Alumni Stadium - Delaware State Hornets
- Richard Smith
- Nov 17
- 4 min read
Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14
Alumni Stadium 1282 N Dupont Highway Dover, DE 19901
Year Opened: 1957 Capacity: 7,193
Fear the Swarm!
Delaware State has been a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) since its founding in 1970. The MEAC is made up of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) located between Florida and Delaware.
Delaware State is the smallest of the MEAC schools with a little over 3,600 students and was ranked 9th among all HBCUs by U.S. News & World Report in 2014. It opened in 1891, eventually to be named Delaware State College, and later changed to a university in 1993. One of their most unique programs is the university-based flight school, and it also has a fine business school.
The Hornets football team plays at 7,193-seat Alumni Stadium, which is also their track and field venue. They are a four-time conference champion and made their first-ever FCS playoff appearance in 2007 losing to in-state rival Delaware.
The team has had its ups and downs over the years. In 2007 they were named Black College National Champions, a mythical championship shared with Tuskegee University. The lowest point in the program’s history came on November 9, 1980, when Delaware State lost to the Portland State Vikings by a score of 105-0 in the most lopsided loss in Division I-AA Football history.
Food & Beverage 3
There’s not much going on at Alumni Stadium in terms of official food stands, at least not consistently. If you check the grandstand by the main entrance, you’ll see two food stands that are often empty and unused.
However, the local vendors usually save the day. You’ll find food trucks and local setups out on the grassy areas surrounding the track. You may find a stand offering popular quick-service chicken tenders, which is always a reliable option for a quick bite. A more official-looking stand in the northwest corner may also be open, serving up a fish dinner with two sides, along with a classic funnel cake, Hot Dogs, and Italian Sausage.
Atmosphere 4
The stadium has a very unique atmosphere. At first glance, it looks like a pretty poor facility. There are high schools with better stadiums. And the track around the field makes views feel pretty far away.
The south stand is mainly bleacher seats with a few areas with seatbacks. The north stand is entirely bleacher seats with no seatbacks.
But the crowd is into their team. The band fires up the sound and gets everyone into the action. The stadium alone deserves a low rating, but the atmosphere makes up for the lack of facilities.
The stadium also has a multi-media display system, featuring a high definition video screen and scoreboard that enhances the action.
Neighborhood 3
You won’t find a quaint college town neighborhood here. Alumni Stadium sits right off the very busy DuPont Highway. From your seat, you can see the Dover Mall and the Dover International Speedway. I once even heard a stock car screaming around the track while walking up to the stadium. A produce store sits right next to the north stand, with another still open store nearby, so you’re good to go if you need pet supplies.
The area is good if you need food and sustenance before or after the game. You'll find popular chain dining options nearby like Raising Cane's and Qdoba, which offer quick and familiar fare. For something a little heartier, Mission BBQ is a solid choice for post-game food. The area is filled with chain restaurants and big-box stores, making it convenient but decidedly unromantic. Also, construction is currently underway on a southern outpost of the Canadian coffee chain, Tim Hortons, which is definitely being built right up the road, promising Timbits and Double-Doubles soon.
Fans 4
The fans are enthusiastic, even when the team isn’t meeting expectations. The excellent band, cheerleaders, and dance team help keep the energy levels high and the fans engaged.
Access 4
The university is right off of a major road in DuPont Highway. A toll road, Route 1, takes you most of the way north to Wilmington is also nearby.
Dover is about a one-and-a-half-hour trip from Philadelphia or Baltimore, and at least two hours from Washington DC. It seems close by on a map but is isolated at the center of the Delmarva Peninsula. If venturing to a shore destination such as Ocean City, Maryland, or Rehobeth, Delaware, then Dover may make a quick, enjoyable stop, but as a destination, it is not the easiest location to travel to. Watch out for NASCAR weekends when traveling in the area; those weekends are not recommended unless you have no other options, as traffic can pile up, so leave yourself additional time in those cases.
There may also be tolls unless you are already on the eastern shore or the Delmarva region. If traveling from the DC and Annapolis area you will have to pay tolls across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. If going around the top of the bay from Baltimore you will have to pay very hefty tolls on either Route 40 or I-95. And coming from Norfolk you will need to pay for the Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
Parking is easy as you will be directed by university police to various lots around the campus. It is free except for the annual homecoming game where parking will be $20 or if you choose to park right by the stadium.
Return on Investment 3
Normal ticket prices run from $10 to $25. Homecoming gets a price bump from $30 to $40. Youth tickets are typically $5 (or $10 for homecoming), with seniors (62+) paying $10. With free parking (most days), the price seems just about right for the overall experience you’ll have.
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Extras 1
There is not much to this stadium. The lack of official food seems weird, but the local vendors offer some great food at a great value. This is the one true extra here at Delaware State University.
Final Thoughts
While many high schools boast far better facilities than Alumni Stadium, the passionate crowd, great atmosphere, and fine quality of play ensure that a visit to Delaware State football is a good time for any fan.
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