Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Gallaudet Softball Complex 800 Florida Ave NE Washington, DC 20002 Gallaudet Bison website Gallaudet Softball Complex website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 500 Lady Bisons of DC Gallaudet University is a federally-chartered private university for the education of the Deaf and hard of hearing located in Washington, D.C. The school is named for Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a pioneer in the education of the deaf. Founded in 1864, Gallaudet University was originally a grammar school for both deaf and blind children. In 1954 the school became Gallaudet College and in 1986 it was renamed Gallaudet University. The physical campus is on the National Register of Historic Places. The most popular majors at Gallaudet University are business, visual and performing arts, communication studies, physical education, and psychology. The Bison are a member of the North Eastern Athletic Conference (except for the football program which plays in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference) and play at the Division III level. The Gallaudet Softball Complex opened on March 18, 2011 against D.C. rival Catholic University. Dugouts were added in 2014 and permanent seating in 2017. Lights and a press box are planned future additions. Food & Beverage 1 There are no permanent food options at the softball complex. It looks like a potential concession stand is on design plans. Until any potential upgrade, there is a table setup and a grill for small food offerings. The table may only be there when a baseball game is going at the neighboring baseball field and/or on weekend games. The prices are reasonable. Atmosphere 2 This a pretty simple small college softball field. A small metal bleacher sits right behind the home plate and protective screen. There is a very simple scoreboard located in right center. There is not much else in terms of atmosphere. The university’s baseball field, Hoy Field, is located just a few feet away. If you are lucky, both teams will be in action so you can go from one game to another quickly. Neighborhood 3 The Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, a day school serving deaf and hard of hearing students from birth through grade 8, is located right behind the right center field fence of Hoy Field. The wonderful Union Market is located next to the university campus, although on the opposite end from Hoy Field. The market is worth a stop. The 1930s Union Terminal Market has been renovated into a gourmet food hall with numerous local vendors selling a variety of food products. Favorites of mine are Buffalo & Bergen, DC Empanadas, Peregrine Espresso and TaKorean’s Korean Tacos. Besides Union Market there is very little to do in the immediate neighborhood of Gallaudet University. Be careful driving around before or after the game as there are some dangerous neighborhoods in the area, although many are gentrifying quickly. Not too far away is a stellar cocktail bar, Smith Commons, located in the Atlas Arts District. The dizzying array of complicated drinks will amaze you. And did I mention you are right in the middle of Washington, DC? The amount of attractions, museums, restaurants and other sights are astounding. Spend some time pre or postgame seeing the many things around this great city. Fans 2 Many of the school’s fans are deaf. But this does not mean that they are quiet. Fans of the university can be boisterous and are proud of their school just like at any other university. Other fans at the Galluadet Softball Complex tend to primarily be family or friends of the players. You may see an inconsistent level of fan interaction. Access 3 For weekend games there should be plenty of parking near the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School. Weekday games will take a bit more planning as you will have to find spaces that are open to visitors. The closest Metro station is the NoMa-Gallaudet U New York Ave Station. A few years ago I would not have recommended walking the short distance between the station and campus, but the safety of the area has improved dramatically. One should still use a good amount of caution and use common sense. The biggest problem with using the Metro, is the system itself. The Metro is frustratingly overpriced compared to systems in other cities. But it really does get you to nearly all parts of the city, except for Georgetown. Just be careful on weekends when trains run less often or are in single track mode, as you may encounter some extended wait times. The system is having maintenance, mechanical and money issues so expect delays and other issues at all times. It is unfortunate, but way too true. Return on Investment 3 The price, free, is certainly reasonable. And you will probably not have to pay for parking. So, the value is certainly good. The Division III level of softball is not especially high, but the school’s conference has a nice variety of opponents. Extras 3 The grounds of the university are on the National Register of Historic Places. Take some time to check out the university facilities. Parts of the campus are also on the District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites and Historic American Buildings Survey. The Kendall Demonstration Elementary School has a very interesting statue located in front of their main building. Since it is next to the campus, one should check in and look at this large piece of art. The baseball and softball fields also share space with the school’s football and track stadium. The field is very nice and often hosts local recreating soccer games. Final Thoughts The Gallaudet Softball Complex is a pretty simple softball stadium. But the low cost of attendance means that this is a good value for the fan.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 All-Tech Raceway 1024 SW Howell Rd Lake City, FL 32024 All-Tech Raceway website Year Opened: 1974 A New Dirt Track Experience All-Tech Raceway has been around for a while, having opened in 1974 as a short track. Recently the track was sold and converted to a dirt track, which has changed the experience at All-Tech Raceway, but at the same time, the track has remained the family friendly environment it has always sought to be. A trip to this track half an hour north of Gainesville, Florida makes it plain to see why locals flock here every weekend. Food & Beverage 3 The food here is made fresh on site, so while the selection may be limited, you aren’t getting pre-packaged junk heated in the microwave. Prices are incredibly affordable as well, with hot dogs running just $2.50. Hamburgers are just $3.50 ($4 for cheeseburgers), nachos and cheese is just $3, and an order of fries is $3. Corn dogs are $2, with an assortment of candy and chips ranging from $0.50 to $2. Perhaps the most popular item is the redneck nachos at $6, or the pork sandwich at $5. Drinks range from $1 to $2.50 for water, soda, Gatorade, coffee, and sweet tea. Atmosphere 4 The track is incredibly comfortable and clean for a local short track. The main seating area is built on a berm, with the concessions stands and media tower located on top of the berm. Below the berm, fans can sit on tiered stone levels made from pavers and stones that offer enough room per level to set up folding chairs, but still have room around you. For the comfort of those around the track, smoking is limited to the far ends of each side of the seating area, outside of the main seating areas, which makes for a much more comfortable experience for everyone. Neighborhood 2 There isn’t much around All-Tech Raceway – Gainesville is the closest large town, located about a half an hour south on I-75. Next to the track, you see mostly private land and trees. While this makes the track feel a bit more isolated and relaxing, it also means you have to drive a bit to get to anything substantial. For lodging, there are exactly three motels nearby – Dream Inn, Palms Garden Inn, and Travelers Inn Motel. For something bigger and of higher quality, your best bet is to look in and around the Gainesville area. For food, you will have to drive to Gainesville (there is a Wendy’s just off the same I-75 exit as the track), where you can find Jason’s Deli, Red Lobster, Chipotle, Blaze Pizza, and countless other shopping and dining options in the college town. For attractions, the University of Florida is in Gainesville, offering many options for the college sports fan. Also, to the north, just outside of Lake City, is Osceola National Forest. Fans 5 The fans pack in the track every race day. Parking fills up, the fans gather around their favorite drivers in the paddock area, and the racing action keeps the speed-loving faithful entertained for the whole night. The fans are polite, and that makes for an incredibly family friendly environment for the whole family. Access 4 All-Tech Raceway is one of the easiest tracks to get to when it comes to local racing, and parking is plentiful on site. Getting to the track is pretty easy – I-75 is the closest highway, and the track is less than a mile from the highway exit. Once you take exit 93, head south on US-41 until you get to SW Howell Rd; once you turn onto that, the track is just a short drive down. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $15 per person to get in, and while that may be more than some local short tracks in America, the quality of the experience is worth it. You get a comfortable seating area to watch the races from, a family friendly atmosphere, and some exciting racing on track. The only deterrent is the track’s distance from major cities, so you will have to trek a little out of the way for this one. Extras 2 All-Tech Raceway brings out the young fans every night, to hold American flags along the front stretch during the national anthem. The track also offers a paddock pass, getting you access into the track’s pits for an up-close view of the drivers, cars, and teams each weekend. Final Thoughts All-Tech Raceway is a bit out of the way, and while it may not have the presence or name recognition of some of Florida’s other short tracks, it is no less entertaining. If you’re a race fan looking for an adventure to see someplace new, All-Tech Raceway may be your perfect match.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Phoenix Municipal Stadium 5999 E. Van Buren St Phoenix, AZ 85008 Oakland Athletics website Phoenix Municipal Stadium website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 7,897 Farewell to Phoenix Muni 1982-2014, Oakland Athletics Spring Training Phoenix Municipal Stadium (known as Phoenix Muni to locals) closed its doors as the Oakland Athletics Spring Training facility in 2014. The Athletics will move their spring training games to Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, AZ in 2015. Phoenix Muni opened its gates in 1964 for SF Giants spring training games. Besides the Giants and the Athletics (beginning the 1982 season), it has also hosted the Phoenix Firebirds (former AAA team of the SF Giants). The ASU Sun Devils will begin play at this stadium in the 2015 season. It was renovated in 2003 which included more comfortable seating, better access to concessions and team shops, and created private indoor suites and a covered patio suite. One point of note is when the New York Giants moved from the Polo Grounds in New York to San Francisco, they brought with them the light poles for Muni, and they still stand today. Like its parent club, the Athletics spring training is more about the baseball than any other frills or gimmicks. It continues to be just basically baseball which, for this author, is quite refreshing. Food & Beverage 3 Your standard ballpark fare is here: dogs, burgers, peanuts, pizza, pretzels. A Division Champs Combo which includes a big dog, a beer/soda, and a small bag of peanuts is $13.75. Pepsi is the soda provider at Phoenix Muni. Other options include a BBQ pork sandwiches, nachos, pizza, foot long dogs, corn dog, and nachos grande, and Asian noodles ranging from $3 – $8. Standard beer options include Bud, Bud Light, Coors, Coors Light, etc. There are two Angelo’s Italian ice/gelato carts on the concourse. There are several craft brew carts throughout the concourse so be sure to check those out if standard domestic beer is not your preference, though they can be pricey at $11. Vendors parade the stadium stands and offer snacks such as churros, sno cones, ice cold beer, and lemonade among others. Specialty items include Honeybear’s BBQ sandwich $8 and Loco Patron Chicken Tacos $8. I was told Honeybear’s BBQ sandwich is pretty bad (dry), at least at the game I attended. Perhaps it was just a bad batch. The third baseline concourse offers a nice spot to get some food and beverage with picnic tables in which to enjoy your nourishment. It has Blue Moon ($10) and Coors Light (other concessions are available as well). It appears most concessions are cash only. Atmosphere 5 Since Phoenix Muni is one of the oldest ballparks in the Cactus League (Spring Training in AZ), it has lots of history. And that will continue when the ASU Sun Devils arrive in 2015. Historical events are etched in the concourse floor. Most folks ignore them or don’t realize they are there. Do take the time to stroll around the concourse and read the etched messages in the floor to read the history this stadium offers. There are banners honoring individuals who have been recognized in the MLB Hall of Fame as well as the World Series championships of the Oakland Athletics. Will these be replaced by the many retired numbers of ASU ballplayers? If you want to sit in the shade (recommended on those hot AZ spring days) choose upper box seats above row four for tickets. Most seats are the traditional plastic green fold down variety. Bleachers with backs are in the outfield. The scoreboard is small and hard to read; it provides minimal information: balls, strikes, outs, hits, runs, errors. Bring binoculars if you care about reading the scoreboard. The music volume level is absolutely fine during the game allowing fans to talk with their neighbors vs. yelling at them. The bullpens are on the field beyond the first and third bases. There are beautiful geological formations of Papago Park beyond the left field. Watching a game here is about baseball. Not the other stuff. That said, there are a few promotions and giveaways during the game. Neighborhood 3 There’s still not much to see or do walking distance from the arena. Phoenix Zoo (about ½ mile from stadium) Desert Botanical Gardens (about 1 mile from stadium) Both worthwhile visiting before or after the game (the zoo closes at 5pm so that might be a better pregame visit). A minimal number of local or chain restaurants are within walking distance. There’s a Ladybug Café, a Starbucks, a Filiberto’s Mexican Restaurant, and Samis Gyros all ½ mile from the stadium. Besides that, there’s just not much close by. The Phoenix area does offer nine other spring training venues as well as a plethora of other attractions to see and do. Fans 5 One just has to admire Athletic fans for following their team even though the current ownership does not appear interested in investing in the team or their regular season stadium. The fans are engaged, respectful, energizing, easy to talk with and very knowledgeable of their team and the game. They are helpful when asking questions about the play at hand and/or Athletics information. And they are passionate even booing an appealed call that didn’t go their favor. Attending an Athletics game is worth it regardless of the venue in which the team is playing because of the fabulous fans. Access 3 If you have a fear of heights (like this author does) then you will have trouble. The parking lot is across a four-lane street. One must walk across a bridge to get to the stadium. If you do have a fear of heights, try the light rail or have a friend drop you off on the stadium side of the street. Handicapped parking is available on the stadium side of the venue so no difficulties for those folks. A light rail station is ½ mile from the stadium – Valley Metro’s Light Rail. There are bus routes available as well. Plenty of bathrooms are available and they are clean with a minimal wait after the game. There is ample seat and leg room in the seating areas. The concourse does get crowded during the game making strolling through them a chore. We’ll see how that translates when ASU occupies the facility. Return on Investment 4 Tickets range from $12 – $24 for a spring training game. If you live in the area, the Oakland Athletics also offer some season ticket packages as well as 10-game packages. The food prices seem high to me. Getting to a stadium to see a game where the game is more the focus than the other promotions is always a plus in my book. And watching the last season the Athletics played in the venue is worth the expense. Do check out a game here when the ASU Sun Devils take the field in 2015. Extras 4 Watching a game at Phoenix Muni is about the baseball being played on the field. The definition of a fan is a person(s) who is enthusiastically devoted to something. I’ll give the Athletic fans a few extra points as they are not only devoted, they are passionate and they deserve some credit. Also notable is the history that is displayed throughout the stadium, including the light poles from the Polo Grounds and the etchings on the floor of the concourse. Final Thoughts This is a final farewell to Phoenix Muni as a superb venue in which to watch an Athletics spring training game. It’s a bit sad as it is a great ballpark. A future review will see if the ASU Sun Devils provide the same presence and experience.

Photos by Conrad Klank, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.71 Indian Wells Tennis Garden 78200 Miles Ave Indian Wells, CA 92210 BNP Paribas Open website Indian Wells Tennis Garden website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 16,100 Playing in the Garden The Indian Wells Tennis Garden is the home to the annual BNP Paribas Open Professional Men's and Women's tennis tournament. Located in Indian Wells, California, about two hours east of Los Angeles, this 54-acre facility plays host to the top ATP and WTA players from around the world for two exciting weeks in March. The BNP Paribas Open is one of the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 and WTA Premier 5 events, one of only three of its kind in the United States along with Miami and Cincinnati. Backed by a small group of tennis and sports enthusiasts, this facility has quickly grown into the incredible event that it is today. The most eye-catching feature, by far, of this beautiful park, is the 16,100-seat Stadium Court 1, which is the second largest tennis specific stadium in the world, second only to Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open. In addition to the impressive capacity of Stadium Court 1, it also features 44 luxury suites, a full media workroom, and the players� locker rooms and restaurant. After Stadium Court 1, there are seven additional smaller temporary stadiums, which host the other tournament matches. Outside of watching tennis, there are a number of other great things to do around the grounds, ranging from eating and drinking, to demoing racquets, to shopping the boutiques, to even getting a free massage. Additionally, this is one of the most fan friendly events in the world with improved seating and visibility around the practice courts and mini soccer field, as well as the new updated digital practice schedule board located right outside of court 3. Food & Beverage 5 If you've never been to a tennis tournament you'll be in for quite a treat as the food offerings are quite different than one would expect at a baseball or football game. If you're expecting concession windows, ice cream carts, and beer guys patrolling the aisles, you may or may not be pleasantly surprised with the incredible variety and quality that is offered at professional tennis tournaments, especially at this one. Not that the typical stadium fare of hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, and nachos won't be found here, it's just that stadium food is taken to a whole new level. Depending on what you're in the mood for, you could have an