Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views hits the BIG 5-0 and Dave and Paul are celebrating with a trip to one of the most iconic venues in the world. Grab a beer and join the boys as the get off the L-Train on the Northside and hit Wrigleyville for the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field! Thanks for joining us for 50 episodes and cheers to the next 50! You can find Stadium Journey's review of Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs game day experience here.

The Olympic Games from Paris are the topic this week. Do you look forward to the games, what is your favorite sport, and what happened with the Paraguayan swimmer? __________________________________________________________________________________ Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Few stadiums throughout CONCACAF have the reputation of Estadio Saprissa. Known throughout the region as La Cueva del Monstruo or The Monster's Cave, the 24,000-seat stadium, which serves as the home for Deportivo Saprissa and the Costa Rican National Team, is one of the most intimidating venues in CONCACAF.  I was there during the winter months of June and July, a few weeks before the Costa Rican Premier Division (Liga FPD) season. The winter is not like that back home in the Midwest; it's 70 degrees with rainfall during the day, but that rain clears up quickly, opening up to blue skies. Saprissa Stadium has a reputation as one of the most intimidating soccer grounds in the Americas. The home of Deportivo Saprissa is known throughout Costa Rica as La Cueva del Monstruo (The Monster’s Cave), and the club itself is known as the Purple Monster.  The team has called the site home since 1972 after a six-year process that saw the planning and construction of the stadium. Its location in the San Juan de Tibas neighborhood was chosen for its proximity to the capital and other cities in the league of Alajuela, Cartago, and Heredia.  It is a neighborhood stadium that is easily accessible by the interstate that runs beside it a few yards away; once in front of the venue, the narrow and small streets of Tibas are flooded with thousands of fans embarking on it for game day, transforming the streets to a sea of purple. Once inside, the proximity of the stands to the pitch can be daunting. Former United States men’s national soccer player Alexi Lalas stated that it was one of the most “intimidating” and “difficult” places to play. Landon Donovan mentioned that you could hear the fans stomping their feet above the dressing rooms. “It felt like an earthquake for a half hour while you’re changing.” The stadium was open, and employees and delivery services walked in and out of the main entrance. I held up my cell phone to the security guard and said "fotografias" in the best Spanish I could muster. After he replied with a few words and concluded with the word "rapido" I knew I had to make the most of my time inside the venue. “La Cueva” is not the most picturesque soccer grounds in the world, but when it’s packed with thousands of fans in purple, that would be a different story. I walked up the main concourse in the seating bowl and envisioned what that would look like. I took in a match around 25 years ago, and it was nothing I have seen before or since.  The supporter group moved up and down like a monster’s tail, and smoke, sparklers, and paper littered the area throughout the match. There appeared to be two standing-room-only sections behind both goals. It was calm today, but a full house would make a great video. I took several photos and videos and walked around a bit more. I then snuck inside the concourse underneath the stands to see what kind of food one would eat at a Saprissa match. One of the stands sells pupusas, empanadas, vigoron, and palmitos (pop corn).  There was also chifrijo, a local Costa Rican dish with rice and beans topped with chicharrón (pork belly), a little bit of chimichurri, and chili peppers, served with tortilla chips. The stadium is not fancy, and parts were under construction during the visit. A few workers were taking a break in the club seating area and were puzzled by my appearance and my English narration. I am sure that is not something that they see every day. A few of the railings on the aisles needed a paint job, and a few seats needed to be bolted back into place. However, I am unaware if there are major renovation plans for the stadium at this time. As I write this article, the Liga FPD is four weeks into the season, with Saprissa sitting in fourth place in the standings behind Cartagines, Alajuela, and Sporting San Jose. However, the season is young in the Torneo de Apertura, what we would call the Opening Tournament, which will conclude in December. The league is split into two seasons, with the Torneo de Clausura (Closing Tournament) lasting from January to May. One day I will be back for a match, but for now, it will have to be a tour. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 900 Convention Center Blvd New Orleans, LA 70130 Nola Pickle Fest website Ernest N. Morial Convention Center website Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 1,000 Pickleball takes over the Big Easy There's been a steady rise in pickleball in recent years, with some saying it could be the country's fastest-rising sport. In 2023 there were an estimated 36 million people in the country who played pickleball, a mixture between ping pong and tennis. Part of its appeal is its easiness of learning and low startup costs, making it a popular sport for all age groups. Pickleball is an extremely popular sport among the retirement community, with over 52% of the players being 50 and older. One such person who is enjoying his retirement years playing pickleball is former Saints  quarterback Drew Brees, whose first experience with the sport was as a kid at summer camp in Texas – he continued to play throughout his NFL career, even building a court in his backyard in 2018. After retiring in 2021 Brees has become sort of an ambassador for the sport, joining the ownership of Major League Pickleball's Los Angeles Mad Drops. Brees is also involved as a partner with The Picklr, a chain of indoor pickleball facilities, and will be behind a brand new Picklr facility that is scheduled to open in nearby Biloxi, MS, in the fall of 2024. In 2023 Brees took his love for pickleball and began hosting his annual Nola Pickle Fest – held inside Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, it is a four-day festival-style event filled with food, music, vendors, and of course, pickleball. The event benefits the Brees Foundation, which aims to improve the quality of life for cancer patients, as well as provide care, education, and opportunities for children and families in need; Drew Brees and his wife Brittany have raised over $50 million for cancer research since launching the foundation in 2003. Nola Pickle Fest is operated by the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, whose mission is managing sporting events that have a positive impact on the greater New Orleans area.   Food and Beverage   3 A festival in New Orleans is bound to have plenty of food options – they bring in three food trucks for the event, as well as have several different pop-up bars. Lucy's Retired Surfer Bar, a popular New Orleans eatery known for its beach theme, brings their coastal beach vibes to Pickle Fest with their food truck, where fish tacos, shrimp po’ boys, and shrimp and grits are just some of the items available for sale. Right next to that, Lillie's Cajun Kitchen food truck is set up offering additional selections of po’ boys and gumbo; make sure you try their signature Cajun Philly Po’ Boy. Everbowl also has a food truck set up selling different acai bowls and smoothies. The food trucks are located towards the back of the hall, however, so are kind of hard to find. Besides the food trucks, Drew Brees-owned Small Sliders, a Louisiana burger chain, also has a tent sent up where they give out samples of their small slider burgers, which are must-haves. There are also several bars scattered around the exhibit hall set up selling cold drinks and beer, and Smirnoff Lounge, a lounge area built in the exhibit hall, even has a table set up selling and offering different Smirnoff products.   Atmosphere   4 The event takes place in the large exhibit halls E & F inside Morial Convention Center – over 30 pickleball courts are brought in and scattered around the floor. The whole event is laid back and relaxed, and on one court you may even see a beginner's class taking place. On another, you may see a match going on between some pros from Major League Pickleball. They have open courts for free play, and they have various tournaments you can sign up for based on various skill and age levels. Drew Brees is also here all day during all four days, walking around mingling with people and taking photos. If you're lucky he may even jump in and play a few pickleball matches with you. Anything pickleball related you'll find it here, as it is one giant pickleball convention. Around the exhibit hall are various vendor booths set up; pickleball companies from all over the country have booths set up where you can try out and buy the latest pickleball products and merchandise. Over on the far east side of the hall is Smirnoff Club, a bar area complete with TVs and couches. In front of that is a large stage for bands, as it wouldn't be an event in New Orleans without live music – the cool thing about the stage is it had a Saints  theme, backdropped with various images of Drew Brees throughout the years. The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation even had a booth set up promoting the upcoming Super Bowl LIX and recruiting workers for that event, which will be held in New Orleans in February 2025. On the back side of the exhibit hall is a silent auction with assorted sports memorabilia, as well as food trucks, plus a large gaming station where you can play the new NCAA '25 and the new Madden on a big screen. At the center of the exhibit hall is an impressive makeshift pickleball stadium with bleacher seating for 1000, constructed around a professional pickleball court. The court is a Saints -themed black and gold custom set up, with the Saints logo at midcourt – if you want an elevated view of that court, just climb up on one of the three Mardi Gras floats that are brought in to provide seating at one end, while a replica New Orleans streetcar provides the seating on the other side. This is where the big matches are held during the week, and if you make it very far in any of the bracket-style tournaments, you'll get to play a match on the main court. The biggest match that takes place on the main court is the Drew Brees Celebrity Match, held on Saturday afternoon – make sure you get to your seats early for this, as they fill up quickly. For this match Brees will bring out some special guests and play a couple of matches; John McEnroe and Keegan-Michael Key are a few of the special guests he's played with over the two years (so far) of the festival. In 2024 the celebrity match featured Brees and Keegan-Michael Key, playing a few matches and providing live play-by-play of some of the action. There were also a few professional matches as well as some comedy matches, such as when one of the pros played a 90-year-old lady, or anytime Keegan-Michael Key was out there.   Neighborhood   5 Morial Convention Center is located right on the Mississippi River in New Orleans' Warehouse District, just blocks from the French Quarter and the rest of the tourist sites in New Orleans. There's too much to see down here for me to name, but there's so much more to the French Quarter than just Bourbon Street. You'll find some of the best restaurants, off-the-wall museums, and some of the oldest buildings in the country. From Jackson Square to live music on Frenchmen Street and art shops on Royal Street, there truly is not another place like it. I recommend not driving to the French Quarter, as it is close enough to walk to from the convention center, and you could also take a streetcar if you want to venture anywhere outside the Quarter or the Warehouse District. A short 20-minute streetcar ride up the river to the Garden District/Uptown makes for a great visit as well, if you have time. For those who want the authentic New Orleans jazz experience from the neighborhood where jazz music was born, then Treme/Lafitte makes for a great adventure too. In the Warehouse District there are a few attractions worth checking out, some within two blocks of the convention center. For families, there's the Aquarium of the Americas, while for history buffs you can check out the World War II Museum, the largest collection of World War II memorabilia in the country. Or, if you’re into gambling there's a Caesar’s Casino across the street. Also, make sure to take a stroll through Fulton Street Alley to view all the outdoor restaurants and giant bowling alley. The RiverWalk Marketplace, an indoor shopping mall with over 100 different stores, is located on one side of the Morial Convention Center, while on the other side is the famed Mardi Gras World – inside this giant warehouse, you can get a look at how Mardi Gras floats are built. Visitors can walk around the warehouse and view the hundreds of different floats being designed year-round. Mardi Gras World also holds an after-party each night after the pickleball action wraps up, complete with more live music and special guests.   Fans   4 Nola Pickle Fest averages about 1,000 people per day with over 4,000 people attending the four-day event. Saturday draws the biggest crowd during the week, with people wanting to see the celebrity match. The event is also purposely held during August, as it can get unbearably hot here during the summer, so the event occurs during this time as there is not a lot else going on during the summer months. There are competitive bracket-style tournaments taking place, as well as free play on any of the open courts – this event attracts a wide range of people. You'll find the diehard pickleball players who play competitively, as well as the locals who just play for fun. I saw different pickleball groups and people of all ages, from all over the country. The whole event is laid back, as anybody can sign up to play. Saturday is always the most popular day when you'll get professional pickleball players, as well as the people who just want to see Drew Brees and his special guests. As usual, you'll also hear plenty of ‘Who Dats’, as there is a big Saints  theme here. Nobody does festivals like New Orleans, so you'll also find tourists and locals, the latter who just come to Pickle Fest simply for something to do. Even if you know nothing about pickleball, this event makes for a great place to get some air on a hot August day in the French Quarter.   Access   3 Getting to Morial Convention Center may be a little difficult if you are not familiar with navigating the anxiety-driven streets down here. Located near the Mississippi River on the outer edge of the French Quarter, you will have to navigate the many one-way and narrow streets. The best way to get here if coming from out of town is to take I-10 to the I-910 interchange like you are headed to the West Bank, which is across the river. Then take Exit 11 at Tchopitoulas Street, and the convention center is right there. The official parking lot for the event is Lot F, located at 411 Henderson Street – for $23 you can park in this lot all day. If you are staying in the French Quarter or anywhere downtown I would recommend walking to the convention center instead of driving. Once inside the facility for Pickle Fest, you are free to come and go as you please.   Return on Investment   4 The best thing about Nola Pickle Fest is it is free to attend on any of the days, except Saturday, which is the biggest day of the Fest – on Saturdays, it is $10 admission to enter, but you are given a wristband and free to come and go all day. All proceeds go to the Brees Foundation, so you know it's going to a good cause. The official parking lot at the convention center is $23, and you are allowed to park all day. You may also be able to find some cheaper lots in the city, but you'll have to walk longer to get here. I considered this a good return on investment – though the main focus of the event is pickleball, it is so much more than just that, and you are guaranteed to have a good time regardless of whether or not you like the sport. You'll also get to come into contact with one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play football, as well as see some special guests and celebrities. It's a unique event, one that hopefully will continue in New Orleans for many years to come.   Extras   4 All proceeds from the event benefit the Brees Foundation – since its inception in 2003, the foundation has contributed over $50 million to various causes. You can make donations to the Brees Foundation at a table at the front of the main entrance, on any of the days of the tournament. Morial Convention Center covers almost 11 blocks, with over 1.1 million square feet of space, making it the seventh largest convention center in the country. The building opened as part of the 1984 World's Fair, which was held in New Orleans and was the last World’s Fair to take place in the United States. Ernest M. Morial was the mayor of New Orleans at the time, and if you walk around the grounds you may see some remnants of that world’s fair, such as an old gondola you can eat it in, that once took visitors across the river, located outside Nesbit's Poeyfarre Market across the street from the convention center. You can also see the giant King Neptune sculpture located at the main entrance to Mardi Gras World next door. Another extra for the challenges the building would face after Hurricane Katrina after it was used as a shelter of last resort for over 30,000 refugees who lost their homes in the storm. With limited food and resources, the scene here in the weeks following Katrina was apocalyptic, with robberies, looting, shootings, and assaults taking place inside and outside the convention center. This area has long since recovered, however, and there is a cool little art sculpture of a house in a tree called the Katrina tree, located across the street from Hall F, the main exhibit hall where Nola Pickle Fest takes place.

Photos by Ashvin Lad, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Grayson Stadium 1401 E. Victory Dr. Savannah, GA 31404 Savannah Bananas website Grayson Stadium website Year Opened: 1926/1941 Capacity: 5,000 Welcome to Bananaland The Savannah Bananas have taken the country by storm with their brand of baseball called Banana Ball. They incorporated 11 distinct rules that allow for a fast-paced game, fan interaction, and a 2-hour time clock to set it apart from a traditional game. Historic Grayson Stadium becomes Banana Land on game days. The stadium opened in 1926 and was the home to multiple minor league teams until 2015 when the Savannah Sand Gnats relocated to a Segra Park in Columbia, South Carolina. The Bananas moved in the following year as members of the Coastal Plain League, hoping to bring fans back to the stadium. The club soon began developing quirky gimmicks and promotions during home games. Owner Jesse Cole donned a yellow tuxedo and top hat and interacted with the crowd through song and dance.  Soon, the Bananas added a grandma coach who brings out a tray of tea and cookies, a luchador (professional wrestler) coach, a fire-breather, a stilt walker, a breakdancing coach, and a circus performer. Banana Ball was developed in 2018 and played in front of a home crowd in 2020 , soon it was what the fans expected to see at games. The team would play its regular summer collegiate schedule with a mix of Banana Ball but opted with the latter when it left the CPL and began barnstorming full-time for the 2023 season. The Bananas have not looked back since. Food & Beverage 4 The Bananas offer an all-you-can-eat with the purchase of a ticket to a game. The food options are served grab-and-go in three locations: main concession, right field concession, and open container concession booths. The entrees include hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, and veggie burgers. The snacks include cookies, chips, and popcorn; while the drinks include bottled water and Coke products. The three concession areas also provide additional menu options such as nachos, chili cheese dogs, soft pretzels, roasted peanuts, French fries, and garbage can nachos.  If you have room for dessert, local Leopold’s ice cream offers flavors of vanilla, chocolate, mint chocolate chip, bananas foster, and banana split. There are also seven varieties of Dippin’ Dots for the little kids. Garbage Plate Nachos, Photo Courtesy of the Savannah Bananas The ballpark has multiple areas to purchase an alcoholic beverage from canned drinks, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, and draft beers. At the game, you can grab beverages from various spots including Split’s Bar, Left Field Landing Bar, Thirst Base Beer, Top Deck Bar, and the Craft Corners. The Top Deck Bar features an assortment of canned drinks that includes the common Bud Light, Corona Extra, Modelo, and Michelob Ultra, but also the local Classic City Lager, Cutwater Margarita, 3 Taverns Rapturous, and Service City Banana Beer. Mixed drinks include Jack & Coke, Gin & Tonic, Moscow Mule, and Titos & Lemonade. Based on the team’s official website, the three signature items to try at a game are the Banana Beer, Banana Split Soda, and the Slippery Banana.  Banana Ball Rules, Photo Courtesy of the Savannah Bananas Atmosphere 5 When minor league baseball left Grayson Stadium, they left it in good condition for a future team. However, what the Bananas have been able to create was beyond anyone’s expectations. The only way to describe the atmosphere is one big party with 5,000 friends. Fans line up outside the main entrance in the party plaza three hours before the game. The pre-game entertainment features a parade, music, games, and opportunities to interact with the players. Once inside, the party continues, including the stadium’s host, The Young Professor. He engages with the audience, introduces players, and commentates on several activities before the game. There is also the throwing of the first banana (instead of the first pitch) from a lucky fan. It is then a 2-hour party, featuring a combination of choreographed dancing, scoring celebrations, fan involvement, and trick plays. The bottom of each inning is played as if it were the bottom of the 9th. You might witness multiple walk-off celebrations by the Bananas, or instances during the game where the umpire, the infield players, or both teams join together in dance.   Speaking of dancing, there is plenty of that from the Banana Nanas (a senior citizens dance team), the Man-Nanas (the dad-bod cheerleaders), and the “Hey, Baby” dance where Cole leads the entire stadium in a choreographed dance that lasts for 90 seconds.  Neighborhood 4 Grayson Stadium is located in Midtown, about 6 miles from the Historic Landmark District that is the hub of Savannah. The district offers 22 park squares, museums, monuments, restored 18th-century homes, shops, and over 100 restaurants. Visitors can take a ghost tour, take a ferry ride on the Savannah River, or stroll down the cobblestone streets of River Street with an open container. The Eastern Wharf District is a vibrant waterfront neighborhood with stunning river views. The Victorian District is a 50-block neighborhood of Victorian homes and beautiful grounds and fountains, and the Canal District is home to the Emarket Arena and the Savannah Ghost Pirates of the ECH L. Ferry Boat Ride on the Savannah River, Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Southern hospitality can be found everywhere in town, along with homemade Southern cuisine, fresh seafood, and live music. The Shrimp Factory, Vics on the River, The Olde Pink House, Alligator Soul, and Tubby’s are recommended. Various rooftop bars, including Electric Moon, Rocks on the Roof, and Top Deck, highlight the nightlife in Savannah. Fans 5 Grayson Stadium seats 5,000 people and is sold out for every Banana game during the season. The fans attend early for pre-game festivities outside the ballpark and are decked out in team gear from head to toe. The fanbase is impressive with a wait list that could fill the ballpark double its size. The Bananas are not just loved in Savannah but have become a national brand with fans across the country. Pre-game festivities in the party plaza, Photo Courtesy of Ashvin Lad Access 3 Grayson Stadium has two main entrances: the third base gate and the first base gate; the latter also serves as the VIB entrance.  The main entrance party plaza is behind the backstop, with open seating areas in right and left field, on the right field deck, and behind the reserved seats behind home plate. The games attract 5,000 fans and lines for concessions and merchandise will be long. However, concourse areas in the seating bowl allow for movement during the game and several seating areas are properly spaced around the ballpark. Return on Investment 4 An open seating ticket costs $35, and a VIB Experience ticket is $75 when purchased from the team's official website However, tickets sell out fast due to demand if purchased on a secondary website, expect to pay double to triple the price. Children under 3 years old are admitted free to games. VIB tickets are available to everyone through the K-Club, group open seating, and the ticket lottery system. Fans get early entry and the best seat in the ballpark. They will also get to greet Bananas players before they take the field. There are multiple free parking areas around the stadium including the grass lot behind the ballpark, Daffin Park Drive (street parking), Fresenius Kidney Care (Victory Drive and E. 42nd St.), and the grass lot between the tennis courts and soccer field on Victory Drive. Extras 5 The garbage can nachos are served on top of a garbage can that can feed a whole family of four. It includes nachos topped with cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken, jalapenos, and cheese.  The Bananas have plenty of traditions, including throwing out the first banana and honoring the Banana Baby to the tune of The Lion King. You can see the influence at other sporting events throughout the nation. Every game the ball club honors the Banana Baby, Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey If you like to dance, this is the place to be from the Banana Nanas, the Dad Bod Cheerleading Squad, and Banana Splitz, a youth dance team. There is also plenty of dancing by the coaches and players during the game.  The cast of characters includes Maceo Harrison, a breakdancing base coach; Dakota Albritton, who bats on stilts; DJ The Invader, who wears a space helmet; Mat Wolf,  the Rodeo Clown; Cowboy Kyle, who’s the one with the yellow cowboy hat; and Zach Phillips who tears his sleeves off his jersey. Final Thoughts A Savannah Bananas game is unlike any baseball event in the world. The team has taken the baseball world by storm and can be seen on their barnstorming tours from coast to coast. However, if you can grab a ticket to see them at Grayson Stadium, it is worth the price of admission. ----- Follow Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Daniel S. Frawley Stadium 801 Shipyard Dr Wilmington, DE 19801 Wilmington Blue Rocks website Daniel S. Frawley Stadium website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 6,404 Blue Celery in the First State Minor League Baseball returned to the largest city in the First State in 1993 when the Peninsula Pilots were relocated to a brand new ballpark in Wilmington, Delaware.  The team was named the Blue Rocks after the blue granite found along Brandywine Creek.  The Blue Rocks initially began in the Carolina League as the Single-A Advanced affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.  The Blue Rocks would be affiliated with the Royals until 2004 and from 2007 to 2020 until the reorganization of Minor League Baseball.  In 2021 Wilmington was moved to the South Atlantic League and affiliated with the Washington Nationals .  Successful on the field, the Blue Rocks claimed five Carolina League titles. The home of the Wilmington Blue Rocks is Judy Johnson Field @ Daniel S. Frawley Stadium.  Opened in 1993 to coincide with the new team, the stadium is named after the Mayor of Wilmington from 1985 to 1993 Daniel Frawley, who was integral in getting Minor League Baseball back in Wilmington.  The field is named after Judy Johnson, a Negro League star and Hall of Famer who lived in Delaware for almost 75 years.  One curiosity of the Blue Rocks experience is the fans' fascination with Mr. Celery, a stalk of celery mascot who emerges to celebrate each Blue Rocks run to the tune of “Song 2” by Blur. Food & Beverage 3 The culinary experience at Frawley Stadium is decent.  The main concession stands offer popcorn, Cracker Jack, peanuts, pretzels, hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders, and fries.  A couple of other note spots include Grotto’s Pizza and the first base side Chickie’s and Pete’s stand.  A Philadelphia staple, Chickie’s and Pete’s offers cheesesteaks and their famous Crabfries.  Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice at Frawley Stadium.  The beer selection in Wilmington is decent and includes Coors Light, Miller Light, Heineken, and Yuengling.  Local brewery Wilmington Brew Works also offers a team-branded beer, Woo-Hoo Brew complete with the image of Mr. Celery on the can. Atmosphere 4 Frawley Stadium has an attractive exterior and looks more modern than its 30-year age.  Brown brick with light accents and blue trim make for a smart-looking color scheme.  The main entrance behind home plate is up a set of stairs and directly above the ticket window, which would be directly behind home plate.  Blue Rocks markings are tastefully added to the exterior and a photo of the 2019 Carolina League Champions highlights many photos in recessed arches on the exterior.  A bronze statue of Judy Johnson with a dedication plaque is a perfect meeting place for fans before the game.  Also of note, two dedication plaques for pitcher Vic Willis and umpire Bill McGowan, both born in Wilmington and members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, sit in the flower beds outside the main plaza. Inside the park, the main concourse is covered yet open.  Unfortunately, Frawley Stadium does not offer a 360-degree path around the park.  The seating bowl is a split level with an exterior walkway.  There are several different seating options.  There is bar seating by the Chickie’s and Pete’s along the first base side and the Picnic Pavilion is in leftfield. The seating bowl does not offer much in the way of shade.  Views of the Wilmington skyline and I-95 can be had from the main grandstand.  The suite level to either side of the pressbox and behind the main seating bowl is full of blue highlights and has large baseballs and pennants as recognition for the championship teams and the retired numbers of Mike Sweeney, Johnny Damon and Robin Roberts along with Jackie Robinson.  A display list of Blue Rocks players who have played in MLB is of note in the concourse. The game day experience in Wilmington is what one would expect in Minor League Baseball.  There are plenty of on-field promotions between innings and promo items thrown into the crowd at times.  Rocky Bluewinkle, the Wilmington mascot, interacts with the crowd and participates in the pregame activities.  The most unique feature of a Blue Rocks gameday is the presence of Mr. Celery.  A secondary mascot for the team has taken on a bit of a life of its own in popularity.  The main appearance of Mr. Celery comes after a Blue Rocks run when he comes out of a gate behind the plate and celebrates Blur’s “Song 2.” Neighborhood 4 Frawley Stadium is located in the Riverfront neighborhood of Wilmington between I-95 and the Christina River.  There are a few options for pre or post-game food and drink within walking distance of the ballpark.  Some options include Iron Hill Brewery, Big Fish Grill, and Del Pez.  Immediately southeast of Frawley Stadium is the Chase Center on Riverfront, which is the city’s event center.  Further away, and across the Christina River, is the similarly named Chase Fieldhouse, home of the Delaware Blue Coats , an affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA G-League.  From the exterior of Frawley Stadium, fans can enter the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame.  Donations are accepted and there are several terrific displays, including an excellent Judy Johnson display which tells his story in his own words.  Other tourist options include Nemours Estate and Hagley Museum.  For fans wishing to stay near the ballpark, the Westin Wilmington and Hyatt are just steps away. Fans 3 In the 2023 season, the Wilmington Blue Rocks averaged over 2,500 fans per game.  This ranks 87th in the 120-team MiLB.  The Blue Rocks are also 8th in the South Atlantic League out of 12 teams.  There is plenty of room for improvement here.  At the game being reviewed, fans in attendance were very quiet and reserved.  Interest in the game seemed waning.   Access 5 Frawley Stadium is located in the Riverfront neighborhood of Wilmington, east of I-95 and west of the Christina River.  The park is encased by Shipyard Dr., Matt Minker Way, Judy Johnson Dr., and Frawley Dr., nice nods to some of the important figures in Wilmington Blue Rocks history.  Getting to the ballpark is very easy with I-95 located very close.  There is plenty of parking on site both north and south of the ballpark and the majority of it is free.  For fans wishing to take public transit, some buses stop on Judy Johnson Drive.  Fans should check out the Delaware Transit Corporation website for fares, maps and schedules.  The Amtrack station is also about a mile away.  Getting around the ballpark is easy and the washrooms are adequate for the facility. Return on Investment 4 Blue Rocks tickets start at $13 for General Admission and go up to $15 for a box seat and $18 for field-level box seats.  Parking is free and concession prices are what one would expect.  The gameday experience in Wilmington is solid and fans will have a good time.  In the end, the value of a Blue Rocks game is strong. Extras 3 An extra mark for the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame and the excellent Judy Johnson display. An extra mark for the seemingly organic popularity of Mr. Celery, who has permeated much of the Blue Rocks promotion. An extra mark for the success the Blue Rocks have enjoyed on the field with five league titles, including four in their first eight years. Final Thoughts With an excellent acknowledgment of Delaware baseball and sports history, the Wilmington Blue Rocks have put together a good presentation of Minor League Baseball.  Judy Johnson Field @ Daniel S. Frawley Stadium is a solid home for the team and offers plenty for fans.  The popularity of the Mr. Celery character is curious and seems pretty organic.  It is just something that needs to be seen in person to fully understand. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey This past Labour Day weekend in Canada marked the CFL’s first ever visit to Vancouver Island, when the Ottawa RedBlacks took on the BC Lions at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria. Touchdown Pacific follows past successes with Touchdown Atlantic, the CFL pre-season and regular season exhibition games held in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, which have occurred every few years since 2005. The CFL game in Victoria follows a recent trend of different leagues scheduling their football contests in faraway locations, for example the NFL hosting games in England, Germany, and Brazil in the past few years, and United States college football hosting games recently in Australia and Ireland. Touchdown Pacific, presented by WestJet, was more than just a football game, and included 3 days of fun for the whole family – the festivities included a BC Lions open practice, the Touchdown Pacific Festival at Ship Point Inner Harbour on Thursday and Friday, and of course the game itself on Saturday, August 31st. The game itself, won by the Lions 38-12, broke a 5-game losing streak for BC, who came into the game 5-6; the game served as a sort of revenge for BC, who lost by 7 to the same RedBlacks one week earlier in Ottawa. The Lions dominated in all phases of the game during Touchdown Pacific, outgaining the RedBlacks by almost 200 yards, and going into halftime with a 31-6 lead. The RedBlacks came into the game 7-2, 2nd in their division behind Montreal, while the Lions came in tied for 1st place in their division with Winnipeg. The game in Victoria was covered by TSN and had a reported attendance of 14,727. It is not yet known whether there will be additional Touchdown Pacific games in the future.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Buckley Field 4300 Powelton Ave Philadelphia, PA 19104 Drexel Dragons website Buckley Field website Year Opened: 2017 (renovation) Capacity: 500 (estimation) Roar Like a Dragon Located about a mile from Drexel University’s main campus in Center City Philadelphia, the Vidas Athletic Complex consists of several fields that are home to several of the Dragons' athletic programs. In the back of the complex is Buckley Field, home of Drexel field hockey. This stadium was extensively renovated in 2017 and is named after Bob Buckley, a member of the Drexel Board of Trustees. Elsewhere in the complex, you will find Vidas Field , home of Drexel soccer and lacrosse, as well as a softball field, tennis courts, and a practice field. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food or drink for sale at Buckley Field, but fans are free to bring their own. There are plenty of places to buy food nearby. Atmosphere 3 The seating area at Buckley Field consists of one set of bleachers along one sideline. These seats put you pretty close to the field and you will have a great view of the action. Many fans also choose to stand along the fence surrounding the field. Keep in mind that depending on how close you are, you may be within range of the water cannons, so be sure to move away when they turn them on before the game and at halftime unless you want to get wet. (This is not such a bad thing on a hot day early in the season, but if it is a cold, windy, 40-degree day in late October or early November, you will regret it.) A small scoreboard on the right side shows the score, clock, and time remaining on penalty cards. For the most part, there is little going on here other than the game, but there is one unique tradition. Before Drexel penalty corners, the sound of a dragon roaring is played over the PA system, an allusion to Drexel's nickname. This gets the crowd fired up for what is typically a big moment in the game. Neighborhood 5 Buckley Field is located about a mile from Drexel’s campus in the Center City area of Philadelphia. Just within a few blocks of the stadium, you will find numerous restaurants ranging from pizza to Jamaican to Indian to Ethiopian and many others. Of course, every Philadelphian has their favorite place to get a cheesesteak in the city. For other entertainment, the Philadelphia Zoo is less than two miles away and history buffs will want to check out the Liberty Bell and other historic sites while they are in town. Fans 3 Drexel draws about 100-200 fans a game for field hockey, many of them friends and family of the players. Although this is a typical crowd in numbers, it is a more passionate bunch than at most places. The crowd can get rowdy at times, such as during penalty corners or scoring opportunities for the Dragons. They come decked in Drexel gear and seem dedicated to supporting the team for the whole game. Access 4 There are many highways into Philadelphia although you will have to do the last couple of miles of driving on city streets which can have heavy traffic at times. Once you arrive at the Vidas Athletic Complex, you will drive through the gates into a parking lot in front of the soccer stadium. Parking here is free, a rarity in a major city like Philadelphia, and if the lot fills up, street parking is available nearby. Once you park, you will walk around the corner to the right, past the soccer stadium, and go back past the field house and restrooms to get to Buckley Field. The lot may fill up, especially if there is another event in the complex before the field hockey game. Restrooms (real ones, not Port-a-Potties) are located behind the field house in between Buckley Field and Vidas Field, and are of sufficient size for the crowds, even if multiple events are going on at once in the complex. If arriving by public transit, the 46th Street metro station on the Market-Frankford Line (currently rebranding as the L) is only a few blocks away from the complex. You will enter through the same entrance as vehicles and follow the same directions as above. Return on Investment 4 Admission to Drexel field hockey games is free, parking is free if you manage to snag a space in the lot, and you won't pay anything for concessions because there aren't any. However, there isn't enough here to earn the top score. Keep in mind that free admission applies to regular-season games only. For conference and NCAA tournament games, there may be an admission charge. Extras 4 There is a merchandise table selling Drexel athletic gear between Buckley Field and Vidas Field. The hats that look like Drexel mascot Mario the Dragon are especially popular. A second star for the dragon roar during penalty corners, a unique sound effect. On the far side of the field, look for the flags honoring Drexel's appearances in the NCAA tournament. A fourth star for the chance to see multiple games in the Vidas Athletic complex in one visit. If you time things right, you can easily see a soccer and field hockey game back to back. Final Thoughts With the roar of the dragon and the passionate crowds, a Drexel field hockey game can be a fun way to spend a fall afternoon or evening if you follow the sport. In any case, it's hard to argue with the chance to see a sporting event completely for free, especially in a major city like Philadelphia.

Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey The 2024 NFL season is upon us, with the season having kicked off on Thursday, September 5th – it’s an annual rite of passage for fans to plan out their season, look at schedules, book trips, and shop for tickets. However, it’s also a reality that the current state of economics in the country is due to inflation. In the past decade, the cost of attending NFL games has skyrocketed, outpacing even the rate of inflation in most teams’ home markets. This phenomenon, known by economists in the entertainment sector as “funflation”, was recently analyzed by the experts at Freebets.com . Tracking ticket costs and food and beverage pricing among other metrics for the past 10 years, the results found that: •         NFL attendance costs have risen at 142% of the rate of inflation since 2015. •         The average cost of attending an NFL game increased by 44% from 2015 to 2024, which significantly outpaces general inflation of 31% during the same period. •         NFL teams who have most increased the overall price of attendance include the Las Vegas Raiders  (+129%), Cleveland Browns  (+112%), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers  (+88%). At the other end of the spectrum, the New York Jets  (+5%), Dallas Cowboys  (+8%), and New York Giants  (+14%) have gone against the trend of overinflated costs – while their costs have gone up, they are significantly lower than most teams in the NFL. However, in the decade that was analyzed, the gap in prices between general admission and premium tickets has continued to widen; this seems to indicate a growing disparity between the types of game experiences that fans can take part in. Many factors have contributed to the rising costs, which at some point could challenge the average fan’s ability to attend games in person. However, attendance rates show no sign of slowing down in the interim, proving the NFL is still the king of pro sports in the United States. Click this link to read the full report from Freebets.com . ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Minor League Baseball has returned to Columbus, Georgia, and the franchise will be known as the Columbus Clingstones. The franchise introduced its branding and uniforms at an event in town on Friday afternoon. Team colors are black, peach, yellow, and Kelly green.  However, what is a clingstone?  Diamond Baseball Holdings explained in a press release that it is “one of the most popular varieties of peaches, named for its flesh that stubbornly clings to the pit, signifying the grit and determination the team will display on the field as well as an unyielding commitment to the community.  The name and the logo embrace the peach as an iconic representation of the state of Georgia.” Photos Courtesy of Diamond Baseball Holdings The roundel primary logo features a smiling, anthropomorphic clingstone peach holding a bat at his side and wearing his cap backward. Secondary logos include a scripted wordmark of the city, an inaugural season patch, a peach headshot, and a baseball bat tree, including peach-colored baseballs. The Clingstones revealed three uniforms: all white with a script Clingstone wordmark with a black and green bill cap, a black top uniform with the team logo on the right chest, and white pants, but the third uniform stands out. It is a peach-colored chromo look with a green wordmark script, along with an all-green cap.   Photos Courtesy of Diamond Baseball Holdings The Clingstones also opened up a team shop that includes a collection of merchandise in various colors. The ball club will debut in April 2025 at the newly renovated Synovus Park, formerly Golden Park, which opened in 1926.  Final Thoughts It's a fresh new look for the world of minor league baseball. The primary look of the clingstone peach is a home run, along with the unique color combination of black, peach, and Kelly green. It is what a minor league baseball should look like. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 McGonigle Hall 1800 N Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19121 Temple Owls website McGonigle Hall website Year Opened: 1969 Capacity: 3,900 Give a Hoot for Temple Volleyball Located on the campus of Temple University in the heart of Philadelphia, McGonigle Hall is home to the Owls' volleyball program, as well as the gymnastics and fencing teams. The 3,900-seat arena opened in 1969 and served as the home of Temple men's basketball until 1997 when the Liacouras Center opened down the street. Women's basketball continued to play in McGonigle until 2022 when they joined the men at Liacouras. The volleyball arena itself is part of a larger complex that includes the full McGonigle Hall building as well as the connected Pearson Hall. These buildings include practice facilities, athletic offices, weight rooms, and classrooms. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand at McGonigle Hall at the back of the concourse behind the baseline. Only a basic menu is served here, with hot dogs, soft pretzels, and popcorn the only hot items. Candy, chips, bottled water, and soft drinks are also available. The concession stand will not open until close to game time, if not later. There are other options inside the larger McGonigle Hall building as well. Vending machines are available in the lobby, which sells what you would expect from one, and there is a Panera Bread location that sells its usual menu, which fans can bring into the stadium. The Panera Bread caters to the whole Temple student body, not just fans attending a volleyball match, so the lines can get long. If you go this route, we recommend buying your food before the game. Fans are also free to bring their food into the arena. Atmosphere 4 Walking through the front doors of McGonigle Hall will put you in the lobby of the larger building. The volleyball arena itself is through a set of glass doors to your right, and you can then walk up or down to your seat, as all seating is general admission. The lower sections are plastic bleachers with seatbacks, and are not much different from regular seats, except that there is one continuous bench to sit on, instead of individual seats. The seatbacks in the lower level fold down from the back, and fans will often stomp on empty ones during the game to generate noise. Two scoreboards in the corners show only the basic information, while two video boards are in the other two corners. Keep in mind the part of the basic scoreboard that purports to show team fouls (a holdover from McGonigle's days hosting basketball) shows how many sets a team has won. The points total shows how many points they have won in the current set. Before a Temple volleyball game, the lights go out in the arena and a hype video plays on the videoboards to get the crowd ready. A spotlight shines on the players as they are introduced, and then the announcer shouts "Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Owls," holding the O in "Go" for an impressively long time. During breaks in the action, the videoboards can be used to display trivia or other interactive content. Neighborhood 3 Temple University is located in North Philadelphia near the intersection of Girard Avenue and Broad Street. Although this was once a very bad neighborhood, it has improved somewhat. There are multiple chain restaurants within a block of the arena, including the always-popular Raising Cane's. Other restaurants are located nearby along Girard Street, including John's Seafood, Crown Fried Chicken, and Angie's Vietnamese Cuisine. The Met Philadelphia, a prominent concert hall, is a short walk away on Broad Street. You will find other options nearby as well, including Larry's Steaks, serving up the classic Philadelphia cheesesteak. Fans 4 The Owls draw a good crowd for volleyball, and while the upper sections will the pretty empty, the lower sections will be mostly full. While the crowd may not be as big in numbers as some schools, these fans are loud, passionate, and rowdy. They shout, scream, and stomp on the seats or the ground. Temple students show up in good numbers as well, which helps the atmosphere here. Interest in college volleyball seems to be on the rise, so the experience could be even better here soon. Access 5 If driving to McGonigle Hall, you will park either in the lot right next door or in the Liacouras Center Garage about a block away. Either way, parking is $22, payable by credit card on exit. If coming from within Philadelphia, you can use the Cecil B. Moore metro station on the Broad Street Line (currently rebranding as the B), which is about a block away. Parking in the adjacent lot may be difficult, especially on weekdays, but you should have no trouble parking in the Liacouras Garage. If there is an event going on there, parking may be more expensive, but you should still find a spot. Restrooms are available in the lobby of the McGonigle-Pearson Halls complex. To get there from the arena, exit through the glass doors and turn right. Walk to the back of the lobby under the staircase, and turn left. The restrooms are in an alcove up ahead. If this sounds complex, the good news is the way to the restrooms is signed, but the bad news is the way back is not. Make sure to turn left out of the restroom into the alcove, then right into the main part of the building. Then head straight ahead to the arena doors. There is very little legroom in the seating area, so getting to and from your seat can be difficult, as can getting up to let others in. Return on Investment 3 Admission to Temple volleyball games is free, and concessions are reasonably priced, but paying over $20 for parking brings this score down significantly. . Extras 2 A graphic featuring pairs of owl eyes overlooks the court at McGonigle Hall, glaring down from above, as a reference to Temple's unique athletic nickname. A second star for the pregame introductions, complete with hype video and spotlight. Final Thoughts McGonigle Hall may not be as modern or fancy as the Liacouras Center down the street, but Temple volleyball has a good home here. With rowdy fans and a stadium setup that seems to suit them, a Temple volleyball game can be quite an exciting experience.

Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey The Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL)  announced on September 12th that they will return to familiar surroundings in time for the 2025 season. After spending the 2024 season at historic Rice Stadium , the Roughnecks will return to TDECU Stadium in 2025.   “In an exciting new chapter for the Houston Roughnecks , we're thrilled to return to the University of Houston’s newly renovated TDECU Stadium ,” said UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon. “Our partnership with the University of Houston has been a highlight in our spring football journey, and we can’t wait to build on the electric atmosphere we experienced in 2020 and 2023 at TDECU Stadium. Their state-of-the-art venue will surely elevate our game-day experience and deepen our connection within the Houston community.”   TDECU Stadium , on the campus of the University of Houston, was the home for the Roughnecks during its 2020 and 2023 seasons as members of the XFL. In 2023, the Cougars were accepted into the Big 12 Conference.   To keep up with promotion to a Power Four conference, the university began significant renovations to the stadium and its surrounding facilities, including added premium seating options and new video boards. Because of the work done on the stadium, the Roughnecks were forced to relocate for their maiden season in the UFL.   “We are excited to welcome the return of the Roughnecks to TDECU Stadium and the campus of the University of Houston,” Houston Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Eddie said. “It is a thrill for us to showcase football year-round inside TDECU Stadium while sharing the latest in fan-focused facility upgrades with the Roughnecks and their passionate supporters.”   “This relationship with the Roughnecks and United Football League not only enhances our mission for Houston Athletics to be a centerpiece within the community but also creates valuable opportunities for monetary growth and investment in our department.”   The 10-game regular season schedule for the Roughnecks and the UFL has yet to be announced, but games are slated to kick off in the spring of 2025. ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Donnie Wise "The Mayor" joins us this week to discuss Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) and its impact on Minor League Baseball (MiLB). DBH is a group that has acquired 35 MiLB teams, and its presence marks a significant shift in how minor league teams are owned and managed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 New Jersey Motorsports Park 8000 Dividing Creek Rd Millville, NJ 08332 SpeedTour website New Jersey Motorsports Park website Year Opened: 1955 Capacity: 150,000 New Jersey’s Place to Race Taking over part of a historic WWII airfield, New Jersey Motorsports Park is a unique facility. Featuring two race circuits, condos on site, and historic landmarks, this is definitely a track that sets itself apart from the rest. Having hosted the likes of Indy NXT and IMSA in years past, the current marque event is the annual Summer SpeedTour round. Featuring SVRA, FR and F4, and Formula Race Promotions, this event offers lots to see in a state that doesn’t have much when it comes to motorsports.   Food & Beverage   2 There isn’t much for concessions at NJMP – aside from a few food trucks, the offerings are slim. There is one concession stand at the bottom of the main paddock building next to the track store, but some days it isn’t even open for fans. There is, however, a full-service restaurant on premises that is open during race weekends called The Finish Line Pub, that is always popular among crews and drivers.   Atmosphere   3 The track itself has undergone some significant renovations in recent years – a full repave of the track, as well as upgrades to the viewing grandstands, are just a few of the changes. There are also the new trackside condos that are under construction, which should add to the quality of the experience at NJMP. While no large single grandstand exists for the track, multiple small general admission grandstands are placed around the circuit, meaning you can watch from numerous angles around the course to catch the action all day. The main paddock also features a two-floor building with a second-level patio that overlooks the back straight, as well as a track team store downstairs where you can pick up NJMP merchandise.   Neighborhood   3 The town of Millville is uniquely located just outside the famous Jersey Shore area of Cape May. Located in the southern portion of the state, this quiet town doesn’t have much in terms of attractions outside of the track and the Airport Museum next door. There are several restaurant and hotel chains nearby that can satisfy your needs, but this area is kind of out of the way from most other parts of the state that would be more attractive to tourism.   Fans   3 The fans at NJMP don’t have many large events at the circuit anymore, meaning the SpeedTour weekend is the biggest race of the year. With that said, while they don’t come out in droves for the race, they still make their presence known with a respectable crowd on race day. Add to this the car shows that are scheduled during the event, and you have solid attendance when looking down from the rooftop viewing platform.   Access   3 To get to New Jersey Motorsports Park, take route 55 south from Highway 40 or the greater Philadelphia area. Then, just follow all signage to the Millville Airport – there is plenty of signage taking you to the track once you get closer. Parking on site is plentiful and easy to find, and a large track map helps you find your way once you get inside the main entrance. However, once off route 55 most of the roads are small town roads with plenty of stop signs and traffic lights, leading to a slower drive into the facility.   Return on Investment   4 Tickets to SpeedTour weekend at NJMP are very affordable; a one-day ticket is just $20, and a three-day pass only costs $40. Parking on site is free and plentiful – add to this the ease of getting around the circuit to view multiple locations from various general admission grandstands, and you have a great race value for the whole family.   Extras   4 The track was once part of a WWII fighter training field, so you can see various artifacts from that era around the circuit. The biggest attraction is the gun sight test range, where bullet holes are still visible in the concrete bunker right next to the track. The track also has a rooftop terrace on the main tower, giving you views of practically the entire circuit. Finally, autograph sessions are held for FR and F4 drivers during the weekend, giving you a chance to meet some of the brightest stars of racing before they make it to the big time.   Final Thoughts Though not the most spectacular or special circuit around, New Jersey Motorsports Park fills a need in the region. Not much is available for motorsports enthusiasts in New Jersey, so this circuit offers something not found elsewhere nearby. If you’re looking to check a track off the list, a swing through the Garden State may be in the cards if you’re here during SpeedTour weekend.