Photo Courtesy Fresno State Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Pete Beiden Field 1620 East Bulldog Lane Fresno, CA 93740 Fresno State Bulldogs website Pete Beiden Field website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 5,757 Beiden’s Bulldogs The Fresno State Bulldogs of the Mountain West may not be the first team that comes to mind when you think of college baseball tradition, but that doesn’t mean the program isn’t lacking in this category. Pete Beiden Field’s namesake won 600 games over 21 seasons as head coach of the Bulldogs from 1948 to 1969. More recently, the Bulldogs are famous for their improbable run to the 2008 national title from a lowly 4 seed in an NCAA Regional. Basically, this is like a 13 seed or lower winning the NCAA basketball tournament. Overall, the team has over 30 NCAA tournament appearances making them one of the more successful long term baseball programs in D1 baseball. Pete Beiden Field opened in 1966 as Varsity Park, but that name was changed in 1972 to honor the recently retired legendary coach. The stadium seats an impressive 5,757 capacity, although it has never formally reached that attendance. The largest D1 baseball program in the San Joaquin Valley, the Bulldogs only true competition for fans in the area is the AAA minor league Fresno Grizzlies that play at downtown Chukchansi Park . Beiden Field offers a much different experience and feel than its downtown Fresno professional neighbor. Food & Beverage 3 Beiden Field doesn’t necessarily offer the widest food selection in baseball, but the open grill behind home plate fills the concourse with the smell of burgers and brats and adds a great touch to the venue. The best options are the grilled food items that run from $6-$8 and include burgers, brats, chicken sandwiches and hot links. Some of the other specialty items available include pulled pork nachos ($7.50), a bowl of Pardini’s Homemade Chili ($4.50) and Clam Chowder ($4.50). Other menu items include nachos ($6), hot dogs ($4.50), chili dogs ($5.50), soft pretzels ($3.50), pizza slices ($5) or even a whole pizza ($17). A variety of snacks are available too for under $5, including churros and gourmet popcorn. Pepsi products are available for anywhere from $3-$5 depending on size. Gatorade is available for $4 and coffee/hot chocolate is available for $3. There are no alcohol sales at Beiden Field. While the pork nachos are delicious and the clam chowder or chili are tempting, it’s hard to pass up the smells wafting from the grill. A freshly grilled brat or a double cheeseburger are ideal options for the game. Atmosphere 2 There’s nothing particularly intriguing about the atmosphere at Pete Beiden Field, mostly because it’s an older and somewhat bland ballpark with very little in terms of attendance. Short of some of the historical aspects of the park, there’s not a lot special here. The stadium itself is pretty plain in design, with one large grandstand bowl extending from beyond 3rd base around the infield and past 1st base. Because the stadium tends to be generally devoid of fans, seating is pretty cozy. You can definitely stretch out and put your feet up. Unfortunately, this means there’s not much in terms of energy in the park. The field itself looks nice enough, if not a bit thin in terms of grass. The nicest part of the park is the plaques, banners and statues all around honoring Fresno State tradition. Of particular note is the large statue of Pete Beiden on the 3rd base line. Unfortunately, the park seems dirty and old, and even the concourse display of famous players seems largely unkempt. There is very little in terms of promotion going on at a Bulldogs game. Occasional T-shirt tosses and are about as engaged as things get. Outside of the normal music and effects, nothing special happens here. There is no covered seating a Beiden Field, which can be difficult because the Fresno heat can get quite intense. You’ll have plenty of seating options available, as attendance is generally sparse. But most of the seats are pretty similar in view and there’s not really an upside for anywhere in particular. All seats have chairbacks, so this at least is more comfortable than bleachers. Neighborhood 3 Beiden Field is located right on campus in the middle of the Fresno State sports complex. Bulldog Stadium (football) is immediately adjacent and the softball stadium is across the street. The area itself is pretty bland, with streets laid out in a grid pattern filled with strip malls. There’s not a lot to do within immediate walking distance, so expect to drive to the game. There are several popular local restaurants that are worth checking out. Dog House Grill is only a few blocks away and is famous for its California tri-tip, but make sure you arrive early because it’s almost always packed. If you drive north into Clovis you’ll find Sequoia Brewing Company, which offers great craft beers and good food. The Tower District is not particularly far and is home to a variety of trending local bars and restaurants as well. If you’re in town for a long weekend, there’s quite a bit to do within a short drive. Yosemite National Park is a straight shot north and you can be there in a little over an hour. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are about 90 minutes southeast. Fresno is also home to the AAA Fresno Grizzlies, although it’s a pretty tame minor league baseball experience. Most of the local hotels are along Shaw Avenue just two blocks south. The closest option is the University Square Hotel, although it’s not the highest quality option. Just to the east under the Rt 168 bridge you’ll find a Holiday Inn Express and a Hilton Garden Inn, which may suit the picky traveler a bit better. Fans 2 Fresno State is a clear case of the stadium being too big for the fan base. The size of the venue itself makes the ballpark seem even more empty than it actually is. Fresno State actually ranked 42nd in attendance in D1 baseball in 2014. You wouldn’t be able to tell that by visiting the park. In general the stadium feels very empty and is oversized for their small base of loyal fans. The stadium has never truly reached capacity. At Pete Beiden Field you’ll clearly be able to identify the few that are passionate Bulldogs baseball fans, mostly because they will be the only few making any noise. For the most part, the smattering of fans are there to put their feet up and enjoy some ballpark food. It’s largely a quiet crowd with the occasional cheering or heckling of the opposing team. Access 4 Fresno State’s campus lies near a few major routes that cut through Fresno from Rt 99, which is the main corridor in and out of the city. Rt. 41 and Rt. 168 run north on either side of campus and provide quick access in and out of the city. Parking is free and easy and since the stadium is rarely crowded it’s generally pretty easy to get around. With free parking and easy access, there’s no reason to not drive to Beiden Field. Otherwise, a cab may be your best option to get around the city. Parking is free in a large lot just beyond the left field wall with the main entrance beyond 3rd base. It’s rarely crowded, so access to the lot is very simple. Generally, you’ll move in and out of the lot very freely. Baseball tickets cost $10 and can be purchased at the main gate on the 3rd base line from what appears to be a shed. This is the only gate for ticket purchases, so it can be a bit of a choke point at times if there’s any sort of a crowd. Moving around the stadium is generally very easy. There’s not a large crowd and the concourse is wide. Restrooms are located on both the first and third base lines. They aren’t particularly clean, and this is a theme for the park as a whole. In general, the park is a bit dirty and old. Return on Investment 3 While a trip to Pete Beiden Field isn’t particularly expensive, you’re not getting a whole lot back in return. The result? This is all pretty much average. Free parking, a $10 ticket and about average food prices means it’s a pretty cheap night out. This would generally rate higher, but the venue doesn’t really warrant more than that cost. Extras 2 The primary extras you’ll find here are all built around team tradition. The large statue of Pete Beiden, the display of Fresno State greats in the concourse and the championship decals on the outfield wall all remind you that despite the humble surroundings, there’s a relatively rich history to this program. Final Thoughts Fresno State’s baseball program has had some success in the past. Unfortunately, the stadium doesn’t fully live up to expectations. This is one of those teams that would be better served with smaller, shinier venue. It’s a good enough place to kick up your feet and enjoy a game in the less than crowded grandstand, but the amenities and frills just aren’t really here.

Photos by Meg Minard , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Security Service Field 4385 Tutt Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80922 Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 8,500 Looking Back … Looking Ahead Security Service Field (originally known as Sky Sox Stadium) is the highest professional baseball stadium in the U.S. at 6,531 feet above sea level (higher than Coors Field). It sits adjacent to Weidner Stadium where the USL Switchbacks play their soccer matches. The baseball team originated as the Hawaii Islanders in Honolulu, HI; but after that team fell into financial problems, the team moved to Colorado Springs in 1988 and became the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Throughout their existence the team has been the AAA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, and beginning in 2015, the Milwaukee Brewers. The end of the 2018 season brings closure to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox as the team will be moving to San Antonio beginning the 2019 season. The Brewers rookie league team will be relocating from Helena, MT to Colorado Springs the 2019 season and the team name rebranding is currently (summer 2018) under way. Food & Beverage 3 Enticing food and drink options, as well as all the traditional snacks and treats, are available at Security Service Field. The Sky Sox use some local concessionaires to help boost the Colorado Springs economy. Walking in to the stadium entrance, just to the right (first base side) is Zebulon’s Grill providing cheesesteaks, hamburgers, and other grilled favorites ($5 – $9). Specialties at the two other permanent stands include: Buffalo and/chicken tenders w/fries, red hot Chicago and/or chili cheese foot long dog, Wisconsin brat, Pikes Peak nachos, the mighty Colorado nacho plate, and hot and spicy sausages. Prices range from $5.50 to $9 depending on your choice. Snacks include peanuts, candy, churros, soft pretzel, cotton candy, popcorn, kettle corn, fries, etc. and range from $3 to $6.50. Fountain soft drinks are provided by Pepsi ($7) and bottled water is $4.25. Other refreshments include a Papa John’s pizza stand ($8 for a single serving pie), Chilly Willy’s ice cream ($5 – $7 / cash only) and a shaved ice stand. Beer choices at the permanent concession stands are Coors, Coors Light, Blue Moon, Killian’s, Miller Lite, Alaskan Amber, and Colorado Native. A large craft brew cart is down the third base concourse and offers up to eight different brews from local Bristol Brewing Company and Sierra Nevada (a California based brewery). Beers at this stand are $9 (cash only). A local moonshine distillery, 3 Hundred Days of Shine, provides moonshine cocktails (single $6.25 / double $12.50); cash only. Except for sealed soft plastic bottles of water, outside food and drink are not allowed. Atmosphere 3 The concourse runs on top of the seating bowl and spreads from the first baseline to the third baseline. Seating is not available in the outfield areas. Green plastic fold down chairs with cup holders are in the lower level of the seating area (closer to the field). A small pathway separates the upper level. The upper level has metal benches with backs but no cup holders. Both sections provide excellent sights of the game. As with most ballparks nowadays, the net extends down both baselines limiting the viewing pleasure of a ‘net free’ game. A Fun Zone with bounce houses and other kid’s attractions is down the third baseline just above a well-manicured grassy berm seating area. Visiting ballplayers walk across a short part of the concourse and down the third base side steps to get to the dugout, so there may be some autograph opportunities pre or postgame. A set of 18 luxury/club seats are above the press box and behind the home plate area. There is a hot tub down the first baseline that you and up to eleven of your friends can rent for a unique experience at a ball game. All seats (except the luxury/club seats) are in the sun (or other weather elements) and there are no shaded or covered areas except for the cramped concourse behind home plate. Come prepared with clothing layers or sunscreen. Both might be needed the same day. Recommendation: Check the weather before attending the game and always pack sunscreen and at least a long sleeve shirt. The PA announcer does a fine job and the music is even turned down when calling a relief pitcher and a double-switch so those keeping score can record the name properly on their scorecard. More importantly, the music isn’t played too loud and a fan can talk with their neighbor easily – an excellent thing. The scoreboard is viewable from all seats and displays the current score by inning including hits and errors, strikes, balls, and outs. A video board provides the names and current stats of the player at bat for both teams, as well as advertisements and in-game contests. Neighborhood 3 Security Service Field is not in downtown Colorado Springs. It is located in a neighborhood in the northeastern part of the city. The neighborhood has grown vastly over the last several years with more and more shopping and dining available within walking distance of the venue. Two sports bars to check out are Cleats Bar and Grill East (plenty of TVs and bar food) and Rhino’s Sport & Spirits. Both are walking distance from the stadium with Cleats a little closer; though Rhino’s is my preference. Countless chain restaurants are nearby including: On The Border, Egg & I, Pizza Hut, L&L Hawaiian BBQ, Zen Fusion Sushi, Noodle and Company, Rock Bottom, and the list goes on. Several craft breweries have popped up near the stadium. Peaks N Pines (offering a diverse selection of their own tasty brews and a welcoming, friendly environment) is across a field from the ballpark. One can walk across the field to the ballpark during an afternoon game, but I wouldn’t recommend it at night as there are no lights. Nano 108 Brewing is about two miles down Tutt Ave and may also be a good place for a beer pre or postgame. The closest hotel to the stadium is the Holiday Inn Express Colorado Springs – First and Main and is about one mile from the field. It is located near the Cinemark Theater and many shopping centers and restaurants. Several other hotels are near the airport. Although slightly more than five miles away, do visit the Air Force Academy when in town and check out the Visitor’s Center and the Air Force Chapel. It houses three distinct worship areas under a single roof and has been named a U.S. National Historic Landmark. It has received many architectural prizes since its construction in 1962. Note: The Air Force Chapel is expected to close late 2018 for major restoration work. Fans 3 The Sky Sox have generally been in the lower half in attendance in the Pacific Coast League. However, heard amongst the conversations in the stands are statements such as, “That player was the number one pick for the Brewers in 2014,” or “He’s been to Miller Park and is trying to get back there,” or ” Will he go for a bunt or try to hit it out?” So you know the fans attending the games have baseball savvy. Visiting fans are welcomed… it IS a minor league game and it is more about the baseball being played and other social activities than any rivalries within the minor league teams. We’ll have to wait till the 2019 season to see how the fans engage with the new team relocating here. Access 3 This is a mixed bag. There is a bus stop right outside the stadium and it looks like Route 23 – Tutt Blvd via Powers Blvd is the one to take, though be mindful of last pick up times. Most fans drive to the game. Check the Sky Sox website for directions . The directions indicate taking Woodmen Rd off I-25 if coming from the north. I’d recommend taking Interquest Pkwy instead, as it is less congested and has fewer traffic lights. Colorado Springs Airport is only six miles to Security Service Field. Denver International Airport is a bit farther – about an hour and 15 min drive. There are more flights to/from DIA and are probably lower in fare than Colorado Springs. Parking is $5. Be prepared to have a lot of patience when leaving the game from the main lot. I recommend, instead of turning on Tutt St (where the signage indicates to turn), continue straight on Barnes Rd till the next light and make a right. That will take you to the ‘back’ parking lot which is way easier to exit after the game. The signs will say it is season ticket parking but they do allow the general public to park there. Only the one gate is available for fans to enter and exit the stadium which funnels behind the home base area. Even with the smaller crowds, it can get so congested it is treacherous. My recommendation: Stay in your seat during the game or just meander on the concourse above the baseline on which you are sitting and remain in your seat for a bit after the game to avoid the mass exit and the crowds. Hopefully, there will never be the need for a quick evacuation of the stadium. The restrooms, one for each gender, are a bit dated but serve their purpose. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are reasonable for an AAA ball game: lower box ($15), upper level ($12), grass berm ($5). Military, seniors (60+), and kids under 12 get an additional $2 off. Add an additional $2 when purchased the day of the game. Food prices generally range from $5 – $9. Parking is $5. The Sky Sox organization provides a variety of promotions throughout the year: Sunday: 50¢ hot dogs Tuesday: Two for Tuesdays – $2 tickets; $2 parking, $2 Coors/Coors Light Thursday: $3 Microbrew Thursday Friday: Friday Fireworks Saturday: Select themed nights like Star Trek Night, Harry Potter Night, and more With all the promotions and perks, attending a Sky Sox game is well worth the investment. Extras 3 A few extra items are worth noting. Listen to Dan Karcher broadcast the Sky Sox games on AM 1300 or on their website. He calls the game without a lot of unnecessary chatter and provides just the perfect amount of passion. He calls the games with superb expertise. I hope he continues broadcasting when the new team arrives in 2019. Jim Thome is the first Sky Sox player to be inducted in the Hall of Fame. The power hitter played with the Sky Sox during the 1991 and 1992 seasons. A team store, called the Fox Den, offers all kinds of merchandise including clothing, hats, shot glasses, foam fingers, pennants, and just about any other collector’s item. Final Thoughts As part of the final hurrah and Sky Sox campaign, the organization has done a decent job at ‘looking back’ at the history of the Sky Sox with the players wearing different ‘team era’ jerseys each month. The organization is ‘looking ahead’ to a new name and a new league in 2019. Thanks for the memories, Colorado Springs Sky Sox.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Lavietes Pavilion 65 North Harvard St. Boston, MA 02163 Harvard Crimson basketball website Lavietes Pavilion website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 1,636 Old Walls, New Court Lavietes Pavilion is the third oldest building used for basketball among Division One schools. Only Fordham’s Rose Hill Gym and Northeastern’s Matthews Arena are older. It was originally known as the Briggs Center, named for LeBaron Russell Briggs, who served the University in a variety of roles for almost 35 years, and who later served as the president of the NCAA. Lavietes Pavilion is named for Ray and Estelle Lavietes. Ray was a Harvard class of 1936 alumnus and two-year basketball letterman who was a frequent benefactor to the athletic program. His generosity inspired a $2.1 million refurbishing project to the building that was completed in 1995. Additional renovations were completed prior to the 2017-2018 season. The facility was expanded and modernized, with 5,000 square feet added to accommodate a new lobby, ticket offices and locker rooms. A new state of the art scoreboard was added, and repairs were made to the bleachers, the facility’s skylight and roof. These renovations totaled over $15 million. For years the Briggs Center housed Harvard’s indoor track teams. Harvard’s baseball teams used the building as well. Many Red Sox, including Ted Williams, were frequent visitors to the facility’s indoor batting cages and second-floor track. Harvard’s basketball teams played in the Indoor Athletic Building-Now named the Malkin Athletic Center-until the construction of the Gordon Track and Tennis Center in 1981. The Crimson team has made five NCAA tournament appearances in their history, including a streak of four in a row from 2012-2015. The team made it all the way to the elite eight in their other lone appearance in 1946. Four Harvard alumni have played in the NBA. Food & Beverage 3 There is a single concession stand under the east bleachers which offers a pretty basic menu. Hot dogs, nachos and assorted snack items comprise the entire menu. As you might imagine, with only one stand in the arena, lines can and do form at halftime. Plan your trip accordingly. On the plus side, no item here costs more than six dollars. Coca-Cola products are featured at Laveites Pavilion. While no alcoholic beverages are sold here, The Crimson Pub, located next door to the gym at Dillon Hall is open before and after selected games, as well as during halftime if you feel like running next door for a quick drink during the break. A small pub menu and mixed drinks are sold here in a relaxed atmosphere. Season ticket holders can enjoy a pregame or halftime spread in the Lavietes Lounge, which overlooks both the court and the Charles River. In addition to special food items, this is the only place in the building where you can purchase an alcoholic beverage. Sorry folks, season ticket holders only may access the lounge. Atmosphere 3 Anyone who is familiar with Ivy League sports, or basketball in general in the northeast, can verify that the atmosphere at the games is much more laid-back than in other parts of the country. Lavietes Pavilion is no exception to this rule. If you haven’t visited Lavietes in a while, you will undoubtedly be impressed by the recent renovations which modernized and brightened the arena but kept its intimate feel. The large videoboard which hangs at center court is put to good use with graphics, replays and crowd shots. Game stats are displayed on the front of the press tables. The sound system is sufficient for this small gym, although the PA is a bit muddled. While there doesn’t seem to be a dedicated student section at Lavietes Pavilion, there is plenty going on to keep fans interested in the game. Contests are held during play stoppages; youth teams take the court at halftime and t-shirts are tossed into the crowd throughout the game. Fans can even enjoy discounts on select items in the Coop store in the lobby. Neighborhood 5 While walking around Boston in the middle of winter might not be many people’s idea of a fun way to spend an afternoon, the area around Harvard University is one of the more popular tourist attractions in the city. An ideal place for shopping, dining, or people watching, Harvard Square attracts visitors from all over the world. Before or after a game at Lavietes Pavilion, take a walk across the Anderson Memorial Bridge, which spans the Charles River, and explore Harvard Square. For those wishing to bask in the history, architecture, and aura of Harvard, this is the place for you. Take a walking tour of the campus if you are so inclined and take a picture in front of the statue of John Harvard, as thousands of others have done. Remember to rub his shiny shoe, it is rumored to bring good luck. Visiting fans looking for places to eat pre- or post-game will find no shortage of choices. Tommy Doyle’s Irish Pub is a popular stop. Mr. Bartley’s Burgers is a favorite of the student body, and Russell House Tavern boasts an impressive array of microbrews. If you are in the mood for something a little bit more exotic, the area surrounding the university contains a seemingly endless variety of culinary options. Surprisingly, for an area with so many colleges around, there aren’t a great number of places to stay in the immediate vicinity of the Athletic Complex, so look towards downtown Boston or Cambridge for lodging. Cheaper hotel rooms can be found in the suburbs. Fans 3 Harvard averages just over 1,500 fans per game at Lavietes Pavilion, which puts them right around the Ivy League average. Traditional rivalries against other Ivy League teams are generally better attended. Even though fans will usually have no problem finding tickets, given the small size of Lavietes, purchasing tickets in advance is advised. As you may expect at an Ivy League gym, this is not a rowdy crowd. Make no mistake, fans here are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, but they approach the game in a more reserved manner, as you might expect at a place like Harvard. Access 3 While Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Lavietes Pavilion is located on the other side of the Charles River in the Allston section of Boston. Also located here are most of Harvard’s other athletic facilities, including Harvard Stadium , Bright-Landry Hockey Center , Jordan Field and O’Donnell Field . There is ample parking mixed in between the many buildings in the complex and you may end up walking a little bit to get to the basketball game. It’s not unusual for several events to be going on simultaneously, as the Athletic Complex is perpetually busy. Boston can be a difficult city to drive in, and if coming to Lavietes Pavilion on a weekday, expect to fight the legendary Boston traffic. The Harvard Athletic Complex is accessible via Storrow Drive or the Mass Pike if driving to the game. Detailed driving directions can be found here . A much more efficient method of transportation in Boston is the subway, or “T”, as it is called locally. The Harvard Station Red Line MBTA stop is a 10-minute walk from Lavietes Pavilion across the Charles River. In addition, the 66 and 86 Bus routes stop on North Harvard Street, directly in front of the Athletic Complex. Complete schedules can be found here . Fans will enter Lavietes Pavilion through the new, expanded lobby. There is a small team store to your left. Fans with seats in sections 1-3 will head left through the lobby and fans with seats in sections 4-6 will head to the right. Seating consists of wooden bleachers without backs located closer to the court, with individual stadium seats located at the top of the seating area. There is no seating on either end of the gym. With Lavietes Pavilion’s small capacity, you will enjoy a great view no matter where you are sitting. Return on Investment 3 The laws of supply and demand are in full force at Harvard. The Crimson utilize variable pricing for their games at Lavietes Pavilion, separating their games into non-conference, conference and premium (Yale, Penn, Princeton and UMass) games. Bleacher seats cost $15/$25/$30 and chairback seats cost $20/$30/$35. Parking in the Harvard Athletic Complex can be challenging when several events are scheduled at the same time. There are parking lots on the complex which are open to the public but be aware of signage when you park. Some spots are reserved for those with permits, while others appear to be available at no charge. Other spots are metered at the rate of $1.50 per hour. Feeding a meter for a Harvard basketball game will cost no more than $6.00. Extras 2 An extra point is awarded for the renovations that modernized the facility while preserving its old-school charms. Banners hang on either end of the court at Lavietes Pavilion honoring Crimson conference titles and tournament appearances. At Harvard, an Ivy League title is apparently more important than an NCAA tournament appearance, as the men’s team’s seven Ivy titles each get their own banner, while the squad’s five tourney bid share a flag. Final Thoughts Former Crimson women’s basketball coach Kathy Delaney Smith once said “you don’t choose Harvard for the facilities,” but in Lavietes Pavilion, Harvard has one of the better small home courts in the Northeast. Plans to replace the aging facility were abandoned for a substantial renovation, which has resulted in a cozy gym which blends Ivy League tradition with modern amenities worthy of any Stadium Journey. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photo courtesy of Old Dominion Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Kornblau Field at S. B. Ballard Stadium 5115 Hampton Blvd Norfolk, VA 23529 Old Dominion Monarchs website Kornblau Field at S. B. Ballard Stadium website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 21,944 The Dominion is Back The naming of this stadium is a bit confusing. The historic former Foreman Field sat on this spot until the 2018-2019 remodeling and reconstruction, with the S.B. Ballard Stadium designation being added back in 2008. The newer remodeling and rebuild brought in the Kornblau Field name after alumnus Barry Kornblau and his $3 million donations. Old Dominion played their final game in Foreman Field's original form on November 17, 2018, against Virginia Military Institute. The $67.5 million stadium reconstruction project began with the demolition of the old grandstands on November 19, 2018, and was back open in 2019. The stadium is far older than the football team. Opened in 1936 it was the home to the Norfolk Division of William & Mary University, the original name for ODU. The team only lasted a few years under the name Braves and ended up having their program canceled in 1941. The stadium also served as the home stadium for the Norfolk State University football program throughout the 1980s and 1990s and hosted the annual Oyster Bowl game from 1946 to 1995, featuring numerous major college football teams. The Virginia Ambassadors of the World Football League were to play their games at Foreman Field in 1974 before the franchise was sold and moved to Orlando. Old Dominion University (ODU) has only had a football team since 2009 but has shown that theirs is a program on the rise. For the first two seasons, the Monarchs were an independent in the Football Championship Subdivision and then moved to the Colonial Athletic Association in 2011. In 2013 they jumped up to the Football Bowl Subdivision once again as an independent team. Finally, in 2014 the team joined up with Conference USA. Food & Beverage 4 There are many great food options at ODU football games. There are the normal permanent concession stands located on the east and west sides of the stadium, as well as some other temporary stands. The usual food offerings of hot dogs, hamburgers, and nachos are found in abundance here, and at decent prices. The main issue is that the concession stands seem to not be able to handle the large crowds. There is a chance this is a Covid related and/or general 2021 staffing issue. Atmosphere 4 Monarch football games are quite the party. It starts with the impressive tailgating around the parking areas. The fan base at ODU does not seem like one that has only had a team for such a short time. Some schools have existed for over a century that wish they had the atmosphere seen here in Norfolk. The party doesn't end at game time. The fans fill the stadium and are engaged throughout the game. This is a highly knowledgeable crowd. The new east and west stands are quite different from the older historic stands. Those were some interesting seating sections but their functionality was true of the past. The new seating structure does seem to use a lot of stairs and multi-level aspects to accommodate the needs of a modern stadium into the space limitations of the old stadium. It is not confusing, but it does make an interesting visit. The massive south end zone structure was built for the 2009 rebirth of the football program. This is where party suites and other high-end seating options are located. I did notice that fans in this area are less involved with the overall game action. There is a good marching band and cheerleaders that add to the atmosphere. Students sit in the north end zone. The field is very close to the seating areas. This provides a better view for the fans and makes the stadium quite loud. Neighborhood 3 Old Dominion University is located in the northern part of Norfolk. This means it is far from the downtown area. Luckily many newer food stores and restaurants are popping up east of the university. Mojo Bones, Raising Cane, and Perfectly Frank are a few of the good options in that area. While not directly accessible by walking, downtown Norfolk and the Ghent neighborhoods are only a few minutes away by car and are worth a visit. Ghent is a historic walkable neighborhood containing many restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and antique stores. Downtown Norfolk is gentrifying and is worth a stop. Check out the Selden Market, an artist market at 116 Granby Street. Also, downtown Norfolk may be the only city where you see a battleship (USS Wisconsin) docked right next to the downtown buildings. There is a SpringHill Suites by Marriott on Hampton Boulevard also near the campus. That is an ideal location if staying for the game. The Hampton Roads area is also a large and interesting "neighborhood." Virginia Beach to the east is a major tourist and beach destination, while Williamsburg to the west is full of colonial history, as well as the Busch Garden amusement park. Fans will find the area is larger and more populated than it is widely known. Since it is made up of numerous medium-size cities the overall size is less recognized. Fans 5 Not enough can be said about the Old Dominion University fans. They sell out every game and it is hard to tell this is a relatively new program. Once again, the tailgate atmosphere is pretty amazing. Most schools would love to have an atmosphere and fans like they have at ODU. Access 4 Since the university is located way from downtown the access is fairly good. There are major highways close to ODU: access can be had via I-64/I-664 (Hampton Roads Beltway). The I-564 exit provides quick access to Hampton Boulevard which runs right in front of the stadium and front entrance to ODU. Parking is generally free unless you pay for premium parking or are a member of the athletic foundation. The garage on the corner of Hampton Boulevard and 43rd Street as well as another garage between 45th and 46th off of Hampton Boulevard are a couple of good options. Return on Investment 4 Every game is sold out so fans should plan. The prices, when available, are of a good value. The price levels do depend on the opponent. Expect Conference USA teams to cost more and be much harder to gain access. After-market tickets are expensive. There just are not too many sellers. People go to the games. With the free parking, Monarchs football is a great value. Extras 3 The fans are the best extra. They create a lively atmosphere that makes it fun to be a part of. Although there is not a large amount of history with the Old Dominion football program, the stadium itself holds quite a bit of history, even in its newer modern construction. Banners and signs displaying the great players who played games in this stadium are located on the back of the grandstands. The many Oyster Bowls means that some of the greatest players in college football history played on this field. Final Thoughts S. B. Ballard Stadium is a lively college football stadium that provides for a great place to watch an up-and-coming mid-major program.

