Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Buckley Field
4300 Powelton Ave Philadelphia, PA 19104
Year Opened: 2017 (renovation)
Capacity: 500 (estimation)
Roar Like a Dragon
Located about a mile from Drexel University’s main campus in Center City Philadelphia, the Vidas Athletic Complex consists of several fields that are home to several of the Dragons' athletic programs. In the back of the complex is Buckley Field, home of Drexel field hockey. This stadium was extensively renovated in 2017 and is named after Bob Buckley, a member of the Drexel Board of Trustees. Elsewhere in the complex, you will find Vidas Field, home of Drexel soccer and lacrosse, as well as a softball field, tennis courts, and a practice field.
Food & Beverage 0
There is no food or drink for sale at Buckley Field, but fans are free to bring their own. There are plenty of places to buy food nearby.
Atmosphere 3
The seating area at Buckley Field consists of one set of bleachers along one sideline. These seats put you pretty close to the field and you will have a great view of the action. Many fans also choose to stand along the fence surrounding the field.
Keep in mind that depending on how close you are, you may be within range of the water cannons, so be sure to move away when they turn them on before the game and at halftime unless you want to get wet. (This is not such a bad thing on a hot day early in the season, but if it is a cold, windy, 40-degree day in late October or early November, you will regret it.) A small scoreboard on the right side shows the score, clock, and time remaining on penalty cards.
For the most part, there is little going on here other than the game, but there is one unique tradition. Before Drexel penalty corners, the sound of a dragon roaring is played over the PA system, an allusion to Drexel's nickname. This gets the crowd fired up for what is typically a big moment in the game.
Neighborhood 5
Buckley Field is located about a mile from Drexel’s campus in the Center City area of Philadelphia. Just within a few blocks of the stadium, you will find numerous restaurants ranging from pizza to Jamaican to Indian to Ethiopian and many others. Of course, every Philadelphian has their favorite place to get a cheesesteak in the city. For other entertainment, the Philadelphia Zoo is less than two miles away and history buffs will want to check out the Liberty Bell and other historic sites while they are in town.
Fans 3
Drexel draws about 100-200 fans a game for field hockey, many of them friends and family of the players. Although this is a typical crowd in numbers, it is a more passionate bunch than at most places. The crowd can get rowdy at times, such as during penalty corners or scoring opportunities for the Dragons. They come decked in Drexel gear and seem dedicated to supporting the team for the whole game.
Access 4
There are many highways into Philadelphia although you will have to do the last couple of miles of driving on city streets which can have heavy traffic at times. Once you arrive at the Vidas Athletic Complex, you will drive through the gates into a parking lot in front of the soccer stadium.
Parking here is free, a rarity in a major city like Philadelphia, and if the lot fills up, street parking is available nearby. Once you park, you will walk around the corner to the right, past the soccer stadium, and go back past the field house and restrooms to get to Buckley Field. The lot may fill up, especially if there is another event in the complex before the field hockey game.
Restrooms (real ones, not Port-a-Potties) are located behind the field house in between Buckley Field and Vidas Field, and are of sufficient size for the crowds, even if multiple events are going on at once in the complex.
If arriving by public transit, the 46th Street metro station on the Market-Frankford Line (currently rebranding as the L) is only a few blocks away from the complex. You will enter through the same entrance as vehicles and follow the same directions as above.
Return on Investment 4
Admission to Drexel field hockey games is free, parking is free if you manage to snag a space in the lot, and you won't pay anything for concessions because there aren't any. However, there isn't enough here to earn the top score.
Keep in mind that free admission applies to regular-season games only. For conference and NCAA tournament games, there may be an admission charge.
Extras 4
There is a merchandise table selling Drexel athletic gear between Buckley Field and Vidas Field. The hats that look like Drexel mascot Mario the Dragon are especially popular.
A second star for the dragon roar during penalty corners, a unique sound effect.
On the far side of the field, look for the flags honoring Drexel's appearances in the NCAA tournament.
A fourth star for the chance to see multiple games in the Vidas Athletic complex in one visit. If you time things right, you can easily see a soccer and field hockey game back to back.
Final Thoughts
With the roar of the dragon and the passionate crowds, a Drexel field hockey game can be a fun way to spend a fall afternoon or evening if you follow the sport. In any case, it's hard to argue with the chance to see a sporting event completely for free, especially in a major city like Philadelphia.
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