Photos by Richard Smith Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71
Wilmington University Athletics Complex 1365 Pulaski Highway Newark, DE 19702
Wilmington Wildcats website Wilmington University Athletics Complex website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 1,000
Wildcats In Delaware
Wilmington University was founded in 1968 as Wilmington College. It became a university in 2007. Their main campus is located in New Castle, DE but classes are also held in Brandywine, Middletown, Dover, Dover Air Force Base, and Georgetown, DE, as well as one Maryland location and five New Jersey locations. Plans are also underway for a new large campus just north of Wilmington.
Wilmington University’s athletic teams are known as the Wildcats and compete in NCAA Division II within the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference for all sports. The university’s men’s baseball team was named NCAA Division II East Regional champions in 2015 while the men’s golf team earned an NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Super Regional title in both 2012 and 2015. The university’s cheerleading team was named the Universal Cheerleading Association’s national champions for five consecutive years between 2012 and 2016.
Some of the school’s sports teams play here at the Wilmington University Athletic Complex in Bear, Delaware. It was opened in 2013 and is home to the men’s and women’s basketball and soccer teams as well as the women’s lacrosse and volleyball teams.
Food & Beverage 1
There is no concession stand here at the complex. But I am awarding a point since there are times when other Wilmington sports teams sell hot dogs and other items at halftime in the lobby to raise money. Hot dogs for a dollar is never a bad idea. There is also a well-priced soda and snack machine in the small north lobby.
Atmosphere 3
This is a small gym that is very reminiscent of a high school gym. Because of the small size, it can get loud pretty quickly depending on the game's action. There is a small simple grandstand on the main side of the court, with a smaller student section behind the benches. Wilmington has a very strong cheerleading program, as well as a decent dance squad that entertains the small crowd.
Neighborhood 3
Bear is a suburban location along a stretch of US Route 40 in Delaware. There is no real town that can be found. That means it will not be an exciting area to visit, but there will be many options for food and drink pre and post-game. The sports complex is not close to the main part of campus.
Stewarts Brewing Company is a very good local brewpub located a mile or so away at the Governor’s Square Shopping Center. There are a few other options in this area. Longhorn Steakhouse may be the closest actual option to the sports complex.
Fans 2
As with most small college gyms, the bulk of the fans tends to be family or friends of both teams. There will be some local fans who just happen to stop by for the game as well. The fans are very knowledgeable and can be quite loud. Student attendance at games will always be an issue as the university has so many scattered locations and is often thought of as a commuter school.
Access 4
The sports complex is easy to reach and is only a couple miles off of Interstate 95. You may have to pay some tolls, although locals will know how to avoid them as much as possible. There is a decent size parking lot for the complex. There are two entrances to the arena. The one to the left is the best as it has a small room with the school’s All-Americans on display.
Return on Investment 4
You are not going to be watching the highest level of basketball competition, but the cost is about the best you can find. That’s right, there is no admission cost. Combine that with free parking, and you have a pretty great night out.
Extras 2
The All-American display is nice and is worth a few minutes of your time. Depending on the time of year and season, one should also see if any games are going on at the outdoor soccer and lacrosse complex. There is a small grandstand and the field looks quite nicely designed.
Final Thoughts
Wilmington University has a very nice sports complex with a small but nicely designed gym. The level of competition is fairly low, but with no cost of admission, a sports fan will want to make some time to visit if in the area.
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