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Stott Center-Home of the Portland State Vikings

Official Review by Alex Shoemaker, Stadium Journey Regional Correspondent

Located in the heart of Portland State University, the Peter Stott Center is home to several Vikings athletic teams including Men's and Women's Basketball as well as volleyball. Surrounded by trees, a multipurpose field, a library and multiple lecture halls, it definitely has the feel of a campus environment.

It opened in 1966, and has seen crowds reach near 3,000, which is surprisingly large for its 2,000 seat capacity. There are plans for a new athletic facility, and a new building is under construction, but it is uncertain when the teams will official move locations.

Food & Beverage    3

The food is about what you would expect for a sporting event. They serve the basics of hotdog and popcorn, plus have some other treats like candy.

The reason they get a 3/5, is because of the location they are in. It's next to a college campus, and college kids love to eat. You can find a lot of nice grub spots nearby if pizza and popcorn isn't for you.

Atmosphere    2

The atmosphere is not at the same level as other Portland athletics. For instance, the sort of energy you get from a Timbers, Blazers, Winterhawks or other venue out does Portland State.

The "stadium" if you can call it that is barely larger than most teams' workout courts. It wouldn't be shocking if they sold out every game because they barely support two thousand or so seats.

The best part of the atmosphere outside of the game is the band. A group of old and younger players who keep the fans excited. The absence of a student section makes it difficult to give it anything better than a 2.

Neighborhood    3

The neighborhood at Portland State isn't like most NCAA teams in Oregon. For one thing, they're in a lot more populated city in Portland with tall buildings all around, while a school like Oregon or Oregon State would be a completely different thing.

Whether you want to walk around the campus through its beautiful park, or roam the streets, there is always something to do. The "Fifth Avenue Cinema" is only a few blocks away on the corner of 5th and Hall. The Colombia River is also just down the road of you wish to drive and walk along the path, weather conditions pending.

Depending on your preferences, whether you're a small town or big city type of person, the neighborhood could be a turn on or turn off for you. It's next to the campus, so it is well patrolled and definitely not a safety issue.


Some of the great local restaurants include Schmizza Pub and Grill on 4th Street. The Cheerful Tortoise is also nearby, and it is said to be one of the most popular food stops for students. You might consider grabbing a bite or a beer before the game.

After the game, if you are craving some desert, there is a Ben and Jerry's on Mill about a five minute walk from the arena.

Fans    4

The fans are definitely the best part of Portland State Basketball. They are "The few, the proud". The ones who come do their team proud with consistent energy and support.

From what I experienced, the fans are respectful and not obscene in the least. It's obvious that PSU basketball isn't up there in fan support like the other major sporting teams, but that is to be expected as they aren't as widely recognized as the Blazers and other professional teams.

Access    3

The stadium is in the heart of the campus, and right of I-405. It shouldn't be hard for anyone to find parking, as night games have an abundance of parking available in the university parking structure.

Be careful of parking at neighborhood stores, as guests in attendance are warned of towing. But as mentioned earlier, it shouldn't be hard to find.

Return on Investment    2

You get what you pay for when you go to a Portland State basketball game. For those who love watching good basketball, you get that as PSU consistently competes and is a good game to watch.

If you're the type who likes a grandeur stadium like Matt Knight Arena of the Oregon Ducks, it might not be for you. But if you're the type who loves collegiate athletics and feeds off the enthusiasm of the fans, this is a good place to look.

Extras    1

For a team in a major market like Portland who could win their conference consistently, they are in serious need of an upgrade. I'm not talking about something like the Ducks did with Matt Knight Arena, but a bigger arena would be a great addition.

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