Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Indiana Farmers Coliseum 1202 E 38th St Indianapolis, IN 46205 Indy Fuel website Indiana Farmers Coliseum website Year Opened: 1939 Capacity: 6,300 A Tradition of Hockey at Indy’s Coliseum The Indiana Farmers Coliseum went through $53 million in renovations between 2012-2014 in order to welcome professional hockey back to the building. The Indy Fuel of the ECHL is affiliated with the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League and has found a niche in a city that favors basketball, football, and minor league baseball during the winter months. Indianapolis has had a strong history of hockey in its city and a majority of it has been played at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum. The building debuted the same year as the city’s first professional team in 1939. The coliseum is located on the Indiana State Fairgrounds and served as home to various minor league franchises up until 2012 when it was closed for major renovations that would alter its interior structure, but maintain its historic exterior. The Fuel has tossed their hats to the list of professional hockey clubs that have called the coliseum home from the Indianapolis Capitals, Chiefs, Checkers, and Ice. The city’s biggest connection to hockey royalty is to Wayne Gretzky who began his professional career with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association in 1978 for eight games before being sold to the Edmonton Oilers. The Great One would return to the city to drop the puck for the 2018 ECHL All-Star Game held at the building. Gretzky is among a list of hockey legends who got their start or spent their time in the Circle City and include Dominik Hasek, Mark Messier, Dave Keon, Glen Hall, Alex Delvecchio, Marcel Pronovost, Terry Sawchuk, and Sid Abel. All of these men are enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Food & Beverage 4 The food at the Coliseum has improved over the past five seasons since the Fuel entered the league and there are some interesting items that are worthy of consumption when at a game. The concession areas, located on the main wraparound concourse, have a simple look, but some of the new food items are quite tasty. The menu items have changed since our last visit two years ago and offer much more variety along with updated flat-screen monitors showcasing selections and pricing. The Legacy and Slapshot burgers, pork tenderloins, and pulled pork and spicy chicken sandwiches range in price between $10-$12, All sandwich items are served with a side of fries. There are a few kiosks that offer more options including beef and chicken stir fry, grilled brats and Polish sausages, and nacho supreme. Hot dogs are served in adult and kid sizes at concession stands. Snacks and held bites include chili cheese fries, barbecue loaded fries, mini corn dogs, and chicken tenders and fries The Jose Cuervo Bar is located at center ice in Section 209 and offers mixed drinks and draft beers in a bar-like setting, while at the same time, offering wide-open glimpses of the game. There are a few more wide-open spots on the main concourse where fans can stand and watch the game. In other areas of the building, fans can pull up a stool, enjoy food and drink, and take in the game. The Coliseum offers 16 and 24-ounce domestic beers for $7 and $9. Craft beers from local Centerpoint and Sun King breweries are available in 16 and 24 ounces for $9 and $11. If you do prefer a pint or can of beer there are options for White Claw seltzer, Jack Daniels punch, and Bramble Mule cocktails. Local Whiskey Tango bourbon is also available. If you do not drink, Pepsi products are available in the arena. Atmosphere 4 The Coliseum has a seating capacity of 6,800 and has been retrofitted from its original designs that date back almost 80-years-ago. The interior’s aesthetics has been dramatically altered with the installation of the original terrazzo floors, exposed walls, and steel support beams, and the inclusion of 96 original wooden theater seats. The upper concourse does not wrap around entirely around the building and that is due to the age of the building and construction efforts to keep the interior within the realms of historical value. However, the ones who are in this area do get a nice view of the ice, but there could be a few more concession points to serve some of the fans in this seating area. The Jose Cuervo Bar is a nice spot to watch the game with a gathering of fans while enjoying something to drink. The building’s main lobby is located on ice level and all fans must depart to their seats up to two flights of stairs at both ends. The lobby consists of ticket booths, the official souvenir shop “The Garage,” and a few nostalgic nods that include historical photos, original ticket booths, and a few wooden stadium seating. However, there could be more nods to the facility’s history with perhaps championship banners, more historical photos, and paraphernalia. Neighborhood 2 The Fairgrounds are not located in the best part of the city; the best bet would be to drive less than 3 miles north to South Broad Ripple, or SoBro as the hipsters say it, where there are plenty of local restaurants, bars, and nightlife to entertain guests after a hockey game. Twenty Tap features poutine, Bahn mi sandwiches, vegetarian buffalo wing bites, and fried cheese curds to go along with one of the more prestigious selections of beers on tap and a couple that is made downstairs in the basement. Next door is Fat Dan’s which specializes in smoked chicken wings, pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, decadent burgers with various fixings, and craft beer selections. Also in this area is one of the Fuel’s official sponsors, The Sinking Ship. It’s a hockey bar with a menu that stretches from grass-fed stuffed burgers, and Cuban sandwiches, to seitan gyro wraps and wings. It is one of the area’s most eclectic spots and definitely a happening spot for hockey talk. Upland Brewing Company has a small taproom that is somewhat unassuming but orders a Champagne Velvet Pilsner or Free Time Lager on tap. Fans 4 Indianapolis does have a niche hockey market that comes alive when rivals from Cincinnati and Ft. Wayne come to town. The crowd can become even more frenzied on promotional nights that range from Blackhawk Night to Nickelodeon Night at the Coliseum. Average crowds have been creeping towards 4,000 a game the past five seasons and when there are only 6,800 seats available, the near-capacity crowd might make one think that they are indeed in a hockey town. Access 3 The Coliseum is located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds at the corner of 38th Street and Fall Creek Parkway. There are two access points into the building that may cause a line on either street, but there are more exits available after the game for quick access out of the fairgrounds complex. At times, there may be other events taking place, it may get a little confusing navigating to your parking lot. Inside the building, the main concourse does get a tad congested on busier nights in the building which may lead to the narrow corners of the concourse being somewhat cumbersome to maneuver through between intermissions. Thankfully, during game time, the concourses are quite clear of traffic. After the game, various exits and interior staircases open up for everyone to exit quickly from the building to the front of the main entrance. There are plenty of staff members who guide motorists to various exit points and back on the main streets of 38th and Fall Creek Parkway. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices range from $12 to $45 per game, slightly higher than division rivals in Cincinnati and Ft. Wayne, but both teams play in much larger arenas. The majority of the upper-level tickets are $12 and $15 and that is a reasonable price for a minor league hockey ticket, along with secure $5 parking, not too much to ask for, or a night of ECHL hockey. The return on investment increases with promotional nights that include Fuel Do317 Right which offers $3 beers and sodas, $1 hot dogs, and $7 limited edition t-shirts on select Friday nights, $2 Tuesdays where select concession items are just two bucks, and All-You-Can-Eat hot dogs, burgers, popcorn and nachos during each Thursday game. If with the kids, take them to Nickelodeon Night, or if it is guys' night out, the popular Blackhawk Night is an ideal choice, both games draw near-capacity crowds to the building. Extras 3 The Coliseum gets an extra point for the renovated wooden seats that are available as a seating option in the building. It is a nice nod to the building’s history and the seats are quite comfortable for their age. The Coliseum has improved its concession items from the last two visits and the variety has improved from the concession stand favorites to kiosks around the concourse. All items range in price from $8 to $12 apiece with the chicken sandwich served with a side of fries. A third point for the team’s introduction on the ice through fire and Metallica’s song “Fuel,” is sort of what one expects from a team called the Indy Fuel. Final Thoughts There are times when the building is packed with hockey fans and one believes that Indianapolis is indeed a hockey town. The team does a grand job of providing various promotional nights to lure fans to the building. The exposed piping and steel beams provide aesthetics unparalleled in the ECHL. The Fuel does what it needs to do in terms of marketing itself to the populace of Indianapolis; it should continue that trend in the upcoming years.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Warrior Ice Arena 90 Guest St. Boston, MA 02135 Boston Pride website Warrior Ice Arena website Year Opened: 2016 Capacity: 700 The Pride of Women’s Hockey The Pride are one of the original four members of the Premier Hockey Federation, the only professional hockey league for women in North America. The team is the only franchise to have won multiple Isobel Cups, in 2016, 2021 and 2022. The Premier Hockey Federation began operations as the National Women’s Hockey League. Prior to the 2021 season the league rebranded to a new, more inclusive and independent title, the Premier Hockey Federation. The league continues to grow, adding a seventh team in Montreal for the 2022-23 season and signing a broadcasting contract with ESPN. The league has announced a doubling of their salary cap for the 2023-24 season, to $1.5 million per team. Warrior Ice Arena, located in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, has served as home to the Pride since their second season in 2016. The facility also serves as a community ice rink and is the practice facility of the National Hockey League’s Boston Bruins. The rink is named for its sponsor, Warrior Ice, which is New Balance’s hockey brand. Food & Beverage 3 The one concession stand at Warrior Ice Arena sells a basic menu, highlighted by grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken tenders and pizza slices. An extensive selection of snacks are available, highlighted by Chipwiches, an ice cream sandwich brand which sponsors the PHF. Fans looking for a beverage will be interested to learn that the cola wars have skipped Warrior Ice Arena entirely. Instead of soda, a selection of water, juices, iced tea and lemonade are sold. Hot drinks including coffee, tea and hot chocolate are popular choices in this chilly rink. New for the 2023 season is a collaboration with Dorchester Brewing Company, which has produced two Pride-themed beverages, All In Golden Lager and Prickly Pear Hard Seltzer. A portion of proceeds from these drinks benefit the Pride Foundation. Other adult beverages available are draughts from Zero Gravity brewing, a selection of Nantucket Craft Cocktails and wine. Atmosphere 3 Over the course of their seven-year existence, the Pride have worked hard to carve out a niche in the local community. The attraction of local sponsors, the presence of youth hockey teams and LGBTQ+ organizations and even the occasional connection with the Boston Bruins show that their efforts have largely been successful. The Pride employ a PA announcer that really leans into his work. Warrior Ice Arena fills with music and noise from the youth groups which fill the facility during play stoppages. A new addition for the 2023 season is a mascot, named Roari (because lions roar, right?). Roari takes part in the between-period contests and games, roaming the crowd throughout the game. Youth teams take the ice during intermission, and the Shootout Challenge during the second intermission is a highlight for the young fans in attendance. Warrior Ice Arena’s status as a community rink means that fans will often have an opportunity to take the ice before or after a game, should the schedule permit. It’s a really entertaining game day atmosphere for such a basic facility. Neighborhood 4 Warrior Ice Arena is part of Boston Landing, a mixed-use development located in a former industrial area that once housed the city’s largest stockyard. Warrior Ice Arena serves primarily as the Boston Bruins’ practice facility and a public skating rink. Also located in Boston Landing are the Auerbach Center, the Boston Celtics’ practice facility, and the headquarters of New Balance. In addition to the office, residential and retail space in the area, a 175-room hotel is planned to open soon. Several local television and radio stations have their studios near Boston Landing. Visiting fans will find some excellent dining choices near Warrior Ice Arena. The Stockyard is one of Boston’s oldest steak houses. The Railstop, adjacent to the arena, offers craft beer and upscale pub dining. Flatbread Pizza offers specials to Pride fans and a variety of, you guessed it, pizzas. Mainely Burgers offers a variety of gourmet burgers and pub food. Downtown Boston is just a few miles from Boston Landing, and easily accessed by the MBTA’s Commuter Rail. While the nearby Allston neighborhood is not known as a destination location in a city full of them, there are many excellent restaurants, pubs and lodging options throughout the area. Fans 4 The Premier Hockey Federation does not release attendance figures, so we shall measure the fans at Boston Pride games by quality, not quantity. Still, you can expect a near-capacity crowd when you visit Warrior Ice Arena. The Pride have their share of dedicated fans, who show up decked out in the team’s black and gold jerseys. Given the fact that many of the players are local, there’s a significant number of fans in the stands who have a personal connection with the players on the ice. Also impressive in their numbers are the girls’ youth teams who often roam Warrior Ice Arena decked out in their uniforms and the visiting fans who travel following their favorite squads. Access 4 Boston traffic notwithstanding, Warrior Ice Arena is fairly simple to get to from most points in and around Boston. Located right off of the Mass Pike, the Boston Landing neighborhood offers both on-street and garage parking. A complete map of parking and transportation options in the area can be found here. As is the case with many Boston locations, public transportation is the recommended method to arrive at Boston Landing. The Framingham/Worcester branch of the Commuter Rail has a stop a block from Warrior Ice Arena. This line continues on to downtown Boston. In addition, several bus lines serve the area, including the #86 route, which provides access to the Red and Green MBTA lines. With shuttles available to Harvard and Kenmore and a Blue Bike rental station nearby, visiting fans have many options for getting to Warrior Ice Arena. Fans entering Warrior Ice Arena will find themselves in a small lobby, where you may bump into some of the players warming up before the game. The ice surface, locker rooms and skate rental are located on level 2, with the spectator area located on level 3. Stairs and elevators will help fans access the spectator level. Warrior Ice Arena is a modern, attractive facility. Fans will enter the arena (fair warning: it’s cold here, so dress appropriately) at the top of the seating area, which lines one side of the rink. Standing room (bar rails with some chairs), the snack bar and event room (where the merchandise stand is set up) are located along the concourse that runs the length of the rink. Fans will walk down to their seats, which consist entirely of bright yellow folding stadium seats. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for Boston Pride games are priced at $40 for Center Ice seats, $30 for other sections, and $20 for standing room access. Stadium Journey recommends the standing room seats which line the top of the seating area, including the decks on either end of the ice. Be warned that space is limited, so get here early. Parking for Pride games at the Warrior Ice Arena will cost you an additional fifteen dollars. There is ample on-street parking in the area, which is free of charge on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons when the Pride play. Extras 4 Since Warrior Ice Arena is owned and operated by the Boston Bruins, it’s expected that you will find the facility heavy on Bruins touches. Banners honoring the team’s Stanley Cup championships and retired numbers hang over the ice surface, and the 17.5-foot Bruins logo that overlooks the Mass Pike is the arena’s defining feature. Along with the many Bruins banners that hang at Warrior Ice Arena are four Pride banners. Pride championship teams from 2016, 2021 and 2022 are honored (the Pride are the PHF’s only squad to win multiple titles). Another banner honors former player Denna Laing, a member of the inaugural Pride squad. Laing suffered a spinal cord injury during the 2016 Outdoor Women’s Classic that ended her career. The Pride have a well-stocked team store just off the concourse. Purchasing a player’s jersey or shirsey will give 15% of the purchase price directly to the player. In addition to picking up some Pride gear, you can get a Chipwich or a beverage here, too. A final extra point is awarded for the most important influence that the Pride and PHF have had on countless female youth hockey players. The impact that the league has had on the many girls who come to Warrior Ice Arena cannot be overstated. The Pride work tirelessly with the local hockey community to raise awareness and funding for girls’ youth hockey in the Boston area. Final Thoughts There are no shortage of choices for hockey fans in hockey-mad Boston. The Pride fill an important niche for local hockey fans. Judging by the reaction of the youth groups who line the player’s tunnel as the Pride enter and exit the ice, it is clear that the pros are indeed role models to the young female hockey players who fill Warrior Ice Arena. As the marquee team of the Premier Hockey Federation, the Pride offer an affordable, entertaining option for local hockey fans, regardless of gender. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 UPMC Events Center 6001 University Blvd Moon Twp, PA 15108 Robert Morris Colonials basketball website UPMC Events Center website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 4,000 The Little Division One School That Could A half-hour west of Pittsburgh, Robert Morris University may have a bit of an identity crisis. With the University of Pittsburgh hogging most of the city’s college athletics spotlight and Duquesne University taking advantage of its downtown location, RMU struggles to gain attention. It’s a shame because for such a small school (it plays in the Horizon League), it has a very sleek arena, with the Colonials playing their first game there in 2019. So maybe it doesn’t have the allure of the more prominent schools, but if you don’t feel like driving into the city but do feel like watching a live basketball game, this is a nice place in which to do it. Food & Beverage 3 UPMC Event Center’s concessions are about as basic as it gets–the usual suspects of hot dogs, popcorn, soft pretzels, chips, beer, and Pepsi fountain drinks are represented. Those seeking alcohol have three choices: Coors Light, Blue Moon, and Truly hard seltzer. However, a pleasant surprise is that the concessions stand is sponsored by the local Chick-fil-A outpost and offers a basic CfA sandwich with a fountain drink for $9. A hot dog and a brew will run you $15 max. The selections may be limited, but the pricing is relatively decent. Atmosphere 4 UPMC Event Center has a 4,000-seat capacity, arranged on two levels around the court with a small club level above that. Student bleachers are behind the west basket. The seats are roomy, with cupholders attached to first-level seats. Views are excellent no matter where you sit, and things are intimate enough so you can eavesdrop on RMU head coach Andrew Toole’s pep sessions. There’s a super-clear center-court surround screen, with crawl LED displays on all sides and two screens showing each team’s in-game stats. The PA announcer is having fun, as are the cheerleaders, and there are some fan games and contests. RMU’s Continental soldier-clad mascot, RoMo, mills around the seating area and grabs some pom-poms from time to time. The sound system is quiet when the teams are on the court and plays generic rap and other arena standards otherwise. Neighborhood 2 Since UPMC Events Center is located on RMU’s small campus, which in turn is situated very close to Pittsburgh International Airport, non-students who come to games aren’t going to hit a lively game-day scene. Nearby University Drive has a few chain restaurants, including Pittsburgh institutions Primanti Brothers and Eat ‘n Park, and a shopping center across from campus has stuff like pizza and Starbucks. While technically within walking distance, it’s challenging to get to them on foot due to the lack of sidewalks, so if you’re planning on having a couple of adult beverages, make sure somebody sober is driving. Fans 2 It could be because the game Stadium Journey attended was at the same time as the last Steelers game of the season. It could be because the Colonials aren’t that good right now. It could be … well, because RMU is a small commuter school tucked away in the western Pittsburgh suburbs, which doesn’t precisely scream “Big-Time College Sports Destination.” The crowd at this game was depressingly small, with literally no one sitting in the student section. Most of the crowd seemed to consist of basketball players from a nearby suburb’s middle school and their parents, but they were louder than their small number would warrant. Hopefully, more people show up once football season is over. RMU probably would not have sunk so much money into this place if they didn’t. Access 3 Interstate 376, aka the Parkway, is the easiest way to get to UPMC Events Center, located about 3.5 miles from Exit 57. Parking is limited around the arena, but it’s free. The only mass transit comes from downtown Pittsburgh on the 21 bus, about a 50-minute ride. Once you’re here, you’ll have no trouble negotiating the arena, with wide walkways and a broad concourse. Restrooms are plentiful, clean, and well-maintained, with family rooms available for those with young children and wheelchair-accessible stalls. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for RMU men’s basketball games run from $25 for center-court seats to $10 for the upper level. Combined with reasonable concession prices, it’s not bad for an area family to come out for an afternoon and take in some basketball without having to go into the city, which seems to be where most of the non-student and alumni crowds (such as they are) come from. There’s something to be said for Division I sports in your backyard, even minor ones. Extras 2 A small children’s play area with an inflatable slide and basketball hoop is available next to the (even smaller) merchandise kiosk on the main concourse. That’s about it for non-event attractions. Interestingly, tidbits about the school’s athletics history are hidden away in non-public areas. RMU might want to rethink that. Final Thoughts Robert Morris University’s UPMC Events Center is pretty state-of-the-art for a small commuter school. However, its suburban location puts it off the radar for Pittsburgh visitors, attracting mainly students, alumni, and nearby families. If you enjoy college basketball, though, there are worse places to watch it than here, with inexpensive tickets and concessions along with comfortable seats.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.87 Allen County War Memorial Coliseum 4000 Parnell Ave Fort Wayne, IN 46805 Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons website Allen County War Memorial Coliseum website Year Opened: 1952 Capacity: 10,500 College Basketball at the Memorial Coliseum Purdue Fort Wayne began its men’s basketball program during the 1973 -74 season and was known as Indiana University – Purdue University (IPFW) up until the 2017-2018 academic school year. The Mastodons compete in the Summit League and split its home games at the Hilliard Gates Sports Center on campus and in the much larger Allen County War Memorial Coliseum about half a mile away. The Dons made their only NCAA tournament appearance in 1993 at the Division II level but capture the Summit League regular-season title in 2016. Later that year a capacity crowd watched the team defeat Indiana University at the Coliseum in overtime. It was the school’s first victory over an AP Top 25-ranked program in history. PFW has also qualified for the CIT four times since 2014 and has posted six straight winning seasons as of this writing. The Mastodons play 10 out of its 15 home games at the Memorial Coliseum and the building is no stranger to hoops being home of the Ft. Wayne Pistons from 1952 and 1957 and also hosting Ft. Wayne Mad Ants games in the NBA G League since 2007. The Ft. Wayne Fury of the Continental Basketball Association called the Coliseum home from 1991-2001. Food & Beverage 3 Many of the Coliseum’s concession stands are closed and only two areas that serve food are open. They offer a nice variety of menu items consisting of hot dogs, burgers, nachos, and giant tenderloin sandwiches. It’s more than enough for the typical crowd at basketball games and fans can also enjoy watching the team play while drinking a frosty beer. Atmosphere 2 The facility is blocked off with giant black curtains that limit the seating during basketball games. This creates a nice intimate vibe in the building with crowds usually hovering around the 1,000 mark for games played off-campus. A similar setup is used for Mad Ants games and the curtains also hide the disassembled hockey rink structure. The Mastodons feature a band that plays at one end of the court and a few shouts and jabs at the opposing players can be heard due to the size and small crowd in the building. The team’s mascot makes his way around the court and stands to greet fans and poses for pictures. However, fans can get close to the action on the court and can hear everything echo from the squeak of the players’ shoes, the bounce of the ball, and the emotion from players on the bench rising from their seats after a three-point or hard-fought shot is made. The atmosphere is at its best against Summit League rivals South Dakota State. Neighborhood 4 The Coliseum is located near an abundance of chain restaurants, retail outlets, and berries lodging options. There is almost everything you could want within a couple of miles from the building including coney dogs, barbecue, craft beer, and Tim Horton’s coffee. Mister Coney has been a mainstay for over 50 years and offers their take on the coney dog that is a bit meatier in texture than what you would find downtown. Mission BBQ is a Maryland-based chain that provides an array of smoked meats and 8 varieties of barbecue with portions of their proceeds going back to first responders. 