.
What began as a way for one military child to find connection through sports has grown into an opportunity to help future generations do the same, one practice, one game and one friendship at a time.