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 East Lake Golf Club 2575 Alston Drive SE Atlanta, GA 30317 TOUR Championship website East Lake Golf Club website Year Opened: 1904 It All Comes Down to This East Lake Golf Club was established at its current location in 1904. One of its early members was Atlanta lawyer Robert Jones and his family, which included his young son, Bobby. At just six years old, Bobby won East Lake’s children’s tournament, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most successful golf careers in history. Jones went on to win thirteen major tournaments, including the U.S. Amateur, which was considered one of the Grand Slam tournaments until the 1950s. In addition to his skill on the course, Bobby Jones was a talented golf course architect, most notably designing Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament. Since 2005, historic East Lake Golf Club has hosted the PGA Tour’s season-ending event, the TOUR Championship. The top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings qualify for the first of three playoff events, the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The field is then narrowed to 50 for the BMW Championship, with the top 30 advancing to the TOUR Championship at East Lake in Atlanta. The tournament starts with the leader in FedEx points at 10 under par and a two-stroke lead over number two in points, who starts at 8 under – this continues to the golfers in positions 26-30, who begin the tournament at even par.   Food & Beverage   5 Food and drink options are abundant at nearly every turn at East Lake during the TOUR Championship, with more than fifteen general food and beverage vendors available. Patrons can enjoy local favorites such as BBQ from the highly regarded Fox Bros. BBQ, sandwiches from Oakhurst Market, and pub fare from Universal Joint and Poco Loco. One of Atlanta’s most popular boutique burger spots, Farm Burger, also offers a variety of choices. While the classic burger is on the menu, the focus here is on sliders, which come with toppings like caramelized onions, fried jalapeños, or a turkey burger. For a taste of New England, patrons can visit Cousins Maine Lobster, where two styles of lobster rolls are available: the Maine style served cold with mayo, or the Connecticut style served warm with drawn butter. Other offerings include lobster grilled cheese, lobster quesadillas, and the Maine whoopie pie—a unique treat of two chocolate, cake-like biscuits with a sweet cream filling. Beverage choices are equally abundant at East Lake. It would be nearly sacrilegious if anything other than Coca-Cola products were served at an event this size in Atlanta, but along with Coca-Cola being prominently featured, a variety of sports drinks, energy drinks, and iced tea are also available. For those seeking something a bit stronger, there are numerous locations on both the front and back nine offering mixed drinks, seltzers, and wine, as well as craft and domestic beers. Guests are also allowed to bring reusable water bottles, which can be refilled at several water stations throughout the course. There are so many various food options here, ranging from meals to quick bites, to snacks and sweet treats, that visitors would be hard-pressed to not find something to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.   Atmosphere   4 Much has been made of the LIV Tour’s impact on the PGA Tour, and its effects are evident in the field of the TOUR Championship, where some of golf’s biggest names are absent – names like Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Jon Rahm are noticeably missing. It’s somewhat disappointing not to see all the top stars competing for the $25 million prize. Nevertheless, despite the absence of some fan favorites, the field remains strong, featuring previous FedEx Cup champions like Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Xander Schauffele. The 2024 TOUR Championship saw nearly a completely new course – following the 2023 tournament, East Lake Golf Club underwent a year-long renovation to restore the course closer to its 1949 Donald Ross design. The result is a nearly new layout that emphasizes ball control, precision off the tee, and accuracy on approach shots. In the first tournament post-renovation, the greens were firm, making it challenging to hold approach shots. Expanded chipping areas were also added, funneling shots that couldn’t hold the green. The TOUR Championship ensures a first-class experience for patrons. Public-access tee and greenside lounges provide comfortable spaces to get out of the sun and grab a bite or beverage while watching the action, while higher-end clubs and lounges provide more of a social setting as part of the tournament experience. Regardless of the setup, public, credentialed, and on-course gathering areas are outfitted with televisions showing live tournament coverage, as well as college football during Saturday’s round. Digital leaderboards and stat boards keep patrons updated with the leader, and also provide advanced analytics on hole performance; it is nice to be able to get a bit more than Greens in Regulation, driving distance, or driving yardage. When it comes to watching golf in person, there is no single right way to enjoy the tournament. Some fans prefer to camp out at a par-3, hoping to witness a hole-in-one, while others choose to follow their favorite golfer throughout the course. For a well-rounded experience, arriving early at the public bleachers on the 1st tee to watch each pairing start, then walking the front nine backward allows spectators to see each group twice. As the final pairings tee off, the early groups will be coming through the par-3 9th hole. On the back nine, holes 10 through 13 are clustered together, providing a great vantage point to catch plenty of action without having to cover much ground. Regardless of the approach, getting to the 18th green early, especially on Sunday, is a must to catch the tournament’s conclusion. Space here is limited, and fans often set up tailgating chairs on the grassy hill behind the green to secure their spot and follow the action before the final moments.   Neighborhood   4 East Lake Golf Club is the focal point of the East Lake neighborhood, located just under six miles east of downtown Atlanta. Once one of the city’s most troubled areas, plagued by crime and dilapidated buildings, the neighborhood has seen significant revitalization thanks to investments by the East Lake Foundation. New schools and a community center have contributed to the area’s transformation. Just a mile north of East Lake is the Oakhurst neighborhood of Decatur, which neighbors Atlanta. Oakhurst offers a variety of restaurants, many with patio seating, as well as shops and Scepter Brewing Arts. Dining options range from Mojo’s Pizza and Mezcalito Cantina to Steinbeck’s Pub, Ford’s BBQ, and Paolino’s Italian, among others. However, given the proximity to downtown Atlanta, if the surrounding neighborhood does not have enough to interest you, there are nearly endless dining, shopping, and entertainment options a short trip away from the course.   Fans   4 With the field whittled to just 30 golfers for the PGA Tour’s finale, galleries can swell remarkably, especially around the leading pairings on Sunday afternoon. It was at East Lake where one of golf’s most iconic recent moments occurred, during the 2018 TOUR Championship, following Tiger Woods’ tee shot on the 18th hole a massive crowd surged onto the fairway behind him. It was a genuine, organic display of fan excitement on the course. Despite the high stakes of the season-ending purse, patrons generally maintain a respectful golf atmosphere. Aside from a few isolated instances, there is not a large issue with nonsensical utterances that’s sole purpose is for someone to say, “You think they heard that on TV?”.   Access   4 By their nature, golf clubs typically lack expansive parking lots, so parking is provided off-site with patrons shuttled to the venue. Two primary locations for this service are the Georgia World Congress Center, near Mercedes-Benz Stadium , and Center Parc Stadium in the Summerhill neighborhood, home to the Atlanta Falcons and Georgia State Panthers football, respectively. Rideshare drop-off and pickup are located along 2nd Avenue, providing direct access to the 13th hole and ticket windows for walk-up patrons. Another possible option might be using Atlanta’s MARTA rail system, whose East Lake station is just a five-minute ride away. Additionally, the MARTA bus routes have stops along the perimeter of the venue. Golf courses can be difficult to navigate, but the PGA accommodates patrons with mobility challenges by offering ADA shuttle locations throughout the course.   Return on Investment   3 Tickets for Wednesday’s practice rounds start at $30, providing a great opportunity to experience the course in a more relaxed atmosphere with much smaller crowds. However, grounds passes increase significantly starting Thursday, the first day of competition – entry begins at $75 on Thursday, rises to $85 for Friday’s round, then goes up to $97 on Saturday, and is even higher for Sunday’s final round. The best bet is to purchase tickets as early as possible, as they typically go on sale in the winter months at discounted rates. There are also several premium ticket options for clubs and suites around the course, starting at a few hundred dollars. These areas provide a more comfortable viewing experience, with some packages including food and drink. The PGA Tour recognizes the importance of engaging the next generation of golfers, offering free admission for children 15 and under with each paying adult. Additionally, complimentary passes and discounted tickets are available for active military personnel and veterans. While ticket prices can be a bit pricy, it is important to keep in mind that the TOUR Championship is the culminating event of the PGA Tour season, with $25 million at stake. Though not one of golf’s major tournaments, it holds considerable significance as it in essence crowns the season-long champion. Concession prices are generally in line with what would be found at most major sporting events – while some items might raise an eyebrow, substantial food options are typically priced as expected.   Extras   5 The Tee Up Atlanta event kicks off the week on Monday night, with a concert to raise funds for local charities. In previous years the kickoff event has featured a red carpet at the College Football Hall of Fame, while for 2024 the event was a concert headlined by Atlanta native, 2 Chainz. Golf offers patrons unparalleled access to players that is rarely seen in other professional sports. The walkway from the parking lot to the clubhouse is often lined with fans seeking autographs, those seeking a pre-round selfie, or simply looking to wish golfers well on their rounds. Special accommodations are made for golf’s youngest fans with designated autograph areas, ensuring they are not pinched out by more aggressive adults who might also be looking to secure signatures. The SO COOL Pavilion provides an inviting space for patrons to grab a bite, relax at picnic tables, or cool down with misters. The area features a massive TV screen showing football games on Saturdays and live tournament coverage on other days. Several vendors are also present, along with a large PGA shop stocked with souvenirs and tournament apparel. The First Tee Center also provides virtual and other interactive golf experiences. The area neighboring the 16th green, which seems to be the course’s nursery, has been transformed into the USGA’s Junior Pitch, Chip, and Putt compilation site, as well as a general patron putting area sponsored by PGA Superstore, where visitors can try out various putters. While the view from the 5th tee box has a picturesque look at Atlanta's horizon, it is the walk down the 7th fairway that has amazing views of the Atlanta skyline, and the buildings that seemingly are growing out of the city’s thick tree canopy.   Final Thoughts Despite not being one of golf’s four major tournaments, the TOUR Championship comes with a great deal of excitement and prestige as the season’s final event. To be part of the tournament that crowns the PGA season champion comes with a lot of excitement, and can produce some of golf’s most memorable moments. While the tournament itself would be entertaining on its own merits, tournament organizers have done a fantastic job combining the tournament with an outstanding fan experience. If catching professional golf is on the annual sporting “To Do List”, the TOUR Championship definitely should be in consideration.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Haynes Family Stadium University Dr Northfield, VT 05663 Norwich Cadets website Haynes Family Stadium website Year Opened : 1921 Capacity : 3,000 On the March in Norwich The Norwich Cadets football team competes in the NCAA’s Division III as part of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference, aka NEWMAC. Their home football field is Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium, which is also used for the university’s soccer and lacrosse teams, as well as occasionally for rugby. The facility was dedicated in 1921 and is named after a former alumnus who donated money to purchase some of the land the university sits on.   Food & Beverage   1 There is a food truck behind one end zone, with only four items on the menu – hot dogs, smash burgers, fries, and canned sodas. The fries are $4 and taste great (they are the thinner, crispy kind), but the hot dogs are overpriced at $7, and the burgers are pre-made, so they are not the best.   Atmosphere   5 This section is where Norwich football stands out – the school is America’s first private military college, and the student body of cadets makes its presence known at football games here. For starters, you can watch the cadets march into the stadium by company, with company banners held high, after which they participate in the pre-game festivities. The march-in is something to see and is just as spectacular at Haynes Family Field as it would be at any other military school. It might even be better here, as the cadets at Norwich wear white, which pops nicely against the backdrop of green. But the military fanfare does not stop there – not even close. The area around the field is also decked out with military paraphernalia, including a small F-16 overhanging the team gear tent. But by far, the most impressive sight is behind the far end zone, where you can find a propeller from the WWII Flying Tigers, an anchor, and a full-size (yes, you read that right) Sherman tank! What could be better than that? Fans are welcome to walk up and get a closer look at the tank and other items and can enjoy snapping some photos. Note that these mementos are not just for fun; they are here to honor Norwich cadets who moved on to serve in the Air Force, Navy, and Army Armored Corps.   Neighborhood   2 Norwich is confusingly not located in the Vermont town of Norwich but instead is in Northfield, which is about 50 miles north of Norwich. The campus and football field are a bit off the beaten path, being a few miles from Interstate 89, the closest major highway. There are a few small restaurants in town – an ice cream food truck down the street from campus seems to be pretty popular, but there are no hotels in town (the closest is probably 8 or 9 miles away, near the aforementioned interstate). There also aren’t any attractions nearby, mostly parks and waterfalls, although there is a history museum about 10 miles away. And if you are looking for something a little kitsch, you can find North America’s largest zipper in Barre, VT, about 14 miles from Norwich University.   Fans   2 The stands are pretty empty at your typical Norwich Football game, although the fans who are there cheer loudly and try to will their team to victory. I didn’t notice much traffic at the team gear stand, however.   Access   4 Depending on where you are coming from, it might be a bit of a trek to come to tiny Northfield, VT. However, once you get to the facility, the access could not be easier – there is a parking lot right next to Haynes Family Stadium, and you are allowed to re-enter the venue at your leisure if you need to walk out to your car, for example. Note there are no tickets, digital or otherwise, just hand stamps for all entrants. There is also plenty of room to move around the plaza where the team gear store and concessions are, and fans are welcome to walk around the stadium to sit on either side or to take pictures of the tank or other military items on site. Note there are no bathrooms inside Haynes Family Stadium itself, but there are bathrooms just behind one end zone in the armory building, less than 50 yards from the main stands.   Return on Investment   4 Norwich football is a pretty no-frills sort of experience, but they do have cheerleaders and a great mascot (he even has a saber). The cost is only $6 to get in, which is as cheap a price as you will probably ever see for a sporting event – this cost is well worth it for the military memorabilia alone, especially the full-size Sherman tank. My best advice, though, is you might want to eat before you come if you are looking for more variety or something more filling than what the food truck has on offer.   Extras   2 I mentioned the cadets and mascot already, as well as the military memorabilia, but another great plus is how close you can get to the action here. Some fans watch from the grassy area behind the end zone or stand along the fence that surrounds the field – either of these locations can make you feel like you are really in the thick of things.   Final Thoughts Though a football game at Haynes Family Stadium is a no-frills type of experience, it is cheap and low-harassed as well – there are no big crowds to fight, and it is easy to move around. Some fans might miss the energy of 50,000+ of your closest friends cheering along with them, but if you simply love the game of football, you can have a great time here and see some great military artifacts to boot.

You would think changing a pejorative team name is a 21st-century issue, but that may not be the case. It is not a new phenomenon; one would have to go back to 1907 when a baseball team in Jacksonville, Illinois, was scrutinized to make a name change. That team was the Jacksonville Lunatics. It was not a decision made by team owners to adopt the Lunatics nickname but by the newspapers of the late 19th century who linked the players to the Jacksonville Developmental Center, which opened in 1851. It would be called the Jacksonville State Lunatic Asylum in the newspapers.  Its creation was to shift the economic burden of the mentally ill onto the state, which paid all of the patient’s expenses. Newspaper articles referring to the asylum described the residents as raving maniacs, insane, crazy, and lunatics. Other stories reported on residents escaping, locals committing, and former residents committing suicide in a fit of insanity. Not surprisingly, when the Jacksonville team took the field in the Illinois-Iowa League for the 1892 season, the cigar-chomping sports writers couldn’t wait to slam down on their typewriters about the boys from Lunatic Town. All through the season, visiting newspapers added mischievous jests at the town known for its state hospital and residents. One would only have to look up the first month’s stories from April and May to see the descriptive words used to describe the ball club. It did not take the local Jacksonville newspaper, the Illinois Daily Courier , long to notice what the other league cities were printing in their papers about the Jacksonville Ball Club. “Nulton was the next man to face the twirler from lunatic town ” “As he stood eyeing the pitcher from insaneville a few in the grandstand who hadn’t got their money’s worth began to give him a little roast by calling him baby.” “The Lunatics got the way the insane asylum at Jacksonville operated.” “When the demented creatures attempted to strike back their poor, weak efforts showed the lack of proper nourishment…” “When the demented creatures  attempted to strike back their poor, weak efforts showed the lack of proper nourishment  and indicated that the good things of life were for the managers only” “Eight of them wildly beat the ambient air and went back to their benches, not particularly wiser but considerably madder men. ” Much of this research was conducted by the University of St. Mary, Dr. Joe Squillace, associate professor at the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas. He conducted extensive research on the baseball club that resulted in his journal entry entitled “Changing Community Perceptions of Baseball Team Names: The Case of the Jacksonville Lunatics” .  He joined me on a recent  episode of the Ballpark Hunter Podcast  to discuss the history of the club and its peculiar nickname. “If you are a sportswriter, you are all about sarcasm, quips, and jabs at the enemy team. It was no different than what you see at the high school level between two football teams on a Friday night. You always want to take a jab at the opposing school.” The team would cease operations after three seasons and return for a brief  7-week period in 1900. In 1906, a new Jacksonville team joined the Kentucky- Illinois-Tennessee League (Kitty League), returning the Lunatics name used 12 years earlier. The following year, the local newspapers began thinking about using the name. Right before the start of the 1907 season, Jacksonville joined the Iowa State League, and the Jacksonville Daily-Courier  newspaper opted for a new name, referring to them as the Kittens due to many players being on last year’s Kitty League team. The paper issued the following words on May 7, the opening of the season. “By the way, don’t you think that Kittens is a much nicer name than the Lunatics? And besides it’s much more appropriate, as we are former Kitty leaguers and youngsters, and then it seems real horrid to call the boys Lunatics. We’ve promised never to do it again, so there.” Jacksonville Lunatics team photo from 1908 when they joined the Central Association. It would lead to the Waterloo Courier agreeing to call them the Kittens since “the Jacksonville Courier is not in favor of having the baseball team from that city go through the summer with the Lunatic attached to them.” The Quinc y Daily-Herald , Burlington Evening-Gazette , and the Waterloo Daily-Courier  also agreed to print the new name in newspaper articles. However, the Oskaloosa Daily-Herald , Waterloo Times-Herald , and Jacksonville’s second newspaper, the Daily-Journal,  continued to refer to the ball club as the Lunatics throughout the season.   “What you see by 1907 is the town struggling with the name Lunatics,” added Squillace. “They were trying to respect the medical community, and clearly, the language was becoming more pejorative. People in the community did not want to use that name anymore, but in the same year, other newspapers still called them the Lunatics. It is clear that the community wanted a change.”   To add further confusion, the papers from Marshalltown and Ottumwa referred to the club as the Jacksonville team. Does this sound like a particular NFL team from Washington?  By the end of the year, the Quincy paper began calling the ball club the Lunatics. Quickly, the old nickname fell back to fold, and the team went back to it in 1908. That’s the way it would be until baseball folded in town in 1910. Minor league or summer collegiate baseball would not return to Jacksonville, and the Lunatics name is long forgotten, along with a list of other former names, but what if baseball had persisted and the town grew? How long could the name have survived in the following decades? Could the name be used today for a new ball club?  Squillace added that a   name lasts as long as the community or culture lets it or until there is enough outcry for a change: “The Lunatic name would be shunned today by many due to the language and things we associate with the word from the past. It is not sports writers embracing the names; it is the corporate end that asks for input from the community. Language does change over time.” ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey A recent study tracked the shopping habits of NFL fans to try and find which team’s fan base was clamoring for their squads merchandise the most. Studying key search terms such as “[Team] merch”, “[Team] merch near me”, and “Buy [Team] merch online”, online sportsbook Oddspedia calculated a total monthly search volume to determine their rankings.   Coming out on top with a monthly search volume of nearly 200,000 hits were the five-time Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers . According to the study, fans searched for “49ers jersey” more frequently than any other item in the United States – this is not surprising as the Niners are once again one of the top teams in the NFL, after being runner ups in the Super Bowl twice in the past four seasons.   Unsurprisingly, the second most popular merchandise search belongs to another NFL blue blood, the Dallas Cowboys , with just under 180,000 searches – “Dallas Cowboys cap” is their most searched/most sought-after item.   The resurgent Detroit Lions  (~171,000 searches) came in third, followed by the reigning kings of the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs , in fourth place (~141,000). The Philadelphia Eagles  (~140,000) rounded out the top five, while coming in last were the Arizona Cardinals , with a monthly search volume of just 10,500.   “Merchandise is an extremely important way for fans to express their support for a team, which is why NFL merch plays such an important role in the fan community,” said Callum Wilson, the spokesperson for Oddspedia. “This study illustrates how some teams stand out in the popularity of NFL merchandise, with teams like the 49ers , Cowboys , and Detroit Lions  rising above others and even surpassing the popularity of local teams in New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.”    The study found that Michigan, interestingly enough, has the highest average monthly search for NFL merchandise in the United States, followed by Delaware and Nevada. Of the states in the country that do not have a local team, Alabama had the highest number of searches, with fans clamoring for Miami Dolphins gear, while fans in Delaware are looking for Eagles merch.   “The top-ranking teams in this study all performed incredibly last season, which explains why there is such a demand for merchandise ahead of this season,” said Wilson. “This data demonstrates that the support for the top-ranking teams goes beyond having a local fan base and extends into nationwide popularity.” ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Terry McCutchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Wilford Moore Stadium 1560 Ross Ave Abilene, TX 79605 McMurry War Hawks website Wilford Moore Stadium website Year Opened: 1937 Capacity: 3,550 War Hawks! Since 1937, the McMurry University football team has played its home football games at the same location, on a small liberal arts college campus in Abilene, Texas – much has changed since the McMurry Indians played their first football game on campus prior to World War II. For one, McMurry dropped “Indians” as its mascot in 2006 and became the War Hawks in 2011. In addition to the mascot change, Indian Stadium was renamed and dedicated to former coach Wilford Moore in 2007, after upgrading to a turf playing surface and adding a new track surface. Since that time there have been several improvements, including a new press box, the addition of private boxes, chair-back reserved home seating, upgrades to the restrooms and concession areas, and the addition of a video scoreboard. The War Hawks have competed at both the NAIA and NCAA levels – in the NCAA they played mainly in Division III, with a brief 3-year stint in Division II from 2012-2014, when they considered moving up but later decided to move back down to the D-III level. Until August 2023 they had been long time members of the American Southwest Conference, after moving from the NAIA to the NCAA in 1997. Their one playoff appearance came in 2011 under the direction of former Kentucky coach Hal Mumme; during their playoff run they beat Trinity in the first round, then lost to Mary Hardin-Baylor in the second. Beginning in 2024, McMurry plays as a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference . McMurry’s most notable former players and coaches are Grant Teaff , who played and coached here prior to moving to Baylor and becoming a Hall of Fame coach and Executive Director of the AFCA, and   Brad Rowland , the school’s all-time leading rusher and former NFL player.   Food & Beverage   3 There are two concession stands underneath the home stands which are managed by local food truck and caterer Matera Grill and Catering . In addition to traditional food options such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and nachos, fans can also get specialty foods like popcorn chicken, fried cheese sticks, or funnel cake fries. Most of the snack items one would expect from a concession stand are also available, including popcorn, chips, candy, pretzels, pickles, and cotton candy. The quality of food is good, but the portion sizes are not huge. Prices are reasonable with a hamburger and chips or fries costing $10. Cheese sticks and the chili dog with fries or chips both cost $7, while nachos are priced at $5. Canned Pepsi products and bottled water are available for $2.50-$3 each, while candy, chips, and the other snack items are $4 or less. On my most recent visit I sampled the cheeseburger with Mountain Dew and a bag of BBQ potato chips – the burger was big enough to be a meal but is not huge. The hamburger appeared to be a fresh-formed patty, not frozen but lacking some flavor. It was juicy and cooked to medium-well, just the way I prefer my burgers.   Atmosphere   4 The game day presentation is family friendly and engaging for a small college. There is a tailgate area across the street from the stadium, hosted by player family and friends. There are also bounce houses and fun activities for children on campus before the game. Music plays over the sound system during timeouts and stoppages in play. During the last game I attended, the music was loud enough to be heard, though the announcer was hard to understand at times, especially when you are not sitting near the middle of the stands.   Neighborhood   3 The area around McMurry’s campus is an older, lower-middle class neighborhood. Most of the houses near campus have been occupied by families for many years or are rental properties. As houses and lots come up for sale, the university is purchasing them in an effort to expand its footprint. There are no hotels within walking distance of campus, but several options are only 2-3 miles south, near the Mall of Abilene . A couple of suggestions are MGM Elegante and Hilton Garden Inn , but many of the hotels in this area are very nice for the price. If closer accommodations are desired there are some short-term rental properties, of which I would choose anything between South 14th and South 7th Streets, and within 2-3 blocks of Sayles Boulevard. Pre- or post-game meal options are limited extremely close to the stadium, but there are a few quality choices. Alfredo's Mexican Food  is a small place that leaves a lot to be desired as far as eye appeal goes, but the food itself is well worth the trip. Another must eat location is Jay’s BBQ , which is just 1 mile from campus – Jay’s is open from 11 am-2 pm and has excellent BBQ and different daily specials. Other options fairly close include Chelsea’s Burgers and Brew , Blu Barrel Bar and Grill , The Dixie Pig , Pizza Hut , and Masa Bistro and Sushi Bar . There are also a few fast food restaurants including Wienerschnitzel , Taco Bell , McDonald’s , and Sonic . For nightlife there are a few bars downtown, some of which play live music on the weekends. These include KAO Lounge , The Ice House ,   Grain Theory , and Fat Boss’s Pub . Other options for adult beverages and entertainment include   Mulligans Sports Bar , Lucky Shot Bar and Arcade , Buffalo Wild Wings , or Hooters . When visiting Abilene, other family-friendly options to consider include the Abilene Zoo , Frontier Texas , National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature , Grace Museum , and Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame .   Fans   3 McMurry fans are loyal and supportive of their War Hawks – student organizations participate by dressing up, sitting together, and cheering during the game, and some of them have chants or cheers that are specific to their group. The university also has a small marching band that plays in the stands and marches during halftime. There is also a cheerleading squad that leads cheers from the track, in front of the student section and band. There are enough fans in attendance that overflow stands are filled in the south end zone, and people are standing around the track on the north end of the field. When I was last there, the stands appeared to be at about 80-90% capacity, and the crowd was yelling and cheering as the game dictated.   Access   3 Wilford Moore Stadium is located in the southwest quadrant of campus, on the corner of Ross and Hunt Streets. Tickets are online only, and a QR code is posted for a quick link to the ticketing site, if it is needed at the gate. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students. There is also a small section of chairback reserved seating for $20 each located in the top few rows between the 40-yard lines. In my opinion, the extra cost is not worth the added expense, especially if you have your own seat cushion, because the sight lines are good from any spot in the stands. Parking is free and first come, first served anywhere around the stadium. There is one large paved lot across from Kimbrell Arena, which is approximately 100 yards northwest of the home side entrance. There are also gravel and unpaved lots closer to the football gate along Ross Street, and parking on most of the streets in the neighborhood is also allowed, which would be my first choice. After the game ends, many players stay on the field waiting for family or friends. Fans have access to go down and talk to them if desired, and I saw many children get autographs from their favorite players, which was fun to witness.   Return on Investment   3 With relatively inexpensive ticket and concession prices, plus free parking, the return on investment at Wilford Moore Stadium is high. Attending a War Hawk game is well worth the time, and provides a great opportunity to watch collegiate level football at the same price, or less, than many high school games in this region of Texas.   Extras   2 The Kona Ice vending truck available inside the stadium is a plus. The pregame atmosphere, family-friendly environment, and field access after the game are also great amenities at Wilford Moore Stadium.   Final Thoughts NCAA Division III football does not get the national exposure that larger college gridiron games do, but the passion and energy shown by the players and fans at this level are just as intense. In a school that has been around as long as McMurry, traditions have grown deep and have been passed down through many generations. I thoroughly enjoyed the game day experience, and I think you will find attending a War Hawk football game here to be entertaining and fun for adults and children of all ages.

Photos by James Hilchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Iowa Speedway 3333 Rusty Wallace Dr Newton, IA 50208 Iowa Speedway website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 30,000 The Fastest Short Track on the Planet Newton Speedway is a 7/8 mile oval track located in Newton, Iowa, about 30 miles east of Des Moines. 2024 was a massive year for the track, with the debut of the first ever NASCAR Cup race in Iowa. The three-day series of races (both ARCA and Xfinity led up to the Cup race), saw massive attendance with two sellouts and a big crowd for ARCA. The track has changed ownership throughout the years, with NASCAR acquiring the site in 2013. Prior to 2024, the track has hosted numerous IndyCar races along with NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and ARCA, but was never able to land the elusive Cup race. The track has also hosted IndyCar series for numerous years that was combined with concerts of late. In 2025, the concerts and some sponsorship was dropped, which resulted in a large blow to the attendance. NASCAR has already announced its return in 2026, but whether the IndyCar Series returns is up in the air. Food & Beverage 4 Iowa Speedway is cashless, so plan accordingly. There are 3 permanent concession areas that serve your typical fare for sports venues. In anticipation of the large crowds, plenty of temporary food vendors were brought in that allowed for much more variety than in the past. Whether your preference is pizza, Mexican, BBQ, Asian, etc, it is available. In addition, plenty of snacks like kettle corn, ice cream, etc. are available. One negative of the weekend that I have not encountered at other tracks is that no outside food or drink was allowed. Fans are allowed to bring two sealed bottles of water per person, but nothing else. Pepsi products are the soda of choice along with numerous choices of domestic beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Food and drink prices are about what you would expect for a NASCAR race. Atmosphere 5 Just outside the entry gates were all the driver/team merchandise trucks. Entering the gates, there are different race/car related displays and sales promotions. The NASCAR experience area was a fun place to stop. Among the items to see were the actual car that Richard Petty drove when he won the infamous 1979 Daytona 500. There were also driver autograph sessions and other events that allowed fans to interact with some of their favorite drivers. Concessions and restrooms are all under the seating area. As you enter the seating area, the entire track becomes visible. Grandstand seats are all bleacher seats, so you will be sitting on a bench. Padded seats and chairbacks are allowed to be brought in, provided there is no metal in them. In the middle section of the seating area is the Newton Club. Newton Club tickets cost more than the grandstand, but the seats are chairbacks. Another perk of the Newton Club is there is an indoor area where you can sit and you can purchase drinks without missing any of the race. If it is a rainy day or particularly warm, this is the preferred option as you can get out of the rain or go inside and cool off in the air conditioning. The recommended seats are from about halfway up the seating area to the top. If sitting in the first few rows, portions of turns 2 and 3 aren’t easily seen. As with almost all tracks, the seats face pit road so it’s easy to see what is going on with the cars when they pit. Prior races I’ve attended at the track haven’t been particularly well attended, but when the crowd is full, like on the most recent weekend I attended, the race atmosphere is amazing. Neighborhood 2 The track sits on the outskirts of Newton, Iowa. Newton is a small town (approx. 15,000) and, as such, there isn’t much to do outside of attending the race. Driving into town will yield some good results though. Giovannis Pizza stands out as the option here. The pizza is tremendous and if you want to try something different, they offer a “grinder” crust, which is essentially a fried pizza crust. Giovannis is about 3 miles from the track. Newton also has plenty of fast-food options if you just want to grab something for the road. If staying for a long race weekend, there are a few lodging options, including the AmericInn and Cobblestone Inn and Suites, which are both within a mile of the speedway. Fans 5 Like with most Cup races, fans are super passionate. A good percentage wear shirts and/or hats of their favorite driver or team. Fans will also let you know if they don’t like you. This is evident especially during driver introductions. They are engaged throughout the race even when their driver isn’t near the front of the pack. Access 3 Getting to the track takes a bit of time. Newton is about 30 minutes east of Des Moines and the track sits just south of Interstate 80. It’s easy to see from the freeway and there is plenty of signage to direct you. Parking is ample. Once inside, concessions seemed to flow well with no long waits. When full, there are lines for the restroom, particularly at the end of a stage or during an extended yellow flag. If the Cup series is to become permanent at the speedway, this will need to be addressed. There is plenty of handicapped seating available. The only real drawback is leaving the track once the race is over. There are only two ways to get back to the freeway and one is quite cumbersome through back roads. Return on Investment 4 Parking is free is you want to walk a little bit. You can pay if you want to park closer, but this option will need to be purchased online prior to the race and those spots can sell out. Tickets to the Cup race were reasonable at around $100 or a little more, but with the hype of the first Cup race, tickets sold out in the presale so they were going for much more on the secondary market. If you can secure tickets directly from the speedway and not on the secondary market, it is a great value to see a Cup race at a track that hasn’t hosted one before. Extras 3 One extra point goes to the staff. The ticket takers and concessions folks were all very friendly. There were numerous opportunities to meet the drivers and get autographs. Fans showed up early all three days for such activities. The speedway has a Field of Dreams vibe to it, being surrounded by corn fields. Final Thoughts The Iowa Speedway is a bare-bones, but fun race experience. The first two Cup races were a big success and there’s no reason to think this track can’t improve on what it needs to if NASCAR can commit to an annual return. The “fastest short track on the planet” is worthy of hosting a race annually and well worth a visit. ------ Follow my sports journeys on Twitter and Instagram : @stadiumjwriter

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Husky Stadium 7502 Fondren Rd Houston, TX 77074 Houston Christian Huskies website Husky Stadium website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 5,000 Dawgs Up! With a picturesque view of downtown Houston in the distance, and overlooking both the HCU soccer and baseball fields, Husky Stadium is a wonderful stadium in the Football Championship Subdivision. Opened in 2014, the current record crowd in this 5,000-seat venue is 4,125, with an average attendance last season around 2K per game. Despite being over 10 years old the turf field looks brand new, and the orange and blue color scheme of the Huskies pops nicely. The stadium’s grandstand is located on the southwest side and is topped by a small press box, providing fans with a little relief from the Texas sun as the afternoon, or evening, wanes. Food & Beverage 3 Husky Stadium does not have a ton of food and beverage options, but there is more than enough to cover you during the game, and the food is fresh, fresh, fresh! Burgers, sausage, hot dogs, and sometimes marinated grilled chicken are made to order on a portable grill in the middle of the concourse (you order your food at the concession stand next to the ticket booth and pick it up over at the grill). You can also get the Texas favorite Frito pie, nachos, chips, candy, popcorn, and other snacks, as well as bottled water, soda, iced tea (of course, this being the South), and sports drinks. Most items are $5 or less, with only sausage-on-a-stick ($7) and Black Angus 1/3 lb. cheeseburgers ($9) costing more. Atmosphere 3 The Huskies boast the traditional band, cheerleaders, and costumed mascot, and have a decent student section as well. The scoreboard behind the southeast end zone does have video capability, but it seems to only be used for HCU logos and crowd prompts; I did not see any instant replays. On the plus side there is a team gear stand under the seating, which sells mostly Dawgs shirts and hats, but also socks, which you don’t often see. There are also several other stands with giveaways or promotions about upcoming HCU events. Neighborhood 3 Houston Christian University is located about halfway between Sugar Land, TX and downtown Houston – as mentioned above downtown Houston can be seen in the distance from the grandstand, but is actually about 13 miles away. Of course Houston has plenty to see and do, including perhaps the most well-known attraction, Space Center Houston, but also boasts other sporting events like the Texans, Rockets, and Astros, as well as several other college football stadiums if you are looking to double or even triple up during your visit. But if you want to stay closer to HCU, there are plenty of restaurants in the area, mostly Tex-Mex with a few pizza places sprinkled in, but a few other cuisine types as well. There are also plenty of hotels and motels nearby, with options for any budgets – almost all of these are located right along nearby I-69. Fans 2 The Huskies have a decent crowd – they are loud enough and cheer at the appropriate moments, and the student section especially is decked out in team gear. Unfortunately there are just not enough fans at present to fill up the grandstand. However, they do have sort of a fan fest outside the stadium before the game, which seemed well attended. On the plus side, during my most recent visit I saw barely any visiting fans, which I appreciated – at a lot of venues, you will see more visiting fans than home fans. Access 4 Accessing Husky Stadium at Houston Christian University was much easier than I expected – due to the traffic around the nation’s fourth-largest city, I expected the drive in to take much longer, but probably thanks to the distance from downtown Houston, the drive was actually very easy. In addition, there is free parking available at the Brown Administrative Complex or the Morris Cultural Arts Centers, which leaves a short walk to the facility, but not bad. Note that Lot 5 is reserved during football games for pass holders, although it is open for all other HCU sporting events. There is also plenty of room to move around the concourse; the ticket window and concession stand are both located at the main entrance, which is on the west end of the grandstand (the opposite side from where the scoreboard is). Lastly, since the venue likely will not be full, you can sit anywhere in the stands you want, so even if you didn’t buy the chairback seats (the section in the middle of the stands), you can probably grab one of those seats anyway. Return on Investment 4 General admission seats are only $15, so with the free parking I consider this a great return on investment; remember also that the food and beverage prices here are cheaper than you will probably see at most other sports venues. Chairback seats, if you want to make sure, cost $25 each, and those under 18 can get in for $8. Extras 2 For non-Saturday games, the on-campus cafeterias will actually give dinner to the students at Husky Stadium itself, for example during a Thursday night contest I recently attended, the cafeteria was closed, and the students had to come to the stadium to eat – I thought this was a great way to boos attendance, and try to drive student interest early in the season. Final Thoughts Texas is known for football, and the city of Houston is no different, with 1 pro team, 2 FBS teams, and 2 FCS teams – for any math nerds out there, that means Houston has twice as many major football programs for its population size compared to the United States in general. That said, I would definitely recommend a visit to Husky Stadium; even though it is not the biggest, it is a great stadium with a pleasant atmosphere and picturesque views. While it may not have all the amenities you can find at some of the larger stadiums in Houston, it is an enjoyable and stress-free way to enjoy the game we all love.

Photos by James Hilchen and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Comerica Park 2100 Woodward Ave Detroit, MI 48201 Detroit Tigers website Comerica Park website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 41,083 The Tiger Den Comerica Park opened on April 11, 2000; a day that saw the home team Detroit Tigers defeat the Seattle Mariners 5-2. Comerica Park replaced iconic Tiger Stadium, which had been the previous home of the Tigers dating back to 1912. Comerica Park is adjacent to Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions. The stadium was part of a larger revitalization project for that area of Detroit. Comerica has seen some upgrades since its opening and has everything a baseball fan could want in an stadium from quality food to a deep appreciation of the ballclub that calls it home. Food & Beverage 5 Concessions are spread nicely throughout the ballpark. If you don’t see anything you are interested in when entering the concourse, keep walking, you will. Comerica serves up far too many options to mention them all. In addition to all the traditional ballpark fare, there are some added menu items new for 2025. Among the items I found were the Motor City Melt. It looked good so I gave it a shot. The combination of mozzarella sticks with marinara and provolone come sandwiched between two slices of sourdough garlic bread. Amazing! If you are looking for something a little more on the healthy side, head to the “breadless” kiosk near section 140. They offer up many different options that come wrapped in leafy greens instead of bread. For the biggest options in one spot, head to the Big Cat Court near Gate A, Section 119. An added plus here is there is plenty of seating if you want to eat before heading to your seat. I would also recommend the Shawarma kiosk here. For drinks, Comerica serves Pepsi products. Additionally, you can pick a multitude of different beer options to mention and wine and mixed drinks are also available. Atmosphere 5 There is a lot going on at Comerica Park which leaves the opportunity for everyone to have a good time, even if you aren’t the staunchest baseball fan. Want to ride a carousel? Your covered. Head to the Big Cat Court near Section 119. If you are looking for something a little bigger, head over to section 131, where you can ride a Ferris wheel. Beyond the center field wall, there is a fountain that produces a “liquid fireworks” display. This is a great feature that occurs when the Tigers hit a home run or other in game big events for the team. For the baseball fan, be sure to head out behind the center field area. There, you will find large sculptures of sox of the Tigers all-time greats…Ty Cobb, Charlie Gehringer, Hank Greenberg, Willie Horton, Al Kaline, and Hal Newhouser are all represented. Also, as you walk around the concourse, be sure to check out the “Walk of Fame” displays which are a decade by decade look at the history of the team and the big events that occurred. You can walk around the entire field at Comerica and there is plenty to see, so it is well worth your time to do so. Concessions and restrooms are spread throughout along with multiple kiosks to get Tigers items as well as a great team store. Neighborhood 4 The area around Comerica Park is bustling with people on gamedays and if you want to show up early or stay after the game, you won’t have any trouble finding places to get something to eat, or have a drink. Directly across the street from the right field entrance is the Tin Roof Detroit. This live music bar is hopping so if you want a seat, get there early. A block away on Woodward is the Union Assembly. They serve up traditional American fare. Ever had Detroit Pizza? If not, now is your chance. Head over to Buddy’s Pizza on Broadway. All these spots and many more are a less than 5-minute walk from the ballpark. There are a number of hotels in the area, some are pricier than others. An affordable choice is the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Detroit which is a 7-minute walk from the park. If you are willing to pay more, there are some even closer. Also worth mentioning here, be sure and have a look at Ford Field, which is adjacent to the ballpark. The Fox Theatre is a mere block away. This iconic venue has seen a who’s who of legends come through. Shirley Temple, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Michigan’s own Aretha Frankin are performed here over the years in addition to so many more. Fans 4 Fans are showing up in 2025 to see their team. On the weekend I attended, the Cubs were in town. The games were sold out. While I expected to see an overwhelming number of Cubs fans, I was surprised that most were Tigers fans. The success of the team isn’t lost on the fans who seemed quite knowledgeable about their team and were in the game from start to finish. Access 4 Getting to Comerica is an easy task. Both I-75 and I-375 will get you there. There are very close parking ramps, but you should expect to pay upwards of $40 to park there. You can find cheaper parking a little farther out but still easily walkable. On an average game, the concourse is walkable without too much effort. If you get a massive crowd, there will be some maneuvering required as well as small lines for both concessions and the restrooms. Return on investment 4 Like most other ballparks, ticket prices will vary by opponent. You can expect to get into a non-premier opponent for as little as $24. Of course, there are occasionally specials and so forth, so keep an eye out and plan early and they could be cheaper. Concessions have gone up here like all the other ballparks. Comerica does offer a value menu on items like pizza, hot dogs, soda, water, etc. This option can definitely help give you more bang for your buck. Extras 4 An extra point simply for the atmosphere since I could not give it 6 stars. Attending a game here is a fun experience and offers a lot to the fan. Comerica celebrates being home to the Tigers. There are numerous Tigers (the animals, not the players; and statues…not the real thing) both in and around the ballpark. Fans line up to take pictures with them. Comerica does a great job of telling the history of the team. This is evident by simply walking around the playing field. Final point to the staff. The game I attended was sold out and quite hectic. Everyone I spoke to was pleasant and seemed to want people to have a good time. Final Thoughts Attending a Tigers game at Comerica Park is an event. The combination of a great atmosphere, a ton of food options, and a nice neighborhood make taking in a game here an must for the true baseball fan. ----- Follow all of James' stadium journeys on X @ stadiumjwriter . Email: james.hilchen@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Kiesel Field At Key Stadium 3850 S State Ave Indianapolis, IN 46227 University of Indianapolis Greyhounds website Key Stadium website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 5,500 Greyhound Football at Key Stadium Key Stadium is the home to the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds football team. The stadium opened in 1970 and has a capacity of 5,500 people. The stadium was named in honor of  Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon A. Key. Sheldon Key was a businessman whose children and relatives attended Indiana Central University.   In October 2008, the field was dedicated in honor of William R. Kiesel, a school alumni and a steadfast supporter of school athletics. The New CrossFlex HP turf was installed in the summer of 2015.  The stadium features a concrete grandstand, a club area loge behind the north endzone, and bleacher seating behind the south endzone. A running track wraps around the football field and is open for spectators to walk around for closer views of the playing field. The Indianapolis Greyhounds compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) of the NCAA Division II. Food & Atmosphere 3 There is a small concession stand near the main entrance offering typical food and beverages. The items include pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, nachos, pretzel sticks, chips, candy, and soda pop. Pepsi products are sold at the stadium. Atmosphere 3 The Greyhounds offer a variety of excitement for Division II football games. There are trailers in the parking lot for tailgaters. Tables, television sets, and food are visible before the big game. Once inside, the grandstand is filled on most weekends. There is additional endzone seating, but the north end is a VIP section with tables, additional food options, and alcoholic beverages. A plastic fence separates the field and the track and provides a standing-room-only view for fans. Key Stadium also features a small souvenir shop, a scoreboard in the endzone, a large section for cheerleaders and the dance team, and an old train car. The indoor track and field bubble can be seen in the distance, along with the changing leaves of the trees that hover near the exterior fencing. Neighborhood 3 The 65-acre campus is located south of downtown Indianapolis and is home to 4,063 students. There isn’t much within proximity of the university except fast-food restaurants, but less than 5 miles north of campus is Fountain Square. The eclectic and funky neighborhood features some of the city’s best restaurants and sports to grab a drink. Kuma’s Corner, Bluebeard, Chilly Water Brewing Company, Hotel Whiskey Tango, Siam Square, Three Carrots, and World Famous Hot Boys are among your choices for dining. There is also duckpin bowling in either authentic 1940 or 1950s decor at Atomic Bowl Duckpin. Fans 4 The Greyhound fans offer a nice backdrop to the college football festivities at Key Stadium. It begins with the tailgating in the parking lot to the packed grandstand and the standing room sections along the fencing.  Access 3 The small stadium packs in quite a bit and leads to areas where the access is a bit tight along the 50-yard-line area in front of the grandstand. The area becomes congested with the cheerleaders, main concourse, and fans walking around. However, the access is improved near the endzone seating area. On another note, the grandstand is very steep. Return on Investment 3 The cost of a ticket is $10 for adults, and students/seniors are $5. If you are with a child who is three and under, they are admitted for free. Concession prices are on the cheaper end of the price range, but grab something to eat before or after the game. Parking is free for all games.  Extras 2 Greyhound football games offer great tailgating and a VIP section for alcoholic beverages.  Final Thoughts A Greyhounds football game is a very affordable and nice alternative for football in Indianapolis. If you are in town during the football season, it is a fantastic way to spend a fall afternoon.

If it is fall, that means that its time for College Football and what better way to celebrate than with one of the oldest teams in one of the oldest stadiums in the country! Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views is off to the land of beer and brats with special guest Andrew Bauhs of College Football Tour. Grab a beer and Jump Around! You can find Stadium Journey's review of Camp Randall Stadium and the Wisconsin Badgers football game day experience here.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Sodexo Field 40 University Drive Rindge, NH 03461 Franklin Pierce Ravens football website Sodexo Field website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 1,000 Football with an Extra “H”   Franklin Pierce University is a private liberal arts college located in the small town of Rindge, New Hampshire. Founded in 1962, the school is named after New Hampshire resident Franklin Pierce, who was the 14th President of the United States. Today, the campus has an enrollment of over 1,700 students who study in 25 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs. Among the school’s notable alumni is famed animal behavior researcher Temple Grandin.   Franklin Pierce has had some athletic success over their history. The women’s soccer team has won five national championships, and the men’s soccer team has won three national titles of their own. The Ravens compete in the Northeast-10 Conference, a Division Two association consisting of teams located throughout New England and New York.   Franklin Pierce first sponsored football in 2012, competing in the Collegiate Sprint Football League from 2013-2017. For those who are not familiar with Sprint football, it is played with identical rules as regular college football, but all players must weigh under 178.0 pounds. After a transitional season, the Ravens joined Division Two. Over their first four seasons in D-2, the Ravens have posted a record of 7-34.   Food & Beverage 2    There is a small tent located to the north of the main grandstand. The concessions are staffed by, and proceeds raised here go towards the other athletic teams at Franklin Pierce. On the night of Stadium Journey’s visit, the men’s hockey team was operating the concession stand.   There’s a basic menu featured here, with freshly grilled hot dogs and burgers, assorted candy and chips, and cans of Pepsi products making up the entire menu. On the plus side, no item costs more than four dollars. You can purchase a combo meal featuring a dog or burger with a bag of chips and a drink for just five or six dollars.   Atmosphere 3   Franklin Pierce is a small school in a small town. So, you may be surprised by the support and game day atmosphere here at Sodexo Field. There’s a fairly active tailgating scene here at Franklin Pierce, highlighted by the party tents located atop the hill on the north side of the facility. Fans who purchase these tents can simply pull right up to their tent, pull out their gear, and start the party while the game goes on below them.   For those of us who cannot afford a season pass in the VIP section, a Ravens game at Sodexo Field is still a pretty entertaining way to spend an afternoon or evening. There’s a good turnout from the student body, who are into the game and boisterous in their support. The Raven’s marching band sets up shop on the berm at the north end of the stadium, and the cheer and dance squads keep the energy up throughout the game. You may even see Rocky the Raven roaming the sidelines. A small scoreboard in the northwest corner of the facility provides basic game information.   While there is a lot of fun to be had at a Ravens game, there are some parts of the game day experience that hold down the score a bit. One of these things is the lack of unobstructed views at the facility. Fences surround the field, with windshields tied to all these fences. The presence of the fences, the teams and tents on the sidelines, and the combination of fans standing along the fence and the foot traffic in front of the grandstand throughout the game make it difficult to see everything unless you’re one of the lucky fans sitting in the top few rows of the tiny grandstand.   Another aspect in which the Ravens gameday experience struggles is the sound system. The music is played at a modest volume, while the PA announcer tends to scream his way through the game. Fans noted that music was played whenever a player was down on the field injured, which is a definite breach of etiquette at most venues.   Neighborhood 1   Franklin Pierce University is a self-contained campus located in a rural area of a small town. There’s not a whole lot in the immediate area of the campus that will attract visiting fans. Emma’s 321 Pub and Kitchen provides solid bar food and draft beer, and Hometown Diner is another great option for a hearty breakfast before heading over to watch some football. Lodging options nearby include the Monadnock Inn, Woodbound Inn, and the Benjamin Prescott Inn.   Attractions near Franklin Pierce include Monadnock Mountain, which features miles of hiking trails to its summit. Tourists flock to this part of the country every fall to take in the breathtaking colors of the fall foliage. A Franklin Pierce football game could be a fun part of a weekend of leaf-peeping.   Fans 3   Stadium Journey visited Sodexo Field on a beautiful September Saturday night with a reported crowd of 345 in attendance. This appears to be a representative crowd. What the Franklin Pierce crowd may lack in quantity, it makes up for in quality.   The fans, made up of friends and family of the players, along with a sprinkling of locals, are energetic and strong in their support of the home team. There’s also a good amount of sportsmanship on display and respect for the visitors. The student body shows up in good numbers, cheering on their classmates and filling the berm with noise. As mentioned earlier, it’s a fun, laid-back time.   Access 3   Franklin Pierce University is located in the small town of Rindge, New Hampshire, a town with just over 6,000 residents in the southwestern part of the state. Sodexo Field is at the southern edge of the campus, adjacent to Pappas Field . Driving is the only way you’ll get to this rural campus, with the nearest highway about 20-30 minutes away. State Routes 119 and 202 will get you near campus.   Parking is available near Sodexo Field, with the lots adjacent to the facility reserved for season ticket holders and VIPs. Other fans will need to utilize the lots around campus. Just be ready to deal with some hills as you approach the stadium.   Seating consists of a small grandstand on the east (home) side of the field and a small set of bleachers on the west (visiting) side. All seats are metal bleachers without backs. Additionally, there is standing room on three sides of the field. Unfortunately, some fans choose to stand at the fence right in front of the grandstand, obstructing the views of fans in the first few rows of the bleachers. Fans requiring special access will be disappointed with the lack of accessible locations.   Many fans choose to bring their chairs or blankets and sit on the large hill at the north end of the facility. With the tailgating tents behind you and the band next to you on the berm, this might be the best place on the grounds to watch the action.   The grounds are well-manicured, with paved sidewalks leading to all areas of the facility. Small restrooms are located on the ground floor of the press box building behind the main grandstand, with port-a-johns located around the facility to help with wait times.   Return on Investment 5   Tickets to Ravens football games are priced at ten dollars for general admission seating, with seniors and children admitted for five dollars. Franklin Pierce students are admitted for free. Parking is free of charge in the lots around the athletic fields (just be ready to climb some hills). Concessions are very reasonably priced, visiting Sodexo Field, an affordable entertainment option for local sports fans.   Extras 1   Banners honoring Franklin Pierce’s national champion soccer teams are hung on the façade of the press box, as well as on the windshields on the far side of the field.   While this does not earn an extra point, a Stadium Journey reader, who is a Franklin Pierce alumnus, pointed out that the name of the field is spelled wrong in the facility’s entryway. As you enter the field, look at the welcome arch above your head. Sedexo Field is spelled “Sedexho,” which is the former spelling of the sponsoring company. Sodexo, a French food service and facility management company, dropped the “H” from its name in 2008 because, in certain languages, an “X“ followed by an “H” is difficult to pronounce. A decade and a half later, the misspelled sign remains. The scoreboard, meanwhile, has Sedexo spelled correctly. It’s one of those things you can’t unsee once you see it.   