Photo courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Frank Eck Stadium Dorr Rd and Leahy Dr South Bend, IN 46556 Notre Dame Fighting Irish website Frank Eck Stadium website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 2,500 Baseball in Notre Dame Frank Eck Stadium is the home to the Notre Dame baseball program and is a few yards away from Notre Dame Stadium, Compton Family Ice Arena , and the Joyce Center . In fact, it blends in quite well with the other sports facilities as incorporates the same brick color pattern that is made by the Canton, Ohio, based Belden Brick Co. The ballpark opened in 1994 and has a capacity for 2,500 spectators. Frank Eck, a wealthy benefactor, and alumnus helped subsidize the cost of the new stadium with a sizable contribution; the total cost of the new stadium would be $5.7 million. For his generous donation, the stadium would be named after Eck. Although Notre Dame is known for some of the better facilities for its individual sport, Eck Stadium is merely for the die-hard baseball fan. The Fighting Irish have an impressive home record of 415-144-2 that includes 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, 6 conference tournament championships, 5 conference championships, and a College World Series appearance in 2002 since the ballpark opened. If you enjoy winning baseball in a beautiful college setting, then this might be your place. Food & Beverage 3 There is a concession stand directly in front of the stadium’s entrance and underneath the main grandstand offering basic ballpark staples of hot dogs, brats, nachos, popcorn, and pretzels. The hot dog and brat are hot and tasty, while the popcorn is nicely popped and buttery. You can wash them all down with a 20-ounce or 32-ounce Coca-Cola product. However, you cannot wash your hot dog down with a beer; no alcohol is served at the ballpark. Atmosphere 3 Frank Eck Stadium is a rather small ballpark that includes a decorative main entrance, an inner concourse, grandstand and bleacher seating, and a few nice touches that stamps the ND brand throughout the facility. The atmosphere is about the ballgame on the field and fans in the stand provide their own soundtrack with clapping, cheering, and stomping of their feet. The seating itself feels somewhat cramped at times, but crowds are never large enough where you feel cumbersome. The entire stadium feels somewhat cramped in certain sections, especially when accessing the bleacher-style seating down the first and third baselines. The outfield walls are painted navy blue with gold trim, the foul lines are imprinted with Notre Dame lettering, and a list of the baseball program’s championships are listed in the right field corner. A simple scoreboard is located behind the left field wall that does not offer instant replay or any video graphics. Neighborhood 4 The Eddy Street Commons is within walking distance and is home to regional and local chains along with apartments, a hotel, and two urban parks. The full development will be completed by the summer of 2020, but it makes for a great spot to grab a bite at either Brother’s, Chipotle. Five Guys, or McAllister’s Deli. Unfortunately, the Indianapolis-based creole and cajun restaurant Yat’s closed in April 2019–which would have been my recommendation before or after the game. Legends of Notre Dame is located on campus and also within walking distance of the ballpark. During the day the establishment offers pub food but at night the location becomes a night club offering entertainment and live music. South Bend is in the midst of a renaissance with old buildings being converted into places to live and work, new companies moving headquarters to downtown, and a population book. A little further away from campus is Mulligans–a highly recommended spot for pizza, wings, Italian beef, and beer. South Bend Brew Werks and Studebaker Brewing Company are two craft beer choices that offer funky decor and tasty suds. Attractions include the Studebaker National Museum for the car enthusiast, the Potawatomi Zoo, or you may want to see a little more baseball during your visit. The South Bend Cubs play at Four Winds Field and it has become quite the place to be seen in town, along one of Stadium Journey’s favorite minor league ballparks. Fans 3 The fans, like in many college ballparks in the Midwest, are usually a collection of friends and family of both the home and visiting teams. At Notre Dame, there is a bit of a mix, but they are a fairly low-key group of fans during the year. It should be noted that the game we attended was on Mothers Day and about two weeks after the end of the school year. Access 4 Frank Eck Stadium is easy to locate on GPS or if you follow directions to the football stadium. There is plenty of parking that is free of charge and you can even find a spot near the stadium’s entrance if you don’t fear foul balls possibly dinging off your car. There is one restroom (men and women) in the ballpark that is kept clean and with crowd sizes very small, no waiting lines. The only concern with access are the bleacher seats down the left and right field lines due to the design and aesthetics of the stadium. Return on Investment 4 The price of a ticket is only $5 and concession prices are also around the same price point. On a beautiful spring day, the investment might even be higher, but penciling a game at Frank Eck Stadium is for the die-hards of both Notre Dame and college baseball fans. Extras 2 The Notre Dame campus offers a beautiful setting for a quick tour before or after the baseball game. The football stadium, basketball arena, hockey rink, and Touchdown Jesus mural are nearby for possible photo opportunities. Notre Dame has been playing winning baseball the past several seasons that has resulted in something to cheer about from the stands. Final Thoughts South Bend offers quite a bit for the stadium traveler with museums, craft breweries, dining options, and one of the best college campuses in the country. However, taking in a baseball game at Frank Eck Stadium is strictly for the die-hards.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Fifth Third Arena 2700 O'Varsity Way Cincinnati, OH 45221 Cincinnati Bearcats website Fifth Third Arena website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 13,176 Everything but "The Shoe" Opened in 1989, the Fifth Third Arena is the home of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams. It is known as one of the most hostile places to play college basketball. As of this writing, the Cats have won close to 83 percent of its home games for an incredible 452-93 record. The place also went through an $87 million renovation during the 2017-2018 school year, which resulted in a state-of-the-art facility that seats 12,012 for basketball games. The arena features two 360-degree concourses, court-centric seating, new club seats, loge boxes, and premium seats. There are also video boards and ribbon boards, along with The Arena Club, Champions Club, and Mercedes-Benz Courtside Club. Basketball began on the campus of UC in 1901 and reached its zenith in 1959-1963 when the team made five Final Four Appearances, won two national championships and was runners-up. They were led the first two years by one of the game's greatest basketball players, Oscar Robertson, but did not win the NCAA championships until he turned pro in 1961 and 1962. The Cats would make one more Final Four appearance in 1992. Food & Beverage 4 There are well over increased points-of-sales since the building’s renovations in 2018, and fans can find the city’s most well-known food products and locally brewed beers that will satisfy fans in attendance. The Skyline Chili concession area (sections 123 and 214) offers cones that are beloved in the area. They are miniature hot dogs topped with mustard, onions, Cincinnati-style chili, and a heaping portion of shredded cheddar cheese. Many pick them up in two, along with a side of locally made Grippo’s BBQ chips, another cherished item from the city. Buffalo Wings & Rings (section 203) offers bone-in rings and fries with various sauces. Another popular item is Sweet Buckets popcorn. The variety includes regular, Buffalo, kettle, cheddar, and Oreo flavors. There is also a bucket stuffed with cotton candy. The other concession stands feature more traditional items: grilled chicken sandwiches, smashed burgers and hot dogs, chicken tenders baskets, pretzel bites with cheese, nachos, and a hummus plate with veggie sticks. You can wash this all down with various Pepsi products in either 24 and 32-ounce cups or a larger souvenir cup. The beer selection features traditional favorites, including Bud, Bud Light, Sam Adams, Miller Light, Michelob Ultra, and Yuengling, and local favorites from Mad Tree, Rhinegeist, Esoteric, and Great Lakes, out of Cleveland. There are two giant bars and social areas to enjoy these tasty drafts: The Armory, named after the Cats original basketball venue, and the Queen City Bar. Atmosphere 5 The decimal levels are known to be among the loudest in college basketball; from the student section, The RUCkus, to the rest of the fans in the building, the place gets extremely loud and provides a home-court advantage. The facility is a basketball fieldhouse, and its 12,000-plus seats make it an ideal place for basketball. The arena aesthetically includes an artistic gray and white design on the exterior of the building that includes statues of its most iconic basketball player Oscar Robertson and the school’s bearcat nicknames. Inside, there is a picture tutorial of how the team picked the name and its design evolution over the years. The Armory Bar is decorated with the arena's former basketball court in an artistic flare, The Queen City Bar features a map of the city, and The Overlook Bar offers fans a place to sit and watch a baseball game through the window. The cheer and dance team is energetic and provides a lot of on-court action in between games. They will toss t-shirts into the crowd, perform dance routines, pump up the crowd, and bring in the Bearcat mascot on a litter (a wooden platform) carried by members of the cheer team. Neighborhood 3 Fifth Third Arena is on campus in the Clifton section of town. The venue is behind the right-field scoreboard of the ballpark and near the football stadium Nippert Field. Streets twist and turn up and down the small hills as patrons park their cars in one of the series of lots or parking lots near the stadium. A few great places are within a few blocks or minutes of the stadium. Minutes away on foot is Vine Street, which has transformed into a happening spot for breakfast spots, ghost tours, and entertainment over the last decade. A few miles further is the Clifton Gaslight District, a residential area of post-Victorian homes and eclectic little shops, bars, and restaurants. Vine Street offers two great breakfast and brunch destinations; Hangover Easy and Ladder 19. Alabama Que has wonderful prices on pulled pork, rib tips, and turkey tips. Island Frydays has what many call the best Caribbean food in Cincinnati, and Taste of Belgium is an official sponsor of FCC, specializing in crepes, waffles, and frites. The Gaslight District is a neighborhood I used to call home, and worth a visit any time of the day. Habanero offers Mexican and American cuisine, Stillwell’s Coffee House is a funky little joint to enjoy a cup or pint of brew, and Proud Rooster is another fabulous place for breakfast or brunch. The city's two iconic institutions: Graeter’s Ice Cream and Skyline Chili, are on the block. Reingest Brewing is a mile from the stadium in the Over-the-Rein section of town. The area is up and coming; however, the old 1890 warehouse building is packed with customers and features a top floor with taps, cornhole games, tables, and happy customers. Fans 5 The Bearcats have an energetic supporting cast in the stands. The decibel levels are boisterous, and the student section is active throughout the game, holding up with the best of them around the nation. The fans contribute to the atmosphere of the arena. Access 3 Traffic moves briskly through the seating bowl and concourse levels, and with the majority of open sections, it is relatively easy to find seating, bathrooms, or concession stands. The handicapped seating is at the top of each aisle on the main concourse. There are three lots for cars: Campus Green Garage, Woodside Garage, and University Ave. Garage. The price per vehicle is $10. Ticket offices are located on the south side of the stadium. Return on Investment 4 The cost of a UC basketball ticket starts at $20 for seats in the 200-section. They top out at $50 for tickets closer to the action on the court. At the game, the price of concessions and merchandise are reasonable and on par with other major sporting events in the city. Extras 4 Fifth Third Arena earns a point for being a basketball fieldhouse and not a multi-purpose venue. It means that the view of the court is close, and the interior is decorated with UC basketball lore. A second point is for the impressive designs at The Armory and Queen City bars. They identify not only the university but the city as well. The Armory is decorated with pieces of the former court on the walls. A third point is to the student section dubbed The RUCkus. They are located on both sides of the court under the basket providing a home-court advantage to the Cats. A fourth point is awarded to multiple renovations from the gray and white swirls on the arena’s exterior, the curved ribbon boards on the corner, and the modern seating. Final Thoughts Overall, the atmosphere is top-notch and hangs its hat with some other local palaces for basketball at the University of Dayton, Indiana, Louisville, and Kentucky. Cincinnati is a college basketball town with all the pomp and circumstance one would expect at a college basketball venue. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Raymond James Stadium 4201 North Dale Mabry Highway Tampa, FL 33607 ReliaQuest Bowl website Raymond James Stadium website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 69,218 The Security of a New Year's Bowl One of the second-tier College Football Bowl Games that traditionally takes place on New Year's Day, the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida, is a sneaky good destination for college football fans.  The first bowl game in Tampa took place in 1986 at the “Big Sombrero”, Tampa Stadium, and was called the Hall of Fame Bowl.  The Cigar Bowl was played in Tampa in the late 1940s into the 1950s but featured smaller colleges.  In 1995 the game took on a corporate sponsor when the Tampa restaurant chain, Outback Steakhouse became the title sponsor of the Outback Bowl.  Unfortunately, this started the trend where the name of the bowl game also featured the name of the sponsor.  After 27 entries, the title sponsor of the game shifted to cyber security company, ReliaQuest to become the ReliaQuest Bowl. Currently, the ReliaQuest Bowl features teams from the Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference squaring off. Since 1999, the home of the Outback Bowl and ReliaQuest Bowl has been Raymond James Stadium.  Built in 1998, Raymond James Stadium was built in the shadow of Tampa Stadium and has a current capacity of over 69,000.  Raymond James Stadium has also been the host of the Super Bowl on three occasions. Food & Beverage 4 Concessions at Raymond James Stadium are solid with plenty of variety for fans.  All of the typical stadium options can be found at the stadium.  Burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, and pretzels can be found at many stands.  The Little Caesars stands offer pizza options and the PDQ Chicken stands offer excellent chicken fingers and waffle fries.  Some more unique options include pulled pork sandwiches, burnt-end sandwiches, burnt-end mac and cheese, BBQ Bacon dogs, and citrus chicken nachos.  Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice.  There are several spots all over to purchase a variety of alcoholic beverages including the north and south ends. Atmosphere 4 Raymond James Stadium is of a nineties vintage and fairly simplistic in its design.  The exterior of the stadium is fairly simple but not unattractive.  There is plenty of concrete on the exterior, but plenty of markings for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, making it clear who is the main tenant.  Although there is no main entrance, one would consider the south entrance as the one most fans will want to enter.  The south entrance features Bucs Beach, a large gathering area complete with beach complements such as sandy areas, decorative surfboards, Adirondack chairs, and a lifeguard tower.  This is the location of the Pregame Bowl Bash, a pregame party with food trucks, music, and promo tables. Upon entering the gates, fans will need to ascend to the main concourse which is behind the lower bowl seating.  The concourses are wide and fairly simple with plenty of concession stands and some Bucs markings.  Large gathering areas at the north and south are out of the concourses and open to the field.  The north end has a large picnic area with umbrellas and tables for fans to meet at.  The south end offers a bit more and is the signature area of the stadium.  A large pirate ship is at the south end but is roped off and not used as part of the game.  The concession stands at the south end also have facades to make them look like an old port town that seems to be right out of Pirates of the Caribbean.  Massive video boards are at both the north and south ends, with secondary boards in the four corners of the stadium that offer more in the way of ads and stats during the game.  The upper decks are separated into east and west sides and give the stadium an open feel.  There are no coverings over the upper seating areas.  The east side offers the best picture for the 50-yard line logo; however, both the east and west sides are typically sold specifically for each participating team. The gameday production for the ReliaQuest Bowl is typical of a college bowl game.  Pregame tailgates in different parking areas offer a preshow by the band and a gathering area for supporters and alumni.  The pregame production offers the opportunity for each team’s band to perform.  Both bands also perform at halftime as well as a halftime show with more than 2,000 performers and a mass high school band.  Cheerleaders and flags, typical of college games, are also part of the production.  Bands play from opposite corners of the stadium during stoppages. The ReliaQuest Bowl also offers several other events as part of the game.  Busch Gardens hosts the Battle of the Bands the day before and a pep rally in the Ybor City District happens in the evening before. Neighborhood 3 Raymond James Stadium is located in the Drew Park neighborhood of Tampa.  The stadium is a bit isolated and surrounded with parking options, making it a good spot for tailgating.  There are a few options for pre or post game fair that are not too far including Kona Grill, Miller’s Ale House, La Teresita and Armature Works.  There are some other sporting options in the area.  Raymond James Stadium is mainly the home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers .  The Gasparilla Bowl is also held at the stadium and it is also the home of the South Florida Bulls  until their new on campus stadium is built.  Across the parking lot from Raymond James Stadium is George Steinbrenner Field, home of the Tampa Tarpons  and the New York Yankees Spring Training .  For at least the 2025 season, it will also be home to the Tampa Bay Rays .  Other sports options include the Tampa Bay Lightning  and USF Bulls  basketball.  There are a ton of other Tampa tourist options including Busch Gardens , Zoo Tampa , Florida Aquarium and Tampa Riverwalk.  Hotels near the stadium include the Country Inn and Suites and Holiday Inn. Fans 4 As with most second-tier bowl games, fan support is driven by the teams that are signed to the game.  The game reviewed, the 2024 edition, welcomed over 51,000 fans, nearly 20,000 fans more than the previous season.  The 2024 edition, which is the one reviewed, benefitted from a huge Michigan and Alabama matchup.  Each team’s fans typically congregate on a specific side, helping create a better atmosphere.   Access 4 Raymond James Stadium is located in the Drew Park neighbourhood of Tampa, northwest of downtown, east of the airport.  It is surrounded by North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa Bay Blvd., and North Hines Ave.  It is 3 km north of I-275 and south of US Highway 92 and not terribly difficult to get to.  There are plenty of parking lots surrounding the stadium, perfect for fans who make tailgating a part of their football experience.  The negative side of the tailgating parking lot coin is that getting out of those parking lots can be difficult and take a significant amount of time.  The city does a good job of controlling the flow of traffic once out of the stadium, however, getting to the street could take the most time.  For fans who wish to take public transit to the game, there are HART buses that travel Himes Ave.  Fans should consult the Hillsborough Transit Authority  website for fares, schedules and maps.  Inside Raymond James Stadium, it is not terribly difficult to get around, however, fans with seats in the upper decks need to be aware that the decks are completely separate and it is impossible to get from one side to the other without going down to the main concourse.  Raymond James Stadium is also a cashless facility so bringing some plastic is a necessity.  The washroom facilities are decent for the stadium and closed captioned announcements are printed on the corner videobaords.  The security protocols to get into Raymond James Stadium are significant and should be reviewed before heading to the game.  Stadium Journey encourages fans to consult the Raymond James Stadium  and ReliaQuest Bowl  websites before heading out for the latest security protocols including bag policies and prohibited items list. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for the ReliaQuest Bowl are $80 with club seats being sold for $170.  The ticket prices are pretty steep.  The secondary market can definitely help in the right scenario for fans who are patient enough to wait for ticket prices to fall.  Concession prices are consistent with NFL teams, expensive, and parking will go for at least $35.  The return for the investment is strong, especially if fans benefit from a good matchup with teams that travel well. Extras 3 An extra mark for the charity arm of the ReliaQuest Bowl, which claims to have donated over $4 million since 2016. An extra mark for the extra importance of a bowl game on or right before New Years Day. An extra mark for the strong matchups of the ReliaQuest Bowl with the Big Ten and SEC facing off. Final Thoughts As far as the second tier of college football's Bowl Games, the ReliaQuest Bowl is a solid entry.  A great location combined with the possibility of a great matchup at a great time is an equation that offers a great time for those fans in attendance.  When in the area, making the ReliaQuest Bowl part of the Christmas vacation plans is a great idea. ---- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Denny Sanford Premier Center 1021 N W Ave Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Sioux Falls Storm website Denny Sanford Premier Center website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 10,600 Sioux Falls Indoor Gridiron Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the multipurpose Denny Sanford Premier Center is home to both a junior hockey team and an arena football team, namely the Sioux Falls Storm of the Indoor Football League (IFL). Opened in 2014 and built for $117 million, the venue holds 14,000 for concerts but only 10,600 for football, as the top tier is curtained off during Storm contests. Food & Beverage 4 Denny Sanford Premier Center has a wide range of concession options, which are available at the typically inflated prices seen at most professional venues. Fans can choose from Philly cheesesteaks (including a mini version for a lower price), burgers, chicken tenders, hot dogs, and pizza, as well as popcorn, cotton candy, fries, packaged candy, pretzels, nachos, and a huge range of ice cream flavors. There aren’t any main stands selling everything, so fans just need to walk around and find the stand which has what they want, for example, Boss’ pizza, Family Treats for ice cream, or Fat Kid Fillys for a cheesesteak. Bottled and fountain sodas (Pepsi products), bottled water, Gatorade, and both draft and canned beer are also available – canned beer can be purchased at just about any stand, while draft beer can be purchased from one of the bars on the concourse. Atmosphere 3 The Sioux Falls Storm offers some great entertainment for fans in attendance besides the product on the field – these include the Lightning Girls dance team, the polar bear mascot Blitz (born in Canada and then homeschooled), and games for the kids like turf bowling. The lights are turned off before the team takes the field, and the spotlights come on to highlight the Lightning Girls’ opening routine, followed by Blitz riding into the stadium on a motorcycle. The staff also has different promotions and special events, for example at the game I most recently attended they had national guardsmen repel down from the ceiling during pregame. You can also purchase a bag of mini footballs for $5, which at the end of the third quarter fans throw onto the field, trying to get them into a bucket to win a prize. Neighborhood 4 Denny Sanford Premier Center is part of the Sioux Falls Convention Center, and there is another sports arena that is also part of it, namely the Sioux Falls Arena, which is home to the Augustana Vikings basketball team. The Vikings also used to play at the football stadium behind the convention center, before moving to an on-campus facility back in 2009. And rounding out the sports venues on site is Sioux Falls Stadium, a.k.a. the Birdcage, home of the minor league Sioux Falls Canaries . There are also plenty of hotels and restaurants in the immediate vicinity, to support events at the convention center, so you are sure to find something suitable if you make the trip out for Storm football. One unique attraction in the area is the USS South Dakota battleship memorial – being that the state is landlocked with no rivers nearby they don’t have the actual battleship on site, but they do lay out the footprint of it in a local park (to actual size and shape) so you can get a feel for how big it is; there is also a small building on site which shows you the history of the ship. Fans 2 The fans are pretty rowdy at Denny Sanford Premier Center during Storm football games, but there are not very many of them – there are lots of empty seats despite the reduced capacity during football games. Fans do sport a lot of Storm team gear, however, which is available on-site, and the prices are actually on the low end – the staff makes a point to have a few basic items (shirts, mini footballs, etc.) at low prices points to accommodate fans. Access 5 Access to Sioux Falls Storm football couldn’t be easier – there is free parking right outside the arena plus plenty of room in the concourse, with both escalators and elevators if you need them. Lines are very short at the team gear stand and for concessions, and the seats are great as well (all chairbacks with padding). In addition, there is plenty of staff member on hand to answer questions or to help you find your seat, and you can pretty much sit wherever you want once you get to the stands. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to Storm football start at under $30 including ticketing fees, which is a great deal, and not having to pay for parking only adds to the return on investment. As mentioned the concessions prices are a little on the high side for some items, and there are not a lot of fans in attendance – which is a good thing on one hand as there is less traffic, but also may not provide the raucous atmosphere some fans are looking for. Extras 3 The Storm have a giant American flag, one of the largest in the state, which they roll out during pre-game. They also have charging stations dotted around the concourse, with connectors to fit all different sizes and styles of phones, for fans who need to get charged up during the game. In addition, there is also a section of field-level seating, behind the near end zone, if you want to get close to the action. Final Thoughts Arena football is fun to watch with its faster pace and shorter field, so you will see some excitement, and seeing the Storm provides some additional amenities, which other clubs don’t offer, so that will certainly make for a fun day. If you are in the area I recommend making time to see indoor football at Denny Sanford Premier Center – go Storm!

Photos by Dave Cottenie & Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 MVP Arena 51 S Pearl Street Albany, NY 12207 Albany FireWolves website MVP Arena website Year Opened: 1990 Capacity: 14,236 Albany Fire? In 2021, the National Lacrosse League returned to the Capital Region. From 2000 to 2003, Albany was home to the Attack, who would relocate to San Jose, California, and eventually settle in Vancouver. Albany has been home to several minor league hockey teams, most notably the Albany River Rats. However, the departure of the Albany Devils in 2017 left the area without a professional team to call their own. The Albany Empire would join the Arena Football League and take the area by storm. The Empire would fall in the post-Covid sports landscape along with the Arena Football League, but the idea for Albany as a home to professional sports was rekindled. The New England Black Wolves would relocate in 2021 to Albany and the team would be cleverly named the Albany FireWolves. At one time the Arena Football League’s Albany Firebirds were a popular draw and the wolves' name was kept from the Black Wolves days. The mascot of the old Attack was also a wolf. Home for the FireWolves is the MVP Arena. The main arena in Albany opened in 1990 as the Knickerbocker Arena. Known also as the Pepsi Arena and Times Union Center, the naming rights were picked up in 2022 by MVP Health Services. The arena underwent a significant renovation in 2018 and is the perfect size for the National Lacrosse League. The early days of the FireWolves have left fans looking for more success on the floor and the support in the building has not been over the top to date. Food & Beverage 4 The concession scene at MVP Arena is not too bad. All of the expected arena items can be found including burgers, hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn fries, chicken tenders, and pizza. Some other items that may be of interest to fans include cookie dough bites, fried dough bites with toppings, Perry’s Ice Cream, chipotle chicken tacos, beef barbacoa tacos, and loaded nachos. The beer selection is quite solid with several local craft beers available to complement the large national brands. Local favorites include items from Saranac, Brown’s, and Adirondack Brewery. Pepsi products are the soft drink of choice at MVP Arena. Atmosphere 3 Possibly the most impressive part of MVP Arena is the exterior. Not overwhelmingly high and fitting into the storefront atmosphere on Pearl Street, MVP Arena’s exterior features a sharp and crisp look with some massive video boards and a simple slat design above the main entrance. Passing through the main gate gives fans access to the massive, multi-tier atrium, complete with a translucent ceiling to allow plenty of natural light in. The exterior and atrium give the MVP Arena a look far more modern than its 1990 vintage indicates. The concourse of the MVP Arena harkens back to a design that was prominent in the old Palace of Auburn Hills, which featured one concourse with stairs ascending and descending the seating bowl. The concourses feature a plethora of advertising, which can be seriously overwhelming at times. With the FireWolves as much as an anchor tenant as any other Albany team that calls the MVP Arena home, there are some markings for the lacrosse team in the concourse. A couple of interesting items that fans may want to check out are the Capital District Hall of Fame, which focuses on the basketball history of the area, and the paintings of key Albany spots, like the State Capital. Inside the seating bowl, fans are brought to a two-tier seating area, with the upper deck draped off to make the arena feel more intimate. The green, carpeted floor runs from east to west, with the perfect picture for the center logo coming from the north side. There are only a few banners hanging in the corners. These included banners for the Albany Empire across multiple indoor football leagues in the northwest and a banner hanging for the members of the MAAC, the conference which is home to the Siena Saints, who also call MVP Arena home. The four-sided video board is decent but not overwhelming. There are a few places that feature alternate seating including the Field Zone at the west end and Party Zone at the east end. Both are at floor level and offer a very different perspective. The gameday atmosphere is what one would expect from a National Lacrosse League experience. The block party kicks off the festivities and features a live band and some activities for the kids on Pearl Street, which is closed off to traffic. The pregame entrance has players enter the arena from the west through an inflatable contraption labeled the Wolf’s Den. The Wolf Pack and the Albany FireWolves Dance Team interact with fans at the block party and perform on the floor at various times. Alphie, the FireWolves mascot, takes part in the pregame entrance and takes part in various promotions throughout the game. Music is played throughout the game and during the play, and Mike Falvo seemingly converses with the crowd in an attempt to get them excited for the home team. Neighborhood 3 MVP Arena is located on South Pearl Street in Downtown Albany. There are a few spots where fans can get some pre or post-game food. There are a few restaurants on the ground floor of MVP Arena, on S. Pearl Street. Albany Stadium Restaurant, Pizzeria Sapienza, and Lam’s Chinese Kitchen are options. Other spots nearby include The Spinning Gyro, Maurice’s Pearl Street Deli, The Bull and Bee, The Excelsior Pub, and The City Beer Hall. The MVP Arena is also home to the Siena Saints basketball team and Albany Empire indoor football team. UAlbany offers Great Danes basketball , football, baseball , and lacrosse also. Siena also offers baseball nearby. The Tri-City ValleyCats of Frontier League play in nearby Troy. RPI Engineers hockey can also be found in Troy. Other tourist spots that travelers may want to check out include the Albany Institute of History and Art, the New York State Museum, The Egg, and the State Capital Building. For fans wishing to stay downtown, there are a few options, including the Hilton Albany and Fairfield Inn and Suites. Fans 2 Assessing fans of the National Lacrosse League is difficult as the attendance numbers are not readily published. That being said, the Albany FireWolves are far from selling out the MVP Arena. The game that was reviewed had over 3,600 fans in attendance. This is closer to the bottom of the league rather than the top where teams like Buffalo and Toronto are averaging over 10,000 fans per game. The fans that were in attendance for the game reviewed were much louder than expected. There were plenty of kids in attendance, who bring their kind of energy and offer up plenty of wolf howls during the game. Hopefully, Albany can come out and support their NLL team in stronger numbers and ensure the future of the team in Upstate New York. Access 3 Getting to the MVP Arena is not difficult. Downtown Albany is located just west of I-787 and the Hudson River and getting there by car is pretty easy. There is plenty of parking located near the arena and finding a spot is not a challenge. For those who are looking for public transit to the game, some buses travel along Pearl Street. Fans should look to the Capital District Transportation Authority website for maps, schedules, and fares. Moving around the interior of the arena is more challenging. There are plenty of stairs all over the arena. From the ground floor, fans must head up to the concourse level. There are stairs for entrances to the upper deck and lower bowl. Perhaps the strangest feature of the arena is the washrooms, which are found in the four corners of the arena and are a level below the concourse. More stairs. Stadium Journey recognizes that the security protocols at spectator sports are constantly changing. Stadium Journey strongly encourages fans to consult both the Albany FireWolves and MVP Arena websites for the most up-to-date information on security protocols including prohibited items. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the Albany FireWolves are not expensive. Tickets can be found in the ends for $16. Tickets go up to $45 in the center of the arena and $62 for the party zone. Party Zone tickets include food. Parking can be found for $10 and concession prices are not terrible. The value that fans get from NLL games is very high. The FireWolves do what they can to put together a good entertainment package. Unfortunately, Albany has not enjoyed much success on the floor in the 2023 season. More success on the floor will attract more fans and make the ROI even better in the future. Extras 3 An extra mark for the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, which includes a plaque for legend Bruno Sammartino and is located in MVP Arena. An extra mark for the significant renovation MVP Arena enjoyed in 2018. An extra mark for the Ben Becker memorial. Becker died in 1987 at the age of 80 and was influential in amateur boxing, the Olympics, USA Boxing Commission, and AAU. Becker took a young Cassius Clay to Rome where he won an Olympic Gold Medal at the 1960 Olympics. Becker was born and raised in Albany. Final Thoughts The Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League are continuing to put forth a strong effort to attract fans and strengthen their presence in the Capital Region. The FireWolves play in a good facility and present a gameday atmosphere that is competitive with other NLL programs. With some more success on the floor, Albany will be able to strengthen their position as a member of the National Lacrosse League for years to come. ----- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and Instagram .

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 The Ballpark 14 Emerson Cummings Blvd Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064 Old Orchard Beach Bugs website The Ballpark website Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 3,000 Bugs Run This Beach Time has a way of making something that once seemed so grandiose become much more ordinary. When first opened in 1984, The Ballpark was called “ the prettiest ballpark in creation ” by Sports Illustrated, which likened the stadium to a hunting lodge due to the pine used throughout the facility. Fast forward to the present day, and it might be hard to link any of those adjectives to The Ballpark. Originally built to host AAA baseball, first for the Maine Guides and then the Maine Phillies, minor league baseball here was short-lived, lasting only five years in Old Orchard Beach, the coastal Maine vacation destination. The following years would be unkind to The Ballpark, with the facility nearly falling victim to decay and demolition, then arson, before the stadium was saved by Old Orchard Beach residents following a grassroots effort to bring baseball back to the venue. By 2010 The Ballpark began hosting American Legion teams and youth tournaments, and in 2011 it welcomed its first summer collegiate baseball team, the Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, followed by the independent Old Orchard Beach Surge of the Empire Professional Baseball League. The Ballpark was also used by the Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League (GNCBL) as one of its rotating fields, but the town did not have a permanent team until the 2024 season, following the sale and restructuring of the league, giving each site used its own designated home team.   Food and Beverage   2 The Ballpark is one of a handful of fields in the GNCBL that operates a concession stand and is the only one that serves alcohol. Concessions are not much more than would be expected at any typical concession stand, including items such as pretzels, hot dogs, pizza slices, and popcorn chicken. A wide selection of snacks are also available. The beverage selection includes Gatorade and soft drinks from the Pepsi family, with alcohol choices including beer, hard iced tea, and seltzers – specifically Bud Light, Modelo, Michelob Ultra, Goose Island IPA, Twisted Tea, and High Noon.   Atmosphere   2 Baseball at The Ballpark does have the feel of what would be expected at lower-level college baseball games. Music is played between innings and players do have individual walk-up music, but that is the extent of any type of entertainment beyond the game itself. In the GNCBL you will not find the mid-inning on-field contests that have become commonplace throughout much of minor league baseball and in some of the other summer collegiate leagues. For better or worse, much of the original stadium remains as it was in the 1980s. The concrete structure is topped with modest boxes that more resemble warming huts than what we may today consider as suites, and where the original press box once stood is an open concrete slab, with former suites converted to a new press box right next to it. If debating between a weekday night game or a weekend day game, a swampy area beyond the left field side of the stadium is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which are typically at their worst near sunset. Dealing with the possibility of heat and a lack of shade is more manageable than the constant barrage of nature’s bloodsuckers – even those who played at The Ballpark forty years prior are quick to bring up mosquitoes at the first mention of Old Orchard. The seating at The Ballpark is made up of rather uncomfortable half-backed seats that rest squarely in the small of your back for a typical-sized human. Many seats are also hiding cracks with a strip of duct tape, whereas some sections are in such disrepair that the whole section is closed off.   Neighborhood   4 Old Orchard Beach is every bit the vacation beach town. Though the immediate area is mostly municipal buildings and high school facilities, the excitement of the beach and pier, which dates back to 1898, is just over a mile away. Often referred to as “OOB”, this is a popular summer destination for both American and Quebecois vacationers, as evidenced by the numerous Canadian and Quebec provincial flags that fly around town. East Grand Avenue, which runs parallel to the beachfront, has the feel of a mini-Coney Island with numerous gift shops, walk-up eateries, and the beachside amusement park, Palace Playland. Old Orchard Beach, along with many of the southern Maine waterfront communities, is a popular summer tourist destination, so be prepared for premium prices on relatively modest accommodations. For those looking to enjoy outdoor activities away from the tourist crowds, you might want to consider Biddeford/Saco Country Club and Dunegrass Golf Club, or take a stroll through the trails of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge; Old Orchard Beach has much more to offer beyond its beachfront attractions.   Fans   2 Of all the teams in GNCBL, Old Orchard Beach sees more fan support than any of the other teams, except maybe the Bangor Babes. Weekend games can often draw in the neighborhood of 75 to 100 fans. The Beach Bugs staff is also active throughout the community, promoting the team with nearby businesses to draw from the vacationers and locals.   Access   4 Located by the beach, Old Orchard Beach is not directly on a major interstate or US highway, but is just under 4 miles from US 1, which runs parallel to I-95 along the southern Maine coast. The town is also served by Amtrak’s Downeaster rail service, which operates between Boston and Brunswick, Maine. Amtrak’s stop is beachfront, however, which still leaves a bit of a walk to The Ballpark via pedestrian-friendly streets. A single gravel parking lot sits outside the main gates and ticket tent, a short walk from the grandstand. Several stairways lead up to the field concourse, which separates the upper and lower levels of seating – for those who may have difficulty with stairs, a ramp sits along the first base side of the stadium.   Return on Investment   5 Admission runs $5, with tickets available for purchase online including a nominal service fee (in all, tickets will be less than $6 each). Concessions are reasonably priced, comparable to what might be expected from Little League concession stands.   Extras   2 Old Orchard Beach is one of the better teams in the GNCBL at marketing its product, with merchandise on sale at their games, as well as an online presence to promote the Beach Bugs. For those old enough to remember the AAA baseball days at The Ballpark, several of the original structures are still standing, including the locker rooms, front office, maintenance facilities, and the stadium speaker tower in centerfield.   Final Thoughts Baseball at The Ballpark is an experience that is probably not an impressive one for first-time visitors, but those who understand the history of baseball in the area will appreciate that the game is still being played in Old Orchard Beach. The fact that baseball is even still played at The Ballpark is nothing short of amazing. The facility has sustained foreclosure, abandonment, and arson, but through it all has come out on the other side – a bit worse for the wear, but still standing. The Ballpark holds a significant place in Maine's baseball history. For those who grew up attending games here, it was a cherished alternative to Fenway Park for those unable to make the trip to Boston. Much of the credit for keeping The Ballpark alive and in use today needs to go to the town of Old Orchard Beach and its residents, whose decades of dedication have preserved this stadium, keeping it still in use today.

Photos by Will Halpern , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Kidd Brewer Stadium Center 270 Stadium Dr Boone, NC 28608 Appalachian State Mountaineers website Kidd Brewer Stadium website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 30,000 ASU Football Continues to Rock in Boone In 1928, nearly three decades after Appalachian State University was founded, their football team was launched, playing at College Field for 34 seasons until their move across campus in 1962 in what was then known as Conrad Stadium. In 1988 the stadium was dedicated to one of the most successful coaches in Mountaineer history, Kidd Brewer. Kidd Brewer Stadium, known as “The Rock,” is a staple of college football not just in Boone but in the state of North Carolina, and even though at times it lives in the shadow of the four in-state ACC Programs to the east, Kidd Brewer Stadium and the Mountaineers who play there have been trendsetters. In 1970 the stadium was the first in the Carolinas to make use of artificial turf, and since then the team has had many successes – for example, more than three decades later the Mountaineers won 30 games in a row. The team also captured three consecutive NCAA FCS (then called Division 1-AA) national championships. In fact, ASU is the only college in North Carolina at any level to win an NCAA national championship in football, and the first Division 1 school since Army in the 1940s to win three straight football titles. However, the Black and Gold are best remembered for something that occurred over 500 miles away from Boone, and that was the team’s upset over #5 Michigan at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, becoming the first FCS school to upset a ranked FBS Squad. The upset over the Wolverines is still regarded as one of the greatest upsets in all of sports, and while the Mountaineers have not achieved anything of that magnitude since then, Kidd Brewer Stadium still provides one of the best small conference college football experiences in the country. With the move from the Southern Conference up to the Sun Belt Conference, it is unlikely we will see them win another national championship, but with recent home games against Power Five schools like Miami and Wake Forest , and more on the horizon, the stadium is continuing to upgrade to increase the already incredible game day experience. Food & Beverage 4 Boone is a town known for more than just being the home of App State; it is also home to a plethora of local restaurants, bars, and shops. The stadium, by bringing in some of these local vendors, expands the options far beyond the traditional stadium fare. The Yosef Snack Bar is the place to grab your normal stadium fare, such as hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts, etc., and while each of these items is priced at four dollars, you can mix and match and get three items for ten dollars. Or, the Smoke House Hall of Fame serves heartier fare including the Carolina BBQ Sandwich for five dollars, and if that isn’t enough there is a 12-inch BBQ Grinder for twelve dollars – while the latter’s price is a little steep it is truly a big sandwich. The Cardinal is a food truck that serves burgers, with the single, double, and triple at seven, nine, and eleven dollars respectively. Burgers can be made Carolina Style (chili, slaw, mustard, and pickles) or All the Way (mayonnaise, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions). Cheese and bacon can also be added, and they also offer gluten-free buns and beet burgers for vegans. But the best item at the truck is no doubt the queso fries, and while eight dollars may seem like a lot, it is well worth it. Queso fries are exactly what they sound like: fresh-baked golden fries, drizzled with queso. Pepsi is the soft drink provider at Kidd Brewer Stadium, going at four dollars for a bottle, and with the introduction of beer sales this season (2019) there are plenty of places to grab a beer, though identification and a one drink per customer limit is strictly enforced. Coors and Miller Lite, along with Blue Moon and Light Claw Hard Seltzer are your domestic options for seven dollars each, and Yosef Golden Ale, the craft beer of choice, is nine dollars. Coffee is also served at a stand where you can also get vanilla and caramel lattes and hot chocolate, as well as mocha and caramel frappes and frozen hot chocolate. Finally, for those looking for something sweet, two great options are the Appalachian Cookie Company serving up six varieties of fresh-baked cookies, and the Farmer’s Wife Fried Apple Pies, both of which are delicious choices. The only downside with the concessions is that they are priced a little high, and with mostly sold-out crowds at The Rock, lines can be long. Still, the food is well worth the wait and the price. Atmosphere 5 Kidd Brewer Stadium is by no means one of the larger college football stadiums around, but this adds to the game day experience as the stadium is intimate enough to offer great views of the field, campus, and the beautiful Appalachian Mountains that tower behind the stadium, creating one of the most scenic backdrops in the country for a college football game. The town and the university are both just shy of 20,000 people, but with a stadium around 30,000, demand for tickets is high and sellouts are common. The stadium is in the process of renovations so at the moment, work is being done behind the north end zone to create a fieldhouse, athletic training space, offices, and premium seating which will be opened by the 2020 season. The main seating area is the west stands, which feature sections 101-107 and 201-207, while sections 108-114 and 208-218 are on the east side. However, it is important to note that a lot of those sections are for different levels of Yosef Club Members, as well as for students who make up the entire lower west end of the stadium. However, you can always find seats throughout the stadium both through the App State Athletics website or through a secondary marketplace. There is also seating on the hill behind the south end zone, but the hill can get very cramped and you don’t get a great view – in some cases you get no view – of the large video board that sits behind that end zone. There is a smaller scoreboard behind the north end zone as well. Tickets range from 30 to 40 dollars each on average, but if a game sells out the tickets may be higher on the secondary market, especially for higher profile games. Club seating is offered above the west side stands, and the PA Announcer is loud and engaging. App State, like most universities, features a dance team and cheerleading squad, and its mascot Yosef is beloved not only at games but throughout the Boone community. The Mountaineer Walk allows the team to walk to the stadium past the fans, and “Mountain Music” by Alabama is played before the team walks from the locker room through the corner of the concourse and onto the field for the start of the game. The fight song is regularly sung, and the chanting of ‘App’ on one side and ‘State!’ on the other is often practiced during games. I’d recommend sitting on the west side of the stadium to be closer to the energy of the great student section, and to avoid the direct glare of sunset. Neighborhood 4 Kidd Brewer Stadium is located on the south end of campus but is within easy walking distance from any point on campus as well as from King Street, Boone’s main drag. Boone is not for everyone: it is by no means a large urban center and therefore can’t offer what some larger cities can, but what Boone does offer is some incredible places to eat, shop, and explore. Just keep in mind that Boone is a mountain town and there are a lot of hills, including the walk up to the stadium itself. Bring lots of water and take breaks as needed. Boone is home to many locally-owned restaurants and bars where you can grab a bite or drink before or after a Mountaineer football game. Our Daily Bread offers a wide assortment of specialty sandwiches, salads, and local desserts, while F.A.R.M Cafe is a pay what-you-can restaurant that serves local food for people with different dietary needs on a pay scale that makes sure that everyone can eat no matter their income. Saebing Boone King serves up Vietnamese and Thai foods and includes sushi, or Boone Saloon is a favorite among the locals, with a variety of drink options and traditional American bar food, such as appetizers, sandwiches, soups, and salads along with five different types of mac and cheese. All of these restaurants are on King Street, which can get quite busy, so if you’re looking for a place a bit further away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Boone, the Pedalin’ Pig BBQ offers scenic views with plenty of outdoor seating and food that is “southern style with a gourmet flare.” Their menu includes various sandwiches, ribs, pork, brisket, and fish, and the restaurant is a great place to check out. Besides the shops, boutiques, and the many local festivals such as the First Friday Art Crawl, Boone has lots of outdoor activities, which makes sense given that it’s nestled in North Carolina’s High Country in the Appalachian Mountains. There are numerous places to hike, bike, or just relax and have a picnic and enjoy the views. Howards Knob County Park and Clawson-Burnley Park are both less than a ten-minute drive from downtown Boone and from Kidd Brewer Stadium, or for those looking to extend a football weekend into a camping trip, the Flintlock and Honey Bear Camping sites are just ten minutes from downtown. Those looking to learn how to rock climb should check out Center 45 Climbing and Fitness, just five minutes away, and just fifteen minutes away is Blowing Rock, with its local shops, restaurants, and outdoor areas. There are a number of places near App State and Kidd Brewer Stadium to stay for a night or longer. There are the chains, of course, such as Hampton Inn & Suites, Quality Inn, and Courtyard by Marriott, which are all a short five-minute drive or 30-minute walk from the stadium. However, if you’re looking for something affordable but a little nicer check out Master Hosts Resorts-Highland Hills Cabins; offering rustic wooden bedrooms, a hot tub, and an outdoor pool, this quaint hotel is located less than two miles away from The Rock. Fans 5 Kidd Brewer Stadium boasts some of the best fans not just in the Sun Belt but in all of the Group of Five Conferences in FBS College Football. An ASU football game is more than just a standard college football game – it’s a community event. The entire town rallies behind the team and welcomes the influx of former students, alumni, and Mountaineer fans from far and wide that come to Boone for the day or weekend. ASU averaged 23,351 fans last season (2018), good for second in the conference behind Troy and 25,787 the year before, which was tops in the Sun Belt, and while there was a small decline in attendance across those years, the passion of the fans has not dropped. The fans are loud, passionate, and really do bleed black and gold. Many stadiums have student sections, but Kidd Brewer Stadium has a fantastic student section that truly embodies school spirit. It would be easy to forget that the school does not compete in a larger conference given the raucous crowd. Access 3 Kidd Brewer Stadium is located on the south end of campus a half mile from King Street. However, with the construction going on this season around the stadium, the usually intense traffic on the way to the stadium gets worse. Make sure to give yourself time to get to the game, as parking around the stadium is reserved mainly for donors to the university. Driving into Boone itself is usually not too bad, though the traffic gets tough as you get close to town. A lot of the parking lots closer to the stadium are reserved for club members, but street parking on both King and Queen Streets is just $1 per hour. Depot Street also has dollar-an-hour parking and allows tailgating, unlike the other lots. Other lots that allow tailgating include the First Baptist Church on King Street ($20 donation), Hardin Street Lot ($15), Lot 3 on Cherry and King Street ($15), Austin and Barnes Funeral Home on Queen Street ($20), and the Grace Lutheran Church on King Street which is donation based. There are also some parking spaces around the Watauga County Courthouse and Administration Building, as well as the Watauga County Health Department Lot 150, with 80 free spaces and 250 $25 spaces respectively. There is an ample amount of parking and with construction set to finish for the 2020 season, more parking options should appear. Make sure to visit the App State and Explore Boone websites for the latest information. If you want to avoid the hassle of driving, Sunway Charters offers inexpensive bus service from Charlotte and Greensboro for 17 dollars each way. Appalacart offers bus service to and from Kidd Brewer Stadium and around Boone free of charge as well. There are no airports super close to Boone; Charlotte Douglas Airport and Piedmont Triad International Airport are about two hours to the southeast and west respectively. There are two main gates entering the facility, the east gate and west gate. Both have long lines within about an hour of kickoff, though credit should be given to the staff for quickly getting people in. There is a clear bag policy starting this season, so keep that in mind when packing for the game. Handicap parking is in the Hill Street Lot, and there are plenty of handicap seats on the west side of the stadium. Access around the concourses can be tricky given the large number of people on game day. During my most recent visit there were some early issues before kickoff with traffic unable to move between the hill and the stadium’s west side, and as a result some people were delayed getting to their seats, and I saw some visible frustration among the fans. However, it being the first game of the season, those problems are likely to get resolved in the coming weeks. The bathrooms are clean and the lines are never too bad with the exception of at halftime. The high attendance numbers are great for the stadium, the average-sized concourse does make it hard sometimes to move around the venue. Return on Investment 5 An Appalachian State football game is truly worth every penny spent on parking and tickets. Between the wide variety of food, the scenic views, and the incredible fans and game day atmosphere, this is a great experience for fans. Fan Pricing Guide: Ticket Price: $30-$40 Queso Fries/Dr Pepper: $12 Game Program: $5 There is nothing specific at App State for group ticket deals, though purchasing season tickets allows you to have close game day parking, and joining the Yosef Club allows you to donate to Student-Athletes in need. Extras 5 One point goes to the incredible views of the scenic Appalachian Mountains from anywhere at Kidd Brewer Stadium. A second point goes to the incredible fans, specifically those in the student section who really make The Rock a tough place to play for any visiting team. Another point goes to all the local food vendors who set up shop during the game, while point number four is for the incredible tailgating scene around the stadium and the town. Finally, a point for the green A in the hedges on the hill behind the scoreboard. Final Thoughts Sitting at 3,333 feet above sea level, Kidd Brewer Stadium is the highest college football stadium east of the Mississippi and has one of the best fan bases of any Group of Five Conference school in FBS. The Rock has been the backdrop of long winning streaks, three consecutive national championship winning teams, and now it’s a force in the Sun Belt Conference. Kidd Brewer Stadium is the place to be on Saturday in Western North Carolina; the stadium embodies what makes Boone and Appalachian State such a great place to visit: great food, beautiful views, and passionate fans decked out in black and gold.

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 Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi 2-11-6 Miyagino Sendai, Miyagi 983-0045 Japan Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles website Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 23,000 Nothing to Sneeze At Note: The stadium has been renamed since this review. The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles are the newest franchise in Japanese baseball, having been formed in 2005 to fill the void created by the merger of the Kintetsu Buffaloes and Orix Blue Wave. The irony of replacing the Blue Wave is unfortunate as the Eagles are based in Tohoku, which was devastated by the double disasters in March, 2011. The stadium is located in Sendai which sustained heavy damage from the earthquake before the coast was inundated by the subsequent tsunami. Kleenex Stadium was not spared, suffering structural damage that was only completely repaired recently. The team was forced to play home games at other NPB ballparks during the early part of the 2011 season but returned home in late April, where they became a symbol of the rebuilding process and lifted heavy hearts across the region. Kleenex Stadium Miyagi was opened in 1950 and actually served as the home ground for the Lotte Orions (now the Chiba Lotte Marines) between 1973 and 1977. However, it was very dated when the Eagles were granted a franchise and much renovation was done to modernize it in time for their first game. In fact, when I first went I initially thought it was a new stadium, a testament to the great job done here. The stadium is currently known as Rakuten Kobo Stadium Miyagi. Food & Beverage 5 There are dozens of concessions that sit outside the actual stadium and offer everything from hot wine to the local delicacy, gyutan (cow’s tongue). For those without a taste for the unusual, there was even a KFC stand. Gates open two hours before game time, but get there before then because the outside area is far more active and it will take you a while to see everything. Walk around the stadium to see all the culinary possibilities; early arrivers can easily have two meals here. There are even some seating areas where you can grab a table and relax with your lunch or dinner. The information desk has a great brochure listing all the spots both inside and outside the gates. On the outside, I tried the dim sum box near gate R6 which was pretty average, 3 pieces for 350 yen. My recommendation on the inside of the ballpark is the steak bowl on level 3. It is crowded and takes a while to get the food, but was good value for the price at 650 yen. The Eagles Nest Sports Lounge was very popular, likely for providing some indoor warmth on this chilly April afternoon, and had some tempting options as well. Beer here is available everywhere, including the ubiquitous beer girls that roam through the aisles. Always choose this option as you don’t have to leave your seat. I did notice prices here were slightly cheaper than Tokyo, with a draft going for 700 yen. Atmosphere 3 With fewer than 19,000 showing up (out of a capacity of 23,000) and the weather still in the throes of winter’s last hurrah, there wasn’t a whole lot of fun being had. The home team struggled against a star rookie pitcher and there wasn’t a lot of fan activity during the game, other than the typical outfield cheering sections. Having so much of the food and drink options outside the main stand also keeps fans coming and going and makes it difficult to establish a true baseball atmosphere. The Eagles do have a very active cheer squad known as the Angels consisting of about 16 young ladies who dance on the field during the game and bring a bit of pep to the proceedings. Beforehand they have a couple of shows on a stage located near gate R2, where you can also find the usual hordes of perverts with their zoom lenses. Neighborhood 2 The stadium is located about 20 minutes by foot from the main train station. Unfortunately, there is little to see on this walk, with few, if any, restaurants or bars. It’s mostly a business area that is rather devoid of business on a Sunday afternoon. Sendai Station is where the action is, but even then it is rather muted compared to some other Japanese cities. Most of the restaurants in the area are serving cow’s tongue as all Japanese tourists must eat this while visiting Sendai. The locals tell me they don’t eat it that often, and having tried it a few times myself, I would agree with them. The west side of the station had a few izakayas but in general, central Sendai is one of Japan’s quieter urban areas. Fans 4 Rakuten fans have developed into decent supporters, although they were soundly outclassed by the visiting Chiba fans on this day. To be fair, their team is off to a poor start and the weather was not pleasant in the least, so I’m going to recall an earlier visit where they stayed to the end of a 4 hour 20 minute game (9 innings!) cheering their boys on to an amazing comeback victory. Despite their relatively few numbers, the Lucky 7 balloon time was very impressive, with nearly all of the fans participating. In Japan, supporters of both teams sing the team song and get to release colorful balloons after their team finishes batting in the 7th inning. It makes for interesting visuals as you can see in a couple of pictures in the photo gallery. Access 3 As mentioned, the stadium is a 20-minute walk from the main train station, or you can take the Senseki Line from there to Miyaginohara station, which is known as “Baseball Station” due to its proximity to the ballpark. From there, it is just a 5-minute stroll to the stadium, which lies next to a track and field facility. I bought a field level seat from where the view was poor, so I moved to a better location after a few innings. The field level seats have their own gate and no concessions as well as no other way to access the rest of the stadium. Fortunately, you can move back and forth between the main stand and the field seats as long as you tell them that you are going to get some food. Once I found a seat I liked, I planted myself down. A few innings later, a staff member inquired about my ticket and I said I didn’t have one for this area. She said that’s fine, but please move if the seat holder returns. Well duh! Getting around the main part of the stadium is a pain. The walkway has two gates that force you to go up some stairs and back down on the other side, an unnecessary 30-second detour. These gates are easily moved and vendors are constantly passing through them, so it makes no sense that fans can’t have the same access. The inner concourses are quite small, particularly the third floor which is heavily crowded before the game as fans line up for food. Capacity here is 23,000, about half that of the Tokyo Dome, but it certainly seems much more busy with the small floor space. This stadium is over 50 years old, but the renovations have taken care of many of the problems that bedevil aging facilities. However, increasing concourse space is something that would take away seating, and I don’t think they will be doing that in the near future. Try to tour the stadium early, before the crowds arrive. Return on Investment 3 Tickets here vary widely in price as Rakuten has adopted the variable pricing method, with five categories of games, ranging from Platinum down to Value, with Gold, Silver, and Bronze rounding out the list. The most expensive ticket is called a Golden Seat (yet again with the metals) and costs 7,700 yen for the Platinum games and only 3,100 yen for the Value games. So go to the Value games if you can. There are 18 different seating options, so the ticket matrix lists 90 possibilities, which I will not detail here. My advice is to sit in the infield A seats or upper level seats on the 3rd base side (unlike most Japanese stadiums, the home team uses the 3rd base dugout). One good thing about Kleenex Stadium is that the screen doesn’t extend all the way down the lines so if you are sitting high enough, you can have an unobstructed view of the field from these seats. There are two scoreboards: the main one is the typical Japanese one with lineups and the linescore, but there is also a video screen that shows detailed stats as the game progresses. Definitely something I’d like to see at other parks. Extras 5 Fans arrive early to participate in many special giveaways. I noticed at least 3 long lines, each one for a different promotion. Often one needs to be a member of a fan club or have a special type of ticket to participate. There is always a guy holding a sign indicating the end of the queue so if you are not sure, you can ask him what the line is for. The mascots tour around the stadium before the game signing autographs for the kids. There is also a small train which takes young children around the stadium along with their bemused parents. You can also find a home plate and bases buried beneath thick plastic windows; there doesn’t seem to be any meaning behind them and the windows were covered with condensation so I couldn’t read the plaque inside. Some fans who won a contest are allowed on the field before the game to play catch, and all fans are invited on the field afterwards, although you have to wait 30 minutes after the game finishes. Just before the game starts, an eagle flies in from beyond the outfield fence to first base; a majestic sight that is somewhat ironic given the team rarely soars into the playoffs (only two appearances in nine seasons). Final Thoughts When I first visited here in 2005, I thought it was the best ballpark in Japan, but upon reflection, I think I overstated things then. The food selection is great and there are lots of cool things around, but the location is not that good and once inside, moving around is a hassle. Even with these problems though, it is better than the average domed stadium and certainly worth a trip to Sendai to see the Golden Eagles. **Follow all of Sean’s journeys at Sports Road Trips .

Photos by Stephen Schmidt, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex 1015 E Grand St Springfield, MO 65897 Missouri State Bears website Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex website Year Opened: 1941 Capacity: 16,300 It Takes a Village When it comes to Missouri State University football, tailgating is a pretty big deal. This is a movement that begins and ends with BearFest Village, an area across Grand Street from the Plaster Sports Complex that blossoms in popularity every year, regardless of the team’s success. Some would point to the fact that the village’s growth came as a result from the fact that alcohol is allowed on the premises because technically it’s located off of school grounds (MSU is a dry campus). Others would say that the students and alumni just like to have a good time — and an MSU football game provides a perfect avenue, especially during Homecoming weekend. “I think they do a good job of making it a big event to come back to campus. Homecoming here is a big deal”, said Dave Rush, an MSU alumnus who had been informed that the largest amount of tents in school history had been set up hours before he spoke. The most recent game I attended was the 2013 Homecoming game in which the Bears surprised the nationally ranked South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Music blares. Students and alumni mingle around a collection of tents. Food and drink are consumed with the stadium’s tall western side on the horizon. “It’s more about a school thing than it is about a football thing”, said one MSU student; “We’re just here to support each other and we’re here to have fun.” Food & Beverage 3 The most popular options — and two of the most exotic items — are the barbecued nachos with pulled pork for $6 and the Polish sausage hot dogs for $5. Other selections include regular hot dogs for $4, foot-long hot dogs for $7, and jumbo soft pretzels for $3. The stands serve Pepsi products ranging from $2-$4.50. All five concession stands in the stadium are busy hubs of activity throughout the game. Those who want to grab some grub in the concession stands in the lower concourse have the rare task of climbing stairs up to a platform. No outside food or drink is allowed into the stadium. Atmosphere 3 The view from the top is nice for what it is — especially when the surrounding trees start to erupt into oranges, yellows and (fittingly) maroons. The stadium blends in without much effort to the surrounding academic buildings on its northern side. The playing field is a bit worn down, but the field is scheduled to be replaced following the 2013 season — among other renovations that include the removal of the track and the replacement of the creaky wooden bleachers on the eastern side that are inhabited by MSU students and the school’s band. One nice aspect of the stadium is a lack of advertising, which equates to a clean and simple look. The only permanent ads can be found on the scoreboard near the southern end zone. As far as mascots go, Boomer the Bear is around, but is not a very integral part of the game. Neighborhood 4 The Missouri State campus is located only a couple of blocks from downtown Springfield and all of its amenities — including a large number of bars and restaurants. The hub of activity can be found on South Avenue. One of the more popular sports bars in town, Bair’s All-American Sports Grill, is located a short walk from the stadium at 631 S. Kimbrough Avenue. Ebbets Field is another popular sports bar destination located just north of the MSU campus on East Walnut Street. Fans 3 As evidenced by the crowd at BearFest Village, Missouri State fans love their tailgating. That same passion does not seem to translate into the actual games. Yes, fans do a good a job of wearing the school colors of maroon and white, but they appear to be fairly muted overall. Case in point: At the game I attended, the team was greeted by a relatively modest applause heading into halftime — in spite of the fact that the one-win home team had a 20-0 lead over a nationally ranked South Dakota State squad. Visiting fans are treated well here by often sitting in the lower bleacher seats — as opposed to being put on the other side of the stadium with the band and student section. Access 3 The stadium has ample free parking nearby. The bathroom situation in the lower concourse on the main side is a bit bizarre. To use the restroom on the venue’s southern end you have to go upstairs. On the plus side, you can have a field view and do your business in one of several urinals. Who needs a TV set when you see the real thing? I’m not sure how a handicapped fan would access that bathroom. The stadium has a strange disconnect between the top section, the suite level, and bottom row. The entrance to the lower level nearly puts you on the field. These bleacher seats are very close and intimate seats — and cost the same amount as their counterparts in the upper level. They are definitely the best choice, given that the upper ones are considerably steeper, even if they do offer a great view of the surrounding (flat) landscape. Side note: The labeling of the sections could use some work. At the moment, it relies on the repetition of letters. For example, GGG sits on top of GG, which sits on top of G. That gets confusing. On the negative side, it is difficult to move from the lower level to the suite and upper concourse levels. It’s like an island encased in concrete. From the lower concourse, the only option to get back to the other two levels is to walk out of the gates on the side and go back into the stadium and ascend through a series of ramps. There needs to be a simpler way to go to and fro. Return on Investment 4 The most expensive single-game ticket is $20. Combine that with plenty of free parking and free programs and a Bears game is a very affordable form of family entertainment. BearFest Village is a great place to soak in the atmosphere beforehand. It, too, has no cover charge to enter the grounds. Extras 3 One point is given for signs of Bears history on the poles around the top concourse. It’s a nice touch that gives fans something to look at when roaming the upper grounds. One point is awarded for the ability of being able to see the southern end zone from the urinals in the men’s bathroom. A half point is given for having free programs. Another half point is awarded for having good signage in the lower concourse — even if the layout is less than ideal. Final Thoughts A Missouri State football game brings with it an affordable set of charms and quirks, some of which are more endearing than others. Although the venue is about to undergo a series of renovations, the one I’d like to see the most is the creation of series of passageways that connect the lower concourse, suite level and upper concourse in a clear and concise manner.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Halifax Metro Centre 1800 Argyle St Halifax, NS B3J 3N8 Halifax Mooseheads website Scotiabank Centre website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 10,595 Moose Country Pioneers Driving on the Trans-Canada Highway through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the last thing one would want to see is a moose-head. That all changes once you reach Halifax. The QMJHL has long been focused on the province of Quebec. In 1993, Moosehead Breweries Limited convinced the league that expansion into the Canadian Maritimes was a good idea. Among great concern and skepticism, the league awarded an expansion team to Halifax and the brewery. The 1994 season saw the birth of the Halifax Mooseheads, and hockey in Canada's East got a much needed shot in the arm. The Mooseheads ironically were named after, and originally owned by a Saint John, New Brunswick brewery, which remains Canada's oldest independent brewery. Eventually, the Mooseheads were sold to former Minnesota North Star and Montreal Canadien legend Bobby Smith, who still owns the team today. Halifax is the biggest city in the Canadian maritimes, and therefore is the cultural centre of the East. Even though Halifax is not an overly large city, events at the Metro Centre have that big event feel to them. Moose Country is front and centre in the Halifax sporting scene. The Metro Centre, which is owned by the City of Halifax, and managed by Trade Centre Limited, offers a big event feel to it, and attracts the largest indoor events in the area. Food & Beverage 4 You can find all all of the usual suspects at the Metro Centre when it comes to concessions. Hot Dogs, popcorn, soda, burgers and nachos are all available. Prices are pretty decent. In what is a bit of a curious situation, but kind of understandable, Moosehead beer is not available here. Local brewer Alexander Keith is quite popular and available here. I understand why the local beer is here and not Moosehead, however there is something sacrilegious about goin4g to a Mooseheads game and not being able to get a Moosehead beer. A bump in the food scoring goes to the Citadel Fries stand. FRESH fries and poutine are available at this stand, and they are fantastic!! You may also want to check out the candy stands and get a large cupcake. Atmosphere 5 As I mentioned previously, being the cultural centre of the Maritimes gives the Metro Centre a big event feel to it. That begins with the exterior. Around the outside of the building, there are large banners for players of both the Mooseheads and the Halifax Rainmen of the NBL-Canada, much like you would find at a Major League Baseball stadium. Once inside you will find the large atrium. On the day of this review, they had a Q&A; session with an executive of the visiting PEI Rocket. The carpeted area features some concession stands and a large area for congregating. On the floor immediately below the atrium, you will find the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame, which honours many local sports icons. Once inside the seating bowl, you will immediately notice the very large seating capacity. It is much larger than the vast majority of arenas in the QMJHL. There is a ton of railing space for standing room, which is a staple in junior hockey. The long sides of the arena have a second level, behind a 360 degree walkway around the entire arena. The sight-lines are good from just about anywhere. If you are in the second level, the view of the scoreboard will be obstructed by the hanging suites. However, the Mooseheads do a great job of making up for this. There are small scoreboards on the back of the suites, and there are 7 projectors that show the videoboard images on the back of the suites. This is actually better than seeing the centre-ice videoboard. In the rafters you will see Mooseheads banners for various division and conference championships, as well as 3 retired numbers. The Mooseheads have honoured the numbers of Alex Tanguay (18), Jody Shelley (25), and Jean-Sebastian Giguere (47). They also have a banner for broadcaster Pat Connolly who retired after 16 seasons with the Mooseheads. The Mooseheads also have a series of banners on display for the "Fans 15." The Fans 15 are the 15 most popular Mooseheads of all time, as voted by the Halifax fans. Neighborhood 4 The Metro Centre is located right in downtown Halifax. Right across the road from the Metro Centre is The Citadel. This Halifax landmark, is a historic fort, which was a key strategic point throughout Canadian History. It is well worth the tour, although possibly earlier in the season when the weather may be nicer. There are also a ton of eating establishments downtown, so finding a spot will only be difficult if you have trouble choosing. Being on the East Coast, you should most definitely look for some seafood. The Five Fishermen is a great choice, among numerous others. If you are a bit out of the centre, you may want to check out The Armview, which is a great pub and restaurant! Fans 4 The Mooseheads have been a solid attendance draw in the QMJHL. For the last few years they have been the second best draw of all franchises. Moose Country features plastic horns throughout the game, and has a bit of a feel like a soccer game. They are very loud for a home goal, and insanely silent for an opposing goal. They are also intelligent and very friendly. Access 3 Located in downtown Halifax makes access a bit of an issue. Downtown is in an extremely hilly territory. Parking is found throughout the downtown, and many of the locals scramble for street parking. Not being a fan of street parking, I did find parking at the local pool for a $5 donation to the local minor sports authority. Getting in and out and around becomes more difficult because of the hills. Inside, the washroom facilities are adequate, and traveling throughout the arena is not too difficult. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for adults are between $14-$16, with discounts for seniors, students and children. Parking can be found on the street if you are really cheap, or in a surface lot for a small fee. Concession prices are also pretty good. This all adds up to a great evening of entertainment without dropping the kids' college fund. The fast pace of the QMJHL and the opportunity to see some future stars makes the return on investment very high. Extras 5 An extra point for the Mooseheads wearing jerseys of a local minor hockey team, the Cole Harbour Wings. This was a great salute to local minor hockey. Cole Harbour is a northern suburb of Halifax, and Mooseheads centre Nathan MacKinnon is a product of the Cole Harbour minor hockey system. Two extra points for the link to CIS basketball. The Metro Centre annually plays host to the AUAA (Atlantic Conference) Basketball tournament, and numerous times has played host to the CIS National Championships. Halifax features Dalhousie University and St. Mary's University that play in the CIS. The Metro Centre features numerous banners honouring Atlantic Canadian universities that have won basketball titles. An extra point for that big event feel that you get in Halifax, even though it is a relatively small city. An extra point for the pioneer nature of the Mooseheads, bringing major junior hockey to Atlantic Canada. Final Thoughts In Moose Country you will find a great experience and a must-see team if you are interested in junior hockey. The beautiful city of Halifax makes for a great vacation destination, and there are tons of things to do and see. Hopefully, the only Mooseheads you see are in the Metro Centre!

Photos by James Clotfelter, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 O2 Arena Ocelářská 460/2, 190 00 Prague 9 – Libeň, Czech Republic The Czechia National Hockey Team website O2 Arena website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 17,383 Hockey In The Heart Of Europe It’s only fitting that the Czech Republic’s national sport of hockey gets played at the second-largest hockey arena in all of Europe. With a capacity of 17,000, O2 Arena Prague is a venue that has hosted a fair share of marquee events as it is home of Sparta Prague HC, many shows, concerts, tennis, the 2024 IIHF World Championships, and Czechia’s National Hockey Team. We happened to be in attendance for Czechia vs Finland during the Swiss Ice Hockey games, serving as a competition to prelude the upcoming world championships. While the O2 may not be the most modern arena in the world, it continues to provide a memorable game day experience while standing the test of time.   Food & Beverage 3 The selection of food and beverages is as expected in an arena. They offer all the basics that a stadium typically would. The menu you can prepare to find includes chicken tenders, fries, hot dogs, burgers, sausages, sandwiches, pizza, Coca-Cola products, Fuze Tea, wine, and beer. Food items will cost anywhere between $2-$6. The food quality is what you would expect from stadium food, nothing crazy, but nothing horrible. The only beer on tap is a Staropramen, but it is hard to complain about the lack of variety when it is priced at just under $3 a beer. Cards are accepted at every concession stand in the arena, and all food is priced at face value, meaning tax is not hidden. While the products themselves may not be flashy, they come at unheard-of value compared to stadium food in the United States.   Atmosphere 4 Opening its doors in 2004, the O2 Arena in Prague continues to stand out as a top hockey venue in Europe. The arena’s concourse does not have the flashy amenities that the latest arenas have, but entering its 20th year, the O2 continues to provide an excellent game day experience. The stadium is built with four levels: the main bowl being the first, the two middle levels containing the hospitality seats and private boxes, and the upper bowl on the 400 level. At the game we attended, every seating level was open, but for Sparta Prague HC matches, it appears that the upper deck is closed off. I love a venue with a vertical interior, and the O2 provides just that, allowing the arena to be furnished with a louder and more intimate atmosphere even with its large capacity. This also entitles you to purchase 400-level seats without worrying about obstructed or inadequate sightlines, meaning the 400-level is my seating recommendation if you plan on attending a game here. Why pay more for tickets when you don’t have to? The seats themselves are not too wide, but they are padded and equipped with cupholders on both armrests. Plenty of merchandise windows are scattered throughout the lower concourse offering every type of apparel you would expect from a team.  The video board must have been replaced since the opening of the arena as it is much more modern than you would expect when comparing it to the semi-old concourse. It is mammoth-like in size and does a solid job of providing stats, replays, and keeping the fans entertained during stoppages with promotions, music, etc. Much of the atmosphere provided during the game was delivered from the stands in the style of chants and songs. Two fans operate drums located in the sections behind the goal in the lower bowl, and these two take the lead when starting a song in the crowd. Once Czechia took the lead in the third period, the two fans who operated the drums kicked off a chant that resembled Wisconsin’s “jump around" tradition, and the entire area turned into a trampoline park. The O2 Arena truly delivers an outstanding hockey atmosphere, and I do not doubt that it will do so for the 2024 IIHF World Championships.   Neighborhood 4 Prague is one of the most popular cities in the world when dealing with tourism, and it's for good reason. Beautiful mid-evil architecture, easily accessible public transit, excellent walkability, outstanding food, and cheap booze are just some things the city itself has to offer. Prague is divided into ten municipal districts and 22 administrative districts that are titled, Prague 1, 2, 3… and so on. The main tourist districts would be the city center, also known as Prague 1 and Prague 2. However, the O2 Area is situated in Prague 9, which does not have a ton going on. Outside of O2 Arena, Prague 9 offers a very new and sleek mall containing an assortment of stores and pregame food choices that a considerable number of fans visited before the gates opened.  The Stages Hotel is adjacent to the arena for visitors who wish for accommodation close to the arena. It was not open for our visit, but the Czech Hockey Hall of Fame is also next to the arena, and even though we were not able to experience it, reviews suggest it is well worth the visit.  We suggest you stay closer to the city center and take public transit to the arena. If you are a solo traveler many hostels can be found around the city center for as low as $10-$25 a night, and if you are traveling with others or a family you can find hotels for $50-$90 a night if you book in advance. This also puts you in the vicinity of the limitless attractions Prague has to offer like Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, and the National Museum to mention a few. Staying in the main parts of the city will also give you a plethora of food and drink options as there is something for everyone. In terms of a couple of examples, Lokal Dlouhaaa  is the best site for a traditional Czech meal for a low price and Johnny’s Pizza Bar is a superb pizza spot, for once again a low price. In terms of teams that call Prague home, they are as follows; Sparta Prague HC, AC Sparta Prague, Bohemians 1905, and Slavia Prague.   Fans 4 Hockey is recognized as the national sport of Czechia, so needless to say the Czechs love their national team. Before the game, there was an induction ceremony from the Czech Hockey Hall of Fame, and the fans in attendance made sure they were in their seats early to pay their respect to Czech hockey greats. People from all over the Czech Republic made their way to Prague for this game as many teams from the Czech Domestic Hockey League, the Czech Extraliga, were represented in the crowd.  The fans do a great job staying involved for the entirety of the match. The drums are constantly leading the chants, little air horns are going off, and the crowd reacts to every little thing that happens on the ice. One thing that I appreciated from the crowd was that the concourse was empty during the game, signifying that they remained in their seat when the game was on. They had O2 Arena rocking when they took a 2-1 lead in the third period, which was easily when the building was at its loudest. This also led to the whole arena jumping during a song from the drums, which was a great display from the fans to cap off a great showing by the crowd.  Access 3 The public transport in Prague is nothing short of exceptional. It is fast, reliable, and covers the entirety of the city. The city has implemented four subway lines and 35 tram lines in addition to numerous bus lines that expand to areas not covered by the subway or trams.  There are three forms of public transit tickets that you can purchase: a 30-minute ticket for $1.34, a 90-minute ticket for $1.79, a 24-hour ticket for $5.37, and a 72-hour ticket for $14.77. Whatever ticket you purchase is valid for all trams, subways, and buses. With that being said, the easiest way to get from the city center to O2 Arena is the yellow subway line, which drops you off right at the main gate to enter O2 Arena.  If you are visiting Prague International Airport, I’d advise you to take the 119 bus to the subway taking you to the city center. Parking is available, which is generally used for locals or other Czechs driving in from out of town, but as a visitor who is most likely staying in the city, just take the train there.  Gates open 1.5 hours before the event. The main gate is located on the north entrance facing the subway stop. This gate is the only main entrance to the arena, so the queue to enter can be quite long and cumbersome close to game time.  Tickets can be purchased online at ticketportal.com , and you will need to print those tickets beforehand. Small purses are pretty much the only bags that are allowed in the arena, however, luggage storage is provided by the arena if you have to bring a large bag that will not be permitted entrance. The concourse is pretty basic and easy to navigate, as it's just a bowl on both levels with nothing crazy inside the concourse. There is not a prototypical team store, but the merchandise is sold within concession-like windows. All lines for concessions and restrooms move very quickly. English is also well-spoken by the staff.   Return on Investment 5 Compared to American arenas and stadiums, there is nothing that even comes close to the value of the O2 Arena. Tickets to get into the game were $13 for the 400 level which provided unobstructed and good sightlines for upper-level seats. Lower bowl tickets started at about ten dollars more which is still of great value to see the national team compete. Now if you are in town for a Sparta Prague HC match, lower bowl tickets start at a whopping $12. Concessions are set by the great value standard that is set by the tickets. You are paying anywhere between $2-$7 for every food item and a stadium beer costs $2.50, which is unheard of for American visitors. And as we already covered earlier, public transit is very reasonable and reliable. I don't think many places or teams in the United States deliver that environment for that price level.   Extras 2 Not too much in terms of extras from the stadium itself, but before the game we were in attendance for the   Czech Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony. It was neat to see familiar NHL faces in that setting. Congratulations to the Czech greats who were acknowledged for their career accomplishments that night.   Final Thoughts It would be an oddity to be in Prague while the National Team is playing unless you are making the trip for the IIHF World Championships. But if you are in Prague during hockey season, it is well worth the visit to see a hockey game whether that being the national team or Sparta Prague HC. O2 Arena offers a great hockey experience for a great price.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 First Bank Park 162 Stickley Loop Strasburg, VA 22657 Strasburg Express website Year Opened: Unknown Capacity: N/A Hop Aboard The Express The Valley Baseball League is a collegiate summer baseball league consisting of 11 teams in Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley, in the western part of the state. The Strasburg Express made their Valley League debut in 2011, replacing the Fauquier Gators, and won their first league championship only four years later. The Express play their home games at First Bank Park, which is located on the grounds of Sandy Hook Elementary School (no, not that one), part of the Shenandoah County Public Schools system. Food & Beverage 5 The Express have an impressive selection of concession offerings for this level. In fact, it would be impressive even if this were a minor league park. Options that are too numerous to list include traditional ballpark favorites such as hot dogs, burgers, and pizza as well as less traditional ones like sloppy joes, taco wraps, and macaroni & cheese. Prices are affordable, with nothing costing more than about $7 and most things being much less. All items are prepared fresh at the ballpark, which is good, but also means it can be a bit of a wait to get your food. If you plan on eating at the ballpark, we recommend arriving early and getting your food before the first pitch so you don’t miss any of the action. As the stadium is on the grounds of an elementary school, alcohol is not available. Atmosphere 4 The Express logo is a giant train, and the team leans heavily into railroad imagery. The starting lineup is introduced to the sound of an inbound train, and more train sounds feature throughout the night on the PA system. The team store is even called The Train Station. There are four sets of bleachers at First Bank Park, two on either side of home plate. Each side features one set on either side of the dugout. If you sit on the third base side, expect the sun to be in your eyes for the first couple innings, but then you will be able to watch it set over the Blue Ridge Mountains. The first base side offers less glare but doesn’t have quite as scenic a view. The bleachers on the home plate side of the dugouts are extremely close to the action, and you may wind up closer to home plate than the pitcher is. Unfortunately, some parts of the bleachers have obstructed views of the corners as they are blocked by the dugout, and that does take this score down a bit. A scoreboard beyond the outfield fence shows the linescore and other basic information. After the sun goes down, expect the mayflies to come out in swarms, attracted to the stadium lights. They do not bite (or even have mouths) but they can be quite annoying. Finally, a couple of unique Valley League traditions are worth noting. Your game ticket doubles as a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes from team sponsors throughout the night, so be sure to hold on to it. To save on costs to the team, fans are not permitted to keep any foul balls hit into the stands, unlike at higher levels of play. However, they can return them to the team store and receive a free ice pop from the concession stand. After any foul ball hit out of play, expect to see kids run after it hoping to get the free Icee. Neighborhood 3 Strasburg is a quaint little town in the middle of the Shenandoah Valley. As First Bank Park is located on the grounds of an elementary school, there is not much within walking distance, but Downtown Strasburg is a short drive away and offers many options. Queen Street Diner is a local favorite and longtime sponsor of the Express, and there are many other options as well. Some chain places are located closer to I-81, but fans would be advised to sample the local color while in town if they can. Fans 4 Express fans pack First Bank Park night in and night out to cheer on their team. Many of them have been coming to games since the team’s debut a decade ago and have built up a sense of loyalty. They’re knowledgeable about the team, its players, and its history and have built up a deep relationship over the years with each other as well as the team. That being said, you do get fans who go to just a game or two each year, and these fans can be passionate as well. As all Valley League teams are within a couple of hours of each other, you will typically see some fans of the visiting team as well. Strasburg fans will outnumber them, but if you are wearing visiting colors, expect nothing worse than a friendly ribbing from the hometown faithful. Access 3 Strasburg is located just a few miles off I-81 via Exit 298 (US 11). From there, fans will take local roads to the stadium where they can park in one of several lots on school grounds. The small lot closest to the field is in foul ball territory, so be careful where you park. The concourse layout can be confusing at first if you don’t know where things are, but staff or longtime fans will be happy to help you if you ask. Restrooms are small but sufficient for the crowds, although the sign on the men’s room door has fallen off. Men can simply head for the restroom that isn’t the women’s room. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and kids under 12, and free for kids in little league jerseys. Concessions are very affordable and parking is free, making a trip to First Bank Park an excellent value for fans in the area. Fans who live further away may have to spend a bit on gas to get here, but it’s still well worth it. Extras 5 There are cornhole boards set up behind the third base bleachers for fans to play. This seems to be a favorite of kids and families alike. The Train Station is a team store selling Express gear at affordable prices. In between the cornhole boards and the store is a sign showing the distance and direction to various major league parks. On top, it says “Major League Dreams Straight Ahead”, reflecting the dreams of Express players to someday play in the big leagues. There are free programs available under the press box. They are basic but you can’t argue with the price. A fifth and final star for the excellent and friendly staff here, ranging from the ticket takers to the concession workers to the PA announcer. Final Thoughts If you’re looking for affordable baseball with a great atmosphere and a scenic setting, a visit to First Bank Park to check out the Strasburg Express is definitely worth a visit. Like the rest of the Valley League, Strasburg offers high-quality baseball for low prices and is a great way to spend a summer evening. Just watch out for those mayflies once the sun goes down and you’ll have a great time.

Photos by Gary Butterworth, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Helsinki Ice Hall Nordenskiöldinkatu 11–13 Helsinki, Finland 00250 HIFK website Helsinki Ice Hall website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 8,200 The Beast’s Cave Night and day. Yin and yang. HIFK and Jokerit. Helsinki’s two top-flight hockey teams could not be more different. Once fierce rivals, Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna i Helsingfors (Helsinki Sporting Society Comrades, or HIFK) and Jokerit don’t cross paths much anymore. 2014 saw Jokerit depart from Finland’s domestic Liiga to join the Russian-run, pan-Eurasian KHL. HIFK still plays in the Finnish league. The differences don’t end there. “Jokerit” is a Finnish word; HIFK is a Swedish initialism. HIFK has a traditional crest; Jokerit has a modern logo. And it’s just this sort of difference that is immediately noticeable when stepping into each team’s home. Just 1.5 miles (2.5 km) from Jokerit’s modern Hartwall Arena lies HIFK’s vintage Helsinki Ice Hall or Helsingin jäähalli. Despite having three decades on its cross-town rival, Helsinki Ice Hall is beautifully maintained. Still, it has its warts, and you’ll probably notice them. Maybe you’ll mind, or maybe you won’t. If you’re in the Finnish capital, try your best to sample both brands of hockey on offer. If you have to pick one, though, we give HIFK the nod. Food & Beverage 3 It’s hard to say what is more surprising; seeing multiple nice sit-down restaurants on the concourses of a half-century old arena, or the fact that they were all closed when we attended a fairly important match. Still, we didn’t come to Finland to eat Italian at “Mario’s World,” even if it did look nice. While those hoping to snag a table might not always have luck, there is enough at the more conventional concession stands to keep most fans happy. From hot dogs to candy to a few less common items, the spread is above average. Prices are on the high side. With vendors ringing both the inner and outer walls of the lower concourse, back-ups can happen in some places. This is one of the few downsides to having options. Food selection is good, and so is the beer selection. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we didn’t see any Hartwall beverages here-Coke products are on tap. Despite the options, the favorite here is pretty simple: self-serve coffee (EUR 2.50, about USD $2.80). Atmosphere 3 To differentiate Helsingin jäähalli from nearby Hartwall Arena in conversation, the former is sometimes referred to as simply “the old ice hall.” It is, indeed, an old ice hall. The well-travelled fan will easily recognize the layout as something from the ’60s, but no one will find the upkeep lacking or the décor dated. Helsinki Ice Hall is lovingly maintained and absolutely immaculate. Some 10 year old arenas feel older. The interior is spotless, paint is fresh, decorations are current, and the restaurant and lounge areas could have opened yesterday. Team colors, jerseys, and logos are everywhere. Lighting is bright. Well, at least from the exterior and on the concourses. Inside the seating bowl, HIFK’s barn shows its age. It’s darker in here. Concrete is bare in some areas and paint is chipped in others. Square corners provide strange viewing angles for fans seated in the far corner sections upstairs. Security railings obstruct views from a few seats toward the bottom of the upper level. Guy-wires and roof supports, while unobtrusive, are a fact of life for many fans in the cheap seats. No one stopped us from roaming around and taking in the match from a few angles, and most were good, but several positions have the sort of minor quirks that are common in older arenas. Seats are a slightly unusual design, but are comfortable. A small video scoreboard at center ice is utilitarian, and the emcee here has a much easier job than his counterpart does at nearby Hartwall Arena. While Jokerit caters to fans with flashing lights and plenty of electronic distractions, HIFK allows a more organic experience. Here, the game isn’t just an attraction; it’s the main attraction. Back on the concourse, healthy scratches are stationed at tables for autographs and selfies, and kids take shots on a net. Even the sideshows here are all about the game. Neighborhood 4 Helsinki’s Töölö neighborhood is a pleasant, classy area just north of the city center. With a variety of small shops, cafes, and handful of touristy sites, Töölö is worth exploring. Töölö also contains what is essentially Helsinki’s stadium district: Helsinki Ice Hall, Sonera Stadium, and the 1952 Olympic Stadium are all immediate neighbors. Even if you’re not a smoker, it’s worth stepping outside into the smoking area during an HIFK match to take a peek inside Sonera Stadium; it’s a gem. The Olympic Stadium has a tower that provides a good view of the stadiums, central Helsinki, and the Gulf of Finland. If you like the area enough, you can spend the night in the youth hostel within the Olympic Stadium. It’s Spartan, but relatively inexpensive, and it might give you bragging rights. The sheer size of the three stadiums means that the venues are a little bit removed from the rest of the neighborhood. Unfortunately, they are far enough removed that fans might be discouraged from visiting the local businesses. If you’re able and have time to kill, the 5 minute walk away from the sports complex and into the business and residential areas is worth making. Fans 4 Helsinki Ice Hall is absolutely covered in HIFK red. Maybe fans feel the painters showed enough support, because we were surprised by the relative lack of team colors in the crowd. Then, we were surprised yet again by the passion of fans who weren’t literally wearing their allegiances on their sleeves. Everyone seemed tuned in to the action on the ice. Casual attire is popular, but not for everyone. A visible minority of fans came decked out in jerseys and scarves. HIFK’s standing, chanting fan club sits in a corner, which takes them a bit out of the action and makes them a bit less visible than fan clubs which sit in more prominent areas. Still, the enthusiasm is there. Access 4 Helsingin jäähalli is about a 30-minute walk from the center of Helsinki. The walk is safe and pleasant, and it will bring you by or near many sites that are of interest to tourists. However, given cold Nordic winters and short daylight hours, the weather may not cooperate. Parking is available across several small, spread-out lots. You might have to walk a bit to the car, so bundle up. If coming via public transportation, trams 2, 3, and 7a provide frequent and inexpensive service to the arena area. “Auroran sairaala” is a convenient stop, but if you can’t remember, just look for the big Olympic Stadium. If you’re lost, most Finns speak excellent English and know all about the hockey team. Once you’re at the venue, things are pretty straightforward. The ticket lobby and concourses can get crowded, but not unusually so. Security is unobtrusive, and a stronger presence did not feel necessary. Restrooms are clean and adequate. For fans with special needs, accessible seating is limited. The main wheelchair accessible area midway up in the corners is roomy and provides a good view. Return on Investment 3 HIFK offers a good product in a fine setting at a fair price. You might get sticker-shock at the merchandise stands and second guess your souvenirs, but attending a match here is a fair value. Extras 3 Domestic league versus international league. New arena versus old arena. Tradition versus modernity. Now that “HIFK vs Jokerit” is no longer an on-ice matchup, the teams are left competing in other ways. Philosophically, the clubs are worlds apart. Some will find a strong preference for one brand. We expected to. In the end, though, we had a harder time taking sides than we expected. We could have stayed neutral, but we ultimately settled on HIFK. The park-like location between two soccer stadiums adds to the feeling of being in a special sports environment. Moreover, Helsinki Ice Hall has a personal, lived-in feeling that Hartwall Arena just doesn’t offer. The omnipresent team colors, the jerseys in the concourse rafters, and the accessibility of the players announce that Helsinki Ice Hall isn’t just home to any team, it’s home to HIFK, and it’s damn proud of it.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium Champions Way Tallahassee, FL 32304 Florida State Seminoles website Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 79,560 The House that Bobby Built For over 60 years Doak Campbell Stadium at Bobby Bowden Field has played host to one of the most storied college football programs in the country, the Florida State Seminoles. Nestled amongst palm trees and Spanish moss trees lies perhaps one of the true meccas in college football. The ‘Noles have produced three national championships, eighteen conference titles, three Heisman winners, and can lay claim to having one of the greatest coaches to ever coach football grace its sidelines for 25 years, Bobby Bowden. During the Bowden era the Seminoles became one of the most dominant teams in all of college football, and during the 1990s the ‘Noles were the most successful college football program in the country, boasting a win percentage of 89% and playing in five national championships between 1993 and 2001. Florida State University, originally called West Florida Seminary, was founded in 1851 and is located on the oldest continuous site of higher education in the state of Florida. Over the years the college changed names several times, including being called Florida State College in 1902 when it fielded its first football team. The football program would go on hiatus in 1905 when the school was renamed Florida State College for Women, but the program restarted once the college began accepting males again in 1947. Doak Campbell Stadium opened in 1950 with a seating capacity of 15,000 and was named after the FSU president at the time. Over the years its capacity changed substantially, bringing the current capacity to 79,560. Doak Campbell Stadium is currently the second-largest stadium in the ACC and the 18th-largest in college football, and in addition it is the largest continuous brick structure in the country. Numerous renovations and expansions have happened over the years; a new press box and PA system was installed in 2003, two new scoreboards were installed in 2008, and in 2016 the stadium added the Dunlap Champions Club located in the south end zone – this three-story club lounge is truly a unique experience, and is one of the premiere experience in all of college football. Food & Beverage 3 College football stadiums are not known for expansive and diverse food options, and there’s no exception here. The majority of fans will get something to eat beforehand or eat at a tailgating spot. If you have access to the Champions Club, then this rating would get a 5, but I’ll give it a 3 and take it from the perspective of an average fan. As soon as you enter the gate the thing that stands out is the numerous concessions stands located down the concourse. The stands weren’t set up like regular stands where the stand would be against a wall and you walk up to the counter and order your food; here the stands are in the middle of the walkway, meaning you can walk around them if you want to. I’m not sure if these were set up this way to help with crowd control, because no matter where you go there is not a line at all. The food and beverage people do an excellent job of providing a various assortment of concessions stands on the first and second floors. The main stand seems to be the Gridiron Grill with 12 locations throughout the stadium (6 on each floor). This stand sells the usual ballpark food such as sausage ($6); hot dogs and tubs of popcorn ($5); nachos, pretzels, and peanuts ($4); and candy ($3). Coke is the main soft drink provider, and there are many other stands as well such as a pretzel stand on the lower level, a gourmet hot dog stand on the upper level, four Spear It Treats stands that sell various ice creams and candies, six Pizza Hut stands, and two Chick-fil-A stands. FSU alums and Oprah’s personal chef Art Smith also have two specialty stands set up on the lower level called Art’s Southern Fanfare. A wide assortment of southern foods awaits you at this stand including hush puppies, fried chicken sandwiches, grits, and biscuits. There are also four Seminole Subs stands that sell a wide assortment of various subs and po’ boys, as well as three Sonny’s BBQ stands that sell beef brisket and pulled pork sandwiches. There are also two Bodacious Burgers restaurants located on each level, which sells large burgers for $10. Then, on the north end zone in the upper level is an Italian food restaurant, and all of these are just the stands for an average fan, not to mention the club level food options. If you have a Champions Club pass the score of this rating goes up to 5. The club has an indoor and outdoor full spread buffet set up with everything you can imagine. This set up is quite glamorous to say the least, all the food and drink you can imagine and it’s all free with the purchase of the pass. There is also a 4 Rivers Smokehouse located in this area; the Orlando-based restaurant is known for its BBQ and is finally branching out into other areas of the southeast. As more and more college football stadiums are beginning to sell alcohol, FSU is starting to follow this trend as well. There are currently two places in Doak Campbell Stadium you can buy alcohol, but the only catch is that the alcohol has to be consumed in designated areas. This rule does not apply to people in the Club level and suites, where you can drink alcohol anywhere. Atmosphere 5 You know you are in a special place before you even walk into the stadium. The Spanish moss trees and palm trees really set the tone for the atmosphere outside Doak Campbell Stadium. The entire campus is lined with the beautiful trees, and with the Florida State Capitol Building off in the distance, it really does embody the spirit and culture of the state of Florida. The 1600-acre campus is spread out, and all of the buildings, including the stadium, look the same and are either made of brick or are garnet colored. It seems tailgating is spread out forever around the campus, and there are even fans tailgating in the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center parking lot which is over a mile away. Even though the FSU program isn’t what it used to be, it’s nice to see that people still come to tailgate even though most of them don’t go into the game. The stadium is a part of the University Center complex, which includes classrooms, a team store, and the FSU visitor center. Because of the stadium’s multi-use setup, there are numerous entrances into the Doak Campbell Stadium, and not all the entrances lead to the stands. For instance, the College of Communication’s advising office is located at Gate D as classrooms, and the College of Social Work is located at the Gate C entrance. Gates open 2 hours prior to kickoff and there are 8 entrances, Gates A through H, and with there being enough entrances around the stadium, congestion never really occurs. Doak Campbell Stadium is beginning to show its age – the concourses are old and dark, and the whole stadium is just one big concrete structure so it is starting to show cracks. But its gritty appearance only adds to the experience. The stadium is set up in a north-south configuration, with the home sideline located on the west and the visiting team set up on the east. The only upper deck is located in the Champions Club on the south end zone. The rest of the stadium is shaped like a bowl, with a lower and upper concourse located on both sides. There are 86 rows on each side of the grandstands and all the seats are basic bleacher seating; you can start at row 1 and walk all the way up the 86 steps to get to the top of the stadium to get gorgeous views of downtown Tallahassee. In addition, the 57×120-foot, 7200-square-foot scoreboard was installed in the north end zone in 2016 ranks is one of the top ten largest scoreboards in all of college football. All colleges have their own traditions, but perhaps the most amazing tradition in all of college football happens at Doak Campbell Stadium when Chief Osceola and his horse Renegade charge the field. The chief then throws a flaming spear at midfield to begin the game. This is truly a site to see for all college football fans. The idea originated in 1962 but didn’t come to fruition until after Bobby Bowden arrived in the mid-1970s. Osceola wears traditional Native American clothing that was designed by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Renegade is a rare breed of white Appaloosa horse that is supplied by the originator of the idea’s son; he personally selects and trains the horse and the rider. There is a strict and detailed selection process, and students who are selected receive a scholarship to portray Chief Osceola. As of 2014 there has only been 16 students who have played Chief Osceola. Another tradition at FSU is the birthplace of the tomahawk chop. Even though the famous chant has branched out to other teams such as the Atlanta Braves and the Kansas City Chiefs , FSU can lay claim to starting the chant in the mid-80s. The chant was invented by then student Wallace Odom and was then picked up by the famous FSU Marching Chiefs band. The tomahawk chop caught on and has become synonymous with the university; you cannot leave Doak Campbell Stadium without getting the chant stuck in your head. Neighborhood 4 Tallahassee is the capital city of Florida with a little under 200,000 people. But even though Tallahassee is the capital and a fairly large city, it still retains that college town feel. The sprawling FSU campus spans about 1,400 acres throughout downtown, with the capitol and government buildings all located about a mile or so east of the stadium, so there is not much separation between the two. Because of the closeness of the university you’ll catch a distinct class of different people mingling together under one roof; the government/business professionals and the college-aged kids. There are several different areas of downtown Tallahassee, the most popular one being the College Town neighborhood, located just across the street from campus. College Town is a mixed used development project opened in 2012, and is home to a multitude of different bars, restaurants and residential properties. Perhaps the biggest and most prominent structure has to be the Madison Social; the two-story bar is probably the most packed after game day. For late night go upstairs to the Recess Club, which has a South Beach-themed rooftop pool with sweeping views of Doak Campbell Stadium. Other restaurants and bars in College Town include Thin Lizzie’s Cantina, Township, Coosh’s Bayou Rouge, Magda’s, Vale Foods, Brooklyn Bagels, Centrale Italian, Brick House Pizza, and Harry’s Seafood. Craft beer has become really popular in Tallahassee over the past few years, and there are currently five breweries operating in Tallahassee, with GrassLands and Proof Brewing being the main two. Located just south of campus is Railroad Square, which is the Art District of Tallahassee. This is kind of the hipster area and a collection of brightly painted studios, art galleries, restaurants, and other unique shops. For other shopping there are two malls in the area, Governor’s Square Mall and Tallahassee Mall, both located on the north side of the city. An unusual, but interesting, attraction on campus would be the FSU Flying High Circus. The circus, located across the street from the stadium, originally started in 1947, and FSU is one of two colleges in the country to have an affiliated circus. All the members of the circus are required to be students, and they perform several times a year. Also, while in the downtown area I definitely recommend checking out the Florida State Capitol; this 320-foot building is one of the tallest state capitols in the U.S., and has an observation deck on the top floor with sweeping view of the FSU campus. Another attraction I recommend checking out is the Tallahassee Automobile Museum – this museum has over 1,000 different cars on display, such as an impressive collection of Batmobiles and Abraham Lincoln’s hearse. There are not a whole lot of hotels in the downtown area, with the majority of hotels located around the interstate. The prices can more than triple on game weekends though, so my suggestion if you don’t mind driving would be to drive the 45 minutes west and stay in Marianna. There are plenty of hotels here to stay at and prices are more affordable. This area is also known for its many underground springs, so if you stay in Marianna make sure you check out Florida Caverns State Park; the caverns are impressive and some of the country’s most famous underground caverns. The caverns are part of Blue Hole Springs, and you can swim in crystal clear 80 degree year round waters. Fans 4 The score for this section would be a lot lower if it wasn’t for all the traditions and the fact that this school was a college football powerhouse at one time. However, this 2019 season the fan support could be better. The ‘Noles are averaging about 55,000 fans this year, a far cry from where it was 20 years ago. At the most recent game I attended, the west side stands were pretty full while the east side was virtually empty. The only exception to the low turnout happens to be the Champions Club in the south end zone. This area is where most of the boosters and the higher-up FSU fans sit, so the fans in this section are diehards who show up regardless. I’ve heard the atmosphere and turnout is much better for a night game, although this season the Seminoles have only had one night game. Even though the Seminoles football program is in a decline (Willie Taggart was recently fired), the student and alumni support outside the stadium is still rowdier than ever. All throughout campus is lined with tents, so it is a party atmosphere no matter where you go. Even though the fan turnout for games is not what it once was, there still remains a loyal fan base that stretches across the entire northern part of Florida from Jacksonville to the panhandle. With so many colleges to compete with in the area, it’s safe to say that this part of Florida is definitely ‘Noles country. Access 4 Because of a major university being located in a downtown setting, I figured traffic would be a nightmare. However, I was pleasantly surprised that this wasn’t the case. If coming from out of town you may have a little bit of traffic congestion getting onto any of the main roads off I-10; Monroe Street and Capital Circle are the two main roads into the university and they are pretty busy on a non-game day, much less on a game day. The stadium itself is located about a mile west of downtown, and about 5 miles south of the interstate, so expect considerable delays if you are coming from far away. The best advice to avoid traffic would be, if coming from the west take the Highway 90 exit, which exits a couple of miles west of Tallahassee, but you approach the campus from back roads which would be a quicker drive than taking the main highway into town. Highway 90 runs into Tennessee Street, which runs parallel to campus; if coming from the east you can take this exit as well, as it runs just a couple miles east of Tallahassee. Once on campus there are multiple parking lots and people charging to park in their driveways. The parking lot prices range from $10 to $20 depending on how close you park to the stadium. There are some houses charging $40 to $60 to park in their driveway, so avoid doing these unless you absolutely have to. There are enough lots around campus to park, so I recommend using the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center parking lot, as it is a fairly large lot and only charges $10. Once in the stadium the concourses are pretty wide, and with the numerous concessions stands congestion is no issues at all. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices range anywhere from $15 for the corner of the stadium to $175 for first row seats on the sidelines. However, $25 to $40 is about the average price per ticket. The prices fluctuate when teams like Clemson or Miami come to town, but for the most part tickets are cheaper than they were when FSU was consistently winning. You can even find cheaper tickets on the secondary market or from a scalper. Concessions and parking prices are about average, so I consider this a good return on investment; you get to see one of the premiere college football experiences in the country for a reasonable price. Extras 4 Take a moment before the game to walk around Doak Campbell Stadium and view the different statues located around the stadium. There are three statues located outside – the Sportsmanship statue is a 15-foot tall statue of a football player helping a fellow rival teammate off the field; the Sportsmanship statue was unveiled in 2002 and is located in the south end zone. There’s also a 9-foot tall Bobby Bowden statue that was unveiled in 2004, which is located outside the north end zone. But perhaps the main statue happens to be the statue titled Unconquered; it’s a 19-foot tall statue of Chief Osceola riding his famous horse Renegade, depicting him about to spike the spear onto the field. On the Friday before game day, the university lights the end of the spear, and the flame does not get extinguished until the Sunday morning after the game. The statue was unveiled in 2003 and makes for a great photo op, and has become one of the most photographed spots on campus. Furthermore, underneath the Bobby Bowden statue are bricks lined with the names of all the greatest athletes to play at FSU in all sports. For football names like Bobby Bowden, Deion Sanders, Jimbo Fisher, Jameis Winston, Charlie Ward, Chris Weinke, Peter Warrick, Ron Simmons, Terrell Buckley, and even Burt Reynolds are forever enshrined in the bricks outside the stadium. Another extra point for the Dunlap Champions Club in the south end zone. I encourage any diehard FSU fan who has never watched a game from up there to do so at least once in their lifetime. Even though tickets are fairly expensive you cannot find a better atmosphere in all of college football. Even though the fan support may be kind of dead in the seating bowl, the Champions Club is always rockin’. You can tell the university really put a lot of effort into making this area special; multiple bars, restaurants, and booth style tables with televisions at every table; the whole area just screams top notch. I recommend getting to the stadium early and just walking around the campus. The FSU campus is absolutely beautiful, and many of the buildings are brick with Spanish Colonial Architecture, so they all blend together quite nicely. Doak Campbell Stadium fits in perfectly with the surrounding buildings. Many of the buildings are rumored to be haunted as well. The Westcott Building is probably the most beautiful and famous building on campus – the early 1900s structure has two castle shaped towers rising from the middle of the building, and has many palm trees and a gorgeous fountain. Final Thoughts Even though the FSU program hasn’t had much success in recent years, a long history of winning seasons and traditions still make seeing a game at The Doak something special. The pageantry and magic of what made this place so great is still here. Everything from the statues outside the stadium, the tomahawk chant, to Chief Osceola spiking the spear at midfield, makes watching a game at Doak Campbell Stadium truly a remarkable experience, one that all college football fans should experience.

Photos by Rick Gillespie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Eccles Coliseum 99 S 1100 West Cedar City, UT 84720 Southern Utah Thunderbirds website Eccles Coliseum website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 8,500 Mountains, Thunder, and Football At an elevation of 5,600 feet and nestled in the heart of Utah’s Color Country, you would be hard-pressed to find a football stadium with a more picturesque setting than Eccles Coliseum on the campus of Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. The facility has been home to Thunderbird football since 1967. The 8,500 seat stadium was renovated in 1997 and has since undergone several upgrades, the most recent coming in 2012 when the grass field was replaced with Hellas Matrix turf. Located on the extreme western edge of the campus and adjacent to Interstate 15, the Grecian-themed stadium is also home to SUU’s track & field teams and includes the Harris Center, the practice facility for the school’s nationally ranked gymnastics team. The stadium is also used for many community events, the largest of which is the opening ceremonies for the Utah Summer Games. It also plays host to the Special Olympics and many high school track & field meets. The Olympic Torch passed through the stadium on its way to Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics. A large memorial to the event sits at the south end of the stadium. 2002 Winter Olympics Memorial, Photo by Rick Gillespie, Stadium Journey The Thunderbirds have enjoyed relative success over the years, but have been much more successful since head coach Ed Lamb joined the program in 2008. They won the Great West Conference championship in 2010 and have done well against conference teams since joining the Big Sky Conference in 2012. They earned their first FCS playoff berth in 2013, losing in the first round. If you want to see the Thunderbirds win at home your odds are decent as SUU has gone 18-11 on its home field since 2008 (through 2013). With a student body of around 7,000 and situated in a city of 25,000 people, the size of the stadium is proportionate to its audience. It’s a good place to catch some good college football action and what it lacks in size and variety, it makes up for in affordability. Food & Beverage 3 The offerings at the concessions stands are average. They offer the standard fare you would expect – hot dogs, hamburgers, etc., but also offer things like Polish sausages, pulled pork sandwiches, and barbequed chicken legs. Everything is priced between $3.75-$4.75. They also have popcorn and nachos for about $3. They serve Coke products from the fountain and have bottled water and hot chocolate available (this came in handy as the game I attended took place during a snow storm). They offer a drink called “Thor’s Nectar,” named after the team’s mascot Thor, which is essentially a mixture of sprite and fruit punch. As this is a highly conservative area, there is no alcohol allowed or served in the stadium. Attendees may not bring outside food or drink into the venue. There is a concession stand just inside the northwest entrance that is built in as part of the stadium. There are also concession booths near the two southern entrances that are each basically a pair of 10′ x 10′ portable canopies. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere is one of the best I’ve been to for several reasons. At the beginning of the football season the weather in most places is unbearably hot, but with late summer temperatures in the mid 80’s the first half of the season in Cedar City is optimal outdoor weather. Add the scenic red mountains that sit to the east and the view of the historic and beautiful campus in the foreground, and finding a nicer place to watch a game is hard to do. Late-season games can be subject to inclement weather as snow typically begins to fall between the end of October and the middle of November. There are no covered seats within the general admission area. The two south entrances are wheelchair accessible while the west and north entrances require the climbing of stairs. Handicapped seating is available around the main concourse of the stadium as well as in section E (the furthest north section on the west side of the field.) The home side of the field is divided into two sections. The top half has chair back seating while the bottom half consists of metal bleachers. The south end of the home side has cement bleachers that extend beyond the end of the grandstands to the south end zone. The student section is located in the middle section of the lower bleachers and is usually the most crowded part of the stadium. The visitors side is made up of eight rows of bleachers with handicapped seating at the top which is accessible from the main concourse. Because of the smaller size of the venue, fans can get a good view of the field from any seat. A large scoreboard behind the north end zone provides game coverage as well as replays so you can see the action no matter where you are. There are suites available but the prices and availability are not listed on the SUU website or at the ticket window. There is usually a pep band at each game except during bad weather. They assume the usual responsibilities but do not perform a halftime show. That privilege falls upon the SUU Waukeenyans, a troop of dancing girls who perform various routines. Halftime activities include eating contests and fan spotlights where the PR staff single out a pair of fans and put them on the scoreboard before giving them a prize. There are also cheerleaders at each game performing stunts and shooting T-shirts into the crowd. When I attended in late November the cold weather seemed to hamper their ability to get the crowd going. The Thunderbirds’ mascot Thor is also present but doesn’t do much and is rarely visible. The public address announcer is upbeat and does a good job of helping to give the crowd something to cheer about. Neighborhood 3 The stadium sits two block from the area of town known as “Hamburger Alley,” a busy street with many fast food chain restaurants. There is an IHOP and a Denny’s within walking distance, but if you want to eat at a nice restaurant you’re going to have to drive. A couple of miles to the south is the Providence Center where many chain eateries (Applebee’s, Chili’s, etc.) draw large crowds on weekends. About a mile to the east is historic Main Street which boasts several more dining options, many of which are unique to Cedar City. Should you choose to walk, the neighborhoods are clean and safe and will show you the small-town charm that exists here. When you’re not at the game there’s plenty to see and do in Cedar City and the surrounding areas. This is a huge performing arts community that has several theatres and festivals including the Utah Shakespeare Festival and the Neil Simon Festival. If you enjoy Shakespeare or other types of plays, you won’t have a problem finding something to do after the game. If the bar is more your style, sadly your options are limited. Most of the chain restaurants have bars in them but there are only two “bars” in Cedar City. Mike’s Tavern is a small bar not far from campus. It’s pretty low-key and not too crowded so it’s easy to stop in for a drink or grab a burger. If you’re looking for more of a party, Toadz is just a few blocks away. It’s a popular weekend hot spot that features a sports bar and a restaurant offering everything from burgers to chicken to fish tacos. Fans 4 The fans here are loyal, but not overbearing so visitors will always feel welcome. They are fairly knowledgeable of the rules of the game and will not hesitate to call out the refs if they disagree. As long as the team is doing well they stay pretty animated. Thunderbird Fans, Photo by Rick Gillespie, Stadium Journey Access 5 The stadium is easily accessible from Interstate 15 and is about two miles from the Cedar City Airport. There are parking lots on the east, west, and south sides of the venue and parking is free. The east and south lots enter onto the visitors side of the field. Restrooms are handicap accessible and are located near the southwest entrance and are kept nice and clean. There is no security check at the gate, but there are law enforcement personnel both on the field and throughout the concourse so attendees should feel safe. The games are broadcast on SUU’s radio station KSUU 91.1 FM. If you have online capabilities you can keep track of live game statistics at www.suu.statbroadcast.com . Return on Investment 4 Tickets range from $7 – $18 which makes going to a game pretty affordable. To be honest, the $7 seats have just as good a view of the field as the $18 seats and are much closer to the action. The only difference is the $18 seats have backs and armrests. Groups of 15 or more can get a group discount. Overall I would say the price of admission and food is worth the experience, but I would have a hard time paying much more. Extras 4 Gameday programs are available. Being a member of the local media I got mine for free, but with the quality of the publication and value added with discount coupons to local businesses I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one. Booths near the two south entrances also sell SUU apparel. The prices are what you would expect from a college retailer. Locals may want to consider signing their children up in the Thunderbird Kids Club. The cost is $15 for the first child and $10 for each additional child. This will allow them to attend all home games for half price. I’ll add something here that may pertain to the neighborhood but encompasses a larger area. Cedar City is located within a few hours of five national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands and Great Basin. If you’ve got a day or two to spend in the area these parks are a great way to spend your time. For just $25 you can get into all the parks for up to seven days and enjoy the natural beauty for which Utah is famous.

Photos Courtesy of Canisius College Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Demske Sports Complex Delavan Ave Buffalo, NY 14208 Canisius Golden Griffins website Demske Sports Complex website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 1,200 Demske’s Diamond is Different Canisius College is a Jesuit University located in Buffalo, NY. It was founded in 1870 to serve the largest Jesuit Catholic European immigrants who settled in the greater Buffalo region. Today it has a student body of greater than 4,000 students who attend one of three schools; Arts and Sciences, Business or Education and Human Services. The Canisius athletic teams compete as the Golden Griffins and are part of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. A Golden Griffin is a mythical creature that is a hybrid of the head, forelegs, and wings of an eagle, combined with the hindquarters, tails, and ears of a lion. It was chosen by the school to represent speed and the ability to soar like an eagle while having the strength and courage of a lion. In 2013 the Golden Griffin was named the winner of best Catholic School Mascot in the Country by BustedHalo.com, a Catholic web magazine written by and for young adults. (Notre Dame’s leprechaun could not be reached for the comment). The Golden Griffins baseball team has an overall record of two hundred-plus games under .500, but in recent years has turned the program around, with a winning percentage over .600, a MAAC tournament championship, and an NCAA Tournament appearance. The baseball team’s home, Demske Sports Complex, shares many of the hybrid qualities of the school’s mascot. It is truly one of the more unique athletic facilities you will visit, especially at the college level. Due to the urban setting and a lack of space to expand, along with the harsh weather Buffalo experiences, Canisius has a single 14-acre, artificial turf multi-purpose facility to service its baseball, soccer, lacrosse, and softball programs. The field is made of A-Turf, which is designed to increase shock absorption, decrease injuries and stand up to heavy use by multiple sports. Because of its versatility, Demske has hosted MAAC championship tournaments for soccer, softball, and lacrosse on the same field in the past few years. The complex has permanent grandstand seating for 1,000 and portable bleachers to hold an additional 200 spectators. The baseball portion of the complex is in one quadrant of the complex, and it has an all-artificial surface except for the home plate area, the areas immediately around the bases, and the pitcher’s mound. This minimizes the, of, except, number ground-keeping required on the field, as the turf drains quickly and any snow can be removed with a brushing machine. The main work required to prepare the field for a game is the installation of a temporary fence in the right field to enclose the actual in-play area. The backstop and dugouts and scoreboard are permanently installed along the outer borders f the sports complex. Food & Beverage 4 A very well-stocked concession stand is located in the plaza directly behind home plate. Its food offerings include hot dogs, hot pretzels well-stocked, and nachos (all $2); popcorn, chips, hot drinks, and candy (all $1) and an assortment of drinks priced at $2. The stand is well-staffed and there is usually no line. Atmosphere 4 A Canisius baseball game is a community event, as the turnout draws from the surrounding neighborhoods, teachers, students and alumni. Because of its close proximity to the Buffalo Business District and the rail station across the street, it is not unusual to see a large number of alums in attendance at the games. The design of the field is filled with bright graphics in the yellow and blue colors of the school, adding to the festive mood. The athletic department also is very fan oriented, as they have an onsite merchandise store in addition to a well stocked concession stand, all located where you will not miss any game action. Neighborhood 3 The setting for the main campus is a mixed bag of business and residential neighborhoods within the downtown Buffalo Business District. The campus is several blocks long fronting Main Street, with the Demske Sports facility at the south end of campus. Across Main Street from the campus is the very famous Forest Hills Cemetery, the last resting place for many of Buffalo’s leading citizens. One of Buffalo’s most famous restaurants/bars, the Anchor Bar, the originator of Buffalo Hot Wings is just a few blocks south of the campus on Main Street. The Buffalo Metro Rail System has two stations on campus, allowing easy access to many of Buffalo’s best attractions. Fans 4 The Golden Griffins have a boisterous fan following that fills up the bleachers, the plaza behind home plate, and other nooks and crannies around the uniquely designed Demske Sports Complex. They proudly wear the blue and yellow colors of the school and are not afraid to make their opinions of the umpires’ calls known. The positioning of the baseball infield in one corner of the field layout truly brings the fans as close to the action as possible, so there is not a bad seat in the house. Two sets of bleacher seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Other seating options include picnic tables, as well as park benches directly behind the backstop. Access 4 Due to its urban location, Canisius and the Demske complex rate high for accessibility. It is serviced by the Delevan/Canisius station on the Buffalo Metro Rail System and by bus service provided by Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. All Canisius students receive an all-zone Metro Pass, which allows them to access hospitals, restaurants, sporting events, and all the nightlife Buffalo has to offer. Free parking is available for cars in a lot immediately adjacent to the field. As a result, many students do not bring their cars to school, which greatly reduces traffic and parking issues on campus. For those coming in from out of town for a game, the Buffalo International Airport is less than 10 miles away. Return on Investment 4 There is no admission charge or parking fee for attending a Canisius baseball game, which is a real rarity in an urban setting. Throw in a well-run concession stand with reasonable prices, immediate access to the public transit rail system, and a team that has been very successful in recent years, and you get an excellent return on your investment. Extras 3 Canisius deserves one point simply for the innovative design of its sports complex. Additional extras include its proximity to the Buffalo theatre district, as well as some of the best restaurants in town, all made very accessible by light rail. Final Thoughts Demske Sports Complex is one of the most “interesting” multi-purpose facilities and is worth a visit when in Buffalo.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Mercyhurst Ice Center Mercy Dr Erie, PA 16504 Mercyhurst Lakers men’s hockey website Mercyhurst Ice Center website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 1,500 Lake Effect There is something pure and simple about hockey that brings out a little something extra. At Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania that little something is present. Mercyhurst is one of a handful of NCAA schools that play Division II sports and step up to Division I for ice hockey. Established in 1926 as Mercyhurst College, the university remains quaint and cozy to this day with an enrollment of only around 4,400 students. The Lakers began their hockey lives in 1987. They play several varsity sports but hockey is the only Division I sport and they have not been out of place with the big boys. In 1999 the Lakers joined Atlantic Hockey, a conference with similar-sized institutions. The Lakers have made three NCAA tournament appearances, each following their Atlantic Hockey Conference Tournament victories in 2001, 2003, and 2005. When they began playing hockey, they were known as “The Boys on the Bus” as they were forced to play at various rinks around Erie. Mercyhurst University built the Mercyhurst Ice Center as a permanent home for the Lakers in 1991 ending their local similar-sized. Erie remains to road trips hockey rinks to this day. A trip to Mercyhurst Ice Center will not blow fans away with luxury and amenities. It is a small, 1,500-seat simple rink that serves its purpose and fits the size of the school. The Ice Center does provide a great locale for hockey and the Lakers have carved out a niche for themselves in the community, which is not devoid of sporting options. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand in the Mercyhurst Ice Center and it offers concessions that are better than you would expect. The selection will not blow you away, but there are more items than you would expect and all are under the price of $5 per item. There are not too many other places you could find such a deal. Pretzels, nachos, popcorn ($2), chocolate bars, chips, hot dogs ($2.50), and fries are all available. Mozzarella stix can also be found. It seems that the mantra at the concession is that everything can be made better with chili as chili can be added to nachos, fries, and hot dogs. There are no alcohol sales at the Ice Center. Soda is available in the fountain ($1.75/$2.25) or bottle form ($2). Pepsi products are featured here also. Other soft drinks that are available include bottled water, Gatorade, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, latte, and a variety of cappuccinos. Considering the size of the venue, concessions are a pleasant surprise and offer enough to keep most satisfied at an outstanding price. Atmosphere 3 The Mercyhurst Ice Center is a decent place to catch some college hockey, however, it is not overly luxurious and there are very few bells or whistles. The exterior of the Ice Center is pretty non-descript with brown brick. It has a very unintimidating feel from the outside due to its small size and capacity. Fans enter the arena from the north side into a small lobby. If waiting is necessary, checking out the trophy case and some of the wall plaques in the lobby is a great way to pass the time. The ticketing desk is in the lobby also. Upon entering the arena itself, fans will immediately notice the barn-like design with a triangular, vaulted ceiling. The arena is small, and past the ice surface, there is not a ton of room anywhere. The ice surface runs in an east-west orientation with all of the seating on the south side of the ice. The east side of the arena offers a few banners worth checking out including a banner honoring Scott Burfoot, Andrew Moir, Rob Madia, Justin Proud, Kevin McKinnon, and John Evangelista as All-Americans. Besides, that is the retired number seventeen of Scott Burfoot. Burfoot holds nearly all Mercyhurst scoring records. Finally of note is a curious picture of a Washington Capitals player with little explanation. That player is Jameson Hunt, former Mercyhurst Laker, who in 2006 played one game for the NHL’s Washington Capitals. He is the only Laker to play in the NHL. The seating area is a simple ten rows of aluminum benches on the south side of the arena. This is not the most comfortable situation, but not the worst in College Hockey. The west end of the arena also features four rows of plastic seats for those who require more comfort. The scoreboard is simple and hangs above center ice and the I-beams that keep the structure standing are painted in Laker blue and green. The ticketing at Mercyhurst is all general admission so fans can pick their seat. The gameday production is fairly simple. The Mercyhurst band sits at the southeast corner of the arena and offers a different dynamic that is not found in professional or junior hockey. The band is good, but at times the band leaders and production crew need to get on the same page as PA music and band music were competing. Neighborhood 2 Mercyhurst University is located south of downtown and is pretty much surrounded by residential areas. There are not many places to go that are within walking distance of the arena. The closest options for pre or postgame meals include the Cornerstone Bar & Grill and Teresa’s Italian Deli. Otherwise, fans should consider heading toward I-90 or downtown, where there are many more options. Quaker Steak & Lube may be an option that fans should consider at I-90 and Highway 19. For fans looking for other things to occupy their time in Erie, a trip to the Millcreek Mall or Erie Playhouse may be an option worth considering. As far as other sporting options go, The OHL’s Erie Otters and NBA G-League’s Erie BayHawks play out of the Erie Insurance Arena. Also, the Double-A Erie Seawolves play next door to the Erie Insurance Arena at UPMC Park. Fans 4 The fans at a Lakers game add to the atmosphere at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. The University planned its hockey facility wisely and has been rewarded with a solid fanbase. Although Mercyhurst draws one of the smallest average capacities in all of NCAA hockey, fans can not take this as a sign of a poor program. The Lakers draw close to 1,500 fans per game consistently and although the raw number for the Lakers is low, Mercyhurst boasts one of the highest percentage capacities in all of NCAA hockey. The Lakers get strong support for hockey from the students who come out to show their Laker Pride. Other community members are also on hand and a nice balance is achieved at Mercyhurst. Fans in attendance are intelligent and supportive. They are loud when the time is right, but are not over the top like many other NCAA hockey fan bases. At the game which was reviewed, one fan attempted to lead the crowd in some of the traditional college hockey chants after Laker's goals but had little success mustering up much support from his fellow students. Access 3 Mercyhurst Ice Center is located fairly centrally in Erie. Located right on campus, the Ice Center is a fair distance north of I-90 and pretty much in between Highways 8 and 12 and south of Highway 20. Fans will have to drive through Erie a bit to get to the Ice Center, but traffic is not a large concern and the drive is fairly smooth. There is some parking available at the Ice Center to the east of Mercy Drive and north of the other athletic facilities. Parking is free and can fill up quickly as the lot is small. Fans can continue on Baldwin Drive to find more parking. For fans who wish to take public transit to Mercyhurst, several bus routes travel along 38th Street, which is north of Mercyhurst and there is a route that will also get fans to the south side of campus. Check out the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority website for maps, fares, and schedules. The only gate which fans may enter is at the north side of the arena. A temporary table is set up in the lobby for ticketing. As of this writing, Mercyhurst does not sell tickets online and when purchasing at the door, fans will not receive a physical ticket. Cash is also the best idea at this venue. Getting around the Mercyhurst Ice Center is not too difficult. Although the arena is small, the capacity matches the arena, and moving around isn’t too difficult. Fans will walk between the boards and the first row of seats to go to the concessions. Consider this when choosing a seat. The washrooms are small, but not a huge issue at the arena. Return on Investment 5 There is tremendous value in a Mercyhurst Lakers hockey game. The investment fans must make in Mercyhurst hockey is very low. Adult tickets are $10 each and children younger than 12 are free. Combine that with free parking and concession prices that are excellent and there is great value in a Lakers game. The return is also decent as the Lakers put a good product on the ice and the Mercyhurst band positively adds to the atmosphere. Extras 2 An extra mark for the acoustics in the Mercyhurst Ice Center. One of the great things about this arena is that the sounds of hockey are excellent. Everything sounds crystal clear, whether it is the cutting of the ice with the skates, the crack of the stick on a slapshot, or a thunderous hit against the boards. The venue may be simple, but the sounds of hockey which are often lost in bigger venues, are fantastic here. An extra mark for a Division II school moving up to play Division I ice hockey. Final Thoughts It is impressive to see how the Mercyhurst Lakers have carved themselves a nice little niche in the not-so-empty sports landscape in Erie, Pennsylvania. Lakers hockey offers terrific value in a simple hockey venue that is not without its charm. The Lake Effect will have fans satisfied that they have spent their money well and enjoyed their trip to the Mercyhurst Ice Center. ------- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and Instagram .

Photos Courtesy of Mosharrof Hossain, Bob Shallenberger, & Paul Chancey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Itchy Jones Stadium Saluki Dr. Carbondale, IL 62901 Southern Illinois Salukis website Itchy Jones Stadium website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 2,000 Scratch Your Baseball Itch After competing at Abe Martin Field since 1964, the Southern Illinois University Salukis baseball team moved into the brand new Richard ‘Itchy’ Jones Stadium in 2014. Built on the site of Abe Martin Field, Itchy Jones Stadium is named after SIU’s all-time winningest baseball coach. Jones took the Salukis to 10 NCAA Tournaments and three College World Series in his 21 years in charge. Jones also was an integral part of the campaign for the stadium renovation. The playing surface continues to be named after Martin, who spent 33 years in Carbondale, including 19 years as head baseball coach. As part of the new facility, the clubhouse was named after the late Dan Callahan, SIU’s second-winningest coach with 442 triumphs over 16 seasons. The seating area consists of five rows of maroon chair back seats directly behind home plate and three to five rows of bleachers with backs to the end of the dugouts. The concourse down the lines features several picnic tables. The Salukis play in the Missouri Valley Conference and have a rich history. Affectionately known as The Dawgs, SIU has won eight MVC titles, made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, and has reached the College World Series on five occasions. SIU has sent over two dozen players to the majors, including familiar names like Dave Stieb, Steve Finley, and Jerry Hairston. Food & Beverage 4 Before the new stadium was built, Saluki baseball fans did not have access to a concession stand. Now, the fans have several, affordable options at the one stand on the concourse. Hot dogs, brats, and corn dogs. Chili dogs, chili nachos, brisket, and pulled chicken sandwiches all sell for reasonable prices. Snacks like popcorn, cookies, candy, peanuts, and chips. One of the largest (and tastiest) stadium pretzels I have ever found is $4. As is the case in many college facilities, alcohol is not available. Soft drinks are $3 for a regular and $4 for a sturdy, souvenir cup that features SIU logos throughout the decades. Bottles of water and Gatorade are $3. One of the more popular items, especially among the younger fans, is Dippin’ Dots. A small dish of the frozen treat is $4 and a large one is $7 (the most expensive item on the menu). Atmosphere 4 Dating back to the program’s success in the 1970s, Saluki baseball games have been a major part of spring in southern Illinois. Abe Martin Field was a bare-bones facility and the patrons always had fun. Even though the program has not seen much on-field success lately, the fans are still having fun at their shiny new facility. Along with brand new light towers, allowing the program to host night games for the first time in school history, Itchy Jones Stadium features a well-working speaker system. The PA announcements and music between innings might bother those with sensitive ears. The chair back seats and bleachers provide an up-close view of the game. If you would rather stretch out, the concourse offers perfect views for anybody who wants to sit at the picnic tables or stand. Outside the gates to the concourse, down the first base line, is “The Hill.” Fans can bring their chairs and set up shop on the grassy knoll. Some fans bring coolers, bean bag toss, and volleyballs and watch the game from this unique location. The playing surface features two different types of artificial grass. The pitcher's mound is a traditional dirt surface, while the baselines and warning track are also artificial. The outfield fence features 8 advertisements and a marker that says “CAL.” This marker, like the clubhouse, honors former coach Callahan. Neighborhood 3 Itchy Jones Stadium is located near the other Southern Illinois athletic facilities, including SIU Arena and Saluki Stadium. If you aren’t a student living on campus, chances are you will be driving to the game. Nothing in Carbondale is that far apart, so you will only be a few minutes away from the dining and drinking options of the close-to-campus “Strip,” or the chain restaurants and stores on the eastern edge of town along Route 13. I had hoped to stop in at Italian Village Pizza and Pasta, a place I remembered from the last time I was in Carbondale many years ago. On the corner of Elm and Washington, Italian Village has been open for over 50 years. Unfortunately, their location and a few other places I drove past had lines out the door due to graduation. Just down the road in Marion, before I got on Interstate 57, I stopped in at 17th Street BBQ. The restaurant has been featured on the Food Network and Travel Channel and is very close to Marion Ballpark, home of the Thrillville Thrillbillies of the Prospect League. 17th Street BBQ’s menu features plenty of appetizers, sandwiches, and platters. The pulled pork sandwich is big and filling and hush puppies are a welcome sight as a side item. The bar features several local selections from Big Muddy Brewing out of Murphysboro, Illinois. Fans 3 While SIU baseball is not bringing out fans in numbers reminiscent of four decades ago, the crowd is still knowledgeable and supportive of the home team. The antics and size of “The Hillside Gang” are legendary in southern Illinois. It’s estimated that 2,000-3,000 students would take over the grassy hillside and give a lot of grief to the opposing teams. The size of the gang on The Hill has decreased, but they continue to make themselves heard by umpires and the visiting dugout. Access 4 There is plenty of parking available in the SIU athletic complex. I attended a game while graduation ceremonies were being held at SIU Arena. Since the facilities share parking, I was a little concerned I might have a hike to the diamond. That was not the case as there is more than enough parking for a big turnout. The stadium features handicapped parking adjacent to the left-field line. Men’s and women’s restrooms flank the concession stand. The facilities are new, clean, and spacious enough that no one has to wait. Return on Investment 4 Admission is $5 and while it’s hard to charge to get in while other state programs have free admission, it is clear that your entrance fee is helping to fund this beautiful new facility. Parking is free and concession prices are comparable to those of other stadiums, especially when you consider the wide variety of options available. Extras 3 Southern Illinois went all out to honor the history of its program by naming the stadium, field, and clubhouse after former coaches. The Salukis even named the press box after their longtime broadcaster Mike Reis. The new press box features a plaque describing what Reis has meant to the program. Other plaques on the walls of the press box and concession stand include ones honoring 1st team All-Americans, players in the pros, MVC championship teams, and NCAA Tournament teams. Another nice touch is a plaque honoring stadium donors. Final Thoughts Itchy Jones Stadium is a glowing tribute to the history of the Southern Illinois University baseball program and a tool to help them possibly reach that level of success again. This venue is a nice reflection on a part of the state of Illinois that loves the game of baseball.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Alerus Center 1200 42nd St S Grand Forks, ND 58201 North Dakota Football website Alerus Center website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 13,500 Fighting Hawks Fly North The University of North Dakota was founded in 1883. Today it has a student body of 24,000 students and offers more than 250 degree programs. It is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The University of North Dakota has been playing football on the Great Plains since 1894. Over those years, it has won 26 conference championships, played in the NCAA postseason playoffs 18 times, and won the Division II National Championship in 2001. Its highest national ranking at the end of a season in Division I has been #12. In recent years, the team played in the Big Sky Conference, moving to the Missouri Valley Conference in 2018. The two rivalry games for the team are the in-state rivalry with the powerhouse North Dakota State Bison and the in-conference rivalry with South Dakota State University. The University of North Dakota teams were known as the Fighting Sioux through 2012. At that time, the NCAA mandated that the Sioux name be dropped, as they felt it was insulting to the Indian tribe. In 2015 the team adopted the moniker of the Fighting Hawks. The home of the Fighting Hawks is the indoor arena at the Alerus Center. The facility holds 12,283 for football, including 19 suites, 8 concession stands, and 4 merchandise stands. The Center opened in 2001, and recently replaced the artificial turf and upgraded its two 15’ x 30’ Hi-Def video boards. It is located just off the University of North Dakota campus, with excellent access to both US HWY 12 and I-29. Food & Beverage 4 Eight concession stands are serving the food and beverage needs of the crowd. They are positioned equally around the concourse surrounding the field. Four of these stands serve the stadium standards of hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels, candy, and sodas. The other stands feature more specialized menus. La Taqueria serves south-of-the-border fare, including tacos, nachos, and burritos. The 42nd Street grill serves sandwiches and several deli foods. Local favorite Deek’s Pizza offers a variety of pizzas, wings, and their wonderful cinnamon donuts. Pub 42 is known for its delicious prime rib sandwiches, wings, and burgers. All stands operate on a cashless basis. The Alerus Center features Coca-Cola brand sodas. Beer is sold through the end of the third quarter of the game. There is a limit of two beers per person and you must show your ID. Atmosphere 3 University of North Dakota home games are festive occasions in Grand Forks. The party begins hours before the game, as the tailgate lots open five hours before kickoff, and tailgates can get underway more than 2 ½ hours before the game. Fighting Hawks fans are known for their lavish tailgate spreads and welcome visitors to join them. In addition to the food, the Michelob Ultra Tailgate Village is full of entertainment options and activities for the kids. The North Dakota team walk goes through the tailgate area as the players make their way into the Alerus Center. Upon entering the Alerus Center, many fans head to one of the four merchandise stands to get the latest in Fighting Hawks gear. The seating bowl area is a testament to the great history of North Dakota football, as banners above it salute the 26 championship seasons the team has enjoyed. During the pregame ceremonies, the Pride of the North Marching Band plays, and the UND dance and cheer teams fire up the crowd. The seating bowl at the Alerus Center is close to the action, as space is a premium in an indoor facility. The stadium features extremely comfortable seatbacks and aisles that are easy to negotiate. Neighborhood 3 The city of Grand Forks, ND is located 72 miles north of Fargo, ND, and 145 miles south of Winnipeg, MB via I-29. Once in the city, you will find it quite easy to navigate, with plenty of attractions, hotels, and restaurants to choose from. It is the second-largest city in North Dakota. There are two hotels within walking distance of the Alerus Center. The Canad Inn Destination Centre is a resort, complete with an indoor waterpark. It is located adjacent to the arena. The Staybridge Suites Grand Forks is located across South 42nd Street from the Alerus Center. Red Pepper has been a dining favorite in the city for more than 40 years. It offers grinder sandwiches and a wide variety of Mexican dishes. The Granite City Grill offers a wide selection of craft beers. Fans 4 The fan base at Fighting Hawks games is made up of townspeople, alumni, and members of the UND student body. Townspeople see UND home games as the biggest special event and the biggest show in town. Even if they never went to college, they are intense fans of the team in green. The alumni are also incredibly supportive of the program. They typically are the major donors to the program, and typically they serve as officers in the booster club for the athletic programs. The student section at Fighting Hawks games is known as the NoDak Nation. They are easy to identify by their bright green attire and their volume in the indoor environment of the Alerus. The noise level generated inside the facility can be ear-splitting. The students are assisted in creating the higher decibel level by the Pride of the North Marching Band. The Fighting Hawk mascot also does its part to confuse the visiting team. The Alerus Center is a tough place to play for visiting teams. The Fighting Hawks own a record of 104-29 in games played in the Alerus Center. Much of this has to do with the volume of noise from the fans disrupting their communications. Access 3 The Alerus Center is easily accessible from the north and the south on I-29 and the east and the west on US HWY 2. Visitors from outside the area may choose to fly in through Grand Forks International Airport (GFK). Several airlines provide service to Grand Forks through the MSP Airport in the Twin Cities. There are 4,000 parking spaces at the Alerus Center. The parking lot opens two hours before kickoff. The lot offers reserved parking for season ticket holders and is first come/first served after that. The doors to the Alerus Center open one hour before kickoff. There are seven entrances to the venue. Return on Investment 3 Attending a North Dakota Fighting Hawks game will not cause your money to fly away in large amounts. Tickets start at $25 adult/$12 youth for seats in the end sections and run up to $30 adult/$12 Youth for seats in the end sections. Students at the university attend the games free of charge, as it is built into the activity fee. Parking is $15, and the concession prices are quite reasonable. The lodging costs are much less than you would find in a larger city, as Grand Forks simply is not a convention town. Extras 4 Free digital programs for each game are found on the Fighting Hawks app. The Ralph Englestad Arena is a few blocks from the Alerus Center. It is the home of the University of North Dakota ice hockey program and is widely recognized as the finest college hockey arena in the country. The Sioux Tradition Museum is also located at the arena. It is well worth a visit, even if there is not a hockey game scheduled for that day. Guided tours are available. The Alerus Center is the main concert venue in Grand Forks. It has hosted concerts for the Backstreet Boys, Fleetwood Mac, Kenny Chesney, Hank Williams, Jr., Alice Cooper, the Eagles, Luke Bryan, and many more. Over the years, the winner of the two rivalry games on the Fighting Hawks schedule took home some unique trophies. The Buffalo Nickel Trophy goes to the winner of the UND- NDSU game. In the past, the winner of the UND-USD game took home the Sitting Bull Trophy. This trophy presentation was discontinued as it was seen as being insulting to the tribes of the Great Plains. Five additional suites were added at the Alerus Center just before the 2023 season, bringing the total to 19. All the suites at the venue have been renovated during the off-season. Final Thoughts The Fighting Hawks of the University of North Dakota are one breed of bird that does not fly south for the winter. They prefer to nest with their fans in the warmth of the Alerus Center. The facility offers great football on the field, while also servicing the food and beverage needs of the fans. It may be cold and wintry outside, but inside of this building green is the predominant color on the field and in the stands.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 TD Place Stadium 1015 Bank St Ottawa, ON K1S 3W7 Canada Ottawa Redblacks website TD Place Stadium website Year Opened: 1908 Capacity: 24,000 The CFL’s Newest Franchise The Ottawa Redblacks are the third CFL franchise to call the city home – the Ottawa Rough Riders were a founding member of the CFL and played until 1996. A few years later the Ottawa Renegades came into being, but their franchise only lasted a few seasons. The current iteration of CFL football here, the Redblacks, was founded in 2014 and currently plays at TD Place, a facility that has existed in some form since the 1870s. The team has been to the Grey Cup three times, winning it once in 2016. Originally known as Lansdowne Park, the grounds here have hosted the Summer Olympics, FIFA championships, and seven Grey Cups. In 2010 the city approved a revitalization and redevelopment plan, and TD Place now resembles the type of sports venue that is becoming popular across the United States and Canada, with the stadium serving as the anchor point for a shopping, dining, and entertainment district. TD Place has several restaurants nearby, including a sports bar next door, as well as a massive apartment complex behind the west end zone, with views of the football field from its balconies.   Food & Beverage   5 TD Place has all the concessions one would expect from a sports venue, plus some interesting extras, with typical prices compared to other pro sports stadiums. Food selections on offer include fan favorites like hot dogs, Italian sausage, and pizza, but also atypical selections such as a duck meat sandwich, Chicago-style hot dog, and hot dogs with Korean fried chicken added. You can also find ribs, chicken shawarma, meatball subs, and grilled cheese with or without jalapenos; snacks include chips, candy, donuts, popcorn, tater tots, and fries, as well as the ever-present Canadian favorite, poutine. Main dishes start at CAD 7.80 and go up to $14.50 – the duck meat sandwich with fries comes in at $20 and is the most expensive item on the menu. Drink selections include bottled Pepsi products, bottled water, coffee, tea, and hot cocoa, or you can find canned beer and hard lemonade. Drink prices run from CAD 3.45 to $5.65 for non-alcoholic choices, while alcohol options go from $10 (happy hour selections including Michelob Ultra, Goose Island, and SVNS hard lemonade) to $13.55 (Stella Artois).   Atmosphere   5 TD Place has a great atmosphere with a great crowd. There are lots of activities on the concourse such as giant Connect Four, giant Jenga, and cornhole, and there are also plenty of different places for fans to sit or stand while eating their food and drinks before heading down to their seats. There are also TVs on the main level so you don’t have to miss the action while waiting in line, and there are several team gear stands – the main one in the middle of the south side, as well as several smaller ones dotted around. The individual chairback seats are arranged in different colors, mainly red and grey for the Redblacks, of course, which adds a nice aesthetic to the facility, and there is plenty of greenery to be seen from your seat in this riverside setting – there is a bridge on the east side so fans can walk to the venue across Rideau Canal. The Redblack name is taken from lumberjack lore, and this is evidenced in the team’s logo and tunnel, the latter a giant buzzsaw blade – the mascot can also be seen in his red and black flannel shirt, wielding an axe and holding a circle of wood cut from a tree trunk, emblazoned with the Redblacks “R”. Every time the Redblacks score a touchdown, the staff cuts a new circle of wood from a giant tree trunk in celebration. There are also fireworks shot off behind the north side stands just before kickoff, so have your camera ready.   Neighborhood   4 As mentioned above there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance of TD Place, including Craft Beer Market Restaurant & Bar right next door, as well as numerous other options on the north side of the stadium – everything from fast food to sports bars to pizza places. Hotels are a bit further out, but still only around 3 km from the venue, most of them closer to downtown Ottawa and the Ottawa River, which divides Quebec from Ontario. There are a few nice attractions in the area, including several parks, but the most well-known are probably the Olympic Garden, the Canadian Museum of Nature, and Billings Estate. There are also plenty of options for shopping if you plan to be in town for the day or weekend, and Montreal (the nearest big city to Ottawa) is only an hour and a half away.   Fans   3 There is a great crowd at TD Place, which contributes to the raucous atmosphere, but the facility most likely will not sell out – the Redblacks have historically been in the bottom half of the CFL in terms of attendance, averaging under 20K fans per game last season. Given the smaller size of TD Place compared to other CFL venues, however, this works out to the stadium being mostly full at your typical Redblacks game, so the low attendance will likely not be noticeable. Some fans will show up in Redblacks gear, though not a lot. However, they do respond to prompts from the PA announcer and call-outs on the video board, as well as cheering for big plays by their team on the field, so the fans here are definitely into the game, and most stay until the end, even when the home team is way ahead.   Access   3 There are no parking lots to speak of near TD Place, so fans must either park on the other side of Rideau Canal and walk over, or park in one of the garages near the facility, or you can park on one of the city streets if you get there early. Be aware of posted signs when parking, however, as there are strict time limits that may be shorter than the game. Once you get to the stadium, however, moving around is easy. There are several entrances into the venue, and there is plenty of room on the concourse to accommodate the size of the crowd. Fans are free to walk across either the west end or the east end to move between the two grandstands, and there are elevators available for those who need them (at least on the south side – the north side grandstand only has stairs).   Return on Investment   5 Tickets to Ottawa Redblacks games are not expensive, coming in at around 85.00 CAD for two tickets about halfway up on the sideline – there is no actual seating behind the end zones, but you are welcome to stand on the concourse and watch from either end. I consider this cost, which is a reasonable price for a CFL game or even a sporting event in general, to be a great return on investment, given the modern facility, great amenities, and wonderful atmosphere and scenery you will find at TD Place.   Extras   5 The scenery at TD Place is great, and the staff does a wonderful job pulling out all the stops to make a great game day experience. The mascot and other accents tie in well to the team’s name and logo, and having games to play on the concourse is a real plus, especially for those bringing kids to the game. I enjoyed the fireworks before the game, as well as all the tables and standing rails on the concourse, which make it easy to enjoy your food before heading to your seats. The team store also has a huge selection of different items, at a variety of price points, making it easy to afford at least some souvenir of your visit.   Final Thoughts Ottawa is not a large city, but I would recommend a visit here to take in a Redblacks game. There are not many cities where the average fan would go just to see a sporting event, but this is one I think should be on that list.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Charles E. Meyer Gymnasium 375 E. McClain Ave. Scottsburg, IN, 47170 Scottsburg Warriors website Charles E. Meyer Gym website Capacity: 3,677 Opened: 1956 Welcome to The Pressure Cooker They say that little matters in Scottsburg, Indiana, as much as basketball. When the team is winning, the crowd is loud, the band is booming, and the place becomes a pressure cooker. The high school basketball program has been playing its games since 1956 at the Charles E. Meyer Gymnasium. The home of the Warriors and Warriorittes was built for $500,000, featuring 2,909 fixed wooden bleachers and 768 additional roll-away seats. In 1954, a non-profit holding company was formed to fund a new building. It was financed through bonds that were sold to Scott County citizens starting at $5. Work on the gym also featured four dressing rooms, ten classrooms for the junior high, and a “useful lobby” in the front. The dedication game took place in front of a packed house against Paoli on November 20, 1956. The boys’ program would make three Sweet 16 and two Elite Eight appearances in underclass basketball. The girls would make three Final Four appearances, finishing as runner-up in 1986 and culminating in a state championship in 1989. Today, the crowds don’t regularly pack the old place, but the passion is still there; the gym gets loud even with a fraction of the audience. The high school arena would go through a $1 million renovation project that included replacing the heating and cooling system, new lighting, and windows. The lobby was renovated for the 50th anniversary that involved a granite stone project. Fans, alumni, and students purchased small pieces, with personal messages, to help fund the restoration of the main lobby. The gym’s namesake, Charlie Meyer, was the head coach of the Warriors for 13 seasons. He guided the boys to a 178-125 record and four sectional championships. He would be inducted into the Indiana High School Hall of Fame in 1986. Food & Beverage 2 Due to COVID-19 protocols, there are no food or beverages served at the Meyer Gymnasium this year (2021). There has been a mixture of results from around the state this season. A few gyms offer a full range of concession items (White River Valley), a few items (South Adams), and no items (Clay City). Atmosphere 4 The Meyer Gym has a stunning wow factor when walking inside the building. The brick gymnasium is an advertisement for Indiana high school basketball. The hardwood bleachers could tell a thousand stories; the purple and gold banners aging with mites, and the walls could confirm if those stories are accurate. The atmosphere is loud, despite the reduced attendance figures during our visit and the pandemic. The noise level bounces off the low ceilings to create a home-court advantage for the Warriors. The audience is seated on three sides of the court with a modern purple rolled-out bleacher section for the students and the band. The view is ideal from the majority of the seating, but higher up, it could be blocked by the multiple banners hanging from the ceiling. The main lobby has been transformed into a basketball museum for the school. A large mural honoring the school’s basketball history for both boys and girls is proudly displayed for all visitors to see. There is a focus on former players who are now enshrined in the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, along with the granite project with personal messages from citizens and alumni. A section of the lobby is replicated to form the original basketball court. There are also multiple trophy cases featuring accolades and memorabilia, along with the gym’s original center-court S logo and signage hanging up on the walls. Neighborhood 3 Scottsburg has a population of 6,747 residents and is 30 miles north of Louisville on I-65. The town is home to two unique events in August that includes the Leota Country Frolic, a festival to celebrate the town’s heritage with live bluegrass music, a watermelon eating contest, a flea market, in a euchre tournament. There is also the Pig Roast in the Park with live music and a slow-pitch softball tournament. These two events occur outside the basketball season but could be an option to return if you live near Scottsburg. There is a town square that features a courthouse and war memorial. The surrounding buildings offer a few interesting places to eat, including Hardy’s which serves pub food, and Java Station 56 which is a coffee house in a relaxed atmosphere. They offer sandwiches, soups, and pastries. Jenny’s Pizza is known for its stromboli and, at times, offers a buffet. There are also an array of national fast-food restaurants right off the interstate exit for more options. Clifty Falls State Park is 20 miles west of Madison, Indiana, that features nature trails along the waterfalls and campgrounds. The Scott County Heritage Center offers historical artifacts and information on the local area. Goat Milk Stuff is a farm store offering cheese and other products from goats. Fans 4 The small and loyal passion group of fans makes quite the ruckus during the contest. There are quite a few dressed in purple and gold and many were residents who were taking in the early afternoon basketball game at the old gym. Attendance has been a mixed bag this year, and rightfully so, with sparse crowds at many big-time arenas, but that is not the case at the Scottsburg gym–it’s business as usual. Access 3 The building is not located at the high school but a mile east of the main downtown square and courthouse. The address does not show up on GPS, and it is wise to know the address before heading into town. However, I am sure asking for directions–remember that–would be simple. Just in case you miss it, look for the crowded parking lot and school banners from the gym’s exterior. Once inside, the main lobby opens up to wrap around the court and seating bowl. There are multiple entryways around the venue, and there is plenty of parking in the main lot. Restrooms and concession stands are located in the hallways outside the seating area. The bleacher seating is easily accessible by various main aisles. Return on Investment 4 The price of a ticket for a basketball game is $6, and food options are around the same price as other basketball gyms in the state, during non-COVID seasons. There are a few nice, local eateries to visit after the game and a few state parks nearby to enjoy during the warmer months. However, it is the gym itself and the lobby that is the main attraction. Extras 4 The main lobby receives a point for its restoration that includes pieces of the original flooring on the walls, large murals honoring the history of the program, and a small replica of the original court design on the floor. It is very nicely done, and one of the better-looking lobbies in any Indiana gymnasium. The granite project earns a second point and is also in the lobby. When the gym celebrates its 50th anniversary, citizens purchase a piece and inscribe a personal message. They are now displayed for everyone to see inside the building. _____ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel .

Photos by Eric Bynum and Kirsten Richards, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Jamsil Baseball Stadium Jamsil 1-dong, Songpa-gu Seoul, South Korea LG Twins website Jamsil Baseball Stadium website Year Opened: 1982 Capacity: 27,000 LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium Jamsil Baseball Stadium was completed in 1982 and hosted Olympic baseball games (it was only an exhibition sport) when Seoul hosted the games in 1988. It has housed two professional teams since its gates opened in the LG Twins and Doosan Bears . This is one of the greatest rivalries in sport in Korea since they share a city and a stadium. Both teams are owned by huge Korean corporations and have legions of devote fans. The stadium is one of the larger ones in Korea holding 27,000 people. It is a part of the Jamsil Sports Complex that sits next to Seoul Olympic Stadium. Food & Beverage 4 One of the reasons I like this stadium is the access to western food. Around the stadium grounds on the outside sit several western restaurants including Burger King and KFC. However, during the 2012 season there was a new addition in Smoothie King. This adds a lot for me as now you can have a nice cold smoothie on a hot summer night. In addition to the western food available, you can find the traditional Korean food that is available at any ballpark. Foods such as gimbap, mandu, ramyeon, deokbokki, and sausage on a stick are available. The Korean food is always a cheap choice and typically the food will be decent if not very good. The greatest part of Korean baseball is the ability to bring in any food that you prefer. There are no restaurants within a short walk from the stadium, so pack what you want before heading to the stadium. Or you can pick some chicken or other treats up from the vendors outside the stadium. Drinking is a big deal at baseball games in Korea. Korean beer is very cheap no matter where you buy it. You can pick up a single can for around $2-$3 and it is readily available everywhere inside and outside of the stadium. Other drinks will be available as well such as water, Gatorade, Pocari Sweat (a Japanese Gatorade type drink), and soda. These will all range from $1-$3 as well making your trip to the park a cheap affair. Atmosphere 5 Games in Korea always provide a great atmosphere since the fans are so great. If you want a different experience, get there early and grab a seat behind where one of the cheerleaders will be. That way you’ll be right in the thick of it all. Cheerleaders will be leading the fans on both sides of the game all night long. They love to cheer and they do it well with special chants for certain players. The scoreboards are nice in Korea typically and the one at Jamsil Stadium is no exception. It is located in center field and it is huge. It is large enough to show the lineups of both teams fully on the scoreboard so you always know who is coming up to bat. It also keeps track of stats such as pitch counts and the speed of each pitch. The only downside is if you sit in parts of the outfield it will be difficult to see. Seating at Jamsil Stadium is general admission for the outfield. There is reserved seating in the infield seats. If you purchase a ticket for the outfield, you will not be able to get to the infield seats. This might be a problem if you want to take photographs of the stadium from different angles. The seats in the infield are reserved and vary in price, but I have never had a problem roaming the entire infield area, except the VIP section. No one was ever there to check my ticket to see if I was in the right section, but your experience may vary. Neighborhood 3 Jamsil Baseball Stadium is part of a bigger sports complex. There isn’t much around except other sporting arenas. However, if you have the time, walk over to the Olympic Stadium to see where many of the events were held including the opening and closing ceremonies in 1988. It is across the parking lot from the baseball stadium. Luckily it is on the subway line making other parts of Seoul easily accessible. If you want to head out after the game for a drink, don’t worry about the ballpark’s neighborhood. Instead, head down the subway line just a few stops and get off at Gangnam (where you can really do it “Gangnam Style”). There you will find an endless line of restaurants, shops, and bars both Korean and western alike. Fans 5 Fans of LG and Doosan are second to none. Typically the fans of the visiting team will show up in force which can lead to a sort of cheer off between the two sides. You will never be at a loss for something to cheer for. Korean baseball fans are very passionate. They love to use their thundersticks (long balloon noise makers) and they love to cheer and chant to help their favorite team to victory. One of the better times you can have is when LG and Doosan play each other. They share the stadium and both teams have loyal fans. During these games the fans will be even more raucous and loud. It’s definitely something worth seeing. Access 4 The stadium is located on the Seoul subway line which makes it very accessible. The stadium is located on line 2 of the subway. Take it to Sports Complex Station and take exit number 5 and the stadium will be right in front of you. There are many city buses that stop around the stadium. You can use any of the following buses. Blue buses (301, 360, 361, 362, 363, or 730), green buses (11-3, 11-6, 917, 2225, 3217, 3218, 3411, 3412, 3422, 3414, 3417, 3415, or 3314), or the yellow 41 will all take you to or very close to the stadium. Access around the stadium isn’t as easy. As mentioned before, you cannot move to the infield section with a ticket for the outfield. So decide before purchasing where you would like to see the game from. Restrooms are plentiful and there is rarely a long line. Return on Investment 5 Korean baseball in general is a great investment. Ticket prices are very inexpensive ranging from about $7-$15 depending on if you want an outfield seat or infield seat. Prices run all the way up to about $50 for seats directly behind home plate. What makes it so affordable is not only the low ticket prices but the fact you can bring anything into the stadium from home. Add in the great fan interaction, the high level of baseball, and you are looking at a great return on your investment. It will be hard not to go away entertained in some form or fashion from a Korean baseball game. . Extras 2 There aren’t many extras here at Jamsil Stadium. It was built 30 years ago and doesn’t have a lot of the modern conveniences. There isn’t even a lot around the stadium except for a few statues and venues from the 1988 Olympics. Jamsil Baseball Stadium is there for baseball and not much else. People come to see the action on the field. Thankfully what happens on the field and in the stands is worth the trip. Final Thoughts Even though I am not a huge fan of either team, I really like Jamsil Baseball Stadium. Overall it’s nice to see a game here. Don’t concern yourself with attractions other than the game itself and you won’t come away disappointed. However, it was nice seeing the Olympic Stadium next door. It is not too often that most people, myself included, get to see a stadium where the Olympics was held. If you want nightlife, head down the subway line just a few stops and head to Gangnam. You can find all the nightlife you want here.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Fiserv Forum 1111 Vel R. Phillips Ave Milwaukee, WI 53203 Milwaukee Bucks website Fiserv Forum website Year Opened: 2018 Capacity: 17,500 Fiserv Forum: Bucks, Beer, and Bird-Friendly The Fiserv Forum has been the home of the Milwaukee Bucks since the 2018-2019 NBA season. The $524 million multi-purpose venue has a capacity of 17,500 for basketball and connects multiple neighborhoods and districts that include The Brewery, Milwaukee Waterfront, Old World 3rd Street, and Wisconsin Center. It also borders the “The Deer District” entertainment center. The forum has a unique design that features “a swooping roof and extensive glass to evoke Wisconsin’s natural beauty and Milwaukee’s rich heritage of industry and craftsmen.” The design was inspired by the bountiful rivers, lakes, and forests of the region. The interior offers soft, white colors and rich zinc hues along with darkly colored seating to allow the court to stand out. The design of the interior structure also has a somewhat unfinished look or resembles a barrel of some type. The curved portion looks like a finely contoured piece of wood and includes strips of window panels that produce natural lighting at each level of the building. There are more windows above the main entrance that emulate green lighting at night. Fiserv Forum is a LEED Certification facility that encourages energy and resource-efficient buildings, and savings from increased building value, higher lease rates, and decreased utility costs. The forum uses native plants that reduce the amount of water needed for nourishment, low-flow toilets that reduce water by 30 percent, heat recovery technology that reduces heat by 12 percent, and only paper straws are available at the concession stands. The forum is the Bucks third home since its inception in 1968. The Bucks called the Milwaukee Arena (now UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena) home until 1988 before moving next door to the BMO Bradley Center. The Bradley Center has been razed and stood in between both sporting venues. It is now a large vacant lot that could be developed sometime soon. Food & Beverage 4 Fiserv Forum does an incredible job of providing multiple foods and beverage options for Bucks games. Several local businesses are detailed in the Southside Market area in the upper concourse, along with a few other favorites on the main concourse. The variety is plenty but limited due to the pandemic and staffing during our visit. It should be noted that a majority offer online purchases only through the Bucks app on your smartphone. FreshFin Poke, Mac Shack, Sobleman’s, Laughing Taco, Iron Gate Barbecue, El Rey’s, and Klement’s are a few local restaurants that can be found inside the building. They all feature custom items, and long lines form before the game and at half-time. A few stands were closed during our visit, but various locations helped out with patrons getting a taste of Milwaukee. The highlights include the brisket or burnt ends platter at Iron Gate, the pork carnitas torta at the Laughing Taco, and pork belly burnt ends mac and cheese at Mac Shack. Klement’s features locally made hot dogs and brats, Canal Street Pizza serves huge squared slices of pizza, and who wouldn’t want a freshly made burger or fried cheese curds from Sobleman’s locations. The Jack and Coke boneless wings and pulled totchos are popular choices. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased at multiple locations that include a Jack Daniels, Leinenkugel’s, and Coors Light bar. Drink Wisconsibility locations feature local craft beers from Lakefront, Eagle Park, City Lights, and New Glarus. Coca-Cola products are available for non-alcoholic patrons at the game. Frozen Jack & Coke, Lynchburg lemonade with Sprite, and Jack’s Rye Blueberry Basil Smash are specialty options instead of beer. Atmosphere 4 The Fiserv Forum delivers as promised in terms of the atmosphere; it’s a building as impressive as the Bucks on the floor. There are wide open concourse floors that see a variety of local food and drink, open seating areas providing excellent views of the court, natural lighting from the elongated windows, and flat screens that help patrons order food, move around, and know current information. The forum includes the largest center-hung scoreboard in the league weighing 38 tons. The four main side displays each measure approximately 25 feet high by 29 feet wide, with 6-millimeter line spacing to provide high-resolution imagery to fans throughout the arena. The lower bowl offers 10,000 seats, while the upper bowl includes 6,000 seats. A 100-foot window on the eastern side of the buildings offers beautiful views of downtown Milwaukee day or night. Both main concourses wrap around the building and offer areas to sit down and enjoy a meal or drink; there are also four-team shops to purchase various Bucks gear in addition to a Mitchell and Ness kiosk for old-school Bucks gear. It is on the upper concourse next to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar giant bobblehead. The 6,000 square foot Bucks Pro Shop is near the main entrance, and fans can choose from caps, shirts, jerseys, pennants, and sweatshirts. The Kohl’s Court is a family activity center located on the main concourse. The amenities include oversized basketball hoops, replica lockers, a DJ, and other family-friendly activities. The Panorama Club features hip décor, neo lighting, cocktail tables, and a private bar with a court view. The sensory rooms feature soft carpeting, tactile wall hangings, and comfortable furniture designed for guests with developmental disabilities who need a quiet space during events. Neighborhood 5 The Deer District is a 30-acre space that offers pre and post-game activities. It includes festivities, dining, and entertainment options within a few steps of the forum. They make great options before a Bucks game due to drink prices almost half the price of what you will pay inside the arena. It is recommended to arrive a little early to enjoy the entertainment district. Good City Brewing offers freshly brewed beer, stone-fired pizza, and burgers. The MECCA Sports Bar & Grill serves pub food and includes a 42-foot wide ultra high definition screen. The Drink Wisconsinbly Pub is another spot for a beer before the game. Punch Bowl Social is a restaurant and entertainment venue currently closed but plans to re-open sometime soon. The district also has a large flat-screen television and patio seating, optimal for springtime contests. Directly behind the Deer District in the Old World, 3rd Street offers plenty more options for restaurants and bars. Carson’s, Brick 3 Pizza, Historic Turner Restaurant, Old German Beer Hall, and Ale Asylum Riverhouse. A few tourist spots include the Wisconsin Cheese Mart and Usinger’s Famous Sausage which offer copious amounts of cheese and sausage products. The Fiserv Forum is next to the Bucks original home venue, UW Milwaukee Panther Arena, where one has the opportunity to take in a doubleheader with either a Milwaukee Admirals (minor league hockey) or Milwaukee Wave (indoor soccer) game. You might also want to take in a Marquette basketball game at the Fiserv Forum if you are there an extra day in town. Fans 4 A crowd of 13,000 fans packed the forum for a Monday night game against a less than stellar team. The ushers were expecting closer to 11,000, but that did not take away from the fans’ reaction as the Bucks dropped close to 80 points before half-time. The Milwaukee fan is a hard-working individual who finally has a modern arena to watch a championship NBA team that should compete for a title with deep playoff runs for some time. Access 4 The Fiserv Forum offers wide concourses, natural lighting, copious escalators and elevators, and plenty of open views of the court from the concourse levels. The doors open an hour before tip-off with plenty of room to wait and mingle in the Deer District, wide bars provide spacing for fans to enjoy food and drink, and multiple sponsored concession areas also provide additional seating. Outside the venue are ample parking lots surrounding the arena and several blocks over to accommodate fans driving into the city on Interstates 43 or 94. Return on Investment 3 A ticket to the game will depend on multiple factors that include the day of the week and the opponent. Tickets can be as low as $15 for a weekday game against a less-than-popular opponent but will triple in price against sexier teams in the NBA. Depending on what website you look at, the average ticket will be anywhere from $50 to $70. Parking will cost around $30-35 at or near the building. There is meter parking for $2 an hour that expires at 9 PM—if attending an evening game and arriving early enough, you could grab one of these spots at around $10 for the night. There are parking garages that charge from $5 to $15 across the river if willing to walk a little further. It does get cold in Milwaukee during the early winter month. Fiserv Forum concession prices are among some of the highest in the league. However, that depends on what website you view. There was not anything that jumped out during our visit. A hot dog from Klement’s is $8 (somewhat high), and a Miller Lite was $12 (somewhat on par with comparable venues). Other prices included a slice of pizza at $9, the fried cheese curds are $8, and a chicken tender basket with fries is $14. Extras 4 The Forum has many points that include wide concourses, specifically designed sections of the building to incorporate a local business, natural lighting from the curved windows, and a friendly staff that caters to fans’ needs at every moment. After a conversation with Connie’s season-ticket representative, I must have accidentally been sitting in her seat. The arena earns a few more points for the Deer District. The area provides a meeting place for fans before the game and an entertainment venue for playoff games and other events. The Forum is a Bird-Friendly Arena and features many window panes with fritted glass, visible to birds to reduce collisions. Final Thoughts The Fiserv Forum is an architectural beauty and offers everything a fan would want in an NBA area. The concourses are spacious, the food is varied, the views are open, and the service is top-notch. When you add the Deer District and Third Street as nearby destination options before the game, the Bucks fans sure have one hell of a place to enjoy their team. It is a beautiful place for a basketball game. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and Instagram .

Photos by Michael Rusignuolo, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Sportpark De Slotbosse Toren Kasteeldreef 32, 4907 EA Oosterhaut, Netherlands Oosterhaut Twins website Sportpark De Slotbosse Toren website Year Opened: 1976 Capacity: 1,000 Middle of the Road The Twins are relative late-comers to the Dutch baseball scene, founded in 1969 as an extension of the Twins SC (Sporting Club) football club, playing their first games on the fields next to the football pitches near the club’s sportpark. A surge in popularity in the late 70s drove the team from their second-class surroundings, and they moved to their current location at Sportpark De Slotbosse in 1976 and reformed themselves as the “Twins Sporting Club.” Honkbal Hoofdklasse uses a promotion and relegation system familiar to European football (soccer) fans, and the Twins broke into the top level for the first time in the late 90s, even merging with another local team (Feniks) in 1996. Their fates have gone up and down over the years, but they have made it back to the Honkbal Hoofdklasse since 2016. Sportpark De Slotbosse (or Sportspark Twins, as they like to call it) is an average facility in the Honkbal Hoofdklasse, but it suffers from some specific liabilities that make it a bit problematic for non-Dutch visitors. [All prices are in Euros. At the time of writing, one Euro is worth about $1.15.] Food & Beverage 1 All of the teams in Honkbal Hoofdklasse have clubhouses that contain bars and food concessions for their fans. Oosterhaut is no different, with a small selection of beer, snacks, and food items such as sandwiches and sausages available for purchase. The distinction here, however, is that the Twins clubhouse does not take cash, and it does not take non-Dutch bank credit cards, which means effectively there is no way for a non-Dutch person to buy food or beverages at the game. Given that nearly all of their customers are locals, this is obviously a minor issue for them, but for anyone visiting from outside the country, this means no food for you unless you bring it with you, a regrettable situation. Consider this a warning to bring your own. Atmosphere 3 Sportpark De Slotbosse Toren is a baseball-only facility the Twins moved to when they split from their original football parent club in the late 70s. It isn’t the nicest ballpark in the world, but it gets the job done. It is about on the level of Rookie league park in the American minor leagues. The main ball field is made up mostly of chain-link fencing for walls and structures. A paved plaza extends around the park and the clubhouse on the third base side of home plate. A single level of molded plastic seats sits on concrete steps behind home plate, running about half the way to first and third bases. A small press box is perched at the top of the seats. A row of concrete benches runs along the third base line, ground-zero for visiting fans near the third base visiting dugout. A small digital scoreboard just records the score, balls, strikes, outs, and inning in left-center field. Trees rise above the chain-link outfield wall in an unbroken line. Smoking is very much still a thing in the otherwise progressive Netherlands, and there are several picnic tables in the plaza in front of the clubhouse with ash trays built in to accommodate them. Scattered standing tables also provide a vantage to watch the game from the plaza. Here is an important bit of information: Sportpark De Slotbosse Toren does *not* have lights. While this does not affect the afternoon games on the weekend that start at 2 PM, this does affect the Thursday night games that start at 7:30 PM. Even if the Twins are scheduled for a home game, they will *not* be playing at Sportpark De Slotbosse Toren. They either will be the home team at an opponent field or play at other field beside this one. So be alert if you’re visiting on a Thursday. As is the case in most Honkbal Hoofdklasse games, there are no mascots or between-innings entertainment that permeate all levels of US baseball. You get in-stadium PA announcements, batter walk-up music, and the Seventh Inning Stretch, period. Sportpark De Slotbosse Toren is one of the only Honkbal Hoofdklasse fields to even fly the Dutch flag. Since this is a step up from club ball, however, there are some nice vestiges of sportsmanship. Each batter coming the plate for the first time usually shakes the hand of the umpire and the opposing catcher. Neighborhood 3 The park is located at the northern part of the small city of Oosterhaut in North Brabant. While there isn’t a lot to do, it does have a decent selection of places to rest your head and a plethora of dining options. South of the park in the city center, Oosterhaut is home to dozens of restaurants. Standouts include the Thai Qualithai, Italian La Forchetta, cozy Dutch Eetlokaal Kliners, and Dutch Het Houtse Meer. While there are places to eat, unfortunately there’s not a ton to do in Oosterhaut. The two main attractions in the town are the Bakkerij Museum Oosterhaut (Oosterhaut Bakery Museum), a hands-on museum where you can try different historical baking techniques; and the Toy and Carnival Museum, a fun, child-friendly look at toys and pastimes through history. Oosterhaut does house a handful of hotels and B&Bs. Closest to the park is the Bed & Breakfast Villa BBB, and further south are the budget A-Hotel Oosterhaut, upscale Il Vicino, budget Hotel Cage ‘t Zonneke, and the mid-range Lodewijck. Fans 3 Baseball (or honkbal, as it is known locally) is very much a fringe sport in The Netherlands, and for all of Europe for that matter. The Dutch Honkbal Hoofdklasse is one of the only semipro/professional leagues on the continent, sharing the distinction with the Italian Baseball League. The Twins draw about the average Dutch baseball crowds (between 100-250 people per game). After games and practices at the surrounding fields end, the players and spectators come over to watch the top-level men play their games. Another out-of-the-ordinary status quo is that there are usually pet dogs at every game. It is a welcome change for dog lovers, less so if you don’t like them. The Twins fans (and the visiting fans in attendance) are into the games and pay attention to the on-field action. They are definitely a small, but dedicated baseball fan base. Access 2 Unfortunately, Oosterhaut is not very convenient to get to, and it is one of the longer trips from the major cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam) in all of the Honkbal Hoofdklasse. While the park is a short distance from the city center, Oosterhaut is connected only by bus to the nearest transit hub (Breda). Arriva Bus 325 or 326 will get you to bus stop Sterrenlaan, Oosterhaut (E3.28) just across the street from the ballpark, but it is a half-hour bus ride after getting to Breda itself (an hour from Amsterdam by train, a half hour from Rotterdam). Your best bet is driving, cab, or rideshare from Breda, which is only 15 minutes, or half the time of the bus trip. It is ~45 minute drive from Rotterdam, and an hour and twenty minutes from Amsterdam. There is a small parking lot by the ballpark, and there is plenty of free bicycle parking. Cabs and ride shares can drop you off right at the park entrance. There is one entrance to the facility through the main gate. This is the only choke point in the entire park, as it opens out onto a plaza and wide walkways that connect it with all the other fields and facilities in the complex, allowing free access. Return on Investment 5 This is kind of a tough one to quantify. There is no admission fee and no way for non-Dutch patrons to buy any food items, so technically everything is free and the value in infinite. But it does kind of limit you in what you are getting. . Extras 2 As with all the Dutch stadiums, extras are at a minimum. The clubhouse has a selection of baseball memorabilia, as well as club trophies and awards. Whimsical wooden signs guides you at the entrance to the park, and there are two retired numbers in the corners of the outfield walls (Martijn Meeuiws – 33, and Patrick van Gool – 23). And that’s about it. As Dutch clubhouse personnel are almost all volunteers, they are polite and helpful to a person and are always glad to talk to and assist visitors. Final Thoughts Sportpark De Slotbosse Toren is an average Honkbal Hoofdklasse ballpark. It is in a nice enough location, but it is difficult to get to, and non-Dutch folks won’t be able to buy anything while they are there–so bring your own.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 Stokes Soccerplex 140 Lakeview Dr. Loretto, PA 15940 St. Francis (PA) Red Flash website Stokes Soccerplex website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 500 Flashy Football (The Other One) In between Altoona and Johnstown, Pennsylvania, you will find the small town of Loretto, home to St. Francis University. St. Francis’s athletic teams are known as the Red Flash, and their soccer team plays on campus at the 500-seat Stokes Soccerplex. The Plex is located directly behind the Maurice Stokes Athletic Center, home of DeGol Arena and the basketball program. Both the Athletic Center and the Soccerplex are named after St. Francis basketball legend Maurice Stokes. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food and beverage for sale at the Stokes Soccerplex but fans are free to bring their own. Atmosphere 2 Walking through the front gate at the Stokes Soccerplex will put you in the corner of the field, within feet of the corner flag. From there, you can walk around the sideline to three sets of bleachers near midfield, the middle one larger than the other two. Many fans also choose to bring lawn chairs or stand along the grass. Wherever you sit or stand, you will have a great view of the action, as everywhere in the stadium is extremely close to the field. There is one scoreboard as well which just shows the time and score. The team really does not do much of anything to engage fans aside from playing music pregame and at halftime over the PA system. Frankie the Friar does make at least one appearance a year as the team’s mascot, as he does at all SFU team sports, but he was not there when we went. Neighborhood 2 Loretto is a small town with not much going on. There was a pizza place directly across from the stadium, and signage is still there, but it has closed. Downtown Loretto, if you can even call it that, is a short walk or drive off-campus, but there are only a few options. Spanky’s Tavern and Loretto Pub and Grill are right across the street from each other at the intersection of St. Mary Street and St. Peters Street, and there are a couple of small hotels in town, but if you want anything more, you will have to drive 25 minutes to Altoona or 35 minutes to Johnstown, both of which have significantly more options. Fans 3 Although the Red Flash only draws 50-100 fans a game, in such a small venue it can seem like a lot more. A typical game will see a smattering of fans in the bleachers plus more fans decked in red standing and sitting along the sideline of the field. Most of the fans are either friends and family of the team or SFU students. One of the more conspicuous fans at games is the University’s President, Malachi Van Tassell, a Franciscan friar who routinely attends Red Flash athletic events in his priestly robes to cheer on the school. Access 3 The St. Francis campus is about 25 minutes from Altoona or 35 minutes from Johnstown via U.S. Route 22. From there, you will drive a few miles along rural back roads to get to campus. Once you are on campus, parking is available in the Stokes Athletic Center lot – head as far back as you can to get close to the Soccerplex. Note that most of the streets in town are named for Catholic saints in connection to the university, which amusingly confuses some GPS apps which can’t handle “St.” standing for two different things in the same name. Some apps will attempt to refer to the streets as, for instance, “Street Catherine Street” or “Saint Catherine Saint.” There are no restrooms on-site at the Soccerplex. There are some restrooms next door in the Stokes Athletic Center, but you will need to walk all the way around the building to access them, which is quite inconvenient. Return on Investment 4 Admission to Red Flash soccer games is free, parking is free, and you won’t pay anything for concessions because there aren’t any. However, there isn’t enough here to earn the top score. Extras 2 There are free gameday programs available by the entrance. There are also championship banners along the stadium fence honoring Red Flash conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. Final Thoughts St. Francis is a small college in a small conference in Division I, so it should come as no surprise that the soccer program isn’t all that big. Much of the focus is on the football and basketball programs, while the soccer team gets no marketing at all except for the annual mascot visit. While disappointing, it is not unexpected given the limited resources here. A trip to the Stokes Soccerplex is a very basic experience. Those who live near Loretto may want to check out the Soccerplex to take in a free soccer game up close and personal, but if coming from outside the immediate area, it may not be worth the long trip for anyone but the most diehard college soccer fans or stadium chasers. That being said, if you’re on campus for a Red Flash football game and are looking to make a long weekend out of it, a soccer game here is worth checking out while you’re in town.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall 1001 E 17th St. Bloomington, IN 47408 Indiana Hoosiers website Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 17,222 Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall – Indiana Hoosiers For decades, Indiana University basketball has been synonymous with candy striped pants, championships, and of course, Bob Knight. While most have known IU basketball from the achievements of its men’s basketball program, the Indiana women’s program has established themselves as one of the top basketball draws in the state. Food & Beverage 3 Concession choices at Indiana are what would be expected at most stadiums. As the selections are fine, the choices do not really blow your mind. Prices are comparable with what you would find at most college arenas. Concessions at Indiana is possibly its weak point – there just does not seem to be much that would be considered a local specialty, that fans could not get somewhere else. Choices can be made from personal-sized pizzas ($8), hot dogs ($5/$8), and nachos ($5). There are also some individual carts for freshly made pretzels ($7), and of course Dippin’ Dots. Coke products are available for $5. Fans are able to purchase beer and hard seltzer, but mixed drinks and liquor is not available. Beer choices include Miller Light and Coors Light ($8), or craft beers from Bloomington’s Upland Brewery ($9). Atmosphere 5 Before renovations were completed in 2016, the then Assembly Hall was a bit of a dated facility. It still oozed history and tradition, but aesthetically seemed purposefully bland. However, following a $40 million gift, not only did the arena receive a much needed cosmetic and functional upgrade, but it also added “Simon Skjodt” to the “Assembly Hall” name. From the outside, the most noticeable change was the addition of a large, glassed lobby area that gives the arena a modern feel to it. Assembly Hall Main Lobby, Photo by David Welch, Stadium Journey Most fans will make their way to the second level of the building to get to their seats. Upon walking through the entranceway fans are welcomed by the arena’s massive scoreboard. The panels of the scoreboard are offset, which gives it a unique, non-symmetrical look. If the upper balcony is open, most fans traverse the stairwells at either end of the concourse to get to their seats. The views from the upper level are not bad, if you sit toward the front of the balcony. Neighborhood 5 Bloomington, Indiana is every bit a college town, and is commonly ranked as one of the best in the country; take a quick ride around the campus, and it is easy to tell why. Even though Bloomington has a population of 80,000 people, it does have the “small town” feel John Mellencamp sings about. There are a handful of restaurants near the arena, but just over a mile away is the social center of Bloomington, Kirkwood Avenue and Bloomington’s town square. These areas are home to much of the city’s nightlife, bars, hotels, and restaurants, including the legendary Nick’s English Hut. Students might be more apt to mention Buffa Louie’s as the go to spot for food, however. Or, if you are looking for a top-notch dinner, any alum will instantly mention Janko’s Little Zagreb as a near religious steak dinner experience. Fans 5 Tradition at Indiana is important, almost to a fault. What makes the tradition of Indiana so special though is that no matter how much things might change, no matter how many years pass, the traditions transcend generations – the things that made fans get on their feet and cheer 50 years ago are the same things that rile fans up today. It is quite the experience when 17,000 fans in unison sing the school’s fight song, or are clapping along to the William Tell Overture as part of the “Greatest Timeout in College Basketball.” There is little Hoosiers enjoy more than well played basketball, and in turn they show that appreciation by creating one of the most frenzied basketball environments in the country. Beyond the success the Indiana women’s basketball program has had on the court, Hoosier fans have recognized the emergence of the basketball program, and have followed behind with an incredible amount of support. Hoosier fans understand key moments in games, as well as important possessions, and respond in kind. They do not need any cues to get loud to will the Hoosiers to a big defensive stop, before erupting after a successful defensive stand. Indiana fans understand the game and are a key component in what makes basketball in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall such an amazing experience. Accessibility 4 Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall is on the north side of Indiana’s campus, off Bloomington’s bypass. The arena’s location helps to limit the amount of on campus traffic visitors might have to encounter. Accessing the area from the north and south is rather direct from I-69, but fans coming from the east and west of Bloomington will likely have to navigate state roads and highways. Parking in the lots surrounding the arena is free. If possible, enter through the south entrance for an impressive first impression of the arena. From here, explore the east and west hallways to the north lobby, which houses many of the school’s championship trophies, as well as a spectacular reclamation of the previous center court and basketball stanchions. Navigating the concourses can get crowded considering the number of fans making their way to their seats, and others waiting in line for concessions. Return on Investment 5 Typically, tickets to Indiana women’s basketball are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Indiana is not afraid to put the environment they want at the forefront when it comes to offering significantly discounted tickets. Also, general admission tickets were priced at just $1 for a recent end-of-the-season matchup against in-state rival Purdue. With low ticket prices, free parking, and mostly affordable concessions, Indiana women’s basketball is a wonderful investment of both time and money. Extras 5 The arena itself is a museum to Indiana athletics – the hallways are lined with the history of all the athletic programs at IU; from the national and Big Ten championship trophies to recognizing every Olympian Indiana University has produced. Much of the history of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall has been saved and incorporated into the arena. The scoreboard that once hung above center court is now attached to the walls of the main lobby, and provides a real time score for fans who are in the main lobby area. Not enough can be said about the job the in-game entertainment crews do – from the pep-band and cheer squads to the student promotions team, there is never a dead moment during timeouts. At Indiana, pre-recorded music takes a back seat to the pep-band that performs during almost every break. The thing that sets the Indiana women’s program apart is that they wear their heart on their sleeve when it comes to their love for Indiana University. Following each home game the players, coaches, and cheerleaders stand in front of the pep band and sing the school’s alma mater with the fans still in the stands. Final Thoughts Even though men’s basketball is what most know Indiana University for, the women’s program has broken out of that shadow into their own spotlight. The game is everything that would be expected from any of the top basketball programs in the country, from the palpable history of the building to the traditions both old and new, to the quality of basketball played on the court, to the sense that the team in white is playing with the pride of the state of Indiana riding on them. Indiana women’s basketball truly is a special experience.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Sanford Stadium N Sanford Dr and Field St Athens, GA 30602 Georgia Bulldogs website Sanford Stadium website Year Opened: 1929 Capacity: 92,746 Vince Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium - University of Georgia Bulldogs It is hard to beat the experience of football down south and “between the hedges” – for over 90 years, football on the University of Georgia campus has been played at the same location as the stadium has grown around it. Football in the South takes on a whole different importance that makes the whole experience seem more of an event than just a Saturday football game. Food & Beverage 4 Each weekend the Athens campus is transformed from an institution of higher learning to a campuswide tailgate party. Throughout the University of Georgia campus fans set up tailgating spreads from the basics to elaborate grill stations and mobile bars. With most tailgating, fans are more than eager to share their spread, or with the bigger tailgating set-ups a nominal donation to help offset the cost can easily get you a plate and a couple of drinks. If tailgating is not what you’re looking for, pre-game dining options at the neighboring Tate Student Center are plentiful and provide fans with many options before the stadium opening. When moving to the food inside of the stadium, it is a bit of a letdown; concession stands have many of the traditional burgers, hot dogs, sausages, BBQ sandwiches, and fries – they are fine but are just your run-of-the-mill concessions, with several grab-and-go stations scattered around the concourse to help the lines move quicker. With the addition of a handful of specialty options in the stadium, it has helped to improve the overall food choices. Popular local Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q is an upgrade from the regional chain used previously, or for a bit of lighter fare, Chicken Salad Chick offers fans various styles of chicken salad by the scoop, in a sandwich, or the Stadium Chick combo that includes the previous choices plus a side item. Of course, with it being Georgia, there is also Chick-fil-A. As expected, Coke products are Sanford Stadium’s beverage of choice – it almost feels as if there might be laws that would make it illegal to sell anything else. When it comes to alcoholic beverages, though, these are available in the suite but are not around the rest of the stadium. Atmosphere 5 Saturdays between the hedges have a completely different feel than any typical college football experience; upon walking through the gates fans are met with a sea of red and black at every turn, from fan apparel to murals, to the stack of pom-poms piled on the hedges. Right away it is obvious, that red and black will be the theme of the day. Sanford Stadium resembles a rather wide horseshoe that towers three levels above the field. The west end of the stadium remains open to the outside. Until the recent renovations, fans would line Gillis Bridge outside the stadium for a chance to catch a glimpse of the action at the far end of the field. The excitement of the game day experience begins as the Red Coats, Georgia’s marching band, take the field for all the pregame festivities. Georgia fans are downright obsessive with the traditions of the school’s fight songs and heritage – the production team knows exactly how to get the Bulldog fans into game mode. Clips of beloved play-by-play announcer Larry Munson are used as part of a pregame montage to prime the fans for excitement. Munson’s calls of “Run Lindsay Run”, his plea for the Georgia defense to “hunker down” for a pivotal stop, and the call of Georgia’s 2002 win over Tennessee when Larry exclaimed, “We just stepped on their face with a hob-nailed boot! We crushed their face!” are just a few of his famed calls included. Georgia’s Red Coats do a great job throughout the game keeping the fans involved. The Red Coats along with the cheer squad lead the call and response pieces, chants, and fight songs. Everything comes together perfectly to beautifully complement the game; it is a near-perfect atmosphere of college football. Sanford Stadium is one of the largest football stadiums in the country. Despite its size, there is not the feeling you are completely removed from the action. The atmosphere of the game, along with the large video board in the west end zone, helps keep those in the uppermost reaches of the stadium feeling as if they are part of the complete experience. When choosing where to sit, as with many football stadiums there is not a lot of shade to be found. The enclosed end of the stadium, though, can have some difficult sun fields to contend with when it comes to late afternoon games. If possible, the southern bleachers will provide the most relief from the sun. Neighborhood 5 Athens, Georgia is everything one would expect in a college town – close enough to a major city in Atlanta, yet far enough away that the town itself provides enough for fans to fill their visit. The Athens entertainment district, to the north of Sanford Stadium off Broad Street, is a manageable walk from the tailgating areas on the north side of campus. Downtown Athens provides fans with many restaurants and bars to catch games and grab a bite to eat for later Bulldog kick-offs or to make for a late night following an afternoon game. Fans looking for craft breweries will not be disappointed; Creature Comforts , one of Georgia’s top breweries, is in the downtown area, while Terrapin Beer Company , one of the other top breweries in the state, has a taproom just on the outskirts of the city. It is not only that there are many options to complement a visit to Sanford Stadium, but the pre -and post-game vibes on the streets of Athens let fans know that this is THE event to be at in town. For those looking to stay the weekend in Athens, plan well in advance because hotel rooms go quickly. The prime location will be anything in the downtown area, in proximity to Broad or Clayton Streets – this will put you in the heart of the entertainment district and within a reasonable walk to Sanford Stadium. With the number of shops, restaurants, and nightlife stops just steps from the Georgia campus, Athens is the quintessential college town and helps in creating a top-notch game day atmosphere. Fans 5 College football season might kick off in September and run through early January, but in the state of Georgia, football season never ends. The bowl season is followed by signing season, spring football season, and the season there is not any football. Football is the undisputed king of Georgia, and this passion for the sport is definitely on display, with its statewide love of the University of Georgia football. You would be hard-pressed to go anywhere in the state and not get a “Go Dawgs” from someone for simply wearing red. It is not just the passion for the current crop of “Damn Good Dawgs,” but an admiration for the history of Georgia football that endears the program to its fans. It is this near obsession with the state of the Georgia football program that feeds the passion within Sanford Stadium each weekend. The ups-and-downs of every big play and every dropped pass can be felt with jubilation or disappointment no matter the situation; 3rd-and-5 needing a defensive stop against the Week 1 MAC opponent feels just as important as converting 3rd-and-15 in the 4th quarter against Tennessee . The product on the field in recent years has been something to get excited about, but the ongoing and never waning passion of the Georgia fanbase does so much in creating one of the most spectacular college football experiences in the nation. Access 3 For most, a trip to Athens will be taken via State Highway 316, which is where much of the difficulty begins. A two-lane highway ushering close to 100,000 fans to the midsize city can get a bit congested, as it is probably the most direct route to Athens. UGA does suggest using US-129, US-29, US-441, SR15, or US-78 instead – though they might add a bit of distance to the trip, these approaches should save time in the long run. Once in Athens, parking is spread around campus, but fans are at the mercy of game day traffic in Athens getting to parking areas. The best bet is to plan to arrive either the night before or almost ridiculously earlier than kickoff. Fans start filing into Sanford Stadium following the team’s Dawgwalk, outside of the Tate Student Building. After stadium renovations for the 2023 season, the Gillis Bridge, on the western side of the stadium, is now one of the main entry points; renovations to the south side of the stadium have greatly improved the flow of fans. The concourse has also been divided into inner and outer pathways – the inner pathway has several restrooms and allows fans to easily get to their seats, while still providing a view of the field, while the outer pathway has more concession stands and some portlets. As fans begin making their way around to the eastern side of the stadium, travel patterns and concessions lines start to intersect and make navigating the concourse more of a challenge; this is a common drawback around Sanford Stadium. The upper-level concourses are also rather narrow, and paired with the location of concession stands there, makes passage difficult. Though it does not look as such, Sanford Stadium is a rather old football stadium, and older stadium walkways do tend to be crowded. The athletic department has started to remedy some of these issues, but there are still many areas that can be a challenge to get through. Return on Investment 4 Determining the return on investment for the Georgia football experience can get a bit tricky. With Georgia football having the success they have had in recent years, coupled with the state’s undying passion for college football, tickets can get expensive. Even non-conference games run close to $100 when purchasing tickets off the secondary market, with tickets for the 2022 matchup between #1 Georgia and #2 Tennessee starting at just over $600 before fees. Needless to say, Georgia football tickets can get expensive quickly – given the Dawgs popularity most are left to the mercy of the secondary ticket market. Despite the high prices on the secondary market, there are several opportunities to save. For example, campus parking starts at $20 but can quickly get expensive, so those looking to save on parking can park at the intramural field parking lot. This is a bit of a walk if you want to get to the stadium early, but a shuttle runs from that lot to Sanford Stadium starting 3.5 hours before the game, although it does not run during the game. Another surprisingly affordable area is the concessions; prices are kept reasonable and will not feel like another fee piled upon an already expensive day. Despite expensive tickets, the overall experience does well to make you feel as if you’re getting what you paid for. Extras 5 A tribute to “The First Five” is on display in the northern plaza area – monuments to Richard Appleby, Chuck Kinnebrew, Horace King, Clarence Pope, and Larry West recognize the first five Black scholarship football players in UGA history, circa 1971. UGA might be the most beloved mascot in all of college football; now in the 11th generation, the white English Bulldog has been a staple on the Georgia sidelines since 1956. The Fourth Quarter Light Show is downright impressive. To start the fourth quarter of night games, the stadium lights dim as 90,000+ fans turn on the flashlight in their phones and bob them up and down to the ‘Krypton Fanfare’, followed by ‘Hail Georgia’. As the music ends, it gives way to a hype video as the LED lights turn the whole stadium red. Fans who might not have a ticket to the game, or just want to watch the game from the comforts of an air-conditioned environment, can watch from a pair of locations around Athens – the theater of the Tate Student Center and the iconic Georgia Theater both simulcast the game. Much of the seating at Sanford Stadium is aluminum bleachers, so an afternoon on them can get a bit uncomfortable. There are padded seat backs that can be rented for the game, however, to make the afternoon a bit more comfortable. Final Thoughts The amount of tradition connected to University of Georgia football goes such a long way in making the game experience one of the best in the county; from the historic echoes of famed Bulldog play-by-play announcer Larry Munson used in the pregame montage to the traditions of the Red Coat Band, to the frenzied noise level created by fans, a Saturday at Sanford Stadium and throughout Athens is a bucket list event for any college football enthusiast.

Photos by Brian O'Sullivan Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center Moose Krause Circle Notre Dame, IN 46556 Notre Dame Fighting Irish website Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 9,149 Here Comes The Irish! Nestled in the northwest corner of Indiana, the University of Notre Dame is one of the best academic institutions in the country. In addition to its stellar performance in the classroom, the Fighting Irish also have a plethora of athletic teams that are always at or near the top of the league in every sport in which they compete. Purcell Pavilion is home to Notre Dame men’s basketball team, as well as the women’s basketball team and women’s volleyball team. Purcell is located within the Joyce Athletic & Convocation Center, commonly referred to as the JACC, which is directly next to the newly renovated Notre Dame Stadium. The Irish have seen success in recent years on the court, both in the regular season and the postseason, with an Elite Eight appearance in 2016. After joining the Atlantic Coast Conference for the 2013-2014 season, powerhouse teams come to South Bend for showdowns with the Fighting Irish on a regular basis. It is well worth the trip to Purcell to catch a men’s basketball game, especially if there is a hockey game at the Compton Family Ice Arena on the same day or weekend. Food & Beverage 3 The food options at Purcell are surprisingly limited, but there are a few choices that are unique and tasty. Concessions stands are scattered throughout the concourse, with most serving the same options or a particular specialty item, such as Dippin’ Dots ($5/$7). Local Eisenberg hot dogs ($4.50) are served at most stands and are a favorite among fans. Coca-Cola products are served throughout Purcell, with both regular ($4) and souvenir ($5.50) cups available. The most popular concessions item is Ben’s soft pretzel ($6), and most fans are willing to wait to get their hands on this delicious offering. They are actually served in Heritage Hall, which gives fans something to look at during the wait and is well worth the time in line. Atmosphere 5 The recent success of the men’s basketball team has only made the atmosphere inside Purcell even more electric. Purcell is a relatively intimate arena, with all seats offering magnificent views of the court, as well as cup holders and ample legroom. A beautiful jumbotron hangs above the court and keeps fans updated and entertained throughout the game. Although Purcell is by no means the biggest arena in college basketball, it does get loud, especially when Notre Dame is playing a highly ranked opponent. If you find yourself wandering through the concourse, make sure to stop by Heritage Hall, which is a great place to grab a bite to eat as well as to see some of the greatest sports memories in Notre Dame history. The world-famous Notre Dame band also plays throughout the game, which adds an extra level of intensity and fun to the game. Neighborhood 5 The area around Notre Dame continues to grow and has a number of options that are great for any type of fan. Directly off campus and within walking distance of Purcell is Eddy Street Commons. O’Rourke’s Public House and Brother’s Bar & Grill are fan favorites on Eddy Street and offer great beer options as well as fairly good food. Within driving distance to campus, South Bend and Mishawaka offer plenty more restaurants if you are looking for more substantial food. Papa Vino’s has a number of locations in the area and offers great Italian food at a reasonable price, but you will have to drive. If you are looking to stay on campus, make your way to Legends of Notre Dame, which is a restaurant and pub. Legends offer a number of beer and food specials and are a great place to stop by before or after the game for a drink. Fans 5 The Fighting Irish have some of the most loyal fans in the entire country. Although Notre Dame is most famous for its football team, the fans also make their presence known at nearly every sporting event on campus. The fans at every game are cordial and knowledgeable about the game. Men’s basketball is no exception, with the fans rooting on the Irish while also creating a friendly and inviting atmosphere. While most of the fans that attend men’s basketball games are typical basketball fans, the student section gets Purcell rocking. The students that attend games at Purcell are passionate and loud and sit directly behind the basket to distract opposing players. The band only feeds the energy of the students and makes Purcell even louder. Access 4 The University of Notre Dame is relatively isolated. Located about an hour and a half southeast of Chicago, the campus is located a few minutes from downtown South Bend. The easiest way to get to campus is by car, but South Bend is also accessible by both train and bus from Chicago. Once on campus, navigating is tremendously easy. Parking is both free and ample for all men’s basketball games, which is nearly unheard of at this caliber of college basketball. Inside Purcell, navigating the arena is tremendously easy. Restrooms are always kept clean and are conveniently located. Additionally, the arena is handicapped accessible throughout the concourse and the seating bowl. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Notre Dame basketball games vary in price depending on the opponent but offer economical options for nearly any game. For premium games against highly ranked opponents, fans can still get great seats for $50. For less desirable opponents, tickets start at just $15. Although food is somewhat expensive, a night out at a Notre Dame basketball game will by no means break the bank. Extras 4 An extra point is awarded for free parking during basketball games and all sporting events on campus, aside from football Another point is awarded for the beautiful campus. Notre Dame is truly one of the most beautiful and iconic college campuses in the country. The amount of memorabilia on display throughout the concourse at Purcell is a great addition to attending a game. It makes it easy to understand why Notre Dame draws such a large crowd. Finally, the lively student section during most games warrants one last point. Final Thoughts Even though Notre Dame is not located near a major city, heading to campus on a non-football weekend is a great way to catch a basketball or hockey game and see the campus with far fewer people. In short, attending a game at Purcell Pavilion is well worth the cost of admission.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Greenwood Baseball Field Campus Dr Asheville, NC 28804 UNC-Asheville Bulldogs website Greenwood Baseball Field website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 1,000 Greenwood Baseball Field – University of North Carolina-Asheville Bulldogs The adage “it is often the darkest before the dawn” might be the best way to describe the current status of Greenwood Baseball Field on the campus of the University of North Carolina-Asheville. Greenwood Field and the surrounding athletic facilities have been undergoing extensive renovation in recent years, so there is a bit of a pardon-the-dust-in-the-name-of-progress feel to the area. Members of the Big South Conference, the Bulldogs have played at their on-campus baseball field since 1988, when they moved from McCormick Field near downtown Asheville. Food & Beverage 2 The current concession stand that services the baseball field was built as part of the track and field facility, so it is set off a bit from the primary seating area, but conveniently located for fans along the third base side of the field. Concessions are a bit thin, consisting of hot dogs, popcorn, candy, and chips – other than hot dogs there is not much of substance when it comes to the food options. Beverages include Pepsi products, Gatorade, and Celsius energy drinks. Currently, beer is only sold on Friday and Saturdays. Atmosphere 2 While Greenwood Baseball Field continues to undergo facility upgrades, seating is a bit of an assortment of traditional bleacher seating, benches, and picnic type tables, and fans bring their own tailgate chairs. The lone bleacher section is adjacent to the visiting dugout; these bleachers include traditional aluminum bench seating and a second section of one-piece seats. During the facility upgrades, the game operations center (scoreboard operator, official scorer, and television production staff) are located in a makeshift press box, or more accurately press tent, behind home plate. Fans down the lines are treated to unobstructed views of the action on the field, but definitely need to be on their toes for sharp foul balls down the line. Greenwood Baseball Field is a natural grass field with grass basepaths up the first and third baselines. The field plays a bit short to the left field side with the fence sitting 320’ from home, with centerfield a touch short at 390’ – right field is a bit deeper than its left field counterpart at 330’. The outfield is encircled by an 8-foot-high fence from foul pole to foul pole. The field’s scoreboard sits beyond the left field wall; it is a basic royal blue scoreboard which provides fans with the inning-by-inning line score, run-hit-errors, and ball-strike-out information. The game presentation is as perfectly simple as it gets. Baseball is kept at the focus of the entertainment, and there is not the added distraction of sound effects throughout the game. The sun sets behind the first base side, so there is a bit of a sun field to contend with early on, but the nearby tree line helps to limit the impact the sun has on fans along the third base side. One of the biggest downfalls of the field though is there is no cover or shade to protect fans from the elements on a sunny, cloudless day. Neighborhood 4 The campus of the University of North Carolina-Asheville sits atop a steeply sloped hill, just north of downtown Asheville. The university’s athletic facilities are clustered in the southwestern corner of campus. Greenwood Baseball Field sits in the shadows of the Kimmel Center , the Bulldog’s home court for basketball. The upgraded facilities use a lot of stone and wood finish to help create a bit of a rustic, mountain cabin feel to them. Asheville itself is known as a haven of craft breweries with approximately forty in the area; a handful of those are just down the slope of UNC-Asheville’s campus. The town is also known for its eclectic artisans, who bring a unique culture to the city. There is also a great deal of history in the area – one of the most popular sites in Asheville is Biltmore Estate, which dates to the Gilded Age following the American Civil War. In another vein of history is McCormick Field , the third-oldest minor league baseball stadium still in regular use during the spring and summer months by the Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League. Fans 2 Despite a partially completed stadium that still has a great deal of progress to go, the Bulldogs draw fairly well. Fans are not overly boisterous when it comes to their passion for anticipated action in the game, but they do make their presence felt in reaction to Bulldogs scoring runs and overall good baseball plays. Access 3 The city of Asheville is in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and a quick walk around UNC-Asheville’s campus will feel every bit of the mountains of the surrounding area. Asheville is about halfway between Charlotte, NC and Knoxville, TN directly off I-40, so getting to Asheville is rather direct from either of these larger cities. Once on the UNC-Asheville campus, parking can be a bit challenging to find if you do not research it ahead of time. Due to the ongoing construction, there is only a limited amount of parking at the field itself. The usual lot used for baseball is currently housing heavy construction machinery, gravel piles, and other construction supplies. Pay close attention to the parking signage in the lot in the back of the Kimmel Center , as an announcement could possibly be made that cars not in parking spots will be towed. Parking on campus is free, but make sure to register your vehicle ahead of time. Parking at the field is limited at best, so the best bet might be the Campus Drive Garage, but it will still leave a bit of a walk to get to Greenwood Baseball Field. Return on Investment 4 At the moment there is no charge to attend games at Greenwood Baseball Field, and fairly priced concessions make attending games even more enticing. With that said, the only real investment you are making is time getting to Asheville itself. Even though most fans will not seek out a trip to Asheville just for the sake of going to a Bulldogs baseball game, the city itself will make a trip worth the time. Extras 2 The city of Ashville provides almost an endless number of adventures, especially those into outdoor activities, craft beer, or simply the free-natured spirit Asheville offers. The mountains over the first base side of the field set up for some beautiful sunsets, especially earlier in the season when the full spring foliage has not completely blocked the view of the nearby mountains. Final Thoughts The Greenwood Baseball Field upgrades have all the makings to create a beautiful ballpark; they just seems to be stuck in progress at the moment. The fundraising campaign has been ongoing for nearly a decade, but it seems that movement has been slow going. At the current point in the upgrades, most of the improvements have been player focused, as they should be – new dugouts, some player development facilities, and general field upgrades. There are still other upgrades to be made, however, and in due time Greenwood Baseball Field, or what the future name might be, will come together as a beautiful baseball facility. In its current state the fan experience is trending upward and steadily improving. The biggest question is, when will the full plans finally come to fruition?