Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Horst Athletic Center
901 Eden Rd
Lancaster, PA 17601
Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 655
Bible Chargers
Lancaster Bible College is a private Bible college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that is also home to the Capital Seminary and Graduate School. The college was founded in 1933 as the Lancaster School of the Bible. The school became a college in 1973 and started offering Bachelor of Science in Bible degrees in 1981.
The college now grants six bachelor's degrees, one associate degree, and two one-year certificates in addition to six master's degrees, nine graduate certificates, and three doctorate programs in Leadership, Biblical Studies, and Ministry.
Lancaster Bible College teams are a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division I and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. In the NCAA, The Chargers are a member of the NCAA's United East Conference. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis, and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.
In 2018 the Chargers basketball team won the NCCAA Division II National Championship. with a 78-65 win over Hillsdale Baptist. It seems that the men's basketball team mainly participates in NCAA action now instead of the NCCAA.
The Horst Athletic Center is home to the Lancaster Bible College Men's & Women's Basketball programs, as well as the Men's & Women's Volleyball programs. The gymnasium was built in 1975 and renovated prior to the 2015-16 academic year.
Food & Beverage 2
There is a very simple concession stand located inside the gym itself. Although it has a simple menu the food choices were good and the product of good quality and cheap.
Atmosphere 4
The Horst Athletic Center has chairback seating on one side and bleachers on the other. It is a small gym but the atmosphere is top-notch. The gym is loud and fans seem to be very involved in the action.
There are only simple scoreboards and no cheerleaders or mascots seen. The lack of these does not lower the atmosphere score.
Neighborhood 3
The college is located in a suburban area of Lancaster. You may want to venture to downtown Lancaster for interesting options pre- and post-game.
Besides downtown, the main commercial areas of the Lancaster area are the outlets area east on Route 30 and surrounding the Park City Center Shopping Mall north of downtown.
Nearby Lititz is also a good option as it has numerous food and shopping options.
Fans 4
The fans are loud and engaged in the action. Everyone is close to the action and fans seem to really enjoy games here at this small gym.
Access 4
Lancaster is an easy area to navigate. Routes 30 and 222 are well-known, large roads that any tourist visitor to the area will be more than familiar with.
Even though the college is located in a busy town, you will seldom find traffic to be too bad. Lancaster is located about half an hour from the state capital Harrisburg. It is also about an hour and a half to Baltimore and the same distance to Philadelphia.
There are many parking spaces around the college.
Return on Investment 4
The cost of the game is a mere $5 and the food prices were also very fair. It may not be the highest level of college basketball but the return on investment is quite good.
Extras 2
The college is an interesting visit on its own. There is a nice soccer stadium and other sports facilities nearby.
There is a nice little disc golf course right near the Horst Athletic Center.
Final Thoughts
Lancaster Bible College plays at one of the lower levels of college basketball, but the games presented here are fun and it is certainly an experience that a true sports fan should experience if in the area.