authentic gyro, a footlong loaded with BBQ beef brisket, pizza, specialty bistro sandwiches, and even fish and chips, just to name a few of the unique food offerings found at the BNP Paribas Open. Once you've found something that tickles your fancy from the food court, find a place to get a refreshment, a little shade, and a spot to eat. There are two large beach-themed Corona bars, and a massive Don Julio bar with plenty of shaded tables and chairs at the center of the food court. If you're looking for a little more elbow room than your seat but don't want to miss a second of the action on the court, grab a couple of adirondack chairs in the Corona Plaza where the top three matches are being shown on the large video boards with stats and scores scrolling across the bottom. Atmosphere 5 As with food and beverage, the atmosphere at professional tennis tournaments is very unique. One moment you can be courtside engrossed in a fantastic third set match biting your fingernails, the next you can be socializing with friends in the food court. There are a number of different atmospheres within the grounds of the tournament depending on the setting. There are numerous massive murals of tennis players and images all around the buzzing and excited grounds. While it is important that you stay quiet while play is going on, don't underestimate the amount of excitement that shows at this big time tournament. Make sure to stake out some first or second row seats for an outer court match, so that you can get the up close and personal feel that is so special about these tournaments where you don't have to have a ticket to the outer courts. Additionally, in the evenings, live music, interviews, player autograph sessions, and trivia are available around the grounds. Neighborhood 5 While there isn't much to do in walking distance of the tournament, there are a ton of wonderful places to eat, drink, and things to do just a short drive away. There are two areas that I recommend, first is El Paseo where there are easily over a hundred places to visit. This upscale shopping and dining area is the perfect place to visit before or after going to the tournament or for a break in the action. There is something here for every budget and taste bud. Don't plan to do much shopping later in the evening as most of the stores close rather early while the restaurants stay open a little later, so shop first, eat second. If you like fresh seafood, make sure to eat at Pacifica. For unique specialty pizza, Wolfgang Puck Pizza Bar. And for a steak, you have to go to Mastro's Steakhouse. This is typically the best area for player spotting so keep your eyes peeled for your favorite player getting a bite to eat. Lastly, even if you aren't a big art buff, make sure you stop in at one or two of the many art galleries in the area. If you're willing to drive just a bit further (15-20 minutes), I recommend visiting the North Palm Canyon shopping district. Similar to El Paseo, you will find a number of great shopping and dining options, however the things you will find here won't be nearly as upscale, but much more unique. Be sure to get an omelet for breakfast at Pinocchio in the Desert, have a burger at Hamburger Mary's for lunch, pick up some souvenirs at Just Fabulous, have some authentic chicken parmesan at Kalura Trattoria Italiana or authentic Mexican at Maracas, and get your picture taken with the giant statue of Marilyn Monroe. As you can see, there's a ton to do in the Palm Desert/Palm Springs area, so don't forget to plan an extra day or two just to be a tourist. When you're looking for a hotel, be sure to book early as rooms go fast with only a limited number of resorts available. There are some great options near both entertainment areas mentioned. The top recommendation in Palm Desert which not only has a tremendous tennis facility to get a work out during your stay, but also typically hosts player exhibitions and practice sessions while the tournament is in town, the La Quinta Resort. If you're interested in relaxing more away from the tournament crowds, the Renaissance in Palm Springs is highly recommended with a tremendous pool deck. Fans 5 Tennis fans are some of the best sports fans in the world. It's not uncommon to see fans travel all over the world to follow their favorite players. Since tournaments are played in so many places, it takes a lot of dedication to follow the sport, and tennis fans don't disappoint as they have showed up in record numbers. The 2013 BNP Paribas Open set a new tournament attendance record of 382,227 as well as new single day and night session records on the middle Saturday of the tournament. Access 4 Getting to the tournament from out of town, you have a few options. If traveling by air, the nearest airports available are Palm Springs International Airport (17mi), San Bernardino International Airport (70 mi), Ontario Airport (87mi), and Los Angeles International Airport (139mi). For the experience with the least hassle, Palm Springs International Airport would be the best choice. With shuttles and taxis available to transport you to your nearby hotel, this would be the best route. However, it will be without a doubt the most expensive and probably not the most convenient as far as flight times. If you decide to fly into one of the other airports, rent a car and drive yourself to the tournament. The key to saving yourself the most trouble is to make sure you arrive to the tournament early to avoid the troublesome traffic. With only a couple of roads leading to the tournament site, congestion is extremely likely and time consuming. The next issue is the long walk from the parking areas that is probable in delaying you further from entering the tournament. Parking right next to the tournament grounds in the official general parking is $15 per day. The biggest thing to keep in mind here is just to give yourself extra time to drive to the tournament and get into the grounds, as it can possibly be a long process. If possible, I highly recommend booking one of the nearby hotels, which offer a shuttle to and from the grounds for a much more stress free day. When it comes to the access inside the tournament grounds, it's important to keep in mind that with such large numbers in attendance, it is likely that restrooms will back up and form lines. Like at a basketball game, to beat the halftime restroom crowds, you head for the stands a few minutes before the half, it might be wise to try that strategy here. Also, I recommend avoiding the lines for the restrooms located in Stadium Court 1. Instead, search out the restroom stands located around the grounds. Lastly, it is important to be patient when trying to attend a match in one of the smaller stadium courts around the grounds, especially during a highly touted matchup as crowds will quickly form and congestion at the entrances is possible. Return on Investment 4 As with any professional tennis tournament, it has to be understood that there really aren't too many "economical" options. Plain and simple, it's expensive. Having said this, for the money, a ton of entertainment is provided. In comparison to other sporting events where you get to see the best in the world it is about on par if not a slightly better return on investment. Keeping in mind that a single ticket to any given day session will entitle you to see at least 3 matches and around 7 hours inside the gates, this is far superior to seeing one game of another sport for around the same price. The same concept goes for the food and beverage. While it can be expected that prices will be slightly higher, more variety and better products are also on hand when compared to a more mainstream sporting event. For tickets to the BNP Paribas Open, the cheapest and most convenient options are available directly through the tournament's ticket office. In addition to daily tickets, they also offer different kinds of mini packages for any number of people and days, as well as hotel packages. One of the great perks included in select packages is access to the VIP, air-conditioned, Emirates Club Lounge. Extras 5 This tournament is filled to the brim with extras that tennis fans just aren't used to. The spectacular views from any vantage point of palm trees, desert, and mountains are breathtaking. The official instant replay technology that's available on all eight match courts, the most of any tournament in the world. The unique mini soccer field and adjacent outdoor player-dining patio, perfect for spotting your favorite player having fun off the court. Along with the views outside of the grounds, the beautiful landscaping inside the grounds makes for a wonderful combination for the backdrop to the action on the court. Final Thoughts Top 5 things to make sure you do while at The BNP Paribas Open at The Indian Wells Tennis Garden: Smell the lemon trees Go to the top of the stands to get the best views of the desert Get autographs at the soccer field and practice courts Watch a match in every stadium court for a different atmosphere Shop the boutiques and exhibits Things to keep in mind when attending The BNP Paribas Open: Be sure to pack a small bag to take into the tournament to store your extra long sleeves and long pants since the weather varies and it will undoubtedly get cool in the evenings in the desert (small bags are allowed in the tournament after a brief inspection, of course) Bring a camera and autograph pen (necessities when your favorite player is on the practice courts) Since spring forward occurs during the middle weekend of the tournament, it is wise to attend the evening sessions during the second week (the tournament grounds are so beautiful that you'll want as much daylight as possible to be able to enjoy it)

Photos by Paul Derrick, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Montagne Center 4400 MLK Blvd Beaumont, TX 77710 Lamar Cardinals website Montagne Center website Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 10,080 Cardinals Got Pep Located near the southeast coast of Texas you will find the city of Beaumont, which is well known for its place in the Texas Oil business. If you are ever in Beaumont look past the seaport and other huge business headquarters and take a look at a hidden gem, the Montagne Center, which is the home court of the Lamar Cardinals. Built in 1984 the Montagne Center seats just over 10,000 people for games. I’m not saying you’re going to see 10,000 people at a game but it is capable of seating that many people. Food & Beverage 2 There is absolutely nothing special to choose from on the food menu, but it is still a respectable selection considering the size of the venue. On the menu you have a choice of a hot dog, hot dog with cheese, hot dog with chili or hot dog with chili and cheese, not a lot of variety but all nicely priced. The snack stand also carries nachos, popcorn, candy, pickles and pretzels, also reasonably priced. The only variety items I found were a sausage link and boudain which is a pork rice dressing stuffed into a pork casing, very popular in the south. I found the boudain to be quite disappointing but was happy at the size for only $4.75. Your drink selections are limited to Pepsi products and are available for $3 for a small and $4 for a large. Overall I would eat before or after the game, but if you’re looking for a snack, something here should do it. Atmosphere 3 The overall atmosphere of the arena is not the best but not the worst I have seen. The arena concourse is nice and has plenty of photos and plaques to commemorate Cardinal players, new and old. Once I walked into the actual arena I was pleasantly surprised by the seating and size of the arena. One of the things that quickly caught my attention though was the pep band. I am going on record as saying the Cardinals have one of the best pep bands I have ever heard. Playing everything from great classics to new age hits, they kept the few fans there bobbing their heads and tapping their feet all night long. Big props to the music department and Lamar on this one. Neighborhood 2 Luckily Beaumont is only an hour and a half east of Houston because in my numerous trips to the city I have found fairly little to do. They do have the South Texas State Fair every year which is the 2nd largest fair in the state of Texas. The fair features a livestock show, commercial exhibition and a carnival. The Beaumont Jazz & Blues Fest is held every year in downtown Beaumont, for all the Jazz and Blues fans. As for great eating I will only recommend one place and that is Sugas Deep South Cuisine & Jazz Bar, absolutely great food and well worth the price. Fans 2 The 2,000 – 3,000 fans that were in attendance were mediocre at best but did know when to cheer on the Cardinals the most. The arena may be a tad too large for a team at this level right now. As the noise made by the fans is hardly heard at all at times due to the size of the arena. The fans do what they are supposed to do but nothing that will blow you away. Access 4 Access to and from the stadium is about as easy and good as it gets. Located just off I-10 you will have no problem spotting the Montagne Center. Parking is free and is in abundance, which is always a plus for me. It also makes for easy entrance and exit to and from the arena. The concourses are very wide which means you should have no trouble making your way around the arena. Bathrooms are plentiful. Return on Investment 3 With tickets ranging from $6-$12, and a meal costing you on average only about $7-$8, Lamar is making a trip to the arena worth the cost. The Southland conference may not be known for hailing any power house hoop squads, but they are growing. I think any basketball fan that enjoys watching some good college hoops will find this well worth the $20 investment. Extras 2 There are not a whole lot of great extras provided at Montagne. One thing I will say is a definite extra point goes to the pep band which in my eyes is one of the best in the land. Another extra point goes out to the beauty of the Montagne Center, by just looking at it you would have no idea it was pushing thirty years old. Final Thoughts The Lamar Cardinals definitely provide entertainment for the money. If you’re in or around Beaumont, it is definitely worth the money to catch the Cardinals in action at Montagne.

Photo Courtesy of Santa Clara Broncos Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Stephen Schott Stadium El Camino Real at Campbell Ave Santa Clara, CA 95053 Santa Clara Broncos website Stephen Schott Stadium website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 1,500 Bronco Baseball The Santa Clara University Broncos have played at Stephen Schott Stadium since it opened in 2005 at a construction cost of $8.6 million. $4 million of the total was donated by former SCU baseball player and Oakland Athletics owner Stephen Schott. You enter the stadium from behind home plate and make your way past the snack bar to the main rotunda that stretches from third base, behind home plate, to first base. From this walkway, you can go down to the lower level, complete with chair back seats or to the upper-level bleachers. As one of the newer facilities in the conference, Schott Stadium certainly is a nice place to watch a game. The sight lines are great, the stadium clean, and all parts of it accessible. The SCU Broncos currently play in the West Coast Conference, typically known for their basketball powerhouses of Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s and BYU. However the WCC also has formidable baseball programs with Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine both making appearances in the College World Series. The Broncos made their only appearance in 1962 as runners-up to the University of Michigan. The Broncos most recent NCAA Tournament appearance came in 1997. Food & Beverage 3 There’s nothing that sticks out as particularly special at Schott Stadium, though the prices are quite reasonable compared to other venues around the Bay Area. The main courses include a grilled chicken sandwich ($6), cheeseburger ($6), garden burger ($5) hot dog ($4) and nachos ($7). The peripheral items are pretzels, churros, nachos, popcorn (all $3), candy ($2) and whole fruit ($3). You can get a 16 oz soda for $2 or a 32 oz soda for $3. The most popular items of the evening were definitely hot chocolates and coffee ($2 each) as it was a bitingly brisk evening. Atmosphere 3 The stadium itself is quite aesthetically pleasing as it is clean and has great sight lines. I also liked that there are condos beyond the right field fence which made it feel a bit like a big league park. It is also beneficial to get close to the action as there are only 1,500 seats at Schott Stadium. I feel like the experience suffered a bit from the cold. About a third of those in attendance gathered behind home plate in front of the press box and luxury suite to use the brick facade as a wind-blocker, steaming coffee and chocolate in tow. The main detraction in my eyes beside the sparsely attended game itself was that there were very few indicators of where you were and who you were watching, etc. There were few banners and insignia displayed around Schott Stadium. Neighborhood 3 Santa Clara University is located in a suburban neighborhood outside of San Jose. The immediate neighborhood is college-centric with good bars and restaurants nearby where you can grub with a group or spend a night with a date. There are places to stop by for a sandwich or a slice of pizza in the neighborhood as these options may be cheaper (and sometimes better) than the ones in the venue. You can grab beer on nearby Franklin Street at The Hut or a bite at Mondo Burrito. Aside from the options available the neighborhood is clean, safe and beautiful. This student-focused, somewhat upscale neighborhood is a nice place to explore before or after the game. It’s a little bit of a sleepy town with most of the nightlife happening in San Jose. Schott Stadium is located directly across El Camino Real from the main SCU campus, a rock’s throw from Buck Shaw Stadium and Leavey Center. The university is not far from where the San Francisco 49ers are building their new stadium. Fans 2 We just can’t handle the cold in California and the seats showed that. To compound the problem for the home team, more than half of those in attendance were supporters from the visiting team Cal Poly, from San Luis Obispo, 200 miles south. I could be wrong but it seemed there wasn’t much of a connection between the fans and their team. The fans there were certainly engaged with the game and paying attention, I just didn’t sense much passion. Much like the basketball game experience, many of the lively fans were in the luxury suite near the press box. Access 5 The campus is located between three major freeways: 101, 880 and 280. All of these allow easy access to surface roads leading to campus. These surface roads are well maintained and easy to navigate, even if it’s your first time in the area. The major parking lot for Schott Stadium is located right off the El Camino Real and are easy to get in and out of. Trying to avoid paying for parking? Street parking is just as easy, just watch for signs. Getting around the stadium is easy because of the wide walkways and I don’t think it would change much when the game is sold to capacity. There is one set of bathrooms behind the press box near the equally accessible snack bar. The nearest Caltrain station is about a half mile away which services the Peninsula from San Jose to San Francisco. Return on Investment 3 Tickets (starting at $7 for adults) and concessions are very reasonable considering the fine facility the Broncos play in. However, if my experience is the norm I’m not sure the return can be much greater than a three. Schott Stadium surely is a good place to watch a game but it has a ways to go to match the experience of the nearby Sunken Diamond. Extras 1 Schott Stadium does not do a good job of honoring their past, in my opinion. While the Leavey Center has retired numbers and championship banners displayed, Schott Stadium had neither. Like I said before, there isn’t much in the way of insignia anywhere at the stadium. This did make for a nice clean look and feel and perhaps that is what they were going for.