Photos by Matt Fiedler, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Fenway Park 4 Jersey St. Boston, MA 02215 Wasabi Fenway Bowl Fenway Park website Year Opened: 1912 Capacity: 37,731 Worth the Wait? When you think of Fenway Park you picture legends like Ted Williams, Carlton Fisk, Pedro Martinez, and David Ortiz dazzling fans with their heroics on the diamond. What you don’t think of is kickoffs, first downs, and marching bands. However, Fenway Park finally played host to the Wasabi Fenway Bowl in the 2022-2023 bowl season. This bowl was originally set to debut in 2020 but COVID forced postponements in both the 2020-2021 bowl season and the 2021-2022 bowl season. Football at Fenway actually dates back to 1916 when Holy Cross & Boston College squared off. There was even a professional team, the Boston Patriots of the AFL, who called Fenway Park home. Though Fenway had hosted football games in the past, the inaugural Wasabi Fenway Bowl between Cincinnati and Louisville was the first time Fenway Park played host to a bowl game. In the end, it was a mixed bag of an experience that had some high points but also some low points. Food & Beverage 4 The food offerings at the Fenway Bowl were a bit different than those you would find at a typical Red Sox game. Normally Fenway Park’s food experience is enhanced by the numerous vendors located right outside of the gates on Jersey Street. However, those vendors were not present for the Fenway Bowl. That doesn’t mean there was a lack of options inside the ballpark though. All of the usual stadium fare can be found at Fenway. Fans can snack on sausages, popcorn, candy, and pretzels among other ballpark staples. Pizza, chicken tenders, and even lobster rolls can also be found around the park along with the famous Fenway Frank. If you’re looking for a Pepsi you won’t find one at Fenway as they carry only Coca Cola soft drinks. What you can find though is a plethora of craft beer options alongside the requisite New England staple, Sam Adams. Unsurprisingly, the prices for food & beverages at Fenway is not cheap. For example, a 16oz Truly Hard Seltzer will run you $11.50, a 20oz water costs $4.75, and peanuts cost $5.75. Atmosphere 5 This is truly a unique experience for a bowl game. Watching college football at Fenway Park is a sight to behold. The cold New England air, the green monster in the background, Sweet Caroline, and the aura of Fenway all combine to make for a memorable experience. There’s history everywhere you look at Fenway. Look towards the right field bleachers and you’ll see the retired numbers of legends like David Ortiz, Ted Williams, Carlton Fisk, and Yaz. Take a look at the green monster and you’re reminded of Fisk’s homerun in game 6 of the 1975 World Series. Seeing the players come up and out of the dugout for pregame introductions is really cool and the marching bands also provide a great element of both music and choreography. The pageantry of college football combined with the history of Fenway Park just makes for a really memorable atmosphere and experience that fans will enjoy. Neighborhood 5 Fenway Park is located in a great neighborhood. There are numerous dining options within walking distance. If you’d like to check out some uniquely Boston locales try the Cask ‘N Flagon, The Bleacher Bar, or Fenway Johnnies. If you’re looking for variety stop at Timeout Market where you can find a rotating group of eating establishments. You can find pizza, burgers, Asian cuisine, and much more. There are also numerous coffee shops, fast food, and fast casual spots for fans looking to grab a quick bite outside of the park. If you’re looking to catch some music there are also some great options. The House of Blues and the new MGM Music Hall at Fenway are perfect spots to check out. If you’re traveling with young kids then the Boston Children’s Museum is a fun time for the whole family. Fans 2 The deck was stacked against the fans for this bowl game no matter who was involved outside of Boston College or UCONN. College football isn’t nearly as big of a deal in New England as it is in other parts of the country. The passion and intensity is geared fully towards the pro teams in New England. Add in the fact that most of the time the teams aren’t local to New England it’s tough to get a strong attendance number. There were of course still loyal fans of both schools at the game and they did try to enhance the atmosphere as much as they could but in the end it was definitely not a rowdy event. You definitely don’t have to worry about getting heckled or being mistreated for wearing the wrong colors. Access 3 There are some really easy ways to get to Fenway and there are some really frustratingly hard ways to get to Fenway. The easiest and simplest method is to take public transportation. There’s a commuter rail stop right outside of Fenway Park. If you’re coming from Western MA just take the Worcester-Framingham line to Lansdowne. Fenway Park is a stones throw away from the station. There’s also the Providence/Stoughton line which drops you off near Northeastern University. If taking the T, your best bet is to take is the green line. If you plan to drive to Fenway Park be warned that the parking/traffic situation can be an absolute nightmare. This bowl game will always be played around Christmastime when people are out shopping and traffic is at its worst. There are lots close to the park but they fill up fast and aren’t cheap. Save yourself the headache and take the train. Once inside, Fenway is fairly easy to navigate. The concourses are wide enough to accommodate the bowl game crowd and fans should have no problems with congestion. As far as preferred sightline, for the Fenway Bowl we would recommend the State Street Pavilion as it gives you a birds eye view of the action. Return on Investment 3 Bowl games in general are a tough event to determine a true return on investment. The quality of football will be a mixed bag depending on which teams are picked for the game. There’s also the fact that a lot of high quality players sit out bowl games if they’re entering the NFL draft. What doesn’t change year to year though is the backdrop and Fenway is an awesome place to see a football game. Another thing that won’t change is the price for food and parking. Those prices will always remain high unfortunately. Tickets should be fairly easy to come by though unless BC or UCONN ends up playing in this game in the future. Overall, if you find seats with a good sightline and have a blanket or two you should be able to have an enjoyable time. If nothing else, you can tell your friends that you saw football played at Fenway Park. Extras 3 One star has to go to the history of Fenway Park. The history is visible everywhere you look. If you’ve never been to Fenway Park before it is definitely worthwhile to take a stroll through the park to visit some of the memorable sites of which there are many. A second star goes to the great food scene in and around Fenway Park. There’s something for every taste and appetite in the Fenway neighborhood. There are plenty of chain restaurants and mom and pop establishments. A final star goes to the marching bands. If you’ve never seen a Division One marching band at a college football game, you are in for a real treat. The synchronized motions that flow perfectly with the music is a sight to behold and adds a real flair to the game. Final Thoughts There’s a lot to like about the Wasabi Fenway Bowl. The backdrop is incredible, the food is top notch, and seeing college football in downtown Boston is just fun overall. However, there are a lot of variables with any bowl game but particularly one in New England. It’s going to be cold, the attendance typically won’t be high unless a local team is included, and some of the players will opt out due to the NFL draft. In the end it’s a cool event that is worth checking out at least once.

Photos by Eric Hasman and Meg Minard, Stadium JouMrney Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 UW Milwaukee Panther Arena 400 W Kilbourn Ave Milwaukee, WI 53203 Milwaukee Admirals website UW Milwaukee Panther Arena website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 9,652 The Road to Nashville Goes Through Milwaukee The UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena is the oldest sports arena still in use in the Milwaukee area. Built-in 1950, it has gone through several name changes over the years, including the Milwaukee Arena, the MECCA, the Wisconsin Center Arena, and US Cellular Arena. Past tenants have included the Milwaukee Hawks, the Milwaukee Bucks, and Marquette University basketball. Today it serves the UW – Milwaukee Panthers basketball program, the Milwaukee Admirals AHL hockey team, the Milwaukee Wave of the MASL, and the Brew City Bruisers women’s roller derby team. Numerous renovations have been done to the arena throughout its 70+ years in existence. More than $6 million in upgrades have brought the arena up to modern standards. These repairs were paid for by the Milwaukee Admirals and the Wisconsin Center District, the owner of the building. Among the upgrades is the replacement of all 10,783 seats in the arena, the renovation of all bathroom and locker room facilities, the installation of LED lighting, and the expansion of concession areas. A new shared team store was added to service the spirit gear needs of the fans of the Panthers, Admirals, Wave, and Bruisers. Milwaukee Admirals Ice hockey has been played in Milwaukee, WI since 1970, with a one-year stint as the Milwaukee Wings in 1972-1973. They have played in the AHL (American Hockey League) since 2001 and have been affiliated with the Nashville Predators that entire time (plus three years in the IHL). They played in the BMO Harris Bradley Center until the end of the 2015-2016 season and relocated a block away to the UW Milwaukee Panther Arena beginning the 2016-2017 season. In March 2016, the Admirals signed a 10-year agreement to play at UW Milwaukee Panther Arena. As part of that agreement, many significant renovations were done in the arena. It’s a comfortable facility in which to watch a hockey game and one well worth checking out. Food & Beverage 4 UW Milwaukee Panther Arena provides a good selection of refreshments, food, and drinks at fairly reasonable prices. The arena has 13 concession stands spread equally throughout the building. They include Ian’s Pizza, Mil-Town Taco, the Let Me 10-yearBe Frank, Mac & Cheese, and Colossal Pretzel. A review of the prices for the most popular items includes beer braised bratwurst ($9), beef hot dogs ($8), pizza ($7), regular pretzel / colossal pretzel ($6 or $9), popcorn ($6 or $7.50), and assorted candy ($4.50). Soft drinks consist of RC Cola and Dr Pepper products ($5 / $6.50), Gatorade ($6), and bottled water $(4.50). Saz’s (Milwaukee-based restaurant and food service provider) serves BBQ pulled pork or beef brisket sandwiches, turkey breast wrap, cheese curds, mozzarella sticks, and sour cream and chives fries ($5 – $13). The Mac & Cheese supplies classic and gourmet mac & cheese ($8 – $12). Mil-Town Taco offers up Street Taco Sampler-3 Carne Asada or Adobo Chicken tacos ($9) and Extreme Nachos ($11). One of my favorite stands is the Roasted Nuts (almond, pecan, cashew, or a combination) for $5.50 - $8.50 depending on the size.) Craft beer (Blue Moon and Smith and Forge Cider) is available at most stands ($8); domestic beer (Miller Lite, Miller High Life, and Coors Light) is also available at most stands ($8-$9). Arty’s provides some cocktails and the South Goal Tap Room located behind the stands on the south side of the building features a full-service bar area. If you’re from out of town, I’d recommend going local and splurging on the specialty brat from Usinger’s and a brew from one of the two Leinenkugel Lodges on the concourse. Atmosphere 4 Except for the signage out front, the building’s exterior looks just as it did in 1950. The ticket lobby is thankfully indoors and out of the weather elements which can be cold and blustery during hockey season. As part of the renovation, the original box office lobby terrazzo floor was restored giving it historic charm. Indoor Ticket Booth at Panther Arena, Photo by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey Inside even with all the renovations of the Panther Arena, the concourses and ramps feel like an old high school building. Numerous displays and plaques recall the Milwaukee Bucks NBA Championship in 1971, the NCAA Championship season of 1977 achieved by Al McGuire and the Marquette basketball team, and the many concerts that took place in this facility. All seats are cushioned throughout all levels of the seating area. Premium seats are ice level at the north end of the rink and include a buffet and two drinks. Ice Box seats are between the player benches ($750 – $1000). As it is an older facility, handrails are not available going up and down the upper-level rows so one must use the backs of seats for support, if needed. The bathrooms are nice and spacious, clean, fresh, and bright. Many banners are hanging from the rafters. The banners are retired numbers and Championships from the Milwaukee Admirals, Milwaukee Wave and UW-Milwaukee Panthers. Neighborhood 5 UW Milwaukee Panther Arena is in the middle of downtown Milwaukee and has all the intriguing entertainment and activities that the city has to offer. If you schedule it right, you can do a double or triple hitter of games (Brew City Bruisers (roller derby), Panthers , Admirals, Marquette University, y or the Milwaukee Bucks ) in a day or weekend. Milwaukee has a very vibrant downtown area with many great restaurants, bars, and attractions within walking distance of Panther Arena. The arena is located adjacent to both the UW – Milwaukee and Marquette University campuses, guaranteeing the nightlife will just be getting started as the game ends. On the restaurant front, Milwaukee is a melting pot of great ethnic restaurants, many of which are located along the riverfront on both Water Street and in the Old World Third Street section. Some restaurants to check out are the King and I (Thai), Major Goolsby’s, Maders (German), The Old German Beer Hall, Sam Giorgio Pizzeria, Milwaukee Brat House, George Webb, and Mikey’s Burgers and Bombs. They are all reasonably priced and within a few blocks of the arena. When you think of Milwaukee, a few things come to mind… cheese, beer, and Harleys. A great way to spend your pregame time on weekends is to check out the nearby Wisconsin Cheese Mart, and the Harley Davidson Museum and go on the Miller Brewery Tour. The attractions are located just west of the Panther Arena. A few hotels are within a few blocks of the arena which have parking included. So you can save a few bucks on parking by walking from the hotel to the arena. The closest is the Hyatt Regency around the corner from the Panther Arena, but for a more uniquely Milwaukee experience stay at the Brewhouse Inn and Suites. It is a former brewery converted into a great boutique hotel. The lobby even still has the distilling tanks as furnishing in the lobby. Historical markers line the streets around the downtown neighborhood and are worth checking out if weather permits. Fans 3 Admiral fans have not given up on the team with the move to the UW Panther Arena with an average attendance of 4,500 per game (not including the playoffs). However, on days of popular giveaways or concerts, attendance will be a lot more. That said, the Admiral’s fan base is good. Just like any other minor league team, there are a lot of kids at a game. However, many adults go too. The fans are into the game. They show dissatisfaction with the referees when calls don’t go the Admiral's way. They have hockey etiquette and seem to stay in their seats while the puck is in play and during game action. Access 3 Getting to and moving in and around the UW Milwaukee Panther Arena for an Admirals game is quite easy. The concourses can get crowded between periods and expect long lines at the restrooms. Panther Arena has more than 10,000 parking spaces available within a six-block radius around the facility. It is very easy to access from I-43 via exit 72-C, then stay straight on Kilbourn Avenue. Better yet, stay at one of the many hotels located within a few blocks of the arena and walk to the game. Once inside Panther Arena, there is some evidence of the facility’s age as far as access. The concourse areas tend to be narrow and can get very congested when the concession stands are busy. There are also some ramps leading to the various seating levels that are unique to a separate era. The closest airport is General Mitchell International Airport (about 10 miles from the arena). Depending on schedule and price some fans may choose to fly into Chicago O’Hare Airport and drive the 80 miles north. Milwaukee County Transit Service has an extensive bus schedule with several routes (80, 49) stopping near the arena. Uber and Lyft are prevalent in downtown Milwaukee as well. Return on Investment 4 Single ticket prices range from $15 – $36.50. Add $2 on the day of the game purchase. The team offers Flex Plan Vouchers which can be used in any increment to any game throughout the season. Parking runs between $10 – $25 depending on which lot you use. However, if you get to the area early enough you may be able to find free street parking. The Admirals host various concert nights so for the price of a ticket, a fan can be entertained by a concert after the match. Extras 5 With three minutes to go between the second and third period break the Admirals have the best “3” celebration, ok, the only one, that I have seen. This is not to be missed. The 3 celebration is game day operations turn off the house lights and flash a "3" on the scoreboard and play music. The fans take out their cell phones, turn on the flashlight and wave them around. It is stupid fun. The Wisconsin Athletic Walk of Fame is located just outside of the UW Panthers Arena. In 1977 the facility hosted the NBA All-Star Game. Elite players who appeared in that game included Julius Erving, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Pete Maravich, and John Havlicek. The Admirals do a great job with the giveaways and promotions. Various promotional games are available for kids under 14, seniors (60+), first responders, and students. Wendy’s, the Brewers, Harley Davidson, and other sponsors all provide discounts in some form or fashion. Check their website for additional information on promotions for the current or future seasons. Inside, a banner lists all the Admiral players who have made it to the NHL. A wide variety of merchandise choices are available at the team store including pennants and hat pins. Final Thoughts In an era of disposable stadiums and frequent tear-downs, the UW – Milwaukee Panthers Arena is a great example of successful historical preservation. It is not only surviving but thriving, as it is in use nearly every day of the week by a different sports franchise. Even though the arena is not the most luxurious, it is a good place to see a game and is worth the trip.

