Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Mustang Stadium 11005 Owings Mills Blvd Owings Mills, MD 21117 Stevenson Mustangs website Mustang Stadium website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 3,500 A History of Horses There are times when something good can spring from something so bad. Stevenson University and its wonderful athletic facilities are "the good". The events of March 1984 were "the bad", at least for the residents of Maryland. At 2 am on March 29th of that year, fifteen Mayflower moving trucks arrived at the Baltimore Colts training facility in Owings Mills, a northwest suburb of Baltimore. Workers loaded all of the team’s belongings and the trucks left for Indianapolis arriving later that day to a massive welcome. The move happened in the dark since the Colt’s owner Bob Irsay feared the Maryland legislature would pass an eminent domain bill that would have legally barred the team from moving. The bill passed later that day but it was too late, as the locally beloved franchise was already gone. The former training facility had, in the early years after the Colts left, seen some of its lands sold off by then-property owners Baltimore City. The main building and field also were used as a training center for local police officers. Football returned from 1994 to 1995 as the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League (CFL) used the training center. The Stallions were quite a success, easily the most successful of the United States CFL expansion teams, with strong attendance numbers and appearances in the CFL Grey Cup Championship Game in both years they were in town. In 1995 they even won that championship, but when the Cleveland Browns agreed to move to Maryland, the Stallions realized that they needed to move on. Move they did, back to Canada and they are still known today as the Montreal Alouettes. In 1996, the newly renamed Baltimore Ravens team took up residence in the Owings Mills facility. The team would move to a new center, also in the Owings Mills area, called the Under Armour Performance Center in 2004. That new facility is referred to as “The Castle” for its architectural style. Villa Julie College has always been a bit of a quirky place. Originally located in the Greenspring Valley of Baltimore County and its Stevenson neighborhood, the college was an all-girls school until 1972 and did not even offer bachelor degrees until 1984. It also was entirely non-residential. Eventually, the college desired to add housing and more of just about everything, so a new campus was added in Owings Mills. This expansion dramatically increased the college’s offerings and student population. In 2008, they decided they needed a new identity and changed their name to Stevenson University. The old campus is still in use. The Owings Mills campus just happened to be right next door to the old Baltimore Colts training facility. Stevenson acquired the building and land and used it as the center of their athletic department. In 2006 it re-opened as the Caves Sports and Wellness Center. Some of the locker rooms and facilities are similar to the ones left behind by the Ravens, with necessary remodeling done. In addition, in 2010, the 38,000-square-foot Owings Mills Gymnasium was added. Mustang Stadium is also home to the university’s soccer, football, and field hockey teams. Food & Beverage 4 There is one permanent food stand at Mustang Stadium. The prices are extremely fair, even if the menu is pretty limited. The best bargains are the Family Meal Deals which include three hot dogs, three drinks, three chips or one hot dog, one pretzel, three bottled waters, and an order of nachos. If I were there with my family buying these deals would be a given. There is plenty of room on the concourse level if they wish to have other temporary food stands. Credit cards are accepted at the official food stand. Atmosphere 3 Only a couple hundred fans tend to attend Mustang games. We were there for a weeknight game so the attendance was even lower. Even with a small crowd, the stadium has a nice atmosphere to it. The impressive stadium has general admission seating for 3,000 along the west side of the playing field. There is also a large press box and club level with 440 club seats, a patio, and a President’s Suite. A large student fitness center is also in the press box building and overlooks nearby Owings Mill Boulevard. With no track at the stadium, the fans are afforded a pretty close view of the game action. The concourse level also has a fully stocked team store if you decide to become a big Mustangs fan or purchase a souvenir. The official campus store is located nearby, outside of the stadium, if you need additional options. Neighborhood 4 Owings Mills is a suburb of Baltimore, so there are plenty of shopping centers and restaurants in the area. Many good options are within easy walking distance such as Subway, IHOP, and Five Guys Burgers and Fries. The Owings Mills station of the Baltimore Metro subway system is located about a mile away from campus. Fans 3 There were not many fans at the game but this is Maryland so it tends to be a very knowledgeable lacrosse fanbase. Being a largely commuter university there may not be too many students at the games. There are residence halls near to the stadium so some student attendance is always possible. Access 4 Owings Mills Boulevard has an exit off of nearby Interstate 795. The stadium is a pretty quick one-mile trip from the highway. I worried about traffic in an area that is pretty busy even on normal days, but the traffic was no problem. The university has plenty of parking in the area and there are no issues here. Parking is free. Return on Investment 4 General admission tickets are $10. Concessions are reasonably priced, and parking is free, making a Stevenson lacrosse game a great value. Extras 3 The former home of three professional football teams, the Caves Sports and Wellness Center is worth a quick trip around the corner from Mustang Stadium. Try to remember 1984 and the pain and struggle that local football fans went through for years. Next to the stadium is a statue of a Mustang, the university’s mascot. This is a good meet-up spot and photo opportunity. Check out the cool mural, as well as the history signs about the Baltimore Colts, Baltimore Stallions, Baltimore Ravens, and the birth of Stevenson football. Final Thoughts Besides being on historic ground, Stevenson University’s Mustang Stadium offers the fans great value, as well as a nice place to watch lacrosse.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 MacLauchlan Arena @ Bell Aliant Centre University of Prince Edward Island 560 University Ave Charlottetown, PE C1A 9M8 UPEI Panthers website Bell Aliant Centre website Year Opened : 2003 Capacity : 1.160 Hockey Island One of the most unique provinces in Canada has to be Prince Edward Island.  The entire island is only 224 km long and has a population of approximately 180,000 but is politically on equal footing with the other 9 provinces.  The capital city of PEI is Charlottetown and it is the centre of commerce for the province.  The city has a population of 38,000 which lends to its small town, friendly feel.  It is definitely a summer tourist destination, but hockey is still present on the island.  The University of Prince Edward Island is found in Charlottetown and boasts 5,500 students.  UPEI was established in 1969 as the amalgamation of St. Dunstan’s University and Prince of Wales College, established in 1855 and 1860 respectively, which created the new institution designed to integrate the Catholic and Protestant communities of Charlottetown.  The UPEI Panthers hockey team is currently part of the Atlantic University Sport conference in USports.  Taking the ice in 1969 with the establishment of UPEI, the Panthers trace their history back to 1935 when St. Dunstan’s University Saints first took the ice.  Home for the Panthers is MacLauchlan Arena @ Bell Aliant Centre.  The on-campus sports complex houses the two ice rinks, which comprise the arena as well as a swimming pool and other community and athletic facilities.  Although Bell Aliant Centre is located on the UPEI campus, it truly is an area facility.  The arena is named after Harry MacLauchlan, a PEI businessman. Food & Beverage 2 Concessions options are fairly limited at MacLauchlan Arena.  The Lone Oak Lounge is essentially the only concussion option that is within the arena.  Lone Oak Brewing products are available.  There are also a couple of vending machines in the arena.  Outside the arena, in the greater Bell Aliant Centre, fans will be able to find a Subway as well as more vending machines in the lobby of the complex.  Although it could be argued that a full service Subway does offer a set of options wider than a typical snack bar, the Subway is enclosed and services the entire centre, making lines long and slow. Atmosphere 3 The Bell Aliant Centre has an exterior that fits the rest of the UPEI campus.  Brown brick and green roofs are found throughout the campus and the brown brick exterior of Bell Aliant Centre fits right in.  The Bell Aliant Centre is a large, community complex that houses the two rinks of the MacLauchlan Arena as well as a pool and other community facilities while being attached to UPEI’s Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.  Inside the Bell Aliant Centre is a huge lobby which brings all of the facilities together.  The ticket kiosk is at the southeast end of the arena.  Just beyond that is a display of note highlighting the history of the Panthers’ predecessor, St. Dunstan’s Saints.  Entry to MacLauchlan Arena is on the opposite side with a breezeway that connects the two ice rinks.  Rink 1 is the bigger of the two and home to the Panthers.  Inside the rink, the ice is oriented from northwest to southeast with seating only on the southwest side.  Seating is separated into an upper and lower section with seven rows of plastic, arena seats each.  MacLauchlan Arena is very cold, so selecting a seat in the lower level, under one of the gas heaters may be the best choice.  Lower rows in the upper level may have partially obstructed views by railings. On the wall in the north corner hang the banners for the five conference championships that the Panthers have earned.  There are also retired numbers from both the Panthers and Saints including Wilfred MacDonald, Mike Kelly, George Trainor, Dennis Clough, Mike O’Brien, Vince Mulligan, Billy Mulligan, Dave Shellington and former NHL player, Joel Ward.  Closer to the eastern corner hangs a banner commemorating Hockey Day in Canada which was hosted from Prince Edward Island in 2012.  There are simple scoreclocks on both ends of the rink and in the middle, on the northeast wall is a decent videoboard, also unique for USports hockey.   The Lone Oak Lounge is a seating option in the southeast end and offers a place to consume alcoholic beverages and escape the cold of the arena.  The gameday production at Panthers games is fairly simple.  The sound system is good and the PA announcer does a good job.  The 50/50 draw is the highlight of limited promotions. Neighbourhood 4 Bell Aliant Centre is located on the campus of the University of Prince Edward Island in the Spring Park neighbourhood of Charlottetown.  It is fair to say that Charlottetown and PEI in general are summer destinations, however there are still things to see and do during hockey season.  That being said, probably an early season matchup for the Panthers would be the best medicine.  There are a number of spots for pre and post game food and beverage close by.  Some choices included Fox & Crow, Living Grace Cafe, Smitty’s Family Restaurant, and PEI Brewing Company.  There are a couple of other sports options in town.  The Panthers also field other athletic teams including basketball at the attached Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.  The main draw would be the Charlottetown Islanders  of the QMJHL.  Red Shores Racetrack is right next door to the home of the Islanders and runs right through January before picking up again in May.  Other tourist options should be researched based on the time in PEI as many are seasonal.  PEI is the home of Anne of Green Gables, a Canadian literary classic, and there are a number of tourist options surrounding the character.  The Confederation Centre for the Arts, and St. Dunstan’s Cathedral are also good tourist options.  For fans wishing to stay near campus, the Holiday Inn is a good option. Fans 4 USports hockey fans can be a bit difficult to assess as the AUS, and other conferences, do not congregate attendance statistics.  That being said, UPEI has a fairly strong following.  For the 2024-25 season, the Panthers averaged over 500 fans per game, which ranked them 5th in the conference.  The previous season they ranked 3rd and averaged over 700 fans per game.  The game reviewed saw 350 fans in attendance, however, the 2024-25 season was not a strong one for the Panthers and the game reviewed was the final game of the season with no meaning to the standings.  It was also the Friday night before classes were closed for Reading Week and many students were gone.  The fans in attendance are supportive and decently loud.   Access 5 The Bell Aliant Centre is located on the campus of the University of Prince Edward Island in the Spring Park neighbourhood of Charlottetown.  Traversing Charlottetown is not difficult at all and Islanders are notoriously polite when it comes to motoring.  Bell Aliant Centre is less than 2 km south of the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1), and getting to campus is very easy.  There is plenty of parking on site that is free during game time.  For fans who wish to take public transit, there are bus stops on University Avenue.  Fans should consult the T3 Transit website for fares, schedules and maps.  Inside Bell Aliant Centre, the atrium is huge and easy to get around.  It is also not difficult to maneuver through MacLauchlan Arena.  The washrooms are more than adequate to support the hockey crowd. Return on Investment 5 USports hockey offers tremendous value for the sporting dollar and the UPEI Panthers are no exception.  Panthers tickets start at $15 for adults and there are discounts for seniors and youth.  Kids 3 and under are free as well as UPEI students.  Seating is reserved at MacLauchlan Arena which is not common for USports hockey, so pre purchasing tickets online might be the best option.  Parking is free on site for games, and concession prices are decent.  The environment for Panthers games is solid and they are supported well by the community, making a Panthers game a great experience. Extras 3 An extra mark for the preservation of St. Dunstan’s Saints hockey history with retired numbers and a history display in the atrium. An extra mark for the Bell Aliant Centre as a community hub for Charlottetown. An extra mark for the attractive UPEI campus. Final Thoughts Hockey is probably not the first thing tourists think of when it comes to PEI, but the UPEI Panthers are a good experience and can definitely be part of a visit to the Island.  Charlottetown is an excellent location for a vacation.  MacLauchlan Arena is a good spot for university hockey and fans will definitely enjoy their time at the Panthers game. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Arnold Field 101 N College Ave Annville, PA 17003 Flying Dutchmen website Arnold Field website Year Opened: 1969 Capacity: 2,000 Valley Lacrosse Lebanon Valley College is a liberal arts college in downtown Annville, PA. Annville is in Lebanon County, east of Hershey. Founded in 1866 Lebanon Valley has approximately 1,600 undergraduates. The Princeton Review has recognized the college as “A Best in the Northeast” and they have over thirty-five fields of study . The school’s teams are called the Flying Dutchmen, and its mascot is the Dutchman. The college is known as the home of the 1994 NCAA Division III National Champions in basketball. That 1994 championship victory over New York University was a controversial affair when a Dutchmen shot that won the game may or may not have been by the sound of the buzzer. But no matter what, the school hosts that championship proudly, as they should. Arnold Field is the home to LVC's football, field hockey, track & field, and men's and women's lacrosse teams. Food & Beverage 0 There is no real official concession stand at Arnold Field. Food could be set up as a temporary affair if the game is big enough as there is plenty of space around the field. Atmosphere 3 The crowds are into the game but they are not that large. We imagine bigger games, later in the season, and warmer weather might make this a more exciting place to watch a game. There is just not much to a Lebanon Valley lacrosse match. Neighborhood 4 Annville is a great little town of a little less than 5,000 about 8 miles east of Hershey, PA. The college is right in the heart of downtown. Funck’s Family Restaurant, Corvette Grille and Bar, and Harper’s Tavern are all local establishments that offer good food pre and post-game. The Pennsylvania chain, Hoss’s Steak & Sea House, is another option right in Annville. The food is good, cheap, and certainly plentiful. J & S Pizza is a decent option within walking distance of campus. Fans 4 The attendees at most games are family members or other athletes. There may be a few local residents who attend the games. The fans are knowledgeable and friendly to visitors. Access 4 Located on Route 422 between Lebanon and Hershey, Annville is easy to find and has no problem handling the crowds for such a small stadium. Expect that on busy game days, you will hit some traffic on Route 422, especially on Bellegrove Road by the athletic complex. There is a good amount of parking, but do plan ahead. The athletic fields are located north of the main campus, separated by a railroad. Return on Investment 5 The games are free to attend. That, along with the free parking, means that you can attend a good-level Division III program at no cost. Extras 3 Check out the John Zola statue on the east side of the stadium. This junior football running back in 1961, was killed during a game at Drexel. His 1961 teammates donated the money for the statue. Make sure to stop into the nearby Arnold Sports Center and check out the LVC Hall of Champions. This museum-like display space commemorates the great individual and team achievements of Flying Dutchman athletics. Peak into the Arnold Arena and see the 1994 National Championship basketball banner. Final Thoughts Arnold Field at Lebanon Valley College is not a fancy stadium but shows why small college athletics is such a treasure in this country. A sports fan visiting central Pennsylvania owes it to themselves to see if a game is going on when they are in the area.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Avenir Centre 150 Canada Street Moncton, NB E1C 0V2 Moncton Wildcats website Avenir Centre website Year Opened: 2018 Capacity: 8,800 The Wild Maritime Hub There is a bit of an argument as to where the hub of the Maritime provinces is in Canada.  Many point to Halifax, as it is the biggest city.  However, the combination of geography and population might just give the nod to Moncton, New Brunswick.  The population of the City of Moncton is almost 80,000 with the metropolitan area coming in at almost 158,000.  The location is much more central to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island than Halifax, which is on the east coast.  In 2018, Moncton further expanded their case by building the Avenir Centre.  With a downtown location, a capacity of 8,800 and their main tennant, the QMJHL Moncton Wildcats, Avenir Centre hosts plenty of concerts and shows that attract people from all over the area.  Avenir Centre has co-hosted the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships and is in the mix for a future Memorial Cup.  The naming rights are held by Avenir Hearing, a local chain of hearing clinics. The Wildcats were founded as the expansion Moncton Alpines in 1995 and played out of the Moncton Coliseum.  After one season they were purchased by local industrialist Robert Irving and renamed the Moncton Wildcats.  For the 2024-25 season, the Wildcats have lured USports hockey coaching legend Gardiner MacDougall to take the reins of the team.  Moncton has seen plenty of NHL alumni pass through including Corey Crawford, Brad Marchand and former coach Ted Nolan.  The WIldcats earned the Presidents’ Trophy as the best team in the QMJHL in 2006 and 2010. Food & Beverage 5 Avenir Centre offers best-in-class concession options.  There is something for everyone available and concession stands are unique and do not all have the same menu.  The expected hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels and the likes are available but there is also so much more.  Big Belly Deli offers a variety of sandwiches including Philly Cheese Steaks and Montreal Smoked Meat; The Hub offers a variety of burgers; Slice of Paradise offers a variety of unique pizza options; Mexi’s Fresh Express has a variety of TexMex options; Sugar Rush has a variety of confection options; Authentic Poutinerie has a variety of poutine options; and Beaver Tails has a variety of the uniquely Canadian treat available as well.  Pepsi products are the soda of choice in the Avenir Centre and Tim Hortons has a stand serving up Canada’s staple coffee.  Moosehead Light has a huge presence at Avenir Centre and would probably be considered the beer of choice. Atmosphere 4 Avenir Centre is a modern, professional looking building.  