Photos by Dennis Morrell and James Hilchen , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Wells Fargo Arena 233 Center St Des Moines, IA 50309 Iowa Wild website Wells Fargo Arena website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 8,162 Wild Hockey Wells Fargo Arena is the biggest of three different arenas that comprise the Iowa Events Center. Opened in 2005, Wells Fargo Arena is located on the banks of the Des Moines River. The arena is a multi-purpose venue and home to three sports teams as well as concerts and other events throughout the year. Wells Fargo Arena replaced Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium as the main sporting and concert venue in the Des Moines area. Prior to the 2015-2016 season, the arena spent $1.6 million on a brand new video board. The HD board (sitting above center ice) has curved screens for easier viewing by fans all over the arena. The Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League began play in the 2013-14 season at the arena. The Wild were previously known as the Houston Aeros and are affiliated with the Minnesota Wild of the NHL. The inaugural game for the Wild was a 1-0 victory over the Oklahoma City Barons on October 12, 2013 before a crowd of 10,200. The Wild broke their attendance record on November 9, 2017, when 13,422 fans watched Iowa defeat the Rockford IceHogs, 5-3. Generally the arena set up for a hockey capacity of 8,162, but can hold about 17,000. Wells Fargo Arena is also home to the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League and the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League. The arena is not new to hockey, having been host to the AHL’s Iowa Chops from 2005-2009. Food & Beverage 3 Wells Fargo Arena offers a decent variety of food and drinks. Stu’s Bar-B-Q is a popular spot to grab some good BBQ. The brisket sandwiches ($10) are tasty as are the Gaziano sausage sandwiches ($9). Local restaurant Bordenaro’s serves pizza slices for $5. Cheeseburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, grinders, and Philly cheese steak are available for about $6-$7. Hot Dog Nation has numerous types of hot dogs from $4.50-$7.50. Snacks including popcorn and candy are also available at $3-$6. Coca-Cola products are the choice of soda at $3.50, $4.50, and $6 (souvenir cup) depending on size. The recommendation for Cokaholics, such as myself is the souvenir cup; they come with $2 refills. Also available are Red Bull ($5), water ($4), and coffee ($2.50). If you fancy ice cream and shakes, Moovers and Shakers has you covered with numerous flavors and options from $5 to $7.50. There are $9 cans of beer available (25 oz). Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Busch, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Corona, and Mike’s are your choices. Head over to section 108 for the Bud Light Bar. It offers a full-service bar and a nice place to watch the game. Atmosphere 4 Stadium seating surrounds the ice and there are luxury boxes available as well. The brand new scoreboard hangs above the middle of the ice, making it very easy to see the score, statistics, and replays. There are no hindered views anywhere in the arena. Getting in and out of your seats to get something to eat or use the restroom is an easy task. Lines at the food concessions are usually very short but if you are in line for a moment, there are HD monitors near the concession areas so you won’t miss any action. The arena is set up for a capacity of 8,162 for hockey with other areas tarped off. It makes for a better, more exciting atmosphere. One note for larger fans; the upper deck has seats that aren’t as wide as the lower seating bowl. Generally, getting seats in the lower bowl isn’t an issue but if purchasing tickets in the upper bowl, make sure to get one on an aisle. Most aisle seats have arm rests that are adjustable, giving a little more room. Neighborhood 5 Downtown Des Moines is fabulous. The area surrounding the arena has every type of food imaginable and plenty of places to have a drink. One block south of the arena is Buzzard Billy’s. Serving Cajun food as well as some traditional bar fare, Buzzard Billy’s is a great place to go before or after the game. The catfish is great, there are plenty of drink specials and if you haven’t tried alligator before, this is your chance. A few blocks farther south, there is a litany of places for any type of food. If pizza is your thing, it doesn’t get much better than Fong’s Pizza. Fong’s is quite an eclectic place. A former Chinese restaurant, Fong’s kept all the ambiance of the former tenant, but with a pizza flair. The egg rolls are recommended as an appetizer and the pies range from the traditional to unique combinations such as crab Rangoon pizza. It is a popular hangout in Des Moines and super busy on some nights, but if you can get in, the food is great. There are plenty of other food and drink options as well as numerous lodging options. Comfort Inn & Suites is directly across the street (to the north) from the arena. The Des Moines Marriott is a few blocks south. If traveling with family, be sure to visit the Iowa Capitol Building and the State Historical Museum of Iowa. Both are great places to take kids and both are free. Fans 3 The Wild are in their fifth season of existence beginning the 2017-2018 season and have a decent fan following, generally finishing in the middle of the pack in AHL attendance. The Wild have their group of hard cores that attend every game, always rock their Wild gear, and try and make it uncomfortable for the opposing team. After the typical celebration for a Wild goal, the opposing goalie is serenaded with a chant of “it’s your fault.” With Des Moines being less than four hours drive to the NHL Minnesota Wild (the two teams are affiliated), it isn’t uncommon for fans to come down from Minnesota to take in a game or two and see the future of their hockey team. Access 5 Wells Fargo Arena is located in downtown Des Moines and easily accessible off I-235. Parking is available in the arena lots for $8. Parking structures are a couple blocks away and cost $5. An added benefit of Des Moines is the sky walk. The sky walk links buildings via an enclosed walkway that makes it easy to get from parking structures to the arena without going outside. Once inside the arena, it is very easy to get around. The concourse is wide, plenty of clean restrooms are provided, and sections are clearly marked. Return on Investment 4 You can get in the door to see the game for just $10. Prices range from $10 on the second level up to $45 for a seat next to the glass. With the way the arena is set up for hockey, there are no bad seats and all sections are easy to get in and out when needed. A ticket combined with $5-$8 parking and average food prices makes for a fun night at the arena without breaking the bank. Extras 3 An extra point goes to the ushers who are consistent in wanting fans to wait to re-enter the seating bowl during play. It’s a small thing but it makes a big difference to the fans watching the game. One extra point goes to the Wild organization. They are making it a point to be very visible in the city and as fan friendly as can be. From post-game skates to post-game autograph meet and greets with players at Buzzard Billy’s after select games, the organization does a great job of providing extra perks for fans. A final point for the constant deals that the Wild give to their fans. There are discounted tickets offered to nearly every game, teaming up with companies such as Subway. Be sure and check the Iowa Wild website prior to coming and you will likely find a deal to save you a few dollars. Final Thoughts Wells Fargo Arena is a great venue for hockey. The organization cares about the fans, the price of attending a game is very reasonable, and downtown Des Moines has something for everyone. The AHL provides some quality hockey and taking in a game in Des Moines is a fun experience. Follow James Hilchen’s stadium journeys on Twitter @stadiumjwriter

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Hawk’s Nest 19200 College Dr St. Marys City, MD 20686 St. Mary’s (MD) Seahawks baseball website Hawk’s Nest website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 250 Seahawks Nest When sports fans think of St. Mary’s College, they usually think of the school in Moraga, California that produces the occasional basketball upset of Gonzaga. However, there is another school of that name as well, St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Unlike other schools of that name, this St. Mary’s is a public university which gets its name not from a Catholic saint but from St. Mary’s City, Maryland, where it is located. St. Mary’s City was the first colonial settlement in the State of Maryland, and the fourth-oldest permanent English settlement in what was then the Thirteen Colonies. Today, half of the city is a state-run historical preservation and reconstruction area similar to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia and Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts, also known as Historic St. Mary’s City, while the other half is occupied by the modern-day SMCM campus. Although the original St. Mary’s City was once a thriving port town, its population had dropped to just 100 by 1644. Today, almost 400 years later, the population is just 733, almost all of them associated with either the college or the historic site. SMCM’s athletic teams are known as the Seahawks, and they compete at the NCAA’s Division III level in the United East Conference. Since 2001, the Seahawks’ baseball team has played on campus at the Hawk’s Nest. The stadium features the same kinds of grass and infield dirt that are used at Camden Yards in Baltimore. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food or drink for sale at the Hawk’s Nest but fans are allowed to bring in their own. There are water fountains that trickle out water if you’re desperate. Atmosphere 2 The Hawk’s Nest sits in a rustic setting, surrounded by trees on three sides and the parking lot on the other side beyond the outfield fence. Even the dugouts are wooden and resemble log cabins that one might find in the woods. There is one set of bleachers on the first base side at field level and two on the third base side. Behind these two bleachers is a hill where fans can bring their own chairs and sit, and at the top of the hill is a fourth set of bleachers. More hill seating is available down the first baseline beyond the dugout. Admission is free and fans can sit anywhere they want, so it really comes down to personal preference. There is a scoreboard in left-center field which shows a linescore and other basic information, but beyond that there isn’t much going on here. Fans will hear just about everything that is going on on the field, whether it’s the base coach calling out to his players, the umpire communicating substitutions to the scorekeeper, or just about anything else, you’ll hear it. However, that’s about all that you will see or hear beyond the game itself. Baseball purists will love this, but those looking for more of an experience will be disappointed. Considering this is Division III baseball, this isn’t unexpected. Neighborhood 3 St. Mary’s City contains precisely two things – the St. Mary’s College campus and Historic St. Mary’s City , which is a historical reconstruction park similar to Colonial Williamsburg and Plymouth Plantation. It is a popular field trip site for Maryland schoolchildren, and tens of thousands of others visit the site every year as well. It is well worth a visit for the colonial history buff, but for just about anything else, you’re going to have to go into a neighboring town like Lexington Park. There are some places to eat up and down Three Notch Road (Route 235) and Point Lookout Road (Route 5), and some hotels which are mainly used by people visiting the historic site, but you’re going to have to drive at least 10-15 minutes to get there. Fans 3 The Seahawks typically draw only a few dozen fans a game – on a good day they might get 50 or 75. Most of them are friends or family of the players, but you do get the occasional local, or perhaps some tourists who got bored of the historical site and want to do something else for a day. They do tend to be knowledgeable about the Seahawks players and cheer on their team throughout the game. While the attendance will pale in comparison to the vast majority of Division I schools, this is a pretty standard crowd for Division III. Access 2 Unless you’re already in town to visit the historical site, getting to the St. Mary’s campus will take some driving. Maryland Route 5 and Maryland Route 235 both serve the area, but it’s a long drive from any major city along mostly local roads. It is two hours from Baltimore and an hour and 45 minutes from Washington, DC. If you’re already in Southern Maryland to check out a Blue Crabs game, it’s about an hour drive to St. Mary’s from Waldorf. Keep in mind that if you are planning to travel here from areas across the Potomac River or Chesapeake Bay, particularly the Northern Neck of Virginia or Maryland’s Eastern Shore, places that look close on a map may actually be a long drive away as there are no bridges across either body of water at this location. A map may show that the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore is only about 40 miles away as the crow flies, but it would be difficult if not impossible to see both the Hawks and the Seahawks in the same day as getting from St. Mary’s to Princess Anne requires a three and a half hour drive all the way up to Annapolis, across the Bay Bridge, and back down. Likewise, parts of Virginia’s Northern Neck are only about ten miles away as the crow flies, but require almost a two hour drive as the nearest bridge is many miles away. Once you make it onto the campus, free parking is available in Lot R next to the stadium, although you may have trouble finding a spot as it also serves the nearby residence halls. Although the signs say parking is for residents only, you should not be ticketed if you park there the day of the game. If you can’t find a spot, there are other lots on campus for visitors although you may have to walk a bit. Just be sure to obey all signage. There are no restrooms at the stadium itself, but there are two single-person bathrooms across the parking lot near Waring Commons. Normally there should be no wait for these unless there is something else going on on campus that day, as the crowd is quite small. There can be some lines between games of a doubleheader as everyone (players included) tries to use them, and while you should be able to make it back in time for the second game to start, if the situation is urgent you should probably try to go sooner rather than wait until the game ends. Return on Investment 4 Admission is free, parking is free, and you won’t pay anything for concessions because there aren’t any. However, it is hard to justify an experience as basic as this earning the top score. Extras 1 ‘The fact that there are so many vantage points to watch the game is worthy of a star. Beyond that, there are no real extras here. Final Thoughts College baseball in the northeast and Mid-Atlantic simply isn’t a big deal, and this is especially so at the Division III level. If you’re in town anyway to visit the historic site nearby, you might as well check out a Seahawks game while you’re here, or you can time things to see a Seahawks game in the afternoon and a Blue Crabs game at night, but only the most ardent of baseball fans would find it worth it to travel here just for a St. Mary’s game.

Photos by James Hilchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Children’s Mercy Park 1 Sporting Way Kansas City, KS 66111 Sporting KC website Sporting Park website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 18,467 A Home to be Proud Of Children’s Mercy Park is home to both Sporting KC of Major League Soccer and the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League. The stadium opened in 2011 on day that saw Sporting KC and the Chicago Fire play to a 0-0 draw. Over the years, Children’s Mercy Park has won numerous awards. It is also the only venue to host the MLS All-Star Game, the United States Men’s National Team, and the MLS Cup all in the same year. The stadium has also held numerous World Cup qualifiers, Olympic qualifiers, CONCACAF Gold Cups, and international friendlies. Food & Beverage 4 Children’s Mercy Park is cashless, so plan accordingly. The park offers up a litany of different food options. I you want to know what’s available and where before heading to the game, the team’s website lists all the concessions available and where they are located. It’s a very handy feature. Further, Sporting KC also has an app that is recommended. Within the app, you can order food/drinks and pick it up thereby cutting down your time in line waiting for the food. I’d recommend the El Capitan stand. They offer a variety of Mexican food. The Chicken Hatch Chili taquitos are really tasty as are the fish tacos. If Mexican food isn’t your thing, not to worry. Being in Kansas City, there are numerous BBQ options of course including pulled pork, burnt ends, and pulled pork nachos. Additionally, chicken sandwiches, burgers, Dominos Pizza, and vegan Italian sausage are among the many other options. Typical snacks such as popcorn, pretzels, candy, etc are also available. Coke products are the soda of choice along with Bodyarmor flavors, tea, and Powerade. As for adult beverages, Goose, Corona, Modelo, Bud Light, Kona Big Wave, Michelob Ultra, wine, and a few mixed drinks are options. Overall, the food and drink options are great, although the portions could be a little bigger for the cost, which is about average of what you would pay in most stadiums. Atmosphere 4 The stadium was built for soccer so the layout inside is very easy to maneuver and logical. Concession areas are sprinkled throughout along with 32 restrooms. The stadium is bathed in blue and indigo, the colors of Sporting KC. There are no bad seats in anywhere. Many of the seats in the corners of the stadium are angled so you get a better view of the entire pitch without having to constantly turn your head. Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. The supporter’s stand is on the north side of the stadium. This is general admission and sitting in this area means you will be amongst the crew that sings and chants for the entirety of the game. The south side stands are also GA and are the cheapest tickets available. Pregame festivities include a video and fireworks display when introducing the home team. This is when the supporters crew starts their singing/chanting and they don’t stop until games’ end. Once kickoff occurs, it’s all about soccer. With the constant chanting and ebbs and flows of the crowd overall, it’s hard not to enjoy your time watching the game. Neighborhood 4 Children’s Mercy Park is located just off I-435. The area is a mixture of retail and a few interesting places. Just across State Avenue is the Kansas Speedway. A great NASCAR track, it’s fun to be able to see another great sporting venue. On the property of the racetrack is the Hollywood Casino. Within the casino are three different restaurants, including “Turn 2” which gives you great views of the racetrack. There are numerous food and drink options within walking distance. Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que is a great option. Other options include LongHorn Steakhouse, El Toro Loco Mexican Bar & Grill, and Granite City Food and Brewery. With the racetrack and casino, there are plenty of lodging options including a Best Western and Hampton Inn which are right across the street from Children’s Mercy Park. If you’ve never been to Kansas City before, there is plenty to see. Take some time to explore before or after the game and make sure to see the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the World War I museum. Fans 5 As of this review, Sporting KC is averaging about 18,500 fans per game, which happens to be about what their capacity is. As such, you can expect a full house more often than not. Many fans arrive early and wait for the gates to open. Once kickoff occurs, fans are engaged and other than halftime, there is a constant buzz in the stadium. Access 4 There is a clear bag policy is effect here. The stadium is easily accessible, just off I-435. If you don’t feel like battling post-game traffic, public transportation is available and will drop you off right next to the stadium. Once inside, getting around is not an issue. The concourses are plenty wide and the restrooms are sufficient to handle the crowds. Post-game is a little slow getting out of the stadium because you have about 18,000 people heading out all at once. Plenty of ADA seating is also available. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices will average $30-$60 depending upon where you choose to sit, which seems about average for MLS. There are a few different parking options. For $20, you can park directly across the street and be out of your car and in the stadium in just a couple minutes. A little further away, you can find free parking. The final option is parking at Hollywood Casino and you can take a shuttle to the stadium. This is the best option if you want to avoid some of the post-game traffic issues that occur at every sporting event. With concession prices being the norm and the great atmosphere of the game, you get an above average return for your dollar. Extras 3 Be sure to get the Sporting KC app before going to the game. It will save some time on concessions and has other helpful hints and information. A nice feature here is that important announcements are made in both English and Spanish. Another point goes to the ushers who are very helpful and polite, whether you simply need directions or assistance carrying food and drinks to your seats. Final Thoughts I’d heard good things about Children’s Mercy Park and I wasn’t disappointed with the experience. The stadium is clean and roomy, the atmosphere provides an air of excitement, and the experience is quite enjoyable throughout. It’s not surprising that Sporting KC has won numerous awards for their presentation and stadium…this is a great place to catch a game. Follow my sports journeys on Twitter and Instagram : @stadiumjwriter