Photos by Lloyd Brown , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Chaifetz Arena 1 S Compton Ave St. Louis, MO 63103 St. Louis Billikens website Chaifetz Arena website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 10,600 The Home of Budweiser and Billikens Saint Louis University (SLU) is a Catholic Jesuit university located in the Midtown Arts District of Saint Louis. It was founded in 1818 and currently has just under 14,000 students. The school is heavily involved in community service as part of its Jesuit mission. It is ranked #3 in the country for community involvement by the Princeton Review. The athletic teams at SLU are known as the Billikens. So, what exactly is a Billiken? A Billiken is a mythical creature that brings good luck to those who are around them. They represent “things as they ought to be”. An SLU Billiken is blue and white and somewhat resembles one of the Teletubbies that used to appear on public television. Saint Louis University is the only university in the country that has a Billiken as its mascot. The Billikens basketball program is the headline team at SLU, as there is no football program. The Billikens play in the Atlantic 10 Basketball Conference and have done quite well over the years. The Billikens have made the NCAA Tournament ten times and the NIT Tournament twenty times. They have been the Conference Tournament Champions three times and Conference Regular Season Champions seven times. The team typically draws a crowd of 6,800 for home games, but it can be higher depending on who the opposing team is. The Billikens play their home schedule at the on-campus Chaifetz Arena. The arena opened in 2008. It has a 10,600-seat capacity for basketball games. It offers a terrific atmosphere for watching games and is referred to as the “Jewel of Midtown” by many people in the area. The arena also offers 14 luxury boxes for major supporters. Food & Beverage 3 There are six concession stands along the concourse at Chaifitz. They sell the typical arena staples, such as hot dogs ( $5), chicken tenders ($6), hamburgers ($7), pizza slices ($7), and candy ($5 ). The arena sells Pepsi brand sodas ($6), beer ($9), and bottled water ($5). Atmosphere 4 The Chaifetz Arena is a wonderful place to enjoy a basketball game. There are two levels of seating in the arena, which both deliver great sight lines of the action due to a steep pitch to the seating bowl. All seats offer chairbacks, and the seats feature the blue color scheme used by all Billiken teams. Chaifetz has a great electronics package in place, as it has four 14X 45 corner video boards/ scoreboards, a 959-foot ribbon board on the facing of the upper level, and an excellent sound system. The arena also has excellent lighting, which is used very effectively during the pregame introduction of the team. The seating around the court keeps the crowd very involved in the game. One end of the court features the SLUnatic student section, which always seems to have an appropriate (or inappropriate?) cheer for almost any situation on the court. The alumni tend to be seated on the sides of the court or at midcourt, and they also add to the energy in the building. The third component of the crowd is simply locals who love basketball. There is no NBA franchise nearby, so these folks have adopted the Billikens as “their team”. Neighborhood 4 SLU’s park-like campus is in the Midtown Arts District of St. Louis. It is within walking distance of several museums and the St. Louis Performing Arts Center. The campus is known for its stunning architecture, including several churches and numerous sculptures that grace the area. Among the many restaurants in the area, Pappy’s Smokehouse stands out for its terrific barbeque. It is located just off campus on Olive Street. The restaurant has been highly rated by both Southern Living and the Food Network for many of its menu items. The Element St. Louis Midtown Hotel offers easy access to Charifetz Arena, as it is located on Forest Park Avenue adjacent to the campus. The hotel has a rooftop bar that is very popular with SLU students. Fans 3 The St. Louis Billikens have a very local and vocal fan base. They draw from both members of the SLU community (students, faculty, and alumni) and from outside of the school, as they are the dominant basketball program in the Greater St. Louis area. The student section at the basketball games is known as the SLUnatics. They stand for practically the entire game and are never at a loss for some type of cheer. SLUnatics do everything they can to break a player’s concentration when the opposition is at the free-throw line. The SLUnatics are aided by the 100-member St. Louis University Pep Band (otherwise known as the “Billiken Band”). The band seems to play for the entirety of the game, as it has a song for nearly every situation or opponent. They coordinate the tunes they play with both the cheer team and the dance team. The band attends every home game and all postseason games. Access 4 Saint Louis University and Chaifetz Arena are easily accessed by public transportation or car. The university is located close to the many interstate highways that service the St. Louis area. Directions from I-64 from the east: Take exit 37A onto Bernard/Market Street. Stay on Market Street until you reach Olive St. Turn left on Olive to the parking garage. Directions for I-64 coming from the west: Take I-64 West toward Midtown and take exit 38A onto Forest Park. Take a right at Grand, then left at Lindell. From I-44 heading east: Take I-44 East toward downtown St. Louis. Take exit 287A onto Kingshighway. Merge onto I-64 East, then take Exit 37A onto Bernard /Market. The SLU campus and Chaifetz can also be accessed via St. Louis’ light rail system. Take the train to the Grand Station. Shuttles run on game nights, with direct service to Chaifitz Arena. Doors to the arena open 60 minutes before tipoff, allowing you plenty of time to get to your seats. Return on Investment 3 A trip to the Chaifetz Arena and a Billikens game can be an expensive proposition, as ticket prices, parking and concessions are not cheap. Tickets to Billikens games are available at several price points. The cheapest tickets are $20 (upper level behind the basket) Other tickets are available in these price ranges. Upper-level corner tickets are $25, upper-level tickets on the side are $30, and an upper level at midcourt sells for $50. Lower-level seats are $50 for corner or behind-the-basket seats, lower-level midcourt costs $85, and lower-level midcourt first 10 rows are $200. Parking for Billikens games costs $15 prepaid or $20 day of the event at the Olive/Compton Parking Deck next to the arena. Parking for all Billiken games is available at the Olive/Compton Parking Garage on the SLU Campus. It is located on Olive Street. Extras 4 As you enter Chaifetz Arena you will see a statue of a Billiken. Stop and rub its tummy. This will supposedly bring you good luck. As you enter the arena, make sure to check out all the Championship banners that hang from the rafters. Chaifetz Arena has hosted dozens of music concerts featuring artists like Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Carrie Underwood, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, the Eagles, and many other top groups. Make sure you check out the Billiken Hall of Fame Walkway along the concourse of the Chaifetz Arena. Final Thoughts Chaifetz Arena is a convenient facility for basketball fans in the St. Louis area. It offers comfortable seating, excellent views of the action, and plenty of college spirit, courtesy of the Billiken Band and the SLUnatics.

Photo by Steve Kee Stadium Journey The Arena Football League is back and will resume play in 2024. The league will continue operations after a five-year hiatus under the stewardship of investment group F1 Sports & Entertainment. The league plans for a 10-game schedule one week after the NFL Draft next year. Former names of AFL clubs are designed with an emphasis on streaming, betting, technology, and virtual reality. There appears to be a focus on a return to ironman football, a hallmark of the league in its early years. Lee A. Hutton III will serve as the league commissioner. In 2019 the league consisted of 6 franchises and later ceased operations. The commissioner at the time wanted to re-evaluate its business model and worked to respond to a lawsuit against the league by its former worker’s compensation insurance provider. It was contemplated that the AFL could return with a touring model similar to the Premier Lacrosse League and basketball’s BIG3. However, that never happened, and they silently shut down operations. The press release announced 16 teams but no cities. It is assumed major markets and arenas of over 10,000 will house franchises, along with a few possible classic names like the San Jose Sabercats, Tampa Bay Storm, Detroit Drive, Philadelphia Soul, and the Denver Dynamite. The announcement feels good for the original indoor football league that began in 1987 and completed 33 seasons. It would later inspire an alphabet of several competing leagues. These leagues include the Indoor Football League, National Arena League, and the Champions Indoor Football League, but there was a sense of loss without the original Arena League. There appears to be a niche market for this code of football, especially in former AFL markets. There is also skepticism that a new formation could be nothing more than talk. In the past few years the Alliance of American Football and, just this week, the Professional Box Lacrosse League folded before completing a full season. Will the new AFL have a TV deal, enough capital to operate, and properly marketed franchises in major arenas? This reporter is excited, and I am sure there are a few others like me that also have doubt, but in a land full of indoor football leagues, it's promising that the O.G. of the sport will be back in major markets in little over one year from now. How I have missed the rebound nets. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey It might not look like any other kind of basketball gym, even during its time as a high school basketball gymnasium. The off-beaten dome-shaped brown roof, white painted exterior, and compact size are lovely examples of small-town gyms of another era. Sadly, the Pine Village Gym this spring will be razed. In a few short weeks, the 83-year-old gymnasium will come down to make room for parking for a new $20 million elementary school that will open this fall. The new school will have a modern gymnasium for its physical education classes, making the Pine Village Gym obsolete. The school has doubled in size, and the upkeep of maintaining the 80-year gymnasium has become cost-prohibitive, only to increase in the following years. Many are saddened by the news, but there are many others who see it as a sign of progress in the town of around 200 people. The building was part of the Works Progress Administration and featured a distinct look on its interior and exterior. Louis L. Johnson from nearby Attica was the architect of the gym. The work began in June of 1940 and cost $35,000, for which the Works Project Administration paid $29,000. The roof features diamond-shaped wood trusses created by hand and without the aid of power tools. The pattern feels like an igloo due to its white color and domed-shaped ceiling. It is an understatement to say they don't make them like this anymore. The seating bowl consists of three sides of wooden bleachers, a stage at the north end and two center-court lines, and the Pine Village logo. The court is below regulation lines. The first basketball game at the gym was December 6, 1940, with a 38-27 win against Montmorenci; the last varsity game took place on February 17, 1973, marking the end of the era for the high school that would consolidate with Seeger the following academic year. A standing-room-only crowd was on hand for the final tipoff that saw the Knots defeat Wheeler High School 90-66. An attendance figure of around 1,000 fans filled the seats. The village consisted of close to 600 residents at the time. Regardless of record, the town always supported the team very well. “Like any small community, we had a lot of spirit, loyalty, and pride,” said alumni James Forster in 1973. He was on the 1934 Sectional championship team, “We had our share of rabid fans.” The last hurrah for the Pine Knots was in 1972 when they captured its fifth sectional championship. The tiny school became the 'people’s choice' to capture the state title, the smallest school competing in the tourney. Pine Village had only 149 students when it faced off against the Benton Central Bisons, whose student body was 1,110, in the regional championship. They lost a heartbreaker to the Bisons 71-69. Before the building was scheduled for demolition, a few people stopped by, filling up the parking lot for hours, to say goodbye. Many were alumni and a few players at the gym when it was the high school home for Pine Knots High School. After consolidation in 1973, the gym became home to elementary physical education classes and community events and games. “This place was packed every Friday or Saturday night no matter the record,” said Jeff Jones, who took me on the tour of the places a few years back when news first broke on the gym’s pending future. Marv Blessing was one of the visitors, a 1964 graduate; he showed up one last time donning his old varsity jacket. He reminisced about his playing days at the old gym and wondered why the building had to come down to the Indianapolis Star. “They say it’s going to cost $2 million to keep it up. My question is, ‘How much is it going to cost to tear it down?’ It’s sad. It would have been nice to keep it as a community building, but I think the ones making the decisions probably didn’t go to school here.” ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Recreation Athletic Complex 4350 Banister Creek Ct Fairfax, VA 22030 George Mason Patriots website Recreation Athletic Complex website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 1,550 Volleyball RAC-tion at George Mason Located on the campus of George Mason University, the Recreation Athletic Complex, more commonly known as the RAC, is the home to the Patriots' volleyball and wrestling teams. The current incarnation of this building was renovated and reopened in 2009, although there has been a facility on this spot long before then. Mason's basketball team also played here until 1985, and has played a couple games here since due to scheduling conflicts at EagleBank Arena including a game in the 2013 CBI and a game in 2016 that was moved up due to an impending snowstorm. However, volleyball and wrestling are the only full-time tenants. In addition to the main gym used for athletic events, the RAC also serves as a student gym and recreation facility. The Patriots' men's volleyball team competes in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA), a conference that only sponsors men's volleyball. They have appeared in the NCAA Tournament four times, most recently in 2016. Food & Beverage 1 There is no concession area at George Mason volleyball games. However, there are a few vending machines scattered throughout the RAC that you can purchase from. Atmosphere 2 The RAC is an intimate arena, seating just 1,550. All seats are uncomfortable plastic risers although they do offer a great view of the court. The music played over the PA system is quite loud and is played between every point, which can make it hard to hear the PA announcer. Much of the energy here is created by the players themselves, although the fans can get involved as well. In any event, there is a lot of shouting in addition to the music, which just adds to the volume level here. However, that is just about all that goes on other than the game itself. There is no mascot, no band, and nothing else like that. This is a very simple facility and a very simple, albeit loud, experience. Neighborhood 3 Fairfax is a typical suburban area about 25 miles outside Washington, D.C. There is a shopping center across campus which includes several chain places and a movie theatre. If you’re willing to drive a few miles, the 29 Diner in the City of Fairfax is a local favorite, as is Capital Ale House. While Fairfax doesn’t have the same excitement you’d get in the District, it’s still a nice suburb with plenty to do and places to eat before or after the game. Fans 2 The Patriots average several hundred fans a game, which is typical for men's volleyball. Many of the fans are friends or family of the players or have some connection to the program. Whatever brings them out, they come decked in the green and gold of George Mason and cheer on their team throughout the match. As mentioned above, much of the noise comes not from the fans but from the players, but the crowd can get into it at times. There will also often be a good number of fans for the visiting team as well, though the Mason fans will outnumber them and this will still feel like a Patriots home game. Access 4 George Mason's campus is easily accessible via the Capital Beltway (I-495), Interstate 66, US 50/US 29 depending on where you are coming from. Once on campus, free parking is available on gamedays in Lot J across from the arena, despite signs saying it is faculty/staff parking only. From there, you will have to walk up a few flights of steps to get to the entrance. Fans who require handicap parking can park right outside the building, but others will have to use Lot J and walk a little bit. Once inside, turn left and head down the hall to the arena. The front desk will be happy to direct you, and there will be a table selling tickets as well. There are restrooms in this hallway as well which should be a sufficient size for the volleyball crowd. However, they also serve the rest of the facility, so if the student gym is particularly crowded, this may be a problem. Return on Investment 2 Tickets are $10 and available for sale in advance or on the day of the game. This is on the high end for men's volleyball, and considering the basic nature of the arena, is not a particularly good deal. However, they certainly won't break the bank either. . Extras 4 Look for the free programs on the ticket table as you come in. There are banners in the rafters honoring George Mason volleyball and wrestling accomplishments. Look for the trophy case in the lobby dedicated to Mason volleyball and the other one for the wrestling team that shares the RAC. Finally, look for the banner honoring Uvaldo Acosta, a former Mason volleyball player and later a coach, who tragically drowned in Hawaii in 1998 at the age of just 32. He was later inducted into the EIVA Hall of Fame. Final Thoughts The Recreation Athletic Complex is a very basic arena and it is hard to believe they once played Division I basketball here. In fact, this is the renovated version - it's supposed to be nicer than when it hosted basketball. In any case, a George Mason volleyball game at the RAC is a pretty basic experience. While it can get loud here, mainly due to the music, the relatively high price point for tickets may make fans reluctant to attend.

Photos by Lloyd Rothwell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Industree Group Stadium 14 Dane Dr Gosford, NSW, Australia 2250 Central Coast Mariners website Industree Group Stadium website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 20,059 Central Coast - Our Paradise The Central Coast Mariners were one of several new clubs formed specifically to participate in the A-League which began in 2005 following the demise of the old National Soccer League (NSL). While the Mariners initially drew upon former NSL club Northern Spirit for personnel, they’ve since established a strong connection with the local community. Despite the challenges that come from being a small-market club, the Mariners consistently perform above expectations; having played in four A-League grand finals, and winning the championship in 2013. Industree Group Stadium opened in 2000 on the site of Grahame Park overlooking Brisbane Water. The new stadium was originally designed and built to serve as a new home for the North Sydney Bears National Rugby League (NRL) team. The process of rationalisation within the league during the late 1990s saw the Bears forced into an unequal merged entity with their bitter rivals, Manly Sea Eagles. The joint venture, known as the Northern Eagles, shared home games between the Central Coast and Manly’s home at Brookvale Oval in Sydney. Unsurprisingly, within a few short years the dysfunctional merger was dissolved and the NRL license reverted to Manly. This left the stadium without an anchor tenant until the Mariners arrived in 2005. Since then, clubs such as the Sydney Roosters, have played occasional home games at the stadium, and the New Zealand Warriors were mostly based on the Central Coast for the Covid-affected NRL seasons of 2020 and 2021. Additionally, the stadium has hosted both Rugby World Cup (2003) and Rugby League World Cup (2008) games. The Commonwealth Games baton relay passed through the stadium enroute to the Gold Coast in 2018. Industree Group Stadium has a capacity of 20,059 and is currently managed by VenuesLive. Food & Beverage 2 There are six food outlets and six bars located along the eastern and western concourses, however not all were open during our visit. This led to lengthy queues. Food options are limited to the basics – chicken burger, beef burger, hot dog, hot chips, and fish and chips. A combo (burger or hot dog, chips, drink) deal will set you back $15-18. Soft drinks (Coca-Cola brands) and bottled water are also available, along with a small range of ice creams and coffee. The bars serve beer, cider, pre-mixed spirits, and wine (approx. $8-10 per drink). Atmosphere 3 Industree Group Stadium is a horseshoe shaped design, with two main grandstands along either touchline, with tiered seating at the northern end. The southern end is open, which allows for views of Brisbane Water. Entry gates are located at the northeastern and southwestern corners. Coverage from the grandstand roofs does not extend to the outermost bays, and only the last six rows of the lower concourse are covered. The hoarding separating the walkway from the northern concourse features a graphical display of the history of the site, which is a nice touch. The seats are quite small and do not have armrests. The video screen is located at the southern end. The Mariners run the usual promotions prior to the game and at half time, while a cannon adjacent to the video board is fired each time the Mariners score a goal. Neighborhood 4 Gosford is generally regarded as the commercial and administrative hub of the Central Coast region. The Central Coast Leagues Club (1 Dane Dr) is situated just outside the eastern entry gate and offers a wide range of food and beverage options before or after a Mariners game. Note that CC Leagues does have dress regulations. While they’re quite modest, it’s best to double check the website just to be sure if this venue is in your plans. Also nearby is Pinocchio’s Wine and Pizza Bar (32 William St) and Gosford Sailing Club (28 Masons Pde). Terrigal and Avoca beaches are a 15 min drive east from the stadium. Terrigal is a popular tourist destination with a wide choice of restaurants, bars, and pubs – as well as being a good spot to find accommodation if you’re looking to spend additional time on the Coast. If you bring the family, kids and teenagers will enjoy the Central Coast Aqua Park (42 Masons Pde), adjacent to Gosford Olympic Swimming Pool and the Australian Reptile Park (Pacific Hwy, Somersby) is also only a short drive away. Fans 3 The average attendance for a Mariners game is around 6,000 which is in the top half of the A-League. Expect larger crowds and a better atmosphere when the Mariners play local rivals such as Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC. The Mariners active fan supporter group is known as the Yellow Army. At home games they can be found in Bay 16 at the northern end of the stadium. Fans are good-natured and the environment is family friendly. As at all Australian stadiums and A-League matches, flares are banned. Access 4 Industree Group Stadium is easily accessible by car or public transport. Fans travelling from Sydney to the south or Newcastle to the north should exit the M1 Pacific Motorway at Karriong onto the Central Coast Highway which then descends into Gosford. There is limited parking available on surrounding streets, but also several nearby parking stations. The pick of these is the Gosford Train Station Carpark (Showground Rd) or the Gosford City Carpark (Baker St), both of which are only a short walk from the stadium. Note that there may be some street closures in the vicinity on event days. The train station is on the Central Coast / Newcastle line and connects to Sydney and Newcastle. There are also local bus services in the area. Return on Investment 5 Ticket prices start at $20 for adults and $10 for children aged 16 or younger (unreserved seating on the northern concourse). Premium seating is priced at $40 for adults and $20 for children. Family tickets (2 adults and 2 children) can be purchased for the price of two adults, which represents excellent value. The food and beverage options aren’t great, they are more affordable than premium venues in Sydney. For a national league, this price point is largely unmatched across the country. . Extras 3 Extra points are awarded for the merchandise stand on the western concourse, the pre-game activation attractions near the southeastern entry, and the historical hording along the northern concourse. The oversized, branded inflatable sauce bottles on either side of the video screen are now iconic. Final Thoughts The Mariners are the only professional sports team on the Central Coast. Their picturesque waterfront stadium offers excellent value and is great option for locals and visitors alike.

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Mizzou Arena 1 Champions Dr Columbia, MO 65203 Missouri Tigers website Mizzou Arena website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 15,061 Don’t Mizz Mizzou Mizzou Arena opened in November 2004 and has a capacity of 15,061, making it the sixth largest in the SEC. Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie and her husband Bill donated $25 million toward construction and were allowed to name it Paige Sports Arena after their daughter. This was widely criticized since Paige attended the University of Southern California, but the problem was solved when Paige was involved in a cheating scandal that forced the Lauries to relinquish the naming rights after just three games. Thankfully, the university has resisted the temptation to sell the naming rights since then, and Mizzou Arena has become an iconic name, if not an iconic destination. Which is unfortunate, because during Stadium Journey’s visit there, we found it to be an excellent venue for college basketball. Read on to find out why. Food & Beverage 4 After entering through the main doors, you will see three unique concession stands directly in front of you, all offering rather different fare. Chick Chicken Salad has five flavors of chicken salad (for example, Sassy Scotty comes with ranch dressing, bacon, and cheddar cheese) that can be combined with sides such as broccoli salad or fresh fruit and a buttercream cookie for $13. Dickey’s BBQ Pit provides a Big Barbecue Sandwich for just $8, the same price as four wings; your typical BBQ sides such as baked beans and cole slaw are available for $4. Those with a sweet tooth will appreciate Andy’s Frozen Custard, where half-pint cups start at $6, but you will probably want to splurge an extra two bucks for the Mizzou Tiger Streak, which contains Oreo, Crème Caramel, and Hot Fudge. More typical concessions can be found along the other concourses, with a bacon cheeseburger basket running $11, the same as a basket of chicken tenders. Small nachos with cheese are only $5, which is what a hot dog costs, so perhaps the former is better value if you are hungry. Snacks include Cracker Jack ($3), chips ($4), peanuts ($5), and popcorn ($7). There is one concession stand behind the student section where you can order online or at a nearby kiosk and your food would be delivered to a secure locker, thus eliminating the need to wait in line and miss some of the action. Offerings here are similar to elsewhere, though you can get a Nachos Grande or a Walking Taco for $10. Coca-Cola provides the beverages, with bottled soda going for $6, while Dasani water is a dollar less. Iced tea, Powerade, and Smart Water are all $7, and you can find souvenir sodas for $8. Alcohol is sold here with all beer going for $10; if you prefer craft there is a stand with some local options. Atmosphere 5 Before you even enter the venue, you must genuflect in front of the statue of Norm Stewart, who coached here from 1967-99. Below the statue is a list of his incredible accomplishments, which include some from baseball, as he was a pitcher on Missouri's 1954 championship team, tossed a no-hitter against Arkansas, and signed a contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He was also a basketball star and was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks, for whom he played five games in 1956-57. He moved to college coaching in 1961 and amassed 731 victories in his career, with 633 coming at Mizzou. The court is also named in his honor. Suitably humbled, enter via the main doors just behind the statue and once your ticket is scanned, wander through the Hall of Champions, a collection of trophies and other memorabilia won by past teams. There are several glass cases here so try to get here early to get a look at everything if you are the type that appreciates when history is recognized. Walk around the single concourse and appreciate how the banners spell MIZZOU down the hallways. The Mizzou name can be found throughout the venue because nobody here actually says Missouri. The Athletics Hall of Fame stretches along one hallway and honors those from all sports. The arena design is excellent, with corner seats pointing directly at the court. The colors naturally are the black and gold of the school, and it goes very well with the playing surface, which contains the ferocious tiger logo inside an outline of the state of Missouri. Above the seating bowl are dozens of banners, including several retired numbers, while conference championships are celebrated with gold banners for the men, and black for the women. Looking up, you can see the small windows that let some natural light into the building. The student section is known as The Zou and they were out in force for the game I attended. A Cheat Sheet is distributed beforehand and gives the students some humorous tidbits about the visiting players. During the game, there are your typical college cheerleader routines and a few promotions. Neighborhood 3 The arena is on the southern edge of campus and a bit of a drive from any sort of neighborhood. The downtown area is about 2 miles north of the arena and has dozens of local restaurants and bars that provide the typical college town charm, with the streets filled by a black and gold-clad army before and after the game. Harpo’s – a sprawling brick bar and grill with a second-floor patio – is a favorite of Mizzou fans, and Shakespeare’s Pizza offers some of the best pie in central MO. Meanwhile, Broadway Brewery offers their craft beer. The closest hotel is the Hampton Inn and Suites, just four minutes by car from the arena, while the vast majority of lodging can be found at the intersection of I-70 and US-63. If you have time, you can drive about 30 minutes southeast to Fulton, where Westminster College is located. This is where Winston Churchill spoke in 1941 and coined the term Iron Curtain; there is an excellent museum dedicated to him that should satisfy any history buff, as well as a segment of the Berlin Wall. Fans 5 Since the Tigers moved to the SEC, attendance has been a problem, so much so that other schools are mocking them . But for the game I attended, a Big 12/SEC challenge matchup, the place was sold out, with students lining up an hour before gates opened and making noise throughout. The alumni were all wearing school colors as part of a Stripe Out promotion, with sections alternating between black and gold, and it worked pretty well. It seems like attendance is increasing this year, helped by a team that was ranked early in the season, so I have to give full points here. Access 4 Getting to the arena takes a few minutes once you are off the I-70. All lots around the stadium are reserved for season ticket holders, known as donors. There is a public parking option at Truman's Landing, which is about a half mile down a hill; free shuttles are available before and after the game. If you do happen to park in a donor lot, expect to wait a few minutes to get out. Some prefer to park downtown and walk over, thus saving on the postgame hassle. There are several garages in the area, so if you plan to party before or after, this might be a better option. The concourse is spacious, though at some places, party areas take up space, but I never had any problem wandering about. Your typical halftime lines at concessions and restrooms can be avoided by getting there early or using one of the many media timeouts to do what you need to do. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for conference matchups start at $30 and go up to $60, but for most games, you will be able to get in for less on the secondary market, except for the Border Showdown against Kansas. Non-conference games should be cheaper as well. With concessions reasonable and parking free, you should get a good bang for your buck for a power conference basketball game. Extras 5 Outside, there is a plaza listing the school's All-Americans in every sport. Add this to the statue of Norm Stewart, the Hall of Champions, and the Athletics Hall of Fame, and you have an excellent tribute to the school’s storied athletic programs. It was Star Wars Day, and there were many characters on the concourse wearing costumes that were far better than I had ever seen. A pair of giant Chewbaccas was the rage, while Truman the Tiger took down Darth Vader (wearing an Iowa State logo) before the game. Make sure to learn the lyrics to Mr. Brightside as it is sung by The Zou, with some additional words thrown in regarding Kansas. Final Thoughts Overall, this is an impressively designed venue that looks much younger than its 20 years and it was rocking for the game I attended, making it one of the best college basketball experiences that I have enjoyed. Of course, things will be different if you attend a non-conference matchup in mid-November, but still, the history on display combined with the aesthetically pleasing design make this a worthwhile stop if you are traveling between St. Louis and Kansas City during hoops season.

Photos by Lloyd Brown Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Jack Stephens Center 2801 S University Ave Little Rock, AR 72204 Little Rock Trojans website Jack Stephens Center website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 5,600 Where The Trojans Play H-O-R-S-E The University of Arkansas-Little Rock was founded in 1927 as Little Rock Junior College. It became a four-year degree program in 1957, and it became Little Rock University. In 1969 it became the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Today the University has a student body of more than 9,000 students taking part in more than 60 undergraduate programs and 40 post-graduate level programs. It is especially known for its Business, Law, and Engineering programs. The athletic programs at UALR are known as the Trojans. The Trojans formerly competed in the Sun Belt Conference but switched to the Ohio Valley Conference at the beginning of the 2022-2023 academic year. UALR does not compete in football, so the basketball programs are considered the premier sport at the school. The primary sports facility at UALR is the on-campus Jack Stephens Center. It opened in time for the 2005-2006 basketball season. It is named for prominent businessman Jack Stephens, who donated $22.4 million dollars to the school. The Center serves both the men’s and women’s basketball programs, as well as the women’s volleyball team. The Stephens Center also includes weight rooms, training rooms, and locker rooms that are used by all the UALR athletic teams. Food & Beverage 3 There is one large concession stand in the lobby of the Stephens Arena and three smaller stands along the concourse level of the seating bowl. The stands offer the usual arena/ stadium fare. There are no regional specialties available. The prices for items on the menu are lower than you would expect. Atmosphere 3 The Jack Stephens Center is an impressive facility for viewing a Trojans basketball game. The arena has 12,000 square feet of floor space, including a very colorful court that features the maroon colors of the school and a Trojan icon at midcourt The seating bowl completely encircles the court, with 70% of the seats between the end lines. The crowd enjoys a great view of the action from the comfort of 5,600 leather chairback seats. There are also 12 luxury suites above the action. It is easy to keep up with the action, as the arena has a pair of 90-foot scoreboards with videoboard and stats panels at each end of the court. During breaks in the action, be sure to check out the impressive array of championship banners earned by UALR that hang from the rafters of the facility. Neighborhood 4 UALR is in the Midtown area of Little Rock. The area immediately surrounding the campus is what you would typically expect… lots of fast-food restaurants and service-oriented businesses. However, as you head north towards I-630, you’ll find everything from shopping (Park Plaza Mall) to nature (Boyle Park and the Little Rock Zoo). Head further north to the Arkansas River and ride your bike across the Big Dam Bridge (that’s its name...we’re not cussing) The bridge is a dedicated hike/bike venue that takes you across the river to North Little Rock. If you head east on I-630, you’ll soon be in downtown Little Rock, home to the Clinton Presidential Library and the River Market District. Just park your car and enjoy an afternoon strolling the many shops, museums, restaurants, and parks in the area. For more info on things to do in the UALR area, go to littlerock.com . Fans 4 Earlier we mentioned that UALR does not have a football program. The Trojan fans are not going to let that stop them from participating in the hallowed tradition of tailgating. They arrive early to get a prized spot in the parking lot outside of the Jack Stephens Center. The school sets up “Trojan Alley”, an entertainment and activity area, to add to the fun. Once the crowd is allowed into the Stephens Center, it is hard to miss the student section, which is known as the ‘Maroon Mob”. They have prized seats that almost touch the court. They spend the entire game cheering on the Trojans, while also doing everything they can to confuse and intimidate the visiting team. They do this all in good fun, and they never cross over into questionable behavior. Their energy reaches out to all four corners of the arena. Access 3 It is very easy to get to Jack Stephens Center from virtually any direction, as University Avenue is one of the main thoroughfares in the Little Rock area. Here are the directions from the major interstate in the area. From eastbound I-40: Take I-430 south to I-630. Go east towards downtown Little Rock. Take the University Avenue exit and head south to 28th Avenue. (You will see the UALR marquee) Turn left onto 28th Avenue and the Jack Stephens Center will be on your left. From westbound I-40: Take I-30 west to I-630. Head west on I-630 to the South University exit. Then follow the previous instructions to arrive at the Jack Stephens Center. The doors to the Jack Stephens Center open 45 minutes prior to tipoff, allowing you plenty of time to get to your seat. There is a large lobby outside of the seating area. This area features the concessions area, the team store, and the restrooms. The flow through this area is smooth, with the exception of halftime when it gets quite congested. Return on Investment 3 Going to a Trojans basketball game will not break the bank. Tickets range from $10- $25 depending on where you sit in the Jack Stephens Center. Parking is $5 in Lot 14, which is immediately adjacent to the arena. If you don’t mind a short walk, parking is free in Lot 15. Lodging is available close to the UALR campus at either the Four Points Sheraton or the Embassy Suites Midtown. The school has negotiated a discount, which is available by requesting the Little Rock Trojans rate. Extras 3 The basketball court at Jack Stephens Arena was flooded in December 2022 due to frozen pipes beneath the arena bursting during an extremely cold winter storm. The regular game floor was destroyed. However, the athletic department scrambled and found a temporary floor to use for the remainder of the season. A major “extra” to the athletic department for rescuing the remainder of the home schedule at “ the Jack”! UALR competes against the nearby University of Central Arkansas in the Governor’s I-40 Showdown. The two schools play each other in 11 different sports. Whichever school wins the most of those competitions in a school calendar year takes home the Governor’s I-40 Showdown Trophy. During the time that the men’s basketball program competed in the Sun Belt Conference, they had several very successful seasons and postseasons. They took home the regular season title twice (2016,2020), the Sun Belt Tournament Championship twice (2011,2016), and the Division Championship on four occasions (2005,2008,2009, 2011) Final Thoughts Jack Stephens Arena is a terrific place to take in a Trojans basketball game. It offers comfortable seating, great views of the action, and free parking if you do not mind a short walk. There are plenty of things to see and do in Downtown Little Rock after the game. The Clinton Presidential Center is a must-see, and the River Market has several dining options along the very scenic Arkansas River.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Journey just visited the Cintas Center on the campus of Xavier University for the first time in six years, and the school has released details on a new round of renovations for the home of the Musketeers basketball program. The renovations will begin this summer for the 23-year building with a complete fresh of the 22 suites that have been left unchanged. The building will be modernized with changes to The Lookout section, along with the addition of a New Center Court Club, The Brew House, and additional ADA seating. “Each of the changes we’re making will enhance the fan experience in the Cintas Center ,” said Brett Sanders, Xavier Assistant Athletic Director, in a press release. “It’s critical for us to upgrade that experience, and the chance to add a new club at the same time is an opportunity too good to pass up. Demand for more variety is driving the three major seating changes.” New Center Court Club: Located on the east concourse, will be at mid-court, offering the best vantage points to watch games. The area will include plus club seats, all-inclusive food with an elevated menu, private restrooms, and a full bar. The Brew House: An open-air bar on the main concourse with seating and standing-room views of the court. The space was created with community and gathering points in mind in hopes of modernizing the feel of the building. Changes to The Lookout: Key changes to sections of the area. Row A will remain untouched, but Row B will have a new seating style similar to a desk chair with the goal of comfort and conversation. Row C will be raised into a high bar top seat with drink rails. Additional ADA Seating: Improvements to opportunities to accommodate fans with accessibility needs. The changes will reduce seating from 10,250 to 10,224 and be completed during the summer of 2004, in advance of the 2024-25 basketball season. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Horst Athletic Center 901 Eden Rd Lancaster, PA 17601 Lancaster Bible Chargers website Horst Athletic Center website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 655 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 Horst Athletic Center is home to the Lancaster Bible College Men's & Women's Basketball programs, as well as the Men's & Women's Volleyball programs. The gymnasium was built in 1975 and renovated prior to the 2015-16 academic year. Food & Beverage 2 There is a very simple concession stand located inside the gym itself. Although it has a simple menu the food choices were good and the product of good quality and cheap. The concession stand may not be open for all volleyball matches but there is a snack machine located at the main entrance. Atmosphere 4 The Horst Athletic Center has chairback seating on one side and bleachers on the other. It is a small gym but the atmosphere is top-notch. The gym is loud and fans seem to be very involved in the action. There are only simple scoreboards and no cheerleaders or mascots seen. The lack of these does not lower the atmosphere score. 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 4 The fans are loud and engaged in the action. Everyone is close to the action and fans seem to really enjoy games here at this small gym. 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 cost of the game was $7 and the food prices were also very fair. It may not be the highest level of college basketball but the return on investment is quite good. 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 basketball, but the games presented here are fun and it is certainly an experience that a true sports fan should experience if in the area.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Horst Athletic Center 901 Eden Rd Lancaster, PA 17601 Lancaster Bible Chargers website Horst Athletic Center website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 655 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 a member 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. In 2018 the Chargers basketball team won the NCCAA Division II National Championship. with a 78-65 win over Hillsdale Baptist. It seems that the men's basketball team mainly participates in NCAA action now instead of the NCCAA. The Horst Athletic Center is home to the Lancaster Bible College Men's & Women's Basketball programs, as well as the Men's & Women's Volleyball programs. The gymnasium was built in 1975 and renovated prior to the 2015-16 academic year. Food & Beverage 2 There is a very simple concession stand located inside the gym itself. Although it has a simple menu the food choices were good and the product of good quality and cheap. Atmosphere 4 The Horst Athletic Center has chairback seating on one side and bleachers on the other. It is a small gym but the atmosphere is top-notch. The gym is loud and fans seem to be very involved in the action. There are only simple scoreboards and no cheerleaders or mascots seen. The lack of these does not lower the atmosphere score. 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 4 The fans are loud and engaged in the action. Everyone is close to the action and fans seem to really enjoy games here at this small gym. 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 cost of the game is a mere $5 and the food prices were also very fair. It may not be the highest level of college basketball but the return on investment is quite good. 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 basketball, but the games presented here are fun and it is certainly an experience that a true sports fan should experience if in the area.

