Thomas Athletic Field - Hood Blazers

Richard Smith
8 hours ago
3 min read

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71

Thomas Athletic Field 601 Blazer Trail

Frederick, MD 21701

Hood Blazers website Thomas Athletic Field website

Year Opened: 2009 (Renovated) Capacity: 500

The Blazers

Hood College is a private college in Frederick, Maryland, with around 2,000 students. Hood was started in 1893 by the Potomac Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States as the Woman's College of Frederick. An all-female institution until 1971, the college initially admitted men only as commuters. This continued until 2003 when male students were offered the option of residential status.

Hood College has consistently been ranked in the U.S. News & World Report list for Best University in the Northeast. Hood has had athletics as far back as 1898 (women’s basketball).

The Thomas Athletic Field is where the school’s field hockey, women's and men's lacrosse, and women's and men's soccer teams compete.

The Hood Blazers mainly compete in the Middle Atlantic Conferences as part of the Commonwealth sub-conference, which is in NCAA Division III. The Blazers' nickname started in the 1920s when the campus elected a rising senior as the "White Sweater" girl as someone who possessed the most sportsmanship and school spirit. Currently, the nickname is represented by a horse with a "blaze" mark on its forehead.

Food & Beverage 0

There is no permanent food stand at the stadium.

Atmosphere 3

This is a simple, but still nice, lower-level college soccer field.

There is a row of four small grandstands along one side of the pitch.

Neighborhood 4

Frederick has a lot of things to offer fans who are visiting. There is plenty of Civil War history, antique shops, great restaurants, wonderful parks, covered bridges, performing arts and culture, and unique shopping. Shopping, lodging, and restaurants are abundant at nearby Francis Scott Key Mall and its surrounding area.

Downtown Frederick may offer even better choices. The surprising renaissance of downtown Frederick means that there is an ever-growing selection of restaurants and shopping in the area. Brewer’s Alley Restaurant & Brewery, one of the beer providers in the stadium, has a location on North Market Street if you are on the lookout for a local brewpub.

The Roy Rogers fast food is still thriving around Frederick. You must stop in and enjoy the roast beef sandwich; you will never want to have one at Arby’s again. Also, don’t forget to use the Fixin’s Bar and get a holster of fries. You can also choose from Double-R-Burgers, Gold Rush Chicken sandwiches, or fried chicken.

Francis Scott Key is buried across town. The lawyer and poet wrote the lyrics to the United States National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The Appalachian Trail is also nearby for outdoor adventurers. Frederick is also fairly close to both Baltimore and Washington, DC.

Fans 4

As with most small college fields, the bulk of the fans tend to be family or friends of both teams. There will be some local fans who just happen to stop by for the game as well.

Access 3

Frederick is located just off a major highway (I-70), but Hood College is located within the neighborhoods of a fairly old city, with some small roads accessing it. There is also limited parking on this small campus so you may have to search a bit for decent parking. Visitors do not need a parking permit at night, but if attending a daytime event here during a normal school day, you may wish to check on parking regulations.

Return on Investment 2

Their website as of this visit said that

“Admission to athletic contests at Thomas Athletic Field is free for all fans.” but another correspondent on another day was charged $7 although we didn’t have to pay on the day we attended the game. Maybe it was due to rain. Maybe they knew we were press.

We later confirmed that there is indeed a $7 charge and the school said they were going to correct the website.

Frankly, the $7 charge is way too much for this level of sports.

Extras 3

Francis Scott Key’s Grave gives Frederick a pretty interesting extra for the area.

Carroll Creek Park, within walking distance of the campus, is a world-class urban park, and there are restaurants, live music, public art, and a scenic pedestrian path.