Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 North Side Gym 300 Lawrence Street Elkhart, IN 46514 Elkhart High School website North Side Gym website Year Opened: 1954 Capacity: 7,373 Elkhart’s North Side Gym Still a Stunner North Side Gymnasium opened in 1954 and is one of the granddaddies of Indiana high school basketball gyms. When it opened, it seated a whopping 8,348 people and was the biggest of its kind in the world; Kokomo Memorial Gymnasium had been built 5 years before. In the first season of the building, a total of 134,000 people witnessed basketball from the regular season to tournament games, plus an additional 70,000 plus from wrestling matches, the ice follies, conventions, and a Harlem Globetrotters game. The place was hopping with much more than basketball and was a centerpiece for the community. Today, the gym holds 7,373 people, still good enough for sixth in the world, and still hosts events from basketball games to conventions, and concerts last year sold out every one of those seats for a political rally for President Donald Trump. It has served as a sectional site every year since its first season but has not hosted a regional or semi-state basketball game since 1997. Elkhart Memorial and Central High School both play their home games at the gym, but that will change in 2020 when the two schools merge to become Elkhart High School. It is also home to the North Side Middle School basketball program, perhaps making it the largest gym of its kind at the middle school level. The original Elkhart High School racked up 28 sectional and 13 regional championships to go along with 2 finals appearances and 1 state runner-up finish before it was split into Central and Memorial in 1972. Food & Beverage 3 There are two large concession stands located in the outer concourse of the seating bowl that provide all the typical snacks. Candy popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, walking tacos, and pretzels are all affordable and cash only. If you have a sweet tooth, caramel popcorn, and locally made caramel cinnamon donut holes are popular items. Pepsi products are available throughout the building. Atmosphere 4 The North Side Gym offers a magnificent façade on both ends of the building that does not look like it has changed too much in the 54 years that it has been opened. The entrances also feature the original ticket booths that are in the entryway to the main lobby. One item that is new to the gym is the $200,000 privately donated video board that was installed in 2017. The four-sided video board can show live videos, and animated segments, and provide stats from the game. It is the only one of its kind in all of the high school gyms and fieldhouses in the state. The gym also possesses the biggest banners that I have seen in a gym that honor Elkhart’s High School’s 1954 and 1955 basketball semi-state appearances and the 1971 state final runner-up team. The other large banners honor Memorial and Central championships and tournament appearances. Throughout the game, the banners sway back and forth and blend perfectly in the historic gymnasium. The outer concourse features two large concession areas that include narrow hallways that display team photos of past basketball championship teams, memorabilia from both high schools’ past, and both female and male student-athletes of the year. However, there could be a lot more memorabilia displayed throughout the gym due to its importance not only for high school basketball but also for the Elkhart community. Two levels in the seating bowl offer a wrap-around upper concourse to make access a little bit better for moving around during heavily attendant events. The upper seating consists of pull-out bleachers and a few permanent stands that are wedged into the corner of the building and they look quite durable. Neighborhood 4 The gym is about a mile away from downtown Elkhart, also known as the Gateway Mile. The area features an array of attractions from restaurants to theaters, museums, and a riverwalk during the warmer times of the year. There is quite a bit of activity to do before or after a game and with it being so close, it would be silly not to spend some time during your visit. The Riverwalk Culture Trail features green space, gardens, and sculptures but might be somewhat cold during the basketball season. The Lerner Theatre offers concerts and performances, and the Midwest Museum of American Art is inside a neo-classical style former bank that showcases both 19th and 20th-century American art. The National New York Central Railroad Museum preserves both national and local railroad heritage, telling the story of how trains shaped this country. 523 Tap & Grill combines bistro fare and an elegant atmosphere, Five Star Dive Bar is a casual spot for lunch and dinner, featuring live music every weekend. Beer lovers will enjoy Iechyd Da Brewing Company which has personal-sized pizza and $4 pints of craft beer on its menu board. There are also a few more breweries in the area including Evil Czech Brewery Public House and Bare Hands Brewery. Fans 4 They said they don’t pack them in as they used to but during tournament time a building such as the North Side Gym reminds people that Hoosier Hysteria is indeed alive and well. Four schools brought in a healthy amount of fans and students to provide a soundtrack to the tournament. There are all the fixings of Indiana high school basketball from standing student sections, fans jeering at the referees for a bad call, and the storming of the court after the big win. Access 3 NSG is located at North Side Middle School and a few miles north and south of the town's major freeways. I-90 is a toll road and is about 4 miles north of the gym, while SR 20 is 5 miles south of the gym. There are not any signs of the gym, but GPS devices will lead motorists to the spot. There is plenty of parking and during this game, attendants guided motorists to spots an hour before the first tip-off. It can get somewhat crowded in the lower section seating area; there is more room in this area for people to move around while still having a great view of the court. Return on Investment 3 The North Side Gym is one of the iconic venues in the state and perhaps slightly unappreciated to many of us who live a couple of hours south of Elkhart. It is a building that feels like it was made for basketball and offers all the amenities one would expect from this type of arena. Tickets are $10 for both semi-state and $6 for regular season games, parking is free, and the most expensive concession item is $4. Extras 3 The gym receives one point for the four-sided video board that can show live videos, and animated segments, and provide stats from the game. It is the only one of its kind in all of the high school gyms and fieldhouses in the state. The gym receives a second point for the façade that defines the look and character of the building. The simple, yet elegant, wording of the North Side Gym most likely has not changed in 65 years. The third and final point is for the giant banners that wisp in the air in the backcourt and provide the look needed for a basketball gym in any state or at any level. Final Thoughts The North Side Gym is a true gem of Hoosier Temples and continues to provide the community with much more than a place for basketball. Current renovations that include a new video board and scoreboards will indeed make it the place for possible future regional and semi-state games. ------ 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 Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Bill Green Arena 750 W. 26th Street Marion, IN 46593 Marion High School Giants website Bill Green Arena website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 7,560 A Giant House of Champions The Bill Green Arena is home to the Marion High School basketball program and has been home to a winning pedigree since it opened its doors in 1970. The 7,560-seat gymnasium is the 5th largest high school venue of its kind in the world and features wonderful tributes to past championship teams, hall of fame, and all-time great players. Originally opened as the Marion High School Gym, it was renamed after Bill Green in 1996, one of the state’s greatest basketball coaches who won a total of six state titles, including three in a row from 1985-1987. His 1969 and 1987 teams also went undefeated and posted a record of 165-10 with his six championship squads. He was inducted into the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988. Winning has been part of the school’s history before and after Green; Marion is tied with Muncie Central with eight championship titles in Indiana. There were also many great players, one of them is current 2-time NBA All-Star Zach Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies. Food & Beverage 3 There are a couple of stands located in the gymnasium offering the usual array of food items from hot dogs, nachos, and burgers. The prices are on par with other gyms across the state; offerings cost between $1 to $2.50. The highlight might be the walking tacos and the offerings should satisfy a light hunger for fans watching the game. Pepsi products are priced at $2 a bottle. Atmosphere 3 The arena is well-suited for hosting a variety of events, including basketball state tournament games, volleyball tournaments, and games, and various school and community events including Marion High School graduation ceremonies. There is a ton of history throughout the gym from the basketball team's glorious past. The gym walls feature retired numbers of 9 former players, including current NBA player Zach Randolph. There are also team portraits of all state championship teams, former players and coaches in the Indiana High School Hall of Fame, and the school wall of fame. State championship and finalist banners hang at both ends of the court. The seating consists of plastic seats on the bottom and wooden seats on the upper level. The student section consists of two thin rows underneath and behind the basketball nets. The views are unobstructed and the aisles are wide enough to get around to your seat rather easily and quickly. Neighborhood 3 Marion, Indiana, has a population of just over 29,000 and is located one hour north of the Indianapolis area. The city is home to Indiana Wesleyan University and is the birthplace of actor James Dean and cartoonist Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield comics. There are many options to eat before or after the game including cheap eats at Myers Drive-In, 9th Street Cafe, and King Gyros. On the more moderate price scale are Wilson-Vaughn Hostess House, Brooks Upper Crust Pizza, and Casa Brava. Tourism options include the Quilters Hall of Fame, James Dean Birthsite Memorial, Grant County Courthouse, and Matter Park. Fans 3 The Giants basketball program is legendary throughout the state with multiple championships and iconic players who don the purple colors of Marion. Fans still come out and support their current teams and will be into the game and let you know what is on their mind. Access 4 The arena is large and very easy to get around from the upper deck to the lower deck seating. Signs and entrances are clearly marked and copious doors open up to the vast parking lot that surrounds the majority of the building. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices for games are $5 for adults and on par with other gymnasiums. The parking is free and plentiful outside the building, and concession items are of good value. The arena is decked with a collection of photos, banners, retired jerseys, and other memories that let it stand out among other places in the state. Extras 4 One point for the collection of famous players who once played on this court, they range from state record holders to current NBA players. If you want to know more about them, just take a look at the many photos and banners hanging up around the arena. A second point is awarded for the parking surrounding the gymnasium. It is connected to the high school but offers enough space that getting in and out of games should be a breeze for any visitor. A third and final point is awarded to the seven state championship banners that dominate one end of the arena’s walls. A very imposing sign for any would-be opponent, you are in a house of champions. A final point is awarded to the attention of the school's basketball pedigree in the state. Many other gyms share other sports championship banners and photos inside their basketball arenas, but here every little piece of information is dedicated to the sport of basketball. Final Thoughts This is a great place to enjoy high school hoops in Indiana. The Bill Green Arena ranks among the largest in the state and is worthy of a night during the winter months of the basketball season.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 John A. Baratto Athletic Center W. Columbus Dr. East Chicago, IN 46312 East Chicago Central High School Cardinals website John A. Barrato Athletic Center website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 8,054 East Chicago Central Hoops The John A. Baratto Athletic Center is the second-largest high school basketball gym on the planet. It remained at the two spot after a recount was conducted this past year of the largest gyms in the state that saw the New Castle Fieldhouse and Seymour’s Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium change positions from number one and three. However, after further review, it fell to number three after Seymour leapfrogged into second place. The gym is named in honor of former Washington coach John Baratto who went 484-170, secured 15 sectional titles, 8 regional titles, 4 semi-state crowns, and the 1960 IHSAA basketball crown from 1944 to 1968. Twice he was named IHSAA Coach of the Year and was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1972. Twenty years after his retirement, more than 9,000 people attended the dedication of the building that is named in his honor. The home of East Chicago’s Central High School Cardinals has a capacity of 8,054 people and debuted in 1988. The city’s two high schools Roosevelt and Washington had consolidated two years before the gym’s opening. There have been a total of four state championship teams in East Chicago including Washington’s 1960 and 1971 and Roosevelt’s 1970 titles. The first state title for Central was the 2007 Class 4A State Championship over North Central (Indianapolis) 87-83. The Cards were led by current New Orleans Pelicans point guard E’Twaun Moore. Food & Beverage 3 The JBAC has one of the largest concession stands in the state that is located in the outer concourse of the building. The selection is similar to other high school gyms and the usual hot dogs, nachos, chips, candy, and soda can be purchased for prices of $1 to $3. Central offers Coca-Cola products. Lines can get long during heavily attended games and the area also serves as a social space for many of the students at the game. Atmosphere 4 The gym can hold 8,000 plus fans but for most of the games, the upper level is closed. The bottom portion became quite overcrowded that a section of seating upstairs was finally opened to fans during the first quarter of play. There is seating on all four sides of the court and foul lines are just a few inches away from fans in the bleachers. The gym is impressive-looking even with a majority of its bleacher seats closed for home games. Multiple banners are hanging from the rafters of all of the school’s championship teams and a giant Cardinal logo is at the center court. Two small scoreboards are located in the corners of the lower portion of the gym. One thing the building does well is honoring the history of high school sports. The outer concourse features trophy cases of various state championship team paraphernalia dating back almost 100 years. Banners, jackets, accolades, and programs are encased behind glass for visitors to look at. There is also the East Chicago Hall of Fame that honors former players including the 1948 Olympian and former NBA player Vince Boryla. Neighborhood 3 The outside of the gym borders a residential neighborhood and the school’s equally impressive football stadium. East Chicago is a city of 29,000 residents and is located in The Region of Northwest Indiana just 24 miles from Chicago. It is home to ArcelorMittal’s Indiana Harbor Works, the largest steel mill in the country, U.S. Steel’s East Chicago Tin, and the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal complex Indianapolis Avenue features various eateries, shops, and other commercial retail stores in town and the neighboring cities of Hammond and Munster. Bugatti’s Steak and Pasta is located along Lake Michigan and offers fine dining, the Cavalier Inn offers Polish cuisine in a relaxed setting, and Johnel’s Restaurant offers American fare, plus breakfast served all day and a bar in a diner setting. Saul’s Chicago Style Grill offers iconic Chicago-style hot dogs, gyros, and Italian beef and Millo’s Pizza Shack has deep-dish, stuffed, and thin-crust style pizzas on its menu. Two of Indiana’s best breweries are located near East Chicago. Three Floyd’s Brewery & Pub is world-renowned for its beers and is worth a visit. The brewery gets very busy but they offer an eatery next door where one can enjoy a Gumballhead, Lazersnake, Zombie Dust, or Yum Yum on draft. 18th Street Brewery is located in Hammond and also offers a place to eat while you can order a Candi Crushable, Devil’s Cup, or the Best Patio Pils. Fans 3 The fans are focused on the court, talk about the style of play and cheer for big offensive and defensive plays. There is a fraction of the audience enjoying a night out with friends but just like with any other well-rounded basketball gym in the state, the attention is usually on the game itself. When the opposing team’s fan base shows up in large masses, you have the proper ingredients for high school basketball. Access 3 The gymnasium is located north of I-90 and west of Indiana 912. There are not any signs of the building and a GPS device is the best option to arrive at the game. There is plenty of parking in the lot outside the gym and street parking is also available when applicable. The seating bowl can become overcrowded during certain games against nearby rivals and with the majority of the seating not open, can become slightly cumbersome at times. However, bathrooms are located on the main concourse near the entrance of the building. Return on Investment 4 The cost of a basketball game is $6 and is on par with other high school gyms in the state. The concession stand prices are also affordable–a nacho supreme costs the most at $3. There is also a table near the entrance to the seating bowl that offers t-shirts and sweaters at very reasonable prices. Extras 3 The Baratto Center earns a point for its large concession area outside of the seating bowl. The gym earns a second point for the multiple trophy cases honoring Hall of Fame players and past championship-winning teams from football to basketball. The gym earns a final point for its championship banners hanging from the rafters. Final Thoughts The John A. Baratto Athletic Center may get overlooked with some of its larger size contemporaries in the state of Indiana. It offers all the necessities one would ever need at a high school gymnasium. Its location in the Chicagoland area provides visitors access to many options outside of the basketball game. It is worth a look when in the area for a game at a Hoosier Temple. ------ 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 Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 The Hatchet House 608 E Walnut St Washington, IN 47501 Washington High School Hatchets website The Hatchet House website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 7,090 The Hatchet House is a Truly Special In a state that is known for its high school basketball fieldhouses, it may be hard to stand out among the mammoth-size facilities that dot the state from the Ohio River to Lake Michigan. However, in the small town of Washington, Indiana, in the southern part of the state, there is an impressive basketball arena named simply the Hatchet House. The 7,090-seat arena was dedicated on November 23, 1966, and replaced the original Hatchet House that was built in 1925. The arched roof building with its wooden bleacher seats, corner views, retired jerseys, and seven state championship banners is something special to walk into for the first time and when it’s near capacity, the acoustics are a perfect soundtrack to Hoosier Hysteria. The Washington High School basketball program began to play in 1906 and was known as the “Old Gold and Black” until it adopted the name “Undertakers” after star player James (Bud) Gill’s father loaned the team his business’s hearse to travel to games. The name was not popular with some of the town’s populace and a local newspaper columnist for the Washington Democrat, Harold Brouillette, opted to change the name to “Hatchets” after mentioning the team cutting through the opposition just like George Washington’s “hatchet” cut through the cherry tree. When the basketball team opened its new home in 1925, they took the court as the Hatchets and the name has become synonymous with Washington basketball ever since. The program has captured 46 sectional championships, 20 regionals, 6 semi-state, and 7 state championships in school history. It has also produced four, tied for most in the state, Indiana Mr. Basketball players including the Zeller brothers: Luke, Tyler, and Cody. Food & Beverage 4 The arena offers various points of sale concession stands from top to bottom. There are small concession stands on the upper concourse of the interior seating bowl and larger tables on the exterior concourse that wraps around the building. The usual products can be found here, but there are a few varieties that make for a nice change of pace at The Hatchet House during a basketball contest. There is freshly made ice cream by local institution Scoops, Polish sausages, freshly popped popcorn in specially designed Hatchet bags, soft pretzels, mucho nachos with all the toppings, and coneys with chili on top. However, if you enjoy a box of candy, nachos with cheese sauce, and a regular hot dog with mustard, you have that as well. Atmosphere 5 The nanosecond you walk into the building you feel the aura of various championship teams that have played on the court since its inception, the echoing of the crowds, and the smell of the thick wooden bleachers mixed in with the odor of old popcorn, flat soda, and stale hot dog buns. The Hatchet House is as advertised, a perfect example of a Hoosier Temple. The crowds are at near capacity for regional and sectional games, fans travel throughout the state to pack the gym to near capacity levels. The sound of the thundering fans from their seats, the chants from the student section dressed in unison, and the energy from the cheerleaders who hover over the railings of the gym create an ambiance that is found at other gymnasiums but is woven together perfectly for basketball games. This might be because the facility was built to be a basketball arena first and its appearance favors the Hinkle Fieldhouse in many ways. The seating is broken up into two sections that provide great sight lines from various points in the building, even when you are underneath the golden banners that at times swing back and forth from the movement of fans seated below. The upper-level seats behind each basketball hoop act as a porch that puts fans up close and personal with the players on the court. The arena features an electronic scoreboard above the center court that has old-school digital imaging of players and school logos. Although not at tournament games, the school’s mascot “Hatch” is a high-end mascot that entertains fans at regular home games. The wide-eyed hatchet is very impressive at the high school level. Neighborhood 3 The town of Washington, Indiana has a population of a little over 11,000 and is located two hours south of Indianapolis and 45 minutes north of Evansville. The downtown features a few places to visit including the Indiana Theater, built in 1928. It offers balcony seating and ticket prices of $5 and $6 each for first-run movies. The White Steamer has been in business since 1937, offering breakfast and hamburgers from 5 AM to 4 PM. Another favorite among the populace includes Mason’s Root Beer Stand serving root beer in frosty mugs, coney dogs, onion rings, and skyscrapers, a four-patty hamburger. It's a busy location creating homemade ice cream in copious flavors; long lines form during the warmer months of the year. Fans 4 A collection of family members, alumni, town citizens, and students all get a case of Hoosier Hysteria during hole-in-the-wall local restaurants in February and March. Their sounds echo throughout the arch-shaped building and when working in unison, create a deafening harmony that ranks among some of the better venues in the state. There was also a time when 5,000 would pack the Hatchet House for Washington High School basketball games a little over 10 years ago. Those crowds have diminished somewhat due to the play of the basketball team, but it is safe to say that when More local restaurants are the various Hatchets return to prominence you’ll see the larger crowds back. Access 5 The Hatchet House is a very simple facility to get around for patrons and includes an outer concourse that brings fans to various entrances of the seating bowl. The exterior concourse features staircases that bring fans to the upper deck area offering another main concourse that wraps around the entire building. The concession stands and bathrooms are marked at both levels of the arena. The only complaint is the limited amount of parking available for large tournament games. True, one does have to park on the street but it’s only a few short blocks away and there is always a spot to find on the street. Once again, reminding me of taking in Butler Bulldogs games at the Hinkle Fieldhouse. Return on Investment 5 The Hatchet House is worth the trip and may depend on how far you want to travel to see a pristine facility. The price for regular season games is $5 and tournament games range in price between $8-$10. The concessions are plenty at all levels of the building and the arena feels more like a college basketball venue than a high school gym. Extras 4 The arena gets a star for the multiple sale points of concession stands. From top-level corners to outer concourse stands, the volunteers at The Hatchet House have you covered with all your snack needs. There is even a group of students who walk around the top rows selling freshly baked cookies. A second star for the vast amount of history on display in the building. There are 7 state championship banners for boys' basketball hanging from the rafters and 6 retired basketball jerseys. There are also numerous photos of past championship teams from both the boys' and girls' programs neatly displayed on the outer concourse walls. A third star for the original Hatchet House that was erected in 1925 and is still in use next door to the arena as a middle school gymnasium. The first game that took place at the gym was against Martinsville High School featuring a young man named John Wooden. A fourth point is for the acoustics in the building that provides much of its soundtrack. The arched roof creates a beautiful look to the place and provides a canvas for cheering fans and basketball players on the court. Final Thoughts The Hatchet House had been on my list for the last three years as a place to review for Stadium Journey. The arena feels more like a collegiate venue than a high school gym. The place is as advertised; a true classic in any state, any sport, or any decade. If you happen to be in the area during tournament time, the Hatchet House is worth a visit.

Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center 1050 Panther Drive High Point, NC 27268 High Point Panthers website Qubein Center website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 5,000 The Panthers’ New Arena Reaches a High Point High Point University is a private University located in High Point, NC. It was founded in 1924 and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The school has an enrollment of 5,850 students. High Point University offers seventy undergraduate majors and eighteen graduate majors. The athletic teams at High Point University are known as the Panthers. They belong to the Big South Conference of NCAA Division I. High Point does not have a football program, so the basketball program is the primary sport during the late fall and winter months of the academic year. The Panthers basketball program has been around since 1927 when it played at the NAIA level through 1998. During its NAIA years, the team was a powerhouse, winning fifteen regular season titles and thirteen tournament championships. The home of High Point basketball is the on-campus Nido and Marianne Qubein Arena and Conference Center. As the name suggests, the facility is a complex composed of a 5,000-seat athletic arena, a conference center, and a small hotel. For brevity’s sake, we will use Qubein Center in this review, as this is the portion of the facility we visited and reviewed. The Qubein Center is named for Dr. Nido Qubein, the longtime president of High Point University. The arena opened in September 2021, just in time for the basketball season. Both the men’s and the women’s basketball programs play in the Qubein Center. The arena also hosts concerts, speakers, and school-wide events for the university. Food & Beverage 4 There are eight concession stands, with five located along the concourse and three more at the suites level. The stands take both cash and credit cards. Four of the concourse level stands carry identical merchandise, including pizza ($9), chicken tenders ($7), hot dogs ($4), nachos ($9), pretzels ($4), popcorn ($4), fries ($4) and candy ($3). Drinks include Coca-Cola brand sodas ($4), bottled water ($4), beer ($5), and wine ($7). There is one stand that sells sandwich combos, including Philly Cheesesteak/chips ($13), Pulled Pork sandwich/chips ($13), Angus beef sandwich/chips ($13), Beyond Burger/chips ($14), and Chicken Breast sandwich/chips ($12). We were unable to check out the stands at the suite level. The concourse is enclosed in some sections and open to the court in others. There are monitors along the concourse, so you should not miss any of the action while you are getting your food. Atmosphere 5 It will be obvious to you when you arrive in front of the Qubein Center that it is a one-of-a-kind facility. The circular drive goes around a large fountain with a 20-foot-tall bronze panther statue gracing its center. The building behind it has very dramatic lighting and lots of brick and glass along its front face. As you enter the building you will be on the first level of the building. The first level houses the ticket offices, dressing rooms, and other support areas. The second level is the concourse level. It is very polished and has lots of artwork related to High Point University. There is a team store called the HPU Team Store and Panther Boutique located at this level. You will then go down into the seating bowl. The suite level is on the third level and is restricted to season ticket holders and major donors. The concourse will take you 360 degrees around the court. A majority of the seats in the arena are below the concourse, while the suite level is above the concourse. The aisle markings along the concourse are easy to follow. If you have time, it is well worth it to walk around the concourse. There are informational stations along the way with displays on the history of High Point basketball, the top scorers in school history, trophies won by the various teams, and major upsets the Panthers have inflicted on major teams. If you had not figured out what the Panther’s team colors were…. you will after you see the seating bowl. There is purple as far as your eye can see. The seating in Qubein Center surpasses anything we have experienced on our visits to college basketball arenas. The seats are all fold-down seats, with nicely padded areas to support your back and bottom. The seats are all purple. There is not a bad seat in the house, as the pitch of the seating area is gradual enough that you are not looking at the back of someone’s head. Most of the seating is below the concourse, but there is a smaller set of seating at the third level of the arena known as the suites level. As you descend the steps going down towards the court, make sure to check out the video board over the center of the court. You are looking at the second-largest video board in the state of North Carolina. It has screens on all four sides and provides very clear graphics no matter where you are in the seating bowl. It can project game statistics and replays all at the same time. The video board can also project images down onto the playing court, a feature typically found only in professional sports arenas. The seating bowl also includes not one, but two levels of ribbon boards that continuously carry updates throughout the game. High atop the arena and the seating bowl is a dome ceiling constructed totally of wood, giving the facility a very classic look. The court below the videoboard is known as the Tubby and Donna Smith Court. Tubby Smith is a graduate of High Point University and coached the High Point University basketball team for several years. It is a very deserving honor for a coach who also led teams at the University of Georgia, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Memphis. The court also has nice graphics featuring the High Point University logo at midcourt. Neighborhood 5 High Point University is in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina. The Triad includes the cities of Greensboro, NC, High Point, NC, and Winston-Salem, NC. High Point is located 20 minutes from both Winston-Salem and Greensboro. High Point’s claim to fame is the Home Furnishings Capitol of the World. There are more than one hundred furniture stores and outlets located in the city. One of the city’s major attractions also relates to the furniture industry, as High Point is the home of the Largest Chest of Drawers in the World. The art piece is more than thirty-two feet high and is famous for the large number of people from all over the world who have their photo taken in front of the dresser. Another nearby point of interest is the statue of jazz musician John Coltrane, who was a native of High Point. Both the Chest of Drawers and the Coltrane statue are located on Hamilton Street, just a few blocks from the university. If you are traveling with children, the Nido and Marianne Qubein Children’s Museum is well worth a visit. There are a wide variety of national hotel chains located near the former Oak Hollow Mall. The Courtyard Marriott High Point offers special pricing for High Point University events. Austin’s Steakhouse and Brewery is located near the school and has a wide selection of craft beers. Fans 4 Qubein Center has been quite a draw with both the students at the school, as well as the local population of High Point. There is a close relationship between the school and its neighbors, and they welcome the community to events held at the school. High Point basketball is the major sports event in the community unless you travel to the other cities in the Piedmont Triad. The student section at Panthers games is known as Purple Reign. They are vocal and they attend home games in large numbers. More than 95% of the High Point student body lives on campus. The arena is within walking distance of many of the dorms and residential buildings on the campus. Students can attend sports events on campus for free through the student activity fee. The student section at High Point home games is strategically located behind the baskets at each end of the court. By splitting the student section in this way, they can ensure a loud crowd will always be adjacent to the free-throw line to distract the visitors throughout the game. The High Point University Pep Band and Prowler the Purple Panther work closely with the Cheer squad and the Dance team to keep the energy level high throughout the evening. Contests and giveaways take place during breaks in the action. Access 4 The Qubein Center is easily accessible from anywhere in the Piedmont Triad area. From Greensboro: Take I-85 South to Business 85 headed towards High Point. Take the South Main Street/High Point exit and turn right onto Main Street. Turn right onto College Drive. Turn right at Lexington, then take the first left into the campus via Panther Drive. Parking personnel will then direct you to the University Parkway lot. From the South: Travel north on I-85. Take Business 85 North. Take the South Main Street/Archdale exit off Business 85 North and turn left. Turn right at College, then left onto Lexington. Turn into campus on Panther Drive. Parking personnel will direct you to the University Parkway lot. From the West: Take I-40 East to Highway 311 South (Exit 196). At High Point take the North Main Street exit (Exit 65). Turn left at Hartley Drive Hartley becomes College Drive at the Oak Hollow Mall. Continue on College Drive, then turn right at Lexington. Take the first left onto campus via Panther Drive. Parking personnel will be on hand to direct you to the University Parkway lot. There are a limited number of parking spaces immediately outside the Qubein Center. These spaces are reserved for season ticket holders and major donors. All other fans must park in the University Parkway lot down the street from the arena. Shuttles run throughout the evening to ferry people to the arena before the game and take people back to the parking lot afterward. There is no charge for parking or the shuttle. Once you arrive at Qubein Center, five entry doors are adjacent to the front driveway. Doors to the arena open 90 minutes before tipoff, leaving you plenty of time to get something to eat and find your seat. There are seven ladies’ rooms and five men’s rooms located along the concourse. You will only encounter a line for them shortly before the game and at halftime. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for all Panther games are priced at $25. The concession stands offer a wide variety of items at reasonable prices. Parking is free for fans parking in the University Parkway lot. The shuttle between the parking lot and the arena is also free. Extras 4 There is a great deal of public art throughout the Qubein Center. There is a series of prints located along the concourse entitled “Art of the Possible.” Each of the twelve prints features an illustration and a few words to outline the many ways High Point University can prepare students for a successful life. There is a great photo opportunity awaiting you along the concourse. You will encounter a full-sized fiberglass version of Prowler, the team’s purple panther mascot. There is a chair for you to sit in for the photo, and the wall serving as a backdrop has some wonderful graphics to complete a very well-composed shot. The Princeton Review rates High Point University as # 1 in the Country for Best College Dorms and # 9 for the Most Beautiful College Campus in the United States. The Qubein Center hosted the 2024 Big South Conference Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament. Final Thoughts The Qubein Center is a stunning addition to the High Point University campus. The arena offers fans a professional level of amenities, including comfortable seating, an above-average video board, and an impressive set of dining options. Qubein Center also serves the High Point community through concerts, appearances by notable speakers, and other events throughout the year.

Photos by Marc Viquez Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.25 Glenn Ray Gymnasium 300 Main St. Whiteland, IN 46184 Whiteland Warriors website Glenn Ray Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 4,649 Whiteland’s Home for High School Hoops When the Glenn Ray Gym opened in 1958, it was known as the Whiteland Gym and sat 4,649, making it easily the largest high school basketball gym in Johnson County. The gym was built before the new high school building and constructed for sectional tournament play. The home of the Whiteland Community High School Warriors cost around $500,000. In 1965, Clark High School and Whiteland High School united to form one high school, Whiteland Community High School. That same year the building was renamed in honor of long-time coach, teacher, and principal Glenn Ray during a half-time ceremony. Ray coached the team from 1925-1939 and had a 43-year connection with the school. During the summer of 1979, ventilation grids, a drop ceiling, and insulation were added to cut heating costs to the tune of $115,737. The hangar-like ceiling was now covered, but construction costs were recouped a few months later due to improved heating bills. The renovations also included re-wiring and hanging of lights along with a new sound system. The Warriors have competed in the Mid-State Conference of the IHSAA since 1968 and have captured conference championships in 1979, 1993, and 2002. The team competed in the Mid-Hoosier Conference from 1965-1968. The school was known as the Wrens for most of the 1930s decided to change it to Warriors during the 1939-1940 school year. The Wrens name had been chosen by Ray but scrapped after he stepped down as head coach. Food & Beverage 3 There is a double-sided concession stand located outside the entrance to the gym. The options include the usual: hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, and soda. The extra-large windows provide better service and are enough to satisfy any hunger for the fans. The average price ranges between $2-$3. Atmosphere 4 The Glenn Ray Gym is a sneaking-good venue for high school hoops in the Indianapolis area. The wrap-around concourse, pre-game promotions, and community involvement make a great night out for the basketball fan. The framed pictures of past basketball glory and teams make this a gym worth visiting during winter months. Glenn Ray Gym allows fans to enter via courtside and make their way up the permanent grandstand seating that envelopes the seating bowl. A wide concourse wraps around the upper level, providing standing-room-only areas when applicable. The drop-down ceiling is almost reachable with a stretch of the hand and offers various vantage points of the court 14 rows below. The interior is white with blue bleachers, the way it has always been, according to former head coach and athletic director Butch Zike, who states that there is no better high school gym in the state. He helped add a collection of framed photographs and portraits to the vomitorium that had remained hidden in boxes for decades in a storage closet. The photographs date back to 1904 and illustrate a history of the sport in Whiteland. "The Glenn Ray Gym is a sneaking-good venue for high school hoops in the Indianapolis area." Multiple banners are hanging from the rafters of the gym that display championships won in various high school sports. They include titles from the Johnson County tournament, a tradition for many years. The court features an oversized Native American head with plenty of room for movement on all four sides for players, cheerleaders, spectators, and officials. The student cheer block welcomes the team through one of the entrances with the Atlanta Braves-style tomahawk chant under dimmed lights. The school band sits close, providing music during the ceremonies and throughout the game. Cheerleaders entertain the crowd throughout breaks. Tip-off takes place at the center court above an oversized school logo. Neighborhood 3 The high school is on US-31 and close to various chain restaurants and retail shopping points. El Abuelo and Kacey’s Twin Eatery are two spots in town worth checking out, but just 4 or 5 miles north is downtown Greenwood which includes Hoosier and Planetary Brewing Company, which are across the street from one another. HBC offers chicken wings and pizza by the slice and an ax-throwing area where the axes replace the darts on the board. Main Street Grille and Revery are two fine eating establishments worth checking out. A few miles away from the high school is a rather interesting tourist spot that is open all day and free of charge to visit. The Garden Of Gas Station Signs is a collection of 36 gas station signs from the past that makes for an interesting little spot in Whiteland to visit before or after the game. Rascals Fun Zone features a 1,000-foot track, blaster boats, and an 18-hole mini-golf course of US-31. Fans 4 There is a nice collection of fans cheering on the Warriors, from fans in the seating bowl to the rowdy student sections that did their best to compete with their rivals who brought in a group of students as well. These types of games are rather exciting since the school spirit is strong, and even though the away club dominated from the start, school pride was evident. Access 4 Glenn Ray Gym is located on US-31 and 3 miles west of the Whiteland exit off of I-65. There is plenty of parking on the school’s campus, and the gym is easy enough to get around once inside. The only thing a visitor needs to do is locate the high school on GPS, and they will find the basketball gym. Once inside the gym, there is plenty of room to move around on the wrap-around concourse at the top of the 14 rows of seats and at the bottom around the court itself. Return on Investment 3 The price of a ticket is $6 and falls in line with other high school gyms in the state. The cost of a hot dog is $3, and nachos are $3, also in line with other high school gyms. Extras 3 Glenn Ray Gym earns a point for its visual display of team memorabilia that includes photos dating back to the early part of the 20th century. The gym provides more history with an area dedicated to alumnus Ray Crowe who captained two Wrens teams from 1934-1936. Later, he would coach Crispus Attucks High School to back-to-back state titles in 1955 and 1956, the first state undefeated team, with a teenage Oscar Robertson as his center. The gym earns a second point for its low ceiling, which gives the venue a distinct look from other buildings for hoops. The gym had high arched ceilings until renovations in August of 1979. The final point is for the hallway that displays every student-athlete college they attended after playing in Whiteland. The large display near the entrance is something not normally seen at other high schools in Indiana. Final Thoughts The Glenn Ray Gym is a sneaking-good place for high school hoops in the Indianapolis area. The wrap-around concourse, memorabilia, and community involvement make a great night out for the basketball fan. The framed pictures of past basketball glory and teams make this a gym worth visiting during cold winter months.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium 1350 W. 2nd St. Seymour, IN 47274 Seymour High School Fighting Owls website Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 8,228 Pretty Big Things in Seymour, Indiana Hours before the game, fans brave chilly conditions in long lines that snake around the massive gymnasium. They pass the time bundled up, checking their phones, or perhaps enjoying a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate. The tension builds as tonight’s winner advances to semi-states. As the sunlight fades and dusks settle upon the crowd, the doors open up and fans quickly rush through many of the various entrances into the building. Ushers feverishly tear off tickets with fans rushing to their seats. The lights of the cars now shine through the dark skies lining up the streets and looking for an elusive parking spot. The lines have dissipated outside of the gym by now, and the seating bowl quickly fills up with fans from both visiting high schools. Students, alumni, and hometown fans are now engulfed in Hoosier Hysteria. Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium in Seymour, Indiana, holds a whopping 8,228 people and is home to the Seymour High School Fighting Owls. Dedicated in 1970, it was renamed in honor of Scott 1998, who coached the boys’ basketball team from 1961-1974. In March 2019, the building became the largest high school gym in the nation after an independent study was conducted by members of the Indiana High School Basketball Historical Society. They counted every seat meticulously and Seymour became the new king of the gyms over the New Castle Fieldhouse. Seymour’s actual capacity of 8,228 was more than New Castle’s actual count of 7,829. That would change in January of 2021 when New Castle officials added seats to boost its capacity to 8,424 to claim the title of the largest gym in the nation, and probably the planet. We may see another tilt sometime in the future. The Owls were 233-99, won 11 sectionals, 6 regionals, and 5 times were semi-state finalists during his tenure. His 1969-70 squad went 29-1 and Scott was instrumental in building the new gym for the Owls. He was inducted into the Indiana High School Hall of Fame in 1981 and served as its president from 1983-1987. During the regular season, it is home to the Owls basketball program, but it’s also home to regionals, sectionals, and semi-state games during high school tournament time in Indiana. Its strategic location in between the major cities of Indianapolis and Louisville, Kentucky, off of I-65, makes it the ideal location for various teams in this portion of the state. Before the gym opened up, the Owls played at Shields Memorial Gymnasium from 1941 to 1970. The old building was then used by the middle school, and a bible college, and is now privately owned. It is now privately owned and in squalid conditions. There had been numerous ideas for repurposing the old building but none have been either feasible or practical. Food & Beverage 3 Seymour follows a standard blueprint of concessions that exist in many gyms across the state. There are multiple concession stands on the upper and lower concourse offering some of the lowest menu prices around. Available items include Papa John's pizza slices (regular or pepperoni), Chick-Fil-A sandwiches (regular or spicy), popcorn, candy, and Orange Leaf frozen yogurt. Pepsi products are available by bottle. Atmosphere 5 When you have a building that can seat 8,100 fans the atmosphere will be intense and thrilling. It is even more exciting when you have dedicated fanbases that travel to the game and make the gym their home away from home. New Albany High School is located about an hour south of Seymour on the Ohio River and can routinely fill the gym up with its fans. The seating section is broken into an upper and lower level with a wrap-around section on top. Seats are of the pullout bleacher mold and the gym does not feature a standard scoreboard directly over the center court. Instead, there are four separate scoreboards in each corner of the lower level and two more above each backboard. The large gym features banners for the home school Owls and an oversized team logo at the center court. There is also a collection of accolades, team photographs of all championship sports teams, and memorabilia in the exterior hall of the building. However, the interior of the gym is absent of banners from the school’s history dating back 100 years. The majority of the atmosphere comes from the teams and their supporters. The student sections are lively through every point scored during the game. The cheerleaders provide plenty of school spirit as they lead the cavalry at crucial moments. Songs played over the loudspeaker are echoed throughout the building, and it is not uncommon to hear the students sing along in unison. Neighborhood 3 Seymour is a town of 17,503 people located in southern Indiana. The picturesque town offers rolling hills and beautiful homes as you head to the game off the interstate. There is plenty of regional and national food chains in and around the interstate exits, but check out the various local establishments that offer some fine food and drink. Larrison’s Diner for some great home-cooked food. The building has been serving delicacies since the 1940s and its appearance looks like it has not been changed for some time; recommendations include bison burgers, ribeye sandwiches, pork tenderloins, shakes and malts, and breakfast items. El Nopal is considered the best Mexican food in town. Schwätzer's German Restaurant and Rails Craft Brew & Eatery are two other options in town for great food. There are also a collection of places for a pint. Rails Craft Brew & Eatery offers pub food, steaks, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. Chateau de Pique Winery and Brewery are highly recommended for a tasting or two. The Seymour Brewing Company offers great pints and houses the Brooklyn Pizza Company where one can also get a stromboli and a calzone. Fans 5 As indicated earlier, when the gymnasium is filled to a standing room only the atmosphere is electrifying. This also means that the fans create much of that electricity well before the opening tip-off. Jennings County Panthers fans, from nearby North Vernon, encompassed close to 90 percent of the gym’s capacity. Their opponent was from a little further away in Evansville. Access 4 Seymour High School is located off of I-65. Take Exit 55 (IN-11) towards Seymour/Jonesville and proceed a little over 4 miles towards town, turn right onto East 6th St/IN-258, and make a left about a mile later onto Community Dr. The high school will be on your right. There are multiple entrances to the building, bathrooms are located in the exterior walls of the gym, and it can be quite crowded moving in and out of your seats during highly attendant games. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for regular-season games are $6, while sectionals, regional, and semi-state games are $7 to $12 for single games. These prices are in line with the rest of the state's high school programs. The gym’s size is impressive, but when it is full, it’s amazing to look around and watch the fans get into the action on the court. Concession prices are extremely affordable and parking is plenty but does get crowded, around the facility. Extras 4 One star for the affordable concession prices; one dollar for a hot dog. Two stars for the old Shields Gym that served as home for the Owls from 1941-1970. The 4,000-seat arena still possesses its original wooden permanent bleachers, but it is in disarray. You cannot enter the gym, but you can take pictures from the outside. The third fourth and final point is for its location and an ideal spot for sectional, regional, and semi-state games during tournament time. If you want to know the definition of Hoosier Hysteria, see a game at the Scott Gym in March. Final Thoughts Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium is one of the many great places to be during tournament time in Indiana. Dedicated fan bases, frantic crowds, and future collegiate stars are all that make Hoosier Hysteria come alive every March. Located a little over an hour away from Louisville and Indianapolis, it is recommended to take in a high school basketball when in Indiana. ------ 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 Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Tiernan Center 380 Hub Etchison Pkwy Richmond, IN 47374 Richmond HS Red Devils website Tiernan Center website Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 5,655 The New & Improve Tiernan Center At one time, the Tiernan Center was the 4th largest high school basketball gym with an 8,100 capacity. However, over the summer of 2020, a $1.3 million renovation project reduced the seating to 5,655, knocking it down the list to number 16 in the state. However, the changes were for the better of the Richmond High School Red Devils basketball program. When the gym debuted for $7.9 million for the 1984-1985 season, it began an era of winning basketball that resulted in the school playing for its first state championship that year, falling to undefeated Marion, 74-67. In 1987, the team would return to the final game and again lost to Marion 69-56. During this time, regular-season games against rivals New Castle, Connersville, Muncie Central, and Marion would attract up to 6,000 fans. In 1992, the Devils would win in an overtime thriller against Lafayette Jefferson 77-73 to claim its first and only boys' basketball championship. The team welcomed 6,000 fans at the Tiernan Center upon its return from the championship game in Indianapolis. Former head coach George Griffith told the Richmond Palladium-Item that without that first title run at the Tiernan Center, the 1992 state championship never happened. Today, the crowds at regular-season games no longer reach those proportions, and the changes improved many areas of the basketball arena. All of the bleachers were replaced, there is a new sound system, LED lights now hang from the ceiling, and a new center court design will augment the playing floor. The multiple changes hope to usher in a new era of high school hoops in Richmond. Food & Beverage 3 There is a selection of food served at the Tiernan Center at three locations. The main concession stand can be found in the main lobby, while two other areas are in the corners of the upper deck–closed during our visit during the pandemic. The options include hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, and personal pizzas from Mancini’s. Coca-Cola products are the beverage of choice at the gymnasium. Atmosphere 4 The Tiernan Center stands out among the many other Indiana basketball gyms and fieldhouses. First, it feels like a college basketball arena in size, aesthetics, lighting, and concourse size. Second, the new seating gives it a much more modern look in comparison to other high school gymnasiums that are somewhat older. The new and improved look provides a nice shine to the already massive facility. Despite the reduction of over 2,000 plus seats, the basketball arena is still impressive when walking in from one of the two main entrances from the main concourse. The old beige bleachers were removed in favor of red plastic seats that spell out RHS in the upper-level area. For comparison, the old bleachers are folded up into the corner of the upper concourse. The new seats create a vast improvement and freshen up the arena which should please many long-time fans and visitors. The building also features new LED lighting and a sound system that further enhances the new gym’s new look. The acoustics create a vibrating sound from the band, crowd, and the PA announcer. The hallways leading up to the upper row also appear to have received a new fresh coat of paint. Speaking of hallways, there is a lot of nostalgia hanging on the walls that include championship photos of Red Devils sports teams of the past. The main lobby features more memorabilia, including a massive trophy case, and the original center court from the school’s former Civic Hall gym. The lobby also houses a small table for merchandise when applicable. Neighborhood 3 There are a few interesting places to visit in Richmond. There is a collection of family restaurants, fine cuisine, breweries and winners, and live music that should provide an enjoyable night after a game. Clara’s Pizza King is a funky, old-school joint with a double-deck bus with seating. The family spot serves cracker-thin pizza, but this might be the best one to eat in. Firehouse BBQ is located in a former firehouse and offers 11-hour smoked brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken wings, and Brunswick stew. Little Sheba’s a few blocks away for giant sandwiches and pizza. The Olde Richmond Inn is one of the city’s best places for dining and a top destination restaurant for steaks, chops, and seafood entrees. The Historic Richmond Depot District is worth spending some time perusing through stores, antique shops, restaurants, bars, and retail shops. The late 19th-century buildings have been repurposed, and the area transformed into a pleasant shopping district. The Model T Museum is a must-see destination for the cars that built the country. You will also find the New Boswell Brewery & Tap Room and the 4th Floor Blues Club if you are staying out a little bit later at night. Fans 3 They don’t sell out games as they used to in Richmond, but there is plenty of fan support during the regular season. The Tiernan Center is usually the home site for post-season tournament games every March, creating a vibe that many call Hoosier Hysteria. Fans expect great basketball from players who put forth their best effort. If you listen to a few people after the contest, you can hear them discussing the night’s results. Richmond is only one of a handful of schools that also still sell reserve seats, a throwback to when high school basketball was the hottest ticket in town. Access 4 One can expect smooth access in and around the gym during a game. There is a large wrap-around concourse in the top row that is wide and spacious. The main lobby offers four entrances into the gym, but most fans enter through the two main gates. There is ample parking outside the gym on the street and in various lots of the school. Return on Investment 4 The cost of a ticket is $6, foot options are reasonable, and there are a few great spots in town to check out before or after a game. Richmond is a nice little town in between Dayton, Ohio, and Indianapolis off of I-70. An easy place to visit and check out during the winter months. The Tiernan Center alone is enough to visit, but there is much more in town to see during a visit. Extras 3 The Tiernan Center earns a point for its renovations that have spruced up the old place. The changes look great and should enhance the experience of the game. The arena receives a second point for the number of memorabilia hanging from the walls of the staircases and the lobby. The third point is for the homemade cake made by a long-time fan. The decadent treat features a frosting made with real vanilla and caramel. It’s not for the fans, but it is definitely worth a taste. Final Thoughts The Tiernan Center is no longer the 4th biggest gym in the country, but the changes make it a much better place for basketball fans. The smell of the new seat smell is fresh, the gym is much brighter, and the sound is better than many other similar-sized gyms. The 16th largest basketball palace in Indiana has never looked better. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com

Maybe they tuned into the podcast. A mere week ago, the Stadium Journey podcast delved into the topic of the fresh Los Angeles Clippers logo, suggesting that perhaps reviving the old San Diego Clippers emblem would have been a wiser choice. Surprisingly, that wish manifested itself, albeit in an unexpected manner. The San Diego Clippers are making a comeback, complete with a revamped version of the logo used from 1978 to 1982. However, this incarnation of the Clippers won't be gracing the NBA courts but instead, in the NBA G League, with their new home set to be the Frontwave Arena for the 2024-2025 season. This relocation marks a shift from Ontario, California, where the team had played at the Toyota Center since the 2017-2018 season. The Clippers will notably be the inaugural San Diego team in the G-League, and their new $85 million abode, the Frontwave Arena, will boast a seating capacity of 7,500 upon its completion this summer at Oceanside’s El Corazon Park. Originating as the Buffalo Braves in 1970, the franchise transitioned to San Diego in 1978 before settling in Los Angeles in 1984. Meanwhile, the LA Clippers are poised to move to the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome for the upcoming season. As for the logo, it is great to see the sails back. I am glad we were able to help. ------ 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: 3.29 HTC Center 104 Founders Dr Conway, SC 29526 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers website HTC Center website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 3,600 The Real Teal Deal Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC. Conway is located ninety miles north of Charleston and 130 miles east of Columbia along the Atlantic Ocean coast. It is a suburb of Myrtle Beach, SC, one of the top beaches along the east coast. The school has an enrollment of 10,500 students and offers 95 Baccalaureate degree programs and 27 Master’s level programs. The basketball team at Coastal Carolina University plays in the HTC Student Recreation and Convocation Center (we will call it the HTC Center for brevity’s sake) on the CCU campus. The HTC Center opened in 2012 and hosts both the men’s and women’s basketball programs as well as both volleyball teams. The arena holds 3,600 fans in its basketball configuration. The facility is awash in the teal colors used by all the Coastal Carolina teams (the turf at the CCU football stadium is even teal). The arena features chairback seating, with a center-hung scoreboard and large video boards at each end of the court. HTC Center-Hung Scoreboard, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey The HTC also serves as the student recreation center for the campus. It offers several on-campus dining options, as well as a full-service fitness center. It is centrally located on the campus of Coastal Carolina University. Coastal Carolina teams originally played in the Big South Conference but moved to the Sun Belt Conference in 2016. The basketball program has won four championships and played in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament twice. Food & Beverage 3 The HTC Center offers two sets of concession choices. The first selection is four basic concession stands located on each corner of the concourse. They offer the staples of any college concession stand. This includes hot dogs ($4), popcorn ($3), candy ($2), Pepsi brand sodas ($5), coffee ($3), beer ($6), and Aquafina brand water ($4). The second option is the Pie by Night pizza stand on the main concourse. It offers seven different 12-inch pizzas for $7.99, with garlic knots ($4.29) and breadsticks ($5.49) available as sides. Wings are also available for $8.99. Pie by Night also offers smoothies in five assorted flavors for $4. Pepsi brand sodas are $5, and bottled water is $3. Atmosphere 4 The HTC Center provides an excellent environment for a Chanticleer basketball game.  The seating area is one level, so fans are never more than twenty-four rows from the court. The seating is on all four sides of the court, which assists the Chanticleers by creating a high volume of cheers from the home crowd. Chauncey, the team’s rooster mascot, is always on hand to keep the energy level at a fever pitch. The court in the basketball arena features a striking graphics package of teal and black. The center court features a huge Chanticleer logo. Chauncey, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 Coastal Carolina University is on the outskirts of Conway, SC. Conway is a small town of 17,000 and lies along the Waccamaw River. The town offers a wide variety of great experiences for visitors. It has a large historic district. There are also several wonderful seafood restaurants, art galleries and shops in a very walkable environment. Recommended places for a bite are the Rivertown Bistro or Crooked Oak Tavern (a farm-to-table restaurant). Conway has a mile-long riverwalk with signage provided to educate walkers about the natural habitat of the river area. The immediate area around the school is along Highway 501, and it offers a wide variety of choices for fine dining and lodging (Comfort Suites or bed and breakfast Cypress Inn are good choices). Conway is just ten miles away from the tourist mecca of Myrtle Beach, SC. Myrtle Beach offers a great beach, a wide variety of attractions, beach activities, entertainment venues, and clubs along the Grand Strand. If your time is limited, we recommend the Broadway on the Beach complex. This one-stop destination features restaurants (Hard Rock Café, Wahlburger’s and Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen), entertainment (Ripley’s Aquarium, Broadway Grand Prix, Hollywood Wax Museum) and a waterpark (Myrtle Waves Water Park). Fans 3 The nickname for Coastal Carolina teams is the Chanticleers. A chanticleer is a rooster based on Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. The university’s chanticleer is a fierce competitor and a proud rooster. He uses his vast knowledge, his wits, and cunning to come out on top in any situation. The Chanticleer’s fans are easy to spot in their teal outfits. They even have developed their hand signals to show their support for the team. It is known as the Chants Up, and it consists of the thumb and pointer finger coming together to form a beak, with the remaining three fingers fanning out to resemble the feather comb atop the rooster’s head. All manner of Chanticleer gear is available at the school bookstore, which is also located in the HTC Center. The student body is incredibly supportive of the team, and they fill the bleachers at the ends of the court. Season ticket holders, alumni, and locals are seated on the sides of the court, which feature chairback seating. Major donors have access to suites atop the seating bowl on both sides. Coastal Carolina has become the adopted school for the large retirement population who have relocated to the area. They take advantage of some of the senior enrichment courses that the university offers and are frequent visitors to the school’s athletic events. Access 3 Coastal Carolina University offers easy access via air or major roadways. Myrtle Beach International Airport is sixteen miles from the campus. It is also easy to reach via I-95.  You’ll definitely be driving to Conway for a game, as there aren’t many other transit options available. If you’re staying in Myrtle Beach, expect a 15-20 minute drive. Traffic in the area can be a problem during spring break and the summertime when the tourists flood the area. However, the basketball season ends before the tourist season begins, so you should not experience much of a problem during your visit. Free parking is available on campus in lots 21, YY and WW. Shuttles will then take you to the HTC Center. Return on Investment 3 A night or afternoon out at a Chanticleer game will not cost you an arm and a leg. Tickets cost $20 and parking is free. Concessions can vary in price. The typical sports menu of hot dogs, sodas, popcorn and hamburgers is very reasonably priced. Some of the premium items offered at the HTC Center are sold at higher prices. Extras 3 The HTC Center hosted four Big South Conference Tournaments while it was a member of the conference. The halls surrounding the arena at the HTC Center are lined with information on the various athletic achievements of the school, and the exploits of some of its top athletes of the past. Coastal Carolina’s proximity to Myrtle Beach is also a major extra as it offers a wide variety of pre-game or post-game options for dining and entertainment. CCU Banner Years, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts The Chanticleers athletic department has a lot to crow about, as it has some of the nicest athletic facilities in the Sun Belt Conference. The HTC Center offers a modern facility with the latest technology and a striking graphics package that is heavy on the teal team colors for which the school is famous.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Joan Perry Brock Center 201 High Street Farmville, VA 23901 Longwood Lancers website Joan Perry Brock Center website Year Opened: 2023 Capacity: 3,000 Brockin' it in Farmville Located on the campus of Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia, the Joan Perry Brock Center is one of the newest basketball arenas in Division I, having opened in November of 2023. Home to Lancers basketball, this 3,000-seat arena replaced Willett Hall, which was aging and unsuited for Longwood once they made the move to Division I. Food & Beverage 3 There are two concession stands at the JPBC, which serve an identical menu, so go with whichever one has a shorter line. Despite being a new arena, the options are somewhat limited and include Chick-fil-A sandwiches ($7), hot dogs ($4), nachos ($5), and pretzels ($4). Chips, candy, and popcorn are also available, as are fountain soda, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages. There are also combo meals available to bring down the price. Atmosphere 4 The Joan Perry Brock Center has a unique architectural style, resembling a cathedral or old southern mansion more than a basketball arena. With white walls and arched glass windows, the JPBC is unlike most modern arenas and is instantly recognizable. The arena seats only 3,000 fans, with most of the lower sideline seats reserved for season ticket holders, although there are a few single seats that are available for purchase. Otherwise, you can sit in the corners, behind the basket, or in the 200-level seats, which involve walking up from the concourse rather than down but are still extremely close to the action. Every seat here is close to the action - it's a small, intimate arena, much like Willett Hall was, but far more modern. The Lancers have a pep band known as the Stampede, as well as cheerleaders, a dance team, and a mascot named Elwood who is a horse. The pep band plays during breaks in the action, not just typical pep band songs but also music you would expect to come out of an organ at a baseball game rather than a pep band in college basketball (think the "CHARGE" music). Neighborhood 3 Farmville is a quaint, small town, and while it’s in the middle of nowhere, there is still plenty to do here. Although there are typical chain places, your best bet is to check out the local color at places such as Walker’s Diner or Riverside Café, both of which are very close to the stadium. Everything in Farmville is very close to the arena because it’s a very small town. Just head off campus and turn onto Main Street and just about everything will be right there. Fans 4 Although officially almost all the lower level seats are sold to season ticket holders, there were many empty seats when we visited and the arena was only about half full. Nonetheless, the crowd here is extremely loud. After the Lancers hit a big bucket, the place erupts in cheers. The low ceiling does a lot to trap crowd noise, and the unusual architecture may help as well. Regardless, this arena was designed to be loud, and it is. Much, though certainly not all, of that energy comes from the band and student section, who seek to be as loud as possible, especially during opposing free throws. When the visitors are shooting from the foul line on the student side of the arena, they will get even louder and wave posters and their arms in an attempt to distract the shooter. The students and band are certainly not the only ones making noise here, though. Everyone in this arena is loud. You might not expect it from the crowd size, either in relative or absolute numbers, but the fans here are certainly rowdy. Access 3 There are a few roads into Farmville, but regardless of how you get into town, you are going to have to drive quite a bit. Most likely you will end up taking either State Route 45 or U.S. Route 460, but if you’re coming from any sort of populated area, Farmville probably isn’t close to you. Lynchburg is the closest remotely large city, and it’s a full hour away. Richmond is about an hour and 15 minutes, while Washington, D.C. is about three hours. Once you’re on campus, there is a garage next to the arena, but that is reserved for season ticket holders and those with handicap permits. Everyone else can park anywhere else on campus except in lots reserved for residential students, which are pretty far from the arena and would be bad places to park anyway. None of these other lots require more than a few minutes to walk to the arena. There are several restrooms located around the Joan Perry Brock Center. They are clean, modern, and of a sufficient size for the crowd. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Longwood basketball games start at just $8, and even the most expensive seats cost just $12. Concessions are affordable and parking is free. You may spend some money on gas to get here, depending on where you are coming from, but a Longwood basketball game is still an excellent value. Extras 3 The unique architectural style of the Joan Perry Brock Center is worth an extra star here. As mentioned above, this place feels more like a cathedral or southern mansion than a basketball arena, at least in terms of design. The style is unique, and there are few if any other arenas like it. A team store and the Longwood Athletics Hall of Fame are located just inside the two entrances. Each of these is worthy of an extra star. Final Thoughts The Joan Perry Brock Center is a modern arena with a unique architectural style. The crowd is loud, the band and student section are rowdy, and this feels not like like a literal cathedral but like a figurative cathedral of the game as well. Although Farmville may be far from most other places, basketball fans in Virginia will want to make the trip to check out the Joan Perry Brock Center.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Timmons Arena 1250 Duncan Chapel Rd Greenville, SC 29617 Furman Paladins website Timmons Arena website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 3,500 Furman Once, Furman Twice, Furman Three Times… On February 20, 2024 it was announced that Timmons Arena would undergo a $40 million renovation following the season, as part of Phase II of the “Timmons Arena Project”. Renovations will include adding donor suites, premium seating, and hospitality amenities; an enhanced student experience; improvements to concessions and merchandise areas; and redesigned entry points. The most important need though is for improved flow for fans around the arena. Renderings courtesy of Furman Athletics The Paladins moved to the on-campus Timmons Arena in 1998, after leaving their previous home of 38 years, Memorial Gymnasium, which had been lovingly nicknamed “The Brown Box”. Furman has been a member of the Southern Conference since 1936, which is only equaled by The Citadel Bulldogs, who also joined the conference the same year. During that time the Paladins have won seven Southern Conference regular season titles and seven conference tournament championships, to go with seven NCAA Tournament appearances – their most recent appearance in 2023 saw the 13-seed Furman knock off the # 4 seeded Virginia Cavaliers. Food & Beverage   4 The upper-level concessions offer various combination platters served with an entrée, fries, and a drink; these platters include chicken fingers, a burger, or a hot dog. The menu’s inclusion of fried mozzarella sticks, fried pretzels, and even fried Oreos and funnel fries might make fans feel as if they are at the state fair more so than at a college basketball game. Concessions on the court level of the arena are a bit more limited to hot dogs, sausages, pizza, candy/snacks, and soft drinks. The lines here get rather backed up, especially during the half time break. Alcohol is sold at Timmons Arena; selections include personal-sized bottles of white and red wines, hard seltzer, domestic beers, and craft beers from Sierra Nevada and Wicked Weed. Atmosphere   3 Timmons Arena in its current appearance blends in nicely with the campus architecture, but it doesn’t stand out as the school’s basketball arena. Its elongated, hexagonal shape provides several logistical challenges when it comes to housing basketball and navigating the facility. Given the interesting design of the arena and the unbalanced arrangement of banners in the rafters at each end of the court, it makes the court itself seem to not be centered on the floor – viewed from the baselines, the scoreboard is actually centered above the floor, but the optics of the off-balance banner alignment certainly doesn’t make it appear that way. Throughout the game the in-game host, who doubles as arena DJ, does a good job trying to keep the interest of fans in the game. Between the on-court contests, the cheer and dance squads, the Furman Paladin mascot, and a pep band, the Timmons Arena basketball experience does offer fans a great deal of entertainment to complement the game. Given the size of Timmons Arena, every seat is close to the action, but structural support beams do block the view of the scoreboards for fans seated in the upper reaches of the seating across from the benches. While the scorer’s table does have basic time and score information, the main scoreboards do provide a bit more of a look into the stats. Going forward, artist renditions of the future of Timmons Arena show that the game experience will change a great deal, and the experience will never be the same as it was before. While the arena will be completed on the same footprint as Timmons Arena, it will not simply give the facility an updated look, but it will without a doubt create a new facility all together. Neighborhood   3 Located on the northern reaches of Greenville, Furman is roughly where the city turns into suburban neighborhoods, before becoming more rural as the suburbs give way to the mountains of South Carolina. Furman’s campus covers a sprawling 750 acres. Beyond the academic, residential, and athletic facilities, Swan Lake, a walking trail around it, and even a golf course open to the public are all within the campus confines. If approaching Furman from the back side of campus, Highway 25 has several food trucks serving various types of Latino food, and the approach from Highway 276 has a higher concentration of chain restaurants. Furman’s campus is just over 6 miles from all that downtown Greenville has to offer. Options in the are a bit limited, however, when it comes to the immediate vicinity of the arena. Downtown Greenville provides visitors with numerous points of interests, including scenic Falls Park and Liberty Bridge skywalk, or Main Street Greenville with several restaurants, shops, and a handful of breweries. The downtown area also has a strong concentration of hotels for visitors. Early afternoon games at Timmons Arena could pair nicely with an evening watching the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, at nearby Bon Secures Wellness Arena. Fans   3 Furman basketball fans turn out to the tune of about 2,100 per game, but tend to be more reactive to plays rather than creating an atmosphere that might be considered a home court advantage. Fans do get loud for runs that the Paladins go on, but it just seems as if there really needs to be a spark lit under them for the fans to get loud. Also, while students make up a large section across from the visiting team’s bench, they do not seem to make much of an impact on the game’s atmosphere until a turning point might present itself – it just seems that, as intimate a setting as Timmons Arena is, the student section should jump out at you, but instead it does take a moment of searching. Fans on the whole are into the game and support the Paladins, especially through cheers and holding their “FU” towels, but as a whole, they seem to be more waiting for something to happen in the game to collectively get loud about, rather than making it the norm for the arena. Access   2 Furman is north of downtown Greenville; it can be a bit of a challenge to get to as there is no direct interstate access to the facility. Two major throughfares, US Highways 25 and 276, run along either side of campus; the challenge is even after exiting I-185, there are still 10 miles of surface streets and traffic lights to contend with. Parking at Timmons arena is free, but it might take a bit of guidance to get to. Much of the parking immediately surrounding the arena is composed of donor lots, but additional parking can be found in the area closer to Paladin Stadium – shuttle trollies take fans to the Poinsett Parking area on the far side of the football stadium. The doors on either side of the front of Timmons Arena lead fans to a security check before they can pass into the main lobby area, for tickets to be scanned for entry into the playing area. The lobby can be a bit tight, and the configuration requires fans to have tickets re-checked if passing between the two sides of the arena via the main lobby. Navigating Timmons Arena can be a bit of a challenge. Seating on the near side of Timmons is easy enough to access, but if sitting in the stands across the arena, it requires going to the floor level, navigating around the back side of the social gathering areas, then along the sideline of the floor to get to your seats. This does create some uncertainty about how to get to your seats if the ball is in play; there is not direct access to seats on this side of the floor. Rather than a natural flow for fans to follow, ushers and other arena personnel are strategically positioned to direct fans away from restricted team areas and toward the locations accessible to fans. Return on Investment   4 Get in the door prices run $18 for seats in the upper section of sideline seating. What is a relief is that, despite using Ticketmaster, a promotional code is automatically applied to the order which avoids service and convenience charges. When factoring in free parking with an $18 ticket and reasonable concession prices, fans are definitely getting their money’s worth. Extras   3 Furman does a good job recognizing the historical achievements of the program – the lobby area proudly displays trophies earned by the program over the years, and also serves at the Furman Athletics Hall of Fame. The rafters specifically honor the six players who have had their numbers retired, along with recognizing the 46-year career of Coach Lyles Alley. Banners also display Southern Conference regular season and tournament championships alongside NCAA tournament and NIT appearances. Both scoreboards pay tribute to Frank Selvy’s 100-point game against Newberry College in 1954; the All-American Selvy would go on to be the #1 draft pick in the NBA’s 1954 draft by the Baltimore Bullets, where he would garner NBA All-Star honors in 1955 and ‘62. Final Thoughts During the upcoming construction, the Furman’s men’s basketball team will play their home schedule at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, just a few hundred feet from where The Brown Box once stood, playing a major role in the history of Furman Basketball. The Paladins are no strangers to Bon Secours Wellness Arena, as it has served as a secondary home in the past, as part of Furman’s Weekends at the Well. Timmons Arena is definitely an arena full of quirks and oddities, the kind that only alumni and Furman fans can appreciate – it is typically those unique features that make it such a special place for so many. When fans return to Timmons Arena at the start of the 2025 season, it appears that it’ll be a completely new facility both aesthetically and emotionally. There can be no replacing something that so many have grown to have deep emotional ties to, but the updated version will gives fans an opportunity to appreciate the work and generosity of all those involved in creating a new experience, while bringing the basketball experience for fans, players, and coaches alike into the 21st century.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Dantzler Arena Perkinston, MS 39573 Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Bulldogs website Dantzler Arena website Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 1,540 Gulf Coast Bulldogs Dance at Dantzler Arena Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is one of 15 schools that compete in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) for basketball. The MACCC is also part of the larger Region 23 of the NJCAA, which also includes five Louisiana community colleges. Located in the tiny zero-red-light town of Perkinston, Mississippi, the Bulldogs have a pretty storied basketball history – since the first year of basketball on campus in 1927 the Bulldogs have won the MACCC State Championship 11 times, with the most recent being in 2012. MGCCC also won the Region 23 Championship 14 times, with the most recent being in 2009. In addition, MGCCC advanced to the NJCAAA Tournament twice in 1990 and 2009. The MGCCC women's basketball team has had a little more success than the men's, as they won one NJCAA National Championship in 1973 and advanced to the championship game the next year, where they were runners-up. The school has gone by many names since it opened as Harrison County Agricultural High School in 1911. The school became a junior college in 1925 and changed its name to Perkinston Junior College in 1942, before changing it to MGCCC in 1962. Today the college has four campuses throughout the Gulf Coast region, with a total enrollment of 8,700 students, making it the second-largest junior c, college in the state. The Bulldogs men's and women's basketball teams play at the newest athletic venue to open on campus, the beautiful Dantzler Arena, which opened during the 2022-23 season. The new arena is part of a series of construction projects for the college that also included a new residence hall, an upgraded baseball and soccer field, and a new entrance road into campus. Food and Beverage   2 There is one small concession stand located in the lobby area as soon as you enter the arena. The food and drink options are extremely limited with nachos, popcorn, candy, and chips being the only items on the menu. Bottles of Coca-Cola products are sold for $3 as well, and as usual, no alcohol is sold on campus, or anywhere in Stone County for that matter. Unfortunately, because of the lack of food options in Perkinston, you may want to grab a bite to eat before you leave your house if coming for a game here. Atmosphere   4 Dantzler Arena replaces Historic Wentzell-Weathers Center, which opened in 1957 and was home to the program until 2022. The shiny, new arena holds 1,450 seats and is named after the Dantzler Family, who owned and operated a nearby sawmill in Perkinston in the 1940s. Alfred Dantzler III, the youngest of the family, was a longtime supporter and donor of the college. Dantzler Arena is an architectural beauty – from the outside the building looks quite intimidating, with the front of the building constructed with bricks, while four Greek columns make up the front entrance. The side walls of the arena are made of out tin, which makes the inside of the venue echo pretty loudly, especially when the building is packed. There is one main entrance to the building on the south side; as soon as you enter you walk into a pretty spacious lobby, with a large trophy case being the first thing that greets you. Inside the trophy case, you will find trophies, jerseys, and basketballs from some of the past years of the Gulf Coast Basketball program. Also, in the lobby, you will find the ticket table, a pop-up merchandise stand, and a large scrolling marquee on both sides of the wall that displays upcoming games and University-related events. Once inside Dantzler Arena, you realize that the gym is sunken, something that doesn't look evident from the outside of the building. But the facility is built into the side of the hill, so you are entering on the second floor of the building. The court faces north and south, with 10 rows of metal bleacher seating in the Bulldog colors (blue and grey) on each side, and a walkway that separates the rows, with five rows on the first level and five rows on the second. The arena has low ceilings, and the A/C duct work runs along the ceiling, creating a few obstructions if you sit in the last two rows. The student section makes up the entire west side bleachers, while the east side bleachers are a little calmer, consisting of mostly visiting fans and family members. On the far north end of the court is another student section, and the MGCCC Band of Gold also sits there, while the Perkettes Dance team entertains the crowd from the floor. Above the end court on the north side of the arena are all the past banners of the MGCCC State Championships the Bulldogs have won in men's and women's Basketball, while above the end court on the south side is a rather larger suite for the Bulldog Club, which overlooks the court. The centerpiece of Dantzler Arena is the two large videoboards that are on the walls above the ends of the court. The video boards are quite large for Juco basketball but are of excellent quality and show replays, advertisements, and promotions. Neighborhood   2 There is no neighborhood whatsoever, as the only thing in the tiny town of Perkinston is the college. This area's thousands of acres of undeveloped pine forest made it ideal for the lumber and timber industry, and at one time this area was filled with hundreds of sawmills. Perkinston was built right on the railroad and was an important stop for the transportation of goods to the Gulf Coast. However, when the mills depleted the resources by using up most of the timber, the mills shut down and people vacated the communities along the railroad, Perkinston included. Today there is nothing in Perkinston besides the campus. Abandoned homes and an abandoned general store line the main road along the railroad as you come into campus – today it is a ghost town around campus except for a post office and elementary school. Fortunately, much of the land is under protection now, which has led to many outdoor activities in and around the area. Perkinston is located inside DeSoto National Forrest, and the forest offers many hiking trails nearby, the most popular being Tuxachanie Trail a few miles south of campus. Also nearby is the POW Recreation Area, a campground located on the grounds of an abandoned WWII bunker and barracks. Across the street from MGCCC’s campus is perhaps the most famous spot in Perkinston, called Perk Beach – this campground and sandbar located on Black Creek makes for a great swimming hole, and you will find many students out here on the weekends. About 15 minutes up the road is Wiggins, where you can find a few fast-food restaurants and chain stores. There isn't much to do in Wiggins, so don't expect too much. Wiggins does have Flint Creek Water Park, a popular campground right on a lake, as well as Paul B. Johnson State Park, which is located nearby. For hotels, you'll find a few smaller chain hotels in Wiggins as well, but Hattiesburg and Gulfport/Biloxi are your best bets for any big hotels, or if you want to do any shopping; both cities are about 45 minutes away, with Perkinston located right in the middle of the two. Fans 4 Like most athletic events on the MGCCC campus, the basketball program has good attendance for every game. This is partly because there isn't anything for the students to do with 40 miles, so you can expect a good turnout, with the Bulldogs averaging about 1,000 fans per game. Students take up the entire west side bleachers, and many of them will stand throughout the game, along the railing by the walkway. Because of this, you may not be able to see the action of the court when sitting on that side, as many students will be blocking your view. As mentioned it can get quite loud in the venue – the tin walls amplify sound well. So, with the Gold Band playing and 1,000 students standing up and stomping on the metal bleachers, it can be quite intimidating for visiting opponents. Access   4 Perkinston is located halfway between Hattiesburg and the Coast, conveniently located right off Highway 49, the main road from the coast to Jackson. Perkinston is about 40 minutes north of Gulfport and 40 minutes south of Hattiesburg. You can't help but see the campus as you drive on Highway 49 – Dantzler Arena is located on the back side of campus near the rest of MGCCC's athletic facilities. Parking does fill up in the lots surrounding the arena, so I recommend parking at AL May Stadium, the school's football stadium right across the road. It is also easier to get out when you leave if you park next to the football stadium. Once inside the Arena, everything runs smoothly; the only issue is the obstructed views on the top rows and the students who stand on the concourse in the student section along the west side bleachers. Return on Investment   3 Tickets are $8 for general admission, and you are free to sit wherever you like. For most games, the women's team will play before the men's, and if the women's game runs long they sometimes shut the ticket stand down early, so it is possible to get in the men’s game for free. Extras   3 If you are interested in checking out an old historic basketball gym, the old Weathers-Wentzell Center is still standing and located on the south side of campus. The old gym housed the Bulldogs men's and women's basketball teams from 1957 until 2022 and is currently used for intramural and rec sports for the college. The gym is named after former coach Bob Weathers, who guided the Bulldogs from 1961-2002. After 41 years at the helm of the Bulldogs program, Weather retired as the second-winningest basketball coach in Junior College history and was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame. His son Wendell took over the program in 2002 and coached Gulf Coast until the 2018-19 season. Gulf Coast has one NJCAA National Championship to the name – the 1973 women's team won the 1972-73 NJCAA National Championship, and there is a banner commemorating this feat on the northeast side of the facility. The 1990-91 men's team, coached by Weathers, also made it to the 1991 NJCAA Final Four in Hutchinson, KS. The MGCCC women's basketball program has produced one player who won a gold medal, but not in basketball; instead, it was in track & field; Gulfport native Brittney Reese won the gold medal in the long jump in the 2012 London Games. She also won silver medals in the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, but before she won Olympic medals, she played basketball here from 2004-06, before attending Ole Miss, where she was the NCAA indoor and outdoor Long Jump Champion in 2007 and 2008. The Bulldogs men's team has produced one player to make it to the NBA in Journeyman player Ira Newble, who played here from 1993-95, before transferring to Miami (Ohio). His best years were the five years he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2003-2008, coming off the bench for Lebron James. Gulf Coast also produced a pretty big-time college player in Moss Point native Dale Brown, who played here for two years before leading Kentucky to the 1993 Final Four, where they lost to Michigan. Former Wichita State coach and Pascagoula native Isaac Brown also played here from 1988-1990 – Brown guided the Shockers to the 2020-21 NCAA Tournament.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 William H. Greene Stadium 2400 6th St NW Washington, DC 20059 Howard Bison website William H. Greene Stadium website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 10,000 Home of the Howard Bison Located on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., Greene Stadium is home to the Bison’s women's lacrosse, soccer, and football teams. The stadium opened in 1926 as the home of Bison football, although the lacrosse program was not founded until much later. Howard's women's lacrosse program is among the lowest-ranked of all teams in the country and has not defeated a Division I opponent in almost ten years. Howard does not have a men's lacrosse program. In 1977, Howard Stadium was expanded to 9,000 seats and the Bison moved back on campus. In 1986, the stadium was renamed Greene Stadium in honor of William H. Greene, who was a doctor and donor to Howard. There have been several proposals for a new stadium to replace or renovate Greene Stadium, which is aging and of poor quality, but none have come to fruition. Howard is one of the oldest and most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the country and competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with many other HBCUs. However, the MEAC does not sponsor women's lacrosse, so the Bison compete in the Northeast Conference for that sport. In addition to this review of women's lacrosse, Stadium Journey also has a review of the football experience at Greene Stadium. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food or drink for sale in Greene Stadium. A food truck is available just outside the stadium for Howard football games, but is boarded up and not in use for lacrosse. There is a drink machine inside Burr Gymnasium next door, or you can bring in your food and drink. Atmosphere 2 All seats at Greene Stadium are uncomfortable metal bleachers on both sides of the stadium. However, accessing the far side requires walking down to field level and around the track, so most fans choose to sit on the near side. There is not much going on here other than the game itself. The PA announces starting lineups before the game but does not even announce goal scorers or penalty cards. The scoreboard is designed for football and does not show the time remaining on penalties, so you just have to keep track of it yourself. From the stands, you will be able to hear a good deal of the action on the field, although the running track that surrounds the field means you probably won't hear all of it despite there being almost no crowd noise or anything else going on. Neighborhood 5 Howard University is located amidst several historically African American neighborhoods in Washington. Shaw, U Street, and Columbia Heights, each of which have their history in the African American community, surround the college. Ben’s Chili Bowl, located about a 20-minute walk away in the U Street neighborhood, is not just an outstanding restaurant but a historic landmark as well. The chili, hot dogs, half-smokes, and burgers are renowned throughout the area, but keep in mind there is often a long line to order due to their popularity. And, of course, you’re in Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, and there’s plenty to do throughout the city. The best part is that most of it is free. Whether it’s taking in the many monuments on the National Mall or visiting one of the numerous museums, there is so much you can do here. All government-run attractions are free to the public, but some of the privately-run ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the White House or Capitol, you will need to book that in advance. Fans 2 The crowd at a Howard lacrosse game is mostly friendly and family of the players, and there will be as many cheering for the visiting team as the Bison At most, they'll get about 100 fans and often much less. In a 10,000-seat football stadium, this is quite noticeable. Even if the fans try to make noise, they're so spread out, that it has little to no effect on the atmosphere. Access 3 Howard University is in a tricky spot to get to. It’s just far enough from the heart of downtown that it isn’t easily accessible via public transportation, and just close enough that it’s hard to drive there. The closest Metro stops are Shaw and Columbia Heights, but each is about a 20-minute walk away. There is some street parking available relatively close to the stadium, but much of it has a two-hour limit, which is likely too short if you are attending a lacrosse game. There are some paid lots, but you may have to walk a bit to get to the stadium from there. Your best bet, if you are not coming from too far away, is to take an Uber or Lyft to the stadium, but even then, depending on traffic, it may be quicker to get out and walk the last block or two. Once you are inside the stadium, it is still difficult to get around. There is a narrow pathway behind the bleachers on the near side, although this is less of a problem for across than football since the crowds are so small. To get to the other side, you have to walk down to field level and around the track. There are a few port-a-potties located on the track, or you can walk next door to Burr Gymnasium and use the restrooms there. Return on Investment 3 Admission to Howard lacrosse games is free, and you won't spend anything on concessions since there aren't any. However, the barebones experience and high cost to get here take this score down a couple of notches. . Extras 0 There are no real extras at a Howard lacrosse game, although you may be able to walk around Burr Gymnasium before or after the game and see some of the basketball history there. However, as that is a different facility and a different sport, we are not counting it as an extra. Final Thoughts Howard women's lacrosse is as barebones as it gets. With extremely small crowds and Howard on a decade-long losing streak versus Division I opponents, a trip here for lacrosse is only for extremely dedicated fans of the sport or fans of one of the programs. Everyone else interested in checking out the stadium should consider doing so for football, where the experience is significantly better.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Bush Stadium at Averitt Express Baseball Complex 345 University Drive Cookeville, TN 38501 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles website Bush Stadium at Averitt Express Baseball Complex website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 1,100 Wings Up The central Tennessee town of Cookeville is home to the Tennessee Tech University Golden Eagles. Located in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee, Cookeville was established as a mill, logging, and mining town, which prospered from the rail line that ran through the area. The University was founded in 1909 as Dixie College; the school was soon renamed Tennessee Polytechnic Institute, and then gained university status in the 1950s, again seeing a name change, this time to Tennessee Tech University. Tennessee Tech has been a member of the Ohio Valley Conference in all but the conference’s first year of existence, 1948. Since joining the league, the Golden Eagles have won 10 OVC regular season championships, 4 conference tournament titles, and have made 6 NCAA tournament appearances, advancing to the Regional Finals in 2018. Food & Beverage   4 A small concessions trailer is situated up the first baseline, and has a bit of a limited menu, but does grill hot dogs and burgers on site. Hot dogs can have chili and/or cheese added, while burgers can add cheese, a second patty, or chili. A signature item here, “The Dexter”, is billed as a “burger, bacon cheese, beef hot dog, more bacon, more cheese”, and can definitely be a food challenge unto itself. A handful of snack items are also available, including the traditional baseball sunflower seeds, chips, candy, peanuts, popcorn, and Italian ice. Beverages include Pepsi products and bottled water. Beer is not sold at Bush Stadium. While the concessions trailer does not offer a lot in the way of spectacular options, the fact that they grill burgers and dogs by hand really makes the experience one that brings a bit of nostalgia, reminiscent of days gone by when the grill was a staple at youth baseball concession stands. Atmosphere   3 Bush Stadium could best be described as a low thrills facility with not a lot in the way of extras; the scoreboard gives fans basic inning-by-inning scoring and ball-strike-out information, and the restrooms consist of a cinderblock building down the right field line. The small, aluminum grandstand runs dugout to dugout and is centrally topped with a modestly sized press box. The bleachers are bookended on either side by brick dugouts, which complement the brick clubhouse down the third base line. Seating is comprised of two side sections of individual, plastic molded seats, while the section directly behind home plate has bleacher seats with back support. The playing field is comprised of a synthetic surface, backed by a padded wall running a symmetrical 335’ down both lines, 365’ to each power alley, and 405’ to dead center. For purists of the game, baseball at Tennessee Tech might be a welcome relief from an onslaught of in-game ads, scoreboard games, and sound effects during seemingly every play. Tennessee Tech keeps the game the focal point of the day, and the lack of the aforementioned features doesn’t seem to bother home fans all that much. The sun moves from the first to third base side of the field, so without an overhang to produce shade for the whole grandstand, seats on the third base side do receive shade before the rest of the seating area does. However, during cold, early season games, the sun on the first base side might be a source of welcomed warmth. Neighborhood   3 Bush Stadium is in the northwestern corner of Tennessee Tech’s campus, neighbored by basketball’s Elban Center and some student housing – the Golden Eagles’ softball complex is just a deep bomb away over the right field fence. Within a mile of the stadium, fans looking for a bite to eat can pay a visit to Spankie’s (for typical American cuisine), House of Thai, or get a pre-game coffee on those chilly game days, from Crepe and Creme on the front edge of campus. For more options, downtown Cookeville is about a mile from Tech’s campus center. Also, a host of chain and other restaurants can be found along North Willow Avenue, which separates the athletic fields from the rest of campus. For those wanting to learn a bit about the history of Cookeville, they may want to visit the Cookeville History Museum, or the Cookeville Depot Museum, both in the downtown area.  Alternatively, visitors wanting to take in some of the natural beauty of the Cumberland Plateau can venture north of Cookeville to Cummins Falls State Park, or to Burgess Falls State Park to the south, both within 10 miles of campus. Fans   3 The seating area at Bush Stadium does not lend itself to extremely large crowds, but fans are dedicated to showing up, even for early season matchups where the weather might be less than desirable. Tennessee Tech baseball fans do not seem to be an overly rowdy bunch, but do show a knowledge of the game, as well as a willingness to chirp at calls like any typical fanbase would – complaints from the bleachers are consistent about what most might consider borderline calls. What is a bit disappointing is the level of student support at games. While there are pockets of students spread around the seating area, they don’t appear to have an organized backing of the Golden Eagles. Access   4 The Tennessee Tech campus is about 3 miles north of I-40, which runs between Knoxville and Nashville from eastern to middle Tennessee. Those traveling from anywhere along that route will have a straightforward trip to Cookeville, while those coming from the Chattanooga area will primarily use TN-111, which is a scenic highway through the eastern Tennessee mountains. Once at Bush Stadium, parking is readily available in the lot along University Drive, which is close to the front entrance. The seating area is accessible from both the home and visiting sides of the field; a single walkway runs in front of the bleacher seats, so fans in the front few rows may have their view of the game temporarily interrupted by others making their way to and from their seats. Return on Investment   5 The return on investment goes beyond the fact that there is no admission charged for Golden Eagle baseball. Of course, getting in free is a breath of fresh air, but what is equally refreshing is that concessions don’t gouge extra dollars from visitors – concession prices are kept in check here, even though there is lack of revenue coming in from more traditional sources, such as ticket prices. Extras   3 Pennants recognizing the conference championships of the Golden Eagles wave from the top of the grandstand; this adds a nice touch in recognizing the historical accomplishments of Golden Eagles baseball over the years. Just to the left of the entry point, a plaque honors Howell W. Bush, a former Golden Eagle baseball and basketball player, and the namesake of the stadium, in recognition of his funding the addition of lighting at the baseball stadium. Free rosters and scorecards are also available in the magazine boxes along the grandstand-walkway, behind home plate. Final Thoughts Baseball at Tennessee Tech’s Bush Stadium is as straightforward a college baseball experience as can be found out there – it is refreshingly not overproduced to the point where attention is drawn away from the reason most are there, i.e. for the baseball. The experience does not come with a lot of extras, but is a good atmosphere for those who enjoy the simplicity of the game of baseball.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images Who doesn’t love a mascot? Basically, since the dawn of team sports, those teams have been used to entertain their fans. The NFL is no different, as virtually every team has a costumed, larger-than-life character patrolling their sidelines, interacting with fans, and, well being a living symbol of their team. So, for the sake of argument, which mascot is the best? Which one do fans love the most? That is exactly the question that casino slot experts Raging Bull Slots attempted to answer. Their researchers combed through Instagram and used a series of metrics to definitively prove that the most popular mascot in the NFL is: the Cleveland Browns’ Brownie the Elf “Mascots in the NFL play a crucial role in creating a vibrant and engaging fan experience each game,” said a spokesperson for Raging Bull Slots. “Beyond serving as entertaining symbols, they contribute to the team's identity and fan camaraderie. A well-designed mascot can become a beloved figure, fostering a sense of community and loyalty among supporters.” Metrics used in the research included mentions, follows, and engagement rates. The Browns have a long, on-and-off history with Brownie, who is based on a creature from English lore. When the Browns were formed in 1946, the first ad promoting their ticket sales featured the elf, with the text reading, "The Brownies are Coming!" Brownie the Elf scored a 20 on the metric rankings, with just over 29k Instagram followers, and the highest engagement rate at 10.4%. Sourdough Sam, the mascot of the San Francisco 49ers ranked second and had a follower engagement rate of 9.2%. Photo courtesy of Getty Images “Ultimately, mascots bring fun to every game, and engaging with supporters on Instagram is a great way to keep fans involved throughout the season,” said the spokesperson. ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Pauley Pavilion 650 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90095 UCLA Bruins website Pauley Pavilion website Year Opened: 1965 Capacity: 12,829 The House The Wizard Built Originally opened in 1965, Pauley Pavilion was named for the primary donor, Regent Edwin W. Pauley. The original cost of the facility eclipsed the $5 million mark with contributions coming from the state, the student body, and the alumni. On December 20, 2003, former coach Wooden and his wife, Nell, were honored as the court was named "Nell & John Wooden Court." Upon its opening, Pauley Pavilion was designed to accommodate various athletic events. Before the renovation, the baseline seats behind the 2nd half-visiting team's basket were a great distance from the floor. Legend has it that Coach Wooden, the gentleman he is, wanted it that way to prevent his teams from having an “unfair advantage.” Though it has been 29 years since their last run to glory, the UCLA Bruins basketball are still college National Champions leaders with 11 banners hanging upon the rafters, 10 of which Coach John Wooden is responsible for.  They are members of the Pac-12 Conference. Food & Beverage 4 Along the south concourse, fans are permitted to an outdoor patio to soak in the Southern California weather. Food trucks occupy the space and along the outdoor patio, providing additional concessions for fans. In addition, this area also provides an extended concourse for fans to roam as well as dining tables for those wanting to dine outside. This is a much-welcomed addition, providing fans more room to dine, stretch and roam while providing the opportunity to soak in the outdoor elements. The area for food trucks can allow UCLA to rotate vendors and options do vary. Some of the food truck offerings include a wide variety of taco and burrito options from Malibu Cove Seafood, including the surf and turf with steak, grilled shrimp, rice, black beans and a citrus salsa, one of my favorites. Other food truck offerings include tasty taquitos from Roll ‘Em Up Taquitos, a fan favorite, kettle corn and real fruit ice cream New Zealand style from Creamy Boys Ice Cream. The inner concourse offers your usual arena fare: Bruin Dogs, nachos, peanuts and Cracker Jack, an assortment of candies, and Coke products. Other dining options include California Pizza Kitchen and Jersey Mike’s, offering their share of specialty pizza and sandwiches. Beer and wine are also now available at men's and women's basketball games. Atmosphere 5 The moment you approach Pauley Pavilion you feel a heavy sense of tradition. If it is your first time coming to a UCLA basketball game, you will want to enter through the north entrance. Outside the north entrance is a statue of the late great John Wooden, the man responsible for 10 of the 11 National Championship banners that hang in the rafters. John Wooden Statue, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Like with any historic venue that undergoes a renovation, fans at first can be resistant to change, as many of the Bruin faithful were. But even the most storied venues get an occasional facelift, and Pauley is no different. When the facelift was complete, Bruin fans quickly warmed to her new look as the renovations not only provided wider concourses but countless displays throughout that pay homage not only to UCLA basketball’s storied history but its other athletic programs as well, over 100 plus total national championships. UCLA Honoring Past Glories, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 The popular area just outside of campus is known as Westwood Village and there are certainly options for everyone. During weeknight games, players from both teams are known to roam around The Village. Most will say hi and take pictures with you. If you're in the mood for a drink, Barney's is the main watering hole for thirsty fans. Diddy Riese has been serving ice cream and cookies to Westwood since 1983. Lines can be pretty long for this popular vendor, serving up ice cream sandwiches for the student-friendly price of $1.75. Not your same old chocolate wafers with vanilla ice cream between them, you can choose from 12 flavors of ice cream as your filling and from 10 types of freshly baked cookies as your "bread." Fat Sal's is also another local favorite that serves up huge sandwiches. The one I always get is the Fat Bruin, served on extra wide hero bread with cheeseburgers, chili, bacon, onion rings, fries, ketchup, and garlic aioli. Fans 3 UCLA Game Time, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey With a young and inexperienced team going through transition, fans haven’t filled Pauley much this 2023-24 season. However those who have shown up have been very supportive, if at times critical. UCLA hoops fans, like their crosstown football counterparts, are a demanding bunch. With 11 National Championship banners hanging in the rafters, an annual trip to the post-season tournament is never enough to satisfy. To the majority of Bruins fans, a trip to March Madness should be a given, so yes, expectations are always high. Attendance during conference play generally tends to pick up, especially against rivals Arizona and USC. When things are going great for the Sons of Westwood, Pauley is rocking where even the Hollywood types can be seen. Access 3 The UCLA campus is located in Westwood, and as a result, fans are likely to face some frustrating traffic on the way to the game. To get to Pauley Pavilion, you'll likely take either the 10 Freeway or the 405 Freeway and take the Wilshire or Sunset Blvd exit. If it is a weekday game, traffic is inevitable, especially on Wilshire. Once you approach the arena, take note of the many signs directing fans to the parking. Most spots go for approximately $11 and in a secure garage. If staying on LA's west side, several of Santa Monica Big Blue Buses operate inside the campus and will drop you off a short walk from the venue. Given Pauley Pavilion’s location, like with most any venue in LA, give yourself plenty of preparation time, and bring plenty of patience. Return on Investment 4 For most games, advance ticket planning is not necessary. With most games not selling out, particularly early season games when the schedule may include some least attractive opponents, tickets can be found below face value as low as $5 on various third-party sites. Ticket prices can be somewhat pricey however, with the team struggling this season, tickets to even higher profile opponents such as University of Arizona have been available as low as $13 if waiting toward the day of game. Extras 5 Located right next to Pauley is the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame. Open up until tip-off before most games, the HOF features many of the school’s many athletic accomplishments, including all the national title hardware accumulated over the years as well as the Victory Bell on years the football team has defeated their crosstown rivals. UCLA The Victory Bell, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Also on display at the HOF is a replica display of John Wooden’s den, displaying many memorabilia dedicated to The Wizard. A popular meeting spot for fans is the John Wooden statue outside of the arena. This life-sized statue lists his years with the program and one of his more memorable quotes on a plaque below. The statue is located outside the north entrance of the arena. The statue of Mr. Wooden is not only a focal meeting point for fans, but it’s also one of the more popular photo-op spots among the faithful. Inside the arena, fans may also note an empty seat behind the Bruins' bench. This seat was where Wooden would sit once his coaching days ended, so the school keeps it open as a tribute to him. Fans are allowed to take pictures of the seat after the game. Out of respect for The Wizard, most fans will not sit in his seat. Also inside the arena, fans will spot many "Incredible Moments" signs on pillars throughout the concourse. Difficult to miss with their UCLA blue and gold color scheme, these signs honor many of the great achievements in Bruin sports history. No other NCAA men's program has as many NCAA Championship banners as the UCLA program has on display at Pauley. Eleven in total, the first of the championships came in 1964, and the most recent occurred in 1995. Each of the banners has a blue background with gold print showing the year and the phrase "National Champions." While most programs will also acknowledge their conference titles and Final Four appearances, only National Champion banners are raised here. Before the renovation, the banners were located along the rim of the court. With the banners currently hanging above the court, the 11 banners give Pauley that special imposing presence. Beginning in 1990, UCLA began retiring the jerseys of several of its notable players. The first two inductees to be named were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (#33 who played as Lew Alcindor) and Bill Walton (#32). In 1996, four additional players retired: Walt Hazzard (#42), Sidney Wicks (#35), Marques Johnson (#54), and Ed O'Bannon (#31). In 2004, a seventh member was added as Gail Goodrich (#25) also had his number retired during the game that commemorated the 40th anniversary of UCLA's first championship. Lastly, fans need to take a stroll down Wooden Way, where they will find one of the more interesting collections of college basketball memorabilia that they will ever encounter. There is John Wooden's Pyramid of Success, hardwood from previous UCLA home courts, a list of All-Americans, the wall of champions, signed basketballs, and much more. Final Thoughts UCLA Royce Hall, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey If you appreciate a deep history, give yourself plenty of time before or after the game, to check out the numerous displays throughout the concourse, particularly those along the east concourse, appropriately named Wooden Way. Even in a year of transition for the program, a visit to Pauley Pavilion should be on every hoop fans list.

Photo courtesy of Kristella Cruz The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) announced on February 28th that it has acquired H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas, the current home of the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros of the United Soccer League, which ceased operations in 2023. The move paves the way for UTRGV to use the facility as its homefield for the Vaqueros football program, which will play its inaugural season in 2025. Also announced at a press conference was the rechristening of the venue to UTRGV Stadium. Built in 2017, the stadium currently seats approximately 10,000, with the ability to expand to 12,500. In addition to their new home, the Vaqueros will play one game each season at Sams Memorial Stadium in Brownsville, Texas. "UTRGV Stadium gives both our community and football program immediate access to a premier facility while also providing additional possibilities for our university," UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. "Its location off Expressway 281 also ensures convenient access for our fans, as well as visitors who make their way into the Valley for games." Image courtesy of UTRGV Athletics The UTRGV Stadium complex features 20 acres of festival grounds that can be utilized for tailgating, concerts, and campus or community events. The stadium’s LED video board is 43-feet-by-24-feet, and was lauded as being state-of-the-art when installed. Lastly, there are 30 luxury suites and eight patio suites for premium game day seating. “Continuing another historic chapter in our longstanding relationship with the university, this partnership between the City of Edinburg and UTRGV symbolizes our steadfast commitment to nurturing growth and opportunity within our community,” Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza said. “Bringing Division 1 football to Edinburg enriches our city's sports landscape and paves the way for new possibilities for our residents and visitors alike … I eagerly anticipate UTRGV football's transformative impact on Edinburg and the entire Rio Grande Valley.” ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photo by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey With the advent of the cell phone, everyone in the world became a photographer, and with the launching of Instagram, everyone in the world could share their photographs with, well, everyone in the world. This has been a boon for sports franchises, as fans can be seen throughout every game snapping pics (selfies and otherwise) so that they can share them with their online followers. Taking it a step further, the website onlinecasinos.com researched which venues in the U.S. were the most popular. In other words, which stadium was “doing it for the Gram” – analysts for the site ranked every sports stadium in the country based on the number of Instagram posts that featured each venue’s unique hashtag. Baseball and football venues dominated the top 10 rankings, with MLB showing its popularity also, with six ballparks claiming spots. This includes taking the top spot overall, namely Yankee Stadium with over 658,000 Instagram mentions in 2023. Arguably the most famous sporting venue in the world, Yankee Stadium is home (of course) to MLB’s New York Yankees, New York City FC of the MLS, and the annual college football Pinstripe Bowl. “An interesting aspect of the research was that stadium capacity did not seem to affect how ‘Instagrammable’ sporting arenas across the U.S. were,” a spokesperson for onlinecasinos.com said of the findings. “This is shown by two of the top three having less than 50,000 seats, indicating that the historical significance of both the team and venue have more influence than stadium size.” Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Wrigley Field in Chicago, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, and Fenway Park in Boston rounded out the top five; Wrigley Field and the Rose Bowl both have the distinction of being registered National Historic Landmarks. Furthermore, Chicago and New York both placed two venues in the top 10. Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey “The fact that six baseball stadiums placed in the top 10 also alludes to [size not equating with popularity on Instagram], with it being one of the nation's oldest established sports, and therefore the stadiums often established long before Football, Soccer, and Basketball arenas are ultimately more Instagrammable,” the spokesperson said. Top Instagrammable Sports Venues in the U.S. ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Morrell Gymnasium 6 Polar Loop Brunswick, ME 04011 Bowdoin Polar Bears website Morrell Gymnasium Year Opened: 1965 Capacity: 1,500 Polar Bear Basketball Bowdoin College was the first university chartered in Maine. Founded in 1794, it actually predates the state, beginning its existence when Maine was still a part of Massachusetts. Today the school boasts an enrollment of 1,850 students who study in 35 majors and 40 minors. Considered a “most selective” university and a “Hidden Ivy”, Bowdoin boasts many notable alumni, including Franklin Pierce, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Joan Benoit Samuelsson and Robert Peary. The school’s athletic teams are named the “Polar Bears” in honor of Peary’s explorations of the North Pole. Bowdoin athletics have enjoyed a great deal of success over the years, including four national titles in field hockey and another in men’s tennis. Three Olympic gold medalists are Bowdoin alumni. The basketball teams are mainstays in the NCAA tournament, with the men having reached the dance on four occasions and the women on 18 occasions, including finishing as national runners-up in 2004, 2018 and 2019. Morrell Gymnasium is named for Mal Morrell, class of 1923, who served as Bowdoin’s Athletic Director from 1928-1967. It serves as home to the Polar Bear basketball and volleyball teams. Recent renovations added the Peter Buck Fitness Center, as well as redesigning the entryway, lobby and locker rooms in the facility. Food & Beverage 2 There is a table in the lobby which provides some basic snacks during Polar Bears games. Hot dogs, chips and candy are sold here, along with cans of Pepsi products. It’s not much, but it will do the trick if you need a snack during the game. Plus, no item costs more than four dollars. Atmosphere 4 The experience at a Bowdoin basketball game will feel familiar to those who have attended games at this level in the past. It’s not an incredibly loud or extravagant presentation, but you will be entertained while watching a game here. Most impressive is the support the basketball teams receive from the student body. During Stadium Journey’s visit the student section was packed and loud throughout the game. It’s not something you see often at a Division Three game. There are scoreboards mounted on either end of the gymnasium that display game information. The PA announcer adds some energy to the proceedings without being too intrusive. Music is played during stoppages at a reasonable volume. Part of the charm of watching a game in a small gym like this is that you are close enough to the action that you can hear the squeak of sneakers, coaches barking instructions to the players, and the chatter on the court. Neighborhood 4 Bowdoin College is the focal point of this small town and is located centrally to many of the points of interest in Brunswick. While there’s no dining or lodging options within immediate walking distance of Morrell Gymnasium, Everything you’ll need in this small town is a short five-minute drive to Maine Street (It’s awesome how they added an “e” to Main Street. Still makes me smile). For a town of this size, there’s a surprising amount of attractions for visitors. There’s an active arts and entertainment culture here and plenty of Maine charm to experience. The Maine State Music Theater, Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum and Bowdoin Museum of Art are all located on the Bowdoin campus. Of course, in this area there is no shortage of breweries. Among the offerings in Brunswick are Brickyard Hollow Brewing, Flight Deck Brewing, Moderation Brewing and Black Pug Brewing. If looking for dining options, locals swear by the Brunswick Diner for a bite to eat, or try some farm-to-table eats at 55 North or some wood-fired pizza at Nomad. Among the many fine boutique hotels in town is the Brunswick Hotel and Tavern, located right near campus. Several chains have locations out by I-295. Of course, visitors wishing to explore the area beyond Brunswick may venture out to Freeport, home of the L.L. Bean Outlet Store, or to Portland, a city with endless dining and cultural options. Portland’s praises have been sung on this site on numerous occasions. Fans 3 The basketball teams at Bowdoin enjoy good support from the community. Crowds range in size from 100-300 fans. These numbers are pretty typical of other Division Three schools in the area. Stadium Journey visited Bowdoin for the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2024, with a near-capacity crowd of over 1,200 fans in attendance. Most impressive amongst the typical “friends and family” you see at a small school basketball game was the presence of a packed student section. Just like the student sections you’ll find at larger schools, the kids filled the upper level of Morrell Gymnasium, standing the whole game and taunting the opposition. The gym was filled with noise from this section throughout the game. Access 3 Brunswick is a coastal town of over 21,000 residents located about a half hour drive north of Portland. Interstate 295 runs through Brunswick on its way from Portland to Augusta. The Bowdoin campus is located about four miles from the highway, easily accessed by Route 1 and Maine Street (notice what the town did there?). Amtrak’s Nor’easter trains have their terminus here in downtown Brunswick, connecting visitors via rail to Portland, Boston and beyond. Morrell Gymnasium is located on Bowdoin’s main campus, away from the school’s other athletic facilities. Bowdoin is a large campus with lots of green, open space, but you really wouldn’t know it if you’re a visitor unfamiliar with the campus visiting during a dark, winter night. The signage on campus isn’t great, and you may find yourself wandering around Bowdoin as you search for the gym. There is a small parking lot behind Morrell Gymnasium, but this fills quickly, forcing visitors to park in a lot on the opposite side of College Street. Again, this lot is hidden behind some buildings without any signage to alert visitors to its presence. It’s about a half mile walk from this lot to the gym, which may be uncomfortable on a frigid Maine winter night. The path from the lot to the gym is paved, but there are no signs directing you. It’s very possible that you’ll be taking an unplanned tour of campus on your way to the game or back to your car. Once you find the Peter Buck Center, you’ll enter into a bright, attractive lobby where you will see many trophy cases and displays showcasing Bowdoin’s athletic success. Front and center in the lobby is a stuffed Polar Bear, kept fresh inside a glass display case. Two doors on your left will allow you to access the gym. Rest rooms were a bit of a walk from the gym, located in the Smith Union Center next door. There are two levels of seating in Bowdoin Gymnasium, with a few rows of molded plastic bleachers on the lower level and wooden bleachers on the upper level. All seats have great views of the action in this cozy gym. Return on Investment 3 As mentioned earlier, Stadium Journey visited Morrell Gymnasium during an NCAA Tournament game, with NCAA mandated ticket prices of $15 for general admission seating. You will undoubtedly be paying less should you be visiting during a regular season game. Like many schools at this level, one admission ticket allows you to see both the men’s and women’s teams play, as long as the schedules line up. Parking is free in the nearby lots, and the concession prices top out at four dollars for any single item. A night watching the Polar Bears play is a most affordable entertainment option for southern Maine sports fans. Extras 2 Bowdoin is absolutely a regional athletic powerhouse, and their impressive history is displayed throughout Morrell Gymnasium. Banners honoring tournament appearances by the men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as the volleyball team, are displayed throughout the gym. Trophy cases and displays in the lobby contain mementos commemorating past Polar Bear victories. An additional extra point is awarded for the stuffed Polar Bear keeping watch in the Morrell Gymnasium lobby. Final Thoughts Often touted as one of the premier locations to watch Division Three basketball in the country, Morrell Gymnasium doesn’t disappoint. There’s plenty of Maine charm to go around in Brunswick and nearby Portland. Make a Bowdoin basketball game part of a weekend trip, and you have found yourself a fantastic Stadium Journey well off the beaten path. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Starry Baseball Field 236 N Grantham Rd Dillsburg, PA 17019 Messiah Falcons website Starry Baseball Field website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 1,000 The Falcons Nest Messiah University is a private interdenominational evangelical Christian university in Grantham, Pennsylvania, although the mailing address is in nearby Mechanicsburg. Starry Baseball Field is part of the larger Starry Athletic Complex. The university began as Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training Home and was part of the Brethren in Christ Church. The name changed over the years going from Messiah Bible School to Messiah College, and in 2020 Messiah University. The university is now interdenominational and not part of the Brethren in Christ Church but still is evangelical with an influence in the Anabaptist, the Radical Pietist, and the Wesleyan holiness movements. The Falcons mascot is named Flex, although he was previously known as Fandango. The Falcons compete in Division III of the NCAA and are a member of the Middle Atlantic Conferences. The Falcons receive some of the biggest support in Division III and boast some of the best attendance of all schools at that level in the "Olympic" sports. The Falcons have been very successful in athletics. The men's and women's soccer teams won the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2012. The Falcons men's soccer team are eleven-time national champions. Messiah University is the only NCAA college to win the men's and women's soccer national championships in the same year, and they have achieved that distinction four times. There also have been national championships in women's softball, women's field hockey, and numerous individual championships in wrestling and wrestling. The Falcons baseball time are five-time conference champions in 2003, 2005, 2008, 2011, and 2012. An amphitheater seating system was installed at Starry Baseball Field in 2010. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small concession stand near the field called the Falcon Hut. It offers cheap concessions from a limited menu. it is a nice little facility but it doesn't offer much if you are looking for more than a small snack. Atmosphere 4 The Starry Athletic Complex is a great little complex to watch sports. You have to access it via a covered bridge. Each of the various fields offers great views and a fun environment for each of the Falcons sports teams. Starry Baseball Field is a nice little field and the amphitheater seating, along with the hills for seating, makes for a nice comfortable place to watch a game. Messiah's "A Warmer Welcome Campaign" is an ongoing effort to enhance the outdoor athletic facilities at the Starry Athletic Complex. The Campaign is set to include a new concession and hospitality facility that will serve Messiah’s entire outdoor athletic complex, expanded and enhanced new seating for lacrosse and softball fans, and improved dugout areas for the baseball field. Neighborhood 3 Starry Athletic Fields Complex is south of the main Messiah campus. There is not much of a neighborhood in Grantham but one can venture into Mechanicsburg and/or Harrisburg for more things to do before or after a game. There is a Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar in Camp Hill if you are feeling like eating a large meal. Vitality Bowls in Mechanicsburg could be a healthier option. Fans 4 Messiah has one of the best fan bases around. They support Falcon sports, no matter which one. If visiting on any given weekend, you are likely to find multiple games going on, with each a healthy attendance. Access 3 Messiah University, itself, is not that hard to access as it is located nearby the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-83, I-81, and U.S. Route 15. You may have more issues once on campus. The university is easy enough to get around, but the Starry Athletic Fields Complex is located to the south of the main Messiah campus, across an old-style covered bridge. Once across the bridge, there is a medium-sized parking lot that could fill quickly. We ended up parking across the campus and walking as there were so many events going on, not just at the athletic complex. This was not a bad thing, as we found a nice little walking trail, along with a swinging bridge. You need to be aware that the main parking lot might not work out for you. Return on Investment 5 There is no charge for attending a game at Starry Baseball Field. Even if there was, you could easily watch the game for free along the field. The limited offerings of the Falcon Hut are also very good with prices. Extras 4 The ability to easily watch so many sports without almost any extra walking is a great extra. Go north of the nearby Criste Tennis Courts to find a delightful swinging bridge that crosses Yellow Breeches Creek. Once across the bridge above look for the campus fitness trail which offers a great walking trail around a good part of the Messiah campus. The Climenhaga Homestead is a historic house on campus that was built by the first dean of the college (Asa Climenhaga) as a way to become better connected to the campus and its students. The homestead now houses guest rooms, meeting rooms, and conference facilities. Final Thoughts Messiah University is already a great spot to watch sports, but with the upcoming "A Warmer Welcome Campaign" it may go to another level. Starry Baseball Field is a simple place but is one that offers a great place to spend a bit of time.

This week's episode takes a look at the world of rebranding from the low levels of baseball all the way to the NBA! Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Murphy Center 2650 Middle Tennessee Boulevard Murfreesboro, TN 37130 Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders website Murphy Center website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 11,520 Bluenited When considering some of the most relevant college basketball venues across the state of Tennessee, Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville or Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gymnasium might be the first that come to mind, but the most important very well might be Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University, which has been at the center of the State of Tennessee’s basketball community for decades. Opened in 1972, Murphy Center replaced neighboring Alumni Memorial Gymnasium, whose capacity of 2,500 had been outgrown – Murphy Center would open not just as the home of Blue Raider basketball, but has hosted the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association’s state boys and girls basketball championship games since 1973 as well. Members of the Ohio Valley Conference for 48 seasons, the Blue Raiders joined the Sun Belt in 2000, where they would remain for 12 years before moving to their current home, Conference USA, in 2013. Despite a major reshuffle in that conference, Middle Tennessee recently reaffirmed their commitment to Conference USA as members for the foreseeable future. Food & Beverage   3 Concession stands are situated in the corners of the arena, behind the walls of bleachers (more on this in a moment) at the top of the seating bowl. Concessions are nothing that will knock your socks off, but just the typical hot dogs, nachos, soft pretzels, popcorn, chips, and candy. Sweet treats seem to be the biggest point of interest when it comes to concessions – lines for various flavors of frozen lemonade and the always popular Dippin’ Dots tend to get rather long, along the track that surrounds the seating area. Beverage choices include soft drinks from the Pepsi family and bottled Gatorade. Beer and seltzers are sold at Murphy Center. Basic domestic beers can be purchased at any of the concession stands, but the biergarten dabbles more in creating a social atmosphere for fans to hang out, while they enjoy several craft beers from Murfreesboro brewers Cedar Glades Brews and Mayday Brewery. While the concessions are less than impressive, the beer garden does add a level of social gathering to an arena that might not typically have such a feature. Atmosphere   4 From the outside, the appearance of Murphy Center is very geometrically balanced, with many flat planes and right angles. The building sits elevated upon a mound, as a temple of sorts to basketball.  Large, glass windows wrap around the entire arena, from floor to roofline, leaving few questions about where the nickname “The Glass House” comes from. Murphy Center’s interior design was inspired by Notre Dame’s Joyce Center, with its oval shaped seating bowl, while the exterior’s geometric simplicity is reminiscent of Air Force Academy’s Clune Arena. When originally opened in the ‘70s, Murphy Center was used as a multi-purpose facility, with the floor obviously for basketball, but the upper concourse having a six-lane track and long jump pit built in. Today, this track provides space for a sizable children’s play area of inflatables. The Murphy Center court strays from the traditional hardwood appearance, rather using more of a gray that nicely complements the school’s primary blue color; the seating bowl is a sea of blue seats that encircles the court level. Upper bleacher seats back each of the court level sections, which gives the arena its 11,000+ capacity, but these bleachers are commonly pushed in and rarely used. Foregoing a traditional center hung scoreboard, two large video boards at each end of Murphy Center show a live video feed of the game, with sidebars showing running player scoring, rebounding, assist and foul totals, and a litany of team stats. LED scoreboards also hang over each of the four tunnels leading to the floor, which provide game time and score information. There might not be a college basketball pep band in the country that makes an entrance quite like that of the Blue Raiders – following a drum solo, both the pep band and cheer squads march down the rows of the east stands, as they fill their seats and begin dancing, before picking up their instruments to entertain fans during pregame. Throughout the game, mascot Lightning is an active participant of the spirt squad, willing the Blue Raiders to victory. While Lightning primarily hangs out in the student section, he will occasionally wander around the lower levels of seats, mingling with fans during stoppages in play. Given the configuration of the seating bowl at Murphy Center, the seats at midcourt are the furthest from the playing area. This mostly impacts those sitting at the lowest level, as they have to contend with being pushed back from the action with an awkward dead space/walkway in front of them. Neighborhood   3 Murphy Center sits prominently at the corner of Greenland Drive and Middle Tennessee Boulevard, backed by Floyd Stadium (MTSU football) and Reese Smith Stadium (MTSU baseball). Visitors will not have to look far if wanting to sit down for a bite before the game – Campus Pub and Boro Bar & Grill offer up dive bar experiences within walking distance of Murphy Center. Boro does offer live music late night, so it might offer a bit more entertainment post-game. Alternatively, on the opposite end of campus along East Main Street, Boulevard Bar & Grille provides a bit more of a family friendly atmosphere. If a more concentrated area of bars, restaurants, and shops is what you are looking for, however, take East Main Street away from campus to Murfreesboro town center, where there are several options built around Rutherford County Courthouse. Fans   3 Attendance at Murphy Center has been on a decline since the height of the program’s recent success during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. During this run, the Blue Raiders averaged over 5,000 fans per game; these days that total is closer to 3,000. Middle Tennessee fans are supportive of their Blue Raiders, and a lot of that credit goes to the “Blue Zoo Student Section” and the pep band. What is a bit disappointing, though, is that with a reported enrollment of over 20,000 students, the number of students in attendance at games does not reflect this size. A lot of credit needs to go to the those who are in attendance, however – the Blue Zoo and the Blue Raiders pep band do a great job in setting the tone for the atmosphere within Murphy Center. Alumni and community members also comprise a large portion of those in attendance. Access   4 Middle Tennessee's campus is located less than 4 miles from I-24, which runs regionally between Chattanooga and Nashville. Even though it is not directly off the interstate, Middle Tennessee’s campus is still easy enough to get to via local streets. A moderately sized parking lot along Greenland Drive leaves a short walk to Murphy Center. As referenced earlier, Murphy Center was built as a multi-use facility with a track built around the top of the seating bowl. This track provides fans with a great deal of space to move around the arena, and not have to worry about lines for concessions or the children’s play area backing up and impeding the flow. Return on Investment   3 Purchasing tickets from the Blue Raiders athletics site apparently avoids Ticketmaster fees; tickets here start at $15 and are not subject to the $4.40 service fee. This seems to be a good way to go simply to save a few dollars, and the savings can be used for the $5 parking charge in the lot just outside Murphy Center. Concessions are a bit inflated, but this isn’t much different than you would see at other arenas. When compared to other schools in Conference USA, Middle Tennessee’s prices seem to be in line with the rest of the conference. Extras   4 Banners recognizing MTSU’s conference regular season and tournament championships, along with their NIT and NCAA tournament appearances, hang from the rafters. The retired # 40 of George Sorrell is also displayed amongst the Blue Raider accomplishments. The bounce house area behind the bleachers is a popular location for parents to bring children throughout the game – it can be a great getaway for kids, as getting them to sit in their seats the whole game might be a bit too much to ask for. A history of Murphy Center lines the back side of the bleachers, celebrating its 50th anniversary. This timeline recognizes not just the basketball highlights, but also other prominent moments, including performances from Bob Hope, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks, The Who, Elton John, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, U2, and an almost endless who’s-who of the entertainment world. A display in the court level concourse tells the story of chemistry professor Dr. Aaron Todd and “Operation Full House”. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2004, Dr. Todd made a list of 5 things he wanted to accomplish, one of them being to see Murphy Center set its all-time basketball attendance record – Dr. Todd made it his mission to fill Murphy Center past its capacity of 11,520. On February 26, 2004, Dr. Todd would see his work come to fruition, as 11,807 fans packed Murphy Center for a late season match up against conference rival Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Final Thoughts In the upcoming years, Murphy Center is slated for substantial enhancements as part of the athletic department’s "Build Blue” master plan. Changes will include the addition of premium suites along the top of the seating bowl, bringing seats at center court closer, and the addition of a new grand entry point. Rendering courtesy of Middle Tennessee State University While Murphy Center will have an updated look, design plans appear to have given special care to not change the facility too much, to the point where it becomes unrecognizable. Rendering courtesy of Middle Tennessee State University Murphy Center is quietly one of the special college basketball experiences in the country; the facility holds a lot of history that has long made it a special gathering place not just for Blue Raider supporters, but for those from all corners of Tennessee.

The city of Pensacola has had a long love affair with the game of baseball. It has hosted teams at the youth, college, recreational, military, and minor league levels over the years. It also has served as a spring training site for teams at the major league level. Baseball in Pensacola: America’s Pastime & the City of Five Flags by Scott Brown provides an in-depth look at the baseball teams and baseball stadiums that have called the city home. Pensacola is one of the oldest cities in Florida, as it was founded in 1559. It would be another three hundred years before the sport arrived in the city. The military has played an especially key role in bringing baseball to the area. Pensacola has always had a large military population due to its strategic location as a port city on the Gulf of Mexico. Baseball games were first reported in the area during the Civil War, as a means of building morale and good physical conditioning for the troops stationed in the arena. The Pensacola Naval Yard had an entire baseball league, with each ship berthed at the facility sponsoring a team. During World War I Ty Cobb was one of the first professional ballplayers to visit the base as a part of a morale-boosting tour. World War II saw several major league ballplayers train for active duty at the Naval Air Station. Among these players was Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams, who was an aerial gunnery ace during the war. He also served as a flight instructor at the airfield. One of the airfields in the area was called Bronson Field. It served as the home of several major leaguers during the war and had a team nicknamed the Bronson Bombers. Pensacola’s first minor league baseball team was known as the Fliers as a nod to the base’s major contribution to the game. Following the wars, Branch Rickey and the Brooklyn Dodgers utilized the decommissioned air base as a home for an annual rookie training camp. Pensacola also had civic league teams sponsored by area neighborhoods or local businesses. They typically played their games at either Palmetto Beach Park, Maxent Park, or Magnolia Bluff Park. Even though Pensacola is in the Deep South, several black baseball teams shared the same ballparks with white teams in Pensacola. They would play on opposite nights or have segregated seating in the stands, both of which were considered highly unusual in those segregated times. Pete Caldwell Field was the home of the Pensacola Arthur Giants, while the Pensacola Seagulls were a barnstorming Negro League team that played their home schedule at Legion Field. Pittsburgh was the first major league city to see the potential of Pensacola as a spring training site. The team was known as the Allegheny’s at that time. They erected a simple diamond with a 500-seat grandstand. They were followed by the Cleveland Naps in 1913. The Boston Red Sox held their spring training camp in Pensacola in 1930-1931, while the NY Giants arrived in town in 1936. While they did not hold spring training in the city, the Yankees played a series of exhibition games in Pensacola on their way back to New York City after their preseason camp. Both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig played in these games. Minor League-affiliated baseball has been in Pensacola since 1927, with some interruptions along the way due to wars and league failures. The Pensacola Fliers/Pilots operated from 1927-1950. They were affiliated with several teams, including the Brooklyn Dodgers, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Washington Senators. They played their home games at Maxent Park, a 5,000-seat venue that eventually was renamed Legion Park. The Fliers team folded after the Southeastern League went out of business in 1951. The Fliers then merged with the Miami Flamingos and moved to South Florida. In 1956 the Alabama-Florida League added the Pensacola Dons as a new member. Dons named honored the Spanish Conquistadors who once ruled over this portion of Florida. The Dons played their home games at Admiral Mason Park along the Pensacola Bay waterfront. The stadium offered several modern features for the times, including concrete and steel construction and lights for night games. At first, the Dons were not affiliated with any major league team. In later years, the Dons were affiliated with the Kansas City Athletics, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Chicago White Sox, and the Baltimore Orioles. During the last season of their existence, the Dons became the Pensacola Senators as a result of becoming affiliated with the Washington Senators. The team met its end when the Alabama-Florida League went out of business. The Pensacola Pelicans were Pensacola’s representatives in the minor leagues from 2002-2011. They played in three different leagues over the years, including the Southeastern League, the Central Baseball League, and the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. They played their home schedule at Jim Spooner Field on the University of West Florida campus. They were extremely successful both on and off the field, setting the plate for the next team to move into AA-affiliated baseball. The current Pensacola minor league representatives are the Pensacola Blue Wahoos of the AA Southern League. They began playing in 2012. The home of the Wahoos is the 5,000-seat Admiral Fetterman Field at Community Maritime Park. The ballpark is located along the shoreline of Pensacola Bay. Due to its proximity to the waterfront, the stadium had to be designed to withstand 150 MPH winds during hurricanes. Over the years the Blue Wahoos have been affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds, the Minnesota Twins, and the Miami Marlins. --- Scott Brown’s Baseball in Pensacola provides a great read for anyone interested in the history of baseball in the Deep South.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Case Gymnasium 285 Babcock St Boston, MA 02215 Boston University Terriers website Case Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 1,800 Up On the Roof Case Gymnasium, referred to at Boston University as “The Roof”, is the home to the Terriers men’s and women’s basketball teams. The Roof is located on the top floor of the Harold Case Physical Education Center, above Walter Brown Arena, home of the BU women’s hockey team. The Case Center stands on the site of Braves Field, which served as home to the Boston Braves of Major League Baseball from 1915-1952. The Center is located approximately where the left field pavilion once stood. Many pieces of Braves Field still stand, as the stadium (now named Nickerson Field) is still used by BU’s lacrosse and soccer teams. From 2005-2015 the Terriers played the majority of their home games at nearby Agganis Arena. Unfortunately, Agganis proved to be too large for Terrier basketball, so in 2015 it was decided to return all basketball games to the cozy confines of Case Gym. The Terriers have qualified for the NCAA tournament eight times, advancing all the way to the Elite Eight in 1959. In addition, Boston University has qualified for the NIT six times.  Five Boston University alumni have gone on to play in the NBA. Food & Beverage 1 There is a small concession stand in the gym lobby that will do the trick if you need a bite to eat during a Terrier basketball game. Hot dogs, nachos and assorted snacks comprise the entire menu.  On the plus side, nothing sold here costs more than six dollars. Pepsi products are featured at Case Gym. There is no alcohol served at this on-campus facility. Atmosphere 3 Case Gymnasium has a real old school vibe to it. It’s a simple facility that probably looks much as it did when it was built in the 1970s. There’s no giant, center-hung video board, just a pair of dot-matrix scoreboards at either end of the court that post basic game information. One of the things that drives the game day atmosphere at a college basketball game is the presence of the pep band, cheerleaders and student section. While there’s not a huge turnout by the student body at Terrier basketball games, the pep band leads the way in creating a lively atmosphere. They play during all stoppages and keep the energy level up. Performances by the cheerleaders and dance team help keep the fans entertained and engaged. A typical crowd at Case Gym consists of locals, alumni and plenty of youth groups and families. The team keeps the younger fans involved with contests and giveaways throughout the game, including t-shirt tosses, free posters and the very popular pizza giveaway. Younger fans take over the court at halftime. You may even see Rhett, the school’s mascot, roaming the gym and interacting with fans. As you might imagine, a small gym like Case gets really loud when it’s filled and the Terriers are rolling. Unfortunately, a full gym is the exception rather than the rule. Neighborhood 4 Boston University is an urban campus, straddling Commonwealth Avenue for approximately a mile and a half on the Boston/Brookline city line. Located adjacent to Case Gym is Nickerson Field, home to BU’s lacrosse and soccer teams. It is also known to baseball historians as Braves Field, which was home to the National League’s Boston Braves from 1915 to 1952. Walter Brown Arena is located on the ground floor of the Case Center, with Agganis Arena  a block to the east. Fans coming to the BU campus will find plenty of choices for dining in the area. BU students recommend Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and T Anthony’s Pizzeria, both located within a block of Case Gym. The neighborhood features a diverse variety of dining options, with excellent Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese eateries nearby. The Paradise Rock Club, known nationally for hosting prominent bands like U2 and REM before they hit it big, is located a block away from Case Gym. It continues to host both local acts and up-and-coming national acts. If you expand your search beyond campus, Kenmore Square and Fenway Park are just over a mile away. Not far beyond that are the tourist destinations of Copley Square, Back Bay, Boston Common and Chinatown. All are easily accessed by the Green Line, which has stops up and down Commonwealth Avenue. Fans 2 The Boston University basketball team stands perpetually in the shadows of the school’s very successful hockey team, and the attendance at Case Gymnasium reflects this. Average attendance at Terrier games is just under 900 fans. This figure ranks below the average of the Patriot League, which itself is one of the more sparsely attended basketball conferences in the nation. Despite the smallish crowds present, Case Gym provides an excellent home-court advantage to the Terriers. With its cozy confines, the place can get really loud when the home team gets on a roll. This is done the old-fashioned way, as the fans in the stands provide the noise and energy here. Access 4 It can be easy to pass right by Case Gymnasium without even realizing it. Located at the end of a dead-end street, this nondescript building is marked only by a small sign containing the Boston University logo. Boston can be a difficult city to drive in, with streets laid out in seemingly random directions and construction projects a constant presence throughout the city. However, it’s pretty easy to get to the Boston University campus. It’s located right on Commonwealth Avenue, one of the city’s major drags. Case Gym is located at the end of Babcock Street, right off of Commonwealth Ave. Detailed directions can be found here. Parking is available in a covered lot located underneath New Balance Field, right across the street from the ground floor entrance to Case Gym. On-street parking is also available in the vicinity of Case Gymnasium but be aware of the times that meters are in operation. Additional parking can be found in the garage underneath Agganis Arena. The best method for arriving at Case Gym is to take public transportation, known in Boston as the “T”. The Green Line’s B train has a stop at the top of Babcock Street just a short walk from Case Gym. The main entrance to Case Gym is located on the back side of the Case Center, adjacent to Nickerson Field. Entering into the gym’s lobby, fans will find the concession stand, trophy cases and rest rooms. Depending on where your seats are, you’ll enter Case Gym through one of two doors. Seating consists of individual red folding stadium seats on both sides of the court with excellent views of the action no matter where you sit. We recommend you sit a few rows up to see over the constant traffic on the floor. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Terrier basketball games cost twelve dollars for all seats. Parking is available in the lot across the street from the Case Athletic Center or in the garage underneath the Agganis Arena for twelve dollars. There is plenty of on-street parking within a few blocks of the gym, but it can be tough to find an open spot when there are several events going on in the area at the same time. If you are lucky enough to find a spot, make sure to check the meters, as times of operation and prices may vary. To save money, many fans will take public transportation to Boston University. Known in Boston as the “T”, a one-way fare costs $2.75 and accesses most of the city. The Green Line’s B train has a stop at the top of Babcock Street, just a short walk from Case Gym. If you play your cards right, you can watch a Terriers game for under 20 dollars. Even if you aren’t so frugal, you won’t break the bank at Case Gymnasium. Extras 2 Boston University displays their basketball history throughout Case Gym. Banners honoring conference championships, tournament appearances, and retired numbers hang throughout the gym. A trophy case in the lobby is loaded with mementos from the school’s storied history. On the first floor of the Case Athletic Center is the Boston University Athletic Hall of Fame. BU may not play with the big boys in most sports, but they are certainly a local athletic powerhouse. Veteran ballpark travelers will want to check out Nickerson Field, originally known as Braves Field, home of the Boston Braves until they moved to Milwaukee in 1953.  The Case Athletic Center is located approximately where the left field pavilion at Braves Field once stood. The grandstand of Nickerson Field is the former right field grandstand, and the former ticket offices are now the school’s security offices. Final Thoughts Case Gymnasium, while a fairly basic facility, has many features that make it a unique Stadium Journey. From its location above a hockey rink to its past as a Major League Baseball stadium, there aren’t many gyms quite like this one. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by James Clotfelter and David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Stegeman Coliseum 100 Smith St Athens, GA 30602 Georgia Bulldogs website Stegeman Coliseum website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 10,523 Stegeman Coliseum – University of Georgia Bulldogs Originally constructed in 1964, the 10,000 seat Stegeman Coliseum has served as home to both UGA basketball teams, volleyball, and gymnastics. As it has undergone many renovations, the Steg now holds the modern amenities of new arenas, while preserving the history it has seen throughout its years. The University of Georgia basketball teams play1 in the D1 SEC (Southeastern Conference). Food & Beverage 3 Stegeman offers all the basics you would expect at a stadium, and not much more. All concession standings are grab-and-go with a cashless checkout at the end of the line. To give you an idea of what basic offerings include, expect hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, popcorn, Chick-fil-A, etc. In terms of drinks, Coca-Cola products are served in addition to basic beer and seltzer options. The offerings at Stegeman may not be as crazy and unique as other venues, but they provide reliable quality in what they do offer at a reasonable price mark. Atmosphere 4 The University of Georgia event staff does a great job of creating a noteworthy game day experience for its fans. Stegeman itself has been consistently renovated to keep its modern appeal. The Athletic Department has even described a "phased approach" to keep renovations frequent. Stegeman is broken up into two levels of seating (sections A-Z and sections AA-YY) with one concourse in between the two levels. At the east and west entrances is a glass exterior to allow the concourse to have an open sense with the natural light entering the arena. Here is where the concourse is at its widest and you can find merchandise, food, restrooms, free gameday programs, and frequent promotional giveaways. As you make the circuit around the concourse you will notice that the walls are embedded with UGA Athletic history. Walking around this part of the concourse is like that of strolling through a museum. Some walls serve as a timeline describing different historical moments or players from a variety of sports. Then others house shelves with trophies, memorabilia, or a team’s championship wall with the years a conference or national championship was won. The interior of the stadium is essentially a typical separated bowl you would find at many college basketball arenas; however, the bowl does not wrap all the way around on the second level, rather it wraps three-quarters of the court. The part of the upper bowl that is not connected to the other side harbors a mural of UGA legends and a small scoreboard displaying player stats. This design allows for a very intimate and thus loud experience at the coliseum. The main scoreboard is a 360-video board that hangs above the center court. It is mainly used for the score, replays, promotions, and crowd shots. All seats are chairbacks with the lower bowl being padded, and the upper being plastic. Being a medium-sized venue, no seat is a bad seat, so I’d advise you not to overspend on a ticket close to the court, as the sightlines from the AA-YY are more than adequate as you are still not far from the court. Before tipoff, a red LED light show is triggered for player introductions, accompanied by a pregame video, loud music, and smoke. After a tip-off, the promotions team runs numerous giveaways while the band leads most of the school's traditions. And last but certainly not least, late in the second half the coliseum’s lights will turn down and the crowd will hold up their phone flashlights to rally the team for the final stretch. Neighborhood 5 Being the oldest public university in the United States, The University of Georgia is renowned for having one of the most beautiful and historic campuses in the nation. North campus is adjacent to downtown Athens, which is the location of the arch, and the oldest buildings the campus holds. As you move south you will come across major attractions of the campus like Sanford Stadium, the bookstore, the student center, and finally Stegeman Coliseum. If you plan on grabbing a pregame bite while on campus, Tate Student Center holds a Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, and Barberitos. The classic city has numerous offerings for pre and post-game spots. Whether you are looking for a drink, a bite, or post-game nightlife, there are numerous options in Downtown Athens. Downtown is very calm during the daytime, meaning this will be the best time to stroll through if it’s your first time in Athens as you will be sure to find a pregame option, like El Paso, The Grill, and Taqueria Tusanmi. Arriving early will allow you to swing in the many shops downtown has to offer. After the game, if the college nightlife crowd is something you look to avoid, some options that are not immediately downtown are Locos Grill and Pub, the Blind Pig Tavern, the Taco Stand, and a staple of the state of Georgia, Waffle House. However, if you are looking for a night out after the game, look no further than heading downtown as Athens has the largest number of bars per capita in the United States. Hotels should not book up too quickly in Athens for a basketball game, but if the game you are attending is during the same weekend as a football game, it would be best to book early. If you are lucky, there is a hotel/convention center on campus that is right across the street from Stegeman, which would be the ideal hotel for basketball visitors. Fans 3 As a Georgia local and a current UGA student, the relationship between the basketball program and the fanbase is complicated, to say the least. With constantly being bottom four in SEC play, and never showing much promise of reaching the tournament, dawgs fans usually do not have very much to cheer about. However, under the Mike White era, there are signs that times are changing in Athens. While it has not been a successful SEC season, the Dawgs have shown growth, and the fans have been acknowledging the growth with their attendance. Fans are also excited about five-star recruit Asa Newell, and Jacob Wilkins, son of Dominique, joining the Dawgs next season in hopes of winning ways. Student turnout has increased to an all-time high, and even general attendance is climbing. Pretty much every conference game has been filled to the brim, and when the Steg is filled it can be a loud building to play in. The Athens faithful is interactive with the chants, songs, and traditions that are held at UGA basketball games. Dawgs fans are quick to get into the game itself and want to create that intimidating college atmosphere, but there is a big difference in noise levels when the team is winning, and when they are losing. As for non-conference games, attendance is prone to being sparse in the early months. This new era of Georgia basketball is expected to bring wins to the fans, and I will be excited to see how difficult the Steg is to play at night in and night out when the dawgs are rolling. Access 4 Getting to, from, and out of Stegeman is a breeze. The university opens up its parking decks for free during basketball games, the best parking deck being the south deck lot. And unlike the 90,000+ that are in town for a football game, Stegeman only holds 10,000, so the roads are much easier to navigate traffic-wise when comparing them to a football game. There are multiple gates located at every end of the arena, so getting in is almost always a breeze. The UGA clear bag policy is in effect at all athletic events and information on the regulations can be found on their website. There is one shared concourse by both levels of seating, and it is wide enough to support the crowd of a game. The bathrooms are plentiful, and the lines for concessions move quickly as they are grab-and-go lines. However, everything in Stegeman is cash only. There is a box office outside, but it is recommended to purchase your tickets in advance on your phone. Return on Investment 4 Unlike the UGA football experience, the UGA basketball experience won’t make the wallet cry. Single-game tickets start from $5-$15 depending on the game in question, and the resale market on the “TickPick” app can get even lower. Every fan receives a program on entry, and Stegeman holds many game-by-game promotional nights/giveaways during the season, so be on the lookout. The concession prices are reasonable, as basic items like hot dogs cost $2.50 and cheeseburgers are $5. Add free parking on top of that and there is a relatively inexpensive night out. Extras 2 The Promotional team at Stagman deserves a little recognition for the effort they give to the fan experience. They host many giveaways during the game and many creative promotional nights. The history being displayed in the concourse is certainly something that stands out as unique to Stegeman. Final Thoughts Stegeman houses SEC basketball for a reasonable price and offers a quality fan experience that you won't regret. It is far from a place like Allen Fieldhouse, but given the opportunity, Stegeman is well worth the visit.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Galt Arena Gardens 98 Shade Street Cambridge, ON Cambridge RedHawks website Gait Arena Gardens website Year Opened: 1922 Capacity: 1,100 Classic … What is in a name?  What is in a label?  When it comes to labeling something as the “oldest” there is always a bit of debate In 1973, the City of Galt, and the Towns of Preston and Hespeler were amalgamated to form the city of Cambridge.  Long before this, the Galt Arena Gardens opened its doors for the first time in 1922.  Debate remains as to if it is the oldest hockey arena in North America or not.  Matthews Arena in Boston makes a claim.  However, officially, Galt Arena Gardens is considered the “Oldest Operating Arena in the World” meaning, it has continuously operated as a hockey arena for over 100 years.  Owned and operated by the City of Cambridge, Galt Arena Gardens is undeniably a gem and in one word, classic. Galt Arena Gardens is the current home of the Cambridge RedHawks of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.  Playing at the Junior B level, the RedHawks began their existence as the Hespeler Shamrocks in 1960.  Later renamed the Cambridge Shamrocks at the time of amalgamation, the Shamrocks would eventually head east and settle in Guelph to become the Guelph Platers, among other monikers.  Upon the departure of the Shamrocks in 1982, Cambridge would welcome the expansion Cambridge Winter Hawks that would play south in Galt.  The Winter Hawks would remain until 2017 when their owner made a push to move up to the Junior A level and eventually withdraw from the Ontario Hockey Association.  The Winter Hawks would fold and Scott Hunter would purchase the Guelph Hurricanes, formerly the Shamrocks, and move them to the Galt Arena Gardens in an act that would bring the franchise full circle.  Many who would take the ice at the Gardens would go on to play in the NHL, however, none has put a stamp on the hockey world more significant than Mr. Hockey himself, Gordie Howe.  The 1944-45 season for the Galt Red Wings saw a young Mr. Hockey entertain hockey fans from Galt just prior to him heading to Detroit. Food & Beverage 3 The concession experience at Galt Arena Gardens is not unique for the GOJHL.  There are two main stands on the two separate levels.  Whether they are both open depends on the size of the crowd.  The menu includes what one would expect at this level including hot dogs, chicken strips, poutine, fries, onion rings, nachos, candy, chocolate bars and chips.  Pepsi products are the soda of choice at Galt Arena Gardens and coffee, tea and water are all available.  In the upper east end of the Gardens fans will find Alumni Hall.  This enclosed area is licensed and alcoholic beverages can be purchased, but must be consumed within. Atmosphere 5 Galt Arena Gardens remains truly unique in the hockey landscape.  Built in 1921, it enjoys Heritage Status.  The City of Cambridge, however, has gone beyond to provide upgrades and renovations to retain both the classic feel of the building and modernize it to ensure its functionality for years to come.  