The New England Patriots already have the third-highest ticket prices in the National Football League, and Patriot fans are going to have to pay even more to enter Gillette Stadium in 2023. But the news isn’t all bad. The team informed season-ticket holders in an email last week that they plan to increase ticket prices stadium-wide for the upcoming season. While fans have seen some seats rise in price over the past 15 years, this is the first stadium-wide price hike since 2008. To help ease the burden of more expensive tickets, the Patriots are adding some new parking offers to ticket holders. The Patriots spelled out the offers in the recent email: 1. Free general parking: To improve the efficiency of arriving traffic, parking will be free in all stadium-owned general parking lots (across Route 1 from the stadium). 2. Be paid to park: Those who choose to park in our 75-minute delayed release lot will earn a $50 Visa gift card when entering the lot. 3. Stadium-side prepaid parking: Season Ticket Members have the option to purchase an electronic and transferable season parking pass for $225 ($25 per game). In a letter to season ticket holders earlier this offseason, team owners Robert and Jonathan Kraft promised “critical evaluations of all elements of our football operation as we strive to improve and return to the playoffs next year.” In addition to an overhaul of the coaching staff, a $225 million renovation of Gillette Stadium is expected to be finished by Week 1 next season. Improvements include a new scoreboard, hospitality and function areas and a redesign of the Stadium’s iconic lighthouse. Anyone familiar with the nightmare that is access in and out of Gillette Stadium is sure to be intrigued by these new parking options. Hopefully they will lead to easier egress from the stadium and a better fan experience for Patriot fans. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Beeghley Center 1 University Plaza Youngstown, OH 44502 Youngstown State Penguins website Beeghley Center website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 6,500 Go Guins! Youngstown State University is a public school with over 11,000 students located in Youngstown, Ohio. Southeast of Cleveland, Youngstown is a modest city of 60,000 where the Youngstown State Penguins are the center of attention during basketball season. Youngstown State is famous for having Youngstown native and former Ohio State Buckeyes football coach Jim Tressel as the university president. The Penguins play in the Horizon League in NCAA Division I, but have not enjoyed a tremendous amount of success. YSU is the only Division I school with the name Penguins as a team name. This goes back to the 1933 game against West Liberty State when Youngstown State traveled through two feet of snow for an away game. Home for the Penguins is on campus in the Beeghly Physical Education Center. Commonly referred to as the Beeghly Center, it opened in 1972 and is named after local businessman, industrialist and philanthropist, Leon A. Beeghly, whose family and estate have donated a great deal to the university. The court is named after Dom Rosselli, who coached the Penguins for 38 years. Food & Beverage 3 There are basically two concession areas, one at each end of the arena. The south end is where fans will find the biggest concession stand. The north end is very simple with only popcorn, soda, chips, nachos and beer. The south concession has far more in the way of options. Cheeseburgers, hot dogs, sausage, nachos, pretzels, hummus, and ice cream are all available at the south end. Pepsi products are the soda products of choice at the Beeghly Center. There are a few different types of beer available including products from Penguin City Brewing, which is local to Youngstown. Concession prices are pretty good with a bottle of beer going for $7 or $8 and bottles of soda going for $4. Concessions will not blow fans away but they are adequate to keep fans happy during the game. Atmosphere 3 The exterior of the Beeghly Center is fairly nondescript and does not blow away the fans who attend games. The roof is low and hiding behind Stambaugh Stadium, the home of Penguins football, Beeghly Center can easily get lost in the shuffle. The main entrance on the south side does have large windows and columns which allow in plenty of natural light into the entrance. Just outside of the south entrance is a large plaza with the flagpoles in memory of those who lost their lives in armed conflicts. Not only is the court named after former coach Dom Rosselli, there is a piece of bronze art in front of the entrance. Once fans have entered the south end, passed the ticket takers and up the stairs, fans will get to see some of the nice accents of Beeghly Center. The Youngstown State Athletic Hall of Fame is up there as well as displays for the retired numbers of mens and womens basketball players. Framed jerseys of Tony Vivo, Leo Mogus, John McElroy, Jeff Covington and Dorothy Bowers accompany displays for Coaches Dom Rosselli, Bill Dailey and Dan Peters in very classy wood inlet displays. Inside the seating bowl, fans will immediately notice the cross shaped seating area, with distinct corners jutting in, dividing the different seating areas. The court runs from south to north with the perfect picture coming from the west side. The court features the traditional ‘Y’ Youngstown State logo, with the penguin logo watermarked on the floor. The seating on the east and west sides is divided tiers, with the lower tiers composed of retractable, plastic chair seats, and the upper tiers, retractable, wooden bleachers. The west side upper tier bleachers are kept back to create an area with tables and standing room, perfect for entertaining youth teams and recruits. The band can be found in the south end, where the bleachers are up, above the court. Signage suggests this is also the student section, however, there were no discernable students congregating in this area at the game reviewed. At the south end, above the band, the athletic banners hang. The Penguins do not have a vast history of success in men’s basketball. A banner highlighting Division II Tournament appearances hangs beside a banner showing participation in the CIT Tournament and TNT Basketball Classic Tournament. There are plenty of banners for the women’s basketball teams, which have many conference championships. The gameday production at a Youngstown State game is what one would expect for a mid-major college basketball program. The band carries the load for the Penguins and unlike many other experiences, the band and the person in charge of the music seem to work together and the band is not playing over the PA or vice versa. The cheerleaders do their thing on the floor and are often aided by mascots Pete and Penny. The Penguins try to do a bit of a production for the opening of the game with students encouraged to use their phone flashlights. Overall, it is not too flashy and keeps the feel of that college atmosphere strong. Neighborhood 3 The Beeghly Center is located on the campus of Youngstown State University, east of the Arlington neighborhood. There are a few spots for pre or post game food or drinks that fans may want to consider. Some options include Republic Pizzeria & Pub, Noble Creature Cask House, Cassese’s MVR and Charlie Staples BBQ. As far as other sporting options in Youngstown, there are a couple. The Penguins football team is quite popular and plays FCS football at Stambaugh Stadium. The Youngstown Phantoms play in the USHL and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers play baseball in the MLB Draft League just north of Youngstown. Other entertainment options include the Stambaugh Auditorium, Wickyards, Stewart Media Archives Center, Arms Family Museum and Youngstown Museum of Industry and Labor. For fans wanting to stay near Youngstown State, heading south towards downtown to the DoubleTree Youngstown Downtown would be an option. Fans 3 The Youngstown State Penguins average over 2,700 fans per game in the 2022-2023 season. This ranks third in the Horizon League. Although the band, located in the south end, is boisterous and brings some pizazz to the game, there is not much of a student section past that. The students that are present blend in with all of the other fans. The YSU fans begin the game by remaining on their feet until the Penguins have scored their first basket. The cozy nature of the Beeghly Center would make for an amazing environment if there was a full house for a Penguins basketball game. Access 3 Youngstown State University is located just north of Downtown Youngstown and east of the Arlington neighborhood. Although it is not terribly difficult to get to campus, Highway 422 which is the northeast border of campus, makes getting around a little more difficult than one would expect. Parking can be found on campus for a nominal fee. For fans wishing to take public transit to the game, there are WRTA buses on Wick Ave, Rayen Ave and 5th Ave, which surround campus. Fans should consult the Western Reserve Transit Authority website for fares, schedules and maps. Getting around the Beeghly Center is not too difficult, but larger crowds would make traversing the gym more problematic. Security procedures and protocols at Division I venues are in a constant state of flux. Stadium Journey encourages fans to consult the Youngstown State Penguins website for the most up to date protocols including prohibited items and bag policies. Return on Investment 4 Youngstown State basketball is very affordable. Tickets run from $12 to $22 with a bit of a discount when purchased in advance. Youth tickets are $7, so it is the perfect opportunity to bring the kids to the game. Concessions are not overly expensive and parking can be found for $5 on campus. The product on the floor is solid with a decent team in a good mid-major NCAA conference. In the end there is great value in 'Guins basketball for a very reasonable price. Extras 2 An extra mark for Youngstown State being the only Division I team with the nickname Penguins. An extra mark for the number of rivals in the area including Akron, Kent State, and Cleveland State. Final Thoughts The Youngstown State Penguins basketball experience will not wow the fans with flashiness and a reliance on fancy technology. The presentation is pretty simple and the Beeghly Center is a decent venue to catch a game. Fans will walk out of the game happy with the experience and not a massive dent in the pocket book. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Many people assume that the history of baseball in Atlanta began in 1966 with the Braves' arrival from Milwaukee. However, the truth is that the sport’s origin in Atlanta began nearly a century before that. Baseball in Atlanta explores the more than 125 years of America’s game through words and archival photos. Baseball’s true origins in the city began in the 1880s with the introduction of the sport through social organizations of the era. Teams were created through different towns, businesses, and professions as a way to use sports as a way to build camaraderie between workers, neighborhoods, and schools. These were all amateur leagues, where the goal was not financial gain, but for the purposes of getting healthy exercise and friendly competition. Atlanta was still a very small town in the 1800s, but by the turn of the century its growth as a manufacturing and business center had begun. Many of the factories and mills began forming industrial teams and leagues as a perk for their workers, who were otherwise working for meager wages. Companies saw it as a way to compete with other similar organizations in a similar field, beyond just the sales floor. Soon professions such as firemen, lawyers and organizations such as schools were added to the mix. The earliest school team recorded in Atlanta was at Georgia Tech. Its’ coach was John Heisman, who was much more famous for coaching the football team and would later be honored through the naming of college football’s top award in his honor. The South was totally segregated at that time, but baseball saw no color line. Soon a league was formed within the black colleges that were a part of the Atlanta University complex. The first paid, or professional sports team in Atlanta was the Atlanta Crackers in the 1920s. They would play baseball against other regional cities such as Chattanooga, Montgomery, Jacksonville, and Birmingham. The team played in a number of stadiums over its history, with Ponce de Leon Park becoming its permanent home. Over time, the Crackers became a minor league powerhouse, winning more than 17 Southern League/Southern Association. They became known as “The Yankees of the Minor Leagues”. The Bronx Bombers themselves visited Atlanta on their way back north after the completion of spring training. Ruth, Gehrig, and Mantle all played in Ponce de Leon Park at some point during their careers. Like most cities in the South, Atlanta was still a segregated society. Soon a Black Crackers team was organized and played on its own circuit. It also played at Ponce de Leon, but it played there only when the Crackers were playing out of town. It was actually the Brooklyn Dodgers who broke the color line. The Dodgers arrived in Atlanta in 1949, bringing Jackie Robinson with them. There was great interest in his story, and both the white and black communities wanted to see him play. However, city leaders were worried that a race riot might ensue if the two races were mixed. However, the game was played before a crowd of both black and white fans, becoming the first integrated game in the Deep South. The game was played with no violence occurring. The 1960s saw Atlanta become the business center of the South, and city leaders saw professional sports as a way to gain more attention nationwide. They actively began to recruit teams to the Atlanta area. They even had a stadium built before they even had a team to play in it. Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium was built in 53 weeks at a cost of $18 million. It looked like at first the Kansas City Athletics would move to Atlanta, but when that fell through, the Milwaukee Braves moved to the city and the new stadium, which would become their home for the next 30 years. The stars in the early years were Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, and Joe Torre. These were not the pennant contending of current years, as the 1960s and 1970s produced some awful years. The lone bright spot in those early years was Hank Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s HR record with #715. The team almost was sold to another city, but Ted Turner of broadcasting fame bought the team and used it as a marketing tool for his fledgling cable TV network. Atlanta was suddenly America’s Team, favored by fans throughout the country who could only receive the Braves games on TV. The Braves finally grew much better, and notched several appearances in the World Series, finally winning it all in 1995, defeating the Cleveland Indians in an exciting six-game series. It would be several years before the team began its long streak of divisional and league titles. In 1996 the Braves moved across the street to their new home, Turner Field. Their new stadium had served as the Olympic Games stadium for the 1996 Olympic Games. Though they won several titles in Turner Field, they would never win a World Series in that stadium. The book was published before the Braves' 2021 World Series victory and their move into Truist Park. We’ve only covered a brief overview of the content in the book. It is filled with hundreds of photos detailing the history of baseball in Atlanta. The book also offers up great stories about the many top players, managers, and personalities that have been a part of baseball lore in the city. It is a great read for any fan of baseball in the South.

