Crusader Football Camp
Facilities/Directions

Brown Field

Brown Field has been home to the Valparaiso University football team since 1919, when the program was founded.

The Crusaders won their first game ever at Brown Field 26-0 against the Chicago YMCA on October 11, 1919.

With a seating capacity of 5,000, Brown Field is the perfect location to watch a football game on a Saturday afternoon. When the men’s soccer team was founded in 1983, Brown Field also played host to a handful of matches during the early years of that program as well.
Brown Field Brown Field

Prior to the 2008 season, a new artificial surface was installed at Brown Field as part of numerous renovations. Valparaiso University is still in a fund-raising campaign known as FITT (Football, Intramurals, Track and Tennis) to provide funds for renovation to the stadium. The first phase of the multimillion dollar project included the installation of the ProGrass, as well as moving the grandstands and adding handicap accessibility.

The ProGrass50 Blend is a blend that consists of 100% polyetheylene fibers, that are 50% mono-filament and 50% parallel silt, that are tufted into a woven primary backing. The secondary backing consists of an application of heat-activated urethane to permanently lock in fibers. The turf has the appearance of a natural grass field.

A new 37-foot high scoreboard was erected in the northeast corner of the stadium, and with it, a new video board for graphics. New play clocks and goalposts were also included in the renovations.

Future improvements to Brown Field include the installation of game lights as well as adding a competition track around the playing surface.

With the addition of the ProGrass, Brown Field can serve as Valpo’s practice field as well. The field was also lined for soccer, allowing it to be used as a multipurpose facility. The Valparaiso University recreational sports department will also utilize Brown Field, as will other varsity athletic teams for practices.

Directions to Brown Field

From the east (Ohio) and west (Chicago): Take I-80/90 to exit 31 (Chesterton/Valparaiso), State Route 49, or take I-94 to exit 26 (Chesterton/Valparaiso), State Route 49. Head south on State Route 49 until you reach US 30. Exit west and go about two blocks. The main entrance to campus will be on your right. Enter campus and proceed until you arrive at a stop sign at the top of a hill (a parking lot will be straight ahead). Turn right. You will come to a stop sign for Union Street. Turn left onto Union Street (the ARC will now be on your right hand side). At the next stop sign (University Park Avenue) turn right. Brown Field is on your right just to the north of the ARC.

From the south (Indianapolis): Take I-65 to US 30 in Merrillville. Exit east and take US 30 approximately 15 miles. The main entrance to campus will be on your left. Enter campus and proceed until you arrive at a stop sign at the top of a hill (a parking lot will be straight ahead). Turn right. You will come to a stop sign for Union Street. Turn left onto Union Street (the ARC will now be on your right hand side). At the next stop sign (University Park Avenue) turn right. Brown Field is on your right just to the north of the ARC.