Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43
Drass Field
401 Clara St
Dover, DE 19904
Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 2,500
Hornet Lacrosse in Downtown Dover
Drass Field is the former home of several Wesley College athletics teams, including football, soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey. In June of 2021, Delaware State University purchased Wesley and turned it into its DSU Downtown campus, thus ending the Wolverines' athletic programs. The deal was notable as the first instance of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) purchasing another school. Delaware State did find use for Drass Field, as its women's soccer and lacrosse programs moved there from Alumni Stadium, which remains home of the Hornets' football program. The stadium is located next to Bob Reed Field, former home of Wesley baseball and current home of Delaware State baseball.
Delaware State women's lacrosse has not enjoyed much success recently and has consistently ranked as one of the worst teams in NCAA Division I. However, it did receive one honor following the 2022 season, as student-athlete Sydney Anderson received the Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (WLCA) Advocacy Award after she spoke out following a high-profile police search of the team bus on the way back from the final home game of the season that saw allegations of racism levied against a sheriff's department in Georgia.
Food & Beverage 0
There is no food or drink for sale at Drass Field but fans are free to bring their own. There is a water fountain that trickles out water if you are desperately thirsty.
Atmosphere 2
There are three sets of bleachers at Drass Field, one on each sideline and a smaller one behind one of the goals. However, the set of bleachers on the far side of the field from the entrance is not in use during DSU lacrosse games. A few fans sit behind the goal, but most sit in the stands on the near sideline. All seats are bleachers, though some are divided into individual seats and others are not.
While music is played over the PA system before the game and the announcer introduces the starting lineups, almost nothing happens after that besides the game itself. There is no music during breaks in the action and the announcer does not even announce goal scorers and penalty cards issued to players. The scoreboard also does not show which quarter the game is in, although it is equipped to do so, and showed four timeouts remaining per team for the entire game when Stadium Journey visited even though teams only receive three to begin with. Although the scoreboard was designed for football, it is capable of handling lacrosse without an issue other than not showing the time remaining on penalties, so there is really no excuse for this.
Neighborhood 3
Although Drass Field is supposedly located on the DSU Downtown campus, there is not really anything in the immediate vicinity of the stadium other than some houses, a church, a synagogue, and a school bus depot. Your best bet will be to head towards DuPont Highway (US Route 13) which is lined on both sides with restaurants and hotels. Most of the places are chains, but you will find a few independent eateries such as the Speedway Cafe and Wolfie's Grille. The Dover Motor Speedway is also located along DuPont Highway and you can sometimes hear the cars revving their engines as you stand outside.
Fans 4
Delaware State averaged about a hundred fans a game last season, but drew over 400 for the home opener in 2023 when Stadium Journey visited. It seems there is a new-found interest in the program and there is excitement in the air. Hornet fans come early decked in blue and red and cheer on their team. While 400 fans may not seem like a lot, this is a loud and rowdy bunch. They cheer following big plays, support their players, and are not afraid to yell at the refs when they feel a bad call has gone against their team. It is good to see the team getting the attention they deserve,, and one hopes the larger crowds will continue throughout the current season and beyond.
Access 3
If coming from the north or south, US Route 13 (DuPont Highway) runs right through Dover, but if coming from the east or west, you will have to take a series of local roads to get into town. Once you get to the stadium, street parking is available on Clara Street and the other nearby roads, or you can park in a grass lot across the street from the stadium. Restrooms are available to the left of the bleachers, behind Bob Reed Field. They are small and the men's room was being used as storage for football down and yardage markers, but they should suffice for the needs of the crowd.
Return on Investment 4
Admission to Delaware State lacrosse games are free, parking is free, and you won't spend anything on concessions because there aren't any. However, there isn't enough here to earn the top score.
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Extras 1
Look for the "Welcome to Drass Field" sign honoring Wesley College athletics. Although the Wesley Wolverines are no more, their history is becoming Delaware State's future.
Final Thoughts
It would be inaccurate to call the excitement around Delaware State lacrosse a resurgence, since the team never really received the interest it deserved. However, if the attendance and atmosphere for Stadium Journey's visit are any indication, this is a program on the rise with a passionate and rowdy fan base, and there is really no way for them to go but up. While there is certainly room to improve the experience here at Drass Field in many respects, it looks like that is going to happen. It will take some time, but this is a program and a fan experience on the rise, and there will be better days ahead in Dover.
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