There is a large plaza at the northeast side of the arena which features some modern sculptures and a small ice rink, and leads to the main entry.  The exterior is a combination of brown, marble-like covering and huge windows.  The north entrance leads to a huge, modern atrium with plenty of natural light able to pour in.  The mascots are available to welcome fans and pose for photo ops and there are banners honouring such Wildcat Alumni who made it to the NHL like Brad Marchand, Keith Yandle and Corey Crawford.  The team store is on the main level at the north entry.  Fans will ascend the staircase to the main concourse, which is bright and wide and clean.  The concourse has a brand-new feel to it and remains a bit sterile.  There are a few things for fans to look at, including a large Tim Hortons Timbits Hockey display and team pictures for all of their years in existence.  There are not a ton of other Wildcats markings. Inside the arena, the ice is oriented from south to north with the centre ice logo picture best taken from the east side.  The seating consists of modern plastic arena seats of various colours and numbers of rows.  The east side has the fewest seats, but does offer two stories of luxury boxes as well as the pressbox.  At ice level on the south side, the seats have been retracted and the Moosehead Light Ice Bar is available for fans.  A modern, four-sided videoboard hangs above centre ice.  On the north side of the arena banners for the 2006 and 2010 Presidents Cup as QMJHL Champions hang, along with banners for division and conference championships.  On the opposite side, the retired number 29 honouring Corey Crawford hangs.  Banners for local legends of a previous era Phillip Doiron, Oscar Gaudet and Bill Riley also hang.  The Wildcats do their best to put together a professional gameday production.  The team enters the ice from the northwest corner through illuminated cat claws.  Classic rock often plays through the crystal clear sound system and the in-game host leads a few promotions.  Finally, organist Lynden Steeves entertains the crowd from the southeast corner box with his musical talents and red, sequined blazer. Neighbourhood 5 Avenir Centre is located in Downtown Moncton.  Moncton is known as a bit of a foodie haven and there are tons of places to grab pre or post game food and drink.  Some options include La Vida Resto-Bar, Chris Rock Tavern, Monk10 Taproom, Gahan House Hub City, Tide and Boar Gastropub, Triiio Restaurant, Gusto Italian Grill, Gallagher’s Irish Pub and Pump House.  Université de Moncton fields athletic teams in USports, specifically hockey at Aréna Jean-Louis Lévesque.  Other tourist options include Riverfront Park, Resurgo Park, Musée Acadien and Moncton Highland Games.  Moncton is a bilingual city so there will be plenty of French to hear.  For fans wishing to stay near the arena, Crowne Plaza Moncton Downtown, Delta Hotels Beausejour and the Hyatt are all good choices within walking distance. Fans 4 Moncton fans have turned out to see the Wildcats.  At the time of writing, the Wildcats averaged over 4,900 fans per game.  In the previous season, 2023-2024, the Wildcats averaged over 4,600 fans per game.  In both cases this ranked the Wildcats third in the QMJHL behind Québec  and Halifax . Moncton fans like to use cowbells on Wildcat goals or huge plays, however, they are very quiet during the play and hearing some talk on the ice was not impossible during the game that was reviewed.   Access 5 Avenir Centre is located in Downtown Moncton at the corner of Main Street and Canada Street.  It is a couple of blocks from the junction of Main Street and Vaughn Harvey Boulevard, which is a main north-south artery.  It is quite a distance from the Trans-Canada Highway, so going through some of the city when coming from the north will be necessary.  There is parking on site at a cost and many fans attempt to find other parking downtown.  For fans who wish to take public transit to the game, the Via Rail Train Station is immediately southwest on Canada Street and doubles as the bus depot.  There are also bus stops on Main Street.  Fans should consult the Codiac Transpo  website for fares, maps and schedules. Inside the Avenir Centre, the councourses are wide and bright and it is a very comfortable arena.  Washroom facilities are good for the facility. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the Wildcats are $25 with discounts for Seniors, Youth and Students.  Fans will probably have to pay around $14 for parking and concession prices are a bit on the expensive side.  However, the Wildcats put together a very professional gameday production and the quality of the hockey on the ice is very high.  Overall, taking in a Wildcats game when in the area is a must. Extras 3 An extra mark for preserving Moncton hockey history with the retired numbers of local legends. An extra mark for the professional environment provided by the Wildcats and Avenir Centre. An extra mark for the Maritime hub location of Moncton. Final Thoughts Avenir Centre provides a maritime hub for plenty of entertainment acts in Moncton.  The Moncton Wildcats are benefitting from this top-notch facility and are putting on a professional-like production, making the Wildcats a must-see event in the QMJHL. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Sorrentino Gymnasium 101 N College Ave Annville, PA 17003 Flying Dutchmen website Sorrentino Gymnasium website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 1,650 Champions Gym Lebanon Valley College is a liberal arts college in downtown Annville, PA. Annville is in Lebanon County, east of Hershey. Founded in 1866 Lebanon Valley has approximately 1,600 undergraduates. The Princeton Review has recognized the college as “A Best in the Northeast” and they have over thirty-five fields of study . Lebanon Valley College is a member of NCAA Division III and competes in the Middle Atlantic Conference. The school has produced 11 all-Americans and was the 2009 and 2011 ECAC Southwest Bowl champions. The school’s teams are the Flying Dutchmen, and its mascot is the Dutchman. The college is known as the home of the 1994 NCAA Division III National Champions in basketball. That 1994 championship victory over New York University was a controversial affair when a Dutchmen shot that won the game may or may not have been by the sound of the buzzer. But no matter what, the school hosts that championship proudly, as they should. Sorrentino Gymnasium is located within the Arnold Sports Center, The headquarters of LVC Athletics. The Arnold Sports Center is home to the Arnold Arena fieldhouse and LVC's pool, as well as offices for LVC's athletic administrators and coaches. The building houses a 196-meter track, and the infield can be converted to four basketball, volleyball, or tennis courts. Food & Beverage 2 There is no real official concession stand at the venue. There is a small vending machine area and the venue has plenty of room for temporary stands if they so choose. You can bring outside food to the venue. Atmosphere 5 The small college pride of Lebanon Valley College was in full effect at this game. The arena was packed and all sides of the gym were filled with fans. The arena is a very nice facility and exudes the energy of a Division I facility. Some cheerleaders help the atmosphere. There is a small, old scoreboard, which may be the only real negative for the venue. A videoboard would pump this venue to the highest levels. Neighborhood 4 Annville is a great little town of a little less than 5,000 about 8 miles east of Hershey, PA. The college is right in the heart of downtown. Funck’s Family Restaurant, Corvette Grille and Bar, and Harper’s Tavern are all local establishments that offer good food pre and post-game. The Pennsylvania chain, Hoss’s Steak & Sea House, is another option right in Annville. The food is good, cheap, and certainly plentiful. J & S Pizza is a decent option within walking distance of campus. Fans 4 The crowds at Lebanon Valley do not disappoint. There is quite a bit of obvious school pride with fans attending in droves. The athletic teams here are supported well and have shown a great deal of ability for their fans. Access 4 Located on Route 422 between Lebanon and Hershey, Annville is easy to find and has no problem handling the crowds for such a small stadium. Expect that on busy game days, you will hit some traffic on Route 422, especially on Bellegrove Road by the athletic complex. There is a good amount of parking, but do plan ahead of time. You can also try to park in downtown Annville and walk over the railroad pedestrian bridge to the athletic fields. The athletic fields are located north of the main campus, separated by a railroad. Return on Investment 4 There is a $5 cash price for admission. The value is good for this high quality of venue. Extras 5 There are so many sports venues in the same area as the gymnasium so check to see if any other sports are going on at the same time. Check out the LVC Hall of Champions. This museum-like display space commemorates the great individual and team achievements of Flying Dutchman athletics. Take a look at the 1994 National Championship basketball banner. The team is supported by a very good cheerleader squad with some nifty cheers. Final Thoughts Sorrentino Gymnasium is one of the finest small college arenas we have seen. sports fan visiting central Pennsylvania owes it to themselves to see if a game is going on when they are in the area.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 F & M Bank Arena 101 Main Street Clarksville, TN 37040 Austin Peay Governors website F&M Bank Arena website Year Opened: 2023 Capacity: 5,500 It’s Tipoff Time in Stacheville From its tip in Johnson City with the   East Tennessee State Buccaneers , to its tail in Memphis with the Tigers , Tennessee has a deep love of college basketball that runs throughout the state. Twelve NCAA Division 1 schools represent the state; in Middle Tennessee on the banks of the Cumberland River, the city of Clarksville is home to the Governors of Austin Peay State University. Named after former Tennessee governor Austin Peay, the first basketball team took to the hardwood here in 1929 – this would be the first sport played at Austin Peay.  The university built its first facility dedicated to basketball, Memorial Gym, in 1950. The venue soon earned the nickname “The Red Barn”, partially due to its resemblance to a brick barn, but also possibly in reference to the mule that is rumored to be buried under the court, whose ghost haunted the halls of the building, according to legend. The Govs would spend 25 seasons at Memorial Gym before moving to Winfred Dunn Center, referred to as “The Big Red Barn”, carrying over the moniker. This would be the home of Austin Peay basketball for 47 seasons until the opening of off-campus F&M Bank Arena in 2023. Since moving to the NCAA’s Division 1 in 1962, the Governors were members of the Ohio Valley Conference, but the teams recently moved to the Atlantic Sun Conference (A-Sun) in 2022, where they remain today.   Food & Beverage   4 Concessions around the arena provide various options that go beyond typical concession menus; the Hot or Cold stand serves chicken tender baskets, either traditional or in a Nashville Hot Chicken style, and can also have mac-and-cheese added. Also available is a boneless pork chop on a potato bun with a side of fries. Another option, the Buzzer Beater Burgers stand, is much more than just that – beyond the obvious burgers, options also include patty melts, cheesesteak, smoked bologna, and footlong corndogs. In addition, a pair of self-serve locations take care of the typical fare such as hot dogs, pizza, and other arena classics. Soft drinks offered at F&M Bank Arena are from the Coca-Cola family of beverages, but fans have many more choices beyond that. Monster Energy, Powerade, Dunkin Iced Coffee, Body Armor, and various iced teas can be found at the grab-and-go locations, while alcoholic beverages include Twisted Tea, White Claw and High Noon seltzers, wine, and domestic beers. Craft beers include Michael Waltrip’s Talladega Light and Bristol Sunshine Tangerine Ale. Clarksville brewers are also well represented, including brews from Blackhorse Brewery and Star Spangled Brewing Co. Also available are both premixed canned and hand mixed liquor drinks. It is refreshing to see that the focus of stadium food here is not what has come to be expected at practically every other athletic facility.   Atmosphere   3 From the front, F&M Bank Arena does appear to be a bit of a smaller venue, due to it being built into the slope of the area. However, it houses not only a full-size arena, but also a practice-size ice rink, all under one roof. A large, four-sided scoreboard hangs over center court and runs a video feed of the game, framed by rotating panels of individual player and team statistics. The facing in front of media row also runs a tally of the current game time and score. One of the challenges of multi-use facilities is they tend to push fans further from the action at the ends of the court; F&M Bank Arena helps counter this with multiple rows of floor seating, which does help bring more of an atmosphere to those parts of the arena. However, the seating in the stands at one end of the arena does feel a bit distant from the action on the floor. Timeouts are mostly filled with on-court contests or fan interactive cams on the scoreboard. Also, when they are not entertaining with fan engagement pieces, the Austin Peay pep band is a featured part of breaks in play. One of the drawbacks of the non-university owned facility is there does not seem to be much, other than the banners in the rafters, that tells the story of the history of Austin Peay basketball. This is not to say there is no Austin Peay branding around the arena, but it would be nice to see more that tells the story of the program.   Neighborhood   4 F&M Bank Arena bridges the gap between the Austin Peay campus and downtown Clarksville, two blocks from the Cumberland River. The area directly surrounding the arena is a mix of new development and repurposed buildings from a previous era – to one side is Shelby’s Trio, a very modern feel of three levels made up of the motor-themed Joe’s Garage, Trattoria Di Cat’s Italian cuisine, and the rooftop Skyline Bar 500, while the opposite side of the arena features Strawberry Alley Ale Works,  Blackhorse Pub & Brewery, and the late night Taproom. If looking to pass some time before an evening tipoff, the Austin Peay campus is a short walk away from the facility. In addition, less than 10 minutes out of downtown Clarksville are the Dunbar Caves, which offer guided tours. Those who might be in Clarksville for more than just the day might want to consider staying at the Double Tree by Hilton; the hotel is directly behind F&M Bank Arena and within walking distance of the area’s shops, restaurants, and coffee shops. The I-24 exit off US-79 also has a large cluster of hotels, but they are well removed from the downtown area.   Fans   3 Austin Peay ranks in about middle of the pack when considering average attendance numbers throughout the A-Sun Conference. When looking for a game with the most fan impact, the match up with nearby rival Murray State  fills the seats of F&M Bank Arena to a raucous level – these rivalry games really fill out the 5,500-seat arena past its stated basketball capacity. The Clarksville community appears to do a good job coming out to support the Governors, but the student involvement appears to be a work in progress. As the program continues to find stability, student engagement can play a key role boosting the game experience at F&M Bank Arena.   Access   3 Interstate 24 runs locally out of Nashville and makes getting to Clarksville rather simple. The streets around the arena do get somewhat congested as game time approaches, and the number of one-way streets in the area can make navigating them a bit tricky at times. With entry points on three of four sides, getting into F&M Bank Arena is made as convenient as possible. Due to the extreme slope of the streets leading toward the river, however, the main entry point on College Avenue comes into the suite level at the top of the arena. The open concourse around the top of the seating bowl allows the energy of the game to permeate the entire arena; this allows fans to leave their seats and still keep up with what’s happening in the game.   Return on Investment   3 Tickets start at just over $20 before fees are added, which, considering the use of Ticketmaster, are kept rather nominal. Parking around the arena is another cost that needs to be factored in when considering the all-in expense. Concessions do seem to be a bit high, but the options at F&M Bank Arena are of higher quality than would typically be found at similar-sized arenas, so this does seem to rationalize the slightly higher prices.   Extras   3 Austin Peay’s mascot, “The Gov”, is active at court level cheering on the Governors, interacting with fans, and accompanying the cheer and dance squads in keeping fans entertained until play resumes. The rafters of the arena showcase the Govs’ conference and tournament championships, NCAA tournament appearances, retired numbers, and the 420 wins in the career of longtime Governors Coach Dave Loos. With new facilities typically come an updated lighting package – the lighting at F&M Bank Arena allows for an impressive pregame show, as well as late game timeouts to help get the fans into a bit more of a frenzied state during pivotal moments of the game.   Final Thoughts There is probably little doubt throughout the A-Sun that F&M Bank Arena is the most impressive facility throughout the conference; the comfort and amenities offered here certainly are second to none. The location in downtown Clarksville is also another feature that simply cannot be rivaled in the A-Sun. There is work to be done here in bringing in a consistent crowd, especially on the student side of the equation, but the current experience is a strong foundation to build upon.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Lancaster Bible Baseball Field 901 Eden Rd Lancaster, PA 17601 Lancaster Bible Chargers website Lancaster Bible Baseball Field website Year Opened: n/a Capacity: n/a Bible Chargers Lancaster Bible College is a private Bible college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that is also home to the Capital Seminary and Graduate School. The college was founded in 1933 as the Lancaster School of the Bible. The school became a college in 1973 and started offering Bachelor of Science in Bible degrees in 1981. The college now grants six bachelor's degrees, one associate degree, and two one-year certificates in addition to six master's degrees, nine graduate certificates, and three doctorate programs in Leadership, Biblical Studies, and Ministry. Lancaster Bible College teams are members of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division I and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. In the NCAA, The Chargers are a member of the NCAA's United East Conference. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis, and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. The Baseball Field is the on-campus home for the Lancaster Bible baseball team. The field sets behind the Horst Athletic Center. Food & Beverage 0 There are no food offerings at the baseball field. Atmosphere 3 There is not much else in terms of atmosphere as it is a Division III-level baseball game. The team does have a PA announcer and plays walkup music for players. There are some simple metal bleachers around the first base side of the field. They offer decent views of the game, although through chain link fencing. There is also a small mound of grass that seems to be a popular place to set up a chair. Neighborhood 3 The college is located in a suburban area of Lancaster. You may want to venture to downtown Lancaster for interesting options pre- and post-game. Besides downtown, the main commercial areas of the Lancaster area are the outlets area east on Route 30 and surrounding the Park City Center Shopping Mall north of downtown. Nearby Lititz is also a good option as it has numerous food and shopping options. Fans 3 The attendees at most games are family members or other athletes. There may be a few local area residents who attend the games. The fans are knowledgeable and friendly to visitors. Access 4 Lancaster is an easy area to navigate. Routes 30 and 222 are well-known, large roads that any tourist visitor to the area will be more than familiar with. Even though the college is located in a busy town, you will seldom find traffic to be too bad.  Lancaster is located about half an hour from the state capital Harrisburg. It is also about an hour and a half to Baltimore and the same distance to Philadelphia. There are many parking spaces around the college. Return on Investment 4 The games are free to attend. That, along with the free parking, means that you can attend a good-level Division III program at no cost. Extras 2 The college is an interesting visit on its own. There is a nice soccer stadium and other sports facilities nearby. There is a nice little disc golf course right near the Horst Athletic Center. Final Thoughts Lancaster Bible College plays at one of the lower levels of college baseball, but the games presented here are fun and it is certainly an experience that a true sports fan should experience if in the area.

Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey When we travel we love to find sports-related locations to expand our sports journeys. It is what we do. In Alberta and Saskatchewan, we found a great couple of sports halls of fame that are worth a visit. Our first stop was in Red Deer, Alberta at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. Located at #102 - 4200 Highway 2 the Hall of Fame is open every day of the week except December 24-26, New Year's Day, Good Friday, & Easter Sunday. There is an Art Gallery, Hall of Fame, Ice and Snow and Alberta Hockey Galleries, multiple exhibits, and our Orest Korbutt Theater. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for youth. There is also discount pricing for students, seniors, and the military. The Hall of Fame was created in 1957 by the Alberta Amateur Athletic Union (AAAU), taken over by Sport Alberta in 1973, and has been maintained by the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum Society since 1997. Notable inductees include Lanny McDonald, Stu Hart, Bryan Hall, Red Dutton, and "Father of Modern Rodeo" Earl W. Bascom. #102 - 4200 Highway 2 Red Deer, AB T4N 1E3 Phone: (403) 341-8614 https://www.albertasportshall.ca/ Later on, we traveled to Regina, SK where we found the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. Located downtown at 2205 Victoria Avenue the Sports Hall of Fame has three featured galleries. Hours are Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday Noon – 4:00 p.m. Admission is free with donations suggested upon entry. The Hall of Fame was created in 1966 as the Molson Sports Hall of Fame but was renamed the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 1974. As of 2022, there were more than 500 inductees in the Hall, including 247 athletes and 127 championship teams across 53 sports. Notable inductees include Rueben Mayes, the 2013 Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club, Wendel Clark, and Kimberly Bergey Kaip. 2205 Victoria Avenue Regina, SK S4P 0S4 Phone: (306) 780-9232 https://sasksportshalloffame.com/ At both of these halls of fame, we found interesting exhibits along with fun interactive activities. We did not need to be super knowledgeable about the local sports scenes of these areas to enjoy the museums. We suggest that in Alberta and/or Saskatchewan you stop in for a visit. We also suggest that you look for similar exhibits along your own sports journeys.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Alumni Hall One Cunningham Square Providence, RI 02908 Providence College Friars women's basketball website Alumni Hall website Year Opened: 1955 Capacity: 1,854 The Original Home of Friartown Alumni Hall was built in 1955 at the direction of Providence College President Rev. Robert Slavin. He felt the team needed an on-campus home to be competitive. Until then, the team had played in local gyms off-campus or in a small gym in the basement of Harkins Hall. Built at a cost of $1.5, Alumni Hall was dedicated to PC alumni who fought in World War II. Alumni Hall served as home to the PC men’s team until the construction of the Providence Civic Center (now the Amica Mutual Pavilion) downtown in 1972. Providence College began sponsoring women’s basketball in 1974. They joined the Big East upon its inception in 1982. The Friars have competed in six postseason tournaments, including five NCAA tournaments. Their most recent appearance occurred in 1992. They reached the sweet sixteen in 1990. Alumni Hall has been the Friars home court since their debut. In 2012 Alumni Hall underwent a $3 million renovation, which included the installation of new seating, lighting, air conditioning, video scoreboards and control room, sound system and other amenities. LED lighting has also been installed in the facility. Today Alumni Hall serves as home to the Providence College women’s basketball and volleyball teams. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small concession stand in the atrium lobby operated by local favorite Saugy hot dogs. A limited menu is available, with hot dogs, popcorn and chips making up the entire menu. Fans looking for a drink will find bottles of Coca-Cola products, Powerade and water here. Prices are very affordable, as no item is priced at more than five dollars. Atmosphere 4 As you might imagine in a bandbox of a gymnasium like Alumni Hall, when the building is filled with Friar fans and Providence gets rolling on the court, this place can get pretty loud, even without much help. But since the Friars athletic department is used to putting on a first-rate show up the street at the Amica Mutual Pavilion for the men’s team, they bring many of the same gameday features here to the women’s home. The Friars take the court to a multimedia experience including hype videos and flame towers. The pep band, cheerleaders and dance team are all in attendance and perform throughout the game. The sound system at Alumni Hall is good and doesn’t need to be played at ear-splitting volume to be effective. There’s an emcee who coordinates some time-out activities and contests and some youth teams take the court at halftime. The PA announcer goes about his job in a professional manner, without much of the over-the-top theatrics that are common today. The one negative would be the video boards on each end of the court could use an upgrade, as the pictures are less than clear. It all adds up to an entertaining afternoon (or evening) at the gymnasium. Neighborhood 3 Alumni Hall is part of a sprawling complex on the northern edge of the Providence College campus which houses most of the college’s athletic, fitness and social facilities. The Peterson Recreation Center, the Concannon Fitness Center, Ruane Friar Development Center, the Taylor Natatorium, Slavin Center and Providence College Bookstore are all built around Alumni Hall, which sits at the center of the complex. Located nearby are many of the school’s other athletic facilities, including Schneider Arena, Lennon Family Field, Ray Tracey Track and Anderson Stadium. The Elmhurst neighborhood where Providence College is located is a residential, working-class neighborhood, so visiting fans will need to venture out a bit to find some of the city’s excellent dining, entertainment and lodging options. Luckily, downtown Providence is only about two miles from the PC campus. In addition to all the city’s attractions, the Amica Mutual Pavilion, home of the Friars basketball team, is located here. For fans wanting to stay near campus, Stadium Journey recommends The Abbey, known for their collection of signature burgers and selection of 92 draft beers and LaSalle Bakery, where some of Providence’s finest baked goods can be found. Otherwise, we recommend you head downtown towards Federal Hill, Providence’s version of Little Italy, for more great dining options. Fans 3 Providence College averaged just over 1,300 fans per game over the 2024-25 season. This figure represents a significant increase over previous seasons, but it still falls well short of Alumni Hall capacity and far below the Big East average. As we’re seeing in gyms all over the country, women’s basketball is gaining new fans at a rapid pace. The same is true in Providence, as this is no longer a friends and family type of crowd. You’re likely to see a number of new fans, youth teams and groups filling the stands at Alumni Hall alongside the students, regulars and family members that have watched the Friars for years. Access 3 Providence College is located in the residential Elmhurst neighborhood of Providence, about a mile from Route 146 and Interstate 95. To get to Alumni Hall, fans will need to do some driving through the city, but the campus is still pretty easy to find. Fans using public transportation will be pleased to know that RIPTA’s number 55 bus has stops at Providence College and along Admiral Street, just a short distance from Alumni Hall. Fans driving to Alumni Hall can park in a small lot adjacent to the Ruane Friar Development Center or in the parking garage on the other side of the Lennon Turf Field. A short walk will take you to the Ruane Atrium, where the concession stand and a small souvenir stand are located. The entry into Alumni Hall will be on your left. The ticket office and Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame are located here. Fans will enter Alumni Hall right on the baseline, with the band immediately to your left and the Bathtub, the student section, immediately to your right. If your seats are on the upper level of the north side of the gym, you’ll have some navigating to do, as you’ll need to walk to the far side of the court, up two flights of stairs, and then circle back around to your seats. In this bandbox of a gymnasium, all seats have a great view of the action. There are plenty of restrooms for fans to access here at Alumni Hall, and ample standing room at the top of the seating area. Lines at the concession stand and restrooms do get very long at halftime, so plan your trips wisely. Return on Investment 4 All seats for Friars basketball games are sold as reserved seats for $20. Parking is free in the lots on campus, making a visit to Alumni Hall an affordable entertainment option for Rhode Island hoop fans. Extras 3 Banners hang on the walls of Alumni Hall honoring Friar conference championships and tournament appearances in both women’s basketball and volleyball. At the opposite end of the gym are several banners honoring notable figures in Friars history. Among the retired numbers here is Doris Burke’s number 11. Doris, who graduated from Providence College as the school’s all-time assist leader, has become one of the top basketball analysts in the field. Outside the Ruane Friar Development Center is a statue of two of the more legendary figures in Providence basketball, Dave Gavitt and Joe Mullaney. The two coached the men’s team from 1955-1985, taking Providence from relative obscurity to a regional hoops power. Gavitt was instrumental in the formation of the Big East Conference and is a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. The Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame is located in the entryway of Alumni Hall. Among the many notable names to be found here are several notable NBA, NHL and MLB players and Olympians. Final Thoughts It’s great to see Alumni Hall continue to be useful 70 years after its debut. Recent renovations to the old gym have given Friars women’s basketball a home it can be proud of. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Murray Center 600 6th Street North Providence, RI 02911 Rhode Island College Anchormen men’s basketball website Murray Center website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 8,000 Anchors Away! Rhode Island College is a public college in Providence, Rhode Island. Founded in 1854 as the Rhode Island State Normal School, it is the second oldest college in Rhode Island (after Brown University). The school was located in different spots throughout the state before moving to its current location in the Mount Pleasant section of Providence in 1958. Today the school has an enrollment of 5,800 students who study in 120 combined graduate and undergraduate programs across five schools. Starting in 1965 Rhode Island College played their basketball games at Walsh Gymnasium, which burned down in 1992. Its replacement, built on the same site, was originally named the Health, Physical Education and Athletic Center. It was renamed for sisters Mary F. and Catherine T. Murray, members of the Rhode Island College of Education classes of 1933 and 1934, following substantial donations by the Murray Foundation. Both sisters taught in Rhode Island public schools following their graduation from RIC. The RIC teams, named the Anchormen (and Anchorwomen), compete in the Little East Conference, made up of nine Division Three teams from around New England. The Anchormen have qualified for the NCAA tournament eleven times, reaching the Elite Eight in 2007 and the Sweet Sixteen 2010 and 2011. The Anchorwomen have qualified for five tournaments of their own, reaching the Final Four in 2023 and the Sweet Sixteen in 2024. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small concession stand located just off the lobby. The menu is hardly extensive, but it will do the job if you need a snack. Plus, no item costs more than three dollars. Visiting fans will find hot dogs, various snacks and drinks here. Pepsi products are featured. No alcohol is sold at this on-campus facility. Atmosphere 2 As you might expect at a smaller facility like the Murray Center, there isn’t exactly a dynamic game day experience to be found. As is the case at many small gyms, a basketball game is a more laid-back experience than at the bigger facilities. Most of the noise at the Murray Center comes from the proud parents in attendance cheering on their children. This is actually a good thing, because the sound system is really sub-par. It's very difficult to make out anything said by the PA announcer during the game. There are scoreboards on either end of the gym. The larger scoreboard on the far end displays more detailed game statistics. There's a decent turnout by the student body, who can really get into the game when the Anchormen get rolling. You won't find other standard basketball features here, such as a pep band or cheer squad. It's a basic presentation, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Neighborhood 3 Rhode Island College is a self-contained campus located in a residential neighborhood. There are not any dining or lodging options close to campus. However, given the school’s location in the capital city of Providence, there are plenty of options just a short drive away. More information on local attractions can be found here . Smith Street runs in an east-west direction from the RIC campus to downtown Providence. Some favorite local spots here include LaSalle Bakery and New York System, home of the world-famous Rhode Island Coney Island wieners. Following Smith Street a few miles into downtown will allow visiting fans to experience all the best dining and lodging options Providence has to offer. The campus of Providence College is just a mile and a half away on the other side of Smith Street. Fans 3 A typical Anchormen basketball crowd can be accurately described as a “friends and family” crowd. Average attendance generally runs around 300 fans, and based on Stadium Journey’s most recent visit, this count is pretty accurate. RIC’s enrollment in the Little East Conference and a schedule littered with local rivals ensures that there is a strong family presence for players from both teams. There is no designated student section, but there is a decent turnout by the student body, who scatter in familiar spots around the gym. Access 3 The Murray Center is located on the western edge of the Rhode Island College campus, which straddles the Providence/North Providence line. Downtown Providence is about three miles away. No highways serve the RIC campus directly, but Route 6 passes close to the campus, providing the most direct route. Most fans will drive to RIC, and RIPTA busses provide service to campus. Complete information can be found here . Ample parking is located adjacent to the Murray Center. The entrance to the building is on the opposite side of the building from the parking lots, facing the main quad. Fans will enter into a small lobby, which contains the ticket booth, rest rooms and concession stand. The entrance to the basketball court is on the opposite side of the lobby. Seating at the Murray Center is located on either side of the court. Once side has individual stadium seats and the other side has wooden bleachers. Unfortunately, the seating is pushed back a ways from the court. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Anchormen games costs just three dollars, with tickets discounted a dollar for seniors and an additional dollar for children. With free parking and no concession item priced at more than three dollars, a night at Rhode Island College is a very affordable entertainment option for Rhode Island sports fans. Extras 2 Banners hang at the Murray Center on either side of the court honoring Anchormen tournament appearances, retired numbers and 1,000 point scorers. The RIC Athletic Hall of Fame is located on the second floor of the Murray Center. The Anchor Loge overlooks the court. Unfortunately, Stadium Journey has never been able to explore this area during any of their three vists here. Final Thoughts Basketball fans who dismiss small gymnasiums like the Murray Center are truly doing themselves a disservice. Combining intimate venues, affordability and quality hoops, hidden gems like the one found here in Providence provide hoop heads with a quality Stadium Journey far off the beaten path. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Aitken University Centre University of New Brunswick 20 MacKay Drive Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3 University of New Brunswick Reds website Aitken University Centre website Year Opened: 1976 Capacity: 3,278 The Red Standard In many walks of life there is reference to the “Gold Standard” which refers to the best of the profession, the standard to which all strive.  In Canadian university hockey, USports, there is the Red Standard, as in the UNB Reds, the best modern program in the country.  Since 1998, the UNB Reds have brought home 10 National Championships, including 7 since 2010.  The Reds have also brought home 22 conference banners. The University of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton.  It is the oldest English language university in Canada, established by seven Loyalists who left the United States in 1785.  The Fredericton campus has over 10,000 students, a significant number compared to the modest population of 79,000 in the capital city of New Brunswick.  UNB first iced a hockey team back in 1897.  By 1956 the student newspaper labeled the university’s different athletic teams with unique names.  The hockey team was dubbed the Red Devils.  A rebranding in 1991 saw a unification of all athletic teams under the Varsity Reds brand.  In an effort to make UNB athletics feel more accessible and less elitist, in 2018 the brand was once again retooled and they are currently the UNB Reds. Home for the Reds is the Aitken University Centre, which is owned by the University of New Brunswick, and doubles as the main arena for the City of Fredericton.  It opened in 1976 and has a capacity of 3,278.  It is named after Sir Maxwell Aitken, the former Chancellor of UNB from 1964-1982. It was also the home of the Fredericton Express and Fredericton Canadiens of the AHL. Food & Beverage 4 The concession options at the Aitken Centre are a solid step above what one would normally expect from a Canadian University hockey venue.  There are two main concession stands in the concourse, on either side of the building, with a couple of smaller stands that focus on beverages and small snacks.  The menus of the concession stands are inspired by local eateries Monk’s & Jonesie and The Snooty Fox.  Fans can find typical arena items on the menu including hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels and pizza.  Some of the more interesting items include a number of naan bread items like donairs, hot dogs and chicken, as well as some signature nachos, burgers and hot dogs.  A limited selection of alcoholic beverages are available at both stands and Pepsi products are the soft drink of choice at the Aitken Centre. Atmosphere 4 Aitken University Centre is definitely of a 1970’s vintage.  The exterior features brown brick on the lower portion while the upper portion consists of brown, corrugated siding.  The main entry is on the north side and features a banner listing the gold, silver and bronze medals earned in the University Cup tournaments the Reds have participated in.  The south side features banners for the 10 National Championships the Reds have won, and can be seen from the highway. Entry from the north brings fans into a small breezeway which houses the ticketing office. It becomes immediately obvious that Aitken Centre is first and foremost, the home of the Reds.  There are Reds markings all over this breezeway and into the concourses.  Collages for the Reds’ National Championships, the Reds All-Canadians and other markings are plastered all over the concourse walls.  Getting to the arena a bit early to peruse all of this is well worth it.  Above the eye level, above door height, all around the concourse are posters from the nearly 50 years of events held at Aiken Centre.  Although the concourses do travel a full 360 degrees around the arena, fans are limited to a horseshoe shape as there is no bypass around the north entrance breezeway.  The ice surface is north-south oriented with seating all the way around.  Approximately 15 rows of wooden seats surround the ice surface, with some makeshift boxes at the top of the arena.  The seats are most definitely the original ones from the seventies, but they are in very good shape and surprisingly comfortable.  