Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
Shaw Field 3700 O Street NW Washington, DC 20007
Year Opened: 1996
Capacity: 1,625
Hoya Soccer at Shaw
Shaw Field, formerly known as North Kehoe Field, is the home to the Georgetown Hoyas men’s and women’s soccer teams. Although it opened in 1996, it was only used for practice for the first five years of its existence. In 2001, the Hoyas began playing their games there as well. Shaw Field underwent significant renovations in 2012, including a new scoreboard and an updated seating area with chair backs.
Georgetown’s school colors, blue and gray, date back to just after the Civil War, when Union blue and Confederate gray were chosen in an effort to unify both the school, which had students who had fought on both sides, and the nation as a whole.
Food & Beverage 3
There is a small tent at one end of the concourse that serves your basic concessions. Those looking for a main course can buy hot dogs ($3), nachos ($5), or hamburgers ($5, with cheese optional at no additional cost.) Snacks include popcorn ($4), pretzels ($3), chips ($1), and candy ($2-$3.) Lemonade and Powerade (listed on the sign as Gatorade) are $4 each, while bottled water and soda are $2 each. Credit cards and cash are accepted.
Concession Tent at Shaw Field, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey
Atmosphere 3
All seats at Shaw Field are chair backs bolted onto bleachers, and all of them are on the same side of the stadium. Seating is general admission, so be sure to arrive early if you want to stake out your choice of seats. There is a scoreboard in the corner of the field which also shows the number of shots each team has taken so far.
The Hoyas have previously held unusual promotions at soccer games such as Millennial Day, where the first 500 fans in attendance (basically anyone who arrived on time) received participation trophies and no verbal communication was permitted in the “Millennial Communication Section,” only texting. However, these have been the exception rather than the rule, and usually there is not much going on other than the game itself. Part of this is due to the nature of soccer, with no interruptions, but there is also no halftime entertainment or other things going on like you would see at some places. However, considering this is college soccer we’re talking about, not basketball or football, this is about what you’d expect. It would be nice to see the team do more of these unusual promotions, or at least some sort of regular promotions to improve the atmosphere, but for now, they’re few and far between.
Neighborhood 5
Shaw Field is located in the middle of the Georgetown campus, and you’ll probably have to head off campus to really do anything. However, the Georgetown neighborhood (which lends its name to the school, not the other way around) is one of the best in D.C. There are numerous restaurants ranging from casual sandwich shop Booeymonger’s to luxurious upscale restaurants such as 1789, and everything in between. All of this is located just a short walk or drive away from the University.
If you’re willing to head downtown to the National Mall area, the District has so much more to offer, and the best part is that most of it is free. Whether it’s taking in the sights and monuments on the Mall itself, or visiting one of the many museums such as the various Smithsonians, there’s something for everyone. All of the government-run attractions are free, but some of the private ones are not. Just keep in mind if you wish to tour the White House or Capitol, you will need to book in advance.
Fans 3
Although college soccer really isn’t all that popular in most of the country, the Hoyas manage to draw a decent crowd to Shaw Field, consisting of everyone from longtime Hoya supporters to families with young children. The place rarely comes close to filling up, but it won’t be deserted, either. There is a small student presence at most games, and they will typically stand behind the goal. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to get too involved. Fans can get loud and involved at times, but at other moments it will be dead silent here.
Small Student Section at Shaw Field, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey
Access 3
Parking for Shaw Field is available in the Southwest Garage, just past the entrance gates to campus. Parking is free on weekends but is a pricey $5/hour on weekdays. Once you exit the garage, you will need to walk up a large hill and several flights of steps to get to the stadium. The good news is that once you’re in the stadium, you should have no problem moving around. There are no permanent restrooms at Shaw Field, just a few port-a-potties outside it.
Return on Investment 2
Tickets are $10 for adults, or $5 for youth and military. This is a bit on the high end for college soccer, and admission is even free at many places. How much you pay for parking will vary widely depending on when you visit, so if possible, come on a weekend or university holiday to maximize your value.
Extras 2
There are free programs and roster cards available at the entrance. The programs are quite impressive for college soccer.
Shaw Field is also perhaps the only sporting venue in the world where you can experience a helicopter delay. The helipad for Georgetown MedStar Hospital is located directly behind the goal, and for safety reasons, the game must be delayed, and that side of the field cleared, whenever a medical helicopter is arriving.
Final Thoughts
College soccer isn’t as popular in most of the country as other sports like basketball or football. However, Shaw Field is a nice place to take in a college soccer game, and the crowds are decent most games given the size of the stadium. While it would be nice if ticket prices could come down a little bit, a trip here is still a fun way to spend an afternoon.
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