Welcome to the Hawk's Nest

Official Review by Conrad Klank, Stadium Journey Special Correspondent

Millett Assembly Hall, pronounced (mil-let) as I was immediately corrected by some fans, is named after former Miami University President John D. Millett and serves as home to the university's basketball and volleyball teams. The arena opened on December 2, 1968 as the men's basketball team hosted The University of Kentucky Wildcats. Since that day, the men's basketball program has accomplished an impressive winning percentage of .762 with an overall record of 361-113 prior to the start of the 2011-2012 season; talk about a home court advantage.

Food & Beverage    2

There are only two positive things to take away from the otherwise disappointing food and beverage service at Millett Hall. These two things are the prices and the "Healthy Options Menu." There are a total of four small concession stands inside the arena which serve very basic, limited, selections. Before the game and during halftime the lines were very long, and very slow. If you're fortunate enough to make it to the counter before play begins, you won't have any trouble deciding what you want because there aren't too many options to choose from. One can easily feed a family of four at these concessions for under $25 which is hard to find in this day where stadium food prices are constantly rising.

Atmosphere    3

Overall, the arena has a very classic, historical feel with accents of school spirit. The concourse area is lined with trophies, banners, and photos of those who made Miami athletic impacts, giving the arena a ton of history and character. The inner area features well kept wooden style chairs with the picturesque old-school basketball arena scoreboards. To well compliment the feel of basketball of times passed, the majority of the lower bowl crowd appears to be primarily basketball alumni and long-time season ticket holders, as one would expect in most college arenas.

Neighborhood    5

Millett Hall sits just down the hill of the main parts of campus, therefore just a short walk to the famous High Street. High, which runs straight down campus, features numerous unique, bars and restaurants of all kinds including: hole-in-the-walls, bars, chains, and regional favorites.

The most obscure, and my favorite, is the Bagel & Deli. Whether you're in town during breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you're right on time for a delicious bagel sandwich at this local favorite. No two people will tell you the same sandwich is their favorite because of the number of options. The wall behind the counter acts as the menu which features hand drawn descriptions of all of the items offered. It is my understanding that each sandwich was created by a student. To give you an idea of the creations that they serve, the Bob-E-Que Bagel is the one I tried which has ham, bacon, smoked cheddar, lettuce, and BBQ sauce on a bagel.

More of a regional favorite, Skyline Chili, draws ridiculously long lines not only inside the store but also at this location's signature walk-up window. Skyline has been an Ohio and Cincinnati institution for many years. They serve distinct dishes like coneys, spaghetti, and burritos featuring Cincinnati style chili. It may sound a little strange if you've never had it, but it's a must try.

Fans    3

From what I gather, Miami has a tough time filling the stands for the majority of the games, so naturally the overall fan experience suffers. One of the huge benefits of getting a good turnout from the students is the added home court advantage that comes from the atmosphere created by the students. Miami appears to be trying to improve this aspect by rebranding the student area along with giveaways which should help.

Access    4

While access to the campus in Oxford might be a little tedious, once you get there you'll have no problem getting in the parking areas and into the arena. Millett Hall shares a large parking area with Yager Stadium (football) which offers ample parking area for a reasonable cost ($5). Access to and from your seat is very easy and the arena has a very unique way of getting people to and from their seat which you may enjoy. Restrooms are clean but somewhat hidden so think of it like a scavenger hunt when you're ready to pee your pants.

Return on Investment    4

Ticket prices seem just about right. I would have probably paid a little more for the ticket that I had which was lower bowl, center court, and was only $25. As mentioned before, concessions and parking were reasonable, and so were souvenirs.

Extras    2

I really enjoyed the classic, college basketball feel of the arena, lots of history, and an overall nice, clean venue.

Not only does the university have a nice cheerleading team at basketball games, but they also have a very large dance team that performs during time-outs who are really impressive especially for a mid-major school.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Millett Hall is a really nice, first class venue where one should feel good about taking the whole family for a nice evening of college basketball. The only standout issue that you may find with your overall experience would be the absence of a rowdy college basketball atmosphere.