Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Gulf Place (Gulf Shores Main Public Beach) 101 E. Beach Blvd Gulf Shores, AL 36542 NCAA Women’s Beach Volleyball website Gulf Place website Year Opened: 2016 A National Championship comes to the Gulf Coast Every year since 2016 the top Beach Volleyball teams in the country meet up on the beautiful white, sandy beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama for the NCAA Beach Volleyball Championships. Beach Volleyball is the NCAA’s newest sport, having been officially sponsored by the NCAA since 2016. Before that sand volleyball had been a part of college sports, but only at the club or intramural level. When the NCAA took over in 2016 they changed the name from Sand Volleyball to the more official Beach Volleyball. As of the 2022 season there are 64 Division I, 16 D2, and 6 D3 schools with Beach Volleyball programs. With only D1 having enough schools to support a championship, all three divisions are eligible to participate in the NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship. The California schools dominate the field every year, with USC taking home four titles (including the 2022 tournament) and UCLA taking home two titles. For the first five years only 8 teams were invited, but for 2022 the field was expanded to include 16 teams with a different format than in years past. There are currently eight D1 conferences for Beach Volleyball, so the winners of the conferences are invited to participate. In addition, two teams from the East Region and two teams from the West Region are given bids, while four at-large schools are also selected. The at-large teams selected could be D2 or D3 schools, making Beach Volleyball the only NCAA sponsored sport where schools from different divisions compete against each other. Food & Beverage 3 The Beach Volleyball National Championships take place in a temporary area literally right on the beach. Because of this there are no permanent concessions on site. However, there are several tents on site selling drinks and snacks, and there are also two food trucks on property selling food – an acai bowl truck called Sowl Bowlz and a Chicken Shack truck. The tents basically sell cold beverages like bottled water ($2), Powerade ($3), bottled sodas ($4), and 12 oz. canned beer ($6) available in Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, and Bud Light. They also had a bartender who was making mixed drinks at one of the tents. There are also a ton of restaurants within walking distance of the venue, so since you are free to come and go as you want my recommendation would be get something to eat at one of the many local seafood restaurants in Gulf Shores. Atmosphere 4 The scene here is pretty cool, as they literally just fence in a wide area of the beach and set up 11 temporary beach volleyball courts, with 5 being used for match play and the other 6 being used for practice. This is the first year since 2019 that the tournament has operated with fan attendance. With 16 teams being invited for the first time ever, the tournament has expanded to five days. The event kicks off Wednesday morning at 9 am with the first round, and all 16 teams playing in a single elimination format. All matches are contested under five sets, with the first team to win three sets advancing. The early rounds of the tournament will start at about 9 am and go until it gets dark. Thursday is a practice day for the teams, as the tournament switches to double elimination on Friday. The teams then play back-to-back all day on Friday and Saturday until there are only two teams left, which play for the National Championship on Sunday, as well as the third-place game which is also played on Sunday. When the schools play, they use all five different courts, so it can get kind of confusing to know which one to watch, as there will be five different matches going on at the same time. Since there isn’t an official game day program or anything to familiarize you with any of the players, your best bet is to just walk from court to court. The official grounds are blocked by two large fences to the east and west, but to the south there is a small three-foot wooden fence, so people walking the beach are able to stop and view the action as the venue is a part of the public beach. They even have a large videoboard visible from the water. The waves were calm during most of the tournament, so it is possible to float in the water and watch the action as it is shown on ESPN. The area where the matches take place is directly outside The Hangout, a popular beach-side restaurant best known for hosting the Hangout Fest every year. The grounds around The Hangout have a pretty cool set up with all kinds of banners and signs welcoming you to Gulf Shores and the Beach Volleyball Championship. The NCAA does a good job at making this a pretty cool event – they have a giant blown up Beach Volleyball with all the team logos, and they have a giant sand sculpture created on the beach. Also, around the beach outside the official grounds there are over 60 beach volleyball nets set up on the beach, hosting over 900 beach volleyball players for a junior tournament, the largest such in the country. There are all kinds of tents set up around the nets with different groups playing. I saw people from different beach volleyball clubs around the country, and they were even doing beach volleyball camps run by different organizations. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) even had a tent set up, and it looked like they were doing some sort of tryouts – they were even giving away free koozies and I saw perhaps the best beach volleyball player to ever play the sport, three-time Olympic gold medalist Misty-May Treanor. There is one main gate where they take your ticket to the east of the entrance to The Hangout. Once inside the grounds it is relaxed and you are able to walk from court to court to view the action. Each court has a five-row metal bleacher setup surrounding the court, and in front of the bleachers are three rows of chair back seating using the types of chairs you would find at the beach; these seats are first come first serve and probably about 10-15 feet from the actual court. They have a rather large merch stand located around the courts selling t-shirts and memorabilia, and also have cabana-style seating under a giant elevated air-conditioned canopy tent called the NCAA Experience, where they have a full spread of food and drinks and TVs to watch. This is where the ESPN broadcasters sit during the match as well. Everything is laid back here and as the event is all day, you are free to come and go as you please. Neighborhood 5 There are several bars and restaurants in the immediate area for you to watch the matches from, one being The Hangout of course, but another is the famous Pink Pony Pub, which at over 50 years old is Gulf Shores’ oldest bar. This cool dive bar is located right on the beach, and you can get a perfect view of all the courts from the front deck of this bar. There is also a Hooter’s next door as well, though you can’t see the sand courts from there. The Hangout is located right where the main road into town (Hwy 59) meets the beach. Around this intersection you will find a ton of restaurants, as well as tourist and souvenir shops along this little stretch. Popular restaurants in the area include mostly seafood with my favorites being Sea N Suds, Gulf Islands Grill, Mikee’s Seafood, Steamed Oyster Bar, Shrimp Basket, King Neptune’s, Oyster House, Tacky Jack’s, Lulu’s, and Starlight Diner. The town of Gulf Shores is a little more developed than neighboring Orange Beach, so you will find a lot more restaurants and shopping in the beach community. You can also find the Tanger Outlets and a decent-sized strip mall just north of city limits. You can also venture into Orange Beach and shop at The Wharf as well; this upscale shopping center is located right on the back bay. You could spend weeks in Gulf Shores and still have plenty to do. The main attraction is the beach and the water, but there are other things to do as well. For families the Gulf Shores Zoo is located nearby, and Waterville USA is a popular water park with a few roller coasters. For outdoor lovers Gulf State Park is nearby and features over 30 miles of trails through various sand dunes and woods; they also have cabins for camping and a pier for fishing as well. In addition there is Fort Morgan, a popular Civil War fort located about 20 miles to the west of Gulf Shores, which makes for a great day to explore the ruins of an old fort. Fans 4 This was the first year since 2019 that fans were allowed to attend the tournament, and they showed up setting an NCAA beach volleyball attendance record. Over 10,000 spectators showed up over the five days, marking a 7% increase in attendance over the 2019 event. The beaches were packed with people, and the roads headed into Gulf Shores were lined with people, as it was a typical summer beach day on the Gulf Coast. Just because there weren’t many area schools participating doesn’t mean there wasn’t a mix of fans who traveled from out of state. LSU and Florida State had the largest group of fans who traveled, but I also talked to some UCLA fans who had traveled from California, some Georgia State fans from Atlanta, and some TCU fans from Texas. So it was a cool mixture of all these school’s different fan bases gathering together on the beach. It is also possible to watch some of the tournament from outside the fence, as the wooden fence is only about waist high. There is about a 100-foot section of the beach open to the public to the south of the grounds where people were walking; I saw many people with tents set up, playing cornhole and drinking a cold beverage while watching the beach volleyball action unfold. You could also watch the action from the water as well. The weather was excellent during this week, and I took a dip in the ocean and could get excellent views of the courts and the videoboard. The Pink Pony balcony has excellent views of the court as well. A tournament like this is also more of a spectator sport, as most people will not be familiar with many of the beach volleyball players or teams playing in the tournament. An event like this doesn’t make a great event to watch on Tv either, but the party and festive atmosphere, along with the beautiful beach setting, makes attending this event worth it. Access 2 The one bad part about coming to this event is just getting here. Gulf Shores is located on the far southern end of the state about 60 miles southeast of Mobile. If coming from out of town I-10 will be your best bet – just take the Highway 59 exit (Exit 44), then go all the way south (about 35 miles) and you will pop out right on Beach Blvd. Be warned though this highway can be a nightmare this time of the year with traffic, and it can take upwards of over an hour just to get from the interstate to the beach. You could instead branch over to the next exit and take the Baldwin Beach Express, which is a little less traveled but means driving a longer distance, as well as paying a toll. But there is a giant Buc-ees on this road, and the gas station superstore makes for a great pit stop for people coming to the beach. After fighting the beach traffic and getting down here you will still have to find somewhere to park, and as there is no public transportation in Gulf Shores, parking and walking will be your best option. There are several pay lots around The Hangout, including the main parking lot that charges a whopping $20 a car to park. However, there are several pay lots a couple of blocks to the west. The 4th and 6th street public beach access points charge $5 per car but have plenty of parking; you will just have to walk a couple of blocks. I was lucky enough to have a friend staying at a nearby condo, so I was able to park there and ride my bike over. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are priced as follows: General Admission Day passes for all day are $25, with courtside tickets selling for $35 a day. You could also purchase the four-day General Admission pass for $55, or courtside for all four days at $85. The NCAA Fan Experience tickets sell for $250, and that grants access to the large A/C hospitality tent for all five days. Looking at the ticket prices, tickets may seem kind of high to an average person, but you are getting to see some of the top beach volleyball players in the country. Some of these players have competed at past Olympics, so you are getting to see the best beach volleyball players. You are also getting to see an NCAA National Champion get crowned, which regardless of the sport is always pretty cool. Also just being able to come to the beaches of Gulf Shores for the weekend is worth the trip alone. The hardest part is just getting here, but once on location you can enjoy the day walking the beach free of charge, and you can’t beat that. Extras 3 One point for the number of sporting events held in the Gulf Shores-Orange Beach area. Gulf Shores-Orange Beach Sports and Events partnered with UAB to host this tournament. Besides the NCAA beach volleyball championship, the two towns host tons of different sporting events and tournaments throughout the year, ranging from youth to college sports. The nearby Orange Beach Sportsplex hosts the SEC Soccer Tournament for nine days every November, bringing fans from all 14 SEC schools to the area. The sportsplex also hosts the NAIA Soccer National Championship every year, and multiple D1 and D2 men’s and women’s tournaments. With championship golf courses, beautiful water for fishing, and countless tournaments every weekend, this area of south Alabama is living up to its name as a national sports and recreation hub for the Gulf Coast region. Another extra for the Hangout Fest which takes place generally the weekend following the Beach Volleyball Championship. They do an excellent job at breaking down the volleyball courts and constructing multiple stages to host the notable acts who play during the three-day music fest. Past performers at the Fest include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Widespread Panic, Tom Petty, Foo Fighters, the Dave Matthews Band, Travis Scott, Post Malone, Fall Out Boy, Kendrick Lamar, Outkast, Paul Simon, The Weekend, and more. Lastly an extra point for the setting itself, as you cannot pick a more prime location to have an event like this. I can’t think of any sport where you can sit in the ocean and still watch the action as it happens right in front of you. This is a really cool event to attend, and one of the more unique sporting events I’ve ever attended. In fact there are only a couple more years for you to experience the Beach Volleyball Championship here, as the tourney will move to Huntington Beach, CA in 2025.

Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Jack Adam Stadium 1915 Quebec Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45205 Cincinnati Steam website Jack Adam Stadium website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 300 Full Steam Ahead in Cincinnati The Cincinnati Steam are members of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League; the team began operations in 2006 in the league. The organization plays at three different venues in Cincinnati, including the Reds Youth Academy, a couple of games at Xavier University, and Jack Adam Stadium, the home of the Elder High School baseball program. However, this is not your typical high school baseball field. The $ 500,000 stadium was funded entirely through donations, including Elder alumnus Jack Adam who covered half the cost of its construction. The ornate brick venue opened in 2014 and is part of the Panther Athletic Complex that includes practice facilities for the high school soccer, golf, tennis, and track and field programs. The stadium features an arched entrance and towers to resemble the design of nearby Elder High School. The Steam has played at other locations in town but feels that the Elder ballpark is their most prominent home. The club won championships in 2008 and 2009 and was named after Queen City’s riverboat heritage along the Ohio River. However, in a city where “red” is the color of baseball, how does “Steam blue” compare as an option for the baseball dollar? NOTE: In September 2023 the Steam announced via Twitter that it would be on hiatus for the 2024 Great Lakes season to return to play in 2025. Food & Beverage 3 There are food and drink options available at the ballpark. Hot dogs, sausages, and burgers are fresh off the grill and cost $1 each. Small packs of potato chips are included with your purchase, and you can wash them down with cans of Pepsi-Cola varieties. Since it’s a high school venue, alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the grounds. It’s not a lot of variety, but it makes up for the cost and taste. Atmosphere 3 The ballpark seats 300 people and includes bucket seats behind home plate with bleacher seating down each baseline. There is giant netting that protects fans, while an operational press box handles game-day announcements and broadcast operations. The seating behind home is colored purple after the Elder and packed with fans from both ball clubs-the opponent Hamilton is 29 miles north at Foundation Field. The brick facade is tastefully decorated with a giant arched entrance with the name of the school etched on top. The stadium feels more like a castle than a place for baseball and includes the state championship of the high school’s past. There is also a bench with a replica of Mr. Red to pose with pictures. The smell of the grill, banter from both benches and the cheering from the crowd complement the atmosphere. However, there are no on-field promotions, team mascot, or overly-hype PA guy. Here, the focus is on the game on the diamond; something that should please the baseball purist, but there are no rosters, scoresheets, or game-day programs for those such purists. Neighborhood 3 The ballpark is in the Price Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati in the city’s southwest corner along the Ohio River. It is one of the oldest outlying settlements of the city; it has gone through a revitalization that includes renovated older homes and the promotion of commercial and artistic opportunities in the region. The best options for eating include the Incline Public House, Nation Westwood, Primavista, and Incline Smoke Shack. Tacos El Joven and Veracruz Mexican Grill are two other options for authentic cuisine. Price Hill Chili has been in operation since 1962 and is one of the city’s local chili parlors, but offers breakfast all day, double-decker sandwiches, pasta, entrees, and burgers. A few miles down the Ohio River is Great American Ballpark , the home of the Cincinnati Reds and the club’s hall of fame. Across the river is the Newport Aquarium in Kentucky, and a mile up from the Great American is Rhinegeist Brewing. Two great attractions in the area include the Cincinnati Museum Center and the American Sign Museum. Fans 4 The Steam attracts an enthusiastic crowd to the ball game, although having the local Hamilton Joes added a few more fans in the seats. The crowd concentrated on the game and remained focused throughout the nine innings. Due to the rather small size of the venue, the stadium felt much fuller than normal. Access 3 Jack Adam Stadium is more than a mile away from Elder High School. It caused a little confusion, as I had to ask twice how to get to the ballpark by a security guard at the football stadium on campus. He nicely pointed out that there was an address at the entrance to the football stadium, but type in Panther Athletic Complex into your GPS to find the ballpark without a problem. Once at the complex, the ballpark features ample parking, easy access to the concourse and bathrooms, and more than enough room to move around. Signage off the main road is also visible for the first-time visitor of a Steam game. Return on Investment 4 This is where the ballclub excels in terms of return on investment. All games are free, food options are a buck, and merchandise ranges from 10 to $15. In this day and age, at any level of Summer collegiate baseball, these prices cannot be beaten. Hot dogs and burgers are a dollar, fresh off the grill, New Era caps are $15 in three varieties, and drift t-shirts are a bargain at $10. To say that a Steam game won’t break your wallet is an understatement. It is how a game at this level should be done. Extras 3 The Cincinnati Steam earns points for one-dollar concessions and $15 ballcaps. The club gets another point for free admission to all home games. The final point is for the brick facade of the stadium and the arched entrance that stands out among the better high school ballparks in the area. Final Thoughts There is nothing truly fancy about the game-day operations for Steam in terms of gimmicks and promotions. Oh, that makes up for the cost and fan appreciation during the game. I have to say this is one of those small little ballparks that’s worth checking out that’s easy on the wallet and enjoyable at the same time. --------- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Bart Wilhelm and Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Mayo Field 403 E Center St Rochester, MN 55904 Rochester Honkers website Mayo Field website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity: 3,570 A Mayo Clinic Mayo Field was built in 1951 on land donated to the city of Rochester by the Mayo Brothers, founders of the world-famous Mayo Clinic. Specified in that donation was that this plot of land must be used for baseball. For a time the Rochester Royals played here as a Kansas City Royals affiliate. When they left, the local town ball team took the name “Royals” and continues to play at Mayo Field today. The Honkers have been members of the Northwoods League since their founding in 1994. They have won five championships over their history, most recently in 2009. Eight Honker alumni have reached the Major Leagues. Food & Beverage 4 The concessions at Mayo Field are impressive for a ballpark of this size. The majority of the stands are located underneath the grandstand. Visitors to Mayo Field will be pleased with the diverse options available here. The main stand offers your basic burgers and dogs, with some interesting options thrown in for good measure. The Angry Goose Burger adds pepper jack cheese, jalapenos, Holy Smoke BBQ sauce, and spicy pickles. You can amp up your nachos by adding shredded chicken, jalapenos, and Holy Smoke BBQ sauce, creating “Goose Pit Nachos.” Other items you may be surprised to find at this small stand are bratwursts, plant-based burgers, and cheese curds. Fans looking for a snack should check out the Sweet Shop, where different flavors of gourmet popcorn, Dippin’ Dots, ice cream novelties, and other sweet treats are sold. Check out the Apple Nachos, which are apple slices doused in caramel sauce, sweet cream, and crushed butterfingers. Pepsi products are featured at Mayo Field. Fans looking for an adult beverage can choose between Bud Light, and Michelob Golden Light ( a favorite in the area), along with craft brews from Castle Danger and Broken Bat Breweries. Atmosphere 3 At a smaller, older park like Mayo Field, you wouldn’t expect an elaborate game day presentation, and you won’t get one. That doesn’t mean the Honkers staff don’t put on a nice show, because they do. They do a good job of mixing in some modern entertainment with traditional touches. The Honkers mascot, Slider, basically a person with a giant baseball on his/her head, roams the ballpark interacting with fans, presenting sponsor ads, and helping with the typical on-field shenanigans. The guys in the booth get in on the act by playing silly songs for every opposing batter. There’s also a “Beer Batter” and “Root Beer Batter.” If the designated batter either strikes out or gets a hit, beer or root beer is half price for the rest of the inning. The root beer batter had a good night during Stadium Journey’s visit, as virtually every kid in attendance seemed to have a root beer in hand. There’s a party deck down the left field line available for groups along with the Grand Slam Patio, a beer garden available to all fans. Both areas were packed during our visit. The Honkers run the usual array of between-inning games, including the water balloon home run derby, dizzy bat race, and the like. A scoreboard in right-center field shows basic game information. Neighborhood 2 Although Mayo Field is located close to downtown Rochester, there’s not a whole lot near the ballpark to attract visiting fans. The nearby downtown area does offer numerous options for eating and drinking before or after a Honkers game. “Historic Third Street” contains a bunch of options packed together in a small area. For fans of craft beer, be sure to check out Forager Brewery and Café for great beer, excellent food, and live music. With the legendary Mayo Clinic located in town, there is no shortage of choices in terms of lodging. The twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are about an hour and a half drive to the north. Fans 3 Even though Rochester is a decent-sized city, there’s a real small-town vibe going on at Mayo Field. Perhaps it’s due to the presence of families and kids running around the grandstand throughout the game. Perhaps it’s due to the groups in attendance and the fans who have been sitting together for years. Whatever the reason, Mayo Field is a place where you can feel comfortable bringing the whole family. The Honkers draw a shade under 1,000 fans per game, which is a bit under the Northwoods League average. Stadium Journey recently attended a Sunday evening game that drew a crowd much larger than average, so plan accordingly. Access 3 Mayo Field is located near downtown Rochester, MN, a small city of just under 120,000 residents located in southeast Minnesota. Routes 14 and 52 serve the area, but the ballpark is located a couple of miles from the highway. There is a small parking lot adjacent to the field, but it’s dangerously close in terms of the potential for a foul ball to come crashing through your windshield. Visitors are better served to park a little farther from the field. Should this lot be full, additional parking is located on the other side of the Zumbro River. If you arrive early, there’s a nice river walk that runs next to the ballpark down to Silver Lake. It’s worth a look on a nice summer day. Once inside Mayo Field, there’s not a lot of room to roam. Concession stands line the area underneath the grandstand and you may find yourself navigating your way through the lines that form in the area. The ramps up to the seating area are incredibly steep, so be careful if you have mobility issues. The first two rows of seating are individual stadium seats, which are sold as box seats. They come with a wait service. The rest of the seats consist of metal bleachers with backs. There is a small group area at the top of the grandstand and a pair of party decks down the left field line. Some of the best seats in the place belong to the residents of the condo complex next door, whose balconies hang over the right field wall. The bathrooms are incredibly small (the men’s room consists of two stalls), but no lines were noticed during Stadium Journey’s visit. Time your trips to the concession stands carefully, as lines do form throughout the game. One note to team management: a coat of paint would go a long way towards improving the look of the old place. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Honkers games cost $15 for box seats (which feature wait service), $12 for reserved seats, and $10 for general admission seating (the last section of the grandstand). Parking is free in the lot adjacent to the park, and concessions are affordable. Overall, a night at a Honkers game is an affordable entertainment option for local baseball fans. Extras 1 An extra point is awarded for some of the small, but nice touches to be found around the ballpark. A free roster sheet/game notes are available to all fans, and the entire Northwoods League standings are posted on the side of the grandstand (no small feat in a league with 24 teams). A banner hangs on the fence commemorating Honkers championships, but this was blocked by equipment. Final Thoughts When the Mayo Brothers donated the land that Mayo Field stand on to the city of Rochester, they specified in the deed that this plot of land had to be used for baseball, so you know that baseball is intricately tied to the community. Mayo Field has that nice old-timey feel to it that fits this level of baseball perfectly. If you find yourself in southern Minnesota, this is a worthy Stadium Journey. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 York Lions Stadium York University 4700 Keele St Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 York Lions football website York Lions Stadium website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 4,000 The New Pride of the Lions For five years, the York Lions looked across campus, longing for better days. In 2015, York University in Toronto opened York Lions Stadium for the 2015 PanAm/Parapan Games which were taking place in the GTA. The former CIBC Pan Am and Parapan Am Athletics Stadium was the home for athletics and would end up also hosting the 2017 North American Indigenous Games and 2017 Invictus Games games. The Lions were a stone's throw away at Alumni Field @ York Stadium , a far less comfortable or modern stadium. The question always seemed to be why could York Lions Stadium host the York Lions football team. Renovations to the stadium would take place including a new turf field and the removal of the running track to make York Lions Stadium an appropriate facility to host USports football and Canadian Premier League soccer. In 2021, the Lions would play their first home game at their new home against the Toronto Varsity Blues in somewhat of a downpour. The York Lions, formerly the York Yeomen, have fielded a football team since 1968. The last two decades have been particularly tough for the Lions who have not made the playoffs since 2004. The Lions remain one of only two USports football programs to never win a conference title. Hopefully, the new home of the Lions can help change their fortunes and greater success can be found on the gridiron in North Toronto. Food & Beverage 2 The concession options are pretty limited at York Lions Stadium. During the game that was reviewed, there were three food trucks parked behind the south endzone which provided food for patrons. There is a regular concession stand in York Lions Stadium, but for the game reviewed, this is where the team branded clothing was sold. Keeping in mind that the game that was reviewed was the first of the season and before the vast majority of students are on campus and before regular classes have started, it is possible that the concession situation is different for games later in the season. Atmosphere 4 The York Lions have gone from one of the worst facilities in USports to one of the best. York Lions Stadium provides a modern, single grandstand on the west side of a brand new field-turf field which is oriented from north to south. There is no real main entry as the main structure on the west side offers two gate entries at either end. For Lions games, the south entry is unavailable and fans must enter on the north side through Gate 1. As compared to other USports football venues, the main grandstand is a skyscraper and can accurately be described as tall and skinny. Outside of Gate 1, where the ticket booth also stands, is an Indigenous piece of stone art which is unique and catches the eye. The exterior of the main grandstand is more functional than beautiful, but the materials and colours used are not eyesores. It is clear by the size of the main building that there is more going on than just a simple set of seats for football. Past the south endzone stands a videoboard that is the best in the league and the Lions gameday staff use it well for the video feed and the display of minor statistics. Once past the ticket entry, fans are to ascend two flights of stairs to the main, outdoor, concourse behind the seating. Nine sections of plastic, traditional stadium chairs make up the seating area, which sits on a significant slope, keeping fans as close to the action as possible. There are no bleacher seats, other than those above the press box, which are not in use for Lions games, which is a massive upgrade over other OUA facilities. The press box and suites give the Lions opportunities to host media and VIPs that are not available around the league. Overall, the physical building offers a host of possibilities, and is the class of the conference. The gameday atmosphere is run by students and is fairly simple. Fans ascending the grandstand from the north end are met with a double line of cheerleaders welcoming them to the game. Players enter the playing field from the southwest corner through a large, inflatable Lion, and a smoke machine. The sound system at York Lions Stadium is top notch and does not provide annoying echo often found in other stadiums. The Lions cheerleaders cheer from the stands, which is unique, and the mascot, Yeo, can be found participating in promotions and roaming the sidelines. Neighbourhood 4 York University is located at the north end of Toronto, in what was formerly the city of North York before amalgamation. With Steeles Ave. at the northern border of the Keele Campus, where York Lions Stadium is located, there are a few pre and post game food and drink options available. The York Lions field a full complement of athletic teams including basketball, which plays at Tait McKenzie Centre and hockey at Canlan Ice Sports York , both of which are on the Keele Campus. York United FC of CPL and Toronto Arrows of MLR also share York Lions Stadium with the Lions football and soccer teams. Sobeys Stadium is also on the Campus of York University and this is the home for the Canadian Open tennis tournament. There are other major sports in Toronto, but all are at the southern end of the city while York is located at the extreme north. The Toronto Blue Jays , Toronto Maple Leafs , Toronto Raptors , Toronto FC , Toronto Argonauts , and Toronto Marlies all play close to Lake Ontario in the south. The University of Toronto fields Varsity Blues football , basketball and hockey among other teams and Toronto Metro hosts basketball and hockey in the former Maple Leaf Gardens. There are plenty of other tourist options in Toronto. At the north end of the city, fans are just minutes away from the City of Vaughan, which is home to Canada’s Wonderland and Vaughan Mills Shopping Mall. Also, up the street from the campus gate is Black Creek Pioneer Village. Further south, the theatre scene is among the best in North America and in the late summer the Canadian National Exhibition is on at Exhibition Place. For visiting fans, there are plenty of places to stay. Fans may want to consider Best Western Toronto North York and Staybridge Suites Toronto-Vaughan which are very close to York University. Fans 3 A York Lions football fan is the definition of diehard. For those who have followed the program for many years, there has been little to cheer about. It is difficult to assess fans in OUA football as attendance figures are not always published. The game that was reviewed did have an estimated 800 to 1000 fans in attendance. It must be noted that this game was scheduled before classes began and the majority of students had yet to make their way to campus. It is expected that more fans would be in attendance later, but there was a surprising number of York supporters inhouse to mix with visiting fans. Access 4 York Lions Stadium is located near the Black Creek neighbourhood of Toronto. It is not difficult to get to, however, Toronto traffic, even in the north end, is significant. Steeles Avenue, the northern border of campus, is among the busiest streets in the city. However, proximity to Highways 400 and 407 is very close. Fans traveling should be aware that Highway 407 is a toll road. There is sufficient parking on campus and fans will be required to pay a nominal parking fee. York utilizes the Honk app for ease in paying for parking. For fans wanting to take public transit, the Pioneer Village station is at the north end of campus, near the stadium. Fans are able to take the TTC from here down to Union Station if they wish. There are also York Region Transit buses that stop at the Pioneer Village station. Fans should check the TTC or YRT websites for fares, maps and schedules. Getting around York Lions Stadium does come with plenty of stairs. Those challenged with mobility difficulties may find some challenges here. There is plenty of space behind the seating area for fans to stand or sit with wheelchairs if necessary. The washrooms are adequate for the facility. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the York Lions are just $10 for adults. There’s a $2.50 discount for seniors and youth and York University students and kids under 12 are free. This is a terrifically low price for any kind of sporting event. The only thing keeping this score for ROI from being perfect is the lack of success the Lions have shown on the field. With better facilities, perhaps a better product will show up. Extras 2 An extra mark for York University investing in their football program by completing the renovations to York Lions Stadium and inviting the football team to play there. An extra mark for the Red and Blue Bowl, which is a rivalry game York plays in every season against the Toronto Varsity Blues. In some cases a victory in the Red-Blue Bowl is the only victory either team will achieve during the season. Final Thoughts The longing has ended and the York Lions are secure in their new den. York Lions Stadium provides the Lions with one of, if not the best football facilities in the conference. It will be interesting to see if this can translate in recruiting better talent on the field and a few more checkmarks in the ‘W’ column. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Joe Faber Field 5001 Veterans Dr St Cloud, MN 56303 Map It St Cloud Rox website Joe Faber Field website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 2,000 Granite City Baseball The St Cloud Rox baseball team is a member of the wood bat collegiate Northwoods League. They came to St Cloud MN in 1997 as the St Cloud River Bats. After being sold in 2012, the league changed the team name to the Rox. The St Cloud Rox were a team in the former Northern League who played in St Cloud from 1946 – 1971. The name Rox represents the quarry (mining) industry in St Cloud (also known as Granite City), which has over 30 granite quarries in the surrounding area. The team plays their home games at Joe Faber Field, a stadium in the Municipal Athletic Complex. The complex has two baseball fields, two hockey areas, a golf course, and a Veterans Plaza. Joe Faber Field opened in 1998 and sits just 200 feet from the other ballfield, Dick Putz Field. Winning the Northwoods League championship as the River Bats in 1998, 2000, and 2007, the Rox entity won their last league championship in 2017. Food & Beverage 3 Joe Faber Field sells traditional stadium fare at reasonable prices. Entrées run $4.50 to $7 and comprise burgers, dogs, and tasty brats. Fries, chicken tenders, spicy chicken sandwiches, pizza, pulled pork bbq sandwiches, and taco in the bag round out the entrée menu. For snacks, expect to find nachos, candy, popcorn, pretzels, mini donuts, cookies, peanuts, ice cream, etc. You know … all that healthy stuff. Snacks cost $1.50 to $6. Sodas are Coke products ($3.50). Domestic ($5.50) and craft beer ($6.50), as well as wine ($6.50), are the adult beverages. Miller is the popular domestic beer. Hard Lemonade, White Claw, Leinenkugel, Hop Valley, and local Beaver Island fall under the craft beer menu heading. Uncommon at other Northwoods League stadiums, Dan the Beer Man roams the stands. Atmosphere 2 Except for a very few ‘prime seating areas,’ all the seats are uncomfortable narrow, cramped bleachers with backs with no room to move. Most of the seating area is behind home plate; fourteen rows of grandstand seating. A busy party deck is on the third base side, while bleachers in the sun occupy the first base. Grandstand seating in the shade, and we recommend those seats on those hot sticky Minnesota days and evenings. A thick netting is suspended in front of the seating areas to prevent foul balls from injuring fans. The MAC installed a brand new video board in center field before the 2022 season. It shows the lineup of the team at bat, the player at bat’s name, number and season stats, and advertisements. A separate dot matrix scoreboard in center field shows the traditional line score by inning. The game day staff posts the starting lineup in the entrance lobby. All that makes it easy to keep track of the goings on in the game. The field consists of natural grass and real dirt. Pretty pine trees border the outfield wall making for an attractive backdrop. Joe Faber Field Scoreboard, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The game day operations play incessant, painfully loud music/noise between each and every pitch. Fans are not able to talk with their neighbors nor can Dan the Beer Man hear you when ordering a brew. Ear plugs are suggested. The game day staff provides entertainment between every half inning, many of which involves fan participation. These include trivia questions, the dirtiest car in the parking lot, hometown hero recognition, and more. A mascot ‘Chisel’ roams the stands as kids clamor to meet him and get a photo or an autograph. The music is just too loud and the seating too narrow for this to be an ideal place to watch a game. Neighborhood 3 Joe Faber Field is one of the venues of the Municipal Athletic Complex 3 ½ miles northwest of downtown St Cloud MN. A shaded golf course is adjacent to the ballpark, as are the other sports facilities of the MAC. Restaurants and hotels are not within walking distance, but visitors can find many downtown or two miles south near Heritage Park. We suggest eating or drinking at Olde Brick House (Irish) and 7 West Taphouse (American). For local craft beer, visit Beaver Island Brewery (no food), where the staff makes customers feel comfortable and welcome. Beaver Island Brewing St Cloud MN, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Almost every chain brand hotel, low-end to high-end, is within five miles of the ballpark; the closest a Hampton Inn & Suites about 1 ½ miles away. Be sure to visit the Munsinger and the Clemens Gardens when in the area; two very different gardens in which to admire plants and fountains, and stroll along the Mississippi River at a very reasonable price of zero. Other places for a stroll are Beaver Island Trail and the Downtown River Walk. For an indoor activity, visit the Stearns History Museum, whose interesting and educational exhibits change periodically. Take a drive through St Cloud State University Campus and see if Herb Brooks National Hockey Center is open. For other sports in the area, St Cloud is about an hour from Minneapolis, so a visit to the MLB Twins , MLS Minnesota United FC , or the MiLB St Paul Saints are options. The closest Northwoods League team is the Willmar Stingers , 60 miles to the southwest. Fans 3 Most fans are local families or groups out for an enjoyable evening. Fans of the St Cloud Rox averaged just over 1,500 fans per game in 2022, making it 75% full on most evenings. Most are there to spend time with family and friends while enjoying the game on the field. Access 3 If you have a vehicle, getting to the ballpark is relatively easy. It is located in the Municipal Athletic Complex off State Route 15, about three miles northwest of downtown. St Cloud does have buses that go to Joe Faber Field, but the buses don’t run late enough to take fans back after the game so that’s not an option. The closest commercial airport is Minneapolis/St Paul (MSP), about a one and a half hour’s drive. Once getting to the ballpark, plenty of parking is in the lot surrounding the MAC ice arena building. If you get there early, some spots are available right in front of the only stadium entrance. Have no worries about your car being dinged with a foul ball as the parking is too far for that to happen. Gates open an hour before the first pitch. The team has no rules on what type of bags are allowed in. Fans walk into a lobby that contains the team store, the concessions, and the restrooms. And then walk either left or right down hallways to get to the stadium and field. The hallways show the many players from St Cloud who have been drafted by MLB. Joe Faber Field Hallway MLB Drafted St Cloud Players, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Traffic is a mess getting out after the game. Wait twenty minutes for the parking lot to empty. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices are comparable to other Northwoods League venues. General admission (bleachers on the first base side in the sun are $10 and reserved seats are $12. Tickets for the third base party deck, which includes all you eat and drink (soda), are $30. Season tickets are available, as are 7-day game plans. Food prices are similar to other parks in the league and parking is free of charge. Extras 3 Several additional items are worth noting when visiting Joe Faber Field. First, the organization features an elaborate and enjoyable fireworks presentation after all Friday home games. Next, the Rox Report , a game day program, is handed out before each game. It contains rosters for both the Rox and the visiting team as well as player stats, the team schedule, and Northwood League standings. Extremely well done. Finally, be sure to visit the Veterans Plaza outside the entrance which showcases plaques that honor men and women veterans from Minnesota who served in wars and conflicts from the Spanish-American War to recent times. Final Thoughts Joe Faber Field and the St Cloud Rox game day staff, and the baseball team do an adequate job at providing an entertaining evening out. With the beautiful setting and providing important play of game information, all they need to do is turn the music volume down to make it an even better game day experience.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Villanova Stadium 185 Ithan Ave Philadelphia, PA 19010 Villanova Wildcats website Villanova Stadium website Year Opened: 1927 Capacity: 12,500 Football on The Main Line Although Villanova is most known for its basketball program which is one of the top teams in the country, the school also has a football program that is one of the elite schools in Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Since football was reinstated in 1985, the Wildcats have won seven conference titles and made the playoffs 14 times, including a national championship in 2009. The Wildcats call Villanova Stadium home. Located on campus in Villanova, PA adjacent to Finneran Pavilion, this stadium was built in 1927 and has undergone several updates since then. Food & Beverage 3 There are concession stands at both ends of the stadium serving food from local favorite Chickies & Pete’s. The menu is limited but high-quality. Boneless wings are $12 (with buffalo sauce absurdly being $2 extra) and Chickies & Pete’s signature crab fries cost $12. Despite the name, these fries contain no actual crab, but are topped with crab seasoning and served with cheese sauce. The portion is large, and if you want to share or just really like the sauce, you can get an extra thing of cheese sauce for $2. Hot dogs are $7, popcorn is $5, candy is $4, pretzels are $4 (plus an extra $2 to get the cheese sauce with it), and soft drinks and water are $5. While the prices are a bit high, they’re better quality than you get at most stadiums. Still, it is absolutely ridiculous that you have to pay extra to get sauce with your wings. Atmosphere 3 Villanova Stadium is an old stadium and does not have a layout to befit a top FCS program. Walking inside the stadium, you will walk down a narrow passageway which will put you right at the bleachers. Seating is general admission, although the seats closest to midfield are limited to season ticket holders and other VIPs. Some seats on the north side of the stadium are reserved for students and the band. Your ticket should explain where you are allowed to sit. All seats except for a few small VIP areas are uncomfortable metal bleachers without backs. The field is surrounded by a track, which means the stands are set further back than they otherwise would be and creates weird sightlines. There is a small scoreboard behind one end zone and a larger video board behind the other. The Wildcats have a small marching band, cheerleaders, and a costumed wildcat mascot. During breaks in the action, there will often be contests going on, although they do not happen on the field but in an area behind the end zone. Villanova has a loud, imposing student section that takes up almost a quarter of the stadium which significantly adds to the atmosphere here but it is still a pretty basic stadium. Neighborhood 4 Villanova Stadium is located on Lancaster Avenue on the Villanova campus in suburban Philadelphia. There are a few options along that street within walking distance or a short drive away depending on your tolerance for walking. The Refectory is a popular restaurant within easy walking distance, Campus Corner is a popular pizza place with local students, and there are numerous other options a short drive away including Minella’s Diner. There is really no need to deal with traffic and city parking to head into Philadelphia. Fans 4 Villanova typically averages about 8,000 fans a game although the attendance can range from about half of that to over 12,000 depending on the usual factors. The fans who do show up are passionate, loyal, and knowledgeable about their team. This stadium can get loud at big moments in the game. The student section is especially boisterous. They will stand, cheer, and shout throughout the game and will often sway in unison or wave their towels. They make the stadium an imposing place for visiting teams to play. Although Villanova Stadium will rarely sell out, the crowds here usually are pretty good and help create an electric atmosphere. Villanova Wildcats Student Section, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Access 2 Villanova Stadium is located just off of I-476. Parking is available at an hourly rate in the I-1 garage across the street from the stadium. Take a ticket as you come in and pay as you leave. If paying with cash, you will need to pay at the station, if paying by credit card, pay the attendant as you go. When arriving, exit the garage on the second level and cross the street to the stadium. Entering the stadium can take a while, especially as game time approaches, so make sure to leave yourself plenty of time if you want to see the kickoff. Getting around the stadium involves walking through some narrow pathways and can be tricky, especially if there is large attendance. Bathrooms are located under the bleachers by the entrance and are fairly small, so this could be a problem if it gets crowded. Return on Investment 3 General admission tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth (ages 3-12). Kids two and under get in free, as do Villanova students. As mentioned above, certain sections are excluded from general admission and your ticket will tell you where you can sit. Concessions are a bit pricey but high-quality for the most part. However, as noted in the food section, it is ridiculous that you have to pay extra to get sauce with your boneless wings. Extras 2 There are free programs available in a box by the entrance. A second star for the Villanova student section, which adds tremendously to the experience here. Final Thoughts Villanova is definitely a basketball school first and foremost. However, their football team has enjoyed considerable success as well and has a loyal fan base and passionate student section. Unfortunately, they do not have a stadium that is befitting of such a strong program. Villanova Stadium is almost 100 years old and while it has undergone some renovations, it is showing its age. That being said, a trip here can still be enjoyable for college football fans in the area.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Ben Cohen Field 2083 Lawrenceville Rd Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 Rider Broncs website Ben Cohen Field website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: N/A Cohen To Rider Soccer Located towards the back of the Rider University campus in Lawrence Township, New Jersey, Ben Cohen Field is home to the Broncs’ men’s and women’s soccer and field hockey teams. The turf field opened in 2010 and is named after Rider graduate Benjamin Cohen, whose parents David and Rhonda donated to build the field. This review will focus on Rider women’s soccer. The experience may be similar for other sports played at the field. Food & Beverage 1 There is a tent located to the left of the bleachers where food and drink is available for purchase. The only meal option is Jersey Mike’s sandwiches for $6. Various snacks such as candy and chips as well as soda, water, and Powerade, are available for $2 each. Fans may also bring their own food and drink into the stadium. Atmosphere 2 Ben Cohen Field has a pretty basic atmosphere, with a few sets of bleachers on one side of the field near the parking lot that fans can sit in. These bleachers have no aisle so fans need to climb over the seats to get to higher rows. Everything is up very close to the action and provides an excellent view. A small scoreboard is located in the near right corner, which shows the score and other basic information. There really is not much going on here other than the game itself. If you come here, you come to watch a soccer game but that’s about it. Some people will like that, others won’t. Neighborhood 3 As Ben Cohen Field is located towards the back of the Rider campus, there is not much else to do in the immediate vicinity. However, if you head back to the main road, you will find several places to eat, hang out, and more. Varsity Pizza is a short drive away and sells great pizza by the slice or as whole pies. The Tastee Sub Shop also seems popular. If you drive about ten minutes into Trenton, you will find many more options as well. Fans 3 Rider typically draws a couple hundred fans a game for women’s soccer, and while this may not seem like a lot, remember how small the bleachers are. It can get pretty full here. The fans are a mix of friends and family of the players, Rider students, and a few locals who just want to cheer on the Broncs in any sport. The crowd makes its presence known and can get loud at big moments in the game, but there are other times when it is pretty quiet and all you can hear is the action on the field and the occasional side conversation between fans. While students do attend in decent numbers, they tend to hang out with their friends rather than sit in any organized section. Access 3 Ben Cohen Field and the Rider University campus are accessible via I-295 (formerly I-95 until a few years ago when the designation changed to resolve the infamous gap in the latter.) There are signs directing you to the field once you get on campus if you do not have a GPS. There is a spacious lot in between Ben Cohen Field and the Broncs’ baseball field that fans can park in. There are no real restrooms on site but there are a few port-a-potties. Getting up the bleachers can be complex as noted above, since there is no aisle so you basically have to climb over the seats. Return on Investment 4 Admission to Broncs’ soccer games is free. However, there is not enough here to earn the top score. Note that admission policies may vary for MAAC and NCAA Tournament events. Extras 1 Look for the banners honoring Rider’s conference championships in women’s soccer and the other sports that are played here. Final Thoughts There is no hiding the fact that Ben Cohen Field is small and doesn’t have the capacity of many other college soccer venues, yet alone soccer venues at a higher level. However, the stadium seems to the right size for the crowds that show up as the bleachers will be fairly full for a typical Broncs home game. While college soccer isn’t the most popular sport at most schools, a trip to Ben Cohen Field can still be enjoyable for those who want to check it out.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 1.71 Shepherd Soccer Complex 675 University Dr Shepherdstown, WV 25443 Shephard Rams website Shepherd Soccer Complex website Opened: 2013 Capacity: N/A Rams Soccer in Shepherdstown Shepherd University is a small college located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia in the eastern panhandle of the state (This is not a typo. Look at a map.) Athletic teams are known as the Rams and compete in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) at Division II NCAA level. Since 2013, the Rams’ soccer teams have called the Shepherd Soccer Complex home. The field is located in the northwest corner of campus and is adjacent to a practice field. Food & Beverage 0 There is no concession stand at the Shepherd Soccer Complex. Fans are free to bring in their food and drink, except alcohol. On hot days early in the season, you will want to bring your water if nothing else. Atmosphere 2 The Shepherd Soccer Complex has an extremely basic layout. There are two sets of bleachers on one side of the field, one on either side of the small press box. Many fans also bring their chairs and place them down right next to the field, providing an up-close view of the action. Other than the occasional PA announcement, there is not a lot going on here. Even then, the PA announcer when Stadium Journey visited did not seem to know who Shepherd was playing, referring to their opponent by multiple incorrect names. Neighborhood 2 Shepherdstown is a friendly town but is not a particularly large one. There are a few restaurants and such in the immediate vicinity, but ultimately this is a sleepy small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains with not much to do. That being said, there is a lot of natural beauty in the area. Despite the popular John Denver song, the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah River are mainly associated with Virginia, not West Virginia, but Jefferson County, where Shepherdstown is located, is the one place in the state you can experience them. Civil War buffs can also take a short drive across the Potomac River to visit the historic battlefield at Antietam, Maryland. Fans 3 Shepherd only averages about a hundred fans per game, and while that may not seem like a lot, remember that this is a very small stadium. The bleachers will be mostly filled with many more fans lining the field in their chairs. Most of the fans are friends or family of the players but some are just fans of Shepherd athletics, plus a few Shepherd students from time to time. They tend to be knowledgeable about the team and it can get fairly loud here at times. However, the unfortunate reality is that college soccer is just not a big deal for fans at most schools, and Shepherd is no exception. Access 3 Shepherdstown can be tough to access and will require at least some travel on local roads. State Route 9 and U.S. Route 340 can get you close, but then you will have to do some driving on back roads to get to campus. Once you enter the university grounds, the soccer complex is in the back corner close to some on-campus apartments and the tennis courts. You will park in an unpaved gravel lot. In the highly unlikely event that fills up, or if you want to park on the pavement and don’t mind walking a bit, parking is available elsewhere on campus as well. Just make sure to obey all posted signs, particularly if attending a weekday game when many lots are restricted. Restrooms are available in a small structure across the street from the parking lot, about a two to three-minute walk from the bleachers. Return on Investment 2 Tickets are $5 for adults, with children in eighth grade and younger getting in for free. This is a bit disappointing as most college soccer at this level, and even many Division I games, are free for all fans. Considering how basic the stadium is, there is not a whole lot of value here. That being said, $5 isn’t going to break the bank for anyone. Extras 0 There are no real extras here. There was a bin on the side of the press box that said it held programs, but it did not. Perhaps it does at some games. Final Thoughts Even at a Division, I level, college soccer isn’t nearly as big a deal as other college sports like football and basketball, at least at most schools. Once you get down to the Division II level where Shepherd plays, there are even fewer people interested in it. That being said, there isn’t much other high-level soccer around here, so if you’re in Shepherdstown, you might as well check out a Shepherd soccer game. That being said, there is no reason for the school to charge $5 for admission here.

Photos courtesy of Gregory Koch Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Cary Street Field 1106 West Cary Street Richmond, VA 23220 VCU Rams website Cary Street Field website Capacity: 1,200 Rowdy Rams on Cary Street Located in the middle of the urban campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in downtown Richmond, Virginia, Cary Street Field is home to the Rams’ field hockey program. The field is located next to the Cary Street Gym at the intersection of Cary Street and Harrison Street and can hold approximately 1,200 fans. Its most memorable moments came when it hosted the 1992 NCAA Field Hockey Championship, which saw Old Dominion defeat Iowa 4-0 before a capacity crowd. Despite hosting the finals, VCU would not actually participate in the tournament until 18 yeas later, when they qualified for the 2020 tournament (actually held in the spring of 2021 due to the COVID pandemic) but were eliminated in the first round by Bucknell. Food & Beverage 1 There is no food or drink for sale at Cary Street Field on a regular basis, although fans are free to bring their own. The reason this score earns a point is that VCU will occasionally bring in a food truck or have other food-related promotions, although this does not occur on a regular basis. Be sure to check the promotional schedule for more details if this matters to you. Atmosphere 2 Cary Street Field is, as its name implies, more of a field than a stadium. There is a small press box and some bleachers set back from the field, but the layout here is nothing fancy. The bleachers are spread out quite a bit away from each other rather than there being a single, larger set, and that hurts the atmosphere here with the fans not being together like that. In any case, there isn’t much going on here other than the game itself – college field hockey simply isn’t a huge deal here, nor is it at many other colleges across the country. A small scoreboard is located across the field and shows only the most basic information. The PA announcer announces not just substitutions and goals but also things like penalty corners, which can be useful if fans new to the sport don’t fully understand what is going on. However, beyond that, the atmosphere is pretty basic. Neighborhood 5 Cary Street, which lends its name to the field, is one of the core streets of downtown Richmond. If you head just a little bit west, you will find the bustling Carytown neighborhood and everything it has to offer. Carytown Burgers & Fries and the Galaxy Diner are local favorites, but you can also find coffee shops, Thai, pho, and more. There are a few places closer to the stadium – this is downtown after all – but we recommend heading into Carytown if you can. Fans 4 VCU draws between 100 and 200 fans per game, which is typical for the sport. While the fans are passionate, the layout of the bleachers makes it harder for them to bring the energy they otherwise would when they are sitting in several groups so far away from each other. This is not really their fault, but nonetheless it hurts the energy here. While the fans do what they can to cheer on their team, and truly earn their Rowdy Rams moniker, it would be a lot better here if they were seated closer together. Access 3 Parking for Cary Street Field is available in the West Cary Street Garage across Harrison Street for $2/hour. The stadium is directly across from the garage, but you will have to walk a bit to find along Cary Street to the actual gate, which is hidden away near the Cary Street Gym. There are restrooms available in the far corner of the stadium, which are fine, but there seems to be a lot of unnecessary walking to get anywhere here. While the parking charge is not too outrageous, it does add expense for a sport which is otherwise free to watch at almost any college. Return on Investment 3 Although admission to Cary Street Field is free, the parking will run you about $6 depending on how early you arrive and whether you stay until the end of the game. As there are no concessions, you will not pay for them unless you bring your own or decide to buy something from a food truck if it’s there that day. While the price will certainly not break the bank, as noted in the previous section you will wind up paying more than you would almost anywhere else. Note that the free admission applies to regular season games only – Atlatnic 10 and NCAA Tournament games may charge for admission. Extras 2 There is a marketing table by the entrance with programs and other giveaways. A second star for the various promotions VCU has throughout the season to entice fans to come, such as International Day, Food Truck Day, and Stick it to Cancer. Final Thoughts The middle of downtown Richmond is an odd place to play field hockey, but VCU makes things work in this environment. This location has its benefits and its trade-offs, you will have to pay for parking, but it’s also close to a lot of other neat places to explore if you’re interested in that sort of thing. That being said, when you look at the kind of field hockey stadiums that host the national championship today, it is hard to believe VCU was among them at one point. While the Rowdy Fam fans are top notch, at least to the extent the layout allows them to be, the rest of the experience at Cary Street Field is significantly less impressive.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium 707 Mount Cross Rd Danville, VA 24540 Averett Cougars website Campbell Stadium website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 1,200+ The Cougars of Virginia Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium was built in 2000 and has permanent bleacher seating for over 1,200 fans, with plenty of additional seating in the form of berm seating along the hill on the east and south sides – bring your own blanket, of course. There is a fieldhouse behind the north end zone, and a static scoreboard behind the south end zone (the scoreboard does have a small section for video, but it is only used for graphics and logos, not replays). Food & Beverage 5 Campbell Stadium has great concessions options for fans at low prices – drinks are only $2 (bottled water, soda, and Powerade, as well as slushies and hot cocoa during some contests), and you can also get candy bars, chips, granola bars, Slim Jim, or nuts for $1. There is a grill in front of the main entrance, which even lets students use their meal dollars, as well as the main concessions stand under the press box which sells burgers (including turkey burgers), Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and nachos, in addition to the items mentioned earlier. There is also a Kona shaved ice food truck. The best thing about the concessions at Campbell Stadium is the condiments table to the right of the main concessions stand, which offers fresh lettuce, sliced tomatoes, onions, pickles, and banana peppers, as well as the traditional relish, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise – you rarely see this level of condiments offered at sports stadiums, and it really ups the taste and quality of your burger, dog, or chicken sandwich. Note the lines might seem long at times, but they move super-fast, as there are actually four cashiers taking money (either cash or card). Atmosphere 5 Averett football (pronounced ‘Ave’ as in cave + ‘rett’ as in Brett) has a great atmosphere, which starts in the parking lot with tons of tailgaters out in front of the stadium, set up under brightly colored yellow and navy tents, with food grilling and families playing cornhole. There are two different team gear stands set up once you enter the stadium proper, and several different concessions stands as well. Before the game begins, you will see the cheerleaders and dance team performing on the field, followed by prayer and the singing of the National Anthem. The cheerleaders will then hold up a large Averett banner, which the team runs through as they come onto the field, and the Cougars mascot can be seen prowling the stands. The crowd is loud, overflowing the stands and spreading all the way around the grassy hill on the east and south sides. Overall, a great time to be had for all – you can really feel the energy emanating from the fans. Averett Cougars Team Gear Store, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 Averett University has a couple of campuses in Danville, VA – Main Campus (near Main St) is where most of the classrooms are, as well as the dorms, dining halls, and administrative buildings. The athletic facilities, including Campbell Stadium, are located on North Campus (Mount Cross Rd), so be sure to take note when putting the address into your GPS. There are some great restaurants in Danville as well, including Kickback Jack’s which sponsors the Cougars – Kickback Jack’s is a popular local sports bar with locations in NC and VA only, making it a great option for out of town visitors looking for something unique – the multiple TVs inside let you catch all the days’ sports action, and the steak, seafood, burgers, and other pub fare (plus the alcohol selection) makes for some good eats and drinks. Other great restaurant choices in the area include Golden Leaf Bistro and Mucho Taqueria . Another unique option for visitors to Danville is the AAF Tank Museum – located about 15-20 minutes from Campbell Stadium, this kitschy attraction includes a large collection of tank and cavalry artifacts dating all the way back to the 1500s, including battle-captured tanks from the Gulf War. The museum also hosts radio-controlled tank battles in November. Fans 5 The fans at Campbell Stadium are great – the stands only hold around 1,200 and are packed out, with tons of additional fans set up on the grass berm around the field. You will also see some fans sitting at the numerous patio tables set up around the inside of the stadium, most within sight of the field, eating and enjoying themselves underneath colorful umbrellas. The fans are loud and proud, and you can hear their roar, especially during 3rd downs by the opponent, or on big plays made by their Cougars. A lot of them are showing off their team spirit with Averett shirts and hats, and the two team gear stands out front do a brisk business. Fans Fill the Stands at Campbell Stadium, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Access 4 Danville, Virginia is located at the intersection of Highway 29 (running north and south) and Highway 58 (running east and west), a few miles north of the NC-VA border and probably a good hour from major freeways like I-40/85 (to the south) or I-81 (to the west). That said it might take some time to get here, depending on where you are from, but the traffic is pretty light in and around town, which is a major plus. Once you get to Campbell Stadium, there is a large parking lot right in front of the main entrance, as well as an overflow lot nearby if the main lot fills up; there is no cost to park in these lots. The main grandstand is underneath the press box and offers plastic chairback as well as non-chairback seats, while the visitor’s section on the opposite side of the field features a much smaller quasi-temporary looking set of metal bleachers – there is also plenty of additional capacity in the form of berm seating along the hill on the visitor’s side (east side) and behind one end zone (south side). There is an asphalt walking path around the stadium that allows you to move around from section to section. As mentioned before the concessions lines might seem pretty long, but they move so quickly there is not much of a wait. There does seem to be a little bit of a wait for the bathrooms, however, especially for the women’s room. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Campbell Stadium cost only $10 (cash or card), which is pretty much as low a ticket price as you will find for almost any level of football. The concessions are also very low cost, and parking is free, so this represents a fabulous return on your sports dollar. If you are anywhere near Danville, VA, I recommend you stop by Averett University to take in a game here. Extras 3 A big plus for all the patio tables dotted around the stadium, complete with umbrellas in Averett’s colors, which you can use to sit and eat while watching the contest. The Cougars also have an award-winning pep squad, and a mascot which can be seen roaming the stands revving up fans during the game. The practice field, next to Campbell Stadium, is also open during Averett football games – kids can be seen over there tossing footballs around and enjoying themselves while their parents take in the action on the gridiron.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 First Security Field @ Estes Stadium 201 Donaghey Ave Conway, AR 72035 Central Arkansas Bears website First Security Field @ Estes Stadium website Year Opened: 1939 Capacity: 9,000 Purple Reign The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is in Conway, Arkansas. The school was founded in 1907 and has a student body of over 10,000 students. It offers 162 different academic programs. The UCA football team is known as the Bears. The school has fielded a team since 1908. The Bears were members of the Southland Conference for many years, before moving to the ASUN Conference in 2021. They compete at the FCS level of NCAA football. Over the years, the Bears football program has been a small college powerhouse, as it has won 22 championships while competing in the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC), went on to win three national championships while competing at the NAIA level, then won four Southland Conference Championships at the FCS level. They have gone on to play in the FCS playoffs five times. The Bears call First Security Field at Estes Stadium their home field. The on-campus venue opened in 1939. It features a large grandstand on the west side of the field and a smaller seating area on the east side of the field for the visiting team. The large grandstand stood until it was torn down in 1998, to enlarge the seating capacity to its present 10,000 seats. This renovation also allowed the program to move its locker rooms, coach's offices, training facilities, and the UCA Sports Hall of Fame to an area beneath the grandstands. In 2007, a second renovation added a new videoboard to the field and a new press box, along with VIP seating at the base of the westside stands. It was not until 2011 that the field was outfitted with what has become its claim to fame. In 2011 the natural grass field was in terrible shape and needed to be replaced. It was decided that artificial turf would be the most cost-effective solution due to its much lower maintenance cost. A member of the athletic staff noted that Boise State had installed their new “Smurf Turf” and had received a great deal of exposure for what was a little-known school at that time. The UCA administration saw this as a great way to heighten awareness of the school. However, UCA one-upped other schools by installing a turf field with alternating panels of gray/purple (the school colors) every five yards. They refer to games taking place at the stadium as “playing between the stripes.” Since 2011 the school has seen a great increase in exposure, and it also has improved its athletic recruitment efforts, as many athletes want to play on that unique field. Today, UCA is one of only nine colleges in the country with a uniquely colored field. Food & Beverage 2 When it comes to food and beverage operations, Estes Stadium operates a bear-boned operation, as there are only three concession stands at Estes Stadium. They serve the regular standard stadium offerings, including hot dogs ($3), Polish dogs ($4), nachos ($3), popcorn ($2), candy ($1.50), and Coca-Cola brand sodas and water ($3). Beer is not available at Central Arkansas games. Atmosphere 4 When you arrive at the UCA campus it is very easy to find Estes Stadium, as it towers above the surrounding academic buildings. The stadium consists of two major grandstands. The larger of the two is on the west side of the stadium. This grandstand includes the press box, as well as the locker rooms for both teams, and the football operations of the school, which are located underneath the seating bowl. The seating bowl has a unique structure, as the club seating section is located at the base of the grandstand. It is shielded from the elements, as it is partially covered by the main seating area. Seating in the west stands is primarily for alumni, parents of team members, faculty, and local townspeople. The east stands are much smaller than the west stands. This side of the stadium features seating for fans from the visiting team, the Bears student section, and the UCA band. There is a unique feature to this side of the field, as there are 12 luxury boxes above the grandstand that are located on top of the athletic building that sits behind the stadium. The south end zone is populated by ten corporate tents that are referred to as “suites.” These tents feature inclusive food and beverage service, and television hook ups so that the fans can catch other games and other benefits. They share the area behind the end zone with a large inflatable Bears helmet. The north end zone does not have any unique operations for the stadium. However, this end of the field has a great deal of activity just outside of its small metal fence. There is a hill overlooking the playing surface, which is filled with non-paying fans, as well as the Greek organizations, who have separate tents set up for each individual fraternity house. The exterior fencing for Estes Stadium is so low that it offers an unobstructed view of the action on the field. Neighborhood 4 The University of Central Arkansas is in Conway, AR., a city of 65,000 located 30 miles northwest of Little Rock along I-40. Conway is known as the City of Colleges, as it is also home to Hendrix College and Central Baptist College. Due to this large presence of educational institutions, it should be no surprise that Conway is the home of the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre. UCA’s Reynolds Performance Hall is the major concert venue in the city and hosts some of the top music talents in the country. For more information on the city of Conway and all it has to offer, go to www.conwayark.com . Fans 4 UCA Bear fans like to make football days a full-day adventure. The tailgate areas along Bruce Street at the north end of the stadium open six hours before kickoff. This gives them plenty of time to set up their grills and socialize with the other fans. The pregame Bear walk featuring the team, the spirit squads, and the University marching band takes place 2.5 hours prior to the kickoff. Joining in the festivities are UCA mascots Bruce D. Bear and Sugar Bear. Once inside, the UCA fanbase goes to its designated seating areas. The student section, known as the Bear Den, is seated on the east side of the stadium along the 50-yard line. This is strategically important, as this is directly behind the visiting team’s bench. The Bear Den makes as much noise as possible to hamper the visitor’s communications from the sideline to the field. Access 4 The University of Central Arkansas and Estes Stadium are easily reached via Interstate 40. From I-40 take exit 129 and go west on Dave Wood Drive for two miles. Turn left at the stop light onto Farris Road and go ½ mile to Bruce Street. Turn right on Bruce Street to the Farris Center and Bear Stadium parking lots. Once you reach Estes Stadium, the gates open two hours prior to the kickoff, allowing you plenty of time to get to your seats. Return on Investment 5 Attending a University of Central Arkansas football game will certainly not leave your bank account “bear.” The price of taking your whole family to a Bears game is a relative bargain compared to what it would cost to take your family out to a movie/dinner. Tickets are available at several price levels: Lower Level Reserved (field level at 50-yard line) seats are $25, Upper-Level Reserved (second level at the 50-yard line) seats are $20, General Admission seats are $15 for adults and $10 for Youth/Seniors. Parking is free in lots next to the Bear Baseball Stadium and the Farris Center . The concession stand prices are very reasonable. Extras 4 In addition to the unique colors of the turf, the field at Central Arkansas has the largest school mascot logo in the country behind the south end zone. The Bear logo measures 61 ‘X 50’. The turf at Estes Stadium is also environmentally – friendly. It is made of recyclable material that is non-toxic. The turf also eliminates the need for watering the field, applying fertilizer to the field, or the use of paint to apply markings to the field. NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen is the most famous athlete to go to the University of Central Arkansas. A children’s area is available as part of the tailgating offerings. It is known as Bruce’s Battle Station. Activities included in this area include face painting, coloring books, tailgating games, and visits from the cheerleaders and Sugar Bear and Bruce D. Bear. Final Thoughts Estes Stadium at the University of Central Arkansas offers a unique playing surface, as its artificial turf includes alternating panels of purple and gray every five yards. It is one of only nine college stadiums that offer a uniquely colored field of play. The school refers to game action as being “played between the stripes.” The Bears also offer a high-scoring offense that is sure to entertain both visiting fans and the home crowd.

Photos by Chuck Utech, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 UNI-Dome 2401 Hudson Rd Cedar Falls, IA 50614 Northern Iowa Panthers website UNI-Dome website Year Opened: 1976 Capacity: 16,324 Dome Sweet Dome Rising out of the Northeast Iowa corn and soybean fields like a mountain peak on the horizon, the UNI-Dome (pronounced You-neh Dome) provides an easily found landmark used year-round for a plethora of activities, including the Northern Iowa Panther Football Team. The UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa is a multi-use facility, but not in the cookie-cutter image of say old Three Rivers in Pittsburgh or the former Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. For over 45 years, it has been home to concerts, conventions, and special events. For athletics, it has hosted NCAA Wrestling Championships, college basketball conference championships, annual Iowa High school football championships, and regular season softball, volleyball, and basketball. The field is called Sheriff Field, named after former head coach and athletic director, Stan Sheriff. The late coach also has an events center at the University of Hawaii named for him after spending 10 years as their athletic director until his passing in 1993. The dome has changed over the years. It was once air-filled until a collapse from a 1994 snowstorm. At that time, it did have a more bag-like appearance. It has since been replaced with a more permanent metal roof. Food & Beverage 3 Once inside the dome, concessions are on each side. Choices are simple but plentiful. “Dome Dogs” are $4.50 and provided by Smithfield. The Dome Dog has improved over the years. Klement’s bratwursts are $5. Papa John’s Pizza is also $5 for a slice. There are two different sizes of popcorn ranging in price from $4.50-$5.50. Nachos ($5), and pretzels for snacking. A regular soda (Coca-Cola products) is $4.50 and a souvenir cup of soda is $5.50; water is $4. For the sweet tooth, candy, cotton candy, and caramel corn are all available in the $4.50-$5 range. Like many venues in the state of Iowa, soft serve Ice cream is a fan favorite for $4.50. Beer sales began a few years back and are $7. There are beer stands both on the north and south side of the dome. Atmosphere 4 The Panthers football team has had a long stretch of success and the fans certainly are proud of that heritage. Students have prime seating on the partisan side of the field, but in moving around, sight lines are solid and there is not a bad seat in the house. Being an enclosed venue helps the dome get loud. Crowds can make a difference during the game and are boisterous during pivotal sequences. In 2008, an HD video board was installed. In 2014, this was replaced by a 100×27 foot video board overlooking the south end zone. The existing HD board replaced a quaint scoreboard. This adds immensely to the experience. The marching band warms up the crowd before kicking and performing at halftime. Neighborhood 3 Want a little ambiance pre or post-game? The College Hill section of campus is about a five-minute drive northeast and is a good place to spend some time. The area also offers a few bars like the Library. Mohair Pear, an eclectic gift shop is a fun place to visit. The official college bookstore is also located in this area for those wanting a larger variety of school gear. Outside of campus, an excellent restaurant that is a fan favorite is Peppers. Fans 4 Tailgating lots are packed at least three hours before kickoff. Inside, the fans are knowledgeable and passionate. UNI is behind the spotlight of Iowa and Iowa State and plays in the FCS, but the fans show immense loyalty. The home winning percentage is annually high. The dome gets very loud and it echoes up by the concourse just about as well as it does on row 1 by the field. Many fans line up viewing sections in the end zones for an even closer to-the-action experience. Staff and security are quite friendly and do a great job with the lively fans. Access 4 Access is gained most easily through the gates on either the west side or south side of the facility. Tickets can be purchased online or at the main ticket booth at the Dome. These games have sold well in the past and buying tickets early is recommended. Doors open 60 minutes before kickoff. Depending on the direction you are traveling from, the UNI-Dome is relatively easy to spot and get to. Highway 20 is the east-west way of choice, while Highway 218 is the north-south thoroughfare. If coming from the west, there are signs and a back route marked that helps during Iowa Construction season. Past that is Hudson Road, a north-south connector that is used by the students and fans making the walk in from campus. Public Parking is free just to the South. The lots are easy to both get into and depart from. Inside, the venue is fairly handicap accessible. The concourses are spacious. There are plenty of security guards and attendants to ensure a pleasant experience. If you are a smoker, then you are allowed to leave and re-enter by showing the hand stamp. If you are leaving the Dome itself, re-entry is not permitted. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices do vary from around $10-$40 depending on what seat one wants. The price is extremely reasonable for a corner seat with a good view. Whether you are attending the game for a family outing, a parent-child trip, as a football fan, or as the biggest of Panther boosters, the memories made are quite cost-effective. Extras 3 One point for the programs. They are free, full-size, informative, and chocked with color photos. Stacks are available by the entrances. One point for the available merchandise. Not always do venues have a lot of options for those in attendance. Outside in a trailer, and above the north end zone is a very large supply of Northern Iowa Panther merchandise in many styles and sizes to choose from. One point for Northern Iowa celebrating their past stars. Kurt Warner along with others has found NFL success and they are celebrated within the dome. Final Thoughts The UNI-Dome is a great resource within the state of Iowa. It is easy to get to and very affordable compared to the larger state schools. If you’re in the area on an autumn weekend, then this is a great destination.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field 275 Tennis Ct Williamsburg, VA 23185 William & Mary Tribe website Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 1,000 Home of the Tribe Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, the College of William & Mary is one of the oldest universities in the United States. Founded by King William III and Queen Mary II of England in 1693, William & Mary predates the founding of the country by almost a century. Only Harvard University is older. W&M’s athletic programs are known as the Tribe, and they compete in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Tribe’s soccer teams play just off campus at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field, which is located in a complex that is also home to Plumeri Park, home to Tribe baseball. The stadium opened in 2004 and was named after men’s soccer coach Al Albert and women’s soccer coach John Daly. It was upgraded significantly in 2011 following a sizeable donation from Eff and Patty Martin and their children. Their names were then added to the stadium. Food & Beverage 3 There is a concession stand available at a table on the concourse near the entrance. Grilled items such as burgers and hot dogs are for sale, as are assorted snacks such as chips, cookies, and Welch’s Fruit Snacks. Bottled soda and water are also available. Prices here are reasonable so you shouldn’t have to pay too much for anything. Atmosphere 4 When you walk into Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field, the first thing you will notice is the banners hanging on the back of the bleachers showing the Tribe’s soccer achievements over the years. The brick exterior of the stadium and the back of the bleachers make you think this stadium is a lot older than it is – it was only built In 2004. Of course, the college as a whole is much older and this is likely intended to emulate that. From the concourse, you will walk up a flight of stairs or a ramp to the bleachers. The bleachers are not that large as the stadium only seats a thousand people, so you should have a pretty good view of the action no matter where you sit. None of the bleachers have backs, although some fans like to bring portable chairbacks. There is also a standing room area next to the bleachers, although fans are not permitted to stand in the front aisle of the bleachers and watch from there. A scoreboard at the stadium shows shots and corner kicks in addition to the score and game clock. Neighborhood 4 The good news is that Williamsburg is a great city. The bad news is that Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field is far removed from most of the best parts. Colonial Williamsburg is about a ten-minute drive away while the Busch Gardens amusement park is 15 minutes away. Williamsburg seems to have an inordinately large number of pancake houses for its size, so if you come in the night before, you will certainly find somewhere to grab breakfast. Originally, hotels catering to tourists did not serve breakfast and would instead recommend nearby pancake houses. While many hotels do now have restaurants, the pancake houses remain. Fans 5 According to the official attendance numbers, William & Mary draws 100 to 200 fans a game, but the stadium seems more full than that. When Stadium Journey visited, the ticket takers were having a confused discussion with each other over who to count as they entered the venue, so perhaps some fans are not being counted for some reason. In any case, the fans who do attend come decked in William & Mary gear and rocking the green and gold. They are loud, passionate, boisterous, and knowledgeable about their team. There are some friends and family of the players, but there are also longtime William & Mary fans who are just looking to cheer on the Tribe. The off-campus location of the stadium means there are almost no students in attendance, but the rest of the crowd makes up for the lack of a student section with their energy. Access 2 The athletic complex that houses the soccer stadium is located a few miles off Interstate 64. There are a few small lots located within where fans can park, but they will fill up at which point fans park haphazardly anywhere they can find room. It can be a tight fit getting out at the end of the game because of where all the cars are parked. Parking is free on weekends but you will need to pay with a smartphone app on weekdays. It will start at $3 and go up depending on how long you stay. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are $10 each, which is at the high end for college soccer. Some top-tier programs charge that much, but most schools of William & Mary’s caliber charge less or even have free admission. That being said, discounts are available to the military, seniors, and youth, and even $10 certainly won’t break the bank. Concessions are affordable, and we recommend going on a weekend to avoid having to pay for parking. Extras 2 One star for the banners on the back of the bleachers honoring all the history of William & Mary soccer. A second star for the marketing table which gives away free programs and other items. Final Thoughts Although college soccer doesn’t quite have the appeal of college football in the fall, Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field is a gorgeous venue that feels modern while at the same time having a rustic appearance. This is emblematic of William & Mary, and the City of Williamsburg as a whole. On a crisp fall afternoon, spending a couple of hours taking in a soccer game here can be an enjoyable experience for any fan.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Longwood Soccer Field 1500 Johnston Dr Farmville, VA 23901 Longwood Lancers website Longwood Soccer Field website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 350 Small Town Soccer Opened in 2006, the Longwood Soccer Field is part of the Longwood Athletics Complex, which also Is home to Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field, the home of the Lancers’ field hockey programs. The two fields share a concourse that runs behind the bleachers and it is possible to walk from one to the other without leaving the facility. The stadium has a unique press box made from recycled freight containers and seats approximately 350 fans. Longwood’s men’s soccer team has won two conference titles since joining Division I, but has never made the tournament since the Atlantic Soccer Conference did not have an automatic bid. Since joining the Big South in 2012, Longwood has not been as successful in soccer. For Stadium Journey’s visit, we attended a doubleheader featuring the Lancers’ women’s and men’s soccer teams. The experiences were roughly comparable, so this review is applicable to either one. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food or drink for sale at Longwood Soccer Field, but fans are free to bring their own. Some fans set up outside with tents and food before the game, but this is for particular groups who know each other. Atmosphere 3 When walking into the Longwood Athletics Complex through the main gate, you will have the option of walking to your right to the soccer field or to your left to the field hockey stadium. Both fields are visible throughout most of the complex, so if there are games going on in both places, you can easily watch them both at the same time. The soccer field has a few rows of bleachers beneath the concourse. Smaller fans can lean against the press box in the back row, but these bleachers have less depth than the rest so it will really only be possible for kids and small teens as attractive an option as it may seem. Many fans also choose to bring their own chairs and sit alongside the concourse or bring their blankets and sit on the hill that runs down from the concourse to the left of the bleachers. Wherever you sit, you will be up close to the action and able to hear the players, referees, and coaches chattering. Of course, due to the lack of stoppages in soccer, much of the atmosphere at any game is going to come from the crowd. The fans who attend can be quite involved at times and it can get quite loud after Lancers goals, but there are also moments when it is dead quiet. Nonetheless, the fans do contribute to the atmosphere here so it bears mention in this section. Neighborhood 3 Farmville is a quaint, small town, and while it’s in the middle of nowhere, there is still plenty to do here. Although there are typical chain places, your best bet is to check out the local color at places such as Walker’s Diner or Riverside Café, both of which are very close to the stadium. In fact, everything in Farmville is very close to the stadium, because it’s a very small town. Just head off campus and turn onto Main Street and just about everything will be right there. Fans 5 Longwood draws a few hundred fans to a typical soccer game, which may not seem like much until you realize the capacity is only 350. This means that the bleachers are packed, fans line the concourse in their own chairs, and many sit on the hill as well. While you don’t have the constant chanting you will get at many professional and a few college venues, those in attendance are often boisterous, particularly after big Lancers plays or goals. They are not afraid to get on their own team’s case after bad plays, but when the Lancers are playing well, or even just have one big moment in an otherwise poor game, it can get loud here. The fact that the fans are packed so close together really contributes to the energy as well. Access 2 There are a few roads into Farmville, but regardless of how you get into town, you are going to have to drive quite a bit. Most likely you will end up taking either State Route 45 or U.S. Route 460, but if you’re coming from any sort of populated area, Farmville probably isn’t close to you. Lynchburg is the closest remotely large city, and it’s a full hour away. Richmond is about an hour and 15 minutes, while Washington, D.C. is about three hours. The Longwood Athletics Complex is not actually located on the Longwood campus but rather a short drive from it. Although students will often make the walk over, if you’re driving in you will be able to park right there at the stadium. There is a small lot adjacent to it, and if it fills up, which it will if you don’t get there early, you can park on the grass behind the lot. If parking on the pavement is important to you, make sure to get there at least 45 minutes to an hour before the first game of the day, or you will be parking on grass most likely. Restrooms are available in the back of the concourse, with additional ones in the adjacent field hockey stadium that are usually open during games. However, barring unexpected plumbing problems, you have no problems using the ones in the soccer stadium as there are never any lines. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Lancers soccer games is free, and you won’t pay for concessions or parking either. With a great atmosphere for a college soccer game, this is an excellent value. Extras 1 There are often multiple games per day in the Longwood Athletics Complex, whether that’s a women’s and men’s soccer doubleheader or a soccer game plus a field hockey game at the adjacent field. This gives fans the opportunity to see more while they are in town, and of course, it’s all free. Final Thoughts Although Farmville may not be the most attractive tourist destination, and Longwood may not be the most well-known university, vWhile the crowds may not be large in absolute numbers, they pack the small stadium, and often less is more. This is one of those cases – if this stadium held even a thousand fans, it would be a much different atmosphere than it is right now.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Southern Miss Wellness Center 105 M. K. Turk Circle Hattiesburg, MS 39406 Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles website Southern Miss Wellness Center website Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 1,000 To the Top The Southern Miss Volleyball program is one 15 sports sponsored by the University of Southern Mississippi. Since the first year of volleyball in 1979 the Golden Eagles have not had much success on the court. After 44 seasons the Golden Eagles are 599-788 and have never been to a conference tournament, nor the NCAA Tournament. However, the 2022 season marks a new beginning for Southern Miss Athletics, as the Golden Eagles have joined the Sun Belt Conference. Before that Southern Miss competed in Conference USA (1995-2021) and the Metro Conference (1982-1995). The Golden Eagles will have one of the nicest facilities in the Sun Belt for the 2022 volleyball season, namely the beautiful and spacious Southern Miss Wellness Center, which opened in 2020 and is now entering its third year hosting volleyball matches. Previously the Golden Eagles played at Reed Green Coliseum next door, which also houses the basketball teams. Because of scheduling conflicts with the men’s and women’s basketball programs at the Coliseum, however, the University opened the new volleyball-only venue – entering the 2022 season Southern Miss is 16-11 at home since the opening of the Wellness Center. Food & Beverage 2 The Wellness Center features one concessions stand in the lobby at the main entrance. The basics are sold and are fairly cheap; hot dogs, hamburgers, and nachos at $4, with popcorn, pretzels, and assorted candies at $3. Coke is the official soft drink provider of Southern Miss Athletics with a souvenir cup costing $5, or you can get a 22 oz soda for $4 or Smartwater for $3. Alcohol is usually sold at Southern Miss sporting events, but not at volleyball matches. Atmosphere 3 The opening of Southern Miss Wellness Center has brought a revitalization to the lowly volleyball program and brings a much more intimate atmosphere than the Coliseum did. The main problem with Reed Green Coliseum was that it is just too large to host the volleyball program. Matches were often played with fans spread out throughout the building, and the volleyball program was secondary to the men’s and women’s basketball teams. From the outside Wellness Center is a large barn-shaped brick and tin structure located right next to the Coliseum . There is one main entrance on the west side of the building with a ticket booth. As soon as you enter there is a small lobby with one concessions stand and restrooms, as well as stairs that go up to a suite and to the coaches’ offices. The open-area suite area is quite large for a volleyball-only arena, but features a TV and several chairback seats overlooking the court. The suite area is open to members of the Eagle Club and season ticket holders only. Inside the building you can definitely feel the newness here as the court is well glossed with the giant Southern Miss logo at midcourt. The acoustics are really nice, as the music and sound echo off the tin roof pretty nicely – it can get quite loud in here and you can actually hear the music from the parking lot as you walk up to the building. The court faces east and west with 11 rows of black plastic chair seating on both sides of the court. On the east far end of the court is a rather large videoboard that shows replays and promotional videos. The team benches and scorer’s table are located on the south side of the court with a pretty cool LED board that runs in front of the scorer’s table. Neighborhood 3 Hattiesburg (a.k.a. the Burg) is a decent-sized city of about 50,000 people, so it has everything you could want in a city and still retains that college town feel. The Burg has a wide selection of bars and restaurants, but unlike most college towns they are not located near each other – instead they are spread out all over town. Within walking distance of the Wellness Center you’ll find places like Patio 44, Brewsky’s, and 4th Street Bar – if you’re looking for vintage Southern Miss memorabilia on the walls of a hole in a wall then 4th Street Bar is your place, while Keg & Barrel, Porter, and Nostalgia are all popular places closer to downtown. As a southern city Hattiesburg has its fair share of restaurants centered on the local fare; other popular spots include Crescent City Grill, Brass Hat, Midtowner, Chesterfields, Ed’s Burger Joint, Stricks, and Murky Waters BBQ. As one of Mississippi’s largest cities there is plenty to do for all ages. For families there’s the Hattiesburg Zoo and the Pocket Museum, which is located in an alleyway next to the Saengar Theatre downtown. The Pocket Museum is Mississippi’s tiniest museum, and each month the museum changes to a different theme. If you come to a volleyball match during October make sure you check out the spooky Halloween display that is spread out throughout the alley and at the Zoo. For shopping there are plenty of chain stores as well as the Turtle Creek Mall. Or, if you are into the outdoors there is the Long Leaf Trace, a 44-mile bike trail that runs right through campus right next to the Wellness Center, while Paul B. Johnson State Park just south of Hattiesburg is an excellent place for camping. Fans 2 The fan base at volleyball matches is mostly a mix of friends and families, but with a small student section located behind the scorer’s bench. Also with many of the Sun Belt schools located within a few hours driving distance of Hattiesburg, expect a small group of visiting fans on the north side bleachers. The Golden Eagles average about 300 fans per match which is about average for this level of college volleyball, but 300 fans at a small venue like this looks a lot better than when the volleyball program played at the cavernous Coliseum where the venue would look completely empty. It’s also a lot more of an intimate setting here, as all the seats are much closer to the court, with the furthest row being about 20 feet from the playing court. Access 4 There is a reason Hattiesburg is nicknamed the Hub City, as it one of the most accessible cities in the state. Conveniently located about an hour and a half from the Coast, New Orleans, Jackson, and Mobile, Hattiesburg sits right in the middle of it all. You will not miss the campus as you come into Hattiesburg as it is located on the corner of Highway 49 and Hardy Street, two of the busiest roads in town. The Wellness Center is located on the north side of campus right next to Reed Green Coliseum and the beach volleyball facility, and directly across the street from Pete Taylor Park , the school’s baseball stadium. For some of the Friday afternoon matchups, make sure you park in the public lots to avoid getting a parking ticket if you park before 5 pm. The public lots for parking are located to the west of the Wellness Center, or you can use the large parking lot across the street at Pete Taylor Park. Or, if you come on a weekend you should have no problem parking at any lot on campus. The Southern Miss campus is also one of the smallest D1 colleges in the country, only one square block, so you should have no problem parking anywhere on campus and walking to the Wellness Center. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are sold for $5 from the ticket office at the main entrance. You can also purchase season tickets for $30, which is considered a great deal since during the 2022 season the Golden Eagles played nine home games, which would save you $15. You also have access to the suite area with a season ticket purchase as well, so I considered this a great return on investment. Extras 3 Southern Miss is one of two Sun Belt programs that play in buildings specifically built for volleyball. The rest play either play in the school’s basketball arenas or at old basketball arenas on campus. Another extra for the Eagle Club suite located on the second level overlooking the court. The Eagle Club is a membership-based scholarship fund whose mission is to provide scholarship funds for the nearly 400 student athletes at Southern Miss. There are different levels of the Eagle Club, each with their own perks depending on how much you donate. The school also has a beach volleyball team that began its first season in 2019, and plays right next door to the Wellness Center during the spring months. Many of the same girls who play regular volleyball also play beach volleyball as well. There was a lot of controversy surrounding the building of the Wellness Center regarding where the funds came from to build it. With a reported cost of $7 million to build the facility, the Wellness Center allegedly received at least $5 million from the State of Mississippi’s welfare funds. Regardless, the Wellness Center remains an excellent place to watch a college volleyball match, if not one of the finest volleyball-only arenas in the country. With a new coach, new conference, and a new facility to call home, big things are on the horizon for the Southern Miss volleyball program.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Biddle Field 610 W High St Carlisle, PA 17013 Dickinson Red Devils website Biddle Field website Year Opened: 1903 The Red Devils Of Carlisle Dickinson College is a private liberal arts college in Carlisle, Pennsylvania which was founded in 1773 and officially chartered in 1783. This means it is the first college to be founded after the formation of the United States. Dickinson’s campus is not far from the nation’s second oldest military base, Carlisle Barracks, which is now used as the U.S. Army War College. The Dickinson Red Devils play at the NCAA Division III level and are members of the Centennial Conference. Biddle Field is part of the larger Biddle Field Complex. The complex is home to the college’s football, field hockey, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s track & field, and men’s and women’s tennis. The stadium and turf surface was renovated recently in 2019. There is the Durden Athletic Training Center, which opened in 2014, that added locker rooms and a varsity weight training facility. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small concession stand located behind the main stands that sells pizza, chips, candy, Gatorade, water, and soda. Prices are cheap and the pizza was tasty, but if you want more please plan on eating before or after the game. Biddle Field Concessions, Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Atmosphere 2 We get the feeling that Dickinson is not a big football school. The stands are lightly filled by fans, with more fans in the visiting stands for the game we attended. There are cheerleaders, and that is about it in terms of atmosphere. High schools will be more boisterous than the fans at Biddle Field. Neighborhood 4 Carlisle is a pleasant town in the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania. In 2010, Forbes rated Carlisle and nearby Harrisburg, as the second-best place to raise a family. This is evident in the beautiful area. The U.S. Army War College, located at Carlisle Barracks, is close by so you may see high-level military personnel preparing for their strategic leadership responsibilities. If you are coming to a game at Dickinson, you can venture east down High Street and find quite a few small-town dining options. Fans 2 There was not a large number of fans at the game we attended. The visiting team brought a more visible and loud bunch, even though the home team was the far superior team that day. The fans who did attend were not very loud. Access 3 Dickinson is located west of Harrisburg along a major Interstate highway, I-81. There is not a lot of parking right at Biddle Field, but there is enough street parking and other campus lots that can handle the small crowds. Return on Investment 5 Attending a Red Devil’s game is free. There was also no charge for parking. The concessions are very decent in terms of pricing, so with all of that, the return on investment is pretty good, even if the level of play is fairly low. Extras 2 The campus is one of the nation’s oldest and the stadium is also very old. There are a few plaques and interesting, historic entrance gates that one should spend some time checking out while attending a game at Biddle Field. The college has gone digital with its game programs. Some may find this annoying, but we find it refreshing to see an official statement about that. Final Thoughts Biddle Field and Dickinson Red Devils football is not going to be a place for all kinds of fans, but it is a pleasant and cheap place to enjoy a college football game.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium 2531 N State St Jackson, MS 39216 Jackson State Tigers website Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 44,215 This is SWAC The Jackson State Tigers football program is one of the more prestigious HBCUs in the country. Since joining the SWAC in 1958 the Tigers have won 18 SWAC Championships, 3 HBCU National Championships, and sent over 90 players to the NFL including 16 Pro Bowlers and six College Football Hall of Famers. During the 1960s and 1970s the program gained exposure on a national level. The JSU program produced four players enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame during that time period, when some of the best black football players in the south, names like Walter Payton and Jerry Rice, were attending HBCUs. In fact only 13 other schools have more players enshrined in Canton than Jackson State – Walter Payton, Lem Barney, Robert Brazile and Jackie Slater are the four players from JSU who are currently in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Tigers play off-campus at Historic Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, which opened in 1950 just north of downtown Jackson. The Vet, as it’s known by locals, is perhaps the Mecca of College Football in the State of Mississippi. The historic structure has played host to some of the greatest college football games in the state, and even the South for that matter. With a capacity of 60,000 seats, the Vet remained the largest stadium in the state until 2014, and because of its large capacity, over 100 neutral site college football games have been played here during its 70+ year history. The stadium served as the neutral site for all of Mississippi’s Big 3 teams, and at one time in the 1970s Ole Miss and Mississippi State played more games here than in Oxford or Starkville. The Tigers began playing here in 1970. Though there is a lot of history at The Vet, in the past 20-30 years the stadium has fallen on hard times. The large concrete structure hasn’t received many renovations over the years and thus is quite too large for a school the size of JSU. Because of its location on the property of the Ole Miss Med School, there has been talk about knocking the stadium down to expand the Med School and build a smaller stadium on JSU’s campus. However, that all changed in 2020 thanks to the hiring of Head Coach Deion Sanders. Coach Prime has completely changed the face of the SWAC and the way people look at HBCUs. Coach Prime has also brought prestige and fan support back to Jackson. Now on Saturdays Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium is packed out once again, something this stadium hasn’t seen in over 30 years. The rebuilding at Jackson State would reach the ultimate pinnacle in October 2022, when the stadium was selected to host College Game Day – it was the first time the popular College Football pregame show made a trip to an HBCU home football game, and was only the third time the show has broadcast from the state of Mississippi. Food & Beverage 3 The Vet has 16 permanent concession stands scattered throughout the concourse. In years past rarely was every stand open during games, and each stand that was open would only sell the basics. However, the increase in exposure has also brought better concessions. In 2021 JSU partnered with Sodexo Magic, an F&B company co-owned by Magic Johnson, to revamp the concessions from the basic fare they had in the past. There are stands on both sides of the concourses now with every kind of food imaginable, as each stand has a unique menu centered on a particular theme. It’s almost a carnival atmosphere on the concourse with vendors in tents selling items, and concessions stands on both sides of concourse. You’ll find a pretzel stand on the east side that sells pretzel dogs and bites, while the Not Just a Burger stand sells burgers and fries ($15), a fish plate ($16), a chicken plate ($13), or gumbo ($16). The Smokin’ 7 stand sells ribs and fries ($19), pulled pork nachos ($14), wings and fries ($14), or egg rolls ($14), and there is also a wings only stand where you can order 10, 20, or 50 pieces. they even had a guy cooking up the wings behind the counter adding his different sauces. It can be kind of confusing, because each stand doesn’t sell the basics in addition. For instance the only place to get a hot dog would be the Taste of Detroit stand on the north concourse, which sells a broad mix of items such as Philly cheese steak ($15), a hamburger and fries ($14), a popcorn chicken combo ($11), or a hot dog and fries ($11). Alternatively if you want popcorn you have to walk around until you find the two stands that sell it, which happen to be on the far west side and the far east sides of the concourse, but it is cool because you can get unique items you wouldn’t normally find at a sporting event, like fried gizzards and green tomatoes, which you can get as Sha’s Kitchen stand. Coca-Cola is the soft drink provider at The Vet, and there are several pop-up bars set up on the concourse selling alcohol – they sell four different kinds of 16oz beers (Modelo, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, and Yuengling), ranging from $8-$10 each. Atmosphere 5 When The Vet is full this place rivals SEC schools when it comes to atmosphere – in 2022 The Vet is packed out for almost every game, and coming to Jackson for a JSU game is as close to big time college football as you can get. You’ll also get A-list celebrity sightings, as Snoop Dogg and The Rock have all been spotted at The Vet for games. You’ll also see former football players in attendance, as Coach Prime has been known to bring in some of his former teammates and friends like Troy Aikman and Michael Strahan. All this in front of a sold out crowd of people, and even more people in the parking lot tailgating, while the greatest band in college football plays so loud you can’t even hear, and 4 and 5 star recruits play on the field. You will think you are at a power 5 conference game or an NFL game, but this is SWAC. The first thing you’ll notice when arriving at a game here is a ton of people tailgating. The Vet sits in a massive parking lot that holds over 80,000 cars, and all throughout the parking lot you’ll see a sea of grills and tents. Jackson is nicknamed the City with Soul, and with a nickname like that you’re bound to find somebody to let you come get a bite to eat. And of course, as this is the South, you’ll find people cooking and grilling all kinds of food, from southern fried foods to BBQ and many different seafoods, the people at Jackson State know how to tailgate. Tailgating at JSU, Photo by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey When Jackson State purchased the stadium from the city in 2013 they added the huge words across the top of the stadium that said Home of the JSU Tigers, but other than that you would have a hard time telling who the main tenant of the stadium is. But you will notice just how large Mississippi Veterans Stadium actually is – the large horseshoe-shaped structure is open on the southeast end zone so you can see inside the giant stadium from the parking lot. I’d imagine The Vet to be a pretty intimidating place for visiting teams to play in, as it is by far the largest stadium in the SWAC. There are 12 gates for entry, with the two main entrances on the east and west sides. As you approach the gates the first thing you’ll hear from the grandstands is the JSU marching band, the Sonic Boom of the South. Probably the most famous marching band in all of college football, the Sonic Boom of the South has to be seen to be believed. The band will play a broad range of music genres, all while dancing and moving in unison, which is quite a sight to see. During pregame they will rarely play music over the loudspeakers because the band will play continuously while the teams warmup. A JSU game is also one football game where people don’t go to the concessions during halftime, as the Sonic Boom of the South puts on probably the best halftime show in all of college football; if you come to a JSU game if nothing else you have to stay for the halftime show. The Vet is a large concrete structure, typical of stadiums of that time period and shaped like a horseshoe bowl built inside of a hill – the stadium is one big bowl with over 60 rows of metal bleacher seating. The Vet sits sunken into the hill, so you enter from the concourse and walk up and down the bowl depending on which level you are sitting in. Once in the stadium you really get a sense of the feel of the history and aura that surrounds The Vet; the place has remained virtually unchanged from what it looked like 50 years ago. The only additions the stadium has received over the years are the addition of the fieldhouse and videoboard in the southeast endzone and 10,000 additional seats added in 1981. Other than that there are no special suites, club levels, nor the amenities found at other stadiums. In this case it works as there is a real old school gritty feel here, and during the 2022 season with attendance at an all-time high again, combined with the Sonic Boom of the South playing, I almost felt like I was transported back to the 1970s with Walter Payton going to run out of the tunnel. Neighborhood 3 Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium is located north of downtown Jackson, and about 4 miles away from the JSU campus. The Vet is located directly across the street from the University of Mississippi Medical School in the popular Fondren District. This is the nightlife area for Jackson, and you will find numerous bars and restaurants on this stretch of street. Fondren Public is my favorite, with shuffleboard, cornhole, beer pong and all kinds of games and craft beer – I definitely recommend checking this place out. Another one of my favorites is Brent’s Drug, which is an old soda fountain diner from the 1950s. But in the back down some stairs is a hidden bar called the Apothecary, which is an old speakeasy from the prohibition days. Other popular places and restaurants include a bowling alley called Highball Lanes, Capri Theatre, Pig & Pint, Walker’s Drive In, Saltine’s Oyster Bar, Barrelhouse Bar, Rooster’s, and Sal & Mookies. The Vet is also located about three miles from downtown Jackson, and there are plenty of attractions downtown from the current Mississippi state capitol to the old capitol, both of which are open to the public. You also have the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, the Mississippi Art Museum, and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, which is located on Lakeland Drive. One bar worth checking out downtown is Underground 119, an underground blues club with excellent live blue music. Or, Hal & Mal’s is another famous spot known for its live music, in addition to the Tavern on George Street, a hole-in-the-wall pub. You are also in the capital and largest city in Mississippi, so you should be able to find plenty to do for all ages. There is plenty of shopping on Lakeland Drive about a mile from the stadium, and if you are into the outdoors you have LaFleur’s Bluff State Park and Natchez Trace Parkway, as well as plenty of boating activities on the Ross Barnett Reservoir, a large lake in the center of Jackson. Fans 5 JSU has always had a pretty dedicated and supportive fan base. In past years they would still get 20,000 fans for any given game, in which they would most always lead the SWAC in attendance. Unfortunately The Vet is so large that the stadium was still half empty during games. You’ll still find the dedicated fans who have been coming here with their families for generations, by the way – they can remember watching Walter Payton run the ball here and then coming back 50 years later with their grandkids to watch Coach Prime. In years past you would see fans who would only come to watch the bands, so they would leave after the halftime show. Not so now; Coach Prime has JSU fan support at an all-time high, and fans are into the game from start to finish now. When the Sonic Boom of the South plays the fans will dance and sing to the songs that the band is playing and chanting. The electricity on gamedays that Coach Prime has brought is pretty cool, and something the SWAC has never seen before. JSU also has heated rivalries with other SWAC schools, with each game given its own name and special theme. For instance JSU’s game with Southern is called the Boom Box Classic, while its game against Alcorn State is called the Soul Bowl, so whenever these games are played expect lots of visiting fans. The Tigers also set record numbers in attendance during the 2021 season – the Tigers averaged 42,000 per game for the season, which led the FCS in attendance. JSU also packed 58,000 fans for the game against Alcorn State, which ranks second in program history. In 2022 they average even more fans than they ever have. Access 2 Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium is located north of downtown Jackson. If coming from out of town I-55 will be your best bet as it travels right through downtown, and as you roll through on I-55 you’ll get fabulous views of state capitol to the left. The Vet is right off the interstate; just take Exit 98A onto Woodrow Wilson Ave, then travel past two giant hospitals and the Ole Miss Medical School, and the stadium is right there in the Fondren District. The stadium is located in a huge parking lot, but more than likely this lot will be full with people tailgating as well as hundreds of RVs. This lot will start filling up on Friday and will be full by early Saturday morning, or if you can snag a spot on the stadium grounds you will be paying $20 to park. Unfortunately street parking may be your best option as there isn’t any public parking nearby. Many people park on the median on Woodrow Wilson Avenue to the south. Murrah High School also has parking on their school grounds, or you could park on campus at Belhaven University and make a long walk to the stadium. Once inside the stadium getting around could be an issue – there are 16 separate entrances, but with the increased attendance and fan support the lines in the stadium back up substantially. It can take over 30 minutes to get into the stadium once you arrive. Once on the concourse it isn’t much better, as there is no traffic flow and tons of people, not to mention the long concession lines. If you try to walk around the concourse before the game it will take a while, and you will be shoulder to shoulder with people (you enter the venue at mid-level and then have to walk up or down a steep set of stairs). The whole stadium is very large so there is plenty of room to move around once you get to the grandstand, however, and you can sit wherever you want except in six specific sections (three on each side), which are reserved for season ticket holders and sell out well before the season starts. Return on Investment 4 You can expect to pay more for tickets here than you are used to paying at FCS schools, but coming to a Jackson State game is unlike most FCS games. General admission tickets will go for $30, and the majority of the stadium is GA, as the entire upper deck and all the lower level, except 6 sections, are considered general admission. The good thing is you can sit wherever you want too, that is if you can get a seat. The stadium usually opens two hours before game time and people start filling up at the stadium. It is not uncommon to find the entire lower level already filled over an hour before game time. Also you better get your tickets ahead of time, as JSU has been known to sell out most of their games ahead of time. Don’t let the fact that this is an FCS football game fool you, because this is a top-level experience on the same level as attending an SEC game. From the countless celebrities and rappers in attendance to the greatest band in all of college football, this is a premiere experience in one of the South’s most historic venues. Extras 3 One extra for the signing of Deion Sanders to be the 21st Head Coach in program history. Though the Tigers have always brought a nice crowd to The Vet, it was nothing like the crowds that turned out during the 2021 season, thanks in part to the publicity that Coach Prime brought to the program. With ESPN broadcasting games from inside The Vet, and film crews filming reality shows on campus about the program, Jackson hasn’t experienced this level of publicity for college football since the days when Egg Bowls were played here. Coach Prime coming to JSU also bought along with it lots of D1 transfers from other schools and big time commits, including flipping the number 1 commit in the country for 2022 from Florida State – it cannot be said enough how much Deion Sanders changed the entire Jackson State program and HBCUs in general. Another extra just for all the historic college football games these hallowed grounds have seen. As mentioned from the 1950s to the early 1990s The Vet was the neutral site home for all the Big 3 Mississippi colleges. Mississippi State and Ole Miss played in over 80 games here over the years, including every Egg Bowl from 1973-1990. During the early days the place was also nicknamed the ‘House that Archie Built’, as Archie Manning set numerous records here while playing for Ole Miss from 1968-1970, and held a 9-1 record as a starter in games played in Jackson. During those days it was not uncommon for The Vet to host a Saturday doubleheader of games between different schools. Some of the more notable games include a 1977 game in which an unranked Ole Miss team gave eventual national champion #3 ranked Notre Dame its only loss of the season, and a game in 1980 when an unranked Mississippi State team beat a Bear Bryant coached #1 ranked Alabama team, or the 1983 Egg Bowl when a 40 mph gust of wind magically appeared and blew the football away as Mississippi State was about to kick the game winning field goal. Southern Miss also played in ten games at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, including a notable game in 1988 in which a young sophomore named Brett Favre led the Golden Eagles to an upset win over Mississippi State. The stadium has also been the site of several NFL preseason games, most recently a 2006 game when Peyton Manning returned to the place his dad made famous almost 40 years earlier, leading the Colts to a victory over a Drew Brees-led Saints team. The Saints also held training camp at Millsaps College across the street for three years (2006-08), and would hold occasional scrimmages at The Vet as well. The Vet also serves as a neutral site home for Jackson area high schools, and is used almost every Friday in the fall for high school football. From 1992-2013 and in 2020 the stadium hosted the MHSAA high school football state championship, playing host to a wide selection of future NFL stars while they were still in high school; South Panola has won the most state championships at the stadium with 10. Another extra for the Sonic Boom of the South, the greatest band in college football. The band was formed at Jackson State in the 1940s, and adopted its nickname of Sonic Boom of the South in 1971. The band is a cool experience and if you are a college football fan, the band has to be seen to be believed – once again if you come to a football game at The Vet, you have to stay through the halftime show. Sonic Boom of the South, Photo by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts There is so much college football history in this city. Now, thanks to Deion Sanders the City of Jackson is getting the recognition it deserves as a major college football town in the South. From names like Archie Manning to Walter Payton, and now Coach Prime has added another chapter to Jackson’s storied football history. I highly recommend a visit to a Jackson State game to all college football fans.

Photos by Marc Viquez Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.25 Glenn Ray Gymnasium 300 Main St. Whiteland, IN 46184 Whiteland Warriors website Glenn Ray Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 4,649 Whiteland’s Home for High School Hoops When the Glenn Ray Gym opened in 1958, it was known as the Whiteland Gym and sat 4,649, making it easily the largest high school basketball gym in Johnson County. The gym was built before the new high school building and constructed for sectional tournament play. The home of the Whiteland Community High School Warriors cost around $500,000. In 1965, Clark High School and Whiteland High School united to form one high school, Whiteland Community High School. That same year the building was renamed in honor of long-time coach, teacher, and principal Glenn Ray during a half-time ceremony. Ray coached the team from 1925-1939 and had a 43-year connection with the school. During the summer of 1979, ventilation grids, a drop ceiling, and insulation were added to cut heating costs to the tune of $115,737. The hangar-like ceiling was now covered, but construction costs were recouped a few months later due to improved heating bills. The renovations also included re-wiring and hanging of lights along with a new sound system. The Warriors have competed in the Mid-State Conference of the IHSAA since 1968 and have captured conference championships in 1979, 1993, and 2002. The team competed in the Mid-Hoosier Conference from 1965-1968. The school was known as the Wrens for most of the 1930s decided to change it to Warriors during the 1939-1940 school year. The Wrens name had been chosen by Ray but scrapped after he stepped down as head coach. Food & Beverage 3 There is a double-sided concession stand located outside the entrance to the gym. The options include the usual: hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, and soda. The extra-large windows provide better service and are enough to satisfy any hunger for the fans. The average price ranges between $2-$3. Atmosphere 4 The Glenn Ray Gym is a sneaking-good venue for high school hoops in the Indianapolis area. The wrap-around concourse, pre-game promotions, and community involvement make a great night out for the basketball fan. The framed pictures of past basketball glory and teams make this a gym worth visiting during winter months. Glenn Ray Gym allows fans to enter via courtside and make their way up the permanent grandstand seating that envelopes the seating bowl. A wide concourse wraps around the upper level, providing standing-room-only areas when applicable. The drop-down ceiling is almost reachable with a stretch of the hand and offers various vantage points of the court 14 rows below. The interior is white with blue bleachers, the way it has always been, according to former head coach and athletic director Butch Zike, who states that there is no better high school gym in the state. He helped add a collection of framed photographs and portraits to the vomitorium that had remained hidden in boxes for decades in a storage closet. The photographs date back to 1904 and illustrate a history of the sport in Whiteland. "The Glenn Ray Gym is a sneaking-good venue for high school hoops in the Indianapolis area." Multiple banners are hanging from the rafters of the gym that display championships won in various high school sports. They include titles from the Johnson County tournament, a tradition for many years. The court features an oversized Native American head with plenty of room for movement on all four sides for players, cheerleaders, spectators, and officials. The student cheer block welcomes the team through one of the entrances with the Atlanta Braves-style tomahawk chant under dimmed lights. The school band sits close, providing music during the ceremonies and throughout the game. Cheerleaders entertain the crowd throughout breaks. Tip-off takes place at the center court above an oversized school logo. Neighborhood 3 The high school is on US-31 and close to various chain restaurants and retail shopping points. El Abuelo and Kacey’s Twin Eatery are two spots in town worth checking out, but just 4 or 5 miles north is downtown Greenwood which includes Hoosier and Planetary Brewing Company, which are across the street from one another. HBC offers chicken wings and pizza by the slice and an ax-throwing area where the axes replace the darts on the board. Main Street Grille and Revery are two fine eating establishments worth checking out. A few miles away from the high school is a rather interesting tourist spot that is open all day and free of charge to visit. The Garden Of Gas Station Signs is a collection of 36 gas station signs from the past that makes for an interesting little spot in Whiteland to visit before or after the game. Rascals Fun Zone features a 1,000-foot track, blaster boats, and an 18-hole mini-golf course of US-31. Fans 4 There is a nice collection of fans cheering on the Warriors, from fans in the seating bowl to the rowdy student sections that did their best to compete with their rivals who brought in a group of students as well. These types of games are rather exciting since the school spirit is strong, and even though the away club dominated from the start, school pride was evident. Access 4 Glenn Ray Gym is located on US-31 and 3 miles west of the Whiteland exit off of I-65. There is plenty of parking on the school’s campus, and the gym is easy enough to get around once inside. The only thing a visitor needs to do is locate the high school on GPS, and they will find the basketball gym. Once inside the gym, there is plenty of room to move around on the wrap-around concourse at the top of the 14 rows of seats and at the bottom around the court itself. Return on Investment 3 The price of a ticket is $6 and falls in line with other high school gyms in the state. The cost of a hot dog is $3, and nachos are $3, also in line with other high school gyms. Extras 3 Glenn Ray Gym earns a point for its visual display of team memorabilia that includes photos dating back to the early part of the 20th century. The gym provides more history with an area dedicated to alumnus Ray Crowe who captained two Wrens teams from 1934-1936. Later, he would coach Crispus Attucks High School to back-to-back state titles in 1955 and 1956, the first state undefeated team, with a teenage Oscar Robertson as his center. The gym earns a second point for its low ceiling, which gives the venue a distinct look from other buildings for hoops. The gym had high arched ceilings until renovations in August of 1979. The final point is for the hallway that displays every student-athlete college they attended after playing in Whiteland. The large display near the entrance is something not normally seen at other high schools in Indiana. Final Thoughts The Glenn Ray Gym is a sneaking-good place for high school hoops in the Indianapolis area. The wrap-around concourse, memorabilia, and community involvement make a great night out for the basketball fan. The framed pictures of past basketball glory and teams make this a gym worth visiting during cold winter months.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Hawkins Arena 1400 Coleman Ave Macon, GA 31207 Mercer Bears website Hawkins Arena website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 3,200 Home of Mercer Bears Basketball Mercer basketball was one of the darlings from the first round of the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament when the #14 seed upset the #3 seed Duke Blue Devils. That upset and the publicity Mercer received following that win is predominantly displayed at the home of the Mercer Bears, Hawkins Arena. Hawkins Arena, originally opened as the University Center on January 8, 2004, with the Bears playing their first game in their new home game against Gardner-Webb. The Bears’ new basketball facility replaced the 500-seat Porter Gym, which had been Mercer’s basketball home for 70 years. Food & Beverage 3 Hawkins Arena features one concessions stand tucked into the corner, next to the main entrance. The food available is what you’d expect from most any basketball concessions stand, e.g. hamburgers, hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, and candy. One item that is a bit unique to appeal to the vegetarian/vegan crowd is the veggie burger. Unlike Mercer’s football stadium, though, alcoholic beverages are not available for purchase at Hawkins Arena; non-alcoholic beverages include Coca-Cola products. While there is just one concessions stand, there are two areas set up around the concourse where fans can grab either Marco’s Pizza and a drink or Zaxby’s chicken tenders. One of the unique benefits of having the arena as part of the University Center is the food court that is a short walk down the hallway from the basketball arena. It’s nice to have so many options, just steps away from the arena. Atmosphere 3 Hawkins Arena is a part of the beautifully designed University Center building. Twin spires bookend the entryway where fans are welcomed into the Mercer Sports Hall of Fame. The interior of the foyer is walled with large windows that look out into the venue. Fans enter above the orange-clad seating and make their way toward court level to their seats; the black-perimetered court compliments the orange seating. A wide walkway rims the seating bowl but does not completely encircle the arena. Premium court side seating is also available, as is a grouping of suites along the roof line. Dead ball timeouts are filled with entertainment – most have either an on-court competition or fan interaction shown on the scoreboard. While it is fun and does keep fans engaged, at times it is also nice to be able to have a break from the constant sensory input. Neighborhood 4 Even though Mercer is situated in a city of over 150,000, it still has a college town feel to it. Downtown Macon is adorned with Mercer Bears banners from many of its light posts, and features several billboards promoting Mercer athletics. Around campus there are two separate areas where fans can grab a meal or drink on their visit. Mercer Village is a small area just north of Hawkins Arena that offers several choices of food – Margaritas Mexican Grille, JAG’s Pizzeria , Nu-Way Wieners, and Francar’s Buffalo Wings are all options in Mercer Village, while just south of campus there are Amici Pizza and the Library Taphouse. All of these choices are less than a half mile from Hawkins Arena. Those coming to town for an extended stay are in luck with two hotels, Courtyard by Marriott or TownePlace Suites, right at the south end of campus. Fans 3 While early season, non-conference games tend to be lightly attended, conference games typically have Hawkins Arena close to two-thirds to full capacity. Fans are actively engaged in the game and respectfully jeer opposing players. The students section seats have an “Assignment Sheet” taped to them that encourages students to “give the other team a hard time, but to be cool with it.” Students, along with the band members, do keep their rowdiness civil. One of the fun things to see are the oversize props used to attempt to distract opponents while they shoot free throws. The cheer squad has a clever promotion during free throw attempts, as they entice the crowd to “get loud” in exchange for a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts for the loudest fans. Fans at Mercer basketball games do a great job remaining in the game and making things as uncomfortable as possible for the visiting team. Access 4 Located less than a half mile from Interstate-75, getting in and out of the Mercer campus is pretty simple. The parking lot is a little bit of a walk, but there is a shuttle bus if you choose to use it. Otherwise, while the lot is not directly next to the arena, the walk is not significantly further than it would be at a large university. As fans approach the arena they are greeted by a large inflatable Mercer bear tunnel at one of the entry ways. Other points of entry into the arena are located just around the side of the building, in proximity to the ticket office. Return On Investment 4 With free parking and ticket prices as low as $10 for general admission, the cost of tickets is extremely affordable. Mercer also does a good job at enticing families to come out to the game by offering children’s tickets for just $5. Concessions prices are very affordable as well – none of the entrée options, i.e. burgers and hot dogs, cost more than $6 while all the snack foods like popcorn, candy, pretzels, frozen lemonade, and sodas are available for $4. Nacho chips are $5, but they do come with cheese or jalapeno cups, which frequently cost extra at other venues. Much as other sports at Mercer, tickets and concessions are both very reasonably priced, and they do a good job at making it affordable to bring a family to games. Extras 3 Mercer does a great job at highlighting not just their basketball history, but the history of their entire athletics program throughout Hawkins Arena. From the Mercer Sports Hall of Fame in the main lobby, portraits and banners of the men and women who have had their numbers retired, along with banners of the NCAA and conference successes of both programs, Mercer takes visitors on a walk through the history of their athletics programs from their very early days up to the present. The role the pep band plays in helping to create that college basketball atmosphere, to the feel of a collegiate event, is the role the pep band plays at games. During pre-game, timeouts, and halftime, the band does a great job at bridging the gap between not relying on piped in music while still playing current, popular music. The ticket offers that Mercer provides for $5 are great offers; it’s not just the price but the conscious effort to make the game accessible to kids and families. Final Thoughts Hawkins Arena is a beautiful facility and does a great job at showcasing not just the Mercer Bears basketball and volleyball programs, but they do a great job at telling the history of Mercer athletics – the athletics history walk in the lobby gives a fascinating look at the Bears programs. It does feel, though, as fans are constantly being asked to have their attention focused on either the game or what ever in-game contests or activity is happening.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Grand Canyon University Arena 3300 West Camelback Road Phoenix, AZ 85017 Grand Canyon University website Grand Canyon University Arena website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 7,000 Purple Party The Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a Christian-based university in central Phoenix. Its spirited athletic teams are the Antelopes (Lopes), proud members of the NCAA D1 WAC (Western Athletic Conference). GCU Arena , which opened in 2011 and expanded in 2014, is a mid-sized indoor arena . It is home t o the GCU Antelopes (Lopes) basketball and volleyball teams, as well as other university-sponsored events. While the men’s basketball team draws the larger crowds, the women’s basketball games are enthusiastically attended, especially when they play their in-state rivals, the AS U Sun Devils. The GCU women’s basketball team began in 1988 in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (small college athletics). They moved to NCAA D2 in 1991, then transitioned to D1 in 2013 as a member of the WAC (Western Athletic Conference). While in D2, the team made the NCAA tournament six times. Team colors are purple, black, and white, and it’s a purple party pre, during, and post game. Food & Beverage 3 The arena has five concession stands. The number of them open during an event depends on the expected crowd. Two (on the second level) were operational at the game of this review, which was plenty. The food stands are nicely arranged in the corners, and each has tables and chairs to sit and enjoy food and beverages. One stand even has an outdoor patio deck which is great for warmer Arizona days and evenings. GCU Arena Concessions, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Food choices are the traditional stadium fare: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, walking taco, and chicken sandwich ($4.50 - $7.50). Snacks include pretzels, popcorn, nachos, ice cream, and more ($3.50 - $6). The menu lists the calories next to the food choices; you can decide if that’s a good thing or not. Drinks are Pepsi products, bottles of water, and Gatorade ($3.50 - $4). GCU Arena does not serve alcohol. It’s a decent variety, enough to hold you over for a basketball game. Atmosphere 3 GCU Arena provides an outstanding game day presentation and venue for Lopes women’s basketball games. Cushioned purple seats (somewhat narrow) with cup holders surround the court on three sides. Legroom is adequate. The Thundering Heard Pep Band has a full bleacher section behind one of the baskets. Section 113 is center court facing the logo, though most presentations face the opposite section, 103. A crisp, clear video board is in one corner. Another corner board displays the players’ game day stats and game score. Ribbon boards behind each basket also present the game score. The arena does not have a center scoreboard which fits in perfectly for this intimate arena. The ribbon board displays the players’ names and photos when the team takes the court. The boards do not offer closed captioning. The very end sections (115 and 101) face the bleachers. Don’t sit there. The students, cheerleaders, dancers, and Thundering Heard Pep Band provide most of the fantastic in-game promotions and entertainment. The dancers and cheerleaders number more than 25 and provide energy and enthusiasm throughout the game. Individuals do backflips across the court; they perform jumps, moves, and routines that layer up to three high! The Thundering Heard members dress in purple and white overalls with one arm sleeve undone. The sound booth and the pep band orchestrate a perfect mixture of canned music and pep band music. The volume level is perfect. A prayer is said before the game. On the day of this review, one of the cheerleaders gave the prayer. Neighborhood 3 Grand Canyon University is in central Phoenix. The area around the university is not considered the safest in the metropolitan area. The campus is perfectly harmless, comfortable, and pleasant. Several fast food places are within 1,000 feet of the arena. The Quad Kitchen (across a grass area in front of the arena) just recently opened selling BBQ items. The university is planning to open an on-site restaurant called the Havoc House in the near future. Off campus, we recommend visiting other neighborhoods for a bite to eat before or after the game. The Cracked Egg is a decent restaurant for breakfast or brunch just a few miles from the arena. Huss Brewing has a taproom and kitchen about three miles from campus. When on campus, visit the Jerry Colangelo Museum right next to the arena. Jerry Colangelo was very influential in moving the Grand Canyon Antelopes from D2 to D1, as well as introducing and promoting other sports in the Phoenix area. Hotels are not close to the arena. We recommend driving four or five miles to mid-town where a Hilton Garden Inn Midtown or a Hampton Inn are affordable places to stay. Other nearby sports to see during basketball season include Milwaukee Brewers spring training at American Family Fields. And, of course, visit other Lopes teams like men’s basketball and baseball. Fans 3 For crowd enthusiasm and a packed house, the best games to attend are those against in-state rivals ASU Sun Devils. Over 6,000 fans pack the house for those games, and the environment is electric. The biggest fans are the cheer dancers, cheerleaders, and Thundering Heard Pep Band. Other fans include alumni and student Havoc fans. Everyone stands until the Lopes score. It’s loud and there are not even a lot of people there. Before a Lopes foul shot, the crowd shouts “GCU Forks Up.” The place goes dead silent and fans raise their arms above their heads with index and pinky fingers raised. The women’s basketball team generally draws less than 1,000 fans a game. Access 4 GCU Arena is less than a mile off Interstate 17. Depending on the time of day and what road construction is taking place, you may hit some local traffic. Park in the garage at N 33 rd Ave and Camelback Rd. You’ll pass through security before parking. Tell the guard you’re going to the game, and they’ll direct you to the garage. GCU does not charge parking fees. The current rideshare lot is at the corner of Colter and 30th Drive for drop-off and pick-up, a few blocks from the arena. The arena is about 10 miles from Sky Harbor Airport. Valley Metro provides public transportation to the venue. Bus route 50 has a stop right outside the building. Fans pass through metal detectors prior to entering the facility. Clear sports bags (12” x 12” x 6”) are allowed. It’s painless, and the security staff is quite friendly and welcoming. Fans enter a large lobby area and then take steps up a grand staircase to the second level. Fans can also enter on floor level and walk up to their desired seating area. The venue is not the greatest for those needing handicapped seating or access. The facility has two elevators. One was closed at the game of this review. The escalators only go up. Handicapped/wheelchair seating seems to be only available at the very top of the second level. This may be one area to look at if the university ever decides to do another renovation. The arena has plenty of restrooms which are sparkling clean. Return on Investment 5 The price of attending a women’s basketball match can’t be beaten -- f ive dollars. And, it’s general admission, so you can sit wherever you desire. And move around. All GCU students with a valid student ID pass get in free. Free parking and affordable concessions make this a fantastic game day or evening out. . Extras 3 Outside the arena is a grassy area called the Quad that usually has some event occurring before a basketball game. At the game of this review, a Mahalo Market was assembled which included tables and tents of many international crafts, wares, and food. The Quad Kitchen just recently opened and sells yummy BBQ and all the fixings. It is open weekdays 11am – 7pm. Be sure to step into the Jerry Colangelo Museum and visit a statue of him just outside the entrance to the arena. Lastly, all the staff are extremely helpful and make you feel welcome. Final Thoughts While the women’s team doesn’t draw the crowds the men’s team does, it’s a fun, affordable afternoon or evening out. Come join the purple party!

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.71 Lincoln Financial Field 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way Philadelphia, PA 19148 Army/Navy Game website Lincoln Financial Field website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 69,956 America's Game 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 series. There have been seven ties. The 2022 game had the first overtime game of the long series. 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 Pasadena, CA (1983). Food & Beverage 5 There are many concessions stands throughout all areas of the stadium offering the usual options. Beer is not sure cheap and the price is depending on the size and whether you purchase a draught or can. There are also some craft beer locations, but beer will be closer to $12 and up. Make sure to check out the self-pour vending machines in the north part of the concourse. Hot dogs are a decent price, although a few kiosks sell a better, grilled version for a little more. You will also find a decent Italian sausage at those same kiosks. A gluten-free kiosk is also available. Regular sodas are a good option with a souvenir size available for a little more. You will also see some options to get bottled soda, but they will only give it to you with the bottle cap taken off. I guess it does make it harder to throw a full bottle of soda if the cap is off. Cheesesteaks are found at the general food stands for a decent $9. Tony Luke’s cheesesteaks and roast pork sandwiches are great choices but will cost a buck or two more depending on the options. Chickie’s and Pete’s sell their famous Crab Fries for $10.50. The cheese sauce is extra. They also have a very good chicken cutlet sandwich. There are Dunkin’ coffee stands and Rita’s Italian Ice locations scattered throughout the stadium. Atmosphere 5 The game atmosphere is amazing. There are activities both before and during the game to keep all of the fans engaged. Even in the game back in 2018, which was played in a driving snowstorm, the atmosphere never suffered. The game benefits from being held at such a fine facility. The Eagles have excellent facilities and offerings for the team and fans. There will be many options for Army-Navy game merchandise, but the usual Eagles merchandise will be unavailable. Neighborhood 4 The main problem with the entire sports complex is its distance from the actual city of Philadelphia. To really experience the city you would need to take a subway ride into center city. There are places close to the stadium still. The Xfinity Live entertainment center is across the street, roughly where the old Spectrum was located. It is overpriced and is not really an entertainment center, but a mess of bars thrown together. It can still be a good pre-game meeting spot even with the outrageous prices. The Famous sports bar Chickie’s and Pete’s is pretty close on Packard Avenue. There are hundreds of screens and video game options inside here. The food is pretty good too. The Crab Fries are famous here. You can park at Chickie’s and Pete’s for some games and they offer a shuttle bus to the games (“The Taxi Crab”). Just make sure you follow parking rules, as they will be quick to tow you if you don’t. Some of the best cheesesteaks are located at Tony & Nicks Steaks (Formerly the original Tony Luke’s) on Oregon Avenue underneath I-95. Don’t fall for the more touristy Pat’s and Geno’s. Tony and Nick’s offers more options with much better flavor. The place can get crowded before games and still gets it share of tourists. There will be many people that view even this spot as a bit too touristic, so for a more neighborly experience go to Philip’s Steaks at 2234 West Passyunk Avenue. They are located in a safe neighborhood and offer free parking. Philip’s also has a surprisingly good cheeseburger for a cheesesteak joint. Just remember you have to buy the drinks and fries at a different window than your main entree, which is a strange and unique Philly tradition. The rest of Philadelphia is available to you on a short ride away on the Broad Street subway line. 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 The sports complex is located right off of I-95, with massive parking lots in the area. Even with big crowds, there should be no problem with access. Parking will not be cheap, but it will be convenient, as there are over 6,000 spaces available throughout eight lots at a shockingly high price of $40 apiece. If using public transportation, you will likely find yourself using the only corporate-sponsored subway station that I know of, the NRG station of the Broad Street Line. Return on Investment 4 The Army-Navy game may not be the cheapest game around. It is a much 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 always have a good flyover pregame, 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 displaying their awesome firepower. The entrance plaza is such a fun hub of entertainment that it serves to get the crowd entertained as well as pumped up for the game. The carnival atmosphere is pretty spectacular. The Eagles had installed 14 micro-turbines in the stadium in recent years. They used to add a unique look to the stadium, as well as provide sustainable energy for the complex. As of late 2019, the turbines have been removed for repair and have never reappeared. 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.

What happens to a logo when a sports team ceases operations? For many, it quickly dissolves out of the memory and is perhaps saved by images on the internet, clothing, or collectible items. However, could it be repurposed and used for another league or organization? The Jersey Rockhoppers were a minor league hockey team that operated for one season in the Eastern Professional Hockey League during the 2008-2009 season. They would play at the Richard J. Codey Ice Arena in West Orange, New Jersey, also the practice facility for the New Jersey Devils. The cartoon rockhopper penguin name was picked out of 500 suggestions from a name-the-team contest. The fierce-looking penguin featured tufts of yellow hair and red eyes, yielding a hockey stick. A press release explained why the name was selected. "We had many great suggestions," commented co-owner Curtis Russell. "There were plenty of original ideas and many that connected with the rich hockey past of Essex County or focused on the historic landmarks that dot the county footprint." One of the common themes related to Thomas Edison, whose West Orange home is now a national landmark. "In the end, after weeks of discussion, we wanted to connect with Turtleback Zoo, and so we knew it was going to be an animal of some sort," explained co-owner Igor Mrotchek. Rob Bennett for The New York Times Other suggestions included the Mountaineers and Renegades out of the other suggestions. In the end, the spiky-haired rockhopper penguin known for its aggressiveness won. “We think that Rockhoppers make a nice match and are identifiable with grace, agility, and an aggressive nature compared to other penguins”, added Mrotchk. The logo was designed by Francis Santiquilani of FSDesign of Chattanooga, Tennessee, who also did work for the Quad Cities Bandits, Lowell Spinners, and the High Desert Mavericks. The team finished with a 32-16-1-1 record and won the league championship over the Brooklyn Aces. However, the league ceased operations after its inaugural campaign and the Hoppers faded into sports obscurity. However, 6,455 miles due south, a hockey association had been formed, and within three years was looking to compete internationally. They needed a logo to wear on their chest that would represent their nation. That country was the Falkland Islands - 300 miles west off the southern tip of Argentina. "It was pretty much the perfect logo for us representing the Falkland Islands" In 2006, the Falkland Islands Hockey Association was established by Grant Budd, who played professionally in England. The league began as deck hockey, but by 2015 would include inline and ice hockey. It necessitated the need to create a jersey logo for international tournaments in South and North America. “One of the kids in our hockey program found the perfect logo,” said committee member Sam Cockwell. “ However, it belonged to another team. He reached out to them, even though they had disbanded.” That team. the Jersey Rockhoppers, ceased operations six years earlier. The logo is currently owned by former NHL player Ron Duguay, who played between 1977 and 1989 with the New York Rangers, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles. “He was thrilled about the logo brought back from the dead,” stated Cockwell. “We probably would have designed our logo, but this opportunity was too good to pass up. It was the perfect hockey logo for us representing the Falkland Islands.” The islands are home to five species of penguins, including the rockhopper. The birds have 5000,000 breeding pairs and outnumber humans 3 to 1. Courtesy of Falklands Islands Hockey/Facebook They are known as the athletes of the penguin world and have colonies on the eastern part of the island away from the capital of Stanley on Kidney Island. They are known as the athletes of the penguin world and have colonies on the eastern part of the island, away from the capital of Stanley on Kidney Island. The Falkland team has played hockey tournaments in the United States, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Chile. The rockhopper logo is more appropriate than it ever was in New Jersey and now has been the symbol for 7-years longer than the original EPHL club. What a strange trip it has been for the original rockhopper logo. --- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Moody Erwin Center 2001 Robert Dedman Dr Austin, TX 78712 Texas Longhorns website Moody Center website Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 11,313 Moody Center brings a New Culture to Texas Basketball The University of Texas Basketball teams opened their 2022-23 basketball season inside their new home, Moody Center. Moody Center is a multi-purpose arena built on the campus of the University of Texas. Moody Center, which holds 10,000 plus for basketball, replaces Frank Erwin Center as not only a University of Texas venue but as Austin’s premier entertainment venue. Moody Center’s cost of $375 million was funded by the Moody Foundation's grant of $130 million to the university, as well as Oak View Group, Live Nation/C3 Presents, and Matthew McConaughey as partners in the construction of Moody Center. They will manage the building in exchange for the right to keep most of the income from non-UT events, such as concerts and shows, for at least the first 35 years after opening. The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team held their home opener here on November 7, 2022, against the UTEP Miners. The Longhorns won the game, outscoring UTEP 72-57 with a sold-out attendance of 11,313 spectators. Food and Beverage 5 Moody Center went out into the local food scene and brought in vendors that serve the City of Austin’s favorite food flavors and beverages. The food and beverages for Austin’s newest entertainment venue have plenty of variables that come with the typical event pricing, that people complain about yet still pay. You can’t go wrong with Texas BBQ, and Stubbs BBQ is a popular Austin establishment that provides not only BBQ but local music talent. Stubbs BBQ is located on the main concourse and serves brisket and pork sandwiches, smoked sausage, and potato salad or coleslaw available as sides – the main dishes cost $11 while the two ala carte sides cost $6. If you are looking for something outside of BBQ, then Tony C’s New York Style Pizza has cheese, pepperoni, and sausage available in slices. Or, if BBQ or pizza won’t do then maybe a mac and cheese bowl or a Walking Frito Pie at Scratch Bowl. Other options inside Moody Center are Koko’s Bavarian, Gelato, Austin Hot Links, Big Chicken, and Right on ‘Cue Tacos. Moody Center is a Coca-Cola venue, and the soft drinks available and pricing are similar to other venues, with a 16 oz. bottle costing $4. There are also plenty of alcohol choices throughout Moody Center – you won’t have a hard time finding a good variety of beer if you go over to the Moontower Market on the main concourse, ranging from $8 for a 16 oz. domestic beer to $10 for the craft. Moody Center’s food and beverage are outstanding for the size of the venue, although it is always better to pick up food and drinks in the local neighborhood. However, Moody Center brings in the flavor of Austin to those fans that may have travel limits, providing them with a unique food culture. The biggest reminder when it comes to buying food and beverages inside Moody Center is that this is a cashless facility; Apple Pay, Google Pay, and all major credit cards are accepted. Atmosphere 5 Moody Center hasn’t been open very long, but it has already changed the basketball atmosphere for the University of Texas basketball teams. Moody Center is a smaller venue than its predecessor, with closer seating bringing an intimate feeling to every game. The lack of a Texas student body attending a Texas basketball game has also disappeared – students lined up 4 hours before the Gonzaga game. Although Gonzaga is ranked and has a top-tier basketball program, the students also show up for non-ranked opponent games such as Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Texas fans can finally be heard, and give energy that was lacking in the larger big drum arena down the street. The fans are engaged, and loud, and stay throughout the game. In addition, the human mascot Hook ‘em, band, and spirit squads all interact well with the crowd, and the LED scoreboards are the best around in any venue, enhancing the atmosphere by revolutionizing the game for fans. Neighborhood 5 Moody Center is in the center of downtown Austin and on the campus of the University of Texas. Austin is the capital city of the state of Texas and has numerous restaurants, bars, hotels, and places to visit all within a small radius of Moody Center. The first restaurant within walking distance for pre-game is ScholzGarten; ScholzGarten is a popular place and packed for Texas football games, but for the smaller basketball crowd it is easy to get served food and drinks. If you’re looking for Texas BBQ, walk a little further to Stubbs BBQ and you won’t regret it. There are plenty of places, as a matter of fact, over 100 of them on Austin’s well-known Sixth Street, with Coyote Ugly Saloon, Dirty 6, or Darwin’s Piano Bar being a few. You can either venture to those or try to find your favorite spot, as there isn’t just one. One of my favorite places is a couple of blocks south of Sixth Street, Moonshine Grill. As with the restaurants, Austin has plenty of nearby lodging – it all depends on your taste in hotels or financial choice on which one you stay at. The closest hotel is the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Austin, an easy walk across Interstate 35 to Moody Center; the others nearby are between Sixth Street and the Colorado River, while JW Marriott, Hilton Austin, and Four Season Austin are all higher-class hotels in the same area. One hotel in the area, even if you don’t stay there, that is an interesting visit is the Driskill, on the corner of 6th Street and Brazos Street – this hotel is one of the oldest in the State of Texas. Austin, being the capital of Texas, also provides an opportunity for visitors to visit the Capitol building for a tour. Also, as mentioned with the restaurants, travel to Sixth Street for live music, as Austin is considered the live music capital of the world; Austin is also home to the LBJ Presidential Library and the Bullock Texas State History Museum. Lastly, just walking the University of Texas campus or walking down South Congress Avenue are extras for people to do while in Austin. Fans 5 This is one of the most surprising parts of Texas basketball in this review – it could be the new venue, it could be that Texas has a Top 10 basketball team this season, or it could be the combination of them both coming together in 2022, but while Texas fans seemed very disinterested in the basketball program when games were played at Frank Erwin Center, even when the program was competitive, they have come to life in Moody Center. The basketball season has already sold out, there is a waiting list for Texas Basketball season tickets, and 11K fans are showing up even to mid-week games when tickets used to be given away. The fans are energetic, and loud, and have given the Texas basketball team a home-court advantage that lacked until they moved to Moody Center. Access 4 Moody Center is located just south of Mike A. Myers Stadium and east of Daryl K. Royal-Memorial Stadium alongside Interstate 35. Moody Center is also 10.5 miles from the closest airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. There is plenty of public transit to/from Moody Center throughout the Austin area. There is limited parking for fans that drive to the arena, as is typical for downtown venues due to lack of space. There are parking garages around the campus used for Moody Center events, however, including Manor Garage (near Mike Myers Stadium, enter through Clyde Littlefield Drive), East Campus Garage (near Interstate 35), Trinity Garage (at the corner of Trinity Street and East Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd), State Garage R and State Garage Q (both on San Jacinto Boulevard). The best advice is to plan ahead and maybe prepay for the garage parking if you are going to a game, as this can save you time and money. There are two main entrances into Moody Center for fans, as well as a special one for suite tickets. The east gate is along the interstate (you’ll notice this is also the area for students to enter), while the other is the southwest gate facing DKR-Memorial Stadium and the UT campus. The latter entrance is where the main University of Texas Team Shop is located. This a reminder that the clear bag policy is in effect to enhance existing security measures and expedite venue entry at Moody Center. Once inside Moody Center, there is plenty of space throughout the concourse, great signage, and easy access throughout the venue. Return on Investment 3 The inaugural season at Moody Center and the high expectations of the Texas basketball program have put Texas Basketball tickets at a premium – 2022-23 Texas basketball games have been sold out. All fans looking to buy tickets must use third-party websites; there are games during the week that you can still get tickets for a reasonable price, but these games are very hard to find this season. Moody Center is a premier arena and the cost to see a game comes with a premier cost. Extras 4 This may be a higher score due to the excitement of having such an incredible venue in Austin. The sightlines are amazingly close to the action with not a bad seat in the place. There are also great concessions options, bringing local food choices and interesting new ideas with the premier clubs. The artwork inside the arena showing off Austin is also great – Texas basketball is in demand and is no longer an afterthought because of Moody Center. Final Thoughts Overall I want to say Moody Center is the best new basketball arena in the country, and it just might be a true statement. It is a venue that any sports fan should visit, whether it is for a University of Texas event or a non-UT event. Texas Basketball has an amazing new home, a venue that will bring in recruits, and fans, and give a home-court advantage like no other. Moody Center has already shown that the price was worth the investment for the city of Austin; now it is only time to see if the new culture of Texas Basketball will bring in championships.

For the third time, Stadium Journey presents its rankings of the stadium experience for the 20 clubs in the Premier League. There are several categories in the ground reviews: food & beverage in the arena, atmosphere, the local neighbourhood, fans, access (including parking, restrooms, and ability to move around on the grounds), overall return on investment, and a catchall category for all extras. We use the rating of our correspondents as our primary ranking, with the crowd reviews of our members as the secondary factor. In cases where there is still a tie, we have an internal discussion to determine which arena experience might be slightly better. Click on the stadium or team name to read each stadium review. As with any list of stadium rankings, there will be some disagreements and a few headscratchers. You are more than willing to let us know what you think in the comment section, and perhaps we could see a change next year, but until then, here is the 2023 Stadium Journey EPL Stadium Ranking. 1. Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium – Tottenham Hotspurs Photo by Karen Sullivan, Stadium Journey The Spurs finally opened their brand new stadium after many months of delay a few years back but was worth the wait. Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium is one of the grandest of its kind in football on the planet. The modern features, details of excellence, view of the pitch, and overall atmosphere put the grounds among the upper echelons of English Football. 2. Etihad Stadium – Manchester City Photo by Alessia Arpino. Etihad Stadium provides supporters with fantastic sightlines, a lively atmosphere, and an innovative toroidal-shaped roof supported by a tension system with blue lighting beacons. It holds 55,000 fans and supporters who expect a championship side year after year. The area becomes alive with a sea of light blue on match day. 3. Old Trafford – Manchester United Photo by Man United. Old Trafford oozes the atmosphere, with the large stands, unobstructed views, and closeness of the seats to the pitch and the singing of Glory Glory Man United (for example). It is still one of the iconic English grounds to visit and is a must-see venue in itself. The worldwide support of the Red Devils and the recent history of championships makes Old Trafford a top 3 spot on our list. 4. Villa Park – Aston Villa Photo Courtesy of Filipo Nicoli. Constructed in 1897, Villa Park is a true British traditional football ground where every stand is different, stands alone, and has its character. The Holte End still has its original brick facade. No other British stadium can top the authenticity of Aston Villa stadium. 5. St. James’ Park – Newcastle United File Photo Uniquely for such a prominent Premier League club, St. James’ Park is the centerpiece of the city with everything else revolving around it. This makes for an excellent atmosphere as both the city and its only football team merge wonderfully. The club’s famous black and white stripes are ubiquitous. This is a city that seems to be either watching football or talking about it seven days a week. 6. Falmer Stadium – Brighton & Hove Albion Photo by Gary Foxall, Stadium Journey Falmer Stadium, formerly known as the Amex Stadium or The Amex, has a layout helps retain the noise levels, and when full, the atmosphere is as good as any in the league. The club also does its best about pre-match entertainment to get the crowd singing. The West Stand is a three-tiered structure housing luxury boxes and the majority of the club’s facilities that include banqueting suites, conference rooms, and a nursery. 7. Craven Cottage – Fulham Craven Cottage Entrance, Photo Courtesy of Cardiff City FC Craven Cottage is one of the more historic grounds in English football and is rich with history. The Riverside Stand modernized the venue and maintained its vintage charm. With the club now in the top tier of English Football, there might not be a better time to make plans to attend a match. 8. St. Mary’s Stadium – Southampton FC Photo by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Southampton has a strong maritime history and you will find more than enough to keep you entertained if you visit for a weekend. On the football front, they have always been entertainers, except for a brief spell under Ian Branfoot who didn’t quite understand that tradition. The club’s best player, Matthew Le Tissier, is still a fan of this friendly club and often attends games. 9. King Power Stadium – Leicester City Photo by Ian Lawrence A club in the heart of the Midlands with easy transport links from local airports and London provides supporters and visitors from all over the country a fairly hassle-free trip to the city of Leicester and the King Power stadium. You’ll be treated to a modern stadium with modern facilities in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere with the opportunity to watch Premier League football. 10. Goodison Park – Everton Photo by Matin Minelez‎, Stadium Journey Goodison Park is worth a visit. It is one of the more historic venues in English Football, and the quality of play is excellent. The superb destination to watch football is recommended by the casual supporter or someone who wants to take in a football match while in town. 11. Elland Road – Leeds United Photo by Gerry Chow Elland Road is home to one of the most famous clubs in England, Leeds United. The Yorkshire side has fallen from grace in recent years, but in the past, they were considered one of the biggest names in football and were most successful under Don Revie in the 1960s and 1970s. The club’s motto and famous chant is Marching on Together, and the song can be heard reverberating around every corner of the stadium on match days before kick-off. 12. Stamford Bridge – Chelsea Photo by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stamford Bridge is one of the most storied stadiums in London and the United Kingdom. While Chelsea FC’s recent success has added to the history of the venue, there were times in the 1970s and 1980s when few would have guessed that it would eventually be home to London’s first European champion club after Chelsea won the 2012 Champions League. 13. Anfield – Liverpool Photo by Ross Jolly Walking under the iron gates where the words “You’ll Never Walk Alone” are inscribed is an inspiring experience. It is one of the largest stadiums in English Football and one of its oldest grounds, having first been built-in in 1884. Liverpool has called in their own since 1892, and visitors are welcomed to one of the most iconic grounds in English Football. 14. Vitality Stadium – AFC Bournemouth Photo by Tori Armenia. With under 12,000 seats, Vitality Stadium offers an atmosphere that is quite different in comparison with other grounds in the league. It is the smallest ground in English Football. However, the facility does have its ambiance and anesthetics that make it a curiosity for visitors and fans alike. The concourses and stands are tight and crowds can become dense when moving around the stadium. However, just because you are small in size you don’t pack a punch. 15. Brentford Community Stadium – Brentford FC Photo by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey. After 116 years at their much-loved Griffin Park home, Brentford FC finally has a brand-new stadium, fit for the Premier League. It is less than a mile from their former home, made famous for having a pub on each corner. The new campus, next to the River Thames in the west of London, includes a 17,500 stadium, 910 homes, and a new public square. 16. City Grounds – Nottingham Forest City Ground Corner, Photo by Andrew Martin. Luckily, this is a ground that still retains an intimately authentic hue and this created a fine atmosphere as the game progressed and the music died. Before the game, the ground – situated on the South Bank of the River Trent – made things relatively idyllic. A rip-roaring victory for Forest didn’t do any harm either. 17. London Stadium – West Ham United Photo by Stephan Hoogerwaard, Stadium Journey There are various clubs in the London area playing league football, and when visiting the city, it might be tough to decide, but they all should all have stands that are steep and close to the pitch. However, the home of the Hammers offers a great group of supporters that provide a great experience on matchday. 18. Emirates Stadium – Arsenal Photo by Stephan Hoogerwaard, Stadium Journey The design of the grounds creates a warm and cozy atmosphere for home games. The stands are close to the field, rounded out, and have no obstructed views. As for singing and intensity, consider visiting a game against a higher-ranked team. 19. Molineux Stadium – Wolves Photo by David Tyler A visit to Molineux makes for a great occasion, as it was special to see a packed house for a football match. The atmosphere and the quality of football are incredibly high. Ticket prices can be a tad on the high side and recent improvements have enlarged the stands to create a better atmosphere. 20. Selhurst Park Stadium – Crystal Palace Photo by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Selhurst Park is an enjoyable experience when staying in London. The cozy conditions of the smaller ground give both fans and supporters a chance to enjoy football in a darling of the venue. The fan is on top of the action at the game. The grounds are always packed with friendly revelers enjoying an afternoon of football.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Allegiant Stadium 3333 Al Davis Way Paradise, NV 89118 Las Vegas Bowl website Allegiant Stadium website Year Opened: 2020 Capacity: 65,000 A True Vegas Bowl Experience A bowl game in Las Vegas has been a staple of the college football schedule since 1992. However, with the construction of Allegiant Stadium, gone are the days of playing in the cold desert air miles from the strip at Sam Boyd Stadium. Instead, the brand-new modern home of the Las Vegas Raiders is now also the home for the Las Vegas Bowl. Showcasing a matchup between the SEC and PAC-12, this game always features top-tier teams facing off for post-season glory. But perhaps the best part of the game is the fact that the stadium is as great as the game itself. Food & Beverage 4 The food options at Allegiant Stadium are stellar. While not every concession stand is open during the Las Vegas Bowl, most are, meaning you won’t have to go far to find something to eat. Beverages range from premium cocktails and alcohol ($15-$30) to fountain sodas and bottled water ($4-$9). Even the basic food options here are above average, with $13 pizzas coming as Sicilian with cheese, veggie, and double pepperoni as the choices. For wings you can get six barbecue or buffalo with a choice of dressing on the side for $13 as well, with some concessions stands even offering salads for $10. Even standard French fries ($7) come with a premium version (rosemary garlic fries - $8). Whether you want BBQ, Mexican, or standard stadium fare, you can find it all within reach. Atmosphere 5 This facility is stunning – from the moment you walk into Allegiant Stadium you’re met with one of the cleanest and most spotless facilities on the American sports schedule. Even the concourses smell like fresh flowers. The natural light that flows from the windows throughout, and the semi-translucent roof make for a bright and comfortable viewing experience. Seating is perfectly staggered so that even a tall person in front of you won’t block your view of the playing surface. The halls are lined with Las Vegas history, both for sports and entertainment. There are also art pieces throughout, as well as unique lighting and design features. The end zones feature a large HD LED scoreboard on one side and a large window overlooking the Las Vegas strip on the other. And with this being a domed stadium, the temperature never gets too high or too low, regardless of the weather outside; you’ll stay dry and comfortable no matter what. Neighborhood 5 There isn’t much that can’t be said about the location here. Located literally on the other side of I-15 from the Mandalay Bay resort and casino, you are mere steps away from one of the world’s premier resort and entertainment destinations – hotels, shopping, dining, and entertainment are all offered here. The biggest resorts are all within reach, be it MGM Grand, Venetian, Cosmopolitan, Caesar’s Palace, Bellagio, Wynn, New York New York, and many others; each one features enough to see and do for a vacation all on its own. Fans 4 The fans at the Las Vegas Bowl show up in numbers. With both teams hailing from Power 5 conferences, you’re guaranteed to have a matchup between teams with solid fanbases – this means the majority of the stadium will be full. Because of this, you get the true college bowl experience showcasing fans on opposite sides of the stadium, and offering everything there is to see and enjoy about the bowl season. The best part is, with a domed stadium, even a less-than-capacity crowd means the noise level will still be high thanks to the acoustics of Allegiant Stadium. Access 5 To get to Allegiant Stadium, just look for the large black dome on the far side of I-15. Exit signs on the highway and local roadways offer easy access to the facility. Parking lots surround the stadium, with local businesses also offering to park nearby. Once inside, signs point you to locations all around the stadium, making finding your seat a breeze. Also, even stadium egress after the game is painless thanks to a well-thought-out traffic pattern in and around the parking lots for those leaving the venue. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to the Las Vegas Bowl start at $50 for the upper deck end zones, then rise to $110 for the mid-level sidelines, and $200 for the lower bowl sidelines; suite options are also available. These prices are comparable to most other bowl games, as well as those in NFL stadiums, and when including the value you get for the matchup featured, as well as the location of the game, it is easy to see why this game is a big draw for fans all over the country. Extras 4 The stadium features hallways that showcase the city’s history in both sports and entertainment. Bowl game merchandise is also available for fans throughout the stadium’s team store locations. The typical Las Vegas flair is also on display, with the iconic Vegas showgirls on the field for the coin toss during the pre-game. In addition, both team bands perform during the game’s halftime as well as during pre-game, giving you the full college football experience. Final Thoughts The Las Vegas Bowl is one of the top bowl games on the slate thanks to a new home and a new energy injected into the annual event. Fans flock to this popular destination and with good reason. It is easy to make a weekend trip out of this game thanks to its location being steps away from the Las Vegas Strip, and its winter date offers a chance to experience Vegas without the searing heat of the desert. Indeed, this may be one of the best bowl games to visit on the slate every season, regardless of whether you’re a diehard fan of the team’s participating, or you just enjoy college football as a whole.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Dobie Holden Stadium 100 Wildcat Dr Poplarville, MS 39470 Pearl River Wildcats website Dobie Holden Stadium website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 5,550 Football in the Swamps Pearl River Community College is one of 14 schools in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) in the NJCAA. The school first fielded a football team as a high school program in 1911, before becoming a JUCO member in 1925 and joining the MACCC in 1927. Since becoming a Junior College the Wildcats have taken home 19 State and MACCC championships between 1925 and 2006, winning more state championships than any other JUCO program in Mississippi. The Wildcats have also won two NJCAA National Championships (1961 and 2004) and played in another in 2006 (which they lost). Pearl River is the oldest community college in the state. Today the college has expanded to include 4 locations around South Mississippi, with an enrollment of 5,200. The main campus is located on the swamps of the Pearl River near the small town of Poplarville, right on the Mississippi-Louisiana state line. The Wildcats play on campus at Dobie Holden Stadium, named after the winningest coach in program history – Holden was a successful running back for LSU in the 1930s before coaching the Wildcats from 1948-1966. Holden won 8 state championships and one national championship during his time here and helped transform Pearl River into an elite JUCO program on the national level. Like most of the facilities on campus, the stadium was heavily damaged during Hurricane Katrina and was completely rebuilt following the storm. Following these extensive renovations, the Wildcats play in one of the nicest facilities in the MACCC. Food & Beverage 2 There are two concession stands located under the stadium on the home side, and one pop-up stand on the away side. The home side sells the regular menu of hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, and popcorn, with canned Cokes and assorted candy. The unique item I saw was a funnel cake. The away side stand is under a tent and only sells popcorn, candy, and Coke. Atmosphere 4 The Pearl River campus is quite large and is typical of a southern college campus, with large marble buildings with Greek columns, as well as giant oaks scattered across campus. There's a small college feel here as you arrive and see people tailgating throughout campus – you almost forget you are at a junior college. The stadium originally opened after Holden's retirement in 1966 and currently holds 5,500 seats. Before that, the Wildcats played at a smaller stadium just south of the current stadium. Dobie Holden Stadium is located on the north side of campus as part of the school's athletic complex; the field faces north and south with the home side located on the west side of the stadium. The main entrance is located on the south side of the stadium and can be kind of hidden behind the building that house the Wildcat Den, the official team store of PRCC Athletics. Pearl River pays homage to the legendary coach with a large 6-foot sculpture greeting fans as they enter on the south side. Once inside the stadium, the home side is packed out for all the games. The home side features about 11 rows of all metal bleacher seating, except the 1,000 chairback seats reserved for season ticket holders on the 50-yard line. The band and the rather large student section take up the majority of the south side of the bleachers. In the north end zone is a huge video board with the words PRCC manicured into a bush underneath. Neighborhood 2 The MACCC schools are in small towns spread out throughout rural areas of Mississippi. Poplarville is one of the larger towns in the conference and is the county seat of Pearl River County. The campus is located several blocks west of downtown. Poplarville has a population of 2,000 and is typical of a Mississippi town, with the southern small town feel where everybody knows everybody. There are a few restaurants worth checking out downtown – Scooter's is a popular place for po'boys, and Deb's Pizza is a popular pizza joint in downtown. Also, as Poplarville is located in dry county alcohol is not sold inside the city limits. Poplarville also doesn't have any hotels; instead, I would recommend staying about 30 minutes south in Picayune. Poplarville is also about 30 minutes south of Hattiesburg and an hour north of New Orleans, where there are plenty of hotels and better food options. Fans 4 Fans in football-crazed Mississippi love their football, and Poplarville is no exception – the small town shuts down on Thursday nights when the Wildcats play at home. JUCO football is so popular in South Mississippi that Thursday nights mark the beginning of fans' four-night football weekend that includes high school football on Friday, college football on Saturday, and then Saints football on Sunday. PRCC averages about 4,000 fans per game, which is pretty good considering the population of the whole town are only 2,000. It's a family affair in Poplarville as the whole town gets together and comes out to the football games. Many fans are tailgating all around campus, almost like you were at a regular college football game. And, as this is the swamps of the Louisiana border, I encountered an LSU grad and Poplarville native who was cooking fried gator under his tailgate tent. Access 3 Getting to the PRCC campus shouldn't be too hard. Poplarville is located right off Interstate 55 about an hour northeast of New Orleans, and about 30 minutes southwest of Hattiesburg. Exit 29 to Highway 26 will be your best bet as it is the main road that heads into town; the campus is located a few minutes down 26 just north of downtown. Dobie Holden Stadium is located right at the main entrance to campus, and there are plenty of parking spots on campus. Parking is free too which is always a plus. Once in the stadium, the concourse can be kind of cramped, especially at halftime, but other than that there are no issues, and you can pretty much sit wherever you want to. If you can find an empty chairback seat you can have a seat there as well. Return on Investment 3 General admission tickets are sold at the box office for $11, while the chairbacks are sold for $20, but if you purchase tickets in advance they are $8 for GA and $17 for chairbacks, and there are also a few empty chairbacks, so once the game starts it is possible to move around. I consider it a good return on investment to attend a Pearl River game if you are interested in JUCO Football. The experience has a small college football game atmosphere, and PRCC has sent over 290 players to D1 schools over the years, so you are getting to see some potential big-name college football players. Extras 4 One extra for the Wildcat Den, the campus bookstore located just outside the stadium – this is one of the nicest college bookstores I've ever seen. They have a wide selection of different Pearl River gear, and prices are reasonable too. They even have TVs in there for you to watch the game if you want to come in and get out of the heat. Also an extra for the Pearl River History Museum located on campus; this unique museum offers all kinds of insight into the history of the college. They have a wide selection of Wildcats sports memorabilia on display including the two NJCAA national championship trophies, several game-worn jerseys, and even Coach Dobie Holden's office desk, intact from his coaching days. This is a neat and impressive museum that chronicles the school's history, however, the museum is only open on Fridays. Dobie Holden Stadium is also the home stadium for local Poplarville high school football games. The Hornets have made the state playoffs 21 times, including four 4A state championship games (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020) which they all lost. PRCC has a nice list of alumni as well, including several state senators and 13 players who have been drafted or played in the NFL. But perhaps the most famous person to have attended the school is Jimmy Buffett – after dropping out of Auburn after one year in 1964, Buffett enrolled at PRCC for the 1965-66 school year. As there are no local bars or clubs in the area for Buffett to play his guitar, he was confined to playing his guitar late into the morning from his dorm room at Huff Hall, which is still located on campus. The band at Pearl River Wildcats games even plays Jimmy Buffett hits during the halftime show, which is a pretty cool sound to hear. Buffett even made an appearance during a Halftime Show here in 2015.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Bob Carpenter Center 631 S College Ave Newark, DE 19716 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens website Bob Carpenter Center website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 5,000 Basketball At the Bob Located on the University of Delaware campus in Newark (pronounced New-ARK with the accent on the second syllable), the Bob Carpenter Center is home to the Fightin' Blue Hens basketball team. The arena opened in 1992 for $20.5 million and has been renovated and updated several times since then to ensure it stays as modern as it was when it was opened. Before 2018, the arena was also home to the Delaware 87ers (now the Blue Coats) of the NBA G-League. Food & Beverage 4 Although Bob Carpenter doesn't have the widest variety of concessions selections, what it does have is high quality and good value. There are several concession windows in the corners of the concourse, although they are not all open every game. The menu is basic for the most part, with nachos costing $5, popcorn $5, hot dogs $2, soft pretzels $3, chocolate chip cookies $3, pizza $4 per slice for cheese or pepperoni, and candy $2. An extra cheese cup for the pretzel or nachos (or the other items if you want it) is $1. Fountain soda and bottled water are $4. However, the best deal by far is the sandwich of the day for $8, or you can make it a combo with a hot and cold side for $12. The selection will vary by game, but when Stadium Journey visited, fans could get a pulled pork sandwich with optional sides of macaroni and cheese and cole slaw if they upgraded to a combo. There are several smaller stands on the concourse which sell other items. One stand sells alcohol for fans of ages. Keep in mind that although this stand also sells snacks, fans under the age of 21 can not buy them here or even stand in line with fans who are of drinking age, and will need to go to a different stand. There is also a stand selling ice cream made right on campus at the UDairy Creamery. One scoop is $3.95 and two scoops are $5.25. In addition to the usual flavors like vanilla and chocolate, there are unique flavors like raspberry cheesecake and honey apple cake. Fans can get their two scoops in different flavors if they want to try several of these unique options. The concession stand at Bob Carpenter Center Atmosphere 3 Walking through the front doors of the Bob Carpenter Center will put you in the lower lobby, which is covered in murals honoring Delaware athletics. There is also a trophy case and a statue of a blue hen, the school mascot and state bird of Delaware. If you are lucky enough to have courtside seats, you can get to those from here. Otherwise, you will need to walk up a flight of steps to the upper concourse, from which you can access concessions and walk down to your seat. A large video board hangs over the court with smaller scoreboards in two of the corners that also show the fouls and points for each player. All seats are chairbacks except the ones behind the baskets which are normally reserved for students, and all have an excellent view of the action as The Bob is a fairly small arena. The gameday experience at the Bob Carpenter Center is pretty standard with cheerleaders and a dance team. The cheerleaders will throw t-shirts into the crowd after every Blue Hens three-pointer as well as during select TV timeouts. A band also attends some games but was not there when Stadium Journey attended. The team has two mascots who are anthropomorphic blue hens, YouDee, and their younger sibling, Baby Blue. (Officially, both mascots are "neither male nor female" and are referred to by gender-neutral pronouns.) The mascots roam the court and the stands throughout the game to hang out with fans. Lower lobby Neighborhood 3 Newark is a typical East Coast college town. Your best option is to head downtown to Main Street, which offers numerous options including Grotto Pizza and the Deer Park Tavern. You can also head towards Christiana Mall or check out The Border Café, known for its Tex-Mex food and large “EAT” sign. Fans who missed their chance to get ice cream from the UDairy Creamery during the game can head there afterward to grab some Fans 3 Delaware averages between 1,500 and 2,000 fans a game in a 5,000-seat arena, so the place is consistently less than half full. The Blue Hens often work with youth groups such as school basketball teams to bring children to the arena, so there are a lot of young families in attendance for a typical game. However, there are a good number of older fans as well who have shown a lifetime of loyalty to the team. While the fans can get loud at big moments in the game, their small numbers hinder them and these passionate moments are few and far between. While the Blue Hens fans love to come decked out in blue and gold, seeing this nice arena with thousands of empty seats is not a good look. Access 4 The University of Delaware campus is located just off I-95. If coming from the north, take Exit 1, the last exit in Delaware, and the campus will be right there. If coming from the south, you are better off taking Exit 109B in Maryland. Although this will add a couple of minutes to your trip, it will save you the $4 toll that you will pay when you enter Delaware. Once you get on campus, there are several lots near the arena where you can park. The closest parking is sold for $5, while parking further away is free. Staff should be on hand to direct you to the right area. The upper concourse is very wide and there are plenty of restrooms on both the upper and lower levels. They may get a bit crowded at halftime but you will be back in plenty of time for the second half. The stairway to the upper level is a bit long but elevators are available for fans who require one. Return on Investment 4 Tickets range from $11 to $19 depending on where you sit, which is an excellent value for a modern arena such as The Bob. Parking is no more than $5 and free if you are willing to walk a bit. Concessions are affordable, especially if you go for the sandwich combo which is the most expensive thing on the menu but gets you a lot of food. All in all, a visit to the Bob Carpenter Center is a great value for fans to take in a basketball game. . Extras 3 There is a children's area behind Section 8 with games to play such as cornhole and Connect Four as well as a chance to make signs to hold up to cheer on the Blue Hens. The lower lobby is worthy of an extra star in its own right as it is practically a miniature museum dedicated to the Blue Hens. A third and final star for the banners hanging behind one of the baskets honoring Blue Hens basketball accomplishments. Blue Hen statue Final Thoughts The Bob Carpenter Center is a sleek, modern facility, and although it is now 30 years old, the University of Delaware has continued to do ongoing renovations to ensure it stays up-to-date. While it would be nice if more fans turned up to Blue Hens games, a trip to The Bob is well worth it for any basketball fan passing through Delaware.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 MetLife Stadium 1 Metlife Stadium Dr East Rutherford, NJ 07073 New York Jets website MetLife Stadium website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 82,500 J – E- T- S, Jets, Jets, Jets !!! MetLife Stadium was opened in 2010 as the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets to replace Giants Stadium. It is located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex just like its predecessor. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as part of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. They had one Super Bowl championship (Super Bowl III) in 1968. Food & Beverage 4 There are numerous food options within the surprisingly crowded inner concourses. Options are many as there with 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. The combined Mrs. Field’s and Dippin’ Dots stands to seem to be very popular starting in the second half. There are also a few specialized bars and lounges, some of which may cost an additional admissions fee. MetLife sells Pepsi brand sodas. Atmosphere 5 When you enter the venue you actually begin on an outside concourse that wraps around most of the stadium. There will be activities and events pre-game in this area. This area is also a good meet-up spot for pre and post-game. Once inside the stadium, there is a pretty small set of concourse walkways around the venue. It is a unique setup, but it is easy enough to navigate. There are plenty of pre-game activities with bands, cheerleaders, etc to keep the fans interested. There is a new tradition where everyone in the stadium is encouraged to sing along together with the National Anthem, with the anthem singer leading that sing-along Metlife Stadium really tries to make the stadium awash in green for Jet’s games. With the stadium being a shared venue it is tough making it seem like a Jets stadium and not a GIants stadium. It is not always a success, as the venue can feel sterile at times. 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. Parking lots 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. Please note that due to county laws, many stores in the mall are closed on Sundays due to existing blue laws. Fans 4 The Jets fans seem very blue-collar, especially compared to the fans of the other team that shares the stadium. They are a boisterous bunch that seems to stay excited even when the team’s success has been not great for many years. The Jets cheerleaders and other pre-game personnel and activities keep the crowd engaged. 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. The Coach USA bus service round trip to Manhattan’s Port Authority Bus Terminal is one of our favorite options, depending on where fans are coming from. We do not recommend using rideshares after games as the setup and operations are a major disaster. We tried for a rideshare after another event at the stadium for a bit of time and it kept saying our ride was arriving in three minutes for nearly 25 minutes, all the while we were harassed by taxi drivers offering their much more expensive services. We ended up taking the train to nearby Secaucus Junction Station and getting a much cheaper rideshare from there, and it only cost a fraction of our original ride choice. Return on Investment 4 This is the NFL so the prices can be high, coupled with pretty expensive parking, which means the game will not be cheap. But for the experience you will get, the price seems fair and reasonable. If the Jets start losing more the tickets do come down to a cheaper level. Extras 4 The 50-yard line seats are only 46 feet from the sidelines. This is the closest to the field of any stadium in the NFL. MetLife Stadium has hosted Super Bowl XLVIII, two Wrestlemanias, and concerts by artists such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Paul McCartney. The Meadowland Rail Station for New Jersey Transit is located right by the stadium and offers easy game-day transit. The American Dream Mall is a bit of a mess, having many business issues, but it is still an interesting spot to check out in the area. Final Thoughts A game at MetLife Stadium is a great way to cap a trip to New York City and is also great for locals. The stadium may not feel like it costs 1.6 Billion dollars, but that does not mean it isn’t a good place for a game.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Bender Arena 4400 Massachusetts Ave Washington, DC 20016 American Eagles website Bender Arena website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 4,500 Fly, Eagles, Fly Bender Arena is located on the campus of American University in Washington, D.C., and is home to the Eagles’ basketball teams as well as the volleyball and wrestling teams. Named for Howard and Sondra Bender, whose donations helped fund the arena, Bender opened in 1988 and has served as the Eagles’ home venue ever since. Special guests who have attended games at Bender include various diplomats from the nearby embassies, who participate in the annual Embassy Night at Bender, and then-First Lady Michelle Obama, who attended a women’s basketball game in 2014 to watch her niece play for the visiting Princeton Tigers. As for the Eagles themselves, they have competed in the Patriot League since 2001, when they left the Colonial Athletic Association. The men’s basketball team has made the NCAA Tournament three times, including consecutive appearances in 2008 and 2009, but has yet to win a game in the Big Dance. Food & Beverage 5 The concession stands at Bender Arena are run by local restaurant Gregorio's Trattoria and offer a wide range of concessions. Prices are high but the food is good quality and well worth it. Three different kinds of subs are available for $12 each - Italian sausage (with peppers and onions), meatball parmesan, and cold Italian. Chicken tenders with chips are $12 as well, while a hot dog is $6 and a veggie dog is $7. Caesar salad wraps are $7, or you can add grilled chicken for another $4. Pizza slices are $4.50 for cheese or $5 for pepperoni and are pretty large - one might be enough for a person and two almost certainly would be. A jumbo soft pretzel (and we do mean jumbo, it's bigger than the plate it comes on) is $9, popcorn is $5, chips are $3, and bottled water and canned soda are also $3. The lines can get quite long at times so we recommend getting food early if possible. Atmosphere 3 Walking through the entrance or taking the elevator down from the parking garage will put you in the newly renovated lobby of the American University Sports Complex, a multi-story building that includes not just the basketball arena but a student recreational facility, a swimming pool, and various offices. Just through a set of doors from the elevator area is the ticket window, and from there you will need to walk down a hallway and through another set of doors to get into the arena itself. Once inside, you will find chair backs on both sidelines and risers behind both baskets. The chair backs are the more comfortable option but tend to walk back and forth when someone else in the row leans back or gets up or down. Most fans will sit on the near side or the risers, but the student and visiting sections are located in the chair backs on the far side. The students, known as the Blue Crew, sit in sections 112-115, while the visiting fans sit in sections 116 and 117 on the far sideline as well as 118 and 119 behind the basket. There are video boards on one sideline and behind one basket which show the score and player and team stats. All fans in the arena should be able to see at least one of the boards. The Eagles have a mascot named Clawed Z. Eagle, although he was not present when we visited. This is likely because the game was over winter break, and Clawed returns when the students do. Neighborhood 5 American University is located in the Tenleytown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. This is several miles from the center of the city, but don’t let that discourage you from visiting. There are several restaurants nearby, including local favorites Z Burger and District Taco, and several chain restaurants. Tenleytown is a safe neighborhood to walk in, but due to its distance from downtown, you may be better off driving. Of course, this being the nation’s capital, plenty is going on elsewhere in the city as well, and the great thing is that most of it is free. The National Mall and all of its monuments and memorials are gorgeous on a November afternoon, and if you’re visiting later in the season and don’t want to deal with the cold, you can stop into one of the many museums. All government-run attractions are free of charge, though some privately-owned ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or the White House, you will need to schedule that in advance. Hotels are extremely expensive in DC itself, at least the ones of decent quality, so if you’re staying overnight, your best bet is to stay in the Virginia or Maryland suburbs and drive over. Fans 3 Attendance at American games can vary widely. Some games will draw only a few hundred fans, while others will draw several thousand and Bender Arena will be rocking. When the fans show up, they are loud and raucous and cheer on the Eagles. They are not afraid to get on the referees' case when a call goes against them, either. Unfortunately, this kind of attendance isn't typical for most games. A packed Bender is a wonder to behold, but sadly this only seems to happen once or twice per season, usually in connection with some sort of ticket giveaway promotion. Access 4 There is free and ample parking available in a garage right next to the arena, but the spaces can be quite tight, especially for larger vehicles. However, if you plan on driving in for a weeknight game, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, if you want to arrive early and walk around campus before the game, you cannot park in the garage until after 5 PM. Second, the Washington area has some of the worst traffic in the country, so you should allow extra time to account for it. Neither should be an issue on weekends, although there's always the possibility an accident will snarl traffic so check to be sure and plan accordingly. If you plan on taking public transit, the closest Metro station is the Tenleytown stop on the Red Line, but this is about a 25-minute walk from the arena, so is not ideal. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for sideline seats range from $15 to $18 depending on where you sit, while end zone seats are $10. While other teams have raised their ticket prices over the past several years, American has kept their prices the same, turning one of the most expensive tickets in the Patriot League into about an average one. While concessions are expensive, you get a good amount of food for your money and it's high quality as well. A $9 soft pretzel may seem ridiculously expensive until you see how big it is - it can easily be shared between two or maybe even three people. The other food at the concession stand is similar. Throw in the free parking, a rarity in DC, and the value of an American University basketball game is high. Extras 4 There are three extras in the lobby before you even walk into the arena proper. First, a donkey statue and an elephant statue represent America's two political parties. DC is the capital of the United States and American University in particular prides itself on its extensive public affairs program. Second, look for the Hall of Fame honoring AU legends of days gone by. Third, as you walk down the hallway and approach the arena door, check out the murals with pictures of Eagles greats. Final Thoughts While American doesn’t get much attention in D.C. compared to fellow local schools Georgetown and Maryland, a visit to Bender Arena can be as enjoyable as a visit to Capital One Arena or the Xfinity Center. The experience here has significantly improved in recent years, and if they could consistently draw the large crowds they have proven themselves capable of drawing on occasion, a game here would be even better.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Addition Financial Arena 12777 Gemini Blvd N Orlando, FL 32816 UCF Knights website Addition Financial Arena website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 9,465 Welcome to the Knightmare The feeling one gets at Addition Financial Arena for college basketball equals that of a rising collegiate basketball powerhouse. While UCF isn’t exactly a school that fits that definition, its fan base more than helps that feeling by filling seats and raising decibel levels. While some may not look for that college basketball feel in central Florida, that may be a mistake, as UCF definitely has some of the markers one looks for when attending NCAA hoops action. Their impending move to the Big 12 has only added fuel to the fire. Food & Beverage 4 The food at Addition Financial Arena is what one would typically expect at a sports arena – burgers, nachos, chips and cookies, soft drinks, etc. are all available at the various concession stands. However, the star is the BBQ booths around the arena; here you can indulge in a pulled pork sandwich ($8), pulled pork nachos ($8), or pulled pork or chicken sliders ($10). Smaller items like hot dogs ($4), soft pretzels ($4-$5), peanuts ($4), and more are also available throughout the arena. You can find concessions maps around the concourse as well, showing where you can find Flippers Pizza, Cuban Kitchen, Gemini Pub, and others in the arena. Atmosphere 4 Surprisingly, UCF’s basketball experience is on par with a lot of top-notch college basketball programs. When sitting in “The Dungeon” during a game, it is hard not to notice how close to the floor the seats are. Unlike some colleges where the seats are elevated or further away from the action, UCF’s seats seem to creep all the way to the floor, just steps away from the action. Even the upper deck seats give you a closer view than those at various other arenas. The student section in the end zone knows how to cheer and heckle with the best of them, and they fill in their seating rather quickly on game days. The UCF band and cheerleaders also help to pump up the crowd during games, adding to the college feel. Neighborhood 3 UCF may not be in the heart of Orlando, but there are many fun things to do immediately surrounding the campus, and the campus itself is packed with lodging, shopping, and restaurants. Almost every major restaurant chain you can think of is nearby, as well as a mall and several other large shopping districts. Visitors to the campus will also notice several smaller food venues around the arena on UCF’s campus. Also, during the holidays the area is decorated for Light Up UCF, where families can enjoy Christmas lights, ice skating, and more before and after the basketball game. Fans 4 The passion of UCF Knights loyalists is palpable – you cannot help but feel the energy in the building. The closeness of the seats to the court also means the noise level is much higher inside Addition Financial Arena. The students chant along with the band and cheerleaders; their seating is perfectly located too, right behind the opponent’s bench and visitor seating area. The arena is also a gathering place for alumni and former players. Surprisingly, there is also a very large contingent of longtime season ticket holders for UCF basketball. These fans have been with the team since its inception, and can tell you stories of the early years at the team’s old Education Arena, the former home of UCF hoops. In addition, this is generally a great place to bring kids, as UCF basketball remains family-friendly no matter the opponent. And as always, you can join in during the National Anthem, where all the fans replace the word “night” with a loud “KNIGHTS!”. Access 4 The college is right off Highway 417, which offers direct access to Orlando International Airport, the greater Walt Disney World area, I-4 to the north towards Daytona, Florida’s Turnpike, and the Beachline Expressway to Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral. On campus, parking is actually rather plentiful, with various garages and parking lots in the immediate vicinity of Addition Financial Arena accessible for $5; parking passes are also available to purchase before games. While traffic can be a bit of a pest during bigger games, it generally flows rather easily and will empty out in due time. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are not expensive, even for postseason games – seating starts at $20 and goes up to $55 for non-premium locations, while suites can run $125 or higher. You can get season ticket options for less than $99 as well, with season tickets for kids being half the price of adults. Add to that the low cost of parking ($5) and the generally mild pricing on food, and a night at UCF basketball will not break the bank, even for a bigger family. Extras 4 The UCF fans in attendance usually are given some sort of giveaway at games, whether they are team posters or smaller knick-knacks. The team also throws out t-shirts into the stands every time the team hits a three-pointer. Kids are also invited onto the court during game breaks to participate in fun games and activities to win additional prizes, as are other fans, and UCF’s mascot is typically seen walking around the arena, greeting fans, taunting visitors, and posing for photos whenever possible. Lastly you won’t want to miss the 60 seconds of chaos at the end of the first half, where the fans go wild for the final 60 seconds, making for one loud arena. Final Thoughts Despite UCF having not achieved national prominence as a college basketball powerhouse, the fans at Addition Financial Arena make sure it feels like they have. They are always on their feet cheering for UCF as much as possible, and they are always welcoming to new fans and visitors alike. Being that the college is in Orlando makes the visit event that much more enjoyable as well, as the city itself, not to mention the surrounding area, are both beautiful year-round and full of things to see and do.