Good
The Johny Unitas Stadium capacity (11,198) is the right size for the attendance (9,642). A mostly full stadium for Hopkins Virginia where no one is turned away and all seats are general admission is nice.
The quality scoreboard did a great job showing replays, including the ones where the referees had to review. Great use of the score board and helped with fan engagement.
The sound system piped in the school’s fight songs after goals. I like that stuff so it is on my list. (It also did not overshadow the Hopkins band (My opinion), which also helps the game atmosphere.
Bathroom access was good both in the stadium and the spot a pots in the parking lots and sideline were available and clean. (one data point)
Letting people and kids line the track. (see green arrow in photo) People were having fun turf side including kids running all around on the track (mostly between games). Love that.
Police assistance for fans crossing the streets between traffic before and after the game.
Location and ease. Not far away Baltimore offers plenty to do, an airport, hotel rooms, interstate access a lacrosse fan base and parking was easy, there are places to tailgate, and the Union Garage was free and an easy walk. It can’t speak for parking if you came at the last minute.
Neutral
The concessions were generally open and available. Adding a few more pop-up stands for refreshments would save from line waiting. I still bite my lip paying $22 bucks for 4 waters and a pirate booty snack. I know-it is what it is.
Bad
The raised platform at the 50 yard line. This is a view blocker for fans of the nearside midfield and substitution box. You may say, just go to the other side. Well, this is side of the behind the bench and the fans with rooting interest. It doesn’t need to be there. I haven’t see it at other stadiums. Note for Towson football: Take this platform away.
The track. What giveth with the kids running around, taketh away from the viewing experience. The track between the field and stands means no one has great seats because the audience is so far from the field. The scoreboard is behind the track as well. Luckily the scoreboard is big, but it certainly would be a better part of the game experience if the replays weren’t so far away.
While Towson Stadium wins points for convenience and ease of tailgating, the trade off is, it is a bit generic. This point may be moot for some, but in the home of Camden Yards, you learn to appreciate the design, the setting, and features of the stadium coupled with a lot of places to eat, stay, and visit within walking distance.
This is on the lacrosse committee. Maryland and Duke should have been played here and Syracuse and Denver should be played in Hempstead. Last year, Georgetown and Virginia should have played at Navy and not Albany. Figure out how to be flexible enough to send teams to the mot appropriate venue for them and their fans.
How did Towson compare to Navy, last year’s southern quarterfinal venue?
Advantage Towson
Right size venue.
Better use of video/scoreboard.
Better use of sound system for piping in fight songs.
Ease and access.
Towson put more effort into the event than Navy to be convenient and special with the elements TU controlled. TU even put spot a pots along the fence! This could have been advantage Navy if Navy did a flyover or something in their wheelhouse to make their venue special.
Advantage Navy
No track---seats and closer to the action.
Actual seats instead of benches.
More iconic stadium.
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