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 McAlister Field House 171 Moultrie St Charleston, SC 29409 The Citadel Bulldogs website McAlister Field House website Year Opened: 1939 Capacity: 6,000 Bulldogs Shooting Baskets The Citadel is the Military College of South Carolina, and it was established in 1842. It has a student body of 3,400 men and women. The campus is in the Hampton Park neighborhood on the western side of Charleston. The Citadel has a beautiful campus setting along the shores of the Ashley River. Tours of the campus are well worth your time. McAlister Field House serves as the base for Bulldogs basketball. It was originally named the Citadel Armory but was renamed in honor of Colonel David McAlister, Class of 1924. Colonel McAlister served the school in several posts spanning several decades. The Field House was built in 1939 and can hold 6,000 fans in its basketball configuration. Basketball has been played at the school since 1901. The facility has gone through several renovations over the years. Among the improvements made to the arena are the installation of a new scoreboard in 2014 and the addition of chairback seating for outside ticket holders in 2020. Food & Beverage 2 Charleston is known as a foodie paradise, and the Citadel does not try to compete with the fine dining spots found downtown. There is a lone concession stand located in the front lobby, and it offers a barebones menu of snacks and beverages. Pepsi brand sodas are $3, water is $1, hot dogs cost $3, popcorn is $5, and the candy is $2. Atmosphere 3 The setting for Citadel’s basketball games is rather spartan. Three sides of the seating bowl are pull-out bleachers, with the remaining side featuring very nice stadium seating. This section serves the alumni, public ticket purchases, and major donors. Cadets sit at each end of the court where they love to hassle the opponents with good-natured barbs and cheer loudly for their fellow unit and platoon members. The Citadel mascot Spike the Bulldog is there to lead the cheers and a regimental band plays tunes during breaks in the action. The Citadel has a wonderful video/scoreboard over midcourt, as it has carved bulldog heads on each corner at the base of the board. There is no team store in the arena. The Citadel Bookstore is nearby and stays open later when there is a basketball game. It carries a full line of Bulldogs spirit items. One of the nice elements of attending a game at a service academy is the respect for school and country by the student body and the general fanbase. This is certainly true at The Citadel. During the National Anthem, both the cadet corps and most of the alumni stand ramrod straight and salute the flag. At the conclusion of a game, win or lose, no one leaves a game until the school alma mater is played. The team, the Corp of the cadets, and the fans all stand together and sing along. It is a moving tradition. Neighborhood 5 Charleston has been one of the top tourist destinations in the US for many years. It is known for its beautiful homes, numerous historical sites, and its fine cuisine. People flock to the city each spring to take in the beautiful gardens that fill the backyards of many homes in the city. History buffs can travel to Fort Sumter in Charleston’s harbor or learn about the importance of the city as a key supply port for the Confederate Army. The cannons which fired on the Union forces in the fort were manned by Citadel students, as they had artillery training. A large percentage of visitors come to Charleston to sample the work of the many famous chefs who have set up shop in one of the many old homes in the city. Nearly every week is marked by a festival or a special event that is open to the public. Fans 4 The fanbase at Citadel home games is made up of the Corp of cadets at the school and Citadel alumni. The cadets fill each of the end lines along the court, which places them in a prime location to disrupt the opposition’s free throw attempts and scoring opportunities. The proximity of the cadets to the court also allows the home team to feed off the energy created by their fellow soldiers. The cadets also use their competitive nature in the many contests that are held at halftime and during breaks in the action. The Citadel alumni play an active role in the school long after they graduate. As a military school, The Citadel offers a lifetime bond between those who have graduated from the school and those who are presently enrolled at the institution. Alumni often serve as mentors for current cadets and are incredibly involved in the everyday workings of the school. Many of Charleston’s civic leaders are graduates of The Citadel. Alumni of the school are easy to identify at games, as they tend to sport polo or Oxford shirts in the school colors and with The Citadel crest prominently displayed. Access 4 There is plenty of parking on campus, so no one walks more than the equivalent of a block to get inside the Field House. Return on Investment 4 Attending a game at the McAlister Field House will not burn a hole in your pocket. Tickets run from $8-$12 based on your location in the stands. All of the seats are chairbacks if you are sitting in sections 1-6. The concession offerings at the Field House are sparse but inexpensive. Fans can park free anywhere on The Citadel campus that is not marked as reserved. Your main expense would be for lodging, and it would be wise to book your room as early as possible as many conventions and shows are held in the city each year, and can book the local hotels solid. If you fly in, the only time you will need a car is when you depart the airport for downtown Charleston or you want to travel the River Road that takes you to the many plantations that line the Ashley River. We suggest you utilize a ride share service and save the expense of a rental car and parking fees at the hotel. Charleston is a very walkable town, and there are various trolleys and busses available if you get tired. Extras 4 McAlister Field House is also used by the wrestling and volleyball programs. The biggest game of the year is the contest with VMI. They are The Citadel’s biggest rival. The game is always a sellout, and there is an elaborate military ceremony before the game. Pat Conroy, author of such bestsellers as The Great Santini, The Lords of Discipline, and The Prince of Tides, played basketball at The Citadel in the 1960s. He is honored at McAlister Field House with a banner. Many of his novels were based on his time at the school. One extra goes to the respect shown for the country, the school, and your opponent at each Citadel Bulldogs game. Final Thoughts Attending an athletic contest at any service-related school is always a memorable experience and attending a basketball game at The Citadel is no different. The cadets who play in this program qualify as sharpshooters both on and off the court, as the Bulldogs have one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the country each season. Games at The Citadel also offer a great deal of pageantry and tradition, both before and after each contest.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 CCBC Essex Knights Baseball Stadium 7201 Rossville Blvd Baltimore, MD 21237 CCBC Essex Knights website CCBC Essex Knights Baseball Stadium website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 1,400 Baseball Knights One of the largest colleges in Maryland is largely unknown outside of the area. The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) has an annual enrollment of greater than 72,000 students. Created in the 1990s by a merger of Essex Community College, Dundalk Community College and Catonsville Community, the new college kept each of those three main campuses, along with a bevy of extension campuses around the suburban Baltimore area. The three colleges shared a common board of trustees for years but operated independently. Essex, Dundalk and Catonsville have each kept their own distinct athletic identity. CCBC Essex began in 1957, operating out of nearby Kenwood High School. CCBC Essex has one of the top rated associate nursing programs in the region. The school mascot is the Knights and they play nine sports. Essex has won nine NJCAA national championships including the 2004 Men’s Lacrosse Championship.They are a member of Region XX of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference, CCBC Essex has had over 100 NJCAA All-Americans. Food & Beverage 0 There are no food options available at the CCBC Essex Baseball Stadium. There are three food facilities on campus including the Essex Cafe, Late Knight Express and the Cyber Cafe. Atmosphere 2 There is not much else in terms of atmosphere as it is a JUCO level baseball game. The team does have a PA announcer and plays walkup music for players. There are three simple metal bleachers around the main part of the field. They offer decent views of the game, although through chain link fencing. One of my favorite places to watch the games is in the shady center field area near the simple, basic scoreboard. Next to the baseball stadium is the lacrosse stadium. That stadium is also used for track and field and soccer, as well as by a few local high school football teams, especially during playoff times. Neighborhood 3 CCBC Essex is a suburban community college with its main neighbor being the sprawling Franklin Square Hospital. You will have to venture a bit far from campus for any food or drinks. Closest to campus is the neighborhood Dellis’ Restaurant Bar & Grill. There will be some other options around this area that is referred to as Golden Ring. One of my favorites is Pizza John which is a bit further away in Middle River. This extremely popular pizza joint has some pretty good, albeit a bit greasy pizza. And greasy does not equate to being a bad thing. Just expect very large crowds on Friday and Saturday nights. White Marsh Mall and the area around it is not too far away as well. There are numerous options around that area. Red Brick Station Restaurant & Brew Pub is a very good restaurant at the Avenue at White Marsh. Also look at Ledo’s Pizza near the Lowe’s store. Their square pizza is very good, and a pretty good value. Mission BBQ is another great option. This small BBQ chain is quite impressive and honors the veterans of America as part of their design. Fans 2 The attendees at most games are family members or other athletes. There may be a few local residents who attend the games. The fans are knowledgeable and friendly to visitors. Access 4 CCBC Essex is located just off of both the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) and I-95. The quickest and best way to access campus is to exit off I-695 at either the Philadelphia Road or US-40 exit and find your way east to Rossville Boulevard. Directions should be easy to follow but also follow signs for Franklin Square Hospital. There is plenty of free parking on the campus. If classes are in session you may expect to park a bit further away from campus. Return on Investment 5 The games are free to attend. That, along with the free parking, means that you can attend a good level JUCO program at no cost. Extras 2 There are a few plaques around the little park-like setting of the athletic fields which honor student athletes from Essex that have passed away. Walk around campus and see the solar panels that have been added to many parking areas on campus. All of the CCBC campuses have added these and expect to get more than a quarter of its electricity from solar. This 5.1 megawatt project is expected to generate 6.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year and joins the 16.1 megawatt array at Mount St. Mary’s University in an effort by local colleges to expand solar usages. Final Thoughts The CCBC Essex Baseball Stadium is a basic pleasant baseball field located in nice park-like setting. Although nothing fancy, it is a nice little stop for a baseball fan traveling along the I-95 corridor.

To christen the first Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views episode for a Canadian Football League team, Dave and Paul bring in an expert, host of the Alouettes Flight Deck Podcast, Tim Capper. What is the Montréal Alouettes experience like and how is it unique among the CFL venues and what the heck does it have to do with the band U2? Grab a beer a bagel and some poutine for the latest episode of Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views. You can read Stadium Journey's review of Percilval Molson Memorial Stadium and the Montreal Alouettes game day experience here

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Colisee Desjardins 400 Boul Jutras Est Victoriaville, QC G6P 3Z4 Victoriaville Tigres website Colisee Desjardins website Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 3,420 Ils Ont le Tigre Par la Queue The Victoriaville Tigres are one of those stalwart franchises of the QMJHL. They have been a part of the league since 1987, when they moved from the Montreal suburb of Longueuil, to the city known for producing the famous Victoriaville hockey sticks. The Tigres have gone on to see some success in the QMJHL, winning the President’s Cup in 2002 and making an appearance in the Memorial Cup. The Tigres have also produced a number of solid NHL hockey players including Mathieu Garon, Stephane Fiset, and Matthew Barnaby. Perhaps the most famous Tigre is also one of the biggest busts in NHL history, Alexandre Daigle, who was drafted first overall by the Ottawa Senators. The Tigres play in the city owned Colisee Desjardins, an older arena which has had a few upgrades over the years. The inner arena is named the Amphitheatre Gilbert-Perreault, after the legendary, Victoriaville native, captain of the Buffalo Sabres. The Quebec bank, Desjardins, purchased the naming rights to the entire building. Food & Beverage 3 There are a few main concession stands in the upper walkway. They serve pretty much what you would expect at a snack bar in Quebec. The added French staples of poutine and Montreal smoked meat are available here, which may be common for Quebec arenas, but not others. Budweiser and Molson Canadian are available for $4.50 for a regular sized can. Coca-Cola products are the soda of choice in Victoriaville. The concession prices are not too bad, and are what you would expect from a junior hockey venue. Atmosphere 3 The Colisee Desjardins is an older arena, built in the early 1980’s. It lacks the natural light and large concourses that seem to be staples in newer buildings. Upon approaching the Colisee, you will notice that it is a pretty nondescript building, featuring siding on the exterior. There is not much of an atrium inside, but there is a bit of a waiting area you may choose to wait in before going into the Amphitheatre, either upstairs or downstairs. Inside the Amphitheatre, you will notice that there have been some upgrades to the arena over time. The seating area is a single bowl, with walkways above the seats. Three-quarters of the walkways have luxury boxes hanging above them. The seats have been updated in the entire arena, and no longer are the wooden seats featured in the Amphitheatre. They have been replaced by plastic seats. The seats are more comfortable than the wooden ones, but are narrower than you would expect. Chairs are black, with some select yellow seats in certain sections that spell Tigres. Above the walkways on the north and south there are very small videoboards. It is a bit challenging to use the videoboard when it is in a non-traditional spot. The low ceilings of the Colisee make this probably the best option though. There is a simple scoreboard above the ice surface. The east end of the arena features a small team store to buy Tigres merchandise. Just left of that you will find the Tigres’ honoured players and the championship banners. These are posted on the wall of the walkway, instead of hanging over the arena. Featured players include P.J. Stock, Mathieu Garon, Stephane Fiset, Reggie Savage, Carl Mallette, Matthew Lombardi, and Yves Racine. It is a little surprising that Alexandre Daigle is not among this group. There are also banners for the 2002 President’s Cup and a couple of division banners as well as a montage of team pictures. The in-game presentation is simple yet effective. There is a mix of music including modern, modern-French, and traditional organ. They make a big deal every time the Tigres head to the ice, even for warm-ups. The emcee does a decent job and the mascot shows great enthusiasm and gets the kids involved. Neighborhood 3 Located on Boul Jutras E, the Colisee Desjardins is pretty easy to get to. There is plenty of parking, especially with the mall across the street. There are a couple of options for before and after the game. You could give Valentine a try, which is a French fast food chain, or if you are looking for something more original, you could try Restaurant Plus. Fans 3 Attendance for the Tigres ends up averaging between 2,500 and 3,200 per game. This average puts the Tigres smack dab in the middle of the QMJHL. The fans in Victoriaville are a bit more subdued and quiet for Quebecois fans, but they are hearty and follow their team with more than a passing interest. It was extremely disappointing, however, to hear and see hundreds of fans engaging in conversations during the national anthems. Definitely a lack of respect. Access 2 Getting to the Colisee is not too difficult as it is located on Boul. Jutras E. As mentioned above, there is some free parking in the complex, and there is a mall across the street. Getting in and out of the area is not the problem. The problem is getting around once you are inside the Colisee. The walkways are very small and crowded. Many people enjoy the standing room behind the seating area, which further complicates manoeuvring around the arena. Outside of the Amphitheatre, there is little in the way of space as well. The washroom facilities inside the Amphitheatre are less than adequate, with washrooms so small that you can see inside from the walkway. Add to this that the team store and concessions are in that same general area, and you will find it more than just a minor challenge to get around during intermission. Return on Investment 5 In general, QMJHL hockey offers the best value for your dollar anywhere, and Victoriaville is no different. Adult tickets go for $15 each, and children are a mere $8. It appears to be a common theme in the QMJHL that the children are key, and they should be targeted. A great family environment is provided. Concession prices are reasonable, and parking should be free, so you are in for a great day of great hockey for a price that will not break the bank. Extras 3 An extra mark for the display of local favourite Gilbert Perreault outside of the Amphitheatre. An extra mark for the original idea of naming the sections after other local heroes. Section 4 is named after Jean Beliveau and Section 2 is named after Gilles Marotte. An extra mark for the old school quarter vending machines, which were once found in every minor hockey rink in every town, and are still prevalent in Victoriaville. Final Thoughts Travelling through Quebec can be a bit intimidating for any Anglophone, especially in the smaller cities, away from the tourist areas of Montreal and Quebec City. However, stadium travellers should attempt to see real grassroots hockey the way it was meant to be seen in Quebec. The passion is there, and the price is right. This is as applicable in Victoriaville as anywhere else in La belle province. In Victoriaville, they have the tiger by the tail, and the Tigres will put on a show for you! Follow Dave’s sporting journeys on Twitter @profan9 .

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Gaylord Palms Resort 6000 W Osceola Pkwy Kissimmee, FL 34746 NXL World Cup of Paintball website Gaylord Palms Resort website Year Opened: 2015 Professional Paintball in Paradise Thinking of professional sports in Central Florida, paintball may not come to mind first. However, the NXL World Cup features some of the best paintball athletes in the country every year just outside Disney World. Located adjacent to the Gaylord Palms Resort, the NXL World Cup is unique in that parking and access for all four days is free to all fans. Special tickets can be purchased for access to different viewing areas, but free access still gets you up close and personal to the action. Food & Beverage 3 The food and beverage options here are limited, but what is available is solid and won’t break the bank. Food trucks are brought in with various options for guests, from local BBQ and pizza to frozen smoothies and healthy options, you have a variety to pick from. Drinks are also available at several bars around the property, with options that include water ($2), domestic beers ($6), and import beers ($7). The lines are usually never too long, but unless you have a VIP viewing ticket, you’ll find a great lack of places to sit and enjoy your food. Atmosphere 4 For an event that is assembled in what is usually a cow pasture the rest of the year, it really is transformed into an incredible facility. Vendors line the entrance on both sides, selling the latest and greatest paintball gear and merchandise. Special lounges are also there for players and family as well as vendor VIPs. On the back side of the property, numerous paintball fields are set up in a quad that allow fans to get in between them and right up close to the action. Be sure you’re doing your laundry as soon as you go home, as there is sure to be some paintball splatter when you’re this close to the matches. Neighborhood 4 The fact that you’re literally across the highway from Walt Disney World and just minutes from all the area hotels, restaurants, attractions, and shopping makes this a solid area to hold the event. Across the street is Gaylord Palms Resort, while down the street is Walt Disney World and all its hotels. Food options are plentiful as one mile away is US-192, which is full of restaurants and shopping. In the opposite direction is International Drive, another place where you can find your choice of restaurants and hotels. Fans 4 The sheer number of fans who show up to this event is staggering. 2022 showcased the largest World Cup turnout yet, with teams and their families from all over arriving to watch the best of the best in paintball take on the competition. Something unique about it all is the sense of camaraderie and family. This is a fierce competition after all, but everyone cheers each other and respects the healthy competition taking place in front of them. The fans are also very knowledgeable about the sport, and are more than happy to help newcomers understand what is going on. Access 5 Parking is free on site, with $30+ VIP parking available to get you a closer spot to the main entrance. The field is massive and offers plenty of spaces to park, and signage is easy to see, to direct you where to go next. Once inside a QR code can be scanned by fans to access an event guide, and a facility map is posted to help you get the lay of the land. Return on Investment 5 Access to general admission areas is free to all fans on all four days of the event. Tickets to the grandstand for the pro field start at $15 per day, while VIP Club access starts at $40 and goes up from there. When factoring in the cost for a family of four to enjoy a day in the Florida sun watching paintball, you’re likely to get away with just paying the bare minimum for food and drinks as well as merchandise. Extras 3 The facility features several vendors for kids to keep them entertained during the event. Fans also can get up close to the fields in the back, which is equivalent to curtsied seating, for free. Finally, there is a massive party on Sunday night that features raffles and giveaways and is available for all to attend. Final Thoughts This may not be on everyone’s radar when looking at Florida sports, but NXL World Cup paintball is definitely a unique event in Orlando. Providing free parking and free general admission access is unique in sports and, given that this event is a yearly occurrence, showcases the fanbase that exists and helps propel the sport forward. No doubt this is a unique competition that the whole family can enjoy, whether you’re a diehard paintball participant or someone who has never watched a single competition.

Photos by Greg Venuto and Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Total Mortgage Arena 600 Main St Bridgeport, CT 06604 Bridgeport Islanders website Total Mortgage Arena website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 8,412 Hard Times In Bridgeport The Bridgeport Islanders are in their fourth season since changing their nickname from Sound Tigers to Islanders and the third full season since the arena changed its naming rights to Total Mortgage Arena in March of 2022. The Islanders made another move this year and changed their logo to the Fisherman logo once worn by the parent New York Islanders in the 1990s. The logo was once ridiculed by media types who dubbed it the “Gorton’s Fisherman” and NY Rangers fans followed with the derisive “We want fish sticks” chant. The arena, which is owned by Harbor Yards Sports and Entertainment, is still a more than respectable facility to watch AHL hockey or any sporting event or show. While the arena is legit, the product on the ice has been substandard. The arena is not nearly as busy as it used to be. Fairfield University Men’s and Women’s basketball moved their games back to the campus with the opening of a new facility. Sacred Heart was playing its hockey games in Bridgeport but moved back to its new campus arena in January of 2023. The upcoming event calendar shows not much other than Islanders games. The arena does host The Harlem Globetrotters, Disney on Ice, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks, and occasional concerts and comedy shows. The Islanders, who play in the Atlantic Division, have struggled to make the playoffs recently (last appearance 2019) and have not made a run at the Calder Cup since their inaugural season of 2001-2002 when they lost to the Chicago Wolves in five games. Food & Beverage 4 On opening night, the Islanders, in partnership with Sodexo Live! and Total Mortgage Arena, released eight brand-new food items, including bacon cheddar tater tots, boneless wings, fried Oreos, and Crumbl cookies. There is plenty of traditional fare to choose from including pizza, chicken fingers, hot dogs, french fries, nachos, and churros. The portable food carts are welcome and keep wait times to a minimum. Coca-Cola products are the soft drink beverage of choice. The best places to hang out are Fanatics Sportsbook and the Mason’s Bar. Fanatics has a multitude of screens showing games from around the country. The bar is cashless serves a multitude of beers and high-end cocktails and offers betting kiosks. The Sportsbook is open every day from 11:30 AM to 10 PM. Mason's is located on the third floor above section 102 and offers a variety of beers, canned cocktails, wine, and spirits. It also has televisions for watching sports. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere was tough to completely evaluate as this visit was on a Wednesday night. There were fewer attempts to engage the crowd, most likely due to the small crowd, although the fans always get fired up for the T-shirt toss. The huge HD Scoreboard is crystal clear and the sound system is solid. Storm, the team’s mascot, roams around the arena and will always stop for a selfie. The Islanders enforce a “puck in play policy” that fans cannot enter the seating area while the game is in progress. That rule seems a bit overzealous due to the small crowd size. The must-see attraction for families is the inflatables and games at the atrium including a chance to shoot at a small goal, a connect four game, and two corn hole setups. The team store is situated adjacent to the game area. The arena has 33 executive suites, 1,300 club seats, and 3 hospitality suites. Neighborhood 3 The downtown area can be a bit desolate at night but strides have been made to revitalize the area. The Ballpark at Harbor Yard was situated next to Total Mortgage Arena until 2017 but when its tenant (Bridgeport Bluefish) ceased operations the ballpark was converted to a concert venue known as Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater which opened July 28, 2021. Downtown Bridgeport proper is located on the other side of Interstate 95. The area is home to many of the city’s arts, entertainment, and cultural offerings including the Bijou Theatre, BPT Creates, Downtown Cabaret, Stress Factory Comedy Club, City Lights Gallery, the Barnum Museum, and the Housatonic Museum of Art. In addition to the businesses, restaurant options include Ralph N Rich’s (a four-minute walk) offering Italian food, and Brewport, a large brewpub serving brick oven pizza and quality craft beers just an eight-minute walk. Fans 2 The arena used to draw decent weekend crowds but numbers have fallen a bit in the past few years. On the positive side, the Islanders are averaging 3,577 per game which is seventh lowest in the league but better than the 3,167 mark from last season. Bridgeport regularly ranks near the bottom of the AHL rankings in terms of attendance. The Islanders have been averaging over 4,000 fans for Saturday night games this season. The team relies heavily on local towns and school outings to bring in bigger crowds. Hopefully, the crowds increase once the holiday season is over. The team might need to increase its ground game and promote better to the local communities. The Islanders, led by Storm, often visit local schools, libraries, and town events to enhance their visibility which leads to more group outings at Total Mortgage Arena. Access 5 The arena is super accessible situated right off Interstate 95. From the North take exit 27B toward Harbor Yard/L.I. Ferry/Trans Center. From the South take exit 27, come down the ramp, and follow the signs for a block to the arena. Parking is available in a surface lot across the street from the arena or in a parking garage next to the arena. Those looking for free parking can find on-street parking within a short walk of the arena. The area around the arena is well-lit and safe. The city is located 60 miles northeast of New York City, an hour’s drive south of Hartford, and 20 minutes from New Haven. Amtrak’s northeast corridor trains pass directly behind the arena, with the station only a couple of city blocks from the arena. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Islanders games start at $21.50 for end zone seats and progress to a high of $76 for first-row seats on the sides. Bar Stool seats behind the goal run from $33-$45. One tip, Sections 114-116 behind the benches have padded seats. With the small crowds present at Total Mortgage Arena, it’s possible to spread out and move around a bit. Family packs offer an affordable night of entertainment including pre-game festivities, in-game promotions, and hockey. Packages start as low as $99. And includes four seats, four hot dogs, and four fountain drinks. Parking costs $17 in the garage adjacent to the arena and the two lots a block away. The garage and outdoor lots are cashless, but the transit garage is cash-only. There is free on-street parking available, but fans need to arrive early to get those spots. Concessions are a bit on the high side but in line with other venues in the New York City area. Extras 2 One point is for the Bar Stool sitting behind the goal that the Islanders defend twice. The elevated view is perfect and offers a private location with only three rows in one section and one row in the other two. The other point is for $2 Wednesdays. Hot dogs, cans of beer, and popcorn are all $2 each until the start of the second period. Final Thoughts A Bridgeport Islanders game is a worthy night of entertainment for everyone. The only issue is getting more people to know about it and into the building.

Photos by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 War Memorial Stadium E Grand Ave & N 22nd St Laramie, WY 82071 Wyoming Cowboys website War Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 29,181 At Home on the Range The bucking bronco evokes images of the Wild West when the United States was expanding through the Rocky Mountains during the late Nineteenth Century. The University of Wyoming’s logo is a bucking bronco (“Steamboat”) that pays homage to the state’s rich history during the United States’ westward expansion. The Steamboat logo is ubiquitous at the University of Wyoming’s Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium – and on imagery throughout the state. This stadium debuted on the Laramie campus in 1950 between two ranges of the Rocky Mountains: the Snowy Range to the west and the Laramie Range to the east. "The War," as the Wyoming faithful call it, has received several updates since opening. None of these modifications have materially altered the War’s look or feel. The Wildcatter Stadium Club and Suites opened in 2010, providing indoor seating and luxury boxes. The University renovated the War’s playing surface in 2013 and added a new scoreboard behind the south end zone in 2016. In 2018, the McMurry High Altitude Performance Center opened just beyond the north end zone. It houses much of the football program’s infrastructure and, built in sandstone in Romanesque Revival style like many campus buildings, sets the backdrop to action at that end of the field. The War can also make several other claims. Sitting at 7,220 feet above sea level, the War is the highest NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision stadium in the country. It is the largest sports venue in the State of Wyoming and the state’s only college football venue. The War seats 29,181 loud and fervent fans, providing an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams and an enjoyable experience for nonpartisan college football fans looking to see a game in a picturesque location. Food & Beverage 3 The food at the War is generally good. A cup of Wyoming’s famous Chugwater Chili can be purchased for $5 at several concession stands throughout the War, as well as from a food truck on ground level in the stadium’s southeast corner. The made-to-order jackalope taco (a ground beef taco in a large, soft tortilla) sells for $9.75, while a burrito, nachos, and taco salad go for $11.75 apiece. Not into western or southwestern-themed food? The War also has a sushi and steak concession stand selling freshly made California rolls ($8), veggie rolls ($7), and shrimp tempura ($11). The hot dog ($4) is fine, too, but the bratwurst ($5) is cold and inedible. Individual pepperoni and cheese pan pizzas from Pizza Hut sell for $7. The War sells Pepsi products, with 20-ounce bottles and fountain soda going for $4, while souvenir soda mugs are $6 apiece with $3 refills. Bottled water and Gatorade also sell for $4 for a 20-ounce bottle. Red Bull products are available for $5 a can, providing jolts of energy for fans battling the aftereffects of a late night, the rigors of aging, or both. A surprisingly large variety of beer and hard seltzer is available at the War. Beer stands are available throughout the stadium, selling craft beer on tap for $8 and domestic beer on tap for $7. Cowboy State Brewing, launched in 2017 by Wyoming natives to provide the University of Wyoming’s concession stands with craft beer, sells its flagship beer, CSB Gold, throughout the stadium. The Kona Brewing Company’s Big Wave Golden Ale and several Breckenridge Brewing beers are offered. The familiar cavalcade of brews can be found, as well: Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Light, Michelob Ultra, and Busch Light. Atmosphere 4 Wyoming is the least populated state in the U.S., with approximately 577,000 residents. Despite that fact, the Cowboys’ fanbase has a passion that far exceeds its numbers. Fans come from all parts of Wyoming to cheer on the state’s highest profile team. Though the Cowboys do not sell out every home game, they enjoy a loyal following that gets loud at the right times and can intimidate visiting teams. The War has opposing grandstands on its east and west sides, with room beyond each end zone for fans to stand at field level. The Cowboys have a robust tailgating scene, and the Pepsi Pregame Zone serves as a covered, climate-controlled pregame alternative in the indoor practice facility just to the War’s northeast. The area just outside the entrance to the High Altitude Performance Center is worth a pregame visit. Fans can cheer on the players from a close distance as they take the field before the start of each half or pose for photos with Wyoming’s live mascots. The Wyoming Athletics Department has designated midfield, lower-level seats as the student section. More schools should reserve premium seating for the students. Doing so creates a better atmosphere, although it does displace high-paying donors. The War does not have any obstructed seating and there is not a bad seat on either side. Neighborhood 4 The War sits at the University of Wyoming campus’s southeast corner, along Laramie’s Grand Avenue. With a student enrollment of approximately 10,000, the entire campus is within walking distance of the War. The Cowboy football team’s original home, Prexy’s Pasture, now serves as UW’s quad, ringed by academic buildings. Prexy’s Pasture is a main thoroughfare for students as they travel through campus between classes (though some less hearty alums report finding indoor routes through buildings around the pasture that enabled them to escape Laramie’s cold winter weather). Another campus highlight: a life-sized, copper statue of a Tyrannosaurus rex that has greeted visitors to UW’s Geological Museum for more than 50 years. Former UW professor Samuel “Doc” Knight spent 4,000 hours building the campus icon. Downtown Laramie is an easy, five-minute drive west from the War. This historic neighborhood has shops, bars, and restaurants in buildings, some of which operate in buildings far older than anyone reading this review. The Buckhorn Bar and Parlor is one such example. It has been a stalwart in Downtown Laramie since 1900, with a bullet hole still in place after an agitated patron fired shots in the bar (“I Survived the Buckhorn” t-shirts, with an image of a bullet hole in a mirror, sell for $21). Around the corner on the same block, Elmer Lovejoy’s fronts the Union Pacific rail yard and serves quality bar and southwestern food. Closer to campus and east of the War, Grand Avenue has several chain hotels and the amount of fast-food and fast-casual restaurants as one would expect so close to one of I-80’s off-ramps. Fans 3 Even in the 2021 season, during which the Cowboys went 6-6 (and congruently, 3-3 at home), large crowds still came to the War. The semiannual Border War game with Colorado State routinely sells out and is always charged, as the schools are only an hour’s drive apart along U.S. Highway 287. Access 3 There are two, primary routes to the War for those coming from outside Laramie: from the east on Interstate 80 or from the west on Interstate 80. Parking can be purchased ahead of time for two lots adjacent to the War and fans should do that because of a paucity of signage directing fans where to park without passes. Although signs around the War note that parking information can be found at 1670 on the AM radio dial, there is nothing broadcast on that frequency. Fans can park for free on some of the streets around the War and in some campus lots and those areas provide better options for those who did not prepurchase a parking pass. Ticket takers and security lines move quickly with friendly staff. Once inside, the War has plenty of room to move around. Both the east and west grandstands have seating in the lower deck or in the upper deck. Circular ramps connect the lower levels with the upper and, although the ramps are steep, motorized carts shuttle fans who do not want to walk. The War’s upper reaches provide nice views of the surrounding mountains. Concession stands are placed primarily under each grandstand (on the lower level) or behind each grandstand (on the upper level). Because the War is an older stadium, fans cannot view the field while waiting in line for most concessions, but lines move quickly. The bar area underneath the large scoreboard on the stadium’s south side is a very pleasant place to get a drink and watch the game from ground level. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Wyoming football are as good a deal as a fan will find. Single-game tickets in 2021 ranged in starting price from $29 to $49, for the Cowboys’ “Border War” rivalry game with Colorado State. Season tickets in 2021 sold starting at $159 per seat, with the most expensive being $235 a seat. Wyoming even offers a child’s season ticket (ages 3-12) for $89. With free parking on the streets contiguous to the War, the experience is a solid bargain. Extras 4 The War receives a point for maintaining its vital role as a memorial dedicated to the men and women who served in the U.S. armed forces during World War II. The War opened in 1950 but in the interim, the university has not forgotten the stadium’s purpose. The university in 2017 relocated its existing Veterans Memorial Plaza to a location between the War and the indoor practice facility. The “World War II Soldier’s Cross” statue and a 20th Century Wyoming Veteran’s Memorial commemorate the Wyomingites who served the United States in the military and merits a visit. Another point is awarded for the university’s recognition at the War of one of a sad but important moment in Wyoming football history, the Black 14. In October 1969, fourteen African American football players asked head coach Lloyd Eaton to meet with them. The players sought Eaton’s permission to wear black armbands during the team’s upcoming home game against Brigham Young University, protesting the policy (rescinded in 1978) that prohibited African Americans from serving as priests in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Eaton had a team policy that prevented players from participating in demonstrations and dismissed all 14 players from the team at the end of that meeting. In 2019, marking the 50-year anniversary, eight of the 11 living players returned to Laramie and were honored on campus. A marker on the War’s east façade memorializes the important story of the Black 14 – even though the saga likely represents the program’s lowest moment. The marker is placed near the ticket windows and keeps alive a critical part of the Cowboys’ history. The Cowboy-themed public art in and around the War earns a third point. This is a great and unexpected aspect of attending a game at the War. The bronze “Breakin’ Through” statue on 22nd Street, southeast of the War, depicts a female rider and her horse busting through a sandstone wall. Horse and rider measure almost 16 feet tall and almost eight feet wide, while the wall stands approximately 20 feet high. A statue of a cowboy aboard Steamboat, the horse whose silhouette has served as UW’s logo since the early 20th Century, stands north of the War and a smaller version stands between the High Altitude Training Center and the north end zone; players touch it entering and exiting the field, and fans do the same as they walk by. Finally, and perhaps most enjoyably, UW’s equine mascots collect a fourth point. Cowboy Joe V, a Shetland pony, is the Cowboys’ live mascot. A team of student handlers tends to Cowboy Joe and runs through the end zone with him after each UW score. During pregame, Cowboy Joe and the handlers greet fans on the small lawn outside the High Altitude Training Center along with a horse named “War Paint” and his rider, who lead the Cowboys onto the field at the start of each half. Final Thoughts Wyoming has created a fun game day experience that summons imagery of the state’s western heritage with a historically tough brand of football. With Cowboy Joe and War Paint pacing the sidelines, UW has successfully given life to the iconic Steamboat logo that appears on the players’ helmets and on the War’s field. Follow Matt Finnigan’s stadium journeys on Twitter @mattfinniganco .

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Slush Puppie Place 1 Tragically Hip Way Kingston, ON K7K 0B4 Kingston Frontenacs website Slush Puppie Place website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 5,614 Hip at the Fort Editor's Note: Leon's Centre was renamed as Slush Puppie Place in February 2024 The Kingston Frontenacs were in serious trouble. The writing was on the wall. If the City of Kingston would not partner with the Frontenacs for a new arena to get them away from the aging Kingston Memorial Centre, then the Ontario Hockey League franchise would be forced to find greener pastures. Fortunately, the City of Kingston stepped up and in 2008, the K-Rock Centre opened to the public. With much fanfare, the arena opened on the site of the original Fort Frontenac, a 17th century trading post, right in beautiful downtown Kingston. Hockey personality and Kingston native, Don Cherry would drop the first puck for the Frontenacs and the next chapter in Kingston hockey was born. In 2018, the city would sign a naming rights deal with Leon’s Furniture Ltd. for five years. Although many would point to Cherry or team president and former Toronto Maple Leaf legend Doug Gilmour, as the first sons of Kingston, what is currently known as the Leon’s Centre would open to a set of even bigger Kingston legends. The first performance at the arena would be a concert by the iconic Canadian band, The Tragically Hip. So iconic and revered in the community are The Hip, that the address of the Leon’s Centre has since been changed to 1 Tragically Hip Way. Perhaps the most significant date in the young lifespan of Leon’s Centre was August 20, 2016. Before succumbing to brain cancer, Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip would perform in a nationally televised concert, the final one for the band. Junior hockey in Kingston dates back to the forties with the Kingston Victorias, who were eventually renamed the Frontenacs, after Louis de Buade de Frontenac, Governor General of New France in the 1600s. The current franchise would join the OHA as the Kingston Canadians. They would be renamed the Kingston Raiders for one season before being sold. After the sale of the team, the return of the Frontenacs would usher in a new era for the team. Current owner Doug Springer would purchase the team in 1998. Although the Fronts have not enjoyed a ton of success on the ice, with only two East Division Championships to show for their efforts, the Frontenacs experience has improved significantly and remains a great option for sports fans. Food & Beverage 4 The concession options at Leon’s Centre will not leave fans hungry. The nine concession stands that are on the 100 and 300 levels offer a wide variety of culinary treats. All of the expected items can be found including popcorn, hot dogs, burgers and chicken fingers. Smoke’s Poutinerie has a presence at Leon’s Centre to treat fans with a variety of poutines, fries, hot dogs and burgers. The Craft Brew & BBQ stand offers fresh BBQ options like pulled pork and the Pizza Pizza stand offers slices. Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice at Leon’s Centre and bottled water, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and slushies can also be found. A pregame spot to stop for a drink inside the Leon’s Centre would be the Molson Brew House which offers a full bar as well as wine, beer and ciders. Prices are not out of line for an OHL venue. Atmosphere 5 Leon’s Centre offers an atmosphere for Frontenacs hockey that is among the best in the OHL. Outside of the arena, in the northwest corner sits actual ruins from the original Fort Frontenac. Across Ontario Street is the current Fort Frontenac, which is a Canadian Military venue. The exterior of Leon’s Centre is attractive with light coloured brick. The south side of Leon’s Centre is Tragically Hip Way, a portion of Barrack Street that Kingston City Council renamed in honour of the famous Kingston band. Inside the concourses of Leon’s Centre fans will have the opportunity to check out some of the local flavour. The pillars in the concourses are all wrapped with photos of big shows in Leon’s Centre history. Bryan Adams, Russell Peters and Gord Downie all have a presence here, just to name a few. A number of local displays and tables are found throughout the concourse, but the Kingston & District Sports Hall of Fame will require a few minutes look. Don Cherry, Doug Gilmour and Kirk Muller all have a presence and more can be found. The exterior of the team store, Frontenacs Originals, features classic jerseys from the original Frontenacs, Canadians and Raiders on display. Team photos for all of the modern era teams can also be explored. Inside the seating bowl, fans will notice the single seating bowl circled by an upper level concourse. The ice surface runs from west to east with the best view of the centre ice logo coming from the south side. A banner on the east side of the building memorializes the final Tragically Hip show in Kingston. On the west side the honoured numbers of Mike O’Connell, Tony McKegney, Brad Rhiness, Ken Linseman, David Ling, Mike Zigomanis and Keli Corpse hang proudly. When the Toronto Maple Leafs replaced their honoured numbers banners the old ones were distributed across the country. It is no surprise that the number 93 of Doug Gilmour from the Air Canada Centre hangs on the west side. The Frontenacs have started a new program where on Remembrance Day, they honour a local veteran. They are memorialized with a banner on the west side entitled the Honourary Captains. Having such a significant military presence as Kingston does, it is another excellent way for the Frontenacs to connect with the community. The game day experience at Leon’s Centre has improved significantly. Much research and work has gone into an improved experience which begins with the pregame rituals. The video presentation is solid and captures a local flavour unlike any other OHL venue. It is clear that the Frontenacs have forged a relationship with Fort Henry as the historic, military motif is felt throughout the presentation. Some of the clips are even filmed at the fort. Live mascot Cap’n Frank pontificates the importance of the city and the game on the ice before The Battery, the local drumline, welcomes the Frontenacs on the ice as they enter through an inflatable fortress. The Trevor Walsh Group plays during intermissions and before games and Barrack, the Frontenacs mascot, can be found interacting with fans around the arena. The Frontenacs should complete the local feel with a goal song which is original and local, probably one by The Hip. Neighbourhood 5 You can’t find a neighbourhood in junior hockey better than the surrounding area in downtown Kingston In just the immediate area alone there are a ton of food options. All are easily within walking distance of the Leon’s Centre. Head to Princess Street and you will find what you are looking for. In recent years the Kingston downtown has been hit with the major restaurant chains and those are easy to find right nearby. Jack Astor’s, The Keg, Milestones and Lone Star Texas Grill are all right there and all safe, well-known bets. If you are looking for something a little different, and something uniquely Kingston you will not have to venture far. Some options to consider include The Toucan, Chez Piggy, The Merchant Tap House, Wooden Heads, Grizzly Grill, and The Public House. This is just a small sampling of what is available to you. Make sure that you save time either before or after the Fronts game to do some investigating and check out the food options downtown. Kingston is a bit more of a summer tourist city, but there are plenty of things to do here. The Leon’s Centre is right across the street from the waterfront. The ferry to Wolf Island Provincial Park is right there as are the meeting spots for the Kingston Trolley Tours and Kingston 1000 Island Cruise tours. Confederation Park is also right downtown and is a terrific meeting spot when waiting for friends. Across the water you can see the campus of the Royal Military College of Canada and just beyond that is Old Fort Henry. The college influence is not lost on Kingston and there are a ton of spots to catch some live music on Princess Street. If you are looking for other sporting options in Kingston, there are a few. Other cultural endeavours you may wish to consider include the Pump House Steam Museum and the Kingston Penitentiary Museum. The RMC Paladins play hockey at Constantine Arena, which is just across the bridge from Leon’s Centre. The other main options would be found with the athletic teams from Queen’s University. The Queen’s Gaels football team plays at Richardson Memorial Stadium , which was recently renovated. The Gaels basketball team plays on campus in the Athletics and Recreation Centre and the hockey team plays in the former home of the Frontenacs, the Kingston Memorial Centre . There are also a ton of places to stay downtown. Three you may wish to consider include the Delta, Holiday Inn and Confederation Place. All are mere steps from the Leon’s Centre and the heart of downtown Kingston. Although there remains a lot to do in Kingston throughout the year, the best time to catch a game and enjoy the city would definitely be during the opening month. Fans 3 The Frontenacs have felt the sting of not having a great amount of success on the ice. Kingston has welcomed between 3,000 and 4,000 fans on average since 2016. The 2018-2019 season has been a rebuilding one for the team after making a strong run the previous year. As a result, the attendance has fallen significantly and the game that was reviewed was scarcely attended. It is unfortunate as the Frontenacs are working diligently to put together the best possible game day experience. Hopefully some more success on the ice will translate into steadier crowds and a stronger following. Access 3 The Leon’s Centre is located at the St. Lawrence River in downtown Kingston. Getting to this point can prove challenging from those coming from out of town. Downtown is a significant distance from Highway 401, the major highway connecting Southern Ontario. It is near Highway 2, but it is not a really significant highway. Therefore, travellers will have to travel a significant distance through the city of Kingston to get downtown. Be prepared for a plethora of traffic lights. There are Kingston Transit buses that travel along Princess, Brock and Ontario Streets. For those who are interested in public transit, check out the Kingston Transit website for maps, schedules and fares. The Leon’s Centre does not have any parking of its own. Fans who drive to the game will be required to find parking in one of the surface lots near the arena. There is a decent sized parking lot across from the arena, on the other side of The Tragically Hip Way, however it is pretty much a dirt lot and is extremely messy during mild temperatures. Surfaced lots will probably run around $5 for the event, which is not terrible. There are a few entry gates around the arena. They are not huge but do the trick. Ticketing windows operate outside for the most part. If you are needing to wait a bit before the gates open, then waiting in the gate on the northeast side of the arena is probably best. There is early entry for season ticket holders. The concourses are not huge in the Leon’s Centre, however considering the crowd size is normally well below capacity, there is ample space to move around. The lower concourses do not travel 360 degrees and at either end of the arena you will have to turn around. The washroom facilities in the Leon’s Centre are also adequate for the experience. Return on Investment 4 As with other OHL experiences, Kingston Frontenacs hockey offers terrific value for the sporting dollar. Tickets for the Fronts will go for between $19 and $22.25. Concession prices are not too troublesome and parking isn’t awful either. Junior hockey offers a terrific product on the ice. Although the Frontenacs aren’t terrific on the ice in 2019, the cyclical nature of Junior Hockey ensures that the Fronts will be back challenging for the post season soon enough. Extras 3 An extra mark for the best neighbourhood in all of Junior Hockey. There is not really a better spot to be than downtown Kingston. A great tourist spot with a terrific nightlife and a grand history. An extra mark for the Leon’s Centre being built on the site of the original Fort Frontenac and incorporating the ruins as part of the site and maintaining the heritage. An extra mark for the work the Fronts have done in their pregame show. Definitely unique in Junior Hockey, the Frontenacs are pushing the entertainment envelope in the OHL. Final Thoughts Kingston is one of the truly great places to visit in Ontario. The Kingston Frontenacs can be a part of a stop in Kingston and the Leon’s Centre is a solid facility. The Fronts are pushing the envelope in what fans can expect for a game day experience and the product on the ice can only get better. Hockey fans should definitely take a trip to Eastern Ontario to the historic, vibrant city of Kingston and make plans to catch the Fronts in action. There will be no regrets. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Photos by Andy Pregler, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Schoellkopf Field 513 Campus Rd Ithaca, NY 14853 Cornell Big Red football website Schoellkopf Field website Year Opened: 1915 Capacity: 25,597 Big Red Review of Schoellkopf Field Nestled in the rolling hills of Central New York is Cornell, a school known just as much for its academics as the beautiful plot of land the campus occupies. Tucked away on this historic campus is also a historic football stadium. Schoellkopf Field has been the home of the Big Red since opening in 1915. Now in its 98th season, the field has one of the most unique architectural features of a stadium that you'll find. The eastern stands are a huge sloping arch (aptly named "The Crescent) that from the outside, model a coliseum. The Crescent was added in 1924 as one of the eight main renovations the stadium has undergone. The largest crowd recorded at Schoellkopf Field was 35,300 when the Big Red defeated the Michigan Wolverines in 1951. Since 1970, the largest crowd Schoellkopf Field has seen was 23,000 when Cornell defeated Columbia in 1971. Cornell has five National Championships with the last coming in 1939. The Big Red also has three Ivy League championships with the last coming in 1990. Food & Beverage 3 The food offerings here are comparable to almost any other stadium across the country. The key is knowing what side of the stadium to go to. On the west stands beneath the press box, there are just two concession stands (in reality just one that is divided into two) that features the bare minimum of offerings: peanuts, candy, popcorn, pretzels, sodas, hot coffee, chocolate and teas. Ironically enough, these are the stands where most of the visiting fans and band sit! Under The Crescent is where to satisfy your in-game cravings. There are three large concession areas all with many more offerings. These include burgers, hot dogs, sausage, chili, chili dogs, cheese dogs, chicken fingers, fries and slushies along with the same offerings from the west stands. All of the food is priced fairly between $2-$7 dollars. Since Schoellkopf Field is an in-campus facility, no beer or alcohol is available on campus. Atmosphere 2 When you drive into Ithaca, you can't help but smile at just how beautiful and tranquil the area is. It brings you back to small town USA. This is similar to how I would describe the football game atmosphere. Before the action started, I found one small tailgate in the lot adjacent to the east stands near the band building. The marching band performs for the fans before marching into the stadium. As I wandered the stadium, it felt as if most of the fans for both sides were families of the players or families from the area looking for a way to create new young fans of the game of football. Talking to ushers, you immediately comprehend that they know most of the fans on a first name basis. The bands for Brown (visiting team) and Cornell were both active instead of the usual hard rock/pop music over a sound system. The stadium's scoreboard is located in south end zone and while it doesn't have all of the extra bells and whistles of jumbotrons, it does show a high quality video of the action on the field. And I'll give the cheerleaders for Cornell credit; they are loud and into the game even if the fans they are cheering to are not. Neighborhood 4 The area immediately around the Cornell campus will only keep you in the area longer. It's a built up area intended to cater to the students at the school and thus offers many choices when it comes to food and drink. I made a venture into the College Town area with a friend who goes to the school. It's a few (admittedly crammed) streets full of restaurants, coffee shops and student apartments just a five minute drive/fifteen minute walk from the stadium. If you like Greek/Mediterranean food, Aladdin's has fantastic authentic food at a good price with a nice selection of bottled beers and wines. If that's not your scene, Agava is a Mexican restaurant on the other side of campus that serves upscale Mexican food. If you venture into downtown Ithaca, multiple people have recommended the Ithaca Ale House. It's a place with great pub food and local beers and TV's for all sporting events. Fans 2 As seen in many of the pictures above, there were not great numbers when Cornell took on Brown in Oct, 2013. In fairness, it was the first weekend that Central New York was hit with "football weather," the trademarked cool temperatures with biting winds. Most of the seats taken are in between the thirty yard lines in the center part of The Crescent, which offer the best view of the entire field. However, almost no one was at the lowest section, leading many high schoolers to stand over the railing for a time. The cheerleaders are positioned in front of the band for most of the game as there is no discernible student section to be found. At this game, those who did brave the cold knew their football and were incredibly friendly and familiar with Cornell football. Some of the most unique views and seats are found as you walk the upper-most concourse on that east set of stands; there are folding chairs set up to watch from on top of The Crescent and have a bird's eye view of the action. Access 3 It is not my attempt at creative writing, when I say that Ithaca is nestled in the hills of Central New York. You exit I-81 at Cortland and proceed to take the New York State routes through Cortland and the winding hills and towns between the highway and Ithaca. It the fall, this drive is absolutely gorgeous with the changing leaves which perfectly coincide with football weather. It's best to find your way to Hoy Road as this will lead you to the campus entrance closest to Schoellkopf Field. After you've navigated your way to Cornell's campus, there is plenty of free parking just off the campus. However, on campus parking is cheap and available at lots scattered throughout the school or in the Hoy Garage. If you can nab a metered parking spot in the Garage, both the baseball field and Schoellkopf Field are adjacent to the garage. The garage will bring you to the northwest corner of the stadium, where you can find the visiting team's fan section and bleacher seating. Just walk around the north end zone and you'll be over at the west stands where most of the Cornell faithful will be and where I discovered the small tailgate with the band. Return on Investment 4 With adult admission seating at just $10, Schoellkopf Field offers tremendous value. You can grab great seats for your whole family for under $40 with their children rates, and food won't break the bank either. Factor in the wonderful neighborhood, the scenic drive and sights around the area and the relatively workable prices of food in the area and that weekend trip to Ithaca can be complimented with a quick swing to Schoellkopf to see some D1 football action. Extras 3 When you grab your seat at Schoellkopf Field, you'll notice a brick building in the north end zone modeled after an older style mansion but clearly much newer. This is the Schoellkopf Memorial Football Building where the offices of all of the coaches and staff are found as well as the teams locker rooms. The bottom level is where you'll find the band room and locker rooms and are off limits to the public. However, the top level is where you'll find the offices and a Hall of Fame area, commemorating legends of Cornell football. There is also a dining area for "select fans" with seating available on the terrace for these fans. Final Thoughts There is a special charm to Ithaca, NY and the Cornell campus. While it isn't an area that screams passion for football, Schoellkopf Field is a historic stadium with character that offers a family friendly atmosphere to watch a collegiate football game with all of the extras that make collegiate football different from anything else. Couple this with the friendly staff and fans and there is no reason not to swing by and watch the Big Red play if you're in the area for a weekend.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 The Wolves’ Den 1801 E Cotati Ave Rohnert Park, CA 94928 Sonoma State Seawolves website The Wolves’ Den website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 2,000 Wine Country Volleyball While the Sonoma area may be better known for being part of California’s wine country, or home to Sonoma Raceway, often overlooked Sonoma State University provides a sports haven for college athletics fans who don’t want to drive an hour or more to watch Cal. Here, inside the halls of Sonoma State’s The Wolves’ Den, you can watch some top quality college volleyball for a small price in the quiet serenity of wine country. Food & Beverage 2 There isn’t much at the concessions stand, but thankfully it won’t break your bank either. Drinks are limited to water or soda for $2 or Gatorade for $3. For food, nachos ($4) and hot dogs ($3) are the biggest items, with popcorn ($1), candy ($1.50), chips ($1.50), or a cookie ($1.75) as the only other options available. Nevertheless, the staff are always friendly and helpful and the food never comes out cold. And unlike many small concessions stands, they accept credit cards without a purchase minimum. Atmosphere 3 The interior of The Wolves’ Den is reminiscent of 1980’s California architecture for large buildings. Giant concrete and cement walls, accented wood paneling for the ceiling, and sound-absorbing panels mounted on all the walls. With the acoustics inside, even a modest crowd can sound like a full house for Sonoma State. In addition, the close proximity of the seats to the benches mean the fans get a great view of the coaching staff during the game, as well as the bench. Neighborhood 4 There are few areas in the United States more beautiful than California’s wine country. Nestled outside of Santa Rosa, Sonoma State University is a campus with lots of foliage and greenery to contrast the brown of California’s hills in the dry months. There are countless wineries not far from the school, meaning your visit will be chock full of places to visit. Popular attractions include Jack London State Historic Park and Matanzas Creek Winery. For hotels, nearby locations include Graton Resort and Kenwood Inn & Spa. For eating, not much tops In-N-Out Burger in Rohnert Park or Sushiko. Fans 3 The fans at Sonoma State are loyal like most colleges, and they cheer on their team as if they were a mid-major division I college. Most fans are family or friends of the players and staff, though there is a decent student turnout during most games. A lot of youth athletes will come watch as well, hoping to pick up some skills by watching college level play. Access 3 Getting to Sonoma State University can be a hassle thanks to California’s notorious traffic. Just a few miles away from Highway 101, the campus is on the east side of Rohnert Park. Once on campus, plenty of signs help direct you around the property, making finding the gymnasium easy to find. However, one must look for signs that say gymnasium and athletic facilities instead of something name-specific. Once you have arrived, parking is plentiful and free on site. Return on Investment 3 Kids 12 and under are free to games, while visiting students pay just $5 with their ID. A reserved seat is $10 while general admission runs just $7. Adding this to the free parking on site and the inexpensive concessions, and you can take your friends and family out to watch college volleyball without spending a ton of money. While getting there is a bit off the main highways of the greater bay area, a visit can still yield an enjoyable time for fans. Extras 3 Outside the arena’s entry doors lie the three main points of interest here. First is the massive trophy case for the school. From numerous athletic NCAA National Championship trophies to individual medals, these large cases show that Sonoma State is a school with a lot to be proud of athletically. Across the hall from these cases is the college’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Here you can see some of the great names that have passed through Sonoma State’s halls over the years. Beyond this, fans can step outside into the beautiful courtyard for a breath of fresh air under some trees. This quiet and serene spot is a lovely addition to the arena and contrasts the game action well just steps away. Final Thoughts Taking in a college volleyball game at Sonoma State University is something you can easily do for little out of pocket expense. Going to a game is a great option for the family, and the fun factor can be high for all attending as the game intensifies. Sonoma State may not be NCAA Division I, but they sure play and party like they are, meaning the fan experience is not one to be overlooked. Where some may see something average and uneventful, a visit to Sonoma State is always one that can leave even the most modest of sports fans with a smile on their face.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Schneider Arena 331 Huxley Ave Providence, RI 02908 Providence College Friars men’s hockey website Schneider Arena website Year Opened: 1973 Capacity: 3,030 50 Years of Friar Puck Schneider Arena is a small on-campus hockey arena located in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as home to Providence College’s men’s and women’s varsity hockey teams. In addition, many local youth teams call Schneider Arena home, as do the Rhode Island Interscholastic State Championships. The arena was named after the Reverend Herman D. Schneider, O.P., the founder of Providence College hockey and a longtime teacher at the school. It was built to bring the popular Friars hockey team back on campus, as they played their home games at various rinks around Providence, including the old Rhode Island Auditorium. Ironically, before 1973, the school’s basketball team played on campus at Alumni Hall, and the hockey team played off campus. In 1973 the basketball team moved off campus to play at the Providence Civic Center and the hockey team moved back on campus into Schneider Arena. The Friars compete in the Hockey East conference along with many of the top teams in New England. They have qualified for 15 NCAA tournaments, reaching the Frozen Four on five occasions. Providence College won the national championship in 2015. 45 Friar alumni have played in the National Hockey League. Food & Beverage 4 There are a pair of concession stands in Schneider Arena’s lobby. They feature your basic arena food, including hot dogs, pizza slices, chicken tenders and nachos. There’s a good selection of snacks, including pretzels, assorted candies, popcorn, giant cookies, and even hummus. To sample Schneider Arena’s marquee menu items, fans must leave the arena and head outside, where local favorite Saugy Hot Dogs operates a food truck. They serve up some of their signature specialty dogs here. Under the Calabria Pavilion of Champions, fans will find a selection of Chick-fil-A sandwiches. You’ll have plenty of time to duck outside during intermission, grab a bite to eat and be back at your seat for faceoff! The pavilion is even open in the cold winter months, as it comes equipped with heaters. Coca Cola products are sold at Schneider Arena. Fans looking for an adult beverage will find Bud Light, Narragansett Lager and Whalers Rise IPA along with Black Box wines and High Noon Peach Hard Seltzer sold at the concession stands. Atmosphere 3 With Schneider Arena’s tiny size and low roof, you would think it would be a loud place with an intimidating atmosphere for visitors. While Providence College has had a lot of success over the years at home, Schneider Arena is not as intimidating a venue as perhaps it should be. We at Stadium Journey often say that the atmosphere at a college game is driven entirely by the student section and pep band. While the pep band does their thing throughout the game and there’s a good turnout by the student body, they don’t make a whole lot of noise and are quite reserved when compared to other student sections in the area. Even worse, many of the students leave well before the end of the game, no matter the score. Schneider Arena is a very attractive facility, with several murals decorating the walls, and a crisp four-sided video board hanging at center ice. This board is put to good use with replays, graphics and crowd shots. Younger fans in attendance will certainly enjoy the trivia contests, youth team skates, and other diversions presented during play stoppages. Since the 2023-24 season is Schneider’s 50th, videos highlighting the arena’s history are featured. Neighborhood 3 Schneider Arena is located on the northern edge of the Providence College campus, near many of the school’s other athletic facilities, including Anderson Stadium . The Elmhurst neighborhood where Providence College is located is a residential neighborhood, so visiting fans will need to venture out a bit to find some of the city’s excellent dining, entertainment and lodging options. Luckily, downtown Providence is only about two miles from the PC campus. In addition to all the city’s attractions, the Amica Mutual Pavilion , home of the Friars basketball team, is located here. For fans wanting to stay near campus, Stadium Journey recommends The Abbey, known for their collection of signature burgers and selection of 92 draft beers. Otherwise, we recommend you head downtown towards Federal Hill, Providence’s version of Little Italy, for more great dining options. Fans 3 The Friars annually average about 2,500 fans per game at Schneider Arena, which ranks them solidly in the middle of the nationwide Division One attendance rankings. Unlike many schools in this part of the country, hockey is not the top athletic attraction at the school, as Friar basketball rules the scene at Providence College. Still, hockey fans in Rhode Island are among the most passionate and knowledgeable in the country, and those at Schneider Arena are no exception. You’ll find fans who have been coming to the rink for decades alongside locals. Unfortunately, the student section isn’t as large or as loud as you’d expect. It’s quite a letdown after watching the students stream in before opening faceoff through their own dedicated entrance in the back of the building. With many of the Friars conference foes in Hockey East located close to Providence, you can expect to see a good turnout from visiting fans at Friars games. Likewise, when the annual Mayor’s Cup game against Brown University is held at Schneider Arena, you can expect a filled building and a boisterous atmosphere. Access 3 Given Schneider Arena’s location in a residential neighborhood close to both Interstate 95 and Route 146, most fans drive to Friar hockey games. Parking is plentiful around the arena, either in a small garage adjacent to the facility or on-street. For those fans using public transportation, RIPTA’s number 55 bus has a stop directly next to Schneider Arena, which stops hourly at the facility. Check the RIPTA website for schedules and maps. Recent renovations to Schneider Arena completely reconfigured the facility. Fans will enter a bright, attractive lobby, which contains the concession stands, rest rooms, a souvenir stand and displays honoring Providence College’s long hockey history, including the championship trophy won by the Friars in 2015. Fans will enter the arena through one of three vomitories which lead from the lobby to a walkway which completely encircles the arena. All the seats at Schneider Arena are individual silver stadium seats. The seating bowl is raised about three feet above ice level, putting fans right on top of the action and ensuring excellent sight lines from all seats. Unfortunately, the presence of numerous safety railings and the walkway make some seats less desirable than others. You may want to avoid the first few rows in the upper level due to foot traffic on the walkway. Schneider Arena is a small barn, but it’s easy to get around here. Lines do form at concession stands and rest rooms during intermission, but they move quickly. Return on Investment 3 Providence College utilizes a variable pricing schedule for their games at Schneider Arena. Tickets for most conference games cost $20 per ticket. Some games are priced at $15 per ticket, with selected marquee games priced at $25 per ticket. Free parking is available in a small parking garage adjacent to Schneider Arena as well as on-street all around the facility. Concessions are priced similarly to other area facilities. Extras 5 Extra points are awarded for the displays all around Schneider Arena that honor Providence College hockey’s history. In addition to the 2015 NCAA Championship Trophy proudly displayed in the lobby, there are murals adorning the walls throughout the facility. Providence Frozen Four teams, Olympians, and alumni who have represented their countries in international competition are honored. Plaques commemorating Friar All-Americans, both male and female, line the outer façade of the luxury boxes. Inside the arena, Providence has eschewed the tradition of hanging banners from the rafters. Instead, conference championships, NCAA tournament and Frozen Four appearances by both the men’s and women’s teams are painted directly on the walls of Schneider Arena. An exception is made for the 2015 Championship banner. Retired numbers for Friar legends Lou Lamoriello, Ron Wilson and Cammi Granato are displayed in the lobby and on the walls of the arena. Providence’s mascot, Friar Dom, earns an extra point for being one of the more unique mascots in the country. He can be found interacting with fans and skating on the ice throughout the game. Final Thoughts Providence College is one of the rare New England colleges where hockey is not king of the school’s sports scene. This fact does not diminish Schneider Arena’s charm. This cozy rink is an attractive, affordable place to catch some quality college hockey. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Gregory Koch Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Kessler Stadium 107 Larchwood Ave West Long Branch, NJ 07764 Monmouth Hawks website Kessler Stadium website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 4,200 Blue Hawks of the Jersey Shore Located just a mile from the Atlantic Ocean and 50 miles from New York City, Monmouth University is right in the heart of New Jersey. Kessler Stadium is located on Monmouth's campus and is home to the Hawks' football program. The stadium opened in 1993 and was renovated in in 2017 to expand the capacity to 4,200. Monmouth football has competed in several different conferences in recent years. Until 2013, they were a member of the Northeast Conference in all sports. When the athletic department accepted an invitation to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (better known as the MAAC), the football team had to move elsewhere as the MAAC does not sponsor football. Despite being located in New Jersey, they became a football-only member of the Big South Conference. In 2022, Monmouth joined the CAA for all sports. Then known as the Colonial Athletic Association, the conference chanced its name to the Coastal Athletic Association in 2023. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand at Kessler Stadium, located on the concourse beneath the seats. The menu is pretty basic here. Hot dogs, cheeseburgers, and chicken tenders are the main courses, with the tenders coming with fries. Soft pretzels, popcorn, and nachos are also available, as are candy, chips, and cookies. Bottled soda and water are available to drink. Prices are reasonable, and combos that come with a food item, fries, and a drink can add additional value. Atmosphere 3 Kessler Stadium has seats on only one side of the field, with red flower bushes lining the other side. There are some chairbacks at midfield, and the remainder of the seats are bleachers. A track surrounds the playing field, but all seats still have a great view of the action. The seats should be in the shade for most of the game, which is great on a hot day early in the season, but less so on a chilly day in November. A large videoboard is located behind one end zone, and will be to your left as you sit in the stands. Before the game, it shows a hype video interspersing Monmouth football highlights with players posing for the camera at the Jersey Shore. During the game, it shows the video feed as well as serving as the scoreboard and showing detailed stats for each team. Monmouth has a mascot named Shadow, who unsurprisingly is a Hawk. He hangs out in the stands during the game interacting with fans and is happy to take photos with kids. A marching band plays on the field before the game, but is not too active after that. After the game, they play the Monmouth alma mater. While most fans don't sing along or even know the words, the tune will be instantly recognizable to anyone as it is the same as Beethoven's "Ode to Joy." Neighborhood 4 Located just a mile from the Jersey Shore, there is plenty to do in the vicinity of Monmouth University's campus. Although it is in a residential neighborhood, the beaches of Long Branch are just a five minute drive away. While these won't be helpful later in the season when the temperature of air and ocean is chilly, it is extremely popular early in the season, over Labor Day Weekend before it cools off. Long Branch and West Long Branch offer numerous restaurants, serving everything from tacos to pizza to Portuguese. While it is definitely more lively when the weather is warm, it can be nice to experience the area without the crowds later in the fall. Fans 3 Monmouth football averages a couple thousand fans a game. The stands will be fairly full, but there will still be a lot of empty seats despite the small size. Monmouth's student section sits with the band at the far right side of the bleachers but there do not seem to be too many of them either. This is a pretty standard crowd for the FCS level. They care about the team when they show up, but there simply aren't that many who bother to show up. Access 4 Monmouth University is about 15 minutes off the Garden State Parkway via Exit 105 or a 90 minute train ride from New York City. If you do choose to drive, parking is available in a large lot next to the stadium, but costs $20, cash only, upon entry. Restrooms are located on the concourse and are of a more than sufficient size for the crowd. It is easy to get into and around Kessler Stadium, and getting out after the game is no problem either. Return on Investment 2 Tickets to Monmouth football are $20-$25, depending on whether or not you opt for a chairback. This is about average for FCS on its own. However, you will also have to pay $20 to park, which is unnecessarily expensive, and may pay $5-$10 in tolls on the Parkway or Turnpike, depending on how you get here. Concessions are reasonably affordable, but a Monmouth football game is still more expensive than it probably should be. Extras 1 Look for the team store on the concourse selling Monmouth athletic gear. Final Thoughts A Monmouth football game down the shore is an enjoyable way to spend a fall afternoon in New Jersey. Although you will not find the fanciest stadium or the largest crowds, it is well worth checking out on a Saturday afternoon.

Stadium Info FANFARE: 4.29 PPG Paints Arena 1001 Fifth Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Pittsburgh Penguins website PPG Paints Arena website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 18,087 The House That Mario Built When the Pittsburgh Penguins began back in 1967, they played their games in the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, known as the Igloo. The team was very low on the list of Burgh sports fandom until 1984 when it drafted a kid from Montreal named Mario Lemieux. Even with lengthy breaks due to health issues, Le Magnifique racked up not only Hall of Fame numbers but captained the team to two Stanley Cup victories. However, the team was still in a lot of financial trouble in the late 1990s, to the point that serious discussions ensued about moving the team to Kansas City. Lemieux discovered that he was the Penguins’ biggest creditor, so he came up with a unique solution–create some equity, make deals with local media, and become the Pens’ majority owner in 1999. In 2005, he drafted Nova Scotia native Sidney Crosby, who almost immediately became an NHL superstar. With the team’s popularity skyrocketing, particularly after its 2009 Stanley Cup win, the team worked out a deal for a new arena to replace the Igloo. Opening in 2010 as Consol Energy Center, it was renamed PPG Paints Arena in 2016, the same year that the Pens won the first of their back-to-back Stanley Cups. Eleven years after its opening, the Pens’ continued success means a packed house at the arena just about every game. Food & Beverage 4 Whether you just want a snack or a full-on meal, you can satisfy just about every craving at PPG Paints Arena. Of course, it contains Pittsburgh favorites like Burgatory and Primanti Brothers, but you can also get Smith’s brand hot dogs at the Butcher’s Dog and good barbecue from Smokehouse BBQ. All the arena favorites like nachos and popcorn are well-represented too. A unique feature is an in-house outpost of the GetGo convenience store, where fans can pick up subs, snacks, and drinks. Sadly, arena inflation prevails here, so those $4 mac and cheese bites you get while you’re filling up the car are going to cost $9 here. A hot dog and a domestic beer will run you about $28, but there are so many food options here that you can get something a little more interesting for the same price or less. Atmosphere 5 PPG Paints Arena holds 18,187 for hockey, with great views from every seat, which are all comfortable and well-spaced. Those with balance or mobility issues should note that the upper bowl is very steep, although there are handrails on the staircases. PPG has an excellent HD center-ice screen and two LED ring displays for replays and score updates. Club and loge seats are available, as well as party suites. The Lexus Club is accessible for a $25 fee, offers a buffet for an additional $57 for adults and $28.50 for kids, and gives fans a great view of downtown Pittsburgh. The Penguins’ mascot, Iceburgh, roams through the stands, beating his drum or blowing his horn in time to the LET’S GO PENS chant. Unless the Penguins are getting routed, which doesn’t happen often, there’s always a fun buzz in the building. Neighborhood 3 The area around PPG Paints Arena has some smaller restaurants, but Penguins Fan Central is Souper Bowl on Fifth Avenue, a block away on Fifth Avenue. While there’s some question about why “soup” is in the name when the restaurant doesn’t have it, it does offer burgers, sandwiches, and other pub food. The honey mustard chicken sandwich is not to be missed, nor are the bacon-and-cheese-loaded Souper Fries. On game days, there’s a ton of drink and food specials. There seems to be an article in Pittsburgh media every week about plans to develop the area around PPG to entice people to hang around. Still, government vs. development is a long-time battle that doesn’t look to be won by anyone any time soon. Because Pittsburgh’s downtown is so compact, though, it’s an easy walk to the Strip District a few blocks away, where there’s something for every taste. Fans of Thai food should check out Little Bangkok, home of the best Thai cuisine in the city, and seafood lovers shouldn’t miss Luke Wholey’s Wild Alaskan Grille, owned by a scion of the famous Wholey Fish Market family. Fans 5 The Steelers may reign supreme in the Pittsburgh sports hierarchy, but the Penguins aren’t too far behind and have had the most recent championship parade (2017), which means that PPG Paints Arena is always well-populated for home games. The stands will be awash in black and various shades of gold, depending on the era a fan’s jersey is representing, with some old-school sky-blue sweaters popping up too. Penguins fans are knowledgeable and welcoming to opposing fans, with the possible exception of Philadelphia and Washington fans since the Flyers and Capitals are the Pens’ main rivals. However, seeing a Pens fan in his Jaromir Jagr sweater being companionable over a beer with someone in an Eric Lindros jersey gives hope for possible future world peace. Access 5 No matter how you choose to get here, PPG Paints Arena is exceptionally accessible. Interstate 579 runs right past it, with a dedicated exit. Parking garages and lots surround the arena, with an average cost of $20. Pittsburgh’s Port Authority offers numerous bus lines that will drop you right in front. If you want to use the light rail system, aka the T, the nearest stop is Steel Plaza, a five-minute walk, but the First Avenue and Wood Street stations aren’t that much farther away. In fact, if you’re staying downtown, all hotels are at worst a twenty-minute walk from PPG, a favorite stroll among visitors. The arena itself features wide concourses and aisles, so it’s easy to move around even if a game is sold out. Restrooms are clean and well-maintained, with wheelchair-accessible stalls. Right now, ticketing is mobile-only, and unless it’s a diaper bag, you’re not going to get a bag of any size into the arena. PPG does have a holding area for oversized bags if you need it. Return on Investment 3 Going to Penguins games at PPG Paints Arena is not an inexpensive proposition. An upper-bowl seat will cost you a minimum of $75, more if the game features a rival like the Washington Capitals or Philadelphia Flyers. Add in food, drinks, and souvenirs, and … well, yikes. Also, the Penguins are good enough to regularly fill the arena, which means the team offers next to no breaks on single-ticket prices. However, the nearby Strip District is full of Penguins merch and good restaurants, so if you don’t have your heart set on authenticity, you can go out there and save some money on food and souvenirs. People complain, but they still come, so there’s that. Extras 5 The 4,000 square foot PensGear store in PPG Paints Arena is open year-round and is a go-to place for unique Penguins gifts as well as the usual clothing and knick-knacks. The set for pre-and post-game shows broadcast by AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh is located by the Highmark Gate entrance, making it a popular gathering/meeting spot (no heckling the hosts, though). I don’t know who’s in charge of the music in the arena, but they go beyond the usual chestnuts and seem to be a big fan of mid-nineties rock. The Penguins also have an excellent goal song in Andrew W.K’s “Party Hard,” which was brought back by popular demand after it was abandoned in 2019 in favor of House of Pain’s “Jump Around.” If you go to a Saturday game, expect a live band like local favorites the Clarks to entertain you. The Penguins really do go to lengths to make sure fans have a good time–or party hard, as you will. Final Thoughts As far as NHL venues go, PPG Paints Arena gives hockey fans a top-of-the-line game experience. Due to its semi-northeastern location, it attracts hockey fans from all over the U.S. In the waning years of its stars’ careers–Crosby, center Evgeni Malkin, and defenseman Kris Letang are all in their mid-thirties now–it’ll be interesting to see if the arena will still hold the same attraction once they’re gone. The Pens, though, have a knack for finding star replacements, and forwards Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust, and Kasperi Kapanen, along with dynamic young goalie Tristan Jarry, look to step up and keep PPG Paints Arena one of the most entertaining venues in the NHL.

It's time for another beer and another chat with Dave and Paul. Mario Lemieux saved the Pittsburgh Penguins multiple times and got them the new arena they needed. Does it stack up with the rest of the Pittsburgh venues? The latest episode of Obstructed Views will examine PPG Paints Arena and its place in the NHL and Pittsburgh. You can find Stadium Journey's review of PPG Paints Arena here.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Swanson Stadium 10501 Fgcu Lake Pkwy E Ft Myers, FL 33965 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles website Swanson Stadium website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 1,500 Swingin' at Swanson Taking in a baseball game at FGCU is a different experience than most baseball stadiums. For one, your viewing angle, even in the first row, is about 15 feet above ground level. Secondly, the stadium offers seating along the sides of home plate at ground level for an up-close feel. Best of all is the stunning sunsets one can see, thanks to the stadium’s northward-facing viewing angle. Food & Beverage 3 While there isn’t anything special about FGCU’s food, it is freshly grilled and it is inexpensive. Usually, the Eagles have hot dogs and burgers on the menu. These are always grilled on-site fresh as you order them. They also have a wide variety of candy, snacks, and drinks, with nothing costing more than $4.Because of this, the cost of your concessions is going to stay low, even if you buy enough for the whole family on game day. Atmosphere 3 FGCU isn’t yet known as a baseball powerhouse, and the fans don’t necessarily pack in the stands. Half-full stadiums are normal for the home of the Eagles. The colors are bright and reminiscent of those inside neighboringAlico Arena. The stadium also is somewhat empty underneath the main seating in the concourse area. However, there is a fan merchandise trailer outside of the side entrance. The seats themselves are very comfortable, and form-fitted to make any viewing location one of comfort and not aches. Neighborhood 3 FGCU is a somewhat secluded college campus southeast of Fort Myers, meaning it is situated in a less developed area of a suburb. Within driving distance, there are numerous shopping areas with a growing number of restaurants, stores, and attractions. All of the campus’ athletic facilities are in one section of the college’s property, making getting to a game easy to do night in and night out. For somewhere to stay, one has to look no further than just outside of campus, where several hotels have popped up in the last few years. Fans 3 The fans don’t necessarily pack ’em in for FGCU baseball unless there is a major opponent. Even then, in-state opponents like FAU draw about one-third of visiting fans. A lot of students do attend the games, due to their free entry for attending college, but not as many are hardcore fans, nor for that matter do they necessarily pay attention to the game 100 percent of the time. Plenty of FGCU attendees are also older, thanks in part to the demographics of the greater Naples area. That said, those who do attend the games are pretty family-friendly for college athletics, and they do erupt in applause when a home run is smacked out of the park. Access 5 Getting to FGCU is very easy, thanks to its location near I-75. Located between two major exits on the highway, the campus is well-marked and easy to find. Once on campus, finding the athletics facilities, including Swanson Stadium or anywhere else on campus for that matter, is a breeze, as the signage at FGCU is plentiful and detailed. In addition, parking is plentiful in the area for athletic events at the college. The location of the facilities on the northeastern corner of the campus makes getting to events a breeze. Parking even at the furthest lot only means a short five-minute walk to Swanson Stadium. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices are ultra-low, concessions are ultra-low, and parking is free. This said, it is hard not to see a massive return on your investment, especially when taking your whole family out for a night of baseball.FGCU is known for being family-friendly, welcoming to new fans, and very affordable, compared to other sports options in Florida. You do get a sense of having fun at FGCU and it helps that the team is growing in popularity among the college ranks. . Extras 3 Fans almost always are greeted with a free giveaway table at the main entrance, which usually includes posters and wristbands, but sometimes includes more. Fans also are mere steps away from the school’s other athletic facilities for FGCU Tennis, FGCU Softball, and FGCU Basketball/Volleyball. If you want to catch any other games going on on the same day, hopping between the two is a breeze. Finally, for the hardcore fans in all of us, FGCU puts out the starting lineups for both the home and visiting teams right at the main entrance before every game. This makes it easy for you to follow along if you are a hardcore fan of the school, the sport, or even coming to scout some of tomorrow’s stars. Final Thoughts Swanson Stadium has everything one needs to be a great stadium. The bones are there, now it just is up to the meat of the stadium to improve, as well. For fans, comfortable seating and high value for your dollar are to be expected, and an exciting night out in a town otherwise known as being generally quiet and mellow.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Giant Center 550 Hersheypark Dr Hershey, PA 17033 Hershey Bears website Giant Center website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 10,500 Hershey Kisses The Hershey Bears have quite a bit of history to fall back on. Founded in 1932, the team is the oldest continuously operating professional ice hockey team in North America, outside of the “Original Six” of the National Hockey League. Originally known as the Hershey B’ars and once even as the Hershey Chocolate B’ars, the team is also the oldest member club of the American Hockey League. The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a wholly owned sub-division of the Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, an entity administered by the Hershey Trust Company. The Milton Hershey School is funded by that trust. The team has also won quite a lot during its history, having won 12 Calder Cups (most recently in 2023).   The Milton Hershey School is a private boarding school that was originally opened to assist orphan students. The school is free for students and is funded by a trust containing most of Hershey's fortune, valued at about US$15 billion, making it the wealthiest U.S. private school. The town of Hershey was started by Milton Hershey as a place for his employees to have comfortable homes, inexpensive public transportation, a quality public school system, and extensive recreational and cultural opportunities. The town is still a quaint and pleasant place. On the outskirts of the town sits the area surrounding Hersheypark. For the sports fan, the Hersheypark Arena is a notable venue in this area, as well as Hersheypark Stadium (and, of course, the Giant Center). Originally known as the Hershey Sports Arena until 1972, the historic 7,286 arenas opened in 1936 and were home to the Bears until 2002. Lebanon Valley College ice hockey still uses the arena for home games, as well as being used as a public ice rink. A 2012 fire damaged parts of the arena’s roof, although luckily, no substantial damage occurred. The Giant Center opened in 2002. Built by Populous, the same developers of the new Yankee Stadium in New York and Wembley Stadium in London, it is owned by the Derry Township Industrial and Commercial Development Authority. The arena also was the home of the Harrisburg Stampede indoor football team for one season in 2014 and is a major concert venue for the region. Food & Beverage 5 There are many options scattered around the Giant Center concourse. One of my favorites is the Aroogas Wing Shack, where the chicken bites and the various flavors are a good option. Soda is $3.50 and up around the arena. Hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels, cotton candy, and French fries are some of the other options. I also like Uncle Andy’s pretzel stand, where you can get a very good pretzel. There are a few beer stands, with a nice variety of specialty brews. Prices vary, depending on the standard or craft beer option. The variety of food around the arena is quite impressive. There is nothing minor about the Giant Center in this regard. Atmosphere 5 The arena invokes memories of the old Hersheypark Arena. You can almost close your eyes and forget you are in a new arena. But even with your eyes open, you will witness a fantastic old hockey barn kind of arena. It takes the best of the old and mixes it with new, modern amenities. The arena’s interior also feels light and bright compared to many darker arenas. The sightlines and sound are all just excellent. It is one of the best arenas built in decades. It just has that near-perfect “feel” to it. Team mascot Coco the Bear roams some of the lower concourse engaging kids and adults alike. His presence works well and does not interfere with the game's action. A few years back the arena got a new scoreboard, which fixed one of the few major complaints about this facility. Neighborhood 5 There just happens to be a major amusement park located right next door to the arena. That makes this neighborhood different than the standard sports arena. It also means that you will not see the usual assortment of neighborhood bars and restaurants that an urban arena may have. But that does not mean this is still not a great neighborhood. It is, in fact, a great neighborhood. Your first stop should be the Troegs Brewery on Hersheypark Drive. Offering guided and self-tours, as well as a great tasting and food room, the Troegs folks make you feel at home. If you’re looking for more standard dining options, then you will find a Red Robin and Fuddruckers all in the area. I might suggest checking out a lesser-known option, the Parkside Bar and Grill (3 E Derry Rd Hershey, PA 17033), as they have some great burgers and other bar food options. The Chocolatier Restaurant, located at the entrance of Hersheypark, is brand new and is a great option for dining all year round. The Bears' Den sports bar located in the Hershey Lodge is themed specifically to the Bears and is modeled after a hockey rink. Fans 5 This is one of the most knowledgeable hockey fan bases I have ever witnessed. No matter the age or sex of the fans, they know the rules of the game and are loud at all times. This is a wonderful and intense place to watch a game. Access 4 Hershey is located not too far from Interstate 81 and 83 via Route 322 and other smaller roads. This means that access is pretty good, although if numerous events are all happening in the area, one should expect some traffic. One should also expect that the traffic heading back towards Harrisburg will be heavier than in other directions. Route 743 off of Route 322 turns onto Hersheypark Drive and is the main drag outside the arena and Hersheypark. There is plenty of parking in the large lots between Giant Center and the amusement park. You will never have trouble finding a space, although it is not the cheapest parking option around. There is not a lobby so on cold days you may have to wait out into the elements before going through security. Once inside the arena, the concourse can be pretty tight and crowded. Return on Investment 4 The AHL is a high-quality league, so the price range that starts at mid-$20 and up for basic seats is pretty standard. Coupled with the parking fee, the game is a decent value. Extras 4 Chocolate World is almost certainly a required stop before a game. Stop in and take the free ride that displays the processes involved in chocolate production. And you get a free candy sample afterward, so it is a win-win. Then try to tear yourself away from the food and souvenir options as you head to the game. Of course, a chocolate shake handmade here is a no-risk proposition. Of course, if Hersheypark is open, it may be worth a trip to the amusement park before a night game. The historic park has numerous great rides and attractions that will suit a fan of any age. Sky Rush, The Great Bear, and Lightning Racer are amazing roller coasters. If you can find a way into Hersheypark Arena, there is an amazing sense of history. Not only the former home of the Bears, but the arena was also the site of Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962. The arena is open for some public ice time, as well as the home of Lebanon Valley College ice hockey and Shippensburg University ice hockey, so look for those as ways into the venue. I also like the Hershey Kisses used as part of the arena signage around the concourse of the Giant Center. That is something you don’t see everywhere. Check around the arena for other displays and acknowledgments of the long and storied history of the Hershey Bears. Very few teams have the amount of history enjoyed by this team. Final Thoughts Giant Center is frankly one of the best sporting venues around. It takes the best looks and atmospheric elements of the past and adds the modern amenities expected by today’s audiences. This arena is a must-visit for a sports fan.

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

Photos by Lance Sutehall, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 AT&T Field 201 Power Alley Chattanooga, TN 37402 Chattanooga Lookouts website AT&T Field website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 6,382 Lookout, It's The Lookouts! Roughly halfway between the cities of Nashville and Atlanta lies the city of Chattanooga, the fourth most populated city in Tennessee. Chattanooga is home to the Lookouts minor league baseball team, the AA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The Lookouts play in the Southern League, winning the league three times, most recently in 2017. The Lookouts have called AT&T Field their home since 2000 after playing at Engel Stadium since 1930. However, the Lookouts broke ground on a $115 Million new stadium that is scheduled to open in time for the 2026 season. AT&T Field will likely be demolished when the Lookouts leave and the area will be redeveloped. Food & Beverage 4 The main concession stands serve a variety of food such as hot dogs ($4), chili cheese dogs ($5.50), bratwursts ($6.50), garden salads ($7.50), grilled chicken salad ($10), veggie wraps ($7), pimento cheese sandwiches ($5.50), nachos ($5), peanuts ($4), cracker jack ($5), pretzels ($6), popcorn ($4), and a slice of Looie’s signature pizza ($4). Coca-Cola is the soft drink provider at AT&T Field with small ($3.50) and large ($5.50) sodas, bottled water ($4), Powerade ($5), Bodyarmor ($7), Monster Energy drinks ($7) and Thelma’s Lemonade ($4.50) on offer. “The Sweet Spot” sells sweet treats such as ice cream cups ($3.50), ice cream cones ($5), ice cream floats ($6), ice cream sundaes ($7), funnel cakes ($), deep fried Oreos ($5), and Oatly ice cream bars ($5). The “Lookouts Grill” offers made-to-order options such as cheesesteaks ($10), cheesesteak nachos ($12), sausage plate ($10), polish sausage ($7.50), and a Chatta-Cheesesteak ($15). For those who want a beer, there are domestic drafts ($7) and Five Wits Brewing Company branded brews ($8) sold at the concession stands. Down the third baseline is the “Beer Hut” with domestics for $8 and craft beers/seltzers going for $9 while further down the line is the “Five Witts Beer Garden” as well as the Budweiser Party Deck. Atmosphere 3 AT&T Field is built on top of a fairly steep hill but fortunately, there is an outdoor escalator that gets the fans close to the entrance. A small flight of stairs gets the fans to the main ballpark gates. Upon entering the gates the fans find themselves in a fairly small concourse. The team store is on the right upon entering the concourse while a statue of “Looie”, the Lookouts mascot is in front of the stairwell that leads into the seating bowl. The seating is a bit lopsided as it extends throughout the first base line while it stops at third base. The aforementioned beer garden and party deck is located along the third base line while the CHI Memorial Picnic Pavilion is located behind the right field wall. There are fans on the roofs of the main seating bowl that provide some breeze for the spectators. Kids are invited to run the bases after every Lookouts game, weather permitting. Promotion nights include “Food City Tuesdays” where fans that show a Food City “ValuCard” receive buy one, get one general admission tickets, “Chick-fil-A Giveaway Wednesdays” which give attendees a free item at Chick-fil-A, “Thirsty Thursday” drink specials, “Fireworks Fridays” where the Lookouts put on a postgame firework show, and “Spin-to-win Saturdays” in which a couple of fans are randomly selected to win prizes. On Sundays kids that are “Little Debbie Little Lookouts Kids Club” members attend games for free and fans of all ages are invited on the field to play catch on the field. Fans can get a free general admission ticket for a Sunday game if they bring a canned good for the local food pantry. Neighborhood 4 One of the best views of Chattanooga is seen from Point Park on the edge of Lookout Mountain. There was a Civil War battle in the area and Point Park has many monuments honoring the battle. Lookout Mountain is where the “Lookouts” got their name. For families, the Creative Discovery Museum offers science exhibits for the kids and the Tennessee Aquarium is four blocks away and right next to the Tennessee Riverwalk. If you head East on 4th Street you will pass by McKenzie Arena, the home of Chattanooga Mocs Basketball before continuing to Engel Stadium, the longtime home for Chattanooga Lookouts from 1930-1999. Continue driving past the railroad tracks and the Chattanooga Zoo will be on the right. The Southern Belle Riverboat offers cruises throughout the Tennessee River. Dining options near the ballpark include Puckett’s Restaurant for Southern cuisine, Agave & Rye for Tacos, and Lupi’s Pizza Pies. There are plenty of hotel chains including Courtyard, Residence Inn, and Hilton Garden Inn. All of the mentioned hotels are a quick walk to the ballpark. Fans 3 The Lookouts are one of the oldest minor league teams in existence. The fandom has been passed down from generation to generation. The fans are knowledgeable about their team and have a good time. “Looie” the Lookouts mascot walks throughout the ballpark and is part of the team’s introduction. The video board offers games and other entertainment during breaks in the action. The emcees get involved with the on-field activities, offer fun quizzes, and encourage the fans to keep their enthusiasm up. Access 3 From I-24 East turn off Exit 178 and merge onto Highway 27. Then take exit 1C on West 4th Street and make a left on Chestnut Street and another left on West 3rd Street. AT&T Field will be on the right. From I-24 West get off exit 178 onto Highway 27. Follow the same directions as I-24 Eastbound to AT&T Field. AT&T Field does not have a designated parking lot but there are a couple of parking garages nearby for $5 as well as street parking in the surrounding blocks that is free after 6 pm. The concourse is fairly narrow and gets cramped when everyone is arriving at the ballpark. Return on Investment 4 General admission bleacher seats cost $11 and reserved chairback seats are $14, fees included. If you buy a general admission ticket, a hot dog, beer, and park on the street you would pay about $25. The Lookouts offer a Family 4-Pack where each person gets a general admission seat and $10 in concessions for a total of$78. ($19.50/person). A night at AT&T Field is a great way to enjoy an evening in Chattanooga without breaking the bank. Extras 3 AT&T Field’s outdoor escalator is one of a kind in the minor leagues. The ballpark being built on a steep hill makes it a necessity. The sunset at AT&T Field provides a gorgeous backdrop for a baseball game. A lot of the attractions in Chattanooga are within walking distance of AT&T Field. Final Thoughts AT&T Field provides a beautiful view of the Chattanooga hills. Its days are unfortunately numbered but the memories that the ballpark provided will live on through those that witnessed a baseball game there.

Photos by Ethan Hennessy, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Brown Field 1009 Union St Valparaiso, IN 46383 Valparaiso Crusaders website Brown Field website Year Opened: 1919 Capacity: 5,000 Valpo Football at Brown Field, Steadily Improving Brown Field is the home of the Valparaiso University Beacons who compete in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and are members of the Pioneer Football League. The 5,000-seat stadium opened in 1919 and was named after Henry Baker Brown who served as the school president from 1873-1917. Valparaiso Football has struggled recently on the field only winning league championships twice in 2000 and 2003 during the past 46 years. In addition, Valpo has experienced three winless seasons in 1988, 1989, and 2010 and is typically found at the bottom of the non-scholarship Pioneer LeaguBeforer to the 2008 season, a new artificial surface was installed at Brown Field as part of numerous renovations under the fund-raising campaign known as FITT (Football, Intramurals, Track, and Tennis). The first phase of the multi-million dollar project included the installation of the programs, as well as moving the grandstands and adding handicap accessibility. Lights were added as well in 2010. Food & Beverage 3 The concessions are rather simple but inexpensive. A hot dog, nachos with cheese, and pretzel with cheese all cost $2, while hot dogs with chili and cheese, and the loaded variety of nachos cost $3. They also offer popcorn, chips, Slim Jims, cookies, and candy for $1 at the concession stand. The nachos are highly recommended. All beverage options are $2 featuring bottled water, Gatorade, tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. The hot chocolate took 15 minutes to serve ,and it still burned my tongue. Valparaiso University is a dry campus, so there is no alcohol served at Brown Field. Atmosphere 2 The stadium features bleachers along both sidelines of the field. The larger bleachers are closest to the ARC (Valparaiso’s basketball Arenare is where the home crowd sits while the visiting team’s fans occupy the opposite side of the field. The Valpo side was at about 70% capacity along with a 10-person pep band, an unusually large turnout on the account it was Senior Day for the Crusaders. On the other hand, the visitors' side was almost empty. Valpo must not attract many opposing visitors to games as they cover up a large portion of the visitor’s bleachers with a tarp. The 5,000-seat stadium does not usually sell out for football games. The team enters the field through an inflatable tunnel, a small cannon is fired when the Crusaders enter the field or score, and the team mascot and lively cheerleaders keep the crowd involved during the game. The best seats are located in section C directly below the press box providing a nice view of the 50-yard line. The entire stadium is metal bleachers and many fans bring t own seat cushions for added comfort. Neighborhood 4 Valparaiso University is a beautiful campus, especially in the fall; Brown Field is on the edge of campus near the ARC. The places to eat in town would be the Round the Clock Restaurant downtown off of Lincolnway, a family-style restaurant that offers ample parking and plentiful menu choices. Another fabulous option is the Tomato Bar off of La Port Avenue, two minutes from campus serving many varieties of pizza, calzones, oven-baked sandwiches, and a full-service bar. The Chapel of the Resurrection is a landmark of northwest Indiana and can be seen from just about anywhere on the campus. The town is a stereotypical small Midwest college town featuring quaint shops and restaurants in a picturesque downtown setting. There are many hotels around the university. The best place to stay is Hampton Inn and Suites – a 4-minute drive from campus offering plenty of spacious, comfortable rooms. Fans 2 Valpo fans care noticeably more about their basketball than football. They rarely pull in big crowds, especially when the weather is poor. The crowd is generally on the quieter side apart from a few individual fans and a very small student section; however, it does perk up for big plays in the half-filled stadium. Access 2 The stadium is easy to get around and park at, but it does lack many comforts of a modern stadium. There are port-a-potties just outside the gates and bathrooms inside the ARC, but none inside the stadium itself. All seats are bleacher style, the stairs are slightly rusted, and there are ramps to accommodate fans with disability. Most people drive to Brown Field, but the V-line (Valparaiso’s bus line) runs to the university. Brown Field is not well advertised, but signs for the Fitness Center and ARC will lead fans to the buildings adjacent to the field. There is parking for $5 at lots around the stadium and the ARC. However, if you’re looking to save a few bucks there is street parking about half a mile further down Lincolnway. There are two ways to enter the stadium: on the home on the visitor’s side. Return on Investment 2 The facility houses a box office, but a set of folding tables to take tickets. General Admission tickets are $10 and allow you to sit anywhere in the stadium. Children 10 and under are free. Valparaiso University students, faculty, and staff get in free with their One Card (Valpo ID). The team has not had a winning record since 2003 but seems to be improving for the 2016 season. This could help get fans in the seats. Extras 2 Brown Field has flags displayed along the top of the stands of fellow Pioneer League members’ teams and their primary color. The victory bell, which was unveiled in 1956, is rung after every win. Final Thoughts Valparaiso Football has been making strides on the field to improve as a team, but the stadium and game day experience need to start catching up to the terror attending a game to be worthwhile.

Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Burlington Athletic Stadium 1450 Graham St Burlington, NC 27217 Burlington Sock Puppets website Burlington Athletic Stadium website Year Opened: 1948/1960 Capacity: 3,500 The Show Goes on in Sockville Minor League and Independent Baseball have transformed thanks in large part to COVID. Burlington, North Carolina was one of forty-two cities and towns across the country to recently be cut out of affiliated Minor League Baseball. There was however a silver lining for baseball fans in Alamance County – competitive baseball would not entirely vanish from Burlington Athletic Stadium, and 2021 would lead to a resurrection for both the team and the league they played in. The team originally known as the Burlington Indians played in the Carolina League from 1958-1964; for the first two seasons of that stint, the team played in nearby Graham before opening their Burlington venue in 1960, which was moved from its old home 40 miles north in Danville, Virginia, and reassembled in Burlington. Burlington Athletic Stadium was originally called Fairchild Park and made a cameo in the film “Bull Durham.” The stadium sat empty for twenty-two years, but in 1986 the rookie-level Appalachian League brought baseball back to Burlington – for the next two decades they were known once again as the Burlington Indians, but in 2007 with the affiliation switch from the Cleveland Indians to the Kansas City Royals, the team took on the parent club’s identity and up until 2020 were known as the Burlington Royals. Then 2021 saw Burlington and the nine other Appy League teams moved from affiliated minor league baseball to the summer collegiate league, giving the team and the city a chance to start over; on February 1, 2021, the team changed its name to the Burlington Sock Puppets, joining other league rivals who also adopted funny and original identities. And while there is some controversy among some baseball purists that the new names don’t adequately reflect the imposing names that many are used to in baseball and throughout sports, there can be no doubt that things are “sockingly” fun and different in Burlington. Food & Beverage 4 It is often hard to know what to expect when eating out at a baseball game at this level, but Burlington Athletic Stadium does not disappoint. The stadium has one main food stand but offers a variety of options for reasonable prices – you can get your basic hot dog, hamburger, or cheeseburger for three, four, or five dollars respectively (or four dollars more each for a combo with chips and a drink) or a slice of Domino’s pizza, a BBQ sandwich from local joint Tickle My Ribs, or a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich will only run you three, five, or six dollars respectively. You can also get some unique items such as pulled pork nachos, a hot dog topped with mac and cheese, or the stadium's special “laundry basket,” which is loaded nachos with mac and cheese, pulled pork, and jalapenos, which will only set you back eight bucks. The stadium also offers your typical snacks including popcorn, candy, peanuts, and pretzels, and offers two places to grab dessert, with Pelican’s Sno-Balls and Dippin’ Dots offered. NC-based Pepsi is the soft drink of choice, with a bottle only costing three dollars. Alcohol costs between three and six bucks depending on size and selection, and nearby Durham-based Tobacco Road Brewing Company partnered with the team to produce a Sock Puppets-themed beer, with a team design on the can, but not the flavor of socks. Atmosphere 3 Burlington Athletic Stadium seats 3,500, with the vast majority being bleacher seats. There are a few reserved chair-back seats behind home plate. Most of the seats are also covered, but there are bleacher seats on the first and third base side that are not protected from the elements. Sightlines are great no matter where you sit, which is often an advantage at an intimate park. The PA Announcer is very energetic, as is the band that greets fans with energetic jams before the first pitch. They also have mascot night for certain games, so alongside the long-tenured mascot Bingo the team kept along for the rebranding ride, and the new mascot Socksquatch, you can see the Demon Deacon from Wake Forest University or Homer from the in-state Charlotte Knights, joining in on the fun to entertain fans young and old. Neighborhood 3 Unlike their counterparts in affiliated baseball, a lot of summer league baseball stadiums are not located right in the heart of their respective cities or towns, and Burlington Athletic Stadium is no different. But while the venue is not within walking distance and doesn’t offer any public transit to the center of town, a six-minute drive will get you to all that downtown Burlington has to offer. A town of about 50,000 separating the state’s Triangle and Triad regions, and halfway between North Carolina’s famous beaches and mountains, Burlington offers a variety of restaurants including Burlington Beer Works, a local brewery that offers delicious small plates, brunch, dinner, and a large selection of local craft beer. Not far from BBW is Zach’s Hot Dogs, a near-century-old establishment serving up delicious dogs, burgers, and breakfast. Finally, if you’re looking for authentic NC-style BBQ, then look no further than Hursey’s. Just five minutes from the stadium in the opposite direction from downtown, Hursey’s has arguably some of the best BBQ in the state and serves it Piedmont style, which is a blend between Eastern NC’s vinegar-based and Lexington (Western) NC’s tomato-based sauce; Hursey’s is also home to some of the best hush puppies you’ll find anywhere. Downtown Burlington has a lot of local shops including Persnickety Books and Wayne’s Attic, an antique store, as well as Burlington City Park, which is a great place to take young ones before a night game or after a matinee – the park includes a playground, train, carousel, and boats. There is also more shopping ten minutes west at Alamance Crossing, a giant shopping center including Barnes and Noble, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Kohl’s (among many others) plus numerous chain restaurants. There aren’t any hotels near the stadium, but there are several chain options less than ten minutes away on I-40, including Microtel, Hampton, and Quality Inn. Fans 3 The Sock Puppets are in the first year of a new, original identity, and that is no doubt going to help with attendance. Despite the threat of thunderstorms and some rain, there were still a solid number of fans during my most recent visit. Those who were in attendance seemed engaged and cheered on their team; it will be interesting to see how the team ranks in attendance in the rebranded league’s inaugural year – according to the team there was a 30% increase in attendance this year as compared to 2019. Access 3 Getting to the stadium is easy and traffic is not an issue; there is a sizable parking lot outside the stadium which leads to the main entrance and the separate VIP entrance. There is no public transit to the stadium, and Ubers are very hit-and-miss in a town of Burlington’s size. The concourses are wide enough and don’t usually get congested, which makes walking around the stadium not a real issue. Return on Investment 4 A Sock Puppets game is a great way to watch some top college prospects at a very affordable price with free parking, concession prices averaging under ten dollars for a meal, and tickets starting at just six bucks, so you can catch a game at Burlington Athletic Stadium for less than twenty dollars. . Extras 5 One point for the variety of inflatables set up beyond the first baseline is that give kids a great place to get their energy out during the game. A second point for the team store selling various Sock Puppets merchandise, and a third point to the sock puppet station where fans young and old can create their very own sock puppet to take home. A fourth point for the person throwing out the first sock instead of the first pitch at the start of the game, and finally a point for one of the most unique team names in all of the sports, as well as the signage declaring Burlington “Sockville”. Final Thoughts The Sock Puppets are in their inaugural year of Summer Collegiate Baseball and have already taken baseball by storm with one of the most compelling and controversial names in baseball. But for better or worse the team has run with it and doesn’t need shoes to attract baseball fans in North Carolina to the city of Burlington to see what all the hype is about. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Eric Hasman and Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 U.S. Steel Yard One Stadium Plaza Gary, IN 46402 Map It Gary SouthShore RailCats website U.S. Steel Yard website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 6,139 Hitting the Right Notes in Gary The building of U.S. Steel Yard caused quite a bit of stir because of where it was being built (apparently Gary doesn't have a great reputation) and the high price tag (over $40 million). The baseball park itself is a quite nice. The exterior is a red brick facade that extends all the way down both streets it is built on (Stadium Plaza and Route 12). The design of the ballpark has an open concourse overlooking the field with luxury boxes stacked above. The concourse is almost a full 360-degrees which allows fans plenty of places to wander. They are currently doing construction on a bridge which doesn’t allow fans to crossover. So fans have to walk around right field to get to the left field side of the ballpark. The ballpark is plays big. The dimensions are 320’ to left, 380’ to left center, 400’ to center and 335’ to right and the wall is at least 14’ high.  Home runs are hard to come by here. The RailCats play in the American Association Baseball League. Food & Beverage 4 The food and beverage have changed a bit over the years, but the variety of options is pretty good and reasonably priced. The 3 main concession stands are behind home plate (the Region) and the down the left and right field lines. The “Region” stand serves up hamburgers ($6) and hot dogs ($5). 18th Street Brewery has a smoked pulled chicken sandwich ($9), a pork sandwich ($10) and Italian sausage ($8). The “Broadway” stand serves a Chicken Tender basket for $10, Bratwursts ($6) and Beggars pizza for $7. “Herbkoe” Fun Foods, down the right field line, is for desserts. Here you can get ice cream cones ($6-$10), ice cream nachos ($12), an ice sandwich $10 or cheesecake on stick for $9 and a chocolate covered banana $5. Next to the Herbkoe's is a pierogi stand which has sells 3 or 5-potato and cheese pierogis served with onions and sour cream for $6 or $8 (on Wednesdays, pierogis sell for $1. If soft pretzels are your thing this is the place for you. The best soft pretzel in any ballpark I have had is here, it is the “Ben’s Pretzel.” The pretzels are made on site and are delicious. They sell for $7 and come as a whole pretzel or pretzel bites. Domestic drafts are $7 for a 20-ounce and premium drafts are $9 for a 20-ounce.  The Leinie Lounge Bar serves Leinenkugel drafts, Barefoot wine, White Claw, Yuengling, Modelo, Twisted Tea, Oberon, local brewery IPAs and mixed drinks between $7 and $11.  Pepsi products and water range from $5-$6. Atmosphere 3 In 2021, the RailCats completed some updates to the park. The bullpens were moved from the first and third base warning tracks into right field, where new outfield fencing and wall pads were installed. This made hitting home runs to right field a lot easier. In addition, three seating sections down the right field line were removed to create a family-friendly berm area where visitors can enjoy the games from their blankets. There is also protective netting extending from dugout to dugout. The team gift shop, McShane’s South Shore Depot, is huge.  A great selection of jerseys, caps, and t-shirts and other swag are available to purchase. Behind the batter’s eye in center field is a small children’s playground area. In addition, there is a small deck with lounge chairs and a water fountain that is shaped like home plate. The right field concourse area has a building which is vacant and used to be various restaurants. Hopefully, the RailCats can do something with this building. It is not a good look to have a vacant building at a ballpark. Rusty the RailCat, the mascot, dances on the team dugout, poses for pictures and is available for pictures and hugs by fans of all ages. The ballpark borders on E. 4th Avenue and I-90 to the point where extensive netting is in place to keep balls from smashing into cars on the adjoining street. Neighborhood 1 The ballpark suffers from being in a less than desirable neighborhood and there is not much do around the park before or after the game. The stadium is near the exit and entrance ramp to I-90 and many will look in neighboring cities for options after the game. About a 10-minute drive from the park is Michael Jackson’s boyhood home, located on 2300 Jackson Street. Fans of the King of Pop can take photos of the old home and venture to Broadway to the closed Palace Theater that displays the Jackson Five are playing “tonite.” Gary is home to the 18th Street Brewery and Taproom that is regarded among the state’s acclaimed craft beers. Enjoy beers such as Candi Crushable Pale Ale and Best Patio Pils (my favorites) at the taproom. And, just a few miles down the road in Munster, Indiana, is the state’s most recognizable craft brewery, Three Floyds Brewpub.  Their restaurant has closed, but you can still buy their year-round brews...Zombie Dust, Jinx Pproof, Gumballhead and Turbo Reaper. Of course, they have seasonal beers too. Gary is nearby the Indiana Dunes National Park that provides trails for hiking and sandy beaches for cooling off during the summer. Michigan City Outlet Mall offers a few hours to search for deals, and Chicago is less than a half hour away by car. In addition, the Majestic Star Casino and Hard Rock Casinos are about a 15-minute drive from the ballpark. Both casinos have plenty of restaurants and gambling with sports books (but they don’t take bets on the RailCats), if that is your thing. Fans 3 The fans are pretty much there for the game. Of course, some are there just to hang out and have a good time. The fans do get in involved with the on-field promotions, which is nice. The main on-field guy is Jason who has been there a long time. He has a lot of energy and gets people involved. The people like their baseball are used to the winning ways of the team. The RailCats have six (6) appearances in the Championship and with three (3) Championships. Though, the past nine (9) years have been rough with only 2 (two) playoff appearances. Access 4 Getting to the park is very easy since it is near the highway which provides easy in and out. In addition, free parking can be found in numerous small lots that are a short distance from the park. While the park is located in a rundown area, there is plenty of police presence, so fans should not be concerned for their safety. The wide-open concourse wraps around the entire field and allows visitors access to bathrooms, concession areas, and exits/entrances. Return on Investment 4 The ticket pricing options are among the better values in the area and in independent baseball. Terrace seating tickets start at $10 and reserved seating is $14. Suite bar seating is $25. There is a dollar surcharge when purchased on the day of the game and for “Fireworks” Friday nights, the tickets are a $1 more. The RailCats have daily deals such as All You Can Eats Monday: $18-All you can eat hot dogs, popcorn and peanuts; Taco Tuesday offer $3 beef tacos and $5 margaritas; Pierogi Wednesday – $1 pierogis and $5 12oz Craft Beer; Thirsty Thursday nights feature $3 domestic beer. Friday are fireworks and Saturdays are a giveaway night. Extras 2 The staff is very friendly and personable. They do a great job making you feel valued and at home. Banners of past RailCat players adorn the concourse. It is always nice to see a team recognize their history. In addition, the RailCats have 4 retired numbers: #42 for Jackie Robinson, #23 for Wille Glen (RailCats career leader in nearly every measurable pitching category and is an amazing 43-11 with a 3.03 ERA in 88 career RailCats games), #27 Greg Tagert (former longtime manager who won 3 Championships) and #45 for Joe Gates (a former coach of the RailCats). Final Thoughts U.S. Steel Yard is a really nice ballpark and one of my favorites because it plays big (lots of triples). Even though it is not located in the best of neighborhoods, it is safe and a place any ballpark enthusiast should see.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Ted Hamilton Field College of the Desert Palm Desert, CA 92260 College of the Desert Roadrunners website Ted Hamilton Field website A Diamond in the Desert Tucked away in the beauty of the Palm Springs area lies College of the Desert. Here, baseball is played in a picturesque setting. Situated in the city of Palm Desert, just south of Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley, College of the Desert is a small yet beautiful campus with various sports programs that participate in the Inland Empire Athletic Conference. While the sports options in the greater Palm Springs area are limited, this small diamond may well be worth a stop.   Food & Beverage   1 There are no concessions stands at Ted Hamilton Field, but outside food and drinks are allowed for fans. Nearby on campus fans can also find a few vending machines.   Atmosphere   4 The facility at Ted Hamilton Field is simple enough. Once you enter the main gate, right field features a big lawn for fans to set up chairs with a view of the field, as well as of the pitching warmup mounds. Behind home plate is a small grandstand. Just to the left of home plate is a small bench between two large shade trees. The seating areas are almost always in the shade, providing welcome relief from the sun’s hot rays. A large scoreboard is also featured in the outfield, as well as the team’s championship banners. The vista beyond the fence is idyllic for the area; countless palm trees framed by desert mountains. Behind home plate and beyond left field, snow-capped mountains loom. Indeed, this small corner of the campus is a beautiful and relaxing site, simple in construction and purpose.   Neighborhood   4 The area around campus is a mix of neighborhoods and retail. Palm Springs airport is but a short 15-minute drive north. To the immediate south, a National Parks visitor center and twisting road into the mountains awaits visitors seeking the nature and tranquility of the mountains above. Less than a mile southwest of campus lie countless restaurants and shops, including the high end El Paseo district. The nearest highway is I-10 to the northeast, while hotels are plentiful in the general area. Hiking is of course a major draw to the area, as are the Palm Springs Air Museum and the Tramway.   Fans   3 The fans who attend Roadrunner games are a mix of locals, students, and friends and family of the players. Even for mid-week early afternoon games, fans still fill in along the fence line and the shaded sections of grandstands.   Access   4 To get to College of the Desert, take either I-10 or Highway 111. Free parking is plentiful in Lot 24 across the street from the main entrance. Fans are warned, however, that foul balls may be an issue when parking here.   Return on Investment   5 Tickets to College of the Desert baseball games are $5. At the main entrance, signs are set up with QR codes to scan to purchase tickets on your phone. Combined with free parking, this makes Roadrunner games extremely affordable for the whole family. College baseball is always filled with excitement for diehard sports fans, and the possibility of seeing one of tomorrow’s stars on the field is certainly a draw as well.   Extras   2 The stadium is located near the college’s tennis and softball fields, as well as adjacent to the school’s football field, making visiting multiple other sports an easy thing to do. The stadium’s ability for fans to walk over and see the bullpens up close is also a unique feature, as some baseball facilities have those separated from fan areas, especially in lower-league colleges.   Final Thoughts While Coachella Valley and the greater Palm Springs area may not be a haven for sports, College of the Desert has done a good job of providing something for the baseball-starved fans nearby. A beautiful backdrop provides a perfect setting to watch tomorrow’s stars take the field – coupled with incredibly affordable pricing, this is a no-brainer for sports fans visiting California’s desert paradise.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Emmitt Smith Field 1310 N 65th Ave Pensacola, FL 32506 Escambia Gators website Year Opened: 1958 Welcome to the Swamp Escambia High School is one of the Pensacola area’s largest high school with an enrollment of 1,800 students, and currently serves the west side of Pensacola and the Perdido Key area of the Gulf Coast. Since opening in 1958 EHS has been one of the more successful programs in the area. Currently competing in the Class 6A District 1 of the FHSAA, the Gators have made the state playoffs over 20 times and have made four state championship games in their history (1984,1985, 2009, & 2019), winning titles in ‘84 and ‘85. Much like the Florida Gators’ colors, the Escambia Gators’ colors are also blue and orange. The Gators play at Historic Emmitt Smith Field, named after the Pro Football Hall of Famer and the NFL’s all-time leading rusher who played here in the mid 80’s. The field, which originally opened when the school opened, was renamed after the school’s most famous alum in 2003. Besides Emmitt Smith the school has a pretty distinguished list of alumni that includes WWE stars Roman Reigns and the Usos, former Alabama running back and All-American Trent Richardson, golfer Joe Durant who’s won four PGA tournaments, and four MLB players – All-Star Jim Presley, former Braves pitcher Preston Hanna, Kevin Saucier, and Ken Wright. Food & Beverage 2 The basics are sold here with one concessions stand on each side. Prices are pretty cheap as well with hamburgers ($4), hot dogs ($3), nachos ($3), popcorn ($2), canned drinks and bottled water ($2), and chips ($1) all on offer. On the home side of the stadium they have a grill outside where they cook burgers and hot dogs fresh, which is obviously a plus; they also sell Chick-fil-A sandwiches for $6 and have a hot box with Domino’s pizza slices selling for $2 each. Atmosphere 3 Emmitt Smith Field is an older stadium that was built in 1958, but is unique in that because of the way it is built you cannot really tell how old it is. It is not the typical high school stadium with a concrete structure that rises above the field level – instead, the stadium here was built in between two grassy hills, in such a way that both grandstands are below ground level, so from the street you can’t even really tell there is a stadium here. The field faces north and south with the home side on the east and the visiting side on the west. Both end zones are open, with the high school and gymnasium providing the backdrop for the north end zone, while the school’s softball and baseball fields provide the backdrop on the south side. There is no concourse to speak of; on both sides you enter on ground level and have to walk down the hill to get to your seat. Because of this there is no cover if it is raining, and without the ability to go under the concourse you are just out of luck if a frequent Florida thunderstorm pops up – the press box, concessions stands, and bathrooms are the only areas not exposed to the elements. The stadium features about 20 rows of metal bleachers on each side, but the home side features a couple hundred chairback seats near the 50-yard line (this is the seating for season ticket holders and teachers). It can get heated sometimes when a rival Pensacola school plays here; because of frequent fights that have broken out in the stands in years past between opposing schools they did not build a way to walk between the home and visiting sides of the stadium. Neighborhood 3 There is not really much of a neighborhood here to speak of – the high school is located in a residential area on the west side of Pensacola in the Myrtle Grove and Brownsville communities. This is not exactly the safest area of the city, though you should be fine as long as you don’t venture too far off school grounds. Just use caution and be aware of your surroundings, and always keep your doors locked in the parking lot. The good thing about coming to a game at Escambia High is that you are in Pensacola, where there is plenty to do if you are here for the weekend. Escambia High is located about 20 minutes north of Pensacola Beach and about 20 minutes east of the beaches in the Gulf Shores-Orange Beach-Perdido area. The waters are warm enough to swim well into November, so if you come to an early fall game here there is a chance you could go swimming on the beach and then go watch a high school football game. Also, from EHS you are only about 15 minutes from downtown Pensacola. The nightlife scene here is very nice as Palafox Street is lined with over 50+ bars and local restaurants, and the Seville Quarter in downtown looks like a mini Bourbon Street with a packed crowd on a nightly basis. As Pensacola is the oldest settlement in the US one could also stroll the downtown area for hours viewing the different historic houses and museums. Fans 3 Obviously the home side of the stadium is rocking with students, alumni, boosters, and teachers. The Gator program stretches back for years so there is a large number of people who can remember the days of watching Emmitt Smith break national records here, and then over 20 years later they remember coming with their kids to watch Trent Richardson break other records. Escambia is also one of those schools that because of its success and its size it will often play larger schools from other areas around the southeast – it is not uncommon for the Gators to play schools from Miami, New Orleans, Jacksonville, or Atlanta. In the most recent game I attended, the Gators played a school from Mississippi, while the next week the Gators traveled to Georgia for a game. Because of this the visiting side can be a different story from game to game, with almost no one sitting on that side when the visiting team is from far away, which is often the case when the Gators play an out of area school. When a Pensacola area school plays here, however, expect the place to be packed and the atmosphere to go up. It can almost get too rowdy sometimes when other area schools show up here, and there have been fights between the two fanbases in years past. Access 2 EHS is located on the west side of Pensacola, so if coming from out of town your best bet is to take I-10 Exit 7A at Pine Forest Road, then travel south about 8 miles to the Fairfield Street intersection. Take Fairfield about 2 miles west until you reach 65th Street, and the high school is located about a half mile south down 65th Street on the left. It is really easy to take a wrong turn and end up in a rough neighborhood, so I advise using caution, especially when leaving the game. Pensacola can also have horrendous traffic, especially on Friday afternoon, so take that into consideration as it could take 30 minutes just to get from the school to I-10. Once in the stadium it isn’t very big, and everything is spread out so you are free to walk around, as long as you stay on your side. They even have school security here making sure nobody will sneak over; this has been a major issue in the past according to a police officer I talked to. There is plenty of room for everybody but you will be out of luck if it starts raining as there is no cover whatsoever. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are $8 and like all the high school football games in the area, can only be purchased on the GoFan app. I consider this a great return on investment; though the stadium is really nothing special it is still a historic place being named after a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Plus with being in such a high level of high school football, the level of talent is great with some of the players on the field eventually signing with D1 programs, so who knows you could be watching the next Emmitt Smith or Trent Richardson play. Extras 3 One extra for the field being named after perhaps the greatest running back to ever play football – during his four years at Escambia (1983-1986) the Gators won two State Championships and were ranked the top high school football program in the State of Florida, and one of the top ranked programs in the country. Emmitt broke numerous records in high school including rushing for 106 touchdowns and 8,804 career yards, which ranks in the top 10 for most yardage in the history of high school football. He also rushed for over 100 yard games in every game his junior and senior year, including rushing for at least 100 yards in 45 of the 49 games he played. Emmitt Smith would follow up his standout high school career with a standout career at the University of Florida , becoming a two-time first team All-American, a Heisman finalist, an induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, and would be recognized as number 3 on the list of the Top 50 players to ever play for the Florida Gators. Smith would later become the first junior to ever get drafted straight from college into the NFL in 1990 when the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the first round. Over the next 15 years Emmitt would become one of the best players in the NFL, winning 3 Super Bowls and being elected to 8 Pro Bowls. His 18,355 career rushing yards rank number 1 for the most rushing yards ever by an NFL player, and his 164 rushing touchdowns rank number 1 for most touchdowns ever scored by a running back. For his stats and accomplishments he would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, and was named the greatest running back to ever play in the NFL by the NFL Network. The school also pays homage to another one of its most distinguished alums, WWE star Roman Reigns. Before he was main eventing WrestleManias and acting in movies with his cousin “The Rock”, the multi-time WWE Champion was known by his real name Joe Anoai, and was a standout defensive lineman during his senior year here after transferring from Pensacola Catholic High School. He would later be an All-ACC selection at Georgia Tech and have a brief stint in the CFL before trying his hand at wrestling. His twin cousins Jimmy and Jey Uso would later become WWE stars as well, and they also played linebacker at Escambia. During pregame Roman’s wrestling theme plays over the loudspeakers, as the team comes from the locker rooms in the gymnasium, comes down the hill in the north end zone, and then runs out onto the field. This was a nice tribute to how Roman used to make his entrance when he would enter the ring from the crowd – this is something not a lot of people would notice, but as a huge wrestling fan I thought this was a nice added touch.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 William Nicks Center T.R. Soloman at O.J. Thomas Street Prairie View, TX 77446 Prairie View A&M Panthers website William Nicks Center website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 6,500 Panther Pride Alive in Prairie View Located just over an hour northwest of Houston is the city of Prairie View, and the campus of Prairie View A&M University – the school was opened in 1876, and has been putting athletics teams on the field and on the court for nearly 100 years. The Panthers basketball program has called William Nicks Building (named for the school’s legendary head football coach ) home since the early 1960s. Over the years, the Prairie View A&M basketball program has experienced a great deal of success – the Panthers were conference champions in 1962, 1963, 1998 (earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament), and 2013, and former Panthers center Zelmo “Big Z” Beatty was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 as well. The “Baby Dome”, as William Nicks Building is called on campus, is one of the most raucous playing environments in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), and continually is one of the best small-school venues in college basketball. Food & Beverage 3 The food selection at Williams Nicks Building is pretty standard for college athletics, with one notable exception, that being boudin balls – the tasty Cajun sausages can be purchased for $5 per order. That being said, the concessions prices are a little on the steep side; hot dogs are $5, nachos $7, popcorn $4, and soda and beer $5 apiece. There is also a BBQ sandwich ($5) on the menu that many in the crowd seem to enjoy, and chips, candy, sports drinks, and bottled water are also on the menu. There are two concessions areas in the main concourse level of the Baby Dome. At the stand near the main entrance there is a Bahama Buck’s offering a pared down menu, with large and small sizes at $6 and $7 each. Despite the cost, there is enough of a selection at William Nicks Building for fans to find what they need. Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere at William Nicks Building is personally one of the best I have ever experienced. This may have been due to playing a rivalry game on my last visit, as it was nearly a sellout crowd (the Panthers averaged just under 800 fans per game last season). Regardless, the atmosphere was electric – on the sidelines, a DJ mixes songs during timeouts and fan contests. The student section at William Nicks Building, especially the fraternities and sororities, dance with every song the band – the Marching Storm – plays, and the acoustics of the dome amplify the sound exponentially. If you attend a game I think you’ll be blown away. Neighborhood 2 As mentioned, Prairie View is just a little over an hour away from the Houston metroplex area, and Prairie View city proper is the epitome of a college town. The campus is the metaphorical heart and soul of the community, and much of the entertainment that can be found has to do with Prairie View A&M. Beyond that, there are some attractions in the communities surrounding Prairie View – the Texas Oil Ranch in nearby Hockley is a prime example of such an attraction. This working ranch was also home to a gusher in the previous century, and visitors can get a glimpse of a bygone era when they visit. Hockley is also home to the Lone Star Pinball Museum , which is exactly what it sounds like – a shrine to the shiny silver balls that have enthralled players for years. This museum is a great attraction if you’re looking for some quick fun before Panthers games. For food, Waller County Line BBQ has become a staple in the area; known for its sausage, brisket, and ribs, it is as close to a true Texas barbecue joint as you will find in the area. But if you’re looking for something a little more traditional (though this being Texas, barbecue is really as traditional as it gets), Bistro 1876 is located right on the campus of Prairie View A&M, and offers traditional American comfort food. When it comes to hotels, your options near campus are pretty limited. Both America’s Best Value Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express have locations nearby, but if you are looking for other options, you might have to venture out farther away from Prairie View. Fans 4 The crowd at William Nicks Building is really tremendous and was the highlight of my visit to Prairie View – they were loud, engaged, and active for the entire game. The student sections in particular was boisterous, and really enhanced the game experience. In the stands, the fans are decked out in the purple and white of the home team. Even though Prairie View A&M is not what you think of as a traditional basketball powerhouse program, it is clear the passion for the team and the student athletes is there. You also see a lot of alumni for home games, which gives a great generational feel to the crowd. Access 2 Prairie View is easily accessible by driving from either Houston or San Antonio, the two biggest cities nearby. Once on campus though, there is very little signage directing you to William Nicks Building – a hint; look for Panther Stadium, where the football team plays, and head for that. Parking is also not plentiful for Prairie View A&M basketball games – while it is free, most of the spots close to the basketball gym fill up fast. The adjacent lot is near the physical fitness center and student center, but also tends to fill up pretty quickly – lack of parking is the sole reason for the low score in this category. There are other parking areas on Prairie View A&M’s campus that are free for spectators, but they are not nearly as close to the arena. On the plus side, it is a beautiful campus, so if you have to walk you can at least enjoy the scenery. Return on Investment 2 General admission tickets for Panthers games are a little on the high side – each ticket will cost you $20 per person (and it is cash only at the box office, but there is an ATM nearby). This is a little pricey in my opinion, and when you couple the concessions costs (also cash only, by the way) with the ticket fees, this could turn into a high-dollar evening for games at William Nicks Building. Extras 4 You surprisingly get a lot of extras during Prairie View A&M basketball games. For my money, the basketball version of the Marching Storm is an experience you should not miss – their sound is incredible and (again) is magnificently amplified by the acoustics of the arena’s construction. There are times when the band ramps up the atmosphere to such an extent that you will not even be able to speak to the person you are sitting next to! The Panther cheerleaders and the dance team, the Panther Dolls, are also part of the overall experience; they dance during intermissions and cheer throughout the game. The team’s mascots – Pete and Vickie, respectively – patrol the stands and interact with fans the entire game. For younger fans, this will be an especially great treat. Final Thoughts Going into this visit, I had no preconceived expectations of what it might be like. However, I was truthfully blown away by the incredible energy at William Nicks Building. While I have never been to any of the major palaces of college hoops, I have been to a quite a few games, and this arena was unlike anything I have ever experienced before. I don’t think my words can fully do it justice – it is something you should see for yourself if you’re a fan of college basketball. One final caveat; William Nicks Building is scheduled to undergo some renovations and remodeling during the spring of 2018, so you might want to plan your visit for after that. Either way, add Prairie View A&M’s William Nicks Building to your bucket list of college basketball arenas! Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey A recent report in the San Antonio Express-News has revealed that the ownership group of the Double-A San Antonio Missions is zeroing in on a new stadium for the club. The current ownership group purchased the team in 2022 and has always eyed a move into the Alamo City’s vibrant downtown area. According to the newspaper’s reporting, the Missions  ownership group has been buying up parcels of land in the downtown area since taking over the team. It is unclear exactly how much a new ballpark will cost, or where the funding will come from. The Missions, who have resided at their current home Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium  since 1994, are under a deadline from Major League Baseball (MLB) that is fast approaching. Minor league clubs were put on notice when MLB put new facility standards in place in 2020; the deadline for the Missions to either make significant improvements to Wolff Stadium or make plans to build a new ballpark is Opening Day of 2025. The guidelines released by MLB include upgrading to larger clubhouses, improving training facilities and lighting, and upgrading facilities for female staffers. If a team fails to make the changes by the 2025 deadline, they could lose their affiliation with MLB. The Missions , members of the Texas League, are currently affiliates of the San Diego Padres . ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Mygameballs.com gave ball hawking – which is snagging baseballs at the ballpark – an online clubhouse. Hundreds of hawks from around the country reported their snags and all the details to the site. On February 12, 2021, MGB founder Alan Schuster - the man who snagged Big Papi's 500th dinger - sold the site to TrueRank, a Toronto-based list-making and ranking app. StadiumJourney.com caught up with Chris Hughes, TrueRank’s social media coordinator, who’s also an enthusiastic ballhawk, for a quick Q&A. STADIUM JOURNEY: So how and when did the purchase of MGB come about? Why did you purchase the site? CHRIS HUGHES: The purchase of www.mygameballs.com came about after telling my dad (TrueRank's co-founder Bob Hughes) that it was for sale. I felt that MGB dovetailed nicely with everything that TrueRank was doing. With MGB’s impressive community of passionate hawks, I felt that we could find ways to integrate this energy with that of TrueRank, and vice versa. The main goal of the purchase was to grow the ball-hawking community and create a more efficient way to log baseballs. STADIUM JOURNEY: How and when did you personally get into ballhawking? What about it gets your adrenaline going? CHRIS HUGHES: I got into ball-hawking in late 2016. While watching YouTube, I stumbled upon a documentary about Zack Hample and was instantly drawn to his passion. I thought it would be something fun to try since I already enjoyed baseball a lot. What gets my adrenaline going about it is the unpredictability, not knowing when a home run ball might come your way. When I caught a home run on the fly at Dodger Stadium, I was filled with an inexplicable amount of adrenaline immediately after. Since 2016, I have snagged 90 baseballs and look forward to going for 100 this season. STADIUM JOURNEY: What's your most exciting ballhawking adventure? CHRIS HUGHES: My dad and I went on a road trip from Toronto to Cincinnati, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit. Before the game in Milwaukee, we went to Friday's in left field. The restaurant’s patio gave us access to batting practice before the gates opened. I snagged three baseballs, including one from Curtis Granderson. After getting a ball in front of the bullpen before the game, I caught a third-out ball when Garrett Cooper lined out to Mike Moustakas to end the top of the 8th. Catching five balls in that game, along with watching 11 runs scored during the top of 5th, made this an exceptional experience. STADIUM JOURNEY: What's the ballhawking scene like in Toronto? Are there a lot of hawks? How stringent is security? Does Toronto have its version of Zack Hample? CHRIS HUGHES: The ballhawking scene is strong in Toronto. With a group of eight to ten regulars, you are bound to run into other members of the community at a game. Security is not that stringent, and I’ve had no issues. As for who is the Hample of Toronto, the current leaders from the area are Justin Swartz @JustinSwartz63 with 362 balls snagged and William Launderville @Threejag with 360. We’re especially excited here in Toronto, as we get to experience the long-awaited outfield renovations to the Rogers Centre. The fan experience and the ability to snag more balls, because of some changes to the dimensions of the field, promises to elevate Toronto ballhawking. Ballhawkers meet at the first Game at Rogers Centre after the COVID pandemic, July 30, 2021. Pictured: Chris Hughes, Arsen Nikolic & Michael Farkouh STADIUM JOURNEY: What's your favorite stadium to hawk in? And what's your favorite stadium to just watch a game? CHRIS HUGHES: My favorite stadium to ballhawk has to be Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. If you buy a ticket to the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum, you can get into the ballpark for early batting practice. I snagged four BP balls doing this. Oracle Park in San Francisco stands out the most for just watching a game. With the gorgeous view of the bay, a game there is a very memorable experience. STADIUM JOURNEY: Best stadium or two to eat in? CHRIS HUGHES: The best stadium I've eaten at was Citi Field. The lobster rolls in right field are amazing and a must-have if you are ever at a game in New York. Another must-have is California Pizza Kitchen at Dodger Stadium. The BBQ chicken pizza is amazing, and I would have it again! STADIUM JOURNEY: What's next for www.mygameballs.com ? CHRIS HUGHES: We’re excited to announce that we have been coding a mobile version of the MGB website, which is scheduled to launch this season. It will allow users to easily and quickly log the baseballs they snag, using their mobile device. We’re also bringing back our Survivor Pool, which is starting on June 2nd. This is a weekly competition whereby participants select one MLB game to predict from a list of 10 being played from Friday through Sunday. Making an incorrect pick results in a strike. When competitors get three strikes, they’re eliminated from the competition, which will continue until one person remains. The winner gets a $100 Amazon gift card. We’re also excited to bring back Ballhawk Fest, the annual in-person ballhawk convention, which we’ll be taking applications for soon. Follow us on @myGameBalls for the latest. ----- Jon Hart is @manversusball

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Memorial Gym 210 25th Ave S Nashville, TN 37240 Vanderbilt Commodores website Memorial Gym website Year Opened: 1952 Capacity: 14,316 Historical Memorial Gymnasium - Vanderbilt Commodores In the Music City, it only seems appropriate that the gymnasium of the largest university in Nashville was originally built as a basketball arena and concert hall. Vanderbilt University’s Memorial Gymnasium has a long history of being one of the most challenging venues for visiting teams to play in. Food & Beverage 4 Concessions stands are abundant throughout Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gymnasium. Each of the four main lobbies has two concession stands and a beer cart. Most food choices are found on the main level – fans can choose from Chick-fil-a sandwiches, hot dogs, pizza, and nachos. There is also a wide variety of BBQ choices including nachos, mac-and-cheese, and pulled pork sandwiches. Soft drinks come from the Pepsi family of products, while alcoholic options include Budweiser beers, Bud Lite Seltzers, craft beers from Tennessee Brew Works, and wine. In addition to the concessions at the main lobby level, the mezzanine and balcony levels have smaller concessions stands. Vanderbilt also offers in seat ordering where fans can skip the line, order from their seats, and pick up their food at one of the main level concessions stands. Atmosphere 5 If making a list of quirky arenas in college basketball, Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gymnasium would be right near the top of that list. Given the building’s dual needs, it requires a unique layout. Memorial Gymnasium is one of the few raised floors in the NCAA; the raised floor allows for a more gradual slope to the main level of seating – the slope of the seating is similar to that of movie theaters. With the gradual slope and raised floor, the team benches have been moved to the ends of the court. If benches were to be in the traditional location, fans in the first few rows would be looking at the back of the bench all game. Each of the four sides of the building is comprised of three tiers of seating: court level, mezzanine, and upper balcony. Given the overhang of the decks above, seats in the back of the first two levels have some rather obstructed views of the full arena and center court scoreboard. However, Vanderbilt has tried to minimize the impact of this with large video and scoreboards on the corner abutments around the gymnasium. When buying tickets, try to stay toward the front of the sections of the A-E levels – these areas have fold down seats, rather than the bench seating that is in much of the arena. Also, the further to the front, the more of the full arena you will be able to see. Fans of the visiting team typically sit in any of the F levels of seating. Neighborhood 5 One of the big draws of Nashville is its vibrant nightlife; the epicenter of the excitement has been dubbed the “Honky Tonk Highway”, and is within 2 miles of Vanderbilt’s campus. Here visitors can take in Nashville’s famed juke-joints and bar scene. The historic Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry, is the centerpiece of this downtown neighborhood. If looking to pair a visit to Vanderbilt with other local sporting events, the Nashville Predators are less than 2 miles away at Bridgestone Arena . The home of the Tennessee Titans of the NFL, Nissan Stadium , is just across the Cumberland River from downtown. While Nashville’s most popular tourist attractions are a quick rideshare away, Centennial Park and the Greek Parthenon replica are immediately across the street from Vanderbilt’s campus. The Hillsboro neighborhood directly bordering Vanderbilt also has many shops and quality restaurants. Fans 5 If the one-of-a-kind nature of Memorial Gymnasium is not enough to create a special experience, Vandy fans add to the aura of basketball here. Whether it is the acoustics of the building, the passion of the fanbase, or a combination of both, the energy throughout Memorial Gymnasium shoots through you as if you’ve been struck by lightning. A great deal of the credit for this energy goes to the student section – students show up in large numbers and make themselves part of the game atmosphere from the moment the Commodores take the floor. Basketball at Vanderbilt is a special experience, and much of that can be attributed to the students due to the school spirit and enthusiasm they display. Access 4 Getting to the Vanderbilt campus, as with most metropolitan areas, is dependent on the traffic. While not much more than a mile off Interstate-65, weekday games can be impacted by the headaches of gridlock in major cities. Parking is available at several decks around Memorial Gymnasium, the most convenient being the 25th Street garage. Prices fluctuate depending on whether it is a conference or non-conference game, and if parking is purchased in advance or not. Non-conference parking runs $5, while for conference games it is $10 if bought ahead of time; buying the day of adds $5 to the cost. There are 10 entry points around Memorial Gymnasium. For first time visitors, there might be a bit of importance to entering through the gate associated with the section of the seat – the entry level of the arena contains a maze of hallways, so it is easy to get turned around in the wrong direction if you don’t enter too close to your assigned seat. Return on Investment 3 When talking Power 5 schools, you are typically going to pay a premium when it comes to ticket prices. Ticket costs are going to be higher in a conference like the SEC, but it doesn’t have to be a deterrent to attending a game. Non-conference games typically have lower priced tickets while providing a similar experience. Vanderbilt utilizes flex pricing when it comes to their tickets. For example, tickets against rivals Kentucky or Tennessee are three times the rate as the get-in-the-door price for Alabama. While the overall experience can be worth the expense, it can be a bit cost prohibitive, so scout the schedule ahead of time to find the most reasonable ticket prices. Extras 4 There are many points of interest that just add to the experience of Memorial Gymnasium. First, the practice gym is home to Vandyville, a carnival of photo ops, face painting, and inflatables to help keep the younger fans entertained during pre-game, or if sitting down for the entirety of the game becomes too much. The lobby areas also provide fans with live action game statistics, so while fans may not directly be able to see the action while getting some food, they can keep up with the score and any statistics they might be missing. Vanderbilt features the history of its men’s and women’s programs around the arena; the most impressive among past Vanderbilt basketball players, who have also won conference awards and played professionally, is their 1984 Olympian, Jeff Turner. Final Thoughts Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gymnasium is definitely an arena that is a must-stop for stadium enthusiasts. Beyond the rarity of the raised court and the quirks of the building itself, the whole experience of a basketball game at Vanderbilt is extremely fan friendly and a great college basketball atmosphere.