Photos by Greg Johnston, Stadium Journey For the second year in a row, the Toronto Argonauts defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders in front of sold-out crowds on the east coast of Canada. Last year, the Canadian Football League (CFL) “Touchdown Atlantic” game was held in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, which is a small and charming university town along the shores of the Minas Basin. The much anticipated and successful event saw over 10,000 football fans travel to Acadia University’s campus to experience the CFL in Atlantic Canada. This year, the Touchdown Atlantic game was held on the campus of Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. It was clear this event was more than a regular season football game between two of the league’s better teams, it was a showcase event for the continued pursuit of an expansion franchise in the Maritime region. The game was featured on national television, current players and mascots made time to engage with the fans, and former CFL stars including Mike “Pinball” Clemons made the trip to help promote the league. As the CFL attempted to promote the league to the local fanbase, the city also made a huge effort in promoting the Maritimes to the CFL and its traveling fans. Huskies Stadium normally holds a capacity of around 2,000 football fans, far too few to host a professional football game that would be featured on national television. The stadium was expanded to seat over 11,000 people with the use of temporary bleachers. Replicas of a lighthouse and fishing boat put a maritime flare on the outskirts of the field. The lawns that surround the stadium were used for pregame tailgating events, featuring food trucks serving traditional local fare, live music, and family friendly activities (including riding a mechanical shark!). Even the beer that was served was from Church Brewery, a Nova Scotia craft brewery from Wolfville. For an unusually large event in a traditionally small venue, the organizers at Huskies Stadium did a fantastic job planning the event. The campus is situated in a low density neighbourhood, normally resulting in traffic delays. But vehicular traffic flowed with minimal disruption, even though parking was in limited supply. Buses shuttled fans to-and-from major transportation nodes around the city. Once you arrived on campus, several well visible signs and maps guided fans to their appropriate entrance into the stadium. After getting through security, certain fans were given wrist bands to signify the areas of the stadium they were allowed. Fans either had tickets to the temporary bleachers, club tickets, or standing room only tickets which were situated off the south endzone. The matter in which the CFL and the city of Halifax proceed with a potential expansion franchise will be interesting to follow. Prior to the pandemic, citizens of Halifax have been debating whether they want a CFL franchise. Halifax already has a supportive fanbase for its local sports. The Halifax Wanderers currently lead the Canadian Premier Soccer League in attendance by a wide margin, and although the Halifax Thunderbirds of the National Lacrosse League play in the smallest venue in the league, they ranked 8th out of 15 franchises in attendance in 2023. Back in 2018, the ownership group heading the expansion team already named the team the Atlantic Schooners, which was the same name as the defunct CFL franchise in the 1980’s that never played a game. During the Touchdown Atlantic’s halftime show, CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie used a football analogy, saying Halifax is “in the red-zone” regarding gaining an expansion franchise. The CFL currently has nine teams, four of them in the eastern conference. It makes sense for a league with weekly games to have an even number of teams to balance the schedule. The biggest obstacle appears to be a lack of a suitable stadium. Two possible existing stadiums have been discussed for expansion. One is Huskies Stadium, the other is Wanderers Field with a current capacity of around 6,500. Currently the smallest CFL venue is the 20,025-seat Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, home of the Montreal Alouettes. The prospect of a new stadium in Halifax has been discussed prior to the pandemic, but a sparingly used stadium does not appear to be financially viable without other tenants. By the end of the fourth quarter, it was clear Touchdown Atlantic showcased the best in professional football to an area that is - almost - ready for their own team. The game sold out quickly, drew fans locally and attracted visitors to the city. Stay tuned for what comes next for the Atlantic Schooners.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Goodrich Park 705 Chandler Lane Crawfordsville, IN 46250 Wabash College baseball website Goodrich Park website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 500 Have a Good Time at Goodrich Park Wabash College is a private liberal arts men’s college in Crawfordsville, Indiana. It was founded in 1832 by several Dartmouth College graduates and Midwestern leaders. The current student enrollment is around 900, and the campus features a multitude of athletic facilities, including Goodrich Park for its baseball program. The ballpark opened on March 19, 2011, and features permanent seating, a concessions stand, a concourse, press box, dugouts, and a viewing hill behind the right field. The ball club had called Mud Hollow Field home for 50 years before moving into Goodrich, named after John B. Goodrich, a former alumnus, whose family is known through its philanthropy at Wabash and throughout the state. Baseball was first played on November 24, 1866, with a 45-32 victory over Asbury College (now DePauw) on the commons in the south part of town.” Today, the club that plays in the North Coast Athletic Conference has one of the nicer facilities in the conference. The college is known for the annual Monon Bell Classic against DePauw University. The annual football game dates back to 1890 and is among the oldest rivalry games in college football, having met 126 times as of this writing. Food & Beverage 2 The ballpark offers a small sample of baseball treats that include hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, and soda. The prices are reasonable and make for a nice snack as you enjoy the baseball game. Atmosphere 3 Goodrich Park is a pleasant little place for baseball off the campus of Wabash College. The 500-seat ballpark offers permanent red seats that are situated just four rows down from the concourse, a concession stand, a press box, and a grassy knoll outside the left-field area of the ballpark. Fans on the knoll watch the game from their portable seats, and many will bring their dogs to the game. There are others, mainly students, who provided a bit of a football-tailgate experience with food, drinks, and party games. It was quite different than the garden fans inside the ballpark keeping score and watching the action on the diamond. There are portions of the ballpark named after donors such as the concourse named after Frank and Lisa Kolisek, along with the concession stand and press box. The giant wooden W, which was once on display at the Little Giants old ballpark, is featured predominately at the current stadium. Neighborhood 3 Downtown Crawfordsville is a few miles away from campus and features many spots to enjoy dinner or a drink. A few of the places include Backstep Brewing Company, Brother’s Pizza, Harry’s Hideout, The Barefoot Burger, Alice’s Restaurant, Valentino’s Italian Cuisine, and Arni’s. If with the family, try Arni’s for the kid-friendly environment and thin-crusted pizza. If you are with a few friends or alone, Backstep Brewing Company is the newest place in town for craft beer. It’s located in the old Monon Hotel and offers live entertainment on certain nights. The town also has a couple of places of interest that includes the Rotary Jail Museum and the General Lew Wallace Study & Museum. If the weather is nice, Indiana Zipline Tours are nearby, and the Sugar Creek Trail features a path through the wilderness. Fans 3 Fans inside the ballpark do their share of cheering and keeping score of the game, while the ones on the outside of the ballpark enjoy the game from the comfort of the grassy hill. A few students and alumni are also having an enjoyable time, but perhaps it’s not the baseball that is causing their celebratory mood. Access 4 The stadium is located on the corner of the main road to campus and residential homes. There is parking behind the outfield and along with the street level. The main entrance allows fans access to everything on the concourse. Return on Investment 3 All of the games are free and open to the public. The concession stands are affordable but just enough to enjoy a snack. The school spirit is alive with the fans on the hill, and downtown Crawfordsville is one of those small Indiana towns that is nice to visit on a Saturday afternoon. Extras 2 The ballpark earns a point for the giant W that was taken from the old ballpark now on display on the concourse. The second point is of the hill area where fans enjoy themselves at the game in various forms. Final Thoughts Goodrich Park is a very nice looking ballpark for Division III baseball. It’s a small, little place that offers everything one would want from this level of baseball. However, I would hang out outside the stadium and enjoy the game from the hill. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on YouTube @ballparkhunter, Twitter @ballparkhunter , and on Instagram .

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 TAAG Park 1125 Colonel By Dr Ottawa, ON K1S 5R1 Carleton Ravens football website TAAG Park website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 3,500 The Old Crows Nest MNP Park was renamed TAAG Park in 2022. The Stadium Journey review was written previous to this change and reflects the previous name. Football at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario dates all the way back to 1945. Never a particularly successful team, the Ravens would bring home one Dunsmore Cup in 1985 as champions of the now defunct OQIFC. In 1998, as a cost-cutting measure, the university torpedoed the football program and Carleton walked away from the gridiron. However, a funny thing happened at Carleton in the meantime. The Ravens became wildly successful at basketball. The Ravens are known, first and foremost, for having a legendary men’s basketball program. The success that the Ravens saw on the basketball court, helped inspire the athletic department to do something drastic … expand. A group of former Ravens football players and Carleton Alumni banded together to form Old Crows Football Inc., a not-for-profit entity operating in partnership with the university to fully fund a new football program. After a number of years, the Old Crows were successful and in 2013, the Carleton Ravens football team took the field once more, reborn. Home for the Ravens is on campus, in what is essentially the athletic quadrant of Carleton. MNP Park was built in 1998 for the Ravens soccer teams. Originally known as Keith Harris Stadium, named after the former Ravens Athletic Director of thirty years, MNP Park received a significant renovation to make it suitable for football. MNP LLP, a Canadian accounting firm, purchased the naming rights for the stadium in 2015 and the Ravens are one of the few programs that employs a naming rights deal for their on campus stadium. Carleton has played well in their second life, but it has been the rekindling of their rivalry with the Ottawa Gee-Gees and the Panda Game which has given a serious boost to the program. The annual clash, which takes place at TD Stadium, the local CFL Stadium, has become the preeminent football game in USports, even outdrawing the National Championship game, the Vanier Cup. Food & Beverage 2 Concession options at MNP Park are not spectacular. Fans will be able to find a couple of options which are good for a sack or a light meal. There is a food truck on the premises which sells burgers, hot dogs, fries and poutine. The other option is a more permanent concession area which offers basic snacks and drinks. This stand does offer alcoholic beverages for purchase as well. Atmosphere 2 MNP Park is not atypical for an OUA football facility in that it was built on a budget and functionality is at the forefront. There is very little of the exterior of MNP Park that stands out. The Ravens put out a couple of signs welcoming fans in both English and French. However, there isn’t much in the way of signage bringing attention to the facility. In fact, the fieldhouse which is across the parking lot commands much more attention. Upon entering the stadium, fans will immediately notice the steel grandstand and the underside, which is essentially used for storage. The grandstand is fairly standard with a full slate of bleacher seating and three separate coaching and media boxes at the top. On the opposite side of the grandstand there is some berm seating. The field runs from north to south and is a synthetic playing surface, which is standard for the OUA. A plaque explaining the history of former Athletic Director, Keith Harris, and his contributions to the Carleton Ravens, still graces the south end of the grandstand. The southeast corner features a standard scoreboard and the rest of the field is surrounded by mature trees. The game day production at a Ravens game is a relatively simple one. There are a couple of bells and whistles, however. The Ravens mantra is recited over the PA and the team comes charging out of a large, inflatable, football helmet in the south end zone to begin the game. Some simple fireworks and pyro help welcome the Ravens and signal a Ravens score. The PA announcer is fairly laid back, yet still professional and does not over work the crowd or run music through every stoppage in play, which is a refreshing change. Overall, there are plenty of areas in which Carleton could spruce up MNP Park and take the facility to the next level. Neighbourhood 5 Ottawa is a tremendous tourist destination. Carleton University is not far from the eclectic neighbourhood known as The Glebe and a short drive from what is commonly known as downtown Ottawa. There are not a ton of interesting options within walking distance, but fans can find plenty of spots within a short ten minute drive. Mike’s Place Pub and Oliver’s Pub and Patio are the on campus pubs and may be of interest. Other places to consider would be the famous Elgin Street Diner, Craft Beer Market, Joey Lansdowne, The Rowan and Irene’s Pub. As far as other entertainment options within Ottawa, there are a ton. Ottawa is full of museums including the Museum of Nature, the Canadian Mint, Museum of Aviation and Museum of Civilization. However, no trip to Ottawa can be complete without seeing the Parliament Buildings and the Canadian War Museum. Timing a trip to Ottawa correctly can bring with it the opportunity to skate on the Rideau Canal, which Ottawa is famous for. There are also plenty of sporting options for fans visiting Canada’s Capital. Carleton also fields very successful basketball programs, which play at the Ravens’ Nest and hockey programs which play at the Carleton Ice House. The cross-town rival for the Ravens is the Ottawa Gee-Gees. UOttawa also fields football, basketball and hockey teams which can be found at Gee-Gees Field, Monpetit Hall and Minto Sports Complex, respectively. The Glebe is where Landsdowne Park can be found and TD Place Stadium and TD Place Arena are on the park grounds. The stadium his home to the Panda Game and the Ottawa RedBlacks of the CFL. TD Place Arena is the home of the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s . Further away from downtown is Canadian Tire Centre, where the Ottawa Senators of the NHL play. Fans 4 The return of the Carleton Ravens to the gridiron has been well received by sports fans in Ottawa. It can be difficult at times to accurately gage attendance for OUA football games. The attendance will fluctuate usually between 1,000 and 3,000. The game that was reviewed was the O-Week game and full of first year Carleton University students. Where Carleton has gone above and beyond is their support, along with the University of Ottawa, for the Panda Game. The annual clash is now the premier event in all USports football and has been sold out in the 24,000 seat TD Place Stadium. Access 3 Getting around Ottawa can definitely be a challenge. The downtown especially can be some tough travelling by car, however, the campus of Carleton is a sufficient distance from Parliament that the traffic isn’t terrible. The closest highway access is highway 417, which is north of the campus. A small drive through the city isn’t terrible. There is plenty of parking available on campus near MNP Park. There are times when parking can be found free of charge. Keep an eye on the signs near parking meters for free parking hours. Ottawa public transit also drives right into the Carleton University Campus including the O-Train on campus and buses on Bronson Ave. Fans should check out the OC Transpo website for fares, schedules and maps. Once curious part of the Carleton experience is that the ticket tent is on the other side of security, essentially inside MNP Park. This is not a terrific setup and the lineups can be significant waiting for tickets or will-call. Getting around the stadium is not an issue as it is pretty wide open and the single grandstand makes moving around simple. Unfortunately, the biggest drawback of MNP Park is a distinct lack of running water. Washroom facilities consist of portable toilets and hand washing stations, which are not terrific. The next step in the evolution of the former Keith Harris Stadium should be some permanent washroom and locker room facilities. Return on Investment 4 OUA football offers tremendous value for sports fans in the Ottawa area. A ticket for Ravens football will go for $20 and those eligible for discounts will pay $15. The product on the field is solid for the Ravens and fans will enjoy the experience. A better facility with washrooms would push the return on investment higher as fans are going to have to endure some discomfort. Extras 3 An extra mark for the successful return of the Ravens to OUA football after a lengthy absence. An extra mark for the top rivalry in USports football and premiere event in the Panda Game. The annual clash against the Ottawa Gee-Gees played at TD Place Stadium is now an even bigger event than the Vanier Cup itself. An extra mark for the Old Crows whose determination and hard work made the return of Carleton Ravens football a reality. Final Thoughts A trip to see the Carleton Ravens is well worth the time and effort. USports football continues to be an underrated experience which more fans, outside of the university community, should experience. Here’s hoping that improvements can continue at MNP Park and the improvement of the Ravens experience continues to rise. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Each summer millions of Americans flock to one of the 30 MLB stadiums to enjoy a baseball game. Their attention, for the most part, is on the players from both teams on the field. However, there is a much larger team operating behind the scenes to ensure that fans have a fun time at the ballpark and that their respective teams are playing at their top performance level. Working at the Ballpark by Tom Jones explores the many functions people perform at the ballpark to enhance the fan experience and their team’s chances of delivering a win for the home team He does this through interviews with a wide variety of players, staff and the media. Chapters explore the front office, the dugout, the field of play, the bullpen, the stands, the electronic and print media, and the clubhouse. The Mover’s and Shakers chapter looks at the front office of several clubs and includes conversations with owners, general managers, and directors of player personnel. It also features a discussion with a principal in the architectural firm of HOK Sports on how the fan experience is central to the design of the ballpark. The In the Dugout section looks at the role of the manager, the various specialty coaches and the trainer in putting the best team possible on the field each night. The Field of Play chapter features several players, an umpire, and a ballboy and gives readers an overview of the gameday schedule, which begins several hours before the first pitch. This includes watching tape on the opposing team, batting practice, and strategy sessions with the coaches. The unique world of the relief pitcher is covered in the Bullpen section of the book. It features conversations with the bullpen coach and members of the relief staffs of many teams. The In the Stands section focuses on the many ways that teams focus on the fan experience. The ticketing staff discusses the ins and outs of choosing the best seats available for the fan, while an usher discusses their role in guiding the fans to their seats, as well as being a point of contact for any questions a fan might have about the location of a stadium amenity. A peanut vendor and a beer vendor discuss their roles in the very important area of fan concessions. The Eyes and Ears chapter discusses the role of media in the stadium experience. It includes conversations with a beat writer, a sports columnist, and a sports talk show host. The section also looks at the in-game staff which includes the scoreboard operator, the public address announcer, and the official scorekeeper. The closing chapter of Working at the Ballpark explores the many supporting roles staff plays in the fan experiences. A member of the community affairs department discusses the role the team plays in the nonprofit world. The director of merchandising shares how they create new products each season to meet the fan demand for the latest apparel and other team products.   This chapter also covers the important role of support staff in working on team needs. The clubhouse manager is a jack of all trades, as they are responsible for feeding the players before and after the game, doing the laundry, as well as preparing the clubhouse for the next game. The head groundskeeper discusses the ins and outs of having the field in the best possible condition for each game. The Director of Team Travel shares his many tasks for road trips, including reserving planes, making hotel arrangements in the visiting city, and making sure buses are available to pick up and deliver the team to the stadium, the hotel, and the airport. Tom Jones provides fans with unique insights on all the staff necessary to put on a major league game. His use of conversations with the people who fill these roles gives a real authenticity to his narrative. We think any true baseball fan will enjoy Working at the Ballpark and its behind-the-scenes look at a day at the ballpark.

