Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Gainbridge Fieldhouse 125 S Pennsylvania St Indianapolis, IN 46204 Indiana Fever website Gainbridge Fieldhouse website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 17,923 Basketball Played at a Fever Pace The Indiana Fever celebrated 25 seasons in Indianapolis. The presence of Caitlin Clark in 2024 created a spike in attendance. The team has seen an increase in media coverage, season ticket sales, and merchandise sales. The upper balcony seating has been opened for home games in recent memory. All of this excitement has created a new interest in the team that hopes to translate to packed fans at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The home of the Fever was built in 1999 and is also home to the NBA Indiana Pacers. The arena just completed a three-phase $360 renovation plan that has transformed it to today’s standards. The building seats 18,165, and all of these seats will be available for Fever games during the summer season. The Fever arrived in town in 2000 and has qualified for the playoffs 13 times in its first 17 seasons. It included a championship in 2012 during the Tamika Cathigs era. However, the team has fallen on hard times with seven straight losing seasons, including a 5-31 season in 2022. With the arrival of Clark, along with previous number-one pick Aliyah Boston, the Fever began a new era of basketball in Indiana and hung another championship banner to the Gainbridge rafters. Food & Beverage 4 The food and beverage options have been updated at the fieldhouse and include new and familiar options. The Warehouse District BBQ and Three Point Taqueria are two options that offer fans something different at the game. The Indiana Kitchen offers lemon pepper and honey glazed chicken wings, short rib poutine, and maple bourbon sticks.  If you are looking for familiar options, then Fieldhouse Favorites has you covered. Hot dogs, nachos, chicken tenders, pizza, burgers, pretzels, and Pepsi products are available. A value menu offers $4 hot dogs, $3 popcorn, and $8 PBR and Coors Banquet cans. A unique sweet treat is served at the Steak 'n Shake Milkshake Bar, which offers cotton candy, mega M&M, and crazy chocolate brownie flavors.  Warehouse District BBQ options, Photo by Marc Viquez. The Fast Break Market sells grab-and-go beverages and snacks. A nacho cart offers an array of toppings, and Ben's Pretzels has long lines for freshly made baked pretzels. The Crossroads Eats sells gourmet hot dogs. The Yuengling Flight Deck and the Jim Beam Bar offer beers, wine, and cocktails. It also has various TV screens and views of the playing court. A few interesting items include Cheez-It that have a partnership with the Fever. Fans can pick up a specialized box with the Fever logo on it at the team store, purchase a version of a waking taco with the cheese flavor snacks, and Cheez-It topped on barbecue mac and cheese at the Warehouse District BBQ. The Dough-Ver Load kiosk offers safe cookie dough balls in the flavors of birthday cake, peanut butter, and chocolate chunk. Atmosphere 4 What a difference a season makes. A Fever game feels more aligned to an Indiana Pacers game. A variety of fans walk throughout the concourse and the seating bowl with support for their WNBA team. The Gainbridge Fieldhouse is ideal to accommodate the newfound fan base that has made their way downtown. Before the game, fans line up in the Bicentennial Unity Plaza, which offers a basketball court for kids to play on, along with a curved sculpture, which features a screen for images and graphics. The atrium in the main lobby offers large windows, allowing natural lighting to fill up the area, and features banners of current players and a large roundel chandelier overlooking the half-circular staircase leading up to the main concourse. The concourse has been revamped and features basketball-theme murals that are both popping with collar and creativity, along with honoring past greats who have suited up for the Fever, Pacers, and high school teams of the state.  The new art is a variety of murals, and artwork varies in designs and colors. The fieldhouse includes a massive $4.3 million 20-foot by 52.5 feet video scoreboard, including underbelly panels for improving sightlines for fans sitting next to the court. It almost feels like it's floating when viewing it from the main concourse. There are also plenty of open views of the court from the concourse. Team banners of retired jerseys, league titles, and division championships hang from the rafters on each side. The Fever gift shop has an array of team merchandise but is a little cramped. However, a couple of stands and one station can personalize a jersey with your name on it on the main concourse. Neighborhood 5 The fieldhouse is in the heart of downtown Indianapolis and closer to retail and restaurants than   Lucas Oil Stadium  down the street. The only problem is choosing a place to grab a drink or eat before or after the game. Located near the arena is the local favorite Kilroy’s Bar and Grill offers 40 flat-screen televisions, shuffleboard, video games, and their famous pepperoni stuffed breadsticks.  Another fan favorite, Brother’s Bar & Grill, is a short walk and is another popular destination before or after the game. A few more favorite spots after the game that are near the arena are District Tap, Mr. Tequila Street Cantina, and Pier 48 Fish House & Oyster Bar. There are many options for a drink before of after the game, Photo my Marc Viquez It is recommending visiting the neighborhoods of Mass Ave. and Fountain Square. The two areas offer live music, craft beer, fine dining, and a little shopping at local retail shops.  Mass Ave. is also home to the Bottlework District, the city's newest attraction. The Garage houses multiple food and drink vendors, offering an array of culinary treasures. Downtown Indy is also safe, clean, and easy to get around by car, foot, or mass transit. Local museums include The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the NCAA Hall of Champions, the Indiana State Museum, and the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. The riverwalk canal is a nice spot for a stroll on a warm spring day. Fans 4 The Fever attendance continues to rank near the top of the WNBA, the team averaged 4,000 plus fans two-years-ago, and so far this season lead the league with an average of 16,560 per game. The Fever has opened up the balcony seats, that had been draped off in recent seasons. It has created a mixture of die-hard Fever fans along with new and bandwagon fans. The fanbase feels more like a Pacers game, and attendance is more of a priority than a curiosity. Access 4 The arena is easily accessible from the major interstates of 70, 65, and 465, with parking abundant downtown. After the game, exiting these facilities takes a little know-how of the one-way streets of Indianapolis, but signs and police help direct customers to their desired route back home. Traffic moves smoothly during this time as well.  Return on Investment 5 Depending on the night and opponent, Fever tickets are as low as $10 on   ticket sites such as TickPick.  Imagine paying $2 for a professional sporting event these days. Tickets for games against the New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, and Chicago Sky will cost upwards of $45-$57. However, check out the dates and times because tickets sell for under $15. Prices inside the venue are typical of many NBA arenas, and craft beer will cost $10 a can, much less than what we saw in Seattle last year. The cost to park across the street is $25, but meter parking is available at $1.75 an hour until 11 PM (Sundays and Holidays are free), and there are cheaper parking lot options around the arena for as low as $10. Extras 4 Bicentennial Unity Plaza is outside the building. According to its website, it is the focal point for gatherings, offering a space where all residents and visitors will be greeted by captivating landscapes & art installations and, of course, a basketball court for some friendly competition. The team offers a Game Night Special that consists of a specialty-made t-shirt on sale for $18. They sell out fast, and the team store is usually packed with fans in line to purchase one. Bicentennial Unity Plaza, Photo by Marc Viquez The Caitlin Clark effect can be seen all over the concourse. Fans wear her number 22 with pride, and many others bring in banners and signs to show support for the league’s newest star. Not as strong as it has been in the past, the fieldhouse still boasts an impressive collection of memorabilia showcasing the game of basketball in the state. There is an array of items from former professional clubs from the city, local high schools, and the major universities and colleges in the state. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter   @ballparkhunter   and his   YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Paul Caputo is the host of the Baseball by Design podcast and contributor to the website SportsLogos.net . Tonight, we are talking about minor-league baseball logos and more! Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Chris Green, and Dan Will Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Busch Stadium 700 Clark St St Louis, MO 63102 St Louis Cardinals website Busch Stadium website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 50,345 Blending Cardinals History with Ballpark Charm Busch Stadium is the home of the St Louis Cardinals and is the third stadium with this name. It was built for the 2006 season and gave Cardinal Nation a “retro-classic” baseball stadium. The stadium does not break new ground in design or features. However, it provides fans with spectacular views of the Gateway Arch, has some of the best fans in baseball, and is next to Ballpark Village, which stretches across the street from the outfield. ​ The stadium has a capacity of 44,494 and includes 3,7606 club seats and 61 luxury seats. Red brick facades and exposed steel give the ballpark a classic feel, which was missing from its former venue, Busch Memorial Stadium. That previous stadium was a cookie-cutter multi-purpose venue that housed the team from 1966 to 2005. However, it was always considered perhaps the best of its kind. Busch Stadium III has everything fans want in a ballpark. It has already hosted two World Series championships in 2006 and 2011. Food & Beverage 5 Busch Stadium offers plenty of menu options that will blow your mind. There is everything from basic hot dogs and stadium nachos to Coca-Cola street tacos, bacon-wrapped hot dogs, and mini donuts. The mini donuts are served in a helmet and topped with chocolate drizzle and sprinkles. I can't do this section justice, so you'll probably be better off clicking this   link   to see everything available at a St Louis Cardinals game. ​ Fan favorites include hot dogs, burgers, nachos, brats, fries, popcorn, and ice cream. There is also a selection of Budweiser products, including hard seltzers, as well as several local microbreweries in the area: Urban Chestnut, Schlafly, and 4 Hands Brewing Company. If you have a sweet tooth, the ballpark features soft-served ice cream, frozen custard, churros, donuts, and milkshakes. Photo by Chris Green, Stadium Journey For the more adventurous fans, there is a wide spectrum of items to choose from at the game. The Outfield Grill features brisket dogs, bacon cheddar dogs, and bacon-wrapped hot dogs. Big Chicken’s menu includes chicken tenders and Nashville chicken sandwiches. Stuie’s offers pastrami sandwiches and tops them on a hot dog, and Broadway BBQ slices smoked turkey, brisket, and pulled pork with all the fixings. ​ A few local eateries have locations at the ballpark. Session Taco brings a West Coast vibe to St. Louis. Options include the SoCal street dog, West Coast nacho fries, vegan soft tacos, and mango shrimp soft tacos. Mayo Ketchup by Plantain Girl delivers specialties from Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Menu items include arepas, Cuban sandwiches, and maduros —sweet, fried plantains. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere starts before the game, with fans gathering at Ballpark Village, outside the stadium, and at nearby bars, all decked out in Cardinal red or throwback colors. The festive environment is among the best in Major League Baseball. ​ The Budweiser Terrace bar opens before the game and features adult games and beer specials, encouraging fans to arrive early and socialize. Similar specials are available at the Budweiser Skyline Terrace Bar. ​ If you're with the little ones, the Hi-Chew Family Pavilion located on Level 1 between Gates 5 and 6 is an ideal way for the kids to get entertained. It is open 90 minutes before the first pitch. Kids can test their arm strength with the Speed Pitch, a virtual reality experience, and a play structure. You might even see the team's official mascot, Fredbird, roaming around the area offering hugs and photo ops. ​ Once you get to your seat to view the game, the focus is on the diamond. You can enjoy views of The Arch and Skyline from the back of home plate, take in festivities on the rooftops at the Ballpark Village, or simply enjoy the pleasant surroundings at the ballpark. Neighborhood 4 The Ballpark Village is across Clark Street from the stadium and offers various forms of entertainment for fans of all ages. The Dining and Entertainment District encompasses 150,000 square feet of retail, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Fans can also take games for many rooftop seating areas in the neighborhood, I find a more friendly feel. ​ The Ballpark Village houses the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum, Cardinals Restaurant, Rooftop & Bar, FanDuel Sports Network Live!, Budweiser Brew House, and PBR. St Louis. Salt + Smoke BBQ is two stories high and overlooks Busch Stadium from our upstairs patio.  ​ Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey The area is buzzing before and after the game, and it is a perfect way to cap off your night watching a Cardinals game. The Hall of Fame is also a must-see, perhaps before or the following day of a game; it highlights everything from the introduction of the famous “birds on bat logo”, World Series championships, and everything else in between. ​ The downtown vicinity also includes tourist attractions that include the Gateway Arch, Laclede's Landing, the Budweiser Brewery tour, and happening districts that include Wash Ave. and the landing, where Italian cuisine is among the best she'll have in the area. The City Museum is an interesting place to spend a few hours and is geared towards more adults than children. Fans 4 You might not find a more dedicated fanbase than in St Louis. The hometown Cardinals have been a staple since 1891, and there has been a collection of both Hall of Fame and All-Star players, 11 World Series titles, and magical moments that have made St. Louis one of the best baseball cities. The attendance ranks at the top of the major leagues and is well above the average for the past 20 seasons. The fans wear the “two birds on the bat logo” with pride on both shirts and jerseys. They support their team through both winning and lean years. Luckily for them, there have been a lot more winning seasons this century. Photo by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Access 4 Busch Stadium is located downtown, but is directly off I-64, creating easy access by motorists to and from the ballpark. There are various public lots and garages within blocks of the stadium, and prices range from as high as $40 to as low as $20 for game night. There are 720 parking spots at the Ballpark Village, there is free meter parking after 7 p.m. on the streets, and fans can take the MetroLink light rail train for $3 a ride. ​ Once inside the stadium, fans have easy access to various concourses, but remember this is not the type of ballpark where you can buy a ticket and sit anywhere you want. Some ramps take fans to multiple levels of the stadium with ease, and bathroom exits and gift shop stores are easily marked throughout the concourses. Return on Investment 4 The Ballpark Village deserves a point for a very entertaining and meaningful experience before or after the game for all Cardinals fans. The Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum is a must for any type of sporting fan, and the little kids can enjoy playing on the miniature grass field a few steps away from the actual Stadium. Even if you don't want to dance or drink, the place is perfect for people-watching and enjoying the ambiance of a baseball game. ​ The 10 statues outside the main entrance of the stadium are worth viewing and taking photographs of. They include Stan Musial, Dizzy Dean, Ozzie Smith, Lou Brock, and Bob Gibson, to name a few. There is even a statue of former St. Louis Browns Hall of Famer George Sisler. ​ Photo by Chris Green, Stadium Journey The ballpark offers a wonderful view of the Gateway Arch from behind home plate. The higher your seat is, the better the view of the skyline and iconic structures you'll have. There are many great downtown ballparks, and all of them include vivid imagery of the surrounding Skyline. ​ The final point is for the Budweiser Terrace. It is open to all fans and features a multi-level social space that includes two-service bars, lounge areas, and cabana seating. There is also an open-air barbecue grill, outdoor games for adults, and great views of the field and surroundings. Extras 4 The stadium features a viewing binocular stand in left field on the main concourse, allowing you to get a closer look at the other side of the stadium. The Cardinals also feature numerous giveaways and theme nights. In addition, outside the Gate 4 area, several statues of former players greet fans, making for a great photo spot. Finally, you can check out the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum. Final Thoughts Whatever Busch Stadium lacks in design and aesthetics, it makes up for it in atmosphere. It is your typical. The classic “retro-classic” design borrows all the elements from everything built after Camden Yards, but you are guaranteed to view baseball with the major league’s most adoring fanbase. Cardinal Nation will show you a fantastic time, and with reasonable ticket pricing, downtown vicinity, and Ballpark Village, it is easy to see why.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Tiger Tennis Complex Auburn Dr Towson, MD 21204 Towson Tigers website Tiger Tennis Complex website Year Opened: n/a Capacity: 100 Towson Tennis Towson University is the second-largest public university in the State of Maryland. Located just north of Baltimore, it is home to approximately 21,000 college students, of which 18,000 are undergraduates. Their football team played for the 2013 Football Championship Subdivision National Championship, falling short to North Dakota State. The basketball team has also had scattered success over the years, most notably in the early 1990s under coach Terry Truax, with guards Kurk Lee and Devin Boyd in the old East Coast Conference. The Truax-led teams made it to two straight NCAA tournaments in 1990 and 1991. Towson is also known for their impressive gymnastics program. They have been the 1968 AIAW Division II National Champions, 1995 and 1998 USA Gymnastics NIT Champions, 3-time Calloway Invitational Champions, 15-time ECAC Champions, and 2007 USA Gymnastics National Champions. The Tiger Tennis Complex, home to the Tiger tennis team, is located behind TU Arena and adjacent to the TU Field Hockey Complex and Tiger Softball Stadium. There is only a women's tennis team at Towson. Food & Beverage 1 There is a simple concession stand located at the nearby Tiger Softball Stadium that sells basic options such as soda, water, chips, and candy. It is a simple affair and you will want to eat elsewhere for a real meal. This will only be useful if softball is going on, and the stand is open, at the same time as a tennis event. Atmosphere 1 This is a basic setup with a small set of bleachers and a small, covered picnic area. There is no PA or scoreboard to keep track of action. Neighborhood 3 Besides Johnny Unitas Stadium and SECU Arena, nothing is right by the complex. Even though you may have to drive to most places, Towson is a semi-urban environment with a very large shopping mall and numerous restaurants in the area. Try the Charles Village Pub in the heart of downtown Towson for good food and drinks. Some other great options are Glory Days Grill and Sushi Hana. Baltimore is also a quick drive away. Check out the Federal Hill neighborhood, south of the Inner Harbor. There are a few fun restaurants and bars here. Fans 2 There will be very few fans at most meets as the complex is behind 3 other athletic facilities and is not very well known to most fans. Access 3 Towson is located right off the Baltimore Beltway/I-695. The only negative is that Towson is a maze of roads getting to the Osler and Auburn locations of the sports complexes. The Tiger Tennis Complex is hidden behind SECU Arena and may not be easy to find. Parking is free and plentiful, but be careful to check regulations for weekday matches. Return on Investment 4 There is no admission charge so the return on investment is quite good. Extras 1 The only real extras are the unique location (hidden by an arena, the nearby loading dock, and two other fields). Final Thoughts The Tiger Tennis Complex is not a place you will normally search for an amazing sports experience, but if you happen to be in the area it is a cheap way to enjoy a game of tennis.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Delta Center 301 West South Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Utah Mammoth website Delta Center website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 16,200 (12,000 unobstructed seats) Arriving At The Delta Center The 2024-2025 NHL season found a longtime NHL team now operating out of a new home. This is a result of the relocation of the former Arizona Coyotes franchise to Salt Lake City, Utah. The relocation agreement results in the Arizona Coyotes name being protected in case a future franchise comes to the Valley of the Sun. The new management of the team decided to keep the team’s new name simple during its first year of operations in Salt Lake City. This means the team will use the Utah Hockey Club name during the 2024-2025 season. The team will conduct a name-the-team contest during this season, to involve its fans in the naming process. This means the blue and white color scheme of the uniforms and the use of the generic team’s name will be changed at the end of the season. Editor's Note:    The Utah Hockey Club was rechristened as the Utah Mammoth  prior to the 2025-2026 season. The new team in town will play in the Central Division of the Western Conference in the NHL. The Delta Center will serve as the new home ice for the Utah Mammoth. It opened in 1991 and has gone through several renovations over the years. There was some suggestion of building a new arena to house the hockey team, but this was seen as impractical, as no building sites were available in the downtown area, and the city did not have the funds to buy and build such a new facility. Due to a short timeline, the Utah Mammoth will undertake a remodeling process in the off-season to bring the Delta Center up to a much larger and more functional level. This should be easy to accommodate, as the Utah Jazz and the Utah Mammoth are owned by the same individual. Food & Beverage 4 The Delta Center offers a good mix of both local and national vendors in the concessions program. Pizza slices are available at both the Little Caesars and the Maxwell’s pizza stands. Ice cream and dairy products are offered at the Farr Better Ice Cream stand, Dippin Dots kiosks, and the Spilled Milk Ice Cream and Cereal Bar. Food with a 50’s fare is served at the Ice Berg Drive Inn stands. Alcoholic drinks are served at the Hop Shop and Craft Shop concession stands. The Salt City Smokehouse serves delicious BBQ. South of the border specialties are offered at the Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill and at Chile Verde. The J. Dawgs stand serves typical stadium/arena fare. This includes hot dogs ($9), fries ($6), Coca-Cola brand sodas ($8.50) and water ($5). The Delta Center recently announced a limited set of “fan favorite” menu items that will be available at reduced prices. Popcorn, nachos, hot dogs, and Farr’s ice cream bowls will each be priced at $3, while Dasani bottled water is being marked down to $2. Most of the food and beverage items are available by using the mobile ordering function on the Delta Center app. You order from your seats and are notified when your order is ready. This minimizes any time lost from watching the game and shortens the lines experienced at the concession stands overall. Atmosphere 3 After a gypsy existence in the Phoenix area over the last few seasons, the former Arizona Coyotes have settled into their permanent home at the Delta Center. While the Mullett Arena had nice amenities, it was severely undersized for a major league sports franchise. The Delta Center has been around for nearly 35 years, but it has undergone several major renovations over the years to keep up with the changes in the sports facilities industry. It offers comfortable 20-inch-wide seats, a state-of-the-art scoreboard at center ice, and a video board in each of the four corners of the facility. The concourses are open towards the ice, so you do not miss much of the action when you visit one of the concession stands. The atrium at the front of the Delta Center is expansive enough to hold the large crowds upon arrival so that fans can get in from the wintry elements very quickly. We would give an even higher score to this element of the Delta Center, but there is one glaring negative, which will be addressed at the end of the 2024-2025 hockey season. The seating bowl has never been used in a hockey configuration before, resulting in some obstructed views for seats at the two ends of the ice. There was not sufficient time when the franchise was moved to address this issue. However, immediately after the inaugural hockey season ends, the Delta Center will make the needed adjustments in time for future seasons. Neighborhood 5 The Delta Center is located just west of downtown Salt Lake City. It is located at the corner of West Temple and John Stockton Drive. It is surrounded by several older buildings, some small shops, and some city services. The owner of the team is working closely with city officials to redevelop the district with more residential properties, as well as amenities like banks, shops, and schools. The area around the Delta Center offers many activities within walking distance of the venue. Lodging is available at the Radisson Hotel/Salt Lake City Downtown, the Hyatt House Salt Lake City Downtown, or the Courtyard Downtown Salt Lake City. Nearby attractions include the Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum, as well as Temple Square, the world headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Utah Sports Hall of Fame is just a short walk from the Delta Center. The neighborhood around the arena also offers a wide variety of dining options before or after the game. Restaurants within walking distance of the arena include the Copper Canyon Grill House and Tavern and the Adelaide Urban Brasserie. Both the Squatter Pub Brewing Company and the Red Rock Brewery are located within a few blocks of the Delta Center. Fans 4 The fans in Salt Lake City have welcomed the former Coyotes with open arms. Typically, a new city comes into the NHL via the expansion route, which takes years to build a competitive program. Since the team arrived through relocation, the Utah Mammoth bypassed the longer developmental route and has a team of veterans who have played together for years. The quick sellout of season ticket packages is indicative of the high level of interest in hockey in Salt Lake City. The team has also benefitted from the fact that it is only the second professional team in the city. It only faces the NBA Utah Jazz as competition for the major sports dollars in the area. Another positive aspect of the team’s fanbase is that a sizable portion of the local population has grown up playing the game and is knowledgeable about the sport. Salt Lake City is a winter sports city, as evidenced by hosting the Winter Olympic Games twice in the recent past. This means there is not a major learning curve for the fans with the arrival of an NHL franchise. The team’s decision to let the fans get involved with the naming of the team has been very well received. The team has “ballot boxes” and other voting options available to fans to voice their support for one of the many names proposed for the team. This has created a definite feeling of “buy-in” between the team and its fans. The Delta Center has a longtime reputation as one of the loudest venues in professional sports. Access 5 Utah uses the Seat Geek ticketing system for entry into the Delta Center. No matter what vendor you purchase your tickets from, the seats must be available on the Seat Geek app at the door. Doors at the arena open 90 minutes before the opening puck drop. The Trax light rail system has a station practically at the front door of the Delta Center. The station serves both the blue and green lines. It is the most cost-effective way to get to the arena, as the system is free within the downtown zone or only $2.50 per ride if coming in from the outside areas of the city. The Delta Center is just a couple of blocks from the intersections of I-15 and I-80 for fans coming from outside the Salt Lake City area. Return on Investment 3 Attending a Utah Mammoth game during the 2024-2025 season is an expensive proposition. The team almost immediately sold out their season tickets package when they went on sale. More than 11,000 season ticket packages were sold in just four hours. This left just over 5,200 single-game tickets available per game. As a result, the tickets are extremely expensive due to the laws of demand. These premium-priced tickets result at the end of the ice seats going for $230, with seats in the lower-level corners being priced at $552. Center ice tickets are $210. You should avoid buying tickets in sections 107-137 and 117-127, if possible, as these sections will only have a partial view of the ice. This issue will be addressed after the 2024-2025 season through a restructuring of the seating bowl that will address the sight lines for people seating in the above sections. Another cost of attending a Utah Mammoth game is getting to the venue. The Delta Center’s immediate parking area is reserved for season ticket holders. There are more than 10,000 parking spaces located within a few blocks of the Delta Center. These lots can be found at the City Creek Center, Park Place, and the Triad Center. These lots operate on a prepurchase basis, with reserved parking available through the Delta Center app. A much more convenient and cost-effective solution in getting to a game is to take the TRAX light rail system. There is a TRAX rail station located in front of the arena. The TRAX system operates within a free fare zone; this would allow you to ride free of charge if you did not leave the immediate area. Rides for fans that do go outside of these zones will only pay the $2.50 standard fare. Extras 4 The Delta Center hosted several events during the 2002 Olympics. Among the competitions held were the U.S. Figure Skating Championship and the short-track speed skating event. Salt Lake City has hosted two minor league hockey programs in the past. These include both the Salt Lake Golden Eagles and the Utah Grizzlies , who play in the Maverick Center in West Valley City. The Delta Center is energy efficient, as there are more than 2,500 solar panels on the roof of the arena. Salt Lake City will once again be hosting the Winter Olympic Games in the winter of 2034. It was chosen because it already has most of the facilities in place, offers excellent air connections from around the world, and has the support of more than 80% of Salt Lake City residents. Final Thoughts Salt Lake City has welcomed the former Coyotes with open arms and an arena that is much better suited to handle the large crowds the Utah Mammoth is attracting in its new hometown.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium 2235 N Campus Dr Evanston, IL 60208 Northwestern Wildcats website Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 12,023 My Old Temporary Home Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium serves as the temporary home for Northwestern Wildcats football while their old stadium is being rebuilt, and as temporary homes go, this facility is actually pretty amazing. Lake Michigan wraps around the venue on the east and north sides, and there is almost a carnival-like atmosphere here during football games, complete with food trucks and street vendors. The only potential drawback is that, due to the construction of other campus buildings right next to stadium on the west side, getting in and out is a little bit of a chore.   Food & Beverage   4 The concessions under the temporary stands on the north and south sides offer very basic fare, such as hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, chips, candy, and peanuts, as well as soda and bottled water, plus premium and domestic beer.  Prices for all these items range from $3.49 (chips) to $6.99 (pretzels), except for beer which runs $10.99 to $12.99. However, there is also a hot dog vendor along the water behind the east stands, selling real Chicago-style dogs for $9 with all the traditional toppings a Chicago dog is supposed to have, including hot peppers, as well as bottled water and a few small snacks. In addition, there are also several food trucks set up in the northwest corner offering up Mexican, chicken, and BBQ/soul food, among other options – all in all an above average selection for a short-term venue.   Atmosphere   4 The best thing about this venue is the water – you can see great views of Lake Michigan, especially from the south and west stands, and you can also walk along the path on the east side, right along the water, and take a look at the boats in the harbor, or look at the myriad painted rocks, a tradition among Northwestern students. The Wildcats staff also does some unique things to keep fans engaged – while most stadiums cover the basics like tossing out t-shirts, Northwestern takes in up a notch with a burrito toss (very well-wrapped burritos, thankfully), and instead of things like a Kiss Cam or a Flex Cam, the Wildcats do a Wacky Wavy Crazy Inflatable Cam, which certain fans really get into.   Neighborhood   4 Evanston, Illinois is about 20 miles from downtown Chicago, which obviously has a ton to see and do, but if you want to stay closer to Northwestern’s campus, and also want to avoid Chicago’s infamous traffic, Evanston boasts a few parks, a lighthouse, and several obscure museums. For example, Halim Time & Glass Museum displays historic timepieces and stained-glass windows, while The American Toby Jug Museum boasts drinkware shaped like famous people, such as world leaders and US presidents, or celebrities such as Elvis. There is also an Indigenous Nations Museum, as well as a few others – any of these would be a great way to spend a few hours while in town to see the Wildcats. If you are looking for Chicago-style deep dish pizza, go no further than Giordano's – their pizza is so good we went there twice while I was in town for the weekend. Also try their broken cannoli, basically a deconstructed cannoli with the cream piled in the center and broken shell pieces used for dipping; a lot easier to eat than the regular version, and great for sharing. I would not recommend Gino’s East. If you aren’t feeling like pizza, I would recommend Italian beef from Buona’s, although many other restaurants in the area offer it as well, including Giordano's.   Fans   3 Northwestern Wildcats fans are pretty solid, with tons of purple being worn inside the stadium, but you will also see plenty of opposing fan colors. In addition, the fans here are not as diehard as some, meaning you will see the stadium get pretty empty pretty early (at least in terms of home fans) during a losing effort, especially in the student section. The student section at Martin Stadium is also not as rambunctious as it was at Ryan Field, mostly because there is not enough room for all the students to get in – because of the smaller size they don’t allow freshmen to attend, although they can wait in a standby line to get a ticket if the other classes don’t fill up their quota. View from the Student Section - Photo courtesy of Jonah Lee Access   2 This section is where Martin Stadium has a tough row to hoe – because of the construction right next door, anyone sitting on the south side will have to walk all the way around through some pathways set up with construction fencing, and getting in on the northwest side is not much better. On the plus side, once you are inside the stadium you can walk along the water, and the walk in from the south stands does take you by some great fountains in the center of what they call The Lake Fill, a little inlet just south of the venue. The other downside is if you are sitting in the north stands, you might have to walk up quite a few stairs to get to your seat – the temporary stands on that side are much, much taller than those on any other side.   Return on Investment   3 Tickets to Northwestern Football games are very expensive – because they are in the Big 10 Conference they play a lot of well-known teams, meaning most games are sold out. This means you may have to pay a premium on third-party sites, maybe $150 or more, for a single ticket to the game. Parking is also very expensive – there is no place to park near Martin Stadium unless you have a pass (there are No Parking signs on all the nearby streets), and even some of the official parking locations are 4 miles away. I personally paid well over $100 for a parking space about 2/3 of a mile from the stadium, and you could easily pay more. I had a great time while I was there – I greatly enjoyed walking along the lake and looking at the painted rocks, but you could do that without going to the game. So it all depends if you are willing to pay that much for a ticket; you will definitely have a great time if you do go, however.   Extras   3 For some games they have a block party in the area just south of the facility, like when one of the bigger contests is being televised on one of the major networks. They also have a team gear stand (two of them actually, right next to each other), in the northwest corner. There is also a lot of purple to be seen, especially because the netting wrapped around the temporary stands on the north and south sides is that color, so it kind of looks like most of the outside of Martin Stadium is done in purple.   Final Thoughts I would definitely recommend a visit to Martin Stadium to see Wildcats football, although it won’t be around much longer as a football venue, given that re-built Ryan Field is supposed to open in time for next season. Martin Stadium definitely gives you the feel of a state fair, and the views of Lake Michigan are spectacular.

The future of sporting events at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena is uncertain, as a new study may recommend redeveloping the arena and neighboring Miller High Life Theater for uses like a large convention hotel. ​ The 75-year-old arena, once home to the Milwaukee Bucks until 1988, currently hosts the Milwaukee Wave of the Major Arena Soccer League, the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League, and the UW-Milwaukee Panthers men's basketball team. Each tenant maintains a lease, with the Panthers' lease set to expire in July 2029. ​ The arena and theater sit across the street from the Baird Center convention facility, and all three are operated by the Wisconsin District that recently hired a consulting firm to create a master plan for the site. The plan, along with the long-term maintenance cost of the arena and theater, was finalized in January. It is this time that a convention-oriented hotel could be presented on the site for construction. ​ While the city has long wanted a convention hotel to boost event hosting, the potential redevelopment raises questions about where the arena's current tenants could go. Relocating the Milwaukee Wave and Milwaukee Admirals to the nearby Fiserv Forum would complicate scheduling during busy seasons. ​ ​The UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena has a capacity of between 9,500 for hockey and indoor soccer, and 11,000 for basketball. The Fiserv Forum has a capacity of 15,000 for hockey and soccer, and 17,000 for basketball, much larger than what would be expected for these three teams' attendance figures. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Vanderbilt Stadium Jess Neely Dr Nashville, TN 37240 Vanderbilt Commodores website Vanderbilt Stadium website Year Opened: 1922 Capacity: 35,000  Damn the Torpedo’s…. Full Speed Ahead! Vanderbilt University is a private university located in the West End neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee. It opened in 1873 through the generosity of millionaire Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. The school offers more than 70 academic majors and includes 7 Nobel Laureates, 27 Rhodes Scholars, and 1 Grammy winner amongst its alumni. Vanderbilt University is a charter member of the Southeastern Conference, which was formed in 1933. The school first established a football program in 1890. It is the only private school in the conference and is also the smallest member, with a student population of just 7,000. The private school status and its small student body have made it challenging to compete in the Southeastern Conference, which is dominated by much larger schools that receive substantial public support. However, the team has become much more competitive in recent years, with victories over the University of Alabama, the University of Kentucky, Auburn University, and Georgia Tech. The home of the Commodores was first located on its present site in 1922 as Dudley Field. It was the first stadium in the South to be built specifically for football. It was named for Vanderbilt Dean William Dudley, who spearheaded the setting up of the football program at the school, as well as playing a major role in creating many of the rules of football still in use today. He was also heavily involved in the creation of the Southeastern Conference to serve this area of the country. In 1981, Vanderbilt Stadium opened on the site of Dudley Field. It was built in just nine months. The new stadium featured aluminum bleachers and an astroturf field. The new stadium had a capacity of 41,000, with seven concession stands, ten restrooms, and a 17,000 square foot press box. The Vanderbilt University leadership used the centennial of its 1922 stadium and the improved performance of the football team on the field to launch the Vandy United fundraising campaign to raise $300 million. The purpose of this campaign was to raise funds to improve the athletic programs at the school. Additionally, it wanted to improve the fan experience, as it has a rich alumni base. As a part of this campaign, the university signed a naming rights agreement with FirstBank, a major financial institution in the Nashville area. The field itself retains the Dudley name. The project also included improvements for the specific needs of the football program. These included new training facilities, weight rooms, a sports science lab, and several classrooms. These improvements are part of an enhanced football recruiting process. Food & Beverage 4 The concessions program at FirstBank Stadium has seen massive improvement because of the Vandy United campaign. In addition to the generic concession stands of the past, the school has recruited local food favorites as Daddy’s Dogs, Five Points Pizza, Ajax Turner, Jackalope Brewing, Mission BBQ, and Kernels Nashville Corn, to sponsor stands in the stadium. Additionally, alcoholic beverages are now served at FirstBank Stadium. These include cocktails ($15), Modelo ($12), Coors Light ($11), Conquer and Prevail Pale Ale ($13), and White Claw Hard Seltzer ($13). The generic stands are known as “Fan Favorites” and sell water ($6), hot dogs ($6), popcorn ($8), nachos ($6), candy ($5), and Pepsi brand soft drinks ($10). All concession stands operate on a cashless basis. Atmosphere 4 Vanderbilt and other visiting fans had to endure games on a virtual construction site during the 2023-2024 seasons. The improvements made during that period can now be enjoyed by the Commodore faithful and fans from the opposition. The stadium was previously painted battleship grey as a salute to the naval theme the school has long embraced. This has changed to a more vibrant set of black, gold, and white color scheme. Vanderbilt has retained some longtime nautical traditions from the past. Before each game, Vanderbilt ROTC members “Drop Anchor” at midfield, i.e., they bring an anchor to the 50-yard line and plant it in the turf, symbolizing that the Commodores will hang tough and not yield yardage. The “Admiral” is a ship’s horn that sounds after each Vanderbilt score or victory. Finally, a Victory flag is flown from the mast after the Commodores put another game in the win column. The biggest set of changes to the stadium resulted in the total rebuild of the areas at each end of the field. The North end zone features several new enhancements, including premium clubs and other hospitality areas, loge boxes, a new concourse giving 360-degree access to both the East and West stands, and two new videoboards. The South end of the field now features a vast array of seating choices for its premium-level fans. This includes living room boxes, loge boxes, club seating, and field-level seats. This end of the stadium also features a new concourse linking to all sections of the stadium, a designated entry gate, as well as a new videoboard. Neighborhood 5 Vanderbilt University and it on-campus stadium are in the West End neighborhood. This is an affluent neighborhood located about five miles west of the main tourist attractions in downtown Nashville (i.e., the Country Music Hall of Fame, Bridgestone Arena, Broadway clubs and restaurants, and the Tennessee River). The stadium is across the street from Centennial Park and the Parthenon. This is a replica of the famous Greek temple. There are several accommodations within easy walking distance of the stadium, including the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt, the Homewood Suites, the Holiday Inn Nashville – Vanderbilt, and the Hampton Inn and Suites-Nashville/Vanderbilt. There are also several restaurants near the stadium. These include Maggiano’s Little Italy, J. Alexander’s, and Bricktops. A longtime favorite for breakfast, the Pancake Pantry is located just a few blocks from the campus on 21st Avenue. For those interested in the main tourist attractions in Music City, simply head five miles east on West End Avenue and Broadway. The major tourist attractions are within a few blocks of each other, so you would only need to park once or take one rideshare ride to take them all in. Fans 4 Gamedays at Vanderbilt home games have always been festive, even in the lean years. The school is embraced as Nashville’s “home team” in college football by residents. It is not unusual to see many locals take part in the home games. Gamedays get underway with the opening of Vandyville, a pregame area on the campus that offers games, music, food trucks, and other entertainment beginning two hours before kickoff. It is located on campus on Natchez Trace between Jess Neely Drive and Children’s Way. The Vanderbilt team makes its pregame StarWalk to FirstBank Stadium 45 minutes before kickoff. The team is escorted by the Spirit of Gold marching band and dance team, as well as the Vanderbilt spirit squad, known as the Commodore Nation. This signals the Vanderbilt faithful that it is time to head to the seats in the stands. Vanderbilt Mascot Marches to FirstBank Stadium, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey While most of their SEC opponents have state support and large alumni bases, Vanderbilt has the benefit of a very affluent alumni base filled with local movers and shakers in the Nashville area. It is no surprise that most of the improvements at FirstBank Stadium are aimed at improving the fan experience. Access 3 Parking in and around FirstBank Stadium typically opens four hours before kickoff. Single-game parking is available at the 25th Avenue Garage (25th Avenue at Highland Avenue) and the West Garage (25th Avenue at Children’s Way). Rideshares will pick up and deliver fans from two locations: Vanderbilt Place at 28th Avenue and at the Engineering Building located at 24th Avenue and Pierce Avenue. FirstBank Stadium is a 20-minute drive west of Nashville International Airport via I-40 or I-440. Return on Investment 3 The recent success of the football program and the upgrades to the stadium have increased the cost of attending a Commodore’s game. Ticketing for all Vanderbilt athletic activities is done digitally, as are purchases from the concession stands or team stores. Tickets can be purchased on the athletic department website in advance of the game, at the Memorial Gym ticket office, or at the ticket office located at the Frist Family Gate at the stadium on gamedays. The recent success of the football program has resulted in several sellouts, so we advise that you purchase tickets to games you are interested in well in advance. Concession prices are higher than average; expect to pay more for typical purchases such as sodas ($10), hot dogs ($6), pizza slices ($12), and water ($6). Parking at one of the two parking decks on campus ranges from $20 to $40, depending on the opponent. Extras 4 Vanderbilt is very innovative with its halftime entertainment, as it has added drone shows to the musical performances by the school band. FirstBank Stadium will host the FCS National Championship football game in both 2026 and 2027. Dudley Field has hosted concerts by Luke Bryan, the Rolling Stones, U2, and Pink Floyd. It has also hosted several Billy Graham Crusades. The stadium was the site of the first NFL stadium in the South when it hosted an exhibition game between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles in 1944. It also served as the home of the Tennessee Titans for their first season after moving from Houston. Final Thoughts Football fans in the Music City are raving about the new enhancements at FirstBank Stadium. The Commodores no longer must play “second fiddle’ to the other SEC schools in terms of its facilities for its teams or its fans.

Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey I find myself at the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a tournament that has been around since 1913, for the first time in several years. That changed last week when I went to see the Indy Eleven take on San Antonio FC at the Butler Bowl on the campus of Butler University. The two USL Championship foes find themselves in the round of 32 teams, with the winner advancing to the next round to play. The Bud & Jackie Sellick Bowl  is not Indy’s home venue, due to commencement ceremonies at Carroll Stadium on the campus of IUPUI, placed the game here. The Butler Bowl is home to Butler's football team but can serve as a soccer pitch, albeit with gridiron marks.  It was the second time the club played a US Open Cup match at this location, and hopefully, they could pull out a victory and play again at home in a few weeks. That game would be back in familiar surroundings at Carroll, but will the change of venue make a difference in the team's play? Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey The ample crowd barely reached their seats when Eleven's Augustine Williams scored with only two minutes to play. Initially stopped by the goalkeeper, the ball found its way across the line. It resulted in a cloud of red and blue smoke from the supporters group The Brickyard Battalion at the other end of the field.  Fans did not have to wait much longer as Indy tallied its second goal only eight minutes later off the foot of Jack Blake. This time a massive puff of smoke descended to the skies and through the stands. It appeared that it would be a night of goals, but that would be it as neither team found the back of the net for the next 80 minutes. Between the goals and the final whistle, there were several more shots at goals, cheering from the BYB, a few near misses at the net, silently fewer pleasantries from the opposing players leaving the pitch at half-time, and Indy XI players signing autographs and high-fiving fans after the match. Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Indy's next opponent will be Detroit City FC at home on May 22. If they win they will take on the New Mexico United or New York City FC II. Do the Eleven have the legs to make a run in the tournament and capture the $300,000 in prize money and a trip to the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Who will get there is anyone’s guest? MLS clubs have dominated since their introduction in 1996, only losing once to a second-division side in the finals. The USLC Sacramento Republic FC made it to the final game in 2022 before losing to the Orlando City of the MLS. The USL Championship has 9-teams, MLS has 6, and MLS Next Pro has one club remaining in the tournament.  Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Open Cup games are interesting bags of treats. In some cities, the games are not highly marketed and many fans might overlook the fact that they are not league games scheduled for weekend bouts. The mid-week games don't bring out huge crowds at times, but as each team moves closer to the finals, the crowds do come out. The Detroit City faifthful do enjoy these types of games and will make their presence felt in Indianapolis where a rowdy supporters group will try to outduel the BYB on the other side of the pitch. For the fans, the US Open Cup offers a chance to see USLC clubs battle MLS members on their home turf. It is a rare opportunity when the top two divisions play one another. It also provides an extra game of soccer to watch at your club’s regular grounds or somewhere else in the city. Be on the lookout for the next few months, as the tournament continues until the final match on September 25. Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

The WNBA built on its record-setting 2024 season with an even bigger and better 2025 season. 2025 featured more games in bigger arenas, more sellouts, a new franchise in San Francisco, the announcement of four new teams to join the league in the coming years, greater exposure, ratings, and attention. However, there are clouds on the horizon. Rumors of sale and relocation dogged the Connecticut Sun franchise all year. When a local owner was found and announced plans to move the team to Boston and the TD Garden, the league stepped in to announce that league bylaws dictated that the ownership group from the failed Houston bid may get priority to purchase and move the franchise. Also, with the CBA expiring at the end of October, there is a real possibility of a protracted work stoppage that may affect the 2026 season. At the moment, the two sides seem far apart on many key issues. But right now, the playoffs are in full swing, and a new champion will soon be crowned. In keeping with the playoff atmosphere, Stadium Journey is proud to present our rankings of 12 of the 13 WNBA arenas. (Sorry, Golden State, we were not able to get out to your new arena this summer) These rankings are based on Stadium Journey ’s patented FANFARE rating scale, which evaluates each venue across seven key categories: 🍔 Food & Beverage Options 🎉 Game Day Atmosphere 🏙️ Surrounding Neighborhood 🙌 Fan Support 🚗 Access (inside and outside the park) 💸 Return on Investment 🧩 Extras - Unique features that don’t fit neatly into the other categories or deserve additional acknowledgement When two or more venues earn the same score, the Stadium Journey Council of Elders  steps in to break the tie with their seasoned insight. To dive deeper into each stadium’s review, just click the link associated with the team’s name. Enjoy the rankings - and see where your favorite arena lands! We expect that our list will spark a great deal of debate, and after all, that's what lists like these are designed to do. Share your opinions on our social media pages. We're on Facebook, X, and Instagram. 1.     Climate Pledge Arena – Seattle Storm 4.29 Marc Viquez - Climate Pledge Arena is a building that stands out among the rest of the WNBA and the nation. The interaction with fans and the team provides an ideal atmosphere for a first-time visitor, and the neighborhood is worth spending a few hours at before or after the game. When you add free mass transportation to the game, visiting the building is a must in Seattle. 2.     Gainbridge Fieldhouse – Indiana Fever 4.29 Marc Viquez - The Fever might be the hottest ticket in town since Caitlin Clark arrived in 2004. They are among the leaders in league attendance figures, along with increased support from the area. The playoff run this season, with the services of Clark, has gone well with both old and new fans of the team. Gone are the days of the closed balcony sections and lukewarm response. 3.     Target Center – Minnesota Lynx 4.14 Lloyd Brown - The stands fill as quickly as the Target Center doors open, as fans do not even want to miss the warmups. Be sure to look up at all the various championship banners the Lynx have earned at the Target Center over the years. It is a great way to get fired up before the game even starts. 4.   Barclays Center – New York Liberty 4.14 Paul Baker - It’s been a long time since New York City has seen a hoops title, and fans are showing their appreciation to the Liberty with unprecedented support. Brooklyn sports fans are proud to call this squad their own, and you can expect to see the team supported with open arms and full throats when you visit the Barclays Center. 5 .     PHX Arena – Phoenix Mercury 4.00 Meg Minard - Attending a Mercury basketball game is an enjoyable afternoon/evening out. If you haven’t been to the arena in a while, come check out some summer hoops at PHX Arena in downtown Phoenix.   6.      Crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles Sparks 4.00 Andrei Ojeda - L.A. Sparks basketball is the type of entertainment that is perfect for that type of fan who wants to see some great basketball action live without leaving a huge hole on the wallet.  They provide quite an entertaining professional basketball experience.   7.     Michelob Ultra Arena – Las Vegas Aces 3.86 Lloyd Brown - You are going to have a great time at a Las Vegas Aces game at the Michelob ULTRA Arena. Terrific basketball, Vegas-style entertainment during the breaks, and easy access to food, drink, and gambling add up to a very entertaining evening! 8.     CareFirst Arena – Washington Mystics 3.86 Gregory Koch - The Washington Mystics are drawing sellout crowds to CareFirst Arena nearly every game and seem to be outgrowing their home there very quickly. Someday soon, they may move back to Capital One Arena, but for now, a Mystics game at CFA is a great experience. 9.     Mohegan Sun Arena – Connecticut Sun 3. 71 Paul Baker - While the Mohegan Sun Arena is a fine facility, it seems like the rapid growth of the WNBA has rendered it obsolete. With its smaller capacity, lack of premium amenities, and location far from a major city, the Sun has been put up for sale and has been searching for a new home. It seems the Sun is setting on the Mohegan Sun Arena. 10 .     Wintrust Arena – Chicago Sky 3.57 Lloyd Brown - The Wintrust Arena is a worthy home court for a championship team. It has excellent views of the game action from any of its seating areas and features a wonderful audiovisual package, with a huge center-hung video board. It has easy access for fans, as it is located on multiple bus and train routes in a city that lives on public transit. 11.   Gateway Center Arena at College Park – Atlanta Dream 3.29 Lloyd Brown - The Atlanta Dream finally has a home of its own for the first time in its 15 years of existence. It is working closely with its neighbors to make professional sports more accessible to communities on the Southside of Atlanta. 12.   College Park Center – Dallas Wings 3.14 Lloyd Brown - The Wings home at the College Park Center is easy to get to from almost anywhere in the Dallas metroplex. It provides the team with an arena that is right-sized for the average WNBA crowd. There is little or no evidence that the arena primarily serves as a college sports venue, as the team’s blue and green color scheme is carried throughout the facility for their home games.

Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views is back and we're heading to the Sunshine State! With the MLB season winding down, Dave and Paul bring in special guest Richard Smith to breakdown the phenomenon that is loanDepot Park, home of the much maligned, Miami Marlins. How could a place so new have so many changes? Did the short-lived tenure of Derek Jeter do anything to help this place? Can MLB survive in Miami? Grab a beer and take in the latest episode! You can find Stadium Journey's review of loanDepot Park and the Miami Marlins game day experience here.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Hank McCamish Pavilion 965 Fowler St Atlanta, GA 30332 Atlanta Dream website Hank McCamish Pavilion website Year Opened: 1956 Capacity: 8,600 The Dream is Still Alive in Atlanta Atlanta continues to be a city where dreams are made, as its sports community continues to thrive. Two new stadiums have been built in the last two years, and Philips Arena is undergoing a massive renovation. The Atlanta United soccer franchise draws more than 72,000 per game and the Super Bowl heads to the city for the 2019 game. As the name of Atlanta’s WNBA entry attests, the dream is also alive for the women of Atlanta. The team is the only Atlanta professional sports franchise totally owned by women. The team has relocated to Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion arena for the 2016-2018 seasons as their permanent home, Philips Arena , undergoes a $143 million renovation. The Dream will return to Phillips Arena following the 2018 season. McCamish Pavilion was renovated in 2012 and has received excellent reviews for its state of the art design and technology. The capacity of the arena is 8,600 and it features two tiered levels of seats with 6,935 lower level seats and 1,665 balcony level seats. The facility is high tech in a number of ways. It features a lighting system which spotlights the playing court while dimming the lighting in the seating areas, providing a theatre-like effect focus on the game. The McCamish Pavilion also has a 360-degree ribbon board encircling the arena and an enhanced scoreboard with HD graphics. Food & Beverage 3 McCamish Pavilion has six concession stands, with four located on the lower concourse and two located on the balcony level. The facility has an open concourse with more than 50 TV’s, so you will not miss any game action while getting your food and beverages. In addition to the six generic concession stands, the arena also features a Sonny’s BBQ stand and a Smash Burger outlet. A quick review of the menu and prices you can expect at a Dream game: hot dogs ($6), sausages ($7), pretzels ($5), popcorn ($5), peanuts ($5), and nachos ($7). Sonny’s BBQ sandwiches are $7 and Smash Burgers are $8. All beverages are Coca-Cola products (the World HQ is just three blocks from the arena) and sodas are $4, bottled water is $4 and frozen lemonade is $5. Alcoholic beverages may only be purchased and consumed within the private Callaway Club in the arena. This is due to the arena belonging to the Georgia University System. Atmosphere 4 The Georgia Tech basketball arena long ago adopted the moniker of “The Thrillerdome” after two magical Final Four runs, when the team won several games in buzzer-beater fashion. It is a name that has stuck with the McCamish Pavilion. The Dream is doing its best to carry the Thrillerdome aura into the WNBA with its up-tempo brand of basketball. The move to a smaller arena has only increased the intimidation factor as nearly every game is a full house. Also, the acoustics of the facility is designed to hold in the noise and the Dream fans, the Shooting Stars cheer squad, team mascot Star and longtime PA announcer Vince “The Voice” Bailey are doing their best to drive up the energy level during an offensive run or a good defensive stand. The dramatic lighting now used at the McCamish Pavilion makes it clear that the action on the court is the star here. It truly feels more like a professional arena than a college arena. Neighborhood 4 There are really three distinct neighborhoods surrounding the McCamish Pavilion. It is located at the very north end of the Georgia Tech campus. Basically, its neighbors in this regard are athletic facilities, including the Byers Tennis Complex, the Georgia Tech football practice facility and Russ Chandler Stadium, home of the Yellow Jacket baseball program. Across the downtown, Connector is the Midtown neighborhood. The Georgia Tech campus has expanded into this area in recent years, but it is primarily an area filled with trendy restaurants such as South City Kitchen, Ecco, and STK Atlanta. One longtime Tech favorite is the Varsity, the world’s largest drive-in. Though not the healthiest food in the world, presidents, world leaders and sports icons have stopped in to enjoy its greasy fare. The last neighborhood bordering the arena is the West Atlanta / Atlantic Station area. Atlantic Station has transformed a former brownfield site into a very successful mixed use development filled with parks, apartments, movie theatres and even Atlanta’s only IKEA store. Adjoining Atlantic Station is the West Atlanta neighborhood, a former industrial corridor that is very popular with millennials. It includes a number of Atlanta’s hottest restaurants, such as Miller Union, JCT. Kitchen and Bar and the West Egg Café. Fans 4 The Dream has established a very loyal following over their first decade in the WNBA. You will notice a very high percentage of the crowds at the games are women. Obviously, this is due in part to it being a women’s basketball team. The Dream goes way beyond that in focusing its marketing and community involvement efforts on women of achievement and women’s issues. Each game honors women and women’s organizations that are improving their community. The team is also very involved in such issues as breast cancer awareness and treatment, LGBTQ rights and encouraging the inclusion of more girls’ sports teams in the schools. As a result of these efforts, the community has become the “sixth woman” for the team. They bring an energy and enthusiasm to the arena that picks up the team during a tough game and also makes it hard for the opposition to concentrate due to the volume of cheers coming from the stands. Access 3 McCamish Pavilion is located conveniently right off Interstates I-75/I-85 (also known to locals at the Downtown Connector) as they pass through the center of Atlanta. You would take either the 14th Street or North Avenue exits to reach the arena. The parking directly adjacent to the arena on campus is reserved for season ticket holders, but there are a number of commercial lots located on the east side of the Downtown Connector within an easy walking distance of the McCamish Pavilion. A second less costly alternative to getting to a game is the MARTA rapid rail system to the Midtown MARTA station, then walk four short blocks up 10th Street to McCamish Pavilion. Entry into the McCamish Pavilion is through one of three main portals, with a very good flow and adequate ticket takers. Once inside you will find the concourses to be very wide, so you should not encounter any gridlock. The concessions are built into the sides of the building so they do not cause any congestion. The number of restrooms is more than adequate. You will find the seating at McCamish to be quite comfortable as it features chair backs with wider than normal space. Return on Investment 3 Dream basketball tickets are sold at prices ranging from $36 for end zone seats to $60 for sideline seats. Parking close to McCamish runs $10-$15, but by using MARTA to the game you can bring that cost down to $5 per person roundtrip. Concessions at McCamish Pavilion are reasonably priced. Atlanta is a convention city, so downtown area hotels can run in excess of $250/per night. It is a good idea to stay in a suburban location hotel and then take MARTA or drive into the game. Extras 3 A majority of Atlanta’s main tourist attractions are less than three miles from McCamish Pavilion. The following are located in a cluster around Centennial Olympic Park: the College Football Hall of Fame, the World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, the Center for Civil and Human Rights and CNN Center. Simply go three stations past the Midtown MARTA station and get off at the Peachtree Center Station, then walk two blocks west. This marks the second time that a Georgia Tech basketball arena has substituted for another team’s home court. In 2008, a tornado struck the Georgia Dome during the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament. This forced the tournament to be moved to the then Alexander Memorial Coliseum for the remainder of the tournament. Ironically that tournament was won by a huge underdog….. the University of Georgia Bulldogs….. Georgia Tech’s most bitter athletic rival. The Atlanta Dream team name was inspired by one of its best-known citizens. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an Atlanta native and a civil rights icon. His “I have a dream” speech is one of defining moments in the civil rights movement. Final Thoughts While most people would think a temporary relocation would adversely affect a team, the move to McCamish Pavilion has been a positive one for the Atlanta Dream. Its more intimate setting, the dramatic lighting of the playing floor, and a Midtown location that is in the backyard of its most ardent fans have added up to a very successful move.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Gillette Stadium 1 Patriot Place Foxborough, MA 02035 New England Patriots website Gillette Stadium website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 64,628 The Patriots’ Place   A strong case can be made that the New England Patriots are the most successful team of the Super Bowl era. They have won six Super Bowls and played in nine overall. Recent years have seen the team return to the depths of the NFL standings as the team moves on from the Brady/Belichick dynasty. Patriots fans hope this decline does not mimic the franchise’s early years when they were one of the league’s most dysfunctional teams, consistently landing at the bottom of the standings and making headlines for all of the wrong reasons.   The early Patriots were nomads, roaming around Boston and beyond, looking for a home. Nickerson Field , Harvard Stadium , Fenway Park , and Alumni Stadium  all served as home fields during the team’s formative years. The Patriots even played home games in Birmingham, AL  and San Diego, CA. When the team built itself a permanent home, it was the substandard Schaefer/Sullivan/Foxboro Stadium . Relocation rumors hounded the team for years until Robert Kraft, a longtime fan and season ticket holder, bought the team and stadium in the 90s.   In 2002, Gillette Stadium, a $325 million privately funded stadium, opened right next door to its predecessor. The Patriots immediately began to make the area not only a football venue, but an entertainment, dining, and shopping destination. In 2006, construction began on Patriot Place, an open-air shopping center located adjacent to the stadium. Patriot Place has proven to be so successful that imitators have begun to sprout up at stadiums around the country and have become almost a standard feature in new stadium designs.   Food & Beverage 4   With an active tailgating scene and dozens of dining choices located just steps from Gillette Stadium’s front door, you may not expect much from the facility’s concessions. While Gillette Stadium may come up short on signature food items and high-end options, expanding variety and upgrading quality have been a focus in recent years.   Stands are located around the outer edge of the Gillette Stadium concourse, organized by the types of foods they offer. You may have to do a little searching to find what you want. All the stadium basics are covered, with stands that sell pizza, burgers, sausages, chicken tenders, and BBQ ringing the field. Portable carts selling drinks and snack foods line the inner edge of the concourses.   Pepsi products are featured at Gillette Stadium. As you may expect, the beer game is strong here, with national brands lining the menu boards alongside dozens of local craft favorites. For the most extensive selection of local beers, check out the Taproom or Draft Kings Lounge.   A complete guide to Gillette Stadium’s concessions can be found here .   Atmosphere 5   The experience at Gillette is dominated by the new 22,000 square-foot scoreboard and lighthouse on the northern end of the stadium. The scoreboard contains 20 million pixels and measures over half an acre. Patriot Plaza features live music, games, and numerous photo ops before games. The new 12-foot-tall Tom Brady statue has become a focal point of this area.   Highlights of the Patriots game day experience include the End Zone Militia firing their muskets after every New England score. The elaborate pregame show has the team taking the field to Carmina Burana, Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train,” and AC-DC’s “For Those About to Rock.” Over the years, several social gathering areas have been built into Gillette Stadium, including the Optum Field Lounge, the Bud Light Party Deck, and Encore Boston Harbor Terrace, providing alternative viewpoints for fans to gather and watch the action.   The tailgating scene in Foxboro isn’t mentioned among the league’s elite, but Patriots fans can hang with any NFL fanbase when it comes to pregame parties. Gillette’s rural location means there’s lots of room around for, well, lots. While it’s much more family-friendly at Gillette than it ever used to be, remember, this is still an NFL venue. This may not be the best place for kids. If tailgating isn’t your thing, you can always check out Patriot Place before or after kickoff.   While Patriots fans are still supportive of the team and the rebuild, it will be interesting to see how long they will remain patient. While older fans can remember the days of the Sullivan family ownership and the “Patsies,” a significant portion of the fanbase has never experienced consistent losing before.   Neighborhood 4   Gillette Stadium sits on what was once a lonely stretch of Route One, which contained only a harness racing track and a trailer park. Today, the location is the home of Patriot Place, an open-air shopping center located on the site of the old Schaefer Stadium. Over the years, it has grown to include a four-star hotel, entertainment complex, and outpatient health center.   Fans visiting Foxboro can choose between numerous eateries ranging from casual dining to fine fare, from brew pubs to fancy steakhouses. Fans can bowl at Splitsville Alley, throw axes at Crazy Axes, or play pickleball at Eleveno Pickleball. Movies play at Cinema de Lux, and live music is played at Showcase Live! Fans looking to stay at Patriot Place will find a Hilton Garden Inn and Renaissance Hotel steps from the stadium. Visit the Patriot Place website  for more information.   Fans 5   Patriots fans have certainly become spoiled with the unprecedented success of the Brady/Belichick years As the team embarks on what will surely be a lengthy rebuild, fans have had to come to grips with win-loss records not seen around here in decades. Still, support has not fallen off a cliff. Yet.   The team still advertises a sellout streak that dates back to the opening of Gillette Stadium. However, prices are starting to fall on the resale market, and empty seats can sometimes be found around the facility. It will be interesting to see how long fans will remain patient with the rebuild. The hiring of Mike Vrabel has renewed optimism after the failed experiment that was the Jarrod Mayo hiring.   Access 2   Gillette Stadium is located in the small town of Foxborough, MA (alternatively spelled Foxboro), a town of almost 19,000 residents situated about halfway between Boston and Providence, RI. This location, picked for Schaefer Stadium due to its apparent convenience at the intersection of Interstates 95 and 495, has always had problems with accessibility.   Gillette Stadium is located on Route One, a busy four-lane road. It is the only way into and out of the stadium complex. As you might imagine, traffic backs up for miles in both directions on game days. The Patriots constantly tweak their systems to try to get visitors moving as quickly as possible, but no plan seems to consistently work.   The Foxboro MBTA station has a stop behind Gillette Stadium, providing service to Boston and Providence. There are numerous parking lots surrounding the stadium and all along Route One. Staggered pricing and exit times have been implemented to try to alleviate wait times in the area.   Fans will access Gillette Stadium via one of three entry gates. Renovations to the north end of the stadium have improved flow greatly and provided an entry plaza for fans to congregate pregame. Three sets of ramps lead to the upper levels of the stadium. Concourses, while busy, are large enough to move about without issue. There is ample standing room available on all levels of the facility. Handicapped seating is plentiful.   The concourse is filled with concession stands, both permanent and portable. Lines can be long, particularly at halftime. Restrooms are plentiful and clean considering their busy usage. Just time your visits wisely. Be aware that Gillette Stadium is a cashless facility with a fairly aggressive clear bag policy . What can and cannot be brought into the stadium is advertised in all parking lots. Pay attention and save yourself a long walk back to your car.   Any veteran Patriots fan will tell you that the key to avoiding the legendary Gillette traffic is to arrive early and stay a bit after the game. Luckily, with Patriot Place next to the stadium and the excellent tailgating scene, this is not the worst plan. The Patriots will even pay you to stick around and let the traffic ease. Read on…   Return on Investment 3   For the 2024 season, the Patriots ranked fifth in the NFL in terms of cost according to the Team Marketing Report Fan Cost Index. Driving the high prices are tickets and concessions, which rank near the top of the NFL. The average ticket cost of $142 ranks New England third in the NFL. While demand for tickets may have diminished a bit with the team’s recent struggles, it is still tough to find a ticket under $100 on the resale market.   Parking at Gillette Stadium has undergone some drastic changes in recent years. Now stay with me, this might get complicated. The lots on the stadium (east) side of Route One must be purchased in advance. Prepaid spots are guaranteed and cost $25. Parking on the west side of Route One is now free (unbelievable, right?). There are also “delayed release” lots, from which you cannot leave for 75 minutes after the game. If you choose to park here, the Patriots will reward you with a $50 Visa gift card. Privately owned lots along Route One charge anywhere from $30-$60 to park. Complete parking information can be found here .   Extras 5   The newest feature in Patriot Plaza, the giant statue of Tom Brady, has become a focal point for visiting fans. The 12-foot-tall bronze sculpture sits atop a hexagonal-shaped base, signifying the six championships Brady won while in New England.   Located at the north end of the stadium above the team store, the Patriots Hall of Fame houses team memorabilia from throughout their history. Among the notable pieces here are the team’s six Super Bowl trophies and the snowplow from the infamous “plow game” in 1982.   The End Zone Militia has a vantage point many Patriot fans dream of. From their post just beyond the north end zone, they fire off a 21-gun salute after every New England score.   The renovations to the north end of the stadium deserve an extra point. The new lighthouse (which now actually looks like a lighthouse) is the focal point of the stadium. The lighthouse is accessible to fans during off hours and features views of the Boston and Providence skylines. And let us not forget to mention the largest outdoor scoreboard in the country.   The display of the Patriots’ six Super Bowl banners in the south end zone complements the new north end zone renovations.   Final Thoughts   It may be difficult to believe, but this concrete stadium in the woods of suburban Massachusetts is actually a trendsetter in the world of stadium design. While the stadium itself doesn’t break any new ground, especially when compared to the new billion-dollar behemoths being built around the NFL today, the live/work/play community surrounding Gillette Stadium has become a must-have feature in many new facility designs. ----   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium 1401 Murchison Rd Fayetteville, NC 28301 Fayetteville State Broncos website Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium website Year Opened: 1949 Capacity: 5,520 Wild Rides in Fayetteville Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium is located in Fayetteville, NC, and is home to the Fayetteville State Broncos football team. Fayetteville State opened in 1867 and is an HBCU that is part of North Carolina’s university system. FSU’s football program began in 1924, but the old stadium was completely renovated in 2003 at a cost of over $2.5MM, and now seats 5,520 fans after the removal of seating in the end zones. The most recent renovation occurred in 2021 with the installation of new artificial turf, namely AstroTurf’s RootZone 3D3 blend system. The facility is named after the late Luther R. Jeralds – Jeralds played football at NCCU and in the NFL, and later served in the North Carolina House of Representatives and in the North Carolina General Assembly; there is also a middle school in Fayetteville named after him. Food & Beverage 3 There are two concession stands at Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium; one under the main stands and another next to the visiting stands. These stands offer the basics, i.e. Chick-fil-A sandwiches, nachos with chili and/or cheese sauce, hot dogs, peanuts, packaged candy, chips, bottled sodas, and bottled water. The prices are pretty reasonable, with nothing over $3 except the Chick-fil-A sandwiches ($5) and the nachos ($5 plus $1 for cheese sauce plus another $1 for chili if you want both). The nachos seem slightly overpriced at $5 for chips alone, but all the other prices are a pretty good deal as sports venues go. Atmosphere 3 Fayetteville State football games are a lot of fun – the student section is inspired by a mascot wearing a blue bodysuit; the mascot spends most of the game in front of the student section dancing and moving around, and the student section is pretty loud and into the game. The team also comes onto the field through a tunnel and waving the team flag, and like most HBCUs Fayetteville State has a great marching band, who swagger onto the field in full costume. The stadium itself is surrounded by a low brick wall and has two grandstands, one on each side – the main stands under the press box have bleachers with chairbacks in the center, and bleachers without chairbacks on both ends. The visiting stands only have bleachers without chairbacks, but the stadium should be empty enough that you can sit wherever you want, even if you don’t have tickets on the correct side or in the correct section. There is also a team gear stand in one end zone if you want to get your Broncos swag on. Unlike many stadiums, during COVID times the staff does require you to show proof of vaccination before you enter Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium. Neighborhood 4 Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium is located on Fayetteville State’s campus in Fayetteville, NC, which is a military town (home of Fort Bragg). As such the city is large enough that there are plenty of things to do if you are in town for the day or for the weekend. The stadium sits on the northwest corner of Fayetteville State’s campus, while the closest restaurants are to the south and southeast of campus – I recommend either the Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop or New York Restaurant, but there are other options as well, such as Saigon Bistro or Fowler’s Southern Gourmet – technically some of these are within 1 mile of the stadium, but I recommend driving as that is a pretty good walk on foot. The closest hotels to Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium are WoodSpring Suites and American Eagle Inn, but there are plenty of other options along 401 closer to the town center, or along with Highway 210 closer to Fort Bragg. Fort Bragg itself also has a visitor’s center you can visit to learn more about the base, or you can go to the Zipquest Waterfall & Treetop recreation center for some ziplining fun. Fans 3 The student section is the highlight of the fan base at Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium – you can hear the student section chanting and cheering, and see them dancing and moving around for most of the game, led by the team mascot. The fans in the other sections are less intense, although things can get pretty heated on the visiting side, depending on which opponent the Broncos are hosting that day. Faithful Fans, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Access 3 The biggest drawback in terms of access to Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium is the lack of signs directing traffic – the stadium is easily visible as you drive by campus via Langdon Street or Murchison Road. However, finding parking is a lot more difficult – the best thing to do is enter campus via W. T. Brown Drive (turn left or right from Murchison Road), and park in the lot of the corner of W. T. Brown and Mary T. Eldridge; there is no cost to park here. This means a bit of a walk to the stadium, but unless you have a special parking pass you can’t really get any closer, and you can waste a lot of time driving around campus trying to find anything better. Also note that when you leave campus a lot of the roads are blocked off, so you can also spend a lot of time trying to find a way out if you are not careful to go back the exact same way you came in. Once you get to the stadium itself, however, access at Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium is pretty smooth sailing – there is plenty of room to move around, plenty of restrooms, and concessions lines move very quickly. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to Fayetteville State games are $20, and can be purchased at the gate or online (but there will be a few dollars added in fees if you go the online route) – there is a QR code posted at the gate which you can use to purchase tickets if you don’t want to wait in line, but the line to purchase tickets is shorter than the one used to scan tickets since after you purchase your ticket you can use a different entrance which has no line. Extras 3 Fayetteville State has a great dark blue color scheme, and some great décor in the form of bronco statues set up outside the stadium – for example, a brownish-red one facing the street outside the facility, and a white and blue outside the main entrance to the stadium. The mascot is also very unique – this is the first time I have seen a body-suited character as opposed to someone wearing an anthropomorphic animal costume. The brickwork around the stadium also gives a good aesthetic, and the trees around the venue bring a cozy feel. Final Thoughts While smaller than some of the venues you may have visited in the past, Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium offers a fine atmosphere for a relaxing night of college football. The band does a great job, the stadium is modern with some great recent updates, and you can get really close to the action on the field here.

Today, the Knoxville Smokies proudly stand as a beacon of community spirit in their stunning new $114 million ballpark, right in the heart of downtown. This moment marks not just a return, but a homecoming filled with excitement and renewed hope after nearly 25 years spent away in distant Sevier County.  Knoxville has its beloved franchise back where it belongs—ensuring the city’s vibrant baseball tradition will thrive for generations. Yet, this triumphant homecoming was once far from certain. Baseball had been played at Smithson Stadium since the wooden structure was erected in 1931. The Smokies had been members of the Class B Tri-State League since 1944, but city officials wanted a higher-class team in their city. To attract investors of a Class A or AA team, a new stadium would need to be constructed. A civic vote favored 2-1 in favor of a new structure on the same site as “Smitty.” ​ This trend continued for a couple of seasons. By the 1952 season, the Smokies and the Tri-State League were struggling with low attendance, franchise instability, and considerable uncertainty from one day to the next. Team owner Carl Lyerly, who was battling with Dr. Hobart Ford, who owned the lease to the stadium, sold the franchise to the New York Giants in June and rid himself of losing any more money out of his pockets. ​ The Giants were committed to staying in town, but first relocated their Class B franchise to Danville, Virginia. The Giants were concerned about the future of the Tri-State League, which was teetering on existence at the time. The league was debating whether to fold the Greenville Spinners and the Smokies to become a 6-team league. ​ It now seemed like the perfect time to start building that new stadium that the folks of Knoxville voted for a few years ago. The aging Smithson Stadium was on its last legs, and now seemed like the ideal time to start construction to lure another club in time for the following season. Sure, the 1953 season would be a wash, but a modern plant with steel and concrete would be an investment for baseball for years to come for its citizens. The 1953 Smokies played home games at Chapman Highway Ballpark Not so fast. There was a contingency that did not want baseball to go dark in 1953. Once it was announced that the Tri-State League would welcome back the Greenville ball club, former Smokies business manager Jack Aragon led a group of investors to purchase the team. He suggested postponing construction until after the season in September. ​ “We certainly hope to keep baseball in Knoxville,” said Aragon. “It will be a long summer, maybe two or three summers if baseball is lost here at this time.” ​ It led to a question of “Build Now” or “Build Later” with many sports columnists sharing their thoughts. Many were in favor of allowing the Smokies another season, while others wanted to rid the city of the Class B team in favor of a higher classification, regardless of whether it meant being with pro ball that summer. Knoxville News - Sentinel  sports columnist Tim Skiler wrote the following. ​ “A new stadium would quickly solve two problems-it would bring new owners-solid, responsible citizens-ready and eager to invest in baseball, and a chance at possibly higher baseball. Certainly, a city with a new park, plus a metropolitan area of $330,000, would not go begging for organized baseball. A new stadium would bring big league stars. They now detour Knoxville.” ​ Starting construction as soon as possible would give workers 14 months to handle any unforeseen delays and also save close to $25,000 working in the warmer months compared to winter months. There was added concern that the conflict in Korea might prohibit the purchase of steel and other products if construction were postponed. ​ The city council begins razing Smithson Stadium in the spring of 1953. Finally, on January 27, the City Council voted to raze the Smithson grandstand and start construction on the new ballpark. Aragaon, who was holding a franchise, soon quit his position with the club to take over the family-owned gas station. It wouldn’t last long, as he then accepted a similar position with the nearby Maryville-Alcoa Twins of the Mountain States League. As far as anyone was concerned, there would be no baseball in Knoxville that year. ​ Things went quiet until March 9, when Virgil Q. Wack of the Mountain States League announced they would operate a Knoxville franchise at Chapman Highway Park that season. The announcement was protested by the Maryville-Alcoa club, whose ballpark was only 8.2 miles away from the new Knox franchise. There was also concern that the Mountain States League owned the territorial rights and approved any new franchise to begin play at the new stadium in 1954. However, the new owners would exit and not interfere with any territorial squabbles for a future franchise. ​ “No Knoxvillian could possibly happy about being in the Class D MSL, the lowest in organized baseball, but if we are going to continue to boast about American enterprise, hustle, imagination and courage then it will behooves us to condemn Wacks for putting something legal over on local capital, brains and political influence,” wrote sports columnist Tom Anderson in the Knoxville Journal on April 12, 1953. “It begins to look as if he slid in here safely while we were looking at the sky for a spaceship bringing us an SL franchise.” Mayor George Dempster objected to the new club adopting the Knoxville name and even sought an injunction to prevent its use. In response, the Knoxville Journal  sports staff mockingly dubbed the team the “Chapman Park Seviers,” noting their Sevier County home field, and reserved the “Smokies” label only for when they lost. The season peaked with an opening-day crowd of 3,000, a turnout that would prove to be the lone highlight of the year. By late May, the team plunged into debt, accumulating $21,000. This amount would need to be paid off for any future ownership group willing to operate in town for the next five years. But the greatest humiliation came on May 28, when the team was forced to forfeit a game simply because they had run out of baseballs. ​ It might have been the first and only time that a professional baseball team at any level forfeited a game in this way, and the episode made national headlines. The next day, local kids from the neighborhood came out to the ballpark to return and donate baseballs that were taken home from previous games.   ​ The club announced that it was moving operations to Hazard, whether temporarily or permanently. Ben Byrd of The Knoxville Journal  wrote the following in his column on May 29. ​ “Knoxville had nothing to do with bringing Mountain States League ball here. Its officials, its fans, and this newspaper opposed it from scratch. In their brief but still overlong stay, they have brought the city no prestige, no entertainment, no commerce, no nothing. If Chapman Park stands empty and deserted these summer nights, it won’t be much different from when the Smokies were playing there.” ​ As miraculous as it was to not have enough baseballs for a game, the ball club was saved by Dr. Edward L. Grubb. He operated the club and stadium on a 50-50 basis, wound up erasing its debt, and became the owner of the territory rights in town. This meant that he would be the person to talk to when putting a team in the new stadium under construction. The team would still wear the Smokies name on its uniforms, but the one local paper referred to them as the Knoxville ball club. Jim Tugerson dominated the Mountain States League in 1953 with a 29-11 record and 286 strikeouts. One bright spot was a pitcher, Jim Tugerson, who at age 30 was playing his first year of professional baseball. He integrated the Smokies after being barred from playing in the Cotton States League. “Big Jim” went on to win 29 games and four more playoff games, guiding the Smokies to the league championship.   They rejoined the Tri-State League for the 1954 season and opened the season in front of 6,154 people at Municipal Stadium. The attendance figure was the largest at the time to see a game in town. Unfortunately, the loop was once again in turmoil, and Knoxville was dropped due to travel concerns. The TSL became a four-team organization and ceased operations after the 1955 campaign.  ​ ​With no league to enter, the lease on Municipal Stadium expired in April due to Grubb not fulfilling the terms of the contract, thus opening up the territory to any new ownership willing to bring a team into town. That would occur 14 months later when a group of businessmen led by future city mayor John Ducan transferred the Montgomery Rebels of the South Atlantic League to town. Pat McGlothin gets ready for the first game at Municipal Stadium in 1954​ The renamed Smokies played its first home game in front of 7,100 people on June 20, 1956, marking a triumphant return to affiliated baseball. The city finally achieved its goal of obtaining a high-level baseball team and became a Double-A team in 1963, and joined the Southern League the next year.  The following year, the stadium would be renamed Bill Meyer Stadium after the former major league baseball manager and serve as home to the club until 1999. ​ The Smokies have come full circle with the opening of Covenant Health Park this year. A total of 295,000 flocked to the new baseball plant to check out the team that was now playing back in town after 25 seasons in Sevier County. Knoxvillians always were big supporters of the game, but at the highest levels of the minor league ladder. The foreseeable future is bright in “The Marble City”. ​ At the time, the 1953 Smokies team was not wanted. The prospect of a Class D league jeopardizing any future endeavors was frowned upon by many politicians, sports writers, and fans. However, that team has left a legacy in Knoxville. When you are at Covenant Health Park, make sure you visit the Jim Tugerson statue on the outside concourse. The Smokies brand new ballpark returned the team to town after 25 years, Photo by Stadium Journey. ——— Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter   @ballparkhunter   and his   YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.19 Alumni Hall One Cunningham Square Providence, RI 02908 Providence College Friars women's basketball website Alumni Hall website Year Opened: 1955 Capacity: 1,854 The Original Home of Friartown   Alumni Hall was built in 1955 at the direction of Providence College President Rev. Robert Slavin. He felt the team needed an on-campus home to be competitive. Until then, the team had played in local gyms off-campus or in a small gym in the basement of Harkins Hall. Built at a cost of $1.5, Alumni Hall was dedicated to PC alumni who fought in World War II. Alumni Hall served as home to the PC men’s team until the construction of the Providence Civic Center (now the Amica Mutual Pavilion) downtown in 1972.   Providence College began sponsoring women’s basketball in 1974. They joined the Big East upon its inception in 1982. The Friars have competed in six postseason tournaments, including five NCAA tournaments. Their most recent appearance occurred in 1992. They reached the sweet sixteen in 1990. Alumni Hall has been the Friars home court since their debut.   In 2012 Alumni Hall underwent a $3 million renovation, which included the installation of new seating, lighting, air conditioning, video scoreboards and control room, sound system and other amenities. LED lighting has also been installed in the facility. Today Alumni Hall serves as home to the Providence College women’s basketball and volleyball teams.   Food & Beverage 2   There is a small concession stand in the atrium lobby operated by local favorite Saugy hot dogs. A limited menu is available, with hot dogs, popcorn and chips making up the entire menu. Fans looking for a drink will find bottles of Coca-Cola products, Powerade and water here. Prices are very affordable, as no item is priced at more than five dollars.   Atmosphere 4   As you might imagine in a bandbox of a gymnasium like Alumni Hall, when the building is filled with Friar fans and Providence gets rolling on the court, this place can get pretty loud, even without much help. But since the Friars athletic department is used to putting on a first-rate show up the street at the Amica Mutual Pavilion for the men’s team, they bring many of the same gameday features here to the women’s home.   The Friars take the court to a multimedia experience including hype videos and flame towers. The pep band, cheerleaders and dance team are all in attendance and perform throughout the game. The sound system at Alumni Hall is good and doesn’t need to be played at ear-splitting volume to be effective. There’s an emcee who coordinates some time-out activities and contests and some youth teams take the court at halftime. The PA announcer goes about his job in a professional manner, without much of the over-the-top theatrics that are common today. The one negative would be the video boards on each end of the court could use an upgrade, as the pictures are less than clear.  It all adds up to an entertaining afternoon (or evening) at the gymnasium. Neighborhood 3   Alumni Hall is part of a sprawling complex on the northern edge of the Providence College campus which houses most of the college’s athletic, fitness and social facilities. The Peterson Recreation Center, the Concannon Fitness Center, Ruane Friar Development Center, the Taylor Natatorium, Slavin Center and Providence College Bookstore are all built around Alumni Hall, which sits at the center of the complex. Located nearby are many of the school’s other athletic facilities, including Schneider Arena , Lennon Family Field, Ray Tracey Track and Anderson Stadium .   The Elmhurst neighborhood where Providence College is located is a residential, working-class neighborhood, so visiting fans will need to venture out a bit to find some of the city’s excellent dining, entertainment and lodging options. Luckily, downtown Providence is only about two miles from the PC campus. In addition to all the city’s attractions, the Amica Mutual Pavilion , home of the Friars basketball team, is located here.   For fans wanting to stay near campus, Stadium Journey recommends The Abbey, known for their collection of signature burgers and selection of 92 draft beers and LaSalle Bakery, where some of Providence’s finest baked goods can be found. Otherwise, we recommend you head downtown towards Federal Hill, Providence’s version of Little Italy, for more great dining options.   Fans 3   Providence College averaged just over 1,300 fans per game over the 2024-25 season. This figure represents a significant increase over previous seasons, but it still falls well short of Alumni Hall capacity and far below the Big East average.   As we’re seeing in gyms all over the country, women’s basketball is gaining new fans at a rapid pace. The same is true in Providence, as this is no longer a friends and family type of crowd. You’re likely to see a number of new fans, youth teams and groups filling the stands at Alumni Hall alongside the students, regulars and family members that have watched the Friars for years. Access 3   Providence College is located in the residential Elmhurst neighborhood of Providence, about a mile from Route 146 and Interstate 95. To get to Alumni Hall, fans will need to do some driving through the city, but the campus is still pretty easy to find. Fans using public transportation will be pleased to know that RIPTA’s number 55  bus has stops at Providence College and along Admiral Street, just a short distance from Alumni Hall.   Fans driving to Alumni Hall can park in a small lot adjacent to the Ruane Friar Development Center or in the parking garage on the other side of the Lennon Turf Field. A short walk will take you to the Ruane Atrium, where the concession stand and a small souvenir stand are located. The entry into Alumni Hall will be on your left. The ticket office and Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame are located here.   Fans will enter Alumni Hall right on the baseline, with the band immediately to your left and the Bathtub, the student section, immediately to your right. If your seats are on the upper level of the north side of the gym, you’ll have some navigating to do, as you’ll need to walk to the far side of the court, up two flights of stairs, and then circle back around to your seats. In this bandbox of a gymnasium, all seats have a great view of the action.   There are plenty of restrooms for fans to access here at Alumni Hall, and ample standing room at the top of the seating area. Lines at the concession stand and restrooms do get very long at halftime, so plan your trips wisely.   Return on Investment 4   All seats for Friars basketball games are sold as reserved seats for $20. Parking is free in the lots on campus, making a visit to Alumni Hall an affordable entertainment option for Rhode Island hoop fans. Extras 3   Banners hang on the walls of Alumni Hall honoring Friar conference championships and tournament appearances in both women’s basketball and volleyball. At the opposite end of the gym are several banners honoring notable figures in Friars history. Among the retired numbers here is Doris Burke’s number 11. Doris, who graduated from Providence College as the school’s all-time assist leader, has become one of the top basketball analysts in the field.   Outside the Ruane Friar Development Center is a statue of two of the more legendary figures in Providence basketball, Dave Gavitt and Joe Mullaney. The two coached the men’s team from 1955-1985, taking Providence from relative obscurity to a regional hoops power. Gavitt was instrumental in the formation of the Big East Conference and is a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.   The Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame is located in the entryway of Alumni Hall. Among the many notable names to be found here are several notable NBA, NHL and MLB players and Olympians. Final Thoughts   It’s great to see Alumni Hall continue to be useful 70 years after its debut. Recent renovations to the old gym have given Friars women’s basketball a home it can be proud of.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

As the 2025 Major League Baseball season winds down with a few teams already clinching their October ticket and a few others still fighting to stay alive, many of you will be heading out to the ballpark glued to your favorite teams' chase to October. Some of you may already be purchasing tickets to potential playoff games.  If you already have purchased tickets to any remaining regular season games and plan to purchase tickets for post season play, you may want to keep an extra close watch of your ticket purchases. With paper and print at home tickets mostly a thing of the past, there have been reports throughout the league of 'Bad Actors' stealing tickets from fans though the MLB Ballpark App , including Chicago , Boston , and most recently mine and other fans in Los Angeles. “Bad actors are stealing, reselling fan tickets swiped from MLB’s Ballpark app," MLB acknowledges . The Athletic cited MLB about how fans are getting scammed with their valid tickets to enter the ballparks. As I approached the entrance gate looking forward to not only getting my Joe Davis Bobblehead  but also witnessing Clayton Kershaw's final Dodger Stadium regular season appearance , the go ahead facial recognition entry  prompt was not acknowledging me. As it turned out, my ticket, purchased 2 days prior to game time, was nowhere to be found on the MLB Ballpark App and therefore I was directed to fix the issue at the box office. Upon arriving at the box office several other fans were lined up as well with similar issues. Many of us had purchased the tickets through various 3rd party sites such as StubHub, TickPick, GameTime, and SeatGeek, all partners with MLB. Several fans stated they had bought their tickets weeks in advance. Because our purchases were through 3rd party sites, we were told to contact them directly. As I contacted StubHub, I was told my purchase was protected through their FanProtect Guarantee . Within an hour, I was fortunate to be reissued another ticket for a seat closer to the field. It probably helped that I only needed a single ticket. Upon arrival at my seat,I asked the fans next to me if they had purchased their tickets through StubHub. They responded that they purchased through SeatGeek and that they too had also been scammed and they ended up making a second purchase running that couple’s total cost for their 2 tickets to $300! Fortunately, my issue had a happy ending and I was still rewarded with my Joe Davis Bobblehead. Unfortunately, not every fan who fell victim to the ‘bad actors’ ticket scam were so lucky. With our experiences at Dodger Stadium stemming mostly from 3rd party site purchases, here are some tips that can hopefully help you from keeping your tickets scammed.  Routinely check your app to see if your tickets are still there. There should be a barcode with your seat locations, date of game, and your name. If you should receive an email from MLB.Com  Account Service to change your password due to unusual activity to your account, check your ballpark app as well to see if you're still in possession of your tickets. Should they be missing from your app, call the point of contact immediately, be it a 3rd party site or directly from the team. If your purchase was directly from the team and your tickets have disappeared prior to the date of game, call them directly and have your MLB Ballpark App account ready and if possible, the date you purchased your tickets and the seat locations.  Hopefully you will not fall victim to being scammed from your tickets and you’ll be able to watch the excitement of pennant race baseball. If you do become a victim, hopefully these tips will help you in retaining your tickets or being reissued other tickets without being charged extra. Also, if you have the time, contact  MLB Customer Support  and make them aware of your experience.  But remember, BUYER BEWARE.  Remember to be vigilant about your ticket purchases especially if purchased from 3rd party sites. We don’t want you to be left in the dark from your pennant race baseball tickets!

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Beaver Stadium University Dr & Park Ave University Park, PA 16802 Penn State Nittany Lions website Beaver Stadium website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 106,572 The Nittany Lions Den Renovation Project Pennsylvania State University is the largest land-grant university in the state of Pennsylvania, with a student body of more than 42,000. The Nittany Lions of Penn State University have one of the most successful College Football programs in the country. They have won two National Championships (1982,1986) and four Big 10 Conference Championships (1994, 2005, 2008, 2016). The home of the Nittany Lions is West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. The stadium is named after James Beaver, a former governor and a past president of the Board of Trustees at the school. It is the third stadium to serve as the football home for the Penn State football program. Pieces of the second football stadium were disassembled and transported to their present location for reuse in the much larger incarnation of the facility. The previous homes of the Lions opened in 1893 and 1936. Its present capacity of 106,572 makes it the second-largest college football stadium in the country and the fourth-largest stadium in the world based on capacity. In May 2024, Penn State University began a four-year $700 million renovation of West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. This is the first renovation of the facility since 2001, when 60 skyboxes were added above the East stands. The first phase of this renovation focused on structural issues, as the stadium had a backlog of more than $200 million in deferred maintenance. A key part of this step was the winterization of the pipes and infrastructure, as the area is known for its very harsh winters. Another priority is to improve the security and safety aspects of the stadium. The technology infrastructure of the stadium is also receiving needed attention, as new lighting is being installed, and new ribbon boards will be added to the facing of the various levels of the stadium. A new videoboard will be added to the south end of the stadium. The stadium will also see Wi-Fi and cellular upgrades. Other priority areas for the project are to add additional club and loge seating, as well as more executive and founder’s suites for its major donors. The renovation work will be done during the off-seasons through 2027. At the time of this review (Fall 2025), the renovations throughout the stadium were just getting underway, and our scores reflect the status of the stadium at that time. Food & Beverage 4 The concession stands at Beaver Stadium offer a mix of generic stands and specialty stands featuring food offerings from local restaurants, including Caliente Pizza, Chickie and Pete’s, Doan’s Bones, Panini’s, Philly Pretzel Factory, Scott’s Roasting, and Wing Kitchen. The generic stands sell hot dogs ($6.30), brats ($7.35), pretzels ($9.45), nachos ($7.35), cheesesteaks ($6), chicken sandwich baskets ($13.65), and pizza cones ($7). A Happy Valley hamburger will set you back $13.65. Fry cups ($7.35) and candy ($5.25) are available for dessert. Popcorn is also available for $7.35. However, our favorite dessert by far is the pint of ice cream from Penn State’s own Berkey Creamery ($12.60)! Beaver Stadium serves Pepsi brand sodas ($7.35/24 oz cup). Bottled water is $6.25. Hot chocolate is available ($7.35/12 oz.) Hoop tea is available for $14.71. Gatorade is available for $6.30. Michelob brand beers and New Trail Brewing’s State Light ($12.60) are served in Beaver Stadium. The legal drinking age in Pennsylvania is 21. Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere at Beaver Stadium is hard to beat on a crisp fall afternoon. The autumn colors are spectacular throughout the Penn State campus, and there are plenty of pregame activities to take part in. The central gathering point for the action is known as the Beaver Stadium Block Party, located on Curtin Road, just down the street from the stadium. It opens several hours before kickoff, and features a wide variety of spirit offerings, including performances by the Penn State cheerleading squad, appearances by the Nittany Lion mascot, and music played by the Penn State Blue Band. The team arrival walk occurs two hours before kick off as the team unloads from its traditional blue buses. Restrooms are available at the nearby Medlar Field baseball stadium for fans to use prior to the opening of the Beaver Stadium gates. Tailgating is huge in the parking lots surrounding Beaver Stadium, resulting in a top score for this section! Neighborhood 4 State College is in the geographic center of the state of Pennsylvania. It is located 2.5 hours northeast of Pittsburgh. Use the WAZE app to lead you to your parking lot near the stadium. State College has a charming downtown area located just across from the campus. Most of the lodging options in the State College area are located along Highway 322. Brands include Comfort Suites, Days Inn, Hampton Inn, and the Hilton Garden Inn. Lion Country Lodging is the preferred provider for Penn State Athletics. Their website offers 15% discounts at hotels that partner with the school. There are several restaurants in the downtown State College area for pre- or post-game dining. The Original Waffle Shop on College Avenue has been a longtime favorite for breakfast on Penn State gamedays. Postgame options include both the Happy Valley Brewery on Elmwood Street and Otto’s Pub and Brewery on North Atherton Street. Webster’s Bookstore is a great place to check out the latest releases while enjoying a great cup of coffee. The Lion’s Pride spirit store in downtown State College is a great place to stock up on your Nittany Lion gameday gear! Fans 5 The Nittany Lions fan base is one of the loudest and most loyal in all of college football. The cheer teams, the Blue Band, the student section, and the alumni are rightfully proud of their team. They excel in creating noise to disrupt the visiting team’s ability to call plays. The school holds 2-3 “white out” games each season, filling Beaver Stadium with a blinding sea of 100,000 plus Nittany Lion fans in their summer (and fall) white outfits. The Penn State student section is also strategically located so that it can disrupt the opposition’s communications. They are not shy about declaring … We Are! Penn State! … throughout the games. There is a youth activity area known as Happy Valley Alley located near Gate D of the stadium. Big Blue Band Forms PSU Outline at Beaver Stadium, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Access 3 Accessibility issues will be addressed by the current renovation project. Twenty more gates into the stadium will be added to improve the flow of fans into and out of the facility. Concourses are being widened, and additional elevators/escalators are being added to reach the upper levels of the stadium more efficiently. The number of restrooms in the stadium is also being increased by 20% to cut down on the lines that can form during halftime and just before the game gets underway. There will also be 50 additional concession areas added to improve the flow of traffic. The Field and Concourse levels of the stadium now provide 360-degree access to seats. As you can imagine, having more than 105,000 fans descend on your campus on a Saturday is like trying to serve the traffic needs of a small city. Penn State University has established four parking zones in each direction, identified as East, West, North, and South Zones. There are 15 General Parking lots spread over each of these zones. Most parking is based on a season ticket basis. The stadium also has more than 100 ADA parking spaces located close to the stadium gates. There is a public transportation drop-off and pick-up area on Hastings Road. The ride-share lot is located on Hedges Road. For updated info on gameday traffic, use the WAZE app. CATA shuttle buses run on game days from the downtown area to Beaver Stadium. The gates at Beaver Stadium open two hours before kickoff. To make your entry into Beaver Stadium as fast as possible, make sure all carry-ins are in a clear plastic bag. Penn State is very strict with its seating policies, so if you leave your seat to use the restroom or to visit a concession stand during the game, make sure to take your ticket with you. Otherwise, you may not be readmitted to your seat by a stand manager! Return on Investment 3 Penn State has been a nationally elite football program for decades. The games sell out regularly, despite Beaver Stadium’s capacity of more than 106,000 seats. This is partly due to the large student base of nearly 48,000 and an extremely loyal ticket base from the alumni of the school. The school’s membership in the Big 10 Conference also means the visiting teams will bring many fans. Be sure to bring a large wallet if you are planning to attend a Nittany Lions game at Beaver Stadium. Single-game ticket prices can vary greatly depending on the opponent, as Penn State utilizes dynamic pricing. Low-demand games against non-conference opponents run $32-$82 based on seat location. Mid-tier games against non-elite Big Ten opponents run $92-$109. High-demand games against Ohio State, Michigan, and nationally elite non-conference opponents can start at over $300. Parking is very limited on a game-by-game basis, as most lots are on a season pass basis. Single-game day parking can be as high as $50 for one space. Seat back rentals are $15, and game day programs are $5. Concession prices are rather pricey compared to those at comparable college stadiums. All stadium-related services operate on a cashless basis, so remember to bring your credit card! Extras 4 A must-see for any visitor to the Penn State campus is the Penn State Berkey Creamery. It is the largest college creamery in the United States and offers more than 100 flavors of Ice cream. Ben and Jerry of the beloved ice cream company are alumni of the Penn State correspondence course in ice cream making. The Penn State All-Sports Museum is also located at Beaver Stadium. It is open on non-gamedays. It is well worth a visit if you arrive in town on the Friday before a home game. The museum has extensive displays on each of the intercollegiate sports at the school. It includes many of the bowl trophies the Nittany Lions have won over the years. Just down the street is another “must-see” when visiting the Penn State campus. The Nittany Lion Shrine features a mountain lion monument carved from a 13-ton block of limestone. Penn State’s Blue Band has been in existence since 1899. It is the largest recognized student organization on the campus with more than 300 members. Final Thoughts Penn State has one of the most legendary football programs in the country, with multiple National Championship titles. Beaver Stadium has played a major role in earning those championships, as the noise created by more than 106,000 Nittany Lions fans will intimidate any visiting team. The Lion’s Den is now undergoing a major renovation to ensure that Beaver Stadium remains a wonderful place to enjoy Nittany Lions football well into the future.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Acrisure Stadium 100 Art Rooney Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Pittsburgh Steelers website Acrisure Stadium website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 68,400 Where Steel Meets Turf The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the most storied franchises in the NFL. They are the fifth-oldest franchise in the league, as they were founded in 1933. The Rooney family has owned the team since its inception, and they seem to be determined to make the Steelers fans feel that they have a “buy-in” with the team as well. The team has called Acrisure Stadium home since 2001. It was previously known as Heinz Field, changing its name in 2022. Other homes for the Steelers have included Forbes Field, Pitt Stadium, and Three Rivers Stadium. The team has played in a record eight Super Bowls, winning six of those championship games. Food & Beverage 4 Pittsburgh’s population features a virtual melting pot of ethnicities, and this is readily apparent in several offerings in the food and beverage area of stadium operations. In addition to the usual stadium standards of soft drinks, popcorn, hot dogs, and candy, the Acrisure Stadium concessions programs include local favorites Primanti Brothers, Caliente Pizza and Draft House, Chickie and Pete’s, Franco’s Pizzeria, the Pierogi House, and Potato Patch Fries. Adult beverage brands sold at Acrisure Stadium include Iron City, Leinenkugel’s, Michelob, Miller, and Budweiser. The concessions program operates on a cashless basis. To save time, the Steelers’ Official Mobile app allows you to order from your seat, so you will miss as little of the game as possible. After you place your order, you will receive a barcode. You receive a notification when your order is ready, and you simply have your barcode ready to show when you pick up your order at the nearest concession stand. Atmosphere 5 Attending a Pittsburgh Steelers home game is a special treat. There is so much tradition attached to the team, as it was one of the original NFL members, dating back to the 1930s. That heritage is very apparent when you attend a Steelers home game at Acrisure Stadium. The uniforms have changed very little over the years. The black and gold colors reflect the toughness of the franchise through the black, while the gold signifies the royalty of having been to eight Super Bowls, with six NFL championships in the books. Outside of the stadium, you see statues honoring Franco Harris and the Rooney family, who both played a major role in those championship seasons. Once inside, the Great Hall on the concourse under the east stands is filled with displays honoring the top Steelers of the past, along with displays reflecting each of the championship seasons. You will also see displays featuring the University of Pittsburgh and its legendary players, including Tony Dorsett and Dan Marino. (Pitt also plays its home games at Acrisure Stadium.) Finally, you get to your seat, surrounded by 68,000 black and gold-clad fans. As the Steelers come out on the field before the game, the stands erupt with nearly 70,000 Terrible Towels waving in the air. History, heritage, hoagies, and hard hits are all part of the game-day atmosphere at Acrisure Stadium. Giant Terrible Towel During Steeler's PreGame, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 Acrisure Stadium is in the North Shore Section of Pittsburgh, as it is located on the northern shoreline of the Allegheny River. Visitors to this side of the river have plenty of options for dining, entertainment, exercise, and culture. Attractions within walking distance of Acrisure Stadium include the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Science Center, the Riverwalk, and PNC Park , the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dining and drinking establishments in the North Shore community include Burgertory and Mike’s Beer Bar, which carries more than 80 craft beers on tap. Lying just across the river from Acrisure Stadium is downtown Pittsburgh and the Golden Triangle. This can be reached from the North Shore by crossing the Roberto Clemente Bridge or via the PRT light rail system. Downtown attractions include the Heinz Hall for Performing Arts, the Fort Pitt Museum, and the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center, which includes an extensive set of exhibits on the history of the Steelers franchise. Fans 4 The Steel City is noted for its very devoted fan bases, whether we are talking about the Penguins, the Pirates, or the Steelers. The Steelers fanbase has been around since 1933, celebrating many Super Bowl victories as well as suffering through some rebuilding seasons. Coach Mike Tomlin always seems to have his team well prepared, no matter what roster shortcomings the Steelers may have. The Steeler fans are easy to spot in their black and gold attire, outfitted with their gold and black “Terrible Towels”, which wave incessantly on key plays throughout the game. Several fan groups exist for individual players as well as for the entire team. It is mostly a white-collar crowd, with many families boasting of third-generation support for the Steelers. A new addition for fans to enjoy is the Play Football pregame area outside of the stadium at the south end of the stadium property. This features numerous football-related skills challenges, visits by the Steelers mascot, a trivia contest, and visits with immortal Steelers players from the past. The 2026 NFL Draft will be aired from this location during the draft process. Acrisure Stadium 2026 NFL Draft Signage, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Access 5 Steeler fans have several options to reach Acrisure Stadium on Sundays in the fall. Persons driving in from the north can take I-279 South and take exits IB or 2B to lots on the North Shore. Other travelers coming south on Rte. 28 South can exit at East Ohio Street to reach the parking lots. Acrisure Stadium is located within a mile of both I-376 and I-579. Fans coming from the south should park in one of the several lots in Downtown Pittsburgh. Fans can then cross the Allegheny River via the Andy Warhol Bridge to Acrisure Stadium. The PRT light rail system runs a free shuttle service from downtown Pittsburgh to the North Side Station and the Allegheny Station, which are both within easy walking distance of Acrisure Stadium. The WAZE app will advise you on the best route to Acrisure Stadium on gamedays. Recently, the Steelers and the Pirates partnered in the development of a new parking garage located between their two stadiums. The Champions Garage offers 400 additional parking spots in the area near the stadium. The most unique way to get to Acrisure Stadium for a Steelers game is via the Gateway Clipper Water Shuttle. Fans can park at the Station Square complex along the Monongahela River and sail to Acrisure Stadium. This journey will include a short portion of the Ohio River as well. The cost for this option is $15 round-trip. Once you enter the stadium, you will have access to more than 45 restrooms, 7 team stores, and 15 novelty stands. The Acrisure Stadium gates open two hours before kickoff. Return on Investment 4 The Steelers have a huge season ticket base, with many locals passing on their prized tickets to the next generation of their family to carry on the tradition. This leaves relatively few tickets available for visitors to the area, and this is reflected in the single-game ticket prices. We sampled prices from both a regular-season rivalry game (in this case, a game against the Cincinnati Bengals) and an early-season non-conference foe (Jacksonville). The prices for the rivalry game on the team site were $159.25 for a seat in the 500 level behind the end zone, and $202.65 for a seat at the 50-yard line in the 500 level. For this same game, the tickets at the 200 level of the stands were $340.60 for behind-the-end-zone seats and $617.70 for 50-yard line seats at that level. In comparison, the same ticket locations for an early-season, non-conference game against Jacksonville priced out at $49.55 for a behind-the-end-zone seat and $149.20 for a 50-yard line seat. Gameday parking in North Shore lots ranges from $20 to $35. The light rail system to and from the North Side and Allegheny stations is free on game days. Extras 3 One extra goes to having a terrific view of Downtown Pittsburgh and the Golden Triangle across the river from the stadium. A second extra must go to the fans with their Terrible Towels. Visiting fans can feel the energy generated by 50,000 towels waving on key plays during the games. The Steelers Hall of Honor Museum is also located at Acrisure Stadium. It is well worth a visit on a non-gameday. The 10,000 square foot museum promotes, preserves, and celebrates the Steelers’ history. There are 50 former Steelers in the franchise’s Hall of Honor, and in addition to those players, significant games and plays are also on display in this heritage hall. Final Thoughts History, heritage, hard hits, and hoagies all come together as a part of the gameday experience at Acrisure Stadium, the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 PNC Park 115 Federal St Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Pittsburgh Pirates website PNC Park website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 38,747 Baseball in the ‘Burgh The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the oldest franchises in major league baseball, as they were founded in 1881 as the Pittsburgh Allegheny’s. They are unique in the baseball world in that they have never relocated from their city of origin. PNC Park serves as the fifth home for the franchise since those early days. PNC Park opened in 2001 just down the street from its previous home at Three Rivers Stadium. It is one of the smaller MLB ballparks by capacity at 38,747. PNC Park is also an “old school” ballpark as it features a natural grass playing surface. Featuring archways and materials like stone, steel, and brick, the structure embraces a classic architectural style. Food & Beverage 5 Most people would not say that Pittsburgh is a “foodie” town. However, the food and beverage program at PNC Park will convince you otherwise. While the stadium favorites are always present, it is well worth your time to check out the concession stands featuring foods that are unique to the melting pot of populations that live in the Pittsburgh area. Some of the more popular stands in the park are Primanti Brothers, Manny’s BBQ, Deli Dogs, Ballpark Burgers, Cannonball Burger, Nachorita, Chicken on the Hill, and Chickie and Pete’s. Several of these outlets are in a food court set up known as Pop’s (Pirate superstar Willie Stargell’s nickname) Plaza. Fans place their orders at a centralized kiosk, then pick up their food at the appropriate food counter. Drinking establishments are also well represented at the ballpark. The Miller Lite Landing is located atop the right field wall, with a two-level bar offering more than 40 beers on tap. Several breweries have stands at PNC Park, including Great Lakes Brewing Company, the Fat Head Bullpen Bar, and the Brew Kettle. Many of the drinking establishments are open to the field, so you will not miss much of the action on the diamond. PNC Park is unique in that it allows outside food to be brought into the ballpark. It must be in single-serve portions in a clear plastic container. No alcohol or sodas may be brought into the park. Atmosphere 4 While PNC Park is one of the smaller ballparks as far as seating capacity, it more than makes up for it as far as the setting it provides for fans to watch the game. The park is nestled along the banks of the Allegheny River, with picture postcard views of the Pittsburgh skyline and the many bridges that link the North Shore with the downtown area over the center and left field walls. The ballpark is physically connected to the downtown area by the appropriately named Roberto Clemente Bridge. Thankfully, the large video board for PNC Park is in left field, so it will not interfere with your views of the river or the downtown area Neighborhood 4 The home of the Pirates is the North Shore District of Pittsburgh. The ballpark’s neighbors include the North Shore Tavern, Burgatory and Foundry Table and Tap. The ballpark is also close to the Strip District, with its nice mix of restaurants shops and wellness centers, as well several cultural facilities such as theatres and museums. Football fans may be interested in taking a tour of Acrisure Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers , as it is located just down General Robinson Street from PNC Park. There are two museums with close ties to the Pirates located just across the Roberto Clemente Bridge from the ballpark. The Roberto Clemente Museum and the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum in the Heinz History Center both feature exhibits related to the hometown team. Sports fans interested in contemporary art may be interested in visiting the Andy Warhol Museum located just a few blocks from PNC Park on the North Shore. Fans 4 Pittsburgh fans share a similarity with other northern sports franchises located along bodies of water. Games early in the season require dedicated fans and a heavy coat. The Pirates have not been deep into the playoffs in several years, and attendance drops quite a bit after Labor Day. The smaller crowds do not affect the enthusiasm level, as Pirate fans are quite loyal and always look forward to “next year.” Fans from other markets don’t realize that Pittsburgh is the smallest market in the MLB. The Pirate organization doubles down by building great relationships with its fans in making each game experience a positive one, through quality vendors, unusual offerings such as the children’s play area and through community involvement for local charitable organizations. PNC Park offers a very special area for its younger customers just behind the right field walls of the field. The Family Fun Zone features cartoon versions of the Pirate Parrot, a pint-sized athletic field, a climbing area, and an area for prospective sports announcers to try out their verbal skills. Access 4 Getting to a Pirates game is very easy, as there are multiple ways to reach PNC Park. There are several parking lots/garages along General Robinson Street just outside of the ballpark, with more than 10,000 parking spaces. The free PRT light rail system has a station (North Side Station) just outside of the Home Plate entrance to PNC Park. Event parking near PNC Park includes the North Shore Garage or Red Lot #6, both of which are on General Robinson Street. There are 10 entry gates into the ballpark, but several provide limited access to areas such as the club/private box level or for season ticket holders only. Gates open 90 minutes before the first pitch on weekends and one hour before the first pitch on weeknights. Concourses in the park are wide, and you should not have much problem in reaching your seats. When the call of nature reaches you, there are 18 men’s restrooms and 20 women’s restrooms. Return on Investment 4 Attending a Pirates game at PNC Park is relatively inexpensive compared with most MLB teams. Parking at the North Shore Garage is $20 on game nights, and Red Lot #6 on General Robinson Street is $40 on game nights. You may find cheaper parking near the ballpark by using the Spot Hero app. The PRT light rail system delivers you right to the stadium at a price that’s hard to beat, as it is free within the downtown zones. The Pirates use dynamic pricing for their tickets. This means weekend games and games against popular opponents will cost more than weekday games or games against less significant opponents. Ticket prices are also determined by where in the ballpark you choose to sit. Ticket prices range from $15 to $40 based on these factors. The cheapest seats in the house are $13-$25 and are in the upper deck/outfield. Seats in the lower-level infield cost $30-$60 and Club level seating runs $70-$150. PNC Park partners with StubHub as its preferred third-party ticket vendor. You may find cheaper tickets on the secondary market. The concession prices at PNC Park can vary a great deal. You will find some real bargains at the generic stands, while you can expect much higher prices for the items at the more specialized stands featured at the park. All purchases at PNC Park are done on a cashless basis. ATMs in the ballpark will provide charge cards in exchange for cash. Extras 4 One extra goes to having the backdrop of the Downtown Pittsburgh skyline just beyond the outfield walls. Unlike most other MLB ballpark, the home team dugout at PNC Park is on the third base side of the field. The Pirates get to enjoy the views of the Downtown Pittsburgh skyline. The character races at Pirates games feature a competition between different flavored pierogis. The area between the Riverwalk and the stadium is filled with large colorful versions of the team’s retired numbers for their elite players of the past. There are four statues of Pirate elites spread around the exterior of PNC Park. They are Honus Wagner (home plate gate), Roberto Clemente (center field gate), Willie Stargell (left field gate), and Bill Mazeroski (right field gate). Final Thoughts Pittsburgh has one of the longest histories with baseball of any city in the country. Attending a game at PNC Park is a great way to celebrate the greats of the game (Wagner, Mazeroski, Stargell, and Clemente) who played their entire careers in the Steel City.

A different type of baseball game was played at Victory Field this past weekend. A game that emphasizes fun and features black lights, glow-in-the-dark baseballs, mandatory mid-game dance breaks, and plenty of music. The Cosmic Takeover Tour is more of a party than a baseball game. It didn’t matter to the 10,000-plus fans who packed the home of the Indianapolis Indians on Friday night for the first of two games between the Tri-City Chili Peppers and the Glow-Mojis. Many had been at the ballpark since 4:30 in the afternoon when the pre-game party started inside the centerfield entrance concourse. They were there for the glow-in-the-dark merchandise, live music, player autographs, and anything else that would stick to the plate. When the Chili Peppers are not touring the country with their brand of unique baseball rules and haberdashery, they are members of the Coastal Plain League. A summer collegiate league club based in Colonial Heights, Virginia. However, just like another former CPL ball club, the Peppers decided to create their own rules, and it's on the road this season to seven different cities around the country. Indianapolis was the final stop on the tour, featuring dates in Nashville, Tenn., Worcester, Mass., Toledo, Ohio, and Durham, N.C. A few from the staff and crew said that the 10,000 fans were the most boisterous they’ve seen this year and a fantastic way to end the first season’s tour. The game is played in two halves, one during daylight and the other under the cloak of darkness. The rules are somewhat different for both halves and include no bunting. A walk leads to the batter taking a Fungo swing, and fans can pull out a giant Uno card to change a rule. One night, the players ran clockwise on the bases, and the next night, there was no foul territory (any ball hit was live and felt like a cricket match). The highlight of the game is when the lights shut off, and everything from players’ uniforms, bats, balls, socks, bases, and baselines glows in the dark. Fans in the stands also shine brightly underneath the portable black lights set up in the outfield. It is a visual that makes the first-time visitor feel like they are in the movie Tron.  It is truly a sight for the eyes to see the players and fans glow in the dark. Shirts, caps, balls, and socks light up from all around the building. The base paths and bases also glow. It works quite well as players seem adjusted to the game at night. To say you have to be there would be an understatement. It is a game that is meant to be watched live. However, the game is very busy, and so much takes place on the field and through the PA system. Music is constantly played at every at-bat and in-between innings, player introductions take place with walks through the stands, and random players pop up on the diamond throughout the evening. It can also be a very long game if you arrive at the block party at 4:30 and stay until the end at 10:30 PM. The game ended with various rounds of home run derby that also included a few rounds of regular baseball played in between. Each homerun counted as a run, and a 12-10 score could quickly rise to 26-21 by the end of the 9 innings. It is an evening where something is always going on, and if you blink, you will miss it. The Cosmic Baseball Takeover Tour is over for the season, and next year will most likely include more cities across the country. The Chili Peppers' branding is bigger than you think, and its presence on social media is full of color, pop, and revelry. However, the thousands who stayed until the very end had happy faces, and many said that they would return. A gentleman who was in town for the game said the following. “I don’t understand baseball and don’t watch it, but I know what’s going on tonight. This is fun, and I would like to see them come to my town next year.” I have a feeling that will happen. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre 254 N Park St Brantford, ON N3R 4L1 Brantford Titans website Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 1,000 Telephone City Titans The hockey landscape in Brantford, Ontario, is taking shape.  The Southwestern Ontario city, most known for being the home of telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell and the greatest hockey player ever, Wayne Gretzky, has seen hockey change drastically in the last few years.  The move of the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL to Brantford changed many things.  The Brantford OJHL team, the 99ers, found the area too crowded and moved to King City.  The Junior B installment had a bit of shuffling and came out in 2024 as the Brantford Titans.  Junior B hockey was present in Brantford in the 90s with the Brantford Eagles, who eventually moved down the road to Caledonia to become the Corvairs.  In 2013, an iteration of the Branford 99ers came to town to play in the GOJHL.  The 99ers eventually became the Brantford Bandits and played in the Brantford Civic Centre.  In 2023, the Bandits pursued a failed attempt to move to Kitchener.  In an ownership shuffle, the Bandits owners purchased the Cambridge Redhawks  and sold the Bandits to Jon Clark and Mike Christian, owners of the nearby Junior C, Paris Titans .  The Bandits rebranded as the Brantford Titans and solidified their home as the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre. The Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre was built in 1972.  In 1982, it was named after Brantford native and favourite son, Wayne Gretzky.  In 1997, the Sports Centre received a huge renovation and is now home to four NHL-sized ice pads and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.  The Gretzky Centre is definitely a community hub and a strong facility for Junior B hockey. Food & Beverage 4 The concession options at Wayne Gretzky Centre are a step above those found in other GOJHL arenas.  There are two main concession options.  The Lookout Lounge offers a full-service bar and restaurant and looks out over the ice surface of the main arena.  The offshoot Lookout Express offers more traditional concession options.  Pizza, burgers, grilled cheese, hot dogs, salads, wraps, popcorn, breakfast sandwiches, and cookies are all available.  Pepsi products, coffee, slushies, juice, and iced tea comprise the beverage options.  Atmosphere 4 The exterior of the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre is long and large.  A large square in front of the main entry has a full-sized bronze sculpture of Gretzky holding up the Stanley Cup in front of Wayne’s parents, Walter and Phyllis, and a young Wayne.  This area is pretty busy and acts as a drop-off point for many parents dropping off kids for skating, hockey, or swimming.  The exterior of the building is a long structure, with a heavy use of glass, allowing a ton of natural light into the main lobby.  This is no mere small-town hockey barn.  Another note from the exterior is the Karen Roberts artwork “Take Your Shot,” which features a large puck, made of hockey stick shafts, hitting the top corner of a hockey net.  It is found in the parking lot in a spot that was once reserved for Walter Gretzky.  After Walter’s passing in 2021, members of the community placed hockey sticks and pucks in his dedicated parking spot.  Those items were incorporated into the art. After entering the Wayne Gretzky Centre, fans will be wowed by the huge main lobby that connects the pool area with the ice hockey rink.  Towards the ice pads sits the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition.  This museum not only contains the enshrined members, including both Wayne and Walter Gretzky, but it also houses several artifacts and mementos, many donated by the Gretzkys.  This is definitely worth some time to explore.  Other trophy cases can be found outside of the ice pads.  After purchasing tickets, fans will ascend to the walking track of the main arena, behind the seating area, which acts as a concourse.  The ice surface is oriented north to south, and the main seating area, with a good view of the centre ice logo, is on the west side.  The seating consists of ten rows of modern, plastic, arena seats on the west side and six rows on the east side.  The track allows for standing room around the entirety of the arena.  Protective netting circles the entire ice surface, and a simple scoreboard hangs above centre ice.  A unique plus is the exit at the northeast corner, which offers a significant window and allows natural light into the arena. The gameday production at a Titans game is very simple.  The PA system is decent. Of note on the game that was reviewed, there were some issues with music and announcements at the same time. Neighbourhood 3 Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre is located in the Fairview neighbourhood of Brantford.  It is a fairly residential neighbourhood, but there are a couple of strip malls that are within walking distance.  These include a few spots for pre and post game food and drinks.  Some options include Sociable Kitchen & Table, Yong Great Wall Buffet, Stromboli’s Brick Oven Pizza and Angel’s Diner.  There are also a few other sporting options in Brantford.  The OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs  have taken the city by storm and are awaiting a new arena that is in the works.  It is unlikely that the schedules would cross, but it may be possible to catch some Brantford Red Sox  baseball early in the hockey season.  It is also just a hop, skip and jump over to Paris, where the affiliate Paris Titans  play.  Other tourist options in the area include the Bell Museum, Canadian Military Heritage Museum, Brantford Twin Valley Zoo and Myrtleville House Museum.  For fans wishing to stay in town, the Comfort Inn and Best Western are not far away. Fans 2 With the hockey landscape changing in Brantford, the Titans have yet to fully get a stronghold in the market.  For the 2024-25 season, the Titans averaged 137 fans per game, which was second from the bottom in the GOJHL.  At the game that was reviewed, it was mainly a friends and family type of crowd.  It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Titans and if they are able to attract larger crowds on a more consistent basis.   Access 5 The Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre is located in the Fairview neighbourhood of Brantford, west of the Wayne Gretzky Parkway.  It is immediately north of Highway 403 and three blocks east of Highway 24.  Getting to the Gretzky Centre is not an issue and fans coming from out of town will not need to traverse the city too much.  There is plenty of parking on site.  For fans wishing to take public transit, there are bus stops on Park Street, immediately east of the Gretzky Centre.  Fans should consult the Brantford Transit website for fares, schedules and maps.  Getting around the Gretzky Centre is not an issue at all and is very spacious.  The arena is fairly modern and comfortable as well. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the Brantford Titans are very affordable and can be purchased online ahead of time, which is not terribly common for teams in the GOJHL.  Tickets start at $10 with discounts for students and seniors.  It is one of the cheapest tickets for any sporting event, anywhere.  Parking at the Wayne Gretzky Centre is free and concession prices are what one would expect.  The investment is very low, but a bit bigger crowd to provide some more excitement would put the return on investment over the top. Extras 2 An extra mark for the synergy that the Brantford Titans have with their affiliate, the Paris Titans. An extra mark for the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre as a community hub for the city of Brantford. Final Thoughts The Brantford Titans play in a facility that is quite unique in that it is not new, yet feels big, bright and modern.  The Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre is one of the best facilities in the GOJHL.  There is plenty for fans to explore at the Gretzky Centre and taking in a Titans game is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. ----- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Rose Bowl 1001 Rose Bowl Dr Pasadena, CA 91103 Map It UCLA Bruins website Rose Bowl website Year Opened: 1922 Capacity: 88,565 From Westwood To The Arroyo Seco Prior to 1982, the UCLA football program shared the Los Angeles Coliseum with their longtime nemesis, USC Trojans. Looking for a venue to call their own, the Bruins would come to an agreement with the city of Pasadena. Though some opposed the move due to its distance from campus , the move would prove to be an early success. The Bruins would win the Pac-10 title in 3 of their first 4 years at their new home away from home, each year coming out victorious in the New Year’s Day Grandaddy of Them All. One of the most storied stadiums in all of college football, the Rose Bowl is an iconic structure recognizable to any college football fan. The Rose Bowl has been the site of many classic college football moments as well as the host to five Super Bowls.   Food & Beverage 4 With anticipated crowds being a far cry from even the Jim Mora days, local pop-up vendors, including various food trucks that once gave fans a variety of pregame choices in the Lot H Fan Zone, have disappeared. Though the selections have noticeably declined, the variety is still reasonable. Your usual game day fare of hot dogs, brats, and burgers, as well as specialty hot dogs from the Dog Haus, are available, as is your standard Mexican fare, cheesesteaks, and the favorite Filipino finger food - fried lumpia. If you’re craving a sweet taste, Cathy’s Cookies, a fan favorite from Pasadena to the O.C. , has two vendors set up serving fans warm, delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies. Coca-Cola products are the soft drinks available. Adult beverages include Miller brand beer, Blue Moon, and Dos Equis. Premium spirits are also for sale.  Atmosphere 3 Kickoff. As usual, seats aplenty for UCLA Football, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey If we were to rate the atmosphere based on the history of the venue and the game day pageantry of the annual New Year’s Day bowl game, the rating without a doubt would be high. With the current sad state of affairs of UCLA Football , the difference in atmosphere between that and the actual Rose Bowl game itself is like choosing between dance techno or emo. A nearly decade-long run of futility and longer, depending on which UCLA fan you talk to, has deflated enthusiasm. These days, the gameday presentation does not even feel like a true collegiate atmosphere with loud music constantly blaring between plays rather than having the marching band play. They even crank up the music as the marching band does its traditional drum cadence during kickoffs. Long-standing cheers encouraging fan engagement, such as the 8-clap and spell out, are rarely performed anymore by the spirit squads. When actually performed, there’s hardly any energy behind it. Did I already mention that UCLA Football is going through a sad state of affairs? You may even be saying that a “3” ranking for such a sad atmosphere would be too high. I wouldn't argue with you. But given the venue’s historic status and picturesque views, I feel that has to be a saving grace in an otherwise unwatchable on-field product. Neighborhood 4 The Rose Bowl is at the bottom of a valley at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, whose peaks rise above the stadium and are visible from anywhere inside or outside. Beautiful sunsets over the mountains looking north are common sights here. The neighborhood immediately around the stadium is unique in its relation to the Rose Bowl. You won’t see the iconic stadium as you’re winding through traffic. Instead, you’ll be in quaint neighborhoods with streets lined with palm trees and beautiful homes. Suddenly the expanse of the Rose Bowl parking lot opens up in front of you on the valley floor with the celebrated Rose Bowl sign visible on the front of the bowl. It almost seems like a hidden gem that is a part of the beautiful surrounding landscape. Fans 3 When things are going well, fan support can reach a fevered pitch. However, with UCLA’s almost decade-long football futility and the program’s seemingly disconnected from its core fanbase  , among other reasons cited by longtime Bruin followers , crowds at UCLA Football games have been noticeably sparse. There is often speculation of a significant disparity between the announced attendance and the actual ticket scan count . You can't blame the fans for staying away. UCLA Football. Five minutes in and still plenty of seats, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey With attendance seeing a significant drop over the years, the upper reaches of both end zones have been tarped off. It’s a sad look. The fact that any UCLA fans actually show up to watch what has become a national embarrassment of a major collegiate program  is in itself worth the mid-level score. Upper north end zone seats are tarped. Such a depressing look… Access 3 Getting into the area of the 134 or 210 is fairly easy (as easy as it can be when navigating through L.A. traffic), but the fact that the stadium lies in the heart of a residential area with minimal major roads cutting through means going can be slow. Though crowds are expected to remain sparse in 2025, it's still a good idea to arrive early, as navigating through some of the narrow roads and the direction of traffic can make the drive a bit of a challenge. If you are attending a game against a highly anticipated opponent, such as Penn State or Nebraska, given their huge following, which will make the anticipated hordes of fans feel they’re in Happy Valley or Lincoln West, allow yourself more time for arrival.   If you have no desire to drive to the bowl, parking in nearby Old Town Pasadena is also available, with prices ranging from $6 and up based on hours and length of stay. Parking in Old Town is a great alternative, especially if you plan on taking in some pre-/post-game entertainment and dining options. Free game day shuttle buses from the Parsons’ parking lot on Fair Oaks Avenue are available for those of you parking in Old Town. As classic and charming as The Rose Bowl is, once inside the seating bowl, you will notice that this is no modern-day venue. The rows are narrow, so you won’t have much legroom between you and the row in front of you. The incline is so gradual that, should you find yourself sitting behind someone tall, you will be viewing the back of their head. Given the regularity of sparse crowds and the undesirable play on the field, relocating to a more viewable seating area should be no issue at all. Return on Investment 3 Even with the reconfigured seating capacity, tickets are more than plentiful. Though box office prices can start from $27, tickets for most games can be purchased for below face value on various 3rd party sites. Given the current program’s abysmal on-field product, you may even be able to utilize a 3rd party site to purchase a ticket in the single digits.   Expect a hike in prices for more notable games against Penn State, Nebraska, Washington, and crosstown rival USC, as prices can start anywhere between $60 into the triple digits. Extras 4 Before entering the Rose Bowl, the statues outside the venue are worth a visit. One is of Brandi Chastain’s celebration of the 1999 Women’s World Cup .  The statue depicts Chastain’s famous celebration from Team USA’s historic win over China.   Just outside the grand entrance is that of legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson, the voice of many iconic moments . WHOA NELLY! Statue of legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Another statue that is a must, especially for first-time visitors, is the statue of Jackie Robinson. Unveiled in 2017 , this statue features Jackie in gridiron form. Though Jackie will forever be associated with the number 42, it’s the number 55 that he wore when he played at nearby Pasadena Junior College, now Pasadena City College. This is one of four statues in the L.A. area paying tribute to the man who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier, the others being across the street from Pasadena City Hall, Dodger Stadium, and Jackie Robinson Stadium. It was at UCLA where Jackie was a 4-sport star. Like MLB, the number 42 has been retired throughout all of the UCLA men's and women's athletic programs. Westwood and Pasadena’s very own Jackie Robinson, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Aside from the Jackie Robinson statue, there is also one more permanent display honoring UCLA’s football past. Along the southwest concourse area outside the players tunnel is a statue most recently dedicated to former UCLA Head Coach Terry Donahue . Final Thoughts The actual final score was 35-10. The game was much worse than the scoreboard states. The 26-mile distance from UCLA’s Westwood campus and its football home in Pasadena has always been a commuter challenge for UCLA students and their Westside followers. The current sad state of UCLA Football (Have I mentioned that enough already?) has done NOTHING to persuade fans to battle the notorious southland traffic on the jaunt toward The Arroyo Seco. Fans are fed up with the program. The recent termination of Head Coach DeShaun Foster  has done nothing to temper the displeasure surrounding the UCLA community. The vitriol has not stopped with Foster’s dismissal, as fans and local reporters are vehemently calling for Athletic Director Martin Jarmond's dismissal , as well. There’s talk among the masses of this year’s team possibly going winless in 2025 . UCLA Football has had its share of disappointments throughout the years. Some Bruin fans feel the program still has not recovered from the 1998 Miami game .  That’s 27 years and counting since the program’s last conference championship in a conference that is all but defunct. If your college football journey should bring you out west, don’t let the sad state of UCLA Football dissuade you from visiting the Rose Bowl. Despite UCLA’s fall from college football relevance, the venue’s history alone and the warm fall tailgates with the scenic views of the San Gabriel mountains are still worth a visit to the home of many historic college football moments in The Grandaddy of Them All . UCLA Football. September 2014, when fans actually packed The Rose Bowl

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Herbert H. Carnegie Centennial Centre 580 Finch Ave W North York, ON M2R 3P9 North York Rangers website Carnegie Centennial Centre website Year Opened : 1966 Capacity: 1,500 Herb’s Rangers Herb Carnegie is a hockey legend.  He was presented with the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario and was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2022, he was posthumously inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.  Carnegie is widely viewed as one of the greatest players to never play in the NHL and should have broken the colour barrier in the NHL in 1938, well before Willie O’Ree did in 1958.  In the most infamous incident of Carnegie facing racism, Toronto Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe allegedly said that he would pay anyone $10,000 if they could turn Carnegie white so that he could play for the Leafs.  Carnegie had a significant professional career and played many years with the Quebec Aces with Jean Beliveau and for Punch Imlach.  Carnegie went on to found the Future Aces Hockey School, one of the first, and pushed for more equity in hockey.  He even ended up with Spider-Man in the pages of a Marvel comic book.  Carnegie was a Toronto native and grew up in what is currently known as North York.  One of his first teams was the Toronto Young Rangers.  In 2001, the North York Centennial Centre was renamed the Herbert H. Carnegie Centennial Centre. It is most appropriate that the OJHL’s North York Rangers call the Carnegie Centennial Centre home.  The Rangers were established in 1969 as the Richmond Hill Rams and moved to North York in 1992.  The original North York Rangers were the Woodbridge Rangers, who moved to North York in 1967 and bounced between Junior A and B.  The Rangers won 3 OPJHL titles and the 1983 Dudley Hewitt Cup and Centennial Cup.  They folded in 1985.  The current Rangers have had a mix of success, with 2018-19 being their best season. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand at the Carnegie Centennial Centre.  Concession options include hot dogs, grilled cheese, nachos, bagels, candy, pretzels, and Jamaican Patties.  Country Style Coffee and Pepsi products are the main beverages available. Atmosphere 3 The Herbert H. Carnegie Centennial Centre has a very unique look to it and is definitely a love letter to the accomplishments of Herb Carnegie. The exterior is unique with a tilted roof and a combination of white and blue corrugated siding. At the time of writing, there was plenty of construction going on at the Centennial Centre to make the building more accessible. The main entry is at the south on the street side, and fans are immediately brought into a very small breezeway. The ticket table is actually inside the arena area, which is unique to this facility. Taking a left turn after entering will bring fans to the trophy cases. A couple of them are dedicated to Herb Carnegie with a wonderful display. Several Carnegie artifacts are on display, including his “Skating on Thin Ice” Spider-Man comic book, complete with a cover by iconic comic book artist Todd McFarlane.  Other artifacts include several awards and trophies, and his Hockey Hall of Fame plaque.  There are articles and a full description of his Future Aces creed here as well.  In this area, there are also team pictures from Ranger teams of the past, award plaques, and pucks from key Ranger moments.  Throughout the concourses of the Centennial Centre, there are a number of Carnegie murals, including one with all of his achievements over the years, and some old-timey NHL hockey player murals. The ice surface is north-south oriented, with the scoreboard found at the south end.  Two levels of seating are found on the west side.  The strangely sloped roof finds its high point on the west side and slopes down to the east.  Above the benches on the east side hang banners from Rangers of the past, including Tom McCarthy, Gerry O’Flaherty, Ron Lalonde, Bernie Nicholls, and Paul Coffey.  Seats are traditional plastic arena seats.  Championship banners hang on the north end, including the 2019 OJHL South Division Championship and a memorial for Brant Snow, who passed in 2017.  Snow was one of the OJHL’s longest-serving members of the Board of Directors, and the OJHL award for best regular season record is also named in his honour. The gameday production at a Rangers game is very simple.  The sound system at the Carnegie Centennial Centre is very poor, and it is difficult to understand announcements. Neighbourhood 4 The Herb Carnegie Centennial Centre is located in the Branson neighbourhood of North York, a former city and current district in Toronto.  There are a few options for pre- and post game food and drinks in the immediate area.  These include Moon Restaurant, Eisenergs, Belle Bar and the Mandarin.  North York is close to other OJHL teams including the Toronto Patriots , Markham Royals and St. Michael’s Buzzers.  North York is also where York University is found, home of the Lions who play football , hockey  and basketball  on campus along with other sports.  Toronto FC II and York United FC also can York University home.  North York is close to some tourist options including Canada’s Wonderland, Legoland, The Village at Black Creek, Casa Loma and Toronto Botanical Garden. The city also has a number of parks and walking trails. Heading south toward Harbourfront will bring fans to the tourism centre of Toronto.  Options here are plentiful including the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, Roundhouse Park, Hockey Hall of Fame and Royal Ontario Museum.  Just about any sporting event that a fan could want is found Downtown including Toronto Blue Jays , Toronto Maple Leafs , Toronto Raptors , Toronto FC , Toronto Argonauts , Toronto Sceptres and Toronto Marlies .  Hotel options near the Carnegie Centennial Centre include Novotel North York and Holiday Inn. Fans 2 Fan support of the North York Rangers is not very strong.  For the 2024-2025 season the Rangers attracted just under 100 fans per game.  This ranks the Rangers near the bottom of the league in attendance.  This is definitely a friends and family crowd.  The Rangers play on Sunday afternoons and Tuesdays.  The weeknight games begin at 4:30, which is a pretty terrible time to start a hockey game if fans are expected to be a part of the experience.   Access 3 Herb Carnegie Centennial Centre is located in the Branson neighbourhood of North York.  It is on the north side of Finch Avenue between Bathurst and Dufferin.  This is a busy part of the city.  It is 5 km north of Highway 401, 7 km east of Highway 400 and 5 km south of Highway 407.  Getting to this arena will be a bit of a challenge due to the reality that is Toronto traffic.  There is plenty of parking behind the Centennial Centre.  For fans wishing to take public transit, there are TTC bus stops along Finch Ave.  Fans should consult the TTC  website for fares, schedules and maps.  The arena is very cold, however, the gas heaters over the seating area were in use.  There are plenty of stairs in the arena, but getting around is not that difficult due to the few spectators.  The washroom facilities are adequate for the facility, but definitely on the older side. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the North York Rangers are $15 with discounts for seniors.  Children six and under are free.  Parking is free and concession prices are decent.  The action on the ice is generally a high quality, and fans will have a good time.  A bigger crowd would definitely enhance the return and overall improve the return on investment. Extras 2 An extra mark for all of the Herb Carnegie artifacts and touches, which makes this venue worth exploring. An extra mark for the link to the Rangers name that Herb Carnegie also has, once playing for the Toronto Young Rangers and he also once had a tryout with the New York Rangers where he was offered a chance to play in their minor league system to start. Final Thoughts The opportunity to see the North York Rangers play at the Herb Carnegie Centennial Centre is one that fans should not pass on lightly.  The venue is a love letter to the hockey legend that was Herb Carnegie and there is plenty to explore when there.  The Rangers offer a good product on the ice and fans will definitely have a good time. ----- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Snapdragon Stadium 2101 Stadium Wy San Diego, CA 92108 Map It San Diego Wave FC website Snapdragon Stadium website Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 35,000 Catch the Wave The San Diego Wave FC joined the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) and began play in 2022.  They won the NWSL Shield in 2023 and the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2024.  The San Diego Wave FC joined the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) and began play in 2022.  They won the NWSL Shield in 2023 and the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2024.  They play their home matches at beautiful Snapdragon Stadium, a new (2022) multipurpose venue that serves as the home for many San Diego sports teams, concerts, and other festivals and events, including the San Diego State Aztecs football team . Crews built the stadium on the old Jack Murphy Stadium / Qualcomm Stadium site. San Diego Wave FC Banner, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Food & Beverage 4 From craft brews to local bites, Snapdragon Stadium serves up plenty of choices—just expect premium pricing.   Many of the concessions feature iconic, local San Diego businesses. It has Hodad’s (regional burger restaurant with delicious hamburgers), Gaglione Brothers (specialty sandwiches), Best Pizza and Brew (pizza and salads), Ultra Classics (hot dogs, pretzels, nachos), Cali BBQ, The Taco Stand (yummy-looking tacos and burritos), Cardiff Tri-Tip (tri-tip sandwiches and nachos), and more.  Empanada Kitchen (specializing in baked Argentine filled pastries), Shawarma Guys (offering a variety of shawarmas and wraps), and Crack Shack (fried chicken) are other San Diego-based eateries in the venue. Snapdragon Stadium Shawarma Guys, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Additional kiosks line the concourse, selling treats and snacks.  The northeast corner has several food trucks selling ice cream, sausages and brats, Infused Tacos, and other fare.    The concourse hosts seven local brew stations, each representing a different San Diego brewery.  The stadium also has six bars placed throughout the concourse.   Beers cost a hefty $14.50 - $17; Pepsi products run $7 - $9. Depending on crowd size, some concessions are closed during a San Diego FC match. The venue has plenty of tables, chairs, and benches on the concourse for fans to sit and enjoy their beverages instead of bringing them to their seats.  Atmosphere 4 Watching a San Diego FC Wave game at Snapdragon Stadium is an enjoyable afternoon or evening out.  The stadium is new and comfortable , and the game day experience is entertaining. The stadium has three levels of seating on one side, two on the other, plus seats behind each of the goalposts.  The seats don’t look it, but they’re surprisingly comfortable.  Where you sit depends on how much you want to spend or how many steps you want to climb.  All seats have a clear view of the pitch.  The venue has minimal shade for afternoon games.  Bring sunscreen.  Snapdragon Stadium has two sharp and vibrant video boards in opposite corners showing the game, the score, and replays.  It also has closed captioning on each end of the sideline ribbon boards detailing goals, substitutions, and announcements.  Nicely done.  TVs are mounted on the bottom of the grandstands so fans walking the concourse can still catch the game action. Snapdragon Stadium Sideline Concourse Seats with TVs, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The PA announcements are made in both English and Spanish.   The music volume is perfect.  The San Diego Wave FC has a decent-sized merchandise shop near the southeast entrance with several satellite booths along the concourse.  Neighborhood 3 A parking lot surrounds Snapdragon Stadium, so there’s not much to see and do within walking distance. Chain restaurants within 2-3 miles of the venue include Yard House, BJ’s, Lazy Dog, and Wood Ranch.  But why go with chain restaurants when all of San Diego is just trolley stops away?  Head down to the Gaslamp Quarter for a Padres game and a plethora of dining and drinking establishments.  Or stop off the Green Line at the County Center/Little Italy Station and savor one of that district’s mouthwatering restaurants (Buon Appetito Restaurant is a favorite).  The Green Line also takes fans to Old Town San Diego , a historic neighborhood with museums, shopping, restaurants, and hotels. Two other well-known tourist attractions in San Diego are the San Diego Zoo and San Diego SeaWorld. No hotels are within walking distance of Snapdragon Stadium, but the city has plenty to offer, many along I-8, three to five miles away from the stadium.  San Diego hosts several other sporting events during the NWSL season:   San Diego Padres MLB (baseball), San Diego Gulls AHL (hockey), San Diego Legion MLR (rugby), San Diego FC MLS (soccer), and San Diego State University football and baseball .    Fans 3 The supporters group, the Sirens , sit behind one goal (known as The Cove) and cheer on the Wave FC with drums and chanting.  Attendance is strong, ranging from 19,000 to over 21,000 fans per match.  Many fans wear the colorful jerseys of the San Diego Wave FC.    Wave FC matches are a warm, welcoming experience for fans and visitors alike, thanks to the enthusiastic crowd and attentive staff. Access 4 Getting to and moving around Snapdragon Stadium is easy, though the concourse gets mobbed at halftime. The best way to get to the stadium is to take the MTS San Diego Trolley .    Take the Green Line to the Stadium Station, and the venue is right there.  MTS provides additional trains after the matches. For those driving, parking is $35.  The venue is close to I-8, I-15, and I-805.   It is 10 miles northeast of the San Diego Airport.  Uber and Lyft services are readily available with a designated drop-off/pick-up area near Gate 1 (northeast side of the stadium).  The stadium has benches near the ticket office for fans to wait for their late-arriving friends and family.  The security check is thorough.   Your best bet is to pack your stuff in a 12” x 6” x 12” clear sports bag or a 4.5” x 6.5” purse.  Expect to open any wallets or zipped containers you pack an d to prove your water bottle is empty.  Gates open one hour before kickoff. Restrooms are plentiful and clean, with baby changing tables in all.  The venue provides eight gender-neutral family restrooms. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices range from $20 to $200 (field level).  Concession prices are high.  Parking costs are high.  For an affordable, enjoyable game day, buy a $20 ticket and take the trolley.  Bring a sealed bottle of water or an empty water bottle.  The stadium has rehydration stations for fans to fill up their water bottles .  Eat before or after attending a game.  San Diego Wave FC offers theme nights and giveaways such as Hispanic Heritage Night, Pride Night, Military Appreciation Night, and more.   Take advantage of visiting one of these themed games. . Extras 4 The rehydration stations come in handy, especially  at afternoon games.  The venue has lockers for rent outside of Snapdragon Stadium, if you’re coming directly from the airport or your bag doesn’t meet the bag policy rules.  We give an additional accolade to the venue for providing closed captioning for those soccer fans unable to hear.  The Club recently retired Alex Morgan’s number 13.  She was the Club’s all-time leading goal scorer and has been a central figure in shaping Wave FC both on and off the pitch. San Diego Wave FC Alex Morgan Retired Number, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts Snapdragon Stadium is a sparkling new facility that hosts plenty of sporting and non-sporting events.  Watching a San Diego Wave FC match at the venue is a pleasurable, though costly, experience.  Take public transportation, purchase the lower-priced seats, and spend a few hours enjoying women’s soccer.  San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Raymond C. Hand Park Drane St and Farris Dr Clarksville, TN 37040 Austin Peay Governors website Raymond C. Hand Park website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 777 We’re Number One…So Let’s Go Peay! Austin Peay State University is a liberal arts university located in Clarksville, Tennessee. It is affiliated with the Tennessee Board of Regents and has a student body of more than 10,600. The University was founded in 1927 and is named in honor of former Tennessee Governor Austin Peay, a native of Clarksville. This explains the unique nickname and mascot for the school, the Governors. (Note: Please do not take offense at the title of the review. It is cheer that proudly erupts at all APSU sporting events and is on signage all over the campus!) The school was originally founded as a two-year normal school to train teachers, became a four-year college in 1941 and attained University status in 1967. APSU offers more than 50 majors, including arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, nursing, and human services. Best of all, every Austin Peay graduate has the right to be addressed as a Governor! The Governor's athletic programs are members of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), which includes teams such as Belmont, Murray State, Morehead State, Tennessee Tech, UT Martin, Eastern Kentucky, and Jacksonville State. Their fiercest rival is nearby Murray State University. Austin Peay has fielded a baseball team since 1931, and has a near .500 record over its entire history. During this period, it has won 10 OVC season championships, six OVC tournament championships, and made six NCAA tournament appearances. Seven APSU baseball alums have reached Major League Baseball. The Governor’s mansion for the baseball program is Raymond C. Hand Park. Built in 1970, it was originally named Governors Park, and then renamed for Mr. Hand in honor of his contribution to major upgrades to the park in 1993. These improvements included lighting for the field, as well as chair back and bleacher seating to replace the concrete seating of the original structure. Subsequent renovations have added wrought iron fencing at the gates, new signage reflecting the Governors’ baseball history, and upgrades to the press box, restrooms, and concession areas. Raymond Hand Park has a natural turf field and a permanent seating capacity of 777. Food & Beverage 2 Concession items are available at Peay! Nuts Grill, which is located on the concourse at the top of the stands on the third base side of the stadium. The menu consists of hot dogs, hamburgers, peay-nuts (that is how they spell it, folks!), popcorn, nachos, candy, and chips. Pepsi is available for $2, Gatorade for $3, and bottled water is $2. Food and beverages cannot be brought into Hand Park, so plan to eat before the game, or you may decide to set up a picnic on the hill behind the outfield walls to watch the action. APSU also has a souvenir stand on the first base side of the concourse with a good variety of Governors baseball gear. Atmosphere 3 The setting for Hand Park is quite attractive, in that it has a city park-like setting, with nice landscaping and trees surrounding the field. You will enter through one central wrought iron gate, which, of course, has the Governors likeness on it. The concourse is located at street level and includes the concessions, press box, and restrooms. The stands and the field fill the natural bowl below you. The seating directly behind home plate is all stadium seats with cup holders. The next two aisles on both the left and right sides of the stands are aluminum bleachers with seat backs. The seats closest to the dugouts on both ends are aluminum bench seating. One of the quirks in the shape of the field is a huge amount of open area behind home plate and in front of the dugouts. Even though all of this is in foul territory, this can play a significant part in a ball game. A wild pitch/passed ball may allow a runner to advance two bases, and runners on second can tag up on a popup into the first base foul territory, as it would take a long throw to get them out. The turnout for Governors games usually fills about two-thirds of the stadium, and the student body and Clarksville locals form a majority of the crowd. The stadium announcer pretty much sticks with the basics of the game, and the only fan participation activity is to play baseball bingo at the end of each inning. Neighborhood 4 APSU is located in the heart of downtown Clarksville, and is within easy walking distance of a majority of the town’s shopping, restaurants, museums, and businesses. Clarksville has a population of more than 132,000 (the fifth-largest city in Tennessee), with APSU and nearby Fort Campbell being the main employers. This has insulated the area somewhat from the recent economic downturn, so you will not find many empty storefronts. Some of the more interesting sites in the area around the university include the Roxy Theatre and the L&N Train Station (the inspiration for the Monkees’ hit song “Last Train to Clarksville”). One of the more popular restaurants in downtown Clarksville is the Blackhorse Pub and Brewery. For the best view in town, stay at the Riverview Inn, located on a bluff with terrific views of the Cumberland River below. Clarksville has been the hometown of an amazing variety of famous people. They include Wilma Rudolph of Olympic fame, Tennessee basketball coaching legend Pat Summitt, golfer Mason Rudolph, poet Robert Penn Warren, and General William Westmoreland. Fans 3 You will definitely be seeing red when you attend a game at Hand Park, as ASPU fans wear the team colors proudly. They love their Governors through thick and thin, and also travel well to the team’s away games. One of the great things about the Ohio Valley Conference is that half of the member institutions are in Tennessee or in southern Kentucky, which is just across the Cumberland River from Clarksville. This means a short drive to a majority of the school’s away games. The mix of fans you will see at an APSU ball game includes townspeople, students, a large turnout of soldiers from Ft Campbell, and an unusually large contingent from the visiting team that makes the short drive over. This results in spirited cheering matches when either team puts on a rally. Offensive rallies are met with the cheer “Let’s go Peay!,” while visiting rallies are greeted with chants of “Peay U!” Access 4 APSU is located just 40 miles north of Nashville, then six miles off I-24 via Wilma Rudolph Parkway. Though it is the fifth-largest city in Tennessee, Clarksville is very easy to navigate traffic-wise, and there is plenty of signage to guide you to the campus. Fans coming in from outside the state can fly into Nashville and rent a car, or take advantage of several shuttle services that run hourly between the airport and Clarksville. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Governors baseball games are priced at $5 for an adult ticket and $3 for a youth/senior ticket. (Youth tickets are for ages 2-18, and seniors are fans age 65 or older.) Members of the APSU student body and the military receive free admission upon presentation of their appropriate ID. The concessions are limited, but are priced well for the value. Free parking is located across the street in the football stadium parking lot. Unless you are traveling a great distance to see a game, an overnight stay is not required, as Nashville is less than a 45-minute drive away. If a stay is required, most hotels are in the $60 – $80 range, as their primary users are families visiting their loved ones at Fort Campbell. Extras 4 For a town its size, Clarksville offers a surprisingly large number of extras. The Cumberland River Walk lines the banks of this large river on the north side of the city. It features a marina, scenic overlooks, an amphitheater for concerts, and connections to the Clarksville Greenway for hiking/biking enthusiasts. The Customs House Museum has some great exhibits and is housed in one of the most architecturally stunning buildings in town. Those with a taste for the finer things in life may want to sample the Beachhaven Vineyard and Winery just outside of town. The third weekend in April hosts the River and Spires Festival, saluting the river on which Clarksville grew and the many spires found on the older businesses, churches, and academic buildings in town. The festival offers concerts, a food midway, quilting exhibits, and a salute to the military.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 Alumnae Field 4701 N Charles St Baltimore, MD 21210 Notre Dame Gators website Alumnae Field website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 200 Gators In Baltimore Notre Dame of Maryland University is a Catholic liberal arts college located in Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in 1873. It is right next door to the “Evergreen” campus of Loyola University Maryland (which it shares a library facility). It is an all-women’s college, as well as having separate part-time coed degree programs. The university has 3,400 students, 550 in the traditional Women’s College, 926 part-time undergraduate and 1,926 graduate students. The original name of the school was the Notre Dame of Maryland Preparatory School and Collegiate Institute. It also spent many years with the College of Notre Dame of Maryland name. In 2011, the school attained university status with the addition of several graduate-level programs. Notre Dame’s athletic teams are members of Division III of the NCAA. All sports but swimming compete within the Colonial States Athletic Conference. Although the swim team does not compete within a conference, it participates in the yearly Old Dominion Athletic Conference swim championships. Overall the university participates in eight varsity sports. The university’s sports teams are known as the Gators and they only participate in women’s sports. Alumnae Field is home to Gators field hockey, lacrosse and soccer teams.. In 2013 the field hosted the Costa Rican National Soccer Team for the squad’s preparation for the CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals. Food & Beverage 0 There is no permanent food stand at Alumnae Field. Atmosphere 3 Alumnae is on par with a rec or high school field, at best. It is a simple facility at the bottom of a hill. Fans can sit on that hill, a very small grandstand or along a nearby building. There is an announcer and scoreboard for the games. Neighborhood 3 Notre Dame is in a very good part of Baltimore City. The problem is that there is just nothing much around the local neighborhood. Luckily Baltimore is a big city that is not too big to get around. Miss Shirley’s at 513 West Cold Spring Lane is noted for their great breakfast and down-home food. They are one of the closer options to campus. Also relatively close to the university is the Mt. Washington neighborhood that straddles I-83 South (known as the Jones Falls Expressway, or the JFX, by locals). The Mt. Washington Tavern is an excellent restaurant with both a fine food and bar food type of menu. The place is large, and there always seems to be room for more. Parking is the biggest problem here, so it would be worth paying the nominal valet charges. Radisson Hotel at Cross Keys is the closest hotel and has a new and exciting lobby restaurant that is another option. Venturing further from Pimlico, one may want to try out the suburb of Towson with its variety of shops and restaurants. Try the Charles Village Pub in the heart of downtown Towson for good food and drinks. Some other great options are Glory Days Grill, Sushi Hana and Zia’s. Fans 2 As with most small college fields, the bulk of the fans tend to be family or friends of both teams. There will be some local fans who just happen to stop by for the game as well. Access 3 The campus is located in a quiet north Baltimore neighborhood. That means that getting to the campus is not easy. The best route is to travel I-83/The JFX, south and get off at Cold Spring Lane. Other options include exiting I-695, the Baltimore Beltway, and driving south via York Road or Charles Street. York is the busiest route, but may be easier than the high-speed curves of Charles Street. If one is attending weekend games, there should be no problem finding parking. There is a big lot near the tennis courts, and is just a short walk away from the field. I have not attended a game here on weekday nights so I am not sure how filled that parking lot gets. You may want to arrive a little early just in case. Return on Investment 4 You are not going to be watching the highest level of competition, but the cost is about the best you can find. That’s right, there is no admission cost. Combine that with free parking, and you have a pretty great night out. Extras 1 The Notre Dame campus is small, but quite pretty. Take a quick walk around before the game. Final Thoughts There is not too much to see at a Notre Dame of Maryland University women’s soccer game, but the field is still a pleasant place to see some intercollegiate action.

The Team welcomes Jamie Tozer, who has completed the mammoth quest of visiting all 60 CHL venues. The best; The Worst; The Most Unique … Jamie gives his take on all 60 CHL rinks on the latest episode of the Stadium Journey Podcast. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv .

We're joined by Stadium Journey correspondent and longtime security staff person Michael Davis to discuss security issues at our favorite stadiums. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv .

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Gator Court 4701 N Charles St Baltimore, MD 21210 Notre Dame Gators website Gator Court website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 1,000 Gators In Baltimore Notre Dame of Maryland University is a Catholic liberal arts college located in Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in 1873. It is right next door to the “Evergreen” campus of Loyola University Maryland (which it shares a library facility). It was formerly an all-women’s college, but that ended in 2023 as it is now co-ed. The university has over 3000 students. The original name of the school was the Notre Dame of Maryland Preparatory School and Collegiate Institute. It also spent many years with the College of Notre Dame of Maryland name. In 2011, the school attained university status with the addition of several graduate-level programs. Notre Dame’s athletic teams are members of Division III of the NCAA. All sports but swimming compete within the United East Conference. Although the swim team does not compete within a conference, it participates in the yearly Old Dominion Athletic Conference swim championships. The university’s sports teams are known as the Gators. The 2023/2024 season is the first for the men's basketball program. Gator Court is home to Gators basketball and volleyball. It is located within the larger Marion Burk Knott Sports Complex. Food & Beverage 1 There is no permanent food stand at Gator Court. There is a small table set up near the entrance to the gym where candy and chips are sold. The prices are great, but you will want to plan for food. Atmosphere 3 This is a medium size gym that is very reminiscent of a high school gym. Because of the relatively small size, it can get loud pretty quickly depending on the game's action. There is a small simple grandstand on the main side of the court. There are no seats on the other side of the court, behind the benches. A few people stand or sit in an area above the gym level where a balcony has a view of the game's action. These do offer a great view of the action, although this area is not meant for much of a crowd. Neighborhood 3 Notre Dame is in a very good part of Baltimore City. The problem is that there is just nothing much around the local neighborhood. Luckily Baltimore is a big city that is not too big to get around. Miss Shirley’s at 513 West Cold Spring Lane is noted for their great breakfast and down-home food. They are one of the closer options to campus. Also relatively close to the university is the Mt. Washington neighborhood that straddles I-83 South (known as the Jones Falls Expressway, or the JFX, by locals). The Mt. Washington Tavern is an excellent restaurant with both a fine food and bar food type of menu. The place is large, and there always seems to be room for more. Parking is the biggest problem here, so it would be worth paying the nominal valet charges. Radisson Hotel at Cross Keys is the closest hotel and has a lobby restaurant which is another option. Venturing further from the university, one may want to try out the suburb of Towson with its variety of shops and restaurants. Try the Charles Village Pub in the heart of downtown Towson for good food and drinks. Fans 2 As with most small college gyms, the bulk of the fans tend to be family or friends of both teams. There will be some local fans who just happen to stop by for the game as well. The men's team, although new, is still drawing relatively well since many of the players are from the local area. Access 3 The campus is located in a quiet north Baltimore neighborhood. That means that getting to the campus is not easy. The best route is to travel I-83/The JFX, south and get off at Cold Spring Lane. Other options include exiting I-695, the Baltimore Beltway, and driving south via York Road or Charles Street. York is the busiest route, but may be easier than the high-speed curves of Charles Street. If one is attending weekend games, there should be no problem finding parking. There is a big lot near the tennis courts and is just a short walk away from the Knott Complex. I have not attended a game here on weekday nights so I am not sure how filled that parking lot gets. You may want to arrive a little early just in case. The Knott building can be accessed in one of two main ways. The main entrance is on the south side, while if coming from the parking lot, there is a small unmarked door from the north. The north entrance is better anyway as it takes you right to the gym level, whereas the main door brings you to the balcony area. Return on Investment 4 You are not going to be watching the highest level of basketball competition, but the cost is about the best you can find. That’s right, there is no admission cost. Combine that with free parking, and you have a pretty great night out. . Extras 1 The Notre Dame campus is small but quite pretty. Take a quick walk around before the game. There is a small trophy case with some athletic trophies and accomplishments right at the main Knott entrance. Final Thoughts There is not too much to see at a Notre Dame of Maryland University men's basketball game. But the gym is still a pleasant place to see some intercollegiate action.