Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 CHI Memorial Stadium 1 Stadium Way Chattanooga, TN 37412 Chattanooga Red Wolves website CHI Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 5,500 Defend the Den Chattanooga joined USL League One (USL1) at the start of the 2019 season with the debut of the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, the city’s second professional soccer team after Chattanooga FC , now a member of MLS Next Pro. In their inaugural season, the Red Wolves played at David Stanton Field on the campus of Chattanooga Christian School, on the city’s south-side. That same year plans were announced to build their own new stadium and surrounding development in East Ridge, Tennessee, just outside Chattanooga. After delays created by Covid-19, CHI Memorial Stadium opened in August 2020. The venue now serves as the home of the Red Wolves men’s team, their USL W League women’s side, and will also host a USL Super League team, part of a new tier-one women’s league launching in the coming seasons.   Food & Beverage   3 Food and drink options are clustered near the stadium entrance. There is space for several food trucks, but during my most recent visit, only one was present, resulting in long lines. Available food is of high quality with apparent variety, but it seems as if the consistency of the options is hit-or-miss. A popular stop is Pelican’s Snoballs, which has a “create your own flavor” setup. For those looking to grab a drink, there are several beer and cocktail stations around the stadium. The two-level Howl Bar in the northeast corner primarily serves from its upper level, and a beer trailer with multiple taps is also set up in the main plaza. Beer selections include Corona, Outlaw Light, Five Wits, Pacifico, Modelo, Blue Moon, and Miller Lite. Cutwater canned cocktails and White Claw seltzers are also available. A separate stand under the seating area offers mixed cocktails. In all, the food and drink options at CHI Memorial Stadium are fine, but it seems an inconsistency in the food truck turnout negatively impacts the eating experience.   Atmosphere   3 CHI Memorial Stadium offers a mix of seating: traditional reserved seating along the near side touchline and general admission bleachers at the north end, along with a safe standing section in the supporters' area and a grassy berm at the south end. There is also a smaller section of seats across the field, but access there does seem to be restricted. One of the more interesting viewing spots is the field-level drink rail, which allows fans to get close to the action. The stadium has one large scoreboard at the south end of the field that predominately shows a feed of the game, but also has a bar across the top of the screen with match time, score, and shots for each team. The stadium itself is a beautiful place to watch a game, though it does have the feel of a venue where they just put up fencing around an open lot.   Neighborhood   3 Located just outside Chattanooga in East Ridge, Tennessee, CHI Memorial Stadium sits beside I-75 just over the Tennessee-Georgia state line. The site was once forested, but in 2019 a $125 million mixed-use development was proposed, which was to include townhomes, apartments, retail space, and a hotel, with the soccer stadium as the center piece of the development. To date though, only a cluster of townhomes has been completed; the rest remains a gravel lot with minimal evidence of further progress beyond earthmovers parked nearby. Across I-75 is Camp Jordan, one-time farm land that has been converted to a multi-sport complex with baseball, softball, and soccer fields, as well as beach volleyball courts, a fishing pond, disc golf course, kayak launches, and a multi-purpose arena that is used for many civic events. The surrounding area has begun to develop with the addition of restaurants, hotels, Topgolf, and Bass Pro Shops. The drawback of the location is its distance from downtown – downtown Chattanooga is just under 10 miles away. While still accessible, it is not the most convenient for visitors seeking a broader urban experience just steps from the stadium.   Fans   3 Attendance numbers may be modest, but Red Wolves fans are loyal and welcoming and quick to compliment the opposing side following the mach. The supporters’ group, while smaller and more subdued than most, brings flags, drums, and smoke bombs to celebrate goals and wins. Whereas some supporter groups can really create a special air in the stadium, the Red Wolves supporters are not able to set that same tone, mostly due to their smaller size.   Access   3 The stadium sits directly off I-75 near the I-24 split. This area can experience heavy traffic, especially near the Ringgold Road exit. GPS often routes drivers to Spring Creek Road, a less direct access point at the rear of the property. However, North Mack Smith Road, although it seems uninviting, is the most straightforward approach. There is a single entrance to CHI Memorial Stadium near the ticket office, leading to a central plaza flanked by food and merchandise areas. A concrete walkway runs behind the main seating area and continues around to restrooms and the grassy berm on the far side of the field. While most pathways are spacious, the walkway atop the touchline seating can become congested with even light foot traffic. The aluminum walkways can also get slick if wet.   Return on Investment   3 Parking costs $13, while tickets range from $14 (supporters’ section) to $21 (general admission). With little difference between seating areas, the supporters’ section offers the best value. Overall, it is an affordable outing, especially for families or casual fans.   Extras   2 Red Wolves mascot Rusty, makes brief appearances before matches and at halftime, but is not a central part of the game-day experience. Postgame, players often stay for 15 to 20 minutes to thank fans, sign autographs, and take photos. This is a small touch that strengthens the club’s community connection.   Final Thoughts The arrival of the Red Wolves introduced new professional soccer energy to Chattanooga, but also sparked some rivalry with the established Chattanooga FC . The Red Wolves provide an entertaining on-field product backed by a loyal and hospitable fan base. However, future growth and sustained success may depend on whether Chattanooga can support two professional soccer teams, and if the progress of the long-promised surrounding development finally materializes, elevating the stadium experience from solid to standout.

Photos Courtesy of Lethbridge Pronghorns Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 1st Choice Savings Centre 4401 University Drive W Lethbridge, AB T1K 6T5 Canada Lethbridge Pronghorns Men’s Basketball website Lethbridge Pronghorns Women’s Basketball website 1st Choice Savings Centre website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 2,000 U of L Hoops The University of Lethbridge opened its doors in 1967. Its athletic program, competing in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) league, were originally known as the Chinooks; the teams are now known as the Pronghorns. In spite of being a fairly small campus, with around 8,500 students, the sports tradition runs deep at the U of L. Among the most popular teams are the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Southern Alberta is a hotbed for basketball fandom in Canada and so the Pronghorns draw consistently good crowds, as good or better than what comes out to watch the game at Canadian universities much larger than this one. 1st Choice Savings Centre began operations in January, 2007 at a cost of $31 million. The building is still shiny and modern inside and makes for a nice place to visit. Food & Beverage 2 In the lobby outside of the gymnasium you’ll find a Tim Hortons, which is your only option for real food at 1st Choice Savings Centre. Of course, you can also load up on famous Timmy’s coffee and donuts, but they also make a pretty decent sandwich and their soup is also usually pretty tasty. If you’re looking for something a little less ordinary, however, you’ll be out of luck. Through the glass doors that lead into the gym you’ll find yourself on an indoor running track. To your right, on the far north end, is a long row of tables set up as a concession stand full of your garden variety treats. Pop, chips, and candy bars are all available for a couple bucks each. On the other end of the running track, in the far southwest corner, is a podium selling adult beverages. Cash only, this stand has a surprisingly good selection—better even than some bigger, fancier stadiums I’ve been in. For $6 you can choose from Kokanee, Bud Light, Big Rock Traditional, Coors Banquet, Palm Bay Key Lime Cherry, and a couple more options as well if you’re looking to get your drink on. Atmosphere 3 In an arena that holds 2,000 people, the Pronghorns typically draw about 800 fans, which is a decent turnout for CIS basketball. Typically in the CIS, both the women and the men play in back-to-back games, so you’re getting two games for the price of your game ticket. People tend to file in over the course of the women’s game, so the early game tends to be quieter than the late game. There isn’t a lot of energy in the stands in either the women’s or men’s game, with people content to sit back, relax, and enjoy the action on the floor. Eyes tend to be on the game, though, so people appear engaged and there are appropriate cheers and boos for big plays. Because 1st Choice Savings Centre is such a new building it looks beautiful and clean inside. Clusters of lights near the rafters keep the court area brightly lit without being intrusive. Also up near the rafters, on the east and west ends of the court, are the championship banners the Pronghorns have earned over the years, including the Canada West Division championship banners won by the men’s basketball team (1985-86) and the women’s team (1992-93). The retired jersey number of local great Danny Balderson is also hanging alongside the banners. The seating area features comfortable plastic seats and plenty of leg room, making this quite a pleasant place to watch a game. Neighbourhood 3 West Lethbridge is mostly a residential area, with a smattering of commercial buildings, especially to the north end, and the University campus situated at about the midpoint and overlooking the coulees that separate West Lethbridge from the rest of the city. You are probably out of luck if you are looking for some entertainment options on campus. There is a single campus bar, The Zoo, located upstairs in the Students Union Building. The Zoo is open before and after Friday games (until 11:00 pm), but it is closed on Saturdays. You have no better than a 50/50 shot of visiting this place as a result of the conservative hours of operation. A better bet is the West Village Mall which is about two blocks west of the U of L campus and features several spots where you can grab some food before or after the game. For conventional fare, there’s a joint KFC/Taco Bell on one corner and a Dairy Queen on the other. There are also two pubs in the mall: Pop’s Taphouse and Backstreet Pub and Pizza. I recommend trying the Jamie Sandwich at the Backstreet; it’s a sandwich made of pizza fixin’s, and delicious. If you’re willing to take a bit of a drive, there are a number of other dining options to the north along University Dr. My favourite is Mojo’s Pub and Grill, which has more of a family-friendly atmosphere than Pop’s or Backstreet. The burgers there are very good and the sports pub atmosphere is comfortable and pleasant. Overall, there’s probably enough local entertainment to meet the needs of the few hundred people in attendance at Pronghorns games. But ultimately, if you’re looking for the heart of Lethbridge’s entertainment scene, you’ll be taking a drive down Whoop-Up Dr. to either the downtown core or all the way out to Mayor Magrath Dr. S. While this actually isn’t that long a drive in the grand scheme of things (10-15 minutes), it does mean that you’ll be crossing the city to get to other interesting places. Fans 3 A crowd of 800 to a Canadian university basketball game is a pretty good turnout so that’s pretty encouraging. On the other hand, in a venue with more than double that capacity it still seems somewhat sparsely populated. A fairly sedate crowd adds to this sense that the place is on the empty side. Nevertheless, looking around the stands, it is clear that the audience is engaged with the action on the floor, even if they aren’t as demonstrative as I would like. Folks in southern Alberta are basketball fans; they understand the game, they enjoy the game, and it isn’t just a handful of friends and family of the players, as you sometimes see at CIS events. While I would love there to be a little more energy in the stands, it is nice to see a healthy-sized crowd in attendance that cares about their team. Access 5 West Lethbridge is a bit of a drive away from the rest of the city, separated as it is by a deep valley of coulees and the Oldman River, but in a city of about 100,000, nothing is really that far away from anything else. I guess it’s all relative. Parking in Lot E is your best bet. Situated right next to 1st Choice Savings Centre, parking here after business hours and on weekends is free. Lethbridge Transit also has a stop to the immediate south of the building, so a $3 bus fare can get you right to the door of the facility from just about anywhere in the city. Inside, the facility’s main concourse is clean and spacious and features a glass wall looking through to the campus climbing wall. Passing through the glass doors into the running track above the court area puts you in a very roomy area, with a significant number of fans staying up top around the perimeter of the seating area to watch the game from that higher vantage point. Getting in and out of the building and the parking lot take no time at all as there is ample space to move around and get to where you’re going. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for all Pronghorns games are $12 for adults, $9 for seniors, $7 for youths, and free for kids under four years of age. University students can get in for $3. Considering that your price of admission gets you in to see both the women’s and men’s games, that’s great value for your entertainment dollar. Pronghorns basketball, with the possible exception of the Lethbridge College Kodiaks, is the highest-calibre basketball in southern Alberta. Getting to take in two games for the price of one at this level is pretty much the best deal in town. Extras 4 The U of L has its championship banners hanging above the gymnasium, reminding fans and players alike of the team’s proud history. The concourse of 1st Choice Centre also features display cabinets with photos and memorabilia from Pronghorn’s history, adding to the sense of history in the building. Just inside the gym doors is a Pronghorns gazebo setup where tickets are taken and where you can grab a selection of Pronghorns souvenirs. Shirts, sweatshirts, stadium clappers and a few other items can be picked up here. At halftime there are a few audience participation activities to keep the crowd’s interest and entertain the youngsters. At the game I attended there was also a big bouncy castle in the north west corner of the running track up top for kids who are a little too young to stay focused on the game for that long. The Pronghorns also have a cheerleader squad that performs routines on the sidelines during stoppages in game action and that comes out onto the floor to do a few routines over the course of the evening as well. I’m always happy to see recycling bins at a stadium and 1st Choice Savings Centre does. You’ll find bottle and can recycling in several locations, keeping the world a little cleaner and tidier. Final Thoughts Overall, this is a pretty nice atmosphere to watch some quality basketball. The Centre itself is a lovely building, the competition on the floor is great, and the audience is pleasant to be around. If you enjoy getting out to see the kids toss the rock around, as I do, this is a solid, cost-effective option.

Photo Courtesy of the Thetford Blue Sox Some sports teams move out of a city and a stadium but can a whole stadium move out of the city? In some cases, this has happened, and one of them is Stade des Caisses Desjardins in Thetford Mines, Quebec, which was once part of Autostade in Montreal, perhaps one of the most infamous stadiums in Canadian Football League history. Thetford Mines is located 141 miles northwest of Montreal and is known mostly as the asbestos capital of Canada but for some time it was home to minor league baseball in both the Provincial and Eastern Leagues from 1953 to 1975. However, within a few years, the old wooden stadium would be razed and a CFL stadium in Montreal would be disassembled with parts sent to town to form a new baseball stadium home to softball and amateur baseball. Autostade opened in 1966 and was composed of 19 identical prefabricated seating stands. It was constructed using prestressed columns and beams. The grandstand had wide gaps between each seating section, which not only separated fans but allowed for chilly winds to sweep through the facility during late fall games. The Alouettes became the primary tenants in 1968 after moving from Percival Molson Stadium. Due to its distance from downtown Montreal and the frigid winds of the nearby St. Lawrence River, crowds were fleeting at the mod facility. The club would average around 18,000 fans per game during its eight-season tenure.  File Photo The 33,000 seats sloped towards the field level promising great views anywhere in the stadium. Unfortunately, its oval design seemed better suited for Australian Rules Football than the Canadian version. Two-thirds of the stadium's seating was located behind the goal line, and the venue was accessible only by car. Its biggest moment might have been the 1969 Grey Cup where a record of 33,172 watched the country’s biggest football game. The game was played under truculent conditions due to ongoing concerns over the FLQ separatist terrorist bombing activities in Quebec. Police officers in full riot gear secured the stadium and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau participated in the ceremonial opening kickoff without incident. During the Als seven seasons at the stadium, attendance would range from an average of 12,169 per game in 1969 to close to 25,000 during the team’s 1970 Grey Cup championship campaign in what Glen Cole of the Canadian Press referred to as “one of the worst football stadiums in North America.”     Attendance was bleak enough that team owner Sam Berger relocated the Larks back to their original home in 1972. The plan soon proved disappointing with attendance dropping by 60,000; the team would return to Autostade the following season.  “The worst place I ever played in all my years of football. It was always windy, usually colder than most places in the fall, and just plain ugly,” said late Ottawa Rough Rider and CFL Hall of Famer Moe Racine in his memoir “Never My Dream”. Photo Courtesy of Bill Dutfied ( billd@acm.org ) In 1975, nearly half of the seats at the stadium were discounted in hopes of increasing attendance; it was the third time in three years that prices were lowered and attendance increased by 26 percent. The next year the Als would play the first professional event at the brand new Olympic Stadium in front of a record crowd of 68,505, and many including  Montreal Gazette journalist Earl McRae would not miss the vapid facility. “...the miserable, mournful stadium on a desolate section along the St. Lawrence. Rats scurried brazenly throughout the structure, mousetraps were scattered by the hundreds to catch them, lousy food was served by concessions, and rainwater poured through the ceiling of team offices..” Interestingly, Autostade was almost home to the National League expansion Montreal Expos in 1969. The plan was for the stadium to serve as a temporary venue for the club before a $35 million, 55,000-seat domed stadium would open in time for the 1971 season.  The plan was also to expand the seating from 25,000 to 40,000 and cover it with a domed roof. Initial costs were estimated to be $5 million but quickly swelled to $7 million, a pricey sum for a temporary ballpark that included a paved track around the field. The choice was then made for the Expos to convert Jarry Park into a temporary major league ballpark and would use it for the next 9 seasons. The dimensions and location close to downtown made it the most logical choice for the baseball club. By 1977, football and baseball were attracting huge crowds to Olympic Stadium, leading to the eventual closure of Autostade. Around the same time minor league baseball in Thetford Mines was coming to an end after two seasons. The old wooden ballpark was home to the Thedford Mines Miners from 1953-1956 in the Provincial League but had been absent for almost two decades until the Pittsburgh Pirates placed an Eastern League franchise in the city in 1974.  The placement was temporary but the club captured the league championship and featured future All-Stars Willie Randolph and Tony Armas. Randolph, who had played in sunny Charleston, South Carolina, the year before was shocked by conditions in Thetford Mines as he recalled in Yankee Magazine in 2016. " It was kind of a makeshift situation because the team wasn't planning to play there, but they were forced to. It was really cold, and the ballpark we were playing in didn't even have clubhouses. We had to get dressed at a hockey rink and walk over to the ballpark. Randolph added that the field was so bad that the team manager Tim Murtaugh--who  said in the book Beating the Bushes that “an empty lot was cleared, a canvas backdrop was tossed up and someone hollered, "Play ball!"--  would not allow his players out on the field. He would recant in 1989 to the Los Angeles Times "It was so bad they had to condemn it. There had been a lot of rain, and they had these big steamrollers on the field. Well, in short, center field, one of the steamrollers sank down about 10 feet, leaving a big crater. The Bucs drew a season crowd of 22,516 for an average of 322 fans and would leave town at the end of the year. The Milwaukee Brewers replaced them but attracted a dismal 16,000 fans for the final season. Soon, the old ballpark was razed and just an empty grass field remained. The city, needing a new ballpark, went the unconventional route--they bought themselves pieces of a football stadium. They then reassembled into what would be used as a 5,000-seat baseball stadium that included three sections and a press box from what was once Autostade. In February of 1978, the City of Thetford Mines handed a memorandum to the Minister of Urban Affairs to purchase five sections of Autostade to replace the old stadium park and revive the land. Five months later, the sections were purchased and construction began in August 1979. A cost of $350,000 was made to acquire, transfer, and reconstruct the bleachers to its new home.  The park would be home to softball for the next 33 years, hosting the 1982 Senior Men's Canadian Fastpitch Championships that attracted large attendance figures. Then in 2010, Francois Lécuyer, a local businessman, brought baseball to the stadium with the Thetford Blue Sox, a semi-professional team in the Ligue de Baseball Senior Élite du Québec.  Photo Courtesy of the Thetford Blue Sox To prepare for baseball, fences were reinstalled, locker rooms were built, and team headquarters were established beneath the stands. Since 2012, the Sox have won six league championships and draw between 500 and 1,000 fans per game. Professional baseball returned in 2014 for one game when the city hosted the Quebec Capitales of the Can-Am League for an exhibition game, and 5,000 spectators filled the stands on Canada Day. Baseball is thriving once again during the summer months in Thetford Mines, but one has to scratch their heads and wonder why its existence appears to be an enigma to most people. It appears to many that the remnants of Autostade make up Stade des Caisses Desjardins but perhaps there is a reason for it. There was little fanfare in Montreal when the CFL stadium was torn down; the stadium was in service for a decade and was quickly put out of mind once Olympic Stadium opened. Also, the ballpark was never to be converted into a temporary baseball facility for the Expos. This could have thrust the venue’s attention to major league cities and with copious video footage and former players' testimonies, might have left a little more resonance on the public's attention in Montreal. Photo Courtesy of Google Sure, it looked decorative for visitors during Expo ‘67; however, there was not too much time for anyone to reminisce or become teary-eyed about the place, especially when the Alouettes averaged over 54,000 fans per game during the first two seasons at Olympic Stadium.  Today, Stade des Caisses Desjardins is the home of amateur baseball during the summer months in Thetford Mines. When fans take in a Blue Sox game, they are sitting in stands that were once created to watch professional football in Montreal more than 55 years ago. Who knew the legacy of Autostade is still alive and well in Quebec? --- Follow Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 A.E. Wood Coliseum S Capitol St Clinton, MS 39056 Mississippi College Choctaws website A.E. Wood Coliseum website Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 3,400 Choctaw Basketball If you drive from Jackson to Vicksburg on I-20 chances are you’ve seen it, a large, very non-descript structure that resembles a giant golf ball. As you take exit 35 it greets you just off the exit ramp and you’ll think you’re pulling up into the parking lot at Epcot. But this isn’t Disney World – this is the A.E. Wood Coliseum, home of Mississippi College Choctaws Basketball. Situated about 15 minutes west of Jackson, Mississippi is the nice quaint, picturesque town of Clinton, home of the Mississippi College Choctaws. MC, as locals call it, opened its doors in 1826 and is Mississippi’s oldest college, along with being the second-oldest Baptist affiliated college in the world. A.E. Wood Coliseum opened its doors in 1977 and currently seats 3,400. The Choctaws currently compete in Division II as part of the Gulf South Conference. Food & Beverage 1 There is one small stand located to the right as soon as you enter on the south side of the building. The concessions are limited to hamburgers, hot dogs, and nachos ($3 each), as well as bottled soft drinks (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and Dr Pepper at $2 each) and bottled water ($1). Be prepared to have cash ready, as the stand does not take cards and there is not an ATM in the arena. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere is interesting to say the least. The first thing you notice when entering the seating bowl is its impressive roof. The roof is made of thousands of glass octagon-shaped tiles, so it looks like you’re sitting under a giant golf ball – it’s quite visually impressive to say the least and is the most distinctive feature of the building. In addition, the way the roof is made with the white tiles illuminates the court very well, making the building seem very well lit. In fact, during night games you may forget it is dark outside – after sitting in A.E. Wood Coliseum for several hours your body becomes accustomed to the light, so you may think it is daylight outside. Top of the Dome, Photo by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey The venue is octagon-shaped with the court facing southwest to northeast. There is one main entrance on the west side of the building with a small concessions stand located right next to it. There is also a small concourse on the southwest side of the building near the concessions stand which has four entrances up to the seating bowl. The stairs leading up to the seating area are basically a spiral staircase that has a neat retro feel to it, and the seating bowl itself is set up with wooden bleacher-style seats in an octagon-shaped configuration, with the first few rows featuring chair back seating. The northeast end of the court consists of the athletic department offices and a giant (for D2 standards) scoreboard. The board measures 16 ft. tall by 26 ft. wide and reaches across nearly the entire right side of the wall behind the basket. It is quite impressive to see this size scoreboard in this small of a facility, although it would be nice if the video showed something besides just the MC logo moving around at the center of the screen. There is also a smaller sized scoreboard on the southwest side of the building, but it just shows the basic information. Along the back side of the east end court are 12 banners representing conference championships and tournament appearances by Mississippi College. There is one set of restrooms in the arena with the women’s restroom on the southeast corner and the men’s on the west side. All in all A.E. Wood Coliseum is very nice and the court is well lit, though the acoustics in the building seem off – the speaker went in and out several times and there is an obvious echo that drifts throughout the arena. Neighborhood 3 The town of Clinton was founded in 1823 with Mississippi College being founded three years later. The town was overrun with Union officers during the Civil War which destroyed much of the town, however, in the years after the war the college and the town underwent a massive reconstruction phase that resulted in hundreds of new antebellum homes, most of which are still standing. Most of the buildings on campus were built in the years following the war, and they are made with beautiful white marble columns. Perhaps the most historic building on campus is the Provine Chapel; opened in 1860 it is the only building on campus that predates the war, and was used as a Union hospital as well as the first floor being used as a stable to house future president Ulysess S. Grant’s horses. I recommend getting to the game early and giving yourself ample time to walk around the campus – it is very small, but scenic. Historic Olde Town Clinton is just a couple blocks north of campus, and is Clinton’s downtown area. I suggest walking from campus to the downtown area, as it is just a couple of blocks north along Jefferson Street. This street is lined with many antebellum homes, and with its brick-lined streets provides a very picturesque setting. In addition, there are numerous mom and pop shops and small art galleries in the downtown area; a majority of the shops are closed on Saturday nights but there is one sit-down restaurant called 303 Jefferson (the name is the same as its address) which would be a good place to get a drink or get a meal. There is also a large bookstore with a café attached to, but that is also closed on Saturday nights – it would be nice if more of these shops and eateries were open later. However, the road headed into campus (Highway 80) has all the regular fast food chains, so you should be able to find plenty to eat. For lodging, the area south of campus has several hotels (Fairfield Inn, Hampton Inn, etc.) and you are only a short 15-minute drive from Jackson where additional lodging and restaurants can be found. For something to visit while in the area I recommend making the 30-minute drive to Vicksburg, which is also a very historic town, so history buffs can spend a whole weekend walking around the downtown area and the Vicksburg National Military Park, which was the site of one of the most important battles in the Civil War. You pay per vehicle and can drive around all the different historical areas of the park, so one could spend hours here and I highly recommend it. Fans 2 Due to the fact that school was out for Christmas break there were not a lot of students present at the most recent game I attended. The Choctaws are averaging just a little over 400 fans per home contest this 2018-19 season, and the announced attendance at the most recent game I saw was 302. With the majority of the players from Mississippi, it seemed like most of the fans in attendance were either related to the players on the team or had some sort of relation to the university. The lower sections were pretty full while the upper wooden style bleacher seating was rather empty, with fans scattered throughout. On the most recent night I attended MC played in state rival Delta State from nearby Cleveland, Mississippi – a lot of Delta State’s fans made the trip although I didn’t see a lot of college-aged students. Access 5 You will not find a more accessible college anywhere in the state than Mississippi College. Conveniently located in the center of the state you are within a 3 or 4-hour drive to anywhere in Mississippi. The main road into Clinton is I-20, and you would take this road if traveling east or west. I-20 can have bad traffic especially at the I-55 junction, so if you take 1-20 around 5 pm on a weekday you are going to be stuck in traffic. Mississippi College’s campus is located on the far west side of town, so take Exit 35 and you will see the giant golf ball-shaped dome ahead of you, right next to the football and baseball stadium. Highway 80 runs from Jackson right into campus, but it takes you through a rough section of town in the south Jackson area, but if you want to take the scenic route the historic Natchez Trace Parkway also runs right through Clinton. This two-lane road is very peaceful and void of red lights and any commercial traffic. The Trace has tons of areas you can pull off the road and visit such as Indian mounds, old cemeteries, historic houses, nature trails, campgrounds, etc., so if you have time I suggest just driving down The Trace just for its scenic beauty. Just make sure you go the speed limit though – the whole parkway is administered by the National Park Service and the speed limit is between 40 and 50, and you will have to pay a pretty hefty fine if you are caught speeding. Return on Investment 3 I was pleasantly surprised to see that A.E. Wood Coliseum has a small ticket office set up selling tickets as you enter. A lot of smaller colleges do not require purchase of a ticket to attend a game, but the prices here are reasonable ($5 admission) so it will not break the bank. Combining the ticket and the low concessions prices you are looking at spending $10 to $15 tops, but my recommendation would be to get something to eat before you come to the game and just pay for the ticket. Extras 3 Located right under the large Mississippi College banner on the south concourse is a small kiosk which serves as the Mississippi College Athletics Hall of Fame – this interactive display is a touch screen where you can view all the different athletes in the Hall. For a school as small as Mississippi College it is nice to see that they have a nice setup where fans can familiarize themselves with some of the athletes that came from the school. Before visiting A.E. Wood Coliseum the only notable athlete I knew of who attended Mississippi College was former New Orleans Saints pro bowl kick returner Fred McAfee, but after leaving the arena I knew about some of the other athletes who attended the school, so one extra point for that. Another extra point goes to the campus itself – I recommend just walking around the campus and the town of Clinton before the game as the area is very pretty. The campus and downtown area cover just a couple of blocks, so you could easily walk around for 30 minutes or so before the game. Mississippi College Campus, Photo by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Another extra goes to for accessibility; Mississippi College’s campus is one of the most convenient campuses I’ve ever visited. You could go from driving on the interstate to parking to sitting down in your seat in less than 10 minutes, as A.E. Wood Coliseum and the parking lot are located literally less than 100 feet from the interstate. Final Thoughts There are tons of elaborate basketball venues in the country these days and most of them, with all their bells and whistles, are more to just experience the atmosphere of attending the game. At A.E. Wood Coliseum you will not find any Cameron Crazies or Bleacher Creatures , but instead you get to see a basketball game in its purest form, the way it was meant to be played. There are no t-shirt tosses during timeouts, there’s no halftime show, no cheerleaders, no promotional contests, etc., so as long as you understand that going in you will be satisfied.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 AVEVA Stadium 2055 Mowery Rd Houston, TX 77045 Houston Sabercats website AVEVA Stadium website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 4,000 Sabercats' New Era at AVEVA Stadium The close of the 2019 season for Major League Rugby’s Houston Sabercats saw the beginning of a new era for the still fledgling team. After a series of delays due to Houston’s famously fickle weather, the second to last game of the season was witness to the grand opening of the team’s brand-new facility, AVEVA Stadium. With its opening, the venue becomes only the second in the United States to be built solely for Major League Rugby. The opening brought with it tons of pomp and circumstance, including a speech from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and a flyover by the United States Coast Guard. As it goes forward, what will AVEVA Stadium look like on the Houston sports scene? Read all about it from my visit. Food & Beverage 3 As it currently sits, there is one main concessions area for fans at AVEVA Stadium which offers much of your traditional stadium fare, such as hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, popcorn, and soft pretzels – all of these options are available for $5 to $8 each. The stadium also offers some upgraded items, such as fish and chips baskets and personal-sized cheese and pepperoni pizzas ($10). In terms of beverages, AVEVA Stadium offers bottled soda, water, and sports drinks ($4). The concessions stand, which does have multiple windows, is located directly behind the west grandstand. Because of where it is situated, this does tend to be a high-traffic area and there are bottlenecks throughout the game. However, the staff does a good job of cycling people through fairly quickly. There are also two full bars at AVEVA Stadium, offering mixed drinks as well as beer and wine. One of the bars is located behind the team store on the north end of the field, while the other is on the south end of the field under the jumbotron in the stadium’s Party Zone. Both of these bars are, obviously, very popular and tend to be busy throughout the game. You should plan your visits accordingly to mitigate missing the action on the pitch. Atmosphere 4 As was to be expected for its grand opening, the atmosphere at AVEVA Stadium was pretty electric during my visit. There was a live band performing before and after the game, and the staff also had members of the armed services in attendance for Military Appreciation Night. The venue also had fireworks going off before the game, and it was a virtual sellout for opening night – it will be interesting to see how well the Sabercats can keep the momentum going moving forward. Overall, this is a really well-designed facility. It has a very industrial look and feel to it, with many of the buildings – including the team store and one of the bars – looking like modified shipping containers. Steel and concrete abound, and this seems to fit with the general aesthetics of the sport of rugby. In certain spots, especially the south end, you are virtually right on top of the action. The fans seated on both ends, in fact, are apt to find themselves on the lookout for a falling rugby ball that has sailed through the uprights on a try. Of course, there are still some bugs to be worked out and some finishing touches to be added, but one game in, AVEVA Stadium looks great. Neighborhood 2 Houston is the fourth largest city in the country and is one of the premier tourist spots in all of Texas. It has a metropolitan air to it – the Theater District, Museum District, and Chinatown neighborhoods are attractions not seen anywhere else in the state – that adds to the city’s overall charm. When attending games at AVEVA Stadium, this is something you should keep in mind before and after games. The Sabercats new home is located about 15 minutes east of Houston’s downtown, near the campus of Houston Community College and the Houston Sportsplex, which is the training site of the MLS’s Houston Dynamo – if you plan your visit right, you might be able to catch one of the Dynamo’s practices. Other than that, there is really nothing else to see or do in the area immediately around AVEVA Stadium; it is in a still relatively undeveloped part of the city. While this area is within eyesight of NRG Stadium and the Astrodome, and you can’t miss the Houston skyline, there is a distinct lack of activity in the immediate neighborhood. Fans 3 The Houston Sabercats first took the pitch in 2017, and in that time they’ve developed quite a rabid fan base. At their former home, Constellation Field in Sugar Land, the team averaged just under 1,000 fans per game. For a niche sport in a still growing league, that’s not a bad number. But at their new home in Houston proper, you can expect this number to rise significantly. For this first game the stands were jam packed – tailgaters littered the parking lots and there was a surprisingly large amount of yellow and black Sabercat gear in the stands. Houston, with the multinational and diverse makeup of its citizenry, is the ideal spot for a team like the Sabercats; I expect as they find success on the pitch, you’ll see their fan base get even larger. Fans in Stands at a Houston Sabrecats Match, Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey On a related note, I freely admit that I don’t have the depth of knowledge of the sport of rugby to be considered anything near being called an expert – the rules of the game, let alone the nuances, are something that I am woefully under-educated on. With that said, I was glad to have true fans of the game in the stands, to educate fellow novices, like myself, on the finer points. Access 3 You can get to AVEVA Stadium fairly easily from downtown Houston via Highway 288. While there isn’t much in the way of signage yet marking the way – there are signs for the Houston Sportsplex, though – I expect that will come with time. The parking lot at AVEVA Stadium is one of the areas that still wasn’t quite ready yet on opening night, but there was still ample parking to accommodate the large crowd. The fee to park at the stadium is $10 per car, but down the road at the Sportsplex there is parking for $5, with a “valet shuttle” to take you to the game. Return on Investment 3 General admission tickets for the Houston Sabercats start at $15 per person, which is a pretty spot-on price point for a growing sport in the U.S. like professional rugby. This is especially a good deal for a brand-new facility like AVEVA Stadium, and a great way to introduce new fans to the sport, especially if you want to bring in younger fans to introduce to the game. Couple the ticket cost with the relatively low concessions and parking costs, and you can take a large group or family to a Sabercats game and not have to worry about spending the proverbial arm and a leg. I think fans should get in early on the sport, as it seems poised to take off in the coming years. Extras 2 For their first game at AVEVA Stadium, the Sabercats brought out a ton of extras, but I don’t believe the flyover, the live band, and the vintage military vehicles that were seen this first night will be a regular part of the game day experience going forward. With that said, I think you can still bank on a couple of things to be there every night. Near the main entrance, for example, there were quite a few sponsors and vendors with booths offering games and giveaways to fans. You can also bank on the team’s cheerleaders, the Houston LadyCats Spirit Squad , to be delighting the fans on the sidelines and at halftime during every home game. The team also brings in junior rugby teams to take the pitch during the intermission, which is a great way to cultivate young fans of the sport and of the team. Final Thoughts There is still room for improvement at AVEVA Stadium, but even without all the polish being applied, you can see that this is going to be a great facility. It seems truly designed with the rugby fan in mind – the sight lines are spectacular, you feel like you’re on top of the action from every seat in the building, and the Sabercats have done a great job in educating fans about the team. I expect by the time next season (2020) rolls around, AVEVA Stadium will be the talk of the league. Houston has it all when it comes to sports, so I think it is only fitting that the Sabercats be included in the mix. If you have even a passing interest in the sport of rugby, you should make a visit to catch a Sabercats game. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 AZ Ice Arcadia 3853 E Thomas Rd Phoenix, AZ 85018 GCU Antelopes men's hockey website AZ Ice Arcadia website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 500 Lopes on Ice The Grand Canyon University Antelopes (nicknamed Lopes) Team 1 hockey club plays in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. The team moved from the Div II level to the Div I level this 2019-2020 season. So far, they’ve struggled a bit but it’s still early in the season. They play their home matches in the AZ Ice Arcadia, an off-campus rink in Phoenix, AZ. The rink features an NHL-sized ice surface, LED lighting, dedicated locker rooms, showers, and offices. It also serves as a community rink/rec center. Junior and kid’s rec leagues play and practice here too. Food & Beverage 3 A small snack bar area offers coffee, packaged snacks, and vending machines. The main draw for food is the Ice House Tavern (a restaurant and bar that overlooks the ice). The Ice House Tavern offers craft and bottled beers ($5 – $6) with pitchers available and a happy hour at select times. It sells traditional bar food such as wings, chicken strips, burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, etc. with prices ranging from about $6 – $12. There’s enough to keep a fan satisfied throughout the game. Atmosphere 3 As with many smaller rinks, it gets cold; quite frigid in fact. Wear layers – a long sleeve t-shirt, sweatshirt, and jacket; many fans bring blankets. All seating is general admission. Seating is four rows of bleachers with no backs on just one side of the rink. A small set of handrails is in the middle of the seating section. Small tables with chairs are at the far end of the seating area. Player benches and penalty boxes are on the opposite side. The standing room is behind one end of the rink. Being a skating rec center, too, the glass surrounding the rink is quite scratched. A net goes from the top of the glass to the ceiling so no pucks go flying into the stands. Music is played and there is a PA announcer but neither can be understood or heard well at all due to a muffled sound system which fits in perfectly for this club-level team. A center ice, dot matrix scoreboard showing period, time, goals, penalties, and shots on goal hangs from the ceiling. NHL Stanley Cup banners and all kinds of recreational group championship banners adorn the walls. A small souvenir/hockey shop is on-site just upon entry. It provides custom skate sharpening and repairs as well. GCU players climb down a flight of stairs and across the end of the concourse to get to/from the ice, something I have not seen before. Neighborhood 3 The arena is in a commercial neighborhood with lots of shops, strip malls, and small businesses along a busy main road. Plenty of fast food restaurants are within walking distance or a short drive. Helio Basin Brewing (which also serves delicious food) is in the same shopping center as the ice rink. Wren House Brewery is about three miles from the rink. Within the AZ Ice Arcadia, itself is the Ice House Tavern which serves drinks and traditional bar food and burgers. Hotels near the airport on 44th Street might be the best bet for lodging. Try the Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North or Residence Inn by Marriott Phoenix Airport just about two miles from the AZ Ice Arcadia. Only five miles away are the Desert Botanical Gardens and the Phoenix Zoo if looking for other attractions on a nice Arizona fall/winter day. Other sports during the hockey season include GCU basketball and football, ASU hockey, basketball, and football, Arizona Fall League (baseball), and the Phoenix Suns . An abundance of sports events is available in the fall and winter in the Phoenix area. Fans 3 Plenty of students show up for a Saturday evening match. Interestingly, many female students are there (in packs) watching the game. A few families and alumni round out the fan base. On the game of this review, several dogs were in attendance. All, except maybe the dogs, show a great deal of school pride. Like with most levels of hockey, fans tend to like the fights more than the goals. Access 3 Finding the shopping center in which the rink resides is easy enough; however, finding the rink takes some time as it sits behind some of the shops. If facing the shopping center from Thomas Road, it’s to the left of Walmart down a small alley behind the Sprint store. Parking is in front and behind the shopping center at no charge. A clear bag policy is not implemented. Return on Investment 3 Admission is $8 for the casual fan. GCU students, faculty, and kids under 18 get in free. Visiting team students get in for ½ price. Credit cards and cash are accepted. Parking is free and food and beverage items are consistent with other club-level rinks. Extras 2 The students running the ticket table are extremely kind and friendly, always a good start to a game. The Zamboni is old and rusted and has the Phoenix Roadrunners logo on its side. The Phoenix Roadrunners are a defunct minor league team who played in Phoenix in various leagues until 2009. It’s cool to see it still in operation. Final Thoughts The GCU hockey club is a pay-to-play team. The players certainly look like they are having fun and their classmates enjoy rooting them on. If in town for the weekend, grab a blanket and head to the rink for a game for less than going to a movie

Photos by Andy Mantsch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.00 Adelanto Stadium 2000 Stadium Way Adelanto, CA 92301 Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 3,808 A Baseball Diamond in the Desert Adelanto Stadium is quite literally in the middle of the desert. This isn’t an expression. Beyond the outfield walls lies a sea of sand and cactus. Adelanto, California does lie just south of the stadium, but even that feels like a small town with a few strip malls stoplights before you’re back in the desert again. To say this is a remote setting for baseball would be an understatement. The stadium opened in 1991 at a cost of $6 million and has a capacity of 3,308 people. It was the home of the High Desert Mavericks of the California League until it 2016 when the club, along with Bakersfield was contracted by the league. The next season the High Desert Yardbirds opened shop in the independent Pecos League capturing a league championship in it maiden season. However, a funny thing happened midway through the clubs third season in 2019 when league commissioner announced that the Yardbirds would be leaving the stadium and operate the rest of the season as a road team. The team attracted a pitiful 40 fans a game and was cited as the main reason for the club’s departure by However, field conditions were also poor that included the dirt infield showing patches of grass and the field being flooded that cause the Birds last game to be delayed two hours begging the question on how you can flood a baseball field in the desert. It is all part of a long history of trials and tribulations of the ballpark and perhaps the Yardbirds or another form of baseball will be back in Adelanto that despite its critics has managed to host pro baseball close to 30 seasons. However, will professional baseball return to High Desert in 2020? Food & Beverage 2 There’s really only one concession stand that serves food here, although there is a kettle corn stand and a shaved ice stand to choose from as well. Stands accept debit and credit and are fairly speedy. The main menu is largely the basic ballpark food with a few upgrades. Specialty items include the SoCal Nacho Dog ($7), Maverick Super Nachos ($7.75), Wooly Bully Burger ($7.75) and Texas Ranger Burger ($9.00). Beyond these items the menu consists of the usual, including hot dogs ($3.50), pretzels ($3.75) and chicken tenders with fries ($7.50). Drink options are pretty basic here. Drinks are primarily can or bottle with Gatorade ($4) and bottled water ($3.50) as options in addition to soda ($4). Beer is available for $6 for 16oz. and $8 for 24oz. cans. Probably the most interesting option is wine for $7. I’d recommend one of the 4 specialty items off the menu, but there’s no real distinguishable choice of beverage here. Atmosphere 2 There really isn’t much at Adelanto Stadium that speaks to any true ambiance beyond the desert wasteland beyond the outfield fence. There is uniqueness in the setting, but not enough else to support it. The stadium itself is as basic as it gets. A grandstand extends from 3rd base around to 1st base with berms in left and right field. These berms may have been grass-covered once, but as will happen in a desert it has largely died. The infield has a visually pleasing circular cut of the grass as well, but again the grass on the field is a bit patchy. There is a cool looking terrace seating section down the left field line, but unfortunately it was not open during my visit. There’s not a lot in particular to speak of in terms of in-game entertainment either. There’s some of the usual minor league promotions on the fields and Wooly Bully (the Mavericks mascot) makes his way around the field and entertains fans. Strangely, the PA announcer often speaks in Spanish, something I had never heard before at a minor league game. Attendance at Adelanto Stadium had waned over the years and reached an all time low in 2015, so seats are abundantly available. The grandstand is elevated and there are field views from anywhere in the concourse, so you have your pick of seats without sacrificing your view. The desert sun can get hot, so during day games you may want to sit further from the field in the last rows of the stands. These seats are the only in the park that receive shade from the grandstand awning. Neighborhood 1 Neighborhood? What neighborhood? The area around the park is completely desert, so I wouldn’t recommend walking anywhere from the game. Adelanto is not far down the road, but it’s mostly chain restaurants and strip malls…and even those aren’t in abundance. The two foods options that show up most when investigating the area are Rubio’s (Mexican food) and Bravo Burgers. Both are very affordable, but if you’re looking for upscale dining expect to be out of luck. While some of the mountain views from the surrounding desert can be stunning, there are no real attractions here to speak of. Adelanto is not somewhere you’re going to spend a vacation. Only 2 hotels show as truly Adelanto local. These are the America’s Best Value Inn and the Days Inn Adelanto. I’d strongly recommend making this stadium a pit stop and not a vacation spot. Fans 1 With attendance figures at 40 fans per game it is easy to understand why this section gets a point. There was a time when this was not the case, even for the Yardbirds first season. Maybe many are bitter for affiliated ball leaving, perhaps there is some bias towards indy ball, but the club posted a 101-71 record and a league championship in three years at the stadium. Apparently the High Desert Mavericks had a once mighty fan base with a strong reputation., but attendance had fallen steadily over the years. The club ranked 9th out of the 10 California League teams in attendance according to during its last several seasons in town. Access 3 The stadium is incredibly easy to access locally, assuming you regularly drive to and through the Mojave Desert. Other than that, you’re going to be driving to the middle of nowhere from just about anywhere you’re coming from. Public transit really isn’t an option, but it doesn’t need to be because of the general ease of entry and exit from the park. If you’re flying in for a game, Ontario Airport is only about an hour south down I-15. There is only one large parking lot around Adelanto Stadium. This is a park where there really aren’t any other options to park because there’s really nothing else around it at all. The only gate for the stadium is right behind home plate. I’d strongly recommend buying tickets in advance, but not because of sellout potential. The ticketing windows are very limited and slow, meaning you might hit a lengthy line despite the lack of overall attendance. Once in the park, it really couldn’t be easier to move around. The concourse is wide and elevated, meaning you’ll have an excellent view of the game from just about anywhere. Restrooms are on the 1st and 3rd base lines and are fairly large for the stadium, although not particularly pleasant. Return on Investment 3 According to the team’s website, all seats are General Admission tickets and cost $8. All seats are first come first serve with the exception of season tickets and skyboxes. This price point was similar to when the California League was in town and is what one should expect from the Pecos League. It is cheap and if you truly love to sit and watch baseball, the value can’t be beat,but if you want more in a stadium experience, this is a pretty low level park. Extras 1 This park is pretty cookie cutter overall, and extras don’t abound. It has the feel of a park that once relied heavily on community engagement, but as that has waned so has the baseball experience. The unusual environment though offers a bit more than a visually unique perk. The elevation, thin air and size of the ballpark means you’re more likely to see home runs here than your average park. When all else fails, we all like the long ball, right? Final Thoughts Far from the nicest stadium in baseball, Adelanto Stadium is long way drive to get to. Probably too long for what you’ll get. This one is for the die-hard baseball fan and the ardent ballpark traveler who happens to be in San Bernardino or Rancho Cucamonga watching affiliate baseball.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Alamodome 100 Montana St San Antonio, TX 78203 Alamo Bowl website Alamodome website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 64,000 Remember the Alamo Bowl! The 2019 version of the Valero Alamo Bowl marked the 26th edition of the annual contest held each year at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The annual clash between teams from the Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences saw the Texas Longhorns take on the Utah Utes in only the second-ever meeting between the two schools. Since the inaugural game, the 64,000-seat Alamodome – one of the oldest indoor multipurpose stadiums in the country – has been the home of the Alamo Bowl. Thanks to the association with the largely Texas-centric Big 12, the large and cavernous Alamodome is quite often filled to capacity, becoming a raucous event and one of the biggest social scenes on the San Antonio calendar. With the Texas Longhorns heading down from nearby Austin for a virtual home game, the Dome was especially lively and energetic this season; this palpable energy was largely able to cover up many of the Alamodome’s sometimes glaring flaws. Food & Beverage 4 One thing the Alamodome does not lack is a variety of quality concession items and offerings. What visitors will find is a mix of traditional stadium food and drink options, pared-down versions of national chains, and a sprinkling of local food and drink favorites unique to the Alamo City. You’ll be able to find choices on every level of the Dome. Because of the capacity of the Alamodome, the lines tend to fill up fast depending on what time during the on-field action you head to the lines. However, as part of the recent renovations in 2016-17, all the concession lines were upgraded and updated to now accept credit cards, which significantly speeds things up. There is a wide variety of food and drink offerings at the Alamodome. There are close to a dozen stands that offer your basic game day selections, such as nachos, hot dogs, popcorn, soft pretzels, soda (the Alamodome offers Pepsi products for your soda selection), and candy; these all range between $6 and $12. There are also nationwide chains, such as Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Papa John’s Pizza. The Alamodome also offers two great selections that are the epitome of San Antonio cuisine, namely Tex-Mex and barbecue. Los Barrios Continental Mexican Cuisine and Big Bib BBQ both have multiple stands located throughout the Alamodome. If you’re in the mood for beef or chicken fajita nachos or a pulled pork or chopped brisket sandwich, these two pinnacles of San Antonio have got you covered at the Alamodome. When it comes to adult beverages, the Alamodome has that covered as well. There are hard liquor and cocktail stands, beer stands, wine stands, and frozen margarita kiosks and carts throughout the Dome. For craft beer lovers, two San Antonio pioneers in the field, Alamo Beer Company and the Freetail Brewing Company , have got you covered. Atmosphere 3 The Alamodome – due to its design – is very cavernous. On games where the Alamodome is not filled to capacity it feels conspicuously empty. However, when a team like the Texas Longhorns or someone of that ilk comes to town, you don’t have to worry about it being empty. Built specifically to house football, the Alamodome has a configuration that gives the impression of an over-sized barn. However, because of the space, the seats in the lower bowl, specifically those along the sidelines, have the best sight lines for the on-field action. The two large video boards, one in each end zone, help those in seats which aren’t on that main level. During a game with the magnitude of the Alamo Bowl, all the usually closed off upper sections of the Alamodome are open, which cuts down on some of the emptiness. But those upper seats in particular will need to rely on the video boards to see what is going on during the game. In an effort to keep the facility competitive in the world of big-time sporting events, the Alamodome has undergone near continuous renovations and improvements in the last decade. In addition to the 2016-17 renovations, which totaled over $50 million and included upgrades to the main concourse and the addition of new video ribbon boards, the Alamodome replaced the playing surface in time for the 2019 season. For events like the Alamo Bowl, the teams also each bring in their bands, cheerleaders, dance squads, and mascots. With Texas coming to town, they bring their legendary live mascot Bevo with them. If you’re lucky enough to get down on the field near him, he is an impressive site to see in person. Neighborhood 5 Few big-time facilities can match the setting that the Alamodome has to offer its visitors. The stadium is literally within walking distance of San Antonio’s vibrant cultural hub, its downtown area. A short 15-minute drive from the San Antonio International Airport, the Alamodome has proven to be a favorite for large-scale events, specifically sporting events. Fans who annually flock to the Alamodome have frequently commented upon its convenience and location as being a draw. San Antonio’s downtown area is home to the historic and photogenic River Walk , the legendary Alamo , attraction-filled Hemisfair Park , and the most defining feature of the San Antonio skyline, the Tower of the Americas . Each and every one of these are must-see attractions for visitors to San Antonio, and all are within walking distance of the Alamodome. If you’re looking to grab a bite to eat before or after the game, the downtown area is crawling with some of the highest-rated restaurants in the city. However, if you’re looking to get a true taste of the city, you need to head down to the River Walk to Casa Rio , a true staple of Mexican food in the city. Another highly recommended spot is The Esquire Tavern – this longtime San Antonio favorite has a history as a former speakeasy, and has upgraded and updated their food and drink menu to feature modern spins on many old-time classics. Another amenity that the Alamodome area has to offer is an abundance of hotel and motel options. Downtown San Antonio is the hub for tourism in the city, and as such has a ton of options where visitors can stay. Historic St. Paul Square, which is (there is a theme here) a less than 10-minute walk from the Alamodome , has two family-friendly spots to stay at: Staybridge Suites Downtown Convention Center and Best Western Plus Sunset Suites. Whatever your budget, you’re going to find something you’ll like. Fans 5 Bowl games are really atypical in terms of sporting events. In theory, both teams competing have had great (or at least good) seasons. For some, the bowl game is the highest achievement a program could have. For fans, the game not only gives them a chance to root on their team in a game of importance, but also gives them a chance to visit a city and have a bit of a vacation built on the football game. The Alamo Bowl is typically one of these types of games. In theory, the second-best program in both the Big 12 and Pac-12 are invited to attend. The 2019 edition of the game saw nearly 61,000 fans flock to the Alamodome; while the vast majority were rabid Longhorns fans, the Utes fan base was also well represented. This falls right in line with the recent trend of the Alamo Bowl, which has averaged close to 60,000 per game since 2010. In terms of crowd noise, the Alamodome was rocking from start to finish. When the fans are engaged, the Dome’s configuration amplifies the noise and it feels and sounds even louder. This adds to the energy of the game. When Texas is involved, the fans are engaged from start to finish, and this year’s game was no exception. Access 4 The Alamodome is in a prime location for visitors to the city. Located directly off Interstate 37, the stadium is also near the crossroads of Interstates 10 and 35. Within walking distance of downtown San Antonio and a short drive from the airport, it really doesn’t get much easier to get into and out of the stadium on game day. The city’s mass transit system, VIA, has a bus stop right at street level at the Alamodome, and is a great option for those looking to avoid the traffic before and after the Alamo Bowl. For those looking to use the park and ride option, there are three locations throughout the city that will cost you $2 to $4 for roundtrip to attend the game. Uber and Lyft are still fairly new to the Alamo City, but both rideshare services are available options as well. In terms of parking, the Alamodome has two main paid parking lots, Lots B and C, for visitors. On game day for the Alamo Bowl these open at 10 am for tailgating, and they fill up fast. The cost for these lots is $20 per car. Behind the parking area is a residential neighborhood; some of the intrepid residents, as well as some of the area businesses, have made parking available for nominal fees on game day. Like most things, it all depends on how much you want to spend. One thing you want to keep in mind is the new security measures the Alamodome has put into place in recent years; in addition to strictly enforcing the clear-bag policy, the Dome has metal detectors/scanners that everyone has to go through before entering the stadium. This does take time, so plan accordingly. Return on Investment 3 The cost to attend the annual Alamo Bowl is truly right about what you would expect for a major college football event that’s not part of the College Football Playoffs. It isn’t “cheap” by any stretch of the imagination, but it is well worth the price for those who are fans of either team, or of the sport in general. Ticket prices this year ranged from $85 to $300 per person, depending on where you want to sit. The concessions are also right along what you would pay at any Division I stadium. A premium beer will set you back $11 and food at Los Barrios and Big Bib – the previously mentioned fajita nachos and barbecue sandwiches – will cost you $13. Souvenir soda cups are $9 (you can get a regular soda for $7), and a program is $5. When you factor in these costs plus the $20 for parking, the Alamo Bowl will set you back a pretty penny. Extras 3 There really has been a ton of work put into making the Alamodome an even better facility for games, especially during the Alamo Bowl itself. One of the areas that was really focused on was the main entry way and the plaza on the north end of the stadium. This area is one of the most popular and populated areas of the stadium before the game, as there are games, vendors, concessions, and more for fans. This is also the area where the local sports radio stations set up to broadcast pre-game shows. Inside the Alamodome near the main entrance, a new beer garden was installed as part of these oft-mentioned renovations. With tons of beer selections and high-definition televisions, this is a popular spot during every game at this facility, including the Alamo Bowl. There are also live bands that perform on the main concourse level, adding to the excitement and the energy during games. Not that the Alamo Bowl needs it. Final Thoughts I have been to roughly half of the Alamo Bowls since the year they started, and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed myself every time. Rarely do I have a personal rooting interest in any of the teams playing, but that has not dampened my enthusiasm for what takes place on the field. I love college football unabashedly, and the Alamo Bowl represents the best of what the sport has to offer: it has pageantry, tradition, history, rabid fan bases, and flat out great football virtually every time out. If you too are a fan of the sport, you should add the Alamo Bowl to your bucket list of big games to attend. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Albert Gersten Pavilion 1 LMU Drive Los Angeles, CA 90045 Loyola Marymount Lions website Albert Gersten Pavilion website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 4,156 The Pride of Loyola Marymount In 1987, the Loyola Marymount Lions basketball team began an improbable three-year run to new heights, reaching the NCAA tournament each season. Coached by Paul Westhead, the team featured Hank Gathers, who led the country in scoring and rebounding in 1988-89, and Bo Kimble running a high-octane offense that saw them average 122.4 points per game in 1989-90, a record that still stands today. Sadly, Gathers died after collapsing during a WCC tournament game that season, with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy the cause. Inspired and driven, the Lions went to the Elite Eight that year with Kimble leading the way, but since then, the program has fallen on hard times. Last season, the team made the semifinals of the College Basketball Invitational, so maybe things are looking up at Hank’s House, the unofficial nickname of Gersten Pavilion, where the Lions play. Regardless of the team’s future, Gersten is an overlooked gym in star-studded Los Angeles, and this review is here to show you that should most definitely not be the case. Food & Beverage 3 There is a single concession stand located in the spacious atrium between Gersten and the Burns Recreation Center. In addition to easing the flow inside the facility, having the concession outside allows fans to stretch and mingle during halftime, while enjoying the weather. There is a scoreboard that lets you know how long until the second half resumes, so you won’t miss a second of the action. In terms of food, there is a decent amount of choice here, with a combo (hot dog, beverage, and choice of chips, churro, ice cream, or a candy bar) a good deal at $10. Dogs are $5 otherwise, and there is an $8 featured dog that varies every game, though as I attended during the winter break, they didn’t have one that night. Other options include nachos for $6 ($4 more for the ultimate variety), street tacos for $2 (add a buck for the featured option) and pretzel bites with bacon and cheese for $7, while a regular pretzel is $5. The “Grab and Go” section includes a couple of sandwich varieties (chicken salad, turkey), a chicken Caesar salad, and a ham & cheese sub, each for $7. Snacks are typical, with popcorn, Red Vines, and ice cream at $4, while chips and king-sized candy bars are $3. Coca-Cola provides non-alcoholic beverages, with a bottled soda, PowerAde, or Smartwater all $4. Fountain sodas are a buck less; tea, hot chocolate, and coffee (iced and hot) can also be purchased for $3 or $4. They even sell beer here, with season ticket holders and students getting free suds, with a limit of 2. This isn’t just your generic swill, but craft beer provided by Santa Monica Brew Works. If you are not a member of either group, you will pay $9. Atmosphere 4 Gersten Pavilion is part of LMU’s athletics complex in the middle of campus, right next to the Burns Recreation Center. This is a surprisingly formidable looking combination of buildings, with the space between them an eerie outdoor atrium that looks more like a Star Wars rebel base than a college rec center. Opened in 1981 and named for Albert Gersten, father of LMU regent Albert Gersten, Jr., the facility used to be the occasional practice court for the Lakers and was the site for weightlifting at the 1984 Olympics. It has a capacity of 4,156, which has been exceeded on nine occasions. Inside the main entrance is a long hallway with the Spirit Store the only inhabitant. There are doors directly to the court from here, but those are restricted to courtside seat holders. Other fans will have to choose between the two staircases at either end of the hall. Inside, the gym is quite colorful, with one wall in blue and the other in red. This motif extends to the floor itself, where one key is red and the other blue; a good way to utilize both of the school’s colors. There is a clever transition between the two colors along the sidelines as red stripes get larger and blue stripes get smaller towards center court, and then reverse on the other side. There are also palm trees on the court, making it a unique floor in college hoops. It demonstrates that someone in the athletics department has a good sense of design and that is reflected throughout the venue. Banners are located in the rafters on each side of the court, again in blue and red. Retired jerseys, including Gathers’ #44, are on the north wall. The logos for the other schools in the WCC are tastefully displayed in white against an off-white background on the south wall, divided into two groups of five. In terms of seating, the west side lower level encompasses Sections 101-105 and each seat is a chair back with a cupholder in the armrest. Across the way in Sections 301-305, there are individual bench seats. The upper levels on both sides (201-205 on the west, 401-405 on the east) are wooden bleachers, but all seats are reserved. There are 4 rows of individual benches behind one basket but these are generally not available to fans; there is a DJ who sets up shop here and plays tunes before the game and at halftime. The scoreboard is two-sided and hangs above mid-court, while stats boards can be found directly behind each basket. The visitors are introduced to the Imperial Theme from Star Wars, while there is an inspirational video featuring Gathers before the home team is brought out. There are typical promos during timeouts such as tossed t-shirts and shot contests that keep fans entertained. Neighborhood 3 The LMU campus is located in the Westchester neighborhood, just north of LAX. There isn’t much within walking distance of the venue, though Benny’s Tacos & Chicken Rotisserie is at the corner of Manchester and Loyola Boulevard, and seems like a popular late-night spot for students. Just west of here is Lincoln Boulevard, which has a few chain options, as well as Kanpai, a sushi joint. If craft beer is your thing, try Three Weavers Brewing Company a few blocks east on Manchester. If you are an aviation enthusiast, the in-N-Out Burger at Sepulveda and Westchester is right next to a park where you can watch planes landing at LAX. Across the street is the Melody Bar & Grill. Any of the hotels next to LAX is a good spot to stay if you are only in town for the Lions, but if touring is your goal, you will probably want to stay closer to downtown. Of course, this area will undergo dramatic change over the next few years with the 2020 opening of SoFi Stadium, which lies about 5 miles east of Gersten Pavilion that will be home to both the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams. Fans 4 I attended a weekend game during winter break when only 670 fans showed up. It is not fair to base the ranking on that, so looking at ticket sales for upcoming matches and relying on past reviews, I see that LMU has a strong fan base, and a particularly strong student section, known as The Roar. Toward the end of the game, The Roar chants, “THIS IS HANK’S HOUSE,” another classy tribute to Hank Gathers. Access 4 Most fans drive but be aware that there are parking charges until 8 p.m. on weekdays. The first 40 minutes is $3, and every 20 minutes thereafter is another $3, to a daily maximum of $15, in other words, 6 bucks for the first hour and 9 for the second. You can find street parking in the residential area nearby if you happen to be attending a weeknight game, but as always, check signs. There are transit options: the #6 Culver City Bus costs $1 and plies the route from the LAX City Bus Center to UCLA, dropping you off on Sepulveda, from where you can walk about a mile and a half, or take a #3 bus to Benny’s and walk the remaining 10 minutes. Once inside the venue, there should be no problem getting around, as the atrium allows for fans to move outside during the break. Restrooms are small and there will probably be lineups during a sellout, but there were no issues on the night I attended. Return on Investment 4 Prices for all sections vary depending on opponent, as an example, the cheapest bleacher seats are $9 for San Diego, but these are $24 when #1 Gonzaga comes to town. This is still a good deal and with food reasonably priced, an affordable evening out. Of course, parking can add a bit, but there are options to avoid that charge. Extras 4 These staircases do have a few photos that are worth checking out; I liked how they are cut to match the bannister below. There is a Hank’s House plaque on the south wall, a nice touch for what is an unofficial nickname. A statue is also being funded and is expected to be revealed in the spring 2020 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Gathers’ passing. The overall design of the court deserves a point; it is something that I have not seen elsewhere in college hoops. Final Thoughts LMU lacks the national profile of other LA-based schools, but their gym is creative and different in many respects. Don’t overlook the Lions next time you are in LA, as they provide an equally entertaining alternative to some of the bigger college programs in the city.

Photo Courtesy of UBBulls.com Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Alumni Arena 175 Alumni Arena Buffalo, NY 14260 Buffalo Bulls website Alumni Arena website Year Opened: 1982 Capacity: 6,100 The Bulls of Buffalo Alumni Arena, a key piece of the State University of New York at Buffalo’s recreation and athletic complex, is located on the north campus of the university in suburban Amherst, New York. Built in 1982, the facility is part of a vast and sprawling campus which, incredibly, is almost perfectly designed for car travel – and that’s within the campus itself! Alumni Arena is primarily home to the men’s and women’s basketball teams, wrestling team and men’s volleyball team. An extensive renovation was performed in 2012, adding new chairback seating to reduce capacity to 6100, as well as additions of new lighting, video scoreboard, improved training facilities and a renovated concourse. Food & Beverage 4 Upgrades to the concession fare boost this score to a respectable four stars. The team has added numerous hot food items, including a personal pan pizza (cheese $4.75, pepperoni $5.00), the UB BBQ pulled pork sandwich ($4.75), Italian or Polish Sausage topped with kraut or peppers/onions ($4.25), and Buffalo’s famed Beef on Weck sandwich ($5.50). Combos come with soda pop and chips. Pepsi products are sold here ($2.75) as well as Tim Hortons coffee, hot chocolate, and cappuccino. ($2.75). No alcohol is served in this facility. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere here is a hit or miss sort of thing. Go during winter break when the students are away and the place can feel like a mausoleum. Catch a big game when the arena is full and things will be rocking. Unfortunately, the team has never been to the NCAA tournament since its promotion to Division One. The Bulls’ closest call came back in 2005, when in the MAC tournament finals UB held an 18 point lead against Ohio in the second half, only to see it evaporate, and Ohio won on a buzzer beater. An elusive MAC title and a trip to The Dance would undoubtedly elevate the program and its fan support. Neighborhood 2 The massive campus was built on a swamp as part of the larger master plan to transform this suburb into a huge planned community. That population explosion never happened, nor did a long promised Metrorail extension to ferry people from this campus to downtown Buffalo. Arriving by car is the preferred method for getting to the UB campus. Restaurant choices are abundant, but all are located some distance from campus, as even getting off the campus and into civilization can be a chore. Zetti’s Pizza on Maple Road is a good campus hangout. Duff’s famous wings on Sheridan/Millersport is a Buffalo institution. Just north up Millersport is Elmo’s, offering terrific pub fare. Go west about a mile on Maple Road, and you will happen upon Boulevard Mall. Casual dining eateries and national chains abound there, so take your pick. Fans 3 Another score upgrade is in order for the fans, who are embracing the team and the program in greater numbers, with the team enjoying another competitive season, and an arena which is warmer and friendlier on the eyes and contains more amenities. It is still a work in progress, however. More student support, drawing on a base of over 20,000 who attend here at UB, would be a huge step. Access 3 Hopefully one day we can report that the Amherst extension of the Metrorail has been funded and built, but for now driving is the best way to get to Alumni Arena. Once you follow the signs up Millersport and onto the ring road surrounding the campus’ academic spine, things get a bit dicey. There are massive parking lots, many of which are full on game night evenings, as the campus is in continuous use. Find a spot and then hoof it up to the arena, as there are few spots actually close to the building itself. Additionally, the Slee concert hall is right next door, and when there is a performance going on at the same time it adds to the congestion. Departing after the game can also be difficult to navigate, but once off campus and on the ring road or Millersport, things move quickly. Return on Investment 3 A 300 level ticket is priced at $15, and 100 and 200 level seats run $25. The ushers are pretty laid back here so upgrading from the nosebleeds is not a problem. Parking is free, and concession prices, while not dirt cheap, aren’t eye poppingly expensive either. Extras 2 Place a star for the Bulls Team Shop on the main concourse, which is a nicely appointed merchandise store. A second star is awarded for an amenity which has yet to be finished but is now underway- an interactive museum and Hall of Fame. Located in the arena lobby and concourse, the Hall of Fame is advertised via a huge banner in the lobby. Once completed, fans will be able to search inductees via a touch screen and view exhibits. Final Thoughts The building is hardly an architectural marvel, but a brutalist box shaped structure sitting amidst a campus which does not inspire the senses. UB Athletics has, however, taken great steps to improve the venue, soften the look and feel of public spaces and add amenities to enhance the game day experience. Find a weekend game, preferably one being televised on one of the ESPN’s, with something at stake, and you’ll happen upon a game night atmosphere worth checking out.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium 1 Cunningham Square Providence, RI 02908 Providence College Lacrosse website Anderson Stadium website Year Opened: 2016 Capacity: 1,500 Friar Away Anderson Stadium is the new on-campus home of the Providence College lacrosse and soccer teams. Located next to Schneider Arena , the stadium is part of the overall upgrade and consolidation of the school’s athletic facilities. Formally known as Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium, the facility is named in honor of Mike and Maura Chapey, class of 1986, who donated one million dollars, and Board of Trustees member Karl and Kerri Anderson, class of 1988, who donated $1.5 million towards the construction of the facility. Providence College has been sponsoring lacrosse teams since 1980. Competing in the Big East Conference, the Friars have qualified for the NCAA Tournament three times, most recently in 2007. Food & Beverage 2 Anyone who has been to any sporting event at neighboring Brown University is familiar with Frenchy’s catering. They handle concessions at all the events on the East Side of Providence. At Anderson Stadium, Frenchy’s operates a food cart. Hungry Friar lax fans can pick up some snacks while watching the game. Popcorn, hot dogs, nachos and assorted candy bars comprise the entire menu here. Bottles of Coca-Cola products are also available. Atmosphere 3 Fans who have not experienced a college lacrosse game may be surprised by the enthusiasm shown by the relatively small crowds at the games. Many of the fans in the stands have a personal connection with the players on the field, and wear their hearts on their sleeves throughout the action. Lacrosse fans as a rule are enthusiastic. Anderson Stadium is a new facility with state of the art sound and video systems that are put to good use throughout the game with replays, game stats and music during play stoppages. You’re not going to get an elaborate game day presentation at a Friar lacrosse game, but you will enjoy yourself at Anderson Stadium. Neighborhood 3 Anderson Stadium is located at the northeast corner of the Providence College campus next to Schneider Arena. Downtown Providence is located less than two miles away. With the PC campus’ location in the residential Elmhurst neighborhood, there aren’t a lot of dining, lodging or entertainment options right around campus, but visiting fans will find plenty to do in Providence just a short drive away. Providence has a reputation as one of the top small cities in the nation for culinary options. Most fans visiting the area will head downtown for things to do, but fans looking for options near campus will find some pub style restaurants near Anderson Stadium. Stadium Journey recommends The Abbey, known for their collection of signature burgers and wide variety of draft beer. Fans looking for something a little fancier should head over to Federal Hill, Providence’s Little Italy, where a concentration of top-notch restaurants can be found. Fans 3 Providence College averages between 300-500 fans per game for lacrosse. Understandably, crowds increase in size as the weather warms over the course of the season. Lacrosse fans as a whole are very enthusiastic and connected to the players on the field, and it can be a fun atmosphere despite the relatively small crowds in attendance. With many games against local rivals on the Friars’ schedule, it’s not unusual to see a significant number of visiting fans in attendance. Access 4 Providence College is located in the residential Elmhurst neighborhood of Providence, about a mile from Route 146 and Interstate 95. To reach Anderson Stadium, fans will need to do some driving through the city, but the campus is still pretty easy to reach. Detailed driving directions can be found here . Fans using public transportation will be pleased to know that RIPTA’s number 55 bus has a stop right next to Schneider Arena, adjacent to Anderson Stadium. With the majority of fans driving to Friar lacrosse games, parking is at a premium. Luckily, there is plenty of parking in the area. There is a two-level garage attached to the west grandstand of Anderson Stadium, as well as several lots within walking distance of the facility. Many fans opt for on-street parking on Huxley and Admiral Streets. Seating at Anderson Stadium consists of bleacher seating in grandstands on either side of the field, with some individual stadium seats around midfield of the main (west) grandstand. There is a berm on the south side of the field, which is a popular place for students to gather. Fans can walk the entire perimeter of the facility, with views of the action available from all points. Restrooms are available in Schneider Arena next door to Anderson Stadium. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Friar lacrosse games is free, as is parking in the garage adjacent to Anderson Stadium. While the food at the Frenchy’s cart may be a little more expensive than expected, it’s not outrageously priced. Fans are able to bring their own snacks into the game with them. In the cold winter months of the season, it’s common to see lots of Dunkin’ coffee in the stands. Extras 1 The game day presentation at a Friar lacrosse game is fairly standard, with not a whole lot going on that could be considered extra. There are free roster sheets available to all fans. If time allows, duck into Schneider Arena next door and check out the displays in the lobby there, including the national championship trophy the school won in 2015. Final Thoughts Providence College is a small school with a big history in intercollegiate sports. In recent years the Friars have experienced success in several sports, including consecutive appearances in the NCAA basketball tournament from 2014-2018, a final four appearance in soccer and national championships in hockey and cross country. They have been working hard to improve their on-campus facilities, and Anderson Stadium is a fine representation of these efforts.

File Photos Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Anfield Anfield Rd Liverpool, England L69 3JF United Kingdom Liverpool FC website Anfield website Year Opened: 1884 Capacity: 45,276 You’ll Never Walk Alone Anfield is one of the most renowned football stadiums in the world. Built in 1884, the ground was actually home to Liverpool’s archrivals, Everton FC, until 1892. The founding of the club resulted in a dispute over rent and beer sales at Anfield between the grounds owner John Houlding and the directors of Everton. The football club opted to play its home games at Goodison Park and Houlding was left without a club. That changed when he formed Liverpool FC on 15 March 1892. Anfield has been the club’s home since its founding and has four stands: the Spion Kop, the Main Stand, the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand and the Anfield Road End. The stadium has gone through a series of renovations including its most recent in September of 2016 when its capacity was increased to 54,074 but has since been toned down to 53,094, making it one of the largest all-seater single stands in European football. Its total capacity ranks it 7th in all of English football. Plans are taking place that will increase the size of Anfield to 61,000 . The development of the ‘away end,’ the Anfield Road stand, would allow 7000 new seats to be added. The increase would see Anfield become the third largest English Premier League ground after Old Trafford (76,212) and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (62,062). The work on the Anfield Rd end would essentially see a new second tier and roof added to the current stand with the road outside re-routed to allow the space to develop. The increased capacity could be available in time for the 2022/23 season. Food & Beverage 2 Like most English stadiums, the food leaves something to be desired. Meat pies and hot dogs are available inside, and it’s much of the same at the food trucks outside the stadium. It’s all a bit pricey for mediocre munchies. It’s important to note that beer is not served during European nights (Champions League and Europa League matches). When it is available, Carlsberg and Guinness are offered at a reasonable price. Atmosphere 5 The streets surrounding Anfield fill up way ahead of the match and vendors are on every corner selling match day programmes, some they produce themselves, merchandise such as scarves, and food from kiosks. There are a ton of pubs to grab a pint and something to eat before the match and it only gets better once you walk under either of the gates at the stadium which are named after former Liverpool managers: Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley. Once you are at your seat the Liverpool supporters know how to get behind their side better than most. Be prepared for goosebumps and chills when the crowd belts out, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” prior to kickoff. With that said, the normally outstanding atmosphere will fall off the cliff should the Reds fail to live up to their fans’ high expectations. The Kop is an impressive site. Housing around 12,500 “Kopites,” the south end of the stadium is packed with the most ardent Liverpool supporters, waving their flags and holding up their banners. The passion is so strong in the Kop that it’s been said to have the ability to suck the ball into the back of the opposition’s net. Away supporters are seated on the left side of the Main Stand. Liverpool opened a new superstore situated on the corner of the Kop and the Main Stand. The superstore is a 19,500 square foot space that features 20 short printing machines, a first-floor café, a fan activation space and a VIP area. it is estimated that the store will sell 40 thousand scarves in one year. The space in between the new store and the stadium was developed into a fan zone. There are actually two fan zones: Fan Zone Paisley Square, off Walton Breck Road, and the Family Park which is located on Anfield Road. These two areas are ideal for families with drinks, food, live entertainments, and exclusive content on big screen TVs. Neighborhood 4 The neighborhoods around Anfield aren’t very aesthetically appealing, but the area is generally safe. Be aware that the streets can get very congested during the walks to and from the stadium. Use of common sense will keep fans and tourists safe from pickpockets and troublemakers. There are also loads of pubs around Anfield and each of them offer great atmosphere and memorabilia. The area surrounding Anfield is mostly residential; so don’t count on finding any restaurants or gastro pubs. Home supporters will be right at home grabbing a pint and chatting with mates The Flat Iron, The Park Pub, The Twelfth Man, The Park, or the Albert. The Sandlon is also another ideal spot for Reds fans that holds a lot of history as it was once the place where Everton players changed before a match when they played here. Away supporters will find solace at The Arkles. Liverpool is a tourist destination with plenty to see and do. The cab drivers are typically very friendly, and knowledgeable about the best restaurants and attractions. Some will even offer tours of the city, highlighted by important Beatles sites. Fans 4 Scousers are some of the best folks to watch a football match with. They’re respectful of opposing teams and their fans, as long as that respect is returned. Most everyone in the stands is knowledgeable about the game and will be fairly disciplined as to when it’s appropriate to stand or sit. It’s almost a guarantee someone in your section will have a go at the referee that will cause a roar of laughter. Access 3 Finding parking around Anfield is a crapshoot at best. The only places to park are on the neighborhood streets, but even if you do find a spot, expect a long wait to get out unless you plan on leaving at halftime. The Liverpool website offers specific instructions for all modes of transportation, but the best means is by train via the Lime Street station, Kirkdale Station, or Sandhills Station and catching the bus to the stadium. Return on Investment 4 With the history and atmosphere surrounding Anfield, the trip and match day tickets are worth every penny. There’s enough to do in Liverpool to make a weekend out of the excursion, and the game itself will (usually) not disappoint. Tickets are difficult to come by, but range from £37-£59. Third party websites will charge triple that, but be wary of scams. Extras 4 Walking under the iron gates where the words, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” are inscribed is an inspiring experience. There are one hour stadium tours for £17, and a club museum that charges a £8.50 entrance fee. Outside the ground is a very poignant memorial to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster where fans can place floral arrangements. Most of the staff are friendly and accommodating, but the stewards are not afraid to shout spectators down if they’re standing at inappropriate times. There are some areas where your view can be restricted by a support pillar, so it’s recommended to check the area before purchasing tickets.

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Arizona Stadium 540 N Vine Ave Tucson, AZ 85721 Arizona Wildcats website Arizona Stadium website Year Opened: 1929 Capacity: 50,782 Bear Down for Arizona Football Arizona Stadium, the home of Arizona Football, was originally built in 1928 but has been revamped and modernized through recent renovations. The 50,782-seat facility is a historic site on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. The stadium combines old-style charm and modern conveniences due to renovations in excess of $100 million between the 2013 addition of the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility and the 2018 renovation of the east side; the building of the new football facility in the north end zone enclosed the stadium’s seating. The facility now offers suites, improved concessions options, and comfortable seating, but the west side is also about to experience a major renovation with a cost estimated between $120 and $150 million; as of now the west side has only received some minor enhancements like more points of sale for concessions plus more TVs and restroom trailers – basic commodities fans have been wanting for years. Other renovations prior to 2013 included a new artificial surface with the ghost-lettered phrase “Bear Down” running in-between the hashes and over the large Arizona logo. Arizona Stadium has played host to the Arizona Bowl since 2015. Since its inception, that game has been played between teams representing the Mountain West Conference and the Sun Belt Conference. However, the inaugural game was played between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the Colorado State Rams, both Mountain West Conference teams, as the Sun Belt Conference did not field enough bowl-eligible teams that season. For movie lovers, the stadium’s parking lot, located on the northeast end of the facility, was one of several filming locations for the 20th Century Fox comedy Revenge of the Nerds; the film’s Adams College Greek Games sequence was shot in the space on Cherry Avenue between East 4th Street and East University Boulevard. Food & Beverage 3 Arizona Stadium covers all the traditional stadium fare; the highest cost regular food item is the Polish sausage at $6 with nachos $5, while Hebrew National hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, and soft pretzels cost $4. Coca-Cola products range anywhere from $3 to $7. Some of the other items available are a little more on the pricey side, such as cheesy Philly cheesesteaks, Italian Jobs (a ciabatta sandwich made with Italian salami, ham, Italian mozzarella, pesto, and olive oil), peppered turkey, beefy BBQ nachos, and chicken tenders all at $10. On the west side of the stadium is the Roadrunner mobile kitchen (food truck) that serves crafty burgers and hot dogs for prices between $5 and $8; there are also a couple of money saving combos for families such as the family combo for $32 including 2 hot dogs, 2 orders of nachos, 1 box of popcorn, and a small packaged candy. In an effort by the University of Arizona to enhance the game day experience, beer and wine are now available to all fans of drinking age. The beer selection is Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Light, Corona, Modelo Especial, and Barrio Blond, with prices ranging from $7 for a 16oz draft to $10 for a 24oz premium. The wine selection covers all types at $8 for a 6½oz cup; beer and wine are all sold in plastic cups with sales stopping before the end of the third quarter. The east concession stands are the newest in the stadium and provide tables and TVs for fans to use when they eat their food. And while the alcohol sales may have enhanced game day for fans, the food items are just on par, meeting typical expectations for a major college football stadium. Atmosphere 3 Across the country the college football atmosphere begins long before the actual kickoff, and the University of Arizona begins the night before a home game with something titled Bear Down Fridays, which is a traditional pep rally including the band and the spirit squads. Then, six hours before kickoff on game day, fans begin tailgating along “The Mall” at U of A, which is the long grassy area in the middle of campus along 3rd Street. Tailgating requires advanced purchase of a season or game-specific tailgate pass, and in the event of inclement weather it is possible that tailgating could be canceled. There are other tailgaters in the various parking lots next to the stadium and around McKale Center. Overall, the tailgating scene here is very mild compared to other schools that create a larger-than-life tailgating scene, such as at LSU before a night game in Tiger Stadium . For fans that aren’t into the tailgating scene on the mall they can visit the Jim Click Hall of Champions, which houses Arizona’s achievements in all sports. In addition, four hours prior to kickoff the Coca-Cola Fan Fiesta opens inside the Arizona Football practice facility, the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center. The fan fiesta offers fans a chance to eat and watch other games before the gates open. The next main event would be the Wildcat Walk – two hours prior to the game the Pride of Arizona, the spirit squads, and fans greet the Arizona football team. This takes place on the north side of Arizona Stadium at the corner of University and Cherry Ave. The team walks toward the stadium and the players touch the John Button Salmon statue, which is located just outside the stadium on Cherry Ave, before the team enters the stadium through the north end zone, coming straight out of their new locker room onto the field. Arizona and Salmon are tied together forever with Arizona’s slogan and fight song; Salmon was a former Arizona quarterback, catcher on the baseball team, and student body president, but after the first game of the 1926 season he suffered a severe spinal cord injury in a car accident. During coach Pop McKale’s last visit to the hospital before Salmon died, the quarterback gave his coach this message: “Tell them, tell the team to Bear Down” – Bear Down became the official fight song in 1952 and is played after every Wildcat score. The Pride of Arizona Marching Band’s pregame performance starts about 20 minutes before kickoff, after which the band forms a tunnel in anticipation of the Arizona team’s entrance into Arizona Stadium, after which the visiting team enters through the northwest corner of the stadium. Wilbur and Wilma the Wildcats are U of A’s mascots, and are seen throughout the game, and the Pride of Arizona marching band sits in the southeast corner to add to the atmosphere. There are also fireworks every time the Wildcats score, as well as performances by the Arizona Pom Squad during the game. The atmosphere is always better when the stadium is filled, and this hurts the atmosphere at Arizona Stadium. Overall, the atmosphere is enjoyable and fun; get there early and experience the entire game day schedule that is available when you attend an Arizona football game. The atmosphere might be disappointing to those fans that have visited SEC schools, but then again for some, this smaller version may be just the right atmosphere. Neighborhood 4 The University of Arizona is in Tucson a couple of miles from the downtown area; Arizona Stadium is located on southeastern corner of the campus. The school is a public research university and was the first university in the Arizona Territory, with a current enrollment of 45,217. Tucson is the second most-populated city in Arizona and the 33rd largest in the US. Tucson is more than a typical college town, but the neighborhood around the campus implies otherwise. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops on University Blvd and 4th Avenue that you can enjoy before and after the game. Before the game, the Maingate area on University Blvd would be the better choice, at either Gentle Bens or No Anchovies, both near U of A’s Old Main Building and tailgating scene on the mall. For a place on the east side of campus off Speedway try Dirtbags, or the after party area would be on 4th Avenue at The Drunken Chicken, Bison Witches Bar, or Ermanos Craft Beer and Wine Bar. For fans who are looking more for local craft breweries, the Public Brewhouse is a block from 4th Avenue, behind Ermanos on N Hoff Avenue. Another craft beer find is the Crooked Tooth Brewing Company on 6th Street, just a few blocks from 4th Avenue. The only downside is that these establishments are near the campus, but not very close to Arizona Stadium. Tucson has plenty of hotels for travelers, however, the closest to the stadium is Aloft Tucson-University, on the east side of campus at the corner of Campbell and Speedway. Or, Tucson Marriott University Park is in Maingate Square on the west side of campus; both these hotels are within walking distance of Arizona Stadium. For those that would like a resort vacation with their Tucson journey, I would suggest the El Conquistador Tucson-Hilton in Oro Valley on the side of Mt. Kimball and down the road from Catalina State Park. Fans 3 The Arizona fan base in the last five years has averaged around 48,000 a game, which translates to 86% of Arizona Stadium’s capacity. The average attendance does rank in the Top 50 for FBS schools, but the school lacks a strong football base, and is more nationally known for their men’s basketball and women’s softball programs. This season (2019) Arizona is averaging their lowest home attendance since 1975 at 38,777 per game, despite strong efforts from the university to create a better game day atmosphere. There is plenty of tailgating by the fans, but compared to the top-tier football programs there is a lack of atmosphere/excitement that other schools have just a few hours from kickoff. During the game the fans are routine – they are vocal when expected, but nothing as deafening as their PAC-12 counterparts at Washington or Oregon . The Arizona fan base is dedicated and loyal but small in numbers. I’m not sure what excuse the city of Tucson is using for not being present inside Arizona Stadium; as a matter of Fact, UA athletic director Dave Heeke recently tweeted to the Arizona fans: “It’s time to fill up Arizona Stadium (next Saturday when Washington comes to Tucson). No excuses! Come on Wildcat Fans!” Access 4 Arizona Stadium is located on the southeast corner of campus near the intersection of 6th Street and Cherry Street; Cherry Street is on the east side while 6th runs along the south side of the stadium. There are many parking garages on campus that charge varying rates ($10-$20) depending on the proximity to the stadium. All parking garages can be paid for using either cash or credit cards, while the surface lots are cash only, and cost $10 to $15. Most of the surface lots are restricted to Wildcat Club members, campus permits, or other specific passes. There is possibility of free parking, however, near Arizona Stadium for those early arrivals, or for carpoolers with four or more riders in the Tyndall Ave., Main Gate, Park Ave., and Highland garages. For an alternative means of transportation to the stadium, Tucson’s Sun Link Streetcar is an easy and economical way to reach campus. A one-day pass costs $4 and connects Mercado San Agustin (Tucson’s public marketplace), downtown Tucson, historic 4th avenue, and Main Gate Square to the University of Arizona. Although, the closest drop to Arizona Stadium is a few blocks away at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium (UA’s softball field) on 2nd Street/Cherry. All Arizona Wildcat events support the Clear Bag Policy that has been implemented across the country, and the gates open to the general public an hour and half before the scheduled kickoff time. The mixture of the stadium’s old and new concourse varies on handling the crowds, but overall walking around the stadium is easy. For fans that have lower level seating, a quick trip to the upper deck for a view of Tucson and mountains is well worth the time. However, most games at Arizona Stadium are played at night, and the temperatures during football season drop considerably at night, so it can get very cold sitting in the upper level of the stadium – add the desert wind and it could get uncomfortable, so be prepared. Nevertheless, overall the access is better than expected for a relatively old stadium during a college football game. Return on Investment 3 Arizona football individual game tickets have a wide variety of price levels. The levels range anywhere from $16 to $400 per ticket depending on the opponent and location. The non-conference schedule opponents have cheaper tickets, while the most expensive PAC-12 opponent ticket is the game versus Washington . There are no really bad seats in Arizona Stadium, so a $16 to $55 range for the upper level along the sidelines, or a $23 to $47 lower level end zone are reasonable prices for NCAA PAC-12 football. Keep in mind that the Arizona student section, a.k.a. Zonazoo, takes up the entire lower half on the east side of the stadium behind the Arizona bench, which prevents the general public from buying tickets in these areas. For fans searching for tickets on the visitor side, the visitor section is section 17, which is in the southwest corner of the stadium. The concessions, parking, and ticket prices all contribute to the high average return on investment for Arizona football. Extras 3 Arizona Stadium is nearly a 100-year-old landmark on the campus of the University of Arizona, and the views of the mountains and downtown Tucson from the upper deck seating is breathtaking. Attending a game at this historic venue is a history lesson in past architecture and society. The structure still incorporates the original construction of the stadium in the west side seating, with the first 30 rows of the stadium, and the south end zone concourse are from a time when it was okay to have small access ways and tight passageways when going to the restrooms or concessions. The University of Arizona football program isn’t royalty among the college football scene, as are a few of their PAC-12 counterparts like the University of Washington , the University of Southern California , or the University of Oregon . The football team also has yet to play in the PAC-12’s most iconic postseason bowl, “The Granddaddy of them All,” a.k.a. the Rose Bowl. However, the Wildcats do have some football greats in their ring of honor; Teddy Bruschi, Antoine Cason, Chuck Cecil, Lance Briggs, and Chris McAlister. The Arizona program has also participated in 21 postseason bowl games and has claimed a share of at least six conference titles. Arizona Stadium’s old and new presence creates a special feeling in being able to link the past to the present, from the players to the bowl games, to the years that the Wildcats won the Territorial Cup versus their in-state rival Arizona State ; this feeling is lacking in the strictly new renovated stadiums in some parts of the country. But after each Arizona football victory, at the University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Center, an 1,820-pound bell salvaged from the USS Arizona is rung. Final Thoughts Arizona Stadium combines the past with the present. The old-style charm from the past with an insert of modern conveniences, this historic site has had football played inside the stadium since it was built in 1928. There are always pro and cons, but keeping a historic venue in operation via upgrading and rebuilding is a good thing. The university continues to reach out to football fans in and around Tucson to create an atmosphere inside Arizona Stadium that can rival others in the PAC-12 as well as around the nation. Tucson is a wonderful place to visit during football season – the weather is better than most, there are plenty of things to do, and Arizona Wildcats football is moving upwards both in terms of game day atmosphere and in performance on the field. To continue the Arizona rally cry, Bear Down and make a visit to Arizona Stadium, and be a part of Tucson’s college football experience.

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 1.71 Ashton Field High School Circle Tappahannock, VA 22560 Tappahannock Tides website Ashton Field website Year Opened: Unknown Capacity: 500 Baseball Returns to Tappahannock The Tappahannock Tides play in the NABA (National Adult Baseball Association) Richmond league. The NABA is an 18 and over wood bat competitive league featuring former college and high school baseball players. The NABA Richmond is comprised of teams throughout the city of Richmond and nearby towns Tappahannock and Deltaville. The typical season runs May through August, and each team plays an average of 15 games plus playoffs. The Tappahannock Tides returned to the NABA Richmond in 2018 after a seven-year hiatus. The Tides play at Aston Field, on the campus of Essex High School. Food & Beverage 0 There are no concessions of any type available at Tappahannock Tides games. While we understand that this is a small-town team with probably a limited budget, it is somewhat disappointing that not even basic concession items such as soft drinks and peanuts are available. Some fans in attendance do have their own coolers that are filled with various food and drink, a few fans even bring their own “adult beverages.” Atmosphere 1 Ashton Field is similar to many high school fields with a single building directly behind home plate. The top level is for game operations staff and the bottom level is a concession stand (which is not open for Tides games). Between this building and either dugout, there is a set of bleachers five rows high that is broken into three sections. There is a single scoreboard in left center field that only gives the score with balls, strikes, and outs. The two dugouts are small brick structures that are above the ground. Unfortunately, there is no PA announcer for Tides games. If attending an early evening game, be prepared for the sun to be in your eyes until it gets dark. The sun sets directly beyond the outfield and can be extremely hot and uncomfortable on warm days. Neighborhood 2 Tappahannock is a small town in eastern Virginia, and is located on the Rappahannock River about 45 minutes east of Richmond and an hour south of Fredericksburg. There is little to do in Tappahannock unless you have a boat and water sports are your thing. Food options are also limited in Tappahannock; however, one restaurant you cannot miss is NN Burger right next to the Downing Bridge. NN Burger features craft burgers, extreme milkshakes, and live local music. It has been voted the “Best Burger in Virginia” by Virginia Living magazine the last six years. There is also a Holiday Inn Express in Tappahannock, which is our recommendation if you are staying overnight. Fans 1 During our visit, there were very few fans in attendance. There may have even been more players on the field than fans in the stands. Many fans appeared to be friends and family of players as many knew them by their first name. Despite the small number of fans, they were actively cheering and into the game. Access 3 Ashton Field is located on the campus of Essex High School just north of Tappahannock about 1 mile off of US 17. A gravel driveway right before you get to the high school will take you past the softball field and to Ashton Field. There is a large grassy lot with plenty of parking right next to the field. Return on Investment 5 There is no cost to attend a Tides game and parking is free, so we give it a 5/5 for return on investment. Extras 0 There are no extras to note. Final Thoughts The NABA Richmond is a great league that gives former high school and college players the opportunity to continue to play competitive wood bat baseball. Even though the NABA is a pay to play league and teams probably have a limited budget, we came away disappointed with the Tides experience. Without following the team on Facebook, no one would hardly know the team existed or the schedule. Small towns like Tappahannock should embrace a team such as this. It would be nice to see local businesses support and promote the team; and have signage throughout town letting folks know when games are. While the Tides will never be mistaken for the Richmond Flying Squirrels , adding small things such as concessions at games and a little more promotion would make it a nice, fun, small-town, community supported baseball experience for players and fans alike.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Atlanta Motor Speedway 1500 Tara Place Hampton, GA 30228 Atlanta Motor Speedway website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 125,000 Real Racing… Real Fast Atlanta Motor Speedway opened its doors in 1960 as Atlanta International Raceway (AIR). It came in during an era as famous for fights between the drivers and banging bumpers as it was for racing skill by the likes of Cale Yarborough, Richard Petty and Fireball Roberts, the winner of the first race ever at the track. Today those names adorn the various grandstands at what is now Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS). The early years of AIR were financially lean, as the owners were racing enthusiasts, not businessmen. That all changed in 1990 when Speedway Motorsports purchased the facility. Speedway Motorsports operates some of NASCAR’s most successful tracks. They immediately began making the improvements necessary to bring Atlanta to the top echelon in stock car racing. Today, Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) is a 125,000-seat success story, with an 850-acre campus. The infield area alone is more than 120 acres. It is known as one of NASCAR’s fastest tracks, as it is one of only two tracks that does not require restrictor plates on the cars. The record for average lap speed during qualifying is 197 mph by Geoff Bodine and during a race the top average lap speed record is 158 mph by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. It is for these reasons that AMS uses “Real Racing… Real Fast” as its slogan. Food & Beverage 3 Ever hear of a professional sports facility that allows you to bring a cooler filled with food into the stands with you? Atlanta Motor Speedway allows coolers up to 14″ x 14″ x 14″ to enter the facility. The coolers must be soft-sided, and no glass bottles are allowed. If you decide against bringing your own food, the folks at AMS are more than happy to keep you well fed. They have 20 track-owned concession stands located strategically around the track that carry foods that you would expect at any sports venue including hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, pretzels, popcorn and pizza. Coca-Cola brand beverages, bottled water and a wide variety of beers are also available at these stands. It is important to note that AMS brand stands operate on a CASH ONLY basis. Don’t worry… there are plenty of ATM’s on property. In addition to the AMS owned food stands, there are plenty of stands managed by well-known national brands. These include Papa John’s Pizza, Sonny’s BBQ, Bojangles Chicken, Australian Bakery and Kona Ice. Any brands with a nationwide tie-in to NASCAR will also have locations throughout the facility. Atmosphere 4 Atlanta Motor Speedway is an electric place to watch a NASCAR race for the first, or the twentieth time. Its 1.5 mile oval is amongst the fastest of all the sport’s tracks. It features 24 degree turns and 5 degree straightaways. The track hosts three major races… the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 (NASCAR Cup Series), the Rinnai 250 (Xfinity Series) and the Active Pest Control 200 (Camping World Truck Series) in the early spring. These are typically the second races of the calendar year after the Daytona 500. The grandstands surrounding the track are both a history lesson about, and a salute to NASCAR’s past. The grandstands are named for some of the sport’s greatest stars… Earnhardt and Petty, while the concourses beneath the stands feature the history of AIR/AMS. (A nice touch has a checkered finish line running through the concourse at the precise location of the finish line on the track.) Neighborhood 3 Your immediate “neighborhood” for races at Atlanta Motor Speedway is its 850-acre campus. AMS will provide you with plenty of things to do and keep you occupied throughout the race weekend. One of the most popular spots in the neighborhood is the Fan Zone located just outside of Gate 13. This area is entertainment central as it functions as a concert venue, shopping mall and food court all rolled up into one. Vendors will be present from all of NASCAR’s major sponsors, driving simulators will give you an idea of what it feels like to drive at 150 mph, and there will be souvenir trucks filled with memorabilia featuring the team gear for almost all the top racing teams. In addition there is a Kid Zone with plenty of inflatables and costumed characters to keep your kids entertained. Bands will take the stage the morning of the race to get you energized for the afternoon activities. Your dining, lodging and attraction options if you decide to stay off AMS property will be in the charming small towns of McDonough, Georgia or Locust Grove, Georgia. Any options you may choose in either of these towns is no more than 9-11 miles from Atlanta Motor Speedway. The most direct route from any major interstate is via the Locust Grove exit # 212 off I-75.This exit links you with the Tanger Outlet Mall, as well as the Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary. This facility is especially popular with children and also serves as an animal rescue facility. Two restaurants at this exit that you might enjoy are Smashburger or Gabino’s Mexican Grill. There are several fast food options and lodging facilities at this exit as well. Fans 5 In the South, there are two organized sports religions… college football and NASCAR. More than just enjoying the sport, NASCAR fans often identify with a specific driver or racing team. This may determine where they sit, what color outfits they wear and who they sit with. It really is no different from sports like basketball, baseball and hockey in that regard. NASCAR and AMS do go much further in creating a personal experience between their fans and their heroes. Drivers in NASCAR are far more accessible than any other professional sport. They are happy to sign autographs at no charge. Fans are welcome to participate in a Q and A session with their favorite driver the day before a race. They can have their photos taken with a driver and their car very willingly. There is a unique relationship between NASCAR stars and their fans. Like many other sports, providing special fan experiences plays a central part of a facility’s marketing plan. At AMS, fans can obtain pre-race pit passes that are good right up through the driver introductions on race day. The cost for children 12 and under is $50 and for adults the cost is $125. A second fan experience option is to rent a Scanner/FanVision package . This allows the fan to hear the communications between the driver and their pit crew during the race and if the driver’s car is outfitted with a camera they can see the race live from the driver’s perspective (not all drivers cars are outfitted with the cameras). Access 4 Atlanta Motor Speedway is located approximately 20 miles south of downtown Atlanta along US Highways 19 and 41. In the old days taking Highways 19 and 41 meant a very long day just getting just to and from the track. This was due to the traffic volume and the dozens of red lights along that route. In 2005 that issue was greatly improved by the opening of GA Highway 20. This was a joint project of the Georgia DOT and AMS to provide the quickest route possible from an interstate (in this case I-75) to the track. It is a multilane thoroughfare with few red lights and direct access into the AMS parking lots. It is also designed to have all lanes reversable to make it possible for all lanes to head west prior to the race and east (towards the interstate) after the race. From I-75: take exit #212 (Hampton- Locust Grove Road). Go west on Hampton-Locust Grove Road, which quickly becomes Georgia 20 West. Stay on Highway 20 West until you reach your specified parking area. Once on the property you may feel that it is a long trek over to the track itself. Free trams continually circle the parking lots and will drop you at the gate your tickets specify. For fans who prefer not to drive, AMS partners with Rally Ride, a rideshare transportation service that will pick up persons from a pre-designated spot and provide round trip service at a very reasonable price. They utilize busses which are outfitted with bathrooms. If the bus can pick up a minimum of 25 persons (you do not have to recruit the 25 yourself) at a specific location the cost can’t be beaten. For example, from the northern suburbs of Atlanta to the track and back would be $35 roundtrip. This is nearly a 60 mile commute each way. To learn more about Rally Ride go to www.rallybus.net . Return on Investment 4 It’s no secret that attendance at NASCAR events has dropped off in recent years. This is primarily due to the aging out of NASCAR’s original fan base, which was America’s Greatest Generation or Baby Boomers. NASCAR is working very hard to bring younger generations to the races by making the events as affordable as possible. Prices for children 12 and under are $10, student tickets for teens over 12 years old are $19-$29 depending on what row you are sitting in. Adult prices range from $49-$119 depending on your row location. Here is the best news… you can bring in a small cooler with your own food for free. Parking other than for VIP areas or RV’s is free. The tram ride from your car to the track is free. Attending activities in the Fan or Kid Zones is free. What other sport offers so many free opportunities? Extras 5 Weather has created some major news stories involving AMS over the years. It frequently serves as an evacuation point for persons seeking shelter from hurricanes that affect Florida. This was particularly true with Hurricane Irma, as thousands of Floridians spent more than a week at the facility. In 2005, the speedway was struck by an F-2 tornado, resulting in millions of dollars in damage. However, in both cases, the track was ready for racing by the next scheduled event. Former President and Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter worked as a ticket taker at AIR back in the 1960’s. When he rose through his various elected positions, he did not forget his friends, as he hosted AIR staff reunions at both the Georgia Governor’s Mansion and the White House. Even in his 90’s, President Carter is a devoted NASCAR fan. Veteran AMS fans urge those who are attending a race for the first time to bring the following items with them 1) Earphones/Ear Plugs are a necessity… stock car racing is extremely loud, 2) Sunscreen is also very important, as you will be sitting in a facility with little or no shade for many hours, 3) Comfortable shoes are important as AMS is a huge facility with lots of interesting things to check out, 4) A small set of binoculars can help you keep up with your favorite driver. The backstretch of the track is a long distance from the grandstands. Atlanta Motor Speedway’s track had its first total repave in 20 years in 2018 following the spring races. This should result in even higher average speeds in the future. The all-time leader for wins at AMS is Dale Earnhardt with eight checkered flags. Following closely behind are Cale Yarborough and Bill Elliott with seven wins each. Final Thoughts Atlanta Motor Speedway has been a part of the NASCAR world since 1960. Today it remains one of the fastest tracks on the circuit, as it is one of only two tracks that does not require the use of restrictor plates.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Augusta National Golf Club 2604 Washington Rd Augusta, GA 30904 The Masters website Augusta National Golf Club website Year Opened: 1932 The Home of the Green Jacket The Kentucky Derby, the Indianapolis 500 , the Super Bowl, Wimbledon… all events that rank higher than other events in their respective sports. In golf, there is no event equal to The Masters Golf Tournament held in Augusta the first week of April each year. (Due to the coronavirus outbreak the 2020 tournament will be held November 12-15.) The tournament field is limited to winners of tournaments, Olympic Gold medalists, past Masters winners and top amateur golfers from around the world…. all vying to wear the Green Jacket on Sunday afternoon No other tournament can boast such a level of competition. The Masters began in the minds of golf icon Bobby Jones, the first golfer to win the Grand Slam, and his friend Clifford Roberts. They envisioned an annual invitational gathering of golf’s top players on a course they were designing on the former site of an indigo plantation and plant nursery in Augusta, GA. The holes were designed by Jones based on the favorite holes he had played around the world. The inaugural Masters was held in the first week of April 1934. The tournament has been held every year since then except for 1943-1945 due to World War II. Food & Beverage 5 Augusta National strictly prohibits food and beverage being brought in from the outside. Food can be checked at the entry gates and consumed in a picnic area outside the gates and re-entry will be permitted. There are numerous food and beverage stands set up throughout the course. The quality of the food is excellent and is offered at prices that no other top professional sports event can match. One of the traditions since the beginning of the tournament is its legendary pimento cheese sandwich, which is available for $1.50. The recipe for the sandwich is a closely guarded secret and is only offered during the tournament. Other food items offered at the concession stands are egg salad sandwiches, ham and cheese sandwiches, tuna salad sandwiches and turkey sandwiches, all of which cost only $1.50, BBQ sandwiches, the Masters Club sandwich and chicken sandwiches are all priced at $2.50 apiece. Breakfast items are available until 10am for patrons arriving for early tee times. The breakfast menu includes sausage biscuits ($1.50), blueberry muffins ($1), fruit cups ($1) and coffee ($1). Beverage selections include Coca-Cola brand soft drinks ($1), bottled water ($1.50), iced tea ($1.50), domestic beers ($2.75) and imported beers ($3.50). Dessert items include candy, chips, crackers, peanuts and cookies all priced at $1 apiece, as well as ice cream bars for $2. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at The Masters is one of tradition and reverence for both the game and the course itself. The tournament officially gets underway with a set of honorary starters driving the ball off the first tee. Amongst these honorary starters have been golf legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Byron Nelson, Gene Sarazen and Sam Snead. Each hole not only has a number but a name correlating to the flora and fauna lining the hole. There are three stone bridges on the course honoring golf greats… the Sarazen Bridge (hole #15), the Hogan Bridge (hole# 12) and the Nelson Bridge (hole #13). Holes 11, 12 and 13 are known as “Amen Corner” as they are typically the holes where a player wins or loses the tournament on Masters Sunday. The Masters atmosphere includes the anticipation of the unexpected by the gallery. They remember when unknowns have come from nowhere to wear the Green Jacket. They also remember Jack Nicklaus’ unexpected sixth win of The Masters in 1986 at the age of 46 and Tiger Woods dramatic win in 2019 when many thought his career was over. Neighborhood 3 Those who watch The Masters would assume the Augusta National Golf Course is located outside of the city due to its beauty and quiet charm. In fact, the Augusta National Golf Club is located just off Washington Road, one of the busiest roads in Augusta. It is a heavily commercial strip with hotels, fast food restaurants and a church located near the Club. Drivers on Washington Road are unable to see the course, as it is protected by a well-maintained hedge and a chain link fence. We suggest you take time away from the hustle and bustle of Washington Road to see the quieter, but more charming downtown area of Augusta along Broad Street. The Augusta Riverwalk provides a lovely shaded view of the Savannah River, which is the border between Georgia and South Carolina. The Riverwalk features fountains, pocket parks, restaurants and an amphitheater named for the late opera singer Jessye Norman, an Augusta native. Another attraction nearby is the Augusta Canal. It was built in 1845 as a source for power, water, and transportation. The Augusta Canal is the only intact industrial canal in the American South still in continuous use. It now has National Heritage Area status and trips up and down the canal are offered daily. Fans 4 The term fan is not used at the Masters, as the club uses the term patron when referring to their guests. This harkens back to the original days of the event when Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts were establishing the tone of the event. Patrons tend to have a long-term relationship with the tournament often going back two or more generations. Though daily tickets are available for the event through a lottery, patrons hold badges, which are good through the entire tournament. In many ways, patrons are unlike the fan bases found in other sports or even other golf tournaments. Of course, they love the game, just like football and baseball fans, but they truly have a reverence for the Masters itself. They readily comply with the rules of the event, which include the surrendering of any electronic equipment such as cell phones, pagers, or beepers as they enter the event. No photography is allowed on the course on tournament days (they are allowed during practice rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday). Autograph sessions are allowed, but only at designated times and locations. This does not mean the gallery cannot not express their support of a certain player or in recognition of a great shot… loud applause and cheers are fine, just as long as they do not interfere with the play of other players on that hole. Another thing that separates the Masters patron from other fan bases is the lack of reselling of daily tickets or a badge. Persons found to be reselling their badges face being ejected from the grounds and permanent loss of their credentials. Access 4 Augusta National Golf Club is easily reached via the Washington Road Exit off I-20. Once off I-20 head south on Washington Road for 1.2 miles and the Augusta National Golf Club parking area will be on your right. If this lot is full, there are numerous private lots along Washington Road for a small fee. You will find the Golf Club to be very efficient in nearly every form of access, from placement of concessions, restroom locations on the course and friendly Club members to guide you to the correct area. It is a good idea to go in as light as possible as any electronic devices and cameras will be checked at the gate, causing you a delay. Easy to read maps of the course are provided as you enter the actual golf course area. This allows you to decide what holes you want to stake out for viewing the action during the tournament. After the rounds complete for the day you will find most of the hotels along Washington Road or along Broad Street in Downtown Augusta, which is about 2 miles from the Augusta National Golf Club. Most of the homes available through the Masters Housing Bureau are in proximity of the club. Return on Investment 5 There simply no other golf event during the year that comes close to the pageantry of the Masters. The prices attached to the tournament are not unreasonable. A patron badge for all four rounds is $375. Daily tickets are $115 but are sold through a lottery months in advance of the tournament. What makes the ROI so high is that the gallery size is limited and there is a wait list of thousands to purchase a badge. The prices charged for food and beverages are much lower than any stadium or arena charges for the same item. Parking is available in the Augusta National Golf Club lots for free on a first come, first served basis. The Masters is unique in that it truly pioneered concept of renting out local homes the week of the tournament, as the hotel/motel inventory in Augusta is not large enough to handle the crowds. The Masters Housing Bureau works with local residents who would be interested in renting out their houses during Masters week, as schools and workplaces in the area are closed for the week due to the traffic and crowds. This often saves persons attending the tournament money over a lengthy hotel stay or a long commute from Atlanta or Columbia each day. Finally, ask anyone who has attended the tournament… they will tell you the experience is priceless. Extras 4 The Masters recognizes the course’s origin as a plant nursery by giving each hole a name reflective of the various plants sold at the facility. These holes are surrounded by plantings matched to the hole’s name. A selection of hole names includes pink dogwood, flowering peach, camellia, redbud, and holly. The Masters is best known for the gorgeous azalea plantings throughout the course. Tiger Woods is the youngest player to win The Masters, as he won the tournament at age 21. Jack Nicklaus is the oldest winner of the tournament, winning at the age of 46 in 1986. The Masters pioneered a new scoreboard system that reflected whether a participant was over or under par, rather than a stroke total. The scoreboard is changed by hand with a green zero other number reflecting par or over par and a red number reflecting under par. Augusta’s Class A baseball team is known as the Augusta GreenJackets . Its mascot is a bee wearing the Green Jacket with a coat of arms featuring a crossed baseball bat and golf club. The Augusta National Golf Club has given its blessing for the name and depiction as a matter of civic pride in Augusta. Final Thoughts Attending a round at The Masters is a priority bucket list item for any golf enthusiast. No other event in the world of golf can boast of such a competitive field along with the many traditions the Augusta National Golf Club have enshrined into the event. It truly is the “Tournament of Champions.”

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 BC Place 777 Pacific Blvd Vancouver, BC V6B 4Y8 Canada BC Lions website BC Place website Year Opened: 1983 Capacity: 54,500 This is the Place BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia opened in 1983, and was built as part of Canada’s preparations for the 1986 World’s Fair. The venue has been home to the CFL’s BC Lions since its construction, but was also used as the main stadium for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Originally built as a dome with an air-supported roof (similar to the old H.H.H. Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN), BC Place underwent an extensive renovation about seven years ago, and now sports a retractable roof supported by cables. Besides the BC Lions, BC Place is also home to the MLS’ Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Food & Beverage 5 BC Place has an incredible selection of food and beverage options, which is especially impressive given the typically low turnout during Lions games (more on that later). Besides all of the typical fare, such as hot dogs, burgers, and chicken tenders, you can also find local favorites such as Poutine, as well as more interesting fare such as pulled pork mac & cheese and chicken & waffle sandwiches (basically a chicken sandwich with waffles as the bun). BC Place does not have any generic stands, per se, but instead has a variety of concessions options with interesting names, such as Thirsty Pigeon or Beast on Fire, each of which sells a different fare that sort of relates to its name. For example, Lionsgate Grill has burgers, Beast on Fire has chicken and prime rib, and The Poutinerie has (you guessed it) poutine. Other stands offer grilled cheese, Philly cheesesteak, vegetarian tacos, salads, and even veggie bowls, and you can also find a wide variety of the typical snacks, such as peanuts, jerky, potato chips, donuts, ice cream, and cotton candy, as well as many others. Food items range from $3.25 for the smallest items, all the way up to $14.75 for the prime rib. The drink selection at BC Place is equally as wide as the food selection – on the concourse you can find pretty much anything you can think of, including soda, bottled water, lemonade, fruit juices, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, Red Bull, you name it, as well as plenty of beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Beer is available on draft or in bottles and cans, and there are lots of options, including standbys like Budweiser, as well as favorites like Mike’s Hard Lemonade or Okanagan ciders, or even craft beers such as Stanley Park. Non-alcoholic drinks start at around $3.50, while beer and alcohol start at $8. Atmosphere 2 The BC Lions average around 20,000 fans per home game. While this has definite benefits in terms of making it easy to get around, the lack of attendance is pretty obvious once you get inside the stadium. The most glaring sign of the low turnout is the upper deck, which is screened off because seats in that section are not sold during Lions games. That said, there won’t be much in the way of crowd noise, but the staff deserves credit for bringing in lots of other entertainment elements. For example, there is a guy with a tambourine who works with the mascot to rev up the crowd, there are plenty of team flags and other Lions décor, and the Felions Dance Team is on hand to entertain the crowd. In addition, there are games for the kids in the concourse, and even a music stage outside, which features local bands on game days. Also, all of the seats in the stadium are chair backs, which is a big plus. See the BC Lions coming onto the field here: Neighbourhood 4 BC Place is literally only a few blocks from Vancouver city centre, and is right on the water, so there is plenty to see and do nearby. There are dozens of restaurants within walking distance, including all types of cuisine, so you should easily be able to find something to your liking, including a craft beer market on the other side of False Creek. The only downside is that this section of town will always be pretty crowded, so you will definitely have to deal with some traffic (pedestrian and otherwise). If you are looking for something to do before or after the game, there are plenty of attractions nearby. For example, Science World at TELUS is within walking distance of BC Place, as is Edgewater Casino. In addition, Stanley Park, with its famed totem poles and other statuary, is only a short drive to the north. You can also find several museums within a mile or so, and Stanley Park boasts its own aquarium. There are also plenty of hotels within walking distance of BC Place, although they tend to be on the very pricey side, being in downtown. Fans 2 The fans that show up at BC Lions games are really into it, and a lot of them dress up in team gear. You will catch many of them slapping their boom sticks together with reckless abandon, or waving giant orange flags they brought from home. The only downside is that there are just too few of them, so the stadium looks fairly empty; the staff may need to come up with some additional promotions to boost ticket sales, or somehow improve the teams’ on-field performance. Access 3 Once you make your way to BC Place, getting around is a cinch, thanks in part to the lackluster turnout, but mainly due to a well-designed venue; the oval design allows plenty of room in the concourse, and there are concessions on both sides of the aisle, making it easy to find what you want. In addition, the bathrooms are LITERALLY enormous, with more than enough stalls to accommodate everyone; this is not surprising given that the venue was designed with World’s Fair and Olympic-size crowds in mind. Unfortunately, getting TO BC Place presents much more of a challenge. I mentioned the heavy traffic earlier, but the lack of parking is an even bigger issue. There is no parking to speak of outside the venue, except for the parking garages dotted around the city, some of which are many blocks away. If you are staying in the area, you may be better off just parking at your hotel and walking from there. Or, take advantage of Vancouver’s public transit options , which include buses, trains, and ferries. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to BC Lions games start at $35 per ticket in the lower bowl – remember that upper level seats are not currently being sold – but they do have specials in the summer for kids ($5 each). Concessions are probably a little on the high side, but not terribly out of line for a professional sports team, although when you factor in parking (if you can find it) you could be looking at a pretty steep outing depending on how many are in your group. Still, football is always a good time, so if you are not a diehard Lions fans, you may want to save your BC Place visit for a day when an opponent you really like is in town. . Extras 2 BC Place has a really great design, which is best enjoyed when lit up at night. Also, the staff gets credit for trying to add so many fun elements to the experience. Final Thoughts Vancouver is a fun city to visit, with lots to do in the area. While BC Place may no longer be the jewel of the CFL, it could still offer a fun time if you are in the area.

Photos by Steven Burke, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 BMO Harris Bradley Center 1001 N 4th St. Milwaukee, WI 53203 Marquette Golden Eagles website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 18,850 Demolished: 2019 A Golden Experience Editors Note: BMO Harris Bradley Center was demolished in early 2019. The Golden Eagles now play at the new Fiserv Forum . When a venue hosts multiple teams it can be difficult to differentiate the atmosphere enough to make it feel like a distinctive home for different tenants. This can be even harder to accomplish when a college team plays in the home of a professional franchise. While the primary tenant of the BMO Harris Bradley Center is the Milwaukee Bucks, it also serves as the home of Marquette Golden Eagles basketball and is that rare arena that provides two distinct game day experiences. Plans for the replacement for the BMO Harris Bradley Center is in the works. The current venue may no longer be a state of the art facility, but remains serviceable and provides a great environment for college basketball. Food & Beverage 4 The BMO Harris Bradley Center has a great focus on food and beverage that just adds to the game experience. The venue has a large selection to choose from and all items are high quality. The carvery is very stereotypical Wisconsin and that is a very good thing. It has a great selection of delicious hand-carved sandwiches all served with chips and a pickle spear. All three offerings cost $14 with your choice of corned beef Reuben, downtown pastrami, and honey roasted ham. The downtown pastrami served on a pretzel hoagie with beer cheese and giardiniera is phenomenal. A unique selection at two of the main concession stands is the chicken waffle cone for $9 with your choice of buffalo style or maple bacon. Another Milwaukee favorite is Usinger’s sausages and the Usinger’s concession stand does not disappoint, with hot dogs and sausages ranging from $7-$10. The price is reasonable and the sausages are delicious. Other stands include Qdoba, loaded nachos, My Greek Gyros, Cousins Sub, and Refuge Cafe. The BMO Harris Bradley Center also has an impressive emphasis on something Milwaukee is known for and that is beer. All stands on the concourse serve the basic Miller products and a wider range is available at the Tap House stand along with the Leinenkugel lounge. Atmosphere 4 The BMO Harris Bradley has once again become an exciting place to enjoy college basketball and the people of Milwaukee are embracing and more importantly attending Marquette basketball. Under young head coach Steve Wojciechowski the Golden Eagles find themselves improving and looking forward to a bright future and the fans are just as excited. The game day staff and ushers are extremely friendly and plentiful. You will never have to look far if you need assistance. Sightlines in the seating bowl are good for basketball all around and in both the upper and lower levels. The student section is always out in full force, filling their section behind the baseline and cheering on their team. Marquette definitely benefits from the large high definition NBA scoreboard above the center court providing video scripts and replays along with all the in-game statistics you could desire. Neighborhood 5 Downtown Milwaukee is a great place with plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance from the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Old World Third Street and Water Street are always busy after games and the streets of downtown Milwaukee provide a safe atmosphere for pedestrians. Many fans end up going out to a local establishment after a game, as many places run promotions in conjunction with each game with deals for a ticket stub postgame. A quick one block walk from the BMO Harris Bradley Center is the Ale Asylum where you can find delicious food and beer brewed in-house. The Asylum Burger is a great choice featuring a beef patty topped with aged cheddar, bacon jam, arugula, a fried egg, and pickled onion. Ale Asylum also has a Wisconsin favorite, fried cheese curds which won’t disappoint. If you are looking for a quick meal pregame or postgame check out Brick 3 Pizza; also just a block from the arena. Brick 3 Pizza is a great place to grab a slice or two. Fans 4 Marquette basketball has a dedicated and interested fan base that begins with an involved student section that shows up to all home games. While the BMO Harris Bradley Center is an NBA arena it provides a distinctively different environment for college basketball and the fans have a significant amount to do with that. The city of Milwaukee has embraced the Golden Eagles as their team and they turn out in large numbers to show support. Between the students and the community, Marquette has an active and involved game day experience. Access 5 BMO Harris Bradley Center is located in downtown Milwaukee and it is easily accessible from all directions with interstate access just a few blocks away. Once in downtown Milwaukee, parking is plentiful with various garages and surface lots within walking distance. You can keep an eye out for street parking as well as the metered spots which become free after 6:00 pm. I recommend arriving early if you want to look for street parking as it may require a search. Return on Investment 4 Marquette has a variety of ticket prices ranging from $10-$50; the Golden Eagles have also implemented a trend that is becoming more popular in all sports and that is prime games. Ticket prices vary depending on opponents with non-conference games being the cheapest, followed by Big East games, and finally, Big East weekend games being the most expensive. There isn’t a bad seat in the BMO Harris Bradley Center, so depending on your budget and preference with a location you should be able to find an affordable ticket. The secondary ticket market can also provide a great value, especially for midweek games. Extras 3 The quality of the game presentation including the video board is always superb. The video board is enormous and very impressive. It enhances the fan experience with HD videos during timeouts and also the best replays. Another extra point for Marquette branding around the building, especially considering the fact that they aren’t the primary tenant, however, their branding is very evident and enhances the atmosphere as a true home for Marquette. An extra mark for a small school (8,000 students) with a big-time following. Final Thoughts With the reinvigorated fan base, the improved performance on the court, and the level of competition provided in the Big East, Marquette basketball is definitely on the way up. This is a worthwhile trip to a great city for any hoops fan.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Ball Arena 1000 Chopper Circle Denver, CO 80204 Colorado Mammoth website Ball Arena website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 17,800 Get in the Box Note: The name of the venue changed from Pepsi Center to Ball Arena Oct, 2020. Founded in 2003, the Colorado Mammoth are celebrating their 15th season in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) this 2018/2019 season. They have made the playoffs in all but one of their years in existence. They captured the NLL championship in 2006 and won division titles in 2003, 2004, and 2007. It’s been a while since they’ve placed a banner on the rafters. Two professional lacrosse teams are located in Denver, CO. The Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Outlaws play at Broncos Stadium at Mile High and the Mammoth play at the Pepsi Center. The Pepsi Center is a multi-purpose venue in downtown Denver, CO. It is also home of the NBA Nuggets and the NHL Avalanche , as well as an event center for many concerts and conventions throughout the year. The team less featured in its souvenir shop, along the walls, and in advertisements is the NLL Mammoth. Food & Beverage 4 Some concession stands are closed during Mammoth games as the fan attendance is not as large as at an Avalanche or Nuggets game. Outside food and beverages are not allowed in the Pepsi Center. That said, the Pepsi Center still offers a wide range of options at expensive prices. Many more food and drink choices are on the first level than the third. If you have tickets for the third level, I recommend strolling around the first level before heading up. Tables are scattered throughout the concourse for consuming the food and drink, people watching, and soaking up the surroundings. Selections include the standard hot dogs, pizza, pretzels, nachos, popcorn, candy, etc. Different or unique options are baked potatoes, chicken sandwiches, cheese steak sandwiches, chicken and waffles, mac and cheese balls, grilled cheese sandwiches, Go Nuts, bratwurst, Caesar salad, and onion rings. Pepsi varieties (of course) are the soda choice. The traditional domestic beer offerings like Coors, Coors Light, Bud, Bud Light, and Miller Lite are available. The venue offers local brews such as Colorado Native, Dales Pale Ale, Odells, Breckenridge (most of these are on the first level) and other beer offerings include Fat Tire, Stella, Shock Top, and Red Hook. Premium cocktails, vodka lemonade, Moscow mule and basically, anything you might want to drink is here. For those looking for a sit-down meal inside the arena, the Breckenridge Brewery Mountain House fits the bill. Its mountain lodge theme will transport you to the Rockies… while sparing you the frosty temperatures. Atmosphere 2 The Mammoth put on a good show; it is all very well coordinated. The introduction includes motorcycles on the court and smoke and fire when the Mammoth players are announced. The young, pretty, athletic Wild Bunch dancers entertain the crowd during breaks in the game. And, a half time show includes various entertainment acts. Several promotions are offered throughout the season such as Lacrosse Put Out Cancer, player autographs after game, and youth lacrosse games to name a few. Get in the Box posters and both teams’ line ups are handed out on entry to the Pepsi Center. An announcer/emcee for the Mammoth does a good job getting the fans to ring their cow bells, make noise, and is a fine source of entertainment and motivation at a game. The temperature of the venue is fine. Bring layers just in case it’s too warm or too cold. Two lines of closed captioning is offered in each of the four corners of the banner board section of the Pepsi Center and provide announcer comments and scoring and penalty results. Nice job to the Pepsi Center for providing that. More venues should do that. Closed Captioning at Ball Arena, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey At the game of this review, when entering the ticket box office area to purchase a ticket, a security rep stormed over and shouted “ NO , you can’t come in here! We don’t open till 12 noon!” I would have left and never come back if I wasn’t doing a review for Stadium Journey. It’s a very poor way of welcoming Mammoth fans. Neighborhood 5 Downtown Denver is a happening place to be. Numerous restaurants, bars, and shopping are within four or five blocks of the arena. It is safe walking in and around the downtown area before or after a game. Denver is known for its craft brews. Be sure to take a brewery tour if you’re a connoisseur of the hops. I’d recommend Wynkoop’s at the corner of 18th St and Wynkoop St or Jagged Mountain (good IPAs) at the corner of 20th St and Lawrence St. The 16th Street Mall is just within a few blocks and is a pedestrian outdoor mall containing many of those shops and eateries. Free shuttle buses cruise the 1.25 mile strip and one can hop and off at most corners as desired. Check out recently renovated Union Station, a historic train station just a few blocks away. This houses a hotel, shops, bars, restaurants, and a public park atmosphere. A good place to eat pre or post game is the Thirsty Lion – it has a happy hour every day with a wide variety of beers and appetizers (enough for a meal) choices. Brooklyn’s (a sports bar) is in the parking lot of the Pepsi Center. Although convenient, this place is not recommended as the food is not great and the drinks are quite expensive. A better place worth checking out just two blocks from the Pepsi Center is Tivoli’s Brewery who serves their own beer and has really good food choices. The closest hotel is the Springhill Suites by Marriott and is only a 0.2 mile walk to the Pepsi Center and is walking distance to most of the downtown activities and venues. Fans 4 The Mammoth fans are pretty spectacular. As Mammoth player introductions are made, all fans stand, ring their cow bells and cheer. They boo the visiting team during their introduction. When the Mammoth score a goal, fans high-five their neighbors in celebration; doesn’t really matter if you’re a stranger. When an opposing team’s player gets a penalty, fans chant, “Hey #xx – Get-In-The-Box,” and stand up and point at the player as he walks toward the box. The last two minutes of the game all fans stand and applaud the players. Average attendance has declined a bit over the years and the arena is not as packed as it once was: In the 2000’s, the average attendance ranged from 16,000 – 17,000; that number has reduced slightly to 13,000 – 16,000 a game with 14,465 the average attendance in the 2017 season. Access 3 My recommendation for a Mammoth game (and any event/game at the Pepsi Center) is to take the RTD Light Rail and get off at the Pepsi Center/Elitch Gardens Station. An A Line train from DIA (Denver International Airport) travels direct to Union Station which is a short 0.5 mile walk to the Pepsi Center. Fans who want to visit a Mammoth game and downtown Denver won’t necessarily require a car anymore. If driving, take I-25 and get off at Auraria Parkway if coming from the south or Speer Blvd if coming from the north. Parking on the Pepsi Center grounds ranges from $15 – $30. The $30 is valet parking and is open to the general public. The nearby Auraria Campus, home of the University of Colorado Denver and Metro State University, has cheaper parking while only being a 5-10 minute walk to the arena. A designated Lyft/Uber area is just outside the venue. Getting through security is hit or miss. Sometimes the gate staff are courteous other times they appear to growl and roll their eyes in annoyance at fans entering the venue and security area. This needs to be improved as fans don’t always feel welcome. One must go through a security and metal detector just to purchase game day tickets which is asinine. Plenty of operational bathrooms are available with minimal or no wait. Hang out for a few minutes after the game and don’t leave immediately after the winning goal (but only just a few minutes otherwise you’ll be told to ‘ Get Out ’ about only 10 minutes after the end of the game; another un-fan friendly experience I’ve had at a Mammoth game). Players celebrate; shake hands with opponents like they do in the hockey playoffs and Stanley Cups finals. Players walk the entire court raising their sticks to the fans to show their appreciation. Sometimes there’s an interview with a player after the game; other times a post game autograph session is set up. Return on Investment 2 Tickets range from $10 (the $2 surcharge is not added when purchasing game day tickets this 2018/2019 season!) through $32 for fieldside VIP seats. Go to Happy Hour at the Thirsty Lion to lower food/drink expense and consider taking the light rail. Although ticket prices are extremely inexpensive compared to the other teams at the Pepsi Center, I just can’t give a high ROI rating at a sports team whose security team sternly tells me I’m not allowed in and I have to go through metal detectors just to purchase a ticket. Extras 3 Four retired Mammoth jerseys hang from the rafters: #22 Gary Gait (widely known as the best lacrosse player of all time), #6 Brian Langtry, #9 Gavin Prout, and #24 John Grant Jr. Colorado Mammoth Retired Numbers, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Kudos to those ‘conversion crews’ who convert a basketball court on a Fri evening to a hockey arena for the following Sat afternoon to a lacrosse venue that same Sat evening then back again for a Sun evening basketball game. For being able to take in a double header. Once or twice a year a fan can see an Avalanche and a Mammoth game at the Pepsi Center the same day. Final Thoughts The game of box lacrosse is an exciting, enjoyable, fantastic game to watch live. I’d recommend anyone who hasn’t seen a game yet to check it out. Customer service and being made to feel welcome each and every time needs to improve at Mammoth games at the Pepsi Center to make the entire experience worth coming back.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Bank of America Stadium 800 S Mint St Charlotte, NC 28202 Duke's Mayo Bowl website Bank of America Stadium website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 75,412 Bowling in the Queen City Note: The name of the Bowl changed from Belk Bowl to Duke's Mayo Bowl in 2020. Played in the same NFL stadium that is home to the Carolina Panthers , the Belk Bowl is an annual college football postseason matchup that features a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference versus a team from the Southeastern Conference. However, while the venue is a great stadium with all the modern amenities, the game is not always well-attended, depending on which teams are invited to participate. Food & Beverage 4 Bank of America Stadium has a decent set of concessions options, covering all the basics but without a lot that is truly unique. In addition, many of the stands are closed off during the Belk Bowl, due to the small expected attendance, but there are still more than enough options to accommodate the crowd. Like several other NFL facilities, Bank of America Stadium recently started offering bottomless refills on popcorn and soda (about $9 each), so for less than $20 you could be taken care of for the whole game. Of course, if you want something more interesting than popcorn, other items can also be added – the best deal on that front is probably the Bojangles’ Chicken Supremes – $8 will get you a box of six, which is a pretty good deal for a pro sports venue – or the two Krispy Kreme donuts for $3. Other food options include hot dogs, brats, burgers, chicken wings, pizza, pulled pork nachos and sandwiches, brisket, mac and cheese, soft pretzels, peanuts, and packaged candy, with prices ranging from about $4 up to $10. Note that unlike most sports stadiums, however, tax is not included, so you will pay slightly more than the price shown on the menu board. They do give a slight discount if you pay cash though, and the discount seems to vary a bit by item, as the cash prices always seem to work out to be whole dollars. The drink selection is probably even better than the food selection – in fact, Bank of America Stadium has a whole craft beer aisle on the lower level, and even a convenience store-type concessions area, which sells snacks and all manner of refrigerated cans and bottles of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks. I didn’t see any mixed drinks at the stadium, but besides beer, wine, and soda you can also get Gatorade, coffee, and hot cocoa – drink prices seem to run the gamut from $4 to $9. Atmosphere 3 Bank of America Stadium can be pretty empty during the Belk Bowl depending on which ACC team is invited to play – most of the SEC teams are too far away to draw much of a crowd, and the Belk Bowl tends to take an SEC team that is pretty low in the pecking order anyway. That being the case, your best bet for a solid crowd is to get one of the local ACC teams, like maybe Duke or N. C. State – without a big crowd, the stadium just feels too empty to have much energy. Bank of America Stadium itself is pretty stellar, being a pro venue, with all the seats being chairbacks, and huge video boards to help you see replays. In fact, the videoboards are the best part of the atmosphere – the staff at the Belk Bowl shows replays on the big board using two different angles side by side, one an overhead shot and the other close-in, which really gives you a great view of the play from both angles – I wish more stadiums did this. Neighborhood 5 Bank of America Stadium is located right in downtown Charlotte, so there are plenty of great restaurants within walking distance – two of the most popular are Draught Restaurant & Bar and French Quarter Restaurant, which as you might expect offers Cajun cuisine. Both restaurants are only 3-4 blocks from the stadium, but there are a ton of other options as well, if you are in the mood for some other type of cuisine. If you are going to be in town for the weekend (the Belk Bowl is played at 1 pm on a Friday), the most popular attraction in Charlotte has got to be the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which is also within walking distance of Bank of America Stadium – the Hall of Fame is the perfect attraction for the Queen City, given the presence of the Charlotte Motor Speedway nearby. And when you finish your NASCAR experience, there are several other interesting attractions to take in during your stay, such as Discovery Place Science, TransAmerica Square, or the Secret Fountain. There are well over a dozen hotels in downtown Charlotte, just to the east of Bank of America Stadium, plus many more a little further out – two low cost options within walking distance of the stadium are the Hilton Charlotte City Center, and Hyatt Place Charlotte Downtown. Fans 2 The fans that do attend the Belk Bowl are solid – they wear team gear and cheer pretty loudly for their team – but the stands just do not fill up in certain years. Again, it probably really depends on which ACC team gets invited; even Wake Forest doesn’t seem to draw much of a crowd, but if UNC , Duke , or N. C. State were invited, you may see a lot more energy. Access 4 Getting to Charlotte for the Belk Bowl is really easy thanks to the small crowd size – there is very little traffic, especially around Christmas when a lot of the downtown businesses seem to be closed. You should be able to park for $15 just a few blocks from Bank of America Stadium in one of the parking garages downtown, and once you park, there shouldn’t really be any lines to get into the stadium. The major downside with regard to access at the Belk Bowl is that all of the stairs inside Bank of America are closed, due to the small crowd, which means you have to use one of the ramps if you happen to be sitting in the cheap seats upstairs. And while walking up the ramps is better on your knees, of course, it takes a lot more time since they are so long and winding. In addition, there are only two ramps (one on each end), so depending on where you come in, you may have to walk pretty far to find one. Return on Investment 3 Thanks again to the small crowd size, you can find tickets to the Belk Bowl very cheaply on third-party sites - face value starts around $40, but you can easily find them for half that. That said, the experience really depends on what level of energy you are looking for – the Belk Bowl won’t have the energy of some Power 5 conference home games, like Michigan or Oklahoma , or even the energy of some of the better bowl games, simply due to the lack of fans. But, if you are just looking to watch some decent football in a hassle-free setting, the Belk Bowl could be just the ticket. Extras 3 The décor around Bank of America Stadium is great, particularly the panther statues out front, which are even adorned with holiday wreaths for the season. The sightlines here are also great, even if you sit in the upper deck, and the seat are very comfortable, and all of them have cupholders too. They did have a jet flyover before the most recent Belk Bowl, and each military jet was flown by a graduate from one of the participating schools. Final Thoughts Thanks to their conference tie-ins, the Belk Bowl will always have some decent teams playing in it, and the pro venue (Bank of American Stadium) is a far nicer facility to see a football game at than a lot of other bowl locations. If you are in the area, this would be a great way to spend some time with family and friends during the holidays, especially if your favorite team happens to be invited to Charlotte.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.71 Barber Motorsports Park 6040 Barber Motorsports Pkwy Leeds, AL 35094 Grand Prix of Alabama website Barber Motorsports Park website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 100,000 This is Racing’s Augusta The Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama is one of the hidden gems of the racing world. Nestled in the mountains of northern Alabama, just east of Birmingham, is Barber Motorsports Park, a premiere racetrack that rivals any other in the country. Who would have known that a track in the middle of the Deep South not called Talladega would provide fans with one of the best racing experiences in the world of sports? Food & Beverage 5 Soul food and good old-fashioned, homemade cooking is what makes Barber Motorsports Park so brilliant when it comes to feeding the masses. Even if you just want a burger or a hot dog, the price is very manageable (a big, juicy cheeseburger is $6.50). But if you really want to enjoy the local culture’s cuisine, several of the vendors in the fan zone and around the facility provide you with some of the best smoked barbecue in the world. When visiting Alabama, barbecue must be one of the staples of your diet, plain and simple. Even the drivers are known to stop by to grab a bite to eat, which is a true testament to how good the food is. There are also food and drink vendors all over the track, so fans are never too far from their next meal. Atmosphere 5 Alabama in the spring is absolutely beautiful. The track is a natural terrain road course, meaning the track follows the rolls and undulations of the mountains upon which the facility was built. Additionally, the foliage around the track is mesmerizing. The trees are tall, old, and majestic, and the wind blowing through them provides a true bonding with nature feeling. The roses, azaleas, and wildflowers blossom on the hills and fill the air with the scent of clean, fresh, floral greatness. What does this have to do with racing? It puts you in a state of relaxation while watching a race that makes IndyCar even more enjoyable than it already was. Roses in Bloom at Barber Motorsports Park, Photo by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 The area around the track has changed drastically of late; literally next door is one of the coolest Bass Pro Shops there is (everyone has to drive along a mile-long nature preserve just to get to the store entrance). The venue is several miles away from Birmingham, and the only hotel next to the track is a new Hampton Inn. However, just across the highway is a giant outlet mall that includes a drive-in movie theater. In addition, down the highway just a few exits away lie several chain restaurants (Hooters, Five Guys, Olive Garden, and more), and more hotels. Not far away is the Birmingham Airport, with a nearby Holiday Inn that has a free airport shuttle and room rates in the low $100s, even during race weekend. For sightseers, Talladega National Forest is only an hour drive away, while The Vulcan remains a popular tourist spot that offers a panoramic view of Birmingham. Fans 5 In the heart of Alabama, you may never expect to find a herd of hard-core IndyCar and sportscar racing fans. Indeed, Barber Motorsports Park is full of fans who are seriously knowledgeable and who are loud and rowdy in support of their favorite drivers. Outside of Indianapolis, Barber Motorsports Park may be home to some of the best IndyCar fans there are. Perhaps this was easy to predict when the simple fact that a pre-season test at the track in 2009 drew a near-capacity crowd. Barber Motorsports Park also allows fans to post their tweets and Instagram photos with the race’s official hashtag for display on the big screens around the property, offering fans a chance to interact like few other sports can. The best part? This is one of the most family-friendly race parks there is, so fans can bring their whole families to the track – Southern hospitality at its best. Access 5 Parking at Barber Motorsports Park is brilliant. There are numerous parking lots all over the property, and none of them are far from the track. Getting to the actual track is easy as well, as the main highway has an exit ramp that is less than a mile from the park’s entrance. Getting around the actual course itself is simple. While the track is large, it is easy to walk around. Seating is also easy, as the main grandstand on the backstretch allows views of all four straightaways and several corners. Or for a more picturesque view, there are several locations in which you can pitch a giant foldable party tent and bring some folding chairs and a cooler to watch the race from the hillside. And as if the relaxing atmosphere couldn’t get any more relaxing, it still does – the track offers fans a free tram service that circles the course, allowing you to view the racing action from anywhere on the track. To get to the track itself, there are now various billboards and signs all over the local highways telling you which exit to use, and what direction to turn to get there. A new feature that opened in 2016 is a beautifully located flat, easy-to-navigate handicapped accessible pathway, which travels through the forest to a lookout point where fans using wheelchairs can watch the race, while also being in the comfort of the trees. This pathway is conveniently located across the street from the handicapped parking area. Return on Investment 5 No bones about it, Barber Motorsports Park is a brilliant race track to visit; the price paid for admission is well worth the action on the track and the atmosphere around the speedway. The fans are top notch, the food is among the best that a sports fan’s money can buy, and it is difficult to imagine a better facility in which to watch an IndyCar Series or sportscar race. Extras 5 Barber Motorsports Park is chock full of extras. First and biggest is the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. Billed as one of the largest motorsports museums in the country, this museum shows you some of racing history’s best machines from the past. The museum is currently in the stages of an expansion as well to make it even bigger. And as if the museum itself wasn’t enough, during race weekends the museum staff opens the first floor to the fans, one of only three times a year this is done. Why is this so monumental? The first floor is the restoration floor – who can pass up a chance to see the beautiful vintage race cars and motorcycles being restored to their former glory? Another bonus is the great fan zones around the track – TNT fireworks sponsors the best viewing location in the park, the hillside under the trees on the backstretch. Additionally, the track puts on a great fan activity area where fans can meet drivers and get autographs from IndyCar and IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge drivers, while taking part in contests to win racing-related prizes. If you have a race ticket, you can easily upgrade it to include paddock access, which gets you up close and personal to the action in the garages. If you enjoy camping, you can stay on site with a hillside spot right behind the paddock, which offers some brilliant views of the track from a few spots. Perhaps the biggest extra, however, are the random sculptures scattered throughout Barber Motorsports Park. A giant metal spider on the infield, a zombie trying to swim out of a lake, metal sunflowers, tigers by the scoring tower, a Native American chief on the mountainside, giant ants carrying away a motorcycle, Greek Gods, and more pepper the park’s property, making for a neat hide-and-seek adventure. Final Thoughts If you are looking for a great way to enjoy racing, be it IndyCar Series, motorcycles, or sportscar racing, Barber Motorsports Park is a wonderful track in which to view some of the best racing in America. Add to that a vintage museum that showcases the coolest machines in racing history, and you have a great location in which to watch sports.

Photos by David Berger & Marc Viquez Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium Bodenheimer Dr Boone, NC 28608 Appalachian State Mountaineers website Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 1,000 Appalachian State Baseball Appalachian State has been rising in national visibility over the last few years, primarily through the visibility of its football team. In 2007, they received national recognition for upsetting Michigan while still an FCS school. Since graduating to the FBS level for football in 2013, they’ve continued a string of athletic successes. Most recently, in 2018 Appalachian State football was ranked in the Top 25 for the first time, after narrowly losing to Penn State in overtime. The groundswell of support and visibility has helped App State (as they are known locally) make strides across a number of its athletic programs. Although baseball has not made the NCAA tournament since 2012, it’s not due to a lack of facilities. Beaver Field and the accompanying Jim & Bettie Smith Stadium complex offer a first-class operation set beautifully into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Built in 2007, Beaver Field has 827 stadium seats with backs, as well as grass seating down the right field line that accommodates overflow crowds over 1000 for their “Pack the Park” promotions. Seating is divided into just three sections, and all seats are between the dugouts and protected by safety netting. The press boxes sit directly behind the concourse at the top of the sections, and the concession and ticket booths are behind the press box. Due to unpredictable Blue Ridge spring weather, the playing surface is Field Turf, which can allow for a late Spring snow removal in the morning, with a game still playable in the afternoon. The complex also includes an indoor hitting and pitching facility, as well as a clubhouse and lounge for players and coaching staff. Food & Beverage 3 Options are generally limited at small college baseball, and that’s true here as well. The cooler is well stocked with drink options (When ordering a “blue Gatorade,” we were asked “which blue?”). Hot dogs ($2 – $4), nachos ($3), and s’mores ($4) are your primary options, along with candy ($2), popcorn, and chips ($1 each). Prices are very reasonable, and fans can also bring their own. During our visit, there were a handful of tailgaters in the parking lot as well. People who bring their own have use of a handful of picnic tables as well. The major drawback is the concession stand is out of view of the field. However, even with a decent crowd during our visit, the lines were never long. Atmosphere 3 The primary attraction is the setting. Looking out into the surrounding mountains on a sunny spring day is a better-than-average way to see a baseball game. For our visit, while there was a nice crowd, it was split fairly evenly between home and away supporters (arch-rival Georgia State). With a crowd under 1000, you can’t expect it to get loud. You can hear every heckler individually. That said, the crowd is engaged and supportive. The stadium staff does a nice job of mixing in music and announcements to keep the game moving along without being overbearing. There are promotions nearly every day to entice return visits, including $2 tickets on Tuesdays. The crowd is a mix of students and local supporters and players' families that makes for a welcoming environment. Neighborhood 5 Boone, NC is one of the great little college towns in America and has been growing and improving exponentially over the last few years. Anyone who has spent time here loves coming back, and while it’s still very small (about 17,000 permanent residents), the community still has all the conveniences of a city twice as large, plus all the charm of a small mountain town. King Street is the primary thoroughfare through Boone and rests along the northern edge of the campus. Highway 321 runs north-south along the Eastern edge. These two roads are your primary options for retail and restaurants. Anything you could want is available, from primary chains to local breweries. The Come Back Shack is popular for burgers, as is The Cardinal. New hotels have been popping up over the last few years, making it a little easier to stay in the area. There are multiple skiing hills in the winter, including Appalachian Ski Mountain, and easy access to the Appalachian Trail only a few miles from campus. Any number of outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, or whitewater rafting are nearby. Blowing Rock National Park and Tweetsie Railroad (a theme park, skewed towards younger kids) are nearby as well. Fans 3 As App State becomes more and more of a “football school,” general interest in baseball is lukewarm. While they draw a nice crowd on a warm Spring day, those fans fall into one of three categories: students looking to enjoy the sunshine and some sports who don’t have a lot of competitive options, friends of the program, like players’ families and a smattering of locals. Ron Hodges was a catcher in the majors in the 1970s, and is their most prominent baseball alumnus. There is one active major leaguer with an App State pedigree currently (Jeff Springs with the Texas Rangers), and five more in the minors – none of whom were picked in the first 10 rounds. There’s not a lot of reason beyond a love of the game or school pride to be a rabid fan of the baseball program yet. Access 4 Attending a game is simple. Interstate 40 is the closest, but your trip to Boone will eventually take you to either highway 321 (N/S) or 421 (E/W). Both are multi-lane highways and very easy to drive. As remote as Boone can be, it’s still just two hours from Charlotte. Once on campus, parking at the stadium complex is plentiful and free. There are also campus shuttle buses that will take you to the field. Return on Investment 4 A game at Beaver Stadium could be the centerpiece of a very enjoyable weekend getaway filled with all sorts of outdoor activities. Parking is free, and tickets are typical $5, with discounts on Tuesdays and other promotional days. Hotels in the area are reasonably priced, and the entire area is family-friendly, with low-cost and free options for things to do. Just walking around campus will offer some tremendous vistas of the surrounding landscape and can make for an enjoyable day by itself, capped off with lunch or dinner on King Street. Extras 5 Boone is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. In any direction, you’ll find a mix of attractions for the whole family. A drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway will have you making multiple stops along the way to gaze out over the mountains and ravines of the area. There’s plenty of fishing and hiking available in parks around the area as well. Just walking and browsing on King Street can be a fun afternoon. King Street has the feel of a mountain town, but it is just a few blocks from shops and restaurants. Nearby Blowing Rock is a little more commercial and has the Tweetsie Railroad and Blowing Rock monument. The Cherokee National Forest is also just to the West. In less than 90 minutes you can also continue west to the Northeast corner of Tennessee, where you’ll find four affiliated minor league ballparks (Johnson City, Kingsport, Elizabethton, and Bristol). Final Thoughts Though baseball is not the primary sport at Appalachian State, a visit to Boone, NC and Beaver Field is an enjoyable way to spend a sunny spring afternoon.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Belhaven Bowl 1500 Peachtree St Jackson, MS 39202 Belhaven Blazers website Belhaven Bowl website Year Opened: 1950s Capacity: 1200 D3 Football at Belhaven Belhaven University is a small private Christian university located in Jackson, MS. The college was founded in 1883 through the merger of two schools, Mississippi Synodical College & McComb Female Institution. The school's current location opened in 1894 in the mansion of former Confederate Colonel Jones S. Hamilton. The mansion was named Belhaven, and hence is how the university got its name. In 1927 a lightning strike destroyed the mansion, which housed the university's only classrooms – the columns that stand today on the west side of the campus are the only remnants of the old college. The college was originally an all-female institute, however in 1954 males began being admitted to the school. The college has a current enrollment of a little over 4,200 students and fields 15 different sports, which since 2015 have competed in Division III's American Southwest Conference (ASC). The Blazers are the only team in Mississippi that competes in the conference, with 7 out of 10 schools in the ASC stationed in Texas. The Blazers originally were members of NAIA Mid-South Conference and played at H.T. Newell Stadium located just north of campus, but in 2015 the Blazers began the transition to NCAA Division III, and to accommodate these changes opened the brand new state-of-the-art Belhaven Bowl in 2016, located on campus. Since first fielding a football team in 1998 the Blazers have not had much success, compiling an 82-125 (.396) overall record, and not making any playoff appearances in either the NAIA or D3. Despite that fact Belhaven has had a few notable names come through the program. Former Kentucky Head Coach Hal Mumme was head coach for the Blazers from 2014-2017, and in 2009 current Tennessee Titans cornerback Tramaine Brock finished out his collegiate career here after a standout career at the University of Minnesota . Food & Beverage 1 Belhaven Bowl does not have a concessions stand on site, however, if you walk next door to the Heidelberg Gymnasium there is stand open in there. You should be able to make it to the gymnasium and back to your seat in about 5 minutes. Food options are pretty limited with only hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, popcorn, peanuts and candy listed on the menu. They also sell canned Coke products for $1, and as usual there is no alcohol. My suggestion would be to get something to eat anywhere in Jackson. Atmosphere 3 The whole setup for the Belhaven Bowl is quite impressive for this level of college football, and stands out compared to most college football stadiums in the south. The field the stadium was built around was originally known as “The Bowl,” and was just a big field that hosted football practices; the Blazers men's and women's soccer teams also used it for select games. The Bowl sits in the center of campus surrounded by beautiful campus buildings, and underwent a $4 million renovation at the end of the 2015 season, including chair back seating for 1200 and a state-of-the-art video board. The chair back seats with cup holders are an added touch here, and something you normally wouldn't see at the D3 level, but here every seat is a green chair back. The press box is unique as well as instead of a normal singular press box, Belhaven Bowl has their press box separated into 3 boxcar style buildings. There is no concourse but more of a walkway that surrounds the Bowl, and the field slightly below ground level so you walk down to your seats. The field faces north and south, with the home side located on the west side with the visitors on the east. The home side is much longer stretching the length of the field, while the visitor side only stretches from the 15-yard line to the 45-yard line. There are a few people tailgating around the stadium, and a unique thing here is that you can actually watch the game on the field while tailgating outside the stadium. The Blazers football program is young and has been notoriously bad in recent years, so there are not a lot of achievements. But the atmosphere is pretty good and more than makes up for the lack of wins. Coupled in with the cozy chairback seats, Belhaven Bowl is a pretty comfortable place to watch a football game. The old stadium H.T. Newell Field was definitely larger and held more fans, but Belhaven Bowl is much more comfortable and fits the program much better.Fans are free to walk up and come and go because there is no admission cost for tickets, so it is hard to take to count how many people actually show up on game day. Every seat is usually taken, but there are also a couple hundred or so people standing around the field watching. The atmosphere increases a point when the Blazers play Millsaps College. The Millsaps Majors are not part of the ASC conference but are still the Blazers' fiercest rivalry. Millsaps is located in the same neighborhood about two blocks west of Belhaven. Nicknamed the Riverside Rumble, these two teams usually face off every year to start the season. Fans from both schools pack the stadium and it becomes not so much a home game for Belhaven but more of a neutral site because of so many visiting fans. Neighborhood 3 Belhaven's campus is located in a mostly residential area north of downtown. While there is nothing within walking distance of the college, just a short drive north will take you to the Fondren District – located near the Ole Miss Med School this is Jackson's nightlife area, and you will find numerous restaurants and bars on this one block strip, my favorite being Fondren Public. You can play all sorts of games such as bocce ball, corn hole, shuffleboard, and over-sized jenga, as well as multiple board games so this bar has a really cool feel to it. There are numerous other bars and restaurants located in Fondren as well, however, such as Pig & Pint (known for its BBQ), Walker's Drive Inn, Babalu Tapas & Tacos, and Sal & Mookie's Pizza. But another bar in the area I suggest checking out is Brent's Drugs – from the outside it looks like a regular pharmacy, and with the soda fountain inside it's very reminiscent of 50's style diner. However, in the back there is a speakeasy style bar that was used during prohibition – it's a very interesting bar that gets pretty packed at night. There are also numerous bars in the downtown area as well, a couple of miles south of campus, such as Hal and Mal's, Fenians, and Old Tavern on George Street. In addition, Underground 119 is a cool underground blues bar located in downtown as well. However, the downtown area is not exactly the safest area, so use caution when walking here after dark. Lakeland Drive is located about a mile north of Belhaven's campus and you can find all the usual chain restaurants and lodging in this area. For attractions, I recommend checking out the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, which is a very nice interactive museum that doesn't get too packed during the week, and you could spend hours just walking through all the different exhibits located in the museum. The Hall of Fame is located on Lakeland Drive, right next to historic Smith-Wills Stadium, former home of the Minor League Jackson Mets/Generals and the current home to the Belhaven baseball team. Fans 4 This season marks the fourth year of football at Belhaven Bowl, and the new venue has already proven to be a success, as more fans have turned out than when games were played across the street at Newell Field. Because fans are free to come and go as they please there is not an official way to accurately determine just how many fans come out for games, but as the majority of the seats are filled, and with many fans also standing around, it looks to be in the 1200 to 1500 range. Many of the schools in the American Southwest Conference are in Texas, and unfortunately there is not a large turnout from visiting fans except when they play Millsaps. Because of the closeness of the field to the stands everything looks packed out and looks pretty cool. At the farthest away you are still only about 15 to 20 feet from the actual playing field. There is also a mix of all types of people including lots of player's parents, alumni, and students – there is no official student section so most of the students seemed scattered out between the grandstand and the tailgating lots. In addition, from Peachtree Street there is a clear view of the playing field, so you will see some fans driving down that road who pull off to stop. Access 3 The campus is located north of downtown a couple of blocks west of Interstate 55. If coming from any direction I-55 will be your best option – just take the Fortification Street exit and then turn north onto Greymont Street, which will run you right into campus. The field is located on the north side of campus right next to Heidelberg Gymnasium , home of the Blazers basketball program . Even though many of the seats are taken on a first come first serve basis, the place is spread out enough that you should have no problem finding a place to either stand and watch the game, or you can sit on the berm in the south end zone which a lot of fans do. So you should have no problem finding a seat, and even though you have to walk to the gymnasium next door to get food, it shouldn't take any longer than 5 minutes. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are free, concessions are limited but cheap, and you’re not going to see many future NFL stars on the field, but the overall atmosphere makes this a good return on investment. It makes for a great stop if in Jackson, MS on a Saturday in the fall. Extras 3 Belhaven can be considered the Oregon Ducks of D3 football, as they are known for numerous different uniform combinations. Almost every home or away game expect the Blazers to wear a different jersey and a new helmet design that was not used the previous week. Belhaven's colors are similar to Oregon as well, except the green is a little lighter in Belhaven. Expect the Blazers to wear bright green, yellow jerseys, or charcoal grey with a bright green or yellow helmet, but they'll switch it up and wear any color pants from gray to bright green to black to bright yellow. It's definitely a sight to see and something to look forward to if attending a game. Though the Blazers don't win much they still look good while trying. Another extra for the amount of college football games one could attend while in the area. Belhaven, Millsaps College, and Jackson State's football stadium are all located within blocks of one another. I recommend checking the schedule for when all three teams play on the same day, which happens at least once or twice a year. On my most recent visit I was able to check out the noon game at Belhaven, then drive two blocks over and watch the Millsaps game at 2:30, and then I walked across the street to Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium to watch the Jackson State Tigers play at one of the most historic college football venues in the south. Another extra point for the World's Oldest Singing Christmas Tree, which is performed at Belhaven Bowl every December. A singing Christmas tree is exactly what it sounds like – a giant Christmas tree with platforms where people stand and sing. When the Singing Christmas Tree started in 1933 it was a first of its kind, and today the wood and metal structure can hold over 100 people. Over the years the candles have been replaced with LED lights that change colors in various patterns and sequences according to the Christmas carol being sung, which creates a visual spectacle. The tree is set up on the football field and there are two performances each year, so if in the Jackson area on these particular dates I highly recommend checking out the tree. Final Thoughts When people think of great college football venues and traditions in Mississippi, for most people in the state Belhaven University does not come to mind. Many people think of Davis-Wade Stadium’s cowbells and The Junction, The Grove in Oxford, The Rock in Hattiesburg, or The Vet in Jackson. But what many people don't know is that there is a small D3 college in downtown Jackson that has created its own unique identity to stand out, with an atmosphere and fan engagement that rivals the bigger schools in the state. I have been to and experienced most every college football stadium and arena in the state of Mississippi, and perhaps one of my absolute favorites has to be Belhaven Bowl. The Bowl has everything from the tiny grandstands to the campus buildings overlooking the field to make it unique and stand out amongst other venues in the state. After four years Belhaven Bowl still retains that new feel to it, and it remains a true hidden gem and something all college football fans in the Jackson area should visit at least once.

Photo Courtesy of TexasBob.com Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Bernard Birkelbach Field 2275 N Austin Ave Georgetown, TX 78626 Southwestern Pirates website Bernard Birkelbach Field website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 11,000 Pirates Hoist the Flag at Birkelbach Field Located less than 30 minutes north of the capital city of Austin lies one of its most picturesque suburban towns, Georgetown. The rapidly growing “village” of 55,000 – whose motto “Sincerely Yours” gives visitors a glimpse at its charm – has become a popular commuter town for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Austin. However, since 1840, students at Southwestern University have known all about what Georgetown has to offer. The school first fielded a football team – the Pirates – as early as 1908. They earned a reputation as a “little program that could” by often tangling with and beating some of the biggest and best programs in the country. They won the Sun Bowl twice in the 1940s, but the war took a toll on the program and the school shut it down in 1951. The Pirates returned to the field in 2013 as part of the Division III American Southwest Conference. They have set up home at Bernard Birkelbach Field at the Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex, one of the best high school stadiums in the area. Both good and bad, that is the key thing to remember about attending a Pirates game. Food & Beverage 2 First things first, the food and drink amenities are what you could expect to find at any upper-level high school football stadium. For those who generally expect more from their college athletics experiences, this is going to be a significant drawback. There are just two concession stands (one under the home bleachers and one under the visitors) open during games and no vendors hawking in the stands. The food and drink options are pretty basic and bare bones. You’ll find your $2 hot dogs and $3 bottled sodas, sports drinks, and water; there is popcorn and candy and that omnipresent specialty of Central and South Texas Friday nights, Frito pie (for the uninitiated, think corn chips, chili, and shredded cheese; it’s a delicacy). You can however get a Chick-fil-A sandwich (one of the school’s local sponsors) and cheese and pepperoni pizza by the slice; both are $5 options. This is a nice option if you are looking to get something just a bit “extra” for the game. Also, I personally was delighted to see another drink option at the game and that would be sweet and unsweet iced tea from local favorite, Bush’s Chicken . If, for some reason, you simply cannot find anything you would like at a game, you are allowed to bring in your own fare – within reason. Atmosphere 2 In spite of playing football at the level that they do, the Southwestern Pirates have a lot of buy in from their fan base. Tailgaters show up several hours before the game – the lot opens three hours before kickoff – and the student section does show up in droves and fills the lower sections of the stands. However, there are still some elements missing from the game experience. Namely a mascot and student band. These staples of college football are noticeable at times, but they do not take away from the on-field action. Also, fair warning, seating is all on bleachers – e.g. there are no seats. Bring cushions if you have access to them. Neighborhood 3 Georgetown is truly a beautiful example of small-town Texas. Its downtown is famous for its architecture and tourist sites, namely restaurants and boutique shops. Speaking of restaurants, when you are in the area, you have to visit the Monument Café . The restaurant has been a favorite of locals for over 20 years – including one of the area’s favorite sons, Matthew McConaughey. For culture, check out the Williamson Museum, the official county museum, which tells the story of the area and is located in an historic building on the square. If you’re there overnight, the Palace Theatre offers performances of all kinds throughout the year. If you’re looking for outdoor fun, Blue Hole Park has everything you’re looking for – kayaking, swimming, hiking, biking, fishing, etc. And, if you’re still looking for more, Austin is less than 30 minutes away. Fans 4 The fans come out in droves for Pirates games. You’ll see most wearing black and gold. Trailers and RVs dot the parking lot and you can see Pirate flags from the road as you make the drive toward the stadium. In the stands they cheer boisterously for the home team from the opening whistle to the final seconds. It is in this area that games at Birkelbach Field truly feel like a college game as opposed to a high school one. Access 3 Getting to Georgetown is really as simple as it gets in Central Texas. It is located just under 30 minutes from Austin, north along Interstate 35. That puts it just a hair under two hours from San Antonio and around five hours from Dallas/Fort Worth. Once you get into Georgetown proper, it does get a little tricky to get to the games. Signs clearly mark where the Southwestern University campus is, however, that is not where the stadium is. The athletic complex is located right behind Georgetown High School. You need to pay extra close attention for signage for that. Return on Investment 3 If you’re looking an affordable college football experience, Southwestern is the way to go. Parking is free; you can eat your fill for a very affordable price at the concession stands (seriously, try the iced tea), and single game tickets can be had for as little as $10. If you’re going by yourself, with a buddy, a date or the family, you won’t break your wallet. You’ll get the chance to experience some quality college football action in a decent venue for an affordable price at Birkelbach Field. Extras 1 There aren’t many frills, bells or whistles at Southwestern University Pirates games. As mentioned, there is no marching band or mascot, nor are there a high-tech jumbotron or activities during the timeouts. The cheerleaders and pom squad (traditionally the halftime entertainment) can be seen on the sidelines and do add to the atmosphere. Final Thoughts Birkelbach Field is a top-notch facility for high school games. While it does somewhat detract from the atmosphere of the typical college experience, there is enough to keep attendees entertained. Georgetown itself is a great place to visit and is great venue for football. If you’re in the area, plan to attend a Pirates game. You’ll be surprised at how much you enjoy yourself. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos Courtesy of theralph.com Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Betty Engelstad Sioux Center One Ralph Engelstad Dr Grand Forks, ND 58203 North Dakota Fighting Hawks website Betty Engelstad Sioux Center website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 3,140 Betty Engelstad Sioux Center The University of North Dakota men’s basketball team has one of the most beautiful and original college basketball venues in the Midwest. The Betty Engelstad Sioux Center is home to men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, and women’s soccer. The facility opened its doors in August 2004 and continues to provide an elaborate home game experience for both players and fans alike. The outside of the building is encased in gorgeous brick and is attached to The Ralph Engelstad Arena, home of North Dakota Hockey. The sheer beauty of the venue can be felt as soon as the building is in view. The $8 million dollar facility offers a number of amenities for both athletes and fans including the “high quality spring loaded floor, power operated basketball standards and divider curtains, four regulation size basketball and volleyball courts, 2,600 padded seats that include armrests, a club lounge, and a hospitality room that can fit up to 200 people.” (Betty Engelstad Sioux Center Quick Facts) Food & Beverage 4 The Betty has a variety of food items for a college basketball facility. These items include popcorn ($4), soft pretzels ($4), Dippin’ Dots ($4.50), the classic hot dog ($4.50) as well as bottled Pepsi products ($4). While there are other options available, these are definitely some of the biggest fan favorites. All of the concession items can be found on the main level which has three separate areas for fans to purchase their items of choice. While there isn’t anything that stands out to me about the concession options, I do have to comment on how organized and easy it is to get to each location. This makes for a great fan experience whether you are there with your children or your grandparents. The lines are short and move quickly, making it easy to get in and out of your seat at any point during the game. Atmosphere 5 The Betty Engelstad Sioux Center has a capacity of 3,140 for basketball games (men’s and women’s) that includes both padded chairs with armrests and classic bleacher seating. The padded individual seats are constructed of leather and cherry wood and are quite elaborate for a college athletic setting. The facility recently got an upgrade in scoreboards, which make for a very professional experience. The digital boards are constantly showing replays, interactive fan games, and video clips of the players. There is a video board on each end of the main court, making it easy for fans to catch all of the action from any seat. The fans are up close and personal with the game, which makes the atmosphere exciting and exhilarating. The entire crowd gets into the games; leaving nothing to be desired. The facility’s size and layout give the fans a very authentic feel. The passion for the game and North Dakota makes itself very apparent from the first steps inside. Neighborhood 3 The Betty is situated right off of the University of North Dakota campus, next to the Ralph Engelstad Arena. The facility is also located just over a mile off of interstate I-29 making for easy access for out of town fans. The venue is surrounded by actual neighborhoods, the UND Student Wellness Center, the UND medical school, and a small number of businesses. There is not any food or hotel options directly next to The Betty, but the city of Grand Forks offers plenty of eatery/hotel options all within a four mile radius of the venue. Fans 5 The University of North Dakota fans are energetic, determined, and devoted. While the student section is filled for every home game, it is very encouraging to see a wide variety of fans ranging in age. The season ticket holders have some of the best courtside seats available, making for a perfect view of the digital video boards, cheerleaders, and interactive fan games. The Betty seats 3,140 and is often filled to the brim with enthusiastic fans. Many of the younger fans can be seen with fatheads of the players, and are jumping up and down after each and every play. The sincere “hometown” feel you get at a North Dakota basketball game is unlike anything else. Access 5 The Betty is just over a mile off of I-29, with four big parking lots and plenty street parking. The parking lots that surround the building all offer free parking for afternoon games, and $5 for evening games. There is often multiple events going on between the three different venues that are connected, (The Betty, The Olympic Ice Arena, and The Ralph Engelstad Arena) which can make parking a little troubling at times. There are two locations that fans can enter the facility through; making for easy access to escape the cold weather that often plagues North Dakota. There are four bathrooms located at each corner of the court, making them very accessible for each and every fan. The main concession area is located behind one of the bleacher sets, creating a large gathering area for fans. The facility itself is large but has strategically placed everything a fan could need all within steps of their seats. While there isn’t a “lack” of a concourse, it is different from some facilities in the fact that most everything is situated on the same level as the court. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for adults can run anywhere from $10-$20, and are free to UND students. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office inside the lobby, by phone, or online. The ticket prices for college basketball are very reasonable, and do not waiver from game to game. There are multiple ticket options for families, season passes, and variety game packages. The atmosphere alone is enough excitement for anyone, but there is just something about going to a great facility that makes for a great basketball game. The venue itself is world class, and is something that should be seen by many. Extras 3 The Betty doesn’t offer many extras, but fans certainly do not seem to notice. The moment they enter the venue, they are greeted by the players doing their warm-ups, loud pump up music, and the great smell of popcorn. There are quite a few interactive fan games that take place throughout the game, a live pep band, and a “human t-shirt cannon” that is constantly throwing out shirts to fans when UND makes a particular play. The entire experience is interactive and does a fantastic job of bringing the game up close and personal. Final Thoughts The Betty Engelstad Sioux Center is truly a work of art that deserves to be recognized. College basketball is often a tradition for families and friends and this location does not disappoint. The ticket prices are hard to beat, the parking is easy and priced appropriately, and the in-game experience is second to none. I would definitely recommend checking out The Betty Engelstad Sioux Center if you find yourself in Grand Forks.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Bill Green Arena 750 W. 26th Street Marion, IN 46593 Marion High School Giants website Bill Green Arena website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 7,560 A Giant House of Champions The Bill Green Arena is home to the Marion High School basketball program and has been home to a winning pedigree since it opened its doors in 1970. The 7,560-seat gymnasium is the 5th largest high school venue of its kind in the world and features wonderful tributes to past championship teams, hall of fame, and all-time great players. Originally opened as the Marion High School Gym, it was renamed after Bill Green in 1996, one of the state’s greatest basketball coaches who won a total of six state titles, including three in a row from 1985-1987. His 1969 and 1987 teams also went undefeated and posted a record of 165-10 with his six championship squads. He was inducted into the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988. Winning has been part of the school’s history before and after Green; Marion is tied with Muncie Central with eight championship titles in Indiana. There were also many great players, one of them is current 2-time NBA All-Star Zach Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies. Food & Beverage 3 There are a couple of stands located in the gymnasium offering the usual array of food items from hot dogs, nachos, and burgers. The prices are on par with other gyms across the state; offerings cost between $1 to $2.50. The highlight might be the walking tacos and the offerings should satisfy a light hunger for fans watching the game. Pepsi products are priced at $2 a bottle. Atmosphere 3 The arena is well-suited for hosting a variety of events, including basketball state tournament games, volleyball tournaments, and games, and various school and community events including Marion High School graduation ceremonies. There is a ton of history throughout the gym from the basketball team's glorious past. The gym walls feature retired numbers of 9 former players, including current NBA player Zach Randolph. There are also team portraits of all state championship teams, former players and coaches in the Indiana High School Hall of Fame, and the school wall of fame. State championship and finalist banners hang at both ends of the court. The seating consists of plastic seats on the bottom and wooden seats on the upper level. The student section consists of two thin rows underneath and behind the basketball nets. The views are unobstructed and the aisles are wide enough to get around to your seat rather easily and quickly. Neighborhood 3 Marion, Indiana, has a population of just over 29,000 and is located one hour north of the Indianapolis area. The city is home to Indiana Wesleyan University and is the birthplace of actor James Dean and cartoonist Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield comics. There are many options to eat before or after the game including cheap eats at Myers Drive-In, 9th Street Cafe, and King Gyros. On the more moderate price scale are Wilson-Vaughn Hostess House, Brooks Upper Crust Pizza, and Casa Brava. Tourism options include the Quilters Hall of Fame, James Dean Birthsite Memorial, Grant County Courthouse, and Matter Park. Fans 3 The Giants basketball program is legendary throughout the state with multiple championships and iconic players who don the purple colors of Marion. Fans still come out and support their current teams and will be into the game and let you know what is on their mind. Access 4 The arena is large and very easy to get around from the upper deck to the lower deck seating. Signs and entrances are clearly marked and copious doors open up to the vast parking lot that surrounds the majority of the building. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices for games are $5 for adults and on par with other gymnasiums. The parking is free and plentiful outside the building, and concession items are of good value. The arena is decked with a collection of photos, banners, retired jerseys, and other memories that let it stand out among other places in the state. Extras 4 One point for the collection of famous players who once played on this court, they range from state record holders to current NBA players. If you want to know more about them, just take a look at the many photos and banners hanging up around the arena. A second point is awarded for the parking surrounding the gymnasium. It is connected to the high school but offers enough space that getting in and out of games should be a breeze for any visitor. A third and final point is awarded to the seven state championship banners that dominate one end of the arena’s walls. A very imposing sign for any would-be opponent, you are in a house of champions. A final point is awarded to the attention of the school's basketball pedigree in the state. Many other gyms share other sports championship banners and photos inside their basketball arenas, but here every little piece of information is dedicated to the sport of basketball. Final Thoughts This is a great place to enjoy high school hoops in Indiana. The Bill Green Arena ranks among the largest in the state and is worthy of a night during the winter months of the basketball season.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Bittinger Stadium 1324 McCormick Rd. West Lafayette, IN 47906 Purdue Boilermakers website Bittinger Stadium website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 1,000 A Good ‘Ol Softball Game at Purdue Bittinger Stadium opened on March 20, 2015, as Boilermaker Softball Stadium. The $13-million stadium was part of the Mackey Complex master plan approved by the Purdue Board of Trustees in 2007. The cost included related site work and infrastructure. A little over a year later it was renamed in honor of Marvin L. and Elaine Bittinger and their family for their generosity and support of Purdue student-athletes. Marvin earned his Ph.D. at Purdue in 1968 and has been teaching mathematics and writing textbooks for over 50 years. The stadium is adjacent to Alexander Field and Folk Field on the northwest edge of campus, and two miles from Ross-Ade Stadium and Mackey Arena . It’s built in the traditional Purdue style with brick masonry exterior facades and a concrete concourse with bench and chairback seats. The capacity is 1,000 with room for growth when needed. The ballpark is a miniature version of a baseball stadium a few feet away, except for a grassy knoll beyond the right-field area of the outfield fence. This area is known for folks who pull out a blanket or lawn chair and watch the game for free on a warm spring afternoon. The softball program began in 1994 with the Boilermakers earning the school’s first win on March 6 against UNC-Wilmington. Since that date, the university has made two regional tournament appearances and has thrown 19 no-hitters. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small concession stand that serves hot dogs, brats, nachos, popcorn, candy, and warm pretzels. The basic ballpark foods are hot and tasty and should satisfy anyone’s appetite during the 7 inning contest. Alcoholic beverages are served during the game and end after the 5th inning of play. Atmosphere 3 The wide-open concourse welcomes fans to the stadium as they make their way down to the seating bowl to catch a game. Most of the attention is on the play of the Boilermakers and during our visit, it was a nail-biting 2-1 loss to Maryland. The cheers of the crowd and the chants from both benches provide a little different soundtrack compared to a baseball game. The little kids are entertained with an inflatable batting cage and an old train car that is located on the first base side of the concession stand. Purdue Pete made his rounds around the concourse posing for photos with fans of all ages. A small hill beyond the outfield wall in right field offers a unique view of the playing field. A few fans take their place on the grassy knoll with a chair and blanket and enjoy the game from afar. You can also bring your dog to this area, but you can also bring them into the stadium for Bark in the Park on select dates. Neighborhood 3 The Chauncey Village neighborhood features quite a bit of funky little shops and restaurants, plus some great nightlife destinations. Von’s Shops offers an impressive array of new and used books, clothing, and other items in an eclectic building and storefront. A few stores down the street is Harry’s Chocolate Shop which has been described as a boisterous pub offering American pub fare in a vintage setting dating back to 1919. Burgers, wraps, subs, and appetizers that include fried banana peppers and breaded mushrooms with tiger sauce can be found along with a good pint of beer. The famous Triple XXX Family Restaurant is where one can enjoy a peanut butter burger or homemade root beer inside its small, cozy, and narrow booths. The small building features narrow countertops and bar stools. If you are a craft beer fan, People’s Brewing Company is located 3 miles north of the high school and is one of the better places for local beer in the state. Pints are $5 and are a dollar less on Wednesdays. Lafayette Brewing Company is the other craft beer option in town with $2 off of pints on Wednesday nights as well. Fans 3 The crowds are above the friends and family type at the stadium. The Boilermaker supporters are decked out in black and gold and can be seen and heard cheering for their baseball team to victory. They are respectful to the visitors and one can expect a laid-back atmosphere from the fans in attendance. Access 4 The wide-open concourse makes navigating inside the stadium quite comfortable and easy. Access areas are well signed and a small bridge is located that takes fans between the baseball stadium and the softball venue. Return on Investment 4 A ticket costs $5 for an adult and $2 for a youth. There are weekend games where kids can run the bases after the contest and post-game autographs take place. Purdue offers a few giveaways and promotions that include half-off hot dogs, $2 beers, and Bark in the Park that might be circled on your calendar if you are planning an event. Parking is free for all home games but does fill up if a baseball game is taking place. However, more than enough ushers assist on where and how to park your vehicle. Extras 3 One point for the old train car on the third base side of the concourse. A nice little nod to boilermaker tradition and a source of curiosity for the young fans. A second point for the grassy knoll that allows fans to enjoy the game free of charge. A final point for the various promotions that should attract a few more folks to a beautiful venue for a softball game during the season. Final Thoughts This was my first college softball game since I was a student at Indiana State University. I found it a nice little deviation from a baseball game and with certain promotions and food specials. A perfect excuse to watch a ballgame. It is quite an impressive venue and a great place to spend some time during the spring months in Indiana.

Photo Courtesy of Long Beach State Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Blair Field 4700 Deukmejian Dr Long Beach, CA 90804 Long Beach State Dirtbags website Blair Field website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 3,283 Dirtbag Diamond Though Long Beach State athletics are known as the 49ers, the locals, students, alumnus, and everyone involved with the baseball program affectionately refer to themselves as The Dirtbags . The moniker goes back to Coach Dave Snow's first team in 1989, when The Dirtbags would practice at a local all-dirt Pony Field. That same team would play in 3 different venues. In spite of not having a true home field advantage, that 1989 team would win their first 18 games and advance to their first College World Series appearance. Since then, being a Dirtbag has been looked at with high esteem. Food & Beverage 4 A good variety of dining selections are available. A Nathan's Hot Dog/Large Soda combo goes for $7.75, while the nachos and cheese/large soda or large popcorn/large soda combo go for $7.25. If you're not in the mood for the standard hot dog. Legends, a local favorite, serves up hamburgers ($7.50), cheeseburgers ($8.50), grilled bratwurst ($6.75) and a pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw on top ($8.50). With the right amount of bbq sauce and the meat having the right amount of tenderness, I highly recommend the pulled pork sandwich. Bottled water and 12 ounce soft drinks go for $2, snacks, ranging from candy, peanuts, chips and sunflower seeds go from $2.50 to $4. Alcoholic beverages are also available, from $6 for 16 ounces of Bud or Bud Light to $7.50 for 20 ounces of draft Bud Light or Shock Top. Wine options are cabernet & chardonnay and are available for $5. Atmosphere 4 Blair Field, constructed in 1958, offers an old school charm that is more than proud to display its proud history. As you walk along the exterior concourse, banners of former Dirtbag greats are put on display. Also on display along the 3rd base tunnel toward the stands are Sports Illustrated and ESPN the Magazine covers of former Dirtbags currently playing in the Majors, notably Troy Tulowitzki and Evan Longoria. Paying tribute to former Dirtbags turned big leaguers gives that feel for the fans that the next potential developing big league star is playing right in front of them. The trees beyond the outfield fence from the local park also provide a nice, natural urban feel. Beyond the left field fence, a couple of fans could be spotted watching the game. Let's give some kudos to the Dirtbags for not preventing these fans from taking in the action beyond the stadium fences. Also, the sight of Prospector Pete, the Long Beach State mascot, adds another touch to the atmosphere. Though he isn't involved in much between-innings entertainment, he engages in plenty of interaction in the stands, taking photos with fans of all ages. Mascots, though usually not seen much during college events not as heavily attended as football or men's basketball, are always a welcome touch to any college game as they bring a great sense of school pride and spirit among the fans. Neighborhood 4 Blair Field sits right next to Recreation Park, a 210.9 acre park that makes for a great pre/postgame spot. The name Recreation Park pretty much says it all, with all sorts of recreational activity happening ranging from volleyball to two hand touch football to kids and parents doing a little pre and postgame catch, along with family picnics. Stroll through on a weekend and you can't help the smell of various forms of meat wafting through the grills as you get closer toward the ball yard. All this gives Blair Field an urban neighborhood field, blending in with the area very nicely. For entertainment and dining beyond Blair Field, Rainbow Harbor and Belmont Shore are not too far away, both being about a good 10 minute drive. Not far from Rainbow Harbor is The Queen Mary. Fans 4 With a near-capacity crowd, this may have been the most vocal group of fans I have witnessed at a college baseball venue. Throughout the game, chants of "LET'S GO DIRTBAGS" could be heard. It's interesting because while the term "Dirtbag " is looked upon in the negative sense, the fans, particularly the young ones, seem to be proud of the moniker, as if being a Dirtbag is a cool thing. Speak to many a Long Beach State alumnus and mention the term Dirtbag, chances are great you will have a friendly, engaging conversation. These folks take great pride in being a Dirtbag, as well they should. Access 4 Blair Field can be easily accessed from the 405 freeway as well as Pacific Coast Highway. Upon arriving to the yard you will be happy to know that parking is free, however, be warned that the closer you park toward the grandstand, the higher the risk your car will be struck by a foul ball, a fact not lost upon The Dirtbags as signs are posted throughout. Return on Investment 4 The majority of the seats are general admission grandstand seats. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for faculty/alumni, $8 youth ages 3-12, $6 for kids with jerseys ages 6-12. Super Box seats for those who want a reserved seat within the first two rows go for $26, while all other box seats go for $13. Since most seats are priced at $10 or below, this really is a great family value. You will also be glad to know that the parking is free, freeing up some cash for you to buy your kid, or even yourself, that replica Jared Weaver jersey t-shirt. Extras 4 Prior to entering the gates is a memorial dedicated to Bob Lemon. Once inside the gates, in front of the main concession stand is the Long Beach Baseball Hall of Fame. Any fan of baseball owes it to themselves to make a stop here either prior, during or after the game. Among those enshrined in the Long Beach Baseball HOF are Tony Gwynn, Bobby Grich and Ron Fairly. It's only a matter of time when Jared Weaver and Troy Tulowitzki are enshrined. Also, for those of you bringing kids to the yard, Sunday afternoon games allow kids to run the bases after the game, giving your young ones the chance to run the bases in the field of dreams that Tulo, Weaver and Longoria once ran. Final Thoughts There certainly is no shortage of history here. Walk along the concourse and you will see for yourself that this is one proud baseball program with the many banners and signs paying homage to past Dirtbags, many of who have made it on to the bigs. Slated for future renovations starting in summer 2015, some changes in the first phase will include bringing in the outfield fences, something the hitters should like, and possibly a grass berm in left field. Though the fan experience at Blair Field may offer that rustic old school charm, renovations are a necessity for any program these days if they are to stay competitive, especially when it comes to recruiting top talent. The renovations can only help the fan experience as well, blending a good mix of Blair Field's history with some much needed amenities.

Photos by Lloyd Rothwell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Blue Sox Stadium 81 Eastern Road Rooty Hill, NSW 2766 Australia Sydney Blue Sox website Blue Sox Stadium website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 2,000 Who Rocks? Blue Sox! The Blue Sox are Sydney’s team in the Australian Baseball League, and were formed in 2010/11 when the league relaunched. The Sox are now into their second season of private ownership under the ABL’s new preferred business model. This approach has reinvigorated the franchise, with the fan experience much improved. Blue Sox Stadium is located within Blacktown International Sports Park (BISP), a multi-sport precinct set in the far-western suburbs of Sydney. The baseball stadium served as one of two ballparks used during the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games; the other is now known as Giants Stadium and is used for AFL ( Greater Western Sydney Giants ), and Twenty20 BBL cricket (Sydney Thunder). Blue Sox Stadium is now the home of Baseball NSW and is regularly used for junior tournaments. The capacity is around 2,000. Food & Beverage 4 The ABL has long prided itself on offering a more diverse range of food than is usually available at most mainstream Australian stadiums. While the offerings here had decreased in recent years, the new owners have significantly improved this aspect of the fan experience. Several food trucks set up in the forecourt behind the grandstand adjacent to the entrance to the stadium. Your choices include various burgers, hot dogs, cheesesteak, nachos, and pizza. The most popular stand is the pizzeria, and expect to wait 5-10 mins for your order to be made. Your meal will likely cost between $10-$15. Cash and card are accepted. Smaller snacks are also available including churros and popcorn helmets. The trucks also sell soft drinks and water but you’ll have to visit the bar for alcoholic drinks. Atmosphere 4 The ballpark is back looking spick and span with ownership also giving this area due attention. If history interests you, then take note of the Sydney 2000 commemorative plaque near the entrance. Around half the pool games were played at Blacktown involving every team including USA, Cuba, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Sydneysiders are rightfully proud of the Olympics they helped deliver and similar plaques are located at numerous sporting venues across the city. The majority of seating is situated within the original grandstand, while additional options include a ground level behind home plate and a picnic area along the first baseline which is a great option for families. When making decisions regarding seating, it’s worth remembering that the roof does not cover the stand in its entirety. If you’re not already familiar with local weather, the temperature in the western suburbs of Sydney can be as much as 10°c warmer than on the coast, hence if you’re attending a day game you may wish to choose a higher seat in the grandstand for the shade. All in all, there are plenty of options to choose from to deliver an experience that will suit every fan. Unfortunately during our visit the scoreboard was not operational. While we noted it was a little small and basic during our last game here, we hope it is back up and running again soon as otherwise there is no visual representation of the score and innings number. Syd the mascot is visible throughout the game, and there’s also a host who coordinates the various promotions that take place in between innings. Interestingly walk up songs look to have been ditched, as they were not used during our visit. Neighborhood 2 The stadium is located in the far western suburbs of Sydney – around 45 mins drive from the CBD without traffic. There is very little in the way of attractions in the area immediately surrounding Blacktown Sports Park. A 24-hour McDonald’s has recently opened across the road, however other than that, the only other option for entertainment and refreshments anywhere close by is West HQ (55 Sherbrooke St) where you will find a large licensed club and a number of other facilities including ten pin bowling and a hotel (Novotel Rooty Hill). However, a new zoo has recently opened nearby (Sydney Zoo, 700 Great Western Highway Bungarribee) and is receiving positive reviews. If you’re travelling to Sydney from interstate or overseas, the harbour city is home to numerous sports teams so you may wish to check the schedules for both male and female cricket (Big Bash League – Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder), basketball (Sydney Kings and Sydney Uni Flames), and soccer (Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers). Fans 4 We’ve been pleased to see crowds start to return in line with the improved experience. Average crowds appear to have settled around the 1,000-1,250 mark although last year saw a record crowd of 2,345 attend a game against ABL newbies, the Auckland Tuatara. It’s also pleasing to see the franchise is engaging with local junior baseball clubs and having junior teams as key features of the various fun promotions. Access 2 The best way to get to Blue Sox Stadium is by car, full stop! Parking is plentiful and free. The Sports Park precinct is near two of Sydney’s major motorways; the M4 and M7 and easily accessible from all areas of Sydney – although it can take up to an hour from the Sydney CBD. The other option is by train. Rooty Hill Station is about a 15 minute walk from the ballpark. The park itself is now even easier with new signage having been installed. The bathrooms are adequate but a little messy towards the end of a game. Return on Investment 4 While there has been a small increase, tickets to see the Blue Sox remain fantastic value. The highest value seats behind home plate are a relatively cheap $30, scaling down to a mere $15 for general admission – with very affordable options for families. Free parking is also a bonus, meaning the only time you’ll really have to open your wallet wide is for food and drinks. Extras 3 Extra points are awarded for the improved merchandise offerings this season, the historical aspect, and the overall family-friendly atmosphere. Final Thoughts The Blue Sox offer an unparalleled sporting experience at this price point, particularly in an expensive city such as Sydney. The ABL at Blue Sox Stadium is an excellent choice for locals and travelers during the Sydney summer months.

Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Bold Stadium 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd Del Valle, TX 78617 Austin Gilgronis website Bold Stadium website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 5,000 Bold Stadium - Austin Gilgronis Started in 2017 as an expansion franchise as part of Major League Rugby’s growth into Texas, the AGs (née Austin Gilgronis) have found a niche in one of the fastest growing cities in the state. After previously playing in Round Rock in 2018 and 2019 (at the Multipurpose Complex and Dell Diamond , respectively), they moved into their new home in 2020 only to have their season cut short by the pandemic. Opened in 2019 on the grounds of the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) racetrack, Bold Stadium is also home to the USL’s Austin Bold soccer club. The state-of-the-art facility blends seamlessly into the overall aesthetics of COTA and has become part of its overall appeal and year-round drawing power. As the sport continues to grow in the Live Music Capitol of Texas, so too will the already impressive crowds for AG games at Bold Stadium. Food & Beverage 3 On race days at COTA they pull out all the stops (no pun intended) in terms of food and drinks for patrons. For AG games, things are a bit more pared down. Most of the food trucks that populate the main concourse area are gone, as are most of the food stands in the main walkway separating the stadium from the Germania Amphitheatre. There are two permanent food stands, however, fan favorites Southside Flying Pizza and Thirty-Four Chop House. The oversized slices at Southside are perennial favorites; cheese, pepperoni, and meat (sausage, pepperoni, beef, and bacon, etc.) will set you back $12 apiece. Alternatively, over at the Chop House there is more traditional game day fare, such as burgers, hot dogs, and chicken finger baskets ($9 each) – an unlisted menu item to be on the lookout for here is the queso fries; combining crispy French fries with gooey, spicy, South Texas queso is a natural choice and a great ballgame treat. Both Southside and Chop House offer bottled water, fountain drinks, and sports drinks, which are essential on hot summer nights in the stands. Karbach Brewing Company is also on hand with a beer stand selling their tasty adult wares. Their Hopadillo is a personal favorite of mine. There is also a full-service bar on site for those who want to venture beyond beer. Atmosphere 3 For AG games, the carnival-like atmosphere that is present during race days at COTA is significantly tampered down. The midway games and rides do not operate (i.e. no Ferris wheel, zip line, or go karts), but that does impact the score here a bit. However, COTA and Bold Stadium do not put away all their bells and whistles for their rugby compatriots. There may not be carnival rides, but there is a helicopter onsite that offers rides for $35 per person. This seems absolutely thrilling and reasonable and something I’ll definitely look into next time I’m there. The Austin Music Foundation presents free live music concerts before each Gilgronis home game. As Austin is a premier live music destination in the country, this is a great treat to get you going before matches. There is also one main merchandise stand that has a surprisingly high number of branded Austin Gilgronis products; it can be found in the main concourse and should not be missed if you’re looking to snag a souvenir. Aside from the fun window dressing, part of the draw is COTA itself – it is a destination and there is always something to see and do there. On the night I saw my most recent Gilgronis match, the final night of the regular home season, there was a motorcycle rally on the grounds, and it was LGBTQ+ Pride Night as well. This made for an interesting crowd and made the game all the more interesting. Neighborhood 3 While COTA is technically in Austin, it is as far away from the action of Downtown as you can get. It is tucked out in a mixed rural/industrial area that rises out of the landscape seemingly out of nowhere, with its signature tower the first thing you see. With that in mind, there is not much in the way of amenities or attractions in the immediate vicinity of COTA for people to take in before or after games at Bold Stadium. That’s the bad news. The good news is that you are only 15-20 minutes from downtown Austin and all of its food, drinks, museums, attractions, energy, and more. You could write books about the culture, nightlife, food, and history of Austin – and many, many folks have. What I mean is that Austin has tons and tons of options and no matter what your interests are, you’re sure to find options for them. In the years that I’ve been reviewing Austin teams for Stadium Journey, I’ve offered quite a few suggestions for things to see and do. Now I’d like to toss out a couple of new ones that I’ve never offered up before. First up is a dining option that is an icon in the area: El Arroyo . This quintessential Tex-Mex restaurant is as much about its menu as it is about its aesthetics. Cheese enchiladas, chile rellenos, tacos, nachos, margaritas, and more are all popular items, but equally as popular is the iconic marquee sign out front. The sign is one of the most Instagrammed sites in all of Austin, with its catchy sayings that are changed daily. The El Arroyo gift shop also sells magnets, t-shirts, and post cards with some of its more popular ones. Make sure you stop by and get your pic before or after you take in an AG game. Another often overlooked experience is Austin Duck Adventures . This amphibious tour of the city gives visitors a great historical and architectural tour that culminates in a splashdown befitting its name in Lady Bird Lake. This is a fun experience for visitors who’ve never been to the city before, or who have been before and are looking to experience it in a different way. Plus, you get a souvenir duck beak whistle, which is fun. Fans 3 Rugby is a growing sport in the country, but it is still a fringe one. Still, it is that outsider-ness that has an appeal and is perfect for a city like Austin. Attendance was not great when they called the Dell Diamond their home, but things look to have picked up since moving to Bold Stadium. They will probably not hit full capacity of 5,000, but they should at least get 50%-75% of that for most games, which is more than respectable. Access 3 Bold Stadium and COTA , as has been alluded to, is a little out of the way. It’s 15-20 minutes from downtown Austin, 30-45 minutes from downtown San Marcos, and an hour and 45 minutes from downtown San Antonio. If you are flying in, well, you’re in luck there, as Bold Stadium is a lot closer to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport . There are ride-share options, of course, and there are designated lots for pick-up and drop-offs. If you’re driving, once you arrive at COTA parking is both ample and free, which is nice. Lots are pretty far from the main entrance and from Bold Stadium, though, so if you prefer not to walk, there are free shuttle services. There are also more personal bike shuttles (e.g. 1-2 person rides that are done up to look like oversized butterflies) that are not free, if you are so inclined. Butterfly Bikes at Bold Stadium, Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Return on Investment 3 General admission tickets for AG games start at $20 per person, though there are deals where tickets can be had for as little as $5 per person. Concessions do tend to run a little high, but that can be balanced out by the free parking. Major League Rugby is all-in-all a pretty inexpensive way to catch some high-quality sports. It also feels like you could be getting in on the ground floor with this team for a relatively low cost. Extras 3 In terms of Extras, most of them have already been touched upon. There are the year-round events at COTA , the helicopter rides, the free shuttles, etc., but the Gilgronis, like a lot of other leagues, also have fan-involved games and contests at the halftime break. In addition, the club also does a pretty good job of trying to explain to the novice what some of the less obvious rules of rugby are by flashing them up on the videoboard in real time. Final Thoughts So, with my third go round with the sport of rugby, my knowledge increased as did my, let’s say “fondness” for the sport. I am nowhere near well-versed in the finer points of the game, but I did have a really good time at Bold Stadium. The sightlines in the stands are great (and my goodness, is the covered seating on the home team side very much appreciated during the hot summer months), the food was good, the crowd was energetic, and the team (as far as I honestly can tell) was really competitive in a lopsided win. I thoroughly enjoyed my time during my visit and plan on catching an AG game again next season, and I recommend everyone do the same at their earliest convenience. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .