Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
Reisterstown Sportsplex 401 Mitchell Dr
Reisterstown, MD 21136
Year Opened: 2008
Capacity: 1,500
Hockey Horses
Stevenson University was originally known as Villa Julie College. It has always been a bit of a quirky place. Originally located in the Greenspring Valley of Baltimore County and its Stevenson neighborhood, the college was an all-women college until 1972 and did not even offer bachelor's degrees until 1984. It also was entirely non-residential.
Eventually, the college desired to add housing and more of just about everything, so a new campus was added in Owings Mills. This expansion dramatically increased the college’s offerings and student population. In 2008, they decided they needed a new identity and changed their name to Stevenson University.
That new Owings Mills campus just happened to be right next door to the old Baltimore Colts training facility.
The Mustangs are a NCAA Division III hockey team that plays as part of the 5-team Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC). Normally the MAC is an umbrella organization of sub-conferences, with 16 member colleges, but with some sports, they combine into a single entity. Stevenson has also participated as part of the United Collegiate Hockey Conference at the same time, but the MAC is becoming an automatic qualifier conference in 2024 so the team will be competing solely under the MAC banner. Stevenson also fields a women's ice hockey team.
The Reisterstown Sportsplex is a Baltimore County-owned sports facility that houses a 200 x 85 foot NHL size ice rink and a 180 x 80 foot indoor soccer/lacrosse field.
Food & Beverage 1
The facility does have a snack bar but it was not open at the game we attended. The other option is vending machines, so it is best to eat before coming to a game.
Atmosphere 2
For a recreation facility, the ice rink has two fairly large grandstands with nice seating that makes for great watching angles. Many fans also stand along the glass right inside the entrance of the rink.
The arena is filled with Stevenson banners and colors so it seems like a Mustang-specific arena, although it is not. UMBC, as well as various youth teams, play here as well. The arena is also used for ice dance teams, competitive ice skaters, and general ice skating open hours.
Neighborhood 4
Resitertown is a suburb of Baltimore, so there are plenty of shopping centers and restaurants in the area.
Kecco's Woodfire Kitchen is right nearby and could be a good food stop before or after a game. The Cow is a fun ice cream shop located close by. Somehow we always end up north in Westminster and one of the few Roy Roger's fast food restaurants around.
Fans 4
The fans are loud and make for a great environment for hockey. They seem to be quite knowledgeable.
Access 4
The Reisterstown Sportsplex is at the junction of I-795 and State Route 140 so it is easy to access. There is a large parking lot at the facility, as well as other parts of the surrounding Reisterstown Regional Park.
People in the area likely know of the Mitchell's Golf Complex, and the facility is located right next door to that establishment. That is a nice wayfinding point for people who have never been to the Reisterstown Sportsplex.
Return on Investment 5
Games are free, as is parking, and the Division III level of play is fairly good so the return on investment is strong.
Extras 2
There is likely to be an indoor soccer game playing next door, so it may be worth watching some of that action when in the building.
The Sportsplex is located within the greater Reisterstown Regional Park, as well as next to the Mitchell's Golf Complex, and both are great places to stop in and check out.
Final Thoughts
There are no other NCAA ice hockey teams in Maryland, so a visit to see a game, especially one with no cost associated with it, is a great reason to watch a Stevenson Mustangs game.
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