2Toms Brewing Company brews a nice range of beer and offers a laid-back atmosphere perfect for games of all ages. Glenbrooke Square Mall is one of the largest in the area and is surrounded by familiar chain restaurants and shops. Tim Horton’s has a location here featuring its coffee that is widely consumed up north in Canada. There is also the practice rink for the Ft. Wayne Komets and if you happen to be in town for a doubleheader between hockey and a basketball game, you should be able to find enough to keep you busy in between games at the Coliseum. Fans 2 The Mastodons average crowds of a little over 1,000 per game and the ones in their seats do a nice job of cheering on their team on the court. However, the Dons could use a few more faithful in the building for home games. Access 4 The seating arrangement on the court is among the best pricing options for pro or college basketball in the state. There is also the opportunity to watch college basketball up close and personal where you can hear everything take place from the players to the coaching staff. The Coliseum has gone through multiple renovations this century that has modernized it for greater access for all guests and patrons. These new features include escalators and elevators and provide access for fans to multiple areas of the arena. There is parking for 5,000 cars in the lot and it’s only a 1.5-half-mile drive from the I-69 exit or a 4-mile drive to downtown Ft. Wayne. Return on Investment 3 A cost of a ticket for all PFW games is $23 in the 200 level of the building. The price to park your car is $6 per vehicle and concession prices are reasonable. The $23 price tag is not a bad deal to watch college basketball but would be enhanced with a better game day atmosphere, Extras 2 The team has an impressive-looking Mastodon mascot that parades around and greets fans during the game. He does not look like one character you want to mess with. The school band also does a good share of ribbing against the opposing players with a little humor and passion throughout the game. Final Thoughts Although there is much to like about the basketball being played at the Coliseum the overall experience suffers from the size of the building and the small number of fans in the stands. In a state where capacity crowds are the norm at Butler, Purdue, and Indiana, Purdue Ft. Wayne hopes to include itself among these prominent programs.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 UW Milwaukee Panther Arena 400 W Kilbourn Ave Milwaukee, WI 53203 Milwaukee Panthers website UW Milwaukee Panther Arena website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 10,783 Old Milwaukee Gets Better With Age The UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena is the oldest sports arena still in use in the Milwaukee area. Built in 1950, it has gone through several name changes over the years, including the Milwaukee Arena, the MECCA, the Wisconsin Center Arena, and US Cellular Arena. Past tenants have included the Milwaukee Hawks, the Milwaukee Bucks, and Marquette University basketball. Today it serves the UW – Milwaukee Panthers basketball program, the Milwaukee Admirals AHL hockey team, the Milwaukee Wave of the MASL, and the Brew City Bruisers women’s roller derby team. There have been numerous renovations done to the arena throughout its nearly 70-year existence. More than $6 million in upgrades have brought the arena up to modern standards. These repairs were paid for by the Milwaukee Admirals and the Wisconsin Center District, the owner of the building. Among the upgrades are the replacement of all 10,783 seats in the arena, the renovation of all bathroom and locker room facilities, the installation of LED lighting, and the expansion of concession areas. A new shared team store was added to service the spirit gear needs of the fans of the Panthers, Admirals, Wave, and Bruisers. Food & Beverage 3 The Panther Arena has 13 concession stands spread equally throughout the building. They include Palermo’s Pizza, Southwestern Grille, Loaded Dogs, the Milwaukee Sausage Company, Victory Grill, and Cedar Crest Ice Cream. Prices at the stands are standard for stadium fare. A review of the prices for the most popular items includes sausages ($7), beef hot dogs ($4.75), nachos ($5.50), pizza ($6.50), popcorn ($5), and candy ($4). The arena carries RC Cola brand beverages including sodas ($4.50), bottled water ($4), tea ($4), domestic beers ($7), and imported beers ($8) Atmosphere 4 Even though the Panther Arena has been heavily renovated, the first thing you will notice is the aura of history present in the building. Except for the signage out front, the building’s exterior looks just as it did in 1950. Inside, numerous displays and plaques are recalling the Milwaukee Bucks NBA Championship in 1971, the NCAA Championship season of 1977 achieved by Al McGuire and the Marquette basketball team, and the many concerts that took place in this facility. In addition, the entry lobby has brought back the original terrazzo floors and ticket booths of the 1950s. Once you reach the seating bowl, there is no doubt you are in the modern-day home of the UW Panthers. The seats are in the black/gold color scheme of the school’s athletic teams. A massive Panther video board hangs over the mid-court area and a very contemporary Panther logo appears on the court. Neighborhood 5 Milwaukee has a very vibrant downtown area with many great restaurants, bars, and attractions within walking distance of the Panther Arena. The arena is located adjacent to both the UW – Milwaukee and Marquette University campuses, guaranteeing the nightlife will just be getting started as the game ends. On the restaurant front, Milwaukee is a melting pot of great ethnic restaurants, many of which are located along the riverfront on both Water Street and in the Old World Third Street section. Two restaurants to check out are the Milwaukee Brat House and Mikey’s Burgers and Bombs. When you think of Milwaukee two things come to mind… beer and Harleys. A great way to spend your pregame time on weekends is to check out the nearby Harley Davidson Museum and go on the Miller Brewery Tour. Both attractions are located just west of the Panther Arena. You can save a great deal on parking by staying in one of the many hotels within walking distance of the arena. The closest is the Hyatt Regency around the corner from the Panther Arena, but for a more uniquely Milwaukee experience stay at the Brewhouse Inn and Suites. It is a former brewery converted into a great boutique hotel. The lobby even still has the distilling tanks as a furnishing in the lobby. When scheduling a trip to Milwaukee, check out the sports calendar to see if you can score either a double or triple hitter of games in a weekend. In addition to the Panthers and the Admirals, you may also have Marquette University or the Milwaukee Bucks playing at the new Sports and Entertainment Center across the street. Fans 4 Panther fans are very basketball-centric as the school does not have a football program. Alumni remember the glory days of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leading the Bucks to their only NBA Championship and Al McGuire leading Marquette to the NCAA Championship over UNC. Younger fans are aware of the more recent successes of the University of Wisconsin / Madison reaching the NCAA finals and UW – Milwaukee reaching the Sweet Sixteen. The Panther basketball program has had great success over the years. They are often found at the top of the Horizon League rankings and have won four league championships, along with four trips to the NCAA tournament. The fans at UW – Milwaukee Panther Arena are led in their cheers by Pounce, the Panthers mascot. Assisting Pounce are the Panthers Cheer and Stunt Team and the Panther Pep Band. The student section is known as the Panther Pit and they stand throughout the game while disrupting the competition as much as possible through some very witty, but clean cheers. Access 3 The Panther Arena has more than 10,000 parking spaces available within a six-block radius around the facility. It is very easy to access from I-43 via exit 72-C, then stay straight on Kilbourn Avenue. Please be aware that there may be some street closures in the immediate area of the arena in conjunction with the construction of the Bucks new arena. Better yet, stay at one of the many hotels located within a few blocks of the arena and walk to the game. Once inside the Panther Arena, there is some evidence of the facility’s age as far as access. The concourse areas tend to be narrow and can get very congested when the concession stands are busy. There are also some ramps leading to the various seating levels that are unique to a separate era. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices for Panther games range from $12 for a loge level seat up to $55 for a seat at court level. In most cases you should be able to obtain these tickets at standard pricing, avoiding the pricier secondary markets. Parking runs between $10 – $20 depending on which lot you use. Concessions are very reasonably priced. Extras 4 The Wisconsin Athletic Walk of Fame is located just outside of the UW Panthers Arena. In 1977 the facility hosted the NBA All-Star Game. Elite players who appeared in that game included Julius Erving, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Pete Maravich, and John Havlicek. Among the entertainers who have appeared at the arena over the years are Prince, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, the Doors, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and Bob Dylan. Ironically, the facility built to replace the UW – Milwaukee Panthers Arena in 1988 will face the wrecking ball first. The BMO Bradley Center is being torn down and replaced by the Wisconsin Sports and Entertainment Center. Final Thoughts In an era of disposable stadiums and frequent tear-downs, the UW – Milwaukee Panthers Arena is a great example of successful historical preservation. It is not only surviving but thriving, as it is in use nearly every day of the week by a different sports franchise.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Crisler Center 333 E Stadium Blvd Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Michigan Wolverines website Crisler Center website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 13,751 Go Blue: Emerging from the Shadows Michigan is a football school. Any way you slice it, the reality sinks in. Michigan is a football school. However, it once again, can’t be said, that Michigan is NOT a basketball school. Casual fans everywhere would be able to speak on Michigan State as the basketball school and Michigan as the football school. Things began to change in the eighties and culminated in 1989 when Steve Fisher took over the Michigan program before the NCAA Tournament and Michigan ran the table to become National Champions for the first time. The Fab Five era at Michigan brought nearly the highest of highs for the program and probably the lowest of lows. Rebuilding after the probation time was long and arduous, but rewards have started to be felt in Ann Arbor. The hiring of head coach John Beilein and appearances in the NCAA Tournament finals on two occasions in the past decade have insiders taking notice and considering Michigan as an elite program. Home for the Wolverines is literally in the shadows of The Big House. Named after former football head coach and athletic director Herbert “Fritz” Crisler, Crisler Arena was built in 1967 as one of a host of college basketball arenas shaped like a UFO. With a massive renovation, the renamed Crisler Center has brought Michigan out of the sixties and seventies and given the Wolverines a venue that is competitive with any in the conference, keeping that traditional college basketball feel and balancing it with modern amenities and decor. Representing the Big Ten Conference and the University of Michigan’s over 46,000 students, the Wolverines are literally emerging from the shadows of the famous football program and making noise as one of the top programs in the country. Food & Beverage 4 The food selection at Crisler Center is decent, yet not spectacular. Hot dogs, brats, kielbasa, burgers, chicken tenders, fries, nachos, pretzels, pizza, Italian sausage, spaghetti, caesar salad, mac and cheese, grilled cheese with pulled pork and tater kegs are all available. Popcorn is not available at Crisler Center, so fans will be required to settle for “Popped Maize.” Prices are what could be expected at a professional experience, which is not surprising. Soft drink options include bottled water and soda are available. Coca-Cola products are the soda of choice at Crisler. As with many college facilities, alcohol is not available for purchase at Crisler Center. Atmosphere 4 Originally built in 1968, Crisler Center was once like many of the other facilities built in that era. A round structure lacking windows and natural light, Crisler Arena underwent a massive renovation to bring the facility up to modern standards. With that renovation came the renaming of the building to Crisler Center. The exterior of Crisler Center is smart looking with brown brick and the famous block M markings. Gathering areas can be found on the southwest side and the east side has a new entrance and gathering area. The concourses contain some of the most significant changes. Entering from the east will give fans probably the grandest entrance, ascending to the main concourse. One of the concourse highlights can be found at the east entrance which is the Michigan fountain. A huge blue fountain with a giant maise block M gives fans a sense that this is a place where the details have all been considered. Around the concourses the details are obvious with simple yet effective touches like high quality flooring with verses of the fight song etched in. Around the walls there are displays for each of the varsity teams that Michigan fields. There is little to no exposed concrete. The feeling is inviting and warm, which is a far cry from where it once was. Interactive games and display cases with athletic artifacts are great for the fan who enjoys exploring. The large display on Cazzie Russell entitled “The House that Cazzie Built” enlightens fans to some of the Wolverine basketball history. Inside the seating bowl, fans are greeted with two levels of navy blue, modern, comfortable stadium seats. A far cry from many facilities that still boast benches. The court runs from north to south and a modern video board hangs above center court. The video board is a good size and not overbearing like many that are found in professional venues. The rafters are littered with banners for Big Ten Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. Proudly hanging in the south end is the 1989 NCAA National Championship banner. Directly across from the championship banner are the retired numbers of Bill Buntin, Cazzie Russell, Phil Hubbard, Glen Rice and Rudy Tomjanovich. Sight lines at Crisler are excellent also and the east side of the building is the spot to be for fans hoping for that perfect picture of the center logo. The students can be found near the court on the west side and the band is in the northeast corner. The game day experience at Michigan is a real college experience. Most of the music is provided by the band. The cheerleaders and pom team add to the atmosphere on the court. The game is not overproduced and there is not a ton of advertising. Overall, there is a great feeling to Michigan basketball. Neighborhood 4 Crisler Center is located on the campus of the University of Michigan south of most of the academic buildings. There are a ton of great spots to check out before or after the game, but they are about 2 km away from Crisler Center, so hopping in the car is probably the best idea. Downtown, between E Liberty and E Huron Streets, are where most of the best spots are found. Blue Tractor BBQ, Ashley’s, Arbor Brewing Company and Taste Kitchen are just a few of the best choices. The University of Michigan fields a full complement of athletic teams. The most popular of which include the Michigan football team, which plays at Michigan Stadium and the Wolverines ice hockey team, which plays at the Yost Ice Arena . Fans with youngsters may also want to check out the Ann Arbor Hands On Children’s Museum. There are also plenty of hotel options for fans who need to stay in the area. The Holiday Inn Ann Arbor is south of the athletic campus and Bell Tower is downtown. Both are good choices. Fans 4 Michigan Wolverine basketball fans fall somewhere in-between hardcore and ambivalent. Michigan routinely enjoys more than 10,000 fans per game. This is not in the top 30 NCAA experiences and lower than a number of Big Ten programs including Wisconsin, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Illinois and Ohio State. There is definitely room to grow and with more continual success, Michigan fans can be expected to fill the gap. The opponent has a significant affect on the attendance and Big Ten and rivalry opponents draw better than the first few games of the season. The fans in attendance are solid basketball fans making noise at all of the right times. The student section, although solid, is not nearly as remarkable as those in the upper echelon of NCAA basketball schools. Access 4 Crisler Center is on the campus of the University of Michigan. It is fairly central to Ann Arbor equidistant from I-94 and Highway 23, the main highways around the city. Getting to Crisler Center will require some travel through the city. Considering that this town welcomes over 110,000 fans for Wolverine football games, getting 10,000 in and out of Crisler Center is not too difficult. That being said, heading in and out of Ann Arbor on game day is not totally simple. For fans who wish to take public transportation, there are buses that travel throughout the Michigan Campus. Check the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority website for maps, fares and schedules. Although a college facility, Crisler Center has security measures that rival most professional experiences. Fans are encouraged to research the security procedures and prohibited items before heading to Crisler. The Michigan Wolverines website has all of the details. Research on finding a parking spot before hand is also a good practice. There are a number of parking options and possibly on the golf course right across the street. The closest parking options are for donors and season ticket holders. Parking can be found between $10 and $30 in most cases. Getting around Crisler Center is not too difficult. The concourses are a decent width and the washroom facilities are adequate. Return on Investment 4 Michigan Wolverines basketball offers a solid return on investment. Ticket prices depend on the opponent. Big Ten opponent games offer tickets between $20 and $25. Michigan State tickets will run $45 and Ohio State will run $30. The atmosphere is terrific at Crisler and fans will not be disappointed with the experience. Parking and concessions are not considered cheap, but a Michigan experience will be more affordable than many professional games. Extras 4 An extra mark for the significant rivalries that Michigan carries. Although they are also rivals on the gridiron and the ice, opponents Michigan State and Ohio State make up some of the best rivalries on the hard court as well. An extra mark for a program emerging from the seemingly endless shadow of the football program. An extra mark for the great job the University of Michigan has done in reinventing and renovating Crisler Center. An extra mark for the excellent product on the court that Michigan has provided lately. Final Thoughts Michigan may not be the first thought when it comes to NCAA basketball. However, the Wolverines have been a great team recently with appearances in the National Championship final to prove it. Crisler Center has seen some significant improvements and fans will not be disappointed in their experience at the House that Cazzie Built. It may not be a basketball bucket list item, but the Michigan Wolverines will provide a pleasant surprise for those attending for the first time. ------ Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

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

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Bryce Jordan Center 127 Bryce Jordan Center University Park, PA 16802 Penn State Nittany Lions website Bryce Jordan Center website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 15,261 Little Sister of the Poor Stepchild? In a 2011 article written by ESPN.com Dana O’Neil, the Penn State basketball program was referred to as “the little sister of the poor stepchild to football”. She stated that basketball at Penn State is a “winter afterthought given all the tending and care of a vegetable garden positioned in the middle of a nuclear field”. Harsh criticism, indeed! It is undeniable that Happy Valley holds their beloved Nittany Lions football program above all else, but is basketball that terrible? Stories of the basketball team being bumped all over the place to practice for the postseason are out there, but are they that much of an afterthought? Most importantly, is a trip to Penn State to see the Nittany Lions worth your sporting dollar and travel time? The Penn State Nittany Lions have been playing basketball for a VERY long time. Their team was established in 1897 but has struggled for the duration of its incarnation. In 1990, Penn State settled in the Big Ten Conference, bringing the membership of the conference up to 11 institutions. The Nittany Lions have only tasted the Final Four once, in 1954, and have only made the tournament 9 times. They also hold the championship for the 2009 NIT. However, Penn State is a large school with over 45,000 students enrolled. The State College location for Penn State, nestled in central Pennsylvania, between Pittsburgh and Scranton, means there are not a ton of other options in the surrounding area once football is finished. The university itself is located in its specific postal area of University Park. Home for the Nittany Lions is the Bryce Jordan Center, named after former Penn State president, Henry Bryce Jordan. The ingredients are all there for a successful program at Penn State. Catching a game at Penn State will not be the basketball experience of a lifetime, but with a good matchup and a little buzz and you will enjoy your time in Happy Valley. Food & Beverage 4 There are several different options available at the Bryce Jordan Center and you will be satisfied with the selection. The Bryce Jordan Center has several different concession stands for patrons, most offering different menu items. The main concession stands offer hot dogs ($4), grilled chicken, chicken tenders, pizza ($6), pretzels ($4), popcorn ($4), and fries among other items. The Roarin’ Grill offers cheesesteaks, and burgers while the Salada Salads offers a variety of salad options including Buffalo Chicken and Chicken Caesar varieties. The Pretzel Revolution offers a variety of pretzels including stuffed pretzels in Buffalo Chicken, ham and cheese, pizza, and pretzel dogs. Finally, the Hungry Lion BBQ Den offers a variety of barbecue options in the “Den Box” featuring smoked brisket, chorizo, pulled pork, or pulled chicken. Soft drink options in the Bryce Jordan Center are Pepsi products ($4/$5/$6) and can be found in three sizes of fountain soda at most concession stands. Gatorade, coffee, hot cocoa, and bottled water are also available. As with the other programs in the Big Ten Conference, alcohol is not available for purchase in the arena. A couple of items that you should consider purchasing would include one of the stuffed pretzels from the Pretzel Revolution or the Pitt vs. Philly Sandwich from the Roarin’ Grill. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere at the Bryce Jordan Center is decent, but will not blow you away. Approaching the Bryce Jordan Center from the outside, you will find a building that is aesthetically pleasing for the most part. It is not over-the-top modern-looking and does not have an entrance with tons of green glass, but the red brick and grey siding looks nice enough for the arena which was built in 1996. There are several windows underneath the grey siding of the upper bowl portion, which allow plenty of natural light into the concourse during an afternoon game. The Bryce Jordan Center sits below the watchful eye of Mount Nittany, which can be seen from the lookout point with the provided binoculars. Inside the Bryce Jordan Center, patrons will find maybe a bit too much-exposed concrete in the concourse area. The arena features a single concourse that serves both the upper and lower seating bowls. There are a huge number of banners hanging from the ceiling in the concourse advertising Penn State basketball, both the men's and Lady Lions. Above the entrances of the seating bowl there are murals of significant events in Penn State basketball history including the 1954 Final Four team, as well as the careers of such Nittany Lions as Tim Fraizer and John Amaechi. Inside the seating bowl, patrons will find the court in a north-south configuration. Above the center of the court is an excellent video board to go along with the 360-degree ribbon board encircling the arena. At the south end of the arena hang banners commemorating the achievements of the Nittany Lions basketball team including the 1954 Final Four team, the 2009 NIT Championship team, and the 2001 team that made it to the Sweet 16. Other tournament appearances are also commemorated. There are also several banners honoring the Lady Lions who have seen significantly more success than the men have. Both the north and south ends of the upper bowl are routinely curtained off in an attempt to encourage a more intimate feel. The promotions are what you would expect for a college basketball game. The pep band sits in the south end and plays throughout the game. Both the Lionettes dance team and traditional cheerleaders perform during stoppages in play. The intro for the game is pretty good with the band taking a significant role, especially the drumline. When the players are introduced by the public address announcer, most of the fans in attendance yell out “Penn State” along with the announcer for each player. The seats in the Bryce Jordan Center are your typical plastic, stadium seats. If you are interested in a picture of the court with the logo facing in your direction, then the west side is where you want to be (sections 117-127). You will want to be in the lower bowl if possible, as the upper bowl will feel a lot more spacious. The upper rows of the lower bowl on the west side will provide a great view of the court. Neighborhood 4 There are lots of options for pre and post-game fare in State College. Depending on how hearty a walk you are looking for, taking your car to get something before or after the game is a distinct possibility. The Bryce Jordan Center is located fairly central to the University Park campus. Heading to College Ave, the southern border of the campus will yield a ton of options. Some options you may want to consider include Letterman’s Sports Grill, and Kildare’s Irish Pub. There are also a ton of fast food and chain options on College Ave. Other options you may consider are Spats Cafe or Whiskers, which is in the on-campus Nittany Lion Inn. State College is pretty isolated and as a result, there are not a ton of other options for entertainment. Penn State does offer a variety of other varsity sports including hockey at Pegula Ice Arena and of course football at Beaver Stadium. You may want to consider a hike on one of the trails of nearby Mount Nittany if you are looking for something a little more active. Fans 2 The Penn State experience drops off when it comes to fan support. The Nittany Lions lack the student support that you would normally equate with a top-flight college basketball program. On the date of this particular review, there was not much of a student section to speak of. This particular game brought in a pretty big crowd of over 10,000 but take into consideration that it was a top-flight opponent in Michigan State with a fan base that traveled well. The Nittany Lions attendance is all over the place, but essentially the venue is too big for the crowds that basketball brings in. In 2013-2014, the Nittany Lions drew an average of just over 6,000 fans. They did make a significant jump for the 2014-2015 season, averaging over 8,000 fans, however, those numbers keep them near the bottom of the conference in attendance. The fans that are in the stands are supportive, when not drowned out by visiting fans. They are fairly polite and knowledgeable. However, with generally a poor product on the floor, the team does not give the fans too much to cheer about. Access 5 Getting in and around the Bryce Jordan Center is not a problem at all. The Penn State campus is located north of State College proper and just south of Interstate 99. When getting off the interstate, you will not have to travel through town to get to the arena. Public transit is available at State College. Several different bus lines stop at the front door of the Bryce Jordan Center. The Center Area Transportation Authority (CATA) travels throughout campus and links to major areas of State College and neighboring communities. Check out the CATA website for maps and schedules. There is plenty of parking around the Bryce Jordan Center. Keep in mind that the arena is just across the street from Beaver Stadium, which requires a HUGE number of parking spots on game day. Parking has been listed for a nominal $5, however, for this particular event, there was no attendant when we parked and we were not charged a fee. The gates are fairly spacious and spill right into the concourse. The ticketing areas offer more than enough space and are a little busier than other places since buying tickets at the door is not out of the question. For the number of fans in attendance, the concourses are more than adequate in size. If there were a packed house, this may not be the case. The washroom facilities are more than adequate and lines tend to move very quickly. Return on Investment 4 Penn State basketball is affordable, but the return may be a bit questionable. The most expensive tickets for Penn State basketball are a mere $26 for conference opponents. Non-conference opponents are fewer and there are numerous discounts for youth and seniors. Combine this with decent concession prices and parking that is very cheap and you have a recipe that will not require a ton of money. However, the lack of fan support and the poor showing that the team often produces may make you think twice. However, it is still major college basketball in a major college basketball conference, and that can’t be too bad. Extras 2 Two extra marks for Mount Nittany and the beautiful mountainous surroundings in Happy Valley as well as the beautiful campus of Penn State. Final Thoughts Penn State basketball seems to be in a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation. It lacks in the fan department, but would more fans push the administration to put a stronger emphasis on the basketball program, or would a better basketball product bring out more fans? Either way, there is huge potential in Penn State basketball that is unrealized and it would not be out of the question for the team to make significant strides in the conference and become a more regular participant in the NCAA tournament. However, I’m not sure that Penn State is the little sister of the poor stepchild. The experience seems better than that. ----- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and Instagram.