Opened in 2005, Joe Walton Stadium serves as the premier home for RMU Football and Lacrosse. It holds the unique distinction of being the first on-campus football field named in honor of a head coach who started a program from scratch and served 20 years at the helm. The Colonials hosted Butler in the inaugural game on September 17, 2005, where a standing-room-only crowd of 3,516 witnessed a dominant 49-13 victory over the Bulldogs.
Since its inauguration, the stadium has been the site of several landmark moments in RMU Football history. On October 14, 2006, the Colonials secured their first victory over a ranked FCS opponent at the venue with a 23-17 double overtime win against #19 Central Connecticut State. Four years later, on November 6, 2010, RMU defeated Central Connecticut State 42-24 to clinch the program's sixth NEC title and earn its first-ever automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs. The stadium's atmospheric potential was fully realized on October 8, 2011, during the first night game in JWS history, where a record crowd of 4,384 fans cheered the Colonials to a 45-14 win over Saint Francis.
The facility has established itself as a premier destination for postseason competition, particularly within the lacrosse community. Joe Walton Stadium reached a pinnacle of national prominence when it hosted the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship. Additionally, the venue has served as the backdrop for several conference title games, including the 2012 NEC Men’s Lacrosse Championship and the 2023 ASUN Men’s Lacrosse Championship. On the women’s side, the stadium has become the consistent home for the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Women’s Lacrosse Championship, hosting the tournament in 2023, 2025, and is set to host again in 2026. Beyond collegiate athletics, the venue has also served as host to the WPIAL Boys and Girls Lacrosse Championships on several occasions.
The facility was constructed over 13 months at a cost of $10 million by the Mosites Construction Company. While the stadium owns a seating capacity of 3,000, its centerpiece is a 36,000-square-foot athletic administration building. This building houses offices for the football coaching staff, athletic administration, and Olympic sport coaches. The interior features a state-of-the-art equipment room, two locker rooms, three classrooms, a main lobby, a press box, a live event streaming suite, and the President’s box.
In 2023, the university completed significant enhancements to modernize the venue. These upgrades included a new primary video scoreboard, a secondary scoreboard in the north end zone, and a high-fidelity sound system provided by Hollowood Music and Sound. A new athletics training room was also completed, featuring a hydrotherapy area with hot and cold tubs, expanded space for rehabilitation, and specialized treatment zones.
The stadium experience is anchored by the Portal and Plaza. The portal features 160 pavers recognizing the donors who contributed to the stadium’s capital campaign. The plaza serves as a hub for fans, featuring three kiosks dedicated to ticketing, concessions, and the Barnes & Noble Bookstore.
