Beaty-Richmond Field at Carl Smith Stadium - UVA-Wise Highland Cavaliers

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14

Beaty-Richmond Field at Carl Smith Stadium Wise, VA 24293

UVA-Wise Highland Cavaliers website Beaty-Richmond Field at Carl Smith Stadium

Year Opened: 1999

Capacity: 3,086

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Highland Cavaliers

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise is located in Wise, Virginia. Their football team competes in the NCAA’s Division II. Unlike their counterparts at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville (UVA’s main campus), the football squad in Wise refers to itself as the Highland Cavaliers.

Originally an NAIA program, the Highland Cavs began the transition to D2 in 2012, where they currently play as members of the South Atlantic Conference. They play their home football games at Beaty-Richmond Field at Carl Smith Stadium, which opened in 1999 and has a seating capacity of 3,086.

Food & Beverage   4

The selection at Carl Smith Stadium is not huge, but the prices are great – nothing costs more than $3.50 except the BBQ sandwich/nachos, at $4.50 and $5.50. Where else in college sports can you find a cheeseburger for $3.50, or a bottle of water/soda for $2.50?

Other options include pizza, pretzels, nachos, chips, popcorn, candy, Gatorade, coffee, and hot cocoa. The smallest of these items goes for $2, such as the candy and chips, while a hot dog without chili runs only $2.50.

Atmosphere   3

Despite its small size, and lack of fans during certain games, Carl Smith Stadium is a modern-looking venue, with plenty of signage showing off the Cavs. They have most of the accoutrements a college football stadium should have, except for a videoboard, a team tunnel, and maybe a mascot – though compared to similarly-sized venues, UVA-Wise is better than most.

There is a band, although it is small, and the team celebrates touchdowns by the cheer squad running flags up and down the sideline. There is also a team gear stand under the main stands.

Neighborhood   2

Wise, VA is located about half an hour north of I-81 in Virginia, near the town of Abingdon. In terms of attractions, there is a lot of Civil War history all over Virginia, and on my way through Abingdon, I saw a cemetery with a large sign over one section marked, Unknown Confederate Dead.

Closer to Wise, there aren’t any standout restaurants I noticed, although there are several pizza places, and some local fast food joints which you won’t find elsewhere – those are actually the best kind, the non-chains.

Fans   2

During my last visit the stadium wasn’t very full, especially on the visitors’ side, though there was a row of red tents set up on top of the hill above the home stands, where fans tailgated during the game, in full view of the field. I thought this was a great setup – why not tailgate during the game, and be able to watch it, instead of tailgating in the parking lot where the party has to end when the game begins? This way you have the best of both worlds.

Access   4

Once you get to Wise, the stadium is pretty easy to find, being right on campus – when you are driving on 646, be sure to turn onto Thomas Jefferson Dr. If you are coming from the east you will see the school’s main entrance at Cavalier Dr. first; if you turn there, take an immediate left onto Smiddy/Clinch Vly Dr, then turn right onto Thomas Jefferson. If you miss Smiddy, the loop you end up on will dead-end before you get to the football field, so you’ll have to turn around.

Once inside the stadium, there is plenty of room to move around, short to no lines at the concessions and team gear stand, and plenty of room to sit on the hillside if you would rather do that instead of sitting on metal bleachers. There are no chairback seats in Carl Smith Stadium.

Return on Investment   4

There is no cost to attend football games at UVA-Wise, and no cost for parking either, so you can’t go wrong taking in a Highland Cavaliers game on a Saturday afternoon. You won’t see anything over the top here, just football in a pleasant setting. Then again, what more does a person need?

Extras   3

The signage on the building behind the visitors’ side is a nice touch, and the colors really pop on the turf field. You can also get really close to the action here, given the small size of the venue, and being able to tailgate during the game is a major plus.

Final Thoughts

If you like college football, I would definitely recommend a game at UVA-Wise. Sure you can find more energetic atmospheres at nearby FBS venues, but you will also pay a lot more. If you want to take a family or group of friends to a game, a trip to Carl Smith Stadium is a great way to do it.