Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Armory Track 216 Fort Washington Avenue Between 168th Street and 169th New York, NY 10032  The Armory Foundation While the Armory is best known for running, it was a building of many stories back in the day. It was home to the 22nd Regiment of the Army Corps of Engineers and was used to give licensing exams for those who wished to become architects, engineers, and nurses. It was built originally to house local units of the state's volunteer militia and later the National Guard. The second chapter was about a premier indoor track facility in the 1980s, but that story was derailed for some time as the Armory was used as an NYS homeless shelter. The final or ongoing chapter began in 1993 when New York State sold the Armory to the City of New York for $1 and the keys were turned over to then Mayor David Dinkins, who handed them to Dr. Norbert Sander. This marked the beginning of the Armory's transformation from a homeless shelter into an athletic center. It officially reopened for competition on December 18 of that year with the 40th running of the Bishop Loughlin games. Dr. Sander, friends, and colleagues raised the money by lobbying city corporations and athletic companies to restore the Armory and eventually become a world-class track facility. Dr. Sander, who passed away in 2017, was an American physician and runner who won the New York City Marathon in 1974. He also won the New Orleans and Yonkers Marathons in the same year and is the only NYC resident to win the New York Marathon. Sander, elected to the Fordham Sports Hall of Fame in 1995, was a key member of the track and cross-country teams while a student at Fordham University. Now the facility is probably most famous for hosting the Millrose Games one of the most acclaimed indoor track and field competitions in the world. The Millrose moved to the Armory in 1992 after being held at Madison Square Garden since 1914. The 117th edition of the Millrose was just completed on February 8 before a capacity crowd of over 5,000 spectators. The spacious third floor is home to the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory (renamed in 2023), a 200-meter, six-lane banked mondo track, two large runways and sand pits, a pole vault pit, and a throws cage. In September 2024, the track was revamped, with the removal of five older layers of track material and the changing of the surface color from red to blue. The 60,000-square-foot center is one of the premier indoor track and field facilities in the United States and one of only five World Athletics-certified indoor facilities in the country. But when the Millrose closed down, the action heated up as the Armory hosted 12 meets over the next 11 days. “It’s our busiest time of the season,’” said Rita Frankel, co-president of the Armory Foundation. “It feels a bit like Grand Central Station around here when everything gets going only a bit more organized,” said fellow co-president Jonathan Schindel. The building hosts youth, high school, college, and adult competitions. The Center hosts over 100 events per year on its famous Mondo track which is noted for being one of if not the fastest indoor track in the world. Mondo is an Italian company from Alba Italy. An estimated one million miles are run at The Armory each year. “It’s a banked track so as you come down you gain speed,” said Schindel. “The building is old and it gets loud and as the athletes race the crowd noise gives them a shot of adrenalin.” “The volume of cheering is like having the wind at the backs of the runners”, added Finkel. The next major track event on the Armory calendar year is the Nike Indoor Nationals scheduled for March 13-16 followed by the CUIMC (Columbia University Irving Medical Center) Team Relay Marathon at The Armory is April 23-26. The divisions are open 0–39 years of age, or mixed ages, masters 40-49 years of age, grand masters 50–59 years of age, and senior grand masters 60+ years of age. The proceeds go to the Armory Foundation and admission is free. Another huge event is March 29 when The Armory hosts the Indoor Track and Field Camp for high school athletes. There is a fee to enter but New York City Public School students received a 50% discount. The camp gives athletes a chance to interact and learn from past Armory champions including Olympians. The non-profit foundation is the backbone of the facility. It oversees the building and hosts over 100 track meets annually. The foundation has a symbiotic relationship with the local community and strives to promote interest in fitness and the sport of track and field through an array of community programs and after-school activities. The Armory offers both a College Prep Middle School and High School Program to provide college prep and academic counseling services and community programs our community programs to hundreds of under-resourced New York City public high school students. The building is known by many names, including Fort Washington Avenue Armory, Fort Washington Armory, The Armory, and the 22nd Regiment Armory. The arena and fabled track are located on the third floor and in January of 2023, a partnership with Nike led to the renaming of the facility as the Nike Track & Field Center. The building is brick Classical Revival with Romanesque Revival Elements, such as the entrance arch, and is currently home to the non-profit Armory Foundation, National Track and Field Hall of Fame, Nike Track & Field Center, and other organizations including the Police Athletic League of New York City. Americans set two world records at the recently completed Millrose Games. Yared Neguse in the Wanamaker Mile, the featured event, with a time of 3:4,6, and Grant Fisher in the 3,000 meters with a time of 7:22.91. Elle St. Pierre, a two-time Olympian, set the women’s Wanamaker Mile record in 2024 with a 4:16.41. The Center is one of the premier indoor track and field facilities in the United States and one of only five World Athletics-certified indoor facilities in the country. “We try to keep the Armory as accessible to the community as possible,” said Finkel. “In June it quiets down a bit. Some of the other events include fashion shows and robotics competitions. We also run yoga and fitness classes for seniors two days a week.” The Armory Foundation organizes programs for kids in every age group to expose youngsters to education, exercise, training, and healthy living. In July, there is a 6-week summer program held Mondays through Thursdays from 9-4 pm for middle and high school students. “We rely on fundraisers and sponsors”, said Finkel. The Armory costs only $10 for admission for the opportunity to train. It is open from 9 am to 7 pm daily. “Our location is great because we are one block from the subway (A, C, and 1 train) and it’s a 16-minute ride to Columbus Circle and 18 minutes to Times Square”, said Schindel. In 1995, the Armory was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and in 2002 the National Track and Field Hall of Fame moved to the Armory. It is the only Hall of Fame housed in an active sports venue. The Hall of Fame is available to tour by appointment only. “We’ve made the necessary improvements to keep it operating, but we also want to keep it nostalgic,” Schindel said. “We added to the excitement with a new LED scoreboard (four-sided) but at the same time we don’t want to take away from the classic atmosphere. I’ve made the comparison to Wrigley Field a few times”. Follow Greg Venuto’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Facebook .

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Harrington Athletics Village 129 Lake St Brighton, MA 02135 Boston College Eagles baseball website Eddie Pellagrini Diamond at Harrington Athletics Village website Year Opened: 2018 Capacity: 1,000 Boston College Baseball From 1961 to 2017 the Boston College Eagles played their home baseball games at Commander John Shea Field , which was located in the shadows of Alumni Stadium . It was a totally nondescript home field, notable only for the presence of a large parking garage along the first base side of the field. Fans would line up along the ramps of the garage to take in the action below and tailgate throughout the game on the top level of the garage. When Boston College joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2006, Shea Field was deemed inadequate for hosting conference games and competing for recruits, making clear the need for a new home field. In 2016 Boston College set aside $200 million for various projects to benefit the athletic department, including a new baseball field to be located on the school’s Brighton campus. Boston College’s new baseball field is named for former Major Leaguer and longtime Boston College coach Eddie Pellagrini. Pellagrini led the Eagles baseball squad from 1958-1990, earning 359 wins during that time. The complex that contains Pellagrini Diamond, the adjacent Boston College Softball Field and the Pete Fretas Training Center are part of the Harrington Athletics Village. They are named for Boston College trustee and class of 1957 alumnus John L. Harrington. Boston baseball fans will recognize Harrington as the former CEO of the Red Sox. The ballpark, which features 1,000 permanent seats, is expandable to 2,500 seats for tournament play. Boston College has qualified for the NCAA Tournament eight times, advancing to the College World Series on four occasions, most recently in 1967. Forty-five former Eagles have played in the major leagues. Food & Beverage 4 A portable concession stand is set up on the terrace between the baseball and softball fields for Eagles games. It’s a surprisingly diverse menu for this type of facility. In addition to ballpark standards such as sausage and pepper sandwiches, burgers and dogs, special items such as pulled pork sandwiches and clam chowder are available. A wide variety of chips, candy, popcorn and ice cream treats are sold here. Coca-Cola products are featured at Boston College. Warm drinks, including coffee and hot chocolate, are popular items on chilly New England spring days. No alcohol is sold at Eagle baseball games. Atmosphere 3 The gameday presentation at Harrington Athletics Village is a laid-back one, which will certainly appeal to traditional fans. Extraneous noise is kept to a minimum here, with music played between innings only. PA announcements are kept to basic lineup and game announcements. There’s a simple scoreboard beyond the right field fence that displays basic game information. Fans looking for an elaborate presentation should look elsewhere. The Eagles mascot, Baldwin, can be found here during selected games interacting with the fans. Most of the excitement at Pelligrini Diamond comes from the fans in attendance. Even though Boston College draws good crowds for this part of the country, there’s not an overwhelming fan presence here. The fans that do show up are personally invested in the action on the field, knowledgeable about the game, and enthusiastic in their support. It’s also not unusual to see a good turnout from visiting fans, as Boston has become a popular road trip destination for other ACC fanbases. Neighborhood 3 Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, a village in the suburb of Newton, Massachusetts. Downtown Boston is located about six miles to the east. Newton is a very well-to-do town which frequently ranks near the top of many “best place to live in America” lists. The Harrington Athletics Village is not located on the main Boston College campus, but in the nearby Brighton campus, on the site of St. John’s Seminary, about a half mile from the main campus. For visiting fans looking for a bite to eat before or after an Eagles baseball game, Cleveland Circle is located about a 15-minute walk from the BC campus. Here you will find, among other places, Eagle’s Deli, which is known for its massive hamburger challenges. This no-frills diner is a favorite of Boston College students and is known for its appearances on Man vs. Food and other television shows. You won’t find any dining or lodging options immediately near Pellegrini Diamond, but in a city the size of Boston, there are no shortage of excellent options around. If you’d like to stay closer to the BC campus, check out the choices near the Mass Pike or Interstate 95. Otherwise, head downtown. You’ll be sure to find something that works for you. Fans 4 For the most part, college baseball isn’t a very big deal in New England. The weather during this time of year tends to keep crowds small. Boston College is no exception to this rule, although they do attract bigger crowds than do most local squads. Boston College competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference, which assures that nationally ranked teams regularly visit Pellagrini Diamond. It’s not unheard of to see crowds of 500-plus descend on Brighton on beautiful spring afternoons. Capacity crowds of close to 1,000 are not unusual. Even when smaller local schools play at Boston College, several hundred fans will be in attendance. Access 3 The Boston College campus is located in the Chestnut Hill section of the suburb of Newton, Massachusetts, about six miles west of downtown Boston. Despite its location in the suburbs, Boston College shares many of the same access issues familiar to Boston residents. Anyone who has tried to navigate the crowded, crooked streets of greater Boston by car can tell you how difficult driving in and around the area can be. If you are visiting from out of town, your best bet may be to find a copilot who knows their way around town. Most native Bostonians will tell you that your best method to get to Boston College is to take public transportation, known in these parts as the “T”. The green line’s B train terminus is located on Commonwealth Ave., right across the street from the Chestnut Hill campus. If heading to an Eagles baseball game, driving may actually be the easiest way to get to Pellagrini Diamond. The best route to arrive at Boston College avoids the city entirely. The Brighton campus is located across the street from the main campus, about a half mile away. Complete driving directions can be found here. The area around Boston College is quite scenic, with a suburban feel, but traffic can be very heavy at times. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive on campus. Once inside Harrington Athletics Village, fans will enter onto a plaza along the first base line of the softball field. To your right will be a terrace that contains the concession stand and restrooms. The heated restrooms are most appreciated during frigid spring days. Beyond this is the baseball field. From the terrace level, fans will walk down into the seating bowl. All seats consist of individual maroon stadium seats. There is ample standing room along the top of the seating bowl, as well as accessible seating. With plenty of room to move around, crowds are not an issue at Harrington Athletics Village. Return on Investment 4 Admission and parking at Harrington Athletics Village are free of charge. Concessions here are a bit pricey, which brings down the overall score a bit. Cash and credit/debit cards are accepted at the concession stand. Extras 2 The Eagles played in the longest game in NCAA history, a 25-inning tilt against the Texas Longhorns in the 2009 NCAA Tournament. The Eagles dropped this contest 3-2 in seven hours, three minutes. Speaking of long games, Pellagrini Diamond opened on March 20, 2018 with a 7-4 loss against Northeastern that lasted 18 innings. There are a couple of numbers honored on the right field fence. Longtime Eagles coach Eddie Pellagrini’s number 13 is retired, as is the number 3 worn by Pete Frates. Frates, who was an outfielder for Boston College from 2004-2007, gained international exposure when his social media fundraiser, the Ice Bucket Challenge, raised over $200 million for ALS research in the summer of 2014. Boston College plays a game at Fenway Park in Frates’ honor to help raise awareness for ALS research every spring. Final Thoughts If planning to visit Boston College for a baseball game, remember that the college baseball season runs through March and April, when the weather in these parts can be most unpredictable. Postponements, schedule changes, and even changes in venue are a regular occurrence in these parts. Be sure to be flexible with your plans when visiting Chestnut Hill. If comparing Eddie Pellagrini Diamond to the other wonderful facilities in the ACC, Boston College’s home field may come up lacking. But longtime Eagles fans who remember the “good old days” of Commander Shea Field will undoubtedly be most impressed. The Eagles have themselves a home that will allow them to compete for recruits, fans and attention. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Rose Hill Gymnasium 441 E Fordham Road Bronx, NY 10458 Map It Fordham Rams website Rose Hill Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1925 Capacity: 2,850 Happy Centennial Birthday Rose Hill Gym The Rose Hill Gymnasium still shines for a building that just turned 100 years old in January 2025.  The facility underwent a makeover, first to the inside and then to the outside including a new entrance, lobby, bathrooms and a concession stand. The complete upgrade was unveiled in time for last season (2024).  A possible modern arena to replace Rose Hill Gym was studied and discussed for a number of years, but that does not seem to be in the plans for the immediate future. The historic gymnasium, opened on January 16, 1925, and is often compared to some of the meccas of college basketball including The Palestra in Philadelphia, Matthews Arena in Boston, Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and John J. Lee Amphitheater in New Haven. Rose Hill was the second oldest gym in Division I and now moves up to the number one position as Matthews Arena in Boston (home of Northeastern University) is being torn down this spring (2025) to make way for a new facility. The building becoming a centenarian did not get as much attention as it deserved as the Rams struggled on the court and finished in last place in the 15-team Atlantic 10 Conference at 3-15. Rose Hill Gym has been used continuously as an athletic facility since 1925, with the exception of the 1943–1944 academic year, when the building was used as a U.S. Army barracks. Rose Hill, which hosts basketball and volleyball, has undergone a number of makeovers during the past decade.  New video boards were installed in 2013, all of the stands were replaced in 2017 and in 2019 the entire floor and subfloor were replaced. The new entrance and lobby creates an airy, sun-filled arcade with a sparkling glass entrance. The arcade brings together the new campus center with the Rose Hill Gym and the athletics facilities. Upon entering under a glass canopy, students and fans can now either proceed left into the renovated Joseph M. McShane, S.J. Campus Center and the original Student Center, right to enter the gym, or straight to head into the Vincent T. Lombardi Memorial Center, which is home to an indoor track, aquatics center, intramural and recreational basketball and volleyball courts. The building only seats 2,850 but can fit 3,200. There are chairbacks on both sidelines and bench seating behind the baskets. The name Rose Hill dates back to 1787 when Robert Watts, a wealthy New York merchant, acquired the property and named it after his family’s estate in Scotland. Food & Beverage 3 There is a new concession stand as fans enter the arena with standard, but limited, stadium fare and is equipped to take both cash and credit cards. Coke products are sold.  There are new bathrooms situated next to the concession stand.  The lines for both food and bathrooms back up at halftime. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere received a boost in 2022 and 2023 from what every school needs - wins. The Rams moved up to finish third in the Atlantic 10 in 2023 and reached the A10 Semifinals at Barclays before falling to eventual champion Dayton.  Fordham took a step back the last two seasons as the team unfortunately has returned to a familiar position in the bottom of the league standings under third-year coach Keith Urgo. Urgo dubbed the building “Rose Thrill” in 2023 due to the raucous atmosphere bolstered by the student section which had a group that removed their shirts, painted their chests and became The Shirtless Herd.  The fans have not brought the same energy this season as no games sold out.  The game-day experience at Rose Hill Gym has been average for many years.  The team relies on support from a loyal but small contingent of alumni as student support is lacking. It is unfortunate because the building can be a great home court advantage due to the noise generated by a large crowd. The atmosphere is enhanced by the band, cheerleaders and dance team who perform throughout the game. The two large digital scoreboards at each end of the court are clear but do not provide replays. A small auxiliary board or ribbon board with in game statistics would be a welcome addition. The sound system is excellent, but probably a touch too loud. The public address system is a bit garbled.  Fordham Dance Team, Photo by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 The campus, while set in the Bronx, feels like a suburban setting with plenty of trees and greenery. Visitors often forget they are in the middle of a city until hearing an occasional horn or siren from outside the gate. The University also boasts an impressive church built in 1845.  The church contains the old altar from the current St. Patrick's Cathedral as well as stained glass windows given to the university by King Louis Philippe I of France. The campus borders the New York Botanical Garden, with the Bronx Zoo located just a few blocks from campus. Visitors to the area looking for places to eat during their trip to Fordham should head over to Arthur Avenue where several fantastic Italian restaurants can be found in addition to some great bakeries and Italian delis. A few of my favorites restaurants include Enzo’s, Roberto’s, Antonio’s, Mario’s and Tra Di Noi. Fans 3 Fan support fell this past season (2024-25) as Fordham averaged 1,570, down from 1,840 last year.  All of the seats offer solid views close to the action even in the balcony which contains only two rows of seats. Fordham needs to get more students in the building as student tickets are free and the students generate much of the noise. Access 3 Fordham University is located right in the middle of the Bronx, only a few miles from Interstates 95 and 87, as well as the Bronx River Parkway. Public transportation is a good option. The Metro North Railroad out of Grand Central Station or coming down from Westchester and Connecitcut has a Fordham stop next to the campus. Botanical Garden stop is another option and actually a shorter walk to the gym.  The D line of the NYC subway system is located about a 12-minute walk from campus. In addition, city buses stop regularly just outside the gate. If driving, there is a large parking garage ($10) on campus, located a short walk from Rose Hill Gym. The car line to pay for parking can back up especially on well attended games. Sometimes fans can get lucky and find a few free spots on Southern Boulevard. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Fordham Rams basketball games are affordable, Chairbacks are $35 ($30 for youth and seniors), baseline reserved is $25/20. With affordable concession prices, catching a Fordham basketball game is a less costly entertainment option for New York sports fans. . Extras 4 One point for the historic significance of the building. From the stone facade to the seats close enough to the action to hear the players and coaches, Rose Hill is a real treat and a true throwback arena. Rose Hill has hosted many huge concerts including Simon & Garfunkel, The Ramones, The Beach Boys, and Billy Idol.  The gym was just profiled this month in a digital piece and You Tube video: The new entrance includes a new box office, concession stand, bathrooms, which add aesthetic and functional improvements to the gameday experience. Hanging from the rafters are the Fordham conference and playoff appearance banners on one side and the flags of the Atlantic 10 and its 14 conference opponents on the other. Five retired numbers hang from the baseline - Charlie Yelverton (34), Ken Charles (44), Bob Mullens (7), Ed Conlin (11), and Anne Gregory (55).  The final point is for the proximity to Little Italy and the great stores, restaurants, delicatessens, and pastry shops of Arthur Avenue.  Fans should make an effort to get to the Bronx’s Little Italy either pre or postgame. Final Thoughts A Stadium Journey to this basketball mecca should be on every sports fans’ bucket list. There is also plenty to do in the area before or after to add to the experience.​​ The Little Italy section of the Bronx is a 10 minute walk offering some excellent Italian restaurants and pastry shops.  The campus, with its Gothic architecture, ivy-covered buildings and expansive lawns, makes Rose Hill one of New York City’s most attractive college campuses.  Follow Greg Venuto’s stadium journeys on Twitter  @VenutoGreg and Facebook .

Photos courtesy of Chris Torres, WestConn athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Feldman Arena 43 Lake Ave. Danbury, CT 06810 Western Connecticut Wolves men's basketball website Feldman Arena website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 2,800 Home Of College Athletics Done Right   Western Connecticut State University has always done collegiate athletics the right way. Longtime contenders in football, women’s and men’s soccer, WestConn’s Feldman Arena is a facility that many schools at higher levels should envy. With ample parking and adaptability for a variety of functions, the venue serves the university as well as the greater Danbury community. While the building doesn’t always host large crowds, it’s a great place to watch basketball, with excellent views on both sides of the court.   The men’s basketball team, one of the inhabitants of the school’s primary gymnasium, Feldman Arena, has made 13 trips to the NCAA tournament, most recently in 2020. WestConn reached the Elite Eight in 1990. The Western Connecticut women’s basketball team has qualified for 13 NCAA tournaments of their own, most recently in 2011. The women’s team reached the Sweet Sixteen in 1997.   The original Western Connecticut State mascot was an Indian. A committee formed to find a less offensive name in 1974 recommended changing the name to Canners to honor the region's fish canneries. The Candlewood Canning Company of Connecticut sponsored the teams until the sponsorship was deemed illegal by the NCAA. The official mascot then became Chuck the Colonial, a man in a blue Tricorne hat, in 1978. Following the murder of George Floyd and pressure from alumni and students in June 2020, the university decided to no longer use the Colonials name and logo. On April 19, 2022, the university announced that they would be changing their mascot name to the Wolves.   Western Connecticut State University, often stylized as WestConn, was founded in 1903 as a teacher’s college. Located in Danbury, Connecticut, it is part of the Connecticut State University System. With an enrollment of just under 4,500 students, the school may be best known for the Jane Goodall Center for Excellence in Environmental Studies, which was founded on campus in 1995.   Food & Beverage 1   Feldman Arena has one food stand where students can conveniently use their meal plan money to purchase hot dogs, pretzels and candy.   WestConn serves Pepsi products campus-wide, including Diet Pepsi and Starry. As a refreshing alternative, iced tea and lemonade is also served at games but no alcoholic beverages are available.   Atmosphere 4   The Feldman arena is a decent size, with room for 2800 spectators.   When WCSU changed its sports mascot from the Colonials to the Wolves in 2022, the arena received new hardwood that features the revised logo. There’s also a jumbotron scoreboard above half court and there is seat back chairs on both sides of the court. The gym also has speakers which are loud and allow everyone in the arena to enjoy music and commentary from the public address announcer.   WestConn basketball also hosts the popular “Free Steak for a Year” half-court shot contest in collaboration with Texas Roadhouse. There are also popular “Kid’s Day” and “White Out” games that show school spirit in the community. WestConn’s nickname change coincided with the arrival of a new mascot, Wally the Wolf, who can be seen representing the school spirit throughout the building.    For a big game, such as when the Wolves face their rivals, the Keene State Owls, a seat may be hard to come by. In the student section, opposite the benches, the view of the court is unobstructed. On the opposite side, there are inclined bleachers, but the view of the action can be blocked by the seated players and the scorer’s table.   Neighborhood 4   WCSU is in Danbury Conn., a great sports town on the New York State border.   The university is split between the Midtown Campus in Downtown Danbury and the Westside Campus on the west side of the city, where Feldman Arena is situated. The campuses are three miles apart and are connected by a shuttle service.   Outside the arena, there are several great options for food, including Stanziato’s Wood Fired Pizza, Grounds Donut House, and TK’s American Cafe, a sports bar with 76 flavors of chicken wings, nearby to WCSU’s Midtown Campus. You can also trek over to Danbury Fair Mall for a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment options – including Round 1, a giant bowling alley and arcade inside the massive mall.    The main sports attraction in town is the Danbury Hat Tricks professional hockey team, a member of the independent Federal Prospects Hockey League. The team attracts roughly 2500 fans to their games each week. The Hat Tricks play out of Danbury Arena, which is also home of Spice City FC, an indoor soccer club that launched in 2025.   In June and July, the Danbury Westerners play in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The team plays at Rogers Park , where the scoreboard was recently upgraded.   Fans 3   When fans show up to support the team, Feldman Arena is an electric environment.   WCSU fans sit close to the action for both volleyball and basketball. While not all games are selling out, the community views the Wolves as a vital part of the sports landscape. Youth teams and other community organizations are often invited to games.   Because Feldman Arena is home to the highest level of basketball in the area, the Wolves programs attract passionate fans from the student body as well as from around the city. When there is a lot on the line, WCSU supporters are activated and sometimes storm the court after a victory.   Access 4   Despite being sitting at the top of a Hill, it’s very easy to find Feldman Arena and to roam around once you arrive. General Admission allows fans to pick their own seats and even relocate during the game.   Students residing on WCSU’s Midtown Campus can utilize the school’s shuttle to trek to games. Local public transportation is available through Hart Transit and Danbury Train station. Parking is not a problem at the arena, as two different parking lots make it easy to arrive and depart.   During the game, it’s easy to climb the bleachers for an arial view or sit along the sidelines to get as close to the game as possible. There is also space for fans with special needs and the ability to pull your car directly to the entrance of the arena.   Return on Investment 5   Ticketing is most affordable for WCSU events. Typically, there is a charge of $5 for non-students and other guests. No printed or digital ticket is needed once you’ve entered the arena.   WCSU has always done sports right and the teams that play at Feldman Arena are always competitive. There is no charge for parking at games, which makes it a cheap but entertaining option for fun.   No season tickets are sold for WCSU events and good seating is usually always available.   Extras 3   WCSU’s Athletic Hall of Fame is housed inside Feldman Arena, where great athletes from the school’s past are honored.   The list of events held at Feldman Arena is long, including the 1999, 2000, and 2001 NCAA Division III women's basketball Final Fours. The Harlem Globetrotters have made several visits to the arena, including one time where an alumni member of the hoops team proposed to his future wife during the action. Around 2007, the CT Thunderboltz played in the short-lived National Professional Basketball League, a semi-professional league, out of Feldman Arena.   The list of special events held at the Feldman Arena and O’Neill Center are not limited to sporting events. In December of 1995, legendary singer-songwriter, Bob Dylan, opened his “Paradise Lost Tour” inside the arena. In October 2012, the 14th Dalai Lama held an audience inside the arena.   Final Thoughts   For basketball and volleyball fans, Feldman Arena is a good time that will cost you just a fraction of a big-league ticket price.

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Maverik Center 3200 S Decker Lake Dr West Valley City, UT 84119 Utah Grizzlies website Maverik Center website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 10,100 No Longer Unique in Utah In 1995, Salt Lake City was awarded the 2002 Winter Olympics, and one year later, construction began on an arena in suburban West Valley City that would be the main venue for both men's and women's hockey. The E Center opened in 1997 and immediately housed the Utah Grizzlies, an AHL franchise that spent eight seasons there before being suspended. Fortunately, there was a dormant ECHL franchise that was purchased and moved to Utah, taking the Grizzlies name and ensuring there was no downtime in terms of hockey tenancy.  For 20 years, the Grizzlies have been the only pro hockey team in Utah but all that changed when the Arizona Coyotes moved to Salt Lake City to take up residence in the Delta Center. This will present challenges to the Grizzlies, who must now compete with the big boys. It is a tall task, and Stadium Journey paid a visit to the Maverik Center (the arena changed its name in 2010 when convenience store concern Maverik bought the naming rights) to see how the team is holding up.   Food & Beverage 4 For the Sunday afternoon game we attended, many of the concession stands were closed as only about a quarter of the seats were filled, but those that were open had a good selection of items. The most common stand is the Salt City Grille, where a variety of baskets range from $13 (cheeseburger, chicken tender) to $15 (western BBQ burger, bacon cheeseburger, teriyaki burger). Poutine, a Canadian staple, is $11.50, while a corn dog is $7.50. More typical options are found at Crafty Pete's Snack Shack, with hot dogs or popcorn running $6.50, while a pretzel is a buck more. There are a couple of specialty stands too, with Thirst Pretzels and Beignets a good local option with a salted or cinnamon sugar pretzel bite cup for $6, while three beignets with either powdered or cinnamon sugar are $8. They also have 'mixers' which are drinks where you can combine soda, flavor shots such as coconut, peach, and pineapple, purees, cream, and fruit. At $6.75 for 32 ounces and $8.50 for 44 ounces, these seem like bargains. For those with a sweet tooth, the Ice Cream Shop has sugar cones for $5.50, waffle cones for $8, and simple bowls for $8.50, with portions quite generous. You can also enjoy a root beer float for $7.50. In terms of beverages, Coca-Cola products are served with 30-ounce cups costing $6.75, while the 40-ouncers are $8.50. Bottled water is $5 and Powerade is $6.50. For those looking for a beer, domestic options are $13.50, while a premium choice will set you back an extra couple of bucks.    Atmosphere 3 The arena is surrounded by parking lots and there are a few things to note before entering, including a sculpture of two generic players fighting for an invisible puck that is located near the main entrance. There is also an Olympic cauldron at the entrance to the parking lot to remind fans of what happened here over two decades ago (and will happen again in 2034 as Salt Lake City will host the Games then). On the lower level outside, you can find a fearsome grizzly statue as well. Inside, there are two seating bowls, though most of the upper bowl is closed off with tarps over the seats. There are a few sections of gold seats in the upper bowl but most fans stay down below, where red seats dominate the scene. There are no club seats on the lower level so all sections are open to the public, while the suites are at the top of the bowl so the upper level is quite close to the ice. There are only four rows of seats in the upper level, so it is a bit easier to navigate too and it also has a carpeted concourse. It should be noted that upper deck seats are not sold online, though it seems like anyone can walk up to have a look around. The scoreboard is four separate video boards, with those facing the nets significantly smaller than the ones facing the sidelines. I've seen this arrangement more and more and guess it is less expensive than one large scoreboard. Neighborhood 4 The Maverik Center is in an area with little within walking distance, but there are a few eateries close by, including two sports bars: The Break Sports Grill, a more upscale spot with a good beer selection and quality food; and the Penalty Box Bar and Grill, which caters to a less affluent crowd and has a more limited menu. Chain restaurants include Applebee's and Cracker Barrel, while those who enjoy Mexican food will appreciate La Fountain, which is just a couple of minutes on foot away. If you take the TRAX light rail one stop to the West Valley terminus, you can find a lot more including a WINGERS Restaurant and Alehouse and more importantly, an In-n-Out Burger. There are three hotels just across the street, with the Holiday Inn and Suites and Staybridge Suites connected by a bridge, while My Place caters to a more long-term clientele and is generally slightly cheaper. Fans 3 For the game we attended on a sunny Sunday afternoon, there were perhaps 3,000 on hand, only a quarter of capacity, but those that were there did cheer heartily. Most amusing is the chant that occurs whenever an opponent leaves the penalty box, the PA announcer shouts: “The Oilers are back at full strength!" and the crowd replies: “And they STILL SUCK!” Those fans I talked to were very friendly and most were wearing some sort of Grizzly merchandise, suggesting that they are long-term supporters of the club. Access 5 West Valley City is a suburb that is about 15 minutes by car from the airport and also reachable on the TRAX Green Line, though this takes about 45 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City. The stop here is Decker Lake, from where the arena is just across the street. For those driving, access is excellent, with plenty of parking which seems to exit easily onto the surrounding streets. Inside, the concourses are more than enough for the fans, and restrooms and concessions have typical waiting periods during intermissions but lines generally move quite fast. Return on Investment 3 Tickets start at $19 online before fees, but these are exorbitant, sending the get-in price close to $29. This includes the $6 parking charge, with no discount for those who take transit, walk, or carpool. Still, that is a lot of money for third-tier hockey when the top level is just 30 minutes away. There are some ticket specials for locals with a particular bank card, but for stadium journeyers, the secondary market might be your best bet.  With parking included, however, and some decent food options, the overall ROI is about average for the ECHL. Extras 4 During one intermission, there was a race featuring interns or some other hapless staff members dressed as Coca-Cola products. As with all ice-related races, this was pretty entertaining and a bit different. The mountain views outside the large windows on both sides of the building offer a nice way to relax during intermissions.  The statue and cauldron are worth a point, as is the fact that the Canadian team signed a wall after they won gold in 2002 and this is still preserved, though not on public view. I'd like to see more Olympic history shown here as the interior is rather devoid of any meaningful displays. Final Thoughts Last year, 6,003 were here on a typical evening but this season has seen that number drop to 4,868; no doubt attendance has been hurt by the arrival of the NHL team. The Grizzlies will need a new and less expensive approach to compete with the Hockey Club and it will be interesting to see how they do things over the next few seasons. At this point, I don't think the club is in danger of moving, but as we saw with the Coyotes, things can happen fast, so if you want to see the Grizzlies in Maverik Center, you may want to plan sooner rather than later.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Peoria Sports Complex 16101 N. 83rd Ave Peoria, AZ 85382 Map It San Diego Padres Spring Training website Peoria Sports Complex website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 11,333 Spring Padres The San Diego Padres  have held Spring Training at Peoria Sports Complex for over 30 years. They have shared the facility with the Seattle Mariners  every February and March since the city built the complex in 1994. It was the first spring training complex to be shared by two Major League baseball teams. That is now the norm in the Cactus League, with only a few clubs having their own facilities. Both the Padres and Mariners are leased to stay in Peoria through 2034.  The Arizona Fall League Peoria Javelinas  also make Peoria Sports Complex its home. The Padres began their spring training history at Keegan Field in Yuma, AZ, for their first season in 1969.  They moved to Desert Sun Stadium , also in Yuma, and played there from 1970 to 1993 before they relocated to Peoria, AZ. Peoria Sports Complex often rates high on any Cactus League ranking list as the staff is extremely helpful, the concourses are spacious, there are plenty of kid’s activities, the gameday setting still focuses on the game, and the food and beverage choices throughout the venue amaze visiting fans. Food & Beverage 5 Peoria Sports Complex has an amazing variety of concessions.  The best food places are the free-standing kiosks, carts, and tents, which line the concourse from third base around the outfield to first base.  Strolling along the outer concourse, you’ll find an ice cream truck and a West Coast Grill offering footlong char, Frito pie, and Sonoran dogs grilled right in front of you.  A Maui Wowi sells frozen cocktails and smoothies; a Mac Shack and chicken tenders and fries stand are next door.  Treat your palette (and your waistline) to Nina’s, which sells curly fries, Philly cheesesteak, jumbo bratwurst, and deep-fried treats ($9 - $17). Another kiosk offers pizza, burgers & fries, and beignets. Peoria Sports Complex Nina's, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The third base concourse has noodle bowls, gyros, Dickey’s BBQ ($14 - $15), walking tacos, hot Italian sausages, churros, kettle corn, and garlic fries.   Standard baseball fare is sold at the permanent concessions with a regular hot dog costing $4.99 and a jumbo dog running $7.99.  Nachos, pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, Cracker Jack, candy, and the like are available throughout the ballpark. A huge, shaded Four Peaks Patio Bar sits above the bullpen on the left field concourse and offers their local brews and other varieties of adult beverages.  A West Coast Beer Garden site is right field offering mostly California brews including Stone Brewery, 805 (Firestone), and the yummy ones from Pizza Port Brewing (a San Diego-based brewery). Beers are $15.99; bottled water is $5.99.  Fans can bring in sealed bottled water.  Pepsi is the soft drink provider with fountain drinks costing $6.99 or $9.99 (refills are $1.99). The stadium has fantastic choices at the standard high prices (but not as high as some of the other spring training ballparks). Atmosphere 5 The San Diego Padres and Peoria Sports Complex create a vibrant, delightful gameday experience.  Die-hard baseball fans and those there for camaraderie receive a mix of excitement and relaxation, perfect for all in attendance. The stadium boasts an easy-to-read scoreboard. The words are big enough that fans can read them without binoculars; the scoreboard displays both lineups (player’s name, number, and position). It highlights the player at the plate. It shows the line score, balls, outs, strikes, hits, runs, errors, and a data point not often seen in the line score, LOB (player’s left on base). Advertisements are not broadcast during play, only between ½ innings. The music volume level is loud but mostly turned off when the PA announcer talks. Music is only played between batters and innings, rarely during at-bats and between pitches, which is a relief. The music person does play music when the announcer calls the starting lineup, but fans can still hear the announcer. The Padres host several promotional days such as Bring Your Dog to the Ballpark (Rover’s ticket costs $5), Kids Run the Bases, etc. Fans can stroll the entire circumference of the stadium, including a small bridge (overpass) down the first baseline. The Padres dugout is on the first base side. Seats are blue stadium fold-down seats on three levels with a walkway between the first two. The seats have plenty of legroom but are a tad narrow. The upper rows in the infield get shade first. Bleachers are down the first baseline in the second level. A thin net suspends to the ends of dugouts. The last three or four seating sections are net-free. Plenty of berm seating is available in the outfield. Fans can peer over the bullpens in the berm area. Built in 2016, the Colonnade, on the third base side, is an indoor space for groups and events to enjoy the game. Finally, a unique feature at Peoria Sports Complex is the Cove.  It is a play area on the third base concourse shaped like a ship with misting fans, picnic tables, and a small baseball field. Kids have a great time here. Peoria Sports Complex Shipyard, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 5 The stadium is in the heart of the P83 Entertainment District in Peoria, AZ, a northwest suburb of Phoenix. Retail, restaurants, hotels, apartment and office complexes, movie theaters, and more shopping all abound next to the stadium. Over 15 restaurants, bars, and fast food are within a block or two. Many are chain restaurants if that’s what you prefer.  We recommend The Social on 83rd (good for weekend brunch).  During the week, they even offer a special spring training happy hour.  We also suggest Pho For Days (Vietnamese) and Revolu Modern Taqueria + Bar  (Mexican). Besides shopping, a Harkins and an AMC movie theater are nearby, as is an Air Trampoline and Adventure Park  for those a little more adventurous. If you’re looking to get in a few easy steps, take a stroll (or bike ride) on New River Trail . Downtown Phoenix is around 20 miles away. Several hotels are within walking distance. The LaQuinta Inn & Suites  is the closest. A Hampton Inn , Comfort Suite, and Residence Inn  are .3 miles from the park. Keep in mind that prices for hotels almost double during the spring training season. Stay an extra day or two and watch the Seattle Mariners spring training as they also use Peoria Sports Complex. Surprise Stadium  (Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers) is 10 miles west, and Camelback Ranch  (LA Dodgers and Chicago White Sox) is about 10 miles south. Fans 3 Padres fans enjoy watching their team.  They are an energetic yet respectful bunch who appreciate the game and the players during spring training.  The complex is usually full (especially on weekends).  You’ll see plenty of Tatis Jr and Machado shirts and jerseys in the stands.  Access 4 The city and organization have done some marvelous things related to getting in and moving around the venue. However, Bell Road / 83rd Ave is still a traffic mess when leaving an afternoon game. First, parking is free. Helpful attendants point you to the right spot as you enter the parking lot.  Second, wide open concourses (especially in the outfield) offer easy and roomy movement. Finally, and it’s a simple thing but quite effective, signs indicating bag regulations focus on what IS allowed, not what is NOT allowed. That positive aspect makes fans feel much more welcome. (Clear sports stadium bags are permitted.) The restrooms are older but plenty and clean (at least the ladies). The stadium is a 30-minute or so drive from Sky Harbor Airport. Public transportation is not easily available from the airport; riders need to make multiple transfers, and travel time takes close to 2 ½ hours. Once you’re there, it’s fantastic. It’s pretty much a nightmare exiting the stadium and onto Bell Rd / 83rd Ave.  We recommend waiting 15 or 20 minutes after the end of the game before heading to your car. Return on Investment 4 Like all spring training venues, ticket prices have sky-rocketed.  Ticket prices in 2025 run from $23 - $56 (plus a substantial Ticketmaster fee) for a Padres spring training game.  The team has flexible prices depending on the day and opponent.  Oddly, tickets cost more when purchased on game day.  Even though these prices seem high, they are more affordable than some of the other spring training facilities in the Cactus League.  And, parking is free.   So, this is one of the more affordable venues in the league.  Concessions are the typical high-priced stadium rates, but there’s such a variety with many local vendors on site.  And, you can bring in your own water and a snack.    Extras 4 A few other items are worth noting.    Peoria Sports Complex has an ‘Autograph Alley’ on the right field concourse where fans can attempt to get both the Padres and the visiting team’s autographs. Peoria Sports Complex Autograph Alley, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The main souvenir shop is set up nicely with plenty of room to maneuver; it’s not cramped.  Plus, the venue has satellite merchandise stands throughout the concourse. The Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system was used during the 2025 spring training season.  Peoria Sports Complex used this feature for its games.   The staff, mostly volunteers from the Peoria Diamond Club are incredibly helpful, kind, informative, and fun!  I can’t say enough about their graciousness. Final Thoughts Going to Peoria for the day to take in some spring training is just a great experience.  Be sure to put this ballpark on the list if coming to Arizona for spring training.

Photos courtesy of Gregory Koch Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Franny Murray Court at the DuFour Center 4400 John McCormack Rd NE Washington, DC 20011 Catholic Cardinals website Franny Murray Court at the DuFour Center website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 2,000 Fear the Catholic Cardinals Located in Washington, DC, the Catholic University of America is the only pontifical university in the United States. For those who are unaware, a pontifical university is a college established by the Vatican and dedicated to the purpose of religious studies. The CUA's athletic programs are known as the Cardinals and compete at the Division III level in the Landmark Conference. Catholic's basketball team plays its home games at Franny Murray Court, inside the Raymoind A. DuFour Center on the school's campus. The building opened in 1985 and also contains athletic offices and a weight room. The arena itself was heavily renovated in 2017 with the addition of a new floor and chairback seating. Food & Beverage 1 There is no concession stand open inside the DuFour Center. There are, however, some vending machines in the lobby selling snacks, drinks, and bottled water. A sign says not to bring food or drink into the arena, but this is ignored by everybody. It is likely referring to those who practice on the court itself. You should be fine bringing it into the stands. Atmosphere 4 Franny Murray Court at the DuFour Center features several sections of bright red chairbacks seats along each sideline. You will be up close to the action no matter where you sit, and the small gym helps trap in the energy. The Cardinals have a mascot, who appropriately is a costumed cardinal, who makes regular appearances at their games. There is also a pep band which is quite large for the Division III level, and a cheerleading squad which entertains the crowd before the game and during timeouts, and leads cheers from behind the baseline during the game itself. The experience at a Catholic University basketball game is on par with many small Division I colleges. That this is happening at Division III is quite impressive. Neighborhood 4 Catholic University is located in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, D.C. This neighborhood is sometimes called "Little Rome" due to the large number of Catholic institutions. In addition to CUA, there are several other Catholic high schools, colleges, and other institutions, as well as the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. There are certainly other places to go in Brookland as well. Busboys and Poets is a popular bookstore, coffee shop, and restaurant located across Michigan Avenue from the south side of campus. The Brookland Pint is a popular bar serving beer and burgers. The Brookland Grill on 12th Street is a more affordable option. Fans 4 Catholic University draws good crowds for the Division III level. While the DuFour Center won't be completely full, they regularly draw several hundred fans to the small gym. The crowd is both knowledgeable and loud, and they are proud of their team. It is a good mix of friends and family of the players and some locals as well who have a connection to the school. As the Landmark Conference covers a small geographic area, there will often be a good number of away fans as well. While the crowds will never match those at Division I, they are good for the Division III level. With the small gym and low ceiling, it can get quite loud in here. Access 5 There are many options for arriving at the DuFour Center. There is a parking lot adjacent to the arena, and if that fills up, ample parking is available elsewhere on campus. There is a charge for parking, payable through the FlowBird app at $2/hour, which is not an unreasonable charge in the middle of a large city. If wanting to use public transit, you can also take Metro's Red or Green Line to Fort Totten or the Red Line to Brookland-CUA. Both are about a 15 to 20-minute walk from the DuFour Center. Keep in mind there may be track work on weekends leading to delays or closed stations - check the WMATA website and plan accordingly. Restrooms are available in the lobby of the DuFour Center and are generally a sufficient size for the crowds. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Catholic University basketball games is $8, and although men's and women's tickets are sold separately, either ticket is good for both games of a doubleheader, should the teams play one. Tickets are digital only, purchased through the HomeTown ticketing app. Parking is a reasonable price for D.C., and whatever food you buy from vending machines won't be more than a couple dollars. Overall, a CUA basketball game is an excellent value for the experience you're getting. Extras 2 Look for the trophy case and Catholic University Athletics Hall of Fame in the lobby of the building. Each of them are worthy of an extra star here. Final Thoughts Although Catholic University competes at the Division III level, the experience at a basketball game here is still outstanding. You might mistake it for a small Division I value with the way the matchday goes. The crowds are great, the pep band is outstanding for this level, and a modern, spacious lobby contains many displays of team and school history. The DuFour Center and a Catholic University Cardinals basketball game can be a hidden gem for hoops fans in D.C.

Photos by Terry McCutchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Wisdom Gym 1333 W. Washington Stephenville, TX 76401 Tarleton State Texans website Wisdom Gym website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 3,000 Tarleton State University (MBB) Stephenville is a city of approximately 20,000 people located in north central Texas. Known affectionately as the Cowboy Capital of the World, Stephenville is home to numerous world-renowned horse trainers and top-level professional rodeo athletes, most notably Ty Murray. Murray is a nine-time PRCA world champion cowboy and co-founder of the Professional Bull Riders Association (PBR). In 2023 no less than 42 (31%) of the qualifiers for the National Finals Rodeo came from the Stephenville metro area. In addition to professional level cowboys, Tarleton State University sponsors championship level rodeo, stock horse, and animal judging teams to solidify the town’s claim to the western-themed title. Not just a one-horse town, however, Tarleton currently sponsors 15 NCAA Division 1 athletic teams, having moved up from Division 2 competition in 2020. The men’s basketball team, which first played in 1906, has competed in Wisdom Gym since 1970. Competing at the NAIA, NCAA D2, and now NCAA D1 levels they have compiled eight conference championships and 14 postseason appearances, the most recent in 2017. Since 1970 Tarleton has played its home basketball games in venerable Wisdom Gym. Opened as a multisport facility, the gym seats 3000 using pullout seats on each side of the venue. The seating in the lower section has been updated with seatback chairs on the home side of the court, but the upper seating is still the original wooden pull-out bleachers, which take fans on a trip down memory lane. With a modern video scoreboard and live DJ pumping music, the setting is upbeat and energetic. This will be the final season for basketball in Wisdom Gym, as it will become a volleyball-only facility in the future; Tarleton basketball will move to a new venue next year.   Food & Beverage   3 All normal concession stand fare is available at Wisdom Gym, though there are no specialty items. Snacks include candy, chips, popcorn, and pretzels, while heartier food choices include hog dogs, nachos, and pulled pork sandwiches. Non-alcoholic drinks offered are Pepsi products, including Pepsi, Dr Pepper, Starry, Tropicana Lemonade, and Gatorade; alcoholic beverages available include Coors Light, Miller Lite, Dos Equis, White Claw, and Revolver Brewing’s local offering, Texan Rider. My suggestion is a pretzel with extra cheese for dipping and a cold Texan Rider.   Atmosphere   5 The atmosphere for Tarleton men’s basketball is well above what you would expect – the presence of DJ Quan, spinning jams before the game and during dead ball periods, gives the game energy and pumps up the crowd. There are also on-court fan participation games during halftime and during select stoppages in play, and groups attending games get special recognition – all these fan-friendly activities create an environment where fans enjoy themselves. The most recent game I attended was a game honoring the kids and leaders of Scouting America, so the general admission crowd was well over 50 percent scouts.   Neighborhood   4 Tarleton is set in the center of Stephenville, which is a small town of approximately 20,000 people. The area around campus is mostly residential, but with many restaurants and fast food choices within a few minutes’ drive. The best options nearby include Hard 8 Bar-B-Q , Grump’s Burgers , Don Nico’s Mexican Food , Newton’s Saddlerack , or   Caam’s Pizza Restaurant . Should you prefer an old school diner experience, Jake and Dorothy’s is a locally owned joint that dates back to 1948, the place where waffle cut fries were invented and chicken fried steak is the calling card; just carry cash as they do not accept credit or debit cards. There are plenty of hotels to choose from in town – some of the more highly rated choices include Hampton Inn & Suites ,   La Quinta Inn and Suites , and   Best Western Plus , among others. If you prefer short term rental options, there are several small houses and cabins available in and around Stephenville. On busy weekends, however, availability can be an issue.   Fans   5 Tarleton fans are loud and loyal. The student section is at floor level across from the two benches, and the students are very involved in the game. The intimate setting of the old gym creates an environment where the crowd can have maximum impact on the game. Time will tell what the new basketball arena provides. The Texans are supported by cheerleaders and their mascot the Texan Rider, who is fully adorned in Cowboy attire including leather chaps, silk cravat, and black hat. Foul Play, the student pep band, plays at men’s basketball games as well, alternating with DJ Quan during stoppages in play, so there is never a long period of silence. At a recent conference game I attended, the student section was nearly full; they were loud, intimidating, and conducted choreographed cheers and other coordinated distraction tricks to disrupt the opposing team.   Access   4 Stephenville is approximately three and a half hours north of San Antonio via US-281, or three hours from Austin via Interstate 35; from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex it is only a little over an hour’s drive. Once in town the university is easily accessible, and ample parking near the gym is available. There is no commercial air travel into town and public transportation is rideshare only, which is limited at best. The best option if flying into the region is to fly to DFW airport, Love Field in Dallas, Austin-Bergstrom airport, or the San Antonio airport and rent a vehicle to drive.   Return On Investment   4 General admission tickets begin at $10, and a full meal can be purchased for less than $10, so the ROI at Wisdom Gym is well worth the trip. Free parking adds value to the game experience as well. Hopefully the move to a newer location does not affect this rating negatively.   Extras   4 The presence of a live DJ takes the atmosphere to a high level, one that is completely unexpected when you enter the gym – hype music is one thing, but with DJ Quan in the stands, the desire to dance during timeouts is greatly enhanced. Games involving the crowd also enhance the experience and keep the game moving. The Foul Play band also helps to avoid down time. The old school feel of the entrance and upper section of the building, combined with the upgraded seating and amenities, creates a feeling for nostalgia without losing any of the comforts the fans have come to expect in today’s gameday experiences.   Final Thoughts Tarleton Texan basketball games are quality entertainment options, and Wisdom Gym is a classic setting for a positive experience. While this is the last year this venue will host basketball games, volleyball games will continue to be housed in the facility.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Silvio O. Conte Forum 2601 Beacon St. Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 Boston College Eagles website Silvio O. Conte Forum website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 8,606 Greater Heights   Boston College is a private Jesuit university founded in 1863. The campus is one of the earliest examples of collegiate gothic architecture in the United States. With an enrollment of over 15,000 students, Boston College offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in its eight colleges and schools.   The Silvio O. Conte Forum is the on-campus home of the Boston College men’s and women’s basketball and hockey teams . The facility was named for Boston College alumnus and United States congressmen Silvio O. Conte. Built perpendicular to Alumni Stadium , Conte Forum is located on the former site of McHugh Forum, the former home of the Eagles hockey team.   Basketball has been played at BC since 1904. Over their history, the Eagles have qualified for the NCAA tournament 18 times, most recently in 2009. Boston College has advanced as far as the Elite Eight three times in their history (1967, 1982 and 1994). 25 former Eagles have played in the NBA. Boston College’s women’s teams have appeared in 7 NCAA tournaments (every year from 1999-2006). Five Eagle alumni have played in the WNBA.   Food & Beverage 3   Concessions have never been at the forefront of the Boston College athletics experience, but the school has taken steps to improve the overall experience in recent years. Several stands line the inner edge of the concourse at Conte Forum, with each stand offering a different signature item.   Stands feature hot dogs, Sal’s pizza and BBQ sandwiches. All stands also sell a variety of sides and snacks to round out your selection. If the main stands don’t have what you’re looking for, portable stands offer chicken tenders and fries, popcorn, ice cream treats or meatballs.   Coca-Cola products are featured at Conte Forum. Eagle fans looking for an adult beverage will find a selection of beer and wine sold at concession stands as well as a portable stand. Craft beers from local favorites Fiddlehead, Whirlpool and Lord Hobo Brewing and Stormolong Cider are featured.   Food quality is decent, and prices are in line with other college facilities in the Boston area. Combo Meals are sold at all stands for fans looking to save a few dollars.   Atmosphere 3   Despite the best efforts of the game day staff here at Conte Forum, you can only do so much with the experience at a gymnasium when it’s half-full at best. To their credit, all the elements that you expect at a big-time program can be found here, but the total falls short of the pieces, simply due to lack of fan support.   Video boards at either end of the facility are put to good use with hype videos, replays, game stats and more. For most games, you’ll find the cheerleaders, pep band, and Baldwin, the Eagles mascot, doing their thing throughout the game. There’s an emcee who leads promotions, contests and giveaways throughout the game to keep the fans engaged, and the PA announcer, who does a nice job keeping the energy up without being too over the top. The one issue at Conte is with the sound system. It’s woefully inadequate, and it’s really difficult to hear anything being said over the speakers during the game.   Neighborhood 4   Boston College’s sporting rivals (we’re looking at you, other Beanpot schools), will point out that Boston College is located not within the city limits of Boston, but in the village of Chestnut Hill, part of the town of Newton. Newton is a very well-to-do suburb which is frequently found on many “best places to live in the USA” lists.   Visiting fans looking to grab a bite to eat nearby right before or after an Eagles game can walk from Conte over to Cleveland Circle, where a cluster of shops and restaurants are located. Among these shops is Eagles Deli, which has been featured on Man vs. Food and other shows because of their massive hamburger challenges. Their large portions and cheap prices make them a favorite of BC students. Newton Centre is located a few miles in the other direction, and is a good place to stop if you happen to be driving to the game. There’s no shortage of options to be found here.   Fans looking for lodging options won’t find much right by campus, but Downtown Boston is just six miles away. There are more than enough dining, lodging and entertainment options there to keep any visitor happy.   Fans 2   New England as a whole doesn’t really embrace college basketball as the premier winter sport like much of the rest of the country. There are exceptions to this rule (we’re looking at you, UConn, PC and URI), but for the most part, hockey rules the roost in this part of the country. Even the allure of the ACC isn’t enough to draw big crowds to the Heights on most nights.   Boston College averaged just over 4,600 fans per game for the 2024-25 season, good for 15th in the 18-team ACC. Stadium Journey visited Conte Forum for the Eagles’ home finale, which unfortunately occurred on a Wednesday night during Spring Break. As you might imagine, the crowd was pretty sparce, even by BC standards. In talking to many staffers, small crowds have been the norm recently as the basketball team has struggled and the hockey team has taken residence at the top of the rankings. Only the Duke game packed Conte Forum this season. From our own experience at BC, when there’s a big crowd at Conte for basketball, it’s made up primarily of visiting fans.   You will find some Eagle diehard fans in attendance and a decent turnout from the student body, but overall the fans here in Boston can be really fickle. This is a pro hoops town, and the Celtics are the undisputed kings. Access 3   Despite Boston College’s location in the suburbs, it shares the same access issues as downtown Boston. Anyone who has tried to navigate the crowded, crooked streets of Greater Boston by car can tell you how difficult driving in this area can be. If you are visiting from out of town, your best bet is to find a copilot who knows their way around town.   Stadium Journey recommends leaving your car at home and using public transportation to arrive at Conte Forum. Boston’s subway system, known as the “T”, has several stops that access the Boston College campus. The green line’s B train terminus is located on Commonwealth Ave., right across the street from campus. From here, it is a short five-minute walk to Conte Forum. In addition, Boston College operates free shuttle busses that stop at several points around town. The complete route schedule can be   viewed here .   If driving to Boston College, it’s easier to avoid the city and come in from the western suburbs. Interstate 90, Route 9 and local roads will all lead you to the Boston College campus with varying degrees of success. The area around Boston College is quite scenic, with a nice suburban feel, but traffic can be very heavy at times. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive on campus. Complete driving directions can be found here.   Parking is available for BC basketball games in either the Beacon Street Garage or the Commonwealth Avenue Garage. Both are a short walk from the arena. A single concourse circles the court, with the court visible at both ends. Lower-level seats are plastic maroon stadium seats, and upper level seats are bleachers without backs. Rest rooms are plenty large enough for a typical Eagles crowd, but you’ll still want to time your trips to concessions wisely.   Return on Investment 4   Boston College utilizes dynamic pricing for basketball games, meaning premium games will be more expensive, but baseline pricing for most games is between $10 and $30 for tickets. Parking is free in the nearby garages. Food prices are a bit on the high side, but bargains are available. Given that there aren’t any other top-tier programs in Boston, an Eagles game is pretty affordable.   Extras 5                                                                                                 Boston College displays its basketball (and hockey) history proudly throughout Conte Forum. Banners dominate the view throughout the interior space of the facility. Banners commemorating tournament appearances, conference titles, retired numbers and more hang from virtually every available rafter inside Conte Forum.   When visiting Boston College, make sure to give yourself enough time to explore the concourse here at Conte Forum. On one end of the facility is the Varsity Club, where over 400 notable athletes from Boston College’s long and illustrious sporting history are honored. You’ll find dozens of Olympians, Hall of Famers, NHL, NFL, NBA, and MLB players. It’s quite an impressive display.   At the other end of the arena are trophy cases containing hardware earned by Eagles teams over the years displayed in a modern and pleasing way. A tribute to the Gaudreau brothers, two BC alumni who were killed by a drunk driver this past summer, is located here as well.   Displays honoring every BC alum to play in the NBA, WNBA and NHL are located on the concourse.   Final Thoughts   If you were to Google “what did a basketball gym look like in the 1980s?” it’s very likely that a photo of Conte Forum would pop up. Looking very much like a product of its time, the home of the Eagles may be more well known as a hockey rink than a basketball court, but it’s still a great place to catch some of the best basketball teams in the country as they pass through this part of the country.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.I.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Mount Vernon Athletic Complex 2100 Foxhall Rd NW Washington, DC 20007 George Washington Revolutionaries website Mount Vernon Athletic Complex website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity : 500 A Lacrosse Revolution in D.C. Located on George Washington University’s Mount Vernon Campus, three miles from the main campus in Foggy Bottom, the Mount Vernon Athletic Complex plays home to several of the Revolutionaries' athletic programs. The women's lacrosse team plays at the main athletic field, which is also home to GW soccer . (GW does not have a men's lacrosse team.) There are also tennis courts, a softball field , and a student gym in the complex. Food & Beverage 0 No food and beverage is available for sale at GW lacrosse games games. There is a cafeteria inside West Hall adjacent to the stadium which sells meals at mealtimes which can be taken into the stadium, and one does not need to be a student to buy from there, but it is only open during meal hours and you are at the mercy of whatever they happen to be serving that day, if it is even open when you visit. Atmosphere 2 The Mount Vernon Athletic Complex has a rather unique seating layout. Assuming you are coming from the parking garage or walking in from off-campus, you will find some random chairs strewn about on a lawn across the street from the stadium. Some fans like to watch from here, or you can walk around to three rows of bleachers on the far side by West Hall. These bleachers can get cramped and there is really no aisle to speak of going across, so expect to have to walk across fans and get walked across yourself. There is a scoreboard on one end of the field which shows only the most basic information. There is really not much going on here besides the game itself. George Washington has a mascot, who appropriately is a costumed version of George Washington himself, but he was not present when we visited. Neighborhood 4 The Mount Vernon Athletic Complex is located in Northwest Washington off Foxhall Road. Although there are several scenic parks and trails in the vicinity, as well as the German Embassy, your best bet for dining is to head elsewhere in the District. A seafood place and an Italian restaurant are located west of the Mount Vernon campus near the Potomac River, and some other places up MacArthur Boulevard, but most of your options will be closer to Downtown, not further. The Tenleytown and Georgetown neighborhoods are a short drive or Uber ride away and offer numerous dining and entertainment options. You can also head downtown and visit the many historic sites. monuments, and memorials along the National Mall. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you will need to book in advance. Fans 3 The Revolutionaries only draw a couple hundred fans to a typical home game, and with about half choosing to sit in the bleachers and half choosing to sit in the chairs along the grass or bring their own. The crowd is knowledgeable about the team and the sport, but not particularly loud. Most of them are friends or family of the players, although you do get some other locals as well.. When GW is playing a nearby school, expect to have a lot of visiting fans in attendance as well. Because it is far from campus, there are few GW students in attendance, although there is a shuttle bus that runs between the campuses, so they would be able to get here if they wanted io. Access 3 Depending on how you are arriving, the Mount Vernon campus can either be significantly easier or significantly harder to get to than the main campus in Foggy Bottom. While it is not Metro-accessible, it is a lot easier to drive to this campus in outer Washington than it is to drive downtown to the main campus. There is a parking garage on campus right next to the stadium. Parking is free all day on weekends or for up to three hours on weekdays. It can get very pricey if staying for more than three hours on a weekday, starting at $16 for up to four hours and going up from there, so try to go on a weekend or time your visit accordingly. As noted above, the bleachers can be cramped and hard to get around. If this is a concern for you, you can sit in the chairs across the street and have a good view of the game, just arrive early so they aren’t all taken. Although there are no restrooms at the field itself, there are some in West Hall. Just take the stairs or elevator down a level and they are easy to get to. You may need a GW student to card you into the building depending on the time of day, but there will usually be one nearby to help. Return on Investment 4 Admission to Revolutionaries' lacrosse games is free, with the possible exception of Atlatnic 10 or NCAA Tournament matches. You won’t pay for concessions because there aren’t any. We suggest visiting on a weekend to maximize value without having to carefully time things to avoid paying a ridiculous amount for parking. Extras 1 One star for all the unique vantage points to watch a game here. Whether it’s sitting in the crowded bleachers, in chairs across the street, or standing along the fence, there are plenty of ways to take in a GW lacrosse game here. Final Thoughts The Mount Vernon Athletic Complex is a unique college lacrosse venue with many ways to take in a game. However, at its core it is a pretty basic facility. Fans of George Washington University may want to make the trip here to see a game, but there is not much to offer a neutral unless you are a die-hard lacrosse fan.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Silvio O. Conte Forum 2601 Beacon St. Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 Boston College Eagles hockey website Silvio O. Conte Forum website Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 7,884 A Perch at the Top of the Rankings   Boston College is a private Jesuit university founded in 1863. The campus is one of the earliest examples of collegiate gothic architecture in the United States. With an enrollment of over 15,000 students, Boston College offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in its eight colleges and schools.   The Silvio O. Conte Forum is the on-campus home of the Boston College men’s and women’s hockey and basketball teams . The facility was named for Boston College alumnus and United States congressmen Silvio O. Conte. Built perpendicular to Alumni Stadium , Conte Forum is located on the former site of McHugh Forum, the former home of the Eagles hockey team.   Boston College first fielded a hockey team in 1917. Boston College hockey history has been dominated by three head coaches (John “Snooks” Kelley, Len Ceglarski and Jerry York). All three have won at least 500 games, with York the all-time leader in career wins, with over 1000. The rink at Conte Forum is named for Mr. Kelley, who was the first NCAA coach to reach the 500 win milestone.   The Eagles have been a mainstay at the top of the national rankings throughout their history. The Eagles have qualified for the NCAA tournament 36 times, reaching the Frozen Four 25 times (only Michigan has reached more, with 26). Boston College has won the national championship five times in their history, most recently in 2012.   Three Hobey Baker Award winners played at BC (David Emma, Mike Motteau and Johnny Gaudreau). 89 Boston College alumni have played in the National Hockey League. Three former Eagles (Brian Leetch, Joe Mullen and Jerry York) are enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.   Food & Beverage 3 Concessions have never been at the forefront of the Boston College athletics experience, but the school has taken steps to improve the overall experience in recent years. Several stands line the inner edge of the concourse at Conte Forum, with each stand offering a different signature item.   Stands feature hot dogs, Sal’s pizza and BBQ sandwiches. All stands also sell a variety of sides and snacks to round out your selection. If the main stands don’t have what you’re looking for, portable stands offer chicken tenders and fries, popcorn, ice cream treats or meatballs.   Coca-Cola products are featured at Conte Forum. Eagle fans looking for an adult beverage will find a selection of beer and wine sold at concession stands as well as a portable stand. Craft beers from local favorites Fiddlehead, Whirlpool and Lord Hobo Brewing and Stormolong Cider are featured.   Food quality is decent, and prices are in line with other college facilities in the Boston area. Combo Meals are sold at all stands for fans looking to save a few dollars.   Atmosphere 4   For the most part, the game day experience at Conte Forum is an old-school one. There’s not a lot in the way of flashy lights, loud music or pyrotechnics going on at an Eagles hockey game. What you will notice is the fan support. Particularly over the past few seasons, Conte Forum has been the place to be when the Eagles take the ice. Packed student sections can be found behind both nets, as well as much of the upper deck along the east side of the arena.   Building on the noise created by the students is the pep band. The band enters the building en masse decked out in BC hockey jerseys. They perform the Boston College fight song as they circle the entire concourse before settling into their seats. The pep band plays throughout the game during most stoppages, alternating with the arena’s organist. That’s what I call a win-win situation.   There are video boards on either end of the rink which are put to good use with hype videos, replays and graphics. There are on-ice contests between periods, and plenty to look at all around Conte Forum. It almost seems like every available inch of space here is filled with some type of memento of Boston College’s sporting history.   Conte Forum’s steeply pitched seating bowl places fans are right on top of the action, no matter where they are sitting. There are excellent sight lines throughout the facility. When the building is full, it can get pretty loud here.   Neighborhood 4   Boston College’s sporting rivals (we’re looking at you, other Beanpot schools), will point out that Boston College is located not within the city limits of Boston, but in the village of Chestnut Hill, part of the town of Newton. Newton is a very well-to-do suburb which is frequently found on many “best places to live in the USA” lists.   Visiting fans looking to grab a bite to eat nearby right before or after an Eagles game can walk from Conte over to Cleveland Circle, where a cluster of shops and restaurants are located. Among these shops is Eagles Deli, which has been featured on Man vs. Food and other shows because of their massive hamburger challenges. Their large portions and cheap prices make them a favorite of BC students. Newton Centre is located a few miles in the other direction and is a good place to stop if you happen to be driving to the game. There’s no shortage of options to be found here.   Fans looking for lodging options won’t find much right by campus, but Downtown Boston is just six miles away. There are more than enough dining, lodging and entertainment options there to keep any visitor happy.   Fans 5   Boston College has averaged at or above 7,000 fans per game over the past two seasons, which ranks them in the top five of all Division One schools nationwide and first by a wide margin in hockey-mad New England, where there are 21 D-1 teams.   As mentioned before, the catalyst behind the increase in attendance has been the student body, who fill the student sections at both ends of the rink night after night. The pep band and organ also call these sections home. The rest of the fans consist of a combination of alumni, local hockey fans and families out to enjoy an affordable evening of sports entertainment. In Greater Boston, there are no shortage of knowledgeable, enthusiastic fans to draw from.   With Boston College’s membership in Hockey East, there is no shortage of games against local rivals, and it’s not unusual to see a good number of visiting fans at Conte Forum. You might even see an entire visiting student section show up, which only adds to the energy in the building. Access 3   Despite Boston College’s location in the suburbs, it shares the same access issues as downtown Boston. Anyone who has tried to navigate the crowded, crooked streets of Greater Boston by car can tell you how difficult driving in this area can be. If you are visiting from out of town, your best bet is to find a copilot who knows their way around town.   Stadium Journey recommends leaving your car at home and using public transportation to arrive at Conte Forum. Boston’s subway system, known as the “T”, has several stops that access the Boston College campus. The green line’s B train terminus is located on Commonwealth Ave., right across the street from campus. From here, it is a short five-minute walk to Conte Forum. In addition, Boston College operates free shuttle buses that stop at several points around town. The complete route schedule can be  viewed here .   If driving to Boston College, it’s easier to avoid the city and come in from the western suburbs. Interstate 90, Route 9 and local roads will all lead you to the Boston College campus with varying degrees of success. The area around Boston College is quite scenic, with a nice suburban feel, but traffic can be very heavy at times. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive on campus. Complete driving directions can be found here .   Parking is available for BC hockey games in the Commonwealth Avenue Garage, which is just a short walk from the arena. The Beacon Street Garage on the opposite side of the arena is reserved for permit holders. A single concourse circles the rink, with the ice visible at both ends. Lower-level seats are plastic maroon stadium seats, and upper-level seats are molded bleachers without backs. Rest rooms are plenty large enough for a typical Eagles crowd, but you’ll still want to time your trips to concessions wisely.   Return on Investment 4   Boston College utilizes variable pricing for their games. For most games, ticket prices begin at $15 and max out at $30. For premium games, prices start at $25 and climb to $50. Parking is free in the Commonwealth Garage for Eagles hockey games.   Concessions are priced similarly to other venues in the area. To save a few dollars, visiting fans can purchase combo meals. Extras 5                                                                                                 Boston College displays its hockey (and hoops) history proudly throughout Conte Forum. Banners dominate the view throughout the interior space of the facility. Banners commemorating tournament appearances, conference titles, retired numbers and more hang from virtually every available rafter inside Conte Forum. Don’t forget those five National Championship banners.   When visiting Boston College, make sure to give yourself enough time to explore the concourse here at Conte Forum. On one end of the facility is the Varsity Club, where over 400 notable athletes from Boston College’s long and illustrious sporting history are honored. You’ll find dozens of Olympians, Hall of Famers, NHL, NFL, NBA, and MLB players. It’s quite an impressive display.   At the other end of the arena are trophy cases containing hardware earned by Eagles teams over the years displayed in a visually pleasing way. A tribute to the Gaudreau brothers, two BC hockey alumni who were killed by a drunk driver this past summer, is located here as well.   Displays honoring every BC alum to play in the NHL, NBA, and WNBA are located on the concourse.   Final Thoughts   The game day atmosphere at Conte Forum for Boston College basketball rates as just a “meh,” but it’s a different story entirely for BC hockey. The Eagles have been perched at or near the top of the national rankings for a couple of seasons now, and the Conte Forum is packed whenever the Eagles take the ice.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Temple Gardens Centre 110 1st Ave NW Moose Jaw, SK S6H 0Y8 Moose Jaw Warriors website Mosaic Place website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 4,465 Mosaic Place Editor's Note: On March 1, 2025 it was announced that the Peepeekisis Cree Nation had entered into a five-year, $600,000 naming rights agreement with the city of Moose Jaw. This review, written in 2016, reflects the arena's name at that time, Mosaic Place. After a four-year stint in Winnipeg, the Western Hockey League’s Warriors moved to Moose Jaw in 1984. They played their games at the Moose Jaw Civic Centre, better known as the Crushed Can, for many years, but in 2011 the team moved to a brand new facility right downtown, known as Mosaic Place. The $61 million arena seats 4,465 people, which is the equivalent of about 13 percent of the entire city population when the place is full. In addition to the rink area, it also features an eight-sheet curling club, a banquet room, and other meeting rooms. It has played host to a number of major events, including the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and concerts by A-list performers like Alice Cooper and Carrie Underwood. But the Moose Jaw Warriors are the centrepiece of entertainment in the building. The Warriors have won the East Division of the WHL three times in their history and have placed an impressive 47 players in the NHL including Kelly Buchberger, Mike Keane, and Ryan Smyth. Although they have never won the Memorial Cup, they are a consistently strong franchise that has a knack for developing talent. Food & Beverage 3 There are four concession stands in Mosaic Place, one in each corner, and there are also concessions upstairs for people sitting in the club seating section on the north end of the rink. There are also vending machines in a few spots in the concourse if you’re just looking for a bottle of pop and a bag of chips or a candy bar. The options at the concessions are pretty standard, but there are some interesting choices as well. In addition to stuff like hot dogs ($4.75) and French fries ($4.75), you can also try the boneless dry ribs ($7.50) or buffalo chicken burger ($7.50). One of the other specialty options I tried was the Pointer Dog ($8), named for 2015-16 Warriors team captain Brayden Point. It’s a double smoked farmer’s sausage in a pretzel bun, topped with onion rings, bacon, cheddar cheese, and banana peppers. Probably not the healthiest thing I’ve ever eaten, but yummy! Next to the concessions you’ll find self-serve toppings stands where you can load your burgers and dogs up on ketchup, mustard, as well as fresh pickles, onions and peppers. The typical beverage options are also available at the concessions. A medium fountain drink is $3; a 16 oz. coffee is $2.25. If you’re seeking an alcoholic beverage, you’ll also find a decent selection, including Great Western and Original 16 beer on tap ($6.75 per glass) and highballs as well ($6.75 for a single). Atmosphere 3 As I have found throughout the WHL, the atmosphere at a Warriors game is fairly subdued but focussed. There isn’t much crowd noise during play, unless something exciting happens. My handy-dandy sound meter phone app told me that when the Warriors scored, the arena sound level increased to about 100 times louder than in the moments leading up to the goal. So people are paying attention and ready to get excited at the appropriate moments. One thing I really appreciate about the experience is that Mosaic Place is beautiful inside. It is spacious, well-lit, has great acoustics, and is well-appointed with features that let you know this is Moose Jaw Warriors territory. The south end wall has two huge fabric jerseys hanging from it, bookending the Mosaic Place signage. There is a row of Warriors championship banners and retired team numbers hanging above the north end of the rink; the Warriors and Legends Hall of Fame is on the north wall of the concourse, with bronze plaques of all the key figures in team history. The colour scheme of the facility also matches the Warriors uniforms, giving this place a great feel. Neighborhood 4 Mosaic Place is located just a couple blocks west of Main St in downtown Moose Jaw. The neighborhood is old and a little long in the tooth, but actually has lots to see and do. If you are looking for something to do before game time and you’re into historical tours, head to the Tunnels of Moose Jaw , at 18 Main Street and take a 50-minute multi-media guided tour of the city’s famous tunnels, which were used a century ago by Chinese immigrants and in the Roaring 20’s by Al Capone to smuggle booze to the United States. As for nightlife, there are a number of options. Right across the street to the east of Mosaic Place is the Crushed Can Sports Bar and Nightclub , named after the old Moose Jaw Civic Centre. On Main Street you’ll also find a few more places, such as Brown’s Social House, the Cornerstone Bar and Grill, Houston Pizza, and DK All-You-Can-Eat Sushi House. Keep heading east and you’ll find several more places such as a nice little Irish pub called Bobby’s Place, a Boston Pizza, and Casino Moose Jaw. Without looking too hard, you should be able to find something within easy walking distance of Mosaic Place to suit just about anyone’s taste. Fans 4 The fans in Mosaic Place are a pleasant crowd, quiet for the most part, but engaged in the action on the ice and primed to cheer when circumstances call for it. As with any hockey fans I’ve been around in Canada, the folks at the game are knowledgeable and dialled into the game. Crowds at Warriors games are typically in the 3,000-3,500 range, with several games a season over 4,000 so the place is at three-quarters of its capacity or better every night. Considering that Moose Jaw is a city of about 33,000 people, that’s pretty strong local representation on any given night. Access 4 There are only about a hundred parking spots on site at Mosaic Place, however there are almost 1,500 spots within 500 metres of the building on the streets around the arena and all of them are free during evening events. The only caution would be to avoid parking in local business lots, such as at the Safeway grocery across High Street to the north of the arena, as you’re likely to be ticketed and/or towed. Getting to and from the building is pretty easy from anywhere in the city. Main St. can get you from the TransCanada Highway at the northern city limits to the heart of downtown in 10 minutes or fewer. Other arteries such as 9 Ave can get you to the south side of town and roads like Caribou Street can deliver you to the east or west in no time at all. Of course, in a city this size, nothing is too far away from anything else, so travel times are always relatively short. Moose Jaw Transit’s Route 1 drops off right by the facility and Routes 2, 3, and 4 have stops within a couple blocks. Inside the building, the concourse is very spacious. The Grand Entrance on the west side of the building features a large, roomy staircase, with an adjacent escalator, leading to an upper lobby and the main doors into the arena bowl. The hallways surrounding the lower seating bowl are quite wide, with plenty of room to accommodate the audience. There is one traffic pinch point in the northeast corner, near the main entrance, where the concession stand queues out into the walkway, so things can get jammed up a bit in that spot. Roping off the concession lineup to direct it to the side of the walking area would fix the problem, but in the grand scheme of things, that’s a pretty minor issue. Return on Investment 4 Tickets anywhere in the lower bowl are $19.05 per seat, with club seating upstairs on the north end going for $28.57. These prices are right in line with the rest of the WHL and make for a terrific value for the opportunity to see the hockey stars of the future honing their craft in a great location. The sightlines throughout Mosaic Place’s seating area are excellent, so every single seat in the building is a good one. Extras 4 There are a number of interesting Warriors-related touches around Mosaic Place. There are a number of championship banners and retired number banners in a row above the north end of the rink. On the south end are two giant home and away Warriors jerseys hanging on either end of the Mosaic Place logo. The Warriors and Legends Hall of Fame is located on the north wall of the concourse with more than 20 bronze plaques commemorating the key figures in team history. There is a Kids Zone in the southeast corner of the concourse, set off from the main walking area, where youngsters can frolic and play if they need a little distraction. Something we observed were signs with a number to text to if there’s a problem. I think this is a great idea and gives the facility the opportunity to respond quickly to any issues that might arise. Inside the north lobby is the Crushed Can Retail Store, where you can pick up all your Warriors swag, from jerseys and caps to bunny hugs (known to people outside of Saskatchewan as hoodies), and key chains. This is about as big and well-appointed a store as I’ve ever seen for a junior hockey team, with something for every fan. Posted in a number of locations around the concourse are “Green Building Tour” signs, telling visitors to Mosaic Place of all the eco-friendly features of the arena’s design. Among those features is one I’m always happy to see: recycling bins throughout the building next to the regular garbage cans. Warriors mascot Mortimer Moose makes his way through the stands during the game to entertain the kids in the crowd. He also helps out with some of the promotions that happen during stoppages in the game. Final Thoughts The Moose Jaw Warriors play in a beautiful building that is cutting-edge and still practically brand new. For that reason alone it is well worth the trip across southern Saskatchewan in the middle of winter to check it out. If you’re in the process of seeing every WHL arena, you need to move this one up your priority list.

It is hard not to miss it as you drive from the interstate on 6th Street towards the high school, but not much has changed with its appearance over the past few years, except for a couple more broken windows. It’s a relic of another time situated in a large grassy area surrounded by residential homes. The James B. Shield Gymnasium, the former home of the Seymour High School Owls basketball program, is a beautiful tragedy. I originally passed the building on my way to the current school’s home the Lloyd E. Scott Gym , which was hosting the regional championship between New Albany and Castle High Schools. It was during Romeo-mania, and I wanted to get there before 8,000-plus fans took up all of the spots in the parking lot. Finally, I had my chance to visit old Shields on my way back from a game in Scottsburg. The structure is abandoned and has been for quite some time. Just like with many other former sporting facilities, what exactly do you do with them once they no longer serve as home to a sports team of some type? However, this tragic beauty is noticeable in the 17,000-plus residents of Seymour. The basketball arena is smack-down in the center of a residential neighborhood and on the main street, where multiple cars pass by daily. I can only imagine what a passing motorist thought of me taking pictures and videos in front of the old gym. However, I am not one of the many visitors who have left their mark with graffiti and broken glass. The pieces of jagged glass and the uncovered windows provide a glimpse inside the squalid conditions of the 70-year-old building. Pieces of glass crunch underneath my feet as I get closer to the windows to take a peek inside. The best glimpses are the former bathrooms, but there is a perfect view of a former classroom complete with a chalkboard that is now littered with graffiti. There is also a shot of walls, spackled with spray paint, dormant staircases leading to nowhere, chipped paint and rotten wood, and a small sight of the grandstand through one of the doors. Many have been inside since the building has shut down to harm, but many more experience wonderful memories during its time as a basketball arena. The gym opened as the home of Shields High School on November 14, 1941, with a 23-17 loss to Columbus. The capacity crowd of 4,000 waited for four years for it to be completed by the city and the Works Progress Administration. The building was viewed as “one of the finest and most modern arenas in the state” by the local media. That first night, the gym was packed to the rafters, and “yell leaders”, the school band, and the basketball team wore new “swanky outfits” on the “honey-colored floor”. There would be many more nights like this in the next 29 years. “We have some good games in the “Cracker Box” Shields gym.” said former Seymour standout and Indiana Hall of Famer, Baron Hill in 2000. “It just felt like the fans were right down on top of you there. I liked playing there better, actually than in the big gymnasium.” Frank B. Shields purchased the land that was adjacent to the high school for $15,000 and donated it to the city for the purpose of a new gymnasium. The school’s gym, at the time, had been built in 1923 and was no longer adequate to hold crowds, especially the lucrative regional tournaments. It was not uncommon for schools at the time to construct larger gyms to accommodate the increased interest in the sport. Towns across the state in Washington, Berne, Veevay, Morristown, and Hebron were all erecting new buildings. The size and price ranged in stature; Richmond High School constructed a new gym for $230,000 and had seating for 4,000, and Summitville High School Gym built a 1,000-seat venue for $54,000. However, the Seymour gymnasium should have been completed within a year of its first shovel in the ground. Work was halted more than halfway through the project due to appropriations being exhausted. Everett I. Brown Company of Indianapolis was hired as its architect and at the end of its completion, cost $185,887. The original price tag was $95,000, but an additional $78,000 was needed to complete the basketball palace. Seymour issued bonds to help with the additional cost. The WPA paid $106,804, Seymour offered $69,083, and the civil city $10,000. There was even an architect’s fee of $7,866. The concrete and steel gym was designed to be fireproof and is 129 feet by 170 feet with a playing court of 50 feet by 76 feet. Its capacity is 3,500 and also houses classrooms and offices for the boys’ physical education department, music and industrial arts department, and the rehabilitation office. The Owls continued their success at Shields and captured 21 sectional titles from 1942-1970–including 12 consecutive from 1954-1965. There would also be 6 regional championships that culminated with an undefeated regular season in 1970. The magical season ended with an 80-78 loss to Loogootee in semi-state action, and the team finished with a 25-1 record for its last season at Shields. In 1959, the school moved to a new campus and changed its name to Seymour High School. The original classroom building adjacent to the gym was converted into a middle school. The gym would continue to be used by both schools for various functions, and the high school remained at the gym until the 1969-1970 academic year when a new gymnasium opened that more than doubled its size. The middle school would operate out of the school building and gym until it moved into its new school in 1981. The school offered the structures to the city for $1, but the mayor declined, indicating that the upkeep and repairs would be too costly. Mayor Christopher D. Moritz wanted to move the community center to the former high school, due to the current center needing a new $30,000 roof. However, this was turned down by its members. The Seymour School Board then rejected a bid from Indiana Bible College because it did not meet the legal requirement of 90 percent of the appraised value. The IBC offered $50,000, even though the structure was appraised at $80,000. Less than three weeks later, the college purchased the gymnasium for $50,000, along with the former high school for the same price plus five plots of land for $28,000. The Indiana Bible College renovated the two buildings in less than three months and opened for the academic year in September. At the time, there were high hopes that the university would put Seymour on the map in the same vein as DePauw University did for Greencastle and Hanover College did Hanover. Former Indiana governor Edward Whitcomb declared it “one of the most significant events in Seymour in the last hundred years.” The school was affiliated with United Pentecostal Church International. Students of any faith could enroll at the college and enrollment that the first year was 70 with hopes of more in the upcoming years. The rehabilitated building featured a church auditorium, library, cafeteria, and dormitories. The IBC closed its doors in town after seven academic years. This would lead to multiple discussions for the property’s future that included an area museum, a larger city hall, office space for the city parks department, and a branch for the Home Federal Savings Bank. The school building and gym had sentimental value to the city and many thought it would be used once again. The main hindrance in converting the property was the cost of upkeep. The building costs $155,000 and would need another $80,000 to clear up the mortgage balance and interest. In contrast, it would be $40,000 to raise both buildings, plus renovations would be more of a project that the city would not want to take on at the time. By 1996 the original school that was built in 1910 was severely deteriorating. Parts of it were falling down and vandals had broken many of the windows of the three-story structure. There were also two areas left unsecured that welcomed unwanted guests roaming the abandoned property. By this time, Ralph and Greg Pardieck, two local businessmen bought the property and buildings and hoped to sell them for a profit. The school building would be razed in 1997 leaving only the Shields Gym standing. The gym would be used from time to time, including a haunted house for Halloween and social gatherings. Pardieck offered to sell the gym to the city for 2.9 million dollars for use as a park in 2006. The park board suggested that he donate as a tax-write-off since the $12,000 monthly payment for the next 20 years would be out of the city’s reach. There was a need for gym space for recreational activities in Seymour, but the cost was too extraordinary. If Pardieck had donated the property, the city would have offered to rename the park after him. The board added that it would be a lot cheaper to build a brand-new building from scratch. The current P.A. and radio voice of Seymour basketball, Curt Nichols, indicated that the gym is stuck in the middle of it being too expensive to renovate and that the last will supersede the emotional attachment to its history. He would not be surprised if it is eventually razed to clear the property for other purposes. A Save Shields Facebook Group has been established to create awareness of its continued neglect under private ownership and seeks to have it returned to public use as a community center. However, the site’s last update was over three years ago. One last item from the property was moved to another part of town. Pardieck relocated the front arch of the school to the Chateau De Pique Winery. The building’s most recent news was in October of 2018 when firefighters were called out to put out a fire. The smoke billowed out of the upper windows and looked to be the work of an individual since the power and electricity had shut off for some time. Luckily, there did not appear to be any major damage, but that might not be the case the next time someone decides to enter the gym with nefarious intent. However, like many other sports venues from Hamtramck Stadium outside of Detroit , Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson , New Jersey, and Bush Stadium in Indianapolis , they have either been resurrected for usage or are in the process of being renovated. In Indiana alone, several former basketball gyms have been repurposed for current use from a restaurant and brewery in Whitestown to a bourbon distillery in Newtown. However, it takes a vision and a little capital to make enterprises like these a reality. Perhaps that will be the case in Seymour, Indiana. However, time is the building’s foe, and the future looks gravely dim. It will need a miracle shot at the buzzer to save it. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Physical Activities Center 120 Tams Street Staunton, VA 24401 Physical Activities Center website Mary Baldwin Fighting Squirrels website Capacity: 150 Fight On, Squirrels Located in Staunton, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley, Mary Baldwin University has one of the most unique nicknames in all of college athletics - the Fighting Squirrels. While most people would not associate squirrels with fighting, the nickname honors the family crest of the school's namesake, Mary Julia Baldwin. MBU plays their home basketball games in the campus gym, the Physical Activities Center, which also contains weight rooms, classrooms, and other facilities. They compete in the USA South Conference of the NCAA's Division III. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small table in the lobby of the PAC which offers only the most basic options. Candy, chips, soft drinks, and water are just about all you can find here. Prices are quite reasonable, with nothing costing more than a few dollars, but we suggest eating before or after the game. Atmosphere 3 There is a small set of bleachers at the Physical Activities Center, with only a few rows of seats. All of them are very close to the action, practically right off the court. In fact, you may not be able to walk to or from the bleachers while play is ongoing, because you are too close to the court and risk getting in the way. A Mary Baldwin Fighting Squirrels game is a pretty basic experience. The scoreboard shows just the basic information, and there is not a lot going on here besides the game itself. Unfortunately, Mary Baldwin does not do much to capitalize on their wacky Fighting Squirrels nickname. There is supposedly a costumed mascot according to their website, but none was seen at the game we visited. Other than the logo on the court, you wouldn't even know that was their nickname. This seems like an opportunity for improvement. Neighborhood 3 Staunton is a small city nestled in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Downtown Staunton is just a short drive away from the MBU campus and includes several options such as Queen City Brewing, and restaurants ranging from classic southern eateries to taco restaurants and even a pupuseria. There are a couple of unique museums in Staunton, the Jumbo Antique Fire Engine Museum and the Camera Heritage Museum. If you are interested in the history of fire engines or photography, it will be well worth visiting. Although Staunton doesn’t have all the glitz and glamor of a major city or even a suburb, it does have some small town charm. Fans 5 Fighting Squirrels fans fill the small bleachers at the PAC and are quite passionate about their team. Despite their small size, they are loud, raucous, and passionate. They cheer on their team, and will let the refs know when they feel they have made a bad call. The bleachers will be quite full here, and with the small size of the gym, the volume can be electric. While you would not expect large crowds at a Division III level, the Physical Activities Center is just the right size for the crowds Mary Baldwin draws, which helps the fans contribute to the experience here. Access 2 Mary Baldwin University's campus is located a view miles off of Interstate 81. Once you are on campus, there is a small lot next to the arena and a larger one on the other side of the soccer field. Despite the signs saying permit only, you should be able to park in either lot for basketball games. Once inside, you will be in a small, cramped lobby that also has the concession and merchandise tables. The doors to the gymnasium will be on your left. The bleachers are also crowded and cramped, and as mentioned above, it is difficult to get to or from your seat while game action is underway since you are walking so close to the court. You should be fine getting up during timeouts. Restrooms are located on the second floor, up a staircase, and are small, single person facilities, so you may need to wait. Fortunately there is a glass window in that area that overlooks the court, so you can watch the game while you wait for everyone else to finish. There is also a trophy case there - it is a neat little room, actually. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Mary Baldwin basketball games is free, excluding possible postseason events. Concessions are affordable as well. This makes a Fighting Squirrels game an excellent value. Extras 3 One star for the trophy case on the second floor honoring MBU athletics achievements. Look for the merchandise table in the lobby next to the concessions table selling Fighting Squirrels merchandise. A third and final star for the banners in the gym honoring Mary Baldwin conference championships not just in basketball but in all sports. Final Thoughts The Physical Activities Center at Mary Baldwin University certainly has its charm. It is a small gym for a small school with loyal, passionate, rowdy fans. The Fighting Squirrels nickname is unique and wacky, although the team does not do much to capitalize on it. College basketball fans in the Staunton area may want to head down here to check out some small college basketball.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Franklin Forbes Arena 220 Joseph E Lowery Blvd SW Atlanta, GA 30314 Morehouse Maroon Tigers website Franklin Forbes Arena website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 6,000 Fight On, Morehouse Established in 1867, Morehouse College was founded in Augusta, Georgia for freedmen shortly following the end of the Civil War in 1865. The school would move to its current location in Atlanta in 1879. At the time it was called Atlanta Baptist Seminary, but the institution was renamed in 1913 in honor of Harry L. Morehouse, who was instrumental in the school’s growth. Under the presidency of Dr. Benjamin Mays in the 1940s and well into the 1950s, a concerted focus was placed on academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility – these were the characteristics that went into developing "Morehouse Men". The most notable of the Morehouse Men, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a member of Morehouse’s Class of 1948. Morehouse has also produced leaders such as Maynard Jackson, the first Black mayor of Atlanta; Hamilton E. Holmes, who went on to desegregate the University of Georgia; and Howard Thurmond, who many saw as the father of the non-violent resistance movement. Morehouse also produced popular entertainers such as Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, and Killer Mike, as well as Olympic hero Edwin Moses. Forbes Arena, home of Morehouse basketball, was initially used for preliminary rounds of basketball in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games; it was also home of the Atlanta Glory of the American Basketball League, as well as hosted a presidential visit by Barack Obama in 2018. Athletics have long been an important part of the Morehouse College experience – the Maroon Tigers are charter members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletics Conference in NCAA’s Division II, where they have played since 1913.   Food & Beverage   1 A lone concession stand sits in the main lobby area. Options are not extensive but will do in a pinch. Items consist of hot dogs, popcorn with your choice of multiple powered toppings, chips, and candy. Beverages include bottled Coca-Cola products and PowerAde.   Atmosphere   3 Along with being the home of Morehouse basketball, Forbes Arena also houses the university’s Athletic and Physical Education departments. Forbes Arena was built as an extension of the Maroon Tigers previous home, Archer Hall. The court itself, named in honor of Arthur McAfee, Jr., the winningest coach in Morehouse basketball history, uses a combination of stains to add a bit of customization to the floor. The areas inside the three-point arc use a traditional, blonde finish, while the rest of the court and the lane areas are a much more rich, brown color. The exterior of the playing area is surrounded with a Morehouse maroon stain, which allows the grain of the wood to show through. Above the maroon, tiger-striped “Morehouse M” at center court, a basic four-sided scoreboard displays time and score, while scoreboards also hang from opposite walls with the same information. The basketball experience at Morehouse is a very traditional one. Cheerleaders line the baseline calling out cheers throughout the game. Timeouts in the game do not have much by way of entertainment, but there are a handful of on-court recognitions and tumbling passes by members of the cheer squad. Half time might see a 3-point shootout between a few student groups as well.   Neighborhood   4 Morehouse College is in a cluster of three other of Atlanta’s historically black colleges, with its all-woman’s counterpart Spelman College plus Clark-Atlanta University and Morris Brown College – collectively the area has been dubbed “Atlanta University Center”. Morehouse and Clark-Atlanta’s basketball venues are approximately a half mile apart, creating one passionate experience when the two meet up. The area neighbors Atlanta’s Castleberry Hill, which has a concentration of restaurants and night life. With Morehouse’s location just outside of downtown Atlanta, and less than 2 miles from Centennial Olympic Park, there is a plethora of restaurants and entertainment options. One of the closest, Centennial Olympic Park, is home to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. The University Center neighborhood of Atlanta, where Morehouse is located, is in a bit rougher part of the city, but Morehouse does take extensive measures to ensure the campus remains safe and secured.   Fans   3 Typical attendance numbers range from 700 to 800 for weekday games and get a boost to the neighborhood of 1,200 on weekends. If looking for a game with the most fan involvement, the matchup with neighboring Clark-Atlanta brings a much more enthusiastic fan experience. Access   3 Morehouse’s campus is currently undergoing significant construction, resulting in limited vehicular access in some places that creates congestion in others. There is not much by way of parking in the immediate vicinity of Forbes Arena, but there are parking decks near Clark-Atlanta and near the center of Morehouse’s campus. Street parking is available on the southern and eastern sides of B.T. Harvey Stadium, Morehouse's football venue, which leaves only a short walk to Forbes Arena. Despite the fact Atlanta does have a subway system, it does not come close enough to Morehouse’s campus to make it a viable option for getting to Forbes Arena. As long as the interstate is clear, however, the Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard exit from I-20 does provide direct access to the south side of the Morehouse campus. Upon arrival tickets can be purchased from a window at the right side of the plaza area, with entry to the left. Fans enter into a long hallway on the second level of the building that brings fans into the gym’s split-level seating. However, given the smaller sized crowds here, most sit in the lower level of the courtside seating.   Return on Investment   4 Tickets run $15 and can be purchased at the door or beforehand, online. Online prices are subject to a nominal processing fee. There is free street parking, but if you are looking for a bit more of a secured parking situation in the parking decks, it runs $5 for 3 hours.   Extras   2 Banners from all of Morehouse’s SIAC championships and NCAA tournament appearances are displayed on the walls of Forbes Arena. In the exterior hall there is a display recognizing the legacy of Coach Grady Brewer, while another display recognizes Harold Ellis, who was Morehouse’s only player to go on to play in the NBA. An extensive collection of trophies and memories from all of Morehouse’s athletic programs are also on display throughout the lobby.   Final Thoughts The current basketball atmosphere at Morehouse might be down a bit, but it is still a quality, traditional, very straightforward basketball experience. The historical significance that surrounds Morehouse, the tradition of its athletics programs, and the campus itself help to amplify the importance of Morehouse, creating a feeling of walking amongst greatness as soon as you step foot on campus.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Trustmark Park 1 Braves Way Pearl, MS 39208 Belhaven Blazers website Trustmark Park website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 8,480 Blazers Baseball on the banks of the Pearl River Belhaven University is a small private Christian university located in Jackson, MS. The school’s current location opened just north of downtown Jackson in 1894 in the mansion of former Confederate Colonel Jones S. Hamilton; the mansion was named Belhaven, and hence is how the university got its name. In 1927 a lightning strike destroyed the mansion, which housed the university’s only classrooms – the columns that stand today on the west side of the campus are the only remnants of the old college. The college was originally an all-female institute, but in 1954 males began being admitted, and the athletic program began two years later. Baseball began being played at Belhaven in 1964, with the Blazers competing in the NAIA. In 2015 the Blazers moved up to NCAA Division III, where they now compete in the newest conference at that level, the Collegiate Conference of the South, which they joined in 2022. During their time in the NAIA the Blazers had much success on the diamond, advancing to the NAIA Tournament 10 times and winning their regional twice. The Blazers best season was in 2010 when Belhaven played in their first NAIA world series, but since moving to D3 the Blazers have only been made one regional appearance. The Blazers have had many homes over the years, playing everywhere from local parks to local high schools. From 1996 thru 2011 the Blazers played on campus at McLeod Field, which is named after the first baseball coach in program history, and is now used as the home of the school's softball team. In 2012 the Blazers began playing at Historic Smith-Wills Stadium, in east Jackson, the former home of MiLB’s Jackson Mets/Generals (1975 to 1999). In 2022 the Blazers began playing at Trustmark Park in Pearl, about 7 miles southeast of campus, originally sharing the stadium with the former Double A Mississippi Braves  – during that time Belhaven still played at Smith-Willis Stadium occasionally, whenever there was as scheduling conflict with the M-Braves. But when the Braves left at the end of the 2024 season , it meant Belhaven no longer had to share the park, so the Blazers have played here exclusively ever since.   Food & Beverage   2 Trustmark Park has six permanent concession stands around the concourse, although only the Big Dawg stand on the first base side was open during my most recent visit. Trustmark Park also has a fully enclosed restaurant in right field called State Farm Grill, although it’s closed during Belhaven games. One plus to coming to a Belhaven game is you are also free to bring your own food or drinks into the stadium.   Atmosphere   3 Trustmark Park opened in 2005 and served as the home of MILB’s Mississippi Braves  from 2005 thru 2024, when the team’s 20-year lease was up on the stadium, and the team moved to Columbus, GA and re-branded as the Columbus Clingstones  starting in 2025. Trustmark Park is quite large with 8,840 permanent seats. For Belhaven games only one entrance is used, the one behind home plate, where you enter a wide and open spacious concourse at street level, looking down at a sunken field – there is not a bad seat in the house because of the way the ballpark is configured. The concourse is completely covered by the suites, so no matter where you are on the concourse you are not getting wet; the only area of the concourse that is not covered is the picnic area behind home plate. You won’t find any Belhaven signage in Trustmark Park, but there is plenty of Braves signage still located here, from the M-Braves logo at the main entrance to the Braves logo on the giant videoboard. One interesting note about the scoreboard in center field is that it was the largest videoboard in Double A baseball when the Mississippi Braves played here. The usual amenities you would have found when attending minor league games here in the past will not be found at Belhaven; there are no promotions, no mascot, no fun zone, and no team store. Instead, the focus is purely on baseball. There is a PA announcer who plays music, including walk-up music, but that is about it – the players even double as the grounds crew. The one positive is there are no ushers, so you are free to go anywhere you want to go in the stadium. Both second level party decks are open, as well as the Picnic Pavilion in left field, and the second level seating in front of the suites is open as well. This arrangement works out well for baseball purists who just want to sit and take in a game with no extras.   Neighborhood   3 Pearl is a suburb of about 25,000 people, the closest city over the Pearl River from Jackson to the east. Pearl has really grown in recent years thanks in part to its close proximity to the Capitol and government buildings of the state, but being in a different county they do not have to deal with some of the issues Jackson has dealt with in recent years. The opening of the ballpark in 2005 was meant to revitalize the area that was once all woods right off Interstate 20 – the opening of Trustmark Park helped created many businesses that have popped up over the last 20 years. Just across the street from the ballpark you can get plenty of shopping done at The Outlets of Mississippi; with over 75 stores including brands like Nike, Under Armour, Forever 21, Coach, and Marshall’s, you are bound to find something to buy at Mississippi's largest outdoor shopping center. In addition, right next door to the Outlets you can get the latest hunting and fishing gear at Bass Pro Shop, then hop on over to Cavender’s Outfitters next door to buy gear to hunt and fish in. A couple of restaurants worth checking out are Huey Magoo’s, a new local chicken tender joint next to the Outlets, while just down the road near the interstate is Frisco Deli, a family-owned deli-style restaurant, and Moss Creek Fish House, the only place in Pearl to get seafood. For nightlife, Pearl is in a dry county, but alcohol is sold in certain restaurants – the Mississippi-based sports bar Mugshots just opened on Bierdeman Road, where you can get a good selection of drinks or a burger before or after a Blazers game. The Holiday Inn next to Bass Pro also has a cool bar called the Alumni House, and of course, Bass Pro Shop has a pretty unique restaurant/bar surrounded by giant fish tanks. Other than that, your best bet for nightlife would be to venture into Jackson's Fondren District, about 15 minutes away. Jackson is also the state capital and has several historic attractions worth checking out, such as the new and old Capitol buildings and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.   Fans   3 Trustmark Park is just too large for the Blazers, as they only averaged between 100 and 150 fans per game last season; most of the fans in attendance seem to be friends and family of the players. The good thing is, because of their close relationship with the players most of the people here seem into the game and are knowledgeable of the players. Belhaven’s campus also sits next to the Milsaps College campus just north of downtown Jackson, about 7 miles away. The two schools meet up every year in the Cowboys Maloney’s Series, playing a game at Trustmark Park and a game at Twenty Field  each year. When the two schools meet up, expect more fans at Trustmark Park – Cowboy Maloney’s is a Jackson-based appliance chain owned by J. Con Maloney, the former owner of the Jackson Mets.   Access   4 Getting to Trustmark Park is pretty easy. If coming from out of town I-20 or Highway 49 are your best bets – the park is located right off the I-20 and Highway 49 interchange at Exit 48. As you are driving on the Interstate you can see Trustmark Park next to Bass Pro Shop and the Outlets, right before you get to the I-55 interchange. Once you get off Exit 48 travel north on Highway 49 about a half mile, then get on Highway 80 and take the first right onto Bass Pro Drive, and you'll see the park up ahead. Because of the lack of fans parking shouldn’t be an issue, as you can just pull right up to the stadium. Once in the stadium being able to walk around wherever you want is obviously a plus – there will be entire sections of seating you’ll get all to yourself, if you like watching baseball in the natural elements in the most tranquil setting. Being able to go up on the suite level is also a plus.   Return on Investment   3 Parking is free, tickets are free, and you are free to roam anywhere you want in a former minor league baseball stadium, so you can’t beat that. The only thing you’ll be paying for is concessions, or you can bring your own food and drinks from home – just don’t come expecting any bells and whistles. The focus here will be strictly on the game; if you do want to come to a Belhaven game here I’d recommend coming for the Cowboy Maloney Series, as it’ll be a much more lively atmosphere.   Extras   4 The Blazers have had 7 players drafted into the MLB, with the highest selected pick, Thomas Robbins, being taken in the 9th round in 1970.  There has yet to be a player from Belhaven who has actually made it to the Big Leagues, however. If you have time to check out the Belhaven campus it’s about a 10-15 minute drive from Pearl through downtown Jackson. The campus is small but filled with many historic buildings, making for a great walk if you enjoy walking around college campuses. The neighborhood is filled with many mansions as well, and Millsaps College is located just across the street. One extra for the Blazers playing at a former minor league ballpark with so much history and so many big games played here over the last 20 years. These small college players are playing on the same field as Ronald Acuna, Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, Max Fried, Dansby Swanson, and Spencer Strider all got their start on, as they all came through here as members of the M-Braves organization. Another extra for all the baseball games held at Trustmark Park throughout the year – in addition to Belhaven, Trustmark Park also serves as a neutral site home for Southern Miss , Mississippi State , and Ole Miss  when they play each other every year. The ballpark also hosts the Mississippi High School Baseball State Championships every year, and in May 2025 Trustmark Park will welcome its newest tenant, the Mississippi Mud Monsters  of the Independent Frontier League, who play here in the summer.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 John Singleton Stadium 300 Albemarle Rd Charleston, SC 29407 Porter-Gaud School website John Singleton Stadium website Year Opened: n/a Capacity: 1,000 The Cougars Court The Porter-Gaud School is an independent coeducational college preparatory day school in Charleston, South Carolina. Porter-Gaud was formed in July 1964 from the merger of three schools: the Porter Military Academy (founded 1867), the Gaud School for Boys (founded 1908), and the Watt School (founded 1931). The legal name of the institution remains The Porter Academy. Notable alumni include Stephen Colbert and NBA player Aaron Nesmith. Porter-Gaud School is a member of the South Carolina Independent School Association, and Porter-Gaud offers over 38 varsity and junior varsity sports. The school's athletic nickname is the Cyclone. Nestled within the scenic campus of Porter-Gaud School in Charleston, South Carolina, John Singleton Stadium provides a classic, intimate setting for high school lacrosse. The atmosphere is a perfect blend of spirited competition and community connection, making it an enjoyable experience for fans of all ages. Food & Beverage 0 There is a concession stand that is not in use for lacrosse games but you should have no issue bringing your own to the game. Atmosphere 3 The crowd is a mix of enthusiastic students, proud parents, and supportive faculty. The setting itself is very pleasant. The stadium is set within the larger sports fields of the school, so there is a nice open feel to the location. The cheers and chants from the Porter-Gaud faithful create a lively and encouraging environment for the home team. Neighborhood 5 Porter-Gaud School is located in a lovely area of Charleston, offering a safe and welcoming environment. While the immediate surroundings are primarily residential and academic, Charleston's rich history and vibrant downtown are just a short drive away, providing ample opportunities for pre- or post-game activities. Charleston is one of the nation's most beloved tourist destinations. You can see attractions like the bustling Old City Market, the captivating South Carolina Aquarium, and the picturesque Battery. The vibrant Marion Square, a hub of activity, regularly hosts lively festivals and transforms into a bustling weekend farmer's market during the growing season, providing a taste of local culture and produce. Food enthusiasts will find a plethora of dining options to satisfy their palates, including the casual fare at Carolina Ale House, the elevated views at Star Rooftop, and the refined cuisine at Halls Chophouse, all offering a sampling of Charleston's renowned culinary scene. Fans 3 The Porter-Gaud fans are passionate and knowledgeable about their team. There's a strong sense of school pride, with students and parents alike showing their support through spirited cheering and team apparel. The fans are very family-orientated and show very positive support for the players. Access 4 The school is easily accessible by car, and parking is generally available on campus. Navigating the campus is straightforward, and the stadium is well-marked. Checking the Porter-gaud athletics page before going to the game, will give you the most up-to-date information on game times and locations. Return on Investment 4 The games are free to attend. Extras 2 The well-maintained grounds and facilities contribute to the overall positive experience. There is a cool monument for Ben Burris at the entrance to the stadium. We don't know the back story but it is a nice feature. Final Thoughts Attending a Porter-Gaud boys lacrosse game at John Singleton Stadium is a delightful experience that captures the essence of high school sports. The combination of spirited competition, community support, and a pleasant setting makes it a worthwhile outing for any sports fan.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 TD Arena 301 Meeting Street Charleston, SC 29401 College of Charleston website TD Arena website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 5,100 The Cougars Court Established in 1770 and formally chartered in 1785, the College of Charleston stands as a venerable pillar of American higher education. Holding the distinction of being the oldest college south of Virginia and the 13th oldest in the United States, it blends historic significance with contemporary vibrancy. Today, the college flourishes as a central part of downtown Charleston, nurturing a diverse student body of approximately 11,500. The College of Charleston's basketball legacy stretches back to 1898, marking a long-standing commitment to the sport. As members of the Coastal Athletic Association, the Cougars have consistently demonstrated their prowess as a leading small college in Division I. Food & Beverage 2 The TD Arena is serviced by only one concession stand for women's basketball games. The offerings are simple but fair. Atmosphere 3 While the building's facade adheres to the Charleston Historic District's aesthetic, stepping inside reveals a strikingly modern facility. The expansive, two-story entry lobby functions as both a welcoming reception and a streamlined ticketing area, immediately setting a contemporary tone. Ascending to the arena level, visitors encounter a two-tiered seating bowl with concourses that offer unobstructed views of the court. Every seat throughout the arena boasts comfortable seat-back support. A stroll around the concourse showcases comprehensive displays highlighting every sport played at the College of Charleston, while championship banners suspended from the rafters attest to the school's athletic achievements. The court itself features the College of Charleston's distinctive maroon block "C" logo and the name of John Kresse, the legendary men's basketball coach whose 18-year tenure and record-breaking wins cemented his legacy. Corner-mounted video boards and scoreboards enhance the game-day experience. Neighborhood 5 Nestled within the historically rich Charleston Historic District, the TD Arena and the College of Charleston offer a prime starting point for exploring one of the nation's most beloved tourist destinations. The arena's central location places visitors within easy walking distance of iconic attractions like the bustling Old City Market, the captivating South Carolina Aquarium, and the picturesque Battery. The vibrant Marion Square, a hub of activity, regularly hosts lively festivals and transforms into a bustling weekend farmer's market during the growing season, providing a taste of local culture and produce. Food enthusiasts will find a plethora of dining options to satisfy their palates, including the casual fare at Carolina Ale House, the elevated views at Star Rooftop, and the refined cuisine at Halls Chophouse, all offering a sampling of Charleston's renowned culinary scene. Moreover, the area surrounding the TD Arena boasts a variety of lodging choices, allowing visitors to conveniently attend games while avoiding the expense and inconvenience of parking, further enhancing the overall experience. Fans 3 There are just not many fans who attend the women's games here at TD Arena. The ones that do are loud and proud though. Access 3 Navigating to the TD Arena is straightforward, as Meeting Street serves as a primary artery through downtown Charleston, readily accessible from both Highway 17 and I-26. From I-26, simply proceed east until the highway terminates in downtown Charleston, then take exit 221-B and follow the signs for Meeting Street, bearing right onto it. The TD Arena will be on your right, immediately past the Calhoun Street intersection. From Highway 17, cross the Ashley River Bridge into Charleston, bear right onto Lockwood Boulevard, keeping to the left lane, and turn left onto Calhoun Street at the first traffic light. The TD Arena stands at the corner of Calhoun and Meeting Street. However, once you arrive at the arena, parking presents a challenge. Downtown Charleston parking is scarce, and while nearby garages exist, they often implement special event pricing during home games. Therefore, it is advisable to explore Charleston during the day, immersing yourself in its historical homes and landmarks. Charleston's renowned culinary scene provides ample opportunities for dining at its fine downtown restaurants. Opt for a parking lot with a favorable early-bird rate, transforming your trip into a full-day experience. Charleston is a pedestrian-friendly city, and the TD Arena is conveniently accessible from any point within the downtown area. Return on Investment 4 Notably, admission to women's basketball games is free. However, the most significant expense of attending a Cougars game is undoubtedly parking. Situated within the Historic District, the arena competes with tourist traffic for parking spaces, resulting in prices of $20 or more for parking near the arena on game nights. Extras 3 The TD Arena's court proudly bears the name of John Kresse, the College of Charleston's most victorious men's coach. His remarkable 560 wins propelled the Cougars to four NCAA Tournament appearances and three NIT appearances, solidifying his legendary status. In a moment of profound significance, the TD Arena served as the venue for the memorial service honoring the victims of the Emanuel AME church shootings. The church, a poignant landmark, is located just a short distance from the arena, underscoring the arena's role as a community gathering space. The College of Charleston's campus presents a unique and captivating aesthetic, unlike any other. Its architecture primarily features repurposed historic houses, seamlessly integrated into academic buildings. The campus extends across multiple city blocks in downtown Charleston, united by a charming brick-paved plaza that replaces former streets. The school's commitment to historic preservation has garnered recognition at both local and national levels. Daily self-guided and student-led tours offer visitors the opportunity to explore this distinctive campus. Final Thoughts The College of Charleston's legacy of basketball achievement is reflected in the exceptional TD Arena, a top-tier facility for a Division I small school. Its first-class design and amenities undeniably create a powerful impression.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center 300 College St Orangeburg, SC 29117 South Carolina State Bulldogs website Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 3,200 Be a Dog On February 8th in 1968, shots rang out on the campus of South Carolina State University in response to student protests over the segregation of a local bowling alley. Following the chaos, 28 students were wounded and three, Henry Smith, Samuel Hammond, and Delano Middleton, were killed. To memorialize these three, South Carolina State University named their newly completed multi-purpose arena the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center, lovingly referred to as the SHM Memorial Center. Prior to opening Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center, the Bulldogs played at Dukes Gymnasium, which is still in use for South Carolina State volleyball. The Bulldogs currently play as members of NCAA Division 1 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), where they have played since 1970.   Food & Beverage   1 There is not a lot to mention by way of concession options – the most notable item on the menu is the corn chips with nacho cheese sauce. Most of the other items on the menu are along the lines of snack foods, such as chips and a handful of candy items. The most popular option is the Italian ice cart just inside the main entrance, with more than half a dozen flavor choices. Beverages include Pepsi products and Gatorade. Concessions are cash only, so make sure to be prepared if you want to grab a snack.   Atmosphere   4 The white exterior and red roof of SHM Memorial Center stands out on campus. At first glimpse of the columns and tall, narrow windows, it might be easy to mistake the building as a library. Once inside, however, you are quick to feel that this is truly a special college basketball experience, warts and all. The seating setup creates a pit-style gymnasium. The upper level of seating is broken up by a stage at half court, on the team bench side of the floor. Wooden, auditorium-style seats encircle the court approximately 10 feet above the playing surface. Court level seating is made up of three sections of high-backed, cushioned seats. A small, four-sided scoreboard hangs over center court and provides fans with basic game time and score, as well as team foul information. Pep bands have long been a part of the college basketball tradition, and the presence of South Carolina State’s ‘Marching 101’ at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center keeps that tradition alive – the band fills most of the time during stoppages in play. The Marching 101 does a good job bringing the passion of a full marching band into the basketball arena.   Neighborhood   3 One of the most popular attractions in Orangeburg is Edisto Memorial Gardens; the gardens feature walking trails throughout the over 4,000 species of plants inside. In addition, the Cecil Williams South Carolina Civil Rights Museum, a bit out of downtown, looks at the fight for civil rights in South Carolina through the lens of photographer Cecil Williams. Also, nearly a dozen historical markers within blocks of campus tell of Orangeburg’s civil rights history. One of the more iconic restaurants in town is Duke’s Bar-B-Que, which has been open since 1955 – their fried chicken and mac-and-cheese come highly recommended. Duke’s is only open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, so weekday visitors are out of luck.   Fans   3 South Carolina State typically brings in around 600 fans per basketball game. Despite this being one of the smaller numbers in the conference, the involvement of the fans does make it feel like a much larger crowd. The fans come to have all-around fun, both in rooting on the Bulldogs and dancing to the music of the in-game DJ.   Access   3 If coming to Orangeburg from north of Columbia or coastal South Carolina, Interstate 26 provides a direct route to town, while those coming from a western approach will likely contend with a series of state and US highways. The South Carolina State athletic complex is gated, so visitors must pass through a guard shack before proceeding. If arriving early enough this doesn’t create much of a hassle, but the closer to tipoff, the more traffic coming into the facility can start to back up a bit. Parking can be found on three of the four sides of the arena, but the lone entry point is located at the front of the building, away from the parking lots. There is not a lot of space to navigate when initially entering the gym, and the lobby can become pretty crowded before you move upstairs to the concourse. Also, once on the second level the concourse, which passes under the upper level of seating, is fairly narrow. That said, during times when large numbers of fans are moving, such as the minutes leading up to tipoff, at halftime, and after the game, can create crowded walkways. The use of exit points around the upper concourse does help alleviate overcrowding after the game, however.   Return on Investment   5 For just $10 admission and free parking, and with concessions more than reasonably priced, the South Carolina State basketball experience certainly is worth the price of admission. The courtside, high-backed cushioned seats run $25.   Extras   4 A display near the entrance honors the memories of Henry Smith, Samuel Hammond Jr., and Delano Middleton, ensuring their legacies remain a visible part of the South Carolina State University community. Their tragic deaths during protests against segregation are a significant part of the school’s history, and the memorial arena serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made in pursuit of justice. Banners showing the Bulldogs’ MEAC regular season and tournament championships, along with a third banner acknowledging NCAA tournament appearances, hang over the team benches. The passion and excitement the Marching 101 brings into the arena cannot be underestimated; the exuberance of their music and their accompanying dancing creates a fun college basketball experience. Following the game, the basketball team gathers at midcourt to pay honor to the university – it is nice to see the team, alumni, and community come together to show respect for the institution they love and represent.   Final Thoughts The facilities at South Carolina State might be a bit dated and do not have many of the amenities found at larger programs, but they more than make up for it when it comes to the overall gameday experience. The passion of the fan base, paired with the atmosphere complemented by the Marching 101, creates a truly special college basketball experience.

