Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86
Walter M. Katz Field
160 Atherton St.
Milton, MA 02186
Year Opened: 1965
Capacity: 1,000
Curry College Colonels
Curry College is a private college located in Milton, Massachusetts, just seven miles from downtown Boston. Founded in 1879 as the School of Elocution and Expression, it was renamed in 1943 to honor its founders, Anna Baright and Samuel Silas Curry. Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, served as the school’s first Chancellor. Curry was the first school to offer a degree in Radio Broadcasting, starting the program in 1932. Today, its 4,700 students pursue studies in 25 undergraduate and 4 graduate programs.
Football has been played at Curry College since 1965. The Colonels, named in recognition of Samuel Curry’s birthplace in Tennessee, compete in the Conference of New England alongside several other small colleges throughout the area. The Colonels have qualified for the NCAA Division Three Tournament six times, with all their tournament appearances happening in consecutive seasons from 2003-2008. Curry reached the second round of the tournament twice. In addition, Curry has played in three postseason bowl games, most recently in 2017. New England Patriots legend Steve Nelson served as Curry’s head coach from 1998-2005, guiding the team through some of their most successful seasons.
Curry’s home field is Walter M. Katz Field, named for the Curry College class of 1989 alumnus. The facility serves as home to the school’s football, soccer and lacrosse teams. The New England Patriots used the field as their practice facility in 1967, while they played their home games at Fenway Park.
Food & Beverage 3
Fenway Park vendor The Sausage King runs a portable cart during Curry football games. They serve up some of their legendary sausage and pepper sandwiches, chicken teriyaki and footlong hot dogs along with a selection of cold drinks. Trust me, you’ll want to try one of these sausages at the game.
Just be warned, you’ll be paying Fenway Park prices for food at a Curry football game.
Atmosphere 2
The game day experience at a Curry football game is a basic one. The highlight of Katz Field is undoubtedly the video scoreboard in the northwest end zone. It’s used throughout the game for player photos and game information. The cheerleaders set up shop in the same end zone, leading the crowd in cheers throughout the game and performing at halftime. Unfortunately, there’s no pep band in attendance, and the subpar sound system ensures that Katz Field doesn’t get too loud, so it’s usually a pretty quiet afternoon here at Curry.
What energy is present at Katz Field is almost entirely generated by the fans in attendance, who are very much into the game and are supportive of the players on the field. There’s a good turnout from the student body, but no organized student section to speak of. Going to a Colonels game will feel very familiar to fans who have experienced other small college football games.
Neighborhood 3
Despite Curry College’s location just a few miles from downtown Boston, there’s more of a suburban feel to the area around the school. With the Blue Hills Reservation right across the street, there’s nothing in the immediate area of Curry to attract visiting fans besides the gorgeous fall foliage.
However, fans wanting to venture out into Milton will find a few spots worth a visit, including Roundhead Brewing Company. The nearby Fairmont Hill neighborhood in Hyde Park has several dining options within a few blocks. Fans looking to stay close to Curry will find some lodging options closer to I-93, including a Homewood Suites by Hilton and a Hilton Garden Inn. The Blue Hills Reservation is a popular place for hiking and other outdoor activities for those so inclined.
Of course, with Boston being so close, most out of town visitors will likely opt to head downtown rather than stay in the immediate area.
Fans 3
Curry College football crowds can be a bit on the larger side, especially when compared to other Division Three schools in the area. Although there is a lot of variance in the reported attendance, the average crowd numbers just under 1,000 fans. There’s a good turnout from the student body, but the majority of the crowd is made up of families of the players on the field. As a result, the crowd is knowledgeable about the Colonels and enthusiastic in their support.
With the majority of the Colonels’ schedule consisting of other New England teams, you’ll be sure to find a good turnout from visiting fans here at Katz Field. This is small college football, so fans are welcoming to each other, even when they are longtime rivals. You can feel comfortable sporting the opposition colors at Katz Field.
Access 3
Curry College is located in the Boston suburb of Milton, just seven miles from Downtown. Adjacent to the Blue Hills Reservation, the campus has a rustic feel despite being located very close to a bustling urban area.
Driving is the primary method for arriving at Curry College. Interstate 93 is about 3 miles from campus, and Route 138 will bring visitors directly to the school. Just remember that Curry is located just to the south of Boston, and traffic can be heavy, even on a fall Saturday. The MBTA’s number 716 bus has a stop at the entrance to Curry College, and the school operates a shuttle to the nearby Mattapan T station.
Katz Field is located alongside several of the school’s other athletic fields on the western edge of campus. Parking is available near the football field, but be warned, this small lot fills up quickly. Later arriving fans will have to park a distance away, over near the tennis courts on Blue Jay Way. The walk is about a half mile from the satellite lot to the football stadium, but it does avoid the big hills that surround the athletic fields. Fans trying to access the Visitor’s tailgating lot aren’t so lucky, as that lot sits at the top of a steep hill.
Seating consists of metal bleachers. The home (west) side of the field stretches from one 20-yard line to the other, while the visiting side features a much smaller set of bleachers that sits between the 40-yard lines. A third set of bleachers is tucked over by the goal line. There is plenty of standing room in either end zone, while some fans choose to sit on the hill behind the north end zone while taking in the action.
There are no permanent restrooms at Katz Field. Fans will have to make due with three port a johns located by the entrance to the stadium.
Return on Investment 5
Tickets to Colonels football games are sold as general admission for just five dollars. Seniors and visiting students receive a two-dollar discount. Children 12 and under are admitted at no charge. Parking on campus, either in the lots adjacent to the field or the ones a bit farther away, is also free. While grabbing a sausage from The Sausage King may be a bit more expensive than your typical D-3 fare, an afternoon at a Colonels game is a very affordable entertainment option for Metro Boston sports fans.
Extras 1
Look for a rebranding to happen in the near future here at Curry. The old Colonel logo, featuring a man with a bushy moustache and beard wearing a white suit and purple cowboy hat, was retired in 2020. The school is evaluating whether or not the name “Colonels” is appropriate moving forward, although no announcement has been made yet.
Final Thoughts
Katz Field is a solid small-college facility featuring affordable prices and a laid-back atmosphere close to the attractions of Boston. It’s a fine place to take in some quality football on a lovely New England fall afternoon.
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