The journey back in time begins with the exterior.  Galt Arena features a gorgeous brick exterior with multiple shades of brown.  The design almost gives it a remparts look to it.  The wrot iron marquee awning welcomes fans to the main entrance.  An added bonus is the stone pillars that are to the north and mark the entrance to Soper Park. After entering the main gate, fans are welcomed into a modestly sized lobby.  The history begins there and fans are welcome to discover the artifacts in numerous trophy cases.  The prevalence of former Red Wings Kirk Maltby and Gordie Howe are immediately felt in the trophy cases.  There are a few articles on Mr. Hockey and his time in Galt that have been plaque mounted as well as a portrait of Howe standing outside the arena.  Jerseys and other artifacts from Kirk Maltby are predominant in the cases as well.  Fans can traverse the stairs to reach the upper level, where a full 360 degree loop is possible on the upper concourse.  The interior of the ice surface is striking.  The peaked hardwood ceiling with iron supports gives that barn-like feel to the arena, however rather than the expected triangle peak, the summit of the ceiling is recessed and has small windows at the top to allow natural light in.  The ice surface runs from east to west with five rows of elevated seating around three sides.  The east end has rows of plastic benches and the remainder of the seats are updated, plastic arena seats.  Getting the centre ice logo picture is from the south side.  Fans should consider choosing their seat so that they are situated under one of the gas heaters above the seating bowl as the arena is quite cold.  History continues to flow through the arena.  There are murals at the west end and two large portraits of Kirk Maltby and Gordie Howe.  The portrait of the Queen is at the opposite end above Alumni Hall.  Old pictures can be found throughout the arena, mostly on the west side.  Fascinating artifacts from a time gone by are found in the northwest and southwest corners behind the seats including old zambonis, doors, ticket booths, signs and even a phone booth.  Even the concession stand on the top level has old soft drink signs.  Hanging throughout the arena, above the ice, are various championship banners, mostly from the Cambridge Winterhawks and the Senior A Cambridge Hornets.  The lone Cambridge RedHawks banner for the 2022 Conference Championship hangs on its own and the retired number 91 of Ryan Clarke from the Winterhawks also remains. The gameday atmosphere is fairly simple at a RedHawks game, not dissimilar to any other GOJHL experience.  The PA system is decent and the announcer does a good job, however his excitement often results in buzzing through the speakers, making it a little more difficult to understand the announcements.  The RedHawks do have projectors that are used during pregame to project images on the ice.  The mascot, Rowdy the Redhawk, can also be found traversing the crowd and interacting with fans through the game. Neighbourhood 4 The Galt Arena Gardens is located in the East Galt neighbourhood of Cambridge.  There are a number of places for pre or post game food and drink within a very short drive.  Some options include Q BBQ, Alberts Doughnuts, EVO Kitchen, Thirteen, The Black Badger, Voodoo Wingz and Capri Pizza.  Fans can head to downtown Galt, a short drive from the arena, to take in the Gaslight District, Hamilton Family Theatre and Cambridge Community Theatre.  For other sporting options, fans can head north to the Hespeler area and catch some Junior C, Hespeler Shamrocks hockey.  For fans wishing to stay in the area, The Laundry Rooms are a close option. Fans 4 The Cambridge RedHawks have a solid fanbase.  Typically, Saturday Night is RedHawks night and the biggest crowds are drawn then.  In the 2023-24 season, the RedHawks have averaged over 540 fans per game, an improvement of nearly 100 fans per game from the previous season.  This has Cambridge ranking fifth in the GOJHL in attendance and third in their conference.  Although the average doesn’t seem like a lot, the capacity of the Galt Arena Gardens is only 1,100 and there is a significant difference in attendance from a midweek game versus a Saturday. Access 4 Galt Arena Gardens is located in the East Galt neighbourhood of Cambridge.  It is east of Highway 24 and significantly south of Highway 401.  Getting to Galt from the 401 can be a bit of a challenge and the lasting effects of the city amalgamation can still be felt when driving from one end of Cambridge to another. Highway 24, Hespeler Road, can be very slow going at times.  There are large parking lots on the north and south sides of the arena that offer free parking, which should be sufficient for fans who get there with enough time to spare.  Fans wishing to take public transit to the game can find bus stops on nearby Beverly and Dundas Streets.  Fans interested in public transit should consult the Grand River Transit website for fares, schedules and maps. The lobby of the Galt Arena can get a bit congested, but getting around isn’t too difficult.  The washroom facilities are adequate for the arena. Return on Investment 5 Junior B hockey offers tremendous value for the sporting dollar.  Cambridge RedHawks tickets are sold for $12 for adults, with students and seniors going for $10 and children for $6.  Parking is free and concession prices are about what one would expect.  The product on the ice is solid and worth the price.  However, the opportunity to take in all that is the Galt Arena Gardens itself is worth the price of admission alone. Extras 4 An extra mark for the extra attention paid to the 1944-45 season that saw Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, call the Galt Arena Gardens home as he played one season of Junior Hockey with the Galt Red Wings. An extra mark for Galt Arena Gardens as the longest running, continued use hockey arena in the world. An extra mark for the excellent job the City of Cambridge did modernizing Galt Arena Gardens.  They have kept all the charm and history of the arena while making it functional and modern. An extra mark for the full circle journey of the Cambridge RedHawks having been founded as the Hespeler, and later Cambridge, Shamrocks. Final Thoughts A trip to see the Cambridge RedHawks is a must for all true hockey fans.  Taking in the majesty and history and sheer force of the Galt Arena Gardens is where fans will truly be awed.  Not the most high profile of cities or leagues, a trip to Cambridge to the Galt Arena Gardens is worth every cent.  It is just Classic. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Stephen B. Dolny Stadium 419 Montague Avenue Greenwood, SC 29649 Lander Bearcats website Stephen B. Dolny Stadium website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 750 Lander Bearcats Established in 1872 as Williamston Female College and later renamed Landers College in 1907, athletics at what is now Lander University would not start up until 1968 with the men’s and women’s basketball programs. Initially a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Landers would become a charter member of the NCAA Division II Peach Belt Conference, formed in 1990. The Peach Belt Conference stretches along the southern coast with teams in North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Lander University is about 30 miles north of the South Carolina border with Georgia in the small town of Greenwood. While relatively small in population (approximately 22,000), the city of Greenwood has an impressive list of notable one-time residents including Benjamin Mays, former mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Hootie Johnson, past chairman of the Augusta National; former Wichita State men’s basketball coach Gregg Marshall; and a slew of NFL players, most notably Ben Coates, Super Bowl champion tight end with the New England Patriots. Food & Beverage   4 The concession stand here is located outside of Dolny Stadium, centrally providing concessions for baseball along with the nearby venues. The lodge-style building stands separate from the baseball and softball stadiums; the building housing the concession stand features a deck that overlooks the softball stadium, offering fans the chance to check out the action before returning to the baseball game. The concessions offer many options from Chick-fil-A sandwiches and hot dogs to chili dogs and nachos with a choice of cheese, chili, or both. Candy, chips, and other snacks are also available. The beverage options at Dolny Stadium are extensive, including bottled and fountain Pepsi products and Aquafina water. For those looking for alcoholic beverages, the stand offers Michelob Ultra, White Claw, and bottle-poured wine. Also, Lander University has its own branded golden ale, Bearcat Brew, from the Greenwood craft brewery Good Times Brewing. Atmosphere   3 Dolny Stadium has a rather open feel to it, with only a small brick press box around the top of the seating bowl – the field is pretty much visible from any vantage point around the concourse. Chairback seats run 5 to 7 rows deep from the cut of the outfield grass. For those who might prefer to spread out a bit, or for kids to run and release a bit of pent-up energy, a small grassy berm of seating runs down the first baseline. In addition, a handful of picnic tables dot the concourse that runs behind the seating bowl. Dolny Stadium uses brick support columns and a brick backstop, which seamlessly complement finished wooden support beams in the seating behind the home plate. The combination of wood, brick, and blue stadium seats makes for a nicely presented facade. A chain link fence, with fence supports framed with padding, creates the wall from left field around to center. The wall is a bit short of the standard dimensions with left field at 325’ and 365’ to the left-center power alley; the center field runs at 401’. The outfield wall from the center around to the right is more of a typical padded fence backed with a large retaining wall. With a road that runs atop the wall, the right field distances are a touch short at 355’ to the right center power alley, while the right field goes 320’. A typical inning-by-inning scoreboard sits atop the retaining wall beyond the right-centerfield fence. There are not a lot of distractions by way of sound effects, other than some quips interjected during mound visits from the press box. Inning changes are kept simple, typically filled with either rock or country music as the pitcher comes out to warmups to begin each half-inning. When it comes to the seating at Dolny Stadium, there isn't a bad seat in the house. The seating bowl is right on top of the action, allowing fans to almost feel as if they are part of the game. The seats behind the home plate provide the most shade and cover from any potential sun or rain in the forecast. Several fans also choose to bring their foldable chairs, to sit along the back of the last row of stadium seats. Neighborhood   4 Dolny Stadium is part of Jeff Mays Sports Complex which also includes Doug Spears Softball Field and Van Taylor Soccer Stadium. The proximity of these facilities allows fans to check out other games that might be going on. The Mays Sports Complex is located just off the Lander campus, under a mile from the oak-lined Main Street that runs through downtown Greenwood. Visitors will find several shops and restaurants along Main Street – Mill House Pizza, Howard’s on Main, Kickers Takeout, Buenavista, Montague’s, and Southern Soul on Main all come highly recommended. Those looking for a taste of the local microbrew scene might find Sled Dawg Brewery or Good Times Brewing of interest, both just off Main Street. Closer to May Sports Complex, visit the Dixie Drive-In for a throwback burger dive experience. Fans   3 Lander University ranks in the top half of the Peach Belt Conference in attendance, with just a tick under 200 fans per game. Fans are vocally supportive of the Bearcats, but in all appear to be on the same side. As expected, borderline calls can create a bit of a buzz in the stands, but it is nothing that would not be seen from any typical fanbase. Access   3 Without direct interstate access to Greenwood, visitors heading to Lander’s Dolny Stadium face a bit of a drive. The most traveled roads in the area, I-26 to the east, I-85 on the west, or I-385 coming from the north, leave at least an hour’s drive on state or US highways. Once at Jeff May Complex, most parking is toward the back of the facility, which should suffice if there is just one event going on, but with multiple fields hosting events simultaneously, there might be some competition for prime parking spots. Lots are near Dolny Stadium, so other than navigating the stairs leading to the front entrance, accessing the stadium is straightforward – those needing the assistance of ramps will want to look to the sloped area along the first baseline for easier entry into the facility. The concourse of the stadium runs behind the seating bowl and is reasonably easy to get around, but does not continue around the whole field; rather it horseshoes around home plate and up to the cut of the outfield grass. Since the concession stand and restrooms are shared with the other facilities within the complex, fans do have to exit the stadium to reach them. The field is visible the whole time, however, so the amount of the game missed is minimal. Return on Investment   5 Admission to Lander baseball games is $5 for fans 13 and up, with kids 12 and under free. Concession prices are very reasonable as well and will not break the bank; even alcohol prices are more in line with what would be paid at a pub, more so than an inflated stadium price. And with free parking, Bearcat baseball is an extremely affordable experience. Extras   3 The outfield wall recognizes the Bearcat’s Peach Belt regular season championships and NCAA Division II tournament appearances in 2012, 2014, and 2016, as well as their 2014 and 2016 trips to the D2 College World Series. With Dolny Stadium’s proximity to the softball and lacrosse fields, it is easy to come for a baseball game and stay for a lacrosse or softball game. The Capsugel walking/jogging track runs 4/5ths of a mile through and around Jeff May Complex. Not only does this give fans a bit of an opportunity to get some exercise in, but fans can do so while keeping up with the scores of the various games around the facility – the track is open year-round for community members to take advantage of. Final Thoughts Dolny Stadium gives fans a comfortable baseball experience in an intimate setting, at a wonderful complex that promotes the simultaneous support of multiple Lander University athletic programs. Baseball at Lander University can be much more than just a baseball experience. Jeff May Complex brings together an entire community and athletic department and gives fans an easy opportunity to check in on the status of other games going on, and possibly stick around a bit longer than planned for tight games that might be reaching their conclusion.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Hulman Center 200 N 8th St. Terre Haute, IN 47809 Indiana State Sycamores website Hulman Center website Year Opened: 1973 Capacity: 9,000 Hulman Center is the Place to Be in Terre Haute When you think of Indiana State University, you think of Larry Bird, and rightfully so. He put Terre Haute, Indiana, on the map in 1979 when he led the Sycamores to a 33-1 record and the NCAA Final Four, culminating in the iconic championship game against Michigan State and Magic Johnson. The canvas on which Bird and his teammates performed their magic was the Hulman Center. The multi-purpose venue opened in 1973 and had a capacity of 10,200 spectators. It is named after Indiana Motor Speedway owner and Terre Haute native Tony Hulman, who donated $2.5 million towards its construction. The State Budget Agency gathered $6 million, and the remaining $1.5 million was collected in a campaign sponsored by the ISU Foundation. The building was more than double the size of the Sycamores ISU Arena that had opened in 1961. The arena is centrally located between downtown and campus, designed to attract touring musical acts, house commencement ceremonies, and stage other events. The building remained virtually unchanged in aesthetics until recent renovations vastly improved its exterior and interior appearance. It has been a welcoming change from fans and alumni. The $50 million renovations added a new exterior façade, a glass entrance from the south end, an event/meeting space, a multi-purpose suite, and open views of the seating bowl from the concourse level. The most impressive improvement might be the glass windows, providing natural lighting to the building that changes the experience for fans. Other improvements include two hanging video boards measuring more than 14 by 24 feet and two hanging boards measuring more than 9 by 16 feet. The $2 million scoreboard was donated by the Hulman-George family. There is also new seating, new banners against the upper walls, and reduced seating capacity, down from 10,200 to 9,000. Also new this year is a Sycamore team that was nationally ranked for the first time since that 1979 team. It has created a renewed interest in the program, resulting in four sold-out crowds and increased attendance figures at most games. How has the change been since our last visit to town one year ago? Food & Beverage 3 The building has four concession points in the corners, offering basic stadium fare at reasonable prices, plus the school's Crossroads Cream Ale. The food choices include hot dogs, brats, pretzels, nachos, popcorn, ice cream, and Chick-fil-A sandwiches. Pepsi products are the drink of choice at the arena. The ISU Athletics Department has partnered with the Terre Haute Brewing Company for the Crossroads Cream Ale, which "pays homage to a celebration of Sycamore pride. The beer is directed to fans and alumni and is an easy-drinking ale served by the can but poured in plastic cups. Atmosphere 4 The Hulman Center looks almost brand new, including an artistic design to the outside of the building along with a new glass entrance on the south side. The arena has a much warmer and more welcoming feel than the giant white warehouse-looking structure it once exhibited. However, one must pay homage to the 17-foot statue of Larry Bird outside its entrance. The North Entrance welcomes fans into the building and the first view of the seating bowl and video board. The team merchandise area is located adjacent to the doors. The number of options has more than quadrupled in size. The stands offer selections in old-school sky blue and current royal blue in caps, t-shirts, jerseys, hoodies, and half-zip shirts. The Sycamores lead their conference and are playing their best basketball since 1979. It has led to increased attendance and an improved atmosphere at the home and center. Instead of a half-empty, vapid building, the place is alive with a frenzy of fans and students. The noise level booms during big plays and team introductions. The student section is at the south end of the court. It has been nicknamed The Forest, and they are always on their feet at the start of each contest. The dance team is situated on the end lines and performs during time-outs. Sycamore Sam is the official mascot and entertains fans on the court. Neighborhood 4 The arena is within walking distance of many bars and restaurants downtown and on the edge of campus. Downtown has changed a bit, and there are quite a few establishments to visit before or after the game for a bite to eat or drink or two. The Copper Bar and Terminal Public House are two spots for dinner that offer traditional pub food of appetizers, sandwiches, soups, salads, and pizzas. The Copper Bar has a limited menu compared to The T Terminal, but prices are more than reasonable, and sandwiches are plenty. Both operate in historic buildings that add to the ambiance. They are open well after evening games on the weekends but expect an up to an hour wait before the game on Saturday nights. The Verve and The Ballyhoo are two college hangouts if you are in the mood. If staying away from the younger college crowd, a few blocks away are M. Moggers, Terre Haute Brewing Company, J. Gumbo’s, and Chava’s Mexican Grill are other options before the game, but grab a drink at the brewery instead of food. The Candles Holocaust Museum and Education Center is a must-visit. It was founded by Holocaust survivor Eva Mozes Kor, who passed away in 2019. She created a hologram of herself. Visitors can ask questions about her experiences during the war, fleeing Europe, and setting up a life in the United States. Fans 4 The Indiana State fans have something to cheer about with the Sycamores on the cusp of capturing the regular season MVC title. It has resulted in three sold-out crowds, something that hasn't been seen since 1979. The fan base has also taken their act on the road, chartering busses to away games in Evansville, Valpo, and Drake. The additional support is evident, with cheers and roars echoing throughout the 50-year-old venue. The student section has seating for 1,200 and has also blossomed with coordinated cheers and thoughts throughout the game. Access 5 The arena is downtown, three miles north of I-70 and off campus. If you arrive early, there is free parking on the street, but additional lots and a parking garage are available. A free parking lot a block north of the arena on Chestnut Street. Downtown Terre Haute consists of many one-way streets, but police presence moves fans in and out before and after the game. The building has four entrances and one concourse surrounding the seating bowl. The signage for seating sections is large and easy to follow for the first-time visitor. The concourse offers an open view of the seating bowl from the north entrance. During half-time, the lines can be long for concessions and bathrooms. Be prepared, or leave a little earlier to avoid congestion. Return on Investment 4 When your team is winning, it reflects the cost of a ticket. One year ago, the price of a ticket would be as low as $8, but since this is the best run by the Sycamores in 44 years, the price has gone up. Weekend games sell out, but it is possible to find a ticket on the secondary market for $20 for upper deck seats and $50 for the lower deck. Season ticket holders unable to attend a game are encouraged to give up their seats. It could lead to additional tickets offered the day before a sold-out Saturday game. The prices can be as low as $14 with service fees. It is wise to plan if the Sycamores continue their dominant play beyond this season. Team merchandise ranges from as low as $20 for a shirt, $25 for a cap or hoodie, to $45 for dry-fit shirts and jerseys. Concession prices are fair: hot dogs are $3.50, nachos are $5.50, large sodas are $4.50, and 20-ounce tall boy beers are $7.50. Extras 4 The arena earns one point for the 17-foot statue of Larry Bird in front, honoring one of the game's greatest players. He last suited up in 1979, but his legacy is alive at the school. He is indeed Larry Legend. The second point is for the recent renovations that have changed the appearance of the building from the inside out. A third point is for the newer banners on display, including a retro-looking 1979 Final Four logo, along with the school's only NCAA championship, the 1977 Gymnastic team. A third point is for after the game when fans line up around the portion of the court and high-five players. Many others pose for pictures or seek an autograph. Young fans eagerly await a chance for a photo or signature from their favorite player. A final point is for the improved merchandise stand. Pacesetters Sports operates the area and offers various styles and colors to show off your Sycamore pride. There are t-shirts, jerseys, hoodies, polos, half-zips, and caps in royal blue and sky blue. There are many options featuring the old-school ISU logo from the 1970s. It's been a vast improvement since our visit a little over a year ago. Final Thoughts It is amazing what winning can do to a basketball program. The Hulman Center has not seen this much excitement since disco was king. The building is full of energy, folks are proud to wear school merchandise, and downtown restaurants are bustling before and after the game. The arena has always been a great place to watch a game, but it is much better when your team is vying for a conference title. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey As the Los Angeles Clippers play out their final season at Crypto.com Arena, excitement is building toward their move to the Intuit Dome come Fall of this year. With the Clippers strongly competing for the top spot in the Western Conference, along with the excitement of this year’s team and the anticipation of the opening of their new home, the Clippers wasted no time in rebranding their look with a new logo along with new uniforms for the 2024-25 season. https://twitter.com/LAClippers/status/1762138370116055305 https://twitter.com/LAClippers/status/1762244028140237067 With construction still ongoing the Clippers aren’t the only ones wasting any time in anticipation for the opening of the Intuit Dome. Two teenagers, likely juveniles, snuck inside the unfinished construction site of the new Clippers arena, adding to the recent news of the graffiti-plastered Oceanwide Plaza project across Crypto.com Arena. A video of their mischief was uploaded to TikTok earlier this week. It shows the two boys hopping a wall and entering Intuit Dome where they shot baskets, deployed a fire extinguisher on a practice court, and appeared to climb onto the roof and the rafters above the main court. This isn’t the first time a TikToker has broken into a local venue or construction site as Dodger Stadium and nearby SoFi Stadium have also been featured in TikToker videos. Unbeknownst my knowledge of the events that took place inside the unfinished venue, on the day I had a chance to pass by and snap some shots (No pun intended) outside the future home of the Clippers, I later happened to cross paths on Prairie Avenue with a media member, one of several in the vicinity covering the headline, and she expressed the potential danger of trespassing in the construction site, as explained by one of the construction workers via KTLA. “It’s unfortunate. They’re doing it as a thrill. But they’re putting their lives at risk,” Walter Zuniga, an Intuit Dome construction worker, said. “If you haven’t been trained … especially at night… not knowing what’s behind you, you could fall into a trench. It could even cost your life.” Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts has said he plans to contact the teens involved and their parents. Because of their juvenile status, their names cannot be released. ---- Follow and view all of Andrei’s journeys on Instagram @thestadiumjourneyman and @dreiinla to view his journeys throughout Los Angeles.