Photos by Gary Butterworth, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Upplands Bilforum Arena Råbyvägen 71 Uppsala, Sweden 754 60 Almtuna IS website Upplands Bilforum Arena Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 2,800 Established 1932. Since 1948. Uppsala is planning a new arena. It could potentially open as soon as 2017. When it does, no one will be surprised if Almtuna IS becomes a force in Swedish ice hockey. For now though, hockey-mad Sweden’s 4th-largest city boasts only a 2nd-tier team playing in a third-rate arena. There’s nothing really wrong with any of this, but it is a bit shocking. You’d expect hockey to be a bigger deal here in Uppsala. Almtuna IS (AIS) formed as a multi-sport club in 1932 and added ice hockey a few years later, hence their confusing tagline, “Established 1932. Since 1948.” Almtuna has spent the past half-century bouncing around the middle-levels of Swedish ice hockey. These days, AIS plays in the HockeyAllsvenskan, the 2nd-level league one step below the SHL. 2012 was once rumored as a potential opening date for the new arena. That didn’t happen, but a new building does seem pretty much assured, even if the 2017 opening date is also looking questionable. Until then, Almtuna’s home is the A-hall of Metallåtervinning Arena (“Metal Recycling Arena”). Metallåtervinning is a complex of three rinks, all under separate roofs, which serves the community’s needs for hockey, skating, and bandy. It’s humble, but it’s doing an admirable job of punching above its weight class. Editor’s Note: Metallåtervinning Arena has since changed its name to Gränby Ishall and then to Upplands Bilforum Arena in 2020/2021. Food & Beverage 2 I once rented a VHS movie from “Dave’s video and tanning salon.” A few years later, I bought some loose tea from “Real-tea,” a mall kiosk that sold tea leaves and real estate. I was reminded of these unusual combos during the intermission at the Almtuna game. Metallåtervinning Arena is compact. Space is at a premium. So, concession stands do double-duty as merchandise counters. You can order a Coke and a cap. Selection of snacks and souvenirs is on the slim side, but that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. Just a glance at this unpretentious arena should let you know that this is a no-frills, utilitarian place. It doesn’t get your hopes up, so it doesn’t let you down. A traditional Swedish coffee and pastry is on offer, as are packaged snacks and bottled Coke products. A small bar gets packed to capacity during intermissions. If you only attended matches here, you wouldn’t get hungry, and it would probably never even occur to you that other arenas might offer more. Atmosphere 3 Can an arena be too small even if it’s not selling out? For the 2014-15 season, Uppsala is the third-largest city in the 14-team HockeyAllsvenskan, yet it has the second-smallest rink. Many of the teams Almtuna faces in the HockeyAllsvenskan have spent significant time in Sweden’s top league and boast big, modern arenas. That’s not the case here, where the most distant seats are nine rows from the ice. Everyone is right on top of the action. The proximity to the players is certainly a plus for the fans who make it to the games, but could it also be a minus? Despite the small capacity, games here rarely sell out. We have to wonder if the small-time venue makes people take the team less seriously, which discourages new fans from coming and which, as part of a vicious cycle, allows the team to drag out its tenure in its undersized home. Metallåtervinning Arena wouldn’t be out-of-place if it were home to a Junior B or Senior team in Canada, or even as home to a top-level team in a lesser hockey playing country like Denmark or France. For the second-highest level of professional hockey in a major hockey-playing nation, though, you’d expect fans and players alike to have just a little bit more. Metallåtervinning Arena doesn’t do anything wrong, but it just doesn’t feel right. Neighborhood 2 Thanks to its home in Uppsala’s northern Gränby neighborhood, Metal Recycling Arena was once known as “Gränbyhallen.” Gränby has a suburban and car-centric feeling, but the area is well-served by city buses. Bicyclists are also fairly common. Central Uppsala has much more to entertain visitors, but Gränby does have a pleasant park and “Gränby Centre,” a large shopping mall. Other than that, it’s mostly apartment buildings. Should you want to hoof it, these can all be reached on foot within 20 minutes or so. Most fans, though, will want to roll in shortly before the puck drops and head out shortly after the final whistle. Fans 3 Almtuna fans deserve a pat on the back. Numerous Swedish cities smaller than Uppsala host better hockey and better facilities. A few of these aren’t even that far away. Yet Almtuna has a small devoted following. Its main fan club, the Red Lions, stands on concrete steps behind the goal, waves flags, and cheers for the team non-stop. Fans of the opposing team have their own standing section on metal risers behind the far goal. They are protected by a team of more security guards than are really necessary. Access 3 If you’re in Stockholm and the home teams are out of town, a quick trip up to Uppsala is an easy way to scratch the hockey itch. Stockholm’s Arlanda airport is actually slightly closer to Uppsala than to the capital, and trains run frequently along this busy route. Walking to the arena from central Uppsala would take close to an hour, so most people come by car. The arena complex is easy to find along a main road. Given the arena’s small capacity, parking is adequate and traffic isn’t a major concern for most games. From Uppsala’s city center, you should be able to find a taxi to get you to the arena, but the ride won’t be cheap, and you probably won’t be able to find one on the street for the return trip. The bus might be a better option. City bus #3 towards Uppsala Östra Nybystop picks up at many stops, including just outside Uppsala’s main railway station, and drops off on the main road just outside of the arena. The bus runs about every 10 minutes, but you may want to re-confirm bus routes, timing, and frequencies locally. Most bus drivers speak English and accept (or even require) credit cards. At night, it can be easy to overlook the venue, so you might want to ask the driver to alert you at your stop. Uppsala is a university town, and students here like bicycles. You can park yours next to the rink, and most don’t even bother to lock up their bikes. After arriving, fans enter the arena from street level and buy their tickets indoors. While definitely a small building, nothing feels cramped. Lighting is adequate. From the hallways (we hesitate to use the term “concourses”) restrooms initially appear undersized but prove larger than you might expect. Aside from the seats, everything here is on ground level. Though you will have to make your way up some stairs to get to your seat, the small capacity means that you won’t have to climb too far. Wheelchair access is at ice level in the corners. As such, fans with special needs will have an exceptionally easy time here, and a good view of the action. Return on Investment 3 Value is in the eye of the beholder, and nowhere is this more apparent than Metallåtervinning Arena. On one hand, paying professional-level prices in such a small and bare bones arena just doesn’t feel right. Then again, relatively few venues in Sweden or elsewhere allow for such intimate access to high-level hockey. Maybe it’s a bargain. Maybe it’s a rip-off. Maybe our view is skewed since we lucked into a 50% off all merchandise sale, but we say the pros and cons balance, and the value is about average. Extras 3 Metallåtervinning Arena exudes low expectations. With such a basic building, it would be easy for Almtuna IS to slack off. After all, who would question why a team in a community rink wouldn’t have this or that? Almtuna, though, isn’t resting on its laurels until the new arena is built. Team photos line the walls. A small video board behind the net gives you the basics. And there are seat cushions. As you walk up the stairs to take your seat, there are piles of foam seat cushions for you to borrow. Frankly, the seats aren’t particularly uncomfortable without the cushions, nor do the cushions make them particularly comfortable. But they are there if you need them, and an usher comes around to collect them all after the game. The cushions seem like a lot of work for a miniscule payoff, but Almtuna gets points for expending the extra effort for its fans’ comfort. Also unique is the roof. White tiles with hardwood support beams do just enough to add some Nordic flavor while differentiating the place from other small buildings. Finally, there’s the fact that Metallåtervinning Arena is just different. Worldwide, there are very few remaining venues where you can watch high-level sports in such intimate settings. Almtuna is in line to join the 21st century trend of big, fancy arenas. Until then, we’ll give Almtuna IS and Metallåtervinning Arena bonus points for being different and not letting themselves become victims of circumstance. Final Thoughts Some arenas are greater than the sum of their parts. This review may not indicate it, but we actually really enjoyed our time here, and we’d have no hesitation about making a return trip. But it’s true that fans who like the feeling of big-time hockey will be disappointed. Fans who enjoy the more intimate hockey experience typically found at lower levels will love the intimacy that Metallåtervinning Arena provides. But even those who love the place will likely admit that this place just feels a little too small, and a little too insignificant for the Hockeyallsvenskan.

Photos by Gary Butterworth, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Modern ERP Arena Idrottsvägen 7 Gävle, Sweden 806 33 Brynäs IF website Modern ERP Arena website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 8,585 Of Straw Goats and Gävle Gävle, pronounced “Yeh-vluh,” is Sweden’s 13th largest city…more or less. Internationally, the town is probably best known for the giant straw goat that it builds every year at Christmastime and for the arsonists who subsequently make a sport of burning it down. But Gävle has a few other claims to fame: Läkerol lozenges and Ahlgrens Bilar (candy) are Swedish staples that originate here. And there’s the hockey team, Brynäs IF (BIF). Despite being a small market team, BIF is something of a powerhouse, with more than a dozen Swedish titles under its belt. Brynäs IF calls Gavlerinken Arena home. Confusingly located a short drive from the harborside neighborhood from which Brynäs IF takes its name, Gavlerinken Arena is an interesting and stylish mix of old and new. We were unlucky enough to catch an unusually boring game here, but we were still able to recognize an unusual, interesting, and above average facility. Editor’s Note: Gävlerinken Arena name was changed to ERP Monitor Arena in 2019. Food & Beverage 4 With multiple sit-down restaurants, a food court-style bistro, a bar, traditional concession stands, and vending machines, Gavlerinken Arena covers all the bases. Though striking us as a bit unusual in a ’60s-era arena, the table service restaurants provide decent views of the ice surface and are popular with local fans. Food prices around the arena aren’t too bad, either, with prices at the Bistro ranging from 79-149 SEK (USD $9.50-$17.90; EUR 8.50-16.00 as of 2015) for sandwiches, tacos, and the like. The Bistro is available to all fans, while other restaurants require a separate ticket. Vending machine fare is fairly standard, with chips and candies going for around 20 SEK (USD $2.40; EUR 2.14). Hometown Ahlgrens Bilar candies are available. The traditional concession stands are the only option that fans may find lacking. Concession stand fare is largely limited to hot dogs, popcorn, and packaged snacks. Candy is sold on convenience store-style display racks. Bottled soft drinks are available, and coffee is another popular option. If you need a place to sit while you eat, some concession stands offer tables. Atmosphere 3 Gavlerinken Arena probably deserves a better score than we’re giving it, but our sole visit to Gävle brought us a painfully boring game that sucked the energy out of an already small weekday crowd. Even still, our rating for atmosphere is hardly terrible. We’ll walk you through the experience. After arriving at the arena, you’ll make your way across the parking lot. Careful – you’re farther north than parts of Alaska and Greenland, so watch out for ice. Considering the ice and the fact that there are only a couple of ticket windows, all of which are outdoors, and your first impression might not be the best. That’s understandable. But from here on, there’s little to complain about. Before entering, take a step back and look at the arena’s façade. While not imposing, Gavlerinken Arena looks modern and important. Security on the way in is minimal, and not in a bad way. Your ticket is checked, and you step into a three-story glass atrium. The main lobby actually feels more like a shopping mall than an arena, but also not in a bad way. The concourses might be a bit bland, but Brynas makes up for this in other ways. You take the escalator up, and yep, it still feels like a mall. The lighting is dim, but it’s atmospheric, and it works. As you enter the seating bowl, you notice the sharp graphics on the retired number banners. You notice just how many championship banners there are. You even notice the wooden embellishments on the seats and remember that, yes, this is where IKEA comes from. It’s bigger than you expected. It’s bigger than anyone would expect from a city of this size. You’d love to see the place full and rocking. Sure, you can tell that this arena has been around for a while, but it still feels current. The seats are comfortable, except when you have to stand up, which is more often than usual. Why are the rows here so abnormally long and the aisles so abnormally few? Still, it’s a small complaint. Game presentation is mostly in Swedish, with a smattering of English thrown in every once in a while. The audio sounds good, even that weird, poppy “put your ass up in the air” song. The video board is helpful, but not overused. Your view is good, and it looks like everyone else’s should be, too. It’s nothing particularly remarkable, but you think you like it here. Neighborhood 2 Gävle is a small city to begin with, and Gävlerinken Arena sits just past the suburban developments at its northern edge. A harness racing horse track and an indoor tennis complex are Gävlerinken Arena’s only immediate neighbors. Then, beginning just steps behind the arena, is forest that continues more-or-less untouched until you run out of Scandinavia. This may be the quietest arena neighborhood you’ll ever find. There’s something legitimately peaceful about that, but unless you’re also into horse racing or are up for some tennis, there’s nothing to bring you here early or keep you here long past the final whistle. Fans 3 Gävle isn’t much of a tourist destination. When our hotel owner learned that we had come solely to see a match, she beamed. “You’ll love it! The whole town comes out!” In North American terms, Brynäs IF could be compared to the Green Bay Packers or the Hershey Bears; a small market powerhouse with a proud history and a loyal fan base. The only game in town, and a source of pride. Busses to the arena are standing room only as jersey-clad fans make their way to the arena. During the game, the team’s most ardent supporters take their traditional place behind the net where they stand and cheer for their team. Elsewhere, fans watch intently and occasionally chat with friends. Games here feel social and communal. Fans are friends, and everyone is devoted. The devotion, though, is calm and understated. There was no rowdiness during our visit, and we felt very calm and comfortable visiting. We felt welcome, but the fans’ enthusiasm wasn’t contagious. Walking in, we wondered if one game here might make us Brynäs fans. It didn’t. Access 2 You’re either going to drive here or take the bus. You could bicycle, but with dark roads and frequent snow and ice, that might not be a safe option. Since a single road is the only way into and out of the arena, prepare for traffic both pre and postmatch. If you’re driving, parking is adequate, which is good considering the relative remoteness of the rink. Public shuttle busses run between the rink and Central Gävle. Round-trip tickets will save you a tiny bit, and will also give you a souvenir: they are printed with a player photo. English isn’t as visible in Gävle as in other places in Sweden, simply because there’s relatively little to bring non-Swedes here. Don’t let that deter you if you need help. English is just as much understood in Gävle as in Stockholm, and most passers-by in this safe and friendly city will speak more than enough English to help you find your way around town. Once inside the arena, things continue pretty easily. There is little need for a strong security presence here, but officials are around in case you need anything. Lighting is good and walkways are flat and roomy. No problems with the restrooms, either. We saw a few fans with special needs moving around with relative ease. Return on Investment 3 Sweden’s reputation as an expensive country is deserved. There are plenty of places where foreigners may get sticker-shock all over Scandinavia, but Gavlerinken Arena is not one of them. While not inexpensive, ticket prices are comparable to other high level leagues in Western Europe and North America. A large and well-stocked souvenir shop has a large selection of team merchandise, including sale items. Snack prices are reasonable. Overall, Brynäs offers an average value. Extras 4 Gävlerinken Arena gets the details right. It’s clean. It’s stylish (perhaps surprising for a team whose logo is a difficult-to-read gold-on-white.) Not only are its seats and banners stylish, but so are the tickets, which have a black-and-white player photo. Even the kids get in on the style. Gävlerinken Arena boasts a swanky children’s lounge. “Lilla Gävlerinken” has life-size player photos, table hockey games, and hardwood floors. Looking like it came fresh out of a design catalog, “Lilla Gavlrinken” is one of the nicest looking children’s area you will come across at any stadium. It’s for the kids, but plenty of adults would love to have something like this for a man cave. Free Wi-Fi is also a nice bonus. You have to sign up for an account on the SHL’s webpage, but you can do this from the log in page inside the arena. Sign up is in Swedish only, but the form is easy enough to figure out. Final Thoughts Gävlerinken Arena isn’t unique enough to earn “can’t miss” status, but it is an example of an area that does just about everything right. We thoroughly enjoyed our sole visit here. While it’s unlikely that anything will bring us back to this small town anytime soon, we’d jump at the chance to make a return visit should the opportunity present itself. We have a hunch that a good game and a full house might be enough for us to fall in love with Brynäs IF and Gävlerinken Arena.

Photo Courtesy of UW-Green Bay Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Resch Center 1901 S Oneida St Green Bay, WI 54304 Green Bay Phoenix website Resch Center website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 9,729 Phoenix Rising in Green Bay In 1994, head coach Dick Bennett and his son Tony led the UW-Green Bay Phoenix in an upset of Jason Kidd and the 5th-seeded California Golden Bears in the first round of the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament. Any Phoenix fan will tell you that this victory was UW-Green Bay “One Shining Moment”. At that time, the Phoenix played in the 5,000-seat Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena. By 2002, the Brown County Arena was severely outdated. Enter the Resch Center next door, a 10,000-seat, multi-purpose facility that UWGB has called home ever since. Dick Bennett is a coaching legend in Wisconsin, Tony Bennett’s #25 is the only retired number in Phoenix history, and Green Bay basketball continues its struggle to rise up to a position of significance in a football-crazed town. The Resch Center sits approximately nine miles from the UW-Green Bay campus, which appears to affect student attendance, as Green Bay lacks efficient public transportation to get young fans to and from campus Food & Beverage 2 One of the benefits of UW-Green Bay playing basketball off campus at the Resch Center is that a fan can enjoy a beer (or multiple beers) during the game. The Resch Center offers a modest choice of draft beers at its concession stands, but a “Bud Light Night” makes 24-ounce $2.00 Bud Lights the most popular choice among fans. Soft drinks are provided by 7-Up, RC Cola, Dr. Pepper, and Sun Drop and can be purchased in bottles or from the fountain. The food menu at the Resch Center is not spectacular. If you’re in town for the game, plan to take advantage of one of the numerous establishments that surround the Resch Center and Lambeau Field. Relying on what the Resch Center provides (pizza, brats, pretzels, and hot dogs) may leave you unsatisfied. DiGiorno personal pizzas are the signature items and will set you back $7.00. Atmosphere 3 Likely the best atmosphere in the Phoenix season will be a match-up against Wisconsin, Marquette, or UW. Games against conference rivals from the Horizon League are also typically well attended. For marquee games, expect nearly 5,000 to turn out. For weekend games with an 8:00PM tip-off and a promotion like “Bud Light Night,”, locals are encouraged to get out and support their team. The UWGB basketball game has a minor league feel to it. Home games often come along with advertised giveaways such as winter hats, sunglasses, youth jerseys, and trading cards. In addition, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay offers Festival Foods Family Games on a limited schedule where tickets are discounted, parking is free, and sodas and hot dogs are only $1.00. Breaks in the action are typically filled with promotional dance-offs, full court dashes to collect pizza boxes, and slinging rubber chickens into shopping carts. The ability to enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two at the off-campus Resch Center is a nice perk and even on “Bud Light Night,” Phoenix fans appear to enjoy themselves responsibly. Even when the Phoenix host a season-high crowd, the Resch Center sits half full and often sits three-quarters empty, as the official capacity for basketball is listed as 9,729. The student section and the band are deserving of a lot of credit as a spirited group, but even their section will look half full. A few Phoenix alums confided that it’s difficult for students to get to the game, especially since shuttle services from campus were discontinued a few years ago. The Resch Center was obviously built for hockey. As a result, Sections 201, 202, and 203 keep you the furthest distance from the action despite providing the most affordable experience ($11.00 per ticket). $20.00 will provide the best viewing experience in Sections 207-210 and 220-223, alongside the court. The Resch Center website provides a helpful seating chart to illustrate premier seating locations. Neighborhood 4 The Resch Center literally sits in the shadow of Lambeau Field and is in the heart of the Stadium District in Green Bay. Consequently, there is no shortage of pre or postgame options for food and spirits. The D2 Sports Pub (attached to the Midway Best Western Hotel) is the closest establishment (maybe 20 feet) to the Resch Center. Other staples of the Stadium District within walking distance include The Stadium View Bar & Grille, Anduzzi’s Sports Club, The Bar, The Green Bay Distillery, Burkel’s One Block Over, and Badger State Brewing. Parking is abundant and the fee to do so is minimal, as the Lambeau Field parking lot serves as the official lot for the Resch and charges only $5.00. If interested in saving a few bucks, seek out the bars and restaurants around the Resch Center that offer free parking. Fans 3 Phoenix fans are knowledgeable and know when to get loud. During a well attended back-and-forth game against a conference rival, expect the Resch Center to get plenty loud during key defensive moments. UWGB alumni, casual basketball fans, and families enjoying an affordable night out are typically well represented. Students can be hit or miss, especially during the winter break when class is not in session. Regardless of when the game is played, UWGB needs to figure out a way to get more of its student body involved in order for Phoenix games to have that true college basketball atmosphere. Access 4 5,000 basketball fans descending upon the Resch Center compared to 70,000 Packers fans flocking to Lambeau Field are night and day comparisons. Parking near the Resch Center is abundant. The Lambeau Field parking lot is the official lot for Resch Center events and the charge is minimal. Parking at nearby establishments is free; they only hope that you’ll stop in for a beer and burger before or after the game. Fans enter the Resch Center through a lobby on the south side of the arena. Many people purchase tickets on site, which can overcrowd the lobby in a hurry. If you wish to avoid any crowds, purchase tickets ahead of time and head either left or right through the gates upon your arrival. Fans can access their 100 level courtside seats via the arena floor tunnels but most spectators head up a flight of stairs to the main concourse and 200 level sections. The second floor concourse provides adequate space, concession stands, and restrooms. The north end of the concourse is typically not accessible, as Sections 212 through 218 tend to be closed off for basketball games. Return on Investment 3 For local Northeast Wisconsin sports fans, a Green Bay Phoenix basketball game is a solid entertainment choice. The program has been near the top of the Horizon League standings in recent years and the product appeals to all demographics. In the world of mid-major college basketball, UW-Green Bay suffers from not being a destination for many Wisconsin college basketball fans. The Wisconsin Badgers have the state’s attention and affection during most winters, but anyone willing to make the trek to Titletown will have a positive experience. If specifically planning a trip to the Resch Center, look for Wisconsin, Marquette, and/or UW-Milwaukee on the schedule, as these opponents draw the largest crowds. Extras 3 If UW-Green Bay basketball brings you in town for a weekend, it might be worth looking into a women’s basketball game at the on-campus Kress Events Center. Over the past five years, UWGB women’s basketball has the third highest winning percentage in the NCAA. The women play at the 4,018-seat Kress Events Center, which is a seven year-old venue in the middle of the campus. The women average 2,000 fans a game, which fits better in the more intimate Kress Center. Considering its proximity to the Resch Center, Lambeau Field and everything that it offers (food, tours, shopping) is also a great way to spend a day prior to an evening Phoenix tip-off.

Photos courtesy of Dale Birdsley, Jessie Rice, Brad Lookhart, and Brady Griffith Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Brick Breeden Fieldhouse 1 Bobcat Circle Bozeman, MT 59717 Montana State Bobcats website Brick Breeden Fieldhouse website Year Opened: 1956 Capacity: 4,500 The Brick The Brick Breeden Fieldhouse/Max Worthington Arena opened in 1956 and is the home court for the Montana State University men's and women's basketball teams. The versatile dome is also home to MSU indoor track and field and hosts the annual MSU spring rodeo along with concerts, trade shows, graduations, high school tournaments, and numerous other events. The building is named after John "Brick" Breeden who was a member of Montana State's 1929 national champion basketball team known as the Golden Bobcats. Breeden was also a long time basketball coach and athletic director at the school. The arena inside is named after Max Worthington, also a member of the Golden Bobcats, as well as the football team. He served the school for many years as a coach, teacher, and administrator. When it opened, the arena was a one of a kind structure, very ahead of its time. It was built at a time when Montana State was transitioning from a small land grant agricultural and engineering college into a major state university. The spacious building is good in a variety of different roles, but not ideal for one specific purpose. As with anything ahead of its time the building has certain quirks and limitations, but those have been smoothed over by renovations over the years. The most recent renovation completed in the summer of 2014, has attempted to make the arena more comfortable and intimate as a college basketball venue. Food & Beverage 3 The concession stands behind each mezzanine provide typical ballpark fare, with nothing unique or extraordinary. Combo meals, including chips and a 32 oz soda (Pepsi products) feature a brat ($6.50), hot dog ($6), or nachos ($5). There seems to be a little more variety on offer at the concession stands on the south side of the arena, including chicken strips. So if you're not in a hurry, check each one out before making any decisions. I like to snack on a Bobcat cookie ($2) which is an oatmeal and M&M monster cookie. The latest renovation brought in new chair back seats with cup holders to replace the bleachers on the lower level. Unfortunately, the 32 oz. drink that comes with every combo meal does not fit securely in said cup holders. Perhaps, MSU has to use up their inventory of wide based cups before they can order some in with a narrow base that will work with their new cup holders? As with most college owned venues, beer is not available. Atmosphere 3 Anyone with any interest in architecture or engineering will appreciate Worthington Arena's exposed ceiling. Graceful glulam beams arch up and connect to a compression ring at the center of the dome beyond a system of catwalks, lights, and apparatus. Buildings of this size rarely if ever use wooden structural members these days, but in 1956 it was state-of-the-art. The whole building is truly an architectural marvel. In the new configuration, the bleacher seating, which made up approximately half of the arena's capacity, has been replaced with chair back seats. The new lower level seating along both sidelines has armrests and cup holders. The bleachers on both baselines have been replaced with seats with no armrest or cup holders. The new seating gives the arena interior a more modern look. Capacity for Bobcat basketball games has been reduced from 7,250 to 4,500 through the use of large heavy black curtains dropped from the ceiling over much of the upper level seating. These curtains can be easily raised or lowered depending the seating capacity needed. Also, a row of windows around the perimeter of the arena has been covered to block out any natural light so now day games have the same look and feel as night games. A large four-sided video scoreboard hangs over the center of the court. It's become popular for fans to snap a selfie and text it to the video board. There's also the kiss cam, game stats, and other fun things posted on the video board from time to time to keep the fans interested. New lighting and sound system were installed with the recent renovations. Both are tremendous improvements over what was in place before. Worthington Arena has always had a comfortable, non-intimidating, laid back sort of vibe. It's not the most raucous atmosphere one could hope for, but does provide a comfortable place to get out of the house and take in game during Bozeman's chilly winters. Neighborhood 5 Bozeman is a classic university town. There's lots of interesting bars, restaurants, and shopping downtown on Main Street about a mile and a half from the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. Colombo's Pizza and Pasta and the world famous Pickle Barrel sandwich shop are a short walk across campus on College Street. There is also a small and growing business district right across 11th Street from the Fieldhouse including Spectators Sports Bar and Grill - a popular Bobcat hangout, the Storm Castle Cafe (breakfast and lunch), and I-Ho's Korean Grill. Bridger Brewing, a craft brewery that also serves gourmet pizzas, recently opened right across the street from the Brick. My favorite is the appropriately named Bobcat Brown Ale. If it's a night game, grab a brew and pizza before, Montana's brewery laws dictate that they stop serving after 8 PM. Bozeman is a winter wonderland with world class skiing close by. Bridger Bowl, frequented by MSU students, is just 16 miles from Bozeman. Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin are a scenic 50 mile drive away. There are also groomed cross-country ski trails right in the city limits. Ice climbing, back country skiing, and ice fishing are just minutes away from campus up Hyalite Canyon. Fans 3 Bobcat basketball is at a low ebb with a new coaching regime led by Brian Fish. But even in a season where wins have been incredibly rare, Bobcat fans turn out in respectable numbers that would fill the smaller Big Sky Conference venues to overflowing. The excitement picks up after Christmas break when the students, cheerleaders, and especially the band are back in attendance for the game. The Bobcat pep band, cheerleaders, and the mascot Champ do a great job of keeping things lively, even when events on the court don't always give Bobcat fans something to cheer about. As the team improves, the fan and student support should also improve and make the MSU home court more feared by opposing teams. Access 3 Bozeman has excellent airline access for a town of its size. The Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport is about 10 miles from campus and has daily direct flights from Salt Lake City, Denver, Seattle, and Minneapolis. Public transportation is limited, so if you're flying in it is best to rent a car, which will also allow you to explore the scenic and historic areas around Bozeman. The Brick Breeden Fieldhouse is easy to find. The big dome is visible for miles around. The most direct route is South 11th Avenue via West Main Street. All parking is free, and usually plentiful with lots on the north and south sides of the arena. The north lot, adjacent to Shroyer Gym and the building fills up first, but there is more parking available across 11th Avenue nearer to the high rise dorms. The larger south entrance is adjacent to a large parking lots. The spaces near the arena are reserved for boosters, but the recently paved spaces beyond are a huge improvement. There is a row of handicapped parking spaces near both the north and south entrances, but with basketball games attracting an older crowd these days, the spaces fill up fast so get there early if you need one. There are plenty of restrooms in the facility that are kept clean and functional. The closest restrooms to the seating areas are underneath the upper level of permanent seating. Return on Investment 4 An adult general admission ticket for a men's game is only $10 and parking is free, so Division I Bobcat basketball is a bargain. On select nights, MSU offers a popular $44 deal which gets a family of four tickets, hot dogs, drinks, and a program. Concessions are also reasonable for a college sporting event. If the team can start to string some wins together during this rebuilding process, the Brick should once again be the place to be in Bozeman. Extras 3 A few more items that help make a trip to the Brick worthwhile: The Bobcat pep band has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years and greatly enhances the entire experience of attending a Bobcat basketball game. The Golden Bobcats: The Montana State College men's basketball team from 1927 through 1929 had a 72-4 record and the 1928-29 team was declared national champions by the Helms Foundation (no NCAA tourney back then). The team averaged an astounding 63 points per game in an era where there was a center jump after every made basket and most teams scored in the 20's. They were one of the first teams in the country to employ a fast break. The Golden Bobcats memory is preserved in naming the building after two of its players, a photo and display about the team in the corridor leading to the north entrance/exit, and a national championship banner hanging from the west end of Worthington Arena. The architecture and history of "The Brick" lone make it a venue worth visiting. It was quite visionary to build such a building at a time when it could have easily seated every man, woman, and child living Bozeman with plenty of room left over. Final Thoughts It's hard to think about Bozeman and not imagine the iconic dome of the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. The building has had so many memorable moments, whether it be a Bobcat basketball game, national championship rodeo, high school state championship, or a four minute indoor mile, in over a half century of existence. If you're in Bozeman and looking for something to do, then check out what's happening at the Brick, because no doubt there's something going on. Whatever the event it's a fun and interesting place to visit.

Photo Courtesy of CSU Bakersfield Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Icardo Center 1500 Roadrunner Dr Bakersfield, CA 93311 CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners website Icardo Center website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 3,800 Route 99 Roadrunners Cal State University-Bakersfield is a California public university founded in 1965 in Bakersfield, CA. The Roadrunners athletics program was originally an NCAA Division II program, and had a very successful run at that level in basketball during the 90’s which included three National Championships. In 2006, the Roadrunners began their transition to Division 1. In July of 2013, the program joined the once prestigious Western Athletic Conference for most sports, including basketball. The Icardo Center is a 3,800 seat arena opened in 1989 that is used for several UCSB sports. Named for prominent UCSB Boosters Jimmie and Marjorie Icardo, the 44,000 square foot arena is best known for its unique blue floor. The new court went in with much fanfare during a major renovation in the fall of 2011. If nothing else, the blue court at the Icardo Center is what makes a Roadrunners game worth seeing. Food & Beverage 1 Basically, be sure you eat before you arrive. The concessions window is on your left when you enter the arena, and consists of only snack items. Candy bars, popcorn and soft drinks at vending machine prices make up your concession options inside the Icardo Center. On the occasion of my visit, there was barbeque being cooked outside the front doors for purchase, but by the second half they had packed up shop and left. So if you’re counting on catching dinner and a game, you’ll be disappointed. Atmosphere 2 The Icardo Center is in the heart of campus, so there is a turnout that’s not awful like some small D1 venues. You’ll have the option to choose from General Admission which consists of bleacher seats on either side of the court or Premium Seating which is assigned seat back seating at midcourt on the east side. There are Icardo Center employees monitoring very closely to ensure you don’t take a Premium Seat that’s not yours, so this is not a venue that you can buy General Admission and expect to get the “wanderer’s upgrade” to midcourt seats. As you enter, there are two doors that will take you into the court. Immediately on your left will be the student section that consists of a small but relatively mighty group of students including a small pep band. A decent number of supporters fill up the first ten to twenty rows of the arena, but the highlight for any traveler is the blue court. The floor is a very royal blue with a giant Roadrunner logo in the center, giving a very nice and new (if not slippery) view of the game. Scoreboards are on either end, but don’t expect to find a video board for those all important instant replays. Neighborhood 2 There’s not a lot to speak of in terms of the area. The Icardo Center is in the heart of a pretty average-in-every-way campus. You won’t find tree lined streets and old style architecture at CSUB, instead it’s a wide open campus of buildings that resemble an office park. It’s wholly distinguishable as a college campus only by the green areas and athletic fields in the surrounding area. CSUB is located about 20 minutes from downtown Bakersfield across Rte. 99, so it’s in strip mall suburbia. Chain restaurants like Tahoe Joe’s and the Elephant Bar are popular eateries in the immediate vicinity. Downtown Bakersfield is a bit of a drive, but offers some more options. The Padre Hotel is particularly popular as an upscale restaurant and bar scene. The Wool Growers Restaurant is another unique option in the area with some interesting cuisine. Overall, Bakersfield is a fairly large city (although it doesn’t really seem it), so there are plenty of options around town. Fans 2 There’s not a whole lot to talk about here. The presence of an organized student section with the pep band instantly makes this slightly better than a lot of small conference venues around the country. They even sport the Roadrunner logo (who wouldn’t?) pretty regularly. But if there was any organization or traditions from the Division II championship days they’ve long since gone. They’ll cheer for their team at the right times, but anything more than that is non-existent. Access 4 Bakersfield is off the beaten path in California just a bit, but Rte. 99 cuts right through the area. Campus is about a 10 minute drive along the Kern River away from 99. Be prepared in advance, because GPS does not seem to know where the Icardo Center is in campus and will just take you to the heart of CSUB. You’ll want to enter campus from the south on Roadrunner Drive, as all roads from the north won’t cut through. There is a large covered lot just south of the Icardo Center that is free for parking on game day, so it’s easy from there on out. Once you enter, the court is dead ahead through two doors. Restrooms are on your right and, while small, offer more than enough room for the small number of fans. Traffic is essentially non-existent, so there is no need to worry about getting in and out. Return on Investment 2 General Admission tickets for a Roadrunners game start at $12, which struck me as a bit pricey for such a not-in-demand sports experience. Reserved seats start at $16 with floor seats going for $50 (really? $50?). The good news is all kids get tickets for $5. Parking is free, but that’s to be expected at this level. And food, well, there isn’t really any food unless you call a Snickers bar dinner. Overall, other than paying to see a blue basketball court, prices aren’t in alignment with the product you’re getting. Extras 2 Some credit can be awarded here strictly for the blue court. It’s really the only thing that distinguishes CSUB basketball from hundreds of programs across the country. While the Roadrunner is cool, I couldn’t even get a T-shirt because there is no onsite store or item sales. Overall, it feels sort of like the Roadrunners expect people to come and pay ticket prices, but aren’t offering a whole lot of amenities back to the visiting fan.

Photo Courtesy of New Mexico State Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Pan American Center S Triviz Dr & Payne St Las Cruces, NM 88003 New Mexico State Aggies website Pan American Center website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 8,994 Henson Court Hoops Built in 1968, the Pan American Center was part of a $22 million campus-wide construction project at New Mexico State. The Las Cruces arena itself cost $3.5 million, and was designed by W.C. Kruger and Associates. On February 9th, 2002, NMSU honored legendary coach Lou Henson by naming the court after him. Henson once attended New Mexico State before taking over as head basketball coach, and ended up winning a total of 779 games in college basketball as a head coach. The floor design that currently graces Pan Am Center was unveiled in the 2011-12 season. The capacity of 8,994 makes Pan American Center one of the largest college basketball arenas in the Rocky Mountain area. Even with that current capacity, the arena has hosted over 13,000 fans 24 times in its history. Food & Beverage 3 Pan American Center offers all of the food you would expect to find at a college basketball venue. Hot dogs, nachos and popcorn all cost $4.25, with Coca-Cola drinks being slightly more expensive than that. You can also get Pete’s Combo (hot dog, chips and drink) for $8, and a Kid’s Combo (hot dog, popcorn, small drink) for $6. Candy and peanuts cost $3.50. Other concession stands around the concourse offer a little more variety, including bratwurst, chicken wings, chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and corn dogs. These range in price from $3-$5. Alcohol is also available in Pan Am Center: 24 oz. cans of beer cost $8.50, and single-serving mimosas cost $7.50. Atmosphere 3 Fans can enter the Pan American Center through doors on any side of the building. The logos on the court face the west side (sections 6-12). Both teams enter the court through a tunnel in the southwest corner. The Aggies bench is located in the northeast corner, with the visitors in the southeast corner. The visiting fans section is located behind their bench in sections 21 and 121. ‘ Before the game, NMSU’s mascot Pistol Pete brings out a piñata of the opposing team and does terrible things to it at center court before having it tied to a rope and raised to the rafters. Pistol Pete is a very popular figure during the game as well, as he goes around the seating area taking pictures with fans and encouraging chants throughout. During pregame intros, a giant crazy arm wind thing is brought out, which is super-cheesy and extremely weird. And it also blocks a few sections’ view of the NMSU players when they are announced. Fans can literally sit at the courtside table, which is entertainment in itself when the ball goes to the west sidelines. Popcorn and beer everywhere! The school also encourages fans to move down when it is not very crowded, which seems unique, and makes the atmosphere a little bit more intimidating even when not a lot of people are in attendance. There are giveaways and various other things throughout the game. The big one is after every three-pointer made by NMSU, the cheerleaders throw out shirts to the fans. After wins, everyone in attendance gets a coupon for a free appetizer at St. Clair Winery and Bistro. There’s a main scoreboard that hangs above center court with four small video boards. Those video boards show live game action and instant replays of big plays throughout the game. On the scoreboard itself are individual stats of players on the court, as well as the other typical things you would expect to find. What makes NMSU sort of unique is what looks like an old football scoreboard that is found above the north end seating. Neighborhood 3 Some restaurants are nearby if you’re looking for somewhere to hang out before tip. Lorenzo’s Italian Restaurant is right across the street, and seems to be a popular place among the Aggie faithful. The Game Sports Bar and Grill looks like the best option for a more traditional sports bar feel. These are both located on University Ave., not too far from the stadium. University Ave. has several other options for fans as well. There are a few hotels located at the University exit on I-25. Hilton Garden Inn, Comfort Suites, and Sleep Inn are all right next to each other, and are walking distance from arena. If you’re flying to Las Cruces, your best bet is to fly into El Paso and drive from there. Also in the immediate area of Pan American Center are the other NMSU athletic facilities including Aggie Memorial Stadium, Presley Askew Field, and the school’s softball stadium. So you could try and pull a double header at certain points of the year depending on the schedules. And you wouldn’t have to drive anywhere to do it. Fans 3 Students sit on both the north and south ends of the building. The pep band, known as The Roadrunner Review, sits in the southeast corner next to the visiting bench. The NMSU cheerleaders stand at the front of the students in the south end. “The Panamaniacs” as they’re called, are definitely more rowdy in the south end. All of the fans are very polite at Pan American Center. During opposing team intros, they clap. When opposing players get hurt and get up, they clap. It’s a very courteous fan base. If you sit down next to the court, you can pick out individual people quietly giving refs and opposing players the business. There’s always something about quiet, very personal trash talk that feels more authentic than people screaming it from very far away. Access 3 The arena is located just off of I-25 at the University Ave. exit. It’s also only about a mile from I-10. The arena has plenty of parking lots on all sides of it. The parking lots that are located farthest east are all free, and there’s plenty of space even when the games are more crowded. Once inside, getting around the concourse is pretty easy unless it’s halftime. The concession stand lines definitely block the walkway, and the lines don’t move very fast, so it’s a problem through the first couple minutes of the second half as well. But there are plenty of bathrooms located throughout. The entrances to the concourse are high up in the seating area, so getting up and down the aisles is not exactly the best. Return on Investment 3 Single game tickets range from $5-$30. You can see where those prices get you with NM State’s pricing map. That seems to be on the expensive side among schools of the same level of basketball as New Mexico State. But parking is free to make up for it. Unfortunately, the concession prices make a night at Pan American Center a little on the expensive side for the quality of basketball environment that you get. Extras 2 The best part about the Pan American Center to me is the university’s history honored at both ends. In both the north and south concourse, the NM State Athletics Hall of Fame has pictures of all the various people that are honored. Along the east concourse, there are smaller displays where you can find a little more info about some of the people. In the south end, former basketball coach Lou Henson’s 700th win is recognized. His 779 total wins are also recognized along with the retired jerseys in the northeast rafters. NMSU has not retired a jersey for a player in its men’s basketball program since John Williamson, who played in Las Cruces from 1971-73. Final Thoughts The New Mexico State basketball experience is a very basic one, but one that you should check out if you are in the area. However, it pales in comparison to other relatively nearby college basketball arenas like UTEP’s Don Haskins Center, New Mexico’s Pit, and Arizona’s McKale Center. But there are certainly some unique things that hardcore basketball fans will enjoy by spending an evening at Pan American Center.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Rice-Eccles Stadium 451 South 1400 East Salt Lake City, UT 84112 Utah Utes website Rice-Eccles Stadium website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 45,807 The Fuss About the MUSS Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah is one that Goldilocks might call “just right.” It is in that sweet spot between not too big and not too small – big enough that it doesn’t feel like a high school game, but small enough that getting in and out isn’t a chore, like at Michigan or Nebraska. More importantly, it is in a Power 5 conference. There are lots of mid-size stadiums around the country, but most are in the MAC, Sun Belt, or the like – not so with Utah. So when you visit RES, you can be assured of a high-power matchup with quality teams such as Pac-12 powers like Oregon or USC. Food & Beverage 3 At RES, you will find all of the standard fare at pretty reasonable prices; most items range from $4 to $7, including chicken tenders, burgers, Philly and BBQ sandwiches, hot dogs, and fries. For those with a sweet tooth, RES offers ice cream and churros. A full menu of stadium fare can be found in the online fan guide, which has a listing of which selections are available at which concession stands, so bring your smartphone with you and you’ll be able to find exactly what you’re looking for. Beverages at RES include Coke products and water – no alcohol is permitted in the stadium, legally anyway, probably because the stadium is on campus. One nice thing about RES though is that they let you bring bottled water from home, limited to one factory-sealed container of one liter or less per person. This is actually becoming more common in stadiums across the country, especially in the south, due to health concerns related to overheating and dehydration. Atmosphere 4 Simply put, RES is a great place to watch a football game, and there is plenty of excitement both inside and outside the stadium, including the Ute Walk and Olympic Cauldron Park. Fans who arrive at least 2 ½ hours early can watch the marching band lead the team down 500 South to the stadium, accompanied by the Spirit Team, a group of cheerleaders who hand out t-shirts and other souvenirs to their adoring fans during the walk. Olympic Cauldron Park is located directly south of the stadium, and houses the 2002 Olympic museum, in addition to the cauldron used in those games. There is concern about the future of the park, however, given the school’s plans to expand the stadium at some point. Nevertheless, RES provides a fun atmosphere in a beautiful setting, and Utah is a program that has been on the rise even before the school joined the Pac-12, thanks in part to former coach Urban Meyer. Kyle Whittingham has done a phenomenal job since taking the reins, and has managed to keep Utah competitive in a much tougher league. Neighborhood 4 The scenery around RES is stunning, especially in the daytime, when the mountains are at their most majestic (and most visible). The stadium is also located on campus, so there are a number of fraternity and sorority houses near the stadium, which is a fabulous plus on game days and adds to the atmosphere. As you walk to the stadium, you can’t help but soak up the excitement from these students as they gear up for the contest. In addition, there are plenty of great restaurants and bars near the stadium. Big Ed’s is probably the most popular – about four or five blocks from the stadium; it is the classic college dive bar with fabulous, cheap food, including breakfast items. The Gawd Awful should be at the top of your list. This delectable dish is a mess of hash browns loaded with chili, cheese, and onions, all topped with a fried egg. Fans 4 Knowledgeable and enthusiastic, the fans are a big factor in making this a great college football venue, especially the student section. Monikered the MUSS (Mighty Utah Student Section), they are loud, proud, and geared up with bright red shirts and banners a-flying. Founded in 2002, the MUSS is the university’s student fan club for football and other sports, and you actually have to register to join. In 2004, the MUSS was named one of the top five student sections in the country by ESPN, and the current group is not far from capturing that honor again. Outside the student section, the fans are not quite so riled up, but equally knowledgeable, and are not at all shy about screaming wildly (or booing mournfully) as the occasion requires. This is precisely why Utah broke five football attendance records during the 2014 season alone. Access 3 Since it is on campus, RES is difficult to get to, as many of the nearby roads are closed off, or dead-end at other campus buildings, and many of the parking lots are restricted to students and faculty. Traffic after the game is also pretty intense, and it could take you a while to get away. You may be better off parking further away and walking in so you can avoid some of it. Pedestrian traffic inside the stadium is much easier to manage; the concourse is wider than most and there are plenty of entrances. Given the relatively smaller crowd compared to some venues, bathrooms are easy to get to, and lines inside the stadium are not overly long, since there are multiple refreshment carts and concession stands scattered around inside. Return on Investment 4 If you buy directly from the school, tickets will run upwards of $50 or more, depending on the game. Third party vendors are not much better, since many of the games are marquee match-ups. However, parking is only $10, and food is not overly expensive, so that makes up for the ticket price. All in all, visiting RES is definitely a worthwhile experience for the money given the great atmosphere and all of the extras. Extras 5 The first extra point goes for Rice-Eccles Stadium being nestled in the Rockies; not many stadiums can make this claim and provide such a glorious backdrop. Another point for hosting the Olympics, and having the park to prove it – this will give your trip a nice bit of historical significance. A third point for the giant U on the mountain, which is certainly worth capturing on film. As an added bonus, when Utah wins the U is lit up in red, so even if you don’t love the Utes you just might want to root for them anyway, because it is an awesome sight to behold. Finally, the absolute, completely best thing about seeing a game at RES is that they let you go on the field after the game! How cool is that? It is a totally awesome experience, and definitely makes the trip worthwhile, so it gets two points. And I don’t mean only when they beat BYU or a top 10 team – you can do that after every game. It is an absolute blast, and a definite must; take a selfie on the logo or throw a ball around with your kids or your buddy on a real field. Going out onto the field is certainly a rarity in the world of college football today, and should be on any fan’s bucket list. Final Thoughts Visiting RES is well worth the trip, given the historic significance, the wonderful fan base, the vibrant atmosphere, the mountain scenery, and the opportunity to experience things like going on the field at the end of the game. This stadium will NOT disappoint.

Photos by Scott Bultman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Rose Bowl 1001 Rose Bowl Dr Pasadena, CA 91103 Rose Bowl game website Rose Bowl stadium website Year Opened: 1922 Capacity: 92,542 Rose Bowl The Rose Bowl is called "The Granddaddy of Them All" for its pomp and circumstance each year. From the parade each morning that is nationally televised to a big game in the afternoon, this is a must see for sports travelers and fans. Fans in and around the Rose Bowl last year were in for a treat as this would be the first ever playoff semifinal game under the newly formed college football playoff system. This game featured the #2 high flying Oregon Ducks vs the #3 unbeaten Florida State Seminoles. As if this game needed anything else special, it would showcase the previous two years' Heisman trophy winners taking each other on. This sidebar matchup between Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota would be only the third game in college football history featuring two Heisman trophy winners facing each other in a game. The site is a National Historic Landmark as even the United States has recognized it as an important part of this country's history. The stadium now has a capacity of over 92,000, and year after year those seats get filled (and then some) because the Rose Bowl Game is an experience like none other. Below is commentary on the 101st edition of the game in a Stadium Journey language. Food & Beverage 4 While the food and beverage vendors are not in typical form (all are on a single concourse with no sightlines of the action), there is plenty of room for temporary food vendors, similar to what you will find at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Many of these stands had televisions behind the counter, allowing fans to continue to watch the game while standing in line. The variety of food stands at the stadium was vast and anyone with a specific appetite could walk away happy. One stand offered Fan vs Food Italian Beef & Sausage Sandwich ($30 for a whole sandwich, $15 for a half, and $10 for a third), and beef or pork ultimate nachos ($10). Some of your more typical food items found at most permanent stands included hot dog ($5), french fries ($5, get them "Texas Pete" style for the same price) bratwurst ($8), cheese or pepperoni pizza ($5 slice), popcorn ($5), Red Vines licorice ($5), M&M's ($5), or peanuts ($5). Some of the more exciting food options included beer brats, tri-tip sandwich, garlic fries, sweet kettle popcorn, bacon cheeseburger, bacon & cheese dog, nachos, teriyaki chicken and rice, quesadillas, burrito, tacos, or the famous El Cholo bowl (chicken or beef, with mixed with rice, beans, onions, cilantro, and salsa). The normal fare that you will find at most stadiums was prevalent as well. I had a foot long hot dog and a pretzel for eleven dollars and it hit the spot. For dessert, you may want to try the frozen lemonade ($5) or Lindes glazed almonds (sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon). The almonds are delicious, but do come at a premium. Small packs started at $8. The beverage options included Coke products in a souvenir cup for $10 (or bottled option for $5), bottled water ($4 & $5 sizes for Sparkletts and $5 & $6 sizes for Fiji), coffee ($3), Rock Star energy drink ($4), and regular, strawberry, or cherry lemonade ($5). I am a collector of souvenir cups but was not willing to shell out ten dollars for one. Especially since I got some free cups outside the stadium from a sponsor. In a contrast from when the UCLA Bruins play their home games here, the Rose Bowl did serve alcohol, which consisted mostly of Budweiser products. Draft beers ran for the hefty price of $10 for a 16 oz. cup. Bottled beer was also available for $9, Wine (chardonnay, white zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon) was available for $10 and margaritas for $10. Atmosphere 5 Without even setting foot into the state of California, most college football fans understand how meaningful the Rose Bowl game is. Simply driving into the parking lot or walking around the stadium area is sure to give all of the fans the cliché excitement term: "goosebumps." Never have I seen so many people taking pictures of the stadium as was witnessed before and after the game. Seeing a sun kissed stadium on TV turn into a beautiful sunset over the San Gabriel Mountains has to be seen in person at least once. On this particular day, close to record cold temperatures did not put a damper on the festivities. Rarely will you see a more passionate outpouring of school support than at the Rose Bowl game as it seems almost every fan was wearing yellow, green, or maroon on this particular day. When the team buses arrive to the stadium, one would think that riots are beginning to occur as all fans rush to the barriers to scream their support and get photos of their favorite players entering the stadium. I was fortunate to catch the Oregon Ducks escort and what a sight it was to see the designs on the buses and fanfare rolling through. You'll want to pay close attention to the national anthem as shortly after completion, fireworks are set off from mid-field and a flyover occurs, this year being a stealth bomber. Neighborhood 4 As the Rose Bowl is often part of a larger trip, many fans stay in Los Angeles for the week leading up to or following the New Year's holiday. Fans can also knock off many other venues on their list as the Los Angeles Kings, Lakers, Clippers, and Anaheim Ducks are all likely to host a home game during the week. Before or after the game, you can visit the Hollywood Boulevard, any one of the studio tours, Griffith Park, the Getty Museum, Venice Beach, the Santa Monica Pier, the Orange County beaches, or any one of the other sites in Los Angeles. On most reviews, the neighborhood is characterized mostly by the local bars and restaurants, however for this venue; you must first consider the surrounding scenery. Just outside the stadium, you'll find two 18-hole golf courses nestled at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. You'll find the typical Southern California palm trees as well as over 30 species of other trees surrounding the stadium. Once you arrive at the stadium, take a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and many of the beautiful homes constructed upon them. While in Pasadena, be sure to check out the magnificent structure that is City Hall, the neighborhood known as Bungalow Heaven with its small craftsman homes, or the Norton Simon Museum, complete with sculpture garden. If you are looking for some stops before or after the game, be sure to head down to Old Pasadena, or "Old Town." This revitalized area spans 21 blocks and has a variety of shopping, dining, and beverage options. If you are more concerned with just drinks and fun, perhaps you should check out the Old Towne Pub. You can expect to find live music here most nights of the week, so don't show up expecting to engage in conversation. Who could forget some of the classic beverage options such as "PBR" and their specialty shot, "the Loch Ness," for a rather inexpensive price. Lastly to be mentioned here is The 35er. This spot is located on the historic Route 66 and has a variety of fun beyond the beverage menu. Here, you'll find pool tables, a jukebox, and foosball in addition to approximately 20 beers on tap. This place is known to have some of the best specials in Pasadena and all-you-can-eat free popcorn. Weekends provide some extra fun as they have a DJ and dancing on the lower level. Fans 5 Both fan bases gave each other some good-natured ribbing but nothing seemed excessive or over the top. There seemed to be a 60-40 split in favor of Oregon supporters vs Seminoles faithful. Most of the chants and ribbing were directed at either Jameis Winston or the lack of national titles won by Oregon. Oregon fans populated the western and northern parts of the stadium while Florida State fans were in the eastern and southern portions of the stadium. My tickets were in the Florida State cheering section despite being a neutral fan. The marching bands for both schools were lively and kept the crowd enthused during the game. Due to the one sided game in the second half, many Florida State fans left at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Though they were disappointed on this day, they could take solace in the fact that they had won a national title the year before. Access 3 I was impressed with the transit options to and from the Rose Bowl. I took the metro gold line to Pasadena and took a free shuttle to the game. The wait times looked scary leaving the train station as everyone was going to the same place. However, the shuttle area was well marked and I was on a bus in under 15 minutes. Leaving the stadium and taking the shuttle is something I wouldn't recommend. The wait times were anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour. Take the mile and a half walk to the gold line station instead and skip the line. The area is well lit and there were police along the way to help with questions. I was able to get right onto a gold line train without waiting. Police and security at the train station help keep the lines and crowd flowing well both to and from Pasadena. My only quibble was the lack of signage on my walk to the station. Luckily, I followed the crowd and asked a friendly officer along the way. Getting there by car is not so easy. Located in Pasadena (found a little more than 15 minutes (13 miles) northeast of downtown Los Angeles), the city is easily accessible from the 110 or the 210 freeways. Unfortunately for the traffic flow, or fortunately for the scenery, the stadium is located in a mostly residential area with many small roads. There are limited entrances in and out of the Rose Bowl, so do provide yourself with at least an extra hour in advance of the desired arrival time. Rarely do you see traffic congestion as significant as you will see here. With well over 1 million individuals attending the Rose Parade, traffic from the parade route can cause a five minute trip to take well over an hour. As you approach the lots closest to the stadium, you can expect standstills of 10 minutes or more trying to get to your parking spot. Parking is a bit of a wildcard with spots going as low as $15 and as high as $80, with most spots somewhere in the middle. Many fans will park on residential lawns and walk down to the stadium to avoid the congestion getting out. While many of these spots are cheaper and offer easier exits, they are not sponsored by the Rose Bowl and there is no security in these lots. Some of the parking is immediately surrounding the stadium and other parking options are actually on a fairway of an 18-hole golf course. With so many vehicles on the property, there is staff on hand to help you locate your vehicle. If any given fan can still not locate their vehicle after the game, there are individuals nearby to help them locate it. There seems to be plenty of room at all spots for tailgating fun and there does not seem to be all of the severe restrictions that so many LA-based sporting events enforce. My most important piece of advice to anyone going into the game would be to begin making your trek to the stadium early and make sure you are headed to the appropriate gate number. As most fans begin to head to the gates 30 minutes before kickoff, it creates backlogs like many have never witnessed before. Depending on the integrity of the security guard checking bags, it can take 20 minutes or more from the time you get in line to the moment you step through those gates. Once inside the stadium, the single concourse seems to be fairly sizable and fans can get around rather quickly. Unfortunately, the small tunnels leading to the seating area often get very congested when trying to get to or leave your seats. Again, significant congestion will occur, preventing fans from quickly getting to seats. Speaking of seats, there are often 20 or more in a row, so those in the middle can expect a difficult journey to land in their bench seats. The aisles are pretty tight and not conducive to quick entry or exit. Most seats do not have cup holders and there is extremely limited space under your seats to place any belongings, so pack light. On many occasions, the beverage under my seat has spilled due to the limited space and curved concrete. There are three scoreboards in the stadium, but I found that all three left something to be desired in terms of the stats they provided. I did, however like the Rose Bowl highlight clips from games past during television timeouts. The restrooms are small, but there is a reasonable quantity and the lines do seem to move particularly fast. Due to the congestion of the seating aisles/tunnels, I would recommend heading for the restrooms at first thought as it could be a long journey. Return on Investment 5 During years where the new college football playoff games are at the Rose Bowl, $150 and up for a game ticket seems like a bargain compared to getting them online. In years where it will be host to a regular but major bowl game, the price may be a bit excessive. However, they have sold out every game since 1957. The atmosphere, a classic stadium, and a great warm weather setting make this a must see game at least once in your lifetime. For a major event, I thought tickets, food, and souvenirs were priced fairly. Some of the shirts were overpriced a bit but this writer needed one to proudly wear. As with any game, you can choose to indulge or be frugal so return on investment for a big event like this is what you make of it. If you factor in the price for a flight and hotel for out of town fans, the expenses add up quickly. Not driving and taking transit can save a lot of money. Indulging in free samples during the pregame tailgate can save you some on food costs inside the stadium. Most seats in the stadium are close to the action. Fans can live like kings in the new box seats which give you more leg room and an actual seatback. Or you can spend ten dollars for a nice souvenir seat cushion and sit in a regular seat. Extras 5 The Rose Bowl itself warrants some extra points. It is known affectionately as "The Granddaddy of Them All." With a nickname like that, you can't go wrong. It was the home of the first ever bowl game, played back in 1902. The Rose Bowl holds many prestigious records. The stadium set a record for attendance at a bowl game in 1973, when 106,869 saw USC and Ohio State play. Not bound to college, it holds the record for an NFL Superbowl at 103,985. This game was played in 1980 and featured the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Los Angeles Rams (Superbowl XIV). Since its inception, this venue has hosted 5 NFL Super Bowl games. It is now part of the college football playoff rotation. The parade prior to the game, beginning at 8 AM Pacific time, is seen by approximately 40 million individuals every year. Witnessing the parade and its floats made from flowers is just as much a part of the experience as the game itself. Be sure to make the parade part of your experience, but plan ahead as parking and a spot on the route is challenging to come by. Since its beginning, the Rose Bowl has hosted 19 Heisman Trophy winners (Reggie Bush also played here), 29 National Championship teams, and featured countless consensus All-Americans. The contest typically features the winners of the Pac-10 (now Pac-12) and Big 10 (with 12 teams) conferences. This agreement to feature these conferences began in 1947 and is currently the oldest intercollegiate postseason bowl agreement between two major conferences. During your visit, take a few moments to take in the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. Leading the way is a statue of an "anonymous" football player. The anonymity is an interesting touch, as there isn't one player who defines the venue and fans can wonder who is next to make their mark on the Rose Bowl. Behind the statue is a large wall that plays home to the Chrysler Corporation Court of Champions. Plaques from each year show the final score, the names of the head coaches, and the outstanding offensive/defensive players. Almost hidden in the bottom left corner of the wall is the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame, where it lists the name and school from where the individual hails. Unfortunately all these Hall of Famers receive are small plaques with no real explanation of why these individuals are in the Hall of Fame. I imagine that there is somewhere else where the contributions of these individuals are a little more extravagantly noted? Final Thoughts Going to a Rose Bowl is big enough but the added bonus of the college football playoff semifinal made it a must see game. While it isn't in the rotation each year, the regular bowl game will always feature a great game involving two high ranking teams. The renovations to the stadium did not compromise the classic look or feel to the stadium. The experience, the parade, and the pomp and circumstance make it a must see for any sports fan.

Photos by Eric Taylor, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Fortera Stadium 601 College St Clarksville, TN 37040 Austin Peay Governors website Fortera Stadium website Year Opened: 1946 Capacity: 10,000 Let’s Go Peay! Fortera Stadium, a multi-purpose facility — with football and track & field being the main tenants — resides smack dab in the heart of campus. The stadium is warm and welcoming, as it sits just above the banks of the picturesque Cumberland River and shaded by the charm and beauty of the nearby historic district. The increasing charm of campus architecture and landscape spread to Fortera Stadium in 2014, when a massive renovation replaced the west side grandstands with a new structure that includes a state-of-the-art locker room and lounge area for student-athletes and coaches. The fans now have access to skyboxes, club seating and box seats (seats with a back, as opposed to unforgiving metal bleachers). Each skybox has a sports bar feel to it, with stadium seating that will accommodate 22 per room. For those who like the amenities, but want to smell the football, there are sliding glass windows that will allow an open-air experience, as well as a button to allow the public address sound to be piped into the box. Want to keep up with the day’s big games? No need to worry, as you can keep one eye on the field and another on the two high-definition televisions hanging on the wall. Sports murals honoring former Austin Peay players and teams decorate the main concourses, and enhanced concessions provide a nice selection of food for the fans to sample. The field is comprised of FieldTurf XT, which is a brand under the umbrella of products manufactured by FieldTurf. The track around the outside of the field was installed by Sessions Paving in Nashville using a state-of-the-art composition of materials, and is host to the 2015 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Sinkholes are as natural to the Clarksville, Tennessee area as a small tremor or earthquake is to Los Angeles residents. It’s a good thing Clarksville is familiar with handling such natural phenomena. A rather large portion of the renovation project was sucked into the ground of a sinkhole just feet from where the band and students sit in May of 2014, but the September kickoff and unveiling were not delayed one minute, as engineers (and other important folks way above my expertise required to correct and repair such an issue) made the necessary and timely adjustments. Food & Beverage 2 The concessions have improved from years past with the 2014 renovations, but the selection is relatively standard. Nothing negative to keep you from ordering something from the menu, but you will not find anything overly amusing or spectacular, either. Atmosphere 3 Fortera Stadium is an absolute beautiful place to watch FCS football. The renovated west side stands are beautiful. APSU did not do what some schools do and build bigger than they can afford. The sidelines have about three yards of turf before you are eating the track that runs around the field, if you are tackled running full-speed out of bounds. Neighborhood 3 Black Horse is a great restaurant option if you are in the area for a visit. Located in the historic downtown area, it’s a fine place to sit down and enjoy a pretty good pizza. The neighborhood surrounding the campus is not brilliant, but downtown and the Cumberland River Walk are within a stone’s throw. Fans 3 The upgraded facilities have enhanced the attendance for Governors football. With the improved facilities comes improved game experience. As are many fans in this region of the country, APSU fans are knowledgeable and passionate. You also are likely to sit beside someone who knows, is related to or has followed since high school one of the players on the field. APSU supporters are not there to see and be seen. They are football fans that want to see college football on a Saturday afternoon or night. You are never alone when you sit next to a football fan at a football game. Access 3 Parking is surprisingly easy. This is not always the case with on-campus facilities, but OVC schools with stadiums of this size — APSU holds 7,000 — seem to fit the campus very well. In other words, the crowd will never be too much too handle, because APSU officials built the stadium to blend in and compliment the campus, not become the primary eye-catching landmark of the university. Those of you that have visited SEC college towns the size of Clarksville understand that the crowd and traffic control struggle is real. Watching an SEC game from a city like Tuscaloosa on television is great. All the fans are loud and fantastic, but what the television doesn’t show is the ugly underbelly of getting to the game and leaving the game. The funny thing is that Tuscaloosa proper has about 40,000 fewer people than Clarksville, but there has been little — if any — change in city infrastructure to handle the increase in fans. With Austin Peay, you will not get an SEC game televised on CBS with Gary Danielson and Verne Lundquist or ESPN with Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit, but there are no pretenses from this campus to be anything but a great venue to watch football without destroying the integrity of the college campus. Return on Investment 4 For the price of one ticket to an SEC game versus a cupcake, you can own season tickets for Austin Peay football ($50 for adults, $30 for youths and seniors). Single-game tickets are just a few more dollars than a high school game ($15 for adults, $10 for youths and seniors), and concessions are not out of hand. If football is what you are looking to see with a small amount of money to spend, it doesn’t get much better than a home game at APSU. Extras 2 Austin Peay, like many smaller schools, will surprise you when you walk through the concourse and see familiar players and coaches that are part of Governors history. The new concourse on the inside of the stadium as well as the outside perimeter of the stadium allows you to see players and coaches that have contributed to Austin Peay’s football narrative and tradition. The souvenir shop is a nice touch that gives the stadium a finished look that resembles an NFL stadium. Final Thoughts Fortera Stadium is newly renovated as of 2014, but the entire campus has undergone a renovation that removes APSU from just another state school in the northern border of the state of Tennessee. From the moment you enter campus until you place your backside in your Fortera Stadium seat with as good a vantage point of campus as the view of the field, you’ll be surrounded by college life and surroundings. College football is as much a part of the southern college experience, and college football lives on proudly in Clarksville, Tennessee.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 St James’ Park Strawberry Pl Newcastle upon Tyne, England NE1 4ST United Kingdom Newcastle United FC website St James’ Park website Year Opened: 1880 Capacity: 52,387 A Day in the Park Newcastle United fans have long been starved for success, punished by eccentric owners, baffling decisions and under-achievement. However, they have never wanted for excellent shelter. St James’ Park first became home to Newcastle United in 1892 after two local clubs, Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End decided to merge, thus becoming “united.” St James’ Park has grown from a modest base to become a beacon of the North-East of England, dominating the skyline in a manner befitting of a town which is intoxicated by football. There were a series of renovations at St. James’ that increased capacity to 35,610 in 1995 and expansion took place on the Milburn and Leazes Stand at a cost of £42 million that increased capacity to 52,404. St James Park is comprised of four stands: The Leazes Stand (North), The East Stand, The Gallowgate Road End (South) and the Milburn Stand (West). Away supporters are housed in the Sir John Hall Stand where 3,000 tickets are allocated to the section that is somewhat far from the pitch in terms of proximity. Food & Beverage 3 This is a mark of standardised, pricey Premier League fare, with little space for originality. A pie and a drink will bring you little change from a £5 note. For something cheap but heart-warming you might want to indulge in a cup of Bovril – the quintessential half-time meal for the English football fan. Ingrained in the stadium complex, Shearer’s Bar (named after club legend and record goal scorer Alan Shearer) offers something a bit more up market. Pub grub, pool tables and various television screens are situated across a three-floor complex. Most main meals cost £5. A deal of two for £6.95 is also offered on select dishes. It’s perfectly situated for a pre-match refreshment. Luckily, as you will find out, many more exciting delights await outside the ground. Perhaps it is appropriate to enjoy a Newcastle Brown Ale, the club’s iconic sponsor. Atmosphere 5 Uniquely for such a prominent Premier League club, St James’ Park is the centrepiece of the city with everything else revolving around it. This makes for an excellent atmosphere as both the city and its one and only football team merge wonderfully. The club’s famous black and white stripes are ubiquitous. This is a city that seems to be either watching football or talking about it seven days a week. The sense of occasion is never dimmed. Once in the ground, the enormity of the place speaks for itself – few cheap thrills and gimmicks are required. By the time the teams emerge to Mark Knopfler’s “Local Hero,” the heart rate certainly rises by a few beats. Neighborhood 4 The stadium’s prominence in the city also means that you are only a short walk away from a smorgasbord of facilities. Adjacent to the ground is Stowell Street, better known as “China Town.” Here you will find a mind-blowing array of Chinese eateries. Otherwise, the city centre is five minutes away. Finding something not to your taste is nigh-on impossible. Newcastle really cannot be matched for its convenience. A few pubs to check out during matchday are A Head of Steam, O’Neill’s and The Lounge Fans 5 This is where Newcastle United Football Club is in its element. “Toon” fans have long been regarded as some of the most intransigent supporters in the country. In spite of a famine of success for decade after decade, support rarely shows any sign of declining. Away fans are placed in the Sir John Hall Stand. They have long spoken its unparalleled spaciousness which makes up for being seated in the Gods. Furthermore, Newcastle is one of the longest away trips generally, so you can often count on visiting support being at its most visceral, providing the edge that all great football matches need. Access 4 Few faults are to be found here. For long-distance fans, Newcastle airport is seven miles from the city centre. The train station is a ten minute walk from the ground. Perhaps your simplest bet for travelling around the city is the metro system. A “Daysaver” ticket can be purchased for £3.50 which gives you unlimited travel. Alight at Monument station when going to the ground. It is possible to park almost in the shadow of the stadium but you would be advised to find somewhere a little further out as the exiting masses will make driving near the stadium an unmitigated nightmare. You may want to consider the Park and Ride system – signposted as you enter Newcastle. This will allow you to deposit your car and take a metro service into the city centre, eliminating the pain. Newcastle University provides a consummate guide for travel of all dimensions. Once at the ground, do bear in mind that supporters in the top tiers will have to face football’s version of Everest with seemingly endless flights of stairs. It is balanced out however by the extraordinary sense of accomplishment once you have wheezed your way to the top. Return on Investment 4 Newcastle’s pricing is not out of touch with its contemporaries. A well-placed seat in the corner of the ground shouldn’t be more than £30. Bearing in mind the vibrancy and breadth of facilities to be found in the city, boredom should be the least thing on your mind. Newcastle should be high on your list when considering Premier League venues to visit. Extras 3 Programmes are available for £3, providing all the essential match-day information. Daily stadium tours are also offered at a price of £10 for adults and £7 for concessions. You will have to pay a little more if doing it on a matchday. Where things fall down is the lack of big screens in an otherwise modern football ground, save for a humble display of the allotted match time. Televisions are available on the concourses however, where you can watch the rest of the day’s results arrive.

Photos by Andy Mantsch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Save Mart Center 2650 East Shaw Ave Fresno, CA 93710 Fresno State Bulldogs website Save Mart Center website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 15,544 Bulldog Basketball The Fresno State Bulldogs basketball team is the biggest show in town in California’s Central Valley. In a state rich with college basketball teams, the Bulldogs are a pit stop halfway between the basketball rich markets of Southern California and the Bay Area. Members of the Mountain West since 2012, Fresno State were longtime members of the Western Athletic Conference prior to nationwide football related conference re-alignment. The program has a spotty history of success, with five NCAA Tournament appearances and one NIT title to its credit. Their last NCAA tournament appearance came in 2001 however, so this is a program mired in a long postseason success drought. The Save Mart Center opened in 2003 as the premier arena of any kind in the Central Valley. Capable of seating over 16,000 for some events, it’s the largest venue of its kind outside of the more populated hubs in California. The arena hosts all kinds of events, from basketball and hockey to concerts and rodeos and serves as a hotspot for Fresno culture. It is home to both men’s and women’s basketball for Fresno State. Food & Beverage 4 The Save Mart Center offers a surprisingly wide selection of concessions beyond your average arena food. Guadalajara Cantina is your destination for Mexican food that is so popular in the Fresno/Clovis area. Finnigan’s Grill is an Irish themed spot where you can get a ½ pound hot dog or spicy sausages. West coast pizza chain Me-N-Ed’s Pizza is also available in the concourse as well as the Bulldog Grill for your burger and chicken sandwich fix. Prices are just a tad on the high side for menu items around the arena, ranging from $5-$10. A unique feature of the Save Mart Center for college basketball games is the sale of alcohol. There is beer sold both at the standard concession stands as well as at alcohol specific vendors around the concourse. The latter offers some California craft beer, which is highly unexpected at a mid-major college basketball venue. There’s also a Fresno State Wines vendor where you can get local wine, something I really didn’t expect to find in a college basketball arena. If you care to enjoy these items, be prepared to spend upwards of $9 per drink. Atmosphere 3 The Save Mart Center is justifiably the best overall venue in the San Joaquin Valley for indoor sports. The large capacity arena is new looking and clean, boasting a very comfortable atmosphere. For college basketball, it’s not the most intimate setting as it has the feel of a larger multi-purpose venue. It’s prepared to be a great venue for 15,000 fans coming to cheer on their college basketball team, unfortunately Fresno State doesn’t draw anywhere near that well. For a middling program with a meager following at a football-first school, the cavernous arena tends to feel empty even with a reasonable amount of fans. The staff does a great job of running promotions and making the most of the fans they have to work with. On the occasion that I attended, they were running a toys-for-tots promotion that involved throwing stuffed animals onto the court. They also dropped snowflakes from the rafters with various prizes attached for the lucky recipients. This would have been easy to win with any effort, because unfortunately there weren’t that many fans in the stands. Here lies the problem with the venue. While it’s big and beautiful, the basketball program just isn’t good enough to fill it and it ends up just accentuating the lack of success of the program. Along with the ticket and parking prices, this gives me the feel that the program itself has an impression that it demands more attention than it actually does. Neighborhood 3 Just outside the Save Mart Center you’ll find Shaw Avenue, the main strip along Fresno State University. Unfortunately, there’s not quite the volume of options available at some other universities for those looking for a lively college atmosphere. You’ll find apartment complexes, strip malls and several restaurants that double as bars. The crown jewel of the area, the Dog House Grill, is right across the street. This is your destination for California tri-tip and sports on TV. Be warned, parking is limited and the lines are long. This is an indicator of the excellent food here, but it means some additional planning needs to be in place when attending. In the area you’ll also find BJ’s Brewhouse and BC’s Pizza and Wings, which are reasonable options for pregame. Relatively close to the arena is the Tower District, which is your hot spot for the more popular bars and restaurants. Hotels should be easy to find all up and down Shaw Avenue for whatever price range you’re looking for. I’d strongly recommend staying in the university area or Clovis and not in downtown Fresno. While a relatively large city, Fresno has fallen on economic hard times and is not the most visually appealing or safest of downtowns. Fans 2 Maybe it’s the recent lack of success of the team or maybe it’s the higher than expected ticket prices, but the fans just don’t really turn out for the games. There are definitely some die hard Bulldog fans that very obviously frequent the games, but the volume just isn’t there. To be fair, the stadium is larger than the majority of similar basketball programs which may make filling it a bit much to ask. In a smaller venue, the same crowd might have a considerably better impact on the game. There is student section entrance on the west side of the arena where students get in free with their IDs. The arena is right on the edge of campus, so perhaps the biggest disappointment here is the lack of student engagement. If the student section were louder, this would by default help the entire venue. They do what they can to get participation during the game, but the support isn’t large enough and the arena is too large to really maintain any consistent energy among the fans. Access 4 It really couldn’t be much easier to get to the arena from anywhere in the Central Valley. The Save Mart Center is literally just off the exit from 168 and not far up the road from 41. Both connect with 180 to the south which connects with 99, the major route through the Central Valley from either north or south. I would strongly recommend sticking to these four routes, because trying to take Shaw all the way to 99 can be an arduous journey fraught with stops at red lights. Parking is just as easy, with large lots surrounding the venue. Some fans choose to park for free across Shaw Avenue in the residential area, but be mindful that some of the restaurants have security to ensure that only patrons park there. Parking in the lots may be easier, but it comes at a $10 charge which is a bit surprising for a largely empty lot. If you didn’t buy a ticket in advance, you’ll want to proceed to the west side near the student entrance to purchase one. Ticket offices are not located at each entrance. Once inside the concourse it is easy to navigate and the lack of fans will make it easy to access seating anywhere in the arena. Return on Investment 3 Pricing seems to have risen drastically for the basketball games based on previous information at hand. Upper deck tickets (which aren’t always available) start at $10, which is about the price I would expect to pay in general for a program at the level of Fresno State. You can buy tickets behind either basket for $15, which is still within reason. But if you’re looking for tickets in reasonable viewing areas (particularly when the upper deck isn’t available) you’re going to end up paying $25 or more. The most shocking price to me is mid court tickets at $65! For a basketball program with minimal history and a dwindling fan base, charging premium ticket pricing seems like it could be contributing to the lack of support at the games. Understandably there are some ranked teams in the Mountain West, but $25 to watch a losing basketball team against a small conference foe seems out of whack with standard ticket pricing around the country. Parking is also steep for the level of basketball. It seems as though the $10 lot is the standard pricing for all events at the arena, so that’s more forgivable. But coupled with the ticket prices, it again seems like an expensive experience for a team with very little history of success. Overall, the arena itself makes it worth attending one time, but I’m not sure a return trip would be in the cards based on the price. Extras 2 While nice, the Save Mart Center doesn’t offer a lot of frills. It’s your typical high-end venue. The staff seems to do an excellent job with promotions at the game to get fan engagement based on what they have to work with. The potential is here for a spectacular college basketball experience, but with all the empty seats and lack of wins from the team it’s just not happening right now. Someday a winning team here may pack the large arena with ravenous fans, but right now it’s an expensive and relaxing night out.

Photos by Meg Minard Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Idaho Central Arena 233 South Capitol Blvd Boise, ID 83702 Idaho Steelheads website Idaho Central Arena website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 5,002 Noisy in Boise The Idaho Steelheads play in the ECHL (formerly known as the East Coast Hockey League) at the CenturyLink Arena in beautiful downtown Boise, ID. The team name comes from the rainbow trout that provides fisher-people in Idaho ample angling activity late summer or fall in Idaho, if not most of the entire year. Note: The CenturyLink Arena was renamed Idaho Central Arena in Sept, 2020. The hockey Steelheads are an affiliate of the Dallas Stars NHL team. They began their history as part of the West Coast Hockey League in 1996 and transferred to the ECHL beginning the 2003-2004 season. They have been quite successful on the ice winning the Kelly Cup their first ECHL season and again in 2007 with additional division and conference championships in other years for both leagues. The CenturyLink Arena also hosts the Idaho Stampede (NBA Development League), as well as other entertainment events such as the Harlem Globetrotters, Front Street Fights, and concerts by Judas Priest, Godsmack, Luke Bryan, and more. It is part of a thriving downtown environment in Boise, ID and even the city itself is worth a visit if in or near the area. A hockey game just adds something extra. Food & Beverage 4 There’s a wide assortment of food and drink available at a Steelhead’s game. Papa Murphy’s pizza is open with slices going for $4.50 – $5 or you can get a two slice special for $8 or $9. Beer includes Bud Light and Coors Light $4 – $6 and wine is available $6.50 – $7.50 at the Papa Murphy’s stand. There’s a Double R Ranch concession stand open that provides burgers, fries, popcorn chicken with fries, chicken Caesar wraps, hot dogs, nachos (they call it chips and cheese), pretzels, and candy at prices from $3.50 – $8. There’s also a Mexican food stand that offers tacos, super nachos, burritos, fajita wrap, and churros ranging from $2 – $9. Another stand offers the basics: hot dogs – grilled ($4), nachos (chips and cheese) ($4.), pretzels ($3.), candy ($3.50), and popcorn ($2/$4). Beers on offer are Bud Light, Coors, Coors Light, 90 Shilling, and an exceptional IPA called City of Trees IPA from local Boise brewery Woodland Empire. Beers price from $4 – $8 depending on size and offering. There’re also subs and salads available at another concession. CenturyLink Arena is a Pepsi venue and offers soda for around $3. For dessert, there’s a stand that has Dreyers ice cream selections with snacks, helmets, cones, and fizzes on offer from $4.50 – $6. Three cocktail stands are along the concourse serving beer, wine, and mixed drinks. My recommendation is to walk around the concourse first to see what’s available and then make your selection. Another recommendation – eat at any one of the fine pubs or restaurants within a couple blocks walk of CenturyLink Arena prior to attending a game. Atmosphere 3 There are two levels of seating at CenturyLink Arena with suites above the second level. There are no cup holders provided on the first level (those seats do not appear to be permanent as it is a multi-use arena). There is no concourse or restrooms on the second level, though cup holders are available in most of this area. There is low to average legroom in the seating areas. A new center hung video board was installed prior to the 2014-2015 season at CenturyLink Arena. It shows the play in action, replays, scoring. During breaks in action, tweets from fans are displayed. It is placed very high on the ceiling so it isn’t a distraction when watching the game. Those seated on the lower level may have to look up a bit to see what is being shown. The time, shots on goal and penalties are not displayed on the center hung board. Other scoring displays include a corner video board which is not very clear and two dot matrix boards on the upper level that show period, time, shots on goal, scoring, and penalty infractions (the # of the player and time left). One downside when the game is over, is they immediately shut down the scoreboards and matrix boards so you’re not able to get the final shots on goal and score, take a photo, etc. It’d be nice if they left those displayed for at least 5 – 10 minutes after the game. To sit center ice, above the glass, facing the players’ benches choose section 212 in the upper level. On the lower level shoot for section 113 for center ice and choose a higher row (above G or H) to be above the glass. On the concourse behind one of the goals near section 108 is a small souvenir area that offers jerseys, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and caps. No hat pins or pennants are for sale. There was a flurry of activity going on at the stand the game I attended. It did stifle some pedestrian traffic on the concourse. The souvenir area is gone at the end of the game so get your merchandise before or during the game. There is a wide array of banners for the Steelheads placed on one wall of the rink from both their days in the WCHL and now the ECHL. Two autographed retired numbers are displayed as well; # 22 Cal Ingraham (a leading scorer for the Steelheads and now the coach for the hockey club at Boise State) and # 4 Jeremy Mylymok (a three-time captain and defenseman of the Steelheads). The PA announcer’s voice is muffled and a fan who is not familiar with the players cannot understand who scored a goal or an assist. The music level is fine in this arena. They do turn the lights off pregame and between periods which is quite annoying, but not uncommon. The temperature in the venue is comfortably warm; not too cold. A heavy sweater, jersey, or sweatshirt should do the trick. Neighborhood 5 Downtown Boise is great! There are lots of restaurants, bars, coffee and tea shops, and the Capitol Building. There’s a Basque Museum, a couple breweries, a Trader Joe’s, and several hotels within walking distance. In the winter, it’s cold but if the sun is out, you’ll have a perfect afternoon to explore this delightful downtown. The sidewalks and roads can get icy so be careful where you step. The Grove Hotel (an upscale lodging) is attached to CenturyLink Arena. In fact, there’s an entranceway from the hotel into the arena. New glass doors were installed in 2014 so that one can see the hockey rink from the hotel lobby which is a nice treat. They do close those doors prior to the game. Two blocks from the arena is a Hampton Inn & Suites and four or so blocks away is a Safari Inn. Local breweries downtown Boise include: 10 Barrell Brewing (Good beer – try the Rye IPA – food is served at this location), Boise Brewing, and Woodland Empire Brewery (they specialize in IPA’s). A recommended place for a hearty breakfast is Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro (a few steps from the arena). For a pint and a bite before (or after) the game, check out Bittercreek Alehouse which offers local brews and delicious pub food, is just two blocks away, and service is excellent. The Piper Pub & Grill (a traditional pub atmosphere) may also suit your fancy and is .1 mile away from CenturyLink Arena. There are a wide variety of tea and coffee shops located in the downtown area. I tried the Dawson’s Downtown Coffee House and it offers a nice hot, bold cup of joe for a chilly morning stroll. For places to tour, there’s nothing better than visiting a state’s capitol building and Idaho’s is an impressive one. There are self guided tours as well as guided tours. Check out the Basque Museum located one block from the arena for some enriching history lessons of this culture. Around the winter solstice, the sun doesn’t begin rising in Boise until about 8am so if you’re an early bird, you’ll be taking your steps in the dark. Fans 4 The team has consistently averaged at least 4,000 fans per game and average 80% of capacity. All fans (except the lady in front of me at the game I attended) demonstrate hockey etiquette by remaining in their seats while the puck is in play. It’s mostly adults and couples; not a whole lot of kids, though the environment is quite family friendly. And, the fans stay till the end of the game. They are dedicated, vibrant, and very conversant with their players and the game of hockey. Access 4 Because the arena is located in the downtown area, there is plenty of parking available very close to the arena. Free parking, however, is pretty much non-existent. According to the City of Boise’s website, there are 3,500 parking spaces in the city-operated downtown parking garages. Visitors receive the first hour free in all garages except the Grove Street Garage, and each additional hour is $2.50. In addition, there are several privately owned surface parking lots available. Most of these lots charge a $5 flat fee for event parking. There is construction going on in front of the CenturyLink Arena and this will be a new public transportation/bus transit depot and is expected to be completed in 2016. Currently, there are a few bus stops close to CenturyLink Arena. Check the Valleyride site for current bus transportation information. The concourses can get a bit congested especially between periods. One point of note is the stadium doors only open 40 minutes prior to the first puck drop. Though it’s not a big arena, it doesn’t give stadium journeyers a whole lot of time to check out the arena and offerings. If flying in for a game, the closest airport is Boise Airport – BOI (it’s a nice airport) and is a 10 – 15 minute vehicle ride to the CenturyLink Arena. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices range from $17 to $50 and they do tack on an additional convenience charge regardless of how/when they are purchased. The Steelheads do offer ticket promotions such as four tickets for $44 or a flex any day ticket plan. Concession prices are a bit less than other ECHL venues. They provide a roster sheet (though it’s really too small to read especially when the lights are turned off/down which is much of the time) and a ‘Hockey makes downtown come alive’ magazine both free of charge. For a day and evening of entertainment, a Steelhead game is worth the price especially being in downtown Boise. Extras 3 Having an arena right in a hotel is worth a visit. Having a winning team year in and year out makes being a Steelhead fan enjoyable and satisfying. I can’t say enough about downtown Boise and what a fantastic area it is to visit. Final Thoughts Do check out the delightful downtown Boise area for a fun filled day. The Steelheads put on a good show, provide valuable sports entertainment, and it’s a rewarding place to watch and enjoy an ice hockey game.

Photos Courtesy of Operation Sports Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Albertsons Stadium 1400 Bronco Lane Boise, ID 83725 Boise State Broncos website Albertsons Stadium website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 36,387 The Turf is Blue in Boise Albertsons Stadium (formerly known as Bronco Stadium), home of The Blue, is the third stadium in Boise State short history. The university has grown from a junior college with a thousand-seat field with wooden bleachers in the 1940’s, to the current incarnation, with a capacity of 36,387. The turf was upgraded in 2008 to the new FieldTurf surface. The Stueckle Sky Center was completed in 2012, with three levels of luxury boxes and a modern press box. A new football complex was completed with coach’s offices, state of the art weight room, locker room, and recruiting lounge in 2013. The stadium also houses the Allen Noble Hall of Fame, the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame and Larry and Marrianne Williams Plaza. Unique in all of football is The Blue, the world’s first blue AstroTurf field. First installed in 1986 basically as a way to make Boise State stand out during their days in Division 2, it has transformed into a rallying point for the Boise State team and fans. Between the talent on the field and Boise State loud and dedicated fans, the Broncos home field advantage is daunting, racking up a win percentage of 82.4% since the turf was installed. There are lots of myths about the turf itself–everything from birds dying in scores by diving headfirst onto the turf, to it being an unfair advantage for Boise State to play in their traditional all blue uniforms at home. The Blue is one of Boise’s most popular places to see. Not only does Boise State football play here, it is also home of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, a cold weather bowl played between the Mountain West Conference and the Mid-American Conference. Food & Beverage 4 Standard food and beverage options are available, soda, hot chocolate, coffee, popcorn, hotdogs. Also, stands for hand-dipped corn dogs, mini donuts, tacos, and warm candied almonds. Alcohol is prohibited inside Albertson’s Stadium, but is allowed in the parking lots and Stueckle Sky Center. Prices are reasonable for the high quality of options provided. The mini-donuts with caramel dipping sauce are a local favorite. Atmosphere 5 Albertsons Stadium is a very high-energy place to watch a football game. The noise level has been measured as high as 123 decibels during the 2014 season. Boise State’s marching band, The Blue Thunder adds traditional college football ambiance and entertainment. Of course, The Blue is deserving of its own mention, as the only non-green playing surface among FBS programs. Bronco players are led out of the tunnel at the beginning of the game by a horse and rider, with the first player out carrying The Hammer (awarded to the last game’s best special teams player or player with the biggest hit.) Bronco fans chant “Boise! State!” with opposite sides of the stadium answering each other. It’s bright, loud, and a very entertaining show. Neighborhood 3 The area around the stadium is mostly residential and student housing on the south side, with downtown to the north, but there are quite a few restaurants and bars in close proximity to the stadium itself. Lots of fast food options, plus Busters Sports Bar and Grill, Pie Hole Pizza, Cobby’s Sandwich Shop, The Ram Brewpub, and Suds. Tailgating happens in lots all around the stadium. Fans 4 Bronco fans are said to be among the nicest fans in college football. They are loud, but at the right times, and are generally friendly and knowledgeable about their team and the sport. There are chants to participate in, and the university is doing a great job of engaging fans in the stadium experience over social media. The student section is also loud and well organized. The only drawback is that fans are still adjusting to the recent trend of 8pm kickoffs, which while beautiful in September, can be rather chilly in late November. This often results in some folks filing out before the game is over to go home and warm up, especially if the team is up big or temperatures fall to single digits. Hard to blame them, especially those with children, but the stadium is a much different place in the 4th quarter vs. the 1st during the latter half of the season for the late evening starts. Access 5 Parking is fairly inexpensive in comparison with some other stadiums and shuttles run from downtown for hours surrounding game times. It is possible to find free parking on surrounding streets as well. There is plenty of access to restroom facilities, as well as elevator access to the upper areas of the stadium. The restrooms are cleaned often and even have heaters which can help immensely during cold weather games. Return on Investment 4 Increasing ticket prices and other fees have been a talking point inside Bronco Nation for several years, and ROI is debated at length, especially in recent years when the stadium has not quite been selling out for all home games. Upgrades to the stadium such as the video board and sound system have greatly improved the experience, as well as expansion of alcohol boundaries during tailgating. Ticket prices do seem to be slowly normalizing to the local economy more and more each season, and with such a unique atmosphere, $25 for the north end zone at the lowest is a screaming good deal for the level of football being played at Boise State. Extras 5 Albertsons Stadium is on the banks of the Boise River, nestled among the trees at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It is a very picturesque setting for one of the most interesting college stadiums in the country. The Boise River Greenbelt also runs along the north side of campus, directly next to the Bleymeyer Football Complex, and the Cavens-Williams indoor practice facility. There is an outdoor, real grass practice facility nearby as well. The stadium is home to the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, an award given internationally to athletes engaged in humanitarian efforts as well as excelling athletically. The Allen Noble Hall of Fame is a tribute to great Broncos who contributed to the winning traditions at Boise State. The Stueckle Sky Center, while also being the luxury option for watching the Broncos play, is a gorgeous venue in its own right with 240 degree views of downtown Boise, the river, and The Blue itself and is available to the public to reserve for events.

Photo Courtesy of Austin Peay University Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Winfield Dunn Center Marion Street & Drane St Clarksville, TN 37040 Austin Peay Governors website Winfield Dunn Center website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 7,257 Nicely Dunn Austin Peay State University, named for former Tennessee Governor Austin Peay, who served from 1923-1927, was founded in 1927 and has a current undergraduate enrollment of nearly 10,000 students, with close to another 1,000 in post-graduate programs. APSU basketball has a history and tradition that’s rich enough to justify relatively high expectations. Legendary head coach Dave Loos has been in that position since 1990 and has led the Governors to three NCAA Tournament bids. The program has a total of six trips to the Big Dance. Dave Loos has been at Austin Peay so long that his signature is literally scribbled in large letters on the Dunn Center floor. The basketball court was named Dave Loos Court in the fall of 2007. The Governors won their 350th game at Dunn Center in a 93-57 victory over Dalton State College on December 30th, 2013. Three of the OVC’s all-time greatest players wore Austin Peay colors. James ‘Fly’ Williams (1972-73), Charles ‘Bubba’ Wells (1993-1997) and Trenton Hassell (1997-2001) help put this school in the national conscience, but no one player did more to make Austin Peay a nationally recognized school than Fly Williams. Williams’ immense success in two years in Clarksville is the reason behind the Dunn Center — The House That Fly Built. Austin Peay broke ground in 1973 and opened The House That Fly Built in 1975. The Dunn Center is a multi-purpose arena and seats 7,257. Most sports fans know it as the home of Governors basketball, but the Harlem Globetrotters have also played at Dunn Arena, visiting in early 2014. In 1976, Lynyrd Skynyrd brought their immensely popular Southern Rock show to Dunn Arena. Musical acts of all genres have played the Dunn Center since its 1975 opening, proving it’s a great concert venue, as well. Food & Beverage 3 Other than the option to purchase some of MC’s Sweet Roasted Nuts when you first enter the main atrium area of Dunn Arena, you will find the standard menu board of concession sustenance. I give a bonus star for the ability to buy two hot dogs and two sodas for well under $20. Atmosphere 4 The game presentation is traditional without being boring. It’s also creative, while at the same time paying homage to small-college basketball. Intimate, yet grand enough to be intimidating if the building is full. Sprawled across a white wall are big, block red letters spelling “HALL OF FAME,” and under those letters are plaques alongside glass cases containing jerseys and relics of ‘Peay legends James “Fly” Williams, Charles “Bubba” Wells and Trenton Hassell, who appear to motion you over to greet them upon entering the glass doors to the small front atrium of the Dunn Center. In this same small area you can order freshly roasted nuts from MC’s Sweet Roasted Nuts or stop off at the concessions for a hot dog and soda (or Coke, as us Southerners universally refer to any drink with a concoction of carbonation, caramel color and corn syrup) before entering a second set of glass doors to the lower level of the Dunn Center arena. Actually, if you have your head turned in conversation, you may walk right into the pep band and trip right onto the court under the basket within ten steps of walking inside the arena, so pay attention, will ya? If you are paying attention, a quick left once entering the Dunn Center will lead you to a set of stairs that will wind its way to the second level of the arena, providing great sight lines to enjoy the action. There are doors on either side of the Hall of Fame wall that lead to the arena, so if you choose the right side, heed the above advice, only take a right to hit the stairs to enjoy the second level views. The pep band is fun and entertaining. They slap the bass, pound the drums and blow the horns in perfectly loud harmony to remind you that you are at a college basketball game. There’s no sound quite like that of the pep band’s music and loud snare drum ricocheting off the walls of a basketball arena/gym. The creative side of the game presentation shows off for the first time when the visiting team’s lineup is announced and The Who’s “Who Are You” blares from the speakers. The pep band gets involved and yells sweet nothings at the innocent players dressed in the wrong color jerseys as each name is announced. The home team is announced with the house lights down and a number of spotlights shining brightly and dancing with the thumping beats of bass as the overhead scoreboard shows highlights of high-flying and rim-rattling jams from previous games. The student section really does a good job at filling its seating in the lower level bleachers on the left side of the arena (direction based on the description of entering from the Hall of Fame atrium). The students are noisy, but not offensive. That’s more than can be said for some boisterous student sections across the country. During the course of the game, the more veteran fans encourage each player by his first name like a parent, aunt or uncle that comes to every game to support their family member. The Dunn Center’s atmosphere has enough creativity to keep you entertained, but the entertainment of the non-game portions of the evening does not overwhelm the simplicity and tradition of the game, such as the thump of each dribble hitting the floor or the squeak of each player’s sneakers as they run up and down the floor. Oh, and the unofficial official cheer is “Let’s Go Peay!” So yes, this is the greatest cheer of all time and the makers of Flomax could really do some damage with a little creative product placement. Neighborhood 5 Clarksville, Tennessee has many faces. There’s the mall section of town right off Interstate 24’s Exit 4 on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard. There’s the car dealership portion of town at the end of Wilma Rudolph Boulevard and portions of Madison Street. There’s the more neighborhood-centric section of Clarksville arteries like 101st Airborne Division Highway. Clarksville is only a 15-minute drive to the northwest from the Fort Campbell military post, hence the road named for the 101st Airborne. There’s even a Riverside Drive which – you guessed it – rides parallel to the Cumberland River. My favorite part of Clarksville, however, is nestled in the heart of the city. This portion of town is shared by downtown Clarksville and Austin Peay University’s campus. You’d be hard-pressed to find a chain or franchise restaurant in this area. Two local treats you must absolutely taste when visiting are Blackhorse Pub & Brewery and Looking Glass Restaurant and Bakery. Blackhorse is in the downtown district, while Looking Glass is actually off of 101st Airborne Division Highway on Warfield. Both are relatively easy to find now that most folks have smart phones with navigation or a navigation system in their vehicles. Fans 3 Nothing stands out about the fans, but that’s okay. What I enjoyed most was the look and sound of disgust with the first half performance of the team. I walked back to the main atrium to take a closer look at the concessions and Hall of Fame when I heard fans complaining. “What are they doing out there?,” one guy asked his friend in frustration as they waited in line for something to eat. The first-half performance from the home team was not great and the fans were grumbling. They didn’t boo the players. They grumbled amongst themselves. Complaining fans indicate high expectations and high expectations indicate past success. The Govs have been to a total of six NCAA Tournaments, with three of those coming under head coach Dave Loos. The product on the floor is not great for the time being, so the excitement level is not high, and I give the fans that were in attendance credit for doing their part to affect the outcome of the game and cheer the Govs to victory. Unfortunately, in order to get a higher ranking, the energy of your fan base has to make it difficult to decipher if the team on the floor has a 15-0 or 0-15 record. Access 4 Clarksville is very easy to access off Exit 11 of Interstate 24 if you’re driving in from Nashville or Exit 4 if you’re coming in from the northwest. Once in Clarksville, you can follow the signs to campus with relative ease. Restrooms and concessions inside of Dunn Arena can be reached without much fuss, but you will have to walk down near the court to get to a restroom if you sit on the lower level. In other words, you feel like you’re in high school again when you would walk the entire length of the court to get to the restroom and it never failed that a thumping hip hop jam would be bumping from the P.A. which made you feel even dorkier, because you ended up walking to the beat and you were scared everyone was pointing at you saying, “Look at the dude headed to restroom. He’s really into this tune.” Maybe I was a little anxiety-ridden and was the only one that felt that, but if I’m not the only one, then you will want to sit on the side closest to the glass doors to the atrium, because you know the APSU game-presentation team would decide to crank out Nuthin’ But A Gangsta Party just to see how the crowd likes it. Return on Investment 5 The price of admission ($10 for adults, $8 for youths) versus the product on the court still makes for a great ROI, even with the team not reminding anyone of the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers. Extras 2 Blackhorse Pub & Brewery Per LocalEats.com review — Blackhorse Pub & Brewery, a welcoming restaurant and brewpub in historic downtown Clarksville, has weathered it all since opening in 1992, including a devastating 1999 tornado. Craft beer and gourmet pizzas are the calling cards, although the Blackhorse has a surprisingly diverse menu. Try the beer sampler on your first visit … or go straight for their signature Barnstormer Red Ale. ADDITIONAL DETAILS Full bar Serving lunch and dinner daily Open late on Friday and Saturday night Personal Endorsement and Recommendation – Any pizza on the menu. Pick one. It’s hard to mess it up. Looking Glass Restaurant and Gourmet Bakery Per LocalEats.com review — At the Looking Glass Restaurant and Gourmet Bakery, everything behind the doors belies its modern retail-center exterior. It’s whimsical, artsy and eclectic in atmosphere, complete with a Zen garden dining patio. It’s the only place in Clarksville where you can have lavishly prepared waffles and omelets for breakfast … and a romantic dinner at night. The dessert selection is nothing short of incredible, including Oh-My-Gosh Chocolate with Ganache icing. ADDITIONAL DETAILS Kids’ menu Beer and wine available Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday – Saturday Closed on Sunday Personal endorsement and recommendation — The cafe is as good as the food. They have a hot drink that somehow has the flavor of a Snickers bar without having to chew. It’s magical. It’s more of a dining experience than it is just a place to sit down and eat. Looking Glass is great for those who love an upscale and elegant dining experience without the intimidation and stuffiness of a white table cloth establishment. It’s where upscale and elegant meet warm and casual.

Photos Courtesy for Florida A&M University Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Al Lawson Center 1835 Wahnish Way Tallahassee, FL 32307 Florida A&M Rattlers website Al Lawson Center website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 9,639 The Snake Pit Florida A&M University (FAMU) is one of the oldest and most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the country. Founded in 1887, the Tallahassee-based institution has a student body of more than 13,000. Among the top majors are Business Administration, Biology, Criminal Justice and Black Studies. A number of famous athletes are alumni of FAMU. These include Bob Hayes (football), Althea Gibson (tennis), and baseball’s Hal McRae, Vince Coleman, Marquis Grissom, and Andre Dawson. The FAMU athletic program is a member of the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) and is famed for its very distinctive team colors of orange and green and its unique team moniker of the Rattlers. The Rattlers basketball program has won four MEAC championships and appeared in four NCAA tournaments over the years. Their on-campus home is the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center, a 9,639-seat arena built in 2009. It is the second-largest basketball arena in Tallahassee, trailing only Florida State University’s Leon County Civic Center. Food & Beverage 2 The concession stands at the Lawson Center is located to the left as you enter the arena. It offers a very limited number of items: Pepsi-branded sodas ($3), hot dogs ($3), nachos ($4), candy ($2), chips ($1), popcorn ($2), fries ($3) and chicken tenders ($7). I would definitely encourage you to visit one of the many fast food locations along West Gaines Avenue or those listed in the Neighborhood section for more substantial food offerings. Atmosphere 3 You will know immediately that you are in the right place as you enter the Lawson Center, as it is hard to miss the orange and green seats surrounding the Rattler’s home court. There is also a huge Rattler graphic covering the mid-court area. More than likely, you will also hear the sounds of FAMU’s Band of 100 tuning up prior to the game for their non-stop performance throughout the contest. As the name of the facility suggests, the Lawson Multipurpose Center has a much broader role than just athletics. It also serves as a classroom building, a conference center and a place for the FAMU community as a whole to come together, whether for graduation ceremonies, special speakers or special observances. For this reason, it does not have some of the typical features found in a strictly athletic facility. Aside from a prominent display of the school’s members of the Athletic Hall of Fame, there are very few permanent items suggesting the use of the Lawson Center for sports. This is not meant as a criticism of the Lawson Center, as it is a very nice facility in which to hold basketball games. Rather, it is a statement that Florida A&M makes the most possible use out of its facilities within the limited budget the school has to work with. On game days, the building comes alive with the cheerleading squad, the Band of 100 and the Venom dance team all working together to cheer on the Rattlers. Neighborhood 3 The FAMU campus forms a majority of the neighborhood surrounding the Lawson Center. Visitors to the campus should definitely include the Foster Tanner Fine Arts Gallery, and the Meek-Eaton Black Archives Research Center and Museum on their itineraries. The Archives Research Center is housed in the first Carnegie Library built at a black land-grant college. FAMU is located just south of downtown Tallahassee in a neighborhood known as College Town (FAMU and Florida State University are only blocks apart). The very popular Cascades Park and Amphitheater helps to tie the two campuses together via a 24-acre linear greenway. The park features running and biking trails, swimming facilities, a waterfall and the 2,000-seat Capital City Amphitheater for concerts. The funky Railroad Square Art Park also borders the campus, with an eclectic selection of art galleries and the very popular Proof Brewery. Three dining favorites located close to the FAMU campus are Cassandra’s, Leola’s Crab Shack and Gaines Street Pies, while Tomahawk’s and The Warehouse are favorite watering holes. Check out the Bradfordville Blues Club for some great blues and jazz music Fans 3 The alumni and students at FAMU are very proud to be Rattlers, and they show up for games in all manner of green and orange outfits. Unfortunately, much of the green and orange that you see at a Rattlers game comes in the form of empty seats, as attendance has been a problem. It is not unusual to see the Lawson Center only one-third full. Those who do show up are on their feet and cheering throughout the game. Typically, the makeup of a basketball crowd at FAMU includes members of the Greek community, relatives, and friends of the players and members of the surrounding neighborhood. There is usually a spike in attendance for the Bethune-Cookman game, as they are the other HBCU located in the state of Florida. Access 4 Getting to FAMU is very easy, as it is in the state capital of Tallahassee. It is about 15 miles south of I-10 and only six miles from the Tallahassee Regional Airport. The campus is directly south of the State Capitol Building on South Monroe Street. FAMU is served by both campus shuttles, as well as the StarMetro public transportation system. Due to its location in a state capital, and near one of the state’s largest universities, there are many lodging options to fit any price range nearby. These include the Residence Inn, the Comfort Suites and the Econo Lodge Tallahassee. Parking at FAMU games is available at no charge at the Wahmish Way parking deck or in the football stadium parking lot located next door to the Lawson Center. Once inside the facility, you will experience very little congestion, as the concourses are wide and open to the court so you will not miss any of the action. There are more than adequate restroom facilities for an arena this size. The only area of the Lawson Center where you can definitely expect a line is at the lone concession stand. Return on Investment 4 A night out at a FAMU basketball game will not break the bank. You will enjoy a night of MEAC basketball, enjoy some great music courtesy of the FAMU Band of 100 and pay very little for the refreshments. The tickets are $10 for general admission seats, and there is no charge for parking. Extras 3 FAMU’s Band of 100 is famous for its intricate formations, musical talent, and wild dance moves. Many people come for the band performance, rather than the athletic contest. No one leaves their seats at halftime, for fear of missing one of their performances. Like any state capital, there are many museums to choose from in Tallahassee. Two of interest to the FAMU community are the Museum of Black History, which is managed by the University, and the Black Archives Research Center. This is one of the few genealogical centers in the country equipped to trace the ancestry of visitors back to slave times and before. FAMU welcomes alumni, supporters, and members of the neighborhood to attend one game a month free of charge, and treats them to a barbecue meal and courtside seating during the game as a gesture of friendliness. They receive a red carpet welcome at the door and greetings from the Venom dance team. A majority of the neighborhood surrounding the campus is made up of elderly persons and they show their support by cheering on the Rattlers at athletic events.

Photo Courtesy of Bethune-Cookman University Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Moore Gymnasium 640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Bethune-Cookman Wildcats website Moore Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1954 Capacity: 3,000 Daytona Beach Hoops The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats play their basketball games at Moore Gymnasium in beautiful Daytona Beach, Florida. There are quite a few points of interest around town, including Bethune-Cookman University. This basketball team is a proud member of the MEAC Conference, but have never been able to attain great success. They did have a bid to play in the NIT back in 2011, but were quickly eliminated by Virginia Tech. Moore Gymnasium was built in 1954 and only holds 3,000 fans, but provides a surprisingly loud punch to the face for opposing teams. Food & Beverage 2 The refreshments are similar to what you’ll find at your local high school basketball game. Every food item is under $4. The menu includes a pulled pork sandwich, hot dog, cheeseburger, boiled peanuts, and nachos. There is also a nice selection of shaved ice flavors. The concession window is easy to find, located to the left of the main entrance. The line is backed up at halftime, so I suggest purchasing your items before then. Atmosphere 3 The tiny size of the gymnasium coupled with 3,000 passionate fans creates a hectic, and enjoyable, stadium atmosphere. The cheers and whistles are so deafening, it’s difficult to speak to the person next to you. Not to say this is a bad thing. If you’re a fan of loud, raucous environments, this experience will be for you. Even the squeak of the sneakers will reverberate around this intimate space. You can only imagine the passion this venue would offer during a rivalry or championship game. You will be so close to the action you’ll feel like you can jump in and attempt a three-pointer yourself, especially depending on where you sit. The seats are open to everybody with the price of admission, so if you arrive early you can grab a seat right on the floor! The mascot is really interactive and has a lot of fun with his role in the game. The Wildcat will pose for pictures, join huddles with the players, and dance with the cheerleaders. The walk to Moore Gymnasium is a great part of the atmosphere. The venue is located in the heart of the campus and makes for a great walk on a beautiful Florida afternoon. The gymnasium blends in with the surrounding architecture, therefore it may be easy to miss. Walking into Moore Gymnasium will provide some rare nostalgia of a high school game, but offers the talent of Division I basketball. Neighborhood 2 The neighborhood around Bethune-Cookman University doesn’t offer anything special during your visit. However, Daytona International Speedway is located about ten minutes down the road, right next to the Interstate. It is highly recommended to check out this iconic sports venue. The stands are massive and will leave you in awe when seen for the first time. Check out tour information here and be sure to schedule your visit anytime you can make it. It’s a must-see for any stadium traveler. The area surrounding Daytona International Speedway is full of chain restaurants and bars. It’s a great place to spend some time before or after the basketball game on campus. The only reason for the low rating is the attractions area is not located close to campus, so it is a bit of a drive but offers the best tourist experience in the city. Fans 3 The noise inside Moore Gymnasium is a testament to the small size of the venue, but the fans offer a good amount of support for the Wildcats. Even en route to a blowout win, fans loudly suggest advice for the players. The atmosphere generated by the crowd is a combination of different aspects, including whistles and player communication, but the fans are here for the game. It’s common to find small schools with little interest in the happenings of the court. These are mere social events as compared to an actual interest in the team, so credit is due at this small basketball school. The interest is here and you can hear it during the game. Access 2 The traffic for a Saturday afternoon game is nonexistent, even around the attractions area. The campus is fairly easy to find, located down the road from US-92. Moore Gymnasium is tricky to find within the campus. There are zero signs or indications of its location. If you know the general area and address, you will eventually pinpoint its location in the middle of campus. Due to its small size, it’s easy to overlook. Allow some extra time if you plan to make an opening tip. Parking is free with plenty of spots available in the main parking lot. Once inside Moore Gymnasium, you’ll find space is limited in the hallways near the court. The seats are uncomfortable bleachers with limited legroom, but the games don’t last very long due to limited commercial interruption. Return on Investment 4 Any seat in the house will only cost $10 and the parking is free. The game is entertaining and doesn’t take up too much of the day. Plus, the campus is situated near the race track and offers an entire day’s worth of events to attend. Not to mention the beautiful beaches to spend an afternoon. Overall, the experience is worth the cost and offers plenty of extra sights to check out on your visit. Extras 2 The attractions of Daytona Beach are rare in relation to a small school. There is usually a campus and a long drive home. Here, there is plenty to experience to complement the trip. Moore Gymnasium holds onto a historic feel that you won’t find with many other small arenas. Final Thoughts Daytona Beach is a premier tourist destination and for good reason. It’s a beautiful area with history and picturesque scenery. The Bethune-Cookman campus is a nice addition, but the sports experience doesn’t match the charm of other small schools. Usually, there is momentum and promise with a small school building towards a name, but the energy here is stagnant. There may never be necessary funds to provide a modern venue, and without it, the experience cannot improve.

Photos by Gary Butterworth, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Capital One Arena 601 F St NW Washington, DC 20004 Washington International Horse Show website Capital One Arena website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 14,000 What a Difference Some Hay Makes Pumpkin spice lattes, light sweaters, crunchy leaves on the ground, and the smell of fresh manure in downtown DC. When fall is in the air, it’s time for the Washington International Horse Show. And just as the hot summer transforms into the crisp, cool autumn, the Verizon Center radically transforms itself for its annual equestrian extravaganza. The Verizon Center is best known as the home of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and the NBA’s Washington Wizards. Fans in the nation’s capital who have attended basketball and hockey games and concerts here can vouch for the venue’s capability of handling multiple set-ups. While certainly nothing to be ashamed of, basketball-to-concert-to-hockey changeovers are par for the course for modern indoor arenas. To truly show off their versatility, today’s arenas need the opportunity to host something a little different. Some venues get unique, one-off events like the X-Games or political conventions. The Verizon Center has the annual Washington International Horse Show. The WIHS called the DC Armory home from its birth in 1958 until it moved to the suburban Capital Center in Landover, Maryland, in 1978. The Armory still sees the occasional event, but the Capital Center is no more. When the Verizon Center (originally the MCI Center) opened in 1997, the horses followed the lead of the hockey and basketball teams and trotted back downtown. Like clockwork, the WIHS shows up every fall. The show’s week of star-filled evening performances, sparsely-attended afternoon sessions, and theme nights are fall staples on the Verizon Center’s calendar, just as the circus is in the spring. Equine enthusiasts know this is a can’t-miss event, and others should take notice. The Washington International Horse Show shows off the Verizon Center’s versatility in a way any stadium traveler would likely enjoy. Editor’s Note: in Aug, 2017, Capital One purchased the naming rights of the venue and the name changed from Verizon Center to Capital One Arena. Food & Beverage 3 The Washington International Horse Show hosts some of the world’s finest horsemen and women, as well as showcasing the Verizon Center’s adaptability. But the WIHS itself is a fairly incongruous animal. Some of its sessions are big, Olympian-filled affairs. Others showcase children from local riding clubs in front of a few hundred spectators. For the larger sessions, expect services from most of the same concessionaires that you would find for an NBA or NHL game. Expect everything from gourmet tacos to a kosher sausage stand to craft brews. For the smaller daytime events, fewer stands open. Hot dogs and pretzels are always an option, meaning you’re unlikely to go hungry. Atmosphere 4 The Washington International Horse Show doesn’t need to advertise much since the makeshift outdoor barn in the heart of the nation’s capital announces the show’s presence to the thousands who pass by the arena every day. If you’re heading inside to catch a session, the stables outside the main entrance do a good job of setting the mood. Once inside, dozens of vendors transform the Verizon Center’s main concourse into fun, temporary equine market. Before even reaching their seats, fans have the opportunity to grab free horse magazines and shop for saddles, boots, or maybe just some handmade fudge. Upon entering the seating bowl, the fan can’t help but be struck by several things. This a big, nice, modern arena, and it has really put its best foot forward for this event. Decorations seamlessly meld the idyllic setting of a horse pasture with the iconic sights of Washington’s National Mall. As far as the atmosphere delivered by fans, well, that depends on which session you choose to attend. High-priced evening sessions deliver large crowds and Olympians. Daytime sessions offer lower prices, smaller crowds, and general admission seating that offers fans the ability to move around the venue and probably find space in the first few rows. While individual sessions have different atmospheres, the event as a whole differentiates itself from the Verizon Center’s more mainstream events in a very enjoyable way. Neighborhood 4 The Verizon Center sits in Washington’s downtown Chinatown neighborhood. What the area has lost in its Asian roots over the past decades it has gained in popularity. Some have compared Chinatown to New York’s Times Square. While that’s not really an accurate comparison, this is the closest DC comes to Manhattan. The Verizon Center sits directly over three of DC’s six Metro (subway) lines, and just blocks from the other three. A major bus stop sits just around the corner. You can walk to the heart of the tourist areas on the National Mall in about 20 minutes, and you’re also within walking distance of many of downtown’s offices. This is the ultimate central location. As such, the area around the Verizon Center has evolved into a busy commercial strip that caters to the tastes of the very diverse groups who pass through here. Virtually every age, race, religion, and economic group imaginable is represented in front of the Verizon Center 24/7, and they all have their choice of fast-casual restaurants. McDonald’s, Fuddruckers, Hooters, Walgreen’s, three burrito chains, an upscale bowling alley, and a movie theater are just a few of the shops within a one-block radius. For a little more sophistication without the walk to the National Mall, check out the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery just across the street. Fans 2 Horses have a reputation of being an expensive hobby, and while the well-heeled are indeed well-represented at the WIHS, the stereotypical old-money crowd is thankfully not the only demographic present. Fans show up in riding gear, tee-shirts, and everything in between to cheer on both famous and unknown riders. While Olympic riders are indeed the marquee draw, some of the lower-level events are well supported. Children’s Shetland Pony racing is a newfound fan favorite. Access 4 The Verizon Center is about as central as you can get. The “Gallery Place-Chinatown” station on DC’s subway system, Metro, sits directly below the arena, and provides safe, regular, and inexpensive service within the District as well as to suburbs in Virginia and Maryland. Parking is expensive in the immediate neighborhood, but between metered spaces and private garages, fans should be able to find a place to park. In the evening, free parking may be available on the National Mall, about a 20-minute walk south of the venue. Since the horses need a place to sleep, F Street NW in front of the Verizon Center is closed to vehicular traffic for the duration the Washington International Horse Show. If it weren’t for the fact that F St NW is frequently closed before and after Verizon Center events, this could be a headache. But this part of DC is built on a grid, and it’s easy to find an alternate route. Inside, the Verizon Center is roomy. The horse show’s numerous temporary vending stalls do take up concourse real estate, but fans still have enough room to circulate freely. Seats are cushioned and comfortable, and numerous restrooms are clean and well-stocked. Return on Investment 3 The 2014 edition of the Washington International Horse Show saw things get noticeably more expensive. The addition of a service charge for tickets bought at the box office and the removal of the discount for showing a public transportation card meant that general admission to even the least popular sessions ran $15. The more popular evening sessions start at more than double that. The value in this event, like any, is in the eye of the beholder. Equestrian competition at this level is in relatively short supply, so fans may be happy to pay to see some of the country’s best riders in person. Fans merely curious about the sport might balk at the prices. Extras 2 Every fall, fans in Washington have the opportunity to see a known venue in an entirely new way, and to see a relatively unknown sport. In both respects professional presentation pays off. The Washington International Horse Show has lasted more than a half-century for a reason, and is worth seeing.

Photo Courtesy of First National Bank Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 First National Bank Arena 217 Olympic Dr Jonesboro, AR 72401 Arkansas State Red Wolves website First National Bank Arena website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 10,038 Howling For Hoops It’s been said that sport makes for great theater. A game at the Convocation Center at Arkansas State University reaffirms that statement perhaps more than any other arena in Division I college basketball. The set-up of the arena, which has been affectionately known as The Convo since it opened in 1987 as a multi-purpose facility in the truest sense, looks like the byproduct of having the seating from four theaters welded together with a stage area in the middle, with its lighted seating leading the way to rows of red seats. The movie theater effect was enhanced in 2012 when the original scoreboard in the middle of the building was replaced with four large HD video boards in each corner. “I think I like the way it is now. It takes a little bit getting used to, but I like it better,” said longtime ASU alumnus Rick Gillette of the four screens. Gillette spoke of the building’s flexibility when it comes to catering to the entertainment needs of the community. “Anything from a rodeo to tractor pulls to basketball games to track meets. You name it,” he said. “It’s served it all.” In addition to the four video boards, the other thing that sets The Convo apart is its quadrant system. The arena has no concourse that connects around the outside of the seating area. Instead it features four pod/quadrants (red, blue, yellow and green) that each consists of a set of bathrooms, a concession stand and then one specialty stand (either additional concession stands or souvenir stands). The layout makes it really simple to find a bathroom or a food stand, but perhaps the most difficult arena to find a quiet moment to sneak away to talk on the cell phone. In Oct, 2017, the name of the venue was changed to First National Bank Arena after that company contributed $5 million to the Red Wolves Foundation. Food & Beverage 3 The Convo has two traditional concession stands that feature items such as hot dogs ($3), Polish sausages ($3.25), hamburgers ($3.75), cheeseburgers ($4) and nachos ($3.50) – along with Coke products. Leading up to halftime a long line forms near the Lewis BBQ stand in the blue quadrant where selections include regular BBQ sandwiches ($5.25 regular / jumbo $6.50), BBQ bologna sandwiches ($5.25) and BBQ nachos ($5.25). Another popular halftime destination is the yellow quadrant that features Lil Orbits donut stand (most popular items are the $5 powdered donuts) and a snow cone display, where the most requested flavor is homemade ice cream ($4). Atmosphere 3 The building mirrors the light tan brick of the entire university (all athletic facilities do as well). Most fans enter through the red quadrant, which is the closest one from the free general parking area. Those who wish to see the large “A State” logo facing them on the court should sit on the eastern side of the center, although there really is not a bad seat to be found. Even the highest seats in the corner offer a decent view – and all seats feature seat backs that are moderately comfortable. The four video screens are fairly easy to read when on scoreboard mode, but the numbers could stand to be a little larger. The mascot, a large red wolf named Howl, does a good job of firing up the crowd in the first half and then interacting with audience members in the second. Neighborhood 3 Jonesboro is located inside of a dry county, but there are still several options to grab libations inside of bars “clubs” throughout the city, but I didn’t spot any bars within close range of the ASU campus. The most popular of these are located downtown on a three-block area on Main Street, such as Cregeen’s Irish Pub and Skinny J’s. Another regular destination is Fat City Grill on Caraway Road. When it comes to lodging, there is a large cluster of hotels near the intersection of Red Wolf Boulevard and U.S. 63, including Fairview Inn & Suites, Hampton Inn, and Hilton Garden Inn. Fans 3 Not many people wear the school colors, which adds to the movie theater feel. On a related note, the souvenir stand – for whatever reason – was not open on the most recent game I attended, even though it was Senior Night. The fans, who are all very friendly and cordial, will raise some noise when the Red Wolves are beginning to mount a run and will even let out a howl or two when asked to do so by the PA announcer. The school band is a very spirited bunch that starts getting the fans into the game with an array of songs well before tipoff. Next to the band, the student section consists of an enthusiastic group who waves big signs and tries to do their best to distract the other team. Although the biggest distraction could be found behind the other hoop where a fan, who was dressed as a referee wearing sunglasses would interchangeably hold up posters of Kate Upton in a bikini and Justin Bieber to dissuade the opposing team from making its free throws. Access 3 Parking is a pretty easy process. All parking near the lot is for those who make considerable donations to the university’s Red Wolves Foundation, but parking is free across Olympic Drive by the baseball team’s J.A. Tomlinson Stadium-Kell Field. There are four known bathroom stations in the entire building (one in each quadrant). The men’s bathrooms are entirely too small to handle the needs of an entire section if the arena is actually full. I presume that the women’s bathroom is of comparable size. In addition, the lack of an outer concourse that orbits the building restricts access. The pathway between the upper and lower seats offer plenty of room to roam, but it still feels awkward walking in front of everyone just to move around the building. Note: Avoid any seats that are close to the beginning of the upper section to avoid passers-by. Return on Investment 4 When it comes to Division I college basketball, an Arkansas State game is a great deal. With free parking next to the baseball stadium, free programs and tickets that range from $8-$25, a family can easily enjoy a night out at the game without coming close to breaking the bank. Extras 2 One point is rewarded for the band getting the fans fired up with spirited renditions of hit songs beginning 40 minutes before the game. One point is rewarded for the free programs and masks bearing the visage of head coach John Brady. Final Thoughts For those who live in the area or are thinking about following their favorite team to a game in Jonesboro, a trip to The Convo is recommended. For one, it’s a low-priced bargain. For another, the four screen, four quadrant set-up is very unique – whether you love it or hate it.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.42 Athletics Center O’rena 2200 N Squirrel Rd Rochester, MI 48309 Oakland Golden Grizzlies website Athletics Center O’rena website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 4,005 The O Factor In 1998, Oakland University joined the Mid-Continent Conference and the ranks of Division I basketball. The conference has since changed its name to the Summit League, and the Golden Grizzlies are beginning to establish themselves as the league’s top program. Part of the reason for this growing success has to go to their home court, known as the O’rena. Like many arenas in the Summit League, the setting is small, but Oakland is doing a lot of things just right, making this a really good (and relatively unknown) college basketball experience. Food & Beverage 3 It’s an interesting set up for concessions at the O’rena. Since the concourse circles above the seats, you never lose your view of the action when you’re up and about. The same goes for the two concessions stands. This is a real benefit, especially because lines tend to get long during the game. If you’re hungry, try to grab your grub early. The prices are reasonable, but the selection is a bit lacking. I would recommend going for the kielbasa sausage ($2) over the hotdog ($2) or Hungry Howie’s pizza slice ($3.50). Snacks include popcorn ($2), pretzel ($2.50), and nachos ($3). They also have a great ice cream selection of either Ben & Jerry’s or Starbuck’s brand ice cream bars ($3). Pepsi is the soda of choice ($2). Atmosphere 4 The determination of where to place the student section and pep band is an absolutely critical component to creating the right basketball atmosphere. Oakland does a great job of placing their students directly behind the opponent’s bench, and the pep band blasting them from the side. It’s a fantastic one-two punch. That 50-member pep band is active starting as early as 45 minutes before the tip-off, and they are the only music you’ll hear throughout the game (with the exception of the video montage during introductions). You’ve got to love the jubilance that comes from a college pep band. There’s no overhead scoreboard. Instead, there are four very basic scoreboards in each corner, and one large HD screen on the south end of the facility, providing highlights and the detailed statistics. It’s a great modern touch. Black plastic bleachers can be found under each basket, and they are relatively comfortable. On the east side (behind the team benches) there are permanent chairback seats and drink holders. The opposite side is a foldable stand with seats that are without cupholders, and less than adequate leg room. The seats face straight ahead, so the view is a little awkward if you’re away from center court. My recommendation is to sit in section E4, where you get the best seating situation as well as the best view. One area for improvement is definitely with the mascot, who seemed pretty invisible throughout the contest. With the size of the arena, he should be making his way around the concourse and through the stands as much as possible. Neighborhood 3 Oakland University is found in Rochester, Michigan, close to Auburn Hills, former home of the Detroit Pistons. It can make for a convenient NCAA/NBA doubleheader when the schedule allows. Most of the options for bars or restaurants in the immediate vicinity are uninspiring chains. I’m a big fan of Jet’s Pizza, just a couple of blocks away. Other predictable choices include BD’s Mongolian Bar-B-Que, T.G.I. Friday’s, Applebee’s, or Romano’s Macaroni Grill. Fans 4 The student section is good but still needs a little more energy and bodies before they can be great. For the game that I attended, they were pretty late. Known as the “Grizz Gang,” this assembly needs to come earlier and in greater numbers, but in the meantime, they are a pretty imposing little group. Access 4 There is one primary parking lot near the O’rena, which is mostly taken by donors. Parking is free throughout the campus, so just find one of the nearby lots and take the short walk through campus. You’re only a couple of miles away from I-75, a major north/south thoroughfare. The size of the crowd is small enough that you should have no trouble getting in or out. Return on Investment 4 Tickets cost either $15 or $10. I would recommend paying $15 only if you can find seats in section E4, otherwise, go for the cheaper option as you’ll have a fine view in most cases. With free parking and very reasonable concession prices, you’ll find your money to be well invested in this experience. Extras 2 The murals on the walls of the concourse are a nice touch, with pictures of generations of athletes and coaches proudly displayed. Another bonus point for the University for the smart arrangement of the student section and pep band. Final Thoughts The more college basketball I see, the more I appreciate these small arenas that are focused on the basketball and beautiful college atmosphere. This is definitely one for you to see if you are living in the Detroit area, or are in town when the Golden Grizzlies play.

Photo Courtesy of Bob E / Yelp Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Spanos Center 1178 Larry Heller Dr. Stockton, CA 95211 Pacific Tigers website Spanos Center website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 6,150 A Team in Transition The Pacific Tigers basketball team is in the midst of a major transition. Bob Thomason, the team’s basketball coach for 25 years, retired in 2013. Thomason left as the team moved to the West Coast Conference (WCC) the same year. This move placed Pacific in a conference with all private schools and better teams such as Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s. One constant during this transition has been the Spanos Center. The arena has been largely unchanged since it opened in 1981 and has seen five Tigers squads make the NCAA Tournament during that time. From 1981 to the opening of Stockton Arena in 2005, the Spanos Center was the premier entertainment destination in Stockton as the facility is expandable to accommodate 8,000 people. Food & Beverage 2 There are two main snack bars in opposite corners of the venue as well as a smaller one beyond one end line. There should be enough to satisfy your hunger albeit without getting too creative. Hot dogs ($3.50), polish sausages ($4.50), and personal pizzas ($6.50) are the main dishes. However chili plays a big role; chili dogs ($4), chili cheese dogs ($4.50), chili cheese nachos ($4.50-$5.50) or a plain old cup of chili ($2.50) are all available. Pepsi products ($2.50-$3) and an array of candy and ice cream accompany the main courses. Atmosphere 3 Though the Spanos Center holds over 6,000 fans, 3,000 mostly chair-backed seats make up most of the seating area. The upper levels are rarely used and the lower levels provide a great view. The upper levels are entirely made up of bleacher seating. There are scoreboards in three of the four corners, one of which has video capabilities. Unfortunately, it is used predominantly for advertisements. My favorite feature is the nicely designed ceiling, centered over the middle of the court. Orange and black banners close in the action and the excellent public address announcer work in concert for a great experience. This is a great place to watch college basketball. Neighborhood 2 Stockton is consistently considered one of the most dangerous or miserable or depressing cities in the nation. In 2013 they filed Chapter 9 bankruptcy after they were hit hard by the housing crisis. All that being said, Stockton is slowly coming back a bit. Though Stockton is known (at times, rightfully so) to being a dangerous city, UOP is located in an upscale residential neighborhood. Safety should not be a major concern. Nearby Pacific Avenue is a great place to grab a bite to eat prior to a game. One of my favorite spots is Abbey Trappist Pub which has the best tap/bottle list in town. The tap list tends to skew local while the bottle list covers the best nation and worldwide. Empresso Coffeehouse is probably the most noteworthy place on Pacific Ave. The excellent coffeehouse is in an old movie theater where they have events such as concerts and art shows. It’s a very unique coffeehouse experience. Though there are nice places nearby, Spanos Center can’t take advantage of the beauty of the waterfront, unlike Stockton Arena or Banner Island Ballpark. Fans 2 While I’d like to believe there is excitement with the school moving to the WCC, it is not reflected in the seats. Even if you only consider the lower level as capacity, the seats are only a quarter full. The student section wasn’t too rowdy and the fans subdued. They certainly understand and appreciate the game but it wasn’t your typical college basketball experience. I feel like Pacific has an opportunity to be a destination for college basketball fans. They are the only Division I program in the immediate area. The Bay Area and Sacramento schools are at least an hour away and Fresno is two hours south. Access 4 Spanos Center is located just a few blocks from Highway 5 and two miles from 99. Getting from the freeways is easy through safe city blocks. Take main drags Pershing or Alpine to the convenient (and on this night, spacious) parking lot. Parking in the designated lot costs $5 but there is easy street parking nearby as well. You can enter the arena from two of the four corner entrances. You enter the Spanos Center at the top of the first level and the bottom of the second level. Restrooms and concession stands are at every other corner when you make your way around the court. Return on Investment 4 A night at Spanos Center is a great buy with general admission going for $10 and assigned seating for $14. The assigned seats are in chair-backed seats. Premium games jump out to $14 and $20 respectively. Considering the increased level of competition and affordable parking and concessions, this is an easy, fun night out. Extras 2 I love the feel in Spanos Center; I just wish there were more fans there. The banners on one end of the court honor the league championships from every sport for men and women in Pacific history. Below these banners are retired jerseys from all the programs as well. Most notable of which is former number one overall pick, Michael Olowokandi. At the other end of the court are banners signifying accomplishments at the national collegiate level; for example, NCAA tournament appearances by the basketball and swimming teams. Most dominating amongst these are the two National Championships for women’s volleyball from the 1980s.

Photos by Eric Taylor, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Hardy M. Graham Stadium 15 Mount Pelia Rd Martin, TN 38238 Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks website Hardy M. Graham Stadium website Year Opened: 1930 Capacity: 7,500 Skyhawk Football at Graham Stadium There’s a women’s basketball coach who attended and played some hoops at this little school in Martin, Tennessee. Patricia Sue Head went on to accomplish enough in her profession to garner a street sign welcoming you to the college home of the eight-time national champions. That sign bears the name of legendary basketball coach Pat Summitt. She wasn’t born in Martin, but the game of women’s college basketball, as we know it today, was conceived here. Summitt has never been shy about her love for Martin and after a visit to this beautiful campus, you’ll understand why. Residents of the Volunteer State will tell you that every town’s geographic location can be described as sitting between two of the state’s biggest cities. Martin fits this to a “T” (pun not intended, but credit accepted). Martin sits between Nashville and Memphis. So if you are from Martin and you meet Bob from Chicago, Illinois, you tell Bob, “I’m from Martin, Tennessee.” Before the blank stare can form on Bob’s face, you add, “It’s about halfway between Memphis and Nashville.” Then Bob from Chicago gives you an affirming nod and he now knows exactly where in the state of Tennessee you live. A bounce pass away from where Pat Head played half-court basketball is the home of the Skyhawks football field. Hardy M. Graham Stadium, named for the longtime fan and donor of over a $1 million, opened in 1964 and accommodates 7,500 fans. Your first impression upon arrival may be of your high school football stadium with a few upgrades. That’s not intended to come off as negative or snarky in any way whatsoever. The simplicity in style is a highlight. The berms in either end zone give the stadium an overall natural and organic look that blends in rather well with the beautifully manicured campus. It’s no surprise that anything planted or sown in the ground looks great on campus. UT Martin is to horticulture as law is to Harvard. The entire campus has beautiful scenery and landscaping. The playing surface inside the Graham is FieldTurf that was installed in 2008. Each end zone is painted in the UT Martin school colors with the base color being orange and a navy “SKYHAWKS” in one end zone and “UT MARTIN” in the other. To follow the paragraph regarding the great horticulture with a blurb on a stadium that uses FieldTurf seems wrong and in a way it is. Although it looks as good in November as it does in September and low maintenance equals cost-effective, the fact that this school does not have a grass field is downright shameful. In fairness, Graham Stadium photographs very well because of the consistent and colorful appearance of the turf. However, when campus is crawling with future Directors of Athletic Grounds and Facilities at universities and professional sports stadiums across the country, it seems like a disservice to the students. When it comes history and tradition, Skyhawks football has seen its share of not-so-great seasons, but they did win a share of the OVC Championship in 2006. To put that in perspective, UT Martin has won one conference championship in the OVC’s 66-year history. Food & Beverage 2 Concession selection is scant, but so are the prices so take the positive here and see the $2 soda cup as half-full. You won’t get specialty foods as if you’re at an NFL game, but honestly, why do you want to go to a football game? Do you go to watch it and soak in the atmosphere or do you go to taste foods you can order at a restaurant? You get nachos ($3.50), hot dogs ($2.50), chips ($1.50), popcorn ($1.50), and soda. It’s affordable and practical. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Atmosphere 3 The backdrop of color-changing leaves is not hidden by one stadium expansion after another in the tiring arms race between NFL, Jr. programs. Many of the larger schools have expanded their stadiums to the point of erasing any identifying characteristics of the campus and surrounding area. It’s one set of bleachers and skyboxes after another rising to the sky and covering up any backdrop. UT Martin does a great job of allowing the game to be the show. For some it’s vanilla and boring. For others, it’s perfect and pure. One is not above the other. The only wrong is if there’s only one from which to choose. Thanks to schools like UT Martin, we will always have a place to go to enjoy a football game not surrounded by non-descript bleachers, skybox windows, and ribbon boards. Neighborhood 3 Depending on your tastes, Martin, Tennessee is either very charming or equally boring. I fall in the former category of tastes as the quaint and Mayberry-type town is a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon in the Fall. Ask locals at the game their thoughts on the following Martin dining options — Sammies, Olivia’s Opera House, or Addie Bea’s Seafood Restaurant. There may even be a few hidden gems that a kind fan may disclose. Towns like Martin are great for finding good local food. Following the game and good meal, park your car on the side of one of the neighborhood streets (legally, of course) and take yourself on a walk around the town sidewalks. Feel what it’s like to live in a community where you can feel assured that your children can walk safely to school. Imagine the joy residents must feel when they can just walk out their door and enjoy a quiet stroll through the neighborhood. Fans 3 Martin is a small school in a small town with a small alumni base, which, in turn, leads to small crowds at football games. Although the crowds may not be enormous, the fans are not sleepy and disinterested. Those clad in orange and blue can get vocal and boisterous and the football IQ is high, what with this school lying in the valley of the mountainous SEC. Access 4 Graham Stadium is a 2.5-hour drive from either Memphis or Nashville putting this school in place many call, “the middle of nowhere.” Once in Martin, you will have no problem getting to the stadium. There is parking to be had near Graham Stadium, so you shouldn’t have to walk too far to get to the game. There are police officers close to the stadium to direct traffic which is always taken for granted until they aren’t there and you are left to navigate the choppy waters of game day traffic alone. Inside the stadium, access to your seat is similar to that of a high school football stadium on steroids. With capacity of 7,500, you won’t be hiking up flights of stairs unless you are sitting at the very top. Getting out of your seat and to the stairs/aisle is not impossible like it can be at many stadiums. The bleachers don’t trap or lock you in once you sit down so you don’t have to avoid that third soda with your nachos. Trust me. You’ll make it to the restroom easily. Speaking of restrooms, they are easily accessible as well. There is only one concourse on each end of the stadium and its width is sufficient enough to keep you from rubbing elbows with people you don’t know or with whom you would not want to rub said elbows. Return on Investment 4 A ticket to get inside is $18. Many schools of similar size and stature may charge in upwards of $30 for a single game ticket, so this price is very good in the current market. More importantly, kids age four and under get in free. UTM students are also given free admission with a valid student ID. Go online (UTMsports.com) to check prices for games in the event a school uses a tier system for pricing dependent on the team they are playing. Extras 1 Venues like Graham Stadium are fantastic “Farm System Venues” for young kids. Don’t take your three year old to an NFL game. It’s a huge waste of money and you’ll both be extremely miserable. Take them to a venue like Graham Stadium. They have room to run around and it’s not sensory overload for a little one like an NFL or SEC-game day experience would be. It’s a great venue to introduce them to the excitement of the entire game day experience — the smells, the sounds, the “everything” that makes football what it is in the South. Oh, and children ages four and under get in free which solidifies the fact that UTM is a premier Farm Venue. Final Thoughts Overall Graham Stadium is a good place to see a football game if you are in the area or your team/school is playing on the road. You may not want to make the 2.5-hour drive from Nashville or Memphis solely for a football game. It will not do justice to the entire area. You can spend a part of your day in Martin for a game, take a walk around campus, have a good meal, and then a walk around one of the neighborhood streets. Martin is very close to Reelfoot Lake and the Tennessee River so it would not be a horrible idea to take in these Tennessee landmarks as an anchor to your weekend. Better yet, an extended weekend where you take a Friday and/or a Monday off from work would be ideal to avoid being rushed while trying to take in this beautiful region of the state. At the end of the day, it’s easy to conclude that Martin is a beautiful area of the South that is so much more than just a town that sits between Nashville and Memphis.

Photos by Gary Butterworth, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Punjab Stadium Ferozpur Road Lahore, Punjab Pakistan Pakistan National Football website Punjab Stadium website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 10,000 The Friendliest of Friendlies Lahore, Pakistan’s second city, has long been heralded as a cultural capital. Living up to its reputation, Lahore boasts an impressive array of parks, museums, universities, and yes, even sports venues. While an active athletic community keeps the city’s sports fields busy, the stands usually sit empty. Historically, Pakistan is a country where the culture of spectator sports begins and nearly ends with international cricket. Sadly, a 2009 terror attack on the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team not only scared off visiting international cricket teams, it all but guaranteed that Pakistan wouldn’t be able to participate in the worldwide revival of interest in the domestic version of the game. Pakistan’s sports associations, though, are not content with the status quo, and efforts to boost domestic leagues and lure back foreign teams are beginning to show results in a variety of sports. We were lucky enough to be in Lahore for a planned two-game friendly football series against Palestine, which is considered a full-fledged country by FIFA. Although the series was shortened to a single game at a lackluster venue, we were impressed by the professional production of the match. We left optimistic about the future of Pakistani football and sports in general. Food & Beverage 2 Punjab Stadium lacks any permanent space for vendors. Three or four street vendors did circulate in the crowd selling what they could carry, but the options were slim. A fist-sized portion of fried daal (lentils) in a cone of newspaper cost 10 rupees (10 US cents, or 8 Euro cents). Slices of coconut were also available at similarly low prices, equivalent to what one would pay outside of the stadium. Fans seated in the VIP area (sponsors, football officials, several Westerners, and affluent-looking fans who were escorted to the area after appearing as though they belonged there) were treated to free bottled water, Coca-Cola, and 7-Up. While we didn’t see anyone attempt to bring in outside food, it seems unlikely that it would be prohibited. Smoking is allowed in the stands. Atmosphere 3 By October, daytime temperatures in Lahore begin to drop into the “comfortable” range, but most fans still took shelter from the sun under the roof at midfield along the western sideline. In addition to the shade, the western grandstand offers the majority of the venue’s seating, as well as a view that Stadium Journey fans would enjoy. From here, fans can easily spot two neighboring major sport venues: National Hockey Stadium and Gaddafi Stadium. The midfield area directly under the roof is reserved for VIPs and features padded restaurant-style chairs. These chairs continue past the VIP fence to just beyond the neighboring Palestinian fan section. Beyond that, the remainder of seating is on concreted steps. An athletics track means that the regions behind the goals are far removed from the action and best avoided. For the Palestine friendly, the stadium was under 20% of capacity, and fans were free to roam and find their preferred place. If this venue ever attracts a near-capacity crowd, caution should be used in deciding whether to attend. The first row of seating at Punjab Stadium sits about 10 feet above field level, and there are surprisingly few exits from the seating bowl to ground level. This layout creates the potential for a dangerous crowd dynamic in a full stadium. For smaller crowds, though, this poses no real danger. Public address announcements were adequately audible and made in English. A manual scoreboard was updated when goals were scored, but no match clock is visible. Organizers did an admirable job of decorating the venue with Pakistani and Palestinian flags, as well as signage specific for the match. Given the few attempts the Pakistan Football Federation has had at staging international friendlies in recent years, they succeeded in making the match feel like an event. Neighborhood 5 Three major stadiums, a noteworthy regional cricket ground, a few smaller sports fields, and an arts and culture center make up this complex. On those all-too-frequent days when none of the venues are attracting a crowd, this complex could be a black hole in the center of the city. Thankfully, it’s not, as Lahore has succeeded in doing something that many US city planners promise, but struggle to deliver: turning the stadium district into a year-round destination that sees plenty of life even on non-event days. Gaddafi Stadium is the center of the complex’s everyday use. Restaurants, a banquet hall, and a book store are among the commercial establishments built underneath the cricket venue’s stands. With direct access from the stadium’s exterior, these establishments draw enough everyday traffic to keep the complex lively despite the dearth of event dates. Lahore’s well-known, moderately-priced Liberty Market provides an alternative shopping, dining, and lodging destination within a long-ish walk from the stadium. Given Lahore’s spread-out, decentralized and car-centric nature, most would choose to drive. Posh MM Alam Road is not much farther. All of these areas are safe and pleasant places to walk around. Fans 2 Given Pakistan’s historic ambivalence to football, the lack of a truly engaged crowd is not entirely unexpected. Despite free admission, less than two thousand turned out on a pleasant Sunday afternoon. Some wore Pakistan cricket jerseys. The crowd was well-behaved and cheered politely at the appropriate times, but was far from passionate. Next to the VIP area, a contingent of travelling Palestinian fans set up a small visiting supporters section that was livelier than the local crowd. The drum beats and rhythms were the same as one hears at football matches around the world. The words to the chants, though, were changed to reflect the unique geopolitical challenges of the visitors, as well as the close relationship between the competing teams. “Meri zameen, meri zameen?” (“My land, my land?”) “Filasteen, Filasteen!” (“Palestine, Palestine!”) “Meri jaan, meri jaan?” (My beloved, my beloved?”) “Pakistan, Pakistan!” Between this chant and “Long live Palestine! Long live Pakistan! Death to Israel!” it felt as though fans were supporting both teams. Indeed, no one in attendance seemed disappointed by Pakistan’s eventual 2-0 loss. The crowd took the idea of a friendly match to a new level. The crowd for this particular match was more than 99% male. While men dominate public life in much of Pakistan, women are generally far from invisible in Lahore. There were no signs that women were mistreated or unwelcome; in fact, a female security guard was available to screen women upon entry. Still, single women might feel more comfortable attending events here in a group. Access 4 For the match, parking at Gaddafi Stadium was doubled from its non-event rate of 20 rupees. Even at 40 rupees (USD 39 cents), parking is a bargain in a global context. For very large matches, the stadium’s own parking areas could easily fill up. However, large crowds anywhere in this complex are unheard of since 2009. All taxi or auto rickshaw drivers in Lahore will be familiar with either this venue or the neighboring Gaddafi Stadium. The venue is centrally located, but central Lahore’s unpredictable traffic adds guesswork to travel time. This particular event produced no real traffic. Punjab Stadium can also be reached from the Gaddafi Stadium stop on Lahore’s new Metro Bus BRT system. Upon arrival at the stadium, all fans go through several layers of security checks. While such checks often feel annoying at sports events, they are truly necessary here. Checks are professional, moderately thorough, and non-invasive. Men are checked more thoroughly than women. Bags and seat cushions are allowed in without any trouble after inspection. A female officer is available to inspect women and their belongings. Upon entry, fans need to ascend a set of stairs to reach the seating bowl, from where they can begin moving around the stadium. Between this and the lack of restrooms, fans with special needs may have difficulty at this venue. For most, though, attending a game here is a breeze. Return on Investment 5 A full international match for free is the best value you’ll find anywhere. In a country where international matches of any type are a less-than-annual occurrence, the value is even greater. Extras 3 The attack on the Sri Lankan team occurred just over half a mile, or just under one kilometer, from Punjab Stadium. Since then Palestine has made two trips to this complex for football, and China has made a visit for field hockey. Sports, it seems, soldier on. The fact that these events are able to be staged at all is a triumph for Pakistan. Pulling them off with such professionalism is an even greater victory.

