Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Historic West Gym 2717 S Morgantown Rd Greenwood, IN 46143 Center Grove HS Trojans website Historic West Gym website Year Opened: 1954 Capacity: 4,000 The Center Grove High School West Gym opened on December 14, 1954, and would serve as the Trojans home for basketball until January 1996, when its current facility, the Vandermeer Gym , debuted. However, like many former venues, the West Gym was not dismantled or left in squalid conditions. It would serve the high school as an auxiliary gym for freshman basketball games and other sporting events. It is that reason why the varsity basketball team will utilize its old stomping grounds from time to time. The gymnasium was designed by Ralph Legeman, who designed several other ‘sunken gyms’ throughout the state. His design was considered one of the best for high school hoops in the Indianapolis area. Legeman also designed the high school that opened for the 1954-1955 academic year, and it helped ease the pain from the loss of the former school and gym two years earlier. A fire broke out on November 1, 1952, at the old high school building. The fire began between 11:00 PM and 12:30 AM after the annual Halloween Carnival had concluded. The flames shot up to 150 feet in the air, and firefighters worked all night to put it out. Sadly, both the school and gymnasium were destroyed. The blaze was determined to be caused by faulty wiring. The basketball team lost all of its equipment except for its white home jerseys and continued playing on the road for the rest of the season. A holding company was created to rebuild a new high school, and residents bought shares to fund the project. $625,000 was raised to build a new school and gym. Today, the school and gym remain on the same site through various renovation projects. Food & Beverage 3 A small concession window offers hot dogs, nachos, Coca-Cola products, popcorn, and candy during games. Unlike other gyms in the state, a visible menu board does not offer prices. The menu board is accessible via telephone, and payments can made via credit card or cash.  Atmosphere 3 The West Gym has been kept in pristine condition and makes for a nostalgic time to enjoy a high school basketball game. The wraparound concourse provides an ideal view of the game from any area. Fans are close to the action towards the button few rows where there isn’t much room between the playing court and stands. The design is identical to many sunken gyms of its kind around the state, but the West Gym does not have any banners, signs, or the little touches of a gym in Edinburg, Connersville, or West Vigo. However, having the gym open for one day a season is a great way to relive a few memorable moments from the school’s past. Neighborhood 3 Center Grove High School is in Greenwood, about 20 minutes south of downtown Indianapolis. It is in a residential neighborhood, close to the Greenwood Mall, 15 minutes east of the high school. This area offers an array of regional and national chain restaurants, shops, and other points of interest. Fans 3 The crowd feels a little different at games in the West Gym. No cheer blocks or student sections were providing a soundtrack to the game. There was more of an older crowd that featured an array of alumni, parents, and others taking a peek inside the old venue. Access 3 The West Gym is located at the southwest corner of the high school off Montgomery Road and close to Pennington Road. There is construction taking place, but there is parking directly in front of the gymnasium. The other option is to park in front of the current gym Vandermeer Gym , and walk over through the school. Once inside the arena, a main concourse wraps around the seating bowl, providing an unobstructed view of the basketball court. A small concession stand and restrooms are available on the concourse level.  Return on Investment 3 The ticket price is $6, and it provides fans a chance to witness a high school game at Center Grove's old gym, where a lot of memories were made. The gym will celebrate 70 years in December 2024, and it is nice to be able to go back and enjoy a game. Extras 2 An extra point is awarded for the West Gym used for select varsity games throughout the season. These games are connected to alumni events that bring back memories for all those attending. A second point is the usage of the historic gym. It still looks fantastic for a gym of its age.  Final Thoughts The Historic West Gym is a pleasant way to enjoy a high school basketball game in the Indianapolis market. The 70-year-old sunken gym still offers a glimpse of the school's past and present. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Chuck Utech, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Smart Araneta Coliseum Araneta Center, Cubao Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines 0810 Far Eastern University Tamaraws website Smart Araneta Coliseum website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 16,500 College Basketball in the Far East What do you get when you combine equal parts of fan fervor, a league of rich history, the most popular sport in the country, and a venue that has hosted everything from John Cougar Mellencamp concerts to Papal visits from Pope John Paul II to arguably the most famous boxing fight in history? You get a basketball game between Ataneo De Manila University (ADMU) vs. Far Eastern University (FEU) in The Philippines. The University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is a sports association home to eight universities: Adamson University, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, National University, University of the East, University of the Philippines, and the University of Santo Tomas. Established in 1938, it is one of the oldest athletic conferences in the country and has emerged to be the most popular inter-university sports association today. The eight member universities compete in three divisions (Seniors, Juniors, and Women’s) in fourteen sports. Basketball, by far the most popular of the sports offered, begins the action each season. The UAAP plays its basketball games at both Smart Araneta Coliseum and the Mall of Asia Arena rather than on site at the respective universities. Since its establishment in 1928 by founder Dr. Nicanor Reyes, Sr., FEU has been recognized as one of the leading universities in the Philippines. The mascot is a tamaraw. A tamaraw is a hooved mammal similar to a water buffalo that is an endangered species. Smart Araneta Coliseum is located in the Cubao district of Quezon City, the largest city by area in Metro Manila, and the most populous in the country. While known for hosting the “Thrilla in Manila,” “The Big Dome” as it is also known, is host to scores of concerts, sporting events and culturally significant events annually. Food & Beverage 4 Once inside the venue, concessions are abundant. There are plenty of options for those wanting standard American fare. Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Krispy Kreme, and Pizza Hut all have stands on various levels. For a more local feel, try a Jamaican Pattie for 60 PHP ($1.40 US). There are vendors for all of the establishments that make rounds during the game in case one does not wish to leave their seat. There are no alcohol sales at this event, but water, soda, tea and juice are available throughout the coliseum. Atmosphere 5 Entry is gained through the main gate at the west side of the arena. Tickets can be purchased online or at the main ticket booth. These events are very popular and buying tickets early is recommended. There are scalpers (locally they are called fixers), but purchasing through them is highly discouraged. Seating runs from 100PHP ($2.65 US) for bleacher seating at the outer reaches of the dome to 300PHP ($8 US). I have been fortunate to attend sporting events in America of all four major sports including Game One of the 2013 Stanley Cup (triple overtime). I have been to many major college basketball games in venues known specifically for being the most raucous. Without question, this is the loudest sporting event I have ever attended. The crowd started roaring at the beginning of introductions; it did not cease until the final buzzer. Aiding in the delirium of the fans are rival drum corps that play constantly during game action. Both squads have cheer squads that would bring comparison to the cheerleaders of the first half of the 1900s. While sitting amongst the FEU faithful, cheers are led by guys emphatically yelling “DE-Fense!” and “Go Tamaraws!” during play. At halftime, both cheer squads give individual performances court side. The score is posted on a large overhead scoreboard above mid-court. Due to the high decibel levels, the PA announcer is not always clear. This did lead to a touch of confusion when a review late in the contest resulted in the addition of one point and although an explanation was given, the roar of the crowd was overwhelmed. Lighting is superb. Sight lines of the entire arena are generally unobstructed. Neighborhood 3 Located in the Cubao district, the Big Dome is surrounded by three shopping complexes. Farmer’s Plaza, Gateway, and Ali Mall are all within one block of the coliseum. In addition there is a market (Farmer’s Market) just west that offers fresh produce, additional shopping and a dampa, which is a fresh fish market. One simply points to the seafood they wish to purchase and it is cooked to specification. Within two blocks of the arena itself there are probably 100 eating establishments to choose from featuring flavors of the world. Cubao is not considered the safest of areas within Metro Manila and one should be cognizant of their surroundings, especially after dark. Walking outside of the immediate area is not recommended. That being said, there is a high level of security at the shopping areas and the arena itself. Fans 5 The crowd is quite knowledgeable, which is to be expected as basketball is the country’s favorite sport. They are also quite friendly. The local fans make visitors feel right at home. The fans shriek at every turnover and three pointer. The crash of the drums is a constant heartbeat for the crowd as they enthusiastically follow each bounce of the ball. Access 3 Depending on where one is arriving from, Smart Araneta is easy to get to, whether by taxi, bus, or jeepney. A 30 minute taxi ride is approximately 175 PHP. There are jeepney stops nearby and the bus terminal is located one block south, across from Ali Mall. For visitors unfamiliar with the area, a taxi is recommended. It can drop off immediately outside the arena. In addition, it has been found easier to tell the taxi driver “Cubao, Farmer’s.” This limits any confusion and allows for a drop which is close to the main entrance and ticket booth. There are public parking ramps nearby for those brave enough to drive. Inside, the venue is very handicap accessible. Elevators bring patrons to their correct level and the concourses are fan friendly. There are plenty of security guards and attendants to ensure a pleasant experience. Smoking? One is allowed to leave and re-enter by showing a hand stamp. Return on Investment 5 An event ticket, food, beverage and roundtrip fares can be had for a total of around 500 PHP ($11 US). One can indulge in some shopping or some fine dining nearby and still not expect to break the bank. Extras 3 Although there are no concessions or programs, the local schools do have merchandise booths with a decent selection of team gear for purchase. Restrooms are easy to access and are clean. The staff is numerous and handles a large crowd well. Final Thoughts This was the most raucous event I have ever attended. It is well recommended for anyone who wants to take in an event that combines a historically significant venue, the national pastime of the Philippines, and the passion of a large fan base for not a large sum of money.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.47 Rogers Place 10220 104 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB T5J 4Y8 Edmonton Oilers website Rogers Place website Year Opened: 2016 Capacity: 18,347 The Oilers’ Fabulous Place The Edmonton Oilers went to the Stanley Cup finals in 2024, falling one goal short in the deciding game seven matchup against the Florida Panthers. This was the fifth-straight trip to the playoffs for the Oilers and the first time they reached the finals since 2006.  Needless to say, expectations are high in the city once again. And those high expectations carry over to their home venue. It would be pretty easy to rest on your laurels if you run a well-liked facility like Rogers Place. But management has chosen not to do that, instead continuing to work on improving the fan experience for anyone who comes to the arena to see the Edmonton Oilers play. At almost a half billion dollars, the downtown arena has spared no expense in making sure every trip to the building is an event, over and above whatever sport or concert you’ve come to watch.  Rogers Place has many design features that reflect the experience the fans have asked for. Its modern design matches well with the new generation of exciting hockey players now coming through the Oilers system while also paying homage to the Oilers Stanley Cup dynasty of the 1980s. Food & Beverage 5 Food and beverage services are a top priority for Rogers Place. The food here is excellent. But it’s also pricy, so be prepared.   Before you even enter the main concourse, in Ford Hall on the south end of the building, you’ll find the Molson Canadian Fan Deck, with a full-service bar and many of the same food choices you’ll find inside the gates, but at more modest prices—Molson Canadian and Coors Light are both $6 per glass here; a brisket grilled cheese sandwich is $12. If you’re going to be spending some money on food anyway, you might want to give Studio 99 a try. It is located on the PCL Loge Level, filled with a ton of sports memorabilia, and has an excellent pre-game buffet (reservations recommended). Seating is open to anyone in attendance. The buffet includes traditional sports bar-type food taken to the next level, plus some high-quality dining options, such as chicken wings, fries, a variety of salads, pasta dishes, and prime rib. Studio 99 is open all game long as well. It’s $64 per person, but it’s also all-you-can-eat, so bring an appetite. Regular concession stands have a relatively small selection to choose from, but each location has a slightly different menu, so have a look around before you settle on something. Rogers Place has entered into a relationship with KFC, so you’ll find their products on most menus.  You’ll find all the expected options, from Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to burgers, fountain pop to bottled water. Most concessions also have some basic adult beverage choices, if you’re looking for a glass or can of beer ($14 and up, depending on brand and whether it’s in a can or a cup).  These options typically also include a couple of premium beers as well.  There are also a couple of specialty stands around the several levels of concourse that feature interesting fare such as Montreal smoked meat sandwiches or perogies. You’ll also find Pizza 73 locations around the building. If you are looking for a self-serve option, check out the AI-powered Grab + Go Drinks and Snacks kiosks where you can pull what you want from the selection and pay quickly. This seems to be under-used, so you might be able to save some time by giving this a try. If you’re looking for something a little more special, there are a few more places to check out. In the lower concourse, available to fans in the lower bowl, there are two club-style areas known as the Coventry Homes Club and the North Mezzanine Club, complete with tables for fans to gather around between periods. The concessions in these areas have an upgraded menu with some more exotic selections.  Fans in the PCL Loge Level have access to the River Valley Grill.  Sky Lounge is a premium seating club on the west end of the upper concourse which has a special menu and in-seat beverage service. Directly below it is the Sportsnet Club which also features premium seating and a unique menu. Atmosphere 5 The managers of Rogers Place do know how to put on a show for the fans.  Just approaching the rink is an experience. If traveling to the arena via Light Rail Transit (LRT), you can either get off at the MacEwan Station, right outside the north entrance to the arena, and adjacent to the Essential Tree art piece, further described below.  Alternatively, you can jump off at the Bay Enterprise station and walk the three blocks north to Rogers Place. If you stay on 104 St, you’ll be treated to a walk through Edmonton’s Neon Sign Museum, an open-air display of some old classic neon signs from days past, displayed on the walls of a couple buildings framing the road. Alternatively, you can detour a block east and come up through Ice District Plaza, where the south entrance to Ford Hall is located, as well as the Oiler’s Official Team Store, several restaurants, plenty of walking space and, when the weather permits, a public skating rink. The arena itself is decorated with images from Oilers history, reminding fans of Edmonton’s proud hockey tradition. Just to the west of the main entrance along 104 Ave. is a Wayne Gretzky statue. Through the glass behind the statue, you can see the Oilers Hall of Fame room, which features memorabilia from the Hockey Hall of Fame, located in Toronto, ON. This is also where all pre- and post-game interviews are conducted, giving fans an up-close look at the head coach and players.  Whether you enter Ford Hall from its main entrance in the plaza or through the main doors, this is a beautiful gathering area for fans prior to walking through the gates into the arena itself. Ford Hall is open year-round so folks visiting Edmonton’s downtown core can stop by and check it out.  The main concourse is quite wide and several stories high, giving it an open, roomy feel. Once inside the seating bowl, you’ll also get a sense of spaciousness, from the wide seats (19”-22”, depending on where you’re sitting) and ample leg room to the significant elevation from ice level to the top of the upper bowl. Seats still don’t feel that far away from the game action, however, due to the upper levels being cantilevered out over the lower levels, bringing them much closer to the middle of the arena, giving even upper deck audiences a sense that they’re right on top of the game.  The energy in the stands is also good. While the game is underway, ambient sound levels indicate a steady buzz of excitement, which can quickly spike when a goal is scored, a fight breaks out, or something else exciting happens.  Neighbourhood 4 Rogers Place is situated on the north end of Edmonton’s downtown core in what is now known as the Ice District. To the west of the rink is the main campus of MacEwan University. If you stick to those areas before and after games, you should have no troubles at all.  To the north of the arena is Central McDougall, which is slowly gentrifying, including the addition of some parking space directly north of the rink, and an open air festival space to the east, called Fan Park. Two blocks east and south of the arena is Sir Winston Churchill Square, a central gathering place for the city which is framed on three sides by Edmonton City Hall, the Art Gallery of Alberta, Winspear Centre for Music, and the main branch of the Edmonton Public Library. Very nice location to check out. On the southeast corner of Rogers Place is the Grand Villa Casino, so patrons of Rogers Place can stop in and try their luck at the slots or table games before or after seeing the Oilers. There are also two restaurants in the casino, adding to your dining options right in the main building. Match Eatery and Public House has a classic British Pub vibe, while Atlas Steak + Fish is a more upscale place where it is rumoured some of the Oilers players have been known to visit after games. If you’re looking to grab a bite or a drink before or after games, you have a ton of good options within just a couple blocks of Rogers Centre.  You can always try the Molson Canadian Hockey House right in Ford Hall, if you want to eat right outside the main gates. In Ice District Plaza you’ll also find several places to dine. Kindred Food is located on the main floor of the JW Marriott building. Across the plaza from there are two bars: Canadian Icehouse and The Banquet , stacked on top of one another. If Italian food is your thing, there are a couple good choices. Pazzo Pazzo is a traditional Italian restaurant with all the dishes you’d expect to find. Just a couple blocks away you’ll also find Edmonton’s downtown Old Spaghetti Factory which also features a full Italian menu, including nine different spaghetti variations.  The Joey Restaurant in the Bell Tower is an excellent option which fills up quickly before games but serves great food. Really, this is just scratching the surface. There are many, many more places nearby. Fans 5 Oilers fans are pretty hard core. For the decade leading up to Rogers Place opening its doors, Oilers fans sold out every home game. In the new barn, the Oilers are now drawing over 1,500 more fans per game, and once again are selling out every night.  The crowds get excited at all the appropriate moments, showing they are engaged in the action, and they’re pleasant to be around, whether in the stands or the concourse, with no anti-social behavior observed. Many, if not most, of the fans are decked out in Oilers orange and blue, proudly showing off their dedication to their team.  Access 4 Getting to and from Rogers Place is fairly easy. There are a ton of parking spaces close to the arena, including the Ice District Central Parkade, to the south of the Ice District Plaza. There is also parking to the north of the facility, and a number of other options throughout the downtown core. You probably want to book in advance to get in on parking on game nights as these spaces do fill up quickly. The other popular option for getting to any sporting event in Edmonton is by way of the transit system. The MacEwan LRT station is physically connected by a walkway to Rogers Place’s north side, while three other LRT stations —Bay Enterprise Square, Central, and Churchill—are all located within 10 minutes of the building. There are also 40 bus routes that come within a couple blocks of the arena. Transit tickets are $3.50 for adults, while children under 12 ride for free when accompanied by a paying adult.  Once inside Rogers Place, having five floors of concourse helps to spread people around a bit, although the Mezzanine (lower bowl), luxury box, and PCL Loge level concourses are underused, as you have to have a seat in that area to be granted access. The main concourse remains very busy between periods and the upper bowl’s concourse can also get quite full, moving slowly, but steadily.  A concern that has been heard more than once is that lineups to both the men’s and women’s washrooms are long. Plan your restroom visits accordingly. Return on Investment 4 According to bardown.com , the Oilers have some of the most reasonable ticket prices among Canadian teams, with an average of $86.34 per seat. That’s actually pretty good to see elite-level professional sports. This is a beautiful arena and a young, dynamic team, but a family of four could easily run up a cost well over $500 dollars for the event. In the grand scheme of NHL teams, that’s actually not bad—and compared to some other pro sports, like the NBA or NFL, it’s quite reasonable—but it might limit some fans to only one or two games a year, if they’re not season ticket holders.  Extras 5 Over and above the hockey game, there are a ton of other things that add to the experience at Rogers Place. There is a Designated Driver program available onsite for fans that might have had a few drinks too many. This is an excellent idea that should be seen in more venues. Free Wi-Fi access is available to fans throughout the building, allowing fans to live Tweet games, check their emails and otherwise interact with the World Wide Web while onsite. Oilers mascot Hunter helps keep the fans entertained around the arena. He is named after original Oilers owner “Wild Bill” Hunter and looks like a Canadian lynx, a wild cat that is fairly common in the Edmonton area. The Oilers Hall of Fame room is located right at the front of the building and can be seen through the glass by fans walking along the sidewalk in front of Rogers Place. Tours of the room allow fans to get an even closer look at all the cool stuff in that space, including Wayne Gretzky’s rookie uniform and many other pieces of Oilers history. On the northeast corner of Rogers Place is the Edmonton Downtown Community Arena. Accessible from corridors inside the building, this arena is now home to the MacEwan University men’s and women’s hockey teams. It also serves as the Oilers’ and Oil Kings’ practice ice and it is also available as a public skating rink. There are TVs all over the building, so even if you step away from your seat for a few moments during a game, you can probably still keep an eye on the action from wherever you happen to be. Speaking of video, Rogers Place features the one of the largest indoor scoreboards in the North America. At 14 metres wide by 11 metres tall, it dominates the space above the rink and provides a spectacular image from every angle.  Several interactive touches are located around the concourses, such as a couple life-size Oilers bobbleheads that attendees can get their pictures taken with.  The Oilers Store can be found in a number of locations around the building giving fans an opportunity to stock up on all the Oilers clothes and souvenirs they can carry. If you’re an art fan, Rogers Place has several special pieces for you. The floor of Ford Hall is adorned with a giant circular mosaic called Tsa Tsa Ke K’e (Iron Foot Place) by local artist Alex Janvier. The northwest plaza, adjacent to the MacEwan LRT station has a large sculpture called Essential Tree by realities:united, an art collective in Berlin. The northeast plaza features a red circular sculpture called Skater’s Arch by Saskatchewan artist Douglas Bentham. And directly above the main entrance to the Downtown Community Arena is a piece that combines sculpture and painting called 9 Figures In Motion With A Puck by local artist Al Henderson. As an added bonus, you’ll also find a cell phone charging stations in the concourse for Rogers Mobility customers with low batteries. Rogers Place is the first NHL rink in Canada to be LEED-Silver certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). This makes it one of the most environmentally friendly arenas in North America. Final Thoughts Rogers Place is a worthwhile place to visit even if you’re not there for a hockey game. There is so much to see and do in and around the building without ever walking through the gates that you could spend a couple hours just checking the place out. This is continuing to get better as more features get added. Once you’re through the gates, this is a beautiful building with truly state-of-the-art features that should impress most everyone. If you’re a hockey fan and you’re looking for the chance to see one of the hottest arenas in the NHL, Rogers Place is definitively a place to check out.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Pioneer Field 131 Shiloh Rd Greeneville, TN 37745 Tusculum Pioneers website Pioneer Field website Year Opened: 1965 Capacity: 3,500 A Trek to Pioneer Field Home to Pioneer Soccer since the facility was built in 1965, and home to Pioneer football since 1991 when that sport was brought back to campus, Pioneer Field received a major upgrade in 2000 when a new press box was constructed, along with new lighting, new concessions areas & restrooms, and updated seating. The venue now holds 3,500 fans – 2,500 on the main side and 1,000 on the visitor’s side – and includes a Bermuda grass field and a brand-new fieldhouse behind the west end zone. New Press Box at Pioneer Field, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Food & Beverage 3 Pioneer Field offers concessions on the south side of the field only (meaning fans in the visitor section will have to walk all the way around), including Chick-fil-A sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, and candy bars, ranging in price from $2 to $6. They also sell bottled water and bottled Coke products for $3. Concessions lines move pretty quickly, and the food is high quality. Atmosphere 4 Pioneer Field has a great atmosphere and a beautiful setting – most notably I love the Tusculum décor splashed all the way across the field, including the word ‘Tusculum’ stretching from 30-yard line to 30-yard line and the Pioneer logos at the 25s. The trees surrounding the field are also a great touch, providing a great rural feel especially during night games. I would also mention the unique brick architecture, including brick columns embedded in the fencing around the field – when you walk up to the stadium you can’t even really tell it’s a stadium, which is a great design feature, as the facility blends smoothly right into its surroundings. Tusculum also has a great mascot to entertain fans during games. Named Zeke and reminiscent of Daniel Boone, he can be found walking around the main stands interacting with fans. There is a cheerleading squad as well, and team gear can be purchased near the main entrance if you want to get your Pioneers swag on. This is a really great facility overall; the only downside is that the venue doesn’t have a videoboard yet (just a static digital scoreboard) – a videoboard will be a great addition when it comes. Tusculum Pioneers Mascot, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 Tusculum, TN is not a large town, but there are plenty of restaurants a few miles away from Pioneer Field along Highway 321 – a couple local favorites include Old Oak Taproom, Whistle Stop, and Fatz Café, which is a small local chain with locations in TN, NC, and SC. One tourist stop you should also check out while in town is the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in nearby Greeneville – now run by the National Park Service it consists of four different sites: the visitor’s center, the early home, the homestead, and the cemetery. And if you need a hotel while you are there, there are several hotels near Pioneer Field such as Hampton Inn and Quality Inn. Fans 3 Pioneer Field has great fans, averaging around 2,000 per contest, including a decent number of opposing fans, which is more common at this level of football given how close the schools tend to be to each other. At the game I most recently attended there wasn’t much of a student section, as a lot of the students were working the race events at nearby Bristol Motor Speedway , but at a typical game you will see a lot of energy from the students. Access 4 There are few football stadiums that are easier to get into and out of than Pioneer Field – located only a few miles from the larger city of Greenville, there is free parking right in front of the facility and plenty of room to move around the concourse. The concessions on the south side face the field, so you won’t miss any of the action, and the lines there are short. There are also more than enough bathrooms to accommodate the size of the crowd. The only downside in terms of access at Pioneer Field is that the home stands (south side) and visiting stands (north side) are not connected, so you must walk all the way around if you want to sit on the visitor side, which as a reminder doesn’t have any concessions either. However, there is plenty of room on the south side so you are welcome to just stay there – the main stands have orange chair backs in the first few rows in the middle, orange seats without backs above that, and bleachers without backs on the ends, while the visiting stands only have bleachers without backs. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Tusculum football are just $15, which is a great deal for the beautiful facility you get to enjoy – the trees all around, the great décor, the unique architecture, the free and close parking, and the low-cost concessions. Extras 3 A big plus for the great music played by the PA announcer, including some great dance music. There is also tailgating in the parking lot in front of the stadium, most notably the large white tent sponsored by the Pioneer Club, but also plenty of individual fans soaking up the pregame atmosphere.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Ted Reeve Community Arena 175 Main Street Toronto, ON M4E 2W2 Toronto Beaches website Ted Reeve Community Arena website Year Opened: 1954 Capacity: 1,350 Life’s a Beach East of Downtown Toronto, the historic neighbourhood of The Beaches can be found.  In the Beaches community, lacrosse has a deep and storied history.  It is possible that the Toronto Beaches Lacrosse Club dates back to one of the first field lacrosse games in Toronto in 1867.  The formal history of the club dates back to 1915.  The Beaches played a Junior B box lacrosse circuit from 1979 to 1983.  The modern Toronto Beaches joined the Junior A loop in 1991, folded in 1997 and restarted in 1998.  Success has been fleeting for the Beaches in the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League, but they did make two Iroquois Trophy Final appearances in 2002 against the St. Catharines Athletics and 2022 against the Whitby Warriors . The home for the Toronto Beaches is definitely a community experience in The Beaches.  The Ted Reeve Community Arena is a hub for the community.  Built in 1954, Ted Reeve Arena has a long, illustrious hockey history.  It is named in honour of Ted Reeve, who lived his entire life in The Beaches.  Ted Reeve served in World War I and won two Grey Cups as a football player, and a Mann Cup as a lacrosse player.  He also won three Yates Cups at Queen’s University as a coach.  He is a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and was well established as a writer. Food & Beverage 3 The west end of the Ted Reeve Arena has an enclosed snack bar and seating area that looks out to the floor.  Burgers, hot dogs, fries, bagels, popcorn, chips and chocolate bars are all on the menu.  Pepsi products, Gatorade, water, and smoothies are the soft drink options, as well as a full coffee bar.  Inside the arena in the southwest corner, beer and water is also sold. Atmosphere 3 The Ted Reeve Arena is part of a larger community park which includes a sizable playground and ball diamonds.  The building is definitely on the older side and the exterior is fairly nondescript with a large sign over the west entrance.  Light brick and a rounded roof  delineate the exterior features.   A large mural is painted on the east side of the building near the parking lot.  A memorial stone is found at the west side commemorating Ted Reeve and his contributions to sport. Upon entering at the west side, patrons are greeted with a massive painted mural honouring the arena's hockey and lacrosse history along with Ted Reeve.  Once tickets have been purchased at the temporary table at the entrance, fans will head to the arena concourse.  Immediately the history of the Ted Reeve Arena will become obvious with numerous trophy cases filled with trophies and memorabilia that go back decades.  Unfortunately for the lacrosse fan, everything is focused on the vast hockey tradition at the arena.  There are some Toronto Beaches markings around the arena, including two large banners on either side of the east end scoreboard.  The roof of the arena is a simple arched roof with silver insulation, seen in so many arenas around Ontario.  The floor runs from east to west and the north side of the floor is the spot to be for a centre logo picture.  With playing surfaces not exactly consistent in the OJLL, Ted Reeve Arena features a polished concrete floor, which is not the greatest.  The seating bowl encircles the entire floor and has 3 rows of old, plastic, stadium seats.  The seats are actually from Exhibition Stadium, which was the former home of the Toronto Argonauts and Toronto Blue Jays.  There is no rhyme or reason to the numbering of the seats in Ted Reeve Arena. The gameday production at a Toronto Beaches game is very simple.  There is no music during gameplay like is normally seen in the National Lacrosse League.  The PA system is very good and it is easy to hear announcements. Neighbourhood 5 Ted Reeve Arena is located in the Upper Beaches neighbourhood of Toronto, surrounded by Main Street, Gerrard Street and Ted Reeve Drive.  It is just east of what would normally be considered Downtown.  There are a number of places to eat and drink in the immediate area.  Some places include Bodega Henriette, Beach Hill Smokehouse, Red Tape Brewery and Prologue Cafe. For sports fans, Toronto is heaven.  There are a tremendous number of sports options.  Just west of Ted Reeve Arena are the homes of the Toronto Blue Jays , Toronto Raptors , Toronto Maple Leafs , Toronto Marlies , Toronto Argonauts  and Toronto FC .  The University of Toronto is just north and home of the Varsity Blues ( hockey , football , basketball ) and Toronto Metropolitan University, home of the Bold ( hockey , basketball ) and further north is York University, home of the Lions ( basketball , hockey , football ).  For fans of lacrosse, the OJLL’s Mimico Mountaineers  home, Mimico Arena, is a short drive away.  Also, Toronto Maple Leafs  baseball can be seen for free during summer months.  Other tourist options in the Beaches neighbourhood are Balmy Beach Park, and Woodbine Beach.  Of course there are other tourist options in the City.  For fans who wish to stay near the arena, the Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites is close. Fans 3 It is difficult to assess the fan support of OJLL venues as the league does not publish attendance figures.  At the game that was reviewed there were a fair number of fans and considering the Monday Night schedule, the number of fans was higher than expected.  There are a number of minor lacrosse players in attendance and players are granted free entry.   Access 4 Ted Reeve Arena is located in the Upper Beaches neighbourhood of Toronto.  Adjacent to Downtown Toronto, it is not the easiest place to drive to.  Traffic can be a big challenge coming from the east, west or north.  There is some free parking on the site of the arena, but with plenty going on with the ball diamonds and two arenas, a plan to be at the arena early is a good one.  For fans wishing to take public transit to the game, Ted Reeve Arena is a block south of the Danforth GO Transit stadion, which also services the TTC.  Fans should consult the GO Transit  and TTC websites for schedules, fares and maps.  Ted Reeve is an older arena, but it is not terribly difficult to get around.  Washroom facilities are adequate for the number of fans in attendance. Return on Investment 5 Toronto Beaches lacrosse, along with the other experiences in the OJLL, offers tremendous value for the sporting dollar.  Tickets for the Beaches are $10 each with some discounts for kids and seniors.  Toronto Beaches minor lacrosse players get into the game free of charge.  The action on the floor is high calibre and fans will definitely have a good time.  Extras 2 An extra mark for the long history of the Toronto Beaches Lacrosse Club. An extra mark for the seats in Ted Reeve Arena being reused from Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. Final Thoughts Taking in some Junior Lacrosse in the Toronto neighbourhood of the Beaches is a great way to take in a neighbourhood that tourists may not normally head to and to get a flavour of a part of Toronto.  Toronto Beaches lacrosse is a great way to catch some high calibre lacrosse at a price that is very palpable. Ted Reeve Arena is a historic neighbourhood arena with a significant amount of charm.  Head out! Life’s a Beach! Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Mahaney Diamond Long Rd Orono, ME 04473 Maine Black Bears website Mahaney Diamond website Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 4,400 Black Bear Diamond Baseball has been played at the University of Maine since 1881. For years, the team played in several locations around the Orono campus. In the early 1980s the school built Mahaney Diamond for the Black Bear baseball team. The field is named for Larry Mahaney, an area businessman and philanthropist who graduated in 1951. His donations allowed for several renovations to the park. In addition to serving as home of the Black Bears, Mahaney Diamond has served as home of the Bangor Blue Ox and Bangor Lumberjacks of the independent Northeast League. The field has also served as host of NCAA Northeast Regional and America East Conference Tournament. UMaine has qualified for 16 NCAA Tournaments and seven college World Series. Nineteen former Black Bears have played in the major leagues. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small shack behind the grandstand which houses a snack bar. Choices are limited here, but it is nice to have food available. It’s an option not many college ballparks in the area enjoy. Hungry Black Bear fans can enjoy snacks including hot dogs, pretzels and nachos. Popcorn, assorted candy, cookies and whoopee pies are sold here. Coca-Cola products are sold at Mahaney Diamond. Perhaps the most popular items sold here on cold Maine spring afternoons are cups of coffee and hot chocolate. A small merchandise table is set up behind the grandstand, offering assorted UMaine t-shirts, hats and sweatshirts. Atmosphere 2 Fans looking for an elaborate game day presentation may be disappointed by the laid back, relaxed atmosphere at Mahaney Diamond. PA announcements are limited to lineup announcements and an occasional sponsor message. The focus here is on the game going on down on the field, which is something that will surely be appreciated by baseball purists. Neighborhood 2 The University of Maine is located in the small town of Orono, which is located in the center of the state. With a population of just over 10,000 permanent residents, the town is actually smaller than the University. Downtown Orono is located about two miles from the UMaine campus. Several fine restaurants can be found on Mill Street, including the original location of Pat’s Pizza, a Maine pizza institution. UMaine students flock to The Family Dog for gourmet burgers. Fans looking for a more traditional pub experience can check out the Orono Brewing Company, Woodman’s Bar and Grill, or Bear Brew Pub. Many fans will choose to travel to nearby Bangor, Maine’s third largest city, where there are more options for dining, lodging and entertainment. Be sure to stop by the giant Paul Bunyan statue for a photo, or visit famous Bangor resident Stephen King’s house. Fans 3 UMaine draws between 400-500 fans for the typical weekend Black Bears game. You have to be a dedicated fan indeed to watch a baseball game in the typically brisk Maine springtime. The Black Bears do have some surprising support from the community and student body. What the student section lacks in numbers they make up for in enthusiasm. While the students who attend Black Bears baseball games can’t compete with the “Maineiacs” who pack Alfond Arena for hockey games, they can be quite entertaining. Access 3 Mahaney Diamond is easy to get to from Interstate 95. Simply take exit 193 (Stillwater Ave.), turn towards the shopping center, take a right onto College Ave., and turn left onto Munson Rd. at the first University of Maine sign. The campus is located about two miles from the highway. All the athletic facilities are grouped together on the northern edge of campus. Mahaney Diamond is tucked in behind Alfond Stadium. Parking lots are located a short walk from the ballpark, adjacent to and in between the hockey arena and football stadium. Most of the seating at Mahaney Diamond consists of metal bleachers with backs. In an unusual twist, the seats further down the line have the fancier seats, as there is a section down either baseline that consists of individual folding plastic seats. Much of the area behind the grandstand consists of dirt paths, which can become muddy during the Maine thaw. Fans would be well advised to walk carefully around the ballpark. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for Black Bear baseball games cost six dollars, with a two dollar discount given to youths and seniors. UMaine students are admitted at no charge. While six dollars is not a steep price to pay to catch some quality college baseball, UMaine is one of the few schools in New England that charges an admission fee to attend games. Parking in the lots near Mahaney Diamond is free, and the prices at the snack bar are inexpensive. An afternoon at a Black Bears game will certainly not break the bank. Extras 2 An extra point is awarded for the Mahaney Clubhouse, an indoor training facility down the left field line. A party deck is built into the side of the building and is rented out to groups on occasion. The field turf playing surface ensures that Mahaney Diamond is playable even during the cold, short Maine spring. Final Thoughts While far off the beaten path (the closest division one baseball school is a four hour drive away), Mahaney Diamond is a quality ballpark. Just remember, this is New England, where the spring weather can be extremely fickle and unpredictable. Postponements, cancellations, changes in schedule and even changes in venue can and do happen regularly. The weather in Maine usually doesn’t turn until after the college baseball season is almost over. If planning a visit to Orono, be flexible. Follow all of Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter @PuckmanRI .

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey One of the most fun parts of watching indoor football, usually, is that any ball that leaves the field of play can be kept by the fan who catches that ball – hence there is usually a mad scramble for these loose balls, and fans will often crowd the first row behind the end zones, to try and catch balls as they slide down the net, or fans will sometimes line up in the upper rows behind the end zones, in case any field goals or extra point balls make it over the net. Fans are also warned to keep alert for loose balls, and often reminded that they can keep the ball if they catch it; some PA announcers have even been known to mock fans who try to give it back. You will also sometimes see stadium staffers retrieve loose balls that don’t quite make it into the stands, and hand them to a lucky fan (usually a little kid, not that this writer is at all jealous). Unfortunately, at the San Antonio Gunslingers game on June 4th, 2023, it was announced that due to a league-wide ball shortage for the National Arena League fans would not be able to keep any balls that left the field of play during the game – staffers were on hand to make sure the balls were returned, and before seemingly every kickoff or extra point, the PA announcer reminded fans of this fact; this same announcement was made over a dozen times during the game. This writer was not able to determine the reason for the shortage, nor for how long the situation might continue. I will mention, however, that I also attended a West Texas Warbirds game on June 3rd, and though no announcement was made about the ball shortage, I did notice fans returning the loose balls to staff members during that game as well. I also noticed that no official-size balls were sold at either game (only souvenir-sized ones), and none of the NAL team websites listed any footballs for sale (only clothing, hats, and glassware). It is unfortunate that the supply chain issues we all heard about during Covid, but most thought were over, may now have touched our sport of football – it is this writer’s sincere hope that the issue will be resolved quickly so that fans will once again be able to enjoy one of the best parts of indoor football.

Photos by Meg Minard Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Michelob ULTRA Arena 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas, NV 89109 Map It Las Vegas Desert Dogs website Michelob ULTRA Arena website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 12,000 New Dogs in LAX The Las Vegas Desert Dogs are the newest members of the NLL (National Lacrosse League), joining the league in the 2022-2023 season. The team is co-owned by several well-known sports individuals: Wayne Gretzky, Steve Nash, Dustin Johnson, and Joe Tsai. They play their home matches at the multi-purpose Michelob ULTRA Arena, attached to the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, NV. The arena also hosts the WNBA Las Vegas Aces as well as concerts, college basketball tournaments, and other entertainment. Box lacrosse is a fabulous, non-stop action indoor sport. It’s one that even leaves fans exhausted after watching a match. The Desert Dogs organization provides a fun, exciting few hours of sports entertainment. If you’re in town in the winter or spring, be sure to check out a game. They only play nine regular season home games, so plan your trip well. Food & Beverage 4 The arena offers a decent variety of food, snack, and drink choices. The concourse includes both stationary stands and carts. A burrito stand offers yummy looking burritos, tacos, and quesadillas ($8 - $14). A burger stand sells fresh burgers ($13.95 - $15.95). Brockwood Farms BBQ provides real pit barbeque pulled pork, beef brisket, and roasted turkey sandwiches with chips and a pickle for $10.50. There’s even a create-your-own ‘you top it’ hot dog stand which offers hot dogs, brats, and seven or so toppings ($11.25 - $11.50). The arena also offers traditional hot dogs ($7.50), nachos ($7.75), and candy ($5.50). The Loop and Kernel sells artisan pretzels ($8) and gourmet popcorn ($6/$8). Another cart sells lemonade and cotton candy. Michelob ULTRA Arena is a Pepsi facility with sodas running $6 - $7.50. Multiple brands of beer are offered - both domestic and craft - on tap and in cans. Hop & Olive sells adult beverages. Cocktails cost $17 or $24 for a double and wine is $15. A bomber beer is $17, with a 16 oz selling for $13. There’s plenty here to keep a lacrosse fan from starving. Atmosphere 4 Box lacrosse is always a fun, sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat game day experience, and a Desert Dogs match is no different. There’s non-stop action on the court and it’s generally a high-scoring game. A DJ constantly plays music throughout the game and strobe lights circle the crowd. Smoke erupts from the scoreboard and corners of the court after a Desert Dog goal. Fans bang on the glass like in hockey. An emcee riles up the crowd, though he’s not always understandable. Players bang their sticks when the 30-second shot clock is about to run out. A crisp, clear scoreboard shows the video of the game, score, quarter, time left, saves, SOG, and penalties. It does not provide closed captioning. Entertainment during the game includes your usual high-pitched screeching female promotions person. Non-game entertainment at the game Stadium Journey visited was a wing-eating contest, T-shirt tosses, a howl cam, and much more. The game day operations staff provides plenty of activities to keep fans entertained during the rare game downtime. Sparkly cheerleaders/dance team with pom poms cheer on the team at breaks, in the aisles, and behind the glass. The seating area is two levels with most fans entering from the concourse and then walking up or down to their seats. Handrails are provided every few rows with more in the upper level. The arena has 13 – 15 rows of grey cushioned seats on both levels around the entire court. The seats are narrow and there’s absolutely no legroom between the rows. A VIP area (The Dog House) with high-top tables, its own bar, and a DJ is behind one of the goals. Michelob ULTRA Arena Seating, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 5 You’re in Las Vegas so there’s an abundance of other entertainment activities, restaurants, casinos, and shops. Within Mandalay Bay, near the arena, a comfortable family-oriented place for a bite to eat is The Citizen. The Border Grill (Mexicana BBQ) has more of a bar-type atmosphere; it’s a hopping place for drinks and appetizers. It closes at 10pm, so if the game runs late, you won’t be able to stop here for an after-game meet-up or drink. Libertine Social Gastropub is also very close. It’s a more upscale place and may not be the best choice for lacrosse fans. Other entertainment at Mandalay Bay includes visiting the Shark Reef Aquarium or a Michael Jackson One by Cirque du Soleil show. And there’s a wedding chapel in case you want to get married or renew your vows. The casino is next to the Luxor (iconic pyramid-shaped casino) which has many of its own entertainment choices. Other sports teams to visit while in town include the NHL Vegas Golden Knights , UNLV basketball or baseball, and the Henderson Silver Knights (minor league hockey). Fans 3 The fan base is certainly into the game, cheering, chanting, and applauding great saves and goals. Desert Dog attire is seen throughout the crowd. The team drew over 7,000 fans for the first game they played at the arena. The other few home games so far have seen 5,000 to 6,000 fans in attendance. It’s still a new team, so time will tell if lacrosse captures more sports fans’ interest in Las Vegas. I suspect it will. Access 4 The arena is in Mandalay Bay Resort on the south end of the strip between the Luxor and Delano Resorts. It’s across I-15 from Allegiant Stadium. Harry Reid International Airport is in its backyard, three to five miles depending on the route. Vehicle traffic in Las Vegas is pretty awful, like most large cities. If driving, Mandalay Bay Parking Garage off Frank Sinatra Drive is the closest garage. Uber and Lyft are convenient transportation choices, and there’s even a designated Uber pickup/drop-off area at Mandalay Bay. The Mandalay Bay Tram Station transports fans to other casinos along the strip. Once arriving, either via the parking lot, tram, or shared ride, fans must walk a distance through the casino and all its bells and whistles to get to the arena. Once arriving, visitors walk up a long corridor from the box office to the security and into the arena. Clear stadium bags (12” x 6” x 12”) are allowed. Doors open an hour before face-off. The concourse is shiny and spacious, so there is minimal congestion when walking the perimeter. Ushers are polite but protective of their sections. There’s a lot of walking involved in getting to the arena. Just be cognizant of that when arriving to watch a match. Return on Investment 3 Tickets start at $35 at the box office. Online, the prices run $25 - $99 plus order fees. The team has promotions throughout the season, like no ticketing fees when purchasing online or jersey giveaways (check their website for details). Food and beverage prices are the standard high-priced stadium fare. Season ticket members get either free parking or discounted parking ($5/game) based on their membership package. Otherwise, fans pay $18 in the adjacent parking garage. All of this seems high for lacrosse, but maybe not for lacrosse in Las Vegas. Box lacrosse is a fun, exciting game , o ne worth visiting when in town or for a new sports experience. We recommend checking it out at least once or twice. . Extras 4 At the game Stadium Journey visited, pregame Indigenous celebrations and half-time performances were presented. Lacrosse originated from native tribes across the US and Canada as early as the 17th century. This celebration was an honor to witness. It included dancing, singing, and a blessing. Nice job. Michelob ULTRA Arena Indigenous Celebration, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Las Vegas is a fantastic place to people-watch. A Desert Dogs merchandise stand is just inside the main entrance and sells a decent amount of team merchandise and clothing. The stand is one of those team shops where you can see but you cannot touch. Jack Hannah scored a sock trick for the Desert Dogs at the game Stadium Journey visited. A sock trick is when a player scores six goals in a game. Final Thoughts The Las Vegas area is becoming a sports hotbed with a new NFL football arena, hockey, minor league hockey and baseball, and now lacrosse. Lacrosse is probably the more niche sport of the others in the United States, but it’s one that is growing. The Desert Dogs is a perfect example of the growth and popularity of the sport. Attending a match is an entertaining and enjoyable evening out!

Photos Courtesy of Siena College Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 MVP Arena 51 Pearl Street Albany, NY 12207 Siena Saints website MVP Arena website Year Opened: 1990 Capacity: 15,229 Good Times Siena has been recognized as one of the elite programs in the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) since the start of the 21st century. Former head coach Fran McCaffery, now at Iowa, led the Saints to a 77-26 record, including 46-8 in conference play, and three consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament between 2008-2010. The Saints currently play in one of college basketball’s most overlooked rivalries with the Great Danes from the University at Albany. Each season, the two teams battle it out for the Albany Cup before 10,000+ fans at the Times Union Center. Note: The arena name changed from Times Union Center to MVP Arena in Jan 2022. Food & Beverage 3 The options are never limited as locations to buy refreshments surround the area in-between the first and second levels. The typical arena favorites like pizza, chicken fingers, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs are all available. However, like cross-town rival UAlbany’s SEFCU Arena , the Saints suffer from a major problem. There are a number of both fast food and sit-down restaurants nearby, but food and drink does not come cheap, such as $4.50 for a Gatorade or $5.50 for a box of cracker jacks. The options are in your favor; the prices are not. Atmosphere 4 By far the largest arena in the capital region, The Times Union Center is a great place to watch a basketball game. There is a major college basketball game experience at every game, complete with an enthusiastic student section and multiple tv cameras. The TU is great entertainment whenever the Saints are in town. Neighborhood 2 The Times Union Center is on South Pearl Street in downtown Albany. Surrounded by a handful of bars that are home to ever increasingly rowdy patrons, downtown Albany can be a dangerous place to visit. There is constant police presence on the weekends and bar owners are sometimes also called upon to take action. Fans 3 In the competition for bragging rights with cross-town rival Albany, Siena can check off a win in the fans department. More residents, and especially more students come out to Siena home games. The fact that capacity at the Times Union Center is more than twice what the capacity is at SEFCU Arena might play a factor, but the fact remains that the fans still make the effort to come out and support their Saints. Access 3 A parking garage is attached to the west end of the building, but it costs $8 to park there for the day. Street parking is typically available on nights and weekends, but the spots are almost always filled up with a far greater demand than there is supply, leaving those attending an event to park far from the building. Return on Investment 4 The Saints have made four NCAA Tournament appearances since 2002, and have upset national powerhouses Ohio State and Vanderbilt in two of those appearances. You can expect to see a good team, which is an important element. Tickets range from $10-$35, and the price is well worth it to see the Saints of Siena. Extras 2 The Saints do a decent job of keeping fans entertained during media timeouts, with games revolving around the “Minute to Win It” concept and the ever-famous kiss cam.

Photos by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Convocation Center 1525 W Lincoln Hwy DeKalb, IL 60115 Northern Illinois Huskies website Convocation Center website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 10,000 Husky Hardwood DeKalb, home of Northern Illinois University is your typical small college town surrounded by farmland. It is located just 65 miles west of the heart of Chicago. NIU has become more known on a national scale recently due to the success of the football team, which played in the Orange Bowl game in 2013 and has made it to the Mid-American Conference Championship game 8 out of the last 11 years. The institution also field teams in other sports as a member of the Mid-American Conference. The men’s and women’s basketball teams play in a very unique venue known as the Convocation Center. It’s a large arena with seating that folds out from the walls. A track and field running surface surrounds the basketball court and makes the space feel cavernous. It is perhaps one of the few venues in college basketball that allows you to walk laps while watching a game. With a full capacity of 10,000, the seating is probably less than half of that with the upper portion pushed back exposing the track. Food & Beverage 2 There’s a little more offered at Northern Illinois basketball games than what you’ll find at a football game, but still far from an awe-inspiring menu. Chicken tender baskets ($6), chicken sandwiches ($5), and slices of pizza with plain cheese or sausage ($5) are the highlights. I tried the chicken sandwich and it is on par with fast food quality. You may want to consider eating pregame or postgame, but there’s enough here to get you through the contest. Other options include the traditional hot dog ($4), nachos ($7), or an order of fries ($3). Pepsi products are on hand with bottles of soda ($5), water ($4), coffee ($4), and hot chocolate ($5). Popcorn or a hot pretzel will set you back $5. Overall, the entire menu seems a bit overpriced for the quality that you’ll receive. For alcohol, there are domestic beers Budweiser, Bud Light, and Michelob Ultra for $9 and 16 oz Seltzers for $9. There are also “value” beers such as Busch Light and Naturdays for $4 (12 oz) and Busch Light $5 (16 oz). The “specialty” beers at the stadium are New Belgium, Sierra Nevada, and Heineken all for ($9.50). There is an NIU brand Kolsh-style ale, Dawgma for $10. Atmosphere 3 The seats in the Convocation Center can be folded up or extended as necessary. This makes for a very agile venue, but it also means that the seats are less comfortable than what you would expect from most arenas. There are two levels of seating that surround the basketball court. The level below the running track offers great views of the action and feels extremely intimate. The seats above the running track feel really removed because of the wide space in between the two levels. However, these upper seats remain pushed back and unavailable for most games. This allows for a greater concentration of the crowd to be closer to the court, which is a good thing. The crown jewel of this venue is the court design. Normally I am not a huge fan of overly designed basketball floors but this one works. The entire area inside the three-point arc is plain wood; the rest of the floor however is an intimidating smoky black color with an imposing design at center court that includes the letters “NIU,” and just the eyes and eyebrows of the husky above. This is one of my favorite basketball courts in the country. NIU has one traditional “Mascot” who is Victor E. Huskie. In addition, NIU has Mission, a Siberian Huskie, that walks around the seating area with his ROTC handler for most of the game. The scoreboard is a good size high-definition board that has lots of good stats and video. Neighborhood 4 DeKalb is a typical small college town. There isn’t much in town besides NIU, but there are some good restaurants downtown and near campus. Since it is a college town, pizza parlors and fast food joints abound, but there are a few nice sports bars near campus. The “official” bar/restaurant of NIU sports is Fatty’s Pub and Grille which is located southeast of the stadium on Lincoln Highway. The bar has a great atmosphere, really good food, and is home to the coach’s show. A must-eat there is the Cajun potato salad which is a holdover from the former tenant of the building, a Cajun restaurant. The food at Fatty’s is really good you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. On game days Fatty’s does get crowded but it is a great place to go. Another good place for a sit-down meal is Molly’s Eatery & Drinkery on Lincoln. The menu is more limited, but the sandwiches are good. There are the usual fast food places near the stadium, Culvers, Taco Bell, Chipotle, etc. However, a really good place to go of campus fame is Tom & Jerry’s Gyros also on Lincoln towards downtown DeKalb. The students love the food there and it is reasonably priced. In downtown DeKalb, I suggest visiting Lord Stanleys. Lord Stanley’s is known for pizza, beer, and a good place to watch sports. While you are there you must try the “Willies/beer nuggets” which are deep fried pizza dough bites with red sauce for dipping. DeKalb has a few microbreweries, the Forge Brewhouse, Byers Brewing Company, and the Keg and Kernel by Tangled Roots. All have a good selection of beers and good food and are located in downtown DeKalb. Many years ago, Chicago had the “Cows on Parade” downtown, and DeKalb has the “Huskies on Parade.” There are many hand painted Huskie statues all over town and campus which were commissioned by local businesses. I don’t know how many there are in total, but it could be a fun hunt to run around and try to find as many as you can. If you want to stay overnight, there are several budget hotels (Super 8, Hampton Inn and Red Roof Inn) near campus on Lincoln Highway that are within walking distance of the stadium. Fans 2 Attendance at Huskies games is low especially considering the students can get in free. However, the games don’t draw many students. Maybe because the stadium is a fair distance from the dorms. The Huskies draw about 800 – 3,000 per game depending on the promotion and weather. The fans are loyal and loud, especially on the student side which could be annoying for some. The student section consists of four sections behind the east basket, which is also where the pep band is located. The students are relatively noisy and into the game with organized chants during play. They stay engaged throughout the game and enjoy yelling at the refs, the music, and cheering for their team, in that order. The team seems to get decent support from the community. A large number of fans in attendance are families with young children and the parents are into the game, and not just there to get their kids out of the house. Access 4 The stadium and surrounding area are very accessible. It’s easy to find the Convocation Center exiting off of I-88 onto Annie Glidden Road, turning on to Lincoln Highway. The illuminated white building stands out like a beacon in the night. The stadium is on the west side of the Northern Illinois University Campus and near the Football Stadium and about a 5-minute drive from the intersection of Interstate 88 and Annie Glidden Road. Huskie Stadium is very easy to get to with the parking lots being near the Convocation Center off of Lincoln Highway and lots off of Lucinda. There’s a large parking lot that surrounds the Convocation Center and parking is free which is nice. The arena’s website states only small bags are allowed, however, I noticed parents with babies are allowed to bring in diaper bags. Once inside the concourses are wide, and there are no inclines to deal with, so the building is very wheelchair accessible. Bathrooms are large, so you shouldn’t expect any lines, which means you don’t have to miss out on any action just to beat the crowds to the restroom. There is a section behind the basket that has a “bar” area with several tables, a couch, and a tv. You have to get there early to get seats in this area. Return on Investment 3 Northern Illinois students can get into any athletic contest for free, which is a great way to get the students involved. Tickets are only $10 for reserved seating which doesn’t include the $2.50 Ticketmaster fee if you buy online. If you want to save that money, purchase a reserved seat at the ticket window for $10 with a general admission seat running $8 at the ticket window. If there is a large crowd, it is worth the extra money to get close to the action. The upper bowl will cost you $8 for a seat unless you are aged 62 or older or in 8th grade or lower ($6). Extras 3 A bonus point is awarded for the play area set up for kids before the game. There’s a basketball hoop set up as well as a large inflatable jumping area. The only significant banners commemorate the Huskies NCAA tournament appearances in 1982, 1991, and 1996. There are no retired jerseys hanging from the rafters, yet. An extra star and extra mention again for the basketball floor design. There are many over designed floors at all levels of basketball, but this floor design is done right. Final Thoughts The Convocation Center is not the best but it is a good place to see a game and have a good time.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Winthrop Ballpark 900 Eden Terrace Rock Hill, SC 29730 Winthrop Eagles website Winthrop Ballpark website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 1,800 Winthrop Ballpark – Winthrop Eagles Just south of Charlotte and not far across the North Carolina-South Carolina state line is the town of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and the Winthrop University Eagles. One of the original members of the Big South Conference, Winthrop made a name for itself in the early 2000s as one of the top basketball programs in the conference. At about the same time the Eagles were also the class of the diamond in the Big South, winning 3 conference championships (2001, 2003, 2005) and advancing to 3 NCAA Regionals (2001, 2005, 2006). Food & Beverage 2 There is a light menu of food options here at reasonable rates – hot dogs and nachos are the featured items and top out at $5. Other ballpark classics such as soft pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, and sunflower seeds are also available. Beverages include sports drinks and Coke products, along with domestic beers and seltzers. Local craft brewery Legion Brewing also has its IPA available. Atmosphere 2 Winthrop Ballpark is tucked away toward the front of the Winthrop athletics complex. As fans approach the stadium they are greeted by the back side of a towering brick and concrete grandstand, guarded by a black iron fence, which is adorned with the Winthrop Eagle logo atop the entry ways. Upon passing through the gates and climbing the stairs into the seating bowl, the gigantic batter’s eye in baseball jumps out immediately. Standing 77-feet-tall, the batter’s eye that doubles as a sunshade is believed to be the largest in all of baseball. Once the enormity of the batter’s eye is processed, the lack of shade is the next thing that stands out. The grandstand has a short canopy, so this pushes most of the fans to the upper reaches of the seating area in search of shade. This creates a feeling that the fans are removed from the game. The symmetrical, natural grass field plays a bit short at 325’ down each line and 390’ to straightaway center. From afar the brick-lined grandstand looks beautiful, but upon closer inspection the impressive structure could use a bit of sprucing up for its fading paint and section numbers. There are some between inning activities, such as in-game Bingo or the “Let’s Make a Deal” game of “the first person to bring a paperclip to the press box”. The games are at least an attempt to engage fans, but there does not seem to be much fan interest in them. Neighborhood 4 Most of Winthrop’s athletic facilities are located just over a mile from campus, separated by a well-maintained, residential neighborhood. The Winthrop athletics complex has plenty of activities for fans stopping by for more than just baseball – the university runs a 9-hole golf course that can be played all day for $10. There are also 2-disc golf courses which are ranked as some of the best in South Carolina, and best of all they are free to play. Not far from Winthrop’s sports complex is Old Town Rock Hill, home to shops, restaurants, and Rock Hill Brewing Company. Fans 2 Winthrop baseball games tend to be lightly attended – fans appear to be mostly family members and friends of players with a light turnout of student supporters, along with a few Rock Hill residents who have a passion for baseball. Most games here draw between two to three hundred fans each. Throughout the game there does not seem to be an all-out enthusiasm, other than parents cheering on their child or getting on the umpire for his opinion of balls and strikes. Access 3 Winthrop Ballpark is just over three miles from Interstate-77, which runs locally between Columbia, South Carolina, and nearby Charlotte. Parking is plentiful and free at any of the lots in the area. Signs direct baseball fans to park at the lot adjacent to the basketball arena . Those not familiar with the area will want to look for the woodchip path that leads to the stadium, as there is not much to direct fans to the walkway, and the intuition for first-time visitors would be to walk down the long road to the stadium. Once inside the stadium, the visitors side of the entry plaza is closed off and the home side of the entry level is blocked by the Winthrop clubhouse, so fans must use one of two steep staircases to reach the field concourse. There are also ramps from the concourse to field level where some fans stand to watch the game, while children play in the grassy area and chase foul balls. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices are broken into two tiers, with $10 reserved seating and $5 general admission; Winthrop Ballpark is a small enough stadium that there is not enough of a difference between them to justify paying the extra amount, unless you just want to be close to the action. Given the size of the crowd, there does not seem to be much of a reason to have the two different price points (one price should be suitable). However, free parking and affordable concessions help balance the slightly elevated ticket price for the front rows of seating. Extras 3 The entry plaza has an apparel shop where fans can to pick up Winthrop hats, t-shirts, and other Eagles souvenirs. Chicago baseball fans will probably recognize the stadium announcer’s odes to Windy City baseball announcing icons – the 7th Inning Stretch’s “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” is very reminiscent to that of Harry Caray’s. Also, home runs are celebrated with an impression of Hawk Harrelson’s, “Put it on the board...YES!”. Winthrop does an excellent job of reminding fans of the pride players have representing their university, as the team lines up along the first baseline to sing Winthrop’s alma mater following the game. Final Thoughts At the time Winthrop Ballpark was built, the Eagles were entering one of the program’s most successful stretches. Winthrop was one of the better teams in the Big South Conference, with typical crowds of five to six hundred and occasionally even eclipsing 1,000. A stadium the size of Winthrop Ballpark made sense, but several consecutive years of a sub-.500 winning percentage appears to have taken its toll on the game experience. The game itself is just fine for baseball junkies; Winthrop’s players play with a lot of grit and passion that adds to the enjoyment of the game. Overall though, the game does not have enough to capture the attention of the average fan and draw them out to the ballpark.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Haas Pavilion 14 Frank Schlessinger Way Berkeley, CA 94720 California Golden Bears website Haas Pavilion website Year Opened: 1933 Capacity: 11,858 Who’s Haas ? Bears Haas ! Opened in 1933, Haas Pavilion underwent extensive renovations before the 1999-2000 season, increasing capacity from just over 6,500 to just under 12,000. Thanks to this increase in seating, Haas Pavilion just may rank as the loudest venue in the Pac-12 when filled. Food & Beverage 3 Aside from your standard hot dogs, sausages, and burgers, specialty sandwiches such as the Mesquite Turkey with Bacon, Thai Chicken, and Tofu Wrap, as well as Caesar and Harvest Green Salads, are available at a reasonable $10. Standard snacks such as nachos, pretzels, chips, and popcorn are also available, with the souvenir popcorn costing the same as the sandwiches. Candy and Mrs. Field’s ice cream sandwiches are also available for $5. Atmosphere 4 The moment you step inside The Haas you get the sense that even with the enhancements made almost 20 years ago, you still get an old-school vibe here. There are no luxury boxes to be found and the seats rise immediately from the basketball floor, putting the fans right on top of the action. A good number of seats are bench seating, and when filled and at its loudest, the Bears Haas Pavilion can be a very daunting place for the visiting 5 to deal with. Adding to the atmosphere is the new floor and its design, featuring the famous Cal script at mid-court, replacing the growling bear. Along with the famous Cal script, the new floor design, not only clean and simple, is practically similar to the football field’s design at ​ Memorial Stadium ​, with the signature Sather Stripe being featured on the baselines. Neighborhood 4 Should you decide to arrive early, public transit is a great option. A great way to arrive is by way of the Bay Area Rapid Transit subway (BART). The BART has a station in Downtown Berkeley on Shattuck Avenue. Along Shattuck, you will find plenty of pre and post-game entertainment and dining options. If it’s your first time in Berkeley and you would like to soak in some of its histories, you will want to walk up Bancroft Way toward the historic Sather Gate. Once the formal south entrance to campus, the Sather Gate has been the site over the years of many free speeches, and a key location for countless political movements. Fans 3 For the past season or two, the Bears home squad has been a young team, so hard times on the court can be expected. Nonetheless, the home fans have turned out in respectable numbers. Though Haas Pavilion is not always filled, the fans who turn out do a great job rallying the home team throughout the game, creating a loud and exciting atmosphere. One can only imagine how loud Haas Pavilion can be when the home 5 is in contention for an NCAA tournament berth. Access 4 Like any college town, parking can be a hassle. Fortunately, there is a sufficient amount of public transit passing through campus, provided by Alameda County Transit. If you are traveling from San Francisco, Oakland, or points beyond, the Bay Area Rapid Transit rail system (BART) is also a great option. The Berkeley BART Station is a 10-15 minute walk from Haas Pavilion on Shattuck Avenue – if possible you will want to avoid any potential parking hassles and use the BART. Once you step outside the BART station, if time permits, you will want to stroll along Shattuck Avenue, as there are plenty of pre and post-game entertainment and dining options to be found there. Return on Investment 3 Currently, with a young and struggling team, tickets are not hard to access. Starting at $23 for general admission seats, prices do go up when certain opponents, particularly Stanford, Arizona , or UCLA are in town. However, once inside Haas Pavilion no matter where you are seated, you are always on top of and never too far from the action. Extras 3 As you wander through the stands, there’s a great chance that you may come across Oski, the proud mascot of the Golden Bears. Always keeping the same stoic expression, Oski is still happy to mingle among the fans nonetheless. Just don’t let Oski catch you wearing the dreaded “red,” the prime color of Cal’s longtime rival, Stanford. Wear red in Oski’s presence and you just may feel his wrath, along with the student’s wrath, who just may yell out “TAKE OFF THAT RED SHIRT!” In the lower and middle concourses, you will see tributes to past Cal Bear alumni – two of the more notable Bears honored are Kevin Johnson and Jason Kidd. Also along the middle west concourse is a statue paying tribute to former head coach Pete Newell, in front of a mural of his 1959 National Title team. Known as “America’s Basketball Guru,” Pete Newell is also synonymous among NBA circles, having organized the “Big Man Camp,” attracting the likes of Shaq, Hakeem, and Bill Walton. As nice as the tributes are along the concourse, why not show some of that off high up on the rafters as well? For such a venerable venue, it’s surprising that there are no banners paying tribute to Cal basketball’s storied past, which could include the years in which they won conference championships. Final Thoughts Recent Golden Bears squads are young, and some growing pains are expected – that should not discourage you from paying a visit to the Bears Haas. Opened in 1933, thanks to the renovations made before the 1999-2000 season, Haas Pavilion continues to rank favorably among historic and venerable college venues. Also, thanks to the renovations, Haas will continue to ​Roll On​ for years to come, preserving a place in college basketball that retains its classic charm, while continuing to serve the needs of the present-day fan.

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Nagoya Dome 1-1-1 Daikominami, Higashi-ku Nagoya, Aichi, 461-0047 Japan Chunichi Dragons website Nagoya Dome website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 40,500 Dragon Lair The Chunichi Dragons are a long-standing team in Japanese baseball, having begun play in 1936. They used to host games at Nagoya Stadium, an outdoor field first constructed in 1948 which burned to the ground in a tragic fire in 1951. That stadium was rebuilt in time for the 1952 season and the Dragons remained tenants until 1997, when Nagoya joined the dome boom that was sweeping Japan. The Dragons moved in and relegated their old grounds to their minor league team. Despite nearly 70 years of existence, the Dragons have only won two Japan Series, the most recent in 2007. Lately though, they have been the strongest team in the Central League, taking 5 of the last 8 pennants entering the 2012 season. Food & Beverage 4 There are a couple of restaurants outside one of the gates but I would avoid these and go inside where there is more to see and do. You will enter on the lower concourse and this is where the best options for eating and drinking can be found. Typical Japanese stadium fare is available at booths named after their location, such as Snack Home, which sells snacks behind home plate. Of course, this leads to the beverage booth near first base to be called Drink First, a message that might lead recovering alcoholics to fall off the wagon. Avoid these places as their offerings looked rather bland and try one of the specialty spots instead. Torishige, a yakitori stand, was the most enticing option with 5 skewers of chicken costing only 600 yen. I enjoyed the warabi-mochi, a jelly-like dessert that is made from starch and covered in sweet soybean flour and then topped off with brown-sugar syrup. It may not sound appealing, but it is good stuff and worth trying for just 300 yen. For those brave enough, there was a shrimp and avocado salad dog that simply looked disgusting in the picture. If you want more than just a stadium snack, the third floor has a large food court with 6 full-service restaurants, including a sushi place that was packed. Judging from the crowd, this would be worth trying but you probably have to arrive shortly after gates open (two hours before game time) to ensure a seat. Atmosphere 2 The dome is quite nice from the outside with its silver geodesic dome shining in the sunlight. Take note of the roof which has been double glazed to allow natural light through. Each section on the roof can be individually shaded which allows for intricate patterns to be displayed, although this doesn’t happen during the game. The dome is cavernous and it was fairly quiet on the night I went, with about 28,000 fans. Of course, each team has their cheering section and there’s a dance team that tries to entertain during breaks in the action, but I found that this is one of the less-inspiring venues in Japanese baseball. They don’t participate in the 7th-inning balloon release that is featured at nearly every other stadium. Instead, the Dragons’ mascot Doala (a dragon and koala mix I guess) tries to land a running backflip during the 7th-inning break. The team keeps his record of success and failure, so far he is just 2-6 on the young 2012 season. The good news is that there is relative quiet between innings and you are not inundated with announcements or advertisements all game long. Neighborhood 3 The dome is located in a suburb about 15 minutes by subway from downtown. There is nothing here other than a huge shopping mall next door and after the game you’ll want to head back to the center of the city. Close to the main station lies an Irish pub called The Cooper’s which is a welcoming spot underneath a business hotel (3-25-6 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya). They are most famous for their Crazy Guinness contest where you are challenged to drink 3 liters of the dark beer faster than anyone before. The current record is 2m48s; failure to beat that will cost you 5,000 yen. If you want to stay out late, Sakae is your best bet for an all-night party. One club that I found is known as Cream (Santo Bldg 3F 3-10-11 Sakae Naka-ku), an international hip-hop bar that is open until dawn and is hopping with locals and foreigners for most of the night. Fans 3 The Chunichi fans in my area were very supportive and cheered their team all night long. There was a good mix demographically with a number of elderly people along with families with young children. Everybody seemed to be really enjoying themselves and behaving well. The only annoyance was fans leaning forward in the first row of the upper deck and blocking the view of those behind them. Access 4 When the Nagoya Dome first opened in 1997, there was no convenient station close by. That changed in 2000 when the Nagoya Dome Mae Yada subway stop was added to the Meijo line. From here to the dome is a ten-minute walk, first along a long walkway with dozens of historical baseball pictures as well as photos of each player on the roster. Because this walkway is crowded before and after games it is tough to stop and look at everything on display but if you can get there a few hours before the game, it should be easier to enjoy. Once inside the stadium, you can freely move between the upper and lower levels with stairways and escalators easy to find. The concourses are relatively narrow and rather dated but it is still easy to get around. The main problem here is a cramped seating area, with limited leg room, making it difficult to navigate to the middle of the row if other fans are sitting. This might be a problem only in the upper deck as the lower bowl seats does seem to have more space. Return on Investment 3 There are five seating levels, each painted a different color. Sitting down low is more expensive with tickets ranging from 3,800 to 5,800 yen but the view is blocked by the screen all the way down the lines. I chose the cheaper upper deck seat (Panorama A) at 2,500 yen. Even this was not optimal as those in the first row lean over the ledge and block your view from time to time. I did notice that the seats in the lower bowl don’t face home plate forcing those fans to spend the game with their bodies turned sideways. The outfield seats are actually reserved unlike most other ballparks in Japan and cost 1,800 yen. The view is not bad as you are well above the field. There are some other special seating areas including the Prime Twin, a pair of seats meant for couples. Located in left and right field, these go for 8,700 yen for both tickets and include a bento box and a drink. Similarly, the Prime Box is a section in center field where four fans can sit together at a table for 15,600 yen with snacks and a drink included. Above the outfield seats is Arenaview, a restaurant that offers a panoramic view of the ballpark and costs 6,000 per person including dinner, with seats sold in pairs or sets of four. The overall experience here is fairly average but with prices slightly above average for the lower bowl infield seats, your best bet is to get the first row in the upper deck for a clear view of the action. Extras 3 The third floor houses the Dragons’ Museum, a large collection of memorabilia including the 1954 Japan Series championship plaque. All of the explanations are in Japanese only but it is worth visiting as it is free once you have purchased a game ticket. Some of the concession stands have MLB memorabilia above them, including a Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers jersey – whether or not it was authentic is unknown. Regardless, when walking around, keep your head up; there are a few surprises to be found. The roof design is pretty interesting as well and merits one point here. Final Thoughts Overall, this is a decent venue for a dome. I enjoyed the friendly staff and food selection. The seating issues made it difficult to relax though. I think only the first row in the upper deck offers a purely unobstructed view among the infield seats, and those tickets can be tough to get. With no unreserved seating area, you’ll be stuck with whatever ticket you buy, so be aware of that before going to the ticket window. Follow all of Sean’s journeys at Sports Road Trips .

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Fair Meadows 4145 East 21st St Tulsa, OK 74114 Fair Meadows website Route 66 Racing Fair Meadows offers live racing in Tulsa, Oklahoma for only two months of the year (June and July), so while a great venue, you don’t have much time to see it. Food & Beverage 3 Fair Meadows has some decent food options, enough to cover you for a few hours, but not as much as some other racetracks. There are a couple of stands outside that sell beer, bottled water, bottled soda, and snacks such as hot pretzels, peanuts, nachos, and cotton candy. The only substantial items (think burgers, pizza, etc.) must be purchased inside, which is fine, as the venue is not that big. Prices seem typical as sports venues go, with bottled water at $4 and pizza at $5.50, for example. The only branded stand is a Dippin’ Dots cart inside the clubhouse near the parade ring; the other stands are all generic. Atmosphere 3 There are several different seating areas around the facility – the parade ring where you can watch the horses walk around before the race is indoors, while most of the other seating is outdoors. Racing usually starts at 6 pm here, though, so you don’t have to worry too much about escaping the sun, as most of the outdoor seating will be under shadow by then. Some of the races here are very short, e.g. 300 yards, so those races will literally be over in a flash. Neighborhood 4 Probably the coolest attraction in Tulsa is Route 66 – a few miles from the track, but well worth driving down; you can even stop at an actual Phillips 66 gas station ON Route 66! While there aren’t really any hotels or restaurants within walking distance of Fair Meadows, there are plenty within a short drive, closer to the river and to downtown. Downtown Tulsa really impressed me with how clean and well kept up it is, with none of the worn-down areas (at least that I could find) that you will find at many big cities in America. Bok Center is also located downtown, home of both minor league hockey’s Tulsa Oilers and indoor football’s Tulsa Oilers – this is not a typo, they both have the same name. Note that the hockey season doesn’t overlap the horse racing season, but the indoor football season does. Fans 3 The venue gets fuller as the evening wears on, as people get off work and make their way over, so by the 3rd or 4th race you will see a lot more folks. Watching a horse race is not like most sporting events, though, where people cheer throughout the event – you will hear a few scattered cheers for certain horses near the end of each race, but mostly people are here for the atmosphere…and the betting. Access 4 There are practically no issues in term of access at Fair Meadows – you can park for free right next to the track, and getting in and out is a breeze. There are also plenty of different seating areas to choose from, so you can sit (or stand) as close to or as far from the action as you want. You can’t really watch the racing from the indoor seating, as that is just a few tables for people to eat at, or sit and peruse their programs, so it isn’t really designed for outdoor viewing. But there is plenty of covered seating outdoors, and moving around the concourse is not a challenge. There are betting windows on both ends of the concourse, and multiple food and beverage vendors, so lines will never be too long. Return on Investment 5 It costs almost nothing to go to the races at Fair Meadows – parking is free and there is no cost to get in, so the only thing you might have to pay for is a program (if you want to bet), and food/drinks if you want them. Otherwise it is free, so from a return on investment standpoint this is a stellar way to spend an evening. Extras 2 There aren’t really any extras to speak of; the indoor parade ring is a nice feature, and Fair Meadows is a clean, well-kept venue. But nothing else stands out – people are here for the ponies, and that’s it. Final Thoughts I would absolutely recommend a visit to Fair Meadows – this is a nice little venue where you can see the horses and racing up close, without having to fight the crowds. The only thing to remember is that many of the races are very short here, which closes the door on some of those thrilling come-from-behind victories certain fans may crave.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Southern Miss Softball Complex 500 N 25th Ave Hattiesburg, MS 39401 Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles website Southern Miss Softball Complex website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 1,000 Welcome to the Lady Eagle's Roost The Southern Miss Softball program is one of 15 sports, and one of 8 women's sports, sponsored by the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. For the 2023 Softball season the Golden Eagles join the Sun Belt Conference, after competing since 1999 in Conference USA. The first season of softball at Southern Miss began in 1982 when the Golden Eagles began play in the Metro Conference – due to financial issues the softball program went on hiatus after the 1992 season. When softball was reinstated in 1999, Southern Miss did the unthinkable by advancing to the College World Series back-to-back in 1999 and 2000. The Golden Eagles were led by the arm of perhaps the greatest softball player to ever come through the program in Courtney Blades. If advancing to the Womens' College World Series in their first year back wasn't enough, the Golden Eagles also didn't have a place to call home until the opening of the Softball Complex in 2002. The softball team had a lot of different homes prior to the opening of the Softball Complex – they used the now intramural fields located on campus until 1992, and in 1999 they played at local city parks. In 2000 and 2001 they played at a local sports complex in Oak Grove called Optimist Park, about 15 minutes away, and since those early years the Golden Eagles haven't had much success on the diamond, winning only two C-USA Tournaments in 2000 and 2001, and winning the C-USA Regular Season in 2000 and 2004. The Lady Eagles have only been to four Regionals, with the most recent one coming in 2004. Food & Beverage 2 The Southern Miss Complex has one concession stand at the main entrance to the facility; Eagle Bites is the name of the stand and it just sells the basics, such as hot Dogs, hamburgers, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, and assorted candies round out the menu, with prices ranging between $2 and $4. Coke is the official soft drink provider of Southern Miss Athletics with a souvenir cup costing $5, or you can get a 22 oz. soda for $4, or Smartwater for $3. There is also a nice a little area at the front entrance where you could eat your meal at one of two picnic tables. Atmosphere 3 The Softball Complex sits about a block off campus to the northeast, tucked away along the Long Leaf Trace. The Trace follows the route of a former railroad and is a beautiful, paved trail that runs right through town and continues west for 44 miles. The Trace runs directly through the parking lot at the Softball Complex and continues down the first base line. It is quite scenic on this stretch of the Trace, as on any given spring day you can find many people riding bikes, jogging, or walking dogs along the wooded path. The main entrance is behind home plate, and you enter into the concessions area. Once inside, the grounds around the complex are kept up and well-manicured. In addition to the small picnic area near the concessions area, there is also a paved pathway under the grandstand on the first base line with rose bushes and ferns lining the path, where you walk up to your seats. Under the third base grandstand is a metal ramp to get to your seating. The Softball Complex has a dark grey brick exterior with seating for about 1,000 people. Directly behind home plate are about 250 chairback seats, with the rest being metal bleacher seating. The dimensions of the Field are 200-220-200; Southern Miss uses the third base dugouts while the visiting team uses the first base dugouts. A small digital scoreboard sits in left field, while the view beyond the outfield is nothing but trees, except the small party deck in left field under the scoreboard – this is the Diamond Club seating, which is a booster club for the softball program. On any given you day you can find about 15-20 fans out there, with a few of them grilling out. If you look the opposite direction towards campus, the view may look a little better as you have a nice aerial view of campus and M. M. Roberts Stadium in the distance. There is a table at the front entrance where they give out magnetic softball schedules and posters, and they also have a media guide typed up for that night's matchup. Neighborhood 3 Hattiesburg (aka The Burg) is a decent-sized city of about 50,000 people, so it has everything you could want in a city and still retains that college town feel. The Burg has a wide selection of bars and restaurants, but unlike most college towns they are not located near each other -- instead they are spread out throughout the city. Within walking distance of campus you'll find places like Patio 44, Brewsky's, and 4th Street Bar – if you’re looking for vintage Southern Miss memorabilia than 4th Street Bar is your place, and is located right on the Long Leaf Trace in front of the Softball Complex. Another popular spot on the Trace about a quarter of a mile away from the Softball Complex is Colludium Brewing Company, Hattiesburg's newest brewery; they have a nice outdoor patio overlooking the Trace which makes for a great spot to have a beer before a softball game. Closer to downtown you'll find popular spots like Keg & Barrel, The Porter, Hattiesburger, Fairley Wings, and Nostalgia. As a southern city, Hattiesburg has its fair share of restaurants centered on the local fare; popular spots include Crescent City Grill, Brass Hat, Midtown, Chesterfields, Ed's Burger Joint, Stricks, and Murky Waters BBQ. There is also plenty to do for all ages – for families there's the Hattiesburg Zoo and Serenghetti Springs Water Park, while downtown has the popular Pocket Museum, Mississippi's tiniest museum. Located in an alleyway downtown, the popular museum has a different theme each month – we can't tell you where the alley is because that's part of the charm of the Pocket Museum, i.e. being able to find it. For shopping there are plenty of chain stores and Turtle Creek Mall. Another popular spot is the Lucky Rabbit; located downtown, it's a two-story vintage thrift store with tons of antiques and local Southern Miss memorabilia. If you are into the outdoors, in addition to the Long Leaf Trace there is also Paul B. Johnson State Park, just south of Hattiesburg, which is an excellent spot for camping, while another popular pastime is rafting down the Okatoma River that runs right through Hattiesburg, all the way to the Coast. Fans 2 Southern Miss averages about 700 fans for softball matchups, which is about average for the Sun Belt Conference. The Complex only holds about 1,000 fans, so it rarely sells out, and you should always be able to find a seat somewhere. The only time the Softball Complex will sell out is when SEC teams come to play here, especially when Ole Miss or Mississippi State visit. The attendance record was set in 2022 when 1,570 people were in attendance for an Alabama matchup. Softball games do attract a lot of visiting fans, especially for some of those early season non-conference matchups with some of the schools from up north. I attended a game where they played Yale, and there were more Yale fans who had traveled with the team than there were Southern Miss fans. I also attended a conference matchup with Louisiana, and there were more Ragin’ Cajun fans who made that trip as well. Access 3 Getting to Hattiesburg shouldn't be a problem, as it is one of the more accessible cities in the state, located about an hour and a half from the Coast, New Orleans, Jackson, or Mobile. If coming from out of town the main road into The Burg is I-59; once in town the main two roads in Hattiesburg are Highway 49 and Hardy Street, with Southern Miss’ campus sitting right on the corner of the two. Depending on the time of day Hattiesburg is notorious for traffic, especially on Hardy Street, so plan accordingly, as many of the weekday softball games start in the mid-afternoon. The Softball Complex sits tucked away on the back side of campus to the east of Highway 49. The best way to get to the Complex is to take the 4th Street exit off Highway 49, and the Complex sits right behind 4th Street Bar. There is plenty of parking on site, and once inside the stadium you should have no problem moving around. My favorite way to get to the Softball Complex is to park on campus and bike down the Long Leaf Trace to the game. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are $8 for a General Admission ticket, which is about average for this level of college softball. You are free to sit anywhere you want in the stands, which is always a plus. The stadium is the perfect size to see everything, and if you want to sit in one of the 250 chairback seats you are free to do so. I considered this a good return on investment – there is a chance you could be watching a potential Women's College World Series team as well. The Golden Eagles are off to a hot start in 2023, and who knows? This might be the year the Golden Eagles make it to Oklahoma City for the third time. Extras 4 One mention for Southern Miss advancing to the Women's College World Series in back-to-back years in 1999 and 2000. The closest the school has ever gotten to a National Title in any sport was in the 2000 Women's College World Series, when the Lady Eagles made it to the WCWS semi-finals, but lost to UCLA 6-0. The Lady Eagles are also one of three teams in the Sun Belt Conference who have advanced to the Women's College World Series (James Madison and Louisiana are the other two schools) – James Madison went once in 2021, and UL has been six times between 1993 and 2014. The Southern Miss Softball Complex has also hosted the C-USA Softball Tournament once in 2017, which was won by Louisiana Tech. Southern Miss also hosted the C-USA Softball Tournament in 2000, but it was played at Oak Grove Optimist Park. The 2000 Tournament had two teams make it to the WCWS that year, the other being DePaul, who also went in 1999. I recently made the trip out to Optimist Park and found the field that hosted the Softball games that season; I have included a picture of it here: And of course, a mention for the Long Leaf Trace providing the scenic backdrop of all the Southern Miss athletic venues. I always enjoy it when the Southern Miss baseball and softball teams are both playing home games on the same day; it is possible to hop on a bike at the Softball Complex and ride all the way to the baseball stadium , Pete Taylor Park , along the Trace.

Photo by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Oil City Stadium 1700 119th St Whiting, IN 46394 Map It Northwest Indiana Oilmen's website Oil City Stadium website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 1,100 Oil City Stadium: Home of the Northwest Indiana Oilmen Oil City Stadium, built on land donated by Standard Oil Refinery, celebrates Whiting's history as a refinery town for the past 120 years. It was built on the site of a former water filtration plant and Little League fields. Completed in 2011, the $8.5 million structure is home to the Northwest Indiana Oilmen (Midwest Collegiate League, now known as the Northern League), Whiting Oilers, and Calumet College baseball teams. The stadium holds 1,100 fans. The exterior of the stadium is a red brick. The left field wall is 300 feet from home plate and is approximately 25’ tall with a 30-foot scoreboard. The other dimensions are 373’ to the power alleys, 403’ to the center field, and 330’ to the right field. The League changed its name in 2022 from the Midwest Collegiate League to the Northern League. It is a college summer collegiate baseball league. The Oilmen won the Midwest Collegiate League Championship three times: 2012, 2016, and 2018, and lost in the Championship in 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. In 2023, the Oilmen won the Northern League Championship. In addition, the Oilmen have had 12 consecutive winning seasons and eight straight postseason appearances. Tickets are $6 for lawn seating, $8 for preferred seating (aluminum bench seating), and $10 for box seats. Food & Beverage 3 The menu is traditional baseball fare with the walking taco, soft pretzels, pizza, hot dogs, grilled chicken, cheeseburger, bratwurst, nachos / loaded nachos, and Sloppy Joe with costs ranging from $4 to $6.  They also have chips, popcorn, sunflower seeds, and candy for $2 to $3.  The concession prices here are great. A bonus is that the hamburgers, brats, and chicken are cooked fresh on a grill. They have fountain soda for $3 and Gatorade in bottles for $3. There is coffee and hot chocolate for $3. Beer is $5/can and includes Miller / Coors products.  The Oilmen also sell a local draft beer from Bulldog Brewery and Hard Seltzer for $5. Atmosphere 3 One of the first things you will notice is that there is no big video board, simply an older digital scoreboard in left field. If you need to be constantly entertained by on-field between-inning entertainment or you need big giveaways this is not the place for you because there are very few between-inning promotions.  The stadium's interior features three rows of box seating, nine rows of aluminum bench seating, and raised lawn seating. Down the left field line is a medium-sized grass berm area, which is an area where you can stand, lay down, or even sit on a lawn chair that you can bring in and watch the game without a net being in your way.  Lastly, a small press box is located behind the home plate. The Oilmen have two (2) mascots: “Stan the Oilman” who is readily available for most of the game and “Lucky” the Unicorn. Not sure why Lucky is there but I like it. There is no kids' area but on the third base side, behind the stands, there is a grass area where kids can play catch. The “gift shop” consists of a tent with a table with some T-shirts and hats with a surprisingly good selection. Neighborhood 3 Oil City Stadium is located within a residential neighborhood. There are plenty of independent restaurants and bakeries in the area. Several restaurants and a microbrewery are about two to four blocks west of the stadium. Dos Sabores is a good Mexican restaurant, but it is only open from 8 am to 4 pm. Bulldog Brewery has lots of different in-house beers and some reasonably priced good food.   The Center Lounge offers up some good food (my favorites are the Lake Perch or Corned beef) at reasonable prices. Also, the Winey Beach Café (Caribbean and American food) has good seafood and drinks. Lastly, right across the street from the ballpark is the Whihala Ice Cream shop. Wolf Lake and the Wolf Lake Pavilion are located approximately 10 minutes from the ballpark. Wolf Lake has walking / bike trails and boating, kayaking, fishing, windsurfing, and a full host of outdoor recreational activities. The lake is a great place to see a variety of birds. The Wolf Lake Pavilion stages free concerts on Saturdays during the summer. In addition, there are festivals there too. Fans 2 The fans who show up have a good time watching the game.  The Oilmen led the Northern League in attendance every year since the stadium opened with an average reported attendance of approximately 800 . There rarely are 800 people in the stands. Buying tickets in advance is not necessary. At this stadium, you will find lots of parents of the players and host families. There are some locals but not a lot of kids at the games. Unfortunately, there just aren't enough fans in attendance to create much of an electric atmosphere. Access 2 Oil City Stadium is located on 119th Street in Whiting, Indiana about one mile north of the intersection of Route 41 and 119th St. Getting to the park is, at times, tedious. The stadium is located approximately 9 miles north of Route 41 (Calumet Ave.) and Interstate 94. The stadium is approximately 3 miles south of the intersection of Interstate 90 and Route 41. Public transportation is not an option. Free parking is available on the adjacent streets but there isn't a lot of it. Of course, I would not suggest parking on the street outside the stadium due to foul balls hitting cars. Go a bit down the block or in the grass parking lot. Return on Investment 4 The price of the tickets, concessions, free parking, and people make this place worth visiting and a great deal. Extras 4 About one block away is the home of the Mascot Hall of Fame which opened in December 2018 and is a children’s museum. Regularly, the HOF will have guest mascots from throughout the country. Unfortunately, there is talk of the Hall of Fame closing in December (2024). In addition, at night games when the sun goes down, the oil refinery lights go on and the center field view looks like a bustling downtown area. It’s kinda cool. Approximately 1.5 miles north of the stadium is the Horseshoe Casino. Of course, it is open 24 hours a day.  If gambling is your thing, a trip to the casino is in order. If you sit in the third base side - the last row, when a foul ball is hit out of the park, stand up and see if it hits a car. Lastly, one of the coolest features (and attention to detail) is that the doors at the stadium have baseball bat handles. Final Thoughts You can’t go wrong with the prices or the people at Oil City Stadium. While the league is small and the play on the field is ok (the play has been improving each year), I would put this stadium on the must-see list. Oil City Stadium is a great little stadium.

Photos by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 McMahon Stadium 1817 Crowchild Trail NW Calgary, AB T2M 4R6 Canada Calgary Stampeders website McMahon Stadium website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 35,650 Much More Than Meets the Eye Calgary, the most populous city in the Canadian province of Alberta, has long been known as “Cowtown.” This nickname is a nod to Calgary’s agricultural importance to Canada and the city’s role as host of one of the world’s largest rodeos, the Calgary Stampede. However, the moniker overlooks many of the city’s significant assets: culture, history, and beauty. Calgary sits at the confluence of the Bow and the Elbow Rivers, with several national parks, such as Banff and Jasper, in the Canadian Rockies within an easy drive west on the Trans-Canada Highway. Calgary is also a football town. The Calgary Stampeders, known to fans as the “Stamps,” boast a rich history in the Canadian Football League and are the CFL’s third-oldest team, having begun play in 1945. The Stamps have brought home eight Grey Cup CFL titles and have appeared in 17 Grey Cup championship games. The team’s home since 1960 is McMahon Stadium on the campus of the University of Calgary, where opening and closing ceremonies were held during the 1988 Winter Olympics. McMahon Stadium is both the CFL’s third-oldest and the third-largest stadium, making it a great place to appreciate the Stampeders’ history while enjoying modern updates. Canadian football may seem like a curiosity to those accustomed to American football but it’s more than that. The CFL field is larger than its American counterpart, measuring 110 yards long by 65 yards wide, with 20-yard goal areas (end zones), with the goalposts positioned almost on the goal line. Twelve players take the field in the CFL – one more than in American football – and CFL rules permit only three downs per offensive possession, meaning that teams rely more on passing than rushing. In the CFL, receivers and backs can be moving forward when the ball is snapped. There are other rules that affect play but the upshot is that CFL is an entertaining brand of football supported by passionate fans. Food & Beverage 3 The variety of food and beverage options at McMahon meets expectations. Fans can easily find hot dogs (C$5.75), pizza slices (C$6.25), cheeseburgers (C$8.50), nachos (C$9.50), fries (C$4.50), and chicken tenders with fries (C$8.75). The Baron Haus, under sections J and K on the stadium’s west side, is a carnivore’s paradise. A hand-carved “baron” of beef (i.e., a sandwich) sells for C$11.50 and a pulled pork parfait – yes, this is a real thing – is available here for $C12. Despite its name, the “parfait” consists of smoked pork, redskin mashed potatoes, corn, and house-made BBQ sauce. The Baron Haus also has a baked potato (the “Spud-inator”) with a variety of toppings for C$7.50. An adobo chicken burrito and a Taco in a Bag sell for $C10 and $C8.75, respectively, at the End Zone stand, under the west grandstand. Thirsty fans will also find the basics. Molson and Coors sell for $C8.75 for a 12-ounce can. Strongbow Cider, Snapple Spiked Vodka, and Vizzy and Truly hard seltzers all sell for $C10.75 per 16-ounce can. Pepsi products sell for $C5.25 per 16-ounce plastic bottle. Importantly during late-season games, coffee and hot chocolate sell for C$2.75. Well-staffed concession stands abound under McMahon’s grandstands so any lines that form move very quickly. Atmosphere 4 The Stamps have created an enjoyable experience at McMahon Stadium, with entertainment beyond the on-field play. The Stamps also celebrate touchdowns with a ride from “Quick Six,” a white horse ridden by Chelsea Drake. This is a nice touch that honors Calgary’s renowned rodeo tradition and helps fans celebrate the Stamps’ success. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic required teams to minimize person-to-person contact so a local automobile dealer provided a remote controlled truck to deliver the game ball to officials at the start of each game. The team retired the truck at the end of the 2021 regular season, with a tongue-in-cheek farewell video set to Sarah McLachlan’s “I Will Remember You.” Another favorite in-game promotion is the World’s Fastest Cow race. The Stamps have retained the services of a sprinter, dressed as a cow, who takes on a local celebrity or former player during an early time-out. The cow’s opponent receives a 10-yard head start as the two race toward the end zone at the far end of the field. COVID-19 sidelined (pun intended) the World’s Fastest Cow during the 2020 season, but he made a triumphant, bovine return in 2021. The stadium has a first-class sound system and a visually appealing scoreboard beyond the south end zone that tracks game statistics in real time. Neighbourhood 4 McMahon Stadium sits adjacent to the University of Calgary’s campus, a short drive from downtown Calgary. The neighbourhood around the stadium has plenty of options for pre- and post-game entertainment but with downtown just a 15-minute drive or light rail trip away, the entire city provides a legion of places to eat, drink, and celebrate the Stamps. The stadium’s immediate vicinity does not offer much in the way of nightlife but there are a couple of restaurants and a few hotels. Across Crowchild Trail NW on McMahon’s east side, Big T’s BBQ and Smokehouse offers burgers and barbecue within direct view of the stadium, adjacent to the pedestrian bridge connecting the light rail station with the stadium. Just north on Crowchild Trail NW, Nick’s serves steaks, pizza, and a sports bar. Several hotels (Aloft, Hampton Inn, Ramada Limited, and Comfort Suites) also sit just east of McMahon, along Banff Trail NW. The CTrain, Calgary’s light rail system, connects McMahon Stadium with neighborhoods throughout the city. Many fans take the CTrain to the Banff Trail station, located just east of McMahon, to Stamps’ home games. A pedestrian bridge connects the station and the stadium without having to navigate traffic on Crowchild Trail NE. Calgary has several neighborhoods worth exploring. The 17th Avenue Retail & Entertainment District has restaurants of all types. The Big Cheese Poutinerie serves poutine, which some consider being Canada’s national dish and is most certainly a delicious type of Quebecois comfort food: French fries, smothered in brown gravy and cheese curds. Alternatively, Alumni Sandwiches has a hot chicken sandwich that rivals Nashville’s. Fans 3 The Stamps have a loyal and vocal following, with the team’s 2021 average home, regular-season attendance (23,354) outpacing the league average (19,058) by almost 4,300 fans. Although McMahon Stadium does not routinely sell out, the fans who do attend are loud and engaged. Even to a CFL neophyte and even if the Stamps are playing a team such as Winnipeg, for instance, fans loudly deride their team’s provincial rivals, the Edmonton Elks, and their Prairie Province rival, the Saskatchewan Roughriders throughout games at McMahon. Access 4 McMahon Stadium is a very easy place to experience a game. The Stamps do not have much parking available next to the stadium but the surrounding area handles the volume of traffic for a home game very well, with relatively inexpensive parking within a short walk. The University of Calgary also has parking available for those willing to make a longer walk. But Calgary’s mass transit system (especially the CTrain) is an easy, quick option for getting to a game. Once inside, grandstands are positioned on the stadium’s east and west sides. Fans can easily walk from one side to the other after entering; there’s plenty of room on the concourses underneath each grandstand for fans to move without encountering a lot of foot traffic. The stadium has more than enough concession stands and restrooms, which beyond their intended uses provide McMahon’s only heated sanctuaries during a cold game. The stadium’s corners do have metal bleachers, but the large majority of seats are plastic chairbacks. One important note: a steep climb awaits those sitting in higher rows (i.e., beginning at approximately row 44). That ascent provides great views of the field and the city beyond the stadium, especially sitting atop the west grandstand. But the slope will challenge even the most physically fit of Stamps fans (and the least physically fit of stadium reviewers). Return on Investment 4 A Stamps game at McMahon Stadium is a good value. Reserved seats start at C$37 apiece for regular-season home games and start at C$47 each for games against rivals Edmonton and Saskatchewan. Concession stand prices are fairly standard for a sporting event, while parking and mass transit mean that fans do not have to empty their kids’ college funds to attend. Extras 3 “Pick Six” earns McMahon Stadium an extra point, not only because it provides a great touchdown celebration but also because it’s a family affair. Although Chelsea Drake has assumed the reins as Pick Six’s primary rider, her mom, Karyn, served that role from 2003 to 2016 and is still a backup rider. McMahon receives a second point for its Olympic history. The stadium still has the cauldron from the 1988 winter games in the northeast corner. A final point goes to the effort that the Stamps’ front office has made to create an enjoyable experience at McMahon. The in-game promotions are clever and original. Final Thoughts McMahon Stadium fits seamlessly into the fabric of Calgary, with downtown and the university short distances away. The on-field play is enjoyable to watch and the fans deliver enthusiastic responses at all the right moments. For someone wanting to experience CFL play in person for the first time, a Stamps game is a great way to do it. And Calgary itself is a city that does not get nearly enough credit for its beauty and history. Follow Matt Finnigan’s stadium journeys on Twitter @mattfinniganco

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Switz City Gym 5644 Indiana 54 Switz City, IN 47465 White River Valley Wolverines website Switz City website Year Opened: 1956 Capacity: 3,500 Switz City: Small Town, Big Gym On December 10, 1955, the Switz City Gym was dedicated to the hometown Tigers defeating the Linton Miners 54-43. The $185 million basketball venue was spacious and swanky by the local media and its capacity received the most acclaim. At the time, the population of the town was 328, but its gym had a seating capacity of 3,500. The “sunken gym” design was constructed with the plans conceived by Evansville architect Ralph Legeman. The concept of a new gym had begun two years earlier with a much larger 5,335 capacity. The project was financed by the sale of long-term bonds by a holding company formed in the community. The venue was constructed in a large excavation with the basketball court situated 15 feet below the ground level. This provided for a 16-foot running track to serve as the main concourse for home dates that also could house additional bleachers that would boost its capacity to 5,200. The gym’s size would be ideal for the Green County sectionals and the Green County Invitational tournament that are housed annually in the building. Switz City would become Central High School in 1958 after it consolidated with Newberry High School and would become the smallest school in the state to win a sectional championship in 1973 with an enrollment of 150 students, where most in the tournament averaged between 500 to 1,000. The school’s enrollment would be 90 by the time it consolidated once again with nearby Worthington and Lyons & Marco for the 1990-91 season to form White River Valley High School. That same season the gym received a fresh new coat of interior paint of navy blue, silver, and white to match the new colors and a new nickname of Wolverines, which was unique to any school in the state at the time. The new school would find instant success capturing sectional titles in its first three seasons and regional championships in 1992 and 1993. Food & Beverage 5 A large concession stand is located in the main lobby of the building which houses an array of items that should fill most people up during the game. Despite the pandemic, when most gyms in the state are offering pre-packaged snacks and bottled soda, there is a full menu option at the Switz City Gym. There are also two smaller concession stands inside the seating bowl, but were closed during our visit. The main concession stands sell hot dogs, cheese dogs, chili dogs, and chili cheese dogs between the prices of $2 to $3.50. There are also hamburgers, cheeseburgers, barbecue pork sandwiches, and sloppy joes. Fans can also enjoy nachos, chili cheese nachos, and tacos in a bag or served traditionally on a plate--complete with jalapeños. For a sweet treat, there are more than enough candy bars to choose from along with pretzels dipped in cinnamon and sugar. You can wash it all down with bottled Coca-Cola products, and that would go well with freshly popped popcorn that hits the senses the minute you walk through the front door. Atmosphere 3 The gym’s interior design is somewhat vapid, but what makes it appealing is the sunken gym design that allows excellent views from all vantage points in the building. Fans can enjoy unobstructed views from their seats along with standing on the main concourse. However, our visit was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and attendance was capped, providing less than the normal crowd in the gym. The ceiling is somewhat lower to the court than other similarly designed gyms. The interior colors also stand out to the visitor. The colors navy blue and silver are everywhere from the seating bowl, baseline, walls, and ceiling. The court itself also offers a simple design with the school's name in bold print at the center court. The baskets extend from the ceiling; with two scoreboards on opposite ends of each wall. There are multiple sectional and regional championship banners, photos of other high schools from its conference, and even a mention of the three schools that merged to form WRV in 1990. An interesting little aspect of the gym is the staircase that leads to an open loft that used to serve as a weight room for PE classes but is now designated for storage. I think it could be put to better use as an exhibit of the city’s basketball past. The lobby offers a large trophy case that includes WRVs past championships trophies, along with every class picture from previous years dating back to 1930. There is also a wall of former school greats on the inside concourse. Neighborhood 2 Switz City had a population of 293 at the time of the last census and features a limited number of eateries, but Cinco de Mayo Mexican Restaurant is worthy of a visit before or after a basketball game. Nearby Linton is 6 miles from the gym and offers many more eateries that include The Vault Bar & Grill, Joe Etta’s Pizza Villa, Country Harvest Smorgasbord, The Sportsman Pub, and Grill Inc. Fans 3 Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the attendance figures are nowhere near where they would be in any other season. There were a handful of fans cheering for both the home and away teams, and they did their best to make sure their voices were heard throughout the game. This is similar to every other high school basketball game that's taken place during the pandemic years. The gym normally attracts fans from towns with no connection to the school, but who enjoy a good basketball game. Access 4 The sunken gym looks like many others in the state, and visitors are greeted by a large open concourse on the upper portion of the building. The stands are 10 rows deep, and there are no obstructed views. During the time of our visit, the effects of the pandemic were still evident as capacity was capped. This made for easy movement on the concourse, concession area, and seating bowl. Return on Investment 3 The cost of a ticket is $5 for a regular game during the season and $8 for a ticket to either a sectional or invitational game. Concession items varied and ranged in between the prices of $2 to $4, for a cheap night out for sports and food, you can't go wrong at a WRV game. Extras 4 The gym earns a point for its Green County Invitational which is held every January in the building, along with another point for its school logo and wordmark on its exterior. There is an array of classic basketball photos from the former county schools that have all merged into White River Valley which garners the third point in our review. Finally, the concession stand is among the best in the state of Indiana. If you're looking to have some food before the game, do yourself a favor and wait till you see their options. Final Thoughts Swiss City Gym is a classic rock Legamin design facility that was built to last. Fans have many memories here from their days of the 1950s to the formation of WRV. The local fans love this gym and continue to support the basketball that is played here doing both wars and pandemics. However, it is the concession stand that is the best that I have seen in the state so far during my travels. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Lance Sutehall, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Neville Arena 250 Beard-Eaves Ct Auburn, AL 36830 Auburn Tigers website Neville Arena website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 9,121 Basketball’s Tiger Home In War Eagle Town If you want an amazing college basketball experience come on down to Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama. Built in 2010 and renamed in 2022 after originally being called Auburn Arena, the 9,121-capacity venue plays host to one of college basketball’s best atmospheres.  The Tigers program made the final four in 2019 and since then Auburn games are some of the hottest tickets in college basketball. Neville Arena is almost certainly the best arena in the state of Alabama and some would argue it’s the best in the SEC. Food & Beverage 3 The standard fare includes Hot Dogs ($6), Cheeseburgers ($8), Chicken FIngers ($9), Pizza ($10), Popcorn ($5), Nachos ($5), and Pretzels ($5). Coke is the soft drink provider with options including a regular soda ($5), souvenir cups ($7), Dasani water ($3), and Powerade ($6). Chick-Fil-A is available at the arena (provided the game is not played on Sunday). If you want a beer the options include Budweiser ($10), Miller ($10), Michelob ($10), or a variety of IPAs ($14). The concession stands are cashless. Atmosphere 5 When you walk towards the entrance of Neville Arena you see the statue of Auburn Tigers legend Charles Barkley. Once your ticket is scanned you find yourself in an atrium with a giant Auburn logo overlooking all the Auburn faithful and a wall telling you “War Eagle”. After going up a couple flights of stairs the concourse reveals itself with a view of the court and Auburn stuff on the walls. When heading to the seats it becomes apparent there is not a bad view in the arena due to the fact the seats are all relatively close to the court. The outline of the court is navy blue with the baselines saying “Auburn Tigers” and a large Auburn logo at midcourt. The center-hung scoreboard was upgraded in 2020 and is a 360-degree screen. When the arena is full (as has been the case for years) Neville Arena is one of the most intimidating arenas in the nation. An intro featuring Charles Barkley gets the crowd hyped and the crowd will not settle down until well after the game is over. Neighborhood 5 Nicknamed “The Loveliest Village on the Plain”, Auburn is one of the most beautiful places in the state of Alabama. A trip to Auburn must include a stop by Toomer’s Drugs which is across the street from the trees of Toomer’s Corner. Restaurants down Magnolia Drive include Little Italy for pizza, Moe’s Original BBQ, and Taco Mama. If you want to go to a bar, options include the 17-16 Bar on Magnolia, The Saloon, or Halftime on College Street. Lodging within walking distance of Auburn University includes The Hotel at Auburn University and The Laurel Hotel. Fans 5 Neville Arena has been packed to the brim with Auburn fans for every non-covid game since the Tigers made the final four in 2019. They start arriving 90 minutes before the tip and they make noise throughout the game even in non-conference games against inferior opponents.  In recent years students have been known to camp out a couple of days before games against opponents such as Kentucky and Alabama to get the best seats. The fans help make Neville Arena one of the toughest gyms to play in the nation. Access 4 To get to the arena from I-85 turn off exit 51 and head North on College Avenue. Turn left at Donahue Drive. Parking by the arena is reserved for Tigers Unlimited ticket holders. Fortunately, there will be free parking by Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum (Auburn’s former arena) which is also across the street from Plainsman Park (Auburn’s baseball stadium).  Once you make the 5-minute walk across Heisman Drive to Neville Arena the concourse is wide enough, there are plenty of restrooms, and several concession stands are spread throughout the venue preventing lines from getting too long. The only knock on the venue is that exiting the arena can take a few minutes to do there being only a couple of arena exit points. Return on Investment 3 The demand for an Auburn Tigers basketball ticket is so high that the only tickets I could buy through Auburn’s website were for games against inferior non-conference opponents that were Standing Room Only. A ticket for that cost me $50. There were a couple of games I could have gotten in for $40, again Standing Room Only. Tickets for reserved seats in non-conference and SEC games will likely have to be purchased on the secondary market and some games cost $300 just to get in the building. That shows you how much demand there is to see these Auburn Tigers. The atmosphere is virtually guaranteed to be great no matter the opponent and the parking is free. Extras 3 At the main entrance of the arena is the Lovelace Museum and Hall of Honor which showcases memorable moments and memorabilia from Auburn’s athletic successes. Auburn’s football venue, Jordan Hare Stadium , is located next to Neville Arena. There is a Buc-ee’s in Auburn. Final Thoughts Auburn is a beautiful place and its basketball arena has one of the best atmospheres in all of college basketball.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Elks Field 1601 2 Ave East Brooks, AB T1R 1B7, Canada Brooks Bombers website Elks Field website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 681 Brooks Bombers Off To A Good Start The Western Major Baseball League has been in operation since 2001 as a top-level collegiate summer league. Several WMBL alumni have been drafted by Major League teams over the years, including reliever Jim Henderson, who broke into the MLB with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2012. Two new teams were added to the Western Division for the 2016 season bringing the league up to a total of 12 teams. One of the new teams is the Brooks Bombers. Brooks is a small city between Calgary and Medicine Hat on the Trans-Canada Highway in southern Alberta (closer to Medicine Hat than Calgary). With a population of more than 13,000, Brooks has a thriving business community, driven by the oil and gas industry as well as agriculture. Brooks is also one of the most culturally diverse cities in Canada and as a result is known as “The City of 100 Hellos” because of the many different languages spoken. The Bombers play at Elks Field, part of the Quad Ball Diamond Complex on the east side of the city. The field is quite new, having opened in 2014, and has the look and feel of a new facility. Food & Beverage 3 Elks Field’s grandstand has a concession stand built into the north (third base) side. The menu is pretty standard fare: hot dogs and hamburgers, chocolate bars and cans of pop among other things. My cheeseburger ($4.50) was fresh and tasty and you’re able to load them up with your choice of condiments from a table to the immediate left of the concession booth. Next door to the primary concession, to the left of the condiment stand, is a stand serving beer and Palm Bay coolers for fans looking for an adult beverage. Beer options include Bud Light as well as a couple more “exotic” options, such as Harvest Moon and Wild Honey from the Nelson Brewing Company in BC. Atmosphere 3 The feeling in the crowd is very laid back but pleasant enough. It seems like many of the people in the stands know each other as there are numerous conversations going on throughout the game. I get the sense that most people in attendance are there to primarily to enjoy a pleasant evening out with friends and family and the game going on is almost secondary to the experience (it perhaps didn’t help that the Bombers were getting pretty soundly defeated at the game of this review). There isn’t much energy or excitement in the crowd. Again, it isn’t unpleasant; just not the boisterous, engaged atmosphere I look for. Because the field and the team are so new, there aren’t many cues to tie the team to the diamond yet. No championship pennants (yet) or anything of that sort. There is, however, one key touchstone for the community: the scoreboard in left field is dedicated to the memory of Riley Martin, a local teen who was active in the Brooks sports community who died of cancer in 2014. I think this is a worthy tribute and a good foundation for connecting the community to the field for years to come. Something else of note: unless you’re in the grandstand, the sight lines around the field are less than perfect. If you’re in the bleachers on the first or third base sides, you’ll find that your view of the outfield corner on your side is probably at least partially blocked. Likewise, from the patio area on the third base side, between the Bombers dugout and the bleachers, your view of much of left field is obstructed by the dugout structure, and you may or may not get a look at the scoreboard from where you’re sitting. Likewise, while there is a ton of room for people who prefer to stand—between the grandstand and the bleachers, behind the patio, and down the foul lines—chances are your sight lines will be partially obstructed in one way or other if you choose this option. Neighbourhood 2 Elks Field is located on the south side of a residential community on the far south east of the city. Consequently, there is nothing in the immediate vicinity except houses. Should you wish to grab a bite to eat before or after the game, you’ll be going for a drive. The closest restaurant I could find is Ace’s Lounge and Grill, about 10 blocks away and tucked into the industrial district. A little bit further west you’ll reach 2 Street W, which is the primary artery in the city, where most every other restaurant and bar can be found. Here you’ll find all the usual franchise places as well as some local stuff such as the Mango Tree, which is a well-liked East Indian restaurant. When all is said and done, the good news in a small city like Brooks is that you’re never more than a 10-minute drive from anything, so you won’t have to go far to get anywhere, but you’ll still have to plan on taking the car rather than walking. Fans 3 The fans in the crowd seem quite pleasant, but seem at least as interested in simply hanging out with each other as they are in seeing a ballgame. They seem to lack a passion for the game and their new team, but perhaps this will come in time. In their favour, on the other hand, quite a large number of fans are geared up in Bombers caps, jerseys, tee-shirts and other memorabilia, which suggests they are getting behind their team and supporting it. So maybe they are indeed passionate about the Bombers but don’t express it vocally yet. Access 4 Brooks is a relatively small city, so getting around is pretty easy and I was able to find the diamond without a map, signage or detailed directions. The parking lot, on the far east end of the Quad Ball Diamond Complex, seems to have plenty of space for all the vehicles and the parking is free, so that’s a good thing. As the park’s seating capacity is less than 700, the lot empties quickly, even with just a single entrance/exit. Once you’re through the main gate you’re into the multi-diamond park. Paved walking paths separate the diamonds from each other and provide lots of room for people to make their way around. They could probably double or triple the number of bleacher seats around the park without a significant impact on a fan’s ability to get around the park. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to a Bombers game are all general admission and rush seating. They cost just $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for youths (13-17 years old). Kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. That’s a pretty good price to see baseball played by athletes who could find themselves drafted one day. Extras 2 A Kinsmen-sponsored Play Area is located behind the grandstand for the youngsters. It is completely covered by mesh so there’s no danger of a stray foul ball hitting someone having fun in there. The Bombers have a well-stocked souvenir store at the back of the grandstand which is open prior to and at the end of games. Here you can get your hands on all manner of shirts, hats, and other Bombers swag. Final Thoughts Checking out a Brooks Bombers game was a nice little treat for me. There is still room for the franchise to grow and improve their fan experience, but they’re off to a good start. As the team matures, chances are the product on and off the field will continue to improve.

Photos by Dennis Morrell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 George M. Steinbrenner Field One Steinbrenner Road Tampa, FL 33614 Tampa Tarpons website George M. Steinbrenner Field website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 10,386 Yanking at Pinstripe Loyalty in Tampa It is a brand which ranks high among the most popular marks in the world. The ‘bat in the hat’ logo is adored by tens of millions and even when outside the New York area, it continues to be a strong brand. While capitalizing on the loyalty of Yankees fans is expected outside the Bronx, in Tampa, there are a few things lacking. Missing the opportunity to fuel the brand, particularly since the strength of the major league team has its fingerprints all over George Steinbrenner Field. Witnessing a Tampa Yankees game affords a chance to embrace the pinstripe brand, but there are a number of missed opportunities. It is worth checking off your list if that is what you are into, but it ranks low on the list. Note: After operating as the Tampa Yankees for 24 seasons, the club was rebranded as the Tarpons in 2018 . Food & Beverage 2 Much of this rating has to do with what might have been had they just imported some New York food and drink. Not just types of food, but maybe the brands, could have been represented. Prices for what you get were pretty high, too. A hot dog is $2.50 but not very tasty. Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, bratwursts and chicken sandwiches are $6. Peanuts are $4 with a pretzel for $4.50 (add cheese for another $1). A large popcorn is $5, small popcorn $3. A nacho helmet is $11. Pepsi products are sold with a regular size $3, souvenir cup for $6. Bottled water is $3. As for beer Budweiser products are sold here and draft beer is $8 with a refill for $6. Atmosphere 2 Crowds are light during the minor league season, you can see where it might really be a busy place during Spring Training but this doesn’t carry over to the Florida State League. The complex is impeccable, the largest in Florida seating more than 11,000 fans, and looking great for 20 years old. In front of the main steps, you are greeted by the impressive statue of George Steinbrenner. To the right is Monument Park and further to the right is the 9/11 Memorial, all nice touches to the entrance. Multiple fields surround the main stadium, all part of the Yankees spring training complex. It has been laid out quite nice. Fountains and clever landscaping and walkways are integrated to make it a great site. Currently there is lots of concrete and metal, like the stadiums of the 70s and 80s. There was a lot of remodeling being done in 2016 and a new merchandise store will be at the front of the complex for the 2017 season. Changes to the front stadium entrance and ticket windows are also expected. Step into the seating area and it is a sea of blue, just like Yankee Stadium. You will notice the identifiable hat on a bat Yankees logo on each end of the aisle seat. You will also notice no cup holders to use anywhere. The distinctive frieze lines the upper perimeter of the stadium from the seating interior, attached to the overhang which covers the heads of those in the top six rows. Between each spacing in the concrete supports is a letter which spells out the team nickname in distinctive typeface. There are two scoreboards, both in left field. The first is the smaller, box score version, low to the ground and just in line with the top of the wall. In left center field, the larger video board provides high quality replays, expanded statistics and additional ways to provide entertainment value. Neighborhood 3 Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and some retail establishments are nearby. The complex is not far from historic Ybor City and the famous restaurant, The Colombian. Cigar City Brewing is within a mile to the south and has some of the finest craft beer. Fans 3 It appears that many Tampa Yankees fans are either from New York, from Tampa or visiting from other areas, which is to say there is a mix of folks; nothing stands out to scream “knowledgeable.” Access 4 Highway 275 is the major interstate which connects Tampa to St. Petersburg to the west. The stadium is just north of this at exit 40B from the west and 41A from the east. Take Highway 92 (also known as Dale Mabry Highway) three miles north. Parking is free and there are plenty of restrooms no matter how large the crowds. Return on Investment 4 $6 for the highest price ticket is pretty good and the free parking is not common. Program prices at $2 is a fair rate, food prices are fair to high based upon the lesser quality and the size. Extras 1 Give a star for the stadium design, with signage and replica gables mimicking those of the famed Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Final Thoughts The stadium is a fortress – it exudes Yankees power, money and status. Steinbrenner Field befits a team like the New York Yankees, yet the presence of their Single-A team in this cavernous building is almost an embarrassment.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 3911 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90037 USC Trojans website Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum website Year Opened: 1923 Capacity: 77,500 Restoring The Conquest The USC Trojan football program has a longstanding history of success, boasting 11 National Titles, 6 Heisman Trophy winners and producing countless NFL players. The United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum has hosted many memorable moments since its opening in 1923, hosting not only USC football but also their cross-town rivals UCLA, as well as the home of the NFL Rams and Raiders, the Summer Olympic Games of 1932 and 1984, two Super Bowls, and served as a temporary home to the Major League Baseball’s Dodgers from 1958-61, 1959 hosting the World Series. A recently completed $315-million renovation to The Grand Old Lady has brought her seating capacity from over 90,000 to 77,500, along with many other much needed enhancements. Food & Beverage 4 Beyond the traditional dogs and burgers, the options are abundant, particularly with the vast food truck selections throughout the venue, offering Mexican fare such as shrimp tacos and three colors al pastor/asada nachos. Other food offerings include Korean fried chicken, braised short rib mac n cheese, and one of my favorites, poutine, a Canadian favorite that comes with fries topped with gravy and cheese curds and your choice of braised short rib or roasted cauliflower. Flavored Italian ice, churros, and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies available in sleeves of 14 or buckets of 36 are some of the sweet treats available. Beverages available are Coca-Cola products, bottled water, as well as fresh squeezed lemonade. Domestic and premium beer from 805 Beer is also available until the third quarter. Atmosphere 4 When the Men of Troy are competing for a Pac-12 title and a high echelon bowl game, the atmosphere can reach a fevered peak. When expectations are far below the standards set for the 11 time National Champions, the decline in interest can be evident. Should you decide to start your pregame festivities on campus, you will want to make a trip to Heritage Hall. Located in the center of campus, inside you will find numerous exhibits, photos and plaques paying tribute to the many Trojan great athletes and championship teams. You will also want to check out the Hall of Champions, where you can view the 6 Heisman Trophies, as well as the statue of Tommy Trojan doing his signature pregame stabbing of the field with his sword. The bronze statue of Tommy Trojan, that is undoubtedly recognized by both admirers and detractors, is located near the campus bookstore. Not only is the statue of Tommy Trojan a huge symbol of USC, it serves as a good meeting place for fans prior to the game. Every year during the week leading up to their annual rivalry game with UCLA, the statue is wrapped in duct tape and guarded by the Trojan Knights to protect their beloved Tommy from any potential vandalism that may be caused by their rivals from Westwood. As fans taking part in their on-campus pregame tailgate/festivities make their way to the Coliseum, another one of their traditions is the kicking of the flagpoles for good luck. The flagpoles are at the end of Trousdale Walk and Jefferson Blvd. The Spirit of Troy Marching Band, easily one of the most recognizable collegiate bands, is an integral part of the game day experience, as well as their mascot Traveler. Aside from their huge presence at sporting events, the Trojan Marching Band has made numerous other TV and movie appearances, as well as performing on Fleetwood Mac’s, Tusk. The Trojan Marching Band and Traveler are believed to have a huge impact not only on the team but on the opponents as well. The sights and sounds of both the band and Traveler will be engrained in your brain from the pregame festivities through the final whistle. Two songs you will hear constantly are “Tribute to Troy” and “Fight On.” “Conquest” is played following every USC touchdown. During “Conquest,” Traveler, a live pure white Arabian/Tennessee Walker horse, trots out of the Coliseum tunnel from end zone to end zone along the sidelines behind the Trojan wields a sword high overhead. Another tradition involving Traveler is the lighting of the torch prior to the 4th quarter, in which the famed horse once again lets loose along the north sidelines toward the east end zone, wielding his sword toward the Coliseum torch, thus “lighting” the torch. Neighborhood 3 The area inside the USC campus has experienced a revitalization over the last few years with mixed-use development extending inside USC Village. Across the street from the Coliseum on Figueroa is upscale student housing known as Tuscany. On the street level are such eateries as The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Quizno’s, Cold Stone Creamery, Chick-fil-A and Chipotle. Along Figueroa Street north of campus past Jefferson Blvd. are more fast food options. On the grounds of the Coliseum is Exposition Park. If you are looking for other activities prior to the game, the California African American Museum, as well as the Natural History Museum and the California ScienCenter are located inside the park. To be able to visit all the museums and fully take in the experience, you would probably need two days. If you’re limited on time, you may want to visit the California ScienCenter, home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Fans 3 USC fans have lofty expectations. They are spoiled by success. Each coach after the Pete Carroll days up to the most recently fired Clay Helton has felt the wrath of the SC Faithful. USC fans can be a demanding bunch and are not shy in voicing their displeasure toward the team. They expect nothing short of at least a Rose Bowl appearance. When seasons such as this past 2021 fall far below expectations fans can stay away in droves as has been the case for much of this season. That’s what comes with a program that’s used to a high level of success in a city with plenty of sports and entertainment options. The fans that continue to show up are decked in Cardinal and Gold garb and carry on the many traditions that go along with the expectations of the storied USC football program. Access 4 The Coliseum is about three miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles and adjacent to the USC campus. The stadium can be reached from the 10 or the 110. Like all freeway thoroughfares in L.A, traffic can be a test of your patience. There is not a single large parking lot, but rather multiple satellite lots (with 20,000 spaces) that are typically priced based on proximity to the stadium. Should you decide to use public transit rather than drive, the MTA’s Metro Expo Line has a station conveniently located across the street from campus, a short walk away as you walk through Exposition Park. The Expo Line also offers convenient connections with other MTA rail and bus lines should you want to explore more of L.A. throughout your stay. Once inside the stadium you will find a concourse the encircles the entire stadium. If your seats are on the upper level, expect some rather intimidating inclines. Because of the venue’s age, some of the steps are rather uneven. Don’t shy away from using the handrails. Fortunately, for those who are seated on the upper level who do not wish to navigate up the stairs, three escalators, two of them on the south concourse, one for upper general seating and one for the newly added luxury suites are on site. As part of the enhancements, handrails, as well as anti-slip coating have been added to the aisles of the seating bowls. Return on Investment 3 Even with the recent improvements to the Grand Old Lady, tickets for most games are always available. When seasons like this past 2021 season occur tickets can be found below face value throughout 3rd party sites. For the annual premier games against either Notre Dame or UCLA or other prime opponents such as Oregon, expect the face value to start at a minimum of $110. In a market with a vast amount of both sports and entertainment, ticket prices to watch a team performing below expectations, at least in the eyes of the locals, can be a tough sell as even the past rivalry games against Notre Dame and UCLA have failed to sell out. A good number of seats, particularly those on the east end of the stadium are quite a distance from the field so you may want to do some research before making your ticket purchase. Otherwise, if you are just looking to take in the action regardless of your seating location, you can expect to take in the experience of one of college football’s more storied programs. Extras 4 Rivalry games create a great atmosphere at the Coliseum. The annual game with Notre Dame is for the Jeweled Shillelagh. The two teams combined have more national championship teams, Heisman Trophy winners, and All-Americans than any other college football matchup. Since 1926, the two have met every year. Let’s not forget the Pac-12 crosstown rivalry game with UCLA. One of the more intense rivalries, these two teams both called the Coliseum home until 1981, when UCLA would move to The Rose Bowl in 1982. Until 1982, both schools donned their home jerseys, a tradition that has since been restored in 2008, making for one of the more colorful rivalries between Cardinal and Gold clashing against Blue and Gold. Every year, the two play for the Victory Bell, the frame painted either Red or Blue depending on who has possession. During your visit to the stadium, be sure to walk by the arches on the “Peristyle End” and check out the “Court of Honor.” This memorial has many plaques to recognize the events or achievements that have occurred at the stadium. Notable names such as Daniel Reeves, Jesse Owens, Pope John Paul II, Jackie Robinson, John Wooden, and Jerry West all hold a place in the Court. If the Olympic rings and arches weren’t enough, check out the “Olympic Gateway” in front of the Coliseum. Created in 1984 by Robert Graham, this structure rises 25 feet above ground and has headless male and female bodies made of bronze. Prior to the 4th quarter of each USC game, Traveler makes his way to the peristyle end of the field behind the end zone for the Lighting of The Torch, which Traveler’s rider, dressed as a Trojan warrior, will raise his sword toward the famous torch to light up the flame. Final Thoughts As one of the more venerable venues, the recent renovations have done nothing to take away from the Grand Old Lady’s history. The famous peristyle that has seen many an appearance throughout the years will always be a part of the Coliseum’s lore. After recently sharing their home with the Rams for 4 seasons the Trojans have the gridiron all to themselves. The 2021 season may have been a disappointment but their recent hire of head coach Lincoln Riley has the Trojan following excited for 2022 as they look to Restore The Conquest.

If you enjoyed ESPN's recent doc, The New York Sack Exchange , which focuses on the ups and downs of the Jets' fierce defensive line in the '80s, you must read Greg Prato's book, Sack Exchange , which is a 400-plus page oral history of the '80s Jets. In addition to the Sack Exchangers, Greg interviews their teammates, the coaches, their opponents, and one hilarious, Jets fanatic. It's compelling, especially for Jets fans.  The book is available here . You can find Greg on Twitter @GregPratoWriter. STADIUM JOURNEY: We must ask. The Jets just hired a new coach, Aaron Glenn. Thoughts? Will the playoff drought continue? GREG PRATO:   I would have preferred a head coach with not only prior head coach experience, but also success in the postseason and at least 1 Super Bowl appearance. Hopefully, Mr. Glenn works out, but judging from the Jets' awful track record regarding head coach hiring post-Rex Ryan, I'm not going to get my hopes up too high. I hope I'm wrong though. STADIUM JOURNEY:  You were primarily a music writer and then you tackled the '80s Jets. What inspired you to take this massive project on? GREG PRATO:   The early '80s was when I first started following sports, and since I've lived on Long Island my whole life, the Jets, Islanders, and Mets were all either amid success - Islanders and Jets - or at least taking steps towards it - Mets. But unlike the Isles and Mets, the Jets didn't go the distance in the '80s. But that said, I had fond memories of those teams and never saw a book solely about that era, so, why not do a book? STADIUM JOURNEY: Sack Exchange is a 400-plus page behemoth. How long did it take you to get this thing done? GREG PRATO:   To be honest it's been quite some time since it came out  - heck, Rex Ryan was still their head coach at the time - and I've put out so many other books that I can't recall exactly. But if I had to guess I'd say about a year to do the interviews, assemble it, then a year for ECW Press to design it and put it out. STADIUM JOURNEY: Who was your toughest interview to nail down? GREG PRATO:   None were difficult to nail down from what I remember. I just wish I was able to interview Freeman McNeil, but my efforts proved unsuccessful. Someone else I tried to get an interview for the book was Sam J. Jones, who played Flash Gordon in the 1980 film and whose character was also the QB for the Jets. A few good questions would have been good to include in the book such as: "If you weren't busy saving the universe, could you have guided the Jets to victory in the 1982-83 AFC Championship Game?" Unfortunately, my efforts wound up being intercepted by AJ Duhe.  STADIUM JOURNEY: You interview one Jets superfan for the book. Johnny "Bubba" Caruso is quite the character, to put it mildly. How'd you find Bubba? GREG PRATO:   Johnny "Bubba" Caruso is a relative of my wife. He is probably the biggest Jets fan I've ever met and is an unforgettable personality. I just knew I had to include him in the book. Luckily, he accepted and his quotes, and memories remain among my favorite of the entire book, as he attended many Jets games at old Shea back in the day.  STADIUM JOURNEY: Are your memories of Shea Stadium good ones? Or did you think the Jets needed to escape to Jersey? GREG PRATO:   I unfortunately never saw a Jets game at Shea, although I did see many Mets games there. I did not like - and still don't like - that the Jets play in Jersey. What will it take for the team to come back to Queens? Maybe a move back to Queens would get rid of the awful stench of the Jets' history ever since they fled for Jersey in '84.  STADIUM JOURNEY: Since you're a music guy, did you see any concerts at Shea?  GREG PRATO:   I did not, although I've seen tons of concerts at nearby Nassau Coliseum back in the day. STADIUM JOURNEY:  It would've been fitting if you were in ESPN's documentary. Did they interview you? GREG PRATO:   They did not. For some reason, Greg Prato turns into a ghost-like character when it comes to being interviewed for documentaries, as evidenced by docs such as the ESPN Sack Exchange one and a recent yacht rock doc, even though I penned a popular book entitled The Yacht Rock Book a few years back. I plead with future documentary-makers: Greg Prato is not a ghost. Greg Prato is a real man. And Greg Prato has feelings, just like everyone else. STADIUM JOURNEY: If you were to write a book on the '90s Jets, what's the title? And by the way, are you considering doing that? GREG PRATO:   I am not considering it, but it's not a bad idea.  A title? How about A Tale of Tuna, Testaverde, and a Torn Tendon ? Also, I must admit that in addition to penning the Sack Exchange book, I also issued another book a few years back that deals with the '90s and all eras of the Jets, entitled Butt Fumbles, Fake Spikes, Mud Bowls & Heidi Games: The Top 100 Debacles of the New York Jets , which is also available via Amazon. STADIUM JOURNEY: Should the Jets return to Queens? Do you think there's a chance that it could happen? GREG PRATO:   They should move back to Queens. But Woody Johnson is not a good owner and is obviously content making big bucks whether the Jets win or lose, so why put in any extra effort?  Jon Hart is  @manversusball

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Pensacola Bay Center 201 E Gregory St Pensacola, FL 32502 Sun Belt Basketball website Pensacola Bay Center website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 8,150 March Madness Runs Through the Emerald Coast 2023 marks the third straight year that the Road to the Final Four has run through the Florida panhandle, with the Sun Belt men's and women's basketball tournaments. In 2020 the City and Conference signed a four-year contract for the tournament to be held at Pensacola Bay Center in downtown Pensacola. The event's operations are run by Pensacola Sports, a non-profit sporting event services group. The 8,150-seat building also servs as the home of the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the SPHL. The Sun Belt Conference is one of the premiere mid-major conferences in college basketball. Since being founded in 1976 the basketball-rich conference has sent 54 teams to the NCAA tournament, accounting for 18 wins. The winner of the Sun Belt tournament automatically advances into the NCAA Tournament every year, and there have also been some years when the conference sent multiple teams dancing to the Tournament, most recently in 2013. Perhaps the best year for the Sun Belt was its inaugural year, when the Charlotte 49ers made it to the Final Four and finished the season ranked third in the country. Western Kentucky has won the most men's and women's Sun Belt tournaments with nine wins, while South Alabama and Louisiana are the current conference teams with the most tournament wins, at five for the men's, while Old Dominion has won five for the women’s. The 2023 Sun Belt tournaments marks the 47th installment of the tourney, which has been played at 15 different sites over the years in the Southeast region – Biloxi, Birmingham, Hot Springs, Mobile, Charlotte, and Little Rock are just some of the cities which have hosted over the years, with New Orleans hosting the most tournaments at seven. Prior to the 2022-23 season the Sun Belt welcomed four new teams for basketball ( Southern Miss , Marshall , James Madison and Old Dominion ); because of these additions there was a slight change for the 2023 tournament, with the top 4 teams getting a double round bye in the single-elimination format, with all 14 teams invited. Food and Beverage 3 The Bay Center features four permanent concession stands, with two on each side of the concourse. On the west side concourse is Coop's Chicken Stand, which sells chicken tender baskets and sandwiches with prices from $7-$10. There is also a stand called Savor which just sells the basics, where prices range between $4 and $7; popcorn, hamburgers, nachos, jumbo pretzels, hot dogs, beef jerky, and candy is what rounds out the menu at Savor. On the east side concourse there is also another Savor stand, as well as a Tarragona Taco Stand, which sells various nachos and tacos with prices ranging from $7-$10. Coca-Cola is the soft drink provider of Pensacola Bay Center, with large drinks costing $5 and regular drinks costing $4. For alcohol you can purchase 20 oz. draft beer for $10 with the options of Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Shock Top, or McGuire's Irish Red Ale. There is also a pop-up bar on the north side concourse with a better selection of alcoholic drinks. Atmosphere 4 Pensacola Bay Center opened in 1985 and is typical of the civic center-style arenas built in mid-sized cities during that time period. With a seating capacity of 8,150 it remains the largest indoor venue in Northwest Florida. At over 35 years old the building is beginning to show its age, but it did receive some renovations as part of the agreement with the Sun Belt Conference – the most notable improvements include the new state-of-the art scoreboard that hangs over center court, which shows the game action as shown on TV. It replaced an old dot matrix style scoreboard from the 1990s. The new videoboard presentation is sharp, and with the LED ribbon that wraps around the videoboard is just the type of upgrade the building needed. Also new for 2023 is the Sun Belt Fan Fest that takes place outside Pensacola Bay Center. Here you'll find live entertainment, vendor booths, food trucks, pop-up bars, and more, set up in the parking lot getting people in the mood. Each school was well represented at Fan Fest, with cheerleaders and mascots from each respective school making appearances. There was even a basketball court set up in the parking lot where you could practice your shot before heading into the venue, including various three-point, free throw, and HORSE competitions. Also, if you want to experience the beach life before coming to the game, the Pensacola Beach Trolley was making round trips from the Beach to Pensacola Bay Center; about a 15-minute drive. There is one entrance on the west side where the box office is located – fans walk up a winding ramp to the third floor where the entrance is. Inside the venue there is a lower level that wraps around the building, with an upper level on the east and west sides. The concourse is designed in a wraparound configuration, with the east and west concourses featuring the concession stands, plus a small merch table that sells various Sun Belt Conference gear. The arena does have a dark and cavernous feel to it; I've seen plenty of hockey games in the building, and the feeling is not as evident for hockey as it is for basketball. I think this might have something to do with all the tarps and curtains put in for basketball, making it seem really dark then. However, the sound system and acoustics echo off the hardwood floor a lot better than they do on the ice . The Sun Belt Conference logo is everywhere throughout the building, inside and outside – there is no denying what tournament is being played here, from the giant logos outside the venue to the curtains and banners surrounding the court, and of course the actual court itself. Neighborhood 4 Pensacola Bay Center is located in downtown right at the foot of the I-110 bridge. The arena is located around some parking lots, but a couple of blocks over takes you to Palafox Street, where you should be able to find every kind of bar and restaurant imaginable. Popular bars and restaurants on this strip include the pricey Jackson's Steakhouse, O'Riley's Pub, Intermission, Graffiti Pizza, World of Beer, Wild Greg's Saloon, Taco Agave, Old Hickory Whiskey Bar, Blend Lounge, Tin Cow, Play Pensacola, and many more. Also downtown is the famed Seville Quarter, which is modeled after the New Orleans French Quarter. This block features seven bars and restaurants, with the oldest and most famous being Rosie O'Grady's. Famous for its hurricane cocktails and dueling pianos, this two-story bar has been serving patrons since the 1920s. The Seville Quarter is also filled with other options such as End of the Alley, Marlene Aviators Pub, Apple Annie's, Palace Oyster Bar, and the upscale District Steak & Seafood. The closest bar within walking distance of Pensacola Bay Center is the famous McGuire's Irish Pub. Over 100,000 one-dollar bills line the ceiling and prices are reasonable, unless you want to try the famous McGuire's $100 burger. Across the street from McGuire's are Fish House and Atlas Oyster House, two popular seafood spots overlooking the bay. There are also three breweries in downtown as well – Gulf Coast Brewery, Emerald Republic, and Pensacola Bay Brewery. Pensacola is also home to the famous Blue Angels, based at Pensacola Naval Air Station. If you have never seen the Blue Angels you must see them – they fly through the air upside down and in different formations; it is quite a view to see. The Blue Angels begin their spring practices at the beginning of March, so if you are lucky you may catch them flying over the beach or Pensacola Bay Center while practicing. And if you want to make a beach trip, the beaches of Pensacola Beach are located on Santa Rosa Island just across the bay; there are tons of attractions on the island as well. There also tons of hotels to stay at – the closer to the water the more expensive the rooms. Fans 3 You cannot pick a more prime location to have the Sun Belt basketball tournament than in Pensacola. Right in the middle of the Sun Belt region, it makes the commute easy for most of the schools' fanbases. Pensacola is also a destination city, with many people taking advantage of the warm Florida weather to come down here to spend a week at the beach, while getting to watch their team play – the weekend games are obviously more packed than the earlier round games. By the Championship game on Monday, I would say the venue is about 70% full; for each game there are at least a couple thousand of each team's respective fan bases there, with lots of family and friends of players who made the trip down. Outside at the Fan Fest you can find fans from all 14 schools fanbases well represented. You could also tell that a lot of people who came from out of town are staying on the beach, because the trolley is constantly dropping people off. I saw many fans walking around at Fan Fest with island drinks in their hands that they brought over on the beach trolley. Pensacola Beach is cool little beach resort community on a barrier island with tons of beach bars, dive bars, and seafood restaurants, as well as plenty of shopping. I would say the school with the most fans would be conference newcomer for the 2022-23 season, Southern Miss . The Golden Eagles had their best season in recent memory and were Conference champs, plus Hattiesburg is only about 120 miles away, so the Golden Eagles faithful flocked to Pensacola for the tournament – you could see yellow and gold all throughout the building when they played. South Alabama , Troy , and Louisiana also travel really well, and Old Dominion actually had a nice selection of fans as well, for a school as far away as it is. Access 4 The Bay Center is located at the southern end of I-110, a north and south auxiliary road that connects I-10 to downtown Pensacola, with the arena about 10 minutes south of the main interstate through town. The building is not hard to miss, as it sits at the foot of I-110 and is the first thing most people will see when entering downtown. There are many parking lots around the arena, charging $10 per car to park. New for the 2023 Tournament the Pensacola Beach trolley makes a stop here from the Beach, which is about a 15-minute drive to Pensacola Bay Center, costing $5 one way to make the trip. There are some other lots and metered parking nearby as well, but those further lots charge more than $10 to park at. Once inside the facility concourses are not crammed, so you should have no issue getting inside and getting to your seat. None of the games will be sellouts either, so you can move around as you please and not get hassled by ushers. Return on Investment 3 General Admission tickets can be purchased for $18, while seating in the first five rows for single game tickets are $22. If you buy a ticket to an earlier game and want to stay for the next you are free to do so, as there are no ushers kicking people out in between games. However, there is a no re-entry policy, so once you leave the building you will have to purchase another ticket to get back in. With general admission, parking, and food, one person could get in to watch a game for about $50, which is about average for a postseason D1 basketball tournament. I would consider this a good return on investment just because you are in a prime vacation destination in the panhandle of Florida, and are guaranteed to see a team play that'll get a chance to compete for the Final Four. Just remember the tournament takes place during prime Spring Break time in Pensacola, so finding a hotel room could be a nightmare – I recommend booking ahead of time if coming from out of town. Extras 3 One extra for the upgrades Pensacola Bay Center undertook in order to host the tournament -- the new video board was what the venue needed to add that extra spark, and it definitely added a major league feel to the place. The City also did an excellent job transforming Pensacola into the Sun Belt Conference's main headquarters for the week. The conference logo was on everything throughout town, from the bars and restaurants to the airport and beach. Because Pensacola does not have a D1 college in town, the city has adopted this tournament – for one week the city becomes a major college town. The staff also did an excellent job at Pensacola Bay Center as well. Outside the venue were 14 giant inflatable basketballs located at the main entrance, each with the 14 different Sun Belt team logos on it. At night the giant SBC logo was illuminated from the top of the building for everyone in downtown to see, while inside the venue the main colors that stand out are yellow and blue, from countless conference logo signs and banners hung up around the court. All 14 teams have banners high above Pensacola Bay Center as well. The Fan Fest going on outside is also a plus, as well as the trolleys that brought fans to the venue. Pensacola Sports and the Sun Belt Conference definitely go all out with this tournament every year.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Christl Arena Fenton Pl West Point, NY 10996 Army Black Knights website Christl Arena website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 5,043 Basketball Knight at Christl Arena Christl Arena (pronounced like “crystal”) is located on the campus of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, and is home to the academy’s men’s and women’s basketball teams. Cristal Arena is somewhat unusual as it is located within the Holleder Center, a building it shares with Tate Rink , home of the Black Knights’ hockey team. Although the common facilities, such as the lobby and concession stands, are shared between the two venues, the playing and seating areas are distinct. Christl Arena and the Holleder Center are both named after USMA graduates who died serving the country. Major Donald W. Holleder was a 1956 graduate of West Point who was killed in Vietnam in 1967, and Edward C. Christl, Jr. was a 1944 graduate who was killed in Austria the next year during World War II. Despite the school’s storied history, this has not carried over to the Black Knights’ basketball team. Along with William & Mary, The Citadel, and St. Francis (NY), the Black Knights are one of just four original Division I members who have never made the NCAA Tournament. This lack of success on the court does not seem to deter some fans from coming out, but ultimately this is a small college where basketball just isn’t that big. Food & Beverage 2 Although selection varies by game, there is always one main stand open in the upper lobby of Christl Arena. Although this stand doesn’t have much available, what it does have is affordable. Hot dogs, nachos, and pretzels are all $4, as are Coca-Cola products and bottled water. Cracker Jacks are $4 as well, chips are $3, and popcorn is $5 for a very large bucket. Other portable stands may be open depending on the game but were not when we went. A stand called The Grill sometimes serves up more substantial offerings such as cheeseburgers and chicken tenders. There is a Dippin’ Dots stand as well which is open sometimes. Ultimately, however, unless you want to take a chance on The Grill being open, it’s best to eat before or after the game. Atmosphere 3 When you walk through the entrance of the Holleder Center, you will be in the lower lobby, which has the ticket window and turnstiles. However, unless you are going to courtside seats, you will then need to walk up a staircase to get to the upper lobby and concourse, from which you will walk up or down to your seat after going through a portal. As all seats are general admission for most games, you will generally be walking down unless you want to sit up high. Christl Arena has chair backs on both sidelines with a few bleachers in the last few rows which are never used except for the Navy game. Behind both baskets, there are risers which are generally used by any cadets who show up. However, the crowd of cadets will be significantly smaller than at football games, as they are not required to attend, and will be non-existent over Thanksgiving and winter breaks. There are dot-matrix scoreboards behind each basket. One just shows the score and time, while the other shows more detailed information as well such as timeouts and player stats. Christl Arena shares a building with Tate Rink, so you can peer into the hockey arena before the game if you want. There are several unusual architectural elements of Christl Arena. One is the bright yellow piping in the ceiling. Although visible pipes aren’t all that unusual, the coloring certainly is and makes them stand out. Additionally, there are windows behind one of the baskets which enable people to watch from the concourse. Occasionally you’ll see people standing and looking through those. Neighborhood 3 Although there is a lot to do on Academy grounds, there is not that much in the surrounding area. With all the history at West Point, a visit there could easily make a full day on its own. Guided tours are available for a small price and are well worth it if you have time. Although the fall foliage can be beautiful at West Point, the leaves are usually mostly off the trees by the time basketball season starts. The nearest town is Highland Falls, which is small and has very limited offerings. A couple of restaurants and hotels are available, but not much else. Andy’s on Main Street is a local favorite, serving up burgers and other comfort food. Fans 3 The Black Knights get a typical crowd that you’d expect from this level of play. Although the arena will never be anywhere close to full except for when they play fellow service academy Navy and maybe Air Force, it will seldom be deserted either. Many of the fans are small children with families, and usually, the children are more into the game than the adults, screaming and cheering for their team at every opportunity while the adults sit silently most of the game and politely clap after making baskets. For games against another service academy, it’s a completely different story, however. Christl Arena will be packed to the gills and will be an amazing atmosphere. It’s not quite the same as Army-Navy football, but still very much a good experience. Access 2 Unsurprisingly, considering it’s on an active military post, Christl Arena is hard to access. Just to get on post, you will have to go through a security checkpoint, show ID, and possibly have your vehicle searched. Just to add to the confusion, some of the guards don’t know what is required and will tell you that you need a visitor’s pass even though this is not required when attending an event on the post. Keep in mind, however, that all of this could change at a moment’s notice depending on the state of national security at the time. Before coming to a game, be sure to check the athletics and USMA websites to make sure everything here is still accurate. It should not be this hard to get to a basketball arena, but it’s somewhat understandable given the unique security situation. Once you finally do get onto the post, parking is available for free in lots a short walk from the arena. The guards at the checkpoint will direct you there if you ask. From the lots, it’s about a three-minute walk to the Holleder Center, down a couple of staircases and a hill. This seems easy until you realize you have to go back up all that when the game is over. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are $12 for general admission seating for most games, $15 for a couple, and $20-$30 for reserved seats for the doubleheader against Navy, which also gets you into the women’s game. A few other games are doubleheaders with the women as well, mostly during the non-conference schedule; for these, the $12 ticket will get you into both. You can pay $30 for courtside seats, but as the $12 ticket will get you literally anywhere else in the arena, this hardly seems worth it. Note that there is usually one other game a year with reserved seats, as it is a weekday afternoon game where local schools bring students in on a field trip, but the tickets to this game will still be $12. Throw in the free parking and affordable if limited concessions and Army basketball can be a great value for the whole family. Extras 3 One bonus star for all the history right on the West Point grounds. A second for the fact that the Holleder Center is basically two venues in one, so you can check out the hockey arena as well without even having to leave the building. A third and final star for the displays in the upper and lower lobbies, including a trophy case and plaques showing the Black Knights’ athletic captains for each year. Final Thoughts Fans looking for the same raucous atmosphere as at Army football games at Michie Stadium will be deeply disappointed. It’s clear that this is a one-sport school as far as the fan base is concerned, and basketball isn’t it. However, attending a game at Christl Arena can be an enjoyable and affordable experience for the whole family if you’re just looking to spend an afternoon or evening watching a basketball game.

Photos by Alex Mailes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Joe Becker Stadium 300 S High Ave Joplin, MO 64801 Joplin Outlaws website Joe Becker Stadium website Year Opened: 1913 Capacity: 4,200 Outlaw Baseball Joe Becker Stadium in Joplin, Mo is the current home of the Joplin Outlaws, a member of the summer M.I.N.K baseball league, which is a wooden bat collegiate league. It was originally built in 1913 and has been home to several teams, most notably the Joplin Miners, who were the stadium’s first tenants. Hall of famers Whitey Herzog and Mickey Mantle both played for the Miners while they were at Joe Becker, giving the park a small place in baseball history. After the Miners disbanded in 1954, the park was used by the MSSU Lions until 2014 when the El Paso Diablos decided to move to the stadium in exchange for park renovations and became the Joplin Blasters. The Blasters played two years at Joe Becker before disbanding in 2016. The Outlaws began playing the next year. The Outlaws get their name from Joplin’s checkered past. Notorious robbers Bonnie and Clyde spent several weeks living out of a garage on Oak Ridge Drive and Jesse James was rumored to have had a hideout somewhere in town. All this gives the stadium a unique feel that isn’t seen in other ballparks and makes the trip to Joe Becker a memorable one. Food & Beverage 4 The offerings are about what you would expect from a stadium this size. The Outlaw’s concession stand serves freshly grilled hamburgers ($4) and hotdogs ($3) along with Cici’s Pizza at $2 a slice. They also sell the typical candy, nachos, chips, popcorn, and pickles all for $3 or less. Beverages are also available, with nonalcoholic options including Pepsi products, bottled water and sports drinks (Gatorade, Powerade and Body Armor), each being sold for $1.50. Alcohol is not sold or allowed on stadium grounds. Overall, the concessions have all the ballpark staples that baseball fans expect and what they offer is reasonably priced compared to other stadiums. Atmosphere 5 The stadium is built like most other ballparks, with the ticket booth and entrance centered behind home plate. There are concession stands and restrooms located down both the left and right field lines underneath both major seating bowls. The seating areas stretching from Homeplate to 1st and 3rd plate are lined with black, non-foldable, plastic chairs with no cupholders. Bleachers comprise the rest of the seating that extends into the outfield. The seats offer plenty of legroom, but don’t offer much else in terms of comfort. The smaller capacity and seating arrangements means that there isn’t a bad seat in the entire stadium. You can get a good look at the action no matter where you’re situated. A simple scoreboard is located on the edge of the outfield down the right-field line. It tallies runs per inning, outs, balls, strikes, hits and errors. Games or contests are played every couple of innings and consist of either trivia questions, kids races, or luck-based games like the big dice roll. They are frequent but don’t get in the way of the game and add some excitement between innings. Music is played between at-bats but not at any other time, keeping the focus on the game. The Park really nails the feeling of small-town baseball, from the muddy dirt warning track and wooden outfield fence to the small concrete dugouts and minor league-like bleachers. If you live in or around the area it is certainly worth a visit. Neighborhood 4 The stadium is in the northern part of the city in a residential area which is sandwiched between two major business districts. There are plenty of restaurants, retailers and entertainment venues located within two miles of the park. A few local places worth mentioning are Wilders Steakhouse, Fred and Red’s Chili, and Club 609. Several bars are located on Main Street if you want to grab a quick drink after the game. If you’re looking for something strange, you could visit the Joplin Spook Light, a mysterious orb of light that can be seen late at night and has been a local legend for more than a century and defies any scientific explanation. For those wanting something less eerie, the local Range Line Golf Course offers a well maintained 9-hole course along with minigolf, both for $8 per round. The Hotel District is located 3 miles from the park on the southside of Joplin with Econolodge and Best Western being the most economical options. Fans 5 The Outlaws get about 400 fans per game. Most of the fans are who you would expect at a game of this level; mostly the players’ host families, local sponsors, and baseball diehards. They are a mostly quiet bunch, not interjecting at close calls and at-bats which makes it easier to concentrate on the game. Outlaws fans are also a tidy lot, as the stadium was fairly clean after the game. Regular attendees are uniquely dedicated to the team and make attending a game feel special. Access 5 Joplin is in Southwest Missouri and is only a two-hour drive from Kansas City. The Park isn’t challenging to reach, with it being located 3 miles from the nearest interstate exit off I-44 and located in a residential area. The Joplin Regional Airport is serviced by United Airlines with flights to and from Denver and Houston. While there is no public transport that takes you directly to the park, the local Sunshine Trolley has a stop only three blocks away. Return on Investment 5 Ticket prices are $5 for individual tickets and kids under 5 get in for free. With season passes costing of $50 and M.I.N.K league all access passes running at $150 along with free stadium parking makes an Outlaws game an affordable experience relative to other teams. Extras 4 The Outlaws run several different nightly promotions, like free t-shirts, lottery tickets and 50 cent hot dog nights. Just make sure you’re early to get them while they last. They also have free tacos if a player hits a homerun and a 50/50 lottery where you can buy a “wingspan” worth of tickets for $10. Final Thoughts Joe Becker Stadium offers the feeling of small-town baseball at a high level for an affordable price. There are plenty promotions and games for fans to keep things exciting and Joplin has plenty to offer if you find yourself bored after the game. If you live nearby or are traveling through, a visit to Joe Becker Stadium is certainly worth it.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Alumni Field at York Stadium Ian MacDonald Blvd. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 York Lions football website York Stadium website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity:  3,500 Is there Hope for the York Lions? There are not many that would argue that the York Lions have been one of the worst football programs in the entire CIS.   There has been very little success on the field.   In the last 8 years, the Lions have won just 6 games.   The Lions have not made the playoffs in 10 years.   How is it possible that York can even put a team on the field?   Believe it or not there is some hope for the York Lions on the horizon. York University is the second largest university in Ontario and the third largest in all of Canada.   With a student population of over 55,000 students York has a ton of alumni to draw on and a student body large enough to support a strong program, the potential is there at York for great things.   The main campus, or Keele Campus, at York is located at the north end of Toronto in the former municipality of North York and boasts a large campus with some national level athletic facilities including the Aviva National Tennis Centre and Toronto Track and Field Centre.   York was also a host site for the 2015 Pan-Am games in Athletics.   Part of the focus in creating new facilities for the Pan-Am games was the legacy of such facilities.   The CIBC Pan-Am / Parapan-Am Athletics Stadium was built on the campus of York University and hosted all manner of track and field events.   What will now be named York Lions Stadium has a future at the university that has yet to be determined, but many believe that the future of the York Lions football program will be at the new stadium. York currently plays at York Stadium which is a block from the new stadium site.   The stadium was built in 1994 and is nothing to write home about.   The York program began in 1969, ten years after the founding of the school.   They began as the York Yeomen but changed their mascot name to the Lions in 2003 to become gender neutral.   One of the surprising developments for the 2015 season was that head coach Warren Craney shocked the CIS football world and landed some of the most sought out recruits from Alberta, which has a very strong football tradition at the University of Calgary.   Combine this hot recruiting class along with the possibility of playing in a brand new stadium and there may be hope for the York Lions after all. Food & Beverage 2 Food selections for a York Lions football game are extremely limited. Keeping in mind that the date of this review was in late August, weeks before the student body is on campus at York, the full-fledged food experience was less than stellar.   The south end of the stadium features a Beer Garden which sells light refreshments.   At the time the only food sold were bags of potato chips.   The permanent structure behind the grandstands does have windows that appear to be for selling concessions however these were not open for the review date.   It is possible that once the students get on campus the culinary experience will change slightly.   To their credit, York did bring in a major league food truck for this specific event. The Beaver Tails truck was parked in the south courtyard and provided fans with the opportunity to purchase fries, poutine and various flavours of the distinctly Canadian Beaver Tail. In the licensed beer garden cans of Molson Canadian and Coors Light are available for purchase ($7.50).   Alcoholic cider is also available.   Cans of Coca-Cola products and water are available for soft-drinks.   The supply is definitely limited and the beer garden actually ran out of bottled water.   The beer garden area is licensed and patrons are required to remain in that area and not bring their alcoholic beverage into the stands, however a number of fans did return to their seats, beverages in hand. There is not much to recommend food-wise at a Lions game.   However, if you have the opportunity, Beaver Tails are definitely something worth trying.   The flat, fried dough (similar to a funnel cake) can be covered with a variety of sweet treats including various forms of candy bar.   The presence of Beaver Tails alone bumps the food score up a notch. Atmosphere 2 York Stadium screams cheap to all those in attendance. There really is not much to the physical stadium itself at York.   A grandstand on the west side of the field stands with a permanent washroom / locker room building just in the rear.   The grandstand is a simple bleacher featuring 5 sections of 15 rows.   The benches and floor platforms are wooden.   On the south side of the locker room building you will find the three national championship banners … for soccer.   On the east side of the stadium there is berm seating which many students choose.   At the top of the west grandstand is the pressbox.   From your seat you can easily see the new York Lions Stadium, which will hopefully be home to the football team in the future.   The playing surface is field turf, which is pretty much the standard in the OUA (the Ontario conference of the CIS). Upon entering the game, fans are able to collect free programs, yearbooks and thundersticks.   There is a small merchandise tent present so the diehards can get their hands on some new red and white Lions garb.   The in game promotions are typical for the league; simple and infrequent.   Like other teams in the league, Lions games are student-run, from the A/V and technical aspects, to the security and ticket takers.   The Lions enter from their tunnel through a plume of smoke and to an original song, complete with Lion roars. Seating at York Stadium is General Admission.   Patrons can choose their own seating and in so doing, may want to consider where others are sitting.   Since York is fairly accessible for other teams in the league, many fans of other teams travel to York to see their home team play.   If you wish to stay away from the opposition fans, have a good look at the crowd before selecting your seat. Neighbourhood 3 Since York Stadium is located at the very north end of Toronto, the surrounding neighbourhood is decent and the immediate driving area also has some interesting places to go. There are a few decent places to eat that are within walking distance of York Stadium. On the campus of York University you will find a Shopsy’s Sports Grill. Just on the other side of Keele St. there is a Hoops Sports Bar. Also, just up the street on Steeles you will find Angelo’s Homestyle Restaurant. Any of these options are good for a pre or post game meal. There are also a number of fast food chains in the immediate vicinity and many other options if you hop in the car and head north into the city of Vaughan. The York Lions also field competitive basketball and hockey teams along with other varsity sports.   The basketball teams play in the nearby Tait McKenzie Centre and the hockey teams play at nearby Canlan Ice Sports York.   Both places are on the campus of York.   The campus is a pretty significant distance from downtown Toronto, but not totally out of the realm of possibility for a side trip.   Much closer, however, is the city of Vaughan, which basically begins on the other side of Steeles Ave.   There are a few interesting things just a few short kilometers away.   If you are interested in shopping, then Vaughan Mills might be the stop for you.   This huge shopping centre also features a Bass Pro Shop.   A little further north on highway 400 you will find Canada’s Wonderland, which is a Canadian equivalent to a Six Flags amusement park.   Woodbine Racetrack is just 15 kilometres away and features thoroughbred horse racing and is home to the Queen’s Plate.   Also, the Aviva Centre annually hosts the Rogers Cup, formerly the Canadian Open tennis tournament. There are quite a few places to stay near the north end of campus, both in Toronto and Vaughan.   A great place to stay that is an extremely short drive away from York Stadium is the Best Western Plus, Toronto-North York. Fans 2 Regular fans that attend York Lions football games redefine die-hard.   It has been very difficult to be a York Lions fan. It is often difficult to assess the attendance at CIS football games.   There are often extenuating circumstances that account for significant attendance variances.   For example, homecoming games often draw in a significantly higher attendance than normal.   Also, an early season game before the students have begun classes often produces a significantly lower attendance.   With four home games per season, the York Lions typically draw around 1,500 fans, many of them travelling to see the visiting team.   If there is a game on campus during orientation week there is often a significant spike in attendance. With the program having as poor showing as they have had, it is a minor miracle that York has any that would claim to be fans.   The fans in attendance are often equaled or outnumbered by visiting fans and the noise level is usually pretty even regardless of what happens during the game.   That being said, like most other OUA programs, more needs to be done to entice the students to make football a part of their university experience. Access 4 Getting to York Stadium is not that difficult and getting around is also pretty easy. York Stadium is located at the north end of the Keele Campus of York University. It is located southeast of the major highway crossings of highways 400 and 407. The campus is surrounded by major Toronto streets Jane, Finch, Keele and Steeles. When driving to campus, be careful as the 407 is a toll highway and many of these streets have some significant traffic. There are quite a few different public transit options to get to York.   The GO Transit station is just east of campus.   There are also numerous TTC buses that travel in or past campus.   The TTC is also working on a significant subway station on campus.   Check the TTC or GO Transit websites for schedules and maps. There are a number of parking lots around campus.   The York website has a variety of campus maps to aid in your search for parking.   Keep in mind that the subway connection and preparation of York Lions Stadium have left the north end of campus with some significant construction that has closed some parking lots.   Parking costs are usually $5 on the weekend at pay and display machines. There is only one entrance to York Stadium, but that is not an issue at all.   Entry is through the surrounding fence at the south end of the stadium.   There is a portable ticket office for those of you who need to purchase tickets on gameday. The grandstand is so open that getting around is no issue at all.   The permanent locker room / washroom structure in the rear houses some small washroom facilities.   It doesn’t take long for lines to form so be wise when choosing a washroom time. Return on Investment 4 Attending a York Lions football game is very affordable and can be a good family event. Ticket prices for York football are $10.50 for adults with discounts for students, seniors and alumni.   Although concessions will not blow you away, they are not overly expensive and parking is fairly inexpensive as well.   If you are planning on seeing a game at York be weary of a mismatch.   Watching the Lions play a team that is closer to them in the standings offers a much better game experience as York is prone to a few blowout games each season. Extras 2 An extra mark for the annual Red and Blue Bowl.   The Lions play the cross-town rival Toronto Varsity Blues for city bragging rights.   This is often the best game of the season for the Lions and the game has been a highlight for the team since 1968. An extra mark for the City of Toronto Fill up and Go Station which offered fans free tap water and promotes the benefits of tap water as compared to bottled water. Final Thoughts The York faithful are eagerly awaiting an announcement that will put to rest the questions as to what the brand new York Lions Stadium will be used for.   Until that time York Stadium remains the home of the Lions.   Hopefully a new stadium and building on the strong recruiting class will breath new life into this program and help the Lions break their playoff drought.

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 Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Revolution Sportsplex 19623 Evergreen Mill Road Leesburg, VA 20175 Nova FC website Revolution Sportsplex website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 1,500 Lower Tier Soccer in Leesburg, Va. Nestled in Leesburg, in Loudoun County in the DC suburbs, Nova FC (or Northern Virginia Football Club, to use the full name) competes in USL League Two, the fourth tier of soccer in the United States. USL League Two is primarily an amateur league featuring players 23 or younger, and most players are college-age or have recently exhausted their college eligibility and are hoping to receive a professional contract. Nova FC plays its home games at the Revolution Sportsplex, the main stadium in the complex. There are also several back fields used for youth soccer. The club's biggest accomplishment was qualifying for the 2022 U.S. Open Cup, where they won their first-round matchup against fellow amateur side Lynchburg FC before falling to professional side Richmond Kickers in the next round. Nova FC also operates a women's team and several lower-tier amateur teams. However, this review is about the men's USL League Two team and their experience at their games. Food & Beverage 1 Although the Revolution Sportsplex contains both a rooftop bar and a club area, neither is operational for Nova FC games. There are a couple of vending machines that sell food and soft drinks at vending machine prices. Some only take $1 bills and coins while others also take $5 bills. Fans are also free to bring in outside food and drink to eat during the game. Atmosphere 2 Revolution Sportsplex contains several rows of bleachers with a concourse area at the top as well as a rooftop bar up a flight of steps from the concourse. Although the bar itself is not operational during games, there are chairs and barstools where fans can hang out and watch the game from a unique vantage point. There is not much going on here other than the game itself. Even the PA announcer was not active other than to welcome fans to the stadium and ask them to rise for the national anthem at the beginning. There were no announcements of goals or cards, making it hard to figure out who was booked by the referee. The seats are close enough to the action and the fans are quiet enough that you can hear everything the players shout at each other and the referees. Even by soccer purist standards, the experience here is lacking. The true atmosphere at soccer games comes from the fans, not the team, but there is no crowd energy to speak of here. There is no organized Supporters' group, and while the fans applaud after goals, other than that they are almost completely silent. The team does play the song "Doop" after goals, a tradition borrowed from the Philadelphia Union, along with a submarine dive horn to add their unique take on it, but that is the only thing going on here to create any sort of atmosphere, and it's mostly borrowed from another team. Neighborhood 2 Revolution Sportsplex is located in the middle of a residential area, and there are no restaurants or things to do in the immediate vicinity. Your best bet is to head a few miles into downtown Leesburg, where there are plenty of places to eat, visit, and stay. This can be about a ten-minute drive, but it’s your only option. The Leesburg Public House and Tarbender’s Lounge are popular places to grab a drink and a bite to eat. Those looking for something other than a bar may want to check out Melt Gourmet Cheeseburgers or the Leesburg Diner, although the latter is only open for breakfast and lunch. There are many good options in Leesburg, but the fact that all of them are so far from the stadium brings this rating down. Fans 2 Nova FC typically draws a couple hundred fans a game. Some of these fans have a direct connection to the team, but there is also a wide range of other fans, including families with kids who play their youth soccer on the back fields of this complex. It is not uncommon to see children kicking around a soccer ball on the field behind the goal during a game. Other than applauding after goals, the fans who show up are quite subdued. Additionally, as Nova FC typically plays other local teams in its league, a significant portion of the crowd will be visiting fans making the short drive to Leesburg to check out their team. Access 3 Revolution Sportsplex has located a short drive off the Dulles Greenway (State Route 267) via Shreve Mill Road, although you will need to pay several dollars in tolls to get here. Once you arrive, parking is in a lot next to the stadium - follow the signs for the main stadium rather than parking by the back fields for easier access. This will put you at the bottom of the bleachers, and you can walk up and sit anywhere as seating is general admission. Restrooms are located at the top of the bleachers with a second set on the rooftop near the bar. The restrooms are on the other side of the club area from the bleachers, and while the club is not functional during games, it is physically open and fans can walk through it to get to the other side rather than walk around. There is also an elevator to take you from field level to the top of the bleachers and the rooftop area for fans who require one. Return on Investment 4 Admission is free, parking is free, and the vending machine food won't cost more than a couple of dollars. The main expense will be tolls on the Greenway to get there, which will be between $5 and $9 each way, approximately, depending on where you are coming from and if it is rush hour on a weekday. You can avoid those by taking Route 7 instead, but that is not a highway for most of its length and will take longer. That being said, this is too basic an experience to earn the top score. Extras 1 Although the rooftop bar itself is not open during Nova FC games, the rooftop area still provides a unique vantage point to watch a game and is worthy of a star here. Final Thoughts Although USL League Two is deep down in the American soccer pyramid, a trip to a Nova FC game at the Revolution Sportsplex can still be an enjoyable way to spend an evening. Although the experience is nowhere near what you'd get in DC at a DC United game or even here in Leesburg at a Loudoun United game at Segra Field , a Nova FC game is much more affordable than either of those would be. For only the price of tolls and maybe bottled water from the vending machine, fans can take in a Nova FC soccer game on a beautiful summer night.

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Lenovo Center 1400 Edwards Mill Rd Raleigh, NC 27607 Carolina Hurricanes website Lenovo Center website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 18,680 Rock You Like A Hurricane Editor's note: On September 19, 2024, PNC Arena was renamed as the Lenovo Center. This review, written before the name change, reflects the previous name. The Carolina Hurricanes began playing at PNC Arena when the building opened in 1999. Prior to that, the Hurricanes played at the Greensboro Coliseum during their first two years in North Carolina. The facility has gone by three names since it opened: Entertainment and Sports Arena, the RBC Center, and now the PNC Arena. The arena is located in West Raleigh and sits next door to Carter-Finley Stadium, home of the NC State football team. PNC Arena boasts 18,680 red seats for hockey and is also the home of the NC State basketball team. Even though the venue is approaching 20 years old, it is still a modern arena for NHL hockey.  Food & Beverage 4 PNC Arena offers a wide selection of food and beverage choices, even though the prices are a bit high. However, there is no shortage of concession choices as you make your way through the concourses. The permanent stands offer your generic stadium food: hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, and peanuts. Bottled Pepsi products are sold at these stands and Aquafina bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate, and Gatorade.  Also, throughout the arena, you can find Cinnabon cinnamon buns and various ice cream choices. Alcoholic beverages are offered in two sizes. If you are a fan of BBQ, your best bet is to check out one of the several North Carolina BBQ stands scattered throughout the arena. These stands offer two favorites of mine: a BBQ sandwich and BBQ nachos. Pair these with a Cheerwine, and you are in business.   Atmosphere 4 PNC Arena is your standard three-level arena with a lower level, a middle club lever, and an upper level. All seats are cushioned and have cup holders. Suites are located at the top of the lower and club levels. There is a four-sided center-hung video board above center ice. It is small compared to many of the newer video boards, but rumor has it that the new Hurricanes owner wants to install a new video board next season that runs from blue line to blue line. The Hurricanes have an engaging mascot – Stormy, who is a pig. This is about the great North Carolina Bar B Que culture. The Canes also have their dance team – the Storm Squad, which engages the crowd and helps get them pumped up for games. There are hurricane warning flags and graphics throughout the arena. Before each game, a local celebrity (such as an area college coach) will crank the hurricane siren to get fans pumped up. At various times throughout the game, “Rock You Like a Hurricane” by the Scorpions will crank up. The management does a great job of incorporating hurricane and storm-related graphics and activities into the game day experience.   Neighborhood 2 PNC Arena was built adjacent to Carter-Finley Stadium in West Raleigh near the NC State Fairgrounds. While there is plenty of parking and great tailgating, there is little to do within walking distance before or after the game. The only restaurants within walking distance are Backyard Bistro, Wendy’s, and Bojangles. Backyard Bistro is a great place to hang out and get food and drinks before a game.   Since you will most likely be driving to the arena, be sure to visit the Angus Barn restaurant about 9 miles from the arena, located near the RDU Airport. The Angus Barn is a sprawling upscale steakhouse in a barn-like setting with a wine cellar, lounge, and cigar bar.  Area activities to consider are the NC Museum of Art and Park, which is about 1 mile from the arena, and the North Carolina State Capitol building and museums in downtown Raleigh.   Fans 5 Since Rod Brind’Amour has taken over the team and has them consistently in the playoffs, expect a near-capacity crowd for every game. The fans are consistently loud and into the game, and tickets are now tough to come by.   Access 4 PNC Arena is easily accessible by car as it sits near I-40 and I-440 in West Raleigh. If you are flying into the area, the Raleigh-Durham airport is only 10 miles away and provides all the major airlines. Parking is plentiful around the Arena/Stadium area and is $40 on-site and $25 prepaid. We suggest buying prepaid to save $15. The security staff entering PNC Arena does seem a little “strict” at times, so allow yourself some extra time when entering the arena. Once inside, the arena is easily navigable with three concourses serving the three levels. The arena is well-signed so you can easily find your section.   Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices range from $50 (upper level) to $200 (lower level) depending on location, and parking at the arena is $40. Concessions are expensive, but are on par with other arenas and the quality of food is good.   Extras 3 PNC Arena has hosted the NHL All-Star game, the Stanley Cup, and the NHL amateur draft.   Recently, the Hurricanes have started coming back onto the ice after a win and doing their version of the “Lambeau Leap” by skating down the ice and jumping onto the glass.   The arena has recently added phone-charging stations around the concourse.   Final Thoughts PNC Arena is routinely sold out and offers a great environment to watch NHL hockey.