A few years ago, I wrote an article on this site about a ballpark in Thetford Mines, Quebec , that was once part of Autostade in Montreal. It was quite a discovery for me since I thought the former home of the Montreal Alouettes was demolished right around the time of my birth, but little did I know that parts of it were still in play a few kilometers to the north in the mining town. As with many things, my curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to dig deeper into the stadium’s origins. I soon realized that it was never really intended to be a professional sports stadium, but just happened to become one based on what was happening in the city at the time. During its ten years of usage, and loathing, by almost everyone who took in a game at the stadium, it was home to pro sports clubs: Canadian Football League, North American Soccer League, Continental Football League. and when the National League expanded to Montreal, the ill-conceived home of the Montreal Expos. The Allouettes had hoped to have a stadium built in Ville D'Anjou by the 1965 CFL season At the time, Montreal did not have a proper football stadium. McGill Stadium was built in 1915 and is not the same venue today. Delorimier Stadium was in a residential area and was unable to be expanded. In 1963, the Als announced they would build a new 40,000-seat stadium in time for the 1965 CFL season. The stadium would be located in Ville d'Anjou, offer parking space for 10,000 cars, a practice field outside its exterior, and feature a three-tier press box. It could be expanded to 60,000 and completed in three phases that would end with a $5,000 domed roof. Unfortunately, the plans fell through soon after the announcement. However, a new stadium for Expo 67 was in the planning stages. Construction began on January 28, 1966, and the major selling point was that it would be portable if it ever had to be relocated to another part of town. The 25,000-seat venue cost $3.2 million and was built at the Point St. Charles Waterfront in Montreal. It was built expressly for Expo 67 and used during the six months of Expo 67 for military events, circuses, horse shows, and international soccer. Autostade Managing Director Dave Dauphinee was optimistic about the stadium's future after the Expo's events in a statement in the Montreal Gazette after its completion. “It’s an idea setting for an all-round sports centre. It has unlimited possible parking facilities in the area, including ample spaces under the Bonaventure thruway. The field itself is an excellent one. The stadium complex has every conceivable ultra-modern facility to handle big crowds.” Autostade opened for business with a Montreal Beavers loss to former Als head coach Perry Moss's Orlando Panthers The Montreal Beavers of the Continental Football League were its first main tenants. The minor league operation had been based in Ft. Wayne the season before but relocated for the 1966 season. The Beavers inaugurated Autostade with a crowd of 10, 800 in a 49-27 defeat to the Orlando Predators. However, there were ominous signs of things to come in that first game. Kick-off was delayed by 20 minutes after the main fuse blew three hours before the game and knocked out the lights in the stadium. Fans complained that they had trouble finding their cars after the game in the unpaved, unlighted, and unmarked lots surrounding the venue. The rest of the season crowds between 4,000 to 11,000 were the norm for Beavers games. Even with respectable crowds at the stadium, it was still at best one-third full. The wind whipped fans from the nearby St. Lawrence River, a harbinger of things to come with style and comfort. The Beavers were forced out of the stadium for Expo 67 and relocated to a 10,000-seat stadium in the suburb of Verdun before quietly folding after its second season. The Beavers did leave a legacy and one that is most likely ignored by football historians; they were the first pro football team to utilize the slingshot field goalpost. The revolutionary field goal posts were different from the standard H-shape posts of the time, and in just a few short years, a majority of football stadiums adopted the single-post field goal. It was invented in Montreal by Joe Rottman, a retired magazine distributor, and part-time inventor. He came up with the concept of what newspapers called at the time a “tuning-fork design” during lunch with Alouettes head coach Jim Trimble and Jack Rabinovich, the originator of skateboards in Canada. Rottman was so upset that he couldn’t get a word in between the two men about skateboarding that he held up his fork, bent it, and asked them if they ever heard of a one-legged goalpost. The slingshot-stye goal post made its debut at Autostade, and by the following year it was in every NFL stadium in the United States He then began work on his concept and displayed it at Autostade. A set of posts cost $2,200 and were custom-made, and Rottman and Trimble both saw the potential of 38,000 colleges and high schools in the United States and 3,000 schools in Canada adopting their invention. Autostade also featured Xenon lamp lights, the first of its kind, in North America. A few newspaper reporters added that the lighting was so natural that it was almost daylight. However, those lights would be looked upon a lot differently a few years later when meager crowds braved the cold and chilly nights for football and soccer games. The first CFL game played at the stadium with the tuning-fork field goalpost took place on November 19, 1966, between the Ottawa Rough Riders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals. Renovations on the North Side stands, and the construction of the Civic Centre (now known as TD Place Arena) prevented the game from being played at the Riders home at Lansdowne Park. The field had to be adjusted from the American version to the Canadian version. The sidelines left about 7 feet between the grass turf and the hard-surface track. The players and field crew were pushed back on the track along with placing down coconut matting next to the turf boundaries to help guard against injuries. The first CFL game at Autostade was a playoff game between the Rough Riders and Tiger-Cats in 1966. An estimated 14,000 fans made the trip to Montreal with rail service departing the Canadian capital at 8:45 am and returning at 6 pm; a crowd of 20,000 plus witnessed the game creating a Grey Cup vibe a week before the big game in Vancouver. The Riders mauled the Cats 42-16 to win the aggregate series 72-17. The crowd control was described as disgraceful and inexcusable during the playoff game. It was reported that fans flocked to the field in the second half, and spectators who remained in the stands threw bottles from the stands delaying the game several times. All balls kicked into the end zone were gobbled up as souvenirs by fans wrestling with one another for the ultimate prize. A few more engaged in fisticuffs with players with reports of shoving, arguing, and running onto the field during the final quarter of play, chasing loose balls, and attempting to climb the goalpost. There was one report of Hamilton’s Angelo Mosca knocking a fan onto the ground with his helmet after being punched on his chin by an unruly customer. Ottawa GM Red O’Quinn said Montreal police refused to enter the stadium to police the games. The next year Expo 67 opened and attracted millions of people from all over the world. The world exhibition commemorated the country’s centennial birthday with hundreds of exhibits on display, Autostade became the venue to host a myriad of events from international soccer to horse shows. Six countries took part in a round-robin soccer tournament from May 31 to June 11 that was sanctioned by FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association featuring the Soviet Union, England, Czechoslovakia, Italy, West Germany, and Canada. The national teams were split into divisions of three in a double-elimination format that capped off with England defeating West Germany in the final in front of 20,653 people. A total of 652,344 people took in a variety of events that included a two-night track and field meet, a three-day lacrosse tournament, the Ringling Brothers circus, the Canadian Armed Forces tattoo, the Maurice Chevalier’s Flying Colors show, the Gendarmerie Francaise, the Wild Horse Spectacular, and the Great Western Rodeo. When the National League expanded to Montreal in May of 1968, it was Autostade that was slated to become the temporary home of the baseball club. The initial plan was to increase the capacity to 35,000 and cover it with a roof for $3 million. The dimensions would be 330 feet to the left and right field and 410 to centerfield. Being that the stands were removable, the conversion of the football field to a baseball stadium would seem very logical at the time until a permanent dome stadium would be ready in 1971. “The only thing that worries me right now is giving people a good ballpark. Fans will have to rough it at Autostade before the other park is ready, but this is a good baseball town.” This could have been the baseball dimensions for the Montreal Expos inaugural season in 1969. That changed when NL president Warren Giles visited the stadium in July of 1968 and deemed it unsuitable for baseball. The cost of the roof now ballooned to $7 million. That prompted a four-hour meeting between the mayor, sponsors, city officials, and baseball executives to upgrade Jarry Park from a 3,000-seat venue used for local baseball leagues to a 33,000-seat venue that would now be the home for the baseball club in 1969. The switch in venues ended Autostade’s brief run as a major league venue. A similar position would take place six years later when there was a chance that it would have to substitute as the main stadium for the upcoming Summer Games due to a province-wide strike of 1,200 ironworkers that began in November 1974. The strike forced the shutdown of the $380 million Olympic Stadium; if it was not completed on time, sections of Autostade would be relocated near its site which would include a second deck to increase the capacity to 55,000. The strike ended in May 1975, and construction resumed on Olympic Stadium. After the Expo had concluded, the Montreal Alouettes moved from Molson Stadium downtown to the new facility in 1968. Management thought that the lack of parking space at McGill was to blame for the sparse crowds. The club also relocated ticket offices, executive offices, and practice facilities to the two-year-old stadium. However, it soon became clear that the new venue had its red flags. Workers did not have much time to prepare the field for the game; the goalposts were inverted by the groundskeeper, who was from Europe and unfamiliar with gridiron football. Assistant Coach Ralph Goldston quipped: “As if we didn’t have enough trouble kicking field goals last year.” Als head coach Kay Dalton felt that they would fill the stadium once the team began winning, adding that “in Montreal, it’s what’s up on the scoreboard that counts, you’ve got to win faster here.” However, there were other concerns about the new stadium that would put a black cloud over it for the rest of its existence. The local newspaper columnists and reporters described it as being “a dark, dismal concrete cavern” and “damp and dark.” The conditions of the dormitories and tunnels resulted in one player walking out over the conditions at the stadium. Dalton thought the lighting hurt his players finding the ball on passes. Autostade featured large gaps between each seating section The practice field was much worse with potholes littering the grounds that caused injuries to two of the Larks star wide receivers. “You could shoot ducks off it any day you care, too,” added Dalton. There was also the mighty wind of the St. Lawrence River that would snap up balls in the air and send them into the water. A crowd of 27,214 took in a game against the Toronto Argonauts that was the largest in club history. However, the Alouettes would average 18,000 per game during the 1968 season; the following season, average attendance fell to 12,169. It was becoming evident that Autostade was a highly unfavorable facility for football at a time when the team compiled a 5-19-4 record over two seasons at Autostade. The crowd was much better during the 1969 Grey Cup between Ottawa and Saskatchewan. A total of 400 police officers marched around the playing surface with three-foot-long billies and wearing hard hats for crowd control. The influx of police officers was due to concerns about ongoing FLQ separatist terrorist bombing activities in Quebec and to secure the protection of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who was in attendance. The 33,172 fans taking in the game went off without notice. It was the largest crowd for a sporting event in Montreal history at the time. The championship game netted over $400,000 in ticket sales money, the first Grey Cup to reach this mark. Attendance did improve to 24,191 during the Larks 1970 Grey Cup-winning season, but quickly tumbled the following season, prompting an announcement that the club was moving back to McGill University for the 1972 season, citing that the “windswept waterfront stadium had been disappointing in terms of attendance, season ticket sales, and sightlines.” Attendance for the first four years at Autostade was much lower than expected. The move back to the smaller Molson Stadium (20,000) would be offset by adding seating to the track around the field and bumping up ticket prices. The belief was that fans would pay more for better seating to watch a CFL game. The stadium could also be expanded to 26,000 if needed. During this time, Als’ owner Sam Berger purchased a club for the North American Soccer League in hopes of bringing in additional revenue. The Montreal Olympique operated at Autostade for the 1971 season to disappointing crowds before relocating to the smaller University of Montreal Stadium the next season. The team would cease operations after three years after being unable to secure a suitable venue in town. The Allouettes return to McGill in 1972 proved to be a disaster for Berger and his wallet Berger was paying for rent, taxes, and maintenance at the “architectural monstrosity” and then had to rent out another football field. Berger had gambled that he would have complete control of the stadium and reap money from other events from concerts to sporting events. A three-year deal was set to play at the McGill with the hopes of Olympic Stadium being ready for the 1975 season that Berger believed would set up a trial run for the 1976 Summer Olympics. The plan backfired, average attendance fell to a meager 14,224 fans per game at McGill, resulting in the club returning to Autostade the following season. The Als would win the Grey Cup in 1974 and lose a heartbreaker 9-8 the next year in the championship game on a missed field goal in the closing seconds. By 1975, construction had begun on the new Olympic Stadium, and all eyes were focused on when it would be ready for football. The difference between the two venues was night and day and helped usher in a few years of record crowds, not just for the team but for the league. Berger couldn’t wait to get out of the Autostade that he switched dates with the Ottawa Rough Riders to ensure a meeting would take place at Olympic Stadium, a crowd of 50,000 would be on hand for that contest. Berger might have thought he was dreaming when he looked at the packed stands in the ultra-modern stadium. The last game held at Autostade was a 28-0, trouncing of the Argos in front of 20,444 spectators on September 5, 1976. Three weeks later, the Larks beat the Riders 23-2 at Olympic Stadium in front of 68,505 people, a record crowd for the league at the time. The top four crowds in CFL history took place at Olympic Stadium during its first four seasons and would culminate with 69,093 for a game on September 6, 1977, against Toronto. The 1977 Grey Cup established a still-standing record of 68,318. Montreal was in love with its football team again and finally had its modern stadium A record crowd enjoys a Thetford Blue Sox game on Canada Day in 2015. The old stands don't look much different. Autostade would quietly be dismantled from the Montreal landscape with its parts transferred to other cities in the province. A total of five sections would be relocated to Thedford and repurposed as a baseball stadium, and four more sections moved to the city of Hull, now Gatineau, for a planned baseball stadium at Mont-Bleu High School. However, it appears that the latter never occurred. Former Als and NFL Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy reflected on the difficulty of selling tickets to football games during his time with the club (1973-1977) in his autobiography Marv Levy: Where Else Would You Rather Be? "The stands were low and far removed from the playing field. Traffic around the stadium, where several freeways met and tangled, was heavy and chaotic. The parking lots were ill-lighted, unmarked, and filled with deep, jagged potholes. The walkways were damp and slippery. Autostade sat in a soot-covered field, devoid of landscaping or vegetation, with no structures on any side to deflect the icy, knifing winds that attacked during Quebec's early arriving winters. Try selling tickets to that show!" It can be concluded that it was never meant to be a permanent fixture of professional sports, but more of a temporary home at a time when a lot was happening in Montreal: Expo 67, Major League expansion, the re-emergence of the Alouettes, and even the 1976 Olympic Games all laid claim to the funky, mod stadium nobody liked. Autostade was indeed an accidental football stadium. ---- Follow Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel .

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Reed Green Coliseum 112 M. K. Turk Circle Hattiesburg, MS 39406 Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles website Reed Green Coliseum website Year Opened: 1965 Capacity: 8,095 The Eagle's Nest at the Yurt In the Hub City of Hattiesburg lies the University of Southern Mississippi. The men’s basketball team here has experienced some success on the hardwood since their first season in 1912-13, including appearing in the NAIA National Tournament four times in the 1950s, as well as appearing in three NCAA Tournaments (1990, 1991, and 2012). In 2022 a new era began for Southern Miss athletics as they joined the Sun Belt Conference, after competing in Conference USA for 27 seasons, winning one C-USA Championship. In their first year in the Sun Belt the Golden Eagles would take the conference by storm, winning the Sun Belt Conference regular season title, but the Golden Eagles would experience their most success as members of the Metro Conference from 1982-1995, with their biggest feat winning the 1987 NIT Championship. Since 1965 the Golden Eagles have competed on campus at Reed Green Coliseum. The building is named after long-time Southern Miss Athletic Director and three-sport coach Reed Green, but the arena is known by Golden Eagle faithful as ‘The Yurt’. It is small, yet all the seats are close to the action, and there is not a bad view from anywhere in the building.   Food & Beverage   3 The Yurt has two permanent concessions stands, both located on the same side at the north entrance. The aptly named Eagles Bites stand features reasonable prices but a small menu – hamburgers or sausage dogs ($7), hot dogs, nachos, or boiled peanuts ($5), and candy ($3) are your options. You can also order a hot dog, hamburger, or sausage combo that comes with a Southern Miss souvenir cup for $10. For beverages, Coca-Cola is the official provider with 22 oz drinks costing $5, or you can get the souvenir cup for $7. If you purchase the souvenir cup you will get $1 refills throughout the game. Reed Green Coliseum also has a side stand located off in a corridor on the east side of the building, called Black and Gold, which sells pulled pork or brisket sandwiches for $5, popcorn for $3, and a few other items. Alcohol is available at all three stands here, with 16 oz domestic cans selling for $5 (Miller, Coors, and Michelob Ultra) while premium cans are $7. Southern Miss also partners with the local Southern Prohibition Brewery which serves their signature Gold Rush beer – this beer is available for $8 and features a black and gold can with the Southern Miss logo, and when shown under the light you can see a hologram of the M. M. Roberts Stadium , home of Southern Miss football.      Atmosphere   3 Yurt is Turkish for "tent-like cover”, and as it turns out the first thing you notice upon entering Reed Green Coliseum from the outside is its large tin dome-shaped roof. In addition, they recently re-did the lighting system so the roof of the building stands out instantly, explaining the nickname. The coliseum goes by several other nicknames as well, such as Green House and NITChampsburg, honoring the 1987 NIT Champions. Upon entering the arena you’ll see that all the seats are built below ground level – all 8,095 seats are located on one level, so there is not a bad view from anywhere in the building. You enter along the concourse and walk down to your seat; the main entrance is on the north side of Reed Green Coliseum, but you can enter the building from wherever, as there are doors on all sides of the building with ushers present. The arena has one wraparound concourse with views of the court from everywhere you walk except for the concessions area. The seating bowl features about 25 rows of seats; over half the seats are wooden bench seating, while the black and gold chairback seats are located on the north side of the facility in five black and gold alternating sections. The Golden Eagles have only made three NCAA Tournament appearances, not winning any of those tournaments, but you wouldn’t be able to tell it here. Just walking around Reed Green Coliseum you can tell the Athletic Department takes great pride in the history of the men’s and women’s basketball programs. Along the concourse is a trophy case with trophies dating back to the Metro Conference days, and both the men’s and women’s teams have banners that wrap all around the ceiling of the building – the main banner that stands out is the 1987 NIT Champions banner on the south side of the arena. The Yurt also recently installed two video boards in the end courts and they take advantage of this by frequently playing videos and replays on the video boards. The court faces east and west with the student section located on the west end court.   The court is also illuminated well, with the state of Mississippi painted at center court and the Golden Eagles logo located where Hattiesburg is in relation to the rest of the state.   Neighborhood   3 Hattiesburg (aka The Burg) is a decent-sized city of about 50,000 people, so it has everything you could want in a city, but still retains that college town feel. The Burg has a wide selection of bars and restaurants, but unlike most college towns they are not located near each other – instead they are spread out throughout the city. A cool little spot nearby to check out is the Long Leaf Trace; what was once a railroad is now a paved trail that runs right through campus. It is possible to get on the Trace and ride a bike into the city. A couple of places within walking distance to campus from the Trace are places like Patio 44, Brewsky's, and 4th Street Bar – if you are looking for vintage Southern Miss memorabilia then 4th Street Bar is your place. Another popular spot on the Trace about a half mile away from campus is Colludium Brewing Company, Hattiesburg's newest brewery. Colludium has a nice outdoor patio overlooking the Trace, and makes for a great spot to have a beer before the game. Closer to downtown you'll find popular spots like Keg & Barrel, The Porter, Hattiesburger, Fairley Wings, and Nostalgia. As a southern city, Hattiesburg has its fair share of restaurants centered on the local fare; popular spots include Crescent City Grill, Brass Hat, Midtown, Chesterfields, Ed's Burger Joint, Stricks, and Murky Waters BBQ. There is also plenty to for all ages – for families there's the Hattiesburg Zoo and Serenghetti Springs Water Park. Downtown also features the popular Pocket Museum, Mississippi's tiniest museum; located in an alleyway downtown, the popular museum has a different theme each month (we can't tell you where the alley is because part of the charm of the Pocket Museum is being able to find it). For shopping there are plenty of chain stores as well as Turtle Creek Mall, while another popular spot is the Lucky Rabbit – located downtown, Lucky Rabbit is a two-story vintage thrift store with tons of antiques and local Southern Miss memorabilia. Or if you are into the outdoors, in addition to Long Leaf Trace there is Paul B. Johnson State Park, just south of Hattiesburg and an excellent spot for camping. In addition, another popular pastime is rafting down the Okatoma River that runs right through Hattiesburg, all the way to the Coast.    Fans   4 It is a new era for Southern Miss basketball since joining the Sun Belt Conference in 2022 – the once lowly basketball program has experienced a great turnaround over the past two years. In their first year in the conference the Golden Eagles unexpectedly won the Sun Belt Conference regular season, and there's been a certain buzz in the air in Hattiesburg about Southern Miss hoops ever since; fans are now returning to the Yurt for the first time in years. The Golden Eagles are averaging 4,000 fans per home game this season, compared to 3,700 fans per game last year, including the largest crowd in Southern Miss basketball history ever, with over 8,000 fans attending the game. Reed Green Coliseum has also turned into a tough place to play for visiting teams; last year Southern Miss team went undefeated at home with a record of 15-0. When school is in session games here have a big turnout from the students as well, although during Christmas break games there are not a lot of students. The band also doesn't attend certain games when school isn't going on either, but when the students show up it can be a pretty loud and intimidating place to play. The Golden Eagles also do a good job keeping fans engaged, with many contests and giveaways during timeouts and during halftime. The staff also has a lot of promotions on the court where they give away gift cards, as well as have free throw contests, three-point contests, and a putting game where you can sign up to win prizes. Seymour, the Golden Eagle mascot, is there in full force as well, interacting with fans and kids. The school president Joe Paul is a constant presence at games too, and can often be found mingling with students or walking up and down the aisles shaking fans’ hands. When Dr. Paul walks out the fans scream his name and cheer, something I've never seen a fanbase do for a school president.   Access   4 You will not miss the campus when coming into town, as the campus is located right on the corner of Highway 49 and Hardy Street, the two main roads through the city. Interstate 55 runs to Hardy Street on the west side of town, so you could use that exit as well, but traffic might be backed up on Hardy Street. Reed Green Coliseum is on the back side of campus at the 4th Street entrance. There is plenty of parking right next to the venue, but this is reserved for season ticket holders and people who have chairback seat tickets. However, there are two free lots you can park and walk to the venue from – the Pride Field lot on the other side of the volleyball facility has plenty of parking, and Thad Cochran Center closer to the football stadium  has plenty of free parking as well. The Union also has a large metered parking lot right across from Pride Field. Once inside the building there is plenty of room to move around, and you can leave the venue and come back again, as the no re-entry rule is not enforced.   Return on Investment   3 Tickets for a Golden Eagles basketball game can be found for $11 in the wooden seat section, or $22 in the black and gold chairback seats. The atmosphere is laid back here for most games, though, so it is possible to move around and sit wherever you want. I would consider a trip to the Green House a great experience and one I recommend – it is a very cozy and intimate place to play without a bad view anywhere, so wherever you sit you are going to get great views of the court.   Extras   4 Southern Miss has had five players play in the NBA or ABA, including two players from the 1987 NIT Championship team (journeyman Joe Courtney and 1987 first-round pick Randolph Keys, who had a six-year NBA career). ABA champion and 2-time ABA all-star Wendell Ladner had a prominent career at Southern Miss in the late 1960s as well, but perhaps the program's best player was Clarence Weatherspoon, who played here from 1988-1992 and would follow it up with a 14-year career in the NBA – Weatherspoon and Ladner have banners hanging from the rafters at Reed Green Coliseum. Another extra for the area outside the Coliseum being named NITChampsburg Field. There is also a small gathering area, intramural fields, and a few disc golf baskets located near this area, which is located on the west side of the coliseum. Reed Green Coliseum is also the largest indoor multi-purpose venue in Hattiesburg, so has played host to some top acts such as Willie Nelson, Heart, Jimmy Buffett, the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, ZZ Top, Billy Joel, the Doobie Brothers, and WWE, all of whom have visited The Yurt over the years. The Southern Miss campus is also a nice campus to walk around before the game – giant oaks surround the beautiful Greek column buildings on campus. Some of my favorite sights on campus include the All-American Rose Garden and the giant eagle sculpture at the front entrance, or just walking or riding down the Long Leaf Trace. Lastly, the Hub at the center of campus is where Jimmy Buffett could be seen playing his guitar in between classes, as a student here in the late 1960s.   Final Thoughts The Southern Miss basketball program may not be the first thing that comes to mind when talking about college basketball in the State of Mississippi – with a program that has only made three NCAA Tournament appearances, the Golden Eagles are often a forgotten program, and sometimes take a back seat to the Southern Miss baseball program in terms of fan support, even in Hattiesburg. However, with its ample access, laid back atmosphere, great views, and cheap ticket prices, coming to a Southern Miss basketball game makes for a great experience; the program is on the rise and the best it's been in over 20 years. I highly recommend coming here to any basketball fan in Mississippi – after all, the Golden Eagles do have an NIT Championship on their resume, and that’s something its counterparts up the road in Starkville  and Oxford  have yet to accomplish. Southern Mississippi to the top!

