Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Jamieson Stadium 801 Westover Terrace Greensboro, NC 27408
Year Opened: 1949
Capacity: 10,000
Football Goes to High School in Greensboro
Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, Jamieson Stadium opened in 1949 and primarily serves as the home of high school football’s Grimsley Whirlies, but the venue is also used by Greensboro College’s Greensboro Pride football team. The Pride football program was founded in 1997 and currently competes in the USA South Athletic Conference of the NCAA’s Division III.
Food & Beverage 3
Jamieson Stadium does not have a ton of options at its concessions stands, but on the plus side nothing costs more than $3, which is a great thing if you plan to take a family or large group to the game. The menu consists of hot dogs with chili and coleslaw, cotton candy, and nachos for $2 each, or popcorn, packaged candy, and chips for $1 each; you can also get Gatorade for $3, or bottled water and Pepsi products for $2 each.
There are two grandstands at Jamieson Stadium (one on each side of the field), but there is only one concessions stand which is on the home side – the venue is small so it is not a far walk between them, but keep that in mind if you plan to sit on the visitors side, in case you want to get your food and drinks before you walk across.
Atmosphere 3
The Greensboro Pride don’t currently attract a ton of fans to their games, maybe only a few hundred at most, but those fans are LOUD, and the venue is small enough you can easily hear the noise from the crowd as you watch the game. There are lots of calls of encouragement to the team and to specific players, and the PA system can easily be heard all over the stadium.
There is not much in the way of entertainment besides the action on the field, but Greensboro does have a small band to entertain fans before the game and during halftime, and you can also purchase Greensboro Pride team gear at Jamieson Stadium, from tables set up on top of the home stands. All the seats are bleachers without backs, and there is no video board for replays; just a regular static scoreboard.
Greensboro Pride Team Gear, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey
The Pride recently changed their team logo, so at the game I attended most recently they didn’t have their new banners put up yet, so I only saw the high school team’s colors and banners; however, that will change if you attend a game later this season.
Neighborhood 4
There are a couple of nice restaurants near Jamieson Stadium such as Print Works Bistro or Green Valley Grill, but one of the most popular restaurant destinations in Greensboro is Natty Greene’s Pub & Brewing Co. on Elm Street downtown; this popular stop is named after Revolutionary War Hero Nathaniel Green.
If you plan to be in town for the day, Greensboro, NC is not a huge city by any stretch, but there are plenty of historic sites and other attractions in the area. One of most well-known is the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, which commemorates the sit-ins that occurred in Greensboro during the 1960s – those sit-ins were actually some of the most influential and significant protests of the entire Civil Rights movement. You can also visit the Greensboro Science Center, which includes an aquarium, zoo, and hands-on activities for the kids.
Or, if you are a military history buff (or aspire to be), you can visit Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, and learn about Nathaniel Greene’s actions during the Revolutionary War.
Fans 2
The Greensboro Pride don’t have a ton of fans showing up to games right now, and a lot of the fans who are there are wearing the other team’s color – the visitor stands get fuller or emptier depending on how close the visiting school is to Greensboro, as you would expect. But the fans are loud, and the yells and catcalls from others really help you get in the spirit of the match.
Access 5
Getting to Jamieson Stadium is very easy; traffic in the area is light on Saturdays and the stadium is not far off the major freeways of I-40/I-85/I-785/I-804 – just head down Wendover Ave/Highway 220 (which is an exit off the freeways mentioned above), then turn onto Wendover Terrace and you will easily see the high school as you approach (the school buses are packed in front of the venue). Parking at the stadium is free and there is plenty of space right outside the main gate, and once you get inside there is plenty of room to move around; there is a walking path around the field that connects the two grandstands, which is set about 25 to 30 feet above the field, so you can easily keep an eye on the game as you walk to and from your seats.
There is only one concessions stand, at the top of the home side, but there are bathrooms behind both grandstands.
Return on Investment 5
Tickets to Greensboro Pride football games are only $5 (or $3 for students), which is the cheapest I have ever seen for a college football game. Add to that the free parking and the very low-cost concessions, and you can’t beat the value here at Jamieson Stadium.
Extras 2
There aren’t many extras here at Jamieson Stadium, mostly just some no-frills college football in a pleasant atmosphere. However, there is also no stress, no traffic, no long lines, and no huge crowds to fight your way through, so for football purists this is a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The PA announcer also plays lots of great music – not a slow song in sight, but the kind of fun music that makes you want to stand up and dance.
Final Thoughts
There are several college football teams in Greensboro, NC, including the North Carolina A&T Aggies and the Guilford Quakers, among others, as well as the Wake Forest Demon Deacons about a half hour to the west in Winston-Salem. You won’t see any big-name teams coming through Jamieson Stadium like you might at BB&T Field, but on the plus side you will spend a lot less money, and seeing a game here will take you back to a simpler time and a simpler way of life, where you can simply watch football without all the modern distractions – I highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.