The Matadome, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey It’s that time of year again when we share our expertise on who will have the final dance amidst the March Madness and yet again have our brackets busted early and in many cases oh so often. Among the field of 68 teams that will be marching along the Madness will be the usual powerhouses such as Duke, Michigan State, Louisville and Kentucky. There's the occasional Cinderella schools who are largely responsible for all this madness. Then you have George Mason, Wichita State, Loyola-Chicago and Florida Athletic, all who danced their way unexpectedly towards a Final Four appearance. It’s that madness that not only busts our brackets but also attaches us to all this March Madness excitement.  This year’s Cal State University Northridge basketball program finished their season tying a school record of 22 regular season wins , finishing in a 3rd place tie in the Big West Conference with UC Riverside. In their time as a Division I school, the CSUN Matadors have appeared in the NCAA Tournament twice, in 2001 and 2009. The Matadors march towards madness begins this Thursday night in the Big West Tournament where they will face either No. 5 seed UC Santa Barbara or No. 8 seed Cal State Bakersfield. Should CSUN hope to wear the glass slipper, they will most likely have to win out their conference tournament. But hey, it's March, and we all know it's these under the radar schools that create much of this March Madness.  With all the powerhouse schools and possible Cinderella stories among the 68, only a small number will be fortunate enough to be in the NBA or perhaps in other professional leagues.  One of the players hoping to wear the glass slipper for the CSUN Matadors is senior point guard PJ Fuller II .  PJ Fuller II, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey PJ Fuller Hometown:  Seattle, WA High School/Previous School: Findlay Prep/University of Washington SJ - Previously you were playing for the University of Washington before transferring to CSUN. What was the transition like to go from a major program to that of CSUN? PJ - It’s a much smaller school but its an amazing school. I love it here. You can’t go wrong with the L.A. weather over the Seattle weather. My coaching staff are amazing, my teammates are amazing. Everybody was so welcoming and I felt comfortable here.  SJ -  Your team this season tied a school record with 22 wins this season. How does it feel to be a part of school history? PJ - It feels amazing to have that title forever. I’ll always be able to say that I’m part of history at this school because of our record this year, for me and all my teammates and the coaching staff. It means a lot to us.  SJ - Once your hoops days at CSUN are through do you plan to remain here in L.A. and pursue your career, be it in athletics or other ventures? PJ - Because of basketball I’ve travelled all over the country and all over the world. You never know where the roundball is going to take you. That’s the fun thing about it. You get to go places, meet new people, learn new cultures and just enjoy life playing basketball doing what you love. But I would love to be in L.A. L.A. is like my second home. I’ve been coming out here since I was in 6th grade. My big brother lives out here so L.A.’s my home. I’ll be here for sure.  SJ - With a chance to play in a major venue come tournament time, what would you say was the most daunting venue you played at during your time here at CSUN? PJ - In the Big West I think our worst loss was at UC San Diego, I wouldn’t say the crowd was too crazy or anything like that but just because I felt it was our worst loss. It didn’t represent who we are as a team. SJ - Looking Forward. Why will you and your fellow Matador teammates be wearing the glass slipper on your way through all this March Madness? PJ - Because we deserve it. We’re going to do everything we can in our power to get there. We’re going to treat the game of basketball the right way to make sure we are deserving of putting on that glass shoe.  Could CSUN be one of those “Cinderella Schools” whose glass slipper shatters your bracket? Can PJ Fuller be that one player who plays a significant role in busting many a bracket? Let the madness begin !

It was 1994. Friends debuted. Yahoo came to fruition. Forrest Gump ran into our lives. And... blossoming Deadhead, recent Duke grad, reformed Cameron Crazie Brad Porteus got the opportunity of a lifetime: He was hired to be the General Manager of professional sports team, the San Jose Rhinos, a roller hockey team. In his new memoir, Roll With It , which is also a tribute to 90s culture, Brad humorously recounts his two years at the helm of the Rhinos. It's a fun, behind-the-scenes look into the world of low-level professional sports. On the eve of Roll With It 's launch, Brad took a few moments to answer our questions.  STADIUM JOURNEY:  After all these years, what prompted you to finally sit down and write this?  BRAD PORTEUS: In 1995, I’d journaled a long document, telling every story I could remember. After 2010, I’d moved overseas and lost track of what documents and files I had and where they were. I came to the conclusion that the stories were gone, and my only recourse would be to try to rewrite them. It nagged at me for a while, and I finally realized that the pandemic was the perfect chance for me to do it. My wife and teenagers and I were living in Amsterdam in the Netherlands those years, and I would write at night after my Zoom calls were done for the day. I’d already written a couple of short stories about those years, so I fell into an idea of combining it all into a single manuscript. It was sort of a one-thing-leads-to-another situation. Once I reached a tipping point, there was no turning back. STADIUM JOURNEY: You grew up in Palo Alto, before it was douchey, your words, rooting for the Oakland A’s. Any particular memories stand out?  BRAD PORTEUS: My favorite day ever at the Oakland Coliseum was April 19, 1981 when I was 12 and my older brother Matt was 16. We successfully commandeered my parents’ big green camper van and drove a pile of his friends across the bay to catch an afternoon double-header. Our parents apparently agreed to this 80-mile round caper as long as I came along and brought a friend. It was free Cap Day, and Andrew Fetter and I were determined to get in early and make sure we got one. The bleachers were empty during batting practice - who goes in early for a double header? - and Andrew ended up getting a home run ball during BP. We couldn’t believe our luck in getting to see two games, a free cap and a ball for $3.50. The A’s won the first game, making them 11-0 for the season. The winning streak was snapped in Game 2 though. That was 8 hours sitting in the direct sun. Good thing we had our free caps. But usually we ended up going to Candlestick, as it was half the driving distance, and all of my friends were Giants fans. One summer during college, we rallied a crew to 2-for-1 night. It was some midweek game and a boring team like the Astros were in town. Bleacher seats were 5 bucks. We parked way out in the back parking lot with lots of space to barbecue and toss the frisbee. The 7:30 pm first pitch meant that it was still nice out, and no one was there for the game anyway. About an hour later, it was finally time to go in. By then, it was the 5th inning, and the box office, which was way out in the boonies by the bleachers, had closed for the night. The security guard said our best bet was to hoof it all the way around to the front of the stadium to the only box office that was still open. It seemed hardly worth it. I had a backpack with layers of clothes - it is Candlestick! - and placed a $5 just inside the top and passed the bag to the guard for inspection. He took the fiver and waved me and Gordon through. Next thing you know, four more backpacks were inspected, and all 10 of us cruised through the turnstiles in time to catch the final innings and belt out our naughty version of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch. STADIUM JOURNEY: Your parents are Stanford academics. Any thoughts on their mascot? Cal-Stanford, 1982. The Play. Where were you? BRAD PORTEUS: Stanford dropped “Indians” as their school mascot in ‘72. In 1975, there was a vote on a new mascot, but the winning name “The Robber Barons” was rejected by then president Donald Kennedy who said the color Cardinal would suffice. The Stanford band, who loved to play covers of songs like “White Punks on Dope,” remained unconvinced, and presented a few options, including a steaming manhole, a French fry and The Tree. Eventually, a funky tree costume was invented. Stanford is in Palo Alto, which translates to “tall tree”. Every year, a new tree mascot is unveiled by the band. However, The Tree is for sure not the official mascot of the University. “The Play” was a truly huge deal in 1982. CBS showed it just before  60 Minutes  that Sunday night, just to make sure everyone in the country saw it. The game was at Berkeley, over an hour away from Stanford, and tickets typically went for more than the rest of the season combined, so I never had plans to go. Instead, a few friends and I met up on the Stanford campus and played ultimate frisbee while listening to the game on a transistor radio. Stanford needed to win because they were a disappointing 5-5, and it was John Elway’s senior year. Elway was a pre-season Heisman candidate. Anyway, they needed a 6th win to be bowl eligible. We stopped playing ultimate to listen to the closing minutes. Down 19-17, Stanford got the ball with 1:27 left at their own 20. Elway converted an excruciating 4th and long, and we excitedly huddled around the radio. By now, our small crew had transformed into a small crowd. The drive culminated with Mark Harmon drilling what we thought was a game winning field goal with 8 seconds left. The Band poured on the field, earning a 15-yard penalty on the kickoff. The agonizing rest is history. Listening to the game on the radio was surreal. Elway’s college career was over. We were robbed. At least two laterals were forward passes. Fast forward to two months ago, when I attended a book reading by former  San Jose Mercury  columnist Mark Purdy, who is in  Roll With It  and contributed a generous author blurb. One of the other attendees revealed himself to be Gary Tyrrell whose trombone was destroyed when Kevin Moen crashed through it on his way to the end zone for the tainted victory. We all had a good laugh. STADIUM JOURNEY: You went to Duke in the '80s. Were you living in Krzyzewski-ville? If so, describe. Are you a former Cameron Crazie? By the way, does Krzyzewski-ville still even exist? BRAD PORTEUS: My freshman year on Duke campus was 1986, and I was 17 years-old and coming from Stanford where football was major and basketball was relatively minor. That fall, our Duke football team was like 3-3, and we played Maryland for homecoming, which was a pretty important game in my eyes. I was expecting a lot of hype at the football game, but it turned out to be mostly an excuse for alums to day drink belts of Southern Comfort from their flasks, which they kept tucked away in hidden blazer pockets. The much bigger event was actually that Saturday evening, the Blue and White game, the annual, first open basketball practice of the season. When I entered Cameron for the first time, 8,564 fans were going insane for a basketball practice. I was wide-eyed, enlightened and instantly hooked. This was the year after Duke lost to Louisville in the NCAA finals, Johnny Dawkins’ senior year. That would have been Duke’s first NCAA title, but that elusive first title would have to wait until the year after I graduated. Which is why the Billy McCaffrey episode in  Roll With It  was so epic, as he’d just weeks before delivered Duke’s first ever title.  When I was at Duke, I lived in a dorm that was a three-minute walk from Cameron Indoor stadium, so we never slept overnight for spots. But there were elaborate methods to check in, retain your place in line, and show IDs for sometimes days before big games. Entrance was free for students with ID. We’d go in early, play UNO, and heckle the opposing players. Because the entire student section was always full for every game two hours before tipoff, it would be intimidating for visiting players to warm up, as they would have to do so under the close watch of about 3,000 smart asses. I confess to having lost a lot of interest in college hoops now that the cast of characters is new every season. I am old school and like the longer arc of a four-year player journey. STADIUM JOURNEY: Even more importantly, does your old hangout, the Old Pro, exist? These days, is there such a thing as a dive bar in Palo Alto? BRAD PORTEUS: The dive bar scene is indeed on life-support in Palo Alto. The last holdout was Antonio’s Nuthouse on California Avenue which went under during the pandemic. The original Old Pro closed a long time ago. We call that the "old" Old Pro. The "new" Old Pro opened in downtown Palo Alto in the 2000s and tried its hand at not being a dive. I remember going a few times but not enough to feel any real connection. It also went under during the pandemic. But, like a phoenix from the ashes, a new version is coming back. The Pro - or, what my crew calls “the  new   new  Old Pro” is re-opening in 2025 with strong backing, including Andrew Luck as a minority investor. I’ve been in touch with one of the relaunch insiders. He’s read the book and is now promising that he’ll try to put in an old jukebox. Man, that would be cool. I’m hoping to do a book reading for  Roll With It  at The Pro once it reopens. STADIUM JOURNEY: Best stadium to see the Dead in? Why?  BRAD PORTEUS: So far, one of the most common responses I’ve gotten from readers is: “I was also at those Grateful Dead/Sting shows in Vegas!” That includes my wife, Jenney, my college pal, Carl, my neighbor, Craig, and I can’t remember who else. I mean, there were about 50,000 people there. I hope I hear from all of them. A legitimate but frustrating answer to your question would be Frost Amphitheater on Stanford Campus, which the Dead played 14 times in the ‘80s. Tailgating in the eucalyptus groves and then grooving on the grassy slopes would have been epic. These shows were right under my nose, but I missed all of them. My frickin' parents went to a show, encouraged by some dorm students they knew in like1984.I hadn’t yet gotten on the bus. The real answer to your question is this: the stadium where they are playing next. And there's truly no best or worst - other than being there in the moment. STADIUM JOURNEY: You organized a fun promotion with Burger King. When the Rhinos scored 8 goals, all fans in attendance got a free Whopper. How often did this actually happen?  BRAD PORTEUS: The Burger King promotion was both the biggest success and the biggest epic fail. I was so convinced I’d cracked the code on targeting our audience. But, in the end, it yielded nothing in the selling tickets department. However, in the game excitement department, it was a blast. Within the fanbase, there was always a mix of people who wanted to be there and people who could care less, like parents who got rooked into driving their kids. So having something fun that everyone could cheer for brought some real fan unity and ensured that all games had excitement regardless of the score. We designed the promo so that the fans won a free Whopper more times than not, but not every time. I tried to find the game scores from those times, but, unfortunately, the Internet is letting me down. STADIUM JOURNEY: As the Rhinos GM, you were a very busy man. Did you get any time to watch the actual games? Hang with the players? What were the players like as people? Did you ever have to bail anyone out of jail? As a GM, you must wear multiple hats! BRAD PORTEUS: Even though we were all about the same age, I didn’t hang with the players much. I had my own life and the separation was natural. I did get to know a few of the guys better than the others, and I’ve recently been in touch with former Rhino player Alan Schuler, who is a tech entrepreneur. We had some good laughs sharing Rhino stories with his incredulous family. With respect to jail, thank God, no. But, there was one day when I came into the office, and a couple of players were trying to pick the lock on the door to my office. I kept it locked because I had a computer and some valuable files to protect. They were trying to find the paperwork for the vans that Volkswagen had loaned us. One of the guys had been pulled over for a DUI while driving the van, and they needed to provide proof of ownership to San Jose’s finest. Instead of asking for my help, they thought it would be better to steal the papers and try to deal with it without anyone finding out. In terms of watching the games, that’s a good question. I did have a bit of time during games to watch, but not much. And when I did, I’d think of something I needed to do and jump up and move around to do it. In a funny way, I’ve never sat still during a sporting event ever since. I just can’t separate myself from once being a professional sports team staff member . After the Rhinos,   my joy of being a fan never returned to its original form. My interest in sports peaked before those years, and never returned. Lesson learned: be careful for what you ask for.  STADIUM JOURNEY: The players and coaches were making practically nothing. Were they supplementing their income with side hustles? Or were they just broke, surviving off Whoppers? BRAD PORTEUS: Roller hockey was a summer job for these guys. Their alternative would have been to go home to Canada or wherever and work at a hockey camp of some sort. In San Jose, they had almost no expenses. We put them up in housing. They had no cars; there were no bills. Food and alcohol were all they needed to cover, which is why they were gunning so hard for those free Whoppers – more budget for Molson. I don’t remember hearing about any side hustles. However, if they found one to settle up their bar tabs, that wouldn't surprise me in the least. STADIUM JOURNEY: Most importantly, when are the Rhinos having a reunion? BRAD PORTEUS: That is a great idea. Maybe for the Cameron Crowe, Richard Linklater movie release? To purchase a copy of Roll With It, click this link. Jon Hart is @manversusball.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.19 The Orange Pit 230 S Marr Rd. Columbus, IN 47201 Columbus East HS Olympians website The Orange Pit website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 3,771 Columbus East Isn't the Pits When you walk inside the basketball home of Columbus East High School an orange hue that envelops the facility. The orange color is dominant from signage, banners, wall paneling, and all the way down to the basketball. You might have to rub your eyes to make sure you’re seeing things clearly. The origin of the gym’s name stems from a giant banner that once hung across the end of the gym and read: “Home of the East Olympians.” At some point, the banner was stolen and a new permanent sign was erected reading “Welcome to The Orange Pit.” According to former Athletic Director, the late Glen Brown, the use of the word pit is believed to be based on a college venue that used the same name, but he was unsure of which college venue. The only other college basketball arena that is known as “The Pit” is the home of the New Mexico Lobos. Eight feet of water covered the gym’s floor after several rivers in town crested due to severe weather in June 2008. After the water had receded, there were 13 large catfish left on the court. The pit sign was not damaged but did need a fresh coat of paint. In 2017, the facility received new bleacher seating and a coat of fresh paint around the hallways. A new sound system was installed before the start of the 2018 season. Both the gym and high school were built in 1972 in order to meet the population boom of Columbus. The gymnasium holds 3,711 people and looks similar in design to many others built during this time. It features two levels of seating on rollaway wooden bleachers and a main concourse wraps around the upper level. What differentiates the gym from others of its kind, is the giant orange sign that reads “Welcome to The Orange Pit.” The sign is dominating from all areas of the building and creates much of the hue that envelops the gym during a game. Up above the sign are banners and an area for fans to peak out to enjoy the game from a bird’s eye view. Food & Beverage 2 The gym has a small concession stand on the upper level that sells hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, pretzels, and candy. Coca-cola products are the beverage of choice and all items cost between $2 and $4. Next door to the concession stand is where soft-served ice cream is served by the Columbus East Alumni. The tinted-orange vanilla ice cream is called "Orange Flame" and sells well at games. It is dairy-free and costs $3 a cup. Atmosphere 3 The building's design is typical of many in the state, but what makes the place stand out is the orange color. “The Orange Pit” sign is the most dominant feature and might just be one of the most distinguishable features of any Hoosier gym. The orange colors provided a unique tinge underneath the ceiling lighting that provided an interesting look to the game. The center court also displays the good-looking Olympians-torch logo. This year was the host of sectional games this season that culminated in the home Olympians playing against the Whiteland Warriors. A big crowd featuring alumni, locals, and large student sections was at the game. Fans watched from their seats on both levels and many more from above the floor behind the nets. Cheerleaders entertained the crowd and pumped up the fan base during time-outs in the game. Fans watch the the game above the court on the stoop The gym has around 40 state championship and finals banners decked out on both sides, photographs of senior basketball players and cheerleaders on the lower deck, and a scorers table with the school’s logo. Even on the main concourse, images of past glory hang for all to admire. The main lobby houses trophies and championship paraphernalia. The accolades are neatly displayed just outside the upper seating area. Once through the doors, the cheers are heard for its hometown heroes. Neighborhood 3 Columbus is less than 45 minutes south of Indianapolis on I-65. The town of 50,000 plus is also home to Columbus North High School’s Memorial Gymnasium . Downtown is worth visiting and offers a few places to eat and drink while you are in town. They include longtime favorites Zwanzigz Pizza featuring hoagies, calzones, and salads. The Garage Pub and Grill and Amazing Joe’s for traditional pub food and good times. For those looking for a pint, the city offers 450 North Brewing Company, which also offers brick oven pizza by the slice, and the Columbus Bar which offers several craft beers on tap. There are other recommendations: Henry Social Club, 4th Street Bar & Grill, and Blacksheep Pizza & Cocktails. The Indiana Premium Outlet is located off of I-65 and 15 minutes away from the gym, with further restaurant chain restaurant options. The mall houses over 100 stores in a walkable outside mall design. Fans 3 The crowds are tepid on many nights during the winter months, but swell when either Columbus North comes to campus or during sectional play. It brings out the best of the place with student cheer blocks dressed in corresponding outfits and fans of the Olympians cheering from the upper portions of the seating bowl. Access 4 The high school and gym are located a few miles away from I-65 and it is recommended to use GPS. The gym offers plenty of parking and easy access in and around the gym. There are bathrooms located near the concession stand and the aisles are somewhat wider than at other places. Return on Investment 4 The ticket prices are $7 for all home games and a great price to enjoy basketball in one of the state's most interesting-looking high school cathedrals. The orange color is bold, the views are great, and East plays a brand of basketball that can be appreciated by many. Also, the local neighborhood has enough to offer to make for an eventful evening. Extras 4 The gym receives an extra point for the giant sign that welcomes people to “The Orange Pit,” a great name for a high school gym and one that lives up to the colors of the gym. The gym receives another point for the multiple banners that are colored either brown or white at each end of the court. The third point is for the orange flame ice cream that is made at the building for games. The fundraiser earned $9,000 during its first year. The gym receives a fourth and final point for the nicely decorated lobby and trophy room. Final Thoughts The Orange Pit throws its hats into the ring of interesting high school gyms in Indiana. Its name, colors, and signage are appealing to many first time visitors. Its location in Columbus is close to great shopping and dining opportunities that make it an easy choice during the season for high school hoops. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter  and his YouTube channel . Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Richard Smith Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 CSU Softball Complex University Blvd North Charleston, SC 29406 Charleston Southern Buccaneers website CSU Softball Complex website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: n/a The Bucs Stop Here Charleston Southern University is a Baptist-affiliated school located in North Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston Southern University was chartered in 1960 and became the Baptist College of Charleston, where it offered its first classes in the education building of the First Baptist Church of North Charleston. One of the most famous alumni is United States Senator Tim Scott. The sports teams are known as the Buccaneers and participate in the Big South Conference. The home field for the Buccaneers softball program is the on-campus CSU Softball Complex Food & Beverage 0 CSU Softball Complex has a single concession stand but It was not in use. Atmosphere 4 The small college pride was in full effect at this game. The grandstands were packed and all sides of the field were filled with fans. There are some white rocking chairs behind the backdrop which is a pleasant place to watch the games. The stadium is a simple affair but is nicely at the entrance of the campus. Neighborhood 3 Charleston Southern University is located right off I-26, which means it is easy to get to. Smokey Bones Bar and Grill and Willie Jewells Old School BBQ are two great food options in the area while the Wingate by Wyndham Hotel located next door to the university, is a great lodging choice. The Hampton Inn is also located in the vicinity of the university. Charleston is, of course, where you may want. to venture for many more interesting options. If you haven’t been to Charleston, just ask anyone who has and they’ll speak of the city with terms like “beautiful” and “favorite” that don’t do justice to the area at all. Charleston, South Carolina, is a city that beautifully blends historical charm with a vibrant, modern atmosphere. Charleston is renowned for its stunning architecture, particularly its well-preserved antebellum mansions. Think cobblestone streets, grand houses with sprawling porches, and lush, hidden gardens. The city's history is palpable, with landmarks like Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, and the Battery, a scenic waterfront promenade. The city boasts a thriving food scene, with a focus on fresh seafood and Southern cuisine. From upscale restaurants to cozy cafes, there's something to satisfy every palate. Fans 3 A knowledgeable crowd, a blend of players' families and devoted locals, creates an exceptionally welcoming and supportive sporting environment. Access 4 Charleston Southern University and the CSU Ballpark are easily accessed via I-26 at exit 205. The school is located directly off the interstate. The baseball field is located at the rear of the campus and offers ample free parking. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are free to Charleston Southern softball games. This makes for a great return on investment, along with the free parking and the good prices for concessions. . Extras 2 Find the small grove of nine palm trees planted just in front of the Baseball Complex Building. These trees are a memorial to the nine church members who perished in the Mother Emanuel AME Church shootings in Charleston. One of the victims was the mother of a CSU baseball player. The rocking chairs in place of regular seating around the backstop are a nice touch. Final Thoughts Attending a Charleston Southern University softball game is about enjoying the simple pleasures of college sports in a warm and welcoming setting. It's a chance to connect with the community, appreciate the dedication of the athletes, and experience the unique blend of athletics and faith that defines the university.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Mustang Stadium 11005 Owings Mills Blvd Owings Mills, MD 21117 Stevenson Mustangs website Mustang Stadium website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 3,500 A History of Horses There are times when something good can spring from something so bad. Stevenson University and its wonderful athletic facilities are "the good". The events of March 1984 were "the bad", at least for the residents of Maryland. At 2 am on March 29th of that year, fifteen Mayflower moving trucks arrived at the Baltimore Colts training facility in Owings Mills, a northwest suburb of Baltimore. Workers loaded all of the team’s belongings and the trucks left for Indianapolis arriving later that day to a massive welcome. The move happened in the dark since the Colt’s owner Bob Irsay feared the Maryland legislature would pass an eminent domain bill that would have legally barred the team from moving. The bill passed later that day but it was too late, as the locally beloved franchise was already gone. In the early years after the Colts left, the former training facility had seen some of its lands sold off by then-property owners Baltimore City. The main building and field also were used as a training center for local police officers. Football returned from 1994 to 1995 as the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League (CFL) used the training center. The Stallions were quite a success, easily the most successful of the United States CFL expansion teams, with strong attendance numbers and appearances in the CFL Grey Cup Championship Game in both years they were in town. 1995 they even won that championship, but when the Cleveland Browns agreed to move to Maryland, the Stallions realized that they needed to move on. Move they did, back to Canada and they are still known today as the Montreal Alouettes. In 1996, the newly renamed Baltimore Ravens team took up residence in the Owings Mills facility. The team would move to a new center, also in the Owings Mills area, called the Under Armour Performance Center in 2004. That new facility is referred to as “The Castle” for its architectural style. Villa Julie College has always been a bit of a quirky place. Originally located in the Greenspring Valley of Baltimore County and its Stevenson neighborhood, the college was an all-girls school until 1972 and did not even offer bachelor degrees until 1984. It also was entirely non-residential. Eventually, the college desired to add housing and more of just about everything, so a new campus was added in Owings Mills. This expansion dramatically increased the college’s offerings and student population. In 2008, they decided they needed a new identity and changed their name to Stevenson University. The old campus is still in use. The Owings Mills campus just happened to be right next door to the old Baltimore Colts training facility. Stevenson acquired the building and land and used it as the center of their athletic department. In 2006 it re-opened as the Caves Sports and Wellness Center. Some of the locker rooms and facilities are similar to the ones left behind by the Ravens, with necessary remodeling done. In addition, in 2010, the 38,000-square-foot Owings Mills Gymnasium was added. Mustang Stadium is also home to the university’s soccer, football, and field hockey teams. Food & Beverage 4 There is one permanent food stand at Mustang Stadium. The prices are extremely fair, even if the menu is pretty limited. The best bargains are the Family Meal Deals which include three hot dogs, three drinks, three chips or one hot dog, one pretzel, three bottled waters, and an order of nachos. If I were there with my family buying these deals would be a given. There is plenty of room on the concourse level if they wish to have other temporary food stands. Credit cards are accepted at the official food stand. Atmosphere 2 Only a hundred or so fans tend to attend Mustang games. We were there for a weekday game so the attendance was even lower. Even with a small crowd, the stadium has a nice atmosphere to it. The impressive stadium has general admission seating for 3,000 along the west side of the playing field. There is also a large press box and club level with 440 club seats, a patio, and a President’s Suite. A large student fitness center is also in the press box building and overlooks nearby Owings Mill Boulevard. With no track at the stadium, the fans are afforded a pretty close view of the game action. The concourse level also has a fully stocked team store if you decide to become a big Mustangs fan or purchase a souvenir. The official campus store is located nearby, outside of the stadium, if you need additional options. Neighborhood 4 Owings Mills is a suburb of Baltimore, so there are plenty of shopping centers and restaurants in the area. Many good options are within easy walking distance such as Subway, IHOP, and Five Guys Burgers and Fries. The Owings Mills station of the Baltimore Metro subway system is located about a mile away from campus. Fans 3 There were not many fans at the game but this is Maryland so it tends to be a very knowledgeable lacrosse fanbase. Being a largely commuter university there may not be too many students at the games. There are residence halls near to the stadium so some student attendance is always possible. Access 4 Owings Mills Boulevard has an exit off of nearby Interstate 795. The stadium is a pretty quick one-mile trip from the highway. I worried about traffic in an area that is pretty busy even on normal days, but the traffic was no problem. The university has plenty of parking in the area and there are no issues here. Parking is free. Return on Investment 4 General admission tickets are less than $10. With free parking and cheap, quality concessions, Stevenson University lacrosse is a good value. Extras 3 The former home of three professional football teams, the Caves Sports and Wellness Center is worth a quick trip around the corner from Mustang Stadium. Try to remember 1984 and the pain and struggle that local football fans went through for years. Next to the stadium is a statue of a Mustang, the university’s mascot. This is a good meet-up spot and photo opportunity. Check out the cool mural, as well as the history signs about the Baltimore Colts, Baltimore Stallions, Baltimore Ravens, and the birth of Stevenson football. Final Thoughts Besides being on historic ground, Stevenson University’s Mustang Stadium offers the fans great value, as well as a nice place to watch lacrosse.

Imagine attending a ballgame and enjoying a hot dog, a bag of peanuts, and a cold soda pop. Everything tastes great, but the hot dog is not made out of pork or beef but of fish. It is tuna, to be exact, and it looks and almost tastes like the classic ballpark frank. For a short time, they were available at San Diego Padres games. At the time, the Padres were members of the Pacific Coast League and owned by C. Arnholt Smith, who also owned the Westgate Tuna Packing Company. They moved into the state-of-the-art Westgate Park, which featured 8,268 theater seats, a humidor that held 10,000 packs of peanuts under 120-degree heat, and lawn seating behind the outfield fence without advertisements. Yet, the hot dogs were probably the most peculiar innovation at the minor league stadium. The hot dogs were made of select tuna and skinless. Fans would slab on mustard or ketchup and enjoy it like a regular dog, but Catholics could enjoy them on Fridays when they normally abstain from consuming meat products, such as hot dogs. However, where did someone get the idea of creating tuna filled hot dogs to sell at a baseball game? According to tuna hot dog lore,  the origin dates back to 1941 when William Lane attended a college football game between Loyola and Santa Clara on Friday night. He noticed a hot dog vendor having trouble selling hot dogs to a prominent Catholic crowd who did not eat meat on Fridays due to religious customs. The hot dog vendor was quoted "I have 10,000 hot dogs and no one will eat them. When are they going to invent a fish hot dog?" However, the schools played on a Sunday afternoon at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco in 1941. They would play each other five more times before Loyola dropped its football program in 1952, and the only time they played on a Friday night was in 1948 at Gilmore Stadium, home of the Hollywood Stars of the PCL. However, another  story in Catholic Digest (December 1958)  suggests that Lane read a Time  magazine article on the hot dog vendor lamenting the decrease in sales of hot dogs on Friday nights. A second article in the Catholic Northwest Passage states   that the game took place in 1938, but the two schools did not face one another that fall. Whenever this game took place, there was a drop in sales of hot dogs, a whopping 37 percent decrease, even at major league baseball games. Lane would graduate from Loyola and later work as a tax counselor for a San Diego firm that served interest with Smith’s business including a tuna cannery and the Padres.  Adds for Tunies show the refrigerated and canned versions of the product By 1952 Lane became the chief accountant for the parent corporation for Smith's tuna cannng companyand he remembered the Time article. It got him thinking of better ways to produce more product from. the tuna fish factory. . Lane began working on developing a tuna-based wiener that would have the same texture, free of cereal and artificial dyes, and look and taste like an all-meat hot dog. He contacted a sausage maker, Curt Schirmer, who owned a sausage and meat company, and added enough hickory smoke and the right touch of spices to dissipate the fishy taste. The two entrepreneurs were backed financially by Smith and began producing the product at his cannery in late 1957. Tunies were canned by 1959 for better shelf life and introduced to other parts of the country. There were also flavor improvements to the product and was sold in 10.5-ounce cans. There was even the prediction that it would be sold in a SPAM-like loaf and make Tunies Inc. one of the nation's major food companies. Sea-Lomi never took off to the mass populace, but did make it to supermarket shelves. However, the tuna-packed hot dogs appeared to fall out of favor with the rest of the country. Soon, Tunies disappeared from the shelves and for a few years, all-beef hot dogs were sold at Padres games. By 1967,   production had stopped due to lack of demand. Smith was also quoted in the same 1992 interview that Lane “worked his brains out perfecting that, but they didn’t seem to take over.”  Many folks have memories of the hot dogs growing up in the area and having them for lunch at parochial schools. The ones who tasted that at the Padres games remain somewhat of a mystery. The fish-dogs have never been re-introduced to Padres games but might fit in nicely on the Petco Park menu. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Colonial Life Arena 801 Lincoln St Columbia, SC 29201 South Carolina Gamecocks website Colonial Life Arena website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 18,000 Uncommon For years Connecticut and Tennessee dominated women’s college basketball, winning 19 of the first 34 titles. More recently, a new powerhouse has emerged in Columbia, South Carolina, at the University of South Carolina. Women’s basketball at South Carolina dates back to 1922 when the team played as the Pullets, the female hen of their Gamecock mascot. The team competed statewide until 1936 when the sport was limited to intramural play, but intercollegiate competition returned in 1974 under the name “Carolina Chicks”, before adopting the Gamecocks nickname in 1977. Over the years the program transitioned from an independent to the Metro Conference and, since 1991, the Southeastern Conference. The Gamecocks had moments of success, but lacked sustained dominance until the arrival of head coach Dawn Staley in 2008. After two sub-.500 seasons, she led the team to an 18-15 record and an NIT bid in just her third year. Since then, she has guided the Gamecocks to thirteen NCAA tournament appearances, six Final Fours, and three national championship titles, establishing South Carolina as a force in women’s college basketball.   Food & Beverage   5 The food options at Colonial Life Arena are as plentiful as a mall food court – fans can choose everything ranging from stadium favorites such as hot dogs, burgers, nachos, and chicken tenders, to a wide selection of more regional offerings including Mexican at Salsarita’s, Billy G’s barbecue, Thai Kingdom, and even a taste of the ocean from Mr. Seafood. Wings in nearly a half-dozen different flavors can also be found, as well as many carts situated around the concourse offering everything from ice cream and donuts to gourmet popcorn and smoothies. Colonia Life Arena sells both craft and domestic beer, wine, and seltzers. Craft beers include selections from Terrapin, Columbia Craft Brewing Company, Wild Leap, and Peak Drift Brewing Company, while soft drink choices include Coca-Cola products and Power Ade sports drinks.   Atmosphere   5 The plaza, at the corner of Lincoln and Greene Streets, is lined with South Carolina palmettos and is fronted with a fountain. A 15-foot statue of Gamecock hero A’ja Wilson greets fans upon their arrival. The entry point to Colonial Life Arena is framed by large support columns backed by a full bank of windows. As fans pass through the security check into the grand foyer, an intricate mosaic of the Gamecock’s logo is front and center on the floor of the entry. Fans ascend staircases on either side of the entrance, with two of the three center courts from the national championships won by the USC women’s program hung overhead. The staircases lead to the main concourse, as well as an area dedicated to the retired jerseys, individual awards, and championships won by the Gamecocks. Pregame festivities are an impressive light and pyrotechnic show – while a hype video plays on the large center-mounted scoreboard, fans logged into the Gamecocks app’s “Gamecock Lights” can use their cellphone flashlights to become part of the pregame light show. Throughout the game the college athletics experience is kept as the focal point of the experience. While there are occasional scoreboard games and DJ-led music pieces, the Carolina Band typically leads the entertainment during breaks in the action – this is a nice way to keep a touch of the traditional college basketball atmosphere alive, in a time when popular music is commonly the route many schools use to keep fans engaged until play resumes.   Neighborhood   4 For colleges and universities in downtown areas, it can be difficult to tell where campus ends and the city begins. Owned and operated by the University of South Carolina, Colonial Life Arena is located about a block off the main section of USC’s campus. The surrounding neighborhood gives fans several options in terms of eateries and points of interest to visit as part of their Gamecocks basketball gameday experience. The student housing building at 650 Lincoln has several choices for a quick bite, including Jersey Mike’s, Urban Wok, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Also, student housing at 750 Lincoln includes a more upscale taste with offerings from Angell Bros. 1801 Grille. However, one of the more popular pregame spots is Thirsty Fellow Pizzeria and Pub, where it is not uncommon for fans to be lined up out the door. For state capitol building enthusiasts, the grounds of the South Carolina capitol are less than a mile to the north of USC’s campus.   Fans   5 South Carolina women’s basketball has led the nation in attendance since 2015, when they pulled in 12,000 fans each night. Now, still leading the country in attendance, that number has swelled to more than 16,000 fans per game last season; this increase is a real testament to the growth of women’s college basketball, in-part spearheaded by South Carolina over this time. The only knock on Gamecock fans would be that despite more than filling the student section, the students here seem to be rather reserved. While many of the top college basketball programs are known for their rambunctious student sections, the South Carolina students largely remain seated throughout the game. They do get excited and loud following big plays, but do seem to need that spark.   Access   3 The streets around Colonial Life Arena can seem like a bit of a maze to navigate. The intersections around the arena start to be blocked off about 2.5 hours before a game, creating what can be a two-block detour to get to a desired location. There are plenty of parking garages and lots that are just a short walk from the arena. Street parking in the area is a bit further away, but is also an option. The main entrance at the corner of Greene and Lincoln Streets is the most popular entry point, and the team’s large following leads to rather long lines before the doors to the arena even open. To help expedite entry, Colonial Life Arena has a no bag line. There is also an early entry line for Fast Break Pass members. Stairs leading up to the outer concourse give fans plenty of space to navigate, with the exception of the far end of the arena where the Frank McGwire Club juts out, creating a bit of a bottleneck. Within the seating area, a walkway passes completely around the upper level of the main seating bowl. Following the game the concourses do get pretty congested, so allowing some time for them to clear a bit before heading out may be helpful. With most parking concentrated on one side of the arena, the congestion can carry over to the streets leading away from the facility, especially for those heading back toward the interstate.   Return on Investment   3 With the level of success the Gamecocks have seen in their women’s basketball program comes a high demand for tickets. Tickets start at $25 for general admission seating, but can often be found cheaper on the secondary market. Most garages in the area charge $20 for parking, but given the women’s basketball schedule, there are ways to avoid having to pay to park – most women’s basketball games follow a midweek evening and Sunday schedule, so parking at some of the meters on nearby streets could provide reduced parking rates, or be altogether free for Sunday games, if you are willing to walk a couple of blocks. Concessions are a touch high at Colonial Life Arena, but the wide selection of options and the higher quality of food does seem to justify the higher prices.   Extras   5 Colonial Life Arena goes a long way in creating as comfortable a game experience as could be asked for, from the video feeds and game statistics on the underside of the center scoreboard to the custodial crews who are endlessly ensuring the facility is a top-class venue. At the front plaza of Colonial Life Arena, a statue of A’ja Wilson greets fans upon their arrival. Wilson, the hometown hero, led the Gamecocks to their first NCAA national championship, while picking up National Player of the Year honors as well. South Carolina does an excellent job recognizing the achievements of the women’s basketball program – the main entrance displays conference season championship and tournament trophies, Naismith Player and Coach of the Year Awards, and of course the Gamecocks’ three NCAA championship trophies. Homages to honored players can also be found in the ring of honor that wraps around the façade of the exterior concourse. As with other Gamecock sports programs, following the game the team gathers at half court to sing the school’s alma mater with the fans; it is always nice to see the connection programs share with their fanbase and their school. The importance of being role models for the next generation of players does not get lost on Head Coach Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks women’s basketball  players – following the singing of the South Carolina alma mater, players and coaches come to sign autographs and take pictures with their admirers, most of whom are the youngest of Gamecock fans.   Final Thoughts Women’s basketball at the University of South Carolina is a model for building an elite college program. Despite flashes of success in the past, the Gamecocks struggled to sustain it until Dawn Staley was able to sell her vision of the program to the fan base, and together, they built one of the nation’s premier women’s basketball programs. As fan support grew, Staley and her team delivered, winning three national championships. There are not many college baseball programs in the nation that can rival the level of excellence and excitement that surrounds the South Carolina women’s baseball program.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Eric Clark Athletic Center 520 East Main Street Carmel, IN 46032 Carmel High School Greyhounds website Eric Clark Athletic Center website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 4,000 Getting Better with Age When Carmel High School decided to build a brand-new $1.5 million school for the 1958-1959 academic school year it also included a 4,000-plus basketball gymnasium. At the time, the Greyhounds program had been practicing and playing at the nearby Noblesville Armory which offered undesirable and cramped conditions for high school hoops. The first game to take place at the new gym would be on November 11, 1958–the first home game in Carmel in over a decade. The Legeman patent-design gymnasium would be the largest in the county and offer a sunken basketball court. However, fans have to walk upstairs Legman enters the gymnasium, making it perhaps the only one of its kind quite like it. The new gym incorporates all of the architect’s signature features from a wide wraparound concourse, an octangular seating bowl, and unobstructed views from everywhere in the building. The ECAC also includes an arched roof, exposed beams, fluorescent lighting, and temporary bleachers that could hold an additional 1,000 fans for sectional play in the conference. The building would be renamed in 1997 in honor of Eric Clark, an educator in the district for 39 years. He was the boys’ basketball coach from 1970-1977 leading the Hounds to six sectional titles and its first state championship in 1977. The title game would be the last game of his career, and he would continue at the school as a counselor and assistant principal until his retirement in 1997. From his retirement, until he died in 2009, he attended nearly all home and away basketball and football games. Carmel is the largest high school in the state of Indiana with 5,060 students. Its sports teams would become a juggernaut in many sports capturing 170 plus state championships. The boys’ basketball program won additional state championships in 2012, 2013, and 2019 while finishing as runner-ups in 1970 and 2018. The girls captured their lone state title in 2008 and were finalists in 1995. In total, the school has won state championships in 19 of the 22 sports offered to its students. Food & Beverage 3 There are two concession stands at the gym, one outside near the entrance and one inside the main concourse. The snacks include hot dogs, pretzels, nacho, popcorn, chips, candy, and Chick-fil-A sandwiches. Pepsi products are the drink of choice for Greyhounds games and the prices range from as lows $1 fo a bag of chips to $4 for a hot dogs. Chicken sandwiches are $7 until they run out. As with most high school games here in Indiana, and perhaps elsewhere, the concession items are merely for snacking pleasure; however, there are more than just a few amazing places to enjoy dinner before or after the game in nearby downtown Carmel. Atmosphere 4 The ECAC feels a lot more modern than the various sunken gyms in the state of Indiana. It is part of a complex that is adjacent to the natatorium and fans must walk up a couple of flights of stairs to enter the gym’s concourse. Once inside, the wide concourse wraps, offering unobstructed views from most areas. It is a modest-looking gym that is dressed in the school colors of blue and gold and brightly lit with LED lighting. The walls are covered with numerous state championships won by all of the school’s athletic teams and continue outside the hallway of the complex. Up above the court is a series of exposed piping that adds a nice touch to the classic gym that is comprised of permanent wood bleaching seating. Fans are allowed to stand up against a plexiglass section and media members comprise the opposite side of this area. The team is introduced by the cheerleaders and the school band, while the student section, dubbed the “Hound Pound,” cheers at boisterous levels. They are game for dressing up for theme nights at the gym and also proudly hold up large oversized poster heads of basketball players and cheerleaders. There does not appear to be an official team mascot. The atmosphere is much higher during sectional games that brings out many of the local high school fanbase. The gym is packed and sold-out crowds are the norm during the week. Each school's cheer section arrives by the masses to show support and upper concourse is packed with fans weaving in and out of traffice to secure a spot along the railings for a view of the court. Other points of interest in the gym are the auxiliary seating that is pushed up against the walls that block the old Carmel center court logo, half-time shooting contests and dance renditions, and an LED board on the media row. Neighborhood 4 Its location on Main Street is just blocks away from the vibrant downtown Carmel scene of restaurants, shops, and bars making it an ideal way of spending a night in one of Indianapolis’ poshest suburbs. Downtown offers a variety of shops, restaurants, bars, and performance theaters that are the envy of the rest of the Indianapolis metro area. The Pint Room offers one of the largest selections of taps and casual pub fare, the Carmel Distillery is a hip food court that features Sun King Brewery. Matt the Millers Tavern is always the spot for great food and drink, and if you feel like food challenges, see if you can finish off a Big Ugly at Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream. The Monon Trail also cuts through Main Street downtown and locals enjoy riding their bikes to Union Brewing Company for a pint of cask ale beer and jerk chicken, patties, or oxtail at the Jamaican Reggae Grill next door. The Palladium at the Center for Performing Arts is a dome roof theater that is a marvel to look at in itself. Located off the Monon, the building features plays, concerts, symphonies, and other stage events. Fans 4 The Greyhound fans are into the game, enjoy their basketball team, and are wonderful supporters. They love their squad and enjoy their surroundings inside the gym. The stands were filled up quite nicely with supporters from both teams. Even during the pandemic, fans were loud and supportive of their team that was on the verge of winning their conference championship. Access 3 The gymnasium is located in the back of the high school off Main Street right before downtown. The best way for access is off the State Road 31 (Keystone Ave.) exit a few miles north of I-465. SR-31 through Carmel is free of traffic lights and features roundabout exits for reduced head-on collisions. Once inside the facility, there is one main concourse that houses everything from the concession stand to bathrooms and merchandise table. However, the portable seats on top make it somewhat cramped and don’t open up the view of the facility as it was meant to be seen. The main parking lot can fill up quickly for heavily attended games, but there are several other areas to park around the high school. Thankfully, there are small groups of people that you can follow through the high school hallways to the gymnasium entrances. Return on Investment 3 The cost of a ticket to a game is only $7, much in line with the rest of high school basketball in the state. There is not a bad seat in the house and the excitement is thrilling especially when nearby North Central, Hamilton Southeast, or Fishers High Schools are paying a visit. The concession snack prices are also inexpensive. Extras 5 The gym earns an extra point for being so close to the vibrant downtown scene which should please both the older and family crowd. It earns a second point for the upkeep of the facility; the place looks much more modern than its construction date of 1958. Next, it earns another point on the scoreboard that showcases the individual stats of players. The final point is for the half-time entertainment that is somewhat overlooked at other state gymnasiums. A last point is for the atmosphere and packed gym during sectional championship games. Final Thoughts There are a lot of great old-school gyms in the state of Indiana and the Eric Clark Athletic Center rightfully takes its place among the fantastic facilities to enjoy high school basketball in the state. It is an older classic Indiana fieldhouse that provides incredible modern comfort for high school basketball. _____ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel .

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Stegeman Coliseum 100 Smith St Athens, GA 30602 Georgia Bulldogs website Stegeman Coliseum website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 10,523 Glory, Glory to old Georgia! For years the Southeastern Conference was the gold standard in NCAA women’s college basketball, and part of that depth of success conference-wide can be attributed to the accomplishments of the Georgia Bulldogs. The foundation of Georgia women’s basketball history was constructed by head coach Andy Landers; Landers led the Bulldogs to over 850 wins, eight regular season SEC championships, 4 SEC tournament titles, and 31 NCAA tournament appearances in his 36 seasons in Athens, including three Final Fours and a National Championship game berth. Since the program’s inception in 1973 they have played at Stegman Coliseum, which is not just the home of Georgia Basketball, but also Georgia volleyball and the Gymdogs (gymnastics).   Food & Beverage   3 Food at Stegeman Coliseum uses a self-serve, grab-and-go model throughout. Items sit under heat lamps waiting to be picked up and taken to checkout stations. Options include hot dogs, burgers, and BBQ or Chick-fil-A sandwiches. While most options are typical stadium quality, the burgers are from local boutique burger purveyor Grind House Burgers. Even though the food is fine for stadium fare, the fact that items are left out under heat lamps does seem to impact the quality. Besides the main concession items, peanuts, popcorn, candy, and various other snack foods are also part of the assortment of choices. There is also the ever popular Dippin’ Dots cart in the main lobby area. Soft drinks include items from the Coca-Cola line of products. There is also a decent selection of local craft beers from Athens-based Creature Comforts, with their flagship Tropicalia, Classic City Lager, and the University of Georgia-branded Sip ’Em Seltzer. The concessions inside the arena will do in a pinch, but the area has several locations nearby if you prefer to get something before or after the game.   Atmosphere   3 Stegeman Coliseum is a great example of an arena from a previous generation that was given a highly modern feel, with a renovation of the east and west entries using large walls of glass. The interior of the arena complements the modernized feel of the exterior, fitting right into the red and black color scheme of the Bulldogs. In coming years the massive UGA mural at the south end of the arena will be replaced with the largest indoor collegiate videoboard in the country. There is not a lot of debate that Stegeman Coliseum is a very comfortable venue for all of Georgia’s programs that use it. Many of the school’s fight songs and cheers, along with their most recognizable chants, are a big part of the total UGA women’s basketball experience. The University of Georgia athletics department does a good job creating an atmosphere where its brand is consistent throughout all its programs, with the prideful spirit of all things Bulldogs. Breaks in the action here are filled with the Georgia pep band playing the UGA classics, while popular music also fills the time before the ball is put back into play.   Neighborhood   5 Athens is everything that could be asked for in a college town – far enough from Atlanta to avoid the breakneck pace of a major city, yet brimming with enough of the hustle-and-bustle of a college town to create a perpetual buzz of excitement in the air. Georgia’s athletic facilities are spread out, with concentrations of both on and off campus facilities – Stegeman Coliseum is part of an on-campus cluster which includes baseball’s Foley Field , the outdoor track, football’s practice and training facility, and the Butts-Mehre building, the hub of UGA athletics. The epicenter of Athens and the University of Georgia’s culture can be found along Lumpkin Avenue and Broad Street; this area has nearly an endless number of shops, bars, restaurants, and music joints, providing seemingly endless options to fill time at any hour of the day. New in 2024 are the Athens Rock Lobsters (ice hockey), who call the newly completed Akins Ford Arena in downtown Athens home; adding in one of their games could certainly help make for a full visit of sports during a weekend in Athens.   Fans   3 Georgia has benefited from decent support over the years. Over the last decade, average attendance at Stegeman Coliseum for women’s basketball has hovered around 3,500 fans per game. While this only ranks around the middle of the pack in the SEC, it is still a mark that many Power 4 Conference teams would be proud to draw. Fans are into the game as would be expected by typical crowds – there is not a definitive home court advantage created by the fans, but they are responsive to the ups and downs of the game.   Access   3 It is no secret that getting to Athens from the metro Atlanta area on a weekday can certainly test one’s patience. While Athens is just 70 miles from Atlanta, getting there for a weekday match typically takes in excess of two hours. The most direct route is via Interstate-85 to Georgia 316, which leads to Athens. Fans coming from the north on I-85 will have a bit less traffic coming through Jefferson, while from the east, accessing Athens is most convenient on I-20 to US-441N. Just south of Stegeman Coliseum, the Carlton Street parking deck is the most conveniently located parking option near the arena. Parking is free in the Carlton Street deck, and unless there are multiple events on campus or an extremely large crowd, it should offer plenty of room. Once inside the facility, Stegeman’s outer concourse makes navigating the coliseum relatively easy, but the walkway does not wrap completely around the arena. A secondary, interior concourse does fully encircle the court level seating area, but it does get narrow in places.   Return on Investment   4 Tickets in the second tier of seating start at $11 before ticket fees are accounted for, and children 12 and under are admitted for free. Parking is supposedly free in the Carlton Street parking garage, but be sure to check the signs, as some of them indicate this is no longer the case. Concessions do seem to be a bit high when considering the overall quality of food that has been sitting under heating lamps. This is a cost that can easily be eliminated, however, or reduced if you only purchase snacks or beverages.   Extras   3 The concourse showcases a full history of the Georgia teams that call Stegeman home – trophies, along with highlights of the Dawgs’ most notable players and teams, are featured in a timeline displayed on the walls of the concourse. The Butts-Mehre building holds a place of high regard in the Georgia Bulldog community; not only is it the center of Georgia athletics, but it is also home to a museum of Bulldogs athletics history. The Butts-Mehre building is open for tours until 5pm Monday through Friday, making this a real option to visit prior to a game at Stegeman. UGA mascots Hairy Dawg and his inflatable counterpart, Spike, make the rounds throughout the game, stopping for photos and interacting with fans, along with trying to jinx the opposing team.   Final Thoughts Georgia women’s basketball has not lately been the powerhouse program it was during the 1980s and 90s, but they typically have been good for a 20-win season and an NCAA tournament appearance even during their down years. Despite not enjoying the elite status the program was once measured by, there is still enough excitement  surrounding both the team and the game to make Georgia women’s basketball a fun college basketball experience.

Photos by Matt Fiedler and Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 John J. Lee Amphitheater 70 Tower Parkway New Haven, CT 06511 Yale Bulldogs basketball website John J. Lee Amphitheater website Year Opened: 1932 Capacity: 2,532 Old School Vibes In New Haven It’s majestic and tall. It’s impressive yet old. Fans look up and side to side to take it all in as they approach with amazement and mystery. On this Stadium Journey visit, a driver slowed down and called out to ask “Is that Yale’s gymnasium?” The answer was yes, but nobody could fault the question. Payne Whitney Gymnasium, better known as John J. Lee Amphitheater, in New Haven Connecticut on the campus of Yale University is hardly your typical basketball structure. Yale, founded in 1701, plays in the Ivy League. The gymnasium is housed in a 9.5-story tower building which looks more like a cathedral and includes a third-floor swimming pool, fencing facilities, and a polo practice room. The building has many teams including basketball, fencing, gymnastics, squash, swimming, and volleyball. It is the second-largest gym in the world by cubic feet and contains 12 acres of indoor space. The facility is the 8th oldest Division I facility in the nation. Matthews Arena (Northeastern University) in Boston is the oldest, but will be torn down after this season which will make Rose Hill Gymnasium at Fordham University in the Bronx the oldest (opened in 1925). The building, designed in gothic revival style, was donated to Yale by John Hay Whitney, class of 1926, in honor of his father Payne Whitney. The exterior walls are made of brick faced with stone. Basketball has been played at Yale University since 1896. Payne Whitney Gymnasium, renamed John J. Lee Amphitheater in 1996, has been the home of the Yale Bulldogs since 1932. Yale named the venue in honor of alumnus John Lee ’58, who set several Yale records in basketball and helped lead the Bulldogs to the first official Ivy League Championship. The arena is also home to women’s basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics. Men’s basketball is seeking its second consecutive NCAA bid and third in the past four seasons. The highlights were the 2024 tournament upset of 4th-seeded Auburn Bears and the 2015 upset of 5th-seeded Baylor. The Bulldogs are led by coach James Jones, the winningest coach in Yale men’s basketball history, in his 26th season. Food & Beverage 2 There is a concession stand just outside the entrance to John J. Lee Amphitheater. It offers the stadium essentials. In terms of beverages, fans will find Coca-Cola products at this arena and they will not find any alcohol as this is an on-campus venue. There are also two vending machines as you enter the lobby area filled with snacks and drinks. There is a table selling snacks and drinks on the balcony. Although the prices are reasonable, eating before or after the game in New Haven is the best decision. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere at John J. Lee Amphitheater is unique. While the building is not a cathedral in the true sense, it is a cathedral of basketball. The arena is all about the sounds and sights of the game and fans are close to the action with unobstructed views. There are no jumbotrons, just one board on each side of the arena that shows the relevant information. Statistical information is at a minimum and no replays are shown. Yale has a solid pep band and combined with the cheerleaders add excitement to the game. There is not the typical blaring music that you find at most Division One arena, so the pep band adds most of the music. The atmosphere is more of what you used to see at college basketball venues with no MC or endless contests and promotions. The Bulldog was on hand but watched the game from the balcony and did not mingle much with the fans. Neighborhood 5 New Haven, the third largest city in the state with a population of around 135,000, has branded itself as the Pizza Capital of the United States, but it has so much more. The city is also home to great entertainment and culture from the Shubert Theater (opened in 1914) to The Connecticut Children’s Museum, the Yale Peabody Museum (free admission), the Yale Art Gallery and the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center can all be found in New Haven. The food scene is hardly limited to pizza with some great establishments such as Geronimo for southwestern fare, Mecha Noodle Bar for Dumplings, Ramen, and Pho, Villa Lulu for Italian, Pacifico for Latin, and of course for burgers Louis’ Lunch since 1895 and Prime 16 (also noted for its craft beers and specialty cocktails). Of course, a stop at a pizza shop is mandatory. Old-school Frank Pepe’s or Sally’s Apizza on Wooster Street are the mainstays, but a newcomer to the scene Zeneli is making its mark on the same block. Then there’s Bar on Crown Street, Modern on State Street, and Nextdoor close by on Humphrey. The only caveat is New Haven can be a bit sketchy at night so be vigilant. Fans 3 Basketball has typically fallen behind hockey in fan interest but with fortunes reversed, they are splitting fan support these days. Basketball made the NCAA tournament in 2024, 2022 and 2019. Hockey has not made the tournament since 2016. Yale finished 11-0 at home and was third in the Ivy League in attendance at 1,666. The leader is Princeton as the Tigers average over 2,700 per contest. The gym does not pump much music or artificial noise into the building. The fans that are in attendance know when to cheer and the band pumps up the volume during time outs. Access 4 There are a lot of ways to get to New Haven. The city itself is located off the busy I-95 and I-91 interchange. There are several free parking lots in the area around the arena that are gated. There is also parking on the side streets that surround the arena. As you enter the lobby, make a right to find the entrance to the John J. Lee Amphitheater. Taking public transportation is another way to get to New Haven. Union Station in New Haven is only eight minutes away from John J. Lee Amphitheater by car, but a 35-minute hike by foot. If coming from NYC or from Boston you can take the Amtrak train to Union Station or Metro North if coming from local towns and then take an Uber or Lyft to the arena. Once inside, the layout of the seats is unique. Fans enter the building in the upper portion of the arena and walk down to the lower seating area. There is also the option to stand and watch the game from above in the balcony which affords a fabulous view of the action. There are stairwells to get to the club seating and upper balcony areas behind each basket. The club seats and lounge are on the opposite side as you enter. The only thing that detracts from the accessibility is the concourse itself as the bathrooms are located downstairs. Return on Investment 5 Going to see a Yale men’s basketball game is an experience that will not punish the wallet. Tickets range from $13 (youth and senior) for corner or upper baseline to $50 for courtside and preferred seating. Sideline seats are $20 and only $15 for youth/seniors. The arena offers mostly wooden seats with ample legroom. The original brown seats are a throwback to the past and have wires under each seat to stash your Stetson or top hat. There are benches down low for students and the band. There are several free parking lots (Lot 78 is a good option) around the arena but there is also street parking. Be mindful of parking meters when parking on the street as most meters are in effect until 9 pm. except on Sunday. Extras 2 One point is awarded for the experience of attending a game at John J. Lee Amphitheater. It’s old in a good way. Fans are close to the action and can appreciate the sport without too much else getting in the way. Legendary columnist John Feinstein said in his book The Last Amateurs: “There is no gym, arena, or field house in America that looks like Payne Whitney. It is nine stories high and from the outside, it looks like a twelfth-century European cathedral.” Lee Amphitheater was selected as one of college basketball’s historic venues by ESPN The Magazine in 2011. Another point is given for the excellent food scene of New Haven. It’s almost a requirement to sample some pizza either before or after the game. But cuisine from almost any country is readily available. New Haven is one of the first planned cities in the US founded by English Puritans in 1638 and established in 1640. Final Thoughts Lee Amphitheater has to make the bucket list for all sports fans. The uniqueness and no-frills atmosphere gives fans a glimpse of the past and the city of New Haven provides plenty of entertainment and educational opportunities to complement the experience. Follow Greg Venuto’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Facebook

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Aréna Jean-Louis Lévesque Université de Moncton 450 Université Avenue Moncton, NB E1A 7R1 Moncton Aigles Bleus hockey website Arena Jean-Louis Levesque website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 1,200 Le Nid des Aigles Bleus Outside of the province of Québec, there is only one fully francophone university in Canada.  That school is Université de Moncton.  Located in the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, UdeM embraces the Acadian tradition which sees New Brunswick as a fully bilingual province.  Université de Moncton was formed by the amalgamation of three colleges in 1963 including Collège Saint Joseph, Université Sacré-Coeur and Université Saint-Louis d’Edmunston.  Université de Moncton has 5,200 students and a number of campuses, with the main campus located in Moncton.  Known as the Aigles Bleus, or Blue Eagles, UdeM athletics first took the ice in 1964 and have seen significant success culminating in 11 conference championships and 4 University Cups as National Champions. Home for the Aigles Bleus is on the campus of Université de Moncton.  Aréna Jean-Louis Lévesque was built in 1966 with a capacity of 1,200.  Built more like a box than a barn, Aréna Jean-Louis Lévesque was named after a local philanthropist who was critical for fundraising for the university. Food & Beverage 3 Concessions at Aréna Jean-Louis Lévesque are limited to  snack bar on the upper level at the east end of the arena.  The menu is simple and includes soda, water, juice, Gatorade, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, pizza, poutine, onion rings, hot dogs, candy, popcorn and chips.  Pepsi products are the soft drink of choice at the arena.  Very limited beer sales are also found at the concession stand.  The stand is enclosed on the east end with windows looking out over the ice and some seating, similar to a Blueline Club found in many lower level junior hockey arenas in Canada. Atmosphere 3 Aréna Jean-Louis Lévesque is a simple rectangular prism shape located at the western edge of campus.  From the road there is nothing that stands out about the brown and grey structure, however a closer look at the main entrance on the west side finds a very attractive entry with stone facing around the doors emblazoned with the Aigles Bleus logo.  After entry, fans are met with a small ticket window and then must ascend to the upper level to have their tickets scanned.  The upper level on the west side is where fans will find some modest nods to Aigles Bleus history with captions in French.  Team photos as well as a specific section for team photos for the 1981, 1982, 1990 and 1995 Aigles Bleus squads that brought home National Championships are here for fans to peruse.  The Aigles Bleus have a unique method of honouring those whose jersey numbers are retired.  Portraits of Jeannot Boulanger, Yves LeBlanc and Ronnie LeBlanc are found in the upper lobby rather than banners hung inside the arena.  There is also a large portrait of Jean-Louis Lévesque with an explanation of his contributions to the university, en français, of course. Inside the arena, the ice is oriented from west to east with seating on the north and south sides.  A double logo at centre means that the perfect centre-ice logo photo can be achieved from either north or south sides.  Seating consists of 8 rows of plastic arena seats with a walkway behind the seating and rails for standing room.  When selecting seats, fans should be cognizant of the pillars around the arena which can cause some obstructed views.  Choosing seats at row F or lower would be a good plan.  Large, yellow, truss supports cross over the ice surface, give the arena a low profile and cozy feel.  The four National Championship banners hang above the ice surface and 14 conference banners for both men’s and women’s hockey hang on the east wall.  Simple hockey scoreclocks are found at both the west and east walls. The gameday production at an Aigles Bleus game is fairly simple.  All of the announcements are in both french and english and Moncton uses the eagle screech sound effect liberally.  The PA system is not terrific and some announcements are difficult to hear.  A 50/50 draw is the highlight of promotions and Moncton’s mascot, Super Bleu, can be found interacting with the crowd during the game. Neighbourhood 3 Aréna Jean-Louis Lévesque is located at the west end of the campus of Université de Moncton in the Sunny Brae neighbourhood of the city.  There are a few spots for pre or post game food and drink that are not too far, but will require a ride in the car.  Tony’s Bistro, Hynes Restaurant, The Sunshine Restaurant and Mark10 Taproom are good choices.  The main sporting option in Moncton is the Wildcats  of the QMJHL, who play downtown in the Avenir Centre. Other tourist options in Moncton include Riverfront Park, Resurgo Place, Musée Acadien, and the Moncton Highland Games.  Fans who wish to stay near campus can choose the Holiday Inn. Fans 4 USports hockey fans can be a bit difficult to assess as the AUS, and other conferences, do not congregate attendance statistics.  That being said, Moncton enjoys strong support.  At the time of writing, the Aigles Bleus averaged 800 fans per game, which ranked 3rd in AUS.  In the previous season, 2023-2024, Moncton attracted over 670 fans per game, which ranked 4th in the conference.  The game that was reviewed was the 2025 senior game and there were nearly 900 fans in attendance.  UdeM fans are loud and proud and very much into the game .   Access 3 Aréna Jean-Louis Lévesque is located at the west end of the campus of Université de Moncton in the Sunny Brae neighbourhood of Moncton.  It is on the south side of Université Avenue, which serves as the southern border of campus.  It is immediately north of NB-15 and 3 km south of the Trans-Canada Highway, so getting to campus is very easy.  There is plenty of free parking at the arena on gameday.  For fans wishing to take public transit to the game, there are buses that run on Université Avenue.  Fans should consult the Codiac Transpo website for maps, fares and schedules. The arena is definitely on the older side and getting around is not as easy as other modern arenas.  The seating offers limited legroom, which is not consistent from row to row.  Also, fans should take heed in selecting a seat to avoid obstructed views from the support posts.  Selecting seats in row F or lower will probably work.  Washrooms in Aréna Jean-Louis Lévesque are also small. Return on Investment 5 There is tremendous value in a Moncton Aigles Bleus hockey game.  Moncton tickets start at $14 for adults with discounts for seniors and kids.  UdeM students and kids under 6 are free.  AIgles Bleus seats are reserved, which is not common for USports hockey, so pre-purchasing seats online might be the best idea.  Parking for the Aigles Bleus is free and concession prices are good.  The product on the ice is solid and it is found in a very supportive atmosphere with a significant crowd.  Put that all together and it equals an excellent return on investment. Extras 3 An extra mark for Université de Moncton as a fully francophone university, the only one in Canada outside of Québec. An extra mark for the success the Moncton Aigles Bleus have enjoyed. An extra mark for the local Acadian flavour found at an Aigles Bleus game. Final Thoughts When in the Maritimes, taking in a Moncton Aigles Bleus game may be the best mix of sports and Acadian culture that can be found.  Aréna Jean-Louis Lévesque offers a unique atmosphere in a building that is full of Acadian flavour.  Le Nid des Aigles Bleus is definitely worth checking out. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.