Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Bud & Jackie Sellick Bowl 4600 Sunset Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46208
Year Opened: 1928 Capacity: 7,500
A Relaxing Day at the Butler Game
The Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl is the home to the Butler Bulldogs football program. The stadium was constructed in 1928 and at one time sat 36,000 with the option of increasing capacity to 72,000. At the time the Butler Bowl, as it was known until 2016, hosted the likes of Red Grange and the University of Illinois and Notre Dame football.
However, throughout the preceding nine decades the stadium’s capacity would shrink to 20,000 and then to 7,500. The facility has seen copious transformations in the last decade that included the construction of student apartment housing on the east side of the field, a new brick press box, new stadium lighting, and new south-end seating and entrance.
The stadium sits below the fame of Hinkle Fieldhouse and provides an intimate feel to any football contest. 5,647 seats include 250 chair back seats along the west side of the stadium. The most prominent feature might be the student hill that takes up the south side of the stadium that fills up with many fans at the beginning of the game.
Food & Beverage 3
The Hinkle Fieldhouse concession stand is the main area for food and beverage. The choices include hot dogs, chips, candy, popcorn, and Pepsi products. However, it contains Italian beef sandwiches and nachos with house-roasted beef and cheese. Premium and domestic beers are available at popular pricing. There is an outside kiosk that features breaded chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, brats, and pretzels for additional choices.
Atmosphere 4
The Bulldogs play in the 11-team Pioneer League and entertain schools from eight different states from coast to coast. During our visit, the Princeton Tigers were making its first-ever trip to the state of Indiana in 150 seasons and brought along quite a few followers with them to the stadium. The night was clear, the weather was comfortable, and the crowd is intimate. All of this made for an ideal night of college football on the last weekend of summer.
The parking lot is filled with tailgating, campers, and various picnic tables adorn with brats, burgers, dips, and plenty of chips and drinks. Inside, the views from the student hill are quite perfect when holding a can of beer and cheering on your favorite team. The stands themselves are of bleacher quality and provide a close enough experience to the game.
The Sellick Bowl has all that one would expect from the program and perhaps all you would ever need: two opponents, a few friends, and a nice night to enjoy the football game. The wrought iron fencing, the brick exterior and interior, and the presence of the Hinkle Fieldhouse provide a beautiful backdrop to an already picturesque Butler campus. If there is time, take a stroll around the historic buildings, just a short walk from the stadium.
Neighborhood 4
The campus is located within walking distance of Broad Ripple Village, a nice place to shop and walk around during the day, but a destination for the younger college crowd after dark. Downtown Indy is only six miles south of campus, but the best place to enhance your visit is in SOBRO (South Broad Ripple).
Twenty Tap offers distinctly different craft beers, along with their own, that are unavailable throughout the city. They offer menu options of vegetarian banh mi sandwiches, fried cheese curds, and poutine during the fall and winter months. The beer options also include a $4 pint of the day.
Next door is Fat Dan’s offering mouthwatering and lip-smacking smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken wings, juicy burgers, pressed Cubanos, Italian beef, and house-smoked meatloaf and Reuben sandwiches. There is even a draft beer of the day.
Across the street is Yats, which offers Cajun and Creole cuisine at affordable prices with eclectic surroundings. If you are looking for a hangout with pub food and sports, The Bulldog the traditional Butler hangout, and the Broad Ripple Village is a few miles up the street off of College Ave for more bars, small pubs, and shopping. The best slice of pizza in Indianapolis is served at Goodfellas - Jersey Shore large slices.
Fans 3
The Butler fans were energetic during our visit to the stadium. It was homecoming and alumni and students set up tailgating several hours before kickoff, with many opting to remain in the parking lot instead of attending the game. Once inside, a small student section did their best to cheer the home team and many enjoyed a much more relaxing day on the hill in the back of the south end zone.
Access 4
The football stadium shares the parking lot with the basketball arena, but many people park throughout campus or on the residential streets surrounding the campus. This can make for an interesting beginning to the football game as many people walk in droves toward the main entrance. There is parking down the hill on the north end near the baseball stadium, but it does require a little bit of a hike.
Once inside the stadium, the concession areas are all located on the west side along with bathroom facilities. If you happen to be on the visitor’s side or down the hill, it may take a little bit of walking to get a drink or use of facilities.
Return on investment 3
The cost of a ticket ranges from $12 to $15 depending on what type of seating you wanted the game. The price of a youth ticket is $8. The parking is free and the concession prices are extremely reasonable. If you are at the game on the right night and with the right crowd, it can be a very welcoming place to watch football and one that should not be overlooked.
Extras 3
The stadium receives a point for the hill on the south side of the stadium. It’s a great way to enjoy the game with friends and cheer on the Bulldogs to victory.
The stadium receives the second point for the Hinkle Fieldhouse looming in the distance of the football bowl. The iconic basketball venue towers over the field and creates an ambiance that’s second to none in the city of Indianapolis.
The stadium receives the third and final point for the brick exterior and interior of the stadium. The historic venue feels right in place in the 21st century.
Final Thoughts
This was my second football game at the Sellick Bowl and I was satisfied with what I witnessed during my visit. The stadium was full of festive moods, and plenty of socializing, and was just as good as any other small college football program in the area. It’s nice to know that somewhere tucked away on the Butler campus one can enjoy college football the right way.
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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com
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