Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey. Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Dom Cardillo Arena at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium 400 East Ave Kitchener, ON N2H 1Z6 Battle at the Aud website Dom Cardillo Arena at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity: 7,777 Reignite the Rivalry The legendary rivalry game has become all the rage in USports in the last decade. The return of the Carleton Ravens to the football scene has rejuvenated the storied Panda Game with the Ottawa Gee-Gees. The Capital Hoops Classic has also pitted the two Ottawa basketball powerhouses against each other. Hockey has been no stranger to the rivalry game either. The Carr-Harris Cup features the longest running hockey rivalry in the sport between Queen’s and RMC and is held annually in Kingston. The Frosty Mug with the Guelph Gryphons hosting the Laurier Golden Hawks has taken the OUA by storm and the now legendary Crowchild Classic tops them all with Calgary hosting Mount Royal at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The two Waterloo, Ontario schools are also getting in on the rivalry game action in hockey. Beginning in the 2016-2017 hockey season, the University of Waterloo Warriors hosted the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks in what was to be the biggest game of the season. Attracting over 1,000 fans at the Dom Cardillo Arena at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, which is significantly higher than the capacity of the home Columbia IceField, the alternate venue was deemed a success. Laurier and Waterloo would trade hosting duties at the Aud and the Battle at the Aud was born. Now part of the larger, cross-sport, Battle of Waterloo, the annual tilt on the ice has become a showcase for the local rivalry and helped reignite what has been a quiet rivalry for years. Food & Beverage 3 Concession options at the Aud eclipse those found in either the home of the Warriors or Golden Hawks. However, with the Battle at the Aud currently drawing far less than capacity, the full range of concession options that would be available for a Kitchener Rangers game is not present. Pizza, burgers, fries, popcorn and the like are all available at the same prices they can be found during a Rangers game. A variety of local and national beers are available for fans. Atmosphere 4 The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium is a legendary venue in the Ontario Hockey League. Built in 1951 as a mini Maple Leaf Gardens, the Aud is one of the oldest venues in the OHL, but remains at the top of the list. It remains a living monument to those local citizens who lost their lives in the two World Wars. The Aud has received a number of renovations over the years to expand the original arena to a larger complex. The main arena is named after Dom Cardillo, the late, beloved, former mayor of Kitchener. Although the front of the building is on East Avenue, with the classic facade, most fans will enter from the parking lots off of Ottawa Street and Eugene George Way. Passing the ticket windows and walking through the concourses fans will be engulfed in the sporting history of Kitchener at all levels. Of note is the huge display of the Kraut Line, the three local products who comprised the most dominant line in the NHL for the Boston Bruins. Milt Schmidt, Bobby Bauer and Woody Dumart are legendary and they played together for the Bruins from 1937 to 1947. The concourse of the Dom Cardillo Arena, past the ticket takers, is a historical journey of Kitchener Rangers hockey. Fans can spend plenty of time pursuing the displays and pictures throughout the concourses. Since Laurier and Waterloo only play at the Aud once a year, there are no references to the university teams. Inside the seating bowl, there are plenty of seats with an amazing view of the ice. The ice surface runs from west to east with the best view of the centre logo from the south. The rafters above the ice are littered with Rangers championship banners and legendary former Rangers with their numbers honoured. The Aud is as technically sound as any venue in the OHL with ribbon boards and an amazing multi-level video board. The technology in the Aud is far superior than that of the Columbia IceField at Waterloo and the Sun Life Financial Arena, home of Laurier. Seating is General Admission, so picking the seat with the perfect view is easy. The game day production of the Battle of the Aud depends on who the home team is. When Laurier is home, as they have been in the 2019 and 2020 versions, the Laurier announcer and markings on the video board are prevalent. In the 2020 edition, the Laurier figure skating team performed at intermission. Neighbourhood 3 The Aud is located east of Downtown Kitchener, which is a twin-city to Waterloo, where the two universities can be found. The Aud is very much a community arena and there is not much around the complex to entertain fans before or after the game. A strip mall at Ottawa Street North and Weber Street East has a Subway, Dairy Queen and Subway. StrykerZ Kitchen and Bar is the closest area of interest so the best idea is to head downtown. Aqua, TWH Social, B@TheMuseum, The Grand Trunk Saloon, McCabes and Bobby O’Brien’s are worth checking out. As far as other sporting options, both Waterloo and Laurier run a full complement of athletic teams. The Golden Hawks hockey team plays at the Sun Life Financial Arena at Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, the basketball team plays at the Athletic Complex and the football team plays at Knight-Newbrough Field at University Stadium. The Warriors hockey team plays at Columbia IceField Arena, the basketball team plays at the Physical Activities Complex and the football team plays at Warrior Field. The Aud is also the home of the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL and the KW Titans of the NBL Canada. The Kitchener Panthers of the Intercounty Baseball League play at Jack Couch Park in the Aud complex. Other entertainment options in Kitchener-Waterloo would be a visit to the Oktoberfest headquarters and THEMUSEUM in Downtown Kitchener. As far as options for fans who wish to stay near downtown include the Crowne Plaza Kitchener-Waterloo and The Walper Hotel. Fans 3 Make no mistake, the Battle at the Aud is still in its infancy when compared to the other rivalry games. Attendance for the first four editions of the rivalry game have seen between 720 and 1,000 fans take in the game. These numbers need to be taken in context. Although the Battle at the Aud does not come close to reaching capacity at the Aud, it is still between five and ten times larger than the average hockey crowd at either the Columbia IceField Arena or Sun Life Financial Arena. The fans that are in attendance are fairly quiet and reserved, but continuing to increase the number of students who attend the Battle will increase the energy in the building. Access 4 Getting to the Aud is not too difficult. The Auditorium Complex is immediately adjacent to Highway 7 for easy access. Most people enter the Complex from Ottawa Street, right off the highway. Parking is free on the grounds in the Ottawa and Stirling lots. Public transit is available on Ottawa Street for fans interested in bussing it. Check the Grand River Transit website for schedules, fares and maps. The box office is found immediately after entering the concourse from the Ottawa Street lot and lines are not a problem. For a Ranger game, concourses and washrooms can be a bit of a challenge, but for a far lower attendance for the Battle at the Aud, traversing the arena is no issue at all. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the Battle at the Aud are a steal. Seniors and alumni can get in for $7 and regular adults get in for $10. Student prices are $2 and the universities sell student packages that include transportation. Parking at the Aud is free and the concession prices are not over the top either. The caliber of hockey in the OUA is high and Laurier and Waterloo are usually very competitive with each other. If this game could grow in stature and begin to draw more fans, the return on investment would grow. Extras 3 An extra mark for the efforts Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo have put forth to rekindle the rivalry between the two schools that reside on the same street in Waterloo. An extra mark for yet another rivalry game in USports which draws far more fans than a regular game. An extra mark for the Battle of Waterloo series, which is continuing to gain momentum. Final Thoughts With USports rivalry games already in the works, it seems that the blueprint is in place for the Battle at the Aud to continue to grow and gain prevalence in the league. Continued promotion and pushing of this, the penultimate game in the rivalry, could see the Battle continue to grow and take its place among the other hugely popular rivalry games in USports. The Laurier Golden Hawks and Waterloo Warriors have done their parts to reignite the rivalry. Now it is time for the students and community and students to jump on board and make this an event that is circled on many more Kitchener-Waterloo calendars. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey. Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Sleeman Centre 50 Woolwich St Guelph, ON N1H 3V1 University of Guelph website Sleeman Centre website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 4,715 The Frosty Mug Runneth Over The rivalry game. The mythical, much anticipated annual matchup which is only surpassed by a championship. It seems that the college atmosphere is the best place for the rivalry game. Too often in professional sports, the scarcity which made the rivalry game great has been abandoned for the lure of the dollar bill. The best rivalries seem to have long-standing, obscure trophies attached to them. The Little Brown Jug, Paul Bunyan’s Axe, The Wagon Wheel, the Old Oaken Bucket, the Old Oil Can and the Old Brass Spittoon come to mind. Canadian university sports have gotten into the act and now have some games which are taking the nation by storm. Led by the resurgent Panda Game, the annual football clash pitting Carleton University against the University of Ottawa, the rivalry game has stretched across university hockey as well. Calgary’s Crowchild Classic, St. Catharines Steelblade Classic and Kingston’s Carr-Harris Cup are drawing record breaking crowds for USports hockey. Among those relatively new rivalries is the amazingly named Frosty Mug. In 2020, the University of Guelph held the 11th Frosty Mug. Although originally thought of as a one-off game played at the much larger Sleeman Centre, home of the Guelph Storm of the OHL, and featuring the Waterloo Warriors as the opponent, more than half of the games have pitted the Gryphons against nearby Waterloo, Ontario’s Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, including the most recent four games. The annual classic has consistently improved on the ice and at the turnstile and has become one of a handful of marquee USports hockey games. Food & Beverage 4 Concession options are about what you would expect for an Ontario Hockey League venue. With a capacity crowd all concession stands are available, which is not always the case for a one off game like this. The beer selection is fantastic, with the focus being on Sleeman products, which are brewed in Guelph about 10 minutes from the arena. Draught Picks is the in-arena restaurant and offers a variety of food options on a first come first served basis for seating. Atmosphere 4 The Sleeman Centre was built in 2000 on the site of a former Eaton’s department store. It is built within an indoor shopping mall and most of the entries into the facility are within the Old Quebec Street Shoppes mall. Inside the arena, there is a single concourse which wraps around and behind the seating bowl. The ice surface runs from east to west, with the best view of the centre ice logo (of the Guelph Storm) from the north side. Club seating and luxury boxes sit above the seating bowl on three sides of the arena. The south side of the arena also features Draught Picks, a full service, in-venue restaurant. Above centre-ice is a state of the art video board, which is transformed with Guelph Gryphons content for the Frosty Mug. With the Sleeman Centre serving mainly as the home of the Guelph Storm, championship banners from the OHL team and previous iterations of junior hockey in Guelph dominate the rafters. Markings around the concourses follow suit. However, with the popularity of the annual Frosty Mug, it would be nice to see some recognition for the event, similar to the way the Beanpot has a permanent presence at TD Garden in Boston. The game day production for the Frosty Mug is different from other OUA games or even OHL games. The event is billed as the party of the year for University of Guelph students and it is treated as such. The noise level is loud throughout the game and the music is carefully selected to encourage the sing-along, dance party which ensues when “Sweet Caroline” or “Mr. Brightside” are played. In an odd occurrence, the crowd belted out the lyrics to John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” when played over the PA, a song traditionally associated with Wilfrid Laurier University. The Guelph Gryphons figure skating team performs during the first intermission and promotions are speckled throughout the game and during the intermissions. Gryph, the Gryphons mascot, has a significant role in the game, shooting t-shirts into the crowd, leading the team on the ice and interacting with fans, players and even the opposition. Neighbourhood 5 The Sleeman Centre is located in the centre of Downtown Guelph. There are plenty of locations within walking distance of the arena for pre and post game fare: Bobby O’Brien’s, McCabe’s Irish Pub & Grill, The Ward Bar, Robusta Cafe & Lounge, Buon Gusto, Royal Electric Bar & Public Eatery, La Cucina, Bin 23. The Albion Hotel and Western Hotel Burgers & Steaks are some of the options that can be found around Macdonell Street and Wyndham Street North, an easy walk from the Sleeman Centre. The Sleeman Centre is also home to the Guelph Storm of the OHL and the Guelph Nighthawks of the CEBL. The University of Guelph campus is just four kilometres away and other athletic teams play on campus. The remainder of the hockey team’s games are played at the Gryphon Centre Arena, the football team plays at Alumni Stadium and the basketball teams play at the Guelph Gryphons Athletic Centre. As far as other entertainment options, the River Run Centre is on the opposite side of Woolwich Street from Sleeman Centre. The Old Quebec Street Shoppes offer some shopping options and The Guelph Concert Theatre offers some musical acts. The Guelph Civic Museum may also be of interest. For fans needing a place to stay near the Sleeman Centre, Western Hotel & Executive Suites is right there and the Holiday Inn is a very short drive away. Fans 5 Simply put, the Frosty Mug is now the annual highlight to the OUA hockey schedule. From the 2016 edition to the 2020 edition, the Frosty Mug has eclipsed the previous year’s attendance record, culminating in an attendance in 2020 of over 4,900. Of the seven highest attended OUA hockey games, the Frosty Mug holds down places three through seven. The Frosty Mug also holds attendance records in the top 15 USports hockey games in Canada. The Frosty Mug is billed as the party of the year and the fans have brought the game to the point where it is doubtful that the attendance records can be pushed even more, with the game attracting more than the Sleeman Centre’s capacity. Although there are some visiting fans that make the journey to Guelph, make no mistake that the Frosty Mug is a Guelph Gryphons game and the fans are loud and proud, even to the point of being reminded to keep cheers within the confines of the OUA Code of Conduct. Access 4 The Sleeman Centre is located in Downtown Guelph, south of the Eramosa River. It is basically enclosed by Woolwich Street, Macdonell Street and Wyndham Street North. It is about 3 kilometres from the junction of highways 6 and 7, the major arteries into the city of Guelph. If timed correctly, getting to the arena by car is not overly difficult, however some downtown turns will take some time the closer fans get to puck drop. An added bonus of the Frosty Mug is that there are so many students that go to the game, parking is not an issue at all. In fact, parking in can be found for free in one of the parking garages adjacent to Sleeman Centre. Public transit can be found immediately across Macdonell Street as the hub of Guelph Transit. Fans should check out the Guelph Transit website for fares, schedules and maps. The past few years, the Frosty Mug has been a complete sell-out, so the necessity of visiting a ticket window is not necessary. Getting around the concourses can be a real challenge with all of the people at this game. Concession lines are seriously long, especially for beer. Washrooms can also be busy, but it is not terrible. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for the Frosty Mug go for $15. Although it is more than a regular Gryphons hockey game, $15 is an excellent price for an event of this magnitude. Concessions are what one would expect for an OHL game, but not too expensive. Parking can be found for free also. The atmosphere at the Frosty Mug is nearly beyond description and at the very least, exciting. In the end, the Frosty Mug offers a tremendous value and an unbelievable return for the investment. Extras 4 An extra mark for the annual incorporation of the Guelph Gryphons figure skating team into the Frosty Mug, who perform to a rousing ovation during the first intermission. An extra mark for the building of the Frosty Mug game, which began with a modest attendance of over 1,100 to a game that eclipsed its own attendance record each year since. An extra mark for the Frosty Mug settling into a rivalry game format with the Laurier Golden Hawks playing in over half of the matchups, including the most recent four. An extra mark for the Frosty Mug itself. Both teams play for a glass mug. Like the best rivalry trophies, nothing too fancy. Final Thoughts Among the rivalry games found in USports, the Frosty Mug is taking its place among the elite matchups annually. The University of Guelph has done a fantastic job marketing the game to the point where the fans are regularly selling out the game. With more spirit and atmosphere than just about all other USports hockey games, the Frosty Mug is a spectacle to be seen for sure. Hopefully, the future of the game remains strong and other teams are able to recreate the magic that has been found in Guelph and continue to grow the game. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey. Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Gryphon Centre Arena 149 Reynolds Walk Guelph, ON N1G 4Z8 Guelph Gryphons hockey website Gryphons Centre Arena website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 1,400 A Facelift for the Gryphons’ Igloo In 1964 the University of Guelph was reborn. Previously known as the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph is now a world renowned, comprehensive university with an enrollment of over 27,000 students. Guelph traces its roots back to 1874. With regards to athletics, Guelph has been playing ice hockey specifically all the way back in 1899. In recent years, Guelph has turned heads with its investment in their athletic programs and facilities. The Gryphons are in the conversation as an elite level program in football at both the conference and league level and their new football pavilion is threatening to redraw the landscape with regards to football recruiting. Guelph has also opened up a brand new athletics facility complete with new spectator area for varsity basketball. Not to be forgotten in all of this athletic excitement is the Guelph Gryphons hockey program and their home at the Gryphon Centre Arena. Recently the recipient of a decent facelift, the Gryphon Centre is in contention with any other on campus facility in the OUA. Built in 1989, the Gryphon Centre is home to the Guelph Gryphons men’s and women’s hockey teams and Gryphons figure skating team as well as other recreation programs. The centre features two ice rinks, the Gold Rink and Red Rink. The Gold Rink is home to Gryphons hockey and is Olympic-sized with a capacity of 1,400 spectators. The Gryphons have seen some success at the Gryphon Centre Arena and are hoping that in the excitement of all of the new athletic projects on campus, the Gryphons’ igloo is not lost in the shuffle. Food & Beverage 1 Guelph Gryphons hockey does not offer a spectacular culinary experience. Upon entering the arena, past the ticketing desk, a vendor is right by the door selling soda and popcorn. Unfortunately that is all that is available at this level. Another option may be to hit the Tim Hortons which is on the ground floor of the Gryphon Centre. Keep an eye on the hours for Tim's as it may not be open for the duration of the hockey game. Atmosphere 3 The Gryphon Centre Arena is more than comparable to the other arenas in the OUA and is also the perfect size for OUA hockey. The exterior of the Gryphon Centre is nice enough with a grey brick exterior at the front of the arena, across from the Mitchell Athletic Centre. Large windows allow natural light into the arena, and at night the Gryphon logos in the top windows shine through like a beacon to hockey. Entry into the Gryphon Centre leads to the main foyer which is where the location of the Tim Hortons is, as well as a small team shop. Entry to the Red Rink is also at this level. Fans should take a couple of minutes and peruse the trophy case on this level. Among the artifacts, team pictures and trophies are five plaques for Gryphon All-Canadians in hockey. Among those honoured are Ken Lockett, Brad Pirie, Matt Mullin, Todd Wetzel and J.P. Davis. Fans will be required to ascend the staircase to the upper landing and the entry to the Gold Rink. The upper landing also has plaques attached to the wall for honoured Gryphons hockey team members. Joining the All-Canadians are Rob Arabski and Steve Petrovic. The Gryph’s Sports Lounge is also located on this level, opposite the Gold Rink. Unfortunately, Gryph’s looks out over the Red Rink and not the Gold Rink. Entry to the Gold Rink will welcome fans with the brightness of the new LED lighting, which makes a huge difference on the initial impression of the interior of the rink. Fans enter behind the horseshoe seating at the northwest end of the arena. The ice surface runs from northwest to southeast. The seating in the Gryphon Centre features the centre ice section with full plastic arena chairs and high-top counters, perfect for standing room behind the grandstands. The remainder of the seating has been upgraded with more comfortable contoured plastic bleachers which have been fastened over the original, hard, wooden benches. Surprisingly, the centre ice area may not be the best spot to watch the game from as the chair seating offers little in the way of legroom. New paint and markings and sticking to the red, gold, black and white colour scheme make the Gryphon Centre visually appealing. At the southeast end of the arena hangs the scoreboard, which is fairly simple but does the job. The southwest side of the arena, which is the side lacking spectator seating, has the Gryphons championship banners hanging above the penalty boxes. Hanging for the Gryphons are a bit of a hodge-podge of hockey banners, which is a little different than other schools. The Gryphons have won the Queen’s Cup as OUA champions on six occasions, specifically in 1976, 1979, 1980, 1994, 1997 and most recently in 2015. The highlight of the championship banners is the 1997 University Cup in which the Gryphons were declared National Champions. Other banners present include banners for women’s hockey achievements, figure skating achievements and a banner men’s hockey earned before they became the University of Guelph in 1958. A handy feature of this arena is the Gryphons hockey roster is posted on a large billboard on the southwest side of the arena which is great for a quick glance at who is on the ice. Fans may expect that the arena would be exceedingly cold, however, the climate is quie comfortable for fans and the heaters above the seating area work well. The gameday production is about what you would expect from an OUA program. Many of the jobs throughout the arena are performed by students, including the play-by-play and online broadcast on OUA.tv. The Gryphons have a bit of an entrance, which is fairly unique for OUA hockey, and the lights go down and the Gryphons enter through the fog machine before the national anthem. One of the upgrades at the Gryphon Centre was the PA system, which is now clear and allows fans to hear what the announcements are, rather than feeling like they are in Charlie Brown’s class. Neighbourhood 4 The Gryphon Centre Arena is located right on campus of the University of Guelph on Reynolds Walk. There are a few options that are within walking distance of the arena, but not a ton. A quick venture in the car will take you to Gordon Street where you will find Fifty West, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Manhattan's. A quick turn onto Stone Road will bring patrons to Stone Road Mall and a variety of chain restaurants including Montana’s, Milestones and Fionn MacCool’s. If you are wanting to stay on campus, then try P.J.’s Restaurant in the Atrium or even Gryph’s in the Gryphon Centre itself. Other entertainment options in Guelph would include heading north to downtown Guelph. The River Run Centre has a number of shows that may interest fans on the right day. The Sleeman Centre, home of the OHL’s Guelph Storm is also nearby. Other sporting options in Guelph include the Gryphons football team, which plays at Alumni Stadium and the Gryphons basketball team at the brand new Guelph Gryphons Athletic Centre. For fans that need to stay over in Guelph, the Delta is very close to campus as is the Days Inn. Fans 3 Guelph Gryphons hockey has a decent following. Sometimes, OUA hockey is difficult to assess with regards to attendance as reporting can be sporadic. As of this writing, Guelph ranked third in the OUA in average attendance in the 2016-2017 season. However, the Gryphons drew over 4,500 fans to a game against Wilfrid Laurier held at the Sleeman Centre known as the Frosty Mug. The attendance at this game definitely skews the results. That being said, the Gryphons usually bring in between 200 and 500 fans for a regular game, which is pretty good for OUA hockey. Gryphon fans are a good mix of faculty, students, family and community fans. They are intelligent fans and support the home side. They are not over the top loud, but do bring something to the gameday experience. Access 4 Getting to the Gryphon Centre is not terribly difficult. The University of Guelph campus is located east of highway 6 and south of highway 7 for those fans that are coming from out of town. There will be a bit of a drive through Guelph to get to campus, but traffic moves well along the major roads. Public transit is available in Guelph, right onto the university campus and along Stone Rd and College Avenue. Fans interested in public transit should see the Guelph Transit website for maps, schedules and fares. Parking is available to the east and south of the Gryphon Centre. There is no charge for parking during game times, especially on weekends, however a quick check of the facility page just to be safe might be in order. The ticketing desk is at the top of the stairs just outside the Gold Rink. It is basically a temporary table and tickets are available on a cash only basis. Getting around the arena is not a problem at all and there is not usually a capacity crowd. Washroom facilities are on the small side, but should not be an issue. Return on Investment 4 Going to see a Guelph Gryphons hockey game is a sound investment for your sporting dollar. Cheaper than a trip to the movies, a Gryphons hockey ticket is $10 for adults and $5 for students. Although the concession options are not fantastic, free parking and a nice venue to watch hockey definitely help the situation. The Gryphons have put a strong product on the ice for many years and continue to do so. OUA hockey is vastly underrated as it is exciting and fast-paced and offers a more pure form of hockey without the fighting shenanigans. Extras 3 An extra mark for the solid investment that the University of Guelph has made in athletics. An extra mark for a history that dates all the way back to 1899. An extra mark for the student run broadcast team. Final Thoughts The Guelph Gryphons are very excited about their new football and basketball facilities. However, not to be lost in all of this are the subtle, but effective upgrades that the university has put into the Gryphon Centre Arena. A solid OUA hockey venue, the Gryphon’s igloo looks to see more success on its ice well into the future. 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 Campus Ice Centre 2200 Simcoe St N Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4 Ontario Tech Ridgebacks website Campus Ice Centre website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 550 The Dog Pound In 2006 the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa, Ontario, entered the world of Canadian University sports joining what is now USports and Ontario University Athletics. Their beginning was ice hockey and the UOIT Ridgebacks were born. A small school of around 10,000 students, UOIT went through the expected growing pains of any new team. Success on the ice did not come early or easily, but the Ridgebacks would develop a loyal following, with typical attendance figures for OUA hockey. In 2019, UOIT took to the drawing board and rebranded as Ontario Tech University. The Ridgebacks name remained for the hockey team, but new logos and colours were on the menu and the team continued to truck on. Home for the Ridgebacks is the Campus Ice Centre. An on campus hockey rink and recreation facility, the Campus Ice Centre is the perfect size for OUA hockey and serves the community as an additional community rink. Most hockey fans would know Oshawa and the home of the very successful junior hockey franchise, the Oshawa Generals, but the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks have carved themselves a nice niche in the crowded hockey market. Food & Beverage 3 In the hockey arena, there is one main concession stand behind the seating arena. Shagwell’s offers coffee, hot chocolate, water and Coca-Cola products. French fries, hot dogs, nachos, chips and candy are also available. Shagwell’s has your basic snack bar offerings. However, fans have the opportunity to head to the other side of the arena to Simcoe Arms which offers a full array of food and beverages. It is a perfect spot for a snack, drink or meal before or after the game and it’s just steps away from the arena seats. Atmosphere 3 The Campus Ice Centre is very much a community hub. A pair of ice pads, the Ice Centre attracts plenty of youth hockey players from Oshawa and the surrounding area. The exterior is attractive enough and large windows on the north side of the building offer plenty of natural light to those inside. Entering the Ice Centre draws fans to markings letting all know that this is not just a community rink, but the home of Ontario Tech and the Ridgebacks. Ascending the stairs will bring fans to the main entry for the ice pad that the Ridgebacks call home. A temporary ticketing table is at the top of the stairs to welcome fans who require tickets. To the right is the entry to the ice pad, which brings fans behind the seating area. There are six sections of seven rows of wide, plastic, stadium seats for a capacity of around 550. The ice surface runs from south to north with all of the seating on the east side. In the northwest corner hangs a banner welcoming all to the “Dog Pound.” Ontario Tech excels at showcasing their extremely short history. On the wall behind the grandstand hang numerous framed pictures memorializing moments in Ridgeback history, including the first goal, first win, first playoff appearance, and even an appearance for the women’s team at an outdoor game. In the southwest corner hang the banners for the retired numbers of Nathan Spaling and Jill Morillo. Both played huge roles on their respective teams and Spaling has the distinction of being the first captain in Ridgebacks history. The game day presentation at a Ridgebacks game is simple. Ontario Tech doesn’t try too hard and assault the fan with too much going on and they take advantage of their excellent audio equipment, which is not always the case at university sport in Canada. Neighbourhood 2 The Ontario Tech Campus Ice Centre is located on campus, which is in the north part of Oshawa, a fair distance from highway 401. The Ice Centre is also at the north end of the shared campus of Ontario Tech and Durham College. In the immediate area, there is not too much that will interest travelers. On Simcoe St, just south of campus, there is a St. Louis Bar and Grill. Fans are better off heading further south on Simcoe Street. Shoeless Joe’s and other chain restaurants can be found at Simcoe and Taunton Road. Being so close to Toronto, there are not a ton of exciting entertainment options in Oshawa. Hitting Simcoe Blues & Jazz for some live music may be of interest. Checking out the Canadian Automotive Museum might also be of interest. The other sporting option in Oshawa is of course to take in an Oshawa Generals game at Tribute Communities Centre. Ontario Tech has also added a basketball team in 2019 and they play at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre. There is not much in the way of accommodations near Ontario Tech. The best bet for travelers would be to head to downtown Oshawa where there are a few options, including a Holiday Inn Express. Fans 3 Ontario Tech has a small but very loyal following of fans. They usually draw between 100 and 250 fans per game, which is pretty common for the second tier of OUA hockey teams. Although the average attendance at the Campus Ice Centre may not be among the best in the conference, Ontario Tech lacks a signature hockey game that can skew the attendance figures in a team’s favour. The small capacity of the Campus Ice Centre is an advantage for the Ridgebacks as it feels just about right for arena attendance. Access 4 Ontario Tech University is located in the north end of Oshawa. Although the campus is not very large, the Campus Ice Centre is at the north end of campus as well, making it easy to find. Essentially between highway 401 and the express toll road 407, Ontario Tech will require a very significant drive through Oshawa to get to campus. The 407 is a better option, but as far as toll roads go, it is very expensive. There is plenty of free parking available at the Ice Centre. East of the arena there are large parking lots where fans can park for free. For fans looking to get to the arena with public transit, route 401 of Durham Transit brings patrons to the Ontario Tech campus. Check out the Durham Transit website for maps, fares and schedules. The Ice Centre can be entered from either the north or south and the atrium is large with plenty of natural light. The stairs to the rink are at the north side of the building and lead to a temporary ticketing table. Make sure you bring cash to purchase tickets as credit cards are not accepted. Considering the number of fans in attendance, getting around the arena is not a big challenge. The washroom facilities are not huge and can be found behind the seating area in the main arena. Return on Investment 4 Taking in an Ontario Tech Ridgebacks hockey game is very affordable. Tickets for adults are a mere $10 and seniors, students, staff and alumni are only $5. Ontario Tech students and kids under 14 years of age are free. Parking can be found on campus for free and concession prices are not exorbitant. Although the presentation and venue are not flashy, the quality of play on the ice is solid and the arena is comfortable. This all adds up to some solid entertainment for a few hours at a very low cost. A great return on investment for sure. Extras 2 An extra mark for the original Ridgebacks name. An extra mark for the rebranding to Ontario Tech University and the new logos for the Ridgebacks. Final Thoughts Ontario Tech has successfully carved out a nice little niche for itself in the Generals-dominant hockey market in Oshawa. Taking in a Ridgebacks game comes with a simple, yet effective presentation and a return on investment which is fantastic. When in Oshawa, a trip to see some OUA hockey is a great idea for the whole family. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photo by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey. Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Kingston Memorial Centre 303 York St Kingston, ON K7K 4M4 Queen’s Gaels website Kingston Memorial Centre website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity: 3,300 The Centre of Kingston Hockey Before the lustre of dollars earned by corporate naming rights, sports facilities were often named in honour of those who fought and gave their lives in various military conflicts. Soldier Field, the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium and the War Memorial at OnCenter come to mind. One of those classic facilities remains alive in Kingston, Ontario, home to the Queen’s Gaels hockey team. It just seems right for a team with the depth of Canadian University hockey that Queen’s has to play in an arena that also has significant history. On the frozen Kingston Harbour, in 1886, Queen’s University and the Royal Military College of Canada played the first ever Canadian interuniversity hockey game. Queen’s and RMC remain active in what is now known as U-Sports and have entrenched their history even further. The Queen’s Cup, presented annually to the OUA, or Ontario conference, champion was presented to the conference by Queen’s University. Queen’s and RMC together presented U-Sports with the University Cup, presented to the Canadian National Champion. Queen’s and RMC continue their rivalry to date with the world’s oldest hockey rivalry, playing for the Carr-Harris Cup annually. The Kingston Memorial Centre was built in 1951 and was the home for a number of Kingston hockey teams. Most notably, the Memorial Centre was the home for the Kingston OHL entrant including the Canadians, Raiders and currently the Frontenacs. When the Rogers K-Rock Centre opened in 2008 and the Frontenacs moved, the future of the Memorial Centre was in doubt. Built as a living memorial for Kingstonians who gave their lives in the World Wars and Korean War, the Memorial Centre’s 3,300 capacity was inappropriate for Major Junior Hockey. Queen’s University would decide to demolish the longtime home of the Gaels, Jock Harty Arena in favour of the new Athletics and Recreation Centre. In 2008, the Gaels would move off-campus and make the Kingston Memorial Centre their permanent home. Food & Beverage 1 There is not much in the way of culinary experience at the Kingston Memorial Centre. In fact, the Memorial Centre provides one of the smallest concession selections anywhere. Upon entrance, there is a student selling fresh popcorn. Past that, fans are totally relying on vending machines located around the arena. There are not a ton and fans should keep their change handy if a beverage is desired. One item of interest are the old school candy vending machines, which were staples throughout arenas across Ontario. A quarter is all that’s needed, however there is no telling how old the candy in the machines really is. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere at the Kingston Memorial Centre is akin to its age. The Memorial Centre has a quaint, historic feel to it, but there is still room for improvement. The first thing fans will notice about the Kingston Memorial Centre is the lack of corporate naming. The state and future of the Memorial Centre has been debated numerous times at the Kingston City Council. One of the saving factors for the Memorial Centre has been its status as a living memorial to veterans of armed conflicts. Outside the arena are a few items that give credence to its memorial status including a memorial wall that lists names of Kingstonians who died in the service of Canada. The exterior of the Kingston Memorial Centre looks decent from a distance, with its tan brick and main entrance. Upon closer inspection, the wear and tear of the decades can be seen. Inside the arena, the east-west ice orientation leads fans into travelling around the arena above the seating bowl. Entry from the seating bowl is either from the ground level, or up the stairs behind the seating. Elements of the Memorial Centre’s age and history are immediately obvious. The beautiful triangular, vaulted, hardwood ceiling is a lost feature among more modern arenas. All of the seats in the Memorial Centre are the original 1951 wooden seats. In some sections, double “love” seats can be found also. The west end of the arena features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which was once a staple to be found in arenas all over the country. Along with the historic features of the arena come those that have not aged well. In many places the glass either needs significant cleaning or replacement. Behind the nets is particularly bad, and difficult to see through. The scoreboard at centre ice is very simple and does not offer shots on goal as a reported statistic. The sound system is in dire need of replacement as announcements are not very audible. Queen’s also has very little in the way of atmosphere presence in the arena. Sitting on the north side of the ice will offer a good picture of the centre ice logo, one of the few markings for Queen’s inside. Banners for the women’s hockey team hang on the north side also. Curious that there are no banners for the men’s team, especially considering their role in playing the first game on the Kingston Harbour. There is a banner with hockey championships to be found, however it is where Queen’s plays basketball at the Athletics and Recreation Centre. Neighbourhood 5 The Kingston Memorial Centre is located in the Williamsville neighbourhood of Kingston, north of the Queen’s University campus and just west of downtown. Head towards the river and Princess Street to find just about everything you could want. A number of national restaurant chains can be found all along Princess, Queen and Brock Streets, but there are also a ton of independent spots that will peak your interest. Woodenheads Gourmet Pizza, Sir John’s Public House, The Merchant Tap House, Chez Piggy, The Toucan and Grizzly Grill are all worth checking out. Kingston is a fantastic spot to be, especially in the summer. The Haunted Walk is interesting and Confederation Park is along the Rideau Trail right by the waterfront. The ferry to Wolfe Island is right there also. Across the river, at the top of the hill is Old Fort Henry, which has a number of activities during the summer and fall. Bellevue House was the home of Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. Fans looking for other sporting options within the city will not have to look far. Queen’s fields a full slate of athletic programs including their legendary football program that plays at Richardson Memorial Stadium. The Queen’s basketball team plays a few blocks away at the Athletics and Recreation Centre, which is on the main campus. The cross-town rivals for the Gaels, the RMC Paladins play just across the water at Constantine Arena. Also, the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL play right downtown at Leon's Centre. There are a number of places to stay if you are staying in Kingston. By the waterfront you can find the Confederation Place Hotel, Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront and Delta Waterfront Hotel. All are good spots to stay. Fans 2 The attendance at OUA hockey games isn’t huge and at times the attendance is not reported. Queen’s definitely is in the lower echelon when it comes to hockey attendance. The 2016-2017 season has drawn approximately 100 fans per game, which is not terrific. However, at the time of this writing, the Carr-Harris Cup has yet to be played and that game, annually played at the Rogers K-Rock Centre, will draw over 3,000 fans and skew the results. The arena being located off campus is an issue for sure, but Queen’s needs to do more to bring the students out to support their hockey team. Those in attendance are pretty much regulars and the atmosphere the fans bring is pretty laid back. Access 4 Getting to the Kingston Memorial Centre is not too difficult. The Memorial Centre is located north of the Queen’s campus and west of downtown Kingston. It is a pretty significant distance from the main highway into Kingston, Highway 401. Getting to the Kingston Memorial Centre from out of town will require a pretty significant travel through the city of Kingston. Fans interested in public transportation to the Kingston Memorial Centre will be pleased as there are bus stops along Concession and Princess Streets which both offer a very short walk to the arena. Check out the Kingston Transit website for schedules, fares and maps. Considering the lack of attendance, there is plenty of parking on the west side of the building. Parking on site is free and street parking is available on the off chance that the lot is full. The main entry to the arena is off of York Street. The main entrance does have a small ticket window with credit cards accepted for ticket purchase. Lines are not an issue due to the small attendance. Getting around the arena is not too much of an issue. Stairs may be of some concern, but wisely choosing a seat, considering the seats are all general admission, should alleviate stairs as a major issue. Considering the age of the Kingston Memorial Centre, the washroom facilities are a pleasant surprise. Clearly having been recently updated, the facilities are modern and comfortable, but not overly spacious. Return on Investment 5 At just $10 per ticket, Queen’s Gaels hockey is definitely a bargain. There are not too many sporting options out there that are in the same class as OUA hockey. With very little investment for tickets and free parking, fans are not putting too much money into their evening’s entertainment. Admittedly, concessions are an issue, however the proximity to a fantastic neighbourhood for unique food and beverage options should push the fan to avoid concessions in the first place. Also, OUA hockey offers an exciting product and high level hockey, without the fighting that you would find in professional or junior hockey. Extras 2 An extra mark for the unique, historical murals that are found on the staircases of the Kingston Memorial Centre. An extra mark for the place in hockey history that is occupied by Queen’s and RMC. It is fantastic that they continue their rivalry through the Carr-Harris Challenge Cup. Final Thoughts Queen’s Gaels hockey has a significant, historical place in the hockey world. They play in an arena that was once the centre of hockey in the city of Kingston and offers a unique, historical experience for hockey fans. It is unfortunate that more fans are not familiar with this experience. It would also be great to see more of that hockey history on display at the Kingston Memorial Centre for the fans to see and experience. Most importantly, hats off to the city of Kingston and Queen’s for maintaining a memorial for those brave souls who helped defend Canada. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Constantine Arena 7 Navy Way Kingston, ON K7K 7B4 Royal Military College Paladins website Constantine Arena website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 1,500 Under a Canuck’s Protection There is something just a bit more special when watching a college sporting event that involves a military service academy. In the United States Army, Navy and Air Force have a special bond with the fans. In Canada, the military service academy is at a significantly smaller scale. Royal Military College of Canada is located in Kingston, Ontario and competes in the newly rebranded University Sports Canada in the Ontario conference or OUA. The enrollment at RMC is extremely small at just under 1,000 students and the school was established in 1876. Although the sporting options and enrollment at the school has decreased significantly over the years, the premiere team for the RMC Paladins is the ice hockey team. Having iced a team since 1884, the Paladins maintain significant rivalries with the cross-town Queen’s Gaels and Army West Point, who they have played annually since. The hockey team makes their home at Constantine Arena, just across the road from the campus of RMC. Although Constantine may seem pretty ordinary there is something that jumps out at the casual fan right away. In front of the area is a fighter jet. A decommissioned Avro CF-100 Canuck stands guard in front of the arena and Kingston Military Recreation Centre. Other than that, Constantine Arena is sure to bring Canadians back to their own childhood playing minor hockey in one of those simple and cold areas. Food & Beverage 1 A culinary experience at Constantine Arena you will not find. The prevailing strategy at Constantine is BYOTH, or bring your own Tim Hortons. The Tims on the nearby Canadian Forces Base Kingston is a good spot to stop before getting to the game. If you insist on purchasing food at the arena, then you better have some change as vending machines are the only option in the arena. Keep in mind that the arena temperature is quite cold and of the vending machines that you will find in Constantine, none of them sell hot beverages. Atmosphere 2 Constantine Arena is a bit of a throwback, but not in a classic arena sort of way. What Constantine will do, is bring Canadians back to their own days playing minor hockey as kids. Constantine Arena is located across the street from the beautiful campus of RMC. It is a fairly non-descript building that is in the same area as the Kingston Military Community Sports Complex. Immediately, patrons will notice the retired Avro CF-100 Canuck outside of the arena. At the very least, the Canuck brings attention to a building that otherwise requires none. The main entry to Constantine is around what seems like the back of the building. There is also a retired tank behind the building. The exterior is fairly bland with some red brick and siding. Upon entry, fans will notice two things immediately. First, patrons can’t help but notice just how small the arena is. There is not a ton of space in Constantine outside of the main ice surface. Second, fans can’t help but notice how cold the arena is. It is these two items that will bring fans back to their own childhood. It is actually so cold in Constantine that the glass along the boards is often foggy. This is not a big deal as the seating area, five rows of bleacher benches, are all above the glass level. There is netting all around the arena so there is no worry of being hit by a puck. The height of the grandstand combined with the small nature of the arena means that fans are right on top of the action in a pretty unique perspective. The ice surface is west to east orientation with the seating on the south side. The west side of the arena has the simple scoreboard and to the left of it, the first of a number of military flags. The lone flag on the west side is the Canadian Army Flag. On the north side there are also a number of other military flags for various branches of the military including the Intelligence Branch, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and Canadian Military Engineers. Finally, on the west side is the lone player banner for Steve Molaski who played for the Paladins from 1983-1988 and scored 205 career points. He is the career scoring leader for RMC. The game day production is extremely simple with nothing much outside of the regular PA announcements that are made during the game. The PA system in Constantine is pretty terrible and at the game being reviewed, one of the two speakers in the arena stopped working. The Paladins need to do more to really make Constantine Arena a true home. RMC has played hockey since 1884 and have a rich history. The Paladins need to do more to show off their vast history in Constantine, especially their special rivalry games with Army West Point. Neighbourhood 5 RMC and Constantine Arena are located just on the other side of the bay, a minute or two from Downtown Kingston. On the south side of LaSalle Causeway is the campus of the Royal Military College of Canada. It is beautiful campus right on the bay. If you are looking for an even better view of downtown and the campus, head up the hill to Fort Henry. At the very least this vantage point offers a wonderful view of RMC and downtown Kingston. Fort Henry also runs tours and a number of events in the summertime. Across the bridge of the LaSalle Causeway is Downtown Kingston. There you will find a number of things to do and places to eat. The Rogers K-Rock Centre, home of the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL is right there. If you travel west of downtown, you will hit the campus of Queen’s University. Queen’s fields competitive programs in football at Richardson Stadium, basketball at the Athletics and Recreation Centre and hockey at the Kingston Memorial Centre. You may also want to check out Bellevue House, the home of the first Canadian Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. On campus, you may also find the RMC Museum interesting. There are a ton of places to get a pre or post game meal in downtown Kingston. Just before heading to the game, hit the Tim Hortons on CFB Kingston to get your coffee or hot chocolate before entering the arena. The Toucan, Chez Piggy, Sir John’s Public House, the Merchant Tap House and a number of national and international chain restaurants are all right downtown for you to choose from. There are a few hotels right downtown to choose from also. The Delta Waterfront, Holiday Inn and Confederation Place are good choices and are right by the waterfront. Fans 2 Having an enrollment of just over 1,000 students gives RMC a distinct handicap. The last few years have seen the Paladins struggle to get in the win column. Combine that with competition from cross-town rival Queen’s and the Kingston Frontenacs and you will realize that RMC also struggles at the gate. Keeping in mind that Canadian college hockey generally struggles to draw a strong following and you will see that in reality RMC is not that far off other programs. Typically drawing between 100 and 200 fans, the Paladins are not making waves in the conference, but there are also a number of programs that draw similar fan support. The fans in attendance are tried and true and define die-hard. Considering that the capacity for Constantine Arena is greater than the enrollment at RMC, it would be interesting to see if the Paladins could draw all of the cadets out to see the home side play. That would be a pretty fantastic fan atmosphere. Access 3 Getting in and around Constantine is not too difficult. RMC is located at the crossing of the LaSalle Causeway to downtown Kingston. It is at the southern point of the city and a fair distance from highway 401, the main highway in Southern Ontario. That being said, travelers coming in from out of town will have to travel through a significant part of the city to get to campus. Usually this isn’t terrible, but numerous lights and cross streets can make for slow going. If you are interested in public transit, there are bus stops along LaSalle Causeway and Navy Way. Also, the red Kingston Trolley makes a specific stop at RMC, so getting to the arena should not be a problem. There is no real box office at Constantine. Upon entry to the arena on game day, fans will be met by a student working the door at a temporary table to sell tickets. Cash is the way to go and you will be granted admission, but no physical ticket exists. Getting in and around Constantine can be fun. The grandstand is higher than ice level, requiring patrons to take a flight of stairs up. Handicapped patrons will be required to remain at ice level. Washrooms can be a bit precarious to find, but considering the low number of fans in attendance, getting in and out of the washroom is not too difficult. Return on Investment 5 Some of the above categories may make it seem like Paladins hockey is not the way to go. However, Paladins hockey does offer the cheapest ticket around. Adult admission is a mere $5 and there are discounts for military and kids. Although some areas of the return may not be the greatest, the investment is so small that it makes it really difficult to complain about RMC Paladins hockey. You can’t even rent a movie from your cable company for the cost of a Paladins ticket. Extras 2 An extra mark just for being a Military Service Academy. An extra mark for the staying power of RMC hockey, having remained around since 1884. Final Thoughts It’s true that Constantine Arena is not the nicest arena in University Sports Canada. It’s true that the Royal Military College Paladins are often hamstrung with regards to putting a competitive team on the ice. However, it’s also true that there is something about going to see a game where the national anthem means a little bit more and the knowledge that the players in red and white are making a bit more of a commitment. There’s something about watching a game under the regal military flags and under the watchful eye of a Canuck. RMC Paladins hockey will bring you back to your minor hockey playing days at a price that is ridiculously low. Paladins hockey, although not a destination item, is definitely worth a look if you are in Kingston. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Thompson Arena Western Rd. & Philip Aziz Ave London, ON N6A 3K7 Canada Western Mustangs website Thompson Arena website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 3,615 Purple Ponies on Ice London, Ontario is the home of Western University, formerly The University of Western Ontario. Western was established in 1878 and has amassed a strong athletic program amidst its beautiful campus and strong athletic facilities. Western joined the OUAA in 1971 as the newly formed Ontario Conference in what would become Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). Since then, the Mustangs have been fielding great teams in a number of different disciplines. The Western Mustangs hockey team was established in 1937 and claim three Queen’s Cups as Ontario Champions and one University Cup as National Champions. Home for the Purple Ponies is Thompson Arena. The arena is on the campus of Western University and part of the greater Thompson Recreation & Athletic Centre. The Centre opened in 1974 and is also the main recreation home for Western students. The arena is multi-functional, also serving as home for the women’s hockey team and figure skating team, as well as the indoor season for the track and field team. It is named after Col. J. Thompson. Thompson Arena is an excellent facility for university hockey and Western does a pretty good job utilizing it. Food & Beverage 2 Concessions at the Thompson Arena are fairly limited. The main concession stand is at the east side of the arena. Before entering the arena itself, there is a Booster Juice smoothie bar which may be of interest to you. The main concession stand within the arena has fairly limited options. They sell popcorn ($2), chocolate bars, candy and hot dogs ($2.50). In the eastern concourse there is also a temporary Domino’s Pizza tent. There are a few beverage options at the Thompson Arena as well. The main concession stand offers Coca-Cola products ($2.50) along with coffee. There are also vending machines in the eastern concourse. Inside the arena, there is a licensed area behind the south boards. The beer garden offers limited alcoholic selections that may only be consumed in the licensed area and not brought into the seating area or concourse. Atmosphere 4 Compared to other CIS Hockey venues, Thompson Arena has a pretty good atmosphere. The exterior of the Thompson Recreation & Athletic Centre is fairly non-descript from the street. Clearly a building that has been added onto over the years, the newest section appears to be the student rec centre which offers large windows from the main entrance from the parking lot to the northeast. The entrance is fairly spacious and splits with the rec centre off to the left and the arena straight ahead. Inside the arena you will be sticking to the east concourse which is decorated with large banners of current Mustang hockey players. A large trophy case holds some Mustang achievements. The exterior wall is also being prepped for a future Mustang Hockey Wall of Honour. Inside the seating bowl, the east side features plastic stadium seats in purple with more than enough for the number of fans in attendance. The west side has wooden bleachers that can be pulled out for really big crowds. At ice level, an indoor track surrounds the ice, leaving plenty of space for other activities when the bleachers are away. The north and west sides feature inflatable fun for the young kids in attendance. The score clock at centre ice must be the original from 1974 and is still in good working order. However, it does lack other information usually found at hockey games, including shots on goal. North of the score clock are the banners honouring past Mustang teams including the 1995, 2005 and 2009 OUA Conference Championships and the 2002 National Championships. Other honours for figure skating, women’s hockey and track and field are also here. The arena, overall, features plenty of purple and lots of Western markings. There is no mistaking that this is the home of the Mustangs. The in-game production at a Mustangs game is better than most CIS hockey experiences. As with most other OUA arenas, the majority of the production is handled by students. For the most part the presentation is fairly simple and what you would expect from a CIS experience. The music is the usual mix of pop and classic rock, however, unique for this venue is the presence of the Mustang band behind the visitor’s bench. Off and on throughout the game the band plays a variety of tunes but especially the Mustang fight song. Just before the teams enter the ice the theme from “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” is played, a definite play on the Western school name. Play is started with the typical Western horse whinney. The seating area is divided into an upper and lower area, with the upper area featuring permanent seating and the lower featuring moveable bleachers with backs. Since the east side is the one that is normally open, your seat selection will probably be limited to that side. The upper section offers the better sight lines and more comfortable seating and if you must have that picture with the centre ice logo looking just perfect, then the east side is where you want to be anyway. Neighborhood 3 Thompson Arena is located fairly centrally in the Western campus. There are a few interesting places that you may want to get to. The campus pub at Western is The Wave. If it is a place that you are considering then make sure you do your research and consider the limited hours that they are open. The Barakat Restaurant is located to the west of the arena on Western Road. If you head north of the arena, the best choices can be found. You may want to consider the Waltzing Weasel Pub or Beertown Public House. The campus of Western is located northwest of downtown London. There are a number of other food options there, but you will also find some more hockey options, specifically the OHL’s London Knights at Budweiser Gardens. Other sporting options on campus include Mustangs football at TD Stadium and Mustangs basketball at Alumni Hall. If you want to do some shopping, then check out Masonville Place, which is also close by. There are a few places to stay around campus. Windermere Manor offers something a little out of the ordinary and may be worth a try. If you are looking for something a little more mainstream, then head downtown for a more recognizable chain. Fans 3 Attendance is very difficult to gauge at CIS hockey games. Often times attendance goes unreported and there are few resources to compare attendance figures. Attendance at CIS hockey is usually measured in hundreds as opposed to thousands. That being said, Western has a fairly decent following for hockey. Games will usually draw between 250 and 500 fans. The crowd in attendance is fairly laid back and reserved. They do get excited upon a Western goal and remain silent during opponent goals. There are some students in attendance, but there is no significant student presence that would manifest itself in a specific section that you would see at an American university. Access 4 Getting in and around the Thompson Arena is not difficult at all. Thompson Arena is located at the corner of Western Road and Philip Aziz Avenue, at pretty much the centre of the campus at Western University. Western’s campus is located a fairly significant distance from highways 401 and 402, which would be the major arteries in and out of London. Western Road is a large road that moves fairly quickly, but if you are coming from out of town to Western, you will have to do some significant driving through the city. Entry to the arena is from the centre of campus, the north side of the arena, which can be accessed from the Huron Drive parking lot or from the main entrance to the university at Lambton Drive. Public transit is available that travels on Western Road and Sarnia Road. London Transit Commission buses stop right at the arena. Check out the LTC website for rates, schedules and maps if you are interested in public transit. There is plenty of parking on the Western Campus. Parking is free on the weekends, when lots are unattended. The most convenient lot would be just north of Thompson Arena and can be accessed from Huron Drive. The entry for the arena is spacious enough for the needs of Western. Do not get confused with the arena ticketing area and the recreation centre help desk. Go past the rec centre desk to the box office for Thompson Arena to pick up your tickets in person. Tickets are also available online. Getting around the arena is no problem considering the number of patrons that are in attendance. The east concourse may be a bit squishy if there is a capacity crowd, however it is not an issue normally. Washroom facilities are more than adequate in the east concourse. Return on Investment 5 Mustangs hockey is a great event to catch for a pretty small investment. Tickets for Mustangs hockey go for a mere $8 a person. There are also discounts for seniors, non-Western students and youth. Kids 5 and under are free. Combine the low ticket price with free parking and decent concession prices and you have a recipe for a very affordable brand of entertainment. CIS hockey is fast-paced and tends to play a little smaller than the professional ranks. There is hitting, but league rules prohibit fighting so there is just the right amount of rough stuff. Extras 3 An extra mark for Mustang Days. Mustang Days are a celebration of Mustang athletics with as many athletic events packed into one weekend as possible. An extra mark for ample opportunity to pair Mustang hockey with Mustang basketball for an awesome CIS doubleheader for little money. An extra mark for distinguished Western alumnus Steve Rucchin. Rucchin played for the Mustangs from 1990-1994 after playing high school hockey in London and Junior D hockey in Thamesford, Ontario for only a couple of games. Usually, CIS players come from Junior A or B ranks. Eventually Rucchin would go on to play for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim from 1994 to 2004. Steve Rucchin’s path to a significant NHL career was unorthodox to say the least. Final Thoughts The Western Mustangs are continuing to do their best to provide an athletic experience that is closer to their NCAA cousins rather than their CIS brothers. Western hockey is a fun experience with a few extras that you may not expect. The price is absolutely right and seeing the Purple Ponies on ice will not be a disappointment. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey. Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Sun Life Financial Arena at Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex 101 Father David Bauer Dr Waterloo, ON N2J 4A8 Wilfrid Laurier Athletics website Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 4,400 The Return of Hawkey It is hard to argue that there has been an organization harder hit by the Coronavirus pandemic than university sports in Canada. USports saw the championships in 2020 cut short and the entire 2020-2021 seasons cancelled across all sports. The 2021-2022 seasons have been modified and quickly changed to adapt to various provinces adapting measures to combat the virus, which include pauses on sport and reduced capacity at sporting events. After battling with the Ontario government over “elite” status in the early months of 2022, the Ontario conference of USports, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is continuing their sporting seasons in February, heading towards provincial and national championships. Among the men’s hockey teams that are taking the ice again are the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks. Established as the Golden Hawks in 1973, they were previously known as Waterloo College and Waterloo Lutheran University. Their moniker, the Mules, or Ice Mules in the case of hockey, was retired in 1960. Hockey history can be traced back to the 1920’s and Waterloo Lutheran entered conference play in the 1960’s. The Golden Hawks began playing hockey in the venerable Waterloo Memorial Arena, which would eventually be condemned due to structural issues and replaced with a temporary bubble behind the original facade. In 1993 the City of Waterloo opened a new 3,400-seat arena as part of a new recreation complex. The arena is currently named the Sun Life Financial Arena, after the insurance company with a huge presence in Kitchener-Waterloo and is part of the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex. Food & Beverage 3 One of the measures for combating COVID-19 in Ontario has been the restricting of selling food in public venues, such as hockey arenas. The rating for the FOOD category is based on the concession options of years past and what is currently advertised as being on the menu. The two concession stands in the Sun Life Financial Arena have changed since the Golden Hawks played previous to the pandemic shut down. Usually only the east side concession is open. There is also a concession in the concourse that services the pool as well. Items that are advertised for sale include fruit and fruit cups, hummus, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and sandwiches and wraps. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, Gatorade, milk and bottled soda are also advertised. In previous seasons, beer was available that could be consumed in a designated area. Prices are not overly expensive as advertised. Atmosphere 3 The Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex is currently experiencing a significant renovation and there is plenty of construction at the facility. The exterior of the complex is attractive with light coloured brick. The main entrance features plenty of windows and leads to a vast lobby which divides the Sun Life Financial Arena with the Swimplex. Fans are greeted by the unique art in front of the box office, “Etched In Memory”. The Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, like the Waterloo Memorial Arena before it, is a living memorial to those Canadians who gave their lives in the service of their country in both of the World Wars. Past the box office, down the concourse there is a display commemorating this memorial. Upon entering the Sun Life Financial Arena, fans will immediately notice the running track that surrounds the seating bowl. This is perfect for young children who are unable to sit still through an entire hockey game or for those fans who feel the need to walk around during intermissions without the hassle of crowded concourses. The ice surface is Olympic-sized, which offers the Hawks a bit of a home ice advantage as not all OUA hockey facilities have the width of an Olympic ice surface. The seating bowl is simple and surrounds the north-south ice surface with 12 rows of plastic stadium seats. Above centre ice is a simple score clock and to either side are the championship banners of both the Golden Hawks men’s and women’s hockey teams and the banners of the Waterloo Siskins Junior B team, which date back to 1945. The single men’s banner shows Queen’s Cup victories as OUA champions in 1983, 1989 and 1990. The north end of the arena features the original Memorial Arena sign from the old Waterloo Memorial Arena to go along with a historical plaque. The Waterloo Hockey Wall of Fame is right beneath the Memorial Arena sign. Local legends like Don Beaupre, Bill Goldsworthy, Ron Smith and Steven Rice are joined by Hockey Hall of Famers Bobby Bauer and Father David Bauer. Former Laurier coach Wayne Gowing is also a member of the Wall of Fame and a banner commemorating his 25 years coaching the Hawks hangs at the north end also. The gameday production is fairly simple. The expected music is played before the game and during breaks. The production is primarily student run. The on ice shootout happens during the first intermission and chuck-a-puck happens during the second intermission. The Laurier PA announcer, Chris Povey, has a massive voice and does a phenomenal job. Not much in the way of excess at Laurier. Neighbourhood 4 The immediate neighbourhood around the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex is fairly residential. A short walk will provide access to some food and accommodation options, however, hopping in the car for an extremely short drive is what most will do. The closest food options are the Proof Kitchen and Lounge and Sole Restaurant and Wine Bar. Both are more on the upscale side and can be found on Erb St. W. However, a two minute drive will bring fans to Uptown Waterloo on King St. S., which includes a plethora of options. Famoso Pizzeria, Beertown Public House McCabe’s Irish Pub, The Huether, The Works and the new location for the Duke of Wellington are all excellent choices. There are a number of other sporting options in the area for fans wishing to take in more options. Sun Life Financial Arena is shared with the Golden Hawks Women’s Hockey team and the Junior B, Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins. Laurier also fields other teams, including the football team, which plays at Knight-Newbrough Field and the basketball teams which play on campus at the Athletic Complex. The neighbouring rival Waterloo Warriors also play hockey at the Columbia IceField Arena, basketball at the Physical Activities Complex and football at Warrior Field. Fans can also head across town to Kitchener to take in the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium or the NBL Canada’s Kitchener-Waterloo Titans. Waterloo Park can be found immediately on the opposite side of Father David Bauer Dr. Although many of the park’s features are closed for the winter months, there are plenty of walking trails available for a little exercise. The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery is also on Father David Bauer Drive. In Uptown Waterloo, Waterloo Square has an ice rink for skating in the winter months and a large gathering space is there also. For a little night life, The Jazz Room at the Heuther and the Duke of Wellington provides weekend live music. Fans who wish to stay near the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex can choose the Delta by Marriott Waterloo, which is a short walk away. Fans 2 Although the pandemic has kept students away from campus, the effect on Laurier Hockey attendance has been minimal. In 2021-2022, the Golden Hawks have continued to draw between 100 and 200 fans per game. With the removal of special events for the season, like the Battle of Waterloo, usually played at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, attendance figures have not received their usual bump. Getting students to Sun Life Financial Arena has consistently been a challenge since the venue is off campus. Combined with the fact that the venue is significantly oversized, Laurier does not overly benefit from a home ice advantage. Access 5 Getting in and around the Sun Life Financial Arena is not very difficult. The Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex is located on Father David Bauer Drive, just off of Erb Street. This is significantly southwest of highway 85. If you are coming to a game from out of town, you will have to do a bit of driving through the city. Usually this is not a huge issue, but Waterloo is full of construction due to the new light-rail transit and can cause some travel issues. Although there is no public transit that runs on Father David Bauer Drive, the Grand River Transit Authority does offer buses on both Erb Street and Westmount Road which encompass both ends of Father David Bauer Drive. The Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex is also nestled between the Waterloo Square and Laurier/Waterloo Park stops of the ION light rail system. A short would be necessary to get to either of these stops from the Rec Complex. Check out the GRT website for schedules and maps. Construction continues at the Rec Complex to add different features. As a result, the main entrance may not be in service, however, the construction is not a huge hindrance to accessing the Rec Complex. The box office in the Rec Complex is in the main lobby. There are rarely lineups and there is plenty of room. Tickets are not sold at the top of the stairs entering the arena, so make sure you purchase your tickets before heading up to the seating bowl. Getting around the arena is no problem at all considering the number of fans in attendance. The track is very spacious and washroom facilities are more than adequate for the number of fans at the games. With the pandemic protocols in flux as the City of Waterloo and the Province of Ontario continue to make changes, it is important for fans to make sure they check the Laurier Golden Hawks website before heading to the game to be completely up to date on what is expected of fans. Return on Investment 5 Taking in a hockey game at Sun Life Financial Arena is an extremely affordable endeavour. Adult tickets run for $10 a piece and students and seniors go for $7. Laurier students get in for a mere $2 and children under 12 are free. Parking on site is free and concessions, when available, are very affordable. The oversized arena for the crowds does take away from the atmosphere and Laurier not having that rabid fanbase can leave a bit of a flat experience, but the reality is that there are few things possible for less money. Even a movie at the theatre is more expensive. Laurier hockey is the perfect experience for young children. There is plenty of space to be able to spread out and the cost is so low that an early exit does not feel painful. The running track is the perfect outlet for kids with way too much energy and doesn’t disturb fans watching the game. Extras 3 An extra mark for the maintaining of the heritage of the Waterloo Memorial Arena with the original sign still hanging. An extra mark for the event being run by students, including the video production for streaming complete with play by play, colour analysis and camera work. An extra mark for the family friendly nature and the perfect opportunity to introduce young children to spectator sports. Final Thoughts Laurier Golden Hawks hockey is a great way to spend an evening, offering high quality hockey action on the ice at an extremely affordable price. Hawkey live may not be the most well-known sporting endeavour, but it is well worth the time and money. It is a great way to spend an early Saturday night, leading right into what could be an excellent Waterloo night! Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey. Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex 2555 Pulford St Windsor, ON N9E 4H5 Windsor Lancers hockey website Capri Pizzeria Recreation Center website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 500 Lancers on Ice The southern point of Ontario finds a traveler at Windsor, Ontario. Higher education in Windsor is found right on the border of Windsor and the Detroit River. The University of Windsor was established in 1857 as Assumption College. In 1956, when public funding models in Ontario changed for post-secondary education institutions, Assumption was renamed the University of Windsor and adapted a more secular model. Athletics has been a big part of Windsor student life for quite a while. The Windsor Lancers hockey team first took the ice in 1964 as Assumption College. The Lancers would join the OUAA, precursor to the OUA, in 1971. The Lancers would play at the venerable Windsor Arena. With the OHL’s Spitfires moving across town to a new building and the city finding that the upkeep on the old building was just too much, the old arena was set to be demolished and the Lancers were forced to find a new home. Since 2013, the Lancers have played south of campus at the South Windsor Recreation Complex. The complex was built in 1970 and renovated and renamed in 2017. Currently known as the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex after a naming rights deal was signed with a local pizza restaurant, the CPRC is a hub for local recreation with a pair of hockey pads, gymnasium and other activity rooms. The Lancers are putting forth a strong effort to bring the students south, off campus to come out and support the Lancers. The CPRC is a throwback to those old youth hockey mornings that so many Canadian families remember fondly. Food & Beverage 4 The concession items at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex are better that one would expect for an OUA hockey facility. The Lancers have the advantage of playing in a complex that is a hub of the community and needs to service more people than just those Lancer fans. Rico’s Food & Refreshment provides concession options. The concession is just outside of the rink, which offers easy access to fans. Onion rings, sweet potato fries, chicken fingers, hot dogs, tuna, roast beef or turkey sandwiches, poutine and pogos are all available in a surprisingly diverse menu. A variety of hot and cold beverages are also available for purchase. Pepsi products are the soda of choice and coffee, tea, cappuccino and hot chocolate are examples of hot beverages available. The temperature inside the rink may force fans to make the hot beverage selection. Prices are very affordable and surprising. Combos are also available to save some money. A plethora of vending machines can also be found around the complex. Atmosphere 3 Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex is a community hub that services far more than just the Windsor Lancers. The exterior of the complex is nothing overly special. It still has that seventies feel to it with the brown brick and red trim. Being of a larger purpose, there is not much in the way of Windsor Lancer markings on the exterior. Once inside, the 2017 renovation becomes fairly obvious. The differences between the modern area and the seventies area are like night and day. Heading toward Rink 1 is where the Lancers can be found. A temporary ticket table sits between the concession stand and the entry to the rink, ready to welcome patrons. Inside the rink, it becomes a little more obvious that this is the home of the Lancers as some team markings can be found. The rink itself lends itself to the “hockey barn” ideal, with the wooden, peaked roof with tin-foil insulation lining it. The ice surface runs from east to west with the seating on the north side of the ice. Capacity for the rink is perfect at 500. The east wall features a simple scoreboard, while the south wall has a number of youth hockey banners hanging. It is here that the 1998 and 2014 Queen’s Cup conference championship banners can be found along with the retired number 23 for Ken Minello, the all-time leading scorer in Windsor Lancer history. Unfortunately, the scoreboard does not track the shots on goal, which can be very annoying. The other key element of the rink is the temperature, it is darn cold! Being able to see one’s breath when watching the game is not unheard of in the Capri Complex. When selecting a seat, fans should consider looking up to the old-school, propane heaters that sit above the seating area. Choosing a seat that is under a heater may be the difference between an enjoyable or not-enjoyable event. The game day production at a Windsor Lancers game is very simple. It fits with the environment. Fans have the opportunity to sit right on top of the action, where everything seems to move faster and feel bigger. The sounds of the game are prevalent this close and Windsor does its fans a service by not overproducing the game. Neighbourhood 3 The Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex is located in South Windsor at Oakwood Park, approximately six kilometers from the University of Windsor campus. The location for the arena is very suburban and fans are going to need to take transit or the car to find a pre or post game spot for a meal. The most options that are close by can be found on the EC Row Expressway. Chain restaurants like Moxies, the Mandarine, and the Keg are all found close by. For something a little more original, try the Southside Grill or Cramdon’s Tap and Eatery. There are a number of entertainment options available in Windsor. As far as sports go, the Lancers also field a football team at Alumni Field at the University of Windsor Stadium and basketball in the St. Denis Centre. The Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League are the crown jewel of the city and they play at the WFCU Centre. It is also not inconceivable to hop the border to the north and catch one of the multitude of Detroit sport franchises. Other entertainment options to consider include Caesars Windsor and Adventure Bay Family Water Park. For fans wishing to stay in the Windsor area, there are a number of hotels available. The Comfort Inn and Holiday Inn & Suites Windsor are good options to consider. Fans 3 Fans for almost all OUA hockey spots are of the die-hard variety. OUA hockey does not bring out big crowds usually. The Windsor Lancers usually draw around 200 fans per game, which ranks in the middle of the conference. Many other programs have a signature game to draw from, which skews attendance figures annually. However, Windsor does not currently have a game like that. The Lancers benefit from a small capacity at Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex. Even though the Lancers do not draw much more than most other programs, the atmosphere at Capri is solid. Such a small capacity makes Capri seem full all the time. The fans in attendance are pretty loud and supportive. There are a surprisingly high number of students who make the trek from campus to catch the games, which is great. Access 4 The Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex is located in the neighbourhood of South Windsor, in Oakwood Park. The neighbourhood is nestled south of EC Row Expressway and east of highway 401 and the arena can be found on Pulford Street on the west end of the neighbourhood. Getting to the arena is easy as it is so close to the highways. There is plenty of free parking available at the complex for fans who are coming by car. Public transit is available near the complex and many students take transit from campus to the games. For fans interested in public transit, check out the Transit Windsor website for maps, fares and schedules. Tickets are purchased or picked up at the temporary table outside of the rink entry. Lineups are not a huge issue. The washroom facilities are shared with the rest of the complex. Washrooms are quite large and more than adequate for Windsor Lancers games. However, they are not right in the rink but this is not a huge deal. Return on Investment 4 Canadian university hockey provides a phenomenal value for the sporting dollar. Tickets for the Lancers go for only $8. Discounts are available for seniors and students. University of Windsor students are free. There is plenty of free parking for patrons and the concession prices are pretty good. The action on the ice is fast-paced and pure making OUA and Windsor Lancers hockey one of the best kept secrets out there. Extras 2 An extra mark for the lineage that saw the Lancers play in the venerable Windsor Arena, before moving to South Windsor. An extra mark for the perfect fans to capacity ratio. Final Thoughts The Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex is a great location for OUA hockey. The Windsor Lancers enjoy a classic, Canadian hockey barn that has the perfect capacity for their needs. Fans will be able to be right on top of the action and able to enjoy all of the sounds and sights of the game in its most pure form. Checking out a Windsor Lancers game is well worth the money and an experience that will surprise many. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

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

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Warrior Field 252-254 Columbia Street W Waterloo, ON N2L 0A1 Waterloo Warriors football website Warrior Field website Stadium opened: 2009 Capacity: 5,400 New Warriors The Waterloo Warriors are coming off of a few seasons of success that they were not used to. It has been a number of years for the OUA football squad to recover from the unjust, unfortunate and unprecedented suspension of the program after a handful of player positive drug tests. The Warriors introduced coach Chris Bertoia to the mix who immediately paid dividends with the recruitment of the Ford twins, each of which have now moved on to the Canadian Football League. Tre Ford brought the Warriors some unprecedented success with the program’s very first Hec Crighton Trophy winner in 2021 as the Most Outstanding Canadian Football Player in the country. The Warriors have been playing football since 1957 and have enjoyed relative success including two Yates Cups as conference champions. The home of the Waterloo Warriors since 2009 has been Warrior Field. Built in response to the desire not to play on the home turf of the rival Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, Warrior Field has been a work in progress over the years. The erecting of the Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House behind the football stadium has provided Waterloo with an improved facility and an improved fan experience. However, there is still plenty of work to be done. With a new crop of recruits on the field, it will be interesting to see if the recent success the Warriors enjoyed was real or just a blip on the radar. Food & Beverage 2 Concessions at Warrior Field are pretty restricted. University of Waterloo Food Services is on location and provides basic concession options including hot dogs, sausage and burgers. Vegetarian options are also available. Soda and water can also be found at the main tent. Dominos Pizza also has a stand where pizza slices are available. Warrior Field provides just enough to get by, however for fans looking for something more, looking elsewhere before or after the game would be the best idea. Atmosphere 3 Warrior Field provides a very simple structure in a wide open part of campus. Located as part of the Columbia IceField athletic complex, north of Columbia Street, Warrior Field is not an imposing structure. The turf field runs from east to west with a simple aluminum bleacher seating structure on the north side and berm seating on the south side. The most notable feature of the field would be the Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House, which towers over the field, with a large Warriors logo on the facade. The Field House provides washroom facilities and a ticketing office that were not previously present at Warrior Field. The simple, digital scoreboard is at the west end of the field along with the flag poles. The Columbia IceField, which is attached to the Field House, offers other athletic facilities as well as the football offices. Outside of the football office, fans can find the Warrior Football Ring of Honour, which includes such Warrior football greats as Mike Bradley, Tom Chartier, John Shoniker and Dave “Tuffy” Knight. It is unfortunate that these honours are hidden away from regular fans and it is not possible to see this on gameday. Also, it would be beneficial for the Warriors to erect flags or banners commemorating the 1997 and 1999 Yates Cup Championships that the Warriors earned. It is believed that the current seating structure is relatively temporary with a more permanent structure being part of the long game. The gameday presentation is fairly consistent with what fans would expect from any OUA football game. The Warriors enter the field from the northeast corner, running through an inflated Warrior helmet and fog machine. The Waterloo mascot, King Warrior often joins the Warrior cheerleading team on the sidelines. Select games will also bring out the small, but committed Warrior Band to provide music at the east end of the grandstand. The combination of a terrible sound system and little coordination between the band and those providing music and announcing provide a confusing situation at best. Fans often have difficulty following what is going on from a production standpoint. Neighbourhood 4 Two universities, University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, within the vicinity of Warrior Field make the surrounding neighbourhood very interesting. The University of Waterloo is an urban campus so there are many nearby options. For the most variety, head over to University Ave and select from a plethora of locals and cuisines. Some spots you may want to check out will include Mel’s Diner, Molly Bloom’s and The Mongolian Grill. The other option would be to head up to King Street where Morty’s Pub is the best among a list of options. If you can arrange to see the Warriors play in the late fall, then you may just hit town in time for Oktoberfest. The largest North American Bavarian festival brings thousands into town and is a highlight for many of the locals. There are a huge number of events for all ages and not something to miss. Otherwise, a Saturday afternoon Warriors game can lead into a great evening of jazz at The Jazz Room at the Huether Hotel, close to Uptown Waterloo. On the campus of Waterloo, the Physical Activities Complex plays host to the Warriors basketball team and Columbia IceField is home to the Warriors hockey team. A short walk across campus leads to the campus of Wilfrid Laurier. The former home of Warriors football is now Knight-Newbrough Field at University Stadium and is home to the Laurier Golden Hawks. The WLU Athletic Complex is home to Golden Hawks basketball and nearby Sun Life Financial Arena at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex is home to the Laurier hockey teams. Across town into Kitchener, visiting fans will most definitely want to catch a Kitchener Rangers hockey game at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. If you are looking for a place to stay in town, The Inn of Waterloo and Comfort Inn are both close to the campus. The Inn of Waterloo is a more upscale stay if that interests you. Both are just a few short minutes away by car. Fans 3 Fans support for the Waterloo Warriors is okay. With only four home games per season, each game tends to take on significant importance. With grandstand capacity at only 1,100, most of the time the bleachers are strongly populated. Games against rival Laurier or Guelph will bring out more fans who travel and the first game of the season is usually the most well attended. That being said, most OUA programs struggle with attendance and struggle to connect to current students. It is not unfair to suggest that there are more locals, alumni and families in the stands than students for most games. Access 4 The Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House has significantly improved the accessibility of Warrior Field. Warrior Field is located at the north end of the campus of the University of Waterloo. It is southwest of highway 85 and a pretty significant distance from the highway. To get to Warrior Field, you will be required to drive through the city a bit. Warrior Field is on the same plot of land as the Columbia IceField. You should not be required to drive through the main campus, between University Ave and Columbia Street. Public transit options will be left to the GRT buses, of which there are a few that travel in and around the University of Waterloo. Check the GRT website for schedules and maps relevant to Warrior Field. Parking is available around Warrior Field. There is a pay lot at the Columbia IceField and is predominantly now reserved for season ticket holders and tailgate parties. Free parking is available on weekends behind the optometry building to the east of the Columbia IceField. There is more than enough parking if you give yourself a bit of time before kickoff. The Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House has improved the experience at Warrior Field in two very specific ways. First, the Fieldhouse now houses a permanent ticketing box office. Tickets may be purchased right at the stadium using cash or credit with relative ease and a small lineup. Secondly, and more importantly, the Fieldhouse is open during the game to offer permanent washroom facilities. The portable washroom facilities are now much more limited, with one remaining on the south side of the field, which is a huge, and welcome, change. Return on Investment 4 Waterloo Warriors football, along with the other OUA programs, offer tremendous value for a limited investment. Tickets for the Warriors go for $12 for the grandstand and $10 for the berm with discounts offered for alumni, seniors and kids. Waterloo students are granted berm admission for free with proper identification. Concession prices are not too bad and parking can be found for free. The product on the field is plenty of fun and catching a Warriors game provides a solid Saturday afternoon of sports entertainment. Extras 4 An extra mark for the Warrior Band, which has been running from 1966 and is advertised as “One of the Bands in Canada.” There isn’t really anything like it in the rest of the league. An extra mark for the student-run nature of a Warrior game. The students run just about all of the aspects of the game, including radio and internet streaming broadcasts. An extra mark for the University of Waterloo continuing the recent trend of investing in their athletic programs and athletic facilities. An extra mark for the renewed rivalry against the Laurier Golden Hawks across all athletic teams. The Battle of Waterloo is better than it has ever been. Final Thoughts Waterloo Warriors football will not wow fans with an unbelievable production. OUA football is simple and underrated. Definitely a great place to be on a Saturday afternoon, Warrior Field does its job with room for improvement. On the plus side, the University of Waterloo has shown it is not afraid to invest in facilities on campus and hopefully will continue the trend. How the Warriors will do on the field in the wake of significan graduation remains to be seen. However, the chant of “Water-Water-Water-Loo-Loo-Loo” will remain either way. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Richardson Memorial Stadium 948 Johnson St Kingston, ON K7M 5W9 Queen’s Gaels website Richardson Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 8,500 Oil Thigh Rejuvenated Established in 1841, in Kingston, Ontario, Queen’s University is one of the oldest and most respected universities in Canada. There are few schools in Canada that are so steeped in tradition and history. Walking through Kingston the tri-colours of yellow, red and blue can be seen all over the city. That tradition and history has also been found in their football program. Of all of the traditions at Queen’s, the most beloved might be the singing of the Oil Thigh at a Gaels touchdown. This semi-impromptu chant has been part of Queen’s traditions for as long as most can remember and traces its Scottish roots back to when Canada was just an infant as a country. The Gaelic war cry “Cha Gheill” means No Surrender, and is the mantra for Queen’s athletes. The Queen’s Golden Gaels football program was established back in 1882. Since that point the Gaels have seen a great deal of success on the gridiron. The program has produced three Hec Crighton Winners as the Most Outstanding Player in CIS football, won the Vanier Cup as Canadian National Champions four times and even won the Grey Cup in 1922, 1923 and 1924. They have also won the Yates Cup as Ontario Conference Champions 23 times and the Dunsmore Cup as Quebec-Ontario Conference Champions seven times. Home for the Gaels since 1921 has been George Taylor Richardson Memorial Stadium. Originally built in the centre of Queen’s campus, Richardson Stadium hosted the 1922 Grey Cup and saw Franklin Delano Roosevelt receive an honorary degree in 1938. George Richardson played hockey at Queen’s from 1902 to 1906, and was one of the best players of his era. He enlisted in the military and served in World War I, where he was killed in action in Belgium. Upon his death, he bequeathed money to the Queen’s Athletic Department. In 1971, Richardson Stadium was rebuilt and moved to the newer West Campus of Queen’s. Although there was opposition at the time, the students would grow to call the new Richardson home. A completely rebuilt Richardson Stadium just opened in 2016 and has become a new standard for stadia in the OUA. Food & Beverage 4 Concession options at Richardson Stadium are a little bit different. Queen’s has partnered with both Pita Pit and Gabriel’s Pizza to provide permanent concession options at Richardson Stadium. Pita Pit especially is not a traditional partner that you would find in an athletic facility, but are getting their foot in the door at Queen’s. Pita Pit provides a variety of wraps, which are pre-made and can be toasted on site. They offer a Black Bean vegetarian option, chicken souvlaki, chicken caesar and club. If you are looking for something original, then you will want to try the Gael, which features chicken, bacon, lettuce, peppers, mushrooms, cheddar, tzatziki and falafel. Gabriel’s offers regular and premium slices of pizza ($5/$6). More traditional fare can be found at the Kenny’s tents where you will find hot dogs, sausages and other traditional BBQ items. Coca-Cola products are available in plastic bottles if you are looking for a drink ($3). The Gaels Club at the north endzone is a licenced area where alcoholic beverages can be purchased. However, due to strict alcohol laws in Ontario, beverages may not leave the Gaels Club area. A surprising aspect of Richardson Stadium is a distinct lack of water sales. There are a number of water fountains and water bottle filling stations around the stadium, showing a conscious effort to combat the amount of waste produced from plastic water bottles as well as the beverage companies that are drawing community water for pennies. Atmosphere 5 For OUA football, Queen’s is now without peer. The rejuvenated Richardson Stadium is clearly the best stadium in the entire conference, I possibly the CIS. The main entrance to Richardson Stadium is at the east grandstand. The main gate features a smart looking permanent building made of grey stone and featuring signs that recognize the main donors that made the new stadium possible. There is also a nice display outlining the Richardson legacy. The stadium area is surrounded by wrought iron fence. There are a ton of flags around the stadium many are fairly generic Queen’s 175th anniversary banners. At the northeast corner, which can be viewed from inside or outside the stadium, a pole stands with four pennants honoring the four Vanier Cups as Canadian National Championships that the Gaels claim. Inside the gates, Richardson Stadium continues to be impressive. The north-south oriented field is now artificial field turf, ending Queen’s as the last OUA team with a natural grass surface. Richardson features two scoreboards, each behind an endzone. The north scoreboard is simple, while in the south is a decent videoboard. The seating is a horseshoe with the north side open. The north endzone features the Gaels Club where fans can partake in an alcoholic beverage. Seating in Richardson is metal benches with backs for most of the stadium. Between the forty yard lines are plastic stadium seats which go for an extra cost. Above the west grandstand is a nice pressbox and luxury box structure. The OUA does not have another stadium with luxury boxes like this. On the side of the luxury box structure is a mural honoring the 32 Conference Championships, 3 Grey Cups and 5 National Championships. The gameday production is also second to none. Above all other programs, Queen’s takes its traditions seriously. Gaelic tradition is found throughout the game. The Queen’s Bands enter at the beginning of the game from the southwest corner of the stadium. The students and bands make a grand entrance, walking from the west campus to the stadium, following the flags and the bands. The band is not the typical marching band, but a Scottish pipe band, complete with the tartans and Highland dancers. The 2016 Homecoming Game had its fair share of controversy with many of the previous Homecoming traditions altered, probably due to the new stadium. This would include the engineers and their storming of the field at halftime and the parade of alumni. It will be interesting to see if Queen’s moves to reset some of the abandoned traditions for the 2017 Homecoming. After a Gaels score, the fans roll into an unorganized rendition of the Oil Thigh, which they are joined by all of the cheerleaders and dancers. There is nothing over the PA and different parts of the stadium are at different points in the song. It’s surely a throwback from a time when there was no PA system and it’s neat to see the fans run a piece of the game all by themselves. Finally, the southeast corner of the stadium features a “live stage” where artists are often brought in to add some live music to the game experience. Queen’s has a number of cheerleader and dance groups that participate in the game experience. Boo-Hoo the Bear is the Queen’s mascot and makes his way around the stadium and enters with the bands. Overall, the experience is second to none in the OUA. Neighbourhood 5 Richardson Stadium is located on the West Campus of Queen’s University in the Woodlands neighbourhood of Kingston. In the immediate area, there are not many options, but a few blocks east, fans will find one of the great neighbourhoods in Canada, with plenty to see and do. Head towards the river and Princess Street to find just about everything you could want. A number of national restaurant chains can be found all along Princess, Queen and Brock Streets, but there are also a ton of independant spots that will peak your interest. Woodenheads Gourmet Pizza, Sir John’s Public House, The Merchant Tap House, Chez Piggy, The Toucan and Grizzly Grill are all worth checking out. Kingston is a fantastic spot to be, especially in the summer. The Haunted Walk is interesting and Confederation Park is along the Rideau Trail right by the waterfront. The ferry to Wolfe Island is right there also. Across the river, at the top of the hill is Old Fort Henry, which has a number of activities during the summer and fall. Bellevue House was the home of Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. As far as other sporting attractions, there are a number. The Gaels also field a number of other athletic teams, including hockey at the Kingston Memorial Centre and basketball at the Athletics and Recreation Centre. Across the river is the Royal Military College of Canada, where the Paladins play hockey at Constantine Arena. Junior Hockey also has a presence with the Kingston Frontenacs playing at Rogers K-Rock Centre, also close to the Queen’s campus. There are a number of places to stay if you are staying in Kingston. By the waterfront you can find the Confederation Place Hotel, Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront and Delta Waterfront Hotel. All are good spots to stay. Fans 4 Queen’s Gaels fans are among the best in the conference. Queen’s has a strong reputation as a school that engages the students in football and have received some of the best support from the student body in the conference. In the 2014 and 2015 seasons the Gaels averaged over 3,300 and 3,900 fans per game respectively. That put the gaels in fifth place and third place respectively in the conference. With the new Richardson Stadium, the Gaels have enjoyed a bump in attendance, averaging over 5,400 fans per game, which is good for second in the conference. The game which was reviewed was the annual Homecoming Game and drew over 8,000 fans to check out the new Richardson Stadium. The fans that are in attendance are extremely supportive of their Gaels, as well as the other parts of the game day production like the bands and dancers. The opportunity to sing the Oil Thigh is never wasted. Access 4 Getting to Queen’s and Richardson Stadium is not too difficult. Located on the West Campus of Queen’s, Richardson Stadium is a significant distance south of the main highway into Kingston, Highway 401. Getting to Queen’s from out of town will require a significant drive through Kingston. Close to the waterfront and the Queen’s campus, especially during Homecoming, traffic can be challenging. For those interested in public transit, there are a number of bus stops near Richardson Stadium. Check out the Kingston Transit website for schedules, fares and maps. The Kingston Trolley may also be an option for you to head to Richardson. Check out the Kingston Trolley website for details. On the west campus, there are eleven parking lots. The closest lots have passes that can be purchased and usually bought by season ticket holders. There are other lots that are pay lots for $5 per game. There are also a number of free lots where fans can also park and the walk is not too far. The Richardson Stadium website outlines parking options. The main ticketing area is on the east side of the stadium, part of the permanent structure. This is also where fans must enter the stadium. There is plenty of space, however fans should consider getting into Richardson Stadium before the students make their march into the student gate. Getting around Richardson is no problem at all. The outdoor walkways are spacious behind the seating area of the stadium. The washroom facilities are pretty good also. Each side of the stadium has a set of washrooms. Keep in mind that the west side washrooms are at field level, behind the grandstand, which will require a trip down the staircase. Return on Investment 4 With the new stadium, Queen’s seems to be pushing the limits with regards to ticket prices. The Homecoming game was pretty expensive, with the gold seats going for $70. Regular game ticket prices are $50 for gold seats, $20 for blue seats and $15 for General admission red seats. Student tickets are in the reserved section 108 and free, but must be reserved. The top tickets are extremely over-priced for CIS football, however blue and red seats are in line with other programs of their calibre in the conference. Concession prices are decent and free parking is not a problem to find at all. The whole package is brought together with one of the best, most unique experiences in all of Canadian College Football. Extras 4 An extra mark for the great history of the City of Kingston and an under experienced tour destination. An extra mark for the history of Queen’s University, established in 1841 and the massive success of their football program. An extra mark for the tri-colour and traditions that the Gaels bring to football to make it one of the most unique experiences in Canada. An extra mark for keeping the memory of George Taylor Richardson alive for almost 100 years. Final Thoughts The Queen’s Gaels offer one of the best experiences in all of football in Canada. They now have the best facility in the conference to go with their experience. Although there have been some bumps in the road, especially with the reduction of some Homecoming traditions, the Gaels will no doubt continue to be one of the best experiences a fan can ask for. The rejuvenation of the Oil Thigh at Richardson Stadium is complete. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 TAAG Park 1125 Colonel By Dr Ottawa, ON K1S 5R1 Carleton Ravens football website TAAG Park website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 3,500 The Old Crows Nest MNP Park was renamed TAAG Park in 2022. The Stadium Journey review was written previous to this change and reflects the previous name. Football at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario dates all the way back to 1945. Never a particularly successful team, the Ravens would bring home one Dunsmore Cup in 1985 as champions of the now defunct OQIFC. In 1998, as a cost-cutting measure, the university torpedoed the football program and Carleton walked away from the gridiron. However, a funny thing happened at Carleton in the meantime. The Ravens became wildly successful at basketball. The Ravens are known, first and foremost, for having a legendary men’s basketball program. The success that the Ravens saw on the basketball court, helped inspire the athletic department to do something drastic … expand. A group of former Ravens football players and Carleton Alumni banded together to form Old Crows Football Inc., a not-for-profit entity operating in partnership with the university to fully fund a new football program. After a number of years, the Old Crows were successful and in 2013, the Carleton Ravens football team took the field once more, reborn. Home for the Ravens is on campus, in what is essentially the athletic quadrant of Carleton. MNP Park was built in 1998 for the Ravens soccer teams. Originally known as Keith Harris Stadium, named after the former Ravens Athletic Director of thirty years, MNP Park received a significant renovation to make it suitable for football. MNP LLP, a Canadian accounting firm, purchased the naming rights for the stadium in 2015 and the Ravens are one of the few programs that employs a naming rights deal for their on campus stadium. Carleton has played well in their second life, but it has been the rekindling of their rivalry with the Ottawa Gee-Gees and the Panda Game which has given a serious boost to the program. The annual clash, which takes place at TD Stadium, the local CFL Stadium, has become the preeminent football game in USports, even outdrawing the National Championship game, the Vanier Cup. Food & Beverage 2 Concession options at MNP Park are not spectacular. Fans will be able to find a couple of options which are good for a sack or a light meal. There is a food truck on the premises which sells burgers, hot dogs, fries and poutine. The other option is a more permanent concession area which offers basic snacks and drinks. This stand does offer alcoholic beverages for purchase as well. Atmosphere 2 MNP Park is not atypical for an OUA football facility in that it was built on a budget and functionality is at the forefront. There is very little of the exterior of MNP Park that stands out. The Ravens put out a couple of signs welcoming fans in both English and French. However, there isn’t much in the way of signage bringing attention to the facility. In fact, the fieldhouse which is across the parking lot commands much more attention. Upon entering the stadium, fans will immediately notice the steel grandstand and the underside, which is essentially used for storage. The grandstand is fairly standard with a full slate of bleacher seating and three separate coaching and media boxes at the top. On the opposite side of the grandstand there is some berm seating. The field runs from north to south and is a synthetic playing surface, which is standard for the OUA. A plaque explaining the history of former Athletic Director, Keith Harris, and his contributions to the Carleton Ravens, still graces the south end of the grandstand. The southeast corner features a standard scoreboard and the rest of the field is surrounded by mature trees. The game day production at a Ravens game is a relatively simple one. There are a couple of bells and whistles, however. The Ravens mantra is recited over the PA and the team comes charging out of a large, inflatable, football helmet in the south end zone to begin the game. Some simple fireworks and pyro help welcome the Ravens and signal a Ravens score. The PA announcer is fairly laid back, yet still professional and does not over work the crowd or run music through every stoppage in play, which is a refreshing change. Overall, there are plenty of areas in which Carleton could spruce up MNP Park and take the facility to the next level. Neighbourhood 5 Ottawa is a tremendous tourist destination. Carleton University is not far from the eclectic neighbourhood known as The Glebe and a short drive from what is commonly known as downtown Ottawa. There are not a ton of interesting options within walking distance, but fans can find plenty of spots within a short ten minute drive. Mike’s Place Pub and Oliver’s Pub and Patio are the on campus pubs and may be of interest. Other places to consider would be the famous Elgin Street Diner, Craft Beer Market, Joey Lansdowne, The Rowan and Irene’s Pub. As far as other entertainment options within Ottawa, there are a ton. Ottawa is full of museums including the Museum of Nature, the Canadian Mint, Museum of Aviation and Museum of Civilization. However, no trip to Ottawa can be complete without seeing the Parliament Buildings and the Canadian War Museum. Timing a trip to Ottawa correctly can bring with it the opportunity to skate on the Rideau Canal, which Ottawa is famous for. There are also plenty of sporting options for fans visiting Canada’s Capital. Carleton also fields very successful basketball programs, which play at the Ravens’ Nest and hockey programs which play at the Carleton Ice House. The cross-town rival for the Ravens is the Ottawa Gee-Gees. UOttawa also fields football, basketball and hockey teams which can be found at Gee-Gees Field, Monpetit Hall and Minto Sports Complex, respectively. The Glebe is where Landsdowne Park can be found and TD Place Stadium and TD Place Arena are on the park grounds. The stadium his home to the Panda Game and the Ottawa RedBlacks of the CFL. TD Place Arena is the home of the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s. Further away from downtown is Canadian Tire Centre, where the Ottawa Senators of the NHL play. Fans 4 The return of the Carleton Ravens to the gridiron has been well received by sports fans in Ottawa. It can be difficult at times to accurately gage attendance for OUA football games. The attendance will fluctuate usually between 1,000 and 3,000. The game that was reviewed was the O-Week game and full of first year Carleton University students. Where Carleton has gone above and beyond is their support, along with the University of Ottawa, for the Panda Game. The annual clash is now the premier event in all USports football and has been sold out in the 24,000 seat TD Place Stadium. Access 3 Getting around Ottawa can definitely be a challenge. The downtown especially can be some tough travelling by car, however, the campus of Carleton is a sufficient distance from Parliament that the traffic isn’t terrible. The closest highway access is highway 417, which is north of the campus. A small drive through the city isn’t terrible. There is plenty of parking available on campus near MNP Park. There are times when parking can be found free of charge. Keep an eye on the signs near parking meters for free parking hours. Ottawa public transit also drives right into the Carleton University Campus including the O-Train on campus and buses on Bronson Ave. Fans should check out the OC Transpo website for fares, schedules and maps. Once curious part of the Carleton experience is that the ticket tent is on the other side of security, essentially inside MNP Park. This is not a terrific setup and the lineups can be significant waiting for tickets or will-call. Getting around the stadium is not an issue as it is pretty wide open and the single grandstand makes moving around simple. Unfortunately, the biggest drawback of MNP Park is a distinct lack of running water. Washroom facilities consist of portable toilets and hand washing stations, which are not terrific. The next step in the evolution of the former Keith Harris Stadium should be some permanent washroom and locker room facilities. Return on Investment 4 OUA football offers tremendous value for sports fans in the Ottawa area. A ticket for Ravens football will go for $20 and those eligible for discounts will pay $15. The product on the field is solid for the Ravens and fans will enjoy the experience. A better facility with washrooms would push the return on investment higher as fans are going to have to endure some discomfort. Extras 3 An extra mark for the successful return of the Ravens to OUA football after a lengthy absence. An extra mark for the top rivalry in USports football and premiere event in the Panda Game. The annual clash against the Ottawa Gee-Gees played at TD Place Stadium is now an even bigger event than the Vanier Cup itself. An extra mark for the Old Crows whose determination and hard work made the return of Carleton Ravens football a reality. Final Thoughts A trip to see the Carleton Ravens is well worth the time and effort. USports football continues to be an underrated experience which more fans, outside of the university community, should experience. Here’s hoping that improvements can continue at MNP Park and the improvement of the Ravens experience continues to rise. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 McMahon Stadium 1817 Crowchild Trail NW Calgary, AB T2M 4R6 Calgary Dinos football website McMahon Stadium website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 35,650 Dino Might Since the University of Calgary came into being in the 1960s, the Dinos football program has been one of the most consistent performers in Canada. The Dinos have been to the Vanier Cup eight times and won Canada’s university championship game on four occasions. They’ve won the Canada West division 11 times. The program has also sent more than 60 players to the CFL as well as one to the NFL (Defensive Lineman Dan Federkeil played three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, winning a Super Bowl along the way). Needless to say, if you go to watch the U of C football team, you’re going to be watching a group of guys who expect to win. Throughout their history, the Dinos have made their home at McMahon Stadium, on the south end of the university campus. McMahon is also shared with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders, who have had plenty of U of C alumni in their ranks. McMahon is over 50 years old now and is starting to show its age in some respects. But as a facility housing a Canadian Interuniversity Sports football program, it is more than adequate for the task. Food & Beverage 2 The food options at the concession stands are typically priced but relatively limited. The smokie ($4.50) and french fries ($3.75) we had prior to the game were tepid, at best, which was a little disappointing. The freshly grilled Angus beef cheeseburger with fresh sauteed onions ($6.75) is always very good, however. The typical popcorn/peanuts/chips options are about all there is on the rest of the menu. Adult beverage options are also fairly typically priced, at $6.50 per beer or $7 for a Smirnoff Ice and your beer choices are limited to either Molson Canadian or Coors Light. While the items presented on this menu are exactly the same fare available at Stampeders games, I think a little more thought put towards modifying the menu to appeal to a university crowd might encourage more students to come out. Atmosphere 3 The good news, as with any Canadian football game, is that the game itself is superior to the American version. The nature of the game lends itself to more creative play-calling and more scoring, so you’ll likely be entertained. The not-so-good news is that university football north of the border is not the huge phenomenon that it is in the States. In fact, the U of C only opens half of McMahon when the Dinos are playing because half the stadium is more than enough stands for the 2,000-5,000 fans they’ll typically get. As a result, getting a strong, fired-up atmosphere in the stands is challenging. Having the crowd spread out around the lower seating section just doesn’t create the same raucous energy that one might get if that same crowd were tucked in tight in a facility that only holds 5,000 people. The net result is a subdued, laid-back atmosphere more typical of a baseball game than a football game. On the upside, you have nothing but great seats to choose from when you go looking for a spot to watch the game. It’s all rush seating at Dinos games and the comfy spots in the first 40 rows all have an excellent view of the field. One of the real challenges to the atmosphere at McMahon is Calgary’s thin, northern air. As the weather turns cold in the fall (or even in some breezy evenings), McMahon can be downright frigid to sit in. Again on the upside, though, the Dinos only make use of the east stands which keep the audience in the sun for as long as possible during day games, helping to protect the fans from any cold weather. Neighborhood 4 McMahon is located well away from the traditional party venues in Calgary, so on first blush it might seem like the neighborhood might not be so great for pre- or post-game fun. However, look a little closer and you’ll see that there are plenty of options at your disposal. Directly east across Crowchild Trail from McMahon is a strip mall called the Hilltop Plaza with several restaurants. Big T’s BBQ and Smokehouse is one of my favorite restaurants in Calgary. Big T’s serves up New Orleans style barbecue and blues music is piped over the sound system. Come for the brisket; stay for the fried dill pickles. Also in Hilltop Plaza you’ll find a Dairy Queen, a Joey’s Only, Saigon Y2K for Vietnamese food and there are a couple take-out options as well. A block north of the Hilltop Plaza, you’ll find a local institution, Nick’s Steakhouse and Pizza. Nick’s has won Consumer’s Choice Awards for seven consecutive years and the bar is always lively. The Hilltop Plaza is in the northwest corner of what is locally known as Motel Village, a collection of motels directly across from McMahon. Several more restaurants can be found among the motels, including a Denny’s, a Boston Pizza, a McDonald’s, a Phil’s, and a Red Lobster. Heading west a block from the stadium, you’ll find the Stadium Shopping Mall and even more restaurants. Moose McGuire’s Bar is a popular option for local residents and university students alike. The Keg and the Redwater Rustic Grille will both provide you with more upscale dining experience. Between The Keg and Redwater you’ll also find a Wendy’s if you have a craving for a Baconater. Since the crowd at a Dinos game is typically only a couple thousand, there should be plenty of room at any of the many options available locally. Fans 3 The crowd at a Dinos game is typically a blend of students and alumni, with a smattering of fans from the visiting school as well. The crowd tends to be very good natured, and being a fairly small group, it seems like there are lots of people who know everyone else. Cheers come up at the right times, so the people there are definitely engaged in the game. Indeed, with as small a crowd as is in attendance, you can count on it that these are Dinos fans to the core. So, while there isn’t a lot of wild and crazy football fan antics in the stands, it is quite pleasant. Access 4 Parking around McMahon for Dinos games is excellent. At Stampeders games the lot surrounding the stadium is reserved exclusively for season ticket holders. But the University of Calgary allows free parking at the venue for Dinos games and there is more than enough space there for the number of people. No need to go looking elsewhere for other parking options as is the case for the Stamps. Your other option is Calgary’s Light Rail Transit system. The C-Train has a station a block away to the east, alongside Motel Village, and there’s a big pedestrian overpass to get you across Crowchild Trail. The train can get you around town fairly quickly and easily, although it gets pretty crowded in the post-game rush. At $2.75 for an adult fare, it’s a pretty good option. Return on Investment 5 The University of Calgary Dinos are ranked No. 2 in the nation at the time of this 2012 review, so you’re going to see some quality football if you take in a game. Tickets at the door are $12 per person for adults, $8 for youths and seniors. And if you’re a U of C student, you get into any and every regular season game for every sport on campus for free. Free! Children under 6 are also free admission. You really can’t do better than that price with that quality of entertainment. Extras 3 McMahon Stadium and the Dinos have a couple little extra touches to make the experience a little more interesting. The Olympic Cauldron is on display in the northeast corner of the stadium. The opening and closing ceremonies of the 1988 Olympics were held at McMahon and anyone wanting to relive the memories of those days is welcome to check it out. Rex, the Dinos mascot spends most of the game in the stands amusing the kids. Music at the game I attended was courtesy of a DJ located down by the Dinos’ bench and kept things bumping in between plays. Final Thoughts Dinos football is a great and inexpensive way to spend an evening. You’ll get a great game in a great seat. And more people in the seats can’t help but make it a better experience for everyone.

Photos by Greg Johnston, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Oland Stadium 1 West St Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5 Canada St. Francis Xavier X-Men website Oland Stadium website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 4,000 X-Men Football Competing in the Atlantic University Sport Conference (AUS) of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), St. Francis Xavier University has a storied football history. The X-men made several appearances in the Atlantic Bowl throughout the 1950’s and 60’s, prior to the arrival of the Vanier Cup in 1965. Their most successful season came in 1966 when they won the Vanier Cup, lead by Hall-of-Fame Fullback Paul Brule. Brule suited up for the 1964 through 1967 seasons and holds eight rushing records, which are still intact today. The X-Men came up short in their only other Vanier Cup appearance in 1996, losing to the Saskatchewan Huskies. Oland Stadium is home to StFX football, along with track & field, a rugby, soccer, and lacrosse team. The field first hosted football games in 1967 and underwent major upgrades in 2009, including a new field and stadium lighting. Food & Beverage 5 Normally the food selection at smaller sporting venues is very basic. Cheap processed food dominates the menu with less than desirable tastes. However, the food selection at Oland Stadium celebrates local businesses in Antigonish with two popular food trucks offering unique, high quality options. For the 2015 and 2016 seasons, the Waffle Bus Stop has been serving up their sweet and savory waffle sandwiches for $5.50-$8.50. This food truck is owned by a friendly local couple that also have a popular restaurant just off Main Street. Wood Fired Pizza is the other food truck parked next to the Waffle Bus Stop just beyond the north end zone. The plain white trailer with black lettering does not look like much from the outside, but step inside to see pizzas cooking over flames inside a grand oven. In front of you is a table full of fresh appetizing toppings and a menu of four traditional options, along with a “create your own adventure.” A freshly baked personal size pizza costs $10, while a family size pizza costs $20. As with any food truck, you will have to wait for your food; however, the location creates no barriers and allows a fan to take in every play of the game. Unfortunately, if the food truck option is too pricey, your options are limited. Kenny’s Pizza serves large slices of greasy pizza for $4.50. A number of fans also step inside Oland Centre to grab chips and candy from a vending machine. Alcohol is available underneath a large tent at a sectioned off area just north of the grandstand, near the food trucks. The beer selection includes: Bud, Bud Light, Alexander Keith’s, Labatt Blue, and Angry Orchard Cider, for a reasonable $4.50. Wine is also available by the glass for $5. You cannot return to your seats with alcohol, but you get a great view of game action from the beer garden. Soft drinks, bottled juices and water are offered for $1.75. Be sure to bring cash, as most of the vendors do not accept credit cards. It is refreshing going to a sporting event with alternative options other than the traditional hot dog and fries. Plus, purchasing items from the food truck gives the travelling fan a taste of Antigonish and an opportunity to support local business. Kudos! Atmosphere 3 The field at Oland Stadium may be modern, but the old grandstand provides a unique experience. Twenty-six rows of mostly old wooden bleachers line one side of the field, leaving the other sides open to views of the campus and landscaping. Unfortunately some sections of the wooden bleachers were replaced with aluminum, losing the appeal of the old-fashioned stadium. The metal replacements make you think about why the wood planks were replaced; did they break? This thought leaves one with an uneasy feeling about safety as you step on the old boards. Also, you must watch your step as you climb the bleachers, as the width of the steps are uneven and would not pass today’s building codes. Tickets are general admission, with the most popular seats located in front of the media boxes. These seats have great sight lines and are the only shaded areas to escape from the mid afternoon sun. If you get too hot, cool off inside the Oland Centre and discover the Hall-of-Fame sketches of all the famous former St.FX athletes, and old artifacts celebrating the school’s athletic past. The pregame events at Oland Stadium are a unique game day experience. Players storm the field through blue smoke with the Clay Thompson Pipe Band playing Scottish music and ‘Captain X’ pumping up the crowd. The pipe band re-enters the field to play after each quarter. Be sure not to miss a big play as the stadium lacks a video screen for replays. The public address announcer is heard throughout campus as he cleverly describes how a defense “gobbled up” the offensive player. Just outside the stadium on the northeast side of the field is “Cheapskate Hill,” where students gather on the grass to watch the game for free. A popular photo opportunity is located below Cheapskate Hill where the popular “Smile You’re at X” sign is located. After a touchdown by the home team, an alumnus rings the “Paul Brule Scoring Bell” located at the bottom of the grandstand. Neighborhood 4 Oland Stadium is located near the south end of St.FX’s beautiful campus. Walking around campus takes you back in time with strong Italian and Colonial architectural influences. St. Ninian Cathedral is a must see for any architectural history buff. Downtown Antigonish is a five-minute walk from campus along Main Street. A number of good local cafes and restaurants reside here with an old small town feel. The Tall and Small Cafe offers fresh sandwiches and coffee with work from local artist/photographers lining the walls. A good dinner option is the Townhouse, a community supported restaurant offering local craft beers and unique food items. Fans 4 Oland Stadium has an ideal location that allows the 4,700 enrolled students to come out in fairly large numbers. Students start “Go X Go” chants at varies times of the game. They cheer loud and are decked out in blue and white. Football games create reunions for alumni and citizens of Antigonish who make up the rest of the typical crowd. Attendance figures are commonly atop the AUS ranging from 2,000 to 3,500 the last few years. The large, near-sellout crowds add to the exciting atmosphere at the games. Access 4 Prepare for a scenic road trip to Antigonish, as the nearest major airport is a two hour drive away in Halifax. However, fall colours will be vibrant if you go in late September or early October. Getting to the stadium is straightforward. Highway 104 skims the south end of Antigonish and the StFX campus. Exit at Highway 7 (Exit 32) and after a few blocks turn right on Convocation Boulevard. Oland Centre will be straight ahead, with Oland Stadium right behind it. Parking is free but somewhat limited. Antigonish Community Transit is a viable option for fans coming from Antigonish County. Prices range from $6-$10 depending on where you board the bus. For more information, visit http://antigonishcommunitytransit.ca/. Tickets can be purchased at the Keating Centre prior to game day, and at the north gate on game days. Entrance into Oland Stadium is possible from both north and south sides of Oland Centre, although the north side is known as the grand entrance. As you enter, get your hand stamped for re-entry and receive your free program. Merchandise stands are located just past the entrance. Staff hand out free bottles of water with the aim to curb the perception that alcohol is essential to enjoy a game. Access to the seating area is narrow but easily navigable. The sidewalk leads you underneath the bleachers to a series of portals, from which you can enter the seating area on one side, and the Oland Centre on the other. As a first time visitor, a feeling of uncertainty comes across as it’s unclear whether you are allowed in the building where the locker rooms are located. However, this is also where the washrooms are situated which are outdated and fairly small, although lineups are minimal. The grandstands are not a good option if you are in a wheelchair, as a railing disrupts your view. Alternatively, you may sit just to the side of the grandstand. See one of the many approachable usher/security staff for assistance. Return on Investment 5 Come out and enjoy a beautiful setting for football with friends and family. Tickets run $8 for an adult prior to game day, $12 on game day, or $30 for season tickets. Discounts are available for seniors, students, and youth 12 & under. St.FX athletics offers a 6 or 10 game pass for any sport to get a variety of athletic entertainment. For a devoted fan, an “all sport” pass is available for $195. St.FX has an exciting and competitive football program. Overall, witnessing a game is a worthwhile investment for your entertainment dollar. Extras 4 StFX football at Oland Stadium has several items worth an extra mention: Contracting local food trucks for games Passing out free water as you enter the stadium The tradition of the Brule Bell, honouring a famous alumnus The hall-of-fame, including individually framed head shots sketched by hand and the historic trophies, photos, and jerseys encased in glass.

Photos by Greg Johnston, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Alumni Field 62 York St Sackville, NB E4L 1E2 Canada Mount Allison Mounties website Alumni Field website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 2,500 Mounties in Sackville Twenty-seven universities spread throughout Canada compete in the highest level of CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) football. With an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students, Mount Allison University is among the smallest CIS football schools, along with Bishop’s University in Quebec. Located near the Nova Scotia border, in Sackville, New Brunswick, Mount Allison competes in the Atlantic University Sport Conference (AUS). The Mounties have battled on the gridiron since 1955, earning two Vanier Cup appearances in their history, falling just short of a championship in both 1984 and 1991. Formally known as MacAulay Field, this playing surface has been heavily used for a variety of sports dating back to 1900. After 115 years of use, the field underwent major renovations. Changes included removing the high-maintenance grass surface for a modern turf field, adding a new scoreboard, and building new spectator areas, including fixed individual seats and bleacher seating for 900 total fans. Renamed Alumni Field for the contribution and support of the recent project, this venue is a modern football facility which university staff, students, and alumni can be proud of. Food & Beverage 3 For former college students, purchasing food and non-alcoholic drinks at Alumni Field takes you down memory lane to your past college experience. “Gracie’s Cafe” is a cafeteria-style concession stand located inside the Wallace McCain Student Centre. The cafe is the only spot to purchase food and non-alcoholic beverages. Pick up a pizza, burger, or a hot dog for a reasonable $3-$4. Accompany your main entree with fries, chips, or chocolate bar for $2. And wash down your meal with a wide selection of bottled and canned pop, juice, water, milk, or an energy drink ranging from $2-$4. Grab your desired items before the game or at halftime to avoid missing any action, as the cafeteria’s layout makes it impossible to view the game while waiting in line. An advantage to the cafeteria setup is the ability to quickly pick up an item and head straight to the cash registers, without waiting for a large order in front of you. Cashiers gladly accept cash, debit or credit cards. Exiting the cafeteria leads you to a dining hall with an expansive horizontal glass window wall with excellent views of the field. Tables are available first come, first serve with the window seats being the most popular. Alcoholic beverages are available across the corridor from Gracie’s Cafe at The Pond. The full bar offers several different beer options from the usual Bud and Molson products, to Maritime favorites Pumphouse and Schooner. Alcohol must stay in the bar area. However, a lounge is set up with visual access to the field. If the lounge is too crowded, a video screen projects game action near the bar. Beer is also available in the open-air beer garden outside the west end zone. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere at Alumni Field is a refreshingly unique experience for major college football. The Wallace McCain Student Centre lines one side of the field with views of the surrounding neighbourhood and campus on the other side. The multi-level stone and glass building offers great sight-lines of the game from the lounge and workout facility on the main level, and an exclusive VIP area on the upper floor balcony. The student centre is built on a berm sloping down to the field. Fans get to the venue early, bringing their camping chairs and blankets to occupy the best spots on the berm for viewing the game. Perhaps the most unique aspect of Alumni Field is the admittance of dogs into the venue. Both large and small K-9’s are only allowed on the berm, where a chain-linked fence protects any loose pups from affecting game action. Bring your sunscreen as all seats are exposed to the sun and the student centre is your only refuge from the rays. While in the student centre, you can purchase your Mount Allison gear at the university’s bookstore. Additional seating is found in the brand new grandstand on the opposite side of the field. The grandstand consists of five sections and ten rows of seating. Three of these sections contain colourful individual seats at mid-field, with two sections of traditional aluminum bleachers flanking both sides. Get there early for the best seats, as all tickets are general admission. Part of the renovation includes a new easily viewed scoreboard beyond the east end zone. But pay close attention to the game because there are no exterior video boards to replay any action you may have missed. Student band members play an entertaining brand of music during breaks in play and the university’s dance team performs at halftime. Seating Recommendation: Bring a blanket and sit high on the berm. You will clearly see the game over the player benches and be able to listen to the coaches talk to their team, creating a close connection to the action. Neighborhood 3 Sackville is a quaint town of approximately 5,000 residents. Downtown Sackville is an easy five minute walk from campus, with small shops and restaurants lining Main Street. Since Mount Allison is a smaller university, Alumni Field is easy to find as it skims the southern edge of campus just off York Street. The on-campus stadium enables students to easily attend the game and ample free parking is provided around the stadium for visitors. If you are a first time visitor, take some time to walk around campus as Mount Allison has numerous attractive institutional buildings and landscaping to enjoy. If the weather cooperates, explore the nature and scenery at Sackville Waterfowl Park. Start at the Visitor’s Centre and learn more about the long history and importance of the park. The Trailhead is just outside the Visitor’s Centre front doors. Trails weave around a marsh providing many picturesque views of the water and offer great bird watching opportunities. For supper, try Patterson’s Family Restaurant for a quality homemade meal located within walking distance of the Visitor’s Centre. Fans 3 Alumni Field is home to a wide range of loyal supporters. Students and alumni flock to the games, bringing with them a profusion of noise and school spirit to the event. Young families and dog lovers are also prevalent on game days, bringing an overall camaraderie of everyone in attendance. Attendance has varied greatly over recent years, depending on the importance of the game and the weather. Homecoming games attract near capacity crowds, while a typical game attracts a range of 1,500 to 2,000 spectators. Though the crowds are small, fans bring enthusiasm and produce an uproar reminiscent of a crowd three times as big. Access 4 Alumni Field is easily accessible for out-of-town folks visiting the university for the first time. Sackville, New Brunswick is located just off the Trans-Canada Highway (NB Hwy 2), a half-hour drive from Moncton and two hours from Halifax. Take exit 504 and drive South on Main Street (Route 940) a few kilometres to Salem Street. After a few blocks, you will see Alumni Field on your left. Free parking is available just past the field. Alumni Field offers easy accessibility inside the venue as well. Three entrances are provided, one inside the Student Centre, while the others flank the building on both sides. Purchase game day tickets at any gate, but leave any bottles or cans in your car as you will be unable to bring them in. Obtaining a ticket allows you to leave and return to the field as you please. Free programs are passed out with information featuring the home team. Fans enter and exit the student centre through a singular door, which can get log-jammed at times. Washrooms are located in the student centre, with a small washroom near The Pond, and a more popular location outside the gates. Access around the field to the grandstand is free flowing with a relaxed vibe. Enter the grandstand on either end for access to all sections. Bleachers include handicap accessible reserved seating at multiple sections on the first row. Return on Investment 4 Purchasing a ticket for a Mounties football game is a worthwhile endeavor whether you are devoted fan, or just interested in some hard-hitting entertainment in a relaxed, family friendly atmosphere. Single game tickets cost $12 for an adult, $5 for a non-Mount Allison student, and free for 12 years old and under. Mount Allison students are admitted free of charge by showing their student ID. Season tickets are available to adults for $42, or $20 for a student. The rooftop viewing section costs $80 for the season. Incentives, including discounts to area restaurants and customized ticket stubs, are just a few extra perks to purchasing season tickets. If you lack funds to attend a game, join like-minded individuals just outside the west gate for a free elevated overview of the field. Extras 3 One extra point for allowing dogs to check out the game with their families. Another for the unique and relaxing picnic-style seating on the berm. And a third for dedication and investment to improve facilities and game experience at Mount Allison Final Thoughts Prior to this visit, exit 504 on the Trans-Canada Highway was mostly an afterthought. From the highway all you see are signs to gas stations and fast-food establishments. However, take the time to explore the town. You will find a storied university with a deep college football history, and a town with a close connection to nature.

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

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 LVC Softball Park 101 N College Ave Annville, PA 17003 Flying Dutchmen website LVC Softball Park website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 200 Valley Softball Lebanon Valley College is a liberal arts college located in downtown Annville, PA. Annville is in Lebanon County, east of Hershey. Founded in 1866 Lebanon Valley has approximately 1,600 undergraduates. The Princeton Review has recognized the college as “A Best in the Northeast” and they have over thirty-five fields of study. Lebanon Valley College is a member of NCAA Division III, and competes in the Middle Atlantic Conference. The school has produced 11 all-Americans and were the 2009 and 2011 ECAC Southwest Bowl champions. The LVC Softball Park was named the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association Regional Field of the Year in 2000 and 2001 The school’s teams are called the Flying Dutchmen, and its mascot is the Dutchman. The college is known as the home of the 1994 NCAA Division III National Champions in basketball. That 1994 championship victory over New York University was a controversial affair when a Dutchmen shot that won the game may or may not have been by the sound of the buzzer. But no matter what, the school hosts that championship proudly, as they should. Food & Beverage 3 There is no real official concession stand at LVC Softball Park. There is usually a small table set up with food offerings. We would expect the food sales might not happen on daytime, weekday games. The value and options were good. Atmosphere 5 The small college pride of Lebanon Valley College was in full effect at this game. The grandstands were packed and all sides of the field were filled with fans. The stadium is a simple affair but is situated nicely in a hollow so that everyone, from all angles, will have a great view of the action. The entire softball field is located in a nice, hilly area of the athletic fields. Neighborhood 4 Annville is a great little town of a little less than 5,000 about 8 miles east of Hershey, PA. The college is right in the heart of downtown. Funck’s Family Restaurant, Corvette Grille and Bar, and Harper’s Tavern are all local establishments that offer good food pre and post-game. The Pennsylvania chain, Hoss’s Steak & Sea House, is another option right in Annville. The food is good, cheap, and certainly plentiful. J & S Pizza is a decent option within walking distance of campus. Fans 4 The crowds at Lebanon Valley do not disappoint. There is quite a bit of obvious school pride with fans attending in droves. The athletic teams here are supported well and have shown a great deal of ability for their fans. Access 4 Located on Route 422 between Lebanon and Hershey, Annville is easy to find and has no problem handling the crowds for such a small stadium. Expect that on busy game days, you will hit some traffic on Route 422 and especially on Bellegrove Road by the athletic complex. There is a good amount of parking, but do plan ahead. You can also try to park in downtown Annville and walk over the railroad pedestrian bridge to the athletic fields. The athletic fields are located north of the main campus, separated by a railroad. Return on Investment 4 Generally, games are free to attend, but there may be an occasional cost, especially for post-season games. Extras 3 The little stream you go across to find the pretty little softball field is a nice extra on its own. Make sure to stop into the nearby Arnold Sports Center and check out LVC Hall of Champions. This museum-like display space commemorates the great individual and team achievements of Flying Dutchman athletics. Take a peak inside the Arnold Arena and see the 1994 national championship basketball banner. Final Thoughts The LVC Softball Park at Lebanon Valley College is not a fancy stadium but it shows why small college athletics is such a treasure in this country. A sports fan visiting central Pennsylvania owes it to themselves to see if a game is going on when they are in the area.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Vibrant Arena at The Mark 1201 River Dr Moline, IL 61265 Quad City Steamwheelers website Vibrant Arena at the Mark website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 9,200 Riverside Rumble The Quad City Steamwheelers were originally founded in 1999 as part of Arena Football 2 (AF2) – they dominated the league for the first 2 years, going undefeated and winning the first ArenaCup by a score of 103-3. The following season they only lost 1 game, and ending up winning the title for a second time in a row. Their owner at the time was Jim Foster, the inventor and patent holder of arena football. AF2 lasted 10 seasons, but after it folded in 2009, the Quad City Steamwheelers would return in 2018, playing in the same building but this time as part of Champions Indoor Football (CIF), and later as part of the Indoor Football League (IFL), where they are currently a member. The Steamwheelers play their home games at what is now called Vibrant Arena at The Mark in Moline, Illinois – the arena sits on the banks of the Mississippi River, which divides Iowa from Illinois. Food & Beverage 5 Vibrant Arena has a huge range of concessions options at all price points, so you definitely should be able to find something to suit your tastes and budget. Most of the stands serve the same menu, namely chicken sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, pork tenderloins, and chicken fingers, as well as nachos, fried, caramel corn, ice cream from Whitey’s, packaged candy, and hot pretzels. Most of the side items come in at $4 while hot dogs are $5, with the chicken tenders combo with fries being the most expensive item on the menu at $11.99 (strangely the more expensive items end in 99, while the cheaper items have whole dollar prices). The main stands also offer bottled water, Gatorade, soda, and a small selection of beer, all of which can be had for $6 or less ($5.49 for beer is literally a steal). There are also convenience store-type stands which offer a wider selection of canned beer, bottled water, and soda. Besides the main stands, there is also another location called the Brewhouse Lounge and Patio, which offers more of a full bar, as well as burritos, tacos, and quesadillas for $10 each. The Brewhouse has both indoor and outdoor seating, so if you want you can sit outside and look out over the river as you dine. You can also grab a drink on Budweiser Terrace, the other full bar inside the facility. Atmosphere 3 Quad City offers a solid atmosphere for arena football, including the dance team, fan contests like ‘Finish the Lyrics’, and fan interaction such as the ‘Passionate Kiss Cam’, where fans are shown on the videoboard and expected to kiss. The Steamwheelers also have watch parties at Vibrant Arena for away games, with the game shown on the big screen, and there are also TVs in the concourse so you don’t miss the action while grabbing something to eat. Vibrant Arena is also home to minor league hockey’s Quad City Storm, so there is a bit of a mix in terms of the décor inside, but there is plenty of Quad City Steamwheelers signage around. In a nod to one of their sponsors, the midfield logo is actually that of John Deere, which has a pretty massive facility a block from the venue, but behind one end zone there is a wall-to-wall QC banner, in what is known as the Quad City Party Cove. Neighborhood 3 There are a couple of upscale restaurants within walking distance of Vibrant Arena, though the aforementioned John Deere Pavilion (a collection of hands-on exhibits focused on tractors and other heavy machinery) takes up a good chunk of real estate nearby, as does the river. The 2 closest restaurants are Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse and Bass Street Chop House, but there are plenty of less expensive options a little further away, including across the river in Iowa. Besides the John Deere Pavilion, another nearby attraction is the geology museum on Augustana College’s campus, and there are also several parks nearby, the largest being on Sylvan Island, on the Illinois side of the river. Fans 3 Vibrant Arena is by no means full during a Quad City Steamwheelers game, but this is a bit misleading as, unlike many indoor football venues, they do sell seats in the upper level here, leaving fans more spread out – at most other indoor football venues fans are forced to sit downstairs, making the venue seem fuller (usually with black curtains hung to make the upper level seem non-existent). Access 5 Getting to Vibrant Arena is easy, being that the venue is right on the river – the facility is within sight of I-74 coming south across the river, making traffic very manageable if you are coming from the Iowa side, or you can use I-74 northbound if you are on the Illinois side. You can park for $5 right next to the arena, which is a steal, and there are still plenty of spaces available there even if you arrive only 10 minutes before kickoff. Once inside the venue there is plenty of space to move around, plenty of areas where you can sit at tables to eat and drink before going to your seat, and more than enough bathrooms. There are escalators and elevators to take you between floors, and all the seats have chairbacks. Return on Investment 5 The Quad City Steamwheelers use Ticketmaster, which has tickets starting at $15 plus fees, so you would be better off buying from the box office on the day of, if you are looking to save a little dough. Parking at $5 is a steal as I mentioned, and you can find cheap concessions as well, including beer, so taking in a game here is definitely a great value, and an enjoyable time. Extras 3 The Steamwheelers have a team gear stand on site, and a lot of promotions and freebies from local companies, such as free t-shirts and koozies from a local radio station, or free candy even when it isn’t Halloween. They also have cheerleaders from local high school teams perform at halftime, which is a great way to support the community. Final Thoughts The IFL has venues all across the country, from San Diego to Boston, some of which are in NBA-quality venues like the Arizona Rattler’s Footprint Center, which offers better amenities but also comes at a much steeper ticket price, and with larger crowds as well. In contrast, Vibrant Arena offers a more laid-back experience, where you can simply enjoy the spring version of the game we all love – seeing a game here is well worth a trip if you can make it.

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Hi Corbett Field 3400 E. Camino Campestre Tucson, AZ 85716 Arizona Wildcats website Hi Corbett Field website Year Opened: 1937 Capacity: 9,500 Arizona Baseball Hi Corbett Field was built in 1927 and originally named Randolph Municipal Baseball Park. For the past decade Hi Corbett Field, with a seating capacity of 9,500, has been home to the University of Arizona Wildcats baseball team. The team moved 3 miles southeast of campus before their 2012 National Championship season. Originally it was planned as a short-term deal, but with some renovations the team has settled in as the main tenant. The Ballpark’s current moniker came from Arizona’s State Senator Hiram Stevens Corbett in 1951 – Senator Corbett was the key player in bringing the Cleveland Indians spring training facilities from Florida to the Tucson area. The ballpark served the MLB for over seven decades, hosting spring training for the Cleveland Indians (1947-1992) and the Colorado Rockies (1993-2010). Outside of the MLB, Hi Corbett Field has played host to several professional baseball teams, including the Tucson Toros, Lizards, Javelinas, and Cowboys. It was also the headquarters for USA baseball from 1997-2003. Hi Corbett Field is in central Tucson, located within the Gene C. Reid Park area; the Reid Park Zoo is located just beyond the left field fence, while behind the third base line there are two golf holes, each one belonging to a different 18-hole golf course, one being the Randolph North Golf Course and the other being the Dell Urich Golf Course. The stadium was also was used in the Hollywood movie Major League, since the Indians were the spring training occupant at the time and had the signage – the extras used in the movie were current (at the time) University of Arizona baseball players. Food & Beverage 3 The concessions are all along the concourse behind the seating area, with larger concessions stands on each side of the baselines, another one behind home plate, and a couple of small stands. One stand to be on the lookout for is Sir Veza’s Kitchen & Kantina serving Mexican food, namely burritos and nachos – all dishes here are around $10. My suggestion at this stand would be the local flavor of Tucson, the Sirnoran Dog, consisting of an Applewood bacon-wrapped hot dog topped with charro beans, musar, mayo, jalapeno salsa, and tomatoes, served with chips and si charroi salsa for $10. Another great option is the small pizza stand called The Pie Spot. The other two concession stands offer hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, candy, and pretzels. Prices are typical ballpark fares, as 2 souvenir-cup drinks, peanuts, and a hot dog cost me $30. There are combos available which include fries that save a couple dollars on pricing, but the best thing is to eat before the game, or look for special deals that may occur throughout the season. The soda beverages served at Hi Corbett Field are Coca-Cola products; these range from $5 to $9 depending on the size of the cup. There is also a decent selection of alcohol products ranging from $12 to $15, depending on size and if it is considered a premium beer. Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere at Hi Corbett Field is a wonderful experience for PAC-12 baseball, inside a top-level ballpark. The University of Arizona, being the main sports attraction in Tucson, has become a program that the whole area can get behind and support. Hi Corbett Field has transformed over the years, but everything about it says, ‘Home to the Arizona Wildcats’. Which side of the ballpark you chose to sit on will change your experience of the ballpark – the seats on the 3rd base side allow fans to see the beautiful Tucson sunsets. Tucson’s sunsets are Sonoran Desert sunsets, which are different from other sunsets; the colors are just surreal. The ballpark also has palm trees providing a vacation type feel. Note that for shade during day games, look to sit under the covering behind home plate below the press box. The field has artificial turf right behind home plate, which is only right behind the plate – the rest of the field is natural grass. The outfield wall is doubled and has a red line across the middle, to indicate if the ball would have gone over for a home run. All the seats are regular seats except for the metal bleacher seats farther down each baseline, but unless it is a very crowded day, general admission will get you a regular seat along the infield baselines. The Wildcats’ dugout and bullpen are on the first base side, with visitors on the third base side. Arizona fans are loyal, loud, and proud. The 3K Wildcats fans that usually attend enjoy their baseball and are active in voicing their likes and dislikes throughout the game. The game itself is typical of other college, minor league, or MLB games, with music and entertainment; the University of Arizona and their baseball fans have truly found a wonderful game day atmosphere for anyone attending a game at Hi Corbett Field. Neighborhood 3 In the immediate area of Hi Corbett are two 18-hole golf courses, Reid Park, and Reid Park Zoo. This gives visitors from out of town a lot of options if they are there with family, or looking to get out of the chilly weather and play a little golf before taking in a baseball game. Across the street from the park on East Broadway is El Con Mall, which has several food options including In-N-Out Burger, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, and one of my favorites, Portillo’s Tucson. Portillo’s is originally a Chicago establishment that specializes in Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian Beef sandwiches. For those who like sushi, Sushi Garden Restaurant is nearby at the corner of Broadway and Country Club, and besides these there are plenty of other restaurants around Tucson to satisfy your food cravings. The closest lodging to Hi Corbett Field is on Alvernon Way, just east of the stadium opposite the golf courses, is DoubleTree by Hilton. Just like restaurants, however, there is plenty of other lodging around Tucson, especially if are looking for resort-type lodging. Fans 5 Arizona averages over 3,000 people per game, which is in the top portion of the PAC-12. The Friday and Saturday games are the most popular, as the attendance is over 3,000 fans each, including several games of 5,000+, depending on the opponent. Fans are very into the games and are a great home crowd for the Wildcats. They are loud, yet respectful, even though they heckle the other team constantly during the game. They also give praise when the opponents make a good play. Overall, they are a good, fun baseball crowd making the experience enjoyable. Access 4 Hi Corbett Field is about 8 miles from Tucson International Airport. The ballpark, a few miles from downtown Tucson, is situated in Reid Park by the Reid Park Zoo. The traffic can be a little slow going through the park, but otherwise it is easy to drive. Friday and Tuesday games may take a little longer as those games start at 6 pm, and the Tucson evening commute can be slow in the area around the park. Free Parking is plentiful at Hi Corbett Field, available in the parking lots the stadium itself, Reid Park Zoo, and Lakeshore Lane; parallel parking is also available along the south side of Camino Campestre. There is handicap seating near each dugout, with large concourses, so the handicap area is very accessible for fans. Overall, the ballpark’s wide-open concourses, easy entrance, and free parking make getting to Hi Corbett Field a painless experience. Return on Investment 4 Tickets cost anywhere from $5 to $12 depending on which seating area you choose, whether you are Senior, Youth, or Military, as well as on the time of purchase. There are two types of seating, Reserved and General Admission – general admission tickets are $8 for adults. I would suggest buying a GA ticket, as most of the ballpark seating is GA; the GA seats around the infield have backs, while the GA bench seating is along the outfield lines. Ticket prices are two more dollars on the day of, compared to buying in advance. The food prices are the typical stadium prices that you would expect, which is disappointing for a college baseball game. However, parking is free and plentiful here, which adds to the investment value. Extras 4 Hi Corbett Field has stood the test of time, opening in 1927 and after five renovations, is one of the premiere ballparks in the PAC-12 Conference. The history of Hi Corbett Field, shown behind home plate, links the past to the present, from MLB Hall of Famers that played here to the University of Arizona baseball teams that have brought home the hardware to Tucson. The program’s rich history is shown in right-center with the number of tournament appearances (41), CWS appearances (18), and National Championships (4). The free parking in a scenic park area is a plus, as are the wide concourses that easily move fans to their seats, to the concessions, and to the restrooms. 3K fans per game continue to support the Arizona baseball program, keeping Hi Corbett Field in operation even without the MLB using it as a spring training facility anymore. Of course, the weather and scenic sunsets of Tucson, Arizona all give extra reasons to attend a game at Hi Corbett Field. Final Thoughts Hi Corbett Field is a college baseball gem – the University of Arizona made a wonderful choice in moving their baseball program just a few miles from campus. This ballpark is top tier and in a comfortable setting, with easy access to games. Arizona Wildcats’ baseball game is a great way to spend a night while visiting Tucson.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 University of Windsor Stadium 2555 College Avenue Windsor, ON N9B 2Z5 Windsor Lancers football website University of Windsor Stadium website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 2,000 Lancer Life In the shadows of the Ambassador Bridge which links the cities of Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario sits the University of Windsor. Formerly a Roman Catholic private university, the name of the institute was changed from Assumption University to the University of Windsor in 1967 to take advantage of the opportunity for public funding. With the new moniker came a new dedication to athletics and the Windsor Lancers were born. Formerly known as the Purple Raiders, the Windsor athletics program would take a huge step forward in 1968 with the fielding of the Windsor Lancers football team under Canadian University star and CFL alum, Gino Fracas. Fracas is credited with building the program with his more than twenty years of service and helped bring success to Windsor with their CCIFC Championship in 1968. The Lancers would eventually join the OUA and enjoy their only Yates Cup as conference champions in 1975. Windsor has also produced three Hec Crichton winners as the top player in all of Canada. Andrew Parici, Scott Mallender and Daryl Stephenson were successful in bringing the prestigious award to the Blue and Gold. The current home for the Lancers is Alumni Field at University of Windsor Stadium. Built in 2005, the stadium is the perfect home for Lancer football. At a capacity of 2,000 fans in the grandstand, with room for more on the berms, Alumni Field also services other Lancer athletic programs including soccer and track and field. Food & Beverage 3 The concession situation at University of Windsor Stadium is not too bad. There is a BBQ on site with burgers, sausages and other items. Soft drinks and pizza are also available at another stand. The north end zone features the Lancer Garden. Fans who are of age are able to purchase and consume beer in this area which is fenced off from the rest of the stadium. Fans are unable to bring alcoholic beverages into the stands. Atmosphere 3 Compared to many other OUA football facilities, University of Windsor Stadium is a solid venue and would definitely be considered permanent. The large concrete structure is similar to Varsity Stadium at the University of Toronto. Located with the rest of the athletic facilities on campus and the Human Kinetics building, University of Windsor Stadium is well maintained and nicely landscaped. Surrounded by a mix of chain link and wrought iron fencing, Alumni Field is situated from south to north, with the grandstand on the east side and berm seating on the west side. The Ambassador Bridge towers over the university campus in the north and the traffic coming from the bridge on Huron Church Road can be seen from the seating area. Being a fully functional track and field facility also makes University of Windsor Stadium very spacious. The grandstand is far from the action as eight lanes of track are between the grandstand and the field. The simple scoreboard at the south end is functional but not spectacular. The grandstand is quite long as it stretches the entire field, but only nine rows of bleacher seats makes the stadium still feel cozy. Upon entering the stadium area from the north, fans are greeted with some inflatables for the younger fans, a band playing some game day tunes and a performer on stilts welcoming patrons to the Lancers. When the game starts, the Lancers enter the field through a large white inflatable and are aided by Winston, the Lancers mascot. A few strange items accompany the Lancer experience. The strange first down sound, which lacks description, is blasted over the subpar PA system, is not appealing to fans. The team is also flanked upon entry by a smoke-blowing golf cart. Definitely unique, but not really adding to the atmosphere. Neighbourhood 3 University of Windsor Stadium is segregated among the University’s athletic facilities and not very close to pubs or restaurants. Probably the only venue within walking distance is the McDonald’s on Huron Church Road, which can be seen from the Alumni Field grandstand. However, heading toward the riverfront will give fans the opportunity to find some decent spots on both Wyandotte St and University Ave. The Barrel House, Dominion House and Rock Bottom Bar & Grill are all good options. There are a few other spots where fans can find other sports options. The St. Denis Centre can be found right behind University of Windsor Stadium and inside, the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse is where the very successful Lancer basketball teams play. A short drive to the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Centre will find the home for Windsor Lancer hockey. The WFCU Centre is the home for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires and is also a short drive from campus. If none of these options are satisfying, fans may consider hopping the border where all of the sports options of Detroit, Michigan are close. Other entertainment options in Windsor include the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association and Caesar’s Windsor. For fans who need a place to stay in Windsor, the Holiday Inn and Best Western are pretty close to campus and good options. Fans 3 The Windsor Lancers have traditionally been a team that either just makes the playoffs or just misses the playoffs in the OUA. As a result, the Lancers often struggle at the gate. The Lancers usually draw between 1,500 and 2,500 fans per game, but have not ranked higher than 6th place as compared to other OUA teams. The fans in attendance can often be considered die-hard and are typical of most Southern Ontario fans. Access 4 Getting to Alumni Field is not overly difficult. The stadium is adjacent to Highway 3, or Huron Church Road, the main street that leads to the Ambassador Bridge. Fairly recent renovation of Highway 401 have brought the main highway even closer to the river, meaning traveling Highway 3, which has plenty of traffic lights, has been reduced. There is some parking available on campus on the opposite side of College Ave and behind the St. Denis Centre. Parking will cost fans a little bit, but should be less than $10 for the game. Public transit is a little bit of a walk from the stadium. There are buses that run on Wyandotte, Felix, Tecumseh and Campbell. Fans interested in public transit should check out the Transit Windsor website for maps, fares and schedules. Tickets for the Lancers can be purchased at the tent outside of the stadium. There is plenty of space to walk around and elevators are available to get to the top of the grandstand. The washroom facilities are more than adequate for the crowd on hand. Return on Investment 4 Going to an OUA football game offers great value for the sporting dollar. Tickets will run between $10 and $15, which is cheaper than some other programs. General admission tickets go for $12. Concession prices are not terrible, but parking will cost a couple of bucks. On the field, the Lancers can be an exciting experience, but can be prone to a mismatch if squaring off against the wrong opponent. However, OUA football is an excellent way to spend a sunny fall afternoon. Extras 2 An extra mark for the three Hec Crighton Award winners to have played for the Lancers. An extra mark for legendary Lancers coach Gino Fracas, who would build the program from scratch. His influence on USports football was such that the award for the top volunteer assistant coach is named after the legendary Windsor coach. Final Thoughts Catching some Windsor Lancer football at Alumni Field at University of Windsor Stadium is a great way to spend a fall afternoon. Fans have a great opportunity to pair some Windsor football with other sporting events in Windsor or Detroit to make for a fantastic doubleheader or weekend. Checking out the Lancer Life is a good idea and offers great value for the money. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Toldo Lancer Centre 2555 College Ave. Windsor, ON N9B 3P4 Windsor Lancers basketball website Toldo Lancer Centre website Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 2,000 The Centre of Lancer Basketball For many years, the Windsor Lancers played basketball in the most unique and obscure of venues. The Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse at the St. Denis Centre is an indoor track and field facility. For basketball games, the University of Windsor set up a basketball court in the centre of the 200-meter track and pulled out large bleachers for spectators. It was a Canadian venue not dissimilar to how the Syracuse Orange have played for decades in what is still commonly referred to as the Carrier Dome, just on a shrunken level. The success of the Lancer basketball program predicated a new venue and the Toldo Lancer Centre was born. Named after Anthony Toldo, who died in 2009, and whose foundation made a significant donation, the Toldo Lancer Centre is a state-of-the-art facility, perfect for OUA basketball. The Lancers began their basketball lives sometime in the early 1900s when they competed against colleges across the river, in Detroit, in friendlies as Assumption College. Founded in 1857, Assumption was granted university status in 1953 and federated with the newly established University of Windsor in 1963. In 1952, they joined the OQAA, a conference in what is now known as USports. The Lancers have enjoyed success in basketball earning the W.P. McGee Trophy as National Champions in 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, and 1969. Windsor would also win the Wilson Cup as conference champions on ten occasions, the latest being in 2007. Currently, the University of Windsor has an enrollment of over 16,000 students Food & Beverage 2 The Toldo Lancer Centre offers a limited selection of concessions for basketball games. Soda, bottled water, chips, chocolate bars, hot dogs, candy, and popcorn encompass the entirety of the concession menu. There is just enough to keep fans happy with a snack, but for fans looking for something more satisfying, looking elsewhere before or after the game would be the best idea. Atmosphere 4 The Toldo Lancer Centre was built attached to the pre-existing St. Denis Centre which includes the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse where the Lancers previously played. As with other OUA basketball facilities, the Toldo Lancer Centre is much more than the home of the basketball teams but is also a hub for student athletics and recreation. Entering the building from the south gives fans a look at the main entrance. The exterior is fairly simple and nondescript but by no means ugly. Fans are greeted by the main ticket office upon entry and then immediately ascend to the upper level for entry to the seating area. The breezeway before entry to the gym features a crisp, clean look and a large Lancer Pride mural. The washroom facilities are found in this area. There is plenty of space for meeting with others without having to brave the elements in the winter. The University of Windsor Athletic Hall of Fame is also found in this area with a very nice display for the most recent honourees. Passing from the breezeway into the seating area, fans can have their tickets checked to gain access. The upper level of the seating area has a three-lane running track perfect for fans who wish to keep moving during the game and not miss any of the action. Windsor has taken design cues from Toronto’s Goldring Centre. The main gym is sleek and dark with a focus on the court and LED lights throughout. The court runs from south to north with four sets of bleachers on each side. The east side provides the best view of the center logo. Behind the east bleachers are the Alumni Lounge and the press box above that. The east and west bleachers are raised above floor level and feature padded, fold-down seats. Although less comfortable, the molded plastic bench seating on the north and south end bleachers gets fans closer to the action. Proudly hanging in the north end are the five women’s and five men’s basketball National Championship banners. The dominance the men enjoyed in the sixties is on display with five championships. The women have proved to be equally dominant with their own five straight National Championships. The Toldo Lancer Centre takes technology to the next level. The south end has two large videoboards which display the OUA.tv video feed while the north side videoboard cycles advertisements. Each of the four corners also has a video board on the railing of the track which serves as the scoreboard and score clock. It would be beneficial if two of these boards could provide lineups and statistics. The gameday production is about what one would expect for an OUA basketball game. There are student-run promotions in between the quarters. The music selection is what one would expect from a student-run production. The mascot, Winston, can be found moving around the gym and partaking in the promotions. Neighbourhood 3 Toldo Lancer Centre is segregated among the University’s athletic facilities and not very close to pubs or restaurants. Probably the only venue within walking distance is the McDonald’s on Huron Church Road. However, heading toward the riverfront will allow fans to find some decent spots on both Wyandotte St. and University Ave. The Barrel House, Dominion House, and Rock Bottom Bar & Grill are all good options. There are a few other spots where fans can find other sports options. Right behind the St. Denis Centre is Alumni Field at the University of Windsor Stadium, which is the home for Lancer football. A short drive to the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex will find the home for Windsor Lancer hockey. The WFCU Centre is the home for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires and is also a short drive from campus. If none of these options are satisfying, fans may consider hopping the border where all of the sports options of Detroit, Michigan are close. Other entertainment options in Windsor include the Canadian Aviation Museum and Caesars Windsor. For fans who need a place to stay in Windsor, the Holiday Inn and Best Western are pretty close to campus and are good options. Fans 4 Assessing the fan support for USports basketball is difficult as the majority of teams do not publish attendance figures. That being said, the fan support that is found at a Windsor Lancers basketball game is above average in the USA. Known for their support of the Lancers, the fans in the Lancer Centre are loud and proud. The Lancers faithful has also, historically, been very supportive of the women’s team. At the game that was reviewed, there was a strong contingent of students that sat on the ends, dressed up, and made plenty of noise with pots, pans, and buckets. This impromptu student section is truly unique in the OUA and made the fan atmosphere more like an NCAA basketball game than a Canadian college game. Access 4 Getting to the Toldo Lancer Centre is not overly difficult. The stadium is a stone's throw from Highway 3, or Huron Church Road, the main street that leads to the Ambassador Bridge, in the Bridgeview neighbourhood of Windsor. There is some parking available on campus on the opposite side of College Ave and behind the Toldo Lancer Centre. Parking will cost fans a little bit but should be less than $10 for the game. Public transit is a little bit of a walk from the stadium. Some buses run on California, Wyandotte, Felix, Tecumseh, and Campbell. Fans interested in public transit should check out the Transit Windsor website for maps, fares, and schedules. Tickets can be purchased at the main ticket window immediately inside the south entrance. . There is plenty of space to walk around with the track and breezeway and the washroom facilities are more than adequate for the crowd on hand. Return on Investment 5 Canadian University Basketball has tremendous value for little cost. Windsor Lancers tickets go for $10 for an adult with discounts for students, seniors, kids, and alumni. Each ticket is a doubleheader with the women's basketball team usually playing in the early game followed by the men. There are not too many tickets anywhere that are as cheap and provide so much value. Windsor has consistently put a contender on the court on both the men's and women's sides. Combine that with a clean, comfortable, state-of-the-art facility and it is hard to go wrong with Lancer basketball. Extras 3 An extra mark for the state-of-the-art facility and the use of technology at Toldo Lancer Centre. An extra mark for the very strong support for the Lancer Women’s basketball team also. One of the best fanbases for women’s basketball in the province. An extra mark for the consistently competitive Lancer program. Final Thoughts Basketball fans in Ontario should take some time and head to Windsor to see one of the top OUA basketball teams. The Windsor Lancers are playing in one of the best facilities in Ontario and provide a great experience for fans. The Toldo Lancer Centre is worth checking out. Fans won’t regret it. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and Instagram.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Robin Roberts Stadium 1415 North Grand Avenue E Springfield, IL 62702 Springfield Lucky Horseshoes website Robin Roberts Stadium website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 5,200 Feeling Lucky in Springfield A new era of baseball began in 2022 with the rebranding of the Springfield Sliders to the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes. The name was picked to honor the local delicacy horseshoe sandwich and lucky was added to play along with the name horseshoe along with US President Abraham Lincoln whose home, along with his library, is a tourist destination in town. However, Stadium Journey’s review is from the 2021 season when the team was still called the Sliders. The Shoes of the Prospect League have called Robin Roberts Stadium home since 2008 and are the longest-tenured ball club at the venue. The stadium has hosted professional, summer collegiate, and high school baseball for nearly a century of operation. The first game played at Robin Roberts Stadium, then known as Reservoir Park, was on May 12, 1925. That day the Springfield Senators dropped a 6-4 decision to the Terre Haute Hottentots in the Three-Eye League. A massive crowd of 12,000 people showed up for opening commencements on the next day and was witness to a triple play and a grand slam, sadly, the Senators lost 7-6. Minor league baseball would continue at the ballpark from 1925-1932, 1935, 1938-1942, and 1946-50. Ironically, the Central Illinois Colleague League, the predecessor to the Prospect League, would place a franchise at the newly renovated stadium, now known as Lanphier Park, in 1963 that would operate until 1977. The very next season minor league baseball returned to the city for the first time in 28 years. The New Orleans Pelicans of the American Association relocated to the newly renamed Robin Roberts Stadium. An amount of $280,000 worth of renovations was completed on the stadium, including improved lighting, new locker rooms, increased seating capacity, and a new scoreboard with a small message board. The team would be known as the Springfield Redbirds, a Triple-A affiliation, of St. Louis. The Redbirds would leave town after the 1981 season, but just weeks later, the city received a Midwest League team named the Redbirds that would last until 1993. In 1994 the Sultans of Springfield would call the ballpark home before moving to Lansing, Michigan, after the 1995 season. The following season, the Springfield Capitals of the Frontier League opened up shop and would provide professional baseball in town for the next 5-years. Today, the ball club is content to be the stadium’s tenant for the foreseeable future. The ballpark has had a share of renovations that have included a new scoreboard, leveling of the playing field, two picnic areas down each foul line, and adding the team colors of Kelly green and neon green throughout the concourse. It is not the most modern of ballparks, but it is a very comfortable spot for a game during the summer months. Food & Beverage 4 The main concession stands are underneath the grandstand and have almost anything you would need at a ball game. The prices range from $2 to $5 per item; the ribeye steak sandwich is the highest-priced menu item. There are also pork tenderloin sandwiches, pizza slices, Polish sausages, pork chop sandwiches, hot dogs, nachos, burgers, chicken strip baskets, and a foot-long churro on a stick. The food is hot, most of it locally produced, and quite tasty. Six taps of beer are only $3 a glass. If you want a tall boy, it will cost you $5. The selections include the national brands plus Boulevard Pale Ale and Shiner Bock. There are also mixed drink varieties for purchase if you are not a beer aficionado. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere was a little laid back on the night of our visit, perhaps fans were busy at commencement ceremonies at local high schools or waiting to come out the next day for firework night. It is a very comfortable and relaxing place to watch a game. The focus is on the field instead of the in-between promotions, which were absent during the night. The ballpark is wide open and consists mainly of aluminum bleacher seating down the foul lines and theater-style seating behind home plate. There is the main concourse between the reserved and general admission seating. A picnic area for groups is located down the first baseline of the facility. Speedy, the club’s official mascot, makes his way around the concourse signing autographs and giving hugs and high-fives to fans of all ages. You will also see fans moving their arms up and down after every run pushed across home plate during the night. A tradition that was started during its first season still resonates with many in the building. The souvenir shop is a throwback to the old booths that used to exist in similarly constructed buildings. Fans can select from t-shirts, caps, jerseys, foam fingers, and other paraphernalia. A shirt starts at $15, a cap is $20, and an official jersey is $40. A Wall of Fame of former players lines up the upper level of the stadium’s grandstand, featuring former high school standout and Hall of Famer Robin Roberts. The stadium also features a turtle back in the field that is a pronounced slope behind the infield dirt that slopes down towards the outfield. This was common for many ballparks of the 1920s and was created mostly for drainage purposes as they allow rainwater to quickly drain off the infield. It is one of a handful of ballparks that features the quirk, but it is still effective Neighborhood 3 The ballpark is not too far away from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library which features wonderful exhibits from the 16th president of the United States along with his presidential home and monument. A must-see if you are a history buff or just a fan of Honest Abe himself. Across the street from the library is the Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery. The popular spot offers craft beer, food, and outdoor seating with a bocce ball court. A few more spots include D’Arcy’s Pint, Norb Andy’s Tabarin, and Julia’s Kitchen and Lounge. A few more places are the Illinois State Museum, the Dana Thomas House, and the old State Capitol. A farmer’s market is held downtown every Saturday during the summer months and one should enjoy a pint from Buzz Bomb Brewing Company or Anvil & Forge. The city is on Route 66, and worthy of a visit to the Cozy Dog Drive-In which has a collection of memorabilia of the famous highway along with smash burgers, hand-cut fries, homemade chili dogs, and cozy dogs (better than a corn dog). A regional dish called the horseshoe is available at many eateries and consists of bread, hamburger, fries, and cheese sauce (although one can also get a breakfast horseshoe with sausage gravy). Fans 3 The Slider fan appears to be occupied with the game taking place on the field and does their best to cheer on the hometown nine to victory. They enjoy a winner just like any other baseball city in the nation, but many are decked out in caps, jerseys, and shirts that make them stand out as legit fans. They are still looking for the second league championship that has been evading them since 2008. Access 4 The ballpark is located on the north side of town, not that far from downtown attractions. Once inside, it can get a little crowded near the concession and entrance of the stadium. However, one can make their way around quite efficiently once inside the grandstand. There was a lot of room at this ballpark and enough to stretch your legs out when applicable. Return on Investment 4 An adult general admission ticket is $8, children (4-12) and military are $5, and children under 3 are free. The parking is free, concessions are reasonably priced and beer is $3, and mixed drinks and wine are $5. A few things to keep in mind: all draft beer is $1 before the first pitch, and hot food is discounted to $2 during the 8th and 9th inning for many games. Extras 4 The ballpark earns a point for having $1 happy hour prices before the first pitch. I was unaware of this deal, and since I like to save a dollar or two, kicked myself for not taking advantage of this incredible deal. I also enjoyed how many of the fans moved their arms up and down whenever the Sliders scored a run during the game. It is a type of tradition that you do not see at many other stadiums across the country during the summer months. The ribeye steak sandwich was quite delicious and worth getting for just five bucks during the game. I would suggest adding a few onions to make it almost perfect. It’s not quite a hot dog, but sometimes it’s okay to be a little different at the ballpark. A fourth point for the sale of an actual gameday program that does cost $2, but has some great information and detail about the stadium inside its pages. Many teams offer them for free, but we know they are nowhere what they used to be a few years ago. Final Thoughts Attending a Springfield Sliders game at Robin Roberts Stadium is both an economical and relaxing way to enjoy baseball in the Prospect League. It is a good old-fashioned throwback of a ballpark that many will enjoy for the pure aspect of watching the game. Who can argue with that? ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Richard Smith Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Joseph West Jones College Center 4701 Limestone Rd Wilmington, DE 19808 Goldey-Beacom Lightning website Joseph West Jones College Center website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 1,000 Delaware Lightning Goldey–Beacom College is a private college located in a suburb of Wilmington, Delaware. The college was founded in 1886 as Wilmington Commercial College. A few years later one of the college’s instructors, W.H. Beacom, left to open his school only blocks away. In 1951, the two institutions merged, and in 1974, the college relocated from its downtown Wilmington location to the present suburban Pike Creek campus. Goldey–Beacom offers undergraduate degrees in criminal justice, English, and various areas of business, as well as an MBA and Master in Taxation degrees. The college competes at the NCAA Division II level in all sports as a member of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. Fellow conference teams are located in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Goldey-Beacom’s sports team is named the Lightning. The gym is located inside the Joseph West Jones College Center, which also houses the college’s library, fitness center, cafe, chapel, and bookstore. Food & Beverage 2 There is no specific concession area for Lightning games. The venue does get credit for being in the middle of the college’s student center. Depending on the time and day you attend there may be opportunities to get food from the college cafe. There was also a temporary table set up in the lobby where the softball team was selling hot dogs, sodas, and chips for cheap prices, as a fundraiser for their upcoming Florida trip. I am not sure how often the softball team does this, or if other teams fill in for games. If they are there it is a good place for a cheap snack and the money goes to a worthy cause. Atmosphere 3 This is a medium size gym that is very reminiscent of a high school gym. Because of the small size, it can get loud pretty quickly depending on the game's action. There is a small simple grandstand on the main side of the court. There are no seats on the other side of the court, behind the benches. On that side, there is a small stage that must be used for other activities. Some press seating is using the stage for basketball games. Neighborhood 2 Goldey-Beacom College is in a suburban location and not near any major highways. There is no real town that can be found. That means it will not be an exciting area to visit. Across the street from the campus is the Pike Creek Shopping Center. Inside the shopping center are a grocery store, many stores, and a couple of restaurants. The Ruby Tuesday chain, Valle Cucina Italiana, Tierra Mexi-Cali Grill, and Soybean Asian Grille are some options here. The best local food option is Anthony’s Coal-Fired Pizza at Pike Creek. They are a local food chain serving charred-crust pies, plus wings, subs & Italian plates in a modern setting. They also have a good tap beer selection. Fans 3 As with most small college gyms, the bulk of the fans tends to be family or friends of both teams. There will be some local fans who just happen to stop by for the game as well. The fans are very knowledgeable and can be quite loud. Student attendance at games will always be an issue as the college has so many commuter students. The campus is very busy with students, even on weekends, so luckily many stop in and out of the games. Access 2 The college suffers from the fact that they are located far from major highways. Delaware State Route 7 runs in front of the campus and goes south towards I-95 and north towards Pennsylvania. The campus itself is small and even though it is a commuter campus, has very few parking spaces. Even on a weekend game parking can get tight. The gym is located as part of the Joseph West Jones College Center and is not a gym from the outside. Return on Investment 4 You are not going to be watching the highest level of basketball competition, but the cost is about the best you can find. That’s right, there is no admission cost. Combine that with free parking, and you have a pretty great night out. Extras 1 It is pretty cool to have a gym in the heart of the student center. Make sure to spend some time checking out the Joseph West Jones College Center and get a feel for this campus. Final Thoughts Goldey-Beacom College has a very nicely designed gym in the Joseph West Jones College Center. The level of competition is fairly low, but with no cost of admission, a sports fan will want to make some time to visit if in the area.

The ongoing saga that is the takeover of Manchester United shows no signs of being resolved anytime soon, and with that, the future of United’s home, Old Trafford, is still up in the air. The stadium is regularly criticized for being in a state of disrepair and in desperate need of an upgrade in facilities. The team seems to be improving on the pitch, and the general consensus seems to be that progress also needs to be made off the pitch, or the club will get left behind. United contending on the pitch again Such is the progress made under Erik ten Hag this season, United are one of the betting favorites to win the league title next season. In the latest Premier League winner odds, United are 9/1 to win their first title since 2013. But such is the strength of their cross-town rivals, most punters making Premier League predictions won’t be putting the red half of Manchester down as their champions tip for next season. That said, a place in the top four is well within United’s capabilities. But with other clubs such as Arsenal, Spurs, and Chelsea, not to mention Manchester City, in the mix. The thorny issue of the quality of stadiums comes into the equation. Those other clubs mentioned above can all offer state-of-the-art facilities for the corporate sector, which generates huge sums of money for Premier League football clubs in the 21st century. Put simply, a football club's ambition on the pitch needs to be matched off it. And in the case of Manchester United, the quality of their stadium isn't keeping up with the team. To the average football fan, Old Trafford looks as good or bad as any other stadium in the country. There’s a seat to sit in, toilets, bars, and program sellers. But football fans rarely look beyond what is in front of them in their seats. They are only there to watch the football, after all. But even though Old Trafford might be okay in the eyes of football fans, it’s far from okay in the corporate world. The ground hasn’t been invested in since 2006, and if any indication of how far down the pecking order Old Trafford has fallen is needed, then look at the bid to host the European Championships in 2028. Old Trafford not shortlisted to be a Euro 2028 venue Old Trafford currently has a capacity of over 74,000, that’s far more than the five Premier League stadiums shortlisted to host matches at Euro 2028. So the question has to be asked, why has the City of Manchester Stadium (Man City’s Etihad), Everton’s not even yet built stadium, St James’ Park in Newcastle, Villa Park, and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium been selected ahead of Old Trafford? The locations of the stadiums do play a part. But with two stadiums selected in the northwest of England, and Old Trafford not one of them, questions need to be asked why? One conclusion that can be drawn is facilities. The facilities at Old Trafford are way behind those at the Etihad, and they will be behind those available at Everton’s new stadium at Bramley Moore. As things stand, there are no immediate plans to modernise Old Trafford. The bidding parties looking to purchase the club have pledged to invest in the ground. But until a takeover is completed, there can be no upgrades. And while all this carries on in the background, Old Trafford is simply falling further behind.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Bob Reed Field 501 Clara St Dover, DE 19904 Delaware State Hornets website Bob Reed Field's website Capacity: 400 In Baseball, it Ain't Dover 'Till it's Dover Bob Reed Field is the former home of Wesley College's baseball team and is named after the Wolverines' longtime coach. In June of 2021, Delaware State University purchased Wesley and turned it into its DSU Downtown campus, thus ending the Wolverines' athletic programs. The deal was notable as the first instance of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) purchasing another school. Delaware State did find a use for Bob Reed Field, as its baseball team moved there from its on-campus home. Bob Reed Field is located in the same complex as Drass Field, the former home to several of Wesley's teams and the current home to Delaware State's soccer and lacrosse programs. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand at Bob Reed Field, which it shares with Drass Field (although in our experience it is not always open for Drass Field events.) Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs are the only meal options, with popcorn, chips, candy, and other assorted snacks also available. Bottled water, soda, and Gatorade are available to drink. Coffee and hot chocolate are available on cold days, but this is weather-dependent and they were not available on the warm day in May when we visited. Keep in mind that credit cards are not accepted, but if you do not have cash, they do take payments via CashApp. Prices are incredibly affordable - the most expensive option was $4 for special burgers that were available when we went but are not on the normal menu, and a standard cheeseburger is the most expensive normal option at just $3.50. There are picnic tables next to the concession stand where fans can eat if they want. Atmosphere 2 There are several places to sit and watch a Delaware State baseball game at Bob Reed Field. In addition to the aforementioned picnic tables, there is a set of bleachers behind the home plate and another one right next to it between home plate and the first base dugout. There is a small set of chairbacks further up the right field line that is awkwardly placed there far from everything else. However, if you want a seatback, this is your only option. The experience at a baseball game here is pretty basic. Music is played during breaks in the action, and every Delaware State batter seems to have its walk-up song. However, the unique feature here is a siren that sounds after Delaware State home runs. Neighborhood 3 Although Bob Reed Field is supposedly located on the DSU Downtown campus, there is not anything near the stadium other than some houses, a church, a synagogue, and a school bus depot. Your best bet will be to head towards DuPont Highway (US Route 13) which is lined on both sides with restaurants and hotels. Most of the places are chains, but you will find a few independent eateries such as the Speedway Cafe and Wolfie's Grille. The Dover Motor Speedway is also located along DuPont Highway and you can sometimes hear the cars revving their engines as you stand outside. Fans 3 Delaware State fans pack the bleachers at Bob Reed Field, although that is not saying much as the stadium only seats 400. Nonetheless, while the fans may not be large in number, they are big in passion. Many of them are friends and family who know every player on the team, not to mention each other, but they are certainly welcoming of those who aren't as familiar as well. They come out decked in red, the team color, and can get incredibly loud at times. The fact that they are packed together in small bleachers certainly helps as well. When the Hornets have a big play such as a home run, the energy and noise here are much higher than you would expect given the size of the crowd. If the fans could turn out in greater numbers, this rating would be even higher, but the fans they do have are impressive given the number of them who show up. Access 3 If coming from the north or south, US Route 13 (DuPont Highway) runs right through Dover, but if coming from the east or west, you will have to take a series of local roads to get into town. Once you get to the stadium, street parking is available on Clara Street, William Street, and the other nearby roads, or you can park in a grass lot across Clara Street from the stadium. Restrooms are available to the left of the concession stand, between Bob Reed Field and Drass Field. It is located in the same physical structure as the concession stand, on the other side of the window. They are small but should suffice for the needs of the crowd. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Delaware State baseball games is free, parking is free, and concessions are incredibly affordable. Four hot dogs and drinks will only cost about $15, and if you want to get burgers instead, it is still possible to feed a family of four at the ballpark for under $20. And other than the price of gas to get to Dover, the cost of food will be the only thing you will pay to see a game here. All of this combines to make a trip to a Delaware State baseball game here a great value. . Extras 1 Check the Delaware State lacrosse schedule to see if they have a game on the same day as your visit to Bob Reed Field. If so, it is possible to see both teams on the same trip as the stadiums are right next to each other and share a concourse, concession stand, and restrooms. If there is no lacrosse game that day, many of the players will warm up on Drass Field before the game, giving fans a chance to watch them up close in a unique setting. Either way, it's an extra, just check the schedule to find out which one. Final Thoughts Although Wesley College baseball is no more, and indeed the college itself is no more, Delaware State University has taken over Bob Reed Field and made it its own. The Hornets play in an intimate setting with a small but passionate fan base. While it is certainly not well known, Bob Reed Field is a hidden gem for baseball fans in Delaware.

Tasmania to get New Stadium and AFL Team...maybe Earlier this month, outgoing league CEO, Gill McLachlan, confirmed that Tasmania would be granted the 19th AFL license. The decision was contingent upon the federal government agreeing to kick in the last $240m required to build a new 23,000-seat multi-purpose, enclosed stadium at Macquarie Point on Hobart’s waterfront. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese duly announced that the feds would come to the party and stump up the required amount. The total cost of the stadium is projected to be $715m. The new team, likely to be called the Tasmania Devils, is slated to join the league for the 2028 season, although the stadium may not be completed until 2029. In the interim, Blundstone Arena would be the most likely base for the club. Given the geography of Tasmania, upgrades to University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston will ensure home games are also played in the north of the state – even after the new venue in Hobart is opened. Australian rules football in Tasmania dates back to the 1860s. As the VFL began to expand into a national competition through the 1990s, the state was naturally a potential market for the league. Several AFL clubs, including North Melbourne, Hawthorn, and St Kilda, have taken home games to the “Apple Isle”, underwritten by the Tasmanian state government over the ensuing decades. While the AFL sought out non-traditional markets for expansion, momentum has gradually coalesced behind the island state finally being granted its team. However, government support, including for a new stadium, was set as a pre-requisites by the league. The additional federal government support was seemingly the last piece of the puzzle to fall into place. However, a political storm over the use of state government funds for the proposed stadium threatens to derail the project – and possibly the hope of Tassie’s AFL dream. A groundswell of public support against the stadium has seen two MPs resign from the ruling Liberals, which has plunged the party into a minority government. The state budget is due to be handed down this coming week, which is likely to include funding for the stadium. The parliament will also need to vote in support of designating the project to be one of state significance to kick-start the approval process. Publicly, Gill McLachlan remains confident that the binding agreement between the AFL and Tasmanian government would hold. Nevertheless, there appears to be real doubt as to whether the deal will move forward after all.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Arlin R. Horton Sports Center 5307 Rawson Ln Pensacola, FL 32503 Pensacola Christian College Eagles website Arlin R. Horton Sports Center website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: Unknown Welcome to the Eagle’s Nest Pensacola Christian College was founded by Beka and Arlin R. Horton and opened its doors in 1974, with 100 students and based in a single building. The Hortons also opened a grade school in 1954 that is now named Pensacola Christian Academy, which is affiliated with the college and is located right next door. Since opening, PCC has been met with a lot of controversy regarding its accreditation and some of the college’s rules, and has been nicknamed one of the strictest colleges in the country. Today the college has grown to include about 5,000 students and over 20 buildings. The Eagles officially began fielding an athletic program in 1993, of which they compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) in Division II. PCC fields 3 sports – men’s and women’s basketball, men’s soccer, and women’s volleyball. The Eagles have not had much success on the basketball court; since first fielding a team in 1993 the Eagles have only made 2 NCCAA regional appearances in 2014 and 2016. However, the Eagles soccer team won 2017 NCCAA National Championship, and PCC’s wrestling team won four National Championships in the mid-1990s before NCCAA discontinued the sport. Food & Beverage 1 There is one main concessions stand located on the concourse to the right as soon as you enter. The concessions options are extremely limited with chips, popcorn, nachos, candy, and hot dogs being the only items on the menu. Bottled Coke products are the soft drink of choice for $2 each. Concessions prices are about average with what you would expect, but I would recommend getting something to eat at one of Pensacola’s many area restaurants. Atmosphere 3 Arlin R. Horton Sports Center is perhaps one of the finest venues in NCCAA; the 3,100-seat, 216,000-square-foot venue opened in 1993 and houses the school’s athletic departments and classrooms, as well as the school’s recreation facilities. The octagon-shaped brick building sits at the front of campus as soon as you come through the main gate. The first thing you notice is just how huge the building is for this level of college basketball, and the structure from the outside can resemble a D1 basketball venue. In addition, outside the venue sits a pretty big fountain which lights up at night, that greets you as you enter; from the fountain you go up about 20 stairs to get to the ticket office, which is located at the main entrance on the west side. As soon as you enter the arena you are greeted by a wide and spacious, carpeted concourse that wraps around the entire building. Walking around the concourse there are a multitude of different banners and photos of past Eagle teams, and though the PCC basketball program is usually exceptionally bad, you can definitely tell that at PCC they are still proud of their athletic programs, and honor past players and teams. The court faces north and south, and there are portable bleachers on the east and west sides, with an upper level complete with a walking track, and seats behind the track that wrap around the entire building. The venue is so clean it’s virtually spotless, and I did not see any operations staff walking around, so the fact that the venue is that clean is definitely a plus. There are four entrances into the arena, and you enter at court level, then walk up some stairs to get to the walking track/upper level seating. Because of the program’s status there is no music played during events here, except for an orchestra-like theme that plays before the game. But the staff more than makes up for it with the many promotional contests and the games themselves – every time an Eagles player hits a three-pointer they shoot t-shirts into the crowd, and during timeouts they have trivia contests and play games where fans can win prizes. During halftime they let fans come onto the court and shoot basketballs, including a 3-point contest and a half-court contest. For a school known for its strict rules it is nice to see this level of fan engagement and interaction. Neighborhood 3 Pensacola Christian College is located off a busy highway (Brent Road), under an interstate overpass in the Car City neighborhood of Pensacola. There is nothing within walking distance except about 20 car dealerships, but about a block away one can find Buffalo Wild Wings, Sky Pizza, and Outback Steakhouse, or half a mile east on Brent Road will take you to Cordova Mall, which is the largest indoor shopping center in western Florida, and has all the typical mall stores you could think of. In addition, in the parking lot you can find Chick-fil-A, Newk’s, Red Robin, Zoe’s Kitchen, Longhorn Steakhouse, Chili’s, Steak ‘n Shake, Moe’s, etc. A restaurant I recommend outside Cordova Mall is BJ’s Brewhouse, which is kind of expensive but has over 60 beers on tap and even brews its own beer. To experience Pensacola at its best, I recommend hopping on the I-110 from the college and driving a couple of miles south to downtown Pensacola. There are two distinct areas of downtown, the first being the Seville Quarter, modeled after the French Quarter in New Orleans, which features historic 1800s-era Victorian buildings that have been converted into seven different distinct bars and saloons, each with its own theme. Rosie O’Grady’s, the most famous restaurant in the Quarter, is famous for its hurricane cocktails and its dueling pianos, while Little Marlene’s houses a wide collection of Navy memorabilia, and is a local hotspot for the city’s military personnel. In addition, Fast Eddie’s Pool Hall is known for a wide selection of sports items collected from Pensacola greats such as Emmitt Smith and Roy Jones Jr, while Apple Annie’s is an outdoor courtyard-style bar. Or, other bars in the Seville Quarter include Palace Oyster Bar, Phineas Phogg’s, End o’ the Alley, and Heritage Hall. I also suggest just walking around downtown Pensacola, as the area is very scenic and historic. As the country’s first official settlement it predates St. Augustine by 6 years, but due to a hurricane, was abandoned shortly after founding. There are many historic buildings in the area, however, and if you are into history there are multiple walking tours and ghost hunts one can go on. The entire stretch of Palafox Street south of Garden Street is lined with myriad bars and restaurants as well, so you should be able to find plenty to do in the area in terms of nightlife. Fans 4 Because about 90% of students live on campus, and because of the college’s strict guidelines on visits off campus, the school tries to keep students on campus as much as possible with a multitude of different dining establishments and small stores. Just one look at activities for recreation on the first floor of the arena, for example, show how it’s possible to go to school here and not have to ever venture off campus. Many of the students on campus turn out in large numbers at basketball games; I would say about 90% of the people in attendance at a typical game are students. The portable bleachers on the east and west sides are the student section, and there is a good student turnout there. There are a few older fans sitting in the upper level seating, but for the most part a game at PCC is filled with students. Students seem engaged and are into the game, and the college does a nice job of rewarding students who attend games, as you can swipe your student ID upon entering and get some pretty cool prizes and t-shirts. Access 3 Pensacola Christian College is an easy campus to find. Conveniently located just a few blocks away from the I-110 interchange, it is also conveniently located about 2 miles west of Pensacola International Airport, so coming from out of town shouldn’t be a problem. Pensacola does have notoriously horrendous traffic, but if you can get to I-110 you shouldn’t have a problem – just take the Brent Lane/Airport Rd. exit and the campus is located right there. You should have no problem finding Arlin R. Horton Sports Center, which is located at the front of campus as soon as you enter. Return on Investment 2 All tickets are general admission and they are priced at $5, which is about average for this level of college basketball. Though you will not see any future NBA players, and you won’t hear much music being played, the staff at PCC makes up for it with their constant entertainment options and numerous fan contests done during timeouts, something you won’t find at bigger schools; that makes this a good return on investment. Extras 2 Arlin R. Sports Center has to be the only basketball arena in the country that houses a full-fledged indoor water park. On the first floor under the stairs is the entrance to the water park, and they have two slides that range from 185 feet to 210 feet. Also here is a wave pool called the Double Flowrider, a lazy river, and an indoor-and-outdoor Olympic-sized pool. In addition to the aquatic features, there is an amazing array of sports and leisure features inside the Center that includes a rock wall, 12-lane bowling alley, ice skating rink, racquetball courts, escape room, inline skating track, 9-hole miniature golf course, indoor volleyball, and ping pong tables. So, in addition to the basketball game there should be plenty for students to do. If coming to a game during Christmas season make sure to take a short drive around campus; the school goes above and beyond with its Christmas lights celebration. There are 500,000 lights strung around the many oak and palm trees around campus, and this impressive scene is quite festive, as on the most recent night I was there they also had Christmas carolers and Santa Claus. Final Thoughts Arlin R. Horton Sports Center remains an excellent place for this level of college basketball. Though there are not a lot of perks that come along with venues in this conference, the Sports Center remains an exception. From its beautiful and spacious concourse to its indoor water park and recreation facilities, the Arlin R. Horton Sports Center has it all, and remains a hidden gem sports venue in Pensacola that not a lot of people know about.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Comerica Stadium 2601 Avenue of the Stars Frisco, TX 75034 Frisco Fighters website Comerica Center website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 4,500 Fifty Yards of Fury The Frisco Fighters arena football team bills itself as the Fifty Yards of Fury (indoor football fields are only half the length of traditional football fields) – their cool fighter jet logo looks awesome on the helmets and signage. The warplane theme continues with the dance team, named the Bombshells, and the team does all the traditional things to entertain fans, such as having fans contests on the field and handing out t-shirts. While the facility itself may not offer much beyond the action on the field, the fans here seem to enjoy themselves. Food & Beverage 4 Comerica Center offers a decent variety of food and beverage options – I recommend the BBQ, but you can also find Mexican and more traditional items like upscale hot dogs and burgers, as well as pretzels, popcorn, packaged candy, and chips, as well as old-fashioned milkshakes. There are a few bar areas as well, and typical drink options beyond alcohol such as soda and bottled water. The prices tend to be a little on the high side for most of the main dishes, but the food quality and portion sizes are pretty good. Atmosphere 2 Comerica Center opened in 2003 and seems like a modern facility from the outside as you walk in, but the setup for arena football seems to be a bit lacking. The arena is also the home field for the Texas Legends of the NBA G League and also houses the Dallas Star’s practice rink. As mentioned above the fighter jet team logo is pretty cool, and there is a giant banner behind one end zone showing the logo in full, blaring color with two jets instead of one. However, there are no team logos in either end zone, and there isn’t the giant multi-sided center video board that many sports fans have gotten used to. There is also not a lot of pomp or ceremony when the team takes the field – the dance team comes on the field to welcome them on, there are spotlights, and they alternate games introducing the defensive versus offensive starters, but there is no mascot and no pyrotechnics. There are a few TVs in the hallways to watch the game on while you are waiting in line at the concessions, as you can’t see the field from there, and there are a couple of set-ups for people to play Xbox, but one of the screens wasn’t working during my most recent visit. Neighborhood 4 There are plenty of restaurants near Comerica Center, with Wild Pitch Sports Bar & Grill or Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille is the closest, both within walking distance – either would be a great option to hang out before or after a Fighters game. There are also numerous hotels in the area, several within walking distance, so definitely the arena is in a great location, about 4 miles south of downtown Frisco or half an hour north of Dallas, which has plenty of additional restaurant and entertainment options if you want to head into the big city. Within Frisco, you can find other sporting events during the same weekend as the Fighters if you plan it right (the Double-A Frisco Roughriders play at Riders Field, right next to Comerica Center), while closer to Dallas you may be able to catch an NBA or NHL game if the Mavericks or Stars make the playoffs. You can also head over to Arlington and watch either the Arlington Renegades of the XFL or MLB’s Texas Rangers, both of whom have games happening during this time of year. Fans 2 The fans at Frisco Fighters games are into the contest, and you will see a handful of those ultra-rabid fans who are dressed to the nines in team gear, or who go for those loose footballs with reckless abandon (in arena football you are usually allowed to keep balls that leave the field of play; the PA announcer will even scold you, and the staff may give it back to you if you try to be nice and return them to the referee). Unfortunately, there are just not a lot of fans here, so the already small arena, maxing out at 4,500 for basketball/football, looks pretty empty. Access 5 Getting to Comerica Center and around inside is a breeze – you can park in the deck connected to the center for only $10, and getting out of the deck after the game is painless. Entry into the venue from the parking deck will take you right by the Dallas Star’s practice, and you may even see kids geared up in hockey gear playing on that ice, or you might see them in the parking deck before or after their game or practice. Moving around the concourse inside is easy – there are no lines at the concessions due to the small crowd, and there are more than enough bathrooms. The best restrooms to use are the less trafficked ones tucked away in the corners, as few people notice them so they should be clean and fully stocked. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to Frisco Fighters games can be found for less than $10 (not including fees), and you can find a few low-cost concessions options if you look around. That said, attending an arena football game at Comerica Center is pretty inexpensive, but don’t expect a ton of amenities – this is a great option if you need something to entertain the kids, or are suffering from post-Superbowl football withdrawal, but may not be an event to go out of your way for. Extras 2 The Fighters do have a team gear stand inside Comerica Center, and there are also a ton of vendors on hand giving out freebies; for example, you can spin the wheel and do some quick cardio to win a boxing glove keychain courtesy of a local kickboxing studio, or you can pick up free candy or a pen from some of the other booths. Some of the vendors also offer discount cards for their services, and every fan who enters gets a free Frisco Fighters rally towel. Final Thoughts If you love football, attending a Fighters game at Comerica Center may be something you want to do, but overall, this experience is probably not something for the casual sports fan’s bucket list.

Photos Courtesy of Lethbridge Pronghorns Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 1st Choice Savings Centre 4401 University Drive W Lethbridge, AB T1K 6T5 Canada Lethbridge Pronghorns Men’s Basketball website Lethbridge Pronghorns Women’s Basketball website 1st Choice Savings Centre website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 2,000 U of L Hoops The University of Lethbridge opened its doors in 1967. Its athletic program, competing in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) league, were originally known as the Chinooks; the teams are now known as the Pronghorns. In spite of being a fairly small campus, with around 8,500 students, the sports tradition runs deep at the U of L. Among the most popular teams are the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Southern Alberta is a hotbed for basketball fandom in Canada and so the Pronghorns draw consistently good crowds, as good or better than what comes out to watch the game at Canadian universities much larger than this one. 1st Choice Savings Centre began operations in January, 2007 at a cost of $31 million. The building is still shiny and modern inside and makes for a nice place to visit. Food & Beverage 2 In the lobby outside of the gymnasium you’ll find a Tim Hortons, which is your only option for real food at 1st Choice Savings Centre. Of course, you can also load up on famous Timmy’s coffee and donuts, but they also make a pretty decent sandwich and their soup is also usually pretty tasty. If you’re looking for something a little less ordinary, however, you’ll be out of luck. Through the glass doors that lead into the gym you’ll find yourself on an indoor running track. To your right, on the far north end, is a long row of tables set up as a concession stand full of your garden variety treats. Pop, chips, and candy bars are all available for a couple bucks each. On the other end of the running track, in the far southwest corner, is a podium selling adult beverages. Cash only, this stand has a surprisingly good selection—better even than some bigger, fancier stadiums I’ve been in. For $6 you can choose from Kokanee, Bud Light, Big Rock Traditional, Coors Banquet, Palm Bay Key Lime Cherry, and a couple more options as well if you’re looking to get your drink on. Atmosphere 3 In an arena that holds 2,000 people, the Pronghorns typically draw about 800 fans, which is a decent turnout for CIS basketball. Typically in the CIS, both the women and the men play in back-to-back games, so you’re getting two games for the price of your game ticket. People tend to file in over the course of the women’s game, so the early game tends to be quieter than the late game. There isn’t a lot of energy in the stands in either the women’s or men’s game, with people content to sit back, relax, and enjoy the action on the floor. Eyes tend to be on the game, though, so people appear engaged and there are appropriate cheers and boos for big plays. Because 1st Choice Savings Centre is such a new building it looks beautiful and clean inside. Clusters of lights near the rafters keep the court area brightly lit without being intrusive. Also up near the rafters, on the east and west ends of the court, are the championship banners the Pronghorns have earned over the years, including the Canada West Division championship banners won by the men’s basketball team (1985-86) and the women’s team (1992-93). The retired jersey number of local great Danny Balderson is also hanging alongside the banners. The seating area features comfortable plastic seats and plenty of leg room, making this quite a pleasant place to watch a game. Neighbourhood 3 West Lethbridge is mostly a residential area, with a smattering of commercial buildings, especially to the north end, and the University campus situated at about the midpoint and overlooking the coulees that separate West Lethbridge from the rest of the city. You are probably out of luck if you are looking for some entertainment options on campus. There is a single campus bar, The Zoo, located upstairs in the Students Union Building. The Zoo is open before and after Friday games (until 11:00 pm), but it is closed on Saturdays. You have no better than a 50/50 shot of visiting this place as a result of the conservative hours of operation. A better bet is the West Village Mall which is about two blocks west of the U of L campus and features several spots where you can grab some food before or after the game. For conventional fare, there’s a joint KFC/Taco Bell on one corner and a Dairy Queen on the other. There are also two pubs in the mall: Pop’s Taphouse and Backstreet Pub and Pizza. I recommend trying the Jamie Sandwich at the Backstreet; it’s a sandwich made of pizza fixin’s, and delicious. If you’re willing to take a bit of a drive, there are a number of other dining options to the north along University Dr. My favourite is Mojo’s Pub and Grill, which has more of a family-friendly atmosphere than Pop’s or Backstreet. The burgers there are very good and the sports pub atmosphere is comfortable and pleasant. Overall, there’s probably enough local entertainment to meet the needs of the few hundred people in attendance at Pronghorns games. But ultimately, if you’re looking for the heart of Lethbridge’s entertainment scene, you’ll be taking a drive down Whoop-Up Dr. to either the downtown core or all the way out to Mayor Magrath Dr. S. While this actually isn’t that long a drive in the grand scheme of things (10-15 minutes), it does mean that you’ll be crossing the city to get to other interesting places. Fans 3 A crowd of 800 to a Canadian university basketball game is a pretty good turnout so that’s pretty encouraging. On the other hand, in a venue with more than double that capacity it still seems somewhat sparsely populated. A fairly sedate crowd adds to this sense that the place is on the empty side. Nevertheless, looking around the stands, it is clear that the audience is engaged with the action on the floor, even if they aren’t as demonstrative as I would like. Folks in southern Alberta are basketball fans; they understand the game, they enjoy the game, and it isn’t just a handful of friends and family of the players, as you sometimes see at CIS events. While I would love there to be a little more energy in the stands, it is nice to see a healthy-sized crowd in attendance that cares about their team. Access 5 West Lethbridge is a bit of a drive away from the rest of the city, separated as it is by a deep valley of coulees and the Oldman River, but in a city of about 100,000, nothing is really that far away from anything else. I guess it’s all relative. Parking in Lot E is your best bet. Situated right next to 1st Choice Savings Centre, parking here after business hours and on weekends is free. Lethbridge Transit also has a stop to the immediate south of the building, so a $3 bus fare can get you right to the door of the facility from just about anywhere in the city. Inside, the facility’s main concourse is clean and spacious and features a glass wall looking through to the campus climbing wall. Passing through the glass doors into the running track above the court area puts you in a very roomy area, with a significant number of fans staying up top around the perimeter of the seating area to watch the game from that higher vantage point. Getting in and out of the building and the parking lot take no time at all as there is ample space to move around and get to where you’re going. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for all Pronghorns games are $12 for adults, $9 for seniors, $7 for youths, and free for kids under four years of age. University students can get in for $3. Considering that your price of admission gets you in to see both the women’s and men’s games, that’s great value for your entertainment dollar. Pronghorns basketball, with the possible exception of the Lethbridge College Kodiaks, is the highest-calibre basketball in southern Alberta. Getting to take in two games for the price of one at this level is pretty much the best deal in town. Extras 4 The U of L has its championship banners hanging above the gymnasium, reminding fans and players alike of the team’s proud history. The concourse of 1st Choice Centre also features display cabinets with photos and memorabilia from Pronghorn’s history, adding to the sense of history in the building. Just inside the gym doors is a Pronghorns gazebo setup where tickets are taken and where you can grab a selection of Pronghorns souvenirs. Shirts, sweatshirts, stadium clappers and a few other items can be picked up here. At halftime there are a few audience participation activities to keep the crowd’s interest and entertain the youngsters. At the game I attended there was also a big bouncy castle in the north west corner of the running track up top for kids who are a little too young to stay focused on the game for that long. The Pronghorns also have a cheerleader squad that performs routines on the sidelines during stoppages in game action and that comes out onto the floor to do a few routines over the course of the evening as well. I’m always happy to see recycling bins at a stadium and 1st Choice Savings Centre does. You’ll find bottle and can recycling in several locations, keeping the world a little cleaner and tidier. Final Thoughts Overall, this is a pretty nice atmosphere to watch some quality basketball. The Centre itself is a lovely building, the competition on the floor is great, and the audience is pleasant to be around. If you enjoy getting out to see the kids toss the rock around, as I do, this is a solid, cost-effective option.