Basic Information
Stadium: Paladin Stadium
Location: Travelers Rest, SC, on the north side of Greenville
Owner: Furman University
Primary sport: football
Year constructed: 1981
Listed capacity: 16,000
Date last visited: October 2022
Stadium information: https://furmanpaladins.com/facilities/paladin-stadium/6
Summary Review: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
Like many stadiums built in the 1980's, Paladin Stadium is highly functional in design but is starting to show its age. To Furman University's credit, they recently built a new press box and football operations building, and they have worked to improve their concession offerings. The audio/video system and scoreboard desperately need upgraded. There is a nice wooded area beyond the south end zone and a view of Paris Mountain from the west stands. Also, the lower tier of seats on the home side has a very gradual grade, which puts the upper tier further from the action than you might expect. Overall, I watched games here every fall for 11 years, and I enjoyed the time I spent in Paladin Stadium. You will probably have a good time here too.
Detailed Review:
Gameday Atmosphere: a lot of fans leave at halftime, which I don't really understand. Furman does have an excellent marching band. The FU-all-the-time cheer that spontaneously erupts in the stands is simultaneously clever and crude. If you sit in the west stands for an early November game, you will get a great view of the fall leaf color on Paris Mountain to the east. Overall, I enjoyed watching games here.
Seating: purple chair backs on the home side 50 yard line; bench backs on either side of the chair backs; otherwise bench seating with no backs.
Field View: you get a good view of the entire field if you have a bench back seat. The lower tier of seats has a very gradual grade, so if you are sitting in the upper tier you will be further from the action than you might expect.
Audio/Video: the audio system and scoreboard seem to date to the 1990's, and the video board is tiny by present-day standards. This is the weakest point about this stadium.
Concessions/Hot Dogs: located in several places under the stands. They serve the usual stuff and (much to the Baptist I am's dismay) local craft beer. Furman University's hot dogs are some of the best: they are juicy with good flavor and diameter.
Pedestrian Flow: you can't get from the east stands to the west stands without exiting the stadium. Otherwise, everything is well-connected, and fans get in and out rather quickly.
Parking: Furman University charges to park in any of the lots adjacent to the stadium, but you can park elsewhere on campus for free. I was always able to find a place to park.