Deaf Awareness Night at NY Islanders, Photo by Gary Noll The NHL New York Islanders recently held a successful Deaf Awareness Night at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. What made it successful? Mostly, the communication technology the organization provided to sports fans who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Islanders offered an ASL (American Sign Language) PIP (Picture in Picture) on the giant center-hung video scoreboard. The signer communicated the messages the PA Announcer delivered as well as signed the national anthem. The signers were a part of in-game contests and activities and signed all game penalties. UBS Arena, ASL PIP, Photo by Gary Noll The media individuals provided closed captioning on the main scoreboard for all video features that had spoken words. UBS Arena, Closed Captioning on Scoreboard, Photo by Gary Noll The ribbon board provided not only game penalty and scoring announcements (goals and assists) but sponsor’s advertisements, stadium safety data, and mobile captioning instructions. UBS Arena, Pertinent Information on Ribbon Board, Photo by Gary Noll Finally, several sponsors were available on the concourse: Olive Osmond Hearing Fund whose mission is to improve and provide educational, musical, and hearing resources available to the deaf and hard of hearing. Mill Neck Foundation , a Long Island Family of Organizations whose nonprofit groups are dedicated to creating a world in which Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals are included, empowered, celebrated, and embraced as equals through quality education, employment, audiological and spiritual programs, and services. The tables serve as a good meeting point between parties. The Mill Neck table provided ASL interpreter services for this event. Mill Neck Foundation Table with ASL Interpreters, Photo by Gary Noll Sadly, the New York Islanders lost the game to the Los Angeles King 3–2 that evening. Nonetheless, many deaf fans immensely enjoyed their evening at the arena and were easily able to follow along with the game. Kudos to the New York Islanders who deserve an A+ in their efforts to make sporting events accessible to all sports fans. The Islanders are planning a Deaf Awareness Night next season, so check their schedule. Here’s hoping more and more sports arenas and stadiums incorporate technology for deaf sports fans to enjoy and follow the game day action on a more regular basis. Note: Special thanks to Gary Noll for sending Stadium Journey this information and photos. Gary advocates for live closed captioning and ASL on video boards in sports arenas. He also provided guidance to the NY Islanders organization on making Deaf Awareness Night the fantastic success it was. Gary Noll with Sparky and Justin Ormond at UBS Arena

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Gas South Arena 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy Duluth, GA 30097 Georgia Swarm website Gas South Arena website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 14,316 Gas South Arena – Georgia Swarm Lacrosse has long been popular in the mid-Atlantic, northeastern states, and throughout Canada, but the sport’s popularity in the south has just started to blossom in the last decade. The growth of lacrosse in Georgia has been helped by the addition of the Georgia Swarm of the National Lacrosse League. The NLL is a 15-team indoor lacrosse league with teams throughout the United States and Canada, playing their inaugural season in 1987. Indoor lacrosse is a combination of field lacrosse, played within a hockey rink on sports turf, with the production level of professional basketball. Food & Beverage 3 Gas South Arena takes a unique approach to concessions – rather than individual stands spread out around the concourse, Gas South has two food court-style areas flanking the arena's main entry points. Gas South Arena is a cashless facility, so only cards are accepted. The food court has options from some local, popular eateries. Slices of Johnny’s Pizza run $6-$8, with garlic knots for $9. Arena Dogs & Deli serves both traditional and specialty hot dogs in the $7 to $8 range, which can be made into combos including chips and soda for an extra $7. The Cantina has Mexican food, including nachos, walking tacos, burritos, and tacos, all ranging from $8 to $12. The Georgian Grill has burgers, grilled chicken, and jumbo hot dogs. Slow Pour Brewing offers a fully stocked bar for mixed drinks along with canned or draft beers, wine, and seltzers. There is an extensive selection of Georgia craft brews available as well. The overall quality of food and drink here is decent, so the higher prices are not completely out of line, but snacks and soft drinks seem a bit inflated. Atmosphere 4 The National Lacrosse League is a sixty-minute sensory explosion of music, strobe lights, and a high-energy stadium announcer. There is non-stop action, both on the field and in the stands. NLL lacrosse offers a high level of entertainment from the initial face-off to the final horn. The excitement starts from the moment the Swarm mascot, Stinger, comes out to a darkened arena, highlighted by strobe and spotlights as player introductions begin. As the energy leading to game time amps up, so does the music that is played throughout the game. The game presentation is similar to that of the NBA; the in-game announcer does an excellent job of providing a running commentary of the action while engaging fans. Neighborhood 4 Gas South Arena is in the still-developing Gas South District of the Sugarloaf. The area is a bit of a transition point between a heavily commercial area with office buildings, shops, and restaurants versus residential sub-divisions. The Gas South Convention Center is also part of the Gas South District. At this time there are currently two hotels at the arena’s property, Embassy Suites, and Holiday Inn, but a third hotel, Westin, is under construction. The Sugarloaf area has been well developed over the years and offers many other accommodations directly around the arena. In the area immediately bordering the Gas South District there are over a dozen options to eat before or after the game. In the early 2000s, Gwinnett County prioritized building venues for national acts and professional sports. Not only do the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL share Gas South Arena with the Swarm, the AAA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, the Gwinnett Stripers , play at Coolray Field, less than 10 miles north on Interstate-85. Fans 4 Georgia Swarm lacrosse has an extremely passionate fanbase – attendance appears to sit around half to two-thirds full. Though seating in the upper level of the arena is a bit sparse, the field level is much more packed with fans. Within the league, the Swarm’s attendance ranks in the lower third. Despite lower attendance numbers compared to the rest of the league, fans are a key part of the excitement here. One of the fun aspects is following a goal by the Swarm when almost the entire fan base begins pumping their arms up and down, as they bounce to Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis, all while the arena’s horn goes off. All-in-all, even though a bit on the less numerous side, the fans add a lot to a fun experience. Access 4 Getting to Gas South Arena is at the mercy of Atlanta traffic on I-85. Luckily, most of the Swarm’s games are on Saturdays and Sundays, so that does help alleviate the crush that Atlanta traffic can have. Parking is available at the lot in front of the arena, or the garage directly next to it. Most fans will enter the arena through the main entrance into a two-tiered lobby with a wrap-around concourse to access their seats. The lower seating bowl is easily accessible and has manageable sloped aisles to navigate. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for upper-level seats start at $12 if purchased the week prior to the game; the walkup rate jumps to $15. On the high end, tickets on the glass start at $63 and jump to $69 as a walkup. The get-in-the-door price makes tickets rather affordable, but if you want to be close to the action it can get expensive, quickly. Factoring in $10 for parking as well as the concessions prices, the overall return on investment borders on becoming an expensive evening out. Even though being close to the action really highlights the speed of the game, the upper-level seating is every bit as enjoyable. Extras 3 Through pre-game recognitions and community outreach initiatives, the Swarm does a fantastic job at recognizing the history of lacrosse and its indigenous roots. The Georgia Swarm makes the evening entertaining. Stoppages in play are full of fan interactions. There is also a game-long scavenger hunt of Swarm apparel around the arena, plus a series of on-field contests and t-shirt tosses. The Swarm’s mascot, Stinger, actively engages fans around the stadium and in the stands. Stinger does a wonderful job entertaining young fans during the game. Final Thoughts While lacrosse has been somewhat of a niche sport, it is not due to a lack of excitement. The field game itself is high scoring, with constant action, and the box version of the game is every bit as much, with excitement and entertainment added to it. It is difficult to attend a Georgia Swarm game and leave feeling like it was not an enjoyable time.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Indiana Farmers Coliseum 1202 E 38th St Indianapolis, IN 46205 IUPUI basketball website Indiana Farmers Coliseum website Year Opened: 1939 Capacity: 6,300 The Jags Are on the Prowl The IUPUI Jaguars returned to the Indiana Farmers Coliseum on the Indiana State Fairgrounds for the first time since the 1978-79 season in 2014. However, the facility is much different than it was when the men’s program last played in the building. The coliseum underwent a two-year, $63-million renovation that resulted in much-needed changes including wide-open concourses, an updated main lobby, terrazzo flooring, exposed steel and wooden beams, and a stylized new basketball court. It was a dramatic change from the team’s previous home on the downtown campus-the IUPUI Gymnasium. Known as “The Jungle,” to fans the Jaguars’ previous home was a cozy 1,200-seat facility that served the team since 1982. Another change was when the Jags moved to the Horizon League on July 1, 2017, after previous seasons in the Summit League. In 2003, the basketball team won its lone conference championship title. The team’s digs six miles north of their downtown campus is a bold move and perhaps an even bolder statement in the university’s direction with its basketball program. However, as the move away from campus bring out the Jaguar faithful and more hometown supporters to the Indiana State Fairgrounds? Food & Beverage 3 In comparison to Indy Fuel hockey games at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, not all of the concession stands are in operation during IUPUI games. There are two concession stands open behind the 200/100 sections. The items include pizza (plain and pepperoni), hot dogs, burgers, nachos, pretzels, and popcorn. Pepsi products are served in 16 and 32-ounce cups. Beer is offered on draft and includes Bud Light and varieties from local standards Bier Brewerng, Centerpoint, and Black Dog Atmosphere 2 There is a small splattering of patrons throughout the lower-level seating concourse. The upper level is closed for the men’s basketball game. A student section is visible, but there are no signs, painted faces, or acts of revelry as with other area college facilities. A live D.J. ejects excitement to the crowd with live music and cheering. The team’s official mascot, Jawz, does his best to stir up the crowd during the game. The main lobby is a nod to another era with vintage photos, resurfaced original facility seating, and art deco ticket booths. There is a small table selling IUPUI merchandise in front of the closed gates of the Indy Fuel gift shop. The coliseum makes for a fantastic place to watch basketball and the team’s stylish court is emblazoned with the Indianapolis skyline – it makes it one of the keenest in the state. However, it is a very calm atmosphere and one that should have its moments in the future. Neighborhood 2 If you happen to attend a weekend game, make sure to make a visit to the Hook’s Drugstore Museum located within seconds of the coliseum on the fairgrounds. The old drug store houses the world’s largest selection of drug store memorabilia from old lanterns, signage, medicine boxes, shelves, and an old-fashioned soda fountain where they still make drinks and sell candy. Admission is free, but it is a wonderful place to visit and take a step back in time. A few miles north in South Broad Ripple is Taste Cafe, featuring gourmet sandwiches, soups, and salads. Lava Lips is a hot sauce bar where one can try as many sauces as they want on the Scoville Scale and also pick up a couple of bottles. The SoBro Cafe features vegan, vegetarian, and carnivorous items that are made from scratch. If you desire something a little fancier, then Mama Carolla’s is the area’s best spot for Italian cuisine in an authentic setting. Fans 2 There are passionate fans at the game and perhaps a weeknight game while class is in session might result in a different atmosphere. The Jaguar faithful do their best to cheer on the team and support hometown college basketball. I truly believe that with the team’s brand new state-of-the-art arena, you will see a few more fans attending games shortly. Access 3 The crowds are not big for games and getting in and out of the fairgrounds is quick and easy. The price to park is $10, but they did not charge during our visit. I am not sure if this is the case for all Jags home games. There are two entries at either Fall Creek Parkway or 38th Street; with the best choice at Fall Creek. Once inside the coliseum, the concourses are a little narrow, but easy to walk around if one desires a scenic tour around the renovated arena. Return on Investment 3 The ticket prices are $10 for adults and $7 for youth (ages 3-12). The ticket prices are for any seat in any section of the coliseum. The school could have set up a few price points to gain an extra few dollars from patrons, but it is a nice nod that tickets are just one price and very affordable in the frenzied basketball-loving Hoosier state. Extras 2 The Jaguars have a very sleek-looking basketball court and a silhouette of the Indianapolis skyline. The Jags earn another extra for having only one price point for their ticket sales; a very simple and easy way to purchase a ticket to the game at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Final Thoughts The relocation from the small gymnasium to the spacious coliseum adds another venerable and enjoyable “fieldhouse” to the city of Indianapolis. It is an arena that has its share of history, the Indiana Pacers called it home in the ABA from their inception in 1967-1974 and hosted the Indiana State High School Championships during World War II. At this point, the coliseum is looking at starting a few more basketball traditions within its walls. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Just when you thought you were ready to go back to the ballpark, a baseball team rebranded. Welcome the Lexington Counter Clocks of the Atlantic League. However, what is a counter clock, and why is a baseball using it as its moniker? According to the team website: "Kentucky has an edge. A spirit. Once, it was tradition to race horses on the grass, running clockwise. This came from the British. But we raised and raced the finest horses, so we declared our independence. Our horses would race counterclockwise on dirt." "The world — and baseball — followed our lead. We heard from hundreds of community members during our rebranding process. In listening sessions, surveys, and one-on-one conversations. We heard about horses, bourbon, baseball, and why we all choose to call Kentucky home. One thing became clear: we’re proud of our culture. And we’re not afraid to blaze a new trail, even if everyone else is running backward." It is a racing term to connect to the state's horse racing industry. I am not sure the average person ever thought about this, but it is true. In the United States, all race tracks, auto-included, are counterclockwise. You learn something new every day with baseball, don't you? Nathan and Keri Lyons, owners of Vintage South Development, a residential development company based in Nashville took over the club in October and also introduced two names for its new logos: Hoss the horse and Dinger the clock. The colors are red, white, and blue. The team scrapped the Legends identity that has been in use since baseball returned to Lexington in 2001. The club was known for its handlebar mustache cap that was once sold in all 50 states in the US. The team went from an affiliated club in the South Atlantic League to an independent club after the 2020 season and, with new ownership, necessitated a fresh new look for the ball club. The Legends name and mustache logo were quite popular among baseball fans and there will be more than likely a share of distractors of the new look. A worker at the ballpark stated that "there has been quite the buzz" following the announcement today. Besides the new logo, there is construction taking place at the ballpark that will include renovations of the restrooms, club and suite areas, and an extension of protective netting. MY THOUGHTS I wasn't expecting a change and had not even heard rumblings of one from the community, so this surprised me today. Despite the Legends branding being enshrined in the community for 23 seasons, new ownership made changes that might take some time for many to adjust. The three logos are simple, clean, and without unneeded wordmarks or flourishes. Simplicity is not a bad thing, but these new marks might not be for everyone. It’s a branding that will look good on print and social media. I will have to see how it looks on team jerseys The backward C logo will look pleasing on the left chest of a white uniform and a cap. It appears to be the primary logo, perhaps another version could have been created for this purpose. The horse and jockey logo are my least favorite of the three; maybe it’s the face of the jockey, the plumpness of the horse, or that it could be improved a bit more to make it look sharp. However, the star of the show is Dinger the clock. He is gruff, mean, and carries a big stick. I am not sure what 9 o'clock means on his face, but perhaps it creates his nose and the letter "L". This would have been a nice new look, but Dinger takes it to the next level. The one complaint might be the hazy red outline and the legs. The Counter Clocks are not the first unusual name to hit the ballpark, and it won't be the last. We will have to wait and see when the Clocks take the field on April 28. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Ronnie G. Childress Field at Hennon Stadium Catamount Rd Cullowhee, NC 28723 Western Carolina Catamounts website Ronnie G. Childress Field at Hennon Stadium website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 1,500 Mountain Cats With Bats Western Carolina University (WCU) is part of the North Carolina University System. It is in Cullowhee, NC, and has a student body of 12,000 students. The largest majors at WCU are the Applied Sciences, Business and Arts and Science programs. Sports teams at Western Carolina are known as the Catamounts. Catamounts are a breed of mountain cats that are indigenous to this section of the Great Smokey and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The baseball program at WCU is headquartered at Ronnie Childress Field at Hennon Stadium. Hennon Stadium opened in 1978, and underwent renovations in 1990, 1991, 2002, 2003 and 2009. The stadium is located at the southern end of the WCU campus. The stadium holds 1,500 fans in two sets of bleachers and one main grandstand. The grandstand sits directly behind home plate and is covered by a roof structure. This helps to cover this premium seating area from the wintry elements that are possible during the early spring section of the schedule. The restrooms and a concession stand are in a brick structure on the plaza behind the grandstand. The baseball Catamounts play in the Southern Conference. Over the years the team has won 12 regular season championships and 10 conference tournaments championships. The team has appeared in 12 NCAA tournaments. The school sees Appalachian State University as their main rival. Catamounts Signature Seasons, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand at Hennon Stadium. It is located on the plaza behind the grandstand. It serves the typical baseball standards. Items available include 8-inch Papa John’s pizza ($8), BBQ sandwiches ($7), hot dogs ($5), nachos w/cheese ($5), popcorn ($4), chips ($3), candy ($3), peanuts ($4) and pretzels ($4). Drinks include Pepsi brand sodas ($4), frozen lemonade ($5), Gatorade ($4) and bottled water ($3). Beer is not served at Western Carolina baseball games. There is a brick dining area on the plaza next to the concession stand. It has tables and chairs for fans who may not want to balance their food and drinks on their laps in the stands. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere at games held at Hennon Stadium is electric, as home sports competitions at the school are very popular due to its isolated location in the mountains. The stands are often full of students, faculty, and townspeople. The seating bowl at Hennon Stadium includes two sections of bleacher seating down the first and third base lines. Season ticket holders and major donors are seated in chairback seats in either a roof-sheltered grandstand behind home plate or at the field level of both the bleachers and the grandstand. The field at Hennon Stadium has dimensions of 325’ LF and RF, with the dead away CF being 390’. The outfield features some interesting elements, as there are two sections of the outfield wall that are 20 feet high and 100 feet long. The pair are known as the “Purple Monsters.” Neighborhood 3 The “neighborhood” surrounding Hennon Stadium is the Western Carolina University campus and the small unincorporated community of Cullowhee, NC. The university is the lifeblood of the town, as Cullowhee has no downtown area, just a few stores lining Highway 107. Townspeople rely on the sports and cultural programs sponsored by the school for their entertainment. The Mountain Heritage Center on the WCU campus offers special activities throughout the year. The closest lodging to the school is the Holiday Inn in Sylva, NC, which is about 7 miles north of the campus. The other major employer in the area is the Cherokee Resort and Casino located about 15 minutes north of the casino. Nature plays the major role as a neighbor to the WCU campus. The school is located at the intersection of the Great Smokey Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. They provide a stunning backdrop for any outdoors activity at the school. Asheville, NC is the closest large city to the Western Carolina campus. It is located 52 miles north of WCU via some very winding mountain roads. Fans 4 The fan base of the Catamounts is the students, faculty, and townspeople of WCU and the town of Cullowhee. They are a hearty bunch that attend the games no matter how inclement the weather is in this mountain community. The stands are filled with people wearing the purple and gold colors of WCU. It is like a family reunion at each game, as both WCU and the Cullowhee community are small enough that everybody knows each other in the area. The students at WCU are honored for their loyalty with some prime seats in Hennon Stadium. The “Cat Cage “section is in the first row of seats directly behind home plate at field level, where they can support the Catamounts and good naturally rib the umpires and the opposition. The fanbase is usually friendly to supporters from the opposition. They realize the visitors have made quite an effort to be present at a game in this isolated area, and they want to be good hosts. Access 3 WCU is in an isolated area, more than 50 miles from an interstate or a major city. Any route you take to get to the school is going to take you through some very winding mountain roads, with some steep inclines along the way. On the other hand, you will be rewarded with some of gorgeous scenery you can imagine. Directions from Ashville; Take I-40 West to exit 27 (Highway 74 West) Follow Highway 74 West to exit 85 in Sylva, NC. At the third light in Sylva turn left onto Highway 107. Head south on Highway 107 to the campus, which will be on your left. Once you are on campus, turn right and follow road past football stadium. You will eventually reach the four-story parking deck. The baseball stadium is just beyond this parking deck. Directions from Atlanta: Take I-85 North to I-985 North, exiting to your left. I-985 eventually becomes GA 365 North, and then US Highway 441. Continue Highway 441 until you reach Dillsboro, NC. In Dillsboro turn right onto Business 23. At Highway 107 head south to the campus, which will be on your left. Once on campus, turn right and follow the road past the football stadium. You will eventually reach a four-story parking deck. Park for free in this parking deck. The baseball stadium is located behind this parking deck. Return on Investment 3 Attending a Catamounts game at Hennon Stadium will not leave your wallet empty. Parking at Childress Field at Hennon Stadium is free in the parking deck adjacent to the stadium. Overflow parking is available in the smaller lot beyond the outfield walls. Tickets are $9 for Catamount baseball games. You should pay cash at the park for your tickets, as any online purchases or credit card purchases have a service charge of $2 added to the cost. The prices charged for concessions are very reasonable compared to other college venues. Extras 3 One extra must go to the gorgeous mountain scenery that surrounds the WCU campus. It forms a beautiful backdrop for games at Hennon Stadium. Stunning View from Hennon Stadium, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey The pennants from each school in the Southern Conference fly at the top of the bleachers at Hennon Stadium. The Catamounts have a winning percentage of .700 in games played at Hennon Stadium. Final Thoughts Childress Field at Hennon Stadium offers one of the most stunning locations in all of college baseball. The Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains form a gorgeous backdrop to Catamount ball games. You’ll also experience a friendly crowd that is a very welcoming to visitors to their small town.

