Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 GFL Memorial Gardens 269 Queen St. E Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 1Y9 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds website GFL Memorial Gardens website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 4,928 The Great Red North If there is one thing above all that the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are known for, it is their connection to the greatest hockey player ever, Wayne Gretzky. In 1977, the Greyhounds selected the slender, sixteen year old with the third pick in the midget draft. Gretzky would not disappoint by scoring a Greyhound record 182 points in his only season in the Soo. It would be the Soo where the legend of 99 was born. Upon arriving in the Soo, Wayne was distraught to find his coveted number nine, which belonged to his hockey hero, Gordie Howe, was taken by Brian Gulalazzi. After a few games wearing fourteen, Greyhounds coach Muzz MacPherson suggest that Gretzky just double the nines and the most legendary number in sports was born. The Greyhound name has been linked to hockey teams in Sault Ste. Marie since 1919. The name was selected as a jab to their rivals, the Sudbury Wolves as a “greyhound is much faster than a wolf.” The Senior A Greyhounds would win the Allan Cup in 1924. The current iteration of the team began as an NOJHL expansion team in 1962 which would transition to the OHA in 1972. The OHA would eventually become the Ontario Hockey League. The team is currently owned by medical executive Tim Lukenda. The Greyhounds achieved ultimate success in 1995 when they won the Memorial Cup as Canadian Hockey League Champions in front of a home crowd in Sault Ste Marie. The Greyhounds have also won the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions in 1985, 1991 and 1992. The importance of the Greyhounds and the 1995 Memorial Cup is immortalized on the sign coming into town where it is emblazoned with the home of astronaut Dr. Roberta Bondar. The longtime home for the Hounds was Sault Memorial Gardens. The venerable arena was replaced in 2006 by the City of Sault Ste. Marie with what is now known as GFL Memorial Gardens. The naming rights to the arena changed in 2018 and the “Memorial Gardens” aspect of the arena name was brought back. The Gardens is a great spot for a game and a perfect OHL venue with some local flare. Food & Beverage 4 The concession selections at GFL Memorial Gardens are pretty standard for the OHL. They will neither disappoint fans nor blow them out of the water. There are four main concession stands located in each of the four corners of the main concourse above and behind the seating bowl. Fries, pizza, hot dogs, sausage, nachos, popcorn, and onion rings are all available at reasonable prices. Some new items available include breaded cappelletti, breaded dill pickles, donut holes on a stick and potato twisters. Healthier options are also available on the menu and feature apple slices and Pepsi products are the main soda in the venue, while juice, bottled water, slushies, Gatorade, coffee, tea and cappuccinos are also available. Molson Canadian and Coors Light are available on tap and some other limited alcoholic beverages are also for sale. The food score at the Gardens get a bit of a bump up with the two sitting areas which are a bit more unique. The southwest end of the arena is where the Coffee House can be found with a variety of coffee beverages. The Molson Canadian Hockey House is also a solid place to eat with a number of pub style dishes including club sandwiches, chicken wings and chicken parmigiana sandwiches. Atmosphere 4 GFL Memorial Gardens is one of the best venues in a very venue-strong Ontario Hockey League. The exterior is attractive with red brick, siding and windows for natural light. The exterior of the main building is not terribly different from other modern OHL facilities. However, it is a throwback to years past with a remnant of the old Sault Gardens which distinguishes the Gardens exterior. The Memorial Tower is a tribute to Sault Ste. Marie veterans and remains from the Sault Gardens days. The tower shines a red beacon on Greyhound home game days. The interior of the Gardens is similar to many other OHL venues including Guelph and Sarnia. Entry to the Gardens leads into the main concourse, which is behind the seating bowl. The ice surface runs from northeast to southwest with the best spot to get a picture of the centre ice logo, from the southeast side. There are a number of screens on the walls in the concourse including a collage from the Memorial Cup season, a Captain’s Wall and a number of other screens. Unfortunately the bustle of the concourse can take away from these sites. Above centre ice is the four-sided video board which has seen better days. It is in dire need of replacement as some parts of the video were not even functioning on the date of review. The video board is surrounded by a plethora of championship banners for various division and conference achievements. The highlight is the 1993 Memorial Cup Champions banner, which unfortunately, looks just like all of the others. Along the southwest side of the arena hang the banners of honoured Greyhounds including such hockey legends as John Vanbiesbrouck, Adam Foote, Craig Hartsburg, Ron Francis and Wayne Gretzky. One of the real highlights of the Gardens can be found in the southwest end of the arena. In a spot traditionally reserved for the portrait of Queen Elizabeth, Indigenous art is hung. The wooden and stained glass pieces bring the whole arena together and give it a sense of Northern Ontario and uniqueness that can’t be found in other arenas. The game day production is about what you would expect at a junior hockey game. It is not over the top or too involved. The Hounds enter the ice through an inflatable dog house and the music played is a healthy mix of classic rock with a little country sprinkled in for good measure. The Greyhounds’ mascot, Dash, takes part in the opening ceremonies of the game and then can be found interacting with the crowd and participating in promotions throughout the game. Neighbourhood 4 The GFL Memorial Gardens is located basically a block east of the waterfront, and across Bay Street from the Station Mall. There are a number of options for food or drink before or after the game. It is important to remember that it is very cold in the Sault and fans won’t want to stray too far from the car during an evening game. Some options in the immediate area include the Outspoken Brewing, Solo Trattoria, Johnny’s Chophouse and Embers Grill & Smokehouse. There are a ton of hotels that surround the arena as well, which may be your best bet for a place to stay. The Holiday Inn Express and Quality Inn & Suites are both within walking distance of the Gardens. For fans coming from the other side of town, a stop at North 82 Steakhouse would be a great choice for a place to eat. There are not a ton of other sporting options in Sault Ste. Marie for fans. The Algoma Thunderbirds participate in USports basketball at the George Leach Centre. Otherwise, hopping the border to catch a Lake Superior State hockey game may be the best idea. For other entertainment options, the Sault Ste. Marie Museum or the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre are worth checking out or Gateway Casinos Sault Ste. Marie for the gambler. Fans 4 Greyhound fans are a loyal and hearty bunch. With the Greyhounds occupying the top rung for sporting options in a city of over 78,000, the GFL Memorial Gardens is a great place to catch a game. For the 2019 season, the Greyhounds have drawn over 4,000 fans per game. They typically rank right in the middle of the OHL for average fan attendance, usually ranking between eighth and tenth. Considering the capacity of the Gardens is just under 5,000, the fan support in the Sault is solid. There is some concern that the fan base trends on the older side and the team may need to find ways to entice younger fans to come out for some hockey. The fans are fairly intense with conversations generally being relegated to stoppages in play. When the time is right, the fans do get loud, however there is not a ton of extra noise. Fans also like to get on the officials in Sault Ste. Marie. Access 4 The GFL Memorial Gardens is located between Queen and Bay Streets, not far from the waterfront, and the bridge to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Both Queen and Bay are one-way streets as are most of the streets in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. It’s not hard to get to, but it is not exceedingly close to the Trans-Canada Highway. There is a decent sized parking lot on site, which is reserved for subscribers. Many local patrons park at the Station Mall for game night, which also avoids parking charges. Inside, the concourses are decent size, and the bathroom facilities are good as well. However, community tables and dining areas take up valuable real estate in the concourses and make it kind of crowded. For fans wishing to take public transit to the Gardens, buses run along Queen, Bay and Dennis Streets. Fans should check out the Sault Ste. Marie Transit website for fares, maps and schedules. Return on Investment 5 As with nearly all OHL franchises, there is great value in Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds hockey for the sporting dollar. Tickets for the Hounds will go for $21, $18, or $11 based on the age of the fan. Parking can easily be found in the Sault for free and concession prices are decent. The product on the ice is fast paced and exciting. The Greyhounds have also consistently put a competitive team on the ice. All in all this equals a fantastic return on investment. Extras 3 An extra mark for former Greyhounds coach Muzz MacPherson and his place in hockey history. It was Coach MacPherson that convinced a young Wayne Gretzky that two nines were better than one when Wayne could not get his traditional number 9. It was with the Greyhounds, that Gretzky’s now iconic number 99 was born. An extra mark for the Dog-Fight rivalry that the Greyhounds have with the neighbouring Sudbury Wolves . An extra mark for the “Memorial” returning to the name of the arena, a nod back to the old Sault Memorial Gardens and honouring the local veterans. Final Thoughts The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are most definitely a competitive experience that can be compared to most any Ontario Hockey League experience. The GFL Memorial Gardens is one of the best venues in the league and the Hounds are a consistently competitive team. When in the Sault, it is a great idea to check out some Hound Power. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Galen Center 3400 S. Figueroa at Jefferson Los Angeles, CA 90089 USC Trojans website Galen Center website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 10,258 The Conquest of Los Angeles After years of calling the now-demolished L.A. Sports Arena home, The Galen Center would open on November 16, 2006. With the opening of a new athletic facility that the basketball program could finally call its own, this would be the beginning of a new era of USC basketball. The Men of Troy hoopsters have made the NCAA Tournament six times during this span. Since coach Andy Enfield arrived from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2013, the Trojans have had 3 winning seasons. The 2019-20 edition is off to a hot start and is making a serious case for Pac-12 supremacy. Food & Beverage 3 The dining selection is nothing beyond your basic arena fare, hot dogs, burgers, to Mexican. Here’s a breakdown of what’s available: Dogs, Burgers, and More: jumbo dogs, footlong, mac & cheese, taco dogs, cheeseburgers, and crispy/grilled chicken sandwiches. Mexican food includes burritos, soft shell tacos, and nachos supreme. Coke products are available and include a plastic souvenir cup. The snack options include bagged chips, candy, and soft pretzels. Atmosphere 3 The Trojans have an in-house DJ that does a great job getting fans pumped up. If his voice sounds familiar to those in Southern California, that’s because the Resident DJ, Jamal McCoy, aka DJ Malski has collaborated with several Southern California radio stations, most notably LA’s 102.3 KJLH. In addition to sharing the stage with well-renowned acts such as Kanye West and Stevie Wonder, to name a few, he is also the in-house DJ for the WNBA’s LA Sparks. He can also be seen roving the sidelines during USC Football and Rams games. Football is still king at USC. Even with an exciting team on the court that is a serious Pac-12 contender the Trojan hoopsters still have a hard time drawing huge crowds in. The fans that have shown up have been a vocal bunch. During evening games, the curtains in the north end of the Galen Center are opened, giving fans, particularly those on the upper level a nice view of the Downtown L.A. skyline. Neighborhood 3 Over the years, the surrounding neighborhood on campus has not been the safest. Though I still would not recommend a nightly walk along Figueroa Street the scene along what is known as The Figueroa Corridor has brought new life along that particular stretch of Figueroa, lined with townhouses and various eateries, including The Lab Gastropub, located next door to the Galen Center. One of the more popular choices among USC students is La Taquiza, with their claim to fame being the mulita, two handmade tortillas with cheese, meat, and guacamole. Aside from the standard food chains along the Corridor and not far from campus Figueroa and Adams is Dirt Dog . Open as late as 11 PM to 1 AMits the line can be long. My favorite is the Pastrami Dog. Not far from the arena is Exposition Park, home to the Coliseum , where the football team plays its home games. The Natural History Museum, the California African American Museum, and the California ScienCenter are also located inside the park. To be able to visit all of the museums and fully take in the experience, you would probably need two days. If you’re limited on time, however, you may just want to visit the California ScienCenter, home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Fans 3 No one will ever compare the fan experience here to that of Duke’s Cameron Crazies . Trojan fans do not deny the fact that football is the featured sport on campus. While there is plenty of truth to that, when Galen Center is packed, mostly against rival UCLA, the fans can provide a daunting presence. Unfortunately, the stands are rarely ever packed. With coach Andy Enfield putting together one of the more exciting teams since his arrival, this current Trojan team is making a serious bid for a Pac-12 title and a run toward March Madness. Access 4 Located on the corner of Figueroa and Jefferson Streets, with easy access to the 110 or 10 freeways, Galen Center is easily accessible. Depending on which day of the week and what time the game is, chances are you will be dealing with the usual LA traffic. Should you decide to use public transit rather than drive, the MTA’s Metro Expo Line has a station conveniently located across the street from The Galen Center. Return on Investment 3 With tickets starting at $20, and $50 for games against Arizona and UCLA (add $5 if purchased the day of the game at the ticket office), you can still search third-party sites and pay below face value. Advanced planning is not necessary should you decide to catch a game here on a whim. Extras 4 Perhaps its signature feature has to be the large windows located on the north end of the arena. Depending on what time of day the game is played, the windows are covered with a large curtain to avoid creating glare during games, particularly afternoon games. If the curtains are opened, fans are treated to sweeping views of the downtown LA skyline along with the distant San Gabriel Mountains. In the lower concourse fans can view the National Title trophy’s on display from each sport, as well as a timeline of some of the school’s greatest sports moments. Also, on the street level concourse is a bust of Louis Galen, who the arena is named after. Next to the bust on the wall is a portrait of Louis and Helene Galen. Louis Galen was more than generous in helping provide his alma mater with, over $50 million for the new arena. Final Thoughts Though USC basketball’s play has raised the level of excitement, home games are still a tough draw here in Los Angeles, a city with a plethora of entertainment options. L.A. fans can be some of the toughest to entertain when a team doesn’t have a long-standing tradition of winning excellence. The Galen Center is now in its 14th season of operation. USC has made it to the NCAA Tournament a respectable six times during that span. They are expected to make another run to the Tourney. With former Trojans OJ Mayo, DeMar DeRozan, Taj Gibson, and Nick Young having made their way through the NBA, USC has proved it does have the potential to recruit good talent. For now, attending a USC basketball game still requires little to no planning, a fact even the most devout Trojan hoops follower will admit.

Photos by Gary Butterworth, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center 201 Waterfront St National Harbor, MD 20745 Scripps National Spelling Bee website Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 3,300 Scripps National Spelling Bee at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center The Scripps National Spelling Bee has managed to carve out a place in America’s national consciousness. Beyond its impressive TV deal on ESPN, the Bee has managed to inspire Saturday Night live sketches (Mary Katherine Gallagher), a Broadway musical (“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”), and even a major motion picture (2006’s “Akeelah and the Bee”). But beyond stage and screen, the National Spelling Bee is an often-overlooked spectator event as well. Every May, hundreds of young spellers and their families pack the ballroom of a resort hotel in suburban Washington, DC, to watch the final rounds live on a high-tech stage. A handful unaffiliated spelling enthusiasts also attend the final rounds. Almost all come away impressed by the high-quality production on the final night of this unique and drama-filled event. Food & Beverage 4 In 2011, the Scripps National Spelling Bee decamped from downtown Washington, DC, and set up shop in the planned suburban community of National Harbor, Maryland. Though the Bee based itself in hotels in both locales, the current setting is a true resort that wouldn’t be particularly out of place in Las Vegas. And neither would the food offerings. Half-a-dozen dining options exist at various price points within the Gaylord National Resort. Not much eating goes on in the ballroom during the final televised rounds of the Bee itself. Instead, given the sheer size of this massive complex, most fans will head out to eat well before the cameras roll on the final rounds. This is a tourist center in an expensive city, so food is pricey, but quality is good. Fans hoping to save a few bucks can head out of the hotel and take a short walk through the streets of downtown National Harbor. But the whole town caters largely to tourists and day-trippers, so true bargains are hard to find. Those in a real pinch won’t have any trouble carrying in a candy bar or two. Atmosphere 4 Bee sponsor and media conglomerate E.W. Scripps partners well with ESPN and the Gaylord National Resort to temporarily turn a hotel ballroom into a venue that feels special. The stage at the Scripps National Spelling Bee vaguely resembles something you might see at a large auto show with sleek lighting, video boards, and its trademark beehive backdrop drawing you in. Seating is on banquet chairs that give a comfort that’s more common at a wedding reception than a stadium. Aisles are wide, and there is an abundance of legroom for everyone. High quality video display boards flank the stage and do a good job at keeping fans engaged. During competition, one screen displays information about the competition; the other shows the live video feed. Before and after commercial breaks, attendees see the same quirky video interstitials as fans watching at home. Out in the hallway, Bee sponsors create a mini Hall of Fame with historical displays and banners commemorating previous champions. A few sponsors set up booths that change a bit from year to year. Recent years have seen photo ops for fans to post on social media. Despite being a free event that draws very respectable crowds, you don’t need to arrive too early to get inside. Pairs of seats together are generally available throughout the Bee. Of course, early birds are more likely to have their choice. Parties of three or more should consider arriving at least 30 minutes early. Similarly, keep in mind that this is a ballroom, not a stadium. Everyone is seated at ground level. As such, the vertically challenged might also want to show up early to grab a spot closer to the front to avoid peering through a sea of heads. Neighborhood 5 The whole of National Harbor is new, and it’s immediately clear that the site for this planned community was well-thought out. This place feels like a destination, first when arriving in the waterfront town and again when entering the Gaylord Resort under its trademark glass atrium. Complaints that the neighborhood feels artificial aren’t entirely off-base, but it does a good job in creating a place that feels a little different from everyday life. It’s a good destination for an event kids will talk about for the rest of their lives. The Scripps National Spelling Bee actually lasts for several days–not just the two hours or so that make it onto TV. Families of the children competing will likely want to step out for some air at some point, and National Harbor is a good place to take a stroll and maybe find something to eat. Since this town was built as a place to spend a day or night out, there is no shortage of options. Elevation Burger (about a quarter mile from the Gaylord) and National Pastime Sports Bar and Grill (inside the hotel) offer higher-end versions of typical stadium fare, but an assortment of nicer options also exist for those looking for something a bit more memorable. Of course, with a hotel the size of the Gaylord, you never really need to go outside, even to spend the night. The Bee takes place just a short walk from the Gaylord’s hotel rooms. Other lodging options also exist in National Harbor. Those looking for something a bit more economical are likely to look across the river in Alexandria, Virginia. Surprising bargains can sometimes be found in downtown DC, though rarely the spring tourist season that corresponds with Bee week. Fans 4 Most of those in attendance at the Scripps National Spelling Bee are in some way part of the Bee community — families of spellers, past spellers, sponsors, or organizers. But more than a few people come out who are simply interested in checking out the event. One thing virtually all Bee attendees have in common is that they are there for the kids. Every speller gets applause, whether they’re correct or incorrect in their attempt. Fans are polite and engaged, but not overly-competitive in the way that youth sports are often stereotyped. In fact, a large portion of the crowd consists of the children who were eliminated at earlier stages of the competition. They circulate through the hall signing each other’s autograph books and cheering the other competitors. Access 4 In terms of access, National Harbor, Maryland manages to combine both the best and worst of a city with the best and worst of the suburbs. Traffic is a concern, but shouldn’t be too bad since the Bee mostly avoids DC’s notorious rush hour. Parking is available, but expensive. Public transportation is available, but inconvenient. Despite being located less than 10 miles from the White House, National Harbor is linked with the U.S. Capital’s extensive public transport system by only the twice-hourly NH1 Metrobus, which takes about 30 minutes to connect riders with Southern Avenue Station on Washington’s Metrorail (subway) Green Line. A water taxi service provides sporadic, but expensive service to various points around Washington. Hotel staff can provide up-to-date information on this service. Most people will find that driving (or Ubering) is the best way to get to National Harbor from other parts of the DC area. Free parking is virtually nonexistent, but lots and garages are always available. We paid $14 to park for the 2016 Bee. The Gaylord National Resort’s glass atrium is something of a tourist attraction, so people come and go freely from the hotel at all hours. To enter the ballroom that hosts the Bee itself, tickets are not required, but spectators do pass through a metal detector, and wands are used on those who set it off. Security is polite, and used to families packed with laptops and other things to keep busy for long competition days. Lines are non-existent at most times. Wide aisles and hallways make moving around the National Spelling Bee a breeze. Fans should have little difficulty when getting up to explore the Bee, grab a bite, or use the facilities. The restrooms are not only among the cleanest you’ll find anywhere, they’re also plentiful and stylish. Return on Investment 5 After years of charging for tickets (up to $40 as recently as 2013), the Scripps National Spelling Bee went free and ticket-free for 2014 and remains so as of 2016. In addition to a free night out, most years offer some sort of free souvenir in the form of a program or a promotional item. Extras 4 The Scripps National Spelling has become an American institution for a reason. TV viewers see an innocent but suspense-filled competition. But what you don’t see on TV is the experience that the Bee provides for its preteen contestants. Banners that would fit in at a pro sports Hall of Fame, a top notch souvenir program, a professional stage, press coverage, and a big crowd in a gorgeous setting combine to make this something that these young spellers will never forget. It also makes an extremely memorable visit for a spectator.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 George Mason Softball Stadium 4601 Rapidan River Road Fairfax, VA 22030 George Mason Patriots website George Mason Softball Stadium website Year Opened: N/A Capacity: 700 Patriot Games The George Mason Softball Stadium is the home to the George Mason University Patriots softball team. Located on the school’s campus in Fairfax, Virginia, the stadium underwent major renovations in 2009 and can seat up to 700 fans, including berm seating. Food & Beverage 2 There is a food truck which sometimes shows up to GMU games which has a limited but decent enough selection. Meals include burgers ($5), hot dogs ($3), and chicken tenders ($8). Fries are $4 by themselves and can be added to any meal for $3. Other options include nachos ($5), pretzels ($4), cookies and candy ($3), brownies ($4), and chips ($2). Powerade and soda are available for $4 and bottled water for $3. On cold days, coffee and hot chocolate are available for $3 each. Atmosphere 3 The GMU Softball Stadium is a small but intimate environment. There is a set of bleachers without backs behind home plate and additional seating is available on grass berms down the lines. Fans can bring blankets or lawn chairs and sit there. A scoreboard in right-centerfield shows the basic information but nothing else. The atmosphere here is pretty standard – a public address announcer and music between innings and before each batter. There is not much else going on, but that is not unexpected at this level. Neighborhood 3 George Mason’s campus is located in suburban Fairfax County, just across the border from the City of Fairfax, which like all cities in Virginia is a politically separate entity from any county. This confusing situation aside, Fairfax is a typical suburb located about 25 miles outside of Washington, D.C. The University Mall shopping center is located across the street from campus and features Brion’s Grille as well as several chain places and a movie theatre. The 29 Diner is a local favorite as well. While Fairfax doesn’t have the same excitement you’d get in the District, it’s still a nice suburb with plenty to do and eat before or after the game. Fans 2 The Patriots do not draw well and most of the fans who do show up are friends and family of the players. When we went, there were as many fans as the opposing team as there were for the Patriots. Those who do show up can get into the game, but there simply aren’t that many of them. Unfortunately, this is pretty standard for college softball in this part of the country. Access 3 George Mason’s campus is about six miles off the Capital Beltway (I-495) or three miles off I-66. Once you’re on campus, there is ample parking available near the stadium, either right outside it or in nearby lots. If you must use public transit, you will use the Vienna-Fairfax/GMU station on the Orange Line, but this is about five miles away. A shuttle to campus is available but lets you off nowhere near the stadium. Despite the name, the Virginia Square/GMU station should not be used as it serves Mason’s satellite campus in Arlington, many miles away. There are restrooms available on the concourse. While small, they are of ample size for the crowds. Return on Investment 4 Admission is free and concessions are affordable. However, there is not enough here to get the top rating. Extras 2 There are free programs available next to the press box. Look for the banner in centerfield honoring Nakoma Sours, an All-American centerfielder for the Patriots who was killed in a car crash during her sophomore year in 1995. Final Thoughts College softball is simply not a huge deal in most of the country, and George Mason is no exception. While it’s hard to argue with the chance to spend an afternoon watching sports at no cost, regardless of the circumstances, there isn’t a whole lot going on here to encourage non-locals to make the trip.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 George Mason Stadium 4400 University Drive Fairfax, VA 22030 George Mason Patriots website George Mason Stadium website Year Opened: 1986 Capacity: 5,000 Patriot Games The George Mason Patriots men’s soccer team plays its home games in the 5,000 seat George Mason Stadium. The venue is located in a complex which also includes the GMU Field House as well as Spuhler Field , home of the school’s baseball team. In addition to hosting soccer, George Mason Stadium hosts the Patriots’ lacrosse and track and field teams. It has previously hosted some D.C. United matches in the U.S. Open Cup and other lesser tournaments, but the team now plays those at its new stadium, Audi Field . Food & Beverage 2 There is a university food truck parked on the north side of the stadium by the entrance during games. The options are somewhat limited. Main courses include hamburgers ($5), hot dogs ($3), chicken sandwiches ($5), and a chicken tender basket with fries for $8. Fries can be added to any of the other options for $3 and are $4 by themselves. Nachos are $5, hot pretzels are $4, chips are $2, candy and cookies are $3 each, and brownies are $4. For those looking for drinks, water is $3 while soda and Powerade are $4. Atmosphere 2 All the seats in George Mason Stadium are on one side of the field, and are uncomfortable metal bleachers. There is a walking path and a running track separating the stands from the field, so even the front rows are far away from the action. A scoreboard is located in one corner of the field and shows corner kicks and shots on goal in addition to the basic information. Unfortunately, Mason doesn’t really do much to keep fans engaged here. They will occasionally offer promotions like free t-shirts or wings to draw students in, but they mostly just take the free stuff and leave soon into the game, if they even stay at all. A few of them do stick around for longer than that, but not many. Unfortunately, college soccer isn’t that big at most schools, and George Mason is no exception. There simply isn’t much going on here and the stadium is far too big for the crowds it draws. Neighborhood 3 Fairfax is a typical suburban area about 25 miles outside Washington, D.C. There is a shopping center across campus which includes local tavern Brion’s Grille as well as several chain places and a movie theatre. If you’re willing to drive a few miles, the 29 Diner in the city of Fairfax is a local favorite as well as a team sponsor. While Fairfax doesn’t have the same excitement you’d get in the District, it’s still a nice suburb with plenty to do and places to eat before or after the game. Fans 2 Mason averages only a few hundred fans per game in a 5,000-seat stadium, which isn’t very good. Most of those who do show up stick around for the whole match and cheer loudly at times, but there are other moments where it’s so quiet, you can hear the coach yelling at the referee on the entire opposite side of the field. There is a small student section called the Patriot Platoon that stands behind the visiting goalkeeper, but most of them usually clear out well before the game is over. Patriot Platoon at George Mason Stadium, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey It is disappointing to see them leave so soon, especially when the rest of the fans tend to stick around. At most college venues, the students are more passionate than the other fans, not less. While this seems to be true for Patriots soccer while the students are actually here, they are not so good about staying here. Access 4 George Mason’s campus is about six miles off the Capital Beltway (I-495) or three miles off I-66. Once you’re on campus, ample free parking is available in the lot stretching between the Field House and Spuhler Field (with the stadium in the middle), and more parking is available on the other side of the Field House in the unlikely event it is actually needed. Unfortunately, Mason’s campus is not easily Metro-accessible as the closest stop is Vienna, five miles away. Despite having the school name in the station’s full name (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU), getting to the stadium from there would require a 15-minute cab ride or a shuttle bus which lets you off at an entirely different part of campus. Under no circumstances should you use the Virginia Square-GMU station, as that serves Mason’s Arlington satellite campus, and is nowhere near the main campus in Fairfax. Although there are no restrooms in the stadium itself, there are some next door in the Field House which are available during games. Just take your ticket with you or let the person at the entrance know where you’re going so you’ll be able to get back in. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for youth, seniors, and Mason faculty, which is about average for college soccer. GMU students get in free, as they do to all of the school’s athletic events. Concessions are affordable but not especially so, and parking is free, so overall this is about an average cost for college soccer. Extras 1 There are free programs available by the entrance. That is about the only extra here. Final Thoughts Although there are some schools in the United States where college soccer is huge, they are a small minority compared to the hundreds of schools where few people care about it. Sadly, George Mason falls into the latter category. To make matters worse, the Patriots play in a stadium which is far too big for the crowds it draws, which dampens the experience even more. Still, if you’re looking for college soccer in the D.C. area, there are only so many places you can go. Fans can easily check out all six Division I schools in the area over the course of a season if they are so inclined. For those who are fans of college soccer, or just visiting sports stadiums in general, a visit to George Mason Stadium is definitely worth it. For the more casual sports fan, there’s not much here to offer.

Photos by Jay Wagner, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Greensboro Coliseum 1921 W Lee St Greensboro, NC 27430 UNC Greensboro Spartans website Greensboro Coliseum website Year Opened: 1959 Capacity: 23,500 (7,617 for UNCG Games) Tournament Town Greensboro, North Carolina, affectionately referred to as “Tournament Town,” has a longstanding relationship with the game of basketball. The Greensboro Coliseum has held the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament 23 times in addition to the Final Four in 1974, which was won by nearby North Carolina State. Although ACC Basketball undoubtedly has its fingerprints on the town’s history and culture, the UNC-Greensboro men’s basketball team is now the Coliseum’s full-time tenant. The Spartans moved permanently from the on-campus Fleming Gymnasium in 2010. The Spartans returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2018 after a 17-year hiatus. Food & Beverage 3 The Greensboro Coliseum certainly does not lack a variety of food and beverage shops within the concourse. What it does lack, however, is a variety of open food and beverage shops. Carolina Barbecue, Moe’s and The Golden Roost all have spaces on the concourse. Unfortunately, most of these specialty food places seem to be closed for UNCG home games. Given the capacity for Spartans games are about one-third of the arena’s standard capacity for ACC Tournaments and concerts, it is certainly justifiable that not every concession stand is fully staffed. In addition to Pepsi products, the concession stands offer the traditional “ballpark” fare with hot dogs, peanuts and popcorn that are reasonably priced. In addition to Pepsi providing the sodas, there is a decent amount of alcohol served at all events. Multiple cocktail bars are on the corners of the main concourse, including one sponsored by Harley-Davidson complete with a real motorcycle standing at the entrance. All bars appear to be open during Spartans games. Atmosphere 4 When you are a mid-major school playing in an arena larger than any in the NBA, there are some inherent challenges to creating an intense atmosphere. Fortunately, UNCG tries very hard to overcome those challenges, and in almost every way succeeds. Sure, the setup feels less intimate than a game an hour down the road at Cameron Indoor Stadium. However, the Spartans’ setup does make it a difficult place to play for the rival opponent. The Coliseum tarps off baseline seating and curtains off the upper deck beyond the first few rows. What is remaining are 7,617 cushioned chair back seats that put you right on top of the action. The only seating areas that might be less desirable are the upper sidelines near the corners. Because of the layout, these seats do not face center court. The spectator is then left turning his or her head at an unnatural angle to see the action. Despite the unusual angling, the seats certainly do not feel “far away” from the action at all. The new center-hung scoreboard was installed in the most recent set of renovations. The board is high-definition and frequently shows replays of scoring plays and other meaningful moments throughout the game. The time and score are prominently displayed on the bottom strip of the screen. Time and score are also found on the digital ribbon boards as well as older LED scoreboards above the tunnels in each corner at floor level. The in-arena announcer wears a Spartans jersey and gets the crowd fired up very effectively. The cheerleaders, dance team, band and mascot are all fantastic and play a key role in keeping the energy there throughout the entire game. Greensboro Coliseum Scoreboard, Photo by Jay Wagner, Stadium Journey UNCG’s setup is a unique one. The Greensboro Coliseum Complex is a giant arena located off-campus. Instead of looking at that as a negative, the Spartans embrace the building for what it is. It’s a building that has seen more college basketball history than almost any other. It’s a stage where basketball legends were born. It’s a stage that has hosted the most epic of battles that will be remembered by fans for as long as they live. UNCG is the team that represents Greensboro on the college basketball map. College basketball is in the city’s DNA, so what better way to feed off that than to put the Spartans on the most historic of courts, put everyone close to the action and play? Neighborhood 3 The neighborhood upon immediately exiting the arena is a parking lot. However, the arena is only a part of the entire Greensboro Coliseum Complex. Included in the complex is an aquatics center, an auxiliary arena that hosts the Greensboro Swarm of the G-League, and the ACC Hall of Champions. Especially during ACC Tournament time, the Hall of Champions is the place to be. Even when there for a non-ACC event such as a UNCG game, check it out. It’s hard not to get goosebumps while seeing footage and memorabilia of Ralph Sampson and Michael Jordan just a few hundred feet from where they played over 30 years ago. ACC Hall of Champions, Photo by Jay Wagner, Stadium Journey Since the Coliseum’s legendary event is the ACC Tournament, there are restaurants a short walk away to cater to hungry fans between the afternoon and evening sessions. Plentiful parking and a decent restaurant scene are qualities that too often seem to be mutually exclusive. The Greensboro Coliseum’s setup provides both. For instance, Stamey’s Barbecue is a local favorite just across the street. Two of the finest hotels in Greensboro – The Proximity and O. Henry – are located a few miles from the Complex. If you’re on somewhat of a budget, an abundance of affordable Marriott and Hilton brands at the Piedmont Triad International Airport will get the job done. Fans 5 When you hail from the Tar Heel State, basketball fandom isn’t a suggestion as much as a de facto requirement. With the program making more and more progress each year, the Spartans’ fan base is a growing and emerging one. If you closed your eyes and listened to the crowd roar during crunch time of a close game, you might think you were at an ACC matchup nearby. Although attendance numbers are obviously less than larger schools in the surrounding area, the UNCG fan base is pound-for-pound one of the most passionate in the country. The entire arena rises to its feet at tip-off and throughout key moments in the game. The fan base also very much identifies with their team’s aggressive style of play. The fans feed off the Spartans’ hard work and determination, and the team’s confidence rises as the noise level does. It’s understandable how a young, inexperienced player could be rattled when the intensity level ratchets up the way it does. Access 4 Greensboro is a town of 290,000 as of 2019. Despite being a larger city, it is very easy to navigate. Traffic is rarely worse than average, at least when entering and exiting an event. The Coliseum is located a mile or two from Interstate 40, which is the major interstate that runs through Greensboro. U.S. Highway 29 is the major north-to-south freeway that services the town. Parking is usually available at a $5 rate inside the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. No matter which direction you need to go to get to or from the game, it should be about as easy as it gets. Piedmont Triad International Airport is located about 10 miles away from the Coliseum on the west end of town. As for on the inside, tickets offices and will call are located inside the main lobby. They can get a little backed up closer to tip-off, so you’re better off getting there early or buying tickets through their website beforehand. Security is more thorough than it is at most other mid-major arenas. You will have to pass through a metal detector and have any bags checked. Once your ticket is scanned, you then enter the main concourse at the top of the lower bowl. There are enough bathrooms to ensure no wait times during breaks in the game. The concourses are wide enough to easily accommodate a 7,000 or less person crowd. Although playing in a huge arena can have its drawbacks, it does mean there won’t be any traffic jams, both in terms of the concourse during the game and cars in the parking lot after the game. Return on Investment 4 Mid-major college basketball is the best of both worlds, cheap ticket prices to watch Division 1 college basketball. The Southern Conference is not considered the premier conference in nation by most analysts, but it’s still a very good mid-major conference in the highest division of amateur basketball in America. Tickets start at $10 even for the biggest conference games. Season ticket holders mostly have the best seats in the house, but sometimes lower sidelines are available to the general public. It’s just about impossible to break the bank at a UNCG game, and they are worth every penny. Extras 2 Something incredible the Greensboro Coliseum does is show the game on large video boards at the ends of the upper concourses. It allows fans to travel the concourse without taking their eyes off the action. It’s a shame this isn’t a more mainstream concept in the world of athletic venues. And once again, the ACC Hall of Champions is a must-see. Greensboro and the surrounding rural North Carolina is the birthplace of the greatest basketball conference of all-time. Final Thoughts The Greensboro Coliseum is one of those places that feels different than others as you see the court for the first time. Some arenas have a unique smell or sound attached to them. The Coliseum instead has a unique emotional feeling attached to it. That feeling comes from knowing how many fans of yesteryear have sat where you’re sitting; doing exactly what you’re doing – experiencing an intense game on the hardwood; writing the next chapter of basketball memories for Tournament Town.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 H.P. Hunnicutt Field 150 Old Bluefield Rd Princeton, WV 24740 Priceton WhistlePigs website H.P. Hunnicutt Field website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 1,700 Along the Appalachian League Trail: Princeton Princeton, West Virginia has the honor of being the smallest town in America with a minor league baseball team. The town is home to 6,400 residents and the Princeton Rays of the Appalachian League. The county school board- owned Hunnicutt Field serves as the home field for the Rays as well as Princeton High School baseball. The 1,700-seat stadium opened in 1988 and was renovated in 1999. Hunnicutt Field offers a covered grandstand with chair back seating in the area behind home plate. The remaining seating at the stadium consists of metal bleachers. All seating is elevated above the field level, providing fans with an excellent view of the action. Food & Beverage 3 Hunnicutt Field has a single concession stand located on the concourse behind the grandstand. It sells a wide variety of foods, including hot dogs ($2), hamburgers ($4), spicy chicken sandwiches ($4), corn dogs ($2), wiener kraut ($3), funnel cakes ($4), cheese nachos ($3), and walking tacos ($3). Drinks include Pepsi brand sodas ($3), bottled water ($2) and Gatorade ($3). Beer cannot be served at Hunnicutt Field as the stadium is owned by the school board. Atmosphere 2 The atmosphere at Rays games is very similar to that of a high school game. It is played in a stadium that doubles as the high school baseball field and features players that are only 1-2 years removed from high school themselves. Many of the fans in the bleachers are parents or host parents to the players. Almost all the players on the team are known by their first names. The team’s top rival comes from a town (Bluefield, WV) located just a 10-minute drive from Hunnicutt Field. Neighborhood 3 Hunnicutt Field is in downtown Princeton, just two red lights west of the I-77 exit for Princeton. The immediate neighborhood around the park consists of the high school, several convenience stores and three fast food restaurants. Princeton owes its existence to the railroad, as trains carrying the coal from the area mines were routed through the town. So, it is not surprising that one of Princeton’s main attractions is the Princeton Railroad Museum housed in the beautiful old railroad depot. A second attraction is the McNutt House, the lone surviving house in the town from the Civil War. Most of the restaurants in town are of the fast food variety. Two sit-down favorites are Angelo’s Pizzeria and A Taste of Memphis BBQ restaurant. There are numerous hotels located at the Princeton exit off I-77, with the Quality Inn and the Days Inn having the nicest rooms and best rates. Fans 3 The two Appalachian League representatives in West Virginia compete every season for the Mercer Cup. It is given to the team with the best record in games between the two teams. Princeton and Bluefield both display a lot of civic pride in this friendly competition, and there are large turnouts for these games. Over the years, Princeton and Bluefield are usually in the thick of the pennant race for the Applachian League title. This fills the stands on a regular basis as the season comes to a close. Leading the cheers for the Rays fans is Roscoe the Rooster, the team’s mascot. (Why he is not Ray the Rooster is beyond us). Access 5 Hunnicutt Field is easily reached via I-77.Take the Princeton exit (Rte.9) off I-77.Continue on Rte.460 West to the Downtown Princeton exit. Turn right on Ingleside, then left at Tiger Drive.Continue past Princeton Primary School and Princeton High School. Hunnicutt Field will be just past the high school on your right.Parking is free in the lot beyond the outfield wall. Return on Investment 4 This Princeton is much more affordable than the one in New Jersey. Ticket prices are $8 for reserved seats and $6 for general admission. The concession stand offers a good variety of items at very reasonable prices. Parking is free and area hotels cost less than $75 per night. The Rays and the Bluefield Jays (12 miles apart) often stagger their game times, allowing you to get a double header in during your visit to West Virginia. Extras 2 Despite being a small town, Princeton is the hometown to some very famous actors and actresses. They include Jennifer Garner, Sam Elliott and Bob “Gilligan” Denver. Ironically the only place to watch the game at field level is from the picnic area located underneath the bleachers and directly behind home plate. Final Thoughts The town of Princeton, West Virginia has the distinct honor of being the smallest town in America with a minor league baseball team. The Princeton Rays are the main draw in town each summer and the locals are proud to call them their own. The rivalry with nearby Bluefield, West Virginia for the Mercer Cup each season brings extra excitement to the games.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Health and Physical Education Arena 3100 Cleburne St Houston, TX 77004 Texas Southern Tigers website Health and Physical Education Arena website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 8,100 Welcome to the Tigers’ Lair The Texas Southern Tigers have enjoyed an almost unprecedented level of success as a basketball program in the SWAC. Since 1990, the squad from Houston has won six conference titles and made six appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The squad has done so from the comfort of their home court, the Health and Physical Education Arena. Built in the late 1980s, the arena is the perfect fit for a small-sized school that plays big time basketball. Food & Beverage 3 This ranking might be a bit unfair. The HPE (as it is known on the P.A. at the arena) has four separate food “kiosks,” one at each corner. As this was the last game of the season, only three were open. The stands that are open only take cash at games, so be forewarned. Two (three including the closed stand) offer traditional fare like popcorn, chips, candy, and nachos (which you can also add chili to). The closed stand appeared to also offer hot dogs, turkey legs and beer. The star attraction in the concessions department, however, is the chicken wings. You get a boat/basket full for $8 and they are easily the most popular item as fans queue up in deep waiting lines to get them. Another non-traditional concession favorite is their offering of the Cajun favorite boudain. For $6, you get an order of the sausage treat (still in its casing) and bread. Also, be sure to make a stop by Mam’s Sno Balls for some sweet treats. These made to order snow cones are also popular among the home crowd. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere, as would be expected for a program that has enjoyed as much success a Texas Southern, was electric at the HPE. The P.A. announcer does a tremendous job of getting the crowd fired up from the opening tip. The game starts with the tradition of no one rooting for the home team sitting until the Tigers score a bucket. The rafters surrounding the Coach Moreland Court are adorned with the banners of past success and the retired numbers of former great players. This adds the air of importance befitting of a program that has attained the success Texas Southern has. As always, college athletics are greatly aided by the pageantry that goes into games. The Ocean of Soul TSU Band and the Tigress Sensations Dance Team add even more fun and excitement to the atmosphere. Neighborhood 2 The HPE is located right on the Texas Southern campus. The campus itself is located right in the middle of a residential neighborhood. As such, there is not much in the way of attractions in the area. A few small restaurants can be found in the area, but that is about it in terms of things to see or do. On the plus side, Houston is the fourth largest city in the country. Within 15-30 minutes of leaving the campus in any direction, you can find a wealth of restaurants, hotels, and entertainment options. You will just need to do a bit of research beforehand. Fans 4 TSU fans are flat out fantastic. They are vocal, passionate, and tuned into the game for its entirety. The most exciting thing in paying attention to the crowd is the vast range in ages of Tiger fans in attendance. The stands are packed with a great mix of young and old fans alike. You can literally see multiple generations of TSU fans at each home game. While the HPE is designed to hold over 8,000 fans, do not expect to get that type of capacity crowd. However, with the fans that do attend – you won’t be able to help but get caught up in their frenzied passion for their team. Access 3 You can get to the Health and Physical Education Arena at Texas Southern fairly easily off of either Interstates 69 or 45, depending on where you are coming from in the city. Off the highway though, you will need to make sure your GPS is working! You will have to navigate through a neighborhood to find the arena. The great public transportation system that Houston has in its downtown area – aside from public buses – does not extend to this part of the city. Once there though, there is ample parking in the garage right behind the arena. Parking is often free for some home games. Return on Investment 5 General admission tickets for Tigers home games start at $10 per person. This is a great bargain as there really aren’t any bad sight lines in the building. If you couple this with the relatively low cost for concessions (the chicken wings at $8 are the highest costing item on the menu) and the opportunity to pay $0 for parking, this makes for a great evening of NCAA basketball. Playing in the SWAC and playing many non-conference games annually against a horde of some of the game’s biggest programs affords attendees to the HPE the chance to see some really great college basketball for a price that is easy on the old pocket book. Extras 2 While there aren’t many frills at the Health and Physical Education Arena, there are a couple of standout “extras” to highlight. In addition to the dance team, the Tigers cheerleaders are also great. They add the right amount of emphasis at the right moments in the game to keep the crowd energized and focused on the action on the court. Also, I would be remiss if I did not mention the school mascot, Tommy the Tiger. This guy is high-energy personified. When he isn’t heckling opposing players behind the basket on free throw attempts, he is seeking out small children and fans on the baselines to hug. When he isn’t doing that he is – no joke – hurdling trashcans at full speed sprints. “He” exemplifies what a great college mascot should be. Final Thoughts I didn’t have much in the way of preconceived thoughts prior to coming to the game at Health and Physical Education Arena. Upon visiting it, I came away impressed with the building (despite its obvious age) and the TSU fan base. This campus is full of legacy, history, and culture. The basketball team has a glorious winning tradition. If you are in Houston and looking for some big time hoops action, head over to the HPE.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Herbert Field 101 N College Ave Annville, PA 17003 Flying Dutchmen website Herbert Field website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 750 Soccer In The Valley Lebanon Valley College is a liberal arts college located in downtown Annville, PA. Annville is in Lebanon County, east of Hershey. Founded in 1866 Lebanon Valley has approximately 1,600 Undergraduates. The Princeton Review has recognized the college as “A Best in the Northeast” and they have over thirty-five fields of study . Football was started in 1973 at Lebanon Valley College. Lebanon Valley College is a member of NCAA Division III, and competes in the MAC Commonwealth Conference (half of the two-conference Middle Atlantic Conferences). The men’s soccer team shares Herbert Field with the college’s women’s soccer team. The school’s teams are called the Flying Dutchmen, and its mascot is the Dutchman. The college is known as the home of the 1994 NCAA Division III National Champions in basketball. That 1994 championship victory over New York University was a controversial affair when a Dutchmen shot that won the game may or may not have been by the sound of the buzzer. But no matter what the school hosts that championship proudly, as they should. Herbert Field was named for alumnus Dr. Rex A. Herbert ’72, a local orthopedic surgeon and former owner of the Harrisburg Heat indoor soccer team. According to the school: “In the summer of 2000, Lebanon Valley shared its facility with the U.S. Women’s National Team and the United States Under-23 Men’s Olympic Soccer Team. The women’s team prepared for the inaugural Women’s Gold Cup tournament, which took place at nearby Hersheypark Stadium. Earlier that spring, the soccer stadium hosted practices for the men’s team as it participated in the CONCACAF Men’s Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Hershey.” Food & Beverage 2 There is no permanent food stand at Herbert Field. The game I attended had a very good Philly cheesesteak truck parked nearby. I was told by a fan this is a pretty normal occurrence, especially with the men’s and women’s soccer doubleheaders that normally happens. The food truck makes a very good cheesesteak and is well worth the pretty low cost. Atmosphere 3 Herbert Field was voted the 2001 Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) College Soccer Field of the Year. It is obvious why, as the field is a beautiful and immaculate soccer pitch. The stands are molded into a hillside landscape to give it a unique identity. Fans watch the game from seat walls terraced into the hillside. It is a pretty unique landscaping feat that makes the fans part of the setting. The hillside slopes provide seating for many more. Neighborhood 4 Annville is a great little town of a little less than 5,000 about 8 miles east of Hershey, PA. The college is right in the heart of downtown. Funck’s Family Restaurant, Corvette Grille and Bar and Harper’s Tavern are all local establishments that offer good food pre and postgame. The Pennsylvania chain, Hoss’s Steak & Sea House, is another option right in Annville. The food is good, cheap and certainly plentiful. J & S Pizza is a decent option within walking distance to campus. Fans 2 The fans are also very knowledgeable about the game and action. Many of the fans in attendance will be family or friends of the players. Access 4 Located on Route 422 between Lebanon and Hershey, Annville is easy to find and has no problem handling the crowds for such a small stadium. Expect that on busy game days you will hit some traffic on Route 422 and especially on Bellegrove Road by the athletic complex. There is a good amount of parking, unless many other games are going on. The athletic fields are located north of the main campus, separated by a railroad. Return on Investment 2 Games are free to attend. There is no cost for parking. The value is pretty good, although you are not watching Division I level soccer. Extras 2 Walk over to the Arnold Sports Complex and check out the LVC Hall of Champions, where trophies and other items display the history of the school’s athletic programs. Also make sure to stop in Arnold Arena and check out the 1994 championship basketball banner. Take a stroll over to Herbert Field’s next door neighbor, McGill Field, the baseball field for the college. It was the 2000 STMA College Baseball Field of the Year. Its unique design makes it a great field to watch baseball at. And I love the fact that the scoreboard is located on the other side of the drive you will go through to get to the soccer field. Final Thoughts Lebanon Valley College has managed to make a very basic, although pretty, setting into one of the better soccer fields in the area. If in the area, make sure to stop in and see if you can catch a match.

Photos by Meg Minard and Michael Risugnuolo, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Holloway Field 29 Market St Newmarket, QLD 4051 Australia Brisbane Bandits website Holloway Field website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 1,600 Brisbane Baseball Basics Baseball has surprisingly old roots in Brisbane, Australia. The game was never a major sport–even in sports-mad Australia–but it does have a sizeable club following. The amateur Windsor Royals baseball club were founded in the mid-fifties, and after a decade built a permanent home in 1964 with Holloway Field named after the team’s founder Stan Holloway. Renovations in the 1980s added lights and automatic watering systems, as well as expanding the grounds from its more humble club roots. Prior to the arrival of the Australian Baseball League’s Brisbane Bandits in 2013, major upgrades included a new brick backstop and netting, new seats in the grandstands, and a refurbished infield and lighting towers. The new Holloway Field has 800 seats and can hold 1,600 fans for each game. The Bandits have just rattled off three straight championships in their suburban home. And while that locale doesn’t leave a lot to recommend it, Holloway Field is solid overall ball field and a cozy, inexpensive place to catch a ballgame, with excellent food fare to fuel its fans. Food & Beverage 4 Food selection can be a little limited at ABL parks, but Holloway Field provides above-average gastronomical options with a small food truck lawn in addition to the main food concession. The Roaming Pig provides choice barbie eats (A$10), Fire’n’Dough has fresh-made pizza selections (A$10-A$12), Dan’s Dim Sum Kitchen has the Asian favorite with Aussie flair (3 for A$6), and Mr. America has flag-adorned gourmet hot dog and burger options (A$6-A$12). For more basic ballpark fare, the Royals Canteen at the top of the seats behind home plate has fresh-grilled hot dogs, burgers, and chicken sandwiches (A$6-A$9.50). Australians love their beer, so you won’t be surprised to find a decent selection of local and international suds on tap and in cans from A$5-A$8, as well as wine and hard liquor for A$8-A$10. In a move to give the vapors to any American capitalist, Pepsi and Coke are both on offer, and water, soda, and sports drinks run from A$2.50-A$4. Call me biased and old-fashioned, but I went for The Yankee (classic ballpark hot dog, A$7 at Mr. America) and compromised with a local Aussie brew. More adventurous folks might want to try the Hound Dog (A$9 at Mr. America), a corn dog on a bun, slathered with ketchup and mustard; or the Angus Burger Deluxe (A$10 at the Roaming Pig), a cheeseburger topped with pulled pork and coleslaw that would certainly be at home as a “dare eat” at any US minor league park. (All prices are in Australian dollars, and at the time of writing, $1 US was worth about A$1.25.) Atmosphere 3 Holloway Field is an odd duck, reflecting its evolution over fifty-plus years from a club-team park to one of the six professional baseball parks in all of Australia. The only entrance is a chain link fence gate allowing patrons to enter by first base. Three sets of general admission stands (with solid molded plastic seats) rise up behind the home dugout on the third base side, mirrored by one stand behind the visiting third base dugout. The main grandstand behind home plate (with far comfier flip-down seats) is under partial cover, topped off with the press box, the main concession stand, and the club rooms. Several luxury areas practically on the field are located next to the dugouts and on-deck areas, but they are only available to groups. Everything is connected by somewhat claustrophobic pathways that snake in front of all the seats. Looking out over the trees and buildings behind the outfield wall, you might miss the small, solar-powered scoreboard sitting in right center, putting out the barest of stats. Mascot Buster Bandit doesn’t make an appearance at every game, but the MC and the promotions team keep the fans entertained between innings with giveaways and contests that would be familiar to anyone who has attended a minor league game in the United States. In a nod to the developing baseball fandom in Australia, the on-field announcer often helpfully explains statistics as he announces them between innings and provides other didactic baseball information as part of his spiel. One thing you definitely won’t find in America is the post-game celebration, where fans can come onto the outfield grass and meet and talk with the players after the game, a nice community-building event (especially for younger fans) that will no doubt help the sport grow. If you’re going to a Sunday afternoon game or double header, splurge for reserved seats to grab some shade from the punishing Australian summer sun. If you’re going to an evening game, the view of the field is intimate from anywhere in the park. A General Admission Seat are right up to the home or visitors’ dugout if you don’t mind a little backache from the solid plastic seats. Neighborhood 2 Since their move from the downtown Brisbane Showgrounds, the Bandits have played at Holloway Field, where a sprawling Newmarket suburb has filled in the area around the park over the last half century. This sleepy locale has a serious downside, as there is not much to do around the park before or after the game. There isn’t a ton of non-chain food in Newmarket. Your best option for food is just to the west of the stadium at Newmarket Village mall. Many Australian and international chains can be found inside, but just to the north on Enoggera Road are two local ethnic restaurants (Indian Taste Buds and Pepe’s Mexican) that are your best shots for non-chains in the area. Of course, downtown Brisbane is chock full of options, but it is not near the park. Similarly, there is nothing going on directly around Holloway Field. Outside of perusing the rest of the sports facilities and parkland along Breakfast Creek, you also have to head to the city center to find anything to occupy your time. And not surprisingly, there also aren’t a lot of hotels in the area. The closest are two reasonably-priced B&Bs to the east (number 38 Wilston Village and the Swan Inn) and the Herston Place Motel. There are more options further east near the Bowen Hills Station, and obviously a plethora in the city center to the southeast. Fans 3 Even in sports-obsessed Australia and with a professional league, baseball very much remains a fringe sport. The stadiums are in the American single-A range, and the attendance averages between 500-1,000 per game, about what you’d expect to see at the lowest level of professional ball in America. Despite their recent successes on the field, the Bandits sit in the middle of the pack for attendance. That said, the field is intimate and scaled for the crowds they get, so it never feels empty. As with most of the ABL, the crowd seems to be made up of local families, ex-pat baseball fans from America and Asia, and local baseball enthusiasts involved in club and youth teams. This curious mix, however, seems into the games and following the action on the field, especially with the extra hand holding from the on-field MC. Access 3 With baseball a fringe sport in Australia, most ballparks are far from downtown, and Holloway Field is no exception, located in the suburb of Newmarket to the northwest of the city center. It is, however, one of the closest and most convenient ABL parks to get to from their respective city centers. Unlike some other ABL teams, transit offers an appealing way to get to the park. The Ferny Grove line from Central Station in Brisbane (A$3.25 peak/A$2.60 off-peak one way) will get you to Newmarket Station in under 15 minutes, and a further ten-minute walk from the station will have you at the gates of the suburban park. Alternatively, the 325 bus line (same fare) leaves from the Ann Street bus station, taking about 20 minutes to arrive at the same Newmarket Station. Driving will get you from downtown to the park in just under 15 minutes door-to-door, with taxis or Ubers running about A$15-A$20 one way. Parking is free in lots near the park and along the street. Crowds aren’t much of an issue, and the cars pile in and out to the suburban roads with no great difficulty. The main and only entrance to the park is along the path from the ticket booths just beyond a parking lot to the gate outside of first base. Crowds are small and convivial, so there are no problems getting in once the gates open about an hour before game time. Some of the walking paths in the stadium can be a little tight, especially by home plate, but are generally only an issue before and after the game. Most food concessions are in a wide open area behind first base, so they don’t interfere with getting around, but lines at the limited bathrooms can be an issue. Return on Investment 4 All tickets cost more at the gate, so call or click ahead if you can to save some money. The reserved area–behind home plate and covered–are A$20/A$30 (advanced/gate), while the General Admission seats along the baselines only run A$15/A$22, and standing-room seats are A$10/A$15. Food and drink prices are eminently reasonable for Australia (A$6-A$10), parking is free, and the slim program runs A$2. It is a pretty cheap way to see a ballgame, with the talent about on-par with lower level, minor league prices in America. Family prices are available for two adults and kids for each seating tier (A$70/A$100, A$40/A$60, and A$25/A$35) to encourage family attendance. Extras 4 With the departure of direct MLB sponsorship of the league in 2017, the diversity of team merchandise has dried up across the league, with most just having jerseys and hats, and perhaps a t-shirt. The Bandits buck this trend slightly, with baseball cards and some small tchotchkes on sale in addition to the hats and jerseys. The Bandits also have a little bit more flair, historical and otherwise, in the old park. Two large murals on either end of the main grandstand celebrate the Bandits and Windsor Royals. And most of the stands, as well as the club rooms, are named for Windsor Royals or other baseball luminaries from the area. Final Thoughts Despite its bland location, Holloway Field is a good park for a cheap night out eating and drinking at a ballgame.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Homestead-Miami Speedway 1 Speedway Boulevard Homestead, FL 33035 Homestead-Miami Speedway website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 65,000 NASCAR’s Final Four Homestead-Miami Speedway prides itself on being one of the top speedway destinations in America. That has been reflected in the track’s facility upkeep, modernization, and overall fan satisfaction. It continues to be host to a variety of events outside of NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend as well, with club racing and various track day events taking place on the premises throughout the year. Food & Beverage 5 Homestead-Miami Speedway has some of the best food and drink selections when it comes to pro sports. Whether you want traditional sports fare like burgers, hot dogs, pizza, etc., or you’re looking for something more exotic (fresh-pressed Cuban sandwiches, Polish sausages, sweets, et al), Homestead-Miami Speedway has you covered with locations all over the facility. The track’s concessions stands are located around the track in various locations, making finding food easy. The food selection is still stellar and quite impressive when it comes to how much you can choose from. The prices are also still solid, despite going up a dollar or so. For example, hot dogs run from $5 to $9, depending on what kind you want. Atmosphere 4 As if the atmosphere in South Florida wasn’t enough to make this a must-attend event, the latest NASCAR points system change has brought the energy at Ford Championship Weekend to a fever pitch. Fans roaming the midway are buzzing all weekend about the latest qualifying or practice results and their respective predictions for who will take home NASCAR’s top prize. Indeed, the Chase has produced one of the single most electric feelings at a sporting event in the world. The track could use some updating in places (for example, most of the water fountains were green and moldy looking, if they work). Also, where restrooms used to be monitored by a cleaning staff, they are often left all weekend seemingly unchecked. The grandstands show their age, with many of them needing replacement or tightening, as they are loose and give a lot when leaned against. Homestead-Miami Speedway has made improvements to the track itself, but could use some sprucing up of the simple things, too. Sadly, in years past where sponsor displays took up every inch of real estate both inside the gates and outside, now just a few main displays remain, meaning there is a lot less to do between race sessions. Aside from that, the track action is among the best in all of racing. The fans in the stands erupt with each pass for the lead, and know exactly who they do and do not like. Neighborhood 4 Homestead-Miami Speedway was originally constructed in the middle of miles upon miles of palm tree farm fields, but you would never know that looking at it now. In the decade and a half since its construction, the immediate area has drastically changed. There are housing developments all around, with each one growing more expansive and beautiful with each passing day, giving the area a true “neighborhood” feel. Not far away from the track is the new state-of-the-art Homestead Hospital, as well as a shopping center off Florida’s Turnpike exit 2 that has a wonderful array of dining options, like Olive Garden, Chili’s, Sonic, Portofino Coal Fired Pizza, Red Lobster, Longhorn Steakhouse, Chipotle, and Panera Bread. Additionally, shopping options are there as well (Kohl’s, Publix Supermarket, etc.). That being said, South Beach and Miami are a mere 30 miles north, available for those who wish to visit the more vibrant side of South Florida. The Florida Keys are also nearby, just 15 miles south. Florida City, which is literally next to Homestead-Miami Speedway, is also booming with new shopping plazas popping up with food options, such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Jimmy John’s, Applebee’s, Golden Coral, Cracker Barrel, Krispy Kreme, etc. Looking for a hotel isn’t as hard as it used to be either, with a Home2 Suites by Hilton popping up in Florida City, as well as a few new hotels having arrived near Florida Turnpike exit 2, such as Hampton Inn & Suites Homestead. For sights, the entrance to both Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park are just miles away. Fans 5 While recent years have seen the crowds at NASCAR races dwindle due to the economy, the new Chase format makes Homestead-Miami Speedway stand out from the rest – the 2015 Ford EcoBoost 400 sold out over a month before the race actually began. However, that trend has continued to go down as well, with the 2018 edition of the race only selling out the day before the big race. The fans packed the track for the Camping World Truck Series and Nationwide Series races as well, with the two series also having adopted a chase elimination style format. Indeed, NASCAR’s changes to the Chase have made the fan base that visits Homestead-Miami Speedway even greater than before. Access 5 While Homestead-Miami Speedway may not literally be off the exit ramp from Florida’s Turnpike, a few miles of rather direct traveling is all it takes to get there. Parking is extremely easy to find, while the signs are numerous and easy to read, as far as directing you to your destination. Traffic flow in and out is orchestrated by local police and security, as well as volunteers in the parking areas, so getting lost is very unlikely, and if it does happen it is not hard to find help. Entrances into the track itself are equally as numerous, and the lines to get in (bag checks are at every gate) are usually very quick moving. Pit passes for most events are easy to purchase, and grant fans arguably the closest and best access to drivers, teams, and garages in the world. Autographs are almost a certainty, either through a pit pass or via the multitude of driver appearances set up throughout the weekend. For road course races, not many tracks rival Homestead-Miami Speedway for how close you get to the action. All around the infield road course are bleachers set up for fans to watch the racing action at the closest battled corners of the track, all less than 25 feet from the track itself – it’s as if you’re sitting right on top of the action. Return on Investment 5 Homestead-Miami Speedway is NASCAR’s equivalent to the NCAA Final Four, the Super Bowl, and The Masters all rolled into one. For the price of a ticket to the race you get not just the event, but an experience. There are so many displays set up around the track during NASCAR weekend, and so many giveaways and contests as well, that one can easily go the entire weekend and likely miss something among all the fan areas! The fan experience at Homestead-Miami Speedway is made even greater by the pre-race festivities put on at the race itself. Prior to the 2018 Ford EcoBoost 400, for example, fans were treated to a pre-race concert by country music sensation Hunter Hayes, as well as driver introductions with UFC announcer Bruce Buffer. With the added knowledge that you WILL see a new champion crowned at the end of the Ford EcoBoost 400, you are also getting to witness history, and you certainly cannot put a price on that. Extras 3 For fans staying in Homestead-Miami Speedway’s camping grounds, the Homestead National Parks Trolley is there to take visitors to either Everglades National Park or Biscayne National Park for free. In addition, every year there is a charity fishing tournament, with the best in both pro fishing and racing taking part in the track’s infield lake. The various displays at Homestead-Miami Speedway also feature driver Q&As and autograph sessions during race weekends, though the number of displays has greatly diminished over the past few years to just a handful of sponsor setups. But ticket holders for all three races get post-race tickets to join the championship celebrations on the front stretch. Final Thoughts Homestead-Miami Speedway remains one of the top destinations for any sports fan to visit. History is made every year here, regardless of what happens – you will see a champion crowned, guaranteed; few other events in sports can say that. Despite its aging flaws, Homestead-Miami Speedway remains a must-stop for anyone looking to experience the best NASCAR has to offer.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Homewood Field 3399 San Martin Dr Baltimore, MD 21210 Johns Hopkins Blue Jays website Homewood Field website Year Opened: 1906 Capacity: 8,500 The Home (wood) of College Lacrosse Johns Hopkins University has one of the most storied programs in the sport of college lacrosse. The team was founded in 1883 and has won 44 national championships including nine NCAA Division I titles (1974, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1987, 2005, and 2007), 29 USILL/USILA titles, and six Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association titles. The university was named after its first benefactor, the American entrepreneur, abolitionist, and philanthropist Johns Hopkins. And yes, his name was “Johns”, not “John.” Don’t look like an outsider by pronouncing it wrong. The university is one of the most recognized colleges in America. Thirty-six Nobel Laureates have been affiliated with Johns Hopkins over the years. Famous departments in the university include the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, the Whiting School of Engineering, the Peabody Institute, the Applied Physics Laboratory, and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. There are also, of course, world-famous affiliated medical hospital campuses as well. The Johns Hopkins University’s sports team are called the Blue Jays. The rest of their teams are Division III, but the lacrosse teams are Division I. Starting in 2016 the Blue Jays men’s team is now an affiliate of the Big Ten Conference, joining Maryland, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, and Rutgers. Homewood Field opened in 1906 and is also the home of men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, and football for the university. Food & Beverage 4 There are no permanent food stands at Homewood Field. The school does sell peanuts and sodas in roving carts. What makes up for the absence of any permanent stands are the food trucks. Five or six trucks are at the north end of the stadium and offer a pretty amazing variety of food, especially for a sports event. One of the best options, if the truck is there, is the Elvis Got The Blues burger at Chowhound. Atmosphere 5 I have heard Homewood Field referred to as “the Yankee Stadium of Lacrosse.” That may be an overstatement (never mind that the new Yankee Stadium is hardly legendary either), but this is a facility that has hosted some of the greatest lacrosse players ever. Homewood Field does have one of the best lacrosse atmospheres in the sport. If you are a fan of this sport, you must attend games here in Homewood. Johns Hopkins does have a small pep band as part of the atmosphere. For 2023, the school has added a larger video board. Neighborhood 4 The University is located in the Charles Village and Homewood neighborhoods of Baltimore. There are numerous bars and restaurants in the Charles Village area where Hopkins is located, such as THB Bagels, Gertrude’s at the BMA, and One World Café. The Baltimore Museum of Art, or BMA, is located right next door to campus. Try and stop by and see some of the great masters of the art. It is a real treasure of a museum. And it makes quite a unique pre-game ritual. Baltimore is a great metropolitan city, with many fun and exciting places to spend time both before and after a game. Relatively close to the stadium is the Mt. Washington neighborhood that straddles I-83 South (known as the Jones Falls Expressway, or the JFX, by locals). The Mt. Washington Tavern is an excellent restaurant with both a fine food and bar food type of menu. The place is large, and there always seems to be room for more. Parking is the biggest problem here, so it would be worth paying the nominal valet charges. There is a Doubletree Hotel located across the street from the stadium. Right down the street is Miss Shirley’s Café on West Cold Spring Lane. Their fried green tomatoes are quite tasty. They are also quite well known for their breakfast offerings. Also close to Johns Hopkins is the Hampden neighborhood, with its variety of quirky shops and restaurants. Fans 5 The Johns Hopkins lacrosse fans are arguably the most knowledgeable in the sport. They understand every detail and minutiae of what is happening on the field of play. Access 3 The stadium is not far from the Jones Falls Expressway (I-83). Take the Coldspring Lane exit east and go south on Roland Avenue and it is a short drive to the university. There is paid parking around the stadium and campus. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $12 to $15 with kids getting in for $5. You will see a pretty high quality of lacrosse being played so the prices are quite reasonable. You will likely have to pay for parking at varying costs depending on where you end up. Extras 3 You will see the history of Johns Hopkins lacrosse on display in this stadium when you see the banners and trophies all around. The sense of lacrosse history is pretty evident. The JHU Hall of Fame in the lobby of the neighboring Newton H. White building will show the storied history of the lacrosse program, as well as other teams on campus. The Baltimore Museum of Art is a great place. The highlight of the museum is the Cone Collection. That collection includes works by artists including Matisse, Picasso, Cézanne, Manet, Degas, Gauguin, Van Gogh, and Renoir. Final Thoughts While Homewood Field may not be on par with new lacrosse venues, Johns Hopkins’ status within the sport makes Homewood Field worth a visit for any lacrosse fan.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Hoy Field 800 Florida Ave NE Washington, DC 20002 Gallaudet Bison website Hoy Field website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 500 Bisons Of DC Gallaudet University is a federally-chartered private university for the education of the Deaf and hard of hearing located in Washington, D.C. The school is named for Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a pioneer in the education of the deaf. Founded in 1864, Gallaudet University was originally a grammar school for both deaf and blind children. In 1954 the school became Gallaudet College and in 1986 it was renamed Gallaudet University. The physical campus is on the National Register of Historic Places. The most popular majors at Gallaudet University are business, visual and performing arts, communication studies, physical education, and psychology. The Bison is a member of the North Eastern Athletic Conference (except for the football program which plays in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference) and play at the Division III level. Hoy Field is named after William Ellsworth “Dummy” Hoy, the first deaf baseball player to have a professional career in the major leagues. He played for several teams from 1888 to 1902, including the Cincinnati Reds, Washington Senators, and the Washington Statesmen/Nationals. Food & Beverage 1 There are no permanent food options at Hoy Field. After researching some posted information about changes coming to the neighboring softball complex, it looks like a potential concession stand is on the design plans. One would assume with their shared locale, that the softball field will use the same facility. Until any potential upgrade, there is a table set up and a grill for small food offerings. The prices are reasonable. Atmosphere 3 This a pretty simple northeastern college baseball stadium. A small metal sits right behind the home plate and protective screen. There is a very simple scoreboard located in right center. There is also a PA system with an announcer and music is played between at-bats. The university’s softball complex is located just a few feet away. If you are lucky, both teams will be in action so you can go from one game to another quickly. Neighborhood 3 The Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, a day school serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students from birth through grade 8, is located right behind the right-center field fence of Hoy Field. The wonderful Union Market is located next to the university campus, although on the opposite end of Hoy Field. The market is worth a stop. The 1930s Union Terminal Market has been renovated into a gourmet food hall with numerous local vendors selling a variety of food products. My favorites of mine are Buffalo & Bergen, DC Empanadas, Peregrine Espresso, and TaKorean’s Korean Tacos. Besides Union Market, there is very little to do in the immediate neighborhood of Gallaudet University. Be careful driving around before or after the game as there are some dangerous neighborhoods in the area, although many are gentrifying quickly. Not too far away is a stellar cocktail bar, Smith Commons, located in the Atlas Arts District. The dizzying array of complicated drinks will amaze you. And did I mention you are right in the middle of Washington, DC? The number of attractions, museums, restaurants, and other sights is astounding. Spend some time pre or post-game seeing the many things around this great city. Fans 2 Many of the school’s fans are deaf. But this does not mean that they are quiet. Fans of the university can be boisterous and are proud of their school just like at any other university. Other fans at Hoy Field tend to primarily be family or friends of the players. You may see an inconsistent level of fan interaction. The fans who do attend care about the game and are extremely knowledgeable. Access 3 For weekend games there should be plenty of parking near the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School. Weekday games will take a bit more planning as you will have to find spaces that are open to visitors. The closest Metro station is the NoMa-Gallaudet U New York Ave Station. A few years ago I would not have recommended walking the short distance between the station and campus, but the safety of the area has improved dramatically. One should still use a good amount of caution and use common sense. The biggest problem with using the Metro is the system itself. The Metro is frustratingly overpriced compared to systems in other cities. But it does get you to nearly all parts of the city, except for Georgetown. Just be careful on weekends when trains run less often or are in the single-track mode, as you may encounter some extended wait times. The system is having maintenance, mechanical, and money issues so expect delays and other issues at all times. It is unfortunate, but way too true. Return on Investment 4 The price, free, is certainly reasonable. And you will probably not have to pay for parking. So, the value is certainly good. The Division III level of baseball is not especially high but the school’s conference has a nice variety of opponents. Extras 3 The grounds of the university are on the National Register of Historic Places. Take some time to check out the university facilities. Parts of the campus are also on the District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites and Historic American Buildings Survey. The Kendall Demonstration Elementary School has a very interesting statue located in front of its main building. Since it is next to the campus, one should check in and look at this large piece of art. The baseball and softball fields also share space with the school’s football and track stadium. The field is very nice and often hosts local recreating soccer games. Final Thoughts Hoy Field is a pretty simple baseball stadium. But the low cost of attendance means that this baseball stadium is a good value for the fan.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Huff Hall 1206 S 4th St Champaign, IL 61820 Illinois Fighting Illini website Huff Hall website Year Opened: 1925 Capacity: 4,536 Historic Huff Hall Huff Hall was known as Huff Gymnasium until the 1990s. The building is named after George Huff, a former major league baseball manager (Boston Americans which later became the Boston Red Sox) and University of Illinois Athletic Director. Huff Hall is home to the University of Illinois Fighting Illini volleyball and wrestling teams. From 1925-1963 it was home to the school’s basketball teams before the opening of the State Farm Center (then known as the Assembly Hall) in 1963. The Illinois High School Association boys’ basketball tournament was also played here before moving out as well (now played in Peoria, after moving from Champaign in 1995). Recent renovations have included new office spaces, some new bleachers and a floor designed purely for volleyball in mind. It also added a few new spaces to the old venue. The University of Illinois volleyball program is one of the strongest in the nation. Playing in the very strong Big Ten Conference, the Illini are one of the stalwarts of the conference. Food & Beverage 3 There is a concession stand inside the arena itself. Sitting in a corner, it offers very light refreshments. Hot dogs are on sale with popcorn for $3. Coca-Cola branded soft drinks are available for $4. A Dippin’ Dots kiosk is also on hand for some frozen treats. Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere is where this aged venue shines. It is loud. It is an intimidating venue for an extremely good volleyball team. Even the best teams in the country may falter when faced by the volume of this venue. On Saturday, October 4, 2014 the school even hosted an event during a volleyball match called “IlliNOISE Night” where the crowd would attempt to be the loudest volleyball venue in the United States. The 4,536 in attendance that night hit 105 decibels in between the first and second sets against Wisconsin. The seats are generally pretty old. And I mean OLD. Frankly the wooden seats were not designed for modern bodies. They are uncomfortable and offer little legroom. There are also quite a few obstructed view seats. But strangely enough these quirks make the building even more special. A very small classroom building style hallway surrounds most of the arena. Neighborhood 5 The neighborhood closest to the stadium is mostly made up of dorms and academic buildings, not to mention high quality athletic facilities. A very short walk away is the area along Green and Wright Streets called “Campustown.” There are many bars, shops and restaurants in this area, and they tend to cater to young college students. Older fans will want to center their post-game activities around downtown Champaign. Once a pretty boring downtown area, one will now find many bars and restaurants. The Esquire Lounge is a local icon and should be a stop for everyone. Try a pork chop sandwich and say hi to owner Pedro. Other great downtown spots are Derailed 57, Blind Pig Brewery, the gastropub DESTIHL, sports bar Jupiter’s, and Farren’s Pub & Eatery (at a very hidden location at 308 N Randolph Street). There is a much larger version of Jupiter’s on the outskirts of Champaign (2511 Village Green Place at The Crossing Center) that is also a good choice. If visiting that second Jupiter’s location also try Billy Balooz right next door (2521 Village Green Place at The Crossing Center). Downtown Champaign has another wonderful new addition with a Hyatt Place hotel. Stay here and you can easily walk to all the great establishments of the area. A shuttle to games is available for a nominal fee from here as well. Urbana is a bit slower pace kind of town. But there are three places that jump out as must visits. Black Dog Smoke & Ale House (201 N Broadway Ave, Urbana) offers amazing barbecue, but expect to wait in line to get in and the tasty burnt ends will go quickly. Crane Alley (115 W Main St #1, Urbana) is a nice bar with some great beers, and Masijta Grill (202 N Race St, Urbana) is a great Korean barbecue. Fans 5 The University of Illinois is known as a basketball school. The football team has not seen consistent success for over 60 years. So it is no surprise that the successful volleyball team is probably the second most loved team on campus. The fans pack this venue for all games. They are the reason this building is so loud. They know and understand volleyball, and help to elevate this experience into a very special one. Access 4 Champaign and Urbana are both easy cities to navigate. Huff Hall is not located close to a major highway, but most roads leading to the area will be four lane ones. A grass lot next to Huff Hall is free for parking, but will fill quickly. You can also look for meter spaces and garage parking near the venue. Park far enough away you could probably find a nice free space, it just depends on how far you wish to walk. Champaign-Urbana is at the crossroads of I-57 and I-74, as well as being the eastern terminus for I-72, so getting to the area from Chicago, Indianapolis and points west will be pretty easy. Return on Investment 5 Parking is free. Tickets are $5 for general admission and $7 for reserved seats. Youth can get in for $2. The prices are incredibly reasonable and that means that you get a great value for your money. A portable ticket booth is located outside the main/west entrance. Extras 3 Check out the wooden seats that could only come from a venue opened in 1925. You will never see seats such as those in a newer facility. That is a good thing, but these are still part of history. The hallways of Huff exude history. This is an old building that has quite a bit of life still in it. Stop and look around. There are often temporary tables set up in the arena, just north of the playing surface for clubs and college activities to show off their activities. You should be able to pick up a free poster or other souvenirs at these tables. A small souvenir stand is also located inside the arena itself. Final Thoughts The University of Illinois has a volleyball team that plays at a high level. They also play at a historic venue that should be a destination spot on its own.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 INTRUST Bank Arena 500 E Waterman Wichita, KS 67202 Wichita Thunder website INTRUST Bank Arena website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 13,400 Thunder Nation INTRUST Bank Arena is a sport and entertainment venue in downtown Wichita, KS and is the home of the Wichita Thunder minor league ice hockey team. The Thunder have been a franchise since 1992 and played 21 years in the now disbanded CHL (Central Hockey League). Beginning the 2014 season the Thunder moved to the ECHL and the games just don’t seem as much fun as they used to be (though the level of play is higher). The Thunder began play in the Brett Brown Arena and moved to the comfortable state-of-the art INTRUST Bank Arena in the 2010 season. The arena celebrated its fifth season of operation in 2015. The arena has an interesting architecture. Near one of the entryways there is a structure shaped like an airplane fin. I’m assuming this is honoring the aviation in the area as Wichita is known as the Air Capital of the World. Food & Beverage 4 An expected variety of food options are available at INTRUST Bank Arena at traditional high stadium prices. Some of the option available are: Chisholms East near section 101 offers vegetarian dishes such as wraps, salads, hummus, etc. Gotcho Nachos for Mexican (chips, burritos, and signature margaritas) The Dog Shack has your hot dogs ($4.00 – $9.00) depending on selection and most are served with kettle chips Rub my Belly Mesquite Smoked Barbeque offers sliders, nachos, bbq sandwiches, and sampler dinner ($9.00 – $11.00) Papa Johns offers pizza and other traditional Italian dishes Midway Grill has fried and grilled philly steak and chicken choices including two unique items: deep fried pretzels and deep fried vegetables ($6.00) Most combo baskets range from $9.50 – $12.00. A kid’s hot dog combo (dog, fries, and 16 oz soda) is $6.00 and may be your most affordable choice if eating at the venue. Draft beer (mostly the domestic variety – Bud, Bud Light, Miller Light, Shock Top, etc) is $7.50. The Irish Pub concession offers Guinness, Harp, Angry Orchard Cider, and a Uinta’s IPA for a little more variety. A Budweiser Brew Pub and Grill is located near section 110 for additional adult beverages. Pepsi (and Dr Pepper) is the soda of choice. Nice to see they have Dr. Pepper but I didn’t notice a stand with a Diet Dr. Pepper option. Atmosphere 3 INTRUST Bank Arena is a newer ECHL venue and celebrated its fifth season in 2015. It is an okay arena in which to watch a hockey game; somewhat the same as other newer venues with a few unique characteristics. It is easy to purchase a ticket at the venue (though tickets are an additional $2 – $5 when purchased game day). One must travel an escalator up to section 100 – which is different but not bad, and the concourse is plenty wide. To sit center ice, facing the bench, above the glass choose section 102, above row M (103 would be better but it looks like that’s sold out for Thunder games). The second level of the arena is curtained off to enhance the feel of a full crowd. All seats are cushioned, comfortable, and have cup holders. Attendants are not quite as welcoming as when the Thunder were in the CHL. One example is now you have to get a wrist band to purchase alcohol (not uncommon at all). But they didn’t check ID’s (I know I’m old and don’t look under 21 but why bother with the wrist band if IDs aren’t checked)? And, the band HAD to be on the right wrist (not the left) with no explanation except that’s what they were told to do. The temperature in the arena is fine; not too cold. A sweater or jersey will suit most fans. Scarves or gloves are not needed. Plenty of giveaways and promotions occur between periods: t-shirts, frisbees, chuck-a-puck and at the Halloween game I attended lots of candy was being distributed. At the same game, special messages were painted in pink on the ice for Breast Cancer Awareness – Pink at the Rink. Neighborhood 5 Downtown Wichita is a great city to visit. It has several museums and many art galleries. A six block sculpture walking tour is in downtown as well as an art walking tour. When visiting a Thunder game, be sure to take a crisp autumn walk to Old Town, a historic brick-lined neighborhood with many of the old brick warehouses renovated into shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. I would recommend visiting River City Brewery (in Old Town) to pass time before the game. It’s in one of the historic converted brick warehouses and it has a fantastic atmosphere, great food (one of the better burger/fries I’ve tasted in quite some time), superior tasting beer (try the IPA and any of the seasonal beers they might be brewing at the time of your visit), and excellent service. It also has lots of clever quotes and sayings hanging on the walls. A newer brewery/restaurant well worth visiting is The Hungry Heart. It is right next door, outside the north side of the arena and is a very comfortable place to have a drink (excellent beer offerings) and a bite to eat. I am told they are going to start brewing their own beers late in 2015. And to get one of the best barbeque in Kansas, check out Bite Me BBQ just a few blocks from the arena. Be sure to visit the Botanical Gardens, the Old Cowtown Museum and take a visit to the Museums on the River. Take time to marvel at the Keeper of the Plains structure at the meeting of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers. Several hotels are in walking distance (1/2 mile) to the arena. I’d recommend the Hotel at Old Town located in a landmark 1906 warehouse building (don’t worry, all modern comforts are available). Some other hotels in the downtown area include Ambassador Hotel, Hyatt Regency, and Fairfield Inn and Suites. Downtown Wichita is a safe neighborhood in which to walk and I had no concerns walking back to the hotel after the game in the dark. Fans 3 Fans are into the game and the banter and they are vocal. The Thunder fans seem to like the fighting even more than the goals. Lots of cowbells can be heard. The one fan, Center Ice Steve, has been attending Thunder games since their inception. After every Thunder goal he yells “He Shoots!” and most of the fans yell back “He Scores!” It’s a nice tradition. Some of the die-hards notice a difference between the CHL and ECHL level of play; ECHL is faster. And, they are still getting use to the new teams in the ECHL and are glad to have some old rivalries back like the Colorado Eagles . The attendance for a Wichita Thunder game falls in the middle of the pack of other ECHL teams averaging 4,000 – 5,000 a game which is a tad lower than when they played in the CHL. Access 3 The security is not as easy as it used to be in the CHL days (or in the times we now live). After a thorough bag search each individual is wanded (outside the doors of the venue; not inside). It’s not a warm welcoming into the venue. Parking can cost up to $12 near the stadium. The Old Town area several blocks away has garages which are free to the public so those might be your best bet if walking up to a 1/2 mile is do-able for you. You may be able to find some free street parking south of the arena. Or, consider parking a distance away and riding the Q-Line. The Q-Line Trolley is a free trolley shuttle that can get you to the arena if staying at a hotel not within walking distance to the arena. Since it is such a new arena concourses are plenty wide, bright, clean, shiny, and people flow is smooth. Bathrooms are exceptional. The stalls are wide and contain a hook and a shelf, they’re automated and clean. There are plenty of them so there is no wait even between periods at a Thunder game Wichita Mid-Continent Airport is about 15 miles from the INTRUST Bank Arena. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices seem to be on par with other ECHL arenas. However, the up to $5 extra when purchasing a ticket game day is excessive. The price for parking is a bit high, though there are alternate methods for parking and access to attending a game in Wichita. Game day programs are $1 and are worth the investment. Food and drink prices also seem a bit high. Overall, the return is low to average based on the overall experience. Extras 3 Plenty of banners and retired numbers are hung from the rafters at INTRUST Bank Arena for when the Thunder were with the Central Hockey League (CHL). None yet for the ECHL as they are a new member of that league. Kudos to the Thunder and INTRUST Bank Arena for proudly displaying the hockey history of the team. Stop by and say hello to the friendly folks at the Wichita Thunder Storm Booster Club table on the concourse. Merchandise (mostly clothing) is available at a team store though no hat pins or pennants are available for purchase. Final Thoughts If travel takes you to Wichita in the fall or winter, or if you live in the area haven’t yet been and you like hockey, a visit to a Thunder game is a worthwhile entertainment choice. Downtown Wichita is a walk-able city and has several hotels, museums, restaurants, and a variety of other tourist attractions.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Independence Field at Chautauqua Park 1200 Bluff Avenue Owensboro, KY 42303 Owensboro RiverDawgs website Independence Field at Chautauqua Park website Year Opened: Unknown Capacity: 200 Baseball & Barbecue in Owensboro Independence Field at Chautauqua Park is the home baseball field of Owensboro High School during the spring but during the summer months, it becomes the home field for the Owensboro RiverDawgs of the Ohio Valley League. The Dawgs debuted in 2018 in the league and captured the league title during its inaugural season. The small ballpark is situated in Chautauqua Park which features a playground, a swimming pool, and other facilities. Although small by most summer collegiate wood bat leagues in the vicinity, Independence Field provides a small-town vibe for the people of Owensboro to root for during the season that is ideal for the OVL. The town was home to minor league baseball from 1936-1955 in the Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee Leagues. The Owensboro Oiler's home field Miller Park was considered one of the better facilities in the KITty League but it would be razed following the 1955 season. The owner of the land that bordered residential housing deemed it to be valuable for a ballpark. A small retail development was built on the ballpark’s spot that today houses a discount store, supermarket, and auto parts store. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small concession stand at the stadium that offers quite a bit of concession items to satisfy the fans in attendance. Hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, and soft drinks are more than reasonably priced. The ballpark also features a pork chop sandwich, river dawg, and dawg nachos. Atmosphere 3 The vibe at the games is mellow and the crowds are small, similar to high school or even college baseball in the area. However, the talent on the field is enjoyable for the crowd that assembles to root for the home team. Independence Field features a synthetic infield that was installed for the 2019 season and an outfield made of natural stuff. A simple scoreboard is situated behind the right field wall and two small aluminum bleacher-style bleachers exist on opposite ends of a small press box situated directly behind home plate. The sounds that echo throughout the stadium are the sounds from the players on the field, the ball hitting the inside of a glove, and the crack of the bat against the ball. Players in the dugouts are heard cheering and jeering on both sides and the few in the stands show their appreciation with a few cheers and jeers of their own. Neighborhood 3 Owensboro, Kentucky, has a population of 59,000 and is about 30 miles south of Evansville, Indiana, along the Ohio River. The city itself is known for its style of barbecue that features smoked mutton served with a sauce known as black dip. Various places offer this style of cue that includes Old Hickory Bar-B-Que and Olde South Barbecue, but one place attracts a loyal and national following in town. Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn offers a lunch and dinner buffet of its award-winning barbecue that includes pork ribs, sliced brisket, and chopped and pulled mutton. The buffet also features fried shrimp, smoked ham slices, turkey and dressing, and homemade burgoo (a stew consisting of vegetables and barbecue meat). There is also an array of delicious desserts of pies, cobblers, and cakes available. Next door to the buffet is a take-out counter along with sauces to go. There are other places to eat in town that include The Miller House, Lure Seafood & Grille, Bill’s, and Colby’s Fine Foods. The bourbon trail runs through town at O.Z. Tyler Distillery offers tours and free tastings. The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, Owensboro of Fine Arts, and the Museum of Science and History also provides places to see during the day. Smothers Park offers nice views of the riverfront. Fans 2 The sprinkling of fans in the stands is friends or family members of many of the players out on the field. This is similar to other smaller summer collegiate leagues, but there are a few faithful who are out there supporting the local club; they make their voices heard during the nine innings of play. Access 3 Chautauqua Park is located at the edge of downtown and only a few miles from SR 60 which connects with I-165. There is a small parking lot for cars and once inside, the ballpark is small enough that everything you need is almost within your fingertips. Return on Investment 3 The price of a ticket to a game is $5 and concession prices are fairly reasonable with a hot dog costing $2 and a soda pop the same. A very inexpensive night of baseball in a low-key environment. Owensboro itself offers a few great places to eat, tour, and drink. Extras 2 Attending a game in Owensboro provides the traveler to enjoy a delicious barbecue meal at Moonlite Bar-B-Q before the game, the lunch buffet is only $11. The food at the ballpark is also very inexpensive and quite tasty, just in case you are still a bit hungry. Final Thoughts The Ohio Valley League offers baseball in nine different small towns in Kentucky and Indiana with many of the fields high school or college fields. The small-town atmosphere, friendly vibes, and great barbecue make Owensboro a nice destination if you find yourself somewhere on the OVL map during June and July.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 J. O. Christian Field 509 Stadium Rd Storrs, CT 06269 Connecticut Huskies website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 2,000 The Homering Huskies J.O. Christian Field is named for the University of Connecticut’s longtime baseball coach and athletic director J. Olean Christian. Christian served as the school’s baseball coach from 1936 to 1961. He also served as UConn’s football coach and basketball coach during his tenure. He was the first commissioner of the Yankee Conference. Christian led the Huskies to 254 wins and two College World Series appearances while serving as head coach. Baseball has been played at the University of Connecticut since 1896. In their lengthy history, the Huskies have qualified for 18 NCAA tournaments, and have made 5 College World Series appearances, most recently in 1979. Sixteen former Huskies have made it to the major leagues, most notably 1950 American League Rookie of the Year Walt Dropo, along with pitchers Charles Nagy and Roberto Hernandez. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small concession stand behind the visitor’s dugout on the first base side of J.O. Christian Field. It offers a basic menu, including hot dogs, hamburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches. Assorted snacks, including nachos, popcorn, cotton candy and pretzels can be purchased here. Fans looking for more snack foods can select Oreo or Reese’s Pie as well as assorted flavors of Dippin’ Dots. Thirsty Husky fans can choose from assorted Coca Cola products. There is no alcohol served at this on-campus facility. Atmosphere 3 Veteran fans of college baseball in the northeast will find a lot that feels familiar at a UConn baseball game, including a small but dedicated crowd in attendance and a scaled-down gameday presentation that limits extraneous noise and distractions. It’s a laid-back, comfortable atmosphere at which to watch some quality baseball. UConn does provide a couple of extras not often seen in these parts. The Husky mascot, Jonathan, can be found interacting with younger fans. The athletic department offers a couple of contests during the game, giving prizes to the fan who can correctly guess the timing of the seventh inning stretch as well as giveaways after each Husky home run. Neighborhood 3 The tiny town of Storrs, Connecticut is dominated by the university. Storrs’ population of nearly 11,000 is overshadowed by UConn’s undergraduate enrollment of 16,000, with an additional 5,000 enrolled in graduate programs. The university is located over a sprawling 4,000 acres, and is largely self-contained, which is a necessity given Storrs’ rural location. UConn’s origins as an agricultural school help to explain its rural location. Fans looking to stay in Storrs will find their choices limited. Most fans who come to the area will do so as a day trip, moving on after the game to the larger cities of Hartford, 45 minutes away or Boston, located 90 minutes from the UConn campus. The twin casinos of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun are located a short 45 minute drive from Storrs. Fans looking for places to dine before or after a Husky game will find a growing number of eateries on either Storrs Road or North Eagleville Road. Geno’s Grille, named for UConn’s legendary women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma, Dog Lane Café and the Altnaveigh Inn are popular spots. Hotel accommodations near campus include the Best Western Regent, the Countryside B&B and the Hampton Inn. If visiting UConn for a baseball game, you must be sure to stop at the UConn Dairy Bar after the game. The Dairy Bar, operated entirely by students, has been in operation since 1953 to sell dairy products that are made on site. While enjoying your ice cream you can see the cows grazing in the adjacent fields. Visitors to the Dairy Bar can watch the cows being milked or the ice cream being made every day. Fans 2 While UConn baseball enjoys larger crowds than most of their fellow New England teams, typical crowds are still quite small when compared to other parts of the country. Even the largest Husky baseball crowd generally tops out at 500 fans. Most of the fans in attendance on any given day have a personal connection with the players on the field. There is a minimal turnout by the student body. While the crowd may be small, they are very knowledgeable about the home team and enthusiastic about the action on the field. Access 3 The University of Connecticut is located in rural Storrs, Connecticut, a village in the town of Mansfield. The campus is a 45 minute drive from Hartford, the capital and largest city in the state. Fans wishing to drive to the UConn campus will be well served in knowing that no highway serves Storrs directly, and a drive through the scenic eastern Connecticut countryside is necessary no matter what direction one is coming from. The closest interstate is route 84, which runs in a north-south direction connecting Hartford with the Massachusetts Turnpike. From I-84, fans will have to navigate local highways for about seven miles to the UConn campus. For fans traveling by train or bus to UConn, be aware that there are no stations in the town of Storrs. However, the Union Station Shuttle transports round trip from the Storrs campus to Union Station in Hartford. The closest airport to the UConn campus is Bradley International Airport just north of Hartford. Shuttles are available to the airport from the university. J.O Christian Field is located on the southwest edge of UConn’s campus. Adjacent to the baseball field are several other athletic facilities, including the impressive Shenkman training center and Gampel Pavilion, the largest on-campus basketball arena in New England. Parking is available across the street from J.O. Christian Field in the large lot next to Frietas Ice Forum. Four sets of metal bleachers scattered around the field provide the seating here, with plenty of standing room available for fans wishing to stretch their legs. While there are no permanent restroom facilities here, there are a bunch of port-a-johns for use. Be warned that there are no paved paths at Christian Field, so be wary of where you step. Return on Investment 4 There is no charge for admission or parking at J.O. Christian Field. Concessions sold here are reasonably priced, so you will not break the bank at a Husky baseball game. Of course, you have the option of bringing your own snacks to enjoy during the game, so it’s entirely possible to not spend any money during your trip to Storrs. Extras 1 An extra point is awarded for the gameday elements not usually found in this part of the country, including the presence of the school’s mascot, as well as the giveaways and contests held during the game. Final Thoughts As of the writing of this review (May 2017), UConn was moving forward with a plan to renovate and relocate several of their on-campus athletic facilities. This project will cost an estimated $46 million, which will be paid for through donations and ticket surcharges. J.O. Christian Field will be demolished and replaced with a 1,500 seat facility, which will have lights, a press box and dugouts with restrooms, and luxury boxes. It will be located across the street on the present site of Morrone Stadium. A new ballpark would aim to improve fan experience and help in recruiting. While J.O. Christian Field is among the nicer college ballparks in New England, it can’t compete with the larger college fields elsewhere in the American Athletic Conference. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Shutterstock and Sean MacDonald, Lloyd Brown, Andy Pregler Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 JMA Wireless Dome 900 Irving Ave Syracuse, NY 13244 Syracuse Orange website JMA Wireless Dome website Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 34,616 There’s No Place Like Dome Syracuse bills itself as New York’s college team and if that is the case, then the Carrier Dome in New York’s college arena. Not only does the Orange football team play here, but so does its nationally recognized lacrosse team. However, the most famous denizen of the dome is the basketball squad that is now the 6th-winningest program in NCAA history. Over the years, many future NBA stars have played under Coach Jim Boeheim, with the most notable perhaps Carmelo Anthony, who led the team to the 2003 championship. NCAA violations announced in 2015 led to a loss of scholarships and hurt the reputation of both Boeheim and the school, but they rebounded to make a Final Four Appearance in 2016. It looks like the worst is over, so we paid a visit to the Carrier Dome to see if the experience of attending an Orange basketball game has changed. Note: The venue's name changed from Carrier Dome to JMA Wireless Dome in 2022. Food & Beverage 3 “The Dome” was opened in 1980 and the concession stands seem to have changed little since then. Old style menu boards list typical stadium fare and little else. A slice of pizza ($5), German frank or coney ($4), and sausage subs with peppers and onions ($7) are all popular items. Nachos sell for $7.50 and you can get sauerkraut or extra cheese for $1.50. Snacks include pretzels ($4), popcorn ($3.50), and caramel corn ($4.50). There are a couple of specialty items, but you will have to look around for them. An ice cream stand offers three sizes in various flavors from $4-$5, while pizza logs can be found behind Section 121. Another stand sells chili for $6 and pulled pork sandwiches for $8. Despite being a college venue, beer is available. Domestic drafts (Bud and Bud Light) are $7 while craft brews will cost a dollar more. The unique beverage here is an $8 wine slush, made with wine from the nearby Finger Lakes region. Pepsi is the soft drink provider with bottles costing $4, the same as a regular fountain drink. A large cup (32 ounces) is $5.50. Coffee, hot chocolate, and milk are also available. There is not a lot of variety for such a large venue, but the prices are reasonable–a fair tradeoff. Atmosphere 5 Only one-half of the building is used for basketball, with the court being set up around where one end zone would be for football. The permanent seats thus take up 3 quarters of the court, with a few sections of temporary seats on the far side. There are also courtside seats all around. There are three levels of seating at the Dome, but with suites at either end of the court sitting at the same level as the second deck, even the upper bowl is not that far away from the action. All seats are benches, with the two lower levels having seatbacks, while the upper deck offering more traditional bench seating. Season ticket holders use orange seats to make their visit a bit more comfortable, and these seats remain in place even after the game, adding a bit of color to the scene. The other half of the stadium is the Toyota Fun Zone, where you can play games and look at advertising booths before the game. There are permanent video boards at the top of the dome, and a smaller scoreboard behind the temporary seats. Player names are not displayed, but game stats are continuously displayed on ribbon boards. What makes this place thoroughly enjoyable is the energy put into the events during the breaks in the action, by both the fans and the cheering sections. The band (known as the Sour Sitrus Society) is behind the basket closer to the Syracuse bench, just in front of the student section. The cheerleaders stand in front of the band, and they keep things lively throughout. There is also a dance team, who collectively accompany the national anthem using sign language. Of course, they also get out on the floor to entertain fans. During the final media timeout, some of the male cheerleaders run C-U-S-E flags around the perimeter of the court and then right through it, which really gets the crowd going during crunch time. Everything is well coordinated and you shouldn’t leave your seat during the timeouts as you might miss something that would get you pumped for when the action begins again. The dome is energized from well before the national anthem, and of course, during, when O is shouted out midway through in honor of the Orange. At tip-off, fans stand and clap until the Orange make a basket. From there, the energy continues to build, and things can get wild if the home team is winning. It is really impressive that they can pull this off in a dome, which is usually a lifeless venue. Neighborhood 4 The Carrier Dome is on campus, and there are a few bars nearby, with Marshall Street the primary location. Faegan’s Cafe and Varsity Pizza are two good bets here. If you want something a bit more varied, you’ll have to drive downtown, where Empire Brewing and Blue Tusk, among many other establishments, can be found. Of course, no visit to Syracuse would be complete without a stop at Dinosaur BBQ, located at the corner of Willow and Franklin. You’ll probably have to wait, but it will be worth it. If you happen to be traveling with a shopaholic, Destiny USA is a good spot to leave them while you check out the game. This large mall is a couple of miles north on I-81 and also has a movie theater. Fans 5 A superb contingent of orange-clad supporters turns the dome into a surprisingly loud place. They stand at the beginning of the game, and often during as well. They know their team well and cheer them on with passion. A typical crowd is 25,000, and that can get upwards of 30,000 when a top opponent visits. It doesn’t appear that fans get up to get a beer during the action; they are here to watch the game and really make the Carrier Dome a great place to visit. Access 3 Syracuse is about 4 hours north of New York City along I-81, and just over 2 hours east of Buffalo along I-90 via the New York Thruway. The Carrier Dome is located on the campus, an architectural outlier surrounded by beautiful old buildings. It is right next to I-81 and quite easy to access from both the north or southbound lanes. If you are using the Thruway, you will take I-81 south about 3 miles to access the campus. University parking lots charge $15 (garages are $25) but avoid them and drive to Ashworth Place, a block north of Genesee Street. One side of Ashworth allows parking from 6 pm on odd days to 6 pm on even days, the other vice versa, so you will always be able to park here. If you don’t remember what day it is, just follow everybody else’s lead. It is about a 15-minute walk from this area to the game. Despite the large crowd, entry to the stadium is very easy due to the fact there are over a dozen entrances, both at the upper and lower levels. Fans spread out and there are no lines for the most part. There is a cursory security check with a wand, but no metal detectors to make everyone move quickly to the concourse. Inside, there are two levels of concourses with the upper concourse leading to both the second and third seating bowls. Crowds will form, especially when concession lines move into walking areas. The entire concourse is open even though the seating sections on the other side of the stadium is not open, it might be a good idea to take a walk around if you need a bit of space. You will notice Club 44 behind sections 108 and 109. This is a membership-only area that looks to be quite interesting but is off limits to the average fan. Exiting the stadium might take a minute or two as you are directed to the revolving door. Meanwhile, restrooms are the old style trough type (for men obviously). There were no lineups, but I would guess they do occur during halftime when most fans leave their seats. Return on Investment 3 The cheapest seat here is $45 for ACC opponents, a bit pricey for the end zone in the third deck of a dome, even though the experience can be thrilling. Prices go up from there, with seats in the temporary area costing $125 for a premium ticket that includes a donation. You might be better off looking on the secondary market or buying from a reseller out front. Fortunately, food is relatively cheap here, so you can have a decent afternoon for just over $100 for two, but this is still too much for college hoops. Extras 5 Take a walk around the concourse and check out all the history on display. The 2003 championship trophy is in one case all by itself, but there are others that contain a tribute to the Syracuse Eight, memorabilia from football seasons past, and Ernie Davis’ Heisman Trophy. Inside, there are banners honoring lacrosse, football, and basketball heroes of the past. Outside, you can find a statue of Davis on the way to the quad. The number 31 is now at center court to honor Pearl Washington, who passed away in April 2016. There is a rainwater harvesting system that collects rain that runs off the roof and stores it for use in washrooms. You can see some of the machinery behind this as you walk along the concourse. Another point for having the dance team use sign language for the national anthem, a nice touch. Final Thoughts The experience of seeing a Syracuse Orange game at the Carrier Dome is one that every college basketball fan should enjoy at least once. Domes are slowly disappearing because they are usually terrible places to watch a sporting event. Here, however, the opposite is true, due mostly to the fantastic fan base, but also to the unique setup where only half the venue is used. Syracuse is not the easiest place to get to, but if you are planning to be in the area during the hoops season, make sure to time your visit so that you can add the Carrier Dome to your list of visited venues.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Jack Simpson Gymnasium 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 Calgary Dinos basketball website Jack Simpson Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 3,454 University of Calgary Dinos Basketball The University of Calgary became its own institution, separate from the University of Alberta, in 1966. Since then the U of C Dinos sports program has won 45 national championships and 145 titles in the Canada West Division. Among all those wins, the men’s and women’s basketball teams have made their mark. The women’s Dinos took the National Championship in 1989 during a run in which they won 69 straight games and won four consecutive Canada West Titles. In addition to that run, they’ve won the division on four other occasions. The men have never won the national championship, but they’ve won Canada West six times, so they’ve come close. The Dinos play in the Jack Simpson Gymnasium which opened in 1987 as part of a major addition to the kinesiology facilities at the U of C in anticipation of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. The U of C’s student residence buildings were used to house Olympic athletes and the world’s first indoor speed skating track was built as part of the kinesiology expansion as well. The Jack, as it is sometimes referred to, was a major upgrade from the aging Red Gym on the other end of the complex, with a seating capacity of 3,454, better lighting, state-of-the-art flooring and numerous other features. In addition to being the home of Dinos basketball, it also plays home to the men’s and women’s volleyball teams, intramural sports, annual convocation ceremonies, and many other activities. Food & Beverage 2 The main lobby for the Jack Simpson Gym is upstairs on the west side of the gym and is shared with the Olympic Oval. In that lobby you’ll find two concession stands, although typically only one is open for game nights. The offerings here are pretty pedestrian, with nothing more exotic than a hot dog on the menu. Chips, pop, and coffee can be purchased here, but not much else. On the upside, the price is quite reasonable: Combo Number 1 includes a hot dog, a medium fountain drink, and your choice of chips or a candy bar for $7. The good news is that there is also a kiosk in the gym itself, on the west end of the running track at the top of the stands. The campus bar, The Den, have set up The Den West where adults can get their drink on, offering a good selection of domestic and premium beer and coolers for $6-7, depending on what you order. Again, a pretty good price! Beyond those two spots, however, you aren’t going to find anything here, aside from a water fountain. Atmosphere 3 The Dinos usually draw between 700-800 people for Friday night games (fairly typical for Canadian Intrauniversity and a can break 1,000 on a Saturday. For their annual “Pack the Jack” event, they can get up around 2,000 fans. This still leaves the stands more than half empty, so it can be a bit of a challenge to get the energy up in the crowd. Typically in the CIS, both the women and the men play in back-to-back games, so you’re getting two games for the price of your game ticket. People tend to file in over the course of the women’s game, so the early game tends to be quieter than the late game. The seats are comfortable, but leg room is a little on the tight side, so having a relatively sparse crowd gives you the opportunity to spread out a bit and ensure that this isn’t a problem. The seats themselves are multi-coloured, with red, blue, and yellow spread around the building, which helps camouflage the actual number of people in the building, making it seems fuller than it is. Dinos championship banners line the Jack, giving fans a sense of the long and proud history of athletics on campus. No doubt this serves to inspire Dinos players and fans alike, while intimidating visitors from other schools. And ultimately, the thing that most affects the atmosphere at a sporting event is the quality of the game. With the long and proud history of quality athletics at the U of C, you are probably going to see some excellent competition. The facility itself is clean and tidy, with indirect lighting that isn’t too harsh on the eyes, but isn’t particularly special beyond the colourful seating and the banners. Neighbourhood 3 The Jack Simpson Gym is located on the west end of the main U of C campus. The Kinesiology complex is connected to the MacEwan Student Centre, where the campus food court is located, providing you with a few pre-game food options but things are closed by the time the games have wrapped up. Similarly, The Den and Black Lounge, the campus bar which is also located in MSC, closes at 10 pm on Fridays and isn’t open at all on Saturdays, so don’t expect to get your party on while at the University for a game. Realistically, there isn’t anything that most people would consider walkable from the Jack. In any direction, you’re probably at least a 15-minute walk from the edge of campus, after which you still have to walk for another 10-plus minutes to get to anything worth getting to. So you’re more likely at least a short drive away from other points of interest. There are a few good spots to check out if you make that trip, however. To the northeast of campus is Brentwood Village Mall. Within that complex you’ll find a Harvey’s, a Starbucks, and a couple really nice Irish-style pubs. The Killkenny provides quality pub food (the chicken wings are enormous and tasty) and a wide selection of adult beverages (the beer menu alone is six pages long). Likewise, Jamiesons has a vast drink menu and a solid food menu featuring typical pub fare as well as some more exotic choices. To the southeast of campus you’ll find Motel Village, which features some excellent New Orleans-style cuisine at Big T’s BBQ and Smokehouse, a Boston Pizza, a Denny’s, and several fast-food places. Just to the north of Motel Village proper, you’ll also find Nick’s Steakhouse and Pizza , which has won several Consumer’s Choice Awards over the years. If you head southwest of campus, you’ll arrive at the Stadium Shopping Mall which features Moose McGuire’s Bar , The Keg for a little more upscale steak dining, and the Redwater Rustic Grille , which also offers a more upscale dining experience. Fans 3 The fans at Dinos games are generally a relaxed group who applaud at the right times and occasionally boo a call they aren’t happy with, but are generally pretty quiet. With only a few hundred people scattered around a venue that can hold several thousand, this can make for a pretty subdued feel in the stands. Not unpleasant, but low-key. If you’re looking for a place where the energy is high and the crowd is cheering from start-to-finish, this isn’t the place. Nevertheless, eyes are generally on the floor, so the crowd is engaged and enjoying the games, so the overall experience is positive. Access 4 The University of Calgary is located in the city’s north west quadrant, on the west side of Crowchild Trail, a major north-south artery in town, and 16th Ave., which is one of the major east-west arteries and also part of the Trans-Canada Highway. As a result, getting to campus is pretty easy from all directions. Calgary Transit also services campus with busses as well as a Light Rail Transit (LRT) stop. Depending on where you park on campus, the price can vary a little, but you’re most economical choices are Lots 10 and 11, on the north east corner of the main campus, just beyond the Olympic Oval. In both cases it’s $7 for the day, which is a bargain compared to the parking prices in other parts of the city. Once on campus you can walk just about anywhere while remaining indoors, which is a pretty big deal if it’s the middle of winter and the temperatures have dropped to below -20°C (which is not uncommon). Depending on where you started, it could be a bit of a hike to get to the Jack, but probably not more than 10 minutes. As noted above, the entrance to the gym is shared with the Olympic Oval. The ticket window is just inside the shared entrance, then you’ll head up the stairs to the upper concourse where the concession stand is located and through the doors into the gym itself. You’ll find yourself at the top of the west stands on the running track that connects to the campus fitness centre. There is tons of room here for even a large crowd, so moving around is not a problem. Likewise, it should be no problem at all to find a decent place to sit without feeling crowded in by other patrons. Do be aware: The beautiful LED screen which is installed above the north end of the court, is not easily viewed if you sit in sections K, J, D or E, all on the north end of the stands. Also, because the basketball nets are suspended from the ceiling of the gym and hang from a lattice of white steel pipes, views of the screen and scoreboard are partially obscured from many other locations south of mid-court. This is a shame because it detracts from how sharp these recent upgrades to the facility actually are. Return On Investment 5 Adult ticket prices are $15 each, seniors are $10, and kids aged 7-17 get in for $8. A family package is also available for two adults and up to four kids for $40. These are all pretty decent prices to come see the best basketball in the city, especially since you get two games for the price of one. But the real deal here is for U of C students: because of an annual student levy, all U of C students get in to any Dinos regular season games for free. Just show your ID card and in you go. Short of paying people to show up, there isn’t a better deal than that! Extras 2 The Calgary Stampede Band of Outriders are a fixture at Dinos games, providing live entertainment during stoppages in the on-floor action. There are recycling bins around the facility to encourage fans to reduce, reuse and recycle. Always a nice touch. Spend some time walking around the north and south ends of the track and have a long look at all the national championship banners. It’s an impressive collection! If you need to kill some time before the game or during intermission, you can wander into the Olympic Oval and have a look at what’s going on out on the speed skating track or the two full-size hockey rinks found in the oval ring. Also, the concourse area between the Oval and the Jack is home to the Speed Skating Canada Hall of Fame display as well as some interesting art. Speaking of art, if you have time to wander around campus, there are a number of interesting sculptures and displays. For instance, just outside the Oval/Jack entrance to the north there is a large sculpture that was part of the 1988 Olympics development, called The Spire, although it is more affectionately known by U of C students as “the paperclip.” Only a few metres from the Spire is one of the three Olympic Torch locations. As you walk through the Kinesiology hallways, you’ll come across the Dinos Hall of Fame display, honouring some of the great athletes and teams to come through the U of C. Final Thoughts Dinos basketball is an entertaining product at a reasonable price. They have a history of success which ensures you’ll see some competitive action. The Jack is a nice place to take in some CIS sports and worth your time to visit.

Photos by Aaron Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Jack Trice Stadium 1732 S 4th St Ames, IA 50011 Iowa State Cyclones website Jack Trice Stadium website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 61,500 Seeing Red in Ames The Iowa State Cyclones have historically been a mid-tier team in the Big 12. However, over the years the program has quietly made improvements to their home field, Jack Trice Stadium, and in a decent year, the atmosphere at this 61,500-seat venue can rival that of many of the other teams in the conference. Jack Trice Stadium opened in 1975 with a win over Air Force . Three-level video boards were added to each end zone later, one in 2002 and the other in 2011, and the most recent upgrade (in 2015) enclosed the south end zone to bring the facility up to its current capacity. The stadium is named after former Iowa State football player Jack Trice, who passed away in 1923 as a result of injuries sustained during a game at the University of Minnesota . The details surrounding Trice’s death remain controversial to this day, as many of his teammates claim he was intentionally targeted because of his skin color – Jack Trice Stadium is the only FBS venue that is named for an African-American individual. Food & Beverage 5 While the food and beverage selection at Jack Trice Stadium doesn’t offer a ton of variety, there are a few items available here that you won’t find anywhere else. Main dishes include your stadium basics such as burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, pizza, chicken tenders, and tacos, but also include pork tenderloin and (given the close proximity to Wisconsin) cheddar bratwurst. These items will run you $5 to $11, depending on whether or not you add fries to your order. However, it is the side/dessert items where Jack Trice Stadium really shines – besides the standard fare such as popcorn, sno cones, funnel cake, cotton candy, pretzels, nachos, packaged candy, and peanuts, you can also find poutine, cheese curds, and even fried Twinkies; who could ever say no to that? These items start at about $4 and top out at $7 – the fried Twinkies are actually tied with several other items as being the cheapest on the menu. Drink options here include bottled or fountain soda, bottled water, Gatorade, lemonade, coffee, and hot cocoa. Jack Trice Stadium also offers exactly one kind of beer – Rise. Atmosphere 5 In recent years it is a great day to be a Cyclones fan, with signature wins last season against the likes of Oklahoma and TCU . Games at Jack Trice Stadium lately tend to be near-sellouts, and not because of the visiting fans either – the stands are packed wall to wall with red-clad Iowa State loyalists. Besides the energy and fan noise (more on that later), the staff at Jack Trice Stadium puts on a great show with cones of fire spurting forth when the Cyclones come onto the field, plenty of colorful flags, and a great mascot who rides in on a cross between a Hummer and a golf cart. With teeth bared, Cy is constantly all over the stadium interacting with fans, and the Iowa State band does a great job as well, including a post-game concert on the north end of the field to celebrate the win. The stadium looks incredibly modern despite its age, and the massive scoreboard in each end zone make it easy to follow the action. There is also a small berm area on the north end of the stadium, which many fans seem to enjoy watching the game from. Neighborhood 3 While there is plenty to do in Ames, Iowa (despite it not being a huge town), Jack Trice Stadium is unfortunately fronted on the east side by intramural fields, a park, and a massive gold course, so it ends up being a bit far away from most of the local eateries, which are located along Duff Avenue. Duff Avenue is the place to head before or after the game to visit restaurants like Old Chicago and Texas Roadhouse. Culver’s, a regional favorite specializing in custard, is also in that area, but if you feel like taking in the college vibe, you might try Blaze pizza, which is north of the stadium on Lincoln Way. If you plan to be in town for the day or for the weekend, most of the local attractions tend to be parks, or you can visit the ISU Arboretum. However, if you happen to be into wacky roadside America pitstops, you can also find the World’s Largest Concrete Gnome in Ames, not far from Jack Trice Stadium. And once you have taken your selfie with the famous gnome, there are a few hotels nearby to rest up for the trip home – there are not a ton of hotels near the stadium (Days Inn and Best Western are the closest), but there are a good deal more located a few miles away along I-35. Fans 4 Iowa State fans are pretty impressive for a typically mid-tier team – most of them show in Cyclones gear, and they are very loud and bring a lot of energy into the stadium. They cheer loudly for most of the game, don’t tend to leave early, and are fairly good sports even when confronted with a few losses. The student section is not surprisingly the most energetic, especially right before kickoff as they madly wave their bright yellow towels. Another fantastic moment comes after halftime, when the student section unfurls the gigantic Iowa State banner, which covers half of the seats in their section. Access 3 As mentioned before, Jack Trice Stadium is bordered by fields, a park, and a golf course. As such, it is a pretty long walk from the parking area for most fans – the reserved parking is adjacent to the stadium on the north side, but does not have very many spaces, and of course only season ticket holders can park there. The rest of us are left to park at the golf course, and it seems rather odd, because as you walk up to the stadium you will come upon a massive empty field next to it, which is ostensibly for tailgating, but there is no one there – it seems like this area could have been used for parking instead. Once you get into Jack Trice Stadium, however, there is plenty of room to move around. Lots of entrances, plenty of concessions stands and bathrooms, a wide concourse, and good signage telling you how to get to your seats. The only potential downside with regard to access is the parking, which even as far away as it is will run you about $20. It may also be a very long drive to get to Ames, depending on where you are coming from. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Iowa State Cyclones games at Jack Trice Stadium will run about $30 to $40 in the upper level, which is pretty typical for college football these days. However, even for big games you should be able to find them much cheaper on third party sites. On the plus side, you are also guaranteed to have some solid teams comes to town, as Iowa State regularly plays the likes of Texas , Kansas State , Oklahoma , and TCU . You will also be pretty close to the action – because Jack Trice Stadium is not all that big, and also because of its design, even in the cheap seats you won’t be far from the action. Extras 4 Jack Trice Stadium has some interesting tailgating, with things like old school buses painted in Iowa State colors sitting outside of the stadium – maybe a little redneck, but a lot of fun. The stadium also sports a ton of bright color, which this writer thinks helps get fans in the mood. The ability to get so close to the action on the field is also a plus, since you can buy lower level seats to games at Jack Trice Stadium so cheaply on the secondary market. The two massive scoreboards are also amazing, and make it really easy to see replays. Final Thoughts Depending on where you live it might be a bit of a haul to get to Ames, Iowa, but it is definitely worth the trip. Jack Trice Stadium is a solid venue in a top conference, so you really can find the best of both worlds here – great facility, and great football.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Jamieson Stadium 801 Westover Terrace Greensboro, NC 27408 Greensboro Pride website Jamieson Stadium website Year Opened: 1949 Capacity: 10,000 Football Goes to High School in Greensboro Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, Jamieson Stadium opened in 1949 and primarily serves as the home of high school football’s Grimsley Whirlies, but the venue is also used by Greensboro College’s Greensboro Pride football team. The Pride football program was founded in 1997 and currently competes in the USA South Athletic Conference of the NCAA’s Division III. Food & Beverage 3 Jamieson Stadium does not have a ton of options at its concessions stands, but on the plus side nothing costs more than $3, which is a great thing if you plan to take a family or large group to the game. The menu consists of hot dogs with chili and coleslaw, cotton candy, and nachos for $2 each, or popcorn, packaged candy, and chips for $1 each; you can also get Gatorade for $3, or bottled water and Pepsi products for $2 each. There are two grandstands at Jamieson Stadium (one on each side of the field), but there is only one concessions stand which is on the home side – the venue is small so it is not a far walk between them, but keep that in mind if you plan to sit on the visitors side, in case you want to get your food and drinks before you walk across. Atmosphere 3 The Greensboro Pride don’t currently attract a ton of fans to their games, maybe only a few hundred at most, but those fans are LOUD, and the venue is small enough you can easily hear the noise from the crowd as you watch the game. There are lots of calls of encouragement to the team and to specific players, and the PA system can easily be heard all over the stadium. There is not much in the way of entertainment besides the action on the field, but Greensboro does have a small band to entertain fans before the game and during halftime, and you can also purchase Greensboro Pride team gear at Jamieson Stadium, from tables set up on top of the home stands. All the seats are bleachers without backs, and there is no video board for replays; just a regular static scoreboard. Greensboro Pride Team Gear, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey The Pride recently changed their team logo, so at the game I attended most recently they didn’t have their new banners put up yet, so I only saw the high school team’s colors and banners; however, that will change if you attend a game later this season. Neighborhood 4 There are a couple of nice restaurants near Jamieson Stadium such as Print Works Bistro or Green Valley Grill, but one of the most popular restaurant destinations in Greensboro is Natty Greene’s Pub & Brewing Co. on Elm Street downtown; this popular stop is named after Revolutionary War Hero Nathaniel Green. If you plan to be in town for the day, Greensboro, NC is not a huge city by any stretch, but there are plenty of historic sites and other attractions in the area. One of most well-known is the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, which commemorates the sit-ins that occurred in Greensboro during the 1960s – those sit-ins were actually some of the most influential and significant protests of the entire Civil Rights movement. You can also visit the Greensboro Science Center, which includes an aquarium, zoo, and hands-on activities for the kids. Or, if you are a military history buff (or aspire to be), you can visit Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, and learn about Nathaniel Greene’s actions during the Revolutionary War. Fans 2 The Greensboro Pride don’t have a ton of fans showing up to games right now, and a lot of the fans who are there are wearing the other team’s color – the visitor stands get fuller or emptier depending on how close the visiting school is to Greensboro, as you would expect. But the fans are loud, and the yells and catcalls from others really help you get in the spirit of the match. Access 5 Getting to Jamieson Stadium is very easy; traffic in the area is light on Saturdays and the stadium is not far off the major freeways of I-40/I-85/I-785/I-804 – just head down Wendover Ave/Highway 220 (which is an exit off the freeways mentioned above), then turn onto Wendover Terrace and you will easily see the high school as you approach (the school buses are packed in front of the venue). Parking at the stadium is free and there is plenty of space right outside the main gate, and once you get inside there is plenty of room to move around; there is a walking path around the field that connects the two grandstands, which is set about 25 to 30 feet above the field, so you can easily keep an eye on the game as you walk to and from your seats. There is only one concessions stand, at the top of the home side, but there are bathrooms behind both grandstands. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Greensboro Pride football games are only $5 (or $3 for students), which is the cheapest I have ever seen for a college football game. Add to that the free parking and the very low-cost concessions, and you can’t beat the value here at Jamieson Stadium. Extras 2 There aren’t many extras here at Jamieson Stadium, mostly just some no-frills college football in a pleasant atmosphere. However, there is also no stress, no traffic, no long lines, and no huge crowds to fight your way through, so for football purists this is a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The PA announcer also plays lots of great music – not a slow song in sight, but the kind of fun music that makes you want to stand up and dance. Final Thoughts There are several college football teams in Greensboro, NC, including the North Carolina A&T Aggies and the Guilford Quakers , among others, as well as the Wake Forest Demon Deacons about a half hour to the west in Winston-Salem. You won’t see any big-name teams coming through Jamieson Stadium like you might at BB&T Field , but on the plus side you will spend a lot less money, and seeing a game here will take you back to a simpler time and a simpler way of life, where you can simply watch football without all the modern distractions – I highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Javelinas Stadium 1200 N Armstrong St Kingsville, TX 78363 TAMU-Kingsville Javelinas website Javelinas Stadium website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 15,000 Home Field Advantage Means More at Javelina Stadium History and heritage have deep roots in the city of Kingsville, Texas. A tradition of farming and ranching built the community. It continues to grow thanks in large part to Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK). Founded in 1925, the athletics department launched a football program shortly afterward in 1929. Since that time, the Javelinas have become one of the most dominant Division II programs in the country. As competitors in the NAIA, the Javelinas won seven National Championships. Since moving to the Lone Star Conference, they have won 22 conference titles and made 27 appearances in the playoffs. The school has also produced an incredible three members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Darrell Green , John Randle , and Gene Upshaw . Javelina Stadium has seen the vast majority of the program’s success. The team moved into the new on-campus facilitiy in 1950 and – according to the Javelinas Athletic Department – the home team has compiled a staggering 230-62-2 record at the facility. They have had 14 perfect seasons at home, and from 1967-1970 the Javelinas went a perfect 23-0 at Javelina Stadium; from 1974-1976 the Javs went 20-0. The stadium has become the heart and soul of the Kingsville community, and a must visit for college football fans in the state. Food & Beverage 3 Upon first glance, the food and beverage scene at Javelina Stadium might not strike you as being impressive; they play all the hits though. You’ve got your hot dogs and hamburgers ($3.25 and $3.75, respectively), your nachos ($3), and your popcorn and soft pretzels ($2.75 and $3, respectively). They also have fountain drinks and bottled water and sodas – no alcohol. However, if you dig a little farther, you’ll find a couple of pretty nifty non-traditional stadium items that fit right in. For $8, you can get the staple of fairs and festivals across the country: smoked turkey legs; these ginormous hunks of gobbler meat lend themselves perfectly to the on-field action. Another sneaky good item, churros – for a mere $2, you can get an order of three of these sweet treats. There is one main concessions stand near the home team entrance and a smaller cart selling most of the same items. They do take cash and credit cards, but tend to have long lines due to their locations, so keep that in mind when you make a grub run. Atmosphere 4 I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of atmosphere at Javelina Stadium – smaller schools like TAMUK can be hit or miss in this area; their success on the field directly translates to what is experienced in the stands and outside the stadium. Well, that is exactly what is happening in Kingsville. The tailgate scene outside Javelina Stadium is – in a word – insane! RVs and tents are stacked up for a solid block around the stadium. The crowds are awash in the blue and yellow of the home team and there is a palpable energy that buzzes from the parking lot to the stands for the entire game. There are also a couple of great additions to the game atmosphere that make the experience even more special, for example, the old-school howitzer cannon, manned by the TAMUK JROTC, that is fired off after every Javelinas score. In the south end zone, there are also bleachers and a play area set up for the young fans. There is also a VIP section in the north end zone where a wooden deck is set up with tables and lounge chairs, and a lucky group of fans is selected to watch the game from this area each game. What makes the atmosphere great though are the fans. Neighborhood 3 Kingsville is situated in what is classified as the Texas Gulf Coast Region – palm trees line the streets and seagulls fly overhead year-round. You can smell the salt air and you are instantly transported to a place that most would not associate with Texas. If you make the visit to Kingsville, keep in mind that you are only 30 minutes away from the beach at any given time. The main attraction of the city is the legendary King Ranch ; at its peak, Captain Richard King’s sprawling monument to the cattle industry covered over one million acres and was larger than the state of Rhode Island. These days, it covers a “mere” 825,000 acres and spans six counties in the area. A visit to the King Ranch is like taking a trip in a time machine back to the era of cowboys and cattle drives – it is still a working ranch and offers daily guided tours. King Ranch is hands down the number one attraction in the city. Since Javelina Stadium is on the TAMUK campus, there aren’t many facilities nearby that aren’t associated with the school. However, there are a few pretty tasty options for dining close by – two in particular really play up the local cuisine of the region. Mariachi’s House of Burgers! is a popular spot with the student body; as its name implies, they serve up some tasty craft burgers that are a hit with locals. Another spot where you can get some good Tex-Mex, seafood, or chicken fried steak is South Texas Hole in the Wall . It’s a bit farther from the actual football stadium, but you can still get there pretty easily either before or after the game. Fans 4 Javelina Stadium has one of the highest attendance rates in the Lone Star Conference. The fans show out in force for Javs games as it is truly an impressive sight to see this spacious stadium jam-packed with rabid fans in blue and yellow. From the moment you walk up Armstrong Street and see the massive tailgate scene, you know this is going to be different from your typical small college scene. This is a rowdy, loud bunch but that makes the games just that much more exciting – unless you are a fan of the visiting team, of course. But in my opinion what makes the fans even more fanatical is that TAMUK is truly the only game in town. Kingsville has a population of just over 26,000; it’s not a big city but it’s also not a tiny town. Alum or not, this city loves its team and they show out at Javelina Stadium. Access 2 The city of Kingsville is just a shade over a two-hour drive from San Antonio, and just a little over half an hour from Corpus Christi. These are the two biggest cities in the area, and it is a pretty straightforward drive south on Interstate 37 (from San Antonio) or State Highway 77 (from Corpus Christi). Just FYI, as someone who has made this drive more times than I can count, it is not the most picturesque trip. At Javelina Stadium itself parking is a finite commodity. If you get there early you should be okay to find a spot, and parking in the stadium lot is $10. However, there are spots where you can park for a lesser fee (or even for free) in the neighboring area; you just have to be willing to look a little. Give yourself some time as Armstrong Street can become congested near game time. Return on Investment 4 To be quite honest, game tickets at Javelina Stadium are a pretty incredible bargain – you can get general admission seating tickets for $10 to $18 at most home games. This is a really good bargain when you consider the success that the team has had on the field. If you couple that with the low concessions costs and the potentially free parking, football fans should not miss an opportunity to take in a Javelinas game. Extras 5 Here we go – this is the area where Javelina Stadium really puts on the pomp and circumstance. The Javelinas check all the boxes in terms of traditional trappings of college football; they have their costumed mascots Porky and Baby, the Pride of South Texas Marching Band, and of course they have their cheerleaders and dance team. But there is more. A Ride with Porky, Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Before you enter the stands there is a monument park complete with a statue of their legendary head coach Gil Steinke . Steinke led the Javs to 39 consecutive wins and six NAIA football national titles, including three in a row from 1974 to 1976. It is a popular spot for selfies for longtime Javelina fans. The Javs also boast a live version of Porky – Porky III. During games, he resides in a glass-walled caboose that is part of a kiddie train. The train is loaded up with kids from the south end zone who become part of Porky’s Pack; they ride the track that rings the field throughout the game. Personally, I don’t think you can beat having a live mascot as part of your tradition. It’s also great seeing young fans be able to see an animal like a big ole javelina up close for the first time. Leading the Javs out of the inflatable tunnel is the Javelina Chopper. This souped-up, TAMUK colored bike adds its roar to that of the home crowd and is a pretty great addition to the pageantry of the games. Final Thoughts I personally had a great experience at Javelina Stadium. It’s got a great old school aesthetic to it and the vibe is incredible. For this level of college football, I have a hard time envisioning a better venue to watch a game. It’s got all the look and physical feel of a high school stadium, but the atmosphere of big-time college ball. If you’re a football fan and are traveling in and around South Texas, add Javelina Stadium to your bucket list of game experiences. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by John Severs and Brydon Coughlin , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Joe Etzel Field 5000 North Willamette Blvd Portland, OR 97203 Portland Pilots website Joe Etzel Field website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 1,000 Portland Baseball Portland has a strong baseball history, despite never having a Major League team. The city has hosted numerous independent and developmental teams, but with Triple A’s Portland Beavers leaving the city a few years ago, the options available to take in a ball game are limited. The University of Portland is still carrying the torch for baseball in the City of Roses, with the Pilots hosting games at Joe Etzel Field. The stadium is named after the Pilots longtime coach, who led the team for 21 seasons. Later, he also assumed the role of the university’s athletic director. During his tenure, the Pilots developed into a solid midlevel program, and have reached NCAA Regionals on a few occasions. Situated in the north of Portland, in the University Park neighborhood, Joe Etzel Field is on the verge of some big changes. The Pilots have called the stadium home for 30-plus seasons, and while it has seen upgrades over the years, it will go through a big renovation in 2020. So, it’s an excellent time to take one last look at Joe Etzel Field. Food & Beverage 2 It’s classic ballpark fare, it tastes good, and includes hot dogs, chili, nachos, and combinations thereof. It would be nice if there were a bit more. At the very least, there should be peanuts and cracker jacks. Beer and wine are accessible from the concession stand, featuring local Oregon brewery Buoy Beer Company. Coors is also available, and the wine is sourced locally. Atmosphere 4 The stadium itself is a simple, classic layout. Plastic seats behind the home plate, and metal bleachers along the first and third baselines. All of the seating is comfortable, and there are no bad lines of site. Despite its age, the stadium is in pristine condition. Every line of sight is fantastic, and the stadium itself is gorgeous. The trees lining the walls of the stadium produce a gorgeous view. Regardless of the quality of the game, Joe Etzel Field is a sight to see. There are some downsides. Due to the stadium’s size, there is no outfield seating. There are no bathrooms in the stadium itself, which is relegated to either port-a-potties or the nearby Chiles Center. It’s inconvenient, and as the stadium is expanded that is something that should be addressed. Overall though, the ballpark delivers a very nostalgic experience. There are not a lot of bells and whistles, but the park doesn’t need any of that. It’s just a great spot to catch a ballgame. Neighborhood 5 Joe Etzel Field is situated right on the edge of the university, in the University Park neighborhood, on the northern end of Portland. The neighborhood grew around the original Portland University, though the campus sat vacant for a time before the Catholic Church purchased the buildings and founded the modern-day university. It is a small, private university, with a student body of around 4,000. Sitting on a bluff overlooking the Willamette River, the area provides several scenic vistas, and if you have time for a walk before the game, it’ll be a beautiful one. University Park shares the rest of the city’s reputation for great food, including The Drunken Noodle for Thai, Homegrown Smoker for barbecue, and Flying Pie for pizza. There are also plenty of chains if you’re looking for something familiar. With the field not far from downtown Portland, there is a lot to see if you’re willing to make a drive into the city. Fans 3 Pilots fans come out for the team, and when the team comes alive, so does the crowd. It’s not the biggest crowd, and with the stadium expanding soon they’ll have to find a way to start packing the seats or the stands may look pretty barren. Access 3 The stadium is easy to find, not too far off of I-5, and only about 15 minutes north of downtown Portland. There’s a bit of parking at the stadium but finding parking on the streets nearby shouldn’t be much of a problem. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are only $6, $4 for students and children. The food is inexpensive, and there’s not a bad seat in the house. It’s an excellent experience for the cost. Extras 2 Free programs and stat cards are provided for each game. Final Thoughts Joe Etzel Field is a simple but well-designed stadium that delivers a classic experience. Next year’s upgrades should only improve on that.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.00 John W. Smithson Field N Latchs Ln Merion Station, PA 19066 St. Joseph’s Hawks website John W. Smithson Field website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 400 The Hawks’ Nest Since 1958, St. Joseph’s University has played their home baseball games off campus, even as far as the former Campbell’s Field in Camden, NJ. But with the 2008 addition of the Maguire Campus, St. Joseph has been able to add new athletic facilities, as well as academic buildings. John W. Smithson Field now serves as the home of the baseball program after opening in 2012. St. Joseph’s University is a Roman Catholic Jesuit university located at the crossroads of the Wynnefield neighborhood of Philadelphia and Lower Merion Township. The university straddles Route 1, with a pedestrian bridge connecting both parts of the campus. The baseball field is technically located in Merion Station, PA. The athletic programs of St. Joseph are part of the Atlantic 10 Conference. This conference, many in the northeast, is not considered a hotbed of baseball. but you may see some competitive teams in this league. Food & Beverage 0 There are no food options at Smithson Field. Bring your own food if you wish to enjoy anything. A single soft drink machine is located in the basement of the local athletic building. The only bathroom is located here, and a guard has to let you in for access. Atmosphere 2 The three sections of stands are very small, but sound tends to travel with the sheltered design. You can also view the game standing along the various fences surrounding the field. A personal favorite is the small abutment near the first base foul pole heading towards the elevated bullpens. Neighborhood 4 The university is located in a nice area of town. There are large gothic-style houses and buildings in the area. You can see some of these buildings from the field itself, and they offer a pleasant view. St. Joseph University is located on the Main Line in Philadelphia. This area has some of the wealthiest towns in the country, including Lower Merion, Radnor, and Gladwyne. There is nothing right near the baseball field besides these houses. If you walk back to the main part of campus, there are some nice shopping and restaurants nearby. Larry’s Steaks offers traditional Philly cheesesteaks across from the Hagan Arena. That is a good option for food, although a true Philadelphia native may prefer their own cheesesteak establishment instead. In the same block is a large parking structure that has the college bookstore in its ground floor. Next to this, and also in the ground floor of the garage, is Landmark Americana, which is a great option for post-game eating. This restaurant offers a nice choice of meals and has a large bar, as well. For Saturday games, look out for the $10 all-you-can-eat wings special. They also offer numerous drink specials at the bar. Wayne, PA is another popular area to explore before games. Pipeline Tacos and Teresa’s Next Door are good options for food and drink respectively. Of course, the city of Philadelphia is close by so many options exist in that large city. May I suggest Philip’s Steaks at 2234 West Passyunk Avenue if you want to try a cheesesteak away from Larry’s? Fans 2 I attended both a morning home game, as well as an afternoon game with two visiting teams as part of the Big 5 Baseball Bash. It was also spring break. Both games were well-attended but clearly with family members only. I would doubt this would be much different during regular semesters, as the field is a bit separated from other campus activities. Access 2 St, Joseph’s is not too difficult to get to, as it is located close to exit 339 off Interstate 76 and right off of US Route 1. But the baseball stadium is another matter. Public transportation is close by as you can take a SEPTA train from 30th Street Station in downtown Philadelphia to the area. Check the schedules for night and weekend games. If following directions via GPS, you will be routed directly outside of the field, but you will find there is no parking nearby. Your best bet is to park in the parking garage across from Hagan Arena and walk over. A shuttle to the game is supposedly available, but I never saw it. If you walk around the Maguire Campus long enough you will find the field tucked away in the far corner. Return on Investment 3 It is free to get into Smithson Field. The seats are close to the action and the view from the field is nice, so it is a fair cost, even if you do end up paying to park. Extras 1 The neighborhood surrounding the field has some pretty impressive houses. If you are into architecture or just enjoy the houses of the rich and famous, you will enjoy this. Final Thoughts This is a nice, simple ballpark offering good baseball with little frills. Don’t go out of your way to attend, but if in the direct area, it may be a good place to spend a nice afternoon.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Johnny Unitas Stadium 7500 Osler Dr Towson, MD 21252 Towson Tigers website Johnny Unitas Stadium website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 11,198 Johnny U Stadium at Towson U Located on the campus of Towson University in the Baltimore suburbs, Johnny Unitas Stadium plays host to the Tigers’ football, lacrosse, and track & field programs. The stadium seats just over 11,000 and underwent major renovations in 2002, when additional seating, artificial turf, and other enhancements were added. The stadium is located in the same complex as several other Towson athletic facilities, including SECU Arena, home of the Tigers’ basketball teams, and Tiger Field, home of the soccer program. College lacrosse is huge in the State of Maryland, where it is the official state team sport (but not the official state sport, which is jousting) and Towson is just one of several teams in the Baltimore area. The Tigers have consistently ranked towards the top of the NCAA in lacrosse attendance, which considering how passionate this city is about the sport, should come as no surprise. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand open in the corner of the concourse during Tiger lacrosse games which sells a limited menu. There is a second stand in the other corner open during football games, but due to the lower attendance numbers, it is not normally open for lacrosse. The only thing that could plausibly make a meal is a hot dog for $5, with various snacks including chips, candy, and hot pretzels as well as bottled water and Pepsi products. Atmosphere 5 Some of the best college lacrosse in the country can be found in Maryland, and a Towson game is no exception. The marching band was in attendance, and although they mainly played during breaks in the action due to NCAA regulations, they started chants at other times during the game to get the crowd into it. Although somewhat limited due to the pandemic, Towson still manages to create a great atmosphere here. As for the stadium itself, typically only one side of the stadium is open for lacrosse games due to lower attendance than football. When we went, only the north side was open with the south side just occupied by the band. There is a large video board behind one goal that also shows some additional statistics and a smaller scoreboard behind the other goal. All seats are bleachers with backs except for a few chairbacks on the south side which are not available for lacrosse games as previously noted. Neighborhood 3 Johnny Unitas Stadium is located on the south part of campus, and there is not much in the immediate vicinity other than other athletic facilities. However, Towson is a decent suburban area and Baltimore is a short drive away and offers plenty more options. Whether there is anything within walking distance depends on how far you are willing to walk, but there are plenty of options, both chain and local, along York Road. The Charles Village Pub and The Greene Turtle are both local favorites, but unless you’re willing to walk half an hour each way, you will need to drive a short distance. The Towson Town Center shopping mall is also nearby. Fans 5 The Tigers average about 2,000 fans a game, which consistently ranks them towards the top of the NCAA. Fans who show up are still passionate and loud throughout the game. If the Tigers are playing another Baltimore school, or a regional opponent like Maryland or Delaware, expect a lot of visiting fans as well. On the one hand, this enhances the stadium atmosphere, but on the other hand, it can almost feel like you’re attending a game at a neutral site at times due to all the away fans in attendance. Access 4 Towson is located just off I-695, the Baltimore Beltway. Take Exit 25 and after driving for a few miles, you will arrive on campus. Parking is free in numerous lots surrounding the stadium. Your best bet is to park in Lot 13 since that will put you right at the entrance to the stadium, but if that lot fills up, you should park in another lot on the north side of the stadium, since the north gates are the only ones open for lacrosse. In the unlikely event all those lots fill up, there is ample parking available elsewhere in the vicinity of the stadium, but you may have to walk around the outside of the stadium to get where you need to go to get in. There are restrooms in both corners of the concourse by the concession stands and although only one concession stand will be open, both sets of restrooms will be. They are of ample size for the crowd. The concourse is wide and allows enough space for fans to get around, plus it provides a view of the field which isn’t always the case at other places. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for youth and seniors, which is comparable to other top programs in the area. Although you may be able to find less expensive or even free tickets elsewhere in Division I, you get what you pay for really. Throw in the free parking and affordable concessions and this is a great value. Extras 2 The marching band adds a lot to the gameday experience, and while they don’t actually march as they do for football, they are still an incredible enhancement to the atmosphere. There is a Wall of Excellence outside the stadium which honors great Towson teams in football, lacrosse, and track who have played in the stadium. Keep in mind, however, that this is outside the stadium and there is a no re-entry policy, so you will have to look at it before you enter or after you leave. Final Thoughts Baltimore may be the best city in the country for college lacrosse, and a Towson game will tell you exactly why that is. Tiger fans are passionate about their team and a game here has an electric atmosphere. Between the band, the fans, and the beauty of a stadium, lacrosse fans visiting the Baltimore area will want to seriously consider visiting Johnny Unitas Stadium. The only reason it isn’t a “must-see” is that there are so many other great lacrosse venues in this area that a fan visiting for a limited amount of time may not be able to see them all.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Johnson Hagood Stadium 68 Hagood Ave Charleston, SC 29403 The Citadel Bulldogs website Johnson Hagood Stadium website Year Opened: 1948 Capacity: 11,500 Precision & Pageantry Home of The Citadel Bulldogs, Johnson Hagood Stadium opened in 1948 and is named after Brigadier General Johnson Hagood, CSA, who commanded Confederate forces in Charleston during the Civil War and later became Governor of South Carolina. The venue opened with a capacity of over 22K, but a couple of years ago the college determined that the east stands were badly in need of repair, leading to their demolition and the subsequent placement of temporary bleachers in their place, giving Johnson Hagood Stadium a current capacity of 11,500. The Citadel is currently raising funds to build new stands on that side, which when completed will raise the capacity to about 14K. The stadium is nicknamed, The General. Food & Beverage 4 Johnson Hagood Stadium offers a strong selection of concessions items from a mix of regular stands and food carts; the prices are slightly higher than average for this level of football, and lines can get a bit long during big games, especially during halftime. Under the main grandstand (west side) there are two large concessions stands which offer a range of items such as burgers, pulled pork, brisket, tacos, grilled chicken sandwiches, corn dogs, and bowls of mac ‘n cheese for $5 to $12, plus snacks such as popcorn, packaged candy, and pretzels for $2 to $5. There is also a smaller Papa John’s stand here that sells slices for $4 each, and just outside the main stands (near the south end zone) there is a food cart featuring some of the same snacks as the main stands, but adding Dippin’ Dots and funnel cake, as well as drinks. There is nothing on the far side except a beer cart, but not very many fans sit over there anyway (only a couple of hundred). Drink options at Johnson Hagood Stadium include beer and wine/spritzers starting at $5, as well as sodas, bottled water, and lemonade starting at $3. Atmosphere 5 Pageantry is one of the key elements in college football, and nowhere is it more in evidence than at The Military College of South Carolina – from the cadets marching in formation to the raising of the American flag before the national anthem, from the artillery pieces in the northeast corner to the team coming onto the field amid a haze of blue and white smoke, and from the bulldog statue in the northwest corner to the Corps’ Regimental Band and Pipes, college football doesn’t get any better than this. The atmosphere is punctuated by the presence of the cadets; smartly dressed complete with caps and sitting en mass in the southwest corner, the cadets march in by company before the game and form a tunnel for the team to run through as they take the field, drumming their arms the whole time, wave their caps in unison during kickoffs, and cheer loudly throughout the game in support of their Bulldogs. The artillery is also fired off every time The Citadel scores (even after extra points), and the cheer squad runs across the end zone waving their flags, most notably the large light blue standard emblazoned with the old-school looking Bulldogs logo. The architecture is also impressive, with its castle-esque look evocative of the college’s namesake, and of course t-shirts are thrown out into the crowd to keep the fans engaged. In addition, during special occasions such as Homecoming, former cadets wearing matching shirts based on class year are invited to march onto the field during pregame, to stand in solidarity with the current class of cadets. The pageantry you will experience at Johnson Hagood Stadium definitely makes it worthwhile to visit Charleston for Bulldogs football. Neighborhood 5 There are plenty of restaurants near Johnson Hagood Stadium, ranging from fast food to seafood and Italian; two within walking distance of the facility are Purlieu, specializing in French cuisine, and Harold’s Cabin which offers local fare plus a coffee bar. There are also numerous other nearby choices, from upscale eateries and wine bars (including vegan options) to more low-key pizza and beer joints. If you plan to be in town for the day or weekend, there are also plenty of historical sites to take in; the first shots of the Civil War were fired right here in Charleston at Fort Sumter, or for more recent naval history check out Patriots Point, where the main attraction is the WWII aircraft carrier USS Lexington. The H.L. Hunley, the first combat submarine to sink an enemy warship, is also on display in North Charleston; in fact, the site of Johnson Hagood Stadium itself was the original burial site for some of the sailors who served on the Hunley – their remains were mistakenly covered over when the stadium was constructed, and were subsequently moved to Magnolia Cemetery when the remains were found by historians in 1999. Fans 4 Led by the uniformed cadets, the fans at Bulldogs games are absolutely stellar – they are loud and proud of their team. Most of them wear team gear and cheer on their Bulldogs with an uncommon passion, and the tailgating scene stretches all around three sides of the stadium, and a good ways down Fishburne Street. The only drawback is that there are just not enough of them at typical games, although they do show up for big games. As a result, the college has struggled to replace the now defunct west stands, since the staff is uncertain if the seats will be able to be filled. Access 4 There are multiple parking lots around the stadium, a couple on the back side but mostly along Fishburne Street; most of them require a pass but at least one is a cash lot. However, if you don’t arrive early you may be out of luck, as these lots fill up pretty quickly, which means you may have to drive around and find some parking on the street, which of course gets scarcer as kickoff approaches. There are a couple of sections nearby which seem a little rundown and perhaps a little sketchy to park in, but I noticed several high-end vehicles even in those sections, so it seems like the presence of a military college a mere few blocks away makes fans feel perfectly safe. Once you get inside the stadium moving around the concourse is easy enough, and you can walk across the south end zone to get to the visitors side if you want, and a handful of fans even watch from the fence on that side. Concessions lines can get a little backed up, but there are plenty of bathrooms and plenty of space otherwise, so you don’t have to stand elbow-to-elbow. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to football games at Johnson Hagood Stadium are a little on the high side for this level of football (FCS), starting at $32 for general admission, and parking and concessions are also slightly higher than average. So this will not be the cheapest football game you can find in the area, especially if you have a large crew, but the experience definitely makes up for it. You might be able to get cheaper tickets from a third-party reseller, however, or you may be able to take advantage of a Bulldogs ticket promotion. Extras 4 The architecture here is pretty grand and ornate, and having the cadets in the stadium with you really adds to the experience – seeing a military unit march in is always impressive, and having the Regimental Band and Pipes perform during halftime is enjoyable to watch, even though the band is on the small side. The smoke that streams out when the team comes onto the field is a nice touch, as are the flag bearers swinging the state flag and The Citadel banners. And as an added bonus, having real artillery fire during the game to commemorate home team scores cannot be discounted. Final Thoughts Some FCS stadiums are better than others, and this is certainly one of them – even if you are not in the local area this is one college football venue that is worth a look, even if you have to make a bit of a drive to get here. The city of Charleston itself is also a great tourist destination, especially in the fall when it is not quite so hot, so make a weekend of it and come on down to Johnson Hagood Stadium.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 1.86 Jordan Field 65 North Harvard Avenue Boston, MA 02134 Harvard Crimson website Jordan Field website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 4,100 In the Shadow of History Jordan Field opened in 2010, and sits literally in the shadow of Harvard’s football stadium in Boston, MA – the venerable football stadium can be seen in the background, and is actually open to the public; plenty of joggers and other athletes can be found inside running the steps or walking around the concrete stands, and several Harvard athletics team use the field itself for practice. But back to Jordan Field – the venue is a multipurpose field used by Harvard’s men’s and women’s soccer teams, and also by Harvard’s men and women’s lacrosse teams. The facility holds 4,100 fans and has two grandstands – one behind one of the end zones, and the other along one of the sidelines. Food & Beverage 0 There are no concessions offered at Jordan Field. Atmosphere 1 Jordan Field is nice enough, with a basic electronic scoreboard and decent bleacher seating, with plenty of Harvard signage around the field. But attendance is very low, and there aren’t any amenities or entertainment here – just the soccer itself to keep you occupied. Neighborhood 5 The main part of Harvard’s campus is on the other side of the Charles River in Cambridge, while the athletic fields are all clustered on this side, which is technically part of Boston. Jordan Field itself is surrounded by Harvard’s baseball stadium , softball stadium, hockey center , tennis center, and the aforementioned football stadium, with the track, pool, and other athletics fields a little further out. There are plenty of great restaurants just across the river in Cambridge, mainly to the south of the main campus. Two interesting spots are Night Market, which is a funky little place that serves Asian food, and Alden & Harlow, which offers upscale American fare. There are also plenty of hotels in the area, but they tend to be very pricey, as you might expect – the closest to Jordan Field is Studio Allston Hotel, which is practically within walking distance of the soccer field, while Farrington Inn is a little further away, but about half the price per night. If you plan to be in town for the day or for the weekend, there is plenty to do in the Boston area. The Freedom Trail is arguably the most popular, with stops along it including Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, the Bunker Hill Monument, Paul Revere House, and the Old North Church. You can also visit the site of the Boston Tea Party, or go on a whale watch out of Boston Harbor. If you are coming to Boston for any reason, it is recommended planning to spend at least a couple of days in town, so you have time to take in some of the wonderful history here. Fans 1 Women’s soccer games are less well-attended than the men’s games, but very few fans show up at either, especially depending on what time of day the game is. Access 3 Traffic in the Boston area is pretty hairy as you might expect, and parking near Jordan Field is difficult. There are a few spots nearby, but they are metered or require a parking permit, so you’ll have to park there at your own risk. Most people who attend games here park further away and walk in – there is visitor parking on the other side of the football stadium (next to Harvard Business School), so that might be your best bet, but depending on the time of day you might spend $10 per hour. Return on Investment 2 It doesn’t cost anything to attend soccer games at Jordan Field, so that is a plus, but there are no amenities here either. If you are looking for something to do while in Boston, or you know someone on the team (or maybe your team is playing on the road here), seeing a game here might be worthwhile. But if you are just looking for a game, there are other sporting events in the area that would be more enjoyable. Extras 1 If you come to a game at Jordan Field, be sure to snap some photos of the historic football stadium, or go inside Harvard Stadium and walk around – you can actually get some pretty good views of the soccer field from inside.

Photos by Daniel Armstrong, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Kazan Arena pr. Khusaina Yamasheva, 115 Kazan, Russia 421001 Russia Rubin Kazan website Kazan Arena website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 45,000 Kazan Arena Kazan Arena is the biggest stadium in Kazan, the largest city and capital of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan. The 45,000-seat arena was built in 2013 and is the home ground of Russian Premier League side FC Rubin Kazan. Food & Beverage 4 The price of food is a pleasant surprise for fans. Most snacks come in cheap combos such as pizza with tea/coffee for 100 rubles ($1.50). But, if you fancy embracing a little local culture, you can swap your pizza for Öçpoçmaq (pronounced Ech-poch-mak) – a popular minced beef and onion triangular Tatar pastry. A hot dog or sandwich with tea/coffee will set you back 200 rubles ($3), KitKats, chocolate nuts and a single cup of tea or coffee are all priced at 50 rubles (75 cents) and sparkling water will set you back 100 rubles. Atmosphere 4 The nature of Russian football dictates that the contemporary structure and layout of Kazan Arena do not compromise the atmosphere. The ultras (or ‘fanati’) stand in designated fan stand areas in the north and south stand, at the front of which they hang banners with chosen messages. Throughout the match fans illuminate the match with flares and test the acoustics with bare-chested chants, rhythmic jumping and even dancing in the aisles. Neighborhood 5 Due its central location, the neighbourhood around Kazan Arena is the centre of Kazan itself. Kazan is recognised as one of the most beautiful cities in Russia and boasts its own Kremlin (Russian for ‘citadel’) built in the 15th century. It also has strong Islamic origins, underlined emphatically by the 16th century Qolşärif Mosque within the Kremlin walls. There is an unmistakable pride in Tatar tradition. Although the Republic is unequivocally part of the Russian Federation it still clings tightly to its identity. The Republic is the only region in Russia to have a president other than Vladimir Putin. The Tatar language – spoken by 6.5 million native speakers – even forms part of the Turkic family as opposed to Russian’s East Slavic grouping. If you want to experience what life is like in one of Russia’s ethnic regions, there are few more colourful places to do it than Kazan. A great hotel/hostel is Loft project Etazhi on Ligovsky Prospekt. It’s a complex including art exhibition space, a cafe, a bar and a great roof view. Pubs, bars and restaurants can be found in abundance on Rubinsteiner Street just of Nevsky (Barcelona bar is a great shout). Those who prefer a more raw Russian night out can visit Dumskaya Ulitsa just adjacent to Kazanskiy sobor or the collection of bars on Ligovsky 50. Bar Griboyedova on Konstantina Zaslonova Ulitsa has a cool eatery and bar on a hill with a nightclub built into an old Soviet bunker too. Fans 4 Each set of ultras in the Kazan Arena fill ‘fan stands’ facing each other. The club has had decent success in recent years, but will only average around 12,000 fans per match, placing them near the middle in the Russian Premier League. Access 4 Kazan Arena is located on the banks of the Kazanka River in the east of central Kazan. It is largely accessible thanks to the Khusain Yamashev highway – named in honour of the Russian revolutionary and first Tatar Bolshevik – and a network of roads nearby. There are large car parks which, ironically do not work on matchdays. There are, however, apartment blocks opposite where it is possible to park. Disabled access is available but limited and fans must pass through two ticket checks including baggage inspection before entering. You can get to Kazan from Moscow by rail. Trains run every couple of hours daily and make the 800km journey in a handy 12 hours. The cheapest (platzkart) ticket costs around 2,000 ($30.30) and generously permits you to one space in a four-bed carriage. Return on Investment 4 Kazan Arena is one of the best stadiums in Russia and offers a glimpse of what Russia has to offer fans at the FIFA World Cup in 2018. The facilities are impressive and refreshments are cheap, although whether these prices will remain when the competition comes around is up for debate. Nevertheless return on investment is high even if it is just for the chance to see Kazan on a sunny day – if you’re lucky. Extras 3 As well as being the home stadium of Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan, the Kazan Arena doubles as the venue for the Russian Cup final held in early May. The stadium is also one of twelve stadiums to be used for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup. The outside of the West Stand has a screen which is used to show advertisements, information and most importantly of all footage of the sporting event taking place inside.

Photos by Benjamin Evensen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 KeyArena 305 Harrison St Seattle, WA 98109 Seattle Redhawks website KeyArena website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 17,072 Seattle’s Second School Editors Note: The Climate Pledge Arena stands in the footprint of the former Key Arena, with the roof being the only portion of the former arena being preserved. --- Seattle University re-upgraded to Division I in 2008, and only in 2012 did they fully complete the upgrade process. They are full members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), and play their home games at KeyArena just a few miles from their campus, in downtown Seattle, Washington. KeyArena was built in 1962 for the World’s Fair at Seattle Center. It is most famous for housing the Seattle Sonics from 1967 up until their move to Oklahoma City in 2008. It currently is home to the Seattle Redhawks, and the WNBA’s Seattle Storm. It also hosts numerous concerts. KeyArena’s age has been well documented before. It is old, and lacks the seating capacity for an NBA franchise (it seats 17,000). Once the Sonics left for OKC, many plans for the arena have been passed around, including renovating it to make it smaller, and even destroying it. Key Bank hasn’t paid for the naming rights in years but the Key Bank logo is still on the top of the roof. Food & Beverage 1 When you leave your seat and walk around KeyArena, many of the concession stands are closed and take a long walk to get to. They are very expensive for a mid-major school as Coke products are $4.50 for a bottle, candy is $5 and the only food available are chicken strips, burgers, sandwiches, etc. that cost $12.50 and upwards. The only positive thing is the very short lines. Atmosphere 3 KeyArena has played host to the NBA Finals, WNBA Championship, and many other big events. It was home to the Seattle SuperSonics, who played 33 of their 41 years there. But those days are long gone, and so are all the visible signs of what KeyArena used to mean. The rafters now hold only banners of the Seattle Storm’s achievements, including two WNBA Championships. Seattle University hasn’t accomplished anything in their short time since rejoining the Division I level, but they did make an appearance in the Final Four, and were runners-up in 1958. There is only a banner hung temporarily at the east entrance for the Final Four year. The seats are mediocre and a little old, but the fans are into it and can be loud. The PA announcer is very into the game, with enthusiastic ways to identify a player. The player intros before the game are worth seeing too, as the entire arena goes dark with spotlights and background music. The upper level is curtained off leaving just the lower level and suites open to the tune of about 8,000 seats. Seattle has averaged around 2,000 fans in recent years so the emptiness isn’t ideal. While the fan interaction is nice, the arena feels a bit dated at times, and just too big for the type of game you are watching. But it could be a lot worse and the history of the building is a plus. Neighborhood 5 KeyArena is located right under Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, so if you have the money, a ride to the top gives you an amazing view. Famous Seattle burger joint “Dick’s Drive-In” is located just a quick walk away from the arena (however, this is the one Dick’s that is not actually a drive-in). The arena is very close to everything Seattle has to offer, including the waterfront, and Pike’s Place Market. If you come with a few hours to spare before the game, almost everything Seattle is famous for is within about a 10 minute drive. If walking is your only option though, there are numerous bars and restaurants all just a few blocks from KeyArena. There should be no problem finding something everyone can enjoy. Fans 2 Seattle University will likely never pass the other local more nationally known school in popularity in the Seattle area, the University of Washington, . While the Redhawks have yet to find success in their short time at the D-I level, they struggle to sell tickets to their games. The upper deck of KeyArena is closed off, and the lower level is about 20% full most games. With open seating, the midcourt sections are always pretty full. The crowd seems to mainly consist of alumni and their kids, the players’ families, and the small group of alumni called the “Madgrads” who sit by the visitor’s bench and heckle the opposing team throughout the game. There is a student section that was completely empty and many games have been like this playing at an off-campus arena. However, the fans do follow the game closely. They are quick to show their disagreement with a bad call by a referee, and can become very loud when the game is close, or a player has an amazing play. While they may be small in numbers, the fans that come do appear to be into the game and have a passion for Seattle U. Access 2 Finding a parking spot is not an issue, as an arena that used to hold around 17,000 people 41 times a year still has the parking space. There are a good amount of lots, and a large parking garage right next to the arena. However, the prices can become a bit high for such a small event. You can expect to pay around $15 just to park, which is about the same price as the ticket to the game itself. The pay machines are old and outdated, and when trying to pay the $10 fee to park in the garage with cash, I couldn’t get it to accept any of my bills. When using my card, it took about 5 minutes to try and get it to finally read and print my ticket. The area can have a lot of theft too, so it is best not to show any valuables in your car, and bring what you can with you into the arena. Most of the parking garage does not have any full-time security, but if you are smart about hiding your valuables, you should be okay. Getting into the arena can take a bit of a walk as it is in Seattle Center. The ticket booth is also only on the east entrance, so unless you have your ticket already it can be a walk to the entrance. It isn’t that bad, though. Return on Investment 4 The tickets to Seattle U games are very inexpensive. Season ticket holders pay only $48 for their tickets. For a Division I basketball game, comfortable seating, and good food options, the price is well worth it. The school also offers many value packs to games. It is $10 for a general admission ticket which are supposed to be the areas behind the basket. For $20 you get tickets to the midcourt section. They also pass out ‘buy one ticket to any future game, get one free’ coupons. There is a secret though. The ushers do not check tickets at all and unless you try to sit courtside, you are free to sit anywhere. The problem is the food being so expensive. It is a better idea to eat before the game. Extras 3 As for the rest of what KeyArena offers during a Seattle Redhawks game, there is a small team shop booth inside the arena. The shop has a few jackets, shirts, and hats for men, women, and kids, but the selection is slim. The halftime entertainment is always something interesting and in 2014 one of the Black Eyed Peas performed. There are lots of fan challenges for prizes during timeouts while the cheerleaders and dance team also perform. Final Thoughts There is something special about a newer small school program like Seattle University. While playing in a former NBA arena may not seem like a good fit at first, once you see it, you end up having a good time. The tickets are cheap, and what you end up getting is well worth the price minus the food. In the end, it is an inexpensive way to have a good time and watch good basketball. While KeyArena may be showing its age, it still is a historic part of Seattle’s sports history. The arena just needs to hang some banners for Seattle U and brag about their rich history, no matter how old it may be.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Keyworth Stadium 3201 Roosevelt St Hamtramck, MI 48212 Detroit City FC website Keyworth Stadium website Year Opened: 1936 Capacity: 7,000 Detroit City Rocks Hamtramck and Beyond Detroit FC debuted at Keyworth Stadium in 2016 after playing its home matches at Cass Technical High School for the previous four seasons. The move to a new venue was necessary since the team had quickly outgrown its home pitch and needed a larger facility to hold its burgeoning crowds. The club initiated a crowd-based investment program to renovate and rehabilitate Keyworth Stadium in nearby Hamtramck. The MILE (Michigan Invests Locally Exemption) Act allows companies in the state to accept loans from small investors ($250-$10,000) provided that they are Michigan residents. A total of $741,250 was raised in 109 days from 527 verified Michigan residents. Keyworth Stadium originally opened on October 15, 1936, when Franklin Roosevelt spoke during his second campaign for the presidency. The 6,000-seat stadium has been the home of various interscholastic sports throughout its history but had fallen on hard times the last few decades. The money raised was used for structural improvements to the grandstands, renovations of locker rooms and restrooms, and modernization of lighting and the playing turf. Other improvements included concrete resurfacing, a new sound system, and plans for a natural grass pitch in future seasons. Built between the city’s dense residential streets and a large set of train tracks, Keyworth Stadium is the type of structure that most likely will never be built again by any professional sports entity in this country. Houses and streets touch the exterior of the grandstands and fans exit and enter in front of residential front porches and lawns. In 2020 DCFC began operations in the National Independent Soccer Association after playing in the NPSL Pro fall showcase as a professional club in 2019. The looks to sustain a standard of excellence in its new league while playing host to its rivals Chattanooga FC and the New York Cosmos. All of the food served at Keyworth Stadium are from local area food trucks and other local proprietors, showcasing the many influences of different cultures in the city. A majority of these food trucks are located behind the end line in between the two main entrances creating a bustling street fair atmosphere. Food & Beverage 5 All of the food served at Keyworth Stadium are from local area food trucks and other local proprietors, showcasing the many influences of different cultures in the city. A majority of these food trucks are located behind the end line in between the two main entrances creating a bustling street fair atmosphere. Fans can enjoy slices of pizza for $4 or a whole pie for $22. There are also delicious chicken and lamb shawarmas, falafel, and gyros for $6 and $8. There is the Heroes and Villains truck, offering gourmet sandwiches named after popular comic book characters. However, Srodek’s has the largest line at the game with folks waiting to taste one of their gourmet kielbasa sandwiches and perogies. The sandwiches are served on locally made buns, topped with homemade sauerkraut, and are available in cheddar, smoked, pepper jack, and ghost pepper for $6. The perogies come in orders of 5 and are also $6. You can wash down all of these wonderful delicacies with Detroit’s own Faygo pop for $3, Axle City Pale Ale, Blake’s Hard Cider and mixed drinks for $6, and Stroh’s for $4. Stroh’s and Axle City are the only two beers you can purchase at the game. Atmosphere 5 If you attend a soccer game at Keyworth Stadium and do not become a fan, don’t blame Detroit City FC. The excitement begins 60 minutes before the game with the March to the Match. Supporters meet at Fowling Warehouse, an official pre-game destination, and march through the streets of Hamtramck while drumming, chanting, and singing. Once inside the facility, the North Guard and other supporters group take up residency along the eastside seating section and spend the match singing an established series of songs, throwing smoke bombs after goals, and creating a truly one-of-a-kind atmosphere for any level of soccer in the United States. The group has an unbridled passion for DCFC and ranks with the best of them in any other market. If you want to enjoy the game in a more subdued area, then purchase a ticket on the opposite side of the stadium with a slightly relaxed group of fans. The seating area was created with refurbished wooden seats that were removed from the supporter section. The stadium is absent a track making sightlines up close and personal to the action. The main entrance behind the goal line is also an area of heavy traffic and activity. The majority of food is served and a portable cart sells a variety of merchandise from scarves, t-shirts in multiple colors and styles, jerseys, and jackets. The lines are long, but the orders are expedited quickly. In 2019, the team unveiled suites made from refurbished industrial shipping containers as VIP seating behind the goal at the north end of the stadium. The suites add to the imagination that exists inside Keyworth as the club has been very imaginative with the game day experience. Neighborhood 3 Hamtramck, Michigan sits right over the border of Detroit and is the most densely populated city in the state, with over 22,000 residents packed into 2.09 square miles. Known as a vibrant community for Polish American life and culture, the city continued attracting immigrants and now features a large Bengali, Yemeni, and Pakistani population. One of the most interesting places might just be Amar’s Pizza where visitors can order traditional pizza but some with a unique twist that includes Naga Pizza (chicken, red onions, cilantro, and naga sauce), Tandoori Pizza (tandoori chicken, cheese, and tandoori sauce), and Dry Fish Pizza (dried shrimp and spicy fish paste). The pre-game destination before each match is The Fowling Warehouse (3901 Christopher Street). Supporters spend their time enjoying a few drinks, having conversations along the large bar, and playing the football bowling pin game called fowling. Hamtramck has been described as one of the last bastions of unpolluted dive bars in Detroit. Several dive bars line the streets and look the way they did 50 years ago, including the Whiskey in a Jar, Polish Sea League, Paycheck’s Lounge, Kelly’s Bar, and Moose Lodge. McShane’s Pub is the official post-game destination and offers shuttle services from its location at 1460 Michigan Ave. Fans 5 DCFC is a fan-driven team, attracting mammoth crowds that average close to 6,000 per game. They have taken in the excitement and pageantry at home matches. It is rare not to see someone sporting one of a couple dozen jerseys or t-shirts cheering on the home team, or yelling at the ref for a bad call. Many are enjoying the great food and atmosphere, but many are there strictly for the game on the field. Access 4 Keyworth Stadium is surprisingly quite easy to maneuver around during the game. All of the food and drinks are served in one area that features ample space and a few long lines. Seats are spacious enough to move up and down. Bathrooms are located behind the main seating section and can be quite dense during halftime. Arriving at the game at the multiple lots is also quite easy, but might be a little challenging for first-time visitors to the stadium. Return on Investment 5 Tickets and parking are $12 each but go up in price to $15 on match day, a great price for the atmosphere. Parking lots are easily accessible, adjacent to the stadium. It is possible to find parking on the streets before the game or take one of the shuttle buses from McShane’s Pub. The price of food from the food trucks is extremely reasonable and delicious. Beer prices are also affordable at $4 and $6. Extras 3 One extra point for the amazing, diverse, and delicious food served at the game which includes pizza, kielbasa, perogies, shawarma, and gyros. The beers are cold and include Axle City Pale Ale and Stroh’s. Another additional point for the collection of merchandise includes a wide variety of t-shirts, jerseys, scarves, and caps. There are long lines to snatch up something in the team colors of maroon and gold. A third extra point for the atmosphere begins with the march to the match and continues with the supporter group North Guard chanting and singing from their section. One finally extra point for having ice-cold Stroh’s for only $4 a can. DCFC is renovating and invigorating life back into Keyworth Stadium. It was dilapidated and in squalid condition before the arrival of the soccer club. Final Thoughts Attending a DCFC game is quite the spectacle. It is a 90-minute plus party that includes singing, cheering, eating, drinking, and celebrating. The location of the stadium and the ensuing revelry establishes Keyworth Stadium as one of the must-see soccer venues in the United States. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com