Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 GCC Baseball Field 6000 W. Olive Ave Glendale, AZ 85302 Map It Glendale Gauchos website GCC Baseball Field website Year Opened: 1965 Capacity: 350 (approx) Gaucho Pride Glendale Gauchos are NJCAA – Arizona Community College Athletics Conference (ACCAC) members. The Gauchos baseball team began in 1967 and plays on its on-campus baseball field in Glendale, AZ. GCC Baseball Field, built when the college opened in 1965, has artificial turf around the home plate area and Bermuda grass and annual winter rye on the remainder of the field.  The baselines from home plate to first and third are grass, not dirt, which is common in other ACCAC baseball fields I’ve visited. The Gauchos won the 1968 NJCAA Div 2 National Championship and made NJCAA World Series appearances in 2023, 2003, and 1991.  The team is starting the 2024 season strong.  Let’s see if they make it back to Enid, OK this summer! Note: The NJCAA Div 2 (National Junior College Athletic Association) has played their baseball championship series at David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid, OK since 2009. Food & Beverage 0 The baseball stadium does not have refreshments for sale.  Fans can (and should) bring their own beverages and snacks.  The facility has several picnic tables spread out near and behind the stands. Atmosphere 3 Watching a baseball game at GCC is a no-frills affair.  It’s all about the game and the players from both teams.  If you’re one who enjoys the game for the game, this is for you. The ballpark has three sets of bleachers behind home plate.  For safety, a thick chain link fence surrounds the infield.  It is difficult to see some of the plays through it.  Many fans bring portable chairs and park right behind the chain link fence. The stadium has an easy-to-read dot matrix scoreboard in right field showing the basic line score.  Whoever updates the scoreboard does a fantastic job at being accurate and timely. Two retired numbers, 11 Boetto and 5 Grant, are displayed to the left of the scoreboard. Herb Boetto was the first Head Baseball Coach at GCC and brought the team to the NJCAA National Championship in 1968.  Dave Grant was Head Baseball Coach from Fall 1979 - Spring 2017 with over 1000 career wins.  He is a Hall of Fame Coach in these organizations: American Baseball Coaches Association NJCAA Hall of Fame Arizona Baseball Coaches Association ACCAC Hall of Fame GCC Hall of Fame The team does not play music during the game.  The players have a portable radio from the home dugout turned on pre-game, but it is shut off once the game starts.  This makes watching the game here a blessed relief from the noise that’s pummeled into fans at major and minor league games.  Currently, there is no announcer, so print a copy of the roster if that’s something you’re interested in knowing or recording.  Note:  Speakers are used for announcers and music when the sound system works.  The school is currently looking to replace the PA system. The stadium does not have lights, so only day games are played.  The team plays quite a few double headers during the season – seven innings each, with the first game starting at noon.  I recommend bringing drinks and snacks if staying for both games. A grassy area with some trees is behind the bleachers.  Kids can run around and blow off steam, or fans can place their chairs in the shade if it gets too warm. Neighborhood 3 Glendale Community College is in a residential area in the northwest suburbs of Phoenix, AZ.   Houses and apartments border the baseball field.  A few shopping centers and fast food places are nearby.  Parson’s Family Restaurant, a mom-and-pop family restaurant, is a wonderful place for breakfast or brunch and is a mile and a half south. Sahuaro Ranch Park, a park with historic buildings, farm animals, and recreation areas, is just up the road and is worth visiting on a nice Arizona afternoon. Other sports in the area include: Brazell Field, home of the GCU Antelopes (7 miles away); American Family Fields of Phoenix, the Milwaukee Brewers spring training facility (6 miles away); and the Peoria Sports Complex, spring training home of the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres. Most of the lodging is near the I-17 exits, about 4 miles from the college. Fans 3 The Glendale Gaucho’s fanbase falls under the ‘family and friends’ category.  Most seem to know each other.   Since many of the teams the Gauchos play are close, fans of opposing teams are often in the stands.  The ACCAC does not keep attendance records.  There were about 100 fans (off and on) during the doubleheader I visited. The fans cheer all good plays (regardless of team) and respectfully utter dismay at the umpire’s calls and strikes. Access 3 Getting to GCC Baseball Field is relatively easy.  It is located between I-17 and US 60.  The field is four miles west of I-17 (off the Dunlap Ave exit).  Dunlap Ave changes to Olive Ave as you drive west.  Fans can park along 63rd Ave and walk through a gate to the field.  The ballpark is not wheelchair accessible as some steps exist, and the pathway is grass and gravel.  Handrails are available in the middle bleacher set. Valley Metro bus route 90 (Olive and 63rd) stop drops you off right at the field.  Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is about 18 miles from the ballpark.  Public transportation is available from the airport; travel time is 1 hour 30 min (rail and bus). Most importantly, the facility has functioning restrooms, especially needed for those doubleheaders. Return on Investment 5 Like all ACCAC baseball teams, the Gauchos do not charge to watch a baseball game.  The only expense you’ll have is the snacks and drinks you bring and the cost of getting to the park. . Extras 2 The retired numbers of Herb Boetto and Dave Grant are worth an additional mention. Over 245 Glendale Gauchos baseball student-athletes have moved on from this 2-year college to ninety different 4-year colleges and universities.  Thirty-seven players have signed professional baseball contracts; 7 have reached the major league level. Final Thoughts Pack your sunscreen, water, snacks, and a cushion (for your bum), and enjoy a quiet, lovely Gauchos baseball afternoon in Glendale, AZ.  It’s a fantastic way to decompress from life’s challenges and see our future generation playing America’s pastime.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Presley Askew Field 1815 Wells St Las Cruces, NM 88003 Map It New Mexico State Aggies website Presley Askew Field website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 1,000 Aggies Baseball Nestled amidst a grove of trees sits Presley Askew Field, home of the NCAA D1 New Mexico State Aggies baseball team.  The field is on the university’s Las Cruces campus next to the Softball Complex and the school’s football stadium, Aggie Memorial. After 18 years of being members of the WAC (Western Athletic Conference), NMS Aggies athletic teams joined the C*USA (Conference USA) beginning the 2023-24 season. The baseball team was conference champions in 2002, 2003, 2012, 2018, 2019, and most recently in 2022.  And it has had 71 MLB draft picks and 24 NCAA All-Americans. Food & Beverage 2 The stadium has basic food truck choices for sale along with a separate cart selling just alcohol, all at decent prices.  Items for sale include hot dogs, Frito pies, nachos, pickles, popcorn, candy, chips, and hot Cheetos with cheese.  The prices range from $2 - $5.  Sundays are $1 hot dog days.  The truck accepts cash or credit/debit cards. Bottled soda, water, and Gatorade cost $4.  16-ounce cans of Coors Light, Modelo, and Hop Knot IPA run $8 a can.  A 12-ounce Mixed-Up Aggie-Rita (a canned raspberry margarita cocktail made especially for NM State) costs the same amount.  Nutrl (a canned vodka seltzer) is $6 a can.  Pistol Pete’s 1888 (a blonde ale), made by a New Mexico brewery, Bosque Brewing, is also offered.  Pistol Pete’s 1888 is named after the Aggies mascot (Pistol Pete) and the year the university was founded (1888).  It’s quite intriguing. Atmosphere 3 The music volume is brutal.  Bring earplugs if you are sensitive to deafening recorded noise.  The music person plays loud tunes at the same time the PA announces the starting lineups (especially the visiting team), and the lineups are called way too fast to record on a scorecard.  The music person also blares songs the same time the PA is announcing a batter, so you can’t hear who is at bat.  Very bad.  And he/she plays it between pitches.  Ugh. The stadium’s grandstand is behind home plate and the infield.  Presley Askew Field does not offer any other seating for fans.  Canopies cover the seating area for shade (the sun sets to the west behind the seating structure/grandstand).  You’ll be in the shade, so wear warmer clothes or bring jackets during the early part of the season.  Fans appreciate the shade as the season progresses. The seats and rows are labeled and numbered, but seating is $7 general admission except for several rows directly behind home plate, reserved for season ticket holders.  Otherwise, sit where you want.   The seats are traditional stadium fold-down seats with no cup holders.  The rows offer minimal legroom.  A medium-thickness net protects fans from foul balls. The infield incorporates artificial turf and turf is between all the bases.  The home plate area is fake dirt, and the pitcher’s mound is real dirt.  The outfield is real grass.  I find it an odd combination, but it’s not unusual in college ball. The home dugout is on the third base side.  Trees line the outfield wall, making it quite attractive.  Sit high up in the grandstand, on the first base side, to see a nice view of the Organ Mountain Range. The scoreboard is in left-center field.  It is difficult to read during afternoon games because the sun shines directly on it. If fans bring foul balls to the press box, they win a sweet prize (softball does this as well).  Kids enjoy this.  The staff throws t-shirts into the crowd for excitement.  Two kids participated in a ‘dress like an Aggie’ contest where they had to put on a jersey and other articles to win a prize. Neighborhood 4 Presley Askew Field is near the other on-campus NM State Athletic fields in Las Cruces, NM.  Plenty of restaurants and hotels are within 1 – 2 miles of the arena. Ten or more restaurants (including fast food) are along University Ave from I-10 to the arena:  I-Hop, Burger King, Panda Express, and Chick-fil-A.  The Game Sports Bar and Grill is a decent pregame place to visit for a beer and a bite.  Weck’s, an NM breakfast/lunch chain, is a worthwhile visit before an afternoon game. Other things to see and do when visiting Las Cruces include the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum about three miles from Pan Am Center.  The Museum of Science and Nature or the Las Cruces Railroad Museum may also be worth a visit, depending on your interests.  Of course, a visit to see the world’s largest chile pepper may be in order, too! Plenty of hotels are near the university.  The closest are the Hilton Garden Inn Las Cruces, Comfort Suites University, and Sleep Inn University.   A whole slew more is within two–three miles of Pan Am Center. Other sports in the area are the Aggies softball team and the men’s and women's basketball team.  A trip to El Paso, TX (a 45-minute drive) will take you to the El Paso Chihuahuas, AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Fans 4 Full crowds attend Aggies baseball games, with attendance records averaging about 725 a game so far in 2024; weekend games get the larger crowds.  Some fans set up grills, tables, chairs, and tailgate before the game. Some fans bring their dogs.  A good mix of families, alumni, and students make their way into the grandstand. Fans are vocal and quite active in the stands.  A good portion of the attendees generate a lot of traffic traversing up and down the grandstand; they can’t seem to sit still during and between innings.  Maybe they just need to leave because of the music volume. Access 3 Presley Askew Field is near the rest of the university’s athletic fields, south of the Pan American Center.  Getting to the stadium is an easy drive off I-10.  Free parking, including handicapped, surrounds the stadium.  The entrance has a strong, stable ramp up to the grandstand, in addition to two sets of steps. Las Cruces does have a bus stop (Aggie Green), but it looks operational only M – F, 7am – 6pm, so it is generally suitable only for early midweek baseball games.  Las Cruces Airport is 12+ miles from the university, but only one commercial airline uses the airfield.  The next closest airport is ELP in El Paso, TX, about 50 minutes south. The ticket office is a separate building right in front of the entrance. I didn’t notice any rules about a bag policy.  Your best bet is to bring a clear stadium bag 12” x 6” x 12” or a small clutch. The venue has one set of clean, accessible restrooms with plenty of stalls. Return on Investment 4 New Mexico State Aggies baseball is a very affordable afternoon or evening out.  Tickets are $7 general admission.  You can’t beat that for D1 baseball.  Fans receive a hard copy ticket at the ticket office; no need to download it onto an app.  It is quite a pleasing way to purchase tickets.  More venues should do it this way.   The parking is free, and the food prices are reasonable. Extras 3 Several other things are worth noting.  The batter’s eye cleverly has the NMS Aggie logo silhouetted in it.  It’s quite unique. The stadium boasts an ‘All American’ corner displaying photos of and honoring former players and coaches. A huge merchandise stand across from the food truck sells all kinds of Aggie’s gear (shirts, hats, sweaters, jerseys, etc.). Final Thoughts Except for the music volume, taking in a New Mexico State Aggies baseball game is a perfect way to spend a few hours when in Las Cruces.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Crenshaw Gym 2204 Henry St Ashland, VA 23005 Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets website Crenshaw Gym website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 1,310 The Buzz Around Randolph-Macon The campus of Randolph-Macon College is located in Ashland, Virginia, about 20 miles north of Richmond. RMC's athletic programs, known as the Yellow Jackets, compete at the Division III level in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Randolph Macon's basketball team is one of its most successful programs, having won the Division III National Championship in 2022. The basketball team makes its home in Crenshaw Gym, which originally opened in 1964. The venue seats approximately 1,300 fans and is also home to the volleyball programs. Food & Beverage 1 There is one concession stand in the atrium of Crenshaw Gym that opens half an hour before tip-off. A very basic menu consists of chips, candy, bottled soda, and water. While limited, the options are affordable, with everything costing $2. Atmosphere 5 Although Crenshaw Gym is a Division III venue, the experience here is on par with many Division I arenas. Before the game, a drummer will beat a large drum faster and faster as the crowd claps along and gets hyped. The team's mascot, a costumed yellow jacket, also loves to get the crowd into it. Cheerleaders and a dance team perform on the court during breaks in the action. Crenshaw Gym is a small, intimate gym, with seats on both sides of the court. One side consists of chairbacks and the other of bleachers. Arrive early if you want a chairback, as the arena does fill up. Regardless of where you sit, you will be up close to the action, with fans all around you raising the energy in the building. There is a small atrium just inside the doors of Crenshaw, featuring a merchandise table, a concession stand, and a table selling tickets to those who were unable to use the app to purchase them. The atrium is festooned with the Randolph-Macon logo, reminding you that this is the home of the Yellow Jackets. From there, you can walk through a set of doors to the gymnasium itself and take your seat. Neighborhood 3 Randolph-Macon College is located in Ashland, about 20 miles north of Richmond. Downtown Ashland includes many options, including the Iron Horse Restaurant, The Caboose Market & Cafe, and Trackside Grill. There are hotels available as well, for visitors who are staying overnight. Richmond is a relatively short drive away and offers many more options than would be available here. Fans 5 Although Crenshaw Gym only seats about 1,300, Randolph-Macon fills it to near capacity for most games. The fans are loud and passionate about the Yellow Jackets. Many of them have some connection to the team, whether that is a parent of a student-athlete, a student, or an alumnus. Some of them have been coming to games here for many years. Randolph-Macon may be a Division III school, but the fans here are comparable to many at the Division I level. This is a boisterous crowd, and Crenshaw Gym can get extremely loud at times. Access 2 The Randolph-Macon campus is a few miles off Interstate 95. Once you are on campus, you can park in any lot you want, but lots closer to the arena may already be full when you get here. This will especially be true if there is some other event at the college earlier in the day and fans have arrived and parked for that. At a minimum, you should be able to park in a large lot across Center Street and the railroad tracks from the main campus, about a five-minute walk from Crenshaw. Just watch for oncoming trains, as you will need to cross the railroad tracks at grade. There are also no clear signs directing you to Crenshaw, so we suggest using Google Maps or a similar app on your phone to ascertain the specific location and the right way to walk. Restrooms are located off the gymnasium floor and are small, so there may be a wait to use them. One good thing about access is that the Ashland Amtrak station is located less than a 10-minute walk from Crenshaw Gym, with access up and down the Northeast Corridor. This may not help most people, but for some, it will be extremely convenient. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Randolph-Macon home games are just $10 each, available in advance through the Ticket Spicket app. This is on the high end for Division III, but won't break the bank. When you consider that the environment here at Randolph-Macon is one of the best in Division III, it is certainly a good deal. Extras 4 Free programs and a merchandise table are located in the atrium and are each worth an extra star. Look for the banners in Crenshaw Gym honoring Randolph-Macon basketball achievements, including the 2022 national championship. The pregame tradition with the drum beating faster and faster to get the crowd pumped up is worthy of an extra star as well, and not something you often see at this level. Final Thoughts Don't let the fact that Randolph-Macon is a Division III college fool you. A basketball game at Crenshaw Gym is as good an experience as many Division I schools. With an energetic, packed crowd, and one of the best teams in the nation taking the court, a visit to RMC to check out some college hoops is well worth it to any fan in the area.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 G. B. Hodge Center Hodge Dr Spartanburg, SC 29303 USC Upstate Spartans website G. B. Hodge Center website Year Opened: 1973 Capacity: 878 This is Spartan Country In a time when college athletic facilities has become a race of who can build the biggest, most technologically advanced, extravagant facility, G.B. Hodge Center on the campus of the University of South Carolina-Upstate has kept simplicity at the forefront. With a seating capacity of 878, G.B. Hodge Center is the smallest venue in NCAA Division I basketball. USC-Upstate made the jump from NCAA Division II to Division I in 2007, becoming members of the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Spartans would stay in the A-Sun until the 2017-18 season, when they would leave for the Big South Conference, which is more concentrated throughout the Carolinas. While Upstate has not earned a trip to the NCAA tournament since joining the highest level, they have appeared in post-season tournaments in six of their seventeen seasons in Division I. Food & Beverage   3 A small concession stand in the lobby gives fans everything they would expect at any large arena – hot dogs, personal size pizzas, soft pretzels, popcorn, and nachos with cheese dipping sauce, along with chips, candy, and the ever-popular pickle are available. And as Georgia is to Coca-Cola, Pepsi is to the Carolinas; soft drinks here are from the Pepsi family of beverages, along with Aquafina and Gatorade. While the inside concessions might not be all that eye popping, BBQ plates from the Greenville-based Big Dave’s All American BBQ are sold outside the arena. Atmosphere   3 G.B. Hodge Center is a rather non-descript building, which would be a bit difficult to pick out if you weren’t sure what it is you were looking at. Its ability to blend into the surrounding campus buildings is part of the charm of G.B. Hodges Center. Once into what is considered Eddie and Anne Payne Arena, the walls of each end of the floor display a large videoboard showing a live feed of the game, along with individual player point and foul totals, as well as team field goal and 3-point shooting percentages and rebound totals. An accompanying more traditional scoreboard provides game time, score, and team foul totals. Despite the closeness of the primary seating area on both sides of the court, USC-Upstate has found room along the sideline of the parquet court for a row of courtside seating. Throughout the game, fans are entertained by updates of Spartan athletic accomplishments and appearances by Upstate student-athletes, but it is the game entertainment crew that deserves a lot of credit for the amount of on-court contests and engagement they have with fans. Neighborhood   3 The USC-Upstate campus is on the outer reaches of Spartanburg, in a bit of an isolated area with not much by way of restaurants or other points of interest. Downtown Spartanburg is less than 5 miles from Upstate’s campus, and provides visitors with a wide variety of restaurants, shops, hotels, and the typical points of interest of downtown areas. The campus of the Southern Conference member Wofford Terriers, as well as Division II Converse University, are also in Spartanburg, just 4 miles away – this could give visitors many more options in planning a full day of sports in Spartanburg. Those looking to experience more of what the city of Spartanburg has to offer might just be interested in taking a walk around the downtown area. Morgan Square is a lovely small park surrounded by several locally owned restaurants, and downtown Spartanburg also has a very vibrant art scene, with several public displays and sculptures throughout downtown. Fans   3 Despite being the smallest venue in D1 basketball, it doesn’t take away from the passion of fans that fill G.B. Hodge Center. The Spartans typically draw well compared to their Big South counterparts when considering their gym is typically half to two-thirds filled for conference matchups. Expect larger crowds for contests against other schools from the area; Gardner-Webb, Winthrop, Presbyterian, and High Point tend to draw some of the larger crowds. A large number of fans definitely is a good indicator of the level of fan support behind a program, but the numbers themselves do not tell the whole story. On nights when the Spartan Army fills G.B. Hodge Center, it can be every bit the homecourt advantage as some of the largest arenas in the nation. Spartan fans are a supportive group; it is just the consistency of filling the gym that seems to be the challenge. Access   4 USC-Upstate is conveniently located two miles off I-85 from North Pine Street, as it transitions to the I-585 bypass. G.B. Hodge Center is situated toward the front of Upstate’s campus, separated from the remainder of the athletic facilities that are concentrated at the back of campus. A relatively large parking lot sits in front of the arena, making accessing the entrance rather straightforward. The lobby is well laid out for fans needing to purchase tickets, or simply needing their tickets scanned for entry before moving into the gym. Accessing seating is not the most convenient set up, as limited space around the court requires fans to get to their seats on either side of the court via the lobby area. Fans are not able to cross along the baseline. The front row of seating can also create challenges when navigating the walkways. When factoring in the legs of spectators and fans coming and going to their seats, congestion can make traversing the walkway a bit of a challenge. Given the size limitations of the gym, passing from one side of the court to the other does require fans to return to the lobby. Return on Investment   5 With tickets starting at just $8 and court-side seats available for $20, it would be hard to find a better deal in Division I basketball. Parking lots are typically free, with the exception of homecoming, when there is a $10 charge for the lots adjacent to G.B Hodge Center; concessions are kept to a reasonable rate as well. All-in-all, the basketball investment at USC-Upstate is worth the minimal financial commitment required. Extras   4 A display featuring Stadium Journey’s recognition of G.B. Hodge Center as the # 15 best college basketball experience in the NCAA’s Division I definitely garners recognition and credit as an extra feature of G.B. Hodge Center. Casts of spartan warriors line the walls above each of the seating areas – this goes a long way in supporting the University’s “Spartans” nickname. While there is not a lot on display by ways of looking at the history of USC-Upstate basketball, the wall behind the team bench does proudly showcase the 1982 NAIA Championship banner. Following the game, children 12 and under are invited to the floor to get some shots up. This is a small gesture that on the surface seems inconsequential, but goes a long way in building the hoop dreams of the next generation of Spartans. Final Thoughts The beautiful thing about college athletics is that game experiences come in all shapes and sizes, and are special in so many different ways – from the largest arena, Syracuse’s JMA Wireless Dome (35,446), to Upstate’s G.B. Hodge Center with its seating capacity of 878. But, as exhilarating as experiencing games at the largest arenas in the nation can be, the arenas at the other end of the spectrum can be just as spectacular for their own reasons. What G.B. Hodge Center lacks in frills and extravagance, it more than makes up for in intimacy and the sense of community practically every fan in the gym feels for one another, and even visitors.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Maryland Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex 8483 Paint Branch Drive College Park, MD 20742 Maryland Terrapins website Maryland Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 1,400 Turtle Lax The Maryland Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex is exactly what it sounds like – a stadium which is home to the University of Maryland’s field hockey and women’s lacrosse programs. It opened in 2003 across from the Xfinity Center, and was renovated several times, most recently in 2023. The Terrapins' women's lacrosse program is one of the most successful in the history of the sport, having won a whopping 14 NCAA Championships, plus one in 1981 which predates NCAA sponsorship of the sport. The men's lacrosse program does not play here, but rather plays at the far larger SECU Stadium, which is also home to the football team. Food & Beverage 2 There is a food truck called Feed the Turtle just inside the entrance of the stadium, which offers a basic menu. Hot dogs are the only option that can be a meal, although several snacks are available, including candy, chips, fries, cracker jack, peanuts, and popcorn. Bottled water and fountain soda are also available. Hot chocolate can be purchased on cold days as well. Prices are reasonable, with nothing costing more than $5. Atmosphere 3 There is one set of bleachers at the Maryland Field Hockey & Women's Lacrosse Complex, consisting of about five rows of seats all along one sideline. The other sideline contains the press box and team benches. Every seat will put you right up and close to the action. A large scoreboard and videoboard is located to the left of the bleachers, in the corner. There is not much going on here besides the game itself, although there is a marketing table and the occasional promotion to get fans involved. The pep band has appeared at some games in the past, but was not there during Stadium Journey's most recent visit. The team relies on the crowd to create some of the atmosphere here. As mentioned below, expect a large but not necessarily raucous crowd here to help improve the fan experience somewhat. Neighborhood 3 College Park is a small college town with enough in the immediate area to get by but is nothing special. There is a bowling alley a couple of miles away, and a bunch of chain restaurants within walking distance. If you’re looking for some local color, College Park Diner is a favorite with residents and students alike and serves up comfort food 24 hours a day. Looney’s Pub on Route 1 is a sports bar with dozens of big-screen TVs for your viewing pleasure. A couple of hotels are located nearby, including a Marriott just off campus, and The Hotel on campus. (Yes, the on-campus hotel is called The Hotel. Not a very creative name). That being said, if you’re looking to do more than eat and sleep, your best bet is to head down to the Metro station and take the Green Line into D.C. It’s about a 30-minute ride to downtown. Once you’re there, there’s so much to do and most of it is free. Whether it’s visiting one of the historic monuments and memorials, visiting one of the numerous museums, or simply walking outside on the National Mall, there’s something for everyone. All government-run attractions are free to the public, though some privately-run ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you will need to reserve that ahead of time. Fans 4 The Terrapins draw pretty good crowds to women's lacrosse games, and the stands will be mostly full on a typical matchday. That being said, despite being large in number, the fans struggle to get loud at times. Although they will cheer Terrapins' goals, they are for the most part quite subdued. Occasionally you will hear some people cheering the team or yelling at the refs, but this crowd is not nearly as raucous as its numbers would indicate. Access 4 There are parking lots located both across the street from and next to the Complex. The one next to the field is completely free to park at after 4 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends, which should cover the vast majority of matches between them. The one across the street is split between free parking during those hours and paid parking, the latter of which is available to visitors 24/7 and should be utilized if visiting for a weekday afternoon game. The numbered spaces are paid and can be parked in 24/7 for $3/hour, while the unnumbered ones are free but cannot be parked in on weekdays before 4 PM. The other thing to keep in mind is that if the Terrapins have a home basketball game the same day as the lacrosse match, the parking situation can be completely different, so check the Terrapins’ website for additional information if that is the case. Return on Investment 4 General admission tickets are just $10 per game. Concessions are reasonably affordable, and parking will be free for most games. As a result, a Maryland women's lacrosse game has good value for fans. Extras 1 Free programs are available at the marketing table. That's about the only extra here for most games, although there may be the occasional promotion or band appearance. Final Thoughts The Maryland women's lacrosse program is one of the most storied programs in the sport. Despite this, they play in the small confines of the Maryland Field Hockey & Women's Lacrosse Complex, while the men play in the big stadium across campus. The crowds here are large, and can get loud at times, but this stadium seems out of place and disappointing for such an elite program.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Slush Puppie Place 1 Tragically Hip Way Kingston, ON K7K 0B4 Slush Puppie Place website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 5,614 The Oldest Rivalry in Hockey *On February 16th, 2024, the Leon’s Centre was officially renamed Slush Puppie Place, 8 days after the 2024 review of the Carr-Harris Cup On March 10, 1886, Lennox Irving scored the only goal for Queen’s University against Royal Military College on the frozen Kingston Harbour.  There were few things recognizable in this watershed matchup, recognized as the Oldest Rivalry in Hockey, to the game that is played today.  Fast forward 140 years and Queen’s and RMC still meet on the ice multiple times each year. However, since 1986 it has been for the Carr-Harris Challenge Cup.  Beginning in 2012, the game has been played at the neutral site Leon’s Centre, home of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs, and a major local event that draws the largest gate by far for either team.  The game is named after Professor Robert Harris, who was the first professor of civil engineering and architecture at the Royal Military College of Canada in 1879. He would later become an engineering professor at Queen’s University and would adopt the name Carr-Harris to honour his late mother Sarah Carr.  Over the years, the Carr-Harris name has been prominent in Kingston and associated with railway construction projects, military projects, and sporting events. The most recent home of the Carr-Harris Cup is the Leon’s Centre.  Set to be renamed Slush Puppie Place sometime in 2024, Leon’s Centre was built to keep the Frontenacs in Kingston in 2008.  It has gone through several different names including the K-Rock Centre and Rogers K-Rock Centre.  At a capacity of 5,614, the Leon’s Centre is a hub for Eastern Ontario’s live entertainment and OHL hockey and is the perfect location for a major university event like the Carr-Harris Cup. Food & Beverage 3 Being an OHL venue, Leon’s Centre offers the expected OHL concession items at some different stands.  Canada’s own Pizza Pizza offers a variety of pizza options as well as hot dogs and pretzels; Barracks Grill offers burgers, chicken fingers, hot dogs fries and poutine; YGK Eats offers pizza, hot dogs and nachos; and Smoke’s Poutinerie offers a variety of different poutine concoctions. The soft drinks of choice at Leon’s Centre are Coca-Cola products.  There are also a few different beer options including Molson Canadian and Heineken.  Look for the Riverbend Brewing stand for a local craft beer option.  The Molson Canadian Brewhouse offers a standup bar area for patrons to gather and get a drink. Atmosphere 4 Leon’s Centre is an attractive building in a premier location in Kingston.  It is located in the Inner Harbour neighbourhood just steps from the water.  The exterior is a mix of grey brick, silver siding,g, and glass which gives the 2008 building a clean and modern look.  The northeast side of the building is where fans can find the ruins of the original Fort Frontenac, which was originally erected in 1673 and currently has a heritage marker to denote its historic value. Inside the Leon’s Centre fans enter directly into the main concourse, which is light coloured, clean,n and bright.  It is a horseshoe configuration and does not allow patrons to do a full 360-degree walk.  The pillars in the concourse feature murals of major acts that have played at Leon’s Centre.  Of special note is the pillar with the visage of Gord Downie, lead singer of Kingston’s favourite sons, The Tragically Hip, who died way too young. Also of note in the concourse are the members of the Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame.  There are always fun nuggets for treasure hunters to find in local halls of fame.  In Kingsto, those include NHL legends Kirk Muller, Doug Gilmou,r and Don Cherry.  Temporary merchandise tables for both Queen’s University and Royal Military College were present in the concourse. When fans enter the seating bowl from the lower concourse, they will find a single tier of seating with another concourse above the seats.  The ice runs from west to east and fans who wish a picture of the Kingston Frontenacs logo on centre ice should sit on the south side.  The press box is found on the south side above the upper concourse along with suites that form a horseshoe with the west side open.  Frontenacs honoured numbers and other banners hang on the west wall and a large poster hangs at the top of the east side delineating Leon’s Centre as the home of The Tragically Hip.  A decent video board hangs above centre ice. The gameday production for the Carr-Harris Cup takes a normal OUA hockey production up a notch.  The Queen’s bagpipes and band are found in the upper concourse and west end of the arena and play pre-game, during some stoppages, and after the Queen’s goals.  The RMC band is in an adjacent section in the west end and also plays throughout stoppages. The game begins with an old-time crier proclaiming the Carr-Harris Cup open and introducing the teams entering the ice surface.  The crier is very Kingston, however, is required to yell without the aid of a microphone and is therefore difficult to understand.  A member of the Carr-Harris family is also present for the ceremonial first face-off. Unfortunately, the PA system at Leon’s Centre is not terrific and it can be difficult to understand announcements.  At the first intermission, the Queen’s Gaels figure skating team performs to the delight of the crowd.  At the end of the game, the MVPs of both teams are presented with their awards, and the Carr-Harris Cup is also presented to the winner. Neighbourhood 5 The Leon’s Centre is located in the Inner Harbour neighbourhood of Kingston, probably the best place to be in the city.  Just across the harbour, which is where the very first matchup between Queen’s and RMC took place, the picturesque campus of the Royal Military College of Canada can be seen.  Queen’s University campus is a decent walk to the west. The heart of the tourist section of Kingston, the Inner Harbour offers a plethora of bars and restaurants for pre or post-game food and drink.  Some of the options include Chez Piggy, Red House, The Toucan, Merchant Taphouse, The Heist, Melt & Grill, Harper’s Burger Bar, Iron Duke on Wellington, and Wooden Heads. There are also several sporting options available in Kingston.  Leon’s Centre is the primary home of the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL.  The Queen’s Gaels field several athletic teams including hockey at their regular home, the Kingston Memorial Centre, basketball, and football. The RMC Paladins also have hockey at their regular on-campus home, Constantine Arena, among other sports.  Other tourist options in Kingston include Fort Henry, the Canadian Penitentiary Museum, Bellevue House, and the Original Hockey Hall of Fame.  Fans wishing to stay near Leon’s Centre can choose the Delta or Holiday Inn which are steps from the arena. Fans 5 The Carr-Harris Cup, along with The Frosty Mug and Crowchild Classic, is among the best-attended USports hockey games each year.  The game traditionally draws between 3,500 and 4,000 fans a year.  That is somewhere in the neighbourhood of 17 to 40 times what a normal Queen’s or RMC game will attract.  It is an event with the majority of fans in attendance from one of the two schools. This is especially excellent for RMC which has a very small student population of around 1,100.  RMC also uses the Carr-Harris Cup as a big alumni event.  The students in attendance add to the atmosphere and the small but mighty RMC contingent are very loud.  The most popular chant at the Queen’s students from the RMC students is “Daddy’s Money” pointing out the perceived entitled nature of Queen’s students. Access 4 Leon’s Centre is located in the Inner Harbour neighbourhood of Kingston encircled by The Tragically Hip Way, Place D’Armes, King Stree,t and Ontario Street or Highway 2.  The main entry to Kingston is Highway 401, which is significantly north of Leon’s Centre.  Traffic should not be an issue but fans coming from out of town will have a long way to traverse through town. An alternate way to Leon’s Centre would be taking the Kingston-LaSalle Causeway, which comes from the opposite side of the harbour.  There are some open parking lots south of the arena, but there is a cost and be warned, they are very messy due to not being paved.  For fans who wish to take public transit, there are bus stops on Barrack Street and Ontario Street.  Fans should check the Kingston Transit website for fares, schedules, and maps. Getting around the Leon’s Centre is not too difficult, however, fans need to recognize that there are no 360-degree options for walking around the arena.  Washroom facilities are good for the arena. Junior hockey security protocols are changing.  Fans are encouraged to consult the Leon’s Centre website for the latest security protocols including prohibited items and bag policy. Return on Investment 5 The Carr-Harris Cup is one of the premier events in OUA hockey, yet the price of tickets does not reflect that.  Adult tickets are only $15.  Concession prices are decent and there will be a cost for parking.  That being said, the experience of a Carr-Harris Cup is unlike anything else and worth the small cost.  OUA hockey is already a great value and the Carr-Harris Cup takes that up a notch. Extras 3 An extra mark for Queen’s and RMC sharing the oldest hockey rivalry in the world. An extra mark for the connection that the game and schools have kept with the Carr-Harris family. An extra mark for the Carr-Harris Cup as one of the premier events on the USports calendar. Final Thoughts In the sporting landscape where costs are rising exponentially, fans are required to re-evaluate their sporting dollars.  It is especially unique for fans to experience a premier event for such a small investment.  The Carr-Harris Challenge Cup brings just about everything that a fan could want.  The oldest rivalry in hockey with the Queen’s Gaels and RMC Paladins, a great sense of history, a great venue, an excellent city to visit, and a whole lot of fun. ----- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

There are few basketball teams that are more legendary than the Boston Celtics. They have won 17 championships and have featured some of the most iconic teams ever to dribble a basketball. Is the TD Garden comparable to their venerable home, the Boston Garden? Is it all that is expected of it? Grab a beer and join Paul and Dave and catch the latest episode of Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views. You can find Stadium Journey's review of TD Garden and the Boston Celtics game day experience here.

Photo courtesy of Lucky Gambler With Major League Soccer (MLS) returning for the start of a new season on February 21, i-gaming site Lucky Gambler studied which were the most- and least-affordable clubs to be a fan of. According to a press release, researchers from Lucky Gambler indexed all 29 MLS teams and weighted them by eight factors. “When going to a soccer game, the cost of a ticket isn’t the only expense involved, as costs of travel, food, and hotel can also be included,” said a spokesperson for Lucky Gambler in their news release. “Today, even jerseys are becoming more expensive than the price of one game ticket. MLS stadiums are now above the 20,000 average fans per match threshold, but numbers vary greatly by venue.” These factors were determined to contribute to the average fan's experience at an MLS game. Leading the way in terms of most affordable were Minnesota United FC and Allianz Field – the St. Paul, Minnesota-based club was determined to cost fans an indexed score of 81.91 per game. The eight factors that determined the cost were game tickets, the average cost of a jersey, the median cost for a one-night hotel stay that is within two miles of the stadium, the average cost of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant in the city, the number of hotels within a two-mile radius, the average cost of a taxi within one kilometer, the number of jerseys available, and the cost for a one-night stay in an Airbnb. FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium is the second most affordable team scoring 72.34 out of 100 in the index. Minnesota United and FC Cincinnati were virtually equal across the eight factors, with one deciding metric separating them. On the other end of the spectrum, New England Revolution was deemed the most expensive team for fans, with a score of 43.17. “The average cost of living in Foxborough is about 38% higher than the national average and about 11% higher than the Massachusetts state average,” the spokesperson said. “Therefore, it doesn’t come [as] a surprise that New England Revolution [is] the most expensive team to be a fan of. [While] Minnesota United is the cheapest team, with the cost of living in Minnesota at 3% lower than the national average.” ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 John M. Belk Arena 200 Baker Dr. Davidson, NC 28036 Davidson Wildcats website John M. Belk Arena website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 5,295 All Hail, O Davidson Some might only know of Davidson College basketball from the success of the Wildcats in the early 2000s, highlighted by an Elite Eight run led by Steph Curry. However, their high level of success on the hardwood dates back nearly 50 years prior – under Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame coach Charles “Lefty” Driesell, Davidson put themselves on the college basketball map during the 1960s. Driesell took Davidson to back-to-back National Quarterfinals in 1968 and ’69; he also lead them to four Top 10 end-of-season rankings in his decade at Davidson. Davidson would struggle to find consistency following Lefty’s departure after the 1969 season, only finishing with back-to-back winning campaigns once. It wasn’t until Bob McKillop was hired in 1989 that the Wildcats found their winning ways again. Under McKillop, Davidson strung together 29 consecutive winning seasons in his 33 years on the sidelines of Belk Arena, which included 19 postseason appearances. McKillop’s tenure was further highlighted by a run from 2004 to 2009, which saw a 128-40 (.762) record for the Wildcats, including three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, and capped by a run in the 2008 tournament to the Elite Eight. After spending more than 70 seasons as members of the Southern Conference, Davidson jumped to its current home in the Atlantic-10 (A-10) Conference at the start of the 2014-15 season. Davidson has called John M. Belk Arena home since 1989, when Baker Sports Complex which houses the arena replaced the 2,500 seat Johnston Gym, which the Wildcats had used since 1949; today Johnston Gym has been repurposed as the Knobloch Campus Center. Food & Beverage   4 Concessions are split between the upper and lower levels of Baker Sports Complex – the lower level has a more traditional concession stand, which serves just about everything one would expect in arena concessions, but also offers a decent break from the norm. The typical fare of hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, soft pretzels, chips, and candy are all available. The addition of burgers, spicy chicken sandwiches, and chicken nuggets are also a nice addition, as these items are not found in most arenas. Davidson offers beverages from the Pepsi line of soft drinks, along with Gatorade. The upper level concessions are a bit more specialized, including bratwurst with onions and peppers, steamed bagel sandwiches from Sully’s Steamers, Domino's pizza, and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream served in freshly baked waffle cones. Local restaurant Brickhouse Tavern also sets up shop to pour beer from local NoDa Brewing Company; Davidson sells three of NoDa’s brews, featuring the Davidson branded O’Davidson Lager. Pinot Gris is also available. While the set up might not be ideal with the concessions being separated, the offerings more than make up for the minor inconvenience of possibly having to visit two different locations to fill all food and beverage needs. Atmosphere   4 John M. Belk Arena is part of the larger Baker Sports Complex – the facility not only houses Belk Arena, but also the college’s swim facility and other athletic department services. Viewed from the front along Baker Drive, the building’s brick exterior and columned overhang give it a much more historical feel than its 34 years of service might suggest, while the entry from Harry L. Vance Athletic Center has a much more modern feel, with its use of bricks, glass, and curves. Seating is divided into court level seats along both sidelines, with a matching level of upper seating. The lower level of seating remains rather tight, while the upper level of seats is a bit more spacious. Two rows of courtside seating are also available opposite each of the team benches, and clusters of student seating are located at court level on each end of the floor. Davidson’s marketing and promotional team puts a great deal of work into making sure stoppages in play are full of some sort of entertainment. The small yet spirited Davidson pep band takes up a portion of the near end bleachers, and often fills time leading into timeouts as the cheer squad or in-game host prepares for a routine or on-court game. Just about every break in the action is filled with a game or contest featuring students or kids from the stands. The rest of the time is used by the in-house DJ, who makes his presence felt until the ball is put back in play. Since there is no center hung scoreboard, the arena has a very open feel. Rather than the overhead scoreboard, single panel boards are hung high above the seating at each end of the floor, while smaller, more basic time and score displays are located in each of the corners at court level. The large boards not only give fans a live feed of the game, but also have a real-time update of player scoring and foul totals. The dead time during stoppages in play is filled with on-court recognitions, contests, cheer displays , and t-shirt tosses. The downtime until the ball is put back in play is definitely used well and is engaging to fans. Given the configuration of Belk Arena, there really is not a bad seat in the house. Seats in the lower level of the arena are right on top of the action, while the lower rows of the upper level are high enough to not have to deal with passersby in front blocking your view. The upper reaches of the second level do tend to get a bit warm though. Neighborhood   4 Davidson, North Carolina is a quaint lake community of approximately 15,000 people, located just north of Charlotte in the northern most reaches of Mecklenburg County. Main Street Davidson runs along the front edge of campus and is spotted with restaurants, coffee houses, and shops. Those looking for a pregame meal might want to check out Brickhouse Tavern or Flatiron Kitchen & Taphouse, which are two of the more popular eateries near campus. For race fans, about 10 minutes north and just off I-77 in nearby Mooresville, auto racing enthusiasts might find the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame of interest. On campus, Davidson’s athletic facilities cradle the eastern edge of campus. Baker Sports Complex that houses Belk Arena is neighbored by the soon-to-be retired Richardson Stadium the longtime home of Davidson football and track & field, as well as the outdoor tennis pavilion. Visitors for last season games might be able to pair a baseball game at Wilson Field, or even lacrosse or tennis, if those teams happen to be at home. Fans   3 Despite ranking in the lower half of the Atlantic-10 Conference in total attendance, Wildcat fans consistently occupy around two-thirds of the capacity in 5,295-seat Belk Arena. Davidson’s enrollment of nearly 2,000 students does not lend itself to large crowds. However, a notable portion of the student body, roughly 200-300 students, regularly attend games, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere – the remaining audience comprises a mix of alumni and Davidson residents who come out to support the home team. Many of those in attendance sit in the court level seats, creating a notably lively atmosphere. A lot of credit should go to the student sections, nicknamed the “D Block”, at each end of the floor, who really bring a lot of passion to the game. Access   4 Davidson is less than 2 miles from I-77 that runs north from Charlotte. Other than typical traffic congestion the area is relatively straightforward to reach. The Baker Street entrance to campus leads directly to Belk Arena and the adjacent parking lot. For those looking to save on parking and willing to walk a bit, street parking on Davidson city streets might be an option. Make sure to be aware of posted parking signs and regulations. There are several entry points into Belk Arena. Fans parking in the lot adjacent to the facility will find the most convenient entrance through the upper level of Harry L. Vance Athletic Center. The doors on the lower level offer the easiest access to floor seating, though another access point is through the front doors of Baker Sports Complex, which houses indoor tennis, swimming, wrestling facilities, along with Belk Arena. The lobby area that transitions between Baker Sports Complex and Belk Arena serves as a gathering spot for fans before they move to their seats for the game. A spacious, continuous walkway separates the upper and lower seating, providing fans with plenty of room to move around without encountering congestion. Return on Investment   3 Get in the door prices start at around $23 for upper-level seating, which seems a bit high when factoring in $10 for parking on top of the ticket cost; this combination is one of the higher prices in the A-10. Typically, a higher priced ticket will be accompanied by free parking, so the combination of ticket prices and parking rates are a bit of an investment, even for the lowest priced tickets. Concession prices do appear to be rather reasonable when looking at typical arena rates. Extras   4 It would be easy to think that the school which gained widespread recognition for its successes in the NCAA tournament, and the unprecedented NBA career of Steph Curry, would see him plastered on every inch of the facility. However, while Curry’s career is well recognized here, it tastefully does not overshadow the rest of Davidson basketball history. The Williamson Concourse pays homage to the achievements of Davidson basketball during the '60s, under the leadership of Lefty Driesell – the area features large photos of players, a sizable replica of a Sports Illustrated cover labeling Davidson a "Challenge to UCLA", and other significant moments from this era of Wildcat basketball. Just outside Belk Arena, a display commemorates the life of Mike Maloy, the first Black athlete at Davidson and a key member of the Wildcats success in the late 1960s. Lux, the Wildcat mascot, is a visible part of the in-game entertainment, helping the spirt squad hype up the crowd during timeouts and dead ball situations. Final Thoughts Even though Davidson basketball might not be at the height of years past, the program remains competitive enough to be a headache for any opponent they face. Fans can expect highly contested game on nightly basis. When considering the overall peripheral factors that contribute to the game experience, a Davidson game would be a wonderful addition when visiting the Charlotte area.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Steven Kerr Memorial Centre 965 Binning St. W Listowel, ON N4W 0G6 Listowel Cyclones website Steven Kerr Memorial Centre website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 800 A Cyclone is in Town Listowel, Ontario is known for a couple of things.  The lead singer of the band Helix, Brian Vollmer, hails from Listowel.  The hit show “Letterkenny” is loosely based on creator Jared Keeso’s experiences growing up around the Listowel area.  Millions of cans of Campbell’s Soup have been produced outside of Listowel.  Possibly the most famous son of Listowel was the “Listowel Pistol” Frederick “Cyclone” Taylor. Cyclone Taylor is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and an original Ottawa Senator whose number is retired in the Canadian Tire Centre and has a street outside the home of the Senators named after him.  Taylor’s name is on the Stanley Cup in two spots.  It seems appropriate that the local team in the town in which he grew up is also named after him.  The Listowel Cyclones joined the Central Junior C Hockey League in 1972.  By 1979 the Cycs moved up to Junior B and currently remain a cornerstone franchise in the Junior B, Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The home for the Cyclones is the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex.  Built in 2017 and owned by the Municipality of North Perth, the complex is named after a generous donation by the family of Steven Kerr, who died in a tragic car accident and had played all of his minor hockey in the Listowel area.  The Steve Kerr Memorial Complex replaced the venerable Listowel Memorial Arena.  In 1959, the roof of the arena collapsed and tragically killed eight people.  A movement remains in place to build a park with a proper memorial on the site of the former arena. Food & Beverage 3 There is a concession stand inside the main lobby of the Steve Kerr Complex.  It offers a limited number of options including hot dogs, pizza, nachos, popcorn, coffee, apple cider, and tea.  Coca-Cola products can be found in vending machines around the complex.  The Blueline Room is on the upper level on the east side of the arena and offers beer and spirits that must be consumed inside the room. Atmosphere 3 The Steve Kerr Memorial Complex has a bit of an inauspicious look from the exterior.  A simple, rectangular structure with lower brown and grey brick with upper off-white siding, the Kerr Complex is not by any definition unattractive, but will not wow anyone driving by. Inside the main lobby, fans are met with a few temporary tables, the first of which is for purchasing tickets.  Other tables for Cyclones merchandise, program, and 50/50 draws are front and centre.  A bit of exploring can be done through the lobby, which is bright and clean and looks right onto the ice surface.  The donor display features an inscription and explanation about Steven Kerr and his importance to the arena. A large trophy case on the right side of the lobby is dedicated to the friends who were lost in the arena tragedy of 1959.  The case includes a large, beautiful piece of art with the visages of all seven of the children and one adult who perished in the accident.  Artifacts including skates, pennants, and hockey sticks can also be found in the case as well as how fans can make donations to the monument and park that is planned on the former site of the arena. Unfortunately, an opportunity is lost in the lobby, and the larger arena, as there is nothing to be seen about Cyclone Taylor.  This may normally be an acceptable oversight, but when the team is named after the Hall of Famer some acknowledgment is necessary. Inside the seating area, the ice surface runs from west to east with seating on both the north and south sides of the ice.  Behind the elevated seating area with six rows of plastic arena seats is a walking track and railings perfect for standing, which is very popular in Listowel.  When choosing a seat, fans should be aware that tickets are partially general admission. Seats are reserved for season ticket holders and are marked with an ‘R’ sticker on the back.  The Blueline Room at the east end looks over the ice as well.  Championship banners for the 2018 Sutherland Cup as Junior B Champions, 2018 and 2017 Conference Championships, and the 2005 Cherrey Cup as Midwest Junior B Hockey League Champions, predating the reorganizing of Junior hockey, all hang in the west end.  In the northwest corner of the arena, at the track level is a mini-stick arena under the watchful eye of the honoured jersey of Dan Williams, a former Cyclone who passed away in 1999. The memory of the 1959 arena collapse victims is further galvanized in the seating area with a large banner listing all of their names in the northeast corner of the arena.  The arena has a relatively low ceiling and low profile score clock hanging over center ice surrounded by youth hockey banners. The gameday production at a Listowel Cyclones game is fairly simple.  Promotions include program raffles, 50/50 draw, and shootouts are staples at a Cycs game.  Music is played during down times and some songs that are of interest include “Rock You” by local legends Helix and the somewhat appropriate “Rock You Like A Hurricane.” Neighbourhood 3 Listowel is a small town, which is part of the Municipality of North Perth.  The Steve Kerr Memorial Complex is located on the edge of town and looking for a place for a pre or post-game meal or drink will require a very short trip by car.  Fast food and chain restaurants are easily found in town.  Some more unique selections include Hom Restaurant and Roadhouse 23. The Listowel Cyclones are the only game in town.  Fans looking for other sporting options at or above the Cyclones level will be required to head out of town.  Other tourist ideas in Listowel could include checking out Listowel Paddyfest, the largest St. Patrick’s Day festival in North America.  The Drayton Festival Theatre is found in the nearby village of Drayton.  Heading to the site of the original Listowel Memorial Arena is also worth a stop, more so when the park and memorial are completed.  Fans who wish to stay in Listowel can stay in the Listowel Country Inn. Fans 4 The Listowel Cyclones enjoy strong support.  For the 2024 season, at the time of writing, they have averaged over 500 fans per game.  This is an increase from 355 fans in 2023.  In 2024 they are ranked 8th in the GOJHL in attendance, up from 14th.  The game that was reviewed saw more than 900 fans in attendance, nearly a capacity crowd.  Cyclone fans are typical Southern Ontario fans meaning they are generally quiet and get loud when there is something to get loud about. Access 4 Listowel is located at the confluence of Highways 23 and 86 and the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex is located at the northwest edge of town.  Getting to the arena will not be difficult at all and traversing town is not difficult.  There is plenty of parking at the complex and it is free.  Fans who wish to take public transit to the game are out of luck, but this should not be surprising considering the size of the town.  Getting around the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex is not difficult at all and the washroom facilities are adequate for the arena. Return on Investment 5 GOJHL hockey offers one of the best returns on investment that can be found anywhere.  Adult tickets are sold for $12, students/seniors are $10 and kids are $6.  Parking is free and the concession prices are about what one would expect.  The product on the ice is solid and the atmosphere that the Cyclones put together is great.  Overall, a Listowel Cyclones game offers great value and is a great activity for the entire family. Extras 3 An extra mark for the hopefully future Listowel Memorial Arena Park which will be located at the site of the original arena and will provide a permanent memorial for those who perished in 1959. An extra mark for the Listowel Cyclones being named after Frederick “Cyclone” Taylor. An extra mark for Listowel being the home of Letterkenny crater Jared Keeso. Final Thoughts When in Ontario, taking in some Junior B hockey is a great way to get a sense of the province beyond just the big cities.  Listowel is one of the cornerstone franchises of the GOJHL and the Cyclones offer a terrific history.  The Steve Kerr Memorial Complex is a solid Junior B venue and a great place to catch a game. ----- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Doak Field at Dail Park 1081 Varsity Dr. Raleigh, NC 27606 North Carolina State Wolfpack website Doak Field at Dail Park website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 3,048 Home of the Pack 9 Across the nation, the popularity of college baseball has increased drastically over the past several years. This is the case at NC State, as well, as attendance and interest in the Wolfpack baseball program are at an all-time high. A few years ago, extra bleacher seating was added in left field to push the capacity over 3,000, and those seats have remained in place ever since. Much of this increased interest is due to the success the program has experienced the past few years. NC State has hosted NCAA regionals in 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2018; and hosted the program’s first ever super regional in 2013. That same year (2013) the Pack made their second-ever trip to the College World Series in Omaha. The Wolfpack also reached college baseball’s promised land again in 2021. Doak Field is currently in the midst of a $15 million renovation, which included adding new seats, a new video board, and new LED lights before the 2023 season. Enhancements to take place after the 2024 season will include premium space, concession upgrades, and shaded areas. Even though Doak Field may not be considered one of the ‘premier’ ACC venues, it does provide the Wolfpack faithful with a wonderful facility to watch some of the best college baseball in the country. Food & Beverage 4 For those fans who come to the ballpark hungry, there are several choices to fulfill their desires. There is a large tent dubbed the Wolfpack Grill directly behind the press box, where hot dogs and hamburgers are grilled on-site. These are great options at the Doak. Two other permanent concession stands offer a wide variety of choices including Loaded BBQ Nachos, Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pizza, Chick-fil-A Sandwich, Hot Dog, and Pretzel. Snack items include popcorn, peanuts, Cracker Jacks, sunflower seeds, candy, and Carolina Kettle Chips. Howling Cow Ice Cream from NC State’s Creamery is also available. Beverage options include bottled water, bottled soda (Coke products), and Powerade. Premium and craft beer options are also available. Atmosphere 4 Since NC State’s men’s basketball and football teams both play off-campus, it is nice that the baseball facility is still located on campus. Dormitories rise beyond the left field wall and pine trees line the right field wall, which gives Doak Field a quaint college atmosphere. While the location of Doak Field has been the home of the Pack 9 since 1966, the current seating areas, press box, office tower, concessions, and restrooms were all built in an extensive renovation in 2002. The majority of the seating at Doak Field is below ground, with a spacious open concourse running above the seating area. All of the seating in this area are red chair back seats, which have cup holders. While the chair back seating is nice, these seats are a tad cramped, with not much legroom. At the end of the seating area down the left field line is a spacious grassy berm for general admission seating. Above the berm is a section of bleacher seats that also have chairbacks. The playing surface at Doak is natural grass, with all of the foul ground being artificial turf. There is a new videoboard beyond the right field wall, which features line scores, stats, player bios, and video replays. There is not a bad seat in the house; however, the sun sets over the first base side of the stadium. If you are sitting on the third base side for an early evening game, the sun will be in your eyes until it sets as you look toward home plate. Neighborhood 3 Since Doak Field is located on campus, there are no eateries within walking distance of the ballpark. However, there are a couple of places within a mile of Doak Field. If you are looking for something quick before or after the game, Cook-Out is the place for you. It is located down the street from campus on Western Boulevard and is famous for its “trays” which feature a burger (or chicken sandwich), two sides, and a drink for less than $8. Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant is also located on Western Boulevard across the street from campus and was started by a former Wolfpack football player. There is a large variety of NC State memorabilia located throughout the restaurant, and their Italian food is some of the best in the area. Being located in Raleigh, there is no shortage of other activities to participate in when visiting the city. A good activity before or after a game would be to take the short drive to downtown Raleigh and take a stroll around the state Capitol. The North Carolina Museum of History and the North Carolina Museum of Science are both located within a block of the state Capitol. The closest hotel to campus is Aloft Raleigh on Hillsborough Street directly across the street from the NC State Bell Tower. Fans 4 The fan's support at most college baseball parks around the country depends on two things: the weather and the time of the game. This is often true at NC State as well. Early-season games on a Tuesday afternoon in 40-degree weather will typically draw 1,000 fans or less. However, as the weather warms up, one can expect 2500-3,000 plus fans, especially for a weekend game. Weeknight games against local rivals, such as East Carolina, will also draw capacity crowds. NC State fans are both loyal and passionate, and when the Pack has an ACC power on the ropes, expect the Doak to be rocking. It is not uncommon to hear the Wolf-Pack chant ring our when the Pack is playing well. Pack fans can be rough on the umpires in a good-natured way. Expect to hear “Come on Blue!” when a ball or strike call does not go the Pack’s way. Access 5 Aside from rush hour traffic, Doak Field is easily accessible from both I-40 and I-440. If coming to a game on a work night, it is wise to add a few minutes to work your way through Raleigh traffic. Raleigh-Durham International serves the Triangle and is about a 20-minute drive from NC State. Parking for baseball games is free in the West Deck on Varsity Drive, just off Western Boulevard. It is about a five-minute walk to Doak Field from the West Deck. Fans without a season or weekend parking permit will need to obtain a free virtual parking permit for any games Monday-Friday that begin before 5 pm. The permit will allow fans to park on the West Deck. Fans can park in this location for any games beginning after 5 pm Monday-Friday or on the weekends without having to request a virtual permit. The main entrance at Doak is located near the ticket office behind the home plate. While there is a gate down the third baseline, it is reserved for students only. Security is present at the games but only checks large bags and purses. NC State fully utilizes mobile ticketing. Once inside Doak, you will notice a large concourse that runs above the seating bowl. The concourse offers an outstanding view of the field, and often many Wolfpack faithful will just stand on the concourse to watch the game while talking with other fans. Men’s restrooms are on the first base side, while women’s restrooms are on the third base side. Handicapped seating is available on the concourse above the seating bowl. Return on Investment 3 NC State utilizes a sliding ticket pricing schedule as early-season non-conference games are $5-10, while non-conference games later in the season and conference games are $10-20. Typically, the only single-game tickets available are in the left field bleachers or standing room only. Occasionally you can find game tickets cheaper on the secondary market, as the majority of the stadium is sold out through season tickets, so many season ticket holders will sell tickets for games they cannot attend for $10-15. Extras 3 One neat aspect of attending a game at Doak Field is the duck call that plays when “ducks are on the pond” (Pack players on base). This tradition was started years ago by two gentlemen who would sit behind home plate and blow their duck calls when the Pack had players on base. For weekend games, the NC State mascots (Mr. and Mrs. Wuf) are usually in attendance. Another extra is the picnic tables on the concourse that offer a view of the game. Final Thoughts While Doak Field may not be known as a highly regarded ballpark, it is still a great ballpark and a fun experience for college baseball. Upcoming renovations should further improve the fan experience!

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Hespeler Memorial Arena 640 Ellis Road Cambridge, ON N3C 4N1 Hespeler Shamrocks website Hespeler Memorial Arena website Year Opened: 1990 Capacity: 720 Shammies are Buzzin In Ontario, Junior C hockey is usually the domain of small towns, but for every rule there are exceptions.  The City of Cambridge has a population of over 138,000 but was amalgamated in 1972 from the towns of Preston, Galt and Hespeler.  Over fifty years later, those divisions are still felt in Cambridge.  Loosely considered the part of Cambridge that is north of Highway 401, Hespeler has a long history with hockey including being the former home of hockey sticks manufactured of the same name. The original Hespeler Shamrocks were founded in 1960 and began in the Central Junior C Hockey League.  The team moved up to Junior B in 1979 and were renamed the Cambridge Shamrocks in 1979.  Success did find the Shamrocks as they won their league in 1963, 1964 and 1970.  They also won the provincial championship, Schmalz Cup, in 1964.  The Shamrocks would move to Guelph in 1982 and return to Cambridge, in an ironic circular turn of events, in 2018 and continue in the GOJHL as the Cambridge Redhawks. The current iteration of the Shammies began in Simcoe in 1959 as a Junior B team, dropping to Junior C two years later.  In 1965 Simcoe would bring home the Schmalz Cup.  Beginning as the Juniors and going through a host of different names, 2017 would mark the christening of the Simcoe Shamrocks and the following year would see the team move to Cambridge to begin again as the Hespeler Shamrocks in the Provincial Junior Hockey League. The original Shamrocks played in the original Hespeler Memorial Arena, built in 1947 and named to honour the veterans of World Wars I and II.  In 1990 the current arena was built and the name traveled from the old arena to the new one.  Eventually a second ice surface was built and added on to the Hespeler Arena.  The Shamrocks play in Rink 1, which boasts a seating capacity of 720.  The Shammies provide a solid hockey experience that fans will enjoy. Food & Beverage 3 Concession options in Junior C hockey rinks are really hit or miss.  The concessions at the Hespeler Memorial Arena are better than to be expected.  The main concession area is found between the two rinks.  Hot dogs, chicken strips, fries, onion rings and poutine are featured on the menu.  Pepsi products and bottled water along with coffee, tea and hot chocolate are the soft drinks available.  In the Blueline Club, essentially on the level immediately above the concession stand, fans are able to purchase alcoholic beverages and consume them within the club, which features windows that look out to the ice surfaces.  The Blueline Club is run by Duke’s Dugout and is in the upper southwest end of the rink. Atmosphere 3 The Hespeler Memorial Arena is a solid venue for Junior C hockey.  The exterior features light brick with green siding and is fairly low profile.   The second ice pad was built to the south of the original building and perpendicular as opposed to parallel.  Upon entering the lobby it is clear to fans that Hespeler Arena is a community hub and the home of the Shamrocks.  There are youth hockey pictures all over the lobby. The Shamrocks do a good job of advertising their presence within the lobby with trophy cases dedicated to the team.  A framed collage dedicated to the arena from former NHL player and Cambridge native Kirk Maltby can be found in the lobby also.  A temporary ticket table welcomes fans and once a ticket is purchased it is up to the second level.  Nods to the Shamrocks continue on the upper floor with a trophy case featuring player profile photos.  Also of note is a framed print of the original Hespeler Memorial Arena. Inside the seating area, the ice surface runs from northeast to southwest and the elevated seating area is on the northwest side.  The seating area consists of nine rows of plastic stadium seats.  The southeast side of the arena features a ton of youth hockey banners.  In the west corner a selection of NHL jerseys from Cambridge locals is proudly displayed. Honourees included Paul Woods, Ken Ellacott, Red Laurence, Tim Brent, Kirk Maltby and referee Bob Hodges.  The Shammies banner in the north corner announces the home of the team and a simple scoreclock is on the northeast wall.  A couple of other items of note for the arena itself include the need of a paint job and the significant temperature drop when entering the seating area.  Gloves are a good idea and selecting a seat under the gas heaters is also a good plan.  Championship banners or other recognition of either the original Shamrocks or current franchise would be good. The gameday production for the Shamrocks is fairly simple.  Music is played during breaks in the action.  Junior hockey staple promotions including the 50/50 draw and program raffle are also available.  Unfortunately the PA system in the seating area is not terrific and announcements are difficult to understand at times.  They are, however, crystal clear from the Blueline Club.  The one piece that is easy to hear is the encouragement of “Go Shammies” after nearly every announcement. Neighbourhood 4 Hespeler Memorial Arena is located in the Hespeler Village neighbourhood of Cambridge.  There are a number of places to stop for pre or post game food or drink that are within a very short drive.  Some spots include Ernie’s, Four Fathers Brewing, Freida’s, The New York and The Angry Oak. For fans looking for another sporting option in Cambridge, the Junior B Cambridge Redhawks of the GOJHL play in the Galt area of town.  Other tourist options in Cambridge include Hespeler Village, the Hamilton Family Theatre, the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory and the McDougall Cottage Historic Site.  For fans who wish to stay close to the arena, the Comfort Inn and Homewood Suites are options. Fans 2 Hespeler Shamrocks games average between 150 and 220 fans per game.  While it is true that the Shamrocks play in a larger centre than many other PJHL teams, they do have plenty of sports competition in the Tri-City area.  It appears that Hespeler is in the bottom third in attendance in the PJHL, so there is plenty of room for improvement.  Fans in attendance are typical Southern Ontario fans, as in fairly quiet who get loud when something big happens Access 5 The Hespeler Memorial Arena is located in the Hespeler Village neighbourhood of Cambridge.  The arena is on the south side of Ellis Road.  It is just north of Highway 401.  There will be a bit of traversing through residential areas to get to the arena, but that will not be a problem and traffic won’t be an issue.  There is plenty of free parking on site.  For fans who wish to take public transit to the game, there are bus stops on Ellis Road and nearby Cooper Street.  Fans should check the Grand River Transit website for fares, schedules and maps.  Getting around the arena is not a problem, however, if there are two games going on at the same time, the concession area can get a little crowded.  Washroom facilities are adequate for the arena. Return on Investment 5 The investment in a Junior C hockey game is pretty low.  Adult tickets can be had for $10 and children and seniors can get in for $5.  Parking is free and concession prices are what one would expect.  The premier time for Shammies hockey is Sunday afternoon, leaving plenty of time in the evening for other options.  The product on the ice is good and the investment is such that bringing the family won’t dent the pocket book.  Overall, a very affordable and solid experience. Extras 3 An extra mark of the community focus and embracing of history in Hespeler. An extra mark for the bee motif that travels through Hespler.  A marketing strategy in the early 1900s, the image of the bee and beehive came with the slogans that Hespeler was a “honey of a place to live” and a “beehive of industry.”  The Shamrocks have embraced the bee with hive icons on their logo and the hashtag “boysbebuzzin”. An extra mark for the volunteers who help make the Hespeler Shamrocks run. Final Thoughts A unique Junior C experience, the Hespeler Shamrocks offer the small town vibe of Junior C hockey in a moderately sized city.  Taking in a Shamrocks game at the Hespeler Memorial Arena is affordable and an overall “honey” of an experience. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Photos courtesy of the UFL On February 15 the newly formed United Football League (UFL) unveiled its official game ball. The UFL was created by merging the recent incarnations of the United States Football League (USFL) and the XFL. The new league will begin playing their inaugural season on March 30, 2024 and will feature eight (8) teams from the combined leagues: the defending USFL champion Birmingham Stallions, defending XFL champion Arlington Renegades, DC Defenders, Houston Roughnecks, Memphis Showboats, Michigan Panthers, St. Louis Battlehawks, and San Antonio Brahmas. The new balls have been designed and are handcrafted to “perform at the highest level,” according to the UFL. Each football is embossed with metallic lettering and has the UFL logo hot-stamped in silver, along with the team markings. The design of each UFL ball features premium Horween Red 864 top-grain leather and suede ProTack+ lace. According to a release from the UFL, the goal is to: “[reflect] the contemporary look of the UFL brand yet remains authentic to the game of football.” Big Game Football Factory of Dallas, the largest American-owned football factory in the world, is the company tasked with creating, designing, and building the new balls from start to finish. This year marks the company’s 30th as the industry leader in custom-made footballs. The official league game ball is available for purchase on the newly launched Shop.theufl.com and through TheUFL.com. ---- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Maryland Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex 8483 Paint Branch Drive College Park, MD 20742 Maryland Terrapins website Maryland Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 1,400 Turtle Field Hockey The Maryland Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex is exactly what it sounds like – a stadium which is home to the University of Maryland’s field hockey and women’s lacrosse programs. It opened in 2003 across from the Xfinity Center, and was renovated in 2005 and again in 2019. The Terrapins’ field hockey team is one of the top programs in the country, having won eight national championships and 13 conference titles over the years. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand located near the entrance which serves only very basic options. If you want a meal, your only options are a chicken strips basket ($10), and a hot dog ($4.) There are various snacks available as well, including chips, pretzels, popcorn, and nachos. Bottled water, soda, and Gatorade are available to drink, as are hot chocolate and coffee. Atmosphere 2 There is one set of bleachers located on one sideline, while the other sideline contains a tent for the media and game staff. The bleachers go up about five rows and take up the whole sideline. There is also a very large scoreboard in the corner which also shows shots and saves for each team. You can also view the quarter of the match, but this is somewhat tricky to find – it shows as timeouts remaining for the Terps rather than in a designated area. College field hockey switched from halves to quarters this year, taking away each team’s timeout in the process, and the scoreboard has not yet been adjusted to accommodate this. The Terrapin mascot and band typically do not show up to field hockey games like they would for basketball and football. Neighborhood 4 College Park is a small college town with enough in the immediate area to get by, but is really nothing special. There is a bowling alley a couple miles away, and a bunch of chain restaurants within walking distance. If you’re looking for some local color, College Park Diner is a favorite with residents and students alike and serves up comfort food 24 hours a day. Looney’s Pub on Route 1 is a sports bar with dozens of big-screen TVs for your viewing pleasure. A couple hotels are located nearby, including a Marriott just off campus, and The Hotel on-campus. (Yes, the on-campus hotel is literally called The Hotel. Not a very creative name.) That being said, if you’re looking to do more than eat and sleep, your best bet is to head down to the Metro station and take the Green Line into D.C. It’s about a 30 minute ride to downtown. Once you’re there, there’s so much to do and most of it is free. Whether it’s visiting one of the historic monuments and memorials, visiting one of the numerous museums, or simply walking outside on the National Mall, there’s something for everyone. All government-run attractions are free to the public, though some privately run ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you will need to reserve that ahead of time. Fans 4 The Terrapins draw good numbers for field hockey compared to most programs in the country. Although you do get friends and family of the players, there are also a fair amount of UMD students and locals, many with girls who play youth field hockey themselves and dream of making the NCAA someday. That being said, this is field hockey, not football or basketball. Good crowds are about 500 fans, nowhere near what you’d see at revenue sports. Access 4 There are parking lots located both across the street from and next to the Complex. The one next to the field is completely free to park at after 4 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends, which should cover the vast majority of matches between them. The one across the street is split between free parking during those hours and paid parking, the latter of which is available to visitors 24/7 and should be utilized if visiting for a weekday afternoon game. The numbered spaces are paid and can be parked in 24/7 for $3/hour, while the unnumbered ones are free but cannot be parked in on weekdays before 4 PM. The other thing to keep in mind is that if the Terrapins have a home football or basketball game the same day as the field hockey match, the parking situation can be completely different, so check the Terrapins’ website for additional information if that is the case. Return on Investment 5 Admission to all Terrapins field hockey regular season matches is free, though different policies may apply to matches in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments. Parking is also free for the vast majority of home games, meaning you don’t have to spend anything to come here. Concessions are also affordable if you want to buy them, and the elite quality of the Terrapins team and fan experience compared to other field hockey programs make this worth it. . Extras 2 There are banners on the back fence honoring Terrapins championships in field hockey and women’s lacrosse. There are also free programs available at a table by the entrance. Final Thoughts College field hockey is not one of the more popular sports anywhere in the country, but Maryland has an environment at its games that is better than almost anywhere else in the sport. Although it will never be at the same level as football or basketball at the school, a Maryland field hockey game is still an enjoyable experience for sports fans who happen to be in the area.

The wait is over. The New England Knockouts have released their team branding and it packs a punch. The Brockton, Massachusetts, ball club will play its first season in the Frontier League at Campanelli Stadium. The primary logo features a bulldog wearing boxing gloves and holding two baseball bats. He has a backward cap and is looking forward. The team name is above him and dotted with rivets, an homage to the south shore’s industrial history. The bulldog resembles the bruiser personality of every boxing champion; the gloves he is wearing are a tribute to Brockton’s infamous tie to the sport: Rocky Marciano and “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler. The secondary marks feature the bulldog again and have him wearing a crown and ready to box.  The next mark spells out “KO”, short for “knockout”, and uses a ring bell for the letter O. The final mark reads “City of Champions” in cursive font. The official colors are titled “Jab” (navy blue), “Hook” (sky blue), “Overhand” (red), “Bell" (yellow), and “Canvas” (cream). The team was originally going to be called the Chowdaheads, a name chosen by fans in an online contest. The name received 3,100 votes, but team officials overruled it after it received a lukewarm reception. On December 15, the organization announced that the new name would be Knockouts to honor the city’s boxing history. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center Gymnasium 1031 Edgecomb Avenue York, PA 17403 Penn State-York Nittany Lions website Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 1,500 Another Penn State Penn State-York is a commonwealth campus of Pennsylvania State University located in York, PA approximately 1 hour north of Baltimore, MD, and 30 minutes south of Harrisburg, PA. There are a little more than 1000 full-time students who attend the university. The Pennsylvania State University is a geographically dispersed university with campuses located throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Most people only know of the flagship University Park campus. Penn State-York teams participate as a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). The Nittany Lions are also a member of the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC). All members of PSUAC are Penn State Commonwealth campus with team nicknames such as Lions, Roaring Lions, and Nittany Lions. York's teams use the Nittany Lions name. It seems like it could get confusing at times. Many people do not realize that York, Pennsylvania is rich in history as it was the first capital of the United States, the birthplace of the Articles of Confederation, and where the words “The United States of America” were first spoken. We attended the venue during a men's and women's doubleheader and the images are from the women's action. The experience should be the same no matter what game you attend. Food & Beverage 3 There is no permanent concession stand, although vending machines and a table selling simple food offerings for less than $5. Atmosphere 3 The arena is a small gym that is similar to many high school gyms. Because of the small size, it can get loud pretty quickly depending on the game's action. Neighborhood 3 Penn State York is located in York, Pennsylvania.  York, known as the White Rose City, is the county seat for York, Pennsylvania.  The college is located in the southern portion of York in an industrial portion of the city.  It has easy access to Interstate I-83.  York City hosts many attractions including the Harley-Davidson regional factory, a minor league baseball team named the York Revolution, the York Barbell Hall of Fame, and a vibrant downtown area including markets, museums, and music venues. The city of York has only 43,000 residents;  you can see many of the sites in and around the city over a short period.  There are many historical sites to see such as the Bridge Diorama in Wrightsville, the Haldeman Mansion, and the Myers Mansion.  Also, in nearby Lancaster, you can visit the Strasburg railroad and Pennsylvania Amish attractions. There are many quality places to eat in York, however, many are not within walking or close driving distance to the college.  The White Rose Bar and Grill is a popular choice among locals and is located in the downtown part of York.  Also, a 15-minute drive from the campus is Wyndridge Farms.  The restaurant contains a brewery and is located inside a renovated barn overlooking the York County countryside. Fans 3 There were a decent number of fans in attendance and they were quite enthusiastic.  You are also likely to find a good number of fans of the opposing teams as many of the opposing schools are located close by. Access 3 Penn State York is approximately two miles from Interstate 83 near South Queen Street. The Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center is located at the back of the campus off Albemarle Street. Visitors should park in the Student Lot outside the M.S. Grumbacher Information Sciences and Technology Center. Return on Investment 4 There is no cost to attend a game at Penn State-York and the parking is free. Even the sim ple concessions are cheap so the value is very good. . Extras 2 The gymnasium has nice windows where you can view some of the game from both the main floor as well as the floor above. There is a nice display of Penn State-York's athletic history in the building's lobby. Final Thoughts The simple gymnasium at Penn State-York is a fun place to watch a game.

Photos by Richard Smith Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Charles Wolf Gymnasium 899 S Richland Ave York, PA 17403 Charles Wolf Gymnasium website York College Spartans website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 1,726 Spartan Court York College of Pennsylvania is a private college located in York, Pennsylvania.  The college is located approximately 1 hour north of Baltimore, MD, and 30 minutes south of Harrisburg, PA.  The general student population of full-time undergraduates is around 4,000 students. The campus is located on 190 acres in the suburbs of York.  The school has been ranked in the top tier of the Best Regional Universities in the North by U.S. News and World Report. The Spartans athletics program competes at the Division III level in the Middle Atlantic Conferences Commonwealth (MAC Commonwealth) against schools such as Stevenson University, Messiah University, and Alvernia University. The college offers 22 varsity sports. Charles Wolf Gymnasium is home to the men's and women's basketball squads, the volleyball team, and the wrestling team. There is a sky box entrance from the main lobby and a pair of press boxes along each of the top concourses. We attended during one of the women's games although it was a men's/women's doubleheader so the experience should be the same with both sports. The gymnasium is located within the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center. The main lobby of the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center has windows where you can watch much of the game action before even entering the arena. If you are cheap, you may be able to watch the game here, although tickets are cheap enough you might not need to. Many people do not realize that York, Pennsylvania is rich in history as it was the first capital of the United States, the birthplace of the Articles of Confederation, and where the words “The United States of America” were first spoken. Food & Beverage 3 There is a café for patrons inside of the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center lobby and next to the gymnasium. The café offers your standard sports venue foods such as hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, and snacks.  The café serves patrons at outdoor sporting events (lacrosse and soccer) while also catering to indoor sporting events (basketball).  The pricing is reasonable as most food and drink choices are under $5 in cost. Atmosphere 4 The gymnasium has the feel of an arena for a much higher level of program. If it had more seats it would feel like a Division I level of arena. It is already better in quality than some lower-level Division I arenas. There are two main stands along the sides of the court with some smaller stands on the baseline. The fans are loud and proud and the gymnasium has a great atmosphere. Neighborhood 3 York College is located in York, Pennsylvania.  York, known as the White Rose City, is the county seat for York, Pennsylvania.  The college is located in the southern portion of York in an industrial portion of the city.  It has easy access to Interstate I-83.  York City hosts many attractions including the Harley-Davidson regional factory, a minor league baseball team named the York Revolution, the York Barbell Hall of Fame, and a vibrant downtown area including markets, museums, and music venues. The city of York has only 43,000 residents;  you can see many of the sites in and around the city over a short period.  There are many historical sites to see such as the Bridge Diorama in Wrightsville, the Haldeman Mansion, and the Myers Mansion.  Also, in nearby Lancaster, you can visit the Strasburg railroad and Pennsylvania Amish attractions. There are many quality places to eat in York, however, many are not within walking or close driving distance to the college.  The White Rose Bar and Grill is a popular choice among locals and is located in the downtown part of York.  Also, a 15-minute drive from the campus is Wyndridge Farms.  The restaurant contains a brewery and is located inside a renovated barn overlooking the York County countryside. Fans 4 Most fans were wearing green York College fanwear.  There were many fans in attendance and many understood the game and were quite enthusiastic.  You are also likely to find a good number of fans of the opposing teams as many of the opposing schools are located close by. Access 3 Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center is approximately three miles from Interstate 83 on Country Club Road. The building's location is easy to find on the college's West Campus. The parking is free, and an abundance of such is available to patrons. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $6 and paid in the lobby. It is a fair value for a good level of sports. Extras 2 You will get the feel of a small, private school once you set foot on the campus. There is a nice York College Athletics Hall of Fame in the building's lobby next to a great climbing wall for students. Final Thoughts The athletic facilities are kept in excellent shape and the Grumbacher Sports and Fitness Center is a state-of-the-art facility.

Most people assume that the history of baseball parks in Los Angeles got its’ start in 1962 when Dodgers Stadium opened. After all, everyone knows that it is the third oldest stadium in Major League baseball. But did you know that Angels/Anaheim Stadium is the fourth oldest ballpark in the majors?  How about the fact that a Wrigley Field existed before the iconic home of the Cubs was built in Chicago? These and many other interesting facts are available in the book Los Angeles’s Historic Ballparks by Chris Epting. California was a mecca for baseball at the majors, minors, and company levels due to its year-round comfortable weather. Before either major league stadium was built, the city had been used for several major league spring training camps. The Cactus League in Arizona had not yet come into existence. The earliest ballpark in Los Angeles dates to 1887. It was known as Chutes Park and was located inside of an amusement park. In 1911 it moved next door to become Washington Park Stadium, where it operated from 1912-1925. Brookside Park was another early ballpark. It opened in 1914 in the Los Angeles suburb of Pasadena, where it served as the spring training home of the Chicago White Sox. In 1988 it was renamed in honor of its hometown baseball legend, Jackie Robinson. The first Wrigley Field opened in 1925 as the home of the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League. It served as their home park from 1925-1957. Among the baseball immortals to play at Wrigley Field were Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle who were on a barnstorming tour by the Yankees when they played several Pacific Coast League teams. The stadium was also used as a stand-in for movies/ television shows including Pride of the Yankees, Angels in the Outfield, and Home Run Derby. The stadium featured an Art Deco style of architecture with a red tile roof, so it would fit in with the residential neighborhood that surrounded it. It had a capacity of 20,500 and included a feature that would be copied in Chicago… the outfield walls were covered with ivy. An early program used at the ballpark listed the following concession items and their prices… beer for 35 cents, hot dogs for 25 cents, Coca-Cola’s for 15 cents, and popcorn for 15 cents. Those were the days! Catalina Island also served as a spring training home for the Chicago Cubs from 1922-42, 46-47, 50-51. The players would arrive by ship for the training camps. Another early ballpark was Gilmore Field, which was the home for the Pacific Coast League Stars from 1939-1957. It was also popular with the Hollywood Stars, as its opening was attended by Jack Benny, Al Jolson, Bing Crosby, and Gary Cooper. The stadium also hosted spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The space it occupied is now home to CBS Television City. The suburb of Burbank was home to Olive Memorial Stadium from 1947 -1952. It served as a PCL stadium and as the home park for the St. Louis Browns spring training camp. One of the earliest industrial leagues in the country was in the Los Angeles suburb of Long Beach. It featured a stadium built by Shell Oil Company for its workforce. It was a very basic facility, as the borders of Shell Oil Field were outlined by the Model T cars surrounding the playing field. Oil derricks lined the outfield fences. No word on whether the early pitchers were “oiling up” the balls! Other cities in the greater Los Angeles area that had ballparks were Las Palmas, San Bernadino, and Palm Springs. Each of these ballparks served as a spring training home for a major league team. We’ve now come full circle to the present major league residents in the Los Angeles area. The Brooklyn Dodgers were the first to arrive in 1958. Dodger Stadium had not yet been built, so the Los Angeles Coliseum served as its first West Coast home from 1958-1962. The Coliseum is oval-shaped, which resulted in a very unusual layout for the field. The left field fence was only 251 feet from the plate. A net was hung atop the fence and a ball had to go over the net to be a home run. Meanwhile, fans in right field were sitting more than 700 feet from the plate. The outfielders had a lot of ground to cover! The Dodgers went to the World Series the second season they played in the Coliseum, and as a result, were able to reach an attendance record of 93,103 for one of their games. The Dodgers would move on to Chavez Ravine and Dodger Stadium in 1962. The Angels were created as an expansion team in 1962. They would share Dodger Stadium with the Dodgers until their stadium in Anaheim opened in 1966. Los Angeles’s Historic Ballparks does a superb job of covering the early ballparks in the City of Angels. Many of these park sites have been obliterated by time, development, and the Los Angeles freeway system. Fortunately, Chris Epting was able to travel to many of these sites before they disappeared. His photos accompanying each chapter bring alive the history of these early ballparks and the many baseball immortals that played on their fields.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Whiting Oilers 1751 Oliver St. Whiting, IN 46394 Whiting High School Oilers website Whiting Memorial Gym website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 2,400 There are many great high school gyms in the state of Indiana. However, many of them in "The Region'' sometimes get overlooked. One of them is the Whiting Memorial Gymnasium. It is close to 75 years old and has the aesthetics of an old hockey barn that transports the audience to another era of high school hoops in the Hoosier State. Whiting High School built the gym for its basketball team. The dedication game took place on November 20, 1951. The gym had been in the planning stages for three years by the board of education to replace the school’s former gym, which held only 500 people. The Oilers were somewhat of a powerhouse over a century ago, with three sectional championships between 1921 and 1924. It would take almost 60 years to win another one when the school finished the 1980-1981 school year with a 16-4 record before capturing the sectional tournament title. Food & Beverage 3 The gym has a concession stand that offers hot dogs, nachos, soft pretzels, candy, and soda pop (can or bottle). There is a spot where fans can top their hot dogs or nachos with jalapenos. The prices range from $2 for a pretzel to $3 for a hot dog or a pretzel. However, customers should bring cash since the building does not accept credit cards. Atmosphere 4 The gym looks old, feels old, and smells old. That is a good thing because there’s something about this place that sets it apart from other gyms in the state. The arena’s ceiling features exposed steel trusses, and all of the seating is on the upper balcony of the building, which features hand railings and color-coded sections. The majority of the seats are painted red, white, and blue (even though some of the colors have faded). The paint was donated by Mobil Oil in time for the Bicentennial in 1976 and never repainted almost 50 years later. However, they add a unique aesthetic to the old-school fieldhouse. It has created a debate on whether the colors were for the Mobil or our country. The seating puts fans in a unique perspective on the action on the court. The theater-style seats offer a bit of comfort compared to collapsible bleachers, and one feels like they have stepped back in time when watching a basketball game. There are multiple banners of school championships on the walls, the concourse floors and walls have the same design they had in 1950, and old signage directing fans to the bathrooms, seating, and concession stands also add to the nostalgia. The gym was constructed as a memorial to fallen soldiers with the respect of removing one's hat in their honor. That rule is no longer enforced, according to the principal. Neighborhood 4 Memorial Gym is located in a residential neighborhood a block from downtown and a few miles further away by car on US-41.  There are many regional and independent restaurants, bars, shops, and coffee shops to choose from before the basketball game. There are many Mexican restaurants, including San Luis, La Michoacana (ice cream), Dos Sabores, and The Taco Dive. Beggars Pizza is a regional chain that specializes in Chicago thin-style pizza, and Center Lounge and Grillers are ideal spots for pub food. The Bulldog Brewing Company and The Standard Taproom are great places for a drink or two. Whiting is home to the Mascot Hall of Fame, which honors the sport's best mascot and offers interactive exhibits for children. Oil City Stadium is the home of the NW Indiana Oilmen of the Northern League, but they are off until the beginning of June. The city is only 16 miles from Chicago. Fans 2 Whiting High School has an enrollment of 420 students, and it shows in the stands. There is only a sprinkling of people for the game, with students hanging out on the pullout bleachers. According to the school principal, there hasn’t been a packed house in about 30 years. Access 3 The gym is next to the high school, a block from downtown, but not visible to first-time visitors. A small parking lot directly outside the school’s doors. Four main staircases lead fans to the seating on the upper level. There is seating on the main floor for fans, with plenty of room to enjoy the game. There are additional bathrooms and a concession stand on the main floor. Return on Investment 3 The gym itself is worth the price of admission, but there is not a lot of other excitement beyond that. The crowds are small, the cheer block is missing, and it can be a very soundless game from a crowd perspective. Fans will enjoy the banter from the players and sidelines, cheerleaders make their presence felt, and concession prices are reasonable, but it is cash only. Extras 3 Whiting Memorial Gym earns a point for its design, which features theater-style seating on the upper balcony level, an arched roof, steel trusses and beams, and color-coded seats. The gym earns a second point for its jalapenos that fans can add to their nachos at the concession stand. Final Thoughts Whiting Memorial Gym is one of those arenas that is a time capsule. It does not look like other current high school gymnasiums. It offers fans a chance to watch a basketball game in a special setting with theater-style seating and views that are on top of the court.  It might be one of my top five fieldhouses in the state. ----- 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: 2.86 Historic West Gym 2717 S Morgantown Rd Greenwood, IN 46143 Center Grove HS Trojans website Historic West Gym website Year Opened: 1954 Capacity: 4,000 The Center Grove High School West Gym opened on December 14, 1954, and would serve as the Trojans home for basketball until January 1996, when its current facility, the Vandermeer Gym, debuted. However, like many former venues, the West Gym was not dismantled or left in squalid conditions. It would serve the high school as an auxiliary gym for freshman basketball games and other sporting events. It is that reason why the varsity basketball team will utilize its old stomping grounds from time to time. The gymnasium was designed by Ralph Legeman, who designed several other ‘sunken gyms’ throughout the state. His design was considered one of the best for high school hoops in the Indianapolis area. Legeman also designed the high school that opened for the 1954-1955 academic year, and it helped ease the pain from the loss of the former school and gym two years earlier. A fire broke out on November 1, 1952, at the old high school building. The fire began between 11:00 PM and 12:30 AM after the annual Halloween Carnival had concluded. The flames shot up to 150 feet in the air, and firefighters worked all night to put it out. Sadly, both the school and gymnasium were destroyed. The blaze was determined to be caused by faulty wiring. The basketball team lost all of its equipment except for its white home jerseys and continued playing on the road for the rest of the season. A holding company was created to rebuild a new high school, and residents bought shares to fund the project. $625,000 was raised to build a new school and gym. Today, the school and gym remain on the same site through various renovation projects. Food & Beverage 3 A small concession window offers hot dogs, nachos, Coca-Cola products, popcorn, and candy during games. Unlike other gyms in the state, a visible menu board does not offer prices. The menu board is accessible via telephone, and payments can made via credit card or cash. Atmosphere 3 The West Gym has been kept in pristine condition and makes for a nostalgic time to enjoy a high school basketball game. The wraparound concourse provides an ideal view of the game from any area. Fans are close to the action towards the button few rows where there isn’t much room between the playing court and stands. The design is identical to many sunken gyms of its kind around the state, but the West Gym does not have any banners, signs, or the little touches of a gym in Edinburg, Connersville, or West Vigo. However, having the gym open for one day a season is a great way to relive a few memorable moments from the school’s past. Neighborhood 3 Center Grove High School is in Greenwood, about 20 minutes south of downtown Indianapolis. It is in a residential neighborhood, close to the Greenwood Mall, 15 minutes east of the high school. This area offers an array of regional and national chain restaurants, shops, and other points of interest. Fans 3 The crowd feels a little different at games in the West Gym. No cheer blocks or student sections were providing a soundtrack to the game. There was more of an older crowd that featured an array of alumni, parents, and others taking a peek inside the old venue. Access 3 The West Gym is located at the southwest corner of the high school off Montgomery Road and close to Pennington Road. There is construction taking place, but there is parking directly in front of the gymnasium. The other option is to park in front of the current gym Vandermeer Gym, and walk over through the school. Once inside the arena, a main concourse wraps around the seating bowl, providing an unobstructed view of the basketball court. A small concession stand and restrooms are available on the concourse level. Return on Investment 3 The ticket price is $6, and it provides fans a chance to witness a high school game at Center Grove's old gym, where a lot of memories were made. The gym will celebrate 70 years in December 2024, and it is nice to be able to go back and enjoy a game. Extras 2 An extra point is awarded for the West Gym used for select varsity games throughout the season. These games are connected to alumni events that bring back memories for all those attending. A second point is the usage of the historic gym. It still looks fantastic for a gym of its age. Final Thoughts The Historic West Gym is a pleasant way to enjoy a high school basketball game in the Indianapolis market. The 70-year-old sunken gym still offers a glimpse of the school's past and present. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photo by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Jim Perry Stadium 76 Upchurch Ln Lillington, NC 27546 Campbell Fighting Camels website Jim Perry Stadium website Year Opened: 1940's / Rebuilt in 2013 Capacity: 1250 Home Of The Camels Jim Perry Stadium, formerly Taylor Field, dates back to the 1940s when Campbell was a junior college. The stadium is named for Jim Perry, former Campbell player and Cy Young Award winner in 1970. However, the stadium as it stands today was constructed in 2011-12. These renovations included a new grandstand and press box, new dugouts, a ticket booth, a restroom, and concession facilities. The stadium was officially dedicated on March 26, 2013, as Campbell defeated Duke 6-3. More upgrades took place in 2017, which included the Jim and Daphne Perry Pavilion above the third base dugout which has new chairback seating, a viewing deck, locker rooms, and offices for the baseball staff. Jim Perry Stadium served as the home of the Houston Astros Class A affiliate in 2017-2018 while their new ballpark was being built in Fayetteville, NC. With this agreement, the Astros provided a new synthetic turf surface and a new 35 x 42-foot video board for Jim Perry Stadium. The ballpark now seats 1250 fans and is one of the nicest ballparks in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). Food & Beverage 4 For what is a relatively small ballpark, Jim Perry Stadium offers a good variety of concessions. These offerings include chicken sandwiches, beef hot dogs, pizza, nacho, hot pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, chips, and cotton candy. There are a couple of items that you should try: the Creek Dog, an all-beef hot dog topped with cole slaw, BBQ sauce, and crispy onions; as well as the certified Angus beef cheeseburger. Both of these are grilled on-site and are delicious! Beverage options include Pepsi products and bottled water. As Campbell is a Baptist-affiliated University, there are no alcoholic beverages offered. Atmosphere 3 Jim Perry is a brick facility that has grandstand seating running from dugout to dugout. The three sections behind the plate are chairback, while the sections directly adjacent to the dugout are benchback. Above the Campbell dugout on the third base line is the Jim and Daphne Perry Pavilion with four rows of chairback seating and a viewing platform with picnic tables and umbrellas. There is additional seating in an area called “the Hump”, which is tiered seating on a grass hill down the right field line and in the outfield. There is a large video board in right field, that shows the line score and other in-game graphics. However, there are no video replays shown. One thing that we noticed in our recent visit was that the PA announcer is extremely quiet when announcing batters. The playing surface is all turf, and a large Camel logo is in the centerfield. If you have a choice, we recommend sitting in the chairback seats above the third-base dugout. They are elevated and offer a great view of the field. However, if you are attending an afternoon game, the sun will be in your eyes, so you may want to sit somewhere else. Neighborhood 2 Campbell University is located in the tiny town of Buies Creek, NC, between the larger towns of Lillington and Dunn on US 421. Its population is just over 2,000. Other than a couple of fast food places on campus (Chick-fil-A, Moe’s Southwest Grill), there is not much else to choose from. If you are looking for somewhere to eat or stay, our recommendation is to take the short drive to Dunn. It is located on I-95 and has a few restaurants and hotels to choose from. The larger cities of Raleigh and Fayetteville are approximately 30 miles away in either direction and offer many more activities if you desire. Fans 4 Campbell baseball is in the midst of its most successful run in program history, making the NCAA Tournament in each of the last five seasons. Therefore, fan support is at an all-time high. While games may not always sell out, one can expect a crowd of 800-1000 for most games. Games against local rivals ECU, UNC, and NC State almost always sell out, so we recommend buying tickets for these games ahead of time. Access 5 Access to Jim Perry Stadium is a breeze. Since Buies Creek is such a small town, there is almost no traffic when approaching Campbell’s campus. The stadium sits on campus adjacent to Gore Arena so it is not hard to find at all. Parking is plentiful in the lot behind the scoreboard. The ticket office and main entrance are located on the first base side. Once inside the stadium, there is a sidewalk that goes around the stadium. The restrooms and concessions are also located on the first base side. The concession line can get backed up for games with big crowds. There is a large walkway in front of the grandstand seating, and there are a few places for the handicapped to sit. There is also a grass walkway on the third base side that leads to tiered seating on a grass hill around the right field foul pole. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for most games range from $7-$15, while games against local rivals such as UNC and ECU are $10-$20. Children 12 and under can get in for free if they sit on “the Hump”. Concession prices are not bad and parking is free. Overall not a bad deal for a team that is always near the top 25 and making NCAA regionals. Extras 1 One extra point for the several Camel graphics around the ballpark, and the “Woop Woop” (from the Geico camel commercial) when Campbell hits a home run. Final Thoughts While Jim Perry Stadium is a relatively smaller college stadium, it is the perfect size for Campbell baseball. In the baseball-rich state of NC with several ranked programs within a couple of hours of Buies Creek, Campbell Baseball is carving out its niche with the recent success of the program. We recommend a trip to Buies Creek to see the Campbell Camels!

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 McCarthey Athletic Center 801 N Cincinnati St Spokane, WA 99258 Gonzaga Bulldogs website McCarthey Athletic Center website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 6,000 The Kennel Before I get too far into this review and effusing all the virtues of Gonzaga basketball and McCarthey Athletic Center, first a caveat – I love Gonzaga University. I am an alum and a fan and up until this visit, had never been able to see a game in the historic Kennel. A visit back to Spokane to see a Zags game has long had a special place on my bucket list. With that out of the way, everything else I say is 100% accurate and true about my review. First, a bit about The Program. The Zags have sold out every home game at the Kennel since it opened in 2004. Every. Single. Home. Game. This has created an atmosphere and a home-court advantage that is matched, but not exceeded, by only the bluest of college basketball’s blue blood. Now, how about some numbers? Since 1966 Gonzaga has been their regular season conference champion on 28 occasions, has won their conference tournament 21 times, has made the NCAA Tournament a staggering 24 years in a row, made it to the Sweet Sixteen every year since 2015, and has twice been runners up to the national champion. Head Coach Mark Few, now entering his 25th season at the helm of the Zags juggernaut, has been responsible for leading 26 different All-American players. While the saying around Spokane is that the Cinderella slipper still fits, the days of people being unaware of the Bulldogs are long over. Virtually all of this winning has been done from McCarthey Athletic Center…the Kennel. It is a special place and if you read on, I’m sure you’ll understand why. Food & Beverage   4 When it comes to food and drinks at the Kennel there are very few frills, but it will all suit your needs. There are numerous stands sprinkled throughout the main concourse – the vast majority of these stands offer up traditional game day fare like hot dogs (although sausage is also on the menu), burgers, chips, candy, popcorn (kettle corn is also an option), sodas, bottled water, and sports drinks. There are Pizza Hut and Ben & Jerry’s kiosks that serve pared-down menus of those popular chains. You can also find a noodle bowl stand, a street tacos stand, and a barbecue stand. You’ll have plenty of options at the Kennel, except for when it comes to alcohol, as that’s not available, so keep that in mind. Atmosphere   5 Our FANFARE scoring system only goes up to “5”, or else I’d give McCarthy a “100” in terms of atmosphere. I admit I haven’t been to some of the palaces of college basketball like Rupp Arena, Dean Smith Center, or Cameron Indoor Stadium, but I have been to quite a few college basketball venues over the years, and have never experienced anything like the Kennel. From the statue of Spike (more on him in a bit) at the front entrance, to the banners hanging from the rafters – so many banners – to the retired numbers of the greats adorning the walls, you know immediately that this is a serious place for basketball. In addition, the Zag Shop is conveniently located near the main entrance to help supply you with all those last-minute or must-have Gonzaga souvenirs. All this plays second to the energy that’s inside the building. I arrived a good two hours before the opening tip and was fortunate to watch that energy build and build until it exploded, with the Zags gaining possession of the ball first. I will talk more about the fans coming up, but the Kennel Club, aka the student section, is the best that I’ve ever seen in person. Neighborhood   4 Spokane has come a long way since I first set foot there close to a decade ago. Downtown has been revitalized with new boutique hotels, specialty stores, and top-tier restaurants – that is not to say the charm of this old industrial town has been polished off completely during its recent glow-up. Gonzaga University and McCarthey Athletic Center are located in an area of town that is known as the University District. No less than five – including Gonzaga – institutions of higher learning have campuses and satellite facilities in the area. That being said, it is only a short five- to seven-minute drive from campus to downtown Spokane. Spokane, like much of this part of the country, has a culture and environment that fosters outdoor activity; whether it is hiking and biking skiing and snowboarding, or kayaking and paddleboarding, all of it can be found in Spokane proper. One of the best places for visitors – and it’s a spot that I go back to often – is Riverfront Park. This sprawling green space is smack-dab in the heart of the city. It’s got walking/running/cycling areas, sprawling green lawns, areas for ice skating, a century-plus-old carousel, a gondola skyride over Spokane Falls, and public art galore (look out for the Big Red Wagon and the garbage goat). You need to visit this park if you come to Spokane, if for nothing else but the viewing areas for the falls, which are breathtaking. Another point of interest for history and entertainment buffs is Bing Crosby Museum right on the campus of Gonzaga. Arguably the most famous alum of Gonzaga, the legendary crooner and award-winning actor was born in Spokane, and his former home is situated where it has always been, on campus. The museum has the largest collection of Crosby memorabilia and is a great slice of true Americana. For dining, I’ll admit that I’m an old soul and prefer to eat at places that are, I guess on the side of being less than trendy. However, I like what is good, and Spokane has plenty of that. A couple of places I want to recommend highly are Frank’s Diner and One Tree Cider House. Built inside of an old train car, Frank’s Diner is an all-day breakfast joint that also serves up all those classic comfort food meals. I love a good breakfast, and this was arguably the best I had during my week in eastern Washington. As for One Tree Cider House, it is exactly what its name implies – it serves up craft hard ciders, many of which are cooked up by One Tree, and also has a nice bar food menu that is perfect for date nights. In terms of lodging, there are a few options within walking distance of campus. Your closest options include Ruby River Hotel and Courtyard by Marriott by Spokane Downtown at the Convention Center. The latter is across the river from campus but is navigable via the nearby bridge. Downtown Spokane also has a ton of other options for travelers. Fans   5 I’ve already alluded to this, but I was blown away by the fan response at the Kennel. I have heard for years about the legendary sellout streak, which has been the chief culprit in delaying my first game here. It’s one thing to hear about it and it’s one thing to see it on television, but it is another sensation altogether to experience that crowd in person. Watching the seats gradually fill up until the start of the game was amazing. The student section is incredible, and this is one of the most knowledgeable fanbases I’ve ever seen. A lot of games will have an usher prevent fans from heading back to their seats while the action is going on; the Zags fans I saw knew this empirically; I’ve never seen that before. It was a loud environment, and the energy didn’t diminish until late in the fourth quarter when the game was already well in the Zags hands. I can’t explain enough about how impressive this was. Hopefully, these two videos will help demonstrate what my words are failing to convey. Access   4 Spokane is tucked away in the far eastern corner of Washington state. It does have a decent-sized airport in Spokane International Airport with lots of direct flights, especially if you’re coming from the West Coast. The airport is also a short 10-minute drive from the Gonzaga campus. If you’re coming from out of town, the closest major city is going to be the Seattle/Tacoma metroplex, which is roughly four and a half hours due west. Once in Spokane, if you choose not to drive around or use a rideshare, the Spokane Transit System runs buses all across the city, with several stops at and near Gonzaga University. Once on campus parking is gloriously plentiful and refreshingly free around the arena. There are also parking garages should you choose to get out of the elements, but prices for those vary. Return on Investment   4 Now we get to the rub of things. As I mentioned earlier in the review, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have had a sellout at every game at the Kennel. It is virtually impossible to score a ticket, even on the secondary markets (here is the Zags ticket policy just for reference). With that in mind, this is the only non-positive I can say about games at Gonzaga. Concessions are affordable and parking is free. If you can get a ticket, that’s fantastic and you are going to have an amazing time. Extras   4 The Zags have a lot of the traditional pomp and circumstance that most schools have. For example, though they’re small but mighty, the Bulldog Band adds immeasurably to the overall atmosphere of the Kennel. They start playing before the opening tip and do not let up until well after the final buzzer. The band perfectly complements the Gonzaga Cheer Team and Bomb Squad, the latter being the Zags dance team. The cheerleaders can be found down on the court, exhorting fans and the Zags on, while the Bomb Squad performs at halftime for men’s and women’s basketball games, as well as during home volleyball games at McCarthey Athletic Center. Last, but certainly not least is Spike, the beloved Gonzaga mascot. The Zags didn’t have a costumed mascot until 1985, but Spike has been a fixture ever since. “He” displays a ton of energy and enthusiasm, and is a great asset to all Bulldogs home games. Final Thoughts Alright, I hope the enthusiasm I had for my visit comes through in this review. This is easily the best college basketball venue that I’ve gotten to visit; I am confident in the assumption that if you are to somehow find yourself able to go to the Kennel to see a Zags game, you’ll come away feeling the same. Go Zags! Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 United Center 1901 W Madison St Chicago, IL 60612 Chicago Bulls website United Center website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 20,917 Bulls are United with Chicago The Chicago Bulls moved into the United Center for the beginning of the 1994/1995 NBA season, at the time Michael Jordan was still retired and playing baseball but would rejoin the team later on that year and help usher in a string of three more NBA championships from 1996 to 1998. Twenty years later after his retirement, it is hard not to notice MJ’s accomplishments throughout the building and how magnetic that era was to the fans in Chicago. The United Center replaced the iconic Chicago Stadium which debuted in 1929 and had been the home to the Bulls since its inaugural year in 1966. The plan to build the multipurpose arena was created by Chicago Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf. The cost of construction was $175 million and would have a capacity of 23,129 for basketball. The arena was also designed with an Art Deco style much like its predecessor providing a nod to the past and progress toward the future. The United Center introduced an 8,600-square-foot screen display giving it the most high-definition space of any NBA arena. It is four times larger than the previous one that was installed in 2005. Fans on the 100-section level will be able to see videos and stats on a continuous LED inner ring underneath the main screens. Food & Beverage 4 The United Center has a massive selection of food and beverage options featured on the main concourse. They range from regular stands to the fancier sections with additional seating, while many others have their own social area space. Chicago staples and favorites from around the country are available at the United Center. The main concession stands are labeled Madison Street Eats, Chicago Sausage Shop, Chicago Dish, and Vienna Beef. Customers can order Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, Maxwell Street Polishes, chicken tenders and fries, and crinkle-cut fries. A few specialty areas include the Honey Butter Chicken stand which sells chicken sandwiches, biscuits, and fries with pimento cheese. Lillie’s Q is home to pulled pork and chopped brisket sandwiches. This Little Goat Went to the Market fuses Mexican and Korean flavors. Short rib and Korean-style tacos are recommended. Legacy Burgers offers steak and plant-based burgers. A few more Chicago specialties include Giordano’s open space that sells thin and deep-crust pizzas, and the Goose Island Pub is a stand-alone bar that offers turkey, corned beef, and roast beef sandwiches. Many stands also feature Garrett’s Chicago Mix (cheddar and caramel popcorn) to conclude the city’s culinary tour. Atmosphere 4 The Bulls are still a popular draw at the United Center and many games are filled at or near capacity. The main concourse aisles are usually buzzing with commerce, folks grabbing something to eat or checking out many of the interactive video screens that highlight the history of the team including those six NBA titles between 1991 and 1998. There are also various areas such as the Goose Island Bar and Giordano’s where patrons can relax and enjoy a few drinks and Chicago-style eats while being away from their seats in the main bowl. The upper concourse also offers four social area bars at each corner that open up to the seating area for views of the game. The attention grabber at the United Center is the championship banners that hang from the rafters of both the Bulls and the Blackhawks. One only has to gaze at the six championship banners by the Bulls and the retired jersey numbers of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to breathe in the rich history of the team from two decades ago. The massive seating bowl is large and never feels too steep or cramped. The main aisles open up in the middle resulting in a very easily accessible way to your seat. You never feel as if you’re hiking up a mountain to get to your seat. The same goes for the lower concourse where you feel almost on top of the action taking place on the hardwood. The Madhouse Team Store, located in the east addition to the arena, is a 10,000-square-foot retail store offering official team merchandise and exclusive Madhouse apparel. Fans have the opportunity to make play-by-play calls via interactive touchscreens located inside repurposed CTA train cars. They can also insert themselves into iconic team photos to share on social media. There are also special sale prices on certain gear and giant-size replicas of both the Stanley Cup and Larry O’Brien Trophy for more photo ops. However, the main spot for photo opportunities is just outside the store at the Michael Jordan statue. The 12-foot high bronze and black granite is now located indoors inside the atrium and is a work of art. Neighborhood 3 When there is an event at the United Center the surrounding neighborhood is buzzing with fans heading to the game and grabbing a bite to eat and drink before a Bulls game. The West End of Chicago does have a reputation, but just like the South Side where the Sox play, the neighborhood is fine during hockey and basketball games. Hawkeye’s is known for its homemade chili and hamburger specials. There is also an array of wine, spirits, and beers. On warmer days, the sidewalk patio makes for a nice choice before a game. Park Tavern serves $3 drafts before every Bulls game, a savings of 70 percent off the price of beer at the arena, and The Ogden and WestEnd offer incredible food, chef-driven dishes, and plenty of flat-screen TVs. If you are looking for a popular spot in all of Chicago, The Billy Goat on Madison is a few blocks away and is known for its “cheezborgers,” made popular from Saturday Night Live. The restaurant is also part of Chicago lore as being the architect of the Billy Goat Curse that saw the Chicago Cubs go 108 years between World Series victories. Fans 4 The Bulls are still one of the top-drawing clubs in the league averaging well over 20,000 as of last season with the NBA lead in overall attendance. You would have to go back to 2009 to the last time Chicago did not finish on top of average attendance figures. Access 4 CTA buses are the best option for public transportation – either the #20 Madison or the #19 United Center Express. After the game, a fleet of #20 buses will be lined up on Madison heading back to the Loop. Buses run past CTA elevated and subway lines as well as Ogilvie Station for connections via Metra rail to the Chicago suburbs. The #9 Ashland and #50 Damen buses are options for travelers heading north/south instead. CTA elevated trains are within walking distance via the Ashland/Lake station (Green/Pink Lines). Once inside, the seating areas are divided evenly to make for easy access to all sections of the seating area. The upper and lower concourses are somewhat narrow in certain parts but large enough to keep traffic flowing smoothly. Return on Investment 4 There is a demand for Bulls tickets and the team still attracts 20,000 plus for most games during the regular season, regardless of record. The prices differ depending on what night and who is in town to take on the Bulls. The secondary market is probably the cheapest option for tickets. A weekday game will cost around $40 for the least expensive ticket, but weekend games can rise to $75. There is also the factor of a popular team visiting the United Center that will up the price. Games against the Bucks and Nets can be pricey, but not so much against the Thunder or Kings on a weekday evening. With that being said, a little research and flexible time would be beneficial for finding the most affordable ticket. There are multiple online ticket sites, along with the United Center box office. Chicago is one of the most high-demand NBA markets with teams among the league leaders in attendance on an annual basis. Concession prices are somewhat high but not anything different from other NBA arenas, expect to pay around $10 for sandwiches, $15-18 for beers, and up to $18 for premium food items. Parking lots are $24 to park a car, a definite steal in Chicago, or park along Wood Street under the elevated train line for free–if available. Extras 4 The United Center gets an extra point for its design which pays homage to the old Chicago Stadium that existed from 1929 to 1994. The signage inside the concourse aisles all have Art Deco fonts, and there are plenty of other nods to this design in the interior and exterior of the building. The second point goes to all those championship banners that hang from the rafters and provide a defiant exclamation point and wow factor to any first-time visitor walking to their seats. The third point goes to the atrium that houses the Michael Jordan statue, Queenie’s Supper Club, and the Madhouse Team Store. There will be further additions to the atrium, perhaps creating a festive vibe just outside the building and underneath the roof. The final point goes to the extensive video screens on the lower concourse that showcases team history, player profiles, and photo opportunities for fans. There is also a trophy case that displays all six NBA championship trophies. Final Thoughts The United Center has enough of what you need for an enjoyable evening of professional basketball. The history of the Bulls is on display all over the building, the social areas are great for spending time away from the game, and there is always an energetic crowd to liven up the mood of the building. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Alumni Hall US Naval Academy Annapolis, MD 21402 Navy Midshipmen website Alumni Hall website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 5,710 Anchors Aweigh The United States Naval Academy began in 1845, originally as the Naval School. Located on the site of old Fort Severn, the academy replaced the Philadelphia Naval Asylum as the training center for Navy personnel. The 338-acre campus is located on the Severn River in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The entire campus is a National Historic Landmark. Students are nominated for placement into the Naval Academy. If accepted, they become officers-in-training and are referred to as midshipmen. Tuition for midshipmen is fully funded by the Navy in exchange for an active duty service obligation upon graduation. Graduates usually become ensigns in the Navy or second lieutenants in the Marine Corps. Participation in athletics is mandatory at the Naval Academy. Although most students participate in intramural or club sports, the academy is known for its many intercollegiate sporting endeavors. The academy fields 30 varsity sports teams, a larger number than at many colleges and universities. There are an additional 13 club sports teams. The intercollegiate teams generally participate at the Division I level. Football is soon to join the American Athletic Conference, whereas basketball and many sports are part of the Patriot League. Annapolis is the capital of the state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. The city served as the seat of the Continental Congress from 1783 to 1784, becoming the temporary capital of the United States. Annapolis currently has a population of 38,394 and is the seventh-largest incorporated city in Maryland. The basketball teams have called Alumni Hall home since 1991. From 1956 until 1990, the teams played at Halsey Field House. Halsey is now home to indoor track and field teams, as well as other athletic programs. It contains a 200-meter synthetic track, squash and tennis courts, and a 65-tatami dojo for Aikido/Judo. Food & Beverage 2 There are a few outer concourse stands, although not all will be open depending on the size of the event. There is also a small concession stand located inside the main concourse. There is not a huge amount of variety, but the prices are very fair. Hot dogs ($3), pretzels ($4), and whole Papa John’s pizzas ($8) are the main extents of options. Candy ($2) and water/soda ($3) pretty much round out the simple options. Atmosphere 4 The stands surround the court, as the facility was designed for basketball primarily. All seats will offer good views of the action. The upper decks were not in use at the game I attended, as a mid-Atlantic snowstorm meant that a pretty small crowd was expected. There are class crests that are mounted below all of the upper deck seating. It is a good idea to travel the entire inner concourse to take a look at each of these symbols. There is a pretty engaged group of cheerleaders at Navy games. They even throw out t-shirts for every three-pointer made by the Midshipmen. Instead of a traditional pep band, the Navy has a drum and bugle corps to keep fans entertained during the game. They sound very good. Alumni Hall has a very nice, relatively new scoreboard and video board. It is state-of-the-art and shows stats, highlights, and entertainment throughout the game. The mascot for the Naval Academy is Bill the Goat. A “stuffed” version of Bill is at the game and is mobbed constantly by the kids in attendance. Since the Navy encourages kids to have birthday parties and other group events at the game, there will be many kids at every game. Neighborhood 5 Right outside of Alumni Hall, you will find yourself in the heart of the amazing US Naval Academy campus. If you have time, you should wander around the beautiful grounds and see where the Navy elite train. The US Naval Academy Museum is almost across the street and warrants a visit. Other amazing sites to visit while on campus are The Naval Academy Chapel (home of the crypt of John Paul Jones), Bancroft Hall (the largest college dormitory in the world), and the Herndon Monument. The Herndon Monument is where every year it is covered with lard and plebes attempt to climb the monument, remove the plebe headwear, and put a standard midshipman hat on top. This symbolizes the successful completion of their first year. Legend also has it that the midshipman who places the sailor’s cap upon the monument will be the first member of the class to reach the rank of Admiral. Besides the amazing campus, one should visit the historic downtown of Annapolis. The city known as the ‘Sailing Capital of the World’ has a bright and beautiful downtown harbor area filled with great shops and restaurants. The state capitol complex is also in this area. If you are looking for fine dining, Cafe Normandie (185 Main St.) has great French/seafood options, while Harry Browne’s American (66 State Circle) is a place to be seen. Treaty of Paris Restaurant at the Maryland Inn (16 Church Circle) is another expensive option. If you want something a bit less pricey, try the iconic Chick and Ruth’s Delly (165 Main St.). Just don’t be surprised when your fellow diners just happen to be the governor or other state leaders. If you’re looking for food away from center-city Annapolis, try Red Hot & Blue (200 Old Mill Bottom Rd S) or Old Stein Inn (1143 Central Ave E, Edgewater, MD). One offers great barbecue, while the other is a must-stop for German food. Fans 4 The game I attended was right after a pretty dramatic and unexpected snowstorm, so the crowd was not as big as one may expect. But the people in attendance were still boisterous and knowledgeable. Navy fans, whether local or alumni, seem to take the efforts of their team very seriously. They stand by their teams no matter what. Expect games against a fellow service academy, especially Army, to fill quickly. There are many groups and kids' birthday parties that make up the attendance at Navy games. Access 2 Alumni Hall is not easy to access. One can’t just drive up and park outside the arena. One must have a parking pass from the Department of Defense to drive on campus. So most fans park at Navy/Marine Corps Stadium and take the shuttle to the venue. Another option is to park downtown and walk in through the visitor gates. Just leave some time for this, as it is a secured facility so metal detectors and security measures are in place. Whether a visitor rides the shuttle bus to the USNA or walks through one of its gates, everyone over the age of 16 must present a government-issued photo identification card (such as a driver’s license) to gain access to the Naval Academy. Annapolis is just off routes 50 and 301 and near Interstate I-97. It is 45 minutes from Baltimore (via Richie Highway or I-97) or DC (via Route 50), so getting to the area is not an issue. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are downright cheap. $10 gets you into the arena. $5 youth tickets are also available. You won’t get much cheaper for Division I sports. Parking at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium costs $5. per vehicle. The shuttle bus itself is free. Extras 5 It is great to see the #50 David Robinson banner. The former NBA player is surely the most well-known basketball player from the Navy. It is also always a treat to see the players sing their alma mater (“Navy Blue and Gold”) after each game. Players also high-five their youth fans surrounding the court after each game. Plaques and signage are everywhere honoring various people and groups. The class crests are the most obvious, but around every corner seem to be other honored notations. There are also various miniatures of military vessels on display in cases around the facility. Try and spend some time looking at the various displays and gather a sense of history and pride for the Naval Academy. Alumni Hall also serves as the Bob Hope Performing Arts Center. It is fun to see the venerable entertainer’s name listed on the wall. He entertained many a troop over the years, and this entertainment venue continues in his footsteps. Final Thoughts Alumni Hall is a well-designed basketball facility that fits well with its team and fans. Although nearly a quarter of a century old, it holds up well compared to newer sports venues. The unique location and the truly amateur athletes who play their visit here are very special.

Photo courtesy of the AP The College Football Playoff (CFP) Board of Managers announced on February 20, 20204, that they have voted to unanimously revise the qualifying criteria for the 12-team playoff that is scheduled to begin with the 2024-2025 season. The updated playoff field will now include the five highest-ranked conference champions, plus the next seven highest-ranked teams as determined by the CFP Selection Committee. “This is a very logical adjustment for the College Football Playoff based on the evolution of our conference structures since the board first adopted this new format in September 2022,” said Dr. Mark Keenum, President of Mississippi State University and Chair of the CFP Board of Managers. “I know this change will also be well received by student-athletes, coaches, and fans. We all will be pleased to see this new format come to life on the field this postseason.” The updated format modifies the original plan, in which the six highest-ranked conference champions would be joined by the next six highest-ranked “at-large” teams. The new format replaces the existing “best four” playoff structure which has been in place since 2014. The reformatting to the 5+7 is in large part a response to the latest round of conference realignments, a byproduct of which saw the virtual dissolution of the PAC-12 Conference. Under the new 12-team format, the four highest-ranking conference champions, seeded one through four, will receive first-round byes, with seeds five through eight hosting a first-round playoff game at their respective home fields. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be played as part of the New Year’s Six rotation of bowl games: the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential, and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The quarterfinals for this season’s playoffs will take place on Dec. 31, 2024, and January 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be January 9-10, 2025. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday, January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. ---- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 James and Sis Brown Athletic Center 9416 Fincher Road Waleska, GA 30183 Reinhardt Eagles website James and Sis Brown Athletic Center website Year Opened: 1982 James and Sis Brown Athletic Center - Reinhardt University Eagles College basketball comes in all different shapes and sizes – from the bright lights of the blue blood of the game through each of the three levels of NCAA basketball, to junior colleges and throughout the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, (NAIA), and beyond. Reinhardt University, established in 1883, saw the arrival of basketball nearly a century later. The opening of the James and Sis Brown Athletic Center marked the beginning of basketball at Reinhardt, with women’s basketball starting the following year. Since becoming a member of the NAIA in 2000, Reinhardt basketball first played as a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference from 2000 to 2009, and in the Appalachian Athletic Conference since then. Food & Beverage   1 A small concession stand is located just outside of the gym. The concession stand doesn’t have a lot to offer that is going to fill stomachs, but there are chips, candy, popcorn, and soft drinks from the Coca-Cola line of beverages. Prices are reasonable, so fans do not face the high markups they might be accustomed to at larger venues. Atmosphere   3 As with several college basketball facilities at smaller schools, the basketball gym here is part of the student wellness center. Wooden bleachers line each side of the floor; one long section of ten rows behind the bench and two separate sections of eight rows along the far sideline of the court. Students make up most of the seating across from the team benches, while alumni, community members, and parents occupy the bleachers across the way. A handful of fans also stand along the near-end wall. The basketball experience at Reinhardt can be best described as simple but refreshingly so. In a time where sporting events seem to fill every stoppage of play with a contest, advertisement, or something to keep the attention of fans, at Brown Athletic Center there is not a lot to take away from the spotlight that is kept on the game (other than the cheerleaders). Neighborhood   2 Situated in the rural Georgia town of Waleska, with a population less than the enrollment of Reinhardt, Waleska is a “no traffic light” type town, neighbored by the outmost reaches of the suburban Atlanta city of Canton. While the immediate vicinity around Reinhardt's campus may lack notable points of interest, history enthusiasts can explore the Funk Heritage Center on Reinhardt’s campus. This museum looks at the lives of southeastern Native Americans and European settlers, with a special focus on the historical "Trail of Tears" that originated in the northern Georgia region. Visitors in search of a less educational and more competitive experience might want to pay a visit to the Callahan Golf Links, just over 2 miles toward Canton from the Reinhardt campus. While Waleska does not have much to offer when it comes to restaurants, within 5 miles of campus just off Reinhardt College Highway, the Laurel Canyon Village shopping plaza does have Mexican and Asian restaurants, pizza, Laurel Canyon Brewing, and a supermarket that is known to have spectacular sandwiches made by their deli. For a better selection, Canton has a wide choice of restaurants for just about all taste buds. Fans   3 The Eagles receive a good amount of support from their students and the local community. Reinhart enrolls just over 1,000 students, while Waleska’s population is recorded at just under that number, so the few hundred fans in attendance is a decent turnout. Eagles fans are a supportive bunch. They are quick to celebrate good plays and pivotal baskets, express displeasure towards officials after questionable whistles, or throw some good-natured heckling toward opposing coaches contesting debatable calls. While these game situations do seem to light a spark under those in attendance, the overall feeling doesn’t necessarily create an overly tough environment for opposing teams to play in. Access 2 There are just two options for reaching Waleska: either via Waleska Highway (Highway 108) or the more traveled Reinhard College Parkway (Highway 140). Both routes are a bit of a challenge, as they require traveling off Interstate 75 from the west or I-575 from the north or east. Ample parking is available at the James and Sis Brown Athletic Center, with a front lot and an additional one towards the rear. Fans will enter the lobby to a front desk where admission is paid and then can enter the gym floor either to the left or right. Though not exclusively so, the left side of the seating is mostly populated by students, while other fans are typically in the bleachers behind the team benches. Return on Investment   4 Admission to basketball at Reinhart runs $10 which includes access to both men’s and women’s games. Children 12 and under are free. When factoring in free parking and affordable concession prices, the overall cost is very reasonable. Extras   2 The lobby of the James and Sis Brown Athletic Center honors the achievements of the Eagles athletic programs, showcasing team and individual accomplishments – including athletes honored in the Reinhard Athletics Hall of Fame, All-Americans, and team championships. Despite its smaller size, the venue's intimate atmosphere brings fans close to the action on the floor and nearly allows them to be part of the coach's huddle during timeouts. Final Thoughts Basketball at the NAIA level offers so much to appreciate which may often go unnoticed. While you can easily find things in the lower levels of college athletics that cannot compare to the higher levels, what makes sports such a great experience is the passion and atmosphere that goes along with the game at any level. Reinhardt basketball at the James and Sis Brown Athletic Center lives up to the expectation of providing fans with a fun game experience, coupled with the school spirit that makes the college game exciting regardless of the level.

It has been a busy month in organized baseball with pitchers and catchers reporting to camp, new baseball uniforms causing a disturbance, and a slew of rebrands popping all over the MLB partner and summer collegiate leagues. The changes have been quite noticeable with designs from many prominent studios. However, are they worth purchasing a cap or t-shirt? Jason Moragas tracks new identities for baseball teams on his Twitter page and is the ideal person to critique a few of the new changes. He joins me to review three new identities that begin with a return of a familiar name in Lexington, Kentucky. Lexington Legends, Atlantic League Marc Viquez: The Legends are back after a one-season hiatus and look better than ever. Studio Simon in nearby Louisville evoked many elements of the team’s original identity with a new character called “Mighty Lex”. In fitting with today’s baseball imagery, he is a character that will fit right in with the best of them. Jason Moragas: What a rush. I am in the minority when I say that I liked the Counter Clocks branding – the history behind the name, the suite of logos, everything other than the putrid home white jersey with the giant “C” in the center of a button-down jersey with red piping. However, I am pleased to see the return of the Legends branding. The name is iconic: “Lexington Legends.” MV:  Surely, you jest about the Counter Clocks branding! I will stand by the swinging clock logo, but the rest was terrible. Thankfully, the baseball gods have corrected a misfire in Lexington by bringing back orignal team owner and investors to resuurect the Legends name. JM:  It just sounds right. I give a good amount of kudos for modernizing the look. The addition of the Mighty Lex character is very welcome. It is how teams should “modernize” and adapt to the current minor league branding landscape without changing their history and identity. Great job! MV: I agree with you as well. Studio Simon created another superstar image and bravo for Temerity Baseball for making the name change. If you ever needed a blueprint on how to correct a wrong, this is how you do it. It’s good to have them back in town. Tri-State Coal Cats, Appalachian League MV: There is a new team in the Appalachian League called the Tri-State Coal Cats. The name pays homage to the local coal mining industry and features the colors of Coal Black, Cool Grey, and Marshal Green. It’s an sleek look that plays it safe for the new team and will look good on team merchandise. Dylan Winters, a Marshal University Athletics graphic designer, designed the new look for the club. JM: The green is vibrant against the gray and black used in the club's branding. The Coal Cats are hardly the first team to take inspiration for their look from local mining history; they took a unique twist on the baseball-branding sub-genre by incorporating Marshal's iconic green. MV: They pleasing to the eyes, and the ball club plays it very safely. There's nothing cartoony about them, and the name isn't silly. It makes sense that a team in West Virginia went with a coal mining theme; thankfully, it didn't name itself the miners. JM: I’m a big fan of the “Cat” and “Paw” logos and how they are seemingly made from coal. It ties the whole identity together nicely. Also, and I do not know if this was intentional, but “Coal Cats” nearly sounding like “Cool Cats” should create some good merch or social media opportunities. All-in-all, baseball’s return to Huntington will be fashionable. MV: Cool Cat? That is a hidden gem of a song by Queen from the "Hot Space" album. They should use the song after home wins. It’s a well-balanced look of emblems that will look great on team merchandise, from caps, t-shirts, and hoodies. JM: It’s safe to say that the new era of the Appalachian League is well underway. Seeing all the teams rebranded in 2021 was exciting, but the Coal Cats are our first new franchise in the league since becoming unaffiliated and shifting into the world of collegiate summer ball. I’m happy to say that the first one is good. Lancaster Stormers, Atlantic League MV: After 20 years, the Lancaster Barnstormers are no more. They have rebranded as the Lancaster Stormers. The new logo features a bull’s head with a lightning bolt on its forehead. The team name and city appear above it. It is not the flashiest of logos, one person pointed out, that it looks like a D-3 athletic logo. JM: For seemingly no reason, the team decided to drop the “Barn” from its name and primary logo and now goes simply by the Stormers. I consider this to be a downgrade. The notion that team names and logos must be “intimidating” or “fierce” is archaic. MV: This is a head-scratcher for me; what is wrong with going by your nicknames like the New York Knickerbockers and Portland Trail Blazers? JM: With the migrant and re-branding of the Lexington Legends (formerly Counter Clocks) and the West Virginia Power (now Charleston Dirty Birds), the quick lifecycle of the Wild Health Genomes, Gastonia Honey Hunters, and Spire City Ghost Hounds, there has not been much consistency to rely on from the league. MV: Thankfully, Sky Design Studios of Florham Park, N.J., released a few secondary marks. The one that stands out is the roundel logo with a barn withstanding an electrical storm. This logo has everything: a rooster, lightning bolts, dark skies, a baseball field, and a double X, honoring the 20th year of the franchise. This logo will adorn the sleeves, but it should be the primary mark. JM: The modern minor leagues have many personality styles, and the Barnstormers were one of baseball tradition and local connection. I’ll miss the branding greatly. It is not to say that the new Stormers logo is bad; it is not, but it is a different vibe for the franchise. MV:  That is the word that I was thinking of. The vibe is different, and perhaps a couple of new jerseys and logos with the Stormers nickname could have sufficed. The Pennsylvania Dutch calligraphy in the wordmark is a welcoming choice, but is this an example of doing too much to an already solid brand? We will find out soon. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center 1600 Phillip Fulmer Way Knoxville, TN 37916 Tennessee Volunteers website Thompson-Boling Arena website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 21,678 Good Ol’ Rocky Top...Woooooo!..Rocky Top Tennessee About a full court’s heave from the banks of the Tennessee River, Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center has served as the home court of the Tennessee Volunteers men’s and women’s basketball programs since 1987, replacing the Stokley Athletic Center. With a capacity of 21,678, Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center is the fourth-largest college basketball arena in the country. 2007 would see major renovations that added a wall of suites and club seating to the arena, decreasing the capacity from over 24,000 to the current 21,000+. The venue is named in honor of B. Ray Thompson, a key benefactor in the arena’s construction, and Dr. Ed Boling, former UT president and pioneer in raising the profile of women’s athletics at the University of Tennessee. In 2023 the arena added Food City Center to the moniker, as the supermarket chain secured a 10-year naming-rights agreement. Since joining the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in 1932, the Volunteers have established themselves as one of the more successful programs in the conference, winning 11 regular seasons championships, tied for the second most in SEC history, and 5 conference tournament titles. Food & Beverage   5 Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center does well to provide fans with a wide selection of concessions choices, from stadium favorites to regional and national chains. Choices from eastern Tennessee’s Calhoun's include their BBQ brisket, pulled pork sandwiches, nachos, burgers, and beer cheese dip. Another Tennessee chain, Petro’s Chili & Chips, offers up their “Original Petro”, which is essentially a walking taco in a cup. Another stand is dedicated to hot sandwiches and sausages, including various forms of cheesesteak, hoagies, and Italian or Polish sausages. Limited choices from national chains Moe’s Southwest Grill and Papa John’s are also options. Carts around the concourse offer up everything from popcorn and pork rinds to Italian ice and chocolate-dipped cheesecake. Beverages include those from the Coca-Cola family, Powerade, and Dasani bottled water. 24-ounce cans of several domestic beers are also sold, along with Truly and Bud Lite Premium Seltzers, as well as Twisted Tea. The lone craft style beer is from Sweet Water Brewing. Lines do get rather backed up at concessions stands, even during play, so trying to get food before the game starts might be your best bet, as not to spend a lot of time waiting in line. Atmosphere   5 When Tennessee builds stadiums, they tend to go big. Neighboring Neyland Stadium holds more than 101,000 football fans, making it the 6th largest college football stadium in the county. The trend of massively large stadiums continues with basketball at Tennessee, as Thompson-Boling is the 4th largest arena in college basketball, holding 21,678 fans. From the outside, the hulking, elongated octagonal Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center seems to be a bit out of date with what appears to be beige, corrugated aluminum siding, but once through the doors the arena offers a spacious, modern vibe for visitors. Dual levels of black seating nicely complement the orange and white colors of the Vols. The upper seating bowl is broken up by three levels of premium seats and suites. The pregame festivities foreshadow the excitement that entertains fans throughout the game – either from the in-house DJ who plays the hits from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and today, to the Tennessee pep band who reigns supreme as they belt out rounds of one of the most recognizable fight songs in the nation, “Rocky Top”. As festivities move from pregame entertainment to pyrotechnics, a light show amps fans up leading to player introductions and the opening tip. As players are introduced, the house spotlights randomly twirl around the seating bowl while Tennessee mascot, Smokey the Bluetick Coonhound, dances upon a fog machine as flames and sparks shoot high into the air around him; Tennessee basketball puts on one impressive show even before the ball is thrown up. Tennessee's use of their trademark orange and white checkerboard adds a distinctive touch to the game presentation. It is not uncommon for the arena’s seating sections to be checkered orange-and-white, whether through strategically placed T-shirts or glow sticks. Throughout the game, the entertainment does not stop. Two in-game hosts take fans through several segments to keep their excitement and passion for Big Orange at a high level, either by hosting on-court games, firing t-shirts from a rapid-fire cannon into the seats, or simply staying out of the way so the pep band and spirit squads can do their thing. Game information is seamlessly integrated throughout the arena, mainly via the center-hung scoreboard, consisting of eight individual rectangular screens, and two separate halo-ribbon boards. The television feed is available on the larger screens at the top of the scoreboard, while player statistics can be found on the smaller lower screens. Additional screens in the upper corners, as well as a ribbon board along the upper-level façade, provides additional game info, including more television feeds of the game, player scores, fouls, and "Hustle Stats" such as blocks, rebounds, steals, and assists. Neighborhood   5 Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center is neighbored by the famed Neyland Stadium, home of the Tennessee Volunteers football team, and baseball’s Lindsey Nelson Stadium, all on the southern edge of campus. The Knoxville Ice Bears of the Southern Professional Hockey League also play less than two miles down Neyland Drive at Knoxville Civic Coliseum. The University of Tennessee is a bit of a rarity in that it has a campus with a college town feel, despite being in a city of almost 200,000 people – UT is practically cordoned off from the rest of Knoxville by White Avenue to the north and the Tennessee River that horseshoes around the south of campus. One of the most iconic landmarks in the city, the Knoxville Sunsphere, is about a 1-mile walk from campus; this orange tinted globe rises 266-feet over Knoxville. The 1982 World’s Fair relic is even open for visitors to ride to the top of, to get a bird's eye-view of Knoxville.  Basketball fans might also enjoy a visit to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, which is a 5-minute drive from Tennessee’s campus. If looking for a bit of the college town experience, the bars along “The Strip” are just a short walk from the riverfront along Cumberland Avenue. Or, those looking for a bit more of a dining and drinking experience might head toward Gay Street with its higher concentration of restaurants, breweries, and night life. A touch further are Market Square and Knoxville’s Old City neighborhood, which are both highly populated with more shops, restaurants, and nightlife. In the coming years, Knoxville’s Old City neighborhood will be home to minor league baseball, as the Tennessee Smokies move back to Knoxville for the 2025 season. Fans   4 The Volunteer faithful might be one of the most passionate fanbases in the nation – their pride in the Vols extends throughout the entirety of the sports programs at Tennessee. In fact, the Volunteers men’s basketball program ranks in the top five in the nation in attendance, drawing more than 19,000 fans a night. The “Rocky Top Rowdies”, Tennessee’s student section, do bring a lot of energy and passion to the atmosphere. The intensity of the Vols student section cannot be underestimated, as the Rowdies tend to push the limits of rowdiness from time-to-time, albeit in line with what might be expected from a major college basketball experience. Students fill the sections at both ends of the floor, so there is no escaping the barrage of intensity brought on by the Rocky Top Rowdies toward the opponents. Although the arena is loud in response to plays, it lacks a constant buzz of energy found in similar types of arenas. It's not that Tennessee's fans lack enthusiasm; rather, they tend to be more reactive than proactive in generating noise. Access   4 Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center is at the southernmost part of Tennessee's campus. It can easily be reached via I-40, which cuts through Knoxville from west to east, connecting to Highway 129 along the southern edge of the city. If flying in to see the Vols, the airport servicing Knoxville is about 10 miles south in Alcoa. Parking options, including lots and garages, are mainly on the northern side of the arena and in the G-10 garage to the east. If looking to save on parking there are free lots which offer shuttle service to and from the arena, while those using rideshare will find the drop-off/pickup lot beyond the right field fence of Lindsey Nelson Stadium, along Todd Helton Drive. Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) offers a free trolley line connecting the UT campus to downtown Knoxville, with the Circle Park stop on the Orange Line being the closest to the basketball arena. To enter Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, most fans use entry ramps at the northwest and southwest corners. Security checks are done away from the arena’s entry points, creating a small plaza area. There are six sets of doors, three on each side of the venue, where tickets can be scanned before entering. Inside, a single concourse encircles the top of the lower seating bowl, with stairs leading to the upper level. The open design ensures a clear view of the court from almost any point around the arena. Return on Investment   3 In recent years, Tennessee has established itself as one of the top teams in college basketball. With this success comes a high demand for tickets. Tennessee utilizes Ticketmaster for sales, so be prepared for hefty markups on the face value of tickets. Typical secondary market prices will run from the $20 to $100 range for conference games, prior to fees being added – it is just hard to find value in the overall price of the ticket when it is marked up 33% to nearly 50%. If looking for the most reasonable ticket rates, either plan far enough in advance to avoid the secondary market, or look for a non-conference opponent over one of the two holiday breaks; these games might not have as high of a demand. Parking can also be a bit of an expense to consider. These are not the eye-popping rates that Tennessee football must have, but university lots run $20 for lots around the arena. However, there are also free lots that offer shuttles from the G-17 lot or the UT Veterinary Medical Center (see the parking link referenced above). Concessions see the typical sports arena markup, so inflated prices should not come as much of a shock. Extras   5 The concourse serves as a journey through Tennessee basketball history, showcasing both the men’s and women’s programs. UT Olympians, NBA and WNBA players, and other notable individual and program achievements are also recognized. Tennessee frequently has some sort of special experience up their sleeves when it comes to setting the atmosphere for the game. Whether it is orange and white t-shirts or glow sticks laid out in the Vols trademark checkerboard pattern, a nod to the brickwork of Ayers Hall, or simply an amazing pregame light show, there is a lot going on to get the fans worked up before the game. The rafters of Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center are full of banners recognizing the team and individual successes of the Vols basketball programs – on the men’s side this includes Chris Lofton (5), Dale Ellis (14), Alan Houston (20), Ernie Grunfeld (22), Bernard King (53), and coaches Ray Mears and John Ward. Shortly after the final horn, the Tennessee pep band, along with the spirit squad, stretch across half-court to sing with alumni as the school’s alma mater is played. While Smokey mostly restricts his movements during the game to the Vols end of the floor, limiting the number of fans who get an opportunity to interact with him, after the game he stays to take picture after picture with the long line of fans waiting for that photo op. Final Thoughts As of late 2023, the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees approved funding for the creation of a Neyland Entertainment District to feature a hotel, condos, shops, and restaurants. While the start of construction has not been pinpointed, the University of Tennessee Master Plan does project completion within the next five years. This will only complement the already top-notch basketball game day experience in Knoxville. Historically, the University of Tennessee has been one of the more successful college basketball programs in the SEC, and the success on the floor has translated to success at the gates. It would be easy for a facility as large as Thompson-Boiling Arena at Food City Center to have a lot of empty seats, but the Volunteer faithful do a good job filling it on a regular basis. Life in the SEC can be difficult for basketball programs to cut out their own niche, and stay out of the shadow of the university’s football and sometimes even baseball programs. However, Tennessee basketball has created their own spotlight to bask in. While basketball will likely never supplant football as the featured program in Knoxville, they have established themselves as one of the top college basketball experiences in the county.

What's the fuss over the new MLB Fanatics/Nike Vapor Premier jerseys, and should NHL fans be worried when Fanatics takes over this fall? 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 Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 UWF Field House 2344 Campus Dr Pensacola, FL 32514 West Florida Argonauts website UWF Field House website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 1,180 Basketball in the City of Five Flags Nestled amongst the Florida wetlands of north Pensacola lies the beautiful campus of the University of West Florida. The medium-sized, public university a little shy of 13,000 students is fairly new. Ground was broken in 1965, and in 1968 58 students received degrees during the first commencement ceremony. The team’s nickname, the Argonauts, reflects Pensacola’s Naval history, as the city is home to one of the largest naval bases in the country. The school’s first basketball team started in 1967 and originally was an NAIA independent. Because the Argos did not have an on-campus arena to play in at that time, they played their first four seasons on the road and in various high school gyms in the Pensacola area, before moving into their on-campus home, UWF Field House, in 1971. The Argos had some success during their early years, even reaching the NAIA national championship game during the 1975-76 season, but when the team arrived back in Pensacola after that game, they learned that UWF was suspending their athletic department and downgrading their sports to the club and intramural levels. UWF would reinstate the athletic department in 1980, but it wouldn’t be until the 1993-94 season that basketball would return full-time. The following year the Argos would make the transition to NCAA Division II, and begin playing in the Gulf South Conference, where they remain to this day. Since joining the NCAA the Argos have made 13 GSC conference tournaments, with their most successful season being the 2017-18 season, when the Argos won the tournament and subsequently made their first D2 NCAA tournament, with a regular season record of 28-4. Food & Beverage   2 As soon as you walk into the UWF Field House there is one concession stand located in the east side lobby. They sell the basics here you would find at other arenas; nothing stands out on the menu, but the prices are fairly cheap and the food is quite good. Atmosphere   3 UWF Field House originally opened in 1971 and currently has a capacity of 1,180 seats. The building is a one-story brick structure with a white metal exterior roof – the older style building, reminiscent of most buildings built in the 70s, ties in well with the surrounding architecture, so if you didn’t know where you were going you would think the field house was just another building on campus. The grounds around the facility are quite pretty, and it has a well-lit walkway lined with palm trees that provide an impressive backdrop for the building. UWF Field House is located amongst a sports complex that includes tennis courts, a health & leisure center, and football facilities, and a practice field. Attached to the field house is the state-of-the-art, beautiful UWF Aquatic Center, home to UWF’s swimming and dive team. The court at UWF Field House faces north and south, with the main entrance on the east side of the building. The east side entrance features a large lobby with ticket offices, a concessions stand, trophy cases, and an interactive display showing off the UWF Athletics Hall of Fame. There’s also an entrance to the Argo Club located here as well, which is a lounge area with food and drinks for alumni and members of the club. UWF Field House also houses the athletic department, coaches’ offices, several classrooms, weight rooms, a training room, and another full-sized basketball court used for practice. When basketball returned to UWF in 1993 the field house installed seating on both the east and west sides, bringing the capacity to 4,500 bleacher-style seats. This number proved to be kind of large for a school of this level, so in 2001 the west side seating was removed, and cushioned chairback seats were installed on the east side, reducing the capacity to about 1,100 seats; at present there is just seating on the east side with a curtain draped over the west side blocking the view of the court. Renovations over the years include new scoreboards being installed in 1997, a new sound system in 2000, and new floors in 2009. Both ends of the court are lined with banners from all the Argos accomplishments, and there is an impressive LED ribbon board on the scorer’s table on the west side, which is lit up with sponsor names and various graphics during the game. This is quite cool, and something you don’t see a lot of at D2 basketball games. Neighborhood   3 UWF’s campus is located in kind of a secluded area in the northern part of the city – the campus was built on wetlands in former Indian territory but is now part of a nature preserve, and is located on a bluff above the Escambia River.  Nature lovers will love the campus, as it has several nature trails and boardwalks where you can walk back into the woods and through the swamps. The school also has an area where you can rent kayaks and go out on the river and view the Florida wildlife – everything from cranes, pelicans, osprey, alligators, and even manatees can be found on the Escambia River and in the swamps on campus. You can also take a trip across the river to the small town of Milton; this picturesque town lines the Blackwater River, where many people can be found kayaking, canoeing, and swimming along the sand bars during the summer. Milton has been nicknamed the ‘canoe capital’ of Florida. Besides spending time on the water there is not much else to do in the area, but just south of campus is 9 Mile Road where there are a few restaurants, including Chick-fil-A as well as a Target store. Another restaurant in the area worth checking out is Foosackly’s, right across the street from campus, which is known for its cheap prices and fried chicken. There are hotels closer to the interstate, and you are about 15 miles north of the nightlife of Seville Quarter and Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola. Pensacola Beach is about 20 miles south of campus as well, so it is possible to go to the beach before the game. A visit to the National Naval Aviation Museum, located at Pensacola Naval Station, is also a must-visit if in the area for more than a day – this is probably Pensacola's most popular attraction. Fans   2 The Argos only average about 300-400 fans per game, which is pretty normal for D2 basketball. Many of the fans are scattered around the stands, and I didn’t see a whole lot of students at the most recent game I was at. For UWF football games the student support and turnout is a little better than at the basketball games, which is unfortunate because the Argos athletic department does a fantastic job in presenting the game day experience. During basketball games, Argie the mascot does a great job of getting fans into the game, and the staff also does some promotional contests during timeouts, so it’s a shame more students don’t come out. The athletic department also does various promotional nights such as an outside tailgate, Faith & Family Day, Christmas in the Field House, Boy Scout Day, and the Mardi Gras Game; they also have giveaways such as UWF player cards and t-shirts given out at select games. UWF’s alumni base is largely from the panhandle area of Florida, so it seems like the majority of fans are alums. The fans here seem very into the game, and there is a lot of blue (the school’s color) being worn in the stands. Access   2 One drawback in getting to UWF’s campus is the location itself, as well as Pensacola’s horrendous traffic. The campus is located in the northern part of the city, far away from the beach and downtown, so if coming from the east and west I-10 will be your best bet – just take the Davis Highway exit and follow the signs until you reach the University Parkway split, and you can take that road right into campus. Or, if coming from the beach or downtown you can take I-110 to Davis Highway and follow that. Alternatively you can take the beautiful Scenic Highway, a winding road that travels north and south and has spectacular views of Escambia Bay. All along this highway, you can pull off into the different areas and look out over the water; this highway is noted for its lavish mansions as well. The arena is located at the front of campus, so just take University Parkway toward the school, and UWF Field House will be the first thing you see. Return on Investment   3 All general admission tickets are $7 and allow you to sit wherever you like. On most nights the women’s team plays before the men’s team, so the men’s tipoff never starts as scheduled. Because of this the ticket office often closes early, so you might be able to come to the game for free depending on how long the women’s game lasts. Tickets for a night out watching the Argos play basketball will not break the bank, and the level of talent is quite good for D2 basketball. Factor this in with the cheap concession prices, and I consider this a good return on investment. Extras   4 Pensacola is a supportive sports town, with Blue Wahoos minor league baseball in the spring and summer, and Ice Flyers hockey in the fall and winter, so no matter when you come to Pensacola there should be plenty of sporting options for you to see. Because there is not a big-time college in the area, the closest being Florida State three hours away, the Argos are Pensacola’s college team. Everywhere you look in town you’ll see UWF signs and banners, and you’ll see people out and about wearing UWF gear. Pensacolians treat UWF as their big-time college program – the local ESPN radio station has UWF coach’s shows and call-ins throughout the week, and they show highlights of UWF sports on the nightly news. Most D2 programs do not get this kind of press and access, but in Pensacola, they treat UWF as their own D1 program; for such a small town UWF gets constant press and coverage, more so than a regular D2 program. The UWF athletic program has captured nine national championships in 15 sports, even though neither the men’s nor women’s basketball programs have won a championship yet. Perhaps the most famous and well-known sports program at UWF is the football team; the Argos 2019 Division II national championship banner hangs high above the court at UWF Field House for all to see. UWF has had one player make it to the NBA – journeyman point guard Moochie Norris played for the Argos during their 1995-96 season and was drafted as the 33rd overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft. Most famous for his enormous afro, Norris played eight seasons for the Rockets, Knicks, and Pelicans. UWF Field House has also been used as a concert venue and has hosted university-related events. Some of the notable concerts here over the years include Bob Dylan, Charlie Daniels Band, Fleetwood Mac, Jimmy Buffett, and BB King. Pensacola native and World Heavyweight Champion boxer Roy Jones Jr. also fought here a few times in the early 90s back when he was a promising young fighter. Final Thoughts Coming to a game at UWF Field House remains a great experience for this level of basketball. You will not experience a lot of bells and whistles, but a game here involves visiting a beautiful campus in a wonderful city, and I highly recommend it.