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

Photos by Benjamin Evensen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Beasley Coliseum 225 N Grand Ave Pullman, WA 99164 Washington State Cougars website Beasley Coliseum website Year Opened: 1973 Capacity: 12,058 Lacking in Pullman Located in the southeast corner of Washington in the Palouse region, a few minutes from the Idaho border sits Washington State University in Pullman. A Pac-12 school of 19,756 at the main Pullman campus, the Cougars men’s and women’s basketball teams play at the Beasley Coliseum on campus which seats 11,671. It was opened in 1973 and is named for Wallis Beasley, a sociology professor and executive vice president who died in 2008. The first game at Beasley Coliseum was an exhibition game between the NBA’s Seattle SuperSonics and Portland Trail Blazers. The first Cougar men’s game was in 1973 against LSU. It has played host to the NCAA Tournament three times, hosting sub-regionals in 1975, 1982, and 1984, while teams such as UCLA, Michigan, Georgetown, and Duke participated in, top-15, for those years. Overall, Beasley Coliseum is a nice venue that has a good atmosphere when the team is winning. That isn’t happening much these days though, and today Beasley Coliseum is a very good, but not great, college basketball arena. Food & Beverage 4 The food options are not lacking in selection, and while the prices are not overly high for a sporting event, they certainly are not low. Hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, candy, Coke products, and popcorn are all in the $3-$6 range, while special food items like sandwiches and pizza are a bit more. If the prices were a little lower a 5-star rating would be awarded, but for now, it receives a 4-star. Atmosphere 1 The team isn’t winning and has not had much success at all in quite some time, but you would expect so much more for a Saturday game against a top-15 conference opponent (this game was against #13 Utah). The arena had no more than 3,000 people and the student section was almost non-existent. More fans will come with wins, but for this type of game and the atmosphere that was there, it was pitiful. Neighborhood 3 The arena isn’t close to much walking-wise except for student housing and dorms, and if you drive into downtown Pullman you will find a good amount of restaurants and bars in this college town. Nearby Moscow, Idaho, about a ten-minute drive, is full of restaurants and bars as well. There just is almost nothing for miles and miles outside of Pullman and Moscow, and not many places to go from there. Fans 1 Much like I explained in the atmosphere section, the fans are lacking in attendance and noise. There isn’t anything positive about the fans at Cougar basketball games as of late. Access 2 Pullman is a very isolated town with not much near it. About a 2-hour drive from Spokane, a 4-hour drive from Seattle, and a 5-hour drive from Boise on two-lane highways. During brutal winter conditions, it can be dangerous. There is a small regional airport that comes from Seattle, Spokane, and Lewiston, Idaho if you wish to fly into Pullman. Parking isn’t ideal near the arena and it may require high pries or walk from a distance. Return on Investment 4 The prices for Cougar games are not that bad, with upper deck tickets around $10 and lower bowl tickets around $25 and up. Some games will charge more when it is a marquee opponent like the University of Washington. Overall though, the price of admission is worth the game. Extras 2 If you like seeing colleges, head over the Moscow, ID just a few minutes away to see the University of Idaho. Martin Stadium is also right across the street 2-hour4-hour Beasley Coliseum. Otherwise, there 5-hourthe fromaren’t too many extras. Final Thoughts Overall, Beasley Coliseum is a nice arena, but while the team is doing so poorly the venue is empty and very unenergetic. With team success, it is not a bad arena by any means to see a Pac-12 basketball game.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 CCBC Dundalk Gymnasium 7200 Sollers Point Rd Baltimore, MD 21222 CCBC Dundalk Lions website CCBC Dundalk Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 1,500 Lions At The Gym One of the largest colleges in Maryland is largely unknown outside of the Baltimore area. The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) has an annual enrollment of greater than 72,000 students. Created in the 1990s by a merger of Essex Community College, Dundalk Community College, and Catonsville Community, the new college kept each of those three main campuses, along with a bevy of extension campuses around the suburban Baltimore area. The three colleges shared a common board of trustees for years, but operated independently. Essex, Dundalk, and Catonsville have each kept their own distinct athletic identity. CCBC Dundalk began in 1970. The school mascot is the Lions and they play three sports total. Dundalk won the NJCAA Division II national championship for basketball in 2000. They are a member of Region XX of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference, The Gymnasium is located within the larger Dundalk Wellness & Athletics Center. Food & Beverage 1 There are limited food options as well as some snack machines. We attended the game as part of a larger multi school "mixer" so we are unsure if food is for sale at all games. The food table was located on the lower level and had mainly snacks and drinks. Atmosphere 1 There is not much else in terms of the atmosphere at the Gymnasium. There are some simple PA announcements and some music played from a small speaker. The basketball court is a rubberized surface and not the preferred hardwood court. There is only one grandstand in the gymnasium. The bottom half has plastics seats and the upper stands has wood seats. Neighborhood 3 CCBC Dundalk is a suburban community college with its main neighbor being the Dundalk High School and Sollers Point Technical High School. One of my favorite places to eat in the area is Squire's Italian Restaurant, which has a large menu of offerings. Their pizza is well known in the area. Fans 2 The attendees at most games are family members or other athletes. There may be a few residents who attend the games. Access 4 CCBC Dundalk is located not far off of the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) via Merritt Boulevard. Please note that the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was part of I-695, could make getting to the field from the south a little more difficult. You will need to use one of the Baltimore tunnels instead. There is plenty of free parking on the campus. If classes are in session you may expect to park a bit further away from campus. Return on Investment 5 The games are usually free to attend, although the "mixer" was charging a nominal $5. Even if you have to pay that small amount, it is worth it. That, along with the free parking, means that you can attend a good-level JUCO program at no cost. . Extras 2 There are a few plaques around the Dundalk Wellness & Athletics Center that honor student-athletes from Dundalk's years passed. Walk around campus and see the solar panels that have been added to many parking areas on campus. All of the CCBC campuses have added these and expect to get more than a quarter of their electricity from solar. This 5.1-megawatt project is expected to generate 6.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year and joins the 16.1-megawatt array at Mount St. Mary’s University in an effort by local colleges to expand solar usage. Final Thoughts The CCBC Dundalk Gymnasium is a simple affair but serves as a decent, albeit simple, venue for intercollegiate sports.

1998 Olympic Hockey Gold Medal winner and Isobel Cup champion executive Colleen Coyne joins us to discuss the past, present and future of women's hockey.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         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 Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center East Summit St. Kent, OH 44242 Kent State Golden Flashes website Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 6,327 High Voltage MACC Mania It’s unfortunate that Kent State is most known for the tragedy that happened in 1970 with the shootings by the Ohio National Guard. A decent sized university established in 1910, Kent State is located just south of Cleveland in the college town of Kent, Ohio. With over 30,000 students, Kent State University is a significant member of the Mid-American Conference, where they have been a member since 1951, just five years after the founding of the conference. The Golden Flashes have a number of distinguished alumni including baseball legend Thurman Munson, football great Jack Lambert and golfer Ben Curtis. However, basketball at Kent State should not take a back seat to football, golf nor tragedy. The Golden Flashes have slowly grown to a strong team in the conference winning the MAC Tournament in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2008. Those same years the Golden Flashes made appearances in the NCAA tournament. The regular season MAC title was also won by Kent State in 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2015. All this sounds great, however it was the 2002 Kent State team that tops them all. In 2002, the Golden Flashes made it all the way to the Elite Eight, the best showing in Kent State history. Entering the tournament as a 10 seed, the Golden Flashes would go on to upset number 7, Oklahoma State, number 2 Alabama and number 3 Pitt. The home for the Golden Flashes is the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. Built in 1950, the MAC Center has seen the ups and downs of Kent State basketball and is a great spot to catch some basketball MACtion. With a capacity of 6,327 the MAC Center is just the right size for basketball in this conference. Named in honor of students and alumni who gave their lives in World War II, the MAC Center remains a living memorial in an age of corporate and large donor naming rights. The Golden Flashes demand energy from their fans and High Voltage is on the menu and MACC Mania is required for Kent State basketball. Food & Beverage 3 Concessions at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center are about what you would expect for an NCAA basketball venue of this size. Concessions are decent, but will definitely not blow fans away. The main concession stands offer hot dogs ($3), chilli cheese dogs, burgers, grilled chicken, sausage, nachos, popcorn ($3/$5), chips and pretzels among other things. Although the selection is decent, the variety will definitely not overwhelm fans with options. Alcohol is not sold at the concessions. Pepsi products are the featured soda ($3). Coffee, hot chocolate and other non-alcoholic beverages are also available. Although the selection isn’t massive, concession prices are pretty good with all items coming in under $5. Atmosphere 4 The Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center is a great place to catch a college basketball game. Approaching the MAC Center, fans will notice that this venue has been improved and upgraded over time. The original brown brick structure is still intact, but a newer grey stone, pillared entrance and foyer immediately greet fans. Large banners request fans to “Power Up” and let them know that “Home Is Where the Hype Is” and add colour and life to the exterior. The main foyer is large and bright and when fans pass through security, they are immediately greeted by a large inflated Golden Flash mascot. Lots of natural light gives the foyer light and makes it seem like a venue that is at a much larger, more prestigious basketball school. Clean and bright tile and a couple of mosaic tile pieces of artwork on pillars add more life to the building. The concourses feature a number of historic pictures and artifacts, which help outline the history of Golden Flashes basketball, among other sports. Upon entry to the main gymnasium, fans will be struck with the coziness of the seating area. The court runs from southwest to northeast with seating behind either basket and two levels of southeast and northwest grandstands. Fans have the opportunity to choose a variety of types of seating. The upper grandstands feature old wooden benches on both sides. The lower northwest grandstand has contoured plastic benches while the lower southeast grandstand has plastic chair seating. The southeast side is where fans want to be for that perfect picture of the center court logo. Surprisingly, there are some windows at the top of the grandstands which allow natural light to bleed into the main playing area. The upper southwest side of the court also features some glassed in, club seating. Above center court is the scoreboard which is pretty simple, but there are some video boards in the north and south corners of the gym. Above the northwest banners are the Golden Flashes championship banners from their appearances in the NCAA tournament and NIT as well as their MAC tournament and regular season championships. At the southwest end of the gym proudly hangs the Golden Flashes greatest basketball achievement, their 2002 Elite 8 banner. Beside that are the honoured numbers of Andrew Mitchell, Trevor Huffman, Demetric Shaw and Antonio Gates, all of whom were members of the 2002 team. The number of 2002 team member Eric Thomas is also honored, however, due to some significant legal troubles, Kent State has removed his banner. The game day production is what you would expect from a MAC school. The Kent State pep band plays in the southwest grandstand, behind the basket, and adds that college feel to the game. The northeast side of the gym features an in-house DJ who is clearly secondary to the band. The expected flag wavers and cheerleaders are also part of the game day experience. The Kent State mascot, Flash the Golden Eagle, roams the stands and courtside, interacting with fans, especially kids. Neighborhood 4 The Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center is located on the center-west side of the Kent State University campus. The closest major street to the MACC would be Summit Street, however, this is not the best spot to find pre or postgame fare. The best idea is to head north to Main Street, where fans will find a variety of establishments. There are a plethora of well-known chain franchises on Main, heading west towards Haymaker Parkway. There are also a few unique options that fans may want to consider. These include Main Street Continental Grill, Rockne’s Pub and 101 Bottles of Beer on the Wall. Kent being a small university town means there are not a ton of options for other entertainment nearby. Kent State does offer a full program of athletics, the most prominent of which is football played at Dix Stadium . Dix is quite a distance east of the main campus. Baseball is also played at Kent State during the spring months at Schoonover Stadium . For fans with a bit of an artistic side, the Kent State Art Gallery and Kent State University Museum are on campus. Also, the center of campus features a May 4th Memorial and May 4th Visitor’s’ Center for those who wish to learn more about the 1970 tragedy. There are a couple of places to stay that are not too far from the Kent State campus. Fans may wish to try the Kent State University Hotel or the nearby Holiday Inn. Fans 4 Although Kent State may not be known for preeminence in basketball, the Golden Flashes do lay claim to a pretty solid following. The Golden Flashes average more than 3,500 fans per game. This figure gives them a solid hold on third place for average attendance in the conference and are also above the MAC average for attendance. The fans in attendance are knowledgeable and passionate and the keep the noise level at a decent decibel. The seating behind the baskets is for the students. At the game that was reviewed, the student section was not overwhelming and not over the top. There was definitely some room for improvement from the students. Access 4 The town of Kent is located north of I-76. The campus of Kent State University is located pretty much central to Kent. For fans arriving from out of town, they will have to traverse some of the town of Kent to make it to campus. However, for basketball events, this does not seem too difficult and traffic is not over the top. Free parking is located in the lot on the opposite side of Summit Street. For fans who wish to get a little closer to the MACC, there is some pay parking available on campus, closer to the arena. Fans who wish to get to Kent State via public transit are in luck. The PARTA transit system runs all through the Kent State campus. Check out the Portage Area Regional Transit Authority website for maps, fares and schedules. The main ticketing and entry gate at the MACC is found to the south of the building, at the newer foyer entrance. Ticketing windows are outside and lineups are not too bad. On a cold day, the entry to the main foyer can get pretty tight for fans who are waiting for the gates to open and want to escape the cold. Getting around the arena is not too difficult. The upper and lower levels of the main foyer offer fans space to get around and the concourses on the southeast and northwest sides of the court may be a little narrow, but are not terrible considering the attendance. Washroom facilities are on the small side, but are adequate for this venue. Return on Investment 5 Mid-American Conference basketball is one of the real bargains in the NCAA. Tickets for Golden Flashes basketball range from $12 to $35. Ticket prices, expectedly, increase for the rivalry game against Akron. Kent State students are free to get in. Considering the cost of tickets, decent concession prices and free parking, Kent State basketball does not require a huge investment for an afternoon or evening’s entertainment. The product on the court is also underrated and in fact, the game that was reviewed was tremendously exciting, against a conference rival, and went into overtime. All-in-all, Kent State basketball offers just about everything a fan could ask for considering the low investment required. Extras 3 Two extra marks for the interaction of players and fans. On the game that was reviewed, players went into the stands and invited children to come on the court for the National Anthem as they stood arm in arm. An extra mark for the May 4th Memorial and Kent State’s treatment of the 1970 tragedy. Final Thoughts The Kent State Golden Flashes and their home at the Memorial Convocation and Athletic Center offer basketball fans the opportunity to experience a great NCAA basketball environment for a decent cost. Although probably not a college basketball bucket list experience, Kent State should definitely be considered when sports fans are in the area and looking for something to take in. If catching some Golden Flashes basketball, fans are to be warned that MACC Mania is in the house and High Voltage is to be expected. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Tonight we are joined by Tim Parks, the founder of the Major League Baseball Ballpark Passport Program, a product which helps fans chronicle their ballpark travels. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv .

Photos by Golf Digest and Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Grand Bear Golf Course 12040 Grand Way Blvd Saucier, MS 39574 Rapiscan Systems Classic website Grand Bear Golf Course website Year Opened: 1999 Golfing at the Grand Bear The Mississippi Gulf Coast is filled with tons of entertainment options to please everyone of all ages. From high rise casinos and top name shows, to world class fishing and water options, the Mississippi Gulf Coast has it all. With plenty to do, and millions of tourists visiting the Coast each year, it’s no surprise that the area also features plenty of golfing options. Thirteen professional designed 18-hole golf courses are spread out throughout the three coastal counties. With such beautiful golf courses, and warm year-round weather, it’s no surprise that the Gulf Coast has attracted the eyes of the PGA Tour. Since 2010 the area has played host to the Rapiscan Systems Classic of the PGA Champions Tour (Rapiscan Systems is a company that specializes in X-ray machines and airport screening devices, with a manufacturing plant in nearby Ocean Springs, MS). Formerly the PGA Senior Tour, this tournament brings in the top golfers in the world over the age of 50. For the first 10 years the tournament was held at the nearby Fallen Oak Golf Club, but beginning in 2022 the tournament is held at Grand Bear Golf Club, located off Highway 49 just north of Gulfport. Opened in 1999, the Jack Nicklaus designed course has been ranked by Golf Digest as one of the Top 5 of Best Golf Courses in the state multiple years since opening. Food & Beverage 4 When you arrive at the Grand Bear you are dropped off at the main club house. Around here is where all the food tents and grandstands are located. The clubhouse restaurant, the Grand Bear Grill & Bar, is open to the public, although it was packed out at any given time. The menu is kind of expensive but includes a breakfast and lunch menu. The breakfast menu consists of a loaded omelet ($9) or breakfast sandwich or burrito ($8), or if you are really hungry you can try the Tee Time Plate, which includes two eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, hashbrowns, and toast for $10. The lunch menu consists of shrimp po’ boys ($15), loaded nachos ($14), Philly cheesesteak ($14), Grand Bear Club sandwiches ($14), wings ($12), or grilled chicken wraps, club house salads, chicken quesadillas, and chicken tenders ($11 for any of the last four). Depending on what ticket package you purchase determines the score for the Food and Beverage section. The most expensive package is the $275 a day Marina Cantina Club, a temporary structure with a boating theme located on the 18th green. This air-conditioned upscale hospitality tent features great views of the final hole, while you also get a free seafood spread and plenty of cold drinks. Next to the Cantina Club is the smaller Corona Premiere Patio, another temporary structure constructed on the 9th green with excellent views. The Corona Patio has a full service menu and bar, and you are welcomed with one free beer upon entry. The Corona Patio tickets are $40 a day, which isn’t bad considering the views and food options you get. Also, as the Gulf Coast has a strong military presence, they have the Patriot’s Pavilion right next to the Corona Patio; the former is free to military members and a cool little spot for military personnel to hang out. For patrons who purchase general admission tickets there are two tents set up called the Bear’s Den near all the scaffolds and temporary structures. The options are limited here with Wagyu burgers ($12), sausage dogs ($10), and egg salad sandwiches ($6). There are also four temporary stands set up on the course, two on the front nine at Holes 2 and 7, and two on the back nine near holes 11 and 16. The concessions stands on the course itself sell southwest salads ($12), chicken salad sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches, veggie wraps ($10 each for the last three), hot dogs ($6), or PB&J sandwiches ($4). Some of the stands have long lines of people getting drinks, as it is usually a hot and humid day. Drinks are kind of expensive as well, with 24 oz bottles of Coke products, Powerade and Dasani bottled water selling for $5 each. Lots of people were drinking beer though, as for only a dollar more ($6) more you can get a 12 oz canned beer (Miller Lite, Corona, or Modelo), and Crown Royal in a can for $10. Atmosphere 4 The Grand Bear is located inside DeSoto National Forest, a 518,000-acre protected forest and the largest section of completely undeveloped land in South Mississippi. There isn’t much around the course – there are no fancy communities or neighborhoods surrounding it. Instead, you are one with nature as the course is designed to take golfers through Mississippi’s most natural and elusive habitats. As you travel in on the winding two lane road, you almost feel like you are headed out to a hunting camp rather than attending a PGA event. The main gathering area is around the clubhouse set up between the 10th tee pad and the 18th green. This is where you will find all the food and vendor tents. Many sponsors have tents set up giving out samples and such. The Cantina Club and Corona Premier Patio are located here as well, with skybox suites and elevated platforms with great views of the 18th green. The clubhouse is also open, so you are free to walk around the pro shop, which usually has a nice 40% sale going on. One cool thing about the clubhouse that ties into the area is it looks like a hunting lodge or ski resort from the outside. Once inside the Jack Nicklaus, the Golden Bear logo is on everything, from the interior and wooden floors to the walls made out of replica oak trees – if you are familiar with golf it won’t take long to tell who designed this golf course. Also the course is designed to look like a giant bear paw from above, so if flying into Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport you can see the giant bear paw carved out of the forests below you. Outside the clubhouse is the driving range on the north side and a practice putting green on the south side. Many of the golfers can be seen getting a few practice shots in before their tee times, and some of them were even talking to the patrons. As you walk the cart path it is basically one long nature trail. There are wooden bridges over creeks, lookout points, and side trails you can take to view all of south Mississippi’s natural wildlife. At any given time you can catch a glimpse of the many bald eagles, ospreys, sandhill cranes, and other large birds that live on the course, while deer, alligators, black bears, and foxes have all been spotted roaming on or near the course from time to time. The views of the golf course are absolutely stunning as well. The back 9 cut through the woods, with longer holes and wide-open fairways that split between 100-year-old oak trees and 100-foot-tall pine trees. The Biloxi River winds through the front 9 with a lot of shorter holes; the winding river has wide elevated banks and sandbars that come into play on a few holes. There are even a few times when golfers have to tee off over the sandbars on the river – holes 6, 7, 8 and 9 run directly parallel to the water, while a creek runs through the back 9, including a pretty cool hanging bridge between holes 13 and 14. As the Tournament takes place every year in early April, expect great weather and really nice temperatures as well. Neighborhood 2 The Grand Bear Golf Club is located in the middle of nowhere; in fact the nearest signs of civilization are an Exxon gas station and a Mexican restaurant on Highway 49 over 15 miles away. Because of this there is no neighborhood whatsoever, just miles and miles of woods and natural forests. The nearest town to the Grand Bear is the town of Saucier, just north of the golf course – this small community of 1,300 is most famous for being the setting for the 2004 Tom Hanks movie “The Ladykillers”, but there is not much here. However, you are about a 40-minute drive from the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast, and you should be able to find plenty to do there for all ages. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is an extremely popular gaming destination, often called the Vegas of the South. The coast features 14 high rise casinos offering plenty of options for entertainment, restaurants, or lodging. The Rapiscan Systems Classic’s main headquarters for the week are located at the Island View Casino/Hotel in Gulfport, so that hotel has group rates and discounts for people attending the tournament. The Island View also hosts many off-course events during the week, such as a dinner for the golfers and media personnel. While on the coast no trip would be complete without trying out the local seafood – from 5-star restaurants at the casinos, to local hole-in-the-wall restaurants, the Gulf Coast has plenty of places to have you covered if you are hungry. Fans 4 A PGA stop usually attracts a mix of all kinds of people. The best way to describe it is a perfect social gathering without the ability to get out of hand. Many of the patrons are relaxed and everyone gets along. In the Cantina Marina Club you’ll find sponsor company CEOs and corporate executives mingling with a group of people who received free Club tickets because they worked for the sponsor. Also, while walking the course at any given time you’ll find a mix of older retired men walking among a group of college students, as an event like this attracts everyone. Like most golf tournaments, patrons are free to walk the course and follow the golfers. The first tee time is at 7:50 am on Holes 1 and 10, and every ten minutes a new threesome of golfers will tee off. Obviously bigger name golfers are going to have more people following them than others; I would say for the biggest names expect about 50-70 people following the group, with John Daly having the largest following of about 100 people. The afternoon tee times tend to have more people following them as well, as that is when the leading groups typically tee off. Return on Investment 4 Only 500 general admission tickets are sold per day, with a ticket (for each day) costing $20, or you can purchase a 3-day general admission ticket for $40. GA tickets get you access anywhere on the grounds, or into the public viewing bleachers set up on the 18th green. The Corona Premiere Patio on the 9th green costs $40 a day to get in, and only 150 tickets are sold there per day, while the Cantina Marina Club tickets cost a whopping $275 a day. However, the latter offers free parking and no charge to ride the bus over to the course, so that is a plus. Attending a PGA Champions Tour is a lot different than a regular PGA stop. On the Champions Tour only three rounds are played over three days, compared to the PGA’s four round and four-day event, with only about 70-75 golfers registered per event. Also, everybody makes the cut, so the golfers you see on Friday will still be in contention on Sunday. I consider just being able to see some of these golfers play up close was thrilling in itself. It is pretty cool to be able to stand 15 feet away from John Daly as he hits a 300-yard tee shot, or being able to shoot the breeze with Davis Love III as we walk the cart path. It is something cool that you wouldn’t get to experience at a regular PGA stop. Access 3 The hard part about getting to the Grand Bear is getting to the course itself. As mentioned, the course is located in seclusion in the middle of nowhere off Highway 49, the main highway from the Coast to Hattiesburg. As you cannot physically drive to the Grand Bear on Tournament week, you have to park on Highway 49 and take a bus over to the Golf Course. The main and only parking for patrons is located in a huge field behind Keith’s A/C and Heating, literally right off the highway. The great news is that despite the limitations of getting to the course, the process of getting there actually runs really smoothly. Parking is basically a huge field, so there are plenty of spots to park and cars are well directed. They have a tent sent up here as well, where they scan tickets and check bags. Tickets are also only sold online to speed up the process. The buses used to shuttle patrons over are buses from nearby Harrison Central High School, and despite the fact that they are yellow school buses they were actually very clean, not dirty like you would expect. I was there when the gates opened at 7:30, and got on second bus out of there (as I was leaving I counted well over 20 buses in a line ready to go). They also run round trips every ten minutes, so they are constantly coming and going. The whole process from when you park, get your tickets checked, and arrive at the Golf Course is about 20-25 minutes. Extras 3 One extra for the laid-back atmosphere at the PGA Champions Tour that you won’t find at a regular PGA Tour stop. Many of the players are playing this tournament just for fun, and you can tell. With the Masters occurring the week after this tournament, a few of the golfers use this as tune up before they head to Augusta. A lot of them ride carts from hole to hole, something you don’t see at most professional golf tournaments. In between holes you will find many of the golfers mingling with patrons, and at the tee pads you are right up there with them, probably 10-15 feet away from each golfer as they tee off. Unlike at some tournaments, phones are also a common site here, as you will find many people taking pictures – you are just advised to keep phones on silent. Another extra just for some of the big name golfers the Rapiscan System Classic attracts – in 2022 the 76 golfers who participated had a combined total of 268 regular PGA Tournament wins, with 22 total major wins and four World Golf Hall of Famers. Among some of the notable participants were John Daly, Retief Goosen, Ernie Els, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, K.J. Choi, David Duvall, Pedraig Harrington, and two-time Master’s winner Bernhard Langer. Another extra for the history of PGA tournaments on the Mississippi Coast. Professional golf tournaments in the area date back to 1944, when the PGA hosted the Gulfport Open at the state’s oldest golf course, the Great Southern Country Club. The 1945 tournament was most famous for Byron Nelson and Sam Sneed finishing the final day of the tournament tied and having to advance to a playoff hole, in which Snead won. That 1945 tournament would be the last official PGA Tournament to take place on the Mississippi Coast. The LPGA also played a tournament in Biloxi in 1963, the Mary Mills Classic, and in Ocean Springs in 1964. Over the next 50 years the Coast would be home to several smaller professional tours: the Nike Tour’s Gulf Coast Classic from 1990-1997 and the Nationwide Tour’s Gulf Coast Open from 1999-2000. Jim Furyk, a 2022 participant in the Rapiscan Systems Classic, got his first professional win in the 1993 Nike Tour’s Gulf Coast Classic.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Tiger Field Auburn Dr Towson, MD 21204 Towson Tigers website Tiger Field website Year Opened: 2007 (Renovated 2020) Capacity: 600 Lacrosse With Tigers Tiger Field opened as the Tiger Soccer Complex opened in 2007 and is the home to the Towson Tigers women’s lacrosse team as well as the women’s soccer team. This location, adjacent to Johnny Unitas Stadium and SECU Arena , was home to earlier versions of soccer fields for the school. In 2011 a more permanent set of bleachers was added, but it was in 2018 that a more substantial renovation started. Finally, in 2020 a new grandstand was added as well as permanent concessions, restrooms, and a press box. The Tigers have had decent success as a women’s lacrosse program. The team has made 11 NCAA tournament appearances. Food & Beverage 2 The new permanent concession stand is an improvement over the temporary one located here previously. The options are still quite simple and like many Towson athletic facilities do not offer a great variety. The prices are decent. Atmosphere 4 The hill between the pitch and the SECU Arena is a nice place to watch the matches and also provides a nice atmosphere. The “new” facility creates such a warm and comfortable environment to watch soccer matches. The permanent grandstand is not large but is much nicer than the older stands. Doc the Tiger, Towson’s mascot, is often in attendance at matches. Neighborhood 3 Besides Johnny Unitas Stadium and SECU Arena, nothing is right by the field. Even though you may have to drive to most places, Towson is a semi-urban environment with a very large shopping mall and numerous restaurants in the area. Try the Charles Village Pub in the heart of downtown Towson for good food and drinks. Some other great options are Glory Days Grill and Sushi Hana. Baltimore is also a quick drive away. Check out the Federal Hill neighborhood, south of the Inner Harbor. There are a few fun restaurants and bars here. Abbey Burger Bistro is one great choice. The beer selection is good, and they offer a dizzying array of burger choices, which are all likely to satisfy. Fans 4 For many years, Towson was known as a commuter school. But in the last couple of decades, there has been an increase in residence students. Students are starting to come to games in more significant numbers. There are also many other fans who appear to be either locals or family of the players. Access 4 Towson is located right off the Baltimore Beltway/I-695. The only negative is that Towson is a maze of roads getting to the Osler and Auburn location of the sports complexes. Parking is free and plentiful, but be careful to check regulations for weekday matches. Return on Investment 5 There is no admission charge and the food is reasonably priced so the return on investment is quite good. Extras 3 Free programs are available for the matches. Doc is a great mascot who makes the atmosphere better. The hill overlooking the pitch is a great extra. Final Thoughts The changes to Tiger Field have taken a good location for soccer and made it into a very special soccer experience.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Monarch Stadium Joe Stout View Dr Fayetteville, NC 28311 Methodist Monarchs website Monarch Stadium website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 1,200 Long Live the Monarchs Monarch Stadium opened in 1989 and has seating for around 1200, with 800 plastic chairback seats on bricked steps dug into one hillside, and portable bleachers with extra seating in one end zone and on the visitor’s side. The Methodist Monarchs compete in NCAA’s Division 3, in the USA South Athletic Conference. Food & Beverage 4 Monarch Stadium has several concessions stands located near the main entrance – available for purchase they have pizza, nachos, peanuts, pretzels, cotton candy, popcorn, pickles, packaged candy, crackers, fruit snacks, chips, and cookies, as well as Italian Ice from Sunset Slush, bottled water, soda, and Gatorade. Most items are $3 or less, with many items for $2, $1, or even less than a dollar. The stadium also offers baked goods as part of a fundraising effort – technically these are free but donations are accepted; the baked goods are available from baskets the staff walks around with during the game. Atmosphere 4 One unique feature at Monarch Stadium is that the band includes two electric guitars, which is not something you normally see in college marching bands. Another unique feature is the seats in the main grandstand in front of the press box – the chairback seats are very comfortable and have lots of legroom, so you have plenty of space to stretch out. Methodist Monarchs Band, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey In the area in front of each row of seats there is just plain grass, no cement or other flooring, and if you don’t like those seats you are welcome to sit on the grass next to the grandstand or sit in the temporary bleachers on the other side of the field or behind one end zone; a few fans even watch from the shade of the trees around the track which surrounds the field. There is plenty of Methodist signage around the stadium, including an “MU” logo set in a bed of gravel in one corner, and a sign for the Monarch Maniacs near the front entrance. There is also a mascot, in the form of a student wearing a lion costume and Monarch’s jersey, who roams the grandstand interacting with fans. Also, if you sit in the front row of the main grandstand you are less than one foot away from the cheerleaders, so you are close to the action here at Monarch Stadium, as close as you will probably ever be at a football game. The staff also plays some really fun music throughout the contest. Neighborhood 3 Monarch Stadium is located on Methodist’s campus in Fayetteville, NC, which is a military town (home of Fort Bragg). As such the city is large enough that there are plenty of things to do if you are in town for the day or the weekend. The two closest restaurants to the stadium, right on the other side of the street from the campus entrance on Ramsey Street, are Applebee’s and Burger King, but there are plenty of other choices further out. The area surrounding campus feels a little run down, but the campus itself is quite nice. The closest hotel to Monarch Stadium is Fairfield Inn & Suites, also on Ramsey Street, but there are plenty of other options along Highway 210 closer to Fort Bragg, or along 401 closer to the town center. Fort Bragg itself also has a visitor’s center you can visit to learn more about the base, or you can go to the Zipquest Waterfall & Treetop recreation center for some ziplining fun. Fans 2 Monarch Stadium doesn’t draw many fans – at an average game, you will probably see less than a thousand fans in attendance. As such the crowd noise is not very intense but instead provides a rather relaxing atmosphere. Methodist Monarch Fans, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Access 4 Getting to Monarch Stadium is a walk in the park – just enter campus using the Ramsey Street entrance, park for free in the lot on the corner of Lowdermilk and Joe Stout, and you are less than a 5-minute walk from the stadium. Tickets are sold right in front of the stadium for $6 (there are no online ticket sales), and getting in and out of the stadium is very quick and easy. There is plenty of room to move around the concourse and short lines at the concessions. The only drawback may be the restrooms, which are in a white trailer near the south end zone, and not at the main grandstand. Return on Investment 5 $6 tickets are probably the cheapest you will ever see for college football – add in free parking and low-cost concessions, and you get a great bang for your buck watching a game at Monarch Stadium. Extras 2 The football field at Monarch Stadium has a track around it and is also used for lacrosse, so you can watch a lot of different Methodist sports at this facility. The static scoreboard doesn’t have any video capability but is large enough to easily be seen from the main stands. The guitars in the band are a nice touch, although the band is very small with only a few members. The “free” baked goods are also a plus, but I think the best part of watching a football game at Monarch Stadium is how close you are to the action – you can feel the sights and sounds of the game. Final Thoughts While it won’t stack up to most of the NFL or FBS/FCS football stadiums you may have been to, Monarch Stadium is great as far as D3 facilities go. If you are in the Fayetteville area I think Monarch Stadium is worth a look – relaxed atmosphere, easy in and out, and the chance to see college football up-close; what more could you ask?