Final Thoughts   Sodexo Field is typical of other small school facilities in this part of the country. While it may be small, there is a lot of fun to be found here in the foothills of New Hampshire. Just be ready to climb, and please excuse the spelling.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Cub Stadium 1600 E Tom Green St Brenham, TX 77833 Blinn Buccaneers website Cub Stadium website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 6,494 Blinn Buccaneers – Cub Stadium Tucked away in the Brazos Valley area in east central Texas is the city of Brenham – the city and area are known for three things: being the home of Blue Bell Creameries , being the county seat of Washington County (credited as the birthplace  of the Republic of Texas), and being the home of the Blinn College Buccaneers . The school was founded in 1884 and began fielding a team on the gridiron in 1903. As members of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), the Buccaneers have won the fourth most national championships in history – Blinn wore the crown in 1995, 1996, 2006, and 2009, and during the run to their last title, they were quarterbacked by former NFL great Cam Newton . The school has also sent countless players to big-time college football programs, and many have gone on to the NFL. A small sample of players that have donned the blue and white of the Buccaneers (aside from Newton) include College Football Hall of Famer Michael Bishop , former All-American Dede Westbrook , and former Super Bowl Champions Quincy Morgan  and Eric Brown . Since the late 1980s, the team has shared a stadium with the Brenham High School Cubs, who are themselves a dynastic power in the state of Texas. This is a special place, so please read on to learn more about it.   Food & Beverage   3 As this is a high school and junior college facility, I would go in with tempered expectations for food and beverage options. However, what Cub Stadium does provide is pretty darn good. There is one central concession stand located near the north end zone, where you can get all your traditional game day favorites, such as hot dogs (from Sonic Drive-In , no less), nachos, chips, bottled sodas, sports drinks, and water; all of those are very  reasonably priced. The key thing Cub Stadium offers that other venues should copy, however, is their “Buccaneer Meal” – this combo allows you to choose a hamburger, two-piece chicken strips from Texas favorite Bush’s Chicken , or the aforementioned Sonic offering (plain or with chili and cheese), along with chips and a drink for $10. Fans can also purchase snow cones and ice cream sandwiches, which pair perfectly with the early-season weather in this part of Texas during the early months of the season. Lastly, two more points that fans should be aware of before heading to a Blinn game – first, since this is a high school venue, alcohol is not available, and second, cash is still an acceptable form of currency to purchase your food and beverages at Cub Stadium, which is nice.   Atmosphere   2 Since Blinn shares the facility with Brenham High School, there are considerably more accouterments for the regulars than for the Buccaneers (it is named Cub Stadium, after all). The large sign on the press box reads “Welcome to the Prideland” and denotes the Cub's state playoff successes. There is also a Walk of Champions, highlighting Brenham's successes, leading from the clubhouse to the field. With that said, Blinn does what it can to make the stadium their own on game nights. There are signs and banners with Buccaneer imagery throughout the home team stand, and there is also a merchandise stand near the home team entrance for fans looking to pick up some Blinn merchandise. Overall, the atmosphere is greatly helped by the large and devoted fan base that attends games; more on them here shortly.   Neighborhood   3 Cub Stadium is located in the middle of a residential area in Brenham. With that in mind, there aren’t any attractions, restaurants, or lodging options in the immediate vicinity. However, as this is a smaller town, you won’t be very far from the stadium. In terms of attractions, it all starts with Blue Bell  – you can visit the creamery Monday through Friday. A visit will allow you to see how the beloved Texas institution is made, taste some samples, and visit the ice cream parlor to get access to even more of their tasty creations. If you are a history buff and are looking to understand a little more about the history of the region and its importance to Texas history, the Star of the Republic Museum  is located on Blinn’s campus. Its mission is to gather and interpret history and artifacts related to this chapter in Texas history. While currently closed for renovations, it should be a stop when it reopens in 2025. Dining options abound in Brenham – a couple of options worth a stop include Pioneer Smokehouse  and Weikel’s Bakery . The smokehouse is housed in an old train depot, which adds to its ambiance, but it’s the food that is the main draw. Serving all the Texas barbecue hits, the Smokehouse is renowned for its brisket and sausage. Weikel’s Bakery, which has multiple locations in towns around Brenham, specializes in a delicious treat that has become legendary in Texas: the kolache. Fruit and/or fruit and cream fill these sweet treats that are great for breakfast, dessert, or whenever, really. Weikel’s has won numerous awards over the years for theirs, so don’t miss a chance to try them. Lodging options are plentiful in Brenham, but not really near the stadium Your closest options are going to be Far View Bed & Breakfast Inn  and Coach Light Inn Brenham . There are numerous other options, though; you are only going to be limited by your budget.   Fans   4 Attendance figures for Buccaneers games aren’t available anywhere, so what I have to offer up is purely anecdotal. What I can say about the most recent game I attended was that the home team stands were filled, and the vast majority were wearing Buccaneers gear. The fans at this game were also vocal and truly supported their Bucs. I was greatly impressed by what I experienced. There is a lot to be said about being the proverbial only game in town – it lends to the atmosphere and increases the loyalty of the fan base, especially for a college team.   Access   2 Brenham is in one of the weird pockets of Texas that is not close to any of the major metro areas. Cub Stadium, for example, is an hour and a half drive from Austin and just over an hour from both Houston and Bryan/College Station. It’s going to take some effort to get to a Blinn Buccaneers game. If you’re coming in from outside the state, your best bet is probably going to be flying into and out of Houston and then driving the rest of the way. There isn’t much in the way of public transportation in Brenham if you don’t want to drive, but ridesharing is still an option. Once you get to Cub Stadium, however, parking is plentiful.   Return on Investment   4 Alright, there is no other way to say it, but Blinn Buccaneers games at Cub Stadium are a bargain, like finding a diamond ring at a dollar store kind of bargain. Tickets for Bucs games are a paltry $5 per person, and parking will only set you back $0 – yes, free parking. For a team that competes in the postseason on an annual basis, you truly cannot beat that price. When you couple this with the affordable prices at the concessions, Cub Stadium offers fans a great way to experience college football in a fun and historic setting while watching a historically great program in a way that won’t break the bank.   Extras   3 Blinn offers up most of the traditional ceremony involved in college sports – the cheer squad  can be found on the sidelines firing up the crowd and giving a hearty “Aar!” (like the way a pirate talks) after each Blinn first down. The Buccaneer Band  can also be heard playing before games, during breaks in the action, and at halftime. Also, the dance team – the Treasures  – can be counted on to add to the entertainment and game day experience. Beyond that, the rest of the action and entertainment can be found on the field.   Final Thoughts This was my first visit to Blinn, but I can assure you it won’t be the last. This was college football at its most pure, in a setting that I am imminently familiar with. While I’d never been to Cub Stadium before, it felt like I had, and that was serenely comforting. If you’re a sports fan, I’m confident you’ll come away feeling the same. While it may take some effort to get here, I would encourage you to add the Blinn Buccaneers to your bucket list – I’m confident you’ll enjoy yourself the way I did. ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Craven Cottage Stevenage Rd London, England SW6 6HH Fulham FC website Craven Cottage website Year Opened: 1896 Capacity: 29,589 Craven Cottage: London's Historic Football Ground Established in 1879, Fulham FC holds the distinction of being London’s oldest football club. The team has been based at Craven Cottage since its acquisition in 1894. Following the cleanup of debris, the club's inaugural match resulted in a 4-0 triumph over Minerva in the Middlesex Senior Cup. In 1903, a wooden grandstand was constructed to accommodate the growing number of spectators. This stand, affectionately known as the “Rabbit Hutch,” was unfortunately condemned just two seasons later. It was subsequently replaced by a larger and more modern stand, which still exists today, marking 120 years since its construction. Scottish architect Archibald Leitch was hired to design the structure, and Clyde Structural Iron Company provided the steelwork. The 5,000-seat stand cost £15,000 and opened for the 2005/06 season. The stands featured narrow entrances, iron turnstiles, and wooden theater-style seats.  Twenty thousand spectators watched the first match at what was dubbed the Stevenage Road Stand, renamed a century later to the Johnny Haynes Stand after the passing of the club’s greatest player. It is a Grade II listed building protected by English Heritage. The stadium is also known for an actual cottage in the corner of the stadium between the Haynes and Hammersmith Ends. The small cottage features a covered patio where players' families can watch the game. Home and away dressing rooms are downstairs. The stadium is next to Bishop’s Park and along the banks of Thames River. The ground was originally a royal hunting lodge with a history dating back 300 years. The club has called Craven Cottage home since 1896, except when it shared Loftus Road with Queens Park Rangers from 2002-2004. The home of the Cottagers is expanding with The Riverside renovation that will present a year-round destination for visitors. It will offer restaurants, bars, boutiques, a sky deck, a hotel, and a riverside market. The increased seating and hospitality areas will also bring in additional revenue to the club. However, the changes will not affect the history and charm of Craven Cottage, one of England’s historic football cathedrals. Food & Beverage 3 Craven Cottage offers typical football cuisine at its numerous concession stands. These include the Fulham Frankfurter, a plain or topped hot dog with caramelized onions, pickles, bacon crumbles, and chives. The stadium also offers signature sausage rolls, burgers, and pizza slices. It serves Willy’s Pies in chicken balti, minced beef, chicken and sage, and steak and ale. Hot beverages (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and Brovil) and alcoholic beverages. Fans can enjoy a pint of Guinness and Camden Hill varieties during the half. Wine and cider are also available for non-beer drinkers at the game. Atmosphere 3 Craven Cottage provides a uniquely intimate atmosphere unlike any other ground in the Premiership. With fans seated close to the pitch, they feel deeply connected to the action. Each stand offers a cozy, distinctive experience, where home and away supporters come together in a warm and welcoming environment, creating a friendly vibe that's rare among the city's stadiums. The Johnny Haynes Stand dates back to 1905 and features a facade facing the street with decorative pillars and the club’s old emblem in the artwork. Fans walk through narrow and rickety turnstiles that date back to the same year, a system that has fans enter the doorways sideways. Once inside, 3,571 wooden seats were designed in 1955 to mimic the original 1905 seating designs. This area will house a majority of the season ticket holders, the ticket offices, and the team shop. The Putney End is the southernmost stand and houses visiting and away supporters. It is one of the only grounds in the EFL to have a stand designated for both supporters.  The Hammersmith End houses home supporters, notably the vocal Stand Up Crew.  The Riverside Stand is behind the River Thames and is elevated much higher than the other stands at the Cottage. The area seats 8,000 people and is home to corporate hospitality seating; it is in the final stages of being transformed into an entertainment area that will feature a sky deck, pool, hotel, restaurants, pubs, and a public market with access to a sidewalk along the Thames. Neighborhood 4 The neighborhood near Craven Cottage is very posh, with residential homes, parks, and rowing clubs across the Thames. The narrow streets outside the Johnny Haynes Stand become crowded on match days. There are many pubs and restaurants within walking distance to grab a pint. The Eight Bells is friendly to home and away fans, but due to its size, it becomes congested before matches. It is a 17th-century-style tavern offering traditional English pubs and a favorite among the older Fulham audience. The Crabtree is another pub that is friendly to away fans and offers food and a beer garden. Both are a 10-minute walk from the stadium. There are more spots to grab a bite to eat or drink at The Gold Lion and The Temperance. Fishers offers takeaway fish and chips, The Durell Arms offers vegetarian and vegan cuisine, and Gola is known for its pizza and Italian dishes. Pure Indian Cooking is another restaurant to try for authenticity.  Stamford Bridge , the home of Chelsea, is 2 miles away from Craven Cottage in Fulham. It might be open for a tour or a possible game. Brentford Community Stadium is nearby, less than 6 miles away, and Cherry Red Records Stadium is 5 miles to the south. Fans 4 The fans are passionate, but they are also friendly and welcoming to fans. It is one of the few stadiums in English Football that allows home and away supporters to sit together. That is a testament to the culture of the Fulham faithful, but also inviting to anyone who wants to enjoy a game without any concerns. The stadium has never had any history of violence or rowdiness from fans. It is where one goes to enjoy a pleasant afternoon of football. Access 3 As with most football grounds in London, it is best to access Craven Cottage via bus. The 74, 85, C4, 2020, and 424 buses run near the stadium. Another option is to arrive by the District Line (Putney Bridge) on The Underground and walk a mile to the stadium along the Thames.  It is not recommended to travel by car to the game; there is no public parking, and the narrow residential streets are for permits only. London boasts one of the world’s best public transportation systems, making it easy to get around by bus or the Tube. If you have a ticket for the Johnny Haynes Stand, be ready to navigate the narrow turnstiles, originally designed for fans in 1905. Unless you are around 5 feet 3 inches tall, expect a tight squeeze as you enter the stadium through this historic entrance, leading to both the Putney and Hammersmith Ends. Return on Investment 4 Adult ticket prices range from as low as £55 for a seat in the Hammersmith Stand to as high as £125 in the Riverside Stand. The most affordable option is in the Johnny Haynes Family Stand, where adult tickets start at £24. As expected, reduced prices are available for fans aged 17 and under, as well as those over 65. The price of concessions is reasonable compared with other clubs in the Premier League, but we're a bit on the higher side. There are combo meals that include pie and beer, a burger and a beer, or a burger and a Coke for a valued price. The official team store is filled with gear from kits, scarves, caps, jackets, shorts, and much more. The prices are in line with members of the Premier League.  As always, it is advisable to purchase a ticket in advance. At this time, Fulham is averaging 25,000-plus in the 29,589-capacity stadium. Prices will increase depending on the opponent. Extras 3 Craven Cottage earns an extra point for the Johnny Haynes Stand, which features a facade that takes visitors back to 1905. Inside, the old wooden seats are still intact, adding more nostalgia to the match. Fulham offers season-ticket holders in the Johnny Hayne Stand a pint of beer for £1 if they arrive an hour early to facilitate traffic into the stadium. The standstill has its original narrow entrances that require many of us to enter sideways through the original turnstiles.  There is an actual cottage inside Craven Cottage, allowing players' families to watch the game from the balcony. The downstairs portion serves as the home and away locker rooms for players and is among the smallest in the league. Final Thoughts Craven Cottage is the oldest football ground in London and steep in history. It is going through renovations to modernize the facility, and The Riverside Stand will be the key to future entertainment options along the Thames. If curious about seeing a stadium’s future and past, purchase a ticket to the Fulham game when in town. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by David Hegler, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Lumen Field 800 Occidental Ave S Seattle, WA 98134 Map It Seattle Seahawks website Lumen Field website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 68,740 The Home Of The 12’s The Seattle Kingdome opened in 1976 to much anticipation, instantly attracting a growing city. While both the National Football League’s Seahawks and Major League Baseball’s Mariners struggled to field consistent winners, it was clear that the stadium had been built to be one of the loudest in America. But after a couple of decades, the all-concrete venue began to show signs of decay, forcing both the Seahawks and Mariners to look at other options. While the Mariners built their ballpark just a block away from the Kingdome, new Seahawks owner Paul Allen briefly moved his franchise to the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium while he oversaw the construction of a new football stadium built right on the very spot where the recently demolished Kingdome once stood. When it first opened in 2002, the Seahawks’ new stadium was certainly a sight for sore eyes, featuring unique features such as two separated roofs that shield roughly 70 percent of fans during a traditional Seattle downpour. Wanting to create the most noise possible in an outdoor stadium, Paul Allen had the roofs specially designed to carry sounds much longer than other outdoor venues. Years after it first opened, those roofs have served their purpose perfectly. Through its various name changes of Seahawks Stadium, Quest Field, CenturyLink Field, and finally Lumen Field, the Seahawks home remains one of the loudest in the NFL. The end zone bleachers are arguably the most unique aspect of their new home. Wanting to add a collegiate feel to his new stadium, now known as the Hawk’s Nest, was an important aspect to Paul Allen and would prove to be the stadium's heart. Tickets for that section cost a mere $20 when the Seahawks opened their new home. It remains one of the cheapest sections in the stadium to this day. Having retired jersey number 12 in 1984, the Seahawks fans ardently believe that their loud cheering causes opposing teams to lose their composure and lose games. Thus making them the 12th man on the field. They are not wrong. Technically resting in an earthquake zone, Lumen Field is constructed to withstand the elements. But Seattle hasn’t had a major earthquake since 2001. Instead, “the 12’s” cause their earthquakes. Beginning in running back Marshawn Lynch’s famed “Beastquake” in the 2010 Wild Card, Lumen Field occupants have caused several small earthquakes. To date, the largest was an Ed Sheeran concert in August 2023, a 2.3 magnitude shake. Yes, earthquakes are very much a part of Lumen Field’s legacy, but the fabric of the uniquely shaped building is its fanbase. After all, without a passionate fanbase, no team in the NFL could adequately claim home-field advantage. And it is here where Seattle shines brightest. Food & Beverage 3 Lumen Field offers a wide variety of food options for the famished fan. There’s the Versus Dog, which offers hot dogs inspired by that week’s competition. Butter Chicken Wings and Teriyaki Short Rib Sandwich are each flavorful in their own right. The latest delicacy to hit Lumen Field is the Bam Bam Smash Burger. Inspired by the Seahawks legend Kam “Bam Bam” Chancellor and endorsed by his Legion of Boom brother Richard Sherman, it should be a hit for years to come. Atmosphere 4 If you were to describe a typical game day at Lumen Field in one word, it would be “electric.” Twenty-two years after it first opened, Lumen Field is still one of the loudest stadiums in the world, often reaching decibels as high as 106 on game day. The chants of “Sea-Hawks!” pierce the air throughout the game, instantly giving both the crowd and the team a boost. Neighborhood 3 Lumen Field is nestled adjacent to both Seattle’s tech sector and its industrial area. To the left, you can see a line of old brick buildings with massive cranes in the distance. Right in front of Lumen Field are numerous glass buildings that can almost be considered skyscrapers. In short, the area is always bustling. Lumen Field is surrounded by numerous pubs and eateries that are perfect for a pregame or postgame nosh. Along 1st Ave, right next to the stadium, are places such as Sluggers, Hatchback Bar & Grille, and the recently opened Press Box. Each brings their unique twist to the flavors that native Seattleites favor. When in town for a Seahawks game, be sure to check if either the Seattle Storm (WNBA) or Seattle Kraken (NHL) are playing at nearby Climate Pledge Arena. Or you may be able to catch a late-season Seattle Mariners (MLB) game or a Seattle Sounders (MLS) match. Fans 3 No matter the year or the team’s performance, the 12s will always make up the majority of the crowd. Still, at the game of this review, there was a surprising amount of 49ers fans in attendance. Not a sight that you would have seen in their heyday of the mid-2010s. Even though the two teams are bitter rivals, the fan bases respected each other throughout the game, cheering wildly when appropriate and leaving the stadium at the game’s end with their hearts full, having witnessed an excellent contest. Access 2 On game day, parking is not cheap. However, parking is much cheaper the farther you go. While there is parking within a couple of blocks from the stadium, the prices go for as much as $100. Instead, it would be wise to look for parking further from the stadium, perhaps as much as a mile. There is a parking garage a little over a mile from the stadium on the corner of Seneca and 3rd St (keep in mind that Lumen Field is on 2nd St.). While it is a bit of a walk, you can park there all day for $16. It’s an incredible find for a visiting tourist. If you choose to take public transit, there are several options nearby. The King St. Station, International District/Chinatown, and Union Station are all right across the street from Lumen Field on 4th Ave., and bus stops surround both Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park. Many offer free parking. Return on Investment 4 Going to any NFL game is never cheap these days. Of course, each stadium brings its flavor. No matter if you spent $300 on cheap bleacher seats in the Hawk’s Nest or hundreds more for seats on the 50-yard line, the roar of the crowd will envelop you. Sometimes in life, you just have to take a chance on an experience that you will never forget. Extras 3 Perhaps this is the norm for other NFL teams, but the Seahawks have a big football-shaped display of all the helmets of every high school football team in the state overlooking one of their main food courts to the right of the Hawk’s Nest. They’ve even started a tribute to women’s flag football just around the corner. They are at least keeping an eye on the future of the game. Probably, the identity of the stadium is a round 76 ball that sits to the left of the Hawk’s Nest. As a large noise meter, its sole responsibility is to measure crowd noises all game long. The higher the decibels, the higher the volume and the wilder the crowd. Boiled down to science, this is the main reason why the 12’s truly believe that they are the 12th Man. Seeing is believing. Final Thoughts Lumen Field was not what this author expected. As a fervent 49ers fan, I had long believed that Lumen Field was a place better fit for war than football. But as the game went on, I realized that the 12s could be some of the most hospitable people in the NFL. Yes, they want their team to win. But they also want to represent their stadium and their team in the best way possible. Of course, it could be different in the playoffs.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 McCarthy Stadium 1900 W Olney Ave Philadelphia, PA 19141 La Salle Explorers website McCarthy Stadium website Year Opened: 1936 Capacity: 7,500 Home of the La Salle Explorers La Salle University is a Roman Catholic university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was named for St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle. La Salle first admitted women students in 1970, becoming a fully co-educational institution. Sports teams at La Salle are named the Explorers. The name derives from a 1931 mistake made by a local sportswriter. The writer thought the university was named after the French explorer Sieur de La Salle, when in fact it is named after St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle. The students loved the mistake so much they adopted it in 1932. La Salle's soccer teams play their home games at McCarthy Stadium, which opened way back in 1936 and was once home to the Explorers' football program as well until it was discontinued in 2007. The stadium seats 7,500 fans, although not all seats are available for soccer. Food & Beverage 0 There are no concessions for sale at McCarthy Stadium, though fans are free to bring their own. Do not be fooled by the university food truck that may be parked at the stadium. McCarthy Stadium is located next to the Dining Services department, and this is where the truck is parked when not in use. Atmosphere 2 McCarthy Stadium is a giant 7,500 seat behemoth, far bigger than most other college soccer stadiums, and features large sets of bleachers on each side of the field, although only one set is open for a typical game. Even so, this is still far too big for the crowds the Explorers draw. Fans will be spread out throughout the huge area, which really hurts the atmosphere here. A running track also surrounds the field, further increasing the distance that fans are from the action. There is not much going on here other than the game itself. A scoreboard shows only the basic information, but other than pregame player introductions, the focus here is on the match. Some will like that, while others will find it boring. Neighborhood 3 McCarthy Stadium is not located in the best part of Philadelphia. While safety is not an issue at the stadium itself, as there is enough security to ensure that, you may not want to wander too far away. The Treetops Cafe and La Salle Art Museum are located within the same campus complex as McCarthy Stadium, so you should encounter no issue going there, but your best bet is to head elsewhere in Philadelphia, like Center City, where you will find far more options. Fans 3 La Salle will draw about one hundred to two hundred fans to a typical soccer game. This includes both friends and family of the players and the occasional local. If playing a fellow Big 5 school from Philadelphia like conference rival St. Joseph's, expect a lot of visiting fans to show up as well. Unfortunately, the fans are far too spread out through the giant bleachers to make much of an impact, and that does bring this ranking down. The fans who do show up are passionate, with loud cheering and even flag-waving, but the cavernous size of the stadium means they don't have as much of an impact as the might in a more intimate setting. Access 4 McCarthy Stadium is located a few miles from I-76 and I-95, and is not too difficult to access from there if you know where to go. You will need to enter the campus through the gate at 1825 Lindley Avenue. After stopping at the security gate, tell the guard you are there for the soccer game, then head all the way to the back of the lot to park there. McCarthy Stadium is a short walk away, up a flight of stairs and past the baseball stadium. Some GPS systems will have you try to enter off of 20th Street, but you can't park in that lot unless you are gameday personnel, so you will be asked to turn around and enter off of Lindley. The Wister station on the Chestnut Hill SEPTA regional rail line is about a 10-15 minute walk from the stadium as well, although this will not take you through the best neighborhoods. As mentioned above, one set of bleachers is closed on matchday. This is the set nearest the parking lot entrance, so you will have to walk around to the other side. Return on Investment 4 La Salle soccer games are free to attend. Parking is also free, despite being in a large city. However, there isn't enough here to earn the top score. Note that there may be a charge for admission to Atlantic 10 or NCAA tournament games, as those have different ticketing policies than the regular season. Extras 1 Look for the plaque by the entrance honoring stadium namesake John A. McCarthy. Final Thoughts McCarthy Stadium is a college soccer stadium that is far bigger than it needs to be. If the giant bleachers were ever close to full, the atmosphere here could be amazing. Unfortunately, they are not, and having stands that are less than 10% full just isn't conducive to a good soccer game experience.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Peach King Centre 162 Livingston Avenue Grimsby, ON L3M 5P7 Grimsby Peach Kings website Peach King Centre website Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 400 A Peach of a Hockey Experience One of the oldest hockey teams in Ontario is the Grimsby Peach Kings.  Able to trace their history back all the way to 1922, the Peach Kings have serviced the Grimsby area in the Niagara Region, a bit of a hockey hotbed, for over 100 years.  The Peach Kings were named for the area’s claim to the unique conditions required to grow the fruit normally associated with Georgia.  The area was a training ground for such legendary teams as the Montreal Canadiens in the twenties.  For the duration of their existence, the Peach Kings have predominantly played at the Junior C level and are currently in the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s North Bloomfield Division.  The Peach Kings boast five consecutive Schmalz Cup appearances and Junior C Champions in Ontario.  The Peach Kings success has culminated in 16 league titles and Schmalz Cup Championships in 1940, 2003, 2004, 2011, and 2012.  The team has leaned into their history, embracing themselves as a cornerstone Junior C franchise. The current home of the Peach Kings is Peach King Centre.  Built in 1984, the original ice pad has a current capacity of approximately 400.  A second ice pad was added in 2004 and the community hub is undertaking a massive construction project to add more indoor and outdoor facilities to serve the town of 28,000. Food & Beverage 2 The Peach Kings offer a very simple concession.  Pizza, water, soda, chips and chocolate are available.  Vending machines can also be found in the halls at ice level.  The southwest corner of the arena is where the cheekily named “Peach Pit” can be found.  Fans of the nineties television show “Beverly Hills 90210” will recognize the handle.  In Grimsby the Peach Pit sells a small selection of beer including products from local Bench Brewing. Atmosphere 3 The game that was reviewed was in the middle of a massive construction project, so the normal gameday atmosphere may have been tempered.  The Peach King Centre exterior is marred by temporary entrances and fenced off areas due to construction.  The two arena pads run perpendicular to each other.  The pad where the Peach Kings play has the ice oriented from south to north with the seating on the east side.  Peach King Centre features youth hockey banners hanging on the west and north sides.  The south side of the arena is where the Peach Kings lean into their history.  At the top of the east wall is where four Schmalz Cup Championship banners hang.  Beneath those, and the point where the eyeline is drawn, is the honoured numbers of the Peach Kings.  These include NHL alumni like Dennis Ververgaert, Bill Berg and Steve Mason and other Peach King players including Scott Vanderburgh, Matt Hodges, Ryan Toth, Steve Foster and Brennan Smith.  Builder Lyle Killins and former WHA Official Gene Kushan are also honoured.  In the northeast corner, the Peach Kings also have three unique banners honouring longtime volunteers.  Beneath the honoured player banners are a number of championship team pictures, which are great for pursuing.  The seating area consists of six rows of plastic arena seats, raised above ice level, with standing room behind.  The arena has a slightly curved ceiling with light coloured support beams across the ice and silver insulation in between.  The simple scoreboard is found on the east wall and there are plenty of local ads around the arena.  Some temporary bleachers are at ice level on the west side by the Peach Pit and are popular. The gameday atmosphere in Grimsby is unique.  The PA system in Peach King Centre is very good and the team makes the most of it.  Traditional Junior Hockey promotions are present including the 50/50 draw and Chuck-A-Puck.  What puts the atmosphere over the top is in the southwest corner, where on a small stage Josh Coulter can be found.  Josh deftly plays live music during stoppages in play, a totally unique situation for hockey. Neighbourhood 4 Peach King Centre is located in Grimsby, south of the Queen Elizabeth Way.  There are a number of local spots for pre or post game food and drink.  Some options in the area include Diner Bistro, Bogeys Grillhouse, Lang On Water, Casa Toscana, Bitter & Twisted and J.J.’s On the Dock.  There are also plenty of national chain restaurants in the area. The Peach Kings are the only game in town sports-wise, but there are other teams not too far off.  Grimsby is located in the Niagara Region, between Hamilton and St. Catharines.  The Niagara IceDogs of the OHL  as well as Brock Badgers hockey and basketball are found in St. Catharines.  The St. Catharines Athletics play lacrosse in the OJLL in the summer.  The other members of the Bloomfield Division are also very close.  Other tourist options in the area include the waterfront, beaches, parks and trails.  There are also plenty of Niagara wineries in the area.  For fans wishing to stay in the area, the Casablanca Hotel and Quality Inn are good options. Fans 4 The Grimsby Peach Kings are the only game in town and have been around a long time and they are the benefactors of solid fan support.  In 2023 the Peach Kings drew over 440 fans per game and were one of the top drawing teams in the PJHL.  They have had a bit of a slower start in the 2024-25 season at the turnstile, probably in part due to the massive construction project at Peach King Centre.  Fans in attendance are not atypical of Ontario fans as they are fairly quiet and reserved.   Access 3 Peach King Centre is located in Grimsby about a ½ km north of the Queen Elizabeth Way.  There is parking on site, however it is limited due to the construction project.  Getting to Grimsby from out of town can be a bit of a chore as traffic on the QEW, especially when the weather is still nice early in the season, can be pretty heavy.  Grimsby does not have a traditional public transit system, but there is an on demand ride-share program in the area.  The arena would not traditionally be that difficult to get around, but due to the construction project it is more challenging.  There are plenty of stairs with the elevated seating area and the concessions at ice level, so it will be a bit challenging for those with mobility issues.  The washroom facilities are on the small side.  At the time of writing, the Peach Kings website was definitely lacking in providing fans with information.  Plenty of sections on the standard PJHL website for the Peach Kings had no info at all. Return on Investment 5 Catching a Peach Kings game, as any Junior C hockey team, is not an expensive ordeal.  Tickets for the Peach Kings go for $10 and are purchased at the door.  Parking is free and concession prices are not high.  The return that fans can expect is very high.  The Peach Kings provide a gameday experience that is among the best in the PJHL with some unique features that are not found anywhere else.  In the end, a Peach Kings game provides value that is about as good as it can get. Extras 3 An extra mark for the deep and rich Grimsby Peach King history. An extra mark for Peach Kings embracing tradition.  The printed history of the Peach Kings is the interesting “Once a Peach King” by Sarah Allington. The coaches also wear a specific melton jacket, similar to what you would find NHL coaches wearing in the Winter Classic. An extra mark for the live music of Josh Coulter, especially at the beginning of the second intermission, when Josh plays “Peaches” by Presidents of the United States of America. Final Thoughts In Junior C hockey, the Grimsby Peach Kings are among the elite when it comes to the experience for the fan.  Once fully completed, the Peach King Centre will be an even stronger hub for the Grimsby community.  Getting out to a Peach Kings game will not break the bank and will leave fans happy to have been in attendance. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.