CCBC Catonsville Stadium Field - CCBC Catonsville Cardinals
Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71
CCBC Catonsville Stadium Field 800 S. Rolling Road Baltimore, MD 21228
Year Opened: n/a Capacity: 2,000
Cardinals Soccer
One of the largest colleges in Maryland is largely unknown outside of the area. The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) has an annual enrollment of greater than 72,000 students. Created in the 1990s by a merger of Essex Community College, Dundalk Community College, and Catonsville Community, the new college kept each of those three main campuses, along with a bevy of extension campuses around the suburban Baltimore County area. The three colleges shared a common board of trustees for years but previously operated independently. Essex, Dundalk, and Catonsville have each kept their own distinct athletic identity.
CCBC Catonsville began in 1957, operating out of nearby Catonsville High School. The college is located on the site of the historic Knapp Estate. There is still the manor house of the estate, as well as ruins of various historic buildings scattered around the hilltop campus.
The school mascot is the Cardinals and they play ten sports. They are a member of Region XX of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference.
The soccer program runs out of the simply named "Stadium Field" which is next to the school's baseball field and tennis courts.
Food & Beverage 0
There are no food options at or near the stadium field. You are free to bring your own food.
Atmosphere 2
There is not much else in terms of atmosphere as it is a JUCO level soccer match. The team does have a PA announcer and that is about it.
The stadium field has been newly turfed as of fall of 2017. The lighted field is fenced in with seating for 2000 and can accommodate soccer, football, men’s and women’s lacrosse, and other activities. The field is a regional site for the Baltimore County Public School system and the area recreation council.
Most matches like the one we attended are men's / women's doubleheaders. The atmosphere is the same for both.
Neighborhood 3
CCBC Catonsville is a suburban community college with its main neighbor being the high school and nearby University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). You will have to venture a bit far from campus for any food or drinks.
Downtown Baltimore is roughly a 15 to 20-minute drive down I-95. Catonsville's main street, Frederick Road, is filled with many food and drink options. Nearby Arbutus will also be a good source of options. We like Sorrentos in the downtown section of Arbutus for a good sub or cheesesteak before the game.
Fans 3
The attendees at most matches are family members or other athletes. There may be a few local residents who attend the matches. Students generally do not seem to attend matches as it is such a commuter campus. The fans in attendance are knowledgeable and friendly to visitors.
Access 4
The CCBC Catonsville campus is easy to access, as it is located off Route 166 / Exit 47B of I-95. There is plenty of free parking on the campus. If classes are in session you may expect to park a bit further away from the field.
Return on Investment 5
The games are free to attend. That, along with the free parking, means that you can attend a good-level JUCO program at no cost.
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Extras 2
Walk around campus and see the solar panels that have been added to many parking areas on campus. All of the CCBC campuses have added these and expect to get more than a quarter of their electricity from solar. This 5.1-megawatt project is expected to generate 6.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year and joins the 16.1-megawatt array at Mount St. Mary’s University in an effort by local colleges to expand solar usage.
There are many banners and plaques scattered around inside the nearby Jack Manley Wellness and Athletic Center displaying the various personal and team accomplishments of Cardinals athletes.
Final Thoughts
The CCBC Catonsville Stadium Field is a basic pleasant soccer facility located in nice park-like setting. Although nothing fancy, it is a nice little stop for a sports fan traveling along the I-95 corridor.