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info Milford Ice Pavilion 291 Bic Drive Milford CT 06460 Sacred Heart Pioneers men’s hockey website Milford Ice Pavilion website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 1,000 Pioneers at the Pavilion The Milford Ice Pavilion, or “MIP”, has been the home of the Sacred Heart Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey programs since their inceptions in 1993. Featuring general admission bleacher seating, the cozy confines of the MIP ensure that fans are right on top of the action. Sacred Heart, with its 6000 total students, is the second largest catholic university in New England. The Pioneers compete in the Atlantic Hockey Conference along with several other small universities in the northeast. The Athletic Department as a whole made headlines last year with their hiring of former major league baseball player and manager Bobby Valentine as their Athletic Director. Food and Beverage 3 Marty’s snack bar is located adjacent to the bleachers at the MIP. Voted best snack bar of any ice arena in Connecticut, it certainly has one of the most ambitious and impressive menus that you will ever see in a snack bar of it size anywhere. All the standards are here, featuring bottles of Coca-Cola products, juices, waters, and Powerades of every color of the rainbow. Fountain sodas are also available for those who prefer their beverages that way. For those looking for something a little more substantial, pizza, burgers, hot dogs, BLT’s, grilled cheese, French fries, chicken nuggets, and egg sandwiches are available. Marty’s also boasts a wide variety of sandwiches, such as chicken parmesan, sausage and peppers, meatball, and steak and cheese. Fans looking for snacks will be pleased to find assorted baked goods, cookies, nachos, popcorn, and pretzels. Try the house special heated chocolate chip cookie with whipped cream and a cherry on top to satisfy that sweet tooth. For those feeling a bit too chilled by the cold ice rink temperatures, different varieties of soup are available. The menu at Marty’s is so vast that it would be impossible to list all the items sold here. The snack bar opens bright and early in the morning to serve all the hockey moms and dads carting their pee-wees off to an early morning skate all day long through the Sacred Heart games in the evening. Prices are very affordable, with no item costing more than $5. If you need to eat while at a Pioneer game, you won’t need more than $10 to completely fill up. There are major arenas with less variety in their menus than is seen at Marty’s. The quality is decent, the prices are good, and lines move quickly. Atmosphere 2 There is not much of a game-time atmosphere during Sacred Heart games at the MIP. What energy there is here is entirely due to the presence of the Sacred Heart pep band. They are very active throughout the game, and do their best to both pump up the home squad and intimidate the visitors. Unfortunately, with the small size of the crowds at the MIP, their efforts largely are for naught. Shuttle busses are available from the nearby SHU campus, but few students make the trek from Fairfield to Milford. Attending a game at the MIP is a no-frills, basic experience. There are no in-game promotions, giveaways, or extras here. Music doesn’t blast over a high-grade PA system during play stoppages. In fact, there are several times during a game that the PA system is playing music at the same time the pep band is performing. Those looking for an elaborate in-game presentation will not find it here. Another factor working against the Pioneers here is the fact that they can hardly even be considered the primary tenant in their own rink. There is a striking trophy case in the MIP lobby, but every item inside it is from the various youth teams that call the Milford Ice Pavilion home. Inside the arena are located several banners commemorating local high school teams and the aforementioned youth teams. Sacred Heart banners can be found, but they are mixed in with all the others, and given no preferential treatment whatsoever. This NCAA Division I program is on an equal footing in this regard with a team made up of 8 to 10 year olds. It doesn’t make for much of a home ice advantage. Neighborhood 2 The Milford Ice Pavilion is located just off Interstate 95 on the edge of a residential area. There is nothing to do in the immediate area of the arena, so fans looking for food or lodging in the immediate area will follow Bic Drive south to Route 1, located about a mile away from the MIP. Route 1 runs parallel to Interstate 95 a short distance from the MIP, and there is no shortage of places to eat or stay on this route. Unfortunately, the majority of the eateries on this road belong to national chains. For fans willing to search a little harder, there are gems to be found in the area. Milford, however, is not considered to be a destination city. Hockey fans travelling to the area will most likely continue on to New York, Hartford, or nearby New Haven. New Haven is located 15 minutes to the east of Milford, and has a multitude of museums, fine architecture, and a growing reputation as one of the finer culinary cities of its size in the nation. Fans 1 Crowds at the Milford Ice Pavilion average in the 200-300 range, and would be best described as a “friends and family” type of crowd. Despite the availability of shuttle busses for students to get to the game from campus, there is a minimal turnout from the student body. What students do turn out are generally there to watch the game, not to get engaged in the antics seen at so many other college venues. With several opposing teams located a short distance from the MIP, a decent turnout from visiting fans happens regularly, with the visiting fans at times outnumbering the locals. Access 3 The MIP is located on the southern coast of Connecticut in the area known as the “Gold Coast”. The Sacred Heart campus is located 12 miles away in neighboring Fairfield. This area of Connecticut is very heavily traveled, as New York City is only an hour’s drive away on Interstate 95. Fans traveling to the area by air can fly into New York or Hartford, located just over an hour to the north. From either of those cities, travel by car is the most efficient method to arrive at Sacred Heart. The Milford Ice Pavilion couldn’t be much easier to get to. If driving, take exit 35 off of Interstate 95. Turn onto Bic Drive, and the MIP is a third of a mile ahead on the right. The town of Milford has a train station that is a regular stop on Amtrak’s busy Northeast corridor route, located 3 miles from the MIP. Local bus routes do not directly serve the MIP. Driving is the only practical method for arriving at the MIP. Once inside the MIP, there isn’t a whole lot of room to roam inside this small facility. All the bleachers are located on the same side of the rink, with a walkway at the bottom of the seating area providing access. Access to the other 2/3 of the arena is restricted to the teams playing that day. Fans requiring accessible seating will find room at either end of the rink to suit their needs. Bathrooms at the MIP are very small, cramped, and due to the heavy use that the arena gets throughout the day, not the cleanest facilities you will come across. Return on Investment 4 An evening at a Sacred Heart hockey game is a very affordable alternative to local professional hockey in the area. Tickets are sold as general admission for $8. Youth tickets are $5, and visiting students and seniors are admitted for $4. Sacred Heart students can attend Pioneer games for free. Parking in the MIP lot is free, and there is more than enough room in the lot for the average SHU crowd. Concessions are varied and reasonably priced. On average, it will cost you less than twenty dollars to attend a Pioneer game, get something to eat, and enjoy college hockey played at its top level. Kudos to the staff at SHU for their fan appreciation efforts during Seniors’ night, as all fans were admitted to the last game of the season free of charge. Extras 0 A hockey game at the Milford Ice Pavilion is a no-frills experience. Final Thoughts At the Milford Ice Pavilion, the hockey is the thing. Fans looking for elaborate in-game entertainment, promotions and creature comforts seen at larger venues will have to look elsewhere. With several other Division One programs and professional hockey teams in the immediate vicinity, Sacred Heart hockey often struggles to gain attention in the local market. Fans looking for affordable, family friendly hockey played at a top level will find exactly what they are looking for here. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

The Australian Baseball League has announced the 2023/24 season will see a return to a six- team league with 2018 expansion teams Auckland Tuatara and Geelong-Korea to cease operations. Auckland in particular had a strained relationship with the ABL over the past few years, however a myriad of lockdowns and border entry conditions heavily impacted both teams. Neither participated in the shortened 2020/21 season, and with the threat of further Covid restrictions, the ABL ultimately suspended the 2021/22 season. The 2022/23 season saw the Adelaide Giants win their first Championship in the ABL era, defeating perennial contenders Perth Heat 2-1 in the best-of-three series. However, the league struggled to get fans back to the ballpark. With the exception of Melbourne Aces, all teams experienced lower than usual attendance, particularly the beleaguered Sydney Blue Sox who struggled on and off the diamond under their new owners. Their tumultuous seasons has ultimately led to another change in ownership. Fans are cautiously optimistic that a return to baseball-centric owners will result in an improved fan experience for 2023/24. With the withdrawal of the Tuatara and Geelong-Korea, the league has discarded the short- lived conference system. All teams will play each other home and away in a 40-game season. Opening Day is set for November 17, with the regular season concluding on January 21. The top 4 teams will qualify for the post-season which starts on January 26. The top ranked team will host the fourth ranked team in a best-of-three, with the second ranked team hosting the third ranked team. The winner of each of these series will then vie for the Claxton Shield, scheduled for the weekend of February 2-4. 2023/24 Opening Round Brisbane @ Adelaide Perth @ Melbourne Canberra @ Sydney