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Pinnacle Bank Arena 400 Pinnacle Arena Drive Lincoln, NE 68508 Nebraska Cornhuskers website Pinnacle Bank Arena website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 15,500 The Cornhusker’s Crib While the University of Nebraska has a reputation for athletic success in other sports the same is not true for the basketball program. The program got its start in 1897 and achievement, is 120 years of existence has only won two regular season titles (1916, 1950). The Cornhuskers have appeared in seven NCAA tournaments over the years. They are winless in the Tournament, leaving Nebraska as the only school in a power conference with this dubious achievement Cornhuskers have been more successful in the National Invitational Tournament, where they have appeared seventeen times. They have an overall record of 23-16 in the NIT and won the title in 1996. In 2010 the University began a systemic upgrading of all its athletic facilities in conjunction with its move to the Big Ten Conference. As a result, the Cornhuskers moved into the newest basketball arena in the Big Ten in time for the beginning of the 2013 basketball season. The new facility, the Pinnacle Bank Arena, is a major upgrade from the Bob Devaney Sports Complex. The Pinnacle Bank Arena truly represents a serious commitment to the future of Cornhusker basketball. The 15,391-seat arena features such modern touches as a concrete and metal panel façade, a spectacular open-air roof deck, and plenty of glass along its concourses to provide outstanding views of the State Capitol and the surrounding University of Nebraska campus. Also included in the facility are 36 executive suites, 20 Loge boxes, 832 club seats, two private lounges for boosters, more than, one, hundred concession points, and a full-service team store. Food & Beverage 3 The number of concessions facilities at Pinnacle Bank Arena has been increased to more than 100 locations throughout the arena. This has greatly reduced the order and wait times, getting you back to your seat much quicker. The concession stands come with names related to Nebraska or the greater Lincoln area. The generic stands go by the name of Haymarket Place, the area that surrounds the immediate area outside the arena. Other stands go by the names of Sandhills, Chimney Rock, Railway (Lincoln got its start as an important railroad hub), and the North End Deli. If you want to sample a Nebraska-centric product, head to the State Fair Classics stand. You will want to order a Husker Combo, which includes, red dogs (a hot dog unique to Nebraska) and a drink. Atmosphere 3 The court now features shaded portions which form a silhouette of the shape of the state of Nebraska. The court borders and the seats now feature the team colors prominently. A major enhancement is the center-hung, HD scoreboard, and video board. The electronics package also includes a ribbon board around the entire arena and a very nice graphics package appears behind the north end of the court. The suites, club seats, and loge seats have proven to be very popular with the major boosters at the University of Nebraska. Attendance has grown dramatically since the arena opened in 2013. Neighborhood 4 The Pinnacle Bank Arena is the centerpiece of a larger urban revitalization effort known as the Haymarket Historic District. The history of the district goes back to the many features within the Pinnacle Bank Arena improved when the town’s commercial center was focused on the square and the railroad depot. Today this area is being redeveloped into retail, dining, the 1870s, and entertainment establishments. One of the most popular sites within the district is called Railyard and it features an outside patio for dining or uses as a concert space. It also is home to more than 20 shops and restaurants. Make sure you check out the three-dimensional brick mural of a train pulling into the station and a restored steam engine and an 1890 water tower fountain for a great selfie background. Arena and Adjoining Haymarket Area, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey The two other major sports facilities in Lincoln are just blocks from the arena. Memorial Stadium, home of the Huskers football program is to the right of the arena and Haymarket Park, home of the Lincoln Saltdogs minor league baseball team and the Nebraska baseball program is located 4 blocks to the left of the arena. Fans 4 As in most arenas, the fanbase is typically broken down by alumni, students, and townspeople. For many of the alumni, basketball has been an afterthought compared to the storied football program. However, the new amenities have pulled in many alumni and once they are in the building they are hooked on the Cornhusker cause. Lincoln is, uses, a college town, in addition to being a state capital. For Lincoln natives, any sports event involving a Cornhusker team is a major event, as there are no pro franchises in the state. Most families have either graduated from the university or work in some way at the school. By far the fans at a Huskers basketball game are the students. They show up in all forms of red garb, wear corn head hats and do everything possible to distract the opposition. They are seated just under and behind the opponent’s goalpost at the court level (the Red Zone) to give their efforts the maximum effect. Assisting them in these efforts are the Cornhusker pep band and team mascot Herbie Husker. Access 3 Getting to and from Pinnacle Bank Arena is not very difficult. Its’ proximity to the Nebraska campus allows most of the students to reach the arena on foot. Since the arena is not physically on campus, drivers do not have to deal with the many zones or parking areas found on campus. Parking is plentiful and relatively cheap, so you should not encounter any problems locating a space. The Haymarket area surrounding the arena results in people coming directly from work, which also helps to thin out traffic as the game draws closer. Once inside the arena, the concourses are wide and well-marked with directional signs. The aisles are much wider than were found in the Devaney Sports Complex and cup holders are found on every chair. Return on Investment 4 A night out at a Cornhusker basketball game will not be a budget breaker. The school utilizes a two-tiered ticket pricing system. Big Ten Conference games are permit-only priced as follows: $25 for seats in the 100 level, $20 for seats in the 200 level, and $10 for seats at the 300 level. , games are offered at a discount, with Conference seats going for $20, 200 level seats going for $15100-level and 200-level seats going for $7. Concessions are very reasonably priced and the public parking near the arena runs from $3 - $10. Extras 3 Since opening in the Fall of 2013, the Pinnacle Bank Arena has hosted concerts by many of, the entertainment’s top performers. The Eagles, Bon Jovi, Elton John, Cher, Florida Georgia Line, Neil Young, Kenny Chesney, Paul McCartney, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, Justin Beiber, and Keith Urban. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billy Joel, KISS, Bruno Mars, Garth Brooks, and Pink. In addition, the arena has hosted ice shows, circuses, two NBA preseason games, and Monster Truck competitions. The Pinnacle Bank Arena is an EnergyStar-certified facility. It recycles 75% of the waste generated at an event and utilizes building materials and, energy-generating committing environmentally sustainable systems. The Haymarket Historic District outside of the arena offers numerous options for pre-and post-game entertainment. Final Thoughts The University of Nebraska is committing to improving its basketball program to be more competitive in the Big 10, one of the toughest basketball conferences in the country. The Pinnacle Bank Arena is a major part of that commitment, as it should provide a tremendous boost to recruiting and fan support.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Williams Arena 1925 SE University Ave Minneapolis, MN 55455 Minnesota Golden Gophers website Williams Arena website Year Opened: 1928 Capacity: 14,625 Gopher a Trip to “The Barn” The Big Ten Conference has long been known for some of the most historic athletic facilities in the country. Ohio State has its Horseshoe, Michigan has its Big House, Indiana has The Rock and the University of Minnesota has “The Barn.” One of the oldest basketball arenas still in use in the college ranks, Williams Arena was built in 1928 and is fondly referred to as “The Barn” by the Gopher Nation. It earned its moniker due to its barn-like design with its rounded roof and beamed supports. Gopher fans willingly embrace the nickname, as the luxury boxes are known as the Barn Lofts, and the student section is known as the Barnyard. Like the Midwest structures of old, The Barn has served multiple purposes over its long existence. In addition to serving as the home of Gopher basketball, the building has served as an indoor practice facility for football, an ice hockey, an indoor track facility, and multiple tennis courts. To facilitate these multiple uses, the basketball court is elevated above the floor of the arena. Benches for both teams are two feet below the playing surface, and coaches are the only persons other than the playing personnel and the referees to be at court level. This unique feature is only found at two other schools, Vanderbilt University, and Butler University. Williams Arena has gone through several updates through the years, which has resulted in increases and decreases in seating capacity. Its current basketball capacity is 14,625. Amongst the most recent renovations are new lighting and sound systems, a new scoreboard with a video screen, and the creation of 21 luxury suites known as the Barn Lofts. The University of Minnesota has had a long and storied basketball history, as it has won two National Championships and nine Big Ten Championships, and has participated in 15 NIT Tournaments. Several Gopher stars have gone on to great NBA careers, including Lou Hudson, Mychal Thompson, Kevin McHale, and Kris Humphries. It also has a lineage of notable basketball coaches, including Bill Musselman, Bill Fitch, Clem Haskins, and Tubby Smith. Food & Beverage 3 There are several Snack Shack concession stands spread throughout Williams Arena, which sell your typical arena/stadium fare. A sampling of their food and beverage items and their cost includes barbecue pork or chicken sandwiches ($7), cornbread muffins ($1.50), hot dogs ($5.75), pretzels ($4), garden salads ($5), popcorn ($6), kettle corn ($7), candy ($3.25) and chips ($1.75). The beverage items are limited to Coca-Cola brand sodas ($5) and bottled water ($4.25). No alcohol sales are allowed, due to Williams Arena's on-campus location. In addition to the arena stands, there are branded concession stands carrying Famous Dave’s BBQ, Subway sandwiches and salads, and Palermo Pizza. The Goldy’s Locker Room team store stocks a full assortment of Gophers paraphernalia at numerous sites throughout the arena. Atmosphere 5 The best way to describe the atmosphere and feel of Williams Arena and a Golden Gophers basketball game is “old school.” This is meant in a very complimentary way, as the University of Minnesota realizes it has a historical treasure on its campus and does not want to detract from that. The arena looks very much like it did back when it was built in 1928. The outer concourse features a great timeline outlining the history of the facility, culminating with a special exhibit that includes a portion of the original floor of the arena. From the time you enter “The Barn” until you find your seat, you’ll feel transported back to an earlier, simpler time in college basketball. The outer concourse has cinder-block walls and concrete floors, and it will become immediately clear when you enter the inner arena how Williams Arena earned its more popular moniker. The arched roof with the beams showing gives the feeling of a barn-like structure. True, there are some modern-day upgrades, such as improved lighting and a very impressive video/scoreboard, but these are necessities in an era where almost every game is televised. If you are coming to a Gophers game at The Barn, don’t expect the arena lights to be turned out and special effects show to take place for player introductions. The excitement generated here comes from the cheer squad, the University pep band, and a very enthusiastic student section (alias the Barnyard). The views from the seats of the court are great unless you are unfortunate enough to sit behind one of the support beams holding up the second level of stands. The second level of the arena is old school. To reach this area, you need to take a winding staircase, and remember to stop for the restroom or to buy your refreshments before making your ascent. The 1928 design does not include restrooms or concessions areas on the second level. If you are seated in the east end zone of the upper level, expect bench seating rather than seats. One other design change Williams has made to keep up with the other members of the Big 10 Conference is the addition of some “luxury boxes.” Even this change keeps true to this building’s simple bones. The luxury boxes are known as “Barn Lofts,” and consist of three rows of seats with a very simple kitchenette and a bathroom attached. Williams Arena realizes the star of the show is the game being played on the court and does its best to keep the distractions away from that at a minimum. Any thoughts on building a new facility with more modern features are quickly dismissed by the fans and students of the school. Neighborhood 4 Williams Arena is located within the sports complex on the University of Minnesota campus. It is located adjacent to TCF Bank Stadium and the Mariucci Arena. The name of the neighborhood surrounding these facilities is Stadium Village, for obvious reasons. Washington Avenue is the main thoroughfare for the neighborhood, as it serves as the address for a majority of the restaurants, nightclubs, and lodging facilities in the area. It also forms the route for the Metrorail light rail system that covers virtually all of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. There is a wide variety of restaurants to choose from that are just a few blocks from Williams Arena. These include Buffalo Wild Wings, D’Amico & Sons, Punch Pizza, the Beacon Public House, and Applebee’s. Stubs & Herbs Pub is a longtime UMinn favorite watering hole. Lodging in the area includes The Commons, the Aloft Hotel, Days Inn University, and the Doubletree by Hilton University. The two Metrorail stations on the Green Line servicing this area are the Stadium Village Station and the East Bank Station. The light rail system does a great job of getting you to a majority of the Twin Cities' major attractions, with stations at the Mall of America, U.S. Bank Stadium, Target Field/the Target Center, MSP International Airport, and the State Capitol in St. Paul. Fans 4 The Gophers have one of the most energized fan bases in the Big Ten Conference. This is especially true in the student section, otherwise known as the Barnyard. It is a farm version of the Cameron Crazies, with students wearing the maroon and gold colors of the school, farm wear such as maroon-and-gold-pinstriped bib jeans and straw hats. The most dedicated members of this section even don costumes of such barnyard animals as pigs, chickens, cows, and goats. The noise the Barnyard generates during a game can distract the opposition, especially when the team benches are located below the playing floor level, virtually in the seating section. The Gophers draw good crowds for any Big Ten matchup, but their most intense rivalry is with the University of Wisconsin. The two schools compete in the Border Battle, a competition that awards points to the victorious school in more than 17 varsity sports, with the winner named at the end of each academic year. This gives bragging rights to the winning school for the next year. Access 3 City planners and university officials in the Twin Cities have done an excellent job in designing a very walkable environment and easily-accessed area via public transportation. This is very important, due to the very frigid winters found in Minnesota. The restaurants, lodging, nightlife, and public transportation mentioned in the Neighborhood sections are all within a 2-3 block area of Williams Arena. The Metrorail system runs very frequently, with extra trains scheduled when there is a sports event going on at the University. For those who prefer to drive to the game, there are two parking decks open to the public (the University Avenue deck and the 4th Street deck), both of which are within three blocks of the arena. As you would suspect, with a building that dates back to 1928, accessibility within Williams Arena is not as modern as many of its peers in the Big Ten. The building has two main entrances, which get very backlogged when you have a crowd of more than 14,000 fans entering the building. The concourses are quite narrow, and fans accessing the upper level must navigate a winding metal staircase to reach their seats. There are no concession stands on the upper level. There are elevators available, but they are restricted for use to persons with mobility problems and fans with seats in the Barn Lofts. Another shortcoming of the building is that it has only eleven restrooms (five for the men and six for the women). Needless to say, the lines are horrific for these facilities, especially during the halftime break. One last structural issue is that there are several obstructed-view seating areas within the arena. The upper deck prides itself on being near the playing surface, but as a result, some of the lower-level seats are beneath the overhang and will be able to see the playing floor, but not the scoreboard. The other source of obstructed views is support poles that help hold up the second tier of seating. Despite these inconveniences, Golden Gopher fans do not put up much fuss. The university has proposed building a new facility to house the basketball program, but the overwhelming response from the alumni and students has been to preserve The Barn as it is, because that is what makes the Gopher basketball experience so different. Return on Investment 4 A trip to a UMinn basketball game does not necessarily dig a Gopher hole in your wallet. Tickets come in five different price zones ranging from $20 to $50. Due to the arena’s raised basketball floor, a cheaper seat may provide a better view of the game than a courtside seat, as the front-row fans are looking up at the action. Riding the Metrorail ($6 for a 24-hour rail pass) allows you to miss the traffic and a $10 parking charge, and the concessions are well-priced. In addition, the Big Ten typically offers some of the best basketball teams in the country, so you’ll be watching a quality game. Extras 4 The first extra has to go to “The Barn” itself for surviving and thriving since 1928. Its original cost back in the day was $650,000, which in today’s dollars would equal $9 million. The second extra point goes to the Denny Stanford University of Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame. It is located across the street from Williams Arena at TCF Bank Stadium. Call ahead for operating hours, as they can vary in the winter. The Twin Cities are a pair of great sports towns. With a little planning ahead, you can catch a UMinn hockey, basketball, or football game during the day, and then catch the Metrorail to a Vikings, Timberwolves, or Wild game in the evening, all in temperature-controlled indoor facilities. It is easy to add a little culture to your sports pursuits, as Minneapolis is a mecca for museums, concert halls, and theatres. The Guthrie Theatre is on the West Bank of the Mississippi River, directly across from UMinn on the East Bank. There is an enclosed bridge spanning the river and connecting the theatre with the University.

The sports world gives marketers a fantastic opportunity to build brand awareness, loyalty, and competitive advantage. When a company has their logo on a team’s jersey or its ads play on sideline boards during games, these companies gain access to a consumer base known for its loyalty and willingness to spend money. Sports also provide activists with a large audience to push their message and encourage change. At times, companies and non-profits utilise this reality well, but sometimes it comes across as bizarre and unnatural. After all, sports fans are loyal and dedicated, but this loyalty can come across as anger if games are interrupted. Today’s article will look at three strange promotions conducted recently within the grounds of a sports stadium. The House of the Dragon Promo House of the Dragon is HBO’s latest hit, and the prequel to Game of Thrones has got a lot of people talking since it first aired in August 2022. ExpressVPN’s detailed infographic about the show and the family tree of House Targaryen demonstrates that the show can be confusing to follow, but it seems people are more confused about why there was a House of the Dragon promo during a recent Major League Baseball playoff game. Earlier this month, a CGI dragon flew over Yankee Stadium during the 7th inning of Game 1 of the American League Championship series between the Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians. Some baseball fans thought the promo was cool, while others were unimpressed, with one Twitter user writing that it was the worst thing he has seen on TV. Bob Costas: "Now, you know, big sellout crowd here, but we weren't 100% sure this game was gonna be played tonight. And for more, it's shocking. Here's Lauren Shehadi..." * 'House of the Dragon' promo with CGI dragon flying over Yankee Stadium* Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 12, 2022 The Smile Campaign The 2022 horror film Smile launched a marketing campaign where eerily grinning actors were placed in the crowds of several Major League Baseball games. These actors were strategically placed in the stadium, such as behind home plate, for maximum exposure. The actors never broke character, and there are various clips of them staring and smiling into the camera for the pitcher-batter shot. While the movie’s director initially thought no one would notice, the campaign went viral on social media, and Smile ended up grossing a worldwide total of more than $180 million. Some fans were amused by the campaign after learning what it was. However, according to Yahoo Entertainment’s article, other people were freaked out by the actors. Here’s some fun, clever movie promo - Paramount seemingly placed #Smile actors in the crowd at both the Yankees and Mets games last night, both in view of cameras. The results were indeed creepy. Going to a game this weekend? Watch out for the smiles! 😃 Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) September 24, 2022 Just Stop Oil Protest Earlier this year, a man from Just Stop Oil, an organisation that protests fossil fuel production and licensing, tied himself to a goalpost with a cable tie during a Premier League game. The event occurred during a match between Everton and Newcastle and was followed up by several other protests of the same kind. Two protesters from the same organisation tried tying themselves to the goalposts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, bringing the game to a halt. While the message of Just Stop Oil is important, football fans in the United Kingdom are a passionate group of individuals who don’t appreciate when games are delayed for anything, including technical difficulties and protests. Regardless of the message, whether it's commercial or environmental, sports stadiums are a great place to gain exposure to large groups of people at once. These individuals are often loyal and passionate, making them great target audiences. However, companies and organisations do occasionally get it wrong or use strategies that come across as strange and eerie, such as the Smile campaign at the MLB games.

Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Leo D. Mahoney Arena Alumni Hall Sports Arena Loyola Drive Fairfield, CT 06824 Fairfield Stags website Leo D. Mahoney Arena website Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 3,500 A Jewel At The Heart Of The Fairfield Campus As fans approach the Leo D. Mahoney Arena, they will be drawn to a beautiful modern edifice yet tastefully designed. Large glass windows allow fans to see inside and get a glimpse of the seating area. Once inside the two-level facility is even more impressive. The project, which took less than three years to complete and cost $51 million all privately funded, opened in November and features 85,000 square feet, 3,500 seats, and multi-use space for basketball volleyball, university events, and concerts. The venue also includes a state-of-the-art broadcast and media center, a lounge on the second floor with a hot buffet, snacks, soft drinks, beer, and mixed drinks. The University partnered with industry leader Daktronics to design, manufacture and install 15 total LED displays for Mahoney Arena. The center-hung system is made up of nine displays – four main video displays, four corner wedges, and a lower ring. As fans enter the arena through the beautiful atrium, eyes are drawn to the court and lower bowl seating which is below the concourse, the massive scoreboard, and the wall of the upper level where it reads “HOME OF THE STAGS ” just under the American flag. Mahoney Arena replaced Alumni Hall which was situated on the same site and existed since 1959. The court was pivoted and is now more of an east-west configuration. The project was completed in under two years. The arena debuted on November 18 as the Fairfield University Women's Basketball team captured a 77-53 victory over Stonehill in the inaugural game. Food & Beverage 4 There are concessions stands in two corners of the lower and upper levels. A hot dog is $3.99 and a cheeseburger is $4.99 and $5.99 for a chicken caesar wrap. You can make it a combo for $7.99 or $8.99 respectively which includes chips and a soft drink. Hot chocolate, water, soft drinks, beer, and wine can also be purchased. Coca-Cola products are the beverage of choice. Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, High Noon, and White Claw are $9.99 and $7.99 for a glass of pinot grigio, rose, or cabernet sauvignon. The upper level has a beautiful club that can be purchased on a game-by-game basis or included as part of a season ticket plan. There is a full bar and buffet for each game with tables and bar stools for seating. Atmosphere 4 On this visit, the atmosphere was good but not electric as students were away for winter break There were no cheerleaders or band, but the game day staff did a good job using the scoreboard to entertain and mascot Lucas was on hand to meet and greet. The board was used for a couple of T-shirt tosses, the Flex Cam, and in-game contests. The arena is well lit and the public address announcements and music is so clear. Something that often is not the case at Mid-Major facilities. Fairfield Stags Banners, Photo by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 Fairfield is a beautiful suburban city of about 62,000 residents. There are a number of shops and restaurants near the campus which is situated one mile from downtown. Legendary pizza places Colony Grill and Frank Pepe’s are within a 5-minute drive and solid Italian food options are close by on Route 1 (Post Road) at Centro and Quattro Pazzi restaurants. Fans 4 Fairfield is a small school (about 5,000 undergraduates) but gets good support from its alums and students. The student section is dubbed the “Red Sea” student section and an area on the concourse is appropriately named the Red Sea Pub. The Stags who play in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) have not been in the NCAA Tournament since 1997, but the Arena will provide a huge boost to the program which had to play the past two seasons at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport. Access 5 The campus is easily accessible. It is located just one mile from Route 1 and I-95 and 10 minutes from the Merritt Parkway and is a 5-minute drive to the Fairfield Metro North Station. With the exception of the occasional accident on I-95, getting in and out is easy. There is a garage across from the arena which is free and there are outdoor lots nearby. Return on Investment 4 All the seats offer a great view of the action. Students get free admission. Seats range from $22-$25 on the sidelines. Behind the baskets runs $12-$15 in the lower bowl for bench seating. Upper-level club seats are $75 and the ones located on the opposite side in 210-212 are $22-$25. Behind the baskets in the upper level are $12-$15 for a seat. The upper level has only 4 rows which are nice for families or if you want to be away from the more densely populated sections. The seats have fairly good legroom and the sightlines are fabulous which combined with free parking make a Fairfield game a great value. Extras 4 A Stags Team Store to purchase game day apparel and souvenirs is located on the right side of the concourse upon entering the arena. There are also exhibits dedicated to The Evolution of Lucas, Fairfield Athletics Hall of Fame, and a History of Alumni Hall. Leo D. Mahoney was a co-founder of one of the largest suppliers of road salt in the United States. In the early 90s, Mahoney sat on the University Trustee Advisory Council. His three children are all graduates of Fairfield. In 1948, basketball became the first varsity sport, and students were solicited to pick a school mascot. A vote was taken by the Board of Trustees and Stags (male deer) was chosen over Chanticleers. The previous nickname was Men in Red. Final Thoughts Leo D. Mahoney is a great addition to the campus. The new facility should attract more hardcore and casual fans and enhance recruiting as Fairfield attempts to make its mark on the local basketball scene and in MAAC play.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Willett Hall 201 High St Farmville, VA 23909 Longwood Lancers website Willett Hall website Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 1,900 Go 'Wood! Willett Hall is located in Farmville, Virginia, on the campus of Longwood University, and is home to the Longwood Lancers’ men’s and women’s basketball teams. It opened in 1980, shortly after the Lancers made the Division III Final Four. That same year, they moved up to the Division II level, before making the jump to Division I in 2004 to join the Big South Conference. Willett Hall served as host for the 2016 Vice Presidential Debate between Mike Pence and Tim Kaine and underwent major renovations to prepare for that. However, it is set to close no later than 2022 and be replaced by the Joan Perry Brock Center. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand located in the lobby of Willett Hall, offering only the most basic options. The good news is that the prices are affordable. If you want a main dish, your only options are Chick-fil-A sandwiches ($4) and hot dogs ($3). Other options include pretzels ($3), candy ($3), and chips and popcorn for $2 each. Drinks include soda ($2, or $5 for a souvenir cup), Powerade ($3) and bottled water ($3). The soda is Coca-Cola products, and includes Mello Yello, which is not typically found at arenas. Atmosphere 4 For a small college, Longwood puts on a good show at their basketball games. There are only a few rows of reserved chairbacks on one sideline, with the other seats being bleachers. Willett Hall has two scoreboards, one behind each baseline. The one closest to the entrance has a video screen, while the one on the other side does not, but shows player stats. The Lancers have a dance team and cheer squad that keep the crowd engaged and throw t-shirts into the seats after every three. Before the game, there are impressive player introductions involving music and flashing, colorful lights. The Lancers mascot is a horse named Elwood who looks similar to the horse in the Longwood logo. Neighborhood 3 Farmville is a quaint, small town, and while it’s in the middle of nowhere, there is still plenty to do here. Although there are typical chain places, your best bet is to check out the local color at places such as Walker’s Diner or Riverside Café, both of which are very close to the arena. In fact, everything in Farmville is very close to the arena, because it’s a very small town. Just head off campus and turn left on Main Street and just about everything will be right there. Fans 3 Although Willett Hall is a small arena, seating under 2,000 fans, the Lancers rarely come close to filling it. Most games draw just over 1,000 fans. The nice thing about small arenas is that they’re usually quite full, and it is disappointing that Longwood can’t seem to pull it off here. That being said, the fans who do show up are engaged, cheering and even waving Longwood flags at times. They stay until the end, even if the game isn’t close, which can be a problem at some other places. Unfortunately, they do have a tendency to wait to show up until right as the game is tipping off, which can be distracting if you have to keep standing up to let people in right as the game is starting. Access 2 There are a few roads into Farmville, but regardless of how you get into town, you are going to have to drive quite a bit. Most likely you will end up taking either State Route 45 or U.S. Route 460, but if you’re coming from any sort of populated area, Farmville probably isn’t close to you. Lynchburg is the closest remotely large city, and it’s a full hour away. Richmond is about an hour and 15 minutes, while Washington, D.C. is about three hours. Once you’re on campus, there is a parking lot next to the arena, but that is reserved for season ticket holders and those with handicap permits. Everyone else can park anywhere else on campus except in lots reserved for residential students, which are pretty far from the arena and would be bad places to park anyway. The restrooms in the arena are located around the corner from the main lobby and up a small flight of steps. Although they are small, they are sufficient for the crowds typically. Return on Investment 5 Tickets start at $7 for general admission seats in the bleachers, while reserved chairbacks are $12. However, the chairbacks are only sold the day of the game and are reserved for season ticketholders up until that point. Regardless, this is a good value, especially with the affordable concessions and free parking. You may have to spend a bit of gas money to get to Farmville given how far away it is from just about anything, but that will vary depending on where you live. Extras 3 Free programs are available at a table in the lobby. There are jerseys painted on the back wall honoring Lancers men’s and women’s basketball greats as well as a sign honoring former women’s basketball coach Shirley Duncan. The Lancers have many intricate and entertaining contests during timeouts and at halftime, including a bizarre version of musical chairs with exercise balls instead of chairs where contestants had to dance while blindfolded while the music played then try to find the balls when it stopped. Final Thoughts Willett Hall may be located in the middle of nowhere, which is about what you’d expect from a town called Farmville, but if you’re in town and the Lancers are playing, it is definitely worth a visit. That being said, only the most passionate sports travelers would consider it worthwhile to drive several hours to check out this arena. There is a lot of potential here, and if the Lancers manage to fill the place up, it could be a spectacular atmosphere, but it seems a lot the effort to make that happen is going to be deferred until the new arena opens in a few years.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena 2900 Stadium Dr Fort Worth, TX 76109 TCU Horned Frogs website Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena website Year Opened: 1961 Capacity: 8,500 Riff, Ram, Bah, Zoo … Give ‘Em Hell, TCU! There is no denying that Texas Christian University is a football school. With the 2022 season finding the TCU Horned Frogs in the National Championship game, as of this writing, Fort Worth and the Metroplex are going a little Frog Wild. However, one should not sleep on TCU hoops! Favorite son of TCU and former basketball letterman Jamie Dixon has returned to TCU after a number of successful seasons guiding the Pitt Panthers and the product on the court is getting better and better. Home for the Horned Frogs is Walsh Family Court @ Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena right on the Texas Christian University campus. The Frogs have played basketball since 1908 and have played in Schollmaier Arena since 1961. Texas Christian University is a private university affiliated with the Disciples of Christ church which was established in 1873. There are approximately 12,000 students at TCU. In 2012, the Horned Frogs made a big step up by joining the Big 12 Conference. As for basketball, a massive renovation to the former Daniel-Meyer Coliseum in 2015 gave TCU the current Schollmaier Arena. The arena is named after the lead donors, Ed & Rae Schollmaier and the court is named after the family of oilman and philanthropist, Howard Walsh Food & Beverage 3 The concession options at Schollmaier Arena are fairly routine. Pizza, wings, hot dogs, nachos, pretzels and popcorn are all available. Different concession stands have different specialty items including cheeseburgers, chopped beef sandwiches and brisket nachos. Pepsi products are the soft drink of choice in Schollmaier Arena and there are some alcoholic options. The beer selection includes Miller Lite, Coors Light, Shiner and 817 Blonde. Atmosphere 5 The campus of Texas Christian University is gorgeous and Schollmaier Arena is no exception. Located adjacent to Amon Carter Stadium, Schollmaier Arena has the same light brick that can be found around campus. The building fits right in with all of the others. The main entrance to the arena is on the east side of the building and has a long open plaza for fans to wait at before the doors open. There are bronze statues off to the right of key members of the TCU athletic family. Some bronze statues of interest for basketball fans include former player James Cash and former football coach, basketball coach and athletic director Dutch Meyer. The Horned Frog statue immediately in front of the arena is the perfect photo op for all fans visiting TCU. Upon entering the main gate at the northeast side of the building, fans are immediately struck with the attention to detail found in Schollmaier Arena. Everything is bright and clean and beyond professional looking. The use of purple is a theme throughout the concourses and simple details like finished floors and walls make Schollmaier Arena top notch. There is no exposed concrete at all. On the immediate left is a spot no fan should miss, the June and John Justin Hall of Fame. With large mannequins upon the entry displaying the uniforms for each varsity team to cases filled with trophies and national championships to the enshrined members, this is a spot even fans unaware of TCU’s athletic history will want to spend some time at. Other spots of notice in the circular concourse include the various murals and the framed jerseys of the six retired basketball numbers. Continuing to go the extra mile, TCU gives a brief explanation for the honoured players rather than just hanging their number. Darrell Browder, Dick O’Neal, James Cash, Kurt Thomas and Sandora Irvin and Janice Dziuk are all honored both in the concourse and in the main seating bowl. The main seating bowl is where it is clear that the venue was built long before the entry and concourses. The circular bowl design is common and cozy, yet not the design of choice when new venues are built. It is just as clean inside the seating bowl as out in the concourses. The color scheme remains purple as the dominant accent with purple seats and light colors throughout. The cable supported ceiling gives vibes of Madison Square Garden. The seats are essentially one main level with conference championships and retired numbers enshrined on the back walls. The court runs from southeast to northwest and sitting on the northeast side will give fans the perfect center court picture. The Walsh Family Court features an interesting, reptile skin design and the four-sided videoboard with LED ring is effective and hangs above center court. The gameday production is what one would expect from a college facility. The band sits behind the southeast goal and the cheerleaders have a place as well as flagbearers and the mascot, Superfrog and the TCU Showgirls. Overall, there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of improvement on the atmosphere that TCU could possibly do. Neighborhood 4 The campus of Texas Christian University is located in the southwest portion of the city, also southwest of Downtown Fort Worth. There are a number of establishments in the immediate area that cater to the college crowd that fans may be interested in stopping at for a pre or post game meal or drink. The Purple Frog, Buffalo Bros, and Fat Shack are all worth considering. For other sporting options, Amon Carter Stadium, home of the TCU Horned Frogs football team is right next door to Schollmaier Arena and the baseball team out of Lupton Stadium are quite popular and accomplished. Panther City Lacrosse of the NLL play out of Dickies Arena as well. There are a host of rodeo spots in Fort Worth and even for the novice rodeo attendee, it is worth a trip. The most historic and most consistent is found in the Fort Worth Stockyards area at Cowtown Coliseum. Rodeo runs every Friday and Saturday night, all year round and are worth checking out. The Fort Worth Stockyards is an essential tourist destination and a must for all fans. Outside Fort Worth, keep in mind that Dallas, Arlington and Frisco are nearby and all have plenty of sporting and tourist options. Fans who wish to stay near TCU can find a room at the nearby Hyatt Place Fort Worth. Fans 3 TCU is definitely a football school and years of basketball taking a back seat have taken its toll on the fanbase. The Horned Frogs generally attract less than 6,000 fans per game, which ranks last in the Big 12 Conference. Keep in mind that the venue is one of the smallest for a Power 5 school. TCU fans are generally reserved. The student section, Frog Army, sits near the court near the band on the southeast end. It will be interesting to see what changes to fandom at TCU happen as a result of the expected increase in basketball success to accompany Coach Jamie Dixon. For now, the fan score remains at a strong three with an expectation of an increase in the near future. Access 4 Texas Christian University campus is located in the southwest portion of Fort Worth. It is surrounded by the Chisholm Trail Parkway to the north and west, Interstate 20 to the south and I-35W to the east. Each of these major arteries are a fair distance from campus and some traversing through Fort Worth will be necessary to get to campus. There are a number of parking garages on campus near Schollmaier Arena. The most economic option is the garage on the opposite side of Amon Carter Stadium, which is free. For fans wishing to access public transit, there are buses that traverse University Drive and Berry Street and will require a brief walk through campus to get to the arena. Fans should check out the Trinity Metro website for fares, schedules and maps. Getting around the arena is not too difficult and the washroom facilities are adequate for the number of people in attendance. With security policies in constant flux throughout College Basketball, Stadium Journey highly recommends that before heading to the game, fans consult the TCU Horned Frogs website for the most up to date security and prohibited items information. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for the TCU Horned Frogs can be costly. All conference games start at $50 per ticket and $40 for youth. Tickets can be found for less for non-conference games, as with most college basketball experiences. Parking can be found for for free and concession prices are about what one would expect for a college basketball game. Although Schollmaier Arena is gorgeous, the fans don’t quite bring enough to the table to make this a top tier college basketball experience. Perhaps with more success and excitement, the full experience will warrant the ticket prices. Extras 3 An extra mark for the June and John Justin Hall of Fame. It is truly unique and a must see for TCU and college athletics fans. An extra mark for the Horned Frogs hand signal, which although is not seen as much at basketball as football, it is still a unique bonding item for Frog fans. An extra mark for the TCU branding with one of the most unique team names there is and a purple scheme that is embraced throughout athletics. Final Thoughts The Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena on the campus of Texas Christian University is one of the nicest college basketball facilities there is. The attention to detail is second to none and fans will enjoy the experience of a Horned Frogs game. With the addition of Coach Jamie Dixon and more success on the horizon, Fort Worth will hear a lot more “Riff, Ram, Bah, Zoo … Give ‘Em Hell, TCU!” to go along with the squeak and swish of College Basketball. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photo Courtesy of WKU Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 E.A. Diddle Arena 1906 College Heights Blvd Bowling Green, KY 42104 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers website E.A. Diddle Arena website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 7,500 The Best Rises to the Top There are hidden gems regarding college basketball venues spread all across the United States. One such example resides in Bowling Green, Kentucky with E.A. Diddle Arena. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have a proud basketball history that includes multiple Sweet Sixteen appearances and a Final Four berth way back in 1971. The modest, but beautiful, E.A. Diddle Arena was already around to see the glory days of Hilltopper basketball as it was constructed in 1963. It’s named in honor of Edgar E..A. Diddle, a former Hilltopper basketball coach who piled up over 750 wins and a win percentage of over 70 percent. Usually arenas grow in capacity over the years, but Diddle Arena has actually done the opposite. It once had the ability to hold over 13,000 fans, but now has a capacity of 7,500. That number is still plenty large enough to get this place to a loud level, and gives the Hilltoppers a distinct home-court advantage. It also makes for a more pleasant and comfortable fan experience without the seats being crammed up against each other. Extensive renovations were made to Diddle Arena in 2002, and it’s safe to say they hit the mark. If you call yourself a college basketball fan and you’re traveling through the Bluegrass state, you better make time to witness a game at this historical site for college basketball. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor. Food & Beverage 5 You will be blown away by the wide variety of food options at Diddle Arena. They take no shortcuts in making sure fans are completely taken care of when it comes to the concession areas. Far too often we go to smaller arenas only to find the most basic of options that you could seemingly find at a high school gym. The exact opposite occurs at Diddle Arena. If you’re a seafood lover, you have to stop at Seafood Steamer. It’s located in the 2nd level concourse area and offers fresh seafood that you can’t get at most college basketball arenas. The shrimp and crab nachos catch the eye, and they are fairly priced at $8. Quesadillas or a shrimp baskets are also $8. For $10, you can get what they call a Red Skillet, which is red potatoes, yellow onions and sausage. The generous portions you receive for these orders more than make up for the price, and will do the trick for your dinner. For the more traditional concession items, there are hot dogs for $4.25 and popcorn for $4.75. The pork nachos are really good, and they’re $7.50. Again, these are all large portions to make up for the price. Pork sandwiches are $6.50, bottomless popcorn is $7 and personal pan pizzas are a mere $5.75. Rounding out these very impressive selections of food options are the panini sandwiches that you can get with steak, veggies or turkey for $6.25. Souvenir sodas are $5.50 and smaller sizes are $3.75. There’s also bottled water and Powerade for $3.75. Alcohol isn’t served at Diddle Arena as it is located on campus. Skip the expensive restaurant and have dinner at Diddle Arena when attending a game. You’ll be taken care of and find some good food to hold you over throughout the game. Atmosphere 4 Upon entering Diddle Arena, you first get the feeling that you’re entering a high school gym. The hallways are narrow, there are a lot of classrooms and the building seems tiny. However, once you start navigating throughout the venue, you realize how much history and tradition resides here. The walls that go along the concourses are like walking through a museum of Western Kentucky athletics. Memorabilia covers virtually every speck of the wall, and it’s easy to get lost in the history. I found myself reading all of the old newspaper articles and columns that have been written about Hilltopper basketball. This is all cleverly organized by decade. When you enter into the seating area, you really get a sense of how awesome this place is. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how large the interior is after walking in from the concourse area. Expect the place to always be full of energy and excitement, regardless of where the Hilltoppers may be in the standings. The electricity really flows through this place when the team is competing for championships. There isn’t a classic scoreboard that hangs over the center of the court. Instead, there are two standard definition scoreboards that are in diagonal corners. They’re nothing fancy, but they do the trick. You’ll be delighted to find out how much leg room is provided, and how comfortable the chair back seats are. Too many arenas fall victim to cramming as many seats as possible into a small space, leaving the fan with very little room to stretch out their legs or climb out of the aisle. You won’t run into that problem here. There is some bleacher seating mixed in among the regular seats. Mascots always make the experience more fun, and “Big Red” is a classic. He’s basically a big red blob, but he does a fantastic job enhancing the fan experience with his various antics. Neighborhood 3 There’s nothing too special about Bowling Green outside of the fact that it’s a classic college town filled with some fun local bars. You also won’t have a problem finding a fast food or casual dining option before or after the game. If you like live music, then one popular spot to check out is Tidball’s. It’s located just a few blocks from the arena, allowing you to walk if the weather isn’t too bad. This would be a great place to go have a few drinks after the game. To get more of a dining experience, go to 440 Main. They have Cajun cuisine, a solid wine list and a friendly crowd. It’s also located about a mile away from the campus. There are several other bars and restaurants to explore that cater to the college scene. The campus of Western Kentucky is located a few miles off of Interstate-65, and that’s where you will find most of your lodging options. If you’re really wanting to stay somewhere nice, then the Hyatt Place is located on Center Street, which is right next to Diddle Arena. There is a theme park located in Bowling Green, but unfortunately it isn’t open during basketball season. Fans 4 You’ll never confuse fair weather fans with Hilltopper fans. Regardless of how poorly the team may be playing in a given season, there is a solid core of fans that will always make it to Diddle Arena to show their support. Some fan bases only show up when their respective team is at the top of the standings, but that’s simply not the case here. If Diddle Arena isn’t at least half full, then look out the window to make sure the world isn’t coming to an end. Fans from the great Commonwealth of Kentucky have the reputation of being diehard college basketball fans, and Western Kentucky fans uphold that reputation. The only minor criticism is the lack of a defined student section. Students have the ability to make their home turf a very difficult place to play for opposing teams. There are plenty of ordinary fans represented at Hilltopper games, but a stronger student section would be nice to see, and elevate the fan atmosphere to another level. Access 4 Parking is usually an adventure when these arenas are located on college campuses that you’re not familiar with. For instance, it can be confusing on where you’re allowed to park upon arriving to Diddle Arena. Be careful not to park in a permit only lot, and there are several of them surrounding the arena. More signs directing the visiting fan on where they’re allowed to park would be helpful. As long as you’re prepared to walk, there are some free lots on the outer perimeters of campus. The elevators will be a welcoming surprise to take you to the upper level, and the concourses are simple to navigate through, even if they’re a little narrow. Finding your way to Bowling Green and the campus itself should be no problem. It’s about a 10 to 15-minute drive off of Interstate-65. If you’re coming from the South, then taking William H. Natcher Parkway to Nashville Road will direct you right to the campus. Navigating around the perimeter of the campus shouldn’t give you any problems. You won’t have any headaches finding Diddle Arena, but give yourself time to find a viable parking spot. Return on Investment 5 You absolutely get your money’s worth when attending a game at Diddle Arena. You can expect ticket prices to be in the neighborhood of $12 for tickets outside of the lower sections. Tickets could go up to $25 for Saturday games, depending on the opponent. The positive fan experience and proud history of Western Kentucky basketball make up for that price. Concession prices may be above average for a Conference USA venue, but they make up for it with the quality and large portion sizes. After a short walk, you can find free parking on most occasions. A below average fan experience would really hurt this score, but the fan experience will far exceed the ordinary fan’s expectations. These prices are very fair for what you’re getting in return. Extras 4 I’m giving out a couple extra points for how proud Diddle Arena is of the history of Western Kentucky athletics. You basically get a free trip to a museum as you walk down the hallways and learn about all of the great moments that have happened here. This arena gets some bonus points for how much it embraces its main school color of red. Many venues miss the mark on something as simple as showing pride in the school colors. Virtually everything is red inside Diddle Arena, giving you that instant feeling of being in Hilltopper country. You’ll be in the vast minority if you’re not wearing red at this place. Not to mention, the mascot is named “Big Red” and is a big red blob. Can’t go wrong there. Finally, I give an extra point to how comfortable the seating is. The combination of the cushioned seats and the two-plus feet of leg space makes for a pleasant experience that is unusual when attending a sporting event of any level. Final Thoughts With the exception of some minor criticisms, this is about as perfect of an experience as any college basketball fan would want. You will most likely get that same experience if you come to Diddle Arena. The fans are passionate and friendly. There is so much love and loyalty to this basketball program and it is fun to see in person. Additionally, the arena staff is noticeably engaged in making sure the fan experience is as great as it can be, and that plays a big role in the healthy attendance numbers. Other mid-major basketball arenas need to take a page or two from the playbook of Diddle Arena.

Photos by Jason Bartel, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Don Haskins Center 151 Glory Road El Paso, TX 79902 UTEP Miners website Don Haskins Center website Year Opened: 1976 Capacity: 12,222 A Trip Down Glory Road “You’ll play basketball my way. My way is hard.” – Don Haskins The 1966 Texas Western College men’s basketball team is arguably the most important college basketball team in the history of the sport. That Texas Western team took down Adolph Rupp’s Kentucky Wildcats to win the NCAA National Championship, and became the first team to start five black players. Though they didn’t play at Don Haskins Center (opened 10 years later), the presence of that team is felt throughout the arena. It was only one year, and it happened nearly 50 years ago, but it is still quite breathtaking to see everything that is associated with that team throughout the building. In 1967, Texas Western changed their name to University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Haskins stayed at UTEP until 1999, and then passed away in 2008 in El Paso. UTEP currently competes in Conference USA, with the likes of Memphis and SMU. The Miners current head coach is Tim Floyd, most notably the former head coach at USC during the OJ Mayo days. Floyd is looking to return UTEP back to national prominence, and he has quite the historical building to do that in. Food & Beverage 2 “Taco? Nacho? Burrito?” “No, I’m looking for el hot dog-o.” One of the things missing from Don Haskins Center is a decent food selection. Yes, they serve beer at all of the concession stands for $7-$10, which is weird for me to see coming from Arizona. Other than that, they have $4 hot dogs and sodas, nachos, candy, and that’s pretty much it. The concourse is essentially an octagon around the entire arena, with a concession stand in each of the 8 hallways. A couple hallways have stands set up by “Delicious Mexican Food.” The Delicious people also do a giveaway during one of the media timeouts where they have a guy in a Mexican wrestling costume come out on to the court and throw burritos to lucky fans. Atmosphere 5 There truly is no bad seat at “The Don.” There are no aisles that run through the seating area, so every section goes continuously from the floor to the ceiling. This allows 12,000 fans to fill up the stands and be close to the action, even at the very top. The UTEP logo at center court faces the west side, with the UTEP bench in the southeast corner, and the visiting bench in the northeast corner. The north end of Don Haskins Center is the student section, where the students, their guests, and the band sit. That area is general admission, but the rest of the arena is assigned seating. The pep band and dance team, which has a very unfortunate name (Gold Diggers), take up a pretty large chunk of the center section of the student area. The band doesn’t do too much during the game, it was mostly stuff played over the PA that got the crowd more into the game. The dance team is enormous, and performs during media timeouts pretty regularly. Almost every media timeout also has some kind of contest or promotion. There are four scoreboards, one in each corner, with different stats for either the team or individual players depending on the scoreboard. The actual score of the game is not very easy to find sometimes among all the numbers that they can display. Each end has a video board, which do show some replays during the game, but not too many. They also use it for different in-game videos to get the crowd more pumped up. I recommend entering the arena through the south entrance. The concourse on the south side is full of historic memorabilia. When you enter, you’re greeted by a huge painting of Don Haskins, as well as the 1966 National Championship banner, and banners representing the induction of Don Haskins, as well as the entire 1965-66 team into the National Basketball Hall of Fame. There are also trophy cases for all of the sports in this area, including the 1966 trophy. The building is very simple with no overwhelming features, sort of resembling the man himself, Don Haskins. Neighborhood 5 The Don is located on the corner of Glory Road and Mesa St. Mesa St. has a ton to offer for pre and postgame activities. Within walking distance of the arena, you can find almost any kind of cuisine that you are looking for. To the north, there isn’t as much, but there is Cabo Joe’s, and my favorite name, The Hoppy Monk. Most of the options are to the south, including Aroma, The Palomino, Mesa Street Grill, Rib Hut, Yamato Japanese, and much, much more. Once again, they’re all within just a few blocks of Don Haskins Center. It’s a very diverse and unique street that doesn’t look too promising if you are driving from the north, but it gets better as you go just south of the arena. Fans 4 The student section, the “Miner Maniacs,” is a pretty entertaining group of people. I did go to a winter break game against UNLV, but there were still quite a few people in the student section, and they brought an army of big heads. The best one was an enormous cutout of center John Bohannon, which had working arms and everything to try and distract the opponent’s free throw shooter in the second half. Outside of the student section, everyone was still very into the game the entire time; even when UTEP was down big early in the second half. The fans never gave up, never stopped cheering, and it got ridiculously loud when the Miners almost came back to beat the Rebels at the end of the game. It appears Tim Floyd has restored some hope in the Miner faithful, and brought them back to expecting good things to happen when they go to The Don. Access 4 Getting to Don Haskins Center is fairly easy. The easiest ways are to either take Executive Center Blvd. or Schuster Ave. east from I-10 to Mesa St., and then taking Mesa St. to Glory Road. The Glory Road parking garage is just across the street from the arena, and costs 10 dollars to park on game day for the general public. There are a lot of surface lots in the area, but they are all permit only. There are a lot of handicap parking spots on Glory Road. The building is sort of built into a hill on the north and west sides. If you are coming from that direction from the Sun Bowl or other sports facilities, you may miss it because you can only see the roof. Also, if you are trying to walk from that direction, it is not very handicap accessible, and has a lot of stairs to walk down to get to the entrance doors. The concourse itself is not very wide, which can cause some problems at halftime and after the game. The concession stand lines move sort of slow, causing them to back up into the concourse, and causing a lot of congestion at halftime. Definitely worthwhile to get your food during a media timeout rather than at halftime. The bathrooms have the same problem, there are a lot of them, but they are all small, so lines end up in the small concourse, adding to the traffic jam. Return on Investment 5 Don Haskins Center is really a must-see for any college basketball fan interested in the history of the game. Tickets for UTEP games are very affordable, ranging from $8-$30. With the low ticket prices, sort of low food and drink prices, and 10 dollar parking, it is basically the same price as going to a museum, which is essentially what the arena is. Extras 5 I’ve touched on all the historical significance already, but seeing it all in one place was remarkable. As I mentioned, the south hallway of the concourse is really where you need to start. National Basketball Hall of Fame banners, trophy cases full of memorabilia, and the 1966 Championship banner. In the main area, the rafters are lined with every NCAA and NIT tournament appearance, every WAC and now Conference USA tournament appearance and championship, and the national championship banner. The south end is filled with retired numbers, including those from the 1966 team, plus others such as Tim Hardaway and Nolan Richardson. The campus area around Don Haskins Center is also a sight to see. All of the athletics facilities are sort of built into a hill, especially the Sun Bowl. Just taking a walk around the area is fantastic, and also to go see Memorial Gymnasium, where the historic season took place. One last extra. The dance team’s name is the Gold Diggers.

Photos Courtesy of Ralph Simpson Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 Hampton Convocation Center 1610 Coliseum Dr Hampton, VA 23666 Hampton Pirates website Hampton Convocation Center website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 7,200 All Roads Lead To Hampton The Hampton Convocation Center is located on the university campus and is home to the Pirates basketball team. Opening in 1993 and replacing Holland Hall, which the volleyball team still calls home, the Convocation Center seats about 7,200 fans. Since joining the MEAC in 1995, Hampton has captured two regular-season conference championships and four conference tourney titles, the most recent in 2011. The program’s biggest success came in 2001 when as a #15 seed, they upset Iowa State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Banners representing their past accomplishments hang with pride in the Convocation Center in the school colors of blue & white. The Pirates basketball team moved to the Big South Conference beginning the 2018-2019 season. Food & Beverage 2 The concession prices at the Hampton Convocation Center are rather inexpensive. With that said, variety and selection vary at the two concession stands located in the arena. I started at the one behind section B4 and down the stairs. The menu board offers wings ($6) and a hot dog ($3) as the main proteins. However, cheeseburgers and Chick-fil-A sandwiches are also offered for $4 (neither listed), so I purchased one of each. The most popular item appears to be popcorn, and for $1 a serving, I can see why this is the case. Bottled Pepsi products are available for $3 and chips/candy are $1.50. I visited the second stand located behind section A4 (again, down the stairs) at halftime and only found nachos and popcorn. I’m assuming the first stand is the main one, as this one almost appeared out of business. Concessions stay open throughout the game, but if you’re looking for a burger or chicken sandwich, I would recommend getting them early as they were out late in the game when I visited. An interesting note here – the first concession stand did accept credit; however, it was through the cashier’s iPhone. I’m all about technology and I was OK (surprised, but OK) with the process, but if you don’t have a high level of faith or trust in the security of this type of transaction, bring cash. Another thought that crossed my mind after leaving – what if she is on break or the only cashier that had the phone/app? You may want to play it safe and bring some green. Atmosphere 2 As you approach the Convocation Center, you notice a nice water fountain in the foreground of a modern building. Entering the front doors behind the fountain, you find a well-lit lobby-type area. This area gave me a good first impression of the arena. I then saw the metal detectors, and my mental state slightly changed. Being safe and secure is great, but I haven’t typically seen this at other college venues I have visited in the past. Getting through wasn’t too much of a chore, though, and it was off to find a good seat. I was told seating is general admission. Stairs to take you up to the main seating bowl are located right behind the concession stands. There are a few seats marked ‘Reserved’, but for the most part, you have your pick. Of course, most of the lower-level seats were already claimed, so I made my way up to the upper level. One thing that is notable here is the amount of railing inside the building. If you are going to be on the upper level, your best bet is to sit at least 10 rows up, or you will more than likely have a railing partially obstructing your view. All seats are plastic and your comfort may vary. The floors are all concrete and need maintenance, as many areas are well-worn. This isn’t a major deal, but it does take a little bit away from the overall atmosphere. The pep band and dance team are located in the stands behind the basket adjacent to the visitors’ bench, and you will find cheerleaders on both ends of the floor throughout the game. Their effort and work do not go unnoticed and keep what atmosphere there is in the arena going. Neighborhood 4 The Convocation Center is located right on campus, so there are not a lot of things to do in the immediate area. Located in the Hampton Roads area, you have so many options for before or after the game, I couldn’t possibly list them all here – Williamsburg, Jamestown, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach are all reasonable drives from Hampton and a web search will provide you with must-see opportunities. If you’re into the water, there’s plenty of it around. If you’re in the area for a few days, take a drive out to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. It’s over 20 miles long and connects the Virginia Beach area with the peninsula across the bay. There’s even a rest stop along the bridge where you can get a bite to eat or even go fishing. Looking for something to eat before or after the game? Head over to the Coliseum area (about a five-minute drive) and head to the Greene Turtle, a great sports bar with plenty of TVs. Cinebistro, located in the same shopping center, has first-run movies, along with in-theater dining and beverages. It also has a full bar and bowling alley and is a great place to spend an evening with friends. Fans 2 The Hampton fan experience is nothing out of the ordinary. A great number of fans appeared to be bored or into conversations with others and not really into the game. The most recent game I attended was a late 2012-2013 season contest, but if you are going to go to the game, at least pay attention and support your team. The energy level in the stands was very low, and if I felt it, I’m sure the players did too. Access 3 Getting to the Convocation Center is simple – it is located right off I-64 and right on the Hampton campus. Parking is located right across from the arena, and there is plenty of it available. Getting inside and through security can be a little bit of a hassle, depending on crowd size, so be aware of that if you are tight on time, and being in your seat at tip-off is a must for you. Once inside, you won’t find the typical round concourse. The concourse is really inside the seating bowl, and most utilize that to get from one side of the arena to the other. Outside of the seating area, you will find two sets of restrooms, one each by the two concession stands. It was a little confusing at first, but I found the orange-clad ushers helpful and they were able to guide me where I wanted to go. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids – you really can’t go wrong here. Parking is free, and even if you do partake in the concession stand, you are still getting a decent value for your money here. Extras 0 If you’re looking for a competitive college basketball game, that is what you will find. Otherwise, there is not much in terms of extras. Final Thoughts If you’re a fan of Hampton basketball, some of the things that I mentioned above may seem unimportant to you. If you’re a fan of arenas and planning a trip of those that you must get to, the Convocation Center is missing that special something that would put it at or near the top of your list.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Addition Financial Arena 12777 Gemini Blvd N Orlando, FL 32816 UCF Knights website Addition Financial Arena website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 9,465 Welcome to the Knightmare The feeling one gets at Addition Financial Arena for college basketball equals that of a rising collegiate basketball powerhouse. While UCF isn’t exactly a school that fits that definition, its fan base more than helps that feeling by filling seats and raising decibel levels. While some may not look for that college basketball feel in central Florida, that may be a mistake, as UCF definitely has some of the markers one looks for when attending NCAA hoops action. Their impending move to the Big 12 has only added fuel to the fire. Food & Beverage 4 The food at Addition Financial Arena is what one would typically expect at a sports arena – burgers, nachos, chips and cookies, soft drinks, etc. are all available at the various concession stands. However, the star is the BBQ booths around the arena; here you can indulge in a pulled pork sandwich ($8), pulled pork nachos ($8), or pulled pork or chicken sliders ($10). Smaller items like hot dogs ($4), soft pretzels ($4-$5), peanuts ($4), and more are also available throughout the arena. You can find concessions maps around the concourse as well, showing where you can find Flippers Pizza, Cuban Kitchen, Gemini Pub, and others in the arena. Atmosphere 4 Surprisingly, UCF’s basketball experience is on par with a lot of top-notch college basketball programs. When sitting in “The Dungeon” during a game, it is hard not to notice how close to the floor the seats are. Unlike some colleges where the seats are elevated or further away from the action, UCF’s seats seem to creep all the way to the floor, just steps away from the action. Even the upper deck seats give you a closer view than those at various other arenas. The student section in the end zone knows how to cheer and heckle with the best of them, and they fill in their seating rather quickly on game days. The UCF band and cheerleaders also help to pump up the crowd during games, adding to the college feel. Neighborhood 3 UCF may not be in the heart of Orlando, but there are many fun things to do immediately surrounding the campus, and the campus itself is packed with lodging, shopping, and restaurants. Almost every major restaurant chain you can think of is nearby, as well as a mall and several other large shopping districts. Visitors to the campus will also notice several smaller food venues around the arena on UCF’s campus. Also, during the holidays the area is decorated for Light Up UCF, where families can enjoy Christmas lights, ice skating, and more before and after the basketball game. Fans 4 The passion of UCF Knights loyalists is palpable – you cannot help but feel the energy in the building. The closeness of the seats to the court also means the noise level is much higher inside Addition Financial Arena. The students chant along with the band and cheerleaders; their seating is perfectly located too, right behind the opponent’s bench and visitor seating area. The arena is also a gathering place for alumni and former players. Surprisingly, there is also a very large contingent of longtime season ticket holders for UCF basketball. These fans have been with the team since its inception, and can tell you stories of the early years at the team’s old Education Arena, the former home of UCF hoops. In addition, this is generally a great place to bring kids, as UCF basketball remains family-friendly no matter the opponent. And as always, you can join in during the National Anthem, where all the fans replace the word “night” with a loud “KNIGHTS!”. Access 4 The college is right off Highway 417, which offers direct access to Orlando International Airport, the greater Walt Disney World area, I-4 to the north towards Daytona, Florida’s Turnpike, and the Beachline Expressway to Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral. On campus, parking is actually rather plentiful, with various garages and parking lots in the immediate vicinity of Addition Financial Arena accessible for $5; parking passes are also available to purchase before games. While traffic can be a bit of a pest during bigger games, it generally flows rather easily and will empty out in due time. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are not expensive, even for postseason games – seating starts at $20 and goes up to $55 for non-premium locations, while suites can run $125 or higher. You can get season ticket options for less than $99 as well, with season tickets for kids being half the price of adults. Add to that the low cost of parking ($5) and the generally mild pricing on food, and a night at UCF basketball will not break the bank, even for a bigger family. Extras 4 The UCF fans in attendance usually are given some sort of giveaway at games, whether they are team posters or smaller knick-knacks. The team also throws out t-shirts into the stands every time the team hits a three-pointer. Kids are also invited onto the court during game breaks to participate in fun games and activities to win additional prizes, as are other fans, and UCF’s mascot is typically seen walking around the arena, greeting fans, taunting visitors, and posing for photos whenever possible. Lastly you won’t want to miss the 60 seconds of chaos at the end of the first half, where the fans go wild for the final 60 seconds, making for one loud arena. Final Thoughts Despite UCF having not achieved national prominence as a college basketball powerhouse, the fans at Addition Financial Arena make sure it feels like they have. They are always on their feet cheering for UCF as much as possible, and they are always welcoming to new fans and visitors alike. Being that the college is in Orlando makes the visit event that much more enjoyable as well, as the city itself, not to mention the surrounding area, are both beautiful year-round and full of things to see and do.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Newport Casino 194 Bellevue Ave. Newport, RI 02840 Infosys Hall of Fame Open website Tennis Hall of Fame website Year Opened: 1880 Capacity: 3,900 (Bill Talbert Stadium) The International Tennis Hall of Fame The Newport Casino, located in the seaside resort city of Newport, Rhode Island, is the home of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. For one week every summer since 1976 it serves as the home of the Hall of Fame Open Tennis Tournament. The tournament is the only grass court tournament played outside of Europe, as well as the only grass court tournament held after Wimbledon. The Hall of Fame Open is annually held the week after Wimbledon. The culmination of the tournament coincides with the induction of the year’s Hall of Fame inductees. Beginning with the 2022 Tournament, the international information technology company Infosys entered into an agreement to become the title sponsor of the tournament. Despite the name, the Newport Casino has never been involved with gambling. The word “casino” originally denoted a small country villa, summer house or social club. The Newport Casino, however, does have its origin because of a bet. Per legend, James Gordon Bennett Jr., the publisher of the New York Herald, bet his polo partner, Captain Henry Augustus Candy, that he wouldn’t ride his horse onto the porch of the Newport Reading Room, the city’s premier gentleman’s club of the time. Candy proceeded to ride his horse right through the club, resulting in the revocation of both men’s memberships. Bennett then purchased a plot of land to build his own club. The new club opened in 1880 and soon became the center of fancy Newport society. Designed to include a theater, tennis courts, bowling alley, storefronts, restaurants, a billiards club, reading rooms and more, it was said by the Newport News “it is doubtful if a more lively place can be found.” The first U.S. Open Tennis Championships were held here annually until 1914, when the tournament, which had outgrown tiny Newport, was moved to Forest Hills, NY. In the 1950s the Casino was in danger of demolition to make way for a strip mall. The then-president of the Casino, Jimmy Van Allen, decided that tennis needed a place to honor its greatest figures and history. Thus, the National Tennis Hall of Fame was born, becoming the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1986. The Casino remains today as a fine example of Victorian Shingle Style architecture. Food & Beverage 5 Concessions are sold in a dedicated area near the entrance to the casino on the northern edge of the complex. Catering for the tournament is provided by local company Russell Morin Catering. The menu is an eclectic mix of arena standards and unique items. The prices are a bit on the high side, but the quality is excellent. In addition to your standard burgers and dogs, hungry tennis fans can choose from a selection of sandwiches, including a turkey club, a chicken salad and a vegan bahn mi wrap. Grain bowls filled with quinoa and wild rice and arugula or chopped salad made of pepitas, sunflower seeds and roasted vegetables can be augmented with salmon or chicken. Of course, we’re in Newport, known for its high-quality, fresh seafood, so lobster rolls are featured on the menu. Portable carts scattered throughout the grounds sell Del’s Frozen Lemonade, a Rhode Island favorite and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. Cans of Coca-Cola products are sold at the concession tents. Fans who plan ahead and bring their own re-usable water bottles will be rewarded with several filling stations throughout the facility, where they can refill their bottles at no charge. A separate tent sells adult beverages, including beer from several local breweries, wine and mixed drinks. Atmosphere 5 You wouldn’t necessarily think of a tennis tournament in the high-society city of Newport at a former social club to be a family-friendly event, but the Hall of Fame Tournament puts on a show with plenty to entertain all members of the family. In addition to the tennis going on in every corner of the facility, there are plenty of activities to keep younger and casual fans entertained. Right when you enter through the gates of the Casino, you’ll see several tents set up with tennis-themed vendors hawking their wares as well as games to test your tennis skills. A speed serve booth and target booths were popular destinations. You might even see a pro or two trying their luck. The Casino’s famed horseshoe court is transformed into a recreation area, with cornhole and giant Jenga available for play. Bean bag chairs and tables are scattered throughout the area where fans can take a break from the action and enjoy some refreshments. Of course, the Hall of Fame Museum is located here as well. Hanging at the Horseshoe Court at Newport Casino, Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey The action at Stadium Court is geared to entertain tennis aficionados and casual fans alike. Between matches there are games for the kids in attendance, such as the classic “dress up like a pro” race. Interviews with the victors can be heard throughout the Bill Talbert Court, and the players hit autographed balls into the stands. Players have scheduled autograph times during the tournament as well. Neighborhood 5 Newport is known as one of New England’s premier summer tourist destinations. The Newport Casino is located close to many of the city’s historic attractions, including the Gilded Age mansions, Touro Synagogue (the first synagogue in the United States), and St. Mary’s Church (best known as the site of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier’s wedding in 1953). The Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile-long trail which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and Easton Beach on one side and the Newport Mansions on the other, is just a few blocks from the Casino. Fort Adams State Park and Brenton Point State Park are a short drive from downtown Newport. A drive along Ocean Drive is a must for any visitor. If visiting Newport from out-of-town, a trip to the Brick Market will certainly be on your itinerary. This mile-long stretch of waterfront from America’s Cup Avenue to Thames Street is ground zero for visitors, as it is loaded with shops, lodging options and restaurants. Visitors can explore the many waterfront wharves teeming with dining options or explore the city’s history. The White Horse Tavern, one of the oldest in the nation, is located nearby. Newport does have a notable sporting history, as it was the site of the first U.S. Open Tournaments in both tennis and golf, as well as every America’s Cup challenge between 1930 and 1983. Today, the Newport Gulls continue to play baseball at the oldest ballpark in use today, Cardines Field, located about a mile from the Newport Casino. Fans 5 The Hall of Fame Tournament is one of the highlights of the year in Newport, and the fans turn out in droves throughout the week. The crowd at a tennis tournament consists of more than just the fans who fill the stadium court, as matches take place throughout the grounds all week. The Casino is a small space, and is filled with people, movement and energy from the opening Sunday through Enshrinement Saturday and the championship matches on the final Sunday afternoon. You’ll see a mix of dedicated tennis fans who travel the world visiting tournaments, local sports fans experiencing one of the highlights of the Rhode Island sporting calendar, and the Newport socialites who appear tailor made to an event such as this. You may not expect this, but a tennis tournament is a family friendly event, with room for younger fans to roam and many activities for the younger or more casual fan to enjoy. Also impressive is the massive number of people who volunteer to work the tournament in various capacities, from the kids who serve as ballboys and ballgirls to drivers, ticket takers, hospitality specialists and more. It takes more than 200 volunteers to put on a tournament like this, and many locals show up year after year to do their part. Access 3 Newport is a city of about 25,000 residents located at the southern tip of Aquidneck Island. Best known as a popular summer destination, this seaside town is famous for its Gilded Age mansions and sailing history. Located 33 miles south of Providence and 74 miles south of Boston, it is not easily accessed by any highways. The closest interstate to Newport is I-195, which runs from Providence to Cape Cod about 20 miles north of Newport. Route 24 runs from Fall River down through the upper half of Aquidneck Island. Once the highway ends visitors will navigate Route 114 into the city. The Casino is located on Bellevue Avenue, just blocks from the city’s historic Gilded Age mansions, Cliff Walk, and beaches. The popular Brick Market, filled with fine waterfront restaurants and attractions, is about a mile from the Casino. More information about things to do and lodging options in Newport can be found here. The entire Casino grounds comprises less than an acre, and there is plenty of action crammed into seemingly every corner of the facility. With the big crowds in attendance, getting around can be challenging. There is no permanent seating around the side courts, so fans will stand around the perimeter of the courts or take in the action from the adjoining gazebo. The Stadium Court, named in honor of American Hall of Famer Bill Talbert, contains a large grandstand on the south side of the court, and more intimate courtside seating on the other three sides. These individual seats are much coveted, especially those covered seats which provide a shady spot on a hot summer Rhode Island day. The south stands were recently renovated and consist of comfortable plastic stadium seats. Bill Talbert Stadium, Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Return on Investment 3 Tickets to seats in the south stands of Bill Talbert Court start at $38 for the early rounds of the tournament, with courtside chairs starting at $59 and shaded box seats starting at $99. Tickets increase to a range of $95-$205 for induction Saturday. You can purchase a ticket for the entire tournament, ensuring the same seat all week long, starting at $373. Tickets to the Brooks Brothers Brunch, where you can watch the Hall of Famers present the new HOF inductee (for 2022 it is Lleyton Hewitt) with their Hall of Fame blazer while enjoying lunch and mimosas in the fabulous horseshoe plaza before heading to tournament semifinals from the south court chairs, are sold for $350 each. Parking is free on-street in the area around the Newport Casino. Good luck finding a spot, though, and pay attention to street signs for restrictions. Your best bet is to park at the Newport Gateway Visitors’ Center, located across the street from Cardines Field about a mile from the Newport Casino. Pick up a validation ticket inside the center, jump on the free RIPTA #67 trolley which departs the center every 20 minutes, and you can park all day in Newport for just two dollars. You can even leave your car there while you explore the city. You’d be hard pressed to find a better deal than that in Newport! Extras 5 Tickets to the Infosys Tournament also allow for admission to the Hall of Fame Museum. Youth clinics are held in conjunction with the tournament for local youth tennis players. The kids get to play right alongside the pros! The accessibility of the players to the fans may be a surprise to someone who hasn’t experienced a tournament like this. Players will sign autographs after matches and hit autographed balls into the stands. Virtually every child in attendance carries around a giant tennis ball filled with player autographs throughout the tournament. A pair of statues overlook the famous Horseshoe Court (which is available to be rented, by the way). The founder of the Hall of Fame, Jimmy Van Allen, is memorialized in one corner, while a statue of Frederick Perry stands at center court. This statue is a replica of the one that stands at Wimbledon. The tournament’s commitment to sustainability and renewable products deserves an extra point. Final Thoughts While holding a grass court tournament the week after Wimbledon may not seem like the best timing for a successful event, the Hall of Fame Tournament has remained a highlight of the Rhode Island sporting calendar for close to a half-century. Combining an intimate setting, small-town vibe in a summer destination spot and the history that comes with combining a tournament with the annual Hall of Fame Induction, the Infosys Hall of Fame Tennis Tournament is a Stadium Journey well worth the trip. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Buccaneer Field House 9200 University Blvd Charleston, SC 29423 Charleston Southern Buccaneers website Buccaneer Field House website Year Opened: 1965 Capacity: 881 The Bucs Stop Here Charleston Southern University is a Baptist – affiliated school located in North Charleston, South Carolina. It is a relatively young school, as it was founded in 1964. Today it has grown to an enrollment of 3,459 students on its 300-acre campus. The sports teams at Charleston Southern are known as the Buccaneers and participate in the Big South Conference. The home court for the Buccaneers basketball program is the on-campus CSU Field House, often referred to as the Bucs Dome. The Field House has a capacity of only 881 seats, making it the second smallest Division I arena in the NCAA. This forces the Bucs to play major conference opponents and local rivals in the nearby North Charleston Coliseum. The arena is located at the northeastern end of the Charleston Southern campus. The stands surround the floor, with the students and pep band behind the baskets. Reserved seating is limited to eight rows of chair back seating on one side of the court. All other seating is considered General Admission and features plastic bleacher seating. It is a good idea to arrive early if you have a specific place you want to sit. However, due to the small size of the facility, every seat in the house is close to the action. The Buccaneers have been to one NCAA Tournament and have taken part in two NIT tournaments. Over the years they have won four Big South regular season titles and four Big South tournament titles. Food & Beverage 3 As you would suspect, there is one concession stand at the CSU Field House. It offers a limited number of items, including pizza ($2), hot dogs ($3), popcorn ($3), chips ($1) and candy ($1.50). Beverages include Pepsi brand sodas ($2), water ($2) and Gatorade ($3). On the good side of things all items are relatively inexpensive, making a trip to the concession stand very family friendly for the wallet. Atmosphere 3 A night out at a Bucs game at the CSU Field House is great for basketball purists. The game is the focus of attention without the bells and whistles of many modern arenas. You still have the pep band, the cheerleaders and a few contests to fill the breaks in the action, but don’t expect a lot of extras. On the other hand, the intimacy of the Field House allows you to hear the coach’s instructions to the players from the sidelines, or nearly have a player in your lap as they dive for a ball as it is headed out of bounds. You really feel a part of the game in ways you never would experience in a larger arena. One nice touch in the arena is that the wood floor at center court is stained in the shape of a pirate ship with the CSU crossed swords logo fitting neatly on its sails. CSU Field House harkens back to a different time, and for many, that’s just fine. Neighborhood 3 Charleston Southern University is in a somewhat isolated area away from the city of North Charleston. However, with its easy access to I-26, you can be in the city center or downtown Charleston in a matter of minutes. Two restaurants that locals recommend close to the school are Smokey Bones Bar and Grill and Willie Jewells Old School BBQ, which is famous for its Low Country style of BBQ. As far as accommodations, you can’t get any closer to the school than the Wingate by Wyndham Hotel located next door to the university. You can leave your car at the hotel and just walk to the game. The Hampton Inn is also located in the vicinity of the university. The greater Charleston area is known for its beautiful plantation homes along both the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. Middleton Place is by far the most visited of the homes along the Ashley River. In addition to the beautiful home, it offers beautiful formal gardens and terrific views of the river unspoiled by any development. If you have kids with you, you’ll want to include a visit to the North Charleston Fire Museum. It offers a large collection of vintage fire engines and other firefighting apparatus dating back to the last century. The city of Charleston with its myriad sightseeing options is just over a half hour away from the Charleston Southern campus. Fort Sumter, the Battery, the South Carolina Aquarium are just some of the sites you will want to visit. Lodging in the North Charleston area is much cheaper than the hotels in downtown Charleston. Fans 4 The Bucs Dome can be a very intimidating place to play. The small size of the facility results in the seats practically touching the floor. A vast majority of those seats are occupied by CSU supporters. The sound in the arena can be deafening at times, especially when the Bucs are on a scoring binge or an opponent’s shot is blocked. The Charleston Southern pep band, the cheerleaders and dance squad and Bucky the Buccaneer do a great job in getting the crowd charged up throughout the game. One of the band’s signature highlights is the playing of the spiritual “I’m So Glad,” which has you swaying in the stands and singing along. You’ll feel like you are at a camp meeting. Access 4 Charleston Southern University and the CSU Field House are easily accessed via I-26 at exit 205. The school is located directly off the interstate. The basketball arena is located at the rear of the campus and offers ample free parking. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to a Bucs basketball game are $15 for a reserved seat and $10 to sit in the general admission area. The concession offerings are very limited, but inexpensive in price. Parking is free and abundant just outside of the arena. Lodging in the North Charleston area is much cheaper than hotels in downtown Charleston, which is just a 30-minute drive away. Extras 4 The CSU Hall of Fame is in the hallway leading into the gym. The inexpensive pricing at the concession stand is hard to beat. You can get a great selfie of yourself with the fierce looking Buccaneer in the entry hall outside of the gym. The Charleston Southern campus is very compact and has some beautiful buildings centered around a reflecting pool that are well worth a photo or two. Final Thoughts The priorities at Charleston Southern are faith first and service to the community second and academics third. It still has some very nice athletic facilities, including the CSU Field House, the CSU Ballpark and Buccaneer Field. Being small has not kept CSU from having very competitive teams in the Big South Conference, where they have won numerous championships.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Pete Hanna Center 800 Lakeshore Dr Homewood, AL 35229 Samford Bulldogs website Pete Hanna Center website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 5,000 Pete Hanna Center – Samford University Bulldogs Just over Red Mountain in the Birmingham suburb of Homewood, Alabama sits the campus of Samford University, home of the Bulldogs. Members of the Southern Conference, the Bulldogs opened the nearly 5,000-seat Pete Hanna Center in 2007. It has served as the home for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, along with the school’s volleyball program. Food & Beverage 2 The Hanna Center features a concessions stand in the main lobby of the arena. While most menu items are priced $4 or less, choices are pretty limited – the only items of substance are hot dogs and nachos; most other choices are snack foods. A second concessions area is set up within the concourse of the gymnasium and offers mostly candy and similar snacks. Coke products and the fan favorite, Dippin’ Dots are also available here. The university has chosen not to sell alcoholic beverages on the Samford campus. While the food is well priced and the quality of what is served is fine, it just seems as if there is a void in the choices that could be offered, that leave you wanting more to choose from. Atmosphere 3 The Pete Hanna Center is tucked amongst Samford’s other athletic facilities. The arena’s brick exterior is adorned with large columns framing the entryways and multiple dormers along its roofline. It is truly a beautiful building, and anyone not knowing what they were looking for could easily assume it was one of the many academic buildings on campus. Fans pass through the lobby of the Pete Hana Center into the playing area through a wide concourse that encircles the top of the seating area. Each side of the gymnasium has an upper section of seating, but those are typically not used for games here. General admission seats make up most of the endline seating at the home end of the floor and a small section near the visiting bench. While these areas tend to have views that are a bit obstructed, seats in the corners provide terrific views of unfolding plays. There are also three sections of reserved seating at the home end and at half court, which have fantastic views of the action. What really adds to the college atmosphere though is that nearly a quarter of the seats are reserved for students – having so many students creates an atmosphere that is truly a home court advantage. Neighborhood 3 Samford’s hilly campus is directly off one of the main thoroughfares through Homewood. The university serves as a buffer of sorts between State Route 149 and the surrounding residential neighborhoods. Homewood is full of beautiful neighborhoods and seemingly endless miles of running and walking trails. Samford is less than 4 miles from Homewood’s city center, which has a well-rounded choice of restaurants and shops. Two of the culinary highlights of Homewood include Big Bad Breakfast and SoHo Social. Visitors looking for legendary Birmingham barbecue can find Dreamland BBQ just 5 miles away. There are plenty of attractions within a 15-minute drive of the Samford campus. Along with the miles of trails in the area, the Vulcan Monument sits atop Red Mountain and overlooks Birmingham. The Birmingham Zoo is also conveniently located near the Samford campus. Sport fans can easily pair a visit to Samford with a basketball game at the nearby University of Alabama-Birmingham, take in the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl , or check out the G-League’s Birmingham Squadron. In Pelham, just south of Birmingham, there are also the Birmingham Bulls of the Southern Professional Hockey League. Fans looking to make an overnight or extended stay near the Samford campus can find a Courtyard by Marriott less than 2 miles away. Also, a bit further but still in the area, is Aloft in the Homewood city center. Fans 3 Samford has done a fantastic job drawing student to games – more than a quarter of the arena’s main seating area is dedicated to the student body. The student section is close to full when classes are in session and students are on campus, and the level of student involvement can provide an almost intimidating home court advantage for the visiting team, which certainly gives the Bulldogs an edge. There is just something about nearly a thousand students, many wearing matching red t-shirts, that makes a game at Samford a special experience. Support from the general fanbase seems to be about what would be expected from most decent basketball teams. The seating is nearly full but does have some patches of empty seating scattered around the arena. Access 3 Getting to Homewood and Samford from the north or south on Interstate 65 provides a direct route to campus. Those coming from the east or west on I-20 must navigate a couple of bypasses before reaching the area. It is not necessarily difficult; it’s just not a straight shot off the interstate. Upon arriving at Samford, parking is free at any of the several parking lots in the athletics neighborhood of campus. Parking is not directly at the arena but is just a short walk away. Fans enter through the upper lobby of the Pete Hana Center, and make their way downstairs to the main lobby to have their tickets scanned. All tickets are digital, and walkups must be purchased online. Once in the arena, a wide concourse encircles the seating area, and provides plenty of room for fans to find their section. Each side of the gymnasium has an upper section of seating, but that is typically not used for games here. Following the game, getting back to Highway 149 might need a bit of patience – there is just one entry/exit point to the Samford campus that is in use. This can make getting out of the parking lot a bit tricky. Return on Investment 4 With free parking and tickets starting at $14, it would be difficult to find a better deal in college basketball. While the food choices are a bit limited, the prices for most of the items are very affordable. The university offers ticket packages for kids that highly incentivizes parents to bring their children to all Samford sporting events. Through the “Bulldog Buddies” program, for $50 kids have access to all Samford athletic events. For adults, “Bucky Bundles” (named for head coach Bucky McMillan) offer tickets at a 25% discount for those looking to buy just weekend or conference games. Overall, prices at Samford are very reasonable, especially if you are from the area and want to take in multiple games. Extras 3 The Pete Hanna Center houses the Samford Athletics Hall of Fame. Located on the second level of the main entry point into the arena, the hall of fame is a well-designed section that prominently features the latest induction class, shares the history of athletics at Samford, and recognizes past inductees. Not enough can be said regarding the ticket deals Samford offers; it is evident that the main goal is to get fans in the stands. Between these fan friendly ticket prices and the free parking, Samford is certainly looking to build a fanbase simply by making their games accessible to all. Final Thoughts Everything about going to a basketball game at Samford is a positive experience, from the beautiful campus to the affordability of tickets and expenses associated with going to a game, to the atmosphere the students create. Couple these factors with the fun, up-tempo and high scoring style of basketball Samford plays, and it all comes together as a great outing.

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 OceanFirst Bank Center 400 Cedar Ave West Long Branch, NJ 07764 Monmouth Hawks website OceanFirst Bank Center website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 4,100 College Basketball at the Jersey Shore Monmouth University is a small private institution located in West Long Branch, New Jersey, just a mile from the Jersey Shore. Although their men’s soccer team has achieved some moderate success recently, their basketball squad has only four tournament appearances, winning a single play-in game over Hampton in 2006. The school was a member of the Northeast Conference until 2013 when all but football moved to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). With their arena being named the rather uninventive Multipurpose Activity Center (MAC), you could say they play in the MAAC MAC. [Editor’s Note: The arena is now called OceanFirst Center]. Don’t let the boring name or my stupid joke turn you off though; the MAC is a surprisingly enjoyable place to watch college basketball. Opened in 2009 to replace the aging Boylan Gymnasium, the MAC holds 4,100 fans and includes a 200-meter indoor track above which some of the seats are temporarily installed during basketball games. It’s new, clean, and has a few ways to keep you entertained during all the media timeouts. Food & Beverage 3 There are two concession stands here that do brisk business throughout the game. The main stand is right inside the entrance, while the other is in the far corner. Offerings are slim, but there are some items you won’t see at other small schools. First, the typical offerings of hot dogs ($3), a pizza ($6), and popcorn and pretzels ($2 each) are inexpensive. Candy is also $2 and homemade chips are $3. The specialty items include three types of sandwiches (Buffalo Chicken, Meatball Parm, and Chicken Parm) at $5 apiece and Chile Cheese Nachos at $6. Add chips to any sandwich for just a dollar and another buck gets you a fountain beverage, normally $2 by itself. I had a Chicken Parm sandwich and it was decent and filling, but what you would expect from something made an hour or two before and left on a heating stand. One thing you will avoid here is the nachos, as there is a local taco restaurant offering free tacos and nachos about 30 seconds away from the main concession stand. A few other sponsors provide free samples too, which enhances the overall food and beverage score a bit. Atmosphere 4 With a capacity of 4,100, the MAC is the largest on-campus basketball facility in the conference. There are two seating levels along three sides of the court with the single-level student section in one end zone. Above the student section is a standing area, which is generally filled with students chatting with friends and families allowing their youngsters to take advantage of the room to run around. When the seats are nearly filled, there is a great buzz during the game as fans are chatting and make noise. As in all college basketball games, there are eight media timeouts, and here at Monmouth, they have a plan for each one to keep you in the game. There are the usual cheerleader and dance team performances, a three-point shooting contest, a t-shirt toss, and a Happy Birthday sing-a-long among others. The MC goes by the name Showboat and he can be a bit annoying at times with his over-the-top demeanor, acting like it is minor-league baseball instead of low-level college hoops. Regardless, the overall atmosphere is healthy and fun and you should enjoy your time here. Neighborhood 2 The campus is about four miles from the Garden State Parkway, quite small, and surrounded by quiet residential areas. Midway between the highway and the campus lies the Monmouth Mall, the largest shopping center in the area, and there are several family restaurants such as Chili’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Applebee around there but I did not notice any establishments worth stopping for. The northern edges of the Jersey Shore are just a mile east. There are several bars and restaurants that cater to Monmouth students, and although they are probably not hopping in the winter, they seem to be the only places worth checking out if you are looking for something to do before or after the game. Fans 3 Even when the arena is 95% full many fans don’t seem particularly interested in the game itself. A large number of the student section had cleared out at halftime during my most recent visit (I believe many belonged to the football team, there for Miles Austin’s jersey retirement ceremony), but even the fans in the areas I sat were having more fun playing pranks on each other than taking in the action. Seating arrangements are haphazard in some places and I was forced to take a spot up top, not a problem in a small arena such as this but something that could be annoying if you had a good seat, to begin with. Overall, the fans don’t seem to care if the team wins or loses. Access 4 If you are living in or visiting New York City and want to get out to Monmouth, transit is probably your best option if you don’t have a car. New Jersey Transit’s North Jersey Coast Line takes just over 90 minutes to the Long Branch station, with some trains requiring a transfer at Newark Penn Station. From Long Branch, you can try the two-mile walk to the MAC or take a bus. Check Google Maps or NJ Transit for details. Fares are not cheap, with an off-peak one-way ride going for $15. Elberon is the other nearby station, but that is about 1.5 miles from the MAC so you might save a few minutes if your train stops there. If you decide to drive, use Google Map’s avoid tolls option to plan the cheapest route, which will take about 90 minutes from Manhattan including traffic. More than likely though, you will be driving through the area, which is the preferred option. Monmouth is about four miles east of the Garden State Parkway, exit 105 onto Route 36 then right onto Route 71. The Parkway is a toll road, but not ridiculously overpriced like some. Parking is free on campus and there are two lots right next to the entrance off Larchwood Avenue. Inside the arena, there is plenty of room to move around. The Leon Hess Champions Hall has TVs along the walls that are tuned to the game and other sports channels, which make a nice halftime distraction. The seats have small chair backs that fold up, and are comfortable enough, although you might be a bit cramped if your row is full. Washrooms are next to the main concession stand and are more than enough for the crowd. Return on Investment 5 Standing at the northwest corner of campus, the MAC is a good-looking building with a white roof over beige bricks. Visiting at night I was unable to capture it properly with a photo, but it still has that new venue feel. The box office is right next to the entrance, and tickets are $12 at the window for center-court seats in the upper section. The court is not big, so there are no bad vantage points here. You may prefer to stand behind the end zone here as it gives you a better view of the play developing and leaves you closer to the concession stand, as well as giving you room to move around and take pictures from different angles. Although the team was terrible in the 2013-2014 campaign, the overall atmosphere, free parking, good food options, and cheap tickets make this an unexpectedly good road trip destination. Extras 3 The sculpture of a large hawk out front of the MAC is quite nice and worth a point. A point for the TVs showing the game above the concession stands, as well as those in the Leon Hess Champions Hall, which were tuned to other college basketball games that evening. Finally, a point for all the free stuff being given out by sponsors throughout the complex. Final Thoughts Monmouth is not a school that most people know about and certainly only true college hoopheads would be adding this one to their bucket list. But if you enjoy live sports and are in Northern New Jersey at some point, you should consider a visit to the MAC. This is one place where you can’t judge the book by its cover; the Multipurpose Activity Center offers a lot more than you would expect from a small college program like Monmouth and is worth a look for any stadium traveler.

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Island Federal Credit Union Arena John S Toll Dr Stony Brook, NY 11790 Stony Brook Seawolves website Island Federal Credit Union Arena website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 4,000 Season of the Wolf Stony Brook men's basketball Head Coach Steve Pikiell once told me, "You know, they had been promising me a new arena back when I was hired ten years ago." On November 14, 2014, that vision became a reality as the Stony Brook men's basketball team played their first official home game against Columbia in the newly minted, $20 million, Island Federal Credit Union Arena. The new arena was built on the site of the former Stony Brook Arena within the Stony Brook Sports Complex. It wasn't long ago that Stony Brook basketball was known more for its mascot Wolfie's proclivity to physically attack other mascots, than the on-court product in some basketball circles. The team did have some success at the NCAA Division III level -- qualifying for the NCAA Division III Final Four in 1978. Like their arena situation, a lot has changed for the Seawolves in a relatively short period. After reclassifying to NCAA Division I from NCAA Division III the Seawolves competed in the Stony Brook Arena for several years before moving across the hall within the Stony Brook Sports Complex to the older but more intimate confines of the Prichard Gymnasium. It was during the Seawolves time spent using the Prichard Gymnasium as a home court that the men's basketball program began to enjoy their first success at the Division I level, winning three America East Conference Regular Season Titles while routinely playing in front of enthusiastic, sellout crowds. In 2012, Stony Brook hosted its first America East Championship game against Vermont. This was the final appearance by the men's basketball team in the Stony Brook Arena as it was used on this occasion to accommodate a larger crowd. During the following academic year, approval for renovations to the Stony Brook Arena was granted and construction soon followed. In 2014 the Men's Basketball team again hosted the America East Conference Tournament final game, which was contested at the Prichard Gymnasium against Albany as the renovations were ongoing. This game served as the final appearance of the Seawolves at the Prichard Gymnasium. Nearly every aspect of attending a game at Stony Brook has now been upgraded with the move into the new arena sometimes referred to as "the island" by locals. Food & Beverage 4 There are two concession stands located on either side of the main entrance and one stand on the main concourse opposite the main entrance. These stands offer many new options not previously available at the Prichard Gymnasium. Some items include hot dog ($4), Italian sausage & pepper hero ($6.25), cheeseburger ($5.25), grilled chicken sandwich ($5.50), pulled pork sandwich ($6), chicken tenders and fries ($6.50), onion rings ($3), pretzel braids ($4), nacho supreme ($6), pizza ($7), and garden salad ($4.95). Pepsi products are sold here; 22oz. fountain soda ($2.50), Gatorade ($2.50), coffee/tea/hot chocolate ($2.50), and Jamba Juice ($6). Passes are also available for sale to an area below the stands dubbed the Wolves Den where there is an all-you-can-eat buffet-style setup and several tables. The main courses here vary from game to game but there are always plenty of drinks, pretzels, and hot dogs in addition to the other fare. One of the benefits of coming down to this level is the opportunity to watch the players, dancers, cheer squad and infamous mascot Wolfie emerge from the locker room as they walk past the dining area. Atmosphere 4 The first thing one might notice if one had attended an event at the old Stony Brook Arena is that the orientation of the playing surface has been rotated ninety degrees. After entering the venue, you can walk on a wide concourse past all of the sections in a wide circle. All of the seats that are installed at the IFCU Arena are bright red. On the players' side of the court, there is an overhang in the seating area with three suites and VIP courtside seating located on the ground level. At the ends of each side of the court above the stands are a large video board and a large scoreboard. During some of the biggest games, the intensity level has been high and the home crowd has consistently been producing a hostile environment for opponents. The fans tend to get a little bit louder when rivals Albany and Vermont come to town. Neighborhood 3 Located on the north shore of Long Island, Stony Brook is a quiet town that is very close to the Long Island Sound. Historically the north shore of Long Island had been home to some of the most influential aristocrats and many of these historic estates are still in existence. One such estate belonging to William Vanderbilt has been turned into a museum in nearby Centerport. Admission is ($7) for adults ($6) for seniors and ($3) for children under 12 years of age. There is also a planetarium that Suffolk County, which oversees the property, built there in 1970. For pre or postgame libations, there are two great sports bars within walking distance of Island Federal Credit Arena on the other side of the train tracks. The Bench Bar and Grill has several large televisions placed throughout the establishment with sports programming always on. They have 25 beers on tap daily and a full menu of lunch and dinner dishes. Some highlights are steak and mushrooms ($19.99), St. Louis BBQ ($18.99), bourbon glazed pork chops ($16.99), seared tuna ($17.99), and rigatoni chicken alfredo ($15.99). Jake Starr Cafe is located one block east and has a similar setup with sports-themed television programming, a full bar, and an extensive menu. I would highly recommend a deluxe burger platter here with several combinations starting at $11.75. Fans 3 Attendance has increased dramatically due to the recent success of the program. The atmosphere of the smaller Prichard Gymnasium has carried over to the IFCU Arena, despite it being roughly four times larger in capacity. The student section participation has been strong as well taking up residence behind the visiting team basket in an area dubbed the RED ZONE, which is larger now than in its previous home. The band also sits in the RED ZONE area and does a fantastic job of keeping the crowd intense. Access 3 One of the great things about the Stony Brook campus is its proximity to a Long Island Railroad terminal. It is very easy to walk from the station to the game. Most people in attendance will drive north on Nicolls Road, which has an intersection with the Long Island Expressway. The campus will be to your left shortly after passing Route 347 as you proceed north on Nicolls Road. Free parking is available near LaValle Stadium and near the LIRR station. You could even travel to or from Southern Connecticut easily on the Bridgeport-Port Jefferson auto ferry which is a sponsor of Stony Brook Athletics. The terminal is only four miles away in neighboring Port Jefferson. Return on Investment 3 Tickets range from $22 for center court down to $10 for seating behind the baskets, which is reasonable for mid-major basketball. Although some of the parking nearest the arena is reserved for season ticket holders you shouldn't have any trouble finding free parking within walking distance. Extras 2 A point to the best mascot in the America East Conference, Wolfie, who is seemingly everywhere and always leading the charge. His entrance consists of him standing menacingly behind a curtain just before player introductions. Point to the university for having the willingness to invest in its athletic programs; is a move that will pay dividends. Final Thoughts Stony Brook basketball has grown a lot over the last ten years, but in another sense, it seems like this is just the beginning of something big. Strap in for the ride.

Photos by Arian Kelly, Special to Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Trask Coliseum 2900 N College Rd Wilmington, NC 28405 UNC Wilmington Seahawks website Trask Coliseum website Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 5,200 The Locals Seem To Love It The 5,200-seat Trask Coliseum was built in 1977 and named for Raiford G. Trask a benefactor and former Trustee of Wilmington College. The Coliseum is used by both UNCW’s women's and men’s Seahawk basketball teams. The coliseum had its first major improvements in 2011 and later minor improvements in 2013. In 2011 the coliseum received chair back seats on the lower level, a high-definition video board, and permanent scoreboards, and the scoreboards were upgraded in 2013 with LED lights. In recent history, the UNCW male Seahawks have won multiple regular season championships in the Colonial Athletic Association. The UNCW male Seahawks have also made six appearances in the Division 1 NCAA tournament since 2000. The Seahawk's greatest success in the tournament happened in 2002 when they made it to a second-round loss in the Division 1 NCAA tournament. The Trask Coliseum has been used for other purposes besides UNCW basketball. Notably, in the past, the Trask Coliseum has been the site for the Federation Cup women’s tennis semifinal match between the United States and France in 1998 and during 2001-2003 the Trask Coliseum had the honor of being the pre-season training ground for a somewhat past his prime local native *Michael Jeffrey Jordan* and his fellow Washington Wizards NBA teammates. The Trask Coliseum is functional, well maintained, and does an outstanding job of providing the teams and spectators with the comfort and intimacy that is lost in newer and larger coliseums. Food & Beverage 3 The food at the Trask Coliseum is nothing to jump up and down about but at least the lines move quickly and the service comes with a smile. A few of the small stands only accept cash. There isn’t anything unique about the snacks offered in the Trask Coliseum. Papa John’s drops off pizza to the concession people just before the doors open. The pizza seems to be the most filling thing on the menu. All the usual snacks are there (dry popcorn, salty soft pretzels, nachos with orange cheese, candy, etc.) I had a super salty soft pretzel that was no better or worse than any I’ve had before. Pepsi products are available. Soft drinks are served in bottles but cups are available. The main concessions stand seems to be the best as it offers every available snack. Atmosphere 3 The Trask Coliseum is clean, functional, and a generally well-maintained small coliseum. The Trask Coliseum has an old-school vibe. Nothing in the coliseum is pretty or new age but everything is clean, sturdy, and well-maintained. People of varying sizes seem to fit comfortably into the roomy, hard green plastic seats with armrests. The forward legroom in the upper-level seating is much more than any other venue I’ve visited. Current hits are played on the sound system before the game. During the game, a brass band takes over and plays multiple times throughout the game. This coliseum does the job. The Seahawks mascot Sammy C. Hawk runs about taking selfies and keeping spirits high. The cheer squad does their thing during multiple timeouts and halftimes. T-shirts are tossed multiple times by hand and by air gun and there is a raffle giveaway from one of the team's marketing partners. The size and layout of the Trask coliseum are so cozy and well laid out that even the view from the furthest wall touching the seat would not be an issue. I do recommend sitting in the upper level in one of the midcourt sections to get what I would consider the best perspective view. Neighborhood 5 Although the neighborhood directly around the Trask Coliseum seems not very interesting, overall the city of Wilmington has many great options for food, drink, and sightseeing. There are 20+ chain restaurants and fast food places (such as McDonald’s and Applebee’s) all within one mile of the coliseum. You will need to drive a bit further for more exciting food and entertainment options. The coliseum is located on campus and across a very busy street from the closest food choices. You won’t be at a loss to find something to eat close to the Coliseum. If you don’t mind venturing out away from the coliseum Wilmington will open up to you. There are multiple local hot spots to fill your belly. Wilmington’s downtown area is within five miles of the coliseum and has a little something for everyone to enjoy. The downtown area boasts a comedy club (Dead Crow Comedy Room), live music bars, fine dining, cheap eats, shopping, multiple tours (history, site seeing, ghost walk, foodie explorations), and scenic walks on a dock. Try Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn before the game; it’s within two miles of the coliseum. After the game go five miles away from the coliseum and enjoy food & drinks from Fork n Cork or Copper Penny in Wilmington’s downtown area. Multiple lodging options are not within walking distance and are not high-end. I recommend Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Wilmington-University Ctr. It’s a mid-range chain hotel that’s clean, near food/shopping and within two miles of the coliseum. Fans 3 Multi-generational fans are in attendance. There are more grey-haired fans in attendance than students or young families. The general feel of the coliseum is loud but not overly loud and into it but not overly into it. I was told that most home games are near sold out. The Trask Coliseum seats just 5,200 fans. In a town with no pro sports teams, this is not a high achievement. I got the feeling that no matter who was wearing a Seahawks uniform and how they were playing they were going to get some love from the UNCW fans. The fans are not overly into making noise but they do show their love to the team on every play. The student section is the loudest and most active in showing team support. Access 5 In general, the Trask Coliseum is easy to navigate to, from, and around. I didn’t notice any mechanical means to get to the upper level so that might be an issue for handicapped fans. The Wilmington Wave Transit provides dedicated bus service via the UNCW Seahawk Shuttle for free to UNCW staff and students and $2 for all others. Go to the shuttle website to view routes and times. Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is six miles from the Trask Coliseum. Free General Parking is located in the following areas: Greene Track Parking Lot, Alderman Hall Parking Lot, and the Kenan Auditorium Parking Lot. Once on campus, there are parking attendants that will help you get to where you need to be. Parking is free and very easily navigated. There are multiple entrances and ticket handlers. There is no real security to speak of other than taking your ticket and asking if you needed anything. There are no digital tickets but tickets purchased online can be picked up at Will Call at the marked Will Call / Player Pass entrance or purchased at any of the marked entrances. The areas in the Trask Coliseum are closed off via doors that can be closed or staged open. The transit areas are extremely large when compared to what I’m used to from venues that seat thousands more people. Everything about the Trask Coliseum is sturdy and functional. Return on Investment 4 The Trask Coliseum is an upbeat and happy place that will get you feeling like you’re part of the team. Ticket prices are $18/adults, $10/youth (15 and under), and complimentary for the first 1200 UNCW Students. All snacks are under $5 a piece, all 12 oz drinks are $3 and under and parking is free. You will get a lot in this coliseum when compared to other venues. The only discounts are free for the first 1200 students and group tickets are $10/each as opposed to $18/each. Extras 2 It seems that many other venues of this type make fans pay for parking. The Trask Coliseum provides close, free parking that makes the whole experience just that much better. I’ve paid many times to park at live entertainment venues and it felt great when the parking attendant directed me to the free general parking. Last but not least one of the constant issues I find at arenas/stadiums/coliseums is the lack of forward legroom in front of the seats. There is so much forward legroom that other fans were walking in front of me at times and I never had to stand up or pull my knees up not to be hit. I can’t say enough how comfortable extra legroom makes sitting for a few hours. If the Trask Coliseum wanted to I think they probably could fit a few hundred more seats in the building by cutting down on the forward legroom. Let’s hope they never adjust the seats. Final Thoughts This is a nice local venue. If faced with seeing the latest action movie at the theater or seeing a Seahawks game at the Trask Coliseum I would easily choose the movie, but if you are a true sports enthusiast who doesn’t need all the fanfare of big-time pro sports or big-time college sports then the Trask Coliseum fans and team won’t fail to entertain you. The locals seem to love it so you might as well.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 TD Arena 301 Meeting Street Charleston, SC 29401 College of Charleston website TD Arena website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 5,100 The Cougars Court The College of Charleston is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the country, as it was founded in 1770 and chartered in 1785. It is the oldest college south of Virginia and the 13th oldest school in the U.S. Today it is a thriving downtown Charleston mainstay, with a student body of 11,500. The basketball program’s history at the College of Charleston is also lengthy, as the game has been played at the school since 1898. Today the Cougars are members of the Colonial Athletic Association and are one of the more successful small colleges in Division I basketball. Since 1983 they have had 20 seasons with 20 wins or more. They have made five NCAA appearances and five NIT appearances. Most recently the team won the Colonial Athletic League championship in 2018. The team has been blessed with some terrific coaches over the years, including John Kresse and former Georgia Tech coach Bobby Cremins. The home of the Cougars is the TD Arena on Charleston’s famous Meeting Street. It opened in 2008 and seats 5,100 in its basketball configuration. It serves as the home for both the men’s and women’s basketball programs and the volleyball program as well. The arena’s exterior is constructed of brick and conforms to the very strict building appearance codes enforced by the Charleston Architectural Design Commission. It fits in very well with the surrounding structures on Meeting Street. Food & Beverage 4 The TD Arena is serviced by four concession stands. These include Chick-fil-A, Home Team BBQ, and two general concession stands. Home Team BBQ offers pulled pork sandwiches ($8), beef brisket ($10), and six-piece wings ($8). They also sell premium beers ($6), domestic beers ($5), and wine ($7). Chick-Fil-A offers grilled chicken sandwiches ($5) and iced tea ($4). The general concession stand has the broadest selection as they offer pizza ($5), nachos ($6), hot dogs ($4), hamburgers ($5), pretzels ($4), popcorn ($3), chips ($2) and cotton candy ($3). Beverages include Coca-Cola brand products ($3), water ($4), and coffee ($3). Atmosphere 5 The exterior may conform to the Charleston Historic District standards, but once inside you will immediately notice how contemporary the facility is. The entry lobby is two stories tall and serves as both a reception area and a ticketing area. Once upstairs, you will notice the arena offers a two-level seating bowl with all concourses open to the court. The arena features seat-back seating throughout the facility. Before you head to your seats, check out the full-sized team store just inside the seating bowl area. It is the size of a store you would expect to see in a mall. As you circle the concourse you will see full-sized displays covering every sport played at the College of Charleston. Looking up, you will notice the many championship banners hanging from the rafters. The playing surface features the maroon block “C” logo of the College of Charleston and the name of John Kresse on the court. Coach Kresse was the basketball coach at the college for 18 years and has the most wins of any coach at the school. The arena features video boards/scoreboards in each corner of the seating bowl. It is readily apparent that basketball is the favorite sport at the school, as it has no football team and nearly every game is a sellout. Neighborhood 5 The TD Arena and the College of Charleston are located within the Charleston Historic District. This is ground zero for a great visit to one of the top tourist destinations in the country. The arena is just a few blocks from popular attractions such as the Old City Market, the South Carolina Aquarium, and the Battery. Marion Square is always hosting festivals and is home to a weekend farmer’s market in season. Foodies have their choice of Carolina Ale House, Star Rooftop, and Halls Chophouse to sample some of Charleston’s finest dishes. These are several lodging options near the TD Arena, which can save you the cost and hassle of parking at the games. Fans 4 The Cougars extraordinary successful record on the court has earned them a very large and supportive fan base. Many of Charleston’s top business leaders attended C of C and you will see them courtside before the game. The student body always turns out in large numbers, as the facility is on-campus and their admission is free with their student activity fee. The student body sits behind one of the baskets at the end of the court and does everything it can to disrupt the opposition. Leading their cheers is a large squad of cheerleaders and dance squad members, in addition to the pep band. Clyde the Cougar can be seen making the rounds of the gym and keeping everyone energized throughout the game. Helping to keep the fans energized is the school’s pep band, known as the Chucktown Sound, and Clyde the Cougar, the school’s mascot. Access 3 Finding your way to the TD Arena is relatively simple, as Meeting Street is one of the main thoroughfares in downtown Charleston. It can easily be accessed via Highway 17 or I-26. From I-26: Take I-26 East until it ends in downtown Charleston. Take exit 221-B and follow the signs to Meeting Street. Bear right on Meeting Street. TD Arena will be on your right just after the Calhoun Street intersection. From Highway 17: Cross the Ashley River Bridge into Charleston. Bear right on Lockwood Boulevard, staying in the left-hand lane. At the first light, you will turn left onto Calhoun Street. TD Arena is at the corner of Calhoun and Meeting Street. Once you are at the arena comes the hard part. Parking in downtown Charleston is at a premium. There are several parking garages located nearby, but most likely they will be charging special event prices on the nights there are home games. Our advice is to go into Charleston during the day and enjoy the many historical homes and sights of the city. Charleston is a foodie city, so have dinner at one of the fine eateries located in the downtown area. Park in a lot that offers a low early bird rate and makes a day of it. Charleston is a very walkable city and TD Arena is very easy to get to from anywhere in the downtown area. Return on Investment 3 Seating prices at the TD Arena are determined by the location of your seats. Lower-level courtside seats are $40, lower-level end zone seats go for $20, upper-level side court seats are $20 and upper-level end zone seats are priced at $15. Concessions offer a broad set of foods at reasonable prices. The costliest element of attending a Cougars game is the parking. Being in the Historic District means you are competing with tourists for a parking space. As a result, expect to pay $20 or more to park near the arena on game nights. Extras 3 The court at TD Arena is named for John Kresse, the winningest coach in College of Charleston history. He won 560 games at the school and led the Cougars to 4 NCAA Tournaments and 3 NIT appearances. The TD Arena hosted the memorial service for the victims of the Emanuel AME church shootings. The church is located just a few blocks from the arena. The campus of the College of Charleston looks like no other campus you have seen. It primarily consists of houses that have been repurposed into academic buildings. The campus stretches for several blocks in downtown Charleston, with a brick-paved plaza replacing what used to be streets and tying the campus together. The school has been recognized both locally and nationally for its historic preservation efforts. There are self-guided, and student-led tours of the campus daily. Final Thoughts The College of Charleston has a long and storied history of success in basketball. As a result, it plays in one of the finest arenas you will find at a small school at the Division I level. TD Arena is first-class in every way, and it is easy to see why players being recruited by the school are blown away when they see the facilities. This bodes well for a continuation of the 20-plus wins seasons the school has enjoyed for many years.

Photo Courtesy of UC Davis Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 University Credit Union Center 750 Orchard Rd Davis, CA 95616 UC Davis Aggies website University Credit Union Center website Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 8,000 The Pavilion at ARC The Pavilion at ARC is a beautiful facility on the campus of UC Davis,15 miles west of Sacramento. The “at ARC” addition to the name happened when the school finished the attached Activities & Recreation Center, where many students go to get their daily work out in. When walking up to the box office at The Pavilion, the ARC looks far more imposing. The windowed walls reveal an elevated track, a climbing wall, and table tennis, as well as opportunities for many other activities. Back in 1977, the then Recreation Hall, opened its doors for intercollegiate and intramural competition. Though the Aggies recently began play in Division I, the basketball team was Division II National Champions in 1998. Since joining the NCAA’s top division they have had mixed success. They are currently struggling through a season in which they’ve only registered one win. Perhaps the most infamous event held at The Pavilion is the yearly Doxie Derby, held on the school’s “Picnic Day”. Thousands of spectators crowd into The Pavilion to watch the lovable dachshunds during the most popular day-drinking day of the year for students, residents, and fun-seekers. Officially it’s the campus’ open house, a day for parents to come and visit with their kids and for prospectus students to check out the school. Note: The facility's name was renamed the University Credit Union Center in July of 2021. Food & Beverage 2 I highly recommend eating before arriving at The Pavilion. If not for the lack of options there, then for the plethora of options in the neighborhood. In the gym, they operate a fold-up table at one entrance where you can find chips, nachos, and candy. Drinks available are bottled soda and water ($3). The concession area is well staffed but otherwise less than thrilling. Atmosphere 3 Notably, many UC Davis students were away on break when I attended the Thursday night matchup between the Aggies and UC Riverside. This was apparent by the sheer number of empty seats at The Pavilion. The Aggie band was quite energetic and helped to pick up where vacationing students left off. They played many pep band staples and their own renditions of today’s popular songs. When the opponents shot at the basket in front of them, they made sure their presence was known. The Pavilion is a beautiful venue in which, with a general admission ticket, you can move around a bit and pick your favorite spot. What I really liked was that they pulled up the excess seats that weren’t going to be filled on this particular night. This forces (allows) the fans to sit closer to the action and creates a more intimate atmosphere. This also allows for wider promenades as the entire second level was pushed back against the walls. Neighborhood 4 The UC Davis campus butts up against the downtown Davis neighborhood. This area is a vibrant mix of students and families and visitors should take advantage of the atmosphere that the neighborhood provides. If looking to grab a bite before the game you truly can find a little of everything. KetMoRee is an upper scale Thai restaurant with good happy hour deals while Sophia’s is more moderately priced Thai food. There is also pizza (Woodstock’s), brunch (Crepeville), burgers (Burgers and Brew), sushi (Fuji), and Mexican (El Mariachi) all within walking distance of The Pavilion. If you’re looking for more of a party atmosphere before or after the game, I’d recommend Froggy’s or The Graduate, affectionately known as “The Grad”. Microbrew enthusiasts take note that there is indeed a brewery in Davis serving up some suds. Sudwerk is a brewery that creates their own versions of traditional German-style beers while still providing some of the California staples like pale ales and IPAs. A farmer’s market is held year-round, rain or shine, on Saturdays at Central Park. Lastly, it should be noted that the city of Davis is very much a bicycle friendly town. They take special care to ensure the safety of bicyclists on the city streets, and the town logo even has a bicycle on it. You may even see funky, old-school bikes cruising around town. Fans 3 As noted previously, the gym was not close to full. There certainly is a lot at play here; students on vacation, Thursday night, struggling team to name a few. Those in attendance were quite engaged with the Aggies performance. Logistically, a younger crowd sat on one side (general admission) and an older crowd on the other (reserved, mostly season tickets). Each side brought plenty of energy and knowledge to The Pavilion. Access 5 The UC Davis campus is located conveniently off of highway 80, 15 miles west of Sacramento and 75 miles east of San Francisco. Getting there isn’t difficult but you should certainly expect significant traffic during peak hours after work. Downtown Davis is easy to get around for first-timers as many of the streets progress numerically and alphabetically, so you never feel like you’re unsure of your location. There is a local bus service, UniTrans, operated by UC Davis that services much of the city and all of the campus. Buses are driven by university students and cater the inevitably odd schedules of college students. Beyond the local buses, there is also an Amtrak stop that stops downtown. This train goes through Sacramento with bus connections that can take passengers as far as Tahoe and Reno. Going the other direction, the “Capitol Corridor” train passes through Berkeley, Oakland, and San Jose, with connections to San Francisco. When games are sparsely attended, The Pavilion is a one-level venue, allowing for huge walkways around the perimeter of the lower level. These areas are so wide that you may be able to fit another couple basketball courts above the actual playing surface. Because of this getting to and from restrooms and the concession stand is no problem at all. Return on Investment 3 As for single-game tickets there are two price ranges. General admission tickets are $10 and reserved seats are $12. I didn’t see much of a difference between the two except that the general admission seats are on one side and the reserved on the other. Sometimes at venues, reserved seats would have seat backs and general admission would be on bleachers, but that wasn’t the case at The Pavilion. Extras 2 There’s not a lot to get excited about at The Pavilion other than the play on the court. It is fun to follow along, through the hanging banners, the Aggies progression through Division II play, to Division II prominence, to finally being a Division I program. Final Thoughts I’ll definitely be back for another basketball game at The Pavilion when it’s better attended. The venue is nice and the amenities good and I’d love to see the building rocking. It seems that the Aggies are still trying to find their way in the NCAA D-I landscape and I’m excited to see what they do the next few years.

Photos by ROSSETTI ”When this project is completed, LMCU Ballpark will look and feel like a brand-new facility ready to meet the needs of a new generation of fans.” Those are the words of CEO and Managing Partner Je Chamberlain in a news release announcing plans for renovations for LMCU Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Midwest League. The multi-phase construction project will transform the venue into a state-of-the-art facility that will entertain fans for many years, featuring new suite-level club space, new seating and social gathering areas, and all-new stadium lighting. When all project elements are complete, the construction phases are designed so that the final product offers a cohesive look, as if all phases were completed together. ROSSETTI took inspiration for the overall design from the familiar lakeshore and beach town mainstays such as boardwalks, dune, and beach grass, exposed beams, and outdoor social gathering spaces. The project will be divided into multiple phases, with Phase 1 set to begin in a few months and be completed before Opening Day 2024. All phases are expected to be roughly completed by 2028. Phase 1 improvements will include: The third base side visitors’ clubhouse will be completely rebuilt and will become the home clubhouse, as the Whitecaps and visiting teams switch sides. The new home clubhouse will offer enhanced player spaces, larger weight rooms and training facilities, dedicated space for the female coaching staff, and a state-of-the-art batting tunnel attached to the home clubhouse. The grass and infield playing surface will be fully replaced, including the drainage system. Bullpens will be moved behind the right field wall, and the outfield dimensions will be reconfigured to closely match the angles players will see when they reach the Major Leagues. Stadium lights were upgraded last fall to brighter, precisely focused LED lights with less glare and less light pollution; the new lights are capable of colored light shows synced to music for dramatic entertainment during and after games as well as special events. A brand-new suite-level club space will be built above the new batting tunnel at the end of the third base structure, accommodating 200 guests for use on game days as well as year-round for special events. The space includes floor-to-ceiling windows, a large balcony for outdoor viewing, various height table and chair clusters, and bar space for food and beverage service. Its capacity is similar to that of the current Pepsi Stadium Club. Enlarged group space takes over the existing lawn slopes on both the first and third base sides, replacing the current hospitality areas down the lines. Several tiers of seating and gathering areas, from the concourse down to field level, offer a variety of engagement opportunities and food service options for groups of 20 or more. These tiers offer a more cohesive look and feel while allowing flexibility for groups of all sizes to enjoy private areas. The third base side will feature four tiers, while the first base side includes three tiers and will adjoin the new bullpens. Phase 2 improvements will include the following: A reimagined stadium entrance experience that offers a view of the baseball field straight ahead as fans reach the top of the steps. Exterior site activation for more entertainment options in the spaces outside the facility. Beautification of the facility’s 45 acres, all conforming to the beach theme. A fully reimagined and updated suite level with a home plate club area. An expanded concourse with new and improved food, entertainment, and gathering options, including the construction of private outdoor suites for groups that prefer the great outdoors. A new CapSized Shop retail space and new ticket office. A new 360-degree concourse, modeled after a lakeshore-style boardwalk, allows fans to walk around the field, enjoy gathering spaces in the outfield area, and view the game from various perspectives. A state-of-the-art 400-seat center field hospitality club and special events center, the ballpark’s most significant space yet, will provide a new level of gameday experience while also creating one of West Michigan’s most unique views for weddings, conferences, and other large-scale special events. Kirk Phillips, a ROSSETTI partner who led the project, said it was important to him to ensure that his firm’s vision would build upon an already outstanding professional facility. “These design renovations will enhance the experience for baseball fans and players alike, creating new social spaces and addressing player facilities to exceed MLB standards. When completed, the improved ballpark will surprise and delight this great community for many future seasons. It was important to us to go above and beyond when reimagining LMCU Ballpark because it is so well-known in the industry as a top-notch facility. We feel the improvements to this unique facility will be impressive at any professional level.” ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Tudor Fieldhouse 6100 S Main Houston, TX 77005 Rice Owls website Tudor Fieldhouse website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 5,208 Rice Owls – Tudor Fieldhouse Established in Houston, Texas, in 1912, Rice University is one of the premier academic institutions in the state. Their athletics programs, the Owls, including their basketball team, began playing shortly after the school’s founding. The team began playing in their current home in 1950. Over the years the Owls have seen some success on the court, winning nine conference championships and making the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on four separate occasions (1940, 1942, 1954, and 1970). They have also made appearances in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) in 1943, 1991, 1993, 2004, and 2005, the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) in 2012 and the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) tournament in 2017. Set within eyesight of Rice Stadium, Tudor Fieldhouse has seen two significant renovations since its opening, the first in 2008 (Rice alum Bobby Tudor headed up the 2008 renovation and the arena currently bears his name) and the second in 2014. These upgrades helped to modernize the venerable arena and have proven popular with the Rice faithful. Read on to learn what makes Tudor Fieldhouse the Owls home to roost. Food & Beverage 2 One place where Tudor Fieldhouse truly could stand with some improvements is in the area of food and beverages. This is not to say that what they serve is bad by any means, but currently there is only one concessions stand for Owls games, which is located behind the section of the arena where the player benches are. For large crowds, this could pose a problem with bottlenecking at inopportune times. If you are in need of getting your grub or drinks on during an Owls game, you will need to plan carefully so as not to miss any action. In terms of what is offered, Tudor Fieldhouse serves up pretty much what you’d expect to find at a small-sized concessions stand, including hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, bottled sodas, water, sports drinks, pickles, and candy. What does set it apart from having a lower score here is that the stand does offer alcoholic drinks for sale, specifically canned beer. In addition though, within reason you can bring in outside items, so take that into consideration as well. Atmosphere 3 Once you get inside the relatively new Tudor Fieldhouse, you can see that the dollars were well spent. Everything looks great, the sightlines are well done, the seats are comfortable, and the acoustics are top-notch. The Owls have done a great job honoring their historic past – on the arena’s walls hang banners depicting the conference championships of its men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as its volleyball teams, all of whom play at Tudor Fieldhouse. The basketball team also celebrates its history of great players that have donned the purple and white, as they have seven retired player numbers hanging from the walls of Tudor Fieldhouse, including former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Ricky Pierce. The arena also boasts a team store near the main entrance for fans to purchase all their Owls merchandise. Neighborhood 3 Tudor Fieldhouse is located right in the middle of Rice’s picturesque campus; with its red brick facades and scenic walkways, it often feels as if you’re stepping back in time when you set foot on the campus of Rice. As mentioned, Tudor Fieldhouse is within walking distance of Rice’s football stadium as well as Reckling Park, the Owls baseball stadium. As Houston is the fourth-largest city in the country, it has everything you could ever want in terms of dining, entertainment, and lodging. Even in the area around Rice University you can find plenty to do – your best place to start is Rice Village. Since 1938 Rice Village has been the go-to place for students and neighborhood residents who want shopping and dining. There are over a dozen restaurants to choose from for diners, but one perennial favorite to be on the lookout for is Mendocino Farms, which offers up a variety of specialty sandwiches and salads like their chimichurri steak & bacon, prosciutto & chicken, and pink lady beets and goat cheese salad. Another to be on the lookout for is D’Amico’s Italian Market & Cafe; specializing in classic Italian pasta dishes, this is the perfect place to grab a bite before or after Owls games. For attractions, the Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the best such facilities in the region. Home to large collections of artifacts and the Burke Baker Planetarium, it regularly features rotating traveling exhibitions. Also close by is the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, which houses a large collection of classical and modern art. For lodging there are numerous hotels in the area, although none are within walking distance of Tudor Fieldhouse. However, you will have a wide selection of choices that are within a short drive – these include Houston Marriott Medical Center/Museum District and Hilton Houston Plaza/Medical Center, which are both relatively affordable. However, Houston being Houston, you’ll have a multitude of other selections to choose from as well. Fans 2 I think it would be fair to say that academics take a priority at Rice. For example, in addition to the retired jerseys hanging from the walls of Tudor Fieldhouse, the school also hangs the names of its numerous Rhodes Scholars. With that in mind, the Owls attendance tends to be on the lower end of the spectrum in the conference. Tossing out the 2019 and 2020 seasons due to the pandemic, Rice only averages around 2,300 fans per game, which is in the bottom five for Conference USA and is not quite half capacity for the arena. While it will never be confused with Cameron Indoor Stadium or Rupp Arena, the fans that do show up are passionate about their team – they’re loud and bring the energy that is crucial to a basketball game. Access 3 Tudor Fieldhouse is smack-dab in the center of the Rice University campus, which sits in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood, far from the hustle and bustle of Space City life. However, the campus is still right between two busy Houston highways (Loop 610 and State Highway 288), which makes getting to Owls games relatively easy. The arena is also less than a 30-minute drive (taking this with a grain of salt as Houston traffic is fickle) from both George W. Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. If you choose not to drive to games, the Houston METRO public transportation system does run to and from the Rice campus. However, if you choose to drive, parking is free and ample on campus. Again, as with any sporting event in H-Town, be wary of the traffic situation if you choose to drive; you will hit spots of it guaranteed. Return on Investment 3 Single game tickets for Rice Owls men’s basketball games start at $15 and go as high as $35. This is a really great bargain as the team does tend to bring some quality non-conference opponents into Tudor Fieldhouse. It’s also not a bad way to spend an affordable Saturday afternoon if you’re looking to get your basketball fix in. Couple that with the free parking and affordable concessions costs, and you’ve got yourself a great deal for some pretty good college hoops, especially if you’re bringing the family. Extras 2 When it comes to basketball, Rice doesn’t offer up the pageantry that many other college programs do – there is no mascot, no dance team, and no cheerleaders at its basketball games. Again, this is in large part due to the school’s standing as a leading a preeminent academic institution. However, what they do have – and what saves the score from being lower here – is the Rice Marching Owl Band, aka the MOB. Known for their irreverent song selection (what other band would play the theme song from The Muppet Show during a break in the action?) and attire, the Rice MOB is long known for its antics, as well as for riling up the crowd and the opposing players. Final Thoughts As mentioned, Tudor Fieldhouse will never be confused with any of the grand palaces of college basketball; but that’s okay, it doesn’t have to be. If you’re looking to introduce a young one to the sport of college basketball, or if you’re just looking to catch a game on your own, you’d be hard pressed to find a better way to spend your time or your money. I wouldn’t call it a bucket list spot, but I think you’ll have a good time if you stop in at Tudor Fieldhouse. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 2300 Arena 2300 South Swanson Street Philadelphia, PA 19148 Major League Wrestling website 2300 Arena website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 1,300 Home Of Extreme Legends It is strange to think that a building that looks boring from the outside and sits in a warehouse neighborhood almost literally under I-95 has had such an eventful sports entertainment past. The 2300 Arena was made famous when it was known as the ECW Arena from 1993 to 2001. Extreme Championship Wrestling (originally Eastern Championship Wrestling) was a professional wrestling promotion that gave the then-WWF (now WWE) and the former WCW, a run for their money by offering much more “extreme” variations of professional wrestling. Paul Heyman, Mick Foley, Sabu, Sandman, Raven, and Tommy Dreamer are just some of the famous names who worked in that promotion and at that building. One of the most famous ECW Arena events was Hardcore Heaven 1994 which ended with an onslaught of chairs being thrown into the ring after originally being requested to do so by Terry Funk and Mick Foley’s Cactus Jack character. ECW closed in 2001 and WWE bought the name, assets, and video rights, which they used again from 2006-2010 as a third brand alongside their Raw and Smackdown stables. The facility was originally a freight warehouse that was built in 1974 and was also known as Viking Hall prior to 1993, when the South Philadelphia Viking Club, a local chapter of Mummers used the building for storage and to rehearse for the annual Mummers Parade. After 2001, the venue went through many names, often known by the promotion that was paying the rent. The names were: Alhambra Arena, The Arena, Asylum Arena, ECW Arena, CZW Arena, and XPW Arena. Since 2013 it has been known just as 2300 Arena due to its main entrance at 2300 South Swanson Street. The venue has been drastically remodeled since the extreme days, especially in terms of amenities and restrooms. Besides wrestling the venue is used for concerts, boxing matches, MMA fights, and corporate events. Major League Wrestling is an Orlando, Florida-based professional wrestling promotion Food & Beverage 3 The venue has a large bar in the lobby. Drink choices are limited but the prices are cheaper than most professional venues. There is a decent snack bar in the main arena area that offers typical stadium and arena food. There is a good chance you will see a wrestler in line waiting for a hot dog along with the fans. Atmosphere 5 This warehouse building should not work as a sports venue. But the facility just drips with the atmosphere. It may not be as gritty and grimy as the old ECW days but it still works as a fun wrestling venue. There are no permanent stands, but folding chairs surround the ring. It does mean that if you are in the back of the room, you may be limited in seeing some action, especially when the action goes ringside. Neighborhood 3 The neighborhood is essentially a warehouse district in South Philadelphia. That means it is an area you should use some level of caution, but it is still fairly safe. There will also be a large crowd before and after the event to help temper any safety issues. Some of the best cheesesteaks are located within walking distance of 2300 Arena at Tony and Nick’s on Oregon Avenue, also underneath I-95. Don’t fall for the more touristy Pat’s and Geno’s. Tony and Nick’s offers more options with much better flavor. Tony and Nick’s can get crowded often and still gets its share of tourists. You may also run into a wrestler to two after an event. The rest of Philadelphia is a quick drive away. The options in the town are nearly limitless. Fans 5 These will be some of the most knowledgeable and spirited wrestling fans you may ever experience. They will know the wrestlers, their moves, and the required chants and sayings. Some may consider Philly sports fans to be a bit rough, but we found the 2300 Arena faithful very friendly and inviting. Access 4 The arena is located right off of I-95; it is almost literally under I-95. If you can find your way to Tony Luke’s at Oregon and the I-95 overpass, you only need to go north for a couple of blocks and you will be there. There is plenty of parking in the area, but you should use your best judgment on the safety of some roads. If you see many people parking in an area that is the best place to head for. The quiet, dark parking space down the block may not be the best route to go around here. Use good judgment. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for Major League Wrestling are as low as $20 plus fees through the promotion’s website for general admission seats. Expect to pay much more for better seats and/or tickets that include VIP meetups. You should be able to park for free and coupled with the decent food prices, the value of attending an event here is fairly good, especially for a venue in a large city. . Extras 5 For a wrestling fan, just being in the world-famous “ECW Arena” is worth a couple of extra points. For many fans, this place is their Wrigley Field or Fenway Park. The venue is also home to the Hardcore Hall of Fame where you can see the names of past legends such as Tommy Dreamer, The Blue Meanie, Eddie Guerrero, and many more. The venue has been cleaned up, but try to remember past events such as Super Summer Sizzler, November to Remember 1993, and Holiday Hell 1993. You may almost be able to hear the clanking of chairs and the destruction of tables. The arena’s proximity to such a good cheesesteak option such as Tony Luke’s is just another extra. Final Thoughts A visit here to any event, let alone a wrestling event such as Major League Wrestling, is a must for anyone who remembers the hardcore, extreme version of professional wrestling that was alive in the 1990s.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Protective Stadium 1101 22nd St N Birmingham, AL 35203 Birmingham Bowl website Protective Stadium website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 45,000 TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl - Protective Stadium There is often talk that the college football bowl season has too many games, everyone goes to a bowl game, or that these games don’t matter. But while the games themselves are glorified exhibitions they are far from meaningless – the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl does a wonderful job making the game a memorable experience for both the players and the fans who turn out to support them. Food & Beverage 4 Several factors contribute to great food experiences at stadiums; two of the top factors are a variety of choices and a local touch to those options. While the price and quality of the food are definitely contributing factors, the first two are good starting points. Protective Stadium delivers on the food front and is enhanced by the pre-game options around the stadium. The handful of restaurants that make up the Uptown Birmingham development (more on this in a moment), provide food for a multitude of taste buds. Within the stadium, concessions stands are abundant around the concourse and offer many options. The area's history in the iron industry is recognized with Sloss Smokehouse offering BBQ choices, all for under $11. Crossroads Chicken Co. features a spicy chicken sandwich or an “Alabama White Corn Dog”, which is a typical corn dog but with white Alabama BBQ sauce. The Anvil Grill serves up more typical stadium fare with burgers, hot dogs, and chicken tenders as their highlighted choices, and non-meat eaters will be pleased to know Beyond Burgers are available. Alcohol sales are available throughout the stadium – domestic beers start at $8 with premiums going for $11, which include many local craft brews. Also, wine by the glass for $9 and mixed drinks starting at $13 are offered at Lady Electra's. Protective Stadium is a cashless facility; visitors will either need to pay by credit/debit card or buy a cash-to-card gift card to load funds on at one of the various locations around the stadium. Atmosphere 4 Protective Stadium is a modern facility which provides magnificent views of downtown Birmingham. It is the crown of the Uptown Birmingham “eat-play-stay" development. The bowl organizers have done an excellent job in using the Uptown Development to create a fun atmosphere for fans prior to the game. From 4 hours prior to the start of the game, fans are treated to concerts leading up to game time, and also have several tents, games, and activities set up in that area leading up to kickoff. The bowl has a tie-in with the Southeastern Conference, but is hurt significantly if the SEC does not qualify enough teams for bowl participation – the 2021 game that included nearby Auburn University saw 41,000+ fans attend, while the 2022 contest between East Carolina and Coastal Carolina only drew close to 16,000 fans. However, while the lack of a Power 5 conference team does significantly hurt the overall attendance numbers, it doesn’t hurt the excitement of the game; there are enough storylines with the smaller conferences to drive the passion of the fans in the game. Neighborhood 4 Located in the Druid Hills neighborhood of Birmingham, Uptown and Protective Stadium are a few blocks from downtown. The downtown area is home to the Birmingham Institute of Civil Rights and Kelly Ingram Park, which features statues of many civil rights leaders and iconic scenes from Birmingham’s civil rights movement. Uptown Birmingham consists of 6 to 8 restaurants, two major hotels, a dog park, and pickleball courts. As alluded to previously, the restaurants provide fans with several different choices of food with Texas de Brazil, Uptown Cantina, Eugene's Hot Chicken, or Mug Shots Grille and Bar, just to name a few. From meats to Mexican, hot chicken to pub-grub, there is something for everyone. The area around Uptown and Protective Stadium offers many entertainment options, from Topgolf which is a driver and a wedge away, to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. However, no trip to Birmingham would be complete for stadium enthusiasts without visiting historic Rickwood Field – built in 1910 as the home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro League, the stadium is still in use today and offers weekday tours. Birmingham is also home to a handful of professional teams who are in the middle of their seasons during the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl. Legacy Arena, just a half-mile from Protective Stadium is home to the Birmingham Squadron of the G-League. Also the Birmingham Bulls , members of the Southern Professional Hockey League play just south of the city in Pelham. If coming from out of town for the bowl experience, Uptown Birmingham includes two hotels, Westin and Sheraton Birmingham. As would be expected, staying in the heart of it all comes at a premium price. If looking to save a bit on a hotel room, however, there are many 3-to-4-star hotels in the neighboring communities that come at a much more economical rate. Fans 3 When it comes to bowl games it can be difficult to drive interest from casual fans outside of the fanbases with a rooting interest in the game. As previously mentioned, the bowl’s tie-in with the SEC does a lot to drive ticket sales, but if the SEC does not have enough bowl eligible teams, it can really hurt the turnout for this bowl. The discrepancy lies in the fact that the smaller schools just do not have as large of a fan base to pull from – when drawing teams from more than 500 miles away, the ability to fill the stadium can be difficult. If anything can be said about the fans who are at the game, though, regardless of the stadium being at capacity or only one-third full, it is difficult not to get caught up in the excitement of the fans in the stands. Access 4 Given Protective Stadium’s location in Birmingham, getting there is rather easy. Those driving to town will see Protective Stadium directly off the Interstate 20-59 ramp, and fans flying in will find themselves less than 5 miles away. Many of the hotels in the area provide a shuttle from the airport, so a rental vehicle is not a necessity for a 2-3-day stay. Parking can be found all around the stadium, but the northern lots have better tailgating options. There are a also handful of parking garages on the southern side of the stadium, but getting out of parking garages following the game can be challenging. No matter the parking lot, prices range from $20 to $25. Lastly, there is a shuttle that runs from the Uptown district to one of the suburbs of Birmingham that is heavily populated by quality 3 and 4-star hotels. Return on Investment 4 Overall prices for tickets, food, and merchandise appear to be on par with what you would expect to see at most major college football games. The merchandise is a bit pricier than you would pay on campus or at retail stores, but given the one-of-a-kind nature of these bowl game keepsakes, the inflated price does not come as a shock. Ticket prices for the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl come at a price that is comparable to most college football games – tickets start at $34 for upper-level seating and end zone seats. Club seats start at $200 with access to the bar and food buffet. With an average ticket price of approximately $80, tickets for any of these types of seating are available at reasonable rates. Extras 3 The bowl organizers go out of their way to provide visitors with the ability to experience the city of Birmingham, outside of just the area around the bowl site. The free shuttles from the Uptown district to some partnered hotels and various locations of interest around the city makes navigating Birmingham convenient for visitors from out-of-town. Protective Stadium also considers sensory sensitive fans – Kulturecity is designed for those with sensory processing needs to be able to utilize if needed. In addition, sensory kits with headphones, fidgets, and other sensory input items are also available to check out, free of charge. Final Thoughts While some bowl games typically have a difficult time appealing to the casual football fan, the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl organizers do a wonderful job of creating a memorable experience for bowl-goers – from the pep-rallies and fireworks the night before the game to the ease of being able to find entertainment around the stadium, to the pre-game concert stage and tailgating leading up to the game itself, all is done with fans in mind. If you’re an alum or fan of one of the schools taking part, or just a fan of college football, a trip to Birmingham is bound to be enjoyable.