Photos by Shutterstock and Sean MacDonald, Lloyd Brown, Andy Pregler Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 JMA Wireless Dome 900 Irving Ave Syracuse, NY 13244 Syracuse Orange website JMA Wireless Dome website Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 34,616 There’s No Place Like Dome Syracuse bills itself as New York’s college team and if that is the case, then the Carrier Dome in New York’s college arena. Not only does the Orange football team play here, but so does its nationally recognized lacrosse team. However, the most famous denizen of the dome is the basketball squad that is now the 6th-winningest program in NCAA history. Over the years, many future NBA stars have played under Coach Jim Boeheim, with the most notable perhaps Carmelo Anthony, who led the team to the 2003 championship. NCAA violations announced in 2015 led to a loss of scholarships and hurt the reputation of both Boeheim and the school, but they rebounded to make a Final Four Appearance in 2016. It looks like the worst is over, so we paid a visit to the Carrier Dome to see if the experience of attending an Orange basketball game has changed. Note : The venue's name changed from Carrier Dome to JMA Wireless Dome in 2022. Food & Beverage 3 “The Dome” was opened in 1980 and the concession stands seem to have changed little since then. Old style menu boards list typical stadium fare and little else. A slice of pizza ($5), German frank or coney ($4), and sausage subs with peppers and onions ($7) are all popular items. Nachos sell for $7.50 and you can get sauerkraut or extra cheese for $1.50. Snacks include pretzels ($4), popcorn ($3.50), and caramel corn ($4.50). There are a couple of specialty items, but you will have to look around for them. An ice cream stand offers three sizes in various flavors from $4-$5, while pizza logs can be found behind Section 121. Another stand sells chili for $6 and pulled pork sandwiches for $8. Despite being a college venue, beer is available. Domestic drafts (Bud and Bud Light) are $7 while craft brews will cost a dollar more. The unique beverage here is an $8 wine slush, made with wine from the nearby Finger Lakes region. Pepsi is the soft drink provider with bottles costing $4, the same as a regular fountain drink. A large cup (32 ounces) is $5.50. Coffee, hot chocolate, and milk are also available. There is not a lot of variety for such a large venue, but the prices are reasonable–a fair tradeoff. Atmosphere 5 Only one-half of the building is used for basketball, with the court being set up around where one end zone would be for football. The permanent seats thus take up 3 quarters of the court, with a few sections of temporary seats on the far side. There are also courtside seats all around. There are three levels of seating at the Dome, but with suites at either end of the court sitting at the same level as the second deck, even the upper bowl is not that far away from the action. All seats are benches, with the two lower levels having seatbacks, while the upper deck offering more traditional bench seating. Season ticket holders use orange seats to make their visit a bit more comfortable, and these seats remain in place even after the game, adding a bit of color to the scene. The other half of the stadium is the Toyota Fun Zone, where you can play games and look at advertising booths before the game. There are permanent video boards at the top of the dome, and a smaller scoreboard behind the temporary seats. Player names are not displayed, but game stats are continuously displayed on ribbon boards. What makes this place thoroughly enjoyable is the energy put into the events during the breaks in the action, by both the fans and the cheering sections. The band (known as the Sour Sitrus Society) is behind the basket closer to the Syracuse bench, just in front of the student section. The cheerleaders stand in front of the band, and they keep things lively throughout. There is also a dance team, who collectively accompany the national anthem using sign language. Of course, they also get out on the floor to entertain fans. During the final media timeout, some of the male cheerleaders run C-U-S-E flags around the perimeter of the court and then right through it, which really gets the crowd going during crunch time. Everything is well coordinated and you shouldn’t leave your seat during the timeouts as you might miss something that would get you pumped for when the action begins again. The dome is energized from well before the national anthem, and of course, during, when O is shouted out midway through in honor of the Orange. At tip-off, fans stand and clap until the Orange make a basket. From there, the energy continues to build, and things can get wild if the home team is winning. It is really impressive that they can pull this off in a dome, which is usually a lifeless venue. Neighborhood 4 The Carrier Dome is on campus, and there are a few bars nearby, with Marshall Street the primary location. Faegan’s Cafe and Varsity Pizza are two good bets here. If you want something a bit more varied, you’ll have to drive downtown, where Empire Brewing and Blue Tusk, among many other establishments, can be found. Of course, no visit to Syracuse would be complete without a stop at Dinosaur BBQ, located at the corner of Willow and Franklin. You’ll probably have to wait, but it will be worth it. If you happen to be traveling with a shopaholic, Destiny USA is a good spot to leave them while you check out the game. This large mall is a couple of miles north on I-81 and also has a movie theater. Fans 5 A superb contingent of orange-clad supporters turns the dome into a surprisingly loud place. They stand at the beginning of the game, and often during as well. They know their team well and cheer them on with passion. A typical crowd is 25,000, and that can get upwards of 30,000 when a top opponent visits. It doesn’t appear that fans get up to get a beer during the action; they are here to watch the game and really make the Carrier Dome a great place to visit. Access 3 Syracuse is about 4 hours north of New York City along I-81, and just over 2 hours east of Buffalo along I-90 via the New York Thruway. The Carrier Dome is located on the campus, an architectural outlier surrounded by beautiful old buildings. It is right next to I-81 and quite easy to access from both the north or southbound lanes. If you are using the Thruway, you will take I-81 south about 3 miles to access the campus. University parking lots charge $15 (garages are $25) but avoid them and drive to Ashworth Place, a block north of Genesee Street. One side of Ashworth allows parking from 6 pm on odd days to 6 pm on even days, the other vice versa, so you will always be able to park here. If you don’t remember what day it is, just follow everybody else’s lead. It is about a 15-minute walk from this area to the game. Despite the large crowd, entry to the stadium is very easy due to the fact there are over a dozen entrances, both at the upper and lower levels. Fans spread out and there are no lines for the most part. There is a cursory security check with a wand, but no metal detectors to make everyone move quickly to the concourse. Inside, there are two levels of concourses with the upper concourse leading to both the second and third seating bowls. Crowds will form, especially when concession lines move into walking areas. The entire concourse is open even though the seating sections on the other side of the stadium is not open, it might be a good idea to take a walk around if you need a bit of space. You will notice Club 44 behind sections 108 and 109. This is a membership-only area that looks to be quite interesting but is off limits to the average fan. Exiting the stadium might take a minute or two as you are directed to the revolving door. Meanwhile, restrooms are the old style trough type (for men obviously). There were no lineups, but I would guess they do occur during halftime when most fans leave their seats. Return on Investment 3 The cheapest seat here is $45 for ACC opponents, a bit pricey for the end zone in the third deck of a dome, even though the experience can be thrilling. Prices go up from there, with seats in the temporary area costing $125 for a premium ticket that includes a donation. You might be better off looking on the secondary market or buying from a reseller out front. Fortunately, food is relatively cheap here, so you can have a decent afternoon for just over $100 for two, but this is still too much for college hoops. Extras 5 Take a walk around the concourse and check out all the history on display. The 2003 championship trophy is in one case all by itself, but there are others that contain a tribute to the Syracuse Eight, memorabilia from football seasons past, and Ernie Davis’ Heisman Trophy. Inside, there are banners honoring lacrosse, football, and basketball heroes of the past. Outside, you can find a statue of Davis on the way to the quad. The number 31 is now at center court to honor Pearl Washington, who passed away in April 2016. There is a rainwater harvesting system that collects rain that runs off the roof and stores it for use in washrooms. You can see some of the machinery behind this as you walk along the concourse. Another point for having the dance team use sign language for the national anthem, a nice touch. Final Thoughts The experience of seeing a Syracuse Orange game at the Carrier Dome is one that every college basketball fan should enjoy at least once. Domes are slowly disappearing because they are usually terrible places to watch a sporting event. Here, however, the opposite is true, due mostly to the fantastic fan base, but also to the unique setup where only half the venue is used. Syracuse is not the easiest place to get to, but if you are planning to be in the area during the hoops season, make sure to time your visit so that you can add the Carrier Dome to your list of visited venues.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Jack Simpson Gymnasium 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 Calgary Dinos basketball website Jack Simpson Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 3,454 University of Calgary Dinos Basketball The University of Calgary became its own institution, separate from the University of Alberta, in 1966. Since then the U of C Dinos sports program has won 45 national championships and 145 titles in the Canada West Division. Among all those wins, the men’s and women’s basketball teams have made their mark. The women’s Dinos took the National Championship in 1989 during a run in which they won 69 straight games and won four consecutive Canada West Titles. In addition to that run, they’ve won the division on four other occasions. The men have never won the national championship, but they’ve won Canada West six times, so they’ve come close. The Dinos play in the Jack Simpson Gymnasium which opened in 1987 as part of a major addition to the kinesiology facilities at the U of C in anticipation of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. The U of C’s student residence buildings were used to house Olympic athletes and the world’s first indoor speed skating track was built as part of the kinesiology expansion as well. The Jack, as it is sometimes referred to, was a major upgrade from the aging Red Gym on the other end of the complex, with a seating capacity of 3,454, better lighting, state-of-the-art flooring and numerous other features. In addition to being the home of Dinos basketball, it also plays home to the men’s and women’s volleyball teams, intramural sports, annual convocation ceremonies, and many other activities. Food & Beverage 2 The main lobby for the Jack Simpson Gym is upstairs on the west side of the gym and is shared with the Olympic Oval. In that lobby you’ll find two concession stands, although typically only one is open for game nights. The offerings here are pretty pedestrian, with nothing more exotic than a hot dog on the menu. Chips, pop, and coffee can be purchased here, but not much else. On the upside, the price is quite reasonable: Combo Number 1 includes a hot dog, a medium fountain drink, and your choice of chips or a candy bar for $7. The good news is that there is also a kiosk in the gym itself, on the west end of the running track at the top of the stands. The campus bar, The Den, have set up The Den West where adults can get their drink on, offering a good selection of domestic and premium beer and coolers for $6-7, depending on what you order. Again, a pretty good price! Beyond those two spots, however, you aren’t going to find anything here, aside from a water fountain. Atmosphere 3 The Dinos usually draw between 700-800 people for Friday night games (fairly typical for Canadian Intrauniversity and a can break 1,000 on a Saturday. For their annual “Pack the Jack” event, they can get up around 2,000 fans. This still leaves the stands more than half empty, so it can be a bit of a challenge to get the energy up in the crowd. Typically in the CIS, both the women and the men play in back-to-back games, so you’re getting two games for the price of your game ticket. People tend to file in over the course of the women’s game, so the early game tends to be quieter than the late game. The seats are comfortable, but leg room is a little on the tight side, so having a relatively sparse crowd gives you the opportunity to spread out a bit and ensure that this isn’t a problem. The seats themselves are multi-coloured, with red, blue, and yellow spread around the building, which helps camouflage the actual number of people in the building, making it seems fuller than it is. Dinos championship banners line the Jack, giving fans a sense of the long and proud history of athletics on campus. No doubt this serves to inspire Dinos players and fans alike, while intimidating visitors from other schools. And ultimately, the thing that most affects the atmosphere at a sporting event is the quality of the game. With the long and proud history of quality athletics at the U of C, you are probably going to see some excellent competition. The facility itself is clean and tidy, with indirect lighting that isn’t too harsh on the eyes, but isn’t particularly special beyond the colourful seating and the banners. Neighbourhood 3 The Jack Simpson Gym is located on the west end of the main U of C campus. The Kinesiology complex is connected to the MacEwan Student Centre, where the campus food court is located, providing you with a few pre-game food options but things are closed by the time the games have wrapped up. Similarly, The Den and Black Lounge, the campus bar which is also located in MSC, closes at 10 pm on Fridays and isn’t open at all on Saturdays, so don’t expect to get your party on while at the University for a game. Realistically, there isn’t anything that most people would consider walkable from the Jack. In any direction, you’re probably at least a 15-minute walk from the edge of campus, after which you still have to walk for another 10-plus minutes to get to anything worth getting to. So you’re more likely at least a short drive away from other points of interest. There are a few good spots to check out if you make that trip, however. To the northeast of campus is Brentwood Village Mall. Within that complex you’ll find a Harvey’s, a Starbucks, and a couple really nice Irish-style pubs. The Killkenny provides quality pub food (the chicken wings are enormous and tasty) and a wide selection of adult beverages (the beer menu alone is six pages long). Likewise, Jamiesons has a vast drink menu and a solid food menu featuring typical pub fare as well as some more exotic choices. To the southeast of campus you’ll find Motel Village, which features some excellent New Orleans-style cuisine at Big T’s BBQ and Smokehouse, a Boston Pizza, a Denny’s, and several fast-food places. Just to the north of Motel Village proper, you’ll also find Nick’s Steakhouse and Pizza , which has won several Consumer’s Choice Awards over the years. If you head southwest of campus, you’ll arrive at the Stadium Shopping Mall which features Moose McGuire’s Bar , The Keg for a little more upscale steak dining, and the Redwater Rustic Grille , which also offers a more upscale dining experience. Fans 3 The fans at Dinos games are generally a relaxed group who applaud at the right times and occasionally boo a call they aren’t happy with, but are generally pretty quiet. With only a few hundred people scattered around a venue that can hold several thousand, this can make for a pretty subdued feel in the stands. Not unpleasant, but low-key. If you’re looking for a place where the energy is high and the crowd is cheering from start-to-finish, this isn’t the place. Nevertheless, eyes are generally on the floor, so the crowd is engaged and enjoying the games, so the overall experience is positive. Access 4 The University of Calgary is located in the city’s north west quadrant, on the west side of Crowchild Trail, a major north-south artery in town, and 16th Ave., which is one of the major east-west arteries and also part of the Trans-Canada Highway. As a result, getting to campus is pretty easy from all directions. Calgary Transit also services campus with busses as well as a Light Rail Transit (LRT) stop. Depending on where you park on campus, the price can vary a little, but you’re most economical choices are Lots 10 and 11, on the north east corner of the main campus, just beyond the Olympic Oval. In both cases it’s $7 for the day, which is a bargain compared to the parking prices in other parts of the city. Once on campus you can walk just about anywhere while remaining indoors, which is a pretty big deal if it’s the middle of winter and the temperatures have dropped to below -20°C (which is not uncommon). Depending on where you started, it could be a bit of a hike to get to the Jack, but probably not more than 10 minutes. As noted above, the entrance to the gym is shared with the Olympic Oval. The ticket window is just inside the shared entrance, then you’ll head up the stairs to the upper concourse where the concession stand is located and through the doors into the gym itself. You’ll find yourself at the top of the west stands on the running track that connects to the campus fitness centre. There is tons of room here for even a large crowd, so moving around is not a problem. Likewise, it should be no problem at all to find a decent place to sit without feeling crowded in by other patrons. Do be aware: The beautiful LED screen which is installed above the north end of the court, is not easily viewed if you sit in sections K, J, D or E, all on the north end of the stands. Also, because the basketball nets are suspended from the ceiling of the gym and hang from a lattice of white steel pipes, views of the screen and scoreboard are partially obscured from many other locations south of mid-court. This is a shame because it detracts from how sharp these recent upgrades to the facility actually are. Return On Investment 5 Adult ticket prices are $15 each, seniors are $10, and kids aged 7-17 get in for $8. A family package is also available for two adults and up to four kids for $40. These are all pretty decent prices to come see the best basketball in the city, especially since you get two games for the price of one. But the real deal here is for U of C students: because of an annual student levy, all U of C students get in to any Dinos regular season games for free. Just show your ID card and in you go. Short of paying people to show up, there isn’t a better deal than that! Extras 2 The Calgary Stampede Band of Outriders are a fixture at Dinos games, providing live entertainment during stoppages in the on-floor action. There are recycling bins around the facility to encourage fans to reduce, reuse and recycle. Always a nice touch. Spend some time walking around the north and south ends of the track and have a long look at all the national championship banners. It’s an impressive collection! If you need to kill some time before the game or during intermission, you can wander into the Olympic Oval and have a look at what’s going on out on the speed skating track or the two full-size hockey rinks found in the oval ring. Also, the concourse area between the Oval and the Jack is home to the Speed Skating Canada Hall of Fame display as well as some interesting art. Speaking of art, if you have time to wander around campus, there are a number of interesting sculptures and displays. For instance, just outside the Oval/Jack entrance to the north there is a large sculpture that was part of the 1988 Olympics development, called The Spire, although it is more affectionately known by U of C students as “the paperclip.” Only a few metres from the Spire is one of the three Olympic Torch locations. As you walk through the Kinesiology hallways, you’ll come across the Dinos Hall of Fame display, honouring some of the great athletes and teams to come through the U of C. Final Thoughts Dinos basketball is an entertaining product at a reasonable price. They have a history of success which ensures you’ll see some competitive action. The Jack is a nice place to take in some CIS sports and worth your time to visit.

Photos by Aaron Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Jack Trice Stadium 1732 S 4th St Ames, IA 50011 Iowa State Cyclones website Jack Trice Stadium website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 61,500 Seeing Red in Ames The Iowa State Cyclones have historically been a mid-tier team in the Big 12. However, over the years the program has quietly made improvements to their home field, Jack Trice Stadium, and in a decent year, the atmosphere at this 61,500-seat venue can rival that of many of the other teams in the conference. Jack Trice Stadium opened in 1975 with a win over Air Force . Three-level video boards were added to each end zone later, one in 2002 and the other in 2011, and the most recent upgrade (in 2015) enclosed the south end zone to bring the facility up to its current capacity. The stadium is named after former Iowa State football player Jack Trice, who passed away in 1923 as a result of injuries sustained during a game at the University of Minnesota . The details surrounding Trice’s death remain controversial to this day, as many of his teammates claim he was intentionally targeted because of his skin color – Jack Trice Stadium is the only FBS venue that is named for an African-American individual. Food & Beverage 5 While the food and beverage selection at Jack Trice Stadium doesn’t offer a ton of variety, there are a few items available here that you won’t find anywhere else. Main dishes include your stadium basics such as burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, pizza, chicken tenders, and tacos, but also include pork tenderloin and (given the close proximity to Wisconsin) cheddar bratwurst. These items will run you $5 to $11, depending on whether or not you add fries to your order. However, it is the side/dessert items where Jack Trice Stadium really shines – besides the standard fare such as popcorn, sno cones, funnel cake, cotton candy, pretzels, nachos, packaged candy, and peanuts, you can also find poutine, cheese curds, and even fried Twinkies; who could ever say no to that? These items start at about $4 and top out at $7 – the fried Twinkies are actually tied with several other items as being the cheapest on the menu. Drink options here include bottled or fountain soda, bottled water, Gatorade, lemonade, coffee, and hot cocoa. Jack Trice Stadium also offers exactly one kind of beer – Rise. Atmosphere 5 In recent years it is a great day to be a Cyclones fan, with signature wins last season against the likes of Oklahoma and TCU . Games at Jack Trice Stadium lately tend to be near-sellouts, and not because of the visiting fans either – the stands are packed wall to wall with red-clad Iowa State loyalists. Besides the energy and fan noise (more on that later), the staff at Jack Trice Stadium puts on a great show with cones of fire spurting forth when the Cyclones come onto the field, plenty of colorful flags, and a great mascot who rides in on a cross between a Hummer and a golf cart. With teeth bared, Cy is constantly all over the stadium interacting with fans, and the Iowa State band does a great job as well, including a post-game concert on the north end of the field to celebrate the win. The stadium looks incredibly modern despite its age, and the massive scoreboard in each end zone make it easy to follow the action. There is also a small berm area on the north end of the stadium, which many fans seem to enjoy watching the game from. Neighborhood 3 While there is plenty to do in Ames, Iowa (despite it not being a huge town), Jack Trice Stadium is unfortunately fronted on the east side by intramural fields, a park, and a massive gold course, so it ends up being a bit far away from most of the local eateries, which are located along Duff Avenue. Duff Avenue is the place to head before or after the game to visit restaurants like Old Chicago and Texas Roadhouse. Culver’s, a regional favorite specializing in custard, is also in that area, but if you feel like taking in the college vibe, you might try Blaze pizza, which is north of the stadium on Lincoln Way. If you plan to be in town for the day or for the weekend, most of the local attractions tend to be parks, or you can visit the ISU Arboretum. However, if you happen to be into wacky roadside America pitstops, you can also find the World’s Largest Concrete Gnome in Ames, not far from Jack Trice Stadium. And once you have taken your selfie with the famous gnome, there are a few hotels nearby to rest up for the trip home – there are not a ton of hotels near the stadium (Days Inn and Best Western are the closest), but there are a good deal more located a few miles away along I-35. Fans 4 Iowa State fans are pretty impressive for a typically mid-tier team – most of them show in Cyclones gear, and they are very loud and bring a lot of energy into the stadium. They cheer loudly for most of the game, don’t tend to leave early, and are fairly good sports even when confronted with a few losses. The student section is not surprisingly the most energetic, especially right before kickoff as they madly wave their bright yellow towels. Another fantastic moment comes after halftime, when the student section unfurls the gigantic Iowa State banner, which covers half of the seats in their section. Access 3 As mentioned before, Jack Trice Stadium is bordered by fields, a park, and a golf course. As such, it is a pretty long walk from the parking area for most fans – the reserved parking is adjacent to the stadium on the north side, but does not have very many spaces, and of course only season ticket holders can park there. The rest of us are left to park at the golf course, and it seems rather odd, because as you walk up to the stadium you will come upon a massive empty field next to it, which is ostensibly for tailgating, but there is no one there – it seems like this area could have been used for parking instead. Once you get into Jack Trice Stadium, however, there is plenty of room to move around. Lots of entrances, plenty of concessions stands and bathrooms, a wide concourse, and good signage telling you how to get to your seats. The only potential downside with regard to access is the parking, which even as far away as it is will run you about $20. It may also be a very long drive to get to Ames, depending on where you are coming from. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Iowa State Cyclones games at Jack Trice Stadium will run about $30 to $40 in the upper level, which is pretty typical for college football these days. However, even for big games you should be able to find them much cheaper on third party sites. On the plus side, you are also guaranteed to have some solid teams comes to town, as Iowa State regularly plays the likes of Texas , Kansas State , Oklahoma , and TCU . You will also be pretty close to the action – because Jack Trice Stadium is not all that big, and also because of its design, even in the cheap seats you won’t be far from the action. Extras 4 Jack Trice Stadium has some interesting tailgating, with things like old school buses painted in Iowa State colors sitting outside of the stadium – maybe a little redneck, but a lot of fun. The stadium also sports a ton of bright color, which this writer thinks helps get fans in the mood. The ability to get so close to the action on the field is also a plus, since you can buy lower level seats to games at Jack Trice Stadium so cheaply on the secondary market. The two massive scoreboards are also amazing, and make it really easy to see replays. Final Thoughts Depending on where you live it might be a bit of a haul to get to Ames, Iowa, but it is definitely worth the trip. Jack Trice Stadium is a solid venue in a top conference, so you really can find the best of both worlds here – great facility, and great football.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Jamieson Stadium 801 Westover Terrace Greensboro, NC 27408 Greensboro Pride website Jamieson Stadium website Year Opened: 1949 Capacity: 10,000 Football Goes to High School in Greensboro Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, Jamieson Stadium opened in 1949 and primarily serves as the home of high school football’s Grimsley Whirlies, but the venue is also used by Greensboro College’s Greensboro Pride football team. The Pride football program was founded in 1997 and currently competes in the USA South Athletic Conference of the NCAA’s Division III. Food & Beverage 3 Jamieson Stadium does not have a ton of options at its concessions stands, but on the plus side nothing costs more than $3, which is a great thing if you plan to take a family or large group to the game. The menu consists of hot dogs with chili and coleslaw, cotton candy, and nachos for $2 each, or popcorn, packaged candy, and chips for $1 each; you can also get Gatorade for $3, or bottled water and Pepsi products for $2 each. There are two grandstands at Jamieson Stadium (one on each side of the field), but there is only one concessions stand which is on the home side – the venue is small so it is not a far walk between them, but keep that in mind if you plan to sit on the visitors side, in case you want to get your food and drinks before you walk across. Atmosphere 3 The Greensboro Pride don’t currently attract a ton of fans to their games, maybe only a few hundred at most, but those fans are LOUD, and the venue is small enough you can easily hear the noise from the crowd as you watch the game. There are lots of calls of encouragement to the team and to specific players, and the PA system can easily be heard all over the stadium. There is not much in the way of entertainment besides the action on the field, but Greensboro does have a small band to entertain fans before the game and during halftime, and you can also purchase Greensboro Pride team gear at Jamieson Stadium, from tables set up on top of the home stands. All the seats are bleachers without backs, and there is no video board for replays; just a regular static scoreboard. Greensboro Pride Team Gear, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey The Pride recently changed their team logo, so at the game I attended most recently they didn’t have their new banners put up yet, so I only saw the high school team’s colors and banners; however, that will change if you attend a game later this season. Neighborhood 4 There are a couple of nice restaurants near Jamieson Stadium such as Print Works Bistro or Green Valley Grill, but one of the most popular restaurant destinations in Greensboro is Natty Greene’s Pub & Brewing Co. on Elm Street downtown; this popular stop is named after Revolutionary War Hero Nathaniel Green. If you plan to be in town for the day, Greensboro, NC is not a huge city by any stretch, but there are plenty of historic sites and other attractions in the area. One of most well-known is the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, which commemorates the sit-ins that occurred in Greensboro during the 1960s – those sit-ins were actually some of the most influential and significant protests of the entire Civil Rights movement. You can also visit the Greensboro Science Center, which includes an aquarium, zoo, and hands-on activities for the kids. Or, if you are a military history buff (or aspire to be), you can visit Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, and learn about Nathaniel Greene’s actions during the Revolutionary War. Fans 2 The Greensboro Pride don’t have a ton of fans showing up to games right now, and a lot of the fans who are there are wearing the other team’s color – the visitor stands get fuller or emptier depending on how close the visiting school is to Greensboro, as you would expect. But the fans are loud, and the yells and catcalls from others really help you get in the spirit of the match. Access 5 Getting to Jamieson Stadium is very easy; traffic in the area is light on Saturdays and the stadium is not far off the major freeways of I-40/I-85/I-785/I-804 – just head down Wendover Ave/Highway 220 (which is an exit off the freeways mentioned above), then turn onto Wendover Terrace and you will easily see the high school as you approach (the school buses are packed in front of the venue). Parking at the stadium is free and there is plenty of space right outside the main gate, and once you get inside there is plenty of room to move around; there is a walking path around the field that connects the two grandstands, which is set about 25 to 30 feet above the field, so you can easily keep an eye on the game as you walk to and from your seats. There is only one concessions stand, at the top of the home side, but there are bathrooms behind both grandstands. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Greensboro Pride football games are only $5 (or $3 for students), which is the cheapest I have ever seen for a college football game. Add to that the free parking and the very low-cost concessions, and you can’t beat the value here at Jamieson Stadium. Extras 2 There aren’t many extras here at Jamieson Stadium, mostly just some no-frills college football in a pleasant atmosphere. However, there is also no stress, no traffic, no long lines, and no huge crowds to fight your way through, so for football purists this is a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The PA announcer also plays lots of great music – not a slow song in sight, but the kind of fun music that makes you want to stand up and dance. Final Thoughts There are several college football teams in Greensboro, NC, including the North Carolina A&T Aggies and the Guilford Quakers , among others, as well as the Wake Forest Demon Deacons about a half hour to the west in Winston-Salem. You won’t see any big-name teams coming through Jamieson Stadium like you might at BB&T Field , but on the plus side you will spend a lot less money, and seeing a game here will take you back to a simpler time and a simpler way of life, where you can simply watch football without all the modern distractions – I highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Javelinas Stadium 1200 N Armstrong St Kingsville, TX 78363 TAMU-Kingsville Javelinas website Javelinas Stadium website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 15,000 Home Field Advantage Means More at Javelina Stadium History and heritage have deep roots in the city of Kingsville, Texas. A tradition of farming and ranching built the community. It continues to grow thanks in large part to Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK). Founded in 1925, the athletics department launched a football program shortly afterward in 1929. Since that time, the Javelinas have become one of the most dominant Division II programs in the country. As competitors in the NAIA, the Javelinas won seven National Championships. Since moving to the Lone Star Conference, they have won 22 conference titles and made 27 appearances in the playoffs. The school has also produced an incredible three members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Darrell Green , John Randle , and Gene Upshaw . Javelina Stadium has seen the vast majority of the program’s success. The team moved into the new on-campus facilitiy in 1950 and – according to the Javelinas Athletic Department – the home team has compiled a staggering 230-62-2 record at the facility. They have had 14 perfect seasons at home, and from 1967-1970 the Javelinas went a perfect 23-0 at Javelina Stadium; from 1974-1976 the Javs went 20-0. The stadium has become the heart and soul of the Kingsville community, and a must visit for college football fans in the state. Food & Beverage 3 Upon first glance, the food and beverage scene at Javelina Stadium might not strike you as being impressive; they play all the hits though. You’ve got your hot dogs and hamburgers ($3.25 and $3.75, respectively), your nachos ($3), and your popcorn and soft pretzels ($2.75 and $3, respectively). They also have fountain drinks and bottled water and sodas – no alcohol. However, if you dig a little farther, you’ll find a couple of pretty nifty non-traditional stadium items that fit right in. For $8, you can get the staple of fairs and festivals across the country: smoked turkey legs; these ginormous hunks of gobbler meat lend themselves perfectly to the on-field action. Another sneaky good item, churros – for a mere $2, you can get an order of three of these sweet treats. There is one main concessions stand near the home team entrance and a smaller cart selling most of the same items. They do take cash and credit cards, but tend to have long lines due to their locations, so keep that in mind when you make a grub run. Atmosphere 4 I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of atmosphere at Javelina Stadium – smaller schools like TAMUK can be hit or miss in this area; their success on the field directly translates to what is experienced in the stands and outside the stadium. Well, that is exactly what is happening in Kingsville. The tailgate scene outside Javelina Stadium is – in a word – insane! RVs and tents are stacked up for a solid block around the stadium. The crowds are awash in the blue and yellow of the home team and there is a palpable energy that buzzes from the parking lot to the stands for the entire game. There are also a couple of great additions to the game atmosphere that make the experience even more special, for example, the old-school howitzer cannon, manned by the TAMUK JROTC, that is fired off after every Javelinas score. In the south end zone, there are also bleachers and a play area set up for the young fans. There is also a VIP section in the north end zone where a wooden deck is set up with tables and lounge chairs, and a lucky group of fans is selected to watch the game from this area each game. What makes the atmosphere great though are the fans. Neighborhood 3 Kingsville is situated in what is classified as the Texas Gulf Coast Region – palm trees line the streets and seagulls fly overhead year-round. You can smell the salt air and you are instantly transported to a place that most would not associate with Texas. If you make the visit to Kingsville, keep in mind that you are only 30 minutes away from the beach at any given time. The main attraction of the city is the legendary King Ranch ; at its peak, Captain Richard King’s sprawling monument to the cattle industry covered over one million acres and was larger than the state of Rhode Island. These days, it covers a “mere” 825,000 acres and spans six counties in the area. A visit to the King Ranch is like taking a trip in a time machine back to the era of cowboys and cattle drives – it is still a working ranch and offers daily guided tours. King Ranch is hands down the number one attraction in the city. Since Javelina Stadium is on the TAMUK campus, there aren’t many facilities nearby that aren’t associated with the school. However, there are a few pretty tasty options for dining close by – two in particular really play up the local cuisine of the region. Mariachi’s House of Burgers! is a popular spot with the student body; as its name implies, they serve up some tasty craft burgers that are a hit with locals. Another spot where you can get some good Tex-Mex, seafood, or chicken fried steak is South Texas Hole in the Wall . It’s a bit farther from the actual football stadium, but you can still get there pretty easily either before or after the game. Fans 4 Javelina Stadium has one of the highest attendance rates in the Lone Star Conference. The fans show out in force for Javs games as it is truly an impressive sight to see this spacious stadium jam-packed with rabid fans in blue and yellow. From the moment you walk up Armstrong Street and see the massive tailgate scene, you know this is going to be different from your typical small college scene. This is a rowdy, loud bunch but that makes the games just that much more exciting – unless you are a fan of the visiting team, of course. But in my opinion what makes the fans even more fanatical is that TAMUK is truly the only game in town. Kingsville has a population of just over 26,000; it’s not a big city but it’s also not a tiny town. Alum or not, this city loves its team and they show out at Javelina Stadium. Access 2 The city of Kingsville is just a shade over a two-hour drive from San Antonio, and just a little over half an hour from Corpus Christi. These are the two biggest cities in the area, and it is a pretty straightforward drive south on Interstate 37 (from San Antonio) or State Highway 77 (from Corpus Christi). Just FYI, as someone who has made this drive more times than I can count, it is not the most picturesque trip. At Javelina Stadium itself parking is a finite commodity. If you get there early you should be okay to find a spot, and parking in the stadium lot is $10. However, there are spots where you can park for a lesser fee (or even for free) in the neighboring area; you just have to be willing to look a little. Give yourself some time as Armstrong Street can become congested near game time. Return on Investment 4 To be quite honest, game tickets at Javelina Stadium are a pretty incredible bargain – you can get general admission seating tickets for $10 to $18 at most home games. This is a really good bargain when you consider the success that the team has had on the field. If you couple that with the low concessions costs and the potentially free parking, football fans should not miss an opportunity to take in a Javelinas game. Extras 5 Here we go – this is the area where Javelina Stadium really puts on the pomp and circumstance. The Javelinas check all the boxes in terms of traditional trappings of college football; they have their costumed mascots Porky and Baby, the Pride of South Texas Marching Band, and of course they have their cheerleaders and dance team. But there is more. A Ride with Porky, Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Before you enter the stands there is a monument park complete with a statue of their legendary head coach Gil Steinke . Steinke led the Javs to 39 consecutive wins and six NAIA football national titles, including three in a row from 1974 to 1976. It is a popular spot for selfies for longtime Javelina fans. The Javs also boast a live version of Porky – Porky III. During games, he resides in a glass-walled caboose that is part of a kiddie train. The train is loaded up with kids from the south end zone who become part of Porky’s Pack; they ride the track that rings the field throughout the game. Personally, I don’t think you can beat having a live mascot as part of your tradition. It’s also great seeing young fans be able to see an animal like a big ole javelina up close for the first time. Leading the Javs out of the inflatable tunnel is the Javelina Chopper. This souped-up, TAMUK colored bike adds its roar to that of the home crowd and is a pretty great addition to the pageantry of the games. Final Thoughts I personally had a great experience at Javelina Stadium. It’s got a great old school aesthetic to it and the vibe is incredible. For this level of college football, I have a hard time envisioning a better venue to watch a game. It’s got all the look and physical feel of a high school stadium, but the atmosphere of big-time college ball. If you’re a football fan and are traveling in and around South Texas, add Javelina Stadium to your bucket list of game experiences. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by John Severs and Brydon Coughlin , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Joe Etzel Field 5000 North Willamette Blvd Portland, OR 97203 Portland Pilots website Joe Etzel Field website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 1,000 Portland Baseball Portland has a strong baseball history, despite never having a Major League team. The city has hosted numerous independent and developmental teams, but with Triple A’s Portland Beavers leaving the city a few years ago, the options available to take in a ball game are limited. The University of Portland is still carrying the torch for baseball in the City of Roses, with the Pilots hosting games at Joe Etzel Field. The stadium is named after the Pilots longtime coach, who led the team for 21 seasons. Later, he also assumed the role of the university’s athletic director. During his tenure, the Pilots developed into a solid midlevel program, and have reached NCAA Regionals on a few occasions. Situated in the north of Portland, in the University Park neighborhood, Joe Etzel Field is on the verge of some big changes. The Pilots have called the stadium home for 30-plus seasons, and while it has seen upgrades over the years, it will go through a big renovation in 2020. So, it’s an excellent time to take one last look at Joe Etzel Field. Food & Beverage 2 It’s classic ballpark fare, it tastes good, and includes hot dogs, chili, nachos, and combinations thereof. It would be nice if there were a bit more. At the very least, there should be peanuts and cracker jacks. Beer and wine are accessible from the concession stand, featuring local Oregon brewery Buoy Beer Company. Coors is also available, and the wine is sourced locally. Atmosphere 4 The stadium itself is a simple, classic layout. Plastic seats behind the home plate, and metal bleachers along the first and third baselines. All of the seating is comfortable, and there are no bad lines of site. Despite its age, the stadium is in pristine condition. Every line of sight is fantastic, and the stadium itself is gorgeous. The trees lining the walls of the stadium produce a gorgeous view. Regardless of the quality of the game, Joe Etzel Field is a sight to see. There are some downsides. Due to the stadium’s size, there is no outfield seating. There are no bathrooms in the stadium itself, which is relegated to either port-a-potties or the nearby Chiles Center. It’s inconvenient, and as the stadium is expanded that is something that should be addressed. Overall though, the ballpark delivers a very nostalgic experience. There are not a lot of bells and whistles, but the park doesn’t need any of that. It’s just a great spot to catch a ballgame. Neighborhood 5 Joe Etzel Field is situated right on the edge of the university, in the University Park neighborhood, on the northern end of Portland. The neighborhood grew around the original Portland University, though the campus sat vacant for a time before the Catholic Church purchased the buildings and founded the modern-day university. It is a small, private university, with a student body of around 4,000. Sitting on a bluff overlooking the Willamette River, the area provides several scenic vistas, and if you have time for a walk before the game, it’ll be a beautiful one. University Park shares the rest of the city’s reputation for great food, including The Drunken Noodle for Thai, Homegrown Smoker for barbecue, and Flying Pie for pizza. There are also plenty of chains if you’re looking for something familiar. With the field not far from downtown Portland, there is a lot to see if you’re willing to make a drive into the city. Fans 3 Pilots fans come out for the team, and when the team comes alive, so does the crowd. It’s not the biggest crowd, and with the stadium expanding soon they’ll have to find a way to start packing the seats or the stands may look pretty barren. Access 3 The stadium is easy to find, not too far off of I-5, and only about 15 minutes north of downtown Portland. There’s a bit of parking at the stadium but finding parking on the streets nearby shouldn’t be much of a problem. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are only $6, $4 for students and children. The food is inexpensive, and there’s not a bad seat in the house. It’s an excellent experience for the cost. Extras 2 Free programs and stat cards are provided for each game. Final Thoughts Joe Etzel Field is a simple but well-designed stadium that delivers a classic experience. Next year’s upgrades should only improve on that.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.00 John W. Smithson Field N Latchs Ln Merion Station, PA 19066 St. Joseph’s Hawks website John W. Smithson Field website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 400 The Hawks’ Nest Since 1958, St. Joseph’s University has played their home baseball games off campus, even as far as the former Campbell’s Field in Camden, NJ. But with the 2008 addition of the Maguire Campus, St. Joseph has been able to add new athletic facilities, as well as academic buildings. John W. Smithson Field now serves as the home of the baseball program after opening in 2012. St. Joseph’s University is a Roman Catholic Jesuit university located at the crossroads of the Wynnefield neighborhood of Philadelphia and Lower Merion Township. The university straddles Route 1, with a pedestrian bridge connecting both parts of the campus. The baseball field is technically located in Merion Station, PA. The athletic programs of St. Joseph are part of the Atlantic 10 Conference. This conference, many in the northeast, is not considered a hotbed of baseball. but you may see some competitive teams in this league. Food & Beverage 0 There are no food options at Smithson Field. Bring your own food if you wish to enjoy anything. A single soft drink machine is located in the basement of the local athletic building. The only bathroom is located here, and a guard has to let you in for access. Atmosphere 2 The three sections of stands are very small, but sound tends to travel with the sheltered design. You can also view the game standing along the various fences surrounding the field. A personal favorite is the small abutment near the first base foul pole heading towards the elevated bullpens. Neighborhood 4 The university is located in a nice area of town. There are large gothic-style houses and buildings in the area. You can see some of these buildings from the field itself, and they offer a pleasant view. St. Joseph University is located on the Main Line in Philadelphia. This area has some of the wealthiest towns in the country, including Lower Merion, Radnor, and Gladwyne. There is nothing right near the baseball field besides these houses. If you walk back to the main part of campus, there are some nice shopping and restaurants nearby. Larry’s Steaks offers traditional Philly cheesesteaks across from the Hagan Arena. That is a good option for food, although a true Philadelphia native may prefer their own cheesesteak establishment instead. In the same block is a large parking structure that has the college bookstore in its ground floor. Next to this, and also in the ground floor of the garage, is Landmark Americana, which is a great option for post-game eating. This restaurant offers a nice choice of meals and has a large bar, as well. For Saturday games, look out for the $10 all-you-can-eat wings special. They also offer numerous drink specials at the bar. Wayne, PA is another popular area to explore before games. Pipeline Tacos and Teresa’s Next Door are good options for food and drink respectively. Of course, the city of Philadelphia is close by so many options exist in that large city. May I suggest Philip’s Steaks at 2234 West Passyunk Avenue if you want to try a cheesesteak away from Larry’s? Fans 2 I attended both a morning home game, as well as an afternoon game with two visiting teams as part of the Big 5 Baseball Bash. It was also spring break. Both games were well-attended but clearly with family members only. I would doubt this would be much different during regular semesters, as the field is a bit separated from other campus activities. Access 2 St, Joseph’s is not too difficult to get to, as it is located close to exit 339 off Interstate 76 and right off of US Route 1. But the baseball stadium is another matter. Public transportation is close by as you can take a SEPTA train from 30th Street Station in downtown Philadelphia to the area. Check the schedules for night and weekend games. If following directions via GPS, you will be routed directly outside of the field, but you will find there is no parking nearby. Your best bet is to park in the parking garage across from Hagan Arena and walk over. A shuttle to the game is supposedly available, but I never saw it. If you walk around the Maguire Campus long enough you will find the field tucked away in the far corner. Return on Investment 3 It is free to get into Smithson Field. The seats are close to the action and the view from the field is nice, so it is a fair cost, even if you do end up paying to park. Extras 1 The neighborhood surrounding the field has some pretty impressive houses. If you are into architecture or just enjoy the houses of the rich and famous, you will enjoy this. Final Thoughts This is a nice, simple ballpark offering good baseball with little frills. Don’t go out of your way to attend, but if in the direct area, it may be a good place to spend a nice afternoon.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Johnny Unitas Stadium 7500 Osler Dr Towson, MD 21252 Towson Tigers website Johnny Unitas Stadium website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 11,198 Johnny U Stadium at Towson U Located on the campus of Towson University in the Baltimore suburbs, Johnny Unitas Stadium plays host to the Tigers’ football, lacrosse, and track & field programs. The stadium seats just over 11,000 and underwent major renovations in 2002, when additional seating, artificial turf, and other enhancements were added. The stadium is located in the same complex as several other Towson athletic facilities, including SECU Arena, home of the Tigers’ basketball teams, and Tiger Field, home of the soccer program. College lacrosse is huge in the State of Maryland, where it is the official state team sport (but not the official state sport, which is jousting) and Towson is just one of several teams in the Baltimore area. The Tigers have consistently ranked towards the top of the NCAA in lacrosse attendance, which considering how passionate this city is about the sport, should come as no surprise. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand open in the corner of the concourse during Tiger lacrosse games which sells a limited menu. There is a second stand in the other corner open during football games, but due to the lower attendance numbers, it is not normally open for lacrosse. The only thing that could plausibly make a meal is a hot dog for $5, with various snacks including chips, candy, and hot pretzels as well as bottled water and Pepsi products. Atmosphere 5 Some of the best college lacrosse in the country can be found in Maryland, and a Towson game is no exception. The marching band was in attendance, and although they mainly played during breaks in the action due to NCAA regulations, they started chants at other times during the game to get the crowd into it. Although somewhat limited due to the pandemic, Towson still manages to create a great atmosphere here. As for the stadium itself, typically only one side of the stadium is open for lacrosse games due to lower attendance than football. When we went, only the north side was open with the south side just occupied by the band. There is a large video board behind one goal that also shows some additional statistics and a smaller scoreboard behind the other goal. All seats are bleachers with backs except for a few chairbacks on the south side which are not available for lacrosse games as previously noted. Neighborhood 3 Johnny Unitas Stadium is located on the south part of campus, and there is not much in the immediate vicinity other than other athletic facilities. However, Towson is a decent suburban area and Baltimore is a short drive away and offers plenty more options. Whether there is anything within walking distance depends on how far you are willing to walk, but there are plenty of options, both chain and local, along York Road. The Charles Village Pub and The Greene Turtle are both local favorites, but unless you’re willing to walk half an hour each way, you will need to drive a short distance. The Towson Town Center shopping mall is also nearby. Fans 5 The Tigers average about 2,000 fans a game, which consistently ranks them towards the top of the NCAA. Fans who show up are still passionate and loud throughout the game. If the Tigers are playing another Baltimore school, or a regional opponent like Maryland or Delaware, expect a lot of visiting fans as well. On the one hand, this enhances the stadium atmosphere, but on the other hand, it can almost feel like you’re attending a game at a neutral site at times due to all the away fans in attendance. Access 4 Towson is located just off I-695, the Baltimore Beltway. Take Exit 25 and after driving for a few miles, you will arrive on campus. Parking is free in numerous lots surrounding the stadium. Your best bet is to park in Lot 13 since that will put you right at the entrance to the stadium, but if that lot fills up, you should park in another lot on the north side of the stadium, since the north gates are the only ones open for lacrosse. In the unlikely event all those lots fill up, there is ample parking available elsewhere in the vicinity of the stadium, but you may have to walk around the outside of the stadium to get where you need to go to get in. There are restrooms in both corners of the concourse by the concession stands and although only one concession stand will be open, both sets of restrooms will be. They are of ample size for the crowd. The concourse is wide and allows enough space for fans to get around, plus it provides a view of the field which isn’t always the case at other places. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for youth and seniors, which is comparable to other top programs in the area. Although you may be able to find less expensive or even free tickets elsewhere in Division I, you get what you pay for really. Throw in the free parking and affordable concessions and this is a great value. Extras 2 The marching band adds a lot to the gameday experience, and while they don’t actually march as they do for football, they are still an incredible enhancement to the atmosphere. There is a Wall of Excellence outside the stadium which honors great Towson teams in football, lacrosse, and track who have played in the stadium. Keep in mind, however, that this is outside the stadium and there is a no re-entry policy, so you will have to look at it before you enter or after you leave. Final Thoughts Baltimore may be the best city in the country for college lacrosse, and a Towson game will tell you exactly why that is. Tiger fans are passionate about their team and a game here has an electric atmosphere. Between the band, the fans, and the beauty of a stadium, lacrosse fans visiting the Baltimore area will want to seriously consider visiting Johnny Unitas Stadium. The only reason it isn’t a “must-see” is that there are so many other great lacrosse venues in this area that a fan visiting for a limited amount of time may not be able to see them all.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Johnson Hagood Stadium 68 Hagood Ave Charleston, SC 29403 The Citadel Bulldogs website Johnson Hagood Stadium website Year Opened: 1948 Capacity: 11,500 Precision & Pageantry Home of The Citadel Bulldogs, Johnson Hagood Stadium opened in 1948 and is named after Brigadier General Johnson Hagood, CSA, who commanded Confederate forces in Charleston during the Civil War and later became Governor of South Carolina. The venue opened with a capacity of over 22K, but a couple of years ago the college determined that the east stands were badly in need of repair, leading to their demolition and the subsequent placement of temporary bleachers in their place, giving Johnson Hagood Stadium a current capacity of 11,500. The Citadel is currently raising funds to build new stands on that side, which when completed will raise the capacity to about 14K. The stadium is nicknamed, The General. Food & Beverage 4 Johnson Hagood Stadium offers a strong selection of concessions items from a mix of regular stands and food carts; the prices are slightly higher than average for this level of football, and lines can get a bit long during big games, especially during halftime. Under the main grandstand (west side) there are two large concessions stands which offer a range of items such as burgers, pulled pork, brisket, tacos, grilled chicken sandwiches, corn dogs, and bowls of mac ‘n cheese for $5 to $12, plus snacks such as popcorn, packaged candy, and pretzels for $2 to $5. There is also a smaller Papa John’s stand here that sells slices for $4 each, and just outside the main stands (near the south end zone) there is a food cart featuring some of the same snacks as the main stands, but adding Dippin’ Dots and funnel cake, as well as drinks. There is nothing on the far side except a beer cart, but not very many fans sit over there anyway (only a couple of hundred). Drink options at Johnson Hagood Stadium include beer and wine/spritzers starting at $5, as well as sodas, bottled water, and lemonade starting at $3. Atmosphere 5 Pageantry is one of the key elements in college football, and nowhere is it more in evidence than at The Military College of South Carolina – from the cadets marching in formation to the raising of the American flag before the national anthem, from the artillery pieces in the northeast corner to the team coming onto the field amid a haze of blue and white smoke, and from the bulldog statue in the northwest corner to the Corps’ Regimental Band and Pipes, college football doesn’t get any better than this. The atmosphere is punctuated by the presence of the cadets; smartly dressed complete with caps and sitting en mass in the southwest corner, the cadets march in by company before the game and form a tunnel for the team to run through as they take the field, drumming their arms the whole time, wave their caps in unison during kickoffs, and cheer loudly throughout the game in support of their Bulldogs. The artillery is also fired off every time The Citadel scores (even after extra points), and the cheer squad runs across the end zone waving their flags, most notably the large light blue standard emblazoned with the old-school looking Bulldogs logo. The architecture is also impressive, with its castle-esque look evocative of the college’s namesake, and of course t-shirts are thrown out into the crowd to keep the fans engaged. In addition, during special occasions such as Homecoming, former cadets wearing matching shirts based on class year are invited to march onto the field during pregame, to stand in solidarity with the current class of cadets. The pageantry you will experience at Johnson Hagood Stadium definitely makes it worthwhile to visit Charleston for Bulldogs football. Neighborhood 5 There are plenty of restaurants near Johnson Hagood Stadium, ranging from fast food to seafood and Italian; two within walking distance of the facility are Purlieu, specializing in French cuisine, and Harold’s Cabin which offers local fare plus a coffee bar. There are also numerous other nearby choices, from upscale eateries and wine bars (including vegan options) to more low-key pizza and beer joints. If you plan to be in town for the day or weekend, there are also plenty of historical sites to take in; the first shots of the Civil War were fired right here in Charleston at Fort Sumter, or for more recent naval history check out Patriots Point, where the main attraction is the WWII aircraft carrier USS Lexington. The H.L. Hunley, the first combat submarine to sink an enemy warship, is also on display in North Charleston; in fact, the site of Johnson Hagood Stadium itself was the original burial site for some of the sailors who served on the Hunley – their remains were mistakenly covered over when the stadium was constructed, and were subsequently moved to Magnolia Cemetery when the remains were found by historians in 1999. Fans 4 Led by the uniformed cadets, the fans at Bulldogs games are absolutely stellar – they are loud and proud of their team. Most of them wear team gear and cheer on their Bulldogs with an uncommon passion, and the tailgating scene stretches all around three sides of the stadium, and a good ways down Fishburne Street. The only drawback is that there are just not enough of them at typical games, although they do show up for big games. As a result, the college has struggled to replace the now defunct west stands, since the staff is uncertain if the seats will be able to be filled. Access 4 There are multiple parking lots around the stadium, a couple on the back side but mostly along Fishburne Street; most of them require a pass but at least one is a cash lot. However, if you don’t arrive early you may be out of luck, as these lots fill up pretty quickly, which means you may have to drive around and find some parking on the street, which of course gets scarcer as kickoff approaches. There are a couple of sections nearby which seem a little rundown and perhaps a little sketchy to park in, but I noticed several high-end vehicles even in those sections, so it seems like the presence of a military college a mere few blocks away makes fans feel perfectly safe. Once you get inside the stadium moving around the concourse is easy enough, and you can walk across the south end zone to get to the visitors side if you want, and a handful of fans even watch from the fence on that side. Concessions lines can get a little backed up, but there are plenty of bathrooms and plenty of space otherwise, so you don’t have to stand elbow-to-elbow. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to football games at Johnson Hagood Stadium are a little on the high side for this level of football (FCS), starting at $32 for general admission, and parking and concessions are also slightly higher than average. So this will not be the cheapest football game you can find in the area, especially if you have a large crew, but the experience definitely makes up for it. You might be able to get cheaper tickets from a third-party reseller, however, or you may be able to take advantage of a Bulldogs ticket promotion. Extras 4 The architecture here is pretty grand and ornate, and having the cadets in the stadium with you really adds to the experience – seeing a military unit march in is always impressive, and having the Regimental Band and Pipes perform during halftime is enjoyable to watch, even though the band is on the small side. The smoke that streams out when the team comes onto the field is a nice touch, as are the flag bearers swinging the state flag and The Citadel banners. And as an added bonus, having real artillery fire during the game to commemorate home team scores cannot be discounted. Final Thoughts Some FCS stadiums are better than others, and this is certainly one of them – even if you are not in the local area this is one college football venue that is worth a look, even if you have to make a bit of a drive to get here. The city of Charleston itself is also a great tourist destination, especially in the fall when it is not quite so hot, so make a weekend of it and come on down to Johnson Hagood Stadium.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Jones Convocation Center 9501 S King Dr Chicago, IL 60628 Chicago State Cougars basketball Jones Convocation Center website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 7,000 The Jones Convention Center is the Cougar Den The Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center is a 7,000-seat multi-purpose arena home to the Chicago State University Cougars basketball program. The $47 million used to construct the venue was allocated from the State of Illinois treasury by then-Senate President Emil Jones. It is an impressive facility that stands proudly on campus adjacent to its baseball field. The Cougars men’s program has the distinction of being the easternmost team in the Western Athletic Conference. The school joined the program in 2013 and its closest rival school is UM Kansas City followed by UT Rio Grande Valley. Before moving to NCAA Division I the program operated in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Cougars won the Great West Conference Tournament championship in 2013 to earn an automatic bid to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament. The team had also appeared in three NAIA Tournaments placing third in 1984. Before the JCC was built the Cougars played at the 2,500-seat Dickens Athletic Center that was built in 1971. The basketball program began in 1966 when the school was still called Chicago Teachers College before adopting its name the following year. Food & Beverage 2 The food and beverage consists of one concession stand serving nachos, hot dogs, and chips. The food looks as if it was prepared off-site and brought in by aluminum serving plates. There are more concession areas but they were closed during the game. However, the facility has a piece of paper with beverage options that include Bud, Miller, and Coors products for $5 along with spirits: Hennessey, Malibu, Bacardi, and Courvoisier for $8-$9. Atmosphere 2 It’s hard to generate much of an atmosphere in a 7,000-capacity facility with well under 150 people watching the game. It’s a beautiful facility with great seating dimensions and plenty of room to move around that one could only wonder, when full, what that may be like. However, it appears that many games at home offer a similar feeling as was the case for this afternoon’s contest. Many other teams play under similar conditions–I was at one last month–but with enough time to ponder around the nearly soulless arena, there are many key elements to a great college basketball game that are missing. There is no presence of a band, a team mascot, or a dance or cheer squad anywhere in sight. A student section, which could add a lot of noise all by itself, is also missing from the contest. Several banners are hanging from the rafters that add a nice touch and its video board hanging from above center court is first-rate. The building itself, from its interior, is impressive but several of its doors were locked making several attempts to get inside the main lobby. The lobby is spacious and features a curved ramp leading to the gym's upper levels. What you will get at a game like this is the option to sit wherever you like and be as close as possible to the action on the court. You’ll hear all the players, the squeaks of their sneakers, the bounce of the ball against the court, and the chairs from the bench. Also, the fans that are in the stands make you appreciate how hard they cheer and desire their home club to win. Neighborhood 2 The campus is at Roseland University. There are many restaurants within a few blocks of the university and including The Caribbean Jerk Palace, The Crazy Crab, Jack’s Famous Chicken and Subs, and Ware Ranch Steak House. Argus Brewery is nearby and offers tours on Saturdays including all you can drink while you venture around its impressive brewery and building. Another brewery is about 5 miles from campus called Horse Thief Hollow. Downtown is about a 20-minute drive or 45-minute ride on the Red Line presenting access to Millenium Park, the Magnificent Mile, the Theater District, and other spots in the area. Fans 3 The die-hards at the game cheer every basket and every defensive stop possible during the contest. They show unbridled passion unmatched because they are here for the primary purpose of supporting the players in hoping that the Cougars can find a way to win. There is nothing more but the game itself leading them to today’s contest. Access 3 The campus is right off I-57 but one has to exit before getting to the campus and driving through the neighborhood that features road conditions that can use repairs. The same could be said once you enter the campus but once inside one should have no trouble finding their seat, bathrooms, and the one concession stand. Return on Investment 2 Floor seats for all home games are $20, general admission prices are $10, and senior citizen tickets are $5. The parking is free and there is plenty around the building but when games are attended by just a few fans Chicago State Cougars game is merely for the die-hard college basketball fan. Extras 2 The gymnasium itself is very beautiful and impressive for the college. It’s a perfect venue if the team could ever attract 5,000 fans to the game and maybe one day they will and we’ll look back at these times as the early pioneering days of Chicago State basketball. Any building that can supply banners hanging from the rafters earns a point for me and this arena has a few of them to add a nice touch to the proceedings. Final Thoughts The Jones Convention Center – it’s a beautiful building and could be a wonderful place for basketball once the college program develops a fan base and a following throughout the area. Those days are not there yet and attending a game is merely for the true basketball fan. In a city where there are plenty of other sporting event options, including college basketball, the Jones Convention Center may not make the top of your list. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 1.86 Jordan Field 65 North Harvard Avenue Boston, MA 02134 Harvard Crimson website Jordan Field website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 4,100 In the Shadow of History Jordan Field opened in 2010, and sits literally in the shadow of Harvard’s football stadium in Boston, MA – the venerable football stadium can be seen in the background, and is actually open to the public; plenty of joggers and other athletes can be found inside running the steps or walking around the concrete stands, and several Harvard athletics team use the field itself for practice. But back to Jordan Field – the venue is a multipurpose field used by Harvard’s men’s and women’s soccer teams, and also by Harvard’s men and women’s lacrosse teams. The facility holds 4,100 fans and has two grandstands – one behind one of the end zones, and the other along one of the sidelines. Food & Beverage 0 There are no concessions offered at Jordan Field. Atmosphere 1 Jordan Field is nice enough, with a basic electronic scoreboard and decent bleacher seating, with plenty of Harvard signage around the field. But attendance is very low, and there aren’t any amenities or entertainment here – just the soccer itself to keep you occupied. Neighborhood 5 The main part of Harvard’s campus is on the other side of the Charles River in Cambridge, while the athletic fields are all clustered on this side, which is technically part of Boston. Jordan Field itself is surrounded by Harvard’s baseball stadium , softball stadium, hockey center , tennis center, and the aforementioned football stadium, with the track, pool, and other athletics fields a little further out. There are plenty of great restaurants just across the river in Cambridge, mainly to the south of the main campus. Two interesting spots are Night Market, which is a funky little place that serves Asian food, and Alden & Harlow, which offers upscale American fare. There are also plenty of hotels in the area, but they tend to be very pricey, as you might expect – the closest to Jordan Field is Studio Allston Hotel, which is practically within walking distance of the soccer field, while Farrington Inn is a little further away, but about half the price per night. If you plan to be in town for the day or for the weekend, there is plenty to do in the Boston area. The Freedom Trail is arguably the most popular, with stops along it including Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, the Bunker Hill Monument, Paul Revere House, and the Old North Church. You can also visit the site of the Boston Tea Party, or go on a whale watch out of Boston Harbor. If you are coming to Boston for any reason, it is recommended planning to spend at least a couple of days in town, so you have time to take in some of the wonderful history here. Fans 1 Women’s soccer games are less well-attended than the men’s games, but very few fans show up at either, especially depending on what time of day the game is. Access 3 Traffic in the Boston area is pretty hairy as you might expect, and parking near Jordan Field is difficult. There are a few spots nearby, but they are metered or require a parking permit, so you’ll have to park there at your own risk. Most people who attend games here park further away and walk in – there is visitor parking on the other side of the football stadium (next to Harvard Business School), so that might be your best bet, but depending on the time of day you might spend $10 per hour. Return on Investment 2 It doesn’t cost anything to attend soccer games at Jordan Field, so that is a plus, but there are no amenities here either. If you are looking for something to do while in Boston, or you know someone on the team (or maybe your team is playing on the road here), seeing a game here might be worthwhile. But if you are just looking for a game, there are other sporting events in the area that would be more enjoyable. Extras 1 If you come to a game at Jordan Field, be sure to snap some photos of the historic football stadium, or go inside Harvard Stadium and walk around – you can actually get some pretty good views of the soccer field from inside.

Photos by Daniel Armstrong, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Kazan Arena pr. Khusaina Yamasheva, 115 Kazan, Russia 421001 Russia Rubin Kazan website Kazan Arena website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 45,000 Kazan Arena Kazan Arena is the biggest stadium in Kazan, the largest city and capital of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan. The 45,000-seat arena was built in 2013 and is the home ground of Russian Premier League side FC Rubin Kazan. Food & Beverage 4 The price of food is a pleasant surprise for fans. Most snacks come in cheap combos such as pizza with tea/coffee for 100 rubles ($1.50). But, if you fancy embracing a little local culture, you can swap your pizza for Öçpoçmaq (pronounced Ech-poch-mak) – a popular minced beef and onion triangular Tatar pastry. A hot dog or sandwich with tea/coffee will set you back 200 rubles ($3), KitKats, chocolate nuts and a single cup of tea or coffee are all priced at 50 rubles (75 cents) and sparkling water will set you back 100 rubles. Atmosphere 4 The nature of Russian football dictates that the contemporary structure and layout of Kazan Arena do not compromise the atmosphere. The ultras (or ‘fanati’) stand in designated fan stand areas in the north and south stand, at the front of which they hang banners with chosen messages. Throughout the match fans illuminate the match with flares and test the acoustics with bare-chested chants, rhythmic jumping and even dancing in the aisles. Neighborhood 5 Due its central location, the neighbourhood around Kazan Arena is the centre of Kazan itself. Kazan is recognised as one of the most beautiful cities in Russia and boasts its own Kremlin (Russian for ‘citadel’) built in the 15th century. It also has strong Islamic origins, underlined emphatically by the 16th century Qolşärif Mosque within the Kremlin walls. There is an unmistakable pride in Tatar tradition. Although the Republic is unequivocally part of the Russian Federation it still clings tightly to its identity. The Republic is the only region in Russia to have a president other than Vladimir Putin. The Tatar language – spoken by 6.5 million native speakers – even forms part of the Turkic family as opposed to Russian’s East Slavic grouping. If you want to experience what life is like in one of Russia’s ethnic regions, there are few more colourful places to do it than Kazan. A great hotel/hostel is Loft project Etazhi on Ligovsky Prospekt. It’s a complex including art exhibition space, a cafe, a bar and a great roof view. Pubs, bars and restaurants can be found in abundance on Rubinsteiner Street just of Nevsky (Barcelona bar is a great shout). Those who prefer a more raw Russian night out can visit Dumskaya Ulitsa just adjacent to Kazanskiy sobor or the collection of bars on Ligovsky 50. Bar Griboyedova on Konstantina Zaslonova Ulitsa has a cool eatery and bar on a hill with a nightclub built into an old Soviet bunker too. Fans 4 Each set of ultras in the Kazan Arena fill ‘fan stands’ facing each other. The club has had decent success in recent years, but will only average around 12,000 fans per match, placing them near the middle in the Russian Premier League. Access 4 Kazan Arena is located on the banks of the Kazanka River in the east of central Kazan. It is largely accessible thanks to the Khusain Yamashev highway – named in honour of the Russian revolutionary and first Tatar Bolshevik – and a network of roads nearby. There are large car parks which, ironically do not work on matchdays. There are, however, apartment blocks opposite where it is possible to park. Disabled access is available but limited and fans must pass through two ticket checks including baggage inspection before entering. You can get to Kazan from Moscow by rail. Trains run every couple of hours daily and make the 800km journey in a handy 12 hours. The cheapest (platzkart) ticket costs around 2,000 ($30.30) and generously permits you to one space in a four-bed carriage. Return on Investment 4 Kazan Arena is one of the best stadiums in Russia and offers a glimpse of what Russia has to offer fans at the FIFA World Cup in 2018. The facilities are impressive and refreshments are cheap, although whether these prices will remain when the competition comes around is up for debate. Nevertheless return on investment is high even if it is just for the chance to see Kazan on a sunny day – if you’re lucky. Extras 3 As well as being the home stadium of Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan, the Kazan Arena doubles as the venue for the Russian Cup final held in early May. The stadium is also one of twelve stadiums to be used for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup. The outside of the West Stand has a screen which is used to show advertisements, information and most importantly of all footage of the sporting event taking place inside.

Photos by Benjamin Evensen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 KeyArena 305 Harrison St Seattle, WA 98109 Seattle Redhawks website KeyArena website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 17,072 Seattle’s Second School Editors Note: The Climate Pledge Arena stands in the footprint of the former Key Arena, with the roof being the only portion of the former arena being preserved. --- Seattle University re-upgraded to Division I in 2008, and only in 2012 did they fully complete the upgrade process. They are full members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), and play their home games at KeyArena just a few miles from their campus, in downtown Seattle, Washington. KeyArena was built in 1962 for the World’s Fair at Seattle Center. It is most famous for housing the Seattle Sonics from 1967 up until their move to Oklahoma City in 2008. It currently is home to the Seattle Redhawks, and the WNBA’s Seattle Storm. It also hosts numerous concerts. KeyArena’s age has been well documented before. It is old, and lacks the seating capacity for an NBA franchise (it seats 17,000). Once the Sonics left for OKC, many plans for the arena have been passed around, including renovating it to make it smaller, and even destroying it. Key Bank hasn’t paid for the naming rights in years but the Key Bank logo is still on the top of the roof. Food & Beverage 1 When you leave your seat and walk around KeyArena, many of the concession stands are closed and take a long walk to get to. They are very expensive for a mid-major school as Coke products are $4.50 for a bottle, candy is $5 and the only food available are chicken strips, burgers, sandwiches, etc. that cost $12.50 and upwards. The only positive thing is the very short lines. Atmosphere 3 KeyArena has played host to the NBA Finals, WNBA Championship, and many other big events. It was home to the Seattle SuperSonics, who played 33 of their 41 years there. But those days are long gone, and so are all the visible signs of what KeyArena used to mean. The rafters now hold only banners of the Seattle Storm’s achievements, including two WNBA Championships. Seattle University hasn’t accomplished anything in their short time since rejoining the Division I level, but they did make an appearance in the Final Four, and were runners-up in 1958. There is only a banner hung temporarily at the east entrance for the Final Four year. The seats are mediocre and a little old, but the fans are into it and can be loud. The PA announcer is very into the game, with enthusiastic ways to identify a player. The player intros before the game are worth seeing too, as the entire arena goes dark with spotlights and background music. The upper level is curtained off leaving just the lower level and suites open to the tune of about 8,000 seats. Seattle has averaged around 2,000 fans in recent years so the emptiness isn’t ideal. While the fan interaction is nice, the arena feels a bit dated at times, and just too big for the type of game you are watching. But it could be a lot worse and the history of the building is a plus. Neighborhood 5 KeyArena is located right under Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, so if you have the money, a ride to the top gives you an amazing view. Famous Seattle burger joint “Dick’s Drive-In” is located just a quick walk away from the arena (however, this is the one Dick’s that is not actually a drive-in). The arena is very close to everything Seattle has to offer, including the waterfront, and Pike’s Place Market. If you come with a few hours to spare before the game, almost everything Seattle is famous for is within about a 10 minute drive. If walking is your only option though, there are numerous bars and restaurants all just a few blocks from KeyArena. There should be no problem finding something everyone can enjoy. Fans 2 Seattle University will likely never pass the other local more nationally known school in popularity in the Seattle area, the University of Washington, . While the Redhawks have yet to find success in their short time at the D-I level, they struggle to sell tickets to their games. The upper deck of KeyArena is closed off, and the lower level is about 20% full most games. With open seating, the midcourt sections are always pretty full. The crowd seems to mainly consist of alumni and their kids, the players’ families, and the small group of alumni called the “Madgrads” who sit by the visitor’s bench and heckle the opposing team throughout the game. There is a student section that was completely empty and many games have been like this playing at an off-campus arena. However, the fans do follow the game closely. They are quick to show their disagreement with a bad call by a referee, and can become very loud when the game is close, or a player has an amazing play. While they may be small in numbers, the fans that come do appear to be into the game and have a passion for Seattle U. Access 2 Finding a parking spot is not an issue, as an arena that used to hold around 17,000 people 41 times a year still has the parking space. There are a good amount of lots, and a large parking garage right next to the arena. However, the prices can become a bit high for such a small event. You can expect to pay around $15 just to park, which is about the same price as the ticket to the game itself. The pay machines are old and outdated, and when trying to pay the $10 fee to park in the garage with cash, I couldn’t get it to accept any of my bills. When using my card, it took about 5 minutes to try and get it to finally read and print my ticket. The area can have a lot of theft too, so it is best not to show any valuables in your car, and bring what you can with you into the arena. Most of the parking garage does not have any full-time security, but if you are smart about hiding your valuables, you should be okay. Getting into the arena can take a bit of a walk as it is in Seattle Center. The ticket booth is also only on the east entrance, so unless you have your ticket already it can be a walk to the entrance. It isn’t that bad, though. Return on Investment 4 The tickets to Seattle U games are very inexpensive. Season ticket holders pay only $48 for their tickets. For a Division I basketball game, comfortable seating, and good food options, the price is well worth it. The school also offers many value packs to games. It is $10 for a general admission ticket which are supposed to be the areas behind the basket. For $20 you get tickets to the midcourt section. They also pass out ‘buy one ticket to any future game, get one free’ coupons. There is a secret though. The ushers do not check tickets at all and unless you try to sit courtside, you are free to sit anywhere. The problem is the food being so expensive. It is a better idea to eat before the game. Extras 3 As for the rest of what KeyArena offers during a Seattle Redhawks game, there is a small team shop booth inside the arena. The shop has a few jackets, shirts, and hats for men, women, and kids, but the selection is slim. The halftime entertainment is always something interesting and in 2014 one of the Black Eyed Peas performed. There are lots of fan challenges for prizes during timeouts while the cheerleaders and dance team also perform. Final Thoughts There is something special about a newer small school program like Seattle University. While playing in a former NBA arena may not seem like a good fit at first, once you see it, you end up having a good time. The tickets are cheap, and what you end up getting is well worth the price minus the food. In the end, it is an inexpensive way to have a good time and watch good basketball. While KeyArena may be showing its age, it still is a historic part of Seattle’s sports history. The arena just needs to hang some banners for Seattle U and brag about their rich history, no matter how old it may be.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Keyworth Stadium 3201 Roosevelt St Hamtramck, MI 48212 Detroit City FC website Keyworth Stadium website Year Opened: 1936 Capacity: 7,000 Detroit City Rocks Hamtramck and Beyond Detroit FC debuted at Keyworth Stadium in 2016 after playing its home matches at Cass Technical High School for the previous four seasons. The move to a new venue was necessary since the team had quickly outgrown its home pitch and needed a larger facility to hold its burgeoning crowds. The club initiated a crowd-based investment program to renovate and rehabilitate Keyworth Stadium in nearby Hamtramck. The MILE (Michigan Invests Locally Exemption) Act allows companies in the state to accept loans from small investors ($250-$10,000) provided that they are Michigan residents. A total of $741,250 was raised in 109 days from 527 verified Michigan residents. Keyworth Stadium originally opened on October 15, 1936, when Franklin Roosevelt spoke during his second campaign for the presidency. The 6,000-seat stadium has been the home of various interscholastic sports throughout its history but had fallen on hard times the last few decades. The money raised was used for structural improvements to the grandstands, renovations of locker rooms and restrooms, and modernization of lighting and the playing turf. Other improvements included concrete resurfacing, a new sound system, and plans for a natural grass pitch in future seasons. Built between the city’s dense residential streets and a large set of train tracks, Keyworth Stadium is the type of structure that most likely will never be built again by any professional sports entity in this country. Houses and streets touch the exterior of the grandstands and fans exit and enter in front of residential front porches and lawns. In 2020 DCFC began operations in the National Independent Soccer Association after playing in the NPSL Pro fall showcase as a professional club in 2019. The looks to sustain a standard of excellence in its new league while playing host to its rivals Chattanooga FC and the New York Cosmos. All of the food served at Keyworth Stadium are from local area food trucks and other local proprietors, showcasing the many influences of different cultures in the city. A majority of these food trucks are located behind the end line in between the two main entrances creating a bustling street fair atmosphere. Food & Beverage 5 All of the food served at Keyworth Stadium are from local area food trucks and other local proprietors, showcasing the many influences of different cultures in the city. A majority of these food trucks are located behind the end line in between the two main entrances creating a bustling street fair atmosphere. Fans can enjoy slices of pizza for $4 or a whole pie for $22. There are also delicious chicken and lamb shawarmas, falafel, and gyros for $6 and $8. There is the Heroes and Villains truck, offering gourmet sandwiches named after popular comic book characters. However, Srodek’s has the largest line at the game with folks waiting to taste one of their gourmet kielbasa sandwiches and perogies. The sandwiches are served on locally made buns, topped with homemade sauerkraut, and are available in cheddar, smoked, pepper jack, and ghost pepper for $6. The perogies come in orders of 5 and are also $6. You can wash down all of these wonderful delicacies with Detroit’s own Faygo pop for $3, Axle City Pale Ale, Blake’s Hard Cider and mixed drinks for $6, and Stroh’s for $4. Stroh’s and Axle City are the only two beers you can purchase at the game. Atmosphere 5 If you attend a soccer game at Keyworth Stadium and do not become a fan, don’t blame Detroit City FC. The excitement begins 60 minutes before the game with the March to the Match. Supporters meet at Fowling Warehouse, an official pre-game destination, and march through the streets of Hamtramck while drumming, chanting, and singing. Once inside the facility, the North Guard and other supporters group take up residency along the eastside seating section and spend the match singing an established series of songs, throwing smoke bombs after goals, and creating a truly one-of-a-kind atmosphere for any level of soccer in the United States. The group has an unbridled passion for DCFC and ranks with the best of them in any other market. If you want to enjoy the game in a more subdued area, then purchase a ticket on the opposite side of the stadium with a slightly relaxed group of fans. The seating area was created with refurbished wooden seats that were removed from the supporter section. The stadium is absent a track making sightlines up close and personal to the action. The main entrance behind the goal line is also an area of heavy traffic and activity. The majority of food is served and a portable cart sells a variety of merchandise from scarves, t-shirts in multiple colors and styles, jerseys, and jackets. The lines are long, but the orders are expedited quickly. In 2019, the team unveiled suites made from refurbished industrial shipping containers as VIP seating behind the goal at the north end of the stadium. The suites add to the imagination that exists inside Keyworth as the club has been very imaginative with the game day experience. Neighborhood 3 Hamtramck, Michigan sits right over the border of Detroit and is the most densely populated city in the state, with over 22,000 residents packed into 2.09 square miles. Known as a vibrant community for Polish American life and culture, the city continued attracting immigrants and now features a large Bengali, Yemeni, and Pakistani population. One of the most interesting places might just be Amar’s Pizza where visitors can order traditional pizza but some with a unique twist that includes Naga Pizza (chicken, red onions, cilantro, and naga sauce), Tandoori Pizza (tandoori chicken, cheese, and tandoori sauce), and Dry Fish Pizza (dried shrimp and spicy fish paste). The pre-game destination before each match is The Fowling Warehouse (3901 Christopher Street). Supporters spend their time enjoying a few drinks, having conversations along the large bar, and playing the football bowling pin game called fowling. Hamtramck has been described as one of the last bastions of unpolluted dive bars in Detroit. Several dive bars line the streets and look the way they did 50 years ago, including the Whiskey in a Jar, Polish Sea League, Paycheck’s Lounge, Kelly’s Bar, and Moose Lodge. McShane’s Pub is the official post-game destination and offers shuttle services from its location at 1460 Michigan Ave. Fans 5 DCFC is a fan-driven team, attracting mammoth crowds that average close to 6,000 per game. They have taken in the excitement and pageantry at home matches. It is rare not to see someone sporting one of a couple dozen jerseys or t-shirts cheering on the home team, or yelling at the ref for a bad call. Many are enjoying the great food and atmosphere, but many are there strictly for the game on the field. Access 4 Keyworth Stadium is surprisingly quite easy to maneuver around during the game. All of the food and drinks are served in one area that features ample space and a few long lines. Seats are spacious enough to move up and down. Bathrooms are located behind the main seating section and can be quite dense during halftime. Arriving at the game at the multiple lots is also quite easy, but might be a little challenging for first-time visitors to the stadium. Return on Investment 5 Tickets and parking are $12 each but go up in price to $15 on match day, a great price for the atmosphere. Parking lots are easily accessible, adjacent to the stadium. It is possible to find parking on the streets before the game or take one of the shuttle buses from McShane’s Pub. The price of food from the food trucks is extremely reasonable and delicious. Beer prices are also affordable at $4 and $6. Extras 3 One extra point for the amazing, diverse, and delicious food served at the game which includes pizza, kielbasa, perogies, shawarma, and gyros. The beers are cold and include Axle City Pale Ale and Stroh’s. Another additional point for the collection of merchandise includes a wide variety of t-shirts, jerseys, scarves, and caps. There are long lines to snatch up something in the team colors of maroon and gold. A third extra point for the atmosphere begins with the march to the match and continues with the supporter group North Guard chanting and singing from their section. One finally extra point for having ice-cold Stroh’s for only $4 a can. DCFC is renovating and invigorating life back into Keyworth Stadium. It was dilapidated and in squalid condition before the arrival of the soccer club. Final Thoughts Attending a DCFC game is quite the spectacle. It is a 90-minute plus party that includes singing, cheering, eating, drinking, and celebrating. The location of the stadium and the ensuing revelry establishes Keyworth Stadium as one of the must-see soccer venues in the United States. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Will Halpern, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Kimmel Arena 1 University Heights Asheville, NC 28804 UNC-Asheville Bulldogs website Kimmel Arena website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 3,200 Bulldogs on the Prowl in Asheville Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains is the town of Asheville, and located just a couple of miles from downtown Asheville is the University of North Carolina at Asheville, one of sixteen schools in the University of North Carolina system. The Bulldogs began playing in the 1,100-seat Justice Center in 1963 but as the venue was approaching half a century, it was clear that a replacement would be needed. In 2011 Kimmel Arena opened in the larger Sherrill Center, and while the building hosts classrooms, fitness rooms, the N.C Department for Health and Wellness, the main attraction is the 3,200-seat Kimmel Arena. On November 13, 2011, the arena opened in style as Asheville native and North Carolina Men’s Basketball coach Roy Williams brought his number one-ranked Tar Heels to christen the Bulldog’s new digs. The sold-out building helped lay the foundation for two more NCAA Tournament appearances, including one that season, to bring their grand total to four. The program plays in a very competitive Big South Conference, and the Bulldogs look to continue to be a contender inside Kimmel. Food & Beverage 4 At first glance, it might seem like you don’t have a lot of concession options at a Bulldogs game but there is more there than meets the eye. The main concession stand offers a pizza slice ($4.50) and a hot pretzel ($3), while cheese nachos are five dollars and you can add jalapenos for fifty cents more, or chili for an extra buck. An all-beef hot dog will only set you back $3.50, with an extra dollar for cheese, or chili. Popcorn and movie theatre box candy are three dollars each, and while your standard chips and cotton candy are also available you can also opt for a healthier snack option with fresh fruit, trail mix, and Kind bars. If you’re looking for something a little more unique check out the well-known southeastern chain Zaxbys where you can get chicken in many forms, like a fillet sandwich, wings, or a chicken salad sandwich. Brownies are available as well If you’re craving dessert check out the local Hop Ice Cream Cafe stand that offers eight flavors that range from the standard chocolate and vanilla, to the more unusual buttermint, and Cable Crunch, and the popular Bulldog Tracks. Mango sorbet is also offered. Wash it down with a three-dollar bottle of Pepsi or if you’re of age a six dollar domestic beer or one of three seven dollar local highland brews. Spiked seltzer is also offered for seven dollars, and for nine you can choose between a chardonnay or a pinot noir. Atmosphere 3 Kimmel Arena is a venue that almost catches you by surprise. Walking into the Sherrill Center it can easily be mistaken for an academic building, but soon after you walk down the wide hallway a basketball arena appears. The seating bowl is built down from the concourse, which saves you from climbing up to your seat initially, and with a capacity of just over three thousand, you are never far from the action on the hardwood. Chair back seating is offered throughout the venue, with the only exception for students, and the band. There is a center-hung scoreboard, and two small video boards on two of the corner walls along with a higher-than-usual ceiling. Rocky the Bulldog, the UNC Asheville cheerleaders, and the pep band keep the fans engaged, along with promotions during breaks including some shooting contests, and T-shirt tosses. Neighborhood 4 The only reason this doesn’t get a perfect five is that UNC-Asheville is located just a little out of walking distance to all that downtown Asheville has to offer. It’s no accident that millions of people flock to Western North Carolina’s largest city. Asheville has a large number of restaurants to check out including the very popular Tupelo Honey Cafe, which has been nationally recognized as a friendly lively place to try some delicious upscale southern cuisine. The menu features pulled pork grilled cheese, shrimp and goat cheese grits, and southern shakshuka, a southern take on the classic Mediterranean dish. For something south of the border check out Sonora Cucina Mexicana, which serves up a variety of tacos, burritos, quesadillas and appetizers, including a queso crisp, a twelve-inch flour tortilla topped with two types of cheeses and toppings, and a Sonora Dog, which is a bacon-wrapped hot dog with a variety of toppings. Finally, if you’re looking for a place to grab a drink or some delicious unique food beyond the usual bar food, Asheville Brewing Company is where you want to go pre or post game. With the combination of several local brews, and various types of nachos, tater tots, and pizza, this is a place not to be missed. Speaking of which, when visiting Asheville make sure to check out the Biltmore Estate, America’s largest home. It’s only ten minutes or so from downtown Asheville. The estate, built by George Vanderbilt at the end of the nineteenth century for his family, boasts 250 rooms, and an incredible garden and grounds to match. Biltmore draws over a million visitors a year. Shopping enthusiasts should stroll down Asheville’s main streets, Malaprop’s Book Store, The Chocolate Fetish shop, and the Asheville Pinball Museum where visitors can play any of over seventy-five classic arcade games including pinball of course. Another arcade to check out is Grove Arcade, which was one of the country’s first shopping malls, and home to many shops and restaurants, nearly a century later. Finally, Asheville’s mountain location allows for numerous places to hike, ski, bike, camp, and any other outdoor activity you can think of, all in the vicinity of Blue Ridge Parkway. Asheville houses millions of tourists a year, so hotels are affordable and easy to find. Less than ten minutes from Kimmel Arena, Asheville’s Tunnel Road boasts a variety of lodging options including a Quality Inn, Country Inn and Suites, and a Best Western. There is also a Cambria and a Hotel Indigo among others in downtown if you’re looking to be more centrally located. Fans 2 This is a hard score to give, as I know UNC-Asheville has a rich basketball tradition, and have seen postseason success, most notably in 2012 when the Bulldogs nearly became the first sixteen seed to knock off a one seed, when they came seven points short of upsetting the top-seeded Syracuse Orange . But the Bulldogs on this night drew just over 1,200 fans which for an arena that seats 3,200, is only a little more than a third full, and while the fans there were passionate, and engaged, and cheered on the Blue and White, a crowd of that size is very noticeable. The Bulldogs are in the midst of a rougher-than-normal season, and the hope is that as they again become a postseason caliber team, the fans in and around Asheville will come in higher numbers to support them. Access 4 Getting to Kimmel Arena is not too difficult, and there are several parking options for people to utilize around Kimmel Arena. The best option is the Sherrill Center Parking Deck, which is adjacent to Kimmel Arena. If the deck fills up there are plenty of parking lots on street level on University Heights, but be prepared to climb some steep hills as Kimmel Arena is located on top of one. Handicap parking is available on the top of the deck next to the arena. Lines are short and walking around the concourse is very easy, as the hallways are very wide. Handicap seating is available on the top of the seating bowl. Return on Investment 4 With a combination of affordable concession prices, tickets ranging from 9-16 dollars, and often even less on secondary ticket selling websites and free parking, attending a Bulldogs game is truly a great value. A person can spend less than twenty dollars to attend to watch a high-quality Division 1 program. That’s an incredible value. Extras 5 One point for the local concession options offered, including beer, wine, and ice cream. Another point to the nice size concession shop Rocky’s Doghouse, a third point to the music played and the enthusiasm shown by the band throughout the game, and finally two points to the players signing autographs in the concourse postgame, a rarity in college basketball, and a great way to further community-player connections. Final Thoughts Asheville is a beautiful, vibrant town that draws millions of visitors a year. If you are one of those visitors and are craving live hoops or want an affordable night out, it is worth driving the few miles from downtown Asheville to UNC-Asheville and Kimmel Arena to watch a traditionally successful mid-major program like the Bulldogs. The team is struggling recently but getting back to their winning ways should bring more fans back to watch the Bulldogs compete for a shot at March Madness.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 King Power Stadium Filbert Way Leicester, England LE2 7FL United Kingdom Leicester City FC website King Power Stadium website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 32,500 Fox Watching at Leicester City The King Power Stadium, also known as the Leicester City Stadium due to UEFA sponsorship regulations, is home to Premier League Champions Leicester City Football Club. Opened in the summer of 2002 by local hero and former England International footballer Gary Lineker, the stadium is located just a stone’s throw from where the old Filbert Street stadium once stood. After spending 111 years at Filbert Street the club relocated to a new home a matter of yards away at what would first be named the Walkers Bowl (Walkers being a locally-based nationwide distributor of crisps), though after some comical nicknames such as the crisp bowl the club decided to rename the venue as the Walkers Stadium. The club began its maiden season in their new £35m, 32,500 all-seater home after being relegated from the Premier League the previous season, with their opening fixture a friendly against Spanish team Athletic Bilbao, on 4 August 2002. The stadium has played host to several alternative events including both full and Under 21 international fixtures and music events including more recently the internationally recognised local rock band Kasabian, who incidentally performed at the stadium to celebrate the team winning the Premier League. The stadium has also hosted many domestic, European and International rugby union fixtures with local rugby giants Leicester Tigers using the stadium for their international fixtures due to a larger capacity than their original Welford Road stadium. 2015 also saw the stadium being used as one of 13 selected venues for the Rugby World Cup which hosted the fixtures of Argentina v Tonga, Canada v Romania and Argentina v Namibia. Food & Beverage 4 Plenty of food options are available at kiosks through the internal concourse areas typical to that offered in football stadiums, with a few unique food options being offered such as a sausage roll with Red Leicester cheese and a broccoli, cauliflower and double cheese pie, both priced at £3.80. Your typical items such as hot dogs, steak pies and burgers are available as are your typical confectionary options. Kiosks also offer combo deals on food and drink. Alcoholic, soft drink and hot drink options are available too. One thing to note if you are an overseas visitor, due to ground regulations it is against the law to drink anything alcoholic in view of the pitch. This is the reason you tend to find football stadium concourse very busy pre-match and at half time. Contactless payment is advertised and accepted throughout the concourse kiosks making the process for purchasing items relatively hassle free and also keeps the queues moving quicker. Outside you’ll find several burger vans within the pedestrianised forecourts that surround the stadium as well a number of other food vans on route to the stadium. There aren’t many alternative food options close by so fast food really is your only option. If you’re attending the match and have time to spare, I’d recommended eating at one of the many excellent restaurants or pubs in the town. Atmosphere 4 Atmosphere at the King Power stadium has been recently recognised as one of the best and nosiest in the country with a local University of Leicester team installing a seismometer close to the stadium and recording a minor quake with a magnitude of 0.3 after a last minute winning goal. The stadium is a modern concrete and steel structure and with its continuous bowl-like terraces and roof covering all seating areas it certainly helps contain the noise generated by supporters. Three of the stands are front to back with rows of seats with internal concourse areas to them all. The main stand offers seating for hospitality and VIP guests as well as a single row of hospitality boxes across the back row of the where the general supporters are seated offering excellent views of the pitch. For this particular fixture the atmosphere had diminished somewhat, most notably because of recent league form having dipped well below the expectations of last season’s heroic league triumph. The opponents being Manchester United resulted in a sell out crowd however, encouraging fans to chant their usual club songs as well as directing chants at the opponents making it an enjoyable atmosphere to be a part of. Pre-match the club play an emotional video on the LED screens storying their heroic achievements the previous season to the music of Andrea Bocelli’s performance of Nessun Dorma, which is a true spine-tingling moment that encourages all the supporters to clap and cheer. Leicester City had introduced a crown initiative last season by providing every home fan with a clap banner to help raise noise levels and encourage the team. This initiative is still in place today with reports that it costs £12,000 to provide them for each fixture which goes to show the generosity of the clubs owners and their ambition to drive match day atmosphere. You won’t get a bad seat here at the King Power stadium and it just comes down to personal preference on where you prefer to sit, whether that’s close to the action or towards the back where you get a better feel for the formation and tactics each team is using. Pitch perimeter LED advertising is in place with added rear view facing LEDs that allow the club to promote local businesses to the supporters. Two large LED screens that hang from the roof in two opposite corners offer a clear view of team introductions, half time fan engagement initiatives such as ‘Fan Cam’ as well as displaying action replays through the match. The PA system also offers a clear and concise output to all supporters within the stadium and the concourses. Neighborhood 5 The stadium is located on the outskirts of the town centre in what is now a multi-cultural diverse area of the city as well as having a large student population in the surrounding areas. The stadium is located 1 mile from the city centre and can be reached via a pleasant walk on the River Soar canal tow path. There are plenty of other routes leading from the city but you’ll find this a peaceful and hassle free journey on foot. There are many places to eat and drink in the city as well as close to the stadium. The Narborough Road area and Braunstone Gate, both a short walk from the stadium, offer an array of bars and a variety of foreign restaurants, though I would recommend spending time in the city centre. The city has seen a huge amount of investment in recent years, most notably since the discovery of King Richard III’s remains back in 2013. Since then the city has been subject to worldwide media attention resulting in a huge influx of visitors. Couple that with the most unlikely of sporting achievements with lowly Leicester City winning the Premier League, the city now known as the sporting capital of the country has become a hub for tourists, as well as having historical connections. You’ll find everything from Italian to American style BBQ restaurants in the city and a vast amount of pubs and bars with many becoming drinking holes for local supporters enjoying their ritual pre-match drink. For food I’d recommend anywhere within the open air square at the Highcross Shopping Centre. Here you’ll find Italian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican and American cuisine and a few burger restaurants too all of which are of excellent quality. For drinks head further into town to the Rutland & Derby pub and enjoy a pre-match pint in the bar outside in the garden or on the roof terrace. If you fancy something closer to the stadium you can soak up the pre-match atmosphere with the home supporters at Blues Bar & Grill which is located right next to the stadium. Local attractions include the King Richard III visitor centre, the New Walk Museum & Art Gallery as well as the UK’s only National Space Centre. If spending some time in the city you’ll also find some great country parks on the outskirts of the county such as Bradgate Park which is well worth a visit on a nice day. Fans 4 Leicester City fans provide a great and memorable atmosphere. With a full house against one of the giants of English Football this still encourages supporters to take part in their usual ritual of singing and chanting through the match often engaging in chants with the away supporters. Depending on the club’s performance on the pitch, fans might be seen leaving well before the final whistle. Attendance was a sell-out crowd of just over 32,000 though, which is typical of the dedicated support of the clubs fans with many of its home games often selling out of tickets. Access 3 Access in and around the stadium is fairly good. With it being a modern stadium, the immediate vicinity of the ground is pedestrianised, meaning you’re able to move easily and safely around the entire external perimeter of the stadium. There is also plenty of way-finding signage as well as dedicated staff wearing ‘Here to Help’ tops which all contribute towards providing a very welcoming experience. Parking around the stadium is very limited with local car parks reserved for permit holders and hospitality guests. Being local I tend to park a little further out (usually in the Braunstone Gate area) where it’s free and then walk the 15 minutes or so to the stadium. You pass a couple of nice bars on the way which also helps. Public transport again is a little limited in the vicinity but you can make your way to Aylestone Road where you’ll find bus stops and transport into town. I would certainly recommend parking close to the town and walking the 15 – 20 minutes to the stadium. It’s much easier! For those with walking difficulties and the need to be close to the stadium it’s probably worth contacting the club to see if they are able to assist with allocating you a parking space close by. Leicester train station is a little over a mile away with plenty of police and stewards on route to point you in the right direction. Turnstiles are very clearly signposted and you’ll be greeted by stewards carrying out random body searches. These searches are more detailed around the away supporters’ turnstiles with sniffer dogs present and local police assisting with stewards in managing the crowd. Inside the stadium, again you can move pretty freely within the section your ticket is assigned to. Concourses are fairly open with a typical set-up of food/drink kiosks on one side and toilets on the other. The result of this and like most stadiums is that they become congregated closer to kick off so moving around from A to B becomes more difficult. The concourses are lined with wall art commemorating the clubs recent success which makes what is normally a pretty blank and dull space quite attractive. Accessible supporters have the ability to enter the stadium via nominated exit gates which are assigned as accessible entrances prior to kick off and once inside the stadium there are toilets and changing places areas equipped for their personal needs. Return on Investment 3 For home tickets for a Category A fixture adults pay between £26 and £50 with slightly reduced rates for seniors and under 22s. Children’s prices are significantly lower, with under 12s paying a maximum £15 and under 10s charged as little as £5. For lower category games you’ll pay around £5 less per ticket depending on your age group. Here is a full list of ticket prices on the team’s official site. Tickets for Premier League football are expensive in my view, but you’re paying for the experience of seeing a football match featuring some of the best players in one of the best leagues in the world. Ticket prices are fairly similar across the league with the exception of some of the larger clubs whose ticket costs are generally higher. There are on occasion packages available to buy tickets for multiple matches which provide a discount though you tend to find those offers usually apply to the lower profile fixtures to help encourage greater ticket sales. Car parking is available at the Fibert Street lot of £16 on a pre-book basis and up until 10 am on the day of the match. Other lots include at the Freeman’s Common Business Park for £4 with proceeds benefiting Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre. There is more parking in City Centre next to the Leicester Tigers Rugby ground. Leicester is one of very few clubs that do not offer a fan zone. These have become extremely popular amongst UK football stadiums recently and you generally feel you are getting a little more for your money when there is plenty of entertainment on offer which adds to the match day experience. I only assume that space or some other underlying reason is an issue here as to why a fan zone is not on offer. Extras 4 There are plenty of resale options on your journey to the stadium with small outlets set up on the roadside selling club memorabilia. A large club shop to the front of the stadium facing the main road is open up until kick off for anyone wishing to take advantage of a large selection of LCFC goods. Shirt printing is available on the main forecourt to the front of the stadium via a separate outlet and there is also an inflatable penalty shootout activity managed by club staff which attracts a large queue for those young budding footballers and some adults too! Plenty of film crews are present on the main forecourt with the major broadcasters and local news stations getting the fans view on the game pre-match which adds to the buzz around the area. This was a live TV fixture so greater media attention was present because of this. Many fans also taking photos and selfies of the ‘Champions’ banner with the stadium in the background appear to be a regular activity which has seen the club become a bit of a tourist attraction over the past 12 months. Final Thoughts A club in the heart of the Midlands with easy transport links from local airports and London provide supporters and visitors from all over the country a fairly hassle-free trip to the city of Leicester and the King Power stadium. You’ll be treated to a modern stadium with modern facilities in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere with the opportunity to watch Premier League football.

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

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Lake Olmstead Stadium 78 Milledge Rd Augusta, GA 30904 Augusta GreenJackets website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 4,822 On the Green in Augusta Typically when you hear the words Augusta and green jacket, you immediately think of a very prestigious golf tournament that serves as one-quarter of golf’s Grand Slam. However, there is another sport in town that also goes by this moniker. The Augusta GreenJackets baseball franchise is the Class-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, and their mascot is a bee wearing the fabled green jacket awarded to the winner of each year’s Masters golf tournament. The history of baseball in Augusta actually goes back to 1885 and includes the Georgia Peach, Ty Cobb, as one of the players who wore the home team’s uniform. Augusta was one of the charter members of the South Atlantic League and is one of its most successful teams. Some of the modern-era players who have worn the GreenJackets uniform are Tim Wakefield, Moises Alou, Jason Kendall, Hanley Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia, Madison Bumgarner and Jon Lester. Home field for the GreenJackets is Lake Olmstead Stadium, a city-owned facility in Lake Olmstead Park. The stadium was built in 1995 and has a baseball seating capacity of over 4,800. Seating is broken down into 1,000 box seats, 800 reserved seats and 2,500 general admission seats. An additional group seating area along the right field line, the Sweetwater Draft House Party Deck, can hold up to 500 people. Food & Beverage 4 Since the stadium is located in a city park, there are no restaurants within walking distance of the stadium. Fortunately, the GreenJackets offer a good array of foods at reasonable prices. The following items are available at $3: cheeseburger, chicken tenders, nachos, pretzels and corn dog bites. Hot dogs and fries are available for $2.50. A few “Olmstead Only” offerings include the Auggie Doggie at $5.50 (a hot dog covered with pulled pork and coleslaw), the Auggie Burger at $9.50 (two hamburger patties with slaw, barbecue pork and pimento cheese) and loaded nachos at $6.50 or loaded fries at $5.75 (both include barbecue pork and cheese). We promise not to tell your cardiologist! Every Monday is a Feed Your Face night, which provides you an all-you-can-eat experience for a rotating set of menu items. Beverages include sodas, bottled water, and Powerade at $2.50.The beer offerings are fairly broad and include Bud Light, Miller Light, Yuengling, Kilian’s, Sweetwater Blue and Sweetwater 420. Prices are $3 for 16-ounce. and $5 for 32-ounce. Tuesdays are Brewsdays at Lake Olmstead, and you can buy a beer at 50% off. Atmosphere 3 Two nods to baseball’s past are components of Lake Olmstead’s structure: a roof extending out over most of the seating areas to protect the fans from the brutal heat of Georgia’s summers, and Ty Cobb, a Georgia native, spent time in Augusta before moving onto the big leagues. His lifetime batting average was .366. One of the outfield walls measures 366 feet from home plate. On the wall are the figure 366 and the name of Ty Cobb. Aside from these salutes to an earlier time in baseball, Lake Olmstead Stadium also celebrates more recent accomplishments. A large display of the team’s championship seasons is found on a wall on the concourse, as are banners saluting the many GreenJackets who have gone on to the major leagues. Additional amenities provided at Lake Olmstead Stadium are a children’s playground and the Cool Zone, a water misting area to cool off during the often hot and humid Georgia summers. A large group party area is located further down the right-field line. The Sweetwater Draft House features a 6,000-square foot party deck with numerous food and beverage packages, depending on the size of the group. The seating bowl wraps around the infield and includes both individual seating (in reserved or box areas) or aluminum bench seating (in general admission areas).There are no seats or berms behind the outfield fences. Because the roof is over a major portion of the seating area, there are some obstructed views due to support poles. Neighborhood 3 The area immediately surrounding the stadium is Lake Olmstead Park, a park owned and managed by the Augusta-Richmond County Parks Department. Its central feature is the namesake Lake Olmstead, a 113-acre lake located just down a steep embankment from the baseball stadium. The lake was created as a part of the Augusta Canal construction project in 1870 by Charles Olmstead, who also did major engineering work on the Erie Canal. In recognition of his work, the lake and park were named in his honor. The lake is used primarily for boating and fishing purposes, while the remainder of the park is dedicated to a disc golf course, hiking trails, picnic areas and, of course, the baseball stadium. You should plan to park in the immediate vicinity of Lake Olmstead Stadium and make sure to lock your car. There has been a crime problem in the vicinity. The broader neighborhood is the city of Augusta, Georgia’s second-largest city, with a population of over 400,000. The city sits on the western banks of the Savannah River, with the city of North Augusta, South Carolina, and the state of South Carolina forming on the eastern banks of the river. Augusta is primarily known for the Augusta National Golf Club and its Masters Golf Tournament, but the city is also a cultural center with its own ballet company, opera company, and symphony. The city also takes advantage of the Augusta Canal and the Savannah River to host a number of water-based sports events. One of the major developments in recent years is the Augusta Riverwalk, a park that hosts festivals, social events and 4th of July celebrations involving the whole city. Some of the popular restaurants in Augusta are Hildebrandt’s Deli (an Augusta staple since 1879!) and the Boll Weevil Cafe and Sweets. Fans 4 Due to its long history with baseball, Augusta GreenJacket fans are very loyal and very knowledgeable. They also come knowing that many of the players they are seeing have a very high likelihood of going to the majors, based on past history. The team has local ownership and is quite involved in the local community, working with many charities, promoting reading programs in the schools and visiting the many hospitals in the Augusta region. There is a real bond between the team and its fans that goes beyond just baseball. The demographics of the fan base in the Augusta region assure a solid future for the team. You are just as likely to see a seniors group at a game as a youth baseball team. Fort Gordon is a major employer in the area, and you will always see a good number of service members at each game. Augusta is also the hub city in the CSRA (Central Savannah Regional Area) which includes eastern portions of Georgia and several counties in South Carolina, which is just across the Savannah River from Augusta. Access 3 Augusta and Lake Olmstead Park are easily accessed via I-20, the main east/west interstate in Georgia. The city is located 150 miles east of Atlanta and 68 miles west of Columbia, South Carolina. Once departing the interstate at the Washington Road exit, you will go six miles south to reach the stadium. You will actually pass the Augusta National Golf Club, en route to the stadium. Once you arrive at Lake Olmstead Stadium, parking is readily available next to the park. There is only one ticket stand and entrance into the stadium itself, so you may want to buy your tickets online ahead of time to avoid a long line. Pre-purchasing your tickets also provide cost savings for your wallet. The concourse area inside the gates is a large plaza and is home to multiple concession stands and The Hive Team Store. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices are tiered at three levels at Lake Olmstead Stadium: Box seats are $12, reserved seats are $10 and general admission seats are $8. Seniors, children and military seating is priced at $6. (Fort Gordon is a large Army base just outside of Augusta, and frequent Military Appreciation nights are held during the season). A $1 discount is given for all online ticket purchases and all tickets purchased prior to the day of the game. The concessions at Lake Olmstead are of good quality and reasonably priced. Since Augusta is the second-largest city in Georgia, hotels are available at every price level. If Augusta has an afternoon game, many people simply drive over from Atlanta or Columbia and return home afterward. It is less than a two-hour drive from either city. Extras 3 The Augusta Riverwalk has become the entertainment and dining center for residents of, and visitors to, Augusta. In addition to the beauty of the beautiful gardens and brick plazas lining the river, you will be able to enjoy boating, concerts, and fireworks on special occasions. Singer James Brown was a native of Augusta, and you will find numerous historical markers about his life throughout the city. Obviously, the Masters is the biggest event in town. It is also an impossible ticket to get, as the waiting list is thousands of people long. However, it is possible to obtain a badge for one of the practice rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday before the tournament begins. The pro-am is especially fun, as the players are more relaxed, and you often will see a famous celebrity in several of the foursomes. Final Thoughts EDITOR’S NOTE: Since Stadium Journey’s visit, the GreenJackets have relocated to SRP Park in North Augusta. The team’s new home is part of the Riverside Village at Hammond’s Ferry overlooking the Savannah River featuring 280 new apartments, a senior living facility, office space, a luxury hotel, and a beer garden. The Jackets called Lake Olmstead Stadium home from 1995-2017 and the new stadium will seat 4,000 people-be on the lookout this season for our review of SRP Park.

Photos by Will Halpern, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum 2825 University Pkwy Winston-Salem, NC 27105 Wake Forest Demon Deacons website Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 14,665 It’s All Black and Gold at the Joel For over a century after its founding in 1834, Wake Forest University was located in its namesake suburb north of Raleigh. In 1946, after receiving financial support from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, the school decided to move a hundred miles west. The Deacons basketball program (which was launched in 1906) played from 1956 to 1989 at the old Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum, which was gutted and replaced by the Lawrence Joel Memorial Coliseum, which now houses the men’s and women’s Wake Forest basketball programs. The Joel is the sixth largest arena in the ACC, seating 14,665 people, and many great players and teams have graced the court over the years. While Wake Forest’s program has recently lost a bit of its luster, the Demon Deacons are trying to recapture the glory days of years past, and the Joel Coliseum provides a great backdrop to getting back to ACC contention. Food & Beverage 5 Joel Coliseum offers a wide variety of food and beverage choices, with enough interesting local choices to make eating during the game (rather than afterwards or before) worthwhile. You’ll find your regular concessions stands, serving up a regular hot dog ($5) or a cheeseburger ($8). Add three dollars to either one to make it a basket with French fries, while a chicken tender basket is also offered at $9. Domino’s offers their pizza for seven dollars, however, if you want to get something just a little bit different go to the Golden Roost where you can dress your tender basket with buffalo or sweet chili sauce, or try their fried mac and cheese or baby corn dogs all for nine dollars apiece. However, the real treat at Joel Coliseum is the stand serving up Prissy Polly’s Pig Pickin’ BBQ, based in nearby Kernersville. You can get your pork in either a sandwich ($5), a tray ($10), or a plate ($12) – both a tray and a plate offer you a half-pound of BBQ, but a plate gets you two sides and a bun, where the tray gets you one side. Speaking of sides, your five choices include brown sugar and bacon beans, house recipe mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, and sweet or BBQ coleslaw. You can also choose which style of BBQ you want, either vinegar style Eastern or Tomato-based Lexington (Western), and while Winston-Salem is less than a half-hour from Lexington, it’s nice to get that option, especially when the Deacons play their conference foes from the Triangle, like Duke , UNC , or NC State . Banana pudding is also offered for four dollars, and two specialty items to try are the BBQ chicken nachos and the NC pork BBQ sundae where layers of baked beans, mashed potatoes, bacon, and BBQ are combined. As for beverages, this is also the only place to get a sweet or unsweet tea for four dollars, and here and throughout the rest of the arena, a regular or souvenir fountain Pepsi product soft drink will cost you three and six dollars respectively. At Joel Coliseum you can find a variety of beer, but it varies by stand; eight dollars will get you a Bud, Miller Lite, or Yuengling, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra are also sold in aluminum bottles as well, and local Foothills Brew is also available on tap. In addition, you could opt for the standard Dippin’ Dots for dessert or the local Mayberry premium ice cream, where you get your choice of vanilla, chocolate, cookies & cream, butter pecan, black cherry, or cookie dough. A single scoop goes for $4 with an additional scoop a dollar extra, and if you want your ice cream in a waffle cone that’s also a buck extra. Atmosphere 3 Joel Coliseum is your standard basketball arena, but depending on where you sit you may get a very different view of the game. The ideal seats are located in sections 117-121 or, if you want to save some money, 228-234 are also recommended. Those are both located at or near center court with the large block W and F facing your direction. This allows you to view the larger portion of the jumbotron, as the screens are significantly smaller when facing from behind either basket. Joel Coliseum, like many larger arenas, has seats in the upper level that are far from the action, but nothing too extreme, and given that most Deacons games don’t sell out you can often find decent seats for a reasonable price . The band, the cheerleading squad, and the Demon Deacons mascot keep the energy up during the game, and standard promotions help keep the fans involved during game stoppages. However, despite the effort, the atmosphere seems fairly tame especially compared to other ACC schools, as the Deacons struggle for relevance among college basketball programs in the ACC and throughout North Carolina. Neighborhood 3 Joel Coliseum is located in the Winston-Salem Entertainment and Sports Complex, three miles north of downtown and a mile southeast of Wake Forest’s main Reynolds Campus. The complex also includes BB&T Field and David F. Couch Ballpark, the home fields for the Demon Deacon football and baseball teams, and next door is the Dixie Classic Fair. Although it’s true that there is not a lot going on in the immediate area of the complex, there are a few options to eat on University Parkway, less than a mile from the arena. Some of the choices include Putter’s Patio and Grill, which boasts Winston-Salem’s best steaks; they’re served up with your choice of side, salad, and bread with butter. Their variety of steaks includes New York strip, ribeye, tenderloin tips, and filet mignon. While it may be a bit pricey for some, averaging around thirty dollars per plate, if you’re stopping by for lunch they offer a special 8-ounce ribeye with a side for just $13.75. Or if steak isn’t your thing, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and fajitas are among the other options offered on their large menu. Alternatively, on the next block over is Elizabeth Italian’s Restaurant and Pizzeria, which is your classic Italian trattoria offering numerous hot and cold pasta dishes, specialty pizzas, sandwiches, and meat entrees. Or just an additional block away you’ll find Prime Tyme Soul Cafe, offering down-home southern soul food including fried chicken, shrimp, pork chops, and fish, along with numerous sides like coleslaw, fried okra, collard greens, hush puppies, and mac and cheese, along with wings, sandwiches, and homemade pies, cakes, and banana pudding. Winston-Salem is North Carolina’s fifth-largest city, and there is a lot to see and do inside the city limits. A ten-minute drive south will take you to the Old Salem Museum and Gardens, a historic preserved Moravian Village from the mid-1700s and a great place to walk around and experience a simpler time. Those who enjoy art should make the three-mile trek west to the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, which houses an impressive collection of pieces from colonial times to the present day, and with the nearby 129-acre Reynolda Gardens and Wake Forest’s main campus, there are a lot of places to walk around. Those who enjoy shopping could head downtown to browse the various gardens, boutiques, and local shops, or, for those looking for chain stores, Hanes Mall is located fifteen minutes from Joel Coliseum and offers more than 200 stores (until 2004 this was the largest enclosed shopping mall in North Carolina). Those with young children should venture out to Kaleideum North or Kaleideum Downtown, the former with a science theme, planetarium, and nature park, and the latter focused more on literature and the arts, including a theatre showing different performances for children; Joel Coliseum sits an equidistant ten-minute drive from either museum. The majority of places to stay near Joel Coliseum are going to be found in and around the downtown core. The two hotels within a mile of the coliseum are Courtyard by Marriott and Best Western Plus, but if you’re looking for something different, the Historic Brookstown Inn is four miles south. Opened in 1837, this hotel features a wine and cheese reception with a free glass of wine from local wineries, fresh baked cookies and milk at night, and a hot breakfast offered as well. Fans 2 There are passionate Deacons fans out there, and this in no way takes away from those that come out and cheer on the black and gold night in and night out, but the numbers are concerning, as the Deacons have been dead last in attendance percentage among the fifteen ACC schools, dropping from 57 percent to 52 percent and eventually 47 percent after this season’s conclusion. While I understand Wake Forest has only about 5,300 undergraduates, the arena is off-campus, the team has fallen on hard times recently, and has surrounding competition from other high profile programs within a two hour drive, but the decreasing fan numbers should be alarming for any Deacons fan. At a recent matchup against in-state foe North Carolina , attendance was just short of 11,000 which is about three-quarters full, with a lot sporting Carolina Blue. The fans who do show up are passionate, knowledgeable, and loyal. The building did get loud at times, but there was nothing close to an intimidating atmosphere. The hope is that more wins will translate into The Joel bringing back the energy from decades past. Otherwise, it may be time to consider looking into scaling back the arena’s seating capacity. That’s not to say that they don’t have the potential to start selling out the building again, but a few thousand fewer seats could create a more intimate space with higher energy throughout the season, and more opportunities for a higher percentage of the seats to be filled. Below fifty percent capacity is tough for any school, especially a Power 5 Conference school. Access 4 Getting to and from Joel Coliseum is relatively easy and hassle-free. The traffic is not too bad, and you’ll only see a moderate slow down when big names are in town. This also impacts the price of parking: while for most Wake Forest basketball games parking is abundant, easy to find, and only ten dollars, at the higher profile match-ups such as the Heels or Blue Devils , parking goes up to twenty dollars, and you may have to park outside of the Coliseum’s main lot, and park across Deacon Boulevard adjacent to BB&T Field. Luckily there is a pedestrian tunnel that can be used to access the lots. If you’re looking to take public transportation from the downtown Greyhound station, the 90, 91, 92, and 106 buses will all bring you close to the arena and will only cost you a dollar each way – however, depending on game time, the buses may stop running after the game, so check schedules online. Piedmont Triad International Airport is 30 minutes to the east, and PART buses can connect you from points throughout the Triad including the airport for just $2.50 each way including downtown Winston-Salem. There are a few entry gates at Joel Coliseum, and the main entrance can see some lines, though nothing too long. The concourse is wide and easy to navigate, and handicap parking and seating are available. Return on Investment 4 Attending a Deacons game is typically a great value, with ticket prices starting at $15-$20 for non-conference games, and $25 and up for conference games. If you are hoping to see a big-name opponent, like a Louisville , Virginia , or the three in-state schools ( Duke , UNC , or NC State ) expect to shell out more – I would advise to always check on the secondary market closer to game time, as you can often score a great deal, since sellouts haven’t been common recently, and tickets should be available for reasonable prices. If you don’t mind sitting in the cheap seats and seeing a non-marquee match-up, with ten-dollar parking and a fifteen to twenty dollar average concessions cost, you shouldn’t be paying more than fifty dollars to attend a Wake Forest basketball game, which even with recent struggles is still an ACC team, who can win on any given night. Extras 5 One point goes to the wide variety of concessions including the delicious local BBQ, ice cream, and beer. A second point goes to the celebration of breast cancer survivors and the tribute that they received on the court. A third point goes to the retired jersey numbers lining the rafters, with not just the name but the player’s photo, and a fourth point is for the incredibly friendly staff throughout Joel Coliseum who are always happy to lend a hand. Finally, a point for the jerseys on display on the wall throughout the concourse of the many great Demon Deacons to play in the NBA, including Tim Duncan, Chris Paul, and Muggsy Bogues, who was the Association’s shortest player at 5’3” and a standout for the in-state Charlotte Hornets . Final Thoughts Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum has hosted some great Wake Forest Demon Deacon players and teams for the three decades it’s been open in Winston-Salem. Recently the team has struggled and attendance is suffering as a result. However, if the team can turn the corner and contend in the ACC, then fan interest will increase and make the building an intimidating place for other teams to play in. All it could take is the next big star like a Tim Duncan or a Chris Paul to put Wake Forest and Joel Coliseum on the map again.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Lawrence Larsen Rink at Mike Eruzione Center 45 Pauline St Winthrop, MA 02152 Boston Blades website Lawrence Larsen Rink website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 500 Blades of Glory The Boston Blades are a professional women’s hockey team that plays in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL). Since beginning play in 2010, the Blades have won the Clarkson Cup as league champions twice, in 2013 and 2015. The Blades were the first US-based team in the circuit. Over the course of their history, the Blades have been nomadic, calling several local rinks home, including Walter Brown Arena at Boston University, the John A. Ryan Arena in Watertown , Veterans Memorial Rink in Somerville, Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell , the Bright-Landry Center at Harvard , Boch Ice Center in Dedham, the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, the Milton Academy Ice Rink, Rodman Arena in Walpole, Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington and the Edward T. Barry Ice Rink at UMass Boston. The team was able to find a home for their entire 2017-2018 home schedule at the Lawrence Larsen Rink at the Mike Eruzione Center. Lawrence Larsen was involved with the town of Winthrop’s Little League and youth hockey programs for over 30 years. The Presidential Unit Citation honoree for his service in World War II would provide the children of Winthrop a place to skate in the winter by flooding the town’s tennis courts. Mike Eruzione is a Winthrop native who is best known as the captain of the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team that defeated the Soviet Union in the legendary “Miracle on Ice” game and went on to win the gold medal in Lake Placid. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small concession stand in the lobby of the Eruzione Center. The standard snack bar menu won’t wow any visiting fans, but there’s enough here to get any Blades fan with the munchies through the game. The menu is made up mostly of snack items including churros, fried dough, cotton candy and popcorn. There are assorted candies and sweets available for the many children who utilize the Larsen Rink. Fans looking for something a bit more substantial can select from nachos, hot dogs or pizza slices. Cans of Pepsi products and bottles of Gatorade are available for thirsty Blades fans. Hot chocolate, tea and coffee are popular items in this chilly facility. Atmosphere 2 You wouldn’t expect an elaborate game day presentation at a facility like Larsen Rink, and you don’t get one during Blades games. The staff here do what they can, with music during play stoppages, raffles and giveaways throughout the game. It’s an old-school experience, and one that’s most fitting here. Most of the noise generated here at Larsen Rink come from the many children in attendance. Mixed in with the few diehard fans in attendance, these youths, many decked out in their peewee jerseys, have a great time stomping on the metal bleachers filling up the chilly rink with noise. Neighborhood 2 Located less than six miles from TD Garden and Boston’s North End, the small town of Winthrop can hardly be considered a destination location. During the summer the beaches and nearby Deer Island are a draw, but during hockey season, there’s not as much to do in town. There are, however, a few good restaurants nearby should visiting fans be looking for a place to eat before or after the game. Nick’s Place is located virtually across the street from the Eruzione Center, and provides a solid diner menu for patrons. As you would expect from a waterfront town like Winthrop, there are some nice seafood restaurants in town. Locals recommend Belle Isle Seafood. Most fans going to a Blades game would be better served by heading into nearby Boston and exploring the many dining, entertainment and lodging options there. Fans 2 The Blades have been overshadowed in the crowded Boston hockey scene by the arrival of the NWHL’s Pride, and their nomadic existence reflects this fact. Still, the team has a dedicated fan base that does a good job of filling the stands at Larsen Rink. A mix of locals, families and youth hockey players give the team a decent crowd. The CWHL does not release attendance figures, but the stands at Larsen Rink are pretty full during Blades games. Access 3 Winthrop is a small ocean-side community of 17,500 people in Greater Boston located at the northern entrance to Boston Harbor, close to Logan International Airport. Situated on a peninsula, the entire town occupies only 1.6 square miles. It is connected to Revere by a narrow isthmus and to East Boston by a bridge over the harbor inlet. Settled in 1630, Winthrop is one of the oldest communities in the United States. Getting to Winthrop is actually easier than you may expect given its location. Located just off of Route 1A, Winthrop is just a few miles from Interstates 90 and 93. Of course, North Shore traffic is never very cooperative, so give yourself some extra time when going to a Blades game. With Winthrop’s location on a peninsula, there are only two ways in and out of town, via Main Street or the Winthrop Parkway (Route 145). Most fans will drive to Larsen Rink, but local residents using public transportation can take the 713 bus, which has a stop on Pauline Street right by the rink. There’s a small parking lot in front of the Eruzione Center, and you may have to weave through the players warming up outside when you arrive. There is ample on-street parking nearby should late-arriving fans require it. Upon entering the Eruzione Center, fans will enter into a small lobby where the snack bar, ticket table and merchandise table are located. Memorabilia honoring Winthrop’s most famous hockey son, Mike Eruzione, fill the trophy cases, and are certainly worth a look. All the seating at Larsen Rink consists of metal bleachers without backs. The seating area starts at the near blue line and runs the length of the rink. Fans are welcome to stand on the boards at the near end, where there are no bleachers. Dress warmly when you visit Larsen Rink, as it’s really cold in there. REALLY cold. Fans will pack the lobby during intermission, or even go outside during the cold Massachusetts winter, to warm up. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to Blades games cost fifteen dollars. Parking is free in the Eruzione Center parking lot. With reasonably priced concessions, a trip to a Boston Blades game is an affordable entertainment option for Greater Boston hockey fans. Extras 3 An extra point is awarded for the display of memorabilia featuring Winthrop’s most notable hockey alumnus, Mike Eruzione. Artifacts from the 1980 Olympics fill the lobby’s trophy cases, much of it autographed by the local players who were on the team. Any hockey historian will enjoy looking around here. As China prepares to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Bejing, they have entered an agreement to sponsor two teams in the CWHL. Each of the five North American teams took a two-week road trip to play their games in China, and the Chinese-based teams do likewise in Canada and the United States. The two Chinese teams are a mix of nationals and CWHL veterans. Seeing the Chinese flag hanging alongside the American and Canadian flags at a hockey rink is a unique sight. A final point is awarded for the sport of women’s hockey and its growing presence in today’s crowded sports scene. CWHL rosters are full of familiar names from the Olympics and international scene, and showing young female athletes that they can aspire to something greater is inspiring. The presence of so many youth players decked out in their hockey jerseys just reinforces this notion. Final Thoughts Unfortunately, the original professional women’s hockey team in the United States has been overshadowed in Boston since the Boston Pride and the National Women’s Hockey League started up three years ago. Rumors of a merger between the two leagues pop up from time to time, making the future of these franchises a bit murky. Still, a trip out to see the Blades and these pioneering athletes is a worthy and affordable one for hockey fans, no matter what your age or gender may be. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Justin Sutton, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.42 Lee-Hines Stadium Harding Blvd Baton Rouge, LA 70813 Southern Jaguars website Lee-Hines Stadium website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 1,500 Home of the 31 Time SWAC Champions Tucked away on the north-side of Baton Rouge on the campus of Southern University, the SWAC baseball powerhouse Southern Jaguars call Lee-Hines Field home. While Southern baseball can at times be hidden behind the Jag football program and their famous marching band, the Human Jukebox, the baseball program has claimed the SWAC title an impressive 31 times dating back to 1949. Lee-Hines Field has served as home to Southern baseball since 1992 and features a seating capacity of 1500. While the ballpark isn’t filled with state of the art attractions, Lee-Hines Field offers a traditional setting for college baseball at an affordable price which includes shaded seating provided by an overhead awning and a few delicious options at the concession stand. Food & Beverage 4 The concessions experience at Lee-Hines field covers the basics for an affordable price and also provides a few tasty items sure to satisfy the cravings of most fans in attendance. Quality and Variety of Food Options. The ballpark favorites at Lee-Hines include hot dogs ($2), nachos ($4), and a BBQ burger ($3). Snacks include peanuts ($2), candy ($1) and gum ($1). But don’t settle for the basic fare. Southern offers a few exceptional concessions options like a bowl of jambalaya and items fresh off the grill like the hot sausage poboy and BBQ pork steak or leg quarter. One of the fan favorites is the Wings and Fries combo for $6. Any of the entree items can be turned into a combo for $4.50 which includes fries and a 20oz soda. Variety of Drink Options. Lee-Hines concessions serve bottled Coca-Cola products for $2. Recommendation. While the wings are sure to please when available, give the hot sausage poboy a try. Though the term “poboy” is used very loosely here (it’s more of a sausage dog), the sausage is very spicy and tasty. Atmosphere 2 Lee-Hines Field provides Southern Jaguar baseball a traditional on-campus college baseball atmosphere. While it’s short of bells and whistles, you’ll get to enjoy local college talent while ditching the sun under shade provided by an overhead awning. Stadium Aesthetics. Lee-Hines Field utilizes its corner of the Southern University campus to the fullest. The first baseline is pressed up against the Harding Blvd overpass, which makes it difficult to fit in seating around the backstop. The main grandstand starts behind home plate and wraps around towards third base. While this impacts the view some, the overhead awning makes up for it. Even though Louisiana has a strong baseball culture, hot Louisiana days can sure make the trip to the ballpark a struggle. Hiding from that heat under the awning goes a long way to improve the overall atmosphere at Lee-Hines. The ballpark features a natural grass surface. Tracks sit just beyond the outfield wall, and a couple of trains will typically pass through during the game. In-Game Promotions and Entertainment. Music is piped in between innings. Outside of that, there’s not much going on outside of the baseball game. If you are traveling with family that aren’t baseball purists, be sure plan ways to keep them busy during the game. Seat Location Recommendations.Look for a seat in the main grandstand near the top of the bleachers. The bottom sections still catch a good amount of sun, but the upper portions typically stay under the shade of the awning. Neighborhood 2 Lee-Hines field is located in the southeast corner Southern University next to the F.G. Clark Center and A.W. Mumford Stadium on the northside of Baton Rouge. While the campus is cozy and there are a couple of attractions to visit while in town, you’ll want to head south towards Baton Rouge for dining and entertainment outside of the game. Where to Eat. As the capital of Louisiana, Baton Rouge has plenty to offer when it comes to restaurants and attractions. Considering Southern is on the northside of town, we’ll focus on a few spots to visit a little closer towards the campus. About 3.5 miles southeast of Southern, you’ll find some of the best seafood in town at Tony’s Seafood Market and Deli (5215 Plank Rd). Though there isn’t a place to sit and eat while on the inside, you can get delicious fried seafood platters, boudin, and boiled seafood to go. If you have a little time before the game starts, order a few pounds of their amazing boiled crawfish to eat tailgate style in the stadium parking lot. Other options to consider nearby are Bayou Cafe & Catering (5068 Airline Hwy) and the Chicken Shack (3928 Pawtucket St). Attractions & Entertainment. Continuing the focus on north Baton Rouge, Southern is located just a couple of miles from the BREC Baton Rouge Zoo. While it’s on the smaller side, a stop here before or after the game could more than make-up from the lack of non-baseball entertainment for your family. On campus, check-out the Southern University Museum of Art. A little closer into Baton Rouge is the Buddy Stewart Memorial & Museum. Though not necessarily a “north” Baton Rouge attraction, it fits in well with the historical culture of the Southern campus. Locally referred to as “Buddy Stewart’s Rock Shop,” the store served the area for over thirty years as one of the few minority owned music stores in town. Where to Stay. Again, there’s plenty of lodging in downtown Baton Rouge, however, you’ll find several closer options on the north side near the airport. Check-out the Spring Hill Suites (7980 Howell Blvd). Fans 1 Typical Jaguar baseball crowds are small and loyal. While it’s obvious baseball isn’t the crown jewel of Southern athletics, you’ll find a friendly home crowd of primarily family and friends of the players along with a few long-time supporters of the program.. Typical Attendance. Expect an average crowd of about 100-150 for the usual SWAC weekend series. If you are attending while the Jaguars face-off against a local in-state program (such as Southeastern Louisiana, UNO, or Loyola of N.O.), expect a slightly larger and more dynamic crowd. Despite being a dominant force in SWAC baseball throughout the years, attendance has remained relatively low (which is common throughout the conference). Crowd Noise & Engagement. Southern fans get into the game during bad calls and big plays. There’s not much fanfare outside of that and there’s not much to be said in regards to traditions or chants.Expect a relaxed atmosphere in a traditional setting. Access 4 Lee-Hines Stadium is very accessible. Located a couple of miles from the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport and just a few miles north of downtown Baton Rouge, you shouldn’t run into many problems getting to and from the stadium. Transit to and from Stadium. If you’re coming into Baton Rouge from I-10, you’ll want to head north on I-110. Take exit 6 towards Southern University, turning left onto Harding Blvd (Hwy 408). Harding runs directly to Lee-Hines Field. As you cross the over-pass just beyond Hwy 61, you’ll see the ballpark on your right before the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Though traffic on I-10 and I-110 can be a major headache at times, the northside location of Lee-Hines affords you several alternate routes when the freeways are jammed. Parking. Parking is free around the stadium. Considering that the stadium is adjacent to the F.G. Clark Center parking lot, there’s plenty of parking available. Ticketing & Gate Entry. As you approach the stadium from the parking lot, there is a single entrance next to the ticket booth. You shouldn’t have any problems with a wait to get your tickets and you’ll breeze through the entrance. Moving around the stadium. There’s plenty of room to move around once inside the stadium. The concourse between the concessions facility and the ballpark is very spacious. There’s also a concourse separating the grandstand and row of chair back seating next to the playing surface. Return on Investment 2 The cost of attending a Southern Jags game at Lee-Hines Field is very affordable. General admission is $5 for adults. While there seems to be some assigned seating, the spirit of the venue is fully general admission. Find a comfortable spot and it’s yours. While the price is certainly affordable, the overall investment may still not be of the highest value. There are several upgrades which could be made to the venue experience which could significantly raise the overall ROI. . Extras 2 Lee-Hines Field has a few “extras” which contribute to the overall game day experience. Chief among those is the excellent job done memorializing past accomplishments with the listing of conference championships on the outside of the grandstand. The Southern Jaguars baseball team continues to be a force in the SWAC. A bonus point is awarded here for the shade provided by the overhead awning. When the Louisiana heat is bearing down on you in late spring, finding shelter is essential.

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Liacouras Center 3406 N Broad St Philadelphia, PA 19121 Temple Owls website Liacouras Center website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 10,026 Temple Basketball at Liacouras Center The Temple Owls are one of the oldest college basketball teams in the nation, having been formed in 1894. At the end of the 2017-18 season, they had registered 1,886 wins, good for fifth overall behind powerhouses Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, and Duke. They have also dominated the Big 5 competition that features four other schools in the college hoops hotbed of Philadelphia, taking 27 titles, though defending national champ Villanova is quickly catching up. Despite this storied history and playing in the American Athletic Conference, the program isn’t that well known nationally, and their home venue, the Liacouras Center, doesn’t have the same cachet as Rupp Arena or Cameron Indoor Stadium . Food & Beverage 4 There are several concession stands along the single concourse, each with ties to the Philadelphia area. Chickie’s and Pete’s (Crabfries with Cheese for $11), Tony Luke’s ($10 cheesesteaks), and Broad Street Dogs ($6.50 for Italian Sausage and $4.50 for hot dogs, which should be avoided) are three highlights. Hack-a-Snack is more generic but makes up for it with an amusing name; you can get popcorn or a pretzel at most stands for $4.50. Other options include shawarmas and falafels for $10 at Pita Chip and boneless wings at PK Whelihan’s. Scoops and Hoops serve a variety of ice cream treats. In a rarity for a campus venue, beer is available for $7. If you prefer non-alcoholic beverages, Coke products are served here, with bottled soda going for $5 and bottled water 50 cents less, while coffee is $2.75. A great variety here but the low quality of the hot dogs (a poor choice on my part no doubt) costs a point. Atmosphere 3 The Liacouras Center is a multi-purpose facility with a single concourse that leads to two seating levels on three sides of the court (the upper level on one side is replaced with a frightening mural of owl eyes). The seats are bright red and the legroom is sufficient. There are seating zones behind each basket, namely the Cherry Zone (which is for the students) and the White Zone, after the school’s colors. There is a four-sided scoreboard above center court that shows detailed replays. There are also banners in the rafters celebrating the past accomplishments of the squad, and a Ring of Honor was inaugurated in 2016. The band and cheerleaders add to the proceedings, but overall, things are relatively sedate for a program as storied as this. Neighborhood 4 Located in the improving North Philadelphia area at the intersection of Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue, the Temple campus is surrounded by good bars and restaurants. My recommendation if you like cozy neighborhood establishments is Pub Webb on Cecil B. Moore Avenue, which has a good afternoon happy hour. The Draught Horse just south of the arena is larger and better for families. In terms of eateries, as you would expect near a college campus, there are plenty of fast food options such as Wendy’s and Jimmy John’s, but try something else as there is good variety here. Although first-time visitors are not required by law to have a cheesesteak, you will become the laughing stock among your friends for not doing so. To avoid this embarrassment, try Tony Luke’s at the southeast corner of the main intersection. For a more relaxing experience, Champ’s Diner gets good reviews, as does Pazzo Pazzo pizza. Fans 3 Temple fans have a great reputation, but I attended a game on a Sunday afternoon against a weaker non-conference opponent that drew just over 5,000 of them. Those that were there were well-behaved and cheered appropriately, but it is hard to give a higher score when the facility is not even half full. When a Big 5 opponent visits, the situation is supposedly much different, so keep that in mind if you are in town for one of those games. Access 4 Set the tone for the overall fan experience (i.e. “Overall, General Stadium is very accessible both in terms of Getting here from downtown is easy as the Philadelphia subway stops at Cecil B. Moore, eight stations from City Hall. From here the arena is just a half a block north on the west side of Broad Street. If you do decide to drive, you should be able to find street parking in the vicinity, though keep in mind that this area is not conveniently located close to any highway. There is a parking garage right here too, but at $17, it is a bit pricey for this level of college hoops. Inside, the concourse is spacious and the small crowd ensured that there is no problem getting around, nor is there any issue with the washrooms. Return on Investment 4 Tickets vary depending on the opponent. For a non-conference foe (or even a lesser team from the American), the good seats start at $35, while those in the upper deck are $15.  Expect to pay $5 more when a more compelling team is visiting. Coupled with the food, this is a reasonable investment and one worth making. . Extras 4 Statues of coaching legends Harry Litwack and John Chaney highlight the spacious lobby. Along the concourse is the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame which is worth a quick look. There is also an inflatable hoop to distract unruly kids. A point for the mural of owl eyes behind the Cherry Zone. A final point for the banners in the rafters going all the way back to 1939, as well as the banners in the ceiling of the concourse for the other AAC schools. Final Thoughts Liacouras Center scores well on our Fanfare scale, as it is located in a great area with easy access and good food options inside (not to mention beer). The main problem is the relative calm in the crowd, but I am sure that this is more exciting when the Owls play a big-time school. If you are in the City of Brotherly Love, consider a visit here to help cheer on the Owls.

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Lloyd Noble Center 2900 Jenkins Ave Norman, OK 73072 Oklahoma Sooners website Lloyd Noble Center website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 11,562 Oklahoma’s Lloyd Noble Center Lloyd Noble Center is an 11,562-seat multi-purpose venue on the University of Oklahoma campus. The Lloyd Noble Center or LNC opened on October 27, 1975. The arena is home to both of the Sooners’ basketball programs as well as the women’s gymnastics team. These Lloyd Noble Center's tenants have accumulated a combined eight Final Four appearances, three national championships, and 47 conference titles. The Sooners men’s basketball team has a 549-102 record (.843 winning percentage) in Lloyd Noble Center since the building opened in 1975. The largest crowd to witness a basketball game inside LNC was on December 29, 2003, as 13,431 fans watched OU beat UT-Pan American 72-57. Food & Beverage 3 The Lloyd Noble Center concessions are all situated along the upper concourse. The food and drink options are basic, and rightfully so as there is not a real need to go above the menu that is offered inside LNC. One of the arena workers mentioned that the best food option is Chick-fil-A; Chick-fil-A offers three items on their menu – a chicken sandwich for $7, waffle fries for $3, and a cookie for $4. Besides Chick-fil-A, there is another outside vendor with Pizza Hut offering a personal pan pizza or a Hershey’s chocolate chip cookie pizza for $6.50. Pizza Hut tries to bundle their items with a pan pizza, cookie, and a regular soda for $17. The other concessions inside Lloyd Noble Center that have a larger menu selection are Sooner Street Tacos for Tex-Mex or the Sooner Smokehouse for BBQ. Three items at the Sooner Smokehouse cost $10.25; the pulled pork nachos and the pulled pork or smoked turkey sandwiches. Brisket sandwiches are two dollars more than the other sandwiches, while a two-meat platter is $15.50 and served with either coleslaw or a bag of chips. The combo of adding a souvenir soda for $16.50 and is the best option for price at this stand. Alternatively, Sooner Street Tacos cost $7 for two tacos (beef or pork), while the chicken fajita nachos cost $10 and are the best option at this stand. Beside the above, there are basic food items available at Sooner Snacks stands inside Lloyd Noble Center such as a Bavarian pretzel for $6.50, jumbo hot dog for $5.25, souvenir popcorn for $7.50 and the smaller popcorn for $5.50, theater size candy for $4.50, and peanuts for $4. Lloyd Noble Center also serves Coca-Cola products, including Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Diet Coke, Sprite, and water – the price for soda is $6.25 for the souvenir cup, $4.25 for the regular size, and $5 for a 20 oz bottle, and bottled water costs $4.50 for the same 20-oz. bottle. A small selection is available for alcoholic beverages at a cost of $8.50 for a 20 oz serving; Bud Light, Landshark, Michelob Ultra, or Ziegenbock. Atmosphere 4 Every college basketball game depends on its student section. OU’s students stand at the baseline next to the Sooners basketball band, which is a small group of band members from the larger, more well-known Pride of Oklahoma; the full member Pride of Oklahoma is commonly seen at Oklahoma football games. But the students at Lloyd Noble Center do an uncommon pregame ritual – each seat is stocked with a newspaper and a piece of paper that contains a chant sheet and the lineup of the opposing team, complete with stats and comical insults. The students are expected to read up on their opponents and proceed to yell the insults at them which are insults included in their bios. This practice doesn’t necessarily stop with chants, either, as signs are also made for each day’s opponent. The students hold up these sighs, which feature derogatory comments about the opposing team, for example, one sign reads that “Lubbock is too dusty to be seen on a map,” referring to the home of Texas Tech University. In addition, there are also life-size cutouts of OU basketball players’ heads, and students dressed up in all manner of crazy costumes including a banana. The chant sheet instructs the students to read the newspaper during the announcement of the opponent’s lineup. The newspaper is then torn up into tiny pieces and thrown into the air like confetti upon OU’s announcement of “Introducing your Oklahoma Sooners’ starting lineup!” The lights of the stadium are turned off, and the fans then turn on their phone’s flashlights and wave them in the air in anticipation. Also, with every player announcement, a red burst of fire erupts from the top of each of the basketball hoops at each end of the court. Also, like at other basketball games when the home team is shooting a free throw, you’ll hear “One’s up” and the students will raise their arms holding up the number one until the OU player has shot his basket; the One’s up is in conjunction with the school’s motto of “There is Only One Oklahoma!” Besides the students, the spirit squads made from OU’s Cheer and Pom Squads are always involved in entertaining and keeping the crowd’s energy towards the game. The squad includes Boomer and Sooner, who are the costumed mascots that represent the University of Oklahoma, although the official mascot is the Sooner Schooner. Both Boomer and Sooner will interact with the crowd throughout LNC. Although predominately used during football games , the Oklahoma Ruf/Neks and Lil Sis have a part in the basketball game day program. This rowdy group will run around the court and throw t-shirts into whichever section of the crowd cheers the loudest during timeouts. The OU band plays “Boomer Sooner” throughout the entire game, and this song will echo through LNC non-stop. The song will be so overly played that even the opposing fans will have the high-pitched tune in their heads. The song is a combination of Yale’s “Boola Boola” and North Carolina’s “I’m a Tarheel born.” Of course, the band will also play one of the most famous songs associated with the state of Oklahoma; Richard Rodgers’ “Oklahoma.” Neighborhood 3 The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in the city of Norman, Oklahoma. The city of Norman is 20 miles south of Oklahoma City, and has a population of 120,284, making Norman the third-largest city in the state behind Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The OU campus has a student population close to 31,000. Lloyd Noble Center is located on the south side of campus near OU’s baseball stadium; L. Dale Mitchell Park . The neighborhood around the ballpark is more residential, with the fast food chain Sonic being the closest restaurant, but there is also a Rudy’s BBQ down the road. The location is secluded; to get to anything with larger crowds you need to go to the other side of campus, to the popular Campus Corner area. The Campus Corner area is on the opposite side of campus about a mile north from LNC at W. Boyd Street. This area has numerous restaurants, including Oklahoma’s well-known Hideaway Pizza. Volare is another pizza choice that fans seem to enjoy, and The Porch, The Library Bar and Grill, O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grill, and Seven47 are great drinking holes with food. In addition, Pepe Delgados is a great choice for fans that are looking for Tex-Mex. The Mont is also a good recommendation, located just off E Boyd Street on Classen Blvd; here you can enjoy a brunch on their patio. Also, just north of the Campus Corner area is Main Street in downtown Norman, where I would suggest The Garage for people looking for a great lunch burger. The Oklahoma City area has so much to offer to visitors that a lot of people are surprised when they visit. Bricktown is a great spot for the traveling baseball fan; this neighborhood is home to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark , home of the Oklahoma City Dodgers (Pacific Coast League team for the LA Dodgers ). Oklahoma City will probably be on most tourist lists, but Norman, Oklahoma has a few tourist attractions of its own. The first stop is The University of Oklahoma campus – the campus, besides being a beautiful campus to walk around during baseball season , is home to a couple of nice museums, including the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. These two museums will surely make it a wonderful educational trip. However, a visit to the University of Oklahoma wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the school’s football program ; Heisman Park is located outside Oklahoma Memorial Stadium , and is a great photo op for fans. In terms of lodging, the Riverwind Casino is about 4.5 miles from Lloyd Noble Center; this is the closest choice for lodging. However, there are plenty of places to stay near campus including Hampton Inn-Norman and Fairfield Inn & Suites, which are both just down Ed Noble Parkway from W. Main Street near Interstate 35. Fans 4 Oklahoma’s basketball attendance seems to depend on the team’s star players and record. Over the last decade attendance has been sporadic with a drop then a rise in attendance. The 2008-09 season average was always near capacity, as over 11,490 fans per game watched future NBA players Blake Griffin, Willie Warren, and Taylor Griffin. Attendance dropped afterwards, however, until the next future Sooners star Buddy Hield played in Norman – attendance reached a high of about 11,000 fans per content during the 2015-16 Final Four season, but once Buddy left for the NBA attendance saw a dramatic drop of 2,000 fans per game for Sooners basketball. More recently Lloyd Noble Center has an average basketball attendance of 9,538 which is respectful, but the most recent game only had an estimated attendance of 6,612. These statistics are pretty much in line with the fact that Oklahoma is a football school, and thus other sports are just filling in time between football seasons. The irony though is the fans are perhaps the best part of the experience at Lloyd Noble Center; even when low in numbers the Sooners fans give the Sooners a home court advantage. These fans have led Oklahoma to the second-best home arena record in the Big 12 behind only Kansas’ Allen Fieldhouse . Access 4 Access to Lloyd Noble Center is relatively easy. This is partly due to the arena being in a secluded part of campus, away from the main artery streets of Norman. It is a short drive from Interstate-35 to the campus, and there are plenty of ways to get to the arena. The easiest route to Lloyd Noble Center is to take exit 108A/B from Interstate-35 onto Route 9, then take a left onto W. Imhoff Road; at the third traffic light. Lloyd Noble Center has plenty of free parking around the venue – there are 4,707 paved and marked parking spaces within the lighted lot, which is patrolled by the OU Police Department on a regular basis. However, this parking is divided up into Sooner Club, VIP, and Public Parking; the public parking entrances are directly off Imhoff Road making the flow of traffic very easy. Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis, so how early you arrive will determine how quickly you will find an open spot, and how close it will be to the venue. Regardless, there is the typical long line of cars waiting to exit the lot after the game. The venue doors open 90 minutes prior to each event for all guests, and there is no re-entry at Lloyd Noble Center. Lloyd Noble Center security is under the clear bag policy, meaning your items must fit inside an approved clear plastic bag with a maximum size of 12 x 6 x 12 inches, or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag, and even these bags are subject to search. Non-transparent clutch purses no larger than 4.5 x 6.5 inches are also permitted, with bags necessary for medical equipment being searched at marked medical lanes at each gate. No other bags or purses (including diaper bags) are permitted, and the limit on bags is one per person. Express lanes remain in place at each gate for those who do not bring bags to Lloyd Noble Center. Besides the clear bag policy, all entrances have metal detectors, but fans need only to empty cell phones, keys, and metal objects larger than keys from their pockets before screening. Fans are NOT required to remove belts, shoes, or other small items such as coins, jewelry, or watches. The arena floor is approximately 15,575 square feet around and the ceiling is 51 feet high. LNC is a bowl with two concourses circulating the arena. All seating sections, restrooms, and concessions are clearly marked throughout Lloyd Noble Center, so overall, access is above average for fans traveling to Oklahoma for basketball. Return on Investment 4 Oklahoma Basketball has three levels of seating – lower level sideline, lower baseline, and upper level, and the ticket prices are based on which seating level you are in. In addition, whether the game is non-conference vs. conference affects the price, as well as what day the game is, but most of the single game ticket prices range between $20 for upper level and $85 for lower level sideline. Extras 3 The University of Oklahoma consists of Cherokee Gothic red brick architecture, and is a wonderful campus to walk around if the weather permits. The centerpiece of the campus is Oklahoma’s Gaylord Memorial Stadium and OU’s Heisman Park – this is a must visit for all college football fans, as Heisman Park displays statues in honor of Sooners players who have won the award over the years. Oklahoma also does a wonderful job in displaying items from all three programs that call Lloyd Noble Center home. The most recent addition to LNC is Legacy Court – this museum-like exhibit chronicles the history of basketball at OU, and features both the men's and women's programs' most prominent players, coaches, and accomplishments. This exhibit, which also serves as the entry way into the OU basketball offices, is officially open to the public from 9-5 pm Monday thru Friday. On game days, however, Legacy Court opens when the arena does and closes a half hour after the conclusion of the game. Final Thoughts Lloyd Noble Center isn’t among the better basketball arenas in the Big 12 Conference such as Allen Fieldhouse , Hilton Coliseum , or instate rival’s Gallagher-Iba Arena . However, LNC is an above-average basketball arena that can become a great place to watch college basketball. The venue and the Sooners fans here have the potential to give Sooner basketball games a unique atmosphere, so any college basketball fan will enjoy attending a basketball game here at OU’s Lloyd Noble Center.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.71 M&T Bank Stadium 1101 Russell St Baltimore, MD 21230 Army/Navy Game website M&T Bank Stadium website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 71,008 Army and Navy In Charm City The Army-Navy Game is one of the most iconic sporting events in the United States. The rivalry football game between the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy has been going on since 1890, although has only been played annually since 1899. The game was not held in 1917 or 1918, due to World War I, and in 1929, when the two academies disagreed over player eligibility rules. Navy leads the overall series. There have been seven ties. Philadelphia is usually thought of as the main home to the game, although starting in 2008 a bidding process has now made the game more likely to rotate to various venues. Philadelphia still holds the record for most games hosted with 85. Counting 2016, Baltimore has hosted the game six times. The 1924 game was held at the old Municipal Stadium. That stadium was located on land that eventually held Memorial Stadium. Baltimore’s home of the Ravens, M&T Bank Stadium, has now been home to the 2000, 2007, 2014, and 2016 games. The current schedule only goes until 2017 (Philadelphia) with the game up for bids beyond that. Cities that join the bidding process will have to figure out how to pay for the transportation of the cadets and midshipmen to the game. Chicago used to be the westernmost place where a game was held (1926), but the 1983 game in Pasadena, CA’s Rose Bowl changed that fact. Food & Beverage 5 The stadium has added a Shake Shack to the stadium, which has created much excitement. Expect long lines, but the prices are decent and the food is pretty great at this new food option. The Ravens have good quality concession stands around the stadium. There are many stands offering options such as beer for $8.25 to $11, depending on the size and brand. Bell’s famous chili bowl ($6), Papa John’s pizza ($8), stadium dogs ($5) are all nice options. Many stands tend to have generic names, such as Goal Line Grill, Kickoff Classics and the Chesapeake Market. There are also outposts of local favorites such as Attman’s Deli. A good choice at Attman’s is their corned beef or hot pastrami sandwich for $11. Kiosks will sell a Guinness draft for a good value of $9. There are also a few full-service bars scattered around, such as the Talon Pub and Party Zone, offering top shelf spirits for $12.50, with premium drinks for $9.50. There are several kiosks that also sell a variety of domestic and craft beers. The best deals are the Subway six-inch sub for $7, the Double Bacon Dunk Burger for $9 and authentic Maryland crab cakes for $11. Sodas are $5.25 for a regular size, but the $7.75 souvenir size comes with one free refill, and is a better choice. Also, look for booths offering a free soda or O’Doul’s for those who are willing to be the designated driver and not drink alcoholic beverages. Atmosphere 5 The game atmosphere is amazing. There are activities both before and during the game to keep all of the fans engaged. The game benefits from being held at such a fine facility. The Ravens have nice facilities and offerings for the team and fans. The large video boards, known as RavensVision, past both end zones are amazing visual spectacles. There are plenty of 22-foot long LED screens that were recently added to the upper level concourses. These screens are big enough to be a normal video screen at many stadiums, and here, they are just for patrons on the concourse to enjoy. These go along with relatively new large LED screens at the entrance gates. The signage around the stadium is consistent, modern and appropriate. The Ravens souvenir stands will be closed, but many smaller stands will be available for Army-Navy game merchandise. Ravenswalk leads the fans from downtown and Oriole Park towards M&T Bank Stadium. It has always been a good place for fans to enjoy pre game activities. One should also stop by to see the text of the former facade from Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, which is on display between the two stadiums. The text was a memorial to those killed in the two World Wars. The main words of “TIME WILL NOT DIM THE GLORY OF THEIR DEEDS” reminds visitors of those this nation lost in the past. The line is a quote from Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. Neighborhood 4 The neighborhood is generally the same as Oriole Park at Camden Yards, but does suffer a slight bit, as it is further away from downtown Baltimore. The Horseshoe Casino, located south of the stadium, has the potential to make this “other” side to the stadium become more and more important to the Ravens’ social scene. The casino offers game day events, as well as parking. Close to the stadium, and right across from Oriole Park, are Pickles Pub and Sliders Bar & Grille. The Federal Hill neighborhood is also close by. There are a few fun restaurants and bars here. Abbey Burger Bistro (1041 Marshall Street) is one great choice. The beer selection is good, and they offer a dizzying array of burger choices, which are all likely to satisfy. Mother’s (1113 S Charles Street) and Magerks (1061 S Charles Street) are also good places for a pre or post-game meal. The Inner Harbor is a popular tourist destination, and is a short walk from Camden Yards. There are numerous options here, but they will be expensive and more touristy. If you do want a reasonable option here, look for the value of the M&S Grill (201 E Pratt Street in the Pratt Street Pavilion of Harborplace) happy hour, as it is considered the best in town. Baltimore is home to many touristy attractions, such as Harborplace, Fells Point and Fort McHenry. The American Visionary Art Museum on Key Highway is located on the way to Fort McHenry and should not be missed, although its unique collection will not be for everyone. If looking for a bit of Baltimore sports history, the Sports Legends Museum is located adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans 5 This game means the world to the teams and fans in attendance. Everyone has a side. “Go Army! Beat Navy!” and “Go Navy! Beat Army!” are chanted and shouted almost non-stop before and during the game. Even with the emotions of the game, there is a respectful tone. This is not a crowd that will fight over their emotions. These are respectful fans who take pride in their teams, as well as their nation. Access 5 M&T Bank Stadium is right off I-95, with only a couple of turns putting you on the highway home. Parking garages can be found in all directions from the stadium. Street parking is not a great option. Parking near the Inner Harbor is a good option. There should be many bargains around that area. The 400 E Pratt Street garage with entrances off of Lombard Street and Gay Street is a nice convenient choice for a little over $10, if paid ahead of time. If you’re not driving to the game, the other primary mode of access is the MTA Light Rail. From points north and south of downtown Baltimore, you can take the train to the ballpark. The Light Rail is slow, so make sure you know that beforehand, and the crowds will be overwhelming after the game. Return on Investment 4 The Army-Navy game may not be the cheapest game around. It is a desired ticket for many fans. So expect to pay a decent amount of money. That, coupled with pretty expensive parking, means the game will not be cheap. But for the experience you will get, the price seems fair and reasonable. Extras 5 It is the Army-Navy game, so that is probably extra enough as it is. But there are other reasons to attend. Stay outside the stadium to witness the walk of the Cadets and Midshipmen into the stadium. then get inside to watch the formations form on the field. It is well worth attendance just for this. The game will always have a good flyover pre-game, whether it is Army helicopters or Navy jets that you prefer. The Navy and Army will also always have skydivers jumping into the opening ceremony. Both the Navy and Army have ships and other large equipment around town and at the Inner Harbor displaying their awesome firepower. Don’t forget that you are at the epicenter of Baltimore football, so stop and take a look at the Johnny Unitas statue located at the end of Ravenswalk and in front of the stadium. That and the brand new Ray Lewis statue are honors to iconic men of Baltimore lore, not to mention a great pre-game meeting spot. Final Thoughts The Army-Navy game is one of the most special events a sports fan can ever attend. The overall pageantry of the event and the pure sports aspect of the contest makes it a must see for any real sports fan.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Mackey Arena 900 N John R Wooden Dr West Lafayette, IN 47907 Purdue Boilermakers website Mackey Arena website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 14,804 Lighting Up the Mackey Arena The Purdue Boilermakers have called the Mackey Arena home since 1967. The 14,804 facilities cost $6 million to construct and were designed by Walter Scholer and Associates Inc. to replace Lambert Fieldhouse. Throughout its half-century of use, the facility has seen numerous renovations, but most importantly was the $99.5 million Mackey Complex Project that was completed in 2012 that tripled the concourse area, increased the number of concession areas and restrooms, and added premium seats in the lower section. The changes have enhanced the fan experience at Mackey Arena, an older facility with aesthetically pleasing charm, but with all the comforts of a modern arena. The dome-shaped roof provides unobstructed views of the court from the seats and a noise level that provides a strong home-field advantage. Originally named Purdue Arena for its first five years. It was renamed after Guy Mackey who served Purdue sports for 46 years as its athletic director from 1942 until his death on February 22, 1971. Food & Beverage 4 Mackey Arena features your usual stadium menu items plus a few interesting creations tailor-made for Purdue basketball fans. The Mackey Burger is a cheeseburger with bacon and macaroni and cheese that sells for $10, the giant pork tenderloin sandwich for $7, and lastly, the Mike Ditka chicken sausage for $7. If you’re looking for value then the barbecue wrap for $3 is a steal. It’s a flour tortilla stuffed with either pulled pork, pulled chicken, or beef brisket. If you still have a craving for BBQ then try it on a bun for $10 or top it over nachos for 7. Then again the common hot dog, nacho, chili cheese dog, and walking taco are also available between $4 and $7. You can wash that down with any Coca-Cola product that sells for $5 or in a commemorative cup for $8. Atmosphere 5 They enjoy basketball here at Purdue and when you can pack in near-capacity crowds on a nightly basis the atmosphere is going to be fun, exciting, and deafening. It all starts with fans taking out their phones for the BoilerLights app that allows them to use their smartphones during pregame festivities and participate in a synchronized light show that is produced by themselves. The dome-shaped structure of the roof and the symmetrical design of the arena provide an almost unobstructed view of the playing court and great acoustics during the game. The majority of the seats are bleacher-style and are somewhat cramped when the crowds are big. On the west end of the lower area is premium seating. However, there is not a bad seat in the house and sometimes you gain a great vantage point from all that’s occurring throughout the building. There are various banners of past championship teams and retired jersey numbers from both the men’s and women’s sides. A giant video scoreboard hovers over the court named after legendary basketball coach Gene Keady who coached the men’s team for 25 years. Purdue Pete can be seen throughout the lower level of the arena and maybe a few places on the main concourse floor. He can be seen stroking up the crowd that can become one of the loudest in the nation along with the cheerleaders and the students in the Paint Crew section. There is also a modest collection of paraphernalia throughout the concourse that shows glimpses of the basketball team’s past through old uniforms, trophies, jerseys, and newspaper articles. Glass trophy cases are scattered around that are both entertaining and revealing about the basketball program. Neighborhood 4 The Chauncey Village neighborhood features quite a bit of funky little shops and restaurants, plus some great nightlife destinations. Von’s Shops offers an impressive array of new and used books, clothing, and other items in eclectic buildings and storefronts. Next door is Von’s Dough Shack where customers choose their type of calzone and enjoy it fresh from the oven. If you are not the creative type, there are 34 varieties to choose from off the menu. Just across the street is the famous Triple XXX Family Restaurant where one can enjoy a peanut butter burger or homemade root beer inside its small, cozy, and narrow booths. The small building features narrow countertops and bar stools. If you are adventurous and want to expand your taste buds, Shaukin Indian Fast Food might be just the place during your visit. This is not your standard Indian fare, but Indian street food that is lively in taste and spice. Most items are well below $10 and you can take it to go and enjoy it across the street at The Pint. If you are a craft beer fan, People’s Brewing Company is located 3 miles north of the high school and is one of the better places for local beer in the state. Pints are $5 and are a dollar less on Wednesdays. Lafayette Brewing Company is the other craft beer option in town with $2 off of pints on Wednesday nights as well. Fans 5 Purdue fans are just as boisterous as any other group in Indiana and sometimes they are overlooked by their rivals down in Bloomington. However, the colors here are black and gold, and when the team is hot, the fans are in a frenzy. One gentleman swears that Mackey Arena is the best venue in the Big Ten and dares anyone to disagree with him. I would say he is somewhat biased, but when you have a wide-open view of the fans cheering in unison, why argue? Access 3 West Lafayette is off of I-65 and is about a 15-20 minute ride to campus after that. If driving, take exit 175 (IN-25) towards Lafayette/Delphi and follow the signs toward campus and the arena. Mackey Arena is next to the football stadium and shares the same parking lot. The renovated outer concourse is much bigger and provides quick access to bathrooms, exits, and concession stands. Return on Investment 4 Tickets can be found on the secondary market for as little as $12 for smaller schools or non-Big Ten rivals to $200 when Indiana University visits the Boilermakers. The return on investment will depend on who is playing, but most of the time tickets should range between $40-$50 a person. The cost of parking is also reasonable, between $10-$20, depending on what garage or lot you park in for the game. Extras 3 1 star for the BoilerBall Lights app that allows users in attendance an interactive engagement tool that enhances the game-day atmosphere at the game. 2 stars for the collection of history in various glass cases on the main concourse. Visitors can enjoy the history of Mackey Arena, Purdue uniforms of the past, and legends who once played or coached at the school. 3 stars for offering a $3 menu item at the game. The barbecue wrap is price-friendly and the perfect size for kids. Final Thoughts Mackey Arena is one of the many reasons why people love their basketball in Indiana. A classic arena that has served many memories was rebuilt with 21st-century comfort and charm. An evening watching Boilermaker basketball is one of the reasons why basketball is king in this past part of the country.

Photos by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Magness Arena 2240 Buchtel Blvd Denver, CO 80208 Denver Pioneers hockey website Magness Arena website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 6,026 Magness Mayhem Since launching its hockey program in 1949, the Denver Pioneers have enjoyed 70 years of success. The team has won eight NCAA Championships (most recently in 2017) and has produced 47 All-Americans and 78 players who have played in the National Hockey League. The program’s success is reflected well in its rink, Magness Arena, which provides one of the country’s top college hockey experiences. Magness Arena is part of DU’s Ritchie Center, the 440,000-square-foot hub of the school’s athletic and entertainment endeavors. All 17 Pioneer intercollegiate sports practice, compete and have offices in or adjacent to the Ritchie Center. Fans attending a DU hockey game can also peek from Magness’s concourses into DU’s volleyball facility and the El Pomar Natatorium, the only Olympic-sized swimming pool in Denver. In building the Ritchie Center more than 20 years ago, DU’s leadership obviously contemplated a facility that would centralize its athletic department. That design did not compromise the experience for Pioneer fans and students, who enjoy watching high-level hockey in a facility that both reflects and honors the program’s historic success. Food & Beverage 4 Magness Arena offers a wide variety of quality food and drinks options at reasonable prices. Old favorites include three types of burgers (cheeseburger, bacon cheeseburger, and guacamole burger), with fries, for $8.75; a chicken finger basket for $8.75; pizza for $9; and fish and chips for $9. Additionally, made-to-order street tacos, including hatch green chile, pico de gallo, cojita cheese, and black bean and corn salsa, are available for $9. Other available snacks include bratwurst ($5.50), hot dogs ($4.50), and nachos ($5). Beyond food, Magness has an impressively wide variety of beverage options. The arena features multiple, full bars that offer cocktails ($8) and margaritas ($8) with top-shelf liquor. Beer drinkers can opt for any of at least ten different brews at Magness Arena, with craft beer ($9) and domestic ($8) available on tap and in cans. Available beers include Dales Pale Ale, Sandlot, Batch 19, Fat Tire, Sierra Nevada, and a variety of brews from locally based Breckenridge Brewing. White Claw Hard Seltzer ($9) and hard cider ($8) are available in cans. Those looking for non-alcoholic drinks have their choice of Pepsi products ($5 per bottle) and bottled water ($4). Notably, DU has a coffee cart in Magness’s main lobby. Baristas serve lattes, mochas, cappuccinos, espresso, coffee, and hot chocolate for $4 per cup. Atmosphere 4 Most fans enter Magness Arena on the building’s west side, directly beneath the 215-foot-tall, gold-spired Williams Tower. Ticket windows have been placed both outsides and inside the arena’s west entrance, where the Pioneer cheer squad welcomes fans into Magness Arena’s main lobby. From there, fans can circumnavigate the seating bowl through wide concourses that include concession stands, two merchandise areas, marketing tables, and kiosks for contests and creating signs. Magness Arena does not have a bad seat. That said, the seats along the sideline opposite the team benches enable fans to be so close to the action that players can be heard shouting to one another on the ice. A large, 360-degree scoreboard with video screens hangs over the center ice. It displays in-game promotions and replays clearly. A color scoreboard along each goal line provides team statistics throughout games. DU honors its athletic history throughout its concourses, so a lap around the rink is advised. Most notably, the school’s athletic hall of fame’s plaques adorns a wall on the arena’s west concourse. Fans can learn about the contributions of former DU athletes in all sports there. The school also displays its various trophies throughout the concourses. Because DU built Magness Arena on campus, many students can walk to games. This means that the Pios routinely play in front of a lively student section, which includes the school’s pep band and cheer squad. On the night of this review, DU recorded a 7-2 win over Miami (Ohio) and gave frequent reasons for the 5,226 fans in attendance to cheer. Neighborhood 5 The neighborhood surrounding DU features beautiful homes and gardens, along with a full range of dining and entertainment options. Restaurants and bars abound along South University Boulevard on DU’s east side and along Evans Street, which virtually bisects the campus. The Crimson and Gold Tavern is .2 of a mile from Magness Arena and is a popular pre- and post-game meeting spot, with drink specials and a late-night menu. Jerusalem Restaurant serves some of Denver’s best Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Food and is a short drive from Magness. Plenty of fast-casual restaurants, including Mustard’s Last Stand (hot dogs and burgers) and the flagship Chipotle store, can be found near DU. DU’s Campus sits among some of Denver’s most popular neighborhoods. The 155-acre Washington Park is less than two miles to the north, providing numerous recreation options and an adjacent neighborhood with bars, restaurants, and shops along Gaylord Street. Bonnie Brae is another well-established Denver neighborhood, north of campus along University Boulevard and includes one of the Mile High City’s favorite ice cream shops, Bonnie Brae Ice Cream. Multiple hotel options exist nearby in Denver’s Cherry Creek and Glendale neighborhoods, both of which are just a short drive away from DU. Fans 4 Students provide a sporting event’s energy and heartbeat, and a DU hockey game is no different. The DU student section, the “Pio Pit,” sits behind the goal at Magness Arena’s north end. Students pound on the glass, cheer against rival Colorado College (regardless of whom the Pioneers are actually playing) and taunt opponents with different messages written on a large dry-erase board that they press against the glass. One caveat: the students launch into off-color, though thoughtfully choreographed, cheers. Sitting at the opposite end of the arena will muffle the students’ sometimes ribald cheering. In general, DU hockey fans are smart and conscientious. They pay close attention to the game and roar when the Pioneers beat the opposing goalie. Most fans appear engaged in the action on the ice and not in merely socializing. Accordingly, concession lines are at their longest between periods and during time-outs. Access 5 The DU campus is situated in the heart of Denver. Public transportation options combine with a campus staff that knows how to manage traffic and parking to provide easy access to a game at Magness Arena. Light rail takes fans from throughout metro Denver nearly to Magness’s front door. A light rail station, which services three different lines (E, F, H), sits across Buchtel Avenue from Magness Arena, enabling fans from Downtown Denver and Denver’s south suburbs to take light rail instead of driving. Fans can easily enjoy dinner or drinks in downtown Denver before taking light rail to DU from Denver’s Union Station. Denver’s Transit Authority, RTD Denver, has also placed bus stops along the campus’s south edge, on Evans Avenue. For fans who eschew public transportation in favor of driving, DU has abundant parking and a skillful staff to direct fans. On the night of this review, one of the parking lots near Magness Arena had filled because of multiple, on-campus events; attendants opened a backup parking lot and provided clear directions not only on how to drive to the parking lot during the evening rush hour but also to walk back to the arena. Once inside, Magness Arena has plenty of room for fans to navigate to their seats. The venue has 16 vomitory entrances into the arena, with an oversized vomitory in each corner. The concourses are sufficiently wide as to avoid traffic jams. Fans should not have to wait in lines for restrooms, which are clean and operable throughout Magness Arena. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices for a DU game at Magness Arena are quite reasonable, particularly in light of the Pioneers’ historic and recent success. The most expensive seats, along either side of the ice, sell for $35 and $30, while end zone seats cost $20. Fans who purchase tickets before the game day will save $5 off the price of any ticket. Because public transportation is so convenient, it provides an easy alternative to driving. Those who do drive to a DU game can look for metered parking along the streets bordering campus, ideally along Buchtel Boulevard. The City of Denver checks meters until 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, so fans will need to be careful should they choose street parking. Otherwise, abundant paid parking ($7-$12) is available on campus. Food prices are reasonable, most notably the burger combos for $8.75. Extras 3 Magness Arena earns one point because it has among the friendliest, most helpful staff of any sporting venue in Denver. From ticket takers to ushers to concessions staff, DU’s customer service representatives do their best to ensure that fans enjoy a great experience while watching Pioneer hockey. Another point is earned for DU’s creation of a signature cocktail for Pios games, the “Hilltop” ($12). It’s a mix of Tito’s Vodka, lime juice, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, simple syrup, and grapefruit soda, garnished with a slice of grapefruit. The drink’s name is a nod to the name of DU’s former football stadium, which was located where many of the Pioneer’s sports facilities exist today. Although DU dropped football after the 1960 season, the Denver Broncos – playing the AFL – played their regular season openers at Hilltop Stadium in 1962 and 1963 because of scheduling conflicts at the old Mile High Stadium. A third point goes to the free, high-quality game programs that DU provides for each home series. These programs are printed on glossy paper and include a fold-out poster of a Pioneer player. They are a nice touch that reflects the staff’s creativity and hard work. Final Thoughts A game at Magness Arena allows fans to enjoy some of the nation’s top college hockey at a reasonable price. From families with children to rabid hockey fans, a Pioneer home game provides a great, overall experience for everyone.

Photos by Sasa Grujic, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Malmo Arena Hyllie Stationstorg 2 Malmo, Sweden 21532 Malmo Redhawks website Malmo Arena website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 12,600 Hockey in Malmö Malmö is Sweden`s third biggest city beautifully situated by the Baltic Sea. The Malmö Redhawks are a Swedish professional ice hockey club based in Malmö, founded in 1972. The club has won two Swedish Championship titles, in 1992 and 1994, and the 1993 European championship. The club is currently playing in Sweden’s premier hockey league, the SHL and they play their home games at Malmö Arena. Malmö Arena offers sports, entertainment and cultural events all year round in one of Sweden`s biggest indoor arenas. Malmo Arena has hosted diverse events such as the Eurovision Song Contest, World Men’s Handball Championships, and the Junior Hockey World Championships. Food & Beverage 3 It is not allowed to bring food or beverages into the arena from the outside. Malmö Arena offers a selection of food and drink in its three restaurants, and one of them has a unique panoramic view of the ice rink. The restaurants open no later than 2 hours prior to the start of a game. Located around the arena, bars, kiosks and fast food are open during the games and offer a wide range of drinks, snacks and sweets as well hot meals such as hamburgers. In addition to the friendliness of service, the lines move relatively quickly. Depending on the type of hamburger and whether it includes soft drinks, prices range from 45 to 90kr (10kr = €1 or 8kr= $1). Overall, the concessions are exactly what you would expect from a match day food experience. The only beers that are on offer are Heineken and Norlands. It looks like the Sportsbar is a bit more expensive than the rest, so the whiskey is 95kr (4cl) or 130kr (6cl), Heineken is 65kr (33cl) and Norlands is 60kr (33cl) or 75kr (50cl) while in the Arena Xpress Norlands beer is 45kr (50cl). Atmosphere 3 Malmö Arena is an overall good place to see a game, and provides a typical game day experience. RedZone is Malmö Redhawk’s most popular area for all supporters. In the heart of RedZone there is Fans Corner. Here, old and young fans spend time together before release, period breaks, and after the end signal. The arena has a stand on each side. The northern part of the arena has two tiers for seating, while the south stand has only one tier for seating, while the upper tier is reserved for executive suites and restaurant. The southern stand also has place for disabled persons. The main concourse is wide and with a lot of entrances, and it is easy to find it inside the arena. And once inside the seating bowl, you’ll also get bit a sense of spaciousness, from the wide seats. However, legroom could be greater, especially for tall people. Seats are not that far away from the game action in the lower levels. Located across the main entrance area you will find everything in RedZone, from Fans Corner, with puck shooting, table hockey, photo wall and anything else to the Redhawks shop. A variety of product offerings are available at the store, with scarf or t-shirt for 200kr, puck with logo for 80kr or a replica jersey for 700kr. The announcer is excellent, with generally good sound quality, he raises the atmosphere. Interaction with the hawk’s mascot during breaks is mandatory, especially for children. The scoreboard is usually turned on all sides, showing live match action, and all the important situations in replay. Neighborhood 5 Malmö Arena is located in the new district of Hyllie. The neighborhood is loaded with interesting spots. Just a few hundred meters away is one of the biggest shopping centres in Scandinavia, Malmö`s newest, largest and most exclusive shopping centre, Emporia. In addition to the typical food supply for shopping center in the immediate surroundings of the arena there are kebabs, Subway, and McDonalds. Because Malmo Arena is less than 100m away from the Hyllie Station you are able to travel by train to Malmö center for just 7 minutes! Stortorget and Lilla Torg are the older parts of the city centre and they abound with restaurants, bars, and cafés. Lilla Torg is Malmö`s most picturesque square, established in 1592. Sweden`s only gondola can be found in Malmö. Ribersborg beach is in the centre of the city with a view at Turning Torso, the highest, most twisted building in Scandinavia. For history lovers there is the beautiful St Petri church form the early 14th century. Almost all hotels in Malmö are centrally located, which means that you are close to most things wherever you choose to stay. If you decide to stay in Hyllie, you can choose between several hotels while the Malmö Arena Hotel is situated in direct connection with Malmö Arena. Fans 3 In general, fans are loyal but they don`t stay involved, only cheering during big moments. With average attendance, they do exactly what you expect fans to do. With an average of some 6,000 visitors, the lower tiers of the stand are quite filled, but a proper noise is heard only during big moments like shots on goal, goals, etc. Access 5 Generally Malmö Arena is very accessible both in terms of getting to the arena and moving around the arena once inside. The arena is less than 100m away from the Hyllie Station and by train you can get to Copenhagen Airport in 12 minutes, or 25 minutes to the Malmö Airport. Bus nr.8 to the Malmö center operates every 5-10 minutes. Several taxi companies offer a fixed fare system for rides within Malmö and the surrounding area. Always agree on the price before getting into a taxi. Parking is possible in the underground garage within the arena at a cost of 20 kr per hour. Tickets purchased through Ticketmaster can be delivered in various ways, but all tickets must be printed out. Also you can buy or pick up your tickets at the box office at Malmö Arena beginning two hours before the event. The main concourse is wide, but without a view of playing surface. Traffic flow is excellent, without any significant retention. It’s easy to get in for those who need assistance with mobility. For the time being it is not possible to organise guided tours. Return on Investment 4 In Malmö Arena everything is around the price you can expect in Sweden. The range for ticket prices are from 75kr for standing places up to 410kr. Since there is no other option, parking within the arena is worth the cost. The prices of drinks are within the Swedish average. There is no program available, but a team sheet is provided free of charge. Extras 1 One extra point for loyalty. It’s staggering when you see a couple with two small children including a baby born just a few weeks ago to the game of the beloved team.

Photos by Stefano Romagnoli, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Mapei Stadium Città del Tricolore Piazzale Atleti Azzurri d’Italia, 1 Reggio Emilia, RE 42122 Italy Reggiana Calcio website Mapei Stadium Città del Tricolore website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 21,584 Mapei Stadium Associazione Calcio Reggiana 1919 Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore was the first Italian facility owned by a football team. It was built in about eight months, between August 1994 and April 1995, thanks to the commitment of Associazione Calcio Reggiana, a group of companies and banks that purchased hospitality packages, and the fans of the team of Reggio Emilia who signed multi-year subscriptions. The original name of the stadium was Stadio Giglio, established by a naming rights agreement with a local major food company. The first football match hosted at the facility was Reggiana vs. Juventus (1-2) on the 27th match day of the 1994/1995 Serie A season. Sixteen years later, in September 2011, Juventus Football Club was the second football club in Italy to own its stadium. On July, 13 2005 the Associazione Calcio Reggiana was declared bankrupt by the court of Reggio Emilia and the system was entrusted to a bankruptcy trustee. On March 11, 2012 on the occasion of the derby Reggiana vs. Carpi for the Lega Pro, the third level of Italian football, the stadium was renamed Stadio di Reggio Emilia Città del Tricolore. The name was chosen by the city of Reggio Emilia and by the Associazione Calcio Reggiana 1919. Since December 5, 2013 the facility has been owned by Mapei, a company working in the production of chemical materials for construction and commercial sponsor of Unione Sportiva Sassuolo Calcio, which changed its name to the current Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore. The stadium hosts home games of Unione Sportiva Sassuolo Calcio , and of Associazione Calcio Reggiana 1919. The Carpi Football Club 1909 played the 2011/2012 season at Reggio Emilia because its stadium, the Sandro Cabassi , was being renovated. On November, 15 1995, the Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore hosted Italy vs. Lithuania 4-0, a qualifying match for the UEFA EURO 1996. Food & Beverage 4 Around the stadium there are many food peddlers. A piadina (flatbread sandwich) with ham and mozzarella and a bottle of mineral water cost just 5 euros. Close to the stadium there is a shopping center where there is a Mexican restaurant, a Neapolitan pizzeria, a restaurant with traditional dishes from Emilia and much more. Also there are the dining options inside the stadium. In short, there are alternatives in menu and prices. Atmosphere 4 The stadium, which is reminiscent of British stadiums, is divided into seven different areas. Tribuna Autorità (474 seats), 32 Palchi (256 seats), Tribuna Stampa (108 seats), Tribuna (5,800 seats) and Distinti area (5,946 seats) are all under cover and occupy the two long sides of the football field. Visibility is excellent from any seat. Large openings allow easy entry/exit from the various sections. There are no barriers to separate the spectators from the playing field, but only the balustrades. Gradinata Sud (5,000 seats for local fans) and Gradinata Nord (4,000 seats for visiting supporters) are uncovered and separated from the two tribunes. They also have some concrete steps without plastic seats. There is a giant screen in the corner between the Gradinata Nord and the Distinti area. On either side of the main grandstand there are coats of arms of Unione Sportiva Sassuolo Calcio and of Associazione Calcio Reggiana 1919. Neighborhood 3 The facility is built on the northern outskirts of the city of Reggio Emilia. In the area there is a shopping center with many shops, restaurants, and cinemas. Also behind the main grandstand is a water park with swimming pools. Fans 3 Supporters Grenade, so named for the color of the teamwear of Associazione Calcio Reggiana 1919, or of the Regia, from the team’s nickname of Reggio Emilia, follow home matches from the Curva Sud of Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore. The main rivalry are those with the fans of Parma, Piacenza, Cesena, Modena and Spezia . Good relationships exist with the supporters of Genoa, Vicenza, Carrarese and Cremonese Access 4 Reaching Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore is really simple. The facility is located about three kilometers from the Reggio Emilia exit of the A1 and from the Railway Station of Reggio Emilia, while just over one kilometer separates the Mapei Stadium from the train station. A high speed train station is only about three kilometers from Mapei Stadium. There are about a dozen parking areas available for fans who choose to drive. Return on Investment 4 A home match of the Pro League championship 2014/2015, the third series of the Italian professional football, has a cost of 20,50 euro (including presale) in Tribuna, 9 euro in Curva Sud, 15 euro in Curva Nord (including presale). When buying tickets directly the day of the match (no presale) prices change. There are discounts for women and under 18 years. Disabled fans also receive a discount. Contact the Associazione Calcio Reggiana 1919 for more information on this discount. Extras 2 Emilia is one of the best in Italy with regard to food and wine. When traveling to Reggio Emila to see the Associazione Calcio Reggiana 1919 be sure to taste the Parmigiano Reggiano DOP (cheese) and tigelle, a bread typical of this part of Italy, that you can fill with different types of sausages. In the city there are several civil and religious monuments (including the new high-speed train station designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava). Reggio Emilia is close to Maranello, the town which is the headquarters of Ferrari. In nearby Modena there is also a museum of the house of the great tenor Luciano Pavarotti.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Martin Stadium 1775 NE Stadium Way Pullman, WA 99164 Washington State Cougars website Martin Stadium website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 32,952 Cougar Pride in Pullman Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington is the home field of the Washington State Cougars football program, and currently has a capacity of 32,952, which is the smallest in the PAC-12 by far (over 10,000 less than either Reser Stadium or Rice-Eccles Stadium, home of Oregon State and Utah respectively). The venue opened in 1972, and is named after Washington former governor Clarence D. Martin. Martin Stadium has undergone multiple renovations in the past 10 years, including new concessions and restrooms, upgrades to the scoreboard, and construction of a public plaza outside the stadium, which houses an 11-foot tall bronze cougar statue. The most recent set of renovations were completed in 2014, and consisted of a new football operations center in the west end zone. Food & Beverage 5 Even though it is a relatively small venue, Martin Stadium has everything you could want from concessions and then some, including a wide range of both food and beverages at very reasonable prices. There are concession stands all over the stadium, most of which are on the upper concourse, but with a few closer to field level. Food options include German sausage, Italian sausage, hot dogs, pizza, beef brisket or smoked turkey sandwiches from the carvery, nachos, mac and cheese, chili, soup, soft pretzels, popcorn, kettle corn, peanuts, boxed candy, churros, caramel apples, cotton candy, ice cream sandwiches, and fresh-made mini donuts while you wait. These items range in cost from $3 up to $10, but the best deal is probably the 2 slices of pizza for $5. There is no alcohol available at Martin Stadium, but there is a wide selection of hot and cold beverages for sale. Beverage choices include Coke products in bottles or from the fountain, bottled water, PowerAde, frozen or fresh-squeezed lemonade, iced tea, coffee, and hot cocoa; drink prices range from $3 to $7. Atmosphere 3 Martin Stadium offers a typical game day experience, but with a few bells and whistles to make your visit more enjoyable. The venue is laid out in a U-shape, with the football complex in the west end zone. Most of the seats are along the sidelines, with only a short row of seats in the east end zone, above which sits the scoreboard. The scoreboard itself is pretty massive, and can be easily seen by most fans, except those in the east end zone (who are basically underneath it). For this reason sideline seats are your better option, or you can stand along the concourse in front of the football complex. The most distinguishing feature at Martin Stadium is probably the 11-foot bronze “Cougar Pride” statue in front of the ticket office; a lot of stadiums have statues out front, but this is one of the biggest I have seen. Besides the statue, though, the staff does a great job with pre-game entertainment, starting with the festivities out on the practice field before the game, followed by the band formations before the team comes on the field, especially the giant “W.” The pre-game festivities culminate when the players rush out, and this is definitely the most entertaining part of the night. Led by the mascot piloting his unique 3-wheeled car, the team runs onto the field through cones spurting fire, all accompanied by the pep squad trailing flags spelling the word C-O-U-G-S, complete with giant WSU banner. The latter display will be repeated after every WSU score, along with fireworks, which are always fun to watch. Neighborhood 2 Besides Washington State University, there is not a ton to do in Pullman, which is well off the beaten path, and far from any major cities. If you are going to be in town for the day or weekend, though, there are some hiking trails around, and your typical small town entertainment such as mini golf and an arcade, as well as a variety of restaurants. There are several fast food joints in Pullman, a couple of Asian restaurants, and a few upscale eateries, but not much in the way of your traditional sports bar that would make a good hangout for before or after the game. Your best bet on this score is Paradise Creek Brewery, a brewpub housed in the old post office. Paradise Creek features lots of beers on taps, as well as traditional pub fare such as burgers and nachos, plus some upscale options like seafood and pasta. If you are looking for something lower key, however, Stella’s Calzone & Pizza is also a good place to try. Located on Main Street not far from Martin Stadium, Stella’s has great food and a small beer selection, and even has a kid’s menu. Most of the hotels are on that side of town as well, including a Quality Inn and a Holiday Inn. Fans 4 Martin Stadium has a good crowd, typically bringing in 25-30K fans, which averages well over three-quarters full. About half of the games each year will be sell-outs, which isn’t surprising given the high quality opponents they see in the PAC-12. The biggest game every other year is of course the Apple Cup against in-state rival Washington, but even FCS match-ups will have a great draw, so the experience and crowd noise won’t vary much from game to game. That said, if you are planning to visit Martin Stadium, you may as well choose a less prestigious opponent, when tickets won’t cost quite as much or be so hard to come by. Access 2 Pullman is not easy to get to, and you will face a long, boring drive from nearby big cities like Spokane or Seattle, which are the closest major airports. Furthermore, Martin Stadium’s capacity is actually larger than the population of the town, so traffic on game day will be a little hairy, as the town is not really equipped to handle this many people on the regular. Once you get to the stadium, however, parking is easy enough to find, and at $20 is no more expensive than at most similarly-sized stadiums, but you can’t get very close unless you have a pass, and those are hard to come by. Most fans park on the south side of the stadium (along Olympia Ave), but there are also park and ride shuttles that go a lot further out; parking is much cheaper that way but a lot more of a hassle in my opinion, with the extra time to ride the shuttle back and forth. Once you get inside the stadium, though, moving around is easy enough. There are plenty of concessions stands and bathrooms, and the concessions stands are arranged in such a way to minimize congestion, with some along the sides and others in the middle of the concourse. There are also gates all around the stadium, so getting in and out is simple. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to games at Martin Stadium are $30 for end zone seats, and start at $50 for sideline seating. This is on the low end for college football, but whether it is a good value for the money or not depends on how far you are coming. The in-game experience here is really solid, but getting here can be a bit of a hassle with the potentially long drive, heavy traffic in town, and the parking situation. If you are looking for additional football options, there are several other venues nearby, such as the Kibbie Dome just across the river, or Roos Field closer to Spokane, both of which offer their own unique features and have less traffic, and may cost a little less to attend. There are also lots of other WSU sports right here in Pullman, which tend to have smaller crowds and lower prices at the gate. Extras 3 Being able to see great teams come through is a real plus, and the fact that any game will offer the same type of experience is a nice bonus, since that allows you a lot more flexibility in planning when to come. The pre-game festivities are also really impressive, especially all the fun taking place on the practice field right next to Martin Stadium. The cougar statue is also a great place to snap a few selfies. Final Thoughts A one to three sentence summary of the stadium and experience. Line spacing 1.5

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Maryland Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex 8483 Paint Branch Drive College Park, MD 20742 Maryland Terrapins website Maryland Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 1,400 Turtle Field Hockey The Maryland Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex is exactly what it sounds like – a stadium which is home to the University of Maryland’s field hockey and women’s lacrosse programs. It opened in 2003 across from the Xfinity Center , and was renovated in 2005 and again in 2019. The Terrapins’ field hockey team is one of the top programs in the country, having won eight national championships and 13 conference titles over the years. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand located near the entrance which serves only very basic options. If you want a meal, your only options are a chicken strips basket ($10), and a hot dog ($4.) There are various snacks available as well, including chips, pretzels, popcorn, and nachos. Bottled water, soda, and Gatorade are available to drink, as are hot chocolate and coffee. Atmosphere 2 There is one set of bleachers located on one sideline, while the other sideline contains a tent for the media and game staff. The bleachers go up about five rows and take up the whole sideline. There is also a very large scoreboard in the corner which also shows shots and saves for each team. You can also view the quarter of the match, but this is somewhat tricky to find – it shows as timeouts remaining for the Terps rather than in a designated area. College field hockey switched from halves to quarters this year, taking away each team’s timeout in the process, and the scoreboard has not yet been adjusted to accommodate this. The Terrapin mascot and band typically do not show up to field hockey games like they would for basketball and football. Neighborhood 4 College Park is a small college town with enough in the immediate area to get by, but is really nothing special. There is a bowling alley a couple miles away, and a bunch of chain restaurants within walking distance. If you’re looking for some local color, College Park Diner is a favorite with residents and students alike and serves up comfort food 24 hours a day. Looney’s Pub on Route 1 is a sports bar with dozens of big-screen TVs for your viewing pleasure. A couple hotels are located nearby, including a Marriott just off campus, and The Hotel on-campus. (Yes, the on-campus hotel is literally called The Hotel. Not a very creative name.) That being said, if you’re looking to do more than eat and sleep, your best bet is to head down to the Metro station and take the Green Line into D.C. It’s about a 30 minute ride to downtown. Once you’re there, there’s so much to do and most of it is free. Whether it’s visiting one of the historic monuments and memorials, visiting one of the numerous museums, or simply walking outside on the National Mall, there’s something for everyone. All government-run attractions are free to the public, though some privately run ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you will need to reserve that ahead of time. Fans 4 The Terrapins draw good numbers for field hockey compared to most programs in the country. Although you do get friends and family of the players, there are also a fair amount of UMD students and locals, many with girls who play youth field hockey themselves and dream of making the NCAA someday. That being said, this is field hockey, not football or basketball. Good crowds are about 500 fans, nowhere near what you’d see at revenue sports. Access 4 There are parking lots located both across the street from and next to the Complex. The one next to the field is completely free to park at after 4 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends, which should cover the vast majority of matches between them. The one across the street is split between free parking during those hours and paid parking, the latter of which is available to visitors 24/7 and should be utilized if visiting for a weekday afternoon game. The numbered spaces are paid and can be parked in 24/7 for $3/hour, while the unnumbered ones are free but cannot be parked in on weekdays before 4 PM. The other thing to keep in mind is that if the Terrapins have a home football or basketball game the same day as the field hockey match, the parking situation can be completely different, so check the Terrapins’ website for additional information if that is the case. Return on Investment 5 Admission to all Terrapins field hockey regular season matches is free, though different policies may apply to matches in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments. Parking is also free for the vast majority of home games, meaning you don’t have to spend anything to come here. Concessions are also affordable if you want to buy them, and the elite quality of the Terrapins team and fan experience compared to other field hockey programs make this worth it. . Extras 2 There are banners on the back fence honoring Terrapins championships in field hockey and women’s lacrosse. There are also free programs available at a table by the entrance. Final Thoughts College field hockey is not one of the more popular sports anywhere in the country, but Maryland has an environment at its games that is better than almost anywhere else in the sport. Although it will never be at the same level as football or basketball at the school, a Maryland field hockey game is still an enjoyable experience for sports fans who happen to be in the area.