Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
Arute Field 1615 Stanley St New Britain, CT 06050
Year Opened: 2000
Capacity: 5,500
Devil of a Time at Arute Field
Central Connecticut State University is the state’s oldest publicly funded university. Founded in 1849 as the State Normal School, CCSU has grown to an enrollment of almost 9,000 students. Today, students at CCSU pursue their degrees in four schools under the University umbrella. 96% of the school’s enrollment comes from Connecticut. Approximately half of CCSU’s students live off campus.
Jack Arute Sr. was the owner of one of Connecticut’s largest construction firms in the 1960s. He was also an active member of the New Britain community and became one of CCSU’s biggest boosters through interactions with school administration.
Upset that the state government would not approve funding for a new football stadium, Arute took matters into his own hands, using his funds and manpower to build the original Arute Field. The present incarnation of Arute Field is the third stadium to bear his name. All three versions have been located on campus.
Central Connecticut fielded its first football team in 1935. Since 1993, the team has competed in the FCS subdivision and as a member of the Northeast Conference since 1996. The team has won six conference championships since joining the NEC. The Blue Devils have qualified for the NCAA tournament twice, losing in the first round in 2017 and 2019. One Central Connecticut alumnus, Joe Costello, has played in the National Football League.
Food & Beverage 2
There is one concession stand on the outer concourse of Arute Field. It offers a basic menu featuring hot dogs, burgers, and nachos. A variety of snacks are also available, including pretzels, chips, and assorted candy.
Pepsi products are sold at Arute Field. On chilly fall days, coffee and hot chocolate are popular choices. Alcoholic beverages are not offered at this on-campus facility.
Atmosphere 3
While the game day atmosphere at Arute Field will never be confused with the show put on in the Power Five conferences, Blue Devils staff and fans combine to make this a fun place to spend a fall Saturday afternoon.
Sections of the parking lot adjacent to the facility are set aside for tailgating, and Blue Devil fans fill these spots with grills, music, and décor. You’re likely to run into CCSU’s mascot, Kizer, who roams the facility throughout the afternoon. CCSU boasts an impressively large cheer squad, who set up shop on the near sideline and perform along with the school’s pep band and dance squad.
Blue Devil fans routinely fill the stands and are active throughout the game, adding to the festive atmosphere. There is a good sound system, with a PA announcer who adds game information along with the scoreboard located in the north end zone. Unfortunately, the scoreboard’s video board is only used sparingly and not for video replay. Banners honoring CCSU’s conference championships are posted on the façade of the grandstand at field level. Unfortunately, this makes them invisible to most fans in the stadium.
Neighborhood 3
Central Connecticut State University is located in a residential neighborhood on the northeastern edge of New Britain, a suburban city of 73,000 people located 12 miles from Hartford, Connecticut. Arute Field is located on the eastern edge of campus, directly off Route 9. All of Central Connecticut’s athletic facilities, including the CCSU Baseball Field and the William H. Detrick Gymnasium, are located nearby.
There are not many choices for dining or lodging immediately adjacent to Arute Field, but there is great diversity within a few miles of campus. Fans wanting a unique experience before or after a CCSU game should check out the East Side Restaurant, a German-themed pub complete with staff in traditional Bavarian gear and all the bratwurst you could desire.
For a twist on a traditional American dish, visit Ted’s Restaurant in nearby Meriden. Their method of cooking hamburgers in steam trays is unique to central Connecticut, and Ted’s has been featured on several travel shows such as Man vs. Food and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
Lodging options are plentiful in nearby Farmington. Connecticut’s capital city, Hartford, is a short fifteen-minute drive from Central Connecticut’s campus and offers additional dining, lodging, and entertainment options. If time allows, the National Iwo Jima Memorial is located just beyond CCSU's athletic fields on Ella Grasso Boulevard.
Fans 3
Central Connecticut averages around 3,500 fans per game, which is significantly above the Northeast Conference average. This figure has remained fairly consistent over the years, both before and after the pandemic. Stadium Journey visited Arute Field on a gorgeous October Saturday, with an announced attendance of about 3,200 fans. As mentioned before, fans at Arute Field are enthusiastic and vocal about the action going on down on the field.
While a good number of students turn out for Blue Devils games, they spread out throughout the stadium and don’t add a ton of energy to the festivities. They tend to blend in with the rest of the fans here. With many of Central Connecticut’s opponents located nearby, a good turnout from visiting fans can be expected.
Access 4
New Britain is located about a 15-minute drive from Hartford. Route 9 passes directly by the campus, connecting with interstates 84 and 91, a few miles away. With its suburban location, the great majority of fans drive to Central Connecticut. The parking lot directly adjacent to Arute Field is large enough for typical game day crowds. Fans using public transportation will be pleased to know that CTTransit’s 128 and 144 buses access the campus on Stanley Street.
There is a spacious concourse located on the back side of the press box building, where the concessions and bathrooms are located. Restrooms are spacious and clean, and lines move quickly, even at halftime. Wide vomitories and walkways allow fans to access all parts of the facility, although fans will have to navigate stairs to access the visiting (west) side of the stadium. A standing room is available beyond both end zones.
Arute Field consists of two sets of grandstands. The east (home) grandstand is the larger of the two and is built into a hill. The first row is raised about ten feet above field level, ensuring excellent views from all seats. All seating consists of metal bleachers. General admission seats are located in the front rows of the grandstand due to the wide walkway in front of the seating area.
It is recommended you choose a seat a few rows up from the front to avoid the distraction of the passing traffic that may disrupt your view at times. The top rows on the home grandstand consist of metal bleacher seating with seat backs and armrests, which are sold as reserved seating. Handicapped seating is located at the top of every section. Restroom facilities can be found on both sides of Arute Field.
Return on Investment 5
Tickets to Blue Devils games at Arute Field are an absolute bargain. Reserved chairback seats can be purchased for ten dollars, with general admission bleacher seating priced at eight dollars. Seniors and kids are admitted for just five dollars.
Parking is free in the lot adjacent to Arute Field. Concessions are also inexpensive, with all items priced less than $6. You can go to a Blue Devils game with a twenty-dollar bill and come home with something still in your pocket.
Extras 1
An extra point is awarded for the Blue Devils’ unique mascot, Kizer. He is named in honor of Harrison Kaiser, the “father of CCSU athletics.” Kaiser was the first coach of the CCSU football team, serving in that capacity from 1935-1947.
Final Thoughts
Arute Field boasts a festive game day atmosphere, which belies its small size and simple design. Fans looking for a place to catch some quality football in an affordable setting should check out Central Connecticut State University, another quality under the radar, Stadium Journey.
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