Maddie with UVM basketball player May Kotsopoulos. When she was young, UVM fans called her "Mini-May." If there's ever a Mount Rushmore for University of Vermont (UVM) basketball fans, Maddie Ahmadi will be first ballot. She eats, lives and breathes Catamount hoops. These days, she's in the honors program at the University of North Carolina. But while she's physically in Chapel Hill, Maddie's heart remains in the Green Mountain State, rooting on her beloved Catamounts. Maddie took a few moments to discuss her passion. STADIUM JOURNEY: So where were you when Sorrentine unforgettably heaved it from "the parking lot" in Worcester twenty years ago? Describe your feelings, memories. MADDIE AHMADI:  My parents were never going to miss that game, so they brought their 6-month-old daughter along to Worcester. Some babies wear headphones during loud games, but not me. My parents were smart enough to introduce me to the joyous sounds of March Madness at an early age. They like to say that I slept through the entire game. Now, I can sleep through just about anything. I don’t remember Sorrentine’s actual shot, but it is certainly a point of pride that I was there. University of Vermont athletics is truly one of the greatest gifts my parents ever gave me, and I like to think my love of green and gold started back in March 2005.  STADIUM JOURNEY: How many games, total, men's, women's high school, have you seen at Patrick Gymnasium? If there's a record, I'm guessing that you're near the top. Describe the Patrick Gym experience. Will you be sad to see it finally go?  MADDIE AHMADI:  While I would love to hold that record, I don’t even think I can claim the top spot within my own family. My Dad certainly has me beat. He was the manager of the UVM women’s basketball team while he was a student. Since then, he consistently shows up. That said, I would estimate that I’ve attended roughly 450 games. My Dad has likely attended double that. I know Patrick Gym like the back of my hand – the tunnels, the smells, the atmosphere, and the people who make it so great. Patrick Gym is what you get when you mix energy, passion and community. It’s an electrifying environment complete with the perfect combination of old bleachers and a rarely-accurate shot clock. While I support a new arena for the growth of the program and recruitment purposes, I think the Universe doesn’t want to see the end of Patrick Gym. Until it does, I am content celebrating the joys of UVM basketball in the 1963 high school-esque miracle of a facility.  UVM men's coach John Becker cutting down the nets after another championship.  STADIUM JOURNEY: Did you spend a lot of time at Gutterson Fieldhouse watching hockey games? What's special about this venue? MADDIE AHMADI:  I love The Gut. As an Essex High School graduate, I remember watching my friends win plenty of hockey championships. For a long time, we had UVM hockey season tickets. After a while, and as other sports began to take center stage - go soccer! - we slowly attended less hockey games. I love the energy in The Gut, but it does not compare to Patrick Gym, or lately, Virtue Field.  STADIUM JOURNEY: After practically growing up in Patrick Gym, what's it like watching games in the Dean Dome? Surreal?  MADDIE AHMADI:  I love college basketball, but not for the athleticism or glamour. I love the people and the community that it fosters. While the Dean Dome is special, and the student section is unlike anything, I can’t hear what the players are yelling, or recognize the entire community, like I can at Patrick Gym. To be frank, I often skip UNC games to watch my Cats on ESPN+. Thursday through Sunday is my favorite half of the week.  Maddie doing a UNC student broadcast. STADIUM JOURNEY: Has the UNC/Duke rivalry mellowed since Coach K and Coach Williams retired? It sure seems like it, but you're on the ground. MADDIE AHMADI:  Eh. I still hate Duke. You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone on this campus that can tolerate a Blue Devil. The rivalry is alive and well. Rushing Franklin Street last year will go down as one of my top 10 college experiences. All that’s to say, I despise Albany the most. Albany men's basketball taught me what a rivalry feels like. I grew up crying on the way home from then-SEFCU arena after a devastating loss. I refused to wear purple. That place is the antithesis of Patrick Gym.  STADIUM JOURNEY: Who mentored you and helped make you the person that you are today?  MADDIE AHMADI:  My admiration for UVM basketball comes from my parents. They both prioritize community and connection. UVM is their community and they make an effort to always remain connected. Growing up, I sought to connect with my community by serving on my school board, interning with local media, and supporting the state in any way I could. I learned that from my parents and have them to thank for who I am today. Loyalty is everything.  Maddie and family STADIUM JOURNEY: So you've been away from the Green Mountain State for a few months. What spots do you make sure to hit when you're back? MADDIE AHMADI:  Let me lay out the ideal day. First, you need to take a trip to Handy’s Lunch in Burlington for breakfast. I always get a McHandy with bacon and a McHandy with sausage on bulkie rolls. The bulkie rolls are key. Then, take a trip to Church Street and check out some local shops. You will soon realize there are not very many shops in the area and that you'll need something else to do. Luckily, it should be almost time for a 2 pm UVM women’s basketball game. From 2 pm to 4 pm, you will watch the women take down Albany, all while playing stifling defense. You’ll have a short break before the men’s game, so grab dinner at The Gryphon. You must try the sweet potato nachos. They are delectable. Then, head back to Patrick and watch the men play from 7 pm to 9 pm. If we avoid overtime, you might be able to catch a late-night show at the Flynn Theater post-game. Oh, for pizza, I highly recommend Piesanos.   STADIUM JOURNEY: Same question for your adapted home, Chapel Hill. MADDIE AHMADI:  If you are ever in Chapel Hill, you need to grab breakfast at The Carolina Coffee Shop. Despite the deceptive name, the establishment is much more than a coffee shop. They have the best cornflake French toast. Last year, I saw Patriots QB Drake Maye dining with his teammates there quite often. After breakfast, there are lovely botanical gardens on campus that you could explore. You should also be sure to attend one of our great sporting events. UNC has excellent women’s field hockey, women’s soccer, lacrosse, the list goes on. There’s always something. You can dine at Top of the Hill, it’s an iconic restaurant that overlooks Franklin Street. Make sure you get the hush puppies. Take in the Southern charm.  Maddie with UVM women's basketball broadcaster Maura Sheridan STADIUM JOURNEY: This is perhaps the most important question: What's the story behind your poem "' Twas the Night Before (UVM) Madness "? MADDIE AHMADI:  Ha! The poem is a funny story. I was extremely disappointed when I found out that the America East Championship, and subsequent NCAA tournament, was cancelled in 2020. It’s the highlight of my year. I decided that I needed to channel that disappointment into writing, I am a journalist after all. It may have been the easiest piece I’ve ever written. The words, and emotions, just flowed. Jon Hart is  @manversusball

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Capital Union Building Gymnasium 777 West Harrisburg Pike Middletown, PA 17057 Penn State-Harrisburg Nittany Lions website Capital Union Building Gymnasium website Year Opened: n/a Capacity: 1,500 Another Penn State Penn State-Harrisburg is a commonwealth campus of Pennsylvania State University in Harrisburg, PA. Around 5,000 full-time students attend the university. The Pennsylvania State University is a geographically dispersed university with campuses located throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Most people only know of the flagship University Park campus. The college was initially founded in 1966 as the Penn State Capitol Campus an upper-division and graduate-level campus. Later on, it was called Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg—Capital College. The college welcomed its first four-year undergraduates in 2001, with its first student housing opening in 2002. Penn State Harrisburg was considered fully transitioned into a four-year college by 2004. Penn State-Harrisburg teams participate as members of NCAA Division III's United East Conference. After a 10-year break from intercollegiate athletics, Penn State–Harrisburg brought back the department as of the fall of the 2005–06 academic year. We attended the venue during a men's and women's doubleheader and the images are from the women's action. The experience should be the same no matter what game you attend. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small permanent concession stand, as well as Chick-fil-A is usually at games selling their wares as well. Prices for all items are reasonable, albeit a bit limited in variety. Atmosphere 3 The arena is a small gym that is similar to many high school gyms. Because of the small size, it can get loud pretty quickly depending on the game's action. There is a very cool "We are (Penn State logo)" permanent sign on one of the seating sections. It is lit up and looks very cool. Instead of permanent video screens, screens drop down from the ceiling for pre-game intros. That is a feature I have not seen at any other venue. Neighborhood 3 Penn State Harrisburg's campus is not located in Harrisburg itself. It is instead along the Susquehanna River near Middletown, Pennsylvania. Middletown is located 3 miles north of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant. The Unit Number 2 Reactor at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant suffered a partial meltdown in 1979, causing then Pennsylvania governor Dick Thornburgh to order the evacuation of pregnant women and preschool children from the area. Within days, 140,000 people had left the area. President Jimmy Carter visited Middletown's Community Building to calm the nerves of anxious residents. The power plant is viewable from the Penn State-Harrisburg campus. There are some local restaurants such as Roberto's Pizza and Kuppy's Diner, but you may have to venture closer to Harrisburg for many more options. The Swatara area off of Route 283 has many options. Fans 3 There were a decent number of fans in attendance and they were quite enthusiastic.  You are also likely to find a good number of fans of the opposing teams as many of the opposing schools are located close by. Access 4 Middletown is located right by major roads such as Route 283 and the Highspire Exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike so accessing the campus should be pretty easy. There should be plenty of free parking but we would caution you to check parking regulations for any weeknight games. Return on Investment 4 It costs $5 to attend a game at Penn State-Harrisburg and the parking is free. It seemed like it was cash only for admissions and concessions. Even the simple concessions are cheap so the value is very good. . Extras 3 The "We are (Penn State logo)" permanent sign in the seating area is a feature we have not seen at other venues. We liked the innovative way of using the dropdown screens as part of the entertainment. There is a nice Hall of Fame and other athletic accomplishments on display in the building lobby. Final Thoughts The simple gymnasium at Penn State-Harrisburg is a fun place to watch a game.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 John Sessions Stadium River Rd Jacksonville, FL 32211 Jacksonville Dolphins website John Sessions Stadium website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 1,500 Between the River and the Ocean Jacksonville University is one of several institutions of higher learning in the city that field baseball teams, alongside Edward Waters and the University of North Florida . Lacking a pro baseball team closer than Tampa , however, the city is probably most well-known for its MiLB franchise, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp . The Jacksonville Dolphins play their home games at John Sessions Stadium, an on-campus facility nestled among the school’s other athletic facilities. The small venue opened in 1994, holds 1500 fans, and was most recently renovated in 2008, when a new scoreboard, entrance, and backstop were added.   Food & Beverage   3 The facility has one concessions stand just inside the main entrance, which is punnily named the Con“Sessions” Stand, reusing the baseball venue’s name; both the stadium and its concession stand are named after John Sessions, a member of JU’s first graduating class and proud supporter of JU athletics, especially baseball. This stand offers a basic menu including what you would probably expect to find at this level, including hot dogs, burgers, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, chips, candy, and snow cones, as well as soda, bottled water, beer, and wine.  Prices may be a tad on the high side, with main dishes running $6 and bottled water/soda coming in at $3/$4, but the addition of beer and wine is a nice perk, given many college sports venues don’t offer alcohol.   Atmosphere   2 Baseball at John Sessions Stadium is pretty low key; the crowd is miniscule, and there isn’t anything going on besides the game itself, although the facility itself is nicely done. The stands don’t appear dated at all, there are lots of JU color pops, and there are myriad photos and other nods to past JU players, as well as homages to past tournament and regional appearances; there is even a small Dolphins team gear stand right next to the concessions stand. The ticket office has some nice décor as well – through the window you can see a giant Jacksonville University banner bracketed by two JU baseball uniforms.   Neighborhood   4 Jacksonville University and John Sessions Stadium are located on the east and south sides of the curving St. Johns River, about 15 miles west of the beaches. Certainly beachfront activities are an option if you are in town for several days for a full three-day series, which baseball fans are accustomed to at any level, but there are also some great restaurants to be found closer to the university itself. Two well-known sandwich shops are The Sheik and Blue Boy, while Tabouleh Café and Trap House Chicken are great if you are looking for wings or Mediterranean, and of course Jacksonville also features numerous seafood restaurant and breakfast eateries, the latter of which always seem prevalent in beachside towns.   Fans   1 Attendance at John Sessions Stadium is almost non-existent during Jacksonville Dolphins baseball games – the stands can often be nearly empty, and you may see more visiting fans than home fans sitting in the chairback seats. Most fans sit in front of the press box, facing home plate, but there are two additional sections of seating, one on the first base side and another on the third base side. There is no seating in the outfield.   Access   4 There are no issues getting to, or in and out of, Sessions Stadium, other than possibly some lingering construction along one edge of the main parking lot. There is a huge parking lot on the first base side of the field, along Dolphin Drive after you pass through the gate when you come onto campus – most fans will park there and walk around to the main entrance, although insiders know there is additional parking closer to the entrance itself, if you keep driving around after you see the first, large parking area. Once inside the facility there are no issues moving around, especially given the typically small crowd size. There may be a short line for concessions, however, as there is only one stand serving the whole park – so at a busy game there might be a bit of a wait.   Return on Investment   3 Parking is free for JU baseball, and admission is only $10, although they stop selling tickets (and thus let you in free), starting around the fourth or fifth inning. Given the lack of amenities here, this might be a good way to spend an evening depending on what kind of experience you are looking for. If you are bringing a large group, you will probably have more fun at a Jumbo Shrimp game, for example, although you will likely pay a bit more for it.   Extras   2 There are a couple of dolphin statues on campus, including one carved from the stump of a tree felled by Hurricane Irma, and the team offers free electronic programs at its baseball games via a QR code, but otherwise there is not much going on at John Sessions Stadium during Jacksonville University Dolphins baseball, save for the simplicity of the game itself.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Intuit Dome 3930 W Century Blvd Inglewood, CA 90303 Map It LA Clippers website Intuit Dome website Year Opened: 2024 Capacity: 18,000 The Return of Pro Hoops To The ‘Wood When it comes to hosting some of the big names of professional sports, the City of Inglewood, minutes from LAX, is no stranger. From 1967-1999 The Forum was the home to the Los Angeles Lakers  as well as the Los Angeles Kings . During that span much of The Forum’s glorious history would be provided by the 80’s Showtime Era Lakers , winning 5 of their 6 Forum era championships from 1980-1988 while attracting countless Hollywood celebrities, most notably Jack Nicholson and Dyan Cannon.  As both the Lakers and Kings would move to DTLA at the Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena), the Clippers, who would play their home games at the nearby L.A. Sports Arena from 1984 -1999 after moving from San Diego, would join these two powerhouses.  During their time at Crypto, the Clippers were often regarded as the third tenant, resulting in several occasions with unfavorable afternoon tipoff times. As the team was turning a corner, the Clippers would not be void of controversy due in large part to former owner Donald Sterling . Even with the Clippers recent run of success, try as they may, even going as far as to cover the Lakers championship banners with banners adorning current players, Crypto.com Arena would always be associated with the Lakers.  In comes present day owner Steve Ballmer. Ballmer would be the billion dollar mastermind   that would eventually give the Clippers a home they could truly call their own. Food & Beverage 3 For being a snazzy new venue in a city with various cultural palettes, the options here are somewhat underwhelming. Options include your basic burgers and hot dogs, double cheeseburger, the famous L.A. Street Dog, cheese or pepperoni pizza and chicken tenders.  Healthy options include a chicken Caesar salad, plant based burger, a spicy tuna or garden sushi dog and a buffalo cauliflower wrap. Some of the snack options offer soft pretzels, classic and butter toffee popcorn, nachos and spinach empanadas as well as a variety of chips, candy and ice cream bars.  Coca-Cola products are the soft drink providers and can be bought in cans at any of the grab and go concession stands. Souvenir cups are also available and can be filled at the many self-serve stations throughout the concourses with unlimited refills. The souvenir cups can also be used for any future Intuit Dome events you may be attending.  Some of the domestic, import and craft beers available are Coors, Modelo, and Lagunitas IPA, as well as red and white wine and ready to drink cocktails. Atmosphere 5 Intuit Dome Pregame Intro, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey From the moment one sets foot inside the venue there is already a sense of excitement, starting from the outdoor plaza where fans can shoot some pregame hoops on a regulation basketball court, or admire the various artwork throughout , including the much talked Clipper ship .  The section that is one of the most talked about is The Wall. This section, located behind the visiting teams basket, rises vertically from the floor up with no luxury suites creating any separation, encouraging some of the most rabid fans to make their presence felt such as that in college venues. The first 13 rows provide safe standing rails to encourage those close to the action to provide an intimidating and distracting feel for the free throw shooters of visiting teams. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer spared no expense in making the team’s new digs quite a showcase. Intuit Dome View Atop the Wall, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 Intuit Dome Public Artwork, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey As the sports and entertainment complex continues to thrive in Inglewood, aside from the Kia Forum and SoFi Stadium, the neighborhood surrounding these venues has not fully developed. Visitors to the Intuit Dome may find themselves disappointed in the fact there are not many pre and postgame dining options within the area. Along Century or Manchester Blvd you will find your usual chains such as McDonalds, Jack In The Box or Starbucks but not much else.  Cosm Los Angeles  is close by offering a high tech viewing experience of major sporting events giving fans the feel of being at a live event.  Fans 3 Much like the Staples/Crypto era, Clippers fans are a much different breed from the glitzy crowd the Lakers  attract. The majority of fans who attend Clippers games are family types along with the working class. They are still miles from totally capturing the vast L.A. fan base which  their crosstown rivals continue to enjoy. Though an occasional celebrity such as Billy Crystal can be spotted every now and then, for the majority of the fans the focus, bells and whistles, et al, is still on the game without much stargazing. Some of the most passionate fans are seated in the earlier mentioned Wall behind the visiting teams basket. Though Clippers fans now have a venue they can truly call their own, they haven’t exactly been filling the seats toward the rafters on a nightly basis. One can only guess the reasons for the nightly vast amount of empty seats. Costs that include a $68 parking fee? Could it also be the fans reluctance to give too much personal information on the Intuit Dome app? Or maybe the lack of a huge big name superstar aside from maybe James Harden? Could the venue’s Inglewood location also be a factor? After all, anyone familiar with L.A. will tell you Inglewood isn’t exactly in the most centrally located part of town. I’d have to guess it’s a combination of the aforementioned factors. Perhaps as the season approaches the playoffs more interest can be attained by the Clipper Nation.  Access 3 This is L.A. OK, their new home is in the city of Inglewood. I’m sure you get the point. When in L.A., chances are great you’ll be driving. And if you’re driving, you’re more than likely to encounter traffic issues. In some, or many cases, there’s no way around it. This is THE one category that will always be an issue here in Tinsletown.  There are two main garages as well as a VIP Players garage where fans can park. Though parking may be sufficient for the venue’s size, be prepared for your card to be dented with prices starting at $68.  If planning on driving, when in L.A., allow yourself ample time to arrive. Unless you are staying at one of the hotels at nearby LAX, you’re likely to be driving a fair distance along with our famous traffic. L.A. continues to be a sprawling city with no true central point so plan accordingly. You may also want to keep in mind the KIA Forum and SoFi Stadium are neighboring venues that can host events coinciding with Clippers games. To encourage alternate ways of arrival, free gameday shuttles  from various public transit park & ride hubs are offered throughout Los Angeles County. Return on Investment 4 Excluding the parking, which at the cheapest will be $68, tickets for most games are still reasonably priced. Prices from the Intuit Dome app start as low as $29 for seats in the upper terrace wall to as much as $250 for floor level seats via third party sites. If you have an account through the Intuit Dome app, you may be able to score some day of game deals for as low as $21. For games against prime opponents such as the Lakers, Warriors and Celtics expect a significant hike with prices starting in the triple digits at $150.    Regardless what outlet you decide to purchase your tickets you, as well as other attendees from your party will need to add the IntuitDome App  to your mobile device. Once the app has been downloaded each attendee must create their own profile as well as a GameFace ID (Selfie) or an Identity Pass that can be added to your Google or Apple Wallet.  Once a profile has been created the ticket purchaser can transfer the tickets to each attendee in their group. If bringing anyone 13 or under or anyone else needing assistance, a Teammate account can be set up for them.  Are you confused? Don’t feel so bad. What may seem as advanced technology has had its glitches since the venue's first event and should you still have any reservations or questions regarding the use of the app, an Answers Portal is located right at the entrance prior to entering the lower bowl concourse. Extras 4 The moment fans step inside the main outdoor plaza they will experience a vibrant atmosphere. The outdoor plaza, open to the public on non event days, offers a full length basketball court where fans can show off their hoops skills alongside an LED screen displaying an array of Artificial Intelligence based art .  Intuit Dome Art and Hoops, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Another unique work of art that fans will be attracted to is a Clipper ship displaying various basketball hoops , making for a great meeting point. Intuit Dome Clipper Ship, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Once inside the arena fans will notice a display of basketball jerseys from every high school in California located throughout the lower concourse. This is one of the more popular displays inside the arena as fans try to find the location of their high school jersey. Fans can find their high school jersey with the assistance of this link , also available on the display wall. Intuit Dome California High School Basketball Jersey Display, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Inside the seating bowl fans will notice a console that allows them to play games such as team trivia during breaks in the action. The interactive console consists of multi colored buttons allowing fans the chance to play along. The console also comes equipped with an in-seat outlet to charge your phone. Final Thoughts With just under 18,000 seats, the Intuit Dome just may be the most intimate of all NBA arenas. In its first season, like any new venue, its had its hits and misses. Could the Intuit Dome be the model for how any potential future NBA arenas are built? Will fans eventually be accepting of the so-called technological advances that come with attending an event inside this sparkling new venue? The only thing that’s missing that can be built over time is history such as that at Crypto.com Arena, now in its 25th year of service. Once you get past all the technical stuff required to enter the Intuit Dome, you are sure to be impressed with what the Clippers can finally call their own.  Click here  for more of my thoughts on the Intuit Dome game day experience and also check out my YouTube video below for more.

Photos by Terry McCutchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 The Field House 2600 S. Neal Street Commerce, TX 75428 East Texas A&M Lions website The Field House website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 3,055 East Texas A&M University Women’s Basketball East Texas A&M University, formerly Texas A&M University-Commerce, is the fifth oldest state college/university in Texas, having been founded in 1889. The school opened under the name East Texas Normal College as a training school for teachers in Cooper, Texas. After fire destroyed the original campus, the school was relocated to its present day location in Commerce, Texas. The school received full state funding in 1917, and in 1923 changed its name to East Texas State Teachers College. The school voted to remove the word Teachers from its name in 1957, and changed to a university in 1965, becoming East Texas State University. In 1996 the school was voted into the Texas A&M system, thus becoming Texas A&M-Commerce – this name was used until November 2024 when the school became East Texas A&M in an effort to better connect with the region where most of the traditional students reside. With an enrollment of 11,500 in 2023, this is the third-largest university in the Texas A&M University System. Located in Commerce, in the northeast corner of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and a mere 60 miles from downtown Dallas, most of the current student body hails from either the Dallas metroplex or one of many small towns in northeast Texas. ETAMU’s mascot is the Lions; the school sponsors twelve varsity sports and have competed since 2022-23 at the NCAA Division 1 level in the Southland Conference; previously the teams were members of the Lone Star Conference for much of their history. The women’s basketball program began in 1971, making the Elite Eight in 2007 and having qualified for the national tournament five times since their founding. The home of Lady Lion basketball is The Field House. Built in 1950, The Field House is designed in the shape of an airplane hangar and covers over 69,000 square feet, most of which is continuous hardwood flooring lined for multiple basketball and volleyball courts. The Quonset-shaped building is quite in contrast with the rest of campus, which consists mainly of new, modern buildings made of brick, lots of glass, and state-of-the-art architecture. With moveable stands, the massive open space and 58’ ceilings can host five full-court basketball games simultaneously. It is believed to be the largest non-stop hardwood floor west of the Mississippi River; unique and a peek into a time long past.   Food & Beverage   3 Concessions at The Field House are unspectacular but do offer many of the basic items you have come to expect. Food choices include hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, assorted chips, and candy. Drinks include Powerade, water, Coca-Cola products, and Dr Pepper. Alcoholic beverages available include Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, White Claw, Beatbox wine, Dallas Blonde, and local lager Tupp’s Bold Gold. There is one concession window with one or two workers, which is sufficient. The only time there may be a wait longer than one or two people is during halftime. Prices are a little higher than what you might expect for this level of play, with drinks costing between $4.75 and $7 and snacks costing between $3 and $6. Nachos do cost $7.50 and Beatbox wine is $8.   Atmosphere   4 Basketball games inside The Field House are entertaining and fun for all ages. Due to the fact the school is located in a smaller community, NCAA D1 athletics are consistently the top entertainment option nearby. The Lady Lions are supported by a cheer squad, dance team, and pep band, as well as fans of all ages from Commerce and surrounding towns. On one end of the gymnasium, there are two large inflatables for children to play on before and during games. The inflatables are within eyesight of the visitor stands and one end of the home stands. When asked if the inflatables were featured at all home games, the gentleman from the inflatables company stated that they were, to allow kids to play so adults could enjoy the game. There are crowd participation games at Lions games that take place during long stoppages in play, as well as half time entertainment. At the most recent game I attended, there was a relay race between a group of young children followed by a scrimmage between two youth basketball teams – all these activities created an environment where there was very little down time when there was no action on the court.   Neighborhood   3 East Texas A&M is located in the northeast Texas community of Commerce. Commerce has a population of approximately 10,000, one of the smallest university towns in the state of Texas. Located in such a small town, the school is the center of activity, largest employer, and biggest attraction in the region. If driving into town from the Dallas area via Highway 24, the main entrance to campus greets you as you enter town. Most of the buildings seen from the road are new and built using sustainable techniques that meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The area across Highway 24 from the school consists of the convenience stores, fast food restaurants, and major chain stores of Commerce. The neighborhoods that surround ETAMU include a mixture of apartment complexes, modest single-family homes, and small duplexes and other rental properties. Within a half mile of campus sit the historic, century-old houses that were original to the city. For games during Christmas break prior to the start of Spring semester, there is not much life in and around campus. If looking for a meal before or after the game, there are a few restaurant choices in town.  Luigi’s Italian Restaurant and Lone Star Eatery Grill & Bar are both across the street from campus, while Lulu’s Burgers  and Mariscos del Golfo  are both just a few minutes’ drive away. Fast food establishments across from ETAMUl include Braum’s, Chicken Express, Sonic, McDonald’s, and Dominos. For a small town there are just a few viable hotel options, including Magnuson Hotel , Lion’s Den Extended Stay , and The Yellow Rose of Texas . Hotels in Greenville, a short 20-minute drive away on Interstate 30, offers Hampton Inn & Suites , Best Western Plus Monica Royale , and Comfort Inn & Suites , among others. Sulphur Springs is 30 minutes away on I-30 as well, and also has multiple hotel options. Alternatively, if you will be coming from the north, Paris and Sherman are both within an hour’s drive and have plenty of accommodations to choose from.   Fans   4 Lady Lion fans are loyal – their support is displayed through cheering during the game, led mainly by the pep band, cheerleaders, and student section. The support of these groups goes deeper than simple cheering, as they have organized chants for specific actions by their opponents. For example, after an opponent substitution, the crowd will count the steps of the player heading to the bench until she takes her seat on the bench, at which time they all yell at top volume, “SIT DOWN!”. Also among the fans here are groups of youth basketball teams from surrounding communities, as well as many senior adults. At a game I recently attended, there were three different youth basketball teams in attendance.   Access   3 The Field House at East Texas A&M is easily accessible, sitting on the north end of campus just one block east of TX-24. It sits behind Memorial Stadium, easily visible – it will be the enormous maroon Quonset hut-style building that looks like an airplane hangar. Parking is plentiful with a large lot extending from the football stadium past the gym, allowing fans to park within a short walk of the entrance. There is no charge for parking, which is an added benefit.   Return On Investment   3 The experience overall provides about what you would expect for the cost involved. All tickets are general admission for $10 or $15, depending on how high in the stands you prefer to sit. A limited number of courtside seats are available for $30. Once conference games begin in late December, there is also a men’s and women’s double header against the same opponent for one ticket price during every home game. Concession prices are slightly more at The Field House than at most comparably sized schools. This is offset by free parking and the no cost children’s play area.   Extras   3 Free parking within steps of The Field House’s entrance is definitely worth extra recognition. Most schools have prioritized and monetized prime parking spots, so the sacrifice of this income for general public parking is well appreciated. The unique, historic building that is The Field House provides a memorable game experience. While void of many modern amenities, the gym is a step back in time and a reminder that this is not professional basketball, but a game being played by college students. What the pep band adds to the atmosphere during the game is worth an extra shout out; the choreographed chants directed at the opposing team are both entertaining, and also help give some home court advantage to the Lady Lions.   Final Thoughts East Texas A&M Lady Lion basketball, as members of the Southland Conference, provides a quality game experience – the activities are sure to entertain fans of all ages. Stepping into the confines of the venerable building is like taking a stroll into the past; an afternoon or evening spent on the campus of ETAMU is well worth the time invested. It was recently announced that a new multimillion dollar event center has been approved. There is no planned date or other details available at the time of this article, however. Nevertheless, I would suggest putting a trip to this northeast Texas campus near the top of your basketball bucket list, to avoid missing a game in The historic Field House.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Bulldog Stadium University Drive Seguin, TX 78155 Texas Lutheran Bulldogs website Memorial Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1976 Capacity: 2,200 Texas Lutheran Bulldogs – Memorial Gymnasium Founded in 1891 as the Evangelical Lutheran College, the present-day Texas Lutheran University (TLU) is a private institution of higher learning based in the south Texas town of Seguin. Nestled on the banks of the Guadalupe River, the school is able to tout nearly one-third of its full-time 1,400 undergraduate students as competing members of their intercollegiate sports programs. Competing as members of the NAIA until the 2001-2002 athletics season, the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs  now compete at the Division III level in all sports as members of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. The TLU men’s and women’s basketball programs play their home games at Memorial Gymnasium at the Jesse H. Jones Physical Education Complex (named for the former U.S. Secretary of Commerce). The Bulldogs have called Memorial Gymnasium their home since the ‘70s. In that time, the teams have had a fair amount of success on the court, making numerous tournament appearances and winning multiple conference titles. Read on to learn more about the “Dog House” in Seguin.   Food & Beverage   2 Like most venues at this level of competition, Memorial Gymnasium has just one concession stand for fans during Bulldog games – this stand offers up your standard menu of game day items, such as hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, and bottled soda, water, and sports drinks. No alcohol is served. It’s not flashy, but it will get the job done. One interesting wrinkle is that the facilities are cash only, which is quite the outlier in this day and age; be advised to hit the ATM before heading to Memorial Gymnasium.   Atmosphere   2 Old wood paneling and old wooden bleachers give the look and feel of a distinct time gone by. Just inside the main entrance you’ll find the TLU athletics trophy cases, as well as its Hall of Fame lining the walls. Inside the gym banners adorn virtually every surface of the walls – these include banners for nearly every sport the Bulldogs participate in, as well as banners memorializing departed members of the program.   Neighborhood   3 Seguin is a very underrated town, in my opinion. Just a short 45-minute drive east on Interstate 10 from San Antonio, Seguin is a town steeped in Texas history, and a haven for those looking to enjoy fun on the Guadalupe River. The Jesse H. Jones Physical Education Complex and Memorial Gymnasium are located on the Texas Lutheran University campus, which is a short drive from Seguin’s historic downtown square. When looking for things to do, a couple of options are on the table, including ZDT’s Amusement Park and the Texas Agricultural Education Center . Both are fun, family-friendly locations that offer different types of attractions for visitors before or after (some) Bulldogs games. For dining options, I want to heartily recommend two of my personal favorites in the area. First is Burnt Bean Company , which is home to some of – if not the best – barbecue in Texas. I promise, you have not had better brisket than what they offer up here; also, don’t sleep on the side dishes. Most barbecue joints treat their sides as an afterthought, but not here in Seguin. Then next up is 1838 Grill  – in my experience you can tell how good a place is by how many locals go there; I’ve never seen this place not packed to the brim with locals lining up for the fried catfish and chicken fried steak. In terms of lodging there aren’t really any traditional options near campus. Vacation rentals might be an option, but there are also hotels which are not far away. Your nearest options are going to be La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Seguin  and Super 8 by Wyndham Seguin . There are other options as well, however, and traveling to nearby San Antonio is always an option too.   Fans   3 The crowd at the last game I attended was pretty good, especially in the student section – the game was a “pink out”, and quite a few folks understood the assignment. Despite the game getting pretty lopsided fairly early on, the crowd was still very enthusiastic. I do have a hard time envisioning a full capacity crowd inside Memorial Gymnasium. However, if the team were to get back to some of its glory days, I could see the community as a whole getting behind them and filling the place they call the Dog House – especially given they are the proverbial only game in town.   Access   3 The TLU campus is accessible off Interstate 10, with signage clearly marking the way. It is a 38-minute drive from the San Antonio International Airport, which is the closest place you can fly into. Once on site, parking is plentiful and free in unmarked spaces. The one drawback that keeps the Access score from being higher is the lack of public transportation options – you have to drive to Seguin to get to Memorial Gymnasium, meaning you will have to battle the perpetual traffic and construction on Interstate 10.   Return on Investment   3 Single-game tickets for TLU Bulldogs games cost just $5 per person for general admission seating. I saw no concession item that cost more than that, either. With free parking, you’re getting a tremendous bargain when attending games at Memorial Gymnasium. The one reason the ROI score isn’t any higher is that you will only ever see DIII and lower-level competition on campus for games.   Extras   2 The only real extra for games at Memorial Gymnasium are the Texas Lutheran Cheerleaders . The squad can be seen performing on the baseline and on the court during breaks in the action. They are a real highlight and perform quite a bit more than I have seen teams at this level perform. Beyond that, however, there is not much else for fans at the games.   Final Thoughts If you’re a hardcore basketball fan, you’re going to love games at Memorial Gymnasium and Texas Lutheran University. It’s got the look, feel, and history these fans have come to expect. If you’re not into that, though, honestly a game here in Seguin might not be your cup of tea. I personally enjoyed myself, however – I think if you’re visiting Seguin (which I would recommend), you could do worse for yourself than taking in a game at TLU. Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Super Bowl LIX Week has come and gone, and New Orleans showed out in a major way for its record tying 11th Super Bowl to host. Sure, the game was a blowout as the Eagles drummed the Chiefs 40-22, but the game itself was an afterthought, as nothing in it really stood out besides being the most lopsided Super Bowl in recent memory. What did stand out was the constant influx of parties, perfect weather, concerts, and fan events that overtook the city – New Orleans city was abuzz all week, from the spectacular opening night to the thrilling NFL Experience and the unforgettable parties that lit up the Crescent City, the city was on display like never before. This week felt more like a celebration of New Orleans than an actual football game. They call New Orleans a city of resilience, as there aren’t many cities in the U.S. that have had to overcome as much adversity. Whether it’s the frequent hurricanes, flooding, oil spills, crime, or the horrendous events that unfolded on the morning of January 1st. But Super Bowl week unfolded without a major hitch, thanks in part to the many law enforcement personnel standing on every street corner in the French Quarter. On the world’s biggest stage, the Big Easy proved why it is the perfect city to host big special events. I’ve never seen the city transformed like this before, from its huge billboards and Super Bowl signage hanging on every building, to the projected lighting on the St. Louis Cathedral each night. This year New Orleans was lit up like never before. Photo courtesy of the New Orleans Saints It all started on Monday night with the spectacle that was Super Bowl Opening Night – the final touches of the Superdome’s $500 million renovation were on display, as fans who couldn’t purchase tickets to the game were able to go inside the Dome and get a sneak peek at the Super Bowl signage on the field and concourse. This star-studded affair was broadcast on NFL Network and featured live music, special guests, and both the Chiefs and the Eagles coming out to take questions from the media. On Wednesday the Super Bowl Experience opened at Morial Convention Center and lasted until Saturday. If you’ve ever wanted to test your strength in an NFL combine-type workout, this would be your chance – they had bench presses, accuracy throws, kicking games, high jumps, vertical jumps, 40-yard dashes, and many more. Anything NFL related was on display here, from past Super Bowl rings and helmets to current and former players signing autographs. The Pro Football Hall of Fame even had an exhibit that looked like they brought the entire Hall of Fame from Canton. Flag football games also took place on the makeshift field, but the highlight of the night was seeing Michael Vick jump in and play quarterback for a random game that was going on. The pageantry of the NFL Honors was felt Thursday night at Saenger Theatre, where the best players of the year were honored. The red carpet was rolled out and the stars were on hand for the event, hosted by Snoop Dogg. Josh Allen went home with NFL MVP honors, while Saints legends Drew Brees and Steve Gleason presented the award for Walter Payton Man of the Year to Jaguars DE Arik Armstead. On Saturday the Super Bowl parade rolled through the French Quarter; nobody does Mardi Gras like New Orleans. With so many fans from all over the world converging on the city, what better way than give them a New Orleans-style parade with a Super Bowl theme? The king of the parade was Raising Cane's founder Todd Graves, and if that wasn’t enough to have kept you entertained, at night there were exclusive private and public parties, with concerts ranging from Chris Stapleton and Post Malone to Travis Scott during the weekend. At Mardi Gras World they had a collection of different festival-like parties going on, with Shaq’s Fun House taking place on Friday, a carnival-like atmosphere complete with games, rides, and concerts hosted by Shaquille O’Neal and Ludacris. Also on Saturday was the Sports Illustrated and Maxim Magazine Super Bowl party, followed on Sunday by Chef Guy Fieri’s Tailgate Bash before the big game. A celebration of New Orleans’ spirit and culture was even on display for Sunday’s game for the world to see – the pre-game show opened with a touching Nola Strong tribute to the victims of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack. Lady Gaga’s voice belted throughout the French Quarter as she played the piano from the Bourbon Street Memorial, with the NOPD standing next to Roger Goodell along with Saints legends like Drew Brees and Sean Payton. Jazz singer Harry Connick Jr. began the show in the Superdome with a jazz performance complete with the famous Mardi Gras Indians, followed by New Orleans music legends Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle’s performance of ‘America the Beautiful’. Another New Orleans legend Jon Batiste then displayed a soulful rendition of the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’. Emotions were running high when some of the victims’ families were on hand to present the coin toss, including the family of 27-year-old Lafayette, LA native Tiger Bech, and the family of 25-year-old Superdome video producer Matthew Tenedorio, who was also scheduled to work Super Bowl LIX. The best part about the whole week was the walkability between all the venues hosting the events; it is less than a mile from the Convention Center to the French Quarter and over to the Superdome. In that triangle you would find over 100,000 football fans from all over the world, as well as fans of all 32 teams converging on the city for the week. Even if you had no intention of checking out any of the Super Bowl events, you could have a good time just walking around the French Quarter checking out the sights, or people-watching the fans from all 32 teams. You couldn’t ask for better weather either, with each day being sunny in the high 70s. It’s hard to believe that 3 weeks before the big game, a record blizzard left New Orleans covered in 3-4 feet of snow; in a way the snow kind of cleaned the city up just in time for the Super Bowl. The big week had a huge economic impact on the entire Gulf Coast region, and was exactly what New Orleans needed after the terrorist attack on January 1st. With all the big celebrities in town, though, the biggest star of the week ended up being New Orleans itself. Not a day went by during the week without a famous celebrity or social media personality raving via Tweet about the city’s atmosphere. On the world’s biggest stage, the Big Easy proved why it is the perfect city to host big special events – whether it was the perfect weather, excellent food, or Southern hospitality, Super Bowl Week was a huge success. Hopefully it won’t be another 12 years until New Orleans sees another Super Bowl.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Carleton Ice House Raven Road Ottawa, ON K1S 5R2 Carleton Ravens Ice Hockey website Carleton Ice House website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 820 Quote the Raven Ask any Canadian about the athletic teams of Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, inevitably the conversation will come to basketball.  The Carleton Ravens basketball team has enjoyed unprecedented success, achieving seventeen National Championships since 2003.  That success through basketball has invigorated the rest of the athletic department.  The return of Ravens football after a 15 year absence in 2013 signaled a change in the Ravens Athletic Department.  Hockey also returned in 2008 after being on hiatus since 1974.  The Ravens hockey team was originally founded in 1949 and played for six seasons before disbanding.  The second iteration of the team lasted from 1960 to 1974.  The Ravens have since appeared in the USports National Championship Tournament in 2014, 2016 and 2019. Home for the Ravens is the Carleton Ice House.  The arena was built in 1974 and features two NHL-sized ice surfaces.  The main rink has a capacity of 320 seats with space for 500 fans to stand. Food & Beverage 1 The concession options are extremely limited at the Carleton Ice House.  On the ground level there are a number of vending machines for drinks and snacks.  There are signs that there is a Tim Hortons and Subway in an adjoining Physical Education building, however, if their hours of operation coincided with hockey games is unknown.   Atmosphere 3 The Carleton Ice House is a fairly simplistic hockey venue.  The exterior is fairly attractive at the main entrance at the west with light brick and windows attached to a long building with rounded roof.  The main lobby has plenty of red and black with Ravens markings.  There is not much that is sport specific or even hockey specific, but the lobby is not unattractive.  Fans must ascend to the upper level for entry to the rink.  In the main rink there is a strong warehouse feel to the environment with the north wall covered in corrugated siding.  The ice is east-west oriented and there is only seating on the north side.  The seating area consists of 3 or 4 rows of older, red arena seats with plenty of standing room behind the seating.  The simple scoreclock hangs on the eastern wall along with a banner for the retired number 12.  Paul Correy played for Carleton before the program dissolved, but was integral in the return of hockey to the university in 2008 by leading the fundraising campaign and drumming up interest in the community.  He was enshrined in Carleton’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014 and has subsequently had his number 12 retired by the hockey team.  The south side of the arena features Ravens markings to give the rink a bit more of a home team feel to it.  The gameday production at a Ravens hockey game is extremely simple.  There are no promotions, which are common during USports hockey games.  The most irritating feature of the gameday experience at Carleton has to be the sound system, which is very poor, making announcements almost impossible to understand. Neighbourhood 4 Carleton Ice House is located on the campus of Carleton University, adjacent to the Old Ottawa South neighbourhood.  There are a few spots that are not too far from campus that are good choices for pre or post game food and drink.  Some possibilities include Hometown Sports Grill, Bergham, Local Public Eatery, Irene’s Pub and The Prescott.  Ottawa is a fantastic tourist spot and there are a number of other sporting options in the city.  Carleton is of course known for its basketball  team but also fields a football  team.  The Ravens’ closest rival is the cross-town Ottawa Gee-Gees, who also field football, hockey  and basketball teams.  Professional sports is available with the Ottawa Senators , Ottawa RedBlacks  and Ottawa Black Bears  and fans can get their Junior hockey fix with the Ottawa 67’s .  Ottawa has a plethora of things to do in the city, however, not in the neighbourhood where Carleton is.  Skating on the Rideau Canal, visiting Parliament or taking in one of the dozens of museums in the city are great tourist options.  For fans wishing to stay near campus, the Best Western and Residence Inn are good options. Fans 3 At the time of writing, for the 2024-2025 season, Carleton attracted an average of almost 240 fans per game.  The game that was reviewed saw 155 fans at the game, which seems to be low.  This ranks Carleton 8th in the conference in average attendance.  There is plenty of room for improvement, but they are not at the bottom of the conference.  The fans in attendance were knowledgeable and supportive.  It would be beneficial if Carleton could attract more students on a regular basis and not just for the big rivalry games.   Access 4 Carleton Ice House is located on the campus of Carleton University, adjacent to the Old Ottawa South neighbourhood of the city.  Getting to the arena is not that difficult.  It is located south of Highway 417 which provides fairly easy access.  However, traffic in Ottawa can be an issue, even on the highways.  There is parking on site, however, fans will need to pay, even on the weekends and in the evening.  For fans wishing to take public transit to the game, the light rail station is west of University and there are buses on University also.  Fans should consult the Ottawa Carleton Transit  website for fares, schedules and maps.  Getting around the arena is not difficult and the washroom facilities are adequate for the size of the crowd. Return on Investment 4 Carleton Ravens hockey offers good value for a small investment.  Tickets for the Ravens start at $15 with discounts for youth, alumni and students.  Fans will have to pay for parking and concessions are a bit of a pain with vending machines.  That being said, the product on the ice is good and fans will have a good time at a Ravens game Extras 3 An extra mark for the Colonel By Classic, the rivalry game with the Ottawa Gee-Gees that is played at TD Place Arena, home of the Ottawa 67’s, and is very well attended. An extra mark for the resurrection of the Ravens hockey program. An extra mark for the Ravens hanging in under the massive shadow of Carleton basketball. Final Thoughts When in Ottawa, taking in a Carleton Ravens hockey game is a great way to enjoy an evening of hockey for a low price.  The Carleton Ice House is a simple venue but is adequate for USports hockey.  Time will tell if some of the basketball Ravens success can rub off on the hockey team.  Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram  @profan9.

Photos by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Blue Arena 5290 Arena Cir Loveland, CO 80538 Colorado Eagles website Blue Arena website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 6,800 AHL’s Colorado Eagles - A Major League Success Story The American Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles have a rink that has hosted organizational success in its two decades.  The Blue FCU Arena, the Eagles’ only home since the franchise debuted in 2003, has seen the team graduate from independent hockey to the ECHL in 2011 as a second-tier affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets, and then again to the AHL as an affiliate of the nearby Colorado Avalanche in 2016. Now, the Eagles are contemplating their future and have announced plans to leave “the Blue.”  In July 2024, they announced that they intend to move into a new, yet-to-be-built arena approximately seven miles away in Greeley.  Plans for the new arena are in their nascency and a tentative opening date has not yet been announced.  But the new Eagles facility will be part of a 5,000-acre development that will include a mixed-use entertainment district that will include a transit hub, a water park, and a hotel. Franchises outgrow their facilities, particularly when evolving from a novel, unaffiliated team into the wildly popular hometown NHL franchise’s top minor league affiliate.  But given the energy and enthusiasm the team has developed over its existence, the Eagles need to ensure that the new facility does not compromise a distinct home-ice advantage.  A game at the Blue is one of the better AHL experiences. Food & Beverage 4 There are a lot of food and drink options available around the Blue’s concourse.  Typical stadium fare can be found, most notably at the Snack Shack locations on the arena’s east and west concourses.  Those locations have a couple of specialty items that merit mention: the NoCo Dog (a hot dog topped with green chillis, pickled onions, and garlic aioli) and chicken bacon ranch mac and cheese.  A full bar serves cocktails, beer, and wine on the east concourse. What separates the Blue is the several kiosks throughout the venue.  There’s frozen sorbet, mini-donuts, freshly baked cookies and brownies, specialty pretzels, smoothies, and margaritas.  Most notably, a Dole stand serves pineapple and raspberry soft serve and these can be enjoyed in a float.  The Blue also has a full-service coffee stand.  Although it doesn’t offer traditional drip coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos are available for those who need a warm fix of caffeine. Atmosphere 4 An Eagles game is loud .  A first-class sound system is certainly part of the reason why.  But fans are enthusiastic supporters and bring an additional depth to the roar.  An Eagles game isn’t a social event so much as it is an place where people come together to cheer loudly for the Eagles.  Despite being only an hour from the Avalanche’s home ice at Ball Arena, fans wore player-specific Eagles’ sweaters far more than Cale Makar or Nathan MacKinnon sweaters, displaying local pride and signaling where their passions lie.  The Eagles matter to hockey fans in Northern Colorado; a game at the Blue is evidence of that. There is not a bad seat in the house.  The seating bowl only has 18 rows, so no one is far from the ice.  Fans remain in their seats during play and retreat to the concourses for reprovisioning between periods.  The Voodoo Ranger Lounge behind the rink’s north end is a nice place to watch the game, with a full-service bar and standing room overlooking the goal the Eagles defend in the first and third periods. Blue Arena Interior, Photo by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 There isn’t really a neighborhood around the Blue, at least not in the traditional sense because the arena sits amidst a vast complex of restaurants, bars, and hotels.  While the Blue’s location doesn’t have the feel of a “neighborhood,” it does provide a surprisingly good variety of non-chain options for pre- and post-game in the appurtenant commercial developments.  Ruben’s Grill and Cantina is less than a mile south of the Blue and, since opening in April 2023, has earned strong reviews for its food and service.  Other nearby eateries include Nordy’s BBQ & Grill and the Boot Grill, both of which are also less than a mile from the Blue.  Numerous chain restaurants also surround the arena, with Qdoba, Fuzzy’s Tacos, Chick-fil-A, Subway, and Carl’s Jr. in the immediate vicinity. Astoundingly, a ski area is also nearby.  Seriously.  The City of Loveland, Colorado, sits at an altitude of 4,997 feet and, frankly, bereft of mountains (which can be seen several miles to the west).  The city has a rich agricultural history of sugar beet and cherry farming.  Despite the lack of altitude and, well, slopes, Hoedown Hill opened in 2024, approximately four miles east of the Blue.  In addition to skiing on green (easy) and blue (intermediate) runs, it has a 1,200-foot, 10-lane tubing slide.  It provides a Colorado experience without having to navigate Interstate 70’s notoriously heavy traffic into the mountains during ski season. All of this can be easily paired with a visit to one of the world’s largest gas stations/restaurants/stores.  Travel stop juggernaut Bucc-ees’ only Colorado location sits about 10 minutes south of the Blue in Johnstown, CO.  For some, nothing says “hockey” like brisket sandwiches, gasoline, and more beaver-themed merchandise than can be imagined. A sports traveler may be able to do a double header and/or see several events in a weekend by checking out UNC (Greeley) basketball , baseball , or football or CSU (Fort Collins) basketball or football . Laramie, WY ( Wyoming Cowboys ) is 80 miles northwest and the Eagles parent club ( Avalanche ) is 50 miles south of Blue Arena. Fans 4 The Eagles are in the middle of the 32-team AHL’s attendance list in 2024-25, with 4,974 fans per game.  However, the Blue is the league’s fifth-smallest venue, limiting the team’s attendance.  Home games regularly sell out, with few tickets available for most weekend contests.  The fans who attend are die-hard hockey fans, devoted to the Eagles and very loud about it – with cowbells as the noisemaker of choice.  A chorus of enthusiastic cowbells becomes a chorus of angry cowbells when an on-ice fight erupts.  This level of enthusiasm makes an Eagles game well worth the hour’s drive from Denver or Cheyenne. Access 3 The Blue is equidistant between two state capitals: 50 miles from Cheyenne, WY, to the north; and 50 miles from Denver, to the south.  There is no mass transit to take from either capital, so fans traveling to the game from these locations must drive.  Most locals must also drive.  The opening of the Eagles’ new facility in a few years will hopefully address this.  Until then, the Blue is easily accessed from Interstate 25, which runs just to its west.  Once inside, fans can expect a tight fit.  The concourses seem narrow, particularly when fans empty into them between periods.  Seating is also tight.  Fans must contort themselves to allow other fans to pass through the aisles.  There are restrooms placed throughout the arena, though lines for both the men’s and women’s restrooms tend to form during intermission. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices in professional hockey are not immune to inflation and tickets to an Eagles home game are not cheap.  Face value on tickets ranges from $30 to $44 – if you’re sufficiently fortunate to buy them when the team releases single-game seats before the season.  Otherwise, a limited number of pricier tickets can be found on the secondary market. The team charges $10 for parking, as well, using an app (fans who do not pay the parking fee risk receiving tickets). Fortunately, food and beverage prices are slightly lower than comparators.  A cheeseburger runs $8.50.  Adding a basket of fries will cost $4.50.  Pizza slices run from $7 to $8.25.  Beer prices vary throughout the Blue, depending on size and style.  Domestic drafts tend to cost $10 and premium drafts cost $11.  Domestic tallboys are $9.25 and premium tallboys are $11.  Cocktails are $12 and $17.50 for single and double cocktails.  For those not drinking alcohol, bottled water costs $5, while fountain soda costs $4. Extras 2 The Eagles promotions staff earns an extra point for their use of clips from “Seinfeld” during promotional breaks in the game.  A clip of Kramer, asking Jerry in George if they “really want to have some fun” from the series’ 1994 classic episode, “The Marine Biologist,” extols fans to get loud. No David Puddy-style face or chest painting is required at the Blue.  Thankfully. The promotions staff earns another point, as well, for the creative use of the “Hockey Night in NoCo” branding displayed before the game.  It’s a play on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s long-running “Hockey Night in Canada,” localized for the Eagles’ northern Colorado presence.  This branding could be used more, perhaps on gear in the team shop.  Either way, it’s a clever adaptation of one of the sport’s greatest media institutions. Final Thoughts Particularly for a team that did not exist a quarter-century ago, the Eagles have created an outstanding experience.  Fans are committed to the team and the franchise seems committed to the fans.  While a new arena is likely imminent, here’s to hoping that the Eagles can carry over the great atmosphere and fan support that can be found in a game at the Blue.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Xfinity Center 2001 Paint Branch Dr College Park, MD 20740 Maryland Terrapins website Xfinity Center website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 17,950 Fear The Lady Turtles The Xfinity Center on the campus of the University of Maryland is home to the Terrapins' men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the gymnastics program. The name "Xfinity Center" typically refers to the main arena in the building, which seats 17,950 fans, but can also refer to the entire building, which includes the much smaller Xfinity Center Pavilion on the lower level that hosts the Terps' volleyball and wrestling teams. The Maryland women's basketball team has made 17 NCAA tournament appearances, including three Final Fours and the 2006 NCAA Championship. They previously competed in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), but since 2014, they compete instead in the Big Ten. Food & Beverage 4 The Xfinity Center has pretty much the same classic offerings you’d find anywhere, with main courses including hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, boneless wings, hot dogs, and pizza, as well as side dishes such as fries. Local chain The Greene Turtle has a stand which sells boneless wings and crab cake sandwiches. Fans with a sweet tooth can buy boozy ice cream as well as regular ice cream (by which we mean non-alcoholic, not boring) from the UMD Creamery right on campus. Alcoholic beverages are also available for fans of age. For those who require kosher meals, there is a certified kosher stand available outside section 121 selling items such as deli sandwiches and falafel in addition to stadium classics such as hot dogs and popcorn. Note that due to Jewish religious laws, the stand is not open for Friday and Saturday home games, nor on certain Jewish holidays where food cannot be prepared and/or served. Due to limited attendance, some stands on the upper level may not be open for women's basketball games. Atmosphere 5 The seating layout at a Maryland women's basketball game is different than it is at a men's basketball game, and provides the average fan a chance to sit much closer to the action. While the lower bowl for a men's game is typically reserved for season ticket holders and donors unless you buy at inflated prices on the secondary market, fans can sit in the reserved sections here for women's basketball games, and for games with smaller expected attendances, this may be the only area open. However, with attendance growing in recent years, the Terps will typically open the upper level of the Xfinity Center as well. While these seats are reserved for men's games, they are typically general admission for women's games, although this can change if an unusually large crowd is expected. The lower level seats are very close to the action, and only a few dollars more expensive than the upper bowl, so we recommend sitting here. A large videoboard overhangs center court and also shows detailed player and team stats. Before the game, the lights in the Xfinity Center will go out for player introductions as fans are encouraged to turn on the flashlights on their phones and point them towards the court. Flames will shoot up from a giant Maryland letter M placed on the court as a hype video plays on the videoboard and players are introduced. This makes for quite an impressive atmosphere. The Maryland pep band frequently plays during breaks in the action, and a giant Maryland flag above them covers seats behind the basket that are typically empty for women's games, thus simultaneously increasing the Maryland pride and making the arena seem fuller. A mascot, a terrapin turtle named Testudo, roams the crowd and the court interacting with fans and is beloved by all. Overall, a Maryland women's basketball game is an excellent atmosphere for fans to attend. Neighborhood 3 College Park is a small college town with enough in the immediate area to get by but is nothing special. There is a bowling alley a couple of miles away, and a bunch of chain restaurants within walking distance. If you’re looking for some local color, College Park Diner  is a favorite with residents and students alike and serves up comfort food 24 hours a day. Looney’s Pub  on Route 1 is a sports bar with dozens of big-screen TVs for your viewing pleasure. A couple of hotels are located nearby, including a Marriott  just off campus, and The Hotel  on campus. (Yes, the on-campus hotel is called The Hotel. Not a very creative name). That being said, if you’re looking to do more than eat and sleep, your best bet is to head down to the Metro station and take the Green Line into D.C. It’s about a 30-minute ride to downtown. Once you’re there, there’s so much to do and most of it is free. Whether it’s visiting one of the historic monuments and memorials, visiting one of the numerous museums, or simply walking outside on the National Mall, there’s something for everyone. All government-run attractions are free to the public, though some privately-run ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you will need to reserve that ahead of time. Fans 5 Attendance at Maryland women's basketball games has been growing in recent years, and they now regularly draw over 10,000 fans a game. Games against national powerhouses like Big 10 rivals UCLA and USC may draw 14,000-15,000, while games against lesser teams, especially on weeknights, may draw only a few thousand. However, in general, the Terps draw good crowds, which are rowdy, raucous, and here to watch basketball. They know their team, and they know the sport of women's college basketball in general. Although Maryland always ranked near the top of the country in women's college basketball attendance, the crowds here have grown in recent years as they have nationwide. Terps fans show every home game why they are some of the top fans in women's college basketball. Access 4 Another perk of attending Maryland women's basketball games is that it is a lot easier to get here and get around than it would be for a men's game. Parking for a game here is free in the lots immediately adjacent to the arena, and if those fill up, other lots are available elsewhere. You would not be able to park this close for a men's game without making a sizeable donation or buying a pass on the secondary market at a high cost. You can also take Metro's Green line to the College Park station and take the shuttle bus to the arena, but it only runs every 30 minutes and makes several stops in between, so give yourself a lot of extra time if you do this. It is also a ten minute Uber/Lyft ride from the station, or a 35 minute walk, which may still be quicker than taking the shuttle. When arriving at the arena, you will need to walk up a large staircase to get to the main entrance. This puts you at the top of the 100 (lower) level. There is also an entrance at street level, but this primarily serves the Xfinity Center Pavilion. If you have a disability and are unable to climb stairs, you can enter here and take the elevator up. Otherwise, you need to go up the staircase outside. If you do need to use the accessible entrance, let the staff know you are attending the basketball game. Otherwise, if there is a wrestling or volleyball game happening in the Pavilion at the same time as the basketball game in the main arena, they may not let you in the building without a ticket to that game. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices vary depending on Maryland's opponent and the day of the week, but max out at only $17-$20 for lower level seats against prime opponents. Parking is also free, and close to the arena, which is a nice plus. The one downside is that concessions are very expensive, and will likely cost upwards of $25 per person for a meal without alcohol, and if you want to drink adult beverages, it will set you back even more. This forces us to bring the rating down a notch. Extras 3 Look for the trophy case in the lobby of the 100 level with Maryland's 2006 National Championship trophy. Banners in the arena honor Maryland's men's and women's basketball achievements. The giant Maryland flag behind the band is worthy of a star here too - Marylanders take great pride in their flag and are not afraid to show it at Terps games. Final Thoughts A Maryland women's basketball game at the Xfinity Center combines one of the best fan bases in the country with one of the top arenas. Prices are quite affordable for the whole family to attend and sit up close to the action, and the atmosphere is electric from before the game even starts until the moment it ends. Hoops fans in the D.C. area will definitely want to check out a Terrapins women's basketball game here.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.71 Daytona International Speedway 1801 W International Speedway Blvd Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Rolex 24 at Daytona website Daytona International Speedway website Year Opened: 1959 Capacity: 167.785 America’s Crown Jewel Endurance Race The historic Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona is one of the most well-known sports car races in the world. An endurance battle that attracts the best manufacturers and drivers from around the world, this race is on any true race fan’s bucket list. Aside from that, it should be on the bucket list for any sports fan in general. Unlike other historic and thrilling endurance races that are better suited for a more mature audience (looking at you, Sebring 12 Hours ), the Rolex 24 is without a doubt one of the most family-friendly races around. Kids 12 and under are free, and there is plenty to see all race weekend long.   Food & Beverage   5 There is plenty to eat at Daytona in the paddock and beneath the grandstands in the main concourses. From drinks, coffee, and traditional stadium fare to more eclectic choices, the variety is impressive. The main stop is the paddock cafe, featuring chicken tenders and fries ($15), cheeseburgers and fries ($15), hot dogs ($6), corn dogs ($7), nachos ($7), beer ($9-$11), soda ($5.50), and various other snacks. During the 24 Hours there are also a variety of places to get food throughout the infield for fans. From the various bars that pop up near the main displays to simple hot dog and arepa stands around the main walkways, you will never have any issues finding something to eat. Moreover, several food trucks also set up shop in the infield midway area, meaning you can get some unique food options on the go.   Atmosphere   5 There’s nothing quite like being at a 24-hour endurance race; the feeling is electric as the race begins in the afternoon. Then as the sun sets, the lights come on and the look and feel of the race takes on another face – the smell of race fuel, the glow of the brakes in the cold night, the sound of engines roaring lap after lap. The infield campfires grow more numerous and the party picks up only as the night darkens. Later, as the morning creeps back, a sense of urgency comes in as the end nears. And when the checkered flag falls, the celebration begins. Mix into that a weekend full of pre-race support events, practice sessions, and qualifying laps, and you have no shortage of on-track action to see. The track itself is stunning as well – the updates to the main grandstand, thanks to the Daytona Rising project a few years ago, have made the seating outside the infield extremely comfortable for fans. Also, with main concourses that are easy to navigate and concession stands all over, it feels more like a visit to a professional sports stadium for the Super Bowl than it does a car race. On Wednesday night, various drivers, teams, and cars gather across the street at the Twenty-Four Premier at One Daytona fan fest. Racecars are towed from across the street and put on display, and fans can participate in both autograph and driver Q&A sessions.   Neighborhood   4 Daytona is a party town from days gone past when tourists flocked to the beaches during the summer months. However, the sun isn’t always so warm in North Florida in January. Nonetheless, the beaches are still just a few miles away from the track. In addition, right across the street from the track sit numerous stores, malls, and restaurants – from Chipotle and Panera to Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse, there are plenty of places to shop and eat during your stay.   Fans   5 The fans at the 24 Hours are like no others in racing – they are diehards who know the sport inside and out and are not afraid to show their allegiance to their favorite driver, team, or car manufacturer. They also know how to party like few others, but are also among the most welcoming in the sport. Any one of the various campsites will have a campfire going with a TV playing a broadcast of the race – you’re always welcome to pull up a chair and take in the atmosphere. Access   4 Parking at the 24 is plentiful – not only are there on-site parking lots for those with various parking passes, but the track also hosts various off-site parking options for fans to use, as long as you’re willing to walk. That said, a big downside is the traffic leaving the race Sunday after the checkered flag, which can lead to major backups for fans who stay to see the finish. For those who would rather take a ride, trams are also available to shuttle you in and out of the track from numerous parking lots, as well as to take you from one point to another at the track itself. Lines for tram stops may fill up fast, however, due to the massive crowds, so make sure you bring some patience when it comes to using the tram system on race day. You also can wander the facility as you wish, with any ticket granting access to both the stadium grandstand seating and infield viewing areas. On top of that, Daytona International Airport is literally across the street from the track, and hotels in the area are numerous, including Daytona Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, and others.   Return on Investment   5 The Rolex 24 is a race to be added to any sports fan’s list of must-see events, let alone any race fan. Tickets for this race weekend can get up there in price for a full camping package, but when you consider the quality of the product on the track, the length of the actual race you’re seeing, and the history made every year at the event, it’s hard to argue value versus cost. Two-day weekend tickets for just the Rolex 24 race itself are $115, while a full weekend ticket is $155. Suites are available for $900 for the Harley J’s Suite and $4000 for a four-day lounge pass. Perhaps the most unique ticket option, however, is the Taste of the 24 ($130-$175) – this price includes your event ticket with infield access, while also offering a special catered food selection from local chefs and restaurants during the Rolex 24, starting Saturday.   Extras   4 The 24 Hours race is home to multiple days of racing action, including support races in addition to the main event. Also, most tickets get you into the garage and paddock area at Daytona, which features fantastic views of the track and paddock from the rooftop patio decks. Fans can also get a look into the team preparations, thanks to the viewing windows in each garage bay. Fans can also look forward to autograph sessions throughout the weekend; by far the biggest is on Friday, when all the drivers line up in the garage area to greet fans. But the biggest plus that few other races offer is the fan walk before the race starts on Saturday – fans can get up close to the cars on pit road, wander the front stretch banking, relax on the grass, and have an up-front seat for the driver introductions. Many of the displays in the infield midway also feature giveaways or unique viewing locations, such as the Lexus lounge on top of their trailer.   Final Thoughts Taking a trip to Daytona for the Rolex 24 Hours is a visit worth taking. Anyone who is a race fan should attend, and with Daytona’s recent seating upgrades, watching the race from either the infield or the main grandstands is more comfortable now than ever before.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Bright-Landry Hockey Center 65 N Harvard St Allston, MA 02134 Harvard Crimson hockey website Bright-Landry Hockey Center website Year Opened: 1979 Capacity: 3,095 Bright-Landry, Big City   Hockey has been played at Harvard University since 1898. With Harvard’s long athletic history, it’s no surprise that the Crimson sponsor one of the oldest squads in college hockey. Harvard’s first ever hockey game was played on January 19, 1898 on a frozen pond in Franklin Field. The Crimson lost to Brown that day 6-0, but their rivalry continues today, making it the oldest continuing series in the country.   Harvard has played on the site of the Bright-Landry Hockey Center since 1956. The Donald C. Watson Rink was the original on-campus home of Harvard hockey. In 1978 the decision was made to renovate the facility, which offered little in the way of amenities for fans or players. The original roof was retained, and the arena was installed underneath. The “new” arena opened on November 19, 1979, with a game between the Crimson and the 1980 United States Olympic Team.   The rink was renamed the Bright-Landry Hockey Center in 2013 to honor Harvard hockey player Alec Bright, class of 1919, and alumnus C. Kevin Landry, class of 1966 and family, whose donations helped to fund the arena’s 2014 renovations.   Hockey has been played at Harvard since 1898. The Crimson have qualified for 27 NCAA tournaments, reaching the Frozen Four 13 times. Harvard won the national title in 1989. Harvard has won the Beanpot Tournament, Boston’s unofficial college hockey championship, 11 times. 57 Harvard alumni have played in the National Hockey League. In addition, Harvard’s women’s team, which also plays at the Bright-Landry Hockey Center, has qualified for 12 NCAA tournaments, reached 6 Frozen Fours, won 15 Beanpot Tournaments, and won a national title in 1999. 24 Harvard alumni have gone on to play professional hockey.    Food & Beverage 2    The menu at Bright-Landry Hockey Center sticks to the basics. There is a concession stand near the entrance, along with a smaller stand on the south end of the arena that opens when there’s a big crowd present. This is just a place for snacking. Hot dogs and nachos anchor the menu, along with snack items.   Coca-Cola products are featured at Bright-Landry. Fans looking for an adult beverage should wander over to the adjoining Watson Track and Field Center, where the Crimson Pub sets up shop. Thirsty fans can purchase Sam Adams, Coors Light, Corona, White Claw and wine here. It’s not the same as in the old days, when fans would have to dash over to Dillon Hall next door to grab a beer during intermission, but it’s much more convenient.   Atmosphere 3   The game day experience at the Bright-Landry Center is typical of most college hockey rinks around the country. The first thing fans will notice are the large murals adorning the walls of the arena. These murals honor Harvard championships, titles, All-Americans and award winners. There’s a clear video board hanging at center ice that is put to good use, but which is partially obstructed from many points by the banners hanging throughout the arena. The promotions table near the main entrance hands out free roster sheets, posters, raffles and the nightly silent auction.   One notable aspect missing during Stadium Journey’s visit was the lack of a pep band. Stadium Journey visited during Harvard’s opening game of the 2024-25 season, so the lack of the band was surprising. Another disappointing aspect was the sub-par sound system. It can be hard to understand announcements made throughout the game. One more thing that was noticed by the author and confirmed by many students and frequent visitors to Bright-Landry: the WiFi in the building is terrible. Your Instagram posts may have to wait until after the game.   With New England being the home of a great number of Division One hockey teams (21, to be exact), and many of them within easy driving distance, it’s not unusual to see a great turnout by visiting fans here at Bright-Landry. Unless you’re wearing a Yale sweater, you’ve got nothing to worry about. This is a very family-friendly place to catch a game.   Neighborhood 4   The Bright-Landry Hockey Center is located in the school’s athletic complex alongside its other sporting facilities, including Harvard Stadium , Lavietes Pavilion , O’Donnell Field and Jordan Field . The complex is not located in Cambridge with the academic buildings, but on the other side of the Charles River in neighboring Allston.   While there is little in the way of attractions on the Allston side of the Charles, Harvard Yard is less than a mile away across the Anderson Memorial Bridge and up John F. Kennedy Street. Harvard Square, lined with shops and restaurants, is right here, too. This is hardly the bohemian center that it was in the days of yore, but there is no shortage of dining choices in the area. Stadium Journey recommends trying a burger and a shake at Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage.   The Harvard campus is one of Boston’s top attractions in its own right. Take a walking tour of the campus if you are so inclined, and take a picture in front of the statue of John Harvard, as thousands of others have done. Remember to rub his shiny shoe, it is rumored to bring good luck.   If you’re visiting Harvard from out of town and would rather explore the city of Boston, downtown is just a few miles away. Visitors looking to enjoy the working class charm of Allston and Brighton will find no shortage of bars and restaurants a short drive from the arena.   Fans 3   Harvard lags behind Boston’s other four Beanpot schools in terms of attendance. The Crimson draw around 2,400 fans per game, which puts them in the middle of the pack nationwide. Fans who come to the Bright-Landry Center are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the team, even if they’re not the most vocal fans out there (would you expect any different at an Ivy League school?).   The dedicated student section, dubbed the “Crim-Zone,” is rarely filled with Harvard students, as most tend to spread out around the arena. A rowdy student section just wouldn’t feel right here, anyway. During Stadium Journey’s most recent visit, the Crim-Zone was filled with random fans rather than students, who do turn out in decent numbers.   Access 4   While Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA, the Bright-Landry Hockey Center is located across the Charles River, in the Allston section of Boston. Also located here are most of Harvard’s other athletic facilities.   Even on its best days, the city of Boston is a difficult city to drive in. The best way to get to the Bright-Landry Hockey Center is to take Storrow Drive to the Soldier’s Field Athletic Complex. If you must drive to a Harvard hockey game, bring along someone who knows the crooked streets of Boston well.   The recommended method of travel to Harvard is the subway, or “T”, as it is called locally. The Harvard Station MBTA stop is a 10-minute walk from the Bright-Landry Hockey Center. Several bus routes also stop at Harvard Station. The 66 and 86 busses stop directly in front of the athletic complex. For more information, fares and schedules check out the MBTA website . Parking is available throughout the athletic complex, but with only one way in and one way out, be prepared to take some time to leave after the game.   The Bright Center features a concourse which completely circles the rink. Seating consists of individual plastic crimson seats throughout the seating bowl. The small size of the Bright Landry Hockey Center ensures great views throughout the facility. Standing room areas line most of the seating bowl, and are popular spots from which to catch the action. While lines can get long at the concession stands and rest rooms during intermission, they move quickly.   Return on Investment 3   All tickets to Harvard hockey are priced at $20. Parking in the athletic complex will cost an additional $10. Concessions are priced a bit on the high side, but not outrageously so. Harvard is a bit more expensive than other college hockey rinks in the area, but still offers an affordable entertainment option for local fans.   Extras 5                                                                                                 Harvard showcases its lengthy hockey history throughout the Bright-Landry Hockey Center. Floor to ceiling murals line the arena walls as you enter the rink. Award winners, Olympians, past arenas, coaches and championship teams are all highlighted. On the far wall are photos of all men’s and women’s hockey teams to ever represent the school. Banners honoring the school’s conference championships, tournament appearances, and national titles hang from the rafters.   Notable among the banners is a crimson number 4, retired in honor of former Harvard player, hockey coach, and athletic director Bill Cleary. It is the only number that has been taken out of circulation in any of Harvard’s 42 varsity sports. No Division One school in the nation can boast more varsity sports than Harvard. Trivial Fact: Bill Cleary was Ryan O’Neil’s stand-in during filming of the 1970 movie Love Story.   The fact that the first game ever played at the Bright-Landry Hockey Center featured the 1980 United States Olympic team is worth a final extra point.   Final Thoughts   The Bright-Landry Hockey Center, while a fine facility in its own right, comes up short when compared to the other Beanpot arenas around Boston. It doesn’t have the history of Matthews Arena, the size of Conte Forum or the modern amenities of Agganis Arena. Still, the Bright-Landry Center is a nice place to catch a hockey game and a worthy Stadium Journey.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos created and designed by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey It’s a cold winter’s night, with lines full of cacophony from the fans, and the action on the floor is palpable. Cheers echo off the wooded seats and bounce off the steel beams, and chants of a score are equal to the roar of a victory. However, the squeak of the sneaker is repelled by the grind of the roller skate. The game is roller polo, and it was the first love in the state before basketball. Indiana was gripped with “polo fever” in 1903. The sport blossomed like a tulip and attracted the attention of entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on the sport. They built beautiful palaces, attracted top talent, and created a movement that filled the newspapers from Indianapolis to Fort Wayne to Terre Haute. Once the sport reached its peak, it swiftly fell from grace. What led to its rapid decline and eventual obscurity within a single generation? Maybe the old newspaper articles hold the story of a sport that seemed destined for greatness, if only for a brief time. Roller Polo is hockey on roller skates for today’s audience. However, there were differences. There were five players: two rushers, one halfback, one center, and a goalkeeper. They played on a wooden regulation rink of 80 feet by 40 feet with curved wooden sticks, shinguards, and a goalpost. Each game would be split into three 15-minute periods. The sport was first introduced in the United States from England in the early 1880s and received a second wave of popularity in Indiana in the late 1890s, thanks to M.C. Henley and a few others in Richmond. They formed a polo team, and soon, other cities began holding exhibitions of the new sport. In 1901, the Western League was formed and operated with three clubs. Around the same time, polo leagues back East were not as popular, and local polo magnates decided to entice them to Indiana with high salaries. Soon, the Western League became a professional entity for its second season, with the best players earning double $50 a week. One of these players, Frank Woedtke, was paid $110 to play for Anderson. The quick success of the sport attracted entrepreneurs who suddenly became polo magnates. They formed the six-team Central Polo League for 1903-04. These men built or converted existing buildings into polo rinks to house their new investments. There would be 12 teams, from Terre Haute to Richmond and Fort Wayne to Logansport, to satisfy the masses. Several new polo rinks were constructed to cash in on the popularity of the sport in 1903. Kokomo built a 3,000-seat building and called it “The Alhambra”; Indianapolis constructed a 3,500-seat auditorium, the Terre Haute Coliseum offered over 2,000 seats, and the Lafayette Coliseum had a capacity of 5,000. Anderson opened the Apollo Rink, Fort Wayne opened The Princess Rink. They all offered modern conveniences: electric lights, steam heating, and unobstructed views of the game. When leagues began play in November of 1903, the fans packed many rinks to see what the Indianapolis News  described as “the vim and fire that characterize polo are to be found in no other game. Its excitement is nerve-racking, and as it is “reasonably” dangerous, it appeals to the hearts of Americans.” The same newspaper filled the sports section with "Polo Dope" with box scores, statistics, stories, and recaps from all over the state. Next to this data would be advertisements for that evening's game, costing 50 cents for a box seat and 25 cents for general admission.  In Richmond, local businesses closed during matches, and employers bickered that employees spent the workday talking about previous or future games. Theater performances in Elwood closed during games, city council meetings were held an hour early on game nights, and many cities hosted amateur matches before the main event at home rinks. It was reported that over a million tickets were sold to polo games and Marion attracted 140,000 fans for 45 home games. There were 12 teams that took to the rinks in 1903 in Indiana and Illinois. Before the start of the 1904-1905 season, both leagues knew that they no longer could afford to pay top dollars for players, but team managers wanted the best athletes to draw crowds. The Central League paid reasonable salaries, drew crowds, and made money, but the Western League paid exorbitant salaries, drew crowds, and made a small profit. They decided to impose a $265 weekly salary limit, much to the chagrin of its players. Meanwhile, Central decided to do away with its $175 weekly limit and pay top dollars for players. Fort Wayne then announced they would pay $75 per star to join their club. Many players refused to take a pay cut and signed with the Western League. The Central had filled its 7-man roster and was in fine shape as its season approached. The Richmond Quakers were not happy with the salary limit and wanted to raise it to secure better players. The team almost left the league in dispute; they had the money to sign better players, but couldn’t based on league rules. Quakers president Micajah C. Henley explained his thoughts. “High salaries ought to bring the best players and the best players will bring the best crowds. The salary limit seems reasonable, but until there is assurance that every team in the Central League will not try to get players in the Western League there is danger. We must outbid them.” The 1904-05 season started for both leagues, but whatever peace was made between the two leagues was shattered when the Indianapolis Indians left the Western League for the Central League early in the season. The reason was that Marion Royals allowed Long John Wiley to sign with Lafayette Sycamores instead of them.  This led to all Western clubs posting a forfeit of $1000 to finish the season to discourage any other club from jumping over to the Central. When Elwood failed to post, they were having trouble signing players, they announced that they were ceasing operations. Elwood sold two players to Kokomo of the Central for $1,000, which was a direct violation of the agreement between the two leagues. Both players should have been sent to teams in the Western League. “While we realize that a war over players at this time would be a bad thing for both organizations, we will do everything in our power to prevent it,” said Foor. “I do not think we stand to lose by it as much as the Western League. We are not looking for trouble and will make any reasonable concessions to prevent a clash, but if a fight is necessary we can stand it.” Daily newspapers had plenty of photographs of polo players of the era The rest of the month, the magnates of the Western Loop tried in vain to add two more clubs. They suggested a new one in Indianapolis and contacted Cincinnati Reds management to operate a team. In the meantime, both leagues continued talks of consolidation, but the Central League did not want to add all four teams from the West.  The four-team Western League continued to struggle financially. Richmond lost $1,200, and only Marion made money. Anderson had only four players on its roster, and other members were unwilling to give players to strengthen the club. League president Norton had this to say about the situation. “This fight has not only been expensive to both leagues but has injured attendance. I believe that we are both ready to quit.” The Western loop would cease operations on January 16. Whether it was the fighting between the two leagues that was printed in the daily newspapers, the switching of players, the promises of new teams, or the same four teams playing each, interest sagged, causing management to call it quits. A few days after,  Anderson and Marion joined the Central League, while Richmond and Muncie closed shop. With the polo war over, you think the Central League would see smooth sailing for the rest of the season. It was not the case, clubs were shedding money, attendance had fallen, and there was still fighting over players’s rights. In many cities, the sport’s popularity was fading quickly, and managers of each rink were looking to get out of the polo business. The league would end one week earlier when Lafayette chose not to finish the season and awarded the pennant to Danville, who finished the season in first place with a 59-32 record.  The Central League would start a third season, but there was concern with salaries; the profits were no longer large enough to pay $300 a week for players. Two new polo leagues, the Interstate and National League, opted for amateur players and paid them $25 weekly. Danville president William Foor, who owned three clubs in these leagues, said it cost him less to operate them than his Danville team. “The managers and owners of these clubs are not reaping a harvest, but they are making money.” All one had to do was open up the newspaper to see if there was a game that night Unless salaries were cut under $200 a week, there was no chance of reviving the league for a third season. Another argument was that the public was losing interest in roller polo, according to the Fort Wayne News .  “The crowds toward the end of the season grew smaller and smaller until the general public gave open evidence of its impatience with the sport and stayed away.”    An eight-team league, minus Terre Haute—whose owner opted to transform his rink into a vaudeville theater—launched its 1905-1906 season on October 23. Teams were scheduled to play 3 to 4 games a week, with Sundays off, and player salaries were slashed to $50 for star athletes and $200 per week for the entire roster. The opening night crowds drew 1,500, but it was apparent from fans and reporters that the type of polo was slightly above amateurism. An elderly man in Anderson called it “punk” and said he had seen better play in local leagues, and one reporter said the following. Attendance figures fluctuate from as high as 2,000 in games in Indianapolis to as low as 500 for contests in Fort Wayne. Many of the best players held out for higher salaries and refused to participate in the league.  On February 11, 1906, Fort Wayne played its last game due to heavy financial losses. The Lafayette franchise shifted to Champaign, Illinois, but folded three days later due to poor attendance. Logansport players decided to finish the season despite not being paid. Only Kokomo made a profit, and Danville, Indianapolis, and Marion were ready to quit. The season ended with the top four clubs participating in a post-game series. The winner would receive the Hennings Cup, created to award the champion of the Western League, and be in storage at the Hotel Anderson. Despite some of the largest crowds in recent months, including 3,000 for the final day in Kokomo, a champion was not crowned. Danville and Indianapolis were 2-1 heading into the final day and were expected to play for the cup, but the last-minute change forced Kokomo and Marion to play one another, resulting in all four teams with an even 2-2 record. A $100 prize money was divided evenly among all players, and a majority of the players boarded trains the next day to head back east to start the New England leagues.  Fans no longer looked at the game being “on the square” and that gamblers were heavily involved with games in Anderson and perhaps elsewhere in the league. There would be no fourth season for the Central League for 1906-1907. Team pictures were taken with uniforms and equipment, highlighting the styles of the time. Soon, managers moved on to other business ventures, and players returned home to New England. The ornate rinks that were created for the game went on to hold roller skating sessions and basketball games, soon they were razed or lost by fire. Business and attendance were more profitable for roller skating sessions throughout the week and on weekends. Indiana had been cured of its “polo fever” and though there were revivals of the game, it would be played sporadically until 1958, but never reached the zenith it had during the 1903-1904 season. It had a good run of 4 years in small and large markets in the state. However, one has to believe that with better efforts by league managers and players, maybe it could have lasted a little bit longer. The tale of the two polo leagues is a reminder that some things never change in American sports. Salaries, operation costs, competition of players, and rapid expansion have killed many leagues this past century and will continue to do so in the future. If roller polo was allowed to grow organically without competition for players and high salary demands, who knows, it might have had a chance.  ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Daytona International Speedway 1801 W International Speedway Blvd Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Roar Before the 24 website Daytona International Speedway website Year Opened: 1959 Capacity: 167.785 Roaring at Daytona A week before the historic Rolex 24 , Daytona International Speedway is already buzzing with race action. An event that used to be held three weeks before the current date, the Roar Before the 24 has now become part of the fabric that makes up IMSA’s return to racing in January. Featuring three different racing series, this event is mostly a three-day test session for those in the IMSA WeatherTech Series and Michelin Pilot Challenge. However, for the VP Challenge series, this weekend features two races in their season kick-off. With stellar weather in January, this seaside raceway showcases why race fans flock to Florida in the winter. No doubt, this is becoming a must-see event right in line with the Rolex 24  for diehard fans. Kids 12 and under are free, and there is plenty to see all race weekend long.   Food & Beverage   3 During the Roar, there aren’t as many food trucks and pop-up bars to see as you have during the Rolex 24 . The main stop is the paddock cafe, featuring chicken tenders and fries ($15), cheeseburgers and fries ($15), hot dogs ($6), corn dogs ($7), nachos ($7), beer ($9-$11), soda ($5.50), and various other snacks. The main grandstands are closed off this weekend to fans, limiting the food options. Atmosphere   4 The Roar features a lot of the things you’ll find at the Rolex 24 , just on a smaller scale. The infield campfires grow more numerous and the party picks up only as the night darkens, just like at the 24 . There are night practice sessions, and two races for the VP Challenge series. Fans are invited on a pre-race grid walk before the VP race on Saturday, and victory lane is also open to fans for those races. The track itself is stunning as well – there are numerous grandstands in the infield for fans to watch the action from, and the track invites local Boy Scouts troops to come camp for the weekend in the infield during the Roar. Neighborhood   4 Daytona is a party town from days gone past when tourists flocked to the beaches during the summer months. However, the sun isn’t always so warm in North Florida in January. Nonetheless, the beaches are still just a few miles away from the track. In addition, right across the street from the track sit numerous stores, malls, and restaurants – from Chipotle and Panera to Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse, there are plenty of places to shop and eat during your stay. The most popular spot is now One Daytona, a shopping and dining district that features the likes of PF Chang’s, 4 Rivers BBQ, and even the Daytona Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel.   Fans   3 The fans at the Roar are like no others in racing – they are diehards who know the sport inside and out and are not afraid to show their allegiance to their favorite driver, team, or car manufacturer. They also know how to party like few others, but are also among the most welcoming in the sport. Any one of the various campsites will have a campfire going with a TV playing a broadcast of the race – you’re always welcome to pull up a chair and take in the atmosphere. During the Roar many of the fans are kids, as the track invites countless Boy Scouts troops from the area to come and camp at the track during the weekend. That said, there simply aren’t near as many fans at the Roar as there are during the Rolex 24.   Access   5 Parking at the Roar is plentiful; not only are there on-site parking lots for those with various parking passes, but the track also has various off-site parking options for fans to use, as long as you’re willing to walk. For those who would rather take a ride, trams are also available to shuttle you in and out of the track from numerous parking lots, as well as take you from one point to another at the track itself. You can also wander the facility as you wish, with any ticket granting you access to the various infield grandstand seating areas. On top of that, Daytona International Airport is literally across the street from the track, and hotels in the area are numerous, including the Daytona Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel, a Hilton Garden Inn, and others.   Return on Investment   5 The Roar is a race to be added to any sports fan’s list of must-see events, especially if you are a diehard sportscar fan. Tickets for the roar start at $15 for Friday/Sunday and just $20 for Saturday and go up from there, with various options for multi-day access and infield parking and camping available. Kids 12 and under are free of charge, which makes this a no-brainer for families as well. Extras   2 All tickets get you into the garage and paddock area at Daytona, which features fantastic views of the track and paddock from the rooftop patio decks. Fans can also get a look into the team preparations, thanks to the viewing windows in each garage bay. In addition, the biggest plus that few other races offer is the fan walk before the race starts on Saturday; fans can get up close to the cars on pit road, and have an up-front seat for the driver introductions.   Final Thoughts Taking a trip to Daytona for the Roar Before the 24 is a visit worth taking. Anyone who is a race fan should attend, and with Daytona’s famed high banks, the action is non-stop. The sound of sportscars fills the air all day and night for three days, ramping up the excitement for the Rolex 24  the following weekend.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Trojan Arena 5000 Veterans Stadium Dr Troy, AL 36082 Troy Trojans website Trojan Arena website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 6,000 We Are Trojans One and All The Troy Trojans basketball program began in 1950 as a member of the NAIA, competing in the Alabama Collegiate Conference. After the 1970-71 season, they would move to NCAA Division II, joining the Gulf States Conference where they would play for nineteen seasons. The program would find a new gear in 1982 when Don Maestri was named head coach. Maestri would bring a fast paced, high scoring, three-point launching brand of basketball to Troy – the team would take on the moniker “Trey State” for the volume of three-point shots they put up, and made. It would be under Maestri that the Trojans would obliterate the NCAA single game scoring record, along with six other NCAA single game records, in a 258-141, victory over DeVry Institute. Maestri led the Trojans into Division I in 1994 when they joined the Mid-Continent Conference (MCC), now the Summit League. The Trojans played three seasons in the MCC before moving to the Atlantic Sun Conference (A-Sun), where they spent eight years before finding their current home in the Sun Belt Conference, where they have been members since 2005. Originally playing at Wright Hall, the Trojans would move to Sartain Hall in 1963, which they would call home for over 50 years. In 2012, they would move into their new digs, Trojan Arena, which replaced Sartain Hall as the home of Troy basketball.   Food & Beverage   3 There is not much by way of concessions that would be considered eye opening, but the usual suspects are plentiful. Burgers, hot dogs, and nachos are the featured items, complemented by popcorn, chips, and candy. Soft drinks come by way of the Coca-Cola family of soft drinks, while alcoholic beverages consist of beer from the Budweiser line and the Troy branded Trojan Ale. For wine drinkers, Sutter Home’s Cabernet Sauvignon is also available.   Atmosphere   3 Trojan Arena seamlessly blends in with the buildings surrounding it; its glass rotunda capped with a cupola adds a touch of class and grandeur to the building.  The impressiveness carries on inside where the exterior brickwork also finds its way into the concourse as support structures. Large, arched windows along the concourse allow natural light in, leaving a glare on the court. Rather than an overhead scoreboard, large video boards are located at each end of the court which predominately show a live video feed of the game, but also include player point, rebound, and foul tallies. A ribbon board also runs around the top of the seating area, but other than a small section at center court on each side with game score, time, team fouls, and time-out information, its primarily use is to display ads. In-game entertainment includes a mixture of scoreboard games, played mostly with students, and cheer squad performances accompanied by Troy’s pep-band, The Sound of the South. The in-house DJ also is a big part of keeping fans entertained during breaks. With the exception of bench seating adjacent to the band, most seats throughout the arena are cushioned chair backs in Troy’s cardinal-silver-black colors scattered throughout, with the Troy sword logo “T” worked into the center court section of seats.   Neighborhood   3 Trojan Arena is situated in the athletics cluster of Troy’s campus, directly neighbored by Colley Track and Soccer Complex and football’s Veteran’s Memorial Stadium .  The Troy city square is roughly a mile and a half from the arena. There is not a lot nearby in terms of entertainment, but Troy and surrounding Pike County have over thirty historical markers that recognize the birthplace of congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis, war memorials, and the area’s historical story. The Troy town center has a small collection of shops and eateries. Even though the downtown area is not all that expansive, it does offer quite the collection of options; B Graves’ southern dishes, Burgers at The Corner, Franchesca’s Italian cuisine, Cajun food at Bayou la Roux, and popular southern college town chain Mama Goldberg’s deli can all be found. In addition, BBQ at Moe’s and casual American dishes at Flo’s Kitchen are all within a block of Troy town square.   Fans   3 Last season saw the Trojans average just over 3,000 fans per game, with that number getting a bit of a bump when the schedule hits the conference games. If looking for an experience with the most fan influence on the game, match ups with in-state rival South Alabama  get a significant boost, typically drawing more than 5,000 fans. During typical games, a small group of students gathers in what seems to be the designated student section. However, many students choose to sit along the sidelines instead, which somewhat diminishes the overall energy of the student body.   Access   3 Troy, Alabama is in a bit of an oasis when it comes to interstate access. US Highway 231 has the most direct access to town from I-85 east of Montgomery, or you can use US-29 if coming from the west on I-65. Parking at Trojan Arena is somewhat limited, but several nearby lots provide convenient access, with short walks to both the front and back entrances. The concourses inside are generally spacious, though concession lines can become long and may require some maneuvering. For the most part, the court remains visible from the outer concourse on the far side of the seating area. A wide walkway below the premium seating provides easy access to court-level seats.   Return on Investment   5 General admission tickets start at just $10 before add-on fees, and there does not appear to be parking fees. Given the already low ticket prices, it would be hard to find a more affordable option for attending a game. Concessions are also reasonably priced, making Troy basketball a budget-friendly choice for a group or family outing.   Extras   4 The concourse displays historical synopses of every one of Troy’s athletic programs. Each looks at the founding years of the program, postseason successes, and the program’s standout athletes. It is a bit disappointing, however, that there doesn’t appear to be any recognition of the Trojan’s record-setting 1992 258-point game against DeVry. Banners hang from the rafters recognize division and conference championships, as well as postseason tournament appearances for not just the men’s program, but also women’s basketball and volleyball, which teams also call Trojan Arena home. Trojan mascot T-Roy is an active participant in the game experience – the nearly 7-foot plush Trojan soldier makes his way around the crowd, stopping for photos along the way. T-Roy also accompanies the cheer squad throughout the game, and also serves as a co-host of sorts during on-court contests. In a show of appreciation to the fans, after the game the team makes the rounds in the seating area, thanking fans for coming out to support the program. These are small gestures that go a long way in building the fan base, letting game attendees know the support they bring is not taken for granted.   Final Thoughts Comfort and elegance certainly was not sacrificed in creating Trojan Arena. While not small by any means, Trojan Arena also does not feel like a cavernous venue where the atmosphere can easily get lost in empty seats. It would be nice to see a more consistent and concentrated draw from students, however, who can really set the tone for a truly special college basketball experience, especially at the mid-major level. Getting to Troy can be a bit of a challenge, but once there, the game and experience surrounding it are well worth the trip.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena University Ave. Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Messiah Falcons website Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 2,000 The Falcons Nest Messiah University is a private interdenominational evangelical Christian university in Grantham, Pennsylvania, although the mailing address is in nearby Mechanicsburg. The university began as Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training Home and was part of the Brethren in Christ Church. The name changed over the years going from Messiah Bible School to Messiah College, and in 2020 Messiah University. The university is now interdenominational and not part of the Brethren in Christ Church but still is evangelical with an influence in the Anabaptist, the Radical Pietist, and the Wesleyan holiness movements. The Falcons mascot is named Flex, although he was previously known as Fandango. The Falcons compete in Division III of the NCAA and are a member of the Middle Atlantic Conferences. The Falcons receive some of the biggest support in Division III and boast some of the best attendance of all schools at that level. The Falcons have been very successful in athletics. The men's and women's soccer teams won the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2012. The Falcons men's soccer team are eleven-time national champions. Messiah University is the only NCAA college to win the men's and women's soccer national championships in the same year, and they have achieved that distinction four times. There also have been national championships in women's softball, and women's field hockey, and numerous individual championships in wrestling and wrestling. The Falcons baseball time are five-time conference champions in 2003, 2005, 2008, 2011, and 2012. Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena opened at the beginning of the 2017-18 academic year after being renovated. Jordan Court is home to Messiah men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, and wrestling. Food & Beverage 3 There are no permanent food stands open for basketball games. The arena is attached to the student center which has a cafe, and there are vending machines all around. There is a sign saying no food or drink in the arena itself. Atmosphere 4 Hitchcock Arena has a true arena-like feel, more than a normal small college gym. This does make it have a pretty good college basketball experience. Messiah does have a very engaged sports fan base, so expect it to get loud at times. The PA system is also very loud, louder than we usually experience at college events. You can also expect music to have contemporary religious music mixed in with secular music. Neighborhood 3 There is not much of a neighborhood in Grantham but one can venture into Mechanicsburg and/or Harrisburg for more things to do before or after a game. There is a Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar in Camp Hill if you are feeling like eating a large meal. Vitality Bowls in Mechanicsburg could be a healthier option. Fans 4 Messiah has one of the best fan bases around . They support Falcon sports, no matter which one. If visiting on any given weekend, you are likely to find multiple games going on around campus, with each a healthy attendance . Access 3 Messiah University, itself, is not that hard to access as it is located nearby the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-83, I-81, and U.S. Route 15. There should be plenty of parking available on campus but check regulations for weeknight games. Return on Investment 5 There is no charge for attending a game at Hitchcock Arena. Parking is also free around campus. Extras 4 The attached student center has a nice cafe and college bookstore which is worth checking out. Go to the nearby Criste Tennis Courts to find a delightful swinging bridge that crosses Yellow Breeches Creek. There is a campus fitness trail that offers a great walking trail around a good part of the Messiah campus. The Climenhaga Homestead is a historic house on campus that was built by the first dean of the college (Asa Climenhaga) as a way to become better connected to the campus and its students. The homestead now houses guest rooms, meeting rooms, and conference facilities. Final Thoughts Messiah University is already a great spot to watch sports with some very engaged fans usually in attendence.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Huntington Park 330 Huntington Park Lane Columbus, OH 43215 Columbus Clippers website Huntington Park website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 10,100 Columbus Clippers Throws its Hat into the Ring The home of the Columbus Clippers is quite an accomplishment for the capital of Columbus. The $70 million ballpark brought the club downtown after nearly 80 years at Cooper Stadium. The construction was part of The Arena District, which shares space with Nationwide Arena a few yards away from the ballpark. Huntington Park is one of those Triple-A ballparks that should please many fans in attendance. The brick ballpark was designed by 360 Architecture and seats 10,100 people. The stadium features 32 suites, 42 loge boxes, and 650 club seats. The Left Field Building includes three levels: a 110-foot bar and gift shop on the bottom floor, 6 open patios on the second floor, and rooftop seating on the third floor. Throughout the facility, there are numerous areas worth visiting that are appealing to die-hard fans, young fans, and the occasional customer out for a night out with friends. When the stadium opened on April 18, 2009, it broke attendance records for the Clippers and created an atmosphere that could not have been matched at its former home. There is a lot of history inside the brick walls of the ballpark that dates back to 1902 when minor league baseball began in the city. The city was represented by various clubs: Columbus Senators, Red Birds, and Jets. The current Clipper franchise debuted in 1977 as an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, before a long relationship with the New York Yankees, followed by the Washington Nationals and now the Cleveland Guardians. Food & Beverage 4 There are eight concession stands on the main concourse between sections 1 and 8. The options include the usual: hot dogs, brats, burgers, chicken sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and nachos. There are also buffalo chicken sandwiches, Italian sausages, Italian subs, and chicken tender baskets. On the lighter side, the ballpark offers hummus platters, veggie subs, salads, and paninis. On the sweeter side, the options include Greater’s Ice Cream, frozen custard, creamsicle floaties, churro donuts, cookies, and root beer floats. There are multiple beer carts spread out that offer beer from Ohio along with a few regional choices. Sibling Revelry Brewing, Columbus Brewing, Land Grant, Brew Dog, Great Lakes, and Platform Beer Company are a few of the varieties. Leinenkugel, Alaskan, and Yeungling can also be found along with macro breweries of Bud, Coors, and Miller. If you are not a beer fan, cocktails, wines, mixers, alcoholic seltzers, and Clubtails Summer varieties are available. Dirty Frank’s Upper Deck, a local hot dog eatery, opened in late May 2022 on the 3rd floor of the ballpark. The location features the Strike Out Dog: coney sauce, tater tots, jalapenos, and popper sauce (a mix of cheddar and cream cheese). Atmosphere 4 It is hard to start with the atmosphere at the ballpark, but one can begin at the outfield entrance, where a raised plaza level features a bronze statue of Harold Cooper “The Father of Columbus Baseball.” Fans walk through the gates and are greeted by lawn seating, a children’s play area, and the Left Field Building which includes three levels: a 110-foot bar and gift shop on the bottom floor, 6 open patios on the second floor, and rooftop seating on the third floor. There are also plenty of kiosks serving craft beer, large bags of walking tacos, and other ballpark snacks. Once fans walk down the left-field line they will find themselves surrounded by trees, bench seating, and more kiosks. The area has more of a city park atmosphere and fans can enjoy themselves away from the action on the field. The brick exterior of the stadium provides a backdrop for faux-painted ads. The concession stands near the first and third base areas face the field and offer an inviting way to wait in line while enjoying the game at the same time. Instead of your back to the game, the island-shaped concession stands take orders from all areas. This design element leaves the exterior walls open or covered with old-fashioned signage or a series of informal panels dubbed “The Speed of the Game.” The panels offer facts about facets of the game, from types of pitching, hitting, base stealing, and the style of ballplayers. These two designs set the ballpark apart from others in the league. Down the right-field line is a 22-foot wall that overlooks and provides an appealing vantage point that also sets the venue apart. The distance to the home plate is a measly 318 feet and was created to fit neatly on Nationwide Blvd. Underneath the wall are windows where fans on the street get a free look at the Clippers, many of whom might be on their way to a soccer game at Lower.com Field a few yards away. The Clippers home provides history, interesting facts, unique places to watch the game, and open seating to view the game. It is suggested to check out a few areas before finding a spot to enjoy the game. Huntington Park has everything but a wraparound concourse, but fans are allowed to re-enter the ballpark with a scan of their ticket. Neighborhood 4 Lower.com Field is part of the Arena District that includes the home of the Columbus Crew baseball team, Lower.com Field , and the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey club Nationwide Arena . The district offers mixed-used plan development of residential and retail space. There are more than 22 different eateries and bars located within a few steps of the building that are hopping before and after the game. The R Bar is the official hockey watering hole that sits across a small pedestrian bridge offering 16 beers on tap and 32 bottles and cans. Goodwood Brewery and Restaurant and Whistle & Key are also in this area providing outdoor seating and plenty of people-watching. If with the kids, Boston’s Pizza and Ted’s Montana Grill are two nearby choices. The indoor and outdoor concert venue KEMBA Live! and A&R Music Bar are located next to the arena, which provides an ideal later-night atmosphere. Fans 4 Clippers fans have been among the best in the minor leagues since the ballpark opened in 2009. The team has finished number 2 or 3 the past several seasons, and with a combination of ardent baseball fans, folks enjoying a night downtown, or others taking advantage of free promotion, you have among the best in minor league baseball. Access 3 The main Huntington Park entrance is located at the corner of Neil Ave and Nationwide Blvd. It is where most fans will enter the stadium, but there are a few more on each baseline and behind home plate. The outfield entrance is similar to Victory Field , a few hours west of Indianapolis, and transports fans throughout the concourse. The stadium does not have a 360-degree concourse, with customers having to walk outside the ballpark down the right-field side of the stadium. Return on Investment 5 The least expensive ticket option is $6 ($8 day of the game), and this includes the lawn seating, left-field bleachers, and standing-room-only sections behind the seating bowl. Tickets for seating down the baseline are $8 ($10 the day of the game). The seating near both dugouts costs $18. Sections 6 to 16 behind are reserved for groups. Parking can be found for as low as $4 behind the home plate entrance (in between the ballpark and the soccer stadium). The prices for food, beverages, and merchandise are similar to many other Triple-A ballparks in the International League. There is a wealth of local craft beer and multiple kiosks; the gift shop is massive and features current and throwback merchandise and various promotional nights that include Dime-A-Dog Night, Dollar Days, and Thirsty Thursdays. In regards to other ballparks, the Clippers give you quite a bang for your buck. Extras 4 Huntington Park allows fans a free look at the ballpark from the main street. The second point is for the left-field building that houses a bar, gift shop, patio seating, and rooftop seating. The third point is for the history displayed from the old ballparks, former team banners, and various players and their style of play throughout the stadium. The final point is given to the overall design incorporating brick columns, a city park picnic area, and a 22-foot wall that overlooks the right field. Final Thoughts Huntington Park is a fabulous Triple-A ballpark that offers a lot to everyone who walks through its entrances. Tickets and parking are affordable, sections of the ballparks are situated for fans of all ages, and there are plenty of promotional nights to save fans a buck or two. All one has to do is sit back and enjoy the baseball game. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on YouTube @ballparkhunter, Twitter @ballparkhunter , and Instagram .

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Kunkel Aquatic Center / McGinness Pool 650 College Ave Lancaster, PA 17603 Franklin & Marshall Diplomats website Kunkel/McGinness website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 480 A Diplomatic Court Franklin & Marshall College (“F&M”) is a private college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1787. The school was originally named for Benjamin Franklin, but in 1836 it was merged with a college named for the fourth Chief Justice of the United States John Marshall. Famous alumni include Roy Scheider, Treat Williams, and the late Commissioner of Baseball, Bowie Kuhn. The college’s sports teams are called the Diplomats and mainly compete in the Centennial Conference at the NCAA Division III level. McGinness Pool is part of the Kunkel Aquatic Center. According to the school: "The Kunkel Aquatic Center is the premier aquatic facility in the Mid-Atlantic region and one of the most impressive facilities in all of Division III. It hosts championships at the collegiate, high school, and numerous age-group levels. The 21,200 square-foot facility houses the 25-yard x 50-meter McGinness Pool with a 480-seat spectator gallery. It features two varsity locker rooms, and two public locker rooms and has a state-of-the-art UV purification system that allows for lower chlorine levels in the pool. This results in better air quality and less impact to the swimmers from higher chlorine levels." Before 1995, the F&M swimming teams competed in Fackenthal Pool, which opened in 1931 near the center of campus and has since been incorporated into the Roschel Performing Arts Center. Food & Beverage 1 There are no food offerings in the facility except for a couple of vending machines. Atmosphere 3 The aquatic center is very impressive. The seating area sounds like it would be small at only 480 seats, but that is plenty big enough for fans to enjoy and provide some cheering. Most fans are family or friends, but that does not mean it isn't full of joyful atmosphere. Outside the swim facility is a Hall of Fame and some trophy cases. Neighborhood 3 The college is located just north of downtown, right near Clipper Magazine Stadium. There are many shops and restaurants right near the stadium. The Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant and The Fridge are some great options within easy walking distance. Besides downtown, the main commercial areas of the Lancaster area are the outlet’s area east on Route 30 and surrounding the Park City Center Shopping Mall north of downtown. Fans 2 This is truly a friends and family-only type of sports venue. Access 4 Lancaster is an easy area to navigate. Routes 30 and 222 are large roads that any tourist visiting the area will be more than familiar with. Even though the college is located in a busy town, you will seldom find traffic to be too bad. Lancaster is located about half an hour from the state capital Harrisburg. It is also about an hour and a half to Baltimore and the same distance to Philadelphia. There are many parking spaces around the college. Return on Investment 5 There is no price to attend sporting events at Franklin & Marshall. Extras 2 The trophy cases have some interesting sports history in them. Check out neighboring Clipper Magazine Stadium before or after the match to see a nice quality independent league baseball stadium. Final Thoughts Kunkel Aquatic Center, and the McGinness Pool, is a truly impressive facility at which to enjoy some swimming competitions.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Minto Sports Complex Arena 801 King Edward Avenue Ottawa, ON K1N 1A2 Ottawa Gee Gees website Minto Sports Complex Arena website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 1,200 Horse Hockey Upon hearing about the USports team the Ottawa Gee-Gees, one of the first questions asked is “What the heck is a Gee-Gee?”  The University of Ottawa was established in 1848 and is one of Canada’s oldest institutions.  It is one of only two fully bilingual universities in Ontario and currently boasts nearly 49,000 students.  Ottawa first iced a hockey team in 1889.  The team played as the Garnet and Grey, referring to the colours they wore, and the term Gee-Gee was first used in the 1940s.  Gee-Gee also refers to a British horse racing term, indicating the first horse out of the gate.  The Gee-Gees play in USports in the Ontario conference, OUA, in the East Division. Home for the Gee-Gees hockey program is the Minto Sports Complex.  Built in 2001 to replace the Minto Arena, the university owned facility has been a practice facility for a number of NHL teams, a host facility for the Francophone Games and an office for Hockey Canada.  The University of Ottawa will host the 2025 University Cup, the USports National Championship. Food & Beverage 4 Concession options at Minto Sports Complex are a fairly unique situation.  A temporary stand is in the hall for fans to purchase very basic options.  Hot dogs, popcorn, chocolate, chips, coffee, hot chocolate and soft drinks are on the menu.  What puts the concession score at the next level in Ottawa is the presence of the Nox Bar and Grill.  With windows overlooking the ice surface, Nox is a full service bar and restaurant where fans can grab some food and drink and still see the game.  Stopping in before or after the Gee-Gees play is also a possibility. Atmosphere 3 The Minto Sports Complex has an attractive, light brick exterior with maroon and blue siding at the top of the building.  There are Gee-Gees markings on the outside letting fans know they are in the right spot.  This is contrary to Monpetit Hall, home of Gee-Gees basketball, which is up the street and looks more like an unmarked bomb shelter than a sports venue.  The parking garage is attached to the complex to the east, which is not overly attractive, but does ease any stress fans may have about where to park.  Inside the lobby, fans will find it not unattractive, but not overly functional for spectator hockey.  It is not clear where fans need to go enter the arena, so stopping at the information desk may be necessary.  Heading to the elevator to head up is the best idea.  Using the stairs may be confusing for fans and bring them back into the parking garage.  The upper lobby of the complex is full of garnet and grey and Gee-Gees markings.  Of interest may be the large windows that look out to Matt Anthony Field to the east, home of Gee-Gees soccer.  Inside the arena, the ice is oriented from south to north with all of the seating on the east side.  Seating consists of 8 rows of molded plastic bench seats on concrete steps.  The scoreclock is at the north end while the windows of Nox are on the south side.  The north side of the arena has massive Gee-Gees markings including reminders that it is the home of the Garnet and Grey or “Le Gris et Grenat.”  There are some banners hanging on the south end of the arena including the 1985 QUAA championship and 1961 OSLAA championship, previous conference the Gee-Gees played in.  Beside the championship banners are three very attractive banners commemorating the inductees into the Gee-Gees Hockey Hall of Fame from 2005, 2007 and 2024.  There are also some women’s hockey banners closer to the seating on the east side.  The main issue with the banners is that they are practically illegible as the protective netting circles the ice surface on three sides.  Placing the banners closer to the seating would give them more prominence. The gameday atmosphere at a Gee-Gees hockey game is very simple.  There are no promotions that are prevalent at other venues of a similar level.  The PA system is decent and the announcer does a good job, but fans do need to be able to separate the French from English announcements, which quickly meld together. Neighbourhood 4 The Minto Sports Complex is located on the campus of the University of Ottawa in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood of the city.  It is approximately 2 km from Parliament Hill and offers a number of places nearby for pre or postgame food and drink.  Some options include Fathers & Sons, In’s Kitchen, No Forks Given and Elgin Street Diner.  There are plenty of other sporting options in Ottawa for fans to take in.  The University of Ottawa fields a number of Gee-Gee teams including basketball, hockey and football.  Carleton University also fields Ravens basketball , football  and hockey teams.  The annual Panda Game between Carleton and Ottawa is a local event worth checking out.  The Colonel By Classic is also a rivalry game played at TD Arena between Ottawa and Carleton.  Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata is home to the Ottawa Senators  and Ottawa Black Bears.  Other sporting options include the Ottawa 67’s , Ottawa RedBlacks , Ottawa Blackjacks, Ottawa Charge and Ottawa Titans .  Ottawa also has a plethora of other tourist options including skating on the Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill, the Canadian war Museum and Museum of Nature to name a few.  For fans wishing to stay near campus, the Embassy Suites is a good option. Fans 2 For the 2024-2025 season the Ottawa Gee-Gees have averaged 135 fans per game.  At the time, this ranked 17th in the OUA.  The previous season, the Gee-Gees averaged 230 fans per game, but this figure is inflated by the Colonel By Classic, played at TD Arena against the Carleton Ravens.  Fans in attendance are fairly quiet and the Gee-Gees do get some moderate support from students.   Access 4 The Minto Sports Complex is located on the campus of the University of Ottawa in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood of Ottawa.  It is on the northeast corner of King Edward Ave/Lees Drive and Mann Ave.  It is immediately north of Highway 417, so getting to the arena should not be too difficult.  However, fans should keep in mind that traffic in Ottawa can be an issue and there are plenty of twists and turns in the city.  There is a large parking garage attached to the complex where fans can purchase parking.  For fans wishing to take public transit, there are bus stops on Mann and King Edward.  Fans should consult the Ottawa-Carleton Transpo  website for fares, schedules and maps.  Getting around the complex is not difficult, however, it can be confusing for fans who enter off the street to find where they are to go to have their ticket scanned.  Washroom facilities are decent in the complex. Return on Investment 4 USports hockey offers great value for a small investment.  Gee-Gees tickets can be purchased online.  Adults are $12 with youth and students going for $7.  It will cost an extra $3 to purchase a ticket at the door so pre purchasing online is recommended.  Parking will cost a few dollars in the parcade next to the arena and concessions are not very expensive.  The hockey is a high calibre and fans will definitely enjoy the experience. Extras 3 An extra mark for University of Ottawa being a fully bilingual school. An extra mark for the unique Gee-Gees name. An extra mark for the Ottawa rivalry with the Carleton Ravens. Final Thoughts Taking in an Ottawa Gee-Gees hockey game will give fans the opportunity to take in some solid hockey at a very cheap price in a decent environment.  The Minto Sports Complex Arena offers a decent hockey environment in one of the best tourist destinations in Canada.  If attending an Ottawa hockey game, fans will be able to answer the question “What the heck is a Gee-Gee?” Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Pechanga Arena 3500 Sports Arena Blvd San Diego, CA 92110 San Diego Gulls website Pechanga Arena website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 12,920 Gulls in San Diego The San Diego Gulls are members of the American Hockey League (AHL) and skate their home games at the 50+-year-old Pechanga Arena, known by locals as The Sports Arena.  Built in 1966, the arena also hosts the NLL (box lacrosse) San Diego Seals.  It is also home to other entertainment such as concerts, Disney on Ice, Harlem Globetrotters, and more.  A busy and popular Kobey’s Swap Meet is held every weekend in the parking lot of the arena.     The team began operating in 2015 after relocating from Norfolk, VA.  It is the sixth hockey team to play at the arena, the fifth with the name ‘Gulls.’  The h ockey team’s parent club is the nearby NHL Anaheim Ducks, roughly an hour and a half drive away.  This close distance makes player call-ups/downs relatively easy for the teams and players.  The Ontario Reign (about a two-hour drive) is the Gulls' biggest rivalry, though I’m guessing the newest team to the AHL, the Coachella Valley Firebirds , comes in a close second (a tad over a two-hour drive).  Although an older facility, the gameday staff, operations, and team put on an entertaining evening of hockey at Pechanga Arena. Food & Beverage 4 The arena has a surprisingly vast number and variety of concessio ns, although they come with Ca lifornia prices.  Be sure to walk the entire concourse before making your selection.  Pechanga Arena Concourse, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Pizza Port slices (cheese, pepperoni, jalapeno pepperoni, BBQ chicken) run $9 - $9.75.  Arena Grill serves hot dogs, hamburgers, vegan sausages and burgers, chicken baskets, nachos, fries, etc.   Nicolosi’s (Italian) sells meatball mac and cheese, 6” meatball hero, vegan mac and cheese ($13 - $18), as well as traditional fare and beverages. Small kiosks include lemonade, mini donuts, hand-dipped corn dogs, caramel apples, yummy-looking frozen dipped bananas, and Dippin’ Dots. Bottled sodas (Coca-Cola brands), water, iced tea, Monster Energy, and Powerade cost $6 - $7. Several breweries and cocktail stands line the concourse. A Cutwater Cocktail Bar, Elysian Brewing Company, and Breitbard’s Tap Haus have vast selections of beers on tap and in cans (domestic and local craft).  Local craft includes brews from Eppig, Golden Road, Karl Strauss, Kona, Pizza Port, Stone, and Elysian, and cost $18.  Many stands have cocktails and wines ($16 - $18).  On Fridays, Light the Lamp Lager by local Mason Ale Works is sold for $5 (+ service charge). The Stella Artois Lounge is a premium entertainment area available for rent and/or membership and includes a posh bar and other VIP features. The arena lacks tables to eat your purchased food.  Instead, fans have to bring their refreshments to their seats.  Atmosphere 4 Although old, the arena serves the hockey team very well. Two levels of average-width cushioned seats (without cup holders) make up the seating.  Fans enter the middle of the seating area and walk up or down to their seats.  The second level is about 15 steps up.  No handrails are available for the top nine rows on either level.   Those uneasy with steps should get seats in row nine as that’s the top row when walking in. Handicapped and wheelchair seating is available along the inner walkway.  Every seat has a decent view of the action on the ice.  Ushers have a puck-in-play sign and use them perfectly. It’s a bit chilly; it IS  an ice rink.  A sweatshirt and jacket are needed.  The music is acceptable; it’s loud enough to energize the crowd, but not painfully loud-- a welcome element in sports these days.   Closed captioning is not available.  A suitably sized scoreboard hangs above center ice.  It shows the game action video, the period, shots on goal, penalties and time left, and the score.  Two small dot matrix boards are located above the seating area behind the goals.  Besides the game, other activities include chuck a puck, pee wee hockey, t-shirt toss, etc.  Gulliver, a mascot dressed up as a seagull, roams the stands.  When playing a team from Canada, the vocalist sings both the US and the Canadian anthem, and bo th countries’ fla gs hang from the rafters. Neighborhood 4 The area directly surrounding the rink is bustling with shopping centers, and within just one to three miles, plenty of choices for eating, drinking, and merriment are available.  Ocean Beach Pier is just three miles from the venue and is where visitors can watch the surfers (or surf themselves), walk along the beach, swim, or sunbathe in the warmer months.  Or stroll the neighborhood shops, restaurants, and brewpubs.   It’s a great place to visit.  Sea World San Diego is a little over two miles. Historic Old Town is just a mile away; both are worth visiting.  A plethora of places to eat and drink are within a few miles.  We recommend the Long Story Irish Pub (though finding parking may be difficult), Phil’s BBQ, and Cochino de Barrio (Mexican).  Within walking distance of the arena are staples like Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Chili’s, Broken Yolk, and Buffalo Wild Wings (though we do not recommend this Broken Yolk and BWW). For the hop head, the go-to brewery for Gulls fans is Bay City Brewing , right across the parking lot.  Plenty of other breweries are close by:  Deft Brewing (European style brews), Stone Brewing (in Liberty Station – serves food), and if visiting Ocean Beach, check out Ocean Beach Brewery (serves food), Kilowatt Brewing, or Pizza Port (Brewpub).  Many, many more are within five miles of the rink. A Wyndham Garden Inn is across the street from Pechanga Arena, and a Ramada Inn is a block and a half away.  Many other hotels with varied prices are within just a mile or two of Pechanga Arena, so pick your preference.  Sports fans can attend other games in the area duri ng hockey sea son, including the NLL Seals .  The University of San Diego is two to three miles from the arena.  You may be able to catch a Toreros baseball , basketball , football , or other athletic games. San Diego is a fantastic city to tour, so make a day or weekend of it when attending a Gulls game! Fans 4 The Gulls fan base is strong.  The fans get excited and loud when the Gulls score a goal and are even more energized when they think a fight is about to start or if a t -shirt is about to be tossed into the seating area. Visitors will see multiple Gulls jersey designs in the stands and plenty of Anaheim Ducks gear too.  The Gulls average around 7K fans per game.  Theme nights and weekends draw more fans to the arena. Access 3 Getting to the arena is easy.  It is right off the I-8 and I-5 Interstates in the Midway District of San Diego, a tad over a mile from Old Town San Diego and a little over three miles from the San Diego Airport.   Plenty of parking is available in lots surrounding the venue for $15.  The box office is on the north side of the building (Kurtz Street side).  Getting out of the parking lot after a game is a mess.  We recommend just hanging out for 20 minutes or more for a smoother, easier exit. Public transportation is available and takes 30 – 45 minutes with multiple changes if coming from the airport.  Check the San Diego MTS trip planner to see if this is an option from where you are.  If not, Uber and Lyft drop-off and pickup are on the south side of the venue near the ARCO gas station and Chick-fil-A.  It is easy and painless to get through security and scanning of the ticket.  Clear 12” x 6” x 12” stadium sports bags are allowed.  Fans can walk the entire concourse.  Unfortunately, tickets are only available through AXS – an online ticket provider.  Fans purchasing tickets at the box office must download the AXS app to their phone to get their tickets.  The Gulls do not offer hardcopy tickets.  ADA seating is provided on the inner concourse surrounding the ice surface.  The arena has sufficient restrooms for a hockey game, but they are tight, on the messy side, and have minimal room to maneuver (at least in the ladies).  Return on Investment 3 The Gulls provide an excellent game day experience even with beer prices ($18) being higher than the parking price ($15).  But, if you go on a Friday, you can get a beer for $5. The price of tickets varies based on the date a nd the op ponent.  They generally cost $22 - $54 (plus $5 - $12 fees). Military and First Responders get discounted rates at all games.  The team offers College Night games where students can purchase tickets for $15.   And season tickets, mini-plans, and groups get discounted ticket prices.  The Gulls offer many theme nights throughout the season, often with giveaways. Food prices are high, but this is San Diego; visitors from out of town need to remember to pack a bit more of that legal tender when heading to this city. Have a beer at Bay City Brewing (or another local brewery) before or after the game at half the price.  If time and your location permit, consider using public transportation. Extras 4 The one retired number hanging from the banners is #20 Willie O’Ree who played for the WHL (Western Hockey League San Diego Gulls in the late 1960’s and e arly 1970’s and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.  Photos on the concourse walls portray famous events and entertainers who performed at Pechanga Arena over the years.  It is definitely worth the effort to stroll the concourse looking at and reviewing these images. The organization boasts a huge merchandise stand on the concourse with a huge variety of t-shirts, jerseys, hats and other memorabilia.  It’s well worth perusing when walking the concourse. The Gulls have several Special Jersey nights throughout the season.  The game of this review was Bill Walton nigh t, and the players wore nifty-looking tied-dyed jerseys.  San Diego Gulls Special Jerseys, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts The venue has a lot of history on display and is a throwback to an earlier time when arenas were designed to be functional fan facilities.  The fan game day experience is memorable.  There’s been talk of building a new arena on the same site as the existing one.  The proposition also includes an entertainment district (shops, dining, urban parks, etc.) and affordable housing.  We’ll keep our eyes open for any progress on this proposal.

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Gilbert Craig Gore Arena at John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center 56 Main St Buies Creek, NC 27506 Campbell Camels website Gilbert Craig Gore Arena at John W. Pope Convocation Center website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 3,095 Roll Humps! Campbell University is located in Buies Creek, NC, and competes in the Coastal Athletic Association. After playing basketball for over half a century at the venerable Carter Gym, Campbell University opened a new basketball arena in 2008. The $34 million John W. Pope Convocation Center at Gore Arena opened on November 15, 2008, as Campbell knocked off Chowan. The arena seats 3,095 and is arguably one of the nicest basketball facilities in the Coastal Athletic Association. Food & Beverage 3 Gore Arena offers standard concessions, nothing spectacular, but enough to get you by if you are hungry. If you are looking for more of a meal, you have three choices: a beef hot dog ($5), a chicken sandwich ($8), or a burger ($9). To go along with these choices are several snack items: popcorn ($4), nachos and cheese ($5), potato chips ($2), soft pretzels ($3, $4 with cheese), and candy ($3). Beverage choices include bottled Pepsi products and Aquafina water for $4.. Since Campbell is a Baptist-affiliated school, alcoholic beverages are not sold. Atmosphere 4 Gore Arena is a beautiful basketball facility and is the perfect size for Campbell University. Upon entering the concourse from the lobby, there is no doubt that you are at the home of the Camels. Campbell orange and graphics are plentiful throughout the arena. There is no bad seat in the house as the seating bowl is a single level with fifteen rows of orange seats around the court. There is a spacious concourse at the top of the seating bowl that also has great views of the action. All seats are plastic molded chairback, except for the three center sections opposite the benches which are padded seats. Directly above the padded suites is a 1,200-square-foot presidential hospitality suite. In 2016, Gore Arena added a four-sided, center-hung LED videoboard and scoreboard. There is also a scoreboard on each wall above the baskets. The Campbell pep band, cheerleaders, and dance team are all extremely into the game, and do a great job setting the atmosphere. Campbell’s nickname is the Fighting Camels, and they have not one, but two camel mascots. Gaylord and Gladys are the two Camel mascots that make their way around the arena during games. These mascots do not just stay in the corner like in many places. They are actively engaged with children and older fans alike throughout the game. As previously mentioned, all seats are chair-back. Due to the intimate design of the arena, there is not a bad seat in the house. No matter where you sit, you will have a great view of the action on the court. Neighborhood 2 Campbell University is located in the tiny town of Buies Creek, NC, between the larger towns of Lillington and Dunn on US 421. Its population is just over 2,000. Other than a couple of fast food places on campus (Chick-fil-A, Moe’s Southwest Grill), there is not much else to choose from. If you are looking for somewhere to eat or stay, our recommendation is to take the short drive to Dunn. It is located on I-95 and has a few restaurants and hotels to choose from. The larger cities of Raleigh and Fayetteville are approximately 30 miles away in either direction and offer many more activities if you desire. Fans 3 Most games at Gore Arena draw anywhere from 1,000-2,000 fans. Weekend games will typically draw more fans. Campbell broke attendance records during the 2018-19 season as they posted four of the top 10 crowds in Gore Arena history. A record crowd of 3,351 was on hand for the final regular season game on March 2, 2019, as Campbell won the Big South regular season title. Access 5 Other than the fact that Campbell’s campus is “in the middle of nowhere”, accessing Gore Arena could not be easier. Since Buies Creek is such a small town, there is almost no traffic when approaching Campbell’s campus. The arena is sort of the front entrance to campus as it sits at the corner of Main Street and Lesley Campbell Avenue. It is easily accessible from US 421. Parking is available in a large lot directly behind the Arena. There is one main entrance and lobby area at the front of the Arena. The ticket office sits just inside the main entrance adjacent the lobby. Once you enter there are steps to both your left and right that will take you up to the concourse level. There is little security to enter, just a staff member at the top of the stairs scanning tickets as you enter the doors to the concourse. For those who need handicapped assistance, there are elevators to take them to the concourse level. Handicapped accessible seating is plenteous on the concourse at the top of the seating bowl. Return on Investment 4 A visit to Gore Arena is a great value for those wanting to see quality Division 1 basketball. Reserved tickets are $15 in advance and $10 for general admission (in the corners). Parking is free, concession prices are reasonable, and game programs are free. Extras 4 Gore Arena has hosted the men’s Big South Tournament twice: in 2016 and 2019. Two mascots are always an extra; as mentioned earlier, Campbell has Gaylord and Gladys. All the staff are extremely friendly and are not overbearing. Campbell hosts the nation’s oldest basketball camp each summer, which has been in existence since 1956. Basketball legends such as Pistol Pete Maravich, John Wooden, Michael Jordan, and Ralph Sampson have all been counselors at Campbell’s legendary basketball camp. Final Thoughts Despite being in the shadow of three ACC schools (Duke, UNC, NC State), Campbell has done a great job being competitive in the Coastal Athletic Association. Campbell University may not be on your list for basketball trips in NC; however, Gore Arena has proven to be a great home-court advantage for Campbell and a visit to the beautiful arena will not leave you disappointed.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 The Eagles' Nest 1266 Barclay Circle Marietta, GA 30060 Life university Running Eagles website The Eagles' Nest website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 2,200 Run Eagles Run Known as being one of the top chiropractic schools in the United States, Life University in Marietta, Georgia has also built one of the top men’s basketball programs in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). After the college was founded in 1991 and athletic programs started play, Life men’s basketball wasted no time leaving their mark on the NAIA ranks, winning the men’s 1996 National Championship in just their fifth year of existence – the Eagles would also go on to win two more national championships, specifically back-to-back titles in 1999 and 2000. Originally playing as an NAIA independent program, Life University is now a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference.   Food & Beverage   0 There is a concession stand in the main lobby of The Eagles’ Nest, but despite appearing to be stocked, it was not open during multiple visits; it is unclear if that is due to poor game selections on my part, or if Life University simply chooses not to operate a concession stand during games.   Atmosphere   3 With many programs at the lower end of college basketball’s organizational structure, the facilities are often multi-purpose – The Eagle’s Nest follows a similar pattern where the gym is part of Life University’s student health and wellness center. That said the gymnasium is rather pedestrian, consisting almost exclusively of plastic bleacher seating with a small section of individual seats at half court, opposite the scorer’s table. Large sections of bleachers also run up each end of the floor along the baseline. LED scoreboards hang from the ceiling in opposite corners of the gym, providing basic time, score, and foul information. There is not a lot to fill breaks in the action other than an in-house DJ; while this might create a stale atmosphere at higher levels, because the basketball games at Life University are not nationally televised games, there are not excessive nor extended timeouts due to commercial breaks, so the game moves along at a steady clip. During the breaks it is not uncommon for fans, mostly students, to gather in groups and dance to the music being played. In addition, throughout the game Life’s mascot, Doc, works the sideline, getting fans to chant “Defense” or simply just get loud.   Neighborhood   3 The Eagle’s Nest is an on-campus facility on the Marietta campus of Life University, which is sandwiched between US Highway 41 to the north and South Cobb Drive to the south. Highway 41 is one of the most heavily populated areas of car dealerships in Cobb County, while South Cobb Drive serves mostly as an artery between eastern and southern Cobb County, in addition to creating the northern boundary of Dobbins Air Reserve Base. Cobb Parkway has a handful of chain restaurants, so several familiar choices are available. If seeking more unique options, the Barclay Village strip mall at the entrance of Life University’s campus includes a pair of international restaurants that serve Middle Eastern and Venezuelan foods. The popular southern 24-hour breakfast diner, Waffle House, is also in that plaza, and just over a mile up Cobb Parkway is another 24-hour diner, Marietta Diner, which has been featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives . In the opposite direction, 4-miles to the south, is The Battery Atlanta, home of the Atlanta Braves , which has numerous restaurants as well.   Fans   2 Life University basketball fans do a decent job filling out the bleachers on either side of the court and are into the ebbs and flows of the game. They react as expected to big plays, celebrating three pointers in clutch moments and highlight reel-worthy dunks, and are quick to protest borderline calls with typical home court jeers. Even though there does appear to be a designated student section and a decent number of students in attendance, the student body does seem fractured throughout the stands. There are enough that they could create a significant home court advantage, but they just do not seem to be organized enough to create an intimidating environment for visiting teams. Life University’s basketball schedule does not seem to help much in filling the stands either, as most of their games are either weeknights or early Saturday afternoon games, both of which times can be challenging in attracting fans.   Access   3 Life University’s main entry is directly off US-41 (Cobb Parkway), parallel to Interstate 75 through Atlanta’s northwestern suburbs in Cobb County. The area is commonly known for challenging interstate traffic during the evening rush hour surge. Cobb County Transit does have a stop at the school’s main entrance on Cobb Parkway, but it is probably not the most efficient way to access the campus. Parking lots are located at both the front and back of the gym – the lot closest to the gym is a bit small, so it may be full for late arrivers. The larger parking area along Barclay Circle does leave a bit of a walk across a skybridge through the tree canopy and over Rottenwood Creek, but that truly is a beautiful stroll. A third, but much smaller, lot is just down the hill from the front doors of The Eagles’ Nest. Once in the wellness center, doors on both sides of the lobby access seats along the sidelines and baselines. Both sides have enough room to be passable, but do obstruct the view of those sitting in the lower rows of sideline seating. Given the layout of the gym, sitting higher up is no worse of a view than being in the first few rows.   Return on Investment   4 Tickets can be purchased upon entry for $10 or ahead of time online for $7. After accounting for service fees, buying online saves roughly $1.50 for a single ticket, or approximately 5% for each ticket purchased – this price seems to be in the neighborhood of what you would expect at other NAIA basketball games. With no charge for parking and a lack of concessions to be factored in, Life University does provide an affordable college basketball experience.   Extras   3 Life University’s eagle mascot, Doc, remains an active part of the game throughout, making its way around the court interacting with fans. Life University also makes sure to recognize the accomplishments of their athletic programs with trophy cases proudly displaying championships won from many of the Eagles teams. In addition, a banner hangs from the gym’s rafters recognizing the Eagles three NAIA men’s basketball championships in four years (1997, 1999, and 2000). A nature trail runs along Rottonwood Creek just outside of the wellness center, and the trail is also home to “The 19th-Century Village”, with an 1800s-style log cabin and grist mill. This area is a nice place simply to escape to for a bit, and explore nature before heading into the gym.   Final Thoughts The Life University basketball experience is not one that provides a lot by way of extra pizzaz, but the Eagles are often a highly competitive team in the NAIA ranks, so there is a pretty good chance the game itself should be entertaining. Though some of the amenities found at similar sized programs seem to be lacking here, most notably concessions, there is certainly enough surrounding the game at The Eagles’ Nest to keep the interest of even the most passive of basketball fans.

Championship photo courtesy of Boston University athletics All other Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 TD Garden 100 Legends Way Boston, MA 02114 Dunkin' Beanpot website TD Garden website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 17,850 The Beanpot   Some events are uniquely Boston. The Marathon. The Head of the Charles. A ballgame at Fenway. On par with these events is a college hockey tournament held every year on the first two Mondays in February. Pitting the four Division One hockey teams in Boston ( Boston College , Boston University , Harvard  and Northeastern ) against each other, the Beanpot is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious college hockey tournament.   The Beanpot started in 1952 as a way to fill a couple of empty dates at the old Boston Arena. Now held at TD Garden, the Beanpot is Boston hockey’s unofficial championship. No matter what happens in conference play or the national tournament, if your team wins the Beanpot, you are Boston’s college hockey champion.   In 2023 The Beanpot entered into a sponsorship agreement with Dunkin’, rechristening the tournament as “The Dunkin’ Beanpot.” This is the first time the tournament has had a title sponsor.   The TD Garden is the home of both the NBA’s Boston Celtics  and the NHL’s Boston Bruins . When the facility was under construction in the mid-1990s, plans stated the arena would be located “just north” of the Boston Garden. “Just north” ended up being nine inches away. Food & Beverage 4   Stands at the TD Garden are organized by their menus, so hungry fans may have to do some searching to find what they want. All the expected arena staples can be found at the many stands along the concourses. Vegetarian, vegan, kosher and gluten free items are available throughout TD Garden. An evolving feature of the concessions here is an increase in self-serve and “Just Walk Out” areas. For your best value, try a super slice at Sal’s Pizza. Hub Hot Dogs offers a family-friendly menu without alcohol sales. Coca-Cola products are featured at TD Garden. A more in-depth description of the menu, including a map of all concessions, can be  found here.   Fans looking for an adult beverage will have no problem finding what they want at TD Garden. Draft and bottled beers are available throughout the facility. The Silver Bullet Bar and Sam Adams Brew House on Level 4, as well as the Bud Light Blue Zone and Craft Beer Garden on Level 7, offer a wide selection of national brands and local craft brews for thirsty fans. New social areas, including The Rafters Club on Level 9 and the Top Shelf Bar at the top of the Balcony seating area, offer alternative ways to watch the action.   Be warned that you will be paying NHL concession prices during the Beanpot. TD Garden is a cashless facility.   Atmosphere 5   Among the best facets of any college hockey game are the noise and excitement generated by a school’s pep band and student section. At the Beanpot, you get four of each. Not only do the players compete, but so do the student sections and the bands. It makes for an electric atmosphere.   At the Beanpot, you have four schools where hockey is the premier sport, vying for bragging rights in a city where pucks are king. Student sections compete to one-up each other in a (mostly) friendly back and forth. There is no need for piped in music here, the pep bands make sure the Garden is filled with noise during all play stoppages. Competitions between students during play stoppages add to the playful atmosphere at the Beanpot.   Despite the fact that three of these schools are members of the Hockey East Conference, and Beanpot games do not count in league standings, these are no mere exhibition games. You would be hard pressed to find a more intense atmosphere, even during the national tournament. The battle for Boston hockey bragging rights is taken most seriously, on the ice and in the stands. Neighborhood 5   The TD Garden is located adjacent to Boston’s historic North End, the city’s version of “Little Italy.” Many visiting fans enjoy walking down Hanover Street, taking in the sights and smells.   Local hockey fans flock to Bruin legend Ray Bourque’s restaurant, Tresca. Be sure to grab a couple of cannolis from Mike’s Pastry while here, or head to Regina’s Pizzeria, one of the top places in the country to get a slice of pizza.   While many of the legendary restaurants near the Garden have closed recently, there are still plenty of great options just steps from the venue. The Harp, Hurricane’s at the Garden and of course, Halftime King of Pizza highlight the choices. Fans looking for convenient lodging will find a Courtyard by Marriot, CitizenM Downtown and Hotel Indigo all within a few blocks of the Garden.   Walk just a bit further south, and you will arrive at Faneuil Hall, a collection of restaurants, shops and clubs that is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. While here be sure to check out The Union Oyster House, the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the nation and home of the city’s best clam chowder.   Fans looking to explore Boston’s rich history can follow the Freedom Trail, which passes only a few blocks from the Garden. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile-long brick-lined route that connects 16 of Boston’s most significant historic sites.  This walking tour winds throughout the city and is one of the best ways to explore Boston. Several points of interest are located near the Garden, including Paul Revere’s House, the Boston Massacre site, the Old North Church and Copp’s Burial Ground.   Fans 5   There is an old adage in American hockey circles that states to find the most knowledgeable, passionate fans in the United States, head to the three “M’s” (Massachusetts, Minnesota and Michigan). Having four teams from the “Hub of Hockey” matched up over two Mondays in February is an annual highlight of the Boston winter sports scene.   All four schools represent in full force for the Beanpot, with rivalries switching like some reality show based on the day’s matchups. In addition to packed student sections in the balcony, alums and local fans come out to support their teams in great numbers.   Crowds at the Beanpot annually total over 14,000 for both days, with capacity crowds not an unusual occurrence. While it is possible to get tickets at the last minute, it’s not recommended. For the best Beanpot experience, get tickets to the second Monday, when the championship is decided. Access 3   Boston is certainly not an easy city to navigate. City streets, which date all the way back to colonial times, are laid out in seemingly random directions. Traffic jams and never-ending construction projects are the norm here. While the Garden is located adjacent to Interstate 93, even the most direct route off the highway (Exit 26-Storrow Drive) requires several twists and turns to reach the arena.   The best way to get to TD Garden is to take public transportation, known in Boston as the “T.” The arena is located directly on top of the North Station MBTA commuter rail station, bringing in fans from all parts of suburban Boston. For fans taking the subway, both the green and orange lines stop at North Station, right across the street from TD Garden. The $2.40 one-way fare makes the “T” Stadium Journey’s recommendation for avoiding the hassle of driving.   Although there are many options for parking in the area around the Garden it can be quite expensive to park here. There is a 5-level garage located directly underneath the Garden which charges $65 for event parking. There are several surface lots and garages in the immediate area which charge $35 and up for parking. There is little on-street parking to be found in the area.   Over the years the TD Garden has undergone a great deal of renovation designed to improve flow into and around the venue as well as the creation of several new social gathering areas throughout the Garden. Some of these areas, such as the Rafters on Level 9, are among the most coveted tickets in the building.   Return on Investment 2   The Beanpot is a single admission event, with one ticket granting access to both games. Face value of tickets runs about $45-60. Tickets can go fast, and prices on the secondary market rise quickly as the tournament approaches. Look for deals on the second Monday, as fans whose schools are eliminated look to get rid of their unwanted tickets.   An unfortunate side effect of holding a tournament at an NHL facility is that you will be paying major league prices for parking and concessions. Parking at the North Station Garage will cost a staggering $65. Using parking apps to find spots in local garages and lots will reduce prices significantly, but you can still expect to pay $35 and up to park. There are no discounts on concessions for the Beanpot, and the prices at the Garden rank among the highest in the NHL.   As mentioned earlier, taking the “T” to the Garden not only saves fans the aggravation of fighting the always-present Boston traffic, but is much more economical. A one-way ticket on the T costs $2.40, eliminating the hassle of dealing with rush hour traffic and overpriced parking. The Commuter Rail drops fans off directly beneath the arena, and both the green and orange lines stop right across the street from the TD Garden. Extras 5   The Beanpot has proven to be such an iconic event that the four schools also compete in a women’s Beanpot Tournament (the finals are also held at the TD Garden), and a baseball Beanpot played at Fenway Park. Other Beanpots have popped up over the years, including soccer, softball, basketball, lacrosse, rowing, cycling, a concert band Beanpot, a Beanpot of Comedy, and a rice and Beanpot-burrito eating competition.   The Beanpot has its own Hall of Fame, commemorating those players who have distinguished themselves over their Beanpot careers. Countless NHL players have played in the Beanpot, including Hockey Hall of Famers Joe Mullen, Fern Flaman and Cooney Weiland.   Proudly displayed among the many Bruins and Celtics banners hanging from the TD Garden rafters are a pair of banners dedicated to the men’s and women’s Beanpot. There is also a display on the concourse displaying the Beanpot trophy.   The Sports Museum is perhaps the greatest hidden sporting gem in Boston, it’s a must see for any sports fan visiting the city. Located on levels 5 and 6 of the Garden, The Sports Museum features items celebrating the city’s long and storied sports history, from the pros to high school teams. Located within walking distance of the Garden are statues honoring Boston sports icons Bobby Orr, Red Auerbach and Bill Russell.   A final point is awarded for the Beanpot Trophy presentation. Immediately upon conclusion of the championship, the Beanpot banner is lowered from the rafters and the new champion’s name is attached. When the Beanpot is awarded to the tournament champions, the players parade it around the ice just like the pros do with the Stanley Cup. Final Thoughts   Boston’s unofficial hockey championship is the premier college hockey tournament in the nation. Consisting of four schools all located within five miles of each other, which are annually among the top-ranked teams in the country makes for a legendary event. The Beanpot is a bucket list item for any sports fan, whether or not you follow college hockey.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Freedom Hall Civic Center Arena 1320 Pactolas Road Johnson City, TN 37614 East Tennessee State Buccaneers website Freedom Hall Civic Center Arena website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 6,177 Go Bucs, Go! Basketball has been played at East Tennessee State University since 1918, but its first official game would come the following year against Carson-Newman College (now University). Throughout its early years the Buccaneers would play as members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), as well as members of NCAA’s Division II. The athletics program would first play as an NCAA Division I program as members of the Ohio Valley Conference in 1957, where they would play until 1978 before jumping to the Southern Conference, where they have played ever since. The Bucs have played at the Johnson City owned Freedom Hall since 2014. Prior to their move off campus, East Tennessee State played at the multi-purpose “Mini Dome”, which had more the feel of a large field house or airplane hangar than a basketball arena. Though the Mini Dome, now known as Ballard Health Athletic Center, might not have had the feel of a traditional college basketball arena, it certainly was uniquely East Tennessee State’s home.   Food & Beverage   3 Concessions are a bit on the limited side here, with options ranging from hot dogs, pizza slices, nachos with cheese dip, and soft pretzels. The most impressive menu item is the Frito or Dorito-based walking taco. Chips, packaged candy, and cotton candy are also available. Beverages come from the Pepsi family of soft drinks; Gatorade and the locally popular Dr. Enuf, a “lemon-lime, vitamin-fortified soda”, are also offered. Alcoholic beverages include beers from the Miller/Coors collection as well as craft-style brews, such as nearby Asheville’s Wicked Weed and Sierra Nevada’s Hazy Little Thing. White Claw hard seltzer and Clubtails canned mixed cocktails are also available. What is a bit disappointing is that, given Johnson City’s strong craft brewing community, none of the local brewers appear to be represented at Freedom Hall.   Atmosphere   4 From the exterior, Freedom Hall appears as a behemothian brick structure with not much more than a trickle of natural light able to sneak in. There is not much that is esthetically pleasing, nor all that remarkable about the exterior of the building. In an example of not being able to judge a book by its cover though, inside Freedom Hall is a truly special college basketball experience. Freedom Hall does a good job putting fans on top of the action – rather than a press row, scorer’s table type seating runs the entirety of the sideline court, and seating is also available along the home end baseline. The primary seating area is elevated about the court, creating a bit of a pit feel. Court level seating also backs the courtside seats, extending from the first cut of split-level seating to bring more fans toward the floor. There is no traditional overhead scoreboard inside Freedom Hall, but instead there are scoreboards with time-and-score situated on the walls in each corner at court level. Player statistics can be found on the scorer's table and facing the courtside seating. In addition, a video board running a live video feed of the game is attached to the highest reaches at the far end of the upper-level seating. The in-game promotions crew no doubt earns their paycheck; nary a television timeout passes without some sort of on-court game or promotion. While some promos are commonplace, such as a fan making shots from various spots on the floor, the free throws while laying back in a recliner or the layup tic-tac-toe competition are refreshingly original – they are nice to see and engaging to the whole crowd. East Tennessee basketball is a nice example of how a passionate fan base, when paired with a highly engaging promotions team, can really go a long way in stoking the excitement of the entire crowd.   Neighborhood   4 Freedom Hall is an off-campus facility, about two miles from downtown Johnson City.  The arena is on the edge of the campuses of Science Hill High School and Liberty Bell Middle School; the school bus lane is even part of the front drive of the arena. I will say having the college in such proximity to the two high schools does creates a bit of an odd vibe. Johnson City is a stealthy, hip town with a vibrant arts scene, several breweries, and restaurants in its downtown area. King Commons Park is a popular gathering area, where adults can grab a pint while kids play on the nearby playground or greenspace. A bit closer to the arena, the former buildings that formerly made up the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Depot have been repurposed into the popular Burger & Barrell, Yee-Haw Brewing Company, and White Duck Taco Shop. The downtown area has no less than a half dozen breweries in the few city blocks that make up the area.   Fans   4 East Tennessee State enjoys more fan support than any other team in the Southern Conference, and it is not all that close – the Bucs draw over 3,700 fans per game, on average, nearly 1,000 more fans per game than their next closest conference foe. ETSU fans are invested in the game straight from the tip, as it is not uncommon for chants of “De-Fense” and “Let’s Go Bucs!” to erupt even during the first minutes of the game. The layout of Freedom Hall and the seating does a good job getting fans close to the floor, which amplifies the excitement at court level. This goes a long way in maximizing the impact fans here make on the game.   Access   3 Even though a bit off the beaten path, Johnson City is served by Interstate 26, which runs locally from Asheville, North Carolina – this is a beautiful drive with many spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Once inside Freedom Hall, the entry points at either corner of the arena lead directly into a narrow concourse; the concourse is already narrow enough, so the proximity of entry points to the concession stands makes it a challenge to navigate. Fortunately the inner concourse is easily accessible, and offers a bit smoother sailing to make it around the arena unimpeded. It is also nice to be able to get around the arena and still keep the court in view.   Return on Investment   5 Tickets for East Tennessee State men’s basketball start at just $10, and parking is free. Considering concession prices are consistent with what would be found at typical college athletics venues, a visit to Freedom Hall to catch an ETSU basketball game definitely falls into the affordable range.   Extras   3 Banners hang from the rafters recognizing retired numbers in program history, as well as postseason appearances by ETSU in both the NCAA and National Invitational tournaments. Bucky, the Buccaneers mascot, also moves around the arena during games, engaging with fans and posing for photos. A pirate mascot in the mountains of Tennessee may seem unusual, but it ties back to local legend – Pirate Creek, an underground river, is believed to have once connected the area to the Atlantic Ocean. According to legend, the pirate Jean Paul LeBucque sought refuge in the area. This story is widely accepted and explains why the school chose a pirate as its mascot. Freedom Hall is also an official location along the Tennessee Music Pathway, and the venue has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment, such as Bob Hope, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Kenny Rogers, and Tennessee’s own Oakridge Boys.   Final Thoughts Freedom Hall exemplifies what happens when a university and a community come together to create a passionate college basketball atmosphere, helping put. East Tennessee State Buccaneers basketball in the conversation as the top basketball experience in the Southern Conference. The mix of program history, involvement by the local community, and the success the program has enjoyed in the NCAA tournament, knocking off Florida State in 1968 and upsetting the # 3 seeded Arizona Wildcats as a # 14 seed in 1992, have gone a long way in building a true basketball culture in Johnson City. The thought of basketball returning to the Mini-Dome  had been floated around as part of the East Tennessee State University master plan, but to this point that plan has not come to fruition.  If there is a point in the future when Bucs basketball returns to campus, it likely would not hurt the overall atmosphere surrounding the game, but in the meantime the experience of East Tennessee State University basketball at Freedom Hall is one that is quietly a truly special experience.

Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 McCann Arena 3399 North Rd Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Marist Red Foxes website McCann Arena website Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 3,200 Red Foxes’ Revival Continues in Poughkeepsie After struggling for several years, Marist University has emerged as a contender in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) over the past three seasons. In 2023, the Red Foxes made an improbable run to the Conference Championship game. Last year, they made the semifinals of the tournament held in Atlantic City before falling to Fairfield. This season Marist is at the top of the 13-team league and a No. 1 seeding for the March conference tournament in Atlantic City is not out of the question. The Red Foxes are looking for their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1987. The McCann Center opened in 1977 but was renovated and the field house was rebranded as McCann Arena in 2011, giving it a modern feel. Marist’s best days were back-to-back NCAA appearances in 86 and 87 led by future NBA standout Rik Smits from Eindhoven, Netherlands. His jersey No. 45 is retired. Smits is the school’s second all-time leading scorer (1,945 points). Chavaughn Lewis at 2,119 scored the most points in Marist history. The other players to have their numbers retired are Drafton Davis (No. 3), Steve Smith (No. 12) and women’s star Rachele Fitz (No. 12). The Red Foxes, who joined the MAAC in 1997, have enjoyed only two winning seasons since 2007-2008, but appear to be on their way to making it three this year. In 2011, an addition was built which connected the arena to the James J. McCann Center. Features of the facility include: player locker rooms, player lounges, a team film theater, coaches' offices, coaches' locker rooms, video editing rooms, conference rooms, a reception area, and a kitchenette. Marist, which officially became a university on January 29, was founded in 1905 by the Marist Brothers, a Catholic religious institute, to prepare brothers for their vocations as educators. In 2003, it became a secular institution. Marist's 180-acre main campus overlooks the Hudson River and is situated along its east banks. The University has a branch campus in Florence, Italy, and offers 50 semester or academic year abroad options. Marist is situated in Poughkeepsie, a city of about 32,000 roughly 80 miles north of New York City. A left turn upon entering the campus will lead you to McCann. The building's namesake, James J. McCann (1880-1969), was a Poughkeepsie native and a strong supporter of Marist Athletics. John Dunne, in his seventh year, guides the Red Foxes. Dunne, who has posted two winning seasons at Marist, is a MAAC lifer having previously coached 12 years at Saint Peter’s before serving as an assistant at Siena and Manhattan. Food & Beverage 3 The box office is on the right as fans enter the lobby of McCann Arena with a concession stand operated by Marist Dining Services with tables and chairs on the left side. The fare includes cheeseburgers, hamburgers, hot dogs, beef chili, sausage and pepper sandwiches, and pretzels. Soda, water, and Gatorade are also for sale. On the right side of the lobby, there is the Marist Pro Shop selling everything from shirts, baseball, and bucket hats to golf bags. There is also a small stand selling alcoholic beverages and water. The selections included White Claw, bee, and wine. Atmosphere 3 This visit was a testament to how lively McCann can be when the students turn out. Marist managed a sell-out for the first time since 2008 and the joint was jumping for a win over Siena before 3,200 fans in a game televised by ESPNU. Marist is averaging 1,833 through its first 10 home dates. The doors open 90 minutes before game time. The Red Foxes have been starved for better student support to enhance the game-day experience which is not easy considering the school has about 5,500 undergraduates. The band, cheerleaders, dance team, MC, and mascot are quite energetic and it made for a loud and engaged building on this night. On this occasion, the Marist men’s swim team was on hand appropriately wearing their “uniforms” bathing suit,s and some caps. They enthusiastically stood and cheered on the Red Foxes from behind each basket switching ends at halftime. During the renovation, two 10’ x 15’ Daktronics LED video boards were installed in the Northeast and Southwest corners of the arena. The boards are clear but do not show replays and could show more statistics. The arena does not have any signage or ribbon boards. Neighborhood 3 Poughkeepsie is situated in Dutchess County between the Lower Hudson and Capital District regions. The city is home to several major corporations including IBM and educational institutions including Marist, Vassar College, Dutchess Community College, and The Culinary Institute of America. Schatzis Pub (202 Main Street) in downtown Poughkeepsie is a great place for pre or post-gaming especially if you enjoy German food and beer. Cosimo’s Trattoria and Palace Diner are two popular places within walking distance of the stadium. Palace is open 24 hours. Double O Grill, about 15 minutes away on Route 9, is another great destination to eat and drink. There are plenty of hotel options if looking for an overnight stay. Almost all of the big chains including Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, and Holiday Inn have at least one property within five miles of the campus. Fans 3 The fan score went up a point this year due to the raucous crowd. Hopefully, the students can keep up the support throughout the remainder of the season. Last season, the building was typically only half full as the Red Foxes averaged 1,501. The biggest crowd was 1,738 for a Sunday afternoon showdown with Siena in January. The side sections feature chairback seats with ample legroom, while behind the baskets are mostly bleachers. The first six rows were converted to chairbacks in two sections and the first four rows in the sections directly behind the basket. The arena has 1,244 chairbacks. The band, cheerleaders, and dance team are situated behind the basket that the opposition shoots at in the second half. Access 4 The best access to Poughkeepsie from the west is to cross the Mid-Hudson Bridge only two miles from campus and head north up Route 9. Traveling up or down Route 9 can be time-consuming with traffic moderate to heavy and slowed by many traffic lights. The Taconic Parkway, which runs north and south, is about 20 minutes from the arena and traffic can be less burdensome coming in on Route 55. I-84 is about half an hour away. 84 East leads into Putnam County and eventually Connecticut. 84 West heads over the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge into Orange County. Parking is free on campus and typically there is no shortage of spots. The Poughkeepsie train station, served by Metro North and Amtrak, is 1.2 miles from the stadium. Return on Investment 5 Chairback seating costs $13 (no increase from last year) and bench seating is $11 for adults. Children 8 and under are $8. Ticket and concession prices are a bargain and parking is free which is hard to find in the sports world today and welcomed during inflationary times. Extras 3 Marist celebrated its first victory as a University on this visit. An institution must offer graduate programs in at least three or more disciplines to qualify as a university in New York State. Marist offers 13 graduate degrees, as well as a doctorate program, across six schools.  The Red Foxes sold courtside VIP seats for the second straight year. The seats were formerly part of the press row and cost $500 a ticket for the season and must be purchased in pairs. Just two miles southeast of the stadium, there is a beautiful bridge for pedestrians and cyclists that spans the Hudson River called Walkway Over the Hudson Historic State Park. It is the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge and connects Poughkeepsie (entrance at 61 Parker Avenue) to Highland. The span, a former railroad bridge that has been repurposed, is open from 7 am until sunset. Final Thoughts McCann Arena is certainly worthy of a Stadium Journey. The sightlines are excellent, there is plenty of free parking and it is an affordable arena for family-friendly entertainment. When it gets loud, the building comes to life.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 William H. Bell Center 1 S Campus Drive San Antonio, TX 78212 Trinity Tigers website William H. Bell Center website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 1,800 Trinity Tigers – William H. Bell Center Trinity University was originally founded in 1869 as a private liberal arts school, ultimately merging with the University of San Antonio in the 1940s. The beautiful 125-acre campus was designated a National Historic District, and is one of the crown jewels of the Alamo City. In 1916 the school began its athletics programs, including their basketball team – the Trinity Tigers  men’s hoops team would experience frequent periods of success on the hard court, primarily under legendary Head Coach Bob Polk. Since 1992, the Tigers have called William H. Bell Center their home; the massive facility is home to the university’s athletics department and numerous sports programs. Having been renovated several times over the years, Bell Center has proven to be a perfect home for Trinity.   Food & Beverage   3 Like many facilities at the lower levels of college athletics, William H. Bell Center boasts limited food and drink offerings for fans. The gym currently has one concession stand, located on the mezzanine level of the facility. The “Tiger Bites” stand offers up pretty much everything you’d expect to find at a game, including hot dogs (with or without chili and cheese), nachos, Frito pie, soft pretzels, candy, bottled soda, water, and sports drinks. There is no alcohol for sale at Tiger basketball games. As I have said in many similar reviews in the past, this is all fine – your socks will not metaphorically be blown off, but you won’t go hungry and more than likely will be satisfied, especially with not one concession item here having a price over $6.   Atmosphere   3 The atmosphere at Trinity is greatly improved by the history of success of its programs; the halls of Bell Center are lined with the numerous championship trophies of Tiger teams of the past. Every team, from basketball (men’s and women’s) to golf to bowling to football, has at least one championship, and Bell Center has the trophy to prove it. As you walk past the Tiger statue guarding the front steps to the facility, you then walk through the doors and are greeted by display cases filled with sports memorabilia of past great Tigers. One hallway has trophy after trophy after trophy; another is home to the school’s athletics Hall of Fame. In addition, inside the arena itself the rafters are lined with championship banners from basketball and volleyball teams in past seasons. As far as the in-game experience, the gym has a nice mix of bleacher seating and seatback chairs; there isn’t a bad sightline to be found, and the way it is laid out acoustically, games sound much louder in the stands than you would expect from a crowd of a few hundred. This greatly helps the energy and atmosphere. One pet peeve I have and want to point out again is the lack of any type of merchandise table or stand – I think small schools are missing out by not offering at least a rudimentary sampling of merch for game attendees to purchase.   Neighborhood   5 Trinity University is situated in the historic Monte Vista District  of San Antonio, which is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Though the campus is located directly off US 87/281, it feels a world apart from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city. Situated right on the edges of Monte Vista, it feels almost like you’re driving the streets of a small college town. Regardless, the area is a short 5-10 minute drive from the Alamo City’s historic downtown , and an even shorter drive from the world-class San Antonio Zoo  and historic Brackenridge Park . Both are excellent options for spending time before or after Tigers games at Bell Center. In terms of dining, you’re just a short drive from the arena to the Historic Pearl , complete with some of the city’s best-rated restaurants, like Best Quality Daughter , Brasserie Mon Chou Chou , Cured , and La Gloria . While each of these is literally some of the best the Alamo city has to offer, if you’re looking for something a little more Texan I highly recommend Augie’s Barbed Wire Smokehouse , which is right down the street from the Zoo; it is Texas barbecue at its finest. For dining, lodging is not plentiful near the Trinity campus, per se. However, just a short drive up Highway 37 toward downtown there is an abundance of options for every budget – these include the much-lauded Hotel Emma  and O’Casey’s Boutique Inn . Vacation rentals are an also option, and are plentiful in Monte Vista.   Fans   3 I wasn’t quite sure what to expect on my visit to catch my first Tigers basketball game at Trinity. In past visits for other sports, the crowds have been spotty at times; it’s also kind of hard to get a true visiting crowd into town for regular season games as well, due in part to the size of the competing schools. However, during my most recent visit the crowd was of a pretty good size, at least a couple of hundred – the student section was full and there were a lot of fans sporting the team’s signature maroon and white. As mentioned, the acoustics in Bell Center make even a crowd the size I experienced seem that much larger.   Access   4 As far as locations go, it’s hard to beat where Trinity University is situated. It is basically near the crossroads for four of San Antonio’s major highways, clearly visible from US 87/281 with exits that are clearly marked. The campus is around a 10-minute drive (on a good day) from San Antonio International Airport , which is a major plus. The one negative I will mention here is that the exit for Trinity off US 87 is near the intersection of both Interstates 10 and 35; this area tends to bottleneck with traffic. Once on campus there is abundant signage showing the way to the gymnasium, and there is also abundant free parking, also a major plus. If you choose not to drive the city’s mass transportation option, VIA Metropolitan Transit , has several routes that will drop you off at Trinity University.   Return on Investment   4 It’s hard to beat what Trinity has to offer for fans; as mentioned parking is free, as is admission to games at Bell Center. It’s really hard to beat free, especially when you pair it with a very affordable selection of items at the concession stand. The building itself is really a good venue, so the only thing keeping this score from reaching any higher is the opponents you’re going to see come through William H. Bell Center. You’re not going to see top-tier Division I or Division II teams on campus for a game, but you’re going to get Division III basketball, which is perfectly fine if you’re a hoops fan.   Extras   2 There is not much in the way of extras for games at Trinity. The Trinity Cheerleaders  can be found near the south side of the gym beyond the baseline, who root for the Tigers throughout the game. Also the Trinity dance team, the Prowlers , perform during halftime. That’s pretty much it. I know the school has a band and a costumed mascot, but they apparently do not come out for basketball games.   Final Thoughts I enjoyed myself during my first visit to Trinity University’s William H. Bell Center. The facilities are top notch, the atmosphere is good, and I hate to keep saying it, but you can’t beat free sports in my opinion. While I wouldn’t put this on anyone’s but a true die-hard hoops fan’s bucket list, I think anyone who is a fan of the game will enjoy themselves. Also, if nothing else this will give visitors a chance to see what makes Trinity University a special place in San Antonio. Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 CSI Companies Court @ UNF Arena 11852 University of North Florida Drive Jacksonville, FL 32224 North Florida Ospreys website UNF Arena website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 5,800 Birds of Trey The University of North Florida is a relatively young school, being founded in Jacksonville, Florida in 1965.  Today it boasts over 16,000 students and athletic teams that compete at the Division I level of the NCAA.  The North Florida Ospreys have been competing in men’s basketball since 1992 when they began in NAIA.  They quickly moved up to Division II and in 2005 they moved to Division I.  The Ospreys have settled in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they have won the regular season title three times and the Atlantic Sun Tournament, granting their only berth in the NCAA Tournament, in 2015.  During their tenure, the Ospreys have leaned into their identity as a 3-point shooting team, dubbing themselves the Birds of Trey. Home for the Ospreys is UNF Arena.  Located on campus in Jacksonville, UNF Arena opened in 1993, just after the Ospreys began their first season, and has a capacity of 5,800.  Inside UNF Arena is CSI Companies Court, which is named after a local staffing and recruiting company. Food & Beverage 3 The concession stand is located in the main lobby.  It has a simple menu that provides the basics in arena fare.  Fans will find hot dogs, burgers, pizza, pretzels, nachos and popcorn.  Beverages include soda, water, coffee along with wine seltzer and beer.  The selection is basic and fans won’t go hungry, but there is also nothing that will peak the imagination. Atmosphere 3 UNF Arena is located on campus at University of North Florida and is a solid venue for mid-major college basketball.  The exterior consists of brown brick and concrete trim in a cube-like shape.  The main entry is from the west side where a large courtyard, perfect for pre-game gathering, is found.  The courtyard hosts a large osprey fountain.  Entering from the west, fans will pass under a large, corrugated concrete overhang.  After entering UNF Arena, fans will find themselves in a clean and bright lobby with plenty of Ospreys logos.  A plethora of display cases are found in the lobby and there is plenty to peak the attention of fans before heading in to find their seats.  One of the more unique cases finds itself under the landing of the staircase.  This large display case is mostly dedicated to the North Florida rivalry with crosstown Jacksonville University.  The Ospreys and Dolphins share the River City Rumble and play for the Old Wooden Barrel.  Although too new to hit the consciousness of the average college basketball fan, it is a great attempt by both schools to stoke interest in their teams.  A set of stairs takes fans up to the club section where the athletics Hall of Fame display can be found. Upon entering the main part of the arena, fans are met with CSI Companies Court, which is east-west oriented.  That perfect center court picture is going to come from the north side.  Again, there are plenty of North Florida Ospreys markings inside the arena, which is clean and attractive.  The east end is the student section and the west end is where the perch, or club seating, is found.  The north and south seating is divided into upper and lower levels, with the retractable lower levels featuring cushioned arena seats and the upper levels, contoured plastic bench seats.  The championship banners hang above the club section on the west end including the tournament berths, three Atlantic Sun regular season championships and 2015 Atlantic Sun Tournament Championship.  There is also a banner honoring Dallas Moore, who has the distinction of a career 2,437 points, most by any player at a Florida Division I school.  There are simple scoreclocks that hang at the east and west ends and videoboard above center court. However, they lack any statistics, including points by players. The gameday production is typical of a mid-major college basketball game.  The game that was reviewed was during the winter break and the UNF campus was very quiet.  This was definitely not the typical gameday environment.  The team is led on the court by flag bearers and the cheer team performs stunts during pregame and play stoppages.  The mascot, Ozzie the Osprey, and the UNF Pep Band are normally at Osprey games, however, they were not present at the game that was reviewed.  During a North Florida free-throw, the cheerleaders and fans raise their hands up and if the shot is good, everyone yells “Swoop!”  For those who are new, it is even indicated on the court. Of course, the 3-point baskets are tracked with an intern hanging a “3” on the railing that separates the upper and lower levels on the south side. Neighborhood 4 UNF Arena is located on the campus of the University of North Florida in the Sans Pareil neighborhood of Jacksonville.  There are a number of options for pre or post game food and drink that are not too far away.  They include RH Rooftop Restaurant, Ted’s Montana Grill, Prata Italia and Bazille.  There are a number of other sporting events in Jacksonville.  Of course, checking out the cross-town rival Jacksonville Dolphins  is a plan when in town.  Other options include the Jacksonville Jaguars , Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp , and Jacksonville Icemen .  Annually, Jacksonville hosts the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl  and the Florida-Georgia College Football game.  Other tourist options in the area include the Jacksonville Zoo, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Gardens and of course, the beaches. For fans wishing to stay in the area, the Holiday Inn is very close to campus. Fans 3 The game that was reviewed was during winter break and campus was very quiet.  That being said, the North Florida Ospreys typically average over 1,600 fans per game.  This ranks them 7th in the Atlantic Sun Conference at the time of writing.  With a capacity of over 5,000 at UNF Arena, there is plenty of room to grow and more fans in the stands will help provide a better college basketball environment.  The fans that were in attendance were knowledgeable and supportive of the Ospreys.   Access 4 UNF Arena is located on the campus of the University of North Florida in the Sans Pareil neighborhood of Jacksonville.  Campus is located east of I-295, south of US-90 and north of US-202.  Getting to campus and the arena is not too difficult.  There is plenty of parking on campus, and for the game that was reviewed the parking garage south of UNF Arena was free.  For fans wishing to take public transit to the game, there are buses that travel University of North Florida Drive.  Fans should consult the Jacksonville Transit Authority  website for fares, maps and schedules. Getting around the arena is not difficult at all and the washroom facilities are adequate for the facility.  Return on Investment 4 Taking in a North Florida Ospreys game provides a solid return on investment.  Tickets for the Ospreys start at $15 for the General Admission upper levels and $20 for the reserved lower levels.  Concession prices are good and parking was free for the event that was reviewed.  The product on the court is solid and UNF does a good job of presenting the game.  Fans will have a good experience at North Florida. Extras 2 An extra mark that North Florida has with Jacksonville.  The schools face off in the River City Rumble and play for the Old Wooden Barrel. An extra mark for North Florida leaning into their 3-point identity. Final Thoughts Taking in a North Florida Ospreys basketball game while in the Jacksonville area is a great way to get a sporting fix.  CSI Companies Court @ UNF Arena is a bright and clean facility that is a solid mid-major college basketball venue.  With any luck, the Ospreys will be hitting 3-pointers, proving to all those in attendance, that they truly are the Birds of Trey. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey State Farm Arena FANFARE Score: 3.86 State Farm Arena 1 State Farm Dr Atlanta, GA 30303 Atlanta Hawks website State Farm Arena website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 16,888 True To Atlanta The latest hashtag campaign for the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA pushes fans to be #TrueToAtlanta.  The Hawks have been part of the Atlanta sports landscape since 1968 when they moved from St. Louis.  The Hawks were founded as the Buffalo Bisons in 1946 and moved to Moline, Illinois to be the Tri-Cities Blackhawks after just 38 days.  In 1951 the team moved to Milwaukee and dropped the Black to become just the Hawks and stayed until 1955 when they moved to St. Louis.  Their only appearance in the NBA Finals saw them victorious in 1958 behind the massive scoring of Bob Pettit.  Key to the Hawks development was the purchase of the team by Ted Turner in 1977.  The Hawks were Turner’s first venture into sports and he owned them until 2004 when they were sold to Time Warner.  The Hawks had some success in the eighties with Dominique Wilkins, their best player in franchise history, but unfortunately they could not get past Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.  Currently the Hawks are mired in mediocrity under the ownership group led by Tony Ressler, who purchased the team in 2015. Home for the Hawks is State Farm Arena.  Built in 1999 as Philips Arena, it replaced the iconic Omni.  The arena is owned by the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority and after a couple of renovations has a current capacity of 16,600.  State Farm purchased the naming rights to the arena in 2018.  Taking in a Hawks game is a great experience, despite the woes of the Hawks. Food & Beverage 5 State Farm Arena offers a major league concession selection.  Zac Brown’s Social Club, Hawk Walk Market, Smoothie King and Chick-Fil-A are just the tip of the iceberg that fans can find at State Farm Arena.  State Farm Arena also offers seating areas, similar to a food court.  Some items that have been added to the menus this season include Buffalo Cauliflower Bites, Lemon Pepper Loaded Footlong, Smashburger and ATL Hot Chicken Tenders.  Coca-Cola is, of course, the soft drink of choice at State Farm Arena and there are a number of different bars that offer a host of mixed drinks as well as a variety of beer. Atmosphere 4 State Farm Arena offers a very unique exterior.  Since the area is seemingly built on platforms that facilitate parking facilities and infrastructure for the arena and stadium, State Farm Arena has a bit of an understated look to it, feeling low profile from the main entry on the southwest side.  The arena is renowned for the canopy in the front held up by support beams spelling Atlanta. Fans will no doubt want to check out the bronze statue of Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins, which stands in front of the main entrance.  There is also a statue of Evander Holyfield that stands near the escalator from the MARTA. Inside State Farm Arena, the concourses are a bit of a maze which deftly drive traffic into key areas, such as the team store. There are a few large seating areas near concession stands that give the area a bit of a food court feel.  There are plenty of Atlanta and Hawks markings in the concourse and there are plenty of things to see for fans walking around. Inside the seating bowl, fans will find that the court is northwest to southeast oriented, and the best spot for the center court logo is from the southwest side.  Hanging in the rafters at the southeast is the 1958 NBA Championship banner as well as a banner signifying the twelve Division Titles (six from each of St. Louis and Atlanta).  On the northwest side are the banners for the retired numbers which include Bob Pettit, Lou Hudson, Pete Maravich, Dikembe Mutombo, Dominique Wilkins and owner Ted Turner.  Above center court is a huge, state-of-the-art, four sided videoboard.  Four other videoboards are found in the four corners of the arena and display ads and statistics throughout the game.  The lower bowl is a typical configuration with the Delta Sky 360 Club at floor level of the northwest end.  The upper and lower levels are split by luxury boxes.  The upper levels are also in four distinct areas, separated at the corners by videoboards.   The gameday production at a Hawks game is not dissimilar to that of other NBA teams.  There is near constant motion and stimulus, almost to the point of being overwhelming.  The mascot, Harry the Hawk, takes part in the pregame ceremonies and other promotions on the court.  The ATL Dancers perform in the pregame and during breaks in play.  An interesting aspect of the gameday production is a member of the ownership group, actress Jami Gertz, takes part in the Swag Surf where she dances and leads the crowd on the court with Harry the Hawk.  Neighborhood 5 State Farm Arena is located in Downtown Atlanta, an underrated tourist destination. Being Downtown in a major metropolitan city offers a number of options for pre or post-game food and drink. Some options close by include Max’s Coal Oven Pizza, The Food Shoppe, Sway, Polaris and Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint.  There are a bunch of other sporting options in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons  and Atlanta United FC  play right next door to State Farm Arena at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This is also the annual home of the Peach Bowl , now part of the College Football Playoff. The Atlanta Braves  play outside of the Atlanta city limits in Cumberland. Other options include the Atlanta Dream  and Georgia Swarm  and Gwinnet Stripers . College sports are also prevalent with Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football , basketball  and baseball  and Georgia State Panthers football , basketball  and baseball  among other sports. There are also a ton of other tourist options in Atlanta. Fans should consider checking out the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, Olympic Park and College Football Hall of Fame. There are plenty of hotel options that are close. The Omni is an iconic Atlanta staple. Other options close by include Holiday Inn, Hyatt and Marriott. Fans 3 For an NBA team, the Hawks have not blown the door off of the turnstiles.  It is not surprising due to decades of mediocrity at best.  At the time of writing, the Atlanta Hawks averaged over 16,200 fans per game.  The previous season, 2023-24, the Hawks averaged 16,900.  Although both of these figures are close to capacity, the eye test shows a big difference between these figures and the butts in seats.  The Hawks are close to the basement in the NBA for attendance and have a fairly passive fan base.    Access 4 State Farm Arena is located in Downtown Atlanta, north of Centennial Olympic Park Drive and west of Marietta Street SW.  It is west of Highway I-85 and north of I-20.  Getting to the arena is not too difficult if sufficient time is given, but Atlanta traffic can definitely be an issue.  There are a number of surface lots and parking garages downtown.  Pre-purchasing parking using an appropriate app is probably the best idea for new fans.  The parking deck just southwest of the main entry at Centennial Olympic Park Drive is a very convenient option.  For fans wishing to take public transit, the MARTA station is right there.  Fans should check the MARTA website for fares, schedules and maps. Inside State Farm Arena, the concourses are a bit maze-like and confusing to get around, however the concourses do offer plenty of space.  The washroom facilities are adequate for the facility. Stadium Journey recognizes that the security protocols for major sporting events are in constant flux.  Stadium Journey strongly recommends consulting the Atlanta Hawks  and State Farm Arena  websites for the most up to date security information including prohibited items and bag policy. Return on Investment 3 NBA experiences are expensive and the Atlanta Hawks are no different.  The 2023 Fan Cost Index for the Hawks was $232, which is below league average, but still a steep price. This puts them as the 24th most expensive experience.  Tickets for the Hawks generally start at $43 for the upper ends going to $82 for other spots in the upper bowl.  For the lower bowl, tickets range from $125 to over $425.  Parking in the surrounding area will probably cost around $30 and concession prices are expensive, what one would expect for a major league experience.  The return for the investment is good, but the cost is prohibitive for fans to consider multiple games per season.  Extras 3 An extra mark for the beams in front of the State Farm Center spelling Atlanta. An extra mark for the homage to the iconic Omni over the MARTA escalator. An extra mark for the view of the Atlanta skyline from the interior of State Farm Arena. Final Thoughts Fans will definitely have a good time when taking in an Atlanta Hawks game.  The State Farm Arena is a solid sports destination and great spot to take in a basketball game.  More success on the court for the Hawks would definitely improve the experience but either way, the Hawks remain True to Atlanta. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 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 Hoo-Hoo-Hoosiers! On October 14, 2016, the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall hosted its first game after 18 months of extensive renovations to one of the college’s most iconic venues. The generous $40 million donation from Sydney Simon Skjodt improved the game experience for fans, students, and student-athletes but preserved the tradition of the arena. When fans entered the building, they noticed wider concourses and walkways, escalators providing access to the revamped concourses with more restrooms and concession stands, and tables to add mustard to your hot dog or pretzel. Seat backs and chairs were replaced and are now all red and white, and a new vibrant scoreboard hung from the center of the court. Assembly Hall has been the home to Indiana University basketball since 1971 and has hosted more than 12 million fans. Most of its 17,222 seats are on either side of the court, creating one of the greatest home-court advantages in college basketball. The seating was designed as two audiences facing one another and to accommodate non-basketball events at the arena, making it one of the instantly recognizable sporting venues in the country. The facility has a modern, aesthetically pleasing design from its exterior, one that promotes progress and blends in well with the IU campus scenery. The opening of the venue coincided with the debut of head coach Bobby Knight, who would lead the Hoosiers to three NCAA championships (1976, 1981, and 1987) during his 29-year seasons in Bloomington, perhaps forever linking the two iconic institutions. Food & Beverage 4 The concession area has improved greatly since the renovations, offering LED menu screens and very affordable prices. Beer sales debuted during the 2022-2023 season at all basketball games for both men and women—cashless payments for all concession purchases at Assembly Hall. The concession windows now have six stands instead of the previous four before renovations. Before heading to your seat, there is plenty of room to put down your food to add toppings to your dogs, nachos, wings, or fries. The items include nachos, French fries, Hoosier dog, pretzels, and 32-ounce Coca-Cola products. Papa John’s Pizza, Polish sausages, footlong hot dogs, and boneless chicken wings are also available. There also appear to be daily specials that feature a giant bucket of popcorn for just $5 during our visit to the arena. BuffaloLouie’s is a local institution known for its chicken wings.  Fans can enjoy other items, including chicken tenders, pork tenderloin, and Italian beef sandwiches. Atmosphere 5 Assembly Hall is quite an experience, highlighted by the recent renovations. The crown jewel is the south entrance, where visitors are greeted by bronze statues of former IU greats from Steve Alford, Bill Garrett, Isiah Thomas, Everett Dean, and members of the 1976 Undefeated NCAA championship team. Interactive screens allow fans to learn about players and teams from various decades, and displays hang that tell a story from the origin of the Hoosier's candy-striped pants to Martha the Mop Lady, who starts the night with her rendition of “Indiana, Our Indiana” that brings the fans and cheerleaders to their feet. There are more Kodak moments with the original scoreboard wedged into the wall up above the escalators and its original baskets. The biggest piece of art might be the Assembly Hall Floor, which was used from 1976 to 1995. It is now displayed as a giant piece of art in a gallery that is the centerpiece of the recent renovations. The seating area of the gym has been left unchanged in appearance, but there are noticeable additions such as a new scoreboard and seatbacks. The two rows of seats create a theater-like atmosphere that seems to rise to the tippy-top of the building. The five championship banners hang on one side of the court, while various Big Ten banners adorn the opposite side. Other traditions include “The Greatest Time Out in College Basketball,” which occurs during the under-eight timeout in the second half when the spirit squad races out of every corner, waving flags to the tune of the William Tell Overture. Neighborhood 4 Numerous choices for eating, drinking, and shopping nearby are within a couple of miles. Mother Bear’s is probably the number one place for pizza in town. The pies are baked in a deep dish, allowing the cheese to caramelize around the edges. The place always seems to be packed, and parking is limited to the restaurant. A few of my IU friends suggest BuffaLouie’s for its wings, amazing sauces, and vibe. Lennie’s is another fine choice, with a lot more parking, that features sandwiches, pizza, stromboli, and beer brewed by the Bloomington Brewing Company. The heart of Bloomington is Kirkwood Ave, featuring two local institutions – Nick’s and Kilroy’s. The square features various shops, bars, and restaurants and borders the entrance of many of the picturesque grounds of the Indiana campus. A little north of town is Oliver Winery; the beautiful gardens, water fountains, and picnic areas around the lake offer a romantic spot for couples or a great place to enjoy wine with friends. Another colorful and touristy area in Nashville, Indiana, located in nearby Brown County, offers some of the best biking/hiking trails in the country and an eclectic downtown jam-packed with shops, restaurants, and Quaff On! Brewing Company. Fans 5 Hoosier fans are loud, proud, and faithful and are everywhere across the state and beyond. They make it one of the loudest and most intimidating venues in college basketball. Just engage in a conversation on the team’s chances during the Big Ten tournament, and you will have many claiming that the team is on its way to winning a sixth national championship. The men’s basketball record at Assembly Hall is an incredible 558-115 (.829) home record as of this writing. The student section is the largest in the nation, providing seating for 7,080 people. Regardless of the opponent they are playing, the Hoosier supporters are 100% behind their team, making it a tough place for any opponent to enter throughout the season. Access 4 Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall is located in the sports complex with Memorial Stadium, Bart Kaufman Field, and Andy Mohr Field. The price for parking is $10 and is probably the best spot for the first-time visitor, but there are various smaller lots and other spots to park for free that require a short walk. The renovations have stripped the building of its early 1970s appearance of ramps and narrow concourses, and the main lobby ceilings have been raised and are more open to the public. Escalators now take fans to upper levels of seating and balcony sections. Return on Investment 4 The price of a ticket depends on the opponent and whether or not it is a conference foe. All tickets are sold through SeatGeek and tend to sell out close to the day of the game; however, other resale sites, such as TickPick , offer single-game tickets for as low as $11 for Penn State to as high as $100 against hated rival Purdue . When you tie in the price of concession items and parking, it is easily an affordable night watching elite Big Ten basketball. Extras 5 One point for the bronze statues, interactive video board, and center court wall frame that exists in the south lobby: the place has changed for the better but has not altered the tradition of the inside of the seating area. An extra point for the championship banners that hang at both ends of the court: the style of the arena creates an ideal space to don the banners instead of the usual hanging from the rafters that are common in most indoor facilities. A third point for the tradition of Indiana University basketball: it is rich and something to savor while you attend a game at Assembly Hall. A fourth point to the traditions that include Martha the Mop Lady, candy-striped pants, and “The Greatest Time-Out in College Basketball.” You can learn all about them in the south lobby. One final point for the fervor is shown by the largest student section in college basketball. They truly help to make this an elite experience and pizazz to the night’s player introductions. Final Thoughts One of the iconic college sports venues has only gotten better. It will continue to provide Hoosier basketball fans everything it has had in the past: a dominating place for opponents to play in, school traditions, the frenzied student section, and championship-caliber basketball. An instantly recognizable facility at any level of sporting competition in the world. ------ 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: 3.29 Canadian Tire Centre 1000 Paladium Drive Ottawa, ON K2V 1A4 Ottawa Black Bears website Canadian Tire Centre website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 6,995 (lower bowl) New Bear’s Den It was a somewhat surprising announcement that saw the rebirth of box lacrosse in Ottawa.  GF Sports, the New York-based owner of the New York Riptide ,  announced the relocation of the National Lacrosse League franchise to the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario.  The circumstances surrounding the move were a little bit hazy, however, it is believed that the Riptide were evicted from their home, the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island, due to low attendance.  The return of lacrosse to the Capital Region is a welcome one.  The NLL left Ottawa as the Ottawa Rebel struggled at the gate, playing from 2001 to 2003.  The Rebel would move to Edmonton and eventually become the current Saskatchewan Rush . Home for the Black Bears is the Canadian Tire Centre.  The much-maligned facility is the home of the Ottawa Senators.  The Canadian Tire Centre was originally named The Palladium and built in 1996 in the town of Kanata, west of Ottawa.  Kanata would become part of Ottawa after amalgamation in 2001.  Often critiqued for being too far from where all of the action is in Ottawa, the future of the Canadian Tire Centre is murky at best.  Recently, the Senators have purchased a section of land in the LeBreton Flats area of Ottawa, much closer to Parliament than Kanata, to develop it and build a new arena.  It will be interesting to see if the Ottawa Black Bears are part of the plan for that planned new arena.  Until that point, the Canadian Tire Centre remains the new den for the Black Bears. Food & Beverage 3 One of the advantages of NLL lacrosse at the Canadian Tire Centre is that fans have access to the 100-level concourse.  Most fans would not have this access for Senators games and would be limited to the concession options on the upper levels.  The Canadian Tire Centre is unique in that it features many bars and lounges on the 100 level.  There are plenty of spots where fans can sit and grab a drink and some food before the action starts on the floor.  Otherwise, the concession options are decent at the Canadian Tire Centre.  Gabriel Pizza is the local star and can be found at their dedicated concession or other stands.  Tim Hortons and Lone Star are also recognizable stands.  The typical arena fare is found at the Canadian Tire Centre, as well as a few other, more interesting options.  Canadian Cubanos and Oktoberfest Sausage should be considered for fans who wish to stray from the typical dogs and popcorn.  There are many bars and lounges where fans can choose a variety of beer or other alcoholic beverages. Atmosphere 3 The Canadian Tire Centre has a unique exterior.  A circular building on a ground level square features light siding stripes at the upper portion of the building to give it that unique look.  It is clear, even from the exterior, that the Canadian Tire Centre is the home of the Ottawa Senators.  There are plenty of markings around the building, including the illuminated “Sens” sign at the main entry on the east side.  The one marking for the Black Bears on the exterior is a series of banners, which are alternated with Senators banners.  A fire pit welcomes fans at the east plaza and reminds them just how cold a winter in Ottawa can be.  Upon entering the arena, fans must choose the lower 100 level or upper levels before having their ticket scanned.  The opportunity to check out the 100 level may be a possibility for many who would not normally see it during a Senators game due to the more expensive tickets.  The 100-level concourses are accented with red everywhere, and there are plenty of Senators markings and artifacts.  There isn’t much in the way of Black Bears anything in the concourses.  A few Black Bears items can be found in the team store, which is dominated with Senators paraphernalia.  Walking around the 100-level concourse, fans will be required to double back as a 360-degree path is not accessible due to the Bell Club at the southwest end. Inside the seating bowl, the Canadian Tire Centre features three tiers of seating with the 300 level closed for Black Bears games.  The floor is oriented from northeast to southwest, and the perfect spot for the centre logo is from the northwest side.  The 200-level fascia features a full 360-degree ribbon board, and the 300-level fascia has ribbon boards on the ends.  The four-sided video board hangs above the floor.  It may not be gargantuan like newer models, but it more than does the trick. The gameday production of a Black Bears game is not dissimilar to that of most NLL teams.  Music is played during the play, mainly classic rock.  The PA announcer speaks familiarly and has a “homer” slant, even audibly questioning referee calls on the floor.  The Black Bears are attempting to build in-game traditions by coaxing the fanbase to yell certain phrases at certain times during the game.  Fans are also encouraged to “get their claws out” upon Ottawa goals, standing and holding up their hands like bear claws.  The Black Bears drumline plays throughout the concourse, parade style, before the game begins, and the Ottawa Black Bears cheer team performs during a couple of pauses in the action.  The cheer team is more akin to a college cheer team, performing a few stunts, along with some dance routines.  The mascot, Cubby, traverses the crowd and interacts with fans, as well as being part of the pre-game production. Neighbourhood 4 The Canadian Tire Centre is located in the Kanata section of Ottawa, approximately 23 km from Parliament.  The location of the arena has been an issue for the Senators since its inception.  There are a few spots that are close to the arena for pre and post game food and drink.  Crazy Horse Stonegrill, Via Cibo, Jack’s, Fratelli Kanata and Tommy’s are all good options.  There are also a number of restaurants inside Canadian Tire Centre that are available.  There are plenty of other sporting options in Ottawa for fans to take in.  Canadian Tire Centre is also home to the Ottawa Senators .  Other sporting options include the Ottawa 67’s , Ottawa RedBlacks , Ottawa Blackjacks, Ottawa Charge and Ottawa Titans .  The University of Ottawa fields a number of Gee-Gee teams including basketball, hockey and football.  Carleton University also fields Ravens basketball , football  and hockey teams.  The annual Panda Game between Carleton and Ottawa is a local event worth checking out.  Ottawa also has a plethora of other tourist options including skating on the Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill, the Canadian war Museum and Museum of Nature to name a few.  The Canadian Cold War Museum is closer to Kanata.  For fans wishing to stay near the arena, the Glo by Best Western and Comfort Inn are good options. Fans 3 The 2024-2025 season is the inaugural season for the Ottawa Black Bears.  The fan support for the Black Bears has been initially good, but unspectacular.  The Black Bears have welcomed an average of 6,100 fans per game.  The game reviewed saw a crowd of over 5,200 fans.  At the time of writing the Black Bears were ranked 6th in the NLL in attendance.  There is plenty of room for improvement, but the Black Bears have enjoyed a decent beginning to their return to Ottawa.  Fans in attendance are generally quiet and laid back and are not terribly enthusiastic  towards the in game host’s prompts.   Access 4 The Canadian Tire Centre is located in Kanata, almost 25 km from Parliament Hill.  It is adjacent to Highway 417, on the north side of Palladium Drive.  Getting to the arena is not terribly difficult, and much quicker than getting there for a Senators game.  There are large parking lots surrounding the arena, which can cause some slowdowns getting in and out of the area.  For fans wishing to take public transit, there are a number of bus stops at Canadian Tire Centre.  Fans should consult the Ottawa Carleton Transpo for fares, maps and schedules.  Inside the Canadian Tire Centre the concourses are generally narrow, and it is not possible to walk a full 360 degrees around the 100 level due to the Bell Club.  Washroom facilities are adequate for the facility. Security protocols are in constant flux for major sporting events.  Stadium Journey highly recommends consulting the Ottawa Black Bears  and Canadian Tire Centre  websites for the most up to date security protocols, including bag policies and prohibited items. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the Black Bears begin at $31 and go up to $48 for 100 level seats.  The opportunity to sit in prime seats for far less than a Senators game is a reality at a Black Bears game.  The Bell Club seats are $120 and include food and drink.  Parking for the Black Bears is not cheap and will run at least $21.  Concession prices are akin to most other major sports arenas.  The return for the investment at an Ottawa Black Bears game is solid and fans will definitely enjoy their trip. Extras 2 An extra mark for the return of NLL lacrosse to Ottawa. An extra mark for the bilingual announcements that happen at Black Bears games Final Thoughts Taking in an Ottawa Black Bears game is a great way to spend the sporting dollar.  Although Kanata is not considered a prime location, the facility is decent.  Hopefully, the second life for lacrosse in Ottawa will have a longer lifespan than the previous Ottawa Rebel, and they will be around long enough to join the Senators at the new LeBreton Flats arena. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.