Edgar F. Diedrich Memorial Field - Indiana Valor
- Marc Viquez
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Photos Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86
Edgar F. Diedrich Memorial Field 1115 Broad Ripple Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46220
Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 1,500
Women's Tackle Football in Indiana
The Indiana Valor is a women's professional football team that began operations in 2025. The Women's Football Alliance has 60 teams separated into three divisions: Pro, Division 2, and Division 3. The Valor plays in Division 2 and is owned by area race driver and author Kristian Aleixo, a war vet who named the team to honor the many veterans in the state.
The Valor play at Edgar F. Diedrich Memorial Field which was the hope to the Broad Ripple High School football team from 1950-2018 when the school shut its door. The school is now home to Purdue Polytechnic High School and Broad Ripple Middle School. In 2024, synthetic turf was installed in the stadium as part of a $410 capital referendum plan approved by taxpayers.
There have been two other women's football teams that have called Indianapolis home. They include the Indiana Speed (2002-2007, 2009-2011) and the Indy Crash (2011-2015). The Crash played a few games at the Broad Ripple field during its time in the league.
Food & Beverage 2
All of the concessions are handled through the local restaurant Chet T's Chicken Express. The options include chicken tenders and bread chicken wings. The tenders come in either a 4 or 6-piece pack, while the wings are served in a 6 or 10-pack. They include a selection of sauces: BBQ, hot honey, Buffalo, and bourbon.
The hot and tangy wings and tenders can be washed down with a Valor shake made exclusively for home games. The shake is a combination of vanilla ice cream with bananas, Oreo cookies, and chocolate syrup. The best part is that it costs $2.25 for a 12-ounce cup.
The lines were long for Chef T's concession items and sold out before half-time, and there were no other items available that are common at football games, such as cola, hot dogs, chips, popcorn, or nachos. Since this is a school football fall, there are no alcoholic sales during games. However, the chicken tenders and wings are cooked almost to order, and the milkshake is a great price and made with fresh ingredients.
Atmosphere 3
You will have an old-school football experience at the Valor game with most of the action taking place on the field. Dietrich Field looks like a typical high school football stadium with seating on both sides, a running track, and a small concession stand near the entrance. Fans line up to get inside the facility and make their way to their seats across the track.
The stadium offers seating on both sides of the field, but only one side is open to the public. The other side is designated for the media and in-house DJ. However, there are more than enough bleacher seats for the fans in attendance who make the place come alive with chants, cheers, and plenty of signage to display.
The DJ plays a selection of music plus the Valor eagle scream sound effect. A stadium MC announces first downs, big plays, and defensive stops and encourages fans to stand and cheer on third down.
What was missing were cheerleaders, an official team mascot, promotions during breaks in the action, and a few freebies being tossed into the crowd. However, the fanbase seemed pleased with the football action taking place on the field and perhaps that was all that was needed on the night.
Neighborhood 4
The Valor plays in one of Indy’s hippest neighborhoods, mostly known for its nightlife on the weekends. Fans are within walking distance to a few popular eateries and bars worth visiting before or after the game.
Sit-down restaurants include Bazbeux Pizza, Kilroy’s Bar & Grill, Brother’s Bar and Grill, and Union Jack Pub. These are all popular spots, and each one offers a signature item. Kilroy’s is known for its pepperoni cheese sticks and Union Jack’s for its take on deep-dish pizza. Broad Ripple Brewpub is the state’s oldest brewery with 9 drafts and 2 cask ales. They also offer vegan options, plus bangers and mash, chicken schnitzel, and a scotch egg burger.
The Vogue Theatre is home to live music acts along with tribute bands and special performances. The theater was built in 1938 and features its iconic marquee of neon lights. There are also a variety of local shops including Indy CD & Vinyl and The Shop Indy which sells vintage-style shirts of local sports teams.
Fans 4
There are a large number of fans in attendance for the Valor first home game. It was not hard to spot many in team gear with the navy blue and gold colors. Fans could be heard with noisemakers, holding up signs, and cheering on their favorites on the gridiron. Many were family members, but quite a few others came out to show support. This also included members of the visiting Derby City Dynamite from Louisville who also had signage and a few vocal supporters in the grandstands.
Access 2
The stadium does have parking, but it fills up about 20-30 before kickoff. There is plenty of free parking outside of the stadium on Compton Street. If that is filled up, then there are several streets in the residential neighborhood to find a parking space. There is a bit of a walk from the main entrance to the seating area which might not be easy for those with mobility issues.
Return on Investment 3
The ticket price is $20 and can be purchased online through the Sports Illustrated ticket website. Most teams in the league charge between $15 and $20 for general admission tickets. The price of concessions is reasonable with milkshakes a bargain at $2.50. What was missing was team merchandise featuring the Valor sleek eagle design and colors. There was not a table for shirts, caps, or foam fingers.
Extras 2
The Valor earns an extra point for the cost of its unique milkshake served at the game. The Valor earns a second point for its logo, including a stylish wing logo on its helmet. The team has a great navy, light blue, and gold look.
Final Thoughts
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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com
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