Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.28 Cool Insuring Arena 1 Civic Center Plaza Glens Falls, NY 12801 Adirondack Thunder website Cool Insuring Arena website Year Opened: 1979 Capacity: 4,744 Third League’s a Charm? Surely you will understand if the hockey fans of the upstate New York town of Glens Falls have become somewhat jaded. This small town of 14,700 residents built an arena in 1979 to house the top farm team of the Detroit Red Wings. After 20 years and four Calder Cup Championships, the Red Wings folded the team and moved their affiliation to Grand Rapids. The United Hockey League’s Adirondack IceHawks (later renamed the Frostbite) moved into the Civic Center in 2000. The Frostbite suspended operations in 2006, and it looked like the Civic Center had seen the end of professional hockey in Glens Falls. The city and arena got a second chance when the Philadelphia Flyers, looking for a temporary home for their American Hockey League Phantoms, placed the team in Glens Falls in 2009. What was originally planned to be a two-year stay in New York turned into five seasons. The overwhelming support given to the Phantoms by Glens Falls made the city a legitimate option for teams looking for a minor league home. The Calgary Flames stepped in with their AHL affiliate for the 2014-2015 season. The Flames signed a three-year agreement with the Civic Center, but from day one, there were rumors that the Flames would be part of a group of western conference teams that would move their affiliates to a new, Pacific Division of the AHL. This Pacific Division became a reality for the 2015-2016 season, leaving the Glens Falls Civic Center once again without an AHL tenant. Luckily, the building did not go without a team for long. The Flames placed their ECHL team in Glens Falls, christening them the Adirondack Thunder. With the Flames organization’s dismal track record in keeping their farm teams in one place for any significant period, only time will tell if Glens Falls third different minor league will have any staying power. So far, Adirondack hockey fans appear to be taking a ‘wait and see’ approach. Food & Beverage 3 Concession stands are set up in each corner of the arena, with each stand featuring a different theme (Pie in the Sky Pizza, Hot Dog Nation, Black Angus, and Fresh Classics). The menus don’t stray very far from your typical arena fare, and the prices are typical for this level of hockey. You won’t get any gourmet offerings here, but you also won’t need to take out a mortgage to feed yourself at a Flames game, either. There is a decent selection of beers available in bottles at the main stands and draft stands located throughout the concourse. Bud Light, Shock Top, Stella Artois, Labatt’s, and craft brews from local favorite Davidson Brothers can all be found here. Prices start at eight dollars. Thunder fans seeking non-alcoholic beverages can choose from various Pepsi products. Davidson Brothers also operate a pub in Heritage Hall, located underneath the stands during game nights. The Birch room, also located in Heritage Hall, offers a space for birthday parties, events, and buffet-style meals for fans before Friday and Saturday night games. The Ice Lounge, located here, offers discounted drink specials to season ticket holders. Unfortunately, the arrival of the Thunder meant the exit of the classic flaming “A” logo sported by the Adirondack Flames. Fans looking for Thunder merchandise will find a small area of the lobby set aside for sales of the new squad’s gear. Atmosphere 3 The Glens Falls Civic Center has a wonderful old-school feel to it. Part of that feeling is because the arena lacks many of the modern amenities that so many of the newer rinks possess. The center scoreboard is the old dot-matrix style of unit, and two large video screens hang in opposite corners of the rink. One of the highlights of attending a game at the Glens Falls Civic Center in the past was the noise and excitement generated in the old barn. While very little has changed in the game day presentation from the days of the Phantoms and Flames, the atmosphere at the GFCC feels very different this year (2015-2016). While there are still some old-school fans who try to make their presence felt with their non-stop heckling of the opposing team and officials, for the most part fans seem quieter and more subdued than in years past. Perhaps with some on-ice success and continued presence in the community, the team can regain the support of Glens Falls hockey fans. The Thunder employ a mascot, Gunnar, who isn’t too much of a presence during the game, and an ice crew who also take some time to throw t-shirts into the crowd. The team offers 50/50 raffles and jersey raffles to benefit local charities. Overall, the Glens Falls Civic Center and the Thunder put on a very family-friendly event. Neighborhood 4 The Civic Center is located right on the edge of downtown and is easy to get to from all parts of Glens Falls. I know what you may be thinking, what kind of downtown can there be in a town of 15,000? Despite the city’s small size, there are a surprising number of places to eat within walking distance of the Civic Center. Local establishments such as Dango’s, Davidson Brothers, Sandy’s Clam Bar, Sully’s West, and O’Toole’s Pub all attract Adirondack hockey fans before and after games. Fans who visit Glens Falls during hockey season may choose to travel a couple of hours north to the ski areas of the Adirondacks. Hockey historians will be drawn to Lake Placid, home of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” During the summer months, the nearby village of Lake George is a popular tourist attraction. Fans 2 Adirondack is averaging a shade over 2,400 fans per game two-thirds through their inaugural season in the ECHL, which ranks them 27th out of the 28 teams in the league. This mark also represents a decrease of 33 percent from their attendance in their final AHL season. Fans in this region are passionate and knowledgeable about their teams, so there is hope that they will return to the GFCC. Some fans at the Civic Center may be a little too loud and vulgar, but their passion is contagious throughout the building. Many fans choose to stand along the railing at the top of the seating bowl throughout the game. With the steep pitch of the stands, it’s a great vantage point from which to take in the game. Access 4 The Glens Falls Civic Center is located in downtown Glens Falls, just a couple of miles from Interstate 87, at the intersections of Routes 9 and 32. While the Greater Glens Falls Transit Company has several routes that serve downtown, most fans drive to the Civic Center for games. There are numerous lots within walking distance of the arena, most charging under $10. There are also many options for on-street parking nearby for fans who arrive early. There isn’t a whole lot of room to maneuver once inside the Civic Center. There is a small entry lobby that contains a concession stand, the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame. Pass through two sets of doors and you will enter the top of the sharply-pitched seating bowl. There is a single concourse that circles the top of the seating bowl. This walkway can become quite crowded at times, but crowds move around without too much backup. There are restrooms located underneath the seating area which are accessible by stairs at all four corners of the building. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to Adirondack Thunder games range in price from $15-$27, which is a small increase over prices charged last year. Purchasing your tickets on game day will cost you an extra two dollars. Youth tickets can be purchased for $13 and $15 on game days. Since charging more money for a lower level of hockey may not be the best business strategy, the Thunder have come up with some ways for fans to save some money. Buy one get one deal and reduced ticket specials on selected games have been instituted. Factor in inexpensive parking and concessions, and the Adirondack Thunder continue to be an affordable entertainment option for local hockey fans. Extras 2 An extra point is awarded to the Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame and the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame, which are both located on the concourse outside of the seating bowl. Another extra point is awarded for the Calder Cup Championship Banners still hanging from the rafters of the Civic Center 15 years after the Red Wings left town. Final Thoughts Adirondack hockey fans have been slow to embrace the Thunder and AA hockey after many years in the AHL. The team has stepped up its community presence and the organization is beginning to understand that it will take increased effort to bring local hockey fans back to the Glens Falls Civic Center. The GFCC is a great old hockey barn, and having a stable tenant occupying the building should go a long way toward ensuring a successful franchise after so many years of uncertainty. ---- Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter @PuckmanRI .

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Crisler Center 333 E Stadium Blvd Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Michigan Wolverines website Crisler Center website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 13,751 Go Blue: Emerging from the Shadows Michigan is a football school. Any way you slice it, the reality sinks in. Michigan is a football school. However, it once again, can’t be said, that Michigan is NOT a basketball school. Casual fans everywhere would be able to speak on Michigan State as the basketball school and Michigan as the football school. Things began to change in the eighties and culminated in 1989 when Steve Fisher took over the Michigan program before the NCAA Tournament and Michigan ran the table to become National Champions for the first time. The Fab Five era at Michigan brought nearly the highest of highs for the program and probably the lowest of lows. Rebuilding after the probation time was long and arduous, but rewards have started to be felt in Ann Arbor. The hiring of head coach John Beilein and appearances in the NCAA Tournament finals on two occasions in the past decade have insiders taking notice and considering Michigan as an elite program. Home for the Wolverines is literally in the shadows of The Big House. Named after former football head coach and athletic director Herbert “Fritz” Crisler, Crisler Arena was built in 1967 as one of a host of college basketball arenas shaped like a UFO. With a massive renovation, the renamed Crisler Center has brought Michigan out of the sixties and seventies and given the Wolverines a venue that is competitive with any in the conference, keeping that traditional college basketball feel and balancing it with modern amenities and decor. Representing the Big Ten Conference and the University of Michigan’s over 46,000 students, the Wolverines are literally emerging from the shadows of the famous football program and making noise as one of the top programs in the country. Food & Beverage 4 The food selection at Crisler Center is decent, yet not spectacular. Hot dogs, brats, kielbasa, burgers, chicken tenders, fries, nachos, pretzels, pizza, Italian sausage, spaghetti, caesar salad, mac and cheese, grilled cheese with pulled pork and tater kegs are all available. Popcorn is not available at Crisler Center, so fans will be required to settle for “Popped Maize.” Prices are what could be expected at a professional experience, which is not surprising. Soft drink options include bottled water and soda are available. Coca-Cola products are the soda of choice at Crisler. As with many college facilities, alcohol is not available for purchase at Crisler Center. Atmosphere 4 Originally built in 1968, Crisler Center was once like many of the other facilities built in that era. A round structure lacking windows and natural light, Crisler Arena underwent a massive renovation to bring the facility up to modern standards. With that renovation came the renaming of the building to Crisler Center. The exterior of Crisler Center is smart looking with brown brick and the famous block M markings. Gathering areas can be found on the southwest side and the east side has a new entrance and gathering area. The concourses contain some of the most significant changes. Entering from the east will give fans probably the grandest entrance, ascending to the main concourse. One of the concourse highlights can be found at the east entrance which is the Michigan fountain. A huge blue fountain with a giant maise block M gives fans a sense that this is a place where the details have all been considered. Around the concourses the details are obvious with simple yet effective touches like high quality flooring with verses of the fight song etched in. Around the walls there are displays for each of the varsity teams that Michigan fields. There is little to no exposed concrete. The feeling is inviting and warm, which is a far cry from where it once was. Interactive games and display cases with athletic artifacts are great for the fan who enjoys exploring. The large display on Cazzie Russell entitled “The House that Cazzie Built” enlightens fans to some of the Wolverine basketball history. Inside the seating bowl, fans are greeted with two levels of navy blue, modern, comfortable stadium seats. A far cry from many facilities that still boast benches. The court runs from north to south and a modern video board hangs above center court. The video board is a good size and not overbearing like many that are found in professional venues. The rafters are littered with banners for Big Ten Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. Proudly hanging in the south end is the 1989 NCAA National Championship banner. Directly across from the championship banner are the retired numbers of Bill Buntin, Cazzie Russell, Phil Hubbard, Glen Rice and Rudy Tomjanovich. Sight lines at Crisler are excellent also and the east side of the building is the spot to be for fans hoping for that perfect picture of the center logo. The students can be found near the court on the west side and the band is in the northeast corner. The game day experience at Michigan is a real college experience. Most of the music is provided by the band. The cheerleaders and pom team add to the atmosphere on the court. The game is not overproduced and there is not a ton of advertising. Overall, there is a great feeling to Michigan basketball. Neighborhood 4 Crisler Center is located on the campus of the University of Michigan south of most of the academic buildings. There are a ton of great spots to check out before or after the game, but they are about 2 km away from Crisler Center, so hopping in the car is probably the best idea. Downtown, between E Liberty and E Huron Streets, are where most of the best spots are found. Blue Tractor BBQ, Ashley’s, Arbor Brewing Company and Taste Kitchen are just a few of the best choices. The University of Michigan fields a full complement of athletic teams. The most popular of which include the Michigan football team, which plays at Michigan Stadium and the Wolverines ice hockey team, which plays at the Yost Ice Arena . Fans with youngsters may also want to check out the Ann Arbor Hands On Children’s Museum. There are also plenty of hotel options for fans who need to stay in the area. The Holiday Inn Ann Arbor is south of the athletic campus and Bell Tower is downtown. Both are good choices. Fans 4 Michigan Wolverine basketball fans fall somewhere in-between hardcore and ambivalent. Michigan routinely enjoys more than 10,000 fans per game. This is not in the top 30 NCAA experiences and lower than a number of Big Ten programs including Wisconsin, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Illinois and Ohio State. There is definitely room to grow and with more continual success, Michigan fans can be expected to fill the gap. The opponent has a significant affect on the attendance and Big Ten and rivalry opponents draw better than the first few games of the season. The fans in attendance are solid basketball fans making noise at all of the right times. The student section, although solid, is not nearly as remarkable as those in the upper echelon of NCAA basketball schools. Access 4 Crisler Center is on the campus of the University of Michigan. It is fairly central to Ann Arbor equidistant from I-94 and Highway 23, the main highways around the city. Getting to Crisler Center will require some travel through the city. Considering that this town welcomes over 110,000 fans for Wolverine football games, getting 10,000 in and out of Crisler Center is not too difficult. That being said, heading in and out of Ann Arbor on game day is not totally simple. For fans who wish to take public transportation, there are buses that travel throughout the Michigan Campus. Check the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority website for maps, fares and schedules. Although a college facility, Crisler Center has security measures that rival most professional experiences. Fans are encouraged to research the security procedures and prohibited items before heading to Crisler. The Michigan Wolverines website has all of the details. Research on finding a parking spot before hand is also a good practice. There are a number of parking options and possibly on the golf course right across the street. The closest parking options are for donors and season ticket holders. Parking can be found between $10 and $30 in most cases. Getting around Crisler Center is not too difficult. The concourses are a decent width and the washroom facilities are adequate. Return on Investment 4 Michigan Wolverines basketball offers a solid return on investment. Ticket prices depend on the opponent. Big Ten opponent games offer tickets between $20 and $25. Michigan State tickets will run $45 and Ohio State will run $30. The atmosphere is terrific at Crisler and fans will not be disappointed with the experience. Parking and concessions are not considered cheap, but a Michigan experience will be more affordable than many professional games. Extras 4 An extra mark for the significant rivalries that Michigan carries. Although they are also rivals on the gridiron and the ice, opponents Michigan State and Ohio State make up some of the best rivalries on the hard court as well. An extra mark for a program emerging from the seemingly endless shadow of the football program. An extra mark for the great job the University of Michigan has done in reinventing and renovating Crisler Center. An extra mark for the excellent product on the court that Michigan has provided lately. Final Thoughts Michigan may not be the first thought when it comes to NCAA basketball. However, the Wolverines have been a great team recently with appearances in the National Championship final to prove it. Crisler Center has seen some significant improvements and fans will not be disappointed in their experience at the House that Cazzie Built. It may not be a basketball bucket list item, but the Michigan Wolverines will provide a pleasant surprise for those attending for the first time. ------ Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Cross Insurance Center 515 Main St Bangor, ME 04401 Maine Black Bears men’s basketball website Cross Insurance Center website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 5,800 A New Den for the Black Bears For decades, the University of Maine Black Bears played their home games at the on-campus Memorial Gym, affectionately known as “The Pit”. Unfortunately, the team outgrew this 1,800 seat home, which required almost a total makeover to bring it up to building and safety codes. From 1988 to 1992 the team played their home games at the old 6,000 seat Bangor Auditorium. In 1992 the team moved back to campus to play their games at Alfond Arena, the home of the school’s hockey teams. That move proved to be a difficult one for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams, as four teams had to share the facility, and the hockey teams were given preferential treatment. With the completion of the $65 million Cross Insurance Arena in Bangor, the Black Bears basketball teams moved once more, this time back to downtown Bangor, 12 miles from the Orono campus on the site of the old Bangor Auditorium. The new arena aims to have the feel of a big-time basketball arena while being sized appropriately for the small central Maine market. A member of the America East Conference, the Black Bears have yet to appear in the NCAA Tournament. Jeff Cross, who played 21 games with the Clippers in 1984, is the only UMaine alumnus to play in the National Basketball Association. Food & Beverage 4 The Cross Insurance Center boasts a good array of concession choices for an arena of its size. There are several stands scattered around the concourse, which may or may not be open depending on the size of the crowd. Many of the stands feature local names and themes, including Queen City Gourmet, Blue Ox Grill, Tapas on the Penobscot, The Q Barbeque. Papa John’s Pizza also operates a stand here. Pepsi products are featured at the Cross Insurance Center. Alcohol is not sold at UMaine games. All the typical arena foods are present and accounted for here at the Cross Insurance Center, but some items stand out from the crowd. If you feel particularly hungry, try the Penobscot Pounder, a ½ pound angus hamburger topped with poutine (for those not familiar, poutine is a Canadian delicacy featuring French fries topped with cheese curds and other toppings) and homemade bacon. Several variations on the typical French fry are available here, such as sweet potato fries, poutine, crab fries, and pickle fries. Should you run out of popcorn at any time during a game, bring your bag back to the concession stand and refill it for only two dollars. My personal recommendation for a true central Maine experience is to try a W.A. Bean and Sons Red Snapper hot dog and a whoopee pie. Atmosphere 2 With the average crowd at a Black Bears game only filling about a quarter of the arena, the atmosphere at a UMaine game is understandably laid-back. While some fans will enjoy the understated experience, fans who are looking for a loud and lively gameday presentation should look elsewhere. All the typical college touches are here, including a (sometimes) rowdy student section, a pep band, cheerleaders and mascot. Videos are shown on the scoreboard located on the north end of the arena, with stats displayed on ribbon boards located at the top of the arena along either sideline. Fans who have visited the UMaine campus for a hockey game at Alfond Arena may be surprised and disappointed at the difference in atmosphere here. Neighborhood 4 The city of Bangor is located in central Maine, boasting a population of just over 33,000. This makes Bangor the third largest city in the state. Located 12 miles from the University of Maine’s campus in Orono, the city got its start as a lumber town (explaining the 31 foot tall statue of Paul Bunyan in front of the arena). Downtown Bangor has experienced a revival in recent years, with several small shops, businesses and restaurants taking up residence in what had become an abandoned downtown area. Today, the Hollywood casino is located right across the street from the Cross Insurance Center. Also, Bangor resident Steven King’s house is located not far from the arena, and is a popular stop for out-of-towners. Fans 2 Maine averages just over 1,400 fans per game for their home games in Bangor. Despite the Cross Insurance Center’s location 12 miles from the Orono campus, there is a decent turnout by the student body on most nights. As you would probably expect from basketball fans from Maine, those in attendance are, for the most part, laid back, although they can make their presence known when the Black Bears start rolling. Access 4 Bangor may be quite out of the way for any team traveling to the most northeastern corner of the United States for a game, but the Cross Insurance Center is very easy to get to. It is located just off of Interstate 395, which is a spur off of I-95. Located a block off the highway on Main Street, ample parking is located behind the facility. Most fans will enter the building via the Southwest Entry Plaza, which deposits fans right onto the main concourse. There is another entry plaza on the southeast corner of the building, which accesses the arena at the floor level. The building features wide, clean concourses and restrooms which are more than adequate for the typical Black Bear crowd. The concourse runs along the top of the seating bowl, which features individual red folding seats with cup holders. The seating bowl is laid out in a horseshoe fashion, with luxury boxes lining the top of the arena. All seats are close to the court and offer fantastic sight lines of the action. Return on Investment 4 Maine Black Bears games are very affordably priced. Reserved tickets (sections 104-105 and 115-116) can be purchased for $13, with general admission seating (all other seats) priced at $11. Seniors and youths are admitted for only $6. If you attend a Black Bears game with a group of 20 or more, your tickets will cost just $5 per person. Season tickets can be purchased for either the men’s or women’s teams for $120, or for both teams for $200 per seat. Parking in the lot directly behind the Cross Insurance Center costs $5, with the lots a little further away free of charge. On many chilly Maine winter nights, the five-dollar charge may be money well spent. With affordable concessions, a night of UMaine basketball is an affordable entertainment option for central Maine sports fans. Extras 3 An extra point is awarded for the UMaine women’s basketball teams, which are treated on an even playing field here, and generally draw bigger crowds than does the men’s teams. An extra point is awarded for the giant statue of Paul Bunyan located in the front lawn of the Cross Insurance Center. It provides a most unique approach to the venue, as well as providing a great photo opportunity before the game. A final extra point is awarded for the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame, located on the arena’s concourse. You may not think it, but basketball plays an integral part in the state of Maine’s sporting culture. The Cross Insurance Center hosts the Maine High School Basketball playoffs every year, and exhibits from Maine’s basketball history are displayed here. Final Thoughts Maine will never be thought of as a basketball hotbed, and the campus’ location in the far northeastern corner of the country hardly makes it a popular destination for traveling basketball fans, but the Cross Insurance Center is a solid, modern facility in which to take in Division One basketball. It’s worth a visit by any dedicated basketball fanatic.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Crusader Stadium 905 University Drive Belton, TX 76513 UMHB Crusaders website Crusader Stadium website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 9,118 Mary Hardin-Baylor Building a Dynasty at Crusader Stadium Tucked away in the small Central Texas town of Belton is the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Chartered back in 1845 by the then Republic of Texas, the college was originally known as Baylor Female College, the women’s branch of Baylor University. The college became co-educational off and on over the years before permanently becoming so in 1971, and was renamed to its current name in 1978. The school began its football program in 1997 and since that time, the Crusaders have not only had only one Head Coach during their existence, the venerable Pete Fredenburg, but they have dominated the competition over this stretch. The Crusaders have won 15 American Southwest Conference titles, the first in 2002, and have won two NCAA Division III National Championships, most recently in 2018. They have done the bulk of their recent winning from a gorgeous on-campus facility, Crusader Stadium. Designed to look like a football palace from days gone by, Crusader Stadium blends in perfectly with its campus surroundings and feels right at home in a small town such as Belton. Championship Banner, Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Food & Beverage 3 In terms of concessions items, Crusader Stadium has all the staples and then some. There are four main concession areas, three on the home team side and one on the visitor side of the stadium. At each of these you can get hot dogs and pretzels ($3 each) or Slovacek Sausage Dogs – a personal favorite – and nachos ($4 each). You can also get a souvenir soda for $5 or bottled water and sports drinks for $3. In the middle stand on the home side there is a little something special offered – Freezing Point Creamery, in nearby Temple, has set up shop and is offering two very special Mary Hardin-Baylor specific blends. First up is the neon purple Crunilla, a Mexican vanilla-flavored ice cream, while next up is Sader Gold, a bright yellow cotton candy flavored scoop. You can also get yourself a Crusader cup, which is a blend of the two and perfectly matches the home team’s color scheme; each of the scoops can be had for $4.50. In the South end zone you can find a Chick-fil-A tent, which offers a pared-down menu of its signature items, as well as bottled sodas. Or, in the North end zone on each sideline there are additional tents that offer Ultimate Nachos (covered in pulled pork) and Cru Dogs (think of a tricked-out chili dog) for $5 each. Atmosphere 4 One of the things that I was most impressed by on my most recent visit to Belton and Crusader Stadium was just how seamlessly the venue has been integrated into the campus. With is old-school red brick facade, hillside seating in each end zone, and a backdrop of the high glass windows and columns of the Bawcom Student Union behind the visiting team’s sidelines, Crusader Stadium looks like it has been there for centuries and it still looks gorgeous. The sight lines of the stadium are great and visitors have great vantage points from every point, both in the lower as well as in the upper decks. The Crusaders have also done a great job of highlighting their past successes, including the large sign under the scoreboard in the North end zone (the largest such video board in all of Division III) highlighting their recent National Championship and the retired number of former Crusader Jerrell Freeman , the only player from the school to make it to the NFL. Neighborhood 3 Belton is the quintessential college town; everything around the campus is built and tailored to highlighting that. That being said, there are still a lot of things to see and do in the area either before or after a Crusader games. If you’re into the outdoors Central Texas is a great spot for you, which includes fishing at Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir . This man-made lake is a favorite of anglers in this part of Texas and is open year-round. Or, if you’re looking to experience the water in a different fashion, then nearby Summer Fun Water Park is just what you’re looking for; water slides, a lazy river, and pools are all part of the attraction. In terms of food, when you come to this part of the state there really is only one true and just option: barbecue. Belton has a couple of great ones, which you should be sure to seek out on your visit. Both Schoepf’s BBQ and Backyard Bar-B-Q are local favorites that have earned devotees from across the state. If you’re looking for great examples of Texas-style barbecue, you can’t go wrong at either of these spots. Fans 4 From 2016-2018 the Crusaders have appeared in three consecutive Division III National Championship games and won two of them. With this much sustained success, it shouldn’t be hard to imagine that the fans of Mary Hardin-Baylor come out in droves to games at Crusader Stadium. The four main parking lots that parallel Crusader Stadium can be counted on to be full of fans tailgating, and will be decked out in the purple and gold of their team. You can also expect the stands and end zone to be similarly filled with loud, purple-clad fans. I was particularly impressed with the large crowd in the student section – this is a key component of all college football games, in my opinion. To have a loud, rowdy student section automatically adds to the game-time experience, and the Crusaders student body do their football team proud. Access 3 Belton is located right along Interstate 35 and is about halfway between Austin and Waco; it is about two hours from San Antonio, 45 minutes from Austin, and 40 minutes from Waco. Once you get to Belton, signage abounds leading you to the campus and to Crusader Stadium. Parking is ample among the four lots fronting Crusader Stadium. Specific lots have been designated for tailgating and there is a reserved lot for those with parking passes. However, the open lots are free, but do tend to fill up fast. There isn’t much in the way of public transportation in Belton, but ride sharing services are available if you’re inclined not to do your own driving to Crusaders games. Return on Investment 4 Single-game tickets for Crusaders games start at $10 ($8 if you buy online ahead of time) for General Admission seating and $12 ($10 bought in advance) for Reserved seating. For as good as this team is, this is a real bargain. When you take into account the free parking and really affordable cost for concessions items, you really can’t beat what you get at Crusader Stadium. This team has captured the attention and affection of the locals, and on the field they have the attention of the college football world. This would be a great introduction for new fans to the sport to get them hooked on all the good things about college football. Extras 3 Mary Hardin-Baylor has all the great pageantry that accompanies college football – the Crusaders have their own marching band, dance team, cheerleaders, and mascot CRUnk the Crusader . All of these combine to make game day fun for all members of the family. Final Thoughts I loved my most recent visit to Crusader Stadium. I admit that I might be a little biased in that college football is my favorite sport and that I love any and all things Texas football. However, I don’t think I would be out of line to suggest that the Crusaders and Mary Hardin-Baylor have built something special in Belton. If you are looking for that great college town vibe from your sports, then Crusader Stadium has that in abundance; plan a visit when you can. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by Aaron Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 D. B. Milne Field 2800 University Blvd N Jacksonville, FL 32211 Year Opened:  1998 Capacity:  5,000 FCS Football in Jacksonville D. B. Milne Field in Jacksonville, Florida is a small stadium with a high school football vibe. The venue opened in 1998 and has a capacity of just 5,000. While this crowd size won’t lend itself to a ton of energy, even if the venue were full, the experience here is on par with a lot of other football programs in the FCS. Food & Beverage   2 The concessions offered at D. B. Milne Field are not much, but they do have a pretty good beverage selection – in fact there are more beverage options on the menu than food items. Food options at D. B. Milne Field consist of hot dogs, chili cheese dogs, Tostitos with chili, soft pretzels, chips, and candy bars, with prices of $2.50 to $4.25. Beverage options include botted soda, bottled water, Gatorade, hot cocoa, Starbucks coffee, and beer and wine, including a craft beer selection.  Drink prices run from $2 to $8, with alcohol being the most expensive, and hot cocoa the least. Atmosphere   1 The Jacksonville Dolphins currently compete in the Pioneer Football League of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).  Their football stadium, D. B. Milne Field, consists of a grandstand with metal bleachers along one sideline, with additional berm seating behind one of the end zones.  The 5,000-seat venue doesn’t have a lot of crowd noise, partly due to the Dolphins on-field performance at times, but the facility does have a play area for kids next to the grandstand, and the mascot is pretty impressive. The football field is surrounded by a track, and the venue doubles as the home of Jacksonville’s track and field teams. Neighborhood   3 D. B. Milne Field is across the St Johns River from EverBank Field , home of the Jacksonville Jaguars . While there is not much in the immediate vicinity of D. B. Milne Field except some fast food restaurants, Dolphins fans (or visiting fans) will find plenty to do in the rest of Jacksonville. There are a couple of non-fast food restaurants near D. B. Milne Field, including Cotton’s Bar-B-Que and Spices Caribbean Restaurant.  If you plan to be in town for the day or for the weekend, you can also visit the Alexander Brest Museum, located on Jacksonville University’s campus – this small museum features Tiffany glass, porcelain, and other exhibits. Unfortunately, there aren’t really any hotels very close to the stadium – for those you will have to go a few miles east along I-295, or across the aforementioned river.  The two closest hotels to D. B. Milne Field are Regency Inn and Kings Inn, but there are plenty of more well-known brands further away if you are looking for something nicer. Of course, if you are willing to explore further afield than the immediate vicinity of D. B. Milne Field, fans will find plenty to do in Jacksonville, including tons of great restaurants, myriad nightclubs, and plenty to do on the water, such as river cruises, dolphin watches, and fishing. If you want to stay an extra day, you can also make the short 45-minute trip south to St. Augustine, which is America’s oldest city, and features plenty of history and several tourist attractions. Or you can check out the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens. Fans   1 D. B. Milne Field rarely sells out, and the fans in attendance tend to be mostly friends or family members of the players, or affiliated with Jacksonville University in some way. At a typical game you may only see the stands about half full, if that, although a few fans do watch from the berm area behind the end zone. Not many of the fans in attendance wear Jacksonville Dolphins gear, and I did not see any for sale inside the stadium, either. Access   4 Getting to and around D. B. Field is no problem at all, thanks in large part to the small size of the venue and the small crowd size.  You can park for free in the Jacksonville University parking lots right next to the Athletics complex, about 150 yards from the stadium.  There is also one bathroom on site for each gender, so at least you don’t have to worry about port-a-potties, and there is plenty of room to walk around inside the venue, and no lines to worry about at the lone concessions stand.  The only potential downside here is that the bathrooms are a little dated. Return on Investment   3 If you just want to watch some college football, D. B. Milne Field is a great option, as tickets can be had for as little as $5, even if you do not purchase in advance.  With free parking and cheap (albeit limited) concessions, this is about as good a deal as you will ever find for college football.  Note however that you won’t necessarily get a ton of energy, and you won’t see very many great teams come to town.  That said, this may be a stadium to wait to visit until your favorite FCS team comes to town. Extras   2 The Jacksonville mascot, Dunkin, is pretty great, and the dolphin signage around D. B. Milne Field is pretty cool to see, especially given the school’s proximity to the ocean.

Photos by Jared Goodman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Dale F. Halton Arena 9201 University City Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28223 Charlotte 49ers website Dale F. Halton Arena website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 9,105 Good as Gold in the Queen City While the men’s basketball program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte may not perform as well on the court as its parent institution in Chapel Hill, the 49ers have been able to hold their own in NCAA’s Division I since they joined in 1970. The 49ers started out in the on-campus Belk Gymnasium, but it wasn’t long until the team moved into the much larger Bojangles Coliseum off Independence Boulevard. After a short stint at the Charlotte Coliseum, then-home to the NBA’s Hornets, the Gold and Green returned to campus in 1996 to play at the newly-constructed Dale Halton Arena. Despite playing in the fairly weak Conference USA, the Charlotte men’s basketball team has been able to survive in a very-crowded region chock full of occasional Tournament contenders such as Davidson and Winthrop . With Halton’s capacity hovering near a bold 9,000, the Niners are able to continually “Pack the Mine” with between 4,000 and 5,000 fans each home game. Those figures vary, of course, during non-conference play depending on the opponent. Overall, fans of both Charlotte and the visiting team enjoy a fun game day experience and an intimate, yet modern, facility where they can sit back, relax, and watch some hoops. Food & Beverage 4 Halton Arena’s main concourse is reminiscent of a mall food court. Four corner stands, situated underneath the seating bowl along one side of the concourse, serve up a wide variety of dishes for every palate. One of these stands exclusively offers Bojangles’, a local chicken and biscuits favorite, but expect prices to be slightly higher than you’d see at one of the chain’s restaurants. A 5-piece supremes basket, for example, is $8.75, while seasoned fries and a legendary iced tea are $3.50 each. Domino’s is another chain that has a counter at Halton, offering pepperoni or cheese pizzas for $6.50 each. The Pick Axe Grill next door serves up some more unique items. The Jalapeño Bacon Cheeseburger basket ($8) and the Chili Cheese Fries ($4.50) are probably the highlights here. You can also grab your basic hamburger ($6.50) and hot dog ($4), and wash it all down with a bottled water or Coca-Cola fountain drink for $3.50. Typical arena snacks are available at all of the concession stands, including pretzels, popcorn, nachos, candy, funnel cake and cookies. These items are priced fairly at $3-$4 a pop. Atmosphere 3 While The Mine doesn’t appear very big when empty, it becomes quite clear during games just how large the seating bowl actually is. Despite decent attendance, the arena often looks only half-full, though that perception can quickly change when the crowd gets noisy. The center hung scoreboard is large and top-of-its-class as far as mid-major arenas go. The LED screen provides a center-court view of the action to fans, as well as player stats for both teams. A radio broadcast of the game is also pumped into the main lobby area so that fans waiting in line at the concession stands don’t miss a minute of the action. Chair back seating is present in most of the building, though seats located in the last few rows of the upper seating bowl are typical bleacher-style. Neighborhood 4 The Niners home court is nestled close to the center of campus, so it’s a short walk if you want to explore anything in the general vicinity. It’s an even shorter drive to the nearby restaurants and shops, which mostly include chain retailers on Tryon Street (the main thoroughfare through “University City”), University City Boulevard and JW Clay Boulevard. The region’s only IKEA store is just a few miles from campus and offers a full restaurant and snack bar in addition to the furniture goods on display. But perhaps the best perk of Halton’s location on-campus is its proximity to the LYNX Light Rail system, which provides speedy service to Uptown Charlotte, the hip NoDa neighborhood, and the revitalized South End. All three offer a variety of dining and nightlife options just a 20-minute train ride from campus. The nearest stop, JW Clay Station, offers a 5-level parking deck for those wishing to drive, but is also easily accessible on foot via footpaths. From the arena’s front door, it’s just a short 10-minute walk to the light rail platform. Fans 4 The whole arena seems to be with the team from tip-off, cheering every made basket and jeering the away team at every opportunity. Average attendance is around 4,000 to 5,000 fans, though the actual attendance per game varies greatly on the opponent. 49ers fans are amongst the most loyal in Conference USA. The green chair backs are always filled with fans in green attire, turning Halton into a blinding sea of green. Fans of the away team are usually confined to a very small section and are consistently drowned out by the loud and enthusiastic Charlotte crowd. Access 4 Getting to Halton Arena could not be easier. The campus is bordered by several major thoroughfares, including Tryon Street and University City Blvd. Once inside UNCC, it’s a short drive to the West Deck, a multi-level parking structure next to the Belk Gymnasium. Best of all, parking is free and from the deck it’s a short walk down some stairs and down a sidewalk to the arena’s main entrance. On the return trip to your car and off-campus, it can be a bit trickier as traffic tends to snarl as you attempt to exit the deck, but once you hit the street you’re in the clear. UNCC is served by the LYNX Light Rail Blue Line, which has a stop at JW Clay Boulevard and is just a 15-minute walk away. The CATS bus system has several stops on-campus as well. Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is about 20 minutes away by car and is serviced by most of the major North American airlines. Interstates 85, 485, and 77 are close to campus as well, providing access to Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Virginia in the north and Columbia, Greenville and Atlanta in the south. Return on Investment 4 What you get for the price of your ticket is admission to the game. (Rarely, the Niners will have a promotional giveaway, and even those max out at 2 or 3 per season.) But a 49ers basketball game is quite affordable, with tickets ranging from $5 for youth to $10 for adults. That price includes a reserved seat of your choice and if you purchase tickets at the box office on game day rather than online ahead of time, you’ll save yourself about $2 in added fees. Between the free parking and cheap concession items, you likely won’t spend more than $20 per person on a trip to The Mine. Extras 2 Staff will often give out free Chick-fil-A sandwich coupons (or coupons to another local restaurant chain) when one of the teams achieves something on the court. For example, if the away team misses two free throws in the last 5 minutes of the game, everyone in attendance is awarded a free chicken sandwich. Past tournament achievements made by the 49ers are honored by way of celebratory banners hung in the rafters. The team also honors famous basketball alumni such as Cedric Maxwell, who led the Niners in their first tournament appearance in 1977 to the Final Four. Final Thoughts While Charlotte may be overshadowed by their larger in-state ACC counterparts, the Gold and Green have not only a loyal following, but a great venue for their fans to enjoy. You’ll find a night out at Halton well-spent and thoroughly enjoyable, even if the team doesn’t always take home the W.

Photos by Martin McNelis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Dalymount Park Connaught St Phibsborough, Dublin 7 Ireland Bohemian FC website Dalymount Park website Year Opened: 1901 Capacity: 4,227 Friday Night Football In Dublin Dalymount Park is a famous north Dublin soccer ground in the Phibsborough district of the city that opened in 1901. Known locally and generally by football fans as ‘Dalyer,’ it is home to League of Ireland side, Bohemian FC. The team is often known by their nickname of ‘the Bohs’ or ‘the Gypsies.’ The stadium has hosted, among other things, Irish internationals, the first in 1904 versus Scotland and the last being a Friendly against Morocco in 1990. It has hosted a number of national domestic cup finals through the years, and has provided a neutral venue for other club’s fixtures. Famous names to have graced the Dalymount pitch out with any Irish stars include Gullit, Van Basten, Best, Pele, Zidane, to name but few. It is looking a bit run down internally, but homely and quite distinguished at the same time, with its four large floodlight pylons visible from some distance. The last upgrade the ground had was in 1999, when the current Main Stand was built. However, the club have major plans to redevelop Dalymount Park in conjunction with Dublin city council, after speculation in 2015 that it would be demolished, with Bohemians moving to a purpose built facility in a different location. The proposed venue will be used as a public amenity, which would suggest the possibility of an artificial pitch. Local rivals Shelbourne were rumoured to be part of a stadium ground share, but they are not part of the immediate plans. Food & Beverage 3 Food at Dalymount is served from a reasonably sized snack bar that has a variety of hot and cold drinks, with a slightly healthier menu in comparison to a lot of football grounds. They offer baguettes, chicken and cheese wraps, chips with cheese or curry sauce, and chicken burgers, instead of the standard pies and burgers. All items are priced from 4 or 5 Euros each. Soft drinks served in cartons or cups, hot drinks including tea and coffee are served in polystyrene cups. There are also two bars under the Main Stand selling a variety of beers, wines and spirits. Atmosphere 3 Entry to Dalymount is through two narrow lanes, one in the middle off the main North Circular Road, the other to the left around some local housing. Over recent years the capacity has been reduced to around 3,200 due to health and safety reasons. The crowds vary from 1,000-2,000 for home games, and occasionally more for bigger fixtures. There are two internal bars at either end of the Main (Jodi) Stand, the only licensed part for alcohol. For most games this is the only end that is opened. It has four supporting pillars, two of which may slightly obscure your view. The Des Kelly Carpets Stand behind the goal (on the left) is not used unless for a rival Dublin club like Shamrock Rovers, St Patrick’s Athletic or even Shelbourne. It has both an open area on the left and covered section on the other. Across from the Main Jodi Stand is car park space (on the left) from when half of this was demolished a few years ago. The other half is open air seating and is seldom used, if at all. There is a large sign here that declares; “Dalymount Park The Home of Irish Football.” On the halfway line there is a small tv gantry and both the dugouts are also situated in front of this area of the ground. Behind the other goal (to the right of the Main Stand) is open terracing known as the Tramway End which has been condemned for a number of years. A limited number of home fans are allowed to enter here before kickoff to hang their flags over the crush barriers. At half time there are a couple of local youth teams consisting of both boys and girls who come onto the pitch for a quick kick about. There are also some travel announcements for up and coming fixtures and the half time draw details disclosed where fans can win cash prizes. The Main Stand tends to be the only one open and your view will be slightly impeded by two of the four supporting pillars. Neighborhood 4 The ground is situated not far from the city centre, but it is still a very busy area, so allowing extra time for public transport or getting parked if you’re taking the car is strongly recommended. There is a busy street over the back of Dalymount, with a number of pubs and shops. This includes a large Tesco store, McDonald’s, chip shop, and a Chinese take away. If you are staying overnight, then you may consider the Charleville Lodge Hotel at 268-272 N Circular Rd, Phibsborough. The hotel is barely five minutes walk from Dalymount Park. Prices range from 75-100 Euros depending on room size and breakfast options. Glasnevin Cemetery and Museum is great for anyone interested in Irish history, and is situated ten minutes walk away. Fans 4 The club receives gates of 1,000-2,000 for home games with more for bigger fixtures against other Dublin rivals. Bohemian’s fans have a group known as the ‘Rude Boys’ and they have several flags tied to the crush barriers in the unused terrace behind the right hand goal. At certain points of the game, notably before kick off and after a goal, a section of the support get the atmosphere going with some singing. They will also react to any chants from the away fans. Access 4 The number 120 bus to Dalymount is regular from the city centre and a 20 minute walk if you fancy that. Drumcondra station is the closest train station and is a 10 minute walk away. There are a lot of local permit holders only, so parking slightly further away from the ground is advisable. All gates/turnstiles are accessed from the Jodi Main Stand. You hand over your cash and you are given a small match ticket for entry. With only the one stand open there is still reasonable room to get to the toilets, bar and food outlet, or if you fancy changing seats. Return on Investment 4 The match day prices are 15 Euros entry fee for adults, 10 Euros for concessions and students, and 5 Euros for children. The programme is 4 Euros and there are also half time draw tickets available to purchase to win cash prizes. The standard of the match can be questionable, but does provide some entertainment and value for money. Extras 2 The club shop is in a small cabin to the left of the Jodi Stand selling a variety of club shirts, jackets, jumpers and club merchandise including calendars, mugs and pens. The more than 100 years of history of this ground is also worth an extra point. Final Thoughts Dalymount Park is a very prestigious landmark and home to one of Ireland’s most well known clubs. The new investment will hopefully benefit not only the club, but the local community and the League of Ireland. Soccer in Ireland requires massive investment and often plays second fiddle due to competing against the very popular Gaelic football and hurling (GAA), not to mention the big interest in the English Premiership.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Daytona International Speedway 1801 West International Speedway Blvd Daytona Beach, FL 32114 HSR Classic 24 Hour Daytona website Daytona International Speedway website Year Opened: 1959 Capacity: 167,785 The Classic Returns Home The HSR Classic 24 Hour at Daytona International Speedway is one of the more unique races in America. Not only does it feature the season finale race weekend for Trans Am, but it also showcases racing history from the past. The Classic 24 Hour indeed concludes with 24 hours of racing through the night, but is broken up into different hour-long segments showcasing various time periods and car classes. If you’re a racing history buff, this is no doubt a fantastic race to come to. Food & Beverage 3 There is plenty to eat at Daytona in the paddock main infield midway. From drinks, coffee, and traditional stadium fare to more eclectic choices, the variety is impressive. During the Classic 24 Hour, fans can be seen lining up at various food trucks and small vendors all around the Fan Zone and midway to get something to eat. While the grandstand and its associated food booths may be closed during the race weekend, fans should no less have an easy time finding something to eat. Atmosphere 5 There’s nothing quite like being at a 24-hour endurance race. The feeling is electric as the race begins in the afternoon; as the sun sets, the lights come on and the look and feel of the race takes on another face – the smell of race fuel, the glow of the brakes in the cold night, the sound of engines roaring lap after lap. The infield campfires grow more numerous and the party picks up only as the night darkens. What makes this race so unique, however, is the relaxed feeling. Unlike the Rolex 24 where everyone is on edge pushing hard for a full day of racing, the HSR Classic 24 Hour is more a celebration of racing history. While podium finishers are awarded trophies and medals, the enjoyment and appreciation of the historic cars that participate are the most important. Neighborhood 4 Daytona is a party town from days gone past when tourists flocked to the beaches during the summer months. However, the sun isn’t always so warm in North Florida in January. Nonetheless, the beaches are still just a few miles away from the track. In addition, right across the street from the track sit numerous stores, malls, and restaurants. From Chipotle and Panera to Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse, there are plenty of places to shop and eat at during your stay. Fans 4 The fans at the Classic 24 Hour are like the ones you will find during the January Rolex 24 . While not as numerous, a no-less impressive crowd turns up to watch racing history take to the track. Many fans range in ages from the youngest and newest race fans, to the old-timers who were here to see some of the historic cars on track in their heyday. Access 5 Parking at the Classic 24 Hour is plentiful in the various lots around the infield of the track. For those who would rather take a ride, however, trams are available to shuttle you in and out of the track from numerous parking lots, as well as to take you from one point to another at the track itself. You also can wander the facility as you wish, with any ticket granting you access to the various infield viewing areas. Return on Investment 5 The HSR Classic 24 Hour is a race to be added to any sportscar fan’s list of must-see events. Tickets for the race weekend can get up there in price for a full camping package, but when you consider the quality of the product on the track, the length of the actual race you’re seeing, and the history made every year at the event, it’s hard to argue value versus cost. Single day ticket options are also available. Extras 3 The Classic 24 Hour is home to multiple days of racing action, including support races beyond the main event itself. In addition, all tickets get you into the garage and paddock area at Daytona International Speedway, which features fantastic views of the track and the paddock from the rooftop patio decks. Fans can also get a look into the team preparations, thanks to the viewing windows in each garage bay. Fans in attendance can look forward to the fan walk before the race starts on Saturday. Fans are able to get up close to the cars on pit road, wander the front stretch banking, relax on the grass, and have an up-front seat for driver introductions. Final Thoughts Taking a trip to Daytona International Speedway for the HSR Classic 24 Hour is a visit worth taking – anyone who is a sportscar race fan should attend. This is a top-level historic event that features great Florida weather, a top-level venue, and incredible machines racing around one of the most historic facilities in all the racing world.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Dedeaux Field 1021 Childs Way Los Angeles, CA 90089 USC Trojans website Dedeaux Field website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 2,500 A Field of Conquests Named after the legendary Trojan skipper Rod Dedeaux, Dedeaux Field opened its gates in 1974 in grand fashion, as Russ McQueen would throw a no-hitter in the first game ever played there, en route to their 5th consecutive National Championship. Though the USC football program is more recognized on a national scale, it is actually the baseball team that has achieved the most conquests in relation to its peers with 12 College World Series titles to its name. Though the stadium is approaching the end of its fourth decade, visiting fans would never guess it as numerous renovations over the years have kept the venue looking as one of the best in all of college baseball. Food & Beverage 3 The main food stand is just inside the gates located in a mobile unit. The options are pretty standard for a collegiate baseball venue as the menu offers fans chicken tenders ($6), pulled pork sandwich ($5.50), nachos and cheeseburgers ($5), all beef hot dog/chili cheese dog ($5/$6). If you have a sweet tooth, a Krispy Kreme Sandwich, with the option of pulled pork, burger, or chicken tender in between a glazed KK donut, is available for $6. A separate stand in front of the statue honoring Rod Dedeaux next to the ramps leading to the grandstands serves up caramel kettle corn along with other varied flavors. The kettle corn is sold in small ($3), medium ($5), large ($8), and extra-large ($10). If only feed yourself, the small size will more than satisfy. The beverage options included bottled water, bottled soda, Powerade, Vitamin Water, coffee, hot cocoa, or Minute Maid frozen lemonade, all for $4 each. A snack stand by Prior Plaza along the first base concourse sells roasted peanuts ($5), assorted candy ($4), and Lay’s variety chips ($2). Hot dogs are also available. If you desire an adult beverage, your options are Coors ($5) and Trojan IPA ($6). Atmosphere 4 As you make your way inside the wrought iron gates of Dedeaux Field you will be strolling along Mark McGwire Way through a palm tree-lined walkway. More than likely it will be on a nice warm sunny day, adding to the Southern California atmosphere. As you approach the ramps leading to the stands, you will notice a couple of tributes to the legendary USC manager Rod Dedeaux. To your left, you will see a large baseball with a plaque in his honor. On the plaque is the quote “Voted the Collegiate Baseball Coach of the 20th Century by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball. Well Done Tiger.” Located between the two ramps behind the kettle corn stand is a grand statue of the former USC Manager Rod Dedeaux atop a platform with his trademark saying, “Hi Tigers.” The statue honoring the former Trojan skipper was dedicated in 2014 in his honor, one day shy of what would have been his 100th birthday. The former skipper of Troy, Dedeaux managed USC for 45 seasons (1942-86), winning an unprecedented 11 national titles as well as producing numerous Major Leaguers. The tributes to Troy don’t stop there. As you descend upon the main concourse behind the stands, along the first base side is Prior Plaza, in honor of the former Chicago Cub pitcher. Along the plaza, a wall pays tributes to Trojan All-Americans as well as those who played in the bigs. Also behind the first base stands is the Hall of Fame Complex, a must-visit for any baseball fan. The HOF Complex features a wide variety of tributes to former Trojan ballplayers, ranging from their national title trophies as well as uniforms from both their days donning the Cardinal and Gold to their time in the bigs to a timeline displaying their proud history. You will not want to miss this, especially if this is your first visit. Neighborhood 4 The stadium sits on the USC campus, allowing quick access to all of Los Angeles. If visiting fans have the opportunity, I would highly recommend checking out the nearby Exposition Park before or after the game. The 160-acre area includes the Coliseum itself, but so much more: the Memorial Sports Arena, Natural History Museum, California Science Center, Exposition Park Rose Garden, California African American Museum, and the Expo Center among others. You’ll need a day or more to view all of this as each of them could take several hours to view. If you’re limited on time, you may want to visit the California Science Center , home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Catering to college students, the surrounding area has all sorts of fast food, including Togo’s Subs, Subway, Taco Bell, Denny’s, and Wendy’s all less than a mile away from Dedeaux Field. Not far from Dedeaux Field is the Figueroa Corridor. The Figueroa Corridor has brought new life along that particular stretch of Figueroa Street, lined with townhouses and various eateries, including the Lab Gastropub, located next door to the Galen Center. The area around USC continues its resurgence as more mixed-use development continues in what will be known as USC Village . Fans 3 For a storied program, like their men’s basketball counterparts across town in Westwood, expectations run very high among the Trojan Faithful. Perhaps a surprising 10-year hiatus from NCAA Tournament play has something to do with the sparse crowd I experienced in 2016. With the Men of Troy recently returning to post-season play in 2015, a return to glory may not be far. Access 4 With the campus being located in downtown Los Angeles, there is a multitude of ways to get to the stadium. If fans can dodge the traffic, they can get to the venue via the 5, 10, 110, or 405 freeways. Fans can also easily get to the game via the Metro Expo Line as well as several MTA transit bus options. If driving to the venue, game day parking runs at $12 per vehicle near the field through gate 6 off Vermont and 36th Street. Return on Investment 5 Trojan baseball is a great bargain. For a mere $7 for adults and $5 for seniors 60 and over as well as non-USC students. Children 12 and under gain free admittance, a generous deal for those wanting to bring their kids out for an afternoon under the sun. If you happen to be a family of four, with two under 12, it is possible to enjoy a game for a total of $14, something one would be lucky to pay for a single admission to an MLB game. Extras 5 The extras are another category where USC excels. First-time visitors should ensure that they arrive early so that they can take all of the extras in. Most important is the Herbert V. Nootbaar Baseball Office and Hall of Fame Complex. Inside this building located down the first base line, fans will find the Major League jerseys of many of the former Trojan players. Beautiful pieces of art that feature pitchers such as Randy Johnson and batters such as Aaron Boone hang from the wall. A timeline of notable events in USC baseball and its alumni surrounds the room at the top of the wall. The many NCAA championship trophies and individual player awards are displayed prominently in display cases. There are even stacks of Baseball America magazines that feature Trojan players on a coffee table surrounded by nice leather couches. Also on the first base side is Prior Plaza, which was established by former Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior. This monument recognizes past USC players who have been either All-Americans or appeared in the major leagues. Obviously, with all of USC’s success, there is quite the list of players noted here. Along the outfield wall in left field, more Trojan glory is on display, listing the years of their 12 National Championships as well as their 21 College World Series appearances. I was rather surprised to see the World Series years on display, particularly the years in which the Men of Troy did not win the grand prize. Storied franchises such as this one usually only boast championship glory. In the right field corner by the foul pole is Sparky’s Corner, featuring a banner honoring Sparky Anderson, the former Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds skipper who was a bat boy for the 1948 USC National Championship team. It is believed that Sparky once lived in a home behind where the current right field pole stands and was offered the job as a bat boy after returning a foul ball to Rod Dedeaux. Final Thoughts After a 10-year absence from NCAA tournament play, it appears the storied program is heading back toward its place in glory. Any baseball fan will certainly want to add a trip to Dedeaux Field to their baseball bucket list. If visiting for the first time, you will want to arrive early to take in not only the history surrounding Dedeaux Field but take a stroll along the nearby Bloom Hall of Fame Walk. The HOF Walk has numerous plaques on display honoring many notable Trojan athletes, including Fred Lynn, Mark McGwire, Randy Johnson, and Mark Prior. Dedeaux Field is only minutes away from downtown L.A., making it possible to not only take in some Trojan Baseball, but an event that could be taking place in nearby Staples Center , or even a baseball doubleheader with Dodger Stadium being a short drive up the 110 Freeway north. Whatever your baseball itinerary, you owe it to yourself to take in a game at Dedeaux Field --- If you have any other questions regarding Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, or other venues throughout Southern California, then feel free to shoot me an email at Andrei.Ojeda@wp4.temp.domains. You can also follow me @good_drei on Twitter and Instagram.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Delta Center 301 West South Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Utah Jazz website Delta Center website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 19,991 Jazz Central Note: The name of the arena changed from Vivint Center to Delta Center in July 2023. Some of the best Jazz to be experienced in the Salt Lake City area is not found in an intimate nightclub, but in an 18,300-seat sports arena found only a few blocks from Temple Square. The Delta Center (formerly the Vivint Smart Home Arena) has served as the home of the Utah Jazz since 1991. The Delta Center was the arena's original name when it debuted for the team. As you would expect, the arena has undergone frequent renovations during its more than 30 plus years of existence. These occurred in 2002 (to prepare it for the Winter Olympic Games), 2010, and 2016. The renovations that began in 2016 have changed the arena's appearance and fan experience, at a cost of more than $125 million. Food & Beverage 5 One of the targets of the 2017 renovation was to upgrade the concessions package within the arena. To accomplish this Vivint recruited some of Utah’s most popular restaurants to set up shop in the facility. These include R&R Barbeque, Maxwell’s (pizza and cheesesteaks), Cubby’s (Italian beef sandwiches), Chubasco (Mexican dishes), Hires Big H (root beer and hamburgers), J. Dawgs (designer hot dogs), Farr’s Fresh (ice cream) and Ice Berg Drive Inn (fast food with a 50’s theme). These additions have been overwhelmingly popular with the fans. Vivint Arena still maintains the more generic stands serving standard arena food at multiple locations. Their menus include pork sandwiches, hot dogs, popcorn, candy, Pepsi brand sodas, bottled water, and domestic beers in a can. Atmosphere 4 The upgrades to the arena are readily apparent when you arrive at the venue. A 12,000-square-foot atrium has been added that includes the box office, club entrance, and the Jazz Team Store. It is topped by a 76-foot ribbon board that is constantly updated with Jazz news and other information from around the NBA. This offers fans a much larger space away from the cold Utah winters to meet and socialize with friends. The second obvious improvement lies in opening the concourses to provide a great view of the action no matter where you are in the arena. The creature comforts for the fans continue into the seating bowl, where new fully upholstered plush backs and contour foam seats that are 20 inches wide have been installed. The open concourses and upgraded seats are found at all six levels of the arena. The graphics package inside the arena is excellent. In addition to a new HD scoreboard, there are four video boards at each corner of the arena. An additional set of graphics boards shows statistics throughout the game. A ribbon board extends 360 degrees at multiple levels within the seating bowl. The Jazz have a wide variety of color schemes for both their uniforms and the court. These include the purple, navy, and gold colors that were carried over from the team’s New Orleans days to a red and burnt orange package that accentuates the western heritage of the franchise. Neighborhood 4 Vivint Smart Home Arena anchors one end of downtown Salt Lake City. It is close to most of SLC’s major attractions, as both the State Capitol and Temple Square, the home of the Mormon faith, are within a few blocks of the arena. The Great Salt Lake is located about 10 miles from the downtown area and is well worth a visit. City Creek Center provides more than 100 different stores and is one light rail stop from the arena. Main Street offers the widest selection of dining options in the area. Some of the more popular restaurants in the area are the Tin Angel Café and Bruges Waffles and Frites. Even though the Mormon religion does not allow the drinking of alcohol, it is widely available to visitors. Some of the more popular watering holes near the arena include The Beerhive Pub (Utah is known as the Beehive State), the Red Rock Brewery, and the Wasatch Brewery. Salt Lake City is also a great place to kick off a ski vacation, as both Snowbird and Park City Ski areas are located nearby. Several National Parks (Zion, Arches, and Canyonland) are within a 4-hour drive of Salt Lake City. Fans 5 The Utah Jazz are the largest major league sports team in Salt Lake City and they have one of the most loyal fan bases in the NBA. The team has always performed well on the court, with John Stockton and Karl Malone both going onto the Hall of Fame after their playing days were over. The management/ownership of the team has been very stable over the years and has a record of putting the fans first in every way. The team offers giveaways at nearly every game, provides a free yearbook to everyone in attendance, and has some type of entertainment or competition during each break in the action. The Salt Lake City area is one of the smallest markets in the NBA, so the players are very involved in the community and several have their charitable foundations to support causes in the SLC area. A key member of the Jazz organization is the team mascot… simply known as The Bear. He performs skits, is an excellent dancer and he loves to get up and interact with the crowd. Access 4 There are more than 10,000 parking spaces located within a two-block radius of the venue. The Vivint Home Smart Arena is also serviced by both the Blue and Green Lines of the UTA’s TRAX light rail system. Rides on the TRAX system are free within the downtown area. The access within the arena is excellent. There is a large lobby at the front of the arena that allows you to come inside, away from the cold wintry weather, before the doors officially open. The concourses are wide and well laid out, with the major concession areas offering seating at tables so you don’t have to balance your food on your lap back at your seat. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Jazz games are amongst the cheapest in the NBA, as they run between $10 – $60, depending on where you sit. The concessions prices are expensive compared to other areas. Parking costs around $20 at lots surrounding the arena or you can choose to take a TRAX train back to your lodging on a $ 6.80-day pass, which allows unlimited rides throughout the system for that day (the downtown ride zone is free). Extras 3 There are two places on the plaza outside of the arena to get a pair of great selfies. The first is a pair of statues featuring Jazz icons Karl Malone and John Stockton, who led the team in scoring and assists in their long careers together. The second feature is a 14-foot high navy, green, and gold J-note (a sculptural version of the Jazz logo) which is positioned just outside the main entrance. The arena’s PA Announcer, Dave Roberts, has been with the facility since it opened in 1991. To reduce operating expenses, more than 2,500 solar panels have been mounted on the roof of the arena. Final Thoughts The Utah Jazz are living proof that a small market can be competitive in the NBA. Through stable ownership that always puts their fans first, the franchise has been one of the most successful both on and off the court. The recent renovation of the Delta Center has created an even tighter bond between the fans and their team. Some of Salt Lake City’s top restaurants now have a space within the venue and a fan-friendly entrance atrium has been added to get the fans in out of the often-wintry weather long before the doors officially open. The seats are wider than is found in most arenas, adding additional comfort for the fans.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Desert Financial Arena 634 E Veterans Way Tempe, AZ 85281 Arizona State Sun Devils website Desert Financial Arena website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 14,198 Forks Up The Arizona State University Sun Devil basketball team participates in the Pac-12 conference and plays their home games at the seasoned Desert Financial Arena, formerly called the Wells Fargo Arena, and the ASU Activity Center in Tempe, Arizona. Opened in 1974, the arena hosts not only Sun Devil men’s and women’s basketball but also the volleyball, wrestling, and gymnastics teams of ASU. Concerts, graduations, and shows also fill the stands at the venue. The ASU men’s basketball team has appeared in the NCAA Tournament 16 times (most recently in 2018-2019) including three Elite Eight. Though team names have changed, the school colors have remained maroon and gold since 1898. The school team name began as Normal (1885 – 1921), changing to Bulldog (1922 – 1945), and then switching the name to Sun Devil during Phoenix’s growth after WWII. I have been told Sun Devil is not just the name of the university’s sports teams. Nor is it strictly the name of a person involved with ASU athletics. It’s everyone who has ever attended ASU. Food & Beverage 3 Desert Financial Arena provides standard sports venue concessions. Nothing out of the ordinary but enough to satisfy a hungry fan. Several permanent concession stands dot the concourse. They offer super dogs, bratwurst, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, cotton candy, peanuts, candy, etc. Prices range from $5 – $11. Coca-Cola is the soda of choice and runs $6 – $25 (for a refillable cup). Chick-fil-A ($8.50 for a sandwich – very pricey for just the sandwich), Blue Bell ice cream ($4 – $10), old-fashioned kettle corn, and old-time lemonade have carts on the concourse selling their wares. Beer began being sold at the college arena beginning the 2018-2019 season. Offered at separate tables throughout the concourse, cans of Coors, Coors Light, Miller, Four Peaks, Henry’s Sparkling Water, and wine run $9 cash or credit. Honest, with all the tremendous numbers of restaurants just a block or two or three away in Tempe, skip eating at the arena and spend your refreshment money in downtown. A decent merchandise shop is at the east entrance for souvenir needs including hat pins, pennants, jerseys, and shirts. Atmosphere 4 Attending a men’s ASU basketball game is an absolutely, enjoyable few hours of sports entertainment. A perfect-sized, center-hung video scoreboard shows game replays, score, time, half, time outs left, and fouls. Two matrix boards hang from the ceiling on each end of the court which shows player on-court stats. Two levels of seating are provided with a walkway between the two. Fans enter the walkway. The lower level runs up to 22 rows with the row closest to walkway #22. The upper level begins at about row 23 and increases up to about row 43. Handrails are not available on any of the stairways so for those with step concerns try to get a seat in row 22. There are, of course, wheelchair and handicapped areas. All seats are red, fold-down stadium-style seats with no cup holders. Player banners, team championships, and year to the NCAA tournaments for all ASU sports (wrestling, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics) hang from the ceiling. At half time and during time outs, Sun Devils history trivia is displayed. For example, the video board will show the stats of athletic alumni, and fans need to guess who it is. Cheerleaders (now called the spirit squad) perform during breaks and halftime. Promotions are not overdone as the focus is on the game. The exterior is cement, though not bad looking, and has beautiful southwestern landscaped outdoor walkways and plaza areas (palm trees, cacti, palo verde, etc). Plenty of benches are available to sit and wait for friends or the gates to open. More venues should do this. Neighborhood 5 Arizona State University has one of the best neighborhoods for its athletic facilities. Desert Financial Arena is located directly next to Sun Devil Stadium (ASU football), and the majority of the rest of its athletic facilities are right in the same area in Tempe. Downtown Tempe is just a short walk away, and is the place to go pretty much all the time when you’re at ASU, but especially on game days. Whatever kind of food or atmosphere or price is desired, downtown Tempe has it. It’s one of those places where one could go to a different restaurant or bar before every ASU basketball game and still not see everything by the end of the season. Snooze an AM Eatery is always a good place for breakfast/brunch, as is Chompie’s Restaurant. A Buffalo Wild Wings is close by. Devil’s Advocate Sports Grill is certainly one of the more popular options among ASU fans. Less than a mile away (or one light rail stop) is Mill Ave home to all varieties of restaurants and bars. Four Peaks Brewing, Sleep Dog Saloon & Brewery, and The Beer Shop are 1 ½ – 2 miles from the arena. About a mile northeast of Desert Financial Arena is Tempe Marketplace , which has even more restaurants and shops, as well as a movie theater. Hotels within walking distance of the arena include Residence Inn by Marriott Tempe Downtown/University, Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, and Conference Center, or Courtyard by Marriott Tempe Downtown. There’re plenty more to choose from just a light rail stop or two away. Other things to see or do in Tempe include the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Gardens, and the Arizona State University Art Museum. Other sports to visit during basketball season in Tempe include Sun Devil football and baseball and spring training at Tempe Diablo Stadium or Sloan Park . A little further away, basketball fans can visit the Talking Stick Resort Arena and see the Phoenix Suns , or just a tad north visit Grand Canyon University Antelopes basketball at Grand Canyon University Arena . Fans 3 Fan attendance and enthusiasm have grown tremendously since the hiring of coach Bobby Hurley in 2015. Average attendance for a men’s basketball game in 2015 was 5,807; in 2018 that number grew to 10,538 and it doesn’t appear to be digressing. Cheering and groans can be heard for the duration of the game depending on the Sun Devil's action on the court. Chants of “Let’s Go Devils” and “A-S-U” erupt throughout the 40 minutes. Fans stand and cheer for the first two minutes of the first half and at least one minute of the second half. The student section called the 942 Crew, sits behind one basket in sections K – P (K1 – P1 on the upper level). A large pep band is a focal point of the section. And, the fans in the student section do what they do: hold up poster faces of people, wave colorful foam sticks/tubes, and make noise when an opposing player shoots a free throw. The ASU student body has embraced a tradition called the Curtain of Distraction. Individuals (sometimes famous stars) come out from a portable black curtain in colorful colors (or minimal clothing) and make moves an opposing shooter would surely be distracted by. It’s crazy funny and such a hoot to watch. Access 4 Getting to and around Desert Financial Arena is relatively easy and it is close to the interchange of Loop 101 and Loop 202. Take the Rural/Scottsdale exit on Loop 202. Two garages are within a block: one on Packard Dr (northeast side of the arena) and the other off E Veterans Way near S College Ave and 6th Street. Parking is $10 for a men’s basketball game. An excellent option is to take the Valley Metro Light Rail ($4 for an all-day pass/$2 for seniors) and get off at the Veterans Way/College Ave stop. Walk a block east past Sun Devil Stadium to the arena. Easy. Uber/Lyft drop off and pick up is at the west entrance on E Veterans Way – the same side as the light rail. The box office is on the west side as well. The City of Tempe offers free rides via their Orbit Shuttle service with stops adjacent to the Valley Metro Light Rail stop. The nearest airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, about a 15 min drive to Desert Financial Arena. Fans can take the Valley Metro Light Rail directly from the airport to the arena and downtown Tempe. Concourses are plenty wide but can still get congested at halftime during games when the crowd is at full capacity. The clear bag policy is enforced here, as it is at all ASU sports facilities. They looked seriously at my bag but getting through security is not an issue when bringing acceptable items. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices range from $10 – $75 depending on team and seat location, with prices going up drastically for instate-rivals Arizona Wildcats games. Parking is $10 for games and Light Rail service is $4. It is an enjoyable game day experience so the bang for your buck is worth your sports dollar entertainment. Extras 4 Arizona State University Sports Hall of Fame – Photos are affixed to the concourse walls honoring all ASU athletes who made a difference. Trophy cases adorn parts of the concourse featuring the many accolades of the ASU sports teams. Staff – The folks at the box office, usher(s), merchandise attendants, and concession staff are all extremely pleasant and helpful. Some other sports venues should take lessons from this support team. Well done. The curtain of Distraction – Look for them below the student section during the second half. It’s hilarious. Prohibited Items – The current logo for ASU is a pitchfork developed by Nike in 2011. On the list of prohibited items is a pitchfork (metal, wood, plastic). Not sure how many other basketball venues can claim *that* as a prohibited item. Final Thoughts While football at Arizona State University is still the predominant sport, the basketball team is making a name for itself. Visiting the Desert Financial Arena is quite an entertaining afternoon or evening out so if in the Phoenix area, make an effort to check it out.

Photos by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Diaz Arena Leopold Van Tyghemlaan 62 8400 Oostende, Belgium KV Oostende website Diaz Arena website Year Opened: 1934 (renovated 2017) Capacity: 8,432 Diaz Arena of KV Oostende – Let’s Get It On Note: The stadium name changed from Versluys Arena to Diaz Arena With their previous home Albertparkstadion said to be holding the club back, comprehensive renovations gave KV Oostende a brand-new facility for the start of the 16/17 season. The costs of developing on the same site were said to be in the region of 18M Euros and brought the capacity up to 8,432. New bars, hospitality suites and conference rooms at the new stadium brought an increased stature for this welcoming club that paid immediate dividends. A first ever (unsuccessful) Croky Cup final appearance in March 2017 was followed by Europa league participation in the 17/18 season, thus fulfilling the dream of the then owner Marc Coucke. The coastal city of Oostene (Ostende) in West Flanders has gone from fishing village through strategic war time location to its current form, a city skyline dominated by cranes and developments, a city moving with the times. It’s got that contented vibe often associated with a holiday destination. The promenade is huge, the sandy beach vast and the street art and lively bars attract plenty of summertime visitors. KV Oostende, nicknamed the Kustboys, were founded back in 1904. Since then their trophy count has been modest but in early 2020 they find themselves in the Belgium top flight, albeit in a relegation dogfight. Food & Beverage 3 The new ‘main stand’ contains the VIP sections together with sections A and B. The vociferous home fans are based behind the goal in section C. Opposite the main stand is D stand, with the North Sea end (also containing away fans) known as E stand. In the corner of the main stand and the C stand there is an excellent KVO-themed supporters bar, Club 31, selling local dikke mathile, Filou and Maes beers. The main stand concourse has soft drinks at 2.40 Euros, Maes at 2.80 Euros and the stronger Filou at 3.60 Euros. For food, head to either corner of the C stand where burger vans and kiosks provide chips & mayonnaise, burgers, etc. There is an outdoor ‘fan zone’ and another supporters bar behind the D stand with a lively atmosphere and the usual fayre on sale. The longest queue is in the main stand and it is for the chocolate waffles! Don’t forget as ever in Europe, to make any purchases you’ll first need to buy a 1 Euro ‘Consumptie Kaart’, load it with cash and use it for all refreshment purchases. In the immediate vicinity of the ground, if it’s not the middle of winter, walking just a few steps over to the beach / promenade will yield some upmarket restaurants / bars with great sea views. Atmosphere 3 Despite the renovation, the Versluys Arena still has a nice eclectic mix of stands. The main stand with its curved roof is the largest with approx. 3800 seats, all with excellent views of the action. If you are fortunate enough to buy a seat in the VIP section, the seats are padded, perfect for a cold January night match with a biting North Sea breeze. The two stands behind the goals bring the noise and colour to matches. Home fans in the C stand with their banners and chants and away fans in the corner of both the D and E stands are almost always vociferous too. The D stand has three separate structures including the centerpiece, a small but smart stand and two smaller, older stands on either side. Fans of symmetrical stadia will be disappointed that the side stands are slightly different in size! The scoreboard in the corner of the C and D stands can be seen from most areas of the ground, the pitch itself was enlarged during the renovation to meet UEFA standards. Neighbourhood 4 The Versluys stadium is located 2 miles south of the city centre. Whilst the area around the stadium has some accommodation and refreshments options, we’d recommend staying in the centre where there is much to see and do. The Hotel Royal Astrid is recommended, with a tram stop (Koninginnelaan) right outside you can get to the stadium and the town centre in about 7 minutes either way. Opposite the hotel, you can also see the Leopold statue and be on the beach and promenade in 2 minutes. The hotel does not have parking but there’s a car park adjacent with a cost of 24 Euros for 24 hours. Options for bars and restaurants are numerous. All along the promenade you can grab a drink and some food and watch the world walk, pedal and scoot past. The Langestraat area has the busiest bars at night and the main shopping area has some good eating options too. The Manuscript and the Green Man Whiskey bars are recommended. Visit the Oostende Beer Tourism website for some excellent further suggestions. Seafood is obviously a good option here when hunger hits, so head to Bistrot de la Mer if that’s your thing. Our recommendation is a homely bar/restaurant in the main shopping area called the Tudor Rose. It is quirky to realise our journey from Southampton to Oostende was following in the footsteps of a certain Mr Marvin Gaye. The US soul singer took the ferry on the very same route for a period of reflection and reinvigoration after his heavy lifestyle had took its toll. There are no passenger ferries any more, but it’s said he enjoyed his time here and there’s not many better name-dropping recommendation than that! Attraction wise the Atlantic Wall WW2 bunkers and armory installations are recommended and the street art is to die for! After a recent festival there are some fantastic pieces to see. For a map and more info visit Street art in Ostend . Fans 3 There will be some fans around from the time when two Oostende clubs, VG and AS, merged in 1981, the current stadium was then the home of AS Oostende. Now in their 7th consecutive top-flight season, average attendances reached as high as 7,344 in the 16/17 season when they recorded their highest ever league position of 4th. Attendances have fallen recently with 5077 the average so far in 19/20 season, the 12th highest out of 16 pro league clubs. Despite losing on the night, the home fans in the C stand kept the noise going throughout the game. In the posh seats of the main stand the support was a little less raucous but that’s to be expected. Access 4 If you are flying in, Oostende-Brugge Airport is the closest, although international coverage isn’t anything like comprehensive. Lille and Antwerp airports, also not huge, are around 100K away and so the two Brussels international airports will be your likely entrance points. From Brussels you can get a train to Oostende in less than 2 hours via Brugge. The Oostende train station has a classic and grand entrance, an attraction in itself, and is just a few minutes’ walk from the city centre. To get to the ground from the train station the best option is a tram which takes less than 20 minutes. Get off at Oostende Northlaan (which is located opposite the stadium). The tram number is zero and it’s heading towards De Panne. Take the tram back into town after the game, all trams heading north will arrive back at the train station. To take a bus from the station, number 6 is suggested although the bus driver on our visit refused to accept that. Take the tram, it’s quicker anyway! If you are driving, you’ll arrive in the area on the E40 / A16. If you head to Middelkerke, south of Oostende, you can then drive along the N34 coastal road which includes views of Hitler’s WW2 defence bunkers and anti-aircraft armoury. From here the stadium will visible be on your right-hand side. Car parking suggestion from the club is Sea’rena MediaMarkt, Nothlaan 13. Once inside the stadium all except the main stand is on the same level with no stairs. Accessing the larger main stand requires climbing stairs although lifts are available if you require special assistance. To gain access to the various bars inside the ground avoid buying in the E stand which restricts your movement to the rest of the stadium. Tickets can be purchased from the fan shop/ticket office behind the C stand or online . Return on Investment 5 Our 24-hour visit was easily achieved on a shoe-string budget. £50 return tickets for the car on the Eurotunnel from the UK. Only half a tank of diesel. Match tickets from 15 Euros each and a variety of good value accommodation options ensures this is a value-for money option! Extras 2 Free gloves given out at all the stadium bars from the Belgium beer company ‘Maes’ were appreciated on a cold January evening! No programme is issued which is always a disappointment (even though they are less and less available in mainland Europe these days). A team sheet given out in Club 31 is therefore appreciated. Final Thoughts Antwerp, Brussels and Brugge are top of most people’s lists when visiting Belgium, all have their merits. Go off the beaten track however and in the case of Oostende you will find a gem. Whether it’s the street art, the history, the beach or the seafood, 24 hours in this coastal city is time well spent. The stadium, with its elements of old and new, together with tall inward leaning floodlights to die for and decent prices is highly recommended. If you’re asked to visit, there should be only one reply, the words of Marvin Gaye – Let’s get it on!

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center 3501 Lapeer Rd. Flint, MI 48503 Flint Firebirds website Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center website Year Opened: 1969 Capacity: 4,021 #BelieveinFlint If you troll around the Flint Firebirds Twitter account you will be bombarded with the hashtag #BelieveInFlint. Let’s face it, right or wrong, the city of Flint, Michigan has a horrible reputation. Whether it is the reported high crime rate or the crash of the city following the closing of the auto manufacturing plants, getting people to come to Flint has been difficult at best. So when Peter Karmanos sold the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League to the IMS Hockey Corporation and Rolf Nilsen there were a number of eyebrows raised. IMS also owns the local arena, which has negotiated a naming rights deal with Dort Federal Credit Union, and the newly crowned Firebirds would be an interesting tennant. There are more than enough doubters when it comes to the Firebirds viability in Flint, but IMS is chugging along and they want everyone to get behind and Believe in Flint. The Whalers took up residence in the Detroit suburb of Plymouth for 18 seasons. Unfortunately, Plymouth would provide its own set of challenges and with the purchase of Compuware Arena by USA Hockey Foundation, it was clear that a new home was needed. Peter Karmanos was clear that Chatham, Ontario was the first choice, however with no suitable arena and no civic appetite to build one, Chatham was a short conversation. Flint swooped in and kept the Michigan quota of OHL teams at two. The newly minted Firebirds would have several challenges ahead of them. The ability to convince Canadian parents to send their sons to Flint for junior hockey would be significant. Educating the Flint community on OHL hockey would be another challenge, but the Firebirds would make news that would make all of their work even more difficult. In November 2015 the Firebirds would catch the attention of the entire hockey world when after a rash firing of their head coach, John Gruden, the entire Firebirds team quit. The issues were quickly resolved and Gruden and his staff were re-hired and hockey moved on, but it was not the right kind of publicity that the Firebirds received. The Firebirds have their work cut out for them, but are doing what they can and are trying their best to get hockey fans everywhere to Believe in Flint.. Food & Beverage 4 The Flint Firebirds offer a pretty good selection of fare for the Firebirds patron. The Dort features four main concession stands that are in the four corners of the arena concourse. Each features a pretty decent selection of hockey fare. Some items available include popcorn ($4), hot dogs ($4), polish sausage, pizza ($4), and pretzels ($4). Detroit staple, Cheli’s Chili, product of former Red Wings star Chris Chelios, is also available on its own or with a chili dog. There are also a few cheaper snack items available including cookies and chips for $2 each. A premium item that may catch your eye is the steak & cheese sandwich for $8. Concession stands offer Pepsi products for soft drinks in two sizes ($4/$3). Bottled water and Gatorade is also available. Hot beverages available include coffee, hot chocolate and vanilla cappuccino, each for $2. Alcoholic beverages are available at dedicated stands. The beers that are available include Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Lite, Labatt Blue and Blue Light. If you are looking for a bit more of a craft brew experience, then you may want to try Alaskan Breweries. Both the Alaskan Amber and Freeride APA are available. Other canned alcohol options are also available. Atmosphere 2 The Firebirds have some significant work to do when it comes to atmosphere. The age of the Dort immediately comes into play when talking about the atmosphere. With the building built in 1969, the Dort doesn’t offer too much in the way of aesthetics. A fairly non-descript building from the outside, the Dort has a brown brick exterior that has that seventies bomb-shelter kind of look to it. Upon entry the Dort does offer a fairly decent waiting area on the inside, which if nothing else, offers some shelter from the exterior elements before the gates into the arena open. The Firebirds have attempted to spruce up the waiting area with some orange and blue balloon-like balls decorating the waiting area ceiling. It does offer a bit of colour to what would otherwise be a fairly drab area. Access to the team store is available from the waiting area before the gates open. Once the gates open, the entrance to the store swaps to the door inside the arena. Inside the gates, patrons are welcomed to the main concourse, which like many other arenas in the OHL is behind the seating bowl in a open concept configuration where the ice is visible from the concourse. The ice is configured with the nets at the north and south ends of the arena. The ceiling is very low and the Firebirds have found a new videoboard that keeps the low ceilings in mind. There is not much in the way of markings for the Firebirds. There is nothing to show the franchise history from Plymouth and the Firebirds management is treating the team like it’s an expansion franchise. Promotions are a big part of the Firebirds experience. Check out the Firebirds website for a list of promotional dates. The date of this review featured ladies night, with all ladies entering the arena being offered a carnation. Pre-game music for the Firebirds is way too loud and obnoxious at times. The Firebirds mascot patrols the arena looking for kids and enthusiastic fans. As of this writing, the Firebirds “Name the Mascot” contest has not completed and a name for the mascot has not been announced. The Firebirds also have a cheer team complete with pom-poms, which is definitely unique for junior hockey. The rest of the in-game promotions are what are to be expected for hockey at this level. The seating in the Dort is unique to say the least. The seating bowl can be divided into two distinct areas. The upper half of the seating bowl features brand new, permanent plastic stadium seats with cup holders. The lower half of the seating bowl is on temporary risers and astonishingly features cushioned folding chairs. As with most junior hockey experiences, there is plenty of standing room behind the seating bowl which fans flock to. There does not seem to be much in the way of premium seating. The Blueline Club is in the pressbox level at the north end of the arena. The south end features a hot tub at ice level, which is a first for the OHL. If you want to see the centre-ice logo properly, you will want a seat on the west side of the arena. With the small capacity of the Dort, the best seats are in the upper half of the seating bowl. One or two rows from the top will give you a great view. Neighborhood 2 With the poor reputation that Flint has, it’s a pretty good idea to know where you are going and what you are doing. Around the Dort there are a couple of options. You may want to try the Firkin & Fox for an English style pub experience. Right on the other side of the building, Walli’s Family Restaurant may be a little more up your alley. Either way you will probably enjoy your experience. Both are located just south of Lapeer, to the east of the arena. With the vast automotive history in Flint, an option for other entertainment may be the Buick Gallery. Located northwest of the Dort, in the Flint Cultural Center, the Buick Gallery offers a small gallery of various Buick’s of the past. There may be other areas within the Cultural Center that you could also be interested in like the Longway Planetarium or the Sloan Museum. If you are making a weekend of your trip to Flint and looking for other sporting options, you are central to a number of different cities including Saginaw, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Auburn Hills and Detroit. All have either junior hockey, college sports or professional sports to offer. If you are planning on staying in Flint, the Super 8 offers a close proximity to the arena as well as the Firkin & Fox and Walli’s. Fans 3 It is important to remember that at the time of this review the Flint market is still being introduced to the Ontario Hockey League brand of hockey. The Firebirds have drawn on average 3,000 fans per game. There is definitely room to grow, but that by no means puts them at the bottom of the league attendance wise. It does put the Firebirds in the lower echelon of the OHL however. As the league and product continues to grow on the local market, and the rivalry with the Saginaw Spirit continues to grow, hopefully the attendance will continue to grow. The fans that are in the stands are typical OHL-type fans. The are not over the top loud or supportive. They make noise when there is something to make noise about. However, there is little sense of attachment to this team yet, and the Flint market has had numerous teams come and go. Some staying power would go a long way to help the Firebirds. Access 3 Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center is not difficult to get to, but offers some challenges. The Dort is located just south of I-69 and east of I-475, a great location for getting to and from the arena from out of town. It is a little bit of a drive from downtown Flint proper, which is north of the interstate. Flint does have some public transportation, however it is centered around the downtown area. The transit does not go out as far as the Dort. Other transportation options must be explored if driving is not in the cards. There is plenty of parking in the parking lots surrounding the Dort. The cost for parking is $10, which is expensive for this league. That being said, there is paid security that patrols the parking lot, so there is some piece of mind for the money that you are paying to park. The ticketing windows are within the waiting area inside the arena. It is pretty spacious and there is enough room for those picking up tickets, buying tickets and those who are just waiting to get in. The concourses behind the seating bowl are fairly spacious and getting around the arena is not too difficult. The washroom facilities are a little outdated and pretty cramped. Some attention needs to be paid to this area of the arena. Return on Investment 4 OHL hockey is always a great investment. The brand of hockey is fast and exciting. Ticket prices for the Firebirds are in line with other programs in the league. With seating options at $19, $15 and $12, the opportunity for a great seat at a low cost is a distinct possibility. Try the bronze seating at $12. Concession prices are good and the parking cost is quite high. The end result is a very reasonable investment. The venue in Flint isn’t the greatest, but it is still a solid investment with ample return. Extras 2 An extra mark for the classic Pontiac Firebird parked in front of the arena with a strobe light. An extra mark for the hot tub at ice level. A unique feature for junior hockey. Final Thoughts The Firebirds want you to Believe in Flint. Considering the hurdles that the team has already been required to jump over have been quite significant. I would be prudent to give Flint a chance. At the very least, the team is making sufficient effort to make junior hockey work in Flint. In the meantime, keep an open mind, give the Firebirds a chance and maybe you will even #BelieveInFlint. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Wendler Arena at Dow Event Center 303 Johnson St Saginaw, MI 48601 Saginaw Spirit website Dow Event Center website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 5,527 Michigan’s Hockey Spirit The failure of the North Bay Centennials in 2002 brought a third Ontario Hockey League team from Canada to the United States. Keeping a team in Michigan secures draft rights for all Michigan players entering the Canadian Hockey League to an OHL team, so keeping a team in Michigan is strategically solid move. The Centennials would move to Saginaw, Michigan, who had been without a team since the departure of the Saginaw Gears of the UHL. The newly minted Saginaw Spirit franchise would carry with it some degree of OHL history. Originally the St. Catharines Falcons, the franchise was founded in 1943 and would feature players such as Bobby Hull in their early days. Moves to Niagara Falls, Ontario in 1976 and North Bay in 1982 would eventually lead to the team landing in Saginaw. Home for the Spirit would be the Wendler Arena at The Dow Event Center. Built in 1972, the arena is now part of a larger events center which includes the Atrium, The Garden Room, The Theatre, The Red Room and Huntington Event Park. The events center was brought back to prominence in Saginaw with a naming rights deal with the Midland based Dow Chemical Company. Owned by Saginaw County, Wendler Arena is named after the former mayor of Saginaw, Paul Wendler, who was instrumental in bringing hockey to the Central Michigan city. When owner Richard Garber brought the Centennials to Saginaw, it took them some time to get their feet under them as they did not make the playoffs their first three years in Michigan. Success for the Spirit would be challenging as they would boast one lowly division title in their 25 years in Saginaw. Garber would bring in additional ownership including Brandon Bordeaux, Jimmy Devellano and former Red Wing, Chris Osgood. With a small city population of under 50,000, currently a poor team on the ice and economic challenges in Central Michigan, the Spirit are having a bit of a rough go. That being said, there is still hope that Michigan’s hockey spirit can continue to thrive in the OHL. Food & Beverage 3 Concession options at Wendler Arena are decent enough. There are four main concession areas within the outer concourse of the arena and offer a small variety of food options. In what seems to be a staple of junior hockey facilities, the distinct smell of beer nuts wafts throughout the concourse giving fans a reason to take notice. All of the expected arena fare is available including hot dogs ($3), pizza ($4), popcorn ($4), chicken fingers, fries, candy and chips. Soda options are Pepsi products ($2.50/$4) and can be found throughout the arena. Bottled water and Tim Hortons coffee can also be found all over the arena. Options that fans should consider include Olvera’s BBQ, which features brisket, pulled pork or chicken fajitas, or Jet’s Pizza, which is excellent. Alcohol is available in Wendler Arena. The adjoining Red Room offers a full-service bar for patrons before and during the game. It is a great spot to meet with other fans during intermissions. Also available in the concourse are Sam Adams beers and Angry Orchard. Atmosphere 3 Saginaw provides a decent hockey experience for Junior Hockey. The Dow Event Center is one of the nicer OHL venues from the exterior. The Atrium can be found on the north side of Johnson Street and offers a warm, welcoming feeling for fans coming out of the cold, Central Michigan winter. Glassed in and spacious, the Atrium is a great place to meet friends before the game and also houses security and the ticketing windows. The upper rotunda features hanging banners of significant, former Saginaw Spirit players. These include Ryan McDonough, Jack Combs, Josh Shalla, Vince Trocheck, Dylan Sadowy, Brandon Saad, T.J. Brodie, Tom Pyatt, Eric Locke, Brad Walch, Patrick McNiell and Jake Paterson. Upon entering the Wendler Arena, fans are welcomed to the outer concourse. Unfortunately, the outer concourse, which houses all of the concessions, is horseshoe shaped and does not offer fans the ability to travel all the way around the arena. The outer concourse does show its age with brown brick which screams seventies and eighties. Entering the inner concourse, which basically runs 360 degrees around the ice surface, fans are greeted with the three-tiered seating system the Spirit runs. There are nine rows of seating above the outer concourse, four below the outer concourse and another four that are at ice level. The age of the building has forced the team to come up with creative solutions for luxury boxes. One box sits above the arena on the end and others are at ice level, in the corners. The ice surface runs from east to west and that perfect picture with the center ice logo will come from the south end stands. There are only a couple of banners that hang from the rafters at the north end. The lone OHL banner for the 2011 West Division Champions hangs beside the Saginaw Gears banner which also commemorates the 1977 and 1982 Turner Cups the team brought back to Michigan. The retired number 89 of Vince Trocheck hangs with the other banners. Center ice features a very nice, three-tiered videoboard. The Spirit also have traditional simple scoreclocks in the northeast and southwest corners of the arena. The gameday experience is about what you would expect from an OHL club. The players enter the ice through the high-five alley and through a gate with multiple flood lights. The Spirit make good use of their mascots including Sammy Spirit, who lead the players on the ice with flags that they skate around the ice with. The Wendler Arena has a solid LED lighting system, which the Spirit make good use of during the pre-game. Neighborhood 3 Although there are a few spots of interest in the greater Saginaw area, the immediate area around the arena does not offer a ton. Fans who are looking for something before the game are wisest to consider heading south of The Dow. There fans can find a couple of spots to eat including Rally’s, Savoy Bar & Grill and Bradley’s Bistro. There are definitely some key attractions in the greater Saginaw area.Just south of Saginaw is Frankenmuth, where tourists come from far and wide to experience Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland.It is open all year round and offers a near infinite number of Christmas items for sale.In nearby Birch Run is one of the best spots for outlet shopping with the Premium Outlets at Birch Run.Other sporting options in the area include the Midwest League’s Great Lakes Loons who play in Midland at the Dow Diamond . The closest rival of the Spirit is the Flint Firebirds, who play at the Dort Federal Credit Union Center.For some NCAA action, fans can take a short jaunt to Mount Pleasant where the Central Michigan Chippewas play football at Kelly/Shorts Stadium and basketball at McGuirk Arena. For fans who need a place to stay, the Ramada Saginaw Hotel and Suites is not far from the arena. Another option is the Best Western at Birch Run, which is right by the Premium Outlets. Fans 2 In recent years, the Saginaw Spirit have struggled at the gate. A team that hasn’t been great on the ice and some difficult economic times are definitely culprits in the challenges the Spirit have faced. The 2017-2018 season has seen the Spirit average less than 3,000 fans per game, which puts them in 16th place in the 20 team OHL. This figure has fallen from the previous few years where the spirit averaged over 3,300 and found themselves at the bottom of the middle third of the league in attendance. A number of sections in Wendler Arena were tarped off with advertising, which was disappointing to see and a little depressing. At one point, Wendler Arena was rocking and the support in Saginaw was very strong. Obviously, support has fallen off from that point. The fans that are in attendance are pretty quiet and reserved, but the game that was reviewed was a bit of a blowout, so apathy is understandable. Access 4 The Dow Event Center is located one block east of the Saginaw River and immediately south of I-675. Getting to the arena is not difficult at all, especially with consideration to the lower attendance figure the Spirit have experienced. Parking can be found immediately south of the arena as well as to the west. Finding parking should not be an issue and is $6, which is not out of line for OHL hockey. For fans who wish to take public transit, the bus terminal is just east of the arena. Fans can check the Saginaw Transit Authority Regional services website for fares, schedules and maps. The ticketing windows are open inside the Atrium and offer quick service out of the cold winter elements. The will-call desk is uniquely on the other side of the security, which is what you would expect to find in most major arenas, including metal detectors. With the two concourses, getting around Wendler Arena is no problem at all. The washroom facilities are also adequate for the arena, especially with the reduced attendance. Return on Investment 4 Ontario Hockey League games continue to offer some of the best value for the sporting dollar. Spirit tickets go for $19, $17 or $15 depending on the location of the seat. There are also discounts for children, students and seniors. Parking can be found for $6 and the concession prices are good. The product on the ice is excellent with the OHL and the ability to bring the family out to a Spirit game is far greater than at a major league experience. Extras 2 An extra point for stickers identifying season ticket holders on seats in the Wendler Arena An extra point for a budding rivalry with the nearby Flint Firebirds Final Thoughts Michigan’s Hockey Spirit may be on the downside in Saginaw. That being said, the Spirit have brought the fans in from the cold in droves in the past and have the ability to do so again in the future. Perhaps a better team on the ice will help rekindle interest in the OHL club and the Saginaw Spirit will once again take their place among the elite level programs in the OHL. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Isotopes Park Springfield A Fool’s Day at The Duff Duff Stadium, formerly known as Springfield War Memorial Stadium, is home to the Springfield Isotopes, the minor league affiliate of the Capital City Capitals. Although the stadium has long been home to the team, a few years ago the owners hatched a secret plot to move the team to Albuquerque, which was discovered and foiled by superfan Homer Simpson after he launched a hunger strike and chained himself to a nearby flagpole. The Mayor of Albuquerque subsequently attempted to purchase the Dallas Cowboys and force them to play baseball, but this too was unsuccessful. The Isotopes have staged a number of unusual promotions over the years, including Tomato Day and Dart Day, both of which involved throwing said items at members of the Communist Party. Food & Beverage 4 Duff Stadium is known for its large selection, and we mean that literally. Whether it’s giant burgers, giant popcorn buckets, or giant cups of that famous local beer that lends its name to the stadium, you’ll certainly eat your heart out at Duff Stadium, figuratively and perhaps literally as well given the calorie count of those things. However, for fans looking for a healthier option, Bell Peppers are available from roving sellers throughout the stadium. Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere at Duff Stadium has really improved since Hungry Hungry Homer staged his protest. What was once an empty stadium is now full of rowdy fans. Whether it’s encouraging fans to throw tomatoes at Communists or pretzels at despised local billionaire Monty Burns, the team sure does know how to keep fans engaged, and they seem to have largely forgiven ownership for the aborted move to New Mexico. Neighborhood 4 Springfield is a constantly-changing neighborhood, but some things do remain the same. Moe’s Tavern has been located in the town for years, and although it sometimes tries to do a rebranding, these never seen to last very long. The Springfield Mystery Spot is a local tourist attraction as well, but many have gotten permanently lost in it, including baseball legend Ozzie Smith. Don’t let that happen to you. Fans 3 The Isotopes’ fans can best be described as a powder keg crowd, always ready to riot over the silliest little thing. Whether it’s Mr. Burns winning a new car despite being rich enough to buy the entire auto plant or a group of kids botching the national anthem, the crowd will erupt in violence over the slightest provocation. It’s good for the crowd to have energy, but you usually want that to be directed towards cheering the players on the field, not attacking each other. Access 3 Duff Stadium has a regular parking lot as well as VIP and valet parking. However, a group of local hooligans led by one Bart Simpson have been known to rearrange the signs to get fans to drive in the complete opposite direction. Be sure you are parking in the right lot, folks! Otherwise you may wind up getting towed or driving all the way to Shelbeyville and you wouldn’t want that, would you? Return on Investment 4 Duff Stadium can be a good value for fans, especially if you go with a large group, like on Nuclear Power Plant Night. Extras 3 One star for the chance to see numerous local celebrities hanging out at the ballpark, including Mr. Burns, Kent Brockman, Krusty the Clown, murderous supergenius baby Maggie Simpson, and telenovela comedian Bumblebee Man. Where else can you get so up close and personal with these fellows? A second star for the incredible attention to detail by putting four fingers on hand of the foam fingers they have available for sale to reflect the strange condition that seems to affect everyone in this town except for God and Jesus. A third and final star for the corporate name honoring a famous local business. If you’re reading that here, you must know what day it is today. Final Thoughts A p retty, r eally i deal l ocation f or o ur o wn l ovely s tadium.

Photos by Daniel Armstrong, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Duffy Bass Field Gregory St Normal, IL 61761 Illinois State Redbirds website Duffy Bass Field website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 1,500 Redbird Renovation For more than 25 years the baseball program at Illinois State University has called Duffy Bass Field home. The original structure featured limited seating and was lacking in many modern amenities. In 2006, then-athletic director Dr. Sheahon Zenger unveiled the Redbird Renaissance Capital Campaign, the purpose of which was to propel Illinois State’s Athletic Complexes into the 21st century. Along with the renovation of the baseball diamond, a new softball stadium, a new east side grandstand at Hancock Stadium, and an upgrade to Redbird Arena were included in the master plan. The $3.2 million renovation saw Duffy Bass Field transform from what could have been considered a temporary structure into one of the premier venues in the Midwest. The new stadium features a gated complex with seating for over 1,500 spectators, fixed concession stands, restrooms, team dugouts, and a press box unparalleled in mid-major baseball. The stadium, which is nestled into the northwest corner of the Redbird’s athletic complex, was rededicated on May 9th 2009. The name was changed from Redbird Field to Duffy Bass Field in honor of long time ISU coach Duffy Bass, who coached the Redbirds for over 20 seasons and led them to capture the 1969 NCAA College Division National Championship. Since the project was completed in 2009 the stadium has received other upgrades including a new LED scoreboard in 2010 and a $360,000 Field Turf infield in 2013. The Redbirds have consistently finished in the top half of the Missouri Valley Conference since the renovation including a league championship and impressive playoff run in 2010. Duffy Bass Field has the honor of hosting the Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Tournament for the first time in its history in 2013. Food & Beverage 3 You won’t find anything other than typical ballpark fare at Duffy Bass Field. The selection includes hot dogs, hamburgers, Polish sausage, nachos, popcorn, candy, soft drinks (Pepsi), and hot chocolate. All items are reasonably priced and range from $1.50-$4.50. Atmosphere 4 The stadium is extremely visually appealing. The new Field Turf infield features a Redbird logo and is very classy looking. The natural grass outfield is very well manicured as well. In fact, before the installation of the artificial surface Illinois State was twice awarded the Professional Grounds Management Society’s Honor Award for excellence in playing surface. There is also a picturesque backdrop to the stadium with trees in left field; the towering new grandstand of Hancock Stadium in center; and Horton Fieldhouse, Redbird Arena , and a state of the art scoreboard in right field. There is a great view from every seat. The three sections directly behind home plate are plastic stadium seats and the rest of the fixed seating is backed metal bleachers. Grass along both baselines extends to the outfield fence and serve as overflow. The sound is good throughout the stadium. Although I was thoroughly irritated by the public address announcer by the end of the game. ISU has a great student following which adds tremendously to the atmosphere at any collegiate sporting event. It is just an overall great place to see a game. The only downside is that the surrounding terrain is rather flat so wind can be a problem during some contests so dress accordingly. Neighborhood 3 There are few options within comfortable walking distance, but there are plenty of options nearby if driving. My personal recommendation would be paying a visit to the Pub II. The Pub has been named one of the best college bars in America by Playboy magazine. You will find a large selection of food and beverages at a reasonable price. Order the cheese balls, you won’t regret it! Two other options would be either paying a visit to the Uptown Normal area which has a vast selection of dining choices and retail outlets, or a strip of bars along Beaufort Street which are catered to the students. Either way, visitors should be mindful of parking signs to avoid an unexpected ticket or the chance of being towed away. Fans 4 With its success in recent seasons, Illinois State’s baseball program has built up a faithful following. A half capacity crowd is typical for the Redbirds. All fans seem to be attentive to the action on the field, are knowledgeable about the game of baseball, and are interested in ensuring their team prevails in the contest. The visiting team often has a fairly large fan section which is located along the third baseline and they are treated in a respectful and welcoming manner. Access 4 Parking is no problem at ISU events. There is a large lot located directly outside the stadium and in the rare event that it fills up there are parking lots down Adelaide Street next to the soccer and softball stadiums. The concourse is wide and easily navigable and the entire experience is handicapped accessible. Restrooms are located past the concession stand on the first base side. They are very well maintained and large enough to accommodate the crowd without much of a line if any. Return on Investment 5 The experience is well worth the price of admission, in fact I would have gladly paid more. Illinois State Redbirds baseball is presented free of charge. Admission to every regular season Illinois State contest is free as is parking so the only place you can incur expense is through concessions. I enjoyed my visit and would have gladly paid something. Extras 2 I like the view of the athletics complex beyond the outfield. Overall this is a very appealing and high quality stadium. Illinois State did a fantastic job with this renovation. The new ballpark is a complete 180 from what they had before. Best of all, it’s FREE! As the cost of attending a live sporting event is rising in all leagues across the nation this is a very welcome surprise.

Photo Courtesy of North Carolina Central Eagles Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Durham Athletic Park 500 Corporation St Durham, NC 27701 North Carolina Central Eagles website Durham Athletic Park website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 5,000 College Baseball at Bull Durham Up until 1995, the Durham Athletic Park was one of the best parks in the minor leagues. It has since been replaced by the newer Durham Bulls Athletic Park . The Durham Athletic Park was then rarely used for more than 10 years before the NCCU Eagles moved in. If this park looks familiar to you, then you probably remember it from the movie Bull Durham. The DAP was the main setting for the movie and was the home of the real Durham Bulls until 1994. In 2007, NCCU expanded its athletic programs and included baseball. The DAP was a logical home field for the Eagles, who have played there ever since. Food & Beverage 2 The concession stand is located in the grass area on the first base side. The offerings are limited, with only hot dogs, Pepsi drinks, and basic snacks. Prices are about average for a stadium of this size. One upsetting point is that the stadium’s original concession stands are no longer in use. The stand-alone building is original, but those attached to the ballpark itself are not used. Atmosphere 3 Overall, this is just a great place to catch a game. The nine inning scoreboard overlooks what is a beautifully kept field. The Durham Bulls recently purchased the contract to maintain the DAP, and they do an amazing job. Free admission gives you access to anywhere in the park and there are many seating options. If you want to sit close, there are four rows of stadium seats that put you almost on the field. Behind those rows are benches, but they are not usually necessary. Finally, you can sit on either of the lawn areas on each side of the field. This atmosphere is only enhanced with the presence of a great announcer and good music selection. The announcer is in the game and excited from the pre-game to the final pitch. The music played is pretty good but made better by the themed songs, such as “Everybody Talks” during a manager argument. Neighborhood 4 The ballpark sits right in the heart of Durham, which is good news if you enjoy pre-game or post-game activities. Durham has become known in recent years for its large variety of restaurants, shops, and other interests. I’ll only be highlighting a few, but make sure to do your own research if you plan on visiting. For an extraordinary sports bar experience, check out Tobacco Road sports cafe. The Durham location is incredibly unique, because it overlooks Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The restaurant’s patio is a part of the Bulls’ left field monster. Along with the multiple TVs and great food, it is a sports fan’s heaven. Also worth mentioning is Dame’s Chicken and Waffles. Dame’s is a restaurant that in recent years has become so popular that reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. While the wait is usually around 30 minutes, a reservation will save you some time. Once in the restaurant, you have a variety of options for chicken and waffles. They also feature a kind of flavored butter called schmeres. Known for dressing up the chicken and waffle, this place is a can’t-miss for any lover of comfort food. Fans 3 It’s quite obvious that almost all of the fans are family and friends of the athletes. While not a bad thing, it doesn’t promote the same atmosphere as a ballpark filled with just fans. There are no catchy cheers or fan traditions. The fans are there simply to see a friend or family member play college baseball. That being said, don’t mistake these fans as quiet. They come early, stay late and know when to cheer. They know every player by name (some personally) and are always encouraging. Access 3 Durham itself is not hard to find. There are two major highways that lead to the city (I-85 and I-40), and getting in the city is usually not hard. The DAP however, is not close to either of the highways. It is deep into the city, making it tough for non-locals to find. A simple GPS should be enough to get you there. Once at the stadium, parking is usually easy to find, as the stadium’s lot is small but doesn’t fill up very fast. If needed, there is street parking and other parking options available, most for free. Return on Investment 4 If the best things in life are free, then a NCCU baseball game is one of them. There is no admission cost, and fans are free to sit wherever they like. With concession prices low, I suppose the only question is why not come to a game? Free tickets, free parking, and minimal concessions give even the casual fan a reason to come. Adding in the priceless cost of seeing the set of Bull Durham, the decision is a no-brainer. Extras 2 NCCU provides free streaming for all of its games. With many teams making fans pay for streaming access, this is a huge value. The Durham Athletic Park and the surrounding buildings were the setting for the famous movie Bull Durham. Since the park has changed very little since the movie was filmed, walking around the ballpark is almost surreal. Final Thoughts The city of Durham, the Bulls, and NCCU have partnered together to create a great mix of Hollywood, history, and the present day. The stadium looks the same as it does in the movie, which was a typical minor league ballpark for its time. Thankfully, the stadium has been slightly upgraded since then, and still presents a quality baseball experience. If you like the movie, history, or just free baseball, then a game at the DAP is for you.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Durham County Memorial Stadium 750 Stadium Dr Durham, NC 27704 Shaw Bears website Durham County Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 8,500 Off Campus Football in Durham Shaw University is in Raleigh, North Carolina, but doesn’t have much in the way of athletics facilities to call its own, so the school plays its home football, lacrosse, and soccer games at Durham County Memorial Stadium in Durham, NC, about 20-30 minutes from campus. The facility was built in 1958, has a capacity of 8,500, and besides Shaw is also currently home to Northern High School Football and Tobacco Road FC. Though updated in 2010 with a new press box (named after Tommy Hunt) and improved team spaces, Durham County Memorial Stadium feels much like a high school venue, and is pretty empty during Shaw football games. New Press Box at Durham County Memorial Stadium, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Food & Beverage 3 There aren’t many concessions options at Durham County Memorial Stadium, but you certainly won’t starve thanks to the ginormous portions offered, though some selections are accompanied by higher-than-average prices. The main dishes offered inside the venue are fish sandwiches, chicken tenders, and fried fish, which each come in a combo for $15 with a pretty large portion of fries, as well as a hefty serving of chicken or fish. You can also get fries on their own ($5 or $7 with or without toppings), and a couple of things that are not listed in the menu, such as packaged candy. Bottled sodas are available for $3, and bottled water is $2. Atmosphere 1 Unfortunately, the atmosphere at Durham County Memorial Stadium is pretty tame during Shaw football games, with very few fans in attendance at an average game. The Bears do okay in their conference lately, but don’t have a very good overall record, so this may account somewhat for the lackluster attendance. Besides the action on the field, the main attractions during Shaw football are of course the band, which is a staple at pretty much any HBCU, and the cheerleaders, who here at Shaw tend to “grunt” their cheers, instead of delivering them in a more sing-song chant. There is a scoreboard in one end zone, but no video board to show replays, and not much in the way of entertainment during breaks in the action besides the cheerleaders and the band. Neighborhood 4 Durham County Memorial Stadium is located next to Duke Regional Hospital (you can see it from the stands beyond one of the end zones), and there are plenty of restaurants and hotels in the area, as well as several attractions to take in if you plan to be in town for the day or weekend. Durham is a pretty big city, so you can pretty much find whatever you are looking for, including additional sporting events such as Duke Football or the Durham Bulls . The closest nice restaurants to Durham County Memorial Stadium are Koumi Japanese restaurants and Rudino’s Bull City, but there are plenty of fast food chains as well. For hotels check out Holiday Inn or Super 8 by Wyndham, and for attractions check out the Museum of Life and Science and the Duke Homestead, which offers tours to show visitors how tobacco was harvested and cured. Fans 1 Hardly any fans show up at Durham County Memorial Stadium for Shaw football games – at some games you might even see fewer than 100 people in the stands. A lot of the folks there do wear Shaw gear, but no matter how enthusiastic they might be, the small numbers just don’t provide much energy. Access 4 Accessing Durham County Memorial Stadium could not be easier – fans can park in the gravel lot right outside for $5, and there are plenty of bathrooms to accommodate the very small crowd. The only downside is the single concessions stand, and the slow cooking time for chicken and fish since everything is cooked to order, so you might have to wait in line for a bit to get your food. Return on Investment 2 Ticket prices to Shaw football games are a bit overpriced at $25 per person. Parking is okay, and concessions are reasonable for the portion sizes you get, but the football experience itself doesn’t provide much energy, and feels too much like a high school game to be worth the $25 price tag – there are other football experiences in the wider area that haver a lower cost for an equal, or even better, experience. Extras 2 Shaw does have a mascot, which is not a given for D2 football, so the staff does deserve credit for that. The band also puts on a pretty good show at halftime. Final Thoughts Though not providing much energy for a football game, Durham County Memorial Stadium does offer easy access in and out, so if you are a fan of football it could be a good hassle-free option, especially if you are a Shaw fan or if your team is playing the Bears on the road.

Photos by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Easter Road 12 Albion Place Edinburgh, Scotland EH7 5QG Hibernian FC website Easter Road website Year Opened: 1893 Capacity: 20,421 Hibernian FC Scarves are held high and voices lifted as the largest crowd at Hibernian in 23 years (20,205) belt out their club anthem ‘Sunshine on Leith.’ It’s spine tingling stuff as Easter Road celebrates a 3-1 Scottish Cup 5th round replay win against arch rivals Hearts. The 3,800 away supporters in the south stand start the mile-and-a-half trek back to Edinburgh city centre. Hibs have played at their home on Albion Road since 1893, with a full refurbishment completed in 2010. With 4 individual stands it’s the archetypal set up; three of the sides are two tiered, the noisy east stand simply one big bank of bouncing support. Whilst the ground is completely rebuilt, with the structures and sight lines transformed, you can still feel the considerable history as you step into the arena sensing it’s a special place to watch football. Food & Beverage 3 If you choose to eat in the ground there are the usual establishments in all the concourse areas. Service in the upper west stand is quick and the staff friendly. It is good to see some variety in the menu with pepperoni pizza (£4) and chicken curry deluxe pie (£3.10) alongside the usual burgers, hot dogs and snacks. A half time cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate will set you back £2.20, which is a little on the steep side. Coke (22oz) is £2.50, Ribena is £1.90 and an Orange Capri Sun just £1.50. I went for a steak pie (£2.60) which, although it looked a little on the small side, turned out to be a good choice. Atmosphere 5 At the game of this review, the atmosphere was excellent as you’d expect for a cup match against local rivals under lights. One club official suggested it even topped the big European nights v AEK Athens in 2001 and v Dnipro in 2005. The game itself was played out at a frenetic pace. Hibs raced into a three goal lead before Hearts pulled a goal back midway through the second half. Hibs were very much in the ascendancy though, made even more impressive by the fact they currently play one league below their visitors Hearts. Sight lines are good from all four stands. The top corner of both end stands are cut off providing a glimpse of character and there is a small scoreboard at the south end of the ground. My seat was in the west stand which had a great view over proceedings. The lower east is the place to be for a good sing and shout. The whole ground is covered but front seats may attract the inclement weather Scotland is sometimes known for! Neighborhood 5 Edinburgh is an incredible city that demands that you stay for a few days at the very least. For football fans you could attempt to visit other local teams like Spartans, Leith Athletic and Edinburgh City as well as today’s opponents Hearts. There’s also Murrayfield Stadium to the west of the city which is the home of Scottish rugby. Accommodation options are of course numerous. My recommendation is to stay at a superb B&B; called A-Haven on Ferry Road. Call David there for a really good room and breakfast for a really good price. If you stay at A-Haven you can cut through to Leith Walk easily and even stop off at Bonningtons, a great local pub recently rebuilt after a fire. Alternatively you can join the ‘River of Leith’ walkway, a conservation walk which will take you towards the town centre described as a ‘silver thread in a ribbon of green.’ The Beer House at Waverley Station is a good start for those heading to the game and arriving by train. A pint of ‘Scotlands favourite beer,’ Tennent’s, costs £3.85 and has food options such as sausage & mash at £8.50 or chicken burger and chips £9.50. Then head down Leith Walk for numerous pub options before cutting across to Easter Road where you can visit fans favourite ‘Four in Hand.’ This is a great local pub where the singing starts early with football on the tv, and it is a great place to meet passionate Hibs fans. ‘The Office’ is a newer looking bar opposite, which also looks busy with the football on and seems friendly enough. Both sell locally made ‘Crabbies’ – alcoholic ginger beer worth trying; you will either love it or hate it! The Iona bar further up Easter Road can complete a hat trick of decent bars to visit. To drink at the ground head to ‘Behind the Goals’ which has cheap drink, food and live music. Just show your match ticket to get inside. City guides for Edinburgh are plentiful. They’ll tell you about a visit to The Brittania moored in Leith docks, a climb up to Arthur’s Seat and of course the delightful Edinburgh Castle. At the top of Leith Walk there is the Omni Centre which has a Frankie and Benny’s, Nando’s, Filling Station etc. plus a 12 screen cinema. For a little more culture, the Edinburgh Playhouse is next door. On Sunday morning head to Central Church in the centre of Edinburgh to meet a great bunch of friendly and inclusive locals (@centralchurched). Fans 4 On this occasion Hibs fans excelled; loud, passionate, relentless in their support and ultimately rewarded with a fine win. Hibs Historic Trust meet monthly and seek to ensure the rich history around the club is remembered and celebrated. Join them for one of their monthly meetings if you can. Songs on the night included ‘On our way, two in a row,’ ‘Green Army,’ ‘Hail hail the Hibs are here’ and the mesmerising ‘We are Hibs’ to the tune of runaround Sue which is still bouncing around in my head one week later! Hibs average league attendance in 2016/2017 is just above 15,000, easily the highest in their league. In fact that support is the 4th highest in Scotland even taking into account top flight teams. Edinburgh news reported the next day that fans could be heard ‘three miles away’ as they roared their team to victory. Access 3 Getting to the ground is straightforward whether you arrive by car, train or plane. Edinburgh airport is to the west of the city with an excellent tram service that will get you into central Edinburgh. Waverley is the main train station which is about 1.5 miles from the ground. If you come by car the roads around the ground are quite narrow and be careful to ensure you don’t park in ‘residents only’ spaces. Getting into the ground is simple enough, and you can pick your ticket up from the office on the corner of the west stand and the Famous Five stand. If you have any particular access issues simply contact the club in advance. The club website and social media will keep you up to date with any changes to the match day timetable, also providing team news and match reports. Their twitter handle is @hibernian_fc . Other good fans twitter sites include @hibernianfcnews , @hibeehibernian , @fourinhandhsc , @follow_hibees and @hibstrust . Return on Investment 4 Overall I’d say it’s great value to visit one of Scotland’s iconic clubs. If you choose the restaurants and bars in Princes Street, the Royal Mile and The Haymarket in the centre of Edinburgh then of course you will get clobbered. Stick to the establishments from this review and your pocket won’t suffer too much and you’ll get a more than satisfactory return on investment. Tickets are priced at £22 for adults and £12 for concessions. The match day program costs £3, which is average for this level. Extras 4 Head to the club shop which is situated directly behind the ‘Famous Five’ stand. It’s a spacious shop with a friendly staff team, headed up by Neil, an Englishman (and Southampton fan)! All the usual merchandise is available, all of course in green and white, including a gnome which Neil helpfully showed off especially for Stadium Journey readers! The find of the day however was nestled in a small shop unit on Albion Road. The football program shop run by Brian Johnson is an absolute mine of programs going back over 60 years: Hibs programs, Scottish internationals, cup finals, non league and much much more. The shop is open all week and of course on match days. Well worth a visit! Final Thoughts Ok, so I chose a top match to attend, but the city of Edinburgh is simply stunning and if you get to watch a derby match too then it’s a winning recipe. Sing along to the ‘Sunshine on Leith’ classic, written by local band The Proclaimers, at the end of the match and you’ll be offered your money back if the hairs are not standing on the back of your neck by the end of the song!

Photo Courtesy of Norfolk State University Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Echols Hall 700 Park Ave. Norfolk, VA 23504 Norfolk State Spartans website Echols Hall website Year Opened: 1982 Capacity: 7,000 The Mighty 300 In 1997, the Norfolk State Spartans joined the MEAC as they completed their move from Division II. It wasn’t until 2012 when the Spartans moved from college basketball obscurity to Cinderella darlings when they knocked off No. 2 Missouri, becoming the fifth No. 15 seed to win their first game in the NCAA Tournament. 2012 was also the first ever MEAC Tournament Championship for the men’s basketball team. The Spartans have played their home basketball games at Joseph G. Echols Hall since the building opened in 1982. The arena is named for a former instructor who helped to found the athletics program at Norfolk State. The arena is the second largest in the MEAC, seating 7,000 for basketball games. There’s an interesting array of seating options at Echols Hall, but wherever you sit, you’ll be sure to be caught up in the enthusiasm of the pep band, the cheerleaders, and the crowd. Get ready for Spartan basketball at Norfolk State. Food & Beverage 2 There’s less than you might expect when attending a basketball game at Norfolk State, but certainly, enough to sustain you if you need something. The chicken basket is the main entre and includes fries ($7). An all-beef hot dog is on hand ($3). You can add chili to either of these or cheese (50 cents). Coke products are available or bottled water ($3). Nachos will cost you $3. Other snacks include popcorn, peanuts, candy, and gum ($2 each). There are two concession stands and they are each within the inner concourse, so if you’re at the back of the line you should be able to keep an eye on the game. Atmosphere 3 There aren’t a lot of fancy bells and whistles when you see a game at Echols Hall, but there is plenty of energy. The biggest complaint that I have is that they don’t let the pep band play more. They are tragically under-utilized. This is a talented crew, and although they make for good fans, they would make better use of these young men and women if they were allowed to play during every break in the action. Instead, the school opts for piped in music. It’s fine, but the band would be much better for improving the overall atmosphere. The cheerleaders are also very good, shaking their bodies and shaking up the crowd at every opportunity. The seating is somewhat unique with five rows of extendable seats pulled out for each contest. These provide seat backs and better than average legroom. Above that, there are 14 small sections that serve sort of like box seats. The seating has a little less legroom, but are more comfortable chairs than the yellow extendable ones below. Above those seats is the inner concourse. Above the inner concourse, there are about 15 rows of wooden bleachers. These can be found on each side of the court and are relatively comfortable. They do provide a good vantage point if you’re one who likes to sit a little higher in order to see plays develop. There is a four-sided, center-hung scoreboard providing the only score in the building. There’s no video screen, just the basics (score, time, timeouts left, team fouls, and the number of the current fouler). There’s an annoying sound effect that you’ll need to get used to throughout the game at Norfolk State. Whenever the Spartans go to the line, the PA plays out the phrase, “Free throws win ball games,” and the fans answer with a clap-clap. If it is a game that comes down to the fouling game in the second half, then this will get old fast, believe me. There is one other area in need of improvement with the overall atmosphere. The Spartan mascot is one of the least active that I have seen. He stands in the corner for nearly the entirety of the game. The mascot has a face like Ed Asner, and kind of moves like Ed Asner too. Come to think of it, since mascots are anonymous, it just may have been Ed Asner in that suit. Neighborhood 5 Although there isn’t a lot immediately nearby Echols Hall that could be considered walking distance, it’s just a couple of miles to get to downtown Norfolk, which is a great city to spend some time in. The Norfolk Tides play in the nearby Harbor Park (about a mile away), and the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL players in the unique Norfolk Scope (located downtown on Brambleton). I made a visit to the Freemason Abbey Restaurant. It’s a cool little place located in a former church. They serve wonderful crab cakes and other memorable entrees. This is the Chesapeake Bay after all, so crabs are a must. If you want some fine dining, then consider trying 456 Fish for dinner after the game. There are plenty of places along Granby Street worth trying. If you want to stay on top of the day’s games, then find a seat at the bar at Baxter’s. No trip to Norfolk would be complete without going down to Sewell’s Point to see the U.S. Naval ships. They are enormous. You can’t miss them when coming into town from the north over the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. Fans 4 You probably won’t see a sellout when you go to a game at Echols Hall, but you can expect a better than a half-full arena with energetic fans that are attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate for their team. During the second half, the fans did the wave during a timeout at varying paces. Usually, when you see fans attempt the wave, it takes three or four tries to get it going in full force. These fans did it on the first try! I’m not a big fan of the wave personally, but this was something to behold. Access 3 The address of 700 Park Ave is not the physical address of Echols Hall as much as a marker of where to turn into campus. From there you will pass by the baseball field, Marty Miller Field, and the football stadium, Price Stadium. In fact, you will drive or walk under the bleachers to get to the basketball arena. Parking is free but maybe a little confusing. The best spot to park would be in Lot 9 between the baseball and football fields, or in the lot near the beautiful Brooks Library. From there it is a short walk under the football stadium bleachers to the basketball arena. After the game, it will be easy to leave the area once you walk to your car. Return on Investment 4 Many tickets for Norfolk State basketball will get you a doubleheader of the women’s team followed by the men’s team. If you are following your team, or are a fan of Norfolk State, this certainly adds value to your overall investment. Reserved seating will cost you $15, or you can pay $10 for general admission seating. If you would like a chairback seat, then the extra $5 is probably worth it. Additional discounts are available for seniors, military, and faculty ($8) as well as for children aged 7-17 ($5). Children under the age of 7 are admitted for free. With free parking and inexpensive, although unremarkable, concessions you can find a good value for your dollar at Echols Hall. Extras 2 In the second half, Norfolk State had a dance with the mascots where young fans came down on the floor to dance with the Spartan mascot, Tidewater from the Norfolk Tides, and Chester Cheetah of Cheetos fame. It was a little wacky, but a lot of fun. One additional point for the parity found in the MEAC. You are likely to find a close game in this conference, even if it isn’t the highest level of basketball in Division I. You also may have the opportunity to see a team that may end up playing the role of Cinderella in March. Final Thoughts I enjoyed my trip to Norfolk State and Echols Hall. Norfolk is a wonderful place to live and visit, and seeing the Norfolk State Spartans is money well spent if you enjoy college basketball.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Edinburgh Gymnasium 202 Keeley St. Edinburgh, IN 46124 Edinburgh Community Schools website Edinburg Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 2,080 A Source of Community Pride in Edinburgh The Edinburgh Lancers have been playing high school basketball at its gymnasium since tipping off against Mooresville High School on November 15, 1958. At the time of its construction, the town’s population was 3,200 and its gym sat 2,456. Its style was of the “sunken gym” variety made popular during the decade by Evansville architect Ralph Legeman. His gym cost just under $500,000 and included new dressing rooms and locker rooms for both the boys and girls' programs. It was one of 15 new venues that opened up in the state that year that included facilities in Orleans, Whiteland, Columbia City, Evansville Reitz, and Eminence. The state was in a basketball gym frenzy and Edinburgh was no different, more than 60 years after its completion, the home of the Lancers is a vital part of the community. Before the town’s new gym basketball games fans would squeeze into what they called “The Pit”. The conditions were cramped and steel girders obstructed views of the court. The boys’ biggest moment at the old building was capturing the regional and sectional championships in 1951. Before opening the new gym for basketball, the school changed its colors from maroon to red and white in 1956 and also adopted the Lancers nickname in favor of the Maroons. The new nickname beat out the Highlanders and Scotties. The new gym was part of the forward-thinking for the school that was going through a lot of changes in the late 1950s. The gym itself held commencement ceremonies for the Class of 1958–six months before its first basketball games. Today the gym holds a crowd of 2,080 and the population has risen close to 5,000 but the Edinburg Gymnasium is still the source of pride in the community. Thousands of basketball games have been staged from regular-season contests to sectional tournaments. If one would dare utter the words of building a new gym the public would most likely cringe at such a thought. The gym was built to last and many wouldn’t have it any other way. Food & Beverage 4 The tiny arena offers something that many facilities of its kind do not offer, multiple concession areas of sales. The main concession stand is directly outside the seating area offering the usual products found at many other high schools in the state. All products range between $1 to $3 with Chick-fil-A sandwiches topping off at around $4.25 a sandwich. The main concession area is large enough to handle larger crowds and the two stands inside the seating bowl offer a little more variety of snacking options at the game: fresh-baked cookies (4 for $1) and pizza slices and cotton candy ($2 each). Atmosphere 4 The gym has all the elements of a classic sunken gym but is much smaller than the big boys in New Castle and Huntingburg. The facilities offer 9 rows of permanent seating with an about 15-20 foot concourse that wraps around the seating bowl. The walls are decorated with Johnson County championship banners dating back to the early 1930s along with conference opponents' banners and local business ads Two Final Four banners hang from the rafters, one for the 2012 basketball team, and banners honoring two former players who are enshrined in the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame: Moses Pruit (Class of 1916) and Bill Depp (Class of 1957). Depp’s, whose number is also retired by the school, 65 points and 31 rebound effort against Charlottesville his senior season is still a school record. The student section is packed with Lancer fans standing on the edge of their seats and the rest of the seating is full of residents who have been making their way to the gymnasium for the past seven decades. There are a series of speckled lighting hanging from the ceiling, a series of doors that provide easy exits after the game, and there are many who might be here just to socialize with friends and families. The usual sights and sounds that can be found heard include cheerleaders, students turning their backs when the opposing team is introduced, banners of other schools in the conference, and people filling themselves up with snacks from the concession stand. The sunken gyms all have the same features and their designs are mass-produced but do not let that fool you, there is a charming element here in Edinburgh. Neighborhood 3 Edinburgh consists of 4,800 residents and is about 30 minutes south of Indianapolis on US-31 or I-65. The town is known mostly for the Outlet Mall which bears the city's name and is visible off the interstate. Here, visitors can find discounted merchandise and plenty of places to eat and sleep during their visit. The Great American Grill, Max & Erma’s, and Montana Mike’s Steakhouse are just a few of the dining options near the outlet mall’s parking lot. Lodging options include Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, and Best Western. The town does feature a historic district that is one block offering a few bars and retail options, along with El Jefe Mexican restaurant just around the corner. Hickory Hills BBQ is on US-31 offering smoked meat by the pound and sandwiches in a simple décor establishment, but it is closed for a period during the year. Fans 4 Lancer’s fans are a notable bunch who enjoy a winner, not surprisingly when their team is scoring in bunches they cheer in unison raising the roof and the decibel level in the building. However, when the Lancers are in the funk, the fervor of frustration can also be heard from these same fans. Access 4 The gymnasium is easy to get around since it consists of only one main concourse, but during heavily attended games, the crowds can become congested during half-time concession visits or when fans exit the building. Thankfully numerous doors open up to the main street outside the gym to ease congestion woes. There are ample-sized bathrooms located outside of the gymnasium’s entrance in the school’s lobby and its location near I-65 and SR-31 makes for easy access by car. Return on Investment 3 The price of a ticket to a regular-season game is $5, much in line with the rest of the schools in the state. The concession prices are affordable, varied, and spaced out nicely to ease traffic for visitors looking for the elusive in-game snack. Extras 3 One point is given to the three concession areas that all serve different items. The second point for the looking pretty good for its age, the seats are remodeled, the aisles are nicely waxed, and the place looks as sharp as when it opened over 60 years ago. The third point is for the tall water tower reads “Home of the Lancers" which is visible to all motorists in town. Final Thoughts The Edinburgh Gym ranks up there with some of the state’s great small sunken gyms that still provide an ideal home for basketball 50-70 years after they have been constructed. The school’s location off the interstate is close enough to Indianapolis that attending a game is simple and easy. A nice way to spend an evening with 2,000 friends. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Elland Road Leeds, England LS11 0ES Leeds United website Elland Road website Year Opened: 1897 Capacity: 37,890 Marching on Together Elland Road is home to one of the most famous clubs in England, Leeds United. The Yorkshire side have 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. Elland Road was built in 1887, and has been the home of the Whites since they were formed in 1919. It is the 13th-largest football stadium in England, and was used as one of the eight venues in Euro 96 . Food & Beverage 3 Elland Road is home to the usual matchday fare including pies, pasties, and sausage rolls. The bars in the stadium are usually rammed before kick-off and at halftime, and it can often take a while to get served. The area isn’t great for options either, with only a few pubs and fast food outlets scattered around nearby. Atmosphere 5 Elland Road is renowned for its atmosphere, and has frequently maxed out its capacity of 37,890 in the past. Despite playing in the second tier of English football, the club still records some of the highest attendance figures in the country. In the 2017-18 campaign, the Whites had the second-best attendance record in the division of 31,521, which was just behind Aston Villa in top spot on 32,097. The atmosphere is better than it has been in years in the current competition, as Leeds are well-placed to win promotion this time out. As of 14th of December, they are 7/4 with Betway to win the league. The fans are enjoying the good times under manager Marcelo Bielsa, and the atmosphere within Elland Road reflects this. Neighborhood 3 Elland Road is situated in the area of Beeston, not too far from Leeds city center. It’s a quiet neighborhood with a mix of residential houses and businesses. There are no hotels right next to the ground, but there are plenty to choose from within the bustling northern metropolis. Fans 5 Leeds fans are renowned for being some of the most passionate and dedicated in the country. They have been through hell since the club was relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2003-04 season and fell as low as League One after finding themselves in financial turmoil. According to 1Sports1, Leeds have the seventh-best fan base in England, and that is attributed to their fiery northern mentality. Needless to say, they have a number of strong rivalries with other clubs in the country. When they were in the top flight, Leeds’ main conflict was with Manchester United, described as the Roses Rivalry. It dates all the way back to the War of the Roses of the 15th Century, with the Elland Road outfit representing the white rose of Yorkshire and the Old Trafford club representing the red rose of Lancashire . Another one of Leeds’ biggest rivalries at that time was with Chelsea, who play their home games at Stamford Bridge in London. Access 4 It is fairly easy to get to Elland Road on match days, and if you are travelling from the city center all you need to do is hop on buses numbered 51, 53, or 55. The journey from Leeds train station takes about 20 minutes. Return on Investment 3 Seeing a Leeds game isn’t cheap, in fact they are one of the most expensive teams to watch in the Championship. The highest ticket for an adult is £39, while the cheapest is £26 in the Family Stand. In recent years, the return on investment hasn’t been great as the side have struggled. But, this season, fans are being treated to some good quality football under Bielsa. Extras 4 A match day programme can be bought at the ground. The other bonus is the massive history of the stadium. This is English football at one of its most iconic venues. The place is dripping with charm and is intimidating for visiting clubs. When it is at capacity, this is indeed a special place for the game. Final Thoughts A visit to Elland Road should be on the bucket list of any football fan. The stadium is up there with the likes of Anfield for atmosphere, and the fans are what makes this place truly special. Perhaps soon they will be back in the top flight as well. If they do go up, it will be one spectacular party, that’s for sure.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Ellen Vagelos C'90 Field 3331 River Fields Dr Philadelphia, PA 08105 Penn Quakers website Ellen Vagelos C'90 Field website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 500 The Might of the Penn Tucked into the River Fields Complex between I-76 and the railroad tracks, you can find Ellen Vagelos C'90 Field, home of the University of Pennsylvania's field hockey team. The complex is located on the bank of the Schuylkill River and also includes Meiklejohn Stadium , home of the Quakers' baseball team, and Rhodes Field, home of the soccer program. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food or drink for sale at Vagelos Field. Fans are free to bring in their own, except for alcohol. Atmosphere 2 Vagelos Field is located in an unusual urban setting. The Philadelphia skyline is visible behind the goal and cars zoom by on I-76 behind the bleachers. Inside the stadium, there are six rows of bleacher seating, all of which are extremely close to the action, so close that when they water the field before the game, fans will get wet if they do not move. Some do so, while others, especially kids, seem to enjoy the mist. All the seats are under the shade of some trees, which is nice early in the season when it's hot out, but can be less so later on, particularly as the leaves start falling. As is typically the case at college field hockey, there is not much going on other than the game itself. The PA announcer will announce substitutions, goals, and cards, but that is about it. There is a scoreboard in the far corner of the stadium that shows shots, saves, and penalty corners in addition to the score and clock. It also shows a short hype video before the game. Neighborhood 5 Vagelos Field is located in a park next to several other Penn athletic venues in the University City Neighborhood of Philadelphia. Within a short walk, you can find numerous restaurants ranging from pizza to burgers to chicken to bars, and much more. Most of this can be found north of the stadium, as the university hospital is located directly to the south. The Schuylkill River is directly to the east, but there are plenty of options as you head west along the streets as well. The New Deck Tavern is one favorite, as are the White Dog Café and highly rated Mexican restaurant Cucina Zapata. Fans 2 The crowd at Penn Field hockey games consists mostly of friends and family of the players, although a few other Quaker fans sometimes make it out. When Stadium Journey visited, there were several hundred fans in attendance, but most of them were there to support the other team. Those fans who are there to support Penn are fairly passionate, but there simply aren't that many of them. Access 2 Vagelos Field is located in the River Fields Complex and finding it can be tricky if you are not using a GPS. Even if you are using one, it can be unclear where to park. On weekends or weekdays after 2:30, the lots in the River Fields Complex are open to the public. It will cost $4 per hour, up to $13 for the whole day. For weekday games where you will be arriving before 2:30, those lots are permitted only. Some fans seemed to be able to park there without issue, while others were told they couldn't. To be safe, we suggest parking in the Penn Museum Garage, about a ten-minute walk if you head down South Street and walk down a lengthy staircase behind the Hollenback Center (and back up the multiple flights after the game), or a 20-minute walk if you take the long way around to avoid the steps. Parking here will cost $18 for the whole day. The Penn Medicine Station on SEPTA commuter rail is also an option, as the station entrance is across from the Museum Garage. There are restrooms located in a trailer by the entrance, but they are single person and there is only one men's room and two women's rooms, so the lines can get long at times. Return on Investment 2 Admission to Penn field hockey games is free, but you will have to pay quite a bit of money for parking. It is the latter aspect that brings this score down significantly. It is the middle of a major city, so it is understandable why they have to charge so much but to pay up to $18 for a pretty basic experience is not the best value. Extras 2 Free programs are available in a box by the entrance to the bleachers. A second star for the unique setting, with views of the Philadelphia skyline, cars whizzing by on the freeway behind the stands, and freight trains coming by on the elevated tracks beyond the far sideline. Final Thoughts College field hockey is usually a pretty simple experience, and that seems to be even more true at Penn than in most other places. The home crowds are often outdrawn by visiting fans and parking is expensive, but Vagelos Field may still be worth checking out, if only for the unusual location.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey The Mitchell High School Bluejackets have not played a basketball game at the Emerson Gym since the 1997-1998 academic year when its current home was unavailable but this past Saturday afternoon both the junior varsity and varsity boys teams played a throwback game to commemorate the Blue Jackets 80th anniversary of its state finals team. Emerson Gym was built in 1927 and used regularly until 1979 with a capacity of 3,000 that featured seating on all three levels of the building. It also featured a gym on the east side that has now been walled off.  The gym had replaced the school’s much smaller venue that was constructed in 1916. Balcony seating ran along the north and south sides of the gym and the west end but has since been removed. The gym would also rotate as the home of the sectional with Bedford from 1929 to 1941, during that time the Jackets would win six sectional championships. However, in 1940 the team would make its way to the state finals at the Butler Fieldhouse, losing to Hammon Tech 33-21 in the title game. None of the players from that 1940 are still alive but family members were in attendance to honor what many in town say was the greatest team in school history. The Bluejackets teams wore throwback uniforms along with the cheerleaders decked out in 1940 garb. The players' warm-ups were designed with the wording Cement City in the script, a nod to the Lehigh Cement Company that’s in town. The opposing players and cheerleaders were in their current uniforms. The two grandstands were at near capacity and the noise leveled boomed based on the tight quarters in the old gym. The band huddled in one-quarter while the cheerleaders stood close by. Fans attending the game were waiting outside during brisk winter weather as they entered the lobby that featured a small concession stand, trophy case, and ticket booth.  The first thing the modern basketball fan realizes is just how small the venue was but folks who could remember the good old days would tell you that the place was packed on many a night and the heat generated by the crowd could warm anybody up on a cold night.  Then again, how great is it that for one day fans of the 21st century get a trip back in time with a gym experience they have only seen in old black-and-white photographs? “It’s just Indiana basketball, everybody would love to play in a gym like that,” Mitchell head coach Doug Thomas told the Times-Mail before the game. “Modern gyms are awesome but there’s just something about having that ‘Hoosiers’ feel from back in the ’40s and’ ’50s. For anybody who played basketball growing up and had heroes who played during that era, it just brings back memories. It almost transports you back to a time when you were younger and everything was simple and fun.” Indeed it was a lot of fun and one of two throwback games at old gyms that also took place an hour away in Jasper who were playing an afternoon tilt at Cabby O’Neill Gym that was built in 1939. It is also not the first year that an Indiana high school team played in a historic gym: Franklin returned to the Vandiver Gymnasium a week before, and Morocco played at its historic gym for the first time in more than 50 years in 2018. Perhaps it is a sign that communities in the state will see more of these types of games in the preceding years. The games are highly attended, former players are honored, teams don throwback attire, and the community comes together all under the guidance of high school basketball.  Max Ramey played for the Jackets and graduated in 1956 before playing basketball at the University of Tennessee. He is quoted in the book Historic Hoosier Gyms: Discovering Bygone Basketball Landmarks that the college facilities failed in comparison to the Emerson Gym. “That place is special to a lot of people. But what made it such a nice place with all the people that filled it up? Those people yelling and the referees from the front row–that’s what made it fun.”  It was a lot of fun hearing the roar of the crowd from both the home and visiting sides, being on top of the court, and getting a glimpse of what a game might have been like so many years ago. For one day that was the case and perhaps it will be again now and then in Mitchell. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Jonathan Martin, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Ellis T. Johnson Arena 150 University Blvd Morehead, KY 40351 Morehead State Eagles website Ellis T. Johnson Arena website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 6,500 More From Morehead State Ellis T. Johnson Arena is home to the Morehead State men’s and women’s basketball teams and has been since 1981. The arena seats 6,500. Johnson Arena is named for the former Morehead State athletic director and coach. Morehead State is located about one hour from Lexington, Kentucky. The university plays in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). Since opening, Johnson Arena has also hosted several national music and comedy acts such as Alabama, David Letterman, Gary Allen, the Newsboys, M.C. Hammer, the Goo Goo Dolls, Alan Jackson, Dashboard Confessional, Jeff Foxworthy, and Tim McGraw. Food & Beverage 3 The concessions at Johnson Arena lack variety, but you can find the standard stadium food. Drinks are available for just $2.25 for Pepsi products. Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate are also available in case you need to warm up on a cold winter’s night. They also offer pretzels, slices of pizza, nachos ($3.50), and hot dogs. The low prices help to make up for the lack of different options. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere can be electrifying at times, but can also be dead silent at others. There isn’t a bad seat at Johnson Arena, so you have a good view of the court no matter where you sit. The dance team and the cheerleaders do a great job of keeping the crowd entertained. There is not much in the way of entertainment during time outs, although during my recent visit there was one instance where the kids in attendance came on the floor and did the chicken dance. Neighborhood 3 Johnson Arena is located in Morehead, Kentucky. Morehead has a small college-town feel to it. The town has ample places to eat, but hardly any that are near the arena. The best option is to go to the Buffalo Wild Wings before game time. It sponsors Morehead State Athletics. There are no eating choices within walking distance of the arena. Cave Run Lake, on the northern edge of the Daniel Boone National Forest, is a good place to hike if the weather is favorable while you’re in the area. Fans 4 While the crowd might be small in size, it makes up for it with intensity. The small crowd is very much in the game from start to finish. Fans will show their disagreement with the referees without hesitation. There are a few games on the schedule where you can expect a large turnout. Eastern Kentucky and Murray State are two of Morehead State’s biggest rivals. Access 5 The arena is very comfortable and easy to navigate. The arena is also handicap accessible with ramps leading into Johnson Arena. There is no public transportation in Morehead, so you will need to drive to get to the game. Parking is very easy at Johnson Arena. There are two areas where you can park. Parking is only $5. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to a Morehead State basketball game are very affordable and offer a good return for your money. Ticket prices range anywhere from $8 to $15 for single-game admission. Season tickets range anywhere from $50 to $270. Extras 2 One bonus point for the charming valley location. The university is located a three-mile pass away from the interstate, so the actual valley containing the town is separated from the big city outlet and interstate buzz. Driving in around dusk produces mental images seen in films set in quiet 1960s towns and can be one of the highlights of the trip. One bonus point for the OVC connection, which has a history of producing respectable NCAA tournament teams. The Eagles upset Louisville in the first round of the 2011 NCAA tournament in their 7th appearance. Often forgotten about in the regular season, the OVC champion regularly makes its presence felt in the post-season tournament. Final Thoughts If you love NCAA basketball, then Morehead State offers a good experience. You will receive a good return on your money and the experience would make the perfect date night. I highly recommend checking out Johnson Arena when Morehead State has a home game.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Fargodome 1800 N University Dr Fargo, ND 58102 North Dakota State Bison website Fargodome website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 19,000 Oh, Give Me a Dome…. Where the Bison Roam Located along the state line of Minnesota and North Dakota, Fargo, ND is home to North Dakota State University (NDSU) and its Bison athletic teams. The Bison name was chosen due to the fierce and powerful nature of the animal, and the fact that the prairies of the north central portions of the USA were the home grounds for these magnificent beasts. The football home of the Bison is the Fargodome, a 19,000-seat indoor facility located on the NDSU campus. It opened in 1992 and has seen sellout crowds ever since. The NDSU football program is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference and competes at the FCS level of the NCAA’s Division I. It provides a real home field advantage for the Bison, as they have a .865 winning percentage for games in the ‘Dome. Food & Beverage 3 The Fargodome offers a combination of national brands and generic concession stands to provide food and beverage at games. Amongst the national brands are Domino’s Pizza, Subway, Dippin’ Dots, and Cold Stone Creamery. Their prices match what you would find at their outside retail stores. The generic concession stands are known as the Dakota Grill. They offer burgers, brats, chicken strips, popcorn, hot dogs and nachos, and Pepsi brand sodas. The prices charged are very reasonable. Concession stands at the Fargodome are staffed by volunteers from area churches and non-profits, with a percentage of the proceeds going to that non-profit. This is always an admirable policy. Atmosphere 4 The NDSU Bison are without question the most dominant football team at the NCAA’s FCS level. Before joining the FCS, they won eight National Championships at the Division II level and never skipped a beat, winning the FCS National Championship seven times. In that period, they have won 35 Conference championships, while only having three losing seasons since 1964. Since joining the FCS, the Bison boast of a 32-2 record in the FCS playoffs. The Bison are not afraid of playing the big boys, as they have scored victories over FBS opponents…. Iowa , Iowa State , Colorado State , Kansas , Kansas State , and Minnesota . Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz is probably the most successful player to come out of the Bison program. All this success has led to a great game day atmosphere in Fargo. It starts well before kickoff, as the parking lots around the Fargodome swell with tailgaters clad in the school colors. The Gold Star Marching Band puts on a pregame concert at the pep rally that precedes each contest. The action then moves inside the building. The Fargodome is a long, but not necessarily high building. The stands along both sidelines and the end zones are elevated above the field, providing everyone with great sight lines. There are no beams to obstruct the view. Even the top row in the stadium is near the field. In addition to the excellent views of the field, the atmosphere is also helped by the noise level in the stadium. Part of this is due to the indoor nature of the stadium, but it is mostly due to the NDSU fan base, known collectively as the Herd. The student section is on its feet for nearly the entire game. In case you can’t hear what happened on the field, the Fargodome boasts of an excellent video package. Each end zone has an HD video board measuring 100’ X 30’. There are banners saluting the many National Championships, but they have been forced to list multiple years per banner due to space limitations! The NDSU Bookstore operates several team stores throughout the building, ensuring that there will be a sea of yellow and green rocking the stadium. Neighborhood 4 The city of Fargo offers a wide variety of options as far as entertainment, restaurants, lodging, and attractions. It is a major destination for residents of both North Dakota and NW Minnesota, as it is the largest city in the region, with more than 113,000 residents. The Fargodome is located on the campus of NDSU, next door to Newman Outdoor Field , the baseball home of the Bison. Most of the restaurants in the immediate area are of the fast-food/pizza joint variety that serves the student population. Two restaurants to check out in the Fargo area are the Fargo Brewing Company and Ale House and the Old Broadway Grill and Sports Zone. Two attractions to check out in the area are the Roger Maris Museum in the West Acres Mall and the Hjemkomst Center across the river in Moorhead, MN. It features a museum saluting the Norse heritage of the region, including a scale replica of a Viking ship. Two recommended places to stay within walking distance of the ‘Dome are the Candlewood Suites Fargo and the Homewood Suites Fargo. Fans 5 The Bison fan base is known for its loyalty, friendliness, and volume. NDSU games have been sellouts for years, with families handing down tickets through the generations. This is very important when your facility has a 19,000-seat capacity. NDSU fans arrive early (read Friday) to set up for massive tailgating parties to rival those in Green Bay. They are hard to miss in their yellow and green outfits with RV vehicles sporting the same colors. They display the typical Midwestern friendliness and welcome visitors to eat with them. You will not hear a lot of trash talk in Fargo. Once inside Bison fans do get loud though. They have been measured frequently at reaching the 111-115 decibel level. The construction design of the Fargodome only amplifies that noise. One of their favorite cheers is “First down… ah, move the chains!” Helping the fans crank up the volume is the NDSU Marching Band, known as the Gold Star Band and the team’s mascot, a bison by the name of Thundar of Norse mythology. Fans get especially fired up for the Bison games against their main rivals… the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks (located just 50 miles north of Fargo on I-29) and the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits. The team typically plays its early-round games in the FCS playoffs as well, which are raucous events. Even when the team plays away games, the Bison faithful will make the trip. Access 3 There’s no doubt that Fargo is rather isolated, as it is located 236 miles northwest of the Twin Cities via I-94 (a 3.5-hour drive). There is also no doubt that weather can play a factor in reaching there for some late-season games. However, once you reach Fargo, the Fargodome is hard to miss. It is located just off of I-29 and is by far the biggest building on the NDSU campus. Parking around the building is plentiful, and there are two hotels located across the street from the facility, within easy walking distance. Hector International Airport is also right across the street, with frequent flights to the Twin Cities area. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $65 for seats along the side of the field and $45 for end zone seats. That may sound expensive, but only 19,000 fans fit in the stadium and you will be watching one of the most dominant football programs in the NCAA FCS level. Parking at the Fargodome is only $5, and hotels in the area are less than $100 a night. Concession prices at the Fargodome are very reasonably priced. Your trip to Fargo will not cost you a lot of buffalo bills! Extras 5 Each year the Fargodome hosts one of the largest pancake breakfasts in the world. The Kiwanis-sponsored event draws more than 10,000 people and serves up more than 30,000 flapjacks on an annual basis. The Fargodome is the major concert arena for the entire state of North Dakota and most of northwestern Minnesota. Artists who have performed in the arena include Taylor Swift, Prince, Garth Brooks, Katy Perry, and Celine Dion. Fargo is subject to floods from the Red River of the North when there is a sudden winter thaw. The Fargodome serves the community both as a shelter for families evacuated from their homes, as well as a site for filling sandbags to hold the waters back. Roger Maris was a Fargo native and came back to the town after retiring from baseball. The Roger Maris Museum is located in the West Acres Mall located just down the street from the Fargodome. When you stop at the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center upon arrival in town, make sure you get a selfie made with the woodchipper from the movie “Fargo.” Yes, the bloody foot is still protruding out of the top of it! Final Thoughts One of the best-kept secrets in college football is the success the NDSU Bison have had at the FCS level. The Fargodome allows you to enjoy the top-ranked play of the Bison, without having to deal with the brutal late fall and early winter weather experienced in the Northern Plains. While in town, check out the lively art scene offered by citizens of Fargo.

Photos by Martin McNelis , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Ferrycarrig Park Ferrycarrig Park Y35 E296 Wexford, Co. Wexford Y35 E296 Ireland Wexford Youths FC website Ferrycarrig Park website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 2,500 Home of Wexford Youths FC Ferrycarrig Park, set in the southeast of Ireland, is the home of Wexford Youths FC who currently play in the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Premier Division. County Wexford is probably more notable for its success in gaelic sports, but over the last decade the interest and progress in both men’s and women’s soccer has grown considerably. The club are one of the newer sides to ply their trade in the country’s two football association leagues and were formed as recently as 2007. They have flirted with promotion and relegation and are distinctive with their colours of black and pink which alternate on both their home and away kits. The club’s motto of ‘work hard play hard’ is visible on a crest situated on the floor of the social club entrance. Wexford Youths have a reputation of bringing through young players and also selling them on to the lower leagues of England, the most recent of these being Ryan Delaney moving to the English Championship with Burton Albion. The club’s most notable achievement was reaching the 2008 League Cup Final, which saw Ferrycarrig Park as the designated venue. With only one stand on the site, temporary seating was constructed to bring the capacity up to 3,500. Despite gaining home advantage for the fixture, they were dismantled 6-1 by an overpowering Derry City side. Food & Beverage 3 The club provide two options; the social club situated at the entrance which has basic bar facilities providing hot and cold drinks, and a snack van which is next to the Main Stand. The main options sold are burgers, hot dogs, chicken burgers at €3 and €4, a single sausage at a very affordable €1 and fish and chips at €7. Tea, coffee, cappuccino, soft drinks and water are between €1.50 – €2.50. Atmosphere 2 The ground is very open, and with only one stand and crowds of 500-1000 – depending on the opposition – Ferrycarrig Park is not one of Ireland’s most atmospheric venues. The majority of the home fans congregate on the right hand side of the Main Stand and there is no segregation. Although this a good thing from a family point of view, as you can take kids along and not feel threatened or intimidated, it possibly dilutes any singing or rivalry between home and opposing fans. Wexford Youths pride themselves on being a community club and the staff in the social club and stewards are friendly and welcoming. Having entered the ground, surroundings are very basic. The dugouts are situated on the right, and there is a perimeter fence behind them and both goals where fans have the option of standing to watch the match. Over the back of the right hand goal there are a couple of five a side astroturf pitches which will likely be used by local teams to train on. The solitary covered Main Stand runs for a good length of the pitch, seats six hundred people and is a temporary structure with a lot of supporting metal poles which will partially obstruct your view, and is reminiscent of the one at Bray Wanderers’ Carlisle Grounds. It is a very open venue and in poorer weather you will feel the cold and wind sweeping in from either side. The club are looking to invest in a more permanent stand and to develop the ground further, though no financial figures or timescales have been mentioned. With the Main Stand being elevated and the only covered area, it still provides the best view of the pitch despite the supporting poles, more so if you can get seated near the centre of the pitch. Neighborhood 2 Ferrycarrig Park is set in a very remote location some five miles from the town centre. With very little on offer nearby, the best option for food, drink and any entertainment is in Wexford town centre as the only options available are the limited offerings at the social club and snack van. Fans 2 The Wexford Youths fans are supportive, encouraging and patient with what is predominantly a young squad of players. In terms of songs and noise generated, there was nothing to suggest that there is a designated fan or ultras zone. Ferrycarrig Park currently holds 2,500 with 600 of that figure seated. The average attendance will vary between 500-1000 depending on the type of fixture and the opposition. Access 1 Ferrycarrig Park does not have regular transport links connecting it to the nearest urban centre of Wexford and is not the most accessible. It can be seen on the left from the N11 motorway, but is poorly signposted and it may take a couple of attempts to find the narrow entrance off the motorway. The generously sized car park can accommodate a large crowd, though the only road in and out does bottle neck on leaving the ground. There are three turnstiles and they are the only way you can enter the ground. Public transport is exceptionally poor and although there is a supporters bus that leaves from the town centre, it is not well advertised even for locals, let alone strangers or day trippers. You might find it simpler to take a taxi to the ground, which will cost between €10-€15. Return on Investment 3 With adults charged €15, concessions €8 and under 12s just €2, the admission costs are in line with other clubs in the division. The price of under 12s should help encourage the local younger generation to come along and support the team. Extras 2 The social hub is the clubhouse which offers great views of the pitch in extra comfort. You have the option of going into the club for a drink, using the toilet facilities, or going into the club shop which is set up on the left of the main door entrance. You can also buy a match programme from here. Final Thoughts Although the access to Ferrycarrig Park is awful, the pleasant but modest facilities and welcoming atmosphere make it a worthwhile trip. If the stadium upgrades are finally carried out, the experience will only improve in the future.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Worcester Ice Center 112 Harding St. Worcester, MA 01604 Worcester Blades website Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 250 Blades of Worcester The Blades franchise is the original American-based professional women’s hockey team. Founded in 2010 and based in Boston, the team competed in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) and boasted a roster that featured many members of the U.S. Women’s National Team. The team played in consecutive Clarkson Cup Finals from 2013-2015, winning it all in ’13 and ’15. In 2015 the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) was founded, offering greater salaries than the CWHL offered its players. The majority of the USWNT members jumped to the new league, and even worse, to the cross-town Boston Pride , who proceeded to win that league’s inaugural championship. The Blades entered into a tailspin from which they have yet to recover. In the four seasons since the founding of the rival NWHL began, the Blades have posted a record of 4-91-5 with a goal differential of -407. Obviously, they have failed to make the playoffs in these four seasons. Even worse, they have become nomadic. Over their last three seasons in Boston, the Blades played their home games at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, the Walter Brown Arena in Boston, and the Mike Eruzione Center in Winthrop. In the summer of 2018 the CWHL announced that the Blades would move to the city of Worcester (pronounced “Woo-STAH” by locals) and play at the new Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center, the practice home of the ECHL’s Worcester Railers . The new home has been no kinder to the Blades, as they have struggled to a winless, 0-22-0 record with a -122 goal differential thus far in the 2018-19 season. The Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center is a state of the art dual-rink facility built by Railers’ owner Cliff Rucker. It features two rinks, the Railers offices and pro shop, restaurants, a gym and rehabilitation center. The $18 million dollar complex is home to several college, high school and youth organizations in addition to the Blades and Railers. Food & Beverage 3 There are a pair of restaurants on the first floor of the Worcester Ice Center, Noona’s Pizza & Pasta and Steam Energy Café, which sells a selection of acai bowls, smoothies, green bowls, sandwiches and more. Both offer sit-down dining, and in a neat touch, Noona’s has a walk-up window in the lobby where fans can grab a quick slice during intermission. Unfortunately, both places will be closed after a night game, and if attending a game on Sunday, both restaurants are closed. If you come on a Sunday, or if you are looking for something simpler, there are vending machines throughout the Worcester Ice Center featuring local Polar brand beverages and assorted snacks. Atmosphere 2 A Worcester Blades game features a simple, basic presentation, as you would expect in a small rink such as this. The Worcester Ice Center features a new, crystal-clear sound system which is well-utilized during play stoppages. There is a small dot-matrix scoreboard hanging at center ice. The team runs a 50/50 raffle and sells assorted souvenirs at a table in the lobby. What the fans who show up to root for the Blades lack in sheer numbers, they make up for with enthusiasm. Many of the fans in attendance have a personal connection with the players on the ice, and are huge fans of the game. Outstanding plays on both sides are appreciated. Neighborhood 3 Located in Worcester’s Canal District right off of Interstate 290, the Ice Center is located in a neighborhood that will look drastically different in a few years. The Pawtucket Red Sox will be building their new ballpark in the area in time for the 2021 season. At the moment, while there are some bars and restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the Ice Center, it’s not what you would consider a destination location in this up and coming city-yet. Fans looking for a place to eat after a Blades game can head to the Compass Tavern right across the street from the Ice Center, or to one of the several taverns in the neighborhood. Buck’s Whiskey and Burger Bar and local favorite Wormtown Brewery are a short drive away. For visiting fans looking for some variety, Shrewsbury Street is located close to the Ice Center. Shrewsbury Street’s famous “Restaurant Row” contains 1.5 miles of some of the city’s finest restaurants ranging from fine dining to casual bistros, neighborhood bars to nightclubs, salons to shopping. Fans 2 The CWHL does not release attendance figures, so pinning down an actual figure can be problematic. An average Blades crowd numbers between 100-200 fans. Many of the fans in attendance have a personal connection to the players on the ice, and do not lack for enthusiasm or knowledge. Access 4 The Worcester Ice Center is located right off of Interstate 290, and easy to get to, unless your GPS sends you there via the most confusing, potentially dangerous intersection there is in existence, Kelly Square. Kelly Square, where several of Worcester’s busiest streets all come together in the most random fashion possible, is notorious for its delays, backups and accidents. It is located a short three blocks from the Ice Center. As part of the new Polar Park project, it is scheduled for a long-overdue redesign. The Worcester Ice Center is only two years old, and still has a lot of that “new-arena” shine to it. This community center features two Ice sheets, named the Blue and the Gray rinks, after the Railers’ colors. Fans enter at ground floor, where the restaurants, lobby and locker rooms are located. With the facility in constant use, this lobby is full of activity. The Blades will have a table set up here with tickets and souvenirs for sale. Fans will climb a set of stairs, where the entrances to the two rinks, as well as the Strength Training and Physical Therapy Center are located. The Blades play at the Gray rink, located on the right. Seating is located about eight feet above the ice surface, and consists of metal bleachers without backs that run most of the length of the ice. There is a raised platform at the far corner of the rink for people wanting to stand for a bit. Netting runs the length of the ice, obstructing the view from all seats. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for Blades games cost $17, with free parking in the Ice Center parking lot. You may spend a bit more if you decide to pair the game with a meal at Noona’s or Steam Energy Café, but both are affordable options for visiting hockey fans. Extras 2 The Worcester Ice Center has a display in the lobby honoring the Worcester Six, a group of firefighters who perished in the line of duty while fighting a blaze in 1999. An extra point is awarded for the building of the facility, which filled a huge void in the Worcester hockey community. Constantly in use, the city has embraced the presence of the Railers and their ties to the community. Final Thoughts On-ice struggles aside, the presence of the Worcester Blades has been a most welcome addition to the city’s sports scene. The Worcester Ice Center has become the focal point of the city’s hockey scene, used by everyone from pee-wee teams to local high schools and colleges to the Blades and Railers. Here is to hoping the Blades can straighten out their on-ice difficulties and become a fixture in Central Massachusetts for years to come. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

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

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Fiondella Field 200 Bloomfield Ave West Hartford, CT 06117 Hartford Hawks baseball website Fiondella Field website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 1,000 Home of Hartford Hawks Hardball The University of Hartford baseball team plays on campus at Fiondella Field. It is located alongside the school’s other athletic facilities, including Al-Marzook Field and Chase Family Arena . Baseball has been played at the school since 1958, originally as a Division II school, and in Division I since 1985. Before the Hawks had a permanent on-campus home in 2006, the team would play at various local diamonds, including Beehive Field in New Britain, Muzzy Field in Bristol, Ray McKenna Field in East Hartford and Memorial Field in Simsbury. The ballpark was named in honor of Robert Fiondella and family in 2009. The Fiondellas have been actively involved in promoting athletics as part of the overall educational experience in the greater Hartford area. The Hawks are still waiting for their first appearance in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. Two University of Hartford alumni have reached the major leagues, Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell and Earl Snyder. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small concession stand behind the grandstand at Fiondella Field. A basic menu is featured here, including hot dogs, nachos, pretzels and other snacks. Bottled Coca-Cola products are sold here. Coffee and hot chocolate are popular items on chilly April afternoons. Fans are also welcome to bring their own snacks into Fiondella Field, provided no alcoholic beverages are brought in. Atmosphere 2 The game day presentation at Fiondella Field is typical of most college ballparks in the northeast. It’s a laid-back, comfortable experience without a whole lot of extra noise to distract from the action taking place down on the field. PA announcements are limited to lineup changes and the occasional sponsor announcement. Music is played between innings at a comfortable volume. Fans are enthusiastic about the action taking place, and many enjoy a personal connection to the players on the field. Fans are close enough to hear (and participate) in the chatter going on from the dugouts. It’s a baseball purist’s dream. Neighborhood 2 The University of Hartford is located in West Hartford, surrounded by an affluent residential neighborhood, including the Hartford Golf Club. There aren’t any restaurants located within walking distance of the campus, meaning fans will have to travel a bit to find pre or postgame entertainment and dining options. Downtown Hartford, which contains a great many restaurants and places of interest, is just a ten minute drive away. Likewise, fans looking for a place to stay after a Hartford Hawk game will have to venture downtown for options. Should schedules line up, the brand new Dunkin’ Donuts Park , home of the Eastern League’s Hartford Yard Goats, or the XL Center , home of the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack, are located less than three miles from Fiondella Field. Fans 2 Crowds at Fiondella Field for Hartford Hawks games can be categorized as a “Friends and Family” type of crowd. Typically ranging in size from 100-250 people, many of the fans have a close personal connection to the players on the field, and are really involved in the action. Access 3 The University of Hartford campus straddles the towns of West Hartford, Bloomfield and Hartford. Located just a few miles from both Interstates 91 and 84, the campus is easily reached by car. Detailed driving directions can be found here . Visiting fans using public transportation can take CTFastrak Route 153 or CTtransit Route 56, both of which access Union Station in downtown Hartford. More details, including fares and schedules, can be found here. Fiondella Field is located on the northern edge of campus alongside the University of Hartford’s other athletic facilities, including Al-Marzook Field and Chase Family Arena . The facilities all share a concession stand and restroom facilities. Seating at Fiondella Field consists of aluminum bleachers in a grandstand that stretches from first to third base. Netting obstructs the view from all seats, and the poles that hold up the netting provide further obstruction. There is additional standing room down the right field line for fans who wish to take in the action without the obstruction of netting. Fans are welcome to bring in their own chairs if they wish to sit in this area. There is ample parking in the lot next to Fiondella Field. Restrooms are located in the building right behind the grandstand. Return on Investment 4 There is no charge for attending baseball games at Fiondella Field. Parking in the lots adjacent to the ballpark is free, and concessions are reasonably priced. Extras 2 An extra point is awarded for the proximity of Fiondella Field to the other University of Hartford’s athletic fields, and for the opportunity to catch multiple games for no charge should the schedules line up. Jeff Bagwell’s number 27 is retired, and can be found on the right field wall at Fiondella Field, along with a mural of Bagwell from his time at Hartford. There is also a mural of Hartford’s other alumnus to reach the major leagues, Earl Snyder, on the left field wall. Final Thoughts Fiondella Field is typical of many of the college ballparks that dot the northeast. It’s a no-frills, basic facility where the action taking place on the field is the focus. If you like your baseball presented without a whole lot of distraction, you’ll enjoy your visit to Fiondella Field. Fans looking to take in multiple ball games in a single day should visit when the nearby Hartford Yard Goats of the Eastern League or New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League are also home. If planning a trip to the University of Hartford for a baseball game, keep in mind that college baseball season takes place largely in the months of March and April, when the weather in this part of the country can be unpredictable. Postponements, changes in schedule and even changes in venue are common. Be ready to be flexible with your schedule when visiting the area. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.