Wrestlers, the new seven-part docuseries, is the best thing I’ve seen on Netflix. Director Greg Whiteley raised the bar with his stellar Last Chance U series, and he surpasses it with Wrestlers. As the title suggests, Whiteley chronicles the up and down, rough and tumble existence of professional wrestlers. In Wrestlers, indie wrestling promotion OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling), located in the Louisville area, takes center stage. It’s a no-frills, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants operation, a world away from the glamour of the WWE and the AEW. It’s a good night for OVW if the turnbuckles work, and the wrestlers receive gas money. They do it for the love of “the sport,” and the squared circle is the one place where they feel like they matter. And… if they kill it at OVW, there’s a chance they can make it to the big time. John Cena and Dave Bautista are OVW alums. As far as pro wrestling, it has all been documented before in one form or another, but not like this - with the Whiteley touch. Whiteley is a gifted storyteller with a nose for nuance. Whiteley gets the wrestlers to open up and go to some dark places on camera without feeling exploitative. When the wrestlers do grapple, it means so much, much more than a predetermined match. And Whiteley’s expert camera crew makes the action look terrifically cinematic. Lastly, there are some wonderful montages set to music. Styx’s Come Sail Away has never sounded so good. Ditto for Bowie’s Major Tom. Unlike other indie promotions, OVW produces a weekly television show, which is expensive. Indeed, at the start of Wrestlers, the television show is on the cusp of shutting down. As a Hail Mary, partners with means have been brought in. The most outspoken partner is Matt Jones, a popular sports radio talk show host. Jones means well, but he rubs some of the wrestlers, including OVW’s leader, Al Snow, the wrong way with his aggressive demeanor. Snow is a familiar name to wrestling fans. In his heyday, Snow was known for his schizophrenic character who communicated with a plastic mannequin head. Snow and Jones have their share of disagreements. Snow wants to wrestle with poignant storylines. Jones’ priority is getting eyeballs and butts in the seats. Amid all this, Jones is dealing with a serious health issue, and Snow is playing the stone-faced high school principal with OVW’s motley crew of grapplers. Hollywood Haley J and her mother, The Amazing Maria James, are two of the most compelling wrestlers featured. They’ve had their issues. Haley spent much of her youth couch surfing because her mother was locked up. Now, she has a boulder on her shoulder and a mission to make the WWE. When these two face off against each other in the ring, it’s art imitating life - or vice versa. Either way, it’s powerful stuff. I’m no fan of spoilers, so I won’t say how it all ends. However, Whiteley brings Wrestlers to a satisfying end, while still leaving viewers wanting more. Wrestlers is more than deserving of a Season 2. Jon Hart is @manversusball

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Alamodome 100 Montana St San Antonio, TX 78203 All-American Bowl website Alamodome website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 72,000 All-American Bowl – Alamodome For over 20 years the nation’s best high school football players have competed against one another in the annual All-American Bowl . The game between all-stars from the East and the West has featured some of the best players in the recent history of the game – these include Vince Young , Andrew Luck , Tim Tebow , Adrian Peterson , Odell Beckham, Jr. , and Chase Young . Since 2002 – with exception of a COVID year in 2021 – the game has been held at the venerable Alamodome in downtown San Antonio. The stadium, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023, has a long tradition of hosting numerous football games over the years; it serves as the home field for the UTSA Roadrunners and is the site of the Alamo Bowl each December. Countless high school games, minor league football, and even NFL games have been played on the Alamodome’s field. While it can at times feel truly cavernous, it has proven to be a great facility for football, especially high school football; the All-American Bowl is no exception. Read on to learn what makes the game and the venue something all fans should see. Food & Beverage 3 Not all the regular concession stands at the Alamodome are open during the All-American Bowl. However, what they do have is perfectly fine for fans on game day. At numerous spots on the main concourse fans can get their fill of hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, hamburgers and fries, tacos, and bottled drinks. There are also a few spots dedicated to selling bottled domestic and imported beers; you won’t go hungry or thirsty at the Alamodome, but for this game the offerings are in the average category. Atmosphere 4 While the Alamodome basically opens up only the lower bowl for this game, and fans are there primarily to cheer on their friends and family members playing in the game (as opposed to a particular team), the atmosphere is still remarkably good for this game. It feels like a big deal, and everyone involved treats it as such. There is signage everywhere (this also extends to the downtown San Antonio area) touting the game. Local high school marching bands and cheerleaders keep the crowd engaged, and there are several game merchandise stores on the main concourse as well. But the true event that keeps the atmosphere high (and I’ll discuss it more in the Extras section) and makes this a spectacle is the player commitments – on a stage outside the north end zone, players stand in front of an array of hats with their prospective colleges’ logos. After a brief exchange, an uncommitted player will make his choice of where he will spend the next three to four years of his academic and playing career. It’s a lot of fun and just shows the caliber of players involved in the game. Neighborhood 5 I’ve written about the Alamodome in numerous reviews, and in particular why this section ranks as high as it does. There is a reason that big-time events still make their way to a facility that is now 30 years old, and it is primarily due to location. The dome is right in the heart of the Alamo City’s vibrant downtown – home to some of the area’s best hotels, restaurants, and attractions, downtown San Antonio is where most people want to be when they visit the city. The Alamodome is within walking distance of most of the mentioned best of the best sites and attractions. These include the fabled – and eponymous – Alamo shrine; the Cradle of Texas Liberty is one of the most visited sites in the country, and is currently undergoing an historic renovation and expansion. If you’re visiting the city for the game, it is a must to see the Alamo. Another site that should be high on visitors to do list is taking a stroll on the San Antonio River Walk . Built along the banks of the river that bears its name, the River Walk extends the length of downtown and beyond. Visitors can dine at top-tier restaurants, do some shopping, or stop in at dozens of spots for some libations. You should also make a point to hop a ride on one of the River Walk barges . When it comes to dining, there are numerous chains to take in, but you really need to make a point to try something local. In that vein, it doesn’t get more local than Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia . For over 75 years, the Cortez family – owners of Mi Tierra – have been the godfathers of Tex-Mex cuisine in San Antonio – this is the gold standard. Another newer spot to visit is one of my all-time favorites in the city, Schilo’s . This old-world German delicatessen is also the oldest restaurant in the city. Known for house-made root beer, made-from-scratch deli sandwiches, and the best cup/bowl of split pea soup in all of South Texas, Schilo’s will fill you up! For hotels, downtown San Antonio has scores that run the entire gamut of price ranges. However, if you want to be able to walk to the game at the Alamodome, there are several that are less than five minutes away – these include Staybridge Suites San Antonio Downtown Convention Center and City View Inn & Suites . Again, depending on what your budget is, you’ll find something suitable for you that is not too far from the stadium if you stay downtown. Fans 3 All Star games are always a little tricky to gauge, in terms of fans. As mentioned above in the Atmosphere section, the vast majority of the fans in attendance are relatives and/or friends of the 100-plus players on the two rosters, and not of any particular team. That being said, it’s still a football game, and big plays still bring the fans out of their seats. The most recent game had an announced crowd of over 23,000 and that seems accurate; it was a good crowd that stayed around for the entirety of the game, and even well afterwards to have a meet-and-greet with the players. Access 4 Fans heading to the All-American Bowl at the Alamodome won’t have a hard time getting there; it is easily one of the most recognizable landmarks across the San Antonio skyline. The dome is a 10-minute drive from the San Antonio International Airport , which offers scores of flights in and out of the city on an hourly basis. If you’re driving to the Alamodome it is located at a virtual crossroads of three major highways that ribbon the city: Interstates 10 and 35 and state highway 37/281. These are the major thoroughfares in the city and once you hop on, you can be anywhere in San Antonio in less than 30 minutes. Once on site, parking in the dome’s two open lots starts at $20 per car; however, the neighborhood surrounding the Alamodome has built a cottage industry on selling parking to events for often much less. Or, if you choose not to drive or utilize a ride-sharing service, San Antonio’s public transportation service, VIA Metropolitan Transit , offers bus service to and from the Alamodome throughout the day. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the All-American Bowl started at $25 per person. When you couple that with $20 for parking and relatively affordable concessions, this turns out to be a bargain. To get a chance to see the next Trevor Lawrence , or Reggie Bush , or Patrick Peterson at what is essentially the start of their careers, the cost to attend the All-American Bowl is truly a bargain. Extras 3 As mentioned above, the extras for the game are mainly the draw of the player commitments – this is really something to see and it truly fires up the crowd, especially when a player selects the school of fans in attendance. The other draws are the local high school marching bands and cheer squads. At the most recent game, an added attraction was the play of some flag football squads from the area during halftime; it’s fun seeing youngsters getting to enjoy a game in a venue like the Alamodome. Final Thoughts The All-American Bowl is a game unlike any other and for fans of football, it’s a treat to get the chance to see it in person. The Alamodome truly comes into its own for high school games – with basically only the sideline seats open for viewing, fans get the best sightlines of the whole field. Adding the bands and cheerleaders make it even more like a typical high school game, albeit one that is broadcast live on network television. I would definitely add this game to your bucket list if you haven’t already. Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Every four years, countries and teams from around the globe gather to decide which country is truly the World Champion in the World Baseball Classic. The 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) will get underway on March 8, with the Championship Game being held on Tuesday, March 21 at Loan Depot Stadium in Miami, Florida. This is the fifth time that the WBC has been held. Teams from 20 countries will take part in the tournament, with first-round games being played at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, Taichung Intercontinental Stadium in Taiwan, and Chase Field in Arizona. Winners from this round will move on to the Quarterfinals at LoanDepot Stadium , which will be held March 17-18. Winners of this round will play in the Semifinal Round on March 19-20. The Championship Game will then follow on March 21. In the U.S., the games will be carried by FOX Sports, FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2, FOX Deportes, on TUBI, and the FOX Sports app. Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Player’s Association are partnering with the World Baseball Softball Confederation to make sure the world’s best players are representing their home countries. This will have a significant impact on spring training, as more than 100 MLB players will miss time from their major league team’s preseason camp to take part in the WBC. These players include Ronald Acuna and Miguel Cabrera (Venezuela), Kenley Jansen (Netherlands), Shohei Ohtani (Japan), Mike Trout and Mookie Betts (USA), Joc Peterson (Israel), and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr (Dominican Republic). For the game schedules, ticket information, and any other questions concerning the World Baseball Class, go to www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic . Let’s play ball!

Like most shopping malls around the country, Macon Mall in Macon, GA was experiencing hard times. A new lifestyle center had lured away many of its tenants, while other national tenants had gone bankrupt and gone out of business. Online shopping has become popular during the pandemic and has cut down the flow of shoppers in the mall drastically. The vacancy rate in the mall hovered at 74 %. The final straw was the owner of the mall turning over the mall to the city of Macon. The city was facing a quandary. What do you do with a shopping mall? The first thing the city did was downsize the mall by demolishing one wing of the mall. In its place, the city will construct a 10,000-seat amphitheater. It already was a needed amenity in the area and would bring traffic back to the mall area. This still left a large vacant area where one of the anchor stores had stood. How could that space be filled? The answer to that question is to marry a shopping mall with pickleball. Pickleball is the #1 participant sport in the country. Leagues and courts are popping up everywhere. The solution is the 32-court Rhythm and Rally Sports and Event Complex . The 150,000-square-foot facility is the largest indoor pickleball facility in the world. The facility also includes climate-controlled locker rooms, showers, and a pro shop. The city of Macon has seen its white elephant turn into a gold mine. The new facility is a great hit in the pickleball community. In the first few weeks, it was open, Rhythm and Rally hosted a tournament with more than 6,500 participants. Players came from 24 four states and several foreign countries. A second tournament in January 2024 drew more than 900 participants. The facility has lined up a series of local, regional, and national tournaments throughout 2024. The local community has responded to the new complex just as enthusiastically. Local membership in the complex has skyrocketed, with most of the courts in use around the clock. The facility has also drawn the attention of government officials in other cities and states, as they all are facing the same issues of abandoned properties. It has spawned the concept of adaptive reuse in malls and other large vacant properties. In the meantime, Rhythm and Rally Sports and Events Complex expects to generate between $ 3-5 million in revenue in 2024 for the city of Macon.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.71 Road America N7390 WI-67 Elkhart Lake, WI 53073 NASCAR Cup Series Road America website Year Opened: 1955 Capacity: 150,000 Mid-American 4th of July Power Road America is often regarded as one of the greatest race tracks in the world, let alone the USA. Its annual schedule features NASCAR on the Fourth of July weekend. Fans from all over the Midwest flock to this track to witness some of North America’s best sports action, in a beautiful setting that proves to be both fan friendly and easy to navigate. Food & Beverage 5 There are a lot of places to eat at Road America, and the ones that exist are an absolute treat for the pallet. With over 20 concessions stands located around the course, Road America is led by the Gearbox, a hillside concessions stand and bar that features some of the best views on the property, as well as the best food around. Being in Wisconsin, you can get the best cheese and sausage foods there, as well as a brilliantly tasty breakfast food called eggers. The addition of the IndyCar Series to the Road America schedule means even more food options are now available around the race course. Of course the beer is also cold and tasty, perfect for sitting under a tree feeling the cool breeze as the cars go speeding past. Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere around Road America during race weekend is very family friendly and relaxed. The best in the sport are taking part in some of the most exciting racing around, and despite the tension of the competition, everyone – including the teams and drivers – is in a relaxed and fun-loving mood. There is just something about the beauty of the countryside and the forests around the premises that put everyone in a “let’s go race and enjoy every moment of it” state of mind. In addition, the quality of the on-track action is enough to make any fan excited to see what happens around the next corner. The excitement fills the air every time a car takes to the track, be it for practice, qualifying, or for a race. Road America has also undergone a recent renovation, including the addition of new entrance gates, a new store, and brand-new shower and bathroom facilities in the camping grounds. Neighborhood 4 The area around Road America is exactly what you would expect to find in rural Wisconsin – rolling hills, farmland, forests, and small towns. The town of Elkhart Lake is quaint and small, but is seething with racing history and lore. Famed racing announcer David Hobbs calls the small town home, and the fans here are all die-hards who watch everything that happens on the track. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay near Road America, there is a wide variety of small bed-and-breakfasts to pick from in and around Elkhart Lake, as well as some cabins that can make you feel like you’re roughing it…sort of. In addition, the town of Sheboygan is only 20-30 minutes away by car, providing fans a chance to stay in a hotel chain of their choice (Holiday Inn, La Quinta, etc. are all located in Sheboygan). If you’re looking for something to eat, Sheboygan has a wide variety of restaurants, from Applebee’s to McDonald’s. But by far the most must-see eatery near Road American is the Stop-Inn Tavern at Siebkens Resort in Elkhart Lake, a local bar that all of racing royalty has passed through at some time or another. And, for those looking for something to see and do, the Kettle-Moraine State Forest is not far from the track, providing some great hiking options. In addition, the Kohler factory is in nearby Sheboygan, and Road America’s location is just a 30-minute drive from the Great Lakes. Fans 5 Fans at Road America are much like those in the rest of the Midwest – die-hard and series-knowledgeable. They’re also absurdly kind and sweet, willing to help in any way possible when you need assistance with anything. They also pack the camping areas around the speedway, making for one brilliant fan block party. Over 250,000 fans packed the track during NASCAR race weekend, making it a race unlike any other on the schedule. NASCAR Cup Series at Road America - Fans Watching From the Hill, Photo by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Access 4 Getting to Road America isn’t as difficult as getting to some sports facilities. That said, it is off the beaten path; at least a 10-minute drive from the nearest highway, Road America requires you to drive down some single-lane roads through the hilly countryside. However, with the addition of IndyCar to the schedule, the facility has greatly increased its signage nearby. The entrance is so sudden and not easily marked that in the past one would be liable to drive right past it, were there not a major race going on that weekend. Now, however, with the new signs it is much easier to get on the right path to the entrances. Once you’re at Road America you will also discover that there are several other entrances to the track that you didn’t know about to begin with, which can be frustrating if you had to wait hours in line. Check the fan map of the venue to identify the alternate gates and entrances. The biggest plus at Road America is that the main entrance had a complete a few years ago, adding more entrance booths for faster processing of fans and campers. But what sets the track apart from others is the ease of which traffic flows from the track after major events. After the packed NASCAR weekend, long lines eased out of the track without much trouble, meaning there wasn’t much backup for fans going home. Return on Investment 5 Despite being practically in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin, Road America is one of the best tracks at which you can watch a race. The facility is huge, but you are given plenty of options to watch the race from without having to move from place to place. Watching from the right location can give you up to six corners of the track to see all at once, and you also get access to the grandstands all around the track, as well as access to the paddock, with your admission ticket to most races. Extras 5 Where once a zip line ended now stands a high vantage point for fans to watch the action at the track inside the final turn. The former zip line landing platform is now a giant viewing zone, and while you may have to climb a lot of stairs to get there, the view is well worth it. Additionally, if you have ever wanted to try your hand at racing, you can sign up for racing school at the track. You can also take a trip to Elkhart Lake, and follow the original track layouts through historic markers along the roadside. Before it had its current layout, Road America was once a true street course, running through Elkhart Lake itself and over the hills on the various roadways in the nearby area. If you can’t peel your eyes away from your mobile device, you can also engage with the race on social media, and see your photos and tweets on the various big screens around Road America by using specific hashtags and handles on Twitter and Instagram. However, if treetop views or social media aren’t your thing, you can also take a wandering hike through the forest on several pathways that meander through the mountains above Kettle Bottoms and Canada Corner – these trails lead from the top of the peak to the bottom of a newly-cleared pathway along the infamous straightaway. Final Thoughts If you want to see racing history meet modern-day sports stars, take a trip to Road America. You will not be disappointed in what you find. In addition, if you want to take a step above that, go camping on the property during race weekend. The fans are nice, the action is top quality, and the weather is almost always beautiful – it’s hard to find a better place to see racing in North America than Road America. The new NASCAR Fourth of July race weekend creates the perfect mix of celebrating America with watching one of the world’s top racing series at one of the world’s top racing tracks.

The next time you attend a Lakers , Clippers , Kings hockey  or any other event at Crypto.com Arena, as you pass by the much celebrated Kobe Bryant Statue unveiled last month , you may notice that at the marble base of the statue are some glaringly needed adjustments. The statue depicts Kobe in his white No. 8 jersey with his right index finger walking off the court following his 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006.  At the marble base of the statue are the player stat lines of the box score from both teams on the night of Kobe’s accomplishment. However some spelling errors were noticed on players names Jose Calderon and Von Wafer, as well as “decision” being misspelled as “decicion” from the stat line.  A tweet from German basketball journalist Andre Voigt shows photos of the errors.  https://twitter.com/drevoigt/status/1766970863054696482 “We have been aware of this for a few weeks and are already working to get it corrected soon,” a Lakers spokesperson said in a statement on Monday.  The bronze statue was sculpted by Julie Rotblatt Amrany and stands 19 feet high and weighs 4,000 pounds. The statue also includes a QR code which fans can scan with their phone. The QR code directs fans to a  short film directed by Antoine Fuqua and narrated by Denzel Washington . The statue is the first of three to be created honoring the five-time NBA Champion and top scorer in Lakers history. Hopefully everything will be spell checked before Black Mamba is honored along Chick Hearn Court. Fans honoring Kobe the day after his statue was unveiled, 2/9/2024 Follow and view all of Andrei’s Los Angeles journeys on Instagram @thestadiumjourneyman  and @dreiinla .

This week the gang is joined by ballpark chaser extraordinaire Joe Robertson, who has visited over 750 ballparks.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

After months of speculation, Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) has announced a double-header at Allegiant Stadium , home of the Las Vegas Raiders, will kick off the 2024 season. CEO of the NRL, Andrew Abdo, confirmed four clubs will make the trip to the US: Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles , South Sydney Rabbitohs , and Sydney Roosters , with the games scheduled to kick off on March 2, which coincides with a Sunday afternoon broadcast into Australia. The matches will be the first ever regular season games staged outside of Australia and New Zealand. Abdo stated that the 2024 Las Vegas season opener would form the centrepiece of an “Australia Week” showcasing Australia to the US. Allegiant Stadium, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey He went on to say: “We are now working collaboratively with the four clubs to finalise arrangements for the proposed matches in Las Vegas and make this a blockbuster event for fans by maximising travel, attendance, and enjoyment of a unique rugby league experience. Rugby league will be on a stage which the sport has simply never been on before and we look forward to giving all clubs the opportunity in coming years.” Reports suggest the Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs were strategic inclusions given their high-profile supporters include the likes of Hugh Jackman (Manly) and Russell Crowe (South Sydney), which will assist in marketing the event. However, cynics are well aware that the NRL’s enthusiasm for Vegas is a bid to cash in on the explosion of legalised sports betting in America rather than to grow the sport of rugby league. Australians are among the biggest gamblers in the world, but recently there have been calls for the federal government to implement tougher regulations, particularly around advertising during live sport broadcasts. The last big-time rugby league match to be staged in North America was an international between New Zealand and England, held in 2018 at Mile High Stadium in Denver. However, the event was a financial disaster which resulted in the national bodies of NZ and England eventually writing off debts worth more than $300,000 each. Rugby league is a similar but separate sport to its better-known cousin, rugby union – however its popularity is largely limited to Australia, New Zealand, England, and the Pacific Islands.

The mecca for any hockey fan is a journey to Toronto, Ontario to take in the Hockey Hall of Fame. The question is, with the other major sport halls of fame, where does the Hockey Hall of Fame stack up? Grab a beer and join Paul and Dave as they head out to discuss the home of Lord Stanley and the Hockey Hall of Fame. 🏒🏒

Photos courtesy of Furman Athletics' Instagram post February 4, 2023 “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” - Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. Throughout the 2022-2023 academic year, athletic departments around the country have celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX legislation, which made it illegal for any institution receiving federal financial assistance to discriminate based on sex. As part of their celebration, the Furman Paladins athletics department paired their “ Weekend at the Well ” women and men’s basketball games with the Women in Sports Foundation’s annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day . Members of all Furman’s women’s athletic teams took part in the weekend’s celebration by conducting clinics for children around the concourse of Greenville’s Bon Secours Wellness Arena and signed autographs for fans prior to the start of the women’s game. Furman volleyball and lacrosse players practiced fundamentals with children, while kids worked on their striking skills with members of the women’s tennis team. Soccer players worked on passing drills and softball players displayed the basics of fielding. In an Instagram post, Furman’s women’s basketball coach Jackie Carson commented that her daughter felt so confident in her tennis skills now, she felt she could beat her mom now. The centerpiece of Furman’s celebration of National Girls & Women in Sports Day, and the 50th anniversary of Title IX, was the women’s inter-state rivalry basketball game between the Wofford Terriers and Furman Paladins. As might be expected with rivalry games, the 9-14 Paladins gave the 19-6 Terriers all they could handle – in a game that saw 11 lead changes with no team ever leading by more than 6 points, the women of Furman basketball had a chance to force overtime as time expired, but could not get a last gasp three-pointer to go down. The events of the day were a perfect example of the role this type of community outreach plays in inspiring the next generation of female athletes. Each generation had someone come before them to pave the way for the generation behind them. Furman was just one of hundreds of schools using the week to celebration the contributions of women and girls in the sports world.

It's time for our annual Year in Review episode! The crew looks back at our favorite games, stadiums, cities and surprises for 2024. We even get some input from you, our loyal listeners! Also, will this be our last show? We wrap up seven years of memories. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Phoenix Municipal Stadium 5999 E. Van Buren St Phoenix, AZ 85008 Oakland Athletics website Phoenix Municipal Stadium website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 7,897 Farewell to Phoenix Muni 1982-2014, Oakland Athletics Spring Training Phoenix Municipal Stadium (known as Phoenix Muni to locals) closed its doors as the Oakland Athletics Spring Training facility in 2014. The Athletics will move their spring training games to Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, AZ in 2015. Phoenix Muni opened its gates in 1964 for SF Giants spring training games. Besides the Giants and the Athletics (beginning the 1982 season), it has also hosted the Phoenix Firebirds (former AAA team of the SF Giants). The ASU Sun Devils will begin play at this stadium in the 2015 season. It was renovated in 2003 which included more comfortable seating, better access to concessions and team shops, and created private indoor suites and a covered patio suite. One point of note is when the New York Giants moved from the Polo Grounds in New York to San Francisco, they brought with them the light poles for Muni, and they still stand today. Like its parent club, the Athletics spring training is more about the baseball than any other frills or gimmicks. It continues to be just basically baseball which, for this author, is quite refreshing. Food & Beverage 3 Your standard ballpark fare is here: dogs, burgers, peanuts, pizza, pretzels. A Division Champs Combo which includes a big dog, a beer/soda, and a small bag of peanuts is $13.75. Pepsi is the soda provider at Phoenix Muni. Other options include a BBQ pork sandwiches, nachos, pizza, foot long dogs, corn dog, and nachos grande, and Asian noodles ranging from $3 – $8. Standard beer options include Bud, Bud Light, Coors, Coors Light, etc. There are two Angelo’s Italian ice/gelato carts on the concourse. There are several craft brew carts throughout the concourse so be sure to check those out if standard domestic beer is not your preference, though they can be pricey at $11. Vendors parade the stadium stands and offer snacks such as churros, sno cones, ice cold beer, and lemonade among others. Specialty items include Honeybear’s BBQ sandwich $8 and Loco Patron Chicken Tacos $8. I was told Honeybear’s BBQ sandwich is pretty bad (dry), at least at the game I attended. Perhaps it was just a bad batch. The third baseline concourse offers a nice spot to get some food and beverage with picnic tables in which to enjoy your nourishment. It has Blue Moon ($10) and Coors Light (other concessions are available as well). It appears most concessions are cash only. Atmosphere 5 Since Phoenix Muni is one of the oldest ballparks in the Cactus League (Spring Training in AZ), it has lots of history. And that will continue when the ASU Sun Devils arrive in 2015. Historical events are etched in the concourse floor. Most folks ignore them or don’t realize they are there. Do take the time to stroll around the concourse and read the etched messages in the floor to read the history this stadium offers. There are banners honoring individuals who have been recognized in the MLB Hall of Fame as well as the World Series championships of the Oakland Athletics. Will these be replaced by the many retired numbers of ASU ballplayers? If you want to sit in the shade (recommended on those hot AZ spring days) choose upper box seats above row four for tickets. Most seats are the traditional plastic green fold down variety. Bleachers with backs are in the outfield. The scoreboard is small and hard to read; it provides minimal information: balls, strikes, outs, hits, runs, errors. Bring binoculars if you care about reading the scoreboard. The music volume level is absolutely fine during the game allowing fans to talk with their neighbors vs. yelling at them. The bullpens are on the field beyond the first and third bases. There are beautiful geological formations of Papago Park beyond the left field. Watching a game here is about baseball. Not the other stuff. That said, there are a few promotions and giveaways during the game. Neighborhood 3 There’s still not much to see or do walking distance from the arena. Phoenix Zoo (about ½ mile from stadium) Desert Botanical Gardens (about 1 mile from stadium) Both worthwhile visiting before or after the game (the zoo closes at 5pm so that might be a better pregame visit). A minimal number of local or chain restaurants are within walking distance. There’s a Ladybug Café, a Starbucks, a Filiberto’s Mexican Restaurant, and Samis Gyros all ½ mile from the stadium. Besides that, there’s just not much close by. The Phoenix area does offer nine other spring training venues as well as a plethora of other attractions to see and do. Fans 5 One just has to admire Athletic fans for following their team even though the current ownership does not appear interested in investing in the team or their regular season stadium. The fans are engaged, respectful, energizing, easy to talk with and very knowledgeable of their team and the game. They are helpful when asking questions about the play at hand and/or Athletics information. And they are passionate even booing an appealed call that didn’t go their favor. Attending an Athletics game is worth it regardless of the venue in which the team is playing because of the fabulous fans. Access 3 If you have a fear of heights (like this author does) then you will have trouble. The parking lot is across a four-lane street. One must walk across a bridge to get to the stadium. If you do have a fear of heights, try the light rail or have a friend drop you off on the stadium side of the street. Handicapped parking is available on the stadium side of the venue so no difficulties for those folks. A light rail station is ½ mile from the stadium – Valley Metro’s Light Rail . There are bus routes available as well. Plenty of bathrooms are available and they are clean with a minimal wait after the game. There is ample seat and leg room in the seating areas. The concourse does get crowded during the game making strolling through them a chore. We’ll see how that translates when ASU occupies the facility. Return on Investment 4 Tickets range from $12 – $24 for a spring training game. If you live in the area, the Oakland Athletics also offer some season ticket packages as well as 10-game packages. The food prices seem high to me. Getting to a stadium to see a game where the game is more the focus than the other promotions is always a plus in my book. And watching the last season the Athletics played in the venue is worth the expense. Do check out a game here when the ASU Sun Devils take the field in 2015. Extras 4 Watching a game at Phoenix Muni is about the baseball being played on the field. The definition of a fan is a person(s) who is enthusiastically devoted to something. I’ll give the Athletic fans a few extra points as they are not only devoted, they are passionate and they deserve some credit. Also notable is the history that is displayed throughout the stadium, including the light poles from the Polo Grounds and the etchings on the floor of the concourse. Final Thoughts This is a final farewell to Phoenix Muni as a superb venue in which to watch an Athletics spring training game. It’s a bit sad as it is a great ballpark. A future review will see if the ASU Sun Devils provide the same presence and experience.

The Salem Senators will be one of the four teams in the new Mavericks Independent Baseball League that will play at Volcanoes Stadium in the summer. The historical name harkens back to 1940 when the original Senators brought professional baseball to Salem in grand fashion. The Senators were the last of the four names picked for the new league, and Salem-Keizer CEO Mickey Walker was on the Indy Ball Report podcast and felt the state capital, just down the road from the ballpark, would stand out among other larger cities in the area. “We had a couple of different options to go with and ended up choosing the Salem Senators, because of their history in the Salem-Keizer area. It’s kind of something that people from around here associate with, and going with the Salem Senators felt like it identified with the local community.”  The New Salem Senators Logo, Photo Courtesy of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. George Waters announced that he would build a venue in “which the city would be proud of.” Waters had just purchased the Bellingham Chinooks franchise and relocated it to the city. He then picked an 11-acre spot of land and broke ground on September 22, 1939. Waters had been in town since 1891 and made a name for himself as a wholesale tobacco dealer and proprietor in town. He had co-owned an amateur baseball club in 1891 that, despite his efforts, was not financially successful, losing $1,500. Little did he know that he would have to wait almost half a century for his next opportunity to run a baseball operation. He bankrolled the $60,000 ballpark and spared no expenses on making it a first-class venue for both players and fans. The aisles were a little wider than other facilities, the lights were of major league caliber, and player comfort extended from the field to the locker rooms. The ballpark also provided ample space for parking cars. “It will be one the classiest fields in the northwest and have a maximum capacity of 10,000 fans,” proclaimed Waters, who predicted attendance numbers of 100,000 for the season. In reality, the facility held 5,600 between the grandstand and the two bleacher sections, based on the city building inspector. It would be 330 feet to left field, 382 feet to center field, and 370 to left field. Home Plate was 45 feet from the grandstand. There would be wide praise given to the new ballpark from both home and visiting fans. Waters Field Entrance, File Photo, The Capitol Journal The knothole section was constructed for kids and provided free admission for all kids to the games. A total of 500 kids under the age of 15 signed pledge cards to attend games. When league officials warned Waters that he could lose significant money, he said that he would personally pay for every boy and girl to enter the game. He wasn’t interested in making a profit with his new venture and would be satisfied with breaking even on the season.  “If people like the club, that’s all I care about. I like my town. I’ve been in business for 48 years, and I think I owe the town something.” On May 1, 1940, the first minor league baseball was held at what was known as Waters Park in front of a record crowd of 4,865–the largest crowd at a sporting event in Salem. The Senators scored five runs in the ninth to edge the Yakima Pippins 11-10 in the home opener. Through the first 23 games, the club attracted close to 25,000 in total attendance for an average of 1,080 persons. This did not include the 5,071 paid attendance for a double-header the night before the report. The numbers were not as predicted, at first, but were good enough for the team to finish second behind Spokane in attendance numbers at season’s end. The Senators played average baseball for most of the season but were surprisingly still able to earn the last playoff spot in the league during the last two nights of the season. However, the Solons dropped a twin-bill to Yakima to knock them three games behind Vancouver in the standings. At season’s end, Capital-Journal sports columnist Fred Zimmerman wrote the following, “Whether professional baseball is a financial success… George E. Waters has provided Salem and the vicinity with some first-class entertainment. Sadly, Waters would succumb to a heart attack on October 19, and perhaps he had a premonition, a few months before, when the community honored him at his ballpark. The 70-year-old businessman was deeply moved and at the initial team banquet, stated that he did not expect to live long and was glad to do something for Salem. Ownership would fall into the hands of his wife, Margaret Waters and after a three-year hiatus for World War II, sold it to the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League. It has been reported that Ms. Waters contemplated closing up shop due to having little interest in the sport and insisted that her husband’s involvement with the ball club was too much for his health. However, she operated as the Solons president, being one of the first women in the sport to hold such a title and keep it in operation during World War II. She would sell the team and the ballpark to Portland Beavers GM Bill Klepper for a reduced price of $30,000, more than half of the ballpark’s $65,000 construction in 1946. Salem Knothole Gang, File Photo, The Capitol Journal The only stipulation was that the ballpark would retain the Waters Field name as long as she was alive. This would come into play when she was on her sickbed, and there were rumors that the stadium’s name would be changed. Shortly before she died in 1964, she stated, “Please don’t change the name–not until after I’m gone.” The two years after the war, crowds packed Waters Field. A record 102,956 walked through the turnstiles in 1946, and another impressive 98,247 came back the following year. However, the dip in attendance was a harbinger for numbers to come as 1949 attendance dipped to 67,495 on the season. This prompted the Beavers to either move the club to another city or abandon it completely. Portland’s new GM Bill Mulligan stated in the newspaper that there was only a “slim chance” of survival for baseball in Salem. One rumor had the club relocating to New Westminster, British Columbia. Salem Senators Looking Sharp, File Photo, The Capitol Journal After the 1950 campaign, the Beavers threatened to move the Solons out of town due to low attendance numbers. A group of 832 stockholders called the Salem Senators, Inc. purchased the team from the Beavers for $20,000 to keep the ball club in town. The sale included the team, ballpark, accessories, equipment, and 14 players. Donald A. Young, manager of the ball club’s board of directors made many efforts to keep the team afloat during the rest of the truculent decade. The club was still having attendance concerns in 1951 and was in financial trouble midway through the season and needed to attract 1,800-2,000 fans a game to stay afloat. Young predicted that 62,500 would have to turn out for the final 33 games to turn a profit.  The group managed to make it through the turbulent 1954 Western International League that saw three teams drop out during the season. The “Save the Senators” campaign raised enough money to keep the team afloat which saw 4,124 for a July game against Tri-City that also included a pre-game parade that stretched for six blocks. The festivities included two bands, a color guard, a fire engine, a Shrine marching band, and a police escort that snarled traffic in downtown Salem.  Salem Outfield View, File Photo, The Capitol Journal The Senators remained afloat during the truculent decade and would lose an average of $10,000 by the time the city condemned the ballpark after a series of inspections in 1965. A large number of rotting beams underneath the stands and repairs might be too high. This resulted in the parent club, Los Angeles Dodgers, closing up shop after the season. After Al Lightner made one last visit to the ballpark, he wrote about it in his daily column for the Statesman on July 21, 1966. He describes the ballpark that featured dugouts peering over acres of waste, debris scattered all over the place, broken glass, rotten wood smell, and team offices vandalized. There are tall, swaying, brown weeds and overgrown grass on the playing field. “Been sick in the stomach region lately? If not, and you care to try, all you need to do is have a peek at what now resides within the taken walls of Walter Field. It’s almost too hard for anyone to believe if he has any knowledge at all of the effort and energy once applied to the plant, items which four years ago earned it the distinction of being one of the finest parks in all lower minor league baseball. There is no evidence of it now.“ The unused ballpark would be sold to Candalaria Investment Company for $89,000 in May of 1966 after directors decided to quit fielding a team. The sale had hoped to keep the initial stockholders out of debt. As Statesmen Sports Editor, Al Lightner wrote, “Professional baseball in Salem had been dying a slow death for years.” Waters Field Grandstand on Fire, File Photo, The Capitol Journal If baseball was dying a slow death, then the ballpark went quickly as it was set ablaze on the night of November 11, 1966. The fire could be seen for miles and the grandstand was engulfed in flames while the bleacher sections suffered little damage. The abandoned park was wide open allowing trespassers free access. The damage could have been much worse, but the electricity had been shut off for quite some time. This also resulted in many believing the blaze was the work of arson, but there was never a suspect charged. Quickly, what was left was cleaned up and promptly carted away to reveal an empty parking lot, void of any activity. Waters Field Fire, File Photo, The Capitol Journal The fire ended all activity at Waters Field, although it was unlikely that anything would continue before the blaze. The site would be picked for a U.S. Post Office in 1975, and a specialized logo with a baseball theme was picked to honor the erstwhile structure. George Waters would have been deeply saddened by the destruction of his ballpark. He probably looked at it as his legacy to the city and to provide a playground for baseball and other events. Sadly, it has been gone much longer than it was in operation, but the Senators’ name will be revived once again this summer at another ballpark. I am sure Waters would be happy about that. ——– Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter  @ballparkhunter  and his  YouTube channel .

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 TPC San Antonio JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa 23808 Resort Parkway San Antonio, TX 78261 Valero Texas Open website TPC San Antonio website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 5,000 Valero Texas Open – TPC San Antonio The PGA Tour has been making its annual visit to the Alamo City for the Texas Open since 1922. Over the years, some of the greatest names in the history of the sport have hoisted the winner’s trophy, including Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, and Lee Trevino. Since 2010, the tournament has been held at TPC San Antonio, part of the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa . Boasting two 18-hole courses, the AT&T Canyons and AT&T Oaks courses (which were designed by Greg Norman and Sergio Garcia), TPC San Antonio and the Valero Texas Open have proven to be a top destination for many of the PGA Tour’s top stars. This is in part due to the temperate weather in San Antonio and the tournament’s spot on the calendar, usually one week before the Masters. For golf fans in the South Texas area, this is annually the biggest event of the year and usually boasts one of the best turnouts for non-major events. Despite being canceled in 2020 and having limited attendance, this again proved to be the case in 2021, with fans streaming out hoping to see Texas Longhorn Jordan Spieth return to the winner’s circle. Food & Beverage 4 The JW Marriott boasts one of the best restaurants in San Antonio in 18 Oaks , which is a traditional Texas Hill Country-style steakhouse. Boasting a menu of aged, prime cut steaks, locally sourced wild game and sides, 18 Oaks has become a destination restaurant beyond just both visitors and guests of the resort and attendees of the tournament. Normally open for lunch and dinner, the hours are adjusted during the tournament and calling ahead for reservations is recommended. For fans looking to experience more of a traditional sporting event dining experience rather than having a sit-down meal, the Texas Open has you covered there, as well. Speckled throughout courses are concession booths that offer your traditional food offerings, as well as some very Texas-centric items like barbecue sandwiches and sausages. There are also multiple full-service bars sprinkled throughout the courses. Both the food and drink stands are run by local nonprofit organizations, with portions of the proceeds benefitting them. All of the prices are pretty reasonable, too. Atmosphere 4 First things first, the TPC San Antonio – both courses – are absolutely gorgeous. With the Valero Texas Open moving to the spring, the San Antonio weather is usually especially great. The courses were designed to take advantage of the native plant life and landscape, so while you stroll alongside the perfectly manicured fairways, just outside of the rough lie native cacti and oak trees. The tournament also set up covered seating areas described as “cantinas” throughout the course. These are largely purchased by corporate sponsors and large fan groups. They are strategically placed near the greens of key holes. These cantinas have dedicated food and drink concessions booths for fans. COVID-19 restrictions limited the fan attendance of the 2021 version of the tournament and limited the seating opportunities alongside the 17th and 18th fairways, but there were still plenty of roped off fairway boxes for fans to watch the action of the tournament. While the galleries are smaller than in years past, the energy is still there and that still greatly helps the overall atmosphere of the tourney. Neighborhood 3 The TPC San Antonio course is on the far reaches of the city of San Antonio’s northside, not very far from the nearby town of Bulverde, Texas . While the resort itself is spectacular, set on 600 acres of prime land, with over 1,000 rooms and amenities ranging from an award-winning spa, to a lazy river, to tennis and basketball courts, it is by and large spoken for during the tournament. Much of the areas are off-limits to visitors due to tour professionals, officials, and sponsors taking up residence on-site for the week. The resort is also set astride multiple residential neighborhoods; with that in mind, you will have to make a drive off the grounds if you want to do any dining, shopping, lodging, or entertaining before or after rounds of the Texas Open. However, the nearby Village at Stone Oaks Shopping Center should have most of what you are looking for. This includes an Alamo Draft House movie theater, a Grimaldi’s Pizzeria , a BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse , and more. In terms of nearby lodging, the Candlewood Suites San Antonio North – Stone Oak Area is the closest. The resort is also very close to U.S. Highway 281 (more on that in the Access section) and that is a direct pipeline into Downtown San Antonio, which is the tourism/entertainment hub of the city. Fans 3 While the PGA Tour doesn’t publicize their attendance figures, anecdotally I can say that the smaller crowds for the 2021 edition of the Texas Open, while noticeable, didn’t detract from the overall experience. The crowds and galleries at the Texas Open – like at most PGA Tournaments – tend to gather and follow the biggest-name players. At this year’s event those crowds could be found following tour pros Matt Kuchar, 2021 Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama, Phil Mickelson, and eventual winner Jordan Spieth. The first, ninth, 10th, and 18th greens also were among the most popular gathering spots for the appreciative crowds. Access 2 If there is any area where fans might take umbrage with the Valero Texas Open, it is this section right here. First things first, there really is only one way in San Antonio to get to TPC San Antonio and the tournament, which is by driving or using a ride-share service up north along U.S. Highway 281. Without getting too far into the weeds on the socio-economic status of the Alamo City, I will simply say that this area of the city is its fastest growing. Scores of people have moved to the northern area of the city and planners have responded with a massive upgrade to the infrastructure in the area, including the highway itself. To put it more succinctly, construction is ongoing, and you will experience significant delays on your drive or ride to the tournament. The resort and course are a 30 to 45-minute drive from both the San Antonio International Airport and from the city’s downtown. Also, there are no public transportation options that are available to take you to that area of the city and once there, parking is extremely limited – it is offsite at a nearby church and fans are shuttled to and from the grounds throughout each day. Return on Investment 4 General admission ticketing for the Valero Texas Open is $45 per person per day online or $55 at the gate. The fairway boxes start at $180 per day and include a souvenir Texas Open folding chair and a $40 concessions voucher. Parking at the offsite lot is $15 per car and the shuttle service is free. The costs are pretty much on par with other non-major PGA Tour events. This is a pretty good bargain for the talented group of golfers that come through San Antonio for the tournament each year. Extras 2 This time around, there were not that many bells or whistles that would qualify as Extras for the tournament. This is largely due to the pandemic still impacting everyone’s lives. There is the pro-am event leading up to the tournament proper the Tuesday and Wednesday before the tourney, so for those interested in participating or watching that (though it was limited for 2021), opportunities exist. There is one main store located near the concessions grounds for fans looking to get souvenirs, both of the practical (aka, you can use these during your next round of golf) and ornamental (aka, those you just want to display) variety. The main thing that qualifies as an Extra that fans should stay for is the ceremony for the winner. In addition to a hefty check and a nice trophy, the winning golfer gets a pair of custom-made cowboy boots befitting of the Texas aesthetic. During the closing ceremony, that winner tries on the boots, which is a nice touch to finish out the week. Final Thoughts I used to attend the Valero Texas Open on an annual basis, but somewhere along the way I stopped going. I had never experienced it at TPC San Antonio, so I wasn’t sure what to expect exactly, but my hopes were high. Despite the limited fan attendance, my hopes were not let down in any way. The event feels like a really big deal, and the crowds are into the action. The galleries are still pretty large for the big-name players and they cheer with the great shots and putts. The course and resort are both gorgeous, thanks in large part to the picturesque landscape. Despite the drawbacks of the traffic and parking, the Valero Texas Open is a winner. If you’re a golf fan or just someone who enjoys sports, go ahead and add the Texas Open to your list of must-see events. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

The Super Bowl may have just ended, but that doesn't mean that football has ended. A trip to Canton, Ohio should be on the bucket list for any good football fan. How does the Pro Football Hall of Fame compare to the other big sports, and why would it be in Canton? Grab a beer and join Paul and Dave as they make a pilgrimage to the shrine of football in the latest episode of Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views. 🏈🏈

This week we're joined by the author of the book "Field of Schemes" and website of the same name. We discuss the current events in Oakland, Chicago, Baltimore and Arizona and more.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Toyota Stadium 9200 World Cup Way Frisco, TX 75034 FCS National Championship Website Toyota Stadium website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 20,500 FCS National Championship – Toyota Stadium Since 2010, the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) National Championship has been held in the North Texas city of Frisco at Toyota Stadium, home stadium of FC Dallas of the MLS. The 2021-2022 season culminated with a clash between the dynastic North Dakota State Bison and the underdog Montana State Bobcats . The weather on the day was not accommodating and the final score was not what the thousands who came in from Bozeman, Montana, would have wanted. However, the event had parking lots packed with fans from both Big Sky states well before the sun rose across the horizon, and between the Bobcat fans and the diehards from Fargo drew an announced crowd of 18,942. In the pre-pandemic era, the city of Frisco rolled out the red carpet for both schools. In the past few years, however, the festivities are decidedly more scaled down, yet the game is still a very big deal and definitely has that air about it. Read on to learn what makes the FCS National Championship a must-see event for any college football fan. Food & Beverage 4 Toyota Stadium has a great selection of food and beverage options for game attendees. The main concessions area lines the concourse near the east and west entrance gates; here you’ll find everything that a sports fan could want to consume during a game. The Eastside Kitchen, the Corner Kick, and Midfield Market concessions kiosks all feature traditional game day items such as Ultimate Nachos ($11), turkey legs ($10), chicken finger and French fry combo baskets ($10.50), hot dogs ($6), pretzels ($2.50), and draft and bottled beer ($10). There are also numerous free-standing beer and alcohol stands scattered throughout the stadium, as well as hot chocolate ($5) stands, which are much appreciated on cold winter days. Atmosphere 5 Quite frankly, the atmosphere at the FCS National Championship Game was on par with anything I have ever experienced in college football, so far. Obviously, the crowd size doesn’t compare to any of the palaces of college football, but the energy and excitement that came from the crowd was palpable. While there was not much in the way of signage in and around the city of Frisco denoting the National Championship, when you get near the stadium itself the gravity of the circumstances can truly be felt. As mentioned, the parking lots around the stadium were filled to the brim with Bison and Bobcat loyalists, and they were there well before the game even thought about starting. This was despite the cold (which probably is not the right adjective for these folks from up north) and rain that was omnipresent throughout the weekend. Toyota Stadium was completely decked with National Championship signage and paraphernalia for both competing teams. One wall was also covered with a blowup of the FCS playoff bracket that showed the teams’ marches toward the championship game. Speaking of which, the stadium converted its two team stores into selling merchandise for the game, which all sold like metaphorical hot cakes. The reason for the score in this section is really all about the energy from the crowd. I’m not sure if this can be repeated at the game every year – North Dakota State’s fans travel for sure, and Montana State hadn’t been in the title game since 1984, so I’m sure that played a part in their fans’ travel plans. Still, for those who were fortunate to attend this time out, I’m sure it will be a game they’ll never forget. Neighborhood 4 Voted by Money magazine as the number one city in America to live in, Frisco is also one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. While it is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, it seems as far from the big city feel of Dallas as you can get. Driving up Main Street you still get the feel of the small town that Frisco used to be. You can see the shops that still fill up the main square, and you can still see the water tower with the sign that bears the logo the city uses (and the logo is everywhere). Long story short it’s quaint, and yet you’re only 20 minutes from Dallas proper and 30 minutes from Fort Worth proper. So, if you get tired of small-town charm, you can do it up in the Big Cities. With all that being said, if you want to stay in Frisco there are still options for you in terms of entertainment, dining, and lodging, of course. For kids of all ages, you have to – have to – visit the National Videogame Museum . This interactive, hands-on museum (yes, you get to play with everything) gives visitors a tour through the history of their favorite electronic pastime, and best of all, it culminates in the arcade where you can play the museum’s whole extensive collection of games. Also, while you’re in town, sports fans should make a visit to the National Soccer Hall of Fame . This is especially true since it is literally built right into Toyota Stadium and can be seen behind the south end zone. Visitors can see the history of American soccer, much of which is due to the patron saint of the sport in this country, Lamar Hunt – a statue of whom resides directly opposite the museum on the north side of Toyota Stadium. The Hall of Fame also offers a unique interactive experience that allows visitors the chance to experience key moments in U.S. soccer history. When it comes to food, the entertainment district right around Toyota Stadium has numerous options for you that are within walking distance. One great option is Super Chix Chicken & Custard – this place does chicken sandwiches (a la a certain fast-food chain from the south) with a twist; Chicken Cordon Bleu, Crispy Avocado, and Korean BBQ are just a few of their options, along with chicken tenders as well as frozen custard. It’s the definition of fast casual dining. Also, if you’re looking for a little of that famous Tex-Mex cuisine, the Blue Goose Cantina is right around the corner from the stadium; it’s a great spot for pre or post-game quesadillas, nachos, fajitas, and margaritas. For hotel options, there are also several chain hotels that are within walking distance of Toyota Stadium; this is great if you are lucky enough to book early and don’t want to pay for parking. The Candlewood Suites Dallas-Frisco NW Toyota Center and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dallas-Frisco NW Toyota Stadium are literally right behind the stadium, and are imminently affordable. If these two are booked, however, there are easily a half dozen other hotels in the same area. Fans 5 As has been mentioned numerous times since the start of this review, all the grades are skewed due to the involvement of the fans. I have been to bowl games and soccer matches in this stadium and nothing so far has compared to the fan engagement that I saw during this game. I’m especially blown away due to where the two teams that played in this game come from – it is nearly 1,500 miles from Bozeman, MT to Frisco, TX; it’s also almost 1,100 miles from Fargo, ND. Now, I’m not saying that all 18,000 people who were in the stands drove here or were from those two states, but there were a lot of Montana and North Dakota license plates in the parking lots that day. Bottom line, the fans were great, they were loud, and they made this a great experience. Fans in Line to Enter Toyota Stadium, Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Access 3 Frisco is 20 minutes from downtown Dallas and 30 minutes from downtown Fort Worth. It’s also just over 20 minutes from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Once on site, there are four main parking lots for fans to choose from. The one drawback when it does come to being away from the big cities is the lack of public transportation – your options are virtually nonexistent. That said, if you don’t want to drive to the game your best bet is going to be utilizing a rideshare service. One other factor to be aware of; there are only two main thoroughfares to access the parking lots, and as it starts getting closer to game time, traffic starts to back up considerably. You’ll need to take this into consideration when heading to games at Toyota Stadium. Return on Investment 3 Single seats for the National Championship Game start at $90 per person and rise accordingly based on location in the stadium. Parking was set at $25 per car. Concessions were kept at their MLS prices, but this is still not a bad deal considering the circumstances of the game. You’re still going to spend a good amount of money, but it probably pales in comparison to the FBS version of the title game. Extras 4 In numerous previous reviews I’ve mentioned my fondness for the extras that go along with the sport of college football – these were all present and accounted for the FCS National Championship Game. Both Montana State and North Dakota State brought all their accompanying pomp and circumstance to Frisco with them. The Bobcats brought their spirit squad , their marching band, the Spirit of the West , and their mascot, Champ. The Bison did the same with their cheer squad , their band, the Gold Star Band , and their mascot, Thundar . All of this just added to the atmosphere and gravity of the game. The Spirit of the West, Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey In addition to what the teams brought, the stadium itself also offered up such extras as firing off ceremonial fireworks during the player introductions and during the post-game celebrations. The NCAA also gave fans the opportunity to take pictures during the game with the FCS National Championship trophy. Final Thoughts This game was definitely a bucket list event for me, and it did not disappoint. The energy from the crowd on both sides more than made up for the bad weather and the lopsided score. Congratulations go out to the North Dakota State Bison for their record breaking ninth National Championship, and congratulations to the Montana State Bobcats for an unbelievable season of their own. This is an event I would absolutely take in again. If you’re a sports fan, I would encourage you to make the trip to Frisco for the game; if you’re a college football fan, this is a must-attend event and definitely one you should add to your bucket list too. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Heiges Field House 333 Lancaster Drive Shippensburg, PA 17257 Shippensburg Red Raiders website Heiges Field House website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 2,768 Up With The Ship Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Ship or SU) is a public university in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. The university offers more than 100 undergraduate programs and more than 50 master’s degree programs. Many of the original historic buildings of the campus, including Old Main, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Famous alumni of the school include Brent Grimes, former National Football League cornerback; Rob Davis, the Director of Player Development of the Green Bay Packers; and best-selling author Dean Koontz. The Lady Raiders are members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and have been members of the PSAC since its foundation in 1951. The Dixon trophy is awarded to the top athletic program in the 18 universities Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Shippensburg has won the trophy seven times, the most by any PSAC member. The field hockey team at Ship has been the most successful team on campus winning the national championship in Division II twice in the last six years. Football has been a strong team as well. The mascot is “Big Red,” a red-tail hawk wearing a pirate hat. Heiges Field House was the second-largest wooden-domed structure in the world when it opened. The arena is the home to the school’s volleyball, wrestling, and basketball programs, as well as housing swimming in the attached pool. From 2004 to 2007, the Red Raiders posted a 37-3 record in home basketball games, which led the students of Shippensburg at the time to nickname Heiges Field House, “The Dungeon.” The arena has a wooden playing surface designed by the same floor designer as the University of North Carolina and the University of Kansas. The Lady Raiders volleyball team has thrived in “The Dungeon” in recent years. Food & Beverage 0 There is no permanent food stand open for volleyball games. There may be stands open for certain, bigger games. Atmosphere 2 For volleyball matches, the team only uses one of the grandstands within the arena. The arena feels very open and has a typical atmosphere for a Division II level school. The field house roof is on perfect display at all times with its cool style and large fans coming from it. Neighborhood 3 Shippensburg is a nice little town located just to the north of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, as well as the Maryland border. There are a few food and drink options in the immediate vicinity. You can’t go wrong with CJ’s American Pub & Grill for dinner and then stopping by Goose Bros. Ice Cream for dessert. There are other options as it is a small college town with quite a few varieties of places to go. Nearby Chambersburg has many more local and chain options. Fans 3 Heiges Field House usually does not fill for volleyball games. Most of the crowd seems to be made up of friends or family of the players. Access 4 Shippensburg is located right off Interstate 81, a major route from the south through to the northeast. Accessing the campus is easy as you get off that main road as it is marked well. The university is located about half an hour from the state capital Harrisburg. It is also about an hour and a half to Baltimore and the same distance to Philadelphia. Parking is fairly plentiful around the university and the field. Parking is usually free but if it is a weeknight when classes are in session, please make sure to check parking regulations. Return on Investment 5 Tickets and parking are free. Extras 2 There are many trophy cases in the small lobby that offer a glimpse of the successes of the various Red Raider teams. The roof is a great extra all in its own. Final Thoughts Shippensburg plays on a good level of volleyball and the opponents of the PSAC do offer some skilled opponents, which makes a game here a good value for the sports fan.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Western Financial Place 1777 2nd Street North Cranbrook, BC V1C 7G9 Kootenay Ice website Western Financial Place website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 4,654 Kootenay Ice The Kootenay Ice arrived in Cranbrook, B.C. in 1998 after two years in Edmonton. They have subsequently become one of the most consistent and successful franchises in the Western Hockey League, having never missed the playoffs and making it to the Memorial Cup three times, including a win in the national junior finals in 2002. In their relatively brief history, the Ice have produced a number of players who have made the jump to the NHL, including Nigel Dawes, Mike Comrie, Jarret Stoll and Mike Green, making this one of the teams to watch year after year. The Ice have been playing in Western Financial Place since 2000. Formerly known as the Cranbrook Recreational Complex, or Rec Plex, Western Financial Place is a multi-purpose facility housing the hockey rink where the Ice play as well as a public swimming pool, a racquetball court and an in-house restaurant called Coyote Jack’s. Food & Beverage 4 The regular concessions within the arena are pretty standard fare. Popcorn ($3.75 for a small), potato chips ($1.75), pop ($3.00 for a small) and coffee ($2.75 for a small) are all featured on the menus of the four stands in the corners of the concourse. You’ll also find Molson Canadian on tap ($6.00) and a small selection of canned beer and coolers ($6.50-6.75, depending on what you order). Outside of the arena proper in the building’s lobby, you’ll also find two more concession stands. The first is Coyote Jack’s Express, with a paired-down menu from the Coyote Jack’s restaurant menu. Here you’ll find a selection of burgers ($3.99 for CJ’s Classic Burger), chicken ($5.75 for CJ’s Chicken Strips), as well as fries ($2.75) and poutine ($4.75). The other concession is Shivers, which features a variety of ice cream and smoothie choices. A regular cone is $2.75 and a smoothie is $4.50. Your final option is upstairs in Coyote Jack’s Bar & Grill. With a fully appointed menu and a comfortable sports lounge atmosphere, it’s a great place to stop by before or after the game. You can also buy a spot at the windows in the lounge overlooking the rink and watch the game from there, providing you with an excellent view of the action. Atmosphere 4 In the first half of the 2013/14 season, the Ice have drawn around 2,500 fans per game, a relatively small crowd for a WHL team, and all the moreso when you consider the historical success Kootenay has enjoyed. Add in the fact that Western Financial Place seats more than 4,200 and it seems pretty empty in there. Still, drawing 2,500 fans to a game in a town of only 19,000 people has to be considered a fairly impressive feat. As with most of the WHL rinks I’ve been to, the stands remain relatively quiet for much of the game, with pockets of loud-and-proud fans here and there and all the appropriate reactions to both good and bad results on the ice. That means the people there are definitely engaged and knowledgeable, which makes it nice to be in amongst them. Western Financial Place, being the community’s rec plex, has a real community feel to it, a feeling that is emphasized by walls lined with Cranbrook sports-related photos showing the rich history in this town. The place is also clean and tidy, making it quite comfortable overall. Neighborhood 3 Western Financial Place is situated in the middle of a residential neighbourhood, so there isn’t much around it, aside from housing. The good news is that, in a city of 19,000, everything is pretty close by. The downtown is only a couple blocks to the west on 2 St. N and a couple blocks further along from there brings you to the Crowsnest Highway (also known as Cranbrook St. or Van Horne St., depending on where you are) which is the primary run of commercial stores and services in town. Heading north from Western Financial Place will likewise bring you to the Crowsnest Highway on the north end of town. Downtown is a pretty quiet place in the evening, but there is the odd bar or restaurant open for business. Along the Crowsnest Highway you’ll find just about every restaurant chain in Canada as well as a handful of local establishments. We tried the Cancun Mexican International Restaurant (303 Cranbrook St. N.) for supper and it was quite good. The Cancun is situated a block off the highway on the outskirts of the downtown core, and is about a five-minute drive from the arena. One other helpful tip for those who don’t know: Western Financial Place shares a parking lot with the Cranbrook Curling Club. Curling clubs always have a lounge and are generally very welcoming of anyone just walking in off the street, unless there’s a tournament going on or the lounge has been rented for some other special event. If it’s just a typical evening at the club, head upstairs and you’ll find yourself a nice little setup with lots of room to hang out and get your drink on. Fans 3 As noted above, the crowds seem a little small relative to the size of the venue, but they’re clearly dedicated and know what’s going on. Personally, I prefer my crowds to be a little more demonstrative when it comes to showing their enthusiasm, but this crowd seemed fairly subdued for the most part. Again, as noted above, this seems to be fairly typical of junior hockey crowds around western Canada. When all is said and done, though, the fans here seem friendly, pleasant and dialed into the event. Access 4 The parking lot at Western Financial Place appears to be more than adequate for the number of vehicles coming to the game and the $2.00 parking price is relatively nominal, so this is probably your best bet. With the arena situated fairly centrally in Cranbrook, you’re never more than a few minutes’ drive away. There is also a bus stop right alongside the facility, so that is also an easy option. Once inside, the main lobby of the complex is quite roomy and the main concourse also has plenty of space for the crowds. The west concourse is a little on the tight side, with the row of luxury boxes reducing the width of the hallway. Getting out of the parking lot after the game took less than 10 minutes, so the lot and surrounding roadways are well set up to move traffic out and on its way. Return On Investment 4 Seats for Kootenay Ice games are $22 each at the door, a bargain compared to most every professional sport out there. That cost can get you virtually any seat in the house that isn’t owned by a season-ticket holder and they’re all nice and cozy to the ice surface, so there isn’t a bad seat in the place. Or you can grab a spot along the concourse rail where many people choose to watch from the standing room locations. As an added bonus, the mountain scenery around Cranbrook is nothing short of gorgeous so the trip alone provides extra value. Great views plus great team plus great atmosphere equals great value. Pretty simple equation there. Extras 3 As noted above, the walls of Western Financial Place are lined with pictures from Cranbrook’s rich sports history. There are also pictures, biographies, and jerseys of the several Cranbrook natives who made it to professional hockey, including Frank and Danny Spring as well as Rob and Scott Niedermayer. Over the north goal line is the long string of championship banners that the Ice have earned in their short team history giving the arena an extra sense of history and serving as a constant reminder of the level of excellence that this team has consistently delivered to its fans. Team mascot Shivers, an abominable snowman, roams the stands and concourse during the game, entertaining the kids in the crowd and helping with the various giveaways and contests that happen during the game. One thing I was surprised and disappointed by was the lack of a team store on the premises. Apparently there used to be one, but team merchandising has now moved a few blocks away towards downtown to 1st Impressions, a store located at 11a – 14th Avenue S. So if you’re like me and like to get yourself a souvenir of any new venue you’ve visited, you’ll find yourself out of luck. That’s a surprising mistake in marketing, in my opinion. British Columbia has a reputation for being a very green-conscious province, but there didn’t seem to be any recycling bins in Western Financial Place. There is the possibility that all their refuse is sorted and handled off site, but there also don’t seem to be any signs indicating that that might be happening either. I found that a little disappointing as well. Final Thoughts The Kootenay Ice are a very successful hockey team playing in a town with a rich hockey history. That makes for a game-watching experience that brings a lot of high expectations and value to it and Western Financial Place makes the whole experience well worth it.

Photo courtesy of Texas Tech Athletics The funds were part of Texas Tech University’s Campaign for Fearless Champions, which will be used for the completion of the South End Zone and the Dustin R. Womble Football Center at Jones AT&T Stadium . To honor the gift and recognize one of the greatest players in Red Raiders history, the school will name its soon-to-be-completed walk-through area at the center, as well as the quarterback meeting room and offensive coordinator’s office in the new south end zone building, in his honor. Photo courtesy of Texas Tech Athletics “When we first launched this campaign, Patrick was only a freshman and now we should approach the end of the campaign with a gift of his own,” Texas Tech Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said in a news release. “We couldn’t be prouder to announce this gift from Patrick and Brittany Mahomes. We are so proud of Patrick for all he has accomplished and how he has continually supported Texas Tech on a global scale.” In just six seasons, Patrick Mahomes has torn through the NFL record books and helped make the Kansas City Chiefs  one of pro football’s premiere franchises. Amid all of Mahomes’ success, however, he has remained a loyal supporter of Texas Tech – in each of the past three seasons, Mahomes has used an open date on the Kansas City schedule to attend one of Tech’s road games, and he also returned to campus in 2022 to be inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor. Patrick Mahomes’ co-branded line of apparel with Adidas, featuring the Mahomes Gladiator logo, forged a partnership with Texas Tech and has been made available to students and fans at the university’s stores. He also recently signed six Tech athletes to NIL deals  with his brand. “There isn’t a greater ambassador for Texas Tech Athletics than Patrick Mahomes,” Red Raiders Head Coach Joey McGuire said. “He is arguably the best brand in sports, not only for his success on the field but for what he and his family do off it.” The gift by the Mahomes raised Texas Tech’s fundraising total to $115 million for its projects, surpassing the athletics department’s original goal of $100 million. “Since my hiring here at Texas Tech, it’s been evident to me just how much Patrick truly loves this university and football program, and this gift further emphasizes that,” said McGuire. “On behalf of our entire program, we can’t thank Patrick and Brittany enough for the impact they are making on our student-athletes and the future of Texas Tech football.” ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Journey got a chance recently to attend the inaugural Capital Hockey Classic on December 12, 2024. This was a college hockey double-header featuring a contest between Army and Navy’s club hockey teams, followed by a matchup between Army and Penn State’s Division I programs. This event took place in Downtown Washington, DC’s Capital One Arena two days be fore the Army-Navy rivalry football game took place at Northwest Stadium. Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Jim Van Stone, President of Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer at Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) was quoted as saying “We are ecstatic to be able to welcome college hockey back to Capital One Arena,” and “It is an honor to host this college hockey showcase ahead of the iconic Army-Navy football game, giving fans a chance to witness this storied rivalry on the ice and then see two top Division I teams match up against each other. The military is an integral part of our community in the Washington, D.C. area and Monumental Sports & Entertainment has a long history of harnessing the power of sports to make a lasting difference in the lives of those who serve our country.” Capital One Arena, which previously hosted the 2009 NCAA Frozen Four, serves as the home venue for the NHL’s Washington Capitals. Alongside their ownership organization, MSE, the Capitals have remained committed to growing and improving the game of hockey from youth clinics and camps to community programming to talent development with their AHL affiliate team and 13-time Calder Cup Champions, the Hershey Bears. Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Hockey has long been a staple of athletics on the West Point campus of the United States Military Academy, with the hockey program originally forming in 1904. Since then, the program has become one of the most recognizable brands in college hockey with over 1,200 wins to its name across different levels of evolution in the college game. The Riley family has led the program since 1951 when legendary and 1960 gold-medal-winning USA Hockey Coach Jack Riley took the reins. From there, his son Rob featured as the head coach from 1986-2004 before Rob’s brother, Brian Riley, who now enters his 21st season as head coach, was appointed. Army was a founding member of the Atlantic Hockey Association which just ended its 21-year run at the Division I level and is set to begin a new era as ‘Atlantic Hockey America’ after merging with College Hockey America this summer. “We are excited to have the opportunity to play in the Capital Hockey Classic against Penn State,” said Army head coach Brian Riley. “We know that there are a lot of alumni and Army fans in that area so it will be a great opportunity to bring the Army Hockey Team to an area where we’ve never played. There will be a lot of energy with the Army-Navy Football Game on Saturday and this will be a great way to start the weekend with Army vs. Penn State on the ice.” Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Penn State enters its 13th season as a Division I program in 2024-25 after elevating to varsity status before the 2012-13 campaign. The Nittany Lions secured the 200th win in program history last season and have five 20+-win seasons over the last nine years leading to a pair of Big Ten Championships (2017, 2020) and three NCAA Tournament berths (2017, 2018, 2023). Before being elevated to Division I status, Penn State competed in the ACHA from 1971-2012 winning seven National Titles including a stretch of four straight from 2000-03. This marks the third meeting between Penn State and Army over the past four seasons and the second-straight year the teams will meet after the Nittany Lions erased a four-goal deficit for a thrilling 7-6 victory in Hockey Valley back in January. Penn State is 4-0-0 all-time against the Black Knights in the current era. The Nittany Lions are poised to make a return trip to Allentown and the NCAA Tournament when the puck drops in October after finishing the 2023-24 campaign at 15-18-3. “It’s truly an honor to be a part of the first-ever Capital Hockey Classic,” said Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky. “The Army-Navy football game is a yearly spectacle and to add a hockey component to this special weekend is an awesome opportunity. I’m excited we will be able to spread our Hockey Valley community to the DMV area, an area we haven’t been to yet in our short history, but one with a large alumni base. We know there will be a lot of Blue & White support in D.C.! We Are!” Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Navy Club Hockey competes in Division 1 of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) as a member of the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association (ECHA). Navy won the ECHA Championship in 2022 and went undefeated in 2023, advancing to the ACHA National Tournament each year. Navy is coached by Kevin Rooney, who just completed his 8th season leading the Midshipmen. “The Navy Hockey Team is excited to continue the great legacy of the Army-Navy game,” said Rooney. “As the ‘best of the best’ student-athletes and leaders, the rivalry is historic and delivers an extreme level of competition that is only found in an event like this. In addition, it is an incredible opportunity to join with other hockey teams and Navy Football to be part of the entire Army-Navy legacy weekend. We will be ready to ‘Bring it on’ for this intense hockey weekend at the legendary home venue of the NHL’s Washington Capitals!” In the club hockey game, Army beat Navy by a score of 7-3. For the final game featuring the NCAA teams, Penn State beat Army 4-1. It was an amazing event to attend at the start of the Army/Navy weekend. Hopefully, it will indeed become a recurring event so that we can review it for Stadium Journey.

Below is the transcript of an interview from Eyes Everywhere on March Madness (EEMM), an independent college basketball watchdog group, and freelance dance teacher Danny Moves. The interview was conducted prior to the 2023 season. EEMM: Is Danny Moves your real name? MOVES: I consider it my real name, but it’s my stage name. EEMM: So, it’s an alias? MOVES: It’s the name that I’m registered under with Screen Actors Guild. EEMM: You have no basketball experience whatsoever yet you’re meeting with elite college coaches all over the country. Why? MOVES: Correct, I have no basketball experience, nor do I want any. I’m a dance teacher. EEMM: That’s one we haven’t heard before [laughing]. I’ll ask again: Why are you meeting with these coaches? MOVES: I’m teaching them dance moves. EEMM: You’re kidding. MOVES: Absolutely not. I work with coaches on their post-game locker room celebration dance moves. Dancing is an effective bonding tool. When players see their coach dancing, they become more relatable. If players like their coach more, they play harder, and that leads to more wins, at least in theory. EEM: So what you’re saying is that a dancing coach will help win games? MOVES: Yes. Just look at New York Giants football Coach Brian Daboll. He’s a dancing fool, and he completely turned around his team in just one season. EEMM: Were you his teacher? MOVES: No. But with my help, I could diversify his routine and take it to an entirely different level. The Giants could make the Super Bowl, and he’d win Dancing with The Stars. EEMM: Who were your favorite coaches to teach? MOVES: Impossible to answer. There are so many. I had quite a journey with Jim Boeheim, Syracuse’s coach. He’s the oldest coach in D 1, and he’s, ah, very set in his ways. Last year, his team didn’t make the NCAAs. It was a fragile situation. EEMM: What happened? MOVES: He was very resistant. He stood me up twice before we had an actual session. When we did meet, he said, “I don’t know who you think I am, but I’m not Dick Vitale!” EEMM: How'd you get through to him? MOVES: Eventually. I showed Coach Boeheim footage of Coach K dancing at a corporate appearance, and I played some Bruce Springsteen music videos. I heard that he loves The Boss. Anyway, after he saw the Glory Days video, he finally gave in, and we worked on some low impact moves very similar to the ones that Bruce does in his Dancing in The Dark video, with a few flourishes. Coach Boeheim got into it, and he gave me a Syracuse basketball sweatshirt, which I cannot wear, at least in public, because I must be unbiased. EEMM: Who compensated you for this? MOVES: Coach Boeheim’s employer, Syracuse University. EEMM: Do coaches ever pay you out of their own pocket? MOVES: It’s less common, but it happens. UMass Coach Frank Martin paid me out of his own pocket. He was between coaching jobs, and he was looking for a competitive edge. EEMM: What was Coach Martin like to work with? MOVES: Coach Martin was great, but he lives to talk. Everything is a passionate sermon. After a lot of encouragement, I got him to take his verbal skills and transfer it to his body. The result: Frank Martin is a magnificent break dancer. He can really spin on that bald head of his. I expect his dancing to eventually play huge dividends for UMass basketball. EEMM: Did any coaches refuse your instruction? MOVES: Well, besides Coach Boeheim, who eventually came around, no. But Arkansas’s Eric Musselman refused to stop removing his shirt. He’s the Magic Mike of college basketball. He’s really proud of his torso. But, and I told him this, he takes off his shirt way too often. It has become a crutch, and he has lost the element of surprise. I want my students to never be predictable. I challenged Coach Musselman to keep his shirt on. We developed some new moves, quite acrobatic in fact, but ultimately, Coach Musselman insisted on removing his shirt at the end of each routine. He explained that it’s his signature move, and his players love it. Coach Musselman seemed satisfied with our sessions. He sent me an autographed photo of himself, shirtless of course. EEMM: What’s next for you? MOVES: Well, Miami’s Jim Larranaga is perfecting his moonwalk, so that’s exciting. I'm also looking to expand. Right now, my clientele consists solely of men’s college basketball coaches, but I want to step into the women’s game. I’d love to hire a female instructor at some point. I’d also like hope to branch out to football. For reasons I can't explain NBA and hockey coaches refuse to dance, which is an enormous mistake. Jon Hart is @manversusball

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Indiana Farmers Coliseum 1202 E 38th St Indianapolis, IN 46205 Indy Fuel website Indiana Farmers Coliseum website Year Opened: 1939 Capacity: 6,300 A Tradition of Hockey at Indy’s Coliseum The Indiana Farmers Coliseum went through $53 million in renovations between 2012-2014 in order to welcome professional hockey back to the building. The Indy Fuel of the ECHL is affiliated with the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League and has found a niche in a city that favors basketball, football, and minor league baseball during the winter months. Indianapolis has had a strong history of hockey in its city and a majority of it has been played at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum. The building debuted the same year as the city’s first professional team in 1939. The coliseum is located on the Indiana State Fairgrounds and served as home to various minor league franchises up until 2012 when it was closed for major renovations that would alter its interior structure, but maintain its historic exterior. The Fuel has tossed their hats to the list of professional hockey clubs that have called the coliseum home from the Indianapolis Capitals, Chiefs, Checkers, and Ice. The city’s biggest connection to hockey royalty is to Wayne Gretzky who began his professional career with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association in 1978 for eight games before being sold to the Edmonton Oilers. The Great One would return to the city to drop the puck for the 2018 ECHL All-Star Game held at the building. Gretzky is among a list of hockey legends who got their start or spent their time in the Circle City and include Dominik Hasek, Mark Messier, Dave Keon, Glen Hall, Alex Delvecchio, Marcel Pronovost, Terry Sawchuk, and Sid Abel. All of these men are enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Food & Beverage 4 The food at the Coliseum has improved over the past five seasons since the Fuel entered the league and there are some interesting items that are worthy of consumption when at a game. The concession areas, located on the main wraparound concourse, have a simple look, but some of the new food items are quite tasty. The menu items have changed since our last visit two years ago and offer much more variety along with updated flat-screen monitors showcasing selections and pricing. The Legacy and Slapshot burgers, pork tenderloins, and pulled pork and spicy chicken sandwiches range in price between $10-$12, All sandwich items are served with a side of fries. There are a few kiosks that offer more options including beef and chicken stir fry, grilled brats and Polish sausages, and nacho supreme. Hot dogs are served in adult and kid sizes at concession stands. Snacks and held bites include chili cheese fries, barbecue loaded fries, mini corn dogs, and chicken tenders and fries The Jose Cuervo Bar is located at center ice in Section 209 and offers mixed drinks and draft beers in a bar-like setting, while at the same time, offering wide-open glimpses of the game. There are a few more wide-open spots on the main concourse where fans can stand and watch the game. In other areas of the building, fans can pull up a stool, enjoy food and drink, and take in the game. The Coliseum offers 16 and 24-ounce domestic beers for $7 and $9. Craft beers from local Centerpoint and Sun King breweries are available in 16 and 24 ounces for $9 and $11. If you do prefer a pint or can of beer there are options for White Claw seltzer, Jack Daniels punch, and Bramble Mule cocktails. Local Whiskey Tango bourbon is also available. If you do not drink, Pepsi products are available in the arena. Atmosphere 4 The Coliseum has a seating capacity of 6,800 and has been retrofitted from its original designs that date back almost 80-years-ago. The interior’s aesthetics has been dramatically altered with the installation of the original terrazzo floors, exposed walls, and steel support beams, and the inclusion of 96 original wooden theater seats. The upper concourse does not wrap around entirely around the building and that is due to the age of the building and construction efforts to keep the interior within the realms of historical value. However, the ones who are in this area do get a nice view of the ice, but there could be a few more concession points to serve some of the fans in this seating area. The Jose Cuervo Bar is a nice spot to watch the game with a gathering of fans while enjoying something to drink. The building’s main lobby is located on ice level and all fans must depart to their seats up to two flights of stairs at both ends. The lobby consists of ticket booths, the official souvenir shop “The Garage,” and a few nostalgic nods that include historical photos, original ticket booths, and a few wooden stadium seating. However, there could be more nods to the facility’s history with perhaps championship banners, more historical photos, and paraphernalia. Neighborhood 2 The Fairgrounds are not located in the best part of the city; the best bet would be to drive less than 3 miles north to South Broad Ripple, or SoBro as the hipsters say it, where there are plenty of local restaurants, bars, and nightlife to entertain guests after a hockey game. Twenty Tap features poutine, Bahn mi sandwiches, vegetarian buffalo wing bites, and fried cheese curds to go along with one of the more prestigious selections of beers on tap and a couple that is made downstairs in the basement. Next door is Fat Dan’s which specializes in smoked chicken wings, pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, decadent burgers with various fixings, and craft beer selections. Also in this area is one of the Fuel’s official sponsors, The Sinking Ship. It’s a hockey bar with a menu that stretches from grass-fed stuffed burgers, and Cuban sandwiches, to seitan gyro wraps and wings. It is one of the area’s most eclectic spots and definitely a happening spot for hockey talk. Upland Brewing Company has a small taproom that is somewhat unassuming but orders a Champagne Velvet Pilsner or Free Time Lager on tap. Fans 4 Indianapolis does have a niche hockey market that comes alive when rivals from Cincinnati and Ft. Wayne come to town. The crowd can become even more frenzied on promotional nights that range from Blackhawk Night to Nickelodeon Night at the Coliseum. Average crowds have been creeping towards 4,000 a game the past five seasons and when there are only 6,800 seats available, the near-capacity crowd might make one think that they are indeed in a hockey town. Access 3 The Coliseum is located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds at the corner of 38th Street and Fall Creek Parkway. There are two access points into the building that may cause a line on either street, but there are more exits available after the game for quick access out of the fairgrounds complex. At times, there may be other events taking place, it may get a little confusing navigating to your parking lot. Inside the building, the main concourse does get a tad congested on busier nights in the building which may lead to the narrow corners of the concourse being somewhat cumbersome to maneuver through between intermissions. Thankfully, during game time, the concourses are quite clear of traffic. After the game, various exits and interior staircases open up for everyone to exit quickly from the building to the front of the main entrance. There are plenty of staff members who guide motorists to various exit points and back on the main streets of 38th and Fall Creek Parkway. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices range from $12 to $45 per game, slightly higher than division rivals in Cincinnati and Ft. Wayne, but both teams play in much larger arenas. The majority of the upper-level tickets are $12 and $15 and that is a reasonable price for a minor league hockey ticket, along with secure $5 parking, not too much to ask for, or a night of ECHL hockey. The return on investment increases with promotional nights that include Fuel Do317 Right which offers $3 beers and sodas, $1 hot dogs, and $7 limited edition t-shirts on select Friday nights, $2 Tuesdays where select concession items are just two bucks, and All-You-Can-Eat hot dogs, burgers, popcorn and nachos during each Thursday game. If with the kids, take them to Nickelodeon Night, or if it is guys' night out, the popular Blackhawk Night is an ideal choice, both games draw near-capacity crowds to the building. Extras 3 The Coliseum gets an extra point for the renovated wooden seats that are available as a seating option in the building. It is a nice nod to the building’s history and the seats are quite comfortable for their age. The Coliseum has improved its concession items from the last two visits and the variety has improved from the concession stand favorites to kiosks around the concourse. All items range in price from $8 to $12 apiece with the chicken sandwich served with a side of fries. A third point for the team’s introduction on the ice through fire and Metallica’s song “Fuel,” is sort of what one expects from a team called the Indy Fuel. Final Thoughts There are times when the building is packed with hockey fans and one believes that Indianapolis is indeed a hockey town. The team does a grand job of providing various promotional nights to lure fans to the building. The exposed piping and steel beams provide aesthetics unparalleled in the ECHL. The Fuel does what it needs to do in terms of marketing itself to the populace of Indianapolis; it should continue that trend in the upcoming years.

What happened to those World War II military assets? And what the heck do they have to do with hockey? Join Dave and Paul and grab a good beer to find out all the details and what any of it has to do with the Rensselaer Engineers! You can find Stadium Journey's review of the Houston Field House and the RPI hockey gameday experience here.

Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey The NBA is the second-most popular professional sports league in the United States – this is especially true online and with social media. New research from online sports betting site Casinos Sweeps  attempted to determine which team was the most popular in the NBA. Researchers analyzed the number of Instagram followers each NBA team currently has; this also revealed each team’s most followed player.   It should come at no surprise that the Los Angeles Lakers were revealed as the most followed team, with a staggering 192.5 million followers on Instagram between their team accounts and those of their individual players. Their most popular player, also no surprise, was found to be future Hall of Famer LeBron James ; the four-time MVP has an amazing online following of 159.5 million.   The Golden State Warriors came in second with a combined 126.5 million followers; 55.9 million of those belong to their most followed player, Steph Curry . Rounding out the top five were the Los Angeles Clippers with Russell Westbrook , the Chicago Bulls  with Lonzo Ball , and the Dallas Mavericks and Kyrie Irving .   “All teams have had a significant impact on the NBA’s overall popularity, both in the US and internationally … it is fascinating to see which ones have ranked the highest,” a spokesperson from Casinos Sweeps  said in a news release. “However, the popularity of each team can change dramatically with new stars, management strategies, and on-court success, so it will be interesting to see how the rankings change in future seasons.”  Image courtesy of Casino Sweeps ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by Jon Hart, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Pope Physical Education Center 180 Remsen Street Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201 St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers website Pope Physical Education Center website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 1,200 Brooklyn Basketball Located in the oversized shadow of the mega Barclays Center , nestled in the idyllic Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn’s St. Francis offers an awesome basketball experience. With a capacity of just 1,200, it’s very intimate. You’re practically on the court. You might even have to toss a ball back onto the court, so look alive! If you want a chair back, you’ll have to sit on the sideline facing the team’s benches. There’s no seating behind either team’s basket. St. Francis, which plays out of the one-bid Northeast Conference, is a low mid-major. On any given night, however, these Terriers can compete with the Goliaths. Earlier this 2018 – 2019 season, they lost by five at Boston College. In short, the Terriers have talent… but they’ve never danced in March Madness. In 2014-15, they came close, winning the NEC regular season championship but stumbling in their conference tournament. Food & Beverage 3 On game days, the St. Francis cafeteria offers pizza, pasta, and other Italian standbys from a local pizzeria. An array of packaged treats are also available. Prices are reasonable. If you’re craving an alternative, there are plenty of options on Montague Street to sample at half-time. If you can muster it, save your appetite. Brooklyn Heights has some of the finest cuisines anywhere. Atmosphere 3 Folks are into it at St. Francis. There’s almost no choice, as you’re practically on the court. St. Francis doesn’t have a band, but they have cheerleaders and a mascot, who might be one of the most mellow in all of the college sports. Neighborhood 4 Just a quick walk from the must-walk or bike Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights is one of the most unique neighborhoods in New York City. With its picturesque brownstones, it’s wonderful for a stroll or a bite. In that realm, there are a plethora of dining options. Henry Street, a gem of a block, offers a gamut of options. If you’re looking for cheap, solid eat, Fuscati Pizza is the spot for a slice. Heights Falafel offers middle eastern goodies. On the higher end, there are long-time neighborhood favorites Noodle Pudding and Henry’s End. If you want to stare at your phone or watch others do just that at a coffee spot, there are plenty of those. If you don’t mind a longer stroll, Lucali in nearby Carroll Gardens is highly recommended for elite, New Haven-quality pizza. Fans 3 Terrier fans run the gamut, from students to neighborhood hoops junkies to kids, who are often allowed on the court during game breaks to shoot free throws or scrimmage. St. Francis offers a very family-friendly experience. When games get tight, Terrier diehards chant. For regular season games, the Terriers seem to get about 600 fans, give or take. Thus, getting a seat on game day shouldn’t be a problem. However, come conference tournament time, attendance is certain to increase. Access 3 Brooklyn Heights is steps away from almost every imaginable public transportation option. For drivers, you might have to hunt and peck for a parking space. Either that or prepare to pay for one of the many garages or lots in the area. If you decide to go this route, Icon on Livingston Street is recommended. Return on Investment 3 St. Francis puts on a good show, and it won’t break the budget. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Extras 3 In a way, St. Francis has two head coaches. Glenn Branca is the head coach. Ron Ganulin is an assistant. However, Ganulin was the head coach for the Terriers from 1991-2005. Often, during games, both pace opposite ends of the sidelines. There’s no Jumbotron at St. Francis, but they have a mural, a montage of popular Brooklyn images. Final Thoughts St. Francis’ facility isn’t the Carrier Dome, to say the least, but that’s a good thing. You’re close. You can hear the coaches, the bounce of the ball, and the rim reverberate. Bottom line: St. Francis offers big basketball in a small place. When St. Francis finally dances, the serene neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights will go ballistic. ----- Jon Hart is @ManVersusBall

Photo courtesy of Spurs Sports & Entertainment On Thursday, August 3 the five-time NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs announced a new naming rights partner in Frost Bank. Starting with the 2023-24 season, the formerly named AT&T Center will be known as the Frost Bank Center. “We believe in San Antonio – it’s our hometown,” said Frost Chairman and CEO Phil Green in a news release. “We want this relationship with the Spurs to demonstrate our unwavering sense of pride for San Antonio’s rich history and its bright future.” The change comes after the former naming rights partner, AT&T, sold their minority stake in the Spurs in 2021. They agreed to a one-year naming rights extension for the 2022-23 season while the ball club sought out a new partner. Frost Bank is the Spurs oldest business partner, with a relationship dating back 50 years. “The longevity and success of both the Spurs and Frost Bank are rooted in our shared values of integrity, caring, and excellence,” Green said. “These values ultimately help strengthen and shape our entire community. For 50 years, we have been proud to be a sponsor and a partner with the Spurs. Por Vida. Go Spurs Go!” The Spurs and Frost Bank first began their partnership in 1973 when the bank provided the necessary financing to move the then-Dallas Chaparrals of the ABA to the Alamo City. The unique partnership helped pave the way for the Spurs unprecedented run of success in San Antonio. Frost Bank has been a continued major corporate partner over the years, including being the Spurs first jersey patch partner from 2018-19 through the 2021-22 season (the Austin-based financial institution Self is the current partner) and serving as an integral component to Rock at La Cantera , the Spurs new state-of-the-art performance center and entertainment district. “We’re so excited to bring together two of San Antonio’s most treasured brands in a new and meaningful way to represent our community,” said R.C. Buford, Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO. “Fifty years ago, our two organizations envisioned the potential of what a professional sports team could mean for our community, and it is only fitting that we’re joining efforts to welcome fans into the home of the San Antonio Spurs.” Photo courtesy of Spurs Sports & Entertainment The 2023-24 season promises to be one of renewed excitement for the Spurs – having landed the first overall pick in the NBA Draft in French phenom Victor Wembanyama, the team saw a surge in season-ticket purchases. The newly christened Frost Bank Center will add to the excitement with several new features in time for the new season, including the Frost Club complete with a “Puro Meter” corridor mural, as well as a game-day interactive light show that changes with the volume of fan noise inside the arena. “Aligning the Frost and Spurs names in such a major way celebrates both our enduring presence in Texas and our shared commitment to communities we have the privilege of serving,” said Buford.

Folsom Field, Photo by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey The Coach Prime effect is real. The University of Colorado has sold more than 30,000 tickets to the Buffaloes' April 22 spring football game, according to the Boulder Daily Camera . This, despite the fact that CU is selling tickets for $10 for the first time since the 1980s and with the Buffs having posted a 1-11 record. The difference? Deion Sanders. Since being named CU's head coach on December 3, 2022, Sanders has reinvigorated a program that desperately needed it. He assembled ESPN's top ranked transfer recruiting class for 2023, thanks in large part to bringing two-way star Travis Hunter. The nation's top recruit a year ago, Hunter was this season's top transfer. He came to Boulder from Jackson State University, where Sanders coached two seasons. Sanders also recruited ESPN's 23rd ranked recruiting class overall, highlighted by five-star cornerback Cormani McClain. The excitement around both the program and Sanders has made CU's 2023 spring football game a hot ticket. CU's spring football attendance records date back to 1953, with the Buffs' previous high attendance for a spring game of 17,800 fans coming in 2008. In 2022, CU estimated attendance for the spring game at 1,950. CU's Folsom Field seats 50,183. With more than 60 percent of those seats sold for the spring game and free admission for CU students, Sanders might have a full stadium for his first spring game in Boulder.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey I thought I was attending a regular season baseball game between the Thrillville Thrillbillies and the Jackson Rockabillies at Marion Stadium this past Wednesday night. However, I soon learned it was an exhibition game dubbed The inaugural Thrillbillies Tighty Bowl. The game featured a different setup for the 9-innings of play that resembled some of the unusual rules I saw at the Savannah Bananas game a few weeks ago in Indianapolis. Rather than 9-10 unique rules, each inning played differently. A few of them worked rather well and went along swiftly. An on-field MC was on the field to entertain the crowd while continuous music flowed through the speaker during the game. The Thrillbillies mascot having some fun with toilet paper with the crowd. The game featured a different setup for the 9-innings of play that resembled some of the rules I saw at the Savannah Bananas game a few weeks in Indianapolis; instead of 9-10 unique rules, each inning played a bit differently. A few rules worked well and went along swiftly for the crowd entertained by an MC and constant music played throughout the game. The first two winnings worked out very well. The team started off the game under The Wimbleton Inning. All hitting and throwing had to be completed by a tennis racquet. Players pitched from a serve, and batters could smack the tennis ball on the bounce. Outfielders then had to catch with one hand or throw to a base for an out. It included a lucky fan taking an at-bat. A Jackson Rockabillies player swings at a tennis ball with a racquet during the first inning of play The second inning had every member of the team on the field. While batters put the ball into play due to no pitcher on the mound, and a foul ball caught in the stands is out. The Thrillbillies mascot and Sud Mobile weaved in and out of the players in the outfield during the inning of play. A few other innings had the players swap baseball for kickball. They slid into each base on a Slip n Slide doused with foam from the Sud Mobile. It was a constant presence for most of the evening as the truck sprayed a gun full of foam onto the first few seats of the grandstand, dousing everyone (including myself). A few players had some solid boots, but sliding into a sea of foam and being soaked with a ball was thrilling to watch. Safe at home during the kickball game What didn't work were a few innings that took some time to set up and caused heavy delays. The Battle of the Sexes game was fun and exciting, but both teams had to bring in makeshift plastic walls when it was their time to play by the softball rules. The saving grace, and perhaps the most viewed by the fans, was a high school junior striking out three college players, although she gave up two home runs. However, her performance wowed the crowd to the future Western Illinois pitcher. The Giveaway Inning, where four business reps from the community would run for batters as they tried to win a lucky fan a prize grill or black diamond innings, also featured three pitchers on the mound. Let the Fans Hit inning was a great idea, but it took a bit longer to select fans from the stands and then get them to play. A local high school junior struck out three players, despite giving up two home runs in her one inning of work. I have to give the T-Billies management credit; they were creating something fun and exciting for the fan base, even though many probably did not know what to expect. Just like with anything new, there is bound to be some tinkering with the rules in the future. By the time the last inning was played, in complete darkness with players decked out in glow sticks, the gimmick had worn off a bit. The Thrillbillies management earns credit for pulling off such an elaborate display of baseball shenanigans. Throughout the game, the suds mobile blasted fans, the dance team entertained patrons between innings, and many walked onto the field during events to mingle with the players for access, unlike anytime else at a ballpark. The last inning was a total blackout and played in the dark; players worked reflective suites After the game, the Tighty Bowl trophy was awarded to the Thrillbillies, who hosted the underwear cup-shaped trophy up into the air. The two teams would play again tomorrow night under Prospect League rules. However, tonight might have been the start of something in Marion. A game that could take place annually or bi-annually that will no doubt look a little different the next time the Thrillbillies take the field. It was exciting and thrilling, and when it moved smoothly, it was a marvelous spectacle. I will look forward to the next go around. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

This week's episode counts down the Stadium Journey NHL Rankings. Will there be any surprises in our annual list of venues? Audio on HIACTalkRadio.com #ApplePodcasts , #GooglePodcasts , #Spotify , and #AmazonMusic Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv .