Photos Courtesy of Delaware State University Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Memorial Hall 1200 North DuPont Highway Dover, DE 19901 Delaware State Hornets website Memorial Hall website Year Opened: 1982 Capacity: 3,000 Step Into the Hornet’s Nest Delaware State has been a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) since its founding in 1970. The MEAC is made up of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) located between Florida and Delaware. Delaware State is the smallest of the MEAC schools with a little over 3,600 students and was ranked 9th among all HBCUs by U.S. News & World Report in 2014. It opened in 1891, eventually to be named Delaware State College and later changed to a university in 1993. One of their most unique programs is the university-based flight school, and it also has a fine business school. The Hornets basketball team plays at 3,000-seat Memorial Hall, a fairly nondescript building near the front of their Dover campus. They have appeared in the NCAA Tournament one time in 2005 and twice in the National Invitation Tournament. In 2015 they played in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) Tournament. Food & Beverage 1 There are no permanent food stands in Memorial Hall. and no outside food is allowed into the facility. The recommendation is to eat before or after a Delaware State game. Near the back of the arena, tucked away in one of the corners, is a table set up selling some very basic food options. Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, popcorn, pretzels, soda, water, and Gatorade is about all you get. Local favorite Grotto Pizza will also be at some games selling their slices. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at a Delaware State basketball game is pretty great. Memorial Hall is basically a large high school gym type of design. There is no concourse as once you get past the box office lobby you enter directly into one corner of the arena. Simple bench type stands surround the court on four sides. The arena may be simple in design, but the place is very loud. The students, fans, cheerleaders, band and music DJ keep the fun going. Expect to also see the step squad from opposing teams, as well as the home squad, to provide even more of a fun environment. Many of the games will also be a men’s and women’s doubleheader, so check the schedule and come early, if possible, as you will certainly enjoy it. Look out for the cool Hornet mascot wandering the sidelines. Neighborhood 3 There is no real neighborhood around Memorial Hall. The arena sits off the very busy DuPont Highway. You can see the Dover Mall and Dover International Speedway from the entrance. You can have even heard stock cars screaming around the speedway at times as you walk towards the game. A closed big box store is located right next to the north stand, with another still opened store nearby as well. So if you need pet supplies you will be good to go. The area is good if you need food and sustenance before or after the game. Legendary local chain Grotto Pizza has a sports bar located across the street at 1159 N DuPont Highway. They have never been a favorite of mine but fans of them will flock there. Other great choices include Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop on Gateway S Blvd, Restaurant 55 at 2461 S State St, La Tolteca Restaurant at 859 N Dupont Hwy and 33 West Ale House & Grill at 33 W Loockerman Street. The Fire and Ice Bar at Dover Downs Casino is another choice for a drink after the game. Fans 4 The gym is small and fills up quickly. Even students have often turned away because of the facility being at capacity. The fans are loud and proud of their Hornets. When a big rival is in town, such as their Delmarva peninsula neighbor University of Maryland Eastern Shore, expect to see the intensity upped to another level. Access 4 The university is right off of a major road in DuPont Highway. A toll road, Route 1, which takes you most of the way north to Wilmington, is also nearby. Dover is about a one and a half hour trip from Philadelphia or Baltimore, and at least two hours from Washington DC. It seems close by on a map but is isolated at the center of the Delmarva Peninsula. If venturing to a shore destination such as Ocean City, Maryland or Rehoboth, Delaware, then Dover may make a quick, enjoyable stop, but as a destination, it is not the easiest location to travel to. Watch out for NASCAR weekends when traveling in the area; those weekends are not recommended unless you have no other options, as traffic can pile up, so leave yourself additional time in those cases. There may also be tolls unless you are already on the eastern shore or the Delmarva region. If traveling from the DC and Annapolis area you will have to pay tolls across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. If going around the top of the bay from Baltimore you will have to pay very hefty tolls on either Route 40 or I-95. And coming from Norfolk you will need to pay for the Bay Bridge Tunnel. Parking is easy as you will be directed by university police to various lots around the campus. There is no cost to park, but expect a midday evening game to be more difficult to park because of classes. Return on Investment 4 Tickets run from $10 for general admission up to $25 for courtside reserved seats. Since the arena is so small the best bet is to just stick with the general admission level. Just make sure to plan ahead since the arena is small. You do not want to be turned away at the door. Even students are encouraged to go online and claim their tickets ahead of time. Extras 2 There is a Delaware State University Athletic Hall of Fame display in the entrance lobby. Although Delaware State is not super well known in terms of sports, the listing of the greats of numerous sports from here on campus is a nice stop on the way in and out of the game. If you have never witnessed a step squad, make sure to sit down and enjoy their act/competition. It will blow you away. Final Thoughts There is really not much to Delaware State’s Memorial Hall. A simple, small gym located in a pretty boring looking building. But the small, intimate size allows for a loud and fun environment for basketball.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Blue Cross Arena 1 War Memorial Square Rochester, NY 14614 Rochester Knighthawks website Blue Cross Arena website Year Opened: 1955 Capacity: 10,662 Knighthawks Lax The Rochester Knighthawks are a member of the NLL (National Lacrosse League), an action-packed game of box lacrosse. This is the second Knighthawk franchise to call the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial in Rochester, NY its home. The first was a very successful franchise that operated from 1995 to 2019. Its owner relocated the team to Nova Scotia and rebranded them as the Thunderbirds after the 2019 season. The NLL granted an expansion franchise to Pegula Sports and Entertainment (owners of four other professional sports teams in Western New York) to begin playing the 2019-2020 season. Pegula Sports purchased the Knighthawks name to keep that name and lacrosse in Rochester. The organization hired new players and staff and designed new logos and colors for the new team. All championship records of the former team moved with them to Nova Scotia. The Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial opened in 1956 and received a significant facelift in 1996. Old-time Rochester residents still simply call the venue the War Memorial, while newer Rochesterians call it Blue Cross Arena. It is also home to the AHL (American Hockey League) Rochester Americans , and hosts concerts, Disney on Ice, and other forms of entertainment. Food & Beverage 4 Plenty of food and lots of beer are available for purchase. Main concession stands are in alcoves off of main concourses. These alcoves do a nice job of minimizing the already crowded, narrow concourses. Expect lines at concessions between periods. Offerings include The Market Grab & Go where you can get cans of beer and chips. Caraglio’s Pizza sells pizza slices for $6.50 - $7. The alcoves have Fingers & Fries – chicken baskets and buckets and sandwiches ranging from $10.50 - $20 and Burgers & Dogs burgers, veggie burgers, red and white hot dogs, and baskets with fries for $6 - $13.75. Roc City Dips ice cream (floats, sundaes, cones, or dishes) is very popular , with various servings and flavors from $5 - $8. Other snacks at concession stands include peanuts, candy, funnel cake, and pretzels ($5 - $9). Soft drinks are Pepsi products, water, and Gatorade ($4 - $5.50). Beers run $11 for a large domestic draft and $12 for a large craft draft. The local Rohrbach Brewery sells five of its brews at the arena. If you like IPAs, A Different Animal is a good choice at $12/$12.75 in a can. Genesee Brewing and Labatt each have counters on the concourse. Atmosphere 4 Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial provides a superb game day experience while also honoring our military veterans. Banners of all the military branches hang in the huge, bright entrance lobby, which is surrounded by two-story glass windows. The box office is inside the lobby. The centerpiece of the atrium has remained from the previous iteration of the Knighthawks, that being the large bronze statue of a traditional Indigenous lacrosse player entitled “For the Love of the Game.” It is a wonderful reminder of the roots of lacrosse. Lacrosse Statue at Blue Cross Arena, Photo by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey The arena’s seating sections are two levels of blue cushioned seats with a walkway between the two levels. The seats are average width and have average legroom. Suites are above the second level; a few are over the goal at one end. The first level rows go up to letter Q. Two corners have spots with a few high-top tables and chairs where fans can perch and watch the game. A perfect-sized crisp, clear video board shows time, goals, shots, penalties, and game action. No closed captioning. Oddly, the video board is not over the center line. It turns out that it needs to rise into the ceiling for concerts, and that section of the ceiling is the only structurally sound place to store it. The game day operations pump smoke out of the video board after a Knighthawks goal. Box lacrosse is a very fast-paced, high-energy game. Music is played the entire game but not so loud that you need to wear earplugs. During the introductions, players run out between neon green poles through a billow of smoke. An emcee successfully encourages fans to get involved and cheer on the team throughout the game. It’s usually a high-scoring game which seems funny to me with the teams having a huge goaltender protecting the little itty bitty goal. Rochester Knighthawks Goaltender, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The game day staff facilitate silly, harmless games during breaks, like a hot dog race. The players circle the court after the game to show their appreciation to the fans. The arena is the perfect size for box lacrosse; it’s not too big. Neighborhood 4 Blue Cross Arena is in downtown Rochester, NY along the Genesee River. As of this writing, the city of Rochester is looking to rejuvenate the downtown area by adding a riverwalk along the river that will include green space and benches, and an enhanced walkway. I expect it to be lovely when complete. For now, though, it is a bunch of annoying construction. Recommended restaurants in the area are The Distillery (sports bar), Dinosaur B-B-Q, and The Exchange (sports bar and nightlife). Plenty of others are nearby and within walking distance. Rochester has over 20 breweries. The closest to the arena are Fifth Frame Brewery and Swiftwater Brewing. You can’t go wrong with Rohrbach Brewing or Genesee Brewing either. If you’re spending a few days around the holidays, check out Roc Holiday Village (a winter wonderland). Other notable indoor things to see are the Susan B . Anthony House and Museum, Rochester Museum and Science Center, and the Strong National Museum of Play (good for kids). Several hotels are within walking distance. The Holiday Inn is just two blocks away. Across the river are the Hyatt and the Hilton Garden Inn (both less than .5 miles from the arena). When in town, check to see if the AHL Rochester Americans are playing. Check the RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) athletics page to see if their hockey team or other sports teams are playing. If you can drive for an hour or an hour and a half, the NHL Buffalo Sabres are a 75-mile drive away. Canisius or Niagara Universities (85+ mile drive) have some D1 sports. And heading east, the AHL Syracuse Crunch is an 87-mile drive, and Syracuse University has some D1 sports, too. Fans 4 Knighthawks fans are glad they still have lacrosse in their city. The arena generally draws 5K – 6K for each lacrosse match. You’ll see plenty of fans decked out in their new Knighthawks jerseys and gear. Several fans wave flags after each Knighthawks goal. They’re loud and proud and on their feet for each goal! Access 3 During the 2022-2023 season, plenty of road construction is nearby the arena. Rochester’s finest police officers direct traffic before and after games, helping with the vehicle and pedestrian flow. The Civic Center Parking Garage at 55 S Fitzhugh St . is .1 miles from the arena and costs $15. The website states you can get to the arena via an underground tunnel which is helpful for those chilly upper NY State winters. Outdoor parking is available at Court Street Municipal Lot 10 (corner of Court St and Exchange St). Rochester has a bus service, even from the airport. For fares and schedules, check RTS . The airport is 5 – 6 miles from Blue Cross Arena. Uber and Lyft are easily available. Once inside, fans walk through a security check (clear plastic sports bags 12” x 6” x 12” are allowed) and walk up a flight of stairs to get to the main concourse. The entrance provides an escalator as well. Return on Investment 5 Single game tickets are $15 - $35 (including Ticketmaster fees). The $15 seats are not in a great location, but it gets you in the door. The team offers Holiday Packs promotions (two tickets, two vouchers for another game, and a scarf for $55). That’s a great deal. Check their website for details. The refreshment prices are lower than major league prices. The game day experience is so enjoyable and stimulating it’s worth attending a match here. . Extras 4 Several additional features are worth noting. Game day staff hand out programs upon entry. It contains mostly ads for sponsors but has the schedule and highlights a specific player. Plan a visit to the museum and veterans memorial. A full merchandise shop is off the lobby with shirts, jerseys, hat pins, banners, pucks, stuffed animals, and trinkets. I bet if you want it, they have it. Finally, the Knighthawks players, team, and organization are highly involved in local youth lacrosse outlets and programs. Final Thoughts With the war memorial, the honoring of all military branches, the return of the Rochester Knighthawks, and the thrilling game of lacrosse, it’s worth a visit! We encourage you to see a game if you haven’t been yet.

Photos by Ryan Norris, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 UC Davis Health Stadium La Rue & Hutchison Davis, CA 95618 UC Davis Aggies website UC Davis Health Stadium website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 10,743 Football in Aggie Land Note: The stadium name changed from Aggie Stadium to UC Davis Health Stadium in 2019. After a string of Division II success, which included national championships in softball, men’s basketball, and men’s and women’s tennis, UC Davis began play as a Division I school in 2007. Corresponding with the move up the division ladder, Aggie Stadium opened up that same year with a capacity of 10,743. The UC system is very academically focused so the movement for a new stadium for the Aggies came as a bit of a surprise. As it is, only 3 of the 10 UC schools field a football team. I’d imagine the reason is two fold; one, the expensive nature of a football program and two, the lack of college football passion compared to schools in the Midwest or the South. While the other UC schools (Cal and UCLA) compete in the FBS’ PAC-12, the Aggies compete in the FCS subdivision. UC Davis competes in the Big Sky Conference with Causeway Classic rivals Sacramento State for football only. For most other sports they compete in the Big West Conference. The field is named after former head coach and College Football Hall of Famer Jim Sochor. Their current coach Bob Biggs will retire at the end of the 2012 season, his 20th as the head football coach. Food & Beverage 4 Aggie Stadium has two main concession stands, one above each sideline grandstand. At these stands you have a decent selection that includes: hot dogs ($4.50), Polish dogs ($5.50), hot links ($5.50), pretzel w/cheese ($4.75), nachos ($4.50), and burritos ($5.50) w/meat ($6.50). Snacks include churro, popcorn, and boxed candy ($3). Bottled water is $3 and a souvenir soda is $6, refills just $3. I ate at Star Ginger, a Vietnamese food truck, parked inside Aggie Stadium. They have a variety of rice bowls for $7 and Banh Mi, traditional Vietnamese sandwiches, for $6. I don’t know if Star Ginger is there every week or if others come and go in their stead but it’s clear that food trucks are wildly popular in California. There are food festivals dedicated solely to food trucks and I’ve seen them pop-up at sporting events, including San Jose Earthquakes and Stanford Cardinal games. Atmosphere 4 Aggie Stadium has simple, stream-lined seating for football games, each side a mirror image of the other. There are two bleacher sections on the sidelines. One side hosts the Aggie Band, the Aggie Pack, and the visiting fans. The other side consists of some general admission seats alongside the premium seats. All seating is accessible by going down to either your seat or a grassy area. Eventually the plan is to expand Aggie Stadium to 30,000 seats by filling in the grassy knolls and to add to upper deck seating. Personally, I love the look of the small, aesthetically pleasing stadium and wonder if they can really triple the size without having too many empty seats. Since there isn’t a grandstand to block your view, you can see the surrounding agriculture, as well as the UC Davis water tower. Neighborhood 4 The UC Davis campus butts up against the downtown Davis neighborhood. This area is a vibrant mix of students and families and visitors should take advantage of the atmosphere that the neighborhood provides. Popular restaurants downtown are Froggy’s Grill, Woodstock’s Pizza, and Burgers and Brew. The best place for a pregame beer is The Grad. It’s your typical college-town sports bar with plenty of TVs, 50 plus beers on tap, and a full kitchen. All this within staggering distance to the front gates. Microbrew enthusiasts take note that there is indeed a brewery in Davis serving up some suds. Sudwerk is a brewery that creates their own versions of traditional German-style beers while still providing some of the California staples like pale ales and IPAs. A farmer’s market is held year-round, rain or shine, on Saturdays at Central Park. Davis is a well-known bicycle paradise; heck, a bicycle is even in their town logo . Davis is also the home to the US Bicycling Hall of Fame and has plenty of bike lanes. There were over 1,000 bike parking spots outside Aggie Stadium, all of them in use. Fans 3 The Aggie faithful were certainly into the game throughout, albeit laid back. In my eyes, there were two strange things about the seating. First, and funny to me, was the huge crowds that chose to pass on their seats and sit in the shadow of the scoreboard on the hot day. The shadow was completely covered by fans. Second, was the empty seating section between the band and the student section, near midfield. These were the two most boisterous sections in the stadium and it was odd that they were separated from each other by an empty section. Kids are certainly welcome at Aggie Stadium as it was a very family-friendly feel. Many of the kids chose to roll down the hills over and over again, at either end of the stadium. There was no notable drinking or swearing and that would make any family feel welcome. Still, at 80 percent capacity, I wonder if their expansion plans make any sense. Granted, I’d imagine they would draw better against Cal Poly or Sacramento State than the Portland State Vikings, whom I saw. Access 5 The UC Davis campus is located conveniently off of highway 80, 15 miles west of Sacramento and 75 miles east of San Francisco. Getting there isn’t difficult but you should certainly expect significant traffic during peak hours after work. Downtown Davis is easy to get around for first-timers as many of the streets progress numerically and alphabetically, so you never feel like you’re unsure of your location. There is a local bus service, UniTrans, operated by UC Davis that services much of the city and all of the campus. Buses are driven by university students and cater to the inevitably odd schedules of college students. Beyond the local buses, there is also an Amtrak stop that stops downtown. This train goes through Sacramento with bus connections that can take passengers as far as Tahoe and Reno. Going the other direction, the “Capitol Corridor” train passes through Berkeley, Oakland, and San Jose, with connections to San Francisco. There’s one designated parking lot on a grass field outside the stadium but you can park at most of the UC Davis parking lots (don’t park in residential lots!) for free on weekends. Make sure to check for signs in case there is a dual event at the Mondavi Center. I parked at the UC Davis Health and Wellness Center for free (you must pay during the week) and walked the ten minutes to Aggie Stadium. Getting around once inside Aggie Stadium is a breeze. There are plenty of restrooms and the concession and merchandise stands are well staffed and lines move quickly. Getting to your seat is easy since the sections are a bit narrow, thus plenty of staircases to access. I appreciate that since you don’t have to walk over a bunch of people to get to your seat. They seem to be well set up to expand, whenever that may be. Return on Investment 3 General admission tickets start at $15 and jump to $25 for premium general admission, closer to midfield. Concessions aren’t unreasonable and you can park for free if you look. Unfortunately, the UC Davis football team has been pretty poor during the 2012 season and the product on the field isn’t the best. That being said, a day game at Aggie Stadium is delightful. I’d love to make it back for a Causeway Classic matchup. Extras 1 The Tavernetti Bell is outside of the main gate to Aggie Stadium. It is named after Thomas Tavernetti and is rung after every Davis victory. Due to the newness of Aggie Stadium there isn’t much in the way of historical significance but they do have a wall listing all the top athletic donors and a UC Davis Fire Department fire truck in stadium, belonging to the Aggie Pack. A couple firefighters were atop the truck, checking out the game. Final Thoughts I have to believe that Aggie Stadium is one of the finer venues in the FCS and is certainly worth checking out.

Black College Football: The Game that Time Forgot is an appreciation of HBCU football and all that makes it special. Carlos Lock, the author of the book, grew up in Jackson, Mississippi as a devoted fan of the Jackson State University Tigers. He attended his first Tigers game at the age of eight and fondly remembers watching Jerry Rice, Lewis Tillman, and Steve McNair coming to play at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. He hardly ever missed a game in his youth, as he sold football programs to the fans every weekend to earn his way into the stadium. Lock shares his early appreciation of music by listening to the Sonic Boom of the South, one of the top school bands at the HBCU level. One of his first “away” games was a trip to Grambling with his dad. He recounts his amazement at being at a game where the legendary Eddie Robinson was coaching him. He heard his name for his whole life, but seeing Robinson on the sidelines in person was a magical moment. Later in his life, Locke was serving in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Hood. One weekend he and a young lady attended a Cotton Bowl Classic game featuring Prairie View A&M and Southern University, his fourth and fifth HBCU teams he has seen play. It was love at first sight, as the couple fell in love with the two teams on the playing field, as well as with each other. They got married the next year… thanks to HBCU football.  The author then attended college at Hampton University in Virginia. He never missed a home game during that time, as the Pirates moved from the CIAA to the MEAC. This introduced him to two new HBCU-affiliated conferences and many more HBCU teams. After his time in the service ended, Locke began to expand on his visits to HBCU campus-based football games. He recalls watching Steve “Air” McNair during his days at Alcorn State University and Jerry Rice when he played for Mississippi Valley State University. In more recent years, the author has attended numerous Classics games. Classics games are typically a one-time meeting between two HBCU schools that have never played each other, as they typically play in different leagues. These classics are often put together by promoters in larger cities that are anxious to pair up two “name” schools for a game. It also brings awareness and notoriety to the two competing schools. Lock remembers the Whitney Young Classic in 1971 vividly, not because it matched up Morgan State University against Grambling, but because it was played in Yankee Stadium, one of the most famous sports venues in the country. He recounts numerous other classics he has attended, and as more of them are scheduled, he begins to see that they often match up with very unevenly matched squads. He feels that this expansion of the concept has watered down the contests from “unforgettable” to very mundane affairs. This later chapter leads us to the title of Lock’s book. We’ve talked about the excitement, the great matchups, the iconic players and coaches… so why “ The Game that Time   Forgot ”? The author sees that many of the things that made Black College football unique and special have been lost over time. We’ve already discussed the overuse of the word “Classic”. A second issue, ironically, is the integration of colleges and universities following desegregation during the Civil Rights era. Great African American players in the 1950s and 1960s had no choice but to attend HBCU schools, so the quality of football played at the HBCUs was top-notch. Once state schools started to integrate, they lost these star players to the bigger NCAA schools. Another point made is that the general exposure and awareness of HBCU schools went down, as black professional football players of the 1950s-1960s would always have their alma mater’s listed in their bio. Suddenly, players were attending larger integrated schools where their football skills would be recognized by pro scouts and professional football fans much quicker. The lack of a major television contract has had a major negative impact on football teams at HBCU schools. The TV networks each have large TV contracts with each of the major football conferences, bringing millions of dollars in revenue to member schools. However, outside of the Celebration Bowl, there are very few national telecasts of HBCU games. This heavily impacts the HBCU’s financial revenues, which are already tight to begin with. Obviously, with less exposure on TV, and less revenue from sports, it is difficult for HBCU schools to offer as many scholarships as possible to promising players. The facilities, such as the stadiums, training rooms, and locker rooms don’t have all the bells and whistles the major colleges can offer due to the limited financial resources. The author offers several suggestions on how Black College Football can return to its glory years. One of his first suggestions is to redevelop a Black National Championship competition or playoff. Right now, most HBCUs play at the FCS level of Division I NCAA Football. The FCS level of competition offers a 24-team playoff series at the end of the season. However, the MEAC and the SWAC choose to link their conference champions to the Celebration Bowl, a single game that is seen as the Black College Championship Game. This results in no HBCU schools getting the exposure and recognition offered by the FCA Championship Playoffs. This also leaves both the SIAC and CIAA teams totally out of consideration as the Black College National Football Champion. He suggests how a playoff system for HBCU football programs would work and names cities that have a large media presence that could serve as a permanent host for the title game. Another suggestion is to elevate the level of coaching at the HBCU level to create stronger teams. It has always been difficult for qualified black assistant coaches to get head coaching jobs in the NFL. Lock suggests that making college head coaching jobs at HBCUs more attractive is one way for promising assistant coaches to move to the head coaching position at HBCU member schools. Finally, former pro football players from HBCUs could become much more involved in recruiting players to attend and play football at their alma mater’s. Carlos Lock has written a very thought-provoking book that celebrates the great heritage black college football has brought to HBCUs in the past while suggesting some changes that will bring back some of the prestige the games have lost over the past few years.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.71 Mercedes-Benz Stadium 1 AMB Dr Atlanta, GA 30313 Peach Bowl website Mercedes-Benz Stadium website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 75,000 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl – Mercedes-Benz Stadium Originally played at Georgia Tech’s Historic Grant Field, today more commonly known as Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field , the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl has upgraded its home as Atlanta has built newer venues – the game was previously played at Atlanta’s Fulton County Stadium and in the Georgia Dome, but has now moved to its current residence, Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Chick-fil-A and the Peach Bowl appear to be the perfect marriage of bowl and corporate sponsorship. Having sponsored the bowl since 1997, the two have the longest corporate partnership of any bowl game. The stability of the chicken sandwich magnate’s backing has helped the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl establish itself as one of the premier bowl games in the New Year’s Six rotation.   Food & Beverage   5 When Mercedes-Benz Stadium initially opened, a priority was put on providing fans with a wide variety of concessions at the lowest prices possible. $20 can get fans all the following: a chicken tender basket with fries, a hot dog, a slice of pizza, pretzel, bag of popcorn, nachos with cheese, and a refillable Coca-Cola product. Wanting a bit more? Beer and a hot dog will set you back just $7. Mercedes-Benz Stadium also gives fans what seems like an endless selection of high-end food options. There are nearly 35 different concession stands and more than 25 bars throughout; choices run the gamut from Asian, BBQ, Jamaican, specialty burgers, pizza, and even vegan options, just to name a few. In addition, fans have the chance to experience several local and regional eateries all in one place – this includes Southern-Korean-Mexican infusion dishes at SO:KO:ME, Williamson Brothers BBQ, burgers from the legendary Holman & Finch and Farm Burger, and Papi’s Cuban Grill. It would be difficult to ask for more when it comes to stadium concessions; Mercedes-Benz Stadium delivers on both by providing a wide variety of options at extremely reasonable prices. Atmosphere   5 Starting in 2024, the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl will be contractually tied to the College Football Playoff for at least the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Beyond that it is impossible to fathom the bowl not being part of the playoff at some level. The Southeast has an obsessive nature about itself when it comes to college football, and the region without a bowl game of the magnitude of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl just does not seem right. As host of a neutral site matchup, the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl does an outstanding job at working both fanbases up into a near craze leading up to kickoff. Big plays on both sides of the ball are followed with scoreboard graphics to excite fans, as well as neutral calls for fans to “Get Loud” during pivotal plays. Going forward, the bowl’s importance in crowning a national champion will only magnify an already electric atmosphere, with both sets of fans fervently hoping to advance to the next round.   Neighborhood   5 Atlanta has become the self-proclaimed “Capital of College Football”, and with good reason. From the Aflac Kickoff, the College Football Playoff, having twice been awarded the College Football National Championship Game, and being the home of the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, college football has definitely found a home in Atlanta. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in the heart of downtown Atlanta, sits behind both State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks , and the Georgia World Congress Center, which hosts the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Fan Fest. The area is also full of bars, restaurants, hotels, and other points of interest to help fans pass the time. Besides the College Football Hall of Fame, just across the street is Centennial Olympic Park, which hosted many events during the 1996 Olympics, and the immediate area boasts many other attractions as well – the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and Atlanta Children’s Museum are all within walking distance of the stadium. The area definitely gives fans a slew of options to check out as part of their Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl experience.   Fans   5 The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl has been one of the most popular bowl games in recent history, selling out 24 of the last 27 games, and at one point having a streak of 17 consecutive sellouts. Only the “Grand Daddy of them All”, the Rose Bowl , surpasses this success at the box office (the Rose Bowl  has contractually sold out every game since 1947). Not that it needs help to increase fan interest, but the role the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl will play in crowning college football’s National Champion will only increase the frenzied level fans will play in the game; both sets of fans show up in droves, and are loud in response to big plays from their teams. The excitement from fans of the victorious team permeates downtown Atlanta, as their celebratory chants echo throughout the hotels, bars, and streets well into the night. For fans without a rooting interest in the game, it is difficult not to get caught up in the passion created by the fanbases – it truly creates a special experience.   Access   4 Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s location in downtown Atlanta can create some hurdles getting to the area. In a city of this size, a bowl game can be one of several events happening around Atlanta that day, which just adds to the traffic issues that already plague the highways and surface streets in the area. Also, adding to the challenge is that there is only so much parking available at the stadium, and it can get expensive. Given these challenges, using Atlanta’s subway system, MARTA, might make the most sense. The availability of MARTA at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport gives fans flying to Atlanta the flexibility of not needing a vehicle to enjoy the attractions and bowl festivities in town. On game day, expect MARTA to be crowded, so the earlier the better if trying to avoid the largest of crowds. The stadium itself is rather easy to navigate during the game, but concourses are a bit narrow throughout, so they do become rather difficult to traverse during breaks between quarters, and especially during halftime. If concessions or a bathroom break is a must, sacrificing some game time can make it a much quicker trip. Bottom line is when bringing so many people to one location, inevitably it will create some headaches that require a bit of patience to deal with. That said, there are ways to help alleviate that impact and make the experience as easy as possible.   Return on Investment   4 When talking about ticket prices for New Year’s Six bowl games, premium games come with premium prices. However, given the role the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl plays in crowning a college football National Champion, there should not be a ton of sticker shock at these prices. Going forward, the starting point of ticket pricing will largely depend on where the game falls in the playoff rotation – expect tickets to start in excess of $100 to get in the door for a quarterfinal, and even higher when the bowl hosts a semi-final match up. The bottom line is, if a fan of college football simply wants to attend a game of such importance, buy tickets early because they will only increase in price once they hit the secondary market. Despite what is likely to be a triple digit price tag, the opportunity to be part of a team winning a national championship might be priceless. Judging the cost of a ticket strictly by face value might be skewed a bit given the magnitude of this game. Extras   5 In partnership with the Georgia Aquarium , discounted tickets are offered as pigskin meets aquatic life for a football-themed aquarium pep rally, which takes place the day before the game. Gameday kicks off with the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Parade presented by Lions Club International. The parade route starts at the intersection of Baker and Centennial Olympic Park Drive, and ends at the front doors of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Fan Fest at the Georgia World Congress Center gives fans an opportunity to take part in promotions, games, pep rallies for each team, and start their pregame festivities before the gates of Mercedes-Benz Stadium open. As college football moves to a 12-team tournament format starting in 2024, the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl will play a significant role annually in crowning college football’s National Champion. At minimum the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl will host a quarterfinal match up each season; 2024 will be one of the quarterfinal games, while 2025 will see the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl play host to one of the two semi-final games. Alumni groups of participating teams commonly host their own events in the days leading up to the game. From pep rallies to bar meetups and tailgate parties the day of the game, fans of each team are sure to find events specific to their program. Final Thoughts The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl is as nearly a perfect bowl experience as you are going to find.  Beyond the game holding National Championship implications, everything leading up to the game makes the experience both memorable and as easy on fans as possible. College football in the south is held in a certain regard that is difficult to match in any other part of the country. The marriage of college football in Atlanta and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl gives fans all they could want in a bowl game – a game with National Championship implications in a first-class stadium, in a location that gives fans from out of town the ability to access hotels, attractions, and the game easily, makes the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl one of the top bowl experiences out there.

Photos by Greg Johnston, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Raymond Field 550 Main St. Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6 Acadia Axemen football website Raymond Field website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 3,000 Home of the Axemen Nestled between various vineyards and the Bay of Fundy in the scenic Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia is the town of Wolfville and Acadia University. With an enrollment of around 3,500 students, Acadia is one of the smaller schools in USports football. However, the football program fields a competitive team almost every season. Their greatest success came in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the Axeman made four Vanier Cup appearances, winning two of them in 1979 & 1981. Since 2005, Acadia has reached the semi-finals five times, losing each match. Food & Beverage 2 There’s not much to get excited about with the food options at Raymond Field. Two concession stands are located underneath the main grandstand. Depending on what you’re craving, you may have to visit both stations. Follow your nose to the grill behind section 4, as scents of hamburgers and hotdogs draw you to the makeshift concession stand. The permanent concession stand has more traditional snack foods including popcorn, candy, and an array of soft drinks, juices, hot chocolate, and coffee, all under $4. For a frosty beverage, a beer garden is set up just beside the grandstand. The garden consists of picnic tables and standing room areas with full view of the game. Beer options are limited to cans of Budweiser, Bud Light, Alexander Keith’s and Okanagan Cider for around $6. Instead of settling for some of these traditional choices, enjoy the farmer’s market next door prior to kickoff. The market offers a variety of food options including breakfast feasts, ethnic favorites, and desserts. In addition, a number of eating and drinking establishments are located within walking distance of the stadium. Atmosphere 2 Raymond Field would be a great place to film a football movie based in the 1960s. The main grandstand is an “old-timer” concrete structure and wood bench seating, with an angled heavy-looking canopy cantilevering over all ten seating rows. The grandstand is only on the west side of the field and is not centered to the field markers. Despite the running track surrounding the field of play, you will be close to the action sitting in the grandstand, as row one is within arms reach of the first runners lane. Additional aluminum stands are located at the corners of the field, but feel isolated from the main atmosphere. No matter where you sit, you’ll have a view of the lone scoreboard. Try not to miss any of the action, no video boards can replay any great play call. Entertainment during lulls in game action is minimal, but still catches your eye. The public announcer has a great voice for the job, with exuberant excitement after a big play; the fight song also blares over the loudspeakers after an Acadia score. Cheerleaders and the mascot, named “Axeman,” attempt to increase the crowd’s energy throughout the game by chanting and throwing out t-shirts. Neighborhood 5 One of the best aspects of an Acadia University game day experience is exploring the town of Wolfville. Raymond Field is located on Main Street on the west side of town with plenty of restaurants and attractions nearby. The stadium is directly across the street from the picturesque campus, and literally next door to a charming downtown. Be sure to set time to stroll down Main Street and visit the many local shops and restaurants. The downtown is only a few blocks long and is easily walkable. Walk down to the visitor center at the east end of town and swing back along the “Rails to Trails” nature trail to learn about the history of the railroad in the valley. Enroute you’ll see an interesting example of adaptive reuse historic preservation, as the old train station now functions as the town’s library. Be sure to check out the delightful farmers market and the many historic homes throughout the town. Couple your stay with “Devour!” a food film festival in late October celebrating cinema, food, and wine culture. Wolfville is the place to be if you are a wine aficionado. Vineyards line Highway 1 offering wine tasting and tours. A wine bus may be the most effective (and safe) way to experience as many wines as you can handle. Annapolis Valley is also known for its apple and pumpkin farms. If attending a game in late October, be sure to check out the Pumpkin Regatta. This annual event is located in Windsor, a half-hour away, and features a parade of gigantic pumpkins decorated and hollowed out to be raced across Lake Pesaquid. Fans 3 Acadia may have small enrollment and is located far from a major city, but the hundreds of local fans have taken an obvious sense of pride in Acadia football. Section 4 is reserved seating for season ticket holders, which is nearly full for every game. Here, you’ll find the most knowledgeable and boisterous Axeman supporters who can be clearly heard all over the field making up chants or hollering at the referees. Crowd sizes range from 1,200 – 2,000 per regular season game. Homecoming can expect a crowd between 2,000-2,500. Access 4 Admire a gorgeous drive through the Annapolis Valley if you’re arriving from Halifax. Make the hour-and-a-half trip in mid October, when the leaves are vibrant in colour with reds, greens, and oranges covering the landscape like a painting. Be sure to keep eyes on the road and depart Highway 101 at the Grand Pre exit. Follow Highway 1 past a number of wineries and B&B’s and you will roll right into downtown. Just past the few blocks of local businesses you’ll clearly see Raymond Field’s goal post and grandstands on your right. Turn into the large free parking lot just past the grandstand. Transit is an option if you’re arriving from as far as Greenwood. Kings Transit provides a bus every two hours for $3.50. Navigating your way to your seats from the parking lot should be straight forward. Sidewalks lead uphill to the main entrance of the multi-functional Acadia Athletic Complex. This facility consists of the school’s fitness centre and hosts a number of Acadia sporting events, including basketball, hockey, track & field, and swimming. The box office greets you as you enter through the building’s atrium. After receiving your ticket, follow the crowd to the only patron entrance into Raymond Field. On the way you’ll pass a campus store and the Acadia Sports Hall-of-Fame before security checks bags and tickets are scanned. You likely have a general admission (GA) ticket, unless you’re a season ticket holder. A GA ticket allows you a seat in sections 1-3 in the permanent grandstand (close to concessions and the washrooms) or any of the temporary metal bleachers set up near the end zone. A barrier free ramp leads to the grandstand’s accessible seating row located on the first row behind the visitor’s bench. Early-bird fans gravitated to the last row of the grandstand which provides the best overview of the field, back support from the canopy structure, and wind protection. Return on Investment 3 Acadia keeps their fan experience very simple. You won’t find pyrotechnics or a live marching band here. But you will experience a comfortable place to watch a college football game. Single game tickets can be purchased at Raymond Field’s box office, by phone, or on-line. Season tickets are available for $35. Acadia football provides a good experience for an afternoon family outing. Since young, future Acadia football stars can sometimes lose focus on the game, a bouncing castle is set up at the corner of the endzone to expel excess energy while you continue to enjoy the action. Extras 2 An extra point for grilling their hot dogs and hamburgers on site. The smell of barbecued meat draws you in for a tasty bite! An extra point for Acadia Hall-of-Fame open to all ticket holders. The old photographs and trophies tell a rich history of Axeman Sports. Final Thoughts Spending a full day or weekend in Wolfville is well worth your time during late summer or early fall. A wide range of sights, sounds, and activities fulfill all the senses for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Implementing a football game at Raymond Field to your agenda will satisfy any sports fan knowing how consistently competitive the team is. Overall, the fan experience is simple, welcoming, enjoyable, and not at all overwhelming…just like the town of Wolfville.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Grand Park Events Center 19000 Grand Park Blvd Westfield, IN 46074 Indy AlleyCats website Grand Park Events Center website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 1,000 An Ultimate Indoor Experience The Indy AlleyCats are members of the United Frisbee Association, formerly the American Ultimate Disc League, and play home games out of the Grand Park Events Center in Westfield, Indiana. The building is the centerpiece of the Grand Park Sports Complex. It features 26 baseball and softball diamonds and 31 multipurpose fields for soccer, football, and lacrosse spread out over 400 acres 20 miles north of downtown Indianapolis. What makes the GPEC unique is that it is the only indoor facility in the 24-team UFA and offers plenty of benefits that include protection from cold and rainy days,  an indoor control climate, a full-service restaurant, and alcoholic beverages to sip during the game. The AlleyCats have been mainstays in the league since 2013 and have posted only two losing seasons in its history. To the discerning eye, the sport of ultimate disc should be easy to follow, understandable, and enjoyable to watch, and to its burgeoning fan base of supporters, the next big step in spreading the game to further regions of North America. The sport has a little bit of everything: high scores, quick and short passes, turnovers, close plays, and extraordinary leaps toward the heavens to pull down a disc for a score. During the spring and summer time, it may be a nice distraction from the usual sporting events taking place in town. Food & Beverage 3 The GPEC offers two areas for food and drink. A full-service restaurant is located on the top level and overlooks one end of the field offering 12 taps of craft and domestic beers, plus plenty more in cans. While the concession stand downstairs offers an array of snacks. Grand Parks Event Center Restaurant, Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey The beers range from local varieties from Grand Junction, Sun King, People’s, and Three Floyd’s. The beer prices are $9 a pint. There is also a list of cider, hard lemonade, wine, and spirits available. Downstairs is a small concession stand that offers nachos, hot dogs, pretzels, candy, chips,  and sodas. Pepsi products are also served at the concession stand. The prices range between $3.50 to $5; a nice price to grab a snack during the game and save an appetite for dinner somewhere else afterward. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere of the game is connected heavily to the action on the field. The majority of the fans are part of the ultimate community and will shout out to specific players on the field who are most likely friends or family members. GPEC includes three soccer fields and the Cats use the middle field where there is bleacher seating on one side, up above the field of play. There are 8 rows of aluminum bleacher seats that put fans up close to the action and offer a nice view of the field except the first few rows that are obstructed by the wire guard rails. The team’s merchandise is located at the corner of the concourse and displays a wide variety of merchandise that includes caps, t-shirts, hoodies, gloves, discs, and scarves. The shirts are displayed on mannequins and there are about 5 to 6 different styles of caps. The team's MC gets the crowd hyped during the game engaging with fans, offering prizes to young fans, and reminding them to cheer during pivotal times of the games. After each score, two young fans march up and down the sidelines waving team flags colored in green and white. Neighborhood 4 Grand Park is located 20 miles north of downtown Indianapolis in the suburb of Westfield, a sprawling community that has grown quite gradually in recent years. Grand Park is located near a collection of chain restaurants, hotels, and local restaurants and establishments. Just outside the complex are Portillo's and Noble Roman’s, two local establishments with numerous locations throughout the state. Visitors can enjoy craft beers, pizza, and pub food. A little further down the road are smaller places that are noteworthy: Chiba Indy (sushi), Rail (farm to table), and Grand Junction Brewing Company. Two personal favorites include Wine & Vine and The Mash House & West Fork Whiskey Company offers bourbon, and farm-fresh ingredients in an aesthetically pleasing setting. Wine & Vine is a combo winery and brewery with outdoor seating and pleasant views. The best for entertainment may still be downtown Indianapolis, a short 30-minute drive south. Options include the Indiana State Museum, Children’s Museum, Canal Walk  Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, and the neighborhoods of Mass Ave, Broad Ripple, and Fountain Square. Fans 3 Most fans are very knowledgeable about the sport and most likely are connected with the team or the sport itself. It makes for an interesting visit as one can gather a lot of information from the mouths of many in their seats. The crowd is fixed to the game and the only objective that matters is a win by the Cats. Access 4 Grand Park Events Center is 20 miles north of Indianapolis but access is super simple via automobile. The highways leading up the complex are designed with roundabouts and underpasses to keep traffic flowing towards the facility. Once inside, there are two sets of staircases in the lobby that lead visitors to the seating area. Return on Investment 3 A single ticket is $11 and concession options are around $5, a very reasonable price to take in a game of Ultimate under climate control conditions. The restaurant has affordable dinner options and 12 draft options are available for $9. There is also a beer of the month available for $5. There is no fee for parking. Extras 2 The Alley Cats have some of the best merchandise in the league. It is of high quality and some of the shirts and caps feature some great designs for fashionable fans. The Grand Park Events Center receives another point for being the only indoor venue in the league. It might affect the game for the players in some regards, but fans are comfortable and do not have to second guess attending a scheduled contest under gloomy, wet, or cold conditions. A final point is awarded for the team's MC who hypes and engages the crowd during games. The action on the field is enough for many of the fans, but he adds a little flare to the proceedings. There is also a DJ who plays familiar songs with a different beat. Final Thoughts The Grand Park Events Center is the only indoor venue in the league. However, the place could use a little more logo placement to give the venue a true home feeling. Also, being indoors ensures that all games can be attended by fans under comfortable conditions. The UFA is an exciting sport to watch and from my standpoint after watching multiple games, didn’t seem too different underneath the roof. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter   @ballparkhunter   and his   YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Richard Smith Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Wilmington University Athletics Complex 1365 Pulaski Highway Newark, DE 19702 Wilmington Wildcats website Wilmington University Athletics Complex website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 1,000 Wildcats In Delaware Wilmington University was founded in 1968 as Wilmington College. It became a university in 2007. Their main campus is located in New Castle, DE but classes are also held in Brandywine, Middletown, Dover, Dover Air Force Base, and Georgetown, DE, as well as one Maryland location and five New Jersey locations. Plans are also underway for a new large campus just north of Wilmington. Wilmington University’s athletic teams are known as the Wildcats and compete in NCAA Division II within the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference for all sports. The university’s men’s baseball team was named NCAA Division II East Regional champions in 2015 while the men’s golf team earned an NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Super Regional title in both 2012 and 2015. The university’s cheerleading team was named the Universal Cheerleading Association’s national champions for five consecutive years between 2012 and 2016. Some of the school’s sports teams play here at the Wilmington University Athletic Complex in Bear, Delaware. It was opened in 2013 and is home to the men’s and women’s basketball and soccer teams as well as the women’s lacrosse and volleyball teams. Food & Beverage 1 There is no concession stand here at the complex. But I am awarding a point since there are times when other Wilmington sports teams sell hot dogs and other items at halftime in the lobby to raise money. Hot dogs for a dollar is never a bad idea. There is also a well-priced soda and snack machine in the small north lobby. Atmosphere 3 This is a small gym that is very reminiscent of a high school gym. Because of the small size, it can get loud pretty quickly depending on the game's action. There is a small simple grandstand on the main side of the court, with a smaller student section behind the benches. Wilmington has a very strong cheerleading program, as well as a decent dance squad that entertains the small crowd. Neighborhood 3 Bear is a suburban location along a stretch of US Route 40 in Delaware. There is no real town that can be found. That means it will not be an exciting area to visit, but there will be many options for food and drink pre and post-game. The sports complex is not close to the main part of campus. Stewarts Brewing Company is a very good local brewpub located a mile or so away at the Governor’s Square Shopping Center. There are a few other options in this area. Longhorn Steakhouse may be the closest actual option to the sports complex. Fans 2 As with most small college gyms, the bulk of the fans tends to be family or friends of both teams. There will be some local fans who just happen to stop by for the game as well. The fans are very knowledgeable and can be quite loud. Student attendance at games will always be an issue as the university has so many scattered locations and is often thought of as a commuter school. Access 4 The sports complex is easy to reach and is only a couple miles off of Interstate 95. You may have to pay some tolls, although locals will know how to avoid them as much as possible. There is a decent size parking lot for the complex. There are two entrances to the arena. The one to the left is the best as it has a small room with the school’s All-Americans on display. Return on Investment 4 You are not going to be watching the highest level of basketball competition, but the cost is about the best you can find. That’s right, there is no admission cost. Combine that with free parking, and you have a pretty great night out. Extras 2 The All-American display is nice and is worth a few minutes of your time. Depending on the time of year and season, one should also see if any games are going on at the outdoor soccer and lacrosse complex. There is a small grandstand and the field looks quite nicely designed. Final Thoughts Wilmington University has a very nice sports complex with a small but nicely designed gym. The level of competition is fairly low, but with no cost of admission, a sports fan will want to make some time to visit if in the area.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Salt River Fields at Talking Stick 7555 N Pima Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85258 Colorado Rockies Spring Training website Salt River Fields at Talking Stick website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 11,000 Rox in the Desert The Colorado Rockies play their spring ball at the beautiful Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. It is shared with the Arizona Diamondbacks and celebrated its 10th season in 2021. The Rockies first spring training home was at Hi-Corbett Field in Tucson, AZ from 1993 – 2011. Salt River Fields is the first MLB spring training park built on Native American Indian land. Its design uses Native American influence and regional desert architecture and landscaping. Visitors witness picturesque views of Camelback, McDowell, Superstition, and other mountains as they walk the complex area and stadium. It’s an impressive facility, and the Rockies fans and organization are proud to call it their spring training home. Food & Beverage 5 Visitors to Salt River Fields will find a host of food and beverage offerings to indulge in. Permanent concessions (all cashless now) line the infield concourse with a few more on the center field concourse. The menus do not change based on the home team (Rockies/Dbacks). The Show is known for the Shea Burger Basket (burger with cheese and bacon and a side of fries – $15.50) or the yummy Bee Line Chicken Club Basket on a pretzel bun. Rte 101 Pizza sells flatbread pizza and Southwestern chicken salad. Cattle 101 offers premium Mile High burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches. Center field concessions include Cold Stone Creamery, Verde Grille Burgers, and an offering of tantalizing Dominican fare at a Yanikeke food truck. A unique food cart on the third base concourse sells gourmet ostrich, elk, rattlesnake, beef, and vegan hot dogs ($12). Delicious aromas from kiosks marketing kettle corn, lemonade, standard hot dogs, sausages, and brats permeate throughout the concourse. Mustache Pretzels and Chick-fil-A also have a presence. Party decks Ultra Terrace and Salty Senorita (margaritas, nachos, and chips & salsa) occupy areas down each baseline. Salty Senorita at Salt River Fields, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Fans looking for adult beverages will find a vast number of beer carts and vendors selling canned domestic and craft beers, and seltzers ($14 – $15.50). Home Plate Bar sells cocktails; other stalls provide adult frozen cocktails and smoothies in various bright fruit flavors. The Casino Arizona Bar in center field offers cocktails, TV screens turned to sporting events, indoor and outdoor seating, and air conditioning. Pepsi brands are the soda of choice at SRFs ($6 – $7.50). Bottled water costs $5. Atmosphere 5 Beautiful Southwestern landscaping adorns the facility both inside and outside. It includes cactus gardens, desert terrain, scrubby hardy bushes, and lots of rocks which are all very attractive together. The structure fits in well with its surroundings and the environment. The design incorporates a traditional Native American ramada shade to shield fans from the hot Arizona sun. Green fold-down seats are plenty wide, have cup holders and legroom is superb at Salt River Fields. Sections 112 and 212 are directly behind home plate. Thin nets run to the ends of the dugouts; only the last few sections are net free. The infield, especially behind home plate and the 200 level, gets shade the entire game. Handy drink rails are on concourse columns and the top of some seating sections. Fans enter from the top of the concourse and descend to the seating area (handrails are available), a small walkway is between the 100 and 200 levels. The grassy berm in the outfield is a popular seating choice for many families and visitors who spread out to enjoy the sun and the delightful sounds of a baseball game. Peddlers sell drinks and snacks in the berm areas. The music level isn’t loud and fans can have conversations easily without yelling over the music; though sometimes it is played over the PA, which is common, but still baffling. Bobby Freeman, the long-time organist for the Arizona Diamondbacks, makes his presence at some Rockies spring training games serenading fans with long ago forgotten organ music. Unfortunately, the team no longer provides handouts of starting lineups and rosters; instead, staff tapes them to an information table. However, the organization installed a new and improved scoreboard on the left field grassy berm several years ago. It conveniently provides the lineup, current pitcher and batter names, line score, some video, between inning entertainment, etc. Based on your long-distance vision and where you sit, you may still need to pull out binoculars to read it. Neighborhood 4 If you do nothing else when spending time in Scottsdale, visit the USS Arizona Memorial Gardens right across Salt River Fields’ home plate parking lot. It is a memorial to and reminder of the WWII Dec 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and remembrance to those soldiers who served and gave their lives. Columns of light form the outline of the battleship which illuminates at twilight. The stadium is next to The Pavilions at Talking Stick shopping center. Plenty of chain restaurants and places before or after a Rockies game are within the shopping area: Buffalo Wild Wings (wings and beer), Angry Crab Shack (seafood), Blazin’ Mongolian BBQ (Asian – create your own stir fry), Red Robin (burgers), Filiberto’s (Mexican), and more. Fast food chains such as McDonald’s, Chipotle, Blimpies, Arby’s, and Pizza dot the shopping area. The TapHouse Kitchen is 3 ½ miles from the ballpark and offers craft beers, cocktails, and diverse and delicious food dishes. We also recommend Grassroots Kitchen & Tap , another local restaurant that provides mouth-watering food and drinks about a mile from the ballpark. An escape room, indoor skydiving, and one of those movie theaters that serve gourmet movie fare are other entertainment found in The Pavilions. Several golf courses are within a few miles as is the Butterfly Wonderland, America’s largest butterfly atrium. Besides butterflies, it has a 3D theater and various insect displays. The Talking Stick Resort and Casino is just across the Loop 101, less than a three-mile drive from the ballpark. A Great Wolf Lodge (and water park) is across the parking lot. More affordable lodging is at a Staybridge Hotel , walking distance (less than 1/2 mile) from Salt River Fields. A Hampton Inn & Suites is across the Loop 101 (near the casino). Keep in mind, lodging costs double during spring training. For other sports in the area, visit the Arizona Diamondbacks spring training another day and other East Valley spring training stadiums: Scottsdale Stadium (SF Giants), Sloan Park (Chicago Cubs), Tempe Diablo (Los Angeles Angels, and Hohokam Stadium (Oakland Athletics). A trip to Phoenix, AZ and an ASU Sun Devil baseball game is a tad over 10 miles from the ballpark. Fans 4 The Rockies fans come decked out in purple. Although you won’t hear ‘Tulo’ chants anymore, fans generate a great round of applause for current favorite, Charlie Blackman. Before the pandemic, the Rockies averaged greater than 9,000 fans a game at Salt River Fields. While the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 and a shortened season because of the lockout in 2022 caused a downfall in attendance numbers, Rockies fans still make a presence at the ballpark drawing about 6,000 to 8,000 a game. Weekend games draw more than weekday games and more fans visit when the Cubs or Dodgers are the opponents. As with most Cactus League games, fans easily strike up conversations with their neighbors. You’ll see plenty of fans wearing purple spread across the seating areas. And, since it’s such a nice ballpark, many visiting team fans congregate near the visitor’s bullpen and dugout. Access 4 Salt River Fields is located just west of the Loop 101 Pima Fwy at the Indian Bend Rd or the Via De Ventura exits. Parking is available in three lots and costs $5, $10, or $25 for valet parking. Attendants driving golf carts bring fans back and forth from the parking areas to the entrances if desired. Give yourself some extra travel time when attending an evening game during the week because of heavier rush hour traffic. If flying in, the closest airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (about 18 miles southwest of the stadium). Public transportation is somewhat available via Valley Metro (mostly bus route 81). Be sure to visit Valley Metro for fare, schedules, and map information. Three gates open an hour before the first pitch. Bags less than 16” x 16” x 8” are allowed. Fans walk through a metal detector and security personnel check bags. It’s painless. The concourse is wide open and visitors see all the playing action while walking it. The ease of moving around the stadium during a game is admirable, though be cautious of uneven step heights when walking up and down the seating aisles. Plenty of ramps are available throughout the complex for those using wheelchairs and strollers. ADA seating lines the top of the grandstand on the concourse. The ballpark provides many sets of clean and serviceable restrooms throughout the entire concourse. Return on Investment 4 As with all spring training facilities, the prices have skyrocketed since days gone by. The Rockies are no exception. Spring training tickets run $15 for berm tickets to $47 for higher priced seats. Add a few bucks more for weekend games and popular opponents like the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs. Food concession prices are high. Nine dollars for a Chick-fil-A sandwich, $8.75 for a Cold Stone Creamery cup, or $15.50 for a beer is more than you’d pay outside the stadium. This is, unfortunately, routine with stadium fare at many sports venues. Five-dollar parking is common at some of the Cactus League venues. Stadium staff offer a free spring training program which is helpful. Sign up for the designated driver program to get a free soda, bring in the two allowed bottles of water, and eat before or after the contest to save a couple of bucks when attending a game. It is a remarkable facility and one that shouldn’t be missed if traveling for spring training in Arizona. Extras 5 Several additional items are worth noting about attending a Dbacks spring training game at Salt River Fields. First, each of the entrances is special, with fountains and sculptures, and the two branded entranceways in the outfield have a Rockies “team concepts” and a Dbacks “historic timeline” lining the respective ramps. Still outside the park are a nature walk around a small fishing lake and a Veterans Circle (honoring Native American veterans). The nature walk incorporates the Keli McGregor Reflection Trail on the west side of the complex. McGregor , a former Colorado Rockies president, was instrumental in the negotiations and agreements of building this new spring training facility and putting the finishing touches on the Rockies segment. Keli McGregor Reflection Trail, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The extras continue once you enter the park. You can peer over the bullpens and watch the pitchers warm up which makes you feel up close and personal with the player (even though you’re really not). The organization provides free SPF 30 sunscreen in two areas in the outfield, a very courteous touch. A popular, free small whiffle ball diamond offering pick-up games for kids is in the right field concourse. An attendant makes sure all kids get a chance to bat and play. Final Thoughts At eleven years old, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick continues to impress both local and visiting spring training fans. The experience at the ballpark is marvelous. Fan comfort is foremost with the shade, the ramps, the legroom, the food choices. If you have not yet been, put it on the list to visit.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Value City Arena at Jerome Schottenstein Center 555 Borror Dr Columbus, OH 43210 Ohio State Buckeyes men’s hockey website Value City Arena at Jerome Schottenstein Center website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 17,500 Buckeyes on Ice Taking the ice for the first time in 1963, the Ohio State Buckeyes began a long, yet not illustrious tenure in College Hockey.  Not a part of the three M’s of College hockey (Michigan, Massachusetts and Minnesota), Ohio State has seen various degrees of success which have culminated in appearances in the Frozen Four in 1998 and 2018.  The Buckeyes have enjoyed conference championships in 1972 and 2019 and tournament championships in 1972 and 2004 while participating in the NCAA tournament ten times.  The Buckeyes were a charter member of the original CCHA conference in 1971 and the Big Ten hockey conference in 2013.  The most accomplished hockey alumnus of Ohio State is Ryan Kesler, who went on to play over 1,000 games in the NHL. The Ohio State hockey team shares its home, Value City Arena @ Jerome Schottenstein Center, with the school's basketball team.  Opened in 1998 and with a capacity of 17,500, Value City Arena is not the most ideal home for Buckeye hockey, but does give the team more of a major league feel playing in a large arena.  The Schott, as it is sometimes referred, is named after Columbus businessman and philanthropist, the late Jerome Schottenstein who helped make the arena possible with a $12.5 million gift.  Schottenstein is known for founding Schottenstein Stores Inc, which operated a number of Value City furniture and department stores.  Ohio State University was founded in 1870 and currently boasts over 60,000 students in Columbus, Ohio. Food & Beverage 4 The Schott does offer a good variety of concession options for fans.  All of the expected arena items can be found along with a number of more unique and upscale items.  Fowl At Play offers a variety of grilled and fried chicken options along with funnel cake fries; Sear and Stack offers gourmet burgers and texas tenderloin; Brutus’ Best offers chimichurri veggie subs, club sandwiches and jalapeno sausage; Ooey Gooey Grilled Cheese offers grilled cheese concoctions; Donato’s Pizza has pizza and sub offerings; and Scarlett Grill has fries and chicken tenders.  The soft drink of choice at Value City Arena is in the Coca-Cola family.  Many stands offer self-serve fountain drink stations, which is fairly unique.  Beer offerings are fairly limited with Coors Light, Michelob Ultra and Modelo being the brands available. Atmosphere 3 The Jerome Schottenstein Center has a large, hulking exterior that makes it look like a major league venue.  The exterior has a mix of brown brick and windows on the entry points with turret-like points on the corners, and a central structure that is covered in grey siding.  The exterior is well kept and attractive. After fans enter the building, they are brought into the main concourse.  The concourse gives fans a bit of a Joe Louis Arena  feel.  The councourses are dominated by painted block walls and bright colours.  There is not much in the way of natural light that enters the councourses and unlike Joe Louis Arena, the concourses are neat and dominated by scarlett, grey and white colors, including on the floors.  Inside the seating bowl, the ice runs from west to east with the perfect spot for the picture of the center ice logo, from the north side.  The seating bowl is two-tiered with a separated lower bowl.  The upper deck is curtained off to give a bit more of an intimate feel to the venue.  The seats in the east end are also covered with a large “Buckeye Hockey”sign. The videoboard at centre ice is decent, but not overly huge and the upper deck fascia features LED ribbon boards and there are videoboards in the upper corners.  The east side of the arena also features the Ohio State hockey banners.  Grouped banners hang for the NCAA Tournament appearances, Frozen Four appearances, CCHA season and tournament championships, and Big Ten Championships.  Individual banners hang for the 2019 Big Ten season championship, 1998 and 2018 Frozen Four and the honoured number of Paul Pooley.  Pooley played 15 games in the NHL and is the Buckeyes leading scorer.  The gameday atmosphere is what one would expect for a college hockey game.  The game that was reviewed was during the winter break and the campus was quiet.  Normally the student section would have a presence and the band would also be a part of the experience.  Clearly the worst part of an Ohio State hockey game is the seating area.  The seats in Value City Arena are cushioned, but low to the ground and very narrow.  For fans who may be above average in height or stature, it is not a comfortable experience at all.  Finding seats that are in a less populated area may be the best idea to be able to spread out. Neighborhood 5 Jerome Schottenstein Center is located on the campus of Ohio State University, in the Olentangy West neighborhood of Columbus.  Columbus is an excellent city to spend some time in and taking in an Ohio State game should be part of it.  There are a number of spots that are not too far from the arena for pre or post game food and drink.  Some options include Brassica in Upper Arlington, The O on Lane, Varsity Club, Bravo, and Mirror Lake Eatery as well as a plethora of national chain restaurants. Columbus is a fantastic place for the sports fan.  Ohio State fields a full complement of college teams including basketball , baseball , and the pride of the state, football at Ohio Stadium .  Other sports options include the Columbus Blue Jackets  of the NHL, Columbus Crew  of MLS and Columbus Clippers  of MiLB.  Other tourist options include the Jack Nicklaus Museum, Arnold Swartzenegger bronze statue, Franklin Park Conservatory, COSI, Ohio State Capital and the German Village.  For fans who wish to stay near The Schott, the SpringHill Suites and Blackwell Inn are close options. Fans 3 Support for Ohio State hockey is decent.  In the 2023 season, the Ohio State Buckeyes averaged 4,500 fans per game, which ranked them 6th in the Big Ten Conference and 16th in the NCAA.  As of this writing, in the 2024 season, the Buckeyes have averaged 5,000 fans per game, which ranks 5th in the Big Ten and 15th in the NCAA.  There is definitely room for improvement, especially since Ohio State boasts one of the largest buildings in the country.  The game that was reviewed was during the winter break and it is assumed that when the students are on campus, their presence is felt and provides for a better ambience.   Access 4 Value City Arena is located on the campus of Ohio State University in the Olentangy West neighbourhood of Columbus.  It is just west of the Olentangy River, north of I-670 and west of I-71.  Highway 315 essentially bisects the campus, so getting to Ohio State is not that difficult.  There is plenty of space available for parking, at a cost, close to the arena.  For fans who desire to take public transit, there are bus stops that run along Olentangy River Road and Lane Ave.  Fans should consult the Central Ohio Transit Authority  website for fares, maps and schedules.  Getting around Schottenstein Center is not too difficult based on the average attendance and the washroom facilities are adequate. Stadium Journey recognizes that security protocols for major sporting events are constantly changing.  Currently, Ohio State uses a “No Bag” Policy.  Stadium Journey encourages all fans to consult the Schottenstein Center  website for the most up to date security procedures and protocols including bag policy and prohibited items. Return on Investment 4 College hockey offers great value for the sporting dollar and Ohio State is no different.  Non-conference game tickets for adults begin at $12 and go up to $20 for adults.  Discounts can be found for students, seniors and children.  Conference and premier games, including Michigan games, top out at $25 and $30 respectively.  Concession prices are about what one would expect.  Parking comes at a price, but it is not exorbitant.  The product on the ice is solid.  The biggest drawback comes down to the lack of comfort in the seats. Extras 3 An extra mark for the rivalry that Ohio State shares with that team up north, even in hockey. An extra mark for the helmets for the Buckeyes, which mimic the helmets of the football team, the same grey with scarlet stripe down the middle. An extra mark for the unique branding of the Buckeyes.  Many outside of Ohio are unaware that a buckeye is actually a chestnut. Final Thoughts Columbus, Ohio is a significantly underrated city to visit.  There is no doubt that one of the centerpieces of Columbus is Ohio State.  Fans should not sleep on Ohio State Buckeyes hockey at Value City Arena @ Schottenstein Center.  It’s a great experience and one that college hockey fans need to consider. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Feyenoord Stadium Vam Zandvlietplein 1, Ijsselmonde Rotterdam 3077 AA, Netherlands Feyenoord Rotterdam website Feyenoord Stadium (De Kuip) website Year Opened: 1937 Capacity: 51,177 Feyenoord Stadium (AKA De Kuip) The Feyenoord Stadion in Rotterdam is one of the most iconic footballing arenas in the whole of Europe. That it is in danger of being demolished should be of concern to all who value such structures over the new and often soulless stadia we’ve seen in recent times. Inaugurated in 1937, the ground is known to all as De Kuip (The bowl) due simply to its attractive curving footprint. It is home to the Dutch footballing giant Feyenoord Rotterdam. Such is the De Kuip’s prestige it has also hosted Dutch national team matches, a European Championship final and many European club finals too. Feyenoord Rotterdam began life as ‘Wilhelina’ became SC Feyenoord before settling on the current name in 1978. They’ve won their domestic league on no fewer than 15 occasions and the KNVB Cup 13 times. In Europe they have also had success, winning the European Cup in 1970 and two UEFA Cup trophies in 1974 and 2002. Whilst plans have been mooted to move away from the De Kuip before, the current iteration, a new 63,000 sports hub on the nearby river bank seems to have traction and could open by 2023. Most Feyenoord fans do not want to leave their current ground, whether they can stop the move seems unlikely. Rotterdam itself is the gritter and tougher sibling of the country’s capital city Amsterdam. Whilst Amsterdam attracts tourists and acclaim from across the world, Rotterdam quietly gets on with its shipping and its finance industries with a stoic outlook, far removed from their ‘flashy’ compatriots up the road. Think Glasgow to Edinburgh or Belfast to Dublin and you get the picture. Food & Beverage 3 The stadium boasts its own restaurant called the Brasserie. Open for drinks or lunches this is an option more if you are visiting on a non-match day as the restaurant closes at 2pm on the day of a game. On match day, on the Olympiatribune side of the ground there are mobile food kiosks selling the usual fayre just outside the stadium itself. Inside, you will need to first purchase your Feyenoord tokens (munts) as the bars do not take cash. These can be bought from a shed within the confines of the stadium, 10 tokens cost 14.50 Euros. A Pepsi will then set you back one token. Heineken Light is served for 1.5 tokens as well as 7-Up, iced tea and Red Bull to name but a few – an impressive array of drink choices! Food wise a small burger cost 2.5 tokens and Kroket (Croquet in a bun) is 2 tokens. Food and Drink Kiosk, Photo by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Atmosphere 4 Raucous and intimidating are two words often used to describe the atmosphere in the De Kuip when it is full. Before kick-off, Feyenoord fans will often reveal tifo style displays and belt out their club anthem. To a certain extent the atmosphere will depend on the competition and opposition. For this visit, a pre-season friendly v Southampton, only 2/3rds full, it was the away fans who made most of the noise. The home fans not particularly pleased with their team’s performance on the day. The ‘bowl’ layout of the stadium and low roof contribute to the noise staying in the ground. The locals normally play their part vocally, no prawn sandwiches and half-time flasks here, Feyenoord fans come to support their team. Due to its shape there are additional ‘temporary’ stands at pitch level on all 4 sides. These ensure supporters are close to the pitch with the main stands themselves a little further back. These stands however are more open to the elements, so you may choose to sit back in the main stands to avoid a soaking. Seats in the main stands are generally tightly packed together with not a lot of leg room. There are scoreboards behind both goals that are not particularly large but display the time and remind you of the latest score line! Neighborhood 3 There is very little of note in the immediate vicinity of the ground. A few restaurants and fast food outlets however have popped up to the north of the stadium such as Hollywood’s, just across the dual carriageway from the ground. This or drinking inside the ground is your main choice locally. For all main amenities therefore, you will need to start and finish your visit in the city centre. The ‘in place’ to eat in Rotterdam is the Market Hall (Markthal). The building itself is a masterpiece of architecture, an arched ‘upside-down’ horseshoe shape with a myriad of market stalls selling foods from across the world. Just wander in and see what takes your fancy! If not head to the Fenix Food Factory if you like your beer, cider and food. You can then jump on a water taxi to the stadium! The central area itself has all the usual museums, cinemas and theatres you’d expect in a modern city. For history lovers, the Pilgrims Fathers Church can be visited, where the intrepid explorers worshipped before setting off on the Speedwell to the USA in July 1620. For stadium enthusiasts you may wish to fit another game in to your trip at the other local clubs Sparta Rotterdam or Excelsior. Tickets are easy to get for either unless it’s a derby match. Excelsior’s ground is to the east of the city and Sparta to the west. Accommodation wise, if you are using the car then the 4* Delta Hotel in Vlaardingen on the north bank of the river has fantastic views and can be booked at a reasonable cost. If not, then any hotel around the central train station would suit. For example, the Grand Hotel Central a 3* hotel is just a few minutes’ walk away. There isn’t a great deal of hotel options near to the stadium, one possibility is the Art Hotel Rotterdam, a 4* which is still a half hour walk away. Fans 4 In the Dutch Eredivisie, Feyenoord’s average attendances are second only to fierce rivals Ajax. Average attendances have fallen in the last few years (16/17 47,500, 17/18 45,588, 18/19 41,771) but the hard core remains as loyal as ever. The main fan group affiliated to the club is ‘The Legioen’ with over 40k members, the equivalent for the young fans ‘Kameraadjes’ has over 25,000 signed up. The club also has a large following from countries across the world. The club anthem is ‘Hand in Hand’ and the fans vocal support comes from all four sides of the ground instead of just one main end that is often the case. Access 4 If you are flying in for a match, use Schiphol (Amsterdam) airport. You can then take a train direct to Rotterdam in just 30 mins. Alternatively, you could fly into Eindhoven. From here you’d need to get a bus (401) to Eindhoven train station then it’s an hour train journey into Rotterdam. Another alternative from France and the UK is to take the Eurostar to Brussels then use a local train from Brussels to Rotterdam which takes around 2 hours. Although the stadium is ‘out of town,’ links from central Rotterdam are good. From Rotterdam Centraal station there are trains to the Rotterdam Stadion which is right opposite the ground. On non-match days, alight at Rotterdam Zuid which is a 20 minute walk to the ground. A cheaper option is to use your match day ticket for free travel on the tram. Jump on the number 23 from right outside Centraal station and be dropped opposite the De Kuip, a stone’s throw from the above-mentioned Hollywood bar. Alternatively, you can use the metro service, bus or even water taxi to get around. The metro was built in 1968 with 5 lines A-E. Take the dark blue ‘E’ line from Centraal station toward the stadium and alight at either Rijnhaven or Maashaven, both are still around a half hour walk from the ground. If you are driving, you can book a parking space at the same time you book your ticket. Car parks around the ground can be expensive…25 Euros being quoted for parking on a piece of waste land just to the northeast of the stadium. Access wise. there is plenty of space around the perimeter of the ground with fans visiting the club shops or grabbing some food from the various food stalls. Signs showing the layout of the whole stadium are on show outside to help you get your bearings. Entry into the stadium is using a bar-coded ticket and like most stadiums these days be prepared to be searched upon entry. Once inside be prepared for lots of stairs! Wheelchair users are given a section behind the dugouts and assistance is available. Return on Investment 3 The Feyenoord online ticket shop should be your first call for obtaining match day tickets. As ever these days, you will need to create an account first. The advice is to book your ticket before travelling, however if the game hasn’t sold out, there will be tickets on sale at the box office on the day of the match. Tickets can obviously also be purchased via third party websites but expect to pay the usual premium. Home match day tickets cost from 38 Euros, the away fans paying as little as 19 Euros (for a friendly). All the usual merchandise is available in the club shops at slightly inflated prices, i.e. a scarf will cost 20 Euros and a cap 15 Euros. For accommodation and food Rotterdam prices are not cheap but the ‘cost of living’ is far lower here than the tourist trap of Amsterdam. A tourist day ticket which allows travel on all the main transport offerings cost €13.50. Alternatively, a Rotterdam Welcome card can be purchased which does the same thing but also offers discounts. Extras 3 The Feyenoord App can be downloaded which provides up to date news and access to tickets and the fan shop. Could only find a version in Dutch however so if it’s not your first language it may not be so helpful! The Feyenoord Museum is only available as part of the Stadium tours , which can be booked in the fan store next to the ground or book in advance over the phone. Prices are from 9.50 Euros with a 1 Euro reduction if purchased online. The match day programme cost just 1.50 Euros and was good value. Two fan shops are located at the corner of the Maastribune and the Willem Van Hanegem Tribunes. Final Thoughts Stadium Journey wholeheartedly recommends a visit to the De Kuip, as soon as you can!

Photos by Meg Minard,, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Laney College Football Field 900 Fallon St Oakland, CA 94607 Map It Oakland Roots SC website Laney College Football Field website Año Abierto: 1962 Capacidad: 5,500 Oakland Roots ¿Crees que los Athletics son el único equipo deportivo en Oakland, CA? Piensa otra vez. Con solo unos pocos años de existencia, Oakland Roots SC atrae grandes multitudes durante la temporada de fútbol. El club es miembro de la USL-C, el segundo nivel de fútbol en los Estados Unidos. Comenzó su notable aventura en 2019 como miembro de NISA (Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Independiente) y se mudó a la USL-C en 2021. Los empresarios de Oakland que se enorgullecen de pertenecer a la comunidad de Oakland son dueños de The Roots. Los camiones de comida son todos locales; los artistas de Oakland realizan entretenimiento previo al partido. Los socios de los pubs de los partidos fuera de casa son los bares comunitarios y las tabernas. Todo es bastante impresionante. Los propietarios y la comunidad deben estar orgullosos de su equipo y organización. Oakland Roots SC juega sus partidos de local en el campo de fútbol de Laney College. El colegio es un colegio comunitario público cerca de Lake Merritt y tiene una reputación de diversidad y capacitación técnica de alta calidad. Food & Beverage / Bebida y Alimenticia 4 Las opciones de comida son increíbles. Los camiones locale de comida deliciosa cierran la calle 10th Street. Algunas de las tarifas que se ofrecen son: Mediterránea (giros, arroces y ensaladas) Pupusas, Nachos, Tacos (Guatemaltecas y Mexicanas) Coolinaria (mexicano contemporáneo con ingredientes de origen local) Munchiez (comida reconfortante y dulces) Southern Comfort Kitchen (muchas opciones de pescado frito) Empanadas Argentinas También se instala a lo largo de la calle una carpa que ofrece cerveza enlatada, agua mineral, sidra y vino. No noté ningunas mesas ni sillas para sentarse y comer. Los fanáticos disfrutan de sus comidas poniéndose de pie o llevándolos a sus asientos. Es fantástico ver la variedad de cocinas que se ofrecen y aún mejor que son negocios locales de Oakland. Atmosphere / Atmósfera 4 La mayor parte del área de asientos está en el lado este (más cercano al campus). Consta de 10 a 12 filas de gradas orientadas al oeste. Las gradas no tienen pasamanos instalados; para aquellos que se sienten incómodos, quédense en la sección para discapacitados o en las filas superiores. El club marca algúnas secciones apartadas. Los asientos de “Mosaic” son las tres secciones al centro del campo. Los asientos centrales de las primeras cinco filas, acolchados con cojines multicolores brillantes, se conocen como asientos Mosaic+. Oakland Roots Colorful Mosaic+ Seating, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey La sección de Deep Roots Supporters son las dos últimas secciones en el extremo sur de las gradas. Los graderios están al lado oeste y se usan para el desbordamiento y las familias de los jugadores. El club coloca asientos individuales alrededor del campo, detrás de las vallas laterales, para los fanáticos que desean una experiencia cercana a la acción. Los aficionados no pueden recorrer todo el perímetro del terreno de juego. La sección de la familia de los jugadores está vigilada y bloquea el circuito. El Oakland Roots SC utiliza el marcador del estadio de fútbol que se destaca detrás de la portería sur y muestra el tiempo, la mitad y el marcador. La organización despliega un césped modular específico para fútbol sobre el campo de fútbol para la temporada de fútbol. Siguiendo con el tema basado en la comunidad, los residentes y las organizaciones de Oakland brindan el entretenimiento. En el partido de esta revisión, la Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil de Oakland desempeñó antes del juego, al igual que G-Eazy, un destacado rapero y productor nacido en Oakland. Los clubes de fútbol juvenil patearon la pelota en el medio tiempo. Neighborhood / Barrio 3 El estadio se encuentra en el campus urbano de 60 acres de Laney College, a menos de una milla del Lake Merritt. Para lugares para comer, varios restaurantes vietnamitas y tailandeses están cerca. Más cerca del lago se encuentran Portal (restaurante de brunch) y Tacos Mi Rancho (mexicano). Varias cervecerías están a una milla de distancia: Buck Wild Brewing & Taproom, Oakland United Beerworks, Original Pattern Brewing y Federation Brewery. Jack London Square, un área histórica frente al mar y puerto deportivo con restaurantes, bares, tiendas y entretenimiento, está a solo 1,5 millas del campo de fútbol de Laney College. Un excelente museo para visitar es el Oakland Museum of California, a solo media milla del campo. La mayoría de los hoteles están en el centro de Oakland, a una milla de distancia. Estos incluyen un Hampton Inn Oakland Downtown, Ramada by Wyndham, un Marriott y un Courtyard Marriott. Otros deportes para visitar en el área durante la temporada de fútbol incluyen los Oakland Athletics y los San Francisco Giants . Fans / Fanáticos 4 Con solo dos años en la USL-C, la comunidad de Oakland ha adoptado Oakland Roots de todo corazón. Es un placer ver una variedad de grupos étnicos, familias, niños y adultos jóvenes reunidos en torno a este club de fútbol. Todos los fanáticos se ponen de pie y vitorean (o gimen) ante la acción en el campo. ¡Sin duda son una multitud alegre y bulliciosa! Deep Roots, el grupo de aficionados, crea una atmósfera eléctrica en los partidos con tambores, ondear banderas, vítores y saltos. Una línea de tambores anima a los fanáticos antes del juego con un desfile espectacular a lo largo de 10th St antes del partido. Tambores, bailarines y una persona sobre zancos caminan por la cuadra para que todos disfruten. Durante el concurso, Ryan, un artista local y avido fanatico, se para detrás de la meta y pinta un paisaje del estadio y el partido de futbol. Oakland Roots Local Artist, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey La asistencia promedio es de 4.600, lo que les brinda una multitud sólida para la mayoría de los partidos durante la temporada. Access / Acceso 3 Llegar al campo de fútbol americano de Laney College es relativamente fácil, ya que está justo al lado de la I-880 y a media milla de la estación BART de Lake Merritt . El estacionamiento está en el estacionamiento para estudiantes de Laney College en E 7th St, frente al campus (solo busque todos los autos), y es gratis. La entrada principal al estadio está en E 10th St y 2nd Ave, y los fanáticos pasan por detectores de metales para su control de seguridad. Se permiten bolsas transparentes de hasta 14” x 6” x 14”. La seguridad se toma en serio. Las puertas abren una hora antes del inicio. 10th St entre 2nd y 4th Avenue está cerrada para los camiones de comida y el entretenimiento previo al juego. Los baños están debajo de la cabina de prensa y las gradas; otro conjunto está en un edificio en el extremo noroeste de la cancha. Espere líneas durante los partidos con entradas agotadas. El área de asientos puede llenarse, especialmente durante los juegos que se agotan. Return on Investment / Retorno de la inversion 5 El precio de un boleto para un solo juego para un partido de Oakland Roots es el siguiente: Generalidades – $20 Mosaic – $25 Mosaic Plus – $35 Línea final de asiento de campo – $65 Línea lateral del asiento de campo – $75 Los boletos de temporada y los paquetes grupales reducen ese precio. Los fanáticos no pagan por el estacionamiento. Los precios de los alimentos son lo que se espera en California. Los fanáticos y el ambiente del día del juego son fenomenales. Obtendrá el valor de su dinero de entretenimiento deportivo en un partido aquí. Extras 4 Oakland Roots SC se unió al movimiento Common Goal cuya misión es crear un cambio social positivo. Los participantes contribuyen con un mínimo del 1% de sus salarios para luchar contra la desigualdad social. “El club fue fundado con un propósito; aprovechar la magia de Oakland y el poder del deporte como una fuerza para el bien social”. – tomado del sitio web Oakland Roots La organización está promocionando a su contraparte del equipo femenino, Oakland Soul, que comenzará a jugar en 2023 en la liga USL-W. Estar involucrado en la ciudad e incorporar empresas y organizaciones comunitarias en aspectos del día del partido es profundamente evidente. Final Thoughts / Pensamientos Finales Los fanáticos de los deportes de Oakland definitivamente han abrazado su nuevo club de fútbol, Oakland Roots SC. Encontrarás una casa repleta a menudo durante la temporada con fanáticos apasionados y acogedores. Muchas gracias a Jim Minard por su ayuda con la traducción.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 New Holland Arena 23 North Cameron St Harrisburg, PA 17110 Harrisburg Heat website New Holland Arena website Year Opened: 1939 Capacity: 6,700 Heating things up in Harrisburg The Freedmont Mortgage Field at Farm Show Arena is on one six different buildings that make up the Pennsylvania Farm Show and Expo Center in Harrisburg. It is also home to the Harrisburg Heat of Major Arena Soccer League. In 1917 the first state-wide farm show took place attracting 5,000 visitors and as it grew in popularity a new centralized place was needed to house the event. On January 31, 1929, construction for the $1.4 million farm show complex in Harrisburg broke ground and opened in time for the 1931 Farm Show. By the end of the decade, the Large Show Arena would be built in 1939. Today the Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in the world attracting 585,000 visitors to 24 acres of animals, educational encounters, displays, and food. The original Heat were members of the old National Professional Soccer League that began operations in 1991 becoming a popular draw during the decade playing front of crowds that averaged between 5,000-6,000 people to the 7,300 seat arena. However, the team would cease operations in 2003 until being rebooted 9 years later. The current version of the Heat began in 2012 and new ownership plans to restore the club to its glory days in central Pennsylvania. Carl Delmont, CEO of Maryland-based Freedmont Mortgage looks to improve the team by signing international talent in hopes of producing success on and off the artificial turf. Food & Beverage 3 There are multiple concession stands throughout the inner-main concourse with only a handful open, but still, manage to supply customers with food and drink. There is also a beer garden that offers a multitude of beer, ciders, and alcoholic beverages. The prices and selection are reasonable and include chicken tender basket ($6), hot dogs ($3), cheeseburgers ($6), grilled chicken sandwich ($7.25), nachos ($3), pizza ($3.50) and fries ($3.25). There also two types of sausages for $6: Italian and hot varieties. To wash all of these items down, the facility offers Coca-Cola products at $3.25-$4.25 respectively. The beer garden houses 26 different bottled beers ranging from local favorites Tröegs, Yuengling, and Yards to national brands of Bud, Coors, and PBR. There also Jack’s Ciders and Not Your Father’s alcoholic beverages. The prices range from $6.50-$8 a bottle in the beer garden. The concession stands also sell premium and domestic beers for $6 and $7 respectively. Atmosphere 3 The Harrisburg Heat provide a nice way to spend a cold winter’s evening indoors. The facility itself is in surprising sound condition for its age and features a wide concourse to house activities and easy access to the building and seating concourse. The merchandise tent offers t-shirts, hoodies, zip-ups, flags, replica jerseys, and other paraphernalia at reasonable prices-a jersey is a steal at $50. Adjacent to the tent is the official fan club that looks to boost up its membership. There is even an area where kids can get balloon sculptures made for free. The night we visited the arena the Heat were hosting local businesses who were offering free samples of products and information around the curved concourse area. The arena floor is mostly covered in dirt for the Farm Show and the field itself rests on top of it for home games. The dirt creates a track around the boards and field, but also provides a cushy balance for the artificial surface for players. The sightlines are pretty good for games and there is not a bad seat anywhere in the house, even way up on top the view of the field is unobstructed. A simple scoreboard hovers over centerfield that seems somewhat out of date in terms of graphics; however, ownership is looking to install video boards in the future for replays. Neighborhood 4 The Farm Show Complex is a few miles away from downtown Harrisburg by car. The state capital of Pennsylvania offers plenty to do if in town for the weekend along the Susquehanna River. Top tourist spots include the National Civil War Museum, State Capitol, Ft. Hunter Mansion and Park, and Riverfront Park. For nightlife, downtown offers the Susquehanna Ale House, Sawyers, Bourbon Street Saloon, and Appalachian Brewing Company. However, Mr. G’s Sports Bar, the official after game destination, might be a fun way to start or end your night after the game. It’s a simple gather spot a few minutes from the arena offering pub food and music. The players and fans meet up after the game for witty banter and owner Georgio Giannaris might even buy you a drink and talk soccer at your table. I would suggest the Stadium Journey special of Cajun, Garlic, Honey wings Chicago-style (served on top of fries) and a pint of Yuengling. Also, say hi to Sammy for me and tip her well. Fans 2 The game itself is fast paced, easy to follow, and highly entertaining. The collection of fans who gather for Heat games provide a knowledgeable content to the game and a few can be seen sporting the purple and orange colors of the team. There is even a collection of people who are wearing jerseys from the original club from the 1990s. They are a great group to talk to, pick their brains for memories, and share a few laughs; however, there just needs to be a lot more of them inside the building. I am sure that time will come. Access 4 The arena is 80-years-old but very easy to navigate around once inside the building. The bathrooms and concession areas are well labeled and parking is plentiful. The main concourse is where all the bathrooms, concessions, ticket windows, and merchandise booths can be found. Return on Investment 4 There are four price points for single-game tickets for games: $14, $17, $20, and $22. Parking is $10 per car at the complex, merchandise is reasonably low, and food options are fairly priced. A single person can enjoy a game under $50 easily. Extras 2 One point for the team setting up events at each home game. They include Boy Scouts, Girls Got Game, Faith, Heat Give Back Fundraiser, and Bikes, Brews, and Bands Nights. Two points for the 26 different variety of beers at the Beer Garden. You would expect the basics at most venues this size, but 26 is definitely very impressive.

Photos by Gary Butterworth, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 St. George’s Cricket Club 56 Wellington Slip Rd St. George’s GE 02, GE 02 Bermuda Bermuda Cricket Cup Match website St. George’s Cricket Club website Year Opened: 1892 Capacity: 15,000 Happy Cup Match! If only Bermuda were located 1,200 miles (1,931 km) or so to the southwest, cricket would probably look a lot different here. Instead of being isolated in the middle of the Atlantic, our hypothetical geography would place Bermuda smack in the middle of the Caribbean. It would put Bermuda inside the home turf of the multi-national, international West Indies Cricket Board. And, in our imaginary world, Bermudian cricket would be on the world cricket radar. But it’s not to be. So, instead of being one of the small islands permitted to join forces to compete as a single national team, tiny Bermuda must compete alone in international cricket. And Bermuda’s tiny population means that it just can’t muster the manpower to take on an India or an Australia. Bermuda is doomed to be a minnow in international cricket. For two days every summer, though, it doesn’t matter. With Bermuda relegated to the sidelines of international cricket, it looks inward and nurtures a thriving domestic scene. Every summer, the island’s two biggest clubs, St. George’s and Somerset, face off for Cup Match, a two-day event that is a legal holiday with its own holiday greeting: “Happy Cup Match!” For these two days, the island shuts down for a celebration of all things cricket and all things Bermuda. We attended the 2015 event and came away extremely impressed with St. George’s biannual hosting effort. Food & Beverage 5 Many Bermudian friends and families rent out space for “camps” at Cup Match. These are box seats in the truest sense: fans rent out a box and do with it what they like–including self-catering. Bermudian fans know the drill, and it wouldn’t be unheard of for visitors to the island to score an invite into a camp, but most outsiders will hit the concession stands. Food choices are nearly unlimited, as many families self-cater their own camps. Concession stands are temporary pop-ups along the lines of what you might find at a carnival. Fish dishes are by far the most popular here in the middle of the North Atlantic. As in any one-off annual event, vendors and quality can change from year to year, but overall quality is high. Prices are similar to what one would find at major events on the US mainland. Just as food options are limited only by what people bring in, so are the drinks. Given that Cup Match is just as much of a celebration of Bermuda as it is a sporting event, Bermuda’s trademark cocktails, the Dark and Stormy and the Rum Swizzle are popular beverage choices. Of course, plenty of soft drinks are also available. Fans visiting from off the island should keep their eyes peeled for the Visitors Camp run by the Bermuda Tourism Authority. Although not as large as in previous years, the BTA treated visiting fans to free drinks of their choice. Atmosphere 5 Cup Match is simply one of the most unique events a fan will come across on his or her stadium journey. While Bermuda is a rich territory by all definitions, the stadium at St. George doesn’t hint at this. In fact, the ramshackle semi-temporary structure has a distinct developing-world feel. But that’s part of the fun. Bermuda is a small island with a small population, and a stadium like this is only needed two days per year. So that’s what the stadium is built for. Don’t come here looking for luxury; come here for a chance to experience cricket’s Burning Man. It’s here until it disappears, only to reappear again. And take the opportunity to wander around, because everything about the place changes from one area to the next. The fans brings their own excitement here. The main draw is socializing and simply experiencing Cup Match. Cricket plays second fiddle to many, and perhaps most Cup Match attendees. Mascots, music, and promotions are not even on the radar here. Fans looking for something a bit different can head to one of the Crown and Anchor tents, where Bermuda’s national dice game is played legally and for real money during the only days when it’s legal. Neighborhood 2 St. George’s Cricket Club sits in a quiet residential neighborhood a little over a kilometer (or a little under a mile) southwest of downtown St. George, Bermuda’s second city. Cup Match is a national holiday, and it is no exaggeration to say that the island virtually shuts down for the event. In fact, tourism authorities and even hotels actively discourage visits to the island during Cup Match for those not planning to make cricket a centerpiece of their trip. There is simply nothing else going on. Generally, St. George’s is a high point on the tourist route. But during Cup Match, the neighborhood dies down as everyone and everything moves into the stadium. Fans 4 Cup Match is filled with Bermudians, Brits, Americans, and a handful of other nationalities all at the cricket ground to have a good time. Sports diehards might bristle at the fact that cricket is clearly an afterthought to a significant portion of the crowd here, but this can be a selling point to those who are always up for a party before a game. Cup Match is the sporting and social event of the year in Bermuda. Expect a big crowd and difficulty finding a seat if arriving late in the day. But don’t expect to be turned away. On our 2015 visit, fans were still patiently lining up to enter the venue even after the event ended! Hey, some care more about the party than the game. And frankly, considering that this is a significant step below international cricket in quality, the five-figure attendance numbers are even more impressive. Access 1 Sold on Cup Match? Good, you should be! Sadly, getting here is a hurdle. Even once you make it to this small, expensive, and isolated island, getting to the ground will be a challenge. Cup Match attendees may be best served by a taxi, since public transportation to St. George’s Cricket Club is limited to city bus service. Sadly and frustratingly, buses run on a Sunday schedule, due to Cup Match’s status as a holiday. Even worse, passengers can be left stranded if the bus fills up (and the buses do fill up.) If you are relying on the bus, consider going to the downtown Hamilton bus station to be among the first on as the bus starts its journey to St. George. After the match, physically fit fans might want to consider making the 25-minute walk to the downtown St. George bus stop to get on the bus before the stadium crowd boards a few stops later. For many Bermudians, a parking ticket is simply the price of parking at Cup Match. A small parking lot is available, but it fills up early in the day. Since non-residents of Bermuda are legally prohibited from driving a car on Bermuda, this isn’t a concern for tourists. Many tourists do choose to rent Vespa-style scooters. Parking these can also be a headache during Cup Match, but most riders will eventually find a spot. Made it to the stadium? Congratulations! Things get easier now. Not easy, but easier. Tickets are simply paper wrist bands that are purchased in cash (US or Bermudian dollars) at the entrance on the day of the event. Fans line up to buy a ticket, then proceed immediately to a security check. The line can be long and slow, but it does move–especially early in the day. Cricket is a game that requires patience, and relatively few fans want to get up early and endure the marathon of an eight-hour long session. But once lunchtime rolls around the crowd gets thicker and moving through a few choke points can get tricky for even the most physically-abled fan. Fans with limited mobility will struggle throughout the day. The concourse area is largely unpaved. Many surfaces are uneven. A complete lap of the ground requires moving through some narrow passageways, and entrance to the upper-level camps requires climbing steps that are somewhere between ordinary stairs and a construction ladder. For some, this is part of the charm. For others, these quirks make Cup Match an impossibility. And finally, remember that St. George’s Cricket Club only hosts Cup Match in odd-numbered years. If it’s an even-numbered year, you will have to head to Somerset and learn the unique quirks of that venue. Return on Investment 4 There is no getting around the fact that Bermuda is an expensive destination. In fact, its tourism industry has suffered from declining crowds, as more and more tourists opt for similar vacation experiences in lower-cost locales like Mexico and the Caribbean. But by Bermudian standards, or even by US or European standards, Cup Match isn’t a particularly expensive event. A full day at the cricket ground for Cup Match will cost an amount roughly equivalent to an afternoon at a high-level match in the US or Europe. Admittedly, Cup Match is not the pinnacle of cricket skill. But the quality is good, and this is the best that this territory has to offer. Extras 1 Cup Match in Bermuda is one of the most unique events in sports. Getting to Bermuda, getting to the ground, and getting around the stadium pose significant challenges to significant numbers of people. Many sports travel enthusiasts will find that the reward is absolutely worth the effort. Others will not. But attending Cup Match absolutely warrants consideration.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 J. W. Babb Stadium 1816 Cokesbury Rd Greenwood, SC 29649 Erskine Flying Fleet website J. W. Babb Stadium website Year Opened: 1933 Capacity: 5,000 Erskine Football is Back!!! Erskine’s football program originally began in 1896 but went on a long hiatus starting in 1951. The team was due to begin playing again starting in 2020, but due to the pandemic their first season was delayed until the spring, and the Fleet was only able to play a handful of games that the first season due to cancellations and other restrictions. Now in the Fall of 2021, football at Erskine is back in earnest, much to the delight of fans. Originally known as the Seceders, the Flying Fleet picked up their new name during a game in 1929, thanks to a Greenville reporter who was awed by their passing game. The program currently competes as a D2 Independent but will join the D2 South Atlantic Conference starting in 2022. Erskine is in the process of planning and garnering funding for an all-sports complex on campus in Due West, SC, which will serve as the new home of Erskine football. In the interim, however, the team plays its home games at J. W. Babb Stadium, a high school football stadium in nearby Greenwood, SC. Food & Beverage 3 J. W. Babb Stadium has a decent selection of food and beverages at its concessions stand behind the north end zone, near the main entrance and ticket booths. Hot dogs, bratwurst, nachos, pulled pork sandwiches, pretzels, popcorn, peanuts (boiled or regular), chips, cotton candy, and boxed candy are all available with nothing over $5. You can also find bottled water and Coke products. Atmosphere 2 J. W. Babb Stadium is a fine facility and includes a running track around the field, as well as a large video board for replays behind the south end zone. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of Erskine décor around the facility due to it being a shared stadium – the team does hang a few banners and signs to bring in some of the maroon and gold of the Flying Fleet, but thanks to the ubiquitous Greenwood High School signage and logos, you can’t help but be reminded this is a borrowed stadium. In addition, given the program’s recent re-birth, there hasn’t been time yet for Erskine to build up its football fan base to a high level – hopefully, the new stadium and a few more years to build a following will increase the draw at games. Erskine Football, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 J. W. Babb Stadium has a good number of restaurants in the immediate vicinity if you are looking for a place to hang out before or after the game. Closest to the stadium you can find Lowcountry Grill, known for big portions and reasonable prices, or Mig’s Pizza, whose name is a little misleading given that besides pizza they serve a wide variety of calabash seafood entrees, as well as sub sandwiches and several classic Italian dishes such as different types of pasta and chicken parmesan. There are also plenty of hotels in that same area of town, including local options like Inn on the Square, plus well-known chains such as Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn. If you plan to be in town for the day or weekend, there are several options to keep you entertained during your stay in Greenwood. Besides several parks, there is a Fun Factory complete with rides and arcade-type games for kids, while for history or railroad buffs there is the Railroad Historical Center, which consists of numerous restored, full-size train cars and a locomotive, which you can walk through and/or take a tour of. Fans 2 J. W. Babb Stadium doesn’t draw much of a crowd yet during Erskine football games – the main stands are pretty empty, and the visitor’s side (depending on the game) may not be much better. There is some pretty good crowd noise following large plays though, given the small size of the stadium and the acoustics, and you are close enough to the field to hear the sounds of the game very well. Given time, I expect the crowd size to only grow as Erskine football builds more of a following. Access 4 J. W. Babb Stadium is easy to get to – it is a little off the beaten path given it is not located in a big city, but this also means there is not much traffic to contend with. There are plenty of parking lots around the stadium (Maroon, White, and Gold) so there is more than enough room to accommodate the fans. The Gold lot is the closest to the field, and as such, it costs more to park there ($20 instead of $10 for the Maroon or White lots). The most convenient way to pay for parking is online when you purchase your tickets, but be aware if you go that route you will have to pay a few extra dollars in fees. The only downside concerning access at J. W. Babb Stadium is that the lone concessions stand is behind the north end zone, which is fine if you pick up snacks as you enter, but if you want to pick up anything during the game you have to walk down – not a long walk by any means since the stadium is not that big, but you won’t find anything to purchase underneath the grandstands like at other venues. Concessions at Babb Stadium, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Erskine football games cost $10 plus about $4 in fees for adult general admission (bleacher seats), or you can spend about $10 more for chair backs on the main side; kids’ seats are $5 plus fees. Be aware that all ticket sales at J. W. Babb are online; even if you go to the ticket booth on game day all you will find is a QR code to scan which takes you to the website, so you may as well purchase your tickets beforehand. Parking and concessions are reasonable though, so you won’t have to break the bank to enjoy a nice day of college football watching the Flying Fleet. Extras 2 Erskine does have band performances during halftime, and ROTCs from local high schools act as the color guard during the playing of the National Anthem. Erskine also has a very small band, but not much else in the way of entertainment during breaks in the action. Final Thoughts Erskine fans are certainly thrilled to have football back after almost a 70-year hiatus and are working hard to get their new stadium built. In time I think the Flying Fleet’s football experience will improve a great deal, but for now expect a basic no-frills experience – perfect for those who just love the game and are looking for a relaxed experience, but may not suit those looking for something more over the top.

Photos by Daniel Armstrong, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Sam M. Vadalabene Center Strasen Road & Pin Oak Rd Edwardsville, IL 62025 SIU-Edwardsville Cougars men's basketball website Sam M. Vadalabene Center website Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 4,200 The Road to Edwardsville Moving along I-55 towards Saint Louis you will see the sign for the ramp to Edwardsville. Most people won’t give that sign a second look. That may just be their mistake, because in the heart of that city lies the campus of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, and more importantly for me the Vadalabene Center. The arena has been the home of Cougar basketball since 1982. Food & Beverage 3 The food is certainly not overpriced. It is one of the most reasonably priced venues I have ever visited. It’s just that there is nothing out of the ordinary, possibly even less than would be expected. The only thing that was worth mentioning is a personal pizza from Domino’s, which was slightly overpriced at $5. The other menu items are a 20 oz. drink for $2, hot dog ($2.50), popcorn ($1.50), and candy ($1). Access to the concession stands is also less than ideal. They are all located in the east lobby, so if your seats are on the other side, you have to walk all the way around. There are three windows, but during my visit, only one was open so the line circled the entire lobby making navigation difficult. They did open a second window, but there still was a line until around the ten-minute mark of the second half. If you ask me it is not worth the wait. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere was the high point of the visit. The arena is smaller than many Division I basketball arenas, and that can be a good thing. It resembles a large high school gym and one thing about high school basketball is the atmosphere is far more intimate than seeing a game at a bigger venue. Even with the renovation of the building before the move to Division I, this is more of a gym, rather than an arena. The atmosphere wasn’t what I would call electric, but it was cozy and you can’t say that about many basketball experiences these days. One high point would be that the building has a nice echo so it can get very loud and exciting after a big play. Neighborhood 2 This was another low point of the visit, being stuffed in the middle of the campus there are not many surrounding restaurants close by. I did notice a few places just out of walking distance but they all appeared closed by the time the game was over. My recommendation would be to go to the center of town where there are a lot of places to grab something to eat. Fans 2 The fans filled two-thirds of the 4,000-seat arena, and probably half of them were the opposing team's fans who were more into the game. I was almost mystified by the fan situation. They were there and all seemed to be paying attention to the game, but they rarely clapped or cheered except for about 25 die-hard fans. After a big play or when the other team called a time they would get up and cheer and clap, but the rest of the time it was like they were in a trance watching the players run up and down the court. One high point would be the previously mentioned echo, as it made those die-hard fans a lot louder and added to the atmosphere. It also worked the other way though making the SEMO fans almost sound like the home crowd. Access 3 The arena itself is easy to find, but hard to get to. It is tucked away in the center of campus surrounded by a maze of one-way streets. For a local, I am sure it would be far easier and I need to factor in my malfunctioning GPS, but it took me 10 minutes to get to the lot. The parking situation is excellent as there are two large lots directly across from the arena both with free parking. Once inside you may have some trouble finding bathrooms. When you do find them, they are large and you shouldn’t expect a wait, but they are in the lobbies on the East and West sides of the arena so you may have to go around. There are also bathrooms in the season ticket club which would be my recommendation for fans in the upper bleachers. Return on Investment 3 The ticket prices are a little high, but still well within reason with 100-level seats for $15 and 200-level general admission bleachers for $9. The sight lines are good throughout and the bleachers are comfortable. I think they are the best value. The concessions are cheap – so with free parking, a hot dog and a drink, and the price of the ticket – the total comes to about $15 which is about perfect for the experience you will find. Extras 3 I liked the overall feel of the place, it was just something that you seldom find anymore. Eddie the mascot did an excellent job of going around and greeting the kids all around the arena. The cheerleaders and band did a good job of keeping the energy up even with the Cougars being down by quite a bit in the game.

LAST DANCE! The New York Jets have been in the desert for over half a century. They won their one and only Super Bowl in 1968 and haven’t been back since. But back in the 80s, they were legitimate contenders. The centerpiece of those teams was its fierce defensive line. While Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam wreaked havoc on opposing offenses, they bickered amongst themselves like Axl and Slash. Now, ESPN has documented their contentious history in its latest 30 for 30 documentary, “The New York Sack Exchange,” which is the foursome’s nickname. At just under an hour, it’s a quick, compelling watch, especially if you’re a football fan. Back then, the Jets’ home was a dated baseball stadium, Shea Stadium. It was football in an incinerator. Because of the dirt infield, the playing surface was usually a dust bowl or a mosh pit. The portable end zone seats felt on the verge of collapse when fans jumped up and down. Fireman Ed didn’t exist. However, there was a lunatic in the end zone upper deck who mooned the faithful after he led them in the J-E-T-S chant. Concussion protocol? Take two Tylenol. After the Jets drafted Gastineau and Lyons in 1979, the Sack Exchange had its motley line-up. If it weren’t for football, Klecko, a pit bull of a man, says he would’ve been a truck driver. Lyons, the only Sack Exchanger out of a blue blood football power, Alabama, became the philanthropist, raising millions for kids in need. And then there was Gastineau, who came out of nowhere - East Central Oklahoma State. Gastineau was the showman. After sacks, Gastineau would break out into a raucous war dance as Shea played “The Safety Dance” to the delight of the Shea rowdies, many of whom were inebriated on terrible tap beer. Klecko and Lyons wanted Gastineau to stop, deeming the dance poor sportsmanship. But Gastineau persisted, arguing that he just wanted to be himself. With neither side budging, Abdul Salaam, which means soldier of peace, kept the factions at bay. The Sack Exchange couldn’t live together, but they could play together, and their friction made them bring out the best in one another. However, Rams offensive tackle Jackie Slater refused to endure Gastineau’s theatrics. As Gastineau danced, Slater shoved him, inciting a massive brawl. Gastineau seemed to take on half the Rams team. It’s wonderful footage. Meanwhile, the Jets flirted with greatness. However, they always came up short in devastating fashion. First, there was the wildcard loss to Buffalo in the Shea slime, and then they lost “The Mud Bowl,” an AFC championship game, to the Dolphins at the Orange Bowl. In controversial fashion, Miami coach Don Shula didn’t cover the field with a tarp,  negating the Jets’ supposed speed advantage. Following this fiasco, Jets coach Walt Michaels stepped down, Salaam was traded and the Jets wound up in another swamp, this time in Jersey: Giants Stadium. Mooning was no more, however, MetLife did host the infamous butt fumble years later. The Jets did manage one more run, but they collapsed in Cleveland. During this catastrophe, Gastineau was tagged as the goat for a pivotal late quarterback hit. Soon after, the Sack Exchange was history. Klecko, who had battled injuries for years, was released and wound up in Indianapolis. Abruptly, Gastineau, who was injury free, quit. At the time, he cited his girlfriend’s ovarian cancer. Gastineau was dating Sylvester’s Stallone’s ex, actress Brigitte Nielsen. In the doc, Gastineau offers additional reasons for his exit, and he also discusses his turbulent childhood, including his experiences as a rape victim. It's painful viewing. The Sack Exchange were reunited, however briefly, for the doc. It’s the fourth quarter now for these old gladiators. Forgiveness is discussed, and tears are shed. However, old rivalries die hard. For one, Klecko was inducted into the Hall of Fame, but Gastineau hasn’t, something that distresses him. It’s understandable, but considering the recent, too-soon passing of Adbul Salaam, it seems relatively petty. The doc’s ending is funeral somber, but it left me wanting at least one more dance. Jon Hart is  @manversusball

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Rock Rink @ Pyramid Recreation Centre 317 James St S St. Marys, ON N4X 1B6 St. Marys Lincolns website Pyramid Recreation Centre website Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 1,400 The Town Worth Living In St. Marys, Ontario is probably best known for being the home of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, however, the hockey tradition in St. Marys is solid as well.  The Junior B, St. Marys Lincolns were founded in 1956 and currently play in the GOJHL.  The Lincolns team name does not come from an assassinated President of the United States famous for wearing a stovepipe hat, but from the automobile.  To finance the entry fee into the Western Junior B Hockey League, a  Lincoln Continental was raffled off.  The Lincolns have enjoyed five league titles and two Sutherland Cups as the top Junior B team in Ontario.  Some of the Lincolns alumni include J.P. Parise, Terry Crisp, Don Luce, Bob Boughner, Dan Bylsma and Steve Shields. Home for the Lincolns is Rock Rink @ Pyramid Recreation Centre.  The Rock Rink has a capacity of 1,400, was originally built in 1977 as St. Marys Arena and a larger community centre was eventually built around it.  Rock Rink is named after the St. Marys Rock, who are the local minor hockey teams.  The Pyramid Recreation Centre offers a second ice surface, meeting rooms and aquatics centre. Food & Beverage 3 The main concession is found in the lobby of the Pyramid Recreation Centre.  Popcorn, caramel corn, candy, chocolat, chips, pizza, hot dogs, pretzels and nachos are on the menu.  Water, soda, iced tea, Powerade, slushies, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cappuccino are the soft drinks available.  The Blueline Club is located above the lobby at the east end and beer and other alcoholic beverages are available. Atmosphere 3 The St. Marys Arena was built in 1977 while the Pyramid Recreation Centre was built around the arena in 2008 creating a dichotomy that is not totally uncommon in lower level junior hockey in Ontario.  There are multiple entry points into the Rec Centre but the main one is probably on the east side of the building.  Light coloured brick gives the exterior a modern look to it.  Entry into the centre brings fans to temporary tables selling tickets in a large lobby.  The St. Marys Sports Wall of Fame is right there to greet fans and features former NHL player, Mark Bell.  Wooden plaques listing Lincoln players who have played in the NHL and Coaches and Management. Upstairs is the entry to the seating area in the arena.  The arena is definitely a throwback to seventies era arenas.  The ice is oriented from west to east and the main seating area is on the north side.  Eight rows of wooden benches comprise the seating with the middle sections featuring arena seas as well as three rows on the south side.  The north side seating area is elevated with the bottom row basically the same height as the glass.  Dark brown brick outlining the top perimeter of the arena drives the seventies vibe.  The rectangular arena has orange truss supports across the ice and a flat, silver insulated roof.  The south side wall is littered with minor hockey banners.  Lincolns banners, including the 1965 and 1976 Sutherland Cups, listed as Ontario Champions, hang to the left of the scoreclock on the west wall.  The Lincolns have further embraced their history with a number of retired number banners for Gerry Seguin, Paul Vanderspank, Glen Coghlin, John Rowland, Jeff Shipley, Tyler Bryson, Brett Petrie and Dan Schiedel.  The Blueline Club is found in a room looking out to the ice above the lobby on the east side of the arena. The gameday production at a Lincs game is fairly simple and not that different from other teams in the GOJHL.  The presentation is classic with a traditional announcer.  The team mascot, Linc, spends time at ice level greeting the players as they take the ice and interacting with ice level fans.  Promotions include a 50/50 draw and chuck-a-puck.  One unique aspect of the Lincolns experience is the use of car horns to celebrate everything.  There is one that is part of the official productions and probably a couple brought by fans. Neighbourhood 3 St. Marys is a small town of just over 7,200 people.  The Pyramid Recreation Centre is located just south of city centre.  There are a few places fans can go to get pre and post game food and drink.  Sunset Diner, Grilly’s Public House and Social 31 are good options.  Fans should be aware that places like Tim Hortons and McDonald’s, which in most cities are open 24 hours, do close nightly in St. Marys.  The Lincolns are pretty much the only team in town, however they do have close rivalries with the Stratford Warriors  and London Nationals.  Taking a tour of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame  is a good idea.  Make sure to check when it is open, as regular hours are generally reserved for the summer. Other tourist options include the St. Marys Museum.  For fans wishing to stay in the area, the Westover Inn and Stone Willow Inn are options. Fans 5 The St. Marys Lincolns enjoy fan support that is near the top of the GOJHL.  For the 2023-2024 season the Lincolns averaged over 700 fans per game, which was the second best in the league.  At the time of writing, in the 2024-2025 season, the Lincs were averaging over 850 fans per game, again ranking second in the league.  The fans in attendance are loud and supportive of the Lincs, louder than many other fanbases in the league.   Access 4 The Pyramid Recreation Centre is located in St. Marys, south of city centre.  It is close to the intersection of Highway 7 and 119.  Getting to the arena from out of town will involve plenty of rural driving through Ontario’s snow belt, so caution on game night is a good plan.  There is plenty of parking on site.  For fans interested in public transit, there is a Perth County Connect route that joins Kitchener-Waterloo, Stratford and St. Marys, however, it may not help on gameday.  Fans should consult the Perth County Connect  website for fares, schedules and maps.  Getting around Pyramid Recreation Centre is not difficult and the washroom facilities are adequate. Return on Investment 5 GOJHL hockey is amongst the most affordable sports experiences in Ontario.  Tickets for the Lincolns are $12 with $10 for students, seniors and children.  Cash, credit and debit are available and tickets are only sold at the door.  There is plenty of free parking on site and concession prices are decent.  The product on the ice is solid and the Lincolns are normally a competitive team.  The environment for hockey is excellent in a unique facility with a very strong fanbase.  A great return for the investment. Extras 4 An extra mark for the unique penalty boxes in St. Marys, which are just at the end of the bench, with a low divider wall for separation. An extra mark for the unique and historic Lincolns name. An extra mark for the Pyramid Recreation Centre as a community hub. An extra mark for the longevity of the Lincolns franchise. Final Thoughts The St. Marys Lincolns are amongst the best supported teams in the GOJHL and the Rock Rink is a unique throwback venue to the 1970s.  The Lincolns lean into their history and St. Marys celebrates their roots in the Pyramid Recreation Centre.  Taking in a Lincs game in “The Town Worth Living In” is a great plan. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by James Clotfelter, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Dan Magill Tennis Complex 518 D W Brooks Athens, GA 30605 Georgia Bulldogs website Dan Magill Tennis Complex website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 5,000 Tennis In The Classic City Many outside the college tennis world do not know that the University of Georgia has a rich tennis history. The university consistently produces ATP and WTA talent and has accumulated two women's and six men's national championships. The Dan Magill Tennis Complex itself has hosted a total of 24 men’s championships and three women’s championships. This 12-court outdoor court and 6-court indoor court facility is the crown jewel of the collegiate tennis landscape. Food & Beverage   3 One cashless concession stand serves the main outdoor court and one serves the indoor courts. Expect the basics of small stadium foods like hot dogs, burgers, chips, and candy. In terms of drinks, water and Coca-Cola products, including PowerAde, are all provided and bottled. Domestic beer and imports can also be purchased at the concession stand. They are also served with a UGA-branded souvenir cup.   Atmosphere   4 The outdoor complex hosts six courts: courts 1–3 are covered by the main stand, and courts 4–6 run along a grass terrace. The main stand is split into two levels: the lower level has chairbacks, and the upper level has bleacher seating. Every ticket to the main stand is general admission, so it is first come, first served for the chairbacks. Across from the main stand appears to be a terrace with shaded, high-top seating, presumably reserved for team dinners. To the left of the main stand, parallel to court one is the player clubhouse with more exclusive shaded seating. The concourse in the main stand splits the two levels and holds the concession stand along with restrooms. Outside the concourse, little gardens and flowers are sprinkled throughout the complex, creating a pleasant atmosphere.   There is a scoreboard slightly past court 3 that gives the scores on all six courts as well as the total team scores. Those unfamiliar with the college game will be surprised to learn that fans can make noise during the game. While the umpires may tell the fans to relax if it gets excessive, the students like to get into the action, occasionally engaging in some banter with the opposing team and some instigation from the Georgia players. This intimate environment also allows fans to hear back and forth between players and their opponents, players and the umpire, and players talking to themselves.  The entrance to the indoor facility sits right across the street from the Carlton Street Parking Deck adjacent to the outdoor courts. These courts will only be used if weather forces the event to be moved inside. It consists of a much smaller capacity than its outdoor companion, with three humble rows of supported bleachers running along all six of its courts. Each court contains its scoreboard located on the wall across from the bleachers, and a master scoreboard sits at the head of the building.  Neighborhood   4 The tennis complex is located in the same lot as Stegman Coliseum (men's and women's basketball and gymnastics) and Foley Field (basketball). It is an on-campus facility, so if it is your first time visiting UGA, be sure to take a stroll around a campus that is regarded as one of the most beautiful ones in the country. Popular on-campus attractions include the athletic facilities, Tate Student Center, the UGA bookstore, and North Campus, which holds the oldest buildings of the first public university in the country.   Athens is regarded as one of the best college towns in America. With downtown being adjacent to the north campus, students and visitors are steps away from local shops, restaurants, and bar options. The best time to stroll downtown Athens for the first time would be during the day before the nightlife crowd hits downtown. The Five Points neighborhood holds some great, quitter food options like Sakura Hibachi and Sushi Bar, Pine Bar, and Loaded Pizza, and is also within a walkable distance from the tennis complex. There is one hotel on the UGA campus in the convention center, but there are loads of options outside of campus that you may want to investigate. Many visitors also prefer to book an Airbnb, as Athens is home to many affordable ones.     Fans   3 The University of Georgia tennis fans are very knowledgeable of both their men’s and women’s tennis teams. Attendance can vary greatly, as marquee night and conference matches will have much better attendance numbers than the random noon midweek nonconference match. When the SEC championship is hosted, many of the non-UGA matches will have only a handful of patrons and family in attendance. Student turnout also varies depending on the stakes of the match, the quality of the promotion or giveaway, and the time. If it is a good opponent on the weekend, student turnout is very good by college tennis standards, and they give the atmosphere as well as the usual student section banter to opposing players, occasionally sneaking under the skin of the opposing team. It is a usual occurrence for the umpires to calm the crowd when the student turnout is in full force. As for the rest of the crowd, it tends to be the families of the athletes and local families getting out of the house on a nice day. Access   3 Getting to Athens is not always the easiest experience. There is not a direct highway to Athens, but the most common way to get to Athens from Atlanta is I-85 to Exit 106, which will put you on GA 316, otherwise known as University Parkway, and it runs directly to Athens. There is also a world where it ends up being faster to take I-20 from Atlanta. This will take you to Conyers, GA, and put you on a combination of countryside highways to Athens. If coming from Lake Hartwell or South Carolina, it is best to take I-85 to Commerce, Georgia. From Commerce, you can take GA 15 south directly into Athens.   Once in Athens, the tennis complex is located directly behind the Stegman Coliseum on the campus of the University of Georgia. The Carlton Street parking deck is free to park on event days, and it is situated right across the street from the indoor complex and approximately a mere 200 feet from the outdoor entrance. The outdoor concourse is simple and easy to navigate, but there is only one set of restrooms, which may get crowded at highly attended matches. The indoor concourse is impossible to get lost in, and it is simply a hallway with a concession stand that takes you straight to the main courts.    Return on Investment   5 Admission to UGA Regular season matches is free, and every event is general admission, so it is hard to complain about that. On top of free admission, parking on the Carlton Street Deck is free as well. For non-UGA events, like the 2024 SEC Women’s Tennis Championships, the price per day was $5, and an all-sessions pass was $15. Concessions are on par with every UGA athletic event, which is a more than reasonable price. $2.50 for hot dogs, $5 for hamburgers, $7-$8 for beer, $5 for a pretzel, and $2 for water.   Extras   4 The Dan Magill Tennis Complex offers a sense of natural beauty with the garden-like features it incorporates into the complex. Inside the main stand is a long timeline and tribute to the Georgia tennis greats. The grass terrace along courts 4-6 also gives a very green feel to the complex. Outside the outdoor courts is also the ITA Tennis Hall of Fame, which was unfortunately closed for our visits, but when it opens, it will add some more character to this historic complex.   Final Thoughts The Dan Magill Tennis Complex provides a quality atmosphere with quality tennis for a non-existent dollar amount. No matter what you are in Athens for, it is more than worth checking out both the men’s and women’s tennis schedules.

Photo Courtesy of Northwestern State Demons Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Brown-Stroud Field Central Ave Natchitoches, LA 71457 Northwestern State Demons website Brown-Stroud Field website Year Opened: 1939 Capacity: 1,200 Brown-Stroud Field, Home of the Northwestern State Demons Attending a Northwestern State baseball game in Brown-Stroud Stadium affords baseball purists an opportunity to take in a traditional baseball atmosphere in a historic ballpark hosted in one of Louisiana’s most charming cities, Natchitoches. Located on the campus of the Northwestern State University, Brown-Stroud Stadium (nicknamed the BStro ) has served as home to Demon baseball since 1939 and features a seating capacity of 1,200. Highlights of the stadium experience include grassy berm seating, shaded grandstand seating under an overhead awning, and a competitive Southland Conference baseball on-field product. Food & Beverage 2 The concessions experience at Brown-Stroud Stadium covers the basics and provides the expected ballpark staples for an affordable price. There is a single concession stand located on the hill behind the press box and main grandstand. Quality and Variety of Food Options . The concessions at the BStro offers up ballpark favorite entrees including hot dogs ($2), nachos ($3), and Frito pie ($3). Snacks include sunflower seeds ($1), peanuts ($2), and cracker jacks ($2), among other items. While there isn’t a popcorn machine, you can get a full bag of popcorn for $2 if you’ve got 3 minutes to spare for it to be popped in the microwave. The BStro features specials on various game days where you can get an off-menu item such as the Southern Slaw Dog (premium hot dog covered in coleslaw). While these specials help improve the concessions experience, it would be nice to see a BBQ pit fired up and serving some freshly grilled items like sausages and hamburgers. This could probably be done without much of a financial investment. Variety of Drink Options . The BStro concessions serve bottled Coca-Cola products. Soft drinks and water are just $1.50 and Powerade is $2.50. Coffee and hot chocolate are available for cold weather games. Recommendation . When there’s a game day special at the concessions stand, it might be worth checking out. Otherwise, I recommend a tray of nachos and a pack of sunflower seeds to hold you over until you get to one of the restaurants mentioned in the neighborhood section below. Atmosphere 2 Brown-Stroud Stadium provides an historic home for Northwestern State baseball in a traditional baseball atmosphere. If you love minor league antics, the BStro isn’t for you. If you are a college baseball purist that loves older venues, the Demon baseball atmosphere will be the perfect fit. Stadium Aesthetics . The BStro might not come with the bells and whistles of many newly constructed stadiums, but it does provide a traditional baseball setting with the major benefit of covered seating (which comes in handy on hot Louisiana days). Having served as home to Demon baseball for over 60 years, the ballpark honestly has aged well considering the many years of usage. There is a single grandstand which consists of both bleacher and chair back seating. There are two rows of chair back seating located just behind the backstop. The remaining seating under the awning is bleacher style. Grassy berm seating is available down both the first and third baselines. Be sure to throw a blanket at the top of the berm so the dugouts don’t block your view of the field. The playing surface provides a synthetic turf infield combined with a natural grass outfield. The scoreboard is located beyond the right field wall and features a small video panel that is utilized to display the name and number of the player at-bat. While the awning providing shade to the grandstand is certainly a plus, there are many additional features which could be added in to improve the overall experience. In-Game Promotions and Entertainment . In keeping with the traditional baseball atmosphere, there’s not much going on at the BStro outside of the on-field action. At the conclusion of the game, fans are allowed to run the bases (young and old). The music selection between innings ranges from country to oldies and sports stadium classics. The Northwestern State mascot, Vic the Demon, is typically not in attendance at baseball games nor any other student spirit groups. Seat Location Recommendations . It’s hard to beat shaded seating behind home plate, especially when general admission is only $8. If you prefer to soak in the sun, throw a blanket or bring a tailgate chair to the top of the grassy berm seating down third baseline. Neighborhood 4 Brown-Stroud Stadium is located on the campus of Northwestern State University in charming Natchitoches, Louisiana. While there isn’t an endless supply of attractions in the immediate area, you’ll fall in love with Louisiana’s oldest city and Bread & Breakfast Capital. Where to Eat . The unique regional dish of Natchitoches is the meat pie. While in town, you definitely have to try one. Your best bet for a great meat pie is Lasyone’s (622 2nd). However, like many things in Natchitoches, Lasyone’s has limited operating hours and is closed on Sunday, so be sure to plan ahead. The Pioneer Pub (812 Washington St) is a nice place to grab a local brew and pub fare. Try a glass of the Shreveport-based Great Raft while you’re there. And then there’s the unique pairing of Mama’s and Papa’s. The two restaurants are located next to each other on Front Street but have two separate menus and atmospheres. Check-out Mama’s for some good fried seafood. The French Market Express (5109 University) is a gas station and food market located on the route out of town that’s a nice last stop for meat pies as before you make the trek home. Attractions & Entertainment . I’m not usually one to talk about the beauty of a place, especially in a sports review, but the historic downtown area in Natchitoches is truly beautiful. Bring a blanket to picnic in the grassy area between Front Street and the Cane River. Take a stroll along the bricked walkway on Front Street which is lined with pots of tulips and assorted flowers, as well as ironed chair seating. If you are looking for a place to kick back and relax, Natchitoches is it. You can also enjoy your stay by taking a tour of one of the many historic plantation homes in the area. Other attractions in the area include the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (500 Front) and the Bayou Pierre Alligator Park (380 Old Bayou Pierre). Where to Stay . Known as the Bed and Breakfast Capital of Louisiana, skip the traditional hotel experience and book a stay at the Steel Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast (320 Jefferson). This is the actual location where the famous Steel Magnolia’s movie was filmed. For a stay in the downtown strip, book a room in the historic Church Street Inn (120 Church St). Also, check-out the Best Western Natchitoches Inn on University near I-49. Fans 2 Demon baseball fans range from long-time supporters to families and friends of the ballplayers. Typical crowds are small and loyal. The overall Demon baseball experience at the BStro could certainly use a shot of energy from larger and more active crowds. Typical Attendance . Expect an average crowd of about 250 – 400 for the usual Southland Conference weekend series. While the Demons still regularly feature competitive teams, some luster has certainly worn off since the championship years of the 90’s and early 2000’s. Crowd Noise & Engagement . The regulars are engaged during the game and knowledgeable about the sport of baseball. Don’t expect much in terms of crowd noise or excitement. Outside of big plays and closing out the game in the ninth inning, the noise level is fairly low throughout the game. Traditions and Chants . Despite being in a historic city and ballpark, there’s not much in regards to fan traditions or chants. The fight song is played after the Demons score a run and the fans typically clap along. Access 4 One of the highlights of the Bstro experience is access to and from the stadium as well as inside the ballpark. Transit to and from Stadium . Located a few miles off I-49, you’ll quickly make your way to the Northwestern State University campus via University Parkway (unless you’re heading in from the east). There isn’t a specific address listed for Brown-Stroud Field, so you’ll want to aim to get behind the east side of Turpin Stadium (home to Demon football). From University Parkway, take Central Avenue onto the Northwestern State campus. Veer to the left to cross over Sam Sibley Drive and follow until you reach Prudhomme Hall and the Turpin / Brown-Stroud Stadium area. Parking . Parking is free around the stadium. Though there isn’t an obviously dedicated lot for baseball parking, you’ll notice a couple of spots you can park in nearby. There is a small lot between the east side of Turpin Stadium and Prudhomme Hall that’s a short walk down to the ballpark. A little further down, there’s also parking down the road to the right leading to the fieldhouse. Ticketing & Gate Entry . From Central Avenue, there is a main entrance and ticket booth located on the exterior of the ballpark. Look for a pair of bricked columns with a black iron cast sign overhead featuring the Northwestern State logo in the center. You shouldn’t run into any lines here and the stadium staff are both friendly and helpful on your way in. Moving Around the Stadium . There is plenty of room to get around the BStro. Walkways and aisles are wide. The main issue you’ll notice, however, is the extremely small restrooms. Both men’s and women’s restrooms can only fit two people max, which can certainly be an inconvenience between innings. Return on Investment 3 The cost of attending a Northwestern State baseball at Brown-Stroud Stadium is very affordable and similar to what you’ll find at other Southland Conference venues. Tickets start as low as $8 for general admission. Chair backs are available for $10. Knowing that you won’t have to pay for parking and that concessions will be reasonably priced is a plus as well. Northwestern State offers several ticket packages that can help make the experience even more affordable with Family Saturdays which provides 4 tickets, hot dogs and drinks for $26 and Vic’s Kids’ Club Sundays where children 12 and under can get in for $4 (a $2 discount). While the price is right, there are several upgrades needed to make the overall game day experience worth the investment. Extras 2 Each venue typically has a few “extras” which contribute to the overall game day experience. One such extra at Brown-Stroud Stadium is memorializing past accomplishments by listing conference championships and regional tournament appearances along the outfield wall. The Demons enjoyed a decade of impressive success through the 90’s and early 2000’s which is featured in the stadium. Another unique feature for the BStro is the grassy berm seating on both the first and third baselines. Whether you throw out a blanket and enjoying some family time or soak up the sun, the berm seating is definitely a plus.

Photos by Patricia Beninato, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Petersen Events Center 3719 Terrace Street Pittsburgh, PA 15261 Pittsburgh Panthers website Petersen Events Center website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 12,508 Pitt Loves the Pete The University of Pittsburgh’s athletic program gets most of its attention for football, but basketball is also a marquee attraction. Unlike the football team who shares their home venue, Heinz Field, with the Steelers, Pitt basketball has its own venue, Petersen Events Center. Named after its main contributor, former Erie Insurance executive John Petersen, the Pete, as it’s nicknamed, has been home to Panthers basketball since 2002. While not quite as successful as their gridiron counterparts, the Panthers under head coach Jeff Capel are a force in the ACC, led by stars like Ithiel Horton and Femi Odukale, and the Pete’s a pretty fun place to watch them. Food & Beverage 4 An advantage of an on-campus venue such as Petersen Events Center is that it keeps relatively poor college students in mind. To wit, the arena has a food court that’s open every day. Not all the stands will be available for a Pitt basketball game, but Chick-fil-A is the exception. Better yet, this isn’t a situation where the prices are jacked up to Big Sports level; they’re the same as in a regular CFA. Three more traditional concession stands offer hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, and sandwiches. The arena began serving beer at games this year (2022) in another unusual move, which is not often seen on college campus venues. Beers like Coors will run you ten bucks, while premium stuff like White Claw is a dollar more. You’ll pay $17 at most for a dog and beer. The concession stands also have QR banners–scan, order, and pay on your smartphone, and you’ll be notified when everything’s ready, a boon to those who hate long lines. Atmosphere 4 Petersen Events Center has a 12,508-seat capacity for basketball on three levels, with club seating on the second level. It’s also the only Division 1 venue with luxury courtside suites. Seats are comfortable with excellent sightlines. The center court console has four substantial LCD screens, topped with a gold-colored bridge (remember, this is Pittsburgh) and a crawl screen around the second level. Two giant screens above the student seating show stats for each team, as well as a stylized figure of the Cathedral of Learning, Pitt’s most prominent landmark. Student seating, aka the Oakland Zoo (Pitt’s located in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood), curves around the right side of the venue, with the pep band right next to them and Pitt’s mascot Roc the Panther and various cheerleaders roaming around. The Zoo is very involved in the game, from pretending to read newspapers while the opposing team is announced, lowering them to yell “SUCKS!” after each name, to throwing blue-and-gold confetti when Pitt scores for the first time in the game. Also, when singing the Star-Spangled Banner, make sure you yell HAIL because #Hail2Pitt, after all. The pep band’s pretty good, playing everything from Ed Sheeran to Skid Row to Led Zeppelin. They’re all having fun, which spreads to the crowd. The PA announcer is relatively low-key, and when the band’s not playing, you can hear some interesting remixes of current and classic pop hits. Neighborhood 4 Petersen Events Center is in the heart of Pitt’s campus, with two of the city’s main drags, Fifth Avenue and Forbes Avenue, only a couple of blocks away. Because Pittsburgh’s main hospital campus is here as well, there are hotels such as Residence Inn by Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn. Restaurant chains like Five Guys and Panera Bread abound, but those in the know hit up Las Palmas two blocks off Forbes for the best tacos in Pittsburgh or Hunan Bar for great Chinese food. As for bars, you better believe there are some good ones around here, including an outpost of local Irish favorite Fuel and Fuddle, Thirsty Scholar, and Hemingway’s Pub, all featuring excellent bar munchies and tons of beers both mainstream and craft. Of course, it’s an urban neighborhood, so it’s always a good idea to pay attention to your surroundings here. Still, it’s not an unsafe area by any means, being patrolled by both city and university police. Fans 4 Right now, Pitt’s not that good, so attendance is on the low side; the game I attended was roughly 60% capacity. However, the crowd was attentive and involved outside the Zoo, particularly as Pitt pulled away from its opponent in the second half. It should be noted that the loudest cheers during the game were reserved for the Pitt football team, who were on the court receiving some national individual awards during a media break. They did win the ACC, so maybe that’s understandable. ESPN the Magazine once rated Petersen Events Center as the sixth loudest venue in college basketball. Judging by the volume at this game, it’s a well-earned reputation, even with a relatively small crowd. The Pete may also be the only sports venue in Pittsburgh where most of the crowd isn’t dressed in black and gold, favoring Pitt’s royal blue and gold. Access 4 Interstate 376, aka the Parkway, is the easiest way to get to Petersen Events Center if you’re driving; from either direction, follow the signs for Forbes Avenue, which in turn will have signs for the arena. Numerous parking garages surround the area, with an average price of $10, and there are several Port Authority bus lines that run from downtown to campus. Pitt has its own intra-campus bus system, but it’s not available to the public unless you’re a Pitt student or with one. If you need wheelchair access or just don’t want to go up and down stairs–the arena is, for lack of a better term, located in a valley–make sure you utilize the lobby entrance and the adjacent parking lot. Once inside, you’ll find broad concourses and easily visible direction signs. The Pete offers wheelchair seating. Restrooms are large and clean, with wheelchair-accessible stalls. Return on Investment 4 Pitt’s a big-time Division 1 school no matter its record, and tickets are priced according to who it’s playing. You could get $13 upper-level seats for the Georgia Tech game at the time of writing, but when Pitt plays Duke, that same ticket will start at $49. If you don’t have a preference about seeing a particular Pitt opponent, tickets, along with concessions and parking, can be pretty reasonable. Since Pittsburgh doesn’t have an NBA team, Panthers basketball is about as close as you can get, and taking in a game can be a fun and not hugely expensive part of a Pittsburgh visit. And let’s be honest–it’s a rarity for most Pittsburgh visitors not to see some type of sporting event during their stay. Extras 4 Those looking for souvenirs will love the Pitt store at Petersen Events Center, aka the Pitt Shop at the Pete, which has a wide array of clothing for men, women, and kids, as well as some cool novelties–at the time of my visit, there was even Pitt football stuff. The arena also acts as a student center of sorts, with a comfortable lounge near the food court and an absolutely massive fitness center (sorry, only for the students). The McCarl Hall of Champions is a small, well-designed museum dedicated to Pitt basketball and Pitt’s broadcast studios are here too. Tours of the venue are available. Final Thoughts Pittsburgh as a whole has excellent sports venues and Petersen Events Center, home of the University of Pittsburgh basketball programs, is no exception to that rule. Its location on Pitt’s campus in the heart of Pittsburgh makes it a great place to see a game, and the lively neighborhood is a draw for locals and visitors alike. Pitt loves the Pete!

Photo Copyright Coni Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Stadio del Tennis Foro Italico 00194 Roma Italy Internazionali BNL d’Italia website Stadio del Tennis website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 10,584 The Stadio del Tennis in Rome The Stadio del Tennis in Rome was inaugurated on April 27, 2010 with the presence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, respectively number one and number two in the ATP rankings during that period. The 2010 opening occurred 80 years from the creation of the International of Italy and the 100th anniversary of the birth of the FIT, the Italian Tennis Federation, founded on May 18, 1910 in the building of the Tennis Club of Florence. The facility is on the site of the old Campo Centrale, which was used from 1996 to 2007. The Stadio del Tennis construction took two years of work and is made of concrete, steel and glass. It can hold up to 10,584 spectators on three rings (for the musical events, the stage is positioned on one of the short sides and the capacity is reduced to 7,000 persons). Since 2011 the International of Italy holds the status of a “combined event,” meaning men and women play during the same period and on the same courts. The roll of honor of the winners of the tournament since “Stadio del Tennis” was inaugurated is a “who’s who” of tennis greats: Rafael Nadal in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2018, Novak Djokovic in 2011, 2014 and 2015, Andy Murray in 2016 and Alexander Zverev in 2017 along with Maria Sharapova in 2011, 2012 and 2015, Serena Williams in 2013, 2014 and 2016, and Elena Svitolina in 2017 and 2018 in the women’s field. The stadium was also used for beach volleyball, volleyball and boxing. In addition, each summer, it is home to the entertainment event “Il Centrale Live.” Stadio del Tennis is part of a large complex, the Foro Italico, which hosts many elite sporting events. Food & Beverage 4 Italy is considered by many as the home of great food, and even in this area of Romethere are many restaurants. Among the first dishes to be tried are “bucatiniall’amatriciana,” “penne allacarbonara”and “spaghettialla gricia.”For the main course, try the lamb or “coda alla vaccinara.” Finally, spending an entire day in the sun can be exhausting. Between the various tennis matches we recommend a “grattachecca,” a crushed ice combined with large pieces of fruit, specific to the city of Rome and unavailable elsewhere in Italy. During the International of Italy, in the Foro Italico, there are several dining areas where you can find different types of foods. On the first floor of Stadio del Tennis there is the hospitality area that, depending on the event, can be reserved for athletes, press or guests. Atmosphere 4 Visibility is excellent from every area of the grounds: Tribuna Tevere, Tribuna Monte Mario, Tribuna Internazionale Nord and Tribuna Internazionale Sud. The sound of the blows that are produced from the racket on the ball are amplified by the shape of the structure and by the placement of the court below ground level. But what makes the atmosphere of the International of Italy so unique is the beauty of the other courts on which the tournament takes place; the buildings around them that bring to the spectator’s mind the greatness of ancient Rome. Even for this, the most prestigious Italian tennis tournament, part of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and with Monte Carlo and Roland Garros is the so-called “Red Slam,” only on three occasions has the event not been played in Rome. Neighborhood 4 Stadio Olimpico (in the same complex in which the Stadio del Tennis resides) is home of AS Roma and SS Lazio . It was also the facility that hosted the 1960 Olympic Games, the final of the FIFA world Cup 1990 and, finally, is home to major athletics meetings. Stadio dei Marmi is also in the complex and is known for its beautiful statues. Stadio del Nuoto expanded on several occasions and is the venue of the many aquatic world championships. Farnesina houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic. These are just some of the beauties present at the Foro Italico. Fans 4 It is typical at Monte Carlo or at Wimbledon to have members of royal families in attendance. In Rome, which is a major film production center, it is not uncommon to see famous actors and actresses. Also, many football players visit Foro Italico during the International of Italy. The fans are very noisy when Italian athletes play in the Stadio del Tennis. Access 4 Getting to the Foro Italico is very easy. For those coming from outside Rome, once you exit from the A1 or A24 highways, just take the ring road and follow signs to Stadio Olimpico. All around the Foro Italico are many car parks. There isn’t a subway that leads directly to Stadio del Tennis, but with line A, you can get off at Flaminio and take a bus or a tram to Piazza Antonio Mancini. From there, just walk across the Ponte Duca d’Aosta over the Tevere River. Return on Investment 4 Online tickets are already available for the 2019 edition of the tournament. Prices range from 17.60 euro for a seat in Distinti Tevere for the first round, to more than 500.00 euro for the Exclusive Suite for the finals. There is also the opportunity to buy the ticket package with hotel. If buying a package, there are additional benefits in the stands of Villaggio Commerciale that will be prepared during the tournament. Extras 4 Roma caput mundi (Latin). These three words are sufficient to anticipate all the extras that spectators of the International of Italy can discover. The event is very close to the Colosseum and the Vatican. Then it depends on how long you stay in the capital of Italy. Final Thoughts Stadio del Tennis in the Foro Italico provides an impressive venue in which to visit and watch high-level tennis matches.

Photo Courtesy of Stadiumconnection.com Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Rice–Totten Stadium 14000 Hwy 82 W Itta Bena, MS 38941 Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils website Rice–Totten Stadium website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 10,000 The Legacy of Jerry Rice If you are looking for a passionate fan base and a fun environment to watch a football game, Rice-Totten Stadium is definitely a good place to start. Itta Bena, Mississippi is what you may expect from a small southern town, and in many ways it protects a gem in the Delta Devils. With Jerry Rice and Deacon Jones as their most well-known athletic alumni, the Delta Devils bring a proud football tradition to the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Rice-Totten Stadium seats approximately 10,000 fans, and provides a fun small school feel. Food & Beverage 2 There is nothing wrong with the food and beverage choices offered in the stadium. In many ways, it is what you would expect for a small Southwestern Athletic Conference school. You are not going to pay a lot, and in return the variety is not all that great. The few tailgates set up around campus do have some unique food choices, and the fans are definitely friendly. Atmosphere 3 With numerous alumni in the National Football League, the Delta Devils fan base has high expectations for their team. They are passionate and interested in the game. They are also very proud of their team, no matter how it happens to be doing that Saturday. Overall it is an enjoyable venue to watch a football game. It is small enough to give you that personal feel, while still being at a college environment. Neighborhood 3 Itta Bena is a nice small southern town. It is proud of being home to the Delta Devils, and openly shows its pride. But Itta Bena is probably not a place where you are going to go to spend a weekend, as there is little to see besides the University. Greenwood is just about ten miles east on US-82, and there you will find a few hotels and a few chain restaurants. But visits to Memphis, Tennessee (two hours to the north) or Jackson, Mississippi (one hour and forty five minutes to the south) both provide plenty of entertainment if needed. The trip is definitely going to show you what the Mississippi countryside has to offer from either direction. Fans 3 The fans know their football, as they have seen some of the best in college and professional history play at Rice-Totten Stadium. The passion is definitely evident when you arrive and continues until you leave the campus. While not as large as some Southwestern Athletic Conference schools, Mississippi Valley State can definitely hold its own when it comes to loyalty amongst its fan base. Access 2 Once on campus, finding parking is not difficult, nor is finding the stadium. The drive in is a bit of a drain, with few close places to stay. The best bets are either Memphis, TN or Jackson, MS if you are looking to spend time in a larger city, both which leave long drives in on game day. The drive is definitely worth the experience overall. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices run $20-$35 on game days, with a discount for buying them early. The food is affordable, and the fans are passionate. Plus any place that has hosted Jerry Rice has to be worth the trip. On this, the Delta Devils do not disappoint. Extras 1 The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils and Itta Bena, Mississippi provide a fun and worthwhile journey into the small town south. Any fan of college football, or of greats like Jerry Rice and Deacon Jones definitely need to make the trip to Itta Bena. The fans will welcome you with open arms, and at the end of the drive, you will be glad you went on the journey.

Photos by Lloyd Brown and Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Madison Square Garden 4 Pennsylvania Plaza New York, NY 10001 New York Rangers website Madison Square Garden website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 18,006 Madison Square Garden Continues To Flourish Madison Square Garden, or MSG as the locals often call it, has finally completed its latest transformation. After the inside was refurbished from 2011-2013, the outside and main entrance were revived over the past 5 years. The 7th Avenue entrance is now majestic and grand and offers a little pedestrian courtyard with seating on 33rd Street. The Garden is home to the New York Rangers of the Metropolitan Division of the National Hockey League and the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association. Just to the right of the new entrance is a Los Tacos No. 1 and Anita Gelato and a modern gateway to the subway and Penn Station. Fun fact: How did Madison Square Garden get its name? Answer: The Garden was originally situated at Madison Square Park at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway at 23rd Street) and was named after James Madison, the fourth president of the United States. Two venues called Madison Square Garden were located just northeast of the square, the original Garden from 1879 to 1890, and the second Garden from 1890 to 1925. The third MSG moved to a new location from 1926 until 1968 on 8th Avenue between 49th and 50th streets. In 1969, the 4th and present location was born between 7th and 8th Avenue from 31st to 33rd Streets. Madison Square Garden is the last of the NBA and NHL arenas not to be named after a corporate sponsor. In recent years, there has been pressure on building owner Jim Dolan (who also owns the Rangers and Knicks) to relocate MSG and make way for a new, vibrant, and massive Pennsylvania Station that sits underneath the Garden. The city council approved a special permit of only five years in 2023 to allow Dolan to remain until 2028. The move attempts to have Dolan commit financially to the expanded train hall before granting a longer special permit to keep MSG at its present location. The Garden received a much-needed facelift from 2011-2013. The inside of the arena was upgraded to include new seats and bathrooms, wider concourses, new luxury suites closer to the ice, club seating areas with high-end food, and a Bridge Level with seats that provide a great aerial view and some bar stool seating. The West Balcony was also added which replaced the old skyboxes. There are six entry points - four on 8th Avenue and the main entrance on 7th Avenue which leads to the lobby and box office. There are also 2 VIP entrances. Food & Beverage 5 In addition to traditional fare, the lower bowl includes Lavo Meatballs, Avenue Cantina, Carnegie Deli, Mike’s Hot Honey (chicken), Fuku chicken sandwiches, Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque, Paulie Gee’s Pizza, Rock Lobster, and Tao Sushi. Other choices include Daily Burger, Garden Market, and Chicken and Things. On the 200 level, there is Dunkin Donuts, Bar at the Garden, Pat LaFrieda Prime Rib, Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, and 7th Street Burger. There are also vegan and gluten-free options. For beverages, there are craft beers on tap (Blue Point, Shock Top, and Goose Island) and mixed drinks. A 24-ounce draft beer is $16. Pepsi products are the beverage of choice. A 20oz soft drink is $20 and Aquafina is $5.50. Many of these options are on the 200 level with less of the high-end fare. The Bridge Level includes Daily Burger ($16 for a cheeseburger), Chicken & Things ($17 tenders and fries), Bar at the Garden, and Fratelli’s Pizza. Remember to have your Chase Card handy as a 20% discount is offered for fans who spend $30 or more. The lines get extremely long at the end of the period. Two tips: head to the concession stands before the horn sounds or if possible wait for the end of the second period as lines are not as long during the second intermission. Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere and game day production are solid. The Rangers hype video leads into the intro of The Who classic Baba O’Riley and then the voice of PA Announcer Joe Tolleson blares “Here they are: The New York Rangers” and up comes the Who as the players hit the ice. Then operatic tenor John Brancy is sure to enliven the fans by singing the national anthem. Brancy does about half of the Rangers games. MSG Ceiling, Photo by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Madison Square Garden is special, from the lobby to the box office, the team store, and the exhibits that commemorate special events. The inside features the iconic ceiling with a cable-supported roof. The 28’ x 57’ scoreboard (which displays the names and numbers of all skaters on the ice throughout the game) over center ice is riveting and then your eyes are drawn to the Chase Bridges which cross the ice at the top of both sides of the upper bowl. A new banner 2023-2024 Regular Season Champions was added to the rafters to start this season but that will not impress most Rangers fans. Four banners commemorating the Rangers’ four Stanley Cup wins (yes only 4) also hang over the Club Lounge seats. The lower bowl is located on the 6th floor and the upper level is on the 7th floor. The lower concourse is fairly wide but gets jammed quickly right before the game and at intermissions. The upper concourse is extremely narrow in spots and lines back up for food and bathrooms causing sporadic traffic jams in between periods. Fans can take escalators to the seating areas but check with Guest Services and they will direct persons who need assistance to elevators and can call for a wheelchair if needed. The arena is divided into Sections 100 through 400 and in addition, there are 96 suites on the Club Level. The sightlines have been much improved since the more than $1 billion renovation that was completed a decade ago. On the negative side, legroom is at a minimum. The current building pays homage to the old Blue Seaters who were the raucous backbone of the Rangers in the 70s and 80s. The 400 Level features blue seats and is appropriately named ‘’The Blue Seats’’ for the former Garden faithful. Neighborhood 5 The area around MSG, located in midtown Manhattan, is busy and boisterous. Pedestrians, taxis, trucks, cars, and buses flood 7th and 8th Avenues and 34th Street even late at night. Penn Station is situated beneath the building and the new bold and beautiful Moynihan Train Station is directly adjacent to MSG on 8th Avenue. The building is 255,000 square feet, housing both Amtrak and Long Island Rail Road ticketing and waiting areas, the unrivaled design includes state-of-the-art security features and a contemporary, digital passenger experience. Macy’s, Empire State Building, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center are within walking distance. There is the Molly Wee Pub, Stout, and Mustang Harry’s for pre-gaming. For food there is Koreatown and NY Pizza Suprema (413 8th Avenue) is often rated one of the best pizza places in Manhattan. There is a bevy of lodging options including The New Yorker Hotel, Fairfield Inn and Suites, the Renaissance New York, and Courtyard New York Manhattan/Chelsea. Fans 4 New York Rangers fans are more reactive than proactive. The days of cheerleading and rallying the team when the home team is down in professional sports are over for the most part and fans tend to wait for something to happen to cheer. Prices have forced loyal fans to watch more games from home as MSG has catered to the rich and famous. Despite the outrageous ticket prices, the Rangers sell out almost every game and are averaging 17,975 so far this season. Blueshirts fans enjoy wearing their Rangers sweaters to the games and it’s common to see many women in the crowd. The Garden still erupts for goals by the home team as they break into the Goal Song (Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey!!) with the horn blaring and the red lights swirling under the Jumbotron. The song called Slapshot, which debuted in 1995, was written by Rangers organist Ray Castoldi. The favorite chant is the fans’ rallying cry “Let’s Go Rangers” and also ”Igor, Igor!” after a great save or saves to salute All-Star goalie Igor Shesterkin if he happens to be manning the net. The ultimate Rangers fan is Larry Goodman (aka Dancin Larry) who dances to Strike It Up at almost every game during the final TV timeout of the third period with the Rangers cheerleaders encouraging his act. Larry has been doing his thing since 1996. The Rangers are the only team in the league without a mascot. Maybe it’s time has come. The Garden does a good job of displaying plenty of crowd shots on the scoreboard during breaks in the action. MSG does three T Shirt Tosses which get the joint jumping and adds a few celebrity sightings. The sound system is clear and music is a mix of pop and organ and played at a good decibel level. Access 5 Access is a plus except for traffic around MSG. The Path Train from New Jersey, subway stations on 6th (B, D, F and M and N, Q, R, and W) and 8th Avenue (A, C and E and 1, 2 and 3), LIRR trains from Long Island and Queens underneath at Penn Station, and Grand Central Station (serving Westchester and Connecticut) is about a 15-20 minute walk. Driving to MSG can be problematic coming in from the West Side Highway or East River Drive. There are plenty of parking facilities nearby so check SpotHero or ParkWhiz to prepay for parking which runs about $30-$45. The doors open 90 minutes before the event and security scanning is fairly efficient. Return on Investment 2 The investment for one event at MSG is costly. If you can find a ticket for under $100 consider yourself lucky. The only time to get in for less is for early-season weeknight games in October and November or if the Rangers fall out of playoff contention. The lower bowl will run $150 or more for behind the goal (not including TicketMaster fees) and much more to sit at center ice ($350 and up). Food and beverages are pricey but much more options are available and the quality has improved. For the most part, steer clear of souvenirs and look for less costly options online or in local sporting goods stores. Extras 4 One point is for the Theater at Madison Square which features Annie presently starring Whoopi Goldberg. Another point is the diversity of MSG which offers in addition to the Knicks and St. John’s basketball, concerts, and comedy shows. Avril Lavigne, Mary J. Blig,e and Dua Lipa are three headliners set to perform in 2025. Billy Joel, who holds the record for the greatest number of appearances at the Garden with 150 shows stated that "Madison Square Garden is the center of the universe as far as I'm concerned.” A blue banner honoring Joel’s 150 hangs from the rafters. The third point is for tradition: the classic Rangers sweater has been in use since the franchise's birth in 1926, with several alterations along the way. Tex Rickard was the first owner of the Rangers, one of the Original Six teams that competed in the NHL before its 1967 expansion, along with the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and Toronto Maple Leafs. The fourth and final point is for the impressive new main entrance on 7th Avenue. leading into the lobby. This area was covered by scaffolding for a few seasons and now is wide open with the marquee flashing upcoming events. This is an entrance worthy of its moniker “The World’s Most Famous Arena”. Final Thoughts MSG is always deserving of a Stadium Journey and not just for hockey. The Arena is vibrant and exciting but don’t forget the plastic. Follow Greg Venuto’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Facebook

Photos by Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Van Andel Arena 130 W Fulton St Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Grand Rapids Griffins website Van Andel Arena website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 10,834 As Good as it Gets in Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan is a true gem and it is getting even better. The home of the Detroit Red Wings’ AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins is an excellent place to enjoy hockey as well as many top name entertainers. Due to the close proximity to the parent club in Detroit, Griffin fans enjoy the chance to see future NHL players sharpening their skills and hoping to move 180 miles southeast to play in Little Caesars Arena. Considering the population of Grand Rapids (second largest city in Michigan – metropolitan population is over 1,000,000), the number of choices to eat and drink in the downtown area is amazing. A wide range of quality allows everyone to find their niche. The city has been named “Best Beer Town” by national publications, morphing from its former “Furniture City” designation. Thanks to Amway corporate leaders, the downtown has revitalized itself in recent years. It is a true destination location for travelers. Food & Beverage 4 Hockey fans can find copious food and drink options at Van Andel. On the lower level, the Intermission Restaurant and Bar is a full-service dining room open two hours before the puck drops. A wide range of concession stands offer the traditional options such as $4.50 hot dogs, $7.25 nachos, $5.50 cheeseburgers, $5 brats and combo baskets. One cost saver is the $10.50 refill cup with unlimited refills of soft drinks during the event. Pepsi products are offered along with national and craft beers from $7.25 to $9.25. Cocktails vary from $6.50 margaritas to $10 for the whiskey plum, while wine goes for $6.50 to $10. The Valley Cattle and Fry Co. stand provides burgers along with chicken wings and tenders. Peppino’s has a whole pizza for $25 and slices for $4.50. The Fulton Bar features Hudsonville Ice Cream options. Various Mexican food items are “custom made” as the customer chooses what goes into his/her burrito; I really enjoyed this opportunity. Atmosphere 4 Van Andel Arena opened in 1996 and has played a significant role in downtown revitalization. Sports, concerts, and plays are of high quality for all audiences. An HD video board on the south wall is a great addition as replays and lots of fan shots are shown. An LED lighting system was installed in 2016, along with free public Wi-Fi. There are apps available for the Griffins and Van Andel Arena that link the customer. The arena displays Calder Cup Championship banners honoring the 2013 and 2017 teams. The sight lines from the seats are quite good. However, the seats are relatively narrow by today’s standards that provide moderate leg room; all seats are padded and have cup holders. The seating areas and ceiling have a dark motif; the new lighting draws the fans’ eyes to the rink. Short stairways lead from the seats to the main concourse. Team mascot Griff the Griffin is a lively character who roars around the ice before the puck drops and meets/greets the fans. Neighborhood 5 The variety of choices available in downtown “GR” is great for hockey fans and event goers. Highly rated restaurants within easy walking distance include San Chez Bistro for all three meals serving small plates/tapas, Wheelhouse Kitchen for contemporary dining and the Bistro Bella Vista offers Italian fare. The Grand Rapids “BOB” (Big Old Building) has several dining and drinking alternatives in a lively atmosphere. Nearby downtown establishments I have enjoyed are the Butcher’s Union on Bridge Street and The Chop House on Monroe. Choosing a brewery in GR is a challenge: there are many high-quality options. Near the arena are Hop Cat and Grand Rapids Brewery Company. In the surrounding city areas, consider Founders Brewing, Mitten Brewing Company, Brewery Vivant, and Railtown Brewing Company. Attractions abound in and around GR: the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park on the east side are excellent, the Gerald R. Ford Museum just west of downtown honors our 38th President, and the Public Museum and Art Museum are also great choices. Fans 4 Over the last five years, the Griffins’ average attendance is close to 8,000 which places them about #6 in the 31-team AHL. The team appears to do a very good job with group and family sales and they have added some suites. “The Corner Office” is a group area featuring food and drink along with luxury recliners. One great policy is the ushers holding up signs asking fans to wait until a stop in the action before returning to their seats – this should happen at all parks in my opinion. Fans are given a free “Griffitti” program when they enter. The fans are knowledgeable of the game and make noise for shots on goal, and the arena staff is very friendly and helpful as they welcome the fans. Access 5 Driving to Van Andel is quite convenient even though it is in the downtown area as two freeways have nearby exits. That said, fans should allow some time for parking and walking to the game. Parking lots/ramps are run by the city and cost $12 for events. Some metered street parking is available; if fans get to one of those spots at the right time, they could save some money. Fans enter the arena on the north side. Public transportation is widely available. The arena concourse is a good size, yet can get a little tight with large crowds. Handicapped fans are accommodated well with elevators and many seating locations available. Return on Investment 4 Tickets vary from $19-$40 at the gate; fans can save $3 per seat if purchased in advance. Check the team website and app for special offers; “4-pack” deals for family and the D-Zone are examples. The team offers lots of promotions/giveaways for most matches. Winning Wednesday events include free tickets if the team wins that night. Food and beverage pricing is typical for this level of play, and the variety is a plus. Extras 4 One point for the active downtown scene which can be enjoyed before and after the game. Another point for the excellent production provided by the Griffins staff throughout the game: excellent sound system and music; lively announcements; items dropped from the catwalks down to the fans (including a parachute drop with pizza boxes for free pizza). They make it an enjoyable experience. One point for excellent and friendly customer service. One point for the Grand Rapids Hall of Fame plaques throughout the entire concourse where they recognize players (including President Gerald Ford who played football at U of M), coaches and media favorites. Final Thoughts This is a great minor league hockey venue! Hockey fans might consider getting tickets for a weekend of fun: they offer a number of Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday games on the schedule, so fans could stay downtown do it up right! Even casual fans will enjoy a match and families are very well served.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Duncan Field 601 East South St Hastings, NE 68901 Hastings Sodbusters website Duncan Field website Year Opened: 1941 Capacity: 1,317 Historic Duncan Field Built as a public works project in 1940 and dedicated in 1941, Duncan Field is known for its massive outfield dimensions and its iconic red brick outfield wall. The baseball field was originally called Pershing Field and was renamed Duncan Field in 1948 after Robert Duncan, an avid Hastings baseball fan. Duncan Field was used by the class ‘D’ Nebraska State League (baseball) from 1956 – 1959. It hosted the American Legion National Baseball Championships in 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1969. Today, the field continues to host Legion baseball, Hastings College baseball, Hastings Senior High baseball, and Hastings St Cecilla football. 2018 sees a new tenant at Duncan Field – the Hastings Sodbusters of the Expedition League, a summer collegiate wood bat league. The first ever Expedition League All Star Game was held in 2018 at Duncan Field. The stadium will host the 2019 and 2020 American Legion Central Plains Regionals (baseball), the first regionals in the state since 2004. Watching a Sodbusters game at this classic venue is a family friendly, affordable way to spend a summer evening. Food & Beverage 3 Standard ballpark food is available for Sodbusters games with the one main concession stand just to the right of the entrance down the first base line. Offerings include hamburger, cheeseburger, hot dog, pulled pork sandwich, nachos, and pizza and are priced from $3 – $5 (quite affordable). Snacks consist of pretzels, cookies, candy bars, chips, seeds ($1 – $5). The concession stand is cash only. Drinks are $2 (Pepsi, Gatorade, bottled water, tea/sweet tea, and bottled lemonade). An adult beverage cart is to the left of the entrance that has Coors, Bud, Miller Lite, Michelob Ultra, Goose Island IPA, Goose Island 312, and Leinenkugel. It also serves mixed drinks such as vodka and lemonade, rum and Coke, whiskey or Jack Daniels and Coke, etc. All drinks are $5, cash only. For most Sodbuster games, a small snack-only concession stand is open on the upper third base seating level and sells salty popcorn, chips, and other goodies. Lines can, and do, form at the main concession stand so plan accordingly. Atmosphere 3 Seating runs from a tad beyond first base to a bit beyond third base. The reserved seating (from dugout to dugout) has wonderfully, enormous amounts of leg room and are the standard green, fold down stadium seats. There’s absolutely no leg room in the general admission / bleacher sections nor are their backs on the bleachers. Spend the extra $2 and get a reserved seat. The first base side gets the shade first during evening games. A kid’s covered play area beyond the first base line contains an elaborate, colorful jungle gym. A bouncy house for the young ones to enjoy is past the third base line. An electronic scoreboard is located in right-center field and provides basic game information: runs per inning, total runs, hits and errors, the balls, strikes, outs, and the # of the player at bat. Roster sheets are not provided. A train track runs just past the stadium and freight trains can be heard rumbling by throughout the game (as well as the trains’ loud whistle). The PA announcer does not articulate well; is difficult to understand what he’s trying to say; music is played while he’s talking which doesn’t help. “Noise” is broadcast/played after every pitch which is annoying to me but the crowd seems to like it. The staff works hard providing the innocent, between-inning entertainment which includes matrimony game, dizzy bat race, trivia contest, and more. Neighborhood 3 One of the great things about stadium journeying is the ability to visit many large and small towns across the country and the world that a traveler would not normally visit. Surrounded by corn fields, Hastings, NE is one of those small towns that provides an interesting mix of commerce and industry, restaurants and bars, and cultural and sports opportunities and it grows on you after spending some time there. Downtown Hastings is only about a mile from Duncan Field. Spend a couple hours visiting the Hastings Museum, which includes a planetarium that offers a several shows daily. Did you know Hastings is the birthplace of Kool-Aid? Visit the Farmer’s Market, take in the latest film at the historic Rivoli Theatre, stroll downtown and tour many of the locally-owned shops, or hike/bike the paved trails at Heartwell Park and feed the ducks. For delicious sandwiches, a Big Dally’s Deli is directly across the street from center field. Other recommended dining choices include Odyssey Downtown (casual and fine dining – considered the best dining experience in central Nebraska), Murphy’s Wagon Wheel (burgers, BBQ, and beer), and Bull Eye’s (a traditional bar that has good weekend breakfast choices). A most comfortable and welcoming brewery downtown is the First Street Brewing Company or stop by Steeple Brewing Co for other varieties of craft beer. Several hotels are within a few miles of Duncan Field, though none within walking distance. They include Super 8 by Wyndham Hastings, C3 Hotel & Convention Center, Comfort Inn and a few more. Most of these run between $60 and $80 a night. Fans 3 Locals are delighted there’s an additional form of entertainment in town. The Sodbusters are in the middle of the pack of attendance rankings in the Expedition League with an average of 641 fans per game during the 2018 season. The fans are versed in the rules of the game and applaud at all the appropriate times. They appreciate good plays made by not only the Sodbusters but the visiting team as well. The beer batter of the game (buy one; get one free Bud or Bud Light for the remainder of the inning if the identified batter gets a strike out) is an appreciated promotion. Access 3 Hastings is a little over 100 miles west of Lincoln, NE. The town is surrounded by farmland so one will be making a pleasant drive through the Heartland of America on their way to Duncan Field if coming from out of town. Once in town, it’s quite easy to find Duncan Field as it sits just off County Road 6, south of Hastings College on Elm Ave. Public transportation is not available for Sodbusters games. Uber, Lyft, and taxis are of service in the city. A small airport is in Hastings but no commercial flights arrive or depart from that air field. A paved parking lot is adjacent to the stadium (no charge for parking) and there is plenty of free parking along the neighborhood streets. The ticket booth is located down the first base line next to the only gate entrance. Ramps and wheelchair accessible spaces are plentiful. The concourse is really the entrance plaza, a small walkway is in front of the seating area (and behind the grandstand where the restrooms are located). Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $5 (student), $6 (general admission – bleachers), $8 (reserved – sections 101-102, 103-105), and $10 (premier – first three rows of 103-105 – right behind home plate). Concession prices are very affordable and parking is free. The team provides various fireworks and theme nights throughout the season. Every Tuesday is $2 Tuesday with deals at the already inexpensive concession stand. It’s a great affordable place to take the family, a date, or friends on a summer’s evening out. Extras 3 Duncan Field has several unique and interesting points. In addition to baseball, Hastings St Cecilla football is also played in the outfield (there’s a separate football-only scoreboard down the third base line). The original brick outfield wall built in the 1940’s still looks fabulous. No advertisements and no separate batter’s eye is in place as the dark red brick does the trick. It provides that ‘old time baseball feel’ when attending a game at Duncan Field. Kudo’s to the 2014 renovations and to all of those who donated to help keep this historic field state-of-the-art while maintaining its history. Final Thoughts If in town, I recommend conversation and a craft cold one at First Street Brewery, then head east a mile to Duncan Field and catch a Sodbusters baseball game for an enjoyable afternoon/evening out.

Photos by Michael Rusignuolo, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Eastwood Field 5555 Youngstown Warren Rd Niles, OH 44446 Youngstown State Penguins website Eastwood Field website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 6,300 Behind the Mall for Penguin Ball Secluded behind the Eastwood shopping mall in Niles, Ohio sits Eastwood Field, home of the Youngstown State Penguins baseball team. It is a unique position for a stadium and is also home to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers , an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. There are some minor league amenities in a college environment that are fun to explore. Eastwood Field was constructed in 1999 with an $8.3 million budget and has been home to baseball ever since. Even though the games here are enjoyable, being 12 miles from the YSU campus severely takes away from an authentic college baseball experience. A seating capacity of around 6,000 allows the possibility for some good crowds, but the distance makes it difficult for the casual fan to make the trip. Food & Beverage 2 The variety at the ballpark is great, but there’s nothing that stands out from the rest. Plus, some of the specialty stands they use for minor league games are closed during the college games. It’s never good to be informed on what you’re missing from the experience. The quality of the food is average. You can grab a hot dog ($3), burger ($6), grilled chicken sandwich ($6), or nachos ($4). For some added variety you can purchase chicken fingers, buckets of fries, pizza, or boneless wings. The essential snacks are there as well including sunflower seeds ($1.50), cracker jacks ($3.25), chips ($2), and peanuts ($3.25). There are plenty of drink options including bottled soda, Aquafina, Gatorade, and Mountain Dew ($3.50). Also, since the stadium is not on a college campus they are allowed to sell draft beer ($6 for a 20 oz. $9 for a 32 oz.). Atmosphere 2 If you are adventurous on your stadium journeys, you might just arrive at the YSU campus without a map looking for the baseball stadium. After all, they advertise the games on the marquees all over campus. Plus, the campus has been around for a long time so there is a lot to see. However, once game time comes around you’re going to have to make a trip to Niles about 20 minutes away. This really takes away from the experience when you’re expecting a college atmosphere. The stadium itself is fun, but not overwhelming. It is hidden behind a shopping mall of the same name and only has a view of vegetation beyond the outfield wall. It kind of makes you feel boxed into a corner. The environment really resembles minor league baseball more than college baseball. Everything from the music to the entertainment in between innings puts you right in the middle of that feeling. This keeps the stadium from achieving a more enjoyable experience for baseball fans looking for the college game. Neighborhood 2 The feeling of the neighborhood is literally nonexistent. That atmosphere is 20 minutes away on campus. However, there are some places to spend some time before or after the game. The most popular restaurant is Bill’s Place just off of Mahoning Avenue in Austintown. Located just about 10 minutes from the stadium, this is a great place to grab some decent food and play some pool and take advantage of the drink specials. The highlight of your trip will be Stambaugh Stadium, if you decide to spend some time on campus. The football program has enjoyed notoriety and success over the years. The stadium is a mammoth concrete structure located just off the highway. The location is really neat and a must see for any college football fan. Fans 3 Youngstown has some good fans that mostly come from a strong college football following. The distance from the campus seems to keep any kind of student attendance to a minimum. The crowd is mostly filled with families looking for a night out as opposed to a true college community. The fans that do show up are highly supportive of the team and come decked out in Penguin apparel. If you can, try to make it to the stadium when a big time school is in town, especially if it’s another Ohio school like Ohio State. This will increase chances of a bigger and louder crowd. Access 3 The stadium is really easy to get to, but it is hidden behind the shopping mall and located 20 minutes down the highway from YSU. Those factors can make it a bit tricky to find. The parking is only $3 and there’s plenty of room in the lot to find a good spot. The lines for concessions can get a bit long, but you can just find a smaller service station down the first base side instead of in the main concourse if you want to avoid standing in line. Once inside the stadium, you’ll find the area is quite spacious. The seating is general admission so you’re free to explore the different views of the ballpark. The best view is in the bleachers on the third base side, about 30 rows up. From there, you can see everything including the bullpen and all of the game action. Return on Investment 3 The tickets will only cost you $8 per person and are general admission. The prices at the concessions are respectable and the parking is cheap. Overall, this makes for an affordable night out with the family in a fun environment. Just make sure to prepare for the cold weather, even in the month of May college baseball can be a cold game. Extras 2 One point for all of the different views you can get from around the stadium, especially the best view from the bleachers down the third base line. Another point for the nice lawn area in right field, a great spot to enjoy some beverages. Final Thoughts The trip to Youngstown, Ohio can be enjoyable if you want to bring along the family or a best friend, but the stadium experience is not on par with premier college atmospheres. The campus and stadium are just too spread out and nothing seems to be within walking distance. There aren’t that many places to enjoy a good meal or to experience some entertainment outside the baseball game. But, if you happen to live in Northern Ohio, Eastwood Field makes for a decent night out.

Photo Courtesy of MLB Get your tickets while you can. The MLB Speedway Classic will be at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee on Saturday, August 2, 2025. The baseball game will feature the hometeam Cincinnati Reds hosting the Atlanta Braves at the 150,000-seat race track. It will be the first Major League Baseball game held at an auto racetrack, with the goal, of setting an attendance record at the oval-shaped facility.  The attendance record was for an MLB exhibition game of 115,300 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox in 2008. "We look forward to celebrating our game with a wide array of fans, both on and off the field throughout the weekend, and highlighting the rich traditions of sports, music, and community in Tennessee and across the region," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. The Bristol Motor Speedway was built in 1961 and is known as “The Last Great Coliseum”. It is not the first time the facility hosted a non-NASCAR event. A college football game between Virginia Tech and Tennessee saw an NCAA record crowd of 156,900 fans in 2016. The price of tickets, packages, and other events will be released in the coming months. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Scotiabank Saddledome 555 Saddledome Rise SE Calgary, AB T2G 2W1 Canada Calgary Roughnecks website Scotiabank Saddledome website Year Opened: 1983 Capacity: 19,289 Back in the Saddle The Calgary Roughnecks are one of the most successful franchises in the history of the National Lacrosse League. Since they started playing in November, 2001, they have only missed the playoffs once (their first year) and they have won two championships (2004 and 2009). This makes them the winningest professional sports franchise in the city’s history. Needless to say, their standards for performance are high and their fan base is dedicated and enthusiastic. The Scotiabank Saddledome is the home of the Roughnecks. The ‘Dome has been open since 1983 and is also host to the NHL’s Calgary Flames , and the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen . Conveniently, the Flames own all three franchises, so it’s very much an All In The Family situation at the Saddledome. While the Saddledome was state of the art when it opened for business, it is starting to be a little long in the tooth more than 30 years later. Consequently, the Flames have begun talking about building a new facility in the not-too-distant future, although their CalgaryNEXT proposal may never come to fruition. Talks of building a new arena aside, the Saddledome remains a solid structure that has seen a number of renovations over the years to keep it fairly modern, and is still a good place to watch an event. Food & Beverage 4 For the most part, there are the standard concession stands selling the standard selection of soft drinks, hot dogs, popcorn, etc., at fairly typical prices (hot dogs are $4.75, popcorn is $5.75). You’ll also find Budweiser on tap at all the regular concession stands ($8.75). There are also a few specialty locations around the concourse. For instance, at Flame Broiled BBQ locations you can get yourself an excellent hamburger or cheeseburger made of delicious Alberta Beef (cheeseburgers are $7). In addition, there are Pizza 73 stands, Italian ice kiosks, little doughnut stations and Good Earth Coffee available for fans who want something a little different than cola and popcorn. There is also a Jugo Juice stand on the east side which offers some healthier choices with their yummy juice concoctions and wraps. On the west side of the concourse there is a kiosk called the Mac Shack which sells mac and cheese as well as sandwiches with a strong cheese theme. The Sicilian Grilled Cheese ($8.50) is excellent (and probably about a day’s worth of calories). Disappointingly, a number of concession stands remain closed during Roughnecks games due to the smaller crowds in attendance as compared to Flames games and this means some food options you get at Flames games are not available. Dutton’s Lounge, a sports bar downstairs under the west entrance, is open for ticket holders before games for a tailgate party as well as after games for postgame revelling, and has a fully stocked bar for those looking for a more sophisticated adult beverage. Likewise, there are several other spots around the concourse with a selection of highballs, bottled beer, and wine. Atmosphere 4 Box lacrosse, as the indoor game is known, is the best spectator sport in the world in my humble opinion. It is fast and furious, full of strength, finesse, speed and grace. I have never yet taken a sports fan to a game and had that person say they didn’t enjoy the experience. The atmosphere, not surprisingly, is pretty fired up. Music is played throughout the game (some people like this; some not so much) and fans are encouraged by the announcer to cheer their team and taunt the opposition. As a result, the fans at Roughnecks games are quite boisterous. The Roughnecks have won two league championships in their 10 seasons in the NLL and have earned the Champion’s Cup both times at home in the Saddledome. Consequently, the energy and sense of pride the team brings to the stadium is very strong and the entire building and the people inside seem to feed off it. It is infectious and makes for an entertaining, exciting event. The lacrosse community in town is 10 times larger now than it was when the Roughnecks arrived here, so the audience has a significant group of younger fans and their parents. The powers that be within the organization do a good job of appealing to them with meet-and-greet opportunities after games, youth-oriented events between quarters and at half time, etc. The net result is that kids of all ages are likely to have a great time at a game. Adding to the overall atmosphere are the championship banners displayed in the rafters, giving a sense that the Roughnecks are indeed home. The downside is that attendance at Roughnecks games is usually around half of the Saddledome’s capacity. In spite of the energy in the occupied parts of the stands, it still at times can feel pretty empty, although crowds of 10,000 or more are becoming more and more frequent. In fact, in the 2016 regular season only three of the team’s eight home games had fewer than 10,000 fans in attendance. Neighborhood 3 The Saddledome is situated on the Calgary Stampede Grounds, located on the southeast edge of the downtown core. There isn’t much happening in the immediate neighbourhood, but it is slowly becoming more and more gentrified, which means more dining and entertainment options in the immediate vicinity are popping up. One of the relatively new locations is the Cowboys Casino, just north of the ‘Dome on the Stampede Grounds. The Casino now features no fewer than four different restaurants. The Zen 8 Grill in the casino offers a great meal. Across the street from Cowboys Casino is Vagabond, which has a menu with something for everyone on it, a wide variety of beers (50-plus listed on their menu), and which seems to have made a special effort to cater to pre and post-event crowds. Just across Macleod Trail from the Stampede Grounds, on 14th Ave, you will find Loungeburger. It is a more upscale gourmet burger place, with burger selections running from $10.50-$17 (a la carte), but they’re well worth it. I recommend the Black and Blue ($12.25). Just a few blocks due west of the ‘Dome lies the heart of what has come to be known as “The Red Mile,” a string of nightclubs, bars and restaurants that gained a certain amount of notoriety during the Flames’ Stanley Cup run in 2004. There you’ll find places such as the Ship and Anchor Pub which has been named Best Neighbourhood Pub in Calgary several times by local publication, “Fast Forward Weekly.” Fans 4 Roughnecks games generally draw between 10,500-12,000 fans to the Saddledome, which fills it to about half or two-thirds. Calgary has sold the ‘Dome out twice in past years, however, including the 2004 Champion’s Cup game, which the ‘Necks won. The fans are fiercely loyal and very enthusiastic, resulting in lots of noise and great energy during the game, especially in comparison to the relatively quiet crowds you might find at a hockey game in the ‘Dome. With the explosion of interest in lacrosse within Calgary, the crowds have become more stable and have seen gradual but steady growth over the years. Access 3 Located downtown, the Saddledome is relatively easy to get to, aside from the traffic woes that are par for the course in the inner city. Expect stop-and-go traffic and delays getting to and from the facility, which can be anywhere from distracting to downright irritating. Calgary is one of the most expensive places to park in North America and consequently parking on the Stampede Grounds will run you $15. The lot also fills up fairly quickly, especially if there are other events happening around the Grounds. There are other alternate off-site parking options at similar or slightly lower rates, but plan for a bit of a walk after that. The other option is to take the city’s Light Rail Transit system to the game. The “C-Train” has a stop on the west side of the grounds, making it easily accessible from all over the city heading north, south or west. This can be a much more convenient option for fans not wanting the hassle of driving downtown, although the trains can get pretty crowded after events. An adult fare for Calgary Transit is $3.15, youths are $2.10. The concourse itself is spacious enough for a typical Roughnecks crowd on the east and west sides, but gets pretty narrow to the north and south. This isn’t too much of a problem at Roughnecks games where the building is only at half capacity, but it can get badly crowded when the house is full. Return on Investment 3 Compared to the price of a Flames game, the cost of a Roughnecks game is a bargain. Prices start at $21.99 for upper bowl end zone tickets (these passes are available at local Safeway stores); tickets at the door go for anywhere from $25.50 for the higher rows of the upper bowl to $64.50 for the Avison Young seats in the lower bowl. With as good a price as this is for a professional sporting event, coupled with the entertainment value provided by box lacrosse, this is a pretty good deal. Extras 5 The Saddledome provides a good environment for enjoying sports, with good sight lines for everyone. There are a number of points of interest along the concourse walls, including 1988 Olympic displays and Alberta’s inductees into the NHL Hall of Fame. Virtually every concourse wall has something to look at. There is always a memorabilia auction held in the main concourse for collectors who are interested in bidding on autographed photos and jerseys. Several times during the game, the Drill Crew dance team makes appearances on the floor to wow the fans with their award-winning moves. When they’re not center stage performing, they can be seen in the concourse and the stands selling their always-popular calendars. In my opinion, the Drill Crew are arguably the most talented dance team in the NLL and certainly no worse than top three. The Roughnecks also have a mascot, Howie the Honey Badger. Howie helps entertain the kids in the crowd and also helps out with giveaways and promotions during the game. There are two locations of the Flames Fan Attic on the premises, on the east and west sides of the concourse. In either of those stores you can stock up on all the Roughnecks, Flames and Hitmen merchandise you can carry, from shirts and jerseys to hats, mugs and key chains. The players stick around after games to sign autographs on the field for dedicated fans. This is a really cool feature of attending one of the smaller scale pro sports and really helps get the fans in touch with the athletes they’re supporting. Final Thoughts When you put it all together, attending a Roughnecks game, or any NLL game, is almost guaranteed to be a fun and entertaining experience. The game itself is more than worth the price of admission and there are any number of other excellent reasons to make the visit to the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Mississippi Coliseum 1207 Mississippi St Jackson, MS 39202 Dixie Nationals Livestock Show and Rodeo website Mississippi Coliseum website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 6,500 Greatest Show on Dirt For 10 days every February some of the best cowboys in the world come to Jackson, Mississippi. The State Fairgrounds are transformed into the Rodeo Capital of the U.S., as the Dixie Nationals Livestock Show and Rodeo takes over the city. The idea for the Dixie Nationals began in the early 1960s when then Mississippi Agricultural Commissioner Si Corley and three Jackson businessmen took trips out west and saw the different livestock shows and rodeos that took place. By 1966 the first Dixie Nationals had begun, and by the third year the event turned a profit. Nicknamed the 'Greatest Show on Dirt' and the ‘Biggest Rodeo East of the Mississippi’, the Dixie Nationals, now entering its 57th year in 2023, is one of the premiere rodeos in the country and one of Mississippi's largest sporting events. The month-long livestock show and rodeo attracts more than 200,000 visitors to the State Fairgrounds, for an estimated economic impact of more than $20 million. Food & Beverage 4 Food is plentiful at the Dixie Nationals, so much so that you could fill yourself up before you even step foot inside Mississippi Coliseum. It is a carnival-like atmosphere on the grounds, with different food trucks and different food booths open during the event. The typical fair food is here along with seafood and gumbo. The Mississippi Cattleman's Association also has a giant barn set up called the Beef Barn – if it has meat in it you bet you can find it at the Beef Barn; they even have a "Hot Beef Sundae" which looks just like an ice cream sundae, but instead it's a cup of mashed potatoes and roast beef, topped with sour cream and cherry tomatoes. Another option is the Mississippi Trade Mart Building, a convention center-style building attached to the coliseum which has that building's regular concessions open inside, so you can find the usual fare there as well. For upscale food check out the Dixie National Steakhouse inside the Trade Mart Building; some of the best chefs in the Jackson area partnered together to create their own steakhouse. Inside you can get expensive sirloin, ribeye, and everything else before heading into the coliseum to watch some rodeo action. Once inside Mississippi Coliseum there are four concession stands, each with the regular ballpark fare. Chicken tenders, hot dogs, hamburgers, hot dogs, and nachos round out the menu with prices from $4 to $9. Several pop-up bars round out the concourse as well, serving a wide selection of alcoholic drinks. Atmosphere 5 The Dixie Nationals is more than just a rodeo – it is an event in itself. The Dixie Nationals unofficially begins the first week of January, with various judging competitions and showmanship awards for different animals. There are also livestock auctions taking place throughout the grounds almost every day in the weeks leading up to the official start of the rodeo. The main rodeo takes place for ten days in the middle of February inside the 6,500-seat Mississippi Coliseum on the grounds of the State Fairgrounds, but there is so much more to see and do here, with events going on at all times in the other buildings on the fairground's property. The rodeo starts on a Friday and ends the following Sunday, and they really go all out here bringing a taste of the wild west to Mississippi for those ten days. On the first Saturday morning of the Rodeo they do a giant parade through the streets of downtown, but instead of floats it is all covered wagons and horse-drawn carriages. Cowboys ride on their horses and parade from the fairgrounds to the State Capitol; it really is a sight to see. Once at the State Fairgrounds there are also various events taking place every day, for example the Mississippi Agricultural Commission Fan Expo goes on all day in the Trade Mart next to the coliseum – this expo has everything from mechanical bulls to petting zoos for the kids. You can even sit on Wilbur the Famous Rodeo Bull and get your picture taken. It is also a farmer's dream here at the expo, as you can find anything farm related here. They have interactive displays on the different soils and crops in Mississippi, and everything is interactive and touch-based to make it interesting, like the poultry exhibit where you can touch chicken eggs and watch them hatch. All the Mississippi-based industries had booths set up, as well as about 15-20 local colleges where they were trying to recruit prospective farming and agriculture majors. They even have about 100 different kinds of John Deere tractors on display, and you could climb into the tractors as well. The blacksmith booth set up was also a big hit, as I saw many people getting belts, boots and cowboy hats made. After spending hours at the fan expo you will spend even more time in the parking lot checking out the different barns and stables on the property – there are hundreds of stables and several livestock arenas with different livestock shows and auctions going on. All the farmers and ranchers have their prized livestock on display in the stables, and you can go right up and touch some of the bulls and cows that are being sold and competing at the rodeo. I talked to some farmers and ranchers who had come all the way from Canada, Wyoming, California, and Colorado with their horses and cattle. The Dixie Nationals consist of 10 rodeo shows that take place inside the coliseum over the course of the ten days, with two shows on Saturdays. Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gibson makes an appearance before each show, giving a speech about the history of the Rodeo. Mississippi Coliseum is over 70 years old, but surprisingly is aging quite well for an old building. The whole building is glass covered from the outside, and the concourses are quite clean, having been renovated several years ago. Once in the seating bowl there is not a bad view from anywhere in the building, with the 6,500 seats close enough to the action so you can see everything, with a large temporary videoboard hanging in the center. The Dixie National Rodeo is part of the Southeastern circuit of the Professional Rodeo Circuit of America (PRCA), so you will see the top cowboys in the country compete. You will see seven rodeo events contested each day of the competition, namely bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. A popular country music concert ends each night of the rodeo action, and after the final event of each show fans are invited to come down to the dirt, where they construct a stage for the concert. Neighborhood 4 The State Fairgrounds are located in the middle of downtown Jackson, the capital and largest city in Mississippi. In recent years Jackson has gained a reputation as a not-so-safe city, but as long as you are aware of your surroundings and don't venture too far away from downtown, especially after dark, you should be fine. Downtown is filled with historical sites and beautiful scenery, and within walking distance to the fairgrounds you can see all the tourist sites that make Jackson so special. If you are interested in the state's rich history, then visiting downtown Jackson is for you. Located two blocks from the fairgrounds is the state capitol, which was built in 1903 and is available for public tours. Pay attention to the beautiful stained-glass windows at the top of the capitol building; it is quite impressive with the intricate designs. Also across the street from the State Fairgrounds is the old capitol building, which served the state from 1839 until 1903 – the old capitol is available for tours as well, and is one of the few buildings in Jackson to survive the Civil War. Next to the old capitol is the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, which just opened and is a popular spot for tourists. Other popular museums downtown include the Museum of Art, Children's Museum, and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, a must visit for anyone who visits Jackson. For the night life scene of Jackson check out the Fondren District, about 4 miles north of the State Fairgrounds. You will find lawyers, politicians, doctors, and college students from one of Jackson's three universities mingling together in the bars and restaurants that line Old Canton Road into the district; near the fairgrounds there are also a few bars worth checking out as well. For the live music scene check out Hal & Mal's, or if you are into craft beers, try the hip Tavern on George Street. Fenian's Pub also remains a popular spot among locals for its dark and rustic setting. Fans 5 The Dixie Nationals is a huge event that attracts fans, cowboys, cowgirls, ranchers, and farmers from all over the country. For the 2023 edition fans will get even more events and live interactions with animals, as well as top-tier country music acts each night of the rodeo action. Mississippi native Randy Houser, former All-Pro bull rider turned country singer Chancey Williams, Mark Chestnutt, Diamond Rio, and Lainey Wilson are just some of the country acts that have performed for the Dixie Nationals. Lainey Wilson is the star of the popular show ‘Yellowstone’, so her show was a favorite among the fans, with that night's showing of the rodeo selling out as soon as tickets went on sale. Between the fan expo, vendor booths, exhibits, and livestock auction/displays, fans could spend hours walking around the grounds before even walking inside to watch the actual rodeo; I spent about 3-4 hours just walking the grounds, and I could have easily spent more time. Even if you have no knowledge of rodeo terms or rodeo culture, famed rodeo announcer Mike Mathis keeps fans informed of the action on the dirt, and Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gibson makes an appearance before each rodeo giving a speech about the history of the event. A pretty cool 'Welcome to Mississippi' video also plays on the videoboard at the start, signifying that this is a statewide event. In addition, rodeo clowns entertain the fans during the competitions, with announcer Mike Mathis cracking jokes and playing games with the crowd and the clowns. The clowns definitely keep the crowd entertained through various prizes and bringing fans down to the dirt – the favorite among kids was when they threw the wheezers, a.k.a. boomerangs, into the crowd. Access 3 Mississippi Coliseum and the State Fairgrounds are conveniently located right off I-55, the main north and south corridor through downtown Jackson. Jackson is located at the halfway point between New Orleans and Memphis, about 3 hours from each. The best exit to take when getting off I-55 is Exit 96 at High Street, and the fairgrounds’ parking lot is located right there. Once on the grounds there is enough parking for over 20,000 cars, so even though the parking lot is full of vendors and livestock auctions going on, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a parking spot. The coliseum opens about an hour and a half before each show, and traffic through the concourse runs smoothly. Mississippi Coliseum doesn't look as old as it is, and the concourses are clean and wide enough for people to get to their seats easily. Return on Investment 4 As one of the biggest rodeos in the country, tickets are easy to come by and relatively cheap. The coliseum really has just one level of seating, with general admission at the top and in the end zones, costing between $25 and $30 depending on fees, while lower-level seats are $40 to $45 depending on fees. Parking is surprisingly free, which is always a plus. Factoring in the plethora of concessions and food options you get access too once on the grounds, I consider this a good return on investment – you are getting to see some of the best cowboys in the country and some pretty impressive livestock if you walk the grounds. The Dixie Nationals is a cool event that I recommend everyone check out, even if you have no interest in rodeos. Extras 4 Mississippi Coliseum is also Jackson's largest indoor sports and entertainment venue; the coliseum opened in 1962 and attracts a whole host of acts and sporting events to Jackson each year. Some of the top-named acts to perform at the facility over the years include Aerosmith, AC/DC, BB King, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Eddie Murphy, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Jimmy Buffett, Kiss, Guns N' Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, Prince, and many more. The coliseum was also home to the Jackson Bandits of the ECHL from 1999-2003, and hosts one Mississippi State and Ole Miss basketball game every year. Another random fact about the State Fairgrounds is that it sits 2,900 feet above an extinct volcano. Nicknamed the Jackson Volcano, it is one of four volcanoes located within city limits in the U.S. The volcano was discovered while drilling for oil in 1917, and is believed to been extinct for over 65 million years. Another extra for the concert that is held every night after the Rodeo – as soon as the final event of the night concludes (bull roping), fans are invited down to the dirt as a stage is built in about 20 minutes for a popular country music act. There is just something about being able to stand on the actual dirt just minutes after one of the largest rodeos in the country just finished, and factoring that in with the country music concert just sets the mood, and sends the crowd home happy from the rodeo. Popular trick roper and rodeo entertainer Rider Keizner and his wife Bethany Idles also make an appearance every year at the Dixie Nationals. Rider Keizner has been called a modern-day Will Rogers, and he delights the crowd with his different rope tricks and the gunslinging he does. His wife will come out on her famous white bronco and do handstands on the back of the horse, as the horse cuts in and out of different obstacles placed on the course.