Fred Rust Arena - Delaware Blue Hens
Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14
Fred Rust Arena 605 S College Ave Newark, DE 19716
Year Opened: 1971
Capacity: 2,500
Blue Hen Pride
The University of Delaware (UD) is the largest college in Delaware. They are a privately governed university that receives public funding. The school from which the university grew (Academy of Newark) was founded in 1743, making it one of the oldest in the nation. However, UD was not chartered as an institution of higher learning until 1833.
U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks UD’s undergraduate program high among public universities. The university’s programs in engineering, science, business, hospitality management, chemical and biomolecular engineering, chemistry, and biochemistry have been especially highly ranked.
Fred Rust Ice Arena was built in 1971. The complex also hosts the Gold Arena, which is an NHL-sized rink.
The facility is home to the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens men’s teams competing at the club level and women’s ice hockey teams competing at the NCAA level.
The facility is also home to the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club and the University of Delaware Synchronized Skating Club.
Food & Beverage 4
There is an improved concession operation now over past years. There is a nice window offering more full service choices as well as grab and go options.
UD dairy has temporarily moved it's operations into the building as a new main facility for them is being built next door. Even when they do move out the arena, proximity to great ice cream options is a nice option.
Atmosphere 4
The arena has a main grandstand along the home side of the rink. It is nothing fancy and is pretty much metal bleachers. The best seats are the ones with a blue-enhanced bottom cushion. It seems like nothing much but it does help the comfort level of the fans. Across the ice, the visiting team bleachers are just metal alone.
The atmosphere is pretty simple. This is a place to watch a good level of college hockey and not much more. They do offer spaces for kids' birthday parties and other group events.
There is a very good pro shop located in the lobby. It is a place to get your serious hockey and ice skating gear. They will also sell some Blue Hens merchandise inside. Other team merchandise will be sold on temporary tables inside the arena, next to the rink.
We attended this game during exhibition season so the crowd attendance was a bit lighter, but from our many visits we know the stands fill up for most games.
Neighborhood 4
Newark (pronounced here as New Ark) is a great college town. Numerous food options on East Main Street will fill you up before or after a game.
Parking on East Main Street is always a bit of a problem. There are many public lots, but note that they may be behind buildings and hard to find. Many restaurants offer validation for the public lots.
If you do not want to fight for parking, head the opposite way from downtown Newark and towards the gigantic Christiana Mall area. Right before getting there is Border Cafe, designated only with a large “EAT” sign. Their large and varied menu offers great Tex-Mex & Cajun options at a pretty cheap price. Try the catfish fajitas with a side of jambalaya.
Numerous dining and lodging options are prevalent around the Christiana Mall area, although if in search of lodging, one should look at the Embassy Suites located across from the football stadium.
Fans 4
The fans here are very knowledgeable. The Blue Hens teams have shown great success over the year so the fans expect to see quality hockey action.
Some of the fans are family and friends of the players. There are also quite a few youth hockey clubs that attend the games.
Access 5
Rust Arena is easy to reach and is only a couple of miles off Interstate 95. You may have to pay some tolls, although locals will know how to avoid them as much as possible. Coming from points south on I-95, getting off at Maryland Route 279 will avoid the toll pretty easily, and it is a short drive to the arena .
Return on Investment 5
Tickets are a reasonable $8 each. There are some options for group tickets and special events.
Parking does cost which you use the Passport app to pay the charge. We saw that most people were not even doing that, but we don’t recommend you skip out on the parking fee.
Because of the fairly high quality and level of activity, the return on investment is quite high.
Extras 3
Check out the banners and memorabilia for the various UD hockey teams. The teams have shown great success over the years, including winning the 2012 ACHA national championship.
While you are looking at the banners, make sure to look at all the awards and information in regard to the various UD ice skating programs and their success. This is a facility that is known to be the spot where the best of the best come to practice.
Speaking of “the best” you will also see items displaying the various high-level ice skating talent that trains there, beyond just the UD teams. World ice skating champion Kimmie Meissner is just one of the individuals that made the Rust and Gold arenas their home rinks. If you get there early or stay late after a game you may even see these talents in person.
Final Thoughts
The University of Delaware has some very serious hockey teams, not to mention a high-level ice skating program. The Fred Rust Ice Arena is not flashy but is a great place to watch a very good level of college hockey.