The QMJHL has decided to take measures to eliminate fighting. Is this a good thing, and will other leagues follow suit? Could this be the end of fighting in hockey? 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: 2.57 Northford Ice Pavilion 24 Firelite Place Northford, CT 06472 Connecticut Whale website Northford Ice Pavilion website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 1.200 The Newest Whale Pod The Connecticut Whale are one of the four founding members of the NWHL, North America’s first professional women’s hockey league. The league, now in its second season, has teams located in New York, Buffalo and Boston in addition to Connecticut. Teams generally play once per week, with the entire schedule consisting of 18 games. The league operates on funds raised from sponsors as well as the NWHL Foundation, a charitable arm of the league that raises awareness of women’s hockey through grassroots efforts. The Connecticut Whale are named in honor of the defunct NHL Hartford Whalers. After playing their first season in Stamford at Chelsea Piers, the team moved into the Northford Ice Pavilion, just outside of New Haven, for the 2016-17 season. Northford Ice Pavilion, often referred to as the NIP, is a multi-rink complex that contains three NHL sized ice sheets. In addition to serving as home to the Connecticut Whale, it is used for local high school hockey and youth games. The Pavilion was the home of the Quinnipiac hockey program from 1999-2007, when the team moved to the TD Bank Sports Center. Food & Beverage 4 There is a snack bar at the Northford Ice Pavilion that puts out an impressively diverse menu for a stand of its size. The snack bar offers a wide variety of breakfast items (served all day), appetizers, sandwiches, soups, pizza and snacks. Even more impressive than the variety of the menu may be the prices. No item served here costs more than five dollars. You can even order a whole pizza for only eight dollars. Coca Cola products are featured at the snack bar. If soda isn’t your beverage of choice, juices, water, slushies, coffee and hot chocolate are also served. No alcohol is served at this community rink. The entire menu can be viewed here . Atmosphere 2 There is nothing particularly fancy about the gameday presentation here at the NIP. Fans of college hockey will find a lot that feels familiar here, with the pregame introductions mimicking what you would find at any college rink. Unfortunately, there is nothing here at the NIP that indicates you are at the home of a professional hockey team. The banners and signage located here all belong to local youth teams. This doesn’t create much of a home ice advantage. The smallish crowd is very enthusiastic and dedicated, but does not make a whole lot of noise. Youth teams take the ice during intermission, with the youngsters participating in a shootout against the Whale’s backup goalie. Music plays over a tinny PA system during play stoppages, and announcements can be difficult to hear at times. It’s a laid back atmosphere, which seems to fit this small community rink perfectly. Neighborhood 2 The Northford Ice Pavilion is located in a small industrial park tucked into a quiet residential neighborhood in Northford, Connecticut. Fans traveling to Whale games will not find anything to do in the immediate vicinity of the NIP, unless you happen to know one of the locals. Visiting fans will find a few restaurants and hotels out by Interstate 91. If traveling from out of town, your best bet will be to head down to New Haven, which has a growing reputation as a foodie destination, and has more than its share of things to do for a small city. If visiting during the fall, Sleeping Giant State Park is located in neighboring Hamden, adjacent to Quinnipiac University. Fans 2 Since the NWHL does not release attendance figures, it’s a bit difficult to accurately gauge the size of the crowds at Connecticut Whale games. A good sized crowd can be found at the NIP for the Whale, although it is by no means overwhelming. There are a great many children in attendance, in particular young girls, who proudly sport their hockey uniforms or Whale gear. There is a nice community feel in the stands, as many of the fans in attendance are regulars who seem to know each other and have a personal connection with the players on the ice. Access 3 The Northford Ice Pavilion is located in the small town of Northford, about ten miles north of New Haven. It is easily accessed via Interstate 91 in either direction. Detailed driving directions can be found here . There is no public transportation that directly serves Northford, so driving is the only way to get to the NIP. The NIP consists of three NHL-sized ice sheets, designated the Red, White and Blue rinks. The Whale play in the Red Rink, the largest of the three, which is located directly in front of you as you enter the NIP lobby. Also located in the facility’s lobby is the snack bar, rest rooms, and skate shop. All of the seating in the Red Rink will be located on your left as you enter the chilly rink. All seating consists of aluminum bleachers. The walkway is located along the front of the seating area. The first row is elevated at the height of the dasher, so all seats have a good view of the action. Netting runs the entire length of the rink and obscures views from all seats. Fans wanting to take in the action from a different vantage point can stand at the near end of the rink, where the Whale shoot twice. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for Connecticut Whale games are sold as general admission seating for $20. There is no discount for children or seniors. Parking is free in the NIP lot. With reasonably priced concessions, a visit to see the Whale in action will not break the bank. Extras 2 As a fledgling league, the players in the NWHL accept a fraction of the salaries that their male counterparts receive. The NWHL has implemented a couple of unique measures to supplement player salaries. First, with every ticket over 500 sold, half of the profits are split between the teams playing that day. Second, Fifteen percent of all merchandise sold with a player’s name on it go to that player. If that’s not a reason to buy a t-shirt or jersey, nothing is. Lastly, the importance of having a professional women’s sports league cannot be understated after watching the young girls in attendance. Seeing the reverence with which the girls here, decked out in their youth uniforms, treat the players in the ice shows them that it is OK to care about sports and to excel at them. This point is reinforced during the post-game autograph session. The Whale give back to the community tirelessly with public appearances and hockey clinics aimed towards the numerous youth programs in the New Haven area. Final Thoughts While the Northford Ice Pavilion may come up short when compared to the NHL-quality facilities used by the other teams in the NWHL, it’s a solid home for the fledgling Whale. The NWHL has certainly experienced some growing pains in their second season, but the product on the ice is definitely worth a look. In hockey-mad New England, where there is no shortage of hockey to choose from between the professional, college and youth teams in the area, the Whale are beginning to carve out a niche as a “must see” option among local hockey fans. The team’s partnership with local girls youth hockey should prove invaluable in growing the women’s game in the future. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 1776 USA Election Central Everywhere, USA 17760 www.yourvote.gov Year Opened: 1776 Capacity: 155 million for the 2020 contest Electoral College Stadium Hosts the Big Event The Electoral College Stadium is one of the most unique sports facilities in the USA. It hosts only one game, the Electoral College Bowl and the game is only held once every four years on the first Tuesday in November. Among the impressive numbers at the Electoral College Stadium is its capacity….155 million fans have participated in the Electoral College Bowl in person over the last two election cycles. The press box at the facility is the largest in the world, as a worldwide press contingent has a great interest in the winner of the contest. We’re not just talking about sportswriters… this includes press staff from global governments, defense contractors, and political special interest groups, as well as the “non-partisan” press from CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, FOX, One America Network, Newsmax, etc. Network insiders/political influencers always get preferred seating in the press areas. The Electoral College Bowl has also experienced some on-field controversies in recent seasons, especially during the 2000 and 2020 contests. The referees, members of the Supreme Court in their zebra-striped robes, have the final say on controversial plays. Their decision is final… there are no grounds for an appeal. Of course, the team on the losing side of a call will then accuse the winning side of stacking the referee squad. Food & Beverage 3 The two sets of fans at the Electoral College Bowl Stadium cannot even agree on a standard set of food items at the concession stands. Therefore, the stands on the opposite sides of the field serve fare in line with their squad’s preferred food platform. While the Donkeys’ Blue Ribbon Stand favors lots of ethnic and soul foods, the Red Elephants’ Rockin’ Red Stand carries BBQ and other country club favorites. Atmosphere 5 Qualifying for the next Electoral College Bowl typically gets underway in January before the Bowl game. These preliminary contests often take place on the frozen tundra of fields located in the states of Iowa and New Hampshire. These early contests separate the contenders from the pretenders. This gets the political blood of the competing teams going for another election season. At the opposite end of the political spectrum is the Electoral College Bowl, the culminating event of the political season. It is preceded by pep rallies, otherwise known as conventions, held by each competing team. These events are important, as they determine the strategies to be employed by each team going into the final quarter of the political season. Speakers range from former team leaders to up-and-comers who may lead the teams in future years. Celebrity guests are also invited to these conventions, as they raise the TV ratings and help the celebrities meet the “right people” in the media world. The conventions also serve a function of choosing an assistant coach in case… well… there was Watergate…. And the head coach might be tossed out of the game! There are times when the battle between the parties somewhat goes out of control, resulting in some unsportsmanlike conduct, such as some mudslinging taking place. In these situations, the officials are quick to file injunctions to get the offending players calmed back down. Gameday is really about the fans. By now, the two finalists have completed the X’s and O’s of their game plans and published them in their team program, or platform. The supporters of the Democratic Donkey team wear their blue team colors proudly and sit on the left (liberal) side of the election field, while the red-clad Republican Elephant supporters sit on the right (conservative) side of the field. Any Independents that somehow get in the Electoral College Bowl are confined to the area behind the end zone… looking wistfully at the playing field they cannot earn a spot on. As soon as the Electoral College Bowl ends, the polls reopen to gauge the up-and-coming teams at the city, state, and federal levels. These teams compete at a separate level, namely the Federal, City, and State levels, known as the FCS. Neighborhood 5 Electoral College Stadium is unique in that its seating bowl is not set up based on rows or aisles. Instead, fans of each team are seated by precinct. This allows the political stand managers to easily identify problem areas and dispatch a squad of political consultants to decide what platform corrections can be made quickly to bring the voters in those areas back in line with the party’s platform. The seating precincts are subject to alterations between the election cycles due to redistricting. Fans 5 Electoral College Stadium and the Electoral College Bowl draw fans from all 50 states and some U.S. Territories. The fan bases are about equally distributed between the Democratic Blue Donkeys and the Republican Red Elephants. Every few years a registered Independent fan tries to sneak in, but the polls have never allowed the Independents to get as far as the Electoral College Bowl Game due to the stringent eligibility requirements. (Plus, they don’t stand a chance of winning against the big boys!). Even though each fan base is solid in support of their party, some fans waver when gameday arrives. This a big negative, and the offending fan is in danger of being accused of being a “moderate,” which is akin to being called a scab in this ultimately political game. Attending a game at Electoral College Stadium does come with restrictions. Fans must be at least 18 years old and must be registered voters. No kids allowed! Each fan is limited to one ticket per ballot. Tickets may not be sold or transferred to another person. Some photo ID may be required at the gate by a poll watcher. (i.e., so no one cheats!) Access 3 Gamedays at Electoral College Stadium get underway as the gates typically open at 7 am, and do not close for 12 hours. However, you often must leave before the final score/stats are determined. Access to the Electoral College Stadium is restricted to persons over 18, who have not committed any Federal crimes (or at least have not been caught) and are residents of the U.S.A. Ticket takers at the gates of the stadium are Secret Service agents who have the right to frisk anyone who might be deemed as a danger to members of the winning/losing Electoral College Bowl teams. Fat cats and special interest groups are allowed admittance to the Smoked Filled Room luxury boxes atop the stadium. Members and supporters of the losing squad in the contest are prohibited from the Smoke-filled Room Luxury Box for the next four years. Return on Investment 4 The Electoral College Bowl is one of the most expensive college contests in the world, as fans, corporate fat cats special interest groups, and plain small donors compete in the contest to influence the winner of the Electoral College Bowl Game. Tickets go for face value… it is the table funding that gets favorable consideration from the winning team. Depending on the legislation passed, or favors done, some attendees DO see a favorable return on their investment. Extras 3 Fans in attendance need to choose a side before taking part in the Electoral College Bowl. If you don’t make a choice, you have no right to complain for the next four years! The perks to being a supporter of the winning squad in the game may include entry into one of the many Washington galas, a prime seat at the Inaugural Parade, or a possible appointment as a member of the Presidential Cabinet. The 2000 game featuring Al Gore as the leader of the Democratic Donkeys squad and George W. Bush as the captain of the Republican team holds the Electoral College Bowl record for overtime. It finally was decided by the infamous “hanging chads” call by the court/bowl zebras, which awarded the win to the Red squad. Final Thoughts The electoral college stadium has lasted for nearly 250 years. It has survived wars, depressions, good times and bad. Just like any structure, it has some imperfections and is subject to criticism from the fans, who point out the flaws in the structure. What is most important is that its once in every four years schedule for the Big Game allows the fans from both teams to have a say in the game strategy for their respective squads. Like any contest, after the whistle blows to signal the end of the game, both parties shake hands to acknowledge the winner.... and that's the American Way.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 NM State Softball Complex 1830 Stewart St, No1654 Las Cruces, NM 88003 Map It New Mexico State Aggies website New Mexico State Softball website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 1050 Aggie Softball The NM State Softball Aggies team has had winning seasons over the last decade, reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2018. The team began play in 1975 and is currently a C*USA (Conference USA) member. They play their home games at the picturesque NM State Softball Complex on campus in Las Cruces, NM.  The complex was built in 1981 and received renovations in the 2000s.  The university has hosted many conference tournaments featuring top competition from around the country  throughout the years.  It also hosts the annual Troy Cox Classic, which Stadium Journey saw during its visit in 2024. Food & Beverage 2 A small concession truck sits behind the stands selling snacks and drinks. Nachos, hot dogs, chips, pickles, popcorn, Cheetos w/cheese, and candy cost $2 - $5. Sundays are $2 hot dog days. Drinks include bottled Pepsi products, water, and Gatorade ($4). Beer choices include canned Coors Light, Modelo, and Mixed-Up Aggie-Rita (a canned raspberry margarita cocktail made especially for NM State). The canned alcohol sells for $8. Outside food and drink are not allowed except for bottled water. Atmosphere 3 NM State Softball Complex offers a pleasant game day outing.  Ten to twelve rows of bleachers with handrails sit behind the home plate area.  Two smaller ancillary bleachers are adjacent to the main set and do not have handrails.  The press box sits on top of the bleachers.   The bleachers do not offer any shade, so remember to bring sunscreen for day games.   A medium-thick net guards the seating area, protecting fans from foul balls. The infield dirt is clay with a polymer additive that repels water.   It requires no watering and maintains a consistent playing surface year-round . The outfield is pleasantly treelined.  You can see Presley Askew Field (baseball) through the trees.  The stadium flies other C*USA school flags along the outfield wall. The music is a tad loud but mostly played just between innings.  The music person sometimes plays music at the same time the PA announces the players; fan s cannot hear who’s coming to the pitcher’s circle or on deck.  They should take lessons from their women’s basketball counterparts. Neighborhood 4 The NM State Softball Complex is near the other on-campus NM State Athletic fields in Las Cruces, NM.  Plenty of restaurants and hotels are within 1 – 2 miles of the arena.  Ten or more restaurants (including fast food) are along University Ave from I-10 to the arena:  I-Hop, Burger King, Panda Express, and Chick-fil-A.  The Game Sports Bar and Grill  is a decent pregame place to visit for a beer and a bite.  Weck’s, an NM breakfast/lunch chain, is a worthwhile visit before an afternoon game.  Other things to see and do when visiting Las Cruces include the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum  about three miles from the stadium.  The Museum of Science and Nature or the Las Cruces Railroad Museum may also be worth a visit, depending on your interests.  Of course, a visit to see the world’s largest chile pepper  may be in order, too! Plenty of hotels are near the university.  The closest are the Hilton Garden Inn Las Cruces, Comfort Suites University, and Sleep Inn University.   A whole slew more is within two–three miles of the complex. Other sports in the area are the Aggies baseball  team and the men’s basketball  team.  A trip to El Paso, TX (a 45-minute drive) will take you to the El Paso Chihuahuas , AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the San Diego Padres.  Fans 3 The fans in attendance are extremely encouraging to  the players.  Average attendance is generally over 600 fans.  For the Troy Cox Classic game, a great many visiting fans were in the stands. Access 3 The softball stadium is near the rest of the university’s athletic fields, south of the Pan American Center. Getting to the stadium is an easy drive off I-10. Free parking is in front of the stadium. Handicapped parking is available, as is a ramp to the bleachers and a few areas for wheelchairs. Las Cruces does have a bus stop (Aggie Green), but it looks operational only M – F, 7am – 6pm, so it may not be suitable when attending late afternoon/evening or weekend softball games. Las Cruces Airport is 12+ miles from the university. The ticket office is a separate building with polite staff manning the booths. I didn’t notice any rules about a bag policy. Your best bet is use a clear stadium bag 12” x 6” x 12” or a small clutch. Clean, accessible restrooms with plenty of stalls are near the ticket booth. Return on Investment 4 The cost of attending an Aggies softball game at NM State is a spo rts dollar value.  It is $7 for a single game.  The Troy Cox Classic costs $20 for the entire tournament (10 games), $7 for a single game, but $10 for the game against Nebraska.  Kids under 12 get in free. They don’t charge for parking, and even the concession prices are not out of this world. . Extras 2 The stadium proudly displays the Ross Kremer Wall of Honor which honors outstanding Aggies softball players and team accomplishments. The NM State Softball team is entering its 50th season in 2024 with 1,144 wins and a dominant reputation. The team has brought ten championships home to Las Cruces. Final Thoughts Watching a reputable softball team in an attractive stadium is an enjoyable few hours of entertainment on a spring afternoon.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Mayser Gymnasium 650 College Ave Lancaster, PA 17603 Franklin & Marshall Diplomats website Mayser Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1961 Capacity: 3,200 A Diplomatic Court Franklin & Marshall College (“F&M”) is a private college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1787. The school was originally named for Benjamin Franklin, but in 1836 it was merged with a college named for the fourth Chief Justice of the United States John Marshall. Famous alumni include Roy Scheider, Treat Williams, and the late Commissioner of Baseball, Bowie Kuhn. The college’s sports teams are called the Diplomats and mainly compete in the Centennial Conference at the NCAA Division III level. The Mayser Gymnasium basketball court has been well regarded as one of the most "true" surfaces around. The NBA's Philadelphia 76ers trained on the court for over two decades. The men's and women's basketball teams practice and play on Glenn Robinson Court, named after former men's head coach Glenn Robinson, who has held the national record for the most wins of any coach in Division II or III basketball. Food & Beverage 1 There are no food offerings in the gym except for a couple of vending machines. Atmosphere 3 The arena is very nice, but it is a high school type of setup. As you enter the arena you will find bleacher-filled grandstands sitting along two sides of the court. Outside the gym is a Hall of Fame and trophy cases. Neighborhood 3 The college is located just north of downtown, right near Clipper Magazine Stadium. There are many shops and restaurants right near the stadium. The Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant and The Fridge are some great options within easy walking distance. Besides downtown, the main commercial areas of the Lancaster area are the outlet’s area east on Route 30 and surrounding the Park City Center Shopping Mall north of downtown. Fans 2 This is truly a friends and family-only type of sports venue. Access 4 Lancaster is an easy area to navigate. Routes 30 and 222 are large roads that any tourist visiting the area will be more than familiar with. Even though the college is located in a busy town, you will seldom find traffic to be too bad. Lancaster is located about half an hour from the state capital Harrisburg. It is also about an hour and a half to Baltimore and the same distance to Philadelphia. There are many parking spaces around the college. Return on Investment 5 There is no price to attend games at Franklin & Marshall. Extras 2 The trophy cases have some interesting sports history in them. Check out neighboring Clipper Magazine Stadium before or after the match to see a nice quality independent league baseball stadium. Final Thoughts Mayser Gymnasium is historic and offers a fun atmosphere for sporting events.

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Melaleuca Field 568 West Elva Idaho Falls, ID 83402 Idaho Falls Chukars website Melaleuca Field website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 3,600 Me Like Melaleuca In the world of travel, Idaho Falls is known as one of the gateways to Yellowstone National Park, attracting families throughout the summer who use the town as a base for exploring all of the incredible natural scenery in the area. For those more interested in sports travel, however, the destination is the city itself, more specifically Melaleuca Field, home of the Idaho Falls Chukars of the Pioneer League. Located in a residential area about a mile north of downtown, the naming rights were bought by a wellness company owned by local billionaire Frank L. VanderSloot. According to some residents I spoke to, there was controversy over the name, but as VanderSloot and Melaleuca provided $600,000 to help with the construction of the facility, the name stands. The stadium opened in 2007 to replace McDermott Field, which was demolished just a few days after the final game was played there. Food & Beverage 4 For a ballpark at this level, the food options are extremely varied and offer a few things beyond the usual. There are two permanent concession stands, which offer an excellent variety and include some healthy options like carrots and celery ($3), or my personal favorite, apples and caramel ($3 for sliced Granny Smiths served with melted caramel, as good as it sounds but messy). The signature item is the Chukar Clukar, a chicken breast sandwich topped with bacon, French fries, and cole slaw, a bargain at $9, but one too heavy for me. I chickened out and avoided the Clukar, choosing a simple hot dog ($3). Other items worth noting include a Po'Boy chicken sandwich for $8, walking tacos for $7.50, and a double cheeseburger (2/3 lb.) for $10. There are many other choices at these stands, so check the menu in the photo gallery for the full list. There is also a sno-cone stand, which is likely the best of its kind in baseball. A small cup is only $2.50, and the young men staffing the stand are extremely generous in doling out the syrup; it took me about 3 days to come down from the sugar high. Beer is reasonably priced as well, with small domestics going for $4.75 and large $6.75 (add a dollar for craft beers). A 16-ounce domestic can is $5; again, another buck gets you the good stuff. Pepsi products are your soda choices, with a small fountain drink going for $3.75 and a large for just 50 cents more, while bottled water is $2.50. All in all, you should be more than satisfied with the options here, which are possibly the most diverse for a Rookie League ballpark. Atmosphere 3 The main entrance is next to the ticket window, atop which stands an inflatable batter to ensure that you are in the right place. Once inside the main entrance, you will be on a concourse behind the stadium structure, where you will find all the concession stands and historical displays. You’ll find the starting lineups and standings along the concourse as well. The seating bowl is typical – 7 sections of Kelly green seats, and then some general admission benches further down both lines. The sections directly behind the plate are C, then L1, L2, and so on along third base and R1, R2, etc. along first base. There is also a walkway at the top of the seating bowl, and you can stand here, particularly behind home plate, though it does get slightly bothersome with fans walking by all the time. Three suites are on each side of home plate, and picnic areas down the lines, as it is now customary at minor league venues. A bouncy castle is also available behind the stadium proper along first base. The sun sets behind third base, so those GA seats fill up quickly. If you end up at first base, you will have the sun in your eyes for a few innings, though netting should protect you from any foul balls lined at your head. The scoreboard is basic, with just an electronic linescore and no video board. For those wondering, a chukar is a type of partridge found in the area and Charlie is the friendly feathered mascot here. The Chukar moniker was the result of a name-the-team contest in 2004, after the team changed affiliations from the Padres to the Royals, who are still the parent club. Neighborhood 3 Idaho Falls is actually a Mormon town, with over 60% of residents belonging to that faith, but there are still a few bars in the downtown core, with the different types each offering something for everyone. Many of the bars allow smoking, but one that doesn’t is BlackRock, which also has good craft beer offerings and friendly staff. Other choices that are open after the game are The Celt Pub & Grill that caters to a younger crowd, and Samoa Club, which seems to be more of a dive bar. Most of these places closed early on the Monday I visited, but there is an Applebee’s on the other side of the Snake River that was open a bit later. Snow Eagle Brewing and Grill is also close by, though you will have to visit before the game, as it will be closed by the time the final pitch is thrown. West Yellowstone is just over 100 miles away to the northeast, while Craters of the Moon National Monument is a couple of hours west, should you be spending a few days in the area. As Idaho Falls is a base, hotels are surprisingly expensive for the quality, particularly early in the season, when many families make their pilgrimages, so book well in advance if you are on a budget. Fans 5 I was amazed at the turnout at the game I attended, with nearly every seat filled, which was very surprising for a Monday night. There was a promotion involving a local insurance firm that might have had something to do with that, but whatever the case, empty seats were few and far between. Fans were polite, knowledgeable, and had a good time. Charlie was busy with all the kids as well. It was a quintessential minor league crowd and really added to the experience. Access 3 There is a free but tiny parking lot next to the stadium, which was nearly filled by the time I arrived an hour before first pitch. Given the proximity to the ballpark, you might want to park on the street a block away to minimize the risk of a cracked windshield. Inside, the venue is quite small, and with the large crowd, there were lineups at concessions for much of the evening. Getting around the concourse and stadium itself is easy enough, though the lines do occasionally force you to the outside. I did not notice any issue with restrooms, and getting out after the game seemed to be easy enough. Return on Investment 4 Prices here for the reserved box seats are $12, while GA is $8. Normally, I would suggest the latter, but in this case, the GA sections ended up full, and several patrons had to stand. Capacity is 3,400, and there were over 3,200 seats sold, but average attendance is about 2,400, so for most games, you will not have trouble finding a good spot to sit. With decent food prices and free parking, this is a great little evening out for those who might be stopping by on their way to one of the natural sights in the area. Extras 2 There is a board describing the history of baseball in Idaho Falls, which is worth a read despite it being behind the Sno-Cone stand. There are some retired numbers (and a retired microphone for Jim Garchow, who passed away in 2009) beneath the press box windows. Don Werner managed here between 1996 and 2000 as well as 2002, but is better known as the catcher of Tom Seaver’s only no-hitter in 1978. Billy Butler played here in 2004. As well, banners for those in the Idaho Falls Hall of Fame can be seen, including ex-Jay Devon White. Final Thoughts Overall, I found Melaleuca Field to be an enjoyable evening, helped by the overflow crowd and excellent concession offerings. If you are thinking about a tour of Yellowstone or the northwest in general, try to stop in to Idaho Falls for an evening with the Chukars.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Bobcat Stadium 1 Bobcat Circle Bozeman, MT 59717 Montana State Bobcats website Bobcat Stadium website Year Opened: 1973 Capacity: 17,777 In the Shadow of the M There is only one thing you’re allowed to do on Saturdays in Bozeman, MT, and that’s watch the Montana State Bobcats play football. Having watched their team play in Bobcat Stadium since 1973, the fans are loud, intense, and ready to cheer for their Cats. The stadium currently has a capacity of 17,777, but that number is regularly expanded with additional temporary seating in the north end zone, as well as standing room only areas. The venue boasts FieldTurf and lighting that allows for night games, but the school is also in the middle of a 20-year athletic facility master plan, which will provide additional enhancements, most notably increased seating at Bobcat Stadium in the future.   Food & Beverage   4 Bobcat Stadium does not have a ton of variety in their main concessions – all the stands on the east and west sides offer the same items, namely bratwurst, hot dogs, pizza, and nachos, along with typical snacks such as popcorn, cookies, peanuts, chips, and candy. Pepsi is the fountain drink provider here; you can get fountain drinks in three different sizes, as well as bottled water, energy drinks, Gatorade, and coffee or hot cocoa. Prices top out at $14 for a personal-sized pizza and drink, or $11 for the pizza alone, with brats and hot dogs going for $6 or $7 respectively, but also available in combos to save you a few dollars if you also want chips and a drink. Snacks and drinks range from $3 to $6. What raises the score for this section is that there are a few food trucks and temporary concession stands set up in the northeast corner, which give you a little more variety than the typical items mentioned above.   Atmosphere   5 The fans win the day at Bobcat Stadium, making the atmosphere what it is; I will discuss that later in a bit. In terms of the stadium layout, the student section is behind the south end zone, with the club seating “Touchdown Terrace” behind the north end zone. There is also berm seating in the northwest corner, and there is tailgating as far as the eye can see around the stadium, both before and during the game. There are also party sections within the confines of the stadium itself. The Bobcat staff plays great music during the game, and there is also the band, dance team, mascot, fan contests, and all the other amenities you have come to expect at a football game.  But what really sets Bobcat Stadium apart is when the team comes onto the field – sure you’ve seen cones of fire spurting up as the team makes their entrance, but have you ever seen the football team led onto the field by not one but SEVEN mounted riders? Each rider holds a lettered banner aloft to spell out the word B-O-B-C-A-T-S, and they are accompanied by a cannon that goes off during every kickoff. The horses can be seen, and petted, during pregame; they hang out in a field behind the north end of the stadium. Their entrance is truly a sight to behold. Make sure to be paying attention, however, and perhaps have your camera ready, when the big moment comes – the horses only ride around to lead the team onto the field; unfortunately, you will not see them again when the home team scores, which would be amazing, by the way.   Neighborhood   4 Bozeman, Montana has a lot of great things to see and do while you’re in town for a Bobcats game. The Museum of the Rockies is right next to Bobcat Stadium and includes several exhibits on dinosaurs, including some specimens dug up right here in the local area. There are other exhibits inside the museum as well, not to mention an entire third floor taken up by a hands-on exhibit & play area for the kiddos.  The American Computer & Robotics Museum is near the stadium as well, featuring exhibits from the beginning of people-kind all the way to our modern day. If you are willing to drive about 10 miles to the east, you can also visit the Montana Grizzly Encounter, a Grizzly Bear habitat/education center. The center has 3 bears on premise, who apparently don’t get along, so they are rotated in the outside enclosure throughout the day – if you want to see all three bears, you may want to plan several hours, maybe half a day, for your visit. It is a great experience to see the bears play in the pond, or frolic in their enclosure; the habitat will give you a true look at Montana’s wildlife. There are also plenty of great restaurants in town, as well as numerous hotels. The hotels tend to be on the pricier side, given the proximity to Yellowstone, so you may want to book in advance. Some of the restaurants also seem to have limited hours, for example Feed Café (amazing breakfast and lunch) is only open until 2 pm, while Red Tractor Pizza doesn’t open until 4 pm.   Fans   5 The fans at Bobcat Stadium are stellar – the first game of the season is called Gold Rush, and the fans turned out in force, with a wall-to-wall sea of gold throughout the stadium. In fact, I have rarely seen a sports venue with so few visiting fans; there is a tiny section of visiting fans on the lower west side, near the 10-yard line, and another tiny section in the upper corner behind the south end zone, no more than a few hundred visiting fans in all. The rest was pure gold. I was a little nervous when the stands seemed to empty out at halftime, but they ALL came back, so it was just as full at the end of the fourth quarter as it was at the beginning of the first, and the fans were also loud and engaged throughout, especially the student section. Several of the students had their chests painted to show their Bobcat pride, and the student section did their best to will their team to victory, causing enough ruckus to make the visiting team get called for several false starts at key moments in the fourth quarter.   Access   2 Parking is a little difficult for games at Bobcat Stadium; you cannot park close to the facility unless you have a parking pass, and even if you do have a pass, there is very little signage directing you where to go, and the staff may not be able to help you much either. Your best bet is to use the parking map, but even that doesn’t have all the parking areas labeled. Getting out after the game also takes a long time, as there are several giant parking lots, and each one only has 1-2 entrances, causing lots of delays as everyone tries to exit at once. Fortunately, Bobcat Stadium doesn’t hold that many people right now, but the parking situation may worsen as the school expands the facility, as they plan to, if additional parking is not somehow provided for. In addition, there seem to be long lines to get into the stadium, even an hour before kickoff, so it would help if the venue had faster processing. Note that there are entrances on the southwest side as well as on the southeast side – the southeast side is where the tailgaters and RVs park, while the students enter on the west/southwest side, behind the press box. That said, if your line is long to get in you might try walking over to the other entrance.   Return on Investment   5 Despite the access issues, I consider seeing a football game at Bobcat Stadium to be a great return on investment. The fan energy and crowd noise alone would make it worthwhile; seeing the mounted riders lead the team onto the field is just icing on the cake. Tickets in the south end zone start at $30 or $35 for most games, but can rise to $100 for the Gold Rush game; sideline seats start at $60 for the lowest priced games. General admission parking can be found for $20 to $25, although as I mentioned above those lots are not necessarily close to the stadium.   Extras   5 There is a giant ‘M’ on the mountains overlooking the stadium, visible above the west grandstand, although depending on the time of day it can be hard to see, for example if there is any mist or fog in the area; during the middle of the day you should be able to get some very clear pictures of it. There are other schools that boast such letters – BYU  has its ‘Y’, Utah  has its ‘U’, etc., but this is still a feature you won’t see at many sports facilities. Bobcat Stadium also boasts an “open air” team gear shop (the walls are lattice and there is no roof, making it easy to look in and see everything they have for sale). Also, if you pay close attention you may see spurts of flame late in the game, done in order to burn off all the gas from the pyrotechnics used when the team comes onto the field; the tanks need to be empty before they cart away the equipment. That was a surprising, and fun, thing to witness during the fourth quarter. Lastly, I have to give credit to the tailgating scene all around the stadium – you can look out from the top of the east grandstand and see quite a few folks partying all game long, in addition to tailgating being visible beyond the northwest corner, as well as in the traditional tailgating parking lot on the west/southwest side; the tailgating at Bobcat Stadium doesn’t ever appear to stop, even when the game is in full swing.   Final Thoughts I would definitely recommend a visit to Bozeman for a Bobcats game, even if you need to fly in to see them – Bobcat Stadium and the local are well worth a look. It would be a good idea to plan ahead on tickets, so you don’t have to buy them on the secondary market, as well as to get better rates on hotels. But even if you have to go in at the last minute and spend a little more, I think you will have a great time.

Before Rick Ellis was a journalist, covering all things streaming at www.AllYourScreens.com , he was in the Wrigley bleachers, cheering on the Cubs during the day and doing stand-up at night. Rick took a few minutes to discuss his Wrigley memories, as well as his stand-up career. Subscribe to his Too Much TV Newsletter here . STADIUM JOURNEY: So when did your love affair with the Chicago Cubs begin? How has it blossomed over the years? RICK ELLIS:  When it comes to sports overall, I am fairly sports impaired. I am not generally a huge sports fan, although I spent my youth living in Southern Indiana, where I went to a lot of Evansville AAA games. By the way, their home field was seen in the movie "League Of Their Own," because it was one of the oldest continuously-used parks in the U.S. I started going to Cubs games not because I was a fan, but because I was in my twenties and had started doing stand-up comedy. I had my afternoons free, and I started going to Cubs games with several of my stand-up buddies. The tickets were cheap, the beer was reasonable and day drinking was seen as a positive character trait. STADIUM JOURNEY: What were the Wrigley bleachers like in the '80s? How rowdy was it? What was the funniest thing you ever experienced out there? Were the Bleacher Bums aware that you did stand-up comedy? RICK ELLIS:  It wasn't as crazy in the 1980s as it apparently had been in the later 1960s and early 1970s. As an organization, the Bleacher Bums had disbanded but most of them were still at the games, in their normal left field bleachers spot. In fact, for a lot of games, much of the crowd was in the left field bleachers. I remember games where the crowd was in the low single digits. What I remember most is the stories I would hear from the longtime fans. They would talk about how the Cubs had to install that net in front of the bleacher section because drunk fans kept falling onto the field. And apparently some of the outfielders would hoist them back into the stands so they wouldn't be fined. And until the mid-70s, there were beer vendors walking through the bleachers. Which apparently went about as well as you would expect. The funniest thing I experienced involved me doing something incredibly dumb. I had only been to a couple of games when I caught a home run. A bunch of the former Bums started yelling "throw it back!" I didn't quite understand the reference yet. So I proceeded to toss the ball over my shoulder and into the street in back of me. As to being a stand-up, a few people knew but I never liked mentioning it. Because then people would ask me to tell a joke. I do remember one drunk guy --you might be noticing a theme here - insisting I tell him a joke. He wouldn't leave me alone, so I agreed and started out with the line "So your mom and I were at a hotel...again." He then got mad, tried to take a swing at me and fell across the bleachers. STADIUM JOURNEY: What did a beer go for back then? Were you pre-gaming and post-gaming with the Bleacher Bums? Did you have any contact with the Bums outside the stadium? RICK ELLIS:  I don't recall the price of beer, other than it was really reasonable. Not much more than you would pay in a regular bar. I didn't see Bums much outside of Wrigley. I went to this bar across the corner from the stadium sometimes before the game. But honestly, I liked the idea of the game experience being a specific thing for me. As I said, I wasn't a huge sports fan back then. So getting drunk while moaning about how much the Cubs sucked really didn't appeal to me. STADIUM JOURNEY: You live in Minnesota now. How often do you get to see the Cubs these days? RICK ELLIS:  I see them every other year when they play the Twins. They played three games here this season. And my wife and I took our son to a game at Wrigley a couple of years ago for his high school graduation. My son is a huge sports fan and I paid for an  MLB.TV  subscription so we could watch games at home. The funny thing about that is while my wife thinks baseball is the world's most boring game, after being exposed to so many Cubs games, she has become a fan of the team. STADIUM JOURNEY: Back in the 80s, what was the stand-up scene like? There were many more clubs. Was there work every night of the week?  RICK ELLIS:  When I started doing stand-up, there were less than a dozen places in the country that were full-time comedy clubs. Within a couple of years, you could go to the smallest town and find at least one place doing a comedy night or two. You could work every night, although the money for one-nighters was fairly dismal. The first road tour I booked for myself involved driving back-and-forth across the Midwest and Rocky Mountains. I ended up doing something like 310 nights in a row and almost all of them involved doing a show, getting in my car and driving a few hundred miles to the next spot. And a lot of times, only making $50 or $100 per night. Once some of the big comedy chains opened, there was the opportunity to make real money. Headlining paid maybe $1,000 a week. Which was great money in the late 1980s. STADIUM JOURNEY: Back then, a stand-up's dream was to do  The Tonight Show  and get a sitcom. Would you agree with that statement? Were you on that path? RICK ELLIS:  Yeah, that was pretty much the only way to break through as a stand-up. This was before cable TV had regular stand-up specials and "The Tonight Show" was the place to be "discovered." And being on the show was the most predictable path to a sitcom. That was a tougher road for me because back then I was not the most disciplined comic in the business. If you wanted to be on TV, you needed to carefully hone a couple of tight 7-10 minute routines. Lots of comics I knew did essentially the same act night after night, carefully tweaking bits until they were perfect. I got bored easily. So by the time I was headlining, I generally had a bit I would open and close with. Something that I knew would work. And everything else was free-form, depending on the audience and my mood. I had a couple of hours of material and approached my act a bit like I was a jazz musician. I just let the moment propel me forward. The problem with that approach is that while it's fun to watch - you could watch me five nights in a row and see five different shows - it has an unacceptably high failure rate. Maybe one out of ten shows would just be a disaster. Which was difficult for some club owners to tolerate, even if the other nine shows went incredibly well. The comedy talent coordinator for "The Tonight Show" happened to see me at a show in California and told me afterwards that I was hilarious and certainly funny enough to be on the show. But he motioned at the stage and said "But you can't do that show on television." Which was a fair criticism. STADIUM JOURNEY: Did you discuss the Cubs and, or the Bums on stage? RICK ELLIS:  Not really. Back then, there were some other Chicago comics talking about that onstage, and I didn't feel as if I had the credibility to discuss it.   STADIUM JOURNEY: These days, you've pivoted away from stand-up to writing about all things streaming. How do you make that transition? And how do you go about getting an audience? RICK ELLIS:  I stopped doing stand-up in the 90s after my mom had a stroke. I left the road to take care of her, and I was away from the stage for more than two years. At that point, I just couldn't bring myself to essentially start over. And it would have been even more difficult because the comedy boom was ending and it was really competitive. I had done some radio when I was younger and was hired to do a talk show, which eventually turned into a syndicated talk show for a couple of years. I then moved to the Bay Area after I met my now-wife and did financial news. Along with being the voice of a stock-picking sock puppet, I worked for a series of fairly traditional digital news companies until I was laid off three times in two years about a decade ago. I realized that if I wanted to stay in journalism, I needed to create my own destiny. So, I did freelance work for anyone who would have me. And I resurrected a TV site I had had around since the early 2000s to see if I could make a go of it. I was able to, but it took 3-4 years to get there. As for the audience, I think it's just a matter of working away and hoping to create things people want to read and share. STADIUM JOURNEY: I think you've attended your fair share of press junkets where celebrities sit for hours and go through an assembly line of journalists and answer the same questions repeatedly. It seems super awkward. Did you ever have a genuine connection with one of the interviewees? RICK ELLIS:  Those are the worst and for the most part I have stopped doing them because I would prefer to interview a less well-known actor or writer for 20 minutes than to get 4-5 minutes with a "star." Maybe it's a reflection of my talk radio days, but I enjoy conversation and the unexpected places you can go. There are a few moments that come to mind, including a conversation with rapper Fat Joe about his autistic son. I also have a son on the spectrum. But to be honest, the unexpected connection I remember the most came when I was talking with dancer and choreographer Cris Judd, who had been married to Jennifer Lopez for two years. I interviewed him in connection with a reality TV show he was hosting and was asked ahead of time not to ask about her, which was fine with me. During the interview, he was discussing the emotional aspects of dance and I asked him if he found that dancing had personally helped through some difficult times. He really went into the process of refocusing that pain into a dance performance. And at some point, it was clear he was talking about his break-up with J-Lo, although he never mentioned her. The show publicist called me afterwards to tell me it was his favorite interview ever and he felt a real connection to me, which was gratifying.   STADIUM JOURNEY: Would you consider a stand-up comeback, or are you completely retired? RICK ELLIS: I haven't been to a stand-up club since I stopped performing. I loved doing it and to be honest, I am a better writer and much more comfortable in my skin than I was back then. Funny enough, a few years ago I kicked around the idea of doing a one-camera comedy about an older guy who blows up his life when he decides to return to stand-up. I still think it's a great idea and I still write jokes in my head. I have a pretty tight 20 minutes about being older that no one will ever hear. At the end of it all, I have really fond memories of being a stand-up comedian. But doing it again would involve wrecking my personal life, which I am not willing to do. Jon Hart is   @manversusball

Photos by James Hilchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Drake Stadium 2719 Forest Ave Des Moines, IA 50311 Drake Bulldogs website Drake Stadium website Year Opened: 1925 Capacity: 14,557 Drake Bulldogs Opened in 1925, Drake Stadium plays host to Drake Bulldogs football and hosts the annual Drake Relays, one of the biggest track and field events in the nation. The stadium underwent a significant renovation in 2005 where capacity was decreased from 18,000 to its current capacity of 14,557. At the conclusion of the Bulldogs season in 2015, the dated scoreboard was taken down and replaced with a more modern board. The new Daktronics video board measures 24 feet high by 38.5 feet wide and allows for far more freedom for the video team to show replays and various other graphics. The Drake Relays gather the greatest athletes from around the country on an annual basis. Among the competitors who have competed in the relays are: Michael Johnson, Carl Lewis, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, and Gwen Torrence. Following the 2016 relays, a new track was installed and is constructed of the same material used for tracks in the Beijing and London Summer Olympic games. The football field is named after Johnny Bright, a Drake alum and member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. The Drake football team has won 13 conference championships. The team is also significant historically as being one of the participants in the first ever night game at Soldier Field (Chicago) in 1930 (against Oregon). The Bulldogs compete in the Pioneer League. Drake Stadium is the largest stadium in the league. Food & Beverage 3 The stadium largely just has the basics that are found at all games. Hot dogs, burgers, popcorn, candy, etc. are all available. A welcome addition in 2025 is a food truck. Yannis Grill serves up Greek food and they do it well. This is the highly recommended option. For the kids, Kona Ice (snow cones) has a truck there also. Coke is the soda of choice at Drake Stadium. The stadium also sells beer now. Bud, Busch, Michelob Ultra, Modelo, and Coors Light are available along with some microbrews. Atmosphere 2 The best way to get in the college football mood is to take in the tailgating. Although a smaller group than larger colleges, a spirited crowd gathers before every game enjoying food and drinks before kickoff. Once inside the stadium, there really isn’t much to get excited about. The football field sits in the middle of the track. As such, fans sitting in the front row are still far away from the action due to eight running lanes separating them from the sidelines. The stadium is large and combined with the small crowds, any excitement is minimal. The new scoreboard is located on the north side of the stadium. If you are looking for shade, your only option is sitting behind the south end zone. Don’t worry about requesting a seat; everything is general admission and there are only smatterings of people that take advantage of the shade. The Drake band sits on the west side near the press box while the cheerleaders entertain the crowd. Neighborhood 4 The Drake neighborhood is undergoing a rejuvenation and there are plenty of great places to go before or after a game. Lucky Horse Beer and Burgers is a couple blocks south of the stadium and a very short walk. Lucky Horse serves up quality bar food and lots of drink options. Across the street from the Lucky Horse is Dough Co Pizza. Dough Co offers both gluten free and vegan crust, if desired, and if you are with a hungry bunch, they offer a massive 26 inch pizza. At the Drake Diner, hometown cooking/comfort food is the specialty and everything on the menu is tasty. Drake Diner also offers up decent sized portions so you won’t be left hungry if eating here before the game. For day games, I highly suggest hitting Waveland Café prior to game time. The café is about 2 miles from the arena. Waveland serves up some of the best breakfast in Des Moines. It’s open until 2 PM daily and can be packed, so give yourself a little extra time…it’s worth it. If you are just looking for a drink, head to Peggy’s Tavern, just west of the stadium. Peggy’s is a Drake staple and hugely popular amongst the locals. In town for a day or two? Just south of campus is newly opened Home2 Suites (a Hilton hotel). Downtown Des Moines is about a five-minute drive East of the Drake Campus and has every food imaginable and plenty of other places to stay. Fans 3 The fans that show up to support their Bulldogs are a loud bunch. That is not necessarily reflected in the atmosphere as the stadium is so large as compared to the crowds. Nevertheless, those that do show up are well invested in the game and are cheering throughout. Access 4 Drake Stadium sits at the edge of the Drake campus near a residential area. Located just a few blocks off I-235, the stadium is easy to get to. There are numerous parking areas around the stadium. Inside the stadium, concourses are open and easily maneuverable. Restrooms are clean and more than sufficient for the small football crowds. Return on Investment 4 You can get tickets starting at $17. Given most all the stadium is general admission, you can sit anywhere you want which is nice. Parking is free for football games, so combining that with reasonable concession prices and a decent ticket price, you get a good return for your money. Extras 2 On the south side of the stadium there are banners celebrating the accomplishments of Bulldog football. Take a look around the concourse on the west side. There are plaques and other signage of some of the athletes and records of the Drake Relays. Final Thoughts Drake Stadium doesn’t match the atmosphere of some other college football in Iowa and the Bulldogs would be better off in a stadium built specifically for football. However, you can have a fun time watching college football in a fun town without breaking the bank. Follow all of James' stadium journeys on X @ stadiumjwriter .  Email: james.hilchen@stadiumjourney.com

The gang from Stadium Journey's Obstructed views is back, and they are venturing into NEW territory. Is there a better way to take the first venture in the WNBA than to examine the phenomenon that is the Indiana Fever? Join Paul and Dave and special guest Marc Viquez as they examine the hottest thing basketball has seen in a long time. You can find Stadium Journey's review of Gainbridge Fieldhouse and the Indiana Fever game day experience here.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Shell Energy Stadium 2200 Texas Ave Houston, TX 77002 Houston Dash website Shell Energy Stadium Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 22,039 State-of-the-Art Home in Space City Note: The stadium name changed from BBVA Compass Stadium to Shell Energy Stadium in Jan, 2023. In 2013 the Houston Dynamo welcomed the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and its newest franchise, the Houston Dash, to BBVA Compass Stadium. The team ushered in a new era of professional sports not just in Space City, but in the State of Texas. The Dash began playing the following season and have steadily built a strong and passionate fan base ever since. With its vast and diverse population, Houston has proven to be the perfect breeding ground for the game of soccer. While the women’s game lags a little behind, judging by the success the Dash have had in attracting fans it is only a matter of time before women’s soccer here takes that next step in popularity; the fact that they will be able to accomplish it from the friendly confines of the state-of-the-art BBVA Compass Stadium is just icing on the metaphorical cake. Food & Beverage 2 When the Dash play at BBVA Compass Stadium, one of the first things you’ll notice is that many of the facilities normally open during Dynamo games are not available; this is especially noticeable in terms of concessions. Many of the food and beverage kiosks are closed during Dash games, which limits you in terms of selection. What there is though should be enough to satisfy the hunger of anyone who attends; all the open concession stands are located on the main concourse level. If you’re looking for traditional stadium fare, right off the bat you can hit up Diesel’s Corner where hot dogs ($3), nachos ($4), popcorn, and candy are all on the menu. Or, there is also a Papa John’s Pizza kiosk that serves pizza by the slice. Another main draw in terms of concessions is the Heineken Red Star bar at the north end of the stadium; this is a full-service bar that, as can be imagined, is quite popular throughout matches. Atmosphere 2 You cannot help but notice that many of the amenities, including the second deck of the stadium, are closed during Dash games. This unfortunately hurts the overall atmosphere of games, as even a large crowd tends to feel overwhelmed by the emptiness of the stadium. That being said, the Dash do a good job filling the lower section and encouraging fans to partake in all of the tropes and trappings of the sport of soccer. You’ll see countless orange soccer scarves, there will be chanting throughout the match, and there is a palpable buzz emanating from the end zone where the fan clubs sit. Neighborhood 4 BBVA Compass Stadium is located in the middle of downtown Houston, within eyesight/walking distance of Minute Maid Park, so if you plan your visit on the right weekend you might be able to catch an Astros game as well. This is also a really vibrant area of the city, and is quite frankly a great place to spend time before and after Dash games. As an example, directly catty corner to the main entrance of BBVA Compass Stadium is one of the most popular barbecue restaurants in the city, Texas Bar-B-Que House. This place fills up fast on game nights, so you might have to wait to get your brisket or your ribs. Also, directly behind the stadium there are a couple of spots that are just flat out cool, for lack of a better word. The Truck Yard is an awesome outdoor food park, complete with live music, a beer garden, and even a Ferris wheel – it has to be seen to be believed. For those of the 21 and over crowd, make sure you stop by 8th Wonder Brewery. With a wide selection of award-winning craft beers and a healthy dose of Houston-centric nostalgia (the brewery is named for the fabled Astrodome), this is a great spot to hang out before or after Dash games. Fans 2 The Dash currently average a shade over 3,800 fans per game this season, which has them ranked near the bottom of the NWSL in terms of attendance. However, that number is still pretty impressive when stacked against other minor league sports, and the fans that do come out to Dash games come out fully loaded! There is orange everywhere in the stands and in the fan club section, and there is also a drum corps that beats out tunes the entire game. Personally, I think one of the best reasons to be hopeful about the future success of the team is the sheer volume of young fans in the stands. Young boys and girls attend Dash games in abundance, and there is no better way to grow a fan base and a sport than to get fans interested while they’re young; I believe the Dash get this. Access 3 BBVA Compass Stadium is located right in the heart of Houston’s downtown. Because of this, it is both extremely easy and at times highly frustrating to get to Dash games. Houston traffic is infamous; you will encounter bumper-to-bumper stoppage on the city’s freeways pretty much 24 hours a day. The stadium is located almost directly off Highway 69, and there is ample parking all around the stadium. The cost for said parking ranges anywhere from $5 to $25, depending on how far you want to walk. But for those who want to skip the traffic, METRORail Houston has a stop right in front of BBVA Compass Stadium. Return on Investment 3 Individual tickets for Houston Dash games are a real bargain at just $15 per person. There are also BOGO offers for select games, and kids get in free games during the month of August. Again, I think this is a great way to build a fan base, especially for the young ones. Concessions prices are pretty much on average with similar sports at this level. You won’t break the bank trying to take the family to Dash games, especially if you don’t mind heading toward the $5 parking. In addition, the NWSL features some of the top players in the sport, and they all come through Houston at one time or another. Extras 1 There isn’t much offered up in the way of extras during Dash games – aside from the fan clubs, which are fun to watch, the Dash don’t do much else. They do share the same mascot with the Dynamo, however; a human-sized fox named Diesel who patrols the stands during Dash games and makes for a great photo opp for kids. Final Thoughts If you’ve ever gotten caught up watching the Women’s World Cup since its inaugural year in 1991, attending a Dash game is something you should experience. A vast majority of the top stars from the U.S. Women’s National Team have found a spot on one of the rosters of the NWSL, which means they play at least once a season in Houston. For fans of the game, attending a matchup at BBVA Compass Stadium should be something you make a point of experiencing at least once.

Photos by Andrew Kulyk and Paul Swaney, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Huntington Center 500 Jefferson Ave Toledo, OH 43604 Toledo Walleye website Huntington Center website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 7,389 Holy Toledo – Hockey Is Really A Thing Here As far as hockey hotbeds are concerned, Toledo, Ohio might be one destination that is easy to overlook. But this city has a long and rich minor league hockey history that spans almost from the end of World War II. It all started with the opening of the Toledo Sports Arena along the shores of the Maumee River directly across from downtown Toledo. The Toledo Mercurys made an immediate splash in the International Hockey League, winning the Turner Cup in just their second year of existence. They would enjoy success on the ice throughout the 50s before sliding and folding after the 1961-62 season. The team would return to the IHL after one season, under a variety of nicknames with different ownership groups… the Blade, the Golddiggers, then becoming the Toledo Storm when the team joined the East Coast Hockey League in 1991-92. They would last until 2007, when the old arena was demolished and the team suspended operations. They returned in 2009 as the Toledo Walleye. And a new arena, the gleaming $105-million Huntington Center smack dab in the middle of downtown Toledo. The curtain was raised on a new era for hockey in Toledo. The Huntington Center has all the amenities of a larger peer NHL facility – private suites and a well appointed club level, spacious concourses, state of the art electronics, and merchandise stores with ample spaces. Food & Beverage 5 Using a nautical “Walleye” theme, the food stations here are exemplary, and offer a huge variety of concession fare at decent prices. “Bait Shacks” offer the standard hot dogs, bratwursts, popcorn, nachos and pretzels. The “Swamp Dog Grill” has tacos, mac and cheese, tater tots served poutine style, the local specialty Coney Fried Bologna Sandwich. The “Riverside Grill” offers Stanley’s Kielbasa, a local delicacy, along with chili dogs and angus burgers. The “Frogtown Burger Company” offers signature burgers and chicken sandwiches served gourmet style. Add a good selection of local craft brews and frozen drinks and nobody goes home hungry or thirsty. Atmosphere 4 These people take their hockey seriously, even at the ECHL level. Their parent club are the Detroit Red Wings, right up I-75, and there is a pretty good representation of Red Wings gear spotted in the stands and concourses. The building can be pretty loud and boisterous, aided with the antics of their two beloved mascots, Cat Trick and Spike. The Walleye front office is partnered with the AAA baseball Toledo Mud Hens, and that brings the baseball version of entertainment diversions to the hockey venue, and they present it all very well here. Neighborhood 3 Like many mid-sized northeast cities, Toledo has gone through the depths of despair and disinvestment, and now is roaring back, thanks in small part to this arena and the neighboring Fifth Third Field baseball venue just two blocks away. Old buildings are being rehabbed into office space and trendy apartments, shopping and restaurants are coming back, albeit slowly, and there is a can do spirit among the locals. Check back in a couple years, the 3 star score will most likely be moved upward. There are a couple of favorite eateries close by worth mentioning – The Blarney Irish Pub is recognized as one of downtown’s best destination spots for beer and food with an Irish flair; Ye Olde Cock ‘N Bull Tavern features sports on the screens and live music. On the other side of downtown is the Maumee Bay Brew Pub in the reconstituted Oliver House, offering a number of restaurant venues on several levels and an amazing selection of local beer. The Toledo Museum of Art, Imagination Station science museum and the local Farmers Market are other entertainment venues worth checking out. Fans 5 When the new arena opened in 2009, the local fan base turned out in droves, generating over 100 straight sellouts at one point. They continue to support the team in huge numbers, earning the team a top spot in the annual ECHL attendance rankings. It would not be farfetched to imagine this program and this venue taking a berth in the American Hockey League some day. The entire scene here is that good. Access 5 Coming into downtown Toledo one can find directional signage everywhere taking you right to the Huntington Center. There are ample surface lots and ramps in just about every direction from the arena, with costs generally running $5-$10. Street meters aren’t monitored on Sundays or evenings, so snag a spot on the street if one is available. The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) offers bus service with routes and stops right at Huntington Center. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices run $26 for club level or “in the swamp” seats rink side and $17 for all other seats in the main level. Add to this very reasonable concession and beer prices, parking costs which won’t break the bank, and also merchandise at attractive price points. It all makes for an economical game night experience. Extras 4 The team is so focused on promotions and fun nights to bring fans into the arena, including all sorts of things for the kids, and to keep them entertained. Just a perusal of the promotional schedule on the team website reveals everything from Star Wars Night to a pregame pizza party to Harry Potter Night to an ethnic festival. Clearly the promotions front office team at the Mud Hens has their hands in this. For all this we award 3 bonus points, and offer a template to other minor league teams looking for ways to put fannies into the seats. One point is given for the outstanding presentation of Toledo hockey history. The championship banners and retired numbers, spanning seven decades and across a coupe leagues are nicely organized and hang from the rafters with pride and distinction. Final Thoughts When you come down to it, the ECHL is the third tier of North American hockey, following the NHL and AHL, yet it is amazing how the bar has been raised in terms of the quality and opulence of the arenas at this level, and how the franchises have done so much to up their game in terms of their contribution and footprint within their respective communities. Hockey is doing just fine in Toledo. For a community that once was named as having the game’s ugliest jerseys (Toledo Storm), their graduation from a dusty yet classic old school hockey rink to a gleaming downtown destination is a true success story. Toledo and their Walleye are a must see visit for the hockey road trip enthusiast.

Photos by Stefano Romagnoli Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Stadio Luigi Ferraris Corso A. De Stefanis Genoa, Liguria 16139 Italy UC Sampdoria website Stadio Luigi Ferraris website Year Opened: 1911 Capacity: 36,599 The Blucerchiati The Unione Calcio Sampdoria was born on August 1, 1946 from the merger of two companies present in Genova from the late nineteenth century, the Andrea Doria and Sampierdarenese. Even the colors of the club’s jersey is a legacy of the previous two teams: from Andrea Doria comes blue with white strip, from Sampdierdarenese the red and black strip. Also on the chest of the Sampdoria player is the coat of arms of the city of Genova, the shield of San Giorgo. The blucerchiati , nickname of the Sampdoria players, play their home games at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium. The facility is located in the Marassi neighborhood. Opened in 1933, six years after the start of work, the Ferraris stands on the site where the Genoa CFC played their home games dating back to 1911. Before 1933 the stadium was called Stadio Comunale di Via del Piano and the appearance was very different from what we see today. The new stands in reinforced concrete replaced wooden ones. Next came the northern tier (home of Genoa fans), the southern tier (home of Sampdoria fans) and finally, in 1947 the distinct sector. The facility is named after Luigi Ferraris, Genoa CFC player and captain, who died during the First World War. Between 1987 and 1989, the Ferraris was renovated to host the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The project of the new Ferraris bears the signature of the architect Vittorio Gregotti (who had already worked on the renovation of the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona). The stadium has hosted two FIFA World Cup (1934 and 1990). The Italian national football team has played here 27 times, the first on December 22, 1912. Performances by noted musical artists include Bruce Springsteen, Frank Zappa and Lou Reed. Food & Beverage 3 On the ground floor, under the Tribuna Centrale, there is a bar. You can buy drinks, even beer, but they are served in a paper cup. Savory or sweet snacks, including hot dogs are also available. In the stadium there are other restaurant points: three for each tier (Nord and Sud), four in the Distinti sector, four in the Tribuna sectore. All are open for the big match, while only three remain open for games with less appeal. Atmosphere 5 Football in Italy arrived with the ships of the English merchants in the late nineteenth century. It is for this reason that the Luigi Ferraris is the oldest stadium in Italy still in use, and one that most resembles the British facilities. Genova is a city of trade and it was not uncommon in the early twentieth century to see British sailors play football not far from ships docked in the harbor. The Ferraris stadium is rectangular and fully covered. At the four corners rise towers of color rosso Pompei , within them there are stairs to reach the various sections. The playing field, close to various sections and separated from them by a transparent barrier, is illuminated by the lights housed in the cover and over the towers. There are two big screens; one between the Gradinata Nord and the Distinti, the other between the Tribuna Centrale and the Gradinata Sud. The entrance to the pitch is from the side of Distinti. Dressing and press room are located on the opposite side of the Tribuna Centrale. Neighbourhood 3 Genova is a city between the sea and the mountains. Marassi, is the neighborhood and Luigi Ferraris is often mistakenly referred to by the neighborhood. Around the stadium there are numerous restaurants, not only Italian, and in the day of the match there are plenty of peddlers of sandwiches. Tip: Ask for pesto at any restaurant pasta. Pesto is a special sauce that is made in Genova with basil leaves, extra virgin olive oil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, pecorino cheese, garlic, and sea salt. Fans 5 The most vocal supporters of Sampdoria follow home games from the Gradinata Sud. The reading of blucerchiata formation is accompanied by choirs (the fans repeat the surname of their heroes) and that continues throughout the match. During the match the Gradinata Sud, but also the Distinti sector, are a great spot blucerchiata , with mesh, scarves, and flags that recall the colors of the Ligurian team. Obviously, the main rivalry is the one with their cousins in Genoa. The matches between UC Sampdoria and Genoa CFC are called “derby della Lanterna”. The visiting fans find accommodation in the booth placed between the Tribuna Centrale and the Gradinata Nord. Perhaps this is the area from which the view is worse, especially if the action takes place on the opposite side of the pitch. Access 3 The Marassi neighborhood and Ferraris stadium are easily reached. Nearby there are two railway stations and highway exits (the highway passes through the city of Genoa). The city is also home to one of the main Italian and European ports, and has an international airport. Return on Investment 5 On the UC Sampdoria website you can find all the information to buy a ticket and see a home match of the Blucerchiati. Ticket prices vary from section to section. Extras 3 The Luigi Ferraris is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating stadiums in Italy. There is only one flaw. Since its last renovation, it has been more than 20 years and the time begins to be felt with some minor inconveniences. Since July 2016, the facility has been owned by the Luigi Ferraris SRL, a company founded by UC Sampdoria and Genoa CFC, which is responsible for managing the stadium. The Luigi Ferraris SRL is working on a facility renovation project. The future of the Ferraris might be without barriers between the pitch and the stands, the benches where the players stay would be between the Tribuna Centrale audience (similar to the Juventus Stadium model), with stages for VIPs and companies and many other improvements. There is also an aquarium in the city, the largest in Italy and the second in Europe for size. It is not far from the stadium by taxi, bus or car, you can reach in about ten minutes and visit it is really worth it.

Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey The NFL season is right around the corner and fan interest is at an all-time high. Fans have been scanning the schedule for weeks now planning out how they will spend their Sundays (and some Mondays and Thursdays too) in the fall. With the NFL’s popularity at unprecedented levels, the reality of attending games – especially for whole families of fans – is all dependent on cost. Game tickets, parking, concessions, and souvenirs are all at premium levels across the NFL. So with that in mind, which team offers the most proverbial bang for a fan’s buck? Which team will allow you to cheer loudly from the stands without busting your wallet? Research done by the sports data and technology site, Action Network , has answered the question of which NFL team is the most and least affordable for the 2024-2025 season. After factoring in the cost for a family of four to attend a regular season game, taking into consideration tickets, concessions, and parking, the most affordable team is the Arizona Cardinals  at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona with an overall cost of $452.46; they are also the only team in the league with an average ticket cost under $100 each. Image courtesy of Action Network On the opposite end of the spectrum, the five-time Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers  at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California are the most expensive team in the NFL for $750.65 – this division rival of the Cardinals  was also found to be the most expensive option for purchasing a beer, for $12 each. Image courtesy of Action Network The most affordable concession options in the league were found at Atlanta Falcons  games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Even though their ticket costs didn’t rank in the top 10 most affordable at $446.16, the Falcons were found to have the cheapest beer, soft drinks, and food in the NFL. In a similar vein, the Las Vegas Raiders   at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, were the second-most expensive team to see overall and also had the most expensive ticket in the league at $675.32 on average for four tickets. However, the Silver and Black also have the second-lowest food and soft drink costs in the NFL. The second most affordable team in the NFL was the Cincinnati Bengals  at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, with an average cost totaling $474.42, while the Miami Dolphins   at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida were the most affordable playoff team from the 2023-24 season at $480.80. The Detroit Lions  at Ford Field in Detroit are the most affordable “best” team fans can see, with the cost to see the NFC title runner-up coming in at an average of $496.18. Lastly, there is the paradox of the New York Giants  and New York Jets  at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The teams from the Big Apple share the stadium, yet the Jets are the 11th most affordable team for fans, while the Giants are the 13th most expensive. Concession prices are the same for both teams, but tickets and parking to see the Giants cost $55 more – perhaps it is all really about success on the field? ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Sioux Falls Stadium 1001 NW Avenue Service Rd Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Sioux Falls Canaries website Sioux Falls Stadium website Year Opened: 1941 Capacity: 5,462 Welcome to the Birdcage Baseball in Sioux Falls predates South Dakota’s statehood; the city fielded its first professional teams in the mid-1880s, including the Hub City Nine and the Yellow Kids. The Yellow Kids earned the nickname Canaries for their bright yellow uniforms, a name that would become tied to Sioux Falls baseball for decades. The modern professional era began in 1902, when the first official Canaries took the field at “The Oval” in the Iowa-South Dakota League. That team and league lasted just two seasons, but the name endured. In the 1920s, the city saw another run of professional baseball with the Soos, who also played under the Canaries moniker in the Dakota League, and later the Tri-State League. Sioux Falls also hosted the collegiate summer Packers of the Basin League, where a young, future Hall of Famer named Don Sutton spent the summer of 1964. That same year, Sioux Falls Stadium opened its doors and has since hosted various incarnations of the Canaries – the team in its current form started play at Sioux Falls Stadium in 1993, first as members of the independent Northern League until 2005, after which they joined the American Association, another independent baseball league, the following year. Since that time the Canaries have claimed their lone American Association championship, in 2008.   Food & Beverage   3 The concessions menu at Sioux Falls Stadium covers just about everything that would be expected at the ballpark. Hot dogs, nachos, and pizza are joined by brats, burgers, fries, cheese curds, walking tacos, and chicken fingers. A toppings bar adds the ability to personalize burgers and dogs, while snacks are simple but solid, including flavored popcorn, candy, chips, and plenty of ice cream treats for hot summer nights. On the drink side there are Coke products, Powerade, Body Armor, lemonade, and bottled water. A full bar sits under the stands behind home plate, and the canned selection leans heavily on domestic light beer with Pacifico, Corona, and Modelo mixed in. Seltzers and canned cocktails like Cayman Jack margaritas, High Noon, and Carbliss vodka round things out. What is noticeably absent is much by the way of local craft beers, which feels like a bit of a disappointment. Overall, concessions are varied enough at Sioux Falls Stadium to satisfy a ballpark craving, but there isn’t much that makes it stand out as uniquely Sioux Falls.   Atmosphere   3 Fans walking into Sioux Falls Stadium are greeted by a large sign over the entryway that reads “Welcome to the Birdcage”, and the Canaries branding continues once you are inside the stadium via a giant yellow Adirondack chair featuring the team logo, as well as a tall, white, ornate clock standing just inside the front gates, along the main concourse. Inside, a sea of blue seats nicely compliments nicely the Canaries yellow and blue color scheme. The seating bowl is noticeably separate from the press box and suites, added later as an upgrade, stretching from behind home plate up the first base side; this addition gives the ballpark a bit of a disjointed feel. Along the third base line, a small grassy patch serves as a playground of sorts, usually filled with kids running around. The main scoreboard, a large video board in right-center field, provides a live game feed, player stats, and pitch details like speed and type. In addition, a smaller, more limited scoreboard sitting on the retaining wall behind third base provides only the basics, such as score, inning, and count. A unique twist is the strikeout zip line where each K recorded by a Canaries pitcher gets clipped to a line, and is then sent sliding down, a quirky feature you don’t see elsewhere. The playing surface is its own unique feature, a sports turf infield consisting of both “grass” and “dirt” paired with a natural-grass outfield. It is an unusual combination, though not unheard of – in the 1980s and 1990s the Memphis Chicks used a similar hybrid setup, with an Astroturf infield and grass outfield. The game presentation is what you’d expect at this level: ad reads, fan cams, and mid-inning contests. The PA announcer adds some charm with a steady stream of dad jokes, while nearly every pitch is followed by a music clip or sound effect. It’s not the nonstop barrage of breaking glass or quacking ducks heard at some parks, but there are stretches when letting the game stand on its own might be a bit of a relief.   Neighborhood   3 Sioux Falls Stadium is part of a larger sports and entertainment complex; next door is Howard Wood Field, once home to baseball in Sioux Falls and now used for football and track. The Denny Sanford Premier Center and the Sioux Falls Convention Center also share the grounds, making the area a hub for local events. For visiting fans, the Sheraton Sioux Falls and Ramada by Wyndham sit right next to the sports complex, both within easy walking distance of the ballpark. Downtown Sioux Falls is only a five-minute drive away, while Big Sioux River runs right through the center of the city; its namesake Falls Park is one of the area’s most popular attractions. The park’s series of cascading falls let visitors walk right up to the edge for close views. Sioux Falls is also home to the Great Plains Zoo and the Butterfly House and Aquarium, giving families plenty to do beyond baseball. Downtown restaurants cover a wide range of tastes, from Roots of Brazil and Antigua Taco House to Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe. Another option, Falls Overlook Cafe, offers one of the most scenic settings, serving sandwiches, flatbread, burgers, and nachos, with views of the falls along Big Sioux River. Chislic, a southeastern South Dakota favorite made of cubed lamb seasoned with garlic salt and fried to a medium-rare finish, is a local must-try, with many pointing to Red Rock Bar & Grill as serving the best around. For breakfast, the Phillips Avenue Diner channels 1950s vibes and the feel of a classic greasy spoon.   Fans   3 Fan involvement at The Birdcage has its moments, though it is not overwhelming. One fan in particular though seems to take it upon himself to rally the stands when the pitcher gets two strikes, urging everyone to clap and shout in anticipation of a strikeout. It is a fun spark, but it doesn’t always spread much beyond a section or two. On average, Sioux Falls ranks near the bottom of the American Association in attendance, drawing only about 1,200 fans per game. The fans who are there are engaged enough to provide some atmosphere, but not quite enough to turn The Birdcage into a true home-field advantage for the Canaries.   Access   4 Sioux Falls Stadium sits in a convenient spot, surrounded by three major highways: I-29 to the west, I-90 to the north, and the I-229 bypass to the east. Getting there is rather simple, and plenty of parking surrounds the ballpark. The most direct entry point is near the third base side, where the ticket office and main gate sit just steps from the parking lot. Inside the facility, the main concourse runs behind the grandstand. It is wide and easy to navigate, though it does not offer views of the field. The field level concourse extends about three-quarters of the way down each foul line, but the park is not fully circumnavigable. Stairs on each end of the grandstand lead back down to either end of the plaza area behind the seating bowl, and the only outfield access is a small outcrop in right field that is part of a limited access group seating area.   Return on Investment   4 General admission tickets run just over $16, which feels a little steep, but the free parking helps balance it out. Concession prices are slightly high as well, though they fall in line with what most stadiums charge nowadays.   Extras   3 A display on the concourse chronicles the history of baseball in Sioux Falls, as well as explains the origins of the Canaries name. Sioux Falls Stadium also honors professional baseball scouts, with the Topps-sponsored Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame located along the third base side of the concourse. The Canaries also have two mascots, the older Cagey and the youthful Peep, who entertain fans throughout the game.   Final Thoughts Sioux Falls Stadium, a.k.a. The Birdcage, captures much of what is great about baseball in small cities: a mix of history, quirkiness, and community spirit. The Canaries identity ties the present to more than a century of local baseball tradition, while touches like the strikeout zip line, dual mascots, and an interactive PA announcer are a bit of a break from the traditional stadium experience. While there are blemishes, The Birdcage offers the type of atmosphere that can only be found in places where the game is woven into the community’s history, much as it is in Sioux Falls.