Photo by Sean Rowland, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.00 Jack Kaiser Stadium 8000 Utopia Pkwy Jamaica, NY 11439 St. John's Red Storm website Jack Kaiser Stadium website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 3,500 The Home of St. John's Baseball When the name St.John’s comes up, the immediate thought in the sports world turns to basketball. But there is another sport in which the school has historically seen success. The Northeast US is not exactly a hot spot for college baseball, so it is surprising to some that the Johnnies have made the NCAA Tournament 34 times, with six of those appearances ending in a trip to the College World Series. Their home field is relatively new, as it was built in 2000 and originally known as The Ballpark at St.John’s. The school honored former athlete, coach and longtime AD, Jack Kaiser, with a renaming ceremony in 2007. The all-bleacher facility seats 3,500, which is unusually large for the region. Despite the size and young age, the word stadium should be used loosely, as there are several aspects missing from a standard ballpark. Food & Beverage 0 Without counting the lonely vending machine for drinks, the most notable omission is food, as not a single area features concession goods for fans. At the game I attended, there was a campus event next to the stadium that had food tents, thus satisfying my hunger. Otherwise, fans should prepare to bring in food if they want to eat during the game. Atmosphere 2 Jack Kaiser Stadium can be looked at in a few different ways. Within the Northeast region and the Big East Conference, the ballpark is relatively large and features more variety than the norm. On the other hand, it is a very basic stadium that does not offer all that much more in comfort or design. Made up of entirely bleachers, seating is set up behind home plate and then down the first base line. These metal seats also include a red back. Down the third base side, a separate and more temporary set of stand-alone bleachers can be found. The outfield view is pedestrian, with a mix of trees and neighborhood housing. There is a scoreboard on the left field wall that at first glance seems simple enough with a box score. Between batters and during breaks, a nice video graphics package will run through various animations. Neighborhood 3 Queens is the easternmost borough of the five that make up New York City, and it is full of many smaller neighborhoods. St. John’s University is right on the imaginary border between Jamaica and Hillside, though most people associate the school with Jamaica. While the immediate surroundings aren’t bad (it’s almost even briefly suburban if arriving from the west on Union Turnpike), there is nothing that entices the visitor to stick around before or after the game. Along the main nearby road, a classic city neighborhood includes a row of adjoining stores and restaurants. For those looking to dine, the Sly Fox Inn and Turnpike Cafe are a few stops worth looking into. Outside of the immediate area, Queens is known for Flushing Meadows Corona Park, about a 15-minute drive away. In addition to being home to Citi Field and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the grounds include an Art Museum, Science Hall and the interesting remains of the 1964 World’s Fair. Fans 1 Each game features a couple hundred fans, and I counted close to 300 in attendance for the Saturday game I saw. The crowd is mixed between locals and students, and it is nice to see some of the kids supporting their school. A quiet atmosphere can be expected, with most of the cheers coming from the dugout and nearby families of those playing. Access 3 Getting to Jack Kaiser Stadium by car is surprisingly easy, thanks to a plethora of expressways and highways that reach the area. While the Grand Central Parkway is closest, I found coming from the Clearview Expressway (I-295) easiest, as Exit 2 leads right to Union Turnpike and St. John’s is just a mile or so down the road on the left. After entering either Gate 3 or Gate 4, a large parking lot can be seen in the athletic complex near the ballpark. Traffic at times is an issue, but weekend games are easier to drive to than during a weekday. Surprisingly for a city that relies heavily on mass transit, arriving by train or subway is not as simple. The closest station is about a 20-30 minute walk to the ballpark. Via subway, the end of the F train runs to Hillside Ave, while commuters via the Long Island Rail Road can stop at the Jamaica station. Neither are optimal choices, so driving to the game is best, if possible. Another confounding aspect of the stadium is the near complete lack of bathrooms. Only one single port-a-potty is available; tucked around a corner at the end of the seating. Not only is there just one bathroom, but the players also use it! You certainly don’t want to get caught in the way of a ballplayer scrambling for the facility in between innings. Return on Investment 3 St.John’s is one of only two Big East schools to charge admission for baseball, but the Johnnies also play in the second-largest conference ballpark. Tickets run $6 and parking is free. While this is not an ideal place for college baseball, it is at least a Division I game. . Extras 2 While the exterior design of the ballpark is nothing more than the guts of the bleachers, the front entrance is at least nicely decorated. Two large baseballs are incorporated into the sidewalk, and as the season turns to spring, red tulips bloom in many of the landscaped areas. There is also a nice entrance that includes an arched sign reading “Jack Kaiser Stadium. Another point for using the catchy song “New York Groove” after each run scored. Final Thoughts Jack Kaiser Stadium may be a bare-bones facility, but it is one of the larger college ballparks in the Northeast, and it is home to a perennially good St.John’s squad. A visit to the stadium offers a simple baseball experience, but be sure to eat and use the bathroom before arriving.

Photos by Stefano Romagnoli, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Stadio Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Anconetani Via Antonio Rosmini, 61 56123 Pisa (PI) Italy AC Pisa 1909 website Stadio Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Anconetani website Year Opened: 1909 Capacity: 8,500 Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Anconetani Play a football game two hundred meters away from one of the most beautiful places in the world. From the stadium Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Anconetani we can see Piazza dei Miracoli, in the World Heritage Centre since 1987. As we read in the UNESCO website, the place “houses a group of monuments known the world over. These four masterpieces of medieval architecture – the cathedral, the baptistry, the campanile (the ‘Leaning Tower’) and the cemetery – had a great influence on monumental art in Italy from the 11th to the 14th century.” In the place where the system that hosts the home matches of AC Pisa 1909 now stands, at the beginning of the nineteenth century, there was an open space on which rides horses and theatrical performances were organized. Initially indicated by the name of Arena Federighi, it had been baptized Arena Garibaldi before the twentieth century. Shortly before the First World War, the Pisa Sporting Club won several regional tournaments and, in the season 1920/1921, with the title of champion of Italy south central, challenged the FC Pro Vercelli for the national championship. The early success convinced the leaders black & blue to buy the land. On October 26, 1919 the first official football match was played. Later the land became the property of the municipality and in the fascist period changed appearance (with the construction of the grandstand and staircase) and name (it was inaugurated a second time on October 8, 1931 as the Campo del Littorio). The facility resumed his old name, Arena Garibaldi, after the fall of the fascist regime and the dismantling of the military hospital, which had occupied its pitch during the war. Between the beginning of the sixties and late seventies numerous works were carried out that gave the stadium its present appearance: 1961 construction of the Curva Nord 1968 construction of the Curva Sud and a new Gradinata 1978 expansion of the two curves to unite the various sectors On December 9, 2001, the property was co-registered to Romeo Anconetani, historic president of Pisa, who led the black&blue in its best seasons for sports scores. At the end of the season 2015/2016 AC Pisa 1909 was promoted to Serie B, the second tier of Italian football. The return to this category after almost ten years of absence (the Tuscans were missing since the 2008/2009 season) required further interventions to the structure. Therefore, the black&bluer played the first two home games at the Carlo Castellani stadium in Empoli. Since September 24, 2016 the Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Anconetani is again the home of AC Pisa 1909. Also we have to remember that twice, in 1959 and in 2015, the Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Anconetani was home to the final of the Viareggio Cup for the unavailability of Torquato Bresciani Stadium in Viareggio; that the Azzurri, the nickname of the Italian national football team, have used it to play some friendly matches between 1987 and 2009; finally, that it has been home to seven Serie A championship matches. Food & Beverage 2 On a cold and rainy winter afternoon try the eating place that serves the Tribune area. The available hot drinks are coffee, tea, chocolate. Snacks include sweet and salty, packets of crisps and sweets. Some bars are also present in Gradinata and Curva sectors, with a similar offer to the Tribuna. After the match, eat a hot dog and a beer (5.00 euros the total cost) from one of the many peddlers present around the stadium. Atmosphere 3 The Tribuna is the only covered stadium area. The two curves (the Sud is reserved for visiting supporters) and Gradinata are discovered. On the latter, before the spectators take place, you can read the inscription “Pisa” thanks to the blue color that stands out on the gray concrete steps. The pitch is separated from the fans through a transparent barrier that does not disturb the visibility. Between Curva Sud and Gradinata is a game board, but is not currently used, either before or after the competitions. The two teams enter on the pitch through a tunnel that opend between the two benches. The leadership of AC Pisa 1909 is dialoguing with the city government for a plan of improvements of the entire structure and would include: the coverage of all sectors; the expansion of capacity from the current 8,500 to 16,000/18,000 seats; expansion of services and level of comfort, including the approach of the spectators to the pitch. Neighborhood 3 The facility is located in the district of Porta Lucca on the northern outskirts of the city. The area takes its name from the door opening along the walls of the medieval age that surrounds the historic center of Pisa. Characterized by rather low houses it is full of shops including restaurants, bars, bakeries and pizzerias. Fans 4 Dancing and singing occur from beginning to end of the match. The Curva Nord is the sector of the hottest fans of AC Pisa 1909. Fans wave flags that recall the colors of the team but also public symbols. The curve is just entitled to a supporter, Maurizio Alberti, who died after a heart attack that struck him on the stadium stands Picco of La Spezia on January 24, 1999. The warmest matches are those who see the black&bluer opposed to Livorno . But there are also strong rivalry with the Fiorentina , the Lucchese and outside its region, the Spezia . Access 4 Pisa is not a very big city and reaching the stadium Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Antonetani is quite simple. Fans who choose to arrive in the city of the ‘Leaning Tower’ have two options: stop at Pisa Central Station and walk through the old town with all its quaint shops, or get off at Pisa San Rossore Station and go through Piazza dei Miracoli. Pisa is home to an international airport. The city is connected to the main roads through the Firenze-Pisa-Livorno or the A11 Florence-Pisa. Also we must not forget that the nearby Livorno is home to one of the most important Italian ports. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices of the four areas range from a minimum of 5.00 euro, for boys aged between 6 and 14 years, to 30.00 euro for the upper tribune. Follow a match of AC Pisa 1909 2016/2017 season costs are 10,00 euro in Curva Nord; 15,00 euro in Gradinata; 20,00 euro in Tribuna Inferiore. On the official website of the Tuscan company further discounts and concessions are also listed, as well as additional information to buy tickets to Pisa Point or online. Extras 4 Pisa is a city with an incredible history. Founded by the Etruscans, and passed under Roman rule it is known for being one of the most important maritime republics. And the city is full of traces and museums that recall its glorious past such as the Piazza dei Miracoli. The university, founded in 1343, which among its teachers includes Galileo Galilei, while among its students three Nobel awards: Giosuè Carducci (Literature in 1906), Enrico Fermi (Physics 1938) and Carlo Rubbia (Physics in 1984). Finally, space to the riches of the table. Beginning with the “cecina,” similar to an omelet made with chickpea flour (hence the name) and baked. Another characteristic whim is the “torta co bischeri,” also renamed “torta del 28.” A kind of American pie, with a filling of pine nuts, fruit, egg, chocolate and rice boiled in milk.

Photos by James Hillchen and Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Allianz Field 400 Snelling Ave N St. Paul, MN 55104 Minnesota United FC website Allianz Field website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 19,400 United in Minnesota Opened in 2019 at a cost of $200 million, Allianz Field is a soccer-specific stadium in St. Paul, Minnesota. Home to Minnesota United FC and Minnesota Untied FC 2, the stadium holds a capacity of 19,400. Though relatively new, Allianz Field has become known as one of the premier soccer stadiums in the country. The stadium has hosted CONCACAF Gold Cup games, a World Cup qualifier, and most recently hosted the 2022 MLS All-Star game. Among the features at Allianz Field are an 88,000 square foot translucent stadium skin, a 360-degree canopy, and a heated playing surface. For cycling purists, there are accommodations for 400 bikes to be parked should you choose to ride to the game. There are also 280 seats for ADA guests and their companions. Food & Beverage 5 NOTE: Like many other stadiums have done, Allianz Field does not accept cash, so bring a card when attending a game here. There is no shortage of whatever food you are looking for here. It would take forever to list what it on the menu. All the basics are covered, but among the other items available are: chicken masala bowls, chicken tinga, choripan, Swedish meatballs, and much more. The layout allows you to easily find whatever you are looking for and one of the nice features here is that if you don’t want to wait in any potential line for an entrée, they have what are basically small convenience stores where you can buy drinks, candy, etc. I’d highly recommend the app or going to the team website as with so many options, it is much easier to see what the offerings are in one spot. Pepsi is the soda of choice here. As for adult beverages, wine, mixed drinks, and domestic, import, and craft brews are available with a litany of different choices. For the widest choice, head over to the north side of the stadium and go in the Brew Hall. Atmosphere 5 There is a clear bag policy in effect here. The stadium is situated nicely and upon entering from any gate (there are gates at all four corners of the stadium), you immediately see the pitch. There are two main seating levels and all seats are easy to get to and sections are clearly marked. Concession areas surround the entire field with restrooms also interspersed throughout. Both ends of the stadium have scoreboards, with one being a manual board (north) and the south side having a video board. Ribbon board runs throughout and it is easy to find the score and time from anywhere. As the fans gather, chanting begins in the supporter’s section, which is on the south side of the stadium. For those that have not attended an MLS game, the atmosphere is different than the “big 4” sports in that the fans are constantly chanting and making noise. It is quite a fun event to attend. Neighborhood 3 The stadium is located in a business/retail area. As such, your main restaurants in the area are relegated to fast food and pizza with a few exceptions. For fans of Thai food, On’s Kitchen is a few blocks north on Snelling at University. If you don’t mind a 15 minute walk, there is a nice grouping of restaurants south of the stadium. A few other places worth visiting while in the area include both the Bell Museum, which is Minnesota’s official natural history museum and planetarium. A few miles east of the stadium is the Minnesota Transportation Museum which is a great option for those interested in locomotives. There are numerous lodging options a few miles east of the stadium in downtown St Paul. We stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton. The hotel was clean and the rates were reasonable. Fans 5 Minnesota United fans are a passionate bunch. They arrive early and are engaged throughout. The chanting only stops during halftime and even then, there is generally singing going on. This team has one of the best fan bases I’ve seen in my years of stadium traveling. Access 3 The stadium is located just off I-94. Parking here is less than ideal as there simply aren’t many places to do so without a little walk. I’d highly recommend purchasing a parking pass far in advance, or taking public transportation, which includes options of the Green Line light rail, A line bus rapid transit, or the city bus. Getting through security and ticket scanning is a quick process. Once inside, the concourses are generally sufficient to get easily. At halftime, they may become congested but still flow without too many issues. There is plenty of ADA seating available. Return on Investment 4 The average ticket price to a game is around $45, but you can find tickets for as low as about $20. Parking will run anywhere from $10 up and concessions are around the going rate for professional sports or a little below. There aren’t any bad seats, so there’s no need to break the bank to get in. All things considered; Allianz Field gives you a really good bang for your buck. Extras 3 Be sure and check out the team store. The Black & Blue store has everything a soccer fan would want. Allianz Field was built to be as eco-friendly as possible. The Great Lawn on the north side of the stadium is the primarily watered with rainwater captured by the stadium’s roof. This can add up to 2 million gallons per year. Final point simply goes to the overall experience of attending a game here. The staff is great, and the atmosphere is something to experience. Final Thoughts This was the first MLS stadium I visited and is still my favorite. It is hard to imagine a much better experience for a fan once you enter Allianz Field. A great layout, exciting atmosphere, and food choices that will satisfy anyone make a visit here a must for any MLS fan.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 RWJBarnabas Health Arena 1245 Old Freehold Rd. Toms River, NJ 08753 WOBM Christmas Classic website RWJBarnabas Health Arena website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 3,180 A Holiday Tradition in Toms River, NJ The RWJBarnabas Arena is the largest high school basketball gymnasium in the state of New Jersey. The facility was dedicated on June 19, 2003, and hosts a variety of events such as professional and varsity sporting events, live music concerts, trade shows, and much more. The facility holds 3,500 and serves as home to the Toms River Regional School District. Due to its size, all three high schools of North, East, and South call the venue home. The arena also hosts a variety of entertainment options from concerts, wrestling, and graduation ceremonies. Kenny Rodgers, Paul Anka, Jay Leno, and Natalie Cole have performed at the RWJBarnabas Arena. The arena is home for 7 days during the Christmas season to one of the largest high school tournaments in the state, the WOBM Holiday Classic. The event is home to 32 teams, 16 boys and girls varsity teams, from all over Ocean Township that play a total of 52 games. Food & Beverage 3 There is one main concession stand in the lobby of the building that provides your typical snacks and drinks. The menu items include deli-style sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, muffins, granola, and varieties of fruit. You will also find the regular menu items of nachos, pizza slices, chicken fingers, pretzels, popcorn, chips, and soda. The prices range from $1 for the popcorn to $4.50 for deli sandwiches. Atmosphere 3 A typical day at the arena begins at 10 a.m. and ends at a 9 p.m. tip-off for basketball games during the tournament. Fans are treated to four girls and four boys' games and one ticket gets you into all the games for one day. The atmosphere of a crowd depends on who’s playing and usually, the evening games bring out a more raucous crowd to the facility. The arena serves as home to all three Toms River high schools and there appears to be a lack of any conference or Championship banners for any of these three schools in the building. However, there are plenty of colorful banners from the conference high schools that hang from the rafters and there are several banners from the various elementary schools of the district. The arena also is home to a large scoreboard that can keep individual stats and styles throughout the game. There is bleacher seating on all four sides and bathrooms are located in the main lobby near the concession stand. Just around the corner from the bathrooms is the Hall of Fame atrium which houses various memorabilia, photos, and plaques from all three High School’s sports programs. Neighborhood 3 The arena is located in a mixture of both retail and residential neighborhoods that includes local and national restaurants and the Ocean County Mall. Fans are also not too far away from Point Pleasant Beach, but probably wouldn’t be the best place to spend some time during late December. There are various places to enjoy food and beverage and a little shopping before or after a game or two. The area offers various local establishments to enjoy a bite to eat or a drink that includes Social 37, SWAGGERS Restaurant and Sports Bar, Toms River Ale House, The Office, and Christopher’s Pub. The Jersey Shore Premium Outlets is located off the Garden State Parkway and Insectropolis is a bug museum that provides everything you need to know about all types of bugs. Fans 3 Depending on the school and its basketball prominence, you will find a vast selection of fans rooting for the players or their alma mater. The largest schools the ones closer to the arena will more than likely bring out the best of the fans in the stands. However, there is a selection of both young and old rooting for their favorite team on the court and showing a lot of team spirit. Access 4 The arena is located about two miles off the Garden State Parkway and is easily accessible from both the north and south. If traveling from the western portion of the state, expect to travel on various county roads and through small towns to arrive at the arena. The arena does have plenty of parking surrounding it and once inside everything a fan would want to be able to get to – their seat or to the bathrooms – is easily marked. Return on Investment 4 The price of a ticket for an adult is $7 for an all-day pass. This means that one can enjoy eight different games for one low price. Children's tickets are only $5 for the same all-day pass. If you are planning on staying around for a few days a $20 tournament pass allows entry to all 52 games played at the arena. Extras 3 The arena gets one point for its large and informative scoreboard. I have been to many high school basketball gyms over the past few seasons and I hate to say this, but the best one that I’ve seen is in New Jersey. It is one of those old-school scoreboards from the early 1990s but works perfectly here providing statistics of each player throughout the game. The arena gets a second point for having a collection of wonderful banners from various schools throughout the county. It’s a little bit different to see rival schools hanging up in the arena, but it does add a nice touch of color to the building. The arena gets the third point for being more than just a basketball arena. It houses concerts and other events and has attracted entertainers such as Kenny Rogers, Paul Anka, Jay Leno, and the late Natalie Cole throughout its 15-year history. Final Thoughts The RWJBarnabas Arena is the largest of its kind in New Jersey and provides a perfect centerpiece for basketball and entertainment in Ocean County in Toms River. It has easy access off main highways and ample parking spaces for patrons

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 KSU Convocation Center 590 Cobb Ave Kennesaw, GA 30144 Kennesaw State Owls website KSU Convocation Center website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 3,800 Hooty Hoo Kennesaw State University, located in the northwest Atlanta suburb of Kennesaw, was once primarily known as a commuter school, but after significant investments in on-campus housing in the early 2000s, the university has experienced substantial growth in both its student population and its presence in college athletics. Since moving to NCAA Division I in 2009, Kennesaw State has competed as a member of the Big South and Atlantic Sun conferences. In 2024, the Owls will begin their inaugural season as members of Conference USA.   Food & Beverage   2 The concession menu at KSU Convocation Center offers a range of basic options to satisfy your hunger, though it lacks notable specialty items. Featured items include hot dogs, nachos, and pretzels, along with popcorn, candy, and chip options. Beverage choices come from the Coca-Cola family, Powerade, and Dasani water. For adult beverages, the selection includes common domestic beers, craft beers, Emergency Drinking Beer, and Sweetwater 420, as well as White Claw seltzer and Long Drink spirits.   Atmosphere   3 Built in 2005, the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center has maintained a modern feel despite it being nearly 20 years old. In addition to hosting KSU volleyball, it also serves as the home for the Owls men’s and women’s basketball programs. The front entrance welcomes fans with a wall of windows that open into a shallow but spacious two-level lobby – entrances on either side lead to a walkway above court level. Upon first sight of the competition area, the school-specific black and yellow seats stand out as players warm up on the court below. A large, digital video board at the far end of the arena displays not only advertisements but set scores, a live feed of the game, and individual player and team stats. Volleyball, by nature, has a positive and festive nature to it. Owls points are celebrated by dual percussionists stationed courtside, while cheerleaders cheer along. During breaks in the action, the cheerleaders engage fans by throwing t-shirts into the crowd, mostly targeted to the younger or the most enthusiastic of fans. Seating is general admission, allowing fans to choose their preferred experience. Some may opt to sit close to the court for the appreciation of the speed and power of the game up close, while those choosing a higher vantage point have a better view of point rotations.   Neighborhood   3 Kennesaw State University is situated in the Atlanta suburb of Kennesaw, where residential neighborhoods transition into college apartments and shopping centers. While the area may lack the typical college town atmosphere, its proximity to shopping and dining makes it convenient for grabbing a bite before or after the match. Downtown Kennesaw is just 2.5 miles from campus, offering a small selection of restaurants and two popular tap houses, School House Brewing and Horned Owl Brewing. The area also features the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History Museum, which highlights the Civil War era ‘Great Locomotive Chase’ that began in Kennesaw. For those seeking outdoor activities, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield is just a 10-minute drive from campus and has miles of trails for visitors to explore, along with an amazing view of the area from atop the mountain’s summit.   Fans   3 The Owls do a good job drawing fans out in support of the volleyball program, typically around 400 fans per match. While there does not seem to be a formal student support group, students are scattered throughout the stands. The strongest support, however, comes from local youth volleyball players, who show up in large numbers to cheer on the Owls. The metro Atlanta area has a strong youth volleyball system, and this is reflected in the enthusiasm and support that the next generation of players shows for both collegiate and professional volleyball in the area.   Access   3 Kennesaw State University is centrally located in Kennesaw, just west of Interstate 75. During rush hour traffic, the area often becomes extremely congested, especially for those traveling north from Atlanta. However, once past the highway traffic, accessing the KSU Convocation Center is very direct. Free parking is available in the East Deck behind the arena. However, there is only one entrance to the Kennesaw State University C onvocation Center, requiring fans to walk around the building for access. On the plus side, there is usually not much of a wait to enter the arena.   Return on Investment   5 Kennesaw State volleyball offers a great opportunity for families or youth volleyball teams to enjoy a match at little to no cost. Both parking in the adjacent garage and admission are free, with concessions as the only expense, but those are also reasonably priced.   Extras   3 The action on the court is paired nicely with in-house music that is accompanied by a drum duo to celebrate points, as well as to entertain fans before the match gets underway and in between sets. Scrappy, Kennesaw State’s owl mascot, is a constant presence, engaging with fans and taking photos with them throughout the arena. Following each Friday night match, the team invites fans onto the court for a post-match autograph session and meet-and-greet.   Final Thoughts Kennesaw State Volleyball does a good job of providing an entertaining platform for the university to showcase volleyball for both the student body and the local community. It would be nice to see more of an organized student support group in place, but it seems like the local community and youth volleyball programs do a good job of filling that void. In turn, the KSU volleyball program and its players go above and beyond to serve as role models for volleyball’s next generation.

Photo Courtesy of Crysta Henthorne / KCUR 89.3 A few regional food items are so obscure that they go unnoticed in the surrounding community. I encountered this when visiting two minor league ballparks in St. Louis, Missouri. The St. Paul sandwich is one secretive little regional food item. The sandwich is served at many Chinese restaurants throughout the metro area and even in a select few restaurants throughout the state. It is egg-foo young served crispy on white bread with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and a dollop of mayonnaise. The egg-foo young either contains beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, or no meat. The sandwich costs between $2 and $3.50, making it a very inexpensive menu item. Like the hamburger and hot dog, the St. Paul sandwich's origins are somewhat disputed. One account has it created in the 1940s in St. Louis by a chef who named it after his hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota, while some have insisted that the sandwich was first served at logging camps in Denver, Colorado, in the early 20th century. The St. Paul sandwich seems to be a clear fusion of Chinese and American cooking. I enjoy having a food origin debate; however, if it was not created in St. Louis, why can it only be found in the city? The only other areas where the sandwich can be found are in other parts of the state in Columbia, Springfield, and Jefferson City. Good luck ordering this sandwich in Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, or St. Paul, Minnesota. The sandwich is not served at any of the two minor or summer league ballparks on the outskirts of the city CarShield Fiel d home of the River City Rascals in O’Fallon and GCS Ballpark home to the Gateway Grizzlies in Sauget, Illinois. Meanwhile, the home of the Grizzlies is known for its own interesting take on ballpark food that has gained national attention. The donut burger, deep-fried slider, cheesesteak nachos, and hot dogs with grilled onions, bacon, and nacho cheese are offered, or offered, at one time. However, the St. Paul sandwich is not one of them in the small Illinois town outside St. Louis. If you order it without meat, the St. Paul sandwich makes a great vegetarian option, and its price is extremely economical for tight budgets or a quick snack. There also does not seem to be an upscale version anywhere in the town. I am sure an egg foo young patty with lobster, served on a brioche bun, with garlic-lemon aioli is just around the corner. I have been told that the best St. Paul sandwiches have crispy edges, just like a great old-fashioned burger; however, many Chinese restaurants in the city do not serve the sandwich. You can still grab one at many locations in St. Louis, and perhaps this could be your new favorite bite to eat in a city that has its share of regional items. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Twohig Gymnasium 225 Canal St. Salem, MA 01970 Salem State men's basketball website Twohig Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1973 Capacity: 1,735 Witch City Hoops   Salem State University was founded in 1854 as the Salem Normal School under the guidance of Horace Mann as part of his efforts to bring accessible teaching education to the masses. It is the oldest and largest college on the North Shore of Massachusetts. After decades of growth, the college was elevated to university status in 2010. The school’s 6,500 students hail from 37 states and 48 countries. Today the school offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in 40 programs.   Basketball has been played at Salem State since 1910. The first team to represent the school defeated a team from Salem High School called “The Reserves,” 6-5. Basketball was played sporadically until the mid-1930s, when a group of students, led by James Twohig, helped to establish a varsity program. In addition to leading the team during his time as an undergraduate, Twohig returned to coach Salem State from 1955-1966. During his 26-year coaching career, which included time at local high schools, Twohig’s teams never had a losing season. Salem State named their gymnasium in his honor in 2001.   Twohig Gymnasium is located in the larger O’Keefe Center. The O’Keefe Center was built in 1973 to house the school’s hockey, tennis, basketball and swimming teams. Originally a windowless concrete and brick structure, the complex was renovated in 2013, adding the Gassett Fitness Center. The windowed façade gives the complex an attractive entrance while its photovolatic roof lowers the facility’s energy costs.   The Salem State Vikings men’s basketball team has qualified for 26 NCAA tournaments, reaching the Final Four in 2000. The women’s team has played in 23 NCAA tournaments, reaching the Final Four on three occasions and winning the national championship in 1986. The most notable Viking basketball alumnus is Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibideau, class of 1981. Thibideau averaged 26 points per game in 1980, leading the Vikings to the MASCAC championship and their first NCAA tournament bid.   Food & Beverage 2    There is a table set up in the lobby between the Twohig Gymnasium and Rockett Arena which offers a selection of cold beverages and snacks for hungry Vikings fans. Slices of pizza are also sold here, while supplies last. While not the most extensive selection you’ll find, it will do the trick if you need a quick bite, and no item costs more than three dollars.   Many fans were seen at the game with coffees from the local Dunkin’. These would certainly be popular choices on a cold winter Massachusetts night.   Atmosphere 2   Anyone who has experienced a small college basketball game at a small gym will undoubtedly find a lot that is familiar here at Twohig Gymnasium. The facility has a definite old-school vibe, looking much like it must have when it opened in the 70s. Scoreboards at either end of the court display game information. Unfortunately, the Salem State mascot, “Superfan,” an orange furry blob wearing a Viking helmet, was not in attendance during Stadium Journey’s visit.   It is certain that this bandbox of a gym would get really loud if it were packed, but during Stadium Journey’s visit on an early November Saturday afternoon, the crowd was modest at best. Still, the fans bring some energy to the proceedings. Unfortunately, there was no cheerleading squad or pep band in attendance on this day. Music played before the game at a reasonable volume. The PA announcer, who was obviously a student, tried to pump up the crowd a couple of times, to no avail. Otherwise, she mostly stayed out of the way. Photo courtesy of Salem State University   Neighborhood 4   Salem, Massachusetts is a small coastal city on Boston’s North Shore. Founded in 1626, this city of 44,000 residents is best known for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Salem’s identity is closely tied with this notoriety, with the local high school teams nicknamed the Witches, and an elementary school christened Witchcraft Heights. Historic sites, including the House of the Seven Gables, the Witch House and the Salem Witch Museum are located downtown a couple of miles from the Salem State campus. There is a street in town named “Witch Way.”     Salem’s peak tourist season is the early fall, and Salem can be a really crowded place in October. Luckily, basketball season starts after Halloween, so crowds should be manageable when you come to see the Vikings.   The area right around the O’Keefe Complex is a mixed residential/business neighborhood. There’s not much in the immediate vicinity of the facility apart from a deli and a McDonald’s. If you’re visiting from out of town, you’ll certainly want to take the 10-minute drive downtown and soak up the local attractions. There are dozens of quality dining establishments here, and as you might imagine, the seafood served here is incredible. Among the great choices are The Babe, Dube’s and Ledger Restaurant and Bar. Fans of local breweries will find several quality options in town, including Notch Brewing, East Regiment Beer Company and Couch Dog Brewing.   Destination Salem  has more complete information on lodging and dining options and attractions.     Fans 2   The crowd at a Salem State basketball is what we here at Stadium Journey like to call a “friends and family” crowd. The vast majority of the people filling the bleachers at Twohig Gym have a personal connection with the players, and as a result, are knowledgeable about the team and boisterous in their support. Crowds seem to average somewhere between 150-250 fans. As is the case with most small gyms, it seems that everyone knows each other. You can also expect a good turnout from visiting fans. If there was a big crowd in attendance, it’s pretty apparent that the Twohig Gym would create a massive home court advantage.   Access 3   Even though the small city of Salem is just 15 miles northeast of Boston, there’s no easy way to get here. Make sure to give yourself extra time to arrive, because the tight roads and crowded streets of Boston’s North Shore are traffic nightmares, no matter what time of day you are arriving. Interstate 95 and Route 1 will get you close to Salem, but you’ll need local roads to get into town. Route 1A will provide your most direct, if busy, route to Salem. Fans taking public transportation to Salem can take the MBTA Newburyport/Rockland commuter rail line  into downtown Salem, then the 455 bus to the Loring Avenue stop near the O’Keefe Complex.   Salem State University is split into several campuses scattered throughout town. The O’Keefe Complex is located within walking distance of both the North and Harrington campuses in the southern part of Salem. The tourist destinations of the small city are located about two miles to the north of the school.   Twohig Gymnasium is located in the back of the O’Keefe Complex on the second floor. Once you enter the complex, there will be a set of stairs directly in front of you just past the entrance to the Rockett Arena. There’s also an elevator for fans who need it. A giant lobby sits in between the basketball gym and the hockey arena. The snack table, rest rooms and Salem State Athletic Hall of Fame are all located here. Seating inside the gym consists of molded plastic bleachers. The small size of the gym ensures great sight lines from all seats, just look out for railings at the edges of the bleachers.   Return on Investment 5   There is no charge for a Salem State basketball game. For the low price of zero dollars, you can even stick around for the women’s game when there’s a doubleheader. Parking is also free in the large lot next to the O’Keefe Complex, and snacks max out at three dollars. It’s a most affordable entertainment option for local sports fans.   Extras 2   Salem State displays its sporting history throughout the O’Keefe Complex. Pictures of every varsity team line the hallway leading to Twohig Gymnasium, and the lobby is adorned with trophies and memorabilia belonging to the Salem State Athletic Hall of Fame. Inside the gym, banners honoring conference champions and tournament appearances line the far side of the gym. A giant banner commemorating the 1986 women’s championship team dominates the north wall.   Be sure to snap a photo on your way into the gymnasium with the Viking statue that guards the O’Keefe Complex.   Final Thoughts   Twohig Gymnasium gives off a definite old-school vibe, and Salem State has been a regional basketball powerhouse within both the men’s and women’s ranks. Pair a Vikings basketball game with a tour of historic downtown Salem, and you have yourself quite a unique Stadium Journey.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

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

Photos by Meg Minard,, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Laney College Football Field 900 Fallon St Oakland, CA 94607 Map It Oakland Roots SC website Laney College Football Field website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 5,500 Oakland Roots Do you think the Athletics are the only sports team in Oakland, CA? Think again. Only a few years in existence, the Oakland Roots SC draw large crowds during the soccer season. The club is a member of the USL-C, the second level of soccer in the United States. It began its remarkable venture in 2019 as a member of NISA (National Independent Soccer Association) and moved to the USL-C in 2021. Oakland business people who pride themselves on being Oakland community-based own the Roots. Food trucks are all local; Oakland artists perform prematch entertainment. The away-game pub partners are community bars and tap houses. It’s all quite impressive. The owners and community should be proud of their team and organization. The Oakland Roots SC play their home games at Laney College’s football field. The college is a public community college near Lake Merritt and has a reputation for diversity and high-quality technical training. Food & Beverage 4 The food choices are amazing. Yummy local food trucks line closed-off 10th Street. Just a few of the fares offered are: Mediterranean (gyros, rice dishes, and salads) Pupusas, Nachos, Tacos (Guatemalan and Mexican) Coolinaria (contemporary Mexican using locally sourced ingredients) Munchiez (comfort food and sweets) Southern Comfort Kitchen (lots of fried fish choices) Empanada Argentina A bar tent offering canned beer, seltzer, cider, and wine is set up along the street as well. I did not notice any tables or chairs to sit and eat. Fans enjoy their meals by standing up or taking them to their seats. It’s fantastic to see the variety of cuisines offered and even better that they are local Oakland businesses. Atmosphere 4 Most of the seating area is on the east side (closest to the campus). It consists of 10 – 12 rows of bleachers facing west. The bleachers do not have handrails installed; for those uneasy on their feet, stay in the handicapped section or top rows. The club ‘brands’ some sections. Mosaic seats are the three sections at center pitch. The first five rows center pitch, padded with bright, multicolored cushions are known as the Mosaic+ seats Oakland Roots Colorful Mosaic+ Seating, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The Deep Roots Supporters section is the last two sections on the far south side of the bleachers. Smaller sets of bleachers sit on the west side and are used for overflow and players’ families. The club places individual seats around the pitch, behind the sideline boards, for fans wanting a ‘close to the action’ experience. Fans cannot walk the entire perimeter of the pitch. The players’ family section is guarded and blocks the circuit. The Oakland Roots SC uses the football stadium scoreboard that is prominent behind the south goal and shows the time, half, and score. The organization rolls out a soccer-specific modular turf over the football field for the soccer season. Keeping with the community-based theme, Oakland residents and organizations provide the entertainment. At the match of this review, the Oakland Youth Symphony Orchestra performed pre-game, as did G-Eazy, a noteworthy rapper and producer born in Oakland. Youth soccer clubs kicked the ball around at halftime. Neighborhood 3 The stadium is on the urban 60-acre Laney College campus less than a mile from Lake Merritt. For places to eat, several Vietnamese and Thai restaurants are nearby. Closer to the lake are Portal (brunch restaurant) and Tacos Mi Rancho (Mexican). Several breweries are about a mile from the field: Buck Wild Brewing & Taproom, Oakland United Beerworks, Original Pattern Brewing, and Federation Brewery. Jack London Square, a historic waterfront and marina area with dining, bars, shopping, and entertainment, is only 1 ½ miles from Laney College Football Field. An excellent museum to visit is the Oakland Museum of California, just a ½ mile from the field. Most of the hotels are in downtown Oakland, about a mile away. These include a Hampton Inn Oakland Downtown, Ramada by Wyndham, a Marriott, and a Courtyard Marriot. Other sports to visit in the area during soccer season include the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants . Fans 4 Only two years in the USL-C, the Oakland community has adopted the Oakland Roots wholeheartedly. It’s a pleasure to see a variety of ethnic groups, families, kids, and young adults rallying around this soccer club. All fans stand up and cheer (or moan) at the action on the pitch. They’re certainly a jolly, boisterous crowd! Deep Roots, the supporter’s group, creates an electric atmosphere at the matches with drums, flag waving, cheering, and jumping. A drum line riles up the fans pregame with a spectacular parade along 10th St before the match. Drums, dancers, and a person on stilts stride down the block for all to enjoy. During the contest, Ryan, a local artist and avid fan, stands behind the goal and paints a landscape of the stadium and the soccer match. Oakland Roots Local Artist, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Average attendance is 4,600, giving them solid crowds for most matches throughout the season. Access 3 Getting to Laney College Football Field is relatively easy as it is right off the I-880 and a ½ mile from the Lake Merritt BART Station . Parking is in the Laney College Student Parking Lot on E 7th St, across from the campus (just look for all the cars), and is free. The main entrance to the stadium is on E 10th St and 2nd Ave, and fans walk through metal detectors for their security check. Clear bags up to 14” x 6” x 14” are permitted. Security is taken seriously. Gates open an hour before kickoff. 10th St between 2nd and 4th Avenues is closed off for the food trucks and pregame entertainment. Restrooms are under the press box and bleachers; another set is in a building on the northwest end of the pitch. Expect lines during sold-out matches. The seating area can get crowded, especially during games that sell out. Return on Investment 5 A single game ticket price for an Oakland Roots match runs as follows: GA – $20 Mosaic – $25 Mosaic Plus – $35 Field Seat Endline – $65 Field Seat Sideline – $75 Season tickets and group packages reduce that price. Fans are not charged for parking. The food prices are what is to be expected in California. The fans and game day atmosphere are phenomenal. You’ll get your sports entertainment money’s worth at a match here. Extras 4 The Oakland Roots SC joined the Common Goal movement whose mission is to create positive social change. Participants contribute a minimum of 1% of their salaries to fight social inequality. “The club was founded with a purpose; to harness the magic of Oakland and the power of sport as a force for social good.” – taken from the Oakland Roots website The organization is promoting their women’s team counterpart, the Oakland Soul, who will begin play in 2023 in the USL-W league. Being involved in the city and incorporating community businesses and organizations in aspects of the match day is profoundly evident. Final Thoughts Sports fans of Oakland have definitely embraced their new soccer club, Oakland Roots SC. You’ll find a packed house often throughout the season with passionate, welcoming fans.

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field 100 Stadium Dr Williamsburg, VA 23185 William & Mary Tribe website Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field website Year Opened: 1935 Capacity: 12,672 Football In The Colonial Capital Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field has been the home of William & Mary Football since the facility was built in 1935. The first game in the facility was the 1935 season opener when the Tribe battled the University of Virginia to a 0-0 tie. A $28 million renovation in 2016 added suites, a press box, and an upper deck which now make Zable Stadium a great spot to catch some FCS football. Food & Beverage 4 Zable Stadium offers a good variety of food options to keep you from getting hungry while at the game. The concession stands on the main/lower level concourse of the home side stands offer hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, Italian sausage, chicken tenders, and fresh-cut fries. Snack items include nachos, pretzels, popcorn, and candy (M&M’s, gummies, etc.). Beverage items include fountain Pepsi products and bottled water. Keep in mind that the concession stands on the upper level of the home side only offer nachos, popcorn, hot dogs, and candy, along with bottled water and soda. So, if you are sitting in the upper level and want more filling options, you’ll have to take the hike down to the lower level. There is one smaller concession stand for the fans sitting in the visiting sideline stands in the corner near section 119, which has similar offerings as both stands on the home side. Atmosphere 3 Zable Stadium is a brick structure with two levels of seating on the home side and one seating level on the visiting sidelines. On the home-side stands, there is a single level of suites between the upper and lower level. At the top of the upper deck, is a large and spacious press box. Brick archways surround the facility including in both end zones. As is the case with many older FCS facilities, a track surrounds the field. This pushes the fans back, but as long as you are sitting higher up, should not affect your view. The track is open for fans to walk on in both end zones to get from one side to the other. The field is artificial turf and there is a large video board in the south end zone. Zable Stadium Home Side and Press Box, Photo by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey William & Mary have a small band that plays on the field pregame as the team runs out through green smoke. The band also plays throughout the game. In the northwest end zone corner, there is an army artillery canon. Keep in mind it fires at the start of the game and second half, as well as after each Tribe score. It is loud, so don’t be startled! Zable Stadium has a mix of bench back and bleacher seating. For an afternoon game, we recommend sitting on the home side so the sun will be at your back and not directly in your eyes. Neighborhood 5 If you are looking for other things to do while in town for a William & Mary football game, there are many options in the Williamsburg area. Colonial Williamsburg has many colonial-style homes, shops, restaurants, and attractions in the downtown area. One interesting restaurant with great food is Food for Thought, which has a menu as diverse as the minds of great American thinkers. Food for Thought’s décor features biographical pictures of inventors, scientists, and social leaders while the walls display thought-provoking quotes used to set the tone for a positive and enjoyable dining experience. Also, nearby is Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement on the east coast; and Yorktown, the site where the British surrendered and the Revolutionary War ended. There are also many other resorts and attractions nearby including theme parks Busch Gardens and Water Country. Fans 2 William & Mary have not made the FCS playoffs since 2015 and have had several down seasons in a row, so fan support is not the greatest. Unless the Tribe is playing James Madison (which will not happen again due to JMU moving to FBS, expect only around 6,000 fans in attendance. This is only 50% capacity of the renovated stadium. When we attended in 2021, there were 10,000 in attendance, but several thousand of these were the aforementioned JMU fans. Access 3 Zable Stadium is located right off of Richmond Road in Downtown Williamsburg. Due to this location near Colonial Williamsburg and being on campus, allow yourself some extra time going to the game. The two-lane roads surrounding the stadium back up easily. Most of the parking around the stadium is reserved for season ticket holders. However, there is general parking for $10 near Kaplan Arena. There are also many pay-to-park lots in downtown Williamsburg. The easiest gates for entry are in the south end zone. Once you enter here, you have easy access to stands on either side of the field. Note if you are sitting in the lower level on either side, you will simply walk along the sideline and up into the stands. If you are in the upper deck there are stairs and elevators to access. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices start at $20 and go up, which is about right for this level of football. $10 parking is a little steep so we suggest finding free parking on the streets/lots around downtown Williamsburg. Throw in affordable concessions and you can have a good experience watching FCS football without breaking the bank. Extras 1 Zable Stadium earns an extra point for the colonial soldiers that roam the sideline throughout the game. This is a nice touch and fits the vibe of the stadium’s setting in colonial Williamsburg amidst many historic buildings. Final Thoughts Most folks will not think of William & Mary football when visiting Williamsburg, VA. However, recent renovations make it a nice facility for FCS football on a fall afternoon in the Colonial Capital.

Photos by Gregory Koch and Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy 3675 Ely Pl SE Washington DC, 20019 D. C. Grays website Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 500 The Other District Team Founded in 2005, the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League features six teams in the Washington, D.C. metro area. One member, the DC Grays, is the second of two summer league teams by that name. The first Grays team played in the Clark Griffith League from 2006 to 2009 when the league folded, although they only played in the District for one of those years. After an absence in 2010, the second and current version of the Grays was founded in 2011 and joined the Ripken League for the next season in 2012. The Grays played their first two seasons at Hoy Field on the campus of Gallaudet University before moving to the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy in Southeast D.C. in 2014. The Grays nickname pays homage to the old Homestead Grays, a Negro League team that used to play in the District. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand at a window down the right-field line, staffed by two friendly employees, which sells a typical selection of food and beverage. Meals include hamburgers ($4, or $5 with cheese), pizza ($7 for a personal size), nachos ($5, or $6 with chili), and $5 for a “meal deal” that includes a hot dog, chips, and soda or water. A wide assortment of snacks is available for $1-$2 each, and soft drinks and water will cost $2-$4 depending on the item. Note that if paying by credit card, there is a $1 service fee for transactions under $5. To avoid this, either bring cash or buy enough in each visit to be above this threshold. Theoretically, hot chocolate and coffee are available between 9 AM and 12 PM, but this is mainly for the kids, parents, and coaches who are at the complex during the day. The Grays do play one 1 PM game a year for various youth groups, and if you arrive early enough for that game, you may be able to get some of these drinks. Otherwise, you won’t be able to get them at a Grays game. Atmosphere 4 The DC Grays’ home stadium is located within the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, nestled among various youth baseball and softball fields. Numerous youth teams call the Academy home, as do various softball teams up to the college level. However, the Grays’ stadium is the main stadium in the complex as reflected in its quality. The all-turf field is surrounded by several sections of bleachers with backs with a wide-open, large concourse for fans to walk between the seating bowl and other areas of the complex. All seats have an excellent view of the action, but be careful of the sun setting down the left-field line for the first few innings of a night game. There is also a scoreboard in left centerfield which shows a linescore and other basic information. The team does a good job of keeping fans engaged, playing walkup music, making announcements throughout the game about the various ways fans can get involved, and holding a 50-50 raffle in the later innings for a chance to win some money and raise some money for the team, which after all is a non-profit. Neighborhood 2 Although many parts of D.C. are great, the Nationals Youth Academy is not located in the best neighborhood. This choice of location makes some sense, as the complex was intended to help inner-city children play baseball. The area directly around the stadium is safe enough, and expect some police presence during games to make sure it stays that way, but as always in an urban environment, be aware of what is going on around you. You probably don’t want to venture too far away from the stadium though. Many more options are available downtown, but unless you want to drive down there and try to find parking, you’re probably going to have to take an Uber or Lyft. Fans 3 Like most teams in the Cal Ripken League, the Grays are lucky if they get more than a couple hundred fans a game, but those who do show up are passionate, loyal, and knowledgeable about the team and the league. Even as the hour grew late and the game went into multiple extra innings, most fans stayed until it was over, cheering just as loudly in the final inning as the first. That is real dedication. As all Ripken League teams are located within about 40 miles of each other, and the Grays are the most centrally located team of them all, you will often get a number of visiting fans making the short trip into the District as well. Access 3 The Nationals Youth Academy is conveniently located a short drive off either I-395 or DC Route 295 (which is the only “state” highway in the District of Columbia.) Parking is available for free in the complex lot, although you will have to walk past some of the other fields to get where you need to go. Unfortunately, the Academy is not easily accessible by any D.C. Metro line, but free parking is a rarity in this city so take it where you can get it. The concourses are more than wide enough to accommodate the crowds. The restrooms are of sufficient size as well, although the men’s room is tucked away in a corner under some stairs, so you may have to look around a bit for it. Return on Investment 5 Admission to all Grays home games is free, one of only two clubs in the league where that’s the case. Concessions are affordable as well, and parking is free, so fans shouldn’t have to pay much to see the Grays. Throw in the fact that the Academy stadium is much nicer than most fields in the league and a visit to a Grays game is a pretty good deal. Extras 3 There is a tent on the concourse down the first base line which sells Grays merchandise at affordable prices. The tent also has free programs available, which earns another star. Finally, there are batting cages located on the concourse behind home plate where fans can watch the Grays and their opponents take some batting practice. Final Thoughts Few in the Washington, D.C. area even know the Cal Ripken League exists. That is reflected in the low attendance numbers at the vast majority of teams in the league. However, the DC Grays play in a beautiful stadium, and the chance to watch a baseball game for free on a summer’s night is an opportunity not to be passed up. Despite what people think, the Nationals are not the only baseball team in this city, and while the quality of play isn’t nearly as high at a Grays game as at a Nats one, it’s a chance to see a game for free as opposed to paying a lot of money to sit far away from the field, and who can argue with that?

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Fertitta Center 3875 Holman St Houston, TX 77004 Houston Cougars website Fertitta Center website Year Opened: 1969 Capacity: 7,100 Cougartown The University of Houston is a public university boasting over 46,000 students. The Houston Cougars basketball team entered the 2023-2024 season joining the Big 12 Conference. The "Coogs" are famous for their teams of the eighties that came within an eyelash of a National Championship while being one of the most exciting teams in college basketball, fondly referred to as Phi Slama Jama. The Cougars played their first season in 1946 and have made six appearances in the Final Four. Home for the Coogs is the Fertitta Center. It opened in 1969 as the Hofheinz Pavilion and was renamed in 2017 after a donation from Houston Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta. The renaming was not without controversy. Negotiations held with the family of Judge Roy Hofheinz, a Houston judge and politician, resulted in the creation of the Judge Hofheinz Plaza and bronze statue in front of Fertitta Center. The court was also renamed. Previously it was named after legendary Houston coach of four decades, Guy V. Lewis, but a donation by the Penick Family has the home of the Cougars to be formally known as the Penick Court @ Fertitta Center. Food & Beverage 3 Concession options at the Fertitta Center are okay, but they will not bowl the fan over. A limited number of concession points sell the expected arena basics including popcorn, hot dogs, pretzels, and nachos. The Hugo’s concession offers some Mexican fare including tacos, guacamole, taquitos, and roasted street corn. Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice in Fertitta Center and Red Bull has a fairly significant presence also. Beer is also available with Budweiser and Bud Light the most prevalent major brands. Atmosphere 4 For a large university in a very large city, the Fertitta Center's capacity of 7,100 is relatively small.  The exterior of the arena is very unassuming.  Fertitta Center is located with other athletic facilities on campus, north of football’s TDECU Stadium .  The building is low-profile with slanted, silver siding exterior and plenty of glass at the entrances.  The Holman Street side of Fertitta Center provides the main entrance via the Hofheinz Plaza, named after Judge Roy Hofheinz, whose likeness is immortalized with a bronze statue near the sidewalk. Upon entering the concourses, Fertitta Center provides a nice main entrance atrium with theatre-style ribbon boards welcoming fans as they enter.  The concourses are bright and clean and full of Cougar red and white along with items for the treasure hunter to see.  Murals for the “Game of the Century” at the Houston Astrodome from 1968, which saw the Cougars defeat the top-ranked UCLA Bruins in front of over 52,000 fans, are found in the concourse.  A trophy case proudly displays NCAA hardware at the Hall of Honor as well as murals honoring coach Guy V. Lewis, Phi Slama Jama, and the most honored Cougars, Otis Birdsong, Elvin Hayes, Michael Young, Clyde Drexler, and Hakeem Olajuwon. Inside the Fertitta Center, Penick Court runs from west to east with the best spot to sit to get that perfect center court logo from the north.   The north side of the arena is where the retired numbers for Young, Hayes, Drexler, Olajuwon, and Birdsong.  Also hanging on that north wall are banners for the NCAA Tournament appearances and the 1967, 1968, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 2021 Final Four appearances.  The seating area is a single tier with the main concourse behind.  The south side features club seating that is courtside.  There are large video boards at the east and west end of the arena and a ribbon board around the ceiling.  The gameday production is what one would expect from a major college basketball program.  The band is terrific and sits in the west corner with the students.  Shasta and Sasha, the Cougar mascots, partake in the pregame festivities and traverse through the arena.  Cheerleaders and flag bearers are also part of the production. Neighborhood 4 Fertitta Center is located on the campus of the University of Houston in the Greater Third Ward area. It is part of South Central Houston, just south of Downtown Houston. The immediate area does have some fast food and chain options within walking distance. A short jaunt in the car or on public transit will bring more options including Eric’s Restaurant, District 7 Grill, and Edgar’s Hermano. There are a ton of other sporting options to choose from in Houston. The Cougars play football  just across the road at TDECU Stadium as well as other varsity teams. The Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park; the Houston Texans  play at NRG Stadium; and the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash play at Shell Energy Stadium. Rice University fields football , basketball ,  and baseball  teams among others and basketball teams hit the court for the Texas Southern Tigers  and Houston Christian Huskies . There are a ton of other tourist options in Houston including the Houston Zoo, Downtown Aquarium, Graffiti Murals, and Houston Space Center. For fans who wish to stay near campus, the Hilton University Houston is close by. Fans 4 Houston Cougar fans pack the Fertitta Center for each game. The relatively small capacity of Fertitta Center allows for a significant fan atmosphere. At the time of writing, the Cougars are averaging over 7,100 fans per game for the 2023-2024 season. The previous season they attracted over 7,400 fans per game. The small capacity of Fertitta Center hinders their support as compared to other Big 12 teams. The student section, known as The Cage was not a factor in the game that was reviewed as it was between semesters when campus is fairly quiet.   Access 4 The Fertitta Center is located on the campus of the University of Houston, which is in the Greater Third Ward neighborhood of Houston.  It is located south of I-45, so there is limited travel through the city to get to the arena.  There is parking available on campus, which can be expensive in some places.  For those who wish to take transit to the basketball game, the light rail Metro runs a few blocks south of the arena.  Some buses run along both Cullen Blvd and Scott St.  Fans should check out the Metro website for maps, fares, and schedules.  Getting around Fertitta Center is not difficult.  The Cougars, as of this writing, employ a clear bag policy.  Stadium Journey recognizes that security procedures for major sporting events are in constant flux.  Stadium Journey highly recommends fans consult the Houston Cougars  website for the most up-to-date security protocols including prohibited items and bag policy. Return on Investment 4 With the limited capacity of Fertitta Center, Cougar tickets are not easy to come by. The ticket office makes tickets available only a few weeks before each game. At the time of the review, standing-room tickets were going for about $30. Tickets on the secondary market usually start in the $40 range depending on the opponent. Parking can be expensive with the Stadium Garage going for $40 and other campus locations going for $30 to $35. A parking bonus for the game reviewed was free parking for the men’s basketball game for fans who paid for parking for the earlier women’s basketball game. Concession prices are about what one would expect at a college basketball game. The product on the floor is as good as anywhere in the NCAA and the gameday production is solid. Overall the return on investment for a Cougars game is pretty good. Extras 0 There are no extra points awarded for the Houston Cougars at Fertitta Center. At the game that was reviewed, it was clear that there were some operational issues at Fertitta Center. Limited General Admission seats were sold and also assigned to groups causing some significant displacement of fans. When dealing with displacement issues, more than one employee was not sympathetic or helpful to those who were displaced. Staff also denied that the error, which has happened on numerous occasions, was the responsibility of the Houston Cougars. Attempts to contact the Houston Cougars ticket office did not produce a response.  Hopefully, the University of Houston and Fertitta Center can correct some of these issues going forward and make the fan experience better. Final Thoughts Catching a Houston Cougars basketball game is a great college basketball experience that fans will enjoy.  However, some homework should be done before heading out to the game, however, to maximize the enjoyment of the game. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Our first of several features on former Cactus League spring training facilities, some of which still exist and some do not. Geronimo Park, Apache Junction, AZ was the first spring training home of the expansion league Houston Colt .45s. It opened in the fall of 1961 with a construction cost of $150K. The first game was played on December 5, 1961; the Colts dropped a 5-3 decision to San Francisco in winter league play. The first spring training game at Geronimo Park was held on March 12, 1962. Geronimo Park Dugout and Bleachers, Photo Courtesy of astroland.net The team only played their spring ball at Geronimo Park for two seasons, then moved to Cocoa Beach, FL where the Colts/Astros trained at Cocoa Expo Sports Center until 1984. Along with the move to the east coast, the team name was changed to the Houston Astros. Geronimo Park lay dormant for seven years, withering, becoming victim of the elements with no maintenance performed and harmful vandals causing damage to the club house and other areas of the park. Geronimo Park – Vandalized Clubhouse, 1965, Photo Courtesy of astroland.net The park was sold to the Mesa School District in 1969 and was dismantled. The Loyal Order of the Moose sits on the former site in a suburban neighborhood and I imagine very few residents in Apache Junction even remember or recognize that major league baseball was once played there. Geronimo Park – Current Site – Loyal Order of the Moose, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey. Depending on how and in which direction the bleachers faced, fans had a beautiful view of the Superstition Mountains.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Capaha Field 627 Capaha Drive Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 Cape Catfish website Capaha Field website Year Opened: 1949 Capacity: 2,400 Getting Hooked at Capaha Field Capaha Field has been the home of the Cape Catfish of the summer collegiate Prospect League. The ball club arrived during the summer of 2019, but baseball has been played at the site by numerous teams dating back to 1894. The ballpark was first known as Fairgrounds Field and included three separate grandstands. The first wooden grandstand was built in 1905 but leveled by a storm in 1911. A new one was constructed the same year and enlarged by 40 feet. It would be replaced by the current structure in 1949. A new press box was added in 2006. The SE Missouri University baseball program has called the ballpark home since 1959 and added a 4,000 square indoor training facility on the right field side of the stadium. The St. Louis Browns and the Toledo Mud Hens held spring training on the site from 1943-1945 due to wartime restrictions. The ballpark is also home to American Legion baseball. The Capaha baseball team is the oldest amateur club that began playing on the site in 1894 and got its name from the CA-PA-HA Flour Company, which sponsored the club in the early part of the 20th century. The ball club has won 20 state regional titles with a 4th place finish at the NBC in Wichita, Kansas. A $1.8 million renovation plan changed the ballpark that included synthetic turf changes, sectioning off the road on top of the knoll on the right field side to make it the main concourse, adding a video scoreboard, a new outfield fence, new bullpens, and additional cosmetic upgrades. Chair-back seating from the now-demolished Houck Stadium was added to the grandstand in 2022. Food & Beverage 3 There are multiple food trucks at the ballpark parked up on the hill serving food and beverage during the game. Kenny’s Flippin’ Burgers is a local restaurant that serves smashed burgers and hot dogs. The Cape Catfish version has grilled onions and smash sauce with homemade ribbon chips. The Wat’s Knot truck offers pretzels, pretzel bites, cinnamon twists, and pretzel dogs. Simply Swirled is another truck that has 15 different flavors of shaved ice from grape, orange, wedding cake, and tiger’s blood. Coca-Cola products are sold, while the beer options include cans of Modelo, Coors Light, Miller Light, Yuengling Lager, Yuengling Flight, and Cape Catfish Common from local Ebb & Flow Fermentation. It is a Kentucky Common beer, AKA steam beer. It is a well-balanced beer with maltiness that creates a dry and clean flavor profile. Atmosphere 4 Fans enter the stadium at the main entrance behind the grandstand and on top of the hill. The Plaza Tire Entrance used to be a small road for cars but is now part of the stadium’s main grandstand. The tree line area is designed with tables, concession stands, food trucks, a merchandise table, and a small hill where kids run up and down. It is a carnival-like atmosphere on most nights and is good use to increase the atmosphere at the game. The main grandstand seats a little about 500 people and offers stadium seating. The grandstand features a logo of the ballpark and includes the emblems of all four teams that call it home during the spring and summer. Championship banners of the Catfish are on display, and old baseball bats are used as banisters in the grandstand. A few private areas exist, and include the dugout club seating area down the first base side of the stadium and the homerun deck behind the right field that has its entrance. The party area can seat people up to 200 and comes with food and beverages. The SEMO football team was the guest during our visit and provided a noisy backdrop to the visiting right fielder. The Catfish mascot can be found walking through the stadium giving high-fives, and posing for photos. A majority of the fans are found on the main concourse either on the hill at tables or sprawling out on the grass berm. The same can is for a few folks who watch the game from the road behind the outfield wall in the center field on top of another hill. They park their cars, pull out a lawn chair and enjoy the game free of charge. Neighborhood 3 The ballpark is inside Capaha Park, which includes a fishing pond, a rose garden, and a disc-golf course over 39 acres in the southwest corner of Cape Girardeau. The area around the park is a mix of residential and commercial use and is near Southeast Missouri State University and Southeast Hospital. However, there are plenty of restaurants and breweries located within a mile of the ballpark. The restaurants include Mary Jane Bourbon & Smokehouse, Burrito-Ville, Kenny’s Flipping Burgers, and Broussard’s Cajun Cuisine. The breweries include Ebb & Flow Fermentation and Minglewood Brewery. Also, a mile from Capaha Park is the Mississippi River and riverfront. Fans 3 The fan interaction at the is community spirited, with families out for a day during the summer, baseball diehards enjoying a few innings, and kids just having fun running around the spacious concourse and hill. There are many with Catfish caps and t-shirts cheering on the hometown team. Access 4 Cape Girardeau is accessible off I-55 and is 115 miles southeast of St. Louis along the Mighty Mississippi River. There are numerous spots to park behind the outfield walls in the grass and dirt lots, along with neighboring streets. Once inside the venue, the main concourse allows fans to direct themselves to many vantage points and the grandstand. Return on Investment 4 Reserved seating in the grandstand is $12, $9 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, and free for kids under $5 everywhere else. Parking is free in the neighboring lots, and food prices are affordable. All cans of beer are $4, and the large tub of shaved ice is also $4 and perfect for kids to cool down during a hot summer day. However, there did not appear to be reasonable pricing for the ballpark staples of hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, and popcorn from any one of the food trucks. Merchandise includes an assortment of t-shirts and caps from $25 to $30, respectively. Extras 3 The Catfish earn points for designing a ballpark that stands out in the Prospect League. The Plaza Tire Entrance makes good use of the old road and turns it into a festive and lively concourse during game time. The beer prices are $4 and almost half of what you might pay elsewhere in summer baseball. Another point is the multiple banners hanging up along the concourse that add a nice touch to the stadium. Final Thoughts Capaha Field has an illustrious history of baseball dating back to the late 19th century, and the Cape Catfish continue that tradition in Cape Girardeau. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 E.J. Wade Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center 1200 W Broad St Richmond, VA 23284 VCU Rams website Stuart C. Siegel Center website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 7,500 RAM Tough Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) opened in 1838. It is the largest college/university in the state of Virginia with a student body of 28,000 students. The school offers 64 different bachelor’s degrees, 74 master’s degree programs, and 41 doctorate degree programs. It has two campuses in the city of Richmond, VA. It is also the largest employer in Richmond, even surpassing the number of state employees in the state capitol. The athletic team at VCU is known as the Rams. The most successful program in Ram's lineup of teams is the men’s basketball team. The men’s basketball team calls the E.J. Wade Arena at the Siegel Center its home court (we will use the Seigel Center name for brevity’s sake… students just refer to it as “the Stu”). The roundball Rams have won 85% of their home games since the Center opened in 1999. The arena at the Siegel Center holds 7,500 fans in its basketball configuration. The Siegel Center is named for Richmond businessman Stuart Siegel, who contributed more than $7 million towards the facility’s construction. Food & Beverage 5 There are six concession stands spread equally throughout the Seigel Center concourse level. A larger than usual number of food items is carried at each stand. Entrees include BBQ pork sandwiches ($9), Nathan’s hot dogs ($6), hamburgers ($8), Papa John’s Pizza ($9), chicken sandwiches ($9), and nachos w/cheese ($8). The snack selection is also larger than we typically see, including popcorn ($5), candy ($5), pretzels ($5), kettle corn ($8), and Dippin’ Dots ice cream ($5). Beverages sold at the Seigel Center include water ($4), Pepsi brand sodas ($6), canned brand beers ($9), canned craft beers ($12), and canned cocktails ($8). We found that the number of stands is enough to keep the lines short, except at halftime. Atmosphere 4 Even though the Seigel Center was built nearly 25 years ago, it has definitely kept up with the times, thanks to multiple renovations over the years. The inside of the arena is predominately decked out in the black and gold colors of VCU. There are a number of exhibits on the walls describing the Ram's Cinderella season when they reached the Final Four, as well as salutes to star players from past years. The seats in the arena are very comfortable and come with cup holders. The seating bowl is quite steep, providing you with a close-up look at the action, no matter where your seats are in the arena. The electronics package is also very impressive. There is a four-sided center-hung scoreboard, with each panel measuring 11.5’ X 15.5 feet. It constantly updates the stats of each player on the court, as well as information on upcoming events. There are also panel boards above the ends of the court with game information as well. The sound system is excellent, as it must be heard over the noise generated by the crowd, but it is also used for a number of concerts throughout the year. A 360-degree ribbon board also provides information throughout the game. Neighborhood 4 The Seigel Center and a majority of the VCU campus are in the Fan District in Downtown Richmond. It is named the Fan District because the pattern of the streets spread from narrow to wide in the shape of a fan. Richmond is a city with a long history, both as a state capitol and due to its role as the capital of the Confederacy. Like most state capitols, there are several museums in the city. Both the Virginia Museum of History and Culture and the Institute for Contemporary Art are within a few blocks of the Siegel Center. The streets surrounding the Seigel Center are filled with homes that are more than 100 years old. The area is also filled with businesses that service the needs of the students at VCU. This includes coffee shops, bars, and restaurants. The Village Café has been around for decades and is still very popular amongst the students and longtime locals in the area. The Holiday Inn Express Downtown Richmond offers the closest accommodations for games at the Siegel Center. Fans 5 The gameday experience at Siegel Center is loud and full of energy. VCU does not have a football program, so basketball games are the premier sports event on campus. It is the norm that you will have a full house for every game throughout the season. The loudest and most energetic section of the crowd is by far the student section, which is known as the Rowdy Rams ( the Rowdy Rams have won the Naismith Award for Student Section of the Year on multiple occasions). VCU students get free admission to every game, so there is always a huge turnout. The Rowdy Rams work very closely with the VCU cheerleading squad, the VCU Peppa pep band, the Gold Rush dance squad, and last but not least… Rodney the Ram, is VCU’s terrific mascot. Mascot Dancing with VCU Cheer Team, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey The remainder of the stands will typically consist of VCU alums (40% of VCU alumni still live in Richmond) and Richmond area residents who see VCU games as their best area sports event during the winter months. There are very few seats allotted for the visiting team. Access 4 The Siegel Center is easily accessible from I-95/I-64 (these two interstates are merged as they pass through Richmond. From the north or west: Take exit 76B (Belvidere Street) Turn left off the exit ramp onto Leigh Street. Turn right at Belvidere Street. Turn right at Broad Street. The Seigel Center will be on your right after the second traffic light. From the south or east: Take exit 76A (Chamberlayne). Get in the left turn lane at end of the ramp. Turn left at the next traffic light. After crossing the bridge bear right onto St. Peter’s Street. At the stop sign turn right onto Leigh Street. Turn left at the next stop light on to Belvidere Street. Turn right at Broad Street. The Seigel Center will be on your right after the second traffic light. There are four parking garages within a block of the Seigel Center. Once you arrive at the Seigel Center, the access is excellent. There are five main entrances into the arena, and doors open one hour prior to tipoff. Inside, the arena has 19 restrooms (nine men’s rooms and ten ladies’ rooms) The concession stands are spaced equally around the concourse level of the arena. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices range from $30 - $35 depending on where you want to sit in the arena. However, keep in mind that VCU has a very large season ticket base, and games are also sold out on a regular basis… so buy your tickets well in advance of the game you plan to attend! The ticket prices are broken down by sideline seats ($35) or end-line seats ($30). Parking at one of the VCU garages is $10. The concession prices at the Seigel Center are. Extras 3 The Rams men’s basketball program has earned a significant number of achievements over the years. They include 2011 Final Four, eight NCAA Tournament appearances, one CAA Tournament Championship, one Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship, and one Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship. The VCU Basketball Development Center is located just a block north of the Siegel Center. This facility offers practice courts, strengthening and conditioning facilities, training rooms, and classrooms. The Player Development Center is designed around making each player the best they can be, in the classroom and on the basketball court. It is also a major recruiting tool for VCU. “The Stu” also hosts VCU women’s basketball, both men’s and women’s volleyball, and the Virginia State High School Basketball Tournament Finals. It is also used for non-sports activities such as concerts and VCU graduation ceremonies. Final Thoughts The Virginia Commonwealth University basketball team has proven that their trip to the Final Four in 2011 was no fluke, as the Rams are perennial champions in each of the conferences they have played in over the past decade. The VCU student body and the fans in Richmond know a good thing when they see it and have packed the Seigel Center for every game over the last 10 years. It will be no surprise when you hear VCU’s name on Selection Sunday.

Photos by Jon Hart, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Francis S. Levien Gymnasium 2960 Broadway New York, NY 10027 Columbia Lions website Francis S. Levien Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 3,408 The Lion’s Den Columbia, President Obama’s alma mater, plays their home games at the modest, 2,700 seat Francis S. Levien Gymnasium. Located in Morningside Heights, a twenty-minute subway jaunt from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden, Levien only offers good seats and better seats. Warning: Most of the seats don’t have seat backs. Columbia, which won the CollegeInsider.com post-season tournament in 2016, plays in the ultra-competitive Ivy League, which is on the cusp on becoming a two-bid conference. It’s solid, competitive mid-major college hoops in a small place. Food & Beverage 3 Columbia has upgraded its selections. In addition to candy, chips and soda, there are personal pizzas, Subway wraps and grilled hot dogs. Pizza is the most popular. The surrounding neighborhood offers an array of excellent food choices. Atmosphere 4 Columbia games draw. Students turn out and sit in the designated student section, which is across from the team’s benches. Alums, either Columbia or from the opposing team, also make up much of the crowd. The recently reinstated Columbia band, the best worst college band, is back again playing. However, they’re more restrained. Columbia has a large dance and cheerleading squad. They keep it simple and low to the floor. Neighborhood 5 A stroll around Columbia’s well-lit surrounding streets is a must. There’s no shortage of excellent dining options. Here are just a few, but there are plenty more. Shake Shack , which is great for burgers, shakes and other treats, is right across the street. A few blocks downtown, pizza spot Koronet has humongous slices. A bit more downtown, Sal and Carmine’s , has smaller slices but awesome crust. For Seinfeld fans, Tom’s Restaurant is close. A local’s guide to area restaurants can be found here. Fans 4 The fans turn out for the Lions. Arrive early if you don’t want to wait in line for tickets on game day. The student section has the potential to get rowdy and creative but nothing too crazy. Access 4 Drivers should be able to get a free space on the street with not too much effort. There’s also overpriced parking lots in the neighborhood. If you’re coming via public transportation, the #1 subway stop at 116th Street is mere yards from courtside. Return on Investment 4 Compared to the Knicks and Nets , a Columbia game is a bargain. Tickets start at $20. Extras 3 Columbia’s magnificent campus is a sight to behold. For a wonderful stroll, Central Park, arguably the best park in the world, is not far. Again, there are a lot of great eating venues in the area. Worth noting: Current Columbia coach Jim Engles has a history of pulling off upsets. In 2014, his NJIT squad upset Michigan in Ann Arbor. If you’re in NYC, and you’re into hoops, Levien Gymnasium should be added to your itinerary. Jon Hart is @ManVersusBall

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Hitchcock Field at Plainsman Park 351 South Donohue Dr Auburn, AL 36830 Auburn Tigers website Plainsman Park website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 4,096 The Tiger’s Den Auburn Tiger baseball has had an illustrious history since its beginning in 1931. The program has won six SEC Championships and won three SEC Tournament titles. The team has reached 19 NCAA Regionals and has made it to the College World Series four times. A majority of this success has taken place at Plainsman Park, their on-campus home since 1950. Auburn has always been a school that looks to the future, while treasuring its past. This can be seen by the many late 1800 and early 1900 academic buildings standing next door to a modern research facility. The same is true of Plainsman Park (the full formal name is Samford Stadium – Hitchcock Field at Plainsman Park… we will be using Plainsman Park for brevity’s sake) as it celebrates its glorious baseball past, while incorporating the latest features in stadium design to increase performance on the field and enhance fan engagement off the field. Food & Beverage 3 There are two primary concession stands servicing Plainsman Park, The Home Plate and the Curveball Café. The food served at each stand is the typical baseball fare at very affordable prices. Items on the menu include cheeseburgers ($6), hot dogs ($3), pretzels ($5), nachos ($5), popcorn ($4), candy ($3), peanuts ($4) and sunflower seeds ($3). Beverages include Coca-Cola sodas ($4) and bottled water ($2). Atmosphere 4 Plainsman Park maintained its original look throughout the 20th century, but the school felt a major update to the facility was needed before its 50th anniversary and the 21st century arrived. In 1998, the face lift began, with the installation of a brick backstop, 3,200 chair back seats and Auburn’s own version of the Green Monster in left field. To enhance the fan experience, the playing field was brought much closer to the stands (only 40 feet from either the first or third base bags) and front row seats are only 4 feet above the playing surface. These changes were well received by the fans and as the Tigers on-field performance improved an enlargement of the stadium was needed. Instead of creating space further from the field, the bullpens were moved off the sides of the field and placed beyond the outfield wall. This allowed for more seating to be added at field level down the baselines. In 2017 Auburn added a 24 foot X 63 foot video board in right center field and replaced all 6,800 chair backs in the stadium. A Tiger Terrace general admission section was added above the third base seats for a berm-like seating effect. The response from the fans to these changes has been overwhelmingly positive, and the baseball industry has taken notice as well. Both Baseball America and D1Baseball.com have consistently rated Plainsman Park in their Top Ten College Baseball venues over the past few years. Neighborhood 4 The immediate area around Plainsman Park is the Auburn Athletic area of the campus. It lies in the shadow of Jordan-Hare Stadium and is across the street from the Auburn Arena . The Auburn campus is known for its natural beauty and the historic architecture of its buildings. Just across College Street from the campus is the downtown area of the city of Auburn. The city has always been known as the “loveliest village on the plain” as it has retained its small town feel despite great growth in the size of the university. Most of the stores lining College Street are of the mom and pop variety with local ownership. Toomer’s Drug Store is a “must see” when visiting Auburn, as it buoys “Toomer’s Corner,” the site of all Auburn’s greatest victory celebrations. It has an old-fashioned soda shop and serves its own brand of lemonade. Most of the top restaurants and entertainment facilities are found along College Street, which forms an eastern border to the campus. Favorites along this stretch include BurgerFi and Amsterdam Cafe. The closest lodging to the campus is the Auburn Conference Center and Hotel. A majority of the lodging options in Auburn are found in between I-85 and the Auburn campus. Fans 4 No matter what the sport, Auburn fans are known for being loud (both in volume and in their blue and orange attire) and proud. The baseball team has given the fans every reason to be proud, given the program’s successful history over time. You will hear the term “War Eagle” incessantly, both as a cheer for a great play or to simply acknowledge a fellow Auburn fan. Auburn goes by several nicknames, including “Tigers,” “War Eagles” or “Plainsmen.” Auburn fans are also known for their politeness, even to supporters of the opposing team (except the University of Alabama). When you visit Auburn, you are considered “company,” and company is always treated with respect. Auburn University goes the extra mile in accommodating its fans. While it does everything possible to get fans inside the stadium, it also has established viewing areas outside the stadium as well. “The Platform” is a raised area behind the right center field wall that is restricted to students only. Two other popular viewing areas for the general public are the terraced area behind the left field wall and the Stadium Parking Deck, which overlooks the entire field from behind the third base line. Access 4 Auburn is located 60 miles east of Montgomery and 100 miles southwest of Atlanta. The Auburn campus is easy to reach via exit 51 off I-85. You will simply head north for 7 miles as it becomes College Street. To get to Plainsman Park, you will simply turn left at Samford then right on Donohue to one of three parking facilities set aside for baseball parking (the Coliseum parking lot, the Auburn Arena parking lot or the Stadium parking deck.) The Stadium Deck is by far the most preferable as it overlooks the baseball field. The university has no problem with fans watching the game from the parking deck at no charge! Plainsman Park is very easy to navigate, as its most recent renovations widened the concourses and added additional concession areas and restrooms. Return On Investment 4 The cost of attending an Auburn game is quite reasonable. Tickets are $8 for non-conference games and $10 for all SEC contests. The concessions sold at Plainsman Park are not expensive compared to many large university stadiums. There are several parking options available both on and off campus. Lots on campus are typically free on weekends and town lots are usually around $5.00. Extras 4 The full name of Plainsman Park honors Jimmy Samford, the late Auburn board member who championed the 1998 upgrades and Jimmy and Billy Hitchcock, two brothers who were both All American baseball players for Auburn. The Hitchcock’s went on to play in major league baseball and held managerial posts later in their lives. The outfield walls are imprinted with graphics bearing the names of Auburn’s Baseball Hall of Fame members…. Bo Jackson, Frank Thomas, Gregg Olson and Tim Hudson. The Lovelace Hall of Honor is located just across the street from Plainsman Park in the Auburn Arena. The Hall of Honor is part museum and part Hall of Fame. It honors the greats from all Auburn sports, but also has exhibits about unique Auburn traditions, important events in the development of the athletic program and a salute to Auburn fans for their loyalty. The main team store for all sports is located adjacent to the Hall of Honor. A final extra goes to Toomer’s Drugs for its long history and the important role it plays in the Auburn community. Final Thoughts In a conference where football usually rules, the experience at Plainsman Park is just as special. The renovations and upgrades over the years have made a trip to a ball game in the Loveliest Village something fans will always look forward to.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Banner Island Ballpark 404 W Fremont St Stockton, CA 95203 Map It Stockton Ports website Banner Island Ballpark website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 5,000 Mudville Nine The Stockton Ballpark, affectionately referred to by locals as Banner Island Ballpark, sits on what no longer is an island in Stockton, CA. The inlets have mostly been filled in, but the name lives on. The Stockto n Ports, a Single-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, play in the California League and make their home at this ballpark.  They were the Brewer s’ affiliate for much of the 80s and 90s.  Oakland is closer, and fans seem to appreciate that.  The team began operation in 1941.  They did not play during WWII, nor from 1973 to 1978.  They have won the California League championship 11 times. The team lays claim as the  possible inspiration for “ Casey at the Bat ,” a famous baseball poem by Ernest Thayer published in 1888.  Mudville Nine  is the fictional team depicted in the poem, and the people of Stockton believe this is a reference to the team that played on Banner Island, otherwise known as Mudville, during that time.  Controversy abounds as to t he real Mudville, and other cities also claim the Nine  as their own. Food & Beverage 4 Banner Island Ballpark has plenty of food offerings around the concourse, with concession stands and kiosks offering a variety of choices.  David’s Pizza, whole or by the slice ($34/$6), is on the third base concourse.  This stand also sells salad for $11.  Gus’s Cantina, also on the third base concourse, provides the Mexican fare:  burritos, carne asada, or pollo bowls ($12). The larger concession stands sell traditional stadium food:  Loaded nacho helmets, hot dogs, regular nachos, pretzels, peanuts, candy, etc. ($4 - $14).  A kid’s meal (hot dog, chips, and a drink) is $8.  Flash Point Grill also offers cheeseburger and chicken tender baskets ($13), French fries, garlic fries, and popcorn.  The concession menus list the calorie count of each item.  Get your ice cream at a little stand down the first baseline.  The stand sells cones, bowls, novelties, and other treats.  The stadium also has a sausage cart; bratwursts are $10.  Most stands offer Pepsi products and bottled water ($5 - $6). Domestic and craft beer, as well as wine, are sold at all concession stands. The Hopps Craft Beer Stand near section 108 is a suitable place to get the craft beers on tap ($14 - $20).  If you buy a $15 souvenir draft beer, bring the cup back the rest of the season, and the beer is $10.  It’s a nice variety, and most fans will find something to suit their taste and thirst. Atmosphere 5 Banner Island Ballpark is a delightful venue to watch minor league baseball.  It provides the perfect game day experience with good baseball, affordable entertainment, easy access, and a staf f who is extremely friendly, good-spirited, and welcoming. One level of 16 or so rows of standard green fold-down stadium seats with cup holders is the main level.  The third base side (above the home dugout) and behind home plate have a few sections for “premiere seating.”  There’s plenty of legroom to stretch out. Nets run to the end of th e dugouts; the outfield baseline seats are net-free as is any outfield seating (berm, party deck, etc.). The right field berm features the Back Porch which can be rented out for 25 – 50 people . Tickets  start at $40 and include food.  A kids'  play zone is near the Back Porch. How often do you get to stand behind a foul pole (left field) let alone with a drink rail and watch the sunset over the grandstand with a water tower in the distance?  Here you can.  It’s beautiful.  The Adventist Health Arena is the ballpark’s left-field neighbor and is impressive to see from the seats.  Adventist Health Arena Beyond Banner Island Ballpark's Left Field, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey A mascot called Splash greets fans as they enter the ballpark.  Splash traverses the seating area during the game for photo-taking and high-fiving. The Ports pr ovide the expected between-inning entertainment (they, fortunately, are not overwhelming – as baseball still seems to be the main reason the f ans are there).  Gimmicks and contests include a condiment race, the dirtiest car in the parking lot, a dizzy bat race, and more.   The PA announcer does a good job, though the sound syst em is muffled, m aking it difficult to hear him at times.   They do a fantastic job of not playing music when the PA announcer is talking.  More stadiums should take heed of this. In 2020, Banner Island Ballpark underwent renovations that included the addition of new video boards.  The main scoreboard is in left field above the bullpens.  It provides the line score and strikes, balls, outs, a picture of the batter, along with his stats, and the lineup.  The first baseline has a video board that shows the pitcher’s stats.  No closed captioning is offered.  Ten retired jerseys are displayed underneath the press box.  The most prominent one is for Dallas Braden who pitched a perfect game for the Athletics in May 2010 and still supports Stockton and the Ports. It can get hot during day games but cools off nicely during evening games.  Bring layers just in case it gets too cool. Neighborhood 2 With the construction of the stadium an d the a djacent arena, the city hoped the neighborhood would grow into more of a destination place with restaurants and bars where fans can spend time pre or post-game.  That has not yet happened in Stockton. Picturesque McLeod Lake waterfront and walkway are be hind right field, though fans can’t see it from the seating area.  Take a walk around the 360-degree concourse to get a view.  The concourse is 1/3 mile.  Across the lake, the Children’s Museum of Stockton may be worthwhile visiting, or head to the Regal Stockton City Center & IMAX to catch a movie. Several eateries are about a mile away along Weber Ave:  Cast Iron Grill, Papa Urb’s Grill (Filipino), and more.  A little over a mile north is Valley Brew.  They have 30 or so craft beers on tap, serve food, and have plenty of TVs tuned to sporting events.  The closest hotel (walking distance 0.3 miles) is the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel.  Other minor league baseball to see if visiting the area are t he Modesto Nuts (30 min drive) or the Sacramento River Cats (50 min drive).  The Ports’ parent team, the Oakland Athletics , is a little over an hour’s drive from Stockton. Fans 3 The fans are extremely friendly and welcome all visitors.  Most stay in their seats during game action.   Some even keep score.  The staff does a superb job of  making fans feel appreciated.  Visitors will see fans wearing lots of Angels, Dodgers, Giants, Ports, and even some Athletics gear. Average attendance in the last few seasons is around 1,700 – 1,800, a drop from pre-Covid records.  Access 4 Banner Island Ballpark has excellent wheelchair accessibility upon entering the stadium, the seating area, and the bathrooms.  The concourse is plenty wide to accommodate the crowd.  Parking is $10 -$15 (pricey for Single-A); the stadium only accepts credit cards, even for parking.  Fans can park on neighborhood streets a block away for free, just watch for the signs on where to park (or not).  Stockton’s small airport (SCK) is 15 minutes south. Commercially, it only services Phoenix and Las Vegas via Allegiant Airlines.  Stockton has a bus service, but it does not look like it services the ballpark well.  Uber or Lyft may be the better choice. The restrooms are clean and abundant. Return on Investment 5 Take advantage of the weekly promotions the Ports offer:    Taco Tuesdays (two tacos for $8 or two tacos and a margarita for $15) Wine Wednesdays ($6/glass).  Wednesdays are al so Silver S luggers (fans 55+ can join the program and get in the stadium free on Wednesdays).  Thirsty Thursdays ($1 for Busch Light, $2 popcorn, $3 hot dogs, $8 field box seats).  Fireworks after Saturday home games Sundays are Bark in the Park games  The Ports have an abundance of giveaway days during the entire season. Ticket prices range from $13 - $18 at the box office (a dollar more when purchased on game day).  It’s a great ballpark to watch a game, chill, and take a break from life for a few hours. Parking is $10 or $15.  Food and drink price s are s imilar to those at other California League stadiums.   The merchandise shop has a decent selection of items, including hat pins, caps, shirts, and more. Extras 3 Banner Island Ballpark and the Stockton Ports have several additional items worth mentioning. The customer service desk provides starting lineups and rosters.   Visitors receive a decent program as they walk into the stadium.  The bullpens are adjacent, directly below the video board, in front of a left-field party area, making a unique configuration. Banner Island Balllpark Scoreboard and Bullpens, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey You can still watch net-free baseball here, and kudos to the game-day operations for not playing music over the PA announcer. Final Thoughts Banner Island Ballpark is an extremely fun ballpark.  It provides a perfect minor league game day experience.  Fans and staff are friendly and welcoming.  It’s affordable and not overdone with extras. The ballgame takes center stage with clever, non-intrusive games and contests between innings.

Photos by Dave Cottenie & Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Centre Slush Puppie 500 Boulevard de la Cité Gatineau, QC J8X 2P8 Gatineau Olympiques website Centre Slush Puppie website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 4,000 Slush on Ice The Gatineau Olympiques played at the venerable Robert Guertin Centre for 45-years, an aging rink whose time had passed. The city of Gatineau awarded the non-profit organization Vision Multisports Outaouais (VMSO) the contract for construction and management of a 4,000-seat arena, including three community ice rinks. The venue is now known as Centre Slush Puppie after naming rights were acquired by the maker of the “original non-carbonated frozen beverage treat enjoyed by millions of people worldwide.” In addition to the main rink, there are three other skating rinks, which combine to give 7,700 hours of ice time per year. These hours are distributed to the various sports associations and are used for various free activities offered by Gatineau’s recreation department. The project demonstrates how local governments can work together with sports franchises to deliver venues that serve more than just sports fans. Still, we are concerned with understanding the venue as it applies to a fan attending a game. So how does Centre Slush Puppie measure up? Stadium Journey went to an early-season game and came away impressed, though there are some areas where improvement is necessary, as you would expect with a new venue. Note that all prices are in Canadian dollars, which at the time of writing is about 80 cents U.S. Food & Beverage 3 Recessed within each corner of the concourse are the concession stands, and this design limits the impact of long lines on those who are walking by. The food offerings are basic and include nachos ($7), popcorn ($5), and cotton candy (barbe à papa, $6) is your heaviest option, with chips ($4) and chocolate bars ($3) to round out things. Of course, there are two flavors of Slush Puppie, with small cups going for $2 and large for $3. Coca-Cola beverages are available in bottles for $4, and you can get 473ml cans of beer for $8 or $9, depending on the brand. There is one specialized concession that sells only liquor and includes vodka, gin, and whiskey. Atmosphere 4 The main entrance and box office is on the ground floor. This is where vaccination credentials will be checked. From here, take stairs up a level to get to the arena proper, where your ticket will be scanned. The arena is very clean, with a shiny concourse and black padded seats that match the team’s colors. It is aesthetically pleasing. In the corners, the top rows have 32 seats; avoid getting in the middle of those, as you will have to traverse 15 other people to get out. The concourse is quite wide, and each corner has a concession stand in an alcove of sorts. There are drink rails around the entire concourse, and these provide the best views of the action. But once the game starts, patrons are asked to sit in their seats, due to COVID, which doesn’t make a lot of sense. Fortunately, by the third period, this rule was no longer being enforced at the game attended. There are two video boards at either end of the rink, although they don’t show replays. What I found particularly interesting is that the back of the video boards are open, showing just how complicated these things are. The arena does not have an overhead scoreboard above the center ice; however, there is a small steel structure that seems to have no purpose. The Olympiques have had several players and coaches move on to the NHL; they are all honoured with banners hanging from the rafters. There is also a banner for Guy Lafleur, who was born in nearby Thurso. The team also has had success, with the 1997 Memorial Cup the highlight, and a separate set of banners celebrating these accomplishments. There are suites and a Budweiser Club that are located one level up; these are not accessible from the arena proper but require you to go up more stairs. As is the case with most hockey arenas, music plays during every stoppage in play, but it is not excessively loud. Neighborhood 4 Centre Slush Puppie is located in the eastern part of Gatineau in an area of strip malls and shopping centers. It takes 10-15 minutes to drive from downtown Ottawa, which is likely where most visiting fans will be staying. There is not a lot within walking distance of the venue, but a Pizzédélic is located in a nearby strip mall, a good spot for a pie and a pint. Gatineau does have some attractions in its own right, including the Canadian Museum of History, which is about 15 minutes away and would be a good spot to visit during the afternoon before a night game. Of course, Ottawa is the nation’s capital and has dozens of worthwhile attractions, as well as a vibrant nightlife scene in the Byward Market and on Elgin Street. Fans 5 I attended a Friday night game and was very impressed with the turnout. Many fans were wearing Gatineau garb, and they understood and paid attention to the game and cheered at the right time. They also stay to the end and are polite and respectful. Access 3 The arena is located at the corner of Boulevard de la Cite and Boulevard de la Gappe and takes about 5-10 minutes of surface street driving if you take Highway 50 from Ottawa. If you arrive early enough, you can find street parking on Cite right in front of the building. If you come later, there is a parking lot on Gappe that is right beside the arena. You can also take a bus from downtown Ottawa right to the rink; the #87 STO bus takes about 40 minutes, while the return would use the 400 bus. Use Google Maps to confirm the details. Once inside, fans will have to have their vaccination credentials verified. Once you enter the arena, there will be no problems walking around the concourse. At intermissions, however, concession stand lines are very long, and you could spend the entire break waiting to pick something up, so get your food and drink before the game. The drink rails are the best place to watch the game, and it is not clear why fans are not allowed to stand there. Once that rule is eliminated, this category will get an extra point. All of the restrooms are along the concourse, and in the case of most hockey games, long lines form after the end of each period. It would be wise to time your trip before this time to avoid long lines. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $24 for sections along the sides and $20 for end zone seats. There are discounts for seniors, teens, children, while those under 3 can get in for free. With food relatively cheap and free parking, the Olympiques provide an affordable evening of entertainment. Extras 2 The club was known as the Hull Olympiques until the provincial government amalgamated all of the cities in the area in 2002. Gatineau was chosen as the new name of these cities. The club’s mascot is a panda named Hully to retain some sense of the past. The arena earns a point for the overall aesthetics. It is well designed and much more pleasant than a typical rink at this level. Final Thoughts Centre Slush Puppie will undoubtedly receive a few guffaws due to its name, but it is a very comfortable and enjoyable place to see a junior hockey game. If you happen to be in the Ottawa region to see the Senators or 67s, check the QMJHL schedule to see if you can add the Olympiques and a bit of slush to your icy itinerary.

Photos by Gary Butterworth, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Church Street Park 5800 Cricket Pitch Way Morrisville, NC 27560 Major League Cricket website Church Street Park website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 3,500 If You Come, They Will Build It Fans following Major League Cricket’s social media accounts in the run-up to the inaugural tournament in July 2023 were treated to update after update on the reconfiguration of the league's primary stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas. Some, then, were surprised when MLC announced that its debut season would be co-hosted at Church Street Park near North Carolina’s Raleigh–Durham International Airport. To close followers of American cricket, though, the logic was clear. In event after event, the Morrisville, NC, community has turned out to support cricketers at the local, Minor League, and international levels. Morrisville had earned its place to host some of the world’s top cricketers and their new professional T20 franchise teams. And Morrisville delivered by selling out all seven of the MLC matches hosted at Church Street Park. That fan support, combined with high-quality cricket in an intimate setting, made for a first-rate experience at MLC's secondary venue. Food & Beverage 3 The Morrisville venue falls short in terms of its food options. Church Street Park truly is a public park, and there are no permanent refreshment facilities. A handful of food trucks were present in the somewhat spartan Fan Zone that MLC established in the older of the venue’s two small parking areas. However, many fans took advantage of the event’s generous entry policies to carry in their snacks and beverages (glass bottles and alcohol were prohibited from being brought in, though alcohol was offered to VIP ticket holders). At times, the line to refill water bottles at the two water fountains near the permanent restrooms was nearly as long as the line at the food trucks. The cultural diversity of the cricketing world was on full display on the field and in the stands, but its culinary diversity was less represented. While there was no traditional food available from many traditional cricket-playing countries, the Curry in a Hurry Truck provided vegetarian and non-veg options for those who wanted a menu to match MLC’s Indian Premier League-backed teams. The Oink and Moo BBQ truck has previously been spotted in Philadelphia, one of the ancestral homes of American cricket. Lemonade and snow cone trucks had standard offerings, while Bruster’s ice cream scooped out traditional American flavors as well as South Asian favorites like chikoo and paan. Atmosphere 4 Fans new to cricket – especially those coming from a baseball background – can find a wealth of information online about the sport. (Many cricket-for-baseball-fans explainers are poorly done, but good ones exist and don't worry; the nuances are deep, but the gameplay is far simpler than many believe. This is especially true of the 3.5-hour T20 format that MLC plays.) One of the first nuances that new fans should be aware of is the importance of the pitch. Cultivating a high-quality 22-yard-long strip in the center of the field is something between a dark art and a science. Almost all cricket fields in the United States use some type of artificial pitch, which any cricketer will tell you is less than ideal. But Church Street Park offers a natural turf pitch. Thanks largely to the turf pitch, Morrisville had hosted a few noteworthy cricket events before MLC's arrival, leading local officials to invest in additional facilities at the park, like permanent grandstands (albeit with backless aluminum bleachers). Major League Cricket supplemented that further by bringing in temporary infrastructure, including a video board, for its weeklong stay during its inaugural season. Overall, the venue works – though not without some hiccups. The turf pitch – normally fairly good – did not play its best during the 2023 Major League Cricket season. Without proper clubhouse facilities, the players had to change into tents. The video board was too small to be useful to the majority of spectators. The floodlights were below what one would expect for such a high standard of cricket. Still, few fans seemed to mind. Not only was every match in Morrisville sold out, but small groups of fans could be seen watching some matches through the chain link fence outside the venue (a vantage point with a surprisingly serviceable view). Tickets were available in a tented VIP area, in general admission within grandstands, and general admission without grandstand access (for which fans could bring their chairs or stake out a spot on smaller bleachers). Each of these ticketing options offered good vantage points close to the action. Neighborhood 3 Outside of special event days, Church Street Park is indeed a public park for the 31-thousand residents of Morrisville and neighboring communities in North Carolina’s Research Triangle. The venue's most immediate neighbors are suburban townhomes. The nearby cities of Raleigh and Durham, and the college town of Chapel Hill, offer plenty of activity, but Morrisville and its better-known neighbor, Cary, are mostly suburbia. There are no major amenities immediately surrounding the park – but that’s part of the charm. Even before Major League Cricket came to town, Church Street Park had found a soft spot in many American cricket fans’ hearts largely because of the community vibe. Despite the big dollars –and big names– flowing through Major League Cricket, Church Street Park has managed to retain a community feel. As such, the suburban setting works. Though not much of note is within a quick walk of Church Street Park, a handful of establishments are within walking distance of the off-site parking area. Fans 5 The previously discussed pitch brought international cricket to Morrisville in 2018, but matches between the U.S. and Canada brought out the fans. With a substantial expat population from cricket-playing countries studying and working at the region's universities and research institutions, fans (many of them recreational players in the region's Triangle Cricket League) came out to watch the world's oldest international sports rivalry. The high-quality venue and supply of local cricketers made Morrisville a natural fit for a team in Minor League Cricket's inaugural season in 2021 (the Morrisville Cardinals) and second season in 2022 (the Morrisville Raptors). But the fan support was largely behind the decision to award the venue the league's finals weekend both years. A crowd of more than 3,000 (according to USA Cricket) made the MiLC finals a true event. Major League Cricket was an even bigger event with truly global appeal. Fans turned out in jerseys of national and franchise teams from around the world. Some wore a national dress: a group of men wore traditional shalwar kameez to cheer on Afghanistan star Rashid Khan. Punjabi bhangra music is played over the PA system. TV commentators spoke with Australian and Caribbean accents, while American- and English-accented fans conversed under the flag of North Carolina. Fans traded stories of where they traveled from Texas, California, Maryland, Wisconsin, and New Jersey. The Texas Super Kings, seemingly unaware of how divisive vuvuzelas were at the soccer World Cup in South Africa, distributed boxes of plastic whistles and encouraged fans to "whistle for Texas." A member of the San Francisco Unicorns' "Sparkle Army'' sang songs for his favorite players. US national team and Washington Freedom bowler Saurabh Natravalker received a standing ovation from an entire grandstand section after a spectacular bowling spell. The three MLC teams backed by Indian Premier League juggernauts seemed to be fan favorites, though no small number of fans were actively cheering against the IPL offshoots. But everyone was cheering for American cricket. One group of fans was presumably present but not visible or catered to new fans. Ice hockey teams in non-traditional U.S. markets often make a special effort to explain less-obvious rules like icing to fans who are still learning the sport. Major League Cricket made no noticeable attempt to do this in Morrisville. Perhaps this was unnecessary, both since the series sold out and since the fluency with which even American-accented fans and the American-accented PA announcer discussed the game did not indicate any real confusion. But if cricket is to grow in the United States, additional outreach may be necessary. Access 3 For Major League Cricket and other big events, like Minor League Cricket finals weekend, there is no parking at Church Street Park. Instead, fans are directed to park at free off-site lots; shuttle buses provide a quick five-minute ride to the ground. Somehow, perhaps because fans tend to stagger their arrivals, the system works quite well with manageable wait times both before and after matches – even with many fans dragging along coolers and lawn chairs. Ironically, Minor League Cricket has used luxury shuttle vans, while Major League Cricket relied mostly on yellow school buses to drop off fans in the venue’s newly built second parking lot. This area also includes a drop-off and rideshare pick-up area. For smaller events, like regular season Minor League Cricket matches, fans may be able to snag a spot here. Regardless of the event, resist the temptation to park in one of the nearby residential developments, as vehicles can be towed. Entry to the venue was smooth. Metal detectors were not in use, but personnel did manually check bags. Given the permissive rules for bringing outside food, beverages, and folding chairs, there wasn't much to turn away, so entry lines moved quickly. Once inside, it’s relatively easy to move around even a sold-out Church Street Park. A paved walkway surrounds most of the playing oval. About a quarter of the perimeter is reserved for the teams, but fans are otherwise free to circulate. Prime viewing areas along the walkway get snatched up by fans holding general admission tickets that do not provide access to the grandstand bleachers, but the walkways remain passable and should present little difficulty, even for those who need mobility assistance. One potential challenge: shade. Outside of the $200 VIP tents, the only substantial shade available was under the picnic enclosure. Though enough space was available for fans to find refuge, finding a place to sit in this area was unlikely for those who did not arrive early. Return on Investment 5 When Major League Cricket launched in earnest in 2021, cricket fans in nearly two dozen U.S. cities –including Morrisville– could watch high-quality cricket in person without getting on a plane, and they could do so for free. With the 2023 launch of MiLC's big brother, fans in two U.S. cities can enjoy an even higher level of cricket for a very fair price: Morrisville tickets started at just $12 for general admission to a weekday evening match. An unreserved seat for Saturday night in the new grandstand bleacher section was $32.20 after fees, though discounts were available early in the sale period. The setting is intimate, high-quality giveaways are plentiful, and the quality of cricket is very high. Though India’s stars were notably absent, this is due to the policies of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and not the fault of Major League Cricket. Stars from other test-playing countries and the US national team were out in numbers, and many signed generous amounts of autographs. Such access is only possible at smaller venues like Church Street Park. . Extras 4 In cricket, bonus runs are known as "extras." Bowlers avoid them; batters take 'em. For big events at Church Street Park, organizers provide plenty of extras for fans who line up for them. The 2023 Major League Cricket season was easily Church Street Park's highest-profile event, but it wasn't its first time hosting a notable event. Due to the venue's high-quality playing surface and ability to draw spectators, Minor League Cricket hosted its semifinals and finals there in 2021 and 2022. For those events, a nicely decorated fan zone offered games, autograph booths, and kiosks that one tends to find at mid-sized sporting events. For MLC, the fan zone wasn't as polished, but what it lacked in snazzy, it more than made up for in quality. Teams gave away such substantial quantities of high-quality swag that the merchandise tent did slow business. Flags and whistles were among the most prominent giveaways, but team t-shirts and caps weren't far behind, and a lucky more-than-a-few even snagged replica jerseys. The accessibility of the players also stands out. Not only did players sign autographs and pose for selfies before and after games, but many even scribbled a few between overs. And the eagle-eyed fan could even spot the odd player anonymously enjoying an off day in the crowd. Finally, comradery within the diverse crowd merits special mention. Virtually everyone in attendance shared a common interest in a sport that, while niche in the United States, seems intent on establishing a foothold. The eagerness for strangers to connect in the crowd was both noteworthy and special. Final Thoughts From international matches featuring Team USA through two seasons of Minor League Cricket and the inaugural season of Major League Cricket, Morrisville has established itself as the current spiritual home of American cricket. For this, it can thank its playing surface and its ability to attract a friendly and diverse crowd to its intimate confines. America's cricketing history is deeper than many might think, and the sport is clearly in a growth phase. With the opening of the new stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas, and additional cricket-specific stadiums in Pearland, Texas, and Lauderhill, Florida, Morrisville has competition for big events. Those other venues offer more in the way of amenities, and it would not be hard to imagine MLC outgrowing Church Street Park. But Morrisville offers a big heart and open arms. Those traits, coupled with sell-out crowds and a 2023 renovation should secure Church Street Park's continued role in the broader U.S. cricket ecosystem.

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

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 New Britain Stadium 230 John Karbonic Way New Britain, CT 06051 New Britain Bees website New Britain Stadium website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 6,146 Plan Bee Professional baseball has been played in the Central Connecticut city of New Britain for over four decades. In 1983 the city was able to attract the AA Eastern League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox away from the nearby city of Bristol. The New Britain Red Sox’ home, Beehive Field, was a simple ballpark consisting almost entirely of bleachers. The ballpark was typical of early 80s construction and was obsolete soon after it was completed. In 1994 the Red Sox made a deal with the city of New Britain to build a new ballpark that was up to AA standards. Shortly after making this agreement, the Red Sox moved their affiliation to Trenton, New Jersey. At this point, the Minnesota Twins moved their AA team to New Britain. Initially called the Hardware City Rock Cats, the Twins called New Britain home for 19 seasons before an affiliate swap brought the Colorado Rockies to town for the 2015 season. During the 2015 season, it was announced that the Rock Cats would be leaving New Britain for a new ballpark , Dunkin’ Donuts Park, in downtown Hartford, 13 miles away. Into the vacuum stepped the independent Atlantic League. They christened the new team the Bees, alluding to the city’s motto- “industry fills the hive and enjoys the honey”. In addition, a beehive is prominent on the city emblem and flag as a symbol of industriousness. The Bees were never able to compete with the runaway success of the Yard Goats and struggled to attract fans during their four years of competition. In October 2019, the team announced they would be moving to the Futures League, a summer wood-bat collegiate league that competes in former minor league ballparks around New England. The summer-league Bees have qualified for the playoffs in two of their first four seasons, losing in the first round both times. Food & Beverage 3 Depending on when you visit New Britain Stadium, one or two concession stands will be open, depending on the size of the crowd. All the usual ballpark fare can be found here, including burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, sausage and pepper sandwiches, Martin Rosol’s hot dogs, and kielbasa. Chicken tenders, nachos, and French fries are available as well. An assortment of snacks can be purchased Here as well. There is a Dippin’ Dots cart on the concourse for fans looking to satisfy a sweet tooth. Wraps and Veggie Burgers are available for fans looking for a healthier option. Bottled Pepsi products are featured at New Britain Stadium. Fans looking for an adult beverage will find a selection of national beers, including Pabst Blue Ribbon, Miller Lite, and Coors Light, along with craft brews from local favorites Alvarium, Two Roads, and Five Churches Breweries. Atmosphere 1 Even during its days as home to affiliated baseball, New Britain Stadium never featured an over-the-top game day presentation or lively atmosphere. Now that this 6,000-seat ballpark is filled to a fraction of its capacity, the laid-back game days continue. While many Futures League teams try to fill the natural pauses in a baseball game with noise, contests, or other shenanigans, the Bees play it closer to the vest. One of the main issues holding back the game day presentation is the lack of a functioning scoreboard. Rumor has it that the scoreboard was hit by lightning one night. Whatever the cause, the video portion of the scoreboard has been out of commission since midway through the 2023 season. With a projected cost to repair the scoreboard of $300,000, it is very low on the priorities at New Britain City Hall. There is a mascot, Sting, who roams the ballpark and interacts with fans throughout the game. The PA announcer does his job in a professional, unobtrusive manner. No between-inning shenanigans are going on at a Bees game, and with the dwindling crowds in attendance, the ballpark can be almost completely devoid of noise. Neighborhood 2 New Britain is a city of 73,000 located about ten miles southwest of the state capital of Hartford. It is best known as a manufacturing center and home of Stanley Black and Decker. This gives the city its nickname as the Hardware City. The Rock Cats called themselves “Hardware City Rock Cats” for two seasons in 1995 and 1996. New Britain Stadium is located adjacent to New Britain High School and Willow Brook Park. Also located in the sports complex with the ballpark are Veterans Memorial Stadium and Beehive Field. Despite the park’s urban location, there isn’t a whole lot to do near the ballpark. Most out-of-town visitors to New Britain will choose to venture on to Hartford or the casinos of eastern Connecticut, just an hour away, rather than stay in the city. Fans 2 The Bees have struggled to attract big crowds in a town used to having professional baseball. While the team generally sits third or fourth in the Futures League attendance rankings, their announced average crowd of 1,400 is a far cry from what New Britain Stadium held during its professional seasons. Stadium Journey was most recently visited on a hot and sticky July Sunday with a crowd of only about 100 in attendance. Attendance in New Britain has continuously declined over the years. At their height, the Rock Cats averaged over 6,500 fans per game, with attendance decreasing to just over 4,000 fans per game in the team’s final season. The independent Bees were never able to attract more than 3,300 fans per game, with attendance dwindling every season. The Bees do still have their share of regulars, but the majority of the crowd here on any given night consists of families looking for an affordable entertainment option. Access 5 Getting to New Britain Stadium is a snap, as it is easily accessed by Interstates 84 and 91. Located right off Route 9 near downtown New Britain, exit 24 will drop motorists off at the entrance to the ballpark’s parking lot. The concourse at New Britain Stadium does not offer a view of the playing field. Several sets of stairs access a walkway located about one-third of the way up the seating bowl. Seats in the 100 level consist of folding plastic stadium seats, while box seats in the 200 level feature molded plastic bucket-style seats. The three sections furthest down either baseline consist of metal bleachers with backs. One of the more popular spots from which to take in a game is the Alvarium “Beer Hive” located at the top of the seating bowl. This area features drink rails and bar stools along with the brewery’s signature craft beer. Netting at New Britain Stadium stretches from one dugout to the other, meaning that if you want an unobstructed view, you will need to purchase seats further down either foul line, in sections 101-105 or 114-118. With a typical Bees crowd numbering about 1,000 fans or less, there’s plenty of room to spread out and roam. Restrooms, built for much larger crowds, are more than large enough for a typical Bees crowd and are still in good shape. Return on Investment 5 All seats at Bees games are sold as general admission for nine dollars. There is no surcharge for purchasing tickets online. Parking is free in the large lot adjacent to the ballpark. Concessions are reasonably priced, making a night at a Bees game a most affordable entertainment option for Central Connecticut sports fans. Extras 1 The New Britain Sports Hall of Fame Display is located on the stadium concourse. You will be sure to find some familiar names among the 292 nominees honored here. Final Thoughts New Britain Stadium was once described as “The Camden Yards of the Minor Leagues.” While this statement was surely a case of hyperbole, New Britain Stadium served as a solid, if unspectacular, home for minor league baseball in its day. Construction of Dunkin’ Donuts Park in downtown Hartford may have ended professional ball in New Britain, but it’s great to see the facility continue as home to organized baseball. Unfortunately, it feels like New Britain Stadium is not getting the upkeep and attention it needs, and the game day experience is a shell of what it used to be. The crowds are starting to stay away from New Britain Stadium. ---- Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

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

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center 112 Harding St. Worcester, MA 01604 Worcester State Lancers men's ice hockey website Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center website Year Opened: 2018 Capacity: 250 Worcester State Hockey   Worcester State University is the fourth largest of Massachusetts’ nine state universities, with an enrollment of over 5,400 students in 80 undergraduate majors and 39 graduate programs. WSU was founded as a normal school in the 19th century before evolving into a state college in the 1960s, becoming a university in 2012.   The Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center is a state of the art dual-rink facility built by the ECHL Worcester Railers’ owner Cliff Rucker. It features two rinks, the Railers offices and pro shop, restaurants, a gym and rehabilitation center. The $18 million dollar complex is home to several college, high school and youth organizations, including the Worcester State Lancers and Assumption Greyhounds. The facility boasts that over 600,000 people pass through its front doors annually.   Worcester State’s first hockey team took the ice in 1966, coached by John Coughlin, the school’s legendary football coach and namesake of Coughlin Field, home of the Lancers football team. The Lancers won three Division Three ECAC championships back in the 1970s. Today, the team competes in the Massachusetts Collegiate Athletic Conference alongside several other schools in and around the state of Massachusetts. Worcester State has yet to qualify for the NCAA D-3 Tournament.   Food & Beverage 3  Ordinarily, a hockey rink with only a couple of vending machines available would score very poorly on this metric. If you’re only planning to hit the machines, your standard snack foods will have to do. Now, since this is Worcester, the cola wars are not fought here. The vending machines in the Ice Center lobby feature local Polar beverages. Stadium Journey’s recommendation: try an Orange Dry.  What brings this score up a couple of notches is the presence of Bay State Brewing on the first floor.  Featuring a menu of small-batch craft beers in a wide range of styles (the blood orange lager is their most popular brew) and a menu of pizzas, sharables and sandwiches, it’s a great place to hang out before or after the game. Plus, you can grab one of their craft beers and bring it upstairs to enjoy while you watch the game. That’s worth a couple of extra points in my book.   Atmosphere 2 There’s nothing fancy going on at a Lancers hockey game. This is as basic as a game day presentation gets. That should be apparent to everyone as soon as they see the tiny dot matrix scoreboard hanging at center ice. The PA announcer delivers his announcements with the most monotone delivery you’ll ever hear at a hockey game. Any energy the announcer lacks is made up for with the music selection, which is a mix of hockey rink classics and modern tunes. Most of the energy generated in the blue rink is generated by the fans in the stands. With the small crowds in attendance, you can hear the sounds of skates cutting through the ice, coaches barking instructions at their teams, and players chirping each other (and the referees). It’s an old-school, laid-back experience here at the Worcester Ice Center.   Neighborhood 4 Worcester State University is located in the Tatnuck neighborhood of Worcester adjacent to downtown. The name Tatnuck means “up the great hill.”   The WSU campus is about two and a half miles from the Worcester Ice Center, which is located in the Canal District. This neighborhood has received a lot of attention in recent years. The construction of nearby Polar Park  and the arrival of the Worcester Red Sox, the top affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, has been a boon for the neighborhood. New developments have popped up all over the area, bringing business and money to what was once one of Worcester’s rougher areas. In addition to Bay State Brewery located at the facility, El Patron Mexican Restaurant and the Worcester Public Market are located just a short walk down Harding Street. Visiting fans looking to explore some of the best the city has to offer should head to Shrewsbury Street, the home of Worcester’s famous “Restaurant Row.” Along this drag’s 1.5 miles are located some of the city’s finest dining establishments, salons and shops. There are not many lodging options available in the immediate vicinity of the Worcester Ice Center, but there are options throughout the city, including a Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites by Hilton in the nearby downtown neighborhood, less than a mile away near the DCU Center , home of the ECHL’s Worcester Railers. Fans 2 The crowd at a Worcester State hockey game is certainly a “friends and family” type of crowd. Pretty much everyone in attendance has a personal connection with the players on the ice, and as a result, are knowledgeable and enthusiastic in their support of the Lancers. Since Worcester State’s schedule is made up mainly of local teams, you can expect to find a good number of visiting fans here as well. Even though Worcester State’s campus is only about two and a half miles away, there’s not much of a turnout from the student body. Surprisingly, you may find a bunch of four-legged friends in attendance watching the game in this chilly rink along with about 50-100 human fans.   Access 4 The Worcester Ice Center is located right off of Interstate 290, and easy to get to via the Grafton Street exit. The facility is located just a quarter mile from the highway and ten minutes from downtown. Hopefully your GPS will take you here via Grafton Street rather than Kelly Square, a quasi-rotary where several of Worcester’s busiest streets all come together in the most random fashion possible. It is notorious for its delays, backups and accidents. As part of the construction of Polar Park, it received a much-needed overhaul, which has greatly increased the intersection’s safety and wait times, but those unfamiliar with the area would be well-advised to avoid this intersection. There is free parking available in the lot adjacent to the facility in addition to on-street parking in the area. The neighborhood is generally safe should you stay on the busier streets. The Worcester Ice Center features two rinks, named the blue and the gray rinks, after the Railers’ colors. Fans enter into the facility’s lobby, with Bay State Brewing to your right. With the facility in constant use, this lobby is full of activity. Fans will climb a set of stairs to access the seating area of the two rinks, with standing room on the first level straight ahead. The Lancers play at the Blue rink, located on the right. Seating is located about ten feet above the ice surface, and consists of metal bleachers without backs that run from one end of the ice to the other. There are raised platforms at both ends of the rink for people wanting to stand for a bit. Netting runs the length of the ice, obstructing the view from all seats. There is also standing room along the boards at ice level. Access to the gray rink next door is easy, and many fans will wander back and forth between the rinks.   Return on Investment 4 Worcester State charges a fee of five dollars to attend their hockey games. Parking is available at no charge in the small lot in front of the Ice Center. Additional parking is available on-street around the facility and in a parking lot across the street. There is a charge to park on-street (except on Saturday nights, where the city waives parking fees) and in the lot. Be prepared to pay $15 if you’re parking in the public lot. If you’re planning to eat at Bay State Brewing downstairs, or even grab a beer to bring upstairs, expect to pay usual restaurant prices. A pint of one of their brews will run $8, a much more affordable price than you’ll pay at most arenas.   Extras 2 Flags hang at the end of the rink representing all the teams that use the Worcester Ice Center. Along the far side of the rink are flags commemorating the championships won by these teams. In the lobby is a display honoring the “Worcester Six,” a group of firefighters who died fighting a warehouse fire in 1999. Final Thoughts The Worcester Ice Center is a community rink that offers your typical small college experience. The facility offers some impressive extras and an up-and-coming neighborhood that boosts its score significantly. Plus, if schedules line up, you’ll get to watch two games for the price of one! Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 FedExForum 191 Beale St Memphis, TN 38103 Memphis Grizzlies website FedExForum website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 18,119 Elvis, Tigers, and Grizzlies, oh my! The Grizzlies NBA franchise started in 1995 as the Vancouver, BC Grizzlies. The franchise relocated to Memphis, TN, in time for the 2001-2002 NBA season. For the first three seasons in their new Southern home, the Grizzlies played at the Pyramid Arena in downtown Memphis as their new home at the Fed Ex Forum was being built. The Grizzlies have been playoff regulars in recent years. The fans call the team's style of play incorporates the “Grit and Grind Grizzlies.” This means they use a high-pressure defense and get to an advantageous spot to take a shot. They have the talented Ja Morant to take the Grizzlies deep into the postseason. The team is adamant about beating at home as they boast an 85 % likelihood of winning the game on their home court. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the NBA. Food & Beverage 3 FedEx Forum offers a wide selection of concession items that range from typical arena fare to much more deluxe offerings in its sit-down arena clubs. There are more than 100 concession points of sale throughout the arena, so you should not experience any long lines at the games. The SNAX stands to offer your typical arena fare of burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, and sodas. They have multiple stands along the concourses at each level in the arena. Rendezvous offers nachos, BBQ sandwiches, and chicken. Fowline Plaza has buffalo tenders, chicken tenders, and turkey burgers. Lucille’s Bandstand features burgers, chicken tenders, pretzels, and beer. Casamigos serves more Latin fare, including walking tacos, elotes, and burritos. Sissy’s Log Cabin Lounge offers seated meals and drinks at the floor level of the arena. There are also three Grab N Go self-service convenience locations at the FedEx Forum. Alcoholic drinks are available at the stands for the Old Dominick’s Distillery, the Truly Bar, Wiseacre Brewing Company, Michelob Ultra Club, and the Hennessy Bar. All retail shops and concessions stand at Fed Ex Forum and operate on a cashless basis. Atmosphere 4 Memphis has long been the center of the universe for various musical genres, including the blues, soul, country, gospel, rock, and roll. The FedEx Forum has incorporated the musical theme in several ways. First, the Forum is right next to Beale Street, the heart of blues music in the city. The plaza that fronts the arena is named for B.B. King, a superstar in the blues realm. The Rock n Soul Museum is also located just off the plaza. Once inside the arena, you will find all types of art featuring the elites of blues, country, and, of course, Elvis Presley and rock n’ roll music. Several of the concession stands along the concourses feature a musical theme, including Lucille’s Bandstand, Rockabelly’s, and the Uptempo Bar. Even the Grizzlies team colors relate to this music heritage, as its blue uniform color is known as Beale Street Blue. Once inside the seating bowl, you will be surprised to see that there are five levels of seating to choose from. Some levels are restricted to corporate clients, season ticket holders, and VIPs, but overall, you can be on the floor level with the action or high above the action with a great overall view of the length of the court. Best of all, the seats at the FedEx Forum are wider and offer more legroom than a typical NBA arena. The arena also boasts a superb electronics package, as the center-hung videoboard measures 16.5 feet high by 145.5 feet in diameter. There are also four display boards located in each corner of the seating bowl, with each one measuring 20 feet x 37.5 feet. The FedEx Forum is also a major site for concerts, so its sound system is among the best in the business. The lighting system is also quite advanced, as the facility uses rings of LED lights high above the playing court. If you have a nice expense account, the FedEx Forum has 27 courtside seats, 32 club suites, and 80 club boxes. Neighborhood 5 The FedEx Forum is in the downtown area of Memphis. More specifically, it is located adjacent to the Beale Street Entertainment District, the heartbeat of the musical soul of Memphis. It is within walking distance of countless bars, nightclubs, and music venues along Beale Street. As we have mentioned earlier, the Rock n Soul Museum is located on the plaza adjacent to the Forum This museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute, and it traces the growth of rock and roll music and soul music in the city from the early 20th century through the 1970s. Other attractions within a few blocks of the arena include the National Civil Rights Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame, and Mud Island, which is along the Mississippi Riverfront and tells the story of the big river as it passes to the west of downtown Memphis. Visitors to this area can even get a photo opportunity with Elvis, as his statue is located just three blocks west of the Forum. After you have worked up an appetite, you can check out Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken, the SugaShack, Dyer’s Burgers, or Wiseacre Brewing Company for lunch and a cool drink. There are numerous accommodations located within walking distance of the FedEx Forum. Guests staying at these hotels can avoid the parking expense involved with the arena. The Hampton Inn and Suites Beale Street, the Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown, and the Westin Memphis Beale Street are all a few blocks from the home of the Grizzlies. The Peabody Hotel is further north of the arena and is quite a bit more expensive than these other brands. However, it is extremely popular with tourists as it features the daily spectacle of its pet ducks walking through the lobby each afternoon for a swim in the hotel’s fountain. Fans 4 The Grizzlies have one of the most loyal and involved fanbases in the NBA. Memphis has the smallest population base of any team in the NBA. This makes it easy for the fans to get to know the Grizzlies team members as fellow citizens of the city. Memphis is also one of the few cities in the country to have only one professional sports franchise. This means the energy is all focused on the Grizzlies during the fall and winter months. The Grizzlies have put together a talented team of entertainers to keep the fans involved during the action on the court, then entertain them during the timeouts and breaks between the quarters. The entertainment lineup includes the Grizz Girls dance team, the Grizzlies Grannies and Grandpas Senior dance squad, the Blue Bunch of teen dancers, the Grizzline drum line, and finally … Grizz the Bear mascot. Grizz loves to get the crowd fired up while also impressing them with his ability to dunk the ball in the basket while using a trampoline to gain some height. Access 4 Getting to and around the FedEx Forum is extremely easy. It is located along one the largest thoroughfares in the city of Memphis and is also served by the Main Street trolley line. If you are driving to the game, getting there via either I-40 or I-55 is very easy. The FedEx Forum has a parking garage that can handle 1,500 cars. Once it fills, there are numerous surface parking lots along Beale Street that are within easy walking distance of the arena. The drop-off and pickup area for rideshares is located at the east end of the arena on 4th Street between Beale Street and Linden Avenue. Unlike most arenas, the FedEx Forum funnels fans into the facility via one central entrance. There are multiple doors and lines to spread out the traffic. Once through the turnstiles, you are in a huge lobby that features a large marquee that advertises that night’s game and opponent. Before you leave the lobby, make sure you look to the right. There is a window where you can look directly in to see the Grizzlies warming up for the game on the practice court. The lobby also includes a large Grizzlies Den Team Store where you can shop for your “bear” necessities. Return on Investment 3 A night out at a Memphis Grizzlies game can be quite expensive for a family of four. Being the only professional sports team in Memphis allows the team and FedEx Forum to charge higher prices due to its exclusivity. Parking at the garage adjoining the arena runs $30-$40, depending on the opponent and crowd size. (You can save by taking the trolley to the game as a day pass is only $3.50). Seats in the 100 level of seating go for $137.50 for seats at the end of the court and $218.50 for seats along the sides of the court. Tickets on the second level of the seating bowl run from $47.25 for seats at the end of the court to $84.75 for seats along the sides of the court. Seats in the semi-private Pinnacle level of the arena are $136.50. The concession prices vary a great deal depending on which stand you visit. The stands featuring the typical arena fare (soft drinks, burgers, hot dogs, and popcorn) had quite reasonable prices, while the more specialized stands were much more expensive. Extras 4 The FedEx Forum stays busy throughout the year, as it hosts concerts by national entertainers like Justin Timberlake, U2, Lady Gaga, and Usher. It also serves as the home court for the University of Memphis Tigers basketball team. The Forum also hosts a wide variety of basketball tournaments in the postseason. These competitions include the NCAA regionals (2009, 2014, 2017), the American Athletic Conference Tournament (2014, 2019), and the 2010 NCAA Southern Regional Women’s Basketball Tournament. The 2024-2025 season marks the 30th Anniversary of the Grizzlies franchise. Final Thoughts The FedEx Forum continues to deliver as the home court for the Memphis Grizzlies. It buoys the Downtown Memphis Entertainment District along with the music venues along Beale Street.

Photos by Steven Kee, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 MU Baseball Field Larchwood Ave West Long Branch, NJ 07764 Monmouth Hawks website MU Baseball Stadium website Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 400 Monmouth University is Where the Hawks Fly The Monmouth University baseball team plays in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) that consists of eleven schools from three states of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Monmouth is one of the two newest members along with Quinnipiac University to have joined the conference in 2013, but have been a Division I program since 1984 as members of the Northeast Conference. The Hawks play at MU Baseball Field located at the southwest corner of campus and Larchwood and Palmer Avenues in West Long Branch, New Jersey. The baseball field is part of the athletic complex that consists of various sporting venues including the newly renovated Kessler Stadium where the football team plays and OceanFirst Center that's home to the basketball program. The private university consists of 4,000 students and class sizes range from 25-30. The small campus is known for many beautiful and historic buildings, but Wilson Hall might just be the centerpiece of campus. The mansion built in 1929 at a cost of $10.5 million as the private residence of former F.W. Woolworth Co. president Hubert Templeton Parson and his wife. It also served as the home of Daddy Warbucks in the 1982 motion picture Annie. Food & Beverages 1 There are no concession stands located at the stadium. It is advised to grab a bite to eat before or after the game. Don’t worry there are some great places to eat nearby offering beautiful views of the New Jersey coastline. Rooneys and McLoone’s Pier House are two local favorites that won’t break your bank, offering nice views of the water and even better portions of seafood. Mar Belo has great Spanish cuisine and their paella is among the best in the state. Port Chop is a Portuguese-style BBQ place that has tasty grilled chicken, ribs, and pulled pork dishes that should not be overlooked. Atmosphere 2 The atmosphere is typical of mid-major college baseball in the Northeast section of the country. The facility is comfortable, the baseball is competitive, and the campus is pleasant to drive through. The stadium features six rows of seating behind home plate and down each base line, with the first base side being a tad longer. The first two rows of seats are of the blue, plastic bucket variety, while the last four rows are traditional bleacher-style seating. All of the backstop seats are also of the bucket variety style. The view behind left field is of rows of mature trees and residential homes, while the massive Kessler Stadium dominates the view behind the right field walls. Also in the corner is the impressive home of the Monmouth basketball OceanFirst Center . The outfield walls are colored dark blue and feature a splattering of local ads and team accomplishments of seasons past. The playing field is a natural grass surface, but there are plans to convert to a synthetic surface in the near future for the rainy spring weather of New Jersey. Neighborhood 4 The campus is located in West Long Branch and features beautiful and historic buildings including the Wilson House, Guggenheim Library, and Lauren K. Woods Theater. It’s only a short car ride in mileage to the Jersey Shore where there are various points of interest to enjoy while in the area. Monmouth Park Racetrack features live horse racing every weekend. The Sandy Hook Recreation Center offers beaches, hiking, biking, fishing and more. The Long Branch boardwalk is hurricane proof offering walking lanes, access to beaches and restaurants. Fans 2 The baseball games attract an average of 175 spectators per game. Obviously, when the weather is warmer, the crowds can swell in numbers. The fans that do attend have a close connection to the team and adequately cheer on their Hawks. Like many high school or collegiate baseball fields in the state, many are friends and family members. Access 4 The ballpark is easily accessible by car from the Garden State Parkway to Exit 105 which leads to Route 36 for three miles until you reach Route 71. Larchwood Avenue is the main street that leads you on to the campus. There are multiple signs along the way to lead visitors to the athletic complex on campus. Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately 45-60 minutes north of Monmouth University. Return on Investment 2 All games are free to attend and park. One really gets to enjoy the pure essences of baseball from player chatter, fan talk, and plenty of room in the grandstands or surrounding areas. Extras 1 One star for the natural grass field the team uses. Final Thoughts Monmouth University Baseball Field is your typical mid-major facility and definitely fits into the vibe of the campus; however, taking in a game at the baseball field might be for the die-hards only.

Photos by James Clotfelter and David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Stegeman Coliseum 100 Smith St Athens, GA 30602 Georgia Bulldogs website Stegeman Coliseum website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 10,523 Stegeman Coliseum – University of Georgia Bulldogs Originally constructed in 1964, the 10,000 seat Stegeman Coliseum has served as home to both UGA basketball teams, volleyball, and gymnastics. As it has undergone many renovations, the Steg now holds the modern amenities of new arenas, while preserving the history it has seen throughout its years. The University of Georgia basketball teams play1 in the D1 SEC (Southeastern Conference). Food & Beverage 3 Stegeman offers all the basics you would expect at a stadium, and not much more. All concession standings are grab-and-go with a cashless checkout at the end of the line. To give you an idea of what basic offerings include, expect hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, popcorn, Chick-fil-A, etc. In terms of drinks, Coca-Cola products are served in addition to basic beer and seltzer options. The offerings at Stegeman may not be as crazy and unique as other venues, but they provide reliable quality in what they do offer at a reasonable price mark. Atmosphere 4 The University of Georgia event staff does a great job of creating a noteworthy game day experience for its fans. Stegeman itself has been consistently renovated to keep its modern appeal. The Athletic Department has even described a "phased approach" to keep renovations frequent.  Stegeman is broken up into two levels of seating (sections A-Z and sections AA-YY) with one concourse in between the two levels. At the east and west entrances is a glass exterior to allow the concourse to have an open sense with the natural light entering the arena. Here is where the concourse is at its widest and you can find merchandise, food, restrooms, free gameday programs, and frequent promotional giveaways. As you make the circuit around the concourse you will notice that the walls are embedded with UGA Athletic history. Walking around this part of the concourse is like that of strolling through a museum. Some walls serve as a timeline describing different historical moments or players from a variety of sports. Then others house shelves with trophies, memorabilia, or a team’s championship wall with the years a conference or national championship was won.  The interior of the stadium is essentially a typical separated bowl you would find at many college basketball arenas; however, the bowl does not wrap all the way around on the second level, rather it wraps three-quarters of the court. The part of the upper bowl that is not connected to the other side harbors a mural of UGA legends and a small scoreboard displaying player stats. This design allows for a very intimate and thus loud experience at the coliseum. The main scoreboard is a 360-video board that hangs above the center court. It is mainly used for the score, replays, promotions, and crowd shots. All seats are chairbacks with the lower bowl being padded, and the upper being plastic. Being a medium-sized venue, no seat is a bad seat, so I’d advise you not to overspend on a ticket close to the court, as the sightlines from the AA-YY are more than adequate as you are still not far from the court.  Before tipoff, a red LED light show is triggered for player introductions, accompanied by a pregame video, loud music, and smoke. After a tip-off, the promotions team runs numerous giveaways while the band leads most of the school's traditions. And last but certainly not least, late in the second half the coliseum’s lights will turn down and the crowd will hold up their phone flashlights to rally the team for the final stretch.  Neighborhood 5 Being the oldest public university in the United States, The University of Georgia is renowned for having one of the most beautiful and historic campuses in the nation. North campus is adjacent to downtown Athens, which is the location of the arch, and the oldest buildings the campus holds. As you move south you will come across major attractions of the campus like Sanford Stadium, the bookstore, the student center, and finally Stegeman Coliseum. If you plan on grabbing a pregame bite while on campus, Tate Student Center holds a Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, and Barberitos.  The classic city has numerous offerings for pre and post-game spots. Whether you are looking for a drink, a bite, or post-game nightlife, there are numerous options in Downtown Athens. Downtown is very calm during the daytime, meaning this will be the best time to stroll through if it’s your first time in Athens as you will be sure to find a pregame option, like El Paso, The Grill, and Taqueria Tusanmi. Arriving early will allow you to swing in the many shops downtown has to offer. After the game, if the college nightlife crowd is something you look to avoid, some options that are not immediately downtown are Locos Grill and Pub, the Blind Pig Tavern, the Taco Stand, and a staple of the state of Georgia, Waffle House. However, if you are looking for a night out after the game, look no further than heading downtown as Athens has the largest number of bars per capita in the United States.  Hotels should not book up too quickly in Athens for a basketball game, but if the game you are attending is during the same weekend as a football game, it would be best to book early. If you are lucky, there is a hotel/convention center on campus that is right across the street from Stegeman, which would be the ideal hotel for basketball visitors.  Fans 3 As a Georgia local and a current UGA student, the relationship between the basketball program and the fanbase is complicated, to say the least. With constantly being bottom four in SEC play, and never showing much promise of reaching the tournament, dawgs fans usually do not have very much to cheer about. However, under the Mike White era, there are signs that times are changing in Athens. While it has not been a successful SEC season, the Dawgs have shown growth, and the fans have been acknowledging the growth with their attendance. Fans are also excited about five-star recruit Asa Newell, and Jacob Wilkins, son of Dominique, joining the Dawgs next season in hopes of winning ways.  Student turnout has increased to an all-time high, and even general attendance is climbing. Pretty much every conference game has been filled to the brim, and when the Steg is filled it can be a loud building to play in. The Athens faithful is interactive with the chants, songs, and traditions that are held at UGA basketball games. Dawgs fans are quick to get into the game itself and want to create that intimidating college atmosphere, but there is a big difference in noise levels when the team is winning, and when they are losing. As for non-conference games, attendance is prone to being sparse in the early months.   This new era of Georgia basketball is expected to bring wins to the fans, and I will be excited to see how difficult the Steg is to play at night in and night out when the dawgs are rolling.  Access 4 Getting to, from, and out of Stegeman is a breeze. The university opens up its parking decks for free during basketball games, the best parking deck being the south deck lot. And unlike the 90,000+ that are in town for a football game, Stegeman only holds 10,000, so the roads are much easier to navigate traffic-wise when comparing them to a football game. There are multiple gates located at every end of the arena, so getting in is almost always a breeze. The UGA clear bag policy is in effect at all athletic events and information on the regulations can be found on their website.  There is one shared concourse by both levels of seating, and it is wide enough to support the crowd of a game. The bathrooms are plentiful, and the lines for concessions move quickly as they are grab-and-go lines. However, everything in Stegeman is cash only. There is a box office outside, but it is recommended to purchase your tickets in advance on your phone. Return on Investment 4 Unlike the UGA football experience, the UGA basketball experience won’t make the wallet cry. Single-game tickets start from $5-$15 depending on the game in question, and the resale market on the “TickPick” app can get even lower. Every fan receives a program on entry, and Stegeman holds many game-by-game promotional nights/giveaways during the season, so be on the lookout. The concession prices are reasonable, as basic items like hot dogs cost $2.50 and cheeseburgers are $5. Add free parking on top of that and there is a relatively inexpensive night out. Extras 2 The Promotional team at Stagman deserves a little recognition for the effort they give to the fan experience. They host many giveaways during the game and many creative promotional nights. The history being displayed in the concourse is certainly something that stands out as unique to Stegeman. Final Thoughts Stegeman houses SEC basketball for a reasonable price and offers a quality fan experience that you won't regret. It is far from a place like Allen Fieldhouse, but given the opportunity, Stegeman is well worth the visit.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Norfolk Scope 201 E. Brambleton Ave Norfolk, VA 23510 Norfolk Admirals website Norfolk Scope website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 8,701 Scoping Out the Admirals In the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, you will find the largest concrete dome in the world, the Norfolk Scope. Although the Kingdome in Seattle surpassed it when it was built in 1976, it was demolished in 2000, putting the Scope back in the top spot. Today, the Scope is home to the Norfolk Admirals, a minor league hockey team competing in the ECHL The Admirals originally competed in the American Hockey League (AHL), the hockey equivalent of Triple-A baseball, but after that club moved to San Diego in 2015, a new Admirals franchise joined the ECHL, which is a step down from the AHL. Food & Beverage 5 Considering it is a minor league hockey arena, and an aging one at that, the Norfolk Scope has some pretty good concession options. A Mexican stand serves quesadillas, tacos, and extremely elaborate nachos, with freshly made salso in mild or spicy form available to put on top. Be warned - the spicy salsa is indeed quite spicy. Other stands serve barbecue sandwiches (pulled pork or brisket), pizza, and classics such as hot dog, burgers, and chicken tenders. Ice cream, churro bites, and funnel cake fries are available to fans with a sweet tooth. Soda (Pepsi products) and bottled water are available to drink, as is alcohol for fans of age. Prices are a bit on the high end, but it's good food so it's worth it. For instance, the nachos go for $15, but are pretty large and include not just cheese but your choice of meat, plus lettuce, tomato, onion, sour cream, cilantro, jalapenos, and fresh salsa. The more basic options will cost less. Atmosphere 3 If you walk into the seating area at the Norfolk Scope before warmups have begun, you will find the arena casked in a soft, blue glow. The full arena lights do not come on until the players come out for warmups. This creates an interesting first impression on fans arriving early. In the seating bowl, you can either walk up or down to your seat from the concourse, depending on where you are sitting. Most seats have a decent view of the ice, even the oness in higher rows. The area up against the boards is reserved for VIP and group seating, so even the front row of the seating area won't be against the glass. This will be a major disappointment for some fans. A large videoboard hangs over center ice, and two smaller ones are on the ends behind the goals. However, only the center one regularly shows game information, the others typically show ads. Right before each game, a hype video plays on the center board, starting with shots of the Norfolk naval fleet coming into the harbor, then shots of downtowon Norfolk, and finally zooming in on the Scope itself and clips of legendary Admirals moments. This tends to get the crowd fired up and in the mood for the game. The Admirals have a mascot named Salty, a dog who loves entertaining the fans before and during the game. Neighborhood 4 The Scope is located less than a mile from Downtown Norfolk, where you will find many options to eat, drink, and stay. From bars to steakhouses to Italian eateries to local favorite Ynot Pizza (which also sells its food at the arena), there is something for everyone here. There are also numerous hotels ranging from the Hilton to more budget options. If coming early or late in the season when the weather is nice, the Virginia Beach Oceanfront is about 20 to 30 minutes away, although the exact travel time will depend on traffic. Fans 4 Although the Scope will rarely sell out, this is more due to its large size than the fans, who show up in good numbers to cheer on their team. Admirals fans are loud, actively involved, and not afraid to heckle the opponents or the officials. After an Admirals goal, the Scope can get extremely loud as fans rise to their feet and celebrate. During the rest of play, it can still get quite loud in here, with fans urging their team to victory, applauding after good plays, and complaining about bad calls by the referees. The heckling can get a bit tiring, but it is all in good fun and just shows the passion of the crowd. Access 4 The Scope is conveniently located right off I-264 in downtown Norfolk. There are several garages surrounding the arena which cost $5-$10 to park in, including the Scope Garage right under the arena. Season ticket holders can enter the arena at garage level, while everyone else will hve to walk up a flight of steps and use the one of the entrances at street level. Restrooms are located around the concourse and are of a sufficient size for the crowds. One important thing to keep in mind when navigating around the arena is that signage will often speak of a specific gate to use. Unlike in most sporting venues, "gate" refers not to the entrance you take to get into the arena, but to the set of doors you use to get from the concourse to the seating area. So if someone tells you to meet them outside Gate 5 (or whatever gate), you will need to get into the arena first. This also explains materials saying certain concessions and so on are outside a particular gate. Return on Investment 4 Tickets start at just $19 for seats above the concourse behind the goals, and even center-ice seats will cost you no more than $39. Most seats are under $30. Unfortunately, they are sold through Ticketmaster, so expect to pay high fees on top of that. Concessions are a bit on the high end, but are good food and large portions, so it's worth it. Parking is reasonable considering the arena's downtown location. Overall, an Admirals game is a pretty good value. Extras 3 One star for the banners hanging from the rafters honoring Norfolk's accomplishments in the ECHL and AHL. A second star for the unique design of the Scope, inside and out. As mentioned above, it is the world's largest concrete dome, and the diaganol pillars oujtside create a one-of-a-kind architecture. Although alternate identiies are becoming increasingly common in minor league sports, Admirals have a unique take on it. The City Series takes place one weekend a month, and the team will adopt a special alternate identity representing one of the Seven Cities of the Hampton Roads region. When Stadium Journey visited in December, the team was playing as the Newport News Admirals, and other weekends are dedicated to the cities of Virginia Beach, Hampton, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Suffolk, plus the usual identity representing Norfolk. Although the team has not been known as the Hampton Roads Admirals for many years, it is good to see they still represent the entire region. Final Thoughts Although the Norfolk Scope is over 50 years old at this point, it is still going strong While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of newer arenas, hockey fans will definitely want to check out a Norfolk Admirals game here.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Nicoson Hall 1400 E Hanna Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46227 UIndy Greyhounds website Nicoson Hall website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 4,000 A Small Hidden College Basketball Gym in Indy Nicoson Hall on the campus of the University of Indianapolis (UIndy to many of us) is named after former basketball coach Angus Nicoson who led the program for 30 years and compiled an impressive record of 483-279 between 1947-1977. Nicoson transformed not only the basketball program but other sports on campus into a highly-respectable one. Fans entering the lobby will notice a bronze portrait of him that was dedicated in 1991. Another legend designed the building, architect Ralph Legeman’s patent design was used to construct the building. The $600,000 gym was dedicated on January 19, 1960, and was one of 27 of its kind built for both high school and collegiate gyms between 1949 and 1968. The design features no structural support for the seating bowl and roofing, top of the gym supported by steel trusses, and street-level entrances with multiple exits to move traffic after the game. The Greyhounds had played the previous two seasons at the Southport Fieldhouse a few miles south of campus and at the Barn since its inception in 1922. The team became members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 1980 and have made several NCAA Tournament appearances including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2015, the same year the Hounds were ranked number one for two weeks. Nicoson Hall has also hosted wrestling matches during the 1987 Pan American Games, a training camp for the Indiana Pacers, and has hosted several college teams practicing for Big Ten and NCAA Final Four tournaments held downtown at either the RCA Dome or Lucas Oil Stadium. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small concession of items stand located on the main level of the building offering a few items that include hot dogs, nachos, chips, candy, and soda. The selection is small and it might be wise to grab something to eat before or after the game but the food items are similar to what you would find at local high school gyms in the area. Atmosphere 3 Nicoson Hall features a wraparound concourse at street level with permanent hardwood bleacher seating forming an octagon around the gym court. The walls are decorated with team photos of current and past players and in one corner of the building is the Greyhound Lounge for private members complete with a roped off area with bar stool tables and chairs. A healthy crowd welcomes the Greyhounds onto the court that is lead by the cheer team that waves flags. There is a lot of room to move around throughout the seating bowl and both ends feature a large open space that provides more than enough room for both cheerleaders and a small press. The ceiling features a few championship banners but their colors of grey and white are somewhat camouflaged by its surroundings. A $500,000 donation from Ray Skillman Auto Group saw the installation of a sleek and modern playing surface in 2015. A new carpet and efficient LED lighting also included that summer as well at the gymnasium. There are also two simple scoreboards up above the concourse and a student section behind one of the nets provides a space for the Hounds most fervent fans to cheer the home team and chastise the visitors. Speaking of Hounds, the school has a mascot named Ace who patrols around the venue. Sadly, he was not at the game we attended. Other features of the gym feature a small concession stand and a lobby that features two beautiful murals on the school’s hoops history. Neighborhood 3 The campus is not located in one of the best neighborhoods of Indianapolis but it’s only three miles away from one of his best neighborhoods, Fountain Square. The hip little spot offers local restaurants, concert venues, and small shops that attract visitors from all over the city. The neighborhood has been up and coming the past decade and should only improve with more development. Hotel Tango Distillery is a great spot for homemade spirits set in a rustic vibe, Chili Water Brewery and Fountain Square Brewery are two great spots for craft beer. Kuma’s Corner offers some of the best burgers in a heavy metal theme establishment, Revolucion serves tacos and burgers in a contemporary Mexican restaurant with bold folk art photos on the wall, and for a nice dinner, the Bluebeard serves sharing plates and craft cocktails in a renovated 1924 warehouse. Duckpin bowling at the Fountain Square Theater takes visitors back in time with a 1930s or 1950s theme era bowling alley. Radio Radio is a concert lounge and rock-music venue with a small dance floor and video screens. A little closer to the UIndy campus is the Garfield Brewery and The Thompson House that offers wing specials on Tuesday and Sundays all day long. Fans 4 Fans in Indiana love their basketball at all levels and the UIndy faithful provided a nice backdrop to the game at hand. A beating of Lindenwood delighted the small but passionate fan base who saw its club move to 11-3 on the season. Access 4 Nicoson Hall is located on campus along the main road a few miles from the I-69 exit. There are two parking lots on both sides of the gym that are free of charge after 3 pm. The gym itself consists of one main lobby with ticket booths and a wraparound concourse with bathrooms, a concession stand, and plenty of exits for patrons after the game. Return on Investment 3 The price of a ticket is $10 per person and $5 for students and seniors 65 and older. The parking is free after 3 pm and concession prices are average in price. The cost is reasonable for Division II basketball and could make for a nice alternative for your basketball viewing in the state of Indiana. Extras 3 The Robert Legeman design is a nice feature of the building that is still the fixture with multiple high school venues in the state. The main lobby features two nice murals detailing the school’s basketball history. The gym’s lighting is a nice feature at the game. Final Thoughts Nicholson Hall looks like many other buildings of its kind that are home now to high school basketball in the state of Indiana. However, it features much better lighting and a few touches here and there to set it apart from the others of its kind. However, it’s not hard to have a somewhat high-school feel while watching a game on the campus of UIndy. However, that is not a knock on the gym. It is indeed inviting to enjoy a college basketball game in this hidden little gym in Indianapolis.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Rutgers Athletic Center 83 Rockefeller Road Piscataway, NJ 08854 Rutgers Scarlet Knights website Jersey Mike's Arena website Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 8,000 Jersey Mike's RACtion Jersey Mike's Arena, also known as the RAC, is home to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights basketball team. The RAC (an initialism for Rutgers Athletic Center) is its former official name but is still commonly used. Another former name, the Louis Brown Athletic Center, is never used anymore. Louis Brown was a Rutgers graduate and former member of the varsity golf team, who made a large bequest to the university in his will. Rutgers and Jersey Mike’s Subs announced in 2021 they had reached a multi-year agreement to make the sub sandwich restaurant an official naming rights partner of the university. The venue has a unique shape which is like no other arena we have seen. It is like a truncated tent with trapezoidal sides. The inside is just as unique and very much outdated. The original architect Robert Hillier said the venue design was not his original choice and that money concerns negated many of the original design choices. The arena, located on Rutgers’ Livingston Campus in Piscataway, New Jersey, opened on November 30, 1977, with a win against in-state rival Seton Hall. The arena is home to men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, and volleyball. The university will also use it for various concerts, graduations, and other events. The arena also served as the home of the NBA’s New Jersey Nets from 1977 until 1981. The Livingston Campus is one of the five sub-campuses that make up Rutgers' New Brunswick/Piscataway area campus. Rutgers University itself is one of three regional campuses of Rutgers University, New Jersey's public research university, and is located in New Brunswick and Piscataway. There are over 50,000 undergraduate students at this university. Rutgers men's basketball has generally had limited success over the last 30 years, but the last couple of years have seen major improvements in the program. Food & Beverage 4 For being a small venue, there are many good food options along the crowded options. The food options are actually pretty decent for a major sports venue. Jersey Mike's Subs are not surprisingly, sold in a couple of spots, along with a few other big-name options such as Dunkin. A popular choice is the tables selling Popcorn for the People which sells popcorn in many unique flavors. They will likely be offering samples for tasting. The Chicago style and chocolate espresso flavors are both great choices. Atmosphere 5 We checked the archives of Stadium Journey to see the past rankings of the RAC. The last couple of reviews had higher rankings in atmosphere and fans than in older reviews. The support for this venue has dramatically increased since the team has shown better success on the court. This arena has been dubbed, “louder than a 757 from nearby Newark.” The unique shape of the venue and roof system seems to enhance sound. Frankly, this is currently one of the loudest venues you will experience in sports. The main stands are very steep and offer only bench seating at the top of the venue. There is a very nice center-hung video board, with some really nice vertical screens in each corner. The band, cheerleaders, and team mascot enhance the atmosphere. For such a large school, the small size of Jersey Mike's Arena is pretty shocking. The students and general fans have a certain love for this outdated venue and seem reluctant to get a newer venue. It would seem that ultimately a team in the Big Ten Conference will need a larger arena. Neighborhood 3 Piscataway and New Brunswick are located just under an hour outside New York City. There are a few options on the Livingston Campus, although many may be just for students. Henry's Diner is close by along Rockafeller Rd and offers all-day breakfast, coffee & sandwiches in a retro setting. The Chimney Rock Inn is another good food option nearby. RU Hungry is located on the main campus in New Brunswick and is known for its famous fat sandwiches. There are 39 styles, including the Fat Knight: cheesesteak, mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, french fries, and marina sauce on a sub roll. The Bridgewater Marriott is a good lodging option for visitors. Fans 5 We can only judge by the current situation and not the past, so the fan support seems quite amazing. The loudness of the venue can partially be credited to the unique venue roof, but the fans are very loud and engaged on their own. The students are close to the court and can create an intimidating presence. Access 4 Jersey Mike's Arena is located on the Livingston Campus, so you need to set your GPS to the specific lot you are planning on parking. Do not look just for Rutgers in your GPS as it may lead you many miles away. The lots nearby the arena are plentiful and easy to access. The green, VIP lot is closest with the yellow pre-paid lot just after that. You also use the game day yellow lot for $20. There is one main entrance on the southeast side of the arena. Return on Investment 4 The arena is way too small for such a large university. The small size has served the school well on-court success has been limited but this means that most games will sell out quickly. It is nice to sell out but you would think it would also be nice to get more people into the stands. It may next to impossible for visiting team fans to attend games here. Tickets start at a little under $30, but you will likely have to buy on the aftermarket. Extras 4 The roof and overall design of this unique venue are an extra all of their own. There is a Rutgers Athletic Hall of Fame, honoring former Scarlet Knights. You should also check out the display showing off all of the past women's players who have gone onto the WNBA. The sound of the venue is amazing. It is not just the PA and music, but the loudness of the fans themselves. It is loud. I think Popcorn for the People may be worth a trip to the arena by itself. Final Thoughts Jersey Mike's Arena is outdated and borderline dilapidated, but it's still an amazingly vibrant arena to watch a very high level of basketball action. Should Rutgers have a better, newer, and bigger arena? Probably, but the basketball-watching experience is pretty amazing here.