Photos by Joe Molski and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Heritage Bank Center 100 Broadway St Cincinnati, OH 45202 Cincinnati Cyclones website Heritage Bank Center website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 14,453 A Cyclone Along the Banks of the Ohio River Sitting right along the banks of the mighty Ohio River is the Heritage Bank Center. It opened in September 1975 as the Riverfront Coliseum; the indoor arena sits next to Great American Ballpark in downtown Cincinnati. The arena has a capacity of 17,556, and the most current renovations took place in 1997 and cost $14.7 million. The main tenant is the Cincinnati Cyclones, but the building has played host to numerous events. The Crosstown Shootout, Conference USA men’s basketball tournament, NCAA men’s and women’s March Madness tournaments, NCAA Frozen Four, concerts, and the World Choir Games in 2012. The originally planned tenant for the brand-new arena was supposed to be an NHL franchise. A group headed by Bill DeWitt, Jr. attempted to lure a team to the building but was rejected. Cincinnati would place an expansion franchise in the World Hockey Association and call it the Stingers; the team would play from 1975-1979 and feature future NHL Hall of Famers Mike Gartner and Mark Messier, both baby-faced teenagers at the time. Cincinnati was denied again when the WHA merged with the NHL in 1979. The Stingers played one more year in the minor-league Central Hockey League before folding after 33 games during the 1979/80 season. There have been three separate Cyclones franchises that began with the expansion club in 1990 in the East Coast Hockey League. The club jumped up a level to the International Hockey League in 1992 but folded with the league in 2001. The current club rejoined the ECHL the following season and, except the 2004-2006 seasons, have been mainstays at the Heritage Bank Center. Food & Beverage 2 A detail that has been overlooked by ownership is the concession areas. Many of the same food stands remain from when I visited this arena as a kid several years ago. The signage is outdated and could use an upgrade. Most were open, but a few on the short ends of the rink were closed. This particular night happened to be a $1 beer night, so long lines at stands were dedicated only to alcohol sales. You could get anything from moonshine to a cocktail. Beers included were Miller Lite, Angry Orchard, Blue Moon, PBR, and other local breweries like 50 West. Wine in a can and also tropical mocktails were available at one vendor. There were classic brands of the area that included Donatos Pizza, Graeter’s Ice Cream, and Skyline Chili. They offered the typical concession stand food, minus hot dogs, which I found interesting. Pizza by the slice is $4.50, and a burger/chicken finger combo is $8.50. RC Cola products are available at the concessions. The best deal is the $10 bottomless popcorn, which you could easily make your money’s worth. Atmosphere 4 The building’s cramped concourse was the main reason why the atmosphere was not awarded 5 points. The hallways are very narrow, which was a sign of the times when the arena was constructed. They were enlarged during the 1997 renovations, but they will have to be expanded again at some point to make it easier to navigate for visitors. Outside of this, the atmosphere was incredible. The Cyclones have a fantastic pregame player introduction and one of the better ones in the ECHL. An anthem from a local high school got a tremendous roar from the crowd. A great noise was only subdued by an early visitors’ goal against the run of play. After this, the crowd started to get back into the game with some shots from the home team. Cheering and chants during the game made it feel like a playoff game, not an early-season Thursday night tilt. Bringing your dogs to the ice was also part of the promotion tonight. Many dog-themed snacks and treats around the stadium for the furry friends. Barking could be heard throughout the game. Neighborhood 3 While it is downtown, it is quite a walk from the bustling Central Business District and Over-the-Rhine neighborhoods. The stadium sits next to Great American Ballpark and is within walkable distance of The Banks and northern Kentucky. Plenty of spots to eat at the Banks, like Holy Grail and Condado tacos. There are many breweries, and one of my favorite pizza spots, Dewey’s Pizza across the river at Newport on the Levee. Cold Stone Creamery is also just across the river. Fans 5 Nothing beats the promotions served up by minor league hockey teams, and tonight was Pucks for Pugs. Dog owners could bring their best friends to the game. The sounds of the barking dogs added to that unique atmosphere of the night. Fans were excited at the start with a terrific pre-game show on the ice and followed by player introductions to hype up the crowd. An early goal from visitors took a lot out of the fans, but a solid performance and win cured all blues. Thanks to the terrific Cyclones App – I got a free hat just from downloading it onto my phone. There is also a lot of gear available to purchase at the game. You could see a lot of hometown sweaters, some from The Avengers and Spongebob Square Pants-themed nights (another minor league hockey promotion). One thing to note, earlier in the day, a trade sent Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights from the Buffalo Sabres. I found an Eichel sweater in the stands. Access 3 The parking garage is attached to the arena and charged $10. There are a couple of outside lots around the stadium that are also for $10. You could also park in northern Kentucky and walk across the Purple People’s Bridge to get to the stadium and take in the beautiful Ohio River and Cincinnati skyline. The narrow hallways around the concourse are a negative aspect of the arena, especially during COVID times. Return on Investment 4 The cost of a ticket is $20 for a game, and you might not spend more than $35 total. The parking for $10 may seem steep, but you are only about 100 feet from the arena. The game was of high quality. Multiple goals, hits, and fights meant plenty of action. The food was reasonably priced, and the beer was $1. These are hard to beat. Extras 3 Head Coach Jason Payne is the only African-American ice hockey head coach in all professional hockey. The All-Access Bar & Grill is located on the 5th floor (Suite Level) of the arena but was closed during our visit. When operational, fans get a marvelous birdseye view of the ice along with a full-service bar and restaurant. Final Thoughts The arena is perfect for ice hockey, but it does need some care on the concourses and outside. The game was entertaining, and the food and drinks were reasonably priced. The Cyclones market their games for anyone, and I think anyone would have a great night at Heritage Bank Center.

Photos by Brandon Gee, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Nippert Stadium 2700 Bearcats Way Cincinnati, OH 45221 Cincinnati Bearcats website Nippert Stadium website Year Opened: 1924 Capacity: 40,000 You Can Go Home Again After construction forced Bearcats football to spend a year away from the Cincinnati campus at Paul Brown Stadium, the 2015 season saw the program return to a new and improved version of its 91 year-old stadium. The fifth-oldest venue in college football, Nippert Stadium’s major addition is the field-long premium seating structure, which adds revenue opportunities for the school, but also adds an imposing physical structure to a small stadium already considered a tough venue to play in for visiting squads. Food & Beverage 4 Beer is sold at this on-campus venue with prices topping out at $7.50 for 20oz domestic drafts or 16oz cans of craft beers. The school has been good about featuring local or regional brews and do not disappoint with offerings from Cincinnati’s Rhinegeist and Cleveland’s Great Lakes. Part of the renovation saw an expansion of the concession stands and there are now new spaces on both the east and west sides to handle the flow of customers. There are the requisite stadium options but some stands offer barbecue and the Stadium View Cafe in the open end offers some more interesting options like the Sante Fe Chicken Egg Rolls and the Pretzel Bun burger. Atmosphere 5 Despite its modest size, Nippert has been hailed as one of the louder venues of its size. With the sunken bowl design and the surrounding buildings being so close the stadium, dealing with the noise has long been an issue for opposing teams. Now that the addition extends the entire length of the field, it should only heighten the atmosphere. Day games can feel a bit more relaxed. The crowds are active, but it’s a different feel. As the schedule is usually dependent on tv windows, and the Power 5 teams dominate afternoons, Nippert usually sees a good number of night games. In my opinion, this is when the place comes alive. As was the case when Miami (FL) came to town in October of 2015, in front of a record-setting crowd, this place feels electric under the lights. Under Tommy Tuberville, the energetic passing offense is still in place, but the Bearcats defense will definitely give up points. Depending on who you’re cheering for, this can be entertaining or absolutely maddening. The 2016 season schedule will feature home games against BYU as well as strong conference foes like East Carolina, Memphis, and 2015’s AAC Champion Houston. Now if I can add a critique, it’s that as the stadium now feels more modern, it would be nice to see more history of the venue put on display. Maybe there’s not much real estate to work with, but it would be nice to see more reminders of how long this ground has hosted football. Neighborhood 5 Give yourself time to stroll around the area and campus. It offers a unique mix of architecture from some of the biggest names in the profession. This means that while the school lacks some of the charming, unifying themes of some traditional universities, the school offers an interesting clash in building styles, with dissimilar structures tucked side-by-side into the urban space just north of downtown Cincinnati. The area surrounding the UC campus continues to evolve, but the pre and postgame options are still plentiful. What was once a mix of rundown campus housing, independent shops, and fast food joints has slowly been overtaken by a partnership between developers and the university. Calhoun Street, the east-west street that forms the school’s southern boundary would be unrecognizable to someone who left the area 10 years ago. Now, this area features a number of mid-rise condo buildings with street level retail and restaurant spaces. There are some good beer selections over at Keystone (also features a dedicated menu of mac & cheese dishes), and The Brass Tap. Also, there’s a Waffle House. You can read more about the area here. That same plan has transformed the eastern edge of the university on what is referred to as “Short Vine.” Bogart’s Music Hall is basically the last vestige of the street’s grittier days. Now the area has filled up with condos and casual food options like local favorite Taste of Belgium (waffles, crepes, etc.) and Hang Over Easy (breakfast foods served all day). For a more “authentic” neighborhood, venture a couple blocks north up Clifton Avenue to Ludlow Avenue. You can find some low-key bars and interesting shops along with two of the major outposts for Cincinnati’s gifts to the culinary world, Graeter’s Ice Cream and Skyline Chili. Fans 4 The school has continued its effort to foster tradition amongst the student population. Efforts paid off with the student section selling out for the 2015 season. The increased capacity meant new attendance marks to hit and the fans delivered. Five of the six home games in 2015 brought crowds topping Nippert’s old attendance mark and had two games with over 40,000. The team further ingrains its way into the city’s sports consciousness each season, and being away from Nippert for a year before this return perhaps served to remind locals of what a great experience Bearcats football can be. Access 4 There is only so much that could be done to expand the concourses. Nippert sits in the middle of the UC campus and is surrounded on all sides by other buildings. One of the best additions is the walkway for the eastern upper deck. Previously, all fans on that side of the stadium were forced to the same concourse at ground level. This, of course, led to logjams for restrooms and concessions. Now, all fans in the upper deck are first led onto an elevated pathway and can walk above the lower bowl traffic straight to the new permanent facilities on an elevated plaza near Sheakley Lawn. The east’s lower bowl traffic now has access to a wider concourse with new concessions and actual restroom facilities (as in the past the concourse would be dotted with port-a-potties). The west concourse got some breathing room, as well, as previously lines for the concession stand would back up and block the flow of traffic. Now, this side has received new concession stands on the edge facing the student section and the far side of the premium seating buildings floor level. Additionally, new restrooms and an additional concession stand was built into the area near the steps on Bearcat Plaza in the stadium’s northeast corner. As for getting to the stadium, UC’s location north of downtown and between the city’s two interstates makes getting to the campus convenient. There are numerous garages scattered around the area (check this map of the campus). There are lots and garages off-campus, but if you’re early you may be able to snag on-street parking east of the campus. If you want to avoid driving altogether, Metro buses are easy to catch from downtown to the campus and both Lyft and Uber are in the area. Return on Investment 3 The 2015 season was a bit of disappointment on the field as the Bearcats were picked to contend for the AAC title. Instead, they finished 7-5 (4-4; 3rd in the AAC East). A bright spot is the squad still posted a 5-1 record at Nippert Stadium. Ticket prices are decent with many price points starting at $20 for the east end of lower bowl. Food and drink costs are less than the pro teams and parking is affordable. Extras 3 An extra point for the urban nature of the stadium. The setting makes for one of the more unique experiences in college football. It’s certainly not the biggest stadium, and by virtue of its location it can’t be, but the new version of Nippert feels like it fits very well with the university’s collection of architecture and offers an environment somewhat uncommon in college football. A point has to go to the UC students. Student season tickets sold out for the year in 2015 and broke the previous sales record by more than a 1,000. Along with the new C-Paw laid out on the students seats, their section in the horseshoe end has a name, The Ruckus. Never hurts to have 4,000 rowdy fans to take the lead on creating that noise and hostile atmosphere. Final Thoughts With UC still (unofficially) prepping for a possible invitation to a Power 5 conference, the experience at Nippert should see continued improvements. Even as Cincinnati now shifts its focus towards the reported $85 million renovation of Fifth Third Arena next door, the football stadium may enter another phase of changes soon. UC’s Athletic Director has mentioned some of those changes already planned, including a new scoreboard and sound system as well as shifting a women’s restroom on the east concourse into a men’s restroom in order to better manage traffic there. Future improvements may include public wi-fi and possibly extending the LED ribbon boards the length of the upper deck. Then there’s also the looming arrival of the professional FC Cincinnati soccer team who are set to use the stadium indefinitely. That club serving as the stadium’s main tenant through the spring and summer may bring its own changes to the environment. Regardless, Nippert Stadium is one of the more unique settings in college football. You’d be well served to catch a game here. For those traveling to town to see the Bengals, if you can line up the schedule between the two teams, it can make for a great weekend of football.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 MetLife Stadium 1 Metlife Stadium Dr East Rutherford, NJ 07073 Army/Navy Game website MetLife Stadium website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 82,500 America’s Game In New Jersey The Army-Navy Game is one of the most iconic sporting events in the United States. The rivalry football game between the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy has been going on since 1890, although has only been played annually since 1899. The game was not held in 1917 or 1918, due to World War I, and in 1929, when the two academies disagreed over player eligibility rules. Philadelphia is usually thought of as the main home to the game, although starting in 2008 a bidding process has now made the game likely to rotate to various venues. Philadelphia still holds the record for most games hosted, followed by New York City and Baltimore. The game has been held as far west as Chicago (1926) and at the Rose Bowl in Pasedena, CA (1983). The 2020 edition was held on the Army campus in West Point, NY because of Covid-19. Food & Beverage 4 There are numerous food options within the surprisingly crowded inner concourses. Options are in large and small concession stands such as Bubba Burgers, Frank’s, BBQ Shack, Boardwalk Fryer, Wingman NY, and Momma Fusco’s Kitchen. Our personal favorite was Mr. Tot. Food prices are high, as likely expected for an NFL stadium within the New York City area. MetLife sells Pepsi brand sodas. Atmosphere 5 The game atmosphere is amazing. There are activities both before and during the game to keep all of the fans engaged. Even the game back in 2018, which was played in a driving snowstorm, the atmosphere never suffered. The actual location of the game seems to not matter. MetLife is not the best stadium in the NFL. It seems old and dated compared to some other recent stadiums, but it has a well-designed seating bowl offering great views. The massive Jets/Giants store will be closed, but many smaller stands will be available for Army-Navy game merchandise. Neighborhood 3 The Meadowlands is a swamp. That is not some kind of put-down, but it is in a literal swamp. There is not a normal neighborhood nearby. Of course, New York City is a car or train ride away and offers many options for everyone. The best way to arrive is by car and use the parking lots that surround the stadium. The addition of the recently opened American Dream Mall helps the place in the neighborhood score. While still not 100% open, it is home to many stores, restaurants, an indoor amusement and water park, an NHL-sized skating rink, an indoor ski slope, and an aquarium just to name a few. Fans 5 This game means the world to the teams and fans in attendance. Everyone picks a side to root for. “Go Army! Beat Navy!” and “Go Navy! Beat Army!” are chanted and shouted almost non-stop before and during the game. Even with the emotions of the game, there is a respectful tone. This is not a crowd that will fight over their emotions. These are respectful fans who take pride in their teams, as well as their nation. Access 4 The Meadowlands is located off many major highways and has massive parking lots. You will not fight to find parking, although expect to pay $40 and up. There are train and bus options but expect long lines and a large number of fellow riders to fight through to use those services. Return on Investment 4 The Army-Navy game may not be the cheapest around. It is the desired ticket for many fans, so expect to pay a decent amount of money. That, coupled with pretty expensive parking, means the game will not be cheap. But for the experience you will get, the price seems fair and reasonable. Extras 5 It is the Army-Navy game, so that is probably extra enough as it is. But there are other reasons to attend. Stay outside the stadium to witness the walk of the Cadets and Midshipmen into the stadium. Then get inside to watch the formations on the field. It is well worth attending just for this. The game will almost always have a good flyover pregame, whether it is Army helicopters or Navy jets that you prefer. The Navy and Army will also have skydivers jumping into the opening ceremony, weather dependent. Both the Navy and Army have ships, tanks, and other large equipment around the stadium displaying their awesome firepower. Final Thoughts The Army-Navy game is one of the most special events a sports fan can ever attend. The overall pageantry of the event and the pure sports aspect of the contest makes it a must-see for any real sports fan.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.71 M&T Bank Stadium 1101 Russell St Baltimore, MD 21230 Army/Navy Game website M&T Bank Stadium website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 71,008 Army and Navy In Charm City The Army-Navy Game is one of the most iconic sporting events in the United States. The rivalry football game between the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy has been going on since 1890, although has only been played annually since 1899. The game was not held in 1917 or 1918, due to World War I, and in 1929, when the two academies disagreed over player eligibility rules. Navy leads the overall series. There have been seven ties. Philadelphia is usually thought of as the main home to the game, although starting in 2008 a bidding process has now made the game more likely to rotate to various venues. Philadelphia still holds the record for most games hosted with 85. Counting 2016, Baltimore has hosted the game six times. The 1924 game was held at the old Municipal Stadium. That stadium was located on land that eventually held Memorial Stadium. Baltimore’s home of the Ravens, M&T Bank Stadium, has now been home to the 2000, 2007, 2014, and 2016 games. The current schedule only goes until 2017 (Philadelphia) with the game up for bids beyond that. Cities that join the bidding process will have to figure out how to pay for the transportation of the cadets and midshipmen to the game. Chicago used to be the westernmost place where a game was held (1926), but the 1983 game in Pasadena, CA’s Rose Bowl changed that fact. Food & Beverage 5 The stadium has added a Shake Shack to the stadium, which has created much excitement. Expect long lines, but the prices are decent and the food is pretty great at this new food option. The Ravens have good quality concession stands around the stadium. There are many stands offering options such as beer for $8.25 to $11, depending on the size and brand. Bell’s famous chili bowl ($6), Papa John’s pizza ($8), stadium dogs ($5) are all nice options. Many stands tend to have generic names, such as Goal Line Grill, Kickoff Classics and the Chesapeake Market. There are also outposts of local favorites such as Attman’s Deli. A good choice at Attman’s is their corned beef or hot pastrami sandwich for $11. Kiosks will sell a Guinness draft for a good value of $9. There are also a few full-service bars scattered around, such as the Talon Pub and Party Zone, offering top shelf spirits for $12.50, with premium drinks for $9.50. There are several kiosks that also sell a variety of domestic and craft beers. The best deals are the Subway six-inch sub for $7, the Double Bacon Dunk Burger for $9 and authentic Maryland crab cakes for $11. Sodas are $5.25 for a regular size, but the $7.75 souvenir size comes with one free refill, and is a better choice. Also, look for booths offering a free soda or O’Doul’s for those who are willing to be the designated driver and not drink alcoholic beverages. Atmosphere 5 The game atmosphere is amazing. There are activities both before and during the game to keep all of the fans engaged. The game benefits from being held at such a fine facility. The Ravens have nice facilities and offerings for the team and fans. The large video boards, known as RavensVision, past both end zones are amazing visual spectacles. There are plenty of 22-foot long LED screens that were recently added to the upper level concourses. These screens are big enough to be a normal video screen at many stadiums, and here, they are just for patrons on the concourse to enjoy. These go along with relatively new large LED screens at the entrance gates. The signage around the stadium is consistent, modern and appropriate. The Ravens souvenir stands will be closed, but many smaller stands will be available for Army-Navy game merchandise. Ravenswalk leads the fans from downtown and Oriole Park towards M&T Bank Stadium. It has always been a good place for fans to enjoy pre game activities. One should also stop by to see the text of the former facade from Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, which is on display between the two stadiums. The text was a memorial to those killed in the two World Wars. The main words of “TIME WILL NOT DIM THE GLORY OF THEIR DEEDS” reminds visitors of those this nation lost in the past. The line is a quote from Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. Neighborhood 4 The neighborhood is generally the same as Oriole Park at Camden Yards, but does suffer a slight bit, as it is further away from downtown Baltimore. The Horseshoe Casino, located south of the stadium, has the potential to make this “other” side to the stadium become more and more important to the Ravens’ social scene. The casino offers game day events, as well as parking. Close to the stadium, and right across from Oriole Park, are Pickles Pub and Sliders Bar & Grille. The Federal Hill neighborhood is also close by. There are a few fun restaurants and bars here. Abbey Burger Bistro (1041 Marshall Street) is one great choice. The beer selection is good, and they offer a dizzying array of burger choices, which are all likely to satisfy. Mother’s (1113 S Charles Street) and Magerks (1061 S Charles Street) are also good places for a pre or post-game meal. The Inner Harbor is a popular tourist destination, and is a short walk from Camden Yards. There are numerous options here, but they will be expensive and more touristy. If you do want a reasonable option here, look for the value of the M&S Grill (201 E Pratt Street in the Pratt Street Pavilion of Harborplace) happy hour, as it is considered the best in town. Baltimore is home to many touristy attractions, such as Harborplace, Fells Point and Fort McHenry. The American Visionary Art Museum on Key Highway is located on the way to Fort McHenry and should not be missed, although its unique collection will not be for everyone. If looking for a bit of Baltimore sports history, the Sports Legends Museum is located adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans 5 This game means the world to the teams and fans in attendance. Everyone has a side. “Go Army! Beat Navy!” and “Go Navy! Beat Army!” are chanted and shouted almost non-stop before and during the game. Even with the emotions of the game, there is a respectful tone. This is not a crowd that will fight over their emotions. These are respectful fans who take pride in their teams, as well as their nation. Access 5 M&T Bank Stadium is right off I-95, with only a couple of turns putting you on the highway home. Parking garages can be found in all directions from the stadium. Street parking is not a great option. Parking near the Inner Harbor is a good option. There should be many bargains around that area. The 400 E Pratt Street garage with entrances off of Lombard Street and Gay Street is a nice convenient choice for a little over $10, if paid ahead of time. If you’re not driving to the game, the other primary mode of access is the MTA Light Rail. From points north and south of downtown Baltimore, you can take the train to the ballpark. The Light Rail is slow, so make sure you know that beforehand, and the crowds will be overwhelming after the game. Return on Investment 4 The Army-Navy game may not be the cheapest game around. It is a desired ticket for many fans. So expect to pay a decent amount of money. That, coupled with pretty expensive parking, means the game will not be cheap. But for the experience you will get, the price seems fair and reasonable. Extras 5 It is the Army-Navy game, so that is probably extra enough as it is. But there are other reasons to attend. Stay outside the stadium to witness the walk of the Cadets and Midshipmen into the stadium. then get inside to watch the formations form on the field. It is well worth attendance just for this. The game will always have a good flyover pre-game, whether it is Army helicopters or Navy jets that you prefer. The Navy and Army will also always have skydivers jumping into the opening ceremony. Both the Navy and Army have ships and other large equipment around town and at the Inner Harbor displaying their awesome firepower. Don’t forget that you are at the epicenter of Baltimore football, so stop and take a look at the Johnny Unitas statue located at the end of Ravenswalk and in front of the stadium. That and the brand new Ray Lewis statue are honors to iconic men of Baltimore lore, not to mention a great pre-game meeting spot. Final Thoughts The Army-Navy game is one of the most special events a sports fan can ever attend. The overall pageantry of the event and the pure sports aspect of the contest makes it a must see for any real sports fan.