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 University Stadium 1111 University Boulevard SE Albuquerque, NM 87131 New Mexico Lobos website University Stadium website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 39,224 This Way to Albuquerque! Editors Note: The venue name changed from DreamStyle Stadium to University Stadium in Sept 2020. Home of the New Mexico Lobos football team, DreamStyle Stadium opened in 1960, has a capacity of just over 39,000, and sits not quite a mile above sea level (a mere 5,100 feet). The previous stadium, Zimmerman, held only 16,000, and was demolished to make way for the expanding UNM campus. Attendance at DreamStyle Stadium has been on the upswing for the past decade, and Lobos football has boasted average attendance over 30,000 in each of the past four years. See a brief tour of the stadium here: Food & Beverage 5 DreamStyle Stadium’s concessions offer everything you could ask for and then some, including stadium basics, local fare, and even traditional fair food, such as fried Twinkies. So where to begin? The main stands on the east and west sides offer basics, such as burgers (three varieties, all served with chips), hot dogs, corn dogs, and brats, but you can find additional items on the plaza along the north side, including pizza, pulled pork, boneless and traditional wings, turkey legs, sausage sandwiches (with or without pulled pork), chicken tenders, and even Navajo tacos. These items range in price from $5 all the way to $12 for the largest items. However, if you are more into snacks and desserts, you will find traditional items such as nachos, cotton candy, popcorn, peanuts, pretzels, and glazed nuts, as well as more exotic fare such as ribbon fries, fry bread, fried Twinkies, fried Oreos, fried ice cream, dessert nachos, caramel apples, root beer floats, and even roasted corn-on-the-cob. These items will cost between $4 and $7. Drink options are not as numerous, but provide a good selection. Note that like many college venues, no alcohol is sold on-site. However, you will find coffee, hot cocoa, and cappuccino, as well as Pepsi products, Gatorade, bottled water, and fresh-squeezed lemonade (about $4 to $7 per item). Atmosphere 3 DreamStyle Stadium has a modern feel, with premium seating on the south side, and regular seating on the north, east, and west. All of the seats are metal bleachers except the premium seating, which are plastic bucket-style seats. The mountains provide a nice backdrop, and the scoreboard above the north end zone is large enough to be seen by all fans. The east side has some nice landscaping on each end, including a stepped garden complete with local vegetation. The experience at DreamStyle Stadium includes the normal amenities, such as fireworks and the cheer squad running around with flags after home team scores, as well as two mascots (male and female). The band also does some unique formations, such as forming the letters U-N-M. There are ramps all the way around the stadium, so you can take in the game from multiple vantage points. You will also see flags from all of the Mountain West schools above the east grandstand. Neighborhood 3 There are several good restaurants near DreamStyle Stadium, as well as some local attractions nearby (mostly of the outdoorsy type). Traditional fare in the area is, of course, Mexican, and there are plenty of these restaurants near the stadium, such as El Modelo or Pasion Latin Fusion. However, if you are looking for something less traditional, you might try Kellys Brew Pub on Central Ave. Kellys is located in a converted body shop, and features house brews and a large menu. The number one attraction in Albuquerque is the Sandia Peak Tramway, which takes you across canyons and other beautiful terrain, providing fantastic views of the local landscape. The Tram is generally open daily from 9 am to 8 pm, but is closed occasionally in the fall for maintenance, so be sure to check the schedule. Fans 3 Fans at New Mexico are loud and involved, and wear team colors, but won’t always fill the stadium, depending on how their team is doing, or if the weather is too cold or too windy. In recent years average attendance has been over 30,000, but the crowd tends to get smaller late in the year as the weather gets colder. And if the Lobos do not have a winning record, the attendance also tends to drop. You will hear a lot of howling during the game (recorded wolf songs played through the loudspeakers) – for example, before the game, or after big plays, or during opposing third downs. You will also hear the crowd, who stay loud throughout the game, and cheer (or boo) at the appropriate times. Access 4 Depending on where you are coming from, Albuquerque could be a long drive up a lonely road, but DreamStyle Stadium is very easy to find. The stadium is right off I-25, and there is plenty of parking right off the freeway, for about $10 per car. There are entrances all around the stadium, and the east, west, and south sides are all connected by a long pathway/ramp that goes all the way around, so no matter where you park, it should be easy to get to your seat. The concourse is easy to move around, and most of it faces the field, so you can easily see the game while you walk to and from your seat. There are plenty of bathrooms, which are all very spacious, and there are plenty of concession stands, so the lines are not too long. Return on Investment 4 Attending a Lobos game is a great value for the money – concessions are reasonable, depending on what items you purchase, and parking is fair. Ticket prices are also very reasonable – tickets for adults start at only $16 ($11 for fans aged 2-18), and do not vary by opponent, like at many football venues. Tickets cost $5 more on game day, however, so be sure to purchase in advance. Extras 3 The mountains provide a nice backdrop, and the stadium is very well laid out and easy to move around. There is also a lot of school color, and the presence of the state flag and Mountain West Conference flags add to the effect. Final Thoughts This is a great stadium to visit if you are in the area. Be sure to check out the Tramway while you are in town to truly experience the mountain scenery.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 The Mini Met Rice St S Jordan, MN 55352 Jordan Brewers website The Mini Met website Year Opened: 1935 Capacity: 1,000 The Mini Met Stands Tall in Minnesota The Mini Met in Jordan, Minnesota is considered one of the finest town ball ballparks in the state and one of the most unusual-looking baseball facilities in the country. The home of the Jordan Brewers (Class C) team of the River Valley League has been a fixture in the city since 1935. The ballpark’s configuration fits in tightly within the surrounding area. Interestingly, it was not originally meant to be a ballpark but evolved quite comfortably between a creek, a row of trees, train tracks, and a rocky cliff. There is even a steeple from St. John the Baptist church that pokes out from the brushes of trees beyond the outfield walls. The old wooden grandstand was initially designed for the Scott County Fairgrounds for musical acts and livestock reviews as a WPA project. The fair was held after the baseball season but both the carnival rides and food trucks were set up on the field causing damage to the soil. Thankfully, the fair was moved away from the grounds in 1973. The Mini Met has seen quite a few changes in its history, including enlarging the field and the relocation of the home plate from the left field corner to the right field corner after WWII, the addition of lights in 1955, and the inclusion of a manual scoreboard in the 1980s. Most recently, the wooden grandstand was deemed by city officials as structurally unfit, and over $83,000 was approved to repair the rotting structure. New wood supports were added and a fresh coat of “Met Green” paint was applied. The repairs ensured that high school, amateur, and American Legion baseball would continue to be played under its historic conditions. Speaking of its name, the term was coined by a visiting sportswriter in 1969 who compared the stadium to the Minnesota Twins Metropolitan Stadium nicknamed “The Met.” At the time the facility was known as Fairgrounds Park, but the new name stuck and the ballpark has been known as The Mini Met ever since. Coincidentally, the last game at the original Met was played in 1981. Food & Beverage 3 The concession prices average between $1 and $3. The hot dogs, candy, peanuts, chips, popcorn, and Klondike bars all sell for one buck. Pepsi products are served by the can and are also a dollar. Gatorade and sunflower seeds cost $1.50, while nachos are the most expensive food item at only $2.50. Mike’s Hard Lemonade is $3 and beer is $2.50. You certainly cannot complain about the concession prices at The Mini Met. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere at The Mini Met is pleasurably satisfying to the baseball senses, steeped in the tradition of fans and volunteers who have made it their home for almost 83 years. Many definite traits of the stadium make the town ballpark a true original. The 6 o’clock train honks its horn as it nears town and then chugs its way into view behind the outfield wall, pretty soon it appears to hover over the left field fence before disappearing down the track. It does not disrupt the play of the game and is a delightful treat for all visitors in attendance The manual scoreboard is another beautiful touch that has been a privilege to operate by many each summer. Volunteers take their turns perched up behind the right field wall to keep score of the game the old-fashioned way: tiles are moved around, innings posted, and hopefully more zeros on the board for the visitors. The area is a tight squeeze and a one-person job. The old grandstand boasting the color of “Met Green” has been restored to past glory and encompasses the third baseline; however, it seems rather a baron as most fans enjoy the game from the grassy knoll seating adjacent to the structure. It might be more comfortable on the grass, but there is plenty of legroom underneath the wooden roof and pillars of the grandstand. Many say that the stadium has one of the best diamonds in the state. The grass is cut each day and the mound is resurfaced after every game by volunteers who take pride in having one of the best-manicured lawns in baseball. Neighborhood 4 Historic downtown Jordan features buildings dating back to the 19th century. There are a few restaurants and bars within walking distance of the ballpark that are worth visiting. The Feed Mill Restaurant offers po’boys, salads, and barbecue options. The appetizers include fried gator bites and deep-fried banana pepper slices. Carasim Coffee Shop sells old-fashioned soda fountains, coffee, espressos, Italian sodas, and small sandwiches. Clancy’s Bar and Grill offers the robin nests appetizers (cheddar nuggets, mozzarella sticks, mini tacos, and onion rings) and potato and broccoli cheddar pepper poppers. Roets Brewery is the lone microbrewery in the small town serving stouts, pilsners, fruit beers, and pale ales A few miles south of Jordan is Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store which sells various old-time candies, regional delights, and over 100 brands of bottled root beer. If you are a root beer aficionado, then you have found nirvana. There is also a wide assortment of candies from around the world, homemade whoopie pies, and various other items that would make a dentist smile. Sand Creek Adventures is also close and home to a 1,700-foot zip line ride that hovers 100 feet high above the water, while there is a two-rope course down below for more outdoor fun. Fans 3 The majority of fans enjoy the game from the grassy knoll section of the stadium, while a few can be found underneath the wooden structure. The crowd is relaxed enjoying the game with friends and even a few dogs on leashes. It also doesn’t cost an extra buck or two to bring your pooch to the game. The majority of the fans enjoy a Brewers game from the comforts of their lawn chairs or blankets. Access 4 The city of Jordan is located 35 miles southwest of Minneapolis and accessible off of M-169 and the various other interstate and state roads that connect the Twin Cities. There are directions to the ballpark once you get into town and the stadium has one bathroom for men and women located at the stadium’s entrance. Return on Investment 3 The ticket prices are $3 and collected by volunteers as you approach the parking lot by car. The price of concession items ranges from $1-$3. It is an extremely affordable way to enjoy a baseball game in a unique setting that is pleasing to the baseball senses. Extras 3 One star for the hand-operated scoreboard in right field. Another star for the 6 o’clock train that runs in the back of the outfield and appears to hover over the ballpark. A final star for the many volunteers who put in hours of hard work manicuring the field, operating the scoreboard, working the concessions, and greeting customers at the main entrance. Final Thoughts The Mini Met is considered one of Minnesota’s premier amateur town ballparks and rightfully so; its history, design, and aesthetics create a charm that is both nostalgic and uncanny. Its nearby location to the Twin Cities also makes it an easy 30-minute drive and a must for any ballpark hunter or stadium traveler. A great way to spend a lazy summer evening is at the Mini Met. ______ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter  and his YouTube channe l. Email at marc.viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Barclays Center 620 Atlantic Ave New York, NY 11217 Brooklyn Nets website Barclays Center website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 17,732 Brooklyn’s in the House Barclays Center is still New York’s newest venue in the Big 5 Sports (including MLS) as it finishes its eighth season as the home of the Brooklyn Nets. Initially reviled by many fans, and later suffering through five seasons as an inappropriate hockey venue for the New York Islanders, the arena has seen its share of problems. But for the most part, the growing pains have stopped and Barclays Center has become a pretty good place to watch hoops. The addition of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will make it even better in 2020-21, assuming we have a season. Still, there are some outstanding issues but they can be mitigated if you know what to do, which you should after reading this review. The 17,732-seat entertainment facility christening took place November 1, 2012, against the Knicks in what was billed as the first game of a new crosstown rivalry. It marked the first time since the Brooklyn Dodgers left for Los Angeles after the 1957 season that the borough was home to a major professional sports team. It also returned the Nets franchise back to New York for the first time since the franchise left for New Jersey after the 1976-77 season. Given its incredibly accessible location on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn on top of nine subway lines and the Long Island Railroad, Barclays Center should be a good rival to Madison Square Garden as a premier New York entertainment venue. In the end, however, it doesn’t quite measure up. Food & Beverage 4 Barclays Center is committed to its Brooklyn location, and all concession stands have a special item from the Brooklyn Taste collection. Paisanos Burger has a Butcher Burger for $12, a Double Burger for $19, and a Beyond Burger for $17. Parm Famous Italian offers a Chicken Parm Hero for $16, the same price as a Meatball Marinara (3 meatballs made from a blend of veal, pork, and beef with marinara sauce), while an Italian Combo sandwich is $17. Brooklyn Taqueria has tacos for $15 or a taco salad for $17. Brooklyn Bangers and Dogs has a Beef Brisket Brat for $12, while a Spicy Asian Sausage is 50 cents more. A traditional all-beef hot dog is a ridiculous $10.50, but if you want another, it is only an additional $9. Nathan’s is the other hot dog concession, with their regular dog going for $9 ($15 for two), while a footlong is $12 and a bacon cheddar version $11. Fuku’s Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich is very popular despite its $15 price tag (add $4 for a side of fries), you can also get fingers and fries for $15. Coal Oven Pizza has 10-inch Margherita pies for $14, while an extra buck nets you some pepperoni on top. East Wind Snack Shop is somewhat misnamed as it offers wonton nachos for $10, and a variety of dumplings from $12-$14. Coca-Cola provides the soft drinks with a regular soda at $8 and a souvenir cup at $13. Various beers and other alcoholic beverages, including those featuring premium liquor, can be found around the concourse with prices generally around $14-$15. The main problem here, as with most sports venues in New York City, is price. It is tough to find a good value, which is why this category loses a point. I’d like to see a special of the game that allows regular attendees to try some of these items without blowing their paycheck for the week. There is also no designated driver program to allow fans to enjoy a free soda or popcorn. Atmosphere 4 Barclays Center has embraced a black and grey color scheme, which works well with the Nets, who use those as their primary colors. They have also embraced their Brooklyn home, and much of the game day presentation is used to strengthen the bond between the borough and the team. Fans call out “Brooklyn, Brooklyn” during breaks in the action, and local stars are featured in the Nets version of Celebrity Row. The promotions and entertainment are typical for an NBA venue and generally keep the fans occupied during breaks in the action. One problem with the arena is that lighting in some spots is quite weak, leading to the derisive nickname “Darklays Center” being used by local wags. The upper rows of the upper deck are where this is most pronounced, so if you want to read the free program that is given out, try to sit in the first few rows here or choose a lower bowl seat. Neighborhood 4 Located at the intersection of Atlantic and Flatbush, the arena is right in the heart of Brooklyn. There are so many bars and restaurants within five minutes that it is impossible to list them all here. I will say that the area along 5th Avenue is slightly less busy than that around Atlantic Terminal, with several pubs such as McMahon’s, The Montrose, and Alchemy. Uncle Barry’s is my go-to spot with a good happy hour that is perfectly suited to 7:30-weekday starts, though food is not available. No worries, though, you can grab a slice at Artichoke’s Basille Pizza across the street and bring it over to enjoy with your beer. Another advantage of pregaming here is that you are close to the Dean Street Entrance, which usually allows for quicker entry to the venue. Prospect Park is a few blocks south of the venue and worth a visit if you have the afternoon, with the Brooklyn Museum and Botanical Garden found near the northeast corner of the park. Both St. Francis Brooklyn and LIU Brooklyn are within walking distance and sometimes you can see a college sporting event at either the Generoso Pope Athletic Complex or Steinberg Wellness Center before heading over to the Nets. Unfortunately, the area is still somewhat unsafe, with a murder being committed across the street in the early evening in September 2017, and an earlier incident that year seeing a man randomly firing into passers-by in broad daylight. As always in NYC, be aware of your surroundings. Fans 3 The fans have started to show up more as the Nets have climbed the standings, sending prices for one of their 2019 playoff games into triple digits. Having attended several games over the years, I find the fans here to be a mixed bag of true fans, frat boy idiots, and (ugh) corporate types. There are a few tourists, but not as many as plague Madison Square Garden for the Knicks. Generally, crowds are into the game and cheer at the right times, but need to be more fully present at all games to see an uptick in this category. Access 3 Reaching Barclays Center is easy from Manhattan with several subway lines passing through the Atlantic Avenue/Barclays Center station, which is also the terminus for some Long Island Rail Road trains. But the ease ends once you approach the main entrance. A series of offenses forces fans past a security official who confirms that each fan has a ticket, and then you line up at security, which is possibly the worst in professional sports. Bags are thoroughly searched for contraband such as water or snacks, leading to long waits. A no bags line would be a good addition. Avoid the main entrance if you can and use the Dean Street entrance to save ten minutes, or get there very early before the latecomers start to clog things up. At no point should you consider driving to the Barclays Center, as traffic can be tough and parking expensive. Inside, the lower concourse is wide enough, but the upper concourse can get very crowded before and after the game, as well as at halftime. Similarly, queues are seen at most concession stands and restrooms during the break, so take care of your business before the game or sneak out during the action to save a bit of time. It is also difficult to enter the lower bowl for pictures, as ushers believe that everybody is trying to scam the system. The venue has received a lot of criticism over the years for their treatment of fans, and although things have improved in that regard lately, full access of the seating bowl before the game is generally not permitted. After the game, there will be a crowd at the top of the stairs returning to the subway as fans are funnelled to the staircase, but it moves quickly enough and most trains are not that crowded once you get on the platform. Return on Investment 4 The Nets have very dynamic pricing, charging a lot for top teams and relatively little for less popular opponents. The secondary market is often the best place to look for a last-minute ticket, where deals can be found. The Nets are an entertaining team these days and are fun to watch, especially when compared to their crosstown rivals. When their two new stars begin to play next season however, look for tickets to go up significantly. Extras 4 The Oculus above the main entrance with its LCD screen is quite impressive and unique in stadium design. Look for it if you are approaching LaGuardia Airport over Brooklyn. The Ebbets Field flagpole at the corner of Atlantic and Flatbush is a testament to Brooklyn’s past. The series of photos around the concourse commemorating the Black Fives is worth your time. The large mural dubbed Diary of Brooklyn by painter Jose Paris is missed by most fans but can be seen at the Dean Street entrance, another reason to use this. There is a Bed Stuy jersey on the concourse celebrating one of the many neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Final Thoughts With the Islanders disaster finally behind it, Barclays Center can return to being a basketball venue. Although not perfect in any of our Fanfare categories, it does work well in most, and I believe that management is striving to improve the game day experience. To summarize for first-time visitors, you should avoid the long security lines (use the Dean Street entrance), the dark seats (avoid the last few rows in the upper deck), and expensive food (eat beforehand or grab a pretzel). If the Nets continue to improve and management changes just a few things to upgrade the fan experience for the average attendee, Barclays Center has the potential to be a much better NBA destination than MSG and the horrid Knicks for years to come.

Photos by Robbie Raskin, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Coca-Cola Coliseum 45 Manitoba Dr Toronto, ON M6K 3C3 Canada Toronto Marlies website Coca-Cola Coliseum website Year Opened: 1921 Capacity: 7,851 After a century, the Coliseum has never looked better The economics of hockey mean that all too few historic arenas remain active, with clubs of all levels moving into modern new homes and old ‘barns’ left to the past. Unlike outdoor stadiums, indoor arenas often can’t be expanded and professional clubs tend to simply build new ones when they’re ready. Thank heaven the Toronto Marlies took a different approach. The Marlies have a storied history stretching back to the late-1800s, when the Toronto Marlborough Athletic Club was formed, with the patronage of the Dukes of Marlborough, an English noble family. Fascinatingly, the hockey club won the Stanley Cup in 1902, back when that iconic trophy was awarded to the champions of the Ontario Hockey Association. By 1927, legendary Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe purchased the team, recognising the need to develop young players ‘in house.’ Over the years, the team moved through different leagues, locations, and names, finally ending up in St. John’s, Newfoundland. In 2005, the Leafs brought the club back home to Toronto (though the Leafs’ relationship with St. John’s has continued at the ECHL level). Upon their return, the team regained the original identity bestowed upon them by the Dukes of Marlborough, but under the shortened ‘Marlies’ moniker (likely to avoid association with the Marlboro cigarette brand). As a development team owned by the immensely wealthy Maple Leafs, when the Marlies needed a new home they chose to resurrect a classic arena, applying a world class renovation to the historic Coliseum of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. When opened in 1921, the Coliseum was the largest building of its type in the world, primarily used for equestrian events and athletics. By the 1960s, renovations had covered up historic facades and the iconic copper-domed towers at the ends of the arena with grey siding. In the 1990’s this unfortunate modern facelift was removed as the arena was incorporated into a modern convention and events venue. Finally, in 2002, the arena was rebuilt top-to-bottom to restore its classic design, increase capacity, and incorporate the hockey rink. Matching the long history of the hockey team, the arena combines charm with the best of modern luxuries,. Now celebrating the beginning of its second century, the Coliseum has grown into one of the finest small arenas in the world. Food & Beverage 5 In many ways, the Coliseum is a miniature version of the Leafs’ Scotiabank Arena nearby, and one of the clearest examples of this is through AHL-leading concessions. The staples of pizza, sausage, Tim Hortons, and sweets are present, with a pizza slice going for $5.50. The more unique items are where Coca-Cola Coliseum excels, including freshly shaved corned beef at The Deli as well as gourmet burgers at St. Patties (paying homage to the Toronto St. Pats, forebears of the Maple Leafs). A very popular choice is poutine from Smoke’s, with long lineups during intermissions. If you’d rather spend the intermission with a cold one, there is a Molson Canadian ‘Hockey House’ pub, cheekily named Lord Stanley’s Mug. Here, standup tables and TVs, along with murals of frozen ponds provide a nice respite from the bustling concourse. In terms of drink pricing, ‘medium’ Molson Canadian pours go for $10, with a full pint for $14. The slightly elevated option, pub staple Rickards, is fifty cents more. Caesars go for $9.75 and Strongbow cider for $10.25. Vodka coolers, wine, and mixed drinks vary from $8.50 to $15. Non-alcoholic drinks are, of course, from Coca-Cola. All told, concessions aren’t particularly cheap, but they are absolutely top-notch in quality and choice. Atmosphere 5 Here is where, more than anywhere else, Coca-Cola Coliseum leaves an impression. At 100 years old, the arena oozes history, and the architectural details have been restored with obvious care. At the same time, fans can enjoy a slick, modern feel that beats most other AHL arenas. Approaching from the outside, the most visible element of the Coliseum is its twin, copper-topped cupola towers and gorgeous brown brick. Fans enter from a modern plaza at the south end of the rink, through a monumental doorway and into a wide concourse ringed with old photos, primarily of the Maple Leafs. The concourse makes a U-shape, but is supplemented by full rings above and in the middle of the seating bowl. Throughout, there are TVs showing the broadcast, with the commentary piped in so fans won’t miss a thing if they leave their seats. Inside the bowl, attractive seats in blue and silver are surmounted by a top-notch video scoreboard – the former NHL scoreboard used by the Maple Leafs. The crisp displays are used to excellent effect with classy and professional presentation, and no gimmickry or gratuitous advertising. At the north end of the bowl, dark curtains are the backdrop to three banners, including the 2018 Calder Cup championship won by the Marlies. The one drawback is that these curtains cover an historic arched window which, though beautiful, caused glare issues on the ice. The showstopper for the Marlies is a ring of names atop the seating bowl showing every Marlborough who has ‘graduated’ to the Maple Leafs, organised through the years. There are plenty of Hall of Famers on that ring, and its worth coming early to take in the history. One result of the arena’s history is the unique walk Marlies’ players take from their bench to change room. It involves a segment of the concourse being briefly roped off so the players can pass across it, to the delight of young fans who reach out for a first bump from the players. Also for young fans, Marlies Alley is a family-friendly area off the concourse with interactive games, open before puckdrop. Finally, Duke the Dog (named in homage to the Dukes of Marlborough), is extremely active and is a common sight in the community as well as on matchdays. It should be noted that there are no home games for two weeks each November. During this stretch, the arena reverts to its historic role as a riding ring for the Royal Winter Fair. And fascinatingly, the arena also closes to hockey for a week in January; the rink is flooded and becomes an artificial lake for the Toronto Boat Show. This is a sight that must be seen to be believed! Neighbourhood 4 Coca-Cola Coliseum is located on the Exhibition Grounds, immediately to the west of Toronto’s downtown neighbourhoods. The immediate vicinity is mostly large buildings for special events during the Canadian National Exhibition, Royal Winter Fair, and other events. For sporting fans, BMO Field is just across the street, home to Toronto FC and the CFL’s Argonauts . Aside from this venue, much of the area is closed off for construction, as a revitalisation campaign has taken over the Ex and the neighbouring Ontario Place theme park. Still, there are fantastic neighbourhoods within easy walking distance. Immediately north, Liberty Village is known for its pubs, frequented by soccer, football, and rugby (Wolfpack and Arrows) fans. To the east is the Harbourfront; glorious in warm weather though it can be windswept during most of the hockey season. During the depths of winter, brave the cold and skate on one of the many artificial rinks along the lake, or better yet on the lake itself. If you’re walking along the Harbourfront, be sure to pass under the grandiose Princes’ Gates to enter the Exhibition Grounds. Fans 4 In the years before Covid, the Marlies drew in the top quartile of the AHL, and the fans have begun to come back as restrictions ease in Ontario. Though the Marlies have been successful at the gate, you can’t help but feel there is room for improvement. Despite infamously grotesque ticket prices, the Leafs have sold out virtually every match they’ve played since World War Two. And though the Marlies are often overshadowed in the media by their big brothers, the affordability of tickets here mean they should also be selling out nightly. That’s not to say they don’t have strong support. A largely young audience, with plenty of hockey teams and school groups, means the volume of the arena is often deafening. You tend not to hear creative insults hurled at opponents, witty chants, or knowledgeable opinions from this crowd, but do get a solid wall of noise from the energetic children who come with their parents, teammates, or classmates. This noise is marshalled by Duke the Dog into ‘Let’s go Marlies’ chants that ring out constantly. Supplementing this crowd are two supporters groups created by the most dedicated fans; Duke’s Dog Pound in section 116, and the Marlies Army in 114. Access 5 Getting to Coca-Cola Coliseum by public transportation is the best option, given the central location, and it could not be easier from anywhere in the region. The Coliseum is located directly adjacent to Exhibition Station, a major interchange between regional trains and local services. There are two good options for travellers coming from the central Union Station; either a ten-minute tram ride or a very quick express train. Firstly, the 509 Harbourfront streetcar runs constantly between Union and Exhibition, with the arena being the last stop. This is a popular choice, as your ride is free when transferring from the subway or local buses. The other option is a quick one-stop ride on the GO Train’s Lakeshore West line. Frequent departures leave Union, and the line reaches as far as Niagara Falls, making it a good option for American visitors looking to ditch their cars before entering the crowded city streets. Check www.triplinx.ca for route planning within the Greater Toronto Area. A note, though, Exhibition Station is about to undergo a massive, multi-year expansion. As with seemingly everything in Toronto, it will be incredible when complete but first it will be a mess of construction. If you choose to drive, there is limited onsite parking. Pricing is generally $16, but fluctuates based on demand. Within the arena, washrooms are amply provided and the concourses are wide. However, there can be some crowds in front of concession stands during intermissions. Return on Investment 4 It’s hard to believe you can see a Toronto hockey team with a maple leaf on their chests at a price tag below three digits. But the Marlies are happy to oblige with tickets often available from $15-$20 for end seats. Platinum seats can go for upwards of $50, which still represents great value. The Marlies are frequently competitive, having won the Calder Cup in 2018. Coupled with the possibility of cheap public transportation options and relatively reasonable food and drink, a Marlies game makes for a great experience that won’t break the bank, in a city where that’s far from expected. Extras 4 An extra point for the world class reuse of such an historic arena, infused with history but thoroughly modern in amenities. An extra point for the tremendous effort the Marlies put into engaging young fans and families, who make up the majority of the crowd on most days. An extra point for the resurrection of the Marlies name and crest, with the iconic ‘maple leaf and crown’ carrying great significance in Canadian history. An extra point is deserved for the recent successes of the Marlies, coming off conference championships and the recent Calder Cup win, and the many top-billed Leafs prospects currently playing at the Coliseum. Final Thoughts Though its history as a hockey arena is relatively short, Coca-Cola Coliseum has grown into that role in style. Now into its second century, the historic venue is one of the best and most modern small arenas in the world – it just happens to be a century old at the same time. The Marlies provide attractive hockey that is accessible, compared with the virtual impossibility of seeing the deified Maple Leafs play nearby. The Coliseum is a must for stadium enthusiasts, history buffs, and indeed hockey fans, and is poised to continue that role for the next century and beyond.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Coolray Field 2500 Buford Dr Lawrenceville, GA 30043 Gwinnett Stripers website Coolray Field website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 10,427 Keeping’ It Reel When the Braves  moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966, it also marked the birth of a long partnership with the city of Richmond, Virginia, as the Braves AAA affiliate would take root in the commonwealth’s capital city for 43 seasons. After spending four decades in Richmond, the AAA Braves played their final season at "The Diamond", where they had been for 23 years. With an aging stadium and little hope for the upgrades needed for a minor league baseball team, the AAA Braves relocated to Lawrenceville in Gwinnett County, Georgia, a suburb less than an hour from downtown Atlanta, in 2009. The new ballpark in Gwinnett was billed as a mixed-use development, to include apartments, shopping, and dining. However, the development took longer than expected to materialize – Coolray Field stood alone in an open field for its first five years, while plans to build around it were still being finalized. Apartment complexes now surround the stadium, and changed the feel of the ballpark as they were completed; the first apartment building was finished in 2015, with a second completed in 2021. Since their move to suburban Atlanta, Gwinnett has made three postseason appearances, winning two International League-South Division titles and reaching the finals in 2016.   Food & Beverage   5 Coolray Field offers fans a wide range of dining options, from traditional concessions to regional specialties, as well as what seems like endless beverage choices. One standout is "All the Fixins" which specializes in Southern cuisine, offering catfish baskets with hush puppies, hot honey pork chop sandwiches, Nashville Hot Chicken, grilled pimento cheese sandwiches, and footlong hot dogs topped with bacon jam. If the offerings at All the Fixins don't pique your interest, The Boathouse restaurant on the first base concourse provides an alternative, also with an impressive menu. It doubles as more of a sit-down restaurant and craft brewhouse, and the menu is more pub fare, with cheese curds and fried pickles, along with sides such as mashed potato bowls and potato wedges. Entrees range from smoked wings and tacos to brisket nachos and specialty sandwiches. The Boathouse also pours up to ten beers from Pontoon Brewing Company and another six from Wild Heaven, both local to the Atlanta area. Additionally, basic domestics are also available. The libations also extend beyond beer, with a selection of wines, hard Italian sodas, and pre-mixed cocktails on tap as well. But wait, there’s more! Throughout the concourse, several carts offer a variety of specialty items. Smokie’s Sausage Shack not only serves Polish and Italian sausage, but also offers brisket and BBQ sandwiches, and just as expected, Steakadelphia has a selection of cheesesteaks, while Cantina Comida Hispana offers a range of Latin American-inspired choices. Lastly, to satisfy a sweet tooth head to Sweet for their sundaes, floats, funnel cake fries, and of course the ever-popular Dippin’ Dots.   Atmosphere   3 Originally named after their parent club , the team went by the name Gwinnett Braves for its first twelve seasons, before being rebranded as the Gwinnett Stripers in 2021. While the change faced significant pushback locally, it ultimately made sense to establish Gwinnett as a national brand. Additionally, it allowed for more of a theme to be integrated into the stadium and game presentation. In its first five seasons, Coolray Field sat alone in little more than an open, roadside field. Today, surrounded by two apartment buildings nearly encircling the stadium, the ballpark has a cozier feel. Beyond the stadium confines, local restaurant franchise Three Dollar Cafe overlooks the field from a distant vantage point. Like many minor league baseball teams, the Stripers host numerous promotional nights but primarily focus on appreciating local groups rather than having extravagant themes. Unlike some teams the Stripers don't have quirky promotions like "Mystery Egg Roll Night" or "Tribute to the Brannock Device” – instead they tend to stick to more traditional themes. However, each game still offers some form of promotion or discounted concession to boost weekday attendance, and in-game promotions are the standard scoreboard shuffle, variations of the dance cam, mascot races, and “Double Dare” inspired contests. When looking at seating options, the berm referred to as “The Bank” does offer space to spread out and for kids to run and play. The issue with this area though is the kids are lightly supervised by adults, which can be rather distracting if you are simply looking to enjoy the game from the grassy outfield hill. The best bet here is probably any of the grandstand seats down the first base side of the field since they offer the most shade.   Neighborhood   4 The Stripers play in Lawrenceville, a northeastern suburb of Atlanta, approximately 30 miles from downtown ATL. Coolray Field is just off one of Gwinnett County’s busier traffic arteries, Buford Drive – the area has experienced remarkable growth since the opening of Coolray Field. There used to be just a road between Buford and Lawrenceville, but now Buford Drive is lined with several restaurants, stores, and hotels, and the area is anchored by the massive Mall of Georgia. The area around the ballpark is probably not a destination by itself, but for those arriving early or staying late, attractions such as Top Golf and Andretti’s Karting and Gaming, located just off the exit for Coolray Field, might be of interest.   Fans   3 Gwinnett has typically seen routinely low attendance figures over the years. After the AAA affiliation was transferred from Richmond to suburban Atlanta, Gwinnett's inaugural season saw an average attendance of just under 6,000 fans, which was in the middle third of AAA teams in attendance. However, since then attendance has steadily declined and now ranges from 2,500 to 3,000 fans per game over the last six seasons. Much of the Stripers fan base consists of families and youth groups from Gwinnett, Hall, and Barrow counties. Some discussions around attendance troubles focus on the Stripers proximity to their parent club, just 34 miles around Atlanta’s north end to Truist Park . Although this may be a contributing factor, other AAA teams like St. Paul  and Worcester  rank in the top 10 of AAA attendance, despite being within 50 miles of their Major League affiliates. While the accessibility of the Braves  might play a role, factors such as a lack of immediate attractions at the stadium, as well as lingering animosity from the public's lack of input in the stadium funding process, seem to contribute to the less-than-stellar attendance numbers. On a positive note, attendance has begun to increase since reaching a franchise low of under 3,000 per game during the 2022 season.   Access   3 Navigating the metro Atlanta area can be quite challenging, especially during weekday games. I-85, the primary route through the northeast suburbs, often sees heavy congestion when leaving Atlanta. For the less populous communities north of Lawrenceville, however, southbound traffic on I-85 doesn’t face the same volume of traffic as you see heading toward the city during this time of day. Buford Drive leads to each of Coolray Field’s access points, which can be a bit tricky for first-time or infrequent visitors – the only entrance with any sort of signage is for VIP parking. Instinct would make one think the entrance next to that is the most accessible, and while that entrance does eventually lead to another parking lot, a lack of noticeable directions leaves drivers guessing whether to turn left or right. The actual most direct entry point is the third entrance, but much like the previous one, it is not well labeled and can easily be missed, leaving drivers to have to make a U-turn to try it all over again. With the parking lot running the length of the first base side of the stadium, it doesn’t seem like only two entrances for general seating would be enough, but fans move quickly through the gates. Once in the stadium, the concourse fully encircles the field and is wide enough to keep congestion to a minimum. Buford Drive is a divided highway so after the game, crossing back toward the interstate can be challenging. If you choose the wrong exit, a U-turn is needed to head back toward the freeway. Your best bet is to stay in the left lane of traffic, but exiting via Ballpark Lane, which runs in front of the main gates, tends to be a quick and easy exit point.   Return on Investment   3 Seating on the berm starts at just over $11 once Ticketmaster fees are factored in. As ticket prices increase, so do the service charges which are applied to each ticket.  On weekends, ticket prices increase, with the same ticket costing $17. Unfortunately, the secondary market does not offer much relief, as prices are comparable to those at the ticket office. Parking runs $10, so even a single visitor is already spending over $20 before entering the ballpark, and due to the lack of facilities in the surrounding area, there are no independent parking lots to offer a lower price. Concession prices are consistent with what you would expect at a sports stadium.   Extras   4 The left field wall displays the retired numbers of three Atlanta Braves players: Hank Aaron’s # 44, brother Tommy Aaron’s # 25, and Phil Niekro’s # 35. Jackie Robinson’s # 42, which is retired across baseball, is also displayed. Balconies of the apartments beyond the stadium, stretching from left to left-center field, are marked with distances to home plate. Those along the left field line, just under 400 feet away, are well within play, while the farthest markers measure over 460 feet. The Stripers mascot Chopper is an active participant in mid-inning contests and makes his way around the stadium stopping for endless photo requests. In recent years, a lot has been made of "robo-umps" potentially taking over calling balls and strikes, due to perceived inconsistencies in umpire strike zones. Opponents argue this takes the human element out of the game; proponents advocate for increased consistency and accuracy. In AAA baseball, a balance seems to have been struck with the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) System – this system preserves the traditional role of the umpire while allowing for questionable calls to be reviewed by batters, pitchers, and catchers. The outcome of the challenge is then displayed on the stadium scoreboard and upheld or reversed accordingly.   Final Thoughts For the Braves , having their AAA franchise located so close provides some operational advantages when it comes to roster management, but may be a barrier when it comes to attracting fans. The location does seem a bit isolated when considering the dynamics of Atlanta’s northeast suburbs. Attendance woes do not seem to be due to anything specific the staff in Gwinnett could or should be doing differently – the club is more a victim of planning circumstances that weren’t considered or planned for when deciding to build a stadium here. Promotional nights could be a bit more creative, but it takes the right organization and fanbase to pull off “ Exploding Whales ” or host a successful “ Toilet Paper Night ”. What Gwinnett does offer, though, is a decent minor-league baseball experience that is entertaining, while keeping the game on the field as the focus of the experience.

Photos by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Duly Health and Care Field 1 Mayor Art Schultz Dr Joliet, IL 60432 Map It Joliet Slammers website Duly Health and Care Field website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 6,016 A Name to Call Home in Joliet The Joliet Slammers are members of the Frontier League and play at Duly Health and Care Field, formerly, DuPage Medical, Joliet Route 66 Field, Slammers Field and Silver Cross Field. The stadium was built for the Joliet Jackhammers which played in the former Northern League from 2002 to 2010.  In 2010 the Jackhammers changed their name to the Slammers and joined the Frontier League. The name refers to the famous prisons of Joliet and Will County (Joliet Correctional Center and Stateville Correctional Center) as well as a common baseball term for a grand slam. The team even has a logo of a jailbird donning prison stripes as its mascot. In 2018 the Slammers replaced the natural grass with field turf.  The field dimensions are 348 feet to left field, 400 feet to center field and 327 feet to right field. During the offseason, majority ownership of the team was acquired by Mike Veeck (son of former White Sox and Cleveland Indian owner) and Bill Murray (movie star/comedian). On most nights you can see Night Train Veeck, Mike’s son at the ballpark. Food & Beverage 5 The food stands have names based upon Joliet and baseball: Crossroads Grill and Steel City Grill. There is the usual ballpark fare of nachos ($7), hot dogs ($5.50), hamburgers ($9), chicken strips ($9) and pizza slices ($9.50). There are tacos from a local restaurant which is a few blocks from the ballpark (Sunshine Mexican Cafe) which are excellent ($4 each though on Saturdays they are $2). However, there are other options like the “porkando which is mac and cheese, brisket or pulled pork ($16), brisket ($12), pulled pork or pork tenderloin ($10). Cole slaw, mac & cheese and key lime pie are available as sides for $5, $4 and $7 respectively. There is also a giant soft pretzel with beer cheese ($15). I recommend any of the above. For your sweet tooth ice cream is provided by a local ice cream shop, the Creamery. They have cones and ice cream sandwiches from $6 to $10. In addition, there is cheesecake on a stick and chocolate covered bananas. New this year (2024) is a cookie stand (local cookie shop Crumbl) which has big gourmet cookies for $6. These cookies are excellent. The barbecue pork nachos are highly recommended and tasty. The lines at the food concessions move fairly quickly.  The condiment selection here is the basic: ketchup, mustard, onions, and relish and sadly they are in packets. One thing nice is that when you buy a souvenir cup of soda for $9, refills are $3. There are many varieties of tap beer: Budweiser, Corona, Shock top, Michelob Ultra, Coors and Sam Adams. A 20-ounce draft beer is $7 (domestic) or $9 (premium), 16-ounce cans are $7, and 24-ounce beer cans are $8.  The stadium has a a main bar behind home plate that provides excellent views from behind the backstop and a friendly wait staff. The area is home to at least 12 different canned craft beers (Slammers Lager, Field of Dream Honey Vienna Lager) and some tap craft beer from a local brewery. In addition, there are Moonshine based cocktails for $9 (these are excellent) and wine for $8. Atmosphere 4 Entering the ballpark, fans must walk up a flight of stairs (there is an elevator too in the main entrance) to get to the concourse which overlooks the field. The stadium has two levels: the main concourse and a level of skyboxes above. The stadium features a 360-degree concourse that links to a very large play area behind center field. The main seating area runs from first to third base and there are approximately 20 rows of seating. In addition, there are two lawn areas down the right and left field lines. There are no permanent outfield seats, but there is a chair rail along the left field wall.  There is a concession building, which is not open this 2024 season, in the left field with rooftop seating that is open to everyone on most games but occasionally will be rented out for parties. The rooftop area is a great place to watch the game for a while. Lastly, in right field, there is a standing area complete with a rail for beverages and/or food. The Slammers have two mascots Spike (a dog) and J.L. Bird (a crow in a prison outfit). Both are found throughout the stadium and on the field during the game. J.L. Bird was even featured on ESPN during his first season with the club. The team store cleverly called the “Clink,” is large, but lacks a healthy selection of team products (shirts, hats, etc).   The between inning entertainment is the usual minor league stuff: throwing t-shirts, high low, and a few kid races.   The Slammers brought back a cool a sculpture of construction guys sitting on an I-beam eating and watching the game over a third base concession stand. Recently, the Slammers instituted a “Metra train” race. It is three cutouts of different colored trains and people run from the scoreboard to the a point in right field to determine the winner. Neighborhood 4 The ballpark is located in downtown Joliet. Several businesses are located to the north and west of the park, along with a high school to the east of the park. Some residential housing is to the south of the park. There are a lot of small independent restaurants and bars within the vicinity, The Blue Taco is an excellent place with really good food. Also, the Chicago Street Pub has the best Reuben and juicy burgers. The Shoebox is piled with BBQ ham, American cheese, tomato and red onion on a Milano bun. If you want a higher end restaurant, go to Cut 158 for steaks. Beer lovers should head to Richardson’s Sports Bar which is about 1 block from the park. After the game, if you want, there is good Live music at The Forge, which is a few blocks from the ballpark. Right outside the right field side of the park, there was a gay bar Maneuvers (it is closed now but according to neighbors it should be opening again), but I have my doubts since it has been vacant for a while now. In addition, Harrah’s Casino and the historic Rialto Theater are within a couple of blocks of downtown. The Rialto books mid-level acts, plays, and various musicals during the season. In addition, the Forge, another bar / music venue, is located a few blocks from the stadium. The Forge does book some nationally known bands. Other things to do in the area are the Joliet Area Historical Museum (for the history of the city and region) and Route 66. The Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Rt. 66 (open 2022) located at 9 E. Cass is about a mile from the park and offers a history of musicians and bands with ties to Illinois. For you record buffs there is Audiophile Records which has albums and more. Lastly, about 3 miles from the park at 1125 Collins St, Joliet, is the world-famous Old Joliet Prison (featured in the Blues Brothers movie). It was built in 1858, and offers tours. Fans 3 The fans in attendance are very friendly. The Slammers attendance is usually anywhere between 1,800 to 2,500 per game. The mix of fans is the same as any other ballpark, lots of families, people who are really into baseball and people who just like to hang out and catch up. Access 5 The park is located in downtown Joliet. It is not hard to get to since it is about one mile north of I-80. There are many ways to get to the ballpark. The Joliet Transportation Center, serving two Metra lines, is right outside the stadium. There are also bus lines near the stadium. There is plenty of parking surrounding the stadium and it is free. We do not recommend parking on the adjoining street on the south side of the stadium because there are many foul balls hit into car windows. Bags and purses are allowed into the stadium but may be subject to search. Return on Investment 5 The price of a regular ticket ranges $9 for lawn seats to $15 for reserved seating (tickets are $2 more on game day at the gate). On Tuesdays, the tickets are cheaper. The suites can be rented for $23 to $30 per person (food and soda are extra). Extras 4 There is a firehouse across the street in left field which has 560’ painted on it. Yes, if a home run hits the firehouse, it would have traveled 560’. Also, there is a small field for physically challenged people. Occasionally, I have seen kids using the field. There is a guy who dresses in a tuxedo who entertains the crowd by juggling and interacting with the fans at most games.  In addition, he comes around with a garbage bag and picks up garbage with a pair of tongs. And in the last row of Section 110, there is a Joliet Slammers superfan/historian, Craig, who is known by the name of “Mr. Downtown Joliet.”  If you need to know something about downtown Joliet, this is the man to go to. Final Thoughts Duly Health and Care Field has a surprisingly lot of pros to make it one of the best ballparks in the Chicagoland area. It offers a wraparound concourse, creative food options, cheap prices, a healthy selection of craft beers, and an active surrounding neighborhood to make it well worth your while to visit.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Skylands Stadium 94 Championship Pl Augusta, NJ 07822 Sussex County Miners website Skylands Stadium website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 4,200 Mining Success at Skylands Stadium In Augusta, New Jersey, in the extreme northwestern corner of the state, you will find Skylands Stadium, home of the Sussex County Miners baseball team. Until 2006, Skylands Stadium was home to the New Jersey Cardinals of the New York-Penn League. The Cardinals relocated to Pennsylvania and became the State College Spikes , but baseball would return the next year with the Sussex County Skyhawks of the independent Can-Am League. The Skyhawks folded after the 2010 season, but baseball would once again return in 2015 with the Sussex County Miners, again joining the Can-Am League. After the 2019 season, the Can-Am League merged with the Frontier League under the latter's name. This would have been effective for the 2020 season, but it was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Miners instead began play in the Frontier League in 2021. Food & Beverage 5 There are several concession stands scattered throughout Skylands Stadium, offering many options, some classic, some unique. You will of course, find all the usual options at these stands such as chicken tenders, burgers, and hot dogs (the latter also coming in a deep-fried variety), but there are some other options as well such as a pickle on a stick and honey waffle fries. Be warned that the overhead signs above the window only show some of the options, there are additional boards at the back of the stand with more to choose from. Double S Smokehouse maintains a restaurant in the stadium that is open year-round, as well as a stand down the right field line. Here, you will find freshly made barbecue options such as a brisket sandwich, St. Louis ribs, pulled pork, and mac and cheese, with an assortment of homemade sauces to choose from. Alcohol is sold at several stands for those of age, but Double S has unique cocktails and mixed drinks as well. Most notable is their In a Pickle, which contains vodka, pickle juice, lime, and simple syrup. For those with a sweet tooth, Yuengling Ice Cream has a stand that offers the usual flavors, in your choice of cone, cup, or helmet, as well as one or two unique flavors per game. When Stadium Journey visited late in the season, they had a pumpkin pie flavor which was pumpkin ice cream with pieces of pie crust, but the exact selections may vary by game. In addition to the usual bottled water and other soft drinks, some of the stands sell hot drinks such as various coffee varieties and hot apple cider. Atmosphere 4 The architectural style at Skylands Stadium is mostly rural and rustic with a splash of Jersey Shore thrown in. The red-painted wood panels on the facade call to mind the many barns in the area, and the team store known as "The Company Store" has a rustic wooden exterior. Bright lights flashing "Open" welcome you to the Double S Smokehouse stand, and the Yuengling stand looks like an ice cream shop you could walk in on the Jersey Shore boardwalk, but other than that, the architecture is quite fitting for this rural part of New Jersey. An on-field emcee and superfans scattered throughout the crowd get the fans hyped up, and there are various promotions throughout the evening, such as a t-shirt toss set to the music of Zombie Nation Music, and sound effects are played during breaks in the action, even between pitches, which can get annoying at times. A buff miner mascot named Herbie roams the stands interacting with fans. The seating bowl itself consists of a middle ring that you will enter from the concourse, with seats above and below. If your section includes a double letter (for instance FF), you will be seated above the concourse. If it includes a single letter (such as D), you will be seated below the concourse. The park is small enough that all seats have a great view of the action. Neighborhood 3 Sussex County is far removed from the rest of New Jersey, both culturally and geographically, and the area surrounding the stadium is mostly farmland. You will pass by many farms and maybe even some cows as you come into town, with some of those farms selling ice cream made right there. Other options include Yetter's Diner just down the street from the stadium, and, if you are unable to grab any inside, you can always go to the Double S Smokehouse restaurant at the stadium. Fans 3 Sussex County ranks towards the bottom of the Frontier League in attendance with about 1,600 fans a game, but those who do show up, are passionate, vocal, and into what is happening on the field. Some of them to go every single home game, with a few even going to the away games. They will participate in the chants, get on the umpire's case after a bad call, and generally be unafraid to make their feelings known. They are there to support their hometown team, and despite the relatively small crowds, it can get loud here. Access 3 Skylands Stadium is located in rural Sussex County in northwest New Jersey. The ballpark is located near the Sussex County Fairgrounds, near the intersection of routes 206 and 15. The nearest interstate, I-80, is about half an hour’s drive from here. It is the only interstate highway to enter Sussex County, and only at the extreme southern end. I-84 passes just north of the county near the tri-point between New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, but never enters New Jersey at all. You can take Exit 1 in New York just before the state line and follow the signs for New Jersey. This is still about a half-hour's drive. No matter how you get here, at least the last few miles will be on rural country roads. Only part of the parking lot is paved, with the remainder being gravel. Be careful if parking there. The restrooms in the stadium are small and can occasionally have lines, with the facilities being old and not in the best condition. Return on Investment 3 Lower-level tickets at Skylands Stadium are priced at $20, and upper-level tickets are $17. This is on the high level for tickets, although the free parking is nice. Concessions are on the high end, although the food is high-quality adding to the value. Overall, the value of a Sussex County Miners game is about average. Extras 3 Look for the many statues and art installations in and around the stadium. A globe statue is located outside the entrance and is lit up at night as fans leave the ballpark. A jack-o-lantern wearing sunglasses is located in the stadium to promote the Jack-o-Lantern Halloween Experience in the ballpark every October, and there is a statue of a baseball glove as well. A second star for the stadium architecture - a rustic, rural style with a flash of Jersey Shore. The team store is also worthy of an extra, both for its merchandise and its design like a rustic wooden building. Final Thoughts Skylands Stadium may be far away from everywhere everyone thinks of when they think of New Jersey, but it is still a great place to watch a baseball game. Between the unique and fitting architectural style and all the on-field and off-field ways the team promotes the fan experience, a Sussex County Miners game is a great way to spend a summer evening.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Woerner Field at Time Warner Cable Stadium 1780 S Edwin C Moses Blvd Dayton, OH 45417 Dayton Flyers website Woerner Field at Time Warner Cable Stadium website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 2,000 Just the Right Size for Dayton Baseball The University of Dayton baseball team debuted at Woerner Field at DP&L Stadium in 2004 but it was not until the next season that the ballpark was completed. The Flyers dedicated the $4 million facility on May 7, 2005, and finished the year with an impressive 18-4 record in the conference. When the stadium opened it was known as Time Warner Cable Stadium until May 6, 2011, when it changed names to Woerner Field after alumni Larry Woerner and his wife. Worner pitched for the Flyers for four years before graduating in 1976 with a degree in mathematics, summa cum laude. The Flyers participated in the Atlantic 10 conference and they have been playing baseball at the university since 1902. They have captured two conference championships and made one appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2012. Food & Beverage 2 The ballpark has a small concession stand underneath the grandstand that has a limited selection of items that includes hot dogs, nachos, and popcorn. The stand offers Pepsi products and prices range between $2 to $3 each. The items are expected based on the size and the number of people who attend Flyers baseball games but if you are hungry, eat before the game. Atmosphere 3 The ballpark has a laid-back atmosphere due to its size and the number of people who are in the facility. It has all the essentials and includes a press box, covered chairback seating behind the home plate, concessions, and restrooms. Many lines up against the fence before the game down the right-field line to talk to players and remain there throughout the entire game. Dayton was wearing bright monochrome red jerseys for today’s game and perhaps attracted a little more attention for visitors wanting to see this blast from the past uniform. The grandstand is also a comfortable spot to watch the game and offers fans theater-style seating behind protective netting. The small press box is directly behind the seats and a scoreboard is situated behind the left-center field wall. It is a basic and simple ballpark but more than adequate for college baseball in this part of the country. Neighborhood 3 The ballpark is just across the parking lot from the UD Arena and football stadium. the arena is located about two miles from downtown Dayton. There has been a serious amount of major investments in this century that have resulted in residential, commercial, and transportation developments that have brought people back to the city. Seven million people visit the high-tech friendly downtown annually. There are a collection of breweries that include Warped Wing, Lock 27, and Toxic Brew which all offer their own vibe and craft beer. The Dayton Beer Company is an ideal spot with over 36 different beers on tap that includes their own made on-site and a pizzeria on the first floor. Many of the places charge by the 4 and 8 ounces for more options of sampling award-winning beer. Most of the nightlife is concentrated near the Brown Street District, Oregon District, or near Fifth Third Field (Webster Station). A few choices to enjoy a meal are The Pine Club (steaks), The Winds (farm to table), Jay’s Restaurant (seafood), Corner Kitchen (burgers), and El Meson (a vast array of American cuisine south of the border). The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, America’s Packard Museum, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, and the National Aviation Hall of Fame are all popular tourist attractions. The Oregon District has a nice balance of retail, bars, live music, restaurants, and several breweries. The architecture of the residential buildings dates back to the 19th century and is ideal for photos. Fans 2 A small gathering of fans was in attendance for the Flyers game that included mostly friends and family. This is a common theme at similar baseball stadiums in the area and what you would at others in colder climates in the late winter and early months. The fans who are at the game will provide some insight into the players on the field since they know them quite well. Access 4 The ballpark is directly off of I-75 and is visible from the interstate one needs to put the GPS away as soon as they approach the exit. There is plenty of free parking around the stadium and the entrance is located down the right-field foul line. One can easily get around during the game. Return on Investment 2 The cost to attend baseball games is free and this also includes parking in the massive lot adjacent to the field. Concession prices are inexpensive but not varied and you cannot drink a beer at the game. However, attending a game here is strictly for the die-hards or that one guy who wants to attend every NCAA college baseball stadium. Extras 2 Dayton earns a point for the bright red monochrome jerseys. Players talked with fans before the game and indicated that these were their favorites. The ballpark earns a second point for being near other facilities in town that include the basketball arena, football stadium, and softball field. Final Thoughts Unless you are a fan of college baseball, connected somehow with the university, or know some playing for the team, you probably do not want to take in a game at the ballpark. It is free to attend and concession prices are inexpensive but there is not an incentive to attract the same type of customer who attends Dayton Dragons games a few miles away downtown. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Westchester County Center 198 Central Avenue White Plains, NY 10606 Westchester Knicks website Westchester County Center website Year Opened: 1930 Capacity: 5,000 Westchester Knicks Have a Home in White Plains The Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League have made the Westchester County Center their home since 2014. It is a multi-purpose arena in downtown White Plains, New York approximately 33 miles from midtown Manhattan. The building is owned by the Department of Westchester County Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Westchester, which plays in the Eastern Conference, is the affiliate of the NBA’s New York Knicks. The G League, the letter G originates from its sponsorship by Gatorade, was founded in 2001 as the National Basketball Development League (NBDL). Every NBA team has a G League entry and there is one additional entry. The Mexico City Capitanes made their G League debut in the 2021-22 season playing exclusively on the road. The season consists of at least 50 games. The 2024-25 NBA G League season structure included two parts. The first segment was the second time 16-game Tip-Off Tournament. All 31 teams competed in the Tip-Off Tournament which culminated at the G League Winter Showcase presented by The General Insurance with the Winter Showcase Championship Game. The Winter Showcase concluded on December 22 with the Westchester Knicks defeating the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the final. The Knicks have won both tournaments. Following the tournament, team records were reset before the 34-game regular season which began on December 27. After the regular season, the top six teams in each conference qualify for the G League Playoffs presented by Google Pixel, which concludes with the G League Finals presented by YouTube TV beginning April 1. Top players who were called up from the G League include Danny Green, Alex Caruso, Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Duncan Robinson, Christian Wood, and Hassan Whiteside. On January 1, 2025, Tyler Kolek appeared in a rare double-header for the Knicks and the Westchester Knicks. Kolek, a second-round pick in 2024, scored 36 points and 11 assists for the Westchester Knicks and just hours later scored 2 points and 4 assists for the New York Knicks. The County Center is the perfect venue for a G League team. The venerable building, which opened in 1930, holds 5000 but the Knicks never come close to filling the building. The County Center does not host many other events. Dancing With the Stars, the Royal Hanneford Circus, Card Shows, and Trade Shows are some of the events that come to the County Center. The County Center also hosts the Section One high school basketball championships (consisting of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, and Rockland Counties) the first week of March. Two semifinal games and a championship game are played in three Classes and the championship game is in Class D. Food & Beverage 3 The Westchester County Center concession stands are run by Nathan’s and offer standard food choices such as burgers, hot dogs, cheesesteaks, chicken fingers, salads, French fries, popcorn, pretzels, soft drinks, and beer. Pepsi products are the beverage of choice. Mixed drinks, white claw, and high noon are also available downstairs at a small bar. Atmosphere 3 The County Center, renovated in 1988, has seating behind the South basket but has a Stage on the North Side called the Founders Club. The club is the Westchester Knicks version of the Delta Club at Madison Square Garden. A VIP wristband allows fans access to unlimited premium food, soft drinks, and a postgame free throw and photo at center court. There is additional premium seating with 10 round courtside tables on the right side of the building with six seats at each. There are nine rows of seats just behind the basket on the lower level which cost $22.25 per ticket. On the left sideline, the front section has nine rows of seats, and another section with eight rows. There are two video boards in the corners at the North End and one board above the basket in the South End that shows the lineups on the floor and running statistics. There are side line scoreboards that flash team statistics including rebounds, shooting percentage, assists, turnovers and time outs remaining. The boards are updated in real-time and are quite informative. The Knicks roll out many contests during time-outs and between quarters to get the crowd into the action including the always popular T-Shirt toss. The staff and the mascot, named Hudson, enthusiastically attempt to fire up the crowd and wave “Let’s Go Knicks” signs. Hudson’s jersey number is 914, the area code for Westchester County. The recorded organ sounds reverberate throughout the arena to ignite the offense, while the sound system blares a drum to enlist the chant of “De-fense” from the crowd. Just like a typical NBA game, the sound system is rarely silent. The sounds and music are played at an acceptable decibel level. Neighborhood 3 The area, which is safe, is fairly limited for pre-game options, but at least there are a few restaurants within walking distance on Central Avenue (City Limits Diner is probably the best option) and Smashburger is .3 miles away on Tarrytown Road. There is also Buon Amici, a solid classic Italian sit-down restaurant. The good news is the building is right off the Bronx River Parkway and less than a 10-minute walk to Metro North’s White Plains train station. It is also served by the Westchester County Bee Line Bus System. Fans 3 The Knicks do not draw big crowds but are popular with families, kids, and groups (schools and local recreational teams). On a weeknight, sometimes only 500 or more are in attendance but the weekends can attract crowds close to 2000. The crowd is somewhat complacent and waits for a big play or to be prompted by the music or scoreboard. The County Center was used as an emergency healthcare facility during the pandemic for almost three years. The Knicks had to play two seasons at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport Connecticut and only averaged 711 fans in 2022-2023 the second worst in the league. They returned to the County Center last season to the delight of the locals. The best places to follow the team are on social media including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Twitch TV, TikTok and the team website. Access 4 The good news is the County Center is easily accessible by car, bus, and a short walk from the downtown White Plains office and shopping district. There is also a Bee Line Bus Terminal and a Greyhound bus station next to the Metro North Station. The lobby/box office is small and can get crowded as game time approaches. The line to get in can back up as tip-off approaches. The seats are wide and offer excellent legroom since it is an older building. The only issue is the extremely small steps and no railings in the aisles which can be problematic. The design of the building is a benefit since there are no luxury suites and the upper level is situated directly above the lower which allows fans to be close to the court. The bathrooms are large and clean. Return on Investment 4 The return on investment is affirmative except for the first row in the lower level which are called celebrity seats and run $149. Lower level tickets are $49 but seats in the corner are only $16.85. Upper level is $28.60 at midcourt, $22.25 behind the basket. Section 60 right and 60 left upstairs offer a solid vantage point for $22.25. The upper level offers an excellent view but the sideline closest to the seats is not visible unless you are seated in the first two rows. The view directly behind the basket is somewhat obstructed. But if seated just to the right or left of the basket the view is stellar. Parking is $15 and there are two lots directly outside the building. There is free street parking if you are willing to drive around and hunt. The best bet for saving money is to sign up for texts and get 10% off merch plus information about ticket deals and giveaways. Extras 2 Points are awarded for the excellent views of the court from the balcony and also for the two Westchester Knicks School Day games which begin at 11:00 AM. Final Thoughts The Westchester County Center is worthy of a Stadium Journey. The Knicks provide fan-friendly entertainment and a chance to see talented players up close and at an affordable price. It is a worthy outing for families and fans of all ages. Follow Greg Venuto’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Facebook.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Boyce Cox Field 1501 Euclid Ave Bristol, VA 24201 Bristol State Liners website Boyce Cox Field website Year Opened: 1969 Capacity: 2,000 Along the Appalachian League Trail: Bristol Boyce Cox Field in Bristol, Virginia is one of the most interesting venues in the Appalachian League. It opened in 1969, after a conversion from its former life as a football stadium. The stadium has three main components, none of which seem to match. This is because they include a grandstand along the third base line that belonged to the baseball stadium, another set of bleachers along the first base line that was added later, and the seats behind home plate, which are a combination of stadium seats and concrete seating. It has served as the home of the Bristol Pirates since 2014. Previous affiliations of the team include the White Sox and the Tigers. Some of the major league players who got their start in Bristol include Tim Belcher, Mark “The Bird” Fedrick, Travis Fryman, Lance Parrish, and Alan Trammell. In many ways, Boyce Cox Field struggles to meet even the minimum standards required by Minor League Baseball. What is important to know is that baseball in Bristol is a labor of love run by volunteers. A non-profit organization, Bristol Baseball, leases the field from the city of Bristol for $1 a year. There is no paid staff involved in this organization. Every function of the facility, from groundskeeping to ticket taking and announcing the games, is run by volunteers. Any criticism of the park needs to be tempered by that knowledge. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand in the park. It is located at the base of the press box and is run by volunteers from Virginia High, which uses the stadium during the school year. All proceeds from this stand benefit programs at the high school. The only items available at this stand are hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, Gatorade, Pepsi brand sodas, and bottled water. While the selection of foods is sparse… the prices are hard to beat. It is also nice to patronize the stand to benefit the high school programs. That being said, fans are welcome to bring their food and beverages to the park with them. There are no restrictions at the gate on bringing in such items. The aptly named Ballpark Corner Market is just across the street from the park and offers several pre-packaged picnic items. Atmosphere 3 A game at Boyce Cox Field is baseball at its basics. Fans can either sit in the various seating areas immediately surrounding the field or can choose to bring their lawn chairs or beach towels and watch the action from the hill overlooking the field. The field does have a PA announcer but doesn’t expect the between-innings contests and games. There is no large video board with graphics here… just your standard high school scoreboard. The baseball game is the only entertainment here. Neighborhood 4 Boyce Cox Field is just west of the downtown business district of Bristol, Virginia. The only food choices within walking distance of the stadium are a Krystal and a Subway. Downtown Bristol is several blocks east of the park and has a wide variety of dining and entertainment options. Bristol is probably best known for being split right down the middle by the Virginia/Tennessee state line. There is a large sign spanning State Street commemorating that fact. It is a great place to take a selfie. State Street is the dividing line, so if you are on its south side you are in Tennessee and you have a different zip code and area code from the other side of the street. Cross State Street and you are in Virginia. Unlike many small towns, the downtown area of Bristol has remained very vibrant. There are several restaurants to choose from. We found a wide choice of menu options at Quaker Steak and Lube on State Street. Across the street from Quaker Steak is the original location of the Burger Bar. This no-frills burger joint is famous for serving country music legend Hank Williams his last meal before he died (Note: The food did not kill him!). The Birthplace of Country Music Museum is a must-see attraction in downtown Bristol. Long before Nashville became the center of the country music universe, Bristol was the place to be. Artists from the hill country surrounding Bristol would come into town to perform and do early record recordings. The museum does an excellent job of covering these early artists and their songs. The other major attraction in the area is the Bristol Motor Speedway. It is located about seven miles south of downtown Bristol on the Volunteer Parkway. Most of the lodging options in Bristol are at the I-81 interchange or along the Volunteer Parkway. Two hotels we found that offer reasonably priced accommodations and are close to the ballpark are the Days Inn Bristol and the Hampton Inn Bristol. Fans 4 Bristol fans turn out in substantial numbers for each Pirates game. The stands may be half empty, but the hill overlooking the field is filled with families, youngsters, and seniors alike, enjoying baseball without the theme music for each player, the constant barrage of advertising, and the contests between innings. They are proud of Bristol’s baseball heritage and show their support by not only attending the games but also by volunteering both before and after the game to keep Boyce Cox Field playable and updated to meet league standards. Access 3 Getting to Boyce Cox Field is very easy. From I-81 in Virginia take exit 3 towards downtown Bristol. Go to the 4th traffic light and turn right on Euclid Avenue. Go ½ mile and the park will be on your right. Parking is free in the large lot by the football stadium. It is important to know that the baseball field will not be visible from this lot, as it is behind the football field. After leaving your car, look for a small sign for Boyce Cox Field and an opening in the fence. There will be a ticket table at this gate. After purchasing your tickets you will follow a trail between the football stadium and the woods to the baseball stadium. The trail is paved but hilly in places. The ballpark will be down an incline at the end of the trail. The seating areas vary in height and type of seating. If you are planning to sit in the stands it would be wise to bring a seat cushion with you. You also have the option of just picking a spot on the hillside to watch the game. The concession stand is at the base of the press box. Restrooms are located at the end of the bleachers along the first baseline. Return on Investment 4 Attending a game at Boyce Cox Field provides an excellent return on investment. Ticket prices are $5 for adults, $4 for children 5-12 years old, and children under 5 can attend free of charge. There is no cost for parking. You can bring your food and beverage into the park or patronize the concession stand and know that your purchase benefits the local schools. It is baseball with no frills, which is not necessarily a sad thing. Extras 3 An extra must go to the volunteers who have enabled Bristol to continue its long history with baseball. Final Thoughts Going to a ball game at Cox Field is like going back to an earlier time when parks were simpler. The game is the focus here, which is as it should be. Bristol also offers some unique experiences as a town, with its spanning two states.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Homewood Field 3399 San Martin Dr Baltimore, MD 21210 Johns Hopkins Blue Jays website Homewood Field website Year Opened: 1906 Capacity: 8,500 Hop To It in Baltimore Homewood Field opened in 1906 and has a capacity of 8,500 fans. The field is used for football and lacrosse (both men’s and women’s) at Johns Hopkins University – the new turf was added in 2014 and the new video board (which is used to show replays) was added in 2011. Johns Hopkins football, like almost all the other sports on campus, currently competes at the NCAA’s D3 level, while the men’s and women’s lacrosse programs (the only Johns Hopkins sports to do so) compete at the D1 level. Food & Beverage 3 There is only one fixed concessions stand at Homewood Field, in the northwest end zone, and it only sells pizza, chips and candy, and cookies, as well as bottled and canned soft drinks. However, what saves the rating here is the Al Pacino Ice Cream food truck behind the opposite end zone – Pacino’s has shaved ice, slushies, sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, and other treats, etc. – pretty much any type of ice cream you could ask for, so be sure to stop by for a cold, sweet treat. Also, the concessions at Homewood Field take cash or card, which is a real plus in today’s modern age. Homewood Field Fixed Concession Stand, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Atmosphere 5 Homewood Field has a great atmosphere for college football – great fans, a peppy band that plays both modern favorites as well as oldies, fan contests at halftime (which are rare at this level of college football), the requisite dance team and cheerleaders, and an awesome 6-foot blue jay costumed mascot named Jay; Jay can be seen all game long taking photos with fans at the bottom of the grandstand on the home side. The turf field has grandstands along both sidelines; both have bleacher seating up, plus a wide cement walkway along the top which offers standing-room viewing for fans. The lacrosse center is behind the southeast end zone, and many fans can be seen watching the contest from its second-floor balcony. That end zone contains the Al Pacino Ice Cream food truck, while the main concessions stand is behind the opposite end zone. Located in Baltimore, the birthplace of the National Anthem, the singing of the Anthem before Johns Hopkins games is a bit more meaningful than at other games, and the PA announcer makes note of this fact when asking fans to stand and remove their caps. Francis Scott Key wrote the National Anthem during the War of 1812, while a prisoner on board a British ship just a few miles away in Baltimore Harbor, from which he witnessed the British bombardment of the city. Inspired by the American flag still waving after the 25-hour shelling, Key wrote the poem which became the National Anthem, on the back of a letter he had in his pocket. Neighborhood 5 Homewood Field is located only a few miles from downtown Baltimore, so as you might expect there are plenty of restaurants, hotels, and attractions in the area – you will find plenty to do before or after the game in a city this size. A couple of restaurants I would recommend are Alizee, across the street from the stadium, and Wicked Sisters a little further away. Alizee has a ton of different options, from small plates to burgers, pasta to pizza, and even roasted chicken and grilled salmon, while Wicked Sisters is an upscale pub specializing in craft cocktails and seafood dishes (this is Baltimore after all, so eating seafood should be on your to-do list). If you have time while in Baltimore, I would recommend checking out Fort McHenry and/or the National Aquarium – Fort McHenry is a national monument and was the fort being shelled which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the National Anthem. The National Aquarium is huge with a ton of attractions inside, including dolphin shows and behind-the-scenes shark tours, and there are plenty of other attractions in and around Baltimore Harbor as well. Fans 4 Johns Hopkins football brings in some stellar fans – while the stands are not full, especially on the visitors’ side, there is electricity in the air as the fans here cheer on their Blue Jays. You will hear “That’s another Hopkins first down!” shouted by fans throughout most of the game when JHU is on offense, as well as lots of shouting and stomping during opposing third and fourth downs. The Blue Jays fans seem genuinely excited to watch their team; a lot of them show up in team gear, and many of them can be seen standing the entire time. Access 3 Unfortunately, the traffic in and around Baltimore is pretty rough, especially if you end up taking I-95/I-395/I-495 (which you probably have to). There are also myriad bridges and tunnels around the city, which tend to get congested. The good news is that most Johns Hopkins football games are on Saturday, so the traffic should be a little better then. Once you get to the stadium proper, however, the access gets a lot easier – there is free on-the-street parking along University Drive, or you can turn onto San Martin Drive and park in the parking deck around the bend toward the rear – you have to pay to park there, but it is right behind the stadium so is a very short walk. The roof of that parking deck is marked for faculty only, but it seems to be open for football games, so you may be able to park there for free if you prefer. Alternatively, there are city parking garages a little further from the stadium which you can pay to park in. Inside the stadium itself, the concourse is pretty easy to move around, except note that there is only one men’s bathroom and only one women’s bathroom under each grandstand – these are located near the center of the stands. The concessions are also behind the end zones, so not near the seats, but you can walk around the stadium with views of the action the whole time, so you won’t miss anything. Return on Investment 5 Admission is free at Homewood Stadium (tickets are not even sold), so this is a bargain when it comes to football at any level, given the great atmosphere, awesome fan base, and how close you are to the action at this small stadium. Extras 3 A big plus for the “crab race” tradition at the beginning of the fourth quarter – Maryland as you know is known for crab, so this tradition is not only appropriate but also a lot of fun. The PA announcers call for “claws out” while a video of a hoard of cartoon crabs scuttling along the beach shows on the video board, during which funky dance music plays, and fans (as well as the entire football team) all put their hands up in a claw motion and jump up and down dancing while waving their arms from side to side – the football team, in particular, gets into it, which is great to see. Another plus for the great mascot, and a third plus for the free raffle you can enter (at most stadiums you have to buy tickets for those).

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 War Memorial Stadium 1889 W Pembroke Ave Hampton, VA 23661 Peninsula Pilots website War Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1948 Capacity: 3,750 Baseball on Virginia's Peninsula Baseball has been played at War Memorial Stadium in Hampton, Virginia since 1948. Originally home to the Newport News Dodgers, the stadium played home to several affiliated minor league teams until 1992 when the Peninsula Pilots, then a Seattle Mariners affiliate, moved away for good. However, baseball would return to the ballpark in 2000, when a new franchise, also called the Peninsula Pilots, moved in. This incarnation of the Pilots plays in the Coastal Plain League, a summer collegiate league with teams throughout Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia. Since joining the CPL, the Pilots have been one of the most successful teams, winning eight division titles and two league championships. Notable alumni include legendary Washington National Ryan Zimmerman, who graduated from high school just across Hampton Roads in Virginia Beach. The "Peninsula" in the team's name refers to Hampton's location on the tip of the Virginia Peninsula, sometimes known as the "Lower Peninsula" to distinguish it from the two to the north but most often referred to simply as "The Peninsula". Food & Beverage 5 Despite being an old ballpark, there are numerous food options at War Memorial Stadium. A seafood stand sells flounder, shrimp, crab, and clam strips as well as a basket containing all four. A barbecue stand sells pulled pork, tenderloin, and pork chops on sandwiches with several homemade sauces to top it off with. The main stand sells more conventional options like burgers, hot dogs, and chicken tenders, as well as funnel cake fries for dessert. Alcohol is available for fans of age at several locations, including a tiki bar. Prices are affordable as well. One of the sandwiches at the barbecue stand costs $6, or $8 if you want chips and a drink as well. The most expensive option at the main stand is $8. So you will not pay too much for food here. Atmosphere 4 War Memorial Stadium is an old stadium, and while there are some modern amenities, it is still showing its age in places. The Pilots recently built several new party areas for groups to watch the game, but if you are not going with a large number of other people, you will have to sit in the old, wooden bleachers. There are a few box seats, but they are reserved for season ticket holders who purchased them in advance, usually as a group. While the bleachers are not the most comfortable, they do offer an excellent view of the game. The team makes a great effort to keep fans engaged. A mascot named Slyder, who is a Pelican/seagull hybrid, roams the stands and interacts with fans throughout the game. There are numerous contests on the field between innings. The fans in the stands contribute to the atmosphere here as well, making sure the stadium stays loud throughout the game. The roof over most of the seating area helps keep sounds in, but the fans create their atmosphere to some extent. During the seventh-inning stretch, Pilot's superfan Wayne Gianettino leads the crowd in "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" while standing at his usual seat at the front of the wooden bleachers. Gianettino follows in the footsteps of legendary superfan Charles "Chuck" Williams before him. Williams attended all but about 20 games in 58 years (the exact number varies by source) before passing away in 2010, and is even honored with a plaque at his former seat. While our rankings treat fans and atmosphere as two separate things, it is impossible to speak of the latter here without referring to how the energy from the former contributes to it. Neighborhood 3 As mentioned above, Hampton is located at the edge of the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads area of southeastern Virginia. Norfolk and Virginia Beach are located on the other side of the harbor, which is also called Hampton Roads, and divide the region in two. How long it will take you to get there will depend on how backed up the bridge tunnels (not a typo, the two main crossings contain both bridge and tunnel portions). On a good day, the Virginia Beach oceanfront is 40 minutes away. On a bad day, it can be two or three times that. If you want to stay in Hampton, options include Smitty's Better Burgers, St. George Brewing Company, and Park Lane Tavern. Williamsburg is about a 25-minute drive away and offers many more options, including Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg. Unlike with Norfolk and Virginia Beach, getting to Williamsburg does not require crossing the harbor so traffic will probably be less of an issue. Fans 5 As mentioned above, the fans at Peninsula Pilots games are a large part of why the atmosphere here is so great. They come decked in orange, pack the ballpark to near capacity, and bring major energy throughout the game. After big hits or key defensive plays by the Pilots, it can get extremely loud between the cheering fans and the roof over the seating area that traps the noise in. Many longtime fans have been going to games for years, but also many families with young kids are in awe of their first baseball game. The Pilots have a long tradition of superfans attending almost every game. Wayne Gianettino, like Chuck Williams before him, attends almost every game and pays tribute to him by shouting "Three up, three down" to urge the Pilots to record a 1-2-3 inning, something Williams was famous for doing. However, even the fans who aren't quite as super as Wayne (which is pretty much everybody) still are deeply passionate about Pilots baseball and bring the energy for nine innings every night. These are some of the best fans in the Coastal Plain League if not all of collegiate summer ball. Access 3 War Memorial Stadium is located just off I-264, I-64, and I-664. Ample parking is available in a large lot surrounding the stadium, with more nearby if it gets full. As noted above, if coming from the other side of the harbor, be sure to allow extra time for traffic at the crossings. Even if coming from this side, you may still hit beach traffic although there are more ways around it if you use a GPS app such as Waze. The concourse behind the bleachers is more than wide enough for the crowd, but once you walk up the ramp to the seating area, the inner concourse is much more narrow. The steps to the seating area can be steep in places, and while this improves your view from them, it also makes getting up them a challenge. There are several sets of restrooms on the concourse which are of a sufficient size for the fans in attendance. A clear bag policy is in effect, which is disappointing but unfortunately becoming more and more common. Return on Investment 5 Single-game tickets for Pilots games are $8, with children under 12 getting in for just $5. Parking is free and concessions are affordable, with even more added value for certain deals. When you consider what a great atmosphere a game here is, that makes a Pilots game of outstanding value. Extras 3 There is a Kids Zone and wiffleball field down the right field line. The ticket windows at the entrance to the ballpark are shaped like lighthouses, a reference to Hampton's location on a major harbor. Look for the banners on the concourse honoring all the great players who have played here. Final Thoughts There is no doubt that War Memorial Stadium is an old ballpark. While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of more modern facilities in the CPL and elsewhere in the area, the energy at Peninsula Pilots game is top-notch. The team and the fans both contribute to the excellent experience here. Baseball fans who find themselves in the Hampton Roads area on a summer night would do well to check out a Pilots game.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey. Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex 2555 Pulford St Windsor, ON N9E 4H5 Windsor Lancers hockey website Capri Pizzeria Recreation Center website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 500 Lancers on Ice The southern point of Ontario finds a traveler at Windsor, Ontario. Higher education in Windsor is found right on the border of Windsor and the Detroit River. The University of Windsor was established in 1857 as Assumption College. In 1956, when public funding models in Ontario changed for post-secondary education institutions, Assumption was renamed the University of Windsor and adapted a more secular model. Athletics has been a big part of Windsor student life for quite a while. The Windsor Lancers hockey team first took the ice in 1964 as Assumption College. The Lancers would join the OUAA, precursor to the OUA, in 1971. The Lancers would play at the venerable Windsor Arena. With the OHL’s Spitfires moving across town to a new building and the city finding that the upkeep on the old building was just too much, the old arena was set to be demolished and the Lancers were forced to find a new home. Since 2013, the Lancers have played south of campus at the South Windsor Recreation Complex. The complex was built in 1970 and renovated and renamed in 2017. Currently known as the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex after a naming rights deal was signed with a local pizza restaurant, the CPRC is a hub for local recreation with a pair of hockey pads, gymnasium and other activity rooms. The Lancers are putting forth a strong effort to bring the students south, off campus to come out and support the Lancers. The CPRC is a throwback to those old youth hockey mornings that so many Canadian families remember fondly. Food & Beverage 4 The concession items at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex are better that one would expect for an OUA hockey facility. The Lancers have the advantage of playing in a complex that is a hub of the community and needs to service more people than just those Lancer fans. Rico’s Food & Refreshment provides concession options. The concession is just outside of the rink, which offers easy access to fans. Onion rings, sweet potato fries, chicken fingers, hot dogs, tuna, roast beef or turkey sandwiches, poutine and pogos are all available in a surprisingly diverse menu. A variety of hot and cold beverages are also available for purchase. Pepsi products are the soda of choice and coffee, tea, cappuccino and hot chocolate are examples of hot beverages available. The temperature inside the rink may force fans to make the hot beverage selection. Prices are very affordable and surprising. Combos are also available to save some money. A plethora of vending machines can also be found around the complex. Atmosphere 3 Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex is a community hub that services far more than just the Windsor Lancers. The exterior of the complex is nothing overly special. It still has that seventies feel to it with the brown brick and red trim. Being of a larger purpose, there is not much in the way of Windsor Lancer markings on the exterior. Once inside, the 2017 renovation becomes fairly obvious. The differences between the modern area and the seventies area are like night and day. Heading toward Rink 1 is where the Lancers can be found. A temporary ticket table sits between the concession stand and the entry to the rink, ready to welcome patrons. Inside the rink, it becomes a little more obvious that this is the home of the Lancers as some team markings can be found. The rink itself lends itself to the “hockey barn” ideal, with the wooden, peaked roof with tin-foil insulation lining it. The ice surface runs from east to west with the seating on the north side of the ice. Capacity for the rink is perfect at 500. The east wall features a simple scoreboard, while the south wall has a number of youth hockey banners hanging. It is here that the 1998 and 2014 Queen’s Cup conference championship banners can be found along with the retired number 23 for Ken Minello, the all-time leading scorer in Windsor Lancer history. Unfortunately, the scoreboard does not track the shots on goal, which can be very annoying. The other key element of the rink is the temperature, it is darn cold! Being able to see one’s breath when watching the game is not unheard of in the Capri Complex. When selecting a seat, fans should consider looking up to the old-school, propane heaters that sit above the seating area. Choosing a seat that is under a heater may be the difference between an enjoyable or not-enjoyable event. The game day production at a Windsor Lancers game is very simple. It fits with the environment. Fans have the opportunity to sit right on top of the action, where everything seems to move faster and feel bigger. The sounds of the game are prevalent this close and Windsor does its fans a service by not overproducing the game. Neighbourhood 3 The Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex is located in South Windsor at Oakwood Park, approximately six kilometers from the University of Windsor campus. The location for the arena is very suburban and fans are going to need to take transit or the car to find a pre or post game spot for a meal. The most options that are close by can be found on the EC Row Expressway. Chain restaurants like Moxies, the Mandarine, and the Keg are all found close by. For something a little more original, try the Southside Grill or Cramdon’s Tap and Eatery. There are a number of entertainment options available in Windsor. As far as sports go, the Lancers also field a football team at Alumni Field at the University of Windsor Stadium and basketball in the St. Denis Centre. The Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League are the crown jewel of the city and they play at the WFCU Centre. It is also not inconceivable to hop the border to the north and catch one of the multitude of Detroit sport franchises. Other entertainment options to consider include Caesars Windsor and Adventure Bay Family Water Park. For fans wishing to stay in the Windsor area, there are a number of hotels available. The Comfort Inn and Holiday Inn & Suites Windsor are good options to consider. Fans 3 Fans for almost all OUA hockey spots are of the die-hard variety. OUA hockey does not bring out big crowds usually. The Windsor Lancers usually draw around 200 fans per game, which ranks in the middle of the conference. Many other programs have a signature game to draw from, which skews attendance figures annually. However, Windsor does not currently have a game like that. The Lancers benefit from a small capacity at Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex. Even though the Lancers do not draw much more than most other programs, the atmosphere at Capri is solid. Such a small capacity makes Capri seem full all the time. The fans in attendance are pretty loud and supportive. There are a surprisingly high number of students who make the trek from campus to catch the games, which is great. Access 4 The Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex is located in the neighbourhood of South Windsor, in Oakwood Park. The neighbourhood is nestled south of EC Row Expressway and east of highway 401 and the arena can be found on Pulford Street on the west end of the neighbourhood. Getting to the arena is easy as it is so close to the highways. There is plenty of free parking available at the complex for fans who are coming by car. Public transit is available near the complex and many students take transit from campus to the games. For fans interested in public transit, check out the Transit Windsor website for maps, fares and schedules. Tickets are purchased or picked up at the temporary table outside of the rink entry. Lineups are not a huge issue. The washroom facilities are shared with the rest of the complex. Washrooms are quite large and more than adequate for Windsor Lancers games. However, they are not right in the rink but this is not a huge deal. Return on Investment 4 Canadian university hockey provides a phenomenal value for the sporting dollar. Tickets for the Lancers go for only $8. Discounts are available for seniors and students. University of Windsor students are free. There is plenty of free parking for patrons and the concession prices are pretty good. The action on the ice is fast-paced and pure making OUA and Windsor Lancers hockey one of the best kept secrets out there. Extras 2 An extra mark for the lineage that saw the Lancers play in the venerable Windsor Arena, before moving to South Windsor. An extra mark for the perfect fans to capacity ratio. Final Thoughts The Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex is a great location for OUA hockey. The Windsor Lancers enjoy a classic, Canadian hockey barn that has the perfect capacity for their needs. Fans will be able to be right on top of the action and able to enjoy all of the sounds and sights of the game in its most pure form. Checking out a Windsor Lancers game is well worth the money and an experience that will surprise many. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Strawberry Stadium 500 Western Ave Hammond, LA 70401 Southeastern Louisiana Lions website Strawberry Stadium website Year Opened: 1937 Capacity: 7,408 Lion Up!!!! In 1928, Southeastern Louisiana University opened its doors on 60 acres of farmland in Hammond, on the estate of attorney Hunter Leake II – the college originally opened as Hammond Junior College in 1925, at a separate location before moving to the current site. The football program began in 1930, and in 1937 work began on an on-campus stadium funded by Franklin D. Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration (WPA). Due to pressure from Louisiana Governor Richard Leche, the 7,200-seat stadium was built in just four months. The stadium was originally supposed to be named after Leche, but was dedicated as Strawberry Stadium to honor the local strawberry farmers in the region. This area's rich and fertile soil, combined with the swampy humid climate, makes this a perfect place for growing strawberries, giving this region of Louisiana the nickname "The Strawberry Capital of the World". Strawberry Stadium hosted its first game on Sept 17, 1937, with the Lions, fresh off an 8-0 1936 season, defeating the LSU  freshman team. Today, SLU has expanded to include 365 acres, and with an enrollment of 14,400 is the third-largest college in the state. The Lions have established a quite stellar football tradition in their over 65 years of football, including three undefeated seasons and 7 conference titles, before the football program was discontinued in 1985. Since restarting in 2003, however, the Lions have only continued their winning ways, winning three Southland Conference titles and playing in the FCS playoffs five times.   Food and Beverage   3 There are four main concessions stands inside Strawberry Stadium, two on each side of the facility. You can find the usual items, and prices are fairly cheap – hamburgers and nachos ($5), hot dogs and slices of pizza ($4), peanuts ($3), or candy, chips, and popcorn ($2). They also have Chick-fil-A sandwiches available for ($7), but for a local item on the menu try the Veron Sausage po’ boy for $6; Veron is a special brand of famous Cajun sausages made in nearby Prairieville. You also can't come to Louisiana without getting a po’ boy, so I recommend this item on the menu. For drinks, Coca-Cola is the official soft drink provider of SLU Athletics – you can get coffee, Dasani bottled water, and 16 oz soft drinks for $3. Alcohol is also available at Strawberry Stadium, as you can purchase Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and Budweiser in tallboy cans for $8. Rainbow Daiquiris, a popular daiquiri spot in town, also has a stand set up selling daiquiris, while Hammond-based Gnarly Brewing offers several craft beers for sale, as well as their "Lion Up" brand of beer, custom made for Lions games. In addition, new for 2024 is the "Lion's Legacy" brand of beer that is being brewed for the 100th anniversary of the opening of Southeastern Louisiana University.   Atmosphere   4 Southeastern Louisiana provides a lively atmosphere on campus, thanks in part to a winning tradition the past few years. Before the game you can find tailgaters spread out throughout campus, with the most popular spot being Friendship Circle right out in front of the stadium on the north side. Beautiful Spanish moss trees, with a stunning several hundred-year-old oak and a giant lion statue, provide a stunning backdrop with the stadium in the background. It's a common tradition for couples to kiss under Friendship Oak, as legend states this will keep them together forever. Strawberry Stadium is located behind Friendship Circle – the facility has 7,408 seats, with brick-and-steel grandstands on the east and west sides, along with open end zones. The venue still retains its original exterior brick appearance from when it was built. Interestingly, when the facility first opened it had campus buildings under the grandstands; the first floor of the east grandstand held the cafeteria and post office, while the second floor had student dorms, and the west side had athletic dorms and offices. In fact, university and athletic offices still occupy the west grandstand, while classrooms still occupy the area under the east grandstand. There are four main entrances into the stadium, one located at each corner. Many of the Lions fans and alumni will enter and sit on the west side, while the band, students, and visitors section take up the east grandstand – take note you cannot walk between the east and west grandstands, so you must enter on the correct side. In the east side concourse, Southeastern Louisiana University does an excellent job honoring its sports history – you'll find an impressive display of signage and murals filling the concourse, honoring past players and achievements in not just football but in all sports. All the school's Hall of Famers are honored, and there is also a huge mural honoring former quarterback Cole Kelley (2019-21), who won the 2020 Walter Payton Award as the best player in the FCS. You'll be able to get great views of the field no matter where you sit in the stadium. Once inside, you will be greeted by over 20 rows of bleacher-style seats on each side of the facility; there are also four sections of green and yellow chairbacks at midfield on the west side. The metal bleachers are painted in the Lions colors of light green, and when Strawberry Stadium is empty you can see the chairbacks are designed to spell out SLU in the stadium, which I thought was neat. Also, in the end zones you'll find 15 on-field cabanas that are for sponsors and boosters. Strawberry Stadium has received several renovations over the years – in 2008 they added six luxury suites and the Victory Club, an enclosed climate-controlled room with food and a bar, as well as 116 covered club seats located just outside the Victory Club. A new turf field was also installed prior to the 2012 season; this turf was the playing surface used in the Caesar’s Superdome from 2010-2011, and is still being used at Strawberry Stadium as of last season.   Neighborhood   4 Hammond is the largest city in the Parish, with a population of 20,000 located about 40 miles east of Baton Rouge, and 45 miles northwest of New Orleans. Hammond is a true college town, with most of the attractions centered on the university and a pretty big downtown area. The campus is located within walking distance of downtown, only a few blocks north – this area is quite pretty with a railroad that runs right through the middle of downtown, along with several small parks. You can find plenty of restaurants and bars downtown including La Carrenta, Brady's, Tommy's, Mariner's Inn, Cate Street Seafood, Lee's Diner, and Tope La for popular creole and Cajun foods. For popular spots to get a drink you can try the Cate Street Pub, Red White and Brew, Benny's Place, or the Crescent Bar, while for attractions in Hammond you have Louisiana Children's Discovery Museum, which makes for a great place to take the kids. Keibert & Sons Gator Tours and the Global Wildlife Center, just outside Hammond, are also good options – the latter is home to a drive through safari-style zoo. For shopping in Hammond you have Hammond Square, a beautiful outdoor shopping mall with plenty of mall-style chain stores and restaurants. If you have time I recommend taking a trip to neighboring Ponchatoula, which is about 5-mile drive south of SLU’s campus. This beautiful small town is centered on its strawberry industry, as the Strawberry Capital of the World – if you are here in the spring make sure to check out the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. Ponchatoula has a nice downtown with plenty of restaurants, as well as a giant strawberry right next to City Hall. They even have a cool market inside of an old train station where you can buy all kinds of items, such as shirts, art, and food. For places to stay in the area there are plenty of hotels in Hammond closer to the Interstate, or for a more upscale hotel in Hammond you can try Michabelle Inn, located in a historic 19th century home. You can also find plenty of hotels in Baton Rouge if you elect to stay in the Louisiana capital city.   Fans   3 Sitting in the backyards of both LSU  and Tulane , the Lions had a little bit of trouble fighting for relevancy after restarting football. In addition, SLU can sometimes get lost in the shuffle of the other Southland Conference programs in the state, but in recent years the school has experienced sudden growth, and is now the third-largest university in the state. Winning ways have also taken over Strawberry Stadium; since 2013 the Lions have made five FCS playoff appearances. The Lions winning again and putting a competitive product on the field has only increased attendance in recent years – this season the Lions are averaging about 4,000 fans per game, and in the past five years have Lions averaged 4,980 per season. Also, with many of the schools in the Southland Conference being in Louisiana too, you can expect to find a good number of visiting fans who make the trek to Hammond on game day. The Lions biggest rivalry is with Nicholls State , just 90 miles south of Hammond; the two schools battle it out every year in the River Bell Classic. When Nicholls State, Northwestern State , or McNeese State  visit you can expect to find plenty of visiting fans; the attendance record in recent years was set during the 2019 River Bell Classic, with over 10,000 fans, while the all-time attendance record is 12,000, which occurred during a 1981 game with Jackson State . The Lions fans that do show up are knowledgeable about the history of the program; you'll find a mix of older folks who remember the first incarnation of the football program. You will also find a good number of alumni who turn out for games, as many of the alumni continue to live in the area after graduation. During the game the fans seem into the game, and stay throughout. The band sits on the east side bleachers and plays throughout the game, while Roomie, the Lions mascot, can be seen constantly interacting with fans and students on both sides of the stadium. Roomie became the mascot in 1964, and is named after a longtime professor and avid Lions supporter, Hollis “Roomie” Wilson. The original mascot was a live lion named Lobo, which is Spanish for wolf, but that didn't sit over well. Another thing I think is cool is all the different uniform combinations the Lions wear for the games – you'll almost never see them wearing the same jersey and pants, similar to how Oregon  does their uniforms.   Access   3 Getting to Hammond is fairly simple – the city is conveniently located right on the 1-12 and I-55 corridor, about 40 miles to the east of Baton Rouge and 45 miles northwest of New Orleans. Getting to SLU’s campus is pretty easy; just take I-12 to Exit 40. SLU is then about 2.5 miles north of the exit, a few blocks north of downtown. Along the way you'll pass by all the shopping at Hammond Square, and you'll have a nice drive through downtown. You won't miss Strawberry Stadium, as it's at the front entrance of campus behind Friendship Circle. Louis Armstrong International Airport, closer to New Orleans, will be your main airport if flying in for the weekend – I-55 ends near the airport, and Hammond is a straight 45-minute drive up I-55. This drive will take you through Manchac Swamp on the second-longest bridge in the country. Sometimes the GPS will advise you to take Lake Pontchartrain Causeway to the North Shore, which is the longest bridge in the country, but it can sometimes take over 2 hours to get from New Orleans to Hammond, with traffic, if you use the Causeway. The one issue you may have once on campus is parking; they did build a parking garage attached to the west side of Strawberry Stadium, but this is reserved for season ticket holders and those who have premium seating. There is also plenty of parking on campus for $25, which I thought was kind of high. Alternatively, for free parking there is plenty on the north side of campus near University Center, home of the basketball team.   Return on Investment   4 This season tickets are priced at $25 for metal bleacher seats and $40 for chairbacks, if purchased at the front gate or through the athletics website. However, my advice would be to purchase through a third-party site like Vivid Seats instead, where you can get tickets for less than $10. Attending a Lions games remains a cheaper alternative than attending an LSU  game, for example, if you are looking for a college football game to attend in Louisiana. The Lions put a great product on the field, and the game day atmosphere rivals some of the best FCS colleges in the country. I consider seeing a game at Strawberry Stadium to be a good return on investment – you get to watch really good competitive football for this level, and Hammond is a very off the radar city to visit in Louisiana.   Extras   5 The Lions have had 23 players drafted into the NFL in the history of their program, including two players drafted since football was started back up in 2003. Cornerback Robert Alford is the highest draft pick from SLU, picked 60th overall by the Falcons in 2013. The Lions also have one Walter Payton Award winner in Quarterback Cole Kelley, who won the award in 2020. Besides being home to Lions football, Strawberry Stadium is also home to the Lions women's soccer team, which was added in 2013. The facility is also a historic high school venue for the state, having hosted many LHSAA state championship games over the years. The venue currently serves as the home stadium for local St. Thomas Aquinas High School, which is located in town. Hammond High School also plays their rival Ponchatoula High School every year here in Strawberry Stadium, and that game usually draws a sold-out crowd. Strawberry Stadium has also seen a few legendary players play on this historic field – three future Pro Football Hall of Famers all went down in defeat when they played here. For example, in 1967 the Lions upset a Roger Staubach-led Pensacola Naval Air Station Goshawks military team, while one week later SLU beat a Terry Bradshaw-led Louisiana Tech  team for Homecoming. Halloween 1970 also welcomed another future Hall of Famer to Strawberry Stadium, when Ron Jaworski and the Youngstown State Penguins lost to the Lions. Another bonus is the turf here being first used at Caesar’s Superdome  – the playing surface was installed at the Superdome after the Saints won their first Super Bowl in 2010, and two years later was moved to Strawberry Stadium, where it remains to this day. Another bonus for Strawberry Stadium honoring local strawberry farmers – at one time the North Shore of Louisiana was home to over 14,000 acres of strawberry farms, and today the strawberry remains an integral part of Louisiana's agriculture. In fact, Tangipahoa Parish, where Hammond is located, is the state's leading strawberry producing area, accounting for 75% of the state's strawberry consumption.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena 300 A Philip Randolph Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32202 Jacksonville Icemen website VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 15,000 The Icemen Cometh The VyStar Veteran’s Memorial Arena serves as the home of the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL. The arena opened in 2003 and has been the Icemen’s home ice since 2017, when the team relocated from Evansville, Indiana. The team is an affiliate of the NY Rangers. The facility holds 13,141 in its hockey configuration, with 28 luxury suites. All seats in the arena are theatre-style seatbacks. The “Memorial” in the name of the arena refers to first responders who have made the ultimate sacrifice. There is a memorial wall and statuary located just to the right of the arena saluting firefighters, police members, and paramedics. The choice to salute first responders in the arena name was decided well before the events of 9/11 and the pandemic. Food & Beverage 4 The VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena offers a wide variety of concession items at Icemen games. The Seven Bridges Pizza stand offers personal pizzas featuring cheese, pepperoni, or sausage for $9. The stand also offers margarita-style flatbread ($12) and garlic knots ($6). Duval Street Dogs offers several gourmet hot dogs, including footlongs, chili cheese dogs, slaw dogs, mac n cheese dogs, and BBQ pulled pork dogs all for $9. Duval Street also carries popcorn and candy for $4 each. The Arena Grill has Arena Burgers ($9), giant pretzels ($6), grilled chicken sandwiches ($9), chicken tenders ($8), nachos with cheese ($6), and fries ($5). On the beverage front, the arena serves Coca-Cola brand products. Sodas cost $5 and water is $4. Adult beverages include beers starting at $7, $8, or wine and craft drinks going for $9. There are multiple locations for each stand, so you should not encounter much of a line when purchasing your food. Atmosphere 4 Even though the capacity of the arena is over 13,000 for hockey, the Icemen typically use only the lower level in the seating bowl. This means you are never more than 24 rows from the action on the ice. The arena does an excellent job of keeping the energy up throughout the evening, with plenty of contests being held between periods and breaks in the game. The canine mascot for the team, Fang, and superfan Jax Ice Bluman roam the stands and are more than happy to pose with your family members. Neighborhood 4 The VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena is in the Jacksonville Sports and Entertainment District. This includes the TIAA Bank Stadium (home of the Jacksonville Jaguars), 121 Financial Park (home of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp baseball team), and the VyStar Veteran’s Memorial Arena). These sports venues have drawn sports bars, restaurants, and microbreweries to the area. You no longer need to leave the area for a pre or postgame meal or drink. If you continue past the Sports District heading east over the Hart Bridge you will reach Jacksonville Beach and other attractions surrounding the Atlantic Ocean. Fans 4 You might wonder how knowledgeable the locals are about ice hockey. Jacksonville has always been an attractive place for retirees to escape the harsh winters they experience in the north. These transplants are usually well-versed in hockey from their former working lives. They typically are glad to educate a local about the intricacies of the game. Icemen fans quickly adopt the team as their hometown favorite, and often help to lead the crowd in cheers. The Jacksonville area also has a large Navy base, with lots of sailors who grew up on hockey present at Icemen games. The ECHL has made a concerted effort in building fan interest in the game in its Southern Division. This has resulted in building some rivalries amongst teams along the south Atlantic seaboard. There are now teams located in the neighboring ports of Charleston, SC, and Norfolk, VA. A new expansion team in Savannah, GA will begin to play in time for the 2022-2023 season. It is not unusual to see fans wearing the visiting colors at a game, which results in some good-natured banter with the locals. Access 4 VyStar Veteran’s Memorial Arena rates very well in our accessibility ratings. There are several routes you can take to get to the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The arena has more than enough entry points into the building, with an entire bank of doors along the front of the building. Doors open one hour before the opening faceoff. Elevators are available on each level of the building in addition to the stairs. Parking is readily accessible, as there are more than 6,500 parking spaces shared between the three sports venues in the Sports District. A covered parking deck is located next door to the arena at the corner of A Philip Randolph Boulevard and East Duval Street. The arena has 44 restrooms (16 men,14 women, and 10 family) available. Return on Investment 3 A night out at an Icemen’s game will not freeze out your budget. Tickets run from $18 (behind the goals) to $49 (center ice). Intermediate prices are $23 (corner seats) and $39 (seats on the sides). Parking on game nights is $15. Concession prices are very reasonable compared to many sports facilities. Extras 5 Former NFL players Tim Tebow, Myles Jack, and Reggie Hayward are part owners of the Icemen. The arena also serves as the home of the Jacksonville Giants of the American Basketball Association and the Jacksonville Sharks of the National Arena League (arena football). The Memorial Arena is the major concert venue for the Jacksonville region. Artists including Aerosmith, Carrie Underwood, Elton John, Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Miley Cyrus, Prince, and Taylor Swift have performed there. The Jacksonville Sports Hall of Fame is in the lobby of the arena. It features exhibits about the University of Georgia/University of Florida football game, the Gator Bowl, and recognizes local athletes who have excelled in a wide variety of sports at the high school, college, and professional levels. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is a frequent visitor to the arena. It has hosted first and second-round games in 2006, 2010, 2015, and 2019. The ECHL All-Star game was held at the arena in January 2022. Final Thoughts ECHL hockey has created a strong Southern Division, with several franchises located along the Atlantic coastline. The Jacksonville Icemen call the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena their home ice. Located in Jacksonville’s Sports District, the arena is in use throughout the year as the home of the Icemen, the Jacksonville Giants ABA basketball team, and the Jacksonville Sharks arena football team. The venue also serves as the primary concert venue for the Jacksonville region of northern Florida.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Loring Arena 165 Fountain St. Framingham, MA 01702 Framingham State Rams hockey website Loring Arena website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 2,500 Framingham State Hockey   Loring Arena is a municipal skating facility in Framingham, MA. It opened in 1963 as one of the first public skating rinks in the Boston area. Today the rink serves as home to many area clubs and teams, as well as providing public skating accessibility to the community. A six-million dollar renovation completed in 2018 upgraded the facility and created a dedicated locker room for one of the building’s primary tenants, the Framingham State Rams. The arena is named in honor of Edward F. Loring, who led the Framingham High School hockey team to the state title in 1961. Loring passed away the next year at age 42 due to liver cancer.   Framingham State University is a public university located in the Boston suburb of Framingham. With an enrollment of 4,500 students, the school began its existence in 1839 as the first state-supported Normal School in the country. Today the university offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in several majors.   Today the Rams compete in the MASCAC (Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference) along with several other small schools in and around Massachusetts. Framingham State has yet to win a conference title or appear in the NCAA Tournament, but they do claim an ECAC championship in 1979. The school has announced that a women’s hockey team will begin play for the 2024-25 season.   Food & Beverage 2   There is a snack bar in the upstairs lounge area that is accessible to all fans. There’s a basic menu served here, including hot dogs, nachos, pretzels popcorn and assorted candy. Hot and cold beverages are sold, featuring Pepsi products. It’s not the most extensive menu you’ll find, but it will do the trick if you need a snack during the game. The area also overlooks the ice if you’re looking to escape the cold of the rink. Should the snack bar not be open during your visit, there are some vending machines in the area, one of which serves Dippin’ Dots ice cream.   Atmosphere 1   The game day atmosphere at a Framingham State hockey game is as bare bones an experience as any you’re likely to come across in your stadium journeys. While the arena seems to have a decent sound system, it is severely underutilized. There are no PA announcements made during the game, so if you’re looking for game updates, you’ll have to rely on the basic information displayed on the small scoreboard on the far end of the rink. Music is played during play stoppages, but during intermission, someone simply switches on the radio to fill the space with some noise.   Any energy generated during the game is generated by the fans in the stands, who consist primarily of family members. You won’t see much of a turnout from the student body in this off-campus arena.   Neighborhood 4   The city of Framingham is located about 20 miles to the west of Boston. It has a population of over 72,000 residents. As you may imagine, a city of this size will have some decent options for those who wish to eat in the area or look for a place to stay. Bowditch Field , home of Framingham State football, is located about a mile and a half to the north.   There are no dining or lodging options within walking distance of Loring Arena, but there are many choices along both Route 135, which runs near the rink, or Route 30, which runs past the university. Among the excellent dining options near Loring Arena are La Cantina Italiana, Framingham Station Brazilian Steakhouse and Exhibit A Brewing Company. Visitors looking to stay in Framingham will find numerous options along Route 30, including an Aloft, Residence Inn and Hampton Inn. All are just a short drive from Loring Arena.   Of course, if visiting Framingham from out of town, a trip into nearby Boston is most likely on your agenda. Framingham does offer a bit more value than staying downtown, and the Framingham MBTA Station  is located less than a mile away from Loring Arena.   Fans 2   The crowd at a Framingham State hockey game is a “friends and family” type of crowd. Stadium Journey visited Loring Arena on Senior Day on a Saturday night, and the crowd still topped out at about 150 fans. Even though the rink is only two miles from campus, there’s not much of a turnout from the student body. With the majority of the crowd made up of family members, you can be sure that the fans in attendance know their stuff and are very supportive of the players competing down on the ice.   With the compact footprint of the MASCAC conference, it’s also very likely that you’ll see a good turnout from visiting fans at a Rams game.   Access 4   Loring Arena is located in suburban Framingham, about 20 miles west of Boston. The city of Framingham is easily accessed via either Interstate 495 or 90 (the Mass Pike). The Arena is located about two miles south of the FSU campus, near many of the city’s public athletic fields and parks.   Ample parking is available in the lot adjacent to the front entrance of the rink. There is a large, bright lobby that contains the skate shop and an ATM, which may be handy to some fans as all transactions here are cash only. The snack bar is located on the lobby’s upstairs level, which is a popular spot to escape the cold of the rink, as you can watch the action from here. Rest rooms are located on both levels of the lobby. They are large and clean.   Seating consists of plastic bleachers which run along both sides of the rink. Nets run the length of the ice, obstructing views from all seats. There is plenty of standing room available on both sides of the arena atop the seating area. Fans can also stand at the end of the rink to take in the action.   Return on Investment 4   Admission to a Framingham State hockey game will cost you seven dollars. Parking in the adjacent lot is free of charge. Concessions are very reasonably priced, with no item costing more than five dollars. At Loring Arena you’ll be able to catch some quality hockey without spending too much money. Just be aware that all transactions here are cash only, so come prepared. There is an ATM in the lobby if you need to grab some cash.   Extras 1   The old wooden roof that arches over the ice surface harkens back to an earlier time and gives Loring Arena a classic, old-barn look. It’s certainly worth an extra point.   Final Thoughts   In the state of Massachusetts, hockey is a really big deal. Municipally-owned rinks popped up all around the state during the heyday of Bobby Orr and the Big, Bad Bruins. Loring Arena predates that hockey boom and as a result, features a unique design that sets it apart from many of its peers. -----   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Ball Arena 1000 Chopper Circle Denver, CO 80204 Denver Nuggets website Ball Arena website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 19,250 The NBA at a Mile High The NBA’s Denver Nuggets have had just one home in their 21st Century existence: downtown Denver’s Ball Arena. Since this Millennium started, the Nuggets struggled to find a mix of players to elevate them to one of the Association’s top teams. Who can forget high first-round draft selections like 2002’s Nikoloz Tskitishvili (5th overall) or 2015’s Emmanuel Mudiay (7th overall)? All sarcasm and nostalgia aside, the Nuggets history at Ball Arena has not been a disaster. Far from it. The team enjoyed successful runs after drafting Carmelo Anthony third overall in 2003 and trading for Allen Iverson at the start of the 2006-2007 season. Lately, the Nuggets have emerged as one of the NBA’s top teams. They drafted a little-known Serbian center, Nikola Jokic, in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft (41st overall). “The Joker” became one of the great steals in draft history. He won NBA Most Valuable Player honors in 2021 and 2022, seemingly recording triple-doubles on a nightly basis and passing like a point guard. Jamal Murray, the Nuggets’ seventh pick in the 2016 NBA Draft out of the University of Kentucky , has given the Nuggets a second superstar. Jokic and Murray now have a solid supporting cast that includes Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter, Jr., and Bones Hyland. This has the Nuggets positioned for deep postseason runs. Ball Arena befits the quality of play that Head Coach Michael Malone’s Nuggets display on a regular basis. Food & Beverage 4 Ball Arena’s concession stands have just about all of the food groups on the major-level sports venue nutritional pyramid: hot dogs, corn dogs, burgers, pretzels, and nachos can be found throughout the arena. The Wyncoop, a poultry-based pun of a local place-name, has a delicious fried chicken sandwich ($15, with fries) on the lower concourse, just outside the entrance to section 146. The taco stand just outside section 102 slings four different kinds of tacos, including a vegetarian option, for $14. The food’s quality is good. Given that a beverage container company owns the arena’s naming rights, it should come as no surprise that thirsty fans will find a wide selection of beer and cocktails. There are several locations where fans can buy “tall boy” cans of beer that include InBev/Anheuser-Busch and Miller Coors products, along with Cutwater Canned Cocktails and White Claw hard seltzer. Ball Arena has a full bar on the lower concourse where mixed drinks are available ($13.50 for a single, $19.50 for a double). Given that Pepsi previously owned the arena’s naming rights and remains a sponsor of the building’s tenants, it similarly should come as no surprise that thirsty fans will find Pepsi products sold at Ball Arena. Atmosphere 4 NBA games are high-energy and Nuggets home games are no different. The team’s recent success has brought larger and louder crowds. The Skyline Drumline plays outside, greeting fans as they arrive. Ball Arena has two main entrances: one on the building’s southeast side and one on the building’s southwest side. Most fans will then take escalators to their seats on the 100, 200, or 300 levels; those sitting in the 100 level can also access their seats via ground-floor entries. The entrance on the southwest side leads into Ball Arena’s grand atrium. The Altitude Athletics team shop sits just beyond where tickets are checked. Be sure not to miss the 20,000-pound sculpture of athletes playing their sports that hangs from the grand atrium’s ceiling. Ball Arena’s center scoreboard is the gold standard for NBA venues. Installed before the 2013-2014 season, the scoreboard remains one of the best in league arenas. It spans between the tops of the three-point circles at each end, providing highlights, promotions, and live action at 1080p high definition. Despite its size and the fact that it probably sits as a sports dream for many fans who see it, Ball Arena’s scoreboard complements – and does not overwhelm – the live action on the floor below. The in-house audio system is crisp, as are the beats from the team’s DJ. That said, the music can be loud for some people’s tastes. Ball Arena has a place for those wanting a break from the sensory overload that can come from a live NBA game. Ball Arena Scoreboard, Photo by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 5 Ball Arena has as many restaurants, bars, and hotels within walking distance as any NBA arena. Denver’s Lower Downtown, or “LoDo,” is the Mile High City’s oldest neighborhood. It has more than 100 restaurants, clubs, and shops, along with Coors Field , the National Ballpark Museum , and the recently renovated Union Station. Just across Speer Boulevard from Ball Arena is Coohills, one of Denver’s best restaurants (1400 Wewatta Street, Denver, CO, 80202; (303) 623-5700). For something more casual, try the Hopdoddy Burger Bar at Union Station (1747 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO, 80202; (303) 446-2337). If you’re willing to walk a bit farther, walk west on Speer Boulevard across Interstate 25 to the Highlands neighborhood. Linger (2030 West 30th Avenue, Denver, CO, 80211; (303) 993-3120) offers fine dining in a former mortuary that has one of Denver’s best rooftop patios. Afterwards, you can’t miss Sweet Cow Ice Cream next door (2620 16th Street, Denver, CO, 80211; (303) 455-3811) because it resides in a 28 foot-tall milk can. The closest hotel is Springhill Suites by Marriott Denver Downtown , .2 mile walking distance. Fans 4 Denver has always been a great NFL city, with a rabid fan base following the Broncos . People along the Front Range have begun to pay attention to the Nuggets. In the 2022-2023 season, the team has ranked among the NBA’s top 10 franchises in terms of attendance, averaging more than 19,000 fans per home game and filling an average of 97.6 percent of Ball Arena’s capacity. The fans who come are loud and attentive. As Jokic and Murray have matured into NBA stars, the Nuggets’ fans have grown. Unfortunately, a contract dispute between the team-owned regional sports network that carries the Nuggets, Altitude Sports & Entertainment, has been engaged in a contract dispute with Xfinity since August 2019. This has left a significant portion of the fan base unable to watch the Nuggets legally on a regular basis for both of Jokic’s MVP seasons and for the team’s ascent to the top of the NBA’s Western Conference. Access 4 There are more ways to get to Ball Arena than you can shake a miner’s shovel at. Many downtown hotels are within walking distance of Ball Arena. The Rapid Transportation District’s (the “RTD’s”) C, D, E, and F light rail lines all stop at Ball Arena. There’s also an RTD bus stop at Ball Arena, located at the intersection of 9th Street and Auraria Parkway; several bus lines stop there. Denver participates in the ubiquitous scooter and bike share programs, so those are options. With the nearby Platte River and Cherry Creek trails bordering Ball Arena’s property, walking or bicycling to the game is a cost-efficient way to get to Ball Arena, too. There are three sets of bike racks around the arena. If driving, Ball Arena has 10 different parking lots. There are a number of parking lots within walking distance, as well. With a big crowd, Ball Arena’s common areas can get crowded. Long lines for food and drink tend to form, as do lines to enter seating areas. With most of the seats accessible only after taking an escalator or stairs up, large crowds form at the end of games as large numbers of fans funnel into the escalators to return to ground level. A better option is to use the stairs, accessible through doors along the upper and main concourses. The stairs lead to ground level and do not provide the claustrophobia - or agoraphobia-inducing congestion that can occur while moving toward the tops of Ball Arena’s elevators. Return on Investment 4 Even with recent success and the NBA’s best player, a Nuggets game remains a decent bargain. A single-game ticket to a Nuggets game at Ball Arena is, in the words of Seinfeld’s George Costanza, “right in the meaty part of the curve” with respect to average NBA ticket prices. Face value of single-game tickets for a February 2023 home game against the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors ranged from $59 for the arena’s last seat to $599 for a seat behind the Warriors’ bench. A number of promotions provide lower-priced tickets, as well. Participants in the “Buzzer Beater” program receive text messages the night before each home game, with a limited number of tickets available at lower costs. And every Saturday and Sunday are "Family Nights," with tickets loaded with concession value. Food and drink prices align with other Denver sports venues. Prices seem generally tethered to reality: hot dogs ($7), chicken tenders with fries ($15), large pretzels ($7.50), fountain soda ($6.50 for collectible aluminum cup), bottled water ($5.50) and candy ($5) compare favorably with prices at Coors Field and Empower Field at Mile High. Parking in Ball Arena’s lots will cost either $25 or $30, depending on location. Cheaper parking is available within walking distance. There are numerous parking lots where $10 or $15 parking is the norm. A little willingness to walk can save a few bucks. Extras 5 The newly expanded and renovated Altitude Athletics team shop merits a point. Kroenke Sports Enterprises, which owns the Nuggets and Ball Arena’s other two tenants, the National Hockey League’s Colorado Avalanche and the National Lacrosse League’s Colorado Mammoth, removed the arena’s ticket office before the Nuggets’ 2022-2023 season. In its place, the team store expanded. This yielded more room for merchandise, better flow for foot traffic, and added point-of-sale locations. Many NBA teams have in-game DJs. The Nuggets are no exception. Theirs is Austin “Paws” Pawleka. He must rank among the league’s best. Paws knows basketball and he also knows how to provide a multi-genre soundtrack for the team he grew up loving. Props to Ball Arena for having two nursing pods: one on the lower concourse, just across from the entrance to section 130, and the other on the upper concourse, just across from the entrance to section 345. Another point to Ball Arena for recognizing that its teams have fans with varying sensory processing needs. To that end, Ball Arena has designated its elevator lobbies outside sections 120, 228, and 340 as “quiet areas.” Additionally, Ball Arena’s guest relations kiosks provide sensory bags at no cost. These bags contain a special badge for guest recognition, noise-canceling headphones, and fidget tools. Finally, a point for Ball Arena’s new concession stand, The CANteen. It’s a grab-and-go vendor that only sells beverages in aluminum containers. It’s part of Ball Arena’s “Play Clean” program to encourage fans to recycle packaging after events. Final Thoughts Jokic alone is worth the cost of a ticket. He fills a box score like Oscar Robertson and passes like Jason Kidd. He and Murray front a team that should contend for an NBA title. Yet the costs of watching the Nuggets at Ball Arena do not require a complex financial transaction. It’s a decent bargain for an exceptional experience.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 A. W. Mumford Stadium 1 Robert Smith Blvd Baton Rouge, LA 70807 Southern Jaguars website A. W. Mumford Stadium website Year Opened: 1928 Capacity: 28,000 The Jaguars Home Since 1938 Southern University was founded in 1890. It was one of the earliest HCBUs in the country and has a student body of 8,200. As a land grant university, the largest major is in the field of agriculture. Other prominent majors are in the fields of Business, Social Sciences, and Nursing. Southern is the only HBCU in the country to offer an engineering major. Southern has had a football program since 1916. The school is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The Jaguars football program has a storied history, as they have won nine black college national championships, as well as nineteen SWAC Conference Championships. Two former Southern coaches, Mario Carsem and Ace Mumford, are in the College Football Hall of Fame. More than seventy Jaguar players have gone on to play in the NFL, including Pro Football Hall of Famers Mel Blount, Aeneas Williams, and Harold Carmichael. The home field for the Jaguars is the on-campus Ace W. Mumford Stadium. It opened in 1938 and is named for Southern’s winningest football coach, who served the school for 18 years. The stadium has gone through several renovations over the years, bringing the capacity of the venue to 28,000. The stadium is also unique in that it has a track encircling the football field that is used by Southern’s track and field team. Food & Beverage 2 It is a good thing that Jaguar fans are legendary for their pregame spreads at the tailgates, as the concessions offerings at Mumford Stadium are basic. You can expect the usual (i.e., hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, sodas, and bottled water) stadium standards at the concession stands. The stands also tend to have long lines at the half. Our advice is to eat heartily before the game, then stop off at a stand for bottled water or soda to tide you over in case of a hot and humid night. After the game is head over to Mid-City Beer Garden for a few cold ones. Atmosphere 4 The seating bowl is rather unique at Mumford Stadium. The sideline seating is composed of box seating, while the General Admission seats are on the lower level behind one of the end zones. Suites in the stadium are found at field level down the sidelines and in the upper level behind the end zone at one end. There is a fieldhouse located behind the opposite end zone. The most recent set of renovations at the stadium addressed double decking the press box, the addition of seven more suites, and updating of the home and visitor locker rooms. Every game at Mumford Stadium has a big game atmosphere. The fanbase is very dialed into the game from the opening kickoff to the last whistle. It is Southern (or Southern) football at its finest! Neighborhood 3 Southern University and Ace Mumford Stadium are in a northwest suburb of Baton Rouge known simply as “the Bluff”. This is because the campus sits along Scott’s Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. It is a beautiful setting, with a very green campus. No matter where your parking space/tailgating area is, you’ll be treated to wonderful natural surroundings. There are several great restaurants nearby that can either prepare a tailgate meal for you or welcome you for a sit-down dinner. These include Empire Wingz and Scenic Seafood. If you are coming in from out of town, the closest lodging is adjacent to the Baton Rouge Airport (BTR), which is less than 4 miles from the campus. Lodging options include The Comfort Inn and Suites Baton Rouge Airport and Springhill Suites by Marriott Baton Rouge Airport. The Southern University campus is eight miles north of downtown Baton Rouge. It is well worth the short drive, Baton Rouge is the Louisiana state capitol, and it has several great museums, shopping, and dining options. The ornate Old State Capitol Building is now a museum, with a wide range of art and historical objects to view. Fans 4 Food plays a major role in the gamedays at Southern University. Jaguar fans are big believers in tailgating, as they never enter Mumford Stadium on an empty stomach. The official tailgating area is behind the east side of the stadium, but you are likely to fans munching something almost everywhere on the Southern campus. Once at their seats, the Jaguar fans are completely focused on the game. They create a din that is comparable to the noise level of that other stadium on the other side of Baton Rouge…. otherwise known as Tiger Stadium. As with most HBCU football team fans, we can’t separate them from their institution’s marching bands. This is especially true, when fans move, sway, and cheer with the sounds provided by the Human Jukebox band and the Dancing Dolls dance team. The stands are at a high level of energy thanks to the beats of the band. The Human Jukebox has performed at the Rose Parade, the Presidential Inauguration Parade, and Six Super Bowls. Access 2 Southern athletic officials advise the public to arrive early for Jaguars games. This is partially because only two routes are taking you in or out of the Southern University campus. Harding Boulevard and Swan Avenue can become parking lots before and after games. Mumford Stadium also is one of the largest stadiums at the FCS level of play. Having a capacity of 28,000 fans also means there is a need to disperse the parking around the very large campus, as one lot cannot carry the load on its own. You should pre-pay for your parking to save time, then check out the www.gojagsports.com website to locate the best route to arrive at your designated parking area. Once in Mumford Stadium, you may want to get your concessions purchases taken care of before the game. The layout of the stadium has the concourses located at the bottom of the seating bowl. During halftime or other breaks in the action, the aisles and the concourses get very congested, and you will find long lines for both the concession stands and the restrooms. Plus, you do not want to miss the terrific halftime shows put on by the Human Jukebox band. Fortunately, fans don’t have a problem with getting on campus early, as it allows them to get their tailgating activities underway sooner. The gates at Mumford Stadium open 2 ½ hours before kickoff, allowing you plenty of time to find your seats, use the restroom, or get something to eat. Directions from Baton Rouge Airport to Mumford Stadium: Depart the airport on Jackie Cochran Drive heading north. Cochran Drive soon became C.E. Woolman Drive. Go straight onto Sally Ride Avenue. Turn left onto Veteran’s Memorial Boulevard. Turn right onto LA -408 (Harding Boulevard) Harding Boulevard will bring you into the Southern University campus. Consult your parking map and prepaid parking pass for directions to your parking area on the campus. Return on Investment 3 Southern University uses a variable pricing formula. That treats each game separately. Marquee games will be higher priced than a game against a non-SWAC opponent. The Southern athletic website will break down which games are considered “marquee”, and which are not. The highest-priced tickets are $40, and the lowest ticket prices in the stadium are $20. Parking is available on campus for $20. Extras 5 The Jaguars play two rivalry games each season. The Boombox Classic against Jackson State University is played on a home-and-home basis, while the Bayou Classic game against Grambling University is played in the Superdome in New Orleans. A highlight of the Bayou Classic is the halftime Battle of the Bands between Grambling’s World-Famous Tiger Marching Band and Southern’s Human Jukebox. Southern University had a live jaguar mascot named Lacumba until it died in 2004. Lacumba’s habitat is still in place at the school as a memorial to its late top cat. The school’s costumed human mascot is also known as Lacumba. Southern University recently received a $1.3 million grant to make Mumford Stadium more energy efficient. This will allow Southern to replace its seriously out-of-date lighting grid. Each season Southern plays a whiteout game, with fans and the team wearing white from head to toe. It is quite an impressive sight. Our last extra must go to the terrific performances of the Human Jukebox. They play nonstop throughout the game, and the halftime shows are always terrific. Final Thoughts Southern University is always in the thick of the race for the SWAC conference title. It is also home to the terrific sounds of the Human Jukebox. Mumford Stadium is also the largest on-campus stadium in the SWAC. This all makes a trip to Baton Rouge for a fall weekend a must-do for any true football fan.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Kino North Stadium 2817 E Ajo Way Tucson, AZ 85713 FC Tucson website Kino North Stadium website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 3,200 Men in Black Making its debut in 2013, the Kino North Stadium was the first expansion of Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, AZ, a multi-purpose sports and cultural events center. The Kino Sports Complex, originally opened in 1998 for spring training games. When the MLB teams announced transferring to Phoenix for spring training, the city turned its focus to soccer and youth sports. The North Stadium is home to the USL-1 FC Tucson soccer, WPSL soccer, as well as the Tucson Sun Cup (preseason spring training for MLS teams) and tournaments. Besides soccer, the North Complex has several fields and grounds used for rugby, softball, and other events. FC Tucson (known as the Men in Black ) began as a soccer club league in 2011 then moved to the USL PDL (Premier Development League) in 2012. The team was quite successful in the PDL, reaching the post season and winning the Western Championship multiple times. FC Tucson transitioned to the USL-1 when that league formed in 2019. The Pima County Stadium District operates the game day events; it provides a pleasant, enjoyable game day experience. Food & Beverage 3 Enough food concessions are for purchase to keep hungry fans happy. One permanent concession stand serving basic stadium food items, one colorful Mexican Peruvian Fusion truck, and one beer/cocktail cart round out the options. The concession stand offers hot dogs, burgers ($4 – $6) and assorted snacks such as cookies, chips, nuts, candy, etc. ($3 – $3.50). The hamburger is surprisingly delicious. The Mexican Peruvian truck has nine different, generous choices; enough for two servings. Cheesesteak, cubano, chicken or carne asada bowls, steak and shrimp, steak fries, and more, all cost $12. The beer/cocktail cart sells adult beverages. Craft beers are not on tap; local Dragoon Brewing beers in cans run a pricey $8.75. The concessions (including a merchandise tent) line an open space when entering the park and just before the stands. Unfortunately, no tables are available to sit and eat the food offerings. Staff at a table near the concessions require showing ID to get a drinking age verified wrist band, certainly not uncommon and a lot smoother than pulling out ID at a drink cart. The table attendees insist on putting the band on the right wrist and a fan must talk with a manager if they want it on the left, which is silly. Atmosphere 3 Two stands are on each side of the spotless green soccer pitch. The west side seating is the main seating area and closest to entrance and above player benches. Both stands have handrails for climbing the steps and ramps for prams and wheelchairs. The seating starts at Row A and go up to Row R (18 rows). The east side gets the setting sun for first part of the game but along with that, the gorgeous orange and purple AZ sunsets. All seating is bleachers without backs except the center section of west side (section 104). Those bleachers have backs and are reserved for season ticket holders. A press box sits above this section. Sunset at Kino North Stadium, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The west side is probably the better side to sit as the setting sun is not in fans’ eyes. As with most soccer games, a formal ceremony takes place with the singing or playing of the national anthem. Music noise is thankfully not played during the game (only at half time) as FC Tucson fans make their own excitement by clapping and stamping their feet on the bleachers. An easily read, dot matrix scoreboard stands on the north side of the pitch and shows team names, time played, goals, and half. The US flag and, on the night of this review, the Canadian flag fly near the scoreboard. FC Tucson provide several theme promotion nights throughout the season such as Pride Night, Women’s Soccer Appreciation, First Responders, Youth Soccer Night, and more. Weather-wise, it’s best to attend games in the early or later part of the season as it can get sweltering in Tucson in July and August. Neighborhood 3 The stadium is on the south end of Tucson with several places to dine or drink within a mile and many more a little farther. For places to eat, Chopstix Asian Diner (cafeteria style), Brooklyn’s Beer and Burgers, and BBQ Rush Restaurant are close by. Several fast food places like In-N-Out, Burger King, McDonald’s, etc. are nearby as well. For local brews a mile or less from North Kino Stadium, try the Hardbottle Brewing Company or the Copper Mine Brewing Co. Tucson has loads of breweries and restaurants so head more towards downtown (about 4 – 5 miles) for other choices. The Pima Air and Space Museum is six miles south and worth a visit. Four miles in the opposite direction is the Reid Park Zoo and the Randolph Dell Urich Golf Course (an 18-hole public golf course). Although not really close at all, the Saguaro National Park is worth a visit for its impressive views and scenery. Value hotels like Motel 6, Days Inn, etc. line the I-10 exits north and south of the stadium exit. For more upscaled lodging, head closer to downtown. Other spectator sports in Tucson during soccer season include the Tucson Sugar Skulls (indoor football), and, towards the end of the soccer season, you may be able to catch a Tucson Roadrunners (hockey) game. Depending on time of year visiting, fans can watch a University of Arizona football or baseball game or any of its other sports. Fans 2 In the inaugural 2019 USL-1 season, average attendance was a little less than 1,000 fans at an FC Tucson match, below average for USL-1 attendance. We won’t count 2020. Stadium Journey attended a match in 2021 when some physical distancing and other measures were still in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic so it’s hard to judge the fan attendance. Families, kids, couples, in a variety of languages are heard cheering on the Men in Black. Stomping feet on the bleachers is often heard during and after exciting plays. The supporter section, cleverly named The Cactus Pricks, make a small appearance in the northwest corner of the pitch. I expect they are more influential when their turnout numbers are larger. Stadium Journey will revisit once the pandemic has ended. Access 4 Getting to Kino North Stadium is quite easy. It is right off I-10, E Ajo exit if arriving by automobile. Plenty of free covered parking is at the venue. Getting out is just as easy as a traffic light at E Ajo helps with moving the exiting vehicles. Sun Tran bus routes 11, 15, and 2 stop at the Sports Complex with route 11 having a stop at the Tucson International Airport. Be sure to check the schedule and return times as the last route may leave before the end of the match. The Tucson Airport is 4 ½ miles south of the venue. One gate is open with the ticket booth to the left. If bringing items into the ground, clear bags are required. Getting through security is painless and fans take a short walk on a wide path to get to the stadium. A wide open space greets fans at the end of the pathway where the concessions are located. Clean rest rooms are underneath the west stands; porta potties are by the east stands. For those in wheelchairs, purchasing seats on the west side is recommended as getting to the east side requires traveling across grass which may be a tad more difficult to cross. Return on Investment 4 Single game tickets run $10 (Supporters Section), $14 (East Stands), $17 (West Stands). Add $1 – $3 if purchased the day of game. These prices are on par and even a little less than other USL-1 teams. The club offers season tickets, 5-game plans, and flex passes which may be more cost effective if planning on attending more than one match a season. Be sure to check the theme promotion nights when t-shirts or other items are given away. The concession prices are reasonable, parking is free. It’s well worth your sports entertainment dollar. Extras 2 Except for the silly wrist band rule, service is excellent from entry into the facility, to ushers, to service via email and over the phone. Kudos to Tucson city for turning the focus of Kino Sports Complex from baseball to soccer and youth sports when the MLB teams announced transferring to Phoenix for spring training. Final Thoughts A high volume of youth soccer programs, women’s teams, preseason MLS, and USL enrich Tucson, AZ’s sports scene. In February, 2021, ownership of the FC Tucson soccer team transferred to an independent private equity firm led by Brett Johnson, original investor of the successful Phoenix Rising FC. The club looks forward to many years of competition and continued growth of the sport in southern Arizona.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Thomas More Field 7950 Freedom Way Florence, KY 41042 Florence Y'alls website Thomas More Stadium website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 4,500 Welcome to Florence Y'all! The Florence Y'alls of the independent Frontier League was known as the Florence Freedom from 2003 to 2019 before new ownership sought a new nickname through an online fan vote - the winner was the Florence Y'alls, but why? Florence is known for its red and white candy-striped water tower that reads “Florence Y'all.” The popular sign has been a fixture since 1974 when it originally read Florence Mall, due to concerns about it being an advertisement for the mall, the town’s mayor simply repainted the M to give the town its popular catchphrase. The phrase is so popular that when Florence hosted the All-Star Game in 2016 it was renamed the Y’All-Star Game. The club plays its home games at the 4,200-seat Thomas More Stadium--formerly known as Champion Window Field-- located off I-71/75 in Florence, Kentucky. The ballpark opened in 2004 during the team's second season (Foundation Field in Hamilton, Ohio, served as the club’s temporary home the year before) and has been offering fans of the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky area an alternative to Major League Baseball. Florence, Kentucky became the home to minor league baseball for the first time in 2003 when it joined the Frontier League. The next season it debuted at Thomas More Stadium, a 4,200-seat ballpark directly off I-75. The Florence Freedom provided an alternative to baseball in Cincinnati just a short 20-minute drive up the road. The ballpark is within Cincinnati Reds territory and one of the many Frontier League franchises to be within a major league ball club’s foothold. In an area dominated by the Reds, can the Freedom be successful at the gate in one of the country’s more historic baseball cities? Food & Beverage 5 The concession items follow a local flare with several Cincinnati regional favorites predominantly featured on the menu boards. Snappy Tomato Pizza, Gold Star Chili, Montgomery Inn, and Glier’s Goetta are among many of the local brands found inside the facility. Gold Star cheese coneys sell for $3 and are covered with Cincinnati-style chili and mounds of shredded cheddar cheese. There is also Glier’s Goetta sliders that sell for two for $5; goetta is a mixture of meat scraps and oats that is fried and usually served for breakfast in the region--similar to scrapple, but at the ballpark is also served over nachos. Montgomery Inn is known for its barbecue ribs, but fans can choose from pork sliders, a giant pork sandwich, and pulled pork nachos slathered in the restaurant's signature barbecue sauce. You can even enjoy the pulled pork covered over Saratoga chips and queso blanco for $12. The regional feel is also felt with triple play nachos. Fans can pick their chips (Fritos, Doritos, and Tostitos) and have them topped with goetta, taco meat, pulled pork, and Cincinnati-style chili, followed by traditional fixings of lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and jalapenos. The beer also has a local flavor with 16 and 20-ounce drafts of Christian Moerlein varieties from OTR to Strawberry Pig Cream Ale. They even taste better with locally made meat or hot meat for $7.50. However, fans can enjoy typical ballpark food of hot dogs for $3.25, hamburgers for $4.50, ballpark nachos for $4.50, and chicken strips for $5. If you have a sweet tooth, there are funnel cakes, salted caramel pretzels a la mode, and root beer floats. Atmosphere 3 The ballpark features a spacious concourse that does not wrap around the building. The fold-down chair seating is colored red, blue, and yellow (which were the same color combination used at the former home of the Cincinnati Reds Riverfront Stadium) and provides a nice look compared to the normal ballpark seat colors of forest green or navy blue. The souvenir shop is ample and features Freedom caps for $18 (a bargain compared to other teams) and a few creative t-shirts and specialty jerseys. There is also a stage in the left field area that is home to concerts and other events when the club is out of town. The staff for Freedom most likely will bend over backward to appease certain vendors and crowds at the stadium. Another friendly person is Y’All Star who made his debut as the team’s mascot in 2016. The replica of the town’s water tower has been a fixture at the ballpark ever since his first year. The ballpark is set up to be very kid-friendly. Their kid zone could entertain the little ones for hours with a jungle gym, bouncy house ($5 extra), and pitch and strike zones. They even have playground rubber mulch to protect any bumps or bruises. Neighborhood 3 Florence is a suburb of Cincinnati and is surrounded by other small Kentucky towns. The stadium is located off of 1-71/75 and near chain restaurants, the Florence Mall retail outlets, and residential homes. Downtown Cincinnati is located 12 miles to the north and so is Newport on the Levee, where there is a little more action. I enjoy traveling north into Cincinnati and having dinner at BrewRiver GastroPub (2062 Riverside Dr) or the equally delicious Pompilios (600 Washington Ave.) in Newport, Kentucky, for Italian cuisine. Smokin' This and That BBQ was voted the best barbecue in Northern Kentucky. The BBQ spot features pulled pork, brisket, and ribs and adds them to other dishes to create barbecue tacos, sandwiches, loaded hot tots, and parfait. If you want traditional double-decker sandwiches, the Sub Station II across the street from the ballpark in Florence offers up a few tasty combinations. You also may be able to locate many famous area chili parlors with both Gold Star and Skyline located in various locations in the metropolitan area. If you are lucky, you can take in a game at Great American Ballpark , but when in Cincinnati visit Jungle Jim's International Market - the Disneyland of supermarkets; they have everything from imported cheeses, fine cigars, craft beers, bourbons, produce, and food products from hot sauces, candies, and spices from around the world. Other destination points in Cincinnati include the Carew Tower for views of the city, and the Cincinnati Museum at Union Station , and you can even take a self-guided tour where Crosley Field once stood near the museum. Fans 3 The Freedom has been averaging close to 2,500 fans per game during the 2018 season. With the tasty food options, cheap tickets, free parking, and easy access this is a gem of a ballpark experience that residents in the Cincinnati area should be visiting in greater numbers. Access 5 UC Health Stadium is adjacent to I-71/75 and visible from both north and southbound lanes of the interstate. A quick exit and a right turn on Freedom Lane will place you inside the stadium's parking lot. There is no need to pull out your wallet or reach into your purse since parking is free and that is the way it should be across all ballparks. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices range from $9, $12, and $14 for home games in advance; the price goes up to $12, $14, and $16 the day of the game. Freedom also provides a few promotions that include Thirsty Thursdays, Guaranteed Winning Wednesdays (if the team loses, fans can come back for free), Firework Fridays, and Family Fun Sundays. The Freedom does not charge to park for games and concession prices are reasonable for independent baseball. Overall, the return on investment falls in line with other Frontier League cities and ballparks. Extras 4 The team scores extra points for the local beers: Hudy Delight, Christian Moerlein, and Hudepohl Amber, and the local food: Skyline Chili, goetta, Queen City Sausage, and Montgomery Inn barbecue ribs. The team gets another point for the color scheme of the seats which is a nod to the former home of the Cincinnati Reds, Riverfront Stadium. The color pattern adds a distinctive touch to the modern ballpark. The third point is the free parking. A final point is for the stadium to be peanut-free. I know this is sacrilegious to the game of baseball, but some customers--like my nephew--have severe peanut allergies. UC Health Stadium does not serve bagged peanuts to be an allergy-friendly stadium and avoid the peanut dust that can be dangerous to those with peanut allergies. At this time, it is the only known stadium to be peanut-friendly all year round. Final Thoughts Thomas More Stadium is a small stadium that packs in a big punch. It is a simple facility that makes up for it by getting base hits with free parking, local food variety, affordable prices, and a positive attitude. The use of the water tower and the phrase "Florence Y'all" is awesomely fun. If the Reds are not in town, take the short drive and watch the team play. ------ 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: 3.00 Fairfax Field W High Street Shepherdstown, WV 25443 Shephard Rams website Fairfax Field website Opened: 1920 Capacity: 500 Rams Baseball in Shepherdstown Shepherd University competes at the Division II level of the NCAA and is located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, in the Eastern Panhandle of the Eastern Panhandle of the state. (This is not a typo. Look at a map.) Fairfax Field is located on the Shepherd campus and was built in the early 1920s to house the school’s football team. However, it was a wholly inadequate facility, and in 1959, the team moved to the newly built Ram Stadium . Fairfax Field was then converted to a baseball field, which It remains to this day. One can still imagine the football field that was once here by noting the unusually deep center field fence. Food & Beverage 2 Limited concessions are served out of a truck behind the first base bleachers. Options include hamburgers (cheese optional), hot dogs, candy, chips, soda, and water. Although the options are limited, the prices are quite reasonable. Atmosphere 3 Fairfax Field is a small stadium, but that just makes it all the more intimate. There are three sections of seats here. The one immediately behind home plate consists of chair backs, while the other two sections are metal bleachers. Some of the chair backs have the names of donors on them, and they are typically allowed to sit there if they come, but other than that, it’s general admission. Note that the chair backs will be in the shade for most of the game, while the bleachers will be in the sun. Which one is preferable depends on the weather. On a brisk day early in the season, fans may want to forgo the chair backs and sit in the sun. As the season goes on into May and the temperature heats up, that shade will seem a lot nicer. The team plays music in between batters and in between innings, but other than that, there isn’t much going on here other than the game itself. It is a baseball purist’s dream, but fans expecting all the bells and whistles they’d get at a professional park will be deeply disappointed. Neighborhood 2 Shepherdstown is a friendly town but is not a particularly large one. There are a few restaurants and such in the immediate vicinity, but ultimately this is a sleepy small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains with not much to do. That being said, there is a lot of natural beauty in the area. Despite the popular John Denver song, the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah River are mainly associated with Virginia, not West Virginia, but Jefferson County, where Shepherdstown is located, is the one place in the state you can actually experience them. Civil War buffs can also take a short drive across the Potomac River to visit the historic battlefield at Antietam, Maryland. Fans 4 Although Fairfax Field is a small facility, fans do a good job filling it up. The ones who attend are knowledgeable and passionate, cheering on the Rams loudly through nine innings. They are not afraid to get on the umpires’ case if they feel they made a poor call. Some students show up as well, but do not show the passion you’d expect from students at a bigger school. Additionally, if the game runs long, many of them will leave early to go to other evening activities. Access 3 Shepherdstown can be tough to access and will require at least some travel on local roads. State Route 9 and U.S. Route 340 can get you close, but then you will have to do some driving on back roads to get to campus. Once you’re on campus, there is a small lot right next to the stadium, but that fills up quickly. There are several lots located a short walk away in between the stadium and the Butcher Athletic Center , where the basketball team plays. Note that if you are heading to a weekday game, there will be additional restrictions in effect and you must follow all posted signs. On weekends, parking on campus is unrestricted and permitted in any marked space. Return on Investment 5 Admission is free, parking is free, and concessions are very affordable as well. Although you may have to spend a bit on gas to get here, a trip to a Shepherd baseball game is quite a bargain. Extras 2 There is a banner down the right field line listing Shepherd’s baseball accomplishments on a conference and NCAA level. Free programs are available in a converted mailbox by the bleachers. Although they are very basic, you can’t argue with the price. Final Thoughts Even Division I college baseball isn’t all that popular in this part of the country, and Division II baseball even less so. However, the Shepherd Rams have a small core of fans who are extremely passionate about their team and make the trek to Shepherdstown worthwhile for baseball fans in the area.

Long before major league baseball arrived in Atlanta from Milwaukee in the mid-1960s and moved into the brand – new Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the city had a long and glorious history with baseball. Its team was known as the Atlanta Crackers, and they were the winningest team in Southern League history. The Crackers brought home 17 pennants, more than any other professional baseball other than the New York Yankees. Their home field was known as Ponce de Leon Park, which was ahead of its time in many ways. Built in 1924, it could hold more than 20,000 fans and featured bucket seats attached to a concrete frame, a major improvement over the wooden bleachers found in most minor league parks of the day. However, what set Ponce de Leon Park apart from all other ballparks was “the tree.” The tree was a Southern Magnolia located more than 500 feet from home plate in dead center field…. inside the field of play! This necessitated special ground rules to be established for plays involving the tree. It was decided if a ball was hit into the tree (quite a blast) the ball was still in play. Babe Ruth and Eddie Matthews were the only two players to be awarded home runs for this feat, as their moonshots went into the tree’s branches and never came down. The Magnolia was also very popular with both batters and catchers, as the deep green hue made the ball coming off the mound much more visible in an era where the field lights were somewhat dim at best. The Crackers fans saw the tree in center field as a good luck charm, responsible for the many pennants won by the team. It was also seen as a point of civic pride, as no other ballpark in America could boast of such a unique element in the field of play. In 1947, new ownership took control of the Crackers and Ponce de Leon Park. They saw the tree as a nuisance and announced plans to cut the tree down. This caused outrage amongst the loyal Crackers fans, and a compromise was quickly brokered. The tree would stay, but the outfield wall would be brought in 50 feet, putting the magnolia just behind the outfield fence. It may have lost its official position as a centerfielder, but in the end, it outlasted the ballpark itself. Ponce de Leon Park was demolished in 1966, as baseball moved on to the new Braves stadium south of downtown. Ironically, the owner who had once wanted to have the tree cut down wound up requesting that his ashes be spread at the base of the tree, a request that was honored. Ponce De Leon Park Tree Today Nearly a century later that magnolia tree is still standing above a shopping center erected on the former site of Ponce de Leon Park. It is lovingly tended to by a local arborist at no charge. The tree is located just below the Atlanta Beltline, a hike/bike trail that encircles the city of Atlanta. The arborists have taken small cuttings from the tree and the clone saplings are now growing back at the nursery. The plan is that once they mature, they will be planted along the Beltline to provide a bit of shade for the next generation of Atlantans. Any other teams looking for a tree to play center field?

Photos courtesy of Blaise D'Sylva If you’re a sports fan, more than likely you were a collector of something at some point in your fandom career – maybe it was baseball cards or autographs; maybe it was ticket stubs or jerseys. If you’re a fan, you probably have some merchandise of your favorite team and/or players. Some fans grow out of the collecting hobby, while some, like Blaise D’Sylva, grow into it. D’Sylva has amassed what can only be described as a museum-worthy collection of football helmets that he showcases on his X – formerly known as Twitter – account . At the time of our interview, D’Sylva estimated his collection of mini helmets was probably over 7,000 and spanned every FBS team ever, every NFL team ever, and most CFL and sundry other pro football leagues. It is astounding. I caught up with him recently to ask about how this collection got started, how his professional career has brought him in and around sports, his website, and we naturally talk about his favorite helmets.   EM:  Before we dive in and talk about the helmets, let’s talk about you a little. Looking at your professional background, you have been in and around the sports world for a long time. Can you share a little bit about that? BD:  My career has really been about working in advertising. I started at an advertising agency right out of grad school in Chicago. I was working in the media department where we actually had the money and got to spend it. I worked there for 17 years and then I switched…and worked for All-State Insurance. I did a couple of fun projects that are still around. One is the All-State Sugar Bowl and also when you see All-State in the field goal nets, we started that as well, when I was there. I’m proud to have been part of a team to have put that all together. I then went to ESPN where I sold advertising. Did that for about six years, and then went back to the client side of the business. I worked at Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis…then I was down at the Dr Pepper/Snapple Group [now Keurig/Dr Pepper] in Plano, Texas. Since then I’ve done some different projects out here in Vegas, where I am today. EM:  Would it be fair to say then that you are a bit of a sports fan? BD:  Yeah, definitely. The fact that I’ve been able to marry a personal passion with something I like to do in business has been fantastic. It doesn’t get much bigger than when you’re running all the sports sponsorships at Anheuser-Busch. I’ve been able to touch sports in a lot of different ways in the work that I’ve done. EM:  Let’s talk about the collection now. Right now, do you know how many helmets you’ve got? BD:  That’s a good question. I would say, rough count is probably somewhere between 7,000 and 7,500. Just to give you perspective, there are about 275-300 new college helmets per year. In the NFL, there are 10-15 new helmets this year. The CFL probably half a dozen. Maybe I do the UFL, there will be a few there. There are probably around 350 new helmets a year that get added. My biggest worry is that I’m running out of room. I’ve probably got enough space to get through 2025. After that, I’ll have to figure something out for this space. That and the acrylic cases [I have them in]. Riddell used to make those when they first started making the Pocket Pro Sized Helmets years ago and I used to pick them up from them and they were fairly cheap. They stopped making those 10-15 years ago. I pick them up on eBay every once in a while. EM:  How did this get started? Did it start with one and then just snowball? BD:  When I was a kid, this was back in the 1970s, I collected those gumball helmets that you used to get for $.25 in the gumball machines. I do still have a bunch of gumballs [in my collection]. I had those and forgot about them. Then, with the advent of eBay, you started buying things you never thought you’d see again. For me, it was the combination of two things. It was eBay and second, I went to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. It was the weekend before the induction ceremony and there was a bunch of vendors out in the parking lot. One of them was a Riddell booth and they had a set of these Pocket Pro helmets that looked really nice. They had an NFL throwback set, that they would eventually sell, but were for display only at that time. They had a bunch of helmets I’d never seen before. Riddell started making those in mass production in the early 2000s. I met a guy on eBay and bought some Arena helmets from him. He’d taken the Riddell helmets and strip the paint, repaint them and put the vinyl logos on them. He asked me what I’d want, and I said let’s make everything. That’s when it really took off, because that’s how it allowed me to collect every version of every team. He and I have been working together since 2003 and I added a second guy in 2016 when the first one said he was going to stop doing it. He ultimately didn’t stop, which is a good thing, because it has taken so much effort just to get caught up. At the end of the 2022 season, I was finally caught up with all the FBS schools. I’m probably less than 40 helmets away from the 2023 season. It’s a never-ending thing.   EM:  I frequently visit your website, helmethistory.com ; it’s very comprehensive. It seems like you update that very regularly. How much work are you putting into sharing your passion for this unique part of the game of football? BD:  I tell you, I look forward to the offseason because of the amount of work that goes into this. I don’t make the helmets, but the amount of work in doing just the research every week is a lot. By the time I research it, I’ll post it on the website, I’ll tweet it out. It’s a good eight to 10 hours of work a week to do it right. The one thing that I do do, and I’m probably creating more work for myself, is that I’ll record what a team says they’re going to wear, but I’ll always verify what they did wear. You’ll always get one or two teams a week that say they’re going to wear something and not do it. The thing for me is, I’m not breaking any news or selling any ads on my website. I’m doing it because I need to track it so the guys can make the helmet. I think my website is the most comprehensive for what I do. I track all the teams in FBS and 72 teams in FCS and the NFL and CFL. It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun. There is no end game in sight.   EM:  Before I let you go, I wouldn’t think of asking you to pick out a helmet as your favorite, but what would you same are some of your favorite ones? BD: I’m more partial to some, sure. Washington State, for sure, because that’s where I went to school. So, that’s always a favorite for me. I do like teams that I think have cool colors and cool logos. Tulane has always been a favorite of mine with the angry wave. I do like some of the Navy and Army ones that they use when they play each other. Air Force, too. Those are some of my individual favorites. I do like what Oregon does, because they were the original innovators. ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Jared Goodman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 John Paul Jones Arena 295 Massie Rd Charlottesville, VA 22903 Virginia Cavaliers website John Paul Jones Arena website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 14,593 Champions of Design The University of Virginia, established in 1819, has a long and storied history on the basketball court. Since the sport was introduced at the school in 1905, the Cavaliers have made 23 NCAA tournament appearances, claimed 3 ACC Championships, and even won their first-ever National Championship in 2019. During their tenure as one of the most legendary programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Virginia has utilized several venues as their home courts. For 42 seasons, the Cavs were holed up in the 2,500-seat Memorial Gymnasium. A much larger University Hall debuted in 1965, increasing capacity for home games to almost 8,500. But the team outgrew this concrete coliseum too, ultimately landing at the sparkling new John Paul Jones Arena in 2006. The venue, the largest ACC arena located outside a metropolitan area, is able to hold almost twice as many fans as its predecessor – and it often has in recent seasons. Food & Beverage 4 The dining options available at JPJ are numerous and reflect a great variety of tastes, meaning there’s something for everyone. For a main course, try any of the following: taco trios ($9), cheesesteaks ($7), salads ($7), burrito bowls ($9), chicken tenders/wings ($9/$8), footlong corn dogs ($6), Bojangles’ chicken boxes ($9), hamburgers ($7), Papa John’s pizzas ($8), or hot dogs ($4). Snacks and sweets include: Route 11 potato chips ($3), popcorn ($5), pretzels ($5), and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (2 scoops for $6, waffle cone for $7). A few other delectables such as funnel cakes, cotton candy, Dippin’ Dots and kettle corn round out the menu. Wash it all down with a Pepsi-brand soda ($5) or bottled water ($3). Atmosphere 5 This isn’t a big arena, by any means, but as any college basketball fan will tell you, bigger does not mean better. Capacity sits a little under 15,000, but you could easily mistake it for more than 20,000 when the fans get up. Everyone is extremely passionate and loud. JPJ Arena may be one of the most vertical venues I’ve ever been to. Bring your walking stick, because it’s a steep climb up to the second level. This only means fans at that level have a better view of the game. You will never go uninformed at a Virginia game. There are screens everywhere you turn, with live stats for different players, as well as team stats and trends. Accompanying the screens are the numerous banners from the long history of success. Neighborhood 5 If you plug “college town” into a search engine, photos of Charlottesville will fill your screen. The historic city owes almost everything it is today to the incredible University of Virginia. Founded in 1819 by former President Thomas Jefferson, UVA set the bar high in architecture and academics for institutions that followed. Today, the university continues to act as the pulse of Charlottesville – the two are inseparable. Hotspots in the town, for both students and locals alike, include The Corner and the Downtown Mall. The former abuts the university itself and is chock-full of college bars and eateries. The latter, meanwhile, is home to scores of restaurants and shops. Considered to be one of the largest pedestrian malls in the nation, it’s worth paying a visit to this popular district. Just to the south of the downtown area lies the former residence of founding father Thomas Jefferson. Monticello, as he called it, attracts thousands of visitors each year and is a must-see when visiting the Charlottesville region. On the more natural side of things, go for a scenic ride down either Skyline Drive or the Blue Ridge Parkway, which meet just twenty miles west of C-ville at the entrance to Shenandoah National Park. The trip is especially worth it in early autumn, when the trees that line the highway begin to turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red. Fans 4 JPJ has to be one of the loudest venues in the ACC, due to its compact and vertical design. Fans who pack the house each and every game day are both very involved and incredibly loud, the perfect recipe for an electric atmosphere. They rally behind head coach Tony Bennett and his legendary defense, the intensity culminating in a thunderous roar as the seconds tick down and the Cavs force a shot-clock violation. The Hoo Crew student section seems to lead the charge, singing and chanting the songs of school throughout the game. This rowdy group is really the spark that lights the fire underneath the seats of every UVA crowd. And after clinching the National Championship in 2019, they’re fired up now more than ever. Access 3 Charlottesville is nestled in piedmont Virginia off Interstate 64, just east of the Shenandoah Valley and about an hour west of the state capital of Richmond. Unfortunately, Hoo-Ville is not all that easy to get to, as it’s pretty isolated from any major cities. The closest, Washington, D.C., is about 2 hours away. Once in the general vicinity of John Paul Jones Arena, expect some congestion. It’s recommended to arrive about an hour before game time in order to allow for any traffic you may incur. As far as parking is concerned, you have a few options to choose from. Expect to pay around $10 or so to park in one of the signed lots near the arena. Generally, a pre-paid parking pass is needed to use these spaces anyway, so be sure to do your research in advance. Free parking is available at The Park, the Darden School of Business and the Law School; all are about a 15-20-minute walk from JPJ. However, one of your best bets for secure parking is probably the Central Grounds Garage. While hourly rates still apply, and it’s a 15-minute walk down the street to the arena, the structure is both safe and very large. Return on Investment 3 The prices of your tickets will vary greatly, depending on who the Cavaliers are playing. Against some non-conference opponents, or weak ACC teams, seats are going for just a few bucks a pop. But when big names such as Duke or UNC are headed to JPJ, expect to pay top dollar to get in the building. Parking can be free if you’re willing to put in a little effort and don’t mind a short walk. Otherwise, expect to pay between $10-$20. Lastly, anticipate spending at least $20 per person on concessions inside JPJ. All told, a family of four can cheer on the Hoos for as little as $100 (non-conference, free parking) or as much as $300 (popular conference opponent, premium parking.) Extras 3 The arena is the proud home of loads of trophies and titles that UVA has gained throughout its history. These cases and plaques line the concourses of JPJ, showcasing the achievements of both the men’s and women’s programs. Much to the chagrin of UVA fans, the Cavaliers will forever be known as the first team to lose to a #16-seed in the NCAA Tournament. In 2018, they became the answer to a trivia question when they were upset in the Round of 64 by the UMBC Retrievers. The very next season, however, Virginia exacted their revenge in the Tournament and claimed their first-ever National Championship. Today, the center-court floor from that historic 2019 Final Four in Minneapolis is on display at John Paul Jones Arena, a constant reminder to fans of their ultimate comeback success. Finally, the on-campus architecture is just so incredible that it’s deserving of another mention. You simply won’t find another university like it anywhere in the nation. Final Thoughts At times, it may cost you an arm and a leg to pay John Paul Jones Arena a visit. However, it’s definitely worth it in every respect. The home court of the historic University of Virginia should be heralded as one of the best venues in the ACC, if not all of college basketball. Put this place on your bucket list, just below Allen Fieldhouse , The Palestra , and Cameron Indoor .

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 L.R. Hill Sports Complex 4251 Powhatan Avenue Norfolk, VA 23529 Old Dominion Monarchs website L.R. Hill Sports Complex website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 1,500 Old Dominion Field Hockey Located on the campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, the L.R. Hill Sports Complex is home to the Monarchs' field hockey program as well as the women's lacrosse team. The Complex consists of a 1,500 seat stadium as well as an attached 58,000 square foot facility that houses training and weight rooms and athletic offices. Although the name "L.R. Hill Sports Complex" technically refers to both the stadium and the attached athletic facilities, this review will just focus on the stadium itself, specifically the experience at an ODU field hockey game. Old Dominion is one of the most successful field hockey programs in NCAA history. Their nine national championships rank second only to UNC, although they have not won a title since 2000. Old Dominion primarily competes in the Sun Belt Conference, but since neither the Sun Belt nor ODU's previous home, Conference USA, sponsor field hockey, the Monarchs have competed as an associate member of the Big East for that sport since 2013. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small concession stand located in between the stadium entrance and the bleachers, near the restrooms. The menu here is pretty basic. Nachos, popcorn, peanuts, and assorted candy are all $5, with the peanuts coming in a fairly large bag from Texas Roadhouse. Gatorade is available to drink for $6, while water, soda, and hot chocolate are all $5. Atmosphere 4 L.R. Hill Sports Complex has a beautiful brick architecture in the structures such as the concession stand and the training facility adjacent to the field. The seats themselves are a large set of bleachers without backs, which are pretty close to the field. There is no track or anything else in between, which is always a plus. A large scoreboard to the right of the bleachers in the corner of the field is also capable of showing team stats and video, including a pregame hype video to get the crowd fired up. Overall, the L.R. Hill Sports Complex is one of the nicer college field hockey venues, both architecturally and in terms of the effort they go to to get fans engaged. Neighborhood 3 The L.R. Hill Sports Complex is located along a residential street so there isn’t much in the immediate vicinity. However, if you head a few blocks east on 43rd Street to the vicinity of Chartway Arena, there are many options for visitors to enjoy. La Herradura is a popular Mexican restaurant, and Del Vecchios is known for its pizza. If you make the short drive into downtown Norfolk, you will find even more options. Fans 4 Old Dominion draws a couple hundred fans to a typical field hockey game, which is slightly above average for the sport. The fans who do show up can be quite loud, although many of the fans in attendance when we visited were cheering for the other team. Still, the Monarchs have a good fan base, including a handful of ODU students, despite field hockey not being the biggest college sport. The two decades of Monarch dominance of college field hocky are now almost a quarter century in the past, but they still have a strong fan base. Access 4 The city of Norfolk is accessible via many highways, including I-64, I-564, I-264, and I-664. The ODU campus is easily accessible from all of them. However, if coming from points north and west of Norfolk, you will likely need to take one of the bridge-tunnels across either the harbor or the bay. These can have long backups at times, particularly later in the season as summer approaches and people start heading to the beach. Be sure to allow extra time to get across. Once you are on campus, parking is available in Lot 43, directly adjacent to the stadium. Parking is $2 per hour on weekdays, payable via your mobile phone. Follow the instructions on the posted signs, which will tell you how to pay. At least one fan parked in the lot when we visited received a ticket for not paying, so consider yourself warned. On weekends, parking is free. Restrooms are available in the stadium around the corner from the concession stand and are of a more than sufficient size for the crowd. Return on Investment 4 Admission to all ODU regular season field hockey games is free. Concessions seem a bit overpriced for what is offered, and the cost to park here on weekdays isn't ideal, but you can visit on a weekend to maximize your value. Extras 3 Look for the posters and banners honoring Old Dominion's nine national field hockey championships. The pregame hype video is also worthy of a star here. That's not something you often see in college field hockey. A third and final star for the marketing table by the entrance with free programs and posters. Final Thoughts Although the glory days of Old Dominion field hockey are long over, the Monarchs still have a strong fan base and a top-notch stadium. While field hockey is still a niche sport, those who follow the game will want to check out the L.R. Hill Sports Complex at Old Dominion.

Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 1.86 South County Sports Complex 8501 Silverbrook Rd Lorton, VA 22079 Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 700 Home of the Braves The Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League is a collegiate summer wood bat league consisting of six teams in the Washington, D.C. area, including three in Maryland, two in Virginia, and one in the District of Columbia itself. One of these teams, the FCA Braves, plays its home games in Lorton, Virginia, in Southern Fairfax County. The Braves, which are affiliated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, have had difficulty finding a long-term stadium in recent years. Although they enjoyed great stability for many years playing at Alan McCullock Field in Herndon, the team has now had four home stadiums in the last four years. 2016 was the team’s last stadium playing full time in Herndon, while 2017 saw them split time between Herndon and Oakton High School in Vienna, ten miles to the east. In 2018, they got yet another home venue, Annandale High School, while 2019 saw them move to their current home at South County High School in Lorton. As the name would imply, Lorton is in the southern part of Fairfax County. The baseball stadium at South County High School is part of a sports complex that also includes stadiums in several other sports. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food or drink for sale here. Outside food and beverage is permitted with the exception of alcoholic beverages, so feel free to bring some in. You’ll definitely want to bring bottled water to cope with the heat. There is a water fountain in the adjacent football stadium that trickles out warm water if you’re really desperate, but it’s better to bring your own. Atmosphere 2 There really is not a lot going on here. The team plays music between innings, but that’s about it. No between innings contests, no raffles, nothing to involve the fans. That being said, sometimes less is more and the nice thing about this is you can hear just about everything that goes on in the game. Whether it’s the players chattering with each other, the umpires calling for more balls, or the sound of the players’ cleats on the pavement as they head to refill the water cooler, you’ll be able to hear it. This is a baseball purist’s dream, but for just about anyone else, there isn’t a lot here at all. There are a few sets of metal bleachers with no backs that fans can sit in, with the third base side in the shade for most of the game and the first base side looking directly into the sun for the first half of the game or so. There are no seats directly behind home plate, as that is where the press box is. There is a scoreboard in the outfield which shows a line score, the count, and any score keeping decisions. Neighborhood 2 South County High School is located in the middle of a residential neighborhood in Lorton, so there isn’t much in the immediate vicinity. If you turn right out of the parking lot and head a mile or so down Silverbrook Road, there is a little strip mall with a few restaurants including a gyro shop, a pizza place, and a Burger King. Texas Donuts, which has some of the best doughnuts in Northern Virginia, will be opening in the strip mall soon, but as of the time of writing was not open yet. Other than that, there is not much here. Fans would be better suited to head to Woodbridge or Occoquan, both of which are about a 15-minute drive away and have far better options. Fans 1 The Braves average only a few dozen fans per game, and for the most part, they are dead silent. Although the Cal Ripken League is not known for high attendances, the crowd here is small and quiet even compared to their rivals. The one time we heard a few fans get rowdy all night, it turns out they were cheering for the wrong player. As it turns out, the Braves have two players with exactly the same first and last name who attend the same college during the year, and these fans were there to support the one with the other middle initial. Access 2 South County High School is located a few miles off Interstate 95 via exit 163 (Lorton Road). There is ample parking available in the lot near the stadium, but make sure not to park too close or your car may get hit by a foul ball. Lorton does have a commuter rail station, but the line only runs during commuting hours and it is located several miles away from the stadium, so this is impractical for fans attending evening games. One unique option for fans traveling from far away (or at least one very specific far away destination) is to take Amtrak’s Auto Train from Orlando, Florida to the other terminal in Lorton (at a separate station from the commuter rail one.) Passengers can drive their car onto the train in Florida, then head to their seat or overnight cabin for the journey. Upon arrival at Lorton the next morning, passengers can drive their car off the train to wherever they plan on heading in town. One nice benefit is that you can load up your trunk exactly like you would for a car trip, so no need to worry about hauling all your bags around the station or finding room in the overhead compartment to store them. Although the vast majority of fans will never benefit from this, it is an interesting enough option that it deserves mention. The restroom station here is very bizarre. The men’s room in the adjacent football stadium was open when we visited and contained ample space for everyone. However, the women’s room was locked and inaccessible. The only options for ladies were to use a single port-a-potty beyond the outfield fence that was in an area that was difficult to access, or to use the men’s room while someone stands guard outside to make sure no men get in. Most women chose the latter option. Return on Investment 4 Admission is free, there are no concessions, and you won’t pay for parking. It’s hard to argue with that, but there really isn’t enough here to get it the highest ranking. Extras 2 The stadium opens two hours early so fans can watch batting practice, the earliest gate opening time in the league. There are free programs available under a rock on the bleachers. They don’t have much, but it’s hard to argue with the price. Final Thoughts Most sports fans in the DC area don’t realize the Ripken League exists, and it shows in the league’s attendance numbers. The FCA Braves in particular have poor attendance, perhaps due to their isolated location within the league and the fact that they have changed home venues so many times. The team also does not seem to do as much to publicize themselves as other teams in the league, even though that is a relatively low standard. The team’s website still lists the address in Annandale, and the team’s Twitter account is even worse, referring to the team as the “Herndon Braves.” With this kind of publicity, it is not really any wonder almost nobody shows up despite the free admission.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Community National Bank & Trust Stadium 3701 W. State Highway 22 Corsicana, TX 75110 Heritage Bowl website Community National Bank & Trust Stadium website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 10,001 The Heritage Bowl Founded in 1848 by the legendary Tejano hero of the Texas Revolution, José Antonio Navarro , is the north-central Texas city of Corsicana . It is home to Corsicana Independent School District, the Corsicana High School Tigers and their home, Community National Bank & Trust Stadium, and for the past six seasons, the Fun Town RV Center Heritage Bowl . This annual post-season game is one of four sanctioned bowl games for the NCAA’s Division II. It is unique in the bowl landscape in that it does not hold any conference tie-ins. Until this year’s appearance of the Emporia State Hornets  (who took on the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm ), each year’s matchup was unique, with no team repeating an appearance in the game. The stadium itself, which is also home to the Navarro College Bulldogs , is one of the larger of its kind in the area and is perfectly suited to this type of game. I can say right now that I wasn’t sure what to expect when attending the Heritage Bowl. However, and I hope my review reflects this, I had a great time – read on to learn more.   Food & Beverage   3 The food and drink situation at the Heritage Bowl was truly reflective of the stadium’s regular duties as a high school stadium. During the bowl game, two out of the three concession stands in the stadium are open and available to fans. These stands, one on each side of the stadium, offer up a selection of pretty standard fare – bags of chips, boxes of popcorn, and a wide selection of bottled sodas, water, and sports drinks are available. There are also hot dogs, Frito pie (delicious), and hot cocoa later in the season; this is the perfect beverage on a cold afternoon or evening in December for a football game. One selection that stands out, and one I am thankfully seeing at an increasing number of high school venues, is Chick-fil-A. I am a devoted fan of the chain and am glad to see their sandwiches, chips, and beverages pop up more and more frequently. One caveat for the Heritage Bowl is that no beer or alcohol is sold at the game. However, this is nicely balanced out by the fact that you can feed a whole family of four or five for about $25, depending on what you get. This a refreshing change of pace from most bowl games.   Atmosphere   4 Before delving into this topic in detail, just some background information; Bethany, Oklahoma – home of Southern Nazarene University – is roughly 270 miles from Corsicana, Texas, while Emporia, Kansas, and the eponymous Emporia State University are roughly 500 miles away. Heading to bowl game, these long distances away were something that was on my mind, and I was sure they would impact the attendance – I could not have been more wrong. Pulling into the parking lots were scores of cars from out of state, and people were tailgating everywhere. It was great. The fans – more on them shortly – showed up for their teams and heightened the energy and excitement in the stands to levels I was not expecting. I hope it is this way for every Heritage Bowl. Inside the stadium merchandise tents are selling commemorative Heritage Bowl gear, which fans were buying in droves – there is a merchandise tent near each concessions stand. One other great feature of the stadium is on the home field side, there are a wide array of seatback chairs for fans. This is a great change of pace from the traditional bleacher seating at a lot of high school and small college venues and was much appreciated on the chilly day of this year’s Heritage Bowl.   Neighborhood   3 The nearest big cities to Corsicana are Waco and Dallas; Corsicana is just on the outskirts of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, which gives the city a lot of the amenities of the area without a lot of the hassles, such as the traffic. Corsicana itself is consistently voted one of the most charming small cities in Texas – it does have a unique small-town flare, while at the same time having pretty much everything a more urban city could offer. In terms of attractions, Navarro College is home to the Pearce Museum , which houses a vast collection of art dedicated to the historic and modern American West. The museum is divided into two sections; the Civil War Gallery, which offers an interactive experience “designed to give visitors a humanistic view” of the war, and the Western Art Gallery, home to more than 250 works of art depicting or interpreting life in the West. Another attraction to keep an eye on is Schulman’s Movie Bowl Grille . As its name may imply, it is a movie theater paired up with a bowling alley, restaurant, and arcade. It is one of the most popular spots in town for locals and could be a great way to unwind after a bowl game. In terms of restaurants, I am going to offer up a slice of Texas history. When most folks in this state hear the name “Corsicana,” what almost invariably comes to mind is the Collin Street Bakery . Founded in 1896, Collin Street is renowned for its baked goods, especially its fruit cakes. Now, I know that probably doesn’t sound great, but believe me, one bite and you’ll be a believer. When it comes to lodging, as the stadium is located near the middle and high schools, there aren’t any hotels or motels within immediate walking distance. However, there are still quite a few that are within a short drive – they vary in price, but the closest are the Kingsway Inn  and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Corsicana I-45 . As you might expect, there are plenty of options based on your budget.   Fans   4 In past seasons the Heritage Bowl has drawn anywhere between 3,500 and 4,000 fans per game. For schools at the Division II level that is a pretty good amount, especially as most of the schools who play in the game are not based in Texas. With that said, I can only anecdotally say how impressed I was with the fans at this year’s iteration of the game. I’ve already mentioned the vast number of tailgaters I saw before the game; both parking lots were virtually filled with fans, which made the game feel big. Sitting on the Emporia State side I could tell the fans were engaged and enthusiastic the entire game, while on the Crimson Storm sidelines, the fans would erupt with every big play and were fully into the game until late in the second half when the score got away from them. Regardless of the outcome, the fans were there and that made this game feel big, which is what you want out of any bowl game.   Access   3 As mentioned, Dallas is probably the closest big city to Corsicana, about an hour and a half drive southeast on Interstate 45. That’s not too bad, by Texas standards, but if you want to fly in, Corsicana is an hour and 20 minutes from Dallas Love Field, and an hour and a half from DFW International Airport. There isn’t anything in the way of public transportation in Corsicana, but it is easily drivable once you’re here. At the stadium parking is ample and, best of all, free – this includes anyone there to do any tailgating.   Return on Investment   4 Single-game tickets for the Heritage Bowl are a true bargain at just $10; if you’re sitting on the home team side, this entitles you to take a spot in those seat back chairs I mentioned. While the schools participating may not be household names, this is still some really good football you’re seeing. When you pair the low ticket cost with the low-cost concessions, and the free parking, the Heritage Bowl is one of the best bargains in college football.   Extras   2 There isn’t much in the way of Extras at the Heritage Bowl; Southern Nazarene didn’t travel with their band or dance team, but Emporia State did bring their cheerleaders , along with the Marching Hornet Band and Golden Stingers Dance Team . Both performed during this year’s halftime festivities. What keeps the score from being lower is the trophy presentation at the end of the game. There wasn’t much production, but it was good to see the players and coaches all celebrating along with the fans.   Final Thoughts Again, I was quite unsure what to expect on my first visit to the Heritage Bowl. I’ve been to quite a few of these types of games over the years, and, while each one is unique in its way, there is still one quality that defines a good bowl game. While on the small side, this game brought the excitement big time. I had a great time, it was great to see these schools in action, and Corsicana is a beautiful town. If you’re a college football fan, the Heritage Bowl will be right up your alley. ----   Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos courtesy of Mike Barker If you’re a college football junkie and you’re on either Instagram or the app formerly known as Twitter, you’ve no doubt come across Michael Barker. From August until deep into December, the man behind the College Football Campus Tour handles o n X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram can be seen living every college football fan’s dream. He is on a seemingly endless tour of all the cathedrals of college football, both large and small. Notre Dame Stadium? He’s seen it. Is Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge at night? He’s done that. Bailey Memorial Stadium in Clifton, South Carolina, home of the Presbyterian Blue Hose? Yeah, he’s been there too. During the 2023-24 season, Barker attended a staggering 90 college football games. Let that sink in. Now, marinate on this; for the 2024-25 season, his goal is to attend an astounding 100 games. At the time of this interview, Barker was getting ready to start his most ambitious week of the season, attending seven games in six days. For this conversation, Barker talked about getting started on his tour, his hilarious Obstructed Views posts, and what’s left on the bucket list for him. --- EM: I know you’ve got a pretty packed schedule these days, so I appreciate you making some time for me. Let’s just jump right in. How did this all get started? MB : My pleasure. I started in 2017 when I took a trip to Lake Estes, Colorado. There’s a hotel there called the Stanley Hotel. It’s where Stephen King stayed and inspired the book and the movie The Shining.   Along the way, I made two stops at Colorado and Colorado State . My dad played college football. He played one year at BYU and two years at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. He said one of his best games was at Colorado State, where he had 19 tackles and an interception. So, I stopped and checked out the colleges and the stadiums. Rather than spend two nights at the Stanley, I ended up going into Laramie to see Wyoming and back down to Colorado Springs to see the Air Force . I enjoyed it, and when I got home, I went to see the two Arizona schools and Oregon. I went to games that fall, 13 in 2017, 30 in 2018, 50 in 2019, and after 2021, I accomplished the goal of seeing a game at every FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) school. Since then, I’ve been going back to COVID games and revisiting those. Now, I’m trying to do all of the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) schools. Last year, I set a record of seeing 90 games in one football season. EM: So, what is your ultimate goal, if you have one? MB: I went t o Stephen F. Austin  on [October 5], and that was Division I school number 220 out of 262. That leaves 42, and they’re all FCS schools except Kennesaw State, which just moved up. They pretty much all play on Saturday, so it’s not like you can do 40 in a year. So, last year, I started with 51 and went to 17. So, 17 times three is 51, and that’s the goal. I think I can be done by the end of 2026. The issue is Mercyhurst was added this year. Next year [ UT-Rio Grande Valley ] moves up. Chicago State is talking about [moving up]. So, you keep making progress, but they keep throwing new ones out. I don’t know what the goal is; I’m just going as hard as I can. I’ve already been to 10 new FCS schools this year, and I said I want 17. That’s the goal, to be the only [person] to see games at all 262 Division I schools. EM: Let’s shift gears a little. How did the “Obstructed Views” bit get started? For those who don’t know, you find what is the worst seat in each of these stadiums and take pictures of the action from there. MB: In 2018, I went to Washington State  versus Oregon. It was when College GameDay was there. It was Gardner Minshew and Mike Leach versus Justin Herbert. I put that game on the schedule at the beginning of the year, and as far as I was concerned, it was just going to be Oregon versus Washington State. It wasn’t a big game. When it rolled around, I think both teams were 5-0 or 5-0 and 4-1, and every ticket was going for like $750. I was going by myself, and I found a ticket for $250, so I bought it. When I got there, there was one part of Martin Stadium [with] the light towers, and one of those is inset into the bleachers. My seat happened to be right behind that tower. I took a video of Gardner Minshew throwing a fade in the end zone, and the wide receiver disappeared behind the pole and came out the other side for a touchdown. That was a first-hand experience of being a victim of the “obstructed view.” In Wyoming, they have this place called “the knothole,” which is up at the top. It’s a common thing where they build the press box but leave the seats next to it. So, I put up a photo of that in 2019. It wasn’t until 2022 at Western Michigan . I called it the “makeout seat,” where it was just a two-seat bleacher. I had someone take a photo from behind me, like this first-person view, and that thing went crazy on social media. It’s pretty much become a little bit of a phenomenon. People will take photos and tag me in them. It’s grown my following and opened up doors for me that I didn’t think would ever happen, which is cool. EM: So, you’ve got the goal of 100 games this year. That’s pretty ambitious, to say the least. How do you go about coordinating something like that? MB: So, last year was 90 games, and as soon as I did 90, everyone in the comments asked, ‘Can you do 100?’ I said no. Two things happened, though, first, they added an extra week to the regular season, and the other was the 12-team playoff, which extended the postseason. I found that there could be 100 games to get to. I tell people that the most fun thing I do is going to games, and the second most fun thing to do is planning to see games. What you do is, all the weekday games, you pick those out as soon as they get announced. Once times are announced, I try to pick two games on a Saturday: a day game and a night game. As the season goes on, it gets more challenging because they have the 12-day and the six-day rule, which is where they withhold kick times and try to put the best games in the best TV slot. It’s good for them, but it’s not good for you when you’re trying to plan and book flights on short notice. The game [on Octo ber 3] at Troy star ted a stretch of 52 games in 59 days. I see 77 in the regular season and 24 in the postseason, with the possibility of adding one or two more. If all goes according to plan, knock on wood, I’ll get to 100 games this season. EM: I won’t ask you to pick a favorite stadium because I feel like that’d be asking someone to pick a favorite child. What’s been something on your travels that has surprised you, though? Something you weren’t expecting in a good way. MB: Well, I can just tell you, a couple of weeks ago, I went to the season opener at Grand Valley State. I’d visited that stadium, and I knew that they were a DII power, but that was like Group of 5, Sun Belt vibes. I mean that the crowd was crazy, the student section was full. They had those thunder sticks like back in the California Angels days. There were fireworks, and they just destroyed their opponent. That one blew me away. Also, I just went to see [the Texas A&M Aggies  at] Kyle Field on October 5. This was my second visit. I had gone back in 2018 when they were unranked; they played number one Clemson. It was 28-26, and if they’d gotten a two-point conversion, they would have gone to overtime. I had never seen a crowd just with a team that almost beat the number one team in the nation. I went…to see them play [ Missouri ], and A&M is two-and-a-half-point favorites against a higher-ranked team, and they obliterated them. The crowd had a big impact again. I love that. Two other stadiums I talk about a lot are App State  and Kidd Brewer Stadium. I call it the “field of dreams.” I’ve been there six times, more than any other place. It’s special. My favorite place, though, is [ UTEP and] the Sun Bowl in El Paso. It’s at a 4,000-foot elevation, and I-10 runs behind the stadium, with one side the U.S. and the other side Mexico. The visitor's side and press box are carved into the mountain. It’s almost like Baskin-Robbins, though. What’s your favorite flavor? Do you like the 100,000-seat stadiums? Do you like the Montana Washington Grizzly Stadium going wild? There are all types. Even if I’ve been to all of these places, I hear that well, you haven’t gone on homecoming, you haven’t gone on a rivalry game, you haven’t gone to a playoff game. Even though the individual places, I’ve gotten to most of them, the bucket list is almost endless. ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .