Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Journey got a chance recently to attend the inaugural Capital Hockey Classic on December 12, 2024. This was a college hockey double-header featuring a contest between Army and Navy’s club hockey teams, followed by a matchup between Army and Penn State’s Division I programs. This event took place in Downtown Washington, DC’s Capital One Arena two days be fore the Army-Navy rivalry football game took place at Northwest Stadium. Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Jim Van Stone, President of Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer at Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) was quoted as saying “We are ecstatic to be able to welcome college hockey back to Capital One Arena,” and “It is an honor to host this college hockey showcase ahead of the iconic Army-Navy football game, giving fans a chance to witness this storied rivalry on the ice and then see two top Division I teams match up against each other. The military is an integral part of our community in the Washington, D.C. area and Monumental Sports & Entertainment has a long history of harnessing the power of sports to make a lasting difference in the lives of those who serve our country.” Capital One Arena, which previously hosted the 2009 NCAA Frozen Four, serves as the home venue for the NHL’s Washington Capitals. Alongside their ownership organization, MSE, the Capitals have remained committed to growing and improving the game of hockey from youth clinics and camps to community programming to talent development with their AHL affiliate team and 13-time Calder Cup Champions, the Hershey Bears. Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Hockey has long been a staple of athletics on the West Point campus of the United States Military Academy, with the hockey program originally forming in 1904. Since then, the program has become one of the most recognizable brands in college hockey with over 1,200 wins to its name across different levels of evolution in the college game. The Riley family has led the program since 1951 when legendary and 1960 gold-medal-winning USA Hockey Coach Jack Riley took the reins. From there, his son Rob featured as the head coach from 1986-2004 before Rob’s brother, Brian Riley, who now enters his 21st season as head coach, was appointed. Army was a founding member of the Atlantic Hockey Association which just ended its 21-year run at the Division I level and is set to begin a new era as ‘Atlantic Hockey America’ after merging with College Hockey America this summer. “We are excited to have the opportunity to play in the Capital Hockey Classic against Penn State,” said Army head coach Brian Riley. “We know that there are a lot of alumni and Army fans in that area so it will be a great opportunity to bring the Army Hockey Team to an area where we’ve never played. There will be a lot of energy with the Army-Navy Football Game on Saturday and this will be a great way to start the weekend with Army vs. Penn State on the ice.” Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Penn State enters its 13th season as a Division I program in 2024-25 after elevating to varsity status before the 2012-13 campaign. The Nittany Lions secured the 200th win in program history last season and have five 20+-win seasons over the last nine years leading to a pair of Big Ten Championships (2017, 2020) and three NCAA Tournament berths (2017, 2018, 2023). Before being elevated to Division I status, Penn State competed in the ACHA from 1971-2012 winning seven National Titles including a stretch of four straight from 2000-03. This marks the third meeting between Penn State and Army over the past four seasons and the second-straight year the teams will meet after the Nittany Lions erased a four-goal deficit for a thrilling 7-6 victory in Hockey Valley back in January. Penn State is 4-0-0 all-time against the Black Knights in the current era. The Nittany Lions are poised to make a return trip to Allentown and the NCAA Tournament when the puck drops in October after finishing the 2023-24 campaign at 15-18-3. “It’s truly an honor to be a part of the first-ever Capital Hockey Classic,” said Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky. “The Army-Navy football game is a yearly spectacle and to add a hockey component to this special weekend is an awesome opportunity. I’m excited we will be able to spread our Hockey Valley community to the DMV area, an area we haven’t been to yet in our short history, but one with a large alumni base. We know there will be a lot of Blue & White support in D.C.! We Are!” Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Navy Club Hockey competes in Division 1 of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) as a member of the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association (ECHA). Navy won the ECHA Championship in 2022 and went undefeated in 2023, advancing to the ACHA National Tournament each year. Navy is coached by Kevin Rooney, who just completed his 8th season leading the Midshipmen. “The Navy Hockey Team is excited to continue the great legacy of the Army-Navy game,” said Rooney. “As the ‘best of the best’ student-athletes and leaders, the rivalry is historic and delivers an extreme level of competition that is only found in an event like this. In addition, it is an incredible opportunity to join with other hockey teams and Navy Football to be part of the entire Army-Navy legacy weekend. We will be ready to ‘Bring it on’ for this intense hockey weekend at the legendary home venue of the NHL’s Washington Capitals!” In the club hockey game, Army beat Navy by a score of 7-3. For the final game featuring the NCAA teams, Penn State beat Army 4-1. It was an amazing event to attend at the start of the Army/Navy weekend. Hopefully, it will indeed become a recurring event so that we can review it for Stadium Journey.

It's time for our annual Year in Review episode! The crew looks back at our favorite games, stadiums, cities and surprises for 2024. We even get some input from you, our loyal listeners! Also, will this be our last show? We wrap up seven years of memories. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photo courtesy of the Texas Bowl On Wednesday, December 4th, Lone Star Sports and Entertainment and ESPN Events – the joint partners that present and own the annual Texas Bowl  – announced a new a new title sponsor that will begin this season. Texas based company Kinder’s will serve as the new title sponsor for the game , which will feature a matchup of a Big 12 team against an SEC team at NRG Stadium in Houston on December 31st. According to a news release, Kinder’s is recognized as “a leading provider of premium quality sauces and seasonings” and has been in business for over 75 years. Founded by World War II veteran John Kinder in San Pablo, CA in 1946, the company is known for its lines of barbecue and wing sauces, as well as its spice rubs. “We are beyond excited to announce our partnership with the Texas Bowl ,” said Kinder’s Co-CEO & Chief Brand Officer Jim Hart in a news release. “At Kinder’s we appreciate the kind of obsession it takes for these athletes and coaches to get to this level. We aspire to bring that same passion and commitment to everything we make, and it is a privilege to be part of providing the stage for them to showcase their incredible talents.” This will be the 19th edition of the Texas Bowl – the 2023 edition saw the then # 22 ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys defeat the Texas A&M Aggies by a score of 31-23 in front of an announced crowd of over 55,000. According to Texas Bowl representatives, since 2014 the contest has become the most-attended bowl game outside of those participating in the College Football Playoffs. “We are thrilled to welcome Kinder’s to our family here in Houston as the title sponsor of the Kinder’s Texas Bowl,” said Lone Star Sports & Entertainment General Manager David Fletcher. “Everything is bigger in Texas, especially the passion for food, family, and football, so to have an opportunity to work with a partner like Kinder’s who values each of those to further enhance the experience for fans, teams, and our community, it is truly special.” Kickoff for the 2024 edition of the Kinder’s Texas Bowl is scheduled for 2:30pm, and the game will be simulcast on ESPN and ESPN+. ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta 5300 Winder Hwy Braselton, GA 30517 SpeedTour website Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 10,000 Vintage Atlanta Power While synonymous with the 10 hour Petit Le Mans endurance classic , this facility has become a perfect location to kick of your spring of racing through the hills of northern Georgia. Nestled an hour north of Atlanta, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta offers some iconic sights and non-stop racing action over four days in the fall. This track offers plenty of great viewing areas and camping, helping the Atlanta SpeedTour rise quickly as one of the best events of the year for fans in Trans Am and SVRA. Food & Beverage   3 There aren’t a lot of concession stands at this track – one lies in the outer paddock behind the Michelin Tower, where you can find burgers ($8.99), grilled chicken sandwiches ($8.99), hot dogs ($6.99), chicken tenders ($9.99), and more standard fare. Fries ($5.99) and drinks (soda, water, beer, and energy drinks) are also offered. Another stand is located in the infield near the Turn 5 area, and various food trucks populate the fan zone midway. Atmosphere   3 The event is like many on the SpeedTour schedule, with three days of support races as well as practice sessions for the main event, to fill the entire slate at Road Atlanta. Fans have access to both paddocks with their event ticket, allowing you to get up close to all the drivers and cars in between track sessions. On Saturday and Sunday before the Trans Am headliner races, the cars roll out to pit lane and grid up to their starting positions. Here, fans can walk the grid freely, getting up close to the cars, meeting their favorite drivers, and snagging some free swag from some of the teams. While the track lacks modern facilities throughout, the fans make up for those deficiencies. And while low for many races at the track, the attendance is respectable for an SVR event. Neighborhood   3 The main downside to Road Atlanta is its location – an hour north of Atlanta proper, this track isn’t near much. Aside from a few small hotels and fast foot locations a few miles down the road, Road Atlanta is very much dominated by rolling hills, suburbs, and farmland. A 15-minute drive south gets you to Buford and the big Mall of Georgia, however, where you can find plentiful hotels and restaurants. Also nearby is Chateau Elan resort and golf course for a more high-level resort experience; recreation can also be found outdoors in nearby Lanier.   Fans   3 The fans at Road Atlanta show up for many events throughout the year, and the SVRA and Trans Am SpeedTour weekend is no different. Camping is plentiful around the circuit, and fans pack the fan walk during pre-race. That said, the numbers still come nowhere close to those of th e IMSA   and HSR events at the circuit.   Access   5 To get to Road Atlanta, Exit 129 on I-85 or Exit 17 on I-985 will both get you to the track in the most direct manner – being located equidistant between these two interstate exits means that getting in and out is easy. Once at the track, parking is plentiful, and the facility also offers a tram that takes fans around the track to the various viewing areas.   Return on Investment   5 Tickets are incredibly affordable for SpeedTour weekend at Road Atlanta, and even for a weekend pass, you’re going to pay measurably less than what you’d pay if you go watch IMSA’s Petit Le Mans event   at this same track.   Extras   4 SpeedTour Weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta sometimes includes autograph sessions, for all fans to attend for the various series in attendance, completely included in the price of admission. In addition, fans are invited into victory lane for the Trans Am Series during the event. You can also see the improvements at the circuit over the past decade, including a new tower at Turn 1. In addition, the fan midway offers various sponsor displays and interactive activations that offer plenty of giveaways. Final Thoughts While known for bigger races, the SVRA SpeedTour event at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta is well worth the price of admission – the circuit is iconic, fan friendly for viewing angles, and offers great action on track. No doubt a highlight of the Trans Am season schedule, Road Atlanta is a must see for any sportscar diehard.

How will the new NCAA eligibility rule in the CHL affect junior hockey players in North America? Also, we look at the PWHL jersey release.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey The Texas A&M Aggies control their destiny again in the college football playoff, thanks to losses today by Georgia  and LSU . The Aggies were beaten badly by the South Carolina Gamecocks on November 2nd, losing 44-20, after having started the season undefeated in SEC conference play and with only one overall loss to Notre Dame  back in Week 1. Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Following the 11/2 loss to the Gamecocks , the Aggies  joined several other 1-loss teams in the SEC, namely Georgia , LSU , Texas , and Tennessee , meaning they would need a little help to ensure they could still make the SEC championship game. Then, on November 9th, while Texas A&M was sitting out the week on a bye, Alabama  stunned LSU 42-13, while Ole Miss  took down Georgia 28-10, leaving the Tennessee Volunteers and the Texas A&M Aggies as the current Top 2 teams in the SEC standings. The only other current 1-loss team in the SEC is the Texas Longhorns , who Texas A&M  plays on November 30th – that game will be the 119th contest in that epic rivalry, which has been on hiatus for 13 years ever since the Aggies bolted from the Big 12 to join the SEC. If Texas A&M can beat Texas, as well as win their other two remaining games this season (versus New Mexico State and Auburn ), the Aggies will punch their ticket to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta, and if they win that game, almost certainly earn a spot in the first-ever 12-team college football playoff.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 1776 USA Election Central Everywhere, USA 17760 www.yourvote.gov Year Opened: 1776 Capacity: 155 million for the 2020 contest Electoral College Stadium Hosts the Big Event The Electoral College Stadium is one of the most unique sports facilities in the USA. It hosts only one game, the Electoral College Bowl and the game is only held once every four years on the first Tuesday in November. Among the impressive numbers at the Electoral College Stadium is its capacity….155 million fans have participated in the Electoral College Bowl in person over the last two election cycles. The press box at the facility is the largest in the world, as a worldwide press contingent has a great interest in the winner of the contest. We’re not just talking about sportswriters… this includes press staff from global governments, defense contractors, and political special interest groups, as well as the “non-partisan” press from CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, FOX, One America Network, Newsmax, etc. Network insiders/political influencers always get preferred seating in the press areas. The Electoral College Bowl has also experienced some on-field controversies in recent seasons, especially during the 2000 and 2020 contests. The referees, members of the Supreme Court in their zebra-striped robes, have the final say on controversial plays. Their decision is final… there are no grounds for an appeal. Of course, the team on the losing side of a call will then accuse the winning side of stacking the referee squad. Food & Beverage 3 The two sets of fans at the Electoral College Bowl Stadium cannot even agree on a standard set of food items at the concession stands. Therefore, the stands on the opposite sides of the field serve fare in line with their squad’s preferred food platform. While the Donkeys’ Blue Ribbon Stand favors lots of ethnic and soul foods, the Red Elephants’ Rockin’ Red Stand carries BBQ and other country club favorites. Atmosphere 5 Qualifying for the next Electoral College Bowl typically gets underway in January before the Bowl game. These preliminary contests often take place on the frozen tundra of fields located in the states of Iowa and New Hampshire. These early contests separate the contenders from the pretenders. This gets the political blood of the competing teams going for another election season. At the opposite end of the political spectrum is the Electoral College Bowl, the culminating event of the political season. It is preceded by pep rallies, otherwise known as conventions, held by each competing team. These events are important, as they determine the strategies to be employed by each team going into the final quarter of the political season. Speakers range from former team leaders to up-and-comers who may lead the teams in future years. Celebrity guests are also invited to these conventions, as they raise the TV ratings and help the celebrities meet the “right people” in the media world. The conventions also serve a function of choosing an assistant coach in case… well… there was Watergate…. And the head coach might be tossed out of the game! There are times when the battle between the parties somewhat goes out of control, resulting in some unsportsmanlike conduct, such as some mudslinging taking place. In these situations, the officials are quick to file injunctions to get the offending players calmed back down. Gameday is really about the fans. By now, the two finalists have completed the X’s and O’s of their game plans and published them in their team program, or platform. The supporters of the Democratic Donkey team wear their blue team colors proudly and sit on the left (liberal) side of the election field, while the red-clad Republican Elephant supporters sit on the right (conservative) side of the field. Any Independents that somehow get in the Electoral College Bowl are confined to the area behind the end zone… looking wistfully at the playing field they cannot earn a spot on. As soon as the Electoral College Bowl ends, the polls reopen to gauge the up-and-coming teams at the city, state, and federal levels. These teams compete at a separate level, namely the Federal, City, and State levels, known as the FCS. Neighborhood 5 Electoral College Stadium is unique in that its seating bowl is not set up based on rows or aisles. Instead, fans of each team are seated by precinct. This allows the political stand managers to easily identify problem areas and dispatch a squad of political consultants to decide what platform corrections can be made quickly to bring the voters in those areas back in line with the party’s platform. The seating precincts are subject to alterations between the election cycles due to redistricting. Fans 5 Electoral College Stadium and the Electoral College Bowl draw fans from all 50 states and some U.S. Territories. The fan bases are about equally distributed between the Democratic Blue Donkeys and the Republican Red Elephants. Every few years a registered Independent fan tries to sneak in, but the polls have never allowed the Independents to get as far as the Electoral College Bowl Game due to the stringent eligibility requirements. (Plus, they don’t stand a chance of winning against the big boys!). Even though each fan base is solid in support of their party, some fans waver when gameday arrives. This a big negative, and the offending fan is in danger of being accused of being a “moderate,” which is akin to being called a scab in this ultimately political game. Attending a game at Electoral College Stadium does come with restrictions. Fans must be at least 18 years old and must be registered voters. No kids allowed! Each fan is limited to one ticket per ballot. Tickets may not be sold or transferred to another person. Some photo ID may be required at the gate by a poll watcher. (i.e., so no one cheats!) Access 3 Gamedays at Electoral College Stadium get underway as the gates typically open at 7 am, and do not close for 12 hours. However, you often must leave before the final score/stats are determined. Access to the Electoral College Stadium is restricted to persons over 18, who have not committed any Federal crimes (or at least have not been caught) and are residents of the U.S.A. Ticket takers at the gates of the stadium are Secret Service agents who have the right to frisk anyone who might be deemed as a danger to members of the winning/losing Electoral College Bowl teams. Fat cats and special interest groups are allowed admittance to the Smoked Filled Room luxury boxes atop the stadium. Members and supporters of the losing squad in the contest are prohibited from the Smoke-filled Room Luxury Box for the next four years. Return on Investment 4 The Electoral College Bowl is one of the most expensive college contests in the world, as fans, corporate fat cats special interest groups, and plain small donors compete in the contest to influence the winner of the Electoral College Bowl Game. Tickets go for face value… it is the table funding that gets favorable consideration from the winning team. Depending on the legislation passed, or favors done, some attendees DO see a favorable return on their investment. Extras 3 Fans in attendance need to choose a side before taking part in the Electoral College Bowl. If you don’t make a choice, you have no right to complain for the next four years! The perks to being a supporter of the winning squad in the game may include entry into one of the many Washington galas, a prime seat at the Inaugural Parade, or a possible appointment as a member of the Presidential Cabinet. The 2000 game featuring Al Gore as the leader of the Democratic Donkeys squad and George W. Bush as the captain of the Republican team holds the Electoral College Bowl record for overtime. It finally was decided by the infamous “hanging chads” call by the court/bowl zebras, which awarded the win to the Red squad. Final Thoughts The electoral college stadium has lasted for nearly 250 years. It has survived wars, depressions, good times and bad. Just like any structure, it has some imperfections and is subject to criticism from the fans, who point out the flaws in the structure. What is most important is that its once in every four years schedule for the Big Game allows the fans from both teams to have a say in the game strategy for their respective squads. Like any contest, after the whistle blows to signal the end of the game, both parties shake hands to acknowledge the winner.... and that's the American Way.

Photo Courtesy of AFC Wimbledon Plough Lane was on my schedule for a football match when I visited London in a couple of weeks. However, that might not be the case as the club works to repair its pitch in hopes of hosting another game soon. The home of AFC Wimbledon received heavy damage from recent floodings from the nearby River Wandle, which broke its banks following a period of heavy rain. The club does not know when it will be able to return home. The entire pitch, concourse, buildings, and ground floor were completely underwater. It resulted in the pitch resembling a golf course with sandy bunkers and more than 26,417 gallons of water pumped out of the stadium. The torrential rains also opened up a sinkhole in the corner of the pitch. Club management could spend close to ￡1.5 million to repair the pitch, and club supporter Graham Stacey set up a JustGiving site that has raised ￡108,151 out of 150,000 of its goals for repairs. Volunteers have helped clear away debris inside the stadium this week. The Wombles League Two match with Accrington was postponed after failing to find a suitable stadium in London to play. Its midweek Carabao Cup match against Newcastle will be staged at St James’s Park on Tuesday, October 1. Newcastle will donate ￡15,000 and half of the gate fees will also go to repair the pitch at Plough Lane. James Woodroof, the club’s managing director, told the BBC that he thought the images were AI.  "We didn't realise it was going to be to this extent... It's been 60 years since the water had reached this level, and essentially,AF we were totally overwhelmed by it.” The current stadium, known as Cherry Red Records Stadium, for advertising purposes opened in November 2020.

It's that time of year again: MLB playoffs. We look at how the format is and whether the changes have been good or bad. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey If you ever attend a sporting event at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, you can walk down the street and find another piece of sports history in town, namely a tribute to one of the greatest racehorses of all time, Secretariat. To celebrate the birthday of the horse known as Big Red, March 30, 2024 was proclaimed as Secretariat Day, and a plaza honoring the Triple Crown-winning equine was dedicated. The ‘Racing into History’ monument, created by Jocelyn Russell, includes a statue of Secretariat racing at full speed, as well as brick facades on two sides showcasing the horse’s successes. The monument is located at the corner of Railroad Avenue and England Street in downtown Ashland, about 10 miles from Meadow Stable, where Secretariat was born in 1970. Penny Chenery, Secretariat’s owner and manager of his racing career, operated Meadow Stable at the time, and with the help of her father, Chris, bred the horse through a match between the 1957 Horse of the Year Bold Ruler, and the 1973 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Somethingroyal. Chris Chenery grew up in Ashland, attended Randolph-Macon College, and later founded Meadow Stable. The operation was sold in 1973 after Chris passed away, but visitors are still welcome to tour the historic barns and pastures – the site is now known as Meadow Event Park, and also hosts the annual State Fair of Virginia. Secretariat won 16 races out of 21 starts in his career, including most famously all three races in the 1973 Triple Crown – the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. Secretariat was the first horse ever to run the Derby in under 2 minutes, a feat that has only been accomplished once since. More impressively, however, his records in all 3 races still stand today, over 50 years later – Secretariat’s largest margin of victory was winning the Belmont by 31 lengths. Secretariat was retired to stud at the end of his three-year old year, and his name now appears in the pedigrees of many modern champions, and he has also sired many leading broodmares. The great horse passed away in 1989 from laminitis, but thanks to the efforts of his fans, Secretariat’s memory can now live on forever in Ashland.

Photo courtesy of Texas Tech Athletics The funds were part of Texas Tech University’s Campaign for Fearless Champions, which will be used for the completion of the South End Zone and the Dustin R. Womble Football Center at Jones AT&T Stadium . To honor the gift and recognize one of the greatest players in Red Raiders history, the school will name its soon-to-be-completed walk-through area at the center, as well as the quarterback meeting room and offensive coordinator’s office in the new south end zone building, in his honor. Photo courtesy of Texas Tech Athletics “When we first launched this campaign, Patrick was only a freshman and now we should approach the end of the campaign with a gift of his own,” Texas Tech Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said in a news release. “We couldn’t be prouder to announce this gift from Patrick and Brittany Mahomes. We are so proud of Patrick for all he has accomplished and how he has continually supported Texas Tech on a global scale.” In just six seasons, Patrick Mahomes has torn through the NFL record books and helped make the Kansas City Chiefs  one of pro football’s premiere franchises. Amid all of Mahomes’ success, however, he has remained a loyal supporter of Texas Tech – in each of the past three seasons, Mahomes has used an open date on the Kansas City schedule to attend one of Tech’s road games, and he also returned to campus in 2022 to be inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor. Patrick Mahomes’ co-branded line of apparel with Adidas, featuring the Mahomes Gladiator logo, forged a partnership with Texas Tech and has been made available to students and fans at the university’s stores. He also recently signed six Tech athletes to NIL deals  with his brand. “There isn’t a greater ambassador for Texas Tech Athletics than Patrick Mahomes,” Red Raiders Head Coach Joey McGuire said. “He is arguably the best brand in sports, not only for his success on the field but for what he and his family do off it.” The gift by the Mahomes raised Texas Tech’s fundraising total to $115 million for its projects, surpassing the athletics department’s original goal of $100 million. “Since my hiring here at Texas Tech, it’s been evident to me just how much Patrick truly loves this university and football program, and this gift further emphasizes that,” said McGuire. “On behalf of our entire program, we can’t thank Patrick and Brittany enough for the impact they are making on our student-athletes and the future of Texas Tech football.” ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photo Courtesy of   Mortenson, SRG Partnership, and Populous The Hillsboro Hops, High-A affiliate, of the Arizona Diamondbacks broke ground on their new $120 million stadium today. The ceremonies took place next to the team's current ballpark Ron Tonkin Field.. Hops officials stated that a new stadium was the only solution, based on MLB guidelines for its minor league facilities.  Ron Tonkin Field needs improvements, including a female dressing room for umpires, a weight room, a visitors clubhouse, bigger clubhouses, new training and nutrition spaces, and a covered batting cage.  The $120 million to construct the new ballpark that hopes to be complete for the Hops 2026 Northwest League season comes from the following: $82 million comes from bonds backed by the stadium’s future revenue $15 appropriation from the Oregon Legislature $8 million from Washington County $2 million from Tualatin Valley, a non-profit that promotes tourism in the region According to the team’s website, the new 7,000-seat stadium will be designed as a year-round outdoor entertainment venue for concerts, festivals, community events, and amateur baseball games.  Ron Tonkin Field will remain standing and provide a host site for destination events like the Little League Baseball World Series, as well as high school and college baseball and softball games. Design-builder Mortenson, SRG Partnership, and Populous will design the new stadium. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

At the Stadium Journey Convention, one of the stops was in Aberdeen, Maryland, home of the IronBirds. Grab a beer and join Paul and Dave as they delve deep into the Ripken experience. Is it too much Ripken? Is it not enough? Welcome to the beginning of the second fifty, on Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views! You can find Stadium Journey's review of Ripken Stadium and the Aberdeen Ironbirds game day experience here.

This week, we take a look at the current condition of the NIL and other changes in college spots, plus we talk a little bit about Bluey!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

This week we are recapping some baseball parks we visited the last few months, and one of them is in the family! __________________________________________________________________________________ Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

With the European and South African club rugby seasons officially over, it is now time to look ahead to next season’s Investec Champions Cup. The Investec Champions Cup is an in-season tournament in which clubs from the Gallagher Premiership (England), TOP 14 (France), and United Rugby Championship (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, and South Africa), compete. Round 1 is slated for the first weekend of December with the knockout stages starting in April. Last season saw Stade Toulouse of the TOP 14 defeat Leinster Rugby of the URC 31-22 in front of 61,531 fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. This season’s final will be played at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on 24 May. The top 8 teams at the end of the regular season for each respective union qualify for the following season’s Champions Cup. The champions of each union head up three of the four pools for the following season and the winner of the Champions Cup heads up the fourth. In the event that the Champions Cup Winner is also the champion if its respective union, the runner up of that season’s Investec Champions Cup is awarded the top spot in its respective pool. The pool draw took place on 2 July, so here’s what we’re looking at for next season’s Investec Champions Cup: Pool 1 Pool 2 Stade Toulousain (TOP 14) Leinster Rugby (URC – Ireland) Union Bordeaux-Bègles (TOP 14) ASM Clermont Auvergne (TOP 14) Hollywoodbets Sharks (URC – South Africa) Stade Rochelias (TOP 14) Exeter Chiefs (Gallagher Premiership) Bristol Bears (Gallagher Premiership) Leicester Tigers (Gallagher Premiership) Benetton Rugby (URC – Italy) Ulster Rugby (URC - Ireland) Bath Rugby (Gallagher Premiership) Pool 3 Pool 4 Northampton Saints (Gallagher Premiership) Glasgow Warriors (URC - Scotland) Munster Rugby (URC – Ireland) Racing 92 (TOP 14) Vodacom Bulls (URC – South Africa) Sale Sharks (Gallagher Premiership) Stade Francais Paris (TOP 14) DHL Stormers (URC – South Africa) Saracens (Gallagher Premiership) RC Toulon (TOP 14) Castres Olympique (TOP 14) Harlequins (Gallagher Premiership)

This week the gang is joined by ballpark chaser extraordinaire Joe Robertson, who has visited over 750 ballparks. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

One of the most influential basketball conferences in College Basketball was the Big East Conference and the origins of the Big East run directly through Rhode Island. The Providence Friars are one of the cornerstone franchises of both the original and current Big East Conference and their experience at Amica Mutual Pavilion is top notch. Grab a beer and join Paul and Dave as they talk some NCAA basketball from New England. You can find Stadium Journey's review of the Amica Mutual Pavilion and the Providence College Friars basketball game day experience here.

Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Hummel Bowl 4250 W Braddock Rd Alexandria, VA 22304 Alexandria Reds website Hummel Bowl website Year Opened: Capacity: 2,800 Soccer Reds of Alexandria The Alexandria Reds are a lower-division semi-professional soccer team based out of Alexandria, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. As is common at this level of soccer, there are several teams fielded under the Reds' banner. The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) plays in Spring and Fall, the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) plays in summer, beginning before the Spring UPSL season ends, and the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is a lower-division women's league. This review will focus on the NPSL experience, although there are often doubleheaders involving multiple Reds' teams. The NPSL, together with the UPSL and the confusingly named USL League Two, comprise the fourth division of American soccer. They are the highest level that is not fully professional, and consist mostly of current college soccer players and recent graduates. The pay is structured in a way that allows current athletes to retain their amateur eligibility if they are competing in the NPSL over the summer. The NPSL Reds split their time between the Hummel Bowl, on the campus of Episcopal High School, and Limerick Field, in eastern Alexandria. This review will focus on the experience at the Hummel Bowl. Food & Beverage 1 There was no food or drink available for sale at the Alexandria Reds game when Stadium Journey attended. However, their website indicates that food trucks may be available at select home games, so we will give them one star here for that. Fans are free to bring in their own food or drink as well. Atmosphere 3 The Hummel Bowl is a 2,800-seat stadium used for Episcopal High School's football, soccer, and lacrosse games in addition to hosting the Reds. This means that there are several sets of lines on the field, and it can be confusing which are for soccer. Just remember that the soccer lines are the yellow lines and try to ignore everything else. Seating is available on both sidelines. Generally, Reds fans will sit on the sideline nearest the entrance, while fans of the visitor are directed to the far side, and neutrals can sit anywhere. However, this is not enforced except perhaps when a large number of visiting fans are expected. There is a marked "Quiet Zone" behind the Alexandria bench, where fans are asked to not be as loud as they otherwise would be so bench personnel can be heard. However, in practice, nobody sites here. Views can be obstructed by the tents covering the benches and officials' area, especially in the lower rows, but most fans choose to sit in the top few rows to avoid this. All seats are bleachers without backs, but there are a few seats in the top row that enable you to lean back on the press box wall. This is a pretty basic matchday experience. The PA announcer will announce goals, cards, etc. but other than that there is not much going on. You will be able to hear all the shouting between players on the field, conversations with the referees, etc. Some soccer purists will enjoy this, while other people may find it incredibly boring. Although the stadium is far larger than it needs to be for the crowds the Reds draw, the sidelines are very close to the front of the bleachers, making it feel smaller than it is. You will be close to the action, wherever you sit. A scoreboard is located behind one goal and only shows the clock and score. There is room for other information, but this is for football and is extraneous for soccer. Neighborhood 4 The Hummel Bowl is located on the grounds of Episcopal High School. Although it is in a mainly residential neighborhood, the Bradlee Shopping Center is just down West Braddock Road at the intersection with King Street (Route 7). There are several options here, including the Beeliner Diner, &Pizza, and Duck Donuts. The Old Town neighborhood a few miles east is one of the nicest parts of the entire metropolitan area. Visitors will find riverfront views and streets lined with restaurants, shops, and more. As Alexandria is a very diverse area, you will find ethnic food of just about every nationality, whether it’s Bolivian, Salvadoran, or Italian. Il Porto Ristorante has fantastic Italian food and is conveniently located just up King Street from Pop’s Old Fashion Ice Cream, where you can finish off your meal with homemade ice cream. Hotels are ample in supply as well – check out the Old Town or Crystal City areas. Fans 2 A few dozen fans attended the Reds game that Stadium Journey visited, and considering this is the fourth division of American soccer, these are typical crowds. The fans are almost exclusively local Alexandrians or others from the surrounding area, though there will be a few visiting fans as well. While most of the Reds' opponents do not have large fan bases at home, yet alone on the roads, the Annapolis Blues are known for their large fan base, so if the Reds are playing them, expect a good number of away supporters to make the trip. Otherwise, you will probably be able to count the number of away fans on one hand. Access 3 The Hummel Bowl is located at Episcopal High School off West Braddock Road, a short distance from the intersection of Route 7 and I-395. Make sure you punch 4250 West Braddock Road into your GPS - if you simply enter the Hummel Bowl it may take you to the wrong side of the stadium, where only players and staff can park. Once you are on the right side of the stadium, there is a small lot, part paved and part grass, although it almost never fills up. Additional parking is available down the road at Minnie Howard High School if necessary. Keep in mind the lot is gated (as is the rest of the school) and when Stadium Journey visited, the gate was initially closed and did not open until shortly before the stadium did (an hour before game time.) Plan accordingly. Once you park, signage will direct you to the stadium. You will walk down a path, then across a soccer field to the ticket tent, where you can buy tickets if you don't already have them. The soccer field you will walk across is a practice field. Although there is a small set of bleachers, this is not where the game is played. Do not sit in these bleachers or you will miss the game and just watch nothing for several hours. Restrooms are available behind one goal and are of a sufficient size for the crowds. Keep in mind it takes a couple of minutes to walk here from the seating area. As mentioned above, when the Reds are playing Annapolis, the Blues will bring many fans with them, so parking and restrooms will likely be more difficult to access. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for youth, with kids under five getting in free. This is a relatively high price for this level of play and basic matchday experience, but certainly won't break the bank. You can purchase tickets online in advance or at the ticket tent on gameday, but cash is not accepted. For doubleheaders with the WPSL or UPSL, your ticket gets you into both matches. Extras 1 One star here for the chance to see two soccer games on one ticket - the NPSL game plus either the UPSL or NPSL game. Final Thoughts If coming to a Reds game, keep in mind this is fourth-division soccer and set your expectations accordingly. This is, as you would expect, a fairly simple experience. You get to watch soccer up close and have an enjoyable summer afternoon, and it's hard to argue with that. It may not be the premier soccer venue in the region, but stadium chasers, soccer groundhoppers, NPSL fans, and local Alexandrians will certainly enjoy taking in a Reds game at the Hummel Bowl.

Paul Caputo is the host of the Baseball by Design podcast and contributor to the website SportsLogos.net . Tonight, we are talking about minor-league baseball logos and more! Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

The podcast crew is joined by Melissa Burgess from The Victory Press to discuss the inaugural season of the PWHL. How did the first season go compared to how we thought it was going to go, and what comes next? Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.00 Flowers Park 491 5th Avenue New Rochelle, NY 10801 Iona Gaels website Flowers Park website Year Opened: renovated 2011 Capacity: 500 Flowers Park   City Park, also known as Brud Flowers Park, is a 20-acre public park located in New Rochelle, NY. The facility is named for William “Brud” Flowers, a New Rochelle resident and athletic coach. Flowers Park contains three ball fields, two soccer/football fields, a basketball court, a skateboard park and picnic area. The Iona Gaels play their home baseball games at the park’s main baseball diamond, which is also known as City Field.   Iona University is a Roman Catholic school located in New Rochelle, NY. It has a total enrollment of approximately 4,000 students who study in 60 undergraduate and 45 graduate programs. The school was founded in 1940 as an affordable college for the sons of New York City’s working class.   The Gaels currently compete in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference alongside several small private colleges in the Northeast. Most of the schools in the MAAC are Catholic. Iona has won three regular season MAAC championships, but have yet to win the postseason tournament and are still awaiting their first NCAA tournament appearance. Four Iona alumni have played in the Major Leagues.   You may be wondering what exactly a Gael is. The term “Gael” formerly referred to someone who spoke one of the Gaelic languages. Today, it is an archaic term for an Irish person.   Food & Beverage 0   There are no facilities for food at Flowers Park. Fans are welcome to bring their own snacks to enjoy during an Iona baseball game, or if you’re in the mood for an outdoor lunch, there’s a picnic pavilion right behind the field. A couple of food trucks were seen on the park grounds during Stadium Journey’s visit, but since they aren’t regular features, we won’t be boosting the score on their potential presence.   Atmosphere 1   There’s really not a lot here to let visitors know that this is the home of Iona baseball. The school’s game day staff set up shop behind home plate under a temporary pop-up tent. The Iona logo on the tent is the only sign that a D-1 school plays here. PA announcements and music play over a temporary speaker set up behind home plate. If you are sitting further down the lines, you can forget about hearing any game updates. There is no permanent scoreboard here, and the PA announcer does not provide score updates between innings, so you’ll have no way to know the score unless you check your phone.   Neighborhood 2   Flowers Park is located near a lovely residential neighborhood in the New York suburb of New Rochelle. The borough of The Bronx is just ten miles away via Interstate 95, with Manhattan only 25 miles away. However, there’s little sign of New York’s urban sprawl once you leave the immediate area around the park.   There’s nothing in the immediate area of Flowers Park to attract visiting fans, with only a storage facility, plumbing supply company and auto body shop located across the street from the park. Iona University is about a mile’s drive from Flowers Park, and visiting fans will find some dining options there, highlighted by The Beechmont Tavern, Crotty’s Cheesesteaks and The Mirage Restaurant & Café. Downtown New Rochelle, a few miles down I-95, contains some chain restaurant options and a few lodging options.   Most fans will likely continue on into the nearby city for their dining, lodging and entertainment needs when visiting Iona.   Fans 2   The crowd at an Iona baseball game can certainly be considered to be a “friends and family” type of crowd. In fact, you may be able to eliminate the friends part entirely. There was no presence from the student body during Stadium Journey’s visit, unless you count the students there to work the game. This also isn’t a place where you’d see a whole lot of support from community-based fans, either.   There was, however, a good turnout by family members from both the home and visiting squads. Given the compact geographic footprint of the MAAC, this would not be an unusual development. As you would expect, the fans here are knowledgeable and enthusiastic in their support of the Gaels.   Access 4   Flowers Park is located right off of Interstate 95 as it travels from New York City towards Connecticut. It is easily accessible for those driving through the region, with ample parking on site. Also, Flowers Park is served by the Westchester County DOT  number 61 bus, which stops at the park numerous times throughout the day.   Flowers Park is nicely manicured with paved walkways around the park. Restroom facilities on the right field side of the diamond are well maintained. Seating consists of small metal bleachers on either side of the field, with several areas around the facility for fans who would like to stand or set up lawn chairs while they take in the action. Unfortunately, the chain link fence surrounding the field is thick and obscures views from pretty much all seating areas.   Return on Investment 5   There is no charge for admission or parking at an Iona baseball game. You will not spend a cent at Flowers Park, unless the ice cream truck happens to stop by.   Extras 0   An afternoon at an Iona Gaels baseball game is as bare bones as a Division One game can get. There is nothing going on here that could be considered extra.   Final Thoughts   The experience at an Iona baseball game is exactly what you’d expect it to be, very simple and basic. This is a Division One school playing at a public park. While Flowers Park is a nice community facility, this is a ballpark likely to be visited only by those connected to the team or by the most ardent ballpark chasers.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey I find myself at the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a tournament that has been around since 1913, for the first time in several years. That changed last week when I went to see the Indy Eleven take on San Antonio FC at the Butler Bowl on the campus of Butler University. The two USL Championship foes find themselves in the round of 32 teams, with the winner advancing to the next round to play. The Bud & Jackie Sellick Bowl is not Indy’s home venue, due to commencement ceremonies at Carroll Stadium on the campus of IUPUI, placed the game here. The Butler Bowl is home to Butler's football team but can serve as a soccer pitch, albeit with gridiron marks. It was the second time the club played a US Open Cup match at this location, and hopefully, they could pull out a victory and play again at home in a few weeks. That game would be back in familiar surroundings at Carroll, but will the change of venue make a difference in the team's play? Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey The ample crowd barely reached their seats when Eleven's Augustine Williams scored with only two minutes to play. Initially stopped by the goalkeeper, the ball found its way across the line. It resulted in a cloud of red and blue smoke from the supporters group The Brickyard Battalion at the other end of the field. Fans did not have to wait much longer as Indy tallied its second goal only eight minutes later off the foot of Jack Blake. This time a massive puff of smoke descended to the skies and through the stands. It appeared that it would be a night of goals, but that would be it as neither team found the back of the net for the next 80 minutes. Between the goals and the final whistle, there were several more shots at goals, cheering from the BYB, a few near misses at the net, silently fewer pleasantries from the opposing players leaving the pitch at half-time, and Indy XI players signing autographs and high-fiving fans after the match. Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Indy's next opponent will be Detroit City FC at home on May 22. If they win they will take on the New Mexico United or New York City FC II. Do the Eleven have the legs to make a run in the tournament and capture the $300,000 in prize money and a trip to the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Who will get there is anyone’s guest? MLS clubs have dominated since their introduction in 1996, only losing once to a second-division side in the finals. The USLC Sacramento Republic FC made it to the final game in 2022 before losing to the Orlando City of the MLS. The USL Championship has 9-teams, MLS has 6, and MLS Next Pro has one club remaining in the tournament. Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Open Cup games are interesting bags of treats. In some cities, the games are not highly marketed and many fans might overlook the fact that they are not league games scheduled for weekend bouts. The mid-week games don't bring out huge crowds at times, but as each team moves closer to the finals, the crowds do come out. The Detroit City faifthful do enjoy these types of games and will make their presence felt in Indianapolis where a rowdy supporters group will try to outduel the BYB on the other side of the pitch. For the fans, the US Open Cup offers a chance to see USLC clubs battle MLS members on their home turf. It is a rare opportunity when the top two divisions play one another. It also provides an extra game of soccer to watch at your club’s regular grounds or somewhere else in the city. Be on the lookout for the next few months, as the tournament continues until the final match on September 25. Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 CCBC Dundalk Gymnasium 7200 Sollers Point Rd Baltimore, MD 21222 CCBC Dundalk Lions website CCBC Dundalk Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 1,500 Lions At The Gym One of the largest colleges in Maryland is largely unknown outside of the Baltimore area. The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) has an annual enrollment of greater than 72,000 students. Created in the 1990s by a merger of Essex Community College, Dundalk Community College, and Catonsville Community, the new college kept each of those three main campuses, along with a bevy of extension campuses around the suburban Baltimore area. The three colleges shared a common board of trustees for years, but operated independently. Essex, Dundalk, and Catonsville have each kept their own distinct athletic identity. CCBC Dundalk began in 1970. The school mascot is the Lions and they play three sports total. Dundalk won the NJCAA Division II national championship for basketball in 2000. They are a member of Region XX of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference, The Gymnasium is located within the larger Dundalk Wellness & Athletics Center. Food & Beverage 1 There are limited food options as well as some snack machines. We attended the game as part of a larger multi school "mixer" so we are unsure if food is for sale at all games. The food table was located on the lower level and had mainly snacks and drinks. Atmosphere 1 There is not much else in terms of the atmosphere at the Gymnasium. There are some simple PA announcements and some music played from a small speaker. The basketball court is a rubberized surface and not the preferred hardwood court. There is only one grandstand in the gymnasium. The bottom half has plastics seats and the upper stands has wood seats. Neighborhood 3 CCBC Dundalk is a suburban community college with its main neighbor being the Dundalk High School and Sollers Point Technical High School. One of my favorite places to eat in the area is Squire's Italian Restaurant, which has a large menu of offerings. Their pizza is well known in the area. Fans 2 The attendees at most games are family members or other athletes. There may be a few residents who attend the games. Access 4 CCBC Dundalk is located not far off of the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) via Merritt Boulevard. Please note that the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was part of I-695, could make getting to the field from the south a little more difficult. You will need to use one of the Baltimore tunnels instead. There is plenty of free parking on the campus. If classes are in session you may expect to park a bit further away from campus. Return on Investment 5 The games are usually free to attend, although the "mixer" was charging a nominal $5. Even if you have to pay that small amount, it is worth it. That, along with the free parking, means that you can attend a good-level JUCO program at no cost. . Extras 2 There are a few plaques around the Dundalk Wellness & Athletics Center that honor student-athletes from Dundalk's years passed. Walk around campus and see the solar panels that have been added to many parking areas on campus. All of the CCBC campuses have added these and expect to get more than a quarter of their electricity from solar. This 5.1-megawatt project is expected to generate 6.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year and joins the 16.1-megawatt array at Mount St. Mary’s University in an effort by local colleges to expand solar usage. Final Thoughts The CCBC Dundalk Gymnasium is a simple affair but serves as a decent, albeit simple, venue for intercollegiate sports.

The good and not-so-good when attending baseball at a minor league, independent and a summer collegiate ballpark! Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

The Arena Football League is starting back up again, and Tim Capper joins us to give us the ins and outs of the new league, and what to expect. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Tiger Tennis Complex Auburn Dr Towson, MD 21204 Towson Tigers website Tiger Tennis Complex website Year Opened: n/a Capacity: 100 Towson Tennis Towson University is the second-largest public university in the State of Maryland. Located just north of Baltimore, it is home to approximately 21,000 college students, of which 18,000 are undergraduates. Their football team played for the 2013 Football Championship Subdivision National Championship, falling short to North Dakota State. The basketball team has also had scattered success over the years, most notably in the early 1990s under coach Terry Truax, with guards Kurk Lee and Devin Boyd in the old East Coast Conference. The Truax-led teams made it to two straight NCAA tournaments in 1990 and 1991. Towson is also known for their impressive gymnastics program. They have been the 1968 AIAW Division II National Champions, 1995 and 1998 USA Gymnastics NIT Champions, 3-time Calloway Invitational Champions, 15-time ECAC Champions, and 2007 USA Gymnastics National Champions. The Tiger Tennis Complex, home to the Tiger tennis team, is located behind TU Arena and adjacent to the TU Field Hockey Complex and Tiger Softball Stadium. There is only a women's tennis team at Towson. Food & Beverage 1 There is a simple concession stand located at the nearby Tiger Softball Stadium that sells basic options such as soda, water, chips, and candy. It is a simple affair and you will want to eat elsewhere for a real meal. This will only be useful if softball is going on, and the stand is open, at the same time as a tennis event. Atmosphere 1 This is a basic setup with a small set of bleachers and a small, covered picnic area. There is no PA or scoreboard to keep track of action. Neighborhood 3 Besides Johnny Unitas Stadium and SECU Arena, nothing is right by the complex. Even though you may have to drive to most places, Towson is a semi-urban environment with a very large shopping mall and numerous restaurants in the area. Try the Charles Village Pub in the heart of downtown Towson for good food and drinks. Some other great options are Glory Days Grill and Sushi Hana. Baltimore is also a quick drive away. Check out the Federal Hill neighborhood, south of the Inner Harbor. There are a few fun restaurants and bars here. Fans 2 There will be very few fans at most meets as the complex is behind 3 other athletic facilities and is not very well known to most fans. Access 3 Towson is located right off the Baltimore Beltway/I-695. The only negative is that Towson is a maze of roads getting to the Osler and Auburn locations of the sports complexes. The Tiger Tennis Complex is hidden behind SECU Arena and may not be easy to find. Parking is free and plentiful, but be careful to check regulations for weekday matches. Return on Investment 4 There is no admission charge so the return on investment is quite good. Extras 1 The only real extras are the unique location (hidden by an arena, the nearby loading dock, and two other fields). Final Thoughts The Tiger Tennis Complex is not a place you will normally search for an amazing sports experience, but if you happen to be in the area it is a cheap way to enjoy a game of tennis.

With this episode of the Stadium Journey podcast, recorded on April Fools Day, we look at some of the biggest fools in sports. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

I never paid attention to the National Invitational Tournament. I was not aware that it was no longer laid at Madison Square Garden. However, when my alma mater, Indiana State University, did not receive an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament, my attention fell to the NIT. Tonight, Indiana State will face off against Seton Hall University in the championship game at the Hinkle Fieldhouse. The game will be a sell-out of 9,100 fans for a pro-Indiana State crowd whose fans will only have to make a 70-plus mile drive from Terre Haute.  Seton Hall fans from New Jersey made a lengthier trip (700 miles) to see their team compete in the historic venue. Both teams felt their season record earned them an at-bid large in this year's NCAA Tournament, and many fans felt snubbed. Indiana State captured the regular season title in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 28-5 record; The Hall finished with a 20-12 record in the competitive Big East Conference. Both teams accepted the invitation to play in the NIT with the chance to host three more games at home. The Sycamores sold out the 9,000-seater Hulman Center in Terre Haute, while the Pirates hosted three games at their campus venue, the 1,316 Walsh Gymnasium in South Orange, New Jersey. The Sycamore crowd accentuated the Hinkle Fieldhouse for the semi-final games on Tuesday. Fans dressed in royal or sky blue pack the Chatham Tap bar and restaurant a few yards away from the arena. Inside, the game feels like a home crowd with 99.9 percent on hand for a 100-90 victory over Utah on Tuesday night. However, the game feels like a regular Butler home game. Except for the NIT logo placements on the court, it was business as usual with lengthy lines for food and beverage, congestion behind the players’ bench and TV crew for fans walking to their seats, and the cheer team and band provided entertainment between TV timeouts. I grew up in New Jersey and cried when Seton Hall lost to Michigan in the 1989 NCAA Final Four championship game. I later attended Indiana State and was privy to winning basketball, not compared to what has taken place this season with the Sycamores. For both fan bases, to see their basketball teams play meaningful games in April is more than a consultation prize for not making the tournament. The NIT does not have the prestige it once had but don’t tell that to the Sycamore fans who will be selling out the championship game tonight at 7 pm EST. It will be quite the spectacle. --- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey The NBA is the second-most popular professional sports league in the United States – this is especially true online and with social media. New research from online sports betting site Casinos Sweeps attempted to determine which team was the most popular in the NBA. Researchers analyzed the number of Instagram followers each NBA team currently has; this also revealed each team’s most followed player. It should come at no surprise that the Los Angeles Lakers were revealed as the most followed team, with a staggering 192.5 million followers on Instagram between their team accounts and those of their individual players. Their most popular player, also no surprise, was found to be future Hall of Famer LeBron James; the four-time MVP has an amazing online following of 159.5 million. The Golden State Warriors came in second with a combined 126.5 million followers; 55.9 million of those belong to their most followed player, Steph Curry. Rounding out the top five were the Los Angeles Clippers with Russell Westbrook, the Chicago Bulls with Lonzo Ball, and the Dallas Mavericks and Kyrie Irving. “All teams have had a significant impact on the NBA’s overall popularity, both in the US and internationally … it is fascinating to see which ones have ranked the highest,” a spokesperson from Casinos Sweeps said in a news release. “However, the popularity of each team can change dramatically with new stars, management strategies, and on-court success, so it will be interesting to see how the rankings change in future seasons.” Image courtesy of Casino Sweeps ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.