Mickey Dunn Stadium - Kennesaw State Owls

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29

Mickey Dunn Stadium 220 Kennesaw State University Road Kennesaw, GA 30144

Kennesaw State Owls website Mickey Dunn Stadium website

Year Opened: 2026 Capacity: 2,500

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Mickey Dunn Stadium – Kennesaw State Owls

There has been a great deal of change for the Kennesaw State Owls baseball program over the past two seasons. Following the 2024 campaign the team vacated Fred Stillwell Stadium and moved south to the Marietta campus, to play the 2025 season at S. Walker Kelley Field while a new ballpark was constructed. With construction now complete, the Owls have returned to their Kennesaw nest in a fully reimagined facility, officially named Mickey Dunn Stadium at Henssler Financial Field.

Built on the footprint of its predecessor, Mickey Dunn Stadium is a significant upgrade. The new ballpark offers improved sight lines, expanded amenities, and a more polished overall presentation, creating a far more comfortable and fan-friendly game day experience than the previous facility provided. The result is a venue that better matches the growth of the program, and elevates the overall experience for fans making the trip to Kennesaw.

That growth has been years in the making. The Owls established themselves as one of the top NCAA Division II programs throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, making nine consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, and 10 in 11 seasons. Kennesaw State made the jump to Division 1 in 2006, first joining the Atlantic Sun Conference before moving to Conference USA in 2024.

Food & Beverage   3

Concession options at Mickey Dunn Stadium are consistent with what is found at other Kennesaw State athletic venues, which results in a somewhat limited selection. There is just one main concession stand, located on the first base side of home plate, serving the basics: all-beef hot dogs, nachos with cheese sauce and salsa, popcorn, chips, and candy.

Bottled soft drinks from the Coca-Cola family are available, along with Powerade and Dasani water. Adult beverages include Michelob Ultra, Michelob Ultra Flight, SweetWater 420, New Realm Brewing’s Hazy Like a Fox, and the Kennesaw State–branded Owl In American Lager. Good Old Days canned cocktails, including Vodka Rita, Sea Breeze, and Gin Gimlet are also available. A small cart on the concourse adds funnel cakes and walking tacos to the mix.

Overall, the concession options are adequate but not particularly memorable.

Atmosphere   3

The new setup at Mickey Dunn Stadium is a significant upgrade from the previous facility, which was little more than a small brick press box perched atop a short section of aluminum bleachers. In its place now sits a full seating structure featuring several sections of individual chairback seats, flanked on both sides by aluminum bleachers. An additional standalone set of bleachers sits adjacent to the visitors’ bullpen, while standing-room areas and a grassy berm line the left field side.

A pair of scoreboards sit beyond the outfield fence. A large video board just beyond the right-center field wall displays player graphics, inning-by-inning line score, ball-strike-out counts, and pitch speed. A second, smaller scoreboard affixed to the exterior of the adjacent Bailey Sports Complex beyond left field provides basic ball-strike-out information and tracks runs, hits, and errors.

The outfield dimensions are standard, measuring 330 feet down each line and 400 feet to straightaway center. A 16-foot batter’s eye in center field is in play, adding a bit of character to the field layout. Game presentation is straightforward, with little in the way of fan engagement features or mid-inning entertainment.

Neighborhood   4

Mickey Dunn Stadium sits at the front of Kennesaw State’s campus along Chastain Road, wedged between Interstates 75 and 575 to the east and west. This area is one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the northwestern Atlanta suburb of Kennesaw, making the ballpark easy to spot and even easier to reach.

The surrounding area is filled with shopping centers, restaurants, and hotels. With such a high concentration of dining options, retail, and lodging, visitors from out of town will find just about everything they might need for a weekend in Kennesaw, all within a mile of the stadium.

With so many food options nearby, there is something to suit nearly any taste. One of the more popular spots is Taco Mac, a regional chain offering a refined pub-style menu and an extensive beer list with more than 100 options available on tap and in cans or bottles. A couple of hidden gems sit just a short drive from campus as well; Big Shanty Smokehouse serves up outstanding barbecue, while Cylantros offers a top-notch Venezuelan menu.

Kennesaw was the site of several battles during the Civil War, and much of that history is recognized throughout the area. The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History tells the story of the Great Locomotive Chase, while Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park features its own museum, along with miles of trails up and around Kennesaw Mountain. Both provide solid options for visitors looking to fill time before first pitch.

Fans   3

The Owls typically draw just under 600 fans per game, placing them in the lower quarter of the conference in average attendance. What the crowd lacks in size, however, it makes up for in passion, particularly from the student section. A diehard group regularly attends games across Kennesaw State athletics, often dressed in banana costumes, creating energy and doing their part to build a home-field advantage for the Owls.

Access   3

Kennesaw State’s campus is conveniently located just off Interstate 75, which runs through Atlanta and north toward Chattanooga. The campus is also easily accessible from metro Atlanta’s northwestern suburbs via the I-575 spur.

What makes the experience a bit of a hassle is the lack of parking directly at the stadium. The two primary game day options include the parking garage between VyStar Arena and the baseball and softball facilities, which requires a bit of a walk, or surface lots near I-75 that require crossing a moderately busy street to reach the ballpark.

The main concourse runs above the seating bowl and feels somewhat narrow, particularly with concession carts, an apparel stand, and additional tables set up along the outer edge of the walkway. The cramped space is generally manageable, except perhaps immediately following the game when most fans exit at once, though multiple exit points help relieve some of the congestion.

Return on Investment   5

Tickets start at $10 for adult general admission and go up to $30 for reserved seats behind home plate. Family four-packs are available for reserved seating behind each dugout for $40. Discounted tickets are offered to youth (12 and under), military personnel, first responders, and educators.

With free parking and reasonably priced tickets, Mickey Dunn Stadium delivers one of the more accessible Division 1 baseball experiences.

Extras   2

While the stadium may no longer bear his name, Fred Stillwell has not been forgotten. The history of Kennesaw State baseball is honored on the Fred Stillwell Wall of Champions, located on the exterior of the stadium.

The variety of seating options here not only gives fans choices for how and where to watch the game from, but also provides kids with space to play without disrupting those enjoying the action on the field.

Final Thoughts

From what its predecessor was, Mickey Dunn Stadium is a major upgrade from Fred Stillwell Stadium. It has a much more comfortable and finished feel, with improved premium seating and enhanced game operations that elevate the overall fan experience.

With free parking, reasonable ticket prices, and a family-friendly layout, Mickey Dunn Stadium delivers an accessible and enjoyable Division 1 baseball experience that stands as a significant step forward for the program.