Photo courtesy of Tulane Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Greer Field at Turchin Stadium 6400 S. Claiborne Ave New Orleans, LA 70125 Tulane Green Wave website Greer Field at Turchin Stadium website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 5,000 A “HULLABALOO” of a Ballpark Originally opened in 1991, Greer Field at Turchin Stadium serves as home field to the Tulane Green Wave baseball program. The ballpark received a massive facelift in 2008 at a cost of about $10.5 million which increased the total capacity to 5,000 with an impressive 2,700+ chair back seats. The ballpark is also equipped with private suites in the upper tier along the first baseline. In a growing trend, Greer Field at Turchin Stadium sports a Field Turf synthetic surface throughout the entire playing field. As a member of NCAA Division I college baseball, the Green Wave recently moved from Conference USA affiliation to the new American Conference. In addition to grabbing a chair back seat in a beautiful college baseball stadium, a game at Greer Field at Turchin Stadium also brings memorable time spent in the New Orleans area. On the beautiful campus of Tulane University in the comfortable confines of the Uptown area, Audubon Park, the Audubon Zoo, the Garden District, and the St. Charles streetcar line are closely located around the university area. Food & Beverage 4 Greer Field at Turchin Stadium offers a good variety of quality options at concession venues inside the ballpark. At the primary concession booth under the main seating area, you’ll find hot dogs ($5), nachos ($5),and foot long corn dogs ($6) as primary entree items. Snack options include assorted candy ($3), Zapp’s potato chips ($3), peanuts ($3), popcorn (small $3, regular $5), pretzels ($5), and sunflower seeds ($4), among other items. Down the first baseline concourse you’ll find the Taste of New Orleans tent. Here you’ll find a few more unique ballpark items and also some local flavors including a cheeseburgers hamburgers ($7), grilled chicken breast sandwich ($6), alligator sausage poboy ($7), and Cajun jambalaya ($7). Your soda options include Coca-Cola products ($4-$5.50), bottled Dasani water ($3-$5), and Monster drinks ($5). The Taste of New Orleans stand offers bottled sodas for $4. The concession stands as well as various beverage stands offer alcoholic beverages including domestic and local craft beers like the popular Abita Strawberry. Beer is available for $6 for domestic brews and increases for craft. While there are a few tasty items to choose from, out-of-towners can get a unique and delicious taste of local cuisine with the alligator sausage poboy. Atmosphere 4 Greer Field at Turchin Stadium is one of the premier college baseball facilities in America and this no doubt makes catching a Tulane Green Wave baseball game something special. The comfort provided by over 2,700 chair back seats with cup holders is pretty unique. The ballpark is simply a great place to watch Division I baseball. Due to receiving a recent facelift in 2008, the stadium is very modern, clean, and visually pleasing. Entering through the main gate, fans will certainly be pleased with the stadium exterior and Goldring Plaza. Three large decorative panels sit above the entrance, two of which show Tulane baseball players in action and the center panel features the Tulane logo. The entrance floor of the Plaza contains bricks with the names of Green Wave supporters who helped make the facelift financially possible. Tulane does a great job creating a team spirit environment in the concourse area immediately inside the main gate with pictures of Tulane baseball game action featured on the wall. As you make your way into the stadium seating area, you’ll enter a walkway which separates two levels of chair backs in the main seating area. A brick wall lines this walkway and matches the brick wall which lines the playing field from first base to behind home plate and around to third base. Looking back at the multi-tiered pressbox, you’ll find five panels which list Green Wave accomplishments including two College World Series appearances, three Super Regionals, 19 Regional appearances, six conference championships, and eight conference tournament championships. Just to the right of these panels are three circle shaped tributes to the retired numbers of Cary Livingston (12), Milt Retif (27), and Joe Brockhoff (25). To the left of the panels and down the first baseline rests a strip of suites and box seating on top of the seating areas. Beyond the chair back seating down both the right and left field lines are an additional set of bleacher style seating areas. An impressive 35′ x 19′ video scoreboard sits above the left field wall. Viewing from the left field seating is a sight of the New Orleans skyline beyond the first baseline. Just about anywhere you sit in the stadium offers a great view. The bleacher seats are a great deal, but it’s also hard to beat the chair backs along the foul lines. Neighborhood 5 Regardless of what happens at the ballpark, you’re in New Orleans and that’s a plus. There’s no doubt that great times and food are just a few miles east in the French Quarter. However, the Uptown area is an experience in itself. Just across from Greer Field at Turchin Stadium are two good restaurant options. Frostop might not look like much from the outside, but the burgers and fries are great, and don’t even get me started on the amazing Frostop Root Beer served in mugs. Naked Pizza is next door and dishes up pizza made with all natural, whole food ingredients. Also near the campus is Dat Dog. This is the perfect place to grab a variety of gourmet hot dogs before or after the ball game. Just next to the Tulane campus is spacious Audubon Park. Within the park is also the family favorite Audubon Zoo. Whether it’s relaxing in the park or taking a stroll through the zoo, you’re likely to enjoy the visit. Nearby is City Park and the family friendly options of Storyland and the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. The younger kids will enjoy Storyland and all kids will have a great time in Carousel Gardens. Be sure to catch a ride on the train which brings you throughout the park. If you’re into the college bar scene, check out the campus favorite “The Boot Bar & Grill” on Broadway. Just down St. Charles is the Best Western – St. Charles Inn. Located in the Garden District, this hotel offers easy access to the St. Charles streetcar line which can bring you into the Central Business District near the French Quarter or drop you off between Tulane and Audubon Park. Fans 4 Tulane Green Wave baseball fans are very loyal, knowledgeable and engaged. Since 1991, Tulane fans have consistently packed Greer Field at Turchin Stadium with an average attendance near or inside the top 25 in the nation. However, the Green Wave baseball team has been in a bit of slump since their last regional in 2008. This has certainly affected the size of the crowds. When the in-state rival LSU Tigers come to visit, expect the place to be completely sold out. For select games, you’ll notice the Tulane cheerleaders on-hand to lead the fight song after the third inning. One of the truly unique fan traditions in college athletics is the chanting of the Hullabaloo after Green Wave runs scored. Here are the words to the unique song: (A one, a two, a hellava HULLABALOO) HULLABALOO, ‘Ray, ‘Ray HULLABALOO, ‘Ray, ‘Ray Hooray-Hooray Vars-uh, vars-uh Tee-ay! Tee-ay! Tee-ay! Vars-uh, vars-uh Tee-ay! Tee-ay! Tee-ay! Tulane!! Access 2 Greer Field at Turchin Stadium isn’t the easiest to reach. While located outside of the CBD where much of the major headaches are in New Orleans, many of the streets around the Uptown area are under construction. The parking situation around the stadium isn’t the best either. If you’re flying in, you’ll do so through the Louis Armstrong International Airport. From there, it’s a quick drive down I-10 to South Carrollton and then South Claiborne. Parking can be a bit of a headache as the lot just next to the stadium is now blocked off to season passes and staff. You’ll need to look for street parking in the immediate area along South Claiborne or at the Diboll Parking Garage located on Ben Weiner Drive. As you head towards the stadium, you’ll enter into Goldring Plaza. The ticket window is on the outside of the athletics building right next to the entrance and inside the plaza. The line moves pretty quickly but prepared for a potential wait for capacity attendance games. You’ll swiftly move through the ticket gate and into the main concourse. Aisles and walkways are spacious enough to get around without any trouble. Restroom facilities are clean and accessible. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices for Tulane baseball are an absolute steal for midweek games with general admissions as low as $5. For weekend series matchups, chair backs are $15 and bleacher seating runs at $10. There are discounts for seniors and children. Considering that there’s only bleacher seating at the outer edges down the outfield lines, $15 is the price for the good seating areas. Tickets are available on the Tulane website and the Tulane Ticket Exchange where fans can buy and sell tickets to Tulane athletics events. That’s a little high, but worth it for the overall experience. Overall, there’s a pretty high ROI for Tulane baseball at Turchin Stadium. Extras 4 Greer Field at Turchin Stadium offers a few ‘extras’ which enhance the overall atmosphere inside the ballpark. The chair back seating really is impressive. 2,700+ seats with cup holders makes for a very comfortable spectator experience. The large outfield video board significantly adds to the overall experience (though there seemed to be a few technical difficulties with the board during the 2015 season). The Goldring Plaza and Turchin Stadium exterior really are a pretty neat sight. Tulane does a great job of memorializing big moments of the past by pasting poster sized pictures throughout the concourse.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium 550 Taylor Ave Annapolis, MD 21401 Navy Midshipmen website Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1959 Capacity: 34,000 Navy Blue and Gold Lacrosse Located on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, Maryland is home to the US Naval Academy. Although Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is better-known for hosting Navy's football team, it is also home to the Midshipmen's lacrosse program. Although Navy lacrosse has never won the NCAA Championship, they are one of the most successful college lacrosse programs of the pre-NCAA era, having won a whopping 17 championships. Food & Beverage 2 While there are several concession stands at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, most of them are closed for lacrosse games, and the two that are open have limited selections. Hot dogs ($4), nachos ($6), candy ($3), chips ($1), popcorn ($5), pretzels ($5), and caramel corn ($5) are your only options to eat. Soft drinks and bottled water are also available. Atmosphere 3 Just walking into Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium will tell you this is the home of Navy Athletics. The logo is painted all over the place and the walls lining the field list all the areas of the world that the US Navy has fought over the years. When the Navy team runs out onto the field before the game, they do so waving an American flag to remind you of where you are. Alas, there isn't much else going on during the game other than the game itself. There are no distractions or march-ons of the Brigade of Midshipmen or anything else that you would see here for Navy football. Some lacrosse fans may like that, while others will be disappointed. Music is played after Navy goals, but that is about it. It is worth noting that only the lower level of the Blue (west) side of the stadium is open for Navy lacrosse games due to the small crowds. About 60% of these seats are chairbacks, while the remainder are bleacher seats. The bleacher seats are reserved for the Brigade of Midshipmen during football games, and as they typically stand for the whole game, presumably the athletic department did not see any point in installing chairbacks. However, student presence is minimal at best at lacrosse games, so fans can sit wherever they want. Neighborhood 5 Annapolis is a small-sized city of about 40,000 people, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. There’s a shopping center located across from the stadium with a few basic restaurants, but you can find far better food a short drive away. Annapolis being located on the Chesapeake Bay, there are plenty of great seafood restaurants nearby, including Buddy’s Crabs & Ribs, The Boatyard Bar & Grill, and the Sailor Oyster Bar, all located within a couple miles of the stadium. If you want an authentic sweet treat after your meal, The Boatyard sells the official state dessert of Maryland, Smith Island Cake, which is made fresh on Smith Island daily and brought up by ferry. The real attraction, though, is the U.S. Naval Academy itself. The grounds are beautiful, and there’s so much history, so be sure to take a tour while you’re in town. Keep in mind, however, that driving onto Academy grounds is prohibited without proper military clearance. Fans can board a shuttle from the parking lot to take them onto Academy grounds. Fans 4 Attendance at Navy lacrosse games can vary significantly. For an early season game against a non-conference opponent, Navy will likely draw under 1,000 fans. For a game against a regional rival like Loyola or Johns Hopkins or their archrival and fellow service academy Army, they will draw several thousand, perhaps over 10,000. The experience here varies depending on where you go more than at many other schools.. Attendance has also trended downward since COVID, even as restrictions have been gone for several years now. It remains to be seen if this trend will continue. Fans in attendance are your typical bunch and range from passionate to subdued. They can get into it after Navy goals, but as they tend to be spread out throughout the large stadium, despite the fact that many sections are closed off, it still will rarely get that loud here unless the Mids are playing a rival. Access 4 Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is located just off U.S. Route 50. Take Exit 24 for Rowe Boulevard, and the stadium is just up ahead. Parking is available in a lot next to the stadium for $10, which is a bit pricey but not outrageously so. Both cash and credit cards are accepted. Once inside, it is easy to move around the concourses and other areas, as they were designed for much larger football crowds. The lines at the concession stands will rarely get very long, although it might be different at more in-demand games. Likewise, the restrooms designed for football crowds are more than capable of handling lacrosse ones. . Return on Investment 3 Tickets are $10, which is about typical for lacrosse in this area. They may be more expensive for games against rivals like Army, but for most games $10 will be the price. Concessions are affordable if limited, but $10 to park is as much as the ticket itself. All of this makes a trip here an average value to see a lacrosse game, nothing more, nothing less. Extras 3 Look for the Blue Angel plane outside the stadium as you come in. There is a marketing table on the concourse with giveaways such as roster cards and yearbooks, all of which are free. A third and final star for the team store, known as the Goat Locker, which sells Navy merchandise during the game, Final Thoughts Lacrosse is very popular in the state of Maryland - in fact, it's the official team sport. Navy is just one of several highly successful lacrosse programs in the state. For the best experience, we suggest visiting one of the games against a regional rival, or the Army-Navy game in years when it is held here, even though the price may be slightly more expensive. However, whenever you visit, you can enjoy taking in lacrosse in this historic setting.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 College Park Center 600 South Center St Arlington, TX 76019 Dallas Wings website College Park Center website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 7,000 Winging It In Dallas The College Park Center is a part of the University of Texas at Arlington. It was built in 2012. It is primarily used as the home for the University of Texas-Arlington Mavericks men’s and women’s basketball teams and the volleyball team. The building is LEED Gold Certified as it is environmentally friendly in all phases of its use. The Center holds 7,000 fans in its basketball configuration. The Center's average attendance for Wings games is 3,788. It has served as the home court for the Dallas Wings since 2016. After stops in Detroit and Tulsa, the Dallas Wings arrived in 2016. The Wings play in the Western Conference of the WNBA. The team has had some of the top players in women’s pro basketball don the Wing’s colors. These players include Deanna Nolan, Glory Johnson, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Liz Cambridge, and Odyssey Sims. The team has gone to the playoffs four times since moving to Dallas. Food & Beverage 3 The University of Texas-Arlington contracts with local caterer Ted E’s for its concession stand programs. There are four concession stands located around the seating bowl of the College Park Center. There are two Ted E’s Kitchens, along with one Ted E’s Grill and one Ted E’s BBQ. Ted E’s Kitchen features chicken fingers, fried fish sandwiches, 13 different types of burgers, as well as French fries. Ted E’s menu includes cheesesteaks, chicken fried steak sandwiches, and grilled Chicken Wraps. Ted E’s BBQ stand features brisket nachos, pulled pork nachos, brisket fries, and pulled pork fries. Atmosphere 4 The College Park Center provides an excellent home court experience for the Wings and their fans. The seating bowl at the arena allows fans a close-up view of the game action no matter where they are seated. The seats are very comfortable and provide drink holders. The College Park Center also features an excellent electronics package with very a clear sound system and a center-hung videoboard. Even though the College Park Center is primarily used by the University of Texas at Arlington, there is little evidence of that at Wings games. The court fully features the Wings color pallet and the team’s logo at midcourt. The team store also carries only Wings merchandise during WNBA contests. The fans seem to love the antics of Lightning, the winged equine mascot for the Wings. They also enjoy the playlist of the team’s DJ during breaks in the action. Neighborhood 3 The College Park Center is located on the University of Texas Arlington Campus. So, most of the neighborhoods surrounding the arena are college classroom buildings. One on-campus building worth a visit is the UTA Planetarium. It offers several special programs on Saturdays that are free and open to the public. We did find a few non-fast-food options that are unique to the area. The Twisted Root Burger Company offers a wide variety of burgers, with several special seasonings to choose from. Pie Five Pizza is just a block from the College Park Center and cooks up a delicious variety of pizzas to fill any Wings fans’ pie desires. Afterwards, head over to the La Tapatia Ice Cream and Fruteria for a cool treat to finish your day. Fans 3 The Wings have one of the more enthusiastic fan bases in the WNBA. They show up early and cheer the team on even during the pregame warmups. Most of them are wearing the blue and neon green colors of the team. The pregame introductions give the fans another opportunity to energize the Wings players. The Wings have several 3-point sharpshooters, and there is a definite celebration when a basket goes in from long range. The team markets itself heavily to families and children. This is very evident at games, as many of the promotions during breaks are aimed at children. The Wings frequently offer matinee games on weekdays at noon during the summer months of the WNBA season when school is out for the summer. They also hold a Summer Camp Day at a Wings game to give the camp counselors a break from outdoor activities in the hot Texas sun. The Wings have an average attendance of 3,788, placing them near the middle of the WNBA in attendance. Access 4 Getting to a Wings game is relatively easy, as it can be accessed by either I-20 or I-30. Directions from I-20: Exit I-20 onto Cooper Street (FM157) and head north. Go 4 miles until you reach UTA Boulevard. Turn right onto UTA Boulevard. Turn right onto South Center Street. The parking deck is on the north side of the College Park Center. Directions from I-30: Exit I-30 onto Center Street and head south. Go 2 miles. End at 600 South Center Street. The parking deck is on the north side of the College Park Center. There are four entrance gates at the College Park Center. Doors open one hour prior to the tipoff. This allows you plenty of time to get something to eat or to find your seat location. The concourse is located at the top of the lower level of the venue. Concession stands are at this level, with the concourse open to the action on the court. Return on Investment 3 The College Park Center uses the AXS ticketing system. All tickets are electronic. There are five price points for Dallas Wings games. These are $45 (center court), $37 (side of the court), $28 (corners of the court), $25 (ends of the court), and $22 (seats in the 200 level if needed). Parking at the College Park Center is $18 if repurchased or $20 for day of the event purchases. The food at the College Park Center is reasonably priced. Extras 2 The College Park Center holds a variety of events throughout the year. This includes concerts, wrestling matches, and graduation ceremonies for both the UT-Arlington and area high schools. AT&T Stadium (Home of the Dallas Cowboys) and Globe Life Field (Home of the Texas Rangers) are also located in Arlington and are very close to the College Park Center. This makes it possible for you to get a two-sport doubleheader if there is an overlap in their home schedules. Final Thoughts The Wings home at the College Park Center is easy to get to from almost anywhere in the Dallas metroplex. It provides the team with an arena that is right-sized for the average WNBA crowd. There is little or no evidence that the arena primarily serves as a college sports venue, as the team’s blue and green color scheme is carried throughout the facility for their home games.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Sargent's Stadium at the Point 100 Johns Street Johnstown, PA 15901 Johnstown Mill Rats website Sargent's Stadium at the Point website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 7,500 Mill Rats Baseball in Johnstown Sargent's Stadium at the Point is a historic stadium that has existed in some form since 1926. The ballpark was home to the Johnstown Red Sox of the Eastern League in 1961, and a Frontier League team that went by various names between 1995 and 2002. It has also been home to the All-American Amateur Baseball Association (AAABA) World Series since 1946. In 2005, Point Stadium was completely rebuilt. Artificial turf was installed two years later. In 2021, the ballpark got a new tenant, the Johnstown Mill Rats of the Prospect League. Featuring teams across the Rust Belt and Upper Midwest, the Prospect League is one of the elite summer collegiate leagues in the country. Sargent's Stadium is known for its unusual dimensions. The foul lines are only 290 feet from home plate. Right field juts out quickly like the Pesky Pole at Fenway, and is 395 feet to the alley. However, the left-centerfield gap is only 336 feet away. To compensate, there is a tall wall in left field, topped by a net which is in play. Food & Beverage 3 There are two concession stands at Point Stadium, one on the concourse under the right field stands and one at the top of the reserved seats near home plate, behind the press box. They serve an identical menu, so go to whichever one is closest to your seat. Burgers, chicken tenders, hot dogs, nachos, and pizza slices are the main options, while snacks include ice cream, popsicles, candy, and chips. Drinks include Gatorade, water, and soda, as well as beer for those of age. Prices are about average - a burger costs $7 while chicken and fries are $9. Non-alcoholic beverages are $3 each. Atmosphere 5 Despite being renovated recently, Point Stadium still feels like an old-time ballpark, with its unusual layout, sliding pits around the bases, and downtown location with the stadium laid out to fit in the street grid. The main gate is in the outfield, and from there, fans will walk by some murals to the concourse under the bleachers. There are some reserved chairback seats behind home plate, and general admission bleachers everywhere else. A small videoboard is located in right-centerfield, with another scoreboard located in the large wall in left-centerfield that shows the line score and other basic information. The Mill Rats do a great job of creating a fun atmosphere here, with music to keep the crowd engaged, and between-inning contests during almost every break. These contests range from traditional ones like the dizzy bat race and dress like a player contest to more unusual ones like the taco trot, where kids dress up as tacos and race around the bases. The team has a mascot named Milton, who unsurprisingly is a rat. He roams the stadium throughout the game and interacts with the fans. Neighborhood 2 Johnstown is a former steel mill town, as the team name alludes to, and since the mills closed, many people and businesses have left and the city has declined. While Downtown Johnstown has a poor reputation, it is not as bad as many people think. If you head a few blocks east from the stadium along Main Street and the adjacent roads, you will find several local businesses that are still thriving, including Stone Bridge Brewing Company and Balance Restaurant. Fetz's is a popular sports bar right across the street from the stadium. While Johnstown may not be the nicest city, there is still plenty going on here. Fans 3 Johnstown averages about a thousand fans per game, and attendance has been improving steadily in the three seasons since their founding. While this puts them towards the bottom of the Prospect League, the team has been moving up in the rankings. Those fans who do show up are passionate, proud, and loud. Chants of "Let's Go Rats" can be heard throughout the game, as can loud applause after big plays. Fans are also not afraid to get on the case of the umpires or even their own team if they feel they have messed up in some way. That being said, a Mill Rats game is family friendly entertainment, and the fans behave in a way that is consistent with that goal. It can be hard to hear the roar of the crowd when you have only a thousand fans in a 7,500 seat stadium, but Mill Rats fans do their best to be heard. Access 2 To get into Johnstown, you will likely end up taking Pennsylvania Route 56, the Johnstown Expressway. After crossing over a bridge, you will be in downtown Johnstown and the stadium will be a short drive away. Parking can be challenging. Although there are numerous lots surrounding the stadium, they are all private lots for local businesses. Although the team told us we were allowed to park there, this contradicted the signage so we felt it best not to risk it. That being said, some fans were able to park in these lots without issue. If you do not want to chance it, parking is available on the streets surrounding the stadium, free after 5 on weekdays and all day on weekends which should cover just about every home game. There is also a paid garage at the corner of Main and Walnut Streets, a five minute walk away. Once you enter the stadium, the concourse is wide enough to accommodate the fans, although it seems more cramped than it is due to being under the bleachers. Restrooms are located here too. Handicap accessible seating is also under the bleachers. Fans can attempt to watch the game through a chain link fence built into the right field wall, but their view will be significantly obstructed not just by the fence itself but by various parts of the stadium architecture. Suffice it to say it is not an ideal location. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $8 for general admission or $10 for reserved chairbacks. Concessions are about average and parking will probably be free as well. Combined with the exciting, family friendly atmosphere, this makes a Mill Rats game a great value for fans of all ages to check out. Extras 3 The unique layout of the stadium is worth a star here. There is a team shop at the top of the reserved seats selling Mill Rats gear with their unique logo. Look for the murals by the entrance, honoring baseball in Johnstown over the years. Final Thoughts Sargent's Stadium at the Point is a historic stadium that has been updated for modern times. The Johnstown Mill Rats have made it their home and create a family-friendly and exciting atmosphere for baseball. If you are in Central Pennsylvania on a summer night, be sure to head to Johnstown to check out a Mill Rats game in this unique ballpark.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Veterans Field 702 Main St Chatham, MA 02633 Chatham Anglers website Veterans Field website Year Opened: 1923 Capacity: 8,500 The Right Angle Veteran’s Field is located near the center of Chatham, a town at the “elbow” of Cape Cod. Teams representing the town of Chatham have played at the site of Veteran’s Field since the inception of the Cape Cod League in 1923. Chatham’s squad was known as the A’s from the beginning of the ‘Modern Era” of the Cape League in 1963 to 2009, when several teams decided to stop sharing names with Major League squads. The team was rebranded as the Anglers. This allows for the team to continue to be informally called “The A’s,” while invoking a most appropriate nautical theme. The A’s/Anglers have won five titles in the Cape League’s “Modern Era”, most recently in 1998. Food & Beverage 3 The Snack Shack serves as Veteran’s Field’s snack bar. Located directly behind the first base dugout, standard ballpark fare can be found here. Hot dogs, burgers and pizza slices are the main attractions. Fans wanting their hot dog with a little more oomph can upgrade to Coach Schiffner’s famous Chili Dog. There’s a decent variety of snacks available here, including popcorn served in a souvenir Anglers cup, Cracker Jacks, assorted candy, Cape Cod Chips (of course) and Angler’s cookies baked with the Chatham logo on the top. There is also a selection of ice cream novelties sold here. Cans of Coca-Cola products are sold here, as well as Powerade and Vitamin Water. Since it can get very chilly here in Chatham at night, fans can purchase coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Chatham doesn’t feature the most extensive menu around, and their prices are a bit on the high side when compared to other Cape League ballparks. On the plus side, they grill their dogs and burgers to order. Fans looking for a bargain can wait until near the end of the game, when “dollar dogs” are announced. But be warned, quantities are limited, so be ready! Atmosphere 3 As is the case at all the Cape Cod League venues, teams in this league present their games in an “old-school” manner. Absent are silly between inning promotions and ear-shattering music played in between innings. Fans looking for elaborate game-day productions will undoubtedly be disappointed with this simple approach, but baseball purists will enjoy every last second of it. PA announcements are limited to lineup changes (with the occasional sponsor shout out), and a simple scoreboard in left field displays basic game information. There is a lot of room to roam at Veteran’s Field, both in the large berm that stretches from the right field foul pole to deep centerfield as well as the open grassy area on the first base side of the facility. There is a large playground located in this area, where kids can release some pent-up energy while their parents can still watch the ballgame. Neighborhood 4 Veteran’s Field is located just west of Chatham Center, a quaint neighborhood full of shops, cafés, and antique stores. Fans interested in doing touristy things without the commercialism that has crept into some of the other Cape Cod destinations should check out Chatham. Remember, a town this small and this popular is bound to get crowded, so if you are wishing to avoid the largest crowds and resulting traffic, visit the area in June, before schools let out for the summer and the tourists arrive en masse. Veteran’s Field is located within walking distance of several popular eating establishments and lodging choices. In fact, many fans choose to simply walk to an Anglers’ game, find a bite to eat, and enjoy the area. Downtown Chatham is a great place for people watching and enjoying the small town vibe. The Chatham Railroad Museum is located just beyond the right field berm. After the game just walk across the parking lot and stop in at the Red Nun, a popular restaurant located right next to Veterans Field. Fans 4 Chatham annually ranks among the top 3 or 4 teams in the Cape Cod League in terms of attendance. Crowds at Veteran’s Field are similar to those elsewhere on the Cape, meaning that there is a strong presence from the locals, who often have a connection with the team as a booster, house parent, or volunteer. If not connected with the team officially, many of the fans present have been coming to see the Anglers play for years. Mixed in with the locals are tourists visiting the area and spending a relaxing night out at the ballpark. As one of the most complete “ballparks” in the Cape League, it’s a popular destination for ballpark travelers. A popular diversion during many Anglers games is the nightly discussion about when the fog is going to roll in. A night at Veterans Field without fog is a rare one, indeed. Chatham’s location on the elbow of Cape Cod makes it an ideal location for fog once the sun goes down. For those wondering, the fog usually rolls in around the fifth or sixth inning. Access 4 The town of Chatham is located at the elbow of Cape Cod, making it the furthest team to visit for any fans visiting from off-Cape (that’s anyone not living on Cape Cod, for those of us who don’t speak Cape-ese). Despite this, it’s relatively easy to find Veteran’s Field. It is located right on Route 28, which follows the entire southern coastline of the Cape. Veteran’s Field itself is located in a natural bowl, with hills surrounding the playing surface. Fans who have not been to Chatham in some time will notice some wonderful changes to the facility. The whole seating area has been cleared, landscaped, and new, more accessible (read: less steep) bleachers have been installed. There is plenty of room at both the top and the bottom of the bleachers for fans bringing their own lawn chairs. There is plenty of standing room atop the grandstand area. Also located behind home plate is the press box and souvenir stands. Running down both baselines are more bleachers. Unfortunately, there are screens surrounding the field to protect neighboring houses from errant foul balls. Fans wanting an unobstructed view of the action will need to sit on the furthest grandstand down the lines, or beyond. Many fans at Chatham choose to sit on the large berm in the outfield. There is enough room out here for several thousand fans on a busy night, or for kids to run around when it is less crowded. You will find many fans sitting on top of the berm along the Doyle Street sidewalk or even in their vehicles, listening to the game on their radios. Parking is available in a pair of small public lots adjacent to the ballpark or on the surrounding streets. There is a building behind the first base hill, which contains restrooms. Be warned that not all areas surrounding Veterans Field are well lit. Return on Investment 5 As is the case at all Cape Cod League ballparks, there is no charge to attend a Chatham Anglers game. The team will accept your donation, which they use to fund their operating costs. In return for your donation, the team will return the favor by giving you a program. Parking is free in either of the two lots next to the field, or on any of the neighborhood streets. Just pay attention to the signs to make sure you are not in a restricted zone. Many fans bring their own coolers stocked with items to enjoy during the game, making a night out at the Anglers totally free. Extras 3 Displayed on the façade of the old-timey press box are four retired numbers for persons who were instrumental in the long history of Chatham baseball (John Schiffner, Ed Haird, Matt Fincher and Eddie Lyons). Also be sure to check out the display of every Chatham A/Angler to play in the big leagues. It’s an enormous list with plenty of familiar names. A small plaque dedicated to former Chatham player Thurman Munson can also be found on the press box. Final Thoughts In a league full of unique parks, Chatham offers an experience that may top them all. It has a real vintage charm, and the view from the top of the outfield berm simply can’t be beat. Even though Chatham is the most remote team in the league when coming from off-Cape, all ten teams are located within an hour of each other. In 2022 a total of 377 Cape League alumni played in the major leagues. That’s about one of every six players to suit up in the Majors. When taking in a Cape League game, it’s likely that you will be watching a bunch of future first round picks or all-stars in the making - for free! Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium 14 Stott Ave. Norwich, CT 06360 Mystic Schooners website Dodd Stadium website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 6,720 A Future for Dodd Stadium Senator Thomas J. Dodd Stadium is named for the Norwich native who served two terms in both the House of Representatives and the Senate between 1952 and 1964. Dodd may be best known as part of the prosecution at the Nuremburg Trials. Originally built as home to the AA Eastern League’s Norwich Navigators in 1995, several teams have called Dodd Stadium home over its nearly 30-year history. After the reorganization of the minor leagues in 2021 effectively ended professional baseball in Norwich, the collegiate wood-bat Futures League came calling, adding the Norwich Sea Unicorns to the circuit in 2021. Looking to utilize their ballpark for more dates during the summer, the city offered a lease to the Mystic Schooners of the New England Collegiate Baseball League the following summer. The Mystic Schooners are the only remaining original franchise in the wood-bat NECBL. Debuting in 1994 in the Connecticut city of Willimantic as the Eastern Tides, the team has played in Hinsdale and Pittsfield, Massachusetts and Bristol, Connecticut before moving to the coastal city of Mystic, Connecticut in 2011. The team played eleven seasons at Fitch High School Field in neighboring Groton before moving to nearby Norwich for the 2022 season. The Schooners franchise has won two NECBL championships, one in 1994 as the Eastern Tides and one in 2016 as the Mystic Schooners. 48 former players have gone on to play professionally, with three alumni (Joe Hudson, Jason Foley and Jake Myers) reaching the Major Leagues. Food & Beverage 3 Only a fraction of the concession stands are opened at Dodd Stadium for Schooners games, but the options here still manage to cover all the bases. Only one of the big stands is open during Schooner games, offering a menu of hot dogs, sausage and pepper sandwiches and chicken tenders with french fries. You can spice up your options with some buffalo sauce for your tenders or some cheese for your fries for a dollar upcharge. A decent collection of snacks are also sold here, including popcorn, pretzels and cotton candy. Fans looking to satisfy a sweet tooth can head to the ice cream stand, where several flavors of hard ice cream are available, as well as a selection of candy. Bottles of Coca-Cola products are sold at Dodd Stadium concession stands. Fans looking for an adult beverage can find Budweiser and Bud Light on draft at the main stand. Atmosphere 2 With only a few hundred people in a 6,700-seat ballpark, the atmosphere is going to suffer. While Schooner staff provide many typical minor league baseball elements, there’s not a whole lot of energy you can bring to a big, empty stadium. Between inning games such as a tug-of-war contest, dizzy bat, name that tune and trivia contests keep fans involved during the game. A bouncy castle is set up in a deep corner of the left field concourse. Music plays between innings and an overly chatty PA announcer keeps the stadium full of noise throughout the game. Longtime visitors to Dodd Stadium will undoubtedly notice that a few traditional Norwich touches are missing. The Tator the Gator statue that long stood guard at the front entrance has been moved to a hidden corner of the facility. Also, it’s strange to not see the dual major/minor league logos on the stadium façade. Younger fans will bemoan the fact that the arcade has been closed. It does look like the scoreboard has been repaired and updated, though. All the signage at Dodd Stadium reflects the team’s primary tenant, the Sea Unicorns. The only mention of the Schooners in the ballpark is a single banner on the left field fence. It’s tough being the secondary tenant in a facility. Neighborhood 2 Dodd Stadium is located in an industrial park, and there is nothing of note within a few miles of the ballpark. Fans looking for places to stay in the area or places to eat will find a few options on Town Street on the way to the ballpark. Downtown Norwich is a few miles away. Most fans visiting the area will not choose to stay in Norwich, opting instead to proceed to the two large casinos located nearby. Mohegan Sun is located a 15-minute drive from the ballpark, and Foxwoods is located a half hour drive from Dodd Stadium. Both casinos are renowned for their variety of shops, entertainment, and dining options, and of course, gaming choices. Families looking for a more family-friendly environment will surely enjoy a visit to Mystic Seaport, located a 20-minute drive away on the Connecticut coastline. This summer attraction contains more than 60 historic buildings, museums, historic vessels, shops, and an aquarium. Fans 1 Stadium Journey attended a Schooners game on a beautiful June Saturday afternoon early in the 2023 season. We estimated the crowd at about 100 fans. Since the Schooners are the secondary tenant at Dodd Stadium, their schedule is dotted with unusual noon weekday starts and other less desirable dates. Fans at Schooner games are typical of most summer league games in the area, with die-hard fans mixed in with families. With small crowds present in such a big facility, there is a ton of room for everyone to spread out and for the kids in attendance to chase down foul balls. Baseball purists will enjoy that you are able to hear all the chatter on the field. Access 3 Dodd Stadium’s location in the Norwich Industrial Park ensures that it is easy to get to via car, but also that driving is the only method to arrive at the ballpark. Visitors to Norwich will simply take exit 14 off Interstate 395 and follow the signs to the ballpark. Dodd Stadium is located about three miles from the highway through the industrial park. Parking is in a large gravel lot adjacent to the ballpark. Seating at Dodd Stadium is available in three forms: gray folding plastic stadium chairs, red molded bucket seats and metal bleachers with backs. A wide concourse runs atop the seating bowl and offers views of the field from all points except for directly behind home plate. Berms cap the end of the concourse on both sides, with a party deck located in left field and a gazebo in right field. Fans arriving early can stake a claim to the Adirondack chairs atop the right field berm. The rest rooms are clean and more than adequate for the typical Schooners crowd. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are sold as general admission for ten dollars. Parking is free in the large lot adjacent to the stadium. Concession prices are reasonable, with no item costing more than ten dollars. The Schooners have a merchandise table set up near the entrance to the ballpark, where in addition to your typical hats and t-shirts, fans can purchase a growler of one of the team’s signature beverages. Extras 1 An extra point is awarded for the Schooners Beverage Company, an out-of-the-box idea to help support the team that has become quite a success in its own right, with several flavors of beverages that can be found at retailers throughout the area. With flavors ranging from lemonade and iced tea to raspberry and coffee cola, there’s something for everyone and definitely worth a try while you’re in the area. Final Thoughts It’s tough being a secondary tenant in any facility, just ask the Los Angeles Clippers. It’s even tougher when you are a team who struggles to attract fans. While Dodd Stadium is a massive step-up facility-wise for the Schooners, the improvement in home field hasn’t translated to an improvement in attendance or game day atmosphere. Yet. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Andy Mantsch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Valley Children's Stadium Bulldog Ln Fresno, CA 93740 Fresno State Bulldogs website Valley Children's Stadium website Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 41,031 The Biggest Show in Town Editor's Note: The stadium name changed from Bulldog Stadium to Valley Children's Stadium in July, 2022. They were the underdog BCS Buster before being the underdog BCS Buster was cool. Before Boise State, before Northern Illinois, before TCU and before UCF there was Fresno State. Boasting the motto “Anybody, anytime, anywhere,” Fresno State challenged the likes of Southern Cal, UCLA, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, and Virginia, and often won. Bulldog Stadium in Fresno gets its fair share of big name opponents with a bigger-than-average-mid-major program. Bulldog Stadium opened in 1980 as Fresno State football’s home stadium, as well as the host of the now defunct California Bowl. Current capacity is 41,031, which easily makes it the biggest show in town in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. Fresno is the 5th largest city in California at over 500,000 people, so there are plenty of fans in the area to draw from. The sunken bowl stadium is known to be one of the louder mid-major stadiums in the country, and with good reason. Food & Beverage 4 Bulldog Stadium is packed with different food options, mostly located at either end zone. All of your normal food options can be found around the concourse, but the north end zone is where the unique variety can be found. There you’ll find soft serve ice cream, foot long corn dogs, funnel cake, chili dogs, polish sausage, garlic fries, monster taquitos, deep-pit barbeque and absolutely delicious nachos. Most of the food falls in the $5 to $7 range, so it’s all reasonably priced. Bottled water or soda cost $3-$4 with refillable souvenir cups costing $6 ($3 per refill). Alcohol is not sold in Bulldog Stadium. Atmosphere 4 Bulldog Stadium isn’t exactly a premier college football stadium in the country, but for a mid-major it’s got a lot of positives. Upon first approach it appears to be a much smaller venue, but this is because it’s sunken into the ground with lighting that extends horizontally over the field as opposed to straight up. This gives Bulldog Stadium its unique character. It also means you enter the stadium from the top and descend into the bowl as you approach your seats. The tailgating scene is impressive and the fans are much louder than their numbers. It’s not going to rival the elite programs in the nation so a fifth star would be unattainable, but the scene more than holds its own against any mid-major program in the country. The party outside the stadium is very organized with large tents and plenty of food…and of course plenty of beverages. There are plenty of activities going on during the game that involve a lot of fan participation. The band and the student section are also very involved, so the atmosphere overall is very festive. I can only imagine how much better the atmosphere is when the stadium is completely full. On the occasion of my visit, the Bulldogs were off to a rocky start for the year, so although the crowd was loud, Bulldog Stadium was only at about 75% capacity. Neighborhood 3 Three stars seem about right for an area that gets mixed reviews across the board. Fresno itself is somewhere I wouldn’t want to spend a lot of time, but the area immediately around campus is on the fringe of Clovis. Clovis is a quiet community northeast of Fresno that has plenty of hotel and dining options. Because of the distance from the ocean, things are more reasonably priced in the Fresno/Clovis area than they are in the coastal California cities. For dining options, the clear favorite is the Dog House Grill just south of campus. The tri-tip sandwich there is a California delicacy. There are also several excellent Thai and Mexican options in the immediate area. Further north in Clovis is the Sequoia Brewing Company where you can find craft beer and good food on tap. Of course, it’s college football, so you probably could also just partake in the excellent tailgating in the area. Fans 3 The “Red Wave” may not be able to compare with the Michigans or Alabamas of the world, but for the size of the program they are more than strong enough to warrant a solid rating. The tailgate extends for blocks around the stadium, where locals are cooking up chimichangas and sausages. Once they arrive at the game they may not fill the stands, but they are loud regardless. There is a bit of an issue with fans arriving late, but despite that they clearly rank in the upper echelon of non-power conferences. I teetered between 3 and 4 stars on this one and settled on a high 3 stars, mostly because of the inability to sell out for a big Friday night game. But those that come are passionate and loyal, so the stars earned are well deserved. Access 3 Again, this falls just about average. Fresno State is located between the Yosemite and Sierra Freeways in northeastern Fresno. There are no major interstates in the immediate area, but Route 99 cuts through the San Joaquin Valley several miles to the west and is the only real way into and out of Fresno. There is some congestion around the stadium due to the tailgating scene and some closed roads, but nothing that will take particularly long to navigate. Parking around the stadium ranges from $5 to $20 depending on distance, but if you’re willing to hike you can find off-campus street parking about a mile from the stadium either south of Shaw Avenue or to the north in the residential neighborhoods. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to a Fresno State game can vary considerably in price depending on the opponent. Low range is around $20 with the upper range reaching between $50 and $70. Food prices are mid-range with a wide variety, but parking is a bit on the pricey side if you aren’t willing to walk. So overall, it’s right in line with what you should expect to pay for a solid college football experience. Extra 2 While the experience overall is strong, there’s not a whole lot of frills to award extra points. The unique stadium lighting? The extra food options? Overall, I’ll add points for the Red Wave and general hard-nosed attitude of the Fresno State fans. Final Thoughts Bulldog Stadium is a pretty solid venue from top to bottom. So next time you’re in Fresno throw on a red shirt and head to campus to join the Red Wave for some football.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Colorado State Stadium 751 W Pitkin St Fort Collins, CO 80521 Colorado State Rams website Canvas Stadium website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 41,200 Rams Football Finally Back on Campus The Colorado State Rams had waited nearly 50 years to play football on campus again, and on August 26, 2017, that dream finally became a reality with the opening of Canvas Stadium, a sprawling 17.5-acre multi-purpose venue in the heart of campus; Colorado State would go on to defeat Oregon State on opening day by a score of 58-27. Costing nearly $240 million to build, the stadium complex includes both an alumni center and an academic center, designed to bring faculty and students into the space year-round. In addition, the facility includes advising services for students, offers banquet spaces for use by CSU alums, and brings all of Colorado State’s football operations under one roof, with coach’s offices, training spaces, and even a full-size practice field next door to the stadium. Three other key features of the new stadium include the New Belgium Porch, a craft beer space behind the north end zone that will be open on non-event days (and is also one of the most coveted seating areas in the stadium), the Hall of Champions beneath the west grandstand, which showcases the history and achievements of the Colorado State football program, and perhaps most prominently, a 2,000-pound sculpture of two life-size rams butting heads, aptly named “Rocky Mountain Rumble”, located on the north side of the stadium; this 21-foot sculpture was crafted by the late Dawn Weimer, and took 5 years to create. Before moving to Canvas Stadium, the Rams played at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium, a slightly smaller venue located about four miles west of campus. The Ram’s original on-campus home was Colorado Field, a 12,000-seat facility which opened in 1912 – Colorado Field was torn down in 1972; the site is now the location of Jack Christiansen Track, home to CSU’s track-and-field teams. Food & Beverage 4 Canvas Stadium has a wide variety of food and beverage options available at its concessions stands; perhaps not everything you could ask for in terms of stadium fare, but enough to satisfy most tastes. Food options include burgers, chicken wraps, salads, pizza and cheesy bread from Marco’s, hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, fries, peanuts, kettle corn, and packaged candy; prices range from $3.50 for the smallest items to $10 for combo baskets. Drink options include coffee, hot cocoa, bottled water, fountain soda, fresh-squeezed and frozen lemonade, and of course, beer and wine. While beer is available both in bottles and on tap from the regular concessions stands all along the concourse, you can find many more craft beer options behind the north end zone on the New Belgium Porch. The New Belgium Porch offers standing room only, but is open to fans from all other sections; in fact, Canvas Stadium seems less full than it actually is, since so many fans move down from their regular sections to watch the game from the New Belgium Porch. Atmosphere 5 Canvas Stadium incorporates a beautiful mid-century modern design, from the Rams-logo elements interspersed along its exterior, to the mix of Colorado sandstone, metal panel, and glass materials that tie into the rest of the architecture on campus, to the wide-open plazas that function as outdoor terraces for year-round use. Be sure to take a walk all the way around the stadium before or after the game to see the breathtaking architecture, complete with plenty of greenery, so much so that it is easy to forget you are high in the Rocky Mountains. Also be sure to stop by the Hall of Champions, under the west stands, to see the many trophies and other items on display. Once you enter the stadium, be on the lookout for CAM the Ram, CSU’s live mascot who makes appearances at football games and other events on campus. CAM is an abbreviation of Colorado State University’s original name (Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical College), and he has a whole troop of handlers who help bring him onto the field during the game; CAM even has his own trailer, which is parked outside during the game by the east stands. Also be sure to get to the game early to watch the CSU Marching Band during pregame, where they spell out C-S-U and create other formations; the band looks smart in their white uniforms, complete with green-and-gold logo sleeves stretched across the bells of their tubas. Neighborhood 3 Located in the heart of Colorado State’s campus, Canvas Stadium is located near some on-campus housing. As such, there are lots of small quick-service type restaurants located within walking distance of the stadium, particularly along West Elizabeth Street near Moby Arena, home of CSU’s basketball teams. There are a couple of more substantial eateries within driving distance, however, such as Café Bluebird, which is open for breakfast and lunch, and The Lost Cajun, which features real Cajun cuisine such as beignets and gumbo (both of these restaurants are located northeast of campus). If you are going to be in town for the weekend, and are looking for something to do before or after the game, like many places west of the Mississippi the main attractions near Canvas Stadium are the natural and wildlife areas, worth exploring for their breathtaking scenery and fresh air. A couple such options are the Cache La Poudre River and the Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, both of which offer hiking and other activities. Fans 4 Fans at Canvas Stadium show up in force, and most are adorned in CSU colors, and are proud to be cheer on their team. While the new stadium doesn’t quite sell out, the team is seeing much bigger draws than they enjoyed at Hughes Stadium, both because of the improved facilities and because the on-campus location is more convenient for students; opening day drew a crowd of about 37,000, just shy of the stadium’s capacity of 41,000. I mentioned earlier that certain parts of the stadium seem empty, and this is mostly due to the fact that fans are allowed to use tickets from their regular seats to get onto the New Belgium Porch, and many fans can be seen watching the game from there. Technically only the first few rows of the north end zone are sold as standing-room-only seats; the rest of the fans in this area are from other sections, so even though the north end zone seems full, it doesn’t count toward capacity, since most of it isn’t “real” seats. Access 4 Getting to Canvas Stadium isn’t very difficult, except for the potentially long drive from the nearest airport or major city, as Ft. Collins could be considered a little off the beaten path. However, you should be able to easily find parking within a few blocks of the stadium for around $20, as long as you get there a little early (half an hour before the game or so). There are not any large lots to speak of, but plenty of residents and businesses rent out spaces in their private lots or driveways, and you can enter the stadium from any side. Once you get inside Canvas Stadium, however, be prepared for some long lines, especially during halftime, as there are a lot of people packed into a small concourse, particularly on the west side. There appear to be plenty of bathrooms, but perhaps not enough concessions stand to accommodate the crowd size; your best bet is actually to walk around to the south side or the east side (where the students are), as those sections are far less crowded than the “alumni stands” on the west. The Hall of Champions is also a great place to go to beat the crowds, as this area seems to be pretty deserted while the game is going on. The New Belgium Porch also empties out at the beginning of the fourth quarter (predictably), as beer sales end at that time. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to games at Canvas Stadium run about $40 for the general public, which is in line with prices at other similarly-sized college football venues. Given all the amenities provided at the new facility, for example the Hall of Champions, the New Belgium Porch, and the Rocky Mountain Rumble statue, not to mention the stadium design itself with all of the CSU elements built it, this is a great value. Furthermore, you may even be able to get tickets cheaper on the secondary market, since (so far) the new stadium is not quite selling out. Extras 5 The Colorado State Rams are a decent football team, with winning records over the past few seasons, although bowl game victories have been hard to come by of late. Nevertheless, the beautiful, brand-new stadium provides a big incentive for football fans to make the trek to Ft. Collins; the university has pulled out all the stops to make this a great atmosphere for college football, and your visit to Canvas Stadium will not disappoint.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Holman Stadium 67 Amherst St Nashua, NH 03063 Nashua Silver Knights website Holman Stadium website Year Opened: 1937 Capacity: 4,000 Historic Holman Stadium Holman Stadium, in the southern New Hampshire city of Nashua, hosted the first integrated team in baseball’s modern era. As members of the Nashua Dodgers, Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe played at Holman Stadium in 1946. In addition to serving as home to the Dodgers’ single-A team in the 1940s, Holman Stadium hosted the Angels’ and Pirates’ AA Eastern League teams in the ’80s. The stadium is named for Charles Frank Holman, who contributed $55,000 towards the building of the ballpark, which was constructed under the auspices of the WPA during the Great Depression. The facility was originally used for both baseball and football and was dedicated to the youth and people of Nashua in memory of Holman’s parents. Affiliated ball left Holman Stadium with the Pirates in 1986, and a series of independent league teams passed through Nashua with varying levels of success throughout the 90s and 00s. In 2011 the Futures League, a summer wooden bat collegiate league, came calling with the Silver Knights. Nashua has quickly become the standard bearer of the circuit, winning six championships in the Future League’s twelve seasons. The Silver Knights are the lone remaining original Futures League franchise. Food & Beverage 4 Holman Stadium features a pretty basic concessions menu, but one which touches all the bases. There are two concession stands in the facility, one near the front entrance and one down the right field line. Both stands feature nearly identical menus, with burgers, hot dogs, and sausage and peppers sandwiches featured. Pretzels, chips, and popcorn are available for fans looking for snacks. The right field stand also serves chicken fingers and french fries. Coca-Cola products are featured at Holman Stadium. Fans looking for an adult beverage should be sure to check out the Dragon Slayer Tavern located right by the main entrance. In addition to the typical national brands, several local craft brews from Athletic, Burlington, Jack’s Abbey, 603, and Downeast Breweries. Busch Light drafts are half-priced on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In addition to the beer selection, wine, and mixed drinks can be purchased at Dragon Slayer. Atmosphere 3 Fans who have traveled the New England summer college ball circuit will know that the Futures League features a more elaborate game day presentation than their brethren in the Cape and New England Leagues. It’s more akin to a minor league game presentation, just scaled down for the smaller crowds and lesser amenities in place. Holman Stadium bills itself as “historic,” and here the moniker fits. Holman Stadium was home to the first integrated team in baseball’s modern era. The exterior of the stadium features murals of Don Newcome and Roy Campanella, who played for the Nashua Dodgers in 1946. There are jerseys honoring these players on the left field wall, and a plaque on the ground quoting Newcombe’s affinity for the city of Nashua near the entrance. The game day presentation is fairly typical here in Nashua. In a tradition that dates to the beginning of the Silver Knights, the entire Silver Knights team, interns included, joins together on the field and dances to David Guetta’s “Love is Gone” in the middle of the sixth inning. Neighborhood 4 Located in a largely residential area, there’s not a whole lot in the way of dining or lodging options right around Holman Stadium, but there are many options for visiting fans just a short drive from the ballpark. Downtown Nashua is about a mile from Holman Stadium down by the banks of the Merrimack River. The area features a variety of shops, restaurants, and scenic architecture. Several excellent brew pubs are located in the downtown area. It’s a great place to walk around during the warm summer months of the baseball season. The tourist attractions of the White Mountains are located a couple of hours north of Nashua. Holman Stadium is located adjacent to Amherst Street Elementary School, and there are basketball courts, tennis courts, a little league field, and a swimming pool on the grounds of the ballpark. Fans 3 Nashua annually ranks somewhere in the middle of the Futures League attendance rankings with about 1,500 fans per game. The crowds here in southern New Hampshire are typical of other teams in the area, with a mix of locals, die-hards, families, and people with connections to the players. With Futures League rosters made up primarily of players with New England ties, there are lots of friends and family in attendance. Some of the fans of the Silver Knights have been coming to Holman Stadium since the days of the independent Pride. You can still hear the cowbells in Nashua after a big play, or the drum being beaten by one of the team’s superfans out in the left-field stands. Access 4 Nashua is a small city of just under 90,000 residents located 45 miles northwest of Boston on the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border. The city straddles the Merrimack River, which gave the city the bulk of its industrial past through the textile industry. The city has rebounded quite nicely from the exodus of manufacturing jobs, capitalizing on the region’s economic expansion as part of the greater Boston region. Nashua has twice been named the “Best Place to Live in America” by Money Magazine. Getting to Holman Stadium is very easy. It is located on Amherst Street, about a mile from Route 3. Take exit 7A and follow Amherst Street to the ballpark, which will be on your left. There is ample parking in the lot next to the field. Fans enter Holman Stadium onto an outdoor concourse. Immediately to your right will be a concession stand, with the Dragon Slayer Tavern to your left. There is more than enough room to get around during a typical Silver Knights game. Fans enter the seating area, which stretches from first base around to third base, through several vomitories. There is a wide walkway separating the upper and lower levels. Fans may want to pick seats a few rows up if sitting on the upper level to avoid the traffic passing in front of them. The nets are strung in front of the entire seating bowl at Holman Stadium. Access to the picnic area in right field can be had by a stairway at the end of the seating area, or by simply walking around the back of the grandstand and down the hill to the picnic area. Several tables are located here, as well as an additional concession stand. The left field area features more picnic tables, a basketball court, and a bouncy house. Fans requiring handicapped access will have no problem navigating Holman Stadium’s wide walkways and concourse. There are two sets of bathrooms here, which are more than large enough to accommodate the typical Silver Knights crowd. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Silver Knights games cost ten dollars for general admission seating. Parking is free in the lot adjacent to the ballpark. Concessions are affordable and in line with other small ballparks in the area. Overall, a night at a Silver Knights game is a most affordable entertainment option for southern New Hampshire baseball fans. Extras 3 Holman Stadium embraces its history as home to the first integrated baseball team in the United States. Murals of Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe adorn the exterior of the ballpark. Retired numbers honoring Campanella, Newcombe, and Jackie Robinson hang on the short brick wall in left field. Fans visiting Nashua may want to head downtown to see the mural honoring the first integrated team in the United States, located near city hall. In addition, the Holman Stadium Hall of Fame honors significant persons in Nashua sports history. Even the seats at Holman Stadium have an interesting story. All the seats in the ballpark came to Nashua from Atlanta’s Fulton County Stadium when Holman was renovated in 1998. Final Thoughts Holman Stadium is a quaint ballpark that has likely seen the end of its days as a professional facility. With Northeast Delta Dental Stadium located 20 minutes to the north and LaLacheur Park located 20 minutes to the south, there are just not enough fans for affiliated ball in the area. The Futures League has given new life to several other New England ballparks that otherwise would have faded into history. Seven of the eight teams in the circuit play in ballparks that used to house pro teams but have seen them leave for newer, more modern parks. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Fifth Third Bank Stadium 3200 George Busby Pkwy Kennesaw, GA 30144 Atlanta United 2 website Fifth Third Bank Stadium website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 8,300 The Proving Ground The state of Georgia’s third largest university also plays host to Atlanta’s top USL affiliate due to its proximity to the parent team’s training facility being located just five miles away in Marietta, GA. ATL UTD 2 has played its home matches at Fifth Third Bank Stadium at Kennesaw State University since 2019. The stadium is in the KSU Sports and Entertainment Park, which is located off campus from the main academic campus by approximately 2 miles. The Sports and Entertainment Park is managed by an outside entity, which allows it to seek outside groups, musical and athletic organizations and nonprofits to use the venue when it is not scheduled for use by the KSU football, lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer programs. Funds generated by these outside groups help defray some of the costs involved in operating the athletic department at KSU. Fifth Third Bank Stadium opened in 2010, and its first use was as the home stadium for KSU’s lacrosse and men’s and women’s soccer programs (Kennesaw State did not have a football program until 2015). Another early tenant of the stadium was the Atlanta Beat, a member of the Women’s Professional Soccer League, which played in the stadium from 2010-2012. The stadium is very modernistic in design with all seating bowl completely located below the entry/concourse level of the facility. The stadium has 8,300 seats, along with a yellow, black and white color scheme (KSU’s team colors). No seating is more than more than 20 rows from the pitch, providing an excellent view of the action. Food & Beverage 4 There are three concession stands servicing the seating areas. Two serve the western stands, while the third services the crowd sitting in the stands at the south end of the pitch. They can get congested at halftime, so you may want to do a quick pick up shortly before the half ends. There are some specialized food carts along the course with limited food choices but quick service. Menus at the stands include brats ($6), pork sandwiches ($8), hot dogs ($4), burgers ($8), pretzels ($4), pizza slices ($6) and tater tots ($4). Snack items include popcorn ($4), peanuts ($5) and candy ($4). You may also want to check out the Atlanta-based King of Pops cart, which has a wide variety of unique flavored popsicles for $4. Beverages include Coca-Cola brand sodas ($4), bottled water ($3) and sweet tea ($3). Because the stadium is not on college property it is allowed to sell alcoholic beverages. Domestic beers are $7 and craft beers are available for $8. Atmosphere 4 Fifth Third Stadium features a very contemporary design that projects a very low profile at street level. From the outside all you see is a one-story structure featuring the KSU colors of white, black and yellow. The ticket windows are to the left of the structure with the central portion featuring the main breezeway. It is only once inside that you can see the benefit to this design. The stadium concourse is at street level with concession stands, the team store and restrooms located at this level. All seats on the west side of the stadium are below the concourse and are near the pitch. This provides an excellent view of the action as no seat is more than 20 rows from all the action. There is simply no bad seat in the house. The stadium features individual seats throughout the venue, which is unusual in an era when venues typically have aluminum benches. The stadium seats are wider than found in most stadiums, creating greater fan comfort throughout the game. A 1350 square foot Daktronics video board is in the north end zone, providing replays of key plays and constant updates on the statistical side of the game. Neighborhood 3 The immediate area surrounding the stadium is made up of the KSU Sports and Entertainment Park. This park is designed to serve both the intercollegiate and the intermural of Kennesaw State’s athletic and student recreation needs, while also serving as a community park for the neighboring area. The Sports and Entertainment Park includes seven athletic fields, a track and field complex, a mile long walking trail and a nine-acre lake. Beyond the Sports and Entertainment Park are a wide variety of restaurants, lodging facilities and shops along Chastain Road. The 1.5 million square foot Town Center Mall is located just a mile south of the stadium, and can be accessed via a walking trail network that crisscrosses the area. There are more than 175 stores at Town Center Mall. Restaurants in the area include Tin Lizzy’s, Marlow’s Tavern and just about every fast food franchise you can think of. Lodging along Chastain Road includes the Comfort Inn at KSU, and the Hampton Inn-Kennesaw. History buffs may want to visit a pair of Civil War related sites just west of the KSU main campus on the west side of I-75. The town of Kennesaw has an excellent Civil War exhibit next to the railroad crossing on Big Shanty Road. The Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is hard to miss as the mountain looms over the KSU campus. The battlefield was a very strategic part of the Battle of Atlanta, as the mountain’s height provided a clear view of Atlanta for the invading Union army. There are also more than 30 miles of hiking, biking and walking trails within this immense park. Fans 3 Fifth Third Stadium is the first multipurpose stadium built in a suburban location in the Atlanta area. This has been proven to be a very successful move for both ATL UTD 2 as well as the many other events held at the venue. Cobb County is a hotbed for youth soccer and all the county schools have soccer programs. The youth market is a major part of the team’s fan base and each game the stadium recognizes teams in attendance on the video board. A second group in the team’s fan base are members of the main Atlanta United’s supporter groups who live in the suburbs. They bring their MLS level of energy, chants and tifo’s to the USL level. Supporter groups have their own designated seating area in the end zone area, allowing them to stand the whole game without blocking the view of other fans at the game. The third component of the fan base are simply sports fans who live in the suburbs and do not want to fight the Atlanta traffic in order to see a major league sports event. They are still learning the game and enjoy the free parking and low ticket prices for ATL UTD 2. Access 4 Fifth Third Bank Stadium is located about 8 miles north of the I-285 perimeter highway that encircles the Atlanta area. It is located directly off I-75 at the Chastain Road exit (#271). Coming from the north: Take I-75 South to the Chastain Road exit. Turn left onto Chastain Road. Proceed to the red light at George Busbee Parkway and turn right. The Black and Gold parking areas will be on your right as you approach the stadium, which is at the end of Busbee Parkway. From the south: Take I-75 North to Chastain Road exit. Turn right on Chastain Road and follow the directions above to the parking lots and the stadium. Once you reach the stadium there are four entry gates to choose from. Gates open one hour prior to the game. All tickets are digital so have your phones ready. ATL UTD 2 uses only the stands at the end of the pitch and the western stands of the stadium. This is sufficient to seat the crowds that attend the soccer games. It also keeps fans from the east stands, which would be looking directly into the sun for late afternoon and early evening games. Return on Investment 5 A night out at an ATL UTD 2 game provides an excellent return on your investment. Tickets are priced at $20, no matter where the seat is located in the stadium. Parking is free in the Black or Gold parking lots located just across the street. The concession prices are very reasonable. Most fans are from the local area, but fans from the visiting team can find lodging along nearby Chastain Road in the $90-$130 range per night. Extras 2 Among the other events the Fifth Third Bank Stadium has hosted are the Shaky Boots Country Music Festival, the Owl-O-Ween Balloon Festival (Kennesaw State teams are known as the Owls), the MLL National Championship Game, Atlanta Blaze lacrosse games, the Georgia State High School Soccer Championships. The stadium is designed to be easily expandable as the popularity of the various events grows. The visitor’s side (east stands) can be double decked and the end zones have room for expansion as well. This would still preserve the intimate nature of the venue. Final Thoughts Fifth Third Band and the Sports and Entertainment Park were a gamble when they were built by Kennesaw State University in 2010. It has been an investment that has paid great dividends, as the stadium and the adjoining sports park are in use by both professional teams and teams coming from the local community. It has successfully sponsored music festivals and other events that go far beyond the KSU educational community. The development at KSU was closely monitored by the Atlanta Braves, who eventually also relocated to the suburbs and built Truist Park and its Battery live/work/play area. Although these were considered unusual moves at the time, nobody is questioning those decisions now.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Red Wilson Field 210 Station Ave. South Yarmouth, MA 02664 Y-D Red Sox Website Red Wilson Field website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 5,500 The Cape’s Red Sox The Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox play their home games at Merrill “Red” Wilson Field, located on the campus of Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School. Mr. Wilson is a Cape Cod Hall of Famer and a long-time educator at D-Y High School. The field has played host to the Cape League All-Star game three times. In addition, Wilson Field was featured in the movie “Summer Catch”. Baseball in the towns of Yarmouth and Dennis date all the way back to the early days of the Cape League, when the Yarmouth Indians won championships in 1958 and 1960. The Red Sox have won eight Cape League Championships in the modern era of the league, which began in 1963. Notable alumni include baseball Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, Buster Posey, Chris Sale and Kirk McCaskill. 2023 is the 100th season for the Cape Cod Baseball League. Over its century of play, over 1500 Cape alumni have played in the Major Leagues, including several Hall of Famers. Food & Beverage 5 There is a small building on the right field side of Red Wilson Field that contains the concessions at a Y-D Red Sox game. This small stand puts out a surprising variety and quantity of food night after night. All your ballpark standards can be found at a Y-D Red Sox game, including hot dogs, burgers, sausage sandwiches and pizza slices. Chili can be added to the above items, or selected as a side on its own. Since we’re on Cape Cod, local favorite Captain Parker’s legendary clam chowder can be found here too. If you’re looking for a snack, the concession stand has you covered. Nachos, pretzels, peanuts, chips (Cape Cod brand chips, naturally) and even hummus are all on the menu, along with assorted novelty ice cream treats. Should there be a long line at the concession stand, there’s a secondary stand that sells only treats. Bottles of Coca-Cola products are featured at Red Wilson Field. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at this high school field. The big concession news in Y-D for the 2023 season is the return of the legendary donut burger, which was such a popular item you can now find imitations throughout the minor leagues. It all began here at Red Wilson Field. You can choose your burger with a donut in place of a traditional bun. For $10 you can choose between the Triple Play Burger (glazed donut), the Hurler (jelly donut) or the screamer (boston cream). All burgers come with chips on the side. If you plan to order one, do so early. They are in high demand. Atmosphere 3 Even by the laid-back, old-timey standards of the Cape League, the Y-D Red Sox set the bar for traditional game day presentation. There is no piped-in, pre-recorded music during a Red Sox game. No walk-up songs, no between-inning shenanigans, just a PA announcer making lineup and sponsor announcements at the appropriate times. Any noise generated at a Red Sox game comes from the crowd, not that you’ll hear a great deal of noise, anyway. This just isn’t the place for a rowdy atmosphere. The Cape League ballparks have a definite neighborhood feel to them, and Red Wilson Field is no different. There’s a simple scoreboard in left field that displays the line score and basic game information. This is definitely baseball presented as it used to be. Much of the entertainment at Red Wilson Field comes from watching the many children in attendance chase down foul balls. There is lots of room around the field for younger fans to play catch or otherwise expend some energy when not taking in the action. If a foul ball lands near you, get ready for the oncoming horde! Neighborhood 4 Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School is located in a residential area, and there is little to see or do within walking distance of the ballpark. However, just a short drive away is Route 28, where out of town visitors will find much more of interest. Many restaurants, hotels, ice cream parlors, shops and mini-golf courses line this stretch of road through Yarmouth and Dennis. A couple of notable restaurants near Red Wilson Field are Captain Parker's Pub and The Skipper Restaurant and Chowder House. Of course, the Cape is best known as a tourist destination, and there is plenty around to satisfy any visitor to the area. Top notch golf courses, fantastic beaches, and world-class resorts are all nearby. If you travel to the area during the summer, be sure to give yourself extra time to get around, as it gets crowded on the Cape in July and August. There are only so many roads to go around in these small towns. Fans 3 The Y-D Red Sox generally rank in the lower half of the Cape League in terms of attendance, averaging in the neighborhood of 1,000 fans per game. As is the case with all teams in this league, crowds start small in June and pick up as the tourist season progresses through July and August. If you are a fan who prefers to avoid traffic and crowds, get out to the Cape early in the season. Fans at Red Wilson Field are similar to those at parks throughout the league. It’s a great mix of locals, families and tourists enjoying a ballgame on a summer evening. As mentioned earlier, this is not the place to get rowdy and make a spectacle of yourself. Fans on the Cape are here to watch future Major League stars. Great plays from both teams are applauded and sportsmanship rules the day. Access 4 Red Wilson Field is very easy to get to. Simply take exit 75 (Station Ave.) off of Route 6 and follow Station Ave southbound for just over a mile. D-Y High School will appear on your left, with the ball field located behind the school. Driving is the primary method to arrive at Wilson Field, as no bus routes directly serve the area around the high school. Seating at Red Wilson Field is in the form of several sets of small metal bleachers which surround the field. There is a building which houses the concessions and rest rooms down the first base line. The first floor of the press box behind home plate doubles as a team store, with a great deal of team and league merchandise available for purchase. Stadium Journey recommends that you bring your own lawn chair or blanket and take advantage of the great deal of open space at Red Wilson Field. There are spots to set up shop behind home plate and down both foul lines, where you can pull your chair right up to the edge of the field. A popular spot from which to take in the action is from atop a small hill in shallow left field right next to the Red Sox bullpen. Get to Red Wilson Field early, as the prime spots fill up quickly. The grounds at Wilson field are nicely manicured, with shade trees and areas for the kids to roam. However, there are no paved paths around the ballpark, so fans with an unsteady gait should tread carefully. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Red Sox games is free of charge. The team will happily accept any donation you can give, and in return they will give you a lineup sheet and a nice program. Parking is free in the high school lot adjacent to the field. There are more than enough spots here to accommodate any size crowd, just don’t park too close to the field, or you may find your windshield busted by a stray foul ball. Add in affordable concessions, and it is hard to top the value of a night at the Y-D Red Sox. Extras 2 With Cape Cod located about an hour from Boston, it’s fitting that one of the teams would take up the Red Sox nickname. The team has traditionally worn identical uniforms as the Boston Red Sox, with a nod to the Chicago White Sox logo on the team’s hat. For the 2023 season the team is wearing a more modern look. Adding to the neighborhood feel of Red Wilson Field is the strong community support enjoyed in Y-D. The team runs a nightly 50/50 raffle, where not just half the pot is given out, but over a dozen other prizes as well, including ferry passes to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Canal Cruises and gift certificates from local vendors. Final Thoughts The Cape League is considered by many to be the premier summer wood-bat league in the country. In 2022, 377 Cape League alumni played in the major leagues. That accounts for close to one out of every six major leaguers. When taking in a game on the Cape, it’s guaranteed that you will be watching several future major leaguers-for free! If you are a baseball purist, the Cape Cod League is certainly a bucket list destination. The quality of play on the diamond is high, the price is low, the fans are friendly and the atmosphere harkens back to a different time. The close proximity of the teams makes it possible to visit several, if not all, of the teams in about a week. Bring your lawn chair and watch several future major leaguers up close – it doesn’t get any better than this! Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Miami-Dade Arena 601 Biscayne Boulevard Miami, FL 33132 Miami Heat website Miami-Dade Arena website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 19,600 The Heat Is On This 2019-2020 season marks the 20th Anniversary of the Miami Heat (or HEAT as preferred by the team) in their present home at AmericanAirlinesArena (that is the official stylized name and not a misspelling on our part) along Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami. The arena opened on December 1999, with a concert by local star Gloria Estefan. The arena has a capacity of 19,600, including 2,105 club seats, 80 luxury suites and 76 private boxes. The arena seating bowl has a definite Heat theme, as it features a cascade of red and orange colors. The scoreboard is also very distinctive, not for its size, but for its interpretation of the sun with rays of light extending from the interior. Note: The arena name changed to Kaseya Center in April 2023. Food & Beverage 5 Miami is a melting pot of cultures with a heavy influence of Latin and Caribbean populations. This is certainly reflected in the food and concessions program at AmericanAirlinesArena. The facility offers 36 different vendors with 77 locations spread out through the arena. Several stands offer the standard arena fare. These include Chicken Ciao (chicken tenders), Prime Grill (burgers, grilled chicken), Papa John’s (pizza), Downtown Dogs (hot dogs), Family Fare (typical arena fare in child size portions) and Healthy Fit (veggie burgers, salads and gluten free foods). Local and more ethnically diverse dishes are available at PB Burgers (gourmet burgers), Bodega Taqueria y Tequila (Mexican street food), Sergio’s Cuban Café’ and Grill (Cuban Cuisine), Miami Smoker’s BBQ, The Blue Iguana Tequila Bar, Kuenko (salmon, tuna and veggie bowls) and Baja Bao (Asian fusion). AmericanAirlinesArena is experimenting with cashless commerce in certain areas of the arena. Purchasers can use their credit or debit cards only at these sites. It is hoped to speed up the lines. Atmosphere 5 The HEAT is by far the most successful franchise in South Florida since the club was founded in 1988. They have won the NBA titles on three occasions (2006, 2012 and 2013), been Conference Champions five times and Division Champions 13 times . Today they are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the NBA. Attending a HEAT game is as much of a social occasion as attending a basketball game. While seeing the red-hot HEAT compete on the court, you are just as likely to be seeing an “A List” of celebrities sitting courtside. While the sight lines to the court are excellent, the social amenities offered at AmericanAirlinesArena are just as impressive. There is a plaza located on the east side of the arena, which overlooks Biscayne Bay and features a bar and plenty of tables and chairs to enjoy socializing before, during and after the game. You will feel the Miami vibe before you ever enter the arena, as it features the white exterior and large amounts of glass that are so prevalent in the architecture in the South Florida area. Its location overlooking Biscayne Bay also adds to the uniqueness of the space, as very few NBA arenas feature a waterfront view. AmericanAirlinesArena features seating for the general public in the 100, 200, and 400 levels of the facility, with the 200-level serving as the club and luxury suites level of the seating bowl. The 400 level of seats are only found in the end zone area of the seating bowl. Neighborhood 4 The home of the HEAT is in downtown Miami along beautiful Biscayne Bay. It is surrounded by several developments such as the Bayside Marketplace entertainment and shopping complex and a wide variety of hotels featuring dramatic views of the bay. The Frost Museum of Science is located virtually next door. South Beach and its lively club and bar scene are just a short drive across the causeway from the arena. Speaking of driving, traffic is also the main drawback to the area, as it is congested night and day, regardless of whether there is an event going on or not. The city’s MetroRail system can help you avoid the gridlock and will also allow you to avoid the high parking fees in the area. Fans 5 South Florida sports fans have been starved for a winning program as the Dolphins, Marlins, Panthers and the University of Miami programs have been a disappointment in recent years. They have found a consistent winner in the HEAT and support the team with a passion. They are loud, and they proudly wear the HEAT colors to every game. The noise in the arena can be deafening at times, as the crowd becomes the “sixth man” on the court during scoring streaks or when the team needs to make a defensive stand. In addition to the game, fans come for the social aspect of the event as well. HEAT games are a party, with DJ’s on hand to keep the music going, celebrity sightings abound, and high fashion is the dress code for the night. The fans love to mingle in the many social areas built into the arena. Access 3 While there is a Biscayne Boulevard exit directly off I-395 near the arena, an automobile is typically the worst way to access AmericanAirlinesArena. The arena itself only has parking dedicated to season ticket holders. The nearest large lot to the arena is found at the Bayside Marketplace, which charges a small fortune for its spaces, as do the other lots in the area. Traffic is always heavy on Biscayne Boulevard, as the presence of Biscayne Bay on its eastern side rules out any other routes to reach the arena from the east or the south. For more info on MetroRail go to www.8.miamidade.gov/trainspotation/metrorail.page. Fortunately, the city of Miami offers a public transit system designed to get you to the AmericanAirlinesArena both swiftly and economically. Simply take the MetroRail train to the Government Center Station ($2.25 fare) and transfer to the MetroMover Omni Loop (free of charge) taking it to the Park West Station. From there, simply cross Biscayne Boulevard to the arena. The HEAT also has a partnership with the Uber ridesharing service. Return on Investment 4 There are general pricing ranges for each level of the seating bowl. The HEAT uses a dynamic pricing program that changes for games featuring the more popular opponents. The 400 level seats list price at $15 – $30, the 300 level seats go for between $50 and $80 and 100 level seats go for $80 or more depending on location near the court. Concession prices are above average for an NBA arena. The parking situation makes this an unattractive option, as the parking lots surrounding the arena can charge $40 or more on event nights. A much cheaper option is to take the MetroRail / Metromover combo which will cost you only $2.25 each way and deliver you a block from the arena. Extras 5 AmericanAirlinesArena is the correct spelling of the arena’s name. This is to set it apart from several other arenas that have naming rights with the airline, such as the arena in Dallas that serves as the home of the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Stars. Among the other events that have taken place at the AmericanAirlinesArena are both WCW and UFC matches, the MTV Video Music Awards and concerts by Cher, Britney Spears, Shakira, Adele, Katy Perry and many more. AmericanAirlinesArena only trails the Staples Center in LA and Madison Square Garden in New York City for the number of celebrity sightings in its courtside seats. The team holds a Noche Latina Night and dons their El HEAT jerseys each season in recognition of the support it receives from the Hispanic community. The rafters of the arena are filled with banners recognizing the team’s various championship years, as well as celebrating the careers of Chris Bosh, Tim Hardaway, Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning with their retired jersey numbers. Banners also recognize HEAT players who have won gold medals in the Olympic Games. Final Thoughts American Airlines has decided not to renew their naming rights agreement which expires December 31, 2019. At the time of this review the arena was still known as AmericanAirlinesArena. A new naming rights partner has not been identified yet. Regardless of the name on the building, the facility is one of the most unique arenas in the NBA, both architecturally and its promotion of the local team’s brand. It embraces the Latin heritage found in the Miami area, both through its concessions program and the music played during lulls in the action. The HEAT are the most successful sports franchise in the South Florida area and a trip to a basketball game at the facility makes a great evening addition while vacationing in Miami.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Milton Wheeler Field 432 County Dr Hattiesburg, MS 39401 William Carey Crusaders website Milton Wheeler Field website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 498 Welcome to Baseburg, Mississippi Baseburg is a fitting nickname for the baseball-loving city of Hattiesburg – the Hub City has won more Dixie Youth World Series than any other city in the country, and in 2023 will host the Dixie Youth World Series. Additionally, year in and year out the Southern Miss Golden Eagles are one of the top teams in the country. Playing in front of packed houses at beautiful Pete Taylor Park, it's easy to see why this is one of the top baseball programs in the country; with a trip to Omaha in 2009 and countless regional appearances, most people think the Golden Eagles rule the roost in the Hub City. But there is a 'little brother' about 3 miles down the road, that also has an impressive list of accomplishments, that being William Carey University. Nicknamed the Crusaders, the small, private Baptist school has competed in the Southern State Athletic Conference of NAIA since the 2010-11 school year, after competing in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference since 1981. Since the start of the Carey baseball team in 1955 the Crusaders have become a national powerhouse in baseball every year – as of 2023 the Crusaders have won 20 conference championships, advanced to NAIA Regionals 26 times, played in 4 NAIA College World Series, and won a national championship in 1969. The college originally moved to Hattiesburg from Poplarville, MS as a women's college, in 1906. The school became co-ed in 1954 and changed its name to William Carey College, named after the Christian missionary. Despite the small school nature of the college, it is quite large compared to most of the schools in the conference, with an enrollment of 3,200 and spread out over 120 acres in a neighborhood in south Hattiesburg. Food & Beverage 2 There is one small concession stand at the main entrance; the basics are sold here, with prices about average. Hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, peanuts, and candy round out the menu, with bottled Coke products as the soft drinks provided. The one plus is the fact that they have a grill set up behind the concession stand, cooking the hot dogs and hamburgers fresh. Atmosphere 4 The Crusaders play on campus at Milton Wheeler Field, which opened in 2006, replacing a smaller field located on the property. The beautiful ballpark is a part of the Larry W. Kennedy Sports Complex, which also includes the Joseph and Nancy Fail Softball Complex and a beach volleyball court. Named after a long-time President of the University, the sports complex was dedicated in 2007. The Crusaders play at one of the finest facilities in all of NAIA – when you enter the grounds you walk right under a large brick archway that has the name of the sports complex, with the ticket office located underneath. For weekend games they have a tent set up at the main entrance selling William Carey merch. As you enter you walk up a paved sidewalk with the softball field to the right and Milton Wheeler Field to the left. When the softball field and baseball field were built, they were built as mirror images of each other, so they look exactly alike. A large brick building that houses the press box, one suite, and the concessions looms over the baseball field. A small plaque with all the members of the 1969 National Championship team hangs on the brick press box as you walk up, as well as a plaque dedicated to Milton Wheeler, a long-time professor at the University. The field is sunken into the ground, so when you walk up on the concourse you then walk down to your seat. The field faces southeast, and behind home plate is a nice little grandstand that extends down the first and third base lines; the grandstand has 318 red chairback seats and 180 metal bleacher seats. The concourse on the first baseline features three picnic tables with umbrellas, from which you can view the action on the field. Milton Wheeler Field also has a small-town feel to it, as along the outfield are wall signs for all the local Hattiesburg businesses, while the view beyond the outfield is hundreds of tall virgin pine trees, found throughout south Mississippi. Neighborhood 3 The William Carey campus is located in a residential neighborhood right down Highway 49 – there is one small bar called Shenanigans located the highway about a mile away, but other than that, there is nothing within walking distance of the college, so you'll have to go into town to see anything. Hattiesburg is a typical large college town, with plenty to do for all ages; there is a zoo nearby, a mall with plenty of shopping, and plenty of restaurants spread out throughout the city. If you are into the outdoors, the Okatoma River provides an excellent place for canoeing, while the Long Leaf Trace is a popular 44-mile trail that runs through the city. For places to stay there are a ton of hotels located closer to the interstate, and Paul B. Johnson State Park and the Elks Campground nearby remain popular spots for camping if you are coming to town for a weekend in the spring. Fans 4 Many of the Carey students live on campus, or the apartments right off campus. The Crusaders are also very competitive in baseball year in and year out, with the Crusaders constantly ranked in the NAIA Top 25 every year – the 2023 team ended up finishing the regular season ranked #12 in the country and advanced to the 2023 NAIA World Series in Idaho. This works out great for William Cary, as many of the students live nearby, and winning brings fans to games. It also helps that 'The Milt' is one of the nicest facilities at the conference, and could easily rival a small D1 college's facilities. It is hard to get an official attendance count, but I would say each game averages about 300-500 people. However, even though almost every game reaches the seating capacity, you should have no problem grabbing a seat in the chairbacks, as many people are scattered about the complex; you can even find many people standing on the concourse, particularly near the picnic tables. You can also find a good number of fans sitting down along the first and third base lines. For a small school, fans turn out and stay from start to finish – if you didn't know any better, you wouldn't know you were at an NAIA baseball game. Access 3 Hattiesburg is conveniently located less than an hour and a half from New Orleans, the Gulf Coast, Mobile, and Jackson, so getting here should be no problem. William Carey University is located right off Highway 49 about 3 miles south of the Southern Miss campus; the small campus is located in a neighborhood east of the main highway. You should have no problem finding a parking spot on campus, as there are plenty of parking lots available. Return on Investment 3 A lot of times they will not even charge for admission to baseball games. Unfortunately, though, at some games, they do charge for tickets, and it is hit or miss which games they will charge for. For most Saturday games they tend to charge, as well as on nights when the softball team is also playing at the same time. Regardless, ticket prices are reasonable, costing only $7 and you are free to sit wherever you want. Attending a game here is also a perfect experience for the baseball purist – it has a small-town, neighborhood feel where everyone knows everyone at the ballpark, and you are also getting to see some of the best small college baseball in the country. Extras 3 In over 60 years of baseball, William Carey has had 30 players drafted into MLB, with one player making it to ‘The Show’; in 1963 catcher John Stephenson wrapped up a four-year career at Carey, then went undrafted by the Mets in the 1963 Draft. By 1964 he had made the Met's opening day roster and was in the lineup for the first-ever game at Shea Stadium. Stephenson had a 10-year career in the big leagues for the Mets, Cubs, Giants, and Angels. On Sept 11, 1966, Stephenson was the starting catcher and batting mate for a rookie pitcher making his big league debut – that pitcher's name was Nolan Ryan. Stephenson would later coach the Crusaders from 1974-1985, and then Southeastern Louisiana from 1985-1990. The Crusaders are now coached by the legendary Bobby Halford, entering his 38th season as of 2023. Halford coached 8 seasons under John Stephenson before succeeding him in 1986. Halford holds a 61% win rate in over 2,000 games coached, and he also played at William Carey in the early 1970s. At the main entrance to the stadium, a small rock with his name inscribed sits with a makeshift garden constructed around it – this is a nice tribute to the legendary head coach. The small college would face its biggest test in the early morning of January 21, 2017, when an F-3 tornado ripped through South Hattiesburg and went right through the Carey campus. There were multiple injuries on campus, with all 59 buildings on campus receiving some sort of damage, including 6 that were destroyed. Milton Wheeler Field escaped with minimal damage other than some destroyed lights, forcing the Crusaders to play their first two months of games on the road and at various junior college ballparks. The Crusaders would have their second-best season ever that year, advancing to the NAIA College World Series and finishing third in the country that season. If you have time to walk around the campus before the game, you will see the campus buildings look new despite the college being over 100 years old – that is because many of the buildings have been renovated following the tornado; almost every building received a new roof after the tornado damage.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Muncy Bank Ballpark at Bowman Field 1700 W 4th St Williamsport, PA 17701 Williamsport Crosscutters website Muncy Bank Ballpark website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 2,366 Cutting it in Williamsport Historic Bowman Field, home to the Williamsport Crosscutters, opened in 1926 and is one of the oldest stadiums in baseball. Prior to the Williamsport Crosscutters losing their affiliated minor league status in 2020, it was the second oldest stadium in minor league baseball, and still claims to be, although of course that depends on how you define "minor league". Baseball has a rich history here at Bowman Field, with numerous teams calling it home over the years in the Eastern League and New York-Penn League. Beginning in 2021, the Crosscutters joined the MLB Draft League along with five other contracted minor league teams. The Draft League consists of draft eligible prospects looking to improve their stock. The most famous incident ever to take place at Bowman Field is the Great Potato Caper. In 1987, backup catcher Dave Bresnahan of the Williamsport Bills attempted to trick a Reading Phillies player by throwing a peeled and rounded potato over the head of the third baseman to entice the baserunner to run home. Bresnahan then tagged him with the ball that was still in his glove but the umpire was having none of it and ruled the runner safe due to the chicanery. Bresnahan was removed from the game and never played again, but became a hero in Williamsport and has received numerous honors and tributes over the years, many of which can be seen right here at Bowman Field. Beginning in 2017, Major League Baseball has played one regular season game here a year, the Little League Classic. Played every August while the Little League World Series is in town, the game is open exclusively to participating players, their families, and a small number of locals selected by lottery to attend. Food & Beverage 4 Walking into the entrance plaza at Bowman Field will put you directly in front of several concession stands. Unless you have a ticket to a picnic or party area, this is where you will get your food. The stadium has all of the usual offerings, including hot dogs, burgers, pizza, chicken tenders, and fries. More unique offerings include pulled pork and brisket sandwiches and turkey and ham subs. The snack menu is pretty typical as well, with popcorn, cotton candy, chips, Kettle corn, ice cream, and more. beer is available at a separate stand for those of age, and fans have the option of getting it in a souvenir team mug. Prices vary significantly here. A basic hot dog is $3, although fans can get one with chili and onions for $7. A burger ranges from $11-$13 depending on whether fans want cheese or bacon on it, although it is fairly sizeable for a ballpark burger. Ultimately you get what you pay for - the more unique or fancier food will cost more, and that is to be expected. Atmosphere 4 Williamsport does a great job of combining the historic and modern here at Bowman Field. Walking in will put you in an entrance plaza surrounded by food options. You will then walk up a ramp to the inner concourse ring surrounding the stadium, and up or down to your seat. Other than the picnic and party areas, all seats are chairbacks in a grandstand that runs from dugout to dugout. Thanks to recent renovations, all seats are now chairbacks, although they do not fold up. No matter where you sit, you will be up close to the action. All seats are behind a net, and the ones between the inner edge of the dugout and home plate also have netting above, making it impossible to catch a foul ball. The seats above the inner concourse are under an overhang reminiscent of many other old time ballparks. The team often plays sound effects and music over the PA system to keep fans engaged. After key outs or big defensive plays, they will often play a jingle that goes "Oh, down goes another/By the hands of a man called a Crosscutter". Fans seem to enjoy this song. There are also between inning contests and events, enough to keep fans interested but not so many that it becomes a distraction from the game. The most interesting one occurs at the end of the sixth inning. In honor of the Great Potato Caper, three costumed potatoes wearing hats of various colors will enter in right field and race around the warning track to home plate. They will then enter the crowd and mingle with the fans. In addition to the Racing Potatoes, the Crosscutters have a mascot named Boomer who is a blue creature of some sort. He is a fan favorite as well, and will ride his cart out on the field before the game to fire up the crowd in a similar manner to the Phillie Phanatic. Neighborhood 3 Bowman Field is located in a residential area and not much is located in the immediate vicinity other than some houses. Downtown Williamsport is a few miles away and offers the standard options you'd expect from a small town in Central Pennsylvania. New Trail Brewing Company is popular locally, and there are a few other options as well. What brings this score up significantly is what is across the Susquehanna River in South Williamsport - the world home of Little League Baseball. Although the Crosscutters typically go on the road while the Little League World Series is in town to avoid the massive traffic and crowds that accompany it, the World of Little League Museum is open from 9 AM to 4 PM daily. It is located in the Little League Complex, adjacent to the fields the World Series is played on. Fans 5 Although Bowman Field only seats a couple thousand fans, Crosscutters fill it to near capacity. They are knowledgeable, loyal, passionate, and boisterous, and the roof over most of the stands helps trap in the sound and make it even louder. Many of them have been coming to Cutters games here for years, but there are also families with small children taking in their first game, in awe of it all. Chants of "Let's Go Cutters" and "Timber" can be heard throughout the game, as can thunderous applause after big plays. Many fans come decked out in Crosscutters gear, but this being the home of Little League Baseball, it is not uncommon to see fans in gear from the Little League World Series as well. Access 3 Bowman Field is located just off US Route 15, the main north-south road through Williamsport. Fans coming from the east or west can also take US Route 220 and connect to other roads as needed. Parking is available in a lot next to the stadium, with overflow parking nearby as well. The closest spaces cost $3 to park in (cash only) while all other spaces are free. There is a clear bag policy in effect at the stadium, which is disappointing to see at this level and does bring the score down a bit. Once inside, there is ample room to move around. The ramps down from the seating bowl can get a bit cramped as everyone leaves at once, but they clear out quickly. Restrooms are available on the entrance plaza and are of a sufficient size for the crowd. Return on Investment 5 Tickets start at just $8 and go up to $10 as you get closer to the field. However, any of these seats will offer a great view of the action. Group seating in the party and picnic area is more expensive than that but includes all you can eat food, so if you are bringing a large group, this is still a good deal. Members of the Senior Loggers Club (open to fans 60 and up) get free tickets and a hot dog at every Sunday home game. Joining this club is $35 and can offer added value if you are going to multiple games. Parking is free if you are willing to walk a bit, and affordable even if you want to park close by. Concessions will vary in price depending on what you buy, but you will get what you pay for. All in all, this makes a Crosscutters game in Williamsport a great value for all baseball fans. Extras 4 Look for the historical marker outside the stadium explaining the history of baseball here. The Potato Race is worthy of another extra star as a unique between inning tradition. Be sure to check out the Bowman Field Hall of Fame on the ramp to the stands on the first base side. This honors baseball legends who have played here or otherwise been involved in Williamsport baseball and their contributions to the history of Bowman Field. One notable inductee is Dave Bresnahan, the mastermind of the Great Potato Caper, who was inducted in 2012 for this "achievement". Finally, be sure to check out the team store by the entrance, which sells Crosscutters gear, as well as gear from the team's alternate identity, the Potato Capers, which they rebrand as every Friday home game. Final Thoughts Baseball has been played at Bowman Field for almost 100 years and you can feel a part of the history when stepping in here. However, this very much feels like a modern ballpark as well, not an old decrepit one that is falling apart. By combining history with everything you'd expect of a ballpark in the modern age, the Williamsport Crosscutters have made Historic Bowman Field one of the best places in the country to watch a game.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Ector County Coliseum 4201 Andrews Hwy Odessa, TX 79762 West Texas Warbirds website Ector County Coliseum website Year Opened: 1954 Capacity: 5,131 Permian Basin Football Ector County Coliseum is located in Odessa, Texas, in the heart of the Permian Basin. The Permian Basin is best known for its oil, and as you drive through the region you will see numerous oil derricks in the fields. These oil derricks tie-in to football here, as during indoor football games at Ector County Coliseum, you will see oil derrick imagery all along the walls that surround the field. Ector County Coliseum opened in 1954 and holds 5,131 fans – the venue is used by indoor football’s West Texas Warbirds of the National Arena League (NAL), as well as by junior hockey’s Odessa Jackalopes of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). The arena is built like the Idaho Vandals’ Kibbie Dome, curved on both sides and flat on the ends. Food & Beverage 4 While not all the concession stands are open during West Texas Warbirds games, there are plenty of options for fans. Being in Texas, both Mexican and barbecue are available, including beef or bean and cheese tacos, beef fajitas, and either chicken, pork, or brisket for BBQ (nachos or sandwiches). You can also find your traditional burgers, hot dogs, Philly cheesesteak, corn dogs, nachos, and mac ‘n cheese, and prices are reasonable / slightly on the high side (tacos start at $5, with burgers and hot dogs starting at $6). For sides, desserts, and drinks, the variety is even better – fans can find fries, tater tots, chips, pickles, and popcorn, as well as a wide selection of packaged candy, including Laffy Taffy, Sour Patch Kids, and numerous varieties of Skittles, instead of just the one option (red package) that is available at most sports venues. Drinks include Coke products, including orange soda and Mr. Pibb, as well as coffee and hot chocolate, and a wide selection of beer; Coors Light, Miller Lite, Bud and Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and several flavors of White Claw. There is even a full-on restaurant as you enter, called The Blue Line Bar & Grill. Atmosphere 4 The Warbirds do a lot to make the experience fun – along with their mascot, numerous other local mascots are invited to the game, for example, McGruff the Crime Dog, Texas Roadhouse’s Armadillo, and the mascot from a local grocery store. The mascots do fun things all game long, including having a popcorn fight at one point when the other team scored, and challenging kids from a local peewee football team to a game during halftime (the kids won, of course). There are also motorcycles on hand when the team takes the field, and smoke and multi-colored LED lighting during player intros. The Warbirds do not have a dance team of their own, but they do invite local cheerleading squads, from high school down to kindergarten age, to perform throughout the game, which is a nice nod to the local community. There is also the traditional fan content, like a cornhole competition, and the MC is top-notch – he genuinely thanked the visiting team for coming (“…without visitors, we have no games…”), but then also mocked them mercilessly all game long, for example calling them ‘Goldfish’ instead of using their team name, the Sharks. The PA announcer also plays a special song for each opponent, in this case, ‘Baby Shark’ when the Jacksonville Sharks came to town. Neighborhood 3 Ector County Coliseum is right on the main drag in Odessa, so there are numerous restaurants within walking distance of the arena, both fast food and regular sit-down restaurants. Local favorites in Texas include Whataburger (try the Dr Pepper milkshake) and Chicken Express, or anything Mexican – my all-time favorite is Mexican Inn. There are also plenty of hotels in the vicinity, and even grocery stores and other shopping. One great attraction to check out while in town is the Petroleum Museum, which is over in Midland about 20 miles east of Odessa, but well worth the drive. There you can learn about how oil is produced, including some great geology lessons, learn about oil’s effect on the region, and even see an exhibit on how they make race cars go faster – a great place to stop during your trip to Ector County Coliseum. Fans 1 Very few fans show up for West Texas Warbirds games, which is unfortunate due to the great experience the team provides on gameday. However, the low attendance is most likely due to the team still being in the nascent stage – the Warbirds have only existed for 4 seasons, including this one, and will play more games this season than in all their prior seasons combined, thanks to the Covid pandemic. The Warbirds are also in their fourth league in four seasons, due to various issues, so I expect attendance to improve as the team gets settled in Odessa. Access 3 As you may have heard, Texas is big! It will take you 5 hours to drive to Odessa from Dallas or San Antonio, so just getting to the coliseum will be your biggest challenge. Once you get to Odessa, however, traffic is very light, and you can park for free right outside Ector County Coliseum. Once inside the arena, though, getting around is as easy as pie – there are plenty of bathrooms and short concessions lines, and you can sit pretty much wherever you want, no matter what ticket type you purchased. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to West Texas Warbirds games are only around $12 including all taxes and fees, which is almost as low as this writer has ever seen for indoor football, and parking is free. Concessions may be a little on the high side depending on your perspective, but since that is the only thing you have to pay for (potentially), a trip to Odessa to see the Warbirds represents a great return on investment – the game experience is guaranteed to be fun, and I had a blast in Odessa itself, visiting the Petroleum Museum and driving around seeing the oil derricks. I would go if you can make it. Extras 3 One of the sights around town is the jackrabbit statues (or maybe they are jackalopes) in various places which are painted by local artists – similar to what you might see in Huntington, WV (painted locomotives) or DeKalb, IL (painted huskies in support of Northern Illinois); it might be a fun scavenger hunt-type game to find as many as you can. The team also has a great logo, reminiscent of WWII fighter planes.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Center Parc Stadium 755 Hank Aaron Dr SE Atlanta, GA 30315 Georgia State Panthers website Center Parc Stadium website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 24,333 Panthers Football What came to life in 1996 as the center of the sports world at the Centennial Olympic Games, then would next be transformed into Turner Field and home of the Atlanta Braves for the next 18 years, has found new life in the form of Center Parc Stadium, home of Georgia State Panthers football. Shortly after the Braves announced they were leaving downtown for the northwest suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia State University finalized a deal to purchase the property, with plans to develop the area into the new home of Georgia State football. Simply named “Georgia State Stadium" at first, it would be the third incarnation of the stadium. Since undergoing its most recent remodel, the newly branded Center Parc Stadium has been home to not just Georgia State football, but also the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, the Atlanta Legends of the now defunct American Association of Football, and the Georgia High School Association annual state football championship games. Food & Beverage 3 Food and drink options inside the stadium are much as what would be expected at most any stadium in the country – hot dogs, burgers, pretzels, nachos, pizza, cotton candy, and soda. Alcohol selections include seltzers ($11), premixed canned spirit drinks ($12), wine by the glass ($9) or carafe ($34), and what was termed “Adult Capri Sun” ($14), a large bag of a spiked, fruity concoction. Beer selections include choices from the Budweiser and Yuengling families of beers, ranging from a $6 value beer to $11 for 24 oz domestics. Local brewery Three Taverns also has a handful of kiosks around the stadium that offer some of their craft beers. The most popular food choice at Center Parc Stadium seems to be the rather non-descript, candy striped food truck parked near the main entry plaza, specializing in fried foods: funnel cake, three types of corn dogs, and what appeared to be the most popular option, chicken tenders with tots served with “Magic Sauce”. As it turns out, “Magic Sauce” is a spicy sweet-n-sour sauce. It was decent, but at $18 not necessarily considered a must have. Prices at Center Parc Stadium are consistent with expected prices at most other stadiums. In general they are about twice what you might expect to pay if the offerings were not at the stadium. With numerous concessions stands and standalone food and drink kiosks, lines are commonly short and there is not a lot of wait time. Atmosphere 3 One does not need to look far to find the game-day atmosphere at Center Parc Stadium. Approximately two dozen tents dot the plaza area directly outside the main gates. In one location fraternities have their tents set up with music pumping, beer pong tables set up, and reveling in other similar tailgating activities. Nearby, alumni had their own tents set up with slightly more subdued events. This tailgating area is also the center of the pre-game Panther Walk which leads players into the stadium, while pep-squads lead fans in cheers and the band belts out the school fight song. Inside the gates, the transformation from Turner Field to Center Parc Stadium feels like a swinging pendulum. On one hand Georgia State has created a very cozy 24,000-seat football stadium that puts fans right on top of the action on the field. On the other hand, the rest of the stadium that once sat an additional 30,000 fans is still there, not used. It creates a sense of emptiness, even though what is available for football seating is close to two-thirds full. There are many other reminders of the stadium that once was, and it is difficult not to notice. The most glaring reminder is the empty steel framework that once supported stadium signage. It still does today, but the signs that are there now do not fit the framing and have an awkward look to them. Georgia State does a good job with game presentation – there is a good mix of the traditional sounds of a football game, from the marching band that is intertwined with piped in hype music that gets fans on their feet dancing. The train horn that blares throughout the game: to get the game started, after big plays, and when a stop is needed from the defense, adds nicely to the gameday ambiance. Something that seems to be missing was the lack of game statistics. Other than the score boards at each end of the stadium that give the score and down and distance, the large replay board was never used to show any type of statistics. It’s mostly showing the game that is going on right in front of you. It’s good for replays, but the lack of statistics seems like a missed opportunity for those who are into the analysis of the game. Neighborhood 3 The Summerhill neighborhood that surrounds Center Parc Stadium were all but deserted by the time the Braves left the area. The stadium was mostly surrounded by empty, weed-infested lots and homes which had been long neglected. As new housing started to rise out of what had been parking lots surrounding the stadium, new businesses did as well. Soon, what had once been a desert of pre- and post-game activity now has more choices than one could ever need. Halfway Crooks provides a “micro-gastro-brewery” vibe – their biergarten offers a variety of beer styles and an appetizer/sandwich centered food menu. Other new restaurants have popped up down Georgia Avenue and offer something for all pallets. Hot Dog Pete’s offers a wide variety of regional hot dogs and vegan options, Junior’s gives pizza options, and Woods Chapel has a boutique bar-b-cue feel. While there are many new, quality food options in the areas directly around the stadium, Daddy Dz BBQ Joynt, one of Atlanta’s best BBQ establishments, is just a mile away. From where the neighborhood once was to where it is today, there has been a 180-degree turnaround. There does seem to be a bit of a disconnect between the stadium and the newly established restaurants just outside the main gates, which did not have the feel of fans flocking to these establishments in anticipation of the Panther Walk prior to kick off. A downtown stadium seems to have a tougher time in creating a gameday feel than what one might expect to experience in a more traditional college town. Fans 3 The overall fan interest in Georgia State football seems to be a bit passive, but of the fans who are in attendance, they are actively engaged with the game. Fans crank up the volume when a 3rd -&-short stop is needed, even when not prompted to do so. With an undergraduate enrollment of just shy of 29,000, student attendance takes up of two-and-a-half of the end zone sections. Georgia State is largely a commuter campus with students coming from the surrounding communities for classes, so they don’t have a large on-campus student body given the size of their enrollment. This impacts their student attendance at games, which really goes a long way in creating a gameday atmosphere. Accessibility 4 Getting to Center Parc Stadium is very direct. Located right off Atlanta’s Downtown Connector (I-75/85), it is easily accessible by vehicle. Fans coming from the east or west can just as easily use Interstate 20. Multiple exits funnel to the parking lots just north of the stadium. For those who would rather take public transportation, Atlanta’s subway service MARTA has a Georgia State station which is a 1-mile, direct walk to the stadium. The challenge of getting back on to the highways that surround the stadium after the game is not as daunting as it once was. Just like any other downtown stadium though, the highways often are clogged with city traffic. Return on Investment 4 The basic ticket price is $20, which is one of the most affordable in the Sun Belt Conference. Parking at $15 is a tick higher than I’d consider ideal, but given the affordability of the ticket price it makes the overall cost very reasonable. Food and drink prices are comparable to what you’d expect to pay at most major sporting events. Extras 3 The large team shop is one of the first things that greets fans as they come through the gates into the plaza. It offers anything a fan might expect to find at the game. Pounce Town sits off to the left of the plaza, and provides a football themed activity area to help keep kids entertained, when the game itself might not be enough to sustain their attention. One of the most prominent traditions are the blasts of the train horn that sounds throughout the game. It serves to pump-up the crowd while paying homage to Atlanta history when it was nicknamed “Terminus”, as it was the end of the Western & Atlantic Railroad. Atlanta United FC has a similar historic tie-in to the city’s railroad history with their driving of the golden spike prior to the start of their matches. Final Thoughts What Georgia State is trying to create in a game day atmosphere is difficult for a school in their shoes. Football, more-so than other college sports, tends to thrive on the game day feel in what might be considered college towns, meaning communities where the college or university is THE attraction. Being in downtown Atlanta that feel just isn’t there. The fact that the university made the investment into purchasing the stadium and surrounding area is evident they are willing to invest in the football program, but it lacks a true college football experience. The hardest thing Georgia State faces when it comes to the stadium is that it’s always going to be seen as Turner Field. Even the highway signs leading to the stadium still bare the name. There are just so many baseball memories tied to it Atlantans will always think of it as “The Ted”.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Hohokam Stadium 1235 N Center St Mesa, AZ 85201 Map It! WAC Baseball Tournament website Hohokam Stadium website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 12,500 Learn • Compete • Inspire Attending a championship tournament is an exciting, special outing. The emotions, excitement, ups and downs, disappointments, and triumphs are the same for a WAC (Western Athletic Conference) baseball tournament as for any other ‘higher league’ conference. The WAC baseball tournament began in 1982. The criteria for the tournament participants have varied over the years, with some seasons using the top finishers in the conference and others using top teams in each of the two divisions. In 2023, the top eight teams participated in the tournament. A team is eliminated after losing two games. The tournament winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. Historic Hohokam Stadium in Mesa AZ has hosted the WAC baseball tournament for the last eight years. Hopefully, it will continue to do so in the future. The stadium is more commonly known as the spring training facility of the Oakland Athletics. The city-owned venue hosts a variety of other tournaments and events throughout the year. Food & Beverage 2 The event manager hires local Arizona food trucks to service the visiting fans. Two trucks are available each game, one offering dessert choices, the other lunch or dinner options. The trucks vary each day. Kudos for hiring local businesses for the event! For dessert, choices in 2023 included Udder Delight (yummy ice cream treats), Maui Wowi (smoothies and coffee refreshments), and Kona Delights (flavored shaved ice, sorbets, etc.). Lunch and dinner choices comprised Brightside Burgers (several choices of juicy burgers), Macology (16 assortments of mac and cheese), and SuperTruck (Mexican-inspired dishes). Water, Gatorade, and soda in cans or bottles are all available for sale at the food trucks. The venue does not serve adult beverage products at this tournament. A very popular lemonade stand was open during the 2023 tournament. Outside food and beverages are allowed during the tournament. We recommend bringing several bottles of water, as it does get hot, especially during the day games. Atmosphere 4 Hohokam Stadium provides an impressive morning, afternoon, and evening out for the tournament. Only Gate C is open for the competition, and fans enter the stadium through the welcoming air-conditioned spring training team store. The inner concourse is only open on the third base side (closed the other way). The stadium offers two levels of seating with a small walkway between the two. The seats are the green stadium-style, fold-down seats with cupholders and decent legroom. Handrails are available for striding up and down the seating areas. Bleachers with backs occupy the last three sections on each side in the 200 level, rarely used at this tournament. A recommendation for visiting fans, bring a towel or two – one to sit on so you don’t stick to the seat from the heat, and to wipe off dust and cobwebs as the seats may be dirty from lack of use. Two covered picnic areas sit down on both the left and right field baselines. Both are good places to eat your meals or snacks between the games. Something a bit uncommon is “horizontally stacked” bullpens in right field. Nets extend across all the infield seats except the very far sections down each baseline. It gets hot at these tournaments in Arizona towards the end of May. Expect temperatures to be in the 90’s °F / 32+ ° C. Sit in the upper level (200’s) behind home and on the first base side for the shade for day games. A recommendation is to sit underneath the press box (one with an open window). You’ll get a breeze from the air conditioner every once in a while (and you get to hear any radio broadcasts and official game staff discussions). A merchandise table is in the entrance area selling conference t-shirts. Suggestion – if you want one, get it early in the tournament; sizes sell out as the series progresses. A crisp, clear video board shines in left field. It shows the line score, the player at bat’s name, number, and photograph. A whole variety of music is played, from Christian to Country to Latino to Hip Hop and more at a loud volume. Bring earplugs if this grates on you. It’s not quite so loud in the first level of seats but those sections get the sun for the day games. Players have walk-up music. Neighborhood 4 The stadium is in a residential area, and while there’s not a whole lot in the immediate area, the stadium is less than two miles from downtown Mesa which has developed significantly over the last several years. Three breweries (12 West Brewing – which serves tasty food, Beer Research Institute – which has a classic arcade in it, and Oro Brewing Company) are downtown, as is a cidery (Cider Corps). Chupacabra Taproom is also downtown and offers beer and wine and a place to hang out before or after the ballgames, as is Diamond’s Sports Grill which has traditional sports bar food. For local restaurants, we recommend the delicious New Mexican fare Blue Adobe Grille which is only a four or five-minute drive from the ballpark, and the Que Chevere (Venezuelan cuisine) on Main St. downtown. Tourist things to see and do in Mesa are the Arizona Museum of Natural History or the engaging i.d.e.a Museum (excellent for kids) or visit the popular cultural Mesa Arts Center. The Mesa Historical Museum has an exhibit on the Arizona Cactus League and Arizona Spring Training, as well as Mesa-specific historical exhibits. Though a little distance from Hohokam Stadium (about 5 miles), fans may want to visit Organ Stop Pizza with its Wurlitzer Theater organ, which some say is the world’s largest pipe organ. Hotels are not within walking distance of Hohokam Stadium. The Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix Mesa is one and a half miles away. A few lower-priced hotels like Quality Inn or Baymont Inn are three to five miles from the stadium. Other sports near Hohokam Stadium during the end of May tournament can include the Pac-12 baseball tournament played at Scottsdale Stadium. And, depending on schedules, fans can visit Chase Field and see an Arizona Diamondbacks game or the Footprint Center and watch the WNBA Phoenix Mercury or IFL Arizona Rattlers. Fans 3 For the 2023 WAC tournament, every team was represented well by their fan base. The crowds are generally family, friends, and students. Parents, grandparents, siblings, and girlfriends are there cheering on their favorite player. Some residents watch the games as well. Most fans only visit when ‘their team’ is playing, but some stay on to watch the other games. Less than 1,000 fans are in the stands. The biggest fans are the players themselves. Some teams’ fans complain way more about the umpiring than others. Umpires have a thankless job. The fans from GCU (Grand Canyon University), a local team, came out in force to support their players. UTRGV (University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley) had a huge Kade York fan club present. Seattle U fans were a small but mighty bunch. Sam Houston fans were thrilled their team took home the tournament championship. Access 4 The ballpark is located in a neighborhood. Roads getting there are two or four lanes. It is 1 ½ miles south of the 202 (Red Mountain Freeway). Traffic congestion in and out of the stadium is not an issue for the WAC tournament. The city does not charge a parking fee for the event. The closest airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (about 12 miles distance); a smaller regional airport, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, maybe another pick if arriving via Allegiant Airlines. Public transportation is available via Valley Metro, but be sure to check return availability. Bags of any size are allowed. They don’t need to be plastic or clear. One set of restrooms is open on the third base inner concourse with signs marked. The ladies’ room has a changing table (I’m not sure about the men’s room). The bathrooms are old but kept extremely clean and stocked during the tournament. Moving around the concourse and walkways is easy. Return on Investment 5 An all-tournament ticket is $40; single-day tickets are $15. WAC students get in for free. The venue does not charge for parking. For the 2023 tournament, fans could only purchase tickets online. If they don't buy tickets in advance, the stadium has signage with a QR code to scan to buy them on your phone. Attending this tournament is well worth your sports entertainment investment. You just don’t know what you’ll see: a walk-off grand slam in the 11th inning, a DH who also pitched three innings, two mercy rule games, a game that ended in 2 hours 11 minutes, and another at 3 hours and 51 minutes. You get to witness a player’s last-ever game (seniors who are graduating). And, the excitement of the players on the field after winning the championship. All of that is priceless (except maybe the close to a 4-hour game). . Extras 3 Applause to the event manager for hiring local business food trucks for the tournament. It’s nice going to a ballpark and not worrying about which bag type is allowed and how many bottles of water to bring. New for the 2023 season was the use of the pitch clock. And, plays were challenged. The challenges took a long time so hopefully, the timing of those can be minimized next season. Four umpires judge the championship games; three do so during the regular season (so I’m told). All games were televised on ESPN+ this 2023 season. Press Assistant Final Thoughts It’s exciting watching a conference tournament. Although not one of the newer, fancier spring training venues in the East Valley, Hohokam Stadium is worth visiting when the WAC baseball tournament is in town. I recommend the city of Mesa promote it more.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Medlar Field at Lubrano Park 701 Porter Rd State College, PA 16802 State College Spikes website Medlar Field at Lubrano Park website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 5,570 Deer Old State College Spikes Baseball Located on the Penn State University campus in State College, Pennsylvania, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park is home to the State College Spikes baseball team as well as that of Penn State. The Spikes are a former New York-Penn League team, but when that was contracted following the 2020 season, they transferred to the newly-formed MLB Draft League, a summer league consisting of prospects for the upcoming MLB Draft. The stadium opened in 2006, seats approximately 5,600, and offers picturesque views of Mount Nittany beyond the outfield fence. It is named after two former members of the Penn State baseball program, longtime coach Charles "Chuck" Medlar and player Anthony Lubrano. The team name alludes to the white-tailed deer, for whom a "spike" is an undeveloped antler. Food & Beverage 5 Medlar Field at Lubrano Park has a wide range of concession items at numerous stands scattered throughout the concourse. The Flash Point Grille sells the usual things such as burgers, chicken tenders, hot dogs, and pizza. There are also numerous specialty stands selling everything from walking tacos to cheesesteaks to cinnamon-roasted nuts and more. Burgertopia, down the right field line, sells several specialty burgers, while a barbecue stand down the left field line offers pulled pork and brisket sandwiches and platters, the latter of which comes with cornbread, mac and cheese, and cole slaw. Despite being on a college campus, beer is available here to those of age. Just be sure to pick up a wristband first. Atmosphere 4 Despite losing its affiliated minor league status, a trip to a Spikes game still very much feels like minor league ball. A concourse runs from right field to left field with the field visible from anywhere on it. All seats are chairbacks with a good view of the action. The public address announcer is passionate and constantly attempts to get the fans involved. There are frequent between-inning contests on the field, including the dizzy bat race and knocker ball, where two contestants in giant inflatable balls will try to knock each other over. Music and other sound effects are almost constantly playing over the PA system, not just between batters but between pitches as well. However, this seems to keep the fans engaged as they will often use this opportunity to shout "Baseball" together. Neighborhood 3 Penn State is located in State College, and as the name would imply is a classic college town. If looking for a place to eat or hang out, your best bet is to head downtown to College Avenue where you will find several restaurants and bars. Fans with a sweet tooth may also want to check out the Berkey Creamery on the Penn State Campus, a short walk or drive from the stadium. Fans 3 State College draws a couple of thousand fans a game, which is decent attendance, particularly when you consider this is a college town in the summer. The fans in attendance are passionate and frequently shout "Baseball!" after sound effects like fans in other places will shout "Charge!". They are engaged and not afraid to get on the umpire's case if they feel a call went against them. However, their passion is proportionate to their incentive. They were by far the loudest and most boisterous when a designated visiting player came up to bat - if he strikes out, everyone in attendance receives free Big Macs. The fans rooted for this to happen all night when we were there, and when it finally did, they were the loudest they'd been all game even though half of them had already gone home. Access 3 Medlar Field at Lubrano Park is on the Penn State campus at the intersection of I-99 and US 322. Once you get on campus, parking is available in a large lot across from the stadium, surrounded on two other sides by the Bryce Jordan Center, home of Penn State basketball, and Beaver Stadium, home of Penn State football. Parking is $5, and signs direct fans to the proper entrance. The concourses at the stadium are wide and allow plenty of space for fans to move around. Multiple sets of restrooms are available, including family restrooms. Fans should not encounter a wait for these. Wheelchair-accessible seating, including companion seats, is available at the top of the concourse. Return on Investment 4 Tickets start at $8 and go up to $14 as you get closer to home plate. Concessions are affordable, and as mentioned above, parking is $5. The team also offers ways to increase this value further, such as 4 for $44 Fridays, where fans can get four tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas for only $44, a 50% cost savings. Even if you can't take advantage of this, a visit to a Spikes game is an affordable way of watching a baseball game and offers great value. Extras 3 One star for the gorgeous view of Mount Nittany beyond the outfield fence. There is a Kids Zone down the left field line. A third and final star for a unique mascot tradition, the Rally Rooster. If the Spikes are losing heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, a hype video welcoming the Rally Rooster and featuring the caw of the rooster will be played on the scoreboard. Meanwhile, a rather creepy-looking costumed rooster will run out onto the field to pump up the crowd, then enter the stands to continue engaging with them as the Spikes try to rally to victory. Every batter that inning will be preceded by a caw in addition to the usual walk-up music. Final Thoughts Although the State College Spikes are no longer an affiliated minor league team, a trip to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park is still a minor-league carnival atmosphere. From the action on the field to hanging out with Ike and the Rally Rooster to the smell of roasting nuts and sizzling cheesesteaks, baseball fans of all ages are sure to have a good time at a Spikes game.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Revolution Sportsplex 19623 Evergreen Mill Road Leesburg, VA 20175 Nova FC website Revolution Sportsplex website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 1,500 Lower Tier Soccer in Leesburg, Va. Nestled in Leesburg, in Loudoun County in the DC suburbs, Nova FC (or Northern Virginia Football Club, to use the full name) competes in USL League Two, the fourth tier of soccer in the United States. USL League Two is primarily an amateur league featuring players 23 or younger, and most players are college-age or have recently exhausted their college eligibility and are hoping to receive a professional contract. Nova FC plays its home games at the Revolution Sportsplex, the main stadium in the complex. There are also several back fields used for youth soccer. The club's biggest accomplishment was qualifying for the 2022 U.S. Open Cup, where they won their first-round matchup against fellow amateur side Lynchburg FC before falling to professional side Richmond Kickers in the next round. Nova FC also operates a women's team and several lower-tier amateur teams. However, this review is about the men's USL League Two team and their experience at their games. Food & Beverage 1 Although the Revolution Sportsplex contains both a rooftop bar and a club area, neither is operational for Nova FC games. There are a couple of vending machines that sell food and soft drinks at vending machine prices. Some only take $1 bills and coins while others also take $5 bills. Fans are also free to bring in outside food and drink to eat during the game. Atmosphere 2 Revolution Sportsplex contains several rows of bleachers with a concourse area at the top as well as a rooftop bar up a flight of steps from the concourse. Although the bar itself is not operational during games, there are chairs and barstools where fans can hang out and watch the game from a unique vantage point. There is not much going on here other than the game itself. Even the PA announcer was not active other than to welcome fans to the stadium and ask them to rise for the national anthem at the beginning. There were no announcements of goals or cards, making it hard to figure out who was booked by the referee. The seats are close enough to the action and the fans are quiet enough that you can hear everything the players shout at each other and the referees. Even by soccer purist standards, the experience here is lacking. The true atmosphere at soccer games comes from the fans, not the team, but there is no crowd energy to speak of here. There is no organized Supporters' group, and while the fans applaud after goals, other than that they are almost completely silent. The team does play the song "Doop" after goals, a tradition borrowed from the Philadelphia Union, along with a submarine dive horn to add their unique take on it, but that is the only thing going on here to create any sort of atmosphere, and it's mostly borrowed from another team. Neighborhood 2 Revolution Sportsplex is located in the middle of a residential area, and there are no restaurants or things to do in the immediate vicinity. Your best bet is to head a few miles into downtown Leesburg, where there are plenty of places to eat, visit, and stay. This can be about a ten-minute drive, but it’s your only option. The Leesburg Public House and Tarbender’s Lounge are popular places to grab a drink and a bite to eat. Those looking for something other than a bar may want to check out Melt Gourmet Cheeseburgers or the Leesburg Diner, although the latter is only open for breakfast and lunch. There are many good options in Leesburg, but the fact that all of them are so far from the stadium brings this rating down. Fans 2 Nova FC typically draws a couple hundred fans a game. Some of these fans have a direct connection to the team, but there is also a wide range of other fans, including families with kids who play their youth soccer on the back fields of this complex. It is not uncommon to see children kicking around a soccer ball on the field behind the goal during a game. Other than applauding after goals, the fans who show up are quite subdued. Additionally, as Nova FC typically plays other local teams in its league, a significant portion of the crowd will be visiting fans making the short drive to Leesburg to check out their team. Access 3 Revolution Sportsplex has located a short drive off the Dulles Greenway (State Route 267) via Shreve Mill Road, although you will need to pay several dollars in tolls to get here. Once you arrive, parking is in a lot next to the stadium - follow the signs for the main stadium rather than parking by the back fields for easier access. This will put you at the bottom of the bleachers, and you can walk up and sit anywhere as seating is general admission. Restrooms are located at the top of the bleachers with a second set on the rooftop near the bar. The restrooms are on the other side of the club area from the bleachers, and while the club is not functional during games, it is physically open and fans can walk through it to get to the other side rather than walk around. There is also an elevator to take you from field level to the top of the bleachers and the rooftop area for fans who require one. Return on Investment 4 Admission is free, parking is free, and the vending machine food won't cost more than a couple of dollars. The main expense will be tolls on the Greenway to get there, which will be between $5 and $9 each way, approximately, depending on where you are coming from and if it is rush hour on a weekday. You can avoid those by taking Route 7 instead, but that is not a highway for most of its length and will take longer. That being said, this is too basic an experience to earn the top score. Extras 1 Although the rooftop bar itself is not open during Nova FC games, the rooftop area still provides a unique vantage point to watch a game and is worthy of a star here. Final Thoughts Although USL League Two is deep down in the American soccer pyramid, a trip to a Nova FC game at the Revolution Sportsplex can still be an enjoyable way to spend an evening. Although the experience is nowhere near what you'd get in DC at a DC United game or even here in Leesburg at a Loudoun United game at Segra Field, a Nova FC game is much more affordable than either of those would be. For only the price of tolls and maybe bottled water from the vending machine, fans can take in a Nova FC soccer game on a beautiful summer night.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 McBride Stadium 204 NW 13th St Richmond, IN 47374 Richmond Jazz website McBride Stadium website Year Opened: 1936 Capacity: 3,000 Jazzing up the Summer at McBride Stadium Baseball has been played at John Cate Field at McBride Stadium since August 1936. The former gravel pit was transformed to replace Exhibition Park, which had been destroyed by a fire the previous year. McBride was first known as Municipal Stadium when it opened for American Legion baseball, funded by the Works Progress Administration. The first professional team was the Richmond Roses, who began play in 1946, the Class D affiliate of the Boston Braves. The 1947 home opener saw the Roses notch a 4-1 victory in front of 1,559 fans under cool, windy Indiana springtime weather. The club compiled a 202-220 record in three seasons and attracted 58,039 fans during the 1948 season, the highest total of any affiliated club at the stadium. In 1949 the independent Richmond Robins were established but were soon replaced after one season by the Richmond Tigers of the Ohio-Indiana League. The Detroit affiliate featured future Hall of Famer Jim Bunning, who posted a 7-8 record in his first year of pro ball in 1950. However, in December 1951, Detroit withdrew its affiliation, citing instability with the league and the scarcity of players due to the military draft. It would be 44 years before another professional minor league ball club would return to the city. McBride would continue hosting American Legion and high school baseball during the next four decades, but the years of baseball took its toll on the diamond. The playing field was uneven and in bad shape; it was recrowned thanks to efforts by Richmond High School baseball coach John Cate. He would later manage the Richmond Roosters of the Frontier League, the first professional baseball team at McBride in 43 years. The ball club would capture two league championships in 2001 and 2002. Unfortunately, the club relocated in 2006 and then replaced with the Richmond River Rats of the Prospect League in 2009. The collegiate summer league team would compete for seven years before making way for its current tenant, the Richmond Jazz of the Great Lakes Collegiate Summer League, in 2016. The 1,874-seat ballpark features a small wooden roof grandstand, original light poles, a sloping grass hill down the left field line, and plenty of memories from high school, legion, professional, and collegiate baseball of the past 80 years. From gravel pit to baseball ballpark, McBride is a hidden gem of a ballpark in Indiana. Food & Beverage 3 The stadium introduced an updated menu for the 2023 season that includes a few upgrades. Burgers come with all the fixings; brats, hot dogs, corn dogs, nachos, and fries are served with chili and cheese if desired. The team reinstated the Rowdy Roosted chicken sandwich popular during the days of the Roosters of the Frontier League. There is also a chicken club and BLT sandwich. The stadium's signature item is the Dog-a-Rita: smoked sausage, chili, shredded cheese, and Fritos. The cost is $5, and worth trying if you are an adventurous eater. It is a filling item on the concession stand at McBride Stadium. There is also an abundance of candy and frozen treats for sale. Candy bars sell for $1, boxed candy for $2, and frozen chocolate bars and ice cream are $2. Coca-Cola products cost $2 a bottle, Budweiser, Coors, and Miller products sell $4 a can, and a glass of wine is only $5. Atmosphere 3 The game-day atmosphere has been somewhat vapid the past two seasons with a lack of merchandise area, signage, and banners that use to enhance the ballpark's atmosphere. The Jazz first few seasons had a few more fans in attendance and that could depend on the night you attend during the season. The small ticket window greets customers walking up the hill from the parking lot. The two-window concession booth offers menu items from food to drink, but there does not appear to be a merchandise table at the ballpark. The entrance to the grandstand holds a bit of nostalgia as it is sunken into the field and a hill. There are roughly 14 rows of wooden and metal bleachers and plastic theater-style box seats. The wooden bleacher seats take up the majority of the seating bowl and were built in 2021. The wooden columns are a reminder of ballparks of the past and the view of the game is not interrupted by them. Down the left field line is plenty of green grass for kids to run around. The sloped area extends behind the left field wall and features a wooden deck that was once used as a picnic patio section; it’s now open to anyone who wants to watch the game from a different vantage point. There are in-between inning promotions and gimmicks, but on a much smaller scale than in previous seasons, but there is an on-field P.A. announcer who does a nice job of entertaining the crowd on hand in the stands. He speaks from the newly constructed PA booth that now sits underneath the grandstand. The Jazz does not have a mascot who parades around entertaining fans young and old. Neighborhood 2 McBride is nestled into a residential community in Clear Creek Park and it is adjacent to several little league fields. It is a type of town where one can leave their doors unlocked or take a stroll at 3 a.m. without fear. It is also a reminder of what small towns might have felt like a few decades ago when minor-league ballparks were almost everywhere. There are not many dining options within proximity of the stadium and one would need to drive a few miles to find a place to eat. Little Sheeba’s offers great pizza and baked jalapeno poppers, and Galo’s Italian Grill is another fine option. Firehouse BBQ is located in a historic firehouse, Roscoe's Coffee Bar & Tap Room allows visitors to play board games in a relaxed environment, and The Cordial Inn is classy and casual in n the Historic Depot District There are quite a bit of national chains, but one local establishment off Interstate 70 called Fricker’s has some of the best hot wings in the area. And to my beer and wine connoisseurs, there are two local brewpubs in town: New Boswell. Fans 3 The crowds have been somewhat smaller than in previous seasons, but on certain weekends and fireworks nights, the games are very well attended. The ballpark does not need to be at capacity to feel like a sellout, crowds of 1,000-1,500 could easily give the place some much-needed life. Access 3 Even though Richmond is a small town, it is easy to get lost when trying to find McBride Stadium, as there are no road signs to the ballpark from either I-70 or SR-40. The ballpark is a 10-minute drive south from I-70 but use GPS. If you are traveling on I-70: take exit 149 A Williamsburg Pike south, make a right onto Indiana Ave, then a left onto NW 13 St, and the stadium is on the left. Once arriving at the ballpark, you should be able to find a spot in the free parking lot, on the street outside the stadium's walls, or somewhere on the streets in the neighborhood. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to all Jazz games are only $6 for adults, $5 for kids, and free of charge for kids under six. The parking is free in the grass-covered parking lot and menu options, such as a hot dog for $2.50, are a great price. It is a nice price point for Great Lakes League baseball. Extras 2 McBride earns a point for the vintage light towers that loom over the field. They look as if they are as old as the stadium itself. The setting of McBride Stadium takes visitors back to another era of baseball and at one time, a typical scene in minor league baseball following World War II. Sometimes it’s nice to take a step back in time and enjoy baseball the old-fashioned way. Final Thoughts A trip to a Jazz game at McBride Stadium should not go unnoticed. It may not be for the casual fan, but depending on who you are with, it may make a nice little treat during the baseball season. In an era where million-dollar structures are opening up and trying to outshine one another, a small cozy ball field will always be a reminder that home is not too far away. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Ross-Ade Stadium 850 Beering Drive West Lafayette, IN 47907 Purdue Boilermakers website Ross-Ade Stadium website Year Opened: 1924 Capacity: 62,500 Boiler Up! at Ross-Ade Stadium Ross-Ade Stadium was dedicated on November 22, 1924, and named in honor of Purdue alumni George Ade and David E. Ross, two principal benefactors. At the time of its construction, the stadium had a capacity of 13,500. Today, the stadium holds 57,236 people. The first addition was made in 1930 when 5,000 seats were added to the north end zone. A permanent grandstand on the west side was built before the 1949 season, increasing the seating capacity to 51,295. A series of more renovations saw the capacity reach its apex of 62,500 by 1969. However, capacity decreased in 2014 when 6,100 seats were removed from the endzone in 2014. During the 2017 season, lighting was installed so that games could be played at night for the first time. The stadium features a horse-shoe design with an open-air end zone, including food trucks, a massive patio with bench stool seating, and beverage kiosks. In addition to the grandstand, there is a giant student section. The Boilermakers began its football program in 1887 and played games at Stuart Field in 1892 until Ross-Ade’s completion. The program has captured 12 conference championships and 1 national title in 1931. There have been 294 players selected in the NFL Draft, 4 members of the NFL Hall of Fame, and 3 Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks (Len Dawson, Bob Griese, and Drew Brees). Food & Beverage 4 Ross-Ade has a wide selection of food and beverage that includes hot dogs, burgers, Domino’s Pizza, soft pretzels, pork tenderloin sandwiches, nachos, and chicken tenders. Sweet treats include elephant ears, ice cream, and Kona Ice. Popcorn is enjoyed from a plastic oak and barrel bucks, a nod to the annual football trophy against rival Indiana University. Multiple concession stands and kiosks feature Budweiser products. Fans can also enjoy local craft beer from People’s Brewing Company called Boiler Gold. Pepsi products are sold at the stadium. In the endzone, the Famous Frank’s food truck offers an array of distinct hot dogs with toppings, including fries, mozzarella sticks, cheesesteak, and jalapeño poppers. One example is the Fat Frank which features mozzarella sticks, steak, cheese whiz, and french fries. Atmosphere 4 The campus comes alive on game day, with tailgating beginning in various lots and residential lawns hours before kickoff. There are many who won’t attend the game but enjoy food and drink with a few hundred friends. Homeowners stand outside with paper signs advertising parking fees. Students and alumni dress up and begin drinking early in the school tradition “Breakfast Club”. Fans are dressed in old gold and black, including many in overalls. The smell of food off the grill and sounds of music from the parking lot adds to the excitement of game day in West Lafayette. Once inside, fans grab their seats and enjoy the sights of the marching band that includes the “World’s Largest Drum”, the Boilermaker Special locomotive, and creates various formations that includes the official fight song “Hail Purdue”. Before kickoff, fans grab their keys and shake them and shout “IU Sucks” after the band plays the “Horse and Hail Fire” song. There is not a bad seat in the house; bleacher-seating puts fans on top of each other and a giant video board stands in the open end zone. There is additional seating in this area that includes a large patio with food and drink options. Neighborhood 4 The Chauncey Village neighborhood features quite a bit of funky little shops and restaurants, plus some great nightlife destinations. Von’s Shops offers an impressive array of new and used books, clothing, and other items in an eclectic building and storefront. Next door is Von’s Dough Shack, where customers choose their type of calzone and enjoy it fresh from the oven. If you are not the creative type, there are 34 varieties to choose from off the menu. Across the street is the famous Triple XXX Family Restaurant, where one can enjoy a peanut butter burger or homemade root beer inside its small, cozy, and narrow booths. The small building features narrow countertops and bar stools. If you are a craft beer fan, People’s Brewing Company is located 3 miles north of the campus and is one of the better places for local beer in the state. Brokerage Brewing Company offers a full menu, highlighted by kahlua pork nachos and sandwiches. Lafayette Brewing Company is the other craft beer option in town, with $2 off of pints on Wednesday nights. Fans 4 To say that Boilermaker fans are passionate would be an understatement. The town comes alive on football Saturdays that include massive tailgating before and during the game. Inside the stadium, the passion continues with near-capacity crowds, and the Ross-Ade Brigade student section is among the best at the conference. Expect to hear a lot of “Boiler Up!” chants during the game. Access 3 It is advisable to arrive at least a couple of hours before kickoff, perhaps even 3 hours earlier. Game day traffic is not hard to navigate, but it can become cumbersome. There are plenty of lots that offer parking for $20 to $30 a car, including homeowner lawns a few blocks away from the stadium. Free parking is available but requires a walk of about a mile. The local police make sure that signage leads motorists to and from the stadium but arrive early to find a spot and perhaps walk around the numerous tailgating lots before the game. However, it is advisable to wait some time after the game to drive out of the stadium. Once inside the stadium, the concourse gets dense before the game and during half-time. Moving around in your seats requires long walks up the aisles for certain seats and bleacher-style seating. It is not different from other college football venues of its era and is somewhat expected for die-hard and casual fans. Return on Investment 4 The cost of a ticket is as low as $25 – $35 for low to high-demand games and as high as $75 – $90 for games against Big 10 foes. The cost of parking is $20 a few blocks away from the stadium and free if you want to walk a mile on foot. The atmosphere, numerous traditions, and the frenzied crowd are more than enough to provide a traditional college football experience. Extras 3 The Purdue football experience earns extra points for school traditions that feature the jingling of keys, shouting out “IU Sucks!”, and pre-game Breakfast Club. A second point is awarded to the “World Largest Drum” that is on display, along with the Boilermaker Special locomotive in the endzone during the game. A final point is for the town to create a wonderful game day atmosphere on Saturdays. Final Thoughts Ross-Ade Stadium is a basic horse-shoe-shaped venue, but it does what it needs to do on game days. The fan support is strong and additional renovations are planned to update the century-old stadium. Still, there is a lot to enjoy at the game unless you are a fan of the opposing team. The Purdue football experience is among the best in the area and more than “sneaky good”.

Photos by Scott Bultman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Beaver Stadium University Dr & Park Ave University Park, PA 16802 Penn State Nittany Lions website Beaver Stadium website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 106,572 We Are!! Penn State!! Beaver Stadium, home to the Penn State Nittany Lions football team was built in 1960. The stadium has been expanded many times since its opening and has a current capacity of 106,572, making it the second largest football stadium in the country and third largest stadium in the world. Penn State football began play in 1887 and has a rich history of success over the years. The program is among the top teams in terms of all time wins as well as winning percentage. Penn State played as an independent for many years before joining the Big 10 in 1990. There have been many greats who have played at Penn State before continuing their football careers in the NFL. Needless to say, a Saturday game here is time well spent. A “white out” night game is a must see for any college football fan. Food & Beverage 4 Beaver Stadium has typical stadium food unless you sit in the Club Seats which have upgraded menu items including fresh cut meats. The highlight specialty items include Penn State Creamery Ice Cream which is made on campus ($5), BBQ pulled pork ($8), pulled pork nachos ($6.50), and Game Day Turkey Sandwiches ($6.50). On the concourse, items such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and nachos can be had for $4-$5. The cheesesteak is quite tasty and highly recommended. Most of the concession stands around the concourses on the non-club levels carry the same items. The good news is, lines are short and move rather quickly. The lines are roped off helping to facilitate traffic flow during busy periods such as during halftime. More stadiums should create lanes like this to alleviate congestion during stoppages of play. Pepsi products are sold at at the stadium and sodas will set you back $3-$4, and alcoholic beverages are not served in the stadium. It also should be duly noted that programs are sold by each entrance and at a few of the concession stands. Atmosphere 5 The game time atmosphere at Beaver Stadium varies on the kickoff time as well as the opponent. Night games are a lot more electric than a 12pm or 3:30pm start. That being said, the crowd at Penn State is something that every fan must experience and see at least once. Many media types call Penn State one of the best places to experience a college football game in the country. At least once per season, Penn State has an 8pm kickoff under the lights, and fans are encouraged to wear all white. This creates an awesome “White-Out” atmosphere on TV and it’s even better live in person. There is something to be said about 107,000 fans wearing white while dancing to Zombie Nation or chanting to the tune of “Seven Nation Army” in unison. The seating bowl here provides fantastic views no matter your budget. The upper deck seats may look steep when walking up to the stadium but are angled at an upward tilt which gives fans a feel of being on top of the action. Lower bowl seats and club level also offer great views. Standing room options are available at the top of the lower bowl for fans who enjoy the vantage point. The club seats are sold with a long term contract and license fee that brings the cost per seat to about $300 per game; however, it is beautiful with a large indoor area with upgraded food, TVs and couches. It’s worth the price especially when the weather outside is snowy, rainy, cold, or hot. Students line up early for the best seats in south end zone creating one of the better home field advantages in the Big 10. Tailgating at Penn State is awesome and often a family tradition passed down from generation to generation. Penn State fans welcome opposing team fans into their elaborate tailgate parties. Get in your seat at least 30 minute before kickoff to watch the Penn State Blue Band perform. Watch the drum major spring down the field and do a flip with a perfect landing. If you arrive to the game two hours before kickoff you can see the Penn State players get off their blue buses, walk through the crowd, and into Beaver Stadium. They high five the fans, and it gets very loud. Neighborhood 3 Penn State is surrounded by the town of State College, Pennsylvania which has plenty of nice hotels, fun bars, and great restaurants close to campus and Beaver Stadium. Most bars and restaurants are downtown on College Avenue, but there are also some near Toftrees Golf Resort North of downtown. As with most college football campuses, tailgating is huge so many people don’t venture out into the neighborhoods much before the game. One must stop if you are going to a game here is the Penn State Berkey Creamery located northeast of the stadium. This famous ice cream shop is well worth your time, but be prepared to choose from copious different flavors. Big lines form here before the game, but the ice cream and sherbet is a must when visiting campus. It is made fresh on site in the department of food science building. Fans 5 Students camp out in tents at Beaver Stadium entrance which has been named Nittanyville, so they can get the best seats for big games. The stadium sells out for big games, but students usually leave early if the score is lopsided. The stadium gets loud for close games, and the “WE ARE….PENN STATE” cheer is very impressive. Students and fans alike cheer loudly for their team no matter what, and the stadium has the best mix of music and chants seen at a college football venue. Opposing fans may take some goodnatured ribbing from Penn State faithful but nothing over the top. Access 4 State College is located in the middle of Pennsylvania and is accessible from the west by I-80, from the south by I-99, and from the southeast by Rt. 322. Beaver Stadium is on the east side of campus and is a short walk from the main campus and downtown. Many tailgaters arrive Friday night for a Saturday game. Traffic in and out is manageable, but many fans tailgate after the game to let traffic subside after a big game. There is no mass transit other than buses. Parking is plentiful and reasonably priced for the most part – car parking is $100 for a season parking pass or $40 per game for day of game. RV Parking is $350 for season pass or $120 per game for day of game. There is residential parking north of College Avenue that can be had for free, but as always, watch your street signage carefully. There are some garages on College Avenue that will be less expensive than the regular lots as well. Return on Investment 4 A day at Beaver Stadium is whatever you want to make of it. For budget travelers, parking for free and walking a mile plus to the stadium can be had. This way, you can see the campus. Food and drinks are priced decently so your wallet or purse won’t be lightened much. There are plenty of standing room areas on the lower level in the corners. Extras 3 There aren’t a lot of extras here with Penn State football and that isn’t a bad thing. Their basic uniforms scream tradition. There are some monuments and a sports museum outside the stadium. Final Thoughts Seeing a game at Penn State is a must for any college football fan. Fan interactions, program traditions, and the campus setting make this a great way to spend a Saturday in the fall season.

Photos by Conrad Klank, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Ohio Stadium 411 Woody Hayes Dr Columbus, OH 43210 Ohio State Buckeyes website Ohio Stadium website Year Opened: 1922 Capacity: 102,329 Band Together The Ohio State Buckeyes were the winner of the first College Football Playoff, taking the 2014 title as the fourth seed and bringing the program and the B1G back to the forefront of the sport, after several years of southern domination. This is only fitting, because Ohio Stadium, home of the Buckeyes, is one of the best sporting destinations in the land and the team on the field often matches the overall game day experience. Opened in 1922, “The Horseshoe” has hosted generations of Buckeye fans and continues to evolve and expand to keep the beloved venue modern. Ohio Stadium has a capacity just under 105,000, and led all of college football in average attendance in 2014. Food & Beverage 4 Brutus’ Best, named after the Buckeye mascot, is ubiquitous but best avoided as their offerings are limited to standard stadium fare. Hot dogs are $4; an all-beef Brutus Dog is $5, while a bratwurst is $5.50. Nachos, popcorn, pretzels, and candy round out the lineup here. Instead, try to find something at one of the unique concessions or portable stands around the lower concourse. Examples include O’Wich’s Smashed Sandwiches (Cajun, Buffalo Chicken, Three-Cheese) for $8.50 and Donato’s Pizza with cheese or pepperoni pies running $7.50 while an Italian sub is $8.50. Roosters at the Shoe in the south end crows about their boneless wings at $8.50 along with a Roosters Nest (curly fries topped with those very same wings, sauce, nacho cheese, bacon bits, and green onion) for $12. The Short North Bagel Deli has five varieties of bagel sandwiches with the Good Ole Goodale (turkey, cream cheese, colby, avocado, lettuce and honey mustard) the most tempting option and relatively inexpensive at $7. Yellow Boy’s Polish Boys are $8 while those who have a lighter appetite can try Tradition’s Grilled Cheese Sandwiches for $6. Panera Bread is another national chain here, with sliders for $7 or a bacon turkey bravo for $9. Those with a sweet tooth can enjoy a cinnamon roll for $3.50 among other desserts. This list is by no means complete, so get there early and look around before choosing. Alcohol is not served, but bottles of Coke products are $4, while fountain beverages are $5.50 for a souvenir cup and an extra buck for the large souvenir. Atmosphere 5 From the moment you reach the edge of campus, the anticipation builds. Tailgate tents are set up for about a square mile in all directions. Night games, a relative rarity at Ohio Stadium, give fans a chance to start partying from well before noon. As you walk through the sea of red, you know you are in for a treat. Located along Woody Hayes Drive, Ohio Stadium doesn’t look that big from far away, at least when compared to some of these new behemoths like AT&T Stadium in Dallas. It was built in 1922 with an original capacity of 66,210, so its footprint is considerably smaller, but it still sits 104,944, and when you add some standing only tickets, attendance exceeds 108,000 for marquee matchups. Enter via the main entrance beneath the rotunda at the north end of the stadium, genuflecting beneath the stained glass windows that were installed as part of a renovation in 2001. The concourses are quite barren, with little decoration, but once you enter the seating bowl, you will be stunned. The venue is nicknamed the Horseshoe, as you will notice standing at the top of the north stands. A large scoreboard sits above the south end, while a smaller one adorns the north side. Note the 2014 championship year along the railing at the north end of the stadium. There is much chanting going on before the game, with the four stands chanting O-H-I-O alternately, starting with the south stand. A number of other chants are heard throughout the game. Everybody has lots of fun, except the poor visiting fans. Chanting continues throughout the game and is a huge part of the fantastic atmosphere here. The OSU Marching Band (often referred to as The Best Damn Band in the Land) marches out of the north ramp (known as the “ramp entrance”) around 20 minutes before kickoff and immediately puts on one of the most entertaining shows you’ll see. The pregame show is similar each week, with the highlight being the creation of the Script Ohio and the dotting of the i. Make sure to be in your seats at least 30 minutes prior to kickoff to see this. Of course, Hang On Sloopy is also played (study the words before you go). The band also performs at halftime with a different theme each week. Extremely impressive, though in some cases you need to look at the big screen to see exactly what their formation represents if you are not sitting high on the east side. From start to finish, it is a wild ride at Ohio Stadium and one that can be enjoyed throughout the entire day. Neighborhood 5 The campus of The Ohio State University is just a couple of miles north of downtown Columbus and quite attractive in its own right. Just north of the stadium is Lane Avenue which has a few bars, including the Varsity Club and the Thirsty Scholar. A few minutes east at the corner of Lane and High Street is a Buffalo Wild Wings, the Library Bar, and the Little Bar, all doing great business before a game. There are also a number of eateries catering to students here, such as the Chop Shop, a hamburger joint next to the BWW. Further north you can find Hendoc’s Pub (2375 North High St), a relaxed bar with decent beer specials, and Hounddog’s Pizza (2657 North High St) which serves excellent food and is a great late night option as it’s open 24 hours a day. If you return to downtown, you have another wide range of options around Nationwide Arena as well as the Short North district. Safe to say you will not have any difficulty discovering a spot to eat or drink either before or after the game. Fans 5 The game I attended was dubbed “Black Saturday in the Shoe” and Ohio State wore black uniforms for the first time in their history. Fans were asked to wear black and many responded as the majority of the crowd sported some sort of black attire, a very impressive look. Beyond this, fans are well behaved and friendly to visiting supporters (except those from Michigan). Given how much tailgating is taking place outside,you may expect a rowdier crowd similar to what you get at NFL games, but that is not the case. At the recent game I attended, there was one obnoxious gentleman nearby but he was quieted down by the ushers and those around him who just wanted to watch the game. Some fans smuggle in flasks, but the lack of alcohol sales does tend to keep things under control. Fans participate in the chants throughout the game and love their team and the overall experience. I left very impressed with the Buckeye fan base. Access 4 There are several game day lots (scarlet lots on this map) surrounding the stadium, each of which costs $15. The lots west of SR 315 are quite empty four hours before game time and do provide shuttle service, though afterwards, there is traffic on the surface streets for several blocks. Traffic moves well in general, both in the immediate vicinity of the stadium and further afield. If you don’t mind walking a mile or so, you might be able to find free street parking without meters (which are in effect until 10 pm even on Saturday). Columbus transit also provides shuttle service to the game, though with parking at the Expo Center at $5 and the shuttle ride at $5.50, I’m not sure it is worth it. Make sure to get into the stadium early because there is a lot going on and it takes time to tour. With the small footprint, concourses can get crowded, especially on the upper levels, while the entrances get very busy in the last half-hour before kickoff as the tailgating population emerges from their tents around the same time. If you wait too long, you will miss the band’s must-see, pregame performance. Capacity increased after some end zone seats were added for 2015, but there isn’t really a bad seat in the place. It takes about 30 minutes to tour around, checking food options and trying to get pictures from different angles. Ushers guard every entryway but are friendly and will let you through to take a photo or two. Washrooms can get crowded, especially at halftime, so plan accordingly. After the game, the stairways going down will be quite busy, so take your time as some of them are rather narrow. Once you are clear of the stadium, foot traffic moves well and there are dozens of police officers assisting drivers in exiting the area quickly. Return on Investment 5 Tickets vary in price depending on the opponent. For the 2015 season, prices ranged from $65 for weak non-conference opponents, $79 for less popular conference foes, $125 for Penn State, and $150 for Michigan State. For these high-demand games, tickets are very difficult to get through public sale, and you will need to get on the official site as soon as they go on sale as they sell out within minutes. The secondary market is no cheaper as this team draws well over 100,000 for every game. There are three seating decks, A, B, and C, with even-numbered sections on the west and odd- numbered sections on the east. Even from high up, you get a good view, though binoculars are helpful. Despite the price, the experience is unparalleled in all of sports. With only six or seven home games per year, you have very few opportunities to get here and even at $150, it is worth it if you are a stadium journeyer. Extras 4 For those who want to see more of the band, there is a “Skull Session” at nearby St. John’s Arena where the band practices, with doors opening four hours before the game. The rotunda is the unique area that marks the main entrance to the stadium on the north side. There are several plaques here commemorating the football program and the stadium itself, as well as three stained glass windows showing football scenes that were added in 2001. If you don’t think Ohio State Football is a religion, you will after seeing these. Just in front of the rotunda is a sculpture that honors Jesse Owens, who attended Ohio State and won a record eight individual championships before going on to world fame at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. I enjoyed the reaction of the fans to the Michigan muffed punt that cost them the game against Michigan State. This low-light was played several times on the scoreboard before the game, leading to a lot of cheering from the assembled. Final Thoughts Ohio Stadium is doubtless one of the top experiences for a sports traveler. College football home games are truly events and if you haven’t been to one of the football stadiums in the Big Ten, consider Ohio State as the perfect place to start.

Photos by Marc Heiden, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Ryan Field 1501 Central St Evanston, IL 60201 Northwestern Wildcats website Ryan Field website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 49,256 Northwestern Football at Ryan Field Built in 1926, Northwestern University’s Ryan Field is the oldest football stadium in the Chicago area that does not have a flying saucer on top of it. A 1996 renovation added a few upgrades, but the look and feel are largely unchanged from the early days of college football – falling somewhere between historic and decrepit in terms of character. Northwestern was a founding member of the Big Ten in 1896, and when the University of Chicago dropped its football program in 1939, Northwestern became the Chicago area’s only Big Ten team – a title it currently lords over the University of Illinois. Though generally successful in the early years, the football program fell into a steep decline in the postwar era. Between 1949 and 1994, the Wildcats earned no bowl appearances and only a handful of winning seasons; during a particularly bad stretch in the late 1970s, they eked out a total of three victories over six years. Then a surprise turnaround in 1995 ended with a conference title and a trip to the Rose Bowl, catching the entire region by surprise. Despite being the smallest program in the Big Ten, the Wildcats have mostly remained competitive since then, with more bowl appearances in the last 15 years than the preceding five decades combined. Food & Beverage 4 The best food is at the south end of the stadium, where a long row of grills awaits. Burgers and hot dogs ($4), brats ($6), and chicken ($7) are better here, as are the tasty desserts (funnel cakes are a favorite, $7/$8). The star attraction is Real Urban Barbecue, with brisket and pulled pork sandwiches ($9), mac ‘n cheese ($4), and variations on the noble tater tot ($5/$9). However, this area is absolutely crushed at halftime – I wouldn’t want to walk through there, let alone fight through a line, so stop here early. A runner up is the open-air grill in the outer concourse on the west side of the stadium, just inside Gate N – still crowded, but nowhere near as bad. In addition to the usual suspects, there’s a black bean veggie burger with chips ($6). The main concession stands are okay (hot dogs $3.50, Polish sausages $4.50, snacks like soft pretzels $4.50) but the quality is a step down from the aforementioned grills. Note that stands in the outer concourse have the same options and shorter lines than ones in the inner concourse. There is decent hot cocoa ($3.50 at stands, $5 from vendors) if you need a quick warm-up. Soda and bottled water are $4, and no alcohol is sold. If you just need some quick food in your stomach, grab a hot dog ($4) from one of the Mustard’s Last Stand carts outside on Central before you head in. Bring cash – a few concession stands accept credit cards, but not all, and if there are any ATMs inside the stadium, they’re not easy to find. Atmosphere 3 This is a refreshingly simple game experience. Some areas feel so close to the game that it’s exhilarating. Views of the field are excellent throughout, with the sole exception of the obstructed view seats at the top of the lower-level west stands. Even the upper deck offers a terrific perspective of the game and a lovely view beyond the stadium, with the white dome of the historic Ba’hai Temple peeking above the tree line. Conversely, this isn’t one of the more intense game experiences around, either. It’s pretty laid back, and the stadium production doesn’t do much to accentuate it. The video screen blends well with its surroundings and the quality is sharp. The camera operator doesn’t always seem to know what to do between plays, but there are some charmingly nerdy videos during breaks in the action. The public address system is kind of ridiculous, relying on one speaker on a pole above the north end zone, though at least it’s audible throughout the seating area. Neighborhood 4 Ryan Field is a 20 to 30 minute walk from Northwestern University’s lakeside campus in Evanston. While lovely in the autumn, there isn’t much to do in the immediate area other than a visit to Mustard’s Last Stand (1613 Central St.), a classic hot dog shack just west of the stadium. The closest bar/restaurant is Bluestone (1932 Central St.), which is nice but not really sports-oriented, and it gets crowded quickly. Downtown Evanston is about 30 minutes away by foot (or three stops on the CTA Purple Line) and full of great places to eat and drink. It’s well worth planning to spend the evening there. Among places to drink, Tommy Nevin’s Pub (1450 Sherman Ave.) is the chief game day bar, Bat 17 (1709 Benson Ave.) has good sandwiches, and Firehouse Grill (750 Chicago Ave.) will keep kids entertained with vintage fire department memorabilia. All three are close to the CTA Purple Line. Lou Malnati’s (1850 Sherman Ave.) will have games on and serves hot, filling deep dish pizza. For cheap eats, Edzo’s Burger Shop (1571 Sherman Ave.) is tops, though there are good noodle and pasta places around too, such as Dave’s Italian Kitchen (1635 Chicago Ave.). Evanston excels in fine dining, notably the Nepalese restaurant Mt. Everest (630 Church St.), live jazz spot Pete Miller’s Seafood & Prime Steak (1557 Sherman Ave.), and the Michelin-recognized Found Kitchen and Social House (1631 Chicago Ave.). Fans 3 Northwestern fans are sometimes outnumbered in their own stadium, especially when the likes of Michigan, Ohio State, or Wisconsin are in town. While it’s not fair to pin that on lack of student enthusiasm – some of their rivals have more than double the enrollment that Northwestern does – it can be hard to get swept up in the emotion of a split crowd, and the visiting fans set the tone as much as the home fans do. Rival fans are most heavily concentrated in the east stands, but they appear to feel welcome throughout the stadium. The only area that’s completely set aside for home fans is the southeast corner, where a tightly packed student section and the student band are situated. The term “Midwestern hospitality” comes to mind as you watch Northwestern fans during the game. It’s not in their nature to try to intimidate or shout over opposing fans – the rules of good hospitality dictate that visitors be made to feel welcome, be allowed to chant and yell as they please, etc. But Northwestern fans are capable of making plenty of noise when it’s called for, and they take their colors seriously – there’s a lot of royal purple and black in the crowd. They tend to be realistic about their team’s prospects and appreciate when visitors show an interest. Access 4 The CTA Purple Line and Metra Union Pacific North Line have stations on Central Ave. in Evanston, a short walk east and west (respectively) of the stadium. Fans can transfer to the CTA Red Line at Howard for connections to Chicago, and the Union Pacific-North line runs between downtown Chicago and Kenosha, Wisconsin. On game days, the PACE suburban bus system runs a Ryan Field Express from the Northwest Transportation Center in Schaumburg. Getting to the stadium on the CTA is easy, but getting away takes some patience. Central is a sleepy little station near the end of the Purple Line. It does all right before games, but it’s an unholy disaster afterward. Imagine your grandparents trying to make a PowerPoint presentation in a hurry, using information being shouted at them, with a small, greasy tablet computer, at gunpoint; and you should have an impression of how Central and the Purple Line cope with postgame crowds. Much better, if weather permits, to follow the march of fans south toward downtown Evanston – a pleasant half-hour walk – and dine or drink there before heading home. (Both the CTA and Metra have stops in downtown Evanston as well.) The parking lots adjacent to the stadium and the golf course next to the CTA station are open to Northwestern season ticket holders only. Somehow, visiting fans still manage to tailgate in there, presumably with a borrowed pass. If you arrive early, you may be able to find parking on the streets around the stadium, but traps abound – keep a very close eye out for signs with parking restrictions. Leaving after the game will be tough, as narrow Central Ave gets backed up. There are some small pay lots near the intersection of Central & Green Bay Road (usually $20) and pay garages in downtown Evanston with free shuttles to the stadium; the one at Clark & Maple, near the Century Theaters, is probably the biggest and easiest to find. Alternately, there are free lots on campus, primarily along Sheridan Road, southeast of the stadium. Tailgating is welcome in the campus lots, and there are free shuttles. If you’re walking from one of the remote lots, you’ll see students offering pedicab rides. Figure about $5 from the CTA station or $10 from one of the closer campus lots. Inside the stadium, the small and grimy restrooms show the stadium’s age. There are pockets of port-a-potties in a few corners of the stadium to help deal with the crowds. The upper-level restrooms are a lot less crowded. There is seating for disabled fans in the east and west stands and elevators in the west stands (it’s a very long walk to the upper deck). The corridors of the stadium are narrow and difficult to traverse, so plan your entrance gate in advance, and definitely do not try to traverse the south end zone food court. Disabled parking for single games on the west side of the stadium is first come, first served. Return on Investment 3 On average, tickets range from $35 in the end zones to $50 for reserved seats in the east or west stands. All but the back rows of the west stands provide great views of the field. I’d avoid the south end zone, which is crowded and seems to attract most annoying fans. The upper deck is a good value as long as you don’t mind the long walk up there. Extras 3 One bonus point for the student band. Northwestern may have the smallest enrollment of any school in their conference, but the size and quality of the band would do any of their rivals proud, even if some of the halftime themes (“A Tribute to Disney Musicals”) aren’t really designed to pump up the crowd. A second bonus point for purple harmony. Northwestern seems to have convinced most of the sponsors to allow their ads to be rendered in purple and white, avoiding the usual clash between corporate logos and everything else. It’s all about the purple and white and black at Ryan Field. On the whole, the game production is pitched to the character of their fans. Playing a lolcat video during a break in the action seemed to epitomize that – Northwestern fans are a smart, fun-loving bunch but they aren’t screaming meatheads and the stadium isn’t trying to coerce them into it. Another bonus point for beautiful Evanston and the historic character of the stadium. It’s well behind the times in some respects (and simply outdated in others), but Ryan Field wears its history with a quiet, understated charm. It’s not hard at all to imagine classic college football of the 1930s, 40s, and 50s being played here. And even if the game is unmemorable, Evanston is a great place to spend the day. Final Thoughts Ryan Field doesn’t have a lot to offer beyond great views of the field and a friendly, hospitable atmosphere, but that’s enough for a pleasant day of college football.

Photos by Lloyd Brown and James Hilchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Memorial Stadium 600 Stadium Dr Lincoln, NE 68508 Nebraska Cornhuskers website Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1923 Capacity: 87,091 The Sea of Red On several weekends each fall, the third largest city in Nebraska forms within the confines of Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Nicknamed “the Sea of Red” for the predominate color worn by their fans, the stadium has a capacity of 85,458. It holds the collegiate record for consecutive sellouts as the last game where there was an empty seat was in 1961. This is a testament to the dominant history of football at Nebraska, with 5 National Championships, 43 Conference Championships and 53 Bowl appearances. The Cornhuskers own a .754 home winning percentage since play began at the stadium back in 1923. Food & Beverage 4 There are more than 100 concession stands or carts spread throughout the stadium on football Saturdays. These stands are designed with speed and efficiency in mind. The quality of the food is excellent, as you are in the center of farm country, but the variety of foods offered is limited due to the space available and the number of fans to feed. Cornhusker concessions include brats ($6), brisket sandwiches ($8), hamburgers ($6), hot dogs ($3), pizza ($5), nachos ($3-$6, depending on type), popcorn ($3), pretzels ($3), candy ($3) and cookies ($3). Memorial Stadium carries Pepsi brand products (24 ounce for $3), bottled water ($3), coffee ($3) and hot chocolate ($3). Alcohol can not be sold on university property. The concessions workers do a great job at keeping the lines moving and you should be back in your seat very quickly. Atmosphere 5 The University of Nebraska has cultivated a great atmosphere at its home games back to the days of legendary coaches Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne. Statues of both Devaney and Osborne are found outside two of the main gates into the stadium. Another major contributor to the game day atmosphere is the Hall of Fame Plaza, which is a central gathering point before each contest. Tradition plays a big role in creating a great atmosphere at a Cornhuskers game. The day gets underway with one of the biggest traditions in America’s Heartland, a parade. This activity includes the team’s Unity Walk into the stadium, as well as a pregame concert by the University of Nebraska marching band. Another tradition is the chanting of “Corn!” by one side of the stands, followed by “Huskers!” by the opposite side of the stadium just before the team takes the field. The team charges out of a tunnel as “Sirius” by the Alan Parsons Project is played and the stadium simply erupts. Memorial Stadium is very well designed from the aspect of sight lines. Even though it is large, the pitch of the steps and seating is at a comfortable level. Speaking of comfort… bring along a seat cushion as almost all of the seating is of the aluminum bench variety. Another nice design factor are the large HuskerVision boards for the replays and information on other games. Nebraska pioneered the use of video boards in college stadiums back in the 1990”s. Neighborhood 5 The University of Nebraska campus and Memorial Stadium are both located in downtown Lincoln. Lincoln has two sides to it, as it is the state capital and it is a major college town. We’re going to give you a short overview to the two sides of Lincoln. First, as the state capital of Nebraska, the city has many cultural activities going on and there are also some very interesting government buildings to check out for the architecture alone. We suggest you visit the State Capitol Building first, as it is the easiest to find. It is a 400-foot tall building that towers over the rest of the city. Inside you will find beautiful murals depicting the history of the state. Another cultural site to visit is the Sheldon Museum of Art, which brings in spectacular pieces from every part of the art world. As a college town, entertainment venues, sports and dining choices are a necessity. In Lincoln these are found in the Haymarket Historic District. Located just a few blocks from campus, this area is developing into the retail, dining, sports and shopping center of Lincoln. It is home to the Pinnacle Arena, the home court for the basketball Huskers. Within two blocks of the arena is Railyard, an entertainment venue with more than 20 restaurants, bars and shopping options. It is a short walk from Memorial Stadium and is a great place to go after the game while letting the traffic thin out. Fans 5 The Cornhusker fan base spans many generations. It is not unusual to see three generations of a family attending a game together. What ties these folks together is a love of Cornhusker football….and a seriously red sense of fashion. Expect to see business suits, bib jeans, baby clothes and t-shirts… all in Husker red and sporting either the block “N” lettering or the image of mascot Herbie the Husker. Also expect to see plenty ear of corn headgear. You will find the Nebraska fans to be very vocal in their support of the team, but in a polite way. This is the Heartland, where trash talking is frowned on. You don’t have to worry about wearing the opposition’s colors with this crowd. Unless… you are in the student section, known as the Boneyard. They are in no way out of control… they are just a bit rowdier than the other 72,000 fans in the stands. The Osborne Athletic Building offers fans a great look at the history of Nebraska football in its lobby. This includes kiosks featuring great plays in Cornhusker history, a collection of all the National Championship and Bowl trophies won over the years by Nebraska and a section devoted to the team’s three Heisman Trophy winners (Johnny Rodgers, Mike Rozier and Eric Crouch). The Husker Nation Pavilion is a very popular gathering point for fans prior to the games. It is set up on the practice field next to Memorial Stadium. It opens three hours before the kickoff and offers food, games, a team store, autograph sessions with former Husker greats and plenty of large screen TV’s tuned in to other games from around the country. Access 3 Nebraska is a large state geographically, with very few large population centers. The major road into Lincoln is I-80, which can be crowded on game days. Lincoln does have an airport (LNK), but flights are prohibitively expensive on game weekends. A second option is to fly into Omaha, which is 58 miles from Lincoln, then rent a car. It is much less expensive and will offer you quite a bit more flight options. Amtrak service is also an option to get to Lincoln. Once you are in Lincoln, parking becomes an issue, as lots next to the stadium are reserved for boosters and season ticket holders. We strongly urge you to use the Big Red Express shuttle service offered by StarTran on game days. They offer shuttle service from the mall, the airport and many other parking lots that are not in use on Saturdays. The service costs $10 round trip (call 402-476-1234 for detailed information.) Once inside Memorial Stadium you will find wide concourses and aisles, which help the fan movement to flow very smoothly. The stadium also offers enough concession areas and restroom facilities to handle the capacity crowds. Return on Investment 3 Tickets (if they are even available) start at $75 for standing room only. Secondary market sellers get hundreds of dollars for a single game ticket. Parking at the stadium is strictly for large donors and season ticket holders. Downtown Lincoln parking areas are nearly all spoken for on game days. The most cost-effective way to get to the stadium is via the Big Red Express Shuttles at a cost of $10 . Concessions at Memorial Stadium are quite reasonably priced. Lincoln’s inventory of available hotel rooms on game weekends is extremely limited. You may want to stay in Omaha, and commute to the game on Saturday morning. Extras 4 Memorial Stadium salutes Nebraskans who lost their lives in wars dating back to the Civil and Spanish American Wars, in addition to the wars of the 20th and 21st centuries. The University of Nebraska Athletic Department is one of the few self-supporting college programs in the country. It receives no state funding and charges no student athletic fees. It typically runs at a surplus and donates 5% of the surplus back to the university for use in academic programs. Fans and players alike love to make the ‘throwing the bone” sign after a great tackle or a successful defensive series. This sign is made by crossing your arms in a skull and crossbones movement. Another extra must go to the Nebraska fans. They are competitive during the game, but always make visitors feel welcome. They are a class act and represent Lincoln and the university well. Final Thoughts The University of Nebraska and Memorial Stadium represent the best in college football. On the field, the team has been quite successful, winning five National Championships. In the stands, the fans have filled the nearly 90,000 seat stadium to capacity for every game since 1961. More importantly, the athletic department is self-sufficient and does not drain funds from the university. A trip to the Sea of Red helps to restore your confidence in college football done the right way.

Photo by Marcus Traxler, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Huntington Bank Stadium 2009 University Ave S.E. Minneapolis, MN 55455 Minnesota Golden Gophers website Huntington Bank Stadium website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 50,805 TCF Bank Stadium Delivers a College Game Day Experience for the Golden Gophers When TCF Bank Stadium opened in 2009, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers finally had their own venue for the gridiron. Beforehand, they’d shared a space with the NFL’s Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. At a cost of just over $303 million, TCF Bank Stadium was designed to provide a real college football game day experience, despite the frigid cold of the Minnesota winters that can sometimes set in as early as October. Nonetheless, TCF Bank Stadium has achieved its purpose. It’s college football at its best…even during the times of year when it serves as a frozen tundra of sorts. Upon visiting, former Golden Gophers quarterback Tony Dungy labeled it “unbelievable.” He wasn’t kidding. Food & Beverage 5 TCF Bank Stadium is without a doubt, not short on food options. From well known food vendors such as Domino’s Pizza and Subway, all the way to Midwestern favorite BBQ joint Famous Dave’s, there’s something for everyone. Some of the more interesting food options include Dino’s (gyro) and tamales from La Loma Tamales. Otherwise, you have your expected options: cheese curds ($6), hot dogs ($7), chicken tenders ($6.75), and walleye fingers & fries from Goldy’s Grill. And not to be outdone by Famous Dave’s, another BBQ joint known as Jax BBQ offers unique options such as prime rib chili, clam chowder and Philly cheesesteak. If you’re looking for beer at TCF Bank Stadium, here’s what you’ll find: Grain Belt Nordeast, Grain Belt Premium, Miller Genuine Draft, Miller Lite, Redd’s, and Leinenkugel’s. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere is great. I was never able to attend a Gophers game at the old Metrodome, but surely it’s an entirely different experience. College football just never feels right under a ceiling. Outside is better …even if it’s played during the extremely cold Minnesota winters. Set on the University of Minnesota campus, there’s plenty of room around the stadium to tailgate and hang outside before you head into the venue. The corridors are spacious, although can get crowded just before the start of the game. Another benefit, meanwhile, is being able to see the Minneapolis skyline if you sit behind one of the end zones. Neighborhood 5 TCF Bank Stadium is situated on the University of Minnesota campus in an area known as Stadium Village. Nearby there’s student housing, along with numerous eating options such as Buffalo Wild Wings (directly across from the stadium’s main gate), the Big Ten Restaurant and Bar, and the very popular Stub and Herb’s, a pub grub that offers burgers. Just a bit further from Stadium Village, you’ll find Dinkytown, which of course, has even more options for food. Dinkytown can be a great choice to find good eats, especially if the restaurants near Stadium Village are packed before kickoff…something that happens quite often. Fans 5 Since taking over last season, head coach Tracy Claeys has done a good job keeping the team on the up and up. The fans are passionate, knowledgeable, and for the large part, focused on the gameplay. That’s not to say the mood is too serious, however. TCF Bank Stadium features somewhat of a laid back atmosphere as well. Games are pretty well attended, with vacant seats here and there, but overall, the fans provide a positively energetic vibe. Access 3 Access by car can be tricky. Traffic is sometimes bad and parking can be pricey. While the stadium’s surrounding space fails to provide adequate parking, Stadium Village does excel at something else: Providing easy access via the Metro Transit Green Line…a system that also connects to Target Field and U.S. Bank Stadium. Also available is the option of parking further away and taking the Metro Transit bus or Campus Connector. You can park at the State Fairgrounds in St. Paul for just around $10 and bus your way in from there. Not only is this a good way to avoid traffic around Stadium Village, there’s also somewhat of a tailgate scene in the parking lot. Return on Investment 4 You can find tickets on StubHub for as cheap as $21, or as expensive as $130 (the latter usually tends to be on the lower sideline). Whatever option you go with, it’s hard to go wrong here. No matter where you are, the view is pretty good. Most of the seating is on bleachers, so if you come during the cold weather, you’ll want to bring along a seat cushion to keep yourself from freezing. Overall, it’s a great game day experience for a relatively affordable price. Not only are you paying for what’s going on down on the field, you’re also paying to receive a great stadium atmosphere that really helps you get into the college game day mood. Extras 3 For one thing, TCF Bank Stadium spotlights Goldy’s Locker Room, a 2-story fan shop featuring all the University of Minnesota gear you could ever hope for. It’s an impressive store, so much so that it’s one you’d imagine could serve the NFL. The inside of the stadium, meanwhile, is decorated with banners featuring images of players from the Golden Gophers’ heyday, and there’s no shortage of tables selling even more Gophers gear. Also make sure to catch a glimpse of the team’s famed mascot, Goldy the Gopher, who likes to ride a scooter around the field during the pre-game. Meanwhile, the Pride of Minnesota Marching Band without a doubt, puts on an impressive halftime show. Final Thoughts TCF Bank Stadium is the perfect college game day experience. Sure, it’s not as wild as you’d experience in the large stadiums of the Southeastern Conference, but for the Midwest, it’s one of the best times you’ll have. If you’re able, attend a game here when the Gophers play their largest rivals, such as the Wisconsin Badgers or the Iowa Hawkeyes and you’ll come away impressed with the enthusiasm, the architecture, the stadium amenities, and so much more.