The ceiling is littered with championship banners, too numerous to count.  Banners of note are the 10 National Championship banners that hang at the north end of the arena and the three honoured Reds just north of the scoreclock.  Banners for coach Gardiner McDougall, who won 9 National Championships in 25 seasons, athletic therapist Joe Glenn and the retired number 17 for Mark Jeffrey stand out among the plethora of conference championships.  The biggest drawback of Aitken Centre are the two video screens that hang on the north wall with projectors.  The technology is well past its prime and it is difficult to see the images. The gameday production at a UNB game is solid.  The Reds have an in game host who leads promotions and keeps fans interested during stoppages.  A 50/50 draw happens near the end of the game.  The speaker system is excellent and the PA announcer does a solid job. Neighbourhood 4 The Aitken Centre is located on the UNB campus in the College Hill neighbourhood of Fredericton.  As a city, Fredericton has a good vibe and is fun in both the winter and summer months. There are a number of places that are close by for pre or post game food and drink.  Some options include Wayback Burgers, Pickle Jar, El Mariachi, Maxwell’s Steak and Seafood and Picaroon’s Brewery.  UNB benefits from being pretty much the only game in town.  The Reds also dress a basketball team as well as other university sports.  Other tourist options in Fredericton include Quartermain Earth Science Centre, Fredericton Region Museum, School Days Museum and the New Brunswick Legislature.  The Best Western and Holiday Inn are close by for fans wishing to stay near campus. Fans 5 The Reds have been the dominant program at the turnstile as well as on the ice.  At the time of writing, for the 2024-2025 season, the Reds averaged over 2,800 fans per game, which ranks first in the conference, and probably first in all of USports.  It is of note, that the Reds also do not have a signature rivalry game at a larger venue that will skew the average attendance a bit.  UNB has averaged about the same for a number of seasons.   Access 4 Getting to the Aitken University Centre is not that difficult.  It is located on the Fredericton campus of the University of New Brunswick in the College Hill neighbourhood.  It is on MacKay Drive, 4.5 km north of the Trans-Canada Highway and immediately north of NB highway 8.  There is free parking on campus, and UNB does provide parking attendants to aid in getting fans parked.  For fans who wish to take public transit, there are Fredericton Transit bus stops on campus.  Fans should check the Fredericton Transit  website for fares, maps and schedules.  Inside the arena, the concourses are a bit on the snug side and the washrooms, although plentiful, are also on the small side. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for the Reds start at $12 with discounts for Seniors, UNB Staff, Youth and Students.  Kids under 5 are free and UNB Students are also free.  A unique feature of Reds hockey is that seats are reserved as opposed to General Admission.  Purchasing tickets ahead of time is a good plan.  Parking is free and concession prices are not too bad.  On the ice, the Reds are one of the premier teams in USports and it is not possible to be much more successful than they already are.  UNB puts together a gameday atmosphere that is as close to a major junior or professional hockey experience as you can get.  In comparison, the price for this experience is excellent.  Extras 4 An extra mark for UNB putting together a major event feel and treating their team as a major junior or pro team. An extra mark for the welcome Stadium Journey received from the Reds. An extra mark for being the main game in town. An extra mark for the remarkable success that the Reds have enjoyed both on the ice and at the turnstile. Final Thoughts It is difficult to find a program that has been as dominant as the UNB Reds have been in USports hockey.  They put together a very professional product both on the ice and in the gameday production.  When in the Maritimes, taking in some UNB Reds hockey at Aitken University Centre is a great plan.  All fans should see a program that sets the Red Standard for the others to aspire to. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Family Arena 2002 Arena Pkwy St. Charles, MO 63303 St. Louis Ambush website Family Arena website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 9,643 Family Arena The St. Louis Ambush of Major Arena Soccer League is a resurrection of the former franchise that operated in the National Professional Soccer League, first in Tulsa in 1991, from 1992-2000. That organization appeared in four championship series while calling the Scottrade Center home, winning its lone title during the 1994-1995 campaign. In 2013, the name and colors of teal and black were once again revived for a new franchise to operate out of the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri, a 30-minute drive from downtown St. Louis. The Family Arena debuted on October 3, 1999, at a cost of $27 million in order to provide an alternative for sporting events and concerts in the St. Louis metro area. In 2013, there were over $800,000 into renovations to improve the facility; two large video boards and ribbon boards were added at each end of the seating bowl. The arena has seen its share of minor league hockey, indoor football, and concerts from Taylor Swift to Judas Priest. The arena’s capacity is officially 9,643 for indoor soccer games, but only the lower bowl is open for Ambush games. The arena itself is nestled close to the St. Charles River and a few miles away from the town’s historic downtown shops, bars, restaurants, and museums. The game of indoor soccer is fast pace and the club provides a nice little alternative to the sporting action that takes place in downtown St. Louis. Food & Beverage 3 The arena features the usual concession items such as hot dogs, brats, pizza, nachos, pretzels and popcorn at various permanent stands on the main concourse. A few of them are closed for games, but there is more than enough options to choose from at the game. A few of the more notable items include supreme nachos that are topped with chili and pulled pork and chicken tenders basket with fries. The options are basic and not over the top, but the prices are honest and on par with other venues of its caliber. The prices range between $4-$6 for most items, the supreme nachos are $8. There is a wide variety of beer and spirits that include Seagram’s wine coolers, Jack Daniel’s coolers, party bomb shots, wine, Lime-a-Rita, and wine slushies between $6 and $10 each. Draft beer sells for $6, mix drinks are $8, and double mix drinks are $14. If you are driving or do not drink, Coca-Cola products sell for $5 each. Atmosphere 3 The arena is broken up into two seating sections, with the concourse closed off to the public. The main seating bowl houses the majority of the fans, along with a high school band playing its own in-game music throughout the contest of the match. The field level seats are table tops and are located adjacent to the Ambush bench. Fans have an up close and personal view of the game and enjoy a buffet of deep-fried mini tacos and fried ravioli among other drinks and concession items. There is always active during stoppage of play including local high school cheerleaders and dancers, on-field contests for lucky fans, and various announcements. When there is in-game music piped through the speakers it’s a mix of house, remixes, and pop songs of the past 30-years. The Ambush even piped in “Midnight Express (The Chase)”, a 1980s staple at the Checkerdome during the old St. Louis Steamers days in the MISL Bushwacker is the team’s lively mascot dressed in team colors of teal and black; he is extremely active and greets fans young and old throughout the game. He even shows off some wicked dance moves when he introduced before the game. However, be careful of his mustache, its big. Halftime also provides various events and activities including a family soccer match, a bowling contest with soccer balls, a wedding proposal by an Ambush player, and a touching tribute to St. Louis legend and Indoor Soccer Hall of Famer Slobo Ilijevski whose family was on hand for bobblehead day in his honor. Neighborhood 4 The Family Arena is located a good 30-minutes from downtown St.Louis; however, the city does have a historic neighborhood along the St. Charles River that includes restaurants, shops, and bars. It is recommended to visit the picturesque little town. The options include Hendricks BBQ, 2865 Brewhouse, Amerisports Bar and Grill, and Big Woody’s BBQ. Sugarfire Smokehouse makes some of the best barbecue in the area and offer a wonderful Asian slaw and corn souffle as side options. The Old Mill Stream Inn has a fantastic patio to enjoy dinner or drinks during the warmer months of the year. A fun and relaxing way to get through town is to take the St. Charles Trolley which provides service with a 30-minute loop ride through the historic downtown. If you are looking to venture outside of downtown, the area is known for its many vineyards and wineries. Fans 4 The fans at the game enjoy themselves in various ways. They cheer on the Ambush in hope of a goal, talk with friends and families, or dance in their seats when certain music is played or when the camera is looking for fans to show on the two main screens at the arena. No matter what, the crowd is always in the mood for fun and show a lot of love towards the Ambush players. Access 4 Arriving at the arena is best by car off State Road 364; there is clear signage for the arena near the exit and it’s visible as you approach the parking lot entrance. Once inside, the main concourse wraps around the entire arena providing clearly marked signs for bathrooms and seating sections. The upper concourse hallways are draped off and the first 7 rows of seats from the bottom provide the best legroom for patrons. Return on Investment 3 The price for tickets begin at $15 for general admission tickets and top off at $47 for VIP seats on the field adjacent to the playing boards. The price of a ticket depends on your price point, but with the cost of parking set at $10, a night at an Ambush game is on par with a majority of other league franchises. However, if you are frugal like me, grab a $15 ticket, find your seat, and enjoy the game. Extras 4 1 star for the Northwest High School Pep Band that adds a college/high school atmosphere throughout the contest and also make for a nice change of pace from the dance and house music that is usually played at the arena. 2 stars for the various activities that take place during stoppage of play. There are ball tosses, free pizza to a lucky fan, and shirts thrown by staff into the stands between quarters of play. 3 stars for the table top VIP seats next to the Ambush bench. The fans are provided with food and beverage and have the best seats in the house. 4 stars for the variety of music played during the game. The in-game music is a staple of indoor soccer and what’s being played at the Family Arena is a collection of the various club, dance, and pop standards of the past few decades. Final Thoughts The St. Louis Ambush provide a wonderful experience at each home match for diehard fans and ones who are just there for a night out of fun. The music, on-field activities, concession prices, and interaction with players make it a hidden gem among the sporting events that take place in the St. Louis area.

Photos by Terry McCutchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Memorial Stadium N. Harbin Drive Stephenville, TX 76401 Tarleton State Texans website Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity: 24,000 Tarleton State Football - Memorial Stadium Stephenville is a city of approximately 20,000 people located in north central Texas. Known affectionately as the Cowboy Capital of the World, Stephenville is home to numerous world-renowned horse trainers and top-level professional rodeo athletes, most notably Ty Murray. Murray is a nine-time PRCA world champion cowboy and co-founder of the Professional Bull Riders Association (PBR). In 2023, no less than 42 (31%) of the qualifiers for the National Finals Rodeo came from the Stephenville metro area. In addition to professional level cowboys, Tarleton State University sponsors championship level rodeo, stock horse, and animal judging teams to solidify the town’s claim to the western themed title. Not just a one-horse town, Tarleton State University sponsors 15 intercollegiate sports programs at the NCAA Division 1 level – this season is the first full year as a D1 school; having begun the transition from NCAA Division II competition in 2020. The Texans football team currently competes in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS); the team qualified for postseason competition in their first season of eligibility. Memorial Stadium, home of the Texans football team, originally opened in 1951 and was named in honor of 179 former students and faculty members who lost their lives during World War II. At the time, the concrete structure had 32 rows of steel bleachers and seated 6,000 fans. As the result of several renovations and updates through the years, the most recent in 2022, the stadium now sports a turf playing surface, premium suites, an expanded concourse, various concessions, and a state-of-the-art press box, for a total seating capacity of 24,000. The commitment level of the university to compete at the FCS level is evident in the quality of the facilities here.   Food & Beverage   4 There are plenty of full-service concession stands and standalone kiosks along the concourse of the stadium selling various snacks, entrees, and drinks. While there are no major specialty items, there are enough options available for any fan to be satisfied. Souvenir cups are also available, and can be filled with a fountain drink, popcorn, or local favorite Texan Rider draft beer. Soft drinks are Pepsi products with Starry being substituted for Mountain Dew. Other beverages include Gatorade, bottled water, Celsius energy drinks, Peak tea, and several brands of beer, including Coors Light, Miller Lite, Michelob Ultra, the aforementioned Texan Rider, a blonde ale from Revolver Brewing  specifically created for the Tarleton fanbase. In addition to the expected snack items such as candy, popcorn, chips and pretzels, patrons can also purchase cotton candy, Dippin’ Dots, or pickles to satisfy their cravings. To extinguish a larger hunger, items such nachos, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, and walking tacos are plentiful; local eateries Chick-fil-A and Blaze Pizza provide their signature items as well. I would suggest a Texan Dog (sausage link on a hot dog bun) topped with ketchup, mustard, and relish chased by a cold Texan Rider draft.   Atmosphere   5 Football can arguably be compared to an organized religion in the state of Texas – the passion of fans to generate such parallels is present in Memorial Stadium on game day when the Tarleton Texans are playing. Hours before the gates open, fans arrive to begin tailgating, sharing food, and preparing for the game. The team is led onto the field with the band lining the field, cannons exploding into the air, and the Texan Rider racing down the sideline on his horse, reining circles in the middle of the field before departing as the crowd roars. The players then race out of the field house and begin preparation for kickoff. During the game, students stand at attention the entire game behind the visitor’s bench, screaming in full voice attempting to play their role in every snap. LED lights, loud music, and a high-definition scoreboard work in unison to create an environment where the energy is highest, and game play is at maximum potential. The most recent game I attended was not decided until the final seconds; both teams’ crowds were electric until the final buzzer. As the visiting team’s defenders knocked down the potential winning touchdown pass in the end zone as time expired, the visiting fans rushed the field, a sight I had never witnessed before in person.   Neighborhood   4 Tarleton is set in the center of Stephenville, which is a small town of approximately 20,000 people. The area around campus is mostly residential with many restaurants and fast food choices within a few minutes’ drive. The best options include Hard 8 Bar-B-Q , Grump’s Burgers , Don Nico’s Mexican Food , Newton’s Saddlerack , or   Caam’s Pizza Restaurant . Should you prefer an old school diner experience, Jake and Dorothy’s is a locally owned joint that dates back to 1948, the place where waffle cut fries were invented and chicken fried steak is their calling card; just carry cash as they do not accept credit or debit cards. There are plenty of hotels to choose from in town; some of the more highly rated choices include Hampton Inn and Suites ,   La Quinta Inn and Suites , and   Best Western Plus , among others. If you prefer short term rental options, there are several small houses and cabins available in and around Stephenville. On busy weekends, however, availability can be an issue.   Fans   4 Memorial Stadium is the center of attention on campus on many fall Saturdays. Official tailgating takes place in Texan Alley, located in the RV parking lot northwest of the stadium and bordering the track facility – this area is packed with tents, barbecue trailers, music, and plenty of beverages to quench any thirst. Most hosts are friendly, and the experience is well worth the trip. Once inside the facility, the student section is active and loud. Located on the visitor’s side behind the opposing team, this area also includes the organized groups such as the Plowboys, The Sound and Fury Marching Band, and the Texan Stars dance team.   Access   4 Stephenville is approximately three and a half hours north of San Antonio via US-281, or three hours from Austin via Interstate 35. From the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, it is only a little over an hour’s drive. Once in town the university is easily accessible, with ample parking around Memorial Stadium. There is no commercial air travel into town and public transportation is rideshare only, which is limited at best. The best option if flying into the region is to fly to either DFW airport or Love Field in Dallas, Austin-Bergstrom airport in Austin, or the San Antonio airport, and then rent a vehicle to drive. Parking within a block of the stadium is reserved for VIP and suite ticket holders. Paid lots a two or three-minute walk from the stadium, near Wisdom Gym , are open for $10 via the ParkMobile  website. Beginning next year, however, there will be a new parking garage open on Washington Street. Free parking is also available across Washington Street in the baseball and softball complex, an approximate five-minute walk from Memorial Stadium.   Return On Investment   4 The time and expense of attending a Tarleton Texans football game is well worth the investment – with no bad seats, general admission tickets starting around $30 are sufficient. This is the average price one would expect to pay for playoff-caliber FCS football regular season games. Concession prices fall within the lower end of the price range for comparably sized colleges. With the quality of food and variety of choices here, the ROI for concessions is above average. Parking at $10, or free, within a five-minute walk is not unfair at all; all of this helps make the total package of attending a game at Memorial Stadium well worth the cost.   Extras   4 The passion the fans bring makes for a huge home field advantage. Student groups lead the student body to be loud and active the entire game; it is easy to see why football is the most popular team sport in the state of Texas, and the life force of student culture. The option for free parking within a short walk to the stadium deserves a nod – this allows fans to save a few dollars to purchase a Texan Rider or Oscar P Pretzel. Multiple drink and food options, along with plenty of concession stands and standalone kiosks, helps minimize time waiting in line, maximizing time watching the action on the field. The presentation of the stadium team, involving lights, scoreboard, music, and the announcer creates an atmosphere that is fun and energetic. There is an old West Texas saying that is applicable to the gameday atmosphere at Memorial – “If this doesn’t light your fire, your wood is wet!”.   Final Thoughts Tarleton State football, though a new participant at the NCAA Division 1 FCS level, provides a quality game day atmosphere. Replete with energetic students, supportive alumni, and high quality in-game presentation, Texans games are top notch events. It is well worth the time required to attend a Tarleton football game in the future; after a few hours of meeting new friends in Texan Alley, you can grab a snack and drink, then prepare to watch an exciting football game in an older stadium that has been renovated to meet modern demands. This is a sports stadium, though somewhat off the beaten path, that is well worth a visit.

All Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey This month, fans have seen the All-Star competition's good, bad, and ugly. The NBA was the ugly, the NHL’s Four Nations was the bad, and the Professional Volleyball Federation was the good. The league kicked off its first match at the Fishers Event Center near Indianapolis. About 7,000 fans were there this past weekend. There was plenty of excitement the moment fans walked through the front entrances of the arena. Life-size cardboard cutouts of players in the concourse greeted many. Others could pose for photos with family and friends. Two guys dressed as if they had certain connections with an infamous organization handed out game-day towels at the entrances. The teams were not divided into east v west, but by different means. Team Shondell, led by Purdue’s Dave Shondell, faced Team Collier, coached by Georgia Tech’s Michelle Collier. The All-Stars wore black and gold uniforms and waved to the cheering crowd as the announcer called their names. Coaches, league staff, and 10,000 online votes chose the two 12-team squads. Player introductions, Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Fans in the stands wore gear from the Grand Rapids Rise, San Diego Mojo, Orlando Valkyries, Vegas Thrill, and Omaha Supernovas. Many made the trip to the Indianapolis area. The loudest fans were from the Atlanta Vibe. They cheered for their four teammates on the team. The hometown Indy Ignite was there too, showing their support. Team mascots from the Indy Ignite, Orlando Valkeires, and Vegas Thrill were on hand to greet fans, participate in pre-game contests, and then put on a few moves of their own. The game featured a DJ, dance team, and live musicians playing during the breaks. If you have never attended a professional volleyball game, it is quite an experience. A quick look at the seating bowl showed some empty seats. Media crews gathered near the court. Young fans cheered with enthusiasm. Many reached for souvenir mini volleyballs tossed into the stands. CBS made a little bit of history by broadcasting the first women’s pro volleyball match on a traditional U.S. over-the-air network. The game featured NBA star Jalen Rose and Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson East hosting the league's festivities. Team Shondell celebrates a point in the first game, by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey At the end of the afternoon, Team Shondell defeated Team Collier by a total score of 58-47. Team Shondell won the first sets 25-22 and 25-20 and only needed to reach 8 points in the third set to clinch the victory. That came when Team Shondell took an 8-5 lead but completed the third set with a 15-10 triumph. After the game, Vegas Thrill setter Alisha Childress felt excited. She looked forward to future all-star events in the league.  “We want to continue this not just this year, but for years and years to come. We feel that energy; we can feel that that’s what we’re doing here. We’re older and we’re playing, and to see the younger generation get to look up to us, it’s our responsibility but it’s one we take very seriously to make sure they see volleyball at a high level all the way.” Members of the Atlanta Vibe cheer on their teammates from the stands, by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey The league returns to action later this week in its eight cities until early May, followed by a post-season tournament. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Super Bowl LIX Week has come and gone, and New Orleans showed out in a major way for its record tying 11th Super Bowl to host. Sure, the game was a blowout as the Eagles drummed the Chiefs 40-22, but the game itself was an afterthought, as nothing in it really stood out besides being the most lopsided Super Bowl in recent memory. What did stand out was the constant influx of parties, perfect weather, concerts, and fan events that overtook the city – New Orleans city was abuzz all week, from the spectacular opening night to the thrilling NFL Experience and the unforgettable parties that lit up the Crescent City, the city was on display like never before. This week felt more like a celebration of New Orleans than an actual football game. They call New Orleans a city of resilience, as there aren’t many cities in the U.S. that have had to overcome as much adversity. Whether it’s the frequent hurricanes, flooding, oil spills, crime, or the horrendous events that unfolded on the morning of January 1st. But Super Bowl week unfolded without a major hitch, thanks in part to the many law enforcement personnel standing on every street corner in the French Quarter. On the world’s biggest stage, the Big Easy proved why it is the perfect city to host big special events. I’ve never seen the city transformed like this before, from its huge billboards and Super Bowl signage hanging on every building, to the projected lighting on the St. Louis Cathedral each night. This year New Orleans was lit up like never before. Photo courtesy of the New Orleans Saints It all started on Monday night with the spectacle that was Super Bowl Opening Night – the final touches of the Superdome’s $500 million renovation were on display, as fans who couldn’t purchase tickets to the game were able to go inside the Dome and get a sneak peek at the Super Bowl signage on the field and concourse. This star-studded affair was broadcast on NFL Network and featured live music, special guests, and both the Chiefs and the Eagles coming out to take questions from the media. On Wednesday the Super Bowl Experience opened at Morial Convention Center and lasted until Saturday. If you’ve ever wanted to test your strength in an NFL combine-type workout, this would be your chance – they had bench presses, accuracy throws, kicking games, high jumps, vertical jumps, 40-yard dashes, and many more. Anything NFL related was on display here, from past Super Bowl rings and helmets to current and former players signing autographs. The Pro Football Hall of Fame even had an exhibit that looked like they brought the entire Hall of Fame from Canton. Flag football games also took place on the makeshift field, but the highlight of the night was seeing Michael Vick jump in and play quarterback for a random game that was going on. The pageantry of the NFL Honors was felt Thursday night at Saenger Theatre, where the best players of the year were honored. The red carpet was rolled out and the stars were on hand for the event, hosted by Snoop Dogg. Josh Allen went home with NFL MVP honors, while Saints legends Drew Brees and Steve Gleason presented the award for Walter Payton Man of the Year to Jaguars DE Arik Armstead. On Saturday the Super Bowl parade rolled through the French Quarter; nobody does Mardi Gras like New Orleans. With so many fans from all over the world converging on the city, what better way than give them a New Orleans-style parade with a Super Bowl theme? The king of the parade was Raising Cane's founder Todd Graves, and if that wasn’t enough to have kept you entertained, at night there were exclusive private and public parties, with concerts ranging from Chris Stapleton and Post Malone to Travis Scott during the weekend. At Mardi Gras World they had a collection of different festival-like parties going on, with Shaq’s Fun House taking place on Friday, a carnival-like atmosphere complete with games, rides, and concerts hosted by Shaquille O’Neal and Ludacris. Also on Saturday was the Sports Illustrated and Maxim Magazine Super Bowl party, followed on Sunday by Chef Guy Fieri’s Tailgate Bash before the big game. A celebration of New Orleans’ spirit and culture was even on display for Sunday’s game for the world to see – the pre-game show opened with a touching Nola Strong tribute to the victims of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack. Lady Gaga’s voice belted throughout the French Quarter as she played the piano from the Bourbon Street Memorial, with the NOPD standing next to Roger Goodell along with Saints legends like Drew Brees and Sean Payton. Jazz singer Harry Connick Jr. began the show in the Superdome with a jazz performance complete with the famous Mardi Gras Indians, followed by New Orleans music legends Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle’s performance of ‘America the Beautiful’. Another New Orleans legend Jon Batiste then displayed a soulful rendition of the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’. Emotions were running high when some of the victims’ families were on hand to present the coin toss, including the family of 27-year-old Lafayette, LA native Tiger Bech, and the family of 25-year-old Superdome video producer Matthew Tenedorio, who was also scheduled to work Super Bowl LIX. The best part about the whole week was the walkability between all the venues hosting the events; it is less than a mile from the Convention Center to the French Quarter and over to the Superdome. In that triangle you would find over 100,000 football fans from all over the world, as well as fans of all 32 teams converging on the city for the week. Even if you had no intention of checking out any of the Super Bowl events, you could have a good time just walking around the French Quarter checking out the sights, or people-watching the fans from all 32 teams. You couldn’t ask for better weather either, with each day being sunny in the high 70s. It’s hard to believe that 3 weeks before the big game, a record blizzard left New Orleans covered in 3-4 feet of snow; in a way the snow kind of cleaned the city up just in time for the Super Bowl. The big week had a huge economic impact on the entire Gulf Coast region, and was exactly what New Orleans needed after the terrorist attack on January 1st. With all the big celebrities in town, though, the biggest star of the week ended up being New Orleans itself. Not a day went by during the week without a famous celebrity or social media personality raving via Tweet about the city’s atmosphere. On the world’s biggest stage, the Big Easy proved why it is the perfect city to host big special events – whether it was the perfect weather, excellent food, or Southern hospitality, Super Bowl Week was a huge success. Hopefully it won’t be another 12 years until New Orleans sees another Super Bowl.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Xfinity Center 2001 Paint Branch Dr College Park, MD 20740 Maryland Terrapins website Xfinity Center website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 17,950 Fear The Lady Turtles The Xfinity Center on the campus of the University of Maryland is home to the Terrapins' men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the gymnastics program. The name "Xfinity Center" typically refers to the main arena in the building, which seats 17,950 fans, but can also refer to the entire building, which includes the much smaller Xfinity Center Pavilion on the lower level that hosts the Terps' volleyball and wrestling teams. The Maryland women's basketball team has made 17 NCAA tournament appearances, including three Final Fours and the 2006 NCAA Championship. They previously competed in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), but since 2014, they compete instead in the Big Ten. Food & Beverage 4 The Xfinity Center has pretty much the same classic offerings you’d find anywhere, with main courses including hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, boneless wings, hot dogs, and pizza, as well as side dishes such as fries. Local chain The Greene Turtle has a stand which sells boneless wings and crab cake sandwiches. Fans with a sweet tooth can buy boozy ice cream as well as regular ice cream (by which we mean non-alcoholic, not boring) from the UMD Creamery right on campus. Alcoholic beverages are also available for fans of age. For those who require kosher meals, there is a certified kosher stand available outside section 121 selling items such as deli sandwiches and falafel in addition to stadium classics such as hot dogs and popcorn. Note that due to Jewish religious laws, the stand is not open for Friday and Saturday home games, nor on certain Jewish holidays where food cannot be prepared and/or served. Due to limited attendance, some stands on the upper level may not be open for women's basketball games. Atmosphere 5 The seating layout at a Maryland women's basketball game is different than it is at a men's basketball game, and provides the average fan a chance to sit much closer to the action. While the lower bowl for a men's game is typically reserved for season ticket holders and donors unless you buy at inflated prices on the secondary market, fans can sit in the reserved sections here for women's basketball games, and for games with smaller expected attendances, this may be the only area open. However, with attendance growing in recent years, the Terps will typically open the upper level of the Xfinity Center as well. While these seats are reserved for men's games, they are typically general admission for women's games, although this can change if an unusually large crowd is expected. The lower level seats are very close to the action, and only a few dollars more expensive than the upper bowl, so we recommend sitting here. A large videoboard overhangs center court and also shows detailed player and team stats. Before the game, the lights in the Xfinity Center will go out for player introductions as fans are encouraged to turn on the flashlights on their phones and point them towards the court. Flames will shoot up from a giant Maryland letter M placed on the court as a hype video plays on the videoboard and players are introduced. This makes for quite an impressive atmosphere. The Maryland pep band frequently plays during breaks in the action, and a giant Maryland flag above them covers seats behind the basket that are typically empty for women's games, thus simultaneously increasing the Maryland pride and making the arena seem fuller. A mascot, a terrapin turtle named Testudo, roams the crowd and the court interacting with fans and is beloved by all. Overall, a Maryland women's basketball game is an excellent atmosphere for fans to attend. Neighborhood 3 College Park is a small college town with enough in the immediate area to get by but is nothing special. There is a bowling alley a couple of miles away, and a bunch of chain restaurants within walking distance. If you’re looking for some local color, College Park Diner  is a favorite with residents and students alike and serves up comfort food 24 hours a day. Looney’s Pub  on Route 1 is a sports bar with dozens of big-screen TVs for your viewing pleasure. A couple of hotels are located nearby, including a Marriott  just off campus, and The Hotel  on campus. (Yes, the on-campus hotel is called The Hotel. Not a very creative name). That being said, if you’re looking to do more than eat and sleep, your best bet is to head down to the Metro station and take the Green Line into D.C. It’s about a 30-minute ride to downtown. Once you’re there, there’s so much to do and most of it is free. Whether it’s visiting one of the historic monuments and memorials, visiting one of the numerous museums, or simply walking outside on the National Mall, there’s something for everyone. All government-run attractions are free to the public, though some privately-run ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you will need to reserve that ahead of time. Fans 5 Attendance at Maryland women's basketball games has been growing in recent years, and they now regularly draw over 10,000 fans a game. Games against national powerhouses like Big 10 rivals UCLA and USC may draw 14,000-15,000, while games against lesser teams, especially on weeknights, may draw only a few thousand. However, in general, the Terps draw good crowds, which are rowdy, raucous, and here to watch basketball. They know their team, and they know the sport of women's college basketball in general. Although Maryland always ranked near the top of the country in women's college basketball attendance, the crowds here have grown in recent years as they have nationwide. Terps fans show every home game why they are some of the top fans in women's college basketball. Access 4 Another perk of attending Maryland women's basketball games is that it is a lot easier to get here and get around than it would be for a men's game. Parking for a game here is free in the lots immediately adjacent to the arena, and if those fill up, other lots are available elsewhere. You would not be able to park this close for a men's game without making a sizeable donation or buying a pass on the secondary market at a high cost. You can also take Metro's Green line to the College Park station and take the shuttle bus to the arena, but it only runs every 30 minutes and makes several stops in between, so give yourself a lot of extra time if you do this. It is also a ten minute Uber/Lyft ride from the station, or a 35 minute walk, which may still be quicker than taking the shuttle. When arriving at the arena, you will need to walk up a large staircase to get to the main entrance. This puts you at the top of the 100 (lower) level. There is also an entrance at street level, but this primarily serves the Xfinity Center Pavilion. If you have a disability and are unable to climb stairs, you can enter here and take the elevator up. Otherwise, you need to go up the staircase outside. If you do need to use the accessible entrance, let the staff know you are attending the basketball game. Otherwise, if there is a wrestling or volleyball game happening in the Pavilion at the same time as the basketball game in the main arena, they may not let you in the building without a ticket to that game. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices vary depending on Maryland's opponent and the day of the week, but max out at only $17-$20 for lower level seats against prime opponents. Parking is also free, and close to the arena, which is a nice plus. The one downside is that concessions are very expensive, and will likely cost upwards of $25 per person for a meal without alcohol, and if you want to drink adult beverages, it will set you back even more. This forces us to bring the rating down a notch. Extras 3 Look for the trophy case in the lobby of the 100 level with Maryland's 2006 National Championship trophy. Banners in the arena honor Maryland's men's and women's basketball achievements. The giant Maryland flag behind the band is worthy of a star here too - Marylanders take great pride in their flag and are not afraid to show it at Terps games. Final Thoughts A Maryland women's basketball game at the Xfinity Center combines one of the best fan bases in the country with one of the top arenas. Prices are quite affordable for the whole family to attend and sit up close to the action, and the atmosphere is electric from before the game even starts until the moment it ends. Hoops fans in the D.C. area will definitely want to check out a Terrapins women's basketball game here.

Photos created and designed by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey It’s a cold winter’s night, with lines full of cacophony from the fans, and the action on the floor is palpable. Cheers echo off the wooded seats and bounce off the steel beams, and chants of a score are equal to the roar of a victory. However, the squeak of the sneaker is repelled by the grind of the roller skate. The game is roller polo, and it was the first love in the state before basketball. Indiana was gripped with “polo fever” in 1903. The sport blossomed like a tulip and attracted the attention of entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on the sport. They built beautiful palaces, attracted top talent, and created a movement that filled the newspapers from Indianapolis to Fort Wayne to Terre Haute. Once the sport reached its peak, it swiftly fell from grace. What led to its rapid decline and eventual obscurity within a single generation? Maybe the old newspaper articles hold the story of a sport that seemed destined for greatness, if only for a brief time. Roller Polo is hockey on roller skates for today’s audience. However, there were differences. There were five players: two rushers, one halfback, one center, and a goalkeeper. They played on a wooden regulation rink of 80 feet by 40 feet with curved wooden sticks, shinguards, and a goalpost. Each game would be split into three 15-minute periods. The sport was first introduced in the United States from England in the early 1880s and received a second wave of popularity in Indiana in the late 1890s, thanks to M.C. Henley and a few others in Richmond. They formed a polo team, and soon, other cities began holding exhibitions of the new sport. In 1901, the Western League was formed and operated with three clubs. Around the same time, polo leagues back East were not as popular, and local polo magnates decided to entice them to Indiana with high salaries. Soon, the Western League became a professional entity for its second season, with the best players earning double $50 a week. One of these players, Frank Woedtke, was paid $110 to play for Anderson. The quick success of the sport attracted entrepreneurs who suddenly became polo magnates. They formed the six-team Central Polo League for 1903-04. These men built or converted existing buildings into polo rinks to house their new investments. There would be 12 teams, from Terre Haute to Richmond and Fort Wayne to Logansport, to satisfy the masses. Several new polo rinks were constructed to cash in on the popularity of the sport in 1903. Kokomo built a 3,000-seat building and called it “The Alhambra”; Indianapolis constructed a 3,500-seat auditorium, the Terre Haute Coliseum offered over 2,000 seats, and the Lafayette Coliseum had a capacity of 5,000. Anderson opened the Apollo Rink, Fort Wayne opened The Princess Rink. They all offered modern conveniences: electric lights, steam heating, and unobstructed views of the game. When leagues began play in November of 1903, the fans packed many rinks to see what the Indianapolis News  described as “the vim and fire that characterize polo are to be found in no other game. Its excitement is nerve-racking, and as it is “reasonably” dangerous, it appeals to the hearts of Americans.” The same newspaper filled the sports section with "Polo Dope" with box scores, statistics, stories, and recaps from all over the state. Next to this data would be advertisements for that evening's game, costing 50 cents for a box seat and 25 cents for general admission.  In Richmond, local businesses closed during matches, and employers bickered that employees spent the workday talking about previous or future games. Theater performances in Elwood closed during games, city council meetings were held an hour early on game nights, and many cities hosted amateur matches before the main event at home rinks. It was reported that over a million tickets were sold to polo games and Marion attracted 140,000 fans for 45 home games. There were 12 teams that took to the rinks in 1903 in Indiana and Illinois. Before the start of the 1904-1905 season, both leagues knew that they no longer could afford to pay top dollars for players, but team managers wanted the best athletes to draw crowds. The Central League paid reasonable salaries, drew crowds, and made money, but the Western League paid exorbitant salaries, drew crowds, and made a small profit. They decided to impose a $265 weekly salary limit, much to the chagrin of its players. Meanwhile, Central decided to do away with its $175 weekly limit and pay top dollars for players. Fort Wayne then announced they would pay $75 per star to join their club. Many players refused to take a pay cut and signed with the Western League. The Central had filled its 7-man roster and was in fine shape as its season approached. The Richmond Quakers were not happy with the salary limit and wanted to raise it to secure better players. The team almost left the league in dispute; they had the money to sign better players, but couldn’t based on league rules. Quakers president Micajah C. Henley explained his thoughts. “High salaries ought to bring the best players and the best players will bring the best crowds. The salary limit seems reasonable, but until there is assurance that every team in the Central League will not try to get players in the Western League there is danger. We must outbid them.” The 1904-05 season started for both leagues, but whatever peace was made between the two leagues was shattered when the Indianapolis Indians left the Western League for the Central League early in the season. The reason was that Marion Royals allowed Long John Wiley to sign with Lafayette Sycamores instead of them.  This led to all Western clubs posting a forfeit of $1000 to finish the season to discourage any other club from jumping over to the Central. When Elwood failed to post, they were having trouble signing players, they announced that they were ceasing operations. Elwood sold two players to Kokomo of the Central for $1,000, which was a direct violation of the agreement between the two leagues. Both players should have been sent to teams in the Western League. “While we realize that a war over players at this time would be a bad thing for both organizations, we will do everything in our power to prevent it,” said Foor. “I do not think we stand to lose by it as much as the Western League. We are not looking for trouble and will make any reasonable concessions to prevent a clash, but if a fight is necessary we can stand it.” Daily newspapers had plenty of photographs of polo players of the era The rest of the month, the magnates of the Western Loop tried in vain to add two more clubs. They suggested a new one in Indianapolis and contacted Cincinnati Reds management to operate a team. In the meantime, both leagues continued talks of consolidation, but the Central League did not want to add all four teams from the West.  The four-team Western League continued to struggle financially. Richmond lost $1,200, and only Marion made money. Anderson had only four players on its roster, and other members were unwilling to give players to strengthen the club. League president Norton had this to say about the situation. “This fight has not only been expensive to both leagues but has injured attendance. I believe that we are both ready to quit.” The Western loop would cease operations on January 16. Whether it was the fighting between the two leagues that was printed in the daily newspapers, the switching of players, the promises of new teams, or the same four teams playing each, interest sagged, causing management to call it quits. A few days after,  Anderson and Marion joined the Central League, while Richmond and Muncie closed shop. With the polo war over, you think the Central League would see smooth sailing for the rest of the season. It was not the case, clubs were shedding money, attendance had fallen, and there was still fighting over players’s rights. In many cities, the sport’s popularity was fading quickly, and managers of each rink were looking to get out of the polo business. The league would end one week earlier when Lafayette chose not to finish the season and awarded the pennant to Danville, who finished the season in first place with a 59-32 record.  The Central League would start a third season, but there was concern with salaries; the profits were no longer large enough to pay $300 a week for players. Two new polo leagues, the Interstate and National League, opted for amateur players and paid them $25 weekly. Danville president William Foor, who owned three clubs in these leagues, said it cost him less to operate them than his Danville team. “The managers and owners of these clubs are not reaping a harvest, but they are making money.” All one had to do was open up the newspaper to see if there was a game that night Unless salaries were cut under $200 a week, there was no chance of reviving the league for a third season. Another argument was that the public was losing interest in roller polo, according to the Fort Wayne News .  “The crowds toward the end of the season grew smaller and smaller until the general public gave open evidence of its impatience with the sport and stayed away.”    An eight-team league, minus Terre Haute—whose owner opted to transform his rink into a vaudeville theater—launched its 1905-1906 season on October 23. Teams were scheduled to play 3 to 4 games a week, with Sundays off, and player salaries were slashed to $50 for star athletes and $200 per week for the entire roster. The opening night crowds drew 1,500, but it was apparent from fans and reporters that the type of polo was slightly above amateurism. An elderly man in Anderson called it “punk” and said he had seen better play in local leagues, and one reporter said the following. Attendance figures fluctuate from as high as 2,000 in games in Indianapolis to as low as 500 for contests in Fort Wayne. Many of the best players held out for higher salaries and refused to participate in the league.  On February 11, 1906, Fort Wayne played its last game due to heavy financial losses. The Lafayette franchise shifted to Champaign, Illinois, but folded three days later due to poor attendance. Logansport players decided to finish the season despite not being paid. Only Kokomo made a profit, and Danville, Indianapolis, and Marion were ready to quit. The season ended with the top four clubs participating in a post-game series. The winner would receive the Hennings Cup, created to award the champion of the Western League, and be in storage at the Hotel Anderson. Despite some of the largest crowds in recent months, including 3,000 for the final day in Kokomo, a champion was not crowned. Danville and Indianapolis were 2-1 heading into the final day and were expected to play for the cup, but the last-minute change forced Kokomo and Marion to play one another, resulting in all four teams with an even 2-2 record. A $100 prize money was divided evenly among all players, and a majority of the players boarded trains the next day to head back east to start the New England leagues.  Fans no longer looked at the game being “on the square” and that gamblers were heavily involved with games in Anderson and perhaps elsewhere in the league. There would be no fourth season for the Central League for 1906-1907. Team pictures were taken with uniforms and equipment, highlighting the styles of the time. Soon, managers moved on to other business ventures, and players returned home to New England. The ornate rinks that were created for the game went on to hold roller skating sessions and basketball games, soon they were razed or lost by fire. Business and attendance were more profitable for roller skating sessions throughout the week and on weekends. Indiana had been cured of its “polo fever” and though there were revivals of the game, it would be played sporadically until 1958, but never reached the zenith it had during the 1903-1904 season. It had a good run of 4 years in small and large markets in the state. However, one has to believe that with better efforts by league managers and players, maybe it could have lasted a little bit longer. The tale of the two polo leagues is a reminder that some things never change in American sports. Salaries, operation costs, competition of players, and rapid expansion have killed many leagues this past century and will continue to do so in the future. If roller polo was allowed to grow organically without competition for players and high salary demands, who knows, it might have had a chance.  ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Trojan Arena 5000 Veterans Stadium Dr Troy, AL 36082 Troy Trojans website Trojan Arena website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 6,000 We Are Trojans One and All The Troy Trojans basketball program began in 1950 as a member of the NAIA, competing in the Alabama Collegiate Conference. After the 1970-71 season, they would move to NCAA Division II, joining the Gulf States Conference where they would play for nineteen seasons. The program would find a new gear in 1982 when Don Maestri was named head coach. Maestri would bring a fast paced, high scoring, three-point launching brand of basketball to Troy – the team would take on the moniker “Trey State” for the volume of three-point shots they put up, and made. It would be under Maestri that the Trojans would obliterate the NCAA single game scoring record, along with six other NCAA single game records, in a 258-141, victory over DeVry Institute. Maestri led the Trojans into Division I in 1994 when they joined the Mid-Continent Conference (MCC), now the Summit League. The Trojans played three seasons in the MCC before moving to the Atlantic Sun Conference (A-Sun), where they spent eight years before finding their current home in the Sun Belt Conference, where they have been members since 2005. Originally playing at Wright Hall, the Trojans would move to Sartain Hall in 1963, which they would call home for over 50 years. In 2012, they would move into their new digs, Trojan Arena, which replaced Sartain Hall as the home of Troy basketball.   Food & Beverage   3 There is not much by way of concessions that would be considered eye opening, but the usual suspects are plentiful. Burgers, hot dogs, and nachos are the featured items, complemented by popcorn, chips, and candy. Soft drinks come by way of the Coca-Cola family of soft drinks, while alcoholic beverages consist of beer from the Budweiser line and the Troy branded Trojan Ale. For wine drinkers, Sutter Home’s Cabernet Sauvignon is also available.   Atmosphere   3 Trojan Arena seamlessly blends in with the buildings surrounding it; its glass rotunda capped with a cupola adds a touch of class and grandeur to the building.  The impressiveness carries on inside where the exterior brickwork also finds its way into the concourse as support structures. Large, arched windows along the concourse allow natural light in, leaving a glare on the court. Rather than an overhead scoreboard, large video boards are located at each end of the court which predominately show a live video feed of the game, but also include player point, rebound, and foul tallies. A ribbon board also runs around the top of the seating area, but other than a small section at center court on each side with game score, time, team fouls, and time-out information, its primarily use is to display ads. In-game entertainment includes a mixture of scoreboard games, played mostly with students, and cheer squad performances accompanied by Troy’s pep-band, The Sound of the South. The in-house DJ also is a big part of keeping fans entertained during breaks. With the exception of bench seating adjacent to the band, most seats throughout the arena are cushioned chair backs in Troy’s cardinal-silver-black colors scattered throughout, with the Troy sword logo “T” worked into the center court section of seats.   Neighborhood   3 Trojan Arena is situated in the athletics cluster of Troy’s campus, directly neighbored by Colley Track and Soccer Complex and football’s Veteran’s Memorial Stadium .  The Troy city square is roughly a mile and a half from the arena. There is not a lot nearby in terms of entertainment, but Troy and surrounding Pike County have over thirty historical markers that recognize the birthplace of congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis, war memorials, and the area’s historical story. The Troy town center has a small collection of shops and eateries. Even though the downtown area is not all that expansive, it does offer quite the collection of options; B Graves’ southern dishes, Burgers at The Corner, Franchesca’s Italian cuisine, Cajun food at Bayou la Roux, and popular southern college town chain Mama Goldberg’s deli can all be found. In addition, BBQ at Moe’s and casual American dishes at Flo’s Kitchen are all within a block of Troy town square.   Fans   3 Last season saw the Trojans average just over 3,000 fans per game, with that number getting a bit of a bump when the schedule hits the conference games. If looking for an experience with the most fan influence on the game, match ups with in-state rival South Alabama  get a significant boost, typically drawing more than 5,000 fans. During typical games, a small group of students gathers in what seems to be the designated student section. However, many students choose to sit along the sidelines instead, which somewhat diminishes the overall energy of the student body.   Access   3 Troy, Alabama is in a bit of an oasis when it comes to interstate access. US Highway 231 has the most direct access to town from I-85 east of Montgomery, or you can use US-29 if coming from the west on I-65. Parking at Trojan Arena is somewhat limited, but several nearby lots provide convenient access, with short walks to both the front and back entrances. The concourses inside are generally spacious, though concession lines can become long and may require some maneuvering. For the most part, the court remains visible from the outer concourse on the far side of the seating area. A wide walkway below the premium seating provides easy access to court-level seats.   Return on Investment   5 General admission tickets start at just $10 before add-on fees, and there does not appear to be parking fees. Given the already low ticket prices, it would be hard to find a more affordable option for attending a game. Concessions are also reasonably priced, making Troy basketball a budget-friendly choice for a group or family outing.   Extras   4 The concourse displays historical synopses of every one of Troy’s athletic programs. Each looks at the founding years of the program, postseason successes, and the program’s standout athletes. It is a bit disappointing, however, that there doesn’t appear to be any recognition of the Trojan’s record-setting 1992 258-point game against DeVry. Banners hang from the rafters recognize division and conference championships, as well as postseason tournament appearances for not just the men’s program, but also women’s basketball and volleyball, which teams also call Trojan Arena home. Trojan mascot T-Roy is an active participant in the game experience – the nearly 7-foot plush Trojan soldier makes his way around the crowd, stopping for photos along the way. T-Roy also accompanies the cheer squad throughout the game, and also serves as a co-host of sorts during on-court contests. In a show of appreciation to the fans, after the game the team makes the rounds in the seating area, thanking fans for coming out to support the program. These are small gestures that go a long way in building the fan base, letting game attendees know the support they bring is not taken for granted.   Final Thoughts Comfort and elegance certainly was not sacrificed in creating Trojan Arena. While not small by any means, Trojan Arena also does not feel like a cavernous venue where the atmosphere can easily get lost in empty seats. It would be nice to see a more consistent and concentrated draw from students, however, who can really set the tone for a truly special college basketball experience, especially at the mid-major level. Getting to Troy can be a bit of a challenge, but once there, the game and experience surrounding it are well worth the trip.

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Gilbert Craig Gore Arena at John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center 56 Main St Buies Creek, NC 27506 Campbell Camels website Gilbert Craig Gore Arena at John W. Pope Convocation Center website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 3,095 Roll Humps! Campbell University is located in Buies Creek, NC, and competes in the Coastal Athletic Association. After playing basketball for over half a century at the venerable Carter Gym, Campbell University opened a new basketball arena in 2008. The $34 million John W. Pope Convocation Center at Gore Arena opened on November 15, 2008, as Campbell knocked off Chowan. The arena seats 3,095 and is arguably one of the nicest basketball facilities in the Coastal Athletic Association. Food & Beverage 3 Gore Arena offers standard concessions, nothing spectacular, but enough to get you by if you are hungry. If you are looking for more of a meal, you have three choices: a beef hot dog ($5), a chicken sandwich ($8), or a burger ($9). To go along with these choices are several snack items: popcorn ($4), nachos and cheese ($5), potato chips ($2), soft pretzels ($3, $4 with cheese), and candy ($3). Beverage choices include bottled Pepsi products and Aquafina water for $4.. Since Campbell is a Baptist-affiliated school, alcoholic beverages are not sold. Atmosphere 4 Gore Arena is a beautiful basketball facility and is the perfect size for Campbell University. Upon entering the concourse from the lobby, there is no doubt that you are at the home of the Camels. Campbell orange and graphics are plentiful throughout the arena. There is no bad seat in the house as the seating bowl is a single level with fifteen rows of orange seats around the court. There is a spacious concourse at the top of the seating bowl that also has great views of the action. All seats are plastic molded chairback, except for the three center sections opposite the benches which are padded seats. Directly above the padded suites is a 1,200-square-foot presidential hospitality suite. In 2016, Gore Arena added a four-sided, center-hung LED videoboard and scoreboard. There is also a scoreboard on each wall above the baskets. The Campbell pep band, cheerleaders, and dance team are all extremely into the game, and do a great job setting the atmosphere. Campbell’s nickname is the Fighting Camels, and they have not one, but two camel mascots. Gaylord and Gladys are the two Camel mascots that make their way around the arena during games. These mascots do not just stay in the corner like in many places. They are actively engaged with children and older fans alike throughout the game. As previously mentioned, all seats are chair-back. Due to the intimate design of the arena, there is not a bad seat in the house. No matter where you sit, you will have a great view of the action on the court. Neighborhood 2 Campbell University is located in the tiny town of Buies Creek, NC, between the larger towns of Lillington and Dunn on US 421. Its population is just over 2,000. Other than a couple of fast food places on campus (Chick-fil-A, Moe’s Southwest Grill), there is not much else to choose from. If you are looking for somewhere to eat or stay, our recommendation is to take the short drive to Dunn. It is located on I-95 and has a few restaurants and hotels to choose from. The larger cities of Raleigh and Fayetteville are approximately 30 miles away in either direction and offer many more activities if you desire. Fans 3 Most games at Gore Arena draw anywhere from 1,000-2,000 fans. Weekend games will typically draw more fans. Campbell broke attendance records during the 2018-19 season as they posted four of the top 10 crowds in Gore Arena history. A record crowd of 3,351 was on hand for the final regular season game on March 2, 2019, as Campbell won the Big South regular season title. Access 5 Other than the fact that Campbell’s campus is “in the middle of nowhere”, accessing Gore Arena could not be easier. Since Buies Creek is such a small town, there is almost no traffic when approaching Campbell’s campus. The arena is sort of the front entrance to campus as it sits at the corner of Main Street and Lesley Campbell Avenue. It is easily accessible from US 421. Parking is available in a large lot directly behind the Arena. There is one main entrance and lobby area at the front of the Arena. The ticket office sits just inside the main entrance adjacent the lobby. Once you enter there are steps to both your left and right that will take you up to the concourse level. There is little security to enter, just a staff member at the top of the stairs scanning tickets as you enter the doors to the concourse. For those who need handicapped assistance, there are elevators to take them to the concourse level. Handicapped accessible seating is plenteous on the concourse at the top of the seating bowl. Return on Investment 4 A visit to Gore Arena is a great value for those wanting to see quality Division 1 basketball. Reserved tickets are $15 in advance and $10 for general admission (in the corners). Parking is free, concession prices are reasonable, and game programs are free. Extras 4 Gore Arena has hosted the men’s Big South Tournament twice: in 2016 and 2019. Two mascots are always an extra; as mentioned earlier, Campbell has Gaylord and Gladys. All the staff are extremely friendly and are not overbearing. Campbell hosts the nation’s oldest basketball camp each summer, which has been in existence since 1956. Basketball legends such as Pistol Pete Maravich, John Wooden, Michael Jordan, and Ralph Sampson have all been counselors at Campbell’s legendary basketball camp. Final Thoughts Despite being in the shadow of three ACC schools (Duke, UNC, NC State), Campbell has done a great job being competitive in the Coastal Athletic Association. Campbell University may not be on your list for basketball trips in NC; however, Gore Arena has proven to be a great home-court advantage for Campbell and a visit to the beautiful arena will not leave you disappointed.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 The Eagles' Nest 1266 Barclay Circle Marietta, GA 30060 Life university Running Eagles website The Eagles' Nest website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 2,200 Run Eagles Run Known as being one of the top chiropractic schools in the United States, Life University in Marietta, Georgia has also built one of the top men’s basketball programs in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). After the college was founded in 1991 and athletic programs started play, Life men’s basketball wasted no time leaving their mark on the NAIA ranks, winning the men’s 1996 National Championship in just their fifth year of existence – the Eagles would also go on to win two more national championships, specifically back-to-back titles in 1999 and 2000. Originally playing as an NAIA independent program, Life University is now a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference.   Food & Beverage   0 There is a concession stand in the main lobby of The Eagles’ Nest, but despite appearing to be stocked, it was not open during multiple visits; it is unclear if that is due to poor game selections on my part, or if Life University simply chooses not to operate a concession stand during games.   Atmosphere   3 With many programs at the lower end of college basketball’s organizational structure, the facilities are often multi-purpose – The Eagle’s Nest follows a similar pattern where the gym is part of Life University’s student health and wellness center. That said the gymnasium is rather pedestrian, consisting almost exclusively of plastic bleacher seating with a small section of individual seats at half court, opposite the scorer’s table. Large sections of bleachers also run up each end of the floor along the baseline. LED scoreboards hang from the ceiling in opposite corners of the gym, providing basic time, score, and foul information. There is not a lot to fill breaks in the action other than an in-house DJ; while this might create a stale atmosphere at higher levels, because the basketball games at Life University are not nationally televised games, there are not excessive nor extended timeouts due to commercial breaks, so the game moves along at a steady clip. During the breaks it is not uncommon for fans, mostly students, to gather in groups and dance to the music being played. In addition, throughout the game Life’s mascot, Doc, works the sideline, getting fans to chant “Defense” or simply just get loud.   Neighborhood   3 The Eagle’s Nest is an on-campus facility on the Marietta campus of Life University, which is sandwiched between US Highway 41 to the north and South Cobb Drive to the south. Highway 41 is one of the most heavily populated areas of car dealerships in Cobb County, while South Cobb Drive serves mostly as an artery between eastern and southern Cobb County, in addition to creating the northern boundary of Dobbins Air Reserve Base. Cobb Parkway has a handful of chain restaurants, so several familiar choices are available. If seeking more unique options, the Barclay Village strip mall at the entrance of Life University’s campus includes a pair of international restaurants that serve Middle Eastern and Venezuelan foods. The popular southern 24-hour breakfast diner, Waffle House, is also in that plaza, and just over a mile up Cobb Parkway is another 24-hour diner, Marietta Diner, which has been featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives . In the opposite direction, 4-miles to the south, is The Battery Atlanta, home of the Atlanta Braves , which has numerous restaurants as well.   Fans   2 Life University basketball fans do a decent job filling out the bleachers on either side of the court and are into the ebbs and flows of the game. They react as expected to big plays, celebrating three pointers in clutch moments and highlight reel-worthy dunks, and are quick to protest borderline calls with typical home court jeers. Even though there does appear to be a designated student section and a decent number of students in attendance, the student body does seem fractured throughout the stands. There are enough that they could create a significant home court advantage, but they just do not seem to be organized enough to create an intimidating environment for visiting teams. Life University’s basketball schedule does not seem to help much in filling the stands either, as most of their games are either weeknights or early Saturday afternoon games, both of which times can be challenging in attracting fans.   Access   3 Life University’s main entry is directly off US-41 (Cobb Parkway), parallel to Interstate 75 through Atlanta’s northwestern suburbs in Cobb County. The area is commonly known for challenging interstate traffic during the evening rush hour surge. Cobb County Transit does have a stop at the school’s main entrance on Cobb Parkway, but it is probably not the most efficient way to access the campus. Parking lots are located at both the front and back of the gym – the lot closest to the gym is a bit small, so it may be full for late arrivers. The larger parking area along Barclay Circle does leave a bit of a walk across a skybridge through the tree canopy and over Rottenwood Creek, but that truly is a beautiful stroll. A third, but much smaller, lot is just down the hill from the front doors of The Eagles’ Nest. Once in the wellness center, doors on both sides of the lobby access seats along the sidelines and baselines. Both sides have enough room to be passable, but do obstruct the view of those sitting in the lower rows of sideline seating. Given the layout of the gym, sitting higher up is no worse of a view than being in the first few rows.   Return on Investment   4 Tickets can be purchased upon entry for $10 or ahead of time online for $7. After accounting for service fees, buying online saves roughly $1.50 for a single ticket, or approximately 5% for each ticket purchased – this price seems to be in the neighborhood of what you would expect at other NAIA basketball games. With no charge for parking and a lack of concessions to be factored in, Life University does provide an affordable college basketball experience.   Extras   3 Life University’s eagle mascot, Doc, remains an active part of the game throughout, making its way around the court interacting with fans. Life University also makes sure to recognize the accomplishments of their athletic programs with trophy cases proudly displaying championships won from many of the Eagles teams. In addition, a banner hangs from the gym’s rafters recognizing the Eagles three NAIA men’s basketball championships in four years (1997, 1999, and 2000). A nature trail runs along Rottonwood Creek just outside of the wellness center, and the trail is also home to “The 19th-Century Village”, with an 1800s-style log cabin and grist mill. This area is a nice place simply to escape to for a bit, and explore nature before heading into the gym.   Final Thoughts The Life University basketball experience is not one that provides a lot by way of extra pizzaz, but the Eagles are often a highly competitive team in the NAIA ranks, so there is a pretty good chance the game itself should be entertaining. Though some of the amenities found at similar sized programs seem to be lacking here, most notably concessions, there is certainly enough surrounding the game at The Eagles’ Nest to keep the interest of even the most passive of basketball fans.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Freedom Hall Civic Center Arena 1320 Pactolas Road Johnson City, TN 37614 East Tennessee State Buccaneers website Freedom Hall Civic Center Arena website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 6,177 Go Bucs, Go! Basketball has been played at East Tennessee State University since 1918, but its first official game would come the following year against Carson-Newman College (now University). Throughout its early years the Buccaneers would play as members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), as well as members of NCAA’s Division II. The athletics program would first play as an NCAA Division I program as members of the Ohio Valley Conference in 1957, where they would play until 1978 before jumping to the Southern Conference, where they have played ever since. The Bucs have played at the Johnson City owned Freedom Hall since 2014. Prior to their move off campus, East Tennessee State played at the multi-purpose “Mini Dome”, which had more the feel of a large field house or airplane hangar than a basketball arena. Though the Mini Dome, now known as Ballard Health Athletic Center, might not have had the feel of a traditional college basketball arena, it certainly was uniquely East Tennessee State’s home.   Food & Beverage   3 Concessions are a bit on the limited side here, with options ranging from hot dogs, pizza slices, nachos with cheese dip, and soft pretzels. The most impressive menu item is the Frito or Dorito-based walking taco. Chips, packaged candy, and cotton candy are also available. Beverages come from the Pepsi family of soft drinks; Gatorade and the locally popular Dr. Enuf, a “lemon-lime, vitamin-fortified soda”, are also offered. Alcoholic beverages include beers from the Miller/Coors collection as well as craft-style brews, such as nearby Asheville’s Wicked Weed and Sierra Nevada’s Hazy Little Thing. White Claw hard seltzer and Clubtails canned mixed cocktails are also available. What is a bit disappointing is that, given Johnson City’s strong craft brewing community, none of the local brewers appear to be represented at Freedom Hall.   Atmosphere   4 From the exterior, Freedom Hall appears as a behemothian brick structure with not much more than a trickle of natural light able to sneak in. There is not much that is esthetically pleasing, nor all that remarkable about the exterior of the building. In an example of not being able to judge a book by its cover though, inside Freedom Hall is a truly special college basketball experience. Freedom Hall does a good job putting fans on top of the action – rather than a press row, scorer’s table type seating runs the entirety of the sideline court, and seating is also available along the home end baseline. The primary seating area is elevated about the court, creating a bit of a pit feel. Court level seating also backs the courtside seats, extending from the first cut of split-level seating to bring more fans toward the floor. There is no traditional overhead scoreboard inside Freedom Hall, but instead there are scoreboards with time-and-score situated on the walls in each corner at court level. Player statistics can be found on the scorer's table and facing the courtside seating. In addition, a video board running a live video feed of the game is attached to the highest reaches at the far end of the upper-level seating. The in-game promotions crew no doubt earns their paycheck; nary a television timeout passes without some sort of on-court game or promotion. While some promos are commonplace, such as a fan making shots from various spots on the floor, the free throws while laying back in a recliner or the layup tic-tac-toe competition are refreshingly original – they are nice to see and engaging to the whole crowd. East Tennessee basketball is a nice example of how a passionate fan base, when paired with a highly engaging promotions team, can really go a long way in stoking the excitement of the entire crowd.   Neighborhood   4 Freedom Hall is an off-campus facility, about two miles from downtown Johnson City.  The arena is on the edge of the campuses of Science Hill High School and Liberty Bell Middle School; the school bus lane is even part of the front drive of the arena. I will say having the college in such proximity to the two high schools does creates a bit of an odd vibe. Johnson City is a stealthy, hip town with a vibrant arts scene, several breweries, and restaurants in its downtown area. King Commons Park is a popular gathering area, where adults can grab a pint while kids play on the nearby playground or greenspace. A bit closer to the arena, the former buildings that formerly made up the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Depot have been repurposed into the popular Burger & Barrell, Yee-Haw Brewing Company, and White Duck Taco Shop. The downtown area has no less than a half dozen breweries in the few city blocks that make up the area.   Fans   4 East Tennessee State enjoys more fan support than any other team in the Southern Conference, and it is not all that close – the Bucs draw over 3,700 fans per game, on average, nearly 1,000 more fans per game than their next closest conference foe. ETSU fans are invested in the game straight from the tip, as it is not uncommon for chants of “De-Fense” and “Let’s Go Bucs!” to erupt even during the first minutes of the game. The layout of Freedom Hall and the seating does a good job getting fans close to the floor, which amplifies the excitement at court level. This goes a long way in maximizing the impact fans here make on the game.   Access   3 Even though a bit off the beaten path, Johnson City is served by Interstate 26, which runs locally from Asheville, North Carolina – this is a beautiful drive with many spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Once inside Freedom Hall, the entry points at either corner of the arena lead directly into a narrow concourse; the concourse is already narrow enough, so the proximity of entry points to the concession stands makes it a challenge to navigate. Fortunately the inner concourse is easily accessible, and offers a bit smoother sailing to make it around the arena unimpeded. It is also nice to be able to get around the arena and still keep the court in view.   Return on Investment   5 Tickets for East Tennessee State men’s basketball start at just $10, and parking is free. Considering concession prices are consistent with what would be found at typical college athletics venues, a visit to Freedom Hall to catch an ETSU basketball game definitely falls into the affordable range.   Extras   3 Banners hang from the rafters recognizing retired numbers in program history, as well as postseason appearances by ETSU in both the NCAA and National Invitational tournaments. Bucky, the Buccaneers mascot, also moves around the arena during games, engaging with fans and posing for photos. A pirate mascot in the mountains of Tennessee may seem unusual, but it ties back to local legend – Pirate Creek, an underground river, is believed to have once connected the area to the Atlantic Ocean. According to legend, the pirate Jean Paul LeBucque sought refuge in the area. This story is widely accepted and explains why the school chose a pirate as its mascot. Freedom Hall is also an official location along the Tennessee Music Pathway, and the venue has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment, such as Bob Hope, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Kenny Rogers, and Tennessee’s own Oakridge Boys.   Final Thoughts Freedom Hall exemplifies what happens when a university and a community come together to create a passionate college basketball atmosphere, helping put. East Tennessee State Buccaneers basketball in the conversation as the top basketball experience in the Southern Conference. The mix of program history, involvement by the local community, and the success the program has enjoyed in the NCAA tournament, knocking off Florida State in 1968 and upsetting the # 3 seeded Arizona Wildcats as a # 14 seed in 1992, have gone a long way in building a true basketball culture in Johnson City. The thought of basketball returning to the Mini-Dome  had been floated around as part of the East Tennessee State University master plan, but to this point that plan has not come to fruition.  If there is a point in the future when Bucs basketball returns to campus, it likely would not hurt the overall atmosphere surrounding the game, but in the meantime the experience of East Tennessee State University basketball at Freedom Hall is one that is quietly a truly special experience.

Photos by David Hegler, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Leavey Center 500 El Camino Real Santa Clara, CA 95053 Map It Santa Clara Broncos website Leavey Center website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 4,500 Bronco Basketball Standing a short walk east of the historic Santa Clara Mission is Santa Clara University’s Leavey Event Center. Surrounded by pillars and glass on the outside, it encompasses all that major college basketball stands for inside. Once you step inside, you are instantly met with the rich history of the school’s basketball program, with banners hanging high in the rafter depicting their few legendary players, none bigger than the immortal Steve Nash. The Santa Clara Broncos basketball team have been members of the West Coast Conference since 1952.  The team has appeared in 11 NCAA Tournaments and six National Invitational Tournaments.  The team has had a long, winding history in finding a permanent home. After beginning play at the local San Jose YMCA (on the Alameda), they spent time at San Francisco’s Kezar Pavilion and the San Jose Civic Auditorium before finally coming home to Santa Clara in the mid-1970’s. The Leavey Event Center first opened in 1975 as the Harold J. Toso Pavilion. Sporting the vinyl fabric roof that was all the rage back in the day, it resembled Detroit’s Pontiac Silverdome. While it isn’t well known, Santa Clara can develop some fairly high winds, with gusts reaching as high as 18 mph during the Fall, thus creating problems for the Toso Pavilion’s roof. After dealing with tears over the years, the school decided to deflate the roof and construct a new, more modern one in April 2000.  After a soft opening in December 2000, the revamped arena was officially opened in late 2001. It was named after 1922 alumnus and Farmers Insurance founder Thomas E. Leavey.  Food & Beverage 2 There are currently two concession stands at the Leavey Event Center, a large one just behind the upper deck bleachers facing the press box and a much smaller one right behind the band that just offers candy and bottled drinks. They have very few condiments. The food at the Leavey Event Center is as follows: hot dogs ($7.50), hot dog combos ($11.50), hot link ($8), churros, nachos, pretzels, candy, fountain drinks and bottled water. What it lacks in quantity it makes up for in scrumptiousness. The hot dogs are piping hot and their accompanying buns are perfectly toasted. It’s this writer’s personal opinion that Santa Clara’s Leavey Event Center serves the very best hot dog buns in all of Division I basketball. Atmosphere 3 When you first walk into the Leavey Center, a slew of unique sights greet you. There is a large window which has a nice view of the sunny California sky right behind one of the  baskets. While you are looking at that unique sight, music will be blaring, either from the small school band in the corner or the arena’s DJ. All around above you hang banners commemorating the school’s many legendary moments and players, including Steve Nash. With the ventilation and temperature just right, and a size-able yet small-for-Division I crowd gathers to watch a basketball game between two century-old rivals, the Leavey Event Center offers a perfect atmosphere for big time college basketball without all the pressure.  Retired Numbers at Leavey Event Center, Photo by David Hegler, Stadium Journey Although the University of the Pacific is a rival that dates over 100 years (they used to be neighbors), the crowd is minimal but electric. There is a small band in the corner that plays current tunes such as “Old Town Road” and “Swag Surfin'”. They even have a tiny merchandise stand that sells t-shirts and bags.  The seats surround the court, with a single section behind each basket and double decks on either side of the sidelines. Whether you are seated in a lower section with a seat back or a higher section with just a long bench, there are big signs at the foot of each seat reminding the audience to stomp loudly.  Neighborhood 5 Santa Clara University rests between two vastly different neighborhoods, neither of which has much crime. On one side is the busiest part of the city, the Alameda, a historic street that lies right next to the university that is often very busy at all hours of the day and stretches all the way to San Diego.  On the other side of campus is a safe place for a nice stroll before or after the game. Franklin Mall is right next to the university on Homestead Road and Monroe Street and offers a wide assortment of options before and after the game. Places such as Taplands , Jiaren Cafe: Coffee, Boba & Events , Thirsty’s , Rantei Japanese Cuisine  and Mio Vicino  are some of the neighborhood’s top choices that are mere feet from the university.   Just a mile south of the university as Lafayette turns into Washington Street and Washington Street turns into N Bascom Avenue is a slew of other restaurants to consider such as Deedee’s , Crepes Bistro , Normandy House   and Frost Cupcake Factory .     If you are in town for a visit, the Sonesta Simply Suites Silicon Valley  and Kasa University - Airport Santa Clara  are within walking distance to your left on the Alameda. If those hotels don’t suit you then the Sterling Inn   and Valley Inn  are to your right on the Alameda. Fans 2 Much like their food, what Santa Clara lacks in the number of fans makes up for in exuberance and enthusiasm. When you sit down and look at your feet, you will see a big sticker encouraging you to stomp your feet and make noise. It took a few minutes, but eventually a Pacific player went to the free throw line and sure enough, the bleachers started to rattle and the crowd came alive. The fans even loudly counted down the shot clock as the opponent raced to get up a shot. Stomp Your Feet, Photo by David Hegler, Stadium Journey Access 3 There is a parking lot at the foot of the arena that is very affordable, going for $4 for four hours and $6 for all day. The Alameda is loaded with bus stops and taking an Uber or Lyft shouldn’t be too much of a problem if the traffic is just right. If you are willing to walk a bit, the neighborhood abutting Washington Street is safe and the nearby Franklin Mall usually has a few spots open for free.  There is a small staircase as you enter into the arena with ramps to the side for the less-than-mobile. There is no bag check or security at the entrances and there is but a single security guard roaming the concourse.  Their bathrooms are small and cramped yet modern and clean. Still, not all of their faucets worked. Return on Investment 3 With this being a smaller Division I program, the tickets are cheaper than other establishments. That being said, the $20-$40 spent on tickets is well spent. The school takes a lot of pride in its basketball program and you can easily tell that they are always open to revamping the arena, whether it’s a new video board or a court that uniquely captures the school’s rich history. Extras 4 Arguably the neatest extra of the Leavey Event Center is the silhouette of the nearby Santa Clara Mission that covers the court. Their video board is state of the art and it often shows quick videos of straggling children way up in the upper deck as they skip and dance around from one section to the next, burning off the energy that is the staple of childhood. If you don’t like variety then their halftime show is outstanding. The Broncos have three separate dance teams, one from the university and two from youth groups. Each is excellent. Of course, the hallmark of the arena is the huge window at one end of the court that offers a nice view of the sky.  Final Thoughts Whether you're just visiting the area or are bored and looking for something to do, the Leavey Center offers a nice experience. Although it’s within the heart of a big city, it never has a big crowd, but the people who attend are often quite friendly. It doesn’t offer any of the hype of big time basketball such as Duke or Kentucky, but it has all of the drama of any relevant basketball program in America.

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

When many fans think of football (soccer) in England, typically the Premier League and its 20 clubs come to mind. In fact, there are over 1800 football clubs at numerous levels in England. For fans of Welcome to Wrexham, it has been discussed how confusing it is. For the unfamiliar, here is a quick primer: · 5th Level – The National League consisting of 24 clubs · 4th Level – EFL League Two consisting of 24 clubs · 3rd Level – EFL League One consisting of 24 clubs · 2nd Level – EFL Championship consisting of 24 clubs · Top Level – Premier League Additionally, there are multiple other levels with regional teams all fighting to break through to the sport’s top levels. Teams move up through promotion or down through relegation on a seasonal basis. This does not occur for any sports in the states, but imagine the Chicago White Sox becoming a AAA team next year. That is English football in a nutshell. On a recent trip to England, the family and I were scheduled for a tour of Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea FC of the Premier League. Prior to our scheduled tour, we received an email from the team letting us know they had to cancel the tour due to a game on the same day. Ah yes, one other thing I learned about English football…there are A LOT of different tournaments throughout the season (you Welcome to Wrexham fans also know this). So, our tour was bumped due to UEFA Conference League Qualifying. Fortunately, we had another football tour scheduled. Full disclosure, I’m a recent football fan. I’d watch the U.S. teams compete in the Olympics but that was about it until a few years ago. I cannot recall why I started watching football, but I did and it stuck. I needed to pick a team of course. Not knowing much about football, I simply guessed. I’m a big fan of tennis. Wimbledon had a football team. That is the story. With that, we showed up for our tour of Cherry Red Records Stadium, home of AFC Wimbledon. For those keeping score at home, AFC Wimbledon currently plays in League Two. Our tour consisted of a small group of about 10-12 folks and our tour guide has been a Wimbledon season ticket holder for upwards of 30 years. He began with asking us how much he needed to speak about the team who should not be mentioned. I knew very little about this, but here is the incredibly short version as I’ve since found out. Wimbledon Football Club was formed in 1889. The team was called The Dons, The Wombles, and even The Crazy Gang for a short time. Over time, the team rose through the ranks, reaching the First Division (this is prior to the formation of the Premier League) in 1986. The team was relegated in 2000 and in 2001, the club announced it was moving to Milton Keynes. This incredibly unpopular decision led to supporters forming AFC Wimbledon. To further muddy the waters between the two teams, the new Milton Keynes team also has the name, The Dons. From the outside looking in, there are clearly a lot of hard feelings these 20+ years later. So, back to the tour. Cherry Red Records Stadium, which opened in 2020, has a capacity of 9,215. The stadium is a charming place that seems like it would provide a great atmosphere for matches. The tour began with a visit to the stadium suites that are largely like suites in any other stadium and provided a great view of the pitch. Next stop was the locker rooms. There was very little difference between the home and visitors locker rooms and the tour guide pointed out that many teams say this is the best visitor’s locker room in League Two. Both locker rooms lead into an area that has the entrance to the pitch. This being the first professional football pitch I’ve ever been on (or right next to anyway, we didn’t step inside the lines) I have nothing to compare it to. Suffice to say that with a stadium full of fans, I can imagine it would be an amazing experience to play a match here. For the fans, there appeared to be no bad seats anywhere in the stadium. We next visited the south stands. The south stands are for the most hardcore of AFC Wimbledon fans and the section includes a safe standing area. In between the rows are sturdy metal rails making it near impossible to fall forward. This became a requirement after an incident is 1989 in which ninety-seven Liverpool fans died after a crush of fans during an FA Cup match. As we headed into the concourse, it was impossible to miss some rusty blue metal gates. The gates were from the original Plough Lane, former home of Wimbledon. When Plough Lane closed, someone spray painted “Womble Til I Die” on the gate. The gate sat in a metal scrap yard for many years, and someone tried to clean up the yellow spray paint. The team was able to restore the gate to some extent and it recently became a permanent fixture inside the concourse. The final stop was the museum. The museum is a small room within the team shop. There is a lot of team history crammed into the small room and it is well worth taking the time to look around. One of the featured displays is the greatest performance in the history of the club, the 1988 FA Cup. In 1988 Wimbledon played Liverpool in the final. Called one of, if not the biggest upset in the history of the FA Cup, Wimbledon won 1-0 on a goal by Lawrie Sanchez in a match played in front of almost 100,000 fans at Wimbley Stadium. Hopefully as the team is able to do more around the grounds, there can be a larger area dedicated to all the historical items they have. Those items seem a bit compacted in such a small area. The tour took about an hour and was well worth the cost of 15 pounds for adults and 5 for kids. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but very much enjoyed the tour guide’s stories about the club and some of the players that have passed through Wimbledon over the years. The team is very much tied to the community. In fact, ownership is a trust that involves all the members with a one-member, one-vote system. Unfortunately, the team wasn’t home for a match while we were in London, but given how much I enjoyed the tour and the story behind the team, I’ll be back for a match or two.

Staff Photo Courtesy of the San Diego Times-Union Today, ballparks are built to be the centerpiece of a burgeoning district or neighborhood, a venue that will bring people together for more of a social event than just a ballgame. A new ballpark aims to raise the bar for the ultimate social experience and modern amenities every few years. There was one such ballpark built in San Diego over 65 years ago that was ahead of its time in both modern comfort and style; however, the forward progress of the city in obtaining major league status would ultimately prove to be the death knell for Westgate Park. Westgate Park would be the home to the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League from 1958 to 1967; it has been overlooked by many in terms of sentiment; it featured many current amenities and standards for today’s stadiums. Banker C. Arnholt Smith purchased the minor league Padres in 1955 and kept the team in the town after former owner Bill Starr fell into financial problems. The club was playing at Lane Field, an old WPA stadium that, according to Smith, was “slapped together with old lumber and falling apart”. The stadium was pretty “punk” and infested with termites eating away at the wooden structure, providing it with its nickname “termite village”. “We bought the team for about $300,000. Of course, after we bought it, then everybody started screaming that we needed a new stadium!,” After being advised, Smith picked the pastoral land of the undeveloped Mission Valley to erect his new building. At the time, the area was known for its vast farmland, miles away from downtown. However, there must have been a vision of the area’s potential since the city council voted in June 1958 to rezone 90 acres of farmland along I-8 near where the Padres new stadium would be erected. Smith, who also owned the Westgate-California Tuna Packing Co., financed the $1 million stadium out of his pocket and was seen as a baseball savior in San Diego. Attendance at Padres games and ballparks around the country was fleeting due to television and broadcasts of major league baseball games in numerous markets coast to coast. Westgate Park's electronic scoreboard with the two giant tuna cans to promote the company. (CBS 8 San Diego) Westgate Park would be a state-of-the-art facility that would be the envy of not only the PCL but the rest of the baseball world. The 8,268-seat ballpark featured theater-style seating with armrests and a steel roof that shaded a majority of the grandstand. Four light towers on the roof leaned forward at about a 60-degree angle. Smith even gave his ballpark a corporate name after his tuna company. San Diego Union-Times Sports Editor Jack Murphy, whose name would grace a future stadium, wondered if there would be resentment in the “commercialization of the name”, but proclaimed it the finest stadium in minor-league baseball. “Not even Yankee Stadium or Boston’s Fenway Park can surpass the comforts and conveniences of the Padres’ new home on Friars Road.” There were no outfield bleachers; the area was made of grass seating for fans to lie out in the sun to watch the game. The seating sloped down to field level behind the outfield fence. Photos of the ballpark show a similar setup that would be incorporated into various ballparks, roughly 35 years later. Accenting the ballpark was an array of trees, shrubs, flowers, and tropical plants throughout the ballpark's exterior and interior. Perhaps the most exotic of all these trees and plants were the eucalyptus trees planted on both sides of the scoreboard in left field. “It was well-engineered. We dug it down so as you walked in, you were about halfway up in the seating area, and the field was below you, added Smith. “It brought the audience right up close to the team’s activity. You could hear the players swearing and yelling at each other.” Westgate (L-R) had slanted towers, a storage room for peanuts, multiple ticket booths, and theater-style chairs. (CBS 8 San Diego) When it came to concessions, the stadium provided vast kitchens with walk-in coolers for both beer and soda. There was a heat-control storage room for peanuts set to 120 degrees and reportedly held up to 10,000 bags at a time. Another unusual concept of the era, but very common today, was different and outrageous menu options. The park sold a tubed-shaped item called “tunies,” made out of fish, a fish hot dog. They were created in 1941 as a meat substitute for Catholics on Fridays. Smith produced them at his cannery and loved how the skinless tuna hot dog tasted. He said they looked and tasted better than a hot dog. What is even more bizarre is that it appeared that regular pork or beef hot dogs were not sold, but after a little while the “tunies” were scrapped in favor of the more traditional ballpark staple. Other concessions included hamburgers, popcorn, potato chips, ice cream sandwiches, beer, Pepsi and 7Up products, and cigars. Westgate had a carnival-like atmosphere with circuses, concerts, and zoo animals entertaining fans. These acts would soon relocate to the San Diego Sports Arena, now Valley View Casino Center, in 1966. The next year, the San Diego Rockets of the NBA began operations; the times were changing rapidly, and America’s Finest City was fast becoming a major league town. When the Major Leagues expanded in 1961 and 1962, San Diego was optimistic about landing a team sometime soon. That feeling only heightened when 9,000 fans watched an exhibition game between the Milwaukee Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers in April 1962 at Westgate Park. Westgate's outfield walls feature no billboard ads and plenty of green lawn seating behind the chain-link fence. (CBS 8 San Diego) The next year, the Braves flirted with relocation to San Diego, and blueprints were developed that added a second deck to Westgate to increase capacity to 43,000. However, the Braves stayed in Milwaukee until announcing it would relocate to Atlanta for the 1966 season. The next year, a bid was put up to move the Cincinnati Reds to town, but they were sold to a local group that kept the franchise in Ohio. Around the same time, the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League were threatening to relocate up the road to Anaheim if the antiquated Balboa Stadium, built in 1914, was not replaced. Soon there was a push, headed by Murphy, for a brand new 50,000-seat dual-purpose stadium. One would only have to look at the team’s 1966 official program that featured the city skyline and a small banner on the cover that proclaimed San Diego as a city in motion. A few months later, on November 2, 1965, a $27 million bond was passed allowing for the construction of a multipurpose stadium that would fit 50,000-60,000 people. Westgate is featured heavily on its game-day programs, and by 1966, the team was pushing away from Gateway Park imagery By the time San Diego Stadium was completed in time for the 1967 football season for the Chargers, Westgate Park had already hosted its last game. The Padres final year in the PCL would be played at the massive stadium that would serve as the home to the major league Padres from 1969 to 2003. “So after we moved the team to San Diego Stadium, we said, what the hell are we going to do with Westgate?” Ernie Hanh, the Director of the US National Bank, came up with the idea of building a shopping center on the site. It was centrally located, and everybody could get there by car. And with that decision, Westgate Park was torn down and replaced with the Fashion Valley Mall. The successful mall opened in 1969, becoming the leading shopping center in the San Diego area, boasting 1.7 million square feet of floor area. The Padres were the top affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies during their last three seasons and were relocated to Eugene, Oregon. The theater-style seats and lighting poles would be sold to its new home at Civic Stadium, which had to be renovated to be up to minor league standards of the day. The 800 seats would remain at its new home until 1986, when plastic blue, plastic seats replaced them. Westgate Park's demise came from San Diego’s aggressive progress in professional sports. When it opened in 1957, the city did not have a major league club; 13 years later, it had teams in the NFL, MLB, and NBA. The City in Motion was no longer a minor league town. The forward-thinking design of grass outfield seating, a sunken bowl, attention to aesthetics, a corporate name, and attention to concessions would become hallmarks of minor league baseball clubs decades later in the 1990s and early 21st century. It was a stadium that was ahead of its time. One last nod to Westgate’s legacy is in Kissimmee, Florida, where the blueprints were utilized in designing a new Spring Training park for the Houston Astros, Osceola County Stadium in 1985. Had any of these things worked out differently: 1) the stadium issue doesn’t pass for a major league team, 2) the Chargers relocate to Anaheim, or 3) Buffalo is awarded an expansion team in the N.L.--Westgate Park would have hosted baseball for a longer period and perhaps become much more cherished by San Diegoians and ballpark lovers alike. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

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

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

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

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

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