Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 DCU Center 50 Foster St Worcester, MA 01608 Massachusetts Pirates website DCU Center website Year Opened: 1982 Capacity: 14,800 DCU’s Pirates DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts is a dated facility, but the staff does a lot to make the experience fun for the fans. In addition to hosting the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League (IFL), DCU Center also hosts the Worcester Railers of minor league hockey’s ECHL. The facility opened in 1982 and holds 14,800 fans – however, the upper level is curtained off during Pirates games due to the lower attendance at those games. Food & Beverage 4 Not all the concession stands at DCU Center are open during Pirates games, but there are plenty of options available, and there are also several bars in the facility, some of which have views of the field (there is a bar behind each end zone with seating that looks out onto the field). You can find all the traditional fare at Massachusetts Pirates games – hot dogs, burgers, pizza, chicken sandwiches, cotton candy, chips, pretzels, nachos, popcorn, and packaged candy, although you will have to check different stands to find all these items, as none of the stands sell them all. While there is no food item that stands out as unique, really, the drink selection is very wide, with plenty of beer, wine, and mixed drink choices, plus alcohol seltzers, bottled water, tea, coffee, and soda. In fact, the drink selection is probably larger than the food selection. Prices are a little hit and miss in terms of cost – hot dogs are $5, for example, which seems reasonable, but burgers and chicken sandwiches are $10 each, which seems on the high side. Regardless, you should be able to find something within your budget if you look around. Atmosphere 3 As I mentioned above, the facility is a little dated, but the seats are all chairbacks and have padding, which is a nice touch. The seats are also all very close to the field, so you have a good view of the action. The staff has the traditional fan contests, as well as the ubiquitous dance team and mascot. They also bring in local flag football teams (young kids) to scrimmage at halftime. The field itself is a bold blue in the Pirates colors, similar to a well-known FBS stadium you may have heard of. There are no pyrotechnics when the team comes onto the field, but the inflatable tunnel is really cool – it looks like a wooden sailing ship with a pirate (complete with hook hand) piloting it. They also have inflatable play areas for the kiddos in the lobby, and a massive team gear section. Neighborhood 3 A few blocks from DCU Center there are numerous eateries, including mostly Asian and fast food restaurants, as well as a couple of hotels (Hilton, Holiday Inn, AC, and Homewood Suites). There is also a huge hospital on the east side of the arena. Worcester is about 45 minutes west of Boston, so if you want, you can easily go into the big city if you are looking for more to do (there are lots of historical sites in Boston as you probably know, but also the traffic is pretty heavy). Fans 2 There are not too many fans at Massachusetts Pirates games, but they are into the game and many of them show up in Pirates gear, or the gear of other local teams. Access 5 There is very little traffic around DCU Center during Massachusetts Pirates games, so getting in and out is easy, and you can literally park right across the street for $10 in the parking deck – I don’t always like parking decks at sometimes they take forever to get out of, but in this case I was able to get out in minutes, and the walk was very short to the arena. There are plenty of bathrooms inside, the concessions lines are not long at all, and there is plenty of room to move around the concourse. You can’t really see the field from the concourse as there are black curtains hung at every entrance, but on the plus side there are plenty of tables and seating areas scattered around the concourse, so you don’t have to eat your food at your seat. Return on Investment 4 Including Ticketmaster fees, tickets to Massachusetts Pirates games are less than $25 each, which is pretty normal as far as professional sports go nowadays. Parking and concessions are also reasonable, so I would say this is a good return on investment. Note also they only have digital programs (just scan the QR code from the posters on the walls all over the arena) – on the plus side this makes them free, but it also leaves you without a physical souvenir. In full disclosure I did not get one of the programs, so I don’t know if they are downloadable such that you can keep a copy, or if they only last as long as the game. Extras 2 The dance team actually does a costume change during the game, which is very unique; I have not seen it at any other indoor football game, or any other sporting event for that matter. The facility also looks great from the outside with its huge bay windows, which gives fans great views from the inside.

Ben Crenca used to suit for the men's basketball team at the University of Vermont (UVM). These days, he's wearing an entirely different uniform. Often, he's shirtless and in tights. Ben, who dabbled in Australian Rules Football post-college, is now a professional wrestler, and his ring name is Big Trouble Ben Bishop. BTBB took a time out to discuss his unique journey. STADIUM JOURNEY:So what comes first, basketball or wrestling? As a kid growing up in Rhode Island, who were your influences? BTBB: As a kid, pro wrestling was my number one love, but I realized early on that basketball could get me a bit further. So I chose that route, and it got me to prep school at Worcester Academy and then to UVM. I didn't have any Rhode Island-inspired influences, but I was a huge Kevin Nash fan. For basketball, like most back to the basket big men, I tried to model my game after Shaq, without the freak athleticism. So I guess I was more like a Vlade Divac. STADIUM JOURNEY: What's it like to compete in March Madness? What goes down that the television viewer doesn't see? BTBB: For a small school like UVM, competing in the Tourney was a dream. We got the first class treatment that we were not privy to during the regular season, like police escorts and all that jazz. A private plane too. The TVs are everywhere during the tourney, but it's cool to see other teams in the hotels and to interact with each other. We passed by Duke after losing to UNC and right before they got upset by C.J. McCollum and Lehigh. STADIUM JOURNEY: What's more dangerous - pro wrestling or Australian rules rugby? And are you still playing the latter? BTBB: They both have their own elements of danger, but pro wrestling can go wrong in an instant and be drastic. Aussie is mostly just very hard on the joints. I am not built to run long distances. I did have a shoulder separation in Aussie rules. No major injuries in wrestling, fingers crossed.. I no longer play Aussie rules. STADIUM JOURNEY: What prompted you to finally take the plunge and go for it as a pro wrestler? BTBB: I was approached by former WWE wrestler, James Ellsworth, at an indie show, and he asked me if I wanted to start training. The next day I was taking my first bump. I almost didn't go to the show. I nearly stayed home and continued playing Madden. At the eleventh hour, I decided to go. It was fate. STADIUM JOURNEY: How long and rigorous was the training process? What was the toughest thing to pick up? BTBB: Training is tough as the cardio is much different, and pro wrestling has unnatural movements like falling down voluntarily and getting back up quick. But the physical was not as hard as the mental. Wrestling is unlike other sports because we have to also be actors while being athletes. We have to tell a story with our body language. So it can be more mentally draining than physically draining. STADIUM JOURNEY: How is Big Trouble Ben Bishop born? Where does that come from? BTBB: It all comes from the movie Big Trouble In Little China. I love John Carpenter movies, so I decided to mold my character after Jack Burton. For example, he drives the Porkchop Express. That's where I got the moniker "Meatpop Express." STADIUM JOURNEY: And how do you go about getting matches, and what is a typical busy weekend like on the indie wrestling circuit? And have you worked for OVW? BTBB: You just have to network and sell yourself to promoters. You would think it would be easy for a guy like me, but it's difficult. This may be a surprise, but there is not much money in indie wrestling if you are not a TV name. So you have to pay out of pocket to get to some of these shows when you're starting off and handle all your logistics. Legit Planes, Trains and Automobiles. One weekend, I wrestled in Maryland, New Jersey, and then Memphis. Very long weekend. I have wrestled a few times for OVW. I worked Dimes, Cash Flo, and Tony Gunn. It’s not much different than other indies besides that it's televised, so you have to stick to the times. I was asked to be on Netflix's Wrestlers but I couldn’t make it work. Hoping to get back there in 2024. STADIUM JOURNEY: Mick Foley followed Stonybrook hoops somewhat religiously. As far as you know, did he ever see you play? BTBB: He did not, unfortunately. He stopped going to games when his father passed. I have been on shows with him, and we talked UVM hoops though. He was a fan of Taylor Coppenrath and TJ Sorrentine STADIUM JOURNEY: You somewhat recently returned to Burlington to wrestle. What was that homecoming like? BTBB: All I can say is that it was amazing. And it was basketball alumni weekend too. To see my former teammates and fans show up for me was surreal. We had a great time. STADIUM JOURNEY: When you're in Burlington, what are your must spots? BTBB: Burlington seems to have changed a bunch, but when I am there I enjoy going to Akes' Place and Mr Mikes. STADIUM JOURNEY: How often do your basketball and wrestling worlds collide? Do you know of any other former college basketball players who are now wrestlers? BTBB: I don't know many to be honest. I know Kevin Nash and Kane were college basketball players. Currently, I know a wrestler out of Pennsylvania named Pretty Boy Smooth - played a bit at Hofstra. STADIUM JOURNEY: Coolest venue that you ever played hoops in? BTBB: Greensboro Coliseum vs. UNC in the Tournament for obvious reasons. STADIUM JOURNEY: Favorite venue to wrestle in? Why? BTBB: The Mecca - Ridgefield Park, New Jersey - Knights of Columbus. Look it up. Jon Hart is @manversusball

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium 1 Ira Errett Rodgers Dr Morgantown, WV 26506 West Virginia Mountaineers website Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium website Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 60,000 Take Me Home, Country Roads The last time I attended a football game at West Virginia was in 2007 – several years before Geno Smith, five years before they joined the Big 12, and long before the 2016 stadium renovations. Since that time the football experience at Mountaineer Field has just gotten better and better; the fans are passionate, the concessions are solid, and the band is top notch. The only challenge is getting in and out. Food & Beverage 4 Mountaineer Field boasts a wide array of concessions items from football-themed stands, with names such as Red Zone Grill and Sideline Stands. However, stands with the same name have different items around the stadium, which means you will have to hunt around for the items you want – ranging from burgers, hot dogs, nachos, chicken tenders, pulled pork, pizza, and even pepperoni rolls. Besides the main stands you can also find smaller stands all around the facility, offering snack items such as peanuts, popcorn, glazed nuts, and ice cream, as well as stands selling beer, wine, and seltzer. The prices for all these items are very reasonable for this level of football – for example you can find hot dogs, popcorn, and candy for only $3.50, bottled water for $4, and alcohol starting at $8.50, which is a lot less than you will pay at many similar venues. Atmosphere 5 West Virginia has a great atmosphere, and it starts with the marching band – the band does all sorts of formations during pre-game and during halftime, for example the WVU logo, state flower, shape of West Virginia, and even a football. The best thing about these formations is that the band flips them around so both the home and visiting stands can see them right-side up; the band wears white with dark blue capes, so you will see the formations done in both colors as they switch between sides. Besides the band there are also plenty of pyrotechnics for fans to enjoy – cones of fire and smoke when the team comes onto the field, as well as fireworks during the National Anthem, whenever the Mountaineers score, and after the game. West Virginia also has a great mascot, and all the traditional fan engagement activities, such as field goal contests and a t-shirt Gatling gun to shower fans with swag. There are also two huge videoboards so you can watch all the replays. Neighborhood 4 West Virginia University hospital is right behind the north end zone, and there are a bunch of restaurants beyond that, including an Applebee’s; sports bars such as Kegler’s, Smokin’ J’s, and Buffalo Wild Wings; Sam’s Pizza; and plenty of fast food restaurants as well – all of these are within 1-2 miles of the stadium. Hotels are not quite as numerous as the restaurants, but you can find several well-known chains such as Marriott and Hampton Inn. Morgantown does lack a little in terms of attractions for those who want to spend the day or weekend, but you can find interesting stops such as the Don Knotts statue and the USS West Virginia mast and bell, as well as several parks for the nature lovers. Fans 3 There is a great tailgating scene at West Virginia – from inside the stadium you can see tents and tailgaters expanding out quite a ways, and many fans stay until the end to sing Country Roads and to watch the band march out. The stands are also pretty full – not a sellout by any means but not very many empty seats either, especially for Big 12 matchups. The stands do tend to thin out a little as the game goes on, though, so there will be fewer by the fourth quarter than you will see during the second. Access 3 I will be honest – getting to Mountaineer Field is tough. Morgantown is just off I-79, but a little far from other major towns, so it may take a while to get here depending on where you are coming from. Also you will probably have to park pretty far from the stadium – you can find parking starting at $10 near where the restaurants are if you are willing to walk a bit, and the prices go up from there the closer you get to the stadium. Note that you will need a pass to park on the hill next to the facility, and if you do park on that hill, it will still take time to get back to your car, either waiting for one of the shuttles or walking back up the hill. Once inside the stadium, the lines are long for the concessions and restrooms, even before it hits halftime, though the lines at the entrances are not too bad; there is a long line right before the gates open of all those who came early, but once that rush is over it gets easier. You can’t really see the game from the concourse due to the tunnels that go up and down to the seats, which block your vision of the field. On the plus side they have TV screens all along the concourse, so you can still keep track of the game while waiting in line to get food or use the restrooms. Getting out after the game is also a bit challenging – the local police try to help by re-directing traffic; blocking certain streets and making other streets one way, meaning both sides go the same direction, allowing some people to drive on the “wrong” side of the road as they exit. But having certain streets blocked means you may have to loop all the way around to go in the direction you want to go in, and traffic is pretty heavy nearby for 30-60 minutes after the game. One option to note is West Virginia does have an elevated train consisting of boxy little vehicles, which shuttle folks from campus to the stadium and back – due to the issues with driving mentioned above, if you are able to use that train it is probably worthwhile, and should save you some time. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to West Virginia football games start at $65 on their website (conference games), but you can likely find them on third party websites for a little cheaper given they don’t usually sell out (the stadium has a capacity of 60,000 – for most games lately they are at two-thirds or three-quarters of that). That is a fair price for big-time college football, and given the reasonable concessions and low cost parking options, makes attending a game at Mountaineer Field a good return on investment. Extras 3 Being able to see the band march out after the game is a plus, and the setting is very nice, with the hills and trees in the background. The scenery on the drive up is pleasant as well – through the mountains of rural West Virginia, a part of the country many folks have never seen; a nice break from the hustle and bustle of city living. Final Thoughts Mountaineer Field has a great atmosphere with lots of amenities for fans, especially the pyrotechnics, and the recent upgrades to the stadium have improved things quite a bit. As long as you plan ahead in term of getting in and out, you should have a great time.

Lloyd Brown joins us this week to talk about the FCS stadium experiences. 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: 3.14 Beirne Stadium 1150 Douglas Pike Smithfield, RI 02917 Bryant Bulldogs website Beirne Stadium website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 4,400 Feel the Beirne Built in 1999 as Bulldog Stadium to coincide with the debut of the school’s football team, the David M. ’85 and Terry Beirne Stadium was dedicated in honor of the Bryant University trustee and his wife, who are among the largest benefactors of the University. The facility serves as home to Bryant’s football and lacrosse teams. In 2023 it will also serve as home to the new Rhode Island FC club in the USL Championship league. Football has been played at Bryant University since 1999. The school originally competed in Division II, moving up to the FCS level for the 2008 season. After over a decade of competition in the Northeast Conference, the school announced they were moving to the America East Conference starting in fall 2022. This left several teams, including football, without a home, as America East did not support competition in those sports. Bryant football became a football-only member of the Big South Conference, which had just previously announced an alliance with the Ohio Valley Conference. After only two seasons in the Big South/Ohio Valley Association, Bryant will become a football-only member of CAA Football for the 2024 season. The Bulldogs have yet to qualify for the FCS postseason tournament. One Bryant alumnus, Tom Kennedy, has played in the National Football League. Food & Beverage 3 Beirne Stadium has a small concession stand on the south edge of the grandstand. The menu has been upgraded a bit in recent years. In addition to hot dogs and burgers, fans can pick up pulled pork and grilled chicken sandwiches along with sausage and peppers sandwiches and nachos. Prices are a bit on the high side for some items ($8 for a hot dog), but the quality looked good if you need a bite to eat. A selection of snacks and Coca-Cola products are available at the snack bar. Fans looking for an adult beverage can head to the beer garden in the north end zone, where a selection of beer and wine are sold. Atmosphere 3 If you haven’t visited Beirne Stadium in a while, this is where you will see the biggest difference in the game day experience. The parking lots adjacent to the stadium open four hours before kickoff, and the fans start showing up early. The tailgating scene is quite impressive, especially for a stadium that doesn’t even seat 5,000 fans. Once inside Beirne Stadium you’ll experience your typical small-school football game day. The pep band plays, the cheerleaders and dance squad perform, and the fans do their thing cheering on the home team. The PA announcer goes about his work in an unobtrusive manner and a small video board in the north end zone provides game info, graphics and the occasional highlight. This is a laid-back, friendly place to take in some quality football. Visiting fans and those with children can feel comfortable here. There’s a good turnout by the student body, but there’s no rowdy student section to create a lot of noise. Neighborhood 3 Bryant University is located in Smithfield, RI, about a twenty-minute drive from Providence. Although Smithfield is a very nice place to live, it’s certainly not a destination location, and there is not a great deal to see or do near the Bryant campus. There are a few dining options right near the Bryant campus on Route 7. Parente’s Restaurant, Blackies, and Laura’s Bar and Grill are a few of the better options. Stadium Journey recommends J’s Deli for their impressive variety of great grinders (that’s what we call sub sandwiches here in Rhode Island). Several national chain restaurants and shopping options are located about a 10-minute drive away on Route 44. Fans visiting from out of town may opt to take the 20-minute drive to Providence, which has no shortage of top-notch restaurants and lodging options. Speaking of lodging options, the story here is similar if visiting Bryant. There is a Holiday Inn Express, a Hampton Inn and Suites and a SureStay Plus right near campus, but visitors may opt to stay in nearby Providence or even Boston, only an hour’s drive to the north. Twin Rivers Casino is in nearby Lincoln just a few minutes from Bryant. If spending time in a casino is on your agenda, the twin resorts of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun are located an hour away just over the Connecticut state line. Fans 4 Beirne Stadium is a smaller facility, but it feels like it’s the right size for this program. The team generally draws between 3,000-4,000 fans for most games. If you plan to visit Smithfield on Parents Weekend, get here early, as Beirne Stadium’s parking lots are packed. You may find yourself parking in a distant overflow lot if you arrive late. There is a good turnout by the student section for Bulldog football games. Unfortunately, many of them do not stick around for the entire game, and there is no organized student section to speak of. The crowd at Beirne Stadium is a good mix of students, locals, diehard football fanatics and families. It’s also not usual to see several four-legged fans present at a Bulldog game. Overall the crowd here is laid-back, enjoying a nice fall afternoon at the game rather than making spectacles of themselves. Bryant’s inclusion in the Big South Conference for the past couple of seasons has meant that you don’t see the number of visiting fans you used to see at Beirne Stadium. Bryant’s move to CAA football is a better geographic fit, meaning you should see an increase in visitors for Bulldog football games. Access 4 Bryant University is located in suburban Smithfield, Rhode Island, 13 miles from Providence. The campus is most easily accessed by car. Visitors to Bryant will simply take exit 15B off Interstate 295. The campus is just over a mile away from I-295 on Route 7. Fans using public transportation will find a Rhode Island Public Transportation (RIPTA) bus station on the Bryant campus, offering service every 40 minutes to downtown Providence. For much of its early history Bryant was a commuter school, so ample parking remains adjacent to Beirne Stadium. This is also an ideal setup for pregame tailgating. Many Bulldog fans take advantage of these lots to arrive early and enjoy a beautiful fall Rhode Island Saturday at the game. The parking lots fill up early, meaning latecomers will park in more distant lots which can be a good walk from the Stadium. The days of arriving 15 minutes before kickoff and getting a spot just steps from the front gate are long gone. Beirne Stadium consists of two sets of stands highlighted by a 3,200-seat structure on the home (east) side, which houses the press box, locker rooms, and restrooms. Seating consists of metal bleachers without backs, with three hundred individual bucket seats located in between the 40-yard lines. There is a walkway along the front edge of the grandstand, so choose seats a row or two up from the bottom. There is plenty of handicapped seating available, and fans are able to easily walk around the field. Standing room is available in the north end zone and the west side of the field. The small restrooms underneath the grandstand are clean and large enough for a typical Bulldog football crowd. Lines do form here and at the concession stand at halftime, so plan your trips wisely. Return on Investment 3 Premium seating at Beirne Stadium (Bucket seats between the 40-yard lines) costs $25, while all other seating costs $15. Parking in the lots adjacent to Beirne Stadium costs an additional $20. Concessions are comparably priced with other venues in the area. Prices have risen significantly for both tickets and parking in recent years. A visit to Bryant’s website makes the actual prices unclear. While it is advertised on Bryant’s website that it is required to purchase parking passes, Stadium Journey did not have to pay to park for their recent visit. We hope to clarify this situation for our readers ASAP. Extras 2 Twin bulldog statues guard both entrances to the facility and make a great spot for a photo opp. A second extra point is awarded for the consistent improvements being made to the facility, both obvious and subtle. From the construction of the Beirne training complex in the south end zone to the installation of permanent lighting to the planting of fir trees on the west side of the stadium, Beirne Stadium now looks like a complete football stadium and less like a set of bleachers plopped into an open space where the Patriots used to hold their training camp. Final Thoughts Bryant University is a small school with big ambitions when it comes to intercollegiate sports. They continue to grow and improve the game day experience for visiting fans, to the point where this may be the premier football experience in all of Rhode Island. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Dick’s Sporting Goods Park 6000 Victory Way Commerce City, CO 80022 Colorado Rapids website Dick’s Sporting Goods Park website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 17,424 Dick’s Sporting Goods Park: An Uncertain Future When Dick’s Sporting Goods Park opened in 2007, it provided a new, cozy home for the MLS’s Colorado Rapids after having played the first decade of their existence in cavernous NFL Stadiums (Mile High Stadium from 1996-2000 and Empower Field at Mile High from 2001-2006). DSG Park, as it’s come to be known, promised to be a long-term home for the Rapids, with empty acreage surrounding the facility to be developed into just about anything in the suburb of Commerce City, north of downtown Denver. The ensuing 16 years have seen that acreage sit mostly empty while the MLS’s expansion boom has brought with it a proliferation of new soccer facilities aimed at providing great fan experiences. DSG Park now sits at a crossroads. The City of Commerce City owns DSG Park, leasing it to the Rapids’ ownership group, Kroenke Sports Enterprises (“KSE”), for $1 per year over 25 years. The City has accused KSE of failing to keep promises to develop the 917 acres appurtenant to the stadium. With the City’s recent rejection of a land-swap proposal, KSE and the City have ponied up $25,000 apiece to fund a contest sponsored by the Commercial Real Estate Development Association in which Colorado college students will submit proposed plans to develop the land around DSG Park. The stadium itself has what the real estate industry calls “good bones” but, after 16 years, could use significant updating and attractions around it. This comes at a time when the Rapids have a strained relationship with their fan base. Centennial 38, the franchise’s official supporter group, wrote an open letter to the Rapids’ front office in October 2023, taking exception with KSE’s management and operation of the team and facilities. DSG “has been neglected, and without proper maintenance and periodic upgrades has become tired and run-down,” the group wrote. “While there are plans to address the stadium’s condition, these measures are long overdue and taking far too long to implement.” Centennial 38 appears to be correct. DSG Park has lost its new-pitch feel and needs updates. Until the surrounding land is developed, soccer will be the only reason to come. Unless KSE significantly upgrades existing facilities at DSG Park, soccer alone likely won’t draw fans. Food & Beverage 3 DSG Park’s dining and drinking options are in line with what a fan would expect to find at a professional sports stadium: burgers, hot dogs, pizza, chicken tenders, and nachos. Freddy’s has a location in the northwest corner of DSG Park, offering familiar items off its menu. Biker Jim’s Dogs, a very good local hot dog stand, has a restaurant in Dale’s Bar at the stadium’s south end (along with a good selection of craft beer from the eponymous Colorado brewery). The Rapids serve Coca-Cola products in plastic bottles for those eschewing alcohol for aspartame and sugar. Additionally, a small food truck area is just outside Dale’s Bar, with a projection screen TV and picnic tables. All in all, DSG Park’s menu is about what you’d expect to find at an MLS venue. Atmosphere 2 DSG Park has entrances on the east, south, and west sides. Just inside, the concourse encircles the seating bowl below. Sight lines are good, as the facility was designed for watching soccer. Concourses are sufficiently wide to accommodate concession stand queues and fans finding their seats. The stadium’s primary video board sits above and behind the north goal. However, the picture is noticeably poor; several squares in the video screen appear to be broken. The public address system might also need an update because there are several locations around the stadium in which that system is inaudible. The stadium could use a new coat of paint in several conspicuous places, as well. The closer your seat to the centerline, the better. Corner seats do not offer good perspective when play happens at the far end of the pitch. Centennial 38 provides strong vocal and musical (drums and vuvuzelas) support. Visiting teams’ support groups take up the northwest corner of DSG Park, in Section 135. Neighborhood 1 The surrounding neighborhood has all the charm of a government campus – because that’s exactly what the surrounding neighborhood is. Commerce City’s town hall, fire department, and police station all sit just to the west of DSG Park, neighbored by the United States Postal Service’s Denver Bulk Mail Center. In other words, DSG has a great location for pulling a building permit, reporting a crime, or mailing merchandise catalogs, but not necessarily for a great fan experience. Additionally, 23 full-size soccer pitches surround DSG Park. These serve national soccer and lacrosse tournaments well but to the exclusion of restaurants and bars for pre- or post-game meetups. If the Rapids can properly develop some of the surrounding acreage and provide reasons for fans to come to games early and stay afterward, this rating will improve. Fans 2 The fans have stopped coming to DSG Park. In 2023, the Rapids ranked 28th out of 29 MLS teams in both average (15,409 per game) and total (261,953) attendance. Thus, only about 85.3 percent of the stadium is filled for the Rapids 17 home games. And when MLS enjoyed a 5 percent attendance jump from 2022 to 2023, the Rapids saw their home attendance remain flat. Nonetheless, true dedication and a love of the beautiful sport still draw fans to DSG Park. Those in attendance are loud and enthusiastic. As Centennial 38’s open letter to KSE shows, the Rapids’ fan base is a spirited yet disillusioned one. Without upgrades to DSG Park, the Rapids may well lose that fan base to apathy. Access 2 Because of DSG Park’s location, most fans coming from in and around Denver will take Interstate 270. By any reasonable estimation, I-270 is a pothole-pocked, concrete ribbon that was designed and built by a misanthropic public works department. It’s that bad. Parking is free – a good thing. But returning to the car after dark presents a challenge, as fans may have to navigate through unlighted fields. Much of the signage in and around DSG Park has faded in the Colorado wind and sun. Public transportation could be an option, albeit a limited one. The nearest bus stop is approximately one mile away, at 56th Avenue and Quebec Street. Using public transportation to make the 10.3-mile trip to DSG Park from the Capitol in downtown Denver takes almost 90 minutes because of transfers and lengthy walks. The Rapids do provide bike parking on the exterior of the stadium’s west side, in the Burgundy Bike Lot; however, only two bikes were parked there on a recent visit. A Rapids game at DSG Park requires both a ticket and an automobile. Return on Investment 4 Statistically, a Rapids game is one of the most affordable in the MLS. The Athletic’s 2022 MLS Fan Cost Index rated the Rapids as the league’s fifth-most affordable experience ($264.22), comparing the costs of four weighted, non-premium tickets, combined with the lowest stadium pricing for four sodas, four hot dogs, two beers, two supporter scarves, and parking. Only FC Dallas ($201.44), Orlando City ($251.14), Vancouver Whitecaps FC ($253.64), and CF Montreal ($261.54) were more affordable than the Rapids. Parking is free at DSG Park. So too are game programs. Hot dogs ($3), popcorn ($6), basic nachos ($3), and fries ($5) are surprisingly well priced. Premium beer cans, canned cocktails, and hard seltzer cans sell for $14. Domestic beer is $12 and wine is $10, while bottled soda is available for $5.50. Ticket prices average between $25-$39, a very good price range in the MLS. Extras 1 Check out the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, located just to the north of DSG Park. It’s a three-minute drive, just over a mile away. It’s also free. The 25 square-mile refuge has more than 330 species of wildlife that include bison, deer, black-tailed prairie dogs, and raptors (many of whom like to dine on black-tailed prairie dogs). An 11-mile paved loop enables visitors to enjoy the arsenal without having to leave their cars and expose themselves to aggressive bison. Final Thoughts Right now, Gertrude Stein’s “there is no there there” seems an apt description of DSG Park: a pitch, without much else. DSG Park has great potential. Realization of that potential will require a vision, time, and money. The Rapids’ ownership needs to give fans a reason besides a game to come to DSG Park.

Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Lynn Family Stadium is home to Louisville City FC in the USL Championship. The soccer-specific venue holds 11,700 and is expandable to 15,304. It is one of the bigger soccer-only stadiums in the league and has become one of the league's best places to watch a match. You can check out Stadium Journey's written review or enjoy the video of the game-day atmosphere. ------- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium 550 Taylor Ave Annapolis, MD 21401 Navy Midshipmen website Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1959 Capacity: 34,000 Football In the Navy Few football programs in the college sports scene harken back to the old days of sports like Navy. Having been playing football since 1879, Navy’s football program is filled with history and pride. This is reflected in the pageantry of the game day experience at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. This facility is also home to the annual Military Bowl, and has hosted various other sports over the years, including soccer and lacrosse. Practically assembled via previous class donations, the stadium features numerous small touches of history and education about the school’s past, as well as America’s military history. And while it may lack the modern touches of other stadiums, this facility is one that is a must see for any college football fan. Food & Beverage 3 The food choices are solid enough for a sports stadium at Navy games. Beer prices are what would be expected, ranging from $9 to $11, with other beverages including coffee or hot cocoa ($4), bottled water ($6), and Gatorade or bottled soda ($6). Food options include hot dogs ($4), pretzels ($5), nachos ($6), popcorn ($5), candy ($3), and more. Burgers run $7 while sushi options, sub sandwiches, and wraps cost $8. The stadium even features a healthy food options booth, complete with veggie sticks ($2), kale chips ($2), and fruit cups ($8). Additionally, food trucks and pop-up vendors fill the area as well, including Chick-fil-A and others. The biggest downside to all of this is the crazy long lines that fill up and never seem to dwindle during games. Atmosphere 3 Navy-Marine Corps Stadium is a mixed bag in terms of the overall aesthetic. Opened in 1957 it has seen some updates, while also keeping some of its original character. The northwest end zone features general admission seating on a raised berm, as well as grassy areas for fans to watch from. These areas run all the way up to the end zone wall, meaning you can get close to the action, and usually feature kids and families. The northeast and southwest sidelines offer two-level seating, while the southeast end zone features a large scoreboard with limited end zone seating, as well as several multi-level suite boxes with viewing patios. The overall stadium itself is solid enough but lacks anything overwhelmingly modern. Restrooms are small, and the passages under the grandstands are equally as cramped when a full crowd tries to navigate them at the same time. Neighborhood 5 Annapolis, the state’s capitol, is a beautiful town located on the shores of the Severn River’s exit into the Chesapeake Bay. It is located almost equidistant from both Baltimore and Washington D.C., providing easy access to two major metropolitan cities full of shopping, dining, and major airports. The area around the stadium is quaint and features many historic sites, including the Maryland State House. Shopping and dining are plentiful downtown near the Annapolis waterfront area as well, and fans can find plenty to entertain themselves there. Fans 4 The fans at Navy football are unique – many of them are graduates, veterans, or their families. Of those, many have been coming to games for generations. But perhaps the most interesting aspect of Navy’s fans is the student section; over 4,000 current Navy students arrive in formation by division on the field before the game, dressed in full Navy uniform. Overall the fans here can be on the older side, but don’t make any mistake; these football faithful can be loud when the time comes for critical plays. Access 4 To get to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium you simply need to drive on US 50 from the DC area, or on I-97 to US 50 from the Baltimore Area; these two routes will both drop you steps from the stadium. Once you’re there, parking is plentiful – official stadium parking is $40 for pre-purchase or $50 on the day of, with numerous lots in the area ranging $20 and up. Signage in the stadium is plentiful as well, making it easy to get around and navigate the facility. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Navy football games start at $25 for kids and $35 on the end zone grassy hill and for standing room only, then go up to $50 for reserved seats. Kids 2 and under are free for standing room only access as well. Couple this with the price of concessions and it is incredibly affordable for FBS college football, especially at a program as historic as Navy. Extras 4 The northwest end zone features the Navy goat statue as well as a memorial garden for the military, which showcases plaques and memorial statues from the Navy’s past. Also of interest is the Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet on display outside the stadium, which is a popular photo spot for fans. The field itself also pays homage to former star players, with yellow player numbers painted near their corresponding yard lines, and finally, the stadium’s ring of honor features historic and notable Navy battles instead of former player names like at other facilities. Final Thoughts The game day experience at Navy is incredible – the history of the program is evident from the moment you arrive at the stadium, and the pageantry is nothing short of college football greatness. While the stadium itself initially lacks anything aesthetically that really stands out, the small touches around the facility make up for that. With the location and affordability, it is easy to see why so many college football fans recommend going to Navy home games.

One of the most long-suffering fanbases can be found on the banks of Lake Erie in Cleveland, Ohio, and the citizens of Cleveland identify the most with the Cleveland Browns. A team deep in history, the Browns have had a rough go in their second incarnation, but what is a Browns game REALLY like? Grab a brew and join Paul and Dave for a trip to Cleveland Browns Stadium and the latest episode of Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views. 🏈🏈🏟️ You can find Stadium Journey's review of Cleveland Browns Stadium and the Cleveland Browns game day experience here.

Photos by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Ed Robson Arena 820 N Nevada Ave Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Colorado College Tigers hockey website Ed Robson Arena website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 3,407 Worth the Wait: Ed Robson Arena The hockey team at Colorado College, located just north of downtown Colorado Springs, has a long, storied history. Since starting play in 1938, the Tigers have qualified for 20 NCAA Tournament Appearances and four NCAA Tournament Frozen Fours, winning national championships in 1950 and 1957. The program has produced two Hobey Baker Award winners, seven Olympians, and more than 40 players who later played in the National Hockey League. In the program’s 93 years, however, CC never played its home games on campus – or anywhere near it. From their inception in 1938 until 1994, the Tigers played their home games in a converted barn behind Colorado Springs’ renowned Broadmoor resort hotel, five miles southwest of campus, called the Broadmoor Ice Palace (later renamed the Broadmoor World Arena). The Tigers next played “home” games at the United States Air Force Academy’s Cadet Ice Arena, about 15 miles north of campus, between 1994 and 1998 during the construction of the program’s third home. That home was the World Arena (later renamed the Broadmoor World Arena after a sponsorship deal with the hotel), which opened before the 1998-99 season approximately six miles southeast of campus. Broadmoor World Arena II seated 7,750 and had an Olympic-sized rink (100 feet wide). This four-score-and-13-year itinerancy ended in the fall of 2021 when the Tigers moved into Ed Robson Arena on the CC campus. The arena is named for a former CC player who was granted leave from the United States Marine Corps to play hockey for the silver medal-winning United States at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Robson also donated $8 million for the construction of the building that now bears his name. Robson Arena occupies what was once a full city block just south of campus, across Cache la Poudre Street from the college’s South Hall dormitory and Nava Quad. Students can attend CC games simply by buying a student ticket and crossing the street. The $52 million structure also has a team shop, CC’s health services facilities, a campus mail center, classroom space, and an adjacent parking structure. Robson seats approximately 3,400 fans and is a long-overdue addition to CC’s beautiful campus. Food & Beverage 3 There’s nothing fancy about Robson Arena’s food and beverage offerings. Cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken strips, and fries are all available at the concession stands along with pretzels, nachos, candy, and drinks. Robson Arena is a Pepsi and Anheuser-Busch facility, with all soft drinks sold in plastic bottles and beer sold either in cans or on tap. Robson Arena’s best food can be easy to miss. Local ice cream shop Josh & John’s has a cart on the concourse in the arena’s southwest corner. There are five, hand-scooped flavors available for $5 apiece. Josh & John’s has even created a flavor, CC Tiger Stripe (golden yellow cake striped with brown sugar caramel), especially for games at Robson Arena. Atmosphere 4 Fans enter Robson Arena on ground level through the main entrance at the building’s northwest corner, located at the corner of Cache la Poudre and Tejon Streets. Once inside, fans can either visit the team store at ground level or proceed via stairs or a nearby elevator to the concourse level. Robson Arena’s concourse circles the rink, and is where concession stands and restrooms are located. The concourse is atop the seating bowl. Robson Arena is intelligently designed to create an excellent college hockey atmosphere. Its size harkens to the late, great AMC Pacer: small but roomy. There is not a bad seat in the house, all of them having unobstructed sightlines to the action. No seat is more than 10 rows from the ice. Robson is noticeably smaller than Broadmoor World Arena II. Robson seats 3,700 – approximately half of what BWAII seats. Fans at Robson sit much closer to the ice, creating an intimate feel that provides the Tigers with a profound home-ice advantage. Additionally, Robson has an NHL-sized rink, which is 85 feet wide – a 15-foot reduction from the Tigers’ rink at Broadmoor World Arena II. The seating bowl is steep, creating the feeling that the fans are on top of the ice. The new confines can be unfriendly for visiting teams. “The atmosphere is much better than their old rink,” the University of North Dakota defenseman Ethan Frisch told the Grand Forks Herald’s Brad Elliott Schlossman on December 11, 2021. CC has placed its student section behind the east goal, where the Tigers attack in the 1st and 3rd periods. Students fill the section and are engaged in the action, “welcoming” opponents during pregame warmups and calling attention to opponents’ misdeeds. The visiting team’s fans sit in Section 101. The building’s primary concession stand is on the south concourse with smaller concession stands in the northeast and northwest concourses. Club seating and the pressbox are a floor above the main concourse on the arena’s south side. The club level has its concession stand. Seats farthest from the ice might be the best in the house. The “Top Shelf” Bar Rail runs along the circumference of the concourse and sits at the top of each seating section, offering ticketholders a high-top table and chair, and unobstructed views of play. Some fans eschewed their chairs in favor of standing. This bar-style seating provides a surface to eat other than one’s ap. There are locations along the concourse for fans to stand while watching the game. The arena has a state-of-the-art sound system that hair metal bands and audiophiles will envy. With 103 speakers, the sound is crisp and clear. Sound can also be loud and startling, however, particularly during pregame player introductions. Fans with auditory sensitivities and those who just don’t like loud music will want to bring headphones or earplugs. A primary scoreboard with four-way, high-definition video screens (493,920 pixels) hangs over the center ice, adorned with CC’s new logo and branding. The video screens do not display any advanced statistics, just the score, time, period, shots on goal, and penalties. But the video display is as sharp as can be found at any venue. Smaller scoreboards have been placed on the walls behind each goal. Robson Arena’s north wall includes large exterior windows that provide natural light and, after sundown, an ethereal quality to the arena as car lights speed by outside on Cache la Poudre Street. Neighborhood 4 Robson Arena is located on the south edge of the 90-acre Colorado College campus, about a mile north of resurgent downtown Colorado Springs. The campus has several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail just west of campus. That 16-mile trail runs and connects with other trail systems. The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center is also part of the CC campus. Downtown Colorado Springs is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance, thanks in part to the “City for Champions” project that provided funding for the construction of several facilities (including funds to build Robson Arena). One of those is the new United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum, which has received high praise since opening in July 2020. The museum is across the street from another such facility: the 8,000-seat Weidner Field, home of the USL Championship’s Colorado Springs Switchbacks and host of the 2021 NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship. The United States Olympic Committee also moved downtown from its former offices at U.S. Olympic Training Center, east of downtown. There are non-sports-related reasons to visit downtown Colorado Springs, as well. Denver’s Tattered Cover bookstore will open a store in downtown Colorado Springs in 2022. Several new restaurants and shops have opened downtown, as well. Yet downtown still has well-established places to eat and drink, such as the Phantom Canyon Brewing Company and MacKenzie’s Chop House. Italian restaurant Panino’s is a short walk south of Robson Arena on Tejon Street, where CC hockey fans have flocked since 1991. Fans 5 Colorado College has a staunch following of fans who make the Robson Arena experience as good as it is. The Tigers opened the 2021-22 season with eight sellouts (and counting) during which fans have filled Robson’s seats. The best time to visit concession stands and restrooms is during play because fans stay in their seats to watch the game. Again, the student section keys the energy for the rest of the crowd. Access 3 Robson Arena is not difficult to find. From Interstate 25, take the Uintah Street exit and proceed east less than a mile to Nevada Avenue. Head south on Nevada; the arena sits at the corner of Nevada and Cache la Poudre Street. Fans can come to Robson on Mountain Metro’s No. 19 bus route, which travels north and south along Nevada and has a stop a few steps away from the arena at Nevada and Cache la Poudre. Because Robson is part of a college campus, plenty of bike racks are available within a short walk for those cycling to a game. Parking for Robson appears to be available only for pass holders. Fans without passes will not find open parking lots near the arena, perhaps because season ticket holders with parking passes account for a high percentage of Robson’s seats. Parking for a game at Robson is nonetheless easy. Metered and non-metered parking are on the streets to the east and south of Robson. Along Tejon Street, meters cost $1.25 per hour until 10:00 p.m. nightly. Once inside, fans have sufficient room to move and at no point does the arena feel claustrophobic. The concourse is wide enough for fans to congregate without blocking anyone else. Wheelchair-accessible seating is located along the concourse, including from north to south along the center ice, and in the northeast and northwest corners. Return on Investment 2 Robson’s small size cuts two ways. On one hand, it allows fans to sit near the ice to create an intimidating atmosphere for visitors. On the other hand, tickets can be hard to come by, triggering a real-life example of supply and demand. Ticket prices for a recent, Friday night game against perennial power North Dakota ranged from $48 in a corner to $163 for a seat six rows above one of the blue lines. Those prices will likely fall as Robson ages. But tickets will certainly be at a premium when the Tigers are winning or hosting rivals – both of which occur regularly. Food and drink prices align with other college hockey venues. Hot dogs ($5), nachos ($6), pizza slices ($6 for pepperoni, $5 for cheese), fries ($3), and pretzels ($5) are all sold at the arena’s primary concession stand. Robson Arena is a Pepsi facility, with soda and water selling for $4 a bottle. These prices are right in line with other collegiate rinks. Extras 3 Robson Arena’s design merits an additional point. Its smaller size puts fans surprisingly close to the ice without compromising sightlines. This enables the CC faithful to provide a significant jolt of energy to what happens on the ice. A point also goes to the Tigers’ mascot, RoCCy, for not only being a great skater but an adept stick handler. Roy demonstrated serious skill while assisting during a recent teddy bear toss for charity. Josh & John’s ice cream earns a point for creating a flavor specifically for CC and selling it at Robson. All the better is that it’s quite tasty. Final Thoughts College sports are at their best with student support and involvement. For almost a century, CC has had one of college hockey’s premier programs. Students can now enjoy that program’s games without having to arrange travel to other parts of Colorado Springs. It took the Tigers a long time to bring their games onto campus and they now have a sparkling new home that certainly belongs in any mention of college hockey’s finest home facilities. ------ Follow Matt Finnigan’s stadium journeys on Twitter @mattfinniganco.

Photos by Meg Minard , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Broadmoor World Arena 3185 Venetucci Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80906 Colorado College Tigers hockey website Broadmoor World Arena website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 7,750 The World Arena Editors Note: The Colorado College Tigers hockey team moved into the brand new Ed Robson Arena in 2021. --- The Colorado College men’s hockey team has a long standing winning tradition which is evident when stepping inside the World Arena. Yes, this arena is called the World Arena. When walking up to the main entrance, the design and logo makes you feel as if you are walking to an arena in a science fiction movie. The Tigers hockey team has won two national titles. They have ten Frozen Four appearances as well as 20 NCAA Tournament appearances. They have produced two Hobey Baker winners as well as a bunch of NHL players. Colorado College plays in the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). The Colorado College Tigers played their first game in 1938 at the Broadmoor Ice Palace (later called the Broadmoor World Arena). In 1951, Colorado College became one of the original members of the Mid-West Collegiate Hockey League, now known as the Western Collegiate Hockey Association – WCHA, an NCAA Division 1 conference. In 1998, the Tigers moved into the brand new World Arena in Colorado Springs, CO. The Colorado Springs World Arena is a premier sports and entertainment venue in the Pikes Peak region. It holds 7,343 permanent seats for ice hockey. In addition to being the home of the Tigers, it also provides a venue for concerts, musicals, Harlem Globe Trotters, Disney on Ice, and the like. Food & Beverage 5 Although the World Arena counts Colorado College as a main tenant, you can tell that it is a regional arena. One major piece of evidence supporting this is the amount of food and beverage selections here. The arena has two bars: The Arena Bar and the Ice House. It has three separate Food Action Stations’ appropriately numbered 1, 2, and 3. One serves Asian, the second Italian, and the third BBQ (prices range from $5 – $10 depending on whether kid sizes are ordered or if one doubles-up the size). The favorite seems to be #3 BBQ the Smokehouse. Besides that there is the Top Dog (burgers, brats), Habanero’s (southwestern), Bella Forno’s (wood paddle pizza and sandwiches) lining the concourse ranging from $4 to $10, depending on what you order. On this night I had the Broadmoor World Arena brunch burger. This massive burger includes an egg, bacon, avocado, cheddar cheese and sauce for $8 dollars. It was well worth it. Not all burgers come with fries however. There is a grilled cheese station that is a unique touch that isn’t seen at many stadiums. A basic grilled cheese cost five dollars or for two dollars more, fans can have a premium sandwich with toppings. Top it off with a three dollar cup of tomato soup and you leave feeling like you came in from a cold day to warm up. I was surprised to see beer and alcohol offered here but that seems to be the theme for most Colorado venues. There is a big number of different micro brews found along the concourse (many local to Colorado): Bristol Brewing Company (the brewery is just 2 miles from arena), Laughing Dog (Ponderay, ID), New Belgium (Ft Collins, CO) and others. Mainstays such as Bud and Bud Light can be found as well. Atmosphere 4 On the outside of the arena, there are many benches in which to sit and wait for friends or for the gates to open. The unique quality of these benches is they are pieces of art with the artists name displayed on a post next to the bench. They include a Zamboni, hockey pucks, a goaltender, a mountain range, etc. All are built with a different medium (tiles, wood, metal, tubes, etc.). The Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame is located on the concourse. It contains close to 100 plaques honoring individuals and teams who have been from or associated with Colorado who have demonstrated strong community presence and/or outstanding athleticism or coaching. Plaques include the 1980 US Olympic Ice Hockey team, Alan Cockrell (Colorado Springs Sky Sox), Judy Bell (Women’s golf), Pete Susemihl (lead in the effort of getting World Arena built), and many, many more. There are also showcases of the Colorado College Tigers trophies, team photos, and programs from throughout its existence. This is a must see for college hockey fans. I like the programs and trophies dating from the 40’s and 50’s. Once inside the seating area, you will see a bunch of yellow championship banners. The amount of banners hanging is a good nod to the long standing Tiger hockey history. I am impressed by the out of town scoreboards and how fast they update the games. I was following my favorite team online that night and the scoreboard was keeping up. Neighborhood 4 There is a Hampton Inn & Suites across the parking lot, a LaQuinta, Fairfield Inn and Suites, and a Residence Inn all within walking distance (less than 1/2 mile) from the arena. There are plenty of chain restaurants within walking distance of the arena including Chili’s, Fazoli’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Outback, Carrabba’s, etc. There are lots of options for pre or postgame meals. I have learned that you can get a parking pass, leave, and come back and they won’t double charge you. While this may not be convenient, I did it on this night due to the amount of restaurants nearby. Getting a good parking spot and walking to a restaurant is ideal although the lot is fenced in so you have to be paying attention to where the pedestrian exits are. The Bristol Brewing Company is located 2 miles north on I-25 and is a local micro brewery in Colorado Springs. Their facility does not serve food. It has a table-shuffleboard, a bar, several counters with stools for conversing with friends and a few TV’s w/sports events displayed. It was quite crowded two hours before the game I attended at World Arena. The website does state it closes at 9pm so it may be a place to visit pre game. And, there is nothing like driving down and around Colorado Springs and seeing the Rocky Mountains. There is a superb view of Cheyenne Mountain from the stadium entrance. Fans 3 Colorado College is among the college hockey leaders in attendance most years and has averaged over 6,000 fans for the past few seasons. The fans seem into the game and knowledgeable. Lots of standing up and cheering when the team is announced; a certain choreographed display of clapping and pointing the arm celebration after each goal; one section would yell ‘Go’ – across the ice the other section would yell ‘Tigers’ with no prompting from the video board or PA announcer. For the most part, fans are into the game and only leave and return to their seats during stoppage of play (a pleasant surprise). I did find the fans to be somewhat quiet on this night. Maybe it was due to a weak opponent but it didn’t seem like a college hockey atmosphere that I am used to in the Midwest. I would rather see a pep band here playing more so than piped-in music. Loud arena music seemed to hurt any momentum that the fans would have from chanting or cheering. Seemed more like a minor league hockey crowd then a college hockey crowd. Access 5 World Arena is right off the I-25 interstate. There is plenty of parking at the arena itself ($5). Traffic flows nicely and directions to the parking lot are well marked. The arena is located just off of a busy commercial strip but traffic is rarely a problem before or after a game. There are some buses that go to this area as well if you are a fan of mass transit. Return on Investment 4 The food prices here are fair as are the ticket prices. Tickets range from $15-$40 dollars. There doesn’t seem to be many obstructed or bad seats in the building. On this night, I had a first row seat in a corner on the lower level. The view was great and there was plenty of leg room. I sat in the upper deck for half a period and it was a decent view. The seating pitch is high enough where you won’t have any issues seeing over people in front of you. Extras 4 The history displayed inside the arena as well as on the concourses deserves extra points. The amount of places to eat or stay within a block or so of the arena is worth another bonus point. Roster sheets are plentiful and there are plenty of games and entertainment during stoppages. My favorite game is the chuck a puck. For $1, fans could buy a numbered foam puck to throw on the ice. Whoever is closest to the center wins a prize. Final Thoughts Going to the World Arena seems more like a minor league hockey experience rather than a collegiate hockey game. There is nothing wrong with this however as the building, food options, and other attributes here make it a worthy visit.

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 NYCB Live, Home Of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 1255 Hempstead Turnpike Uniondale, NY 11553 New York Islanders website Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 13,917 For the Isles, You Can Go Back Home Back in 2015, the New York Islanders relocated to Barclays Center in a move that was immediately pegged as a disaster. For three seasons, the Islanders played in front of smaller and smaller crowds while their former home, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, underwent significant renovations, as well as a rebranding to NYCB Live, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. As the Barclays experiment continued to fail, it became clear that a return to Long Island was in the team’s best interests. This 2018-19 season, the team has split their games between the two venues, but they expect to play all their games at Nassau for the next two seasons, while a new arena is built in Elmont, just eight miles away. So how does the improved Coliseum rate for hockey? We went to a game to find out. Food & Beverage 4 The concession stands all have some food that is labelled “Long Island Taste,” with Smokin’ Al’s BBQ and the Roast Sandwich House the most tempting options. Mexican and Greek stands are also found along the concourse. The main problem here is that prices are what you would pay in Manhattan, with chicken tenders going for $14, a $12 cheeseburger, and a $7 hot dog at Nathan’s. Typical stadium fare includes french fries, pretzels, and popcorn (each $7), while chips and candy are $6. Pepsi products are $6 for a small soda or bottle of water and $13 (yes thirteen dollars) for a souvenir cup. Beer ranges from $14-$16 depending on whether you want can or draft, domestic or craft. Either way, you are getting the shaft. Atmosphere 5 Nassau Coliseum is the last of the old barns. There are no suites here to push the upper deck into nosebleed territory, so fans are right on top of the action and a buzz is heard constantly during the action. This is the way sports used to be before corporate money sent the real fans upstairs and left many stadiums devoid of atmosphere. The organ is playing, Sparky the Dragon is tossing t-shirts, and the joint is jumping when the Islanders are playing well. There are three levels of seating: the double-digit sections closest to the ice (10 rows), the 100 level (10 rows), and the 200 level (16 rows). So if you are in the third row of the 200 level, you are only 23 rows from the ice; that is usually a lower-level seat in a new rink. Note that along the sides, the first row of seats by the glass is row AA, and there is some space between the seats and the glass that other fans use to walk through to get to their seats. There is an inner walkway between the 100s and 200s that allows you to easily move around the rink without having to access the concourse, which can be very crowded during intermissions. The wood panels along this walkway are quite attractive and lend an air of gravitas to the facility. Dozens of banners honor past Islander greats as well as all of their titles, including those four Stanley Cups back in the early 1980s. Some banners for ABA stars are also hanging from the rafters, along with one celebrating Billy Joel’s 34 sold out shows. Stanley Cup Banners, Photo by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 There is nothing within walking distance other than a McDonald’s, Chipotle, and Starbucks across Hempstead Turnpike. Just north of the arena is Westbury, where you can find your typical chain eateries such as Buffalo Wild Wings, TGI Fridays, and Applebee’s. A more local option in that area is Canz Bar and Grill; you should be able to deduce that this establishment is similar to Hooters. There were two scantily clad ladies at the game I attended handing out free drink coupons, so keep your eyes open. In between Westbury and the rink is Museum Row, which includes a children’s museum, one dedicated to firefighters and the Cradle of Aviation. Meanwhile, Hofstra University is just a short walk west, and sometimes you can see a college basketball game in the afternoon before the Islanders play in the evening. Fans 4 Islander fans are usually excellent, but they did not sell out the game I attended, which featured a top team from the Western Conference. As well, those that were sitting in my area were quite negative, despite their team being atop the Metropolitan Division. With such a small capacity, I’d like to see Islander fans embracing this temporary move to Nassau Coliseum by selling out every game. Access 3 If you have a car, getting to the Coliseum is not difficult, though at rush hour you can expect over an hour to travel the 30 miles. Public transit is not reliable or efficient; you generally need to take the Long Island Rail Road to Hempstead Station, from where Nice Bus 70, 71, or 72 take you the rest of the way. There is no wait to get in, but once inside, you will find the concourse to be crowded both before the game and during the intermission. Concession lines and restrooms are also very crowded; so that it is unlikely you could do both during a single intermission. Return on Investment 4 The Islanders do employ variable pricing, but for the cheaper games, the value cannot be beaten. The best seats are actually in the lower rows of the 200 sections and can be had for less than $50 for less desirable opponents. Be aware that the top few rows have their view of the scoreboard obstructed by the roof. If you choose to drive, parking is $25, but it can be avoided as you can park on residential streets across the Hempstead Turnpike. With food also being quite costly, the ROI is not ideal, but still excellent for this old barn and a first-place team. Extras 3 The banners merit a point, as do the overall renovations. One excellent touch in keeping with the name of the venue is the eight empty seats scattered around the seating bowl. Each seat is marked with a patch and a plaque that pay homage to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, as well as prisoners of war, those missing in action and the more than 500 Long Islanders who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Final Thoughts There is nothing like this arena left in the NHL, so if you want to travel back in time, hockey-wise at least, a trip to Long Island should be in your plans in the next two seasons.

Photos by University of North Alabama Athletics and Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Braly Municipal Stadium 521 N. Royal Ave. Florence, AL 35632 North Alabama Lions website Braly Municipal Stadium website Year Opened: 1949 Capacity: 14,215 The Pride Of North Alabama The University of North Alabama (UNA) was founded in 1830. It is Alabama’s oldest public university. Today it has a student body of 9,500 students enrolled in more than 300 lines of study. Its largest majors include Nursing/ Health Professions, Music, Business, Computers/IT, Education, and Social Services. These programs are held on the 130-acre main campus in Florence, Alabama. The athletic teams at the university are known as the Lions. The football program at UNA has a very distinguished record during its more than 110 years of existence. It was a powerhouse in the Division II level of competition. It made it to the Division II playoffs 21 times and won three Division II National Championships (1993,1994, 1995). The Lions were the only Division II Championship team to ever visit the White House. In 2018, the school voted to move up to the FCS level of competition. They played the 2018 season as an independent. In 2019 the university joined the Big South Conference in football only. The other sports at UNA play in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The football program became eligible for conference championships as of the 2022 football season. The home of the Lions is the 14,215-seat Braly Municipal Stadium. It opened in 1949. The stadium is named for Thomas Braly, a local coach and school administrator in the area for many years. The stadium is located just a few blocks from the University of North Alabama. The stadium is owned and managed by the Florence, Alabama City School District. The stadium is used by both the UNA Lions and the Florence Falcons High School football programs. Food & Beverage 2 The concession stands at Braly Stadium are located on the concourse beneath the grandstands on both sides of the field. No alcohol can be sold in the stadium as the facility is run by the school system. The offerings are what you would expect in a stadium run by the school board. In other words, your typical stadium basics. They have hot dogs, nachos, candy, popcorn, and pretzels. Bottled water and Coca-Cola brand sodas are also on the menu. Atmosphere 3 Braly Stadium is a functional stadium that will not overwhelm you. It was designed in an era when the “extras” were not even dreamed of. World War II had just ended and just going to a college or high school football game was considered a luxury. The stadium has seating on either side of the field, with the home side being much taller and having much more capacity than the visitor’s side. For the most part, it is bench seating. Both the band and the student body members are sitting in the lower seats, with the alumni and Lions Athletic Club members sitting in the prime seatbacks along the fifty-yard line. There is a very impressive three-level press box atop the home seating area. It houses both the electronic and newspaper media. We can understand how this stadium kept the Division II Championship Game for so long, as it was one of the nicest press boxes we have seen. The press box also houses a hospitality room for members of the Lions Athletic Club. The field is used by multiple teams during the week since it is run by the local school system. Because of the heavy wear and tear, the school system has invested in a very state-of-the-art artificial turf surface. The stadium also has a very nice video board/scoreboard behind one of the end zones. Neighborhood 5 The University of North Alabama and Braly Stadium are located in Florence, Alabama. Florence is a city of 40,000 residents. It is located in an area known as “the Shoals.” The Shoals are a group of four small cities along the Tennessee River. Florence is the largest of these four cities and offers the most in the way of lodging, attractions, and restaurants. The Shoals were made famous by the music industry and what is called the “Muscle Shoals Sound.” This refers to the many recording studios that worked with many of the top singers in the music industry. Alabama, the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, and others all traveled to this small city to be a part of that sound. The Music Tour of the Shoals offers visits to the FAME Studio and the Muscle Shoals Sound studios. Another popular attraction is the W.C. Handy Birthplace and Museum/Library. He was known as the “King of the Blues.” The Helen Keller home is also open for visitors in nearby Tuscumbia. There are a surprising number of hotel choices in Florence. The closest ones to the stadium are the Hampton Inn Midtown and the Holiday Inn Express. Dining choices are also plentiful. The Marriott Shoals 360 Degree Grille offers a 360-degree view of the Tennessee River and the surrounding area from its perch atop the local Marriott Hotel. Barbeque is a way of life in these parts. We found Bunyan’s BBQ had us licking our fingers after we finished our ribs. Birdy’s Sports Grille is a great place to catch some of the late games on their multiple sets of TVs. Fans 5 The University of North Alabama has been blessed with one of the most loyal fan bases in the country. The Lions have an average attendance of 9,500. The team earned their loyalty long ago with the string of appearances in the Division II playoffs and National Championships. Now that the team has upped its game in the FCS level of play, the fans are even more enthused about the program. The Lion Athletic Club has seen its membership increase which helps with the expenses of playing at the FCS level, as there is a much greater expense due to travel. We also have to take our hats off to the cheer team, the ROAR dance team, and the UNA Pride of the Lions Band for keeping the energy going during the action and for providing a great pregame and halftime show. The University of North Alabama has some great athletic traditions. The first is Leo III, the live lion who lives in the George L. Carroll Lion Habitat on the UNA campus. His habitat includes rocks, a pond, and a stream with running water. Leo III has been recognized as the #1 Best Real Animal Mascot in College Football on several occasions. He is open for visitors from 8am-5pm on a daily basis. Another tradition is the Lion’s Pride Rock. This is a granite rock with the pawprint of Leo III impressed into it. The rock is placed in the end zone before each game so the team members can touch it for good luck in the game that follows. There are also several sets of lion statues on the UNA campus. The most impressive is the Pride of the Lions, which features an adult male and female lion with their cubs. One last tradition is the Victory Flame. It is on the UNA campus. After a Lions win, everybody goes over to the campus to watch the Flame be lit. Access 3 One of the main issues as far as access to Braly Stadium is its distance from almost any major city. UNA and Florence, Alabama are located in the northwest corner of the state of Alabama. It is quite a distance from any interstates as well. Florence is 118 miles from Birmingham, 76 miles from Huntsville, and 127 miles from Nashville. The best route from I-65 is as follows: From Birmingham: Take I-65 North to exit 310. Go right on AL-157. Turn right at Huntsville Road (County Road 32). At the roundabout take the first exit for Royal Avenue. Stay on Royal Avenue until you reach Stadium Drive and Braly Stadium. Parking near Braly Stadium can also be difficult on game days. You can prepay for a space, but getting to it can be an issue. We strongly urge fans to park at the UNA campus and take the free shuttle bus to the game. The buses run continuously throughout the game, so you should not have a long wait for the next bus. Parking is free and plentiful on the campus. Return on Investment 3 Braly Stadium offers tickets at several price points depending on where you want to sit at the stadium. The visitors stand's seats are all priced as General Admission, which is $12 on both sides of the field. The home side of the field has a much larger grandstand and charges by location. The Outer Bench seats are along the 20-yard lines at the bottom of the grandstand and are $20. The Prime Bench seats are along the 40-yard lines are low in the grandstand and cost $25. The most expensive seats are designated for Lion Athletic Club members and cost $50. The $50 also covers perks like seatbacks rather than bench seating, preferred parking near the stadium, and access to the Grady Liles Hospitality Room at Braly Stadium. Parking at Braly Stadium is $12. We strongly urge you to prepay to get a spot anywhere close to the stadium. Better yet, park at the UNA campus for free and ride the free shuttle to the games. The concession stand prices at Braly Stadium are very reasonable. However, the number of menu items is very limited. Extras 4 George “Goober” Lindsey from the Andy Griffith TV show played quarterback for the University of North Alabama. He is now a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. The University of North Alabama has begun raising funds to build a new, on-campus stadium. This project is known as the Bank Independent Stadium project. This project is very important for the school, as Braly Stadium is 74 years old and lacks many of the amenities found in modern stadiums. The new stadium would also be managed by the university rather than the school board, giving the college much more flexibility in scheduling events and offering more perks to major donors to the school. The design phase for the new stadium got underway in 2023 and the school hopes to be in a new facility by the 2026-2027 school year. Braly Stadium hosted the Division III National Championship football game from 1986 to 2013. This allowed the Lions to win all three of their National Football Championships on their home field. Harlon Hill was a star football player for the Lions. He went on to a long career in the NFL, where he was the NFL Rookie of the Year and the MVP, while he played for the Chicago Bears. The Harlon Hill Trophy is awarded to the top player in the Division II level of competition each year. It is the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy that is given at the FBS level of play. The University of North Alabama football program was the first school in Alabama to integrate its team in 1968. Final Thoughts The University of North Alabama is thrilled to be an FCS-level school, as they were a dominant program at the Division II level. For now, their longtime home at Braly Stadium provides an adequate facility. However, the future for Lions football is bright, as a new on-campus stadium is in the design phase of planning.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Swenson Athletic Complex 325 Plymouth St. Bridgewater, MA 02324 Bridgewater State Bears football website Swenson Athletic Complex website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 1,600 Bears of Bridgewater State Bridgewater State University is the largest of the nine state universities in Massachusetts. Founded as the Bridgewater Normal School in 1840, the school is still known for its education programs. Today, BSU has the largest enrollment of teacher education programs in the state. Its 11,000 students study in 108 majors in 30 academic departments. The Swenson Athletic Complex, home to the majority of Bridgewater State’s athletic teams, is named for Ed Swenson, who was the school’s athletic director from 1949 to 1977. He was instrumental in bringing football back to the school in 1960 after a 30-year absence. Mr. Swenson served as coach for the school’s football, soccer, and basketball teams at different times during his tenure. In 2023 Bridgewater State dedicated the football field in honor of Peter Mezzoferro, who coached the Bears football team from 1968 to 2004. Mr. Mezzoferro, who also served as an associate professor at the school, won 195 games during his time coaching at Bridgewater State. He was inducted into the BSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. The Bears currently compete in the MASCAC conference alongside several other teams in and around Massachusetts. Since their return in 1960, football teams representing BSU have qualified for four NCAA postseason tournaments and have played in seven postseason bowl games. Food & Beverage 2 The Bears Bites food truck is parked beyond the north end zone and provides food for hungry Bears fans during football games. A basic menu is offered, featuring hot dogs, burgers, chicken fingers, french fries, and nachos. If you need a snack during the game, they’ve got you covered. Long lines do form at halftime, so plan your visit wisely. The food truck offers cans of Pepsi products and bottles of water for thirsty Bears fans. There is a water fountain in the north end zone, which was a popular spot for fans to refill their water bottles on a warm fall day during Stadium Journey’s visit. Fans can bring in their beverages during a Bears football game. No alcohol is allowed at this on-campus facility. Atmosphere 3 The game day atmosphere at Bridgewater State University is pretty typical of the small schools throughout New England. It’s a laid-back way to spend a fall afternoon and take in some quality football with friends and family. BSU does its best to make the experience a positive one. The school’s cheerleaders, pep band, and dance squads are present and perform throughout the game. The sound system is excellent if turned up a bit too loud. The PA announcer leans into his work with a stereotypical “announcer voice.” He may be a bit over the top but does a good job of providing game information and hyping up the home fans. The game day crew does a good job integrating music into the game day presentation. A small scoreboard in the south end zone provides basic game information. For a small facility playing Division III football, there’s a nice tailgating scene here in Bridgewater. Many fans have setups in the parking lot adjacent to the football field, where they arrive early and fire up the grill before the game. Neighborhood 3 The Swenson Athletic complex is located about a mile from Bridgewater Central Square, which is where you’ll find most of the action in this small town. Visitors looking for a place to eat before or after the game will notice most of the choices in the area are fast-food chains. Locals recommend a stop at Barret’s Ale House, Emma’s Pizza, or the local outpost of 99 Restaurant as the best choices near campus. Stadium Journey recommends Gonzalez House Mexican Restaurant as a hidden local gem worthy of a visit. There are no lodging options in the immediate area around campus. Visitors will have to check out the areas by Route 24 or Interstate 495 for places to stay. Fans visiting Bridgewater from out of town will likely want to continue to Boston, located 30 miles to the north, or Cape Cod, about 30 miles to the southeast, for more points of interest, dining, and lodging options. Also located nearby are the coastal towns of Plymouth and New Bedford. Fans 3 Bridgewater State enjoys good support from the locals at football games. The bleachers at the Swenson Complex seat 1,600 fans, and they are more than halfway filled for Bears games. Many of the fans in the stands have a personal connection with the players on the field and are knowledgeable about the game and vocal in their support of the home team. With the compact geographic footprint of the MASCAC conference, it’s not unusual to see a lot of visiting fans in the stands as well. While the fans are passionate in their support of the home (and visiting) team, this is not a rowdy atmosphere or a place where you’d feel uncomfortable sporting the visiting team’s colors. Access 3 Mezzoferro Field is part of the Swenson Athletic complex, located at the northern edge of the sprawling Bridgewater State University campus. Also located here is the Tinsley Center , home of the school’s basketball and volleyball teams, as well as the Alumni Field baseball and softball fields. Mezzoferro Field also serves as home to BSU’s soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey teams. It’s a busy place. The town of Bridgewater has a population of about 29,000 residents. It’s located in southeastern Massachusetts about 30 miles south of Boston. It is accessible via Route 24, which runs north-south from Randolph to Fall River, and Interstate 495, which loops around Boston. The BSU campus is located approximately five miles from the interstate via busy local streets. The Swenson Complex is located directly off Route 104 (Plymouth St.), about a mile from the Bridgewater Central Square. There is a small parking lot adjacent to the field as well as an ancillary lot a short walk from the stadium. On-street parking is not available in the area, but these two lots provide enough parking for all fans. Seating is located on a single large grandstand located on the west side of the field. Metal bleachers provide general admission seating while reserved seating in the center sections consists of individual molded plastic seats. There is a track that surrounds the field and pushes the grandstand further from the action. Fans wanting to stand while taking in the action will find plenty of standing room around the facility. Restrooms are available in the field house beyond the north end zone. They are new and clean, just time your visit wisely, as lines form at halftime. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to a Bridgewater State University football game are sold as general admission tickets for 8 dollars. Fans wishing a reserved seat in the midfield sections can purchase those seats for 11 dollars. Parking is free in the lots near the stadium and concessions are reasonably priced. An afternoon at Mezzoferro Field is an affordable entertainment option for local sports fans. Extras 1 There’s very little going on at BSU that can be considered extra. The team does give out nice programs, which contain a lot of information about the program and its history. There’s an oversized Adirondack chair in the north end zone for photo ops. Final Thoughts If you’re looking for a good way to spend a lovely fall Saturday afternoon in New England, you can do a lot worse than spending a few hours at one of the many small college football stadiums in the area. Mezzoferro Field at the Swenson Athletic Complex in Bridgewater is a fine example of how the dedicated people in these athletic departments put on an affordable, fun afternoon of quality football far from the limelight of big-time college sports. ----- Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Louisburg High School Stadium 201 Allen Dr Louisburg, NC 27549 Louisburg Hurricanes website Louisburg High School Stadium website Junior College Football NC The Louisburg College Hurricanes participate in college football’s National Junior College Athletics Association, and play their home games at Louisburg High School Stadium on the campus of Louisburg Magnet High School – the high school is a mile or two down the road from LC’s campus. Food & Beverage 3 There is a concession stand next to the main grandstand, which sells a small variety of items but at great prices – beverages, packaged candy, and hot dogs (with or without chili) run just $2, or you can get nachos and pizza slices for a dollar or two more. The quality is great for the price, so any of these options represent a great value, especially the hot dogs, which are the Bright Leaf red variety popular in eastern NC. Atmosphere 2 The Hurricanes have cheerleaders on site but no mascot or band, although they do play big band music through the loudspeakers at the expected times during the game. The PA announcer is also very lively and does a great job calling the game, ramping up the crowd during opposing third downs and after big plays by the Canes. Neighborhood 2 There is not much in the vicinity of the high school, but if you go a few miles down the road you can find a few restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and the like. Depending on where you are coming from, however, you could drive for miles down country highways without seeing any place to stop for gas or a bite to eat. Louisburg College’s campus is on Main Street in Louisburg, just a mile or two down the road from the high school, and is closer to the town’s main shopping areas than the high school is. Fans 2 Not too many fans show up to Hurricanes football games, even during homecoming weekend, which is a bit disappointing. That said you won’t see the stands looking very full, although the fans who are there seem to know the players personally – you’ll hear a lot of fans yelling out encouragement to specific players by name; presumably, they are friends or family members of the player. The visiting side is even more sparsely populated than the home side, but that could be because of the particular visiting team that I saw the last time I visited. Access 4 Except for the rural location, getting to Louisburg High School Stadium is simple enough, as the high school is just off Main Street, the main thoroughfare through town. The football stadium is behind the practice field, so once you turn onto Allen Drive be sure to keep going – don’t be alarmed by the lack of attendance at the first football field you pass, which is the aforementioned practice field. There is no re-entry at the facility, but there are bathrooms right next to the main entrance on the home side (there are no bathrooms on the visiting side). The concessions line and line at the team gear stand are also both pretty quick to get through. Return on Investment 3 Concessions are very inexpensive, and parking is free right next to the field – even if you get there late there should still be a few parking spaces available. Admission to the game itself is $10 per person, and there are no actual tickets – you just pay as you walk through the gate (this is likely why they have no re-entry, as there is no way for you to prove you paid since you are given no ticket). $10 is probably reasonable for this level of football, although I have seen higher-level football schools like D2 and D3 charge less, so ten bucks may be on the high side. That said, seeing a Louisburg Hurricanes game might be a good way to spend a Saturday, but be warned there are not many bells and whistles at this venue. Extras 2 Late in the game, you can buy whole pizzas from the concessions stand for $8 (assuming they haven’t run out yet). They also let you bring umbrellas into the stadium, which many facilities do not allow – that is a nice boon, especially during particular sunny or rainy days.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 AT&T Center 1 AT&T Center Pkwy San Antonio, TX 78219 AT&T Center website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 16,151 Rampage Rock at AT&T Center Editors Note: In 2020, the Rampage was sold to the Vegas Golden Knights and relocated as the Henderson Silver Knights. --- The 2019-20 season marks the 25th anniversary of the debut of professional ice hockey in the city of San Antonio. Though the San Antonio Iguanas, the city’s original franchise, are long gone, their spiritual successor is thriving in their place. Owned and operated by Spurs Sports & Entertainment, the San Antonio Rampage moved into their shared home at A&T Center the season it opened (2002). In that time the Rampage has been the farm team of multiple NHL franchises, and are currently affiliated with the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues. While the Rampage have yet to compete for a Calder Cup in the AHL, they have taken home a Division title in 2014-15. And while it may not appear on paper as a hockey town because of all of the transplants, San Antonio has built a rep as one of the best places to catch a game in the AHL. Food & Beverage 4 In 2015 AT&T Center underwent a face lift, of sorts. One of the areas in which upgrades were done was the concessions scene in the arena. One of the highlights of this renovation was the addition of the Rock & Brews pub on the main concourse. Created by KISS legends Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, this has proved to be one of the most popular spots in the arena. With a bevy of beer options and unique sandwich and burger choices ensconced in a myriad of TVs playing 80s music videos, Rock & Brews is hopping before and during Rampage games. While many of the standalone kiosks are closed during Rampage games, there are still tons of options throughout the arena. There is a full-service Whataburger and Taco Bell on the main level, as well as Pizza Hut locations that offer their signature personal-pan pizzas. There are also numerous stands offering traditional stadium fare and Texas-centric fare (e.g. street tacos, brisket sandwiches, and Frito pie). Throughout the season the Rampage have $1 beer and soft drink nights on Fridays. They also have special food and drink discount nights throughout the year; make sure you check their promotional calendar for these special nights. Atmosphere 4 AT&T Center might have equally as good a setup to watch hockey as it does for basketball – the sight lines are perfectly suited for the action on a hockey rink. Also, during Rampage games much of the upper bowl is blocked off, adding even more intimacy, crowd noise, and energy to the festivities. A lot of work was put into the overall arena itself to make it fan-friendly. Before games, upwards of two to three hours before, in fact, the Bud Light Courtyard on the patio of Rock & Brews is hopping with live music, games, and often live radio broadcasts. Make sure to hit the game early and check this area out. Throughout AT&T Center, in addition to tons of reminders of the success of the buildings main tenants, there is a ton of unique art sprinkled on the walls of each concourse level. Also, make sure to hit up the main apparel store; they offer a lot of unique Rampage paraphernalia to get you geared up for games at A&T Center. Neighborhood 3 San Antonio is one of the premier tourist destinations in the country; it has temperate weather for much of the year (it honestly does get unbearably hot from June through much of September though) and there are lots of family friendly entertainment options. That being said, you won’t find much to do in the area immediately surrounding AT&T Center. The venue is in a more industrial section of the city, however, thanks to the miracle of the interstate highway system, you can be anywhere in the city within 10-15 minutes after Rampage games. The two main arteries that run parallel to AT&T Center, I-10 and 1-35, will both take visitors to San Antonio’s famed downtown area. Here you will find many of the great tourist attractions the city has become famous for. A couple of attractions that aren’t at the immediate top of every visitor’s to-do list that should be are Historic Market Square and the Briscoe Western Art Museum. Market Square offers visitors a chance to do some shopping in a historic area of the city – there’s probably no better place to pick up that unique San Antonio souvenir than this place; hundreds of artisans and vendors fill the area and offer bespoke items at reasonable prices. Market Square is also home to one of the best Tex-Mex spots in town, La Margarita, and the aforementioned Briscoe is exactly what its name implies: a premiere Western art museum with a collection of items in the hundreds. Make sure to visit and walk off some of that great Mexican food you just downed at La Margarita. Fans 3 It has taken awhile, which is understandable given the lack of a foundation in the sport, but San Antonio has become a pretty good hockey town. The team has averaged just about 7,000 fans per game since their existence began, which is pretty good for minor league sports in a city as large as San Antonio. Because so many people move to the Alamo City from outside of the state, there is an automatically built in audience for hockey which has helped the native fans learn and grow accustomed to Canada’s national sport. You will see a ton of Rampage sweaters in the stands. and those who cheer on the Rampage cheer on vociferously. Access 3 Two major highways parallel AT&T Center, and they can get you from any point in the city. If you’re coming from San Antonio International Airport it’s about a 20-minute drive, based on traffic, while from downtown you can expect about 15 minutes. Once on site, parking is plentiful for Rampage games. It will cost you $8 to park in the lots on site, but there are often parking options at the neighboring houses and businesses during the season, and there is also a public transportation option (VIA Metropolitan Transit) if you choose not to drive. Return on Investment 3 Individual game tickets for the Rampage cost $20 per person, which is a pretty good bargain, and they also frequently offer specials for games during the week which have discounted ticket prices. The concessions costs don’t really come down from what they are during Spurs games, but you can still get a pretty good deal at vendors like Whataburger, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. And as a plus, the parking costs are quite a bargain from what they are when the NBA is in town. The AHL is the direct minor league to the NHL so you will often see high draft picks, journeyman veterans, and players rehabbing. What this means is you’ll often get a chance to see some top talent at Rampage games for bargain-level prices. Plus, hockey in person is a blast and has to be experienced at least once in your sports viewing life – Rampage games would give you a great entry into the sport at a top notch facility. Extras 2 There isn’t much in the way of extras at Rampage games, but they do frequently have promotional nights; Pink the Rink night is always a popular one. Rampage fans can also count on the team’s mascot, T-Bone, to lead them in cheers, pound the glass, and roam the stands during contests or for photo ops. During the 2018-19 season, the Rampage unveiled a unique new marketing campaign; on select nights the team embraces the Hispanic roots of their home town and become Los Chimuelos de San Antonio. Liberally translated as “toothless ones” (totally befitting of a hockey team), the promotion proved to be a big hit with fans, so the staff will be bringing it back again this year. Final Thoughts Hockey is a great sport to watch in person. I can’t say I’ve been to a ton of other hockey venues, but I have found few to match what AT&T Center has to offer in terms of in-game experience for fans. Going to Rampage games is a great way to introduce new fans, young and old, to the sport of hockey, and it is also a great way for hockey junkies to more than satisfy their cravings. AT&T Center continues to be head and shoulders the best venue for sports in South Texas, and I think anyone who catches a Rampage game will agree. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Flora-Bama Beach Bar 17401 Perdido Key Dr. Pensacola, FL 32507 Flora-Bama Beach Bar website Bulls on the Beach website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 3,000 Bulls on the Beach A Rodeo at the World's Most Famous Beachside Honky Tonk Kenny Chesney once wrote "Sitting here at the Flora-Bama, 'bout to open a big old can of good times and unwind". You can't find more fitting lyrics – just ask anyone who's ever visited the place. The place goes by many nicknames, such as "The World's Most Famous Beach Bar" and "America's Last Roadhouse" just to name a few. It is a place where you will find millionaires and famous athletes having a cold one with the everyday joe; it is a place where time is almost forgotten, where you can forget about your worries while sipping on a bushwhacker and looking out over into the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There is a reason why everyone from the Mannings, Toby Keith, Jimmy Buffett, and even “The Pirate” himself, the late Mike Leach, have made the venture to the hidden beach bar on a secluded beach paradise that straddles the Florida-Alabama line. Flora-Bama originally opened in 1964 and is technically on an island; the lush Perdido Key. Florida occupies about 80% of the island while Alabama occupies the other 20%. When a bridge and highway opened on the island in the early 60s Flora-Bama opened as a small liquor store right on the state line, but on the Florida side as the Alabama county was dry at the time. Due to development on Perdido Key and in neighboring Orange Beach/Gulf Shores, however, the small store grew into what it is today. After over 50 years and being destroyed by countless hurricanes, Flora-Bama has evolved into two stories with five stages for live music, four main bars, and three restaurants, with a personality that remains unmatched by any other watering hole in the world. In addition to the live music to be found 7 nights a week, Flora-Bama is also known for its wide and eccentric events; you name it, Flora-Bama has hosted it – everything from the Polar Bear Dip on New Year's Day to the Interstate Mullet Toss, where thousands of people have a competition to see who can throw a dead fish the furthest over the state line. Then in 2013, Flora-Bama began hosting its newest annual event, the Bulls on the Beach Rodeo. Partnering with 3R Rodeo Company, every September they construct a temporary rodeo arena right on the sand just steps from the ocean. Some of the best cowboys in the southeast come to the beach and saddle up for the Bulls on the Beach Rodeo. Food & Beverage 4 There are no concessions around the temporary rodeo arena – you are given a wristband and are then free to come and go inside the bar and rodeo arena. There are three full-service restaurants inside Flora-Bama, with plenty of food options for you to choose from. The Oyster Bar is the closest to the rodeo arena and features picnic tables and big-screen TVs, all with a delicious menu of burgers, wraps, fried shrimp, and a beachfront oyster bar. The famous 15-foot-high Flora-Bama rocking chair is in the Oyster Bar area and makes for a great photo op. Also, make sure you grab a famous bushwhacker while you’re here; the Bushwhacker is an island drink, and Flora-Bama is known for making some of the best bushwhackers in the world. In addition, if you aren't able to get a ticket to the rodeo they live stream it on a big screen TV from the Oyster Bar. Flora-Bama’s property also extends across the street to the bayside and features two full-service restaurants over there as well – Yacht Club and Ole River Grill are on the north side of the property. The Ole River Grill is a sit-down style restaurant overlooking the Old River with a beautiful waterfront view, open-air deck, and fantastic seafood, burgers, and po-boys; the grill has something for everyone, while Flora-Bama Yacht Club is another restaurant located overlooking the Old River. You can come to the Yacht Club by boat as there is a place to dock boats, and there is also one of those floating boat bars you can take out to the many sandbars located on the river. There are also four bars on Flora-Bama’s property, so no matter what you like to drink you should be able to find it inside. My suggestion if you eat across the street at Ole River Grill or Yacht Club would be to visit before the rodeo starts, as it can be a pain walking across the street each time. Then if you must eat you can walk back and forth between the Oyster Bar and the rodeo arena. Atmosphere 4 The Bulls on the Beach is truly a one-of-a-kind event. Several different rodeos in the country claim they are a rodeo on the beach, but they just take place in beach towns and are located further inland. The Bulls on the Beach at Flora-Bama is the only rodeo in the country that takes place directly smack dab in the middle of the sand, just steps from one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the country, the Gulf of Mexico – they set metal bleachers up in an oval right on the beach, with temporary stables brought in and placed in Flora-Bama’s parking lot. Bulls on the Beach takes place over three nights and is always the second weekend in September, the first weekend of the off-season for the beach towns. The action kicks off each night at 8 p.m. beginning on Thursday; a country music act or local band usually puts on a concert before the rodeo begins each night. You'll get to see all the usual rodeo events here: bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding, calf roping, bronc & team roping, and steer wrestling. They also showcase some of the local riders and junior riders who compete on the circuit. Rodeo clowns are also a constant presence interacting with the crowd, and the rodeo announcer does a great job interacting and joking with the clowns and the crowd. As the rodeo begins the sun is usually setting for the evening and you can't beat the view; lights illuminated around the temporary rodeo arena reflect off the water, as you see and feel the waves creeping onto shore as nightfall begins. In the distance, you'll see hundreds of lights of the high-rise condos as far as the eye can see, and in the background, you'll hear live music overlapping from the live bands or singer who occupies one of the many bars inside Flora-Bama at any given time. The rodeo action lasts about two hours, and you are free to come and go as you please – I saw people going back and forth between the rodeo arena to visit the bars and/or the beach. Neighborhood 5 This area of the Gulf Coast is a prime vacation destination for millions of people every year. Three coastal beach towns make up this area of the Coast: Perdido (FL), Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores. Flora-Bama is located on Perdido Key, which is the less developed of the three communities; miles of unprotected beach and wilderness make up about 70% of the island, while the other 30% is taken up by condos, each with their private beaches and amenities. Other than the live entertainment that takes place nightly at Flora-Bama, people love vacationing in Perdido due to its peace and tranquility, as the beaches aren't as crowded and loud as the neighboring beach towns. For things to do on this stretch of the island there are a few seafood restaurants located here – the Cobalt is located nearby and remains a popular but expensive place to get some of the best seafood in Alabama. Several other places are nearby as well, such as the more casual Crab Trap located about half a mile away, which has a cool little outdoor seating area right on the beach. The Jellyfish remains another popular spot, as well as Lillian's Pizza offering the best pan pizzas in the area. There are also hundreds more restaurants located over the bridge headed west into Alabama (Gulf Shores and Orange Beach); there are too many to name, but the great thing about this area is you will not find any chain restaurants, just many local, mostly family-owned spots. You will find everything here from hole-in-the-wall seafood joints to five-star restaurants. Perdido is also a nature lover's destination – in the seclusion of the island you’ll find two State Parks, two championship golf courses, and a 7-mile undeveloped public beach. Perdido Key took a direct hit from Hurricane Sally in September 2020, so a lot of stuff is just being re-opened after three-plus years of closure. Big Lagoon State Park on the north side of Perdido is a perfect spot for camping or biking the many paved and off-road trails through the Florida marshland. You can even kayak in the Grande Lagoon, one of the only places in this area of Florida known to have manatees. If you're at Big Lagoon, make sure you climb the four-story observation tower for a view overlooking miles. In addition, Perdido Key State Park just re-opened, and features a public beach area with a visitor's center. Gulf State Park sits just over the bridge into Alabama and features over 30 miles of backwoods trails, with seven trails each through a different ecosystem and habitat of the Gulf Coast. Johnson Beach also makes for a great getaway if you want a beach to yourself for the day – 7 miles of undeveloped beachfront land await you on Johnson Beach. An abandoned Civil War fort called Fort McKree also sits at the far east tip of the island and makes for a great place to explore if you have a boat or kayak to get out there. You can rent boats, kayaks, or jet skis at Flora-Bama and go anywhere you want on the water. The two golf courses are some of the best around; Lost Key Golf Club is located on Perdido Key and was designed by Arnold Palmer. Lost Key features 18 holes around gorgeous dunes and the tall pines of the Island, while Perdido Bay Golf Club is located just over the bridge from Perdido, and was the former site of the PGA's Pensacola Open from 1978-1987. Fans 4 The temporary rodeo arena holds about 3,000 people and they sell out all three nights of the rodeo. Everyone from families and tourists to hardcore rodeo fans come out to Flora-Bama for Bulls on the Beach. What makes this rodeo stand out is that it is taking place on the beach, so, you'll encounter the regular rodeo crowd as well as people who just stumble upon Flora-Bama driving down the beach, and wonder what is going on. Flora-Bama also attracts a wide range of customers on a nightly basis, everyone from college kids to the older locals who've been coming here for years. A great place to watch the rodeo action is on the second-floor balcony that overlooks the rodeo arena. I saw a bunch of people up there watching the rodeo; on this balcony, you can get spectacular views of the rodeo arena, the beach, and the sunset. The event organizers also do a great job at making Bulls on the Beach a family-friendly event, although the inside of Flora-Bama can get a little too rowdy for some. Each of the bars has its particular theme, and on a Friday or Saturday you can see and hear some behavior that might be considered inappropriate from some of the people attending and the musicians playing – as long as you know that going in you should be all right; there is a reason Flora-Bama is 21 and over after 7 pm every night! But if you stick just to the rodeo, you shouldn't see any of the debauchery that goes on inside Flora-Bama. Access 2 There is no easy way to get to Flora-Bama; the bar is located at the extreme southern edge of Alabama and the far western point of Florida, and the coastal beach towns are not easy to get to either, as the closest interstate is I-10 about an hour away. If coming from Mobile take I-10 east for about 20 miles until you get to the Baldwin Beach Expressway at Exit 49 – you'll know you've reached the expressway when you see the giant Buc-ees, which makes for a great stop before you embark on the rural 30-mile road to the beach. Once on Highway 182, the main road that runs east and west along the beach, take it east over another bridge and you will see Flora-Bama on the right. Parking is across the street, and I recommend getting here early as the parking lot fills up quickly, and it can be almost impossible to find a spot after 5 p.m. The local condos will also tow your car if you park in their lots. There is also no public transportation in this area, so your only option is driving, though Uber or Lyft may be your best option for getting here. There are two separate entrances, one to the bar and one to the rodeo, and both of them back up the closer it gets to the dark. Get your rodeo seats early too, as they are all first come, first serve. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for Bulls on the Beach are $30 for general admission for each night's event, and you are free to sit anywhere in the grandstand. Tickets go on sale every year around July 4th and sell out rather quickly, so make sure you get your tickets early. I considered this a great event to attend just for its setting alone – nowhere else in the country will you experience a rodeo set-up like this on the beach, so you are coming to a one-of-a-kind event. You also just so happen to be at the world's most famous beach bar, and just being able to walk back and forth makes it well worth the return on investment. Extras 3 Bulls on the Beach is partnered with 3R Rodeo, one of the largest professional rodeo circuits in the southeast. 3R Rodeo is an affiliate of the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA), which is the second largest rodeo organization in the world; 3R is a feeder system for cowboys to move up to compete in IPRA. Also, a portion of the proceeds goes to St. Jude's Hospital each year. Even if you are not a big drinker, just do a walkthrough of Flora-Bama at some point while you’re here. The complex is huge and just looking at all the memorabilia on the walls, and the different musical acts, make it an interesting place, and you are bound to find something to pique your interest. As mentioned earlier Flora-Bama is home to a different event with something going on every night of the week – from bikini contests to fishing rodeos to golf tournaments and triathlons, Flora-Bama hosts it all. There's even stuff for all ages, such as the giant beach easter hunt egg hunt or the annual Santa Dip, where Santa Sky dives into Flora-Bama and takes a dip in the ocean. Kids come from all over to sit on Santa's lap from the comfort of his beach chair, and Flora-Bama even hosts a Sunday morning church service from under a tent on the beach. If you like the environment of Bulls on the Beach, then another event you must attend at Flora-Bama is the annual Interstate Mullet Toss. Held for three days every April, what started as just a reason to party has become one of the biggest beach parties anywhere, as over 30,000 attendees watch and/or participate in the throwing of a dead mullet across the state line to see who can throw it the farthest. We're referring to the fish, but you’ll find many people rocking the business-in-the-front-party-in-the-back hairstyle at the Mullet Toss. Hotel rooms are booked months in advance for this event, and for $20 anybody can participate and throw a fish. Awards and prizes are given as well, but mostly it's just an excuse for 30,000 people to have a beach party.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Ellen Ryan Field N Latchs Ln Merion Station, PA 19066 St. Joseph’s Hawks website Ellen Ryan Field's website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 200 The Hawckey Will Never Die Nestled among several other athletic fields on the Maguire Campus of St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, you will find Ellen Ryan Field, home of the Hawks' field hockey team. Since 2011, St. Joe's has played in this 200-seat stadium in Merlon Station, Pennsylvania, just west of the Philadelphia city line that runs right through the campus. The Hawks are the most successful field hockey team in recent years, winning all but one Atlantic 10 Conference title since 2016 and earning the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament each of those years. Food & Beverage 1 There is no concession stand at Ellen Ryan Field. However, when Stadium Journey visited, a local non-profit was selling apple cider for donations to their organization. There may be similar things at other games. Fans are also permitted to bring in their food and drink except alcohol, and many do. Atmosphere 3 Ellen Ryan Field has two small sets of bleachers, separated by a camera stand and media area. Most of the Hawks fans like to sit in the bleachers that are behind the home bench, while the visitors fans tend to sit on the side behind their team's bench. The stands are all very close to the action, although the camera tower can obstruct views in the corners. Seeing over the benches is no problem, however. Since the bleachers tend to fill up, many fans also stand along the chain-link fence surrounding the field or bring their chairs. If you do not arrive early enough, you will have no choice but to do this. Plan accordingly. St. Joseph's has a mascot known as The Hawk who will sometimes show up at games. The Hawk is famous for flapping his wings continuously throughout every game, never once stopping even for a moment. "The Hawk Will Never Die" is the motto of St. Joseph's athletics, and he certainly lives up to his billing. However, other than cheers from the crowd and the mascot's appearance, there is not much going on here besides the game. Even PA music can only occasionally be heard. This does mean you can hear much of what the players, coaches, and referees are shouting on the field, which some may appreciate. Neighborhood 4 Although St. Joseph's University is one of Philadelphia's Big 5 universities, Ellen Ryan Field is located on the Maguire campus in Merion Station, just over the city line from Philadelphia itself. St. Joseph's straddles the line between the two, with Ellen Ryan Field falling outside the city limits. Merion is considered part of Philadelphia's Main Line, a wealthy area on the west side of the city. Despite The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air giving West Philadelphia a bad rap (figuratively speaking - we have nothing against the theme song), this is one of the nicest parts of the area. You will find many restaurants and hotels along Route 1 (known as City Avenue as it passes by the stadium but several other names in different places) a short walk or drive from Ellen Ryan Field. You will find everything from pizza to Mexican to delis to classic Philadelphia cheesesteaks. It's a more suburban feel than downtown, but it's a nice enough place to hang out before or after a game. Fans 4 Although Ellen Ryan Field only seats 200 fans, the Hawks regularly exceed that capacity. The bleachers will be full and fans will line the chain-link fence around the field on all sides. Hawks flags fly from the top of the bleachers as fans urge their team to victory. While friends and family of the players make themselves known, they are not the only ones here by any means. St. Joseph's draws well for field hockey. Their on-field success and Hawk Will Never Die mantra have helped them build up a large fan base compared to most other teams in the sport, especially those outside the elite conferences. Access 3 The St. Joseph's campus is easily accessible from I-95 and I-76, and Route 1 runs right along the sideline of the field, so you should have no problems getting to campus. It's more of an issue of what to do when you get here. On weekends, parking is available on the Maguire Campus near McShain Hall for free, although it is not signed or advertised. On weekdays, you will need to pay to park in the Hawk's Landing Parking Garage on the nearby Hawk Hill campus and walk about half a mile. This will probably cost between $3 and $5 depending on how early you arrive and how long you stay after the game. Two single-person restrooms are located on the first floor of Connelly Hall behind the field, although this information isn't immediately clear either without asking. Return on Investment 5 There is no charge for admission to regular season games at Ellen Ryan Field, though the policy may vary for Atlantic 10 or NCAA postseason events. Parking is free on weekends if you know where to go, and even on weekdays, you won't end up paying too much. This makes a St. Joseph's field hockey game a great value. Extras 2 The legendary Hawk mascot is worthy of his star here. Look for the banners surrounding the field honoring St. Joseph's field hockey achievements. Final Thoughts Great sports experiences can be found in many places if you know where to look, and a St. Joseph's field hockey game at Ellen Ryan Field proves that to be the case. It is certainly not the most well-known sport or the most well-known venue, but with steady crowds, an intimate and tightly packed stadium, and a Hawk will never die mantra, it is well worth checking out a game of field hockey at St. Joseph's University.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field 2302 Phil George Drive San Angelo, TX 76909 Angelo State Rams website LeGrand Stadium website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 5,670 Angelo State Rams – LeGrand Stadium Nestled on the banks of the flowing Concho River lies the West Texas city of San Angelo. The city, originally founded as a military town when the U.S. Army founded Fort Concho in the 1860s, is also home to Angelo State University and its athletics team, the Rams. Angelo State first fielded a football team in time for the 1964 season and competed for several years at the NAIA level before gradually moving up to their current level of Division II. Throughout their history, the Rams have found quite a bit of success, claiming the NAIA National Championship in 1978 as well as three conference titles. Since 2014 the Rams have called LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field their home. Built right on campus with the field sunk low below the bleachers, the stadium is state-of-the-art, with new field turf, a new press box, and new visitor bleachers. As the proverbial only game in town, the Rams have cultivated a pretty rabid fan base that shows out at LeGrand Stadium. Read on to learn what makes the stadium special. Food & Beverage 3 There are two main concession stands for fans at LeGrand Stadium. Both offer a sampling of your traditional game day fare including hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, bottled soft drinks, water, and energy drinks. What makes these true Texas concessions – and raises them above-average in my opinion – is the selling of Frito pies and hot links. I can think of nothing better to chow down on during a football game on a Saturday than either one, or both, of these favorites. You might need a helping of antacids afterward depending on your gastrointestinal fortitude, but I would recommend trying these for yourself if you’ve never partaken. Other offerings include a Bahama Buck’s shaved ice and snow-cones truck parked near the home team stands. These hit the spot during those early Saturdays on the schedule, where temps hover near triple digits. They are also perennial favorites for younger fans, while for older fans there are also two beer tents, one on each side of the stadium. Atmosphere 4 I’m a fan of the style of the stadium they have at Angelo State – there is something special to me about walking down into a stadium. Fans can watch the West Texas sunset and the moon rise from their seats. It’s a great environment and I think a great setting for football. Other areas of interest to take in include the statue of Dominic the Ram, the school’s first live mascot, which sits behind the end zone near the Angelo State athletics center. It is a mighty impressive sight to take in and, quite frankly, a great photo op for fans/visitors to the stadium. The ram seems to stand watch over the other special atmospheric feature, a battery of Civil War-era re-enactors from the nearby Fort Concho National Historic Landmark and their era-appropriate cannon. This massive beast fires off after every Rams score and it is a sight to behold – and to hear. Another spot to be on the lookout for is the team merchandise tent, adjacent to the home-side concessions stand. It offers all manner of Angelo State Rams memorabilia and apparel for fans. I will touch more on the fans in that section, but their involvement the entire time made the most recent game I attended a real treat. Neighborhood 3 The city of San Angelo is, as mentioned, one rich in history. As such there are quite a few points of interest for fans of Texas/Western/American/Military history. With that in mind, for history buffs, the remnants of the previously mentioned Fort Concho, Fort McKavett, and Fort Chadbourne are all within driving distance of downtown San Angelo. Other points of interest nearby include the International Waterlily Collection, which is the top tourist spot in the city. This vast collection of every known variety of waterlily is housed in a beautiful setting and is a great way to spend an afternoon walking, taking photos, or just learning about this exotic flora. Also, not to be missed is the San Angelo Riverwalk; this beautiful stretch along the banks of the Concho River is a place where residents come to exercise, listen to concerts, fish, and even play golf at the nine-hole Santa Fe Golf Course. For dining and hotel options there are quite a few to choose from, with many within a short drive of the Angelo State campus. In terms of grub, I cannot recommend the Western Sky Steakhouse enough – it quickly became my favorite restaurant in San Angelo. Serving up steaks (naturally), salads, and Tex-Mex, it is a go-to spot for locals and I completely get why. Alternatively, closer to campus is the Cork & Pig Tavern, a gastropub serving craft beer and wood-fired oven pizzas. For hotels, there are plenty of mid-level chain options to choose from, as well as quite a few vacation rental options. Near the stadium is the Wingate by Wyndham San Angelo and the Staybridge Suites San Angelo, an IHG Hotel; both are a 12- to 13-minute walk or five-minute car ride to LeGrand Stadium. Fans 4 The Angelo State Rams averaged over 3,500 fans per home game in 2022. With a facility the size of LeGrand Stadium, that is virtually full, I would hazard a guess that the home team stands are generally always full. I was fortunate to attend Angelo State’s most recent homecoming game, and anecdotally this looked like a sellout to me. The stands were packed and there were also a lot of fans standing for the entire game along the railing behind the south end zone. From my perspective, the vast majority of fans on that night came decked out in Rams gear and were vocal and engaged the entire time. In short, it was pretty much the perfect atmosphere for a college football game. Access 3 As mentioned, San Angelo is tucked out in West Texas, which is arguably the most remote part of the state. Getting there is going to be a bit of a chore. Driving-wise, the closest big city to try and tackle it from is San Antonio, which is three hours away. The Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is four hours, Austin is three and a half hours away, and Houston and El Paso are both six hours from San Angelo. The one shorter way to get there is via the San Angelo Regional Airport. American Airlines runs a daily flight to and from San Angelo from DFW International Airport; this would considerably cut down on your travel time if you go this route. Once on-site, there isn’t much in the way of public transportation to speak of, but ridesharing is available. If you are driving, parking is plentiful and – best of all – free in and around unmarked spots on the Angelo State campus. Return on Investment 4 Single-game tickets for Angelo State Rams games at LeGrand Stadium start at $12 per for general admission seating and $15 for reserved seats; the difference between bleachers and individual seat backs. I can also say from experience that the cost of concessions is remarkably affordable. I have been to many college – and even high school – games where the cost for the same items on sale is exponentially higher in cost. You’ll get a good bargain here, especially when you consider the free parking and the caliber of opponents that Angelo State regularly plays. Extras 4 Angelo State brings out all the pageantry of college football to their games, big time. First off the Ram Band, which is one of the largest small-school marching bands I’ve ever seen, performs before games, at halftime, and, to their credit, plays throughout the game and at the right times (e.g., when the opposing team is on offense). Also on hand are the Angelo State Cheerleaders and the Angelettes, the school’s dance team. The cheerleaders do their bit throughout the game on the sidelines, while the dance team performs during intermissions and at halftime. Last are the mascots, which I have to admit is my favorite tradition in all of sports. As mentioned above, Angelo State has a live ram as its mascot. Dominic the Ram is a pretty impressive sight to behold on the sidelines during Angelo State games – I am a fan of any team that has a live mascot, and a Ram is always a pretty awesome sight to see. On the other end of the spectrum are the Angelo State costumed mascots, Roscoe D. Ram and Bella D. Ram. Both man the sidelines during games and are around for photo ops. Final Thoughts I wasn’t sure what to expect on my visit to Angelo State, but I came away mighty impressed with the whole operation. The stadium looked good, the atmosphere was electric, and the costs were shockingly low. I’ve been to far bigger stadiums that were far less fun. I wouldn’t put LeGrand Stadium on any bucket list (unless you’ve got one like mine), but I think you could do a whole lot worse on a Saturday in West Texas than taking in an Angelo State Rams game. --- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 NYTEX Sports Centre 8851 Ice House Dr North Richland Hills, TX 76180 Lone Star Brahmas website NYTEX Sports Centre website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 2,400 Not the Same Old Bull The NYTEX Sports Centre, referred to as Brahmaland by fans and staff, was built in 1999. It is a multi-purpose sports facility housing junior hockey, youth and adult hockey clubs and leagues, figure skating and hockey classes, volleyball, and a youth summer sports camp. It has two ice rinks and one hard wood floor arena containing many volleyball courts. It is very much a neighborhood sports recreation facility. It was the original home of the NAHL Texas Tornados hockey team. The Tornados moved to Frisco, TX in 2002. In the 2013 offseason, the Tornados were sold to Texas Hockey Partners (THP) and are now relocated back in North Richland Hills becoming the Lone Star Brahmas. The Lone Star Brahmas began playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) in the 2013/2014 season. Food & Beverage 3 There are two concessions stands; one downstairs, one upstairs. They offer snacks: Danish, muffins, oatmeal, fruit, hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, cookies, nachos, ice cream, etc. ranging from $1.50 – $3.75. There is no Coke or Pepsi here. RC Cola, Dr Pepper, Diet Dr Pepper, and 7-UP are your soda choices for $2 for a 20oz bottle. There are energy drinks and bottles of water available. No outside food or drink is allowed in the NYTEX Sports Centre. Atmosphere 3 There are no light shows, no smoke and grand entrance to the rink for the players; it is wonderfully about the hockey game. The Brahmas organization plays the Zamboni song between periods and little ones can take a ride on one. The seats rows range from 1 – 11 so one is very close to the ice no matter where you sit. The first five rows are blue plastic seats with a back, the remaining are aluminum benches some with backs, some without. There are no cup holders. I’d recommend avoiding section L, rows 6 – 11 as there is a wall and other camera and equipment blocking portions of the view of the game. The same can be said of section D, rows 9 – 11 as there is a wall making that area an obstructed view. There is what’s known as terrace seats up above one of the goal lines and seats are just $8 to sit in that area. Those are nice seats as you can watch a play develop as it comes down the ice. There is a net one must look through in this section which some folks may not appreciate. The music level and choice is perfect. It is hard to decipher what the announcer is stating. He does call goals and penalties twice, but it is still hard to understand what is being announced. It’s very cold in the ice rink itself. Wear several layers; bring gloves, ear muffs and a blanket or two, especially if you’ll be sitting on the aluminum benches. One can walk the upper concourse and get views of the volleyball courts and the secondary ice rink. The USA, Texas, and Canadian flags are proudly displayed above ‘suites’ in the arena. Within the recreation center on the lower level there are windows with chairs and table tops that allow visitors to watch hockey action on the ice; however, these windows are blocked for the NAHL games. Neighborhood 3 North Richland Hills is a suburb of Dallas, TX and is probably closer to Ft Worth, TX. There are plenty of things to see and do in both these cities which are maybe a 20 – 30 min drive away; however, be aware of the horrendous road construction in the area. The arena is near several residential areas. There is a high school across the street and a couple blocks away are strip malls, shopping, and fast food restaurants. The absolute best place to eat before or after the game is ZuRomas. This is an Italian sports bar located right in the NYTEX Sports Centre. It has a window that looks out over the secondary ice rink giving patrons the ability to watch some hockey leagues play (youth leagues and hockey clubs). It has eight or so TV’s with a variety of sports events televised. It has a variety of beers on tap and in bottles and has a full bar. Gourmet pizza is recommended and they do have other Italian offerings as well as sandwiches, burgers, and salads. It is laid back and the staff is phenomenal. There’s also the Bronco’s Sports Bar & Grill about a mile and a half away from the arena which may be worth a visit. If you want to drive through the road construction, there is the Fort Worth Zoo about 15 miles away. A nice Best Western is about three miles from the rink, though it is in the midst of all the construction. Fans 3 When was the last time you saw an individual wearing a cowboy hat, banging a miniature hockey stick on the bleachers to get the crowed riled up for an ice hockey game? As well as fans wearing those #1 Fan foam puck hats? It’s here in North Richland Hills, TX. The Brahmas fans are loud and without any prompting from a video board. Cow bells, horns, and plain old yelling, applauding, and banging on the bleachers. There are a lot of ‘hockey families’ who seem to know each other well. And the Brahmas fans welcome any and all visitors including any opposing team guests. I suspect that’s because it is about the hockey; not about disliking any opponent. Access 2 The one downfall of visiting the NYTEX Sports Centre is that you have to travel Texas state highways 183 or 121, both which have dreadful construction going on. There are half completed overpasses, mass amounts of orange cones, plenty of workers with orange vests, cement walls, dirt access roads, with minimal signage to figure out where you are. It’s horrible. Once you get off the highway, getting to arena is not that bad as it is in your typical suburban neighborhood. I did not notice any public transportation options. The closest airport is DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport). Restrooms serve their purpose. There are minimal lines at the end of the game and the restrooms are serviceable but somewhat icky by that time with all the traffic throughout the day. Entry into the arena is effortless and backpacks are allowed. Return on Investment 5 Ticket prices range from $8 (terrace seating) – $22 (on the glass). The plaza and mezzanine seats $10-$14 are probably your best bet. Concession prices are great and there is no charge for parking. There are ticket promotions/deals as it was a 2 for 1 ticket deal the evening I attended a game. Give the team a call, (817) 336-4423, for promotions as I’m not finding those offerings on their website. And, you get to see a hockey game without a whole lot of other thrills, a refreshing experience. Extras 3 Be sure to pick up a roster sheet at no charge at the service stand. You’ll need it because you can’t always understand the announcer. ZuRomas being right in the sports complex is a definite plus. Great atmosphere, good service, and you get to watch hockey being played as you are eating and drinking. The merchandise shop is more than a souvenir shop. It appears to be more of a shop for hockey players offering sales of hockey sticks, helmets, tape, jerseys, t-shirts. It has a stand for ‘repair’ services for hockey equipment. There are some souvenir items including cowbells but no hatpins or pennants. The Lone Star Brahmas offer a fan experience survey on their website which I find unusual. It’s a quality act that they are reaching out to fans to express their likes/dislikes to improve the game day experience. Final Thoughts One can spend an entire Saturday watching all kinds of hockey being played at NYTEX Sports Centre (if that’s your thing). For those hockey fans that live in and around the Dallas/Ft Worth area and don’t mind the road construction, make the trip to visit an NAHL Lone Star Brahmas game. The price is right, the game experience is spot on, and you’ll meet incredible hockey fans at the NYTEX Sports Centre.

Photos by Meg Minard and Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Sloan Park 2330 W Rio Salado Pkwy Mesa, AZ 85201 Mesa Solar Sox website Sloan Park website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 15,000 Solar Sox at Sloan The Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League play their home games at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. The Arizona Fall League is a developmental instructional baseball league played in various spring training complexes in the Greater Phoenix area. The season lasts a little over a month during October and November. Major league teams send some of their most highly touted prospects to play in the league for additional practice. The 2023 Mesa Solar Sox has rookies from the following MLB teams: Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros. The Solar Sox began play in 1992 (the founding year of the AFL) as the Sun Cities Solar Sox; they played at Sun City Stadium for their first two years. They moved to the new Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, AZ in 1994 and played there till 1996. After that, the Sun Cities Solar Sox played at HoHoKam Stadium from 1997 – 2013. In 1999, they changed their name to the Mesa Solar Sox to represent the city they play in. The 2014 season saw the Solar Sox begin playing their games at Sloan Park. Sloan Park is best known as the spring training facility for the Chicago Cubs. It is owned by the city of Mesa and named after the Sloan Valve Company, an Illinois-based leading global manufacturer of water-efficient solutions. Food & Beverage 2 One concession stadium is open during an AFL game at Sloan Park with decent choices at average AFL prices. Offerings include chicken tenders, hot dogs, cheeseburgers, fries, and nachos ($6 - $10). Snacks for sale are peanuts, popcorn, pretzels, chips, and candy ($3 - $8). Bottled sodas (Coca-Cola brands) are $6, while bottled water is $5.50. I had a hamburger, and it was tasty. The selection of beer is not that great. Choices include Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob, Modelo, Corona, and Estrella Jalisco ($10), all available in cans only. It’s enough for a snack while watching a game. Fans can bring their snacks and bottles of water into the stadium. Atmosphere 3 Most seats have shade, needed for a 2:30 pm start time. One section down the first base side gets the sun if you’d prefer to get some rays. Seats are first come, first served, so pick your preference as less than 1,000 fans or so attend AFL games. The inner concourse is wide open; a fan can see all the playing action while walking the concourse. Medium-thickness nets run down to the foul poles; there is no place to sit and watch net-free baseball. One level of seating is available for Fall League games. The second level holds the press box, announcer, and suites. Seats are the traditional green stadium fold-down ones and have a comfortable width, decent legroom, and cup holders. The grassy berms and other seating areas in the left and right outfields are closed for Solar Sox games. The organization has improved the readability of the scoreboard considerably. The lighting engineers adjusted the background color and numbers, making it so much easier to read. Well done! The scoreboard provides the line score and a photo and number of the Solar Sox player at bat. Game day staff writes the starting lineup on a whiteboard located on the third base side concourse. The merchandise tent (just upon entry to the stadium) has rosters and lineup sheets, too. Sloan Park Scoreboard, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The PA announcer does a competent job calling the starting lineup and player/pitcher changes (no music is played – YEAH!). They do not play music between pitches and batters, only pregame and between innings, a pleasant delight. A Solar Sox game here is for those interested in watching the game and the players. Neighborhood 4 About a mile northeast of Sloan Park is the Mesa Riverview Shopping Center. This center contains several places to eat, a movie theater, and many stores including a Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. Restaurants include Cracker Barrel, Famous Dave’s BBQ, Henhouse Café (good for breakfast), Papago Brewing (beers), and plenty more. A little over a mile west of Sloan Park (make a right on Rio Salado Pkwy out of the ballpark) is the Tempe Marketplace, an even larger shopping area. This contains 26 restaurants/places to eat including the Thirsty Lion and Kings Fish House, a multitude of shops, and another movie theater. If shopping is your thing, this might be the place to go. For places to stay near the ballpark, the Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West and a Courtyard by Marriott are just beyond the right field. The Hyatt Place Phoenix/Mesa is adjacent to the Mesa Riverview Shopping Center (about 1.2 miles from the ballpark). A Hilton Garden Inn and a Homewood Suites are a mile the other way (west) of the ballpark. Hotel rooms in the area are about 1/3 the price for Fall League games than they are during spring training. On-site at the ballpark is Riverview Park which offers a fishing lake, playground, and picnic area, and water fountains to enjoy pre or post-game. For other sports in the area, visit the other two East Valley Fall League Stadiums: Scottsdale Stadium and Salt River Field. ASU (Arizona State University) football, basketball, or soccer games are about three miles from the ballpark. Or sports fans can go downtown Phoenix and see an early-season Suns game. Fans 3 Fans who attend AFL games are the fans who like baseball for the game, not ‘the event.’ They are purists, especially those fans who travel or fly in to watch the games. Yes, fans do travel in for the season, for a week, or for a few days to get just a little bit more of baseball before the three-month hiatus till spring training. Many fans are those who are retired or those wishing they could be retired. During the weekday afternoon games, expect minimal children. A few more families are at the evening and Saturday games. Expect to see lots of scouts sitting behind home plate. Expect to see a lot of autograph hounds with their binders, player cards, balls, and Sharpies. Since most fans have a common interest in baseball, expect to meet, share stories, and make friends with those who sit around you. The fans cheer for all the good plays regardless of the team or player. Access 4 If flying in for a Mesa Solar Sox AFL game, the closest airport (about seven miles from Sloan Park) is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Public transportation is somewhat available – from the airport, it’s a combination of using the Valley Metro light rail, transferring to a bus, and taking a short walk. Since there are under 600 fans or so attending a game, traffic access is not the nightmare it is for a Cubs spring training game. Plenty of parking is available for no charge. Massive numbers of handicapped parking spaces are available. It is easy to get to the area by driving, as it is located near the corner of the Loop 202 Red Mountain and Loop 101 Pima Freeways. If driving for night games, allow extra time due to rush hour on those freeways. Only the first base gate is open for Fall League games. Bag rules baffle me here. Signs and security folks say one thing, but it’s very inconsistent. My best recommendation is to bring any items in a clear sports bag (16” x 16” x 8”) or less. Restrooms (including family restrooms) on the first base side concourse are open for AFL games and serve their purpose. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices have increased, although it’s still a good deal for seeing professional baseball: $12 for adults, $10 for kids over 12 and seniors (55+), and children under 12 get in free. Fans can sit anywhere they want. The AFL sells season ticket packages (single or double), worth the investment if you and/or a friend plan on attending more than 10 or 15 games. Parking is free; food prices are not too bad for a sports venue (and you can bring in your own). Seeing a ball game for the game itself is worth the investment. Extras 3 The field looks a lush green, not easy to do after an Arizona summer. Kudos to the city of Mesa for its maintenance and care. Having the starting lineups written on a whiteboard is worth an extra mention, especially for those who keep score. Upgrading the scoreboard to make it readable deserves additional acknowledgment. Starting Lineup at Sloan Park, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Not playing music while the PA announcer calls the starting lineups or player changes, and only playing between innings makes the game more enjoyable. It gives fans the ability to have conversations with their neighbors. Final Thoughts MLB changed the Fall League schedule format this 2023 season. The season has fewer afternoon games. Those games now start at 2:30 pm (the hottest part of the day) vs 12:30 pm in previous seasons. Evening games still start at 6:30 pm. This schedule makes attending a double header difficult because of travel during rush hour. I hope they consider reverting the afternoon start time to 12:30 pm next season. Attending a Mesa Solar Sox game at Sloan Park is a much more relaxed, uncongested game day experience than seeing a Cubs spring training game. When coming to the area during the fall season, it is worth visiting some AFL games.

Photos courtesy of Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Quakertown Memorial Park 600 Mill Rd. Quakertown, PA 18951 Quakertown Blazers website Quakertown Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1939 Capacity: 1,300 An Honest Home for Baseball What if I told you that there was an old wooden ballpark that exists in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania and that it has been around since 1938, has been home to baseball since 1983, and is in sound condition? You might think that I am crazy, but one such baseball facility exists in Quakertown. Now would you believe me? Memorial Park is a small covered wooden grandstand ballpark that seats 400 people. It is home to the Quakertown Blazers of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League who have been providing an opportunity for local college baseball players a chance to hone their skills with the wooden bat during the summers off from school. It is a league that has been around since 1967 and today operates a lot like it did 47 years ago. In the ACBL, the parks are small and ownership‘s objectives are to break even and provide an outlet for baseball. Memorial Park is one of the league’s paramount facilities; most of the ballfields are just that, located at community colleges or high schools. Tucked away in a residential and park area of town, exists perhaps one of the area’s better-kept secrets in baseball. Food & Beverage 3 The food is inexpensive and classic ballpark cuisine. Hot dogs are fresh from the grill and are only $1.50, large RC and Diet Rite sodas and Philadelphia-style pretzels are also $1. The other items include candy, chips, and peanuts. All of the food is served underneath a concession building that stands alone outside the main entrance to the grandstand. There is no alcohol permitted in the stadium. The prices are among the best that I have seen at collegiate wood-bat league games the past few years and add to the simplicity of a league such as the ACBL. Atmosphere 3 The design and color of the ballpark look as if it is straight out of Norman Rockwell's painting. The red picket fence lines up the left field line and a collection of sponsorship banners hangs on the grey outfield fence. There are two championship banners that the Blazers won in 1987 and 2018. However, the dark green grandstand stands out among the colors of the ballpark. The wooden structure is in immaculate condition and features very few rows or columns. The fans make their way through during the early innings and find themselves a seat on the bare wooden bleachers. Also, located is a small two-man PA section for the game. You will not find a myriad of gimmicks or promotions, a mascot, or t-shirt tosses from interns. The focus is on baseball and probably is similar to the game many years ago. League president Tom Bonekemper told me that former major league and current Toronto Blue Jays play-by-play announcer Buck Martinez commented that the stadium reminded him of playing minor league baseball 45 years ago. The game day program, which is becoming a thing of the past at many baseball parks, is sold for $2 and features advertisements, team information, and baseball bingo lucky numbers, however, its ads and sponsorships help generate a lot of money for the team and is still a valuable asset to the team. It also helps out when you are looking for a place to eat after the game. There are more than 113 boosters (including former major league pitcher Jamie Moyer) and volunteers that help out with game day operations from collecting tickets, serving food in the concession stand, and selling merchandise. Game day Nike jerseys are a bargain at $ 15 compared to the $175 price tag the Lehigh Valley RailRiders are charging for almost the exact same product. Neighborhood 4 The stadium’s setting is adjacent to a city park that features a sand volleyball and basketball court, a public swimming pool, and one very impressive wooden jungle gym play area. It is also located a mile on busy State Road 309, an hour north of Philadelphia and 20 minutes south of Allentown. Retail stores, chain restaurants, and shopping centers are paramount in this location, but there are a few nice choices to choose from that are well worth a visit. McCoole’s offers great food at affordable prices at the corner of Broad and Main Streets. Located in a historic old inn, they offer music on the patio beer brewed on premises, happy hour specials and many food items between $10-$20 The El Paso mac and cheese and grilled apple cider chicken are two highlights. If you are looking for dessert, drive a few miles up SR-309 to The Inside Scoop for homemade ice cream and frozen yogurt. Of course, you can always order a freshly made hoagie at Wawa, a convenience store with a huge following in this part of the country. Fans 3 There is a modest crowd that supports their hometown team. When Blazers’ manager Mark Angelo disputed balls and strikes, a few members from the stands supported his argument. The fans are focused, engaged, and supportive of their Quakertown nine. Access 3 Memorial Field is one mile off of SR 309 and 10 miles south of I-78; it is rather an easy destination to reach, but there are not any signs until you exit SR 309. You will have to get your GPS out for the majority of tour travel to the ballpark. There is a small amount of parking available behind the left field wall and across the street near the pool. It is free and that is always a good thing. Return on Investment 4 Adult ticket prices are $3 and are a bargain to watch baseball in a rather historic facility. Even if you had a few hours to kill, spending it here could be a rather gratifying experience. Extras 2 Memorial Stadium is one of those rare finds for a ballpark traveler. Its size and pristine condition make it ideal for summer league baseball in the ACBL. A traveler should not expect to find all the glamour that exists in the Northwoods or Prospect Leagues; a scaled-back and relaxed atmosphere will await you for a Quakertown Blazers game. Final Thoughts Lehigh Valley is sprinkled with various ballparks that offer a little bit of everything during the season. Quakertown Memorial Stadium is a simple, honest ballpark that provides a nice change of pace during a summer’s evening. If you are in town for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, take a short trip to Quakertown. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium 782 High Road, Tottenham London, UK N17 0BX Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 62,062 A UK Home for the NFL Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is normally the home of Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur in north London, replacing the club's previous ground, White Hart Lane. It is also the main home of the NFL in the UK, sharing some games with Wembley Stadium. The stadium is the third largest football stadium in England and the largest club ground in London. It features a retractable, natural grass soccer pitch with an artificial turf field, used by the NFL, underneath. The stadium cost over £1 billion and although announced way back in 2007, saw construction began in 2017. The NFL International Series is a series of American football games during the regular season that are played outside the United States. Since 2022, the series has had three sub-series: the NFL London Games in the United Kingdom, which have been in place since 2007; the NFL Mexico Games, which began in 2016 with a predecessor game in 2005; and the NFL Germany Games in multiple cities. In 2023 there is one game played at Wembley, two at Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium, and two at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany. Stadium Journey attended the NFL London Games match between the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans. Food & Beverage 5 The food and beverage options are some of the best we have seen at any venue. There are more than 60 food and drink options. For the NFL games, the stadium tries to offer more traditional American-type offerings than is seen at Hotspur matches. Stadium Journey talked to the stadium's head chef and they are exploring many options to make their visiting fans comfortable for upcoming years. A local brewery called Beavertown is the official craft beer supplier and has a microbrewery located within the stadium's concourse. This is the world's first stadium-located microbrewery. Unlike during Hotspurs matches, beer and other liquor drinks can be brought back to your seats during gameplay. The Goal Line Bar is the longest in Europe. The Market Place is a popular gathering spot along the concourse. There are numerous vendors such as The Chicken House, N17 Grill Naan Noodle, Linesman, the Smashed Olive pizza place, and the Touchdown Grill. Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere is electric for the NFL London Games. It has the feel of a playoff game, even if it is just a normal, regular-season game. The stadium is gorgeous and is quite aesthetically pleasing. We loved seeing the cockerel that sits on top of the roof structure above the South Stand, the symbol of the Hotspurs. The seating bowl offers a variety of seating options, while still keeping even the "cheap" seats feeling close to the action. Just like a regular NFL stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium features large HD screens and has a very good sound system throughout the facility. The stadium has its adventure area with the Dare Skywalk experience. It features the UK’s first controlled descent from a stadium. This will not be available on game day. The stadium is intended to be active all year round. There is the Tottenham Experience, which includes a club shop, club archive, and museum, as well as the media prep room is a cafe for the public on non-game days. Neighborhood 3 This is a bit of a mixed bag. We would bet that exploring Tottenham's High Road on non-game days would feel much different than on game days. The area can feel a bit rough, but not unsafe. The non-game day activities at the stadium do seem to be changing the area positively. On game days the atmosphere leading to any of the public transport options feels electric. The roads leading towards the stadium are closed to regular traffic so the fans can make an almost march to the stadium. Fans 5 The fan support is unlike almost any other. There will be a unique mix of fans, from each team's fanbases making trips abroad, European fans of each team, along with European and UK fans who are not as comfortable with the American game. This makes it sometimes not the loudest stadium atmosphere around, but that is not to say that the fans are not super engaged. Access 4 We would suggest not driving to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The best option is public transportation. The stadium is accessible via several London Overground, London Underground, and National Rail stations such as Seven Sisters, Tottenham Hale, Northumberland Park, and White Hart Lane stations. In some cities, the limited parking could be a negative, but the London public transportation system is one of the best around. Return on Investment 4 Tickets will initially seem hard to find and also high in cost. We tried to buy some tickets on the first day that they were available and had little success. Later on, there were many resale options available on the official UK ticketing website, with many of the cheap options available. We do not recommend third-party ticketing sites due to UK-specific laws on reselling and price markups. This can often cause some of the third-party tickets to come from sources that may not be authentic. Even with the high prices, the special atmosphere at the game makes those prices seem fairly in line. Extras 5 The Beavertown Brewery gives the stadium an extra point for being the first of its kind. The food options at Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium are one of the best in the world and are an extra on their own. Unique features such as the Sky Walk, Hotspurs Museum, and the roof-based cockerel give the stadium a unique feel. Amazingly, the stadium was built to not only be a high-end soccer stadium, but one purposefully built for NFL games. There is a dedicated DJ stage for pre-game and between-action entertainment. Final Thoughts The NFL London Games, especially the ones held at Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium, is a special event. Between the fun atmosphere and the amazing stadium, fans should enjoy themselves without question.

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Es Con Field Hokkaido F Village Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido, Japan 061-1116 (+81) (0)11-857-3939 Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters website Es Con Field Hokkaido website Year Opened: 2023 Capacity: 35,000 Hamming It Up in Hokkaido In 2016, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters began considering a new stadium as they wanted to leave the Sapporo Dome, a multipurpose facility that they shared with Consodale Sapporo of the J.League. Japanese ballparks are generally functional rather than aesthetically pleasing, but Fighters management wanted to change that. They recognized the trend that combines sports venues with other forms of entertainment to increase attraction to those who are not necessarily sports fans. Most Japanese ballparks are functional rather than aesthetic, and they wanted to change that. They spent a lot of time looking at stadiums in the United States and employed HKS, an American architectural firm that designed Globe Life Field in Arlington. Rather than remain in Sapporo, the Fighters found a large open space in nearby Kitahiroshima, where their vision could be fully realized. The result is more than a ballpark, with a new neighborhood being constructed around it. Es-Con, a local developer, bought the naming rights, and the result is Es Con Field Hokkaido, simply the best ballpark in Japan. It opened in 2023, and Stadium Journey paid a visit in the summer, coming away more than a little awestruck. Food & Beverage 5 The most impressive aspect of Es Con Field is the variety of food and beverages. When you walk in, you will be handed a Gourmet Guide, which lists all of the options inside the stadium. Some boards show what is available in each section. Unlike in North America, food is not overpriced at sporting events, so you can try a few things here without breaking your budget, particularly given the weakness in the Japanese yen (approximately 150 yen to a dollar at the time of writing). It is impossible to list all of the options as there are 47 listed in the Gourmet Guide. If you have lived in Japan, you will recognize some of the vendors, such as Mos Burger and Mister Donut, but there are still dozens of concessions that are local to the area. Some less common foods are croquettes that start at 250 Yen, rice balls that start at 380 yen, and squid tempura for 480 yen. Giant yakitori sticks are just 490 yen, while five pieces of karaage (fried chicken) are 600 yen. That's about four bucks. Come hungry. In addition to these typical concessions, several full-service restaurants are open to the public. Fans wait in line to sit down at these places, which are exactly like eateries in a city. The aroma of food wafting through the concourses is exciting, and you would need to spend several games here to try a few of these establishments. One example is an okonomiyaki restaurant where customers sit at a counter that is right next to the concourse, while on the upper level, there is an izakaya that has a long line. Get there early if you want to try one of these unusual spots. In terms of drinks, draft beer (known as nama) is available everywhere, including from young ladies who patrol the seating bowl and serve it to you out of a keg on their back. At 750 yen, it is far cheaper than beer at ballparks in America, and no tipping is required. Behind the center field wall, there is a craft beer brewpub that had the biggest line of all, though some other concessions did have some craft offerings. You can also order sours (shochu mixed with a fruit drink such as lemon juice) and even whiskey and return highballs. Those not interested in alcohol have a typical choice of soft drinks such as oolong tea, ginger ale, and Calpis. The only potential problem I saw was that the venue is cashless, a rarity in Japan. I was able to use my credit card, but if you have trouble with yours, you can convert cash to a value card that can be used. Atmosphere 4 You will first see the stadium as you pass by on the train from Chitose Airport. It looks like a massive airplane hangar and resembles US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The signature feature is the 230-foot high glass window beneath a large, retractable roof that mimics certain types of houses in Hokkaido. The roof was closed for the game I attended and is likely closed for most games during Japan's hot, humid summer. It is open when no games are being played as the field is natural turf (a rarity in Japan), and they need some natural light when there isn't a game. The roof weighs 10,000 tons and takes 25 minutes to open. If you ride the shuttle bus from Kitahiroshima Station, you will be dropped off on the south side of the stadium, which is the first base gate. You can buy your ticket here, but before entering, walk around to see F Village, the neighborhood that is being built on the east side of the stadium. It features a running track, a playground, a dog park, some food shops, a miniature ball field, and even an adventure park that requires separate admission fees but looks to be quite a bit of fun. I recommend getting there at least 2 hours before the first pitch to see everything, or you can make a day of it. Rather than returning to the first base gate, continue around to the third base entrance, and you will pass by the team's enormous flagship store. I went in briefly, but it was too crowded to do much shopping before the game; afterward, it was a bit more reasonable. Again, with the weak yen, prices are reasonable, especially for smaller items such as caps. Once inside, you will quickly realize that this is not a typical Japanese ballpark. The asymmetric outfield is only the second in Japan, while there are four distinct levels of seating, with a capacity of 35,000. Seats are padded in some sections, and there are cup holders, essential for all the beers that you will be drinking. The seats behind the plate are inaccessible to those without a ticket, but they look to be very comfortable. Tickets for this section were not available at the box office, and the secondary market in Japan is not as liquid as elsewhere, so if you want to sit here, you will have to do some research. A large electronic scoreboard is above the seating bowl at each corner, a change from most parks in the country, which have just one centerfield scoreboard. In addition, bullpens are visible here. The only pro ballpark in Japan to have this feature. In the left field corner is Tower 11, so named because both Yu Darvish and Shohei Ohtani wore #11 when they played for the Fighters, and a mural of these two is nearby. There is a hotel here with rooms that overlook the stadium (much like Rogers Centre in Toronto), as well as a sauna that is open to the public and provides a view of the field. There is also a museum here that requires separate admission and is not related to baseball. Tower 11 is also open on non-game days. Japanese baseball generally lacks the between-inning promotions that you see in the major leagues, but some mascots and cheerleaders appear from time to time. The size of the stadium does limit the noise, and the oendan (cheering groups) are not in their typical outfield seats. The visiting oendan was below me; their cheering was somewhat muffled, while the Fighters supporters were high up on first base. It made things quieter than I am used to in Japanese ballparks. Neighborhood 4 The aforementioned F Village is the highlight; there is not much else in the area. There are a few restaurants, including a couple that serve yakitori and an izakaya at the Kitahiroshima Station. If you decide to walk to the stadium from here (about 20-25 minutes), you will pass a few more eateries and some convenience stores, where you can load up on snacks. Kitahiroshima is only about 20 minutes from Sapporo, so you are better off returning there for some post-game entertainment. You will most likely be staying in Sapporo, which has many attractions of its own. It hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics, and the Clock Tower dates from that period. The Sapporo Beer Museum is free to tour and offers tastings at the end. The museum features beers that are not available outside of Hokkaido. There is also a sake museum, Japan’s signature liquor. Hotels are plentiful, and if you are staying for a while, you might find small apartments available on Booking.com that allow you to have a kitchen, a washing machine, and more space than a typical Japanese hotel room. In terms of restaurants, there are thousands to choose from, with the Nijo market area a seafood-lover's paradise. One change is that most restaurants in Japan are now non-smoking, which makes it much more pleasant when dining out. Fans 3 Japanese baseball fans are a different breed, and the Fighters fans are some of the most passionate I have seen. At the game I attended, a crowd of 23,500 was on hand, far fewer than I had anticipated. Even the oendan was not as loud as I recalled, though I think the size of the stadium hurt the acoustics. With the team struggling in last place in the Pacific League, maybe it wasn't surprised by the relatively poor turnout. Of course, those in attendance were polite and in good cheering form, as their team won easily, but I still have to dock a couple of points here. When the team returns to glory, I’ll revisit and update here. Access 4 As discussed, Es Con Field is in Kitahiroshima, just over 15 minutes from Sapporo on the Rapid Airport train (the slower Chitose Line is also an option). From the station, you can walk for 25 minutes or take a shuttle bus for 200 yen. Given how hot it is in Japan in the summer, the bus is a better option, and it drops you off in front of the first-base gate sponsored by Coca-Cola. It is where you will pick up the bus after the game, but if you attend a nighter, then walking back is more pleasant once the sun has set. Note that buses are plentiful, and I did not have to wait even though I arrived about two hours before the first pitch. Concourses are spacious, but some spots jam up as game time approaches. Some concessions have long lines, but others are quick. Restrooms and other facilities are as clean as you would expect in Japan. There are escalators to get you from level to level, as well as stairways. It is quite easy to get around, and you should not have any problem finding your seat as all sections are numbered clearly. Return on Investment 5 I picked up my ticket at the box office at the Coca-Cola gate, which is a hard stub with a picture of the stadium. It is much more preferable to getting one at a local convenience store. I paid 4,600 Yen (about $31) and was happy with my seat on the second level, near an aisle, which is essential for getting the beer girls' attention. With everything here so affordable and the overall experience one of the best in Japan, this is a great way to spend your money and get a lot in return. Extras 5 There are so many additional features here that you need to take your time to appreciate everything. Outside the first base gate is a Hokkaido sign that provides a good photo opportunity. The Fighters have been around for a while, and their history is displayed on several panels on the lower concourse. They have won a few pennants, and those are hanging above this area. In addition to the Tower 11 mural, other artworks can be found around the ballpark. The onsen and sauna are open to the public and are reasonably priced if you want to watch part of the game while soaking your muscles. Another point for the ingenuity of including F Village, which should make the Fighters attractive to those who may not follow baseball otherwise. There is still work to be done, but when complete, Es Con Field Hokkaido will be a destination in itself. Final Thoughts Overall, Es Con Field is the best baseball stadium in Japan. However, it is not the best stadium experience, which I believe you can find in Koshien, home of the Hanshin Tigers. Still, there is so much to see and do here that you should make a day of it, arriving a few hours before the first pitch to wander around F Village and maximizing your time inside the stadium. Research the food options to have an idea of what to eat when you get there. Then, sit back and enjoy the action.

The city of Pittsburgh has always been regarded as a great baseball town, despite being one of the smallest markets in MLB, based on population. Baseball’s beginnings in the Steel City can be traced back to 1857. A new book, Pittsburgh’s Historic Ballparks, takes a look back at the many homes of baseball that have graced the city. With the exception of Forbes Field, all of these stadiums have been located in the Northside district of the city, across the Allegheny River from Downtown Pittsburgh. The book is filled with photos of the various homes of the Pirates through the years, as well as news clippings about each of the ballparks. The book is published by Arcadia Press as a part of their Images of Baseball series. The first ballpark in Pittsburgh actually began its life as a skating rink. The owner was looking for a way to make money during the warmer months of the year and thought the new game of baseball might be an answer. This began in 1876, with fans standing along the side of the field or sitting on the grass of a nearby hill. Later on, wooden grandstands and an exterior fence were added to the park. This venue was known as Union Park in the beginning, becoming Recreation Park in 1885, as a nod to its multiple recreational activities. This served as the first home of the Allegheny, Pittsburgh’s first professional baseball team. In 1891 the team moved to its second home at Exposition Park. This park served as Pittsburgh's baseball home from 1891-1909. This structure was also on the Northside, located in what we would call a fairground, along the shores of the Allegheny River. Soon other competing teams were forming in the area. Baseball at this point was the hot new game, and many business people saw it as a way to make money. Team loyalty went to the highest bidder, and teams were known to “pirate” players away from other teams overnight. This is the origin of the Pittsburgh Pirate’s moniker. The newly christened Pirates were purchased in 1900 by businessman Barney Dreyfuss. He would own the team for the next 32 years, and be responsible for building a stadium that would serve the team’s home for 61 years. The Pirates and Exposition Park would be involved in the first modern World Series in 1890. Overflow crowds stood in the outfield behind ropes, which determined if a ball was in play or not. As a result, larger grandstands were added from year to year. Soon an upper-level seating was added, with stairwells covered by a steepled roof providing access for the fans. Another feature of the park was a view of the growing Pittsburgh skyline across the river, something that would come full circle to the Pirate’s present home at PNC Park. One other unique feature was that fans exited the park by crossing the playing field, as there were no exits in the outfield stands. Unfortunately, Exposition Park was a little too close to the river, resulting in frequent flooding of the park. A 1907 flood destroyed the Union Bridge, which connected Downtown Pittsburgh to the Northside. Fans on the downtown side of the bridge no longer had a way to cross the river to the ballpark. Barney Dreyfuss knew a change was needed. The old park had suffered both floods and fires, a common event in the wooden ballparks of yesteryear. After the Pirates left Exposition Park, it stayed busy with minor league teams, independent leagues, and Negro League teams. During these same years, Negro baseball leagues were developing in the Pittsburgh area. In 1887 the first Negro League team, the Pittsburgh Keystones used Recreation Park as their home base. Many of these teams would be boom-to-bust adventures, due to poor financing options. There was such a demand for ballparks that another ballpark began construction. In 1920, Central Park opened for business. It was the home ballpark for a new version of the Keystones. The team only lasted for two years. Central Park then served as the home field for a variety of Negro leagues and teams. Only five years after it was built, Central Park was torn down. Ammon Field was another Northside ballpark serving the Negro Leagues. It served as the home base for the Homestead Grays and the Pittsburgh Crawfords. It was a municipal stadium so it could not charge admission. Despite this restriction, the ballpark survived for nineteen years. Probably the most interesting ballpark was owned by a black bookie. His name was Greenlee, and he named the stadium after himself. He also owned the Pittsburgh Crawfords, one of the most successful Negro League teams. The stadium was built of brick with arched entrances. Greenlee kept the stadium busy throughout the year with a variety of sports. Eventually, business slowed and Greenlee Stadium was torn down in 1938. Following the flood of 1907, Barney Dreyfuss was determined to build a stadium that would not be prone to fire or floods. He moved across the Allegheny River to the Oakland area of Pittsburgh, far from any river. He also decided this stadium would be built of concrete and steel, which was plentiful in the area. The new stadium was christened as Forbes Field. It pioneered the use of these construction materials, but it also featured more entrances, ticket offices, and seating than any competitors. It also featured the first mechanized tarp, which is very important, as it dramatically cut down the number of rainouts the Pirates would have. Dreyfuss was always looking for ways to improve the ballpark, which often meant more seats. He also had the first electronic scoreboard in the major leagues. The Pirates had a great team during Forbes Field’s early days, as they won two World Series. These wins help pay for even more expansion of the seating. In 1932 Barney Dreyfuss died, after leading the team for more than 35 years, and leading baseball parks into a new era. A monument was built in his honor at Forbes Field. This monument has traveled to each ballpark the Pirates have played in since then. After a long drought of good teams, the Pirates' fortunes began to turn with the arrival of Roberto Clemente and Bill Mazeroski in the mid-1950s. In 1960 the Pirates made the World Series, with Mazeroski hitting the winning home run in the 7th game to take the pennant. Even with this success, Forbes Field’s days were numbered. In 1958 the University of Pittsburgh was expanding its campus and had bought the stadium. They allowed the Pirates to lease the park each season until their new park was completed. The 1969 season was to be the last season in Forbes Field. However, it received a short reprieve, as construction on Three Rivers was behind schedule. The Pirates moved into their new home midway through the 1970 season. Forbes Field was then torn down after serving as the Bucs home for 61 years. The Pirates then recrossed the Allegheny to the Northside neighborhood. Three Rivers Stadium came in an era of round cookie-cutter multi-purpose stadiums. Ironically the original design for the ballpark had the river side of the venue left open to provide a view of downtown Pittsburgh and the river, just like Exposition Park of the past and PNC Park of the future. This was vetoed, as the owners wanted as much income-producing space and seats as possible. The Steelers were also tenants and had the same concerns. The fancy dining areas did provide a salute to its predecessor, as parts of Forbes Field were incorporated into the Allegheny Room, including a portion of the Bill Mazeroski home run wall. By the 1990’s the round cookie-cutter stadiums were no longer popular, and retro stadiums were “in”. This was led by the building of Camden Yards in Baltimore. The Steelers moved to new digs right down the shoreline to Heinz Field (now Acrisure Stadium). After only 31 years after its opening, Three Rivers Stadium closed. Willie Stargell attended the last game at Three Rivers Stadium. He would pass away just hours before the PNC Park opening day game. Pittsburgh’s Historic Ballparks closes with the opening of PNC Park in 2001. In many ways, Pittsburgh’s stadiums have come full circle. The ballpark has gotten rave reviews for its retro looks, which resemble a park of yesteryear. It also sits on the same ground as Exhibition Park from many years ago. Best of all, the players who created the greatest memories in the various ballparks of Pittsburgh past are honored with statues in the plazas that surround the stadium. Oh, by the way… the Pirates spring training stadium in Bradenton, Florida turned 100 years old in 2023. Barney Dreyfuss would be pleased.

Photos by Gregory Koch Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Xfinity Center Pavilion 2001 Paint Branch Dr College Park, MD 20740 Maryland Terrapins website Xfinity Center Pavilion website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 1,500 Fear The Turtle Most people know the Xfinity Center for being the home of Maryland Terrapins basketball. However, there is another part of the Xfinity Center many people either don't know about or only know from glancing at the entrance on their way into a basketball game. The Xfinity Center Pavilion is a smaller arena within the Xfinity Center proper, located off the ground floor lobby. Seating 1,500 fans, a small fraction of what the main arena sits, the Pavilion is home to Terrapins volleyball and wrestling. This review will focus on the former. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession at the Xfinity Center Pavilion, located right by the entrance. The concession stands in the Xfinity Center proper that is open for basketball are not accessible from the Pavilion, so this is your only option. The menu is quite limited here, with hot dogs and nachos being the only main course options, although the menu board claims popcorn and soft pretzels are also entrees. Regardless of this dubious claim, other options include peanuts, Cracker Jacks, and chips. To drink, fans can get fountain soda, bottled water, or Gatorade. Prices are reasonable with nothing being more than $6. Atmosphere 5 As mentioned above, the Xfinity Center Pavilion is located off the ground floor lobby of the Xfinity Center proper. If you have entered through the lower level doors for a Terrapins basketball game, you have probably walked by the entrance at some point on your way upstairs. That same lobby is full of Terrapins merchandise and murals, although little of it is dedicated to the volleyball team. Once you get inside the Pavilion, there are bleachers on each side of the court as well as a smaller set along one of the baselines that is used by the band. That band plays music during breaks in the action such as between sets. Although they are not permitted to play their instruments during the game action, they instead get involved in other ways. While a visiting player is preparing to serve, the band will attempt to be as loud as possible, either by shouting or by chanting "Bounce!" every time the player bounces the ball. Although they are quiet while a Terrapins player is preparing to serve, they will shout "Woosh! Let's go Terps!" after the ball is put in play. The Terrapins Cheerleaders also show up and will perform on the court in between sets. Other in-game promotions include a t-shirt toss. The Terrapins put a lot of effort into the matchday experience and it shows. The Pavilion has very low ceilings compared to most arenas, which can prove a problem as balls struck it multiple times during the game we were at. However, this helps trap the noise from the band and the crowd inside and creates an incredibly loud atmosphere. The noise from the crowd is so loud it often drowns out the PA system and makes the announcements either difficult or impossible to hear. While this is a good problem to have, it can get somewhat annoying at times. Neighborhood 3 College Park is a small college town with enough in the immediate area to get by but is nothing special. There is a bowling alley a couple of miles away, and a bunch of chain restaurants within walking distance. If you’re looking for some local color, College Park Diner is a favorite with residents and students alike and serves up comfort food 24 hours a day. Looney’s Pub on Route 1 is a sports bar with dozens of big-screen TVs for your viewing pleasure. A couple of hotels are located nearby, including a Marriott just off campus, and The Hotel on campus. (Yes, the on-campus hotel is called The Hotel. Not a very creative name). That being said, if you’re looking to do more than eat and sleep, your best bet is to head down to the Metro station and take the Green Line into D.C. It’s about a 30-minute ride to downtown. Once you’re there, there’s so much to do and most of it is free. Whether it’s visiting one of the historic monuments and memorials, visiting one of the numerous museums, or simply walking outside on the National Mall, there’s something for everyone. All government-run attractions are free to the public, though some privately-run ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you will need to reserve that ahead of time. Fans 4 Although the Xfinity Center Pavilion only seats 1,500 fans, the Terps routinely draw near, at, or even over capacity for volleyball games. The fans and the band are incredibly loud, with the low ceiling making it seem even louder. While they may not be the size of the crowds at some Big 10 rivals like Nebraska and Penn State, attendance has grown in recent years and the team may soon outgrow the Pavilion. The crowd includes everyone from longtime Terps fans to children checking out their first game. At every set point for the Terps, the crowd rises to its feet and claps their hands to urge the Terps to finish the job and take the set. Access 3 The University of Maryland campus is located just a few miles off of I-495 (Capital Beltway) and Maryland Route 295 (Baltimore-Washington Parkway). However, given this is one of the most congested traffic areas in the country, there is a good chance you will sit in traffic getting to the arena. Give yourself extra time, especially if coming to a weeknight game at rush hour, and use Waze or another GPS app to take the optimal route around traffic. Fans can also take Metro's Green Line to the College Park-UMD station, which is about three-quarters of a mile away. Once on campus, there is ample parking in lots surrounding the arena, including lots 9b and 4b on either side. You will enter through the doors on the lower level rather than walk up the steps to the larger entrance on the upper level like some people do for basketball. There is one set of restrooms in the Pavilion by the entrance, which can get crowded at times, especially between sets. The other restrooms in the main portion of the Xfinity Center are not accessible during volleyball games. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for adults are between $10 and $15 depending on the opponent. Parking is free and concessions are affordable if limited. Considering the excellent atmosphere here, a Terps volleyball game is of great value. Extras 3 One star for all the murals and displays dedicated to Terrapins athletics in the lobby and in the Pavilion itself. Look for the marketing table by the entrance with giveaways and free roster cards. A third and final star for the banners in the Pavilion dedicated to Terp's volleyball accomplishments such as tournament appearances. Final Thoughts College volleyball is rapidly growing in interest, and the Maryland Terrapins are no exception. While most only know of the Xfinity Center Pavilion from walking by the entrance on the way into a basketball game, a Terps volleyball game here is well worth checking out. The Pavilion is full of raucous energy during games, and the matchday experience is top-notch.

The National Basketball Association's playoffs are underway, so we at Stadium Journey felt it was time to do what we do best - rank some arenas. While the winner of the Larry O'Brien Trophy will be determined on the court, there's no one way to rank the gyms that these teams play in. Here's our try at it. To determine our rankings, Stadium Journey utilizes our patented FANFARE rating scale, which takes into account a venue's Food, Atmosphere, Neighborhood, Fan support, Access, Return on investment and a final Extras category. When two or more venues are tied, a Stadium Journey Council of Elders is consulted to break the tie. We hope that this list produces some good-natured debate. After all, isn't that why we do these things? Feel free to share your opinions on Stadium Journey's social media pages. Without further ado, we are proud to present Stadium Journey's rankings of all 30 National Basketball Association arenas for the 2022-23 season. 1. Madison Square Garden - New York Knicks 4.57 Brian O'Sullivan - Seeing a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden is a must for any basketball or sports fan in New York City. Although it comes at a substantial monetary cost, the memories that come with the experience are truly magical and will last a lifetime. 2. Scotiabank Arena - Toronto Raptors 4.43 Dave Cottenie - WIth the Toronto Raptors continuing successfully on and off the court, it is obvious that the team has taken a big bite out of the entertainment dollar in Toronto. No longer can Toronto be simply viewed as a Maple Leafs town. WeTheNorth has blown the doors open and it is clear that the Raptors are here to stay as a force in the Toronto sports market. 3. Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia 76ers 4.43 Pete Dowell - What makes the time you will spend at Wells Fargo Center amazing is the fans. The 76ers fans love to band together show the 76ers love just as much as they love to give the opposing team a hard time. Trust the Process and enjoy your time at Wells Fargo Center. 4. Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse - Cleveland Cavaliers 4.43 Lloyd Brown - The renovations at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse have all been directed towards improving the fan experience, as the seating bowl and playing court remained the same throughout the latest changes. If you have not been to a Cavaliers game or the former Quicken Loans Arena recently, you need to come and check out all the changes. 5. Amway Center - Orlando Magic 4.43 Chris Green - The Orlando Magic may have fallen on some hard times recently in terms of their record, but Amway Center remains one of the best around. The facility is stunning, clean, and always comfortable; the surrounding neighborhood means you have plenty to see and do before and after the game; and getting to the arena is a breeze. 6. Miami-Dade Arena - Miami Heat 4.43 Lloyd Brown - Regardless of the name of the building, the facility is one of the most unique arenas in the NBA, both architecturally and in its promotion of the local team’s brand. It embraces the Latin heritage found in the Miami area, both through its concessions program and the music played during lulls in the action. 7. Vivint Smart Home Arena - Utah Jazz 4.43 Lloyd Brown - The Utah Jazz are living proof that a small market can be competitive in the NBA. Through stable ownership that always puts its fans first, the franchise has been one of the most successful both on and off the court. The recent renovation of the Vivint Smart Home Arena has created an even tighter bond between the fans and their team. 8. Chase Center - Golden State Warriors 4.29 Lloyd Brown - One of the premiere franchises in the NBA now has a home to match up with its elite status. The Chase Center boasts an unbeatable view of San Francisco Bay, cutting-edge technology, and a food and beverage menu featuring the best the City by the Bay has to offer. 9. Moda Center - Portland Trailblazers 4.29 Lloyd Brown - Even though the Moda Center is one of the older arenas in the NBA, it offers one of the most entertaining venues to watch a game. The fact that basketball is the primary professional sport in town, added to the raucous atmosphere of the fans provides a great viewing experience. 10. Ball Arena - Denver Nuggets 4.29 Matt Finnegan - Jokic alone is worth the cost of a ticket. He fills a box score like Oscar Robertson and passes like Jason Kidd. He and Murray front a team that should contend for an NBA title. Yet the costs of watching the Nuggets at Ball Arena do not require a complex financial transaction. It’s a decent bargain for an exceptional experience. 11. Golden 1 Center - Sacramento Kings 4.29 Lloyd Brown - Large venues can do lots of harm to the environment through heavy car emissions, trash, and heavy use of carbon-producing gases. Golden 1 Center is a winner in minimizing these harmful issues and should be a blueprint for future athletic facilities. Winning off the court can be just as important as winning on the court as far as our environment. 12. TD Garden - Boston Celtics 4.14 Paul Baker - Boston may not be thought of as a basketball hotbed in some circles, but the combination of a team contending for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, a rabid fanbase, an outstanding gameday atmosphere, unmatched history, and tradition makes “The Gahden” one of the must-see venues in the league. 13. Gainbridge Fieldhouse - Indiana Pacers 4.14 Marc Viquez - The arena no longer feels like a basketball fieldhouse, but more of an entertainment venue that will appeal to different events. It is understandable, but this is what made the fieldhouse stand out among others in the league. However, once you sit in your seats, you will have plenty of new and familiar options to enjoy a game. 14. AT&T Center - San Antonio Spurs 4.14 Eric Moreno - It still feels special to take in a game at the Barn. For the history alone, I think any sports fan should take in a Spurs game – the atmosphere is great, the arena still sparkles, and one day the Spurs will rise again. 15. American Airlines Center - Dallas Mavericks 4.14 Michael Davis - American Airlines Center is one of the finest sports venues in America and is in a great city. AAC is immaculate, the amenities are first-class, and the experience overall is one of the best in the NBA. 16. Paycom Center - Oklahoma City Thunder 4.00 Dave Cottenie - Oklahoma City is probably not the first destination thought of about professional sports. However, the Thunder have proven that despite being in the smallest NBA market, they can play with the big boys and belong in the league. A trip to see the Thunder is well worth the trip and the city of Oklahoma City is an underrated destination city. 17. Crypto.com Arena - Los Angeles Clippers 4.00 Paul Baker - It’s tough sledding when you’re the third tenant in a facility. Even though the Clippers are finally achieving some success and are gaining a foothold in the crowded Los Angeles basketball market, the Staples Center does not feel like home to this star-crossed franchise. 18. State Farm Arena - Atlanta Hawks 4.00 David Welch - Taking in a Hawks game at State Farm Arena is an overall fun experience. Whether a fan of the Hawks or just a fan of NBA basketball, the Hawks organization puts a lot of effort into visiting one of the best in the NBA. From the pregame lights and flames during player introductions, to the in-game entertainment and variety of food and drinks at affordable prices, the experience of a Hawks game at State Farm Arena is without a doubt high quality. 19. Footprint Center - Phoenix Suns 4.00 Lloyd Brown - A trip to the newly renovated Footprint Center provides a much-improved fan experience for the Suns faithful. They can relax in the new seats that have been installed while keeping up with the game stats via the new video board and end zone displays. The one thing that remains the same is the antics of the Sun's Gorilla, one of the NBA’s top mascots. 20. Fiserv Forum - Milwaukee Bucks 4.00 Marc Viquez - The Fiserv Forum is an architectural beauty and offers everything a fan would want in an NBA area. The concourses are spacious, the food is varied, the views are open, and the service is top-notch. When you add the Deer District and Third Street as nearby destination options before the game, the Bucks fans have one hell of a place to enjoy their team. It is a beautiful place for a basketball game. 21. United Center - Chicago Bulls 3.86 Marc Viquez - The United Center has enough of what you need for an enjoyable evening of professional basketball. The history of the Bulls is on display all over the building, the social areas are great for spending time away from the game, and there is always an energetic crowd to liven up the mood of the building. 22. Crypto.com Arena - Los Angeles Lakers 3.71 Lloyd Brown - The Staples Center continues to serve as the premiere indoor sports facility in the Los Angeles area. Its mix of teams touches upon almost every demographic in a city known for being very diverse. Its location across the street from the LA Live music, restaurant, and entertainment district makes it a very attractive place for a night on the town for your family and friends. 23. Barclays Center - Brooklyn Nets 3.71 Sean MacDonald - With the Islanders disaster finally behind it, Barclays Center can return to being a basketball venue. Barclays Center has embraced a black and grey color scheme, which works well with the Nets, who use those as their primary colors. They have also embraced their Brooklyn home, and much of the game day presentation is used to strengthen the bond between the borough and the team. 24. Little Caesar's Arena - Detroit Pistons 3.71 Dave Cottenie - Although The Palace of Auburn Hills was a solid home for the Detroit Pistons, the lure of a brand new arena in a new era of Detroit ownership cooperation was too much for the Pistons to pass up. Overall the move to Little Caesars Arena is a positive one for the Pistons and will be a great home for the team for years to come. For those who long for the Palace, fear not, there is much the same at LCA and it is still Deee-trout Bas-ket-ball! 25. Smoothie King Center - New Orleans Pelicans 3.71 Lloyd Brown - The Smoothie King Center does not have the level of amenities found in the more recently constructed arenas around the league. The concourses are very narrow compared to most arenas and the low ceilings give the area a very cramped feeling. Inside the seating bowl, there is a noticeable lack of electronics, as the video board is rather small and is supplemented by four small message boards in each corner of the playing area. 26. Toyota Center - Houston Rockets 3.57 Lloyd Brown - The Toyota Center creates a great atmosphere even before you enter the building. Before weekend contests, the arena hosts Bud Light Liftoff parties on the plaza. This includes musical entertainment, food and beverage booths, interactive games, face painting, and autograph sessions with former Rocket players. Once inside the facility, you will see that it offers Texas-sized amenities. 27. Capital One Arena - Washington Wizards 3.57 Gregory Koch - Although the Wizards had high hopes when they moved downtown in 1997 into a shiny new arena, the experience has proven to be less than promised. Although a Wizards game is more affordable than it would be to see the Capitals at the same arena, you ultimately get what you pay for. The atmosphere in the arena is pretty dead and it is an average NBA arena at best. 28. FedEx Forum - Memphis Grizzlies 3.57 Lloyd Brown - The Fed Ex Forum does a great job of saluting the musical heritage of the city of Memphis and the great basketball teams of the city’s past. The concourses are very witty in working in musical references to some of the city’s blues legends, while also featuring photos of some of the top basketball talent to pass through the city. 29. Target Center - Minnesota Timberwolves 3.57 Lloyd Brown - The recent renovations at the Target Center have vastly improved the fan experience for the Timberwolves faithful. New gathering areas, opening the building to more outside light, and the improved electronic package in the seating bowl area are major improvements. 30. Spectrum Center - Charlotte Hornets 3.29 There will be a wide variety of entertainment to enjoy in the downtown area when you visit Spectrum Center. It is not a stretch to say that what makes a Hornets game at Spectrum Center truly worth it is all the things that Uptown provides a fan before and after a game.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 RA-Lin Field at University Stadium 1500 Lovvorn Rd Carrollton, GA 30117 West Georgia Wolves website RA-Lin Field at University Stadium website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 10,000 University of West Georgia Wolves The football history at the University of West Georgia is relatively young when looking at the storied programs throughout the South. Starting in 1981, West Georgia wasted no time making their presence felt, winning the NCAA Division-III National Championship in just their second year of existence. Their stay at the D-III level would be short-lived as the then-named Braves would move to the Division-II level for the 1983 season, where they have remained for 40 years. Current members of the Division-II Gulf South Conference, the Wolves will be making the jump to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as football members of the United Athletic Conference (UAC), a partnership between the Western Athletic Conference and the A-Sun at the start of the 2024 season. Food & Beverage 3 The ordinary concession stands are not overly exciting when it comes to the choices fans have. Chick-fil-A sandwiches, hot dogs, slices of pizza, and nachos with cheese are the primary options, with popcorn, chips, and candy to complement them. Concessions are very well priced with the Chick-fil-A sandwich costing the most at just $5. University Stadium also sells soft drinks from the Coca-Cola family, Power-Ade, and bottled water, each for $3. University Stadium does sell beer and seltzers, but this is limited to the Touchdown Landing at the northwest corner of the stadium. Fans can choose from a handful of Truly seltzers, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, and Yuengling Lager. There is also a full selection from the local Carrollton brewery Printer’s Ale Manufacturing Co. Concessions are pretty standard as to what would be found at most stadium stands, but they are at least priced very reasonably. Atmosphere 3 The large tower of glass-fronted suites gives the stadium a somewhat modern feel. The interior concourse continues that modernism with several large blue arched support structures throughout. The interior concourse opens to split-level seating. Alternating tunnels lead to an upper seating area that consists of both aluminum bleachers and a midfield section of reserved seats with chair backs, which run between the 30-yard lines on each end of the field. The lower-level tunnels bring fans to a wide exterior concourse that wraps around the seating bowl. Prime seating options will mostly depend on the time of the game – late afternoon and evening games will put the home side stands in the shadows rather quickly, which depending on the time of year could provide relief or create the need for a jacket during colder weather. Not enough can be said about the role the band plays in creating the classic college football atmosphere. The Marching Wolves of West Georgia are ready with situational blasts of music for 1st downs, calling for 3rd down stops, and of course the school’s fight song following scoring plays. There is not a lot when it comes to entertainment during breaks in the action, but the band paired with the music played over the speakers helps fill the time until the game starts back up. In all, the game experience is about everything you would expect from a typical college football game. Fans are actively into the game’s flow and its highs and lows. Neighborhood 4 The University of West Georgia is located less than 3 miles from downtown Carrollton, Georgia. Carrolton is on the outer reaches of the western suburbs of Atlanta, approximately 50 miles from Georgia’s largest city. The Carrollton town center is full of shops, restaurants, and a handful of breweries. Fans coming to Carrollton from out of town will find several hotels just off the downtown square. Being so close to campus, this is a great place to grab a pint or bite to eat before a late afternoon game, or have dinner following a noon kickoff. Maple Street, which runs along the front of the West Georgia campus, also has several eateries to choose from. University Stadium, along with the school’s soccer and softball fields, is just west of the main campus. Despite not being directly part of the rest of the West Georgia facilities, the football complex is close enough that it does not feel as if it is removed from campus. Fans 3 Games usually draw between 2,000 and 3,000 fans per game, and fans are typically engaged throughout. Wolves fans get loud during pivotal parts of the game – if in need of a defensive stop, or trying to will the ball carrier to an extra yard for a first down, the Wolves backers know to amp up the volume. The Wolves faithful also recognize good and not-so-good football plays and respond accordingly. Fans do not necessarily create a hostile atmosphere for the visiting team, but they are appropriately supportive of their Wolves. What is a bit disappointing is that while the University of West Georgia has an enrollment of just over 8,500 undergraduate students, the student section is rather sparse with supporters. This is unfortunate because the stadium has the potential of being a great fan atmosphere when paired with the alumni and local fans, as well as the work the marching band does throughout the game. Access 3 The University of West Georgia is about an hour from downtown Atlanta, and less than 30 minutes from the Georgia-Alabama state line in Carrollton, Georgia. The most direct route is via Interstate 20 which runs east-west through the state. Once off the interstate, there is still another 20 minutes to reach Carrolton; it is not necessarily the most direct of destinations to get to. University Stadium is just off the West Georgia campus. Most GPS directions to the stadium will have fans entering the area through a rather non-descript entry point with little sign of a college campus nearby, but there is signage signifying the West Georgia Athletics complex. There is plenty of parking surrounding the stadium. Lot A, a large grass and gravel lot, sits across from the west entrance to the stadium and is easy to get in and out of before and after the game. University Stadium has multiple entry points, most of which sit along the west side of the stadium. Fans seem to extend their tailgating right up to kickoff, so the lines to get in are rather short. Once inside fans are treated to a wide internal concourse under the home side seating area, with enough room that concessions lines do not interfere with those trying to pass through. The field concourse makes its way around the seating bowl but as mentioned, the walkway does not make its way around the entirety of the stadium. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for West Georgia football games start at $10 for general admission seats and $20 for reserved seats with seat backs. Reserved seating runs between the 30-yard lines on the western side of the stadium. Tickets for “The Porch” at the south end of the stadium offer a more exclusive football experience – starting at $65 for a single ticket, packages can be upgraded for families and can also include babysitting services. Parking in Lot A, the grass lot next to the stadium, is free. Reserved parking starts at $10 in the blacktop lot just to the north. When considering the extreme affordability of concessions prices and $10 tickets, it would be hard to find a more affordable college football experience in the area. Extras 3 The pre-game pep rally around the wolf statue atop the small hill behind the visiting team stands is a great rallying point for fans as they await players disembarking buses for the pre-game Wolf Walk. The large University of West Georgia logo on the exterior of the tower in the stadium pays homage to the university’s history. Before being rebranded as Wolves in 2006, the University of West Georgia had been known as the Braves since West Georgia’s inception in 1930. The large piece of art on the stadium's exterior depicts the current Wolves mascot, with a brave in the background. In addition, after the final seconds tick off the clock and the teams shake hands, the players, coaches, and cheer squads gather in front of the band to sing the school’s alma mater. It is these traditions, new or established, that make the college game so special. Final Thoughts West Georgia football might not have the tradition and grandeur that many of the larger programs in the region might have, but it is an overall positive football experience. The move to the FCS level should help in providing more resources for West Georgia to continue improving University Stadium and build on the current game day ambiance. The most glaring omission right now is a vocal student fanbase that would create a truly electric college football atmosphere – at the end of the day the athletic teams are an extension of the student body, and more involvement from them will do nothing but bolster the strong foundation that the University of West Georgia football experience sits on.

Photos by James Clotfelter, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Mercedes-Benz Stadium 1 AMB Drive Atlanta, GA 30313 Atlanta United FC website Mercedes-Benz Stadium website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 42,000 - 72,000 Trains, Spikes, and Stripes While there may have been doubts about Atlanta becoming a soccer city when the 2017 MLS franchise expansion was announced, any concerns about lukewarm fan support or the club’s commitment to success were quickly put to rest. Atlanta United now stands as a model example of how new franchises approach expansion. Atlanta United’s success, both on the field and through the turnstiles, has contributed significantly to Atlanta becoming a soccer hotbed in North America. So much so, that it was recently announced that US Soccer will be moving its headquarters to Atlanta. Through invested ownership and a passionate fanbase, Atlanta United is proof that expansion franchises do not inherently have to be at the bottom of a league. When the Five Stripes are in true form, “The Benz” is a dangerous place to play. Food & Beverage 5 Food and beverage have become a staple of the Mercedes Benz Stadium fan experience since its inception. This is due to the “fan first pricing” that Atlanta United’s owner, Author Blank, implemented in the stadium. This policy marked cliché stadium concession items to prices you cannot find in any other stadium. Basic items such as hotdogs, pretzels, popcorn, candy, and water can be found for $2. Pizza, cheese nachos, and French fries are $3. Bottomless souvenir sodas are $4, while domestic 12oz beers and cheeseburgers are $5. The stadium also offers higher-end options that are priced on par with what you would expect to find at other MLS stadiums. Tallboys, imports, and cocktails can be found throughout the stadium for anywhere between $9-$12. The Athens, Georgia-based Terrapin Brewery is a prominent local brew that can be found across the stadium. From brisket sandwiches and loaded nachos to whole pizzas, vegetarian selections, and plenty to satisfy the sweet tooth, the wide array of concession options ensures something for every palate. In addition to the concession staples on every level, there are specialized kiosks scattered around every concourse. It is at these “pop-up stands” where you will find unique items. We point newcomers to the food from these pop-up stands because this is where you can get unique items such as brisket grilled cheese, cheesesteaks, chicken hibachi, buffalo mac ‘n’ cheese, and vegan options. For these items, you can expect to pay $8-$12. As you would expect in a stadium in the south, Chick-fil-A stands are easy to find. There is also a new Moe’s Southwest Grill concession stand. If you prefer a sit-down meal, you can purchase access to Molly B’s restaurant where you will find different seafood options, burgers, and chicken, along with a view overlooking the pitch. You really cannot go wrong with food choices here; there is truly something for everyone. Atmosphere 4 Mercedes Benz Stadium is an architectural masterpiece. The building was intentionally constructed to provide a home-field advantage by being loud. Every seat is a chairback. The seats on the 100 and 300 levels are red, while the 200 level is black. The stadium consists of three decks that rise above one another with more vertical separation than horizontal. This design feature does two things, first, there is not a bad seat because the “nose bleeds” are up rather than out, so you feel on top of the action. Second, a much more engaged environment is created because you are on top of the field rather than behind it, which makes the stadium louder. The design of the perimeter is metal and built to create an echo, which once again, only makes the building louder, and is also the reason concerts are not great here. The video board was the first 360-degree “halo” video board of its kind and lies below the circular retractable roof that is designed to look like a falcon when it opens and closes. There is a monstrous window at the east goal line that displays the skyline of Atlanta and allows for sunlight to be an aesthetic even if the roof is closed, and the supporter section is on the 100 level in front of said window. There are many lounge and bar areas situated around the stadium, some of which are open to the public while others are private. The 100-club level seats that are positioned around mid-field allow access to a private lounge beneath the section, and on-field access during the match. The private boxes lie in between the 100 and 200 levels, the 200 and 300 levels, and the field level behind the goal. On the 300 level, there is a “100-yard bar” that is open to everyone. The floor is painted like a football field with yard lines, hence the name, and consists of many different food and beverage options. Before the match, the supporter groups will do a march around Downtown Atlanta where they are waving their flags, burning fires, and singing the club’s songs as they enter the stadium. At about 90 minutes before the match the player enters the stadium off the team bus. Fans can line up where the players enter after entering the stadium themselves. This spot can be found on the outdoor concourse beside the falcon statue. The pre-match festivities continue with the nailing of the spike, with is here a local celebrity nails a fake railroad spike into a platform, which is a reference to Atlanta United’s railroad history. During the singing of the national anthem, the fans echo the words, “stripes”, “red”, and “night”. And the final pre-match tradition is the playing of “We Ready” by Atlanta native Arthur Eversole, who tragically passed away in 2022. During the match, the bulk of the atmosphere is generated by the supporters’ section. They are equipped with drums and flags, and they will sing the team's songs throughout the entire 90’ no matter what is happening on the field. I believe that this is a great way to get immersed in the atmosphere of an Atlanta United match, but it can be difficult to watch, especially as a neutral due to the flags constantly waving. There are a few simple chants that the entire stadium takes part in, and they will be very easy to pick up on when you are there. When goals are scored the is a sometimes overwhelmingly loud train horn that is sounded throughout the stadium, and fire shoots out from pillars in front of the supporters’ section. Neighborhood 3 The matchday experience at the Benz may be amazing, but the location is not. The stadium is situated in Downtown Atlanta, which is not great for a variety of reasons. There are a few restaurants along the outside of the park where some fans make an appearance. Unfortunately, these restaurants are sparse in number and can be on the pricier side of things. We would recommend you swing by the CNN center which holds a very good food court at a reasonable price. There isn’t exactly nightlife in Downtown Atlanta as it is mostly office buildings. If nightlife is what you seek, much of Atlanta’s nightlife can be found in the Buckhead neighborhood, and you can get there on MARTA. We would advise you not to stray too far away from the stadium at night as downtown can be unsafe if you don’t know where you are going. A positive to being located downtown is its proximity to State Farm Arena, the Georgia World Congress Center, CNN Center, World of Coke, and the College Football Hall of Fame. The College Football Hall of Fame is a must-see for anyone visiting Atlanta for the first time. Fans 5 The first thing the front office of Atlanta United did was instill a strong winning culture. This led to the fanbase, or the “17s” as they call themselves, setting a “cup or nothing standard” for the team year in and year out. With that being said, the past few years have not been as successful, which revealed the 17s as dedicated. It is easy to show up for your team when cups are flowing in and out, but Atlanta United has consistently dominated the MLS attendance charts even in the less successful years of 2021 and 2022. Atlanta United even ranks among the top teams in world attendance. Not only do they show up at home, but Atlanta United fans have constructed a reputation for showing up on the road. The attendance for the match we were in attendance for was announced at 42,000. Atlanta fans do not get enough credit in the fandom. They love their city and use their teams to represent their city, so most of the local’s pride can be found in their teams. The supporters label themselves “rowdy and proud” and that runs true. Fans are attentive to what is happening, and they love to show their appreciation for getting the ball forward, but they also are quick to display their frustration when the five stripes start to sit back. Atlanta is a very diverse city that brings in people from all different backgrounds. These different backgrounds also bring their own sporting culture. The diverse cultural background within the fanbase has created many different supporter groups encompassing European, Latin-American, Hispanic, and straight from the SEC college football fan. All these different styles of fandom come together beautifully on matchday to create one of the most passionate fan bases in the league. The supporters’ section is the generator for the noise in the stadium. They are standing and singing the team’s songs throughout the entire match. They are also responsible for the giant tifo displays that are shown before the match. Most of the supporters’ section is made up of members of the different supporters’ groups. The groups are registered members-only supporters’ groups and often stay very active within the community by organizing and participating in many community service programs. Access 3 For non-locals, and locals alike, the downtown streets and highways can generate either frustration, confusion, or both. If you do select to drive to the match, you should take exit 56B off I-20 which will take you past a good chunk of parking options. The are many different types of parking lots downtown, some are run by the team, and some are not. Parking can also be quite expensive in this area... just a warning. You should buy your parking pass in advance on Spot Hero as you will find walkable options for around $20. Otherwise, there is a chance you might pay $40 paying at the site. We would advise you to take the public transit MARTA because there are two train stops for the stadium. These two stops are Vine City and the GWC stop. The only problem with this is that there are not too many access points, or rail lines to get on a MARTA train, so it will be crowded, but it will still be the least frustrating way to and from the stadium. There are also two rideshare pickup and drop-off locations outside the stadium. The stadium itself is a very easy one to navigate. Gate lines tend to move at a decent speed, but you should get here early just in case it takes a little longer than it should. All tickets are mobile tickets, and the venue is cashless. Apple and Google Pay are supported at all concession stands. The concourses are wide and walkable, and the stadium is equipped with a lot of escalators and ramps to allow for easy access between the levels. There are small team apparel stores placed all over the concourse, but the main one can be found on the 100 level towards the east goal and is two stories tall. Return on Investment 4 This is the pinnacle of fan experience in the MLS, but surprisingly enough, it is a very affordable experience. Tickets are about in the middle of the pack when compared to other teams. We would recommend the cheapest ticket at the Benz as there is not a bad seat. Ticket prices can vary from match to match, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $20-30 dollars to get into the stadium. Parking options vary depending on whether it is a weeknight or weekend match, but you can expect to pay around $20 using Spot Hero, however, a MARTA ride costs $5 roundtrip. “Fan First Pricing” allows fans not to break the bank on concessions if they do not want to. As mentioned before, you can get hotdogs for $2, hamburgers and soda for $4, and beer for $5. Other select items, like cheesesteaks, loaded nachos, tacos, brisket, etc., are more expensive, falling around $8-$14. Extras 5 Mercedes Benz Stadium has no shortage of extras. The two-story team store is very fun to peruse through. There are two shiny metallic statues outside, one of a soccer ball by gate 1 and one of a falcon by gate 3. You can also watch the player walk off the bus by the gate one outdoor concourse. On the 100 concourses, you can find a wall with the football helmet of every high school football team in the state of Georgia. Molly Bs has a restraint built into the stadium that is in the shape of a bird’s nest. Walk-up bars are scattered across every level on the concourse and equipped with standing-room-only views of the stadium. Finally, Atlanta United proudly hangs up their banners, one from the 2019 US Open Cup, one from the 2019 Campeones Cup, and last but certainly, one from the 2018 MLS Cup. Final Thoughts The Atlanta United experience is something that every sports fan, soccer or not, should experience. The stadium itself is something to behold, and the fans bring a sense of atmosphere that not many other fan bases in the league can compete with. Aside from Atlanta United, it will be exciting to see what kind of new soccer adventures will be brought to the stadium in the upcoming years with the World Cup and US Soccer’s new Atlanta headquarters.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 State Farm Arena 100 Techwood Dr. NW Atlanta, GA 30303 Atlanta Dream website State Farm Arena website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 18,118 Atlanta Returns to its Dream Home Editors Note: In 2021, the Atlanta Dream moved into the brand-new Gateway Center Atlanta Arena in College Park, GA. --- Atlanta is a city built on dreaming big. This has resulted in its winning the bid for the 1996 Olympic Games and the construction of two new stadiums, SunTrust Park and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in the last three years. More importantly, it is the hometown of Martin Luther King, Jr., a civil rights icon most famous for his “I Have a Dream” speech. The WNBA franchise Atlanta Dream also fits this category, as it is the only WNBA team, owned, managed and coached by women. The Dream have been very successful since their inception in 2008, as they have participated in the playoffs seven times. They have also appeared in the WNBA Finals three times. The 2019 season marks return of the Atlanta Dream to its home court after a two-year absence. The team played the 2017 and 2018 seasons at Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion while Philips Arena underwent a $200 million renovation. The clearest evidence of that renovation is the team’s home court in the newly renamed State Farm Arena. The only elements retained from its former existence as Philips Arena are external… the iconic steel support beams spelling out “ATLANTA.” Food & Beverage 3 The concessions area has been totally overhauled during the renovation, not only in a physical sense, but also in its approach to serving the fans. The arena has adopted the very popular Fans First concessions policy pioneered by its next-door neighbor, Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Prices for the most popular fan favorite food items have been reduced dramatically. Samples of the prices include $1 chips; $2 candy, pretzels and bottled water: $3 hot dogs, nachos and fries: $4 pizzas, popcorn and sodas and $5 domestic beers. The arena has also adopted the efficiencies used at Mercedes-Benz to keep the lines moving. These include a 71% increase in points of sale over Philips Arena, 40% more beer taps, and items are sold in even dollar amounts to reduce time required to make change. Drinks are provided at self-service stations away from the counters, to reduce lines. All concession stations also look out over the seating bowl via the open concept concourse. There are several new food vendors from Atlanta’s most popular restaurants scattered throughout the arena. Unfortunately, only the basic generic concession stands are available at the Dream games. Atmosphere 3 Anyone walking into State Farm Arena expecting to see the same place they saw two years ago is in for a big shock. The arena is very much the home of the Hawks and the Dream, but it has taken on a whole new attitude and atmosphere. Gone are the wall of suites that once consumed half of the seating of the arena. Taking its place are additional seating for the everyday fan, along with some new game day experiences. The demolition of the wall of suites allows the concourse to run 360 degrees around the seating bowl for the first time since the building opened in 1999. The concourse also has been opened up to allow the fans to see the action from the moment they step into the building. The basketball capacity of the arena has been reduced with the extra space being set aside to provide more amenities and a better fan experience. The concourse is now laid out in several distinct “neighborhoods.” They include the Front Porch, which provides a panoramic view of the arena and new video board. The next two neighborhoods are all about the food. The Market provides a food hall filled with a variety of food vendors from Atlanta’s best restaurants on the concourse level. Two additional neighborhoods of interest are the Players Club, a private club located just behind the players bench. It is built underneath the seating bowl and provides club members with views into the players entry tunnel and the post game interview area. The technological improvements in the arena are stunning. Replacing the old scoreboard is the first continuous 360-degree video board in the WNBA. In addition, video boards have been added in each of the four corners of the facility, assuring every fan a clear view of replays and other important information about the team and upcoming events. As Atlanta’s primary indoor concert venue, the sound system is crystal clear and state of the art. The Dream’s goal is to make State Farm Arena a more open and friendlier environment for its fans. It also offers a more intimate setting for games, as the team utilizes only the lower level of the arena, so that no seats are further from the court than the concourse level. While these are all major improvements in the fan experience, there is little or no branding for the Dream, except for the playing floor, the electronic signage and the video board over the court. There are two temporary team gear booths along the concourse. The Atlanta Hawks branding is quite apparent during their co-tenants’ games, which does bring the experience score down a point. Neighborhood 4 Just as the “neighborhood” inside the arena has changed greatly, so has the neighborhood outside the area. The Georgia Dome was imploded and replaced by a park/greenspace area known as the Home Depot Backyard, which serves as tailgate central for the Atlanta Falcons as well as community events. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is now in its third year of wowing fans with its futuristic design and technology. Big changes are also planned for the area immediately in front of the State Farm Arena. A live/work/play development is in the planning stages and would fill the space that formerly housed an industrial area. Not everything in the neighborhood has changed. The arena still has a gate that provides direct entry into the CNN Center, with its very popular studio tours and restaurant complex. Just another block over is Centennial Olympic Park, home to several of Atlanta’s top attractions, including the World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, the Center for Human and Civil Rights and the College Football Hall of Fame. Two restaurants to check out within walking distance of State Farm Arena are STATS and Taco Mac. There are a wide variety of hotels to choose from, as the Atlanta’s convention center is located next door to the arena. Like the ads say…”like a good neighbor, State Farm Arena is there.” Fans 3 The Dream are the first to admit that the team is currently in a rebuilding mode. This has been tough on the fans who are used to seeing the team go deep into the playoffs on a frequent basis. Attendance has been down for the last few seasons, but the renovation of the arena has brought new interest and energy to the franchise. The mix of some well-known veterans with some young players with great potential has fans coming back to check the team out. Despite Atlanta’s reputation as a “bad sports town,” the locals have proven very loyal in their support of the local professional teams through thick and thin. They have seen the Falcons and the Braves rebuild and return to the playoffs and look forward to the same thing happening with the Dream. The new amenities at State Farm Arena have created a buzz in the local sports community similar to the openings of SunTrust Park and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Access 4 Getting to State Farm Arena can be a headache due to Atlanta’s well-known traffic issues. The WAZE app is an excellent way to determine what route will work the best from your location and help you avoid any construction areas or accidents. There is plenty of parking near the arena, but your easiest and most cost-efficient way of getting to the game is by riding the MARTA light rail system. The MARTA rail system has a station (GWCC / State Farm Arena / CNN ) on its east/west line that will deliver you within feet of the arena. MARTA charges a flat fee, no matter how far you travel on the system and is a great bargain, as you avoid parking charges and traffic hassles. Once inside the arena, you will find a totally open concourse looking out over the seating bowl and the basketball court. For the first time ever, the concourse goes 360 degrees around the arena, as the wall of suites/private access area no longer exists. The seating bowl also provides much broader aisles than in its previous incarnation. The concession stands and other amenities are more accessible throughout the facility. Return on Investment 4 The Fan Friendly concessions program featured by State Farm Arena is definitely a trend setter in the sports venue community. Ticket prices are $60 on the sides of the court and $35 for seats in the end zones, and the seating configuration is a great improvement over Philips Arena. The availability of public transportation just feet from the arena entrance brings transportation costs down to $5 a person/round trip, saving you time and money getting to the game. Extras 3 The arena name change is a result of the expiration of a title sponsor agreement with Philips Electronics. Philips is no longer involved in the direct consumer sales market and decided not to renew for this reason. State Farm has an extremely large presence in Atlanta with more than 6,000 employees in the area. The various “neighborhoods” within State Farm Arena have food court-type seating areas adjacent to the food vendors sites. These open seating areas have an open view of the court below and allows you to enjoy your food without having to balance it in your lap. The $200 million price tag on the arena renovation is the second most expensive in NBA history. The most expensive renovation was Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks. That renovation cost $1 billion and took three years to complete. Final Thoughts The Atlanta Dream and State Farm Arena are the latest venue to join in Atlanta’s flurry of new stadium/arena construction. While the exterior of the original structure still stands, the interior has been gutted and rebuilt into a state-of-the-art sports facility for the 21st century. Visitors to the former Philips Arena will be amazed and thrilled by the transformation.