TO READ IN ENGLISH, SCROLL DOWN L’80^ Open d’Italia di golf si svolgerà da giovedì 4 a domenica 7 maggio 2023 presso il Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. L’impianto, situato nel comune di Guidonia Montecelio, a meno di venti chilometri dalla città di Roma, è di proprietà della famiglia Biagiotti. Nel passato ha già ospitato tre volte questa prestigiosa competizione. Soprattutto, dal 29 settembre al primo ottobre 2023 sarà il palcoscenico dell’edizione numero 44 della Ryder Cup. L’ingresso all’Open d’Italia sarà gratuito (previa registrazione su www.openditaliagolf.eu). Un segnale importante quello lanciato dalla Federazione Italiana Golf che punta ad avvicinare sempre più persone a uno sport in continua espansione (previste anche attività dedicate agli spettatori più piccoli). Il DS Automobiles 80^ Open d’Italia sarà anche il primo torneo stagionale del DP World Tour in programma in Europa. Verrà trasmesso in diretta televisiva su Sky Sport Golf, con gli highlights su Rai Sport, e in streaming online. L’80^ Open d’Italia di golf si svolgerà sulla distanza di 72 buche (18 al giorno). Dopo i primi due giri il taglio lascerà in gara i primi 65 classificati. Il montepremi sarà di 3.250.000 dollari, di cui 552.500 andranno al vincitore. Ad anticipare la sfida sarà, mercoledì 3 maggio, la Rolex Pro-Am. Ospite d’eccezione, il trofeo della Ryder Cup che arriverà direttamente dall’Inghilterra e sarà a disposizione del pubblico per foto e selfie dal 4 al 7 maggio. The 80th Italian Open of golf will take place May 4-May 7, 2023 at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. The facility, located in the municipality of Guidonia Montecelio, less than twenty kilometers from the city of Rome, is owned by the Biagiotti family. It has already hosted this prestigious competition three times. The venue will also be the stage of the 44th edition of the Ryder Cup, which will be held September 29-October 1, 2023. Admission to the Italian Open will be free (subject to registration on www.openditaliagolf.eu) in an effort launched by the Italian Golf Federation that aims to bring more and more people closer to an ever-expanding sport (activities dedicated to younger spectators are also planned). DS Automobiles 80th Italian Open will also be the first seasonal tournament of the DP World Tour scheduled in Europe. It will be broadcast live on Sky Sport Golf, with highlights on Rai Sport, and streamed online. The 80th Italian Open of golf will be comprised of four rounds. After the first two rounds, the cut will leave the top 65 in the race for the trophy. The prize pool will be $3,250,000, of which $552,500 will go to the winner.The event will get underway on Wednesday, May 3 when the Rolex Pro-Am will take place. The Ryder Cup trophy which will arrive directly from England will be available to the public for photos and selfies during the event.

Everton are set to move into their new Bramley Moore Dock stadium for the 2024/25 season. It is an ambitious project that will leave the Toffees with one of the most impressive footballing homes in England. The Blues will be able to host up to 52,000 thousand fans. However, they could begin life in their new stadium as a Championship club depending on how their fortunes pan out. Everton's goalscoring struggles this season Everton are firmly involved in the Premier League relegation battle for the second year running. Last year Frank Lampard narrowly guided the Blues to safety. In this campaign, Sean Dyche is the man tasked with repeating the feat. The main reason for Everton's woes this season is their struggle to regularly score goals. The Blues are the league's lowest goalscorers and have averaged less than a goal per game. After 30 games this season, they had found the net just 23 times. A large part of their troubles can be owed to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's long-term injury issues. He has rarely been available for Everton this season. Neil Maupay was signed by Lampard in the summer window to provide an extra attacking option. However, he has struggled to perform at Goodison Park. The French striker has found the net on just a single occasion this term. Games involving Everton tend to not involve many goals for either side now that Sean Dyche's defensive tutorship is taking effect. Expert football tipsters at SBP offer advice on a range of football betting markets including goalline selections. A host of leading tipsters offer services including Peter who offers tips relating to Asian goal line bets. He averages a profitable return of 16 units per month. Statistics and strong research take precedence in relation to the tips that are offered. For example, in the Premier League teams like Everton will typically produce low-scoring contests, while leading teams like Manchester City score in abundance. Ultimately, Everton have become too predictable, they rarely look dangerous offensively and often rely on their defence to secure points. The issues will not end this summer If Everton are to survive a successive relegation dogfight this year then it certainly is a huge relief for the club. However, it will certainly not signal the end of their issues in regard to the insecurity of their Premier League status. The club still have financial issues looming over them which will make it difficult to invest in the transfer market. Several players could also leave if the Toffees do not find a way to become more ambitious and avoid a relegation battle next time around. Huge investment has gone into the new stadium project while ironically investment is hugely lacking on the pitch. Everton have for many years spent poorly on players who have not been a success at the club. Such players have left either for free or on measly fees. This has put the club in a position in which they cannot make significant expenditures in order to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations. Everton have a huge task ahead if they are to ensure their Premier League status ahead of their Bramley Moore Dock christening. It would certainly be disappointing if one of the country's most impressive stadiums played host to Championship football.

Below is the transcript of an interview from Eyes Everywhere on March Madness (EEMM), an independent college basketball watchdog group, and freelance dance teacher Danny Moves. The interview was conducted prior to the 2023 season. EEMM: Is Danny Moves your real name? MOVES: I consider it my real name, but it’s my stage name. EEMM: So, it’s an alias? MOVES: It’s the name that I’m registered under with Screen Actors Guild. EEMM: You have no basketball experience whatsoever yet you’re meeting with elite college coaches all over the country. Why? MOVES: Correct, I have no basketball experience, nor do I want any. I’m a dance teacher. EEMM: That’s one we haven’t heard before [laughing]. I’ll ask again: Why are you meeting with these coaches? MOVES: I’m teaching them dance moves. EEMM: You’re kidding. MOVES: Absolutely not. I work with coaches on their post-game locker room celebration dance moves. Dancing is an effective bonding tool. When players see their coach dancing, they become more relatable. If players like their coach more, they play harder, and that leads to more wins, at least in theory. EEM: So what you’re saying is that a dancing coach will help win games? MOVES: Yes. Just look at New York Giants football Coach Brian Daboll. He’s a dancing fool, and he completely turned around his team in just one season. EEMM: Were you his teacher? MOVES: No. But with my help, I could diversify his routine and take it to an entirely different level. The Giants could make the Super Bowl, and he’d win Dancing with The Stars. EEMM: Who were your favorite coaches to teach? MOVES: Impossible to answer. There are so many. I had quite a journey with Jim Boeheim, Syracuse’s coach. He’s the oldest coach in D 1, and he’s, ah, very set in his ways. Last year, his team didn’t make the NCAAs. It was a fragile situation. EEMM: What happened? MOVES: He was very resistant. He stood me up twice before we had an actual session. When we did meet, he said, “I don’t know who you think I am, but I’m not Dick Vitale!” EEMM: How'd you get through to him? MOVES: Eventually. I showed Coach Boeheim footage of Coach K dancing at a corporate appearance, and I played some Bruce Springsteen music videos. I heard that he loves The Boss. Anyway, after he saw the Glory Days video, he finally gave in, and we worked on some low impact moves very similar to the ones that Bruce does in his Dancing in The Dark video, with a few flourishes. Coach Boeheim got into it, and he gave me a Syracuse basketball sweatshirt, which I cannot wear, at least in public, because I must be unbiased. EEMM: Who compensated you for this? MOVES: Coach Boeheim’s employer, Syracuse University. EEMM: Do coaches ever pay you out of their own pocket? MOVES: It’s less common, but it happens. UMass Coach Frank Martin paid me out of his own pocket. He was between coaching jobs, and he was looking for a competitive edge. EEMM: What was Coach Martin like to work with? MOVES: Coach Martin was great, but he lives to talk. Everything is a passionate sermon. After a lot of encouragement, I got him to take his verbal skills and transfer it to his body. The result: Frank Martin is a magnificent break dancer. He can really spin on that bald head of his. I expect his dancing to eventually play huge dividends for UMass basketball. EEMM: Did any coaches refuse your instruction? MOVES: Well, besides Coach Boeheim, who eventually came around, no. But Arkansas’s Eric Musselman refused to stop removing his shirt. He’s the Magic Mike of college basketball. He’s really proud of his torso. But, and I told him this, he takes off his shirt way too often. It has become a crutch, and he has lost the element of surprise. I want my students to never be predictable. I challenged Coach Musselman to keep his shirt on. We developed some new moves, quite acrobatic in fact, but ultimately, Coach Musselman insisted on removing his shirt at the end of each routine. He explained that it’s his signature move, and his players love it. Coach Musselman seemed satisfied with our sessions. He sent me an autographed photo of himself, shirtless of course. EEMM: What’s next for you? MOVES: Well, Miami’s Jim Larranaga is perfecting his moonwalk, so that’s exciting. I'm also looking to expand. Right now, my clientele consists solely of men’s college basketball coaches, but I want to step into the women’s game. I’d love to hire a female instructor at some point. I’d also like hope to branch out to football. For reasons I can't explain NBA and hockey coaches refuse to dance, which is an enormous mistake. Jon Hart is @manversusball

Here at Stadium Journey, we often spend a lot of time visiting some of the world’s biggest and best sports venues. While we are at these venues we are also often seeing some of the largest and most well-known sports, but you also may have noticed we like to visit all sports. If there is a set of stands and someone is doing a sports activity, we are interested and will try to cover it for you here. When finding sports to cover we often spend time scouring the schedules of amateur and professional schedules of teams in each writer’s area, as well as while on vacation and trips. Sometimes we even forget to check for some events, such as tournaments and other special attractions. This writer was very lucky to have checked all necessary schedules and found a great event that Stadium Journey recommends. This is not a regular review as the event does rotate venues each year. We also covered the CAA Men's Tournament the prior week and wrote a review as that was scheduled for a few years at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, DC. The Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) recently held its end-of-season basketball championship at SECU Arena on the campus of Towson University, just north of Baltimore, MD. T Monmouth won the tournament and will be representing the CAA in the NCAA Tournament. The event was a fun one to attend and we can definitely recommend such an event to our readers.

Photo by Ken Thorp, Stadium Journey On Friday, February 24th the Harlem Globetrotters brought their brand of basketball fun and family entertainment to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes Barre, PA. While this is normally the home of the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey team, the ice was removed, and the hardwood was laid down for the show. The wild and crazy atmosphere they brought with them was electric and captivating to all in attendance. They ran through the crowd telling jokes and goofing around. They danced on the court, performed amazing tricks with a basketball, and brought fans young and old onto the court to get them involved in the show. They even played some basketball in between the comedic acts. So, who are these magicians of the hardwood? What was the experience like for an 11-year-old and his dad? And what did the show and the venue have to offer for the thousands in attendance? Let's find out. On the south side of Chicago, in the late 1920s, a group of men formed a basketball team known as the Savoy Big Five. They were one of the premier acts at the Savoy Ballroom who played exhibitions before dances to try and draw crowds and fight the declining attendance issues the venue was having. After some internal strife, some of the players broke off from the team and formed the "Globe Trotters." Abe Saperstein became the manager and promoter for the team and named the team the New York Harlem Globe Trotters. While we know the Globetrotters today as more entertainment and stunts than basketball, this is a team with a rich history of success and goodwill across the world. On February 19, 1948, the Globetrotters defeated the World Champion Minnesota Lakers of the Basketball Association of America which later became the NBA, by the score of 61-59. A year later they beat them again. In 1950, Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton, a member of the Globetrotters became the first African American player to sign an NBA contract when he joined the New York Knicks. The Globetrotters traveled overseas in 1950 on an international tour. On this journey, they played in front of their largest crowd ever at Berlin's Olympic Stadium. There were 75,000 in attendance. After the trip, a letter was written from the U.S. States Department to Abe Saperstein. In the letter, the team was referred to as "Ambassadors of extraordinary goodwill." The Globetrotters have been acknowledged by U.S. Presidents for what they have done for people around the world. In 1985, Olympic Gold Medalist Lynette Woodard became the first female to play for a men's pro basketball team when she joined the Globetrotters. As we entered the Mohegan Sun Arena and picked up our order of chicken (which was described as the best chicken nuggets ever), we found our way to our seats in the 200 section. A cheese steak would have probably been a better choice because they looked splendid, but when you are with a picky eater you are just happy, they found something they really enjoyed. Food prices were about the norm for any venue for a semi-pro team. The seats were good. There were a lot of open seats around the section, so we had the ability to spread out a little. Seats near the entrances to the section can be a little dicey. The safety bars come up a little high above the stairs and can obstruct portions of the viewing area (especially for children). The show itself was incredible. Everyone in the arena knew that basketball was going to be secondary to the stunts and action they were going to see tonight. There was a little basketball played and, spoiler alert, the Globetrotters won. There was so much more than a basketball game going on. Players were chasing each other up and down the isles with buckets of water and confetti and, it appeared, some people may have gotten a little damp. At one point during the first half, the game was stopped, and a gentleman was brought onto the court to dance with one of the Globetrotters. It was like a scene that came straight out of "Dirty Dancing" (he even managed to do a version of the lift). As the game was going on, one of the players actually climbed onto the rim and started waving to the crowd. Football also found its way onto the court as the Trotters not only huddled up, but they also called a running play and executed it past the end line, which acted as the end zone. The referee said he needed to see an instant replay and the team did the entire play in reverse, in slow-motion, not missing a beat, just to re-run it again. Players were spinning the ball on their fingers for what seemed like forever before inviting a young fan to the court and spinning the ball right onto his finger. The ability of the players to seemingly defy gravity and remain in the air as long as they did just to wait for the ball to arrive and slam it through the hoop was mesmerizing. Photo by Ken Thorp, Stadium Journey Halftime was amazing filled with crazy stunts and fun interactions with the players. The team invited the fans to the ends of the court to purchase Globetrotter basketballs. There were 3 to choose from. They had small, large, and the commemorative ball with gold writing. Considering a standard souvenir for most special events is about $20, I did not see the $35 cost for the large ball to be terribly over the top however the $70.00 price tag for the commemorative ball was a bit steep. After the game, fans were invited down to surround the court for a meet and greet with the players. The ball came in handy as they took pictures and signed autographs. My son garnered several signatures on his ball which made for a great souvenir. Photo by Ken Thorp, Stadium Journey Now was this a flawless endeavor--- by no means. Nothing is ever going to be 100% perfect. As I mentioned earlier, there was a minimal issue with the seats but being that we had some freedom to move around that problem was fixed. As we were waiting for a ball during halftime, they claimed they had run out although I did see 3 left in the bin and I was next online. I explained to the gentleman selling them that we were waiting a while and he just brushed me off as if I was not speaking at all. We had to go across the floor to the other stand to purchase one and wait in line all over again. My son did not seem to mind as we walked past the Globetrotters bench, and he said hello. Lastly, the end of the game player experience was a great idea but completely disorganized and could have been handled far better. Crowds were just gathered in front of players who were understandably overwhelmed but handled it beautifully. Parents were worse than the kids as they tried to weasel in front to get a signature. Lastly, if you are going to pay a visit to the venue, GET THERE EARLY! There is one way in and one way out of the parking lot. It is a smaller venue so it sounds worse than it is, but you will have a bit of a wait and miss the beginning of the show if you do not give yourself appropriate time. Once we made it into the parking lot, parking and entering the arena was easy. There are luxury suites available for advance purchase and at certain times of the year, they are half-price. I can speak from past experience and say they are very comfortable and offer great views of the entire event.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Western Financial Place 1777 2nd Street North Cranbrook, BC V1C 7G9 Kootenay Ice website Western Financial Place website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 4,654 Kootenay Ice The Kootenay Ice arrived in Cranbrook, B.C. in 1998 after two years in Edmonton. They have subsequently become one of the most consistent and successful franchises in the Western Hockey League, having never missed the playoffs and making it to the Memorial Cup three times, including a win in the national junior finals in 2002. In their relatively brief history, the Ice have produced a number of players who have made the jump to the NHL, including Nigel Dawes, Mike Comrie, Jarret Stoll and Mike Green, making this one of the teams to watch year after year. The Ice have been playing in Western Financial Place since 2000. Formerly known as the Cranbrook Recreational Complex, or Rec Plex, Western Financial Place is a multi-purpose facility housing the hockey rink where the Ice play as well as a public swimming pool, a racquetball court and an in-house restaurant called Coyote Jack’s. Food & Beverage 4 The regular concessions within the arena are pretty standard fare. Popcorn ($3.75 for a small), potato chips ($1.75), pop ($3.00 for a small) and coffee ($2.75 for a small) are all featured on the menus of the four stands in the corners of the concourse. You’ll also find Molson Canadian on tap ($6.00) and a small selection of canned beer and coolers ($6.50-6.75, depending on what you order). Outside of the arena proper in the building’s lobby, you’ll also find two more concession stands. The first is Coyote Jack’s Express, with a paired-down menu from the Coyote Jack’s restaurant menu. Here you’ll find a selection of burgers ($3.99 for CJ’s Classic Burger), chicken ($5.75 for CJ’s Chicken Strips), as well as fries ($2.75) and poutine ($4.75). The other concession is Shivers, which features a variety of ice cream and smoothie choices. A regular cone is $2.75 and a smoothie is $4.50. Your final option is upstairs in Coyote Jack’s Bar & Grill. With a fully appointed menu and a comfortable sports lounge atmosphere, it’s a great place to stop by before or after the game. You can also buy a spot at the windows in the lounge overlooking the rink and watch the game from there, providing you with an excellent view of the action. Atmosphere 4 In the first half of the 2013/14 season, the Ice have drawn around 2,500 fans per game, a relatively small crowd for a WHL team, and all the moreso when you consider the historical success Kootenay has enjoyed. Add in the fact that Western Financial Place seats more than 4,200 and it seems pretty empty in there. Still, drawing 2,500 fans to a game in a town of only 19,000 people has to be considered a fairly impressive feat. As with most of the WHL rinks I’ve been to, the stands remain relatively quiet for much of the game, with pockets of loud-and-proud fans here and there and all the appropriate reactions to both good and bad results on the ice. That means the people there are definitely engaged and knowledgeable, which makes it nice to be in amongst them. Western Financial Place, being the community’s rec plex, has a real community feel to it, a feeling that is emphasized by walls lined with Cranbrook sports-related photos showing the rich history in this town. The place is also clean and tidy, making it quite comfortable overall. Neighborhood 3 Western Financial Place is situated in the middle of a residential neighbourhood, so there isn’t much around it, aside from housing. The good news is that, in a city of 19,000, everything is pretty close by. The downtown is only a couple blocks to the west on 2 St. N and a couple blocks further along from there brings you to the Crowsnest Highway (also known as Cranbrook St. or Van Horne St., depending on where you are) which is the primary run of commercial stores and services in town. Heading north from Western Financial Place will likewise bring you to the Crowsnest Highway on the north end of town. Downtown is a pretty quiet place in the evening, but there is the odd bar or restaurant open for business. Along the Crowsnest Highway you’ll find just about every restaurant chain in Canada as well as a handful of local establishments. We tried the Cancun Mexican International Restaurant (303 Cranbrook St. N.) for supper and it was quite good. The Cancun is situated a block off the highway on the outskirts of the downtown core, and is about a five-minute drive from the arena. One other helpful tip for those who don’t know: Western Financial Place shares a parking lot with the Cranbrook Curling Club. Curling clubs always have a lounge and are generally very welcoming of anyone just walking in off the street, unless there’s a tournament going on or the lounge has been rented for some other special event. If it’s just a typical evening at the club, head upstairs and you’ll find yourself a nice little setup with lots of room to hang out and get your drink on. Fans 3 As noted above, the crowds seem a little small relative to the size of the venue, but they’re clearly dedicated and know what’s going on. Personally, I prefer my crowds to be a little more demonstrative when it comes to showing their enthusiasm, but this crowd seemed fairly subdued for the most part. Again, as noted above, this seems to be fairly typical of junior hockey crowds around western Canada. When all is said and done, though, the fans here seem friendly, pleasant and dialed into the event. Access 4 The parking lot at Western Financial Place appears to be more than adequate for the number of vehicles coming to the game and the $2.00 parking price is relatively nominal, so this is probably your best bet. With the arena situated fairly centrally in Cranbrook, you’re never more than a few minutes’ drive away. There is also a bus stop right alongside the facility, so that is also an easy option. Once inside, the main lobby of the complex is quite roomy and the main concourse also has plenty of space for the crowds. The west concourse is a little on the tight side, with the row of luxury boxes reducing the width of the hallway. Getting out of the parking lot after the game took less than 10 minutes, so the lot and surrounding roadways are well set up to move traffic out and on its way. Return On Investment 4 Seats for Kootenay Ice games are $22 each at the door, a bargain compared to most every professional sport out there. That cost can get you virtually any seat in the house that isn’t owned by a season-ticket holder and they’re all nice and cozy to the ice surface, so there isn’t a bad seat in the place. Or you can grab a spot along the concourse rail where many people choose to watch from the standing room locations. As an added bonus, the mountain scenery around Cranbrook is nothing short of gorgeous so the trip alone provides extra value. Great views plus great team plus great atmosphere equals great value. Pretty simple equation there. Extras 3 As noted above, the walls of Western Financial Place are lined with pictures from Cranbrook’s rich sports history. There are also pictures, biographies, and jerseys of the several Cranbrook natives who made it to professional hockey, including Frank and Danny Spring as well as Rob and Scott Niedermayer. Over the north goal line is the long string of championship banners that the Ice have earned in their short team history giving the arena an extra sense of history and serving as a constant reminder of the level of excellence that this team has consistently delivered to its fans. Team mascot Shivers, an abominable snowman, roams the stands and concourse during the game, entertaining the kids in the crowd and helping with the various giveaways and contests that happen during the game. One thing I was surprised and disappointed by was the lack of a team store on the premises. Apparently there used to be one, but team merchandising has now moved a few blocks away towards downtown to 1st Impressions, a store located at 11a – 14th Avenue S. So if you’re like me and like to get yourself a souvenir of any new venue you’ve visited, you’ll find yourself out of luck. That’s a surprising mistake in marketing, in my opinion. British Columbia has a reputation for being a very green-conscious province, but there didn’t seem to be any recycling bins in Western Financial Place. There is the possibility that all their refuse is sorted and handled off site, but there also don’t seem to be any signs indicating that that might be happening either. I found that a little disappointing as well. Final Thoughts The Kootenay Ice are a very successful hockey team playing in a town with a rich hockey history. That makes for a game-watching experience that brings a lot of high expectations and value to it and Western Financial Place makes the whole experience well worth it.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park 2901 Drive of Champions Lubbock, TX 79409 Texas Tech Red Raiders website Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 4,368 Welcome to Wreck 'Em Country! Texas Tech University has a long and storied tradition as an athletics program. The football team is undoubtedly what the university has been known for the longest, probably followed by its basketball program. However, the Red Raiders baseball team has achieved its own amount of success – the team has won the Southwest Conference (in 1995) and the Big 12 (in 1998), and made the College World Series in 2014 and 2016. The center of the universe for the Red Raiders is Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park. The Red Raiders have called the venerable park home since Calvin Coolidge was in the Oval Office. While the park has naturally undergone several upgrades and renovations since then, the most recent in 2012, the facility still retains a great deal of the charm that distinguishes it from other ballparks in the conference. Food & Beverage 3 While the concessions at Rip Griffin Park lack a signature item or unique vendor, your food and beverage needs will be met by what is offered. There are two main concessions stands beneath the grandstand at Rip Griffin Park; the Red Raider Grill and the Dugout Grill. At both of these you can expect to find your standard food items, such as hot dogs (from Wienerschnitzel), soda (a large souvenir cup is $6), popcorn, chips, candy, soft pretzels, and nachos. At the Dugout Grill you can also purchase combo baskets; the Triple Play features chicken tenders, curly fries, and cheese sticks. Next door to the Red Raider Grill is a separate (cash only) food kiosk that sells fresh, hand-squeezed lemonade, sno cones, fajitas, and brisket. Costs at this kiosk range from $4 to $8 per item; this is not so bad considering that Texas Tech is a major Division I university. Atmosphere 5 On game days, Rip Griffin Park is a sea of red. Many games are a complete sell-out, and tailgaters (yes, tailgaters) often fill the open areas in and around Rip Griffin Park for hours before the first pitch.The venue itself complements the overall atmosphere, with its red brick facade and accents, making the ballpark look like it is from another era. With the crowd, the architecture, and the energy that is dispelled when these elements combine, you feel like you’re at a high-level minor league stadium. Neighborhood 3 Lubbock is a college town dropped square into the middle of the vast emptiness of West Texas – if college towns are your bag, then you’re in luck. While Rip Griffin Park is located on the campus of Texas Tech University, just on the other end of campus, on University Drive, there are ample restaurants and establishments that serve adult beverages. If you’re looking for things to do while you’re in Lubbock, either before or after the game, there are a number of attractions that will pique your interest. The National Ranching Heritage Center is a 19-acre facility that includes dozens of historic ranch and farm buildings. Also in town is the Buddy Holly Center, which honors the life and legacy of this legendary musician, and one of Lubbock’s favorite sons. For families, there is the Science Spectrum & Omni Theater, a massive museum that is loaded with all the stuff that kids of all ages love: dinosaurs, hands-on gears, levers, pulleys, bubble experiments, and more. The city also runs a prairie dog town, which is sure to be a favorite for the kids. Fans 4 Texas Tech fans are rabidly devoted to their team. As mentioned, they turn out in droves for games at Rip Griffin Park; the team consistently ranks among the best attended in Division I. According to the university, the Red Raiders recently ranked 13th among Division I baseball programs in attendance, with an average of 3,665 per home game. They also set an attendance record of 4,898 during a game last season, when they hosted East Carolina University in a Super Regional match-up. Regardless, Tech fans are passionate about their teams – all of them. They cheer when their team is at bat, they cheer when they are on defense, and they razz the umpires when necessary. The fans at Rip Griffin Park are great fans, and you won’t be able to help but get caught up in their energy and enthusiasm. Access 3 Make no mistake about it, Lubbock is a drive from just about everywhere. If you’re flying, Dallas or Albuquerque are your best bets. Driving in, Rip Griffin Park is right off Highway 82, which intersects with I-27. From 82, it’s just a short trip down Drive of Champions to the stadium. Once you get to the venue, there is ample parking in the lots directly across from the ballpark, and there are several walk-up windows for tickets. This is as no fuss of an experience as you are going to find in Division I college sports. Return on Investment 4 During conference play, you can get tickets for as low as $12, and as high as $17 for general admission seating. Earlier in the season and on weekdays, tickets are even less. Depending on the item, the concessions are relatively inexpensive. Couple that with no cost for parking, and this all adds up to an affordable day at the ballpark. Extras 3 Like all great ballgame experiences, there are tons of extras involved in attending a game at Rip Griffin Park. There are in-between inning contests, interactive fan experiences like the Twitter DJ contest (fans tweet out which song they like using the hashtag #TTUDJ), and the roving band of boosters known as the Saddle Tramps. The Saddle Tramps, bedecked in trademark red, ring the giant ceremonial Bangin’ Bertha bell, as well as fire off faux pistols each time the Red Raiders score a run. The Tramps add greatly to the overall atmosphere of the game. Final Thoughts It has to be said that Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park is truly a hidden gem on the landscape of college baseball. The facility itself is absolutely beautiful; the way they blend the old with the new is remarkable – there is something really special about the red brick, and the turf grass playing surface looks really sharp. Lubbock might be a bit out of the way, but if you find yourself on the plains of West Texas, make some time to visit Rip Griffin Park. It is one you should not miss. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Tiger Field Auburn Dr Towson, MD 21204 Towson Tigers website Tiger Field website Year Opened: 2007 (Renovated 2020) Capacity: 600 Lacrosse With Tigers Tiger Field opened as the Tiger Soccer Complex opened in 2007 and is the home to the Towson Tigers women’s lacrosse team as well as the women’s soccer team. This location, adjacent to Johnny Unitas Stadium and SECU Arena, was home to earlier versions of soccer fields for the school. In 2011 a more permanent set of bleachers was added, but it was in 2018 that a more substantial renovation started. Finally, in 2020 a new grandstand was added as well as permanent concessions, restrooms, and a press box. The Tigers have had decent success as a women’s lacrosse program. The team has made 11 NCAA tournament appearances. Food & Beverage 2 The new permanent concession stand is an improvement over the temporary one located here previously. The options are still quite simple and like many Towson athletic facilities do not offer a great variety. The prices are decent. Atmosphere 4 The hill between the pitch and the SECU Arena is a nice place to watch the matches and also provides a nice atmosphere. The “new” facility creates such a warm and comfortable environment to watch soccer matches. The permanent grandstand is not large but is much nicer than the older stands. Doc the Tiger, Towson’s mascot, is often in attendance at matches. Neighborhood 3 Besides Johnny Unitas Stadium and SECU Arena, nothing is right by the field. 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. Abbey Burger Bistro is one great choice. The beer selection is good, and they offer a dizzying array of burger choices, which are all likely to satisfy. Fans 4 For many years, Towson was known as a commuter school. But in the last couple of decades, there has been an increase in residence students. Students are starting to come to games in more significant numbers. There are also many other fans who appear to be either locals or family of the players. Access 4 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 location of the sports complexes. Parking is free and plentiful, but be careful to check regulations for weekday matches. Return on Investment 5 There is no admission charge and the food is reasonably priced so the return on investment is quite good. Extras 3 Free programs are available for the matches. Doc is a great mascot who makes the atmosphere better. The hill overlooking the pitch is a great extra. Final Thoughts The changes to Tiger Field have taken a good location for soccer and made it into a very special soccer experience.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Jimmy John’s Field 7171 Auburn Rd Utica, MI 48317 United Shore Professional Baseball League website Jimmy John’s Field website Year Opened: 2016 Capacity: 4,500 Four of a Kind in the USPBL The United Shores Professional Baseball League debuted in 2016 and set up home in Utica, Michigan in the suburbs of Detroit. The independent baseball league is home to four franchises that all play games at the $15 million Jimmy John’s Field. The Utica Unicorns, Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers, Westside Wooly Mammoths, and the Eastside Diamond Hoppers all rotate and play 75 games for 15 weeks from May to September ensuring a game every weekend. The mastermind behind the USPBL is Andy Appleby who owns General Sports and Entertainment and funded the stadium construction. Appleby is the former owner of the Ft. Wayne Wizards (Midwest League) and Derby County Football Club (Football League Championship) and has borrowed many elements of his experience and included them into the stadium to enhance the game-day experience. These elements include seven Founders Level and five Premium Dugout Suites on field level underneath the 2,000 seats that stretch from first to third base. Home plate is 37 feet from the suites, the closest in all of professional baseball. The stadium also offers 12 Private Patio Cabana Suites, 18 On Field Diamond Tables, three Picnic and Group Areas, and grass berm seating behind right field. The AAA Clubhouse is a full-service bar featuring flat-screen televisions, tables, couches, and lounge areas. The USPBL has sold out 102 out of its first 150 games during the league’s first two seasons and has attracted 3,325 fans per game over that time–only West Michigan and Lansing have attracted more during that same span in the state of Michigan. Food & Beverage 4 Jimmy John’s Field has lots of great menu options, but surprisingly not Jimmy John’s sandwiches. The ballpark is home to two full-service bars: Patron Bar that specializes in frozen margaritas and The Backstop Bar on the upper concourse. The food is reasonably priced, with most items ranging between $5 and $7, while the snacks are in the $3-$4 range. The ballpark offers smoked turkey wings, pulled pork nachos, and pulled pork sandwiches from Big Bone BBQ stand. The Southwest Cantina offers street tacos, New Mexican corn, and cantina bowls. Snacks and desserts include cookies, pretzels, cheese poppers, ice cream, gelato, nachos, cotton candy, popcorn, potato chips, and peanuts. The popcorn stand sells prepackaged bags in all of the clubs’ colors of red, green, and purple. Pepsi products are sold throughout the ballpark. The Short Hops Craft Beer Garden is located on the lower concourse, third base side featuring Michigan craft brews such as Midlawn Brewing (4 Hops Pale Ale), Sherwood Brewing Company (Cracker Jacked Ale), and Brooks Brewing (Pinch Hopper IPA). The area also allows visitors entrance after 9 P.M. and a 24-ounce souvenir cup. Atmosphere 4 There are plenty of options for visitors at Jimmy John’s Field. The 2,000 fixed seats provide a higher vantage point of the game, while the large grass berm seating area offers plenty of legroom behind right field. The wraparound concourse allows fans to view the game from different areas that are distinct from one another. There are usually two mascots walking around the ballpark. Ribbi (frog), Lancelot (unicorn), and Buzz (beaver) might even battle with one another for some great photo moments. Anyone of these mascots can also be seen outside on the main street or parking lot before the game greeting customers as they pull up to the ballpark. Appleby created a lot of nice details to ensure the ballpark’s success. There are copious vantage points to enjoy the ball game, but all areas are not open to the general public as many of these sections cater to corporate sponsors, their workers, and large groups. However, it is one of the most appealing and surreal ballparks in the country. The stadium added a dance crew for the current season that is made up of a 26-member senior dance crew that performs at most games. The four teams also have their own distinct theme songs, and J.J., The Field General, is a golden retriever who is among the line of bat dogs who also brings water to the umpires and retrieves balls when needed. A new speed pitch machine featuring life-size replicas of a pitcher and batter was added for the kids, who also get to enjoy the whiffle ball and playground area in the left field corner of the ballpark. It is not unusual to see a few kids and their parents swing for the fences and run around the bases. Neighborhood 4 Downtown Utica has seen a boom in commerce with the addition of Jimmy John’s Field, the main strip is a few blocks from the ballpark and houses a few places to enjoy a bite to eat or something to drink before or after the game. Danny J’s Brick Tavern offers wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, and salads; Hogs Hollow Smokehouse is a funky little joint specializing in barbecue, and great Irish fare can be enjoyed at Shamrock Irish Pub. There are also Cactus Jacks, Muldoon’s, and The Locker Room Saloon as other options in downtown Utica. Fans 4 The fans have responded overwhelmingly to the new ballpark with various sold-out games and positive word of mouth. However, housing three teams may divide up the allegiance of the fans, but everyone in attendance during our visit was enjoying their time and it looks as if the Unicorns are the early favorites among the four-ball clubs. Access 5 Jimmy John’s Field is located on M-59 between I-75 and I-94. The ballpark is very easy to navigate around the wraparound concourse. Stairs and elevators take patrons to their seats. Bathrooms are conveniently located throughout the stadium and signage is clear and visible. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Jimmy John’s Field are broken up into six different price points. The lowest tickets are $6 lawn seats behind the right field fence and the most expensive are the $35 front row club seats. In between, customers will find affordable price options when purchasing a ticket to the game. They include the $20 drink rail, $12 backstop, $15 infield, and the $20 platinum club. However, the price of each section goes up to $1 to $2 on game days with the exception of front row club seats. Parking to all games is free around the ballpark and street parking is available up against the street in downtown Utica. There is even a free shuttle service that brings people to and from their cars before and after games. Extras 4 One extra point for the field suites that are underneath the main seating section and are less than 40 feet from the backstop. Another extra point for the Wiffle ball baseball field tucked behind the right field corner. The giant smoker that provides a wonderful aroma down the third baseline is worth an extra point for your nose. The final extra point for providing free parking for patrons. Final Thoughts There is a lot to say about Jimmy John’s Field and the USPBL. There have been leagues in the past that have operated out of one baseball stadium, but those stadiums were nowhere near the caliber of Jimmy John’s Field. The customer is greatly pampered and surrounded by a friendly staff and all the best features of the minor league experience. Appleby hopes to build similar baseball stadiums in the Midwest and other parts of Michigan, with each housing four teams. He is one of the first individuals to successfully create a league consisting of one home ballpark with multiple teams. If he can harness this success to other ballparks around the Midwest, he might very well be the smartest person in all of minor league baseball.

What happened to those World War II military assets? And what the heck do they have to do with hockey? Join Dave and Paul and grab a good beer to find out all the details and what any of it has to do with the Rensselaer Engineers! You can find Stadium Journey's review of the Houston Field House and the RPI hockey gameday experience here.

Ashvin Lad joins us to talk about his experience at the World Cup this past year in Qatar. 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 Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at www.danlaw.tv.

Every four years, countries and teams from around the globe gather to decide which country is truly the World Champion in the World Baseball Classic. The 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) will get underway on March 8, with the Championship Game being held on Tuesday, March 21 at Loan Depot Stadium in Miami, Florida. This is the fifth time that the WBC has been held. Teams from 20 countries will take part in the tournament, with first-round games being played at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, Taichung Intercontinental Stadium in Taiwan, and Chase Field in Arizona. Winners from this round will move on to the Quarterfinals at LoanDepot Stadium, which will be held March 17-18. Winners of this round will play in the Semifinal Round on March 19-20. The Championship Game will then follow on March 21. In the U.S., the games will be carried by FOX Sports, FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2, FOX Deportes, on TUBI, and the FOX Sports app. Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Player’s Association are partnering with the World Baseball Softball Confederation to make sure the world’s best players are representing their home countries. This will have a significant impact on spring training, as more than 100 MLB players will miss time from their major league team’s preseason camp to take part in the WBC. These players include Ronald Acuna and Miguel Cabrera (Venezuela), Kenley Jansen (Netherlands), Shohei Ohtani (Japan), Mike Trout and Mookie Betts (USA), Joc Peterson (Israel), and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr (Dominican Republic). For the game schedules, ticket information, and any other questions concerning the World Baseball Class, go to www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic. Let’s play ball!

Discussing the recent announcement of the Arena Football League. The AFL looks to have 16 teams to kick off in May 2024. Will it be a success or should we be skeptical? 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 Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv.

Folsom Field, Photo by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey The Coach Prime effect is real. The University of Colorado has sold more than 30,000 tickets to the Buffaloes' April 22 spring football game, according to the Boulder Daily Camera. This, despite the fact that CU is selling tickets for $10 for the first time since the 1980s and with the Buffs having posted a 1-11 record. The difference? Deion Sanders. Since being named CU's head coach on December 3, 2022, Sanders has reinvigorated a program that desperately needed it. He assembled ESPN's top ranked transfer recruiting class for 2023, thanks in large part to bringing two-way star Travis Hunter. The nation's top recruit a year ago, Hunter was this season's top transfer. He came to Boulder from Jackson State University, where Sanders coached two seasons. Sanders also recruited ESPN's 23rd ranked recruiting class overall, highlighted by five-star cornerback Cormani McClain. The excitement around both the program and Sanders has made CU's 2023 spring football game a hot ticket. CU's spring football attendance records date back to 1953, with the Buffs' previous high attendance for a spring game of 17,800 fans coming in 2008. In 2022, CU estimated attendance for the spring game at 1,950. CU's Folsom Field seats 50,183. With more than 60 percent of those seats sold for the spring game and free admission for CU students, Sanders might have a full stadium for his first spring game in Boulder.

The Hamilton Bulldogs have a storied, albeit tumultuous, history bouncing up and down through the leagues over the decades. The latest chapter seemed to bring the promise of stability; a position in the Ontario Hockey League as one of the ‘big-market’ clubs, playing in a large arena in a large city. But in the pursuit of that permanency, the Bulldogs are upping sticks and leaving Hamilton for a while. The team, who won the league in the last season before Covid, and then again in the first season after it, will be moving to the nearby city of Brantford for at least three years. The cause is a wholesale renovation of their home FirstOntario Centre, badly needed as the ‘80s-era venue is slated to become the centrepiece of a neighbourhood redevelopment project. The renovation will tear back the arena right down to the studs, before rebuilding it in place. The plan has not been without controversy; American sport development group OVG originally planned to work during the off-season, preventing disruption to playing schedules. However, the group changed their aims abruptly and apparently with little warning to the Bulldogs or their fellow arena tenants Toronto Rock Lacrosse Club and Hamilton Honey Badgers Basketball Club. The 17 500-seat arena should be reopened in 2025, unrecognisable and modern compared to the current state of the facility. The work is to include a completely rebuilt exterior, new concourses, a redesigned seating bowl, new dining and back-of-house facilities, and a new suite level. On a larger scale, the arena will anchor a complete redesign of its city block, with residential, commercial, and cultural development exceeding $500 million. In the interim, the Bulldogs have landed in the nearby city of Brantford, famous as the birthplace of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. They’ll play out of the Brantford Civic Centre, near the city’s downtown and casino districts. The 3 500-seat arena is to receive $9 million in renovations to bring it up to OHL standards, and will host the Bulldogs for at least three years. Darkly, the Bulldogs have not officially stated they intend to return to Hamilton, though that is the general expectation. Management have complained publicly about the lack of transparency that led to their unexpected removal from the arena. Still, the prevailing thought is that the Bulldogs will return to Hamilton when work is complete. So far, season membership sales in Brantford have been very popular, surpassing 2 000 tickets. But the Bulldogs aren’t the only ones displaced by the construction. The National Lacrosse League’s Toronto Rock, who only moved to Hamilton in 2021, are now searching for a temporary home. The leading candidate is rumoured to be Kitchener’s Memorial Auditorium, but nothing has been announced as yet. On the basketball front, the Hamilton Honey Badgers, part of the young CEBL league, will permanently leave the city. They’ve relocated to the Toronto suburb of Brampton, playing out of the CAA Centre (a former OHL rink itself). Though most expect the Bulldogs and Rock to return to Hamilton soon enough, the future is murky at this point. Meanwhile, for the ageing arena at the heart of Hamilton’s central business district, a new era is set to dawn.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 WesBanco Arena 214th St Wheeling, WV 26003 Wheeling Nailers website WesBanco Arena website Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 5,406 Nail City Hockey The Wheeling Nailers are the longest-tenured minor league hockey franchise outside the American Hockey League, having competed in various lower-level leagues since 1981. The team began to play in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League as the Carolina Thunderbirds, based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Thunderbirds won three league championships in the ACHL. After a season in the All-American Hockey League, the Thunderbirds were one of the five founding members of the East Coast Hockey League, which was later rebranded as the ECHL. The Thunderbirds relocated to Wheeling, West Virginia in 1992. After a trademark dispute with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League, the team held a “name the team” contest. The moniker “Nailers” was chosen to honor the city’s long history of nail manufacturing. While the Nailers have had some success on the ice, including conference championships in 1993 and 2016, they have yet to win the Kelly Cup. The Nailers play at the WesBanco Arena, previously known as the Wheeling Civic Center. Built in 1977 at a total cost of $7 million, the facility entered into consecutive ten-year, $2.5 million naming rights deals in 2003. Food & Beverage 5 Concessions at WesBanco Arena offer some unique choices you wouldn’t expect to find at an arena of this size. Permanent stands are located on either side of the arena. Burgers, cheesesteaks, grilled chicken sandwiches, and buffalo chicken sandwiches can all be found at the Lunch Box stand. For something a little different, check out the Mac and Cheese Bacon burger, quesadillas, or chicken and waffles here. The River City Grill offers fried Mac and Cheese Bites, walking tacos, nachos, and funnel cake fries. Chicken nuggets, wraps, and pretzels round out the menu. Instead of boring old french fries, hungry Nailer fans can choose tater tots. Nailers fans flock to the Vocelli’s pizza stands for fresh slices from this local favorite. Tito’s Sloppy Doggs offers a variety of hot dogs with assorted toppings, as well as chicken tenders and seasoned french fries. Fans with a sweet tooth should head over to Flurry’s Ice Cream stand, where a variety of homemade flavors are available. Coca-Cola products are featured at WesBanco Arena. A good selection of beer is available. At selected games, cans of Yeungling can be purchased for a dollar. Generations Pub, a full-service bar/restaurant located on the east side ground level (below sections 205-208) opens two hours before the opening faceoff. Generations Pub offers a basic bar menu such as sandwiches, burgers, and pizza. Reservations are not needed. A full listing of available concessions can be found here. Atmosphere 3 Veteran hockey fans will find a lot that is familiar here at WesBanco Arena. There’s an in-house DJ who orchestrates giveaways and promotions during play stoppages. The team sponsors jerseys and 50/50 raffles at all home games. There’s a mascot who roams the stands interacting with fans, and the team runs promotional nights throughout the season. The Nailers play to a dedicated fan base, while not the largest you may find in the ECHL, is certainly knowledgeable and passionate about their team. Neighborhood 2 WesBanco Arena is located in downtown Wheeling, West Virginia. This downtown area has seen better days, and there is little activity in the area around the arena before or after Nailers games. Most fans will not stick around the downtown area after games and will head elsewhere for food or lodging. A couple of places of note near WesBanco Arena are DiCarlo’s Pizza, located a block from the arena, which is a popular gathering spot before games for its delicious cuts of pizza. It is a regional style where the cheese is sprinkled on the cooked sauce and bread as it comes out of the oven. Wheeling Brewing Company is located about a five-minute drive from the arena in Centre Market. Stadium Journey recommends the Panhandle Ale. Fans 3 Wheeling is the oldest continuously operating team in the ECHL, entering its 30th season. The team is averaging just under 2,200 fans before the pandemic, which is the lowest total in the league. This figure represents a marked decline from previous seasons, which generally average between 2,400-2,700 fans per game. Typical to most minor league teams, the Nailers market their game day presentation towards families. The crowds at WesBanco Arena are a mix of families, casual fans, and die-hards. There’s a good mix of the old-time hockey vibe and the energy younger fans bring to an arena here. Access 4 WesBanco Arena is located on the banks of the Ohio River and is easy to get to from Interstates 70 or 470. Parking is readily available in a parking garage next door to the facility or a pair of surface lots less than a block away. There is limited on-street parking available for fans arriving early. Directions to the facility can be found here . Fans will enter WesBanco Arena into a large lobby, which contains the ticket offices and a pro shop. From here, stairs take fans up to the main concourse which circles the arena. The ice is not visible from the concourse and features a great many stairs to access all areas of the arena. It’s readily apparent that this building was constructed before the advent of the ADA, but the team does offer accommodations to those fans who require them. All seats in the seating bowl are gray folding stadium-style chairs. A walkway circles the ice about halfway up the seating bowl, splitting the seating bowl into upper and lower levels. A small video board hangs at center ice, utilized for replays, crowd shots, advertisements, and game stats. Smaller boards hanging at either end of the rink display scores and time. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Nailers game range in price from $15-$25, with the majority of tickets in the arena available for $20 or less. Active members of the military can purchase tickets for between $13 and $18, and children’s tickets cost $11-$15. Visitors to Wheeling may want to check out one of the Nailers’ overnight packages , which include a night’s stay at one of several local hotels and game tickets. Contact the Nailers box office for further details. Parking costs five dollars in the garage right next door to WesBanco Arena. Concession prices are in line with other facilities in the area. Extras 3 A pair of extra points are awarded to the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fame and Museum, located at WesBanco Arena. Among the displays tucked into virtually every corner of the concourse are displays honoring local athletes who have achieved notoriety on the local, national, and international stage. Among the many honorees are such notable names as John Havlicek, Phil Niekro, and Lou Groza. It’s worth arriving early at WesBanco Arena to check out all the memorabilia displayed on the concourse. Also worth a mention is the 70s-era paint job on the concourse that is visible behind the many displays at WesBanco Arena. Final Thoughts It may be surprising that the longest-tenured ECHL franchise resides in Wheeling, West Virginia, a town of only 28,000. But therein may lie the secret of this franchise’s success. Perfectly blending a small-town atmosphere with a lower-level minor league hockey experience, the Nailers and WesBanco Arena have survived where so many other franchises at this level have failed. ---- Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter @PuckmanRI .

Photos courtesy of Furman Athletics' Instagram post February 4, 2023 “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” - Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. Throughout the 2022-2023 academic year, athletic departments around the country have celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX legislation, which made it illegal for any institution receiving federal financial assistance to discriminate based on sex. As part of their celebration, the Furman Paladins athletics department paired their “Weekend at the Well” women and men’s basketball games with the Women in Sports Foundation’s annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day. Members of all Furman’s women’s athletic teams took part in the weekend’s celebration by conducting clinics for children around the concourse of Greenville’s Bon Secours Wellness Arena and signed autographs for fans prior to the start of the women’s game. Furman volleyball and lacrosse players practiced fundamentals with children, while kids worked on their striking skills with members of the women’s tennis team. Soccer players worked on passing drills and softball players displayed the basics of fielding. In an Instagram post, Furman’s women’s basketball coach Jackie Carson commented that her daughter felt so confident in her tennis skills now, she felt she could beat her mom now. The centerpiece of Furman’s celebration of National Girls & Women in Sports Day, and the 50th anniversary of Title IX, was the women’s inter-state rivalry basketball game between the Wofford Terriers and Furman Paladins. As might be expected with rivalry games, the 9-14 Paladins gave the 19-6 Terriers all they could handle – in a game that saw 11 lead changes with no team ever leading by more than 6 points, the women of Furman basketball had a chance to force overtime as time expired, but could not get a last gasp three-pointer to go down. The events of the day were a perfect example of the role this type of community outreach plays in inspiring the next generation of female athletes. Each generation had someone come before them to pave the way for the generation behind them. Furman was just one of hundreds of schools using the week to celebration the contributions of women and girls in the sports world.

David Ruckman of David C Ruckman Creative joins us to talk about his latest rebrand of the Charlotte Knights and the design process. 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 Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv.

Shane Barclay from JapanBall.com joins us to talk about the ballparks of Japan, the differences between experiencing a game in North America and Japan, as well as a little bit of Japanese baseball history. We even discuss some of the incredible tours offered by the website. 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 Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv.

McCoy Stadium Sunset. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Since the relocation of the Pawtucket Red Sox to Worcester, MA, baseball fans have wondered what was to become of beloved McCoy Stadium. Rumors circulated about an independent baseball team moving to the old ballpark or of a plan to convert the facility into a soccer stadium, but nothing came to fruition. The answer finally came this past November, when Pawtucket voters approved a measure to demolish the stadium and build a $300 million high school on the site. The Pawsox had planned to close out their time in the Ocean State with a final season in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the entire season. Many fans felt that they never had a chance to say goodbye to their team or the ballpark. Before McCoy Stadium comes down, the administration of Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien wants to give fans one last chance chance to enjoy the stadium. PawSox Celebrate a walk-off home run in McCoy Stadium's final game. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Barry Richard of 1420 WBSM reports that there are plans for a final celebration at McCoy. "We are planning on having it around this coming Fourth of July and hoping to make it a multi-day celebration," stated Pawtucket Administration Spokesperson Grace Voll. For many years, a highlight of every PawSox season were the fireworks held on and around the Foruth of July. "The goal is to tie it into the fireworks display, but I don't have anything confirmed, and that could change," Voll said. Voll said nothing is definite yet regarding the ultimate demolition of McCoy Stadium. "We still don't have a timeline on demolition. I would say it is more likely to happen after the summer," she said. McCoy Stadium closed with a whimper. Sending it out with a bang seems a much more appropriate way to say goodbye to this Rhode Island landmark. McCoy Stadium Grandstand. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Manuel Rivero Gymnasium 1675 Baltimore Pike Lincoln University, PA 19352 Lincoln Lions website Manuel Rivero Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1973 Capacity: 2,500 Lions of PA Lincoln University is a public state-related HBCU near Oxford, Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, Temple, Pitt, Penn State, and Lincoln have this state-related designation. Legally, the universities remain separate and private entities, operating under their charters, governed by independent boards of trustees, and with assets under their ownership and control, thereby retaining much of the freedom and individuality of private institutions. The nearby University of Delaware also has a similar structure. Lincoln was founded as the private Ashmun Institute in 1854, it has been a public institution since 1972. It is the United States' first degree-granting HBCU. Lincoln has an impressive list of famous alumni including US Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, poet Langston Hughes, and jazz artist Gil Scott-Heron. Manuel Rivero Gymnasium is part of the bigger Manuel Rivero Hall which also includes an Olympic-size swimming pool, classrooms, a wrestling room, a dance studio, and an eight-lane bowling alley. The facility was originally called Alumni Memorial Gymnasium and was renamed Manuel Rivero Hall in 1986. Manuel Rivero played football at Columbia University and played professional baseball in the Negro leagues for the Cuban Stars (East) and Pollock's Cuban Stars. Rivero went on to coach various teams at Lincoln between 1933 and 1977. He passed away in 2001. The Lincoln Lions play in NCAA Division II as a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The Track and Field program has been the university's most successful program. The basketball team set many records in 2006 by winning 201-78 over Ohio State Marion. Food & Beverage 1 There are no permanent food stands at the game. There was a simple drink vending machine in the lobby. We are assuming that on certain games there would be some foods sold in the lobby of the facility. Atmosphere 5 Manuel Rivero Gymnasium is a simple facility with 3 seating sections. You will be close to the action, no matter where you choose to sit. There is a great cheer squad that dances and cheers loudly and effectively throughout the game. There is also likely to be a pep band, or at least a drumline to add to the atmosphere. Lincoln Lions Intros, Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey We attended a doubleheader men's/women's event, which is a great value if you choose to do so. Both games are lively and fun to see. Neighborhood 3 Lincoln university is located outside of the town of Oxford, which is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania The Oxford Historic District and Oxford Hotel are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are a few interesting restaurants in the small town and we can recommend Hollow Earth Brewing, Margherita's Italian Restaurant, and Bellybusters Sub Shoppe. You can also stock up on food at the Landhope Farms convenience store or the Wawa in nearby Nottingham. Nottingham is also home to Herr Foods, which offers tours on weekdays. Check on the hours of their gift and outlet shop if in the area. Herrs also has a very good, and free, Christmas light display from December to January. Fans 5 The fans are very engaged in the game and create a great atmosphere inside Manuel Rivero Gymnasium. They are knowledgeable and loud. Access 3 Lincoln is located off a section of US Route 1 which is a divided highway so access is fairly decent. The only issue is that even though it is in the Mid-Atlantic region, this area of Chester County is much more isolated than you would expect. If you are traveling through this area you may know it as between Herr's Factory and Longwood Gardens. The university has guards at the entrance to their lots but if you let them know you are attending a sports event they will wave you through. There is plenty of parking near the gym. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to the game cost $10 for general admission. With it being Division II and the cheap cost of attending a game, the return on investment is quite good. Extras 3 There is a great display case in the entrance lobby showing off all of the athletic accomplishments of Lincoln's teams. The cheer squad is pretty amazing and is a great enhancer of the atmosphere. The color choices and phrases on the seating sections are a nice touch. Final Thoughts Lincoln University is a great sports stop if you are looking for an event between Baltimore and Philadelphia.

TO READ IN ENGLISH, SCROLL DOWN Uno stadio intitolato a Pelé in tutti i 211 paesi affiliati alla Fédération Internationale de Football Association. La proposta è stata lanciata dallo stesso presidente della FIFA, Gianni Infantino, nel corso della cerimonia funebre della leggenda brasiliana, cerimonia tenutasi allo Stadio Vila Belmiro del Santos FC, in Brasile, lo scorso 2 gennaio. La stessa Fifa ha deciso di rinominare il campo presente nella sua sede di Zurigo, in Svizzera, “Estádio Pelé – Fifa Zurich”. Prima federazione a recepire le indicazioni di Infantino quella di Capo Verde. L’Estádio Nacional di Praia, la capitale del paese, è stato così intitolato “Estádio Pelé”. Hanno poi seguito l’esempio del piccolo stato dell’Africa Occidentale la Guinea Bissau (che ha deciso di rinominare l’Estádio Nacional di Bafatà, la seconda città più grande del paese, “Rei Pelé”) e la Colombia (che ha modificato il nome dell’impianto di Villavicencio, capoluogo della regione di Meta, in “Bello Horizonte - Rey Pelé”). ------------------------------------------------------ A stadium named after Pelé in all 211 countries affiliated to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was recently proposed. The proposal was made by the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, during the funeral ceremony of the Brazilian legend held at the Vila Belmiro Stadium of Santos FC, in Brazil, on January 2. FIFA itself has decided to rename the field at its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, “Estádio Pelé – FIFA Zurich." The first federation to follow the indications of President Infantino is Cape Verde. The Estádio Nacional in Praia, the capital of the country, was thus named “Estádio Pelé." The small West African state of Guinea Bissau (which decided to rename the Estádio Nacional of Bafatà, the second largest city in the country, “Rei Pelé”) and Colombia (which changed the name of Villavicencio facility, capital of the region of Meta, in “Bello Horizonte - Rey Pelé”) have also both followed the proposal.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Indiana Farmers Coliseum 1202 E 38th St Indianapolis, IN 46205 Indy Fuel website Indiana Farmers Coliseum website Year Opened: 1939 Capacity: 6,300 A Tradition of Hockey at Indy’s Coliseum The Indiana Farmers Coliseum went through $53 million in renovations between 2012-2014 in order to welcome professional hockey back to the building. The Indy Fuel of the ECHL is affiliated with the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League and has found a niche in a city that favors basketball, football, and minor league baseball during the winter months. Indianapolis has had a strong history of hockey in its city and a majority of it has been played at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum. The building debuted the same year as the city’s first professional team in 1939. The coliseum is located on the Indiana State Fairgrounds and served as home to various minor league franchises up until 2012 when it was closed for major renovations that would alter its interior structure, but maintain its historic exterior. The Fuel has tossed their hats to the list of professional hockey clubs that have called the coliseum home from the Indianapolis Capitals, Chiefs, Checkers, and Ice. The city’s biggest connection to hockey royalty is to Wayne Gretzky who began his professional career with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association in 1978 for eight games before being sold to the Edmonton Oilers. The Great One would return to the city to drop the puck for the 2018 ECHL All-Star Game held at the building. Gretzky is among a list of hockey legends who got their start or spent their time in the Circle City and include Dominik Hasek, Mark Messier, Dave Keon, Glen Hall, Alex Delvecchio, Marcel Pronovost, Terry Sawchuk, and Sid Abel. All of these men are enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Food & Beverage 4 The food at the Coliseum has improved over the past five seasons since the Fuel entered the league and there are some interesting items that are worthy of consumption when at a game. The concession areas, located on the main wraparound concourse, have a simple look, but some of the new food items are quite tasty. The menu items have changed since our last visit two years ago and offer much more variety along with updated flat-screen monitors showcasing selections and pricing. The Legacy and Slapshot burgers, pork tenderloins, and pulled pork and spicy chicken sandwiches range in price between $10-$12, All sandwich items are served with a side of fries. There are a few kiosks that offer more options including beef and chicken stir fry, grilled brats and Polish sausages, and nacho supreme. Hot dogs are served in adult and kid sizes at concession stands. Snacks and held bites include chili cheese fries, barbecue loaded fries, mini corn dogs, and chicken tenders and fries The Jose Cuervo Bar is located at center ice in Section 209 and offers mixed drinks and draft beers in a bar-like setting, while at the same time, offering wide-open glimpses of the game. There are a few more wide-open spots on the main concourse where fans can stand and watch the game. In other areas of the building, fans can pull up a stool, enjoy food and drink, and take in the game. The Coliseum offers 16 and 24-ounce domestic beers for $7 and $9. Craft beers from local Centerpoint and Sun King breweries are available in 16 and 24 ounces for $9 and $11. If you do prefer a pint or can of beer there are options for White Claw seltzer, Jack Daniels punch, and Bramble Mule cocktails. Local Whiskey Tango bourbon is also available. If you do not drink, Pepsi products are available in the arena. Atmosphere 4 The Coliseum has a seating capacity of 6,800 and has been retrofitted from its original designs that date back almost 80-years-ago. The interior’s aesthetics has been dramatically altered with the installation of the original terrazzo floors, exposed walls, and steel support beams, and the inclusion of 96 original wooden theater seats. The upper concourse does not wrap around entirely around the building and that is due to the age of the building and construction efforts to keep the interior within the realms of historical value. However, the ones who are in this area do get a nice view of the ice, but there could be a few more concession points to serve some of the fans in this seating area. The Jose Cuervo Bar is a nice spot to watch the game with a gathering of fans while enjoying something to drink. The building’s main lobby is located on ice level and all fans must depart to their seats up to two flights of stairs at both ends. The lobby consists of ticket booths, the official souvenir shop “The Garage,” and a few nostalgic nods that include historical photos, original ticket booths, and a few wooden stadium seating. However, there could be more nods to the facility’s history with perhaps championship banners, more historical photos, and paraphernalia. Neighborhood 2 The Fairgrounds are not located in the best part of the city; the best bet would be to drive less than 3 miles north to South Broad Ripple, or SoBro as the hipsters say it, where there are plenty of local restaurants, bars, and nightlife to entertain guests after a hockey game. Twenty Tap features poutine, Bahn mi sandwiches, vegetarian buffalo wing bites, and fried cheese curds to go along with one of the more prestigious selections of beers on tap and a couple that is made downstairs in the basement. Next door is Fat Dan’s which specializes in smoked chicken wings, pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, decadent burgers with various fixings, and craft beer selections. Also in this area is one of the Fuel’s official sponsors, The Sinking Ship. It’s a hockey bar with a menu that stretches from grass-fed stuffed burgers, and Cuban sandwiches, to seitan gyro wraps and wings. It is one of the area’s most eclectic spots and definitely a happening spot for hockey talk. Upland Brewing Company has a small taproom that is somewhat unassuming but orders a Champagne Velvet Pilsner or Free Time Lager on tap. Fans 4 Indianapolis does have a niche hockey market that comes alive when rivals from Cincinnati and Ft. Wayne come to town. The crowd can become even more frenzied on promotional nights that range from Blackhawk Night to Nickelodeon Night at the Coliseum. Average crowds have been creeping towards 4,000 a game the past five seasons and when there are only 6,800 seats available, the near-capacity crowd might make one think that they are indeed in a hockey town. Access 3 The Coliseum is located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds at the corner of 38th Street and Fall Creek Parkway. There are two access points into the building that may cause a line on either street, but there are more exits available after the game for quick access out of the fairgrounds complex. At times, there may be other events taking place, it may get a little confusing navigating to your parking lot. Inside the building, the main concourse does get a tad congested on busier nights in the building which may lead to the narrow corners of the concourse being somewhat cumbersome to maneuver through between intermissions. Thankfully, during game time, the concourses are quite clear of traffic. After the game, various exits and interior staircases open up for everyone to exit quickly from the building to the front of the main entrance. There are plenty of staff members who guide motorists to various exit points and back on the main streets of 38th and Fall Creek Parkway. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices range from $12 to $45 per game, slightly higher than division rivals in Cincinnati and Ft. Wayne, but both teams play in much larger arenas. The majority of the upper-level tickets are $12 and $15 and that is a reasonable price for a minor league hockey ticket, along with secure $5 parking, not too much to ask for, or a night of ECHL hockey. The return on investment increases with promotional nights that include Fuel Do317 Right which offers $3 beers and sodas, $1 hot dogs, and $7 limited edition t-shirts on select Friday nights, $2 Tuesdays where select concession items are just two bucks, and All-You-Can-Eat hot dogs, burgers, popcorn and nachos during each Thursday game. If with the kids, take them to Nickelodeon Night, or if it is guys' night out, the popular Blackhawk Night is an ideal choice, both games draw near-capacity crowds to the building. Extras 3 The Coliseum gets an extra point for the renovated wooden seats that are available as a seating option in the building. It is a nice nod to the building’s history and the seats are quite comfortable for their age. The Coliseum has improved its concession items from the last two visits and the variety has improved from the concession stand favorites to kiosks around the concourse. All items range in price from $8 to $12 apiece with the chicken sandwich served with a side of fries. A third point for the team’s introduction on the ice through fire and Metallica’s song “Fuel,” is sort of what one expects from a team called the Indy Fuel. Final Thoughts There are times when the building is packed with hockey fans and one believes that Indianapolis is indeed a hockey town. The team does a grand job of providing various promotional nights to lure fans to the building. The exposed piping and steel beams provide aesthetics unparalleled in the ECHL. The Fuel does what it needs to do in terms of marketing itself to the populace of Indianapolis; it should continue that trend in the upcoming years.

We have all seen the articles, snippets, and quick memorials for Pelé. In a news cycle that quickly moves on to the next sensationalized attention-grabber of information. They are quick to tell us his official name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who was born in Brazil on October 23, 1940, and was a football legend and Brazilian treasure. I think he deserves more time and to be brought up more frequently for changing the face of soccer in the United States. Pelé’s arrival in the United States changed the course of soccer in the United States of America. Pele came out of semi-retirement when he signed with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League for $1.67 million a year for the 1975 season and was the highest-paid athlete on the planet. The league struggled to gain credibility since forming in 1968, which included 36 franchises coming and going. His first game with the team brought on 21,000 plus and was watched by 10 million viewers on CBS. The game put the sport on the national radar of the country, and for the next three seasons, Pele and the Cosmos would draw fans wherever they played. When he played his final game, a record crowd of 77,000 people packed Giants Stadium in a match against his former club Santos. However, the success would be fleeting with the league expanding to multiple markets that would play in giant football and multi-purpose stadiums. Salaries skyrocketed, and clubs ceased operations rapidly. The league would cease operations in March 1985, and the Cosmos would fade from history a few months later after an ill-fated independent schedule. However, the cast had been set with youth soccer involvement exploding through the country; many of those players would become members of the US Men’s Soccer Team in 1990 when they qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years. In 1994, the USA would host a successful World Cup, proving that the country could be a soccer nation. Soccer might still be played in high school football venues in front of 2,000 fans, or perhaps the indoor version of the game would still be considered the top echelon of soccer in this country. Today, Major League Soccer thrives with a majority of soccer-specific venues and a passionate fanbase with 29 clubs. Would that have been the case without Pele’s success with the Cosmos? Pelé is one of the most successful and popular sports figures of the 1900s but should be discussed and referenced throughout the 2000s. In the United States, he doesn't seem to get the recognition he deserves for not only being the best player but also for his undeclared dignity in soccer. He wasn’t just labeled one of the greatest players of all time but was given the title of “the greatest” by FIFA. He was a superior player & human being that was also named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999. In addition, he was voted world player of the century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. To have titles like these but still not be a household name in the 21st century is why he holds the title (in my opinion) of one of the most underrated and appreciated players in the United States.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Rogers Place 10220 104 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB T5J 4Y8 Edmonton Oil Kings website Rogers Place website Year Opened: 2016 Capacity: 18,437 The Kings of Edmonton Hockey Since the Oilers arrived in Edmonton in 1972, junior hockey has been a tough sell. The original Oil Kings, founded in 1950, moved to Portland in 1976 following steadily waning attendance. But after a couple aborted attempts to revive junior hockey, the newly incarnated Oil Kings seem to have finally found their place in the community. The Oil Kings returned to Edmonton for the 2007-08 season and have been have found an audience. Owned and operated by the Katz Group, which also owns the NHL’s Oilers, the Oil Kings are drawing good crowds, and winning consistently. In fact, the Oil Kings won the Ed Chynoweth Cup for the 2011-12 season and the 2013-2014 season, as top team in the WHL and went to the Memorial Cup as the Western representatives. The Oil Kings went on to win the 2014 Memorial Cup, making them the best junior team in Canada that season. The Oil Kings spent most of their history playing at what is currently known as Rexall Place (formerly Northlands Colosseum). But starting in the fall of 2016, the Oil Kings have relocated to the new downtown arena, called Rogers Place. It is the newest, most modern arena in the hockey and without a doubt the premier place to watch the WHL. At almost a half billion dollars, the new downtown arena has spared no expense in making sure every trip to the building is an event, over and above whatever sport or concert you’ve come to watch. A detailed consultation process was conducted with the fans during the design phase. As a result, the facility has many design features that reflect the experience the fans wanted to have. Food & Beverage 4 As compared to the options available at Rexall, the food choices are a definite improvement. Regular concession stands have a relatively small selection to choose from, but each location has a slightly different menu, so have a look around before you settle on something. You’ll find all the expected options, from hot dogs to burgers, fountain pop to bottled water. If you’re into burgers with everything, try the Bobby Nick’s Burger ($12). The Jasper Ave. Chicken Burger ($10) is also quite tasty. Most concessions also have some basic adult beverage choices, if you’re looking for a glass of Molson Canadian or Coors Light ($11.50). There are typically also a couple of premium options available as well. There are also a couple of specialty stands around the several levels of concourse that feature interesting fare such as perogy nachos, butter chicken and chick peas, or smoked brisket sandwiches. You’ll also find four Pizza 73 locations around the building. If you’re looking for something a little more special, there are a few more places to check out. In the lower concourse, available to fans in the lower bowl, there are two club-style areas known as the Coventry Homes Club and the North Mezzanine Club, complete with tables for fans to gather around between periods. The concessions in these areas have an upgraded menu with some more exotic selections. On the main floor concourse, you’ll find the Molson Canadian Fan Deck, just outside the side of the rink, with a full-service bar and more food choices. Fans in the PCL Loge Level have access to two more choices in the River Valley Grill and the Carvery. Overlooking Ford Hall, the main entrance to Rogers Place, is Curve Restaurant, which is a reservation-only location on this floor as well. Sky Lounge is a premium seating club on the west end of the upper concourse which has a special menu and in-seat beverage service. Directly below it is the Sportsnet Club which also features premium seating and a unique menu. Out in Ford Hall, and accessible before and after games, is the Molson Canadian Hockey House, yet another option for dining at the rink, with a full list of food and beverage options. When you put it all together, there are more restaurants in Rogers Place than there were within several blocks of Rexall Place. This is a major upgrade. But don’t forget your pocketbook as the food options in this building are the priciest in any arena in Alberta. Atmosphere 3 The arena is decorated with images from Oilers history, making it clear who the number one tenant of this arena is. Just to the west of the main entrance is a Wayne Gretzky statue that was relocated here from Rexall Place when the Oilers moved. Through the glass behind the statue you can see the Oilers Hall of Fame room, which features memorabilia from the Hockey Hall of Fame, located in Toronto, ON. All excellent stuff, but nothing to indicate that this is the home of the Oil Kings as well. Whether you enter Ford Hall from its main entrance, a block south of the main Rogers Place building, or through the main doors, this is a beautiful gathering area for fans prior to walking through the gates into the arena itself. Ford Hall is open year-round so folks visiting Edmonton’s downtown core can stop by and check it out. The main concourse is significantly wider than that of Rexall Place and several stories high, giving it an open, roomy feel. Once inside the seating bowl, you’ll also get a sense of spaciousness, from the wide seats (19”-22”, depending on where you’re sitting) and ample leg room to the significant elevation from ice level to the top of the upper bowl. Not that you have to worry about the upper bowl much anyway, as the Oil Kings don’t open the upper bowl most nights. With attendance usually in the 5,000-9,000 range, the lower bowl is more than adequate to house all the fans. If you go to one of the busier nights where the upper bowl is open, seats up there still don’t feel that far away from the game action, however, due to the upper levels being cantilevered out over the lower levels, bringing them much closer to the middle of the arena, giving even upper deck audiences a sense that they’re right on top of the game. The energy in the stands is also good. While the game is underway, ambient sound levels indicate a steady buzz of excitement, which can quickly spike when a goal is scored, a fight breaks out, or something else exciting happens. Neighbourhood 4 Rogers Place is situated on the north end of Edmonton’s downtown core. To the west of the rink is the main campus of MacEwan University. If you stick to those areas before and after games, you should have no troubles at all. North of the arena is a much less desirable part of town. Central McDougall isn’t the worst part of town, but you perhaps don’t want to find yourself alone after dark in that area. It is, in fact, hoped that setting Rogers Place up in that location will help to gentrify the neighbourhood, so this could improve over the next few years. Two blocks east and south of the arena is Sir Winston Churchill Square, a central gathering place for the city which is framed on three sides by Edmonton City Hall, the Art Gallery of Alberta, Winspear Centre for Music, and the main branch of the Edmonton Public Library. Very nice location to check out. On the southeast corner of Rogers Place is the Grand Villa Casino, so patrons of Rogers Place can stop in and try their luck at the slots or table games before or after seeing the Oilers. There are also two restaurants in the casino, adding to your dining options right in the main building. Match Eatery and Public House has a classic British Pub vibe, while Atlas Steak + Fish is a more upscale place. If you’re looking to grab a bite or a drink before or after games, you have a ton of good options within just a couple blocks of Rogers Centre. This again is a major upgrade compared to old Rexall Place. As noted above, you can always try the Molson Canadian Hockey House right in Ford Hall, if you want to eat right outside the main gates, or at Curve on the PCL Loge Level once the gates open. Across the street to the south west of Rogers Place is the Mercer Tavern which provides casual pub dining. Around the corner and sharing the same building is Rostizado , a Mexican eatery which is considered to be one of Canada’s Top 100 Restaurants. If you’re in the mood for steak, you can try the Chop Steakhouse. One of several Chop franchises around Canada, this is a good choice to satisfy your need for world-famous Alberta beef. Another good pub option is the Underground Tap and Grill, located just a block away from the Central LRT station. Underground features 72 beer taps, including the largest selection of Alberta-brewed beers in the province. If Italian food is your thing, there are a couple good choices. Pazzo Pazzo is a traditional Italian restaurant with all the dishes you’d expect to find. Just a couple blocks away you’ll also find Edmonton’s downtown Old Spaghetti Factory which also features a full Italian menu, including nine different spaghetti variations. Next door to the Old Spaghetti Factory is Haweli, which serves Indian food. If you’re looking for something a little spicier and more exotic, this is the place to try. Really, this is just scratching the surface. There are many, many more places nearby, from Harvey’s to Subway to Denny’s to Mikado Japanese to Sofra Authentic Turkish Cuisine and on and on. Fans 4 An average crowd for the Oil Kings is larger than the capacity of most WHL rinks, even if they rarely sell more than half the seats in Rogers Place. That level of enthusiasm for junior hockey is worth something all by itself. More than that, a large portion of the audience are wearing Oil Kings gear, showing their dedication to the team. Being a Canadian crowd these fans are hard core and they know their hockey. Crowd noise was good throughout the game, with the appropriate cheers and boos during exciting moments in the action. This shows them to be engaged with the game and attentive. Access 4 Getting to and from Rogers Place is fairly easy. There are almost 18,000 parking spots within a 10-minute walk of the arena. The Rogers Place website recommends that you use ParkingPanda.com to pre-purchase a spot to guarantee your place. This is probably a good practice to follow if you decide to make the drive downtown as there have been r umblings about price gouging for patrons who roll up to downtown parking without a reservation, with prices as high as $38 in some cases, although these extra-high prices have been for concerts and Oilers games, not Oil Kings games. The other popular option for getting to any sporting event in Edmonton is by way of the transit system. The MacEwan Light Rail Transit station is physically connected by a walkway to Rogers Place’s north side, while three other LRT stations—Bay Enterprise Square, Central, and Churchill—are all located within 10 minutes of the building. Transit tickets are $3.25 for adults, while children under five ride for free. Once inside Rogers Place, having five floors of concourse helps to spread people around a bit, although the luxury box and PCL Loge level concourses are underused, as you have to have a seat in that area to be granted access. The Mezzanine level and the main concourse remain busy between periods. With no one sitting in the upper bowl, there is generally nobody around the hallways up there either. Surprisingly, in a building as new as this, there are a number of pinch points in the flow of foot traffic around the concourses, some on the main floor, but also on the Mezzanine concourse, making the place seem much more crowded than one might expect. This could simply be a queuing issue as several concession washroom lines back up into the corridors and could be something that is solved over time by directing traffic more effectively. Speaking of the washrooms, lineups to both the men’s and women’s washrooms were surprisingly long considering that the arena was less than half full. As with the queuing challenges, this might be mitigated over time as fans figure out which washrooms have the least activity and begin to spread themselves around the building better. If there simply aren’t enough washrooms to adequately service the crowd, this may be a sore spot for people attending Rogers Place for years to come. Return On Investment 4 Oil Kings tickets run anywhere from $20 to $39, a bargain compared to Oilers tickets. That’s particularly the case since they’re basically all lower bowl seats that would cost 10 times as much to see an NHL game. You really can’t go wrong with the price for an Oil Kings game. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to see this shiny new arena, this is a great option. Extras 5 Over and above the hockey game, there are a ton of other things that add to the experience at Rogers Place. There is a Designated Driver program available onsite for fans that might have had a few drinks too many. This is an excellent idea that should be seen in more venues. Free Wi-Fi access is available to fans throughout the building, allowing fans to live Tweet games, check their emails and otherwise interact with the World Wide Web while onsite. Oil Kings mascot Louie the Lion helps keep the fans entertained around the arena, participating in giveaways during breaks in the action and making his way around the seating bowl to interact with the kids in the crowd. The Oilers Hall of Fame room, as mentioned earlier, is located right at the front of the building and can be seen through the glass by fans walking along the sidewalk in front of Rogers Place. Tours of the room are beginning in late 2016, allowing fans to get an even closer look at all the cool stuff in that space, including Wayne Gretzky’s rookie uniform and many other pieces of Oilers history. On the northeast corner of Rogers Place is the Edmonton Downtown Community Arena. Accessible from corridors inside the building, this arena is now home to the MacEwan University men’s and women’s hockey teams. It also serves as the Oilers’ and Oil Kings’ practice ice and it is also available as a public skating rink. There are TVs all over the building, so even if you step away from your seat for a few moments during a game, you can probably still keep an eye on the action from wherever you happen to be. Speaking of video, Rogers Place features the largest true HD scoreboard in the NHL (and NBA, if they played in Edmonton). At 14 metres wide by 11 metres tall, it dominates the space above the rink and provides a spectacular image from every angle. The Oilers Store can be found in a number of locations around the building giving fans an opportunity to stock up on all the Oil Kings and Oilers clothes and souvenirs they can carry. If you’re an art fan, Rogers Place has several special pieces for you. The floor of Ford Hall is adorned with a giant circular mosaic called Tsa Tsa Ke K’e (Iron Foot Place) by local artist Alex Janvier. The northwest plaza, adjacent to the MacEwan LRT station has a large sculpture called Essential Tree by realities:united, an art collective in Berlin. The northeast plaza features a red circular sculpture called Skater’s Arch by Saskatchewan artist Douglas Bentham. And directy above the main entrance to the Downtown Community Arena is a piece that combines sculpture and painting called 9 Figures In Motion With A Puck by local artist Al Henderson. As an added bonus, you’ll also find a cell phone charging stations in the concourse for Rogers Mobility customers with low batteries. Rogers Place is the first NHL rink in Canada to be LEED-Silver certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). This makes it one of the most environmentally friendly arenas in North America. Final Thoughts Rogers Place is a worthwhile place to visit even if you’re not there for a hockey game. There is so much to see and do in and around the building without ever walking through the gates that you could spend a couple hours just checking the place out. This is likely to only get better as more features get added over time. Once you’re through the gates, this is a beautiful building with truly state-of-the-art features that should impress most everyone. If you’re a hockey fan and you’re looking for the chance to see the newest, hottest arena in western Canada, Rogers Place is definitively a place to check out.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Scotiabank Saddledome 555 Saddledome Rise SE Calgary, AB T2G 2W1 Calgary Hitmen website Scotiabank Saddledome website Year Opened: 1983 Capacity: 19,283 Hitmen, Take Two The Calgary Hitmen entered the Western Hockey League in 1995, filling the junior hockey gap in Calgary caused by the departure of the Calgary Wranglers in 1987. Named after wrestling legend and team co-founder Brett “The Hitman” Hart, the Hitmen have gone on to enjoy a great deal of success, earning the best record in the WHL four times, and going all the way to the Memorial Cup twice. The Hitmen’s success has extended all the way to the NHL. They’ve had more than three dozen players make it to the pro ranks, including stars Ryan Getzlaf, Brad Stuart and Andrew Ladd. Although the Wranglers played in the old Stampede Corral, the Hitmen play next door in the much larger Scotiabank Saddledome. The Scotiabank Saddledome opened its doors in 1983 and have been home to the Calgary Flames from Day One. The ‘Dome is now also the home of the NLL’s Calgary Roughnecks and, of course, the Hitmen. At almost 30 years of age, the Saddledome is starting to show some signs of age, but it has seen a number of renovations along the way to keep things fresh. Food & Beverage 3 There is a decent variety of choices around the Scotiabank Saddledome. All the typical fare is available at the main concessions at pretty typical prices, whether you’re looking for a hot dog, fries, nachos or popcorn. You will also find Pizza 73, Good Earth Coffee and a Jugo Juice for fans who want something a little different. The Jugo Juice station also has some healthy options, such as the chicken wrap, for the more health conscious among us. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere at the game I attended was fairly laid back and relaxed; no big energy, no loud cheering. This perhaps can be partly attributed to spreading 7,000 fans around a stadium built to accommodate 19,000. The Avison Young section of the lower bowl (the premium seats) was about half empty and there were very few people above about the 10th row of the upper bowl. With large spaces left largely unoccupied, building a bunch of excitement and intensity in the stands seemed like a challenge. To be fair, Calgary crowds in general tend to be fairly subdued. Also, the Hitmen historically have drawn even bigger crowds to the ‘Dome, which would typically bring up the crowd noise. And overall, although the Saddledome never did rock during the game, it looked like the audience was engaged and enjoying things just fine. Neighborhood 3 The Scotiabank Saddledome is located in the northeast corner of the Stampede Grounds, just south and east of the downtown core. The immediate vicinity, known as Victoria Park, isn’t the best neighborhood in town by a long shot. However, there has been a substantial amount of gentrification in the area in the last few years and things are starting to perk up, with skyscraping condo complexes growing up in a couple locations to the immediate north as well as across the street to the west. And most of those complexes have some kind of restaurant or bar on the ground floor. Just a few blocks due west of the Stampede Grounds on 17th Ave you’ll find a string of clubs and bars that have come to be known as “The Red Mile.” Among the most popular is Melrose Place, right in the heart of things. You’ll also find the Ship and Anchor Pub, which has been repeatedly named Best Neighbourhood Pub in Calgary by local publication “Fast Forward Weekly.” You’ll also find my favorite local Mexican restaurant, El Sombrero, on the east end of the Red Mile. Fans 4 Historically, the Hitmen have drawn some of the biggest crowds ever in the WHL. According to their Wikipedia page in 2004-05 they were the first Canadian Hockey League team to average 10,000 fans per game. This year (2012-2013) the Hitmen average attendance of just over 8,600 is a little more modest than that record-breaking season, but that’s still more than the capacity of every other Alberta WHL rink except Rexall Place in Edmonton. In fact, they have been over the 10,000 mark three times in the 2012-2013 season. As noted above, the crowd is generally low-key but attentive to the game. They know their hockey and they respond appropriately to the hits, the goals and the referees’ calls. Access 3 Calgary has the second highest downtown parking rates in North America, behind only New York City . So if you drive down to the Stampede Grounds, expect to pay for the privilege-parking on the grounds which will run you $13 and, depending on what other events might be going on around the area, might fill up quickly. There are also choices off-site for slightly less expensive parking options. A few local residents rent out yard space for parking and there is some metered street parking in the vicinity for people willing to do a little walking. The good news is that being centrally located means the Saddledome is fairly easy to get to from all directions. Expect the usual stop-and-go delays that go hand-in-hand with traveling downtown in a city of more than a million people. Another good option is taking Calgary’s Light Rail Transit system to the game. The “C-Train” has two stops on the west side of the Stampede Grounds, one to the south and one on the north end which has a connecting walkway that will take you directly to the Saddledome. The LRT tracks cover a significant amount of the city running north and south, so it can be a more convenient option for fans not wanting the hassle of driving downtown, although the trains can get crowded after events. An adult fare for Calgary Transit is $2.75, youths are $1.75. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to see the Calgary Hitmen run anywhere from $16 to $36 while students and children can get into the cheap seats for $12 each. Compared to the price of a Flames game to see NHL hockey this is a real bargain. For the great price, you can count on seeing a quality hockey game in a good location. Extras 4 There are a number of added extras when you come see the Hitmen at the ‘Dome. The walls of the building are lined with memorabilia, photos and trophies commemorating great teams and events from years past in the Calgary area. For example, there is a substantial exhibit remembering the excitement of the 1988 Winter Olympics, which were held, in large part, at the Saddledome. You could probably spend the entire game in the concourse looking at and reading all the displays, so there’s lots to check out. You’ll also find a couple locations of Flames Fan Attic for all your souvenir needs, including clothing and knick-knacks for all three of the ‘Dome’s regular residents: the Hitmen, the Flames, and the Calgary Roughnecks. Roaming the stands during the game, and taking part in activities between periods, team mascot Farley the Fox keeps the kids entertained throughout the event. Looking up into the rafters, you’ll see the large row of championship banners amassed during the Hitmen’s history, along with the Flames’ and Roughnecks’ banners. Final Thoughts Overall, the Hitmen do a nice job of keeping the fans entertained. Taking in a game is well worth it.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center East Summit St. Kent, OH 44242 Kent State Golden Flashes website Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 6,327 High Voltage MACC Mania It’s unfortunate that Kent State is most known for the tragedy that happened in 1970 with the shootings by the Ohio National Guard. A decent sized university established in 1910, Kent State is located just south of Cleveland in the college town of Kent, Ohio. With over 30,000 students, Kent State University is a significant member of the Mid-American Conference, where they have been a member since 1951, just five years after the founding of the conference. The Golden Flashes have a number of distinguished alumni including baseball legend Thurman Munson, football great Jack Lambert and golfer Ben Curtis. However, basketball at Kent State should not take a back seat to football, golf nor tragedy. The Golden Flashes have slowly grown to a strong team in the conference winning the MAC Tournament in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2008. Those same years the Golden Flashes made appearances in the NCAA tournament. The regular season MAC title was also won by Kent State in 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2015. All this sounds great, however it was the 2002 Kent State team that tops them all. In 2002, the Golden Flashes made it all the way to the Elite Eight, the best showing in Kent State history. Entering the tournament as a 10 seed, the Golden Flashes would go on to upset number 7, Oklahoma State, number 2 Alabama and number 3 Pitt. The home for the Golden Flashes is the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. Built in 1950, the MAC Center has seen the ups and downs of Kent State basketball and is a great spot to catch some basketball MACtion. With a capacity of 6,327 the MAC Center is just the right size for basketball in this conference. Named in honor of students and alumni who gave their lives in World War II, the MAC Center remains a living memorial in an age of corporate and large donor naming rights. The Golden Flashes demand energy from their fans and High Voltage is on the menu and MACC Mania is required for Kent State basketball. Food & Beverage 3 Concessions at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center are about what you would expect for an NCAA basketball venue of this size. Concessions are decent, but will definitely not blow fans away. The main concession stands offer hot dogs ($3), chilli cheese dogs, burgers, grilled chicken, sausage, nachos, popcorn ($3/$5), chips and pretzels among other things. Although the selection is decent, the variety will definitely not overwhelm fans with options. Alcohol is not sold at the concessions. Pepsi products are the featured soda ($3). Coffee, hot chocolate and other non-alcoholic beverages are also available. Although the selection isn’t massive, concession prices are pretty good with all items coming in under $5. Atmosphere 4 The Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center is a great place to catch a college basketball game. Approaching the MAC Center, fans will notice that this venue has been improved and upgraded over time. The original brown brick structure is still intact, but a newer grey stone, pillared entrance and foyer immediately greet fans. Large banners request fans to “Power Up” and let them know that “Home Is Where the Hype Is” and add colour and life to the exterior. The main foyer is large and bright and when fans pass through security, they are immediately greeted by a large inflated Golden Flash mascot. Lots of natural light gives the foyer light and makes it seem like a venue that is at a much larger, more prestigious basketball school. Clean and bright tile and a couple of mosaic tile pieces of artwork on pillars add more life to the building. The concourses feature a number of historic pictures and artifacts, which help outline the history of Golden Flashes basketball, among other sports. Upon entry to the main gymnasium, fans will be struck with the coziness of the seating area. The court runs from southwest to northeast with seating behind either basket and two levels of southeast and northwest grandstands. Fans have the opportunity to choose a variety of types of seating. The upper grandstands feature old wooden benches on both sides. The lower northwest grandstand has contoured plastic benches while the lower southeast grandstand has plastic chair seating. The southeast side is where fans want to be for that perfect picture of the center court logo. Surprisingly, there are some windows at the top of the grandstands which allow natural light to bleed into the main playing area. The upper southwest side of the court also features some glassed in, club seating. Above center court is the scoreboard which is pretty simple, but there are some video boards in the north and south corners of the gym. Above the northwest banners are the Golden Flashes championship banners from their appearances in the NCAA tournament and NIT as well as their MAC tournament and regular season championships. At the southwest end of the gym proudly hangs the Golden Flashes greatest basketball achievement, their 2002 Elite 8 banner. Beside that are the honoured numbers of Andrew Mitchell, Trevor Huffman, Demetric Shaw and Antonio Gates, all of whom were members of the 2002 team. The number of 2002 team member Eric Thomas is also honored, however, due to some significant legal troubles, Kent State has removed his banner. The game day production is what you would expect from a MAC school. The Kent State pep band plays in the southwest grandstand, behind the basket, and adds that college feel to the game. The northeast side of the gym features an in-house DJ who is clearly secondary to the band. The expected flag wavers and cheerleaders are also part of the game day experience. The Kent State mascot, Flash the Golden Eagle, roams the stands and courtside, interacting with fans, especially kids. Neighborhood 4 The Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center is located on the center-west side of the Kent State University campus. The closest major street to the MACC would be Summit Street, however, this is not the best spot to find pre or postgame fare. The best idea is to head north to Main Street, where fans will find a variety of establishments. There are a plethora of well-known chain franchises on Main, heading west towards Haymaker Parkway. There are also a few unique options that fans may want to consider. These include Main Street Continental Grill, Rockne’s Pub and 101 Bottles of Beer on the Wall. Kent being a small university town means there are not a ton of options for other entertainment nearby. Kent State does offer a full program of athletics, the most prominent of which is football played at Dix Stadium. Dix is quite a distance east of the main campus. Baseball is also played at Kent State during the spring months at Schoonover Stadium. For fans with a bit of an artistic side, the Kent State Art Gallery and Kent State University Museum are on campus. Also, the center of campus features a May 4th Memorial and May 4th Visitor’s’ Center for those who wish to learn more about the 1970 tragedy. There are a couple of places to stay that are not too far from the Kent State campus. Fans may wish to try the Kent State University Hotel or the nearby Holiday Inn. Fans 4 Although Kent State may not be known for preeminence in basketball, the Golden Flashes do lay claim to a pretty solid following. The Golden Flashes average more than 3,500 fans per game. This figure gives them a solid hold on third place for average attendance in the conference and are also above the MAC average for attendance. The fans in attendance are knowledgeable and passionate and the keep the noise level at a decent decibel. The seating behind the baskets is for the students. At the game that was reviewed, the student section was not overwhelming and not over the top. There was definitely some room for improvement from the students. Access 4 The town of Kent is located north of I-76. The campus of Kent State University is located pretty much central to Kent. For fans arriving from out of town, they will have to traverse some of the town of Kent to make it to campus. However, for basketball events, this does not seem too difficult and traffic is not over the top. Free parking is located in the lot on the opposite side of Summit Street. For fans who wish to get a little closer to the MACC, there is some pay parking available on campus, closer to the arena. Fans who wish to get to Kent State via public transit are in luck. The PARTA transit system runs all through the Kent State campus. Check out the Portage Area Regional Transit Authority website for maps, fares and schedules. The main ticketing and entry gate at the MACC is found to the south of the building, at the newer foyer entrance. Ticketing windows are outside and lineups are not too bad. On a cold day, the entry to the main foyer can get pretty tight for fans who are waiting for the gates to open and want to escape the cold. Getting around the arena is not too difficult. The upper and lower levels of the main foyer offer fans space to get around and the concourses on the southeast and northwest sides of the court may be a little narrow, but are not terrible considering the attendance. Washroom facilities are on the small side, but are adequate for this venue. Return on Investment 5 Mid-American Conference basketball is one of the real bargains in the NCAA. Tickets for Golden Flashes basketball range from $12 to $35. Ticket prices, expectedly, increase for the rivalry game against Akron. Kent State students are free to get in. Considering the cost of tickets, decent concession prices and free parking, Kent State basketball does not require a huge investment for an afternoon or evening’s entertainment. The product on the court is also underrated and in fact, the game that was reviewed was tremendously exciting, against a conference rival, and went into overtime. All-in-all, Kent State basketball offers just about everything a fan could ask for considering the low investment required. Extras 3 Two extra marks for the interaction of players and fans. On the game that was reviewed, players went into the stands and invited children to come on the court for the National Anthem as they stood arm in arm. An extra mark for the May 4th Memorial and Kent State’s treatment of the 1970 tragedy. Final Thoughts The Kent State Golden Flashes and their home at the Memorial Convocation and Athletic Center offer basketball fans the opportunity to experience a great NCAA basketball environment for a decent cost. Although probably not a college basketball bucket list experience, Kent State should definitely be considered when sports fans are in the area and looking for something to take in. If catching some Golden Flashes basketball, fans are to be warned that MACC Mania is in the house and High Voltage is to be expected. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

It’s the end of the year episode, and the gang talks about their favorites from the year 2022: the best games, venues, facilities and biggest surprises. All that and more on the year-end finale podcast for 2022! You can find all of our fantastic video content on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. For audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast, visit HIAC Talk Radio.

Photo by Aaron Terry, Stadium Journey The 2022 Bowl Season Kicks off with Two Thrillers Orlando, FL – December 16, 2022 In what may turn out to be one of the better matchups of the 2022 college football bowl season, the #24 ranked Sun Belt Champion Troy Trojans took on the #25 ranked Conference USA Champion UTSA Roadrunners in the Cure Bowl on the first day of bowl action; both teams had records of 11-2 coming into the contest. After falling behind by double digits in the first half (including a safety scored against them on a bad snap), Troy rallied in the 4th quarter to win 18-12, despite 4 sacks on their QB and starting inside their 10-yard line on 4 separate drives. UTSA was ultimately doomed by penalties and a total 5 turnovers, and was unable to score in the second half – most notably they turned the ball over on downs after a first-and-goal from the Troy 2 with about 7 minutes left in the 4th, in what could have been the go-ahead score. The Cure Bowl is held at Exploria Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium that is normally home to Orlando City SC , Orlando City B, and the Orlando Pride, but which began hosting the Cure Bowl in 2022 after the game was moved from nearby Camping World Stadium; the 2022 Cure Bowl is sponsored by Duluth Trading Company. Coincidentally, the other bowl game on this first day of the 2022 bowl season was also a matchup of two teams with the same record coming in, as the 6-6 Miami (OH) Redhawks took on the 6-6 UAB Blazers in the HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl. That contest also came down to the wire, with 4 lead changes occurring in the 2nd half as UAB overcame 3 turnovers to win 24-20; one of those turnovers even gave Miami (OH) a first-and-goal from the UAB 4 after a muffed punt during the 3rd quarter, which the Redhawks turned into a touchdown 1 play later. The Bahamas Bowl is also held at a soccer stadium, that being Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau. The Bahamas Bowl was previously sponsored by Popeye’s and Makers Wanted, and in 2017 and 2020-2021 had no title sponsor, before being picked up by HomeTown Lenders for 2022. The 2022 Bowl action continues on December 17th with a whopping 7 different contests throughout the day all across the country, by far the busiest day of Bowl Season, and culminates on January 9th with the National Championship at SoFi Stadium .

Photos by Jon Hart, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Pope Physical Education Center 180 Remsen Street Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201 St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers website Pope Physical Education Center website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 1,200 Brooklyn Basketball Located in the oversized shadow of the mega Barclays Center, nestled in the idyllic Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn’s St. Francis offers an awesome basketball experience. With a capacity of just 1,200, it’s very intimate. You’re practically on the court. You might even have to toss a ball back onto the court, so look alive! If you want a chair back, you’ll have to sit on the sideline facing the team’s benches. There’s no seating behind either team’s basket. St. Francis, which plays out of the one-bid Northeast Conference, is a low mid-major. On any given night, however, these Terriers can compete with the Goliaths. Earlier this 2018 – 2019 season, they lost by five at Boston College. In short, the Terriers have talent… but they’ve never danced in March Madness. In 2014-15, they came close, winning the NEC regular season championship but stumbling in their conference tournament. Food & Beverage 3 On game days, the St. Francis cafeteria offers pizza, pasta, and other Italian standbys from a local pizzeria. An array of packaged treats are also available. Prices are reasonable. If you’re craving an alternative, there are plenty of options on Montague Street to sample at half-time. If you can muster it, save your appetite. Brooklyn Heights has some of the finest cuisines anywhere. Atmosphere 3 Folks are into it at St. Francis. There’s almost no choice, as you’re practically on the court. St. Francis doesn’t have a band, but they have cheerleaders and a mascot, who might be one of the most mellow in all of the college sports. Neighborhood 4 Just a quick walk from the must-walk or bike Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights is one of the most unique neighborhoods in New York City. With its picturesque brownstones, it’s wonderful for a stroll or a bite. In that realm, there are a plethora of dining options. Henry Street, a gem of a block, offers a gamut of options. If you’re looking for cheap, solid eat, Fuscati Pizza is the spot for a slice. Heights Falafel offers middle eastern goodies. On the higher end, there are long-time neighborhood favorites Noodle Pudding and Henry’s End. If you want to stare at your phone or watch others do just that at a coffee spot, there are plenty of those. If you don’t mind a longer stroll, Lucali in nearby Carroll Gardens is highly recommended for elite, New Haven-quality pizza. Fans 3 Terrier fans run the gamut, from students to neighborhood hoops junkies to kids, who are often allowed on the court during game breaks to shoot free throws or scrimmage. St. Francis offers a very family-friendly experience. When games get tight, Terrier diehards chant. For regular season games, the Terriers seem to get about 600 fans, give or take. Thus, getting a seat on game day shouldn’t be a problem. However, come conference tournament time, attendance is certain to increase. Access 3 Brooklyn Heights is steps away from almost every imaginable public transportation option. For drivers, you might have to hunt and peck for a parking space. Either that or prepare to pay for one of the many garages or lots in the area. If you decide to go this route, Icon on Livingston Street is recommended. Return on Investment 3 St. Francis puts on a good show, and it won’t break the budget. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Extras 3 In a way, St. Francis has two head coaches. Glenn Branca is the head coach. Ron Ganulin is an assistant. However, Ganulin was the head coach for the Terriers from 1991-2005. Often, during games, both pace opposite ends of the sidelines. There’s no Jumbotron at St. Francis, but they have a mural, a montage of popular Brooklyn images. Final Thoughts St. Francis’ facility isn’t the Carrier Dome, to say the least, but that’s a good thing. You’re close. You can hear the coaches, the bounce of the ball, and the rim reverberate. Bottom line: St. Francis offers big basketball in a small place. When St. Francis finally dances, the serene neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights will go ballistic. ----- Jon Hart is @ManVersusBall