Saxon Stadium - Mercyhurst Lakers

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey and Mercyhurst University Athletics

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29

Saxon Stadium 501 East 38th St Erie, PA 16546

Mercyhurst Lakers website

Saxon Stadium website

Year Opened: 1996

Capacity: 2,300

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Lakers Set Sail In The FCS

Mercyhurst University is a coed, four-year Catholic University located in Erie, Pennsylvania. It was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1926. It attained university status in 2012. Today it has a student body of 2,668 and offers 50 undergraduate Majors and six graduate majors. Its 75-acre campus is located just south of downtown Erie.

The football program at Mercyhurst is still rather young, as its inaugural season was in 1981. From 1981 until 1995, the team played its home games at downtown Erie’s 10,000-seat Veterans Stadium. They then moved to the on-campus Saxon Stadium in 1996. The stadium is named for major donors John and Patty Saxon.

The program started small, playing at the Division III level from 1981-1992. It then moved up to the Division II level from 1993-2023. Finally, it moved up to Division I level in 2024, where it became the newest football program at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, and it is a member of the Northeast Conference.

Food & Beverage 2

There is a new concession pavilion adjacent to Gate 1. It sells the basics (sodas, popcorn, hot dogs). Concessions may also be purchased at the Mercyhurst Ice Rink concessions window.

Atmosphere 3

Seating at Saxon Stadium is either on metal bleachers or on the berm located at the south end of the field. Due to extremely cold weather towards to end of the football season, the playing surface at Saxon Stadium is artificial turf. For this same reason, we strongly suggest bringing seat cushions, as the metal bleachers can get uncomfortably cold!

The bleachers are elevated above the playing surface, which does provide you with an excellent view of the action on the fields, and the production crew needs to get on the same page as PA music and band music were competing.

Neighborhood 4

Mercyhurst University is in Erie, Pennsylvania, a city of 94,831, located along the south shore of Lake Erie. It sits atop the highest hill in the Erie area, which provides excellent views of downtown Erie and the lakefront. Adding to the unique beauty of the campus are the Gothic-style architecture found in the campus buildings, as well as the lush landscaping found throughout the campus.

Downtown Erie offers plenty of attractions and activities for Laker fans who are in town for a game. The town is often called the Gem of the Great Lakes due to its very active harbor and its long history related to the lakefront. Some of the sites visitors will want to check out while fans are in Erie are the reproduction of the USS Niagara, which saw service during the War of 1812, the Erie Land Lighthouse, the Erie Maritime Museum, and the Bicentennial Tower. Presque Isle Downs and Casino and Presque Isle State Park are also along the lakefront.

Erie offers a wide variety of dining options for visitors to the area. Some of the popular restaurants include Mi Scuzi Restaurante Italiano, Julius, and the Federal Hill Smokehouse. The Breakfast Place is a great option for fans who want to get their game days off to a delicious start.

Erie is also home to the Lake Erie Ale Trail, with several microbreweries and bars available for a pint or two. These establishments include the Brewerie at Union Station, the Lavery Brewing Company, the Erie Ale Works, and McCoy’s Barrelhouse.

Lodging near the Mercyhurst campus includes the Baymont by Wyndham Erie along I-90, or the Courtyard Erie Bayfront in downtown Erie.

Fans 4

Mercyhurst’s small student body is fiercely loyal to the school’s athletic teams. The stands are filled with green attire featuring the school’s iconic “M”. They are kept energized throughout the games thanks to the efforts of Luke the Laker, a husky Great Lakes Sailor who serves as the school mascot, as well as through performances by the school dance squad and drill team. The Laker Proud Marching Band does a terrific job with both pregame and halftime performances.

The fans look forward to the ringing of the Sister Damien Spirit Bell, as it means the Lakers have secured yet another victory. Sister Damien was an avid sports fan who was known for ringing a cowbell throughout the games.

Access 3

Mercyhurst University and Erie are both relatively isolated from any major cities. It is located 80 miles west of Buffalo and 90 miles east of Cleveland via I-90 and 100 miles north of Pittsburgh via I-79. Erie is served by Erie International Airport at Tom Ridge Field. The airport can only handle regional jets, and American Airlines is the only major carrier offering flights in and out of Erie.

Once on the campus, follow the directional signs to Saxon Stadium. The stadium is in the back (northernmost) section of the campus.

Parking is available in Lot 8 adjacent to the stadium via the Briggs Avenue entrance. The lot opens three hours before kickoff. Seating is available in raised metal bleachers on both sides of the field. The home side of the field has bleachers running along the entire length of the field, while the visitors' seating on the opposite side of the field has seating that runs between the 40’s. Many students prefer to sit on the grass hillside at one end of the field.

Gates at Saxon Stadium open 75 minutes before kickoff.

There are three gates into the stadium. Gate 1 is for use by both the home and visiting fans. Gate 2 is for team parents, team families, and recruits. Gate 3 is for the Pet Supplies Plus Walkway. The gate is restricted to fans bringing their pets to the game. Seating is located in the pet-friendly section on Alumni Hill. This is the only section of Saxon Stadium where pets are allowed. Gates at Saxon Stadium open 75 minutes before kickoff.

Return on Investment 4

Ticket prices can vary depending on the opponent. However, the average ticket cost per game is around $32. All tickets are general admission seating.

Parking is $5 per vehicle.

Lodging options in the Erie area can go for $85 for a standard hotel room up to $150 for a hotel room in downtown Erie with views of the lakefront.

Extras 3

Saxon Stadium is also utilized for field hockey, lacrosse, intermural sports activities, and marching band practice and performances.

Saxon Stadium also serves as the home of the Erie Express semi-professional football team and the Erie Commodores FC soccer club.

Saxon Stadium is the only college stadium where pets are allowed in the stadium (other than support animals).

Final Thoughts

Mercyhurst is one of the newest additions to the FCS level of college football competition. It also has the smallest student body of any school at the FCS level. However, it makes up for these limitations through great school spirit and the support of the Erie community. Saxon Stadium is the place to be on Saturday afternoons in Erie!