The Virginia Beach Field House is a landmark sports facility that has proudly served the Coastal Virginia community since 2010. It is the region’s leading destination for budding and former athletes to hone skills, seek community and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The Field House boasts a wide range of programs from year-round sports leagues and tournaments to youth enrichment programs and specialized training. Managing the many facets of the Virginia Beach Field House is no small task, but year over year, the Field House staff has remained steadfast in its commitment to excellence in operations, customer experience and beyond.
Eastern Sports Management is the managing body of the privately-owned facility and touts its employees as some of the best in the sports industry.
While managers and directors focus their efforts on daily operations and league management, referees and coaches concentrate on the athletes, encouraging fair play, sportsmanship and the development of skill and confidence. “Each member of [the ESM] team plays a crucial role in maintaining the high standards we set for ourselves and their dedication is key to our well-organized and successful operations,” says ESM CEO, John Wack. “They are dedicated to making sure our programs are both innovative and engaging. By staying flexible with our programming and being deeply involved in the community, we keep our edge in the competitive sports scene.”
The Field House’s affiliation with key brands such as NIKE also assert it as a powerhouse in training and the destination for top-quality sports experiences. The Field House’s Summer Sports & Adventure Camps, for example, attract thousands of children each year to engage in soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, field hockey, cheer, flag football and lacrosse.
Adults can engage in similar play during all four seasons through the facility’s Adult League program. Leagues are highly popular and generate roughly 40 percent of the Field House’s annual revenue. Another major source of income is the Field House Grille, a beloved watering hole for players and spectators. “Managing our food service is definitely a big part of the Field House experience and we take it just as seriously as our sports program,” says Wack. “We know that good food is a big part of enjoying time here, so we make sure our offerings are tasty, convenient and a great complement to the action on the field.”
The concessions area comprises only a portion of the Field House’s 175,000 square feet. Spanning the massive facility are six indoor turf fields, eight outdoor lighted sand courts, four basketball courts that double as eight volleyball courts, six multipurpose rooms and a kids’ play area. Field House leaders recognize that league dues and drop-in costs can be a barrier to the enjoyment of the industry-leading facility. They established PlayOn, a community initiative, as the solution to enhancing accessibility and affordability. “We believe in the transformative power of sport and are motivated by a strong desire to build active communities by offering quality, affordable and often free programs to both adults and children,” explains Wack. “Over the past few years, we have partnered with outstanding organizations to help us achieve this goal. To date, we have invested over $1.4 million back into the communities we serve [and we] look forward to serving [those communities] in the years to come.”