Photos by Jason Karp, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Washington-Grizzly Stadium 32 Campus Dr Missoula, MT 59801 Montana Grizzlies website Washington-Grizzly Stadium website Year Opened: 1986 Capacity: 25,217 A River Really Does Run Through It The history of football at the University of Montana is divided into two distinct eras – before Washington-Grizzly Stadium and after. Prior to the opening of the stadium in 1986 Griz football was an afterthought in Missoula and throughout Montana. Winning seasons were rare. After the stadium opened, the Montana Grizzlies quite rapidly became a national I-AA/FCS powerhouse, winning the Big Sky Conference Championship and appearing in the national playoffs in almost every season since the stadium opened, including two National Championships. The facility’s impact is so significant that the Big Sky Conference recognized the opening of Washington-Grizzly Stadium as the number one moment in conference history. The stadium is so-named for Missoula based construction and railroad mogul, Dennis Washington and his family, who made a large donation to get the project under construction. It started out as a 12,500 seat venue sunken into the ground with earthen berms on each end. Several expansions have occurred over the years filling in the end zones, adding small decks over the north end zone, and adding a deck over the east side stands. The official capacity now stands at 25,217, but crowds in excess of 26,000 are not out of the ordinary, giving the Griz one of the best home field advantages in all of college football. Since Washington-Grizzly Stadium opened, the Griz have won almost 90% of their home games. Not resting on their laurels, the university just announced that, thanks to another large Washington family donation, the new $14 million Washington-Grizzly Champions Center will be constructed on the south end of the stadium providing locker rooms and a weight room for football and all other UM sports. Food & Beverage 4 There’s plenty of concession stands inside the stadium and a lot of variety, but the real good stuff is outside at the hundreds of tailgate parties. The delicious odors of grilling waft all over campus on game day. Back inside, the prices aren’t extreme for all the standard items. A Griz Dog is $4, chili cheese nachos $4, 24oz. soda (Coke products) is $3, and hot chocolate or coffee, which is a necessity when it’s chilly is $3. Pizza Hut has a big presence below the north end zone, and there are numerous specialty stands throughout the stadium so before deciding, take a stroll along the concourse to see what’s available. As with most college venues, beer is not sold inside the stadium, but fans are allowed to leave and reenter with a hand stamp, so it’s no problem to grab an adult beverage at a tailgate party at halftime. Atmosphere 5 When one thinks of Montana one might think of wide open spaces. But Washington-Grizzly Stadium is wedged into the University of Montana campus at the junction of Mount Sentinel and the Clark Fork River with very little room to spare. The density of the stadium and campus generates an energy that transmits to the tailgate parties happening on almost every spare patch of grass creating a festive environment on game day in Missoula. Though having one of the largest seating capacities in FCS football, the inside of the stadium feels compact and intimate. There’s very little room beyond the sidelines and end zone which makes the opposing team feel just that much more uncomfortable. The stands, which are fully enclosed, are right on top of the field making Griz fans feel like they are truly part of the action instead of just observing the action. When they get it cranked up, which they often do, the fans really give their beloved Griz a huge boost. The grizzly bear mascot Monte gets the crowd going with his acrobatic antics before the team comes out of the tunnel and throughout the game the huge video board will show him dancing and carrying on from the sidelines, in the stands, or even crowd surfing. There’s not a bad seat in the house, even from the new upper deck on the east side called the Majestic Plaza. The view from the top offers a great offensive/defensive coordinator perspective. Most of the seating is basic metal bleachers. A seat cushion as an insulator between your rear-end and the seat is strongly recommended if the weather is cold. The Grizzly Marching Band, PA announcer, piped in music, and the video board are well coordinated and make a very professional presentation throughout the game. The PA guy does a good job of keeping the crowd informed of down and distance and delights the crowd with his signature sharp and loud “FIRST DOWN!” after which the entire crowd responds “MONTANA!” Neighborhood 5 The stadium and the Adams Center, which houses Dahlberg Arena, are seamlessly knitted into the campus. I highly recommend taking a stroll around the nearby academic buildings while you’re waiting for the burgers to cook at your tailgate party. There’s interesting architecture, statues, and pleasant views throughout this tree covered university. Downtown Missoula is just a few minutes walk from the stadium and campus across the Clark Fork on a beautiful pedestrian/bicycle bridge. It’s a lot of nature for such an urbanized area. Once downtown you’ll find all kinds of interesting shops, bars, and restaurants. The Press Box Sports Bar, right off the pedestrian bridge, is one of the most popular hangouts for Griz fans. A couple of personal favorites downtown are the Tamarack Brewing Company’s restaurant on Front Street and the Iron Horse Bar and Grill on North Higgins. Missoula has an outstanding brewing scene. It was recently proclaimed as one of 9 Small Beer Cities That Deserve National Attention. If you’re a fan of craft brews, you must try some of the local offerings. The Big Sky Brewing Company is nationally known for its Moose Drool among many others. And don’t leave town without trying one of my all-time favorite brews, Cold Smoke, from the Kettlehouse Brewery. There are several motels close to campus and downtown that are an easy walk to the stadium and many bars, breweries, and restaurants. You won’t need to worry about fighting traffic and paying for parking if you bring along a good pair of walking shoes and leave the car at the motel. Missoula is not your typical Montana cow town. The city definitely has more of a pacific northwest vibe – think Portland or Seattle. There are a ton of recreational activities available in and around Missoula including hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, canoeing, rafting, fly fishing, skiing, and much, much more. It’s hard to get out of shape in a place that has so many outdoor activities to offer. Fans 4 Travel to any corner of Montana and you will find people wearing the maroon and sliver school colors on hats, coats, and sweat shirts. Griz fans are everywhere in this state and they are loud and proud about their team. On a football Saturday, a parade of vehicles streams toward Missoula from farms, ranches, small towns and every large city in Montana. For many, many years now the University of Montana has led or been near the very top of FCS football attendance in numbers that would make many FBS programs jealous. Griz fans don’t limit their fan displays to just hats and t-shirts. There are busses, motorhomes, trailers, tents, and canopies all displaying the school colors and logos. Everything from new motorhomes to old motor coaches and retired city busses are all decorated up and parked along Campus Drive on game day. In the stadium they make their presence felt. The configuration of the stadium and the loyal fan base are a volatile mix to any opposing quarterback trying to call an audible. Washington-Grizzly stadium is loud and the Griz fans make it so. Access 4 Washington-Grizzly stadium might have ranked a perfect score in this category if Missoula still had passenger rail service, but most other forms of transportation, with the possible exception of horse and buggy are accommodated. When approaching Missoula from the east on I-90, Washington-Grizzly Stadium is pretty much the first major building you notice when exiting Hellgate Canyon and entering the city limits. Take the East Missoula exit (exit 107) or the Orange Street exit (exit 104). If approaching from the west just look for the big “M” on Mount Sentinel. The stadium is right at the base of the mountain. 'M' on Mountain, Photo by Jason Karp, Stadium Journey The Grizzly Athletics website GoGriz.com includes handy guides that give all the details on how to get to and from Washington-Grizzly Stadium including where to walk, bike, park, and shuttle. This information will be especially helpful for anyone with disabilities as there are some well thought out services provided. Most of Missoula, and especially the areas in and around campus are very pedestrian and bike friendly. The riverfront trail system connects the campus to downtown and areas to the west along both sides of the Clark Fork. The pedestrian/bike bridge brings people to and from downtown across the river and to and from the stadium without any conflicts with motor vehicles. For those who don’t want to fight traffic or walk, the Grizzly Shuttle provides rides to the game from many area bars and restaurants, downtown parking garages, south campus, and the East Broadway park and ride lot. Parking lots are scattered so it’s a good idea to check the maps and have a good idea where you are going before making the drive. The lots closest to the stadium are sold out to boosters. Other lots on campus are available with parking fees ranging from $5 to $15. If you don’t mind a pleasant walk, there is lots of free parking available across the river at the East Broadway public parking lot. When that gets full a lot of people park on dirt areas along the railroad tracks parallel to East Broadway. Inside the stadium the concourses and stairways are wide enough, though they get pretty congested at halftime as the crush of fans head back to the tailgates. Restrooms are clean and plentiful throughout but also crowded with long lines at halftime. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices ($32 to $42) are among the highest in the FCS, but for good reason. Season tickets are sold out with long waiting lists and tickets to individual games can be hard to come by for the biggest games and nearly impossible to get when Big Sky Conference rivals like the Eastern Washington Eagles and the Montana State Bobcats come to town. Concession stand prices seemed reasonable and in line with what one would expect at a college sports venue. A day out to Washington-Grizzly stadium is well worth the expense and effort to see the great game of college football played in such a fun and lively atmosphere. You won’t go away disappointed except of course if you’re a fan of the team the Griz are playing, because your team will most likely not be leaving with a win. Extras 5 Washington-Grizzly Stadium warrants full bonus points including (but not limited to) the following: Western Montana: The drive to Missoula from East, West, North, or South through Western Montana is beautiful. The North End Zone: One of the most imposing structures in the Big Sky Conference, the fans in the loud and crazy north end zone with its twin upper decks are a nightmare for opposing teams. Campus Drive: The road wraps around the east and north sides of the stadium and passes under a concrete support known as the Grizzly Gateway. It’s closed to through traffic on game day and becomes a tailgating main street lined with busses and motor homes. Hall of Champions: This corridor in the Adams Center right next door to the stadium is a very well put together museum to Grizzly Athletics’ history. It’s a must visit for any Griz fan and even if you’re not a Griz fan it’s still a nice place to get inside and warm up for a few minutes. Monte: The Grizzlies mascot Monte keeps the crowd entertained throughout, and whoever’s in the suit is one amazing athlete.

Photos by Gary Butterworth, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium Al Istiqlal St and Al Markhiya St Doha, Qatar Qatar SC website Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium website Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 15,000 Built for Growth No, Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium is not part of the 2022 FIFA World Cup bid. What it is, though, is an example of what makes Qatar, Qatar. Just a stone’s throw from Doha’s waterfront, the venue also known as Qatar SC Stadium is clean, comfortable, and modern. Thanks to a renovation, it feels new. It is also relatively overbuilt and/or underutilized, as it sits ready and waiting for the opportunity to show itself off to the world. This 15,000-seat stadium, opened in 1984, hosts Qatar SC of the Qatar Stars League, high-level international athletics competitions, and various matches in the lower levels of the Qatari football pyramid. During a 22 hour flight layover, we had the opportunity to leave the airport and attend a match in the Qatargas League. Although we were nearly unable to attend due to incorrect scheduling information being distributed on the league’s English website, we came away impressed by both the 2nd-level of Qatari soccer as well as the venue and the professionalism of the league. Food & Beverage 1 Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium boasts no permanent food stands, leaving us to guess what options, if any, might exist for higher-profile matches. For the Qatargas League, no vendors were on site. Those connected to the players were able to receive bottled water from team officials, while the average fan was left looking elsewhere. Fortunately, a commercial plaza just steps from the stadium’s entrance offers up U.S. chains Burger King, Quizno’s, and Applebee’s (or, in Arabic, “Abblebee’s.”), all with prices comparable to what one would find in the U.S. and cheaper than in much of Europe. In the same complex, Italian coffee shop Caffe Vergnano was busier than the stadium. For this Qatargas League match, fans were free to bring their own food and beverage into the stadium. Atmosphere 3 Mercifully, matches are played at night. Evening matches mean that it’s possible to forget about the blazing sun and take a seat anywhere in the stadium, even in the uncovered seats, which constitute the majority of the stadium. (For the rare daytime match, you absolutely want to sit under cover). Still, you might want to find a seat under the roof anyway. The undercover section contains an open VIP terrace area that is relatively uncommon in Western stadia, plus it offers a pleasant view of some of Doha’s well-lit skyscrapers. While the most dramatic elements of the Doha skyline are not visible from the stadium, the city view offered is still impressive. This stadium is regularly home to track and field events. As such, it sports the athletics track that many football fans dread. Indeed, the track makes the end zone sections into true “curvas” that sit quite far back from the action. Coupled with the fact that the scoreboard sits above the end zone, most fans will want to sit along the sidelines. Of course, when the crowd numbers in the dozens, fans can wander. Try both the molded-plastic seats and the folding seats, and see which you prefer. Even with a small crowd, the scoreboard was turned on and displayed relevant graphics. A female public address announcer made game announcements in Arabic and English, and advertising banners were displayed. Security ringed the pitch, and training staff had access to a golf cart for injuries. Everything about the match screamed “professional” even if the crowd size screamed “amateur.” The extremely bright LED light towers are visible from much of the Doha waterfront. In our case, it was these lights that alerted us to the match, as the league’s website clearly indicated an off day. Neighborhood 3 Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium is located in Doha’s Al Khuwair district (though some may confuse this part of town with the neighboring Al Dafna district). For sports fans, it sits comfortably close to the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex and the offices of the Qatar Handball Federation. The location is quite central, and the entire city (in fact, the entire country) is within easy driving distance. If you don’t feel like getting into the car, the retail complex immediately outside of the stadium provides reasonable, if generic, Western dining options. Across a busy street and acres of parking, the Abdul Wahhab Mosque is worth a look. Beyond the immediate surroundings, the stadium is relatively walkable from most of Doha, including from many tourist sites. However, Doha as a city is not particularly well-suited for walking. The scorching Arabian sun makes even the idea of a walk a non-starter during daylight hours. At night, crime is not much of a concern, but fast-moving traffic and inconsistent pedestrian facilities make the idea a bit risky. With better crosswalks, a stroll to or from the stadium along Doha’s famous Gulf-side Corniche would make for a very pleasant pre or post game activity. As is, this walk is possible, but we can’t recommend it. We greatly enjoyed our walk to the game along the waterfront, but after a close-call crossing the street, we decided to take a taxi back to the hotel after the game. Fans 2 For the second-tier Qatargas League, expect little more than a small friends-and-family type crowd. That said, the few dozen in attendance were engaged in the match, even breaking into song at a few points. Like in most of Doha, English and Arabic were heard spoken by fans, and neither Western nor Arab clothes stood out. A very small number wore team gear which, sadly, was not available for sale. Access 3 Approximately 88% of people in Qatar are foreigners, and nearly all of them arrive at the airport. A new airport opened just next to the old one in April 2014. If you’re in a rush, and if there’s no traffic, you can make a beeline from the stadium to the airport in 20 minutes. Qatar Sports Club is a planned stop on the Doha Metro set to open between 2019 and 2026. Until then, bus service is available on Route 102. But chances are that you’ll be coming to the game by car. For 2nd tier Qatargas League matches, parking is readily available at the stadium with no charge. While we have no direct experience in attending larger matches at this venue, the nearby tennis complex and mosque may be options should the stadium’s own medium-sized lots fill up. Taxi prices in Doha are very reasonable, but finding one can sometimes be difficult at peak times. You may want to call ahead to book, especially when leaving the match. With a small crowd on hand, few entrances were open, and there was no security screening upon entry. Inside the venue, you’ll have no trouble moving around or finding a place to park yourself. For the Qatargas League, seating is general admission, and the low crowds mean wide-open concourses. Even for matches in the first-tier Qatar Stars League, a full house is rare. Despite already-low ticket prices, league sponsors have introduced a rewards program in an attempt to increase attendance at top-tier matches. Interestingly, no restrooms are visible in the public areas of the stadium. In the absence of a large crowd, fans might have luck using the facilities inside of the Qatar Sports Club clubhouse. Return on Investment 5 Pro soccer in a first-rate venue for free. For the soccer fan, a Qatargas League match is among the best entertainment values in the entire Middle East. Extras 3 The Qatargas League deserves praise for putting on such a high-quality, professional presentation for such a sparsely-attended match. The high-quality scoreboard and informative, bilingual public address announcer made no differentiation between a small crowd and a full house. Similarly, facilities were good for the players. Team players have access to full, professional training staffs, and a lush, green field to play on, even in the desert. The venue also deserves praise for its less-public areas, which are pleasantly open to all. The stadium is also known as “Qatar Sports Club” stadium because, logically enough, it’s home to one of this country’s largest and most successful sports organizations. We were able to exit through the clubhouse and admire the hardware the club had acquired over the years. Finally, the State of Qatar deserves recognition from sports fans for placing sports at the forefront of its development strategy. It is truly remarkable for such a small country to be awarded the 2006 Asian Games, the 2015 World Handball Championship, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Criticisms of these bids may indeed be valid and worthy of discussion on legal, moral, and human rights grounds. But from a strictly fan-experience point of view, we came away extremely impressed by Qatar’s professionalism and capabilities.

Photos by Benjamin Evensen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 ASUI Kibbie Dome 1000 Stadium Dr Moscow, ID 83844 Idaho Vandals website ASUI Kibbie Dome website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 16,000 All Quiet in the Dome Nestled in the Palouse region of northern Idaho, the William H. Kibbie-ASUI Activity Center sits on the campus of the University of Idaho. The Kibbie Dome, as it is referred to by most, is one of the first things you see when coming into Moscow from Pullman, WA and the Pullman-Moscow Airport. It may be one of the most interesting facilities in college football. Starting as an outdoor stadium in 1971, the dome was added in 1975 to make it a completely indoor facility. Today the Kibbie Dome is home to not just football, but also basketball as it converts into the Cowan Spectrum, and indoor track and field. The Idaho Vandals were at their best in the late 80’s to early 90’s playing in the Big Sky Conference. From the 1985 season to the 1995 season, the Vandals made the FCS playoffs every year except 1991. Twice they came a win away from the FCS Championship, but fell in 1988 to Furman and 1993 to Youngstown State. Throughout this time the Kibbie Dome was rocking, and was known as a very loud venue. There was a lot to cheer about, as coaches like Dennis Erickson and John L. Smith, players like Mark Schlereth were in Moscow. In addition, two Walter Payton Award winners John Friesz and Doug Nussmeier were slinging passes for Idaho. In 1996, the Vandals made the jump to FBS play to join the Big West Conference, leaving behind the years of history (9 Big Sky Championships) and rivalries in the Big Sky. 18 years later, the change has not been pretty for Idaho. After the Big West stopped sponsoring football, Idaho was not invited to the geographically-fit Western Athletic Conference, and the Vandals joined the Sun Belt for football while remaining in the Big West for other sports. After some conference realignment, the Vandals finally found a spot in the WAC in 2005, but it was short lived as the WAC dropped football in 2012. Idaho spent the 2013 season as an Independent before joining the Sun Belt in 2014 again as a football-only member. Throughout this time, the Vandals football field fell off from what they were at the FCS level. From 1998 till now, Idaho has only three winning records and two bowl appearances, both wins, in 1998 and 2009. With the lack of winning in Moscow, Idaho, the fans have lost interest and the dome sits empty most games. When the WAC dropped football, Idaho desperately tried to find a conference to call home as its former WAC foes found new homes in the Conference USA and Mountain West. After being denied admission to the Mountain West, Idaho was given a “trial membership” in the Sun Belt. As for the 2016-17 season the conference will decide if Idaho should stay. Unfortunately another big reason for Idaho’s troubles finding a home is the Kibbie Dome. Seating only 16,000 it is the smallest FBS stadium in the country and the age is apparent when sitting in the dome. While plans have been discussed to improve the dome drastically, including adding seating to get over 20,000, the team needs to start winning and fans need to start coming for the renovations. For now though, Idaho plays in the Kibbie Dome just trying to survive in the world of FBS football. Food & Beverage 2 There just isn’t much when it comes to food in the Kibbie Dome. The basic food is available like pizza, hot dogs, candy, and Pepsi products. But that pretty much is it. The prices are fair, but it lacks anything unique or memorable. You will come away satisfied, but may be wishing there was more available to eat. Atmosphere 2 When Idaho is winning, the Vandals have a loyal fan base that packs the dome and creates a very loud, intimate atmosphere for opponents. But those days are far in the past, and with years and years of struggling to win more than four games a year, the Kibbie Dome is lucky to be half full. The seats are bleacher style with only a select section on one side of the stadium having back rests. The good news is that the dome protects you from the elements and the harsh Idaho winters. The dome actually becomes quite warm with all the people in it, and it is a nice place to go to get out of the cold. The Idaho Marching Band is very good too, and their halftime show is worth catching. A giant new video screen was installed in 2013 and is a nice addition to the Kibbie Dome. There is only seating on either sideline; behind the end zones are just padded walls. But with how small the stadium is, every seat is a good seat at the Kibbie Dome. The dome shows its age and that’s what keeps the rating down, along with very little fans at the game and not much excitement. That being said, playing or watching a game in the interesting venue like the Kibbie Dome still has something special to it. Neighborhood 4 While the Kibbie Dome is on the other side of campus from the downtown area of Moscow, going to the restaurants and bars in Moscow on game day is a good idea. There are many Vandal fans out, and if you don’t have tickets, watching the game at a sports bar is a fun idea too. The University of Idaho campus is small but has many historic brick buildings. The Arboretum has walking trails around beautiful trees and the Palouse fields. Many people tailgate outside the Kibbie Dome on game days, and many fans hang around there before the game. If you have time and the kickoff times sync-up, catching a Washington State game at Martin Stadium in nearby Pullman, WA is a fun idea too. Just 8 miles away, the campus of Washington State and the city of Pullman are fun places to visit. The town of Moscow and the area of the Palouse are very scenic, and finding something to do shouldn’t be much of a problem. Fans 2 The fans that do come to the games usually are into the game and will be quick to voice their happiness or frustration at their team. But the dome has been barren these past couple years, and you can’t blame Vandal fans too much for that with how bad the team has been. When the team is good, fans will come and fill the place like they have in the past, creating a big home field advantage. But till those days come again, only two stars can be awarded here. Access 3 Getting to the Palouse in the winter can be tough, and roads are known to be dangerous in the rough winters in the area. Moscow is not near really anything besides Pullman, which is just as isolated. Spokane is about two hours away, but driving there in winter is very tough. The Pullman-Moscow Airport is accessible from SeaTac airport in Seattle and the airport in Spokane, so if you are coming from somewhere else expect a connecting flight. Once you are in the area, getting to the stadium is a breeze. The roads through campus flow nicely to the Kibbie Dome, and parking is plentiful around campus. Parking prices are more than fair, and there should be no worries about having to walk more than 15 minutes to the stadium from a parking spot. Return on Investment 1 While the stadium is interesting to see, and the ticket prices are not bad at all, for now going to games at the Kibbie Dome just lack any sort of excitement. The feelings of success are long gone, and the only reminder about what Vandal football used to be are in the rafters. When the team starts winning that can change, but for now there is no real return on investment other than getting to watch a Sun Belt football game. Extras 2 There are some extras for Vandal fans, but not much. The rafters hold banners for all Vandal conference championships in all sports, as well as banners for the 1998 and 2009 Humanitarian Bowl Championships. Retired numbers of a few Vandal legends hang too. The Vandal store has booths on both sides of the stadium to get Vandal gear. One interesting note is that the Kibbie Dome’s arched roof is made entirely of wood, and has won awards as it is the only arched dome in the country made of wood. Final Thoughts The Vandals fell a long way from their Big Sky days, and still today haven’t quite recovered. Through years of coaching changes, conference changes, and losing seasons, the program has struggled, and fans have lost interest. The days of success can come back even at the FBS level, and in his second year head coach Paul Petrino has showed promise of getting Idaho to be competitive. To get there, changes must be made to the outdated Kibbie Dome to give it a more modern feel and a larger seating capacity. To get there, the team must do the simple task of winning games. Until then, the Kibbie Dome remains small and outdated, but is still an interesting and unique venue.

Photos by Sean Rowland, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Crown Field at Andy Kerr Stadium 500 College St Hamilton, NY 13346 Colgate Raiders website Crown Field at Andy Kerr Stadium website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 10,221 Dandy Andy Sitting pretty much smack dab in the middle of New York State is the tiny village of Hamilton, and it is here that you will find Colgate University. This small, private school boasts a lot of recognition and notoriety for its academics, while on the athletic side, the Raiders quietly compete away from the nation’s spotlight in the Patriot League. In 2003, Colgate football made noise across the country by turning in an undefeated season and by becoming the first (and only) conference member to reach the FCS (then Division I-AA) championship game. Digging deeper into the history books, this storied program dates back to the 1800s, and perhaps the 1932 “undefeated, untied, unscored upon and uninvited team” is the most significant chapter. Home games are played at Andy Kerr Stadium, and this seemingly secluded part of the country boasts a very nice setting for football on a fall Saturday afternoon. Food & Beverage 2 Behind the main seating, a concession stand at each end offers the same menu. While the listings and variety are limited, enough is there for some choices at halftime. No item costs more than $7, and the Raiders Double Burger ($6.25) is perhaps the most filling. Also included is Colgate’s version of the Philly cheese steak, sausage & peppers ($5.25), hot dogs ($3) and chili ($3.50). There are some snacks, too, while for beverages, choices come down to soda, water, coffee or cocoa (all for $3 or less). Atmosphere 3 Andy Kerr Stadium features two stands of seating on each sideline, while the end zones are left open. The primary section that seats several thousand is on the east side, and this makes up the general look of the stadium. There’s nothing special to note, as the bleacher seats include a middle section where maroon metal seats include backs. A track puts the stands a little further back from the field, but it is better to sit higher up here. The surrounding view is bucolic, and beyond the football field are rolling hills that light up with color during the month of October. On the other side, the visitor’s bleacher seating is much smaller and it is also the location of the press box. The background view of note from this location is the stone field house in the corner. Andy Kerr Stadium Corner View, Photo by Sean Rowland, Stadium Journey A large scoreboard is behind the north end zone, and despite the impressive size, the abundance of ads and grainy video deter from what could be a valuable asset. Cheerleaders and a small pep band are included in the college experience; however, I did not hear the band play once during the game and instead music was piped in to the sound system during breaks in play. Keep in mind there is no cover inside the stadium, and the weather during football season in Central New York can be an issue. There is usually plenty of open seating space to bring an umbrella and not disturb others watching the game. Neighborhood 3 Hamilton is only home to about 4,000 people, so the makeup of the village is quite small. However, there is a very nice and historic center of town where many of the main roads meet. This section is a good spot to stroll, and it includes the Colgate Bookstore, along with a handful of decent places to eat. For the sports crowd, Rusch’s, along with Good Nature Brewing offer both a food and bar scene that is worthy for a stop after the game. For a nice meal, the Colgate Inn has been in the same place for nearly 90 years, and the restaurant is excellent. Saturdays also feature a small farmers’ market on the Village Green. The University is just a mile south of the central part of town, and while it does have an art gallery along with an anthropology museum, the restaurants are the main attraction for fans and family coming in for a football game. Fans 3 Before the game, gatherings of friends and family can be seen with small tailgates, and the charm of the Patriot League is that you will also see the visitors convening as well, with road trips within driving distance. The Colgate fans are not able to fill up Andy Kerr Stadium, as most often it is less than half full, but it is important to keep in mind that the stadium capacity is well more than the village population and student body combined. Homecoming games are most popular, especially if it coincides with nearby rival Cornell as the opponent. During the event, fans are reserved but supportive, with the level of applause depending on the impact of the play. A few will get on their feet during touchdowns. Overall, the crowd has a very personal and close-knit feel, with many knowing one and another, making for an enjoyable outing. Access 2 A trip to Colgate means a journey through plenty of rural areas and country roads. It takes about 30 minutes to reach Hamilton from I-90 (NYS Thruway) and nearly 45 minutes if coming from the north or south via I-81. Along with utilizing GPS, expect to look at a map beforehand, just to get your bearings on the route and the roads needed. Once in town, campus is just to the south and the stadium is off of College Street. General Parking is in the grassy field off of this street and behind the stadium. Another mention of the weather is needed here, as the parking situation is not ideal in bad weather and either mud or snow cover will force the school to use other campus lots. It gets a little strange entering the stadium, as the ticket booth is a somewhat hidden spot at the front of the parking lot for Maroon Council members. It is also at this booth that you essentially ‘enter’ the stadium, as someone is there to check your ticket. You can also enter the premises by walking across the practice field towards the south end zone. Nonetheless, the whole entrance into the facility is a little awkward. To get to each sideline, fans have to walk around the entire perimeter, instead of walking on the track and cutting through, like what is allowed at several other FCS stadiums. All of the amenities are behind the east side stands, and this includes the lone bathroom, which is serviceable for the crowd size. Return on Investment 4 Tickets go for $10 in the general seating sections, and with $5 parking, this is an affordable event and priced appropriately for the level and sport. Extras 2 Many of Colgate’s campus buildings are stone, and the continuation of that appeasing design element is seen on the athletic side, as well. That is certainly evident at the Sanford Field House, which the players use as a locker room, and the stone design can also be seen in the lower walls of Andy Kerr Stadium. More should be done in the display department, as the school has a storied football history that is barely recognized throughout the venue. At least the 2003 team that reached the championship game is noted by the marker at the bottom of the scoreboard. Final Thoughts While Hamilton may not be the most convenient or vibrant place to visit, it is a pleasant little small village worth a trip. There are a few nice spots to eat right in town, and the University is almost a walk away. The stadium experience at Andy Kerr is indeed bare-bones; however, taking in football at Colgate with limited media interruptions and in a pleasant setting is a very refreshing and recommended way of watching the college game. Follow all of Sean’s journeys at Stadium and Arena Visits.

Photos by Google Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 The Hawthorns Birmingham Rd West Bromwich, West Midlands B71 4LF United Kingdom West Bromwich Albion FC website The Hawthorns website Year Opened: 1900 Capacity: 26,586 The Hawthorns The Hawthorns has been the home of West Bromwich Albion football club since 1900. It has a capacity of 27,000. It is the sixth ground used by the club. In 1949 the ground installed the first-ever electronic turnstile aggregator, to automatically calculate attendance. Following the Taylor Report, the ground became all-seated with first the Smethwick End and then the Birmingham Road End terraces being demolished and replaced by all-seater stands, giving it a capacity of more than 25,000. In 2001 the Rainbow Stand was replaced by the new larger East Stand. In 2002 the club was the first to install big screens in the widescreen format. Later that year they hosted the first-ever Premier League match at the stadium, a 1-3 defeat to Leeds United. The stadium is located in West Bromwich, Sandwell, just outside the major city of Birmingham. Food & Beverage 3 The Hawthorns has one of the better selections I have come across at football grounds in England. Burgers and hot dogs cost £3.30, pizza and pies cost £3.00, chips cost £2.50 and assorted snacks cost £1.20. Hot and soft drinks come for £2.00, and water is £1.80. Lager and different ciders cost £3.60, a spirit with mixer costs £4.00 and wine costs £3.30. The Balti Pie (curried chicken) is recommended and meal deals are available too. Be prepared to queue though as lines can get very long, either leave a few minutes before the end of the half or go at a different time. Food and soft drinks can be taken back into the ground but alcoholic drinks must be consumed in the concourse. Atmosphere 3 In the stadium, there is plenty of noise from the home and away ends. Two big screens show replays as well. Leg space is slightly cramped especially if you are tall. Concourses are narrow so can be quite cramped at halftime or pregame. Views of the game are great from any seat and you are never far away from the action. There are electronic ticket scanners at the turnstiles when entering the ground resulting in quick queue times. Neighborhood 2 Near the ground, there is very little on offer. A Mcdonald's is across the road from the ground but apart from that, you are a bit stuck if you want pre-match food or drinks. However, with Birmingham so close, it’s recommended to go into the city before or after a game and visit its many pubs, restaurants, and shops. Fans 3 The West Brom fans usually fill the stadium and are close to selling out each game. They also make plenty of noise. The acoustics in the stadium helps this and with a good away following at a game the atmosphere can be electric. The fans from the Black Country can be very friendly as well, joking about poor results, and are willing to help a fellow fan with any information that is needed. Access 4 As the Hawthorns is located just outside of Birmingham there are plenty of transport links to the ground. A train station, ‘Hawthorns,’ is just a five-minute walk away from the ground and can be reached from Moor Street or Snow Hill stations which are in the middle of Birmingham and easy to get to. Trains take less than 10 minutes. The stadium is situated just off the motorway, leave the M5 at junction 1 and take the sign for the A41 East. You should end up at the stadium. There is plenty of parking around the ground and costs around £5. I would advise getting there early though to avoid missing out on a space. Toilets are clean and there is also plenty of help and access for disabled people as well. One warning though, the return train can be hard to catch and waiting times are very long as the station is small. Check timetables on the National Rail website. Return on Investment 3 There are two categories for ticket prices. Games against smaller opposition cost £25 which is very reasonable for a Premier League game. Ticket prices for category ‘A’ games though which are against the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Liverpool cost a high £40. Concession tickets for children, seniors, and students bring these prices down. All info on when tickets go on sale to the general public and further prices can be found on the club website. Extras 3 There is a fan shop that sells all the normal merchandise one would find in a club shop. There are also plenty of VIP boxes if you want a higher level of experience. You can also buy a program from inside or outside the ground and these cost £3.

Photos by Eric Taylor, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium 1605 Avenue Of The Champions Bowling Green, KY 42101 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers website Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 22,113 Topping The Hill As you exit the interstate and/or parkway and make the drive toward campus, it becomes overwhelmingly apparent that Western Kentucky University sits atop a hill in Bowling Green, Kentucky, as you can see the tip-top of campus buildings on the horizon for about three miles until you finally reach the beautiful campus. Western has always had a classic collegiate and university aesthetic and theme as you walk around campus, but with the renovations made over the past 10 years, that look is even more timeless than before. While most schools renovate with architecture that might as well have the year written on it or a design that is so non-descript that the absence of character is overbearing, WKU has a penchant for getting the college experience right. President Gary Ransdell once jumped from a plane and did a drop-in for the 2014 game versus Army. At that game, WKU announced that they became the first university to have a chair reserved for a POW/MIA/KIA. The chair remains empty at both L.T. Smith Field and Diddle Arena for every game. Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium holds 22,113 and opened in 1968. The most major renovations in its history were completed in 2008, the most recognizable of which was adding stands to the west sideline. The renovations put the Hilltoppers’ football home at its current capacity, which qualified the school for a move to FBS in 2009. The field moved from natural grass to Astroplay in 2002, and WKU installed FieldTurf in 2009. Houchens Industries — a huge grocery chain headquartered in Bowling Green– made a $5 million donation/gift to get the renovation rolling. Because of the gift, the Houchens Industries name was added to the name of the renovated stadium. L.T. Smith spent 49 years coaching the Hilltoppers football team (1920-1968). The stadium was originally named for him in 1968 when it opened. Food & Beverage 4 For some of you, all you need to read is the first item on the list and you will vote this stadium best in the NCAA. Beer is sold on-campus at WKU. The food prices are fair, considering you have a somewhat upgraded list of options compared to stadiums of similar stature. And with a product named the SUPER Nachos, you can’t lose. The options are also realistic to enjoy at your seat and practical for a football game. Sometimes you can offer too much and it becomes impractical. L.T. Smith Stadium gets it right. The cost for a bottled soft drink is on the pricey side, but not astronomical ($3.50). Atmosphere 4 The quality of the sound system inside the stadium is apparent, as the booming voice and blaring music can be heard on the stroll from your car to the entry gate. Once inside, you will be given a healthy dose of that audio that sounded so good from outside the stadium. It may hit some ears with a little more zest than others. The video/scoreboard is a relatively good size by today’s standards. It’s utilized well for game presentation between plays, but there are times when you just want to hear the bands play and not be bothered with a random uncomfortably screaming for the fans to get up and get loud on third down. My age is much closer to 40 than 20, so I understand that many of the sights and sounds that I find too stimulating to the senses may be exactly what a 20 year old student/player expects in a game day. My generation’s parents probably thought a scoreboard that showed replays and ads was over-the-top and unnecessary, so I get that and I get “it.” At the end of the day, the college football game is still recognizable in sight and sound. Marching bands are still visible and audible. Cheerleaders and yell leaders remain visible and audible. The “it” remains visible and audible. The west side of the stadium was added during the 2008 renovations. Club level and skyboxes line the west side, while the east side still holds the press box and the largest section of seating. Big Red is one of the premier mascots in all of college athletics. It’s not hyperbole to say Big Red has put WKU in the national conscience. They’ve always had a history with NCAA basketball diehards, but he’s put the school on the national and international map — literally. A perennial nominee for the Capital One Mascot Challenge each year, Big Red gives the school a great identity, although his is still debated across the Ohio Valley. He supposedly embodies the spirit of all the fans in one large red “blot” and does a great job of it. The Grass Berm (Sonic Zone) is great in the north end zone. The fan zone is great in the south end zone. These two features tie the east and west side stands together nicely, so there are fans around the entire stadium, although seating is pretty much limited to the east and west stands. The train behind the north end zone reminds you that the outside world still exists and will be there waiting for you when you exit Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Neighborhood 4 There are many places in Bowling Green to eat, but Mariah’s in the historic downtown district delivers a great dining experience that is not white-tablecloth, but not sports bar dive. The dishes are delicious, and the salads even have black-eyed peas in them. Sounds crazy, but you have to try it. This restaurant has been serving Bowling Green residents since 1980 ,and should be doing so for generations to come. WKU is a true college town. So many pieces of the city cater to the university. Bowling Green is not too big to swallow the campus whole, but not so small that campus is the only civilization around. There aren’t many cities better in the Western Kentucky/Middle Tennessee area when looking for a great area to take in a college football game where options for entertainment are available prior to or following the game. Fans 5 WKU’s alumni base is strong, and the fans are very knowledgeable. There are schools within an hour’s drive that would kill for the alumni pride and support that WKU possesses. There’s nothing else to say other than this school’s fans, for the most part, cheer for their school over the big state school in Lexington. The previous sentence will make a ton of sense if you’ve ever visited or know anyone that has any connection to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Access 4 The walk to the stadium is beautiful. There’s a reason this team is called the Hilltoppers. If you park near Cherry Hall, you will have the pleasure of walking down a very steep hill toward L.T. Smith Stadium. The walk back will be one you can tell your grandchildren about. It’s a walk that every student and alumnus talks about with the passion and emotion of a soldier telling war stories or a grandparent telling kids about walking to school uphill both ways in the snow. It’s steep and it’s nasty. I don’t think there’s a t-shirt at the top that you get for saying you climbed it, but it’s not a bad idea to see if that business model would have legs. Even if you attended college 10 states away and this is your first trip to campus, you will always be a Hilltopper once you’ve hiked the hill. The stadium’s flow is similar to that of a larger venue, without the long hikes to the bathroom or concessions. You may have a rather lengthy and steep walk to the top of the east side stands if you decide to sit that high in the sky, but otherwise, access to everything is rather simple inside or outside the stadium. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are $35 for seats on the west side, $25 on the east side, $15 for youth tickets and student guests. Western Kentucky students get free entry with their student ID. With the above prices, you can really take part in a fantastic experience, though tickets can be pricey if you sit on the newly-renovated west side stands (much smaller section than the sprawling stands on the east sideline and every seat is close to the action). Although the ROI may not be a tangible one — unless you gamble, is any return from sports tangible? — the product on the field and game presentation go so nicely with the entire atmosphere surrounding the campus. Extras 1 The east side of the stadium carries atmosphere with it 365 days of the year. When facing the east stands, you can read the school’s nickname spelled out in large script letters across every section of the upper deck — H I L L T O P P E R S. Final Thoughts Go see a game in this stadium if you are in the area. The fans are fun, the seats are good and the view is great. The charm of campus rolls right downhill into the historic areas of downtown. Enjoy dinner at a restaurant like Mariah’s after the game. There’s no rush to get out of town, so sit down and relax. Work will be waiting for you when you get back on Monday. It’s Saturday. Let Bowling Green take care of you for the weekend.

Photos by Chuck Utech, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Smart Araneta Coliseum Araneta Center, Cubao Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines 0810 Far Eastern University Tamaraws website Smart Araneta Coliseum website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 16,500 College Basketball in the Far East What do you get when you combine equal parts of fan fervor, a league of rich history, the most popular sport in the country, and a venue that has hosted everything from John Cougar Mellencamp concerts to Papal visits from Pope John Paul II to arguably the most famous boxing fight in history? You get a basketball game between Ataneo De Manila University (ADMU) vs. Far Eastern University (FEU) in The Philippines. The University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is a sports association home to eight universities: Adamson University, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, National University, University of the East, University of the Philippines, and the University of Santo Tomas. Established in 1938, it is one of the oldest athletic conferences in the country and has emerged to be the most popular inter-university sports association today. The eight member universities compete in three divisions (Seniors, Juniors, and Women’s) in fourteen sports. Basketball, by far the most popular of the sports offered, begins the action each season. The UAAP plays its basketball games at both Smart Araneta Coliseum and the Mall of Asia Arena rather than on site at the respective universities. Since its establishment in 1928 by founder Dr. Nicanor Reyes, Sr., FEU has been recognized as one of the leading universities in the Philippines. The mascot is a tamaraw. A tamaraw is a hooved mammal similar to a water buffalo that is an endangered species. Smart Araneta Coliseum is located in the Cubao district of Quezon City, the largest city by area in Metro Manila, and the most populous in the country. While known for hosting the “Thrilla in Manila,” “The Big Dome” as it is also known, is host to scores of concerts, sporting events and culturally significant events annually. Food & Beverage 4 Once inside the venue, concessions are abundant. There are plenty of options for those wanting standard American fare. Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Krispy Kreme, and Pizza Hut all have stands on various levels. For a more local feel, try a Jamaican Pattie for 60 PHP ($1.40 US). There are vendors for all of the establishments that make rounds during the game in case one does not wish to leave their seat. There are no alcohol sales at this event, but water, soda, tea and juice are available throughout the coliseum. Atmosphere 5 Entry is gained through the main gate at the west side of the arena. Tickets can be purchased online or at the main ticket booth. These events are very popular and buying tickets early is recommended. There are scalpers (locally they are called fixers), but purchasing through them is highly discouraged. Seating runs from 100PHP ($2.65 US) for bleacher seating at the outer reaches of the dome to 300PHP ($8 US). I have been fortunate to attend sporting events in America of all four major sports including Game One of the 2013 Stanley Cup (triple overtime). I have been to many major college basketball games in venues known specifically for being the most raucous. Without question, this is the loudest sporting event I have ever attended. The crowd started roaring at the beginning of introductions; it did not cease until the final buzzer. Aiding in the delirium of the fans are rival drum corps that play constantly during game action. Both squads have cheer squads that would bring comparison to the cheerleaders of the first half of the 1900s. While sitting amongst the FEU faithful, cheers are led by guys emphatically yelling “DE-Fense!” and “Go Tamaraws!” during play. At halftime, both cheer squads give individual performances court side. The score is posted on a large overhead scoreboard above mid-court. Due to the high decibel levels, the PA announcer is not always clear. This did lead to a touch of confusion when a review late in the contest resulted in the addition of one point and although an explanation was given, the roar of the crowd was overwhelmed. Lighting is superb. Sight lines of the entire arena are generally unobstructed. Neighborhood 3 Located in the Cubao district, the Big Dome is surrounded by three shopping complexes. Farmer’s Plaza, Gateway, and Ali Mall are all within one block of the coliseum. In addition there is a market (Farmer’s Market) just west that offers fresh produce, additional shopping and a dampa, which is a fresh fish market. One simply points to the seafood they wish to purchase and it is cooked to specification. Within two blocks of the arena itself there are probably 100 eating establishments to choose from featuring flavors of the world. Cubao is not considered the safest of areas within Metro Manila and one should be cognizant of their surroundings, especially after dark. Walking outside of the immediate area is not recommended. That being said, there is a high level of security at the shopping areas and the arena itself. Fans 5 The crowd is quite knowledgeable, which is to be expected as basketball is the country’s favorite sport. They are also quite friendly. The local fans make visitors feel right at home. The fans shriek at every turnover and three pointer. The crash of the drums is a constant heartbeat for the crowd as they enthusiastically follow each bounce of the ball. Access 3 Depending on where one is arriving from, Smart Araneta is easy to get to, whether by taxi, bus, or jeepney. A 30 minute taxi ride is approximately 175 PHP. There are jeepney stops nearby and the bus terminal is located one block south, across from Ali Mall. For visitors unfamiliar with the area, a taxi is recommended. It can drop off immediately outside the arena. In addition, it has been found easier to tell the taxi driver “Cubao, Farmer’s.” This limits any confusion and allows for a drop which is close to the main entrance and ticket booth. There are public parking ramps nearby for those brave enough to drive. Inside, the venue is very handicap accessible. Elevators bring patrons to their correct level and the concourses are fan friendly. There are plenty of security guards and attendants to ensure a pleasant experience. Smoking? One is allowed to leave and re-enter by showing a hand stamp. Return on Investment 5 An event ticket, food, beverage and roundtrip fares can be had for a total of around 500 PHP ($11 US). One can indulge in some shopping or some fine dining nearby and still not expect to break the bank. Extras 3 Although there are no concessions or programs, the local schools do have merchandise booths with a decent selection of team gear for purchase. Restrooms are easy to access and are clean. The staff is numerous and handles a large crowd well. Final Thoughts This was the most raucous event I have ever attended. It is well recommended for anyone who wants to take in an event that combines a historically significant venue, the national pastime of the Philippines, and the passion of a large fan base for not a large sum of money.

Photos by Michael Rusignuolo, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Dwyer Stadium 299 Bank St Batavia, NY 14020 Batavia Muckdogs website Dwyer Stadium website Year Opened: 1939 Capacity: 2,600 Muck in Name Only Dwyer Stadium (named for Edward D. Dwyer, a long-time president of the Batavia ball club) encompasses a field that has been used for professional baseball in Batavia, New York since 1939. The current 2,600 seat incarnation was erected in 1996 and is primarily the home of the NY-Penn League Batavia Muckdogs, the only in-place charter franchise of the league, and owner of one of the most memorable monikers in minor league baseball. In addition to giving a home to the Muckdogs (for the last two years the short-season, single A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, after long affiliations with the Cardinals and Phillies), the park also hosts games for Genesee Community College teams, as well as local high schools. While the neighborhood is strictly small town New York State and the park is showing its age in places, Dwyer Stadium serves up a good, affordable baseball experience for families and baseball fans alike. Food & Beverage 3 Dwyer Stadium has a good selection of food and drink, especially for a short season A-ball field. The main concession area is located in the home plate plaza by the main entrance, along with a beer concession, a small treats concession by the kids area, and a beer-and-peanuts stand under the third base bleachers. The main concessions deliver standard ballpark and regional fare, including Zweigles’ red and white hot sausages, burgers, fries, pizza, and chicken. The choice of the grub has got to be the Muckdog Signature Dog (red or white hot with “Muckdog Sauce” and onions for a reasonable $3.50). Or–how can you resist?–“Muckdog Chow,” a red hot, white hot, burger, or cheeseburger, served on top of macaroni salad and homefries, smothered in Muckdog Sauce, and served in a big plastic dog bowl, all for $5.75. Small and large Budweisers are available at most concessions for $4 or $5.50 respectively, and the specialty beer concessions serve up Southern Tier Farmers Tan, Rohrbach’s Muckdog Red Ale, Rohrbach’s Highland, Genny Light, and Brooklyn Summer Ale for $4.75 for a small and $6.50 for a large. The beer booths also deliver 16-oz cans for $5, and 25 ounces for $7. You’re at their park, so you might as well give the fine Muckdog Red Ale a try. Atmosphere 3 Dwyer Stadium has one main entrance to the right of the ticket booth. It opens out into an entrance plaza behind home plate on the first base side in a wide walkway that runs from outfield to outfield outside of the seating area, with two openings at first and third base. Both walkways end in tented picnic areas just before the home and visitor bullpens and clubhouses, in left and right field respectively. The only cover in the park (besides those tents) is the seats under the grandstand behind home plate, which is topped with the press box. The gates open an hour before game time, and home team fans can seek autographs at the dugout on the third base side. Wherever you’re sitting, you’ll have a good view of the field and the open sky beyond the outfield walls. Mascot Homer, the dog, and the fan relations crew run the between-inning entertainment, which includes the minor league standard races, quizzes, and contests. One unique event during my most recent visit was a lucky young fan getting to hit the owner in the face with a shaving cream pie, which showed the good-natured relationship between the team management and the community. All that said, there are signs of wear around the park that need addressing. The scoreboard has seen better days and is missing some lights; the visitors’ clubhouse in right is missing an “I” in its sign, rendering it “Vistor” and the sound system in the bleacher seats is reminiscent of the NYC subway speakers in the 80s; nearly unintelligible. Neighborhood 2 The park is located as part of a neighborhood Little League complex, which gives you an idea of the surrounding area. It is very much in a small town in Western New York, and perhaps the best you can say for Batavia is that it is under an hour drive to both Rochester and Buffalo. In town, there are a couple of standard small-town historical attractions, the Batavia Downs Racetrack, and the Darien Lake Amusement Park is a short drive out of town. Meat-lovers are in luck, as there are quite a few steakhouses and BBQ places in town, including Larry’s Steakhouse, T.F. Brown’s, Center Street Smokehouse, and Alex’s Place. Bar stops include Tully’s, O’Lacys, and City Slickers. For those with kids (or kids at heart), Oliver’s Candies (with hand-made chocolates, candies, and ice cream) is a must-visit downtown. A surprising amount of chain hotels are mostly right off the NY Thruway, including Best Western, Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, Quality Inn, Super 8, Days Inn, Clarion, and Red Roof Inn. Fans 3 A regional holdout from when seemingly every little burg in Western NY was home to a NY-Penn League franchise, Batavia still seems to have a good deal of local enthusiasm for its team. “Muckdogs Home Tonight” lawn signs are regularly seen while driving around town, and they still put in a respectable showing in the park. The fans are mostly local families and not baseball purists, to be sure, but they are involved with the game and show support for their local pride and joy as you might expect. Access 4 Batavia is an easy exit off the NY Thruway (I-90), as well as state roads 98, 63, 33, and 5. A large, free parking lot is right next to the stadium, and additional parking is also free in the adjacent parks. It is under an hour to both Rochester and Buffalo, and Batavia is about 2.5 hours to Toronto, and four hours to Albany or Pittsburgh. Those not driving can take the Batavia Bus Service Route 2 or 3 from downtown to the UMMC Station ($1), and a small regional airport (Genesee County) is north of town. In the park, an inner walkway in the seating area splits the box seats below from the general admission seats above, and a wide outer concourse runs from outfield to outfield around the diamond to get people where they need to be. Return on Investment 4 The strength of minor league ball is its value for the dollar, and the Muckdogs are no different. Box seats are $7.50, and general admission seats are $6.50, so there’s no sticker-shock there. Coupon books of eight games are available for both kinds of seats and bring the cost per game down to $5.75 and $4.75 respectively for box or GA seats. Group rates for 20 or more get the price down to $5.50 per person, and all-you-can eat seats are available on the Hot Corner picnic area for $15 or $17.50 per person, with slightly expanded menu choices for the higher amount. Nearly all the food items (even the special items) are under $5. Small beers go for $4, and 20 oz cans go for $7, and the large specialty beers don’t top $6.50. It is just an affordable experience all around. Extras 3 For a low minor league park, Dwyer Stadium has a more than average amount of extras. In addition to the standard stadium commemorative plaques (on the outside of the park by the ticket window), there is a revamped Batavia Wall of Fame and three plaques dedicated to Batavia as the birthplace of the NY-Penn League, Gene Baker (first black manager in professional baseball), and Whitey Loos (local baseball star in the 40’s and WWII casualty) on the main concession building. A boosters’ plaque is by the main entrance, and a small art installation called “I Am Someone in the Crowd” is located on the back of the home third base bleachers. The press box behind home is dedicated to Wayne H. Fuller (long-time PA announcer). A small shed by the main entrance houses the team store and fan relations booth, and a modest kids area is located down the right field line. Booths sell programs in the main entrance plaza, and in a nice tip of the hat to scorers, a slanted resting shelf is located underneath the game lineups to make it easier to prepare your scorecard. Final Thoughts Dwyer Stadium is full of little surprises for the visitor and provides a straight-forward, cost-conscious evening of baseball for all comers.