Photos by Richard Smith Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Decker Sports & Recreation Center Arena 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd. Towson, MD 21286 Goucher Gophers website Decker Sports & Recreation Center Arena website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 1,200 Home Of The Gophers Goucher College is a former all-women’s college located in Towson, Maryland, a northern suburb of Baltimore. The college opened in 1885 as the Women’s College of Baltimore City changed its name to its current name in 1910 and went coed in 1986. Goucher moved to its present suburban location northeast of the county seat of Towson in Baltimore County in 1953. The college is named in honor of its founding member, John Goucher, and his wife, Mary Fisher Goucher. Goucher College is a private co-educational liberal arts college. It was originally affiliated with the Baltimore Conference of Methodist Episcopal Church but currently has no real church affiliation. The college has approximately 1,480 undergraduate students studying in 33 majors and 1,200 students studying in graduate programs. Notable alumni include Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps Margaret G. Kibben, Maryland State Delegate John A. Olszewski, Jr., and frequent John Waters actress Mary Vivian Pearce. Goucher athletic teams are known as the Gophers. The college competes in NCAA Division III as part of the Landmark Conference. The Decker Sports & Recreation Center Arena opened in 1991. The 1,200-seat arena was built in 1991 as part of the expansion of the original Lillian Welsh Hall. The arena has hosted events such as various concerts and the Pride of Maryland Tournament which features nine Division III men’s basketball teams in a three-day, 12-game tournament. Food & Beverage 1 There is no permanent food stand at the Decker Sports & Recreation Center Arena. At the women’s and men’s doubleheader, I attended, there was a Chick-fil-A booth selling chicken sandwiches, but they left as soon as they sold all of their products. Make sure to eat before or after the game as this arena is not a good place for food concessions. Atmosphere 2 The arena is very nice, but it is basically a high school type of setup. As you enter the arena you will find wooden grandstands sitting along two sides of a basketball court. The only thing I found interesting is how far away the grandstands sit from the actual basketball floor. Maybe they are expecting a huge need for floor-side seats at some point. Neighborhood 4 The Goucher College campus has been used for a few scenes in the Netflix series House of Cards, so expect to recognize the stone buildings from a few scenes there. Towson is a semi-urban environment with a very large shopping mall and numerous restaurants in the area. Try the Charles Village Pub in the heart of downtown Towson for good food and drinks. Some other great options are The Crease, Glory Days Grill, Sushi Hana, and Zia’s. Baltimore is also a quick drive away. Check out the Federal Hill neighborhood, south of the Inner Harbor. There are a few fun restaurants and bars here. Abbey Burger Bistro is one great choice. The beer selection is good, and they offer a dizzying array of burger choices, which are all likely to satisfy. Fans 2 The only real fans who attend the games are friends and family of the players. A few scattered students attend, but it is not a big event on campus. Access 4 Goucher is located right off the Baltimore Beltway/I-695. The only negative is that Towson is a busy area and traffic can be bad at some times. The college itself is pretty and quite suburban. You will find plenty of parking close to the arena, although a night game may mean that parking could get tight at times. Return on Investment 5 The games are free to attend. So, although the level of play is quite low, the free parking and admission make this a great value for sports fans. Extras 1 Goucher College has a nice little athletics hall of fame located in the Decker Sports & Recreation Center Arena lobby. Final Thoughts The Decker Sports & Recreation Center Arena is a pretty basic, low-level arena located in a nice suburban setting of Baltimore. It is not worth making a trip going just for a Goucher Gophers game, but if you are in the area you will enjoy the game for its low level of investment.

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Cassell Coliseum 675 Washington Street, SW Blacksburg, VA 24061 Virginia Tech Hokies website Cassell Coliseum website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 9,275 The Hokies “Cassell” Virginia Tech first started playing basketball at Cassell Coliseum in 1962. It is not only the home of the men’s basketball team, but also women’s basketball, volleyball, and wrestling. Virginia Tech has bounced around conferences over the past 30+ years, playing in the Metro Conference, Atlantic 10, and Big East. Since 2004, Virginia Tech has found a home in the ACC. This move gradually brought new life into the program, and the Hokies even won the ACC in 2022 With Tech’s recent basketball success, the argument can be made that Cassell Coliseum is now one of the toughest places to play in the ACC. Food & Beverage 3 Cassell Coliseum offers standard concession fare, just enough to get you by, but nothing special. The following are offered at the concession stands Hot Dogs ($2.50), Nachos ($2.50), Soft Pretzel ($2.50), popcorn ($2.50), candy ($4), peanuts ($4), and chips ($2.30). Fountain Coca-Cola beverages are offered for $6 for a large and $2.50 for a regular size. Dasani bottled water is also available for $2.50. Cassell Coliseum is a cashless venue so only credit and debit cards are accepted at concession stands. Atmosphere 5 Upon entering Cassell Coliseum, you are immediately greeted by Hokie Stone which is so predominant on campus. The seating bowl is a single level and you enter about halfway up. All seats are fold-down cushioned seats. One unique factor of the seating bowl is the steepness of the seats. Therefore, all seats are essentially right on top of the court. Be aware though that it is a steep climb up the steps, especially if you are sitting near the top. Since there is only a single seating bowl, there are no suites or premium seating areas. This does not take away from the atmosphere, however; as the fans are right on the court, and all the noise and energy create a loud environment. There are two 18 feet x 29 feet video boards above each goal. These do a great job of providing video replays and updating the score. All students plus the band sit behind one of the goals. They are known as the Cassell Guard and are constantly jumping and chanting, which provides a great home-court advantage for the Hokies. Due to the design of Cassell Coliseum, there is not a bad seat in the house. However, if you are scared of heights, we recommend sitting in the lower half of the coliseum due to the steepness of the seating bowl. Neighborhood 4 Since it is in the middle of campus there is not much to do within walking distance of the ballpark before or after a game. However, Virginia Tech’s campus is gorgeous with its rolling hills, sidewalks, and Hokie stone. Lane Stadium is right next door to Cassell Coliseum, and it is worth a walk around if you have never been. If it is your first time on campus, try to spend some time walking around campus. Be sure to stop by the April 16th Memorial near the Drillfield dedicated to the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting. If you take a stroll down Main Street Blacksburg, you will find several food options including local eateries as well as chain restaurants such as the Maroon Door, Mellow Mushroom, Five Guys, and Jimmy Johns. If you like the outdoors, this is the place for you as there are many activities in the surrounding mountains like hiking and canoeing. Home2Suites is less than a mile from campus and is a great place to stay if you are in town overnight. There are also several other hotels around Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. Fans 5 Virginia Tech fans are known for their passion for football, but their passion for basketball is no less. For ACC games expect close to a capacity crowd each game. Every ACC game was sold out in 2022-23. And did we mention that Cassell can get loud? The steepness of the seating bowl and the close confines of the building make it loud when the fans get into the game. Expect to hear one side of the crowd to chant “LET’S GO” and the other side “HOKIES” at several points throughout the game. Access 4 Virginia Tech’s campus is easily accessible from I-81, about 10 miles away on US 460. Take the Southgate Dr. exit off of US 460, then turn left onto Beamer Way. Cassell Coliseum will be on your right just past Lane Stadium. Parking is available adjacent to Lane Stadium just across Southgate Dr. Be sure to use the app indicated on the signs to pay for parking, which is $6. It is about a 5-minute walk to the Coliseum. Be aware that a clear bag policy is in place, and it is well enforced. If you do not have one, they are available for sale at the CVS Pharmacy next to campus and at the Walmart in Christiansburg. Once inside, there is a single concourse that wraps underneath the seating bowl. One thing to keep in mind as you look for your seats, odd-numbered seats are located on one side of the aisle, and even-numbered are on the other side. The restroom and concession areas are all very clean, and easily accessible on the concourse. Handicapped accessible seating is located in several seating sections as you enter the seating bowl. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for non-conference games are $20. For higher-profile ACC games, tickets are $50; while for lower-profile games they are $30. This may seem a little steep, but compared to their ACC peers, this is quite a deal. Often tickets for many games can be found at lower prices on the secondary market. Concessions at Cassell are also more affordable compared to their peers. Extras 4 At many sporting events, it is often difficult to get pictures with or even get close to the mascot. But credit to Virginia Tech for having the Hokie Bird mascot walk around and take pictures with young fans on the concourse before the game. A second extra point for the fun in-game promotions. One of these is free Smithfield Bacon: if the opponent misses two straight free throws in the second half, everyone in attendance receives a coupon for free Smithfield Bacon. A third extra point to the free popcorn that is available once the gates are opened. Arrive early and you will get free popcorn. A fourth extra is for the family restrooms which is helpful for those with small kids. Final Thoughts Cassell Coliseum is old, cramped, and probably not on anybody’s list of ACC basketball meccas; however, the intimateness adds to the charm. When attending a game at Virginia Tech, you will find a passionate fan base, a loud arena, and some of the top basketball in the country.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey One of the more unique traditions in sports, and of course it would have to be part of MLS soccer, is the “Beer Snake” at Audi Field, home of D. C. United. During the match, fans in the supporters end zone will create a weaving, winding ‘stack’ of empty plastic beer cups – starting in the first row, the ‘snake’ will eventually be built up enough to reach the top of the section. The tradition is even continued by XFL fans, whose DC Defenders share the stadium with D. C. United in February through April. Throughout the latter half of the game, fans can watch as the Beer Snake is painstakingly constructed – empty cups are tossed toward the snake, and fans will collect them into short stacks, and then pass those stacks along to be incorporated into the main snake. Fans can watch as the snake gets longer and longer, adding more and more curves as the number of cups multiplies, eventually winding its way to the very top. And if you are lucky, at that point you may see the start of a second snake, once the first snake reaches the supporter end zone’s apex. While unique, however, the tradition is not without controversy – the tradition was apparently suspended in 2022, as there were several complaints from fans about their rowdier comrades spilling beer all over them in their cup-tossing exuberance; a few fans were even captured on video throwing full and half-full cups of beer in their zest to increase the snake’s length. But in 2023, lighthearted heads prevailed, and the Beer Snake construction crew is now back in business, albeit including additional stern warnings from stadium staff about beer-throwing and its consequences. Now if you make the trek to our nation’s capital, you can see the Beer Snake once again, and even help build it if you are sitting on that end, in all its serpentine glory.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Russell C. King Field at Switzer Stadium 429 N Church St Spartanburg, SC 29303 Wofford Terriers website Russell C. King Field at Switzer Stadium website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 2,500 Russell C. King Field at Switzer Stadium Wofford College is less than two miles from downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, but a quick walk around campus makes you feel a world away. For decades, the Terriers played at Law Field that sat on the site of their current home. When Wofford made the jump to Division I, Law Field did not meet minimal size requirements, so Wofford moved to the cross-town Duncan Park in the mid 90s. The Terriers would call Duncan Park home for 8 years, but would move back to campus in 2004 with the opening of Russell King Field. Wofford has played as members of the Southern Conference (SoCon) since their move to Division I in 1997 – the Terriers were SoCon tournament champions in 2007, and back-to-back regular season champions in 2021 and 2022. Food & Beverage 2 Russell King Field does not have a traditional concession stand, but what it does have is the 429 – the Road Boss food truck which is part of the Wofford food system. While having a food truck as a concession stand is a novel idea, it falls short of expectations when it comes to food options; the main options of substance are either a hot dog or nachos. There are also a handful of snack choices, such as the traditional baseball peanuts, Cracker Jack, and sunflower seeds. Drinks consist of bottled Coke products or PowerAde. Atmosphere 3 Russell King Field sits at the bottom of an embankment, at the end of an oak tree-lined drive. During the spring months, after the trees have filled out with their canopy of leaves, it is quite a stunning sight. The stadium blends in so well with its surroundings that if walking up from behind the press box, it would be difficult to tell there was even a baseball field here. Upon approach, it has the feel of an amphitheater. The seating bowl is made up of nine rows of permanent seating, spread out into five sections from dugout to dugout. The middle three sections are covered with a steeply sloped roof. Many fans choose to bring lawn chairs to set up on the concrete pad along the top of the seating area, or along the hillside on each side of the field. Other than the small press box at the top of the seating area, the stadium has no built-in amenities. Restrooms are conveniently available, however, at the adjacent Richardson Hall, which could quite easily be peppered with foul balls, or at the food truck providing concessions at the neighboring soccer field. The natural grass, symmetrical stadium plays a bit small, but is offset a by a roughly 10’ fence. Down the lines the distances run 325’ with 385’ power alleys, and 395’ to straightaway center field. Hot cloudless days will make seats under the overhang a popular option, as would the hillside seats along the first baseline in the shade of the oak trees. Neighborhood 4 A train trestle with “Wofford” painted across it welcomes visitors to the southeastern edge of campus. Russell King Field is neighbored by the school’s softball field, soccer pitch, Snyder Field, and the newly built Jerry Richardson Hall that houses locker rooms, athletics offices, and student housing. Wofford’s campus is less than 2 miles from downtown Spartanburg, so there is a wide variety of food, lodging, and entertainment options just minutes away. The University of South Carolina-Upstate is less than 4 miles away, also. A bit further from campus, in the neighboring town of Greer, is the BMW manufacturing plant and Zentrum Museum. Fans 3 Wofford has a sizeable fanbase given the size of its student body. The crowd is seemingly three-quarters family and alumni, and the other one-quarter is students. Adults in the crowd tend to be the most vocal of the bunch. Students come and go throughout the game, but are not the ones to create a substantial home field advantage. With an enrollment of just over 1,800 students and an average attendance of about 400 fans per baseball game, the Terriers draw well in comparison to the size of their student body. Access 4 Wofford is easily accessible from nearby I-85, or from I-26 which passes through just south of Spartanburg. These main arteries of travel provide rather direct routes from Ashville, Columbia, Charlotte, and Atlanta. Once at the Wofford campus, parking is available on the first base side of the field. If this lot is full, there is a good amount of on-street parking along the perimeter of campus. From that point, it is just a short walk to the field. With free admission, there is not a gate entry point to pass through and there does not appear to be enforcement of a clear bag policy. A handful of fans even brought small coolers with drinks and snacks. Return on Investment 5 When the only thing you must invest in when going to a Wofford baseball game is time, it is time well spent. While concessions are a bit limited, the prices are affordable and the day will not break the bank. The picnic tables along the third baseline also encourages fans to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy during the game. Extras 3 The aforementioned picnic tables that line the hillside along the third base line are a nice touch, and create space for a great afternoon picnic lunch as you take in a game. The large oak trees along the right field line create a great deal of shade, and provide wonderful aesthetics. Spartanburg does not have much of a skyline, but Denny’s Tower, the corporate headquarters for the diner’s chain, is prominently visible in the distance behind right field. Final Thoughts Russell King Field offers a wonderfully beautiful environment for baseball, paired with a rather quality team. From the oak-lined drive to the meticulously maintained grass, to the simpleness of berm seating and players watering down the infield on their own, baseball at Wofford is an overall pleasant way to spend an evening or afternoon.

Photos by Gregory Koch and Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Tiger Softball Stadium Auburn Dr Towson, MD 21204 Towson Tigers website Tiger Softball Stadium website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 500 Towson Softball Towson University is the second-largest public university in the State of Maryland. Located just north of Baltimore, it is home to approximately 21,000 college students, of which 18,000 are undergraduates. Their football team played for the 2013 Football Championship Subdivision National Championship, falling short to North Dakota State. The basketball team has also had scattered success over the years, most notably in the early 1990s under coach Terry Truax, with guards Kurk Lee and Devin Boyd in the old East Coast Conference. The Truax-led teams made it to two straight NCAA tournaments in 1990 and 1991. Towson is also known for their impressive gymnastics program. They have been the 1968 AIAW Division II National Champions, 1995 and 1998 USA Gymnastics NIT Champions, 3-time Calloway Invitational Champions, 15-time ECAC Champions, and 2007 USA Gymnastics National Champions. The Tigers’ softball team plays their home games at Tiger Softball Stadium which opened in 2015. Food & Beverage 1 There is a simple concession stand located at Tiger Softball Stadium that sells basic options such as soda, water, chips, and candy. It is a simple affair and you will want to eat elsewhere for a real meal. The concession stand is not open for all games, especially weekday afternoon games. Atmosphere 2 This is a basic stadium with a small set of stands located behind home plate. There is a mix of chairback seats and bleachers. A standard, simple scoreboard is located beyond the outfield. They do have a PA system for music and simple game announcements. Neighborhood 3 Besides Johnny Unitas Stadium and SECU Arena, nothing is right by the field. Even though you may have to drive to most places, Towson is a semi-urban environment with a very large shopping mall and numerous restaurants in the area. Try the Charles Village Pub in the heart of downtown Towson for good food and drinks. Some other great options are Glory Days Grill and Sushi Hana. Baltimore is also a quick drive away. Check out the Federal Hill neighborhood, south of the Inner Harbor. There are a few fun restaurants and bars here. Abbey Burger Bistro is one great choice. The beer selection is good, and they offer a dizzying array of burger choices, which are all likely to satisfy Fans 4 For many years, Towson was known as a commuter school. But in the last couple of decades, there has been an increase in residence students. Students are starting to come to games in more significant numbers. There are also many other fans who appear to be either locals or family of the players. Access 3 Towson is located right off the Baltimore Beltway/I-695. The only negative is that Towson is a maze of roads getting to the Osler and Auburn location of the sports complexes. Tiger Softball Stadium is hidden behind SECU Arena and may not be easy to find. Parking is free and plentiful, but be careful to check regulations for weekday matches. Return on Investment 4 There is no admission charge and the simple food menu is reasonably priced so the return on investment is quite good. Extras 1 The only real extras are the unique location (hidden by an arena and the nearby loading dock) and the Towson Softball banner along the outside of the field. Final Thoughts Tiger Softball Stadium is not a place you will normally search for an amazing sports experience, but if you happen to be in the area it is a cheap way to enjoy a game of softball.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Bud Walton Arena 1270 W Leroy Pond Dr. Fayetteville, AR 72701 Arkansas Razorbacks website Bud Walton Arena website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 19,368 Woo Pig Sooie Hoops There is not much bigger in Arkansas after the football season is over than Arkansas Razorbacks basketball. Located in Fayetteville, the second largest city in the state with a population of just over 98,000, the University of Arkansas is the biggest attraction in the city. Founded in 1871 as Arkansas Industrial University, the University of Arkansas boasts a current enrollment of over 30,000. The Razorbacks have been playing basketball since 1923 and the peak of their success was the 1994 run through the Final Four to become National Champions. The Razorbacks currently play in the Southeastern Conference of the NCAA, where they have played since 1991, becoming the first domino to fall in the demise of the Southwest Conference. The home for the Razorbacks is Bud Walton Arena. Known as the Palace of Mid-America, Bud Walton Arena opened in 1993 and is widely accepted as one of the most difficult places to play for opponents. The court is named after National Championship coach Nolan Richardson and the arena is named after James “Bud” Walton, co-founder of Wal-Mart, who made a sizable donation for the construction of the arena. Nolan Richardson Court at Bud Walton Arena is one of the largest on-campus arenas in the country and provides a unique NCAA basketball experience that fans should consider getting. Food & Beverage 4 The circa nineties design of the Bud Walton Arena combined with the homogeneous design of the concession stands give the impression that the food selection is fairly pedestrian. Nothing could be further from the truth. A closer look will give fans an insight into the wide variety of concession items available. All of the expected items can be found at the arena, however, the selection goes far beyond just hot dogs and popcorn. Pulled pork, brisket, tacos, nachos, and a variety of pizza options are available. The stands all look the same, so some investigating is necessary. Coca-cola products are the soft drinks of choice at Bud Walton Arena. Bud Light and Michelob Ultra are the available beer selections. Atmosphere 4 The Bud Walton Arena is not an overly attractive Arena from the exterior. There is plenty of brown brick and there are materials that could have been used that are far less attractive. There just isn’t much to wow people walking by. It fits into the area of campus where it is located, with the other athletic facilities. Once inside the Bud Walton Arena, fans will immediately notice the concourses and their dedication to all things Razorbacks. Red and white are the dominant colors and there are plenty of items to keep the interest of fans doing some treasure hunting. There are large displays honoring significant players from specific eras. For example, the display from the nineties features Lee Mayberry, Todd Day, and Oliver Miller. The massive display commemorating the 1994 National Championship, including the massive retro Sports Illustrated cover is a spot fan will want to stop and take a look. When fans enter the seating bowl, the enormity of the facility will quickly become apparent. Two tiers of red seats that go right up to the floor provide excellent sight lines. The court runs from west to east and the best spot to get the perfect Center logo picture is from the south side. Above the center court, there is a state-of-the-art videoboard, fitting a major college program. On the east side, the basketball banners hang above the court. Individual honors for Sidney Moncrief, Corliss Williamson, Eddie Sutton, and Nolan Richardson hang to the left of the conference championship banners, and further along, the line is the 1994 National Champions banner. Banners for appearances in the 1941, 1945, 1978, 1990, 1994, and 1995 Final Fours flank the other banners. The gameday atmosphere is that of a typical, major college basketball program, turned up a notch. The band sits in the southeast corner and they are excellent. The band is the focus of the atmosphere, however, the Razorbacks do employ two gameday hosts who end up pushing a crowd that doesn’t require all that much pushing. The music played over the PA is unusually loud and not necessary at all. The Razorbacks have several mascots. Arkansas has a live mascot, Tusks, but it is unclear if it is at basketball games and it was not at the game reviewed. Costumed mascots Big Red, Sue E., Pork Chop, and Boss Hog can be found at games, and courtside, helping out with the cheerleaders and dance team. Overall, a lot is going on for an Arkansas basketball game Neighborhood 3 The University of Arkansas is located west of what would probably be considered Downtown Fayetteville. Heading to the east of the campus, which is rather large, would be where fans would want to head to find some pre or post-game spots for food or drink. Boulders and Brews, Brewski’s Draft Emporium, Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe, and Yancey’s are all decent options. For other sporting options, the University of Arkansas fields a full complement of athletic teams, chief of which is the football team, which plays on campus at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium . The baseball team plays at Baum Stadium at George Cole Field . The Razorbacks are often referred to as “The State of Arkansas’ Professional Team.” There is some Minor League Baseball that can be found in nearby Springdale, where the Northwest Arkansas Naturals play at Arvest Ballpark. As for other tourism opportunities, fans may want to take advantage of the focus on the outdoors in the areas surrounding Fayetteville or use the numerous hiking or biking trails. Checking out the live music venues along Dickson Street may be of interest also. For fans wishing to stay near campus, heading west will bring them to several hotel options, including the Best Western. Fans 5 When a college experience is being compared to a professional experience, you know it is the place to be! Arkansas fans are among the best in college basketball. Arkansas boasts the highest attendance in the SEC, which is saying something considering that blue-blood Kentucky is in the conference, and averages over 19,000 per game. The importance of Arkansas basketball is further underlined as the Razorbacks boast the second-highest average attendance in the entire NCAA, second only to Syracuse, who play in the massive JMA Wireless Dome, which also hosts Syracuse football. Not only do the fans come out in droves, but they are among the loudest and most intimidating in all of college basketball. This is shown through the “Woo Pig Sooie” chant, which can be heard throughout the game. Visiting fans won’t take very long to get a handle on the practice and soon they will be calling the hogs along with the natives. Access 4 Getting to Bud Walton Arena is not that difficult. The University of Arkansas campus is just east of I-49, the main artery in Fayetteville. A short jaunt down Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd will bring fans to the edge of campus. Parking can be found on campus or at nearby Fayetteville High School. Fans looking for public transit to the game can check out the Razorback Transit website for fares, schedules, and maps. Walking around Bud Walton Arena is not difficult, but can be a bit crowded at times. Washrooms are adequate for the crowd in attendance. With the state of security at major sporting events in constant flux, Stadium Journey strongly urges fans to check the Bud Walton Arena and Arkansas Razorbacks websites for the most up-to-date security requirements and procedures including bag policies. Return on Investment 4 Once football season is over, Arkansas basketball is the biggest ticket in town. Tickets are often sold out and the secondary market is the place to look, where prices can assuredly be inflated. When preparing for this review, there were no seats available on the primary market for the majority of the season suggesting that all of the games were sold to season ticket holders and students. Concession prices are what fans would expect and parking will not go for an exorbitant amount. The return fans can expect is one of the best atmospheres in college basketball, with fans who turn out to support their team in greater numbers than their blueblood counterparts. Extras 4 An extra mark for the Walmart shareholders meetings being held at Bud Walton Arena. An extra mark for Arkansas is THE ticket in the state. An extra mark for being one of the toughest places to play basketball as an opponent. An extra mark for WOO PIG SOOIE Final Thoughts The Arkansas Razorbacks provides one of the best environments for college basketball in the country at Nolan Richardson Court at Bud Walton Arena. A trip to Fayetteville may not be high on the bucket list for basketball fans at first glance, however, when all of the factors are put together, it definitely should be! WOO PIG SOOIE!! ---- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and Instagram .

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 APG Federal Credit Union Arena 401 Thomas Run Rd Bel Air, MD 21015 Harford Fighting Owls website APG Federal Credit Union Arena website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 2,552 Home Of The Fighting Owl Harford Community College is located in Bel Air, MD, roughly in between Baltimore and the Delaware state line. It was founded in September 1957 as the “Harford Junior College.” In 1971 the name was changed to its current college designation. The Harford Fighting Owls play in NJCAA Division I, the highest athletic level for 2-year colleges, and are a part of the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference. Having played in the antiquated Susquehanna Center gym since its 1968 opening, Harford wanted to update its facilities. So in 2011, the college began an extensive remodel of the facility. As part of the remodel was the addition of this 2,552-seat arena. Aberdeen Proving Grounds Federal Credit Union provided sponsorship in another surprising turn for this community college building. While sponsorships are the norm nowadays in the stadium world, a sponsor program for a small 2-year college building is pretty new on the landscape. The name is often shortened to the equally hard-to-say APGFCU Arena. The arena opened in late 2012 for the men’s and women’s basketball season, as well as a performance of the Harlem Globetrotters. Food & Beverage 2 There is a basic concession stand offering a small array of foods at a decent price. The arena does have a liquor license, but they will not sell those products during college basketball games. It is nice that there are some soda machines around the arena. Atmosphere 2 To be honest, the fan atmosphere is not very impressive. A community college audience gets a lot of family members and a few interested community members, but very few students. The arena staff may try to engage the fans with interactive games and giveaways. It is a basic atmosphere but fair for this level of play. Neighborhood 4 Harford Community College is in a suburban location and has plenty of free parking. The area is safe and has many restaurants nearby. Naughty Dogs is within walking distance and has a fun, cheap bar for pre and post-game refreshments, along with food such as pit beef. JD’s Smokehouse located across the street provides another option for food and drinks and some pretty good barbecue. If you are in the mood for Mexican, La Tolteca is located just a brief distance away and is a consistently good food place. Travel into Bel Air and there are multiple chain and local options. There are numerous options, such as MaGerks Pub & Grill, around the area. A quick drive in the other direction is Aberdeen. Olive Tree is a better version of a well-known Italian chain, while Mamie’s Cafe with Love is an old-school Baltimore-style restaurant that offers free desserts with all meals. Super Chicken Rico is another choice with which you can’t go wrong. Venture into nearby Havre de Grace, and the options expand dramatically. Try the Tidewater Grille and Vineyard Wines. Washington Street Books and Bahoukas Beer MuZeum are all interesting shopping options in this quaint waterfront town. If you do go to Havre de Grace, make sure to stop at the elegant Concord Point Lighthouse. Fans 1 The team mascot, Screech The Owl, may also be in attendance and tries to get the crowd fired up. A community college audience gets a lot of family members and a few interested community members, but very few students. Access 4 Harford is located just a few miles off of I-95, one of the largest highways in the northeast. But State Route 22 can be very crowded with commuters traveling between Aberdeen Proving Grounds (APG) and central Harford County. APG has become a very large Army base after the last round of federal base realignment and closure activities. So leave some extra time getting to APGFCU Arena. Towson University in Northeastern Maryland is an extension campus of the well-established state university that is located across from the Harford campus. Return on Investment 4 APGFCU Arena is noted as being the largest arena in northeast Maryland. That is a somewhat silly pronouncement with Maryland being a relatively small state. But the arena is already seeing its schedule filled with various events and concerts. Basketball crowds will not be its bread and butter alone. The general admissions seats are the best value and are priced fairly. Most games are doubleheaders with the men’s and women’s teams so that adds to the value. Extras 3 The arena staff does do a good job of promotions. They treat your experience here as if you are at a major college. It would be very easy to not do this with the small crowd, but they never give up. The Chesapeake Center is the name for the rest of the building that the APG Federal Credit Union Arena is connected to. Check out the rest of this facility, as the 2011-2012 renovation changed the look and feel of this building dramatically. The rest of the Harford Community College campus is worth taking a look at. The college has added buildings and facilities numerous times over the past 15 years. A small rural college is now a major suburban educational institution. Final Thoughts This is a pretty impressive facility for a community college. It will be interesting to see if other colleges of this size try to follow suit. The product on the court is pretty good, especially the high-scoring women’s team and the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference offers some good and quality competition. Just don’t expect to see the largest crowds around, as that is not likely to change any time soon, even with a fine facility.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 LECOM Park 1611 9th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training website LECOM Park website Year Opened: 1923 Capacity: 8,500 LECOM Park Celebrates Its Centennial Major League Baseball’s oldest Spring Training ballpark celebrated its 100th Birthday in 2023 as LECOM Park in Bradenton marked its centennial year. The park was known as McKechnie Field up until 2017 when it became LECOM Park as a part of a naming rights agreement with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. (Whew! Aren’t you glad the stadium uses the acronym version of that name?) Many regard LECOM Park as the “Fenway Park of Spring Training” as it is the third oldest baseball stadium in major league baseball after Fenway Park and Wrigley Field . The Pittsburgh Pirates call it their spring home. As you can expect, the stadium has undergone several renovations in its lifetime. One renovation was the result of heavy damage due to a hurricane. The other two took place in 1993 and 2013. The earlier renovation replaced the seating that had been in the stadium for 70 years as well as the mechanicals in the ballpark. In 2008 lights were added to the field, as prior to that only day games were played. The 2013 renovations enhanced the fan plaza and added bleacher seating in the left field area. The current dimensions at LECOM Park are 335’ in left field, 400’ to dead center, and 335’ in right field. The current capacity is 8,500 fans, making it the fourth-largest park in the Grapefruit League. One of the nicest things about LECOM Park’s location is its close proximity to several other parks in the Grapefruit League. This makes it possible for you to see the Atlanta Braves or the Baltimore Orioles on the same day as the Pirates game. Food & Beverage 5 LECOM Park offers a wide range of foods at very reasonable prices. However, if you are looking for a Primanti sandwich you are out of luck. LECOM vendors provide baseball standards and Florida fare. Most of the food vendors are located behind the home plate and first baseline bleachers. However these vendors can have long lines at points during the game, and you might find shorter lines closer to your seats along the third baseline or in the outfield sections of the stadium. Here’s an overview of the food vendors available at LECOM Park: Pirates Cove is located along the first base concourse. It offers pulled pork sandwiches, jumbo hot dogs, cheeseburgers, veggie burgers, brats, fried fish sandwiches, and Italian Ices ($6 - $9.50). The Home Plate Express is behind the largest grandstand on the Fan Plaza. They sell baseball standards including pizza slices ($5), nachos ($5), popcorn ($6.50), chips ($3) and pretzels ($6). The Hot Corner Deli on the third base side of the field offers a wide variety of sandwiches for $10, garden salads for $6, and chef salads for $9. The Snack Station is located at the base of the videoboard in center field. They offer Loaded BBQ Pork fries at $10, chicken tenders with fries ($11), a chicken sandwich for $7, and Cracker Jacks for $5. Select stands offer some decidedly Florida-style food. This includes grouper tenders ($14.75) and gator bites ($13.75)! The Craft Corner Beer stand offers craft beers in cans ($7.25), craft draft beers ($7.75), and a Big Storm Brewery Growler for $16. All stands offer Pepsi brand soft drinks ($6) and bottled water for $5.50. You’ll find a wide assortment of brand beers at the stands, along with dedicated stands for Southern Tier ($9), Yuengling ($9), and Leinenkugel ($9). Atmosphere 5 It is immediately apparent that you are at one of the most historic stadiums in baseball when you arrive at LECOM Park. The exterior skin of the stadium is constructed of Florida Spanish Mediterranean-style stucco, and a majority of the seating is covered by a roof or a canopy. The steel girders are all exposed, showing you how the stadium was built. The first thing you will come to after the ticket takers is the fan plaza. It is filled with booths selling all kinds of foods and baseball memorabilia. You will also see all sorts of fan participation games taking place, as well as some Adirondack chairs to rest in if you need a break from the action. As you head to the seating bowl, you’ll notice there are multiple sections of the grandstand surrounding the infield. The largest grandstand is directly behind the plate, and it is covered by a steel roof. The press box is also in this section of the stadium. On each side of the main grandstand is covered seating extending down the baselines. If you arrive early enough, head towards the fence along the first baseline. This is known as Autograph Alley, and during the pregame period, multiple Pirate players are available to sign autographs. After visiting the infield sections of the stadium, head out to the outfield seating areas via the boardwalk. This boardwalk allows you to walk 360 degrees around the field. If you head down the third baseline you will come to another set of bleachers that have a canopy to protect fans from the sun. You will also notice the palm trees and flags that form a backdrop to the outfield seating areas. The palm trees provide some shade for the fans, and give a more tropical feel to the stadiums. The black, gold, and white flags represent championship years for the Pirates organization. The white flags denote division championship years, the black flags denote years when the Pirates went to the World Series and the gold flags represent years when the Pirates won the World Series. In center field, you’ll reach the Boardwalk BBQ area, which is a group area for groups of 25 people or more. The large center field video board towers above this section of the field. As you head to the right field section of the outfield, you’ll notice the drink rails atop the outfield walls. They extend the rest of the way to the right field foul pole. The drink rails are available only in this section of the outfield, as rails in the other sections would block the view of people sitting in the bleachers. If you are getting thirsty as you walk around the stadium, do not worry… you will soon see the Kona Brewing Tiki Hut… it is not a mirage! Fans Atop the Boardwalk at Lecom Park, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey As you complete your tour around the field, take time to reflect on the 100-year-old stadium’s history and all of the baseball immortals that once played on this diamond! Neighborhood 4 LECOM Stadium is located at the corner of 17th Avenue West and Ninth Street West. This site puts it right in the middle of a city neighborhood in Bradenton. The surrounding area is very artsy, with the Village of the Arts right next door. There are many restaurants and shops within walking distance of the park. You might want to have a pre or postgame drink at Darwin Brewing, which is just across the street from the ballpark. A visit to the nearby Bishop Museum of Science and Nature provides you with an up-close look at the lives of the Florida manatees at their aquarium. The Hampton Inn Downtown Bradenton offers the closest accommodations to LECOM Park. Fans 4 Like most teams, the Pirates have a very loyal fan base. However, the Pittsburgh fan base is especially loyal, despite the dearth of Pirate championships in recent years. Spring training always offers hope that this year will be different, and Pirate fans are also eager to leave Pittsburgh’s harsh winters behind to enjoy the warm and sunny Florida weather. Many of these fans are very traditional, and they appreciate the heritage of LECOM Park and that it has not been discarded for a shiny new Spring Training stadium. Another portion of the crowd is the baseball chasers. While not aligned with a specific team, they are baseball fans who want to experience Spring Training in as many stadiums as possible during their Florida trip. LECOM Park benefits from this, as it is very close to stadiums used by the Atlanta Braves, the Baltimore Orioles, the Minnesota Twins , and the Boston Red Sox . The final component comes from the residents. Bradenton is a haven for retirees and empty nesters, and they can enjoy major league baseball in their home city for two months each year without the hassle of driving in a major city or having to pay major league prices to go to a game. Access 4 LECOM Park is easy to get to from I-75 via State Route 64 West. Finding the LECOM Park is easy… it is much harder to find a place to park. LECOM Park has very few dedicated parking spaces to the facility itself. However, you will find plenty of businesses, churches, and charities that are more than willing to let you use their parking lots at the same price charged by LECOM Park. Once at the stadium, the gates open two hours prior to the first pitch. This allows you plenty of time to wander the ballpark or check out the many concession stands and the Pirates Clubhouse Store on the plaza. The stadium increased its accessibility in 2013 with the construction of a boardwalk to and from the outfield stands, allowing you to walk 360 degrees around the playing field. Return on Investment 4 A day out at a Pirates game in Bradenton is much more affordable for fans than other Grapefruit League facilities. First off, the parking at the stadium is limited, but you can always find area merchants, churches, and charities that offer up their parking lots and charge the same $10 fee that is charged in the stadium lots. Tickets at LECOM Park are offered up at multiple price points depending on where you want to sit. Infield box seats are $33, Infield Reserved Third Baseline seats are $31, Baseline Box seats are $27, the Left Field Bleachers seats cost $20, and the First Baseline Grandstand seats are $19. We urge you to buy your tickets well in advance, as this offers you more choice in the location. The Pirates tickets frequently sell out, especially during the Centennial year of the stadium. Extras 5 Unlike most Spring Training facilities, the Pirates practice and maintain their training facilities away from their game facility in Bradenton. Pirate City is located six miles from LECOM Park. LECOM Park is also the home field for the Bradenton Marauders of the Florida State League. The Marauders are the Class A minor league affiliate for the Pirates. Among the players who have played at LECOM Park are Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Stargell, Bill Mazeroski, and Ted Williams. Play was suspended during World War II. LECOM Park was used for military equipment storage during those years. During its lifetime LECOM Park has served as the Spring Training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Milwaukee Braves, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Boston Red Sox, and the St. Louis Cardinals. Be sure to say “Thank you” to the ticket taker, the usher, or any of the folks who work the concession stands or in the team store. They are all volunteers from the Bradenton Pirates Boosters Club. The club staffs all the positions except the groundskeeping staff, at no cost to the Pirates. In addition, the booster club raises money throughout the year to make enhancements to the stadium possible. Final Thoughts LECOM Park has been a Pirate’s treasure for 100 years, putting it on equal standing with only Wrigley Field and Fenway Park in baseball history. The team's dedication to preserving the field and maintaining low prices for its fans is something to be admired. If you have never been to Bradenton for a Pirates or Marauders game, it is well worth it to visit next time you are in the area.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 W.B. Mason Stadium 320 Washington St. North Easton, MA 02356 Stonehill Skyhawks lacrosse website W.B. Mason Stadium website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 2,400 Skyhawks Lacrosse On April 5, 2022, tiny Stonehill College, a private Catholic school located in Easton, Massachusetts with an enrollment of 2,500 undergraduate students, announced it was moving all its athletic teams to the NCAA Division I level, effective in the fall of 2022. Prior to 2022, Stonehill was a member of the Northeast-10 Conference in NCAA Division II. Upon its elevation to Division One, Stonehill joined the Northeast Conference. Stonehill’s athletic teams competed for years as the Chieftains. In 2002 the school decided to change its nickname. After considering several options, Stonehill officially changed its nickname to the Skyhawks in 2005. This name has no connection to a bird or animal but does have a connection to the school’s history. After the school’s property was purchased by the Congregation of Holy Cross, an airfield on site was leased to the Navy during World War II and to private companies afterwards. The airfield was closed in 1955 as the college grew, but the Navy continued to use the land for training exercises and would employ the Skyhawk aircraft between 1954–1995. W.B Mason, a business supply company headquartered in neighboring Brockton purchased the naming rights for the facility. The company, led by CEO and Stonehill alumnus Leo Meehan, pitched in $1.5 million of the $4 million construction cost of the stadium. The playing field is dedicated in honor of Tim “Cogs” Coughlin, a class of 1980 alumnus and member of the Stonehill football team, who lost his life in the attacks on the World Trade Center. In addition to serving as home to the Skyhawks lacrosse team, W.B. Mason also serves as home to Stonehill’s field hockey, football and track and field teams. Food & Beverage 0 There are no concessions sold at W.B. Mason Stadium for lacrosse games. Fans are able to bring their own snacks in to enjoy while watching the game. Hot beverages from the nearby Dunkin’ are popular choices on chilly Massachusetts spring afternoons. Atmosphere 2 There are a lot of sports fans out there who have never experienced a lacrosse game. For those of you who have yet to see a game, you’re missing out. An afternoon at a lacrosse game is a lot of fun, and the Stonehill staff use the resources at W.B. Mason Stadium to put on an entertaining show. There’s a basic scoreboard in the north end zone which displays basic game information, and a PA announcer who performs his job in an unobtrusive manner. Music plays during play stoppages, but that’s not where most of the noise comes from. As a rule, lacrosse fans are boisterous in their support of the teams down on the field. The crowds at a Skyhawks game can be described as a “friends and family” type of crowd, but what they lack in quantity they make up for in quality. With the compact footprint of the Northeast Conference, you’re likely to see a good turnout from visiting fans as well. Neighborhood 3 Stonehill College’s suburban location and sprawling campus belies its location in a bustling area with many dining and lodging options for visiting fans. State routes 123 and 138 intersect at the southwest corner of campus. Both routes are pretty busy local roads, lined with strip malls filled with the usual national chains alongside a few local eateries in both directions. Stadium Journey recommends checking out Stoneforge Grill or Brach’s Grill and Tap for your pre- or postgame meal. While you may not find many attractions in the immediate vicinity of Stonehill, Boston is located just a half hour’s drive to the north. Visiting fans will find no shortage of things to do there. Fans looking for lodging options closer to school should check out the Residence Inn by Marriott right by Route 24. More information about local accommodations, restaurants and attractions can be found here . Fans 2 The majority of fans in the stands have a personal connection to the players on the field, and are enthusiastic in their support. A Skyhawks crowd can most accurately be described as a “friends and family” type of crowd. Stadium Journey attended Stonehill’s second-ever home game as a Division One squad. For both of the Skyhawks’ first two games, attendance has been announced in the vicinity of 200 fans. These figures appear accurate, but as mentioned before, what a lacrosse crowd lacks in quantity, they make up for in quality. Expect crowds to grow as the weather warms. Access 4 Stonehill College is located in suburban North Easton, MA, directly to the west of the city of Brockton and 25 miles south of Boston. The campus is easily accessible, as both Interstates 495 and 93 lead to Route 24, which runs north-south just a mile from W.B. Mason Stadium. The stadium is located on the western edge of campus, adjacent to some of Stonehill’s other athletic facilities, including Lou Gorman Field , Merkert Gymnasium and the Sally Blair Ames Athletic Complex. Fans will find ample parking in the lot in front of the McPhaidin Library located a short walk from the stadium. The entrance to W.P. Mason Stadium is located on the southeast corner of the facility, with the grandstand on the opposite west side of the stadium. Seating consists of a single grandstand that runs the length of the field. The center sections contain individual molded plastic seats, with the rest of the seating consisting of metal bleachers without backs. This new grandstand is fully ADA compliant and easily accessible for all fans. With the smaller crowds present at Skyhawks lacrosse games, there is plenty of room to spread out. Unfortunately, the presence of a track surrounding the field pushes the seats a bit further from the action. This is a common feature of the multi-purpose fields that are found at smaller schools. Rest rooms are located in the Sally Blair Ames Athletic Complex, with additional port-a-johns are available behind the grandstand. Return on Investment 5 Admission to a Skyhawks lacrosse game is free of charge, as is parking. With no concessions, you can attend a game here without spending a cent. Extras 0 There’s not a lot going on at a Stonehill lacrosse game that can be considered extra. That’s not a knock on the experience by any means. Final Thoughts Stonehill has built themselves a nice group of athletic facilities to create homes for their fledgling Division One program. While the women’s lacrosse team doesn’t get the publicity that some other sports at the school receive, taking in a game at W.B. Mason Stadium is an affordable, entertaining way to spend a nice spring afternoon. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Alamodome 100 Montana St San Antonio, TX 78203 San Antionio Brahmas website Alamodome website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 72,000 San Antonio Brahmas – Alamodome The early months of 2023 saw the second revival of the XFL , this time under the auspices of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his business partners. This third iteration (XFL 3.0?) brought with it a new franchise in the Alamo City with the San Antonio Brahmas . Virtually every startup/experimental/spring/minor league football league has set up camp in San Antonio over the years. Running the alphabet gamut, San Antonio has been home to the WFL (San Antonio Wings), USFL (San Antonio Gunslingers), WLAF (San Antonio Riders), CFL (San Antonio Texans), AAF (San Antonio Commanders), Arena Football League (San Antonio Force and San Antonio Talons), and the New Orleans Saints for a brief spell following Hurricane Katrina. Since the early ‘90s, all these fledgling teams have called the venerable Alamodome their home. The Riders, Texans, Saints , Talons, and Commanders all preceded the Brahmas at the Dome. As always, the pro football-starved citizens of San Antonio have whole-heartedly embraced their new team and are one of the highest-attended teams in the XFL (just behind the St. Louis club), once again making the Alamodome a must-visit spot on the pro football landscape. Food & Beverage 4 While most of the Alamodome’s concession stands are not open on XFL game days (as the lower bowl on the concourse level is all that is available for seating), what is offered is still pretty darn good. As I have mentioned in other reviews of the Dome, there recently was a great emphasis to expand the food and beverage fare at the stadium – this included brining in local and regional chains with pared down, specialty menus for fans. These recent additions include local faves Los Barrios Mexican Restaurant (street tacos), Earl Abel’s (fried chicken), Big Bib BBQ (brisket sandwiches), Lagniappe Today (cajun nachos and tots), Rebecca Creek Distillery (liquor and cocktails), and the Alamo Beer Company (beer, of course, including a signature XFL brew). Other national brands on site include Papa John’s Pizza, Johnny Rockets, and Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs. There are also plenty of other non-branded stands on the main concourse offering up the standard hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, bottled sodas, waters, and beer. Speaking of beer, the new Te Amo Micheladas stand serves up the refreshing Mexican-style cocktail. Atmosphere 2 The XFL and the Brahmas will pretty much get a pass this inaugural season as this new iteration tries to get its footing on the sports landscape. With that said, there is still some work that needs to be done in terms of Atmosphere at the Alamodome for the Brahmas. When it comes to the stadium’s main tenants, the UTSA Roadrunners , there is signage, coloring, and banners aplenty. However, for the new team in town, there is not much if anything to be found. The team has converted the two merchandise areas to selling Brahmas gear, and the two emcees that host the games do their best to fire up the crowd (which does sport a surprising amount of Brahmas gear, both store bought and homemade) and get them to follow along with the “Horns Forward” chant. One pretty fun feature is the augmented reality that the team employs on the fan cam. Fans showing up on the jumbotron, through the magic of digital technology, suddenly have either their faces painted yellow and black or are sporting brahma horns. Neighborhood 5 The one thing that has continued to bring pro sports and big events continuously throughout the years to San Antonio and the Alamodome is its location. Situated near two major highways in the middle of the Alamo City’s popular and energetic downtown, the Dome is ideally suited for big-time sports. The Alamodome is within walking distance of the eponymous and legendary Alamo , famed San Antonio River Walk , lush Hemisfair Park , and awe-inspiring Tower of the Americas . All of these are must-see sites when visiting San Antonio, especially for the first time, and all can be seen either before or after (most) XFL games. When it comes to dining, this area of the city has an abundance of dining options, including some of the best in the region. The Historic Pearl has, in the past decade or so, become the go-to spot for those looking to sample some of the city’s finest food – some highlights include Bakery Lorraine , which is a classic French bakery and serves up delicious treats like house-made macarons and croissants. Another spot not to be missed is the award-winning Cured , which can be best described as a charcuterie forward restaurant. When it comes to places to stay, downtown San Antonio has you covered. There are dozens of options to suit everyone’s budget. There are also quite a few that are a short walk from the Alamodome; these include Staybridge Suites San Antonio Downtown Convention Center and City View Inn & Suites . There are also vacation rentals aplenty in the area, as the Alamodome abuts a residential neighborhood – again, it all depends on your budget. Fans 4 As a lifelong resident I am still continually amazed at how much San Antonians flock to each and every one of these teams that come to town. Thus far in their infancy, the Brahmas have proven to be a hit with the fans. I attended what was only the second home game in team history, and I was blown away by the amount of Brahmas apparel that was seen in the crowd. Fans came dressed in luchador masks; fans came face-painted, some with horns, some without. I even saw someone in a full Captain America-style outfit, modified with the Brahmas’ colors. The fans were loud, tried to get a wave going numerous times, and did their best to participate in the emcees’ “Horns Forward” chant. This is a city all about loyalty, especially with its sports teams – if the Brahmas can stick around, crowds at the Alamodome will only get bigger. Access 4 The Alamodome is located directly off State Highway 281/37, between Interstates 10 and 35 and a 14-minute drive from San Antonio International Airport, which has flights from destinations far and wide at all hours of the day. San Antonio is an hour and a half south of Austin, three and a half hours west of Houston, and four and a half hours from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Parking is plentiful at the Alamodome with two paid lots ($20); parking is also available at houses and businesses around the stadium. If you would rather not drive yourself to the game or take a rideshare, San Antonio’s mass transit option, VIA Metropolitan Transit , has park and ride options you can take that will run you less than $3 per person roundtrip. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for Brahmas games start at $29 per person. The merchandise was a little on the pricey side, with the cheapest t-shirt option around $30. Concessions are what they are, cost wise – the closest comparison would be a high-end minor league ballpark in terms of dollars. The bargain is in the parking, especially if you use park and ride, rideshare, or one of the driveways in the area. To be quite honest, the football on the field is a little rough right now in the XFL. I think there is plenty of room for improvement in the presentation of the product, as well. However, if you’re a sports fan or a football junkie, this will tide you over ‘til the regular season starts in the Fall. Extras 1 There is not much in terms of Extras at XFL games; I can only assume this is being done to keep operating costs down. This includes no cheerleaders, mascots, nor other types of football trappings to engage fans. There was supposed to be a tailgate area/fan zone set up before the game I attended, but that was rescheduled due to the weather. The Brahmas do employ a DJ, so there is that if it’s something you’re interested in. The team also promotes its head coach, NFL great Hines Ward , quite a bit. There are also contests giving away signed swag sprinkled in during the breaks in the action. Final Thoughts I’m a football fan and a lifelong San Antonian – I’ve seen pretty much every one of the defunct teams that I mentioned above, and I supported all of them as well. I want this iteration of the XFL to succeed as a fan; I think it’s better for the sport if one of these spring leagues can sustain itself long-term. With that in mind, I think you have to be a true fan of the sport, or someone from this area, to want to come and see a Brahmas game at the Alamodome. With a little time, I’m hoping the experience will become more of a must see. Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .