Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 SoFi Stadium 1001 Stadium Dr Inglewood, CA 90301 Los Angeles Chargers website SoFi Stadium website Year Opened: 2020 Capacity: 70,240 The NFL’s newest Jewel SoFi Stadium, home of both the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers and the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, reportedly cost $5.5 billion to build, almost three times what the previous NFL record holder, Allegiant Stadium, cost.  The stadium has a unique design in being sort of an open-air stadium with a roof, and even has a water feature, but given how much it cost to build, unfortunately disappoints in some areas, namely in terms of its access and pricing. Food & Beverage   4 SoFi Stadium has a host of concessions options, ranging from pizza and Italian sandwiches to burgers, hot dogs, chicken strips and sandwiches, burritos, nachos, and tacos, as well as snacks and desserts such as cheesecake, churro bites, Italian custard, cookies, and brownies. There are also several full bar areas and plenty of beer, wine, soda, and bottled water, but nothing in the way of a wow factor, such as a unique item you can’t find at any other stadium. The concession stands also look overly uniform – all share the same color scheme, font, and design – making it difficult to find what you are looking for without walking around and reaching each stands’ menu.  The different levels all appear to have the same options. Concessions prices are on the high side, as you might expect from a pro stadium (think $9 for a hot dog with no sides or $6 for a bottle of water). The food is actually quite tasty, however – I recommend the cheeseburger, and the souvenir soda is a good deal at $8, coming in a cool reflective cup you can take home (but no free refills). Note that there are also plenty of street vendors on the grounds around the facility, selling hot dogs, beer, and soda as you walk up to the entrance – I saw plenty of fans partaking of these even after the game was over. Atmosphere   4 The stadium looks really cool from the outside, but despite how it looks, is actually open a little to the elements, meaning during night games it gets a little cool inside, and I was told it can get hot inside during day games. I also heard that if you sit up in the 400 or 500 level, be careful where you sit, as the sun can get in your eyes if you sit on the wrong side – not something I expected from what looks like an indoor stadium. Unlike the atmosphere during Rams games, the Chargers offer their fans a slightly more silly atmosphere, as illustrated by such amenities as smiley face logos with lightning bolt eyes, and having a drumline instead of cheerleaders, providing a more fun, bring-the-kids kind of vibe than you’ll find during the other team’s games. The drumline plays outside from the parking lots before the game, and when you go inside you’ll experience the typical fans contests and giveaways. The Chargers also have sound effects in the form of a Thunder Siren (think hurricane warning or air raid) that goes off before the game and before the second half begins, as well as a cannon which fires before the game and after Chargers scores – but perhaps only after touchdowns, as I don’t recall hearing it after Bolts field goals. The team takes the field amid a haze of smoke and with flags flying, and the huge circular videoboard around the ceiling gives every fan the ability to easily see replays, stats, and the action on the field – the videoboard is close to eye level for those in the 300s, but may prove a distraction for those in the 400s and 500s. Neighborhood   3 SoFi Stadium is a few miles east of LAX airport, and thus in close proximity to myriad hotels at all different price levels, if you are planning to stay the weekend. However, being mostly surrounded by parking areas, there are not a lot of attractions or restaurants in the area, although there are a few mostly fast-food places a few blocks south of the venue; In-N-Out Burger and Pollo Loco (chicken) are popular chains in California. Downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood are about 10 miles north-northeast of the stadium, where you can find most of the amenities the area is best-known for. Fans   2 The Chargers don’t have as strong a fanbase as do the Los Angeles Rams, perhaps understandable given the latter had a team here decades before, while the Bolts are kind of the new kid in town. That said, you will see a lot of empty seats, and perhaps too many opposing fans during Chargers games. You will see some Bolts jerseys and other team gear being worn, but not as much as at other NFL stadiums for their teams. Access   4 Getting around the inside of SoFi Stadium is problematic, but getting TO the venue is not that bad; the staff and local police do a great job directing traffic and blocking off roads to make getting in quick and easy, but more importantly, to sweep fans away from the stadium quickly after the contest is over. There is a little traffic in the area, but the location is far enough away from LA city center that there isn’t too much. There are plenty of parking lots nearby; I recommend the Green A lot – it is pricey, but as close to the stadium as you can probably get, and is small enough you can get out after the game really fast. There are cheaper lots a little further away. Getting around the stadium once inside is more of a challenge – SoFi Stadium has 9 different levels, but there aren’t enough ways to move between them. Most fans use the escalators, but there aren’t enough of these and they aren’t together – for example, to get from the “main” 300 level where you enter the stadium to the 100 level, you have to walk partway around the stadium, take one escalator down to the 200 level, and then walk partway around the stadium AGAIN to find another escalator to take you down to the 100 level. You can’t take the stairs, either, as they only have exits on the 300 level – if you walk down them to the 100 or 200 level the door will be locked. There are also not enough elevators, so the wait for them is very long. The seats themselves are all chairbacks, but on some levels are too narrow for the average person – the ones on the 300 level seem a little larger than the ones on the 100 level. Return on Investment   3 Attending a Chargers game can be pricey – even though many seats will be empty the game will still be sold out, so you’ll likely have to buy tickets on the secondary market anyway. Tickets will get cheaper the closer to the game it gets, as well parking passes, so you might score a deal if you are willing to risk waiting. As mentioned the concessions are on the high side ($25 to $30 per person for a main dish, side, and drink), while parking starts at $60 in the lots furthest from the stadium. Extras   4 The Chargers do offer some amenities for fans, for example some DJs out in the concourse, tons of logos for fans to take selfies with, the aforementioned drumline and sound effects, and plenty of team gear stands if you want to pick up some Bolts swag – there are so many places selling team gear stands on every level you shouldn’t have to wait in line. Final Thoughts The NFL’s newest stadium represents a pricey proposition, but certainly comes with a lot of bells and whistles for fans to enjoy. If you plan ahead in terms of seating, parking, and perhaps eat before the game, you can save yourself a little hassle, and perhaps a little green as well.

Photos by James Clotfelter, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 O2 Arena Ocelářská 460/2, 190 00 Prague 9 – Libeň, Czech Republic The Czechia National Hockey Team website O2 Arena website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 17,383 Hockey In The Heart Of Europe It’s only fitting that the Czech Republic’s national sport of hockey gets played at the second-largest hockey arena in all of Europe. With a capacity of 17,000, O2 Arena Prague is a venue that has hosted a fair share of marquee events as it is home of Sparta Prague HC, many shows, concerts, tennis, the 2024 IIHF World Championships, and Czechia’s National Hockey Team. We happened to be in attendance for Czechia vs Finland during the Swiss Ice Hockey games, serving as a competition to prelude the upcoming world championships. While the O2 may not be the most modern arena in the world, it continues to provide a memorable game day experience while standing the test of time. Food & Beverage 3 The selection of food and beverages is as expected in an arena. They offer all the basics that a stadium typically would. The menu you can prepare to find includes chicken tenders, fries, hot dogs, burgers, sausages, sandwiches, pizza, Coca-Cola products, Fuze Tea, wine, and beer. Food items will cost anywhere between $2-$6. The food quality is what you would expect from stadium food, nothing crazy, but nothing horrible. The only beer on tap is a Staropramen, but it is hard to complain about the lack of variety when it is priced at just under $3 a beer. Cards are accepted at every concession stand in the arena, and all food is priced at face value, meaning tax is not hidden. While the products themselves may not be flashy, they come at unheard-of value compared to stadium food in the United States. Atmosphere 4 Opening its doors in 2004, the O2 Arena in Prague continues to stand out as a top hockey venue in Europe. The arena’s concourse does not have the flashy amenities that the latest arenas have, but entering its 20th year, the O2 continues to provide an excellent game day experience. The stadium is built with four levels: the main bowl being the first, the two middle levels containing the hospitality seats and private boxes, and the upper bowl on the 400 level. At the game we attended, every seating level was open, but for Sparta Prague HC matches, it appears that the upper deck is closed off. I love a venue with a vertical interior, and the O2 provides just that, allowing the arena to be furnished with a louder and more intimate atmosphere even with its large capacity. This also entitles you to purchase 400-level seats without worrying about obstructed or inadequate sightlines, meaning the 400-level is my seating recommendation if you plan on attending a game here. Why pay more for tickets when you don’t have to? The seats themselves are not too wide, but they are padded and equipped with cupholders on both armrests. Plenty of merchandise windows are scattered throughout the lower concourse offering every type of apparel you would expect from a team. The video board must have been replaced since the opening of the arena as it is much more modern than you would expect when comparing it to the semi-old concourse. It is mammoth-like in size and does a solid job of providing stats, replays, and keeping the fans entertained during stoppages with promotions, music, etc. Much of the atmosphere provided during the game was delivered from the stands in the style of chants and songs. Two fans operate drums located in the sections behind the goal in the lower bowl, and these two take the lead when starting a song in the crowd. Once Czechia took the lead in the third period, the two fans who operated the drums kicked off a chant that resembled Wisconsin’s “jump around" tradition, and the entire area turned into a trampoline park. The O2 Arena truly delivers an outstanding hockey atmosphere, and I do not doubt that it will do so for the 2024 IIHF World Championships. Neighborhood 4 Prague is one of the most popular cities in the world when dealing with tourism, and it's for good reason. Beautiful mid-evil architecture, easily accessible public transit, excellent walkability, outstanding food, and cheap booze are just some things the city itself has to offer. Prague is divided into ten municipal districts and 22 administrative districts that are titled, Prague 1, 2, 3… and so on. The main tourist districts would be the city center, also known as Prague 1 and Prague 2. However, the O2 Area is situated in Prague 9, which does not have a ton going on. Outside of O2 Arena, Prague 9 offers a very new and sleek mall containing an assortment of stores and pregame food choices that a considerable number of fans visited before the gates opened. The Stages Hotel is adjacent to the arena for visitors who wish for accommodation close to the arena. It was not open for our visit, but the Czech Hockey Hall of Fame is also next to the arena, and even though we were not able to experience it, reviews suggest it is well worth the visit. We suggest you stay closer to the city center and take public transit to the arena. If you are a solo traveler many hostels can be found around the city center for as low as $10-$25 a night, and if you are traveling with others or a family you can find hotels for $50-$90 a night if you book in advance. This also puts you in the vicinity of the limitless attractions Prague has to offer like Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, and the National Museum to mention a few. Staying in the main parts of the city will also give you a plethora of food and drink options as there is something for everyone. In terms of a couple of examples, Lokal Dlouhaaa is the best site for a traditional Czech meal for a low price and Johnny’s Pizza Bar is a superb pizza spot, for once again a low price. In terms of teams that call Prague home, they are as follows; Sparta Prague HC, AC Sparta Prague, Bohemians 1905, and Slavia Prague. Fans 4 Hockey is recognized as the national sport of Czechia, so needless to say the Czechs love their national team. Before the game, there was an induction ceremony from the Czech Hockey Hall of Fame, and the fans in attendance made sure they were in their seats early to pay their respect to Czech hockey greats. People from all over the Czech Republic made their way to Prague for this game as many teams from the Czech Domestic Hockey League, the Czech Extraliga, were represented in the crowd. The fans do a great job staying involved for the entirety of the match. The drums are constantly leading the chants, little air horns are going off, and the crowd reacts to every little thing that happens on the ice. One thing that I appreciated from the crowd was that the concourse was empty during the game, signifying that they remained in their seat when the game was on. They had O2 Arena rocking when they took a 2-1 lead in the third period, which was easily when the building was at its loudest. This also led to the whole arena jumping during a song from the drums, which was a great display from the fans to cap off a great showing by the crowd. Access 3 The public transport in Prague is nothing short of exceptional. It is fast, reliable, and covers the entirety of the city. The city has implemented four subway lines and 35 tram lines in addition to numerous bus lines that expand to areas not covered by the subway or trams. There are three forms of public transit tickets that you can purchase: a 30-minute ticket for $1.34, a 90-minute ticket for $1.79, a 24-hour ticket for $5.37, and a 72-hour ticket for $14.77. Whatever ticket you purchase is valid for all trams, subways, and buses. With that being said, the easiest way to get from the city center to O2 Arena is the yellow subway line, which drops you off right at the main gate to enter O2 Arena. If you are visiting Prague International Airport, I’d advise you to take the 119 bus to the subway taking you to the city center. Parking is available, which is generally used for locals or other Czechs driving in from out of town, but as a visitor who is most likely staying in the city, just take the train there. Gates open 1.5 hours before the event. The main gate is located on the north entrance facing the subway stop. This gate is the only main entrance to the arena, so the queue to enter can be quite long and cumbersome close to game time. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketportal.com, and you will need to print those tickets beforehand. Small purses are pretty much the only bags that are allowed in the arena, however, luggage storage is provided by the arena if you have to bring a large bag that will not be permitted entrance. The concourse is pretty basic and easy to navigate, as it's just a bowl on both levels with nothing crazy inside the concourse. There is not a prototypical team store, but the merchandise is sold within concession-like windows. All lines for concessions and restrooms move very quickly. English is also well-spoken by the staff. Return on Investment 5 Compared to American arenas and stadiums, there is nothing that even comes close to the value of the O2 Arena. Tickets to get into the game were $13 for the 400 level which provided unobstructed and good sightlines for upper-level seats. Lower bowl tickets started at about ten dollars more which is still of great value to see the national team compete. Now if you are in town for a Sparta Prague HC match, lower bowl tickets start at a whopping $12. Concessions are set by the great value standard that is set by the tickets. You are paying anywhere between $2-$7 for every food item and a stadium beer costs $2.50, which is unheard of for American visitors. And as we already covered earlier, public transit is very reasonable and reliable. I don't think many places or teams in the United States deliver that environment for that price level. Extras 2 Not too much in terms of extras from the stadium itself, but before the game we were in attendance for the  Czech Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony. It was neat to see familiar NHL faces in that setting. Congratulations to the Czech greats who were acknowledged for their career accomplishments that night. Final Thoughts It would be an oddity to be in Prague while the National Team is playing unless you are making the trip for the IIHF World Championships. But if you are in Prague during hockey season, it is well worth the visit to see a hockey game whether that being the national team or Sparta Prague HC. O2 Arena offers a great hockey experience for a great price.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 SoFi Stadium 1001 Stadium Dr Inglewood, CA 90301 Los Angeles Rams website SoFi Stadium website Year Opened: 2020 Capacity: 70,240 The NFL’s newest Jewel SoFi Stadium, home of both the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers and the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, reportedly cost $5.5 billion to build, almost three times what the previous NFL record holder, Allegiant Stadium, cost.  The stadium has a unique design in being sort of an open-air stadium with a roof, and even has a water feature, but given how much it cost to build, unfortunately disappoints in some areas, namely in terms of its access and concessions. Food & Beverage   4 SoFi Stadium has a host of concessions options, ranging from pizza and Italian sandwiches to burgers, hot dogs, chicken strips and sandwiches, burritos, nachos, and tacos, as well as snacks and desserts such as cheesecake, churro bites, Italian custard, cookies, and brownies. There are also several full bar areas and plenty of beer, wine, soda, and bottled water, but nothing in the way of a wow factor, such as a unique item you can’t find at any other stadium. The concession stands also look overly uniform – all share the same color scheme, font, and design – making it difficult to find what you are looking for without walking around and reaching each stand’s menu.  The different levels also all appear to have the same options. Concessions prices are on the high side, as you might expect from a pro stadium (think $9 for a hot dog with no sides or $6 for a bottle of water). The food is quite tasty, however – I recommend the cheeseburger, and the souvenir soda is a good deal at $8, coming in a cool reflective cup you can take home (but no free refills). Note that there are also plenty of street vendors on the grounds around the facility, selling hot dogs, beer, and soda as you walk up to the entrance – I saw plenty of fans partaking in these even after the game was over. Atmosphere   3 The stadium looks cool from the outside, but despite how it looks, is open a little to the elements, meaning during night games it gets a little cool inside, and I was told it can get hot inside during day games. I also heard that if you sit up in the 400 or 500 level, be careful where you sit, as the sun can get in your eyes if you sit on the wrong side – not something I expected from what looks like an indoor stadium. The Rams do a great job pulling out all the stops for fans, however – they have activities such as face painting for the kids, as well as special amenities like football tosses on the concourse for season ticket holders.  The most recent game I attended was during the holidays, and the staff laid out Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa decorations to cover all bases. There is also plenty of Rams signage and décor around, giving the venue great pops of blue and yellow color, including huge twin banners (big enough to see as you walk up to the venue) showcasing the Rams two Superbowl victories. The team takes the field amid a haze of smoke and with flags flying, and the huge circular videoboard around the ceiling gives every fan the ability to easily see replays, stats, and the action on the field – the videoboard is close to eye level for those in the 300s, but may prove a distraction for those in the 400s and 500s. Neighborhood   3 SoFi Stadium is a few miles east of LAX airport, and thus near myriad hotels at all different price levels, if you are planning to stay the weekend. However, being mostly surrounded by parking areas, there are not a lot of attractions or restaurants in the area, although there are a few mostly fast-food places a few blocks south of the venue; In-N-Out Burger and Pollo Loco (chicken) are popular chains in California. Downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood are about 10 miles north-northeast of the stadium, where you can find most of the amenities the area is best known for. Fans   5 The Los Angeles Rams have a stellar fan base – you can tell they missed their team during its long sojourn in St. Louis. The fans here during Rams games are loud and vocal, and most of them are wearing team gear, including a mix of older jerseys as well as those of newer players. Even during a disappointing season, you will see the seats mostly full, and tickets will be sold out, forcing you to scrounge around on third-party sites for tickets (more on that later). Access   3 Getting to SoFi Stadium itself is not that bad – the location is far enough from LA city center that there isn’t too much traffic, and you won’t have to wait too long to get out after the game (I was only “stuck” in traffic for about 10 or 15 minutes before I hit smooth sailing). However, the parking is a little problematic – some lots won’t sell you parking at the gate even though the signs say credit cards are accepted, and the cheaper lots are of course a longer walk from the stadium. Also, almost all the parking near the venue is controlled by the team, so you won’t find any parking at local businesses, etc. unless you walk a long distance. Getting around the stadium once inside is similarly problematic – SoFi Stadium has 9 different levels, but there aren’t enough ways to move between them. Most fans use the escalators, but there aren’t enough of these and they are not together – for example, to get from the “main” 300 level where you enter the stadium to the 100 level, you have to walk partway around the stadium, take one escalator down to the 200 level, and then walk partway around the stadium AGAIN to find another escalator to take you down to the 100 level. You can’t take the stairs, either, as they only have exits on the 300 level – if you walk down them to the 100 or 200 level the door will be locked. There are also not enough elevators, so the wait for them is very long. The seats themselves are all chairbacks but are too narrow for the average person. Return on Investment   3 Attending a Rams game is pricey – seats in the 100 level, even during a losing season, will cost at least $200 each including all the fees, and tickets in the nosebleeds will likely be $75 or more. The closest parking runs $120 and must be purchased in advance, and the concessions can easily run $25 or $30 per person for a main dish, side, and drink. The fans and the amenities help make the experience enjoyable, but for the uncomfortable seats, potentially too hot or too cool temperature indoors, and the high cost, this may not be a bucket list item for fans. Extras   5 The Rams do offer a ton of amenities to try and make games at SoFi a great time for fans – features include halftime performances by the likes of Busta Rhymes, a Mariachi band, a giant inflatable Rams helmet and Porsche painted in Rams décor, a pregame DJ, a country-shaped US flag during the National Anthem, team gear stores on every level, TVs everywhere so you don’t miss the action while getting food, a garden area, covered escalators to protect fans from the elements, and plenty of seating and standing areas for fans who would rather not sit in their assigned seats; all of these add to the experience at SoFi Stadium. Final Thoughts The NFL’s newest stadium represents a pricey proposition but certainly comes with a lot of bells and whistles for fans to enjoy. If you plan ahead in terms of seating, parking, and perhaps eating before the game, you can save yourself a little hassle, and perhaps a little green as well.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Dan Snyder Memorial Arena @ Woolwich Memorial Centre 24 Snyder St. S. Elmira, ON N3B 1Z1 Elmira Sugar Kings website Woolwich Memorial Centre website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 1,300 How Sweet is Sugar Land? Founded in 1971, the Elmira Sugar Kings have been stalwarts at the Junior B level, their existence hanging on through several different leagues.  Starting in the Western Ontario Junior Hockey League, then moving to the Southwestern Junior B Hockey League, Waterloo-Wellington Junior B Hockey League, Midwestern Junior B Hockey League, and finally, as of 2007, the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, the Sugar Kings have enjoyed a fair bit of success. The Sugar Kings are the holders of three league championships, before the consolidation of Junior B hockey in Ontario, and three Sutherland Cups as Ontario Junior B Champions.  The name and logo come from Elmira hosting the largest Maple Syrup festival in the world, a staple in Elmira since 1965. Home for the Elmira Sugar Kings is the Dan Snyder Memorial Arena, named after the late NHL player who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2003.  The arena is found in the Woolwich Memorial Centre, owned by the Township of Woolwich and built in 2009.  The arena holds 1,300 fans and is part of a larger recreation complex.  The Elmira Sugar Kings are the sporting staple in small-town Elmira and have seen future NHL talent like Ric and Rod Seiling, Dan Snyder, Cam Stewart, Dennis Wideman, and Darryl Sittler. Food & Beverage 3 Concessions at the Woolwich Memorial Centre are what one would expect from a small town arena.  On the lower level, there is a small snack bar that provides beverages to the larger Centre.  Upstairs, inside the Dan Snyder Memorial Arena, there is a main concession stand that sells the usual arena staples.  Hot dogs, popcorn, pizza, nachos, and candy are the main items. Coffee, hot chocolate, bottled water, and Pepsi products are the soft drinks available.  The Blueline Club, a few steps away from the concession area, offers a variety of alcoholic beverages.  Local brewery Rural Roots Brewery has a special brew for the Sugar Kings, “Always A King” among beer selections. Atmosphere 3 Built in 2009, the Woolwich Memorial Centre is one of the more modern buildings in the GOJHL.  It boasts an attractive silver siding and glass exterior and serves as a hub for the community of Woolwich Township and as a living memorial for those local veterans who lost their lives in armed conflicts.  The Woolwich Memorial Centre acts as a larger recreation facility with two pools, a gym, two ice rinks, an indoor track, and outdoor sports fields.  Upon entering the bright and clean facility, fans are greeted with a large display case with a stone statue of a soldier, to remind patrons of the ‘memorial’ part of the Woolwich Memorial Centre. To get to the main arena, the Dan Snyder Memorial Arena, fans must traverse a set of stairs and are met with temporary tables for ticket sales and a table for merchandise sales.  Trophy cases are common and well-maintained at the Woolwich Memorial Centre.  A large case sits outside the Dan Snyder Arena and houses awards earned by youth hockey teams and artifacts from local celebrities. Upon entering the Dan Snyder Memorial Arena, the connection between the community and the Elmira Sugar Kings is immediately apparent.  The ice surface runs from north to south with eight rows of seating along the east and west sides of the ice surface.  The entrance to the arena is at the concourse level, a walking track behind the seating area.  The north side of the building features signage for several teams that call the arena home, including the Sugar Kings, who are proudly trumpeted as a community-owned team. The north and west sides feature several accolades for youth hockey teams over the years, but it is across centre ice, from north to south, which is reserved for the accomplishments of the Sugar Kings.  Of note are the five Cherrey Cup Championships (1974, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002) as the best team in the Midwestern Junior Hockey League, as well as the ultimate prize, four Sutherland Cups (1997, 2001, 2011, 2017) as champions of Junior B hockey in Ontario, across multiple leagues. Since 2007, Junior B hockey has been consolidated into one league, the GOJHL, where the Sutherland Cup is awarded to the champion.  Previously, the winners of various leagues competed against each other for the Sutherland Cup.  Two other banners of note include a banner honouring the legacy of Jeff Snyder as a coach, GM, and Director of Hockey Operations.  The other is, of course, for Dan Snyder who played for the Sugar Kings and is from Elmira. The gameday production at a Sugar Kings game is very simple.  There is a 50/50 draw and the requisite music during the downtime.  The PA system is very good and the announcer is easy to understand.  There is not much else to it; just hockey, pure and simple. Neighbourhood 3 Elmira is a town of only around 10,000, but there are a couple of things of note for fans.  The Arena is located a block west of Arthur Street, which is the main street in Elmira.  However, it is a residential area where the arena is, and a fast trip in the car to a spot for something to eat or drink before or after the game is probably necessary.  Other than the expected fast food restaurants, a couple of original spots fans may want to check out include Elmira Donuts & Deli, Arthur Street Kitchen and Bar, and Rural Roots Brewing Company. For other sporting options, fans will need to head south to Waterloo as the Sugar Kings are the attraction in Elmira.  There are some other tourist options, however, including the Waterloo Central Railway, Kissing Bridge Trail, and Elmira Theatre Company.  Being in town for the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival would be ideal to get a real sense of the town of Elmira.  For fans wishing to stay in town, try Bristow’s Inn or head to Waterloo or St. Jacobs for more accommodation options. Fans 4 The Elmira Sugar Kings are one of the best-supported teams in the GOJHL.  In the 2023-2024 season, at the time of writing, the Sugar Kings are averaging more than 550 fans per game.  This is normally where they end up annually.  The fans in attendance are smart and supportive of their squad and the Sugar Kings are the sporting draw in Elmira. Access 5 Getting to the Woolwich Memorial Centre is not difficult at all.  Elmira is in Woolwich Township, at the north corner of Waterloo Region, north of Kitchener-Waterloo.  Highway 85, before the Elmira bypass, becomes Arthur Street.  Getting through town to the arena is not difficult at all.  For fans wanting to take public transit, there are GRT bus stops on Arthur Street.  Fans should check out the Grand River Transit website for schedules, fares, and maps. Getting in and around Woolwich Memorial Centre is not an issue at all.  The walking track in the Dan Snyder Memorial Arena makes plenty of space for fans to move around during the game and there are plenty of spots for fans to stand if that is what they enjoy.  The washroom facilities are good for the arena also. Return on Investment 5 GOJHL hockey offers a solid return for little investment.  Elmira Sugar Kings tickets cost $12 for an adult, $10 for students/seniors and $5 for children.  Parking at the Woolwich Memorial Centre is free and concession prices are decent.  The caliber of hockey presented is solid and there is great support for the Sugar Kings, which adds to the atmosphere.  Overall, a great night of family fun can be had without breaking the bank. Extras 2 An extra mark for the Atlanta Thrashers hosting a promotional practice to help open the Dan Snyder Memorial Arena on October 18, 2009. An extra mark for the Sugar Kings Alumni, which included Dan Snyder, Rod Seiling, Ric Seiling, Dennis Wideman, Mackenzie Blackwood, and Darryl Sittler. Final Thoughts With the prices rising across all sporting events, finding something that is fun and not that expensive becomes an increasing challenge.  Checking out some Junior B hockey in the GOJHL is a great solution and the Elmira Sugar Kings are one of the premier teams in the league.  Fans won’t be disappointed by catching a game. --- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey It is that time of year again when hockey teams from across multiple leagues hold their annual Teddy Bear Toss, with all proceeds going to local charities. Fans bring and toss a stuffed animal onto the ice after the home team scores, resulting in a stoppage of play and thousands of cute stuffed toys spread on the ice. I went to my first one this week, and it was everything as advertised. The Indy Fuel of the ECHL has been hosting their teddy bear toss for ten seasons, and the game usually sells out for the holiday event. Many arrive early carrying handfuls of stuffed animals, some with plastic bags stretched behind their backs and a few more double-fisting a bag full of stuffed bears. Once inside the lobby, it is overflowing with fans with tables set up with several stuffed animals for those who came unprepared and others picking up tickets at the box office window.  The holiday crowd brought out Santa Clause, who did not have to go through the metal detectors, as he sat down on his chair next to a live reindeer and took pictures with little boys and girls. Once inside the seating bowl of the Indiana Farmers Coliseum, teddy bears the size of a small child took up seats against the windows. It was hard to spot a fan without a cuddly toy on their lap or in their hands. The densely crowded concourse was full of fans making their way to their seats in honorable fashion. You could see many grabbing a bite to eat or a drink while having someone in their party hold on to the stuffed bear. If you were a fan of people-watching, this was the night to do so at the hockey game. Finally, the face-off and the game commence against the Kalamazoo Wings. Each time a Fuel player skated towards the net, the crowd erupted with anticipation. The sound grew louder when a shout took place and deflected off the goalie’s stick or pad. The game went back and forth with multiple shots on the net, a few hits against the boards, and several shots off the mark. The crowd wanted a goal, the public announcer wanted a goal, and I wanted a goal sitting on the top concourse of the building. Finally, at 8:17 in the first period, the goal horn and light went off, and the teddy bears rained down from the seating bowl. Suddenly, the Christmas music piped over the sound system, and it was time to celebrate. The stuffed dolls came from the upper and lower decks and flipped over the glass gingerly. I rushed down to the ice to get a shot of the teddy bears falling to the rink, and they were still raining down onto the rink. Accumulations of stuffed dolls clumped together off the sticks of hockey players. Staff members were pushing 64-gallon garbage bins to retrieve the stuffed animals. Others, like me, walked on the ice to take photo ops of fans, players, employees, and many others having fun during the timeout of the game. Fuel players jumped in to help throw dolls into the trash bin while K-Wings players hung out and waited through at least a second teddy bear toss scene this season; they had their own on November 26. The Fuel mascot, Nitro, attempted to assist, but he was having more fun waving to the crowd. A plethora of stuffed dolls were placed on a tarp off the ice and whisked away by 2 or 3 crew members to an area for counting. After around 20 minutes, the teddy bears were ready to count. A few staff members couldn’t resist and jumped into the massive pile as if they were school children jumping into a pile of leaves. Then, an announcement over the speakers that the goal did not count, much to the chagrin of many in the building. However, it didn’t matter; they saw what they had purchased a ticket to see--the annual teddy bear toss. It was the last event of its kind at the Coliseum. Next year, the Fuel will relocate 14 miles from Fishers, Indiana, to the 8,000-seat Fishers Entertainment Center. After a meticulous count, there was a total of 5,875 stuffed animals that landed on the ice. It was a bump from last year’s total of 5,395 - but not as much as the Hershey Bears record of 67,309 last season. It is a tradition that began 30 years ago in Kamloops, British Columbia when Blazers fans threw 2,400 bears onto the ice for a game. The tradition has spread to other parts of the world, from Europe to Australia. It is a mainstay in the ECHL and other leagues in Canada and the United States. The fans enjoy a packed house at the game; the atmosphere is full of holiday spirit, and a teddy bear is donated to several local charities. There are several teddy bear toss games scheduled at a local hockey area in the minor or junior leagues of North America. Visitors should be on the lookout for their chance to bring in a stuffed doll and toss it onto the ice when appropriate.  It is that time of the year again to give back to the community. --- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

When discussing the Baltimore Ravens, the guys welcome pinch-hitter, Stadium Journey's Richard Smith to discuss the most poetic team in the NFL. Is the experience as good as the Orioles? Is Baltimore a football or baseball town? Grab a beer and join Dave and Paul and settle in for the latest episode of Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views. 🏈 You can find Stadium Journey's review of M&T Bank Stadium and the Baltimore Ravens game day experience here.

Photos by Lance Sutehall, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 F.G. Clark Center Harding Blvd Baton Rouge, LA 70813 Southern Jaguars website F.G. Clark Center website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 7,500 There's No Dome Like The Mini-Dome In the northern part of Baton Rouge sits the campus of Southern University, a well-known HBCU (Historically Black College and University). Its athletic teams are known as the Jaguars and they compete in the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference). The Jaguars have played at the F.G. Clark Activity Center since 1975. It’s named after Dr. Felton Grandison Clark, who served as the university’s second president. The arena is nicknamed the “Mini-Dome” because of its resemblance to the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. (The football team plays its in-state rival the Grambling Tigers in the Bayou Classic at the Superdome every year.) The Jaguars men’s basketball team has made 9 NCAA tournaments, the last making March Madness in 2016. The Jaguars have retired the jersey numbers of Avery Johnson, Bobby Phills, and Bob Love. The court was renamed the “Avery Johnson Court” in 2013. Food & Beverage 2 The menu includes stadium basics such as hot dogs ($5), hot sausages ($7), nachos ($6), candy ($2), popcorn ($2), chips ($1) and 20 oz. bottled Coke products ($3). The one unique item on the menu is jambalaya ($7). There are two concession stands but only one was open during the game I attended. I assume the second stand is open during SWAC games. Atmosphere 3 The first thing I saw in the parking lot was the “Awakening” sculpture by Al LaVergne. It was erected in 1976 and according to the East Baton Rouge Parish Library it is meant to be a “representation of a facet of positive changes in America.” There is not much to the concourse but once you head to the seats you see the floor with the Southern logo at midcourt and light blue around the out-of-bounds area. The lower bowl has chair-back seats with the yellow seats at the front being reserved for season ticket holders while the blue seats are general admission. There are also yellow bleacher seats surrounding the blue chair backs if the crowd is large enough. There is a DJ to keep the entertainment going during timeouts and halftime. There should be cheerleaders as long as the game is occurring when classes are in session. They were not there when I attended a game in December after finals were finished so keep that in mind if you want to attend a game. Neighborhood 3 There are not a lot of things to see in the vicinity of Southern University. The campus is surrounded by residential areas. If you are spending a day in Baton Rouge I would recommend driving seven miles to downtown where you can visit several museums as well as the Louisiana State Capitol. Hit up Schlitz & Giggles for pizza, the Cecelia Creole Bistro for Creole dishes, or Aztecs if you want Mexican food. Overnight lodging options downtown include the Hilton, Hampton Inn, Courtyard, Hotel Indigo, and Watermark. Fans 3 The stands are not typically filled to the brim but the fans that do show up are loyal and get behind their Jaguars. The Southern fans are knowledgeable about basketball and appreciate a good play when they see one. Access 3 One thing that should get you to consider going to a game here is that the parking is free! Inside the arena, there are enough bathrooms but as mentioned before there are only two concession stands (occasionally only one is open) and the lighting is not great in the walkways. Return on Investment 4 A general admission ticket costs $15 but you have to purchase it the day of the game at the ticket window outside. A ticket, free parking, jambalaya, and Coke will cost you $25 by yourself, $50 for a date or hangout, and $100 for a family of four. Not bad for Division One college basketball! Extras 1 The DJ at the end of the court is a nice touch. The DJ keeps the energy flowing while there are breaks in game action. Final Thoughts When you come to a Southern basketball game you will see the Jaguars give everything they have to win and their fans will appreciate their efforts.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Ayr Farmers Mutual Insurance Company Arena @ North Dumfries Community Complex 2958 Greenfield Road Ayr, ON N0B 1E0 Ayr Centennials website North Dumfries Community Complex website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 1,475 Making Junior B Waves In 1982 the Ayr Centennials were part of the fourth tier Southern Junior D Hockey League.  A reorganization of the Ontario Hockey Association in 1991 saw the end of Junior D hockey and the Centennials moved to the Junior Development League. In 2006 the Southern Ontario Junior Hockey League and in 2012 the entire league moved up to the Junior C level.  After some success at the Junior C level, the Centennials made a huge move in 2020.  The Centennials purchased the Kitchener Dutchmen, who were part of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, playing at the Junior B level. The Centennials would rebrand as the Dutchmen, who were originally founded in 1956 as the Kitchener Greenshirts, and begin the 2021-2022 season in Ayr as the new Junior B Centennials.  It wouldn’t be long until the newborn Centennials would experience tragedy.  On August 30, 2022, Centennials captain Eli Palfreyman collapsed in the dressing room during a preseason game intermission and died later in the hospital. Home for the Centennials is the Ayr Mutual Farmers Insurance Company Arena @ North Dumfries Community Complex.  As part of a larger recreation facility, the Ayr Farmers Mutual Arena first welcomed the Centennials in 2011 and is a hub for the small community of Ayr found at the southwest tip of Waterloo Region in Ontario.  With a modest capacity of 1,475, including 900 seats, the Ayr Farmers Mutual Arena and Centennials have made the GOJHL take notice that they belong at the Junior B level.  The Centennials are community-owned and currently the Junior B affiliate of the Guelph Storm. Food & Beverage 3 There is one main concession stand at the North Dumfries Community Complex.  The Breakaway Cafe is on the upper level near the arena entrance.  For a small-town arena snack bar, the selections are pretty varied.  Hot dogs, burgers, nachos, popcorn, and just about anything that is deep fried is for sale.  This included onion rings, fries, chicken burgers, and fingers as well as pogos, deep-fried pickles, and mozza sticks. Cake pops are also on the menu along with candy and chocolate for those who have a sweet tooth.  Beverages include coffee, tea, hot chocolate, Pepsi products, and a variety of other energy drinks.  There did not appear to be any beer for sale at North Dumfries Community Complex. Atmosphere 2 The North Dumfries Community Complex is a hub for community activities of all sorts for Ayr.  It houses a variety of recreational facilities including meeting rooms, soccer fields, a splash pad, and a skate park. The exterior features an attractive grey brick with blue trim look. Entering the complex, the eyeline is immediately brought to the stairs which ascend to the arena and descend to ice level.  Right beside the breezeway to the dressing rooms are several framed jerseys of Ayr residents who have gone on to play professional or Major Junior hockey.  These include Kyle Knechtel, Ben McFarlane, Henry Maracle, Kyle Clifford, and Jay Wells. On the upper level, there are several Ayr Centennials markings letting fans know this is the home of the new Junior B team.  A temporary ticket table welcomes fans as well as a temporary table with team merchandise right in front of a large trophy case, which mainly houses youth hockey achievements. Entering the Ayr Farmers Mutual Insurance Company Arena, fans are shocked with the cutting cold of the arena.  Gloves and a jacket are recommended.  The ice runs from south to north with the centre ice featuring double logos, making pictures perfect from either the east or west. There are some banners of note that hang in the Ayr Farmers Mutual Arena.  Youth hockey banners hang at the north end and the 2021-2022 selection of Ayr as a host city for Rogers Hometown Hockey is commemorated on a banner at the south end.  Six Ayr Centennials championship banners hang on the west wall. These include a SOJHL championship in 2013; MHL championships in 2015 and 2016 and a PJHL championship in 2017.  All championships were won at the Junior C level and culminated with a pair of Schmalz Cup Championships in 2016 and 2017.  A simple hockey scoreboard hangs above centre ice.  The seating bowl features four rows of plastic seats with a running track behind the seats. Unfortunately, the sightlines from the seats are not great, and finding a good seat could be a challenge depending on what denotes a typical hockey experience.  The best seats are probably in the south and north ends.  Fans who wish to watch from either the east or west sides may consider the standing room behind the seating bowl for the best sight lines. The Ayr Farmers Mutual Arena has clear netting around the entire ice as opposed to just the ends.  There did not seem to be permanent recognition of former captain Eli Palfreyman, who passed away before the 2022-2023 season.  However, with the event still fresh, there may be plans for a permanent recognition in the arena underway.  At the end of the game, the players skate over to the corner to greet Eli’s mom in a nice tradition happening in Ayr. The gameday production at an Ayr Centennials game is fairly simple.  The PA system is good and there are not many bells or whistles, which is a refreshing change from some of the overproduced hockey experiences at higher levels.  The PA announcer does a decent job, but at times is a little over the top with the calls. Neighbourhood 2 Ayr is located in the township of North Dumfries and the southwest corner of Waterloo Region in Ontario.  It is southwest of Kitchener and northwest of Brantford with a small population of 5,300.  The North Dumfries Community Complex is north of town and is fairly isolated. For fans looking for some pre or post-game fare, heading into Ayr is the best idea, and checking out Abe Erb, Willibald Farm and Brewery, or Gus and Guido’s Backyard would be the choices.  For other sporting options, fans will be required to head to Brantford or Kitchener to get their fix.  The Rangers or Bulldogs of the OHL will fit the bill.  Other tourist options to consider nearby include Snyder’s Family Farm.  For fans staying in the area, heading to Kitchener, Cambridge, or Brantford for accommodations would be the best option. Fans 3 The Ayr Centennials enjoy solid support in the Junior B GOJHL.  In the 2022-2023 season, the Centennials averaged 480 fans per game, above the league average of 399.  At the time of writing, in the 2023-2024 season, the Centennials averaged 516 fans per game, again ahead of the league average of 418. The Centennials ranked 6th and 7th in the 23-team GOJHL in the two seasons respectively.  At the game reviewed, perpetual teenagers were running around the track, showing the Centennials was the place to be on a Thursday night in Ayr.  The fans in attendance are passionate and supportive of their team. Access 4 North Dumfries Community Complex is located north of Ayr, south of Highway 401.  Fans coming from out of town should not have to traverse the town to get to the arena.  Traffic moves smoothly both during pre and post-game.  There is a large parking lot able to support enough traffic for the game and the parking is free.  There is no public transit that goes to the North Dumfries Community Complex. Getting around the North Dumfries Community Complex and Ayr Farmers Mutual Arena is very easy and there is plenty of room for all.  The washroom facilities are also decent in this modern facility. Return on Investment 4 In an era of rising costs for the sporting experience, the Ayr Centennials offer terrific value.  Tickets for adults are $12 and $10 for students or seniors.  Kids are only $5 unless they are under 5 years old, where they are free.  Tickets are only purchased at the door.  Parking is free and concession prices are decent.  The product on the ice is solid hockey and the gameday production, although simple, is decent.  Overall, the math shows that the investment is very small and the return is more than sufficient for the investment. Extras 3 An extra mark for the Ayr Centennials being selected as part of the 2021-2022 Rogers Hometown Hockey series, which was part of the Hockey Night in Canada production.  An explanation of the Centennials and Hometown Hockey can be found here. An extra mark for the highlighting of Ayr personalities who have gone on to play higher levels of hockey, including Jay Wells and Kyle Clifford. An extra mark for the Centennials making the move to Junior B and the GOJHL. Final Thoughts For fans who are looking for a pure hockey experience that is inexpensive and satisfying, considering some Junior B, Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League action and more specifically the Ayr Centennials is a great idea.  The experience and support in Ayr is solid and the Ayr Mutual Farmers Insurance Company Arena is a decent facility.  Hopefully, the Centennials will continue to have success as they make their way through the Junior B landscape, and prove that they belong in the GOJHL. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Lance Sutehall, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Caesars Superdome 1500 Sugar Bowl Dr New Orleans, LA 70112 New Orleans Bowl website Caesars Superdome website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 73,208 New Orleans Bowl One of the first bowl games to be played every bowl season is the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The game is traditionally a matchup between programs from Conference USA and the Sun Belt Conference. Hosted at the Caesars Superdome, the New Orleans Bowl has seen great games and electric atmospheres, particularly if local teams such as the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are playing (they have played seven times). Food & Beverage 4 You may have a hard time deciding what to eat while you are at the Caesars Superdome given that you have a lot of options to choose from. Keep in mind the concession stands are cashless. Local options such as jambalaya ($14), sausage po-boys ($14), shrimp pasta ($16), and a Creole crawfish pie ($10.50) are on the menu. The standard stadium foods include hot dogs ($6.50), pizza ($10), wings ($14), nachos ($10), double cheeseburgers ($14), chicken tenders ($13) and pretzels ($8). You can wash down your food with bottled water ($5), coke products ($6) and sweet tea ($6). If you want alcohol, be prepared to drop some dollars as Budweiser or Coors products are going to cost you $10.50 for small beers or $14.50 if you want a larger beer. You can also buy wine ($11) or cocktails ($17). There are several options in the Caesars Superdome but for a real New Orleans food experience I recommend eating at a restaurant pregame or postgame. Atmosphere 3 One drawback of the New Orleans Bowl is that the Caesars Superdome’s capacity is significantly larger than the game’s attendance in recent years. The bowl has not seen a crowd of over 25,000 fans since 2016. However, being in a dome makes smaller crowds louder and typically there will be at least one team that’s close to New Orleans bringing an excited contingent of fans. Neighborhood 5 If you are only coming to New Orleans just to see the Caesars Superdome you are doing New Orleans completely wrong! No matter if you are a single adult looking for a good time or you want to visit some attractions with your family you can find plenty of things to do in the Big Easy. For those looking for family-friendly activities, the Audubon Aquarium is right next to the Mississippi River at Woldenberg Park, the Audubon Zoo is 5 miles away from the Caesars Superdome, and there are several museums including the National WWII Museum. Of course, New Orleans is famous for its nightlife, especially in the French Quarter. There are a plethora of restaurants for you to enjoy a night on the town. For po-boy’s try out the Voodoo Tavern, stop by the Cajun Dragon Grill for your Cajun cravings, or hit up Cafe Du Monde for a beignet. The French Quarter also has plenty of bars if that is what you are looking for. Fans 4 While the fans do not fill the Caesars Superdome to the brim the supporters that do show up get behind their teams. Fans of all ages paint their chests, get loud, chant their team's chants, and get excited when a big play happens. 15,000 fans at the New Orleans Bowl can sound like 50,000 fans at another game. Access 5 If you are coming to New Orleans from far away the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is only 13 miles away from the Caesars Superdome. Getting to the Caesars Superdome is a breeze because there are two exits off Interstate 10. There are seven parking garages and two surface lots at the Superdome but parking there is going to cost you $35. You can secure a spot in a parking garage for under $10 within a mile of the Superdome if you plan. If you are staying in the French Quarter I would recommend leaving your car and either walk to the Superdome or take a taxi. Once inside the Caesars Superdome, the concourses are easy to navigate and there are plenty of restrooms. Return on Investment 3 The ticket prices for the New Orleans Bowl are higher than comparable bowls around the region. They are $60 for corner seats and $80 if you want to sit closer to midfield. If you buy a $60 ticket, drop the $35 for onsite parking, have a po'boy, and wash it down with a small beer you would spend $120 by yourself, $200 for a hangout or date, and $360 for a family of four. This price is on the high side for a bowl game featuring C-USA and Sun Belt teams. However, not many bowl game venues are the caliber of the Caesars Superdome. Extras 4 New Orleans is one of the most unique cities in the United States and is worth checking out at least once in your life. There is a yoga session at 7:30 am the morning of the game on the turf of the Caesars Superdome. If you register and participate you get a complimentary ticket to the New Orleans Bowl. The Caesars Superdome is scheduled to host Super Bowl LIX in 2025. The Caesars Superdome shares a complex with the Smoothie King Center, the home for the NBA’s Pelicans and a popular concert venue. Final Thoughts The New Orleans Bowl may not be a Super Bowl, CFP National Championship, or a Sugar Bowl. But to the teams playing in the game, it’s a chance to play in a historic NFL stadium with their families and fans cheering them on. For fans, it's an opportunity to see one of the most unique and historic sports venues in the United States.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 McDonough Arena 37th Street NW Washington, DC 20007 Georgetown Hoyas website McDonough Arena website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity: 2,500 A Visit to McDonough McDonough Arena is located on the campus of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and is the home to the Hoyas’ women’s basketball team. Although the men play downtown in Capital One Arena, the women play on campus in McDonough, in a much smaller, more intimate setting. McDonough Arena opened in 1951 and is named after Reverend Vincent J. McDonough, who was also the Hoyas athletic director from 1916 to 1928. According to legend, McDonough was asked what he wanted for the 25th anniversary of his priesthood in 1939, and replied “You give the boys a new gym and I’ll be happy.” Although the Reverend did not live to see it, construction on a new arena began in 1950 and it opened the following year. Rather confusingly, the event space where basketball is played is called McDonough Arena, while the whole building, which also includes training facilities and offices, is called McDonough Gymnasium. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand at McDonough Arena, located at a small window off the lobby to the right side of the main doors. The exact menu varies by game and can be found on a hand-written menu. However, it will typically include chicken tenders, hot dogs, burgers, and fries along with assorted snacks such as chips. Soft drinks (Coca-Cola products) and bottled water are also available. Prices are a bit on the high end, with chicken tenders going for $10, or an extra $2 for fries with that. Burgers and hot dogs are $5. Atmosphere 4 Walking through the front doors of McDonough Gymnasium will put you in the lobby of the building, from which you can check out trophy cases commemorating various athletic accomplishments, pick up a program, or buy your tickets at a table if you don’t already have them. From there, you will need to walk through another set of wooden doors to get into the arena itself. All seating is located on the two sidelines and consists of beige risers without backs. However, fans who sit in the top row can lean against the wall. All seats are close to the action and provide an excellent view. Hoyas fans wishing to sit behind the team bench should sit in sections 110 or 111, while fans of the visiting team can sit in sections 115 or 116 to be behind their bench. There is an overhead scoreboard above the middle of the floor, as well as two smaller scoreboards in the corners. All scoreboards are rather basic and show the score and time. The board in the middle also shows team fouls and timeouts remaining. Unfortunately, it can be hard to keep looking up at it, especially for fans in the lower few rows. There are what appear to be small video boards over the two corner scoreboards, but they were not functional when we went. Before the game starts, the Hoyas are introduced as the lights go off in the arena and flames shoot from the floor. It does a lot to get the crowd hyped up and in the spirit of things. During the game, the cheerleaders and pep band provide a lot of energy to get the crowd into it (except during winter break when a DJ takes their place while the students are away), and entertainment like t-shirt tosses and contests keep the fans engaged during breaks in the action. Neighborhood 5 Cooper Field is located in the middle of the Georgetown campus, and you’ll probably have to head off campus to do anything. However, the Georgetown neighborhood (which lends its name to the school, not the other way around) is one of the best in D.C. There are numerous restaurants ranging from casual sandwich shop Booeymonger’s to luxurious upscale restaurants such as 1789, and everything in between. Georgetown Cupcake sells exactly what its name implies, Clyde's of Georgetown is a locally popular American pub and bar, and Chaia is known for its fancy vegetarian and vegan tacos. All of this is located just a short walk or drive away from the University. If you’re willing to head downtown to the National Mall area, the District has so much more to offer, and the best part is that most of it is free. Whether it’s taking in the sights and monuments on the Mall itself, or visiting one of the many museums such as the various Smithsonians, there’s something for everyone. All of the government-run attractions are free, but some of the private ones are not. Just keep in mind if you wish to tour the White House or Capitol, you will need to book in advance. Fans 3 The crowd at a Georgetown women’s game is decent enough, given the size of the arena, but unfortunately is only a small fraction of what the men draw downtown. Most of the people in attendance are families with young children, and some of the kids get pretty into it, but others seem more interested in their phones or other electronic devices. The adults in the crowd can get into it too, especially after big plays by the Hoyas. Most fans sit in one of the three center sections on either side of the court, which can make the arena seem fuller than it is, but this is not necessarily a bad thing as it enhances the atmosphere. Access 4 The Georgetown campus is located just across the Francis Scott Key Bridge from Virginia. Fans coming from that direction should turn left on Canal Road after coming across the river, and the campus is just up ahead after that. Coming from Maryland isn’t quite as easy, but still is pretty simple. However, if coming to a weeknight game, you’ll probably be traveling during rush hour. D.C. traffic is among the worst in the country, so allow a lot of extra time if that’s when you plan to come. Traffic on weekends and the occasional weekday afternoon shouldn’t be as bad. Once you’re on campus, parking is available in the Southwest Garage. There is ample space available, but some of the spaces may be tight, especially for drivers of larger vehicles. Parking is free on Sundays but can cost up to $20 the rest of the week depending on what time the game is and how long you are staying. When exiting the garage, you will turn left and walk past the football field. You can then enter through the front doors of the John Thompson Athletic Center, the training facility attached to McDonough Gymnasium, and walk through there to get to the arena lobby. The Thompson Center entrance is right next to where you come out of the garage, assuming you use the right elevator. Alternatively, you can walk around the building exterior to the front doors of the arena and enter through there. Either way, it is only a couple minutes of walking. Take your garage ticket with you and pay at the station in the elevator lobby when you return. Restrooms are available in the lobby, with the men's room to one side of the arena doors and the women's room to the other side. You will need to leave the arena properly to access them but will be allowed back in without an issue. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to most games are just $10 each, which is a great deal. However, concessions are a bit on the high end and parking may cost you more than everything else combined. That being said, a Georgetown women's game in McDonough Arena is still a good value. Extras 3 Be sure to check out the various trophy cases in the lobby honoring not just Georgetown’s basketball achievements, but their championships in other sports as well. Once inside the arena itself, be sure to check out the Georgetown men’s team’s championship banners hanging on the wall, as well as banners honoring women's accomplishments. There are free posters available at a table in the lobby, which is worthy of a third and final star in this category. Final Thoughts Although interest in women's basketball is steadily growing, Georgetown women still do not draw nearly enough attendance to justify playing at a larger arena as the men do. Although they do occasionally play games with larger expected attendance at the Entertainment & Sports Arena (also home of the Washington Mystics of the WNBA), for the most part, they continue to play their home games here on campus. While one hopes that they will eventually outgrow this small gym as the men did long ago, for now, McDonough Arena is an enjoyable place to take in a basketball game in a historic setting.

The home of the Orlando Magic and Orlando Solar Bears is getting a new name. After Amway's title sponsorship was not renewed, Kia, the NBA's official auto sponsor, has been named the new naming rights holder for the arena. The Kia Center, as it will now be called, will give the venue a new name for the first time since it opened in 2010. “The Orlando Magic and Kia America have been proud partners for several years and we share in the excitement of Kia’s success and growth,” Magic CEO Alex Martins said. “We look forward to our expanded partnership which allows Kia to drive its brand forward and deliver a direct, impactful message to our fan base and beyond using the power of the NBA.” Amway, owned by the DeVoss family, which also owns the Magic franchise, had been the name of the arena and its predecessor facility for nearly two decades. Signage for Amway has been slowly removed over the past few weeks ahead of the new Kia partnership announcement.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey. Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 RGCU Field at Isotopes Park 1601 Avenida Cesar Chavez SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 New Mexico United website RGCU Field at Isotopes Park website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 13,279 Somos Unitos To read this review in English, please click this link. ¡Asistir a un partido de fútbol del New Mexico United es una maravilla! Los fanáticos ciertamente están interesados, hay un grupo de fanáticos fantástico y la organización hace un trabajo tremendo para garantizar que todos los fanáticos sean bienvenidos, aceptados y libres de insultos despectivos. ¡Se anuncian fuertes recordatorios del código de conducta antes del inicio del juego (tanto en inglés como en español)! El New Mexico United juega en la USL Championship League (un paso por debajo de MLS – Major League Soccer). El club comenzó a jugar en 2019 con solo un juego “en casa” jugado en 2020 debido a la pandemia de COVID. El club juega sus partidos en casa en Isotopes Park (Rio Grande Credit Union Field en Isotopes Park), hogar del equipo de béisbol Albuquerque Isotopes. Aunque es bastante común, me parece extraño ver fútbol en un campo de béisbol. New Mexico United lo maneja bien y felicitaciones al equipo de campo y al personal por mantener el campo e integrar un ambiente de fútbol animado. Food & Beverage / Bebida alimenticia 5 El estadio ofrece una excelente variedad de comida con varios restaurantes locales que ofrecen el alimento. Los puestos de concesión permanentes y los carros se alinean en el vestíbulo interior. Casi todos los puestos de concesión están abiertos para partidos del United. Los aficionados pueden llevar agua embotellada sellada al estadio. Los puestos de concesión incluyen Batter Up! (hamburguesas, canastas de pollo, papas fritas, nachos, sopapillas, etc.), Pecos River Café (sándwiches, burritos, etc.), y Sante Fe Trail (salchichas BBQ, sándwiches, brat con chile verde y cheddar desde $ 5 – $ 10). Dions Pizza es siempre una de las favoritas de los fanáticos ($ 5 – $ 6 / porción y los fanáticos pueden obtener chile verde encima, las ensaladas cuestan $ 7). The Sweet Spot and More en el lado de la tercera base ofrece varias opciones de nachos, burritos, perro con chile verde, hamburguesas de tortilla de $ 7 a $ 12. Un carrito de Hebrew National vende su famoso hot dog ($ 5) y un carrito de salchichas está en el vestíbulo de la tercera base ($ 9). Otros carritos ofrecen pasteles de embudo, maíz hervido, Dippin ‘Dots, y hay un carrito de limonada único que ofrece sus diversos sabores elaborados en jarras. Un carrito de cerveza artesanal a lo largo de la línea de la primera base vende cervezas de barril de las cervecerías Santa Fe Brewing y Bosque Brewing de Nuevo México, así como cerveza enlatada como Dogfish Head ($ 10 – $ 12). Otros carritos que ofrecen bocadillos y bebidas para adultos salpican el vestíbulo. La mayoría de los puestos ofrecen cervezas nacionales y refrescos de la marca Pepsi (cerveza $ 10 – $ 12, refrescos $ 6 – $ 8). Ciertamente, hay mucho disponible para los fanáticos del fútbol hambrientos. El equipo de béisbol Isotopes cierra la tienda de mercancías, pero una mesa larga fuera de la tienda en el vestíbulo ofrece muchos artículos de New Mexico United a la venta. Una carpa de mercadería también está al lado de los asientos de la berma en el jardín central. Atmosphere / Atmósfera 5 La organización ofrece una experiencia increíble el día del partido. Primero, la alineación del campo: una portería está casi en primera base; el otro está en el campo izquierdo debajo del marcador de video. El campo central derecho contiene los bancos de los jugadores; los banquillos no se utilizan. El equipo de campo quita y aplana el montículo del lanzador y coloca a Astro Turf en el infield. Se ve horrible en esa área del campo. Próximo, los asientos: una cosa buena de usar un campo de béisbol es que los asientos son asientos plegables estándar del estadio; no hay gradas. Siéntese en la sección 177 para el centro del campo. Los mismos asientos de berma están disponibles en los “jardines” que durante un partido de béisbol. A excepción de las secciones del infield detrás del plato de home, las redes se han ido. Los fanáticos sentados en el segundo nivel, lado de la tercera base (secciones 201, 203, 205) ven las hermosas montañas Sandia en la distancia. No se permite el alcohol en una sección familiar designada (sección 126). Los anuncios (seguridad y reglas) se transmiten tanto en inglés como en español. Durante el aviso de formación inicial, el locutor indica el número y el nombre del jugador, la multitud grita el apellido. Lo mismo ocurre con los goles, excepto que se hace tres veces seguidas. ¡Divertida! Un marcador de video detrás de uno de los postes de la portería muestra una transmisión visual en vivo del juego, así como el tiempo jugado y los goles por equipo. El segundo marcador no se utiliza. El medio tiempo incluye concursos y equipos juveniles locales patean la pelota. Las pelotas de playa se lanzan en las gradas. El exterior del estadio no da indicios de que se juegue fútbol allí, pero los fanáticos lo saben. Neighborhood / Barrio 4 El estadio se encuentra junto al Central New Mexico College y la Universidad de Nuevo México (UNM), y está al otro lado de la calle de The Pit y otros estadios deportivos de UNM Lobo. Está a una milla del vecindario de Nob Hill, una zona vibrante llena de cervecerías, restaurantes, taquerías, pizzerías, boutiques locales y pequeñas galerías de arte. Los sonidos de los bares musicales llenan el aire nocturno de este vecindario. Para el desayuno, pruebe Frontier. Una joya escondida de la comida coreana es Soo Bak Seoul Bowl. Para una comida auténtica y sabrosa de Nuevo México, visite Cocina Azul, incluso el arroz y los frijoles son deliciosos. Sin que el resto del país lo sepa, Albuquerque es una ciudad cervecera local llena de vida. Las cervecerías recomendadas cerca (aunque no necesariamente a una distancia a pie) del Isotopes Park son The 377 Brewing, Gravity Bound Brewery y Marble Brewery. Pero hay mucho más para visitar. Las cosas para ver y hacer en Albuquerque incluyen Sandia Peak Tramway, Old Town Albuquerque, Petroglyph National Monument y, por supuesto, dar un paseo en globo aerostático. Para lugares donde alojarse cuando esté en la ciudad, hay muchos hoteles disponibles en la intersección de Gibson Blvd y Yale Blvd (aproximadamente a una milla del parque) que van desde La Quinta hasta las marcas Marriott y Holiday Inns, muchos con transporte desde y hacia el aeropuerto. Fans / Fanáticos 5 Los fanáticos del New Mexico United son ruidosos y orgullosos. Un grupo de aficionados, llamado The Curse, causa una gran impresión en los partidos en casa. Los más entusiastas se reúnen antes del juego, marchan hacia el lugar en el lado de la primera base, luego caminan por toda la explanada antes del juego cantando, agitando banderas, golpeando los tambores. Un líder con una capa con la bandera de Nuevo México organiza el grupo. Es muy impresionante. Dos secciones detrás de la portería de la primera base (secciones 116 y 118) están llenas de estos seguidores que vitorean, aplauden, gritan, ondean banderas y crean una barahunda durante todo el partido. De ninguna manera son ellos los únicos que cantan, animan y gritan. Muchos seguidores ondean banderas a lo largo del juego y en la explanada. Una buena parte de la multitud lleva el atuendo de New Mexico United, Meow Wolf y Somos Unidos. Y, por supuesto, todos los aficionados tienen un segundo trabajo como árbitro. El club lideró el Campeonato de la USL en su primera temporada con una asistencia promedio en 2019 de 12.693 por partido. Access / Acceso 4 Acercarse y atravesar Isotopes Park es relativamente fácil. Está a solo una cuadra de la I-25 con mucho estacionamiento cercano ($ 10) al otro lado de la intersección. A los visitantes o residentes de Albuquerque les puede resultar tan fácil llegar por las calles laterales que por la interestatal. Hay dos paradas de autobús al otro lado de la calle, pero es difícil averiguar el horario de los autobuses de ABQ. La estación de Amtrak está a unos 3,2 km del Isotopes Park. El aeropuerto más cercano es el aeropuerto de Albuquerque Sunport, a unos 5 minutos en coche del estadio de béisbol. Hay tres entradas disponibles y la que está detrás de la base de la bateador se usa solo para aquellos con boletos para el club o VIP. Se requiere que los fanáticos usen bolsas de plástico transparentes; sin mochilas. La explanada se llena bastante, especialmente en el medio tiempo. Los clientes pueden recorrer toda la circunferencia de la explanada. Los fanáticos deben cruzar un pequeño puente para completar el círculo (los fanáticos que tienen miedo a las alturas y esas cosas pueden encontrar esto difícil). No se permite el reingreso. Los funcionarios de la ley locales hacen un trabajo fantástico al sacar los autos de los estacionamientos después del juego. Return on Investment / Retorno de la inversion 4 Los boletos para un partido cuestan entre $ 20 y $ 55 y son comparables a los precios de los boletos de otros clubes de campeonato de la USL. El estacionamiento aumentó a $ 10, frente a $ 5 para un juego de Isotopes. Los costos de alimentos y bebidas son comparables a otros parques deportivos, aunque más altos que los de los restaurantes y bares fuera del estadio. El juego es divertido, los fanáticos son un disfrute y la organización hace un trabajo espléndido al hacer de la velada un entretenimiento deportivo agradable y seguro. Extras 3 Stadium Journey no puede decir lo suficiente sobre el grupo de seguidores de The Curse y cómo han creado una identidad solo para los nuevos mexicanos. En marzo de 2020, el club lanzó la Somos Unidos Foundation, una rama benéfica sin fines de lucro de la organización New Mexico United. Tanto el club como el grupo de aficionados hacen un gran trabajo reforzando el espíritu de equipo y fortaleciendo las comunidades de Nuevo México. El equipo se comercializa bastante bien en las redes sociales. Final Thoughts / Pensamientos Finales La comunidad ciertamente apoya al New Mexico United. Los resultados de un estudio de viabilidad para ver si y dónde podría ir un estadio específico de fútbol y cómo debería verse se espera para el verano de 2021. El tiempo lo dirá. Hasta entonces, si estás en la zona, tómate el tiempo para ver un partido. Vale el dólar de entretenimiento para los fanáticos del deporte. Muchas gracias a Jim Minard por su ayuda con la traducción.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Kia Center 400 W Church St Orlando, FL 32801 Orlando Predators website Kia Center website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 20,00 Indoor Football in Magic Country Editor's Note: The Amway Center changed its name to the Kia Center on December 20, 2023. Since this review was written before the name change, it will be referred to as the Amway Center throughout this review. Amway Center in Orlando, Florida is most well-known as the home of the Orlando Magic of the NBA, but is also used as the home of indoor football’s Orlando Predators – as a professional sports venue, the facility offers a wide range of concessions options, spacious concourses, and lots of bells and whistles. The Predators benefit from a lot of these amenities, but not all of them are used during indoor football games. Food & Beverage 4 There are plenty of food and beverage items at Orlando Predators games, and they come with the slightly inflated prices you would expect from an NBA venue (e.g. $5.50 for bottled water, $6 for packaged candy, and $7.50 for a hot dog, which are the lowest priced items available here). Other items include nachos, popcorn, pretzels, glazed nuts (the sweet kind sold in the cones), chicken sandwiches and tenders, burgers with ‘Predator’ sauce (these are mislabeled – the menu board says they have 2 half-pound patties, but in reality, they are much smaller), Papa John’s personal-sized pizzas (oddly the Papa John’s stand also sells the same hot dogs available at other stands), Dippin’ Dots, a Cuban stand with empanadas and Cuban sandwiches, and a Mexican stand offering chips with salsa, guac, or queso, as well as nachos and tacos, including double decker tacos (hard shell wrapped in soft shell). Drinks include bottled water, soda, and draft beer, including several bars with seating you can see the field from, plus a couple of the new convenience-store-type stands that have a wide selection of different canned beer. Atmosphere 4 There are hardly any fans at Amway Center during Predators games (at least for a Friday night game, which is when I last attended), but that is a good thing in certain ways, as it allows you to take better advantage of some of the venue’s great amenities. For example, there is a rooftop bar and grill called The Ultra Club, where you can sit and enjoy a drink or meal. There is also comfy seating in the concourse complete with USB charging (tiers of wooden seats with rows of charging outlets embedded on the seat fronts). In addition, there is also a four or five-story lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows so you can see the view, complete with Disney-themed panels for décor, as well as the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame and fan experience displays – I have never been to a Magic game here, so I can’t say how crowded it is for basketball, but with hardly anyone here during Preds games, fans are easily able to explore the Hall and lobby, and use the charging stations, comfy seating, and Ultra Club with no waiting, and no pushing and shoving to get to them. For the game itself, the action begins with pyrotechnics and motorcycles on the field, as you might see at many indoor football venues, and the staff has the typical contests (football tosses, etc.) and fan cams (in this case a bongo drum cam and a kiss cam). There are also TVs in the lobby so you can keep track of the action while walking around, as well as the Predators dance team. Neighborhood 5 What can I tell you about Orlando that you don’t already know? The attractions here are seemingly endless – Disney World, SeaWorld, Kennedy Space Center, Manatee Tours, LEGOLAND, etc. – more than enough for a weekend, or even a week or more, to surround your Orlando Predators visit. There are also plenty of hotels at all price ranges to choose from near the arena, as well as numerous restaurants. Amway Center is located in downtown Orlando, not far from Lake Eola Park and Exploria Stadium, the latter of which is home to Orlando City SC, the Orlando Pride, and also the Cure Bowl. Fans 1 Amway Center has hardly any fans show up for Predators games, so there is not much in the way of fan noise – there are also curtains blocking much of the seating, without which the facility would seem even more empty. There is a team gear stand inside the venue, but the prices are rather high for items, for example, an autographed official-sized football costs $100. Access 4 Getting to Amway Center is pretty simple, as several major freeways go right by it (I-4, Highway 408, etc.). There is also plenty of parking within a block or two of the venue; on the plus side, the low attendance at Orlando Predators makes it easier to get in and out of the facility. I never recommend parking in parking decks, as they can sometimes take a while to get out of after the game, but there are several surface lots nearby where you can park instead for about $10. Orlando International Airport (MCO), about 20 miles from Amway Center, has flights from pretty much any destination you can imagine, thanks to all the tourist attractions in town. The airport is a little confusing as there are multiple “terminals” all inside the same building, making it hard to know where you are supposed to go. Return on Investment 4 Including Ticketmaster fees, tickets to Orlando Predators games start at around $20 or $25 – the facility is great and worth a look, and coming here for a Predators game, as I mentioned earlier, is an easier way to take advantage of the amenities, given the much smaller crowds during indoor football games compared to basketball games. Parking is reasonable, and although the concessions prices are generally pretty high, you can find some better values if you look around at different stands. Extras 3 There is a Kia SUV displayed on the suite level inside the venue; you can’t get that close to it, but you can certainly see it from inside the venue. The Predators logo itself is also pretty cool. Final Thoughts I think Amway Center is worth a visit, either for a Predators game or a Magic game, although the former might be a little easier on the wallet in terms of the hassle/traffic factor.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Huntingburg Memorial Fieldhouse 412 E. 5th Street Huntingburg, IN 47452 Southridge Raiders website Huntingburg Memorial Fieldhouse website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity: 6,000 Where the Fieldhouse is Bigger than the Town When the Huntingburg Memorial Gym was dedicated on November 13, 1951, the local newspaper had an 8-page feature in its newspaper filled with articles about the gym and the school’s history along with a bevy of local sponsors congratulating the opening of the new basketball venue that would have a capacity of 6,092–larger than the town itself. The objective was evident, this new beauty of a basketball cathedral would be the pride of Huntingburg and DuBois County. It was also built to steal away sectional play from nearby Jasper High School’s gymnasium less than 10 miles north of town. The first sectional tournament at the new gym grossed close to $15,000 while the year before the tournament at Jasper grossed close to $6,300. It was hard for the community not to be impressed with the innovative design that was created by architect Ralph Legeman who only 2 years prior built the first of these structures in Herrin, Illinois. However, HMG features were much larger than the four other gyms he designed with 16 rows of seating. The “super gymnasium and sports arena” was the largest of its kind in Southern Indiana featuring the distinctive pin-hinged arch with an outward thrust to provide unobstructed views for fans entering the gym at street level and with a court located below street level. It was an investment of $25,000 and a perfect spot for sectional and regional tournaments for the town of Huntingburg. When it opened the gym was home to the Huntingburg Happy Hunters who had been playing basketball since 1919 but by the start of the 1972-1973 academic school year, the gym became home to the Southridge High School Raiders after consolidating with Holland High School. Huntingburg and Southridge High Schools have captured 3 regional and 23 sectional championships. Food & Beverage 4 The concession stand layout is quite different in comparison to other gyms that were constructed with the Legeman blueprint. There are two large table areas on opposite sides of the concourse offering the usual food items of nachos, hot dogs, popcorn, pop, and candy. The prices range from $1 for popcorn and candy to $2 for nachos and a Raiderdog. No item will cost you more than $3. The gym offers a little extra in terms of dessert items. Fans can enjoy ice cream: chocolate, vanilla, and twist for $2 or $3. There is also the option of enjoying a Dole Whip, made locally, and available in five different flavors including mango, peach, and strawberry. The dairy-free treat makes for a nice light treat during the game, but let it melt slightly before digging in with your plastic spoon. Atmosphere 3 Unfortunately, during our visit to the fieldhouse, the crowd was somewhat tepid, and the gigantic venue, along with the dominant victory by the visitors, drowned out any atmosphere that would follow one of the most prestigious buildings for high school hoops in the state of Indiana. We know we arrived at a late Saturday afternoon game and that other nights would produce a more raucous crowd. Still, there is a lot to like about this place. It is kept immensely clean and looks like renovations from 2006 gave the place a nice new look from its flooring, lighting, concourse, and seating area. The colors of black and red are proudly displayed and the rather dark and moody lighting blankets out of those empty seats. For a first-time visitor one either is amazed at the building’s girth or imagines what it must be like with a full tilt on hand for a game. There is a lot of history on display from a corner of the gym honoring its Indiana Hall of Fame members from the Happy Hunter days to the sectional championship winners from 1985 and 1986 proudly on display in both photos and paragraphs. A trophy case near one of the entrances displays more memorabilia. All pieces of history are neatly displayed and do not feel crammed into one another or displayed like a dorm room wall at a university. Neighborhood 3 Downtown Huntingburg is located a few blocks from the ballpark offering various storefronts and places to eat before or after the game. The Gaslight Restaurant offers sandwiches and pizza, Mama T’s Italian Steakhouse is a fine choice for dining, and Market Street Soup & Salad is another fine choice. There are also a few regional chain restaurants along the main street heading north towards Jasper where a few more breweries such as Basket Case Brewing Company and Pub are located. The Schnitzelbank Restaurant attracts customers from all over the region and offers German cuisine and liter beer in an equally impressive atmosphere of the Old World. The Southridge Raiders play at an equally impressive ballpark that was part of the filming location for the movie A League of Their Own. League Stadium is also the home of the Dubois County Bombers of the Ohio Valley League during the summer but if you happen to be in a town where you can take in a baseball or basketball game make sure you visit this gem of a ballpark. A few attractions in Dubois County include the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame in Jasper, Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari in nearby Santa Claus, Patoka Lake, Ferdinand National Forest, and the Hoosier National Forest. The majority of lodging options are a few miles north in Jasper Fans 2 A small crowd was at hand and there was not much to root for as the Raiders were besieged by the hands of Jeffersonville. Many wished to jeer when something went astray on the court and many were just there enjoying themselves with friends and family. As stated earlier, perhaps another night would have seen a better fan turnout. Access 3 Huntingburg is located in Dubois County along SR-231. Depending on where you live, it could be a day trip to get here. It is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Indianapolis, an hour and a half from Louisville, and forty-five minutes from Evansville. The closest interstate access is 8 miles south on I-64. However, in Southern Indiana, where many say basketball is at its best, the long drives are sometimes worth the time. Return on Investment 3 Huntington Memorial Gymnasium is one of the state’s iconic venues and as it nears 70 years of service in little under 2 years, it is recommended to visit to see a game. Perhaps a sectional or regional tournament game would draw better crowds or maybe a game against the rival Jasper Wild would also bring out the community to the game. Tickets are $5 and a food item is no more than $3—probably some of the best deals for concession items in the state. Extras 3 The Huntington Memorial Gymnasium earns a point for its presentation. The old gym looks sharp and modern, stroked in the school colors of black and red. The gym earns a second point for offering the different options of Dole Whip, a dessert made from tropical fruit flavor and not all that junk you might find in ice cream. The final point is for the tall wooden table and chairs at the corners of the concourse that provide fans a place to put their food items down and enjoy the game. Final Thoughts The Huntington Memorial Gymnasium is one of the must-see basketball gymnasiums in Indiana. When the place is packed the energy is outstanding but due to its size, even a few thousand fans can make the place somewhat less enthralling. However, this is one of the many massive and impressive facilities built during the 1950s and one should enter its doorways with the respect it richly deserves. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey The Mitchell High School Bluejackets have not played a basketball game at the Emerson Gym since the 1997-1998 academic year when its current home was unavailable but this past Saturday afternoon both the junior varsity and varsity boys teams played a throwback game to commemorate the Blue Jackets 80th anniversary of its state finals team. Emerson Gym was built in 1927 and used regularly until 1979 with a capacity of 3,000 that featured seating on all three levels of the building. It also featured a gym on the east side that has now been walled off.  The gym had replaced the school’s much smaller venue that was constructed in 1916. Balcony seating ran along the north and south sides of the gym and the west end but has since been removed. The gym would also rotate as the home of the sectional with Bedford from 1929 to 1941, during that time the Jackets would win six sectional championships. However, in 1940 the team would make its way to the state finals at the Butler Fieldhouse, losing to Hammon Tech 33-21 in the title game. None of the players from that 1940 are still alive but family members were in attendance to honor what many in town say was the greatest team in school history. The Bluejackets teams wore throwback uniforms along with the cheerleaders decked out in 1940 garb. The players' warm-ups were designed with the wording Cement City in the script, a nod to the Lehigh Cement Company that’s in town. The opposing players and cheerleaders were in their current uniforms. The two grandstands were at near capacity and the noise leveled boomed based on the tight quarters in the old gym. The band huddled in one-quarter while the cheerleaders stood close by. Fans attending the game were waiting outside during brisk winter weather as they entered the lobby that featured a small concession stand, trophy case, and ticket booth. The first thing the modern basketball fan realizes is just how small the venue was but folks who could remember the good old days would tell you that the place was packed on many a night and the heat generated by the crowd could warm anybody up on a cold night.  Then again, how great is it that for one day fans of the 21st century get a trip back in time with a gym experience they have only seen in old black-and-white photographs? “It’s just Indiana basketball, everybody would love to play in a gym like that,” Mitchell head coach Doug Thomas told the Times-Mail before the game. “Modern gyms are awesome but there’s just something about having that ‘Hoosiers’ feel from back in the ’40s and’ ’50s. For anybody who played basketball growing up and had heroes who played during that era, it just brings back memories. It almost transports you back to a time when you were younger and everything was simple and fun.” Indeed it was a lot of fun and one of two throwback games at old gyms that also took place an hour away in Jasper who were playing an afternoon tilt at Cabby O’Neill Gym that was built in 1939. It is also not the first year that an Indiana high school team played in a historic gym: Franklin returned to the Vandiver Gymnasium a week before, and Morocco played at its historic gym for the first time in more than 50 years in 2018. Perhaps it is a sign that communities in the state will see more of these types of games in the preceding years. The games are highly attended, former players are honored, teams don throwback attire, and the community comes together all under the guidance of high school basketball. Max Ramey played for the Jackets and graduated in 1956 before playing basketball at the University of Tennessee. He is quoted in the book Historic Hoosier Gyms: Discovering Bygone Basketball Landmarks that the college facilities failed in comparison to the Emerson Gym. “That place is special to a lot of people. But what made it such a nice place with all the people that filled it up? Those people yelling and the referees from the front row–that’s what made it fun.” It was a lot of fun hearing the roar of the crowd from both the home and visiting sides, being on top of the court, and getting a glimpse of what a game might have been like so many years ago. For one day that was the case and perhaps it will be again now and then in Mitchell. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunterand his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey The next time you are on your way to New Castle to watch a basketball game or visit the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, go south off of I-70 and venture a few miles to the town of Spiceland. A place that provides a glimpse of the past and houses one of the state’s classic old-time basketball gymnasiums. The town consists of around 900 people and has a downtown that features a barbershop, library, post office, and city park. A few residences get around town via golf carts, and background noises of kids playing in the distance and dogs barking, along with the delightful aroma of a nearby barbecue, complete the imagery of this small town. I parked in front of the former Wilson’s Market that had been in operation since the start of the last century; they would hand slice their meat and had almost everything the town needed. Spiceland is unique as no other town, city, or township in the country has the same name. The name comes from the abundance of shrubbery that grew in the area known as the spicebush. The first people to settle in town were so taken by the rich land, natural springs, and the fragrant smell of the spicebush. The bushes were spicy and could be chewed or boiled for tea. The name became official in 1838. The plot where the Spiceland Gymnasium used to be adjacent to the Spiceland High School. The school was constructed in 1922 and would graduate its last class in 1969. The school would consolidate with Straughn and Lewisville to form Tri High School the next academic year. However, the three schools would operate as Tri High for the 1968-1969 season and lay at the Church Street Gym in New Castle until construction was completed on its new gym. Basketball dates back to 1903 when Henry County hosted the first game on the second floor of Hoover Hall. The building still exists, and the bottom floor windows hold a cornucopia of school memorabilia from photos, varsity jackets, and senior chords. The room is still open upstairs, but its days of housing basketball games ended a century ago. When a new gymnasium opened in 1919, it contained a boiler to heat the building that was in play. One could only imagine taking a headshot into the hot piece of metal during a game. Thankfully, 1937 plans called for the construction of a modern gymnasium on the same site that could hold anywhere from 1,000 to 1,200 fans. The Public Works Administration awarded contracts to the Stiencamp Construction Company in Batesville for $39,000, Industrial Piping & Heating in Fort Wayne for $5,943, and Sanford Electric Company in Indianapolis for $971 for wiring. A total amount of $27,000 in bonds was placed on sale by the Township Advisory Board as the final step to finance construction. The building was constructed out of brick with a playing floor of 74 by 50 feet. The court had two half-court lines and sparse out-of-bound areas underneath both nets. At one end is a stage that stands a few feet away from the line. Showers and locker rooms were underneath the stands, a small concession stand was at one end, and large windows provided natural lighting on top of each seating section. The gym was built in 8 months and dedicated on November 2, 1937, with a capacity crowd of 900 to watch Spiceland defeat Kennard 30-28. In the preliminary J.V. (or seconds as it read in the newspaper article) game, Kennard toppled the Yellow Jackets 27-16. Almost 84 years later, I was able to walk inside the gymnasium that I had only witnessed from the outside the last few years. The tour was created by Wesley Hammond, South Henry School Corporation Superintendent. He invited Spiceland alum and historian Richard Radcliff to share stories and information about the gymnasium. The gym had the smell of my grandmother’s attic, still full of belongings that date back to before World War II. Ratcliff believes the red curtain is the original and that the lights used to hang a little lower from the ceiling. He remembers fondly of Friday night games. “It was always full. I don’t care who you were playing; it was always full. The place was hot with so many people in the stands. The kids would go around selling popcorn for five cents. They would move around the building with trays of popcorn; and sodas offered at the concession area. It wasn’t anything fancy back in those days.” Hammond added a few memories of his own as a young child attending games in the building, “What was so cool about games in that kind of gym is that it would be so hot and you would open those windows, and the windows would steam up. If you were playing a day game or in a tournament, the sun glaring off the floor like it would at Hinkle.” The gym would be home to much more than basketball games. Professional wrestling, school plays, dinners, and other civic events would be held at the gym. Even looking at its exterior, it reads both gymnasium and community center. That was the case for similar gyms of this nature scattered throughout the state. “The band played on the stage, all the class plays were up on the stage,” stated Ratcliff. “I go to Tri High games, and I have a grandson who played this year, but I just can’t get convinced to root for the school. I will go to the games, but it’s not the same. My heart belongs to Spiceland, and it always has. I am a diehard, and there are not many people like me left.” The stage is empty and filled with storage behind its thick curtain, the barrel roof has a few water spots, the old concession area is full of equipment, and one has to navigate their way through the visitors’ locker rooms below the stands. The windows have all been boarded up with white panels, and the wooden floor has a distinct creak when walking on it. Despite those flaws, the building is still a treat for the eyes. It doesn’t look like it has changed that much since its opening over eight decades ago. The center court logo still features an S in the old school colors of black and gold, but the padding and seating now have a maroon and grey (Tri Middle School colors). The brickwork from its exterior is visible on the interior walls to provide the WPA look that harkens back vivid memories for some while conjuring up images for fans who never had a chance to watch a game in the old cracker box. The historic Spiceland High School building was razed in 1973 but the gym remained standing for junior high activities, physical education classes, and girl’s sports. A new heating system was added sometime in 1974. The junior high athletic teams would continue to use the gym for many years, even indoor softball hitting and fielding drills. The high school teams would mostly use the old cathedral for practice from time to time. “This gym was the home court of the Tri Titans junior high teams for about 30 years,” added Hammond. The elementary schools would have played games here until the 1990s. A new gym was built on the back of the elementary school with a full-size court and five rows of bleachers. All of the junior games went over there, but the practices have been here off and off since then.” The three of us sat down in the old wooden bleachers and talked for quite some time about the gym. We also discussed everything from old gyms in the state, the pros and cons of consolidation, personal memories from high school games, and even the old-school nickname change. Spiceland sports teams were initially called the Quakers but began using Yellow Jackets after New Year’s in 1925 based on newspaper articles. There was also an amateur basketball team called the Quakers around this time that represented the city. Sometime in the early 1940s, the name Stingers caught on to refer to the basketball team and by the next decade became the popular choice by fans and media. Ratcliff blames the name change on a local sportswriter at the time. “He didn’t want to write the name Yellow Jackets in print. Morristown High School was also called the Yellow Jackets, and when I walked into that gym last season, it almost made me sad. There was our name, school colors of black and gold, and yellow jacket logo. They are still capitalizing on that name, and we changed it because of that sports writer.” Ratcliff has a collection of material on the gym that he hopes to donate to the Indiana Historical Society. He more than likely has plenty more memories of the gym from its heyday. There are similar kinds of buildings in the state, and reassuring to know that one of them in Spiceland is still being taken care of long after it hosted its last varsity game. They don’t make them like this anymore, but we have them still standing for many of us to visit and explore. “It looks pretty much like it always did, except for the windows and the paint colors, but it looks very good for its age.” ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunterand his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 MetLife Stadium 1 MetLife Stadium Dr East Rutherford, NJ 07073 New York Giants website MetLife Stadium website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 82,500 No Longer Just Giants Stadium MetLife Stadium was opened in 2010 as the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets to replace Giants Stadium. It is located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex just like its predecessor. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as part of the National Football Conference (NFC) East division. They have four Super Bowl championships and an additional 4 pre-Super Bowl league championships. The team began in 1925, first playing in the famous Polo Grounds. Over the years they have also called Yankee Stadium, Yale Bowl, Shea Stadium, and the previously mentioned Giants Stadium as their home stadiums. The Giants relocated across the Hudson to East Rutherford, New Jersey, to Giants Stadium in 1976. The swampland area is called the Meadowlands and is 6 miles from Manhattan's Penn Station. The sports complex features the Meadowlands Racetrack, the now-vacant IZOD Arena, and the American Dream shopping mall. MetLife Stadium opened in 2010. Food & Beverage 4 There are numerous food options within the surprisingly crowded inner concourses. Options are many as there with concession stands such as Bubba Burgers, Frank’s, BBQ Shack, Boardwalk Fryer, Wingman NY, and Momma Fusco’s Kitchen. Our personal favorite was Mr. Tot. Food prices are high, as likely expected for an NFL stadium within the New York City area. The combined Mrs. Field’s and Dippin’ Dots stands to seem to be very popular starting in the second half. There are also a few specialized bars and lounges, some of which may cost an additional admissions fee. MetLife sells Pepsi brand sodas. Atmosphere 5 When you enter the venue you start on an outside concourse that wraps around most of the stadium. There will be activities and events pre-game in this area. This area is also a good meet-up spot for pre and post-game. Once inside the stadium, there is a pretty small set of concourse walkways around the venue. It is a unique setup, but it is easy enough to navigate. The Giants do a decent job of providing atmosphere although they seem to try to keep things professional and somewhat subdued. It does not seem as raucous as some NFL games we have attended. Metlife Stadium tries to make the stadium awash in blue for Giant's games. The stadium seems to do a better job at making it feel like a Giants game than when the Jets take over the stadium. It is pretty interesting to try and pick out the areas where the stadium needs to change over from game to game. Neighborhood 3 The Meadowlands is a swamp. That is not some kind of put-down, but it is in a literal swamp. There is not a normal neighborhood nearby. Of course, New York City is a car or train ride away and offers many options for everyone. Parking lots surround the stadium. The addition of the recently opened American Dream Mall helps the place in the neighborhood score. While still not 100% open, it is home to many stores, restaurants, an indoor amusement and water park, an NHL-sized skating rink, an indoor ski slope, and an aquarium just to name a few. Please note that due to county laws, many stores in the mall are closed on Sundays due to existing blue laws. Fans 4 The Giants fans do feel like they are in a bit of a funk. The team has not provided consistent on-field quality for a few years and it does seem to be affecting things such as attendance. Even with that said, the team has a long history and a large dedicated fan base that provides good amounts of cheer for their team. Access 4 The Meadowlands is located off many major highways and has massive parking lots. You will not fight to find parking, although expect to pay $40 and up. There are train and bus options but expect long lines and a large number of fellow riders to fight through to use those services. The Coach USA bus service round trip to Manhattan’s Port Authority Bus Terminal is one of our favorite options, depending on where fans are coming from. We do not recommend using rideshares after games as the setup and operations are a major disaster. We tried for a rideshare for a bit of time and it kept saying our ride was arriving in three minutes for nearly 25 minutes, all the while we were harassed by taxi drivers offering their much more expensive services. We ended up taking the train to nearby Secaucus Junction Station and getting a much cheaper rideshare from there, and it only cost a fraction of our original ride choice. Return on Investment 4 This is the NFL so the prices can be high, coupled with pretty expensive parking, which means the game will not be cheap. But for the experience you will get, the price seems fair and reasonable. Extras 4 The 50-yard line seats are only 46 feet from the sidelines. This is the closest to the field of any stadium in the NFL. MetLife Stadium has hosted Super Bowl XLVIII, two Wrestlemanias, and concerts by artists such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Paul McCartney. The Meadowland Rail Station for New Jersey Transit is located right by the stadium and offers game-day transit. The American Dream Mall is a bit of a mess, having many business issues, but it is still an interesting spot to check out in the area. Final Thoughts A game at MetLife Stadium is a great way to cap a trip to New York City and is also great for locals. The stadium may not feel like it costs 1.6 Billion dollars, but that does not mean it isn’t a good place for a game.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Bryant-Denny Stadium 920 Paul W Bryant Drive Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 Alabama Crimson Tide website Bryant-Denny Stadium website Year Opened: 1929 Capacity: 101,821 Roll Tide Roll When considering elite college football programs, the University of Alabama is often one of the first that comes to mind. Historically Alabama has been one of the top draws in the college football landscape, and with good reason. Not only does their year-in-and-year-out success on the field give fans one of the most exciting teams in the nation, but all the pageantry surrounding fall Saturdays in Tuscaloosa perfectly complements the action inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Food & Beverage   4 When hosting over 100,000 fans each week, it takes a concerted focus to provide enough concession stands around the stadium to serve them quickly and keep concourses from becoming too congested. Despite their best efforts, lines here can get extremely backed up, especially in the upper levels on the east side of the stadium. The north end of the upper deck is home to Bear’s Den concessions. which does not seem to have items significantly different than most other stands, but does pay homage to the legendary coach, with a massive houndstooth fedora affixed to the stand’s signage. Other specialty stands include the local Twelve-25 Bar, which features wings and chicken nachos, Papa Murphy’s Pizza, and World of Beer’s specialty of a giant German pretzel. However, the highlight of the concession stands here is Dreamland Bar-B-Que, which serves its legendary smoked pork on sandwiches and nachos. Bryant-Denny Stadium serves Coca-Cola products and sells various domestic lite beers, seltzers, and canned pre-mixed cocktails; craft beers include Huntsville-based Yellowhammer Brewing’s Gold and IPA. In all, the concessions here provide just enough to keep options interesting – there are enough options from iconic local establishments to make the concessions at Bryant-Denny Stadium slightly above average compared to most other stadiums. Atmosphere   5 Bryant-Denny Stadium has a long history as the home of Alabama Crimson Tide football. Like many historic stadiums, expansion has come in a bit of a jigsaw puzzle fashion – there are three to four distinct stadium designs that make up the full structure. As the stadium has grown, additions have been built around the original structure. In a bit of a break from the norm in college football, rather than one massive scoreboard Alabama has gone with four more modestly sized videoboards in each of the stadium’s corners in the lower level. These are complemented by ribbon boards around the façade of the suites area, which are primarily used for advertisements.  The end zones each have an additional ribbon board strip that primarily provides game stats. Even though the Bryant-Denny Stadium experience is rather modern, the traditions that make college football special still play a prominent role. Pregame uses call and response cheers, as the head cheerleader implores fans on one side of the stadium to call “ALA” followed by the other side responding “BAMA” as the school mascot, Big Al, and the male cheerleaders storm the midfield logo, signaling the Million Dollar Band to take the field for their pregame performance. This performance is highlighted by the precision of the band’s formation of Alabama’s script “A”, spelling out “BAMA” for both sides of the stadium, and possibly the most impressive part, the formation of an elephant that walks down the field, then tilts its head back to unleash a mighty trumpet. The Million Dollar Band puts on a show that is must-see entertainment. Alabama football is steeped in history, but rather than simply holding on to traditions that so many hold dear, the Crimson Tide has done a wonderful job at using those traditions to complement a more modern game experience. The band still plays a prominent role in the game, but during breaks in the action on the field, the focus is on playing music over the loudspeakers, accompanied by interactive fan cams. During the second half of the game, more emphasis is placed on familiar songs, to which the Bama faithful have added their creative lines. College football in the South is special in itself, but at Bryant-Denny Stadium it is one of the top college football experiences in the country. Neighborhood   5 Tuscaloosa is a great college town, to begin with, but when accounting for the proximity of the bars and restaurants to Bryant-Denny Stadium, it elevates the game day experience to elite status. For example, at the corner of Paul W. Bryant Drive and Wallace Wade Avenue is the popular breakfast joint, Rama Jama’s, with a breakfast that fans flock to. The best bet is to try for a game with a late kickoff, as the place is packed for games starting before noon. On the north side of the stadium, University Boulevard, also known as “The Strip,” has a concentration of bars, restaurants, and apparel shops that are packed with Tide fans before and after the game. A secondary cluster of bars and restaurants is closer to Tuscaloosa’s downtown district near city hall – this location has a handful of hotels also, but there are more options at the junction of I-20 and I-359, which is about a 5-minute drive from downtown. As would be expected, these hotels fill up quickly and are expensive on game weekends. The layout of the Alabama campus perfectly lends itself to making the day a top-notch experience. Most of the excitement of the pregame tailgating is concentrated near the south end of campus and is an easy walk to Bryant-Denny Stadium. Fans   5 When a program has experienced both the historical and recent successes the Crimson Tide have, it is a given it will come with a passionate fan base and a massively large one at that. College football fandom in the South is not just the surface rooting for a team week in and week out – being a fan of a college football program in the South is often generational, and carries the feeling that the season’s fortunes live and die on each snap of the ball. Throughout the game, Alabama fans are ready to respond to play on the field either by way of a “Roll Tide” yell following the public address announcement of a first down, or feverishly shaking crimson and white pom-poms following big plays. One of the greatest current traditions in college football is the 4th quarter singing of “Dixieland Delight” by the band Alabama; the song had been retired for a bit due to fans adding a few questionable lines about Alabama’s in-state rival Auburn Tigers. Other popular sing-alongs and chants include “Sweet Home Alabama” interspersed with “Roll Tide Roll” during the song’s breaks, and Garth Brooks's “Friends in Low Places”. Capping off home victories, the band plays a portion of “Rock and Roll Part 2” as fans belt out the school’s victory chant: Hey (insert team name) We-just-beat-the-hell-outta-you! Ramma Jamma, Yellow Hammer Give ‘em hell, Alabama It is undeniable that Alabama fans more than do their part in creating one of the top college football experiences in the nation. Access   4 There are plenty of interstate roads that make getting to Tuscaloosa convenient for fans traveling from the east or west. Parking is spread out well enough around campus and the city that despite the massive crowds, getting in and out of Tuscaloosa does not have to be a test of patience, if you just give the crowds a little time to dissipate. Just like any major event, there will be backups, but the best bet is to find a bar or restaurant and give most of the traffic time to clear out after the game. Doing this will keep most traffic backups contained to the highways leading out of Tuscaloosa. When packing more than 100,000 fans into a stadium, concourses get crowded, as expected. Some areas can get congested, but recent expansions to Bryant-Denny Stadium have seemingly considered wide walkways to help alleviate some of that congestion. The stadium is a bit disjointed, with fans in the upper levels confined to those areas, without the ability to explore lower concourses. From a logistical standpoint, this does make sense, but for those who enjoy exploring a stadium, it is a bit of a disappointment. Given the number of fans coming to Tuscaloosa for game day, the city and university do a good job managing the influx and trying to mitigate the impact it has in being able to get in and out of Tuscaloosa, as well as being able to navigate the stadium. Return on Investment   4 With the high level of play and championships Alabama has seen comes a premium ticket price point. This is not to say that deals on tickets are not available – face value for typical non-conference games starts around $25, while matchups with conference foes begin at $80. Single-game tickets seem to be unavailable for marque games, as many of these tickets sell out almost as soon as they are put on sale, so planning for tickets is helpful. The most reliable option is probably the secondary market. Depending on what you might be looking for, upper-level tickets against non-conference opponents can be had for under $10, before factoring in secondary market fees. On the flip side, tickets against Alabama’s biggest rivals come at a hefty price, starting in the hundreds of dollars. Parking is relatively inexpensive; typical rates run $35 at campus lots at the outer perimeter, while private lots in closer proximity to the stadium start at $40 with a half-mile walk to the stadium. If a walk of just under a mile is not a deterrent, the City of Tuscaloosa also offers free parking in the city’s municipal deck at the corner of 7th Street and 23rd Avenue, and street parking is also permitted (just make sure to adhere to posted signage). Concessions prices seem to be a touch high but are aligned with typical stadium food and beverage prices. It should not come as much surprise that Alabama football tickets can get expensive, but equally as surprising are the rock-bottom deals there are out there, for those who simply want to experience Alabama football. Extras   5 The Walk of Champions recognizes the 18 national championship teams and 33 conference titles. Not only does this area outside the north end of the stadium recognize the litany of team accomplishments, but statues of the five coaches who have won national championships also flank the right side of the walk. Fans in the lower level of the stadium have amazing access to the wide walkways that run behind the team benches on each side of the stadium. Fans also crowd along the fence to get an up-close vantage point of the field – these areas get crowded but are worth it if you can stand for extended periods. The Million Dollar Band is a top-notch marching band that kicks off their performance with the “Elephant Stomp” on the steps of the Gorgas Library, on the north side of the quad, before making their way into the stadium for the pregame show. The Paul “Bear” Bryant Museum, just a short walk down University Boulevard, honors Alabama players and coaches who have contributed to the historical success of the Crimson Tide. In addition, Bryant-Denny Stadium tours are available at 11 am Monday through Friday, except Fridays before game day. Tours are only offered for the first 35 to purchase tickets each day, though, so the tours can be a hot commodity. Final Thoughts While the primary draw to Alabama football certainly is the championship level of play, the overall experience is bolstered by everything associated with the game-day experience. From tailgating on the Quad to the pregame traditions and fan involvement throughout, you do not have to be an Alabama football fan to realize how special the Alabama Crimson Tide football experience is.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Harold Alfond Arena Tunk Rd Orono, ME 04473 Maine Black Bears men’s hockey website Harold Alfond Sports Arena website Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 5,641 Black Bear Hockey From the late 1980s throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, the University of Maine Black Bears were a mainstay in the upper echelon of the college hockey world.  Winning eight Hockey East regular season and conference tournament titles, appearing in 17 NCAA tournaments, advancing to the Frozen Four on 11 separate occasions, and claiming national championships in 1993 and 1999, the Black Bears were one of the most decorated programs during this era of NCAA hockey. At the helm of most of the Black Bears success was Shawn Walsh, who guided the Black Bears from 1984 until he died in 2001. Since the passing of Walsh, the Black Bears have struggled to sustain the consistency that made them such a formidable program. However, that pendulum is lately swinging back to the positive side, which has revitalized Alfond Arena as one of the special college hockey experiences in the country. Food & Beverage   4 Typical concession stands are found on both sides of the arena, with smaller specialty stands tucked into the arena's internal concourse; these smaller stands serve more snack items such as bottled soft drinks, popcorn, pretzels, and even churros. The main concession stands serve hot dogs, regular burgers, veggie burgers, chicken tenders, and personal-size pizzas – burgers and tenders also come in combo baskets. Pepsi products along with hot beverages, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are also available. What boosts the concessions here is the inclusion of the Maine whoopie pie, a creamy, sugary filling sandwiched between a pair of pillowy, cake-like chocolate cookies. Overall the concessions here are not overly impressive, but there is a decent variety of options with a touch of local flavor, and a few items not commonly seen that give the menu a bit of character. Atmosphere   4 From the outside, Alfond Arena’s series of high-sloping roof peaks are reminiscent of the mountains of western Maine. It gives the outside a unique but feels every bit of its late 1970s design. Despite creating an interesting architectural appearance, the sloping roof lines do create obstructed views inside the arena. Seats along the furthest edge of the upper bleachers, closest to the student section, are blocked from seeing the goal by a large secondary scoreboard – make sure to check if seats have obstructed views before purchasing. Games frequently sell out, and if they do, expect to get comfortable with those seated around you. Seating in the upper-level bleachers is “friendly” to say the least. The fan behind you will probably have their knees in your back, and you will have yours in the back of the person in front of you, and will also probably be shoulder-to-shoulder with those on either side. For the best all-around value of a good seat at a reasonable price, ice level is probably the way to go. Those seats have the same back support and personal space as similar seats in the upper section but are a bit less expensive. Be aware though that the view from directly behind the benches and penalty boxes will probably be obstructed to a degree. The game experience is bolstered by the University of Maine pep band that plays throughout the game, which is a fantastic addition to the game in really creating a college sports environment. Neighborhood   3 Orono is a vibrant, small college town that, despite its somewhat remoteness, gives visitors just enough from the food and beverage standpoint to arrive a few hours before the arena opens a strong consideration. The UMaine campus is separated from the Orono neighborhood of Marsh Island by the Stillwater River. Marsh Island is just over a mile from the athletics facilities and is home to a handful of bars, restaurants, and breweries; most of the establishments start to get busy about two hours before the puck drops. One of the more popular pregame establishments is the Orono Brewing Company – while their craft brews are the most popular attraction, there is also a strong food menu. The town of Orono neighbors the better-known and more populous Bangor, Maine, which might be your best option if looking for lodging or more entertainment to fill the time before or after a game. Fans   5 Mainers are as passionate and loyal a fan base as you are going to find, regardless of the sport. Black Bear fans were spoiled by the success of the men’s hockey team throughout the 90s, and have been chomping at the bit to return to those glory days. Through thick and thin, Mainers will back their programs, and when those programs excel at the national level, that fandom becomes frenzied. With the fortunes of the Black Bears seemingly on the upswing, fans are again starting to take a major interest, and Alfond Arena is starting to sell out again on almost a nightly basis. The student section does a great job of creating a highly enthusiastic college hockey atmosphere. The students seemingly have an endless portfolio of cheers and good-natured taunts for the opposing team, starting with player introductions and running throughout the game. In all, the fans here create a distinctive home-ice advantage at Alfond Arena. The student section deserves a lot of the credit, but the fanbase is also backed by alumni and the local community, who fill the seats and are very supportive of their Black Bears. Access   3 For many visitors to the University of Maine, Orono might seem like a world away – two hours from Maine’s largest city of Portland, and the state’s primary airport. Orono does neighbor Bangor, which is the third largest city and has the second most used airport in Maine. Most visitors will probably be driving from southern Maine via I-95 which runs just west of campus. The athletics facilities are just a few turns off the interstate, but traffic leading to campus before the drop of the puck can get a tad congested. There is plenty of parking in the lots around the athletic facilities, which are fairly easy to find upon arrival. For general ticket holders arriving before the doors open, entry is typically quick and easy. Be aware that of the two entry points, the longest lines are for students heading toward the general admission seating, with lines sometimes snaking around the back of Alfond Sports Stadium, home of Black Bear football, and almost to the baseball stadium, Mahaney Diamond. Once inside the arena, the entry concourse is rather narrow, in part due to the promotional tables that are set up, but also due to the apparel shop, “Bear Necessities,” which has several racks of t-shirts, jerseys, and sweatshirts in the walkways, making that area much more challenging to navigate. The concourses around the arena can get a bit tight in places, especially at the ends of the rink where it feels more like hallways due to the upper-level seating overhead. As with many smaller arenas that are often packed with fans, Alfond does have some issues with navigating its concourses freely. However, it is something a bit of patience can turn into just a minor inconvenience since some congestion should be expected to a degree. Return on Investment   4 Most seats in the arena go for $20, which is nice given this price point includes bleacher seating in the upper reaches of the side stands, as well as some of the chairback seats at ice level behind each of the end lines. Seating along the glass is available starting at $35, which is nice for being so close to the action. Other seats at ice level go for $30 – the prime seats in the house are the $40 single seats in the second tier of seating on each side. These seats give fans the comfort of their seat with back support and also provide unobstructed views. When accounting for the free parking and concessions prices that are easy on the wallet, the overall price to attend UMaine hockey is pretty affordable. Extras   4 The front concourse is a walk through the University of Maine hockey timeline from its beginning in earnest in the early 1920s, its permanent establishment as a varsity sport in the 1970s, and its successes of the early 2000s. The walls are also plastered with photos of players who have represented their countries in international competition, All-Americans, and the University of Maine Hockey Hall of Fame. Also on display are the two Hobey Baker Awards, given to college hockey’s top player, won by Black Bear players; the first was awarded to Scott Pellerin in 1992 and the other was won by Paul Kayria in 1993. The arena itself is amid upgrades – University of Maine athletics recently received a gift of $110 million to be used toward upgrades and the construction of facilities. In the initial phase, Alfond Arena saw a new LED video scoreboard hung over center ice, with ribbon boards affixed to the façade of the balcony of the student section, along with another scoreboard above that section. Upgrades have also been made to the arena’s sound system. Banners above the student section recognize the two national championships won by the Black Bears, as well as their numerous Frozen Four appearances and conference championships. Banana T. Bear, the UMaine mascot, makes his presence known before, during, and throughout the evening, from greeting students and other fans waiting to get in the arena to on-ice features during intermissions. Banana T. Bear also makes his way around the arena during each period, stopping to interact with fans and take photos; Banana T. Bear is a beloved mascot at UMaine. Final Thoughts Hockey at Alfond Sports Arena had become a bit of an afterthought for the state since its glory days when UMaine hockey legends Coach Shawn Walsh patrolled the bench, and stars Jim Montgomery, Scott Pellerin, and Hockey Hall of Famer Paul Kayria graced the ice in Orono. While the fervor and passion from the students have been relatively consistent, interest from the community has ebbed and flowed with the ups and downs on the ice. The pendulum is now seemingly swinging back to the positive, however, which has revitalized Alfond Arena into one of the more special college hockey experiences in the country.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Brantford & District Civic Centre 79 Market St. S. Brantford, ON N3S 2E4 Brantford Bulldogs website Brantford & District Civic Centre website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 2,952 The (Temporary?) Dog House New to the 2023-2024 Ontario Hockey League landscape is the Brantford Bulldogs.  The franchise was established in 1981 as the Belleville Bulls.  With his AHL Hamilton Bulldogs facing losing their affiliation agreement with the Montreal Canadiens, owner Michael Andlauer purchased the Bulls in a shocking transaction. The Bulls were rebranded as the Hamilton Bulldogs and played out of the FirstOntario Centre in the OHL from 2015 to 2023.  After numerous battles over an appropriately sized arena for the Bulldogs, Andlauer found out that his team would be homeless for at least two seasons as massive renovations to the FirstOntario Centre would commence in 2023.  Andlauer found a landing spot in Brantford, Ontario, famously the childhood home of Wayne Gretzky, and signed a lease with the city for at least three years. The new doghouse is the Brantford and District Civic Centre.  Commonly referred to as the Brantford Civic Centre, the city-owned arena was built in 1967 and is the former home of the Brantford Alexanders of the OHL.  The Alexanders would move from Brantford in 1984 and are currently the Erie Otters franchise.  With the move of the Bulldogs, the Brantford Civic Centre received $9 million in renovations split between the Bulldogs and the city.  Speculation is running rampant in the OHL that the move to Brantford may be permanent for the Bulldogs. Food & Beverage 3 The concession options at the Brantford Civic Centre are fairly pedestrian.  Hot dogs, chips, and chocolate bars can be found at some of the concession stands underneath the grandstands at the ice level.  Pizza Pizza slices are also available.   Pepsi beverages are the soft drink of choice at the Brantford Civic Centre and a small selection of beer includes Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, and Michelob Ultra.  Two concession stands can be found on ice level at the front of the building while four smaller concession stands are found in the corners of the concourse level. Atmosphere 3 Approaching the Brantford Civic Centre, fans will not be blown away by an elaborate exterior.  The main entrance is at the east side and does feature a tree-lined path from the road.  The exterior is dominated by black siding with yellow trim and the city’s coat of arms on the north and south corners.  Immediately there is a feeling that this is the home of the Bulldogs with the colour scheme and front sign. Upon entering at the south end, fans enter at ice level and are greeted by a new mural featuring important Bulldog moments. Fans won’t be able to stay in this area very long as it is very crowded, a theme throughout the arena.  Fans then ascend to the concourse level, which empties out to the seating area. The main concourse wraps a full circle behind the seating bowl, with small, elevated concession stands in the corners.  The ice is oriented from east to west and for fans who want that perfect center ice picture, it can be taken from the south side of the arena.  On the far east wall, the 2018 and 2022 J. Ross Robertson Cup banners hang, both won while the team played in Hamilton. Making its way from Hamilton to Brantford is the large, three-dimensional “Bulldogs” sign with faux flames, which is found on the west wall.  The single tier of red and blue arena seats is enough for nearly 3,000 fans.  There are also a number of designated and reserved standing spots along high railings behind the seating bowl.  Sightlines are excellent in the Civic Centre. Above the centre ice logo is a brand new, small but clear, four-sided video board.  A traditional hockey scoreboard splits the championship banners on the east wall.  It seems that upgrades at the Brantford Civic Centre include new LED lights and a new sound system. The gameday production is on par with other OHL experiences.  The Bulldogs make good use of their new sound system, coloured projection lights, and video board.  The Bulldogs’ mascot, Bruiser, can be found moving around the arena, interacting with fans, and posing for pictures.  The Bulldogs feature a large Canadian flag which is passed along by the fans in the stands, in a practice that is not unique, but not overly common either. Neighbourhood 3 The Brantford Civic Centre is located in the north corner of the Eagle Place neighbourhood in Brantford, just south of downtown.  Several places are closed for a pre or post-game meal.  There are a number of fast food and chain restaurants on Icomm Drive, including Boston Pizza, Sunset Grill and Tim Hortons.  Fans who are looking for something a little more unique can head north into downtown.  The Rose & Thistle, Hudson Public, and The Works are all good options. The best option might be Uncle Sam’s BBQ Smoke House. For fans looking for other sporting options, there are a few in Brantford.  There are other junior hockey options in town with the Brantford 99ers of the OJHL and Brantford Bandits of the GOJHL, both of whom play in the Wayne Gretzky Sportsplex.  The summer finds the Brantford Red Sox of the Intercounty League taking up residence at Cockshutt Park. Other tourist options in Brantford include Elements Casino Brantford, directly across the parking lot from the Civic Centre, and Earl Haig Family Fun Park.  For fans wanting to stay in Brantford, they will have to head to Highway 403 where they will find a Comfort Inn and Best Western. Fans 4 For the inaugural campaign, the Brantford fans have turned out to support the Bulldogs.  For the 2023-2024 season, the Bulldogs have averaged over 3,000 fans per game as of this writing.  This puts them in 16th place in the 20-team OHL for attendance, however, the meager capacity of the Brantford Civic Centre shows that the Bulldogs are averaging over capacity.  The fans in Brantford are loud and right into the game.  The only factor that keeps this from being a perfect score is the lack of longevity in Brantford.  A few more years of this and the mark will improve. Access 3 Getting to the Brantford Civic Centre is not difficult at all.  The Brantford Civic Centre is located in the north corner of the Eagle Place neighbourhood, just south of downtown.  It is surrounded by Icomm Drive and Market Street, with the Grand River just to the west.  It is located significantly south of Highway 403 and fans will have to traverse the city a bit to get to the arena. However, the drive through Brantford is not difficult and traffic moves smoothly.  There is plenty of parking in the immediate area, which is free.  For fans wishing to take public transit, there are bus stops near the arena.  Fans should consult the Brantford Transit website for schedules, fares and maps.  Inside the Brantford Civic Centre is a bit of a different story.  Getting around the arena can be difficult and it is very crowded.  Fans will be required to traverse stairs to get up to the concourse level.  The washroom facilities are at ice level, forcing fans to traverse more stairs. Return on Investment 4 The return on investment for OHL hockey is excellent and Brantford falls right into place along its brethren in the league.  Tickets for the Bulldogs are $28 each and $23 for standing room.  This is a bit on the expensive side for the OHL, but not over the top.  Parking is free and concession prices are what one would expect.  The product on the ice is top notch and the fans help create a great hockey environment that new fans will love. Extras 2 An extra mark for the history of the Brantford Civic Centre.  In the eighties, the Brantford Civic Centre was the regular venue for WWF tapings and the home of the “Maple Leaf Wrestling” program which aired each weekend. An extra mark for Brantford as the hometown of Wayne Gretzky. Final Thoughts The Brantford Bulldogs are enjoying a strong initial outing at the turnstile as of this writing and the fans in Brantford have embraced the team as their own.  Time will tell if the Bulldogs return to Hamilton once the renovations there are complete, or if they find a new, permanent doghouse in Brantford. ----- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Giant Center 550 Hersheypark Dr Hershey, PA 17033 Hershey Bears website Giant Center website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 10,500 Hershey Kisses The Hershey Bears have quite a bit of history to fall back on. Founded in 1932, the team is the oldest continuously operating professional ice hockey team in North America, outside of the “Original Six” of the National Hockey League. Originally known as the Hershey B’ars and once even as the Hershey Chocolate B’ars, the team is also the oldest member club of the American Hockey League. The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a wholly owned sub-division of the Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, an entity administered by the Hershey Trust Company. The Milton Hershey School is funded by that trust. The team has also won quite a lot during its history, having won 12 Calder Cups (most recently in 2023). The Milton Hershey School is a private boarding school that was originally opened to assist orphan students. The school is free for students and is funded by a trust containing most of Hershey's fortune, valued at about US$15 billion, making it the wealthiest U.S. private school. The town of Hershey was started by Milton Hershey as a place for his employees to have comfortable homes, inexpensive public transportation, a quality public school system, and extensive recreational and cultural opportunities. The town is still a quaint and pleasant place. On the outskirts of the town sits the area surrounding Hersheypark. For the sports fan, the Hersheypark Arena is a notable venue in this area, as well as Hersheypark Stadium (and, of course, the Giant Center). Originally known as the Hershey Sports Arena until 1972, the historic 7,286 arenas opened in 1936 and were home to the Bears until 2002. Lebanon Valley College ice hockey still uses the arena for home games, as well as being used as a public ice rink. A 2012 fire damaged parts of the arena’s roof, although luckily, no substantial damage occurred. The Giant Center opened in 2002. Built by Populous, the same developers of the new Yankee Stadium in New York and Wembley Stadium in London, it is owned by the Derry Township Industrial and Commercial Development Authority. The arena also was the home of the Harrisburg Stampede indoor football team for one season in 2014 and is a major concert venue for the region. Food & Beverage 5 There are many options scattered around the Giant Center concourse. One of my favorites is the Aroogas Wing Shack, where the chicken bites and the various flavors are a good option. Soda is $3.50 and up around the arena. Hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels, cotton candy, and French fries are some of the other options. I also like Uncle Andy’s pretzel stand, where you can get a very good pretzel. There are a few beer stands, with a nice variety of specialty brews. Prices vary, depending on the standard or craft beer option. The variety of food around the arena is quite impressive. There is nothing minor about the Giant Center in this regard. Atmosphere 5 The arena invokes memories of the old Hersheypark Arena. You can almost close your eyes and forget you are in a new arena. But even with your eyes open, you will witness a fantastic old hockey barn kind of arena. It takes the best of the old and mixes it with new, modern amenities. The arena’s interior also feels light and bright compared to many darker arenas. The sightlines and sound are all just excellent. It is one of the best arenas built in decades. It just has that near-perfect “feel” to it. Team mascot Coco the Bear roams some of the lower concourse engaging kids and adults alike. His presence works well and does not interfere with the game's action. A few years back the arena got a new scoreboard, which fixed one of the few major complaints about this facility. Neighborhood 5 There just happens to be a major amusement park located right next door to the arena. That makes this neighborhood different than the standard sports arena. It also means that you will not see the usual assortment of neighborhood bars and restaurants that an urban arena may have. But that does not mean this is still not a great neighborhood. It is, in fact, a great neighborhood. Your first stop should be the Troegs Brewery on Hersheypark Drive. Offering guided and self-tours, as well as a great tasting and food room, the Troegs folks make you feel at home. If you’re looking for more standard dining options, then you will find a Red Robin and Fuddruckers all in the area. I might suggest checking out a lesser-known option, the Parkside Bar and Grill (3 E Derry Rd Hershey, PA 17033), as they have some great burgers and other bar food options. The Chocolatier Restaurant, located at the entrance of Hersheypark, is brand new and is a great option for dining all year round. The Bears' Den sports bar located in the Hershey Lodge is themed specifically to the Bears and is modeled after a hockey rink. Fans 5 This is one of the most knowledgeable hockey fan bases I have ever witnessed. No matter the age or sex of the fans, they know the rules of the game and are loud at all times. This is a wonderful and intense place to watch a game. Access 4 Hershey is located not too far from Interstate 81 and 83 via Route 322 and other smaller roads. This means that access is pretty good, although if numerous events are all happening in the area, one should expect some traffic. One should also expect that the traffic heading back towards Harrisburg will be heavier than in other directions. Route 743 off of Route 322 turns onto Hersheypark Drive and is the main drag outside the arena and Hersheypark. There is plenty of parking in the large lots between Giant Center and the amusement park. You will never have trouble finding a space, although it is not the cheapest parking option around. There is not a lobby so on cold days you may have to wait out into the elements before going through security. Once inside the arena, the concourse can be pretty tight and crowded. Return on Investment 4 The AHL is a high-quality league, so the price range that starts at mid-$20 and up for basic seats is pretty standard. Coupled with the parking fee, the game is a decent value. Extras 4 Chocolate World is almost certainly a required stop before a game. Stop in and take the free ride that displays the processes involved in chocolate production. And you get a free candy sample afterward, so it is a win-win. Then try to tear yourself away from the food and souvenir options as you head to the game. Of course, a chocolate shake handmade here is a no-risk proposition. Of course, if Hersheypark is open, it may be worth a trip to the amusement park before a night game. The historic park has numerous great rides and attractions that will suit a fan of any age. Sky Rush, The Great Bear, and Lightning Racer are amazing roller coasters. If you can find a way into Hersheypark Arena, there is an amazing sense of history. Not only the former home of the Bears, but the arena was also the site of Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962. The arena is open for some public ice time, as well as the home of Lebanon Valley College ice hockey and Shippensburg University ice hockey, so look for those as ways into the venue. I also like the Hershey Kisses used as part of the arena signage around the concourse of the Giant Center. That is something you don’t see everywhere. Check around the arena for other displays and acknowledgments of the long and storied history of the Hershey Bears. Very few teams have the amount of history enjoyed by this team. Final Thoughts Giant Center is frankly one of the best sporting venues around. It takes the best looks and atmospheric elements of the past and adds the modern amenities expected by today’s audiences. This arena is a must-visit for a sports fan.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey, and Melissa Kiser Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Paycor Stadium One Paul Brown Stadium Cincinnati, OH 45202 Cincinnati Bengals website Paycor Stadium website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 65,535 Who Dey Think Gonna Beat Them Bengals? The Cincinnati Bengals have called Paycor Stadium since the 2000 NFL season. The 65,515-capacity football-only venue was built through taxpayer money to the tune of $555 million. The home of the National Football League’s Bengals has seen recent success at what is dubbed “The Jungle”. The Bengals joined the American Football League in 1968 and played temporarily at the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium for two years before relocating to the multi-purpose Riverfront Stadium with the Cincinnati Reds. They would call the stadium home for 30 seasons before moving a few yards away along the Ohio River to what was then known as Paul Brown Stadium. Paul Brown was the founder and original owner of the Bengals until he died in 1991. The club is still owned and operated by the Brown family. The Bengals have appeared in the playoffs on 20 occasions, capturing 11 AFC Central titles and qualifying for 5 Wildcard spots. The team made three Super Bowl appearances during the 1981, 1988, and 2021 seasons, heartbreakingly losing all three times. Food & Beverage 4 There are various food options at Paycor Stadium, including fan and local favorites. The stadium has 30,328 concessions per square foot, second behind Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Also, the food prices are among the lowest in the NFL. The stadium offers 78 self-service kiosks, 7 self-order and pick-up locations, and 14 grab-and-go stands. Several highlights include the following concessions: Cincy Burgers + Fries, Kckn Chckn, Nacho Tigre, Tenders, Love & Chicken, and Smoke & Sizzle. All of these establishments offer smash burgers, buffalo chicken tenders, nachos, chicken wings, and chicken tenders. The regional food scene is duly noted with nearby Donatos Pizza, Skyline Chili coneys, and Hudy High Point (named after the long-time Hudepohl Brewery Company). The Queen City Grill sells grilled sausages, brats, and Cincinnati mettwurst (also known as a mett). There are ample spots for beverages, including the Bud Light City Bar, Canopy Catina, The Crown’s Ruler, and Cincinnati Cocktails. The drinking areas, such as The Perch, offer a jungle theme with the Cincinnati skyline in the background. There are also massive east-side and west-side bars that provide fans plenty of drinks from cocktails, beers, seltzers, and wine in a social atmosphere. Atmosphere 4 Paycor Stadium becomes “The Jungle” on gameday and is decorated with murals from local artists, team colors, tiger striping, and team slogans. Fans can also enjoy a lot more greenery that emulates a jungle at various parts of the concourse. Lots open 4-hours before the game around the stadium for tailgating. Pregame at the Banks, between Race Street and Joe Nuxhaul Way, east of the venue. It is home to the Bud Light Tailgate Zone and the Jungle Zone, with live music, interactive games, face painting, and DJ music. Once inside the venue, fans are glued to their seat, focusing on the action on the field, concourses are filled with folks purchasing food and drink, and social areas are packed with fans talking about the Bengals. When the team is winning, the atmosphere is quite festive before, during, and after the game. Neighborhood 4 The Banks is an entertainment district that offers a place to live, work, play, and shop next to the stadium. The neighborhood offers plenty of restaurants, bars, and social spots. There are many to choose from, but favorites include the Christian Moerlein Lager House, Yard House, BurgerFi, and the Jefferson Social. The stadium is a short walk across the river to Newport on the Levee, and enjoy time at one of the following locations: Hofbrauhaus Newport, Strong's Brick Oven Pizza, and Newport Aquarium. Cincinnati has a few places to visit, including the American Sign Museum, which houses a collection of former neon signs from different businesses past and present, Cincinnati Museum Center, located in the old train terminal and Rhinegeist in the up-and-coming Over-the-Rhine section is a must for one can sit on top of its roof, and enjoy a few beers overlooking the picturesque hills of the city. Fans 4 Bengals fans are loyal, dedicated, and faithful. They have weathered the storm of mediocre football for several years and are now enjoying a team that has made a recent Super Bowl appearance and is a yearly contender. The “Who Dey” chant is fun to hear at a game and to say aloud while watching a Bengals touchdown or after a victory. Access 4 Paycor Stadium sits along the Ohio River on one side and I 71/75 and downtown on the opposite side. Five bridges from Northern Kentucky take fans by car to the game, and plenty of lots on the Ohio side to park for the game. Traffic can get congested closer to kickoff, but many arrive early for tailgating in the 16-plus lots. The size of the venue makes it easy to navigate during the game and to and from the seating bowl. Halftime crowds create congestion in the upper and lower concourses, and some wait lines can be long, but the 78 self-service kiosks make grabbing a bite to eat or a drink quick and easy. It is also one of three NFL venues that can be accessed by riverboat. The Queen City Riverboats depart Newport, Kentuck,y and sail across the Ohio River to the stadium for a very reasonable cost of $6 round trip. Return on Investment 5 Attending a Bengals game is one of the more economical investments in the league. The Bengals came in at number 10 in NFL concessions in a recent poll conducted by US Betting Report. The average beer price is $5.75, while a hot dog is $5.66. A small beer costs $5.25, the third-best value in the league after Atlanta and Detroit. The average price for a ticket is $131, but less on secondary ticket websites. Games against division rivals, especially Cleveland and Pittsburgh, will fetch a little more, while parking can be as high as $70 closest to the stadium. However, there are cheaper options. The parking lot on East Pete Rose Way, on the west side of Heritage Bank Center, is $15. The cost under I-471 on Eggleston Ave. is between $5-$10, and lots across the Ohio River can cost $10 or less and include a $1 bus ride on Transit Authority Northern Kentucky (TANK) every 15 minutes. Extras 3 Bengals fans earn a point for the “Who Dey?” chant that is said at every game. It comes from the Bengals Fight Song that is played after every touchdown and features the following lyrics. "Who Dey? Who Dey? Who Dey think they gonna beat dem Bengals?" "Who Dey? Who Dey? Who Dey think they gonna beat dem Bengals?" "Nobody!" A second point is for the affordability of food and beverage, tickets, and parking to see the Bengals play football every weekend in the NFL. A third point is for the new decor at the stadium, which includes murals painted by local artists, several aesthetics to fit with the jungle motif, and new social areas for fans at the game. Extras The recent aesthetic changes at Paycor Stadium have been welcoming, and the atmosphere is always colorful before and after a Bengals game. It is one of the best values in the league and even better when the team plays winning football. --- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos Courtesy of Zach Beeson Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 El Nido de los Águilas Calz. Cuauhtémoc s/n, Las Fuentes, 21239 Mexicali, B.C., Mexico Águilas de Mexicali website El Nido de Los Águilas website Year Opened: 1976 Capacity: 17,000 Enjoying Baseball in The Nest in Mexicali The Águilas de Mexicali (Mexicali Eagles) are members of Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico (Mexican Pacific League), a 10-team winter loop that operates from October to January, with the champion advancing to the Caribbean Series in February. The ball club calls the 17,000-seat El Nido de Los Águilas , its home ballpark, AKA The Nest in English. The stadium debuted in 1976 and incorporates a double-deck seating bowl, a large concession area plaza behind the backstop of the area, and no seating behind the outfield walls. The stadium is a cash-only venue except for the gift shop and a few concession stands in the plaza. The Águilas have won four championships in the league (1986,1989,1999, and 2017), plus one Caribbean Series championship in 1986. The club was founded in 1976 but has a history that dates back to 1948. Food & Beverage 4 The stadium has an abundance of foods, from regional favorites to ballpark staples. Vendors sell more items in the seating bowl or back of the grandstand in the plaza area, where tables, chairs, benches, and concession stands are designed in a state-fair fashion. The Crazy Fries stand is among the most popular and will take credit cards. French fries are topped with fried chicken, carnitas, roasted chicken, beans, or bacon and then drenched with either nacho or parmesan cheese, buffalo/barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing. There are other local favorites, including street foods of tacos, refried beans, tamales, sweet pastries, patitas (pigs feet), taquitos, quesadillas, and burritos. Fans can enjoy pizza slices, hot dogs, nachos topped with carne, chicken tenders, french fries, and Buffalo wings. Fans can wash all of this down with Pepsi products, Tecate beer, micheladas, clamato, pina coladas, palomas (tequila and grapefruit soda), and fresh fruits served in cups: jicama, pineapple, melon, coconut, and mango. Atmosphere 4 The game day atmosphere is festive and exciting. An Aguilas game is more like a party than a baseball game. The first noticeable thing is the music that plays, not only in between innings but during plays. The only time it’s silent is between pitches to the batter. The music ranges from Norteño, reggaeton, pop, and popular sounds. Vendors hock food and drinks up and down the aisles, yelling aloud for potential sales and adding a mix to the night’s procedures. Cheerleaders and dancers entertain folks behind the foul lines. The ushers are set up at the front of each aisle, checking tickets to make sure they are in the correct section of the stadium. Neighborhood 3 Mexicali has a population of over a million people and is one of the safest border cities in Mexico. The city offers family entertainment with all the attractions that a big city has to offer. There are museums, retail stores, parks, and a historic downtown known for its rich Chinese heritage. The stadium is about 10 minutes from downtown in a residential area. Mexicali has a population of over a million people and is one of the safest border cities in Mexico. The city offers family entertainment with all the attractions that a big city has to offer. There are museums, retail stores, parks, and a historic downtown known for its rich Chinese heritage. The stadium is located about 10 minutes from downtown in a residential area. Just north of the ballpark is Main Street, which features local restaurants that offer tacos, burgers, sandwiches, and pizza. The Historic Center is home to a variety of restaurants, street foods, and Chinatown, where some of the country's best Chinese restaurants exist. La Chinesca is a system of underground tunnels built by Chinese immigrants who once lived there to escape the heat (later xenophobia) and housed bars, casinos, and brothels in the early 20th century. Families continued to live underground up until the 1970s. Popular tourist attractions include el Museo Sol Del Nino (children 's museum), Centro Estatal de las Artes (art gallery), and the Bosque y Zoológico de la Ciudad (city zoo). Misión Dragón is a public space with trees, live music, food, and drinks. It is also a great spot for photos. Fans 3 The fans support the Aguilas quite well during the season. The games are loud, joyous, and filled with revelry. It should be noted that games cool down at night and a lightweight jacket or long sleeve shirt is required at times during the fall and winter months of northern Baja California. Access 4 The stadium has one of the largest capacities in the league, with 17,000 seats. The stadium features a lower-level and upper-deck seating bowl, along with general seating behind the right and left field walls. The plaza behind the backstop offers an area where fans can grab something to eat or drink with ease. However, fans are not permitted to move around to different sections of the stadium to sit unless they have a ticket for that area. Return on Investment 4 Águilas tickets start as low as 30 Pesos ($2 US) for seating general admission behind the right and left field wall. The upper deck seating ranges from 230 to 350 Pesos ($13 to $20 US), while lower deck seating ranges from 450 to 700 Pesos ($26 to $40 US). If driving to the game, a fee of 30 Pesos is what it costs to park your car. Food prices differ from 175 Pesos ($10 US) for Crazy Fies, 87 Pesos ($5) for a Tecate beer, and 35 Pesos for fresh fruits and snacks. Team merchandise is on par, perhaps slightly higher for caps, with what you will find at Double-A and Triple-A ballparks in the United States. The gear is made by the same manufacturers. Extras 3 The stadium earns several extra points for its vibrant atmosphere during the game, the abundance of regional foods and drink specialties, and a final point for the colorful vendors that add to the excitement with their vocal production. Final Thoughts The Águilas provide baseball excitement from October to January each year in Mexicali. Baseball is on par with higher minor league levels in the States, and the fans are intuitive to what takes place on the field. Just when you think baseball is over after the World Series, the Águilas and the rest of the Mexican Pacific League are just getting started. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Utah Tech Athletics and Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Greater Zion Stadium 225 South University Avenue St. George, UT 84770 Utah Tech Trailblazers website Greater Zion Stadium website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 10,500 Blazing A New Trail In The FCS Utah Tech was founded in 1911 by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Over the years the school has gone by several names, and today it is a non-denominational school as a part of the Utah System of Higher Education. For much of its existence, it was known as Dixie State University, with the name change to Utah Tech taking place in 2022. It has an enrollment of 12,556 students. The school offers 242 academic programs ranging from undergraduate level to doctoral degrees. The athletic teams at Utah Tech are known as the Trailblazers. The football program is the newest school in the FCS, as it became a full member in 2022. The team played as an FCS independent in 2022, moving to the WAC in time for the 2023 season. The WAC then merged with the ASUN Conference shortly before the season started, resulting in Utah Tech now playing as a member of the merged United Athletic Conference (UAC). The Trailblazers are not eligible for postseason play until the 2024-2025 season. The home of the Trailblazers is the on-campus Greater Zion Stadium. The name of the stadium reflects the naming rights recently purchased by the area’s tourism promotion agency. It was built in 1985 as Hansen Stadium, and it has grown to 10,500 seats, with grandstands on the east (visitors) side of the field and the west (home) side of the field. The home side of the stadium is now known as the Hansen Grandstand. There is a hill at one end of the stadium that fans can use as well. The playing surface is made of Field Turf, with an eight-lane Beyon surface track encircling it. The stadium is also used by the men’s and women’s soccer teams. Greater Zion Stadium is the largest stadium in Southern Utah. Once the decision was made to move up to the Division I level of play, Utah Tech began a series of renovations to the existing stadium. These renovations included the construction of the east grandstand (2019), an enlarging of the press box, and the addition of premium boxes at the top of the west grandstand (2022). The school had earlier installed a new videoboard/scoreboard in 2020. Food & Beverage 3 There are large concession stands located underneath the grandstands on both sides of the field. The menus are identical at both stands. Menu items and prices include blazin’ nachos ($12), regular nachos ($5), cheeseburgers ($6), hot dogs ($5), popcorn ($7), pretzels ($6), candy ($3), frozen lemonade ($4), water ($4), Red Bull Energy drinks ($4) and 32-ounce Coca-Cola brand sodas ($4). There are frequently outside concessions vendors on site. These include Donut NV, Zeppe’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard, and Maui Wowie. Alcohol is not available in the stadium, nor is allowed anywhere on campus property due to Utah law. This includes the tailgating area. Cigarette smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not allowed anywhere on the college campus. Atmosphere 3 The upgrades at Greater Zion Stadium have made a terrific difference in the gameday experience. The stadium can now offer a variety of premium seating options atop the Hansen Grandstand, including a large hospitality room for pregame or halftime gatherings. Other amenities for the entire crowd include new and enlarged restroom facilities, as well as upgraded concessions areas. The new videoboard behind the end zone has really enhanced the clarity of the images it displays. The new construction on the east side of the stadium provides a dedicated area for visiting fans, their cheer teams, and their band behind the visiting team’s bench. This should improve the game experience for visitors to Greater Zion. Finally, there are three improvements that may not be evident to the fans but are important to the Trailblazer team. The new Field Turf playing surface provides a surface that will stay cooler during the heat the area experiences in the early portions of the season. There is also much thicker padding underneath the turf, which will cut down on injuries. Finally, the team will have locker room facilities inside the stadium for the first time. This will be a big selling point in recruiting, as well as producing a much more efficient location in getting to and from the playing field on game day. Neighborhood 4 Utah Tech and Greater Zion Stadium are in downtown St. George, Utah. The city has a population of 180,000 and is the fifth-largest city in Utah. It is frequently the host of Ironman competitions and held the Ironman World Championships when Hawaii could not host them due to pandemic travel restrictions. Sports events in St. George benefit from the 300 days of sunshine and the mild winter temperatures the area experiences. There are several hotels/motels close to the Utah Tech campus. These include the Staybridge Suites St. George and the Tru by Hilton St. George. The Black Bear Diner and Roc Taco are very popular restaurants near the campus. Most of the things to do in St. George revolve around the natural wonders of the area. These include the Red Hills Desert Garden and the more than 300 miles of mountain biking trails in the hills just outside of town. There are also 14 golf courses in the area. Utah Tech is only a 50-minute drive from the beauty of Zion National Park. Three historical sites of interest in St. George are the Brigham and Amelia Young House, the St. George Mormon Tabernacle, and the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum. Fans 4 Football is a very popular sport in the Beehive state, as evidenced by large powers like Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. This is also the case at a smaller school like Utah Tech. The school has had a long history of athletic success going back to its time in the Division II and Division III years. The stands fill well before the kickoff, as the student section, known as “The Stampede,” warms up for the evening by shouting encouragement to the home team as they do their pregame drills. They are assisted by the Trailblazers cheer squad, the Blaze dance squad, and the Utah Tech Marching Band. The Utah Tech mascot, Brooks the Bison is also active as he roams (something all buffalos do) the stands and poses for pictures with his adoring fans. Brooks is named after the first student to ever enroll at the school. The west stands are a sea of red, with parents, students, and townspeople all working together to cheer the local squad on. Access 4 Greater Zion Stadium is easily accessed from I-15: From Northbound I-15: Take exit #8, turn left onto St. George Boulevard. Turn left onto University Boulevard. Go four blocks and the stadium will be on your left. From Southbound I-15: Take Exit #8, and turn right onto St. George Boulevard. Turn left onto University Boulevard. Go four blocks and the stadium will be on your left. Games at Greater Zion Stadium typically start at 7pm, allowing fans plenty of time to take care of weekend errands and to take part in youth sports activities. Tailgating lots open at 4pm, with tailgating activity allowed to begin at 5pm. Gates to the stadium open 90 minutes prior to kickoff, giving fans plenty of time to settle into their seats or to get something to eat at the concession stands. There are three gates to the stadium, two for fans and one for the student section. Visiting fans can get to St. George, UT, and Utah Tech via connections on SkyWest Airlines from Salt Lake City (SLC). Return on Investment 4 Attending a Trailblazers game at Greater Zion Stadium provides an excellent return on investment for the entire family. Tickets come at a wide variety of prices for Trailblazer games. Pre-sale General Admission tickets are $12, while Pre-sale Reserved tickets are $15. Pre-sale Senior General Admission tickets are $7, while Pre-sale Senior Reserved tickets are $10. Pre-sale General Admission Youth (age 3-17) tickets are $7, while Pre-sale Reserved Youth Tickets are $10. Parking is free on gamedays on the Utah Tech campus. Extras 4 The school recently released its new fight song, Trailblazers. It has a very Western feel to it, unlike many traditional fight songs. The rivalry game for Utah Tech is the annual game against the University of Southern Utah. It is known as the “Battle for the Axe,” with the winner taking home the axe. Axes were a necessity for the early pioneers in the area, as they needed to cut wood to build shelter and well as to heat their homes. SkyWest Airlines HQ is in St. George. This makes it much easier for visiting teams and fans to get to Utah Tech games from anywhere in the country. Utah Tech is the only college sports team using the name “Trailblazers.” It was chosen to reflect the history of the area during the pioneering days, as well as to reflect the goal of Utah Tech students to be trailblazers in their chosen field of study. Final Thoughts Utah Tech is the newest school to join the FCS. It offers a great game day experience in its newly updated stadium, and it also offers the opportunity to check out the many natural wonders of the St. George, Utah area.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Hyland Performance Arena 209 South Kingshighway St. Charles, MO 63301 Lindenwood Lions website Hyland Performance Arena website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 3,270 The Home of Lion's Basketball Lindenwood University is a private university located in St. Charles, Missouri. It is the second oldest higher education institution west of the Missouri River, as it was founded in 1827. The university has an enrollment of 6,900 and offers degree programs in more than 80 areas of study. Lindenwood’s athletic teams are known as the Lions. The school has steadily progressed through various competition levels to Division I status in 2022. They began at the NAIA level (1999-2011), moved up to Division II level (2012-2021), then up to Division I status in 2022. The teams are not eligible for NCAA Championship tournaments until 2025. Lion athletic teams compete in the Ohio Valley Conference, which includes teams such as the University of Missouri-Little Rock, Eastern Illinois, Morehead State, Southeastern Missouri, Southern Illinois, Tennessee State, and Tennessee-Martin. The home of Lindenwood Lions basketball is the on-campus Hyland Performance Arena. It opened in 1997 and has a capacity of 3,270 seats, including 270 luxury seats. It is named for Robert Hyland, a former chairman of the board for Lindenwood University. The facility stays very busy throughout the year, as it also hosts women’s basketball, women’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s wrestling, and student intermural games. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand servicing the arena. As a result, the lines are long throughout the game. Food offerings can only be described as meager, as they consist of popcorn, candy, and Pepsi brand sodas. Atmosphere 4 Hyland Performance Arena offers a very enjoyable experience in which to watch basketball. The seats are predominately bleacher seating and are very close to the court on three sides. The arena offers a striking graphics package, with a huge lion’s head at the center court and a gold and black color scheme along the side and end lines of the court. A large center-hung scoreboard provides the time, score, and statistical information on the game, while a videoboard is mounted on the wall at one end of the court. The walls along the concourse are decorated with the mascot logos for each of the member OVC institutions. Neighborhood 4 Lindenwood University and Hyland Performance Arena are in St. Charles, MO, a town of 65,000 located on the west bank of the Missouri River. It is located 24 miles west of St. Louis via I-70. St. Charles was one of the first settlements west of the Missouri River, as it was settled in 1769. It served as the starting point for the Lewis and Clark expeditions and was the home of Daniel Boone before he moved to Kentucky. As you can imagine, St. Charles has a large and active historic district, with many attractions. Among the attractions you will want to visit while you are in town are the Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Museum and the Frenchtown District. The Schlafly Bankside Brewpub is in the Historic District as well. It is designed to look like a pub of the 1700’s vintage. While in town, walk very carefully, as the streets are still constructed of the original cobblestones from the colonial era. Both the Fairfield Inn and the Comfort Inn offer reasonable rates and are close to both the Lindenwood campus and the St. Charles Historic District. MOD Pizza is across the street from Lindenwood University and offers a wide variety of pizzas and beers for your pre- or post-game enjoyment. The Show-Me Sports Bar and Grill on Veteran’s Memorial Parkway features a wall of TV’s tuned to a variety of games while you enjoy your meal and a beer. Fans 3 Lindenwood parents and students are very welcoming to visitors, as the school has a very strict code of conduct. They will be happy to answer any questions you might have once you arrive at the campus. Once the games get underway, the Lions fans show that even if they are new to Division I, they’re not newbies when showing their support for the team. The parents and the alums are very vocal, as are the students at the school. The student section (known as the Uproar section) is set behind one of the end lines and is sponsored by the Raising Cane restaurant. We think this name is very appropriate in describing what the students do throughout the game. Access 4 Getting to and from a Lindenwood basketball game is quite easy. The school is easily accessed from either I-70 or I-64, the two major interstates in the area. From I-70 (St. Louis area): Take I-70 W across the Blanchette Bridge over the Missouri River. Take exit 228 and turn right onto First Capitol Drive. Go ¾ mile to the intersection with Kingshighway. Turn left onto Kingshighway and enter the Lindenwood campus. Volunteers will direct you to the appropriate parking lot. From I-64 (Chesterfield, MO area): From Chesterfield take I-64 and travel west across the Daniel Boone Bridge over the Missouri River. Take exit 10 and turn right on Highway 94. Head north and cross over I-70. Highway 94 becomes First Capitol Drive. Proceed to the intersection with Kingshighway and turn left. This will bring you to the Lindenwood campus. Volunteers will direct you to the appropriate parking lot. Doors open 60 minutes before tipoff, leaving you plenty of time to get to your seats. Return on Investment 5 Going to a game at Hyland Performance Arena will not break your budget. All tickets are considered general admission seats. The tickets cost $5 a game. Season tickets to Lions games are an even better deal, as they cost $40, with seniors and students paying $20 for a season ticket. There is no charge for parking on the Lindenwood campus on gameday. Hotels in the St. Charles area typically charge $125/night. Extras 2 Hyland Performance Arena has hosted NCAA Division II Wrestling Super Regionals, political rallies, graduation ceremonies, and local youth sports tournaments. The Lindenwood Sports Hall of Fame is located adjacent to the basketball arena. Final Thoughts Lindenwood University is the newest member of the Ohio Valley Conference. Hyland Performance Arena is one of the nicer basketball facilities in the conference. The Lion’s lair is a welcome addition, as it provides a comfortable and well laid out place to enjoy a college basketball contest.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Country Club of Jackson 345 St Andrews Dr Jackson, MS 39211 Sanderson Farms Championship website Country Club of Jackson's website Year Opened: 2013 The Magnolia State's only PGA Tour Stop Every October the eyes of the PGA Tour have stopped in Central Mississippi for the annual Sanderson Farms Championship. As Mississippi's only PGA Tour stop, the tournament takes place about 10 miles northeast of the State Capitol, at the beautiful Country Club of Jackson. The tournament has gone by many names, and played at many courses, since its first year in 1968, but since 2013 has been named after the Laurel, MS-based chicken plant Sanderson Farms, the third largest poultry producer in the United States. The tournament benefits many charities, including its primary beneficiary Children's Hospital of Mississippi, which is the state's only children's hospital, located in downtown Jackson. From 1968 to 1993 the tournament was played at Hattiesburg Country Club; from 1994 to 2012 the tournament was played at Annandale Plantation in nearby Madison, MS, before moving to Country Club of Jackson. For years it was always seen as a secondary tournament, generally taking place the same weekend as another PGA Tour event, but since 2019 the Sanderson Farms Championship has been a standalone event, being the only PGA tournament taking place during that weekend. The 2023 event took place one weekend after the 44th Ryder Cup, and a few of the players made the trip over from Rome to play in this tournament. Food & Beverage   3 There are plenty of concessions available throughout the grounds, to make sure you have plenty to eat and drink throughout the day. The main concessions area is located near the grandstands at the 18th green, with four other concession stands scattered throughout the course. One interesting thing I noticed was the concession stands benefitted Jackson State University's various athletics programs, with members of the school's different sports teams operating the stands. Nothing stood out on the menu, as you could find the usual fare of hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, and pulled pork sandwiches. Like at The Masters, sandwiches are a staple here, as you can get various sandwiches (ham, turkey, club, egg, pimento, etc.), although not as cheaply as The Masters’ prices. Also, when the tournament sponsor is the country's third largest chicken and poultry processing plant expect plenty of chicken dishes available at the concession stands – Sanderson Farms has their stand available providing a variety of options including chicken salad, grilled and fried chicken sandwiches, BBQ chicken nachos, and wings. Military and first responders and their families can enjoy the tournament for free at the Trustmark Bank "Outpost Club" located on the 10th green – the makeshift overlook also provides a free lunch every day to servicemen and women. The clubhouse is also open during the tournament for those who want fine dining while watching the tournament. Coca-Cola is the official soft drink provider of the Sanderson Farms Championship. There is plenty of alcohol available as well; you can get a 16 oz. Michelob Ultra and Bud Light for $10, a 25 oz. cup for $14, or start your morning off right with a bloody Mary for $7. Southern Beverage Company, based in Ridgeland, MS, is the main distributor for Michelob Ultra and the official alcohol sponsor for the tournament – on the 13th green, you can enjoy free access to the Michelob Ultra Club and get samples of different Southern Beverage Company beers. In addition, a popular promotion returning for 2023 is if any golfer hits their tee shot within 96 inches of the hole, fans can get $1 beer until that player finishes the hole (because Michelob Ultra is 96 calories). Atmosphere   4 The Dogwood Azalea course at Country Club of Jackson plays host to the Sanderson Farms Championship, with the other course being the Cypress Course. Both courses were re-designed in 2008 at Mississippi's second-oldest private country club, which opened in 1914. The entire neighborhood of rich flashy homes was built on the banks of the swamps of the Pearl River, with the golf course located on the lowest area of land, on the back side of the neighborhood closest to the swamps. The scene here doesn't exactly invoke most people's thoughts of Jackson, Mississippi – as you are shuttled in on the buses down St. Andrews Drive, you drive through the elusive neighborhoods and past the million-dollar homes towards the back of the golf course. Once dropped off you walk down a pathway past the driving range to get to the main area in front of the clubhouse; the pathway is lined with well-manicured bushes and trees, with banners and photos of past champions. The pathway takes you to the main gathering area around the clubhouse. At the main entrance you can find a pretty large merchandise building that they build just for tournament week – inside you can find plenty of Sanderson Farms Championship and PGA Tour gear available; you can even buy custom-fitted golf clubs as well. Also, on the grounds at the main entrance, you'll find a beautiful PGA Tour and Sanderson Farms sign that makes for a great photo op. The Sanderson Farms Championship trophy is a gold-plated rooster and is on display at the main entrance, as well as a local artist drawing a PGA Tour mural with chalk. The Golf Course sits in the lowest-lying area in the neighborhood, located on a run-off from the Ross Barnett Reservoir. It is laid out differently than most courses with the holes crisscrossing side by side with each other, so the front 9 intermingles with the back 9. It is also a small and very open course, as you can see the whole course from the clubhouse at the main gathering area. Patrons can walk the cart paths, with the pathways and holes closer to the clubhouse tending to be a lot more open, while the cart paths towards the back (near holes 14, 15, and 16) take you through the Mississippi wetlands. In between holes 15 and 16, you cross a wooden bridge through mangrove and cypress trees over the swamp – be on the lookout for wildlife as you cross over the bridge. I spotted about 5 alligators during my walk along the back three holes, with several in the water and a few sunning themselves on land. There are about 10-15 alligators who live in the various ponds on the golf course, including the resident 10-foot gator Fuzzy who lives in the pond at hole 6. Fuzzy is the oldest gator on the course and has made the course his home for the past 10 years. There are many public and private grandstand seating areas scattered about the course; the 18th hole has a stadium-seating grandstand around the green which is open to the public. The grandstand can be accessed from the main gathering area near the clubhouse. There are also the private 18th hole enclosed skyboxes overlooking the green with a full buffet and bar, and along the 18th fairway is an outdoor bar called the fan zone – this bar is especially popular during the Saturday and Sunday rounds, with many people set up at the picnic tables watching football games on the big screens, while the golfers hit their fairway shots in front of them. There is another fan pavilion on the 12th green with a tiered viewing deck that overlooks the 13th hole, which is accessible to patrons with upgraded tickets; this deck offers premium concessions, a bar, and big-screen TVs. The 15th hole also has a small grandstand seating area around the green that is open to the public and has great views of the swamps that run through the back of the course. Neighborhood   3 Country Club of Jackson is located about a 10 to 15-minute drive north of downtown Jackson. The neighborhood is on low-lying land right off Ross Barnett Reservoir, a man-made 33,000-acre lake in Central Mississippi. The course is still located within the Jackson city limits but is directly on the City of Ridgeland line. Ridgeland is a large suburb of Jackson that is home to plenty of restaurants, hotels, shops, parks, and recreational opportunities – the population has soared in recent years to almost 30,000 people. The country club and surrounding neighborhood are located off County Line Road, one of the main roads through Ridgeland. You will find plenty of chain stores, shopping centers, and restaurants on this road, and directly across the street from the country club, you will find Doe's Eat Place, a popular blues bar and restaurant that is based in the Delta, and considered the birthplace of blues music. Another place worth checking out nearby is the Dogmund Tavern; the dimly lit tavern is famous for having over 250 board games to play while you have some of their local beers and world-famous pizza. Closer to the reservoir you will find several more restaurants overlooking the large lake – Cock of the Walk, Shucker's Oyster Bar, and Crab's Seafood Shack are some of my favorites. Shucker's even hosts the Sanderson Farms Championship afterparty every night. The 'Rez' also has plenty of recreational opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming. You can find plenty of shopping in Ridgeland; just down County Line Road is the enclosed Northpark Mall, and about another 10 miles north is the upscale Galleria Renaissance at Colony Park shopping center. You can find over 100 more stores and restaurants at this shopping center, while for those interested in the outdoors you can bike or drive the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway that runs right through Ridgeland. A popular stop to get onto the Trace would be at Old Trace Park, near the country club and overlooking the reservoir. Fans   4 As Mississippi's only PGA Tour event, the Sanderson Farms Championship becomes a state-wide event attracting people from all over the Magnolia State. Golf crowds are a lot different than most sporting events – with no official team playing, many patrons don't have a favorite golfer per se, so most people are just here to watch and cheer on the good shots. With this tournament, there are many public and private grandstands and skyboxes surrounding the course, but I noticed most patrons were just walking the course watching a few shots, and then moving on to the next hole. In contrast, the private skyboxes and grandstands were filled with sponsors of the tournament. The 1st and 2nd rounds are quieter than the weekend rounds, so if you want to watch the action in a little more peaceful setting the Thursday and Friday morning rounds are for you. The fan zone along the 18th fairway is extremely popular during the weekend, with many people sitting at the picnic tables on the fairway, watching football on the big screen. By the final round on Sunday, you can barely walk through the main gathering area at the front entrance; the public grandstand on the 18th green is also packed out, and if you don’t get there early you won't get a good view of the green. Access   4 Getting to Country Club of Jackson is fairly easy – as with most PGA Tour stops, because of limited parking on-site you have to park off-site and get shuttled in. That is the case here, as the official parking area is about 3 miles west on County Line Road at Northpark Mall. There is plenty of parking on the east side of the mall where the buses depart; the best way to get to Northpark is to take Exit 103 off Interstate 55, and the mall is 3 blocks east along County Line Road. Once the buses drop you off at the entrance you still have to walk a good way past the driving range to reach the clubhouse and the first hole, but if you don't want to walk they have these electric jeeps that shuttle people from the main entrance to the clubhouse. Once on the ground, everything is smooth, and you should have no problem walking from hole to hole. The golf course is not very big, so it is possible to do a full 18-hole walkthrough several times while here as well. Return on Investment   3 Tickets are fairly cheap to attend the Sanderson Farms Championship; you can purchase day-specific tickets for $30, or you can purchase a weekly ticket for $80 that grants you a general admission ticket for all four rounds of the tournament. Kids 17 years and under get in free, and military personnel and first responders can bring up to three guests in for free. There is one private fan zone that requires an upgraded ticket for $50, as well as the skybox suites overlooking the 18th green (starting at $100). Parking is free at Northpark Mall, and the mall has plenty of parking available. A lot of PGA Tour events are known for cheap concessions, but I didn’t think the concessions were all that cheap here. Nevertheless, I consider it a good return on investment – being able to see the top golfers in the world is a plus, but it's also a special event being the only PGA Tour stop in Mississippi. Extras   5 Some of the past winners of the tournament include Craig Stadler, Payne Stewart, Fred Funk, Heath Slocum, Bill Haas, Cameron Champ, and Sergio Garcia. The 2023 tournament featured winners of 149 different PGA Tour events. One extra for this being Mississippi's only PGA Tour stop as of the 2023 season. The Gulf Coast has hosted the Rapiscan Systems Classic, a PGA Champions Tour event every year since 2010, but that is the official Senior Tour of the PGA Tour. The Magnolia State also does have some history of hosting PGA Tour events, including the 1944 and 1945 Gulfport Open – Sam Snead beat Byron Nelson by one stroke in a sudden death playoff hole to win the 1944 Gulfport Open. The LPGA has also hosted several tournaments in Mississippi, most notably the 1999 Women's U.S. Open in West Point. If you are interested in more of the history of golf in the Magnolia State, then I suggest making a 10-minute drive south of the country club to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. This large state-of-the-art museum has an entire exhibit dedicated to the history of the Sanderson Farms Championship, and some of the other golf tournaments that have taken place in the state. You will find old plaques, trophies, and other old gear on display from past tournaments; it is a neat museum that I recommend checking out if in town for tournament week. Also, every December the Country Club of Jackson hosts the annual Conerly Trophy Ceremony – equivalent to Mississippi's Heisman Trophy, the award is given out to the best college football player in the state. One player from each of the ten Mississippi college football schools (FBS, FCS, D2, D3) is chosen to represent their university for their chance to become the best football player in the state. Since the first year of the award in 1996, past winners include Dak Prescott, A.J. Brown, Eli Manning, Patrick Willis, Evan Engram, and Deuce McAllister.

Photo Designed Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Several summer collegiate baseball clubs on the West Coast will compete in the Pacific Empire League this summer. The new league will feature a 25-game schedule, culminating in a best-of-3 championship series in late July/early August. Teams will also be allowed to schedule games with nearby teams at home that won't count in the PEL standings. The Healdsburg Prune Packers, Lincoln Potters, Humboldt Crabs, Medford Rogues, Solano Mudcats, and the West Coast Kings will be the six teams that will comprise PEL for the inaugural 2024 season. The league will offer a high-tech partnership with Trackman Baseball and Synergy Sports. It will provide data for college coaches on the analytical side, including exit velocities, spin rate, and pitch speed. Six cameras will be linked to allow college coaches to track their players. The six pre-existing franchises have played in various summer collegiate leagues in the Bay Area and Southern Oregon. The opportunity to compete in the new league with well-established clubs was a pull factor for Prune Packers GM/Head Coach Joe Gomes. “The Pacific Empire League checks all the boxes as a topnotch collegiate baseball league, featuring historic teams with devoted fanbases, and strong ties to college coaches and scouts. Our integrated tech further enhances player exposure and development.” Healdsburg Prune Packers operated in the California Collegiate League for six seasons and won the last three league championships. Their home ballpark is Prune Packers Stadium. Lincoln Potters operated in the California Collegiate League and has produced seven winning baseball seasons. Their home ballpark is McBean Stadium. Humboldt Crabs is the oldest continually-operated summer collegiate baseball in the nation. The Crabs began operations in 1945. Their home ballpark is Arcata Ball Park. Medford Rogues has been in business since 2013, attracting big crowds to Harry & David Field. Solano Mudcats have been in business since 1990 and play at Vanden High School baseball field. West Coast Kings captured the 2021 and 2023 West Coast World Series. The ball club plays at Solano Community College. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a very rich history of football programs that have produced hundreds of NFL players over the years. The games are a great source of entertainment and pride for many communities. In addition to the action on the field, HBCU’s games also offer top-notch performances by the school bands, which is an important part of the HBCU experience. The Celebration Bowl, the National Championship Game for the HBCUs, is right around the corner, which means it’s time for Stadium Journey to release its ratings of the stadium experience to be found at each HBCU at the FBS and FCS level in the country. Our rankings are based on our FANFARE rating scale which considers a venue’s Food, Atmosphere, Neighborhood, Fan Support, Access, Return on Investment, and Extras offered by the facility. In cases where two or more facilities have the same score, the tiebreaker is determined by our Council of Elders. 1. Truist Stadium, North Carolina AT&T Our top-rated stadium experience has great fans, a terrific band, and several championship seasons under its belt. Attending a game at Truist Stadium should be on your bucket list. 2. O’Kelly – Riddick Stadium, North Carolina Central Great food selection, the music of the Sound Machine, and a terrific PA announcer assure that there is never a dull moment at an NCCU Eagles football game. 3. New ASU Stadium, Alabama State The New Alabama Stadium is one of the more recent builds in the HBCU system. Great food, the Mighty Marching Hornets band, and the on-campus location are the ingredients for a fun day in Alabama’s capital city. 4. Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson State Deon may have left the building, but the home of the JSU Tigers is still a rocking place on Saturday afternoons. The Tigers are still performing well on the field, while the tailgating is still top notch and you can’t get enough of the Sonic Boom of the South. 5. Louis Crews Stadium, Alabama A&M Louis Crew Stadium sets the standard for other SWAC venues. The beautiful setting, great tailgating, and terrific Bulldogs football on the field make for a very satisfying fall afternoon 6. A. W. Mumford Stadium, Southern A.W. Mumford Stadium is one of the largest HBCU venues. It’s in the middle of the lovely Southern campus, where the tailgating experience is wonderful, the Tigers are always competitive and the Human Jukebox never disappoints. 7. Panther Stadium, Prairie View The Panthers began play way back in 1907. “The Hill” has been their home since 2016. The stadium is full every Saturday. The tickets are cheap, the team is playing well and the Marching Storm puts on a spectacular halftime show. 8. William "Dick" Price Stadium, Norfolk State A great PA announcer, terrific band, and great football team add up to a wonderful gameday experience at Dick Price Stadium. 9. Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium, Grambling Every HBCU fan should make a pilgrimage to the “House That Eddie Built”. Tiger games are full of tradition, excitement, and great food. Make sure to include a visit to the Eddie Robinson Museum while you are on campus. 10. Nissan Stadium, Tennessee State The Tigers are the only HBCU team to play their home games in an NFL stadium. The stadium provides plentiful seating, a huge video board, easy access, and a top-notch sound system to carry the music of the Aristocrat of Bands. 11. Alumni Stadium, Delaware State The great fans and terrific atmosphere visit Alumni Stadium a great place to be on a Fall afternoon. 12. Daytona Stadium, Bethune – Cookman A visit to the Daytona Beach area always offers a wide of activities to do before or after the game. Bethune-Cookman games are a sports event, a family reunion, and a concert all rolled into one. 13. Bragg Memorial Stadium, Florida A&M Rattler fans are known for their enthusiasm, green and orange outfits, and great knowledge of football. The Marching 100 and a top-notch performance on the field add up to a great game-day experience. 14. Shell Energy Stadium, Texas Southern Shell Energy Stadium is one of the most modern venues in HBCU football. It provides access from anywhere in the Houston metroplex. The Ocean of Soul band can always be counted on for a great halftime show. 15. Armstrong Stadium, Hampton One of the oldest venues in the HBCU world, Armstrong Stadium has been going strong since 1928. The brick structure was built to last, and the Pirates fans still fly the team colors from the mast. 16. William H Greene Stadium, Howard HBCU football in the nation’s capital is always a unique experience, and Howard University’s William H. Greene Stadium does not disappoint. 17. Hughes Stadium, Morgan State Hughes Stadium looks great on the inside and offers a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon if you are visiting the Baltimore area. 18. Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, SC State Great football on the field, wonderful music provided by the Marching 100, and an on-campus location are the ingredients for a fun day for fans at Oliver C Dawson Stadium. 19. Jack Spinks- Marino Casem Stadium, Alcorn State The fans are engaged, and there is a wonderful tailgating tradition as well as an on-campus location for Braves home games. Spinks-Casem Stadium is a great place to be on Saturday afternoons in the fall. 19. Golden Lion Stadium, Arkansas -Pine Bluff Visitors to Golden Lion Stadium will find a welcoming atmosphere full of Southern hospitality. The seats at the stadium provide a wonderful view of the action. 20. Rice-Totten Stadium, Mississippi Valley State The college home of Deacon Jones and Jerry Rice, Rice-Totten Stadium features a long tradition of great football. Visitors to Itta Bena will feel very welcomed by the local fans. The band is superb and the pregame tailgate always offers a superb dining experience.

It's the annual look back at our travels this year. What were our favorite venues, games, biggest surprises, and cities of 2023? 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 at 7 PM Eastern at danlaw.tv.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 New England Sports Village 1395A Commerce Way Attleboro, MA 02703 Johnson & Wales Wildcats hockey website New England Sports Village website Year Opened: 2016 Capacity: 1,000 Johnson and Wales Hockey Johnson and Wales University is a private university with its main campus in downtown Providence, RI. Founded in 1914 by Gertrude Johnson and Mary Wales as a business school, JWU has a total enrollment of over 7,000 students spread out over its four campuses. Today the school is best known for its culinary arts and hospitality programs. Several celebrity chefs, including Emeril Lagasse and Aaron Sanchez, are alumni of JWU. New England Sports Village is a community ice center containing two full-sized NHL rinks, a ¾ sized “studio rink” and a goalie pad. The hockey rinks at New England Sports Village were planned to be the first piece in a larger project that was to eventually contain facilities for soccer, tennis, and swimming in addition to a hotel and field house. However, this additional development has yet to materialize, and the owners of the complex filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2021 to stave off a foreclosure auction. Varsity hockey has been played at Johnson & Wales University since 1997. The team competes in the New England Hockey Conference, a Division Three hockey-only conference featuring teams from New England and New York. The Wildcats have yet to qualify for the national tournament. Food & Beverage 2 The Blue Line Café, located in the main lobby, offers a basic menu for visiting Wildcats fans who need a snack. Hot dogs, breakfast sandwiches, muffins, and snacks can be purchased here. If your timing is right, you may find pizza slices, assorted sandwiches, or chicken tenders available. The prices are cheap and the quality is decent. Should the café be closed during your visit, there are several vending machines in the lobby. Pepsi products are featured at NESV. Coffee and hot chocolate are popular items in the chilly complex. Fans are welcome to bring in their snacks if they wish. Atmosphere 1 As you might expect in a simple community rink like the NESV, there’s not a lot to the game day presentation. The staff here does the best with the limited tools at their disposal, but are limited by a poor speaker system, which makes PA announcements almost unintelligible. A small scoreboard hangs at center ice, which displays basic game information. With youth hockey games going on at the other rink, you’ll be sure to find lots of kids running around the facility, giving the place a certain energy. One of the best things about seeing a game at a small rink like the NESV is that you can hear the sounds of the game. You can hear coaches shouting instructions to their players, the officials making their calls, and the players chirping at each other. It’s very enjoyable for serious hockey fans. Neighborhood 2 The New England Sports Village is located in a suburban neighborhood with nothing of interest in the immediate vicinity. Fans looking for a bite to eat can head to nearby Route 1, the primary business district in Attleboro, where multiple shopping and dining options can be found. Most of the options here are national chains. The local outpost of 99 Restaurant or Miller’s Roast Beef should suit your needs. If you are looking for fine dining, head to Providence, which is known as one of the better mid-sized cities in the country for dining options. Fans looking for nearby lodging will find several options along this same stretch of Route One, including a Best Western, a Holiday Inn Express, and a Hampton Inn. If visiting during the holiday season, a trip to LaSalette Shrine is a must. The facility is decked out in lights and is a popular local destination during the holidays. Fans 1 At Stadium Journey we often use the term “friends and family” to describe smaller crowds. A JWU hockey crowd certainly fits this description. Stadium Journey attended a game on a Saturday night, and a crowd of under 100 fans were in attendance. On the plus side, you know that virtually everyone in attendance will have a personal connection with the athletes down on the ice and will be very knowledgeable and enthusiastic in their support. Since the NESV is so far from campus, you won’t find many students here. With the Wildcats’ schedule featuring mostly local teams, you’ll find a good turnout from visiting team fans as well. Access 4 The New England Sports Village is located in Attleboro, MA, a Providence suburb located about 12 miles from the Johnson & Wales campus. The facility is located just off Interstate 95, making access to and from the facility easy. The parking lot and the main entrance are located at the rear of the building as you approach from Commerce Way. The Wildcats usually play in the “Premier Rink,” which is straight ahead as you enter the building. Since they are not the primary tenants at the NESV, their games may occasionally be shifted over to the secondary rink. Seating consists of metal bleachers without backs raised about eight feet over the ice surface. Nets run the length of the rink, obstructing views from all seating areas. There is a bit of standing room available at ice level. Fans wishing to escape the cold of the rink may choose to watch the action from tables located in the lobby, which have a view of the ice. The cafeteria and restrooms are located in the main lobby. While the three ice surfaces here are in constant use, lines are not an issue and the facility is clean and attractive. Return on Investment 5 There is no charge for Wildcat hockey games at the NESV, and parking in the adjacent lot is also free. Concessions are inexpensive, which all adds up to a very affordable night of entertainment for local sports fans. Extras 1 An extra point is awarded for honoring local high school player A.J. Quetta by naming the premier rink for him. Quetta was a local high school player who suffered a spinal cord injury in a 2021 game at the facility. There's also an inspirational quote from Quetta on the rink's wall. "If there is a will, there is always a way, my friend." Final Thoughts It’s not unusual to see teams at this level of play utilize community rinks as their homes. While the New England Sports Village may not be the most convenient place for this downtown Providence school to be playing, it serves as a decent home for the Wildcats. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.