Photos by Paul Donaldson, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Turpin Stadium 468 Caspari St Natchitoches, LA 71457 Northwestern State Demons website Turpin Stadium website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 15,971 Fork ‘Em Demons! Turpin Stadium, home of the Northwestern State Demons football team, provides a great environment for NCAA DI-FCS football. Though times have been rough for the Demons on the field as of late, the combination of a great stadium experience and being located in one of the best small towns in America makes attending a Northwestern State football game a memorable experience regardless of the overall record. Turpin Stadium was constructed in 1975 and has a current seating capacity of 15,971. The stadium layout features an east and west grandstand with a video scoreboard in the north end zone and the Jack Clayton Plaza and fieldhouse in the south end zone. The overall experience is highlighted by a great pre-game and halftime performance from the Spirit of Northwestern (SON) marching band and spirit squads as well as a nice tailgating atmosphere in Donald’s Demon Alley. Food & Beverage 2 Turpin Stadium offers the basic stadium fare but is a little light in terms of variety or specialty items. Permanent concession stands are located on both the east and west sides of the stadium under the grandstands. Traditional game day grub includes hot dogs ($3.50, $4 with chili & cheese), hamburgers ($4), nachos ($4), and Frito pies ($4). Snacks are available ranging from popcorn to peanuts, plus a few other typical items like chips and candy. You’ll also notice a Domino’s pizza cart in the concourse serving up sliced pizza. The clear favorite at Turpin is the loaded nachos, which comes with a heaping pile of chili, cheese and peppers. Your beverage options are headlined by bottled Coca-Cola products and PowerAde for $3.50. Alcoholic beverages are not sold at Turpin Stadium. The main stands accept debit/credit card, but you may want to bring along some cash for the Domino’s pizza cart. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere at Turpin Stadium for a Northwestern State Demon football game has lost some luster as the program has experienced some rough stretches on the field. However, Turpin Stadium is still a great venue for FCS football and there are several game day elements which help make it one of the better environments in the Southland Conference. Turpin Stadium has the traditional west and east grandstands with no seating behind the end zones. The west grandstand offers two tiers of seating. The best seats are along the 50 yard line on the west side in the lower deck. Visiting fans will find friendlies in the northwest side of the lower deck in Sections J & K. The student section and the band will be located on the east side of the stadium. The Turpin Stadium scoreboard is equipped with a small video replay screen located in the north end zone. The south end zone holds the Jack Clayton Plaza and fieldhouse. While almost every college football program features spirit squads and a marching band, Northwestern State comes through with one of the best programs in the conference. The Spirit of Northwestern (SON) Marching Band nearly fills the entire playing surface during their excellent performances. They are complemented by the Demon Dazzlers dance team and Demon Heat color guard. Vic the Demon is NSU’s costumed mascot. You’ll notice him making his way around the stadium posing with fans. ROTC members man a canon in the north end zone, which is fired after Demon scores. On third downs, the sound of a belting bell is played which fires up the home crowd. The tailgating scene outside Turpin Stadium is definitely a highlight of the overall experience. Also, the Demons do a great job of memorializing past legends and historic moments through the west side concourse. Neighborhood 4 Turpin Stadium is located on the campus of Northwestern State University in the beautiful small city of Natchitoches, Louisiana (pronounced “Nack-a-tish”). While there’s not much immediately surrounding the stadium outside of college buildings, the stadium is located just two miles from the historic downtown area along the Cane River. While in town, be sure to try the unique regional dish of Natchitoches, the meat pie. And your best bet for a classic one is at Lasyone’s. The Pioneer Pub is a great stop after the game for a few local brews and a pub style menu. Mama’s and Papa’s are two separate restaurants located next to each other on Front Street and feature two different styles of menus and atmospheres. Try Mama’s for some good fried seafood. While in Natchitoches, a stroll down the river side in the historic downtown area is a must. The streets are decorated with potted flowers along the sidewalks and the Cane River is in view. This provides for a beautiful and relaxing stroll. There’s a great small town feel here that justifies the title of “Best Southern Small Town” bestowed by USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice award. While Natchitoches isn’t littered with amazing attractions, there are a few good stops for entertainment while in town, outside of the scenic views. Be sure to stop by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the Bayou Pierre Alligator Park. Natchitoches is locally known as the Bed and Breakfast Capital of Louisiana. One of the more popular stays is the historic Steel Magnolias House, the original site of the famous movie filmed locally. The Front Street Inn offers a comfortable stay in the downtown area, and the Best Western by I-49 offers a good value. Fans 3 The Demons haven’t given fans much to cheer about lately. Though it may seem like decades to some NSU faithful, it wasn’t that long ago that Northwestern State was a perennial conference title contender. Despite a somewhat diminished on-field product, Demon fans still turn out to support their team (though in lesser numbers than in years past). Typical attendance is around 10,000, but can dip to around 6,000 at the tail end of tough years. There are a few neat fan traditions at Demon football games. For one, you’ll definitely notice the NSU “fork ’em” hand signal, as fans proudly put it high in the air during the fight song and after big plays. Also, near the end of the fight song, fans join together in belting “beat the hell outta (insert opponent name).” The student section is known as the “Inferno” and can be a raucous group to deal with when the Demons are winning. However, with the recent rough stretch on the field, the Inferno has been a few flames short of the fire it once was and has the potential to be. As the only game in a small town, Northwestern State seems to have a ton of untapped potential for an amazing fan-made environment. If the Demons can find a way to string together a few conference title contending seasons, the Turpin Stadium experience will likely burst back onto the Southland Conference scene as one of the best. Access 4 Turpin Stadium is very accessible both in terms of getting to the stadium and moving around once inside. The Northwestern State University campus and Turpin Stadium are located just off I-49. One of the few drawbacks is the rural location of Natchitoches (not conveniently located near any major cities or airports). Several of the parking lots around the stadium are reserved, but you can find paid parking close by in the Prather Coliseum lot ($10) and, if you don’t mind a short walk, there’s plenty of free on-campus parking north of Turpin. Two ticket booths are located on both ends of the west grandstand. You’ll want to make sure to enter on the side you plan to sit since there isn’t a way to cross over to the other grandstand once inside. You may experience a short line at the ticket window, but it moves quickly. You’ll walk through the entrance without much of a hassle. Once inside the stadium, there is plenty of room to move around from the spacious concourse underneath the grandstand to the aisles and rows in the stadium. If you’re planning to sit in the upper level on the west side, there are two ramps leading up on both sides of the concourse and an elevator in the center. Restrooms are a bit dated, but large enough to handle typical crowds. Be sure to check out NSU’s game day guide on their website for tips on navigating Turpin Stadium and enjoying your game day experience. Return on Investment 4 NSU Demon football provides a minimal overall investment and the return is great. The price for premier seating at Turpin is one of the lowest in the Southland Conference at only $20. General admission is available for $15, which is about middle of the road within the Southland. Though the concessions menu is limited, the price is manageable. Nearby parking is $10, but free parking is available within walking distance. It’s hard to beat the value of Southland Conference match-up or in-state battle for the overall cost. Extras 2 Demon football games at Turpin Stadium feature a few extra elements which help to elevate the overall fan experience. Northwestern State does an excellent job in memorializing the past under the west grandstand. The columns along the concourse are decorated with pictures of Demon football legends including Mark Duper, Terrence McGee, Marcus Spears, Jackie Smith, and Bobby Hebert. You’ll also notice historic team pictures and shots from legendary games. Donald’s Demon Alley is the place to be during pre-game. Complemented by the recently constructed Collins Family Pavilion, you’ll find plenty of purple-clad fans cooking up pots of jambalaya, grilling boudin, and firing up barbecue pits in front of a festive scene that includes a live band.

Photo courtesy of USF Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 USF Baseball Stadium 4202 E Fowler Ave Tampa, FL 33620 South Florida Bulls website USF Baseball Stadium website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 3,211 Stunning Views in Tampa USF baseball may not be as popular as the baseball programs at some of the other major schools in Florida (such as Florida State, the University of Florida, or UCF), but USF Baseball Stadium is easily one of the most visually stunning and impressive college baseball venues in the state. Sporting a unique twin-stadium setup with USF’s softball field, this facility offers the best in comfort, viewing angle, and overall experience for both hardcore and visiting fans alike. Food & Beverage 3 The food options at USF Baseball Stadium are what one would expect from a college sporting event, and the concessions stands look top-quality. Featuring multiple stations and lines to help keep congestion down, getting a snack is smooth and painless. In addition, you are likely to find a great deal depending on what day you visit. At Tuesday home games, for example, fans can get $2 hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, or small sodas, while all Wednesday games feature $2 hot dogs. Atmosphere 5 USF Baseball Stadium is stunning. With two patios behind first and third base, plenty of seating to pick from, and viewing berms that extend along both foul lines, you have no shortage of places to sit and watch the game. The seats themselves are contoured, meaning you fit into the seat rather than just sit on it. There is covered patio on the upper deck along the first base line, called the Donaldson Patio, which gives you an elevated view of the action. The best part of this section is that it also offers views of the USF Softball Stadium on the other railing, as both venues are connected. USF Baseball Stadium’s entrance area features ticket offices for future games, schedules for both USF softball and baseball teams, and a team store for fans to get the latest gear. Neighborhood 4 USF is located just north of downtown Tampa. The Tampa Bay area as a whole has experienced a revitalization recently, with both Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and the various other suburbs getting an influx of new restaurants, shopping areas, and more. The campus is also close to major highways, making exploring the greater bay area rather easy for visiting fans. Hotels line the roadways outside of campus, as do restaurants and stores. And being located along the west coast of Florida not far from the water, you are sure to feel a cool breeze off the Gulf, to help with the warmth of Florida’s sun. Fans 3 The fans at USF Baseball Stadium are varied, from students to older fans who love the game of baseball. On nights that feature big games and rivalry matchups, the stands are full. However, lower division opponents draw more modest crowds that aren’t as diehard as some fans are. While they are no less passionate, and cheer for their hometown Bulls with every big swing of the bat, fans on these nights can seem a bit disinterested at times. Access 4 USF’s campus is located within easy driving distance of I-75 and I-275, and the campus is pretty easy to navigate as well. Signage lets you know where the various sports stadiums are, and once you get to USF Baseball Stadium, parking options are plentiful across the street at the Sun Dome, home of USF basketball. Once inside USF Baseball Stadium, it is pretty easy to get around from one side of the field to the other. Return on Investment 5 Tickets at USF Baseball Stadium run starting as low as $5 for general admission, which is any seat not at field level behind home plate (those seats can be more expensive, and include padded seats). With concessions reasonably priced and parking free, you end up with a pretty affordable game at a top-quality D-1 college baseball venue. Extras 5 The stadium’s proximity to USF’s other athletic fields, not just USF Softball Stadium, makes it a great place for fans to be able to jump from game to game whenever they want to catch more than one sport in a day’s visit. USF Baseball Stadium also posts the schedules of both softball and baseball outside by the main entrance, as well as the starting lineups for both teams before the first pitch. Fans also have the ability to purchase USF items from the team store, which is located next to the concessions stand on the lower level. Also, as stated before the Donaldson Patio is arguably the best place to catch a game at USF Baseball Stadium, with an upper level view of the field as well as comfortable tables to sit at. In addition, team offers free giveaways at every game, from posters of the teams to t-shirts and other memorabilia. Final Thoughts USF Baseball Stadium is one of the most stunning in Florida, let alone Tampa. Great for families and diehard fans alike, the home of the South Florida Bulls is a must-visit for any sports fan passing through the area. Not to be outdone by its competitors, USF Baseball Stadium deserves billing as one of the most comfortable and well designed in college baseball.

Photo Courtesy of utrgvrider.com Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 UTRGV Fieldhouse 1201 West University Dr Edinburg, TX 78541 UT-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros website UTRGV Fieldhouse website Year Opened: 1969 Capacity: 2,500 Deep South Texas Division I Home The Fieldhouse, located in the city of Edinburg (in the Deep South Texas), has a unique charm. It may not be impressive from the outside but it is inside. Built in 1969 the Fieldhouse has aged well. Major renovations to the bleachers on both sides, center court, and a graphics layout has given the venue a face lift that makes it a great place to visit. With a name change from UTPA to UTRGV in fall 2015 came new court insignias and branding around the Field House and campus. The new looks are only the start of the face lift that the Fieldhouse may get in the near future. Food & Beverage 2 Honestly food and drink at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Fieldhouse is nothing to write home about. There is not a kitchen or even a concession stand inside. In the courtyard outside of the west entrance two mobile trailers sell concessions. ‘Concession’ is the right word because you will not find too many extravagant stadium foods like burgers. Hot dogs are available most of the time if the demand isn’t too much. A strong suggestion from the concession stand options is hot cheetos with cheese. This is a regional snack that is the spicy version of hot cheetos with a hearty spoonful of nacho cheese. (Served with a fork because it is as messy as it sounds.) Other than that it’s an average variety of chips, drinks and candy bars. If you want good eats I would suggest eating on University Drive before or after the game. Atmosphere 3 Even though Texas-Rio Grande Valley is known as a commuter campus everything about a UTRGV game is a college experience. The UTRGV pep band is always fun and keeping the attitude light no matter the score. The band is always loud but are sometimes rivalled by that of fraternities or the student section. The video scoreboard is impressive for the size of the arena. Spanning nearly the entire end line on the south side, the video board offers instant replay and also serves as a scoreboard. Just above the video board you’ll find the 1962-63 NAIA National Championship banner. On the left side hangs a banner recognizing the 1980-81 NIT bid and to the right hangs the retired jersey of Luke Jackson (NBA and Olympic champion). Near the walkway on the southwest corner and Fieldhouse wall is a plaque which pays homage to the coach of the ’63 championship team as well as the father of UTPA, now UTRGV basketball, Sam Williams. Above the east side bleachers is a “Welcome to the Valley” banner. Neighborhood 2 Edinburg, Texas is not exactly a hot spot for tourism. It is a suburb of a town, McAllen, that isn’t really heavy on attractions either. There is a very unique culture along the US-Mexico border, but sadly there is not much more to do than eat out. Within a mile or so radius of the Fieldhouse there is a plethora of eating options catered for the college students (or fans). There are tons of fast foods options if you just want to fulfill a meal but there’s some nicer sit down options as well. My top suggestion is to check out the University Drafthouse. The Drafthouse is newly opened and is tailor-made for game days. They will even stream UTRGV away games if there is streaming capabilities wherever the Vaqueros are traveling. The restaurant keeps more than 30 beers on tap, many in bottles and serves some top notch hamburgers (something you’ll have leave campus to do). There’s also a taqueria right across the street if you want to get into the traditional food of the Rio Grande Valley. La Mexicana won’t take too much out of your wallet and the meal should be memorable. The history of the area can be further explored at the Museum of South Texas History. Another neat stop is the Tejano Walk of Fame near the Edinburg city hall which serves as a tribute to Tejano music legends. Edinburg in itself isn’t overflowing with attractions, so I recommend lodging in nearby McAllen at the Hilton Garden Inn. McAllen is a much larger city with tons more to do and is only a skip south. About an hour and a half east of Edinburg is the summer time travel stop of South Padre Island. Depending on the timing and weather for your trip, you may want to try to include a stop here as a side excursion. Fans 3 Since UTRGV doesn’t boast a football team (yet), basketball is the pride and joy of the school. UTRGV fans often go the way the team goes. If the team isn’t winning the crowds will thin out. Even during rough seasons however, you can find some passionate fans wearing green and orange to support the team. There is a very loyal group of senior citizens that often purchase season tickets that you can always find frequenting the bleachers at the Fieldhouse no matter what the state of the Vaqueros may be. Sadly tough times have fallen upon the Vaqueros and often attendance can dip below 500 fans a night. A factor contributing to this is the cross-country opponents they face during conference play. It might be hard for a crowd to get behind a rivalry with a team from say Bakersfield, California. If you attend a game against a more geographical rival, like UT-San Antonio then you are likely to find a more healthy crowd. Fans are always into the game, cheering hard when good things happen and everything you would hope for in a college crowd. If you’re lucky you can even catch the Fieldhouse on an extra festive day with pre-game tailgates or pep rallies. Access 3 UTRGV’s Fieldhouse in Edinburg is approximately a 20 minute drive from the Rio Grande Valley’s nearest airport in McAllen. If you fly into the other international airport in Harlingen, you can expect a 45 minute to an hour drive. Finding the Fieldhouse has been said to be a challenge to non-regulars. This mostly stems from the fact that almost all of the buildings on the campus have the exact same exterior and the Fieldhouse is no different. Look for parking lot F. Wheelchair access is available upon request and you’ll be seated somewhere on the floor. The restrooms are outside of the doors that non-season ticket holders enter through and lines are nonexistent. Return on Investment 3 An adult ticket will set you back $8, or $10 for reserved which is reasonable considering you are catching NCAA Division I action. Parking is always free. A better on-court product might have warranted a bump in ROI but until UTRGV starts to host and compete with high-caliber opponents or even makes a run at WAC success it still can seem like a tough sell. The price leaves room for a decent meal before or after your evening at the Fieldhouse. The Rio Grande Valley has one of the lowest costs of livings in the country so a visit to South Texas won’t break the bank. Extras 2 The pep band likes to play sing along tunes and also leads the heckling department. It’s also fun to do the fake shot clock countdown which has been known to force a few point guards to rush the play. In 2012 a Coca-Cola sponsored video board was installed that is very helpful for those keeping stats to see exactly what every player on the court is doing in terms or points, assists, rebounds and fouls.

Photo Courtesy of UC Davis Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 University Credit Union Center 750 Orchard Rd Davis, CA 95616 UC Davis Aggies website University Credit Union Center website Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 8,000 The Pavilion at ARC The Pavilion at ARC is a beautiful facility on the campus of UC Davis,15 miles west of Sacramento. The “at ARC” addition to the name happened when the school finished the attached Activities & Recreation Center, where many students go to get their daily work out in. When walking up to the box office at The Pavilion, the ARC looks far more imposing. The windowed walls reveal an elevated track, a climbing wall, and table tennis, as well as opportunities for many other activities. Back in 1977, the then Recreation Hall, opened its doors for intercollegiate and intramural competition. Though the Aggies recently began play in Division I, the basketball team was Division II National Champions in 1998. Since joining the NCAA’s top division they have had mixed success. They are currently struggling through a season in which they’ve only registered one win. Perhaps the most infamous event held at The Pavilion is the yearly Doxie Derby , held on the school’s “Picnic Day” . Thousands of spectators crowd into The Pavilion to watch the lovable dachshunds during the most popular day-drinking day of the year for students, residents, and fun-seekers. Officially it’s the campus’ open house, a day for parents to come and visit with their kids and for prospectus students to check out the school. Note: The facility's name was renamed the University Credit Union Center in July of 2021. Food & Beverage 2 I highly recommend eating before arriving at The Pavilion. If not for the lack of options there, then for the plethora of options in the neighborhood. In the gym, they operate a fold-up table at one entrance where you can find chips, nachos, and candy. Drinks available are bottled soda and water ($3). The concession area is well staffed but otherwise less than thrilling. Atmosphere 3 Notably, many UC Davis students were away on break when I attended the Thursday night matchup between the Aggies and UC Riverside . This was apparent by the sheer number of empty seats at The Pavilion. The Aggie band was quite energetic and helped to pick up where vacationing students left off. They played many pep band staples and their own renditions of today’s popular songs. When the opponents shot at the basket in front of them, they made sure their presence was known. The Pavilion is a beautiful venue in which, with a general admission ticket, you can move around a bit and pick your favorite spot. What I really liked was that they pulled up the excess seats that weren’t going to be filled on this particular night. This forces (allows) the fans to sit closer to the action and creates a more intimate atmosphere. This also allows for wider promenades as the entire second level was pushed back against the walls. Neighborhood 4 The UC Davis campus butts up against the downtown Davis neighborhood. This area is a vibrant mix of students and families and visitors should take advantage of the atmosphere that the neighborhood provides. If looking to grab a bite before the game you truly can find a little of everything. KetMoRee is an upper scale Thai restaurant with good happy hour deals while Sophia’s is more moderately priced Thai food. There is also pizza (Woodstock’s), brunch (Crepeville), burgers (Burgers and Brew), sushi (Fuji), and Mexican (El Mariachi) all within walking distance of The Pavilion. If you’re looking for more of a party atmosphere before or after the game, I’d recommend Froggy’s or The Graduate, affectionately known as “The Grad”. Microbrew enthusiasts take note that there is indeed a brewery in Davis serving up some suds. Sudwerk is a brewery that creates their own versions of traditional German-style beers while still providing some of the California staples like pale ales and IPAs. A farmer’s market is held year-round, rain or shine, on Saturdays at Central Park. Lastly, it should be noted that the city of Davis is very much a bicycle friendly town. They take special care to ensure the safety of bicyclists on the city streets, and the town logo even has a bicycle on it. You may even see funky, old-school bikes cruising around town. Fans 3 As noted previously, the gym was not close to full. There certainly is a lot at play here; students on vacation, Thursday night, struggling team to name a few. Those in attendance were quite engaged with the Aggies performance. Logistically, a younger crowd sat on one side (general admission) and an older crowd on the other (reserved, mostly season tickets). Each side brought plenty of energy and knowledge to The Pavilion. Access 5 The UC Davis campus is located conveniently off of highway 80, 15 miles west of Sacramento and 75 miles east of San Francisco. Getting there isn’t difficult but you should certainly expect significant traffic during peak hours after work. Downtown Davis is easy to get around for first-timers as many of the streets progress numerically and alphabetically, so you never feel like you’re unsure of your location. There is a local bus service, UniTrans, operated by UC Davis that services much of the city and all of the campus. Buses are driven by university students and cater the inevitably odd schedules of college students. Beyond the local buses, there is also an Amtrak stop that stops downtown. This train goes through Sacramento with bus connections that can take passengers as far as Tahoe and Reno. Going the other direction, the “Capitol Corridor” train passes through Berkeley, Oakland, and San Jose, with connections to San Francisco. When games are sparsely attended, The Pavilion is a one-level venue, allowing for huge walkways around the perimeter of the lower level. These areas are so wide that you may be able to fit another couple basketball courts above the actual playing surface. Because of this getting to and from restrooms and the concession stand is no problem at all. Return on Investment 3 As for single-game tickets there are two price ranges. General admission tickets are $10 and reserved seats are $12. I didn’t see much of a difference between the two except that the general admission seats are on one side and the reserved on the other. Sometimes at venues, reserved seats would have seat backs and general admission would be on bleachers, but that wasn’t the case at The Pavilion. Extras 2 There’s not a lot to get excited about at The Pavilion other than the play on the court. It is fun to follow along, through the hanging banners, the Aggies progression through Division II play, to Division II prominence, to finally being a Division I program. Final Thoughts I’ll definitely be back for another basketball game at The Pavilion when it’s better attended. The venue is nice and the amenities good and I’d love to see the building rocking. It seems that the Aggies are still trying to find their way in the NCAA D-I landscape and I’m excited to see what they do the next few years.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 University of Charleston Stadium 1549 Piedmont Rd Charleston, WV 25311 University of Charleston Golden Eagles website University of Charleston Stadium website Year Opened: 1979 Capacity: 18,500 Country Roads, Take Me Home to D2 Football University of Charleston Stadium is located in Charleston, WV near the state capitol, and is owned by Kanawha County Schools. Due to lack of funds to maintain the venue, however, the county partnered with the University of Charleston, which provided $1.5M in 2003 for upgrades such as new turf, a new skybox, and new locker rooms, in exchange for access plus naming rights. The stadium is shared by the university’s lacrosse and football teams, and is also used by the local high school. The stadium was originally built in 1979, and currently holds 18,500 fans. Food & Beverage 3 University of Charleston Stadium has very low-cost concessions, including burgers, calzones, pizza, hot dogs, corn dogs, nachos, and Chick-fil-A sandwiches (separate stand), with nothing over $3.50; other options include packaged candy and popcorn for $1.50, or chips for 50 cents. However, if none of those options are to your liking, you can also pay $10 out in front of the stadium for an all-you-can-eat buffet sponsored by the alumni club, and enjoy barbecue, chicken, beans, coleslaw, dessert, canned soda, and bottled water. Once inside the stadium drink options include soda, Gatorade, bottled water, coffee, and hot cocoa for between $2 and $3 each. There are two concessions stands inside University of Charleston Stadium, one underneath each grandstand in the exact middle. Despite the low attendance at games, concessions lines can be pretty long, especially during halftime, so you may want to opt for the Chick-fil-A stand instead, which is a separate stand located close to the main entrance, outside the grandstand area itself. Atmosphere 3 The UC Golden Eagles at University of Charleston Stadium provide a decent atmosphere for football – on one hand the attendance is very sparse, so there is not much crowd noise at all, but on the other hand you can walk around pretty much wherever you want, so you can get really, really close to the action. In fact, you can even stand next to the field the whole time and the staff won’t bother you, as long as you don’t get on the turf itself. The field is surrounded by a track, and the cheerleaders perform in front of the home side all game long. There is no mascot, however, and there is no video board either, so you can’t watch any replays. Neighborhood 3 University of Charleston Stadium is in a pretty run-down part of town, but it is close to the state capitol, and there are a couple of restaurants and other attractions nearby if you happen to be in town for the day or weekend. The most popular tourist attractions are the Capitol itself and the Clay Center (sort of a children’s museum), and there are also a couple of decent restaurants within a mile or so of the facility, including Bluegrass Kitchen (featuring upscale comfort food) and Soho’s (an Italian bistro and bar). If you plan to be in Charleston overnight, there are plenty of hotels around depending on your preference and budget – the two closest are Residence Inn and Charleston Capitol Hotel. Fans 1 Very few fans come out to Golden Eagles games at University of Charleston Stadium, so the venue will generally be practically empty. Part of this is of course due to the weather, as it can get pretty darn cold in the Appalachian Mountains by October or November – the scenery here is nice, though, with the mountains clearly visible in the background as you watch the game. Access 4 Getting to University of Charleston Stadium could not be easier – the stadium is literally visible from the freeway (I-77/I-64 practically goes right over the top of it at Exit 99), and there is free parking on the other side of Elizabeth Street from the facility; you can park about 100 feet from the main entrance. While the venue itself is a little run-down, there are more than enough bathrooms to accommodate the small crowd, so the only wait you might have it at the aforementioned concessions stands. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to UC Charleston games at University of Charleston Stadium cost just $10, which is as cheap as you will probably ever see for college football. And while you will not find a ton of energy at this venue, being able to walk right up to the field makes it well worth it, and you can’t beat the free parking and cheap concessions. Extras 1 There is not much at University of Charleston Stadium besides the game itself, but you do get the nice scenery in the background, all the seats are chair back benches, and there are also UC painted school buses parked right on site, so that might be something to explore while you are at the game – selfie, anyone? Final Thoughts The closest FBS stadium to Charleston, WV is over in Huntington , or you can drive several hours north to see West Virginia play. But for the money and the ease of access, seeing a game at University of Charleston is not a bad way to spend an afternoon in the Mountaineer state.

Photos by Gary Butterworth, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Upplands Bilforum Arena Råbyvägen 71 Uppsala, Sweden 754 60 Almtuna IS website Upplands Bilforum Arena Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 2,800 Established 1932. Since 1948. Uppsala is planning a new arena. It could potentially open as soon as 2017. When it does, no one will be surprised if Almtuna IS becomes a force in Swedish ice hockey. For now though, hockey-mad Sweden’s 4th-largest city boasts only a 2nd-tier team playing in a third-rate arena. There’s nothing really wrong with any of this, but it is a bit shocking. You’d expect hockey to be a bigger deal here in Uppsala. Almtuna IS (AIS) formed as a multi-sport club in 1932 and added ice hockey a few years later, hence their confusing tagline, “Established 1932. Since 1948.” Almtuna has spent the past half-century bouncing around the middle-levels of Swedish ice hockey. These days, AIS plays in the HockeyAllsvenskan, the 2nd-level league one step below the SHL. 2012 was once rumored as a potential opening date for the new arena. That didn’t happen, but a new building does seem pretty much assured, even if the 2017 opening date is also looking questionable. Until then, Almtuna’s home is the A-hall of Metallåtervinning Arena (“Metal Recycling Arena”). Metallåtervinning is a complex of three rinks, all under separate roofs, which serves the community’s needs for hockey, skating, and bandy. It’s humble, but it’s doing an admirable job of punching above its weight class. Editor’s Note: Metallåtervinning Arena has since changed its name to Gränby Ishall and then to Upplands Bilforum Arena in 2020/2021. Food & Beverage 2 I once rented a VHS movie from “Dave’s video and tanning salon.” A few years later, I bought some loose tea from “Real-tea,” a mall kiosk that sold tea leaves and real estate. I was reminded of these unusual combos during the intermission at the Almtuna game. Metallåtervinning Arena is compact. Space is at a premium. So, concession stands do double-duty as merchandise counters. You can order a Coke and a cap. Selection of snacks and souvenirs is on the slim side, but that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. Just a glance at this unpretentious arena should let you know that this is a no-frills, utilitarian place. It doesn’t get your hopes up, so it doesn’t let you down. A traditional Swedish coffee and pastry is on offer, as are packaged snacks and bottled Coke products. A small bar gets packed to capacity during intermissions. If you only attended matches here, you wouldn’t get hungry, and it would probably never even occur to you that other arenas might offer more. Atmosphere 3 Can an arena be too small even if it’s not selling out? For the 2014-15 season, Uppsala is the third-largest city in the 14-team HockeyAllsvenskan, yet it has the second-smallest rink. Many of the teams Almtuna faces in the HockeyAllsvenskan have spent significant time in Sweden’s top league and boast big, modern arenas. That’s not the case here, where the most distant seats are nine rows from the ice. Everyone is right on top of the action. The proximity to the players is certainly a plus for the fans who make it to the games, but could it also be a minus? Despite the small capacity, games here rarely sell out. We have to wonder if the small-time venue makes people take the team less seriously, which discourages new fans from coming and which, as part of a vicious cycle, allows the team to drag out its tenure in its undersized home. Metallåtervinning Arena wouldn’t be out-of-place if it were home to a Junior B or Senior team in Canada, or even as home to a top-level team in a lesser hockey playing country like Denmark or France. For the second-highest level of professional hockey in a major hockey-playing nation, though, you’d expect fans and players alike to have just a little bit more. Metallåtervinning Arena doesn’t do anything wrong, but it just doesn’t feel right. Neighborhood 2 Thanks to its home in Uppsala’s northern Gränby neighborhood, Metal Recycling Arena was once known as “Gränbyhallen.” Gränby has a suburban and car-centric feeling, but the area is well-served by city buses. Bicyclists are also fairly common. Central Uppsala has much more to entertain visitors, but Gränby does have a pleasant park and “Gränby Centre,” a large shopping mall. Other than that, it’s mostly apartment buildings. Should you want to hoof it, these can all be reached on foot within 20 minutes or so. Most fans, though, will want to roll in shortly before the puck drops and head out shortly after the final whistle. Fans 3 Almtuna fans deserve a pat on the back. Numerous Swedish cities smaller than Uppsala host better hockey and better facilities. A few of these aren’t even that far away. Yet Almtuna has a small devoted following. Its main fan club, the Red Lions, stands on concrete steps behind the goal, waves flags, and cheers for the team non-stop. Fans of the opposing team have their own standing section on metal risers behind the far goal. They are protected by a team of more security guards than are really necessary. Access 3 If you’re in Stockholm and the home teams are out of town, a quick trip up to Uppsala is an easy way to scratch the hockey itch. Stockholm’s Arlanda airport is actually slightly closer to Uppsala than to the capital, and trains run frequently along this busy route. Walking to the arena from central Uppsala would take close to an hour, so most people come by car. The arena complex is easy to find along a main road. Given the arena’s small capacity, parking is adequate and traffic isn’t a major concern for most games. From Uppsala’s city center, you should be able to find a taxi to get you to the arena, but the ride won’t be cheap, and you probably won’t be able to find one on the street for the return trip. The bus might be a better option. City bus #3 towards Uppsala Östra Nybystop picks up at many stops, including just outside Uppsala’s main railway station, and drops off on the main road just outside of the arena. The bus runs about every 10 minutes, but you may want to re-confirm bus routes, timing, and frequencies locally. Most bus drivers speak English and accept (or even require) credit cards. At night, it can be easy to overlook the venue, so you might want to ask the driver to alert you at your stop. Uppsala is a university town, and students here like bicycles. You can park yours next to the rink, and most don’t even bother to lock up their bikes. After arriving, fans enter the arena from street level and buy their tickets indoors. While definitely a small building, nothing feels cramped. Lighting is adequate. From the hallways (we hesitate to use the term “concourses”) restrooms initially appear undersized but prove larger than you might expect. Aside from the seats, everything here is on ground level. Though you will have to make your way up some stairs to get to your seat, the small capacity means that you won’t have to climb too far. Wheelchair access is at ice level in the corners. As such, fans with special needs will have an exceptionally easy time here, and a good view of the action. Return on Investment 3 Value is in the eye of the beholder, and nowhere is this more apparent than Metallåtervinning Arena. On one hand, paying professional-level prices in such a small and bare bones arena just doesn’t feel right. Then again, relatively few venues in Sweden or elsewhere allow for such intimate access to high-level hockey. Maybe it’s a bargain. Maybe it’s a rip-off. Maybe our view is skewed since we lucked into a 50% off all merchandise sale, but we say the pros and cons balance, and the value is about average. Extras 3 Metallåtervinning Arena exudes low expectations. With such a basic building, it would be easy for Almtuna IS to slack off. After all, who would question why a team in a community rink wouldn’t have this or that? Almtuna, though, isn’t resting on its laurels until the new arena is built. Team photos line the walls. A small video board behind the net gives you the basics. And there are seat cushions. As you walk up the stairs to take your seat, there are piles of foam seat cushions for you to borrow. Frankly, the seats aren’t particularly uncomfortable without the cushions, nor do the cushions make them particularly comfortable. But they are there if you need them, and an usher comes around to collect them all after the game. The cushions seem like a lot of work for a miniscule payoff, but Almtuna gets points for expending the extra effort for its fans’ comfort. Also unique is the roof. White tiles with hardwood support beams do just enough to add some Nordic flavor while differentiating the place from other small buildings. Finally, there’s the fact that Metallåtervinning Arena is just different. Worldwide, there are very few remaining venues where you can watch high-level sports in such intimate settings. Almtuna is in line to join the 21st century trend of big, fancy arenas. Until then, we’ll give Almtuna IS and Metallåtervinning Arena bonus points for being different and not letting themselves become victims of circumstance. Final Thoughts Some arenas are greater than the sum of their parts. This review may not indicate it, but we actually really enjoyed our time here, and we’d have no hesitation about making a return trip. But it’s true that fans who like the feeling of big-time hockey will be disappointed. Fans who enjoy the more intimate hockey experience typically found at lower levels will love the intimacy that Metallåtervinning Arena provides. But even those who love the place will likely admit that this place just feels a little too small, and a little too insignificant for the Hockeyallsvenskan.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Oncenter War Memorial Arena 800 S State St Syracuse, NY 13202 Syracuse Crunch website Oncenter War Memorial Arena website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity: 6,159 In Memory of our Service Veterans If there is one thing that can be said about the arenas of the American Hockey League, it is that they are varied and unique. Some of the teams play in modern, spacious buildings that they share with NBA teams, such as the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland . Others play in fine mid-sized arenas, like the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence , while others play in tiny bandboxes that are filled to the rafters with noise and fans, such as the Utica Memorial Auditorium. Buildings like Syracuse’s Oncenter War Memorial Arena belong in yet another category. What this building may lack in amenities and creature comforts, it more than makes up for in history and character. While many venues are called memorials, the Oncenter War Memorial contains far more than just your standard vague plaque honoring those who sacrificed their lives for this country. Built over the course of three years from 1949 to 1951, the War Memorial is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it has been deemed worthy of preservation. While this may hamstring any tenant wishing to make renovations to the arena, it ensures that the wonderful memorial will remain for years to come. The Crunch are the fourth AHL team to call the War Memorial home, following the Warriors, Eagles and Firebirds. The National Basketball Association’s Syracuse Nationals played here from 1951 to 1963, winning an NBA title in 1955. The building has hosted an NBA All-Star game in 1961, NCAA Frozen Fours in 1967 and 1971, as well as AHL All-Star games in 1998 and 2016. Perhaps more importantly to many hockey fans, scenes from the legendary hockey film Slap Shot were filmed here. Food & Beverage 2 The concessions menu at the War Memorial does not stray far from arena basics. There are several stands scattered throughout the two concourses which offer hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders, French fries and pizza. Snacks such as pretzels, popcorn, nachos and assorted candy can also be purchased here. Fans looking for a more unique item should try the Crunch Dog, which is a Hoffman’s hot dog topped with crispy onions, bacon and cheese sauce served on a pretzel roll. Also, with Syracuse being so close to Canada, poutine is on the menu. For those unaware of this Canadian delicacy, poutine consists of French fries topped with gravy and cheese curds. Thirsty Crunch fans can choose from several brands of beer, including Molson Canadian and Miller Lite. Offerings from local brewer Beak and Skiff are also sold here. Pepsi products are featured at the War Memorial. Atmosphere 3 The Crunch offer the standard game day presentation, with giveaways, loud rock music, t-shirt tosses, and other features which have become common in minor league sports. The team employs a mascot, Crunchman, who interacts with fans throughout the game. In addition, there is a dance squad who provide distraction during play stoppages. In a building as old and historic as the War Memorial, some of these touches seem strangely out of place. Hanging from the rafters of the War Memorial are banners honoring the Crunch’s one division and conference title, banners honoring championships won by the old Blazers and Stars, as well as banners honoring local Welterweight boxing champion Carmen Basilio and the Syracuse Nationals, NBA champs in 1955. Neighborhood 3 Despite the War Memorial’s downtown location, there is little to do in the immediate vicinity of the facility. The Ale ‘N’ Angus Pub is the only restaurant immediately adjacent to the rink. The area around the War Memorial is usually very quiet and safe. Armory Square, an area with several fine bars and restaurants, is just over a half mile from the War Memorial. Local favorites Dinosaur BBQ, Empire Brewing Company, and Pastabilities can all be found near here. Syracuse University is located about a mile away in the opposite direction on University Hill. Fans 3 Syracuse averages around 5,500 fans per game at the War Memorial, which is good for the middle of the pack in the AHL. As is the case with most minor league clubs today, the Crunch market themselves as affordable family entertainment, and the crowd in attendance on any given night reflects this philosophy. The crowd is a mix of families out for a night of entertainment and die-hard fans who live and die with each shift. Many fans will notice a group of Crunch superfans who attend each game dressed as the Hanson Brothers from Slap Shot, complete with mullet wigs and black horn-rimmed glasses. At some point every game, usually at the opposition’s first penalty of the night, the PA system plays the Bonanza theme, and the Hansons run along the aisle, high-fiving fans along the way and encouraging fans to make some noise. Access 4 The War Memorial is part of a larger complex, which also consists of the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center, Civic Center Theaters and Everson Plaza. Together the buildings are known as the Oncenter. The Oncenter War Memorial is located in downtown Syracuse, just blocks from Interstates 690 and 81. Plentiful parking can be found within a few blocks of the War Memorial. Driving directions and a parking map can be found here . Fans will enter the War Memorial on either side of the building. There is a small entry lobby on both sides, a welcome feature when battling a cold central New York winter. Once passing through a quick security check, fans will find themselves in the cramped horseshoe-shaped concourse. Fans will find a table set up with various Crunch merchandise across the hallway. The Exhibit Gallery, featuring life-size replicas of actual Syracuse area veterans representing the Revolutionary War through the Vietnam War is located on this concourse. Interestingly for a building of this size, the War Memorial has dual concourses. Fans with upper level seats will climb a set of stairs to the upper concourse, which contains its own set of concessions, restrooms and the Veteran’s Honor Wall, which recognizes over 63,000 service men and women who have resided or currently reside in Onondaga County. Once inside the arena, fans will immediately notice the stage at the far end of the arena adorned with the phrase “in memory of our service veterans.” Some seating is located here as well. The seating bowl is split into upper and lower sections, each featuring individual folding seats. The upper level is bisected by a walkway located about halfway up. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Crunch games range in price between $16 for stage seats to $20 for lower level seats. Waiting until game day to purchase your tickets will cost an extra two dollars. Youth tickets cost $16. In addition, the Crunch offer a variety of group ticket deals to further increase value. Parking in the many lots surrounding the War Memorial starts at five dollars. Concessions, while not cheap, are not out of line with other venues of this size. Overall, catching a Crunch game at the War Memorial is an affordable entertainment option for central New York sports fans. Extras 3 The War Memorial is more than just a building with a plaque attached to it honoring those men and women who sacrificed everything for their country. Walk the halls of the arena, and you will come across an impressive display containing life-sized mannequins dressed in the actual garb of local residents representing uniforms from the Revolutionary War to the Vietnam conflict. A large display also houses a significant amount of historical items. If you are a history buff, it’s worth getting to the arena early to check out. On the upper concourse is the Veteran’s Honor Wall, which lists over 63,000 Ononganda County residents who served in various branches of the military. Scenes from perhaps the most iconic hockey movie ever made were filmed here at the War Memorial. In an homage to the film, three Syracuse superfans have been coming to games dressed as the Hanson Brothers. What started as a Halloween costume has turned into a Syracuse hockey tradition. Hidden away in a small alcove on the upper concourse is a display commemorating the War Memorial’s significant place in basketball history. The Syracuse Nationals played here during the 1950s and 1960s, winning an NBA championship in 1955. Syracuse hosted the first game to use the 24 second shot clock. Nationals’ president and founder Danny Blasone was a proponent of the shot clock, and was instrumental in getting the NBA to adopt its use. Final Thoughts As a hockey venue, the War Memorial does nothing that will blow you away. It is infinitely more interesting as a memorial and as one of the locations in the iconic movie Slap Shot. For hockey fans who have an interest in our nation’s history, the War Memorial is worth a visit. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter @PuckmanRI .

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Urbana High School Athletic Complex 298-100 E Michigan Ave. Urbana, IL 61801 Urbana Tigers website Urbana High School Athletic Complex website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 1,000 Tiger Complex Urbana High School is the only public high school in Urbana, Illinois and was established in 1872. The current building was built in 1914 and is rumored to be haunted. Notable alumni of the high school include Roger Ebert and former Miss America Erika Harold. Music artist Ludacris spent some time at Urbana High School before moving away. In 2011, the Urbana began construction on several projects to update the older facilities. The school demolished its football and soccer fields in the spring of 2011 and combined them into a new state-of-the-art football/soccer field with artificial turf and several bleachers. It was called the Urbana Tigers Athletic Complex and the project cost an estimated $4.3 million. Food & Beverage 3 There is a surprisingly large menu for a high school football stadium. All the usual offerings are available and the prices are reasonable. There are some more unusual options such as walking tacos and pork chop sandwiches. Wait until the end of the 3rd quarter and the stand offers some bargains as they do not want to keep extra food items around between weeks of the game. Atmosphere 3 There is one long and basic grandstand along the home side of the field. A smaller visitor stand sits along the side of the school on the opposite side from the home stand. That is pretty much it as it is a basic stadium. The scoreboard is brand new and does offer a nice videoboard. A marching band and cheerleaders fill out the normal high school sports offerings. Neighborhood 5 Urbana is a slow pace kind of town. But there are three places that jump out as must visits. Black Dog Smoke & Ale House offers amazing barbecue, just expect to wait in line to get in and that the tasty burnt ends will go quickly. Crane Alley is a nice bar with some great beers and Masijta Grill is a great Korean barbecue. Also check out the beer garden/ art space called The Sipyard. A very short walk away is the area along Green and Wright streets called “Campustown.” There are many bars, shops and restaurants in this area, and they tend to cater to young college students. Older fans will want to center their post game activities around downtown Champaign. Once a pretty boring downtown area, one will now find many bars and restaurants. The Esquire Lounge is a local icon and should be a stop for everyone. Try a pork chop sandwich and say hi to owner Pedro. Other great downtown spots are Derailed 57, Blind Pig Brewery, the gastropub DESTIHL, sports bar Jupiter’s, and Farren’s Pub & Eatery (at a very hidden location at 308 N Randolph Street). There is also a much larger version of Jupiter’s on the outskirts of Champaign (2511 Village Green Place at The Crossing Center) that is also a good choice. If visiting that second Jupiter’s location also try Billy Balooz right next door (2521 Village Green Place at The Crossing Center). Fans 3 The fans here are pretty standard high school fans. The high school kids run and socialize without paying much attention, but the older fan base is engrossed in the action. They are a friendly bunch of people. Access 4 Champaign and Urbana are both easy cities to navigate. There is plenty of parking both near to the stadium and also on the north part of the school. Champaign-Urbana is at the crossroads of I-57 and I-74, as well as being the eastern terminus for I-72 so getting to the area from Chicago, Indianapolis and points west will be pretty easy. Return on Investment 3 The games are only $5 to attend so the value is quite good. Concession prices are also quite reasonable. There are no other costs for attendance. Extras 2 Check out the tiger statue outside the main entrance of the stadium complex. The school is very old and offers some cool architectural styles. It is pretty cool to see the various additions to the school over time and to note the change in style of design. Final Thoughts The Urbana High School Athletic Complex offers a pretty basic high school athletic atmosphere. It is worth a stop if you are in the area.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Utah Motorsports Campus 2091 N. Sheep Lane Tooele, UT 84074 Utah Motorsports Campus website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 8,000 Speed Between the Peaks of Utah “There is nothing in the desert, and no man needs nothing.” – Prince Feisal, Lawrence of Arabia Utah Motorsports Campus is unique in many ways. Opened as Miller Motorsports Park, it was the longest road course in North America until 2014 saw Thunderhill Raceway undergo a massive expansion. Utah Motorsports Campus sits at a high altitude, located just outside of Salt Lake City at nearly 5,000 feet above sea level. There is also the intense heat that comes with being located in the middle of the desert. Yet, despite what some may feel are negatives, this track has the bones of a top-notch racing facility. Bought in 2015 by a Chinese company, Utah Motorsports Campus is now being used as a test-bed for how that company will build and operate raceways in China. From the great sound system to the fan access to the teams and drivers, few can argue with the brilliance of this course’s layout and design. However, the venue lacks a few touches that most other facilities would find useful, and would consider no-brainers. Food & Beverage 2 The concessions are by far the biggest downside to a race at Utah Motorsports Campus – if you find yourself hungry at some point during the day, your choices are limited. The track’s lone concessions stand no longer is open during major race weekends. However, in 2016 the Rodigio Grill opened on site, bringing high-quality (and somewhat high-priced) Brazilian food to the track. In addition, various food carts and food trucks also make their way to the track during race weekends. In 2018, the venue also featured a variety of food trucks that arrived on site during Sunday racing, giving fans another option for something to eat at the track. Atmosphere 4 The feeling you get at Utah Motorsports Campus isn’t one of intense competition that has all the drivers and teams feeling like they’re on a knife’s edge, but rather one of relaxed and laid-back fun. This is a good thing, however, as it adds to the overall enjoyment of the race day experience. Add to that the music that plays in the various grandstands around the course, and you can rock out to some quality tunes in between on-track sessions. There is also easy access for fans to get up close to the garages, where all their favorite drivers and cars are being worked on – this puts a smile on everyone’s face, no matter how hot or cold the weather may be. Neighborhood 3 Utah Motorsports Campus is quite literally in the middle of the desert. However, just a 20-minute drive east is Salt Lake City, and just five minutes southeast of the track is Tooele, where you can find numerous lodging options with affordable prices; the Tooele Comfort Inn & Suites is routinely rated as one of the best hotels in the chain’s arsenal around the country, as is the Hilton Garden Inn in Sandy, UT. Numerous new hotels are popping up right next to Salt Lake City International Airport as well. Tooele also has a wide variety of dining options – one of the favorites for fans and teams is a restaurant called the Bonneville Brewing Company, which is a multi-level restaurant and brewhouse with sports on TVs all over the place. Fans craving Brazilian food can also visit the Rodigio Grill on site at Utah Motorsports Campus. For those looking to explore some of the great outdoors, Utah Motorsports Campus is located just minutes away from the shores of Great Salt Lake State Park, and there are also several mountain trails and ski resorts nearby. In addition, fans can drive into Salt Lake City to see sights such as Temple Square and the Clark Planetarium. Fans 4 For being in the middle of nowhere, the locals sure do pack in the facility during race weekends. Noted as a favorite track among competitors, loyal fans turn out in droves for events at Utah Motorsports Campus, and for good reason – the on-track action is fast and furious, giving the fans a brilliant show to watch. Being in Utah also means that the people are kind and courteous, making for an at times overwhelmingly enjoyable and family-friendly atmosphere at the track. Access 3 Getting to Utah Motorsports Campus isn’t intrinsically hard to do, but the facility is a bit off the beaten path. After exiting US-80 towards Tooele, fans will find themselves driving past endless desert until suddenly a racetrack appears. Traffic can back up after a period of time, due to the small roads heading in and out of the raceway. Additionally, while parking on site is quite numerous, getting to your favorite spot may require a long walk. Thankfully, a fan shuttle is offered during races to get you from place to place along the nearly four-mile road course. There is also a ton of camping space available next to the track, giving guests who want to stay the full weekend a chance to “rough it” racing-style. Return on Investment 4 Utah Motorsports Campus is quite picturesque, despite its location. Mountains border the speedway on the east, west, and south, with the Great Salt Lake bordering on the north. Tickets are not generally expensive, and getting to see top-quality racing on the track is worth the price of admission – just bring your own food. Extras 5 The facility at Utah Motorsports Campus is host to a wide array of additional amenities for fans, starting with the go-kart track – not only is it large, it can be split into two separate tracks that can be run simultaneously. The Ford Museum is also on-site, which is home to some classic vintage cars from the Ford Motor Company; note that the museum is open during race weekends. Another giant thrill at Utah Motorsports Campus is the large zip line, and the autograph sessions held throughout the weekend are a fan favorite that give fans the best chance to meet their favorite drivers, and get an autograph to go with their other racing souvenirs. Another interesting aspect at Utah Motorsports Campus is the location of Victory Lane, quite literally tables away from the port-side seating for the track’s only concessions stand. In addition, the track offers a perfect chance for fans to see the cars up front and personal, with most drivers and teams willing to pose for photos during each race’s pre-grid set up. Final Thoughts Coming to Utah Motorsports Campus in the high desert heat of Utah can be challenging for some, but for many racing diehards, stopping at the facility is a surreal experience. The track is new, long, and fast, and is quickly becoming a favorite among drivers. As long as you stay hydrated and eat well before your day, Utah Motorsports Campus is destined to become a jewel of motor racing.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Varsity Stadium University of Toronto 299 Bloor St W Toronto, ON M5S 1W2 Toronto Varsity Blues website Varsity Stadium website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 5,000 Varsity Blues The Toronto Varsity Blues have a ridiculously long history when it comes to football. The origins of the football program at the University of Toronto are murky at best. Many believe that the first ever game at University of Toronto, maybe even in Canada, was on November 9, 1861. Through more than 150 years of football at Canada’s largest university, the road has been filled with ups and downs. The Toronto program lays claim to winning the first ever Grey Cup in 1909 and count former Prime Minister, Lester B. Pearson among alumni who helped coach the Varsity Blues. Home for the Varsity Blues program has been Varsity Stadium since its inception in 1911, when the original stadium was built. Varsity was also home to the Toronto Argonauts until they moved to Exhibition Stadium in 1959. Varsity has hosted 21 Vanier Cup games as the National Championship game for university football in Canada, as well as 30 Grey Cups. The third Grey Cup ever played was hosted at Varsity, where the game would be a staple for years. The Varsity Blues have seen their share of success including Grey Cup Championships in 1909, 1910, 1911, and 1920. When the Grey Cup would become an exclusively CFL trophy, the Blues would go on to win Vanier Cups in 1965 and 1993. The Blues also claim 25 Yates Cup Championships as conference champions between 1898 and 1993. Unfortunately, the Varsity Blues program has fallen on hard times. In 1992, the program was nearly cancelled and the miracle that was the 1993 Vanier Cup victory was followed with a fairly sharp decline of performance on the field. The Varsity Blues have not posted a winning record or made the playoffs since 1995. Between 2001 and 2008 the Varsity Blues would claim a record 49 game losing streak. During this period, Varsity Stadium would be torn down and rebuilt. The centre of controversy with plenty of rumblings of the Argonauts making a return to Varsity, the new Varsity Centre would be completed in 2007 with a modest 5,000 seat grandstand and modern facilities. The new Varsity Stadium provides the Varsity Blues with one of the nicer venues in the OUA and the football program has seen some improvements in recent years. However, the new Varsity Stadium and latest coaching staff of the Toronto Varsity Blues has not yet been able to change the tune at Varsity away from those Varsity Blues. Food & Beverage 2 The concessions at Varsity Stadium are not overly spectacular. Under the grandstand, there is a small concession stand. There you will finds a fairly limited variety of snacks. Hot dogs ($3), burgers, chips and candy are all available. Soft drinks that are available are Pepsi products ($2.25) as well as water and a few different iced tea flavors. On a cool evening coffee or tea may be the way to go, which are also available. Further south under the grandstand there is a licensed area where alcoholic beverages can be purchased. Molson Canadian, Coors Light and Alexander Keith’s IPA are available for sale but may not be brought out of the enclosed area or to your seat. Atmosphere 4 Varsity Stadium is one of the nicest venues in the OUA, but it lacks that visible history which may be expected. From the outside, Varsity Stadium is a nice enough venue. Wrapped in red brick and wrought iron, the field can be seen easily from Bloor St. On Bloor Street you will see the main piece of history at Varsity. Dividing the stadium from Bloor St, just under the videoboard, is an original brick wall from the 1911 incarnation of the stadium. At the west end of the wall there is a Heritage plaque outlining the significance of the Grey Cup. Also at the west end of the stadium, at the corner of Bloor and Devonshire, there is a small square, which is a great meeting place before the game and a spot where you can peek through the fence and see some football action. After entering the gate at the northeast corner of the stadium, patrons are led under the grandstand. The field is north-south oriented and the seating area is on the east side. The concourse is pretty nondescript and doesn’t offer too much that is interesting. The southeast end of Varsity Centre also encompasses the historic Varsity Arena. The seating area at Varsity Stadium is fairly simple. Metal benches with backs are found throughout the grandstand. The slope is significantly steeper than other stadiums in the conference and sightlines are very good. Varsity Stadium is also home to the Varsity Blues Track and Field program and also encompasses a full eight lane track, which brings the fan a little farther from the football action. At the north end of the stadium is the videoboard, an item that is still a bit of a novelty in the conference. That being said, the videoboard is older and nowhere near the quality that can be found at the professional level. From your seats, if you look to the south you will find the Varsity Centre Pavilion, and beyond that, the iconic CN Tower can be easily seen from the stadium. The gameday production is about what you would expect for football in the OUA. The production is student-run with typical promos and contests. The PA system at Varsity Stadium is excellent and announcements are clear and crisp. The game that was reviewed was scheduled for the Thursday before the Thanksgiving weekend, a time that students are traditionally leaving campus, and it seemed like a bit of a skeleton crew working. The Toronto Engineering Society provides the Lady Godiva Memorial Band, a band with an interesting history, however they were not in attendance at the game reviewed. The game does begin with the firing of the cannon which will take those unaware by surprise for sure. The Varsity Blues make good use of their videoboard, often boasting of more National Championships than any other school, however there are few obvious reminders of that history within the stadium. Considering the difficulties the Blues have had on the field, they should embrace their history and do a better job putting it on display. Neighbourhood 5 The University of Toronto neighbourhood is second to none in the entire CIS. The St.George Campus, which hosts the athletic facilities, is at the north end of what is still considered part of Downtown Toronto as well as part of Old Toronto. In the immediate walking area, there are a ton of options for pre and post game fare. Signatures, Gabby’s, Madison Ave Pub, Duke of York, and Fox and Fiddle are all options that are very close and worth a look. There are also a number of large chains and fast food that can be found on Bloor Street. There are a ton of things to do in downtown Toronto and you can’t go wrong with a weekend or even a week in the area. Varsity Centre is located right beside the Royal Ontario Museum, which requires a number of hours for a good visit. On the other side of the stadium the Bata Shoe Museum can be found for something very different. The St. George Campus of University of Toronto is also a short subway trip to the heart of downtown Toronto where you will find the Harbourfront, CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium and the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Eaton Centre is also not too far and the centre of Toronto’s shopping scene and the Theatre District is also right there. If you are looking for more of a sports fix then you are in luck. The University of Toronto also fields a whole host of other athletic programs including hockey at Varsity Arena , also part of Varsity Centre, and basketball at the brand new Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport . Varsity Blues rivals the Ryerson Rams host their athletics out of the former Maple Leaf Gardens and play hockey at the Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens and basketball at Coca-Cola Court . The pros are also not far away with the Toronto Maple Leafs , Toronto Raptors and Toronto Rock calling Scotiabank Arena home, the Toronto Blue Jays calling Rogers Centre home, the Toronto Marlies calling Coca-Cola Coliseum home and Toronto FC and the Toronto Argonauts playing at BMO Field. There are a number of fine hotels to stay at in Toronto. Probably the most convenient is the Holiday Inn, located right across the street from Varsity Centre. Fans 2 Let’s face the facts, the Toronto Varsity Blues football program has not been a good one in decades. With the last winning season for the Blues coming all the way back in 1995, getting fans to come out to Varsity has been a real challenge. The Blues have shown a little bit of life in the last few years, but are still a ways from a playoff appearance. In 2016 and 2015 the Blues have struggled to draw more than 1,500 fans per game and rank near the bottom of the conference in average attendance. During the 2014 season, the Blues attracted an average of over 2,200 fans per game and ranked 8th in the OUA. There is a great deal of room for improvement and the University of Toronto needs to do a much better job attracting students to football games and to make the Varsity Blues football experience part of the Toronto student experience. The fans in attendance that are cheering for the Blues can only be described as die-hard, as the product has been so poor over the last few decades. Varsity Stadium is a great venue for visiting fans, however. You will often find many travelling fans who are in attendance to see their team, who happens to be playing at Varsity. Access 4 Toronto traffic can be a real challenge and getting to Varsity Centre can be a bit of a pain. Varsity Centre is located a fair distance from all major highways in the area. Almost equally distant from highway 401, 427 the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway, driving to Varsity will involve some very slow going through the city with many lights and stop and go traffic. What Varsity lacks in challenges for getting there by car, they make up for with proximity to public transit. Varsity is located near stops for two different subway routes which makes getting there not too terrible with public transit. Check out the TTC website for fares, maps and schedules. There are a number of parking options around Varsity Centre. Rates are not terrible and you can probably park for $10 for the duration of the game. A little research on parking options will go a long way before heading into the city by car. The ticketing window and main gate are at the northeast side of the stadium off of Bloor Street. Credit card services are available and there is very rarely any sort of wait at the box office. Getting around the stadium is no problem, mainly because there is often not close to a capacity crowd. The space under the grandstand is more than adequate for getting around. The washroom facilities are also more than adequate for the number of fans that are typically in attendance. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for Toronto football will run $12 for General Admission and $20 for reserved in the centre section. There will be a charge for either parking or public transit. Concession prices are decent also. OUA football can offer a fantastic return for your sporting dollar. However, decades of poor teams can make it a bit of a crapshoot as to what type of game you will get. Blowouts are commonplace at Varsity and the stadium can empty at halftime if the game gets out of hand. Extras 3 An extra mark for the alumni and friends of the Varsity Blues program who saved the program in 1992 and led to the miracle 1993 Vanier Cup team. An extra mark for the annual Red and Blue Bowl where the Varsity Blues take on their crosstown rivals, the York Lions. Both teams are often struggling in the standings and the game can often be entertaining and close. An extra mark for the Toronto Varsity Blues attempting to rekindle a classic cheer . Final Thoughts The Toronto Varsity Blues have had a rough road through the CIS for decades. They have a great facility in a fantastic, big market city, which should help both at the gates and in recruiting. Be selective when choosing a game and try to avoid a mismatch. If you can do this you will have a great time in Toronto. Otherwise, you may just be singing the Varsity Blues. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Photos by Jared Goodman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Vert Stadium 1018 N College Dr High Point, NC 27262 High Point Panthers website Vert Stadium website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 1,100 Hit the Vert Vert Stadium has consistently been ranked as one of the best track & field, soccer, and lacrosse facilities in the country and the venue lives up to that standard each and every gameday. Reopened in 2007, “The Vert” has been a big draw for High Point University, serving primarily as the permanent home of HPU’s lacrosse and soccer programs. The venue is named for Dick Vert, a 1960 graduate who ran cross country and middle distance at the institution, and later became an HPU trustee. Several upgrades have been made to Vert Stadium in the last few years, the most recent of which came in 2011 when one of the best artificial turf systems on the market was installed. The Mondo 3NX turf, developed in Italy, is able to reduce heat by 30 percent and has the best shock absorption of any available artificial turf. The main program that plays on the state-of-the-art turf is the men’s lacrosse program, debuting in 2013 as part of a $2.1 billion initiative focused on growth. The team has clinched Southern Conference championships three times since its inception, most recently in 2018, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2015 Food & Beverage 3 The Vert offers several different concession choices, including the typical stadium fare, available at two stands on either side of the concourse. With virtually no lines and quick and friendly service, the concessions are top-notch for such a facility. An added bonus is that both stands accept credit cards as well as cash. While the prices may be a little steep for a Division I lacrosse venue, there are some bargains to be found. A refillable popcorn bucket, which can be replenished an unlimited number of times during the match, is just $9. Some cheaper options include a hot dog ($3.75), a pretzel ($4), nachos ($4.25), and even half and whole Dominos pizzas ($4 and $8, respectively). Bottled Coca-Cola products are also available for $3.50 each. Alcohol is not served at the venue. Families and groups can take advantage of the Family Pack Combo option, which includes 4 hot dogs, 4 chips and 4 drinks for just $22. Other Combos are also available, giving fans a chance to save a few bucks while they’re at the game. Atmosphere 3 Because Vert Stadium does not have a large seating bowl, the entire grandstand offers a great view of the playing field. The pitch of the seating area is so gradual that almost the entire field can still be viewed from the back of the concourse, despite being behind 10 rows of seats. The very first row isn’t right on top of the field either; an eight-lane track surrounds the artificial turf and thereby separates the seating area from the field. The seats themselves, painted in HPU purple, are very wide and each seat has an affixed cup-holder. There isn’t a bad seat in the house, as each seat offers a great view of the action. Rocking chairs, practically a requirement anywhere in High Point, are also available at the top of the concourse near the ADA seating. Despite being a small venue, both the PA announcer and the music blasted during stoppages in play are unreasonably loud. They’re so loud, in fact, that for the duration of the game the sounds can be heard in echo as they bounce off residential homes across the street. A sizable video board sits at an angle on the right side of the field, directly opposite the seating area. It doubles as a scoreboard from which fans can glean stats such as goals, shots, saves, and penalties for each team. After every goal made by the Panthers, a purple HPU t-shirt is tossed into the crowd and one of the concessionaires steps onto the concourse, blows a horn, and attempts to pump up the fans. Autographed merchandise is also given away during intermissions. Because most men’s lacrosse matches start at noon, the sun is usually overhead for most of the game and doesn’t present an issue visually. After Daylight Savings Time begins, the sun may be in your eyes for at least the first half of the game. While the sun isn’t usually a factor during colder months, when temperatures start to rise it can become a scorching nuisance. The Vert doesn’t offer much relief; however, because the seats face east, a slight bit of shade does fall over the concourse when the sun starts dipping into the west. Six picnic tables, complete with large umbrellas, are also located on the concourse. Neighborhood 3 The Witcher Athletic Complex is located off University Parkway on the north side of campus, just a few miles from downtown High Point. While there aren’t any restaurants within walking distance of campus, there are several decent eateries just a short drive away. North Main Street is about a mile from the Vert and that’s where you’ll find most of the familiar chain eateries. The Biscuit Factory is a gem for folks looking for breakfast before noon games. After the match, fans can hit up Sammy G’s Tavern, which often runs promotions when HPU wins, located about 4.5 miles off-campus in the Deep River area. The joint is a bit pricier than some of the chains you’ll find off Main Street but it offers typical American fare and makes a good stop for a post-game bite. Fans looking for something to do after games can take the short drive into downtown High Point and explore the shops and eateries available there. The High Point Museum is about half a mile in the other direction and presents a history of the High Point region, including highlights of the area’s deep furniture roots. The museum is free and is open until 4:30pm daily except Sunday and Monday. The Courtyard by Marriott, a sponsor of High Point athletics, is the nearest hotel at 1.5 miles away. The property is just off I-74, making it both convenient and affordable. Fans 4 Anyone who’s ever attended a lacrosse game will know that even the smallest crowds can be intimidating. Home and away fans are typically evenly balanced in High Point, since most fans have a personal connection with the players on the field. In other words, the away team always travels well. When the Panthers do well on the field, the home fans can get very involved and loud, but the same is true for the away team. If you’re not paying attention to the action, it’s often hard to judge by the crowd which team has just made a goal or a save. The most energetic fans, either home or away, like to stand for the whole game at the front of the concourse to cheer on their team. While Vert Stadium never usually fills to capacity, it typically does draw a decent crowd. On most game days, the seating area will be two-thirds to three-quarters full Access 5 Vert Stadium is only accessible by car, but the complex does offer several parking options, all of which are free. Fans who arrive at least a half-hour before the opening face-off should be able to secure a spot in the Witcher Athletic Complex parking lot right in front of Vert Stadium, located off of Panther Drive. Late-arriving fans may have to park a little further away in the College Village Shopping Center parking lot, an approved HPU lot, and take the short 10-minute walk to the stadium. Both options are free of charge and there’s usually a parking attendant on hand to answer any questions. High Point, as one of the cities of the Triad region, is accessible by several interstates and highways. Interstate 74 is the closest major highway to campus at just 1.5 miles away; it comes from Winston-Salem in the north and heads to Asheboro in the south. I-74 also provides a connection to Interstate 77 near the Virginia state line. Interstate 85 is the busiest nearby road and is a direct link to some of the largest cities in the state. Just 15 minutes to the north is Greensboro, while Charlotte is 1.5 hours south on I-85. Another major thoroughfare, Interstate 40, provides connection to Raleigh/Durham in the east and Asheville in the west and can be accessed off either I-85 or I-74. The nearest airport is Piedmont-Triad International, about 20 minutes to the north in Greensboro. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or day-of-game at the box office; regardless of which option you choose, you will end up with a paper stub as there are no online ticket options. There are also no security measures in place at Vert Stadium. Handicapped guests have many parking spaces available to them in the parking lot and once inside the Vert, there are about 12 ADA seats available at the top of the seating bowl. Should those seats be full, there are plenty of additional spots on the concourse that offer good views of the action. Vert Stadium’s restrooms are some of the cleanest I have ever seen at a sporting venue. The space is large, beautifully decorated and features an extension of the PA system, an added bonus. Return on Investment 4 With general admission tickets priced at just $5, a family of four can easily enjoy a fun afternoon at the Vert as well as a decent snack for about $40. Parking is free. One downside is that fans are not allowed to bring their own food and drink into the venue, something typically allowed at other DI lacrosse facilities. Fans looking to cheer on High Point’s lacrosse team for the entire season are able to purchase a season pass for $25 per person. This is a great deal if you plan on attending six or more games in a single season. Youth season passes are $15 each. Extras 1 Aside from the gameday experience at the Vert, there isn’t too much going on. Roster sheets and posters are given away for free during each game. Final Thoughts High Point’s men’s lacrosse program, though fairly new, has garnered quite a following in the area, and this helps to increase the university’s profile in the community. HPU is already woven into the fabric of the city, as you’ll find the color purple splashed throughout High Point, from fire hydrants to street signs. The top-notch athletic facilities at High Point University, and the experiences they offer, continue to build that image and keep the fans coming back time and again.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Villa Park Trinity Rd Birmingham, England B6 6HE United Kingdom Aston Villa FC website Villa Park website Year Opened: 1897 Capacity: 42,682 England’s Finest Villa Park is the home of English football club Aston Villa, one of the twelve founders of the English Premier League. Their stadium, Villa Park, was established in 1897 and was given the official name Aston Lower Grounds. The current capacity of this all-seater stadium is 42,682. The highest attendance ever at Villa Park was recorded on the 2nd of March 1946 in an FA Cup 6th round match against Derby County. That day, 76,588 spectators passed through the turnstiles. At that time, like most of the British grounds, Villa Park had large terraces and few seats. Since the late 1970’s the stadium was completely rebuilt and finalized more 20 years later. Each stand has their own design, the old brick facade of the former Holte End remained untouched during the rebuilding, and the impressive staircase and its old facade are unique features of the ground. Villa Park is definitely one of the more interesting grounds in the Premier League. The Holte End is by far the most impressive stand of the ground. This huge two tiered stand was opened in the 1994-1995 season and has a capacity of 13,472 seated supporters. The other stands of the ground are the North Stand, the Doug Ellis Stand and the Trinity Road Stand. The Trinity Road Stand was opened in 2001 and is the only three-tiered stand of the ground. The away supporters are located in a corner of the Doug Ellis Stand close to the North Stand. Just under 3,000 fans can be accommodated in this section. Some historical events have occurred at Villa Park. It hosted three matches during the World Cup in 1966. Villa Park also hosted four matches during the EURO 1996 Championships. The stadium hosted the last ever final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999, and all told has hosted 55 FA Cup semi-finals. Food & Beverage 4 There are plenty of stalls (outside) and counters (inside) the ground where you can obtain your food or drinks. Inside the grounds you pay for a really good cheeseburger £3.50, and all kinds of pies costs £3.30, while hot dogs are priced at £2.60. When you are really hungry you can buy a traditional fish & chips which is served with vinegar or mashed peas. There are wide screen televisions on the concourse broadcasting the match. So you won’t miss any of the action if you get up for a bite to eat. Atmosphere 5 For a groundhopper like me, Villa Park was on my bucket list for a long time. Villa Park is a true British traditional football ground where every stand is different, stands alone and has is its own character. The Holte End still has its original brick facade. No other British stadium can top the authenticity of the Aston Villa stadium, though the stadiums of Tottenham Hotspur and Everton come close. Neighborhood 3 Villa Park is located approximately 2.5 miles from the city centre towards the north part of the city of Birmingham. Villa Park is located close to Aston Park. In this part of the city you will find many cultural influences. You will find many multicultural shops. You will find loads of Pakistani and Indian restaurants, Jamaican hairdressers and all kinds of other small businesses. On the road towards the stadium (Witton Lane) is the Aston Hotel. This hotel dates back from the time the stadium was built, and the hotel has the same facade as the stadium making it one with its surrounding. Fans 4 The Aston Villa fans are very colourful people in many ways. When they go to match days most of them are dressed up in their claret and blue shirts. During the match they support their team for the full 100 percent. The noise which rolls down from the Holte End will give you goose bumps. Access 4 Overall the stadium is easily accessible for fans of most clubs in the country. It is situated close to the motorway (M6), Birmingham is situated in the Midlands in the heart of the country. On the M6 take exit 6 and follow the signs for the A38 and follow the signs to Villa Park. Parking can be a problem as the area around the stadium is designated as street parking for residents only. The Witton train station is within walking distance of the ground so fans would be advised to take public transport if possible to Villa Park. Return on Investment 5 A category scheme for ticket prices is in operation (A B & C), with the most popular games costing more to watch. The ticket prices for an A category match vary from £31 to £45 and for a C category match from £25 to £37. Very reasonable prices if you compare them with other Premier League clubs in the country and especially in London. So not only the ticket prices, but also the food prices are very affordable at Villa Park. Along with a great atmosphere inside the ground you will get good value for money. Extras 4 Aston Villa offers guided tours on Wednesdays, Fridays and some Sundays (not on matchdays). The cost for the tour is £12.95 for adults and £7.95 for under 16’s. The Villa Park tour is great, it’s a must for all football fans. Our tour lasted 2 hours and was really interesting. On the perimeter of the ground you will find the Villa Store where you can buy almost everything in claret and blue. Final Thoughts When you spend a weekend in Birmingham there is always something to do. If you stay just for the football, then try to combine your stay with some other matches. Besides Aston Villa there are two more League clubs playing in Birmingham, there are City and Wallsall. In the neighbouring cities of Wolverhampton, West Bromwich and Leicester you will find some League football teams as well.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Wade E. Miller Arena 601 N Breiel Blvd. Middletown, OH 45042 Middletown High School Middies website Wade E. Miller Arena website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 2,410 Middletown Middies New Chapter in Basketball The next chapter of Middletown High School basketball debuted on December 9, 2017, with the opening of Wade E. Miller Arena. The hometown Middies new home replaced the iconic Wade E. Miller Gym that had been its home since 1952. The Miller Arena is part of a $96 million project that has seen renovations to the adjacent high school and the addition of a new middle school. The arena has a capacity of 2,140 with ample standing-room-only spaces around the court’s upper perimeter. The other additions feature improved lighting and sound system, a walking track, a strength center, an athletic office, a community room, trophy cases, a strength center, and a wrestling room. The school’s most famous alumnus is basketball Hall of Famer Jerry Lucas who guided the Middies to back-to-back state championships in 1956 and 1957, including a 76-game winning streak and 63 points in his final game. Lucas later stated that he never lost a game at the old Miller Gym during both his junior and senior high school playing career. Other alumni include NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter who ranks seventh with 1,299 points on the court and current Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber who posted a .408 career average on the diamond while with the Middies baseball team. Food & Beverage 3 There is one area for concessions and it is located inside the high school down a short hallway. The area is large enough that tables are set up for fans to sit and talk while they eat before or during halftime of the game. The usual high school snacks are available, but the one to try is the Peil Dog which is topped with pickled jalapeno peppers and melted nacho cheese sauce; it’s also a bargain. All of the menu items are no more than $2-3, except Chick-fil-A sandwiches which seem somewhat steeper in price per sandwich in comparison to the other items on the menu. The other items include pizza slices, hot dogs, pretzels, and bottle pop for $2, nachos for $2.50, and brats for $3. Patrons can also enjoy popcorn, candy, and water for just a buck. Atmosphere 3 Miller Arena has that wow factor the moment you walk through the front door. The bright lighting, wide concourses, school colors of purple and plastic seating create beautiful aesthetics not found at too many other gymnasiums of its kind throughout the area. The arena is equipped with four 9-foot by 12-foot video LED scoreboards at four corners that provide scores, game time, and advertising space. The court, named after Lucas, is emblazoned with a small purple M inside a giant wood-grained M that is tilted. There is quite a bit of purple that easily identifies to the untrained eye that Middletown bleeds purple. The color is everywhere from signage, doors, plastic bucket seating, and murals that are featured on all four sides of the building. The exterior color is also offset by brick and cream coloring. The arena is new, but there is a ton of history with trophy cases displaying jerseys of former basketball greats, championship trophies, and photographs of past teams. There are retired numbers on display along with the school’s six state championship banners-tied for most in the state of Ohio. Fans easily can view all of these displays throughout the wide concourse that also serves as a walking track on non-game days. Before tip-off, Cris Carter is featured in an introduction video that highlights the basketball team's history through videos and photos. The band plays the school song while the home crowd points their index fingers to the center of the court. The tradition has been performed before every game at Middletown for many years. Neighborhood 3 Middletown is in between the major cities of Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, and near the campus of Miami University. The 48,702 town offers a few nice places to eat and drink before or after the game. Comb’s BBQ is a cute little spot that has a decor of old knickknacks ranging from guitars, neon lights, signage, and an old phone booth. The barbecue is affordable and delicious. The smoked wings are a bargain at 6 for $5, pulled pork and brisket sandwiches are large enough to fill you up ranging from $6.25-$8 each, sides are extra. Just down the street is Stefano’s Italian Cafe which is famous for wood-fired pizza and calzones, affordable sandwiches (all cost $6.95), and house specialties that include veal, chicken, seafood, and pasta dishes. Downtown offers a rarity, Rolling Mills Brewing Company a gluten-free brewery that serves both a lager and pilsner. The Sorg Opera House was recently refurbished and hosts live concerts. The historic venue first opened in 1891 and was recently closed for six years before being bought and renovated. Located 17 miles south of Middletown is Jungle Jim's International Market, the Disney World of supermarkets offering everything from beer, wine, cheese, produce, cigars, international foods, and so much more. Grab a pint at the bar and have a drink while you shop for products from around the world. Fans 3 The Middies fans are your typical basketball crowd made up of students, alumni, and parents who cheer on their home team to victory. They create a nice ambiance that begins with the singing of the school’s fight song and create noise to inspire the boys on the court. Access 4 The spacious arena offers plenty of areas to walk around, sit, and locate bathrooms and concessions. There is also plenty of parking outside the building and its location near I-75 makes it convenient for visitors driving from Dayton or Cincinnati. Return on Investment 3 The price of tickets and concession items are affordable to all visitors. The price of an adult ticket is $6 with most concession items no more than $2.50. There is plenty of parking in front of the arena which is free. Extras 4 There is one point for the purple, black, white, and gray murals that are displayed in all four sections of the building which add quite a flare to the game. The arena gets a second point for the 6 championship banners and retired numbers that chronicle the school’s basketball program and history. A third point towards the LED video boards and sound system that gives the high school arena a slightly different feel than other similar gyms in both Ohio and neighboring Indiana. A fourth point to the Peil Dog features jalapenos and nacho cheese sauce on a hot dog. A simple tweak to the traditional menu options that other high schools overlook. Final Thoughts The Miller Arena hopes not only to be a gem of a basketball arena in Ohio but a centerpiece to the community of Middletown. There are many classic basketball gymnasiums in the area offering history and a plethora of memories; that should be the case 50 years from now with the Miller Arena. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Walter Brown Arena 285 Babcock St. Boston, MA 02215 Boston University Terriers women's hockey website Walter Brown Arena website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 3,806 A Home of Their Own The Walter A. Brown Arena Memorial Skating Pavilion is named for Walter Brown, the original owner of the Boston Celtics and former president of the Boston Bruins. The rink has served as the home to the Boston University men’s hockey team since 1971 and the women’s hockey team since 2005. With the men’s team move in 2005 to Agganis Arena, Walter Brown Arena became one of the few on-campus hockey venues in the country dedicated solely to women’s hockey. Walter Brown Arena is part of the Harold Case Physical Education Center, which also includes Case Gymnasium directly above the hockey rink. The arena stands on the site of Braves Field, which served as home field of the Boston Braves of Major League Baseball before they moved to Milwaukee in 1953. The Case Athletic Center stands approximately where the left field pavilion stands once stood. The Terriers have qualified for 6 NCAA Tournaments and have played in a pair of Frozen Fours (2011 & 2013). Food & Beverage 0 There are no concessions open during Terrier games. It’s a shame, as the concession stands underneath the seating area appear to be in operational shape. There are signs at the stands advertising hot dogs, beer, sandwiches, and that hockey staple, sushi. With the cold temperatures in Walter Brown Arena, some coffee or hot chocolate would sure come in handy. There are a pair of vending machines in the Walter Brown Arena that contain assorted snacks and drinks. They are a popular spot during intermissions, as lines of hungry Terrier fans form. Veteran visitors to Walter Brown Arena simply bring in their own snacks to enjoy while watching the game. Atmosphere 2 Generally, the atmosphere at a BU women’s hockey game is pretty much what you would expect when a crowd of 200-300 people take in a game in a venue that fits almost 4,000. However, if you happen to visit Walter Brown Arena on a day where Boston College is the opponent, the atmosphere here is kicked up a notch or two. A scaled-down version of the BU Pep Band shows up for the Terriers, and they do a great job filling the arena with noise throughout the game. While the student section doesn’t show up in the numbers that the men’s team sees, the women’s team does have their followers, who show up with signs, chants and energy. Many of your standard in-game hockey staples are present here for Terrier hockey fans. The team runs some promotions and giveaways, such as Score-O and an intermission game with a pair of pee-wee squads. If you like a low-key atmosphere with a lot of room to spread out, Walter Brown Arena may be the place for you. Neighborhood 5 Boston University is an urban campus, straddling Commonwealth Avenue for approximately a mile and a half on the Boston/Brookline border. While this area of Boston isn’t considered a popular tourist destination, there is still plenty of things to do in the vicinity. Fans coming to campus will find plenty of choices if eating before or after the game. Raising Cain is a popular fast food place near Case Gym, specializing in several varieties of chicken fingers. T’s Pub is a popular gathering spot about a block away from the Gym, as is Sunset Cantina, which features Mexican-style fare. There are several excellent Thai restaurants around, including the Brown Sugar Café. The Paradise Rock Club, known nationally for giving bands like U2 and REM their first area shows, is located a block away from Case Gym. It continues to host both local acts and up-and-coming national acts. Out of town visitors to Boston will be interested to know Kenmore Square and Fenway Park are just over a mile away. Not far beyond that are the tourist destinations of Copley Square, the Back Bay, the Boston Common and Chinatown. All are easily accessed by the Green Line, which has stops up and down Commonwealth Avenue. Fans 2 Boston University averages about 300 fans per game at Walter Brown Arena, which, although a small fraction of the building’s capacity, puts them right in the middle of all schools nationwide in terms of attendance. If you come to a game against big rival Boston College, expect to see a crowd approaching 1,000 people. Access 4 With the history and status in college hockey’s annals that a building like Walter Brown Arena has, you would expect to see a breathtaking exterior, or at least know you were at the home of one of the biggest programs in the nation. If so, you will be very disappointed as you approach Walter Brown Arena. Located at the end of a dead end street, the plain brick building is marked only by a small sign containing the Boston University logo along with the names of the schools in the Patriot League and Hockey East Conferences. Driving in Boston is a difficult proposition, as streets in the city, in use since colonial times, are laid out in a seemingly random fashion. Streets are narrow, parking is nearly impossible, traffic is seemingly always backed up, and there are construction projects everywhere to further gum up the works. Should you still wish to drive to a Boston University game, Walter Brown Arena is actually not very difficult to get to. The BU campus straddles Commonwealth Avenue, one of the major drags in the city. Walter Brown Arena is about a block from Commonwealth Ave. on Babcock Street. Parking is available in a covered lot located across Babcock St. underneath the New Balance Field. On street parking is also available in the vicinity of Case Athletic Center, but be aware of the times that meters are in operation. The best method for arriving at Walter Brown Arena, as well as most points in Boston, is to take public transportation, known as the MBTA, or “T”, for short. The Green Line’s B train has a stop on Babcock Street just steps from the front door of the arena. Walter Brown Arena is located on the ground floor of the Case Center, which houses both the hockey arena and Case Gymnasium. Fans will enter Walter Brown Arena from Babcock Street into the main lobby. The BU Athletic Hall of Fame is located here, as is the ticket booth. The hockey rink is located right off of the lobby. Fans will enter Walter Brown Arena onto a platform that offers standing room views of the action. The concourse wraps under the seating area, with the press box, rest rooms, and some additional standing room area located at the far end of the rink. The concourse and restrooms are cramped, and must have been really tough to get around in back when this arena was packed for Terriers men’s games back in the day. Seats closest to the ice are individual folding seats, with seats higher up bleacher seating with seat backs. At Walter Brown Arena, the seats a little further removed from the ice offer better views of the action. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Terriers women’s hockey games cost six dollars, with discounts for youths and seniors. Group tickets cost a mere three dollars. Parking in the lot right across the street from Walter Brown Arena costs ten dollars. There is on-street parking available, but be aware of the hours of operation of the meters. Many fans avoid the cost of parking and aggravation of Boston driving by taking the T to Boston University. A one-way fare costs $2.65 and allows access to much of the city. Extras 2 An extra point is awarded to the history on display throughout Walter Brown Arena. From the many trophies that fill the cases in the lobby to the names that adorn the wall of the BU Athletic Hall of fame located here, Walter Brown Arena’s legacy as one of the hubs of college hockey is front and center here. While BU women’s hockey doesn’t have the following of the men’s team, it is great to see them have their own dedicated home. It’s a luxury not too many women’s programs enjoy. Final Thoughts Walter Brown Arena has a long and storied place in college hockey’s annals, and is worth a visit by any dedicated hockey fan. While the men’s program may have outgrown this facility, it is in good shape, and ready for its new life as home of the women’s program. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Walter Pyramid 1250 Bellflower Blvd Long Beach, CA 90840 Long Beach State Beach website Walter Pyramid website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 5,000 25 Years Under the Pyramid Opened for business in 1994, the Walter Pyramid, or as locals affectionately call it, The Pyramid, has become as much an iconic sight in Long Beach as The Queen Mary. OK… that may be a stretch. Celebrating 25 years of operation, it is one of four pyramid buildings in the U.S. along with others in Las Vegas, Memphis, and San Diego. In addition to hosting Long Beach State athletics, it was also the home of the NBA Summer Pro League from 1995 to 2007. When seen from a distance, when you see the sight of a blue shaped pyramid, there’s no mistaking where you are. Food & Beverage 3 Dining options are your standard venue fare of hot/chili dogs, hamburger, cheeseburger and chicken sandwiches from $5.50 to $10.50, chips, peanuts, cracker jacks assorted candy and popcorn from $3.50 to $4, kettle corn $5-$7, $frozen treats $3.75 to $5, regular and bottled coke products from $3 to $5 for a souvenir cup, $4 for coffee and hot chocolate, domestic and premium beer from $9-$11. Atmosphere 3 Watching a game at The Pyramid is one of the more unique experiences in college sports due in large part to its unique setup, given its status as one of four pyramids in the country. Long Beach State does a nice job of displaying their athletic program’s feats throughout the arena with murals along the concourses featuring famous Long Beach State alumnus. The seats are placed on movable sections supported by hydraulics, giving fans the chance to create a louder atmosphere as they can stomp their feet on the metal panels. With a capacity of just over 4,000 seats the inside of The Pyramid, while feeling rather cavernous, is rather intimate with no seat being too far away from the action. Neighborhood 3 The area surrounding the campus of Long Beach State does not really offer much in terms of pre/postgame dining and entertainment. However, The Pike is where the major attractions such as The Queen Mary, Aquarium of The Pacific (one of my favorite Long Beach attractions) and dining options such as CPK, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and Q Smokehouse are among the local dining options. Should you happen to have some time to kill before the game and find yourself in The Pike, I highly recommend The Aquarium of The Pacific. One of my favorite things to do at The Aquarium is the touch tanks where you get to pet little baby sharks and rays. Fans 3 With a program that’s currently struggling, the crowds are sparse. Those that do show do their best to back the LBC. Because of the program’s current struggles, the presence of students in the stands is also lacking. Those that do show up in the student section are mostly made up of families and kids. In an area where there are countless pro and collegiate programs, getting the stands filled even close to capacity can be a struggle. Access 4 Arriving to the arena should not be too difficult as it is easily accessible from the 405 freeway and Pacific Coast Highway. Should you decide to use public transit, the Long Beach Transit offers service from downtown LB, with routes 91 and 94 taking passengers inside campus leaving them a short walk away from the arena. When entering the arena, most fans walk up a flight of stairs through an upper concourse that encircles the entire arena. The concourses here at The Pyramid may be some of the widest concourses you will find yourself walking through in any of your indoor arena visits. One of the nice things about the concourse here is that you can walk all the way around and not miss any of the action happening on the court. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices to see Long Beach State basketball start at $12 and vary based on seat location and level of game. With every seat close to the action Long Beach State games are a good bargain and a great alternative for the locals who don’t want to travel all the way to Los Angeles to see a basketball game in a nice intimate venue. Extras 4 One of the nice things about walking around The Pyramid aside from the ability to walk around the wide concourses without missing any of the action on the floor are the various murals and quotes from past Long Beach State athletes who would go on to stardom, among them Lucious Harris, Craig Hodges, and quotes from recent MLB stars Evan Longoria, Troy Tulowitzki and of course Jared Weaver. Along the west concourse is the school’s Hall of Fame display that also include former 49er and UNLV head coach Jerry Tarkanian. Next to the HOF display is a kids play area where kids can get in some mini hoops action away from the hoops action on the court. At the south end of The Pyramid is a good-sized LED video board that not only displays game stats but shows highlights and other game related action as well. The size and display of the board are so impressive it’s comparable to those used in NBA venues. Final Thoughts It would be very difficult to miss the location of The Walter Pyramid while on campus. One only has to look toward a blue pyramid shaped building and walk toward it. A basketball game inside The Walter Pyramid is one you should experience. It’s not often you can say that you viewed a sporting event under a pyramid-shaped building. At 25 years of service, The Pyramid has housed its share of high caliber athletes. The Pyramid was also the host to the Southern California Summer Pro League during its inaugural year until 2007, hosting NBA teams with their first and second round draft picks as well as other pro summer league teams. It was at The Pyramid where during the summer of 1996 a budding star named Kobe Bryant would make his professional debut.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Warrior Field 252-254 Columbia Street W Waterloo, ON N2L 0A1 Waterloo Warriors football website Warrior Field website Stadium opened: 2009 Capacity: 5,400 New Warriors The Waterloo Warriors are coming off of a few seasons of success that they were not used to. It has been a number of years for the OUA football squad to recover from the unjust, unfortunate and unprecedented suspension of the program after a handful of player positive drug tests. The Warriors introduced coach Chris Bertoia to the mix who immediately paid dividends with the recruitment of the Ford twins, each of which have now moved on to the Canadian Football League. Tre Ford brought the Warriors some unprecedented success with the program’s very first Hec Crighton Trophy winner in 2021 as the Most Outstanding Canadian Football Player in the country. The Warriors have been playing football since 1957 and have enjoyed relative success including two Yates Cups as conference champions. The home of the Waterloo Warriors since 2009 has been Warrior Field. Built in response to the desire not to play on the home turf of the rival Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, Warrior Field has been a work in progress over the years. The erecting of the Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House behind the football stadium has provided Waterloo with an improved facility and an improved fan experience. However, there is still plenty of work to be done. With a new crop of recruits on the field, it will be interesting to see if the recent success the Warriors enjoyed was real or just a blip on the radar. Food & Beverage 2 Concessions at Warrior Field are pretty restricted. University of Waterloo Food Services is on location and provides basic concession options including hot dogs, sausage and burgers. Vegetarian options are also available. Soda and water can also be found at the main tent. Dominos Pizza also has a stand where pizza slices are available. Warrior Field provides just enough to get by, however for fans looking for something more, looking elsewhere before or after the game would be the best idea. Atmosphere 3 Warrior Field provides a very simple structure in a wide open part of campus. Located as part of the Columbia IceField athletic complex, north of Columbia Street, Warrior Field is not an imposing structure. The turf field runs from east to west with a simple aluminum bleacher seating structure on the north side and berm seating on the south side. The most notable feature of the field would be the Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House, which towers over the field, with a large Warriors logo on the facade. The Field House provides washroom facilities and a ticketing office that were not previously present at Warrior Field. The simple, digital scoreboard is at the west end of the field along with the flag poles. The Columbia IceField, which is attached to the Field House, offers other athletic facilities as well as the football offices. Outside of the football office, fans can find the Warrior Football Ring of Honour, which includes such Warrior football greats as Mike Bradley, Tom Chartier, John Shoniker and Dave “Tuffy” Knight. It is unfortunate that these honours are hidden away from regular fans and it is not possible to see this on gameday. Also, it would be beneficial for the Warriors to erect flags or banners commemorating the 1997 and 1999 Yates Cup Championships that the Warriors earned. It is believed that the current seating structure is relatively temporary with a more permanent structure being part of the long game. The gameday presentation is fairly consistent with what fans would expect from any OUA football game. The Warriors enter the field from the northeast corner, running through an inflated Warrior helmet and fog machine. The Waterloo mascot, King Warrior often joins the Warrior cheerleading team on the sidelines. Select games will also bring out the small, but committed Warrior Band to provide music at the east end of the grandstand. The combination of a terrible sound system and little coordination between the band and those providing music and announcing provide a confusing situation at best. Fans often have difficulty following what is going on from a production standpoint. Neighbourhood 4 Two universities, University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, within the vicinity of Warrior Field make the surrounding neighbourhood very interesting. The University of Waterloo is an urban campus so there are many nearby options. For the most variety, head over to University Ave and select from a plethora of locals and cuisines. Some spots you may want to check out will include Mel’s Diner, Molly Bloom’s and The Mongolian Grill. The other option would be to head up to King Street where Morty’s Pub is the best among a list of options. If you can arrange to see the Warriors play in the late fall, then you may just hit town in time for Oktoberfest. The largest North American Bavarian festival brings thousands into town and is a highlight for many of the locals. There are a huge number of events for all ages and not something to miss. Otherwise, a Saturday afternoon Warriors game can lead into a great evening of jazz at The Jazz Room at the Huether Hotel, close to Uptown Waterloo. On the campus of Waterloo, the Physical Activities Complex plays host to the Warriors basketball team and Columbia IceField is home to the Warriors hockey team. A short walk across campus leads to the campus of Wilfrid Laurier. The former home of Warriors football is now Knight-Newbrough Field at University Stadium and is home to the Laurier Golden Hawks. The WLU Athletic Complex is home to Golden Hawks basketball and nearby Sun Life Financial Arena at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex is home to the Laurier hockey teams. Across town into Kitchener, visiting fans will most definitely want to catch a Kitchener Rangers hockey game at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. If you are looking for a place to stay in town, The Inn of Waterloo and Comfort Inn are both close to the campus. The Inn of Waterloo is a more upscale stay if that interests you. Both are just a few short minutes away by car. Fans 3 Fans support for the Waterloo Warriors is okay. With only four home games per season, each game tends to take on significant importance. With grandstand capacity at only 1,100, most of the time the bleachers are strongly populated. Games against rival Laurier or Guelph will bring out more fans who travel and the first game of the season is usually the most well attended. That being said, most OUA programs struggle with attendance and struggle to connect to current students. It is not unfair to suggest that there are more locals, alumni and families in the stands than students for most games. Access 4 The Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House has significantly improved the accessibility of Warrior Field. Warrior Field is located at the north end of the campus of the University of Waterloo. It is southwest of highway 85 and a pretty significant distance from the highway. To get to Warrior Field, you will be required to drive through the city a bit. Warrior Field is on the same plot of land as the Columbia IceField. You should not be required to drive through the main campus, between University Ave and Columbia Street. Public transit options will be left to the GRT buses, of which there are a few that travel in and around the University of Waterloo. Check the GRT website for schedules and maps relevant to Warrior Field. Parking is available around Warrior Field. There is a pay lot at the Columbia IceField and is predominantly now reserved for season ticket holders and tailgate parties. Free parking is available on weekends behind the optometry building to the east of the Columbia IceField. There is more than enough parking if you give yourself a bit of time before kickoff. The Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House has improved the experience at Warrior Field in two very specific ways. First, the Fieldhouse now houses a permanent ticketing box office. Tickets may be purchased right at the stadium using cash or credit with relative ease and a small lineup. Secondly, and more importantly, the Fieldhouse is open during the game to offer permanent washroom facilities. The portable washroom facilities are now much more limited, with one remaining on the south side of the field, which is a huge, and welcome, change. Return on Investment 4 Waterloo Warriors football, along with the other OUA programs, offer tremendous value for a limited investment. Tickets for the Warriors go for $12 for the grandstand and $10 for the berm with discounts offered for alumni, seniors and kids. Waterloo students are granted berm admission for free with proper identification. Concession prices are not too bad and parking can be found for free. The product on the field is plenty of fun and catching a Warriors game provides a solid Saturday afternoon of sports entertainment. Extras 4 An extra mark for the Warrior Band, which has been running from 1966 and is advertised as “One of the Bands in Canada.” There isn’t really anything like it in the rest of the league. An extra mark for the student-run nature of a Warrior game. The students run just about all of the aspects of the game, including radio and internet streaming broadcasts. An extra mark for the University of Waterloo continuing the recent trend of investing in their athletic programs and athletic facilities. An extra mark for the renewed rivalry against the Laurier Golden Hawks across all athletic teams. The Battle of Waterloo is better than it has ever been. Final Thoughts Waterloo Warriors football will not wow fans with an unbelievable production. OUA football is simple and underrated. Definitely a great place to be on a Saturday afternoon, Warrior Field does its job with room for improvement. On the plus side, the University of Waterloo has shown it is not afraid to invest in facilities on campus and hopefully will continue the trend. How the Warriors will do on the field in the wake of significan graduation remains to be seen. However, the chant of “Water-Water-Water-Loo-Loo-Loo” will remain either way. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy 3675 Ely Pl SE Washington, DC 20019 Georgetown Hoyas website Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 250 Hoya Softball Located in Southeast Washington, DC, the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy opened in 2014 and is a complex consisting of three fields. The main, larger baseball field plays host to several areas high school and college teams as well as the summer-collegiate DC Grays of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League. There is also a softball field, used by high school, college, and youth teams, and a youth baseball field. The complex was built to serve DC’s underprivileged neighborhoods and provide a place for area children to study and play baseball after school. One of the college teams that call the softball field home is the Georgetown Hoyas. Although the Georgetown campus is across town, the Hoyas play their home games here. Hoya softball has not enjoyed much success over the years – they are one of just two current Big East members never to win the conference tournament. Food & Beverage 2 There is a concession stand at the Nationals Youth Academy, located behind the softball field in between it and the main baseball field. The only real meal options are hot dogs and nachos, but you can also get hot pretzels and many assorted snacks, plus various sodas, Gatorade, and bottled water. Prices are affordable, with nothing costing more than a few dollars. Fans can also bring in their food. Atmosphere 2 Although the main baseball field is much more elaborate, the softball field at the Nationals Youth Academy has a very basic setup. There are two small sets of metal bleachers similar to what you’d see at a little league field. They’re exactly like what you’d see at a little league field because this field is also used by youth players so that’s exactly what it is other than slight variations in the dimensions of the playing field at the college level. The bleachers are separated from the action by a thick backstop that makes it hard to see what is going on. Fans can also stand behind home plate or bring their chairs. There is a scoreboard in the right-centerfield that shows the linescore. An overhang is just up a flight of steps from the concourse and some fans like to hang out here before the game, but you can also watch the game from here if you prefer. Music is played between batters and innings but this is a very basic experience. Neighborhood 2 Although many parts of D.C. are great, the Nationals Youth Academy is not located in the best neighborhood. This choice of location makes some sense, as the complex was intended to help inner-city children play baseball. The area directly around the stadium is safe enough, but as always in an urban environment, be aware of what is going on around you. You probably don’t want to venture too far away from the stadium though. Many more options are available downtown, but unless you want to drive down there and try to find parking, you’re probably going to have to take an Uber or Lyft. Fans 2 The vast majority of the fans in attendance at Hoyas games are friends or family members of the players, or the opposing team. Occasionally, they will run buses to bring students from campus which does help some, but when students can’t really just walk right to the stadium, that significantly hurts their attendance. Occasionally you’ll get someone bored of watching their brother’s little League game wander over from the neighboring field, but that’s about it. Georgetown Hoyas Softball Player Banners, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Access 3 The Nationals Youth Academy is conveniently located a short drive off either I-395 or DC Route 295 (which is the only “state” highway in the District of Columbia.) Parking is available for free in the complex lot. Unfortunately, the Academy is not easily accessible by any D.C. Metro line, but free parking is a rarity in this city so take it where you can get it. The concourses are more than wide enough to accommodate the crowds. The restrooms are of sufficient size as well. Return on Investment 4 Admission is free to Hoyas softball games and concessions are affordable, but there isn’t enough here to earn the top score. Extras 1 There are batting cages located down by the main baseball field where fans can watch the Hoyas and their opponents (plus whoever else happens to be using the complex that day) take some swings before the game. Final Thoughts College softball is just not that big in the northeast. Lacrosse is the only spring sport that matters here. Georgetown does not even have its softball stadium and is forced to play its home games in a youth complex at what is essentially a Little League field with the dimensions rearranged slightly. Even by regional standards, they probably deserve better than that. Still, the Washington Nationals Youth Academy is a nice complex, even if it doesn’t seem like the best place for a Division I softball program to be playing, and a trip to a Hoyas game here can be a nice way to spend an afternoon.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy 3675 Ely Pl SE Washington DC, 20019 Georgetown Hoyas website Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 500 Baseball With the Blue and Gray Located in Southeast Washington, DC, the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy Opened in 2014 and is a complex consisting of three fields. The main, larger baseball field plays host to several areas high school and college teams as well as the summer-collegiate DC Grays of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League. There is also a softball field, used by high school, college, and youth teams, and a youth baseball field. The complex was built to serve DC’s underprivileged neighborhoods and provide a place for area children to study and play baseball after school. One of the baseball teams that call the academy home is the Georgetown Hoyas. The Hoyas previously played at Shirley Povich Field, and briefly split time between several minor league and summer collegiate venues in the DC area, but beginning in 2023, they moved into the Nats Academy full-time. The Georgetown campus is on the other side of town in the neighborhood of the same name, but they have no on-campus home. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand at a window down the right-field line in between the three fields, which offers a basic menu. Hot dogs (cheese and chili optional), burgers, and chicken sandwiches make up the meal options, although not all of them will be available every game. Nachos, hot pretzels, soft drinks, and bottled water are also available, as are a wide variety of packaged snacks comparable to what you might find in a vending machine. Credit cards are accepted, but there is a $1 service charge for purchases under $5, so group your purchases or bring cash if you do not want to pay this. Atmosphere 3 The Hoyas play at the main field at the Nationals Youth Academy, in the far back of the complex. There are several rows of bleachers surrounding the field, all with an excellent view of the action. There is also room for fans to stand down the lines if they want. A scoreboard beyond the outfield fence shows the linescore and other basic information. There is not much going on here besides the game. Music is played during breaks in the action, and can also sometimes be heard when the games on the other fields have a break in the action as well regardless of what is going on on this field. This can create an odd dissonance between what you are seeing on one field and hearing on another. While the action on other fields can be a distraction, all that is going on on this field in the Georgetown baseball game is the game itself. Neighborhood 2 Although many parts of D.C. are great, the Nationals Youth Academy is not located in the best neighborhood. This choice of location makes sense, as the complex was intended to help inner-city children play baseball. The area directly around the stadium is safe enough, and expect some police presence during night games to make sure it stays that way, but as always in an urban environment, be aware of what is going on around you. You probably don’t want to venture too far away from the stadium though. Many more options are available downtown, but unless you want to drive down there and try to find parking, you’re probably going to have to take an Uber or Lyft. Fans 3 The Hoyas will typically draw a couple hundred fans a game. Some of them are friends or family of the players while others are just general fans of Hoya athletics. Given the long distance from campus, few if any Georgetown students attend. The Hoyas softball team plays at the academy as well, and when both are playing simultaneously it is not uncommon to see fans wander from one game to the other. Occasionally a bored sibling from a little league game will come by and watch an inning or two as well. Although the makeup is unusual, the fans are otherwise what you'd expect from college baseball in the Northeast . At times, they can be loud, but at other times, they are barely audible. Of course, that does not mean it is quiet here, as the fans on other fields may still be making their presence known there, but that just makes this an even odder experience. Access 3 The Nationals Youth Academy is conveniently located a short drive off either I-395 or DC Route 295 (which is the only “state” highway in the District of Columbia.) Parking is available for free in the complex lot, although you will have to walk past the other fields to get where you need to go. Unfortunately, the Academy is not easily accessible by any D.C. Metro line, but free parking is a rarity in this city so take it where you can get it. The concourses are more than wide enough to accommodate the crowds. The restrooms are of sufficient size as well, although the men’s room is tucked away in a corner under some stairs, so you may have to look around a bit for it. Return on Investment 5 Admission to all Hoyas games is free of charge. Concessions are affordable, and parking is free, a rarity in a major city such as DC. This makes a trip to a Georgetown game a great value for fans. Extras 2 There are batting cages located on the concourse behind home plate where fans can watch the Hoyas and their opponents take some batting practice. A second star for the opportunity to also check out a Hoyas softball game or one of the other college teams to call the Academy home during the same visit. Final Thoughts Georgetown baseball has had many homes over the years, but they seem to have settled into the Nationals Youth Academy. It's an unusual setting where a Division I college baseball game is going on steps from a Little League game, but real estate is at a premium in DC and the Hoyas will take whatever field they can get. Although most fans would not think to check out a Hoyas game at the Nationals Youth Academy, they are missing out on a fan-friendly and enjoyable experience.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Wellness and Events Center 100 Lock St. Newark, NJ 07102 NJIT Highlanders website Fitness and Wellness Center website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 3,500 Impressive New Digs for NJIT Hoops For several years, NJIT has waited for a new venue that befits its status as a Division I basketball team. The Estelle & Zoom Fleisher Athletic was barely adequate, seeming more like a high school gym in some respects. Finally, in 2017, the Wellness and Events Center was opened and it is certainly a shiny new addition to the campus. Not only is it the home court for the Highlanders men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as volleyball, it contains several other facilities for the student body at large. But Stadium Journey is only concerned with the experience as a men’s hoops home. So how does it compare to its predecessor? We went there to find out. Food & Beverage 1 There is a single tiny concession stand with bags of chips and candy (M&Ms, Hershey bars, Starburst, Sour Patch Kids, etc.) for $2, and hot dogs for $3. Bottled soda (Pepsi products) and water are $3. As this is a campus venue, no alcohol is served. Atmosphere 3 The building, with its silver siding over tinted windows, dominates a significant portion of the city block on which it lies. The main entrance is located at the corner of Lock and Warren Streets and upon entering, you will walk up a long hallway to get to the box office, with large windows on the left providing a view into a large gym below. After picking up a ticket, you walk through a set of doors into the court, which seats 3,500. There are reserved box seats lower down on both sides of the court, and each end zone has single-seat benches without a back, along with a couple of rows of box seats. There is an upper section of metal benches on one side of the court, which is not sold but is open to sitting in if you prefer some space to yourself. Red dominates the scene, with all lower-level seats displaying this color. The concourse is carpeted and encircles the entire seating bowl, though there is nothing to see as you make your way around. There is a team store near the concession stand. Before the Highlanders are introduced, a nice promo video is played that gets the crowd going. During the breaks, there are a few contests and of course, the dance team and cheerleaders perform. There is no band, however. Above one end is a large video scoreboard that is quite impressive, while the other side sports a smaller digital board. The hashtag to use here is #ProtectTheWEC, which is mildly creative. Neighborhood 2 The NJIT campus is just west of downtown Newark, but there is little around the actual venue. Rutgers-Newark campus is just down the road, and the Prudential Center is about a 15-minute walk, but that would not be advised, at least at night, as Newark is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the country. If you do decide to venture on foot, there are a couple of bars that are nearby, though both were mysteriously closed on the Saturday night I was in town. McGovern’s Tavern has been around since 1936, while Kilkenny Alehouse has a College Night on Thursdays and both looked inviting, though doors were locked. There is also a pub on campus, but that seems more suited for college kids. If you are looking for quick eats, Smashburger has a location just a block east on Warren Street, while Pizza Hut is a block north of Warren. Fans 2 NJIT was the lone remaining independent in Division I hoops until they joined the Atlantic Sun conference in 2015. Despite having newfound conference rivals, the team doesn’t draw particularly well; with just over 600 announced for the game, I attended, meaning that fans who wanted a section to themselves got it. Those fans in attendance did watch the game and make some noise at the appropriate times, but it would be much more interesting if the team was able to rely on a stronger following. Access 4 Getting here from NYC is quite easy – just take the PATH train from World Trade Center or NJ Transit from Penn Station to Newark, and then walk up Raymond Street if you are brave enough. If not, hop on the light rail to Warren Street; the 4-minute ride will cost $1.60. Note that weekend trains are only every 20 minutes. Inside, you can walk around the concourse with no issues, and there are no ushers checking tickets. With so few fans, there are no lines anywhere. Return on Investment 3 Tickets here are $10 for general admission, which is all you need as you can sit pretty much anywhere. In fact, you might be able to get in for free. After purchasing my ticket, I went through the door into the gym, looking for someone to scan or tear the ticket, but nobody was there. NJIT is a mid-major school and they play entertaining basketball in a stadium that is maybe 20% full. If you like having space to stretch out and watch the game, this is the place for you. Extras 0 There is nothing related to the history of the program on display at the WEC. There were displays at the Fleisher Center, which is still standing, so perhaps they will be moved at some time. Final Thoughts The WEC is a nice, new building that deserves more fans and some history on display to make it a more compelling destination for sports travelers who want to get off the beaten path in the New York City area.

Photo Courtesy Grambling State Tigers Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park Younger St Grambling, LA 71245 Grambling State Tigers website Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 56,000 Home to Grambling State Baseball Located in north Louisiana on the campus Grambling State University, Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park serves as home to GSU Tiger baseball. While Wilbert Ellis Field at Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones Park is certainly a mouthful, it’s hard to deny the impact both men have had on the program and university. Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones is a beloved former president of Grambling State and Wilbert Ellis is a legendary retired coach of GSU baseball. Despite being in the shadow of Grambling football and basketball, Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park provides Tiger baseball fans with a modern facility equipped with shaded seating areas thanks to overhead awnings. Food & Beverage 2 The ballpark provides basic concessions at a reasonable cost. The options at the concession stand are limited. However, you can find a couple of satisfying entree items in the foot-long hot dog for $5, a regular hot dog for $3, and nachos. Chili & cheese are available at no extra charge. Snacks including assorted candy and chips are available as well. There isn’t a menu posted at the concession stand, but the staff working the stand will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. The ballpark serves both canned and bottled Coca-Cola products. Canned drinks are $2 and bottled are $3. Though there’s not much of a variety to choose from, the hot dog with chili and cheese will satisfy your hunger during the game. Atmosphere 3 Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park provides Grambling State baseball with a modern facility and a small-college baseball atmosphere in the comfortable confines of the GSU campus. The ballpark benefits from recent upgrades to the seating areas. The bricked columns behind the grandstands are complemented with posters memorializing Grambling baseball accomplishments and both coaches embedded in the stadium namesake. On hot and sunny days, the awning which covers both grandstands is certainly a bonus. There are a few areas where the atmosphere deserves some improvement. Though the chain link fence surrounding the backstop area looks new, it negatively impacts your view of the field. Replacing this with netting would have a major positive impact. Also, the field itself could use some TLC. Entertainment throughout the game is strictly on-field play. In a traditional setting, don’t expect any shenanigans between innings by the marketing crew. Music is piped in throughout the game, however, the sound system is not adequate for the facility and is of poor quality. The home-town fans typically sit in the bleacher grandstand along third baseline under the awning. When the weather cooperates, the chair backs just behind the backstop put you literally right behind the action. Fans of the opposing team typically sit closer to the visitor’s dugout in the grandstand down first baseline. Neighborhood 1 Being hosted at an on-campus stadium, especially one as appealing and comfortable at Grambling State University is a plus. While city of Grambling certainly doesn’t offer a large metropolitan experience, the small college town provides enough to satisfy a day in town for a baseball game. While in town, be sure to check out Ra’jo’s Chicken & Waffles. This unique, local joint serves up its delicious namesake in a friendly environment. Other local options include Spivey’s Fried Chicken and Cain Gang Chicken and Waffles. The GSU campus, in itself, is an attraction. Be sure to spend some time next to the water fountain on campus and checking-out the Greek trees which feature colors of the campus fraternities and sororities on their trunks. The Eddie G. Robinson Museum memorializes one of the winningest college football coaches of all time. It’s a must visit while in town. For extended stays, check out nearby Ruston for additional options. Both Shreveport and Monroe are larger cities and located within driving range. You won’t find adequate lodging in Grambling. Just about 5 miles east in Ruston, however, there will be multiple hotel options. Check out the Hampton Inn (1315 N Trenton St). Fans 1 Matching the small college environment is a small, but passionate, fan base. Fans in attendance are primarily family and friends of the ballplayers themselves, along with a few long-time passionate supporters of GSU athletics. The typical crowd for Grambling baseball games averages around 50-150. Despite some historical success as a program, baseball has not emerged in the area as a must-see event. Getting more fans out to the ballpark would go a long way towards improving the overall game day experience. While GSU baseball doesn’t feature any specific traditions or chants, families of the players on the field certainly get into the spirit of the game. Expect to hear cheers of support when runs are scored, scorning of umpires when calls go the other way, and words of encouragement when the batter steps into the box. Access 4 Access to Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park is a mixed bag. The drive to the stadium, access into the gates, and ability to move around once inside are all fairly convenient. The location of Grambling, however, certainly isn’t centrally located. Grambling is accessible of I-20 from both the east and west of the city. Exit onto Hwy 149 and head south towards the GSU campus. Take a left onto College Ave and veer right onto Founder Ave. Immediately turn left onto Younger St. Younger will dead-end at the stadium. Where Younger meets the ballpark is a parking lot that actually serves the Freshman Village Hall and a couple of other dorms, but you can park here during the game. Parking is free and though you may need to park a little further down the street, there are usually spots available. The green space down below the Freshmen village and ballpark is also available, when necessary. The ticket booth and main entrance gate are located directly across from each other. You shouldn’t experience any lines or frustration as you get your ticket and head into the stadium. Saturday games typically feature a doubleheader. The ticket window staff usually leave for the day beginning around the second inning of the second game. The concourses inside the stadium are spacious and allow you to move around easily. Restrooms are small, but typically adequate for Grambling baseball crowds. Return on Investment 2 It’s hard to beat the cost of admission to a GSU baseball game. Adults get in for $5 and most small children get in free of charge. The seating areas have numbered seats, but most in attendance generally adhere to a general admission environment. Though your overall investment will be minimal, the experience may leave you somewhat wanting. . Extras 2 Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park features a few “extra” items which support the overall game day atmosphere. As you enter the stadium, it’s hard to miss the posters which memorialize the GSU baseball past. The displays for both former coaches Wilbert Ellis Field and Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones come with brief descriptions you can read. There’s also a poster which lists GSU’s SWAC conference titles in baseball. As you enter the ballpark, the ticket greeter will hand you a free printout which includes the starting line-ups and game notes.

Photos by Marc Viquez and Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Wings Event Center 3600 Vanrick Dr Kalamazoo, MI 49001 Kalamazoo Wings website Wings Event Center website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 5,113 You Can’t Get Much Better than K-Wings Hockey The Kalamazoo Wings have been a mainstay in minor league hockey since its founding in 1974. Even though the current incarnation of the team began in 2000, there has always been K-Wings hockey at the Wings Event Center (formerly Wings Stadium), first in the International Hockey League, then the United Hockey League, and now ECHL. Toriginalnal club operated in the IHL from 1974-2000 capturing back-to-back Turner Cups in 1979 and 1980. The K-Wings played in front of packed houses routinely fostering nearby rivalries from Toledo, Ft. Wayne, Saginaw, and Muskegon. However, the team would cease operations in 2000, but would be replaced with a new team in the UHL the following season. The Wings Event Center is a 5,113 hockey arena featuring its original burnt orange, burgundy, and brown seats, a low ceiling, and a narrow main concourse housing four concession stands, and three bars (one at ice level). The arena has the look, smell, and definitely the character of an old hockey barn. The most impressive feature of the entire arena is the 2,300 square foot video scoreboard that was part of a $2 million improvement to the facility in 2012 to add high-tech capacity to the venue. The K-Wings are also innovators, being the first to paint the ice green for St.Patrick’s Day in 1982. Since then, the team has painted the ice orange for Halloween, and pink for both Valentines Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Night. Food & Beverage 4 There is quite a bit of food and drink for an arena that is over 40 years old. It is suggested to look out for special deals since there seems to be quite a few deals at each home game. There are four main concession areas offering hot dogs, chicken tender baskets, brats, nachos, and burritos. There are also specialty items including grilled mushroom swiss burgers and spicy bacon burgers with ghost pepper. If you are looking for pizza, Hungry Howie’s has you covered. Kalamazoo is home to local breweries Bells and Arcadia, along with a slew of other breweries; it is not surprising that you would find a cornucopia of craft beer selections at the arena. The Craft Beer Depot features 50 bottled varieties that are only $4.50. The beer prices range from domestic/craft: canned $7/$8.50, 16-ounce $5.75/$6.75, and 24-ounce $6.75/$7.75. If you are not drinking, Pepsi products are available. Atmosphere 4 Wings Event Center is a classic hockey barn that is a throwback of sorts in the world of minor league hockey. The arena features 18 rows of seats that encompass the ice rink and one main exterior concourse that houses concessions, ticket offices, merchandise booths, and bathrooms. The main merchandise stand is across from the main ticket offices in the front lobby. There are several championship banners hanging up on the wall at one end of the arena and the giant scoreboard features everything from replays, advertisements, and social media activities. There is plenty going on at the arena throughout the night. The Wings mascot Slappy skates around the ice and can also be found in the concourse and seating areas. There is also a lot of intermission activities that include fan participation in trike racing and bubble soccer. After the game, kids are allowed on the ice for a few moments with their parents. Neighborhood 4 Wings Event Center is located off of I-94 and is visible from the interstate. The area is very suburban, but downtown is a quick 10-minute drive where one can find great places to eat and drink. Arcadia Brewing Company and Bell’s Eccentric Cafe are two required destinations for the beer connoisseur, choose from varieties not normally found in your liquor store and a full-service menu. A very fun and interactive spot for beer is the Kalamazoo Beer Exchange where prices are monitored like a stock exchange, when the market crashes, so do the prices. Michigan is known for its coney dogs and Coney Island was rated number 6 on a recent local poll. The long-established restaurant has been serving coneys since 1915 and its thick, crumbled chili and chopped Vidalia onions are among the best tasting in the state. A fantastic nearby brewery is One Well Brewing and is just a mile down the road featuring great beer and food. You can also take the kids to play in the children’s area or at the pinball machines. For the adults, try the Xalapa Jalapeno Blonde Ale, the Sweet Water Street Coffee & Donut Porter, or the Root Beer Float Milk Stout. Fans 3 The biggest crowd of the year is the Green Ice Game on St. Patrick’s Day. The sold-out crowd features waving flags, blowing horns, and plenty of cheering for goals. There is also the goal chant to the tune of “Mony Mony” where the crowd shouts “Hey, guess what? Your goalie sucks!” There are some great Wing fans and attendance has been slightly up this year, but management needs to see more of them at the arena. Access 4 The arena is located off of I-94 and there is plenty of signage to direct travelers to the parking lot surrounding the venue. The arena signage is also visible from the interstate. Once inside, there is one main concourse with entrances that lead into the seating area, but be sure you know what section you are sitting in since the inner concourse doesn’t wrap around to all seats. For high capacity games, the wait times might exceed the time needed and you may miss some action from the game. The Wings have employed several TV screens allowing fans in line the chance to watch the game. Bathrooms are clearly designated inside the building. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for games sell in the price point of $10, $13, $16, and $20-one of the best bargains in minor league hockey. Parking is a $5 fee and a fairly new practice but on par with many other ECHL venues. The prices inside are reasonable including $6 glasses of wine, $5.75 16-ounce beers, $3 boxes of popcorn, and $8 chicken tender baskets. If you are looking to get your dollars worth check out a Wednesday night game featuring $9 tickets, $6 food baskets, and $2 beers. There is also Pop Up Friday games that offer hot deals on concession items or a special experience for fans; details are revealed on Facebook before the game. The St. Patrick’s Day Game is probably the highest attended game of the season featuring $2 green beer drafts and $2 craft beer bottles. When factoring in ticket prices, parking, and concession prices, an evening at a Wings game is one of the best bargains in minor league hockey. Extras 4 One star for the selection at the Craft Beer Depot; they have well over 50 bottle varieties to choose from and at $4.50 for most varieties, it’s a bargain. The second star for the Zamboni Bar, a nice little place to hang out with friends at the game. The third star for the 28 concourse monitors that allow fans to watch the action from the ice while they wait in line for food and drink. The 48-inch plasma TVs make sure that no one misses the action on the ice. One final star for the up-close views of the ice, the place has the feel of a classic junior hockey barn somewhere in Ontario or Quebec; fortunately, you don’t need to cross the border to enjoy old-time hockey. Final Thoughts Watching a K-Wings game is sort of stepping back in time when minor league hockey arenas were small, smoky, crowded, and definitely full of character. The fans in attendance were there for the game and maybe a few fights on the ice. Many of these types of venues have been replaced with modern entertainment vessels that feature everything from suites, catering service, multi-levels, and open view bars of the game. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but sometimes it’s nice to know a place like the Wings Events Center still exists in the hockey world.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 WWTR (Gateway) 700 Raceway Blvd Madison, IL 62060 SpeedTour website World Wide Technology Raceway website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 78,000 Gateway’s Other Racing Showcase The sound of race cars is not an uncommon sound around World Wide Technology Raceway; the track hosts the likes of IndyCar, NHRA, and NASCAR every year. However, the Trans Am and SVRA SpeedTour weekend at the track is a new kind of race for the facility since its debut in 2023, as it features pro racing and sportscars on the track’s infield road course layout. This means a new kind of racing is available to fans in St. Louis that hasn’t been around for many years.   Food & Beverage   1 The concession options at WWTR were already somewhat limited, but the most recent event saw a new low – where once were food trucks and a concession stand outside the main grandstand, now sits an empty lot. Instead, the only current food option is a small infield table situated under an easy-up tent, with no distinct signage to attract you to their hot dogs and soda for sale. This is literally the only option at the track for food and drinks beyond a soda vending machine, with most teams and fans bringing in their own food or cooking at the track.   Atmosphere   3 The racing takes place on the track’s infield road course, which means that fans in the main grandstands will be able to see all the corners from their seats; this is an advantage of racing in an oval setup, as with many traditional road courses you can only see certain sections of the track if you don’t move around. Another thing that makes this event special is that all tickets offer fans free access to the pits and paddock area of the track, which lets you get an up-close view of the drivers and teams as they work on their cars before heading out to the track. This also allows you a closer look at the track’s infield section, as well as getting fans up close to victory lane. As far as facilities goes, the track has many restrooms available for fans, though many down below the grandstand were closed during the most recent event. However, the seating is open to all.   Neighborhood   2 There isn’t much nearby for the track’s fans to visit – located across the river from downtown St. Louis, Madison, Illinois is more industrial near the raceway; the restaurants and shopping options are several exits away on I-64 in either direction. For hotels, 10 minutes in either direction will get you to some major brands, but nothing exists closer to the track.   Fans   2 The fans showed up to World Wide Technology Raceway first SpeedTour weekend, a welcome surprise to perhaps an underserved market for sportscar racing. That trend didn’t follow this year, however, as fewer fans arrived for the weekend festivities. The fan walk before the Trans-Am feature race on Saturday was packed with the fans in attendance, but even then, it wasn’t much of a crowd.   Access   5 To get to WWTR, you simply need to take exit 203 off I-55; this will drop you literally at the track’s gates. From here parking is plentiful for fans, and walking to the infield is also easy thanks to the Turn 4 tunnel and backstretch crossover gate, which is open before the racing starts each day.   Return on Investment   5 Tickets to SpeedTour weekend here are incredibly affordable, and fall far below the prices you’ll find for the NASCAR and IndyCar race weekends at WWTR, starting at $25 for single day tickets on Friday and going up from there. Couple this with the free parking and the incredible access offered to fans, and you have a very worthy weekend at the track for race fans, without having to break the bank. Also, the added bonus of seeing multiple races and multiple classes on track throughout the day means you get much more racing for your buck than you do during any other race event at this facility.   Extras   3 Fans can get up close and meet drivers for autographs during the free pre-race fan walk on pit road, before the Trans-Am feature race on Saturday. All fans also have access to the paddock with their ticket, allowing them to see the teams working on the cars up close. Finally, the infield go kart track is open all weekend for anyone who wants to go racing on their own.   Final Thoughts This race may be the hidden gem for racing fans in St. Louis if you’re a diehard fan. World Wide Technology Raceway hosts many events throughout the year, but none offer as much access for free with your ticket as does SpeedTour weekend, and with a condensed two-day schedule, you can catch all the racing action you want over a shorter period of time, whereas other events may spread the action out over multiple days.

Photos Courtesy of St Peter's University Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 1.86 Yanitelli Center 2641 Kennedy Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07306 St. Peter’s Peacocks website Yanitelli Center website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 3,200 Where’s the Peacock Pride? The Yanitelli Center, home of the St. Peter’s Peacocks, is a no frills venue which is certainly not one of the better places to take in a game in the MAAC. Kind of like the city (Jersey City) in which it resides, the arena is a bit rough around the edges. While the Peacocks have had some recent success, most years they are the bottom feeders of the MAAC, which probably explains why little has been done to spruce up the Yanitelli Center. The facility opened in 1975 at a cost of $6 million and also serves home to the university’s men’s and women’s volleyball, tennis, swimming, and diving teams. When men’s basketball games are played, collapsible bleachers are expanded to cover the gym’s three full courts to provide intimacy of 3,200 people. The Peacocks have made three appearances in the NCAA tournament: 1991, 1995, and a second round appearance in 2011. The team has captured six regular season conference titles in 1967, 1968, 1969, 1982, 1984, and 1987. The program’s biggest success was in 2017 when it captured the Collegeinsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) with a 62-61 victory of Texas A&M Corpus Christi 62-61 on a last second free throw by Trevis Wyche. It was the school’s first-ever national postseason tournament title of any kind. Food & Beverage 1 A small concession stand is located in the hallway outside of the actual arena. It offers a very limited selection of items – pretzels, candy, and soda is about it. With the tiny crowds that the Peacocks draw, it is no wonder that they make little effort to offer much in the way of concessions. My suggestion would be to bring your own refreshments. Atmosphere 2 Crowds are not the biggest or most enthusiastic you’ll ever encounter. In down years, the opponent’s crowd can easily outnumber the Peacock fans in attendance. And there seems to be very few students who attend the games despite the Yanitelli Center being located on campus. I have seen bigger crowds in televised games when the team is better, but overall there just seems to be a general sense of apathy from both the students and community. The Peacocks do have a cheerleading squad, but they only performed a couple times and generally seemed disinterested, like most of the fans in attendance. The arena itself consists of large bleacher sections on each side, but no seating on the ends and no chair back seating at all. Basic scoreboards are located on the walls on each end of the court. Because of how small it is, the Peacocks could have a good home court advantage if they ever could get more fans to come out to the games. Neighborhood 1 This is Jersey City – not exactly the safest place to be roaming around. The campus is located just off the center of the city in what appears to be a rather residential area. There doesn’t appear to be much in the way of restaurants or bars that are within walking distance. But Journal Square, which is the heart of Jersey City, is only about a mile away. Unless you are familiar with Jersey City or comfortable exploring, you are probably best to find some eats before you come into the city for the game. Fans 2 There just doesn’t seem to be much interest from the students or the surrounding community in the Peacocks basketball team. I’m sure some of it has to do with the poor teams they have had, but it’s not like they are bad every year. As recently as 2011 they did make an NCAA tournament appearance. Access 2 If you are driving, you will most likely need a GPS or someone navigating you in order to make your way to the Yanitelli Center without any wrong turns. The campus is located on Kennedy Boulevard, which is a main drag through the downtown of Jersey City. The home of college hoops is located on the corner of Montgomery Street and Kennedy Blvd. There is a small parking garage directly adjacent to the gym which can be accessed off of Montgomery Street. The number of parking spots is limited, but with the small crowds it probably doesn’t fill up often. Because of its proximity to New York City, taking public transportation in is also an option. Return on Investment 4 The Yanitelli Center doesn’t offer much in terms of comfort, so it is a good thing that you won’t have to spend much money to attend a game here. Parking is free and tickets are $10 for all seats (which are bleachers) and $5 for children 2-12, students w/ID, and seniors over 60. Certainly a reasonable price for MAAC level basketball. Extras 1 There is nothing to speak of when it comes to extra features at the Yanitelli Center. Other than some banners on the walls at each end of the court, there isn’t much to celebrate the history of St. Peter’s basketball. There is really nothing too unique about the venue. Unless you have a rooting interest in one of the teams that is playing, I can’t really recommend it.

Photos by Matt Fiedler, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Yankee Stadium 1 E 161st St Bronx, NY 10451 Pinstripe Bowl website Yankee Stadium website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 52,325 Pigskin and Pinstripes The Pinstripe Bowl was inaugurated in 2010 and pits an ACC team against a Big 10 team. The game has been played at Yankee Stadium since its inception. The Pinstripe Bowl is a rarity as it is in a cold weather city and takes place at a baseball stadium. The only other bowl game that takes place at a baseball stadium is the Cheez-It Bowl at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Next year (2020), there will be three bowls at baseball stadiums as Fenway Park is set to host a bowl game. Yankee Stadium is a unique place to host a game. Fans can see goalposts and cheerleaders while also gazing at Monument Park. The organizers of the event do a great job of melding football with the historic aura of Yankee Stadium. A football game being held at a must-see venue like Yankee Stadium is a recipe for success. Food & Beverage 5 Yankee Stadium has food for every taste. In New York City you can get any type of cuisine you desire, so it’s fitting that Yankee Stadium offers such a wide variety. Those looking for essentials like popcorn, hot dogs, pretzels, candy, and nachos will find them in spades. One of the highlights at Yankee Stadium is the Buffalo Wild Wings stand. Located in section 107, it serves both boneless and traditional wings with a wide variety of sauces. Another new location that opened in 2019 at the stadium is the Benihana stand. The stand is in section 127 and serves traditional hibachi favorites like steak, chicken, and shrimp bowls. Other must see stands are the Jersey Mikes stand which serves various sub sandwiches, and the Lobel’s stand which serves prime steak sandwiches. Yankee Stadium also has many vegetarian and vegan options. There are plenty of salads, pretzels, and peanuts located throughout the stadium. A popular vegan spot is Bareburger in section 132. This stand serves the Beyond Sausage sandwich and also serves black bean burgers. In terms of beverages, you won’t find Coca-Cola as Yankee Stadium is a Pepsi venue. If you’re looking for an adult beverage, there are several bars throughout the stadium including the Franks Red Hot Terrace and the Toyota Terrace in center field. You can find a variety of mixed drinks, wine, and craft beer throughout the park. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at Yankee Stadium is truly a unique experience. Since it is not a natural football venue, you get some different angles and points of view than you would normally have. Looking around the stadium you see foul poles, the short porch in right field, the flags waving at the top of the stadium. As you stroll the concourse you see the memorials of former Yankee greats and monuments of the 27 championships that they won. Throughout the game fans are serenaded by the bands of the schools that are playing in the game. At halftime the marching bands perform on the field and really hammer home the traditional atmosphere of a college football game. When the bands aren’t playing, there is plenty of stadium music and organ music as well. Another great element is the huge video board in center field that shows you all the info you need for the game. The down and distance are shown as well as a video of the game. The down and distance and game time are also show on the video “ribbon” that stretches around the stadium. Neighborhood 3 Yankee Stadium is in the Bronx, which is one of the five boroughs that make up New York City. The Bronx itself has a reputation as a bit of a rough area, but things have gotten a bit better over time. Also, if you attend the Pinstripe Bowl or a game at Yankee Stadium in general, there will be plenty of NYPD officers around to keep the peace and make sure everyone stays safe. A short subway ride downtown will give you access to the boundless attractions that NYC has to offer. Fine dining, theater, museums, and many other attractions can be found within the five boroughs. Some of the biggest attractions in NYC include the Statue of Liberty, the MET, Lincoln Center, Times Square, the Empire State Building, and the Bronx Zoo. Of course, there is also any kind of cuisine you can imagine as well as specialty stores like M&M World and tons of other stores and museums. Fans 3 The weird thing about bowl games is that you get different teams each year, which means you also get different fans and different types of fans. There are many historic and exciting fan bases in both the ACC and the Big Ten so the chances are good that the fan bases will show up. The 2019 matchup featured Michigan State and Wake Forest. There was a large contingent from both schools and that allowed for a good back and forth between the fans. The fans were also very respectful towards each other. It was a friendly back and forth that went on throughout the game. The fans were also very knowledgeable about their teams, and they also seemed to acknowledge and have a great respect for the history of Yankee Stadium. The attendance at the 2019 game was 36,895, the 2018 attendance was 37,821, and the 2017 attendance was 37,667. Those attendance figures put the Pinstripe Bowl in the higher level of attendance for non-New Year’s Six bowls. Access 4 Getting to Yankee Stadium isn’t too tough, especially if you take public transportation. Yankee Stadium can be accessed via the NY subway system or by the Metro North train system. If you’re in downtown, you can take the 4, 5 or 6 train uptown to the 161st Street Yankee Stadium stop. You can also take the Hudson Line on Metro North to Yankees East 153rd Street. The tougher way to get to Yankee Stadium is braving the NYC traffic and driving into the stadium. You can find parking lots near the stadium for $20-$30. However, Stadium Journey still recommends taking public transportation into the game. It’s easier and less of a hassle than enduring the traffic and general gridlock of NYC. Once inside the stadium, it is very easy to get around. The concourse is laid out in a very neat way and it is also very spacious. Even with full concession lines, it is easy to walk around the entirety of the concourse at field level. The bathrooms are also very spacious and never feel crowded even with a large amount of people in them. Return on Investment 3 The Pinstripe Bowl is one of the pricier non-New Year’s Six bowls. The average cost of tickets for the 2019 game was $139 and were as low as $82. That’s a pretty steep price especially when you add in the expensive concessions and parking or public transportation. However, the quality of football is good and seeing a game at Yankee Stadium is a unique experience. The experience of seeing a football game at Yankee Stadium helps to alleviate the high price of entry and concessions. Be prepared to shell out over $200 if you choose to come to the Pinstripe Bowl. Extras 3 One star goes to the wide variety of food and beverage options at Yankee Stadium. From Benihana to Buffalo Wild Wings to Jersey Mikes subs, there is no expense spared in bringing in high end food options for fans to enjoy. A second star goes to the sense of history and memories that fans encounter at Yankee Stadium. The pictures and memorials of Yankee legends and championships really adds an extra layer of historical weight to Yankee Stadium and the Pinstripe Bowl. A final star goes to the crew and staff at both Yankee Stadium and the Pinstripe Bowl. They are all very helpful and friendly. There are staff all around the stadium that can point you in the right direction and do so with a smile. Final Thoughts Yankee Stadium is an iconic venue for sports fans. Every fan should visit at least once in their lifetime. The history and tradition of the Yankees is evident throughout the stadium. The Pinstripe Bowl is a unique experience that brings football and baseball together. It is on the pricey side though so be prepared to spend $200 or more. If you can find a relatively cheap ticket, Stadium Journey would recommend that you check out the Pinstripe Bowl if you’re looking for something to do in late December in NYC or you just want to visit Yankee Stadium.

Photos by Adam Pate, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Nika Stadium Shevchenka St. 58 28000 Oleksandriya, Ukraine FC Oleksandriya website Nika Stadium website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 7,000 Match Day Oleksandriya The small town of Oleksandriya, located just over 300km south of Kyiv, is enjoying the most prosperous time in its sporting history. Over the last four years, the local club has qualified for European competition on three occasions, reaching the Europa League Group Stages for the first time this 2019-2020 season. The two local football groups merged five years ago, and the new club has spent the last few years in the Premier League of Ukraine. The club still acknowledges the merger by using the swallowed club (FC UkrAhroKom Holovkivka) as its main sponsor – understandable, as it is a large agricultural firm. The Nika Stadium, opened in 1998, is a small compact stadium, with capacity for 7000 spectators on match day. The stadium is located a short walk from downtown. However, most facilities in Oleksandriya are only a short walk, given a population of fewer than 100,000 people. The stadium is located on the Inhulets River banks, which splits the city into two halves. The stadium is set within a larger sports complex that holds administrative buildings, training centers, and conference halls for businesses in the agricultural heartland of Ukraine. The stadium complex is open a reasonable time before match day, allowing supporters to mingle outside in good weather. Although, the setting allows for plenty of local public buses to bring supporters to and from the game. The train station is quite a distance from the ground in the eastern half of the city. Regular trains make the stadium a possible day trip from Kyiv for any potential weekend visitors to the capital. Food & Beverage 2 Being set inside a larger complex, we had hoped to find a good supply of food on offer but were let down. The conference facilities are available for rent on match days, so the restaurant we had been looking forward to visiting was closed. It may be different for other games but worth checking in advance. Several convenience stores are nearby, and the center of the town, just 15 minutes walk away, hosts some good quality restaurants. The club has a hot food outlet outside the ground in the car park, where fans assemble before the game. Beer is available from 20Uah (O.70USD) and is palatable. I chatted with a few supporters as I wanted to learn more about the European experiences, and they all seemed to be munching on dried fish. The dried fish does go well with the beer I should add. Inside the ground, there is a small coffee shop in the stands. Lesson learned, go early for hot food at Oleksandriya as everything seems to sell out prior to halftime. After the game, head to two restaurants in the main town square, which serve a tasty variety of food and drink. Scorini’s serves delicious pizza for less than 5USD$, while Vostoka has a good selection of drinks for under 2USD$ and beer snacks to go along with it. As with many top-level grounds in Ukraine, no alcohol is available for purchase inside the ground. Oleksandriya does offer alcohol-free beer for those of you who need a kick. There is the usual selection of sodas and hot drinks for less than a dollar in the coffee shops – they are still there at halftime. Fans gather for the real beer experience in the car park area before kick-off. Many people enjoy some vodka there as well. It is available from all nearby convenience stores for just a few dollars. The craft beer culture does not appear to have arrived in the rural Kirovograd Region, so for now, depend on the fizzy variety. Atmosphere 3 Small but quaint, the Nika Stadium offers a picturesque and unique experience for the Ukrainian groundhopper. The intelligent design offers viewpoints from all parts of the ground and easy access for visitors. The ground has a selection of stands that are ten rows deep and are scattered around the pitch. There appears to be no preferred seating areas, and fans are distributed freely around the stadium, ensuring that noise comes from all angles. The only part of the ground that is off-access for supporters is the far corner with a selection of pine trees that creates a unique experience (at least on my travels). I can only imagine how it would look in winter, covered in snow. Entertainment is kept to minimal, allowing supporters to mingle and chat during the halftime break. Most supporters head to the coffee shop, given the queue. The scoreboard towers over the ground, proudly displaying the score for all bar the visiting fans. Sadly, on the day of my visit, the club shared the defeat. It also shared little else bar the score, something to consider in the future. Nika Stadium Scoreboard, Photo by Adam Pate, Stadium Journey As with all Ukraine games, the teams enter to the league anthem and sing the national anthem with gusto before kick-off. Before the revolution in 2014, this was less prominent, but it now allows Ukrainians to share their pride. The announcement system is less archaic if truth be told, but it is clear enough to hear messages. Given the lack of money in Ukrainian football, it is perhaps understandable that investment is restricted. For most visitors, the best option for a one-time visit to the ground would be the main stand opposite the conference center. Any of the back few rows allow for views over the coffee shop, but the other stands fail to access it. Nevertheless, the main stand provides quicker access to the sports complex if that takes your pleasure. Overall, either side of the pitch is excellent, but the food is only available on one side. Neighborhood 2 Located on the edge of downtown in small Oleksandriya, the club offers quick access to the center after the game for fans to move on to their home regions. The river Ingulets offers a majestic stroll before the game if you arrive early. Oleksandriya is a tiny place, and sadly this results in little being on offer away from the ground. The fast intercity train makes it possible as a day trip from Kyiv, but Dnipro just two hours away makes for a better option. There are several professional teams within two hours’ drive of the city, which are possible given the staggered kick-off times in the Ukraine leagues. Just be warned, the road to Petrove is in a bad state if you fancy catching Ingulets while at Oleksandriya. After the game, head to two restaurants in the main town square, which serve a tasty variety of food and drink. Scorini’s serves delicious pizza for less than 5USD$, while Vostoka has a good selection of drinks for under 2USD$ and beer snacks to go along with it. With Oleksandriya qualifying for the Europa League, the lack of accommodations in the city is brought into sharp focus. The Biker’s Pub Hotel is around 15 minutes’ walk from the ground. The hotel is fantastic even if small, with large rooms and a bar for customers on-site. The owner is amiable and welcome visitors like a family guest. However, accommodation is something that the city will need to address as the club continues to grow. Fans 4 With home fans scattered around three sides of the ground, the supporters create a good atmosphere when willing. Unlike more common scenes in Ukraine, the noise comes from all sections of the ground, even though the Ultras congregate behind the goal. With a stadium capacity of only 7,000 spectators, it may surprise you that there could be such an atmosphere with only 25% of the ground full. However, the stand designs ensure that noise travels across the pitch. Do not despair; on big match days against Dynamo or Shakhtar, the ground can reach half capacity. They sit 11th of 12 teams in the attendance ranking, with a 20% drop from last year’s attendance – surprising given the European football on offer this year. As with most Ukraine grounds, the Ultras are set apart from other supporters and create a unique atmosphere with flags and flares visible during the match. However, Oleksandriya’s engagement is not restricted to this section, and the fans join in the chants throughout the game. At the match of this review, it may have helped that the club was struggling, and the fans were encouraging them to play harder. Nevertheless, it is great to hear the noise coming from all corners. Access 3 Being set in this remote Ukraine region, the trip is not the most viable for people wanting to take in one game only. It is worth a stop if visiting locations further south on the main Kyiv – Zaporizhya railway. The intercity train travels between Kyiv and Zaporizhya a couple of times a day, with Oleksandriya being the first main stop after leaving the capital. There are also some slower trains, which take about five hours to cover the 300km. There are ample local taxis at the train station to take fans to the stadium area of the city and are very cheap as well. Sadly, the nearest airport is in Dnipro, another 200km down the road, meaning taking the train again to Oleksandriya. While in the town, local buses do provide an alternate, but they are not required given taxi prices. One thing to note, ride-sharing companies such as Uber are not working in Oleksandriya presently. The stadium complex does provide parking (20uah) for the taxi drivers to drop you off if need be. Most home supporters commute to the game via public transport or walk given the proximity to downtown. There is also space on the road for free-parking if you do bring a car with you. For visitors with mobility needs, Oleksandriya provides excellent access through the main stadium gates from the front of the ground. Within the stadium, various gates can be opened to allow you access to all complex areas. Otherwise, entrance to the favored side with the coffee shop requires a descent down a number of stairs, proving difficult after a beer or icy conditions. There is no hiding the stadium’s size – it is small, with all facilities out in the open. Fans have to squeeze into the coffee shop at half time, and queues at busier times are out into the stands. There is space at the front of the stands for wheelchairs but limited. Nevertheless, once inside the ground, it is not too complicated to move around the stadium for different viewpoints. Return on Investment 5 As a club, Oleksandriya understands where it is presently and charges affordable prices for visitors. For less than 5USD, you can have a great afternoon’s entertainment. A ticket to enter the ground will set you back less than two dollars, which is quite reasonable around Ukraine. Programmes are available for 0.80USD and provide a good grounding in the match proceedings, even for those without the language. The food options are available if you desire, and beer is optional before the game as well. Given how cheap it is, there is little additional desire to save money, but you can skip transport, as everything is walkable in the town. There are local shops nearby, which provide cheap snacks before the game for hungry visitors. Extras 1 Drinking beers before the game with the supporters is a must! Final Thoughts Oleksandriya provides an affordable and enjoyable match day experience for those brave enough to visit. The town’s location makes it an excellent stop off south but not advisable to make it the center point of a visit to Ukraine.

Photos by Adam Pate, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Slavutych Arena Lobanovskoho St, 21, Zaporizhzhia, Zaporizhia Oblast, 69000 Ukraine FC Zorya Luhansk website Slavutych Arena website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 12,000 Slavutych Arena British Style Opened in 2006, the 12,000 capacity Slavutych Arena in Zaporizhia City, has hosted top-tier football in Ukraine ever since. However, for the last six years, it has welcomed not only the local Metalurg Zaporizhia but also the exiled Zorya Luhansk from the rebel-held eastern regions. Located in the western part of downtown, the stadium is at a good juncture for exploring the treasures of the city and the riverside beaches near the ground. Food & Beverage 4 The stadium location allows supporters to enjoy the restaurants in the city before the game. We have enjoyed a number of them over the years in Ukraine and, on this occasion, visited Bar B.Q just five minutes from the ground. Inside the ground as well, there is a pleasing selection for hungry fans, so do not despair if you arrive late for the game. Within 200 meters walk of the complex, there is a vast array of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars located within a block of Sobornyi Avenue (one of the main roads in the city). They meet all needs ranging from cocktails to small sandwiches – there is even a McDonalds not too far away as well. Most food outlets outside the stadium will accept cash and card, but it is cash only once you enter the arena complex. Bar B.Q has some delicious deluxe burgers on the go, and service is quick. The Old Rabbit coffee shop is also highly recommended as a free space and an excellent place to relax before the game. Being in a city the size of Zaporizhia, there is naturally an Irish bar to visit. Happily for football fans, it is just a few kilometers away from the ground, with beers for a couple of dollars. When nearer, it is best to drink inside the ground. They offer not only a selection of beers, with and without alcohol but the unique surprise of cider (all of more or less a dollar US). I definitely recommend enjoying the cider on offer inside the ground as it is pretty unique in Ukraine. It is also sweet being allowed to take alcohol on to the terraces in the Premier League, so take advantage while you can. Atmosphere 4 The Slavutych Arena takes on a British style than seen elsewhere in Ukraine, providing good vantage points from all sides of the ground. The raised four stands allow a good atmosphere to reverberate around the stadium, encouraging the team on to great results. The four stands are very similar in make-up, with the side terraces being covered in part by a roof. All of the stands are raised quite a degree improving the view of the pitch. However, in Zaporizhya, there is finally a ground without an athletics track. The premium seats are located center pitch, but we were happy with our seats for less than US$2. The sizeable electronic scoreboard stands behind the goal and counts down the seconds until another Zorya victory. That area behind the goal houses the visiting fans It is an impressive building for Ukraine and quite deservedly holds European football within it. The stadium announcer introduces the team before the game and presents the halftime festivities with enthusiasm. It encourages the majority of fans to get involved. There is little of in-game entertainment as the fan engagement is still in its infancy. However, after the game, it is great to see fans gather outside the main stand, waiting for their heroes to appear from after game warm downs. I have seen images in the past of supporters and players celebrating their favorite victories together. We chose to sit in the side stand, but both appear equally recommendable, given that they are covered from the elements. Low attendance in Ukraine means that you have a good selection. Behind the goals, it is open to the elements, but the atmosphere is livelier there if that is your thing. All four stands have access to food courts, pleasingly on the Ukrainian landscape, so take your pick. Neighborhood 5 The downtown district of Zaporizhya stretches along the Dnipro’s right bank, and the stadium is found on its western tip. Just a couple of minutes walk from the main commercial road, the stadium has got access to an abundance of sights and facilities to enjoy while in the city. The ground is located in a prime neighborhood to explore. Several bars, such as Cloud Lounge and Virny are within a few hundred meters walk and serve a full range of beverages. The district also hosts restaurants like Olimp, JP’s, and Kvatira for hungry visitors. A little further afield in central Zaporizhya, the Lviv coffee shop is a necessity to see. Tasty chocolate treats and delicious coffee await its guests. No visit to Zaporizhya is complete without a visit to the island of Khortytsia, where you will find endless legacies to the Ukrainian Cossacks. When visiting in warmer weather, the riverside bars and beaches provide many opportunities for fun and relaxation before the game. Sport-seekers will be happy to know that Motor Sich Company has some teams, most successfully handball and football, which play regularly throughout the year. At the same time, Dnipro is only two hours away for those craving more top-league action. The Platinum Hotel, located just a few hundred meters away from the ground on the riverfront, provides a good option for overnighters near the ground. Comfortable lodgings are available for less than $US50. Further afield, the city offers a great variety of possibilities accessible through several websites. You can choose from beach side lodgings to being in a central downtown location based on your wishes. Fans 3 Given the fact that the host club ‘Zorya Luhansk’ plays in exile, the city of Zaporuzhya has taken the club to heart. The stadium regularly holds attendance within 1,000 of its near competitors, even though the journey from their home city can take over four hours. The ground usually is around 20% full but can grow to half full for the more significant matches. They sit in the lower half of the league table for attendance, but most clubs are in the same ballpark between 2,000 to 3,500 spectators. As a comparison, Shakhtar Donetsk has lost around 50% of its attendance while having to play in exile. Most fans are quite quiet during the game, with Zorya’s chants breaking out around the pitch during high points in the entertainment. For something more exciting, behind the goal to the left of the main stand, you will find the Zorya Ultra, who continually sing throughout the game and are known for their use of pyrotechnics. You are guaranteed an exhilarating experience on that terrace. Access 4 With the central location of the ground, supporters have plenty of methods for easy access to the stadium location and from afar. Given the cost of public transport in Ukraine, it is worth considering staying further away from the stadium to enjoy more of the city. Buses in Zaporizhya are plentiful and cheap, with maps easily accessible via mobile phone applications. Although Uber or rideshare services have not arrived in Zaporizhya yet, many taxi companies offer affordable trips for visitors. For those arriving by train to the city, the station is at the other end of the town, so public transport is necessary. With the stadium set back from the main road, there is an abundance of parking places. In Ukraine, street parking is a legal option, so any of the side streets are opportunities not worth ignoring. It usually is entirely free as the local fans take public transport to and from the game. Tickets are purchasable from several outlets around the ground before the game, where you can choose your gate entry. Each of the four stands has its own access points, gate barriers, and an outside gathering area before entering the stands. It certainly reminded me of a lower league UK variant. Once inside the ground perimeter, people’s movement and flow are very fluid, mainly due to the low attendance figure. Access to the stands is straight forward. However, the raised terraces may provide an issue with the staircase. Toilet facilities are to a reasonable standard and easy access from the ground floor – the space can hold up to 12,000 people, they are at 20% capacity most of the time. Return on Investment 5 Being a larger commercial center, the trip to Zaporizhya city is one of the pricier in Ukraine but worth it compared to its European counterparts. The Slavutych Arena has all the components of a great match day experience. Ticket prices are very affordable, with the most expensive being around 2 dollars USD$. If you are looking for comfort, the main stand provides the most excellent facilities, but the goal’s atmosphere is more lively. I enjoyed the burgers near the stadium for my own preference, but if you check Google Maps beforehand, numerous restaurants are available near the ground. Alcohol inside is another advantage. The extensive public transport system with its unbelievably low prices makes movement around the city straight forward and opens up the space for car parking. Given the vast array of food and drink outlets near the arena, it is worth shopping to find good value. The cheaper seats opposite the main stand provide an equally pleasing view for a smaller price as well. Extras 3 My visit to the Slavutych Arena was the most English of experiences that Ukraine had to offer. You can park easily around the ground and walk up to the stadium. The food courts also resemble a British occasion. Final Thoughts A trip to the Slavutych Arena will provide the big city experience that is comparable to other countries. It is an impressive setup even if the attendance (at least for my game) was low. The facilities around the city scream for a more extended city break that will allow you to enjoy more than just the game day.

Photos by Adam Pate, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Ukraina Stadium Lviv, Lviv Oblast, 79000 Ukraine FC Karpaty website Ukraina Stadium website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 28,051 Ukraina Opened during Soviet times in 1963, the Ukraina Stadium in the south of Lviv city has seen grander days. The 28,000 capacity all-seater stadium still hosts Premier League football, with Karpaty and FC Lviv staging their home matches this 2019-2020 season. The city also has several other grounds, making it a great weekend break. Food & Beverage 4 The Ukraina Stadium is scheduled for a big renovation job in the near future. Due to this, most of the facilities inside the ground are not the greatest. However, it is unusually pleasing to see a barbeque on the go. Low attendance also ensures that queuing time is minimal, an added advantage for any supporter. The barbeque that burns throughout the game is a real treasure at the Ukraina Stadium. It is a great chance to grab a hot dog or shaslik stick during the game. However, the authentic delights are in town. Lviv is a tourist hub, better known as the Vienna of the East. The old town – around 5km is a great walking district, full of all types of restaurants. The Lviv coffee shop serves local delicacies that are popular all over the world. Beer is available in the ground for 30uah a cup. In Lviv, a local beer, Lvivske, is nationally famous and available on all corners. There are a couple of beer places that are really worth checking out (Pravda Beer Theatre is one recommended site in the square). Lviv chocolate and coffee are internationally famous, so they must be tried, especially sample a miners coffee underground at the Lviv Coffee Manufacture. It is also worth testing the cherry liqueur that is available at various outlets around the Old Town. Atmosphere 2 The Ukraina Stadium is a classic old-style Soviet ground, built on the side of a hill in Snopkiv Park in south Lviv. The bowl shape is a single-tier with fans having to walk down to pitch side from the entrance at the top of the stand, an unusual concept across Europe. The stadium is a large bowl, which sits in a valley within a hilly suburb of Lviv. As you enter the ground, the bowl descends below you, making it quite unusual in its construction. A merchandise shop is by the entrance, with a decent selection of gear to buy. It is clear that the club has money and is poorly spending it on the playing squad. The supporters are decked out in a good selection of the club colours, highlighting how they invest in the club. With only 800 supporters in attendance, the stadium looks vast, and several sections are utterly unused. You can walk around the top of the stadium throughout the game, taking in an excellent array of vantage points. It is nice to see the food and merchandising available for purchase around the complex. Two scoreboards at either end of the pitch share the goals with the fans. The VIP section is the only area undercover, and those seats have additional padding there. Karpaty is struggling financially, so little is invested in the game day. It is quite surreal, witnessing the dying embers of this club. Although the team is announced to the spectators, little else is. You find your own entertainment during the game. As attendance is tiny, you have a great selection of seat options available. Once you purchase the entrance pass to the gangway at the top of the stadium, you can choose where to sit and have the option to sit in many places throughout the match. Visiting supporters congregate in a section at the opposite end from the home supporters as ,usual. However, the only area covered is on one side of the pitch near the halfway line – if you want to go there, you should pay VIP. Neighborhood 3 The Ukraina Stadium is located in the south of Lviv, around 5 km from the center of the city. Although the stadium is in a picturesque park, downtown is a lot more enjoyable and it is worth spending your time there. If you are eager to eat near the ground, For Rest Meat Club sits very close to the ground, within walking distance. However, a trip to Lviv requires more exploration than just the stadium district. Kryivka in the old town square takes you back to times of the revolution as it is themed on Ukrainian independence – the entrance price is a vodka shot! Baczewski’s, also found in the old town, has excellent menu recommendations and attracts a more luxurious level of clientele. Being the main tourist center of Ukraine, a trip to Lviv is not short of highlights for any visitors. However, for sports fans, there is the Arena Lviv, where the National Team of Ukraine put in performances – sadly, it is too expensive for league teams to rent. Away from football, time spent walking around the old town and visiting the different districts within it is a must. The city thrives on coffee, so dive in and enjoy as much as you can handle. The higher standard of the hotel is more central and commutable by public transport to the ground. Many tourists choose to rent apartments in the old town through Air BnB or Bookings.com. However, ‘Burger+’ is a 3-star hotel with rooms available for 25USD near the ground. A little further afield, you can find ‘Delice’ for around 60USD. Fans 2 Sadly, Lviv football is struggling now, and attendance can number less than 1,000, making the stadium feel empty. Nevertheless, the supporters, who do turn up, try their hardest to build an atmosphere to cheer on their team. Both FC Lviv and Karpathy have seen their audiences drop by over 10% this season, as the teams have struggled at the bottom of the league standings this year (2020). The massive stadium has allowed for bigger gates when Dynamo and Shakhtar have shown up. Nevertheless, both clubs have bottomed out with less than 1,000 attending games (around 3% of the potential capacity). Behind the one goal, a group of hardcore supporters assembles, which numbered around one hundred at the match of this review. They sing throughout the game and bring color with their flags. However, given the arguments that they have with players, it is worth watching from afar. The rest of the ground is silent apart from chatter among spectators – very surreal. Access 3 Given the location of the stadium, access to it and movement around the stadium is top quality. Even on larger games, I would expect a positive experience from visiting the Ukraina Stadium. Lviv offers both train and air hubs for travelers in western Ukraine. It is an accessible city to visit, with trams and buses readily available to whisk you to the stadium. Happily in Lviv, companies like Uber and Bolt exist to improve the taxi and ride-sharing experience at affordable prices. Traffic is an issue in the center of Lviv. If you decide to drive, allow time to leave the downtown district. However, parking options are abundant near the ground, and you should feel secure leaving your car nearby. There are two main entry points to the stadium complex from either end of the pitch. From there, you have access to the walkway around the top of the stadium. Security is on hand, with no significant problems getting into the ground. On more significant match days, there may be a holdup. While the concourse is a real highlight, the steps down to the seating area are quite severe, so take care. You have the option though to watch the game from the concourse. The toilet facilities, on the other hand, are not the greatest and need a desperate upgrade. It is better to go elsewhere and try to avoid those dark pits of despair. Return on Investment 5 Compared to other trips in Ukraine, Lviv is a bit more expensive. However, given the tourist facilities that are on offer, it offers a great return on investment. The stadium complex is similar to others in Ukraine, with the entrance at around 2USD and snacks reasonably priced. It is away from the ground, where expenses exist. The cost of eating out in Lviv and finding accommodation is more on par with central Europe. You can expect to pay up to 20USD for a meal and 50USD for lodgings on average. Although savings are not possible in the ground, there are options elsewhere. Rented apartments provide better value as accommodation in Lviv, with the market very strong. You can also shop around for meals. It is unnecessary to eat in central restaurants for your meal every night, even if some should not be missed. Extras 2 Ukraina Stadium does deserve a couple of extra points. The programme is of good quality and easy to locate on the entrance to the ground. You need to be able to read a good level of Ukrainian, though. There is a souvenir shop at Ukraina Stadium, stocking a variety of merchandise. You may be able to locate some independent sellers around the concourse as well. Final Thoughts A trip to Lviv is a highlight of any Ukrainian experience. Take advantage of the journey and explore the region; you will not be disappointed. Even the Ukraina Stadium provides a clue into the Socialist past of the area.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Hammel Court 315 Turnpike Ave North Andover, MA 01845 Merrimack Warriors men’s basketball website Hammel Court website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 1,200 M.C. Hammel Hammel Court is home to the newest Division One basketball team in the nation, the Merrimack Warriors. The basketball arena is located in the Volpe Athletic Center, which also contains Lawler Rink . It is named for former head coach Bert Hammel, who piloted the squad from 1980-2016. Basketball has been played at Merrimack since 1949. A longtime member of Division Two, the team competed in the Northeast-10 Conference from 2001-2019, when the school decided to promote all teams to Division One. As a member of the Northeast Conference, the Warriors are ineligible for postseason play until 2024. While in Division Two, the Warriors qualified for 11 NCAA Tournaments and won the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament three times. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small concession stand in the lobby which offers a limited menu. Burgers, hot dogs, and nachos are sold here. Assorted snacks are also available. On the plus side, no item costs more than six dollars. Pepsi products are sold at Hammel Court. In addition, a limited selection of beer and wine is available. Atmosphere 3 One of the advantages of playing in a small gym like Hammel Court is that the place fills with noise pretty easily. With the gym packed with standing-room-only crowds throughout the season, it can get pretty loud here. The game day experience here is a basic one, as Hammel Court lacks the capabilities for a fancy show. Scoreboards on either end of the gym display basic game stats. All the elements of a typical game day presentation can be found, from the pep band, dance squad, and cheerleading team to a packed student section. T-shirt tosses and contests during play stoppages keep the younger fans in attendance involved. Neighborhood 2 Merrimack College is located in North Andover, Massachusetts, a town of over 31,000 located 24 miles north of Boston. North Andover is your typical bedroom community, with plenty of shops and restaurants for locals, but nothing that would classify the town as a “must-see” destination. Fans looking to avoid the big city price tags of Boston will find many dining and lodging options within a few miles of the Merrimack campus along nearby Route 114 or Interstate 495. Among the local dining options, Bertucci’s Pizza and Fuddrucker’s burgers draw big crowds on game nights. If looking for more of a sit-down experience, Burton’s Grill and Bar is a popular place for a pre-or post-game meal. Fans 4 Attendance has been impressive during the Warriors first season in Division One, with several standing-room-only crowds filling Hammel Court towards the tail end of the season. Even before the crowds picked up, the team was drawing between 600-1,000 fans per night to Hammel Court. It will be interesting to see if the Warriors can sustain these nice crowds, or if attendance will dwindle once the newness factor wears off. The fans at Hammel Court are enthusiastic about the Warriors and fill the small gym with noise throughout the game. The student section is filled to the brim right behind the benches, making their presence known to the visiting team and referees. Their antics may be a bit salty but visiting fans need not worry about bringing the whole family to Merrimack. Access 2 The Merrimack campus in North Andover is located 25 miles from downtown Boston just off Interstate 495, where routes 125 and 114 come together. Traffic in this area can be heavy, particularly if going to a weekday game, but driving is still the easiest way to access the college. Fans using public transportation from Boston can take the MBTA train that stops at the Andover station. Once in Andover, the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority offers bus service to many local spots, including Merrimack College. Complete directions to the Merrimack campus, including local dining and lodging options, can be found here . Hammel Court is located on the southern edge of campus in the Volpe Athletic Center, adjacent to Lawler Rink . Duane Stadium and the other Merrimack athletic facilities are also located in this area. There are parking lots a short walk from the facility adjacent to the Rogers Center for the Arts and on the far side of the football stadium. The entrance to Hammel Court is located on the back side of the Volpe Athletic Center. Fans will enter a large lobby that contains the ticket tables, restrooms, concessions, and the Merrimack Athletic Hall of Fame. Hammel Court will be located on your right, with the rear entrance to Lawler Rink located on the left. Hammel Court is a tiny facility containing retractable bleachers on either side of the court. All seating consists of molded bleaches without backs. When attending on a chilly winter night, it can get tight when a big crowd is present. There is little extra room for coats and fans are packed together tightly in the bleachers. On the plus side, in a small gym such as this, there is no such thing as a bad seat. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Warrior basketball games are sold as general admission seating for $7. Members of the military, seniors, youth, and Merrimack staff receive a two-dollar discount. With free parking and affordable concessions, a night of Merrimack hoops is the most affordable entertainment option for local sports fans. Extras 1 The Merrimack Athletics Hall of Fame is located in the lobby of the Volpe Athletic Center. Alongside photos of the honorees are plaques listing all All-Americans that have played at Merrimack as well as a trophy case packed with the hardware won by Warrior squads over the years. Banners honoring championship basketball and volleyball teams hang on the Hammel Court walls. Final Thoughts There were many doubters in the Greater Boston area who thought that tiny Merrimack College was making a mistake when it made the move to promote all its teams to Division One. For the men’s basketball team, the move has been a success both on and off the court. The team has set a record for most wins by a school in their first year in Division One and fans have packed cozy Hammel Court all year. ----- Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Orange Beach Sportsplex 4385 William Silvers Pkwy Orange Beach, AL 36561 SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament website Orange Beach Sportsplex website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 1,500 Soccer on the Beach Each year over 5 million visitors flock to the beaches of South Alabama. The beach towns that make up the Alabama coast bring in over $3 billion in spending per year. One such event that brings in substantial revenue for the area happens every November when the top 10 soccer teams in the SEC meet up in Orange Beach for the annual SEC Soccer Tournament. The tournament is held over nine days, usually a week before Thanksgiving, and brings fans from all over the SEC to the city for an annual November vacation on the beach. The tournament has been held at the Orange Beach Sportsplex every year since 2003, with the exception of 2004 when Hurricane Ivan caused damage to the facilities and the tournament was held in Auburn. There was much uncertainty whether the tournament would be held or not for the 2020 season – exactly two months before the tournament was scheduled to begin Orange Beach took a direct hit from Hurricane Sally, which caused flooding and damage in the city. Fortunately, the Sportsplex did not receive a lot of damage and the tournament was able to be played after some minor repairs. SEC first sponsored women’s soccer in 1993 and since that time Florida has taken home the most titles with 12. In the early years of the tournament the location was rotated between the different schools, but since moving to Orange Beach Florida has taken home five titles, while Texas A&M has taken home three. Usually only the top ten teams of the conference are invited, but because of the COVID shortened season the SEC had during 2020, with each team only playing 8 games, all 14 teams were invited to this year’s tournament. Food & Beverage 2 There is only one concessions stand open and it is just a regular stand that sells the basics. Prices are reasonable with the menu consisting of hamburgers ($5), hot dogs and nachos ($3), bottled Powerade and water ($2), and candy and popcorn ($1). The concessions stand does back up from time to time and only accepts cash. Because you are free to come and go from the venue as you please, I left during halftime at one of the games. I would recommend eating at one of the many seafood restaurants in the area before, during, or after the game. Atmosphere 4 The Orange Beach Sportsplex opened in 2001 and is currently home to the offices of the Orange Beach Parks and Recreation Department. All the fields are used constantly throughout the year by the city’s youth and rec league sports, with the centerpiece being the 1,500-seat stadium where the SEC Soccer Tournament is played. The entire 40-acre complex consists of a quad of four baseball and four softball fields, a larger baseball stadium, two beach volleyball courts, and several smaller practice fields scattered around the main stadium. The soccer stadium is located at the front of the complex with the rest of the fields located in the back. The field at the stadium faces north and south with just one metal bleacher style grandstand located on the east side of the pitch, with seating for approximately 1,500. The west side of the pitch is open and includes the teams’ benches, with a basic style scoreboard on the south side of the field. The facility ties in well with the area as well with palm trees scattered throughout and the skyline of the condos off in the distance behind beautiful tall pine trees that surround the complex. Though the actual sports complex is very pretty and represents the City of Orange Beach quite well, there’s not really anything special about the stadium. The metal grandstand only consists of about 15 rows and is actually smaller than a regular high school football stadium. However, for this one week every November the SEC and the City of Orange Beach go above and beyond to make sure this a top-notch experience, and the atmosphere is really cool. Soccer isn’t the most popular or well-known sport in the SEC, but you wouldn’t know it by coming here. The SEC treats this event with just as much importance as the conference baseball and basketball tournaments. SEC Network provides constant coverage of every game and the conference commissioner usually makes an appearance every year. The main road coming into the complex is lined from one end of the other with flags of the 14 SEC teams. Outside the stadium there is a pretty large pop-up truck that sells a broad collection of SEC shirts and gear. There’s SEC banners scattered throughout the entire stadium with all the teams’ flags displayed on the top of the grandstand, and on the field itself there is one continuous banner that wraps around the entire playing field. The opposite side of the grandstand features a large videoboard that shows the action as it’s shown on TV. I’m not the biggest soccer fan but I was blown away by the overall experience and the set-up of everything here. Orange Beach Sportsplex Flags on Display, Photo by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 5 The SEC Soccer Tournament could not be located in a better location, with the coast beaches of Alabama bringing in most of the tourism revenue for the entire state. The two cities that make up this section of the coast include Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and they account for about 50 miles of beautiful white sandy beaches, with the beautiful crystal-clear waters being warm enough to swim in practically year-round. There are multiple public beach access points offering everything from crowded beaches to secluded beaches. Numerous high-rise condos line the beach, each offering their own amenities such as private pools, water slides, and lazy rivers. The beautiful waters provide some of the best fishing opportunities in the southeast as well, so if you own your own boat or want to rent one I definitely recommend making a boat ride through all the different waterways to fish or camp out on the islands in the Perdido Pass. The sports complex is located away from the beach on the north side of the city, and the complex itself is kind of hidden off the main road, Canal Road, right behind the new high school. Just across the street from the high school lies The Wharf at Orange Beach, Orange Beach’s premiere shopping and entertainment destination. The Wharf features tons of restaurants, bars and shops, built into the first floor of some luxury condominiums. The area also features a Ferris wheel, zipline, putt-putt golf, a waterpark, and a 10,000-seat amphitheater that attracts top names and acts each year. Also, the road heading into the Wharf features an elaborate light display every night of the year, and during Christmas time the whole grounds are decorated as well. In addition, on the north side of the city is OWA, which is an amusement park with more shopping and restaurants as well as rides and roller coasters; you pass OWA on the main road heading into Orange Beach. Everybody who comes to the beaches of South Alabama should make a stop at the famed Flora-Bama about 10 minutes away right on the beach on the Florida-Alabama line. This famous watering hole has been serving patrons since 1964 and calls itself the last roadhouse in America. It is the go-to hang out spot for everybody from college students to celebrities to politicians and athletes when they come to the area, and although it might be too touristy for some people everybody should make a stop here at least once. For a spot where the locals hang I recommend visiting Pirates Cove Marina, which is located on the north side of the city and is very similar to Flora-Bama, although with less crowds but the same rustic setting. Because of its status as a beach community, there are hardly any big corporate restaurants in the area, so you will find a ton of local seafood restaurants as well. Some popular restaurants include the Cobalt, the Gulf, Crab Trap, Doc’s Seafood, Tacky Jacks, and Big Fish. Between the beach and numerous activities, one could spend weeks in Orange Beach and have plenty to do. Fans 4 The great thing about a tournament of this caliber is it attracts fan bases from all 14 SEC schools. The SEC Tournament is usually stretched out over 9 days, with the first round of games being played on Friday and the Championship Game being played the following Sunday, which ensures that at least two teams and some fans will get a nine-day extended vacation. This is more like a destination tournament, almost on the same level as college basketball’s Battle 4 Atlantis or Maui Invitational. If you watch SEC Network’s soccer coverage the announcers constantly plug the Road to Orange Beach, which is the unofficial nickname of the SEC soccer regular season every year. By moving the tournament to a neutral location in a nice beach town, it ensures that fans are going to travel more so than they would if the tournament was in just another SEC town. For any given game expect to see fans of both teams in the stands. Obviously that first Friday and the Sunday games are going to attract the most fans as they are played on the weekend. Unfortunately, however, because of the single elimination format of the tournament it’s hard to make plans for making a trip here – you could be here over a week or your team could get knocked out on the first day. On Sunday and Tuesday, there are four games played and they take up the whole day, so expect to see many fans come and go. I’d say at each game expect a couple hundred fans in attendance, with the Sunday games and the Championship game having close to 1,000 fans at the max; it’s hard to get the exact number as many people come and go. Obviously when Alabama and Auburn are playing expect to see more fans than usual as their fan base dominates this area, and I even saw a good number of Crimson Tide and Auburn fans tailgating under a pavilion on the Sportsplex grounds. Access 4 The one drawback to coming to this Tournament is just getting to the complex itself. Orange Beach is located about 60 miles southeast of Mobile and about 40 miles west of Pensacola. Unfortunately there is not a major interstate that runs through the town, so your best bet if coming from out of town is to take I-10 about midway between Pensacola and Mobile, then take the Foley Beach Express exit south to Orange Beach for about 45 minutes. Make sure to make a stop at Bucc-ees, the new giant gas station/superstore that just opened last year; it’s about the only thing on the road until you pass the roller coasters at OWA and then get to the toll booth for the bridge that runs into the city. The Wharf and the giant Ferris wheel will be the first thing you see after the bridge; the Sportsplex is right across the street, behind the high school. You can also ride your bike to the Sportsplex through the Gulf State Park trails. I parked on the beach and rode my bike through the winding trails until I reached the Sportsplex; the trails are well maintained and there are maps everywhere to ensure you don’t get lost. There’s a trailhead that pops out right in the Sportsplex parking lot. Return on Investment 4 If you are a fan, friend, or family member of any of the school’s participating in this tournament you cannot find a better return on investment than the SEC Soccer Tournament. Getting to come to the beach for just a few days in the middle of November is obviously a plus for anybody, and being that it’s in the Fall you can expect to see prices on condos and restaurants a little less than they would be in the summer. Tickets are an absolute steal for every game with adult prices being $5 and children’s prices being $2. Also, as the stadium is pretty much open on both ends it’s possible to watch the action on the field and not have to pay for admission. In addition, since the bike trail runs right next to the stadium I also saw many people riding bikes and stopping along the trail to watch some of the games. Extras 4 One extra point for the number of sporting events that are held in the Gulf Shores-Orange Beach area. Besides the SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament the two towns host a ton of different tournaments throughout the year ranging from youth to college sports. Every May the NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship is played right on the beach in Gulf Shores; they bring in temporary bleachers right next to the ocean and the setup and atmosphere is quite cool. In addition, the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship is held every year at the Sportsplex, and the complex has also played host to D1 and D2 Men’s and Women’s tournaments, South Alabama soccer matches, and even hosted a semi-pro football team. Newly opened next door to the Sportsplex in 2020 is Orange Beach High School, and the Makos, the school’s nickname, recently began using the complex for their games, with the football team using the field to the south of the main stadium and the baseball and softball teams using the complex as well. With championship golf courses, beautiful water for fishing, and the countless tournaments, this area of south Alabama is living up to its name as a national sports and recreation hub for sports of all kind. Another extra point for the location being located inside Gulf State Park. With over 30 miles of different trails, one could spend countless hours bike riding the different trails around the park. Each trail features its own unique features and is named after a particular theme, for instance, if you’re in the mood to bike ride through gorgeous sand dunes you can take the Rosemary Dunes Trail, while if you want the hilly option with a gorgeous view of the entire park then take the Oak Ridge Trail. There are also plenty of cabins for camping and plenty of RV hookups. Lastly, of course another extra point for the setting itself being right on the beach. Besides some of the aforementioned college basketball tournaments I cannot think of a more prime location to have a conference tournament. The contract with the tournament and the City expired in 2020 and with the high school taking up residence there was much uncertainty over whether or not the SEC would renew. Fortunately, they came to agreement and have signed a deal promising 10 more years of SEC Soccer on the beach every November.

Metropolitan Stadium, often referred to as “the Met,” was built in suburban Bloomington, MN, just outside of the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. It served as home to both Major League Baseball’s Twins and the National Football League’s Vikings from 1961-1981. Replaced by the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, the old ballpark lives on thanks to the presence of a pair of mementos of the old park in a decidedly unexpected location. The Met opened on April 24, 1956, in an attempt to lure a Major League Baseball team to the Twin Cities area. The location in Bloomington was chosen as it was equidistant to both downtowns and it was thought that would be the best location for a ballpark. After discussions with several Major League teams, it was announced that the Washington Senators would move to Minnesota for the 1961 season. The American Football League announced they were placing a team in Metropolitan Stadium for their inaugural 1960 season. However, the NFL was able to persuade the team’s owners to withdraw from the AFL and join the NFL for the 1961 season. Despite improvements and expansion to the facility, it was never considered to be an ideal home for either the Twins or Vikings. The limited capacity and physical deterioration of the Met led to calls for a new stadium to be built for Minnesota’s teams. Both the Twins and Vikings moved to downtown Minneapolis and the Metrodome in 1982. Metropolitan Stadium Home Plate, Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Today the Mall of America stands on the site of Metropolitan Stadium. More specifically, the Nickelodeon Universe indoor amusement park now occupies the spot where major league baseball and football were once played. There are two reminders of the site’s former usage within this amusement park. While dodging the overstimulated youngsters running around Nickelodeon Universe, head to the entrance to the SpongeBob Square Pants Rock Bottom Plunge. There sits a home plate from the Met in its original location. If you are like me, you’ll immediately take your place on either side of home plate and get into your batter’s stance. Harmon Killebrew Tribute Chair at Mall of America, Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey If you lookout in the direction of left field, you may be able to see another piece of The Met that has been preserved all these years (there’s a ton of stuff in the way, so this may require some movement to properly view it). Once you get a clear view of the far wall, look up and you will see a red chair mounted on the wall. This chair marks the landing spot of the longest home run ever hit at the ballpark; a 522-foot moon shot launched by Harmon Killebrew off of California Angels pitcher Lew Burdette on June 3, 1967. The seat is located at its original distance from home plate and height off the ground. If you are having trouble locating the seat, look above the log flume chute. Killebrew is also honored with the naming of the street Killebrew Drive, which runs along the southern edge of the mall, parallel to where the third baseline would have been located at the Met. For those baseball fans who enjoy incorporating historic baseball sites into their stadium journeys, a trip to the most certainly un-historic Mall of America will be worth your time. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.