Photos by Gregory Koch , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Burr Gymnasium 2400 6th St NW Washington, DC 20059 Howard Bison website Burr Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 2,700 Basketball at the Burr Burr Gymnasium is located on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. and is home to the school’s men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams. The arena opened in 1963, seven years before the Bison joined the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) as a charter member. Howard University is a private, historically black university (HBCU) in Washington, D.C. The school has over 70 undergraduate programs. The main campus is located in northwest Washington, D. C. Howard University is considered the “Mecca” because it is one of the elite HBCUs. The Howard Bison compete in the NCAA’s Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and are members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The school sponsors teams in eight men’s and eleven women’s sports. The school’s nickname is the Bison and recently they changed the logo so that it no longer used the copyright of the Buffalo Bills. Although “The Burr” is a small arena, at just 2,700 seats, and Howard is much less-known than other regional teams such as Georgetown and Maryland, a visit to Howard is an experience not to be missed for any college basketball fan on a trip to the nation’s capital. Food & Beverage 3 .There are two places to buy concessions at Burr Gymnasium, one on each side of the bleachers. A window on one side offers a basic menu - sausages ($8) and hot dogs ($5) are the only meal options, but you can also buy jumbo pretzels, popcorn, candy, chips, and drinks here. On the other side of the concourse, you will find a table operated by a local restaurant. This offers a more extensive menu, with items like shrimp, chicken, and fried fish for around $10 each, or $2 extra if you want fries. Cheeseburgers and hot dogs are also available here, as are homemade lemonade and fruit punch (many fans prefer a 50/50 mixture between the two which is available despite not being listed on the menu.) The lines here do move slowly so we recommend purchasing your food before the game if possible. Atmosphere 5 Walking into Burr Gymnasium will put you in a small lobby, which will take you to a concourse covered in murals honoring Howard athletics. This isn't some generic arena - it really feels like the home of the Bison. The nice thing about an arena as small as this one is that there are truly no bad seats. Every seat is within a dozen or so rows of the court, so you’ll always be close to the action even up top. All seats in the arena are chair backs and are reasonably comfortable. This is always a plus as some smaller venues have bleachers which can be uncomfortable to sit in for two hours. Two new videoboards were recently installed, one on either end of the court, and they also show player stats. For most games, the Howard band will be in the arena playing music before and during the game. As they play, they will dance along to their own music, as will the cheerleaders, dance team, and the fans. There may be few early-season games where the band is not present, but when they are here, there is a raucous atmosphere from start to finish. Although the Howard band is better known for their performances at football games, they really add to the atmosphere for basketball as well. Howard Bison band, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 5 Howard University is located amidst a number of historically African American neighborhoods in Washington. Shaw, U Street, and Columbia Heights, each of which have their own history in the African American community, surround the college. Ben’s Chili Bowl, located about a 20-minute walk away in the U Street neighborhood, is not just an outstanding restaurant but a historic landmark as well. The chili, hot dogs, half smokes, and burgers are renowned throughout the area, but keep in mind there is often a long line to order due to the popularity. And, of course, you’re in Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, and there’s plenty to do throughout the city. The best part is that most of it’s free. Whether it’s taking in the many monuments on the National Mall or visiting one of the numerous museums, there is so much you can do here. All government-run attractions are free to the public, but some of the privately-run ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the White House or Capitol, you will need to book that in advance. Fans 4 Although some early season games are sparsely attended, once the MEAC season gets going, Bison fans will pack the Burr. Many games are sold out or nearly so, with almost every seat in the building filled and some fans forced to sit in the aisles because there is no place else to go. They cheer for the Bison throughout the game and it can get very loud in here at times. The small arena traps the sound in and it can feel every bit as loud as a power conference arena despite having a much lower capacity. As noted above, the fans love to dance along with the band's music and they serve to enhance each other. It is not uncommon to see groups of fans spontaneously break out into elaborate dance routines during breaks in the action. The experience with the crowd will vary widely depending on the game, but for a contest against a conference opponent after football season ends, it will usually be something special. However, this rating gets knocked down a star because it can be quite different for early-season games. Access 3 Howard University is in a tricky spot to get to. It’s just far enough from the heart of downtown that it isn’t easily accessible via public transportation, and just close enough that it’s hard to drive there. The closest Metro stops are Shaw and Columbia Heights, but each is about a 20-minute walk away. You can try parking on Gresham Place or one of the other side streets near the arena, but this may not be possible or even permissible depending on the time of day and day of the week. Be sure to obey all posted street signs, as the police will give you a ticket or even tow you if you don’t. Websites like SpotHero may help you find a guaranteed place to park, but this may cost $50 or more, depending on the day. It will, however, be significantly less expensive on weekends most likely, closer to $10 or $20. There is a lot right next to the arena, but it is for permit holders only. Depending on how far away you are coming from, your best option may be to take a rideshare like an Uber or Lyft, which has the benefit of letting you off right outside the arena. This may not even cost much more than parking, although it will be far more expensive than taking public transit. Return on Investment 3 For a typical MEAC doubleheader, tickets are $20 each for general admission, although this will get you into both the men's game and the women's game before it. Most non-conference games are not doubleheaders and may have different ticket prices. Concessions are reasonably affordable, but getting to the arena, whether by paying for parking or taking a rideshare, may cost more than everything else combined so that does take this rating down a bit. Extras 4 The Hoard band deserves extra recognition, as they really contribute to the atmosphere when they are here. So do the jerseys of notable past players hanging from the rafters, which go several rows deep. One more star for the several murals dedicated to Howard athletics throughout the concourse. And one last bonus star for the fact that most home games are doubleheaders, allowing you to get two games for the price of one. Howard Bison Mural, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts Although Howard doesn’t get the recognition or media coverage that Maryland and Georgetown do, Burr Gymnasium is a great venue to watch a basketball game. Be sure to visit when the band is here as it is a much better experience with them present than without them. Therefore, we suggest visiting either for a MEAC game or for the annual Martin Luther King Day game against a non-conference opponent, as the band is typically there for those. Throw in the possibility to see two games for the price of one and it can make for a full day of hoops in an intimate setting.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 A. L. May Stadium at George Sekul Field 1020 24th St N Birmingham, AL 35203 Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College website A. L. May Stadium at George Sekul Field website Year Opened: 1948 Capacity: 5,000 Gulf Coast: Where Champions Play Junior college football is a huge deal in Mississippi. As one of 17 states that currently host JUCO football, Mississippi is one of the stronger pipelines in the country for pumping out junior college players to four-year universities. This is a big reason why Mississippi ranks in the top 5 of players per capita playing in the NFL than any other state. One of the more storied JUCO programs in the country is Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College – MGCCC is one of 14 schools in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges (MACCC) for football. Located in the tiny red-light town of Perkinston, aka Perk, the Bulldogs have become a football powerhouse in recent years; since their first year of football in 1926 the Bulldogs have won 16 MACCC titles. In addition, MGCCC has won five NJCAA National Championships (1948, 1971, 1984, 2007, and 2019), and the Bulldogs have made its conference playoffs over 25 times. MGCCC originally opened as Harrison County Agricultural School in 1911 and began offering junior college classes in 1925, changing its name to Perkinston Junior College. Today the college has four campuses throughout the Gulf Coast with a total enrollment of 8,700 students, making it the second-largest junior college in the state. Food & Beverage 2 You can find one concession stand open on the home side of the stadium. The usual items are sold here, although they do cook the burgers and hot dogs fresh off the grill, which is always a plus. The concessions line does back up from time to time, especially during halftime. The one downside is if you sit on the away side you will have to walk all the way around to the other side just to get something to eat. Also, there are no restaurants in Perk so your only option for food is at the stadium. Atmosphere 3 As soon as you arrive you will realize that game day in Perk is the only show in town. The whole town is the entire campus, so when there are athletic events on campus it is the only form of entertainment in the city. The Bulldogs play on the north side of campus at Historic A. L. May Stadium at George Sekul Field – the venue currently holds 5,000 seats and was opened in 1949 as Perkinston Stadium. The field faces east and west with the home bleachers on the north side and the end zones open. The entire stadium is metal bleachers except for the couple hundred chairback seats near the 50-yard line. The stadium has received several upgrades over the years, the most recent addition in 2016 with the opening of the King Center, a state-of-the-art, three-story brick structure that was built into the north side bleachers. The King Center provides athletic offices and team locker rooms and is one of the finest facilities in the MGCCC. There is also a season ticket holder and Bulldog Club lounge area on the top floor of the King Center overlooking the field. The college also upgraded its home concourse in 2016. As soon as you walk up to the facility you are greeted by different murals of past players and national championship moments. You can tell just by walking around the concourse that the school takes great pride in its achievements; blue and gold color schemes and murals everywhere you look. A small team store is also on this side of the concourse selling a few t-shirts, but you cannot walk into the store – you have to order your items at the window. Once in the stadium, you are greeted by about 25 rows of metal bleachers on both the home and away sides. The stadium has about 5,000 seats, with about the same number on both the home and away sides. Behind the end zone on the west side you can find various tents with a few people tailgating, as well as student organizations set up, while behind the east end zone, a huge videoboard sits in the southeast corner providing live video and replays. The video board was installed in 2016 when the King Center was built. The backdrop of the stadium is a few campus buildings, but off in the distance, you can see miles and miles of woods. If you go to the top of the stadium you can get a good view of the pine forests that make up so much of Stone County, which makes for a great view especially when the sun is going down. Neighborhood 2 There's not much to see here – this area's thousands of acres of undeveloped pine forests made it ideal for the lumber and timber industry, and at one time this area was filled with hundreds of sawmills. Perk was built right on the railroad and was an important stop for the transportation of goods to the coast. When the mills depleted their resources and used up most of the timber, however, the mills shut down and people vacated the little communities along the railroad, Perk included. Today there is nothing in Perk besides the campus; abandoned homes and an abandoned general store line the main thoroughfare along the railroad as you approach the campus. It is a ghost town now around campus, except for an elementary school and post office that are located on campus. Fortunately, with much of the land under protection now, this has led to many outdoor activities around the area. Perk is located inside DeSoto National Forrest, and the forest offers many hiking trails nearby, the most popular one being Tuxachanie National Hiking Trail a few miles south of campus. This trail is 13 miles along an abandoned railroad, which once served as a sawmill. Also nearby is the POW Recreation Area, a campground located on the grounds of an abandoned World War II bunker and barracks. Across the street from campus is perhaps the most famous spot in Perk called Perk Beach – an RV park located on the Black Creek makes for a great swimming hole, and you will find many students out here on the weekends going off the rope swing and floating on the river. About 15 minutes up the road is Wiggins where you can find a few fast-food restaurants and chain stores. There isn't much to do in Wiggins, though, so don't expect too much. Wiggins does have Flint Creek Water Park, a popular camping area right on a lake, and Paul B. Johnson State Park is located nearby as well. Further up the road, you have Camp Shelby Army Base, which has a pretty cool Armed Forces Museum. For hotels, you'll find a few smaller chain hotels in Wiggins as well, but Hattiesburg and Gulfport are your most likely bets for any big hotels or if you want to do any shopping. Both cities are about 45 minutes away, with Perk located right in the middle of the two. Fans 4 Mississippians love college football, and Thursday nights in Perk are no exception. You'll find fans tailgating throughout campus before the game, including behind the end zone. Former Head Coach Steve Campbell established a passionate fan base during the ten years he was here – when he took over the program in 2004 the Bulldogs had had only three winning seasons in the past 15 years. Campbell later moved on to Central Arkansas and South Alabama, but he helped establish a winning tradition that carried over to his son Steve Campbell Jr., who is the current Athletic Director. Now, after winning two national championships in the past 15 years and being a national powerhouse year in and year out, there is a passionate fanbase at MGCCC. In the stadium, Bulldog fans pack out A.L. May Stadium, so much so that almost every game is a sellout or close to a sellout. Many of the hardcore MGCCC fans and Bulldog Club members can be seen sitting in the chairbacks on the 50-yard line and in the lounge area at the top of the King Center. Access 4 Perk is located halfway between Hattiesburg and the coast, conveniently located right off Highway 49, the main road from the coast to Jackson. Perk is about 40 minutes north of Gulfport and 40 minutes south of Hattiesburg. You can't help but see the campus as you drive on Highway 49, with A.L. May Stadium located in the back of the campus attached to MGCCC’s baseball field. There is plenty of parking around the stadium so you should have no problem finding a spot. Once inside, the concourse can back up at the concessions stand, especially during halftime. The bookstore line and the concessions line also often intersect each other which can be confusing. Return on Investment 3 General admission tickets cost $10, and you can sit anywhere you want in the grandstand, except for the chairbacks which are reserved for season ticket holders and Bulldog Club members. With the cheap concessions and free parking, I consider this a great return on investment; for $10 you get to see some of the best JUCO football players in the Country. The MACCC can be considered the SEC of junior college football, as the conference has accounted for 17 NJCAA national titles since 1948. Make sure you get your tickets in advance though – when rivals East Mississippi or Pearl River come to town, expect a sellout. You also know you are getting an exciting game at every contest you are at; the 2009 East Mississippi vs. MGCCC game set the record for the most combined points ever scored in a JUCO game, at 146 points, as the Bulldogs lost 75-71. Extras 4 As one of the top JUCO programs in the country, MGCCC has had a ton of talent go on to four-year schools and the NFL. Since 2006 over 150 players have gone to play at FBS schools, and over 30 players have played in the NFL or CFL, including three players currently playing in the NFL as of the 2023 season. MGCCC also has one player in the NJCAA Football Hall of Fame; DT Terrance Cody, who played for the 2006-2007 team and later played for Alabama. MGCCC also has 3 coaches enshrined in the NJCAA Hall of Fame – George Sekul, J.C. Arban, and Steve Campbell. Sekul coached the Bulldogs from 1966-1991, and his 204 wins during that period rank highest all-time among Mississippi JUCO coaches. Sekul also gives his namesake to the field at A.L. May Stadium, and he is also in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame with Ed Khayat, a former MGCCC defensive end who had a ten-year stint in the NFL, and was later head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Some of the other notable alumni of MGCCC include astronaut Fred Haise, who was on board the famous Apollo 13 and was played by actor Bill Paxton in the 1995 movie, as well as Olympic gold medalist Brittany Reese and former MLB All-Star with the Twins Matt Lawton. Some extras for all the big games A.L. May Stadium has hosted over the years – in addition to the Bulldogs the stadium also hosted the 2016 and 2017 Mississippi Bowl, which is one of the bowl games for JUCO football. The 2017 Mississippi Bowl was for the NJCAA National Championship, in which East Mississippi Community College defeated Arizona Western College. A.L. May Stadium is also the home field for Stone High School in nearby Wiggins. The Tomcats have used A.L. May Stadium since its opening, and have won 11 district championships. The final extra is for the five national championships; all five are memorialized with a plaque outside the King Center. The plaque includes the roster of all the players and the 2007 national championship including several players who later played in the NFL including Tramain Brock of the San Francisco 49ers, Terrance Cody from the Baltimore Ravens, and future All-SEC linebacker from New England Patriots and Super Bowl champion, Chris White.

The College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta recently introduced a new permanent exhibit featuring the important roles Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played in the field of college football. “Celebrating HBCUs” tells the story of HBCU football through videos, collections of memorabilia, and stories told by the coaches and key players at the various HBCU institutions. One exhibit features the biographies of some of the HBCU’s greatest coaches, including Eddie Robinson, Billy Joe, Jake Gaither, John Merritt, and Rod Broadway. A separate module looks at some of the top players to come out of HBCU programs and the impact they made at the NFL level. These players are a who’s who of NFL Hall of Famers, including Walter Payton, Jerry Rice, Doug Williams, Buck Buchanan, Ken Houston, and Art Shell. The Gameday Experience exhibit explores the many great traditions, rivalries, and marching bands that make HBCU Saturdays so unique. Interactive panels feature the profiles of the four athletic conferences (SIAC, CIAA, MEAC, and SWAC) that comprise the HBCU world. It explores the power teams, players, and coaches in each conference and looks at the championship teams that each conference has produced. HBCU football has also played a significant role in leading the fight against racial injustice. There is an in-depth exhibit about the Wyoming 14, a group of Black players at the University of Wyoming, who protested the school policies of an opponent, which barred Black people from the priesthood. They stood their ground, resulting in their being cut from the team and being harassed by the leadership at their school. They stood by their principles, and eventually they were able to get the policy of blocking Black people from serving as priests was changed. Unfortunately, the players were never reinstated. However, their actions inspired many other college teams to get involved in social justice issues during the civil rights era. Visitors to “Celebrating HBCU’s” will also see the Celebration Bowl trophy. which is awarded to the winning team in the annual contest between the champions of the MEAC and SWAC conferences. The Celebration Bowl is widely regarded as the Black College National Championship Game. “Celebrating HBCU’s” is a long overdue salute to an important segment of college football. For more information on the new exhibit, go to www.cfbhall.com  .

Photos by Gregory Koch Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Atlantic Union Bank Center 645 University Blvd Harrisonburg, VA 22801 James Madison Dukes website Atlantic Union Bank Center website Year Opened: 2020 Capacity: 8,500 The Hoops of J-M-U Opened in 2020, the Atlantic Union Bank Center is the new home of James Madison University basketball. For almost 40 years, the Dukes called the JMU Convocation Center home, but the arena was becoming outdated and showing its age. In 2020, the Dukes moved into the new arena, and although they were unable to have any real crowds that year due to COVID-19, when the fans did return in 2021, they came to a shining new facility that was one of the best in the conference and the mid-Atlantic region. Food & Beverage 3 The Atlantic Union Bank Center has a pretty standard selection of concessions. Burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, and pizza are all available, as are soda, water, candy, and chips. Alcohol is available to those fans of drinking age. Just be sure to pick up a wristband first. Prices are fairly reasonable - bottled water is $5 but you can get a cup for just a dollar. Meal options will cost around $8, and alcohol is inflated as usual. Atmosphere 5 The fun at a JMU game starts before the game even tips off. About 15 minutes before tip-off, the lights will go down in the building, spotlights will illuminate the court, and the costumed mascot Duke Dog will run out onto the court, followed by cheerleaders waving flags spelling out "DUKES" and the JMU basketball team itself. The lights will come on momentarily for the team to warm up as the band pumps up the crowd with the school fight song and "Start Wearing Purple", a song by punk band Gogol Bordello that is frequently played at JMU athletic events due to the fact that purple is a school color. The lights will go back down again as the court is lit up in red, white, and blue for the national anthem before the players are introduced. As the visiting team players are announced, the band will shout "Who's that? Who cares?" after each player. Then, spotlights again light up the court while the Dukes are announced. Once the game actually starts, more gold lights flash in the stands after each Dukes bucket, although it is done in such a way to not mess up visibility for fans or players on the court. The band keeps the crowd energized throughout the game, as do the PA announcer and on-court host during breaks in the action. The Atlantic Union Bank Center is filled with JMU murals, signs, and painted glass depicting athletic accomplishments in the school. From the concourse that encircles the seating bowl, you can either walk up steps to your seats if you are seated in the upper (200) level or down into the main seating bowl if that is where you are sitting. A large videoboard hangs over center court, and smaller boards in each of the corners show variable signage including player and team statistics, out of town scores, and advertisements. All seats are chairbacks except some bench seats behind one basket where the students sit and all, even in the upper level of the arena, provide an excellent view of the action on the court. Neighborhood 4 Harrisonburg is a beautiful college town nestled in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Although it is not large, there is a lot to do here. Macado’s is a regional restaurant chain with several locations in the Valley and surrounding area, including one right here in Harrisonburg. They are known for their burgers, wings, and delicious hot sandwiches, as well as their large collection of local sports memorabilia. The Magpie Diner on West Gay Street is open for breakfast and lunch and is a local favorite. There are several hotels in the area long Route 33, including a Doubletree, a Clarion, and a Candlewood Suites. . Fans 4 Although James Madison will rarely sell out the whole arena, they routinely draw about 6,000 fans a game to an 8,500 seat arena. Many of the fans are loyal season ticket holders who come to every game, are deeply passionate about the team, and have been following them for years. The student section is also raucous, spurred on by the band and frequent giveaways and promotions encouraging them to show up and cheer on the Dukes. It can get incredibly loud in here when the crowd erupts following a big JMU basket. Expect fans to take heed from the song, show up decked out in purple, and cheer on the Dukes for the entire game. Access 3 The campus of James Madison University is located just off interstate 81. There are several exits which will ultimately get you where you're going - although the sign on the highway says to use Exit 245 to access the JMU campus, Exit 243 actually works better in most cases/ However, it is not a huge enough difference to worry about it too much. However you get on campus, free parking is available in the Ballard Parking Deck, and in surrounding lots once that fills up, which it will. We suggest arriving early to park close by. Note that a clear bag policy is in effect, which does take this rating down a notch due to the inconvenience. Once you make it into the arena, the concourses are more than wide enough to allow room to get around and the restrooms are of a sufficient size for even the largest crowds. The slope of the seating areas is quite steep, which makes even those in the upper rows feel like they are on top of the action, but the tradeoff is that making the climb up to the top of the arena can be challenging. The seating areas are also not very well lit (except for when they flash the gold lights after baskets) although you should still be able to see where you're going. Return on Investment 4 The exact ticket prices will depend on the game, with weekend games often costing a couple dollars more, but tickets will typically start at around $16 for upper level seats. Most lower-level seats are about $25, but club-seats will cost you almost twice that. These are not any better than the sideline seats on the opposite end of the court but do get you into the exclusive club area if that is something that interests you. Concessions are a bit expensive but not unreasonable, and parking is free, which is always a nice plus. All in all, a trip to the Atlantic Union Bank Center is a good value for a basketball game. . Extras 4 :One bonus star here for the murals and other displays honoring JMU athletics. There are free programs available at a table by the entrance. A third star for the pregame display. Make sure you are in your seat early to see the light show, the band, and the impressive player introductions. A fourth and final star for the Duke Dog statue outside the arena, which is a popular photo location. Final Thoughts Although the old Convocation Center had its charm, it was clearly an outdated facility. The Atlantic Union Bank Center is a much more modern arena with more amenities and still manages to bring the same energy that there was in the Convo. If you go to a James Madison game, expect a top-notch fan experience from the time you walk into the arena and see all the displays, to the pregame displays, to the game itself as rowdy Dukes fans attempt to cheer on their team to victory. Although this is still a new arena, it is poised to be a top-notch home for JMU basketball for years to come.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 NOLA Motorsports Park 11075 Nicolle Blvd Avondale, LA 70094 SpeedTour Weekend website NOLA Motorsports Park website Year Opened:  2011 Racing in The Big Easy Touted as an un-tapped motorsports market for years, NOLA Motorsports Park is located outside of New Orleans near TPC Louisiana in Avondale. The one-time host of IndyCar racing has seen the likes of SRO America and others come and go over the years. However, the SVRA and Trans Am SpeedTour weekend has quietly become a staple on the schedule, giving fans something to help their racecar cravings.   Food & Beverage   2 There aren’t any fixed locations for concessions stands at NOLA Motorsports Park, which means fans must rely on outside vendors who are brought in via food trucks and temporary food stations. Mostly located near the main event center building, fans can often find local food trucks here, as well as some grilled meat food vendors. Local restaurants are also brought in from time to time.   Atmosphere   3 The track itself is challenging enough to drive, according to drivers. The unfortunate part is the massive lack of fan access. The only seating is a group of small grandstands that exist behind pit lane, allowing for a view of the finish line and the small section of the esses across the track. Fans also have access to the second floor balcony of the event center, unless it has been reserved for hospitality. Here, you can get an elevated view of the final few corners. A small portion of the back half of the property is also usually open to fans, with a few viewing mounds available for fans to pitch tents or set up chairs; this offers alternate views of the final few corners. However, no fan access is permitted for over half of the entire outside of the circuit, meaning watching anything that happens elsewhere at the track is near impossible. Future plans have been touted for added viewing mounds, a walking path that encircles the track, and more grandstands, but little to no progress has been made since that was announced several years ago.   Neighborhood   3 The track itself is a good 15-20 minute drive from New Orleans proper. Located across the river and to the southwest of the city, not much is located immediately next to the track. The nearest section of hotels and restaurants is several miles north near the Huey P. Long Bridge in Jefferson and Elmwood. That said, there are plenty of things to do in New Orleans, from the vibrant jazz scene to the National WWII Museum. Hotels are also plentiful in the city, and thankfully, traffic is minimal compared to rush hour in larger metropolises.   Fans   3 The fans in New Orleans have very little when it comes to motorsports to satisfy their cravings throughout the year. Abandoned by IndyCar after just one year, the track sits mostly unused by professional motorsports series aside from testing. Therefore, SpeedTour weekend is without a doubt the biggest weekend of the year for NOLA Motorsports Park, and features numerous fan activities. Autograph sessions for F4 and FR drivers are held throughout the weekend, giving you a chance to meet some of the brightest future stars of open-wheel racing. Trans Am also offers fans the chance to get up close to the drivers and cars during their grid walk on race day. And with the paddock open to all fans, you can see some of the best vintage cars in racing while the crews work on them. The fans also love their racing, and fill in the few fan areas around the track rather well.   Access   4 To get to the track itself, you just have to go south on Highway 90. From there, exit onto Lapalco Blvd and follow the signs to the facility off Nicolle Blvd. Here, parking is free and plentiful on site. One plus to the track having limited access means it is easy to navigate the areas of the track you can get to.   Return on Investment   3 Tickets to the SpeedTour start at just $20 for a Friday ticket, and go up only to $30 for a Saturday or Sunday only ticket. Weekend passes for four people are available for just $150, and VIP parking passes are $20 a day or $35 for the full weekend. This makes the NOLA SpeedTour one of the most affordable race weekends in the region, let alone New Orleans.   Extras   3 The facility features a fan store inside the event center. Here you can purchase shirts, hats, and other items from the track commemorating your visit. The circuit also features an open victory lane, allowing fans the chance to get up close and personal to the winners and their podium celebrations. Finally, the track also has a go-kart facility on site, giving fans the chance to race against friends during the weekend.   Final Thoughts NOLA Motorsports Park is located in a great location just outside of a popular destination city. While access is limited to fans, the potential exists for great things at this track. Thanks to the affordability of SpeedTour weekend, this is a great option for race fans in the region to get some professional racing in, while not breaking the bank or having to drive too far.

Photo courtesy of Montana Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Dahlberg Arena 32 Campus Dr Missoula, MT 59803 Montana Grizzlies website Dahlberg Arena website Year Opened: 1953 Capacity: 7,000 Just the Right Amount of Claustrophobia The University of Montana has a knack for designing their major sports venues to maximize the energy and excitement generated by their fans. Dahlberg Arena is located immediately adjacent to Stadium Journey's top rated FCS experience at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. No doubt the basketball home of the Montana Grizzlies served as an inspiration to the famous football venue's designers. Like the newer stadium next door, fans are stacked right on top of the action. The arena's boxy configuration reminds me of an old English football ground, or an old baseball stadium like Ebbets Field. The exterior of the arena has been completely engulfed by multiple athletic facility additions collectively known as the Adams Center. It is located along the banks of the Clark Fork of the Columbia River on the University of Montana's tree covered campus. The arena is named after long time Griz player, coach, and administrator George 'Jiggs' Dahlberg. The Griz have been playing basketball inside Dahlberg Arena since 1953. It is the oldest primary home arena for a men's team in the Big Sky Conference. Food & Beverage 3 Concession stands are located on either side the arena under the stands in the main concourses. There are also a couple of specialty stands including Pizza Hut where a personal pizza can be had for $6. Another stand sells ice cream sandwiches which is a necessary refreshment in the rather warm arena. The main concession stands have all the standard items including hamburgers ($5.50), Coke products ($4 for 32oz), a generous sized bag of popcorn ($4), and candy ($3) plus much more. Atmosphere 4 Over the years, the Montana Grizzlies and Lady Griz basketball teams have enjoyed a significant home court advantage inside the cozy confines of Dahlberg Arena. Both teams are regularly perched at or near the top of the Big Sky Conference standings. It's hard to believe that they used to pack over 9,000 fans into the space that can now hold just over 7,000 after a major renovation in 1998. All sections have chair back seats except the north end which are bleachers. The small lower bowl around the court is taken up by boosters on three sides with the students and band in the north bleachers. If you're an infrequent visitor to a Griz basketball game you'll probably be somewhere in the level above the mezzanine that holds the majority of the seats. Though it's up high, the view from the upper level offers good sight lines. With the compact size of the arena, no seat feels too far from the game. When the Griz need a boost, or a ref makes a call that goes against the home team, the crowd noise elevates rapidly and to a deafening level. Opposing players typically have trouble communicating with their coach and teammates and often get rattled in these situations. Just one small quibble: I don't know how it is for the players, but even with outside temperatures in the 30's, the seating areas in the upper sections got quite hot and stuffy. Certainly this is a consequence of packing many bodies into a relatively small space. Best to have a short sleeve layer on underneath your standard ball game going sweatshirt. Neighborhood 5 Missoula is Montana's second largest city, but with the proximity of the campus to downtown, it has a quaint college town vibe. There are plenty of typical chain restaurants around, but eating at one could almost be considered heresy with so many unique and quirky establishments to choose from. Baba's Burgers and Gyro's on East Broadway, just across the river from Dahlberg Arena, is a nice lunch stop find. Downtown on Front Street the Tamarack Brew Pub is a fun and delicious choice for pre or post game grub. The Iron Horse Bar and Grill on North Higgins is also a popular choice. If you're a craft brew fan, be sure to sample some of the numerous local offerings, such as a Moose Drool or Trout Slayer from Missoula's Big Sky Brewing Company, or my personal favorite, the delicious Cold Smoke Scotch Ale made by Missoula's own Kettlehouse Brewery. If you're in town, game time is a little ways off, and the weather is good, hike up the zig zag trail on Mt. Sentinel to the big M and take in the view. Or, if you don't have the energy to go uphill, take a stroll or a bike ride along the Clark Fork on one of the many paved trails. If Fido happens to come along, take advantage of one of the best dog parks anywhere, located between campus and the river on Jacob's Island. Fans 4 Griz fans are passionate about their team and play a role in making things go their way in Dahlberg Arena. Every whistle against the home team is roundly derided without exception. Even the most experienced of referees must find it a difficult environment to work in. With the crowd firmly behind them the Griz team can't help but bring up their game usually giving their adoring fans yet another victory. I would not hesitate to go to a Griz basketball game, even as a fan of the opposing team. Despite their passion during the game, the hometown faithful are mostly friendly to fans wearing the opponent's colors. Just know going in that it is unlikely that your team will find success. The Grizzly men's basketball team is always at the top of the Big Sky Conference in attendance along with the Weber State Wildcats, and the Lady Griz are a national leader in women's basketball attendance. Crowds at Dahlberg Arena aren't what they used to be in the 70's, 80's when players such as Michael Ray Richardson, Larry Krystkowiak, and Wayne Tinkle played for Montana, but there's still plenty of passion and energy in the building. Access 4 Dahlberg Arena is easy to locate on the east side of Missoula. Just look for the big M on the side of Mt. Sentinel. Washington-Grizzly Stadium is right at the base of that mountain and Dahlberg Arena is right next to the stadium. Most visitors to Missoula get there via I-90. Take exit 105-Van Buren Street and follow the signs to the University of Montana. Parking is available near the arena for $5. It will be fairly congested after the game so have patience when leaving. If staying over in Missoula, consider getting a motel along East Broadway. There are plenty of choices ranging from Motel 6 to the Double Tree and everything in between. The motels are an easy and pleasant walk across the pedestrian bridge and to the arena. Just follow the crowd of maroon clad fans-as many choose to go to the game on foot or by bicycle. If the weather isn't too cold and blustery (this is Montana in the winter after all), leave the car at the motel, walk downtown and grab a bite to eat, and then walk to the game. Once inside the building, you'll find a maze of narrow hallways leading to the seating areas. If you're not familiar with this arena it's a good idea to get there well before tip-off to navigate to your section. The walls of the hallways are adorned with pictures and plaques from past University of Montana championship teams. Restrooms are convenient to the seating areas, clean, and functional. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices range from $8 to $21, with slightly higher prices when the cross-state rival Montana State Bobcats come to town. The general admission bleacher seats are a real bargain at only $8. Concession prices are reasonable and there's plenty of variety to choose from. Parking is $5, but that charge can be avoided completely if you don't mind walking. Extras 3 A bonus point for the Hall of Champions: This corridor leading to the upper level seating at the south end of the arena is a very well put together museum to Grizzly Athletics' history. A bonus point for Monte and Mo, the grizzly bear mascots that wander the arena and keep the fans entertained. They are a big hit with the fans, young and old alike. A bonus point for the Lady Griz, one of the most storied women's basketball programs in the nation led by head coach Robin Selvig. The legendary coach is approaching 40 years and 900 wins-all at the University of Montana. Final Thoughts Though perhaps lacking some of the comforts and flexibility of more modern venues, Dahlberg Arena has held up remarkably well in over 60 years of service. Where other arenas are multi-purpose and can host many different sports and events, Dahlberg exists first and foremost for basketball...and for the continued success of the Grizzly basketball, that's a really good thing.

Photos by Lloyd Rothwell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Cbus Super Stadium Centreline Pl Robina, QLD 4226 Australia Gold Coast Titans website Cbus Super Stadium website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 27,000 Titans Super at Cbus Originally known as Robina Stadium, Cbus Super Stadium was opened in 2008 with a capacity of 27,000. The venue was constructed to serve as a home ground for the new NRL entity, the Gold Coast Giants. Former A-League club, Gold Coast United, was also a permanent tenant. Additionally, Cbus Super Stadium has hosted several rugby league test matches, the Gold Coast Sevens tournament as part of the World Rugby Sevens Series, and the Queensland Country NRC rugby team. The stadium is owned by the Queensland State Government and is supposedly a smaller replica of Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The rugby league on the Gold Coast has a chequered history. The region was first granted an expansion team in 1988. The club existed for only 11 seasons, during which time they were variously known as Gold Coast-Tweed Giants, Gold Coast Seagulls, Gold Coast Gladiators, and lastly, Gold Coast Chargers. Unfortunately the club never really gained much support from locals and suffered from various ownership changes and boardroom politicking. Almost 10 years later the Titans were formed and admitted to the NRL, playing their first season at nearby Metricon Stadium. While the Titans have been more successful in growing a fan base and achieving commendable results on the field, they too have found themselves embroiled in several controversies including financial inconsistencies and a salary cap breach. Despite this, it appears the Titans are in for the long haul in their shiny new home at Robina. Food & Beverage 4 Several outlets can be found along the concourse behind the seating bowl. They are well-designed and provide easy flow and efficient service. There is a slightly larger range of offerings normally found at other NRL venues, although unsurprisingly, prices are uniformly high. You’ll likely pay $10-$15 per adult for food, with an additional $5 for a soft drink or $7.60 for a mid-strength beer. Atmosphere 4 Cbus Super Stadium is only young in comparison to most high-level sporting stadiums in Australia. It is considered a smaller boutique venue, and as such, the seating bowl is limited to one stand on each of the four sides. There are screens located in the northwestern corner and southeastern corner, not huge but adequate. The seats match the Titans colours with a nice wave pattern on each side. Interestingly the northern stand was not used at all for the game we attended. The roof is well designed for both weather protection and for enhancing crowd noise. There aren’t many other personalised touches but largely the stadium is a great fit for the Titans. Neighborhood 5 Robina is a development project which has steadily grown over the past 20 years. It is largely residential save for the health precinct and town centre shopping centre. The stadium is at the northern end of the suburb, with the only structure of note in the vicinity being Bond University Institute of Health and Sport building. That being the case, local attractions in the immediate area are minor. However, Robina is of course located on the Gold Coast, famous for its beaches and tourist attractions. The coastal strip closest to the stadium is Broadbeach which has a great beach (Kurrawa, long-time host of the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships), numerous hotels and holiday units, Jupiters Casino, and a mall full of great restaurants and cafes. A couple of suggestions include Marigold Indian Restaurant (53/54 Ground Floor Oasis Shopping Centre), Kurrawa Surf Club (Old Burleigh Rd), and Mario’s Italian (Oasis Shopping Centre). Further afield, the Gold Coast is home to several large theme parks including Warner Bros Movie World, Sea World, Wet ‘n’ Wild, and Dreamworld. The best surfing beaches in the area are Kirra, Burleigh Heads, and Snapper Rocks. The Gold Coast is highly populated and the surf is always crowded. Gold Coast Airport straddles the QLD-NSW border at Coolangatta and is around a 15-20 mins drive from the stadium. If you’re visiting the Gold Coast it’s also worth remembering that the state capital of Brisbane is only an hour to the north, while the stunning beaches of Ballina and Lennox Head are an hour to the south. Fans 3 Crowds have steadily declined over the past few years as the Titans have struggled through financial and off-field dramas. The current average is around 12,000 although a derby game against the Brisbane Broncos would be expected to draw higher. To a certain extent, the Titans need to rebuild trust with the community, although if they win more games there’s no doubt fans will return quicker. As the population of the Gold Coast is largely transplanted from around Australia, many locals retain their allegiances to other teams. As a result, you can expect to see plenty of opposition fans in attendance, regardless of who the Titans are playing. Generally, the crowd is good-natured, well-behaved, and supports their team well. Access 3 Cbus Super Stadium is not designed to be accessible via private car. There is pretty much no parking whatsoever, with the stadium offering none and parking restrictions heavily enforced on the local streets. However, if you get there early and look around you can probably jag a spot within 10 minute walk of the stadium. I managed to get a free spot with no time limit across the road from the local high school. It might also be worth trying to park at the shopping centre. You are highly encouraged to utilise public transport with Robina Train Station basically on the stadium's doorstep. The price of public transport is usually included in your Titans game ticket. It’s a little difficult to spot the stadium as you approach by foot, as you are directed down Stadium Drive which is not the most direct route. The Bond University Building also provides a stark visual obstruction. Once inside, it’s a completely different story with nice wide concourses facilitating easy movement around the stadium. The signage is clear and the stadium is very clean, bathrooms included. My only complaint regarding the concourse is that you are unable to sight the playing field, which in itself wouldn’t be too much of an issue except that there are no television screens. An interesting quirk once inside the seating bowl is the small height of each step – and if you are seated up high there will be plenty of steps to climb. Return on Investment 4 Given the reports of excessive match day fees for the Titans to hire the ground, it’s surprising that tickets aren’t more expensive. I don’t often say this, especially for the NRL, but in this case, tickets are well-priced. The best adult tickets run about $40 which is a great value. There’s not r bad seat in the house and while there are ushers at each section, there is still some flexibility in terms of “upgrading” your allocated seat. The Titans also use several fan engagement activities to enhance the experience. Extras 3 Bonus points for fan engagement activities on the stadium forecourt, the merchandise outlets, and the entertainment during breaks in play (large cheerleading display and junior games throughout the afternoon). Final Thoughts The Gold Coast is a tourist hot spot. If you’re in town during the cooler months a visit to see the Titans play at Cbus Super Stadium is recommended for a well-priced and enjoyable, modern stadium experience.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 The Diamond at UMBC 1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore, MD 21250 UMBC Retrievers website The Diamond at UMBC website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 500 Diamond of Dreams The University of Maryland-Baltimore County, more commonly known as UMBC, competes in the America East Conference in the NCAA. The Retrievers' softball program plays at The Diamond at UMBC, which is part of the UMBC Stadium Complex. The complex is also home to UMBC Stadium, home to the Retrievers' lacrosse program, and Alumni Field , home to the baseball team. Along with the other stadiums in the complex, The Diamond was recently renovated. Stadium lights were installed for the first time, to allow night games, and the netting and fencing was replaced and improved. Several additions shared between the facilities were also added, including new restrooms and a concession stand serving all three stadiums. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand at UMBC softball games, although it is not at The Diamond itself but located centrally within the complex, closer to the baseball and lacrosse stadiums. It serves a basic menu of hot dogs, grilled chicken sandwiches, and assorted snacks and beverages. Prices are about average, with the most expensive thing being the grilled chicken at $8, but most things go for under $5. Atmosphere 3 There are small two sets of metal bleachers located at the bottom of the hill that surrounds The Diamond, one on each side of the press box behind home plate. Many fans also bring their own chairs and sit at the top of the hill alongside the path that will take you to the stadium. The bleachers are very close to the action, while the path is somewhat further removed, but still offers an excellent view in most places. All seats are behind a net or metal fence, but with how close they are and how fast the ball comes off the bat, this is unavoidable. Music is played between batters and during breaks in the action, and there will often be a few giveaways such as a 50/50 raffle or a drawing for an autographed softball. For the most part, however, the focus is on the game itself. There may be a few other things going on, but not to the extent that they distract from the game. Neighborhood 3 Alumni Field is located on campus in the Baltimore suburbs, and there is not much going on in the immediate vicinity. Even elsewhere in town, there isn’t much other than a few chain restaurants. UMBC won a hard fight with the US Postal Service to get a Baltimore mailing address, but it isn’t actually located in the City of Baltimore. Your best bet is to make the short drive to the actual city, where you will find many restaurants and other entertainment options. Miss Shirley’s is a particular favorite if you head there. Fans 4 UMBC will typically draw several hundred fans a game for softball. Some of them will pack into the small bleachers, while others will sit in their own chairs further away. Wherever they sit, they cheer on UMBC loudly and proudly. Most of them have some connection to the players on the field, but some are just longtime Retrievers fans there to cheer on their team. Considering this is a small college in the northeast, the crowds are impressive, although they are not what you may find in other areas of the country. Access 3 To get to the UMBC campus, fans will have to take State Route 166, an extension of I-195 west of I-95. From there, simply take the exit to the campus and follow the signs. There are two possible places to park to get to The Diamond. You can park in one of the spaces along Hilltop Circle near the main entrance to the Stadium Complex. Once you enter, turn right and walk past the baseball field. Alternatively, fans can park in the UMBC Technology Park and use the back entrance to the complex. This will get them closer to the softball stadium but further from the concession stand, restrooms, and rest of the complex. If going on a weekday, be sure to be mindful of parking restrictions. On a weekend, you should be fine parking anywhere. Once you get to The Diamond, if you want to sit in the bleachers, you will need to walk down some wooden stairs. The bleachers are not large enough that you will be doing much walking about up them, though, so it is pretty simple to get there. Restrooms are located near the concession stand in between the baseball and lacrosse stadiums, a short walk away, and are of an ample size for the small crowds. However, if there are other events going on in the complex at the same time, that may complicate things. Return on Investment 4 Admission is free, parking is free, at least on weekends, and concessions are affordable. This serves to make a trip to a UMBC softball a great value. Extras 3 There are free programs available at the bottom of the bleachers down the first baseline. Look for signage along the outfield fence honoring UMBC's historic accomplishments. A marketing table along the path at the top of the hill offers giveaways and other promotional opportunities. Final Thoughts While The Diamond at UMBC is a rather simple softball stadium, the team and its fans manage to create a good atmosphere in an intimate environment. With the recent renovations, a trip to see UMBC softball is well worth it for any fans in the area.

Photos by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Provident Credit Union Event Center 290 S 7th St San Jose, CA 95192 Map It San Jose State Spartans website Provident Credit Union Event Center website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 5,000 A Sparsely-Attended Spartan Sunday Minutes from downtown San José, CA, Provident Credit Union Event Center is the home of the San José State University Spartans, members of the Mountain West Conference. Opened in 1989 as the Recreation and Event Center, Provident Credit Union became the venue’s naming rights sponsor in 2019 for $8.1 million over 20 years. In addition to men’s and women’s basketball, the arena hosts the Spartan women’s volleyball and gymnastics teams. Capacity is 5,000 for sporting events and 6,000 for concerts, but the Event Center has the feel of a much larger venue due to its high ceiling and gradually sloping seating on three sides, with one of the baselines curtained off below the massive video board. The university really leans into its Silicon Valley location with its unique court design, boasting the Spartan logo enveloped by a computer “circuit board.” Provident Credit Union Event Center Circuit Board Center Court, Photo by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey Established in 1857 and the oldest public university among the three West Coast states, SJSU is primarily a commuter school with more than 27,000 undergraduates and 5,400 graduate students enrolled as of fall 2024. Spartan men’s basketball has enjoyed minimal success with just three NCAA Tournament appearances (the last in 1996, with a 13-16 overall record) and is still seeking its first Big Dance victory. Twelve former Spartans have played in the NBA; Darnell Hillman is perhaps their most accomplished pro with 7,339 career points and the 1977 NBA Slam Dunk Contest title after being drafted eighth overall in 1971. Food & Beverage 2 Directly across from the main (west) entrance is one of two concession stands open on the day of my visit in November 2024. With a sign reading “Fan Fare” that looks like it dates to the arena’s 1989 opening, hot food options are limited to a few standard stadium offerings: Hot dogs, brats, nachos, and giant pretzels, all priced between $7-$8. The meager menu is rounded out by popcorn, chips, cookies, candy, sodas ($4-$6) and a decent selection of beer, wine and seltzers. Those alcoholic beverages will set you back $13-$15 apiece. A second, smaller temporary concession stand is set up in the wide area between the court and east baseline seating, with a similar menu. This stand is definitely more convenient for grabbing a quick in-game bite, as you won’t miss any action and get to avoid the trek back up to the concourse. Both concession areas are card-only, cashless establishments. Atmosphere 2 Located on SJSU’s main campus mall at 7th and San Carlos Streets, the Event Center takes advantage of this prime real estate with a video board advertising upcoming events. That marketing didn’t translate into butts-in-seats for my Sunday matinee, with only 1,817 fans in attendance. There is no dedicated student section; most of the college-aged fans appear to be other Spartan athletes. Sideline seating on the north side, across from the benches, is assigned and costs $35 per ticket. This side faces the court logo, with the TV cameras positioned atop the stands. The opposite side, priced at $15-$20 with most seats general admission, is definitely the better value. Ushers do not appear to check tickets on either side. On the day of my visit, exactly zero fans were seated in the aforementioned east end zone, which is set very far back from the court. This seems like a missed opportunity to create atmosphere. If I were running SJSU’s in-game experience, I’d erect temporary stands behind this basket (which is also closest to the opposing bench) and invite students to go wild. Behind the opposite baseline, where there is just a concrete slab and no fixed seating, is the Hardwood Lounge which appears to be a benefit extended to SJSU season ticket holders. There is a buffet, some hi-top standing tables and some press row-like seating just behind the basket. Above the lounge is one of the largest video boards I’ve ever seen, extending the length of the baseline, which Wikipedia tells me is 49 feet! That said, it appears under-utilized to get the crowd hyped. The giant HD display primarily displays sponsor ads and live stats. Provident Credit Union Event Center Video Board, Photo by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey The Spartans take the court near the team bench, preceded by cheerleaders running out with four huge flags reading S-J-S-U. The cheer squad then takes the court for a few dance performances, but there are few (if any) fan contests or other engagement touchpoints. No Spartan mascot was in attendance during my visit. Neighborhood 3 San José State has always felt like a “sleeping giant,” sitting a mile from downtown San José which is the nation’s 12th-most populous city, and one of its wealthiest. Surrounding SJSU are student-centered apartment complexes and Victorian-style homes typical of Northern California. It feels relatively safe during the day with ample foot traffic to and from campus. Given the few concession options available at Provident Credit Union Event Center, it’s advised to have a pre- or postgame meal in the neighboring area or slightly further afield downtown. Just east of campus is Sammy G’s Pizzeria, which offers creative toppings as well as a sports fan’s favorite, beer. I ate at Jackie’s Place on the edge of downtown, a Black-owned BBQ and soul food restaurant which was delicious, if not a bit pricy for the portion sizes. Jackie’s has a full bar, and a house band playing Sunday afternoons. Given the ethnic diversity of San José, one can find cuisine from across the globe both near campus and throughout Silicon Valley. Indian food is particularly well-represented, since a large number of Indian nationals live here and work in tech. While San José will always live in San Francisco’s shadow an hour north, there are some unique tourist area attractions including the Winchester Mystery House, a quirkily-designed mansion designed by an eccentric millionaire. Sports fans will find the nearby homes of the San Jose Sharks (NHL), San Jose Barracuda (AHL) and San Jose Earthquakes (MLS). At these venues, keep an eye out for “Krazy George” Henderson, a local superfan credited with inventing the Wave. As a major center of innovation and conventions, San Jose and the wider Silicon Valley is flush with hotels, motels, and short-term rentals in every price range. For those with Hyatt (or Chase Ultimate Rewards) points, an incredible deal can be had at the Wild Palms Hotel in nearby Sunnyvale, with rates starting at just 3,500 points per night. Fans 2 Those sitting alongside me seemed to fall into three categories: 1) Older San José State diehards/season ticket holders, 2) Semi-interested Spartan students (mainly student-athletes), and 3) Dedicated fans of the visiting UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. The fact that this game was played head-to-head with a San Francisco 49ers home game just five miles up the road in Santa Clara probably didn’t help the crowd size. While Spartan fans made some noise when their team went on a run or took the lead in this close encounter, there wasn’t much of an intimidation factor for the visitors. The arena layout also works against the Spartans – with the cavernous footprint, it’s difficult for sound to get trapped and echo throughout Provident Credit Union Event Center. The Spartans are a typically weak team in a strong conference, with several nationally-ranked Mountain West foes visiting every season for televised games. This helps generate some decent crowds, as evidenced by 4,299 in attendance when #19 San Diego State escaped with a narrow victory in 2024. Access 4 As a commuter school, San José State has no shortage of campus parking. Basketball fans are instructed to use the general parking spots in either the 7th and San Salvador (South) or 4th and San Salvador (West) Parking Garages. Parking on the surrounding streets is restricted Mondays through Fridays, but I was able to find a spot easily on a Sunday afternoon, just a few blocks away. SJSU is also well-connected via public transportation. No fewer than 12 Valley Transit Authority (VTA) bus lines serve campus, as do the Blue and Green Light Rail Lines. Both Uber and Lyft are headquartered in the Bay Area, so you can rest assured there will be plenty of rideshare options. If staying downtown, it’s probably just easiest to walk in 15 minutes or less. San José’s Mineta International Airport (SJC) is well-connected with non-stops across the country, and even a few international flights. Unless a major convention is in town rental cars should be cheap and plentiful. The airport also has a nearby light rail stop that will get you to Provident Credit Union Event Center in under 45 mins. SJSU’s main ticket office is under the aforementioned marquee at 7th and San Carlos. Knowing the official prices and knowing the game would be sparsely attended, I checked StubHub and scored a GA ticket for just over $6! The resale sites should always be your first option at a venue like the Event Center. Tickets are mobile if purchased in advanced, or paper at the box office. The main entrance is up a very tall staircase; I felt like Rocky Balboa after ascending those steps. There are accommodations for those with disabilities including an elevator. Like most U.S. sports venues these days, Provident Credit Union Event Center has a clear bag policy and a metal detector. Security personnel are friendly and say thanks for attending. The combination of few fans and wide concourses make navigating the venue a breeze. At this game, attendance was so low, in fact that SJSU didn’t bother opening the second concourse concession stand along the east side. Bathrooms are clean but certainly in need of a refresh; they are very institutional-feeling and likely look exactly the same as back in 1989. Return on Investment 3 Aside from the occasional lightning-in-a-bottle season – like 2022-23 when the Spartans won 21 games and reached the College Basketball Invitational – you generally know what to expect with San José State hoops; mediocre performances in front of a mediocre crowd, with not much student enthusiasm given the school’s heavy reliance on commuters. Extras 2 I arrived almost an hour before tipoff and there were no rosters or game programs available at the main entrance, but found them closer to tipoff on a table near the lower-level season ticket member entrance. Look above the east baseline for retired numbers and postseason appearance banners. Final Thoughts The cost of an afternoon or evening at Provident Credit Union Event Center is reasonable, especially if eschewing the overpriced, uninspired concessions. One also has the vibrant Bay Area at their doorstep, easily making a game here part of a wider and fulfilling trip.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Bob Ford Field 1400 Washington Ave Albany, NY 12222 Albany Great Danes website Bob Ford Field website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 8,500 Highway to the Daneger Zone After a 46 year absence, football returned to the University of Albany in 1970 as a club sport. The school elevated the team to varsity status in 1973. The Great Danes competed in Division Three for over two decades, eventually moving to the FCS subdivision of Division One football in 1999. Throughout this time, the team was led by head coach Bob Ford, and played at the 10,000 seat University Field. The University opened a new 8,500 seat stadium in 2013, which they named for the only coach the Great Danes had ever known. After a $10 million gift from the Bernard and Millie Children’s Foundation in 2015, the name of the stadium was changed to Bob Ford Field at Tom and Mary Casey Stadium. It’s a mouthful, and you will hear the facility referred to as both Ford Field and Casey Stadium. The Great Danes have won six conference titles since beginning play in Division One. The team has appeared once in the FCS playoffs, losing their only game. Several UAlbany alumni have gone on to professional careers in the National Football and Canadian Football Leagues. Food & Beverage 3 While the concessions at Casey Stadium won’t blow you away, there is a decent variety of food available for hungry Great Dane fans. There are a pair of small concession stands on the concourse of Casey Stadium which offer your basic stadium fare. Options include Nathan’s hot dogs, chicken tenders, pizza slices and nachos. Some more unique offerings are the macaroni and cheese and beef brisket. A pair of portable tents from local favorite Nicos Café serve up gyros, pockets, souvlaki and humoli. Fans looking to satisfy a sweet tooth should head over to the Ben and Jerry’s tent. Pepsi products are featured at Casey Stadium. There is a beer garden in the south end zone, where fans can enjoy adult beverages, including Miller Lite and Labatt Blue. Atmosphere 3 The game day atmosphere at Casey Stadium is similar to most of the smaller football stadiums that dot the northeast. There is a reserved tailgating scene before the game, where longtime dedicated fans meet up in the lots right outside the stadium week after week. The small marching band performs throughout the game, and the staff utilize their talent instead of piping in music during most play stoppages. There is a cheerleading squad and dance team who entertain the fans. While there are a decent amount of students roaming around Casey Stadium, there is no organized student section here. The large grassy berm beyond the north end zone is packed with kids and buzzes with activity throughout the game. T-shirts are tossed into the berm after every Albany score, and there are numerous contests and giveaways throughout the game to keep the casual fan interested. The berm is split in half by a ramp utilized by the Great Danes as they enter and exit the field. The team enters the field at the beginning of the game through a cloud of purple smoke. The $1.1 million, 39 foot by 22 foot Daktronics scoreboard located beyond the south end zone anchors the game day presentation at Casey Stadium. It’s put to great use throughout the game, with replays, fan cams and social media updates posted throughout the game. Neighborhood 4 The University of Albany is located away from the city’s downtown, out by the Albany International Airport on the northwestern edge of the city. Downtown Albany is located just a ten minute drive from campus. The area around campus is quite busy, with many dining and lodging options a short drive from campus. While Albany may not be known as a top foodie destination, there are many options throughout the city . City Line Bar and Grill is a popular gathering place for Great Dane fans. Fans looking for shopping options should head over to the nearby Crossgates Mall. Fans 3 Albany averages around 6,000 fans per game at Casey Stadium, which ranks them in the bottom third of the Colonial Athletic Association. Larger crowds are common for opening night and homecoming. Great Dane fans are pretty typical of northeast college football fans. While they are dedicated and knowledgeable, they are pretty laid back while taking in the action. You won’t find a rowdy scene here at Albany. Most of the buzz at Casey Stadium comes from the many children in attendance, who pack the berm with noise and activity throughout the game. Access 4 The University of Albany is located away from the city’s downtown, on the northwestern edge of New York’s capital city. Located at the junction of Interstates 90 and 87, the campus is easily accessed by car. Fans utilizing public transportation will be pleased to know that several routes of the CDTA (Capital District Transportation Authority) stop at or near campus. Check out the CDTA website for routes, fares and times. Casey Stadium is located on the southern edge of campus, near the university’s other athletic facilities, including SEFCU Arena and Varsity Field . A drawback to the stadium’s location is the lack of parking lots in the immediate vicinity, but there is ample parking a short walk from the facility. Shuttle busses run throughout the campus to transport fans to the stadium from more distant lots. There are two entrances to Casey Stadium, one on each end of the main concourse, which runs along the western edge of the field. Most of the seating is located on this side of the field, consisting mainly of metal bleachers without backs. There are 629 chair back seats clustered around the 50-yard line. Additional bleachers are located along the eastern side of the field. A large grassy berm rings the northern end zone, which is split in half by a ramp utilized by the Great Danes as they enter and exit the field. Party tents line field level along the southern end zone. The main concourse is quite narrow for a newer facility, and can get crowded during halftime. Restrooms are large and clean. Paved paths provide easy access to most parts of the stadium. Return on Investment 3 The University of Albany utilizes variable pricing for its football games, so ticket prices may vary for your selected game. Tickets to Great Dane football games range in price from $15 for berm seating to $40 for chair back seats, with the majority of the seating priced between $20 and $30. Fans wishing to splurge can purchase gold level seats for $100. Check out the UAlbany’s ticketing home page for more details. The Great Danes offer deals for selected games, including a 4 for $44 offer. Fans can take in the game from field level in the end zone for $30, which includes two drink tickets and access to the party tents located in the south end zone. Parking in the lots located throughout campus will cost an additional ten dollars. Shuttle busses are available for fans not wanting to take the walk from the lots to the stadium. Concession prices are in line with other facilities in the area. Extras 2 An extra point is awarded for the amount of giveaways available throughout the game. All fans can pick up stat sheets, rosters, posters and schedules upon entry to Casey Stadium. T-shirts are tossed into the stands throughout the game and after every Great Dane score. A second extra point is awarded for the recognition of Bob Ford, who took the Great Dane football program from club status in 1970 to the opening of their new home in 2013. More than 100 coaches who learned their trade under Ford went on to be high school, college or professional coaches. Final Thoughts As a rule, college football is not the big deal in the northeast that it is in other parts of the country. Most facilities reflect this lack of emphasis on the sport, but in Casey Stadium the University of Albany has a modern, attractive facility that is the perfect size for this program, and worth a visit from any college football fans visiting the Capital District. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Fisher Stadium 218 Hamilton St Easton, PA 18042 Lafayette Leopards website Fisher Stadium website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 13,132 Leopard Spots Located in the heart of the Lehigh Valley in Easton, Pennsylvania lies a small school known as Lafayette College. The Leopards of Lafayette play in the Patriot League along with other similarly academic-minded institutions in the northeast and mid-Atlantic. The Leopards’ football team has not enjoyed much success on the field but did manage to win their conference in 2013 despite a 5-7 overall record and advance to the FCS playoffs. The team plays its home games at Fisher Stadium, which seats approximately 13,000 fans. Following the 2006 season, Fisher Stadium underwent major renovations which included new seats and a jumbotron. Food & Beverage 4 There is a concession stand on the upper concourse to the left of where you come in which sells basic items, but your best bet is to head to the food truck parked on the middle concourse which sells a much more extensive menu. Options include the usual foods like burgers, hot dogs, and chicken tenders (all of which come with fries) as well as more unusual options such as pierogis, M&M cookies, and beef jerky. The prices at the food truck are fairly high for this level, but so is the quality. Atmosphere 3 The layout of Fisher Stadium is a bit confusing at first glance but easy to get the hang of. Walking through the gates of Fisher Stadium will put you in the far corner of the upper concourse. If seated in the upper rows of the home side, you will walk around the upper concourse and then down to your seats. Theoretically, you can do this if seated in lower rows as well, but you are probably better off walking down a flight of steps on the side that will take you to the middle concourse. On this level, you will find the food truck mentioned above and you can also walk up or down to your seat. If seated on the away side of the stadium, you will have to walk all the way down to the lower concourse at field level, around the end zone past the hospitality tent, and to the bleaches on that side before walking back up. The Leopards have a costumed mascot who is, appropriately, a leopard, as well as cheerleaders and a dance team. Sound effects (such as “DE-FENSE”) are played over the PA system between plays and the PA announcer tries to pump up the crowd on third-down plays. There is also a small marching band that performs before the game and at halftime (and plays the alma mater postgame). When not on the field, they can be found in Section 7 with the students, occasionally playing in between plays or during breaks in the action. Neighborhood 4 Easton is a small college town of about 27,000 people located at the confluence of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers. Most of the action is located close to the college and includes Two Rivers Brewing, a popular brewpub on Northampton Street, and Easton Public Market, which includes numerous food vendors ranging from hot dogs to barbecue to a chocolate shop to tacos, noodles, and more. Easton may be a small town but it is certainly a thriving one. Fans 3 Lafayette only draws about 5,000 fans a game, but what the fans lack in numbers, they make up for in pride and passion. They come wearing maroon and cheer on their Leopards for the entire game. It can get very loud within the confines of Fisher Stadium at times even though the place isn’t even half full. You also don’t see a massive clearout long before the game ends as you do at some venues – these fans stay until the game ends for the most part. The Lafayette students mostly sit in Section 7, and while there aren’t too many of them (as is to be expected for a student body of only 2,500) they are extremely loud as well. That being said, they are also smart fans who are knowledgeable about the team and the game of football. If the ref makes a bad call, they will certainly boo and shout at him, but they don’t boo obvious false starts called against the home team like at some other schools. Access 3 The Lafayette campus is easily accessible via US Route 22 and I-76. How close you can park to the stadium depends on if you are willing to pay. Prepaid parking in the Markel Parking Deck costs $25 and is right next to the stadium, and parking passes can be purchased in advance in the Pierce Street Lot and Hamilton Street Lot as well. If you do not want to pay, you can park in the Bushkill Commons Lot about an eight-minute walk away for free. As mentioned above, the layout of the stadium is a bit complex but the staff is happy to help you find your seat. Restrooms are available on the upper and middle concourses and are of ample size for the crowd. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are just $15 except for a few VIP seats in the Coke Zone at the top of the stadium for $40 which come with a full buffet. This is an excellent deal. If you want to park right next to the stadium, you will have to pay a bit for parking, but a free lot is available a reasonable distance away. Concessions are affordable too, so a Lafayette game can be a great deal for fans. Extras 2 Check out the signs on the upper concourse about Lafayette football history. Be sure to check out the leopard statue outside the stadium on your way in as well. Final Thoughts The Patriot League is not an elite football conference, even for FCS. In fact, it is one of the worst conferences in the Football Championship Subdivision. Lafayette is far from an elite team on the field, but Fisher Stadium has a unique layout, great fans, and great value to attend a game here, especially if you are willing to walk a bit from the parking lot. College football fans in the Lehigh Valley should be sure to check out a Lafayette game.

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Lane Stadium 185 Beamer Way Blacksburg, VA 24060 Virginia Tech Hokies website Lane Stadium website Year Opened: 1965 Capacity: 65,632 Enter Sandman Lane Stadium, home to Virginia Tech Hokies football, opened in 1965 with a capacity of 35,000 as Virginia Tech beat William and Mary 9-7. Many additions have come through the years including the south end zone expansion with 11,000 additional seats in 2002, and the luxury suites/press tower in 2006. Many publications have billed Lane Stadium as one of the finest places to watch a game and one of the toughest for an opposing team. Food & Beverage 4 Lane Stadium offers a wide variety of food choices as there are several concession stands located around the stadium. Some of the more popular items include Lane’s Leg- a fried Turkey leg, which is a play of the Hokie mascot and Benny’s Pizza. Benny’s is a local chain that offers huge pizza slices at Lane Stadium. Another Virginia favorite, Smithfield Foods, has several stands around the stadium and offers bacon slices, pulled pork sandwiches, and pulled pork Mac and cheese. As Virginia is the birthplace of peanuts in the US, Whitley’s Virginia peanuts are sold throughout the stadium. Other options include Big Dipper’s Chicken and Subway. Turkey Legs Concessions at Lane Stadium Coke products are sold in two sizes with the larger being a souvenir cup. A variety of alcoholic beverages are sold as well as coffee and hot chocolate. Atmosphere 5 Lane Stadium is the epitome of a college football on-campus stadium. It is a massive facility from the exterior as it is built mostly above ground and is very steep. It also matches the Virginia Tech campus buildings as the exterior of the stadium is donned with the famous Hokie Stone. Lane Stadium has single-level stands on either sideline with the east side being quite a bit higher than the other. The west side is anchored by the press tower and suites. The south end zone has a small section of stands that is a dedicated student section, while the north end zone is a large triple-level structure, with a club level between levels two and three. The stadium stands are very steep, which offers great sightlines throughout the stadium. The playing surface at Lane Stadium is natural grass. A large video board towers above the south end zone, and there are several ribbon boards around the stadium. Lane Stadium Interior, Photo by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Lane Stadium is best known for its Enter Sandman entrance, as the Metallica song is played as the team runs out onto the field. Everyone “starts jumping” and they can at times register on the Richter Scale as the stadium shakes. Virginia Tech has two marching bands. The Marching Virginians sit in the north end zone and only play at halftime and not pregame. The Highty-Tighties are the Regimental Band in the Corp of Cadets, sit in the south end zone, and play pre-game. The majority of seating at Lane Stadium is bench seating except for the second level in the south end zone and the first couple of rows of the upper deck. Chairbacks are available for rent for $10 per game and are available at the gate to rent and take to your seat. The sun sets between the south end zone and west stands, so if you want to be in the sun for a colder game, you will need to sit in the west stands. Neighborhood 4 Since it is in the middle of campus there is not much to do within walking distance of the ballpark before or after a game. However, Virginia Tech’s campus is gorgeous with the rolling hills, sidewalks, and Hokie stone. Lane Stadium is right next door to Cassell Coliseum . If it is your first time on the campus, try to spend some time walking around campus. Be sure to stop by the April 16th Memorial near the Drillfield dedicated to the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting. If you take a stroll down Main Street Blacksburg, you will find several food options including local eateries as well as chain restaurants such as the Maroon Door, Mellow Mushroom, Five Guys, and Jimmy Johns. If you like the outdoors, this is the place for you as there are many activities in the surrounding mountains like hiking and canoeing. Home2Suites is less than a mile from campus and is a great place to stay if you are in town overnight, but may be pricy on game weekends. If you are looking to save on lodging, stay about 30 miles away in Roanoke. Fans 5 Fan support at Virginia Tech is unmatched in many locations as the Hokies sold out five games in 2023 at 66,000 strong. This is quite a feat as Blacksburg, VA is literally in the middle of nowhere, and many fans drive from the more populated areas of the state 2-3 hours away. Even though the Hokies have endured several lean years on the field, the fan support is still strong. Fans arrive early for Enter Sandman to “Start Jumping.” The stadium shakes and often registers on the Richter scale when the Hokies enter the field. Fans are loud throughout the game creating an intimidating atmosphere for opposing teams. Access 4 Virginia Tech’s campus is easily accessible from I-81, about 10 miles away on US 460. Take the Southgate Dr. exit off of US 460, then turn left onto Beamer Way. Lane Stadium will be on your right. The best parking for those without a parking pass is Margaret Beeks Elementary School, about 1 mile away from Lane Stadium. It is about a 20-minute walk to the stadium and is $10 to park there. Be aware that a clear bag policy is in place, and it is well enforced. If you do not have one, they are available for sale at the CVS Pharmacy next to campus and at the Walmart in Christiansburg. Once inside, there is a single concourse that wraps underneath the seating bowl, except the south end zone where steps or an elevator will take you to an upper concourse for upper-level seating. The restroom and concession areas are all very clean, and easily accessible on the concourse. Handicapped accessible seating is located in several seating sections as you enter the seating bowl. Return on Investment 3 Major college football is not cheap, but the price is well worth it for the experience. Expect to pay close to $80 per ticket for most conference games, as well as the cost of food, parking, hotel, etc. Extras 5 An extra point for Hokie Village directly across the street for the west stands, which has pre-game music, food trucks, vendors, games, etc. An extra point for Enter Sandman and the team entrance. An extra point for the mountain backdrop surrounding Lane Stadium. An extra point for the great job that the game operations/video board staff does at getting the crowd fired up on third down and big plays, etc. If you are not in town on game day but still want to visit Lane Stadium, you can visit the Virginia Tech Hall of Fame museum from 9 am-3 pm Monday through Friday on the west side of the stadium Final Thoughts Lane Stadium has a great sight line no matter where you sit within the stadium and can be one of the loudest stadiums in the country at times. We wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Lane Stadium to watch the Hokies, especially a night game.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Robbie Mills Field 15 Eastman Rd. Laconia, NH 03246 Winnipesaukee Muskrats website Robbie Mills Field website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 1,200 Muskrat Love The franchise currently known as the Winnipesaukee Muskrats began play in the New England Collegiate Baseball League in 2000 as the Manchester (CT) Silkworms. The team was moved to Laconia, NH in 2010 and renamed the Muskrats. In 2016 the team was rechristened as the Winnipesaukee Muskrats to highlight the team’s location near the shores of New Hampshire’s largest lake and popular summer vacation destination. The Muskrats play their home games at the Robbie Mills Memorial Sports Complex, which was created in honor of local boy Robbie Mills, who was murdered in 1998. Robbie was a huge sports fan who played basketball, baseball, and soccer. The town dedicated the local sports complex in his honor in 2005. The Muskrats have qualified for the NECBL playoffs five times, reaching the championship series in 2011. Three Muskrat players have reached the Major Leagues. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small concession stand in the rear of the press box building behind home plate. It serves a basic menu that is still pretty impressive for such a small stand. Hot dogs and hamburgers are cooked to order on a grill next to the building. Pizza slices from local favorite Sal’s Pizza are sold here as well. A good selection of snack items, including chips, popcorn, pretzels, assorted candy and ice cream novelties round out the menu. Bottles of Coca-Cola products are also sold at Robbie Mills Field. There is no alcohol sold at this facility. Concession prices are affordable, and the quality is decent. Atmosphere 3 As you look around the small-town landscape of the Robbie Mills Sports Complex, you would not expect this to be the scene of an elaborate game day presentation. You would be correct in this assumption. And this is not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination. There’s a lot of room to roam here, and it’s put to great use by the many local youths who spend their evening running around the facility. It’s entertaining to watch the kids chase foul balls around the ball field. You can take a break from the action with a game of cornhole or a quick catch in the football field beyond the first base side of Robbie Mills Field. There are some between-inning shenanigans for the youngsters (and the young at heart) throughout Muskrat games. Water balloon tosses, bubble jousts and more keep the younger fans involved, and the nightly 50/50 raffle keeps the adults occupied. Music and PA announcements are kept to a minimum and can hardly be considered intrusive. A small scoreboard in right field shows basic game information. In this small town, it feels like everyone at the ballpark knows everyone else, and if you come to a Muskrats game from out of town, chances are you’ll soon find yourself in conversations with people throughout the park. The small-town vibe in Laconia is real. Neighborhood 3 Robbie Mills Field is located several miles away from downtown Laconia in a sparsely populated area of town. Thus, there is nothing in the immediate vicinity of the complex for visiting fans. However, if you widen your search you will find numerous attractions in the area. Nearby Lake Winnipesaukee is the focal point of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. Weir’s Beach is located on the western edge of the lake, and is well-developed with shops, restaurants and attractions for the whole family. As you would expect, water sports are abundant, with opportunities for sailing, kayaking and water skiing plentiful. The M/S Mount Washington cruises the lake daily. Visiting fans looking to avoid the crowds of Weir’s Beach may seek out the Loon Center and Markus Wildlife Sanctuary in Moultonborough, or the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, which operates nature cruises on the lake which provided the setting for the movie On Golden Pond. Fans of craft beer will find no shortage of options, including Twin Barns in Meredith or the Craft Beer Xchange in Laconia. Beyond the immediate area of Laconia, the White Mountains offer a plethora of hiking, camping and other outdoor activities as well as numerous family-friendly tourist sites. The New Hampshire Motor Speedway hosts NASCAR races every summer. If your visit coincides with NASCAR race weekend, be prepared to compete with the incoming hordes for space. Fans 2 The Muskrats annually rank at or near the bottom of the NECBL’s attendance rankings, averaging in the neighborhood of 200 fans per game annually. As mentioned earlier, there’s a real community feel to a game at Robbie Mills Field, as the crowd is made up largely of people with a connection to the team, either as host families, volunteers or benefactors of the team. This gives the fans in attendance a strong connection to the team and an intense rooting interest. With the compact geographic footprint of the NECBL and the local roots of many players, it’s not unusual to see fans of the visiting teams in attendance as well. Access 2 The Robbie Mills Sports Complex is located near Route 106 in rural Laconia between Lake Winnisquam and Lake Winnipesaukee. The nearest Interstate, I-93, is about 20 minutes away. New Hampshire’s largest city, Manchester, is about an hour south of Laconia. Parking is available in a large grassy lot across the street from the ball field. There is parking available closer to the field behind the concessions building, but these spots are reserved for fans requiring handicapped access. Also, since these spots are really close to the field, your windshields are in certain danger if parking here. It is recommended to take the walk and park across the street. Seating is available on metal bleachers placed on either side of Robbie Mills Field. The views from these seats are good, and there are no nets to obstruct your view. Fans who prefer to bring their own chairs will find spots from which to catch the action at ground level all around the field. The issue with these spots is the fencing which will obstruct your view. Many fans will set up their own chairs on the large hill beyond the outfield fence. There is plenty of room to move about the Robbie Mills Complex, and paved paths to make it easy to navigate the facility. There are small, but clean rest rooms located in the back of the press box building. Return on Investment 5 Admission to a Muskrats game is a super-affordable five dollars for adults, with seniors and children 6-17 admitted for two dollars. Kids under 6 and active members of the military can enter without charge. All tickets are general admission. All fans are given a roster sheet with their ticket, which is in the shape of the team’s logo. Parking is free of charge in the large grassy lot across the street from the ball field. Concessions are affordable and the quality is good. Overall, an evening at a Muskrats game is a most affordable entertainment option for northern New Hampshire sports fans, and a nice diversion from the touristy activities offered nearby. Extras 1 There’s not a whole lot going on at Robbie Mills Field that can be considered extra. The park’s defining feature is the “Muskrat Monster,” an 18’ x 88’ wall that was erected in left field in homage to Fenway Park’s famous Green Monster. Original plans called for a party deck to be erected as part of the wall, but this feature has yet to come to fruition. Final Thoughts While you are not likely to stumble across Robbie Mills Field at the gateway to the White Mountains accidentally, if you find yourself in Laconia you won’t be disappointed. This is a relaxed, no-frills facility where the focus is on the field. 191 NECBL alumni have reached the Major Leagues. At this small town field, you may arrive as a stranger, but you’ll soon feel like you’ve been here your whole life. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Pizzitola Memorial Sports Center 235 Hope St. Providence, RI 02906 Brown Bears volleyball website Pizzitola Memorail Sports Center website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 2,800 Brown Bears Volleyball The Pizzitola Sports Center is named for Paul Bailey Pizzitola, Brown class of 1981. Mr. Pizzitola passed away at the age of 25 from Ewing’s Sarcoma after graduating from Brown and New York University. His family contributed $2 million towards the facility’s construction. Part of the Erikson Sports Complex on the northeast corner of the Brown campus, the Pizzitola Sports Center contains practice and game space for the men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, wrestling, gymnastics, squash, and tennis teams. The lobby of the building is named for football legend John Heisman, Brown class of 1891. The main floor of the center is named the Williams Court for Howard Williams '17, a former football player, track athlete, and assistant football coach. The Brown Bears volleyball team has won five Ivy League championships and has qualified for the NCAA tournament three times, most recently in 2021. Food & Beverage 0 There are no concessions available at Brown volleyball matches. Fans can bring in their snacks to enjoy. Atmosphere 3 Volleyball is a fun sport to watch, particularly in a small, intimate venue like the Pizzitola Center. Fans are right on top of the action, with the great majority of fans enjoying a close relationship with the players on the court. It makes for a lively atmosphere in this fast-moving game, although much of the noise comes from the players themselves. There’s not a whole lot of downtime in a volleyball match for extraneous noise, as the game progresses quickly. Music plays during time-outs and the PA announcer unobtrusively does their job, adding some energy to the proceedings along the way. Simple scoreboards at either end of the gym display basic game information. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the game day atmosphere here at Brown was the presence of many members of the student body, who were boisterous at times in their support of the Bears. Neighborhood 5 Meehan Auditorium is located on the residential East Side of Providence, adjacent to several other Brown University athletic venues, including Meehan Auditorium , Stevenson-Pincince Stadium , and Murray Stadium . Brown Stadium is located about a mile away. Thayer Street, which serves as Brown University’s main street, is just a couple of blocks from the rink. Thayer Street is filled with quaint shops, restaurants and bars. A short distance in the other direction is Hope Street, which continues the eclectic vibe of the East Side with more locally owned shops and places to eat. Nearby Wayland Square and Wickenden Street offer more fine restaurants, shopping, and nightlife options. Downtown Providence is only a mile and a half away at the bottom of College Hill. Providence enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest culinary destinations in the country, and visitors to the city will find many diverse and excellent dining and lodging choices here. Fans 3 The crowd at a Brown volleyball game is what we at Stadium Journey often refer to as a “friends and family” crowd. Stadium Journey attended a game on a Friday night as many students had just returned to school for the semester. A decent crowd was on hand, estimated at 250 or so. A return visit on a Tuesday night showed close to 900 fans in attendance. As you would expect, the crowd contained a significant number of family members of the players, along with a surprising number of students. They added some excitement to the goings on, cheering loudly for Brown rallies and kills. Access 3 The Pizzitola Sports Center is located in Brown University’s Erickson Athletic Complex, adjacent to several of Brown’s athletic facilities on the East Side of Providence. While the Brown University Campus is located near several highways, there is no direct way to get to or from campus. If driving, one must navigate a maze of neighborhood streets before arriving at the Pizzitola Center. If attending a game during a weekday, Providence can be a tough city in which to get around. Several RIPTA buses run regularly to nearby Thayer Street, and the center of the Brown campus is just a couple of blocks from the facility. Check the RIPTA website for complete route, fare, and schedule information. Parking is available for Brown volleyball at no charge in the Erickson Complex lot next to the Pizzitola Center. Fans unable to find a spot in the lot can utilize free on-street parking in the area around the auditorium. Finding an available spot can be tricky at times, but patient visitors should be able to find spots within easy walking distance of the arena. The Pizzitola Center is located next to the Meehan Auditorium and several other of the university’s athletic buildings. Fans will enter the Pitz into the Heisman Lobby, which houses the Brown Athletic Hall of Fame and restrooms. A pair of entrances lead from the lobby into the gymnasium. The Gymnasium features individual plastic folding chairs on the near side, with the remainder of the seating consisting of plastic molded bleachers. There is a small balcony with additional seating and, believe it or not, some luxury boxes. With only ten rows of seats on either side of the court and seventeen rows on either baseline, this is truly an intimate setting. Return on Investment 5 There is no charge to attend a volleyball match at Brown University. Parking is also available for free in the Erickson Complex parking lot behind the Pizzitola Center or on the streets surrounding the athletic complex. Extras 2 The Lobby of the Pizzitola Center is dedicated to John Heisman, college football legend and Brown class of 1891 alumnus. Located in the Heisman lobby is the Brown Athletic Hall of Fame. Brown may not have the most storied athletic history, but its contributions to college athletics are significant. Banners honoring Ivy League championships and tournament appearances for all the teams that play in the Pizzitola Center hang on the walls of the gym. Bears volleyball has won five Ivy League titles and has appeared in three NCAA tournaments. Final Thoughts The Pizzitola Center is a basic facility that suits the needs of Brown volleyball well. It offers an intimate setting where fans can feel like a part of the action. ---- Follow Paul Baker's Stadium Journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Alumni Hall Lambton Drive London, ON N6G 5R8 Canada Western Mustangs basketball website Alumni Hall website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 1,200 Behind the Giant Purple Curtain In the CIS most of the basketball facilities are fairly similar, built more for classroom and recreation functionality rather than spectator sports. Although CIS basketball is ridiculously underrated as a spectator sport, it can’t be denied that it is not a significant drawer of revenue that necessitates the creation of huge arenas with a spectator first mentality. However, every once in awhile an ardent traveler will come across a facility that is truly unlike any other in its class. Sometimes all you have to do is pull back the giant purple curtain to find something that adds to the experience just because it is there. Western University is located in the Southwestern Ontario city of London boasting over 35,000 undergraduate students. Although the Western is generally viewed as a football first institution, the Mustangs have done a solid job of building a top flight athletic department across programs. Not the least of these programs are the basketball Mustangs. Having had great success over time which includes 25 conference championships and one National Championship, the Mustangs can date their success all the way back to the 1920s. Home for the Mustangs is Alumni Hall, easily one of the most unique facilities in all of college basketball featuring a giant purple curtain. Most CIS basketball facilities are multi-use gymnasiums which were built for physical education classes on equal footing, if not more pressing focus than spectator sports. Built in 1966, Alumni Hall is different than the rest. More theatre than gymnasium, Alumni Hall offers a unique experience in college basketball, one that is worth pulling back the giant purple curtain and checking out. Food & Beverage 1 Alumni Hall is definitely not known for its culinary experience. There are very few food options at Alumni Hall. Temporary tables with students selling pizza, popcorn, cotton candy and soda are all that you will find here. There are also some soda machines in the concourse, but there is nothing that will blow your mind away. There is something for you to snack on here in an emergency, but your best bet is to find somewhere to eat before or after the game. Atmosphere 4 Alumni Hall offers a unique atmosphere among CIS facilities. The exterior of Alumni Hall matches perfectly among the other buildings of Western University. The grey brick matches the surrounding academic buildings in a classic university manner. It is located at the main entrance of Western at the roundabout at Lambton Drive. Inside Alumni Hall patrons are greeted with a smart looking entrance that is dark brown and classy looking. Alumni Hall is more of a theatre, with a large stage and curtain with a basketball floor between the upper seating and stage. The concourse is on the northwest side of the building. Upon entrance, patrons are greeted with the opportunity to see something special. The J.P. Metras Sports Museum is full of artifacts from various Mustang athletic teams and individuals. It is smartly decorated and Mustang fans could spend hours pouring over pictures and memorabilia. The concourse also features many pictures for those enshrined in the Mustangs Athletic Hall of Fame. The 1878 Societies display recognizes donors to the university in a classy manner. Upon entering the seating area, fans are immediately struck with the uniqueness of Alumni Hall. The basketball court runs from southwest to northeast with all of the seating on the northwest side. Team benches and game operations are on the southeast side of the court and behind them is the stage and giant purple curtain. The remaining three walls are covered with wood paneling that attempts to have a classic look, but looks a little worse for wear. The northeast is where the players enter from which features a giant, inflated Mustangs logo. Above the court is a simple scoreboard which can retreat into the ceiling. Unfortunately, there are no banners or easily seen honours for the 25 Wilson Cups as conference champions, or the 1991 National Championship. The in-game production is fairly simple at a Mustangs basketball game. A recording of the band playing the Mustangs fight song leads the players onto the floor, followed by the traditional Western horse whinney. Game operations are student-run. Hanging in front of the curtain is a large video board, which the Mustangs use with multiple camera angles. Students are used for ushers, event staff, camera operators and radio and video commentators. The seating bowl is a tapered theatre setting. The seats are cushioned with barely enough leg room. The slope is such that people in front of you should not be an issue. However, like the wood paneling, the seats have seen better days and are in need of replacement. Seating is general admission, so finding a good seat should not be difficult for fans. Neighborhood 3 Alumni Hall is located fairly central in the Western campus. There are a few interesting places that you may want to get to. The campus pub at Western is The Wave. If it is a place that you are considering then make sure you do your research and consider the limited hours that they are open. The Barakat Restaurant is located to the west of the arena on Western Road. If you head north of the arena, the best choices can be found. You may want to consider the Waltzing Weasel Pub or Beertown Public House. The campus of Western is located northwest of downtown London. There are a number of other food options there, but you will also find some more hockey options, specifically the OHL’s London Knights at Budweiser Gardens. Other sporting options on campus include Mustangs football at TD Stadium and Mustangs hockey at Thompson Arena. If you want to do some shopping, then check out Masonville Place, which is also close by. There are a few places to stay around campus. Windermere Manor offers something a little out of the ordinary and may be worth a try. If you are looking for something a little more mainstream, then head downtown for a more recognizable chain. Fans 3 Assessing fans for CIS basketball is extremely difficult. Teams often do not report game attendance and there are often significant fluctuations in attendance. You can expect to see a few hundred fans in attendance for Western Mustangs basketball games. The attendance at the game for this review was over 325. It is difficult to compare this to other programs, but a few elite programs regularly draw closer to between 600 and 1,000. There is definitely room for improvement at Western and with a seating capacity of 1,200, there is room within Alumni Hall. Those fans that are in attendance are fairly reserved and quiet, but do get excited and vocal when the game dictates that. Access 4 Getting in and around Alumni Hall is not very difficult. Alumni Hall is located on Lambton Road, right on the roundabout, pretty much the centre of the campus at Western University. Western’s campus is located a fairly significant distance from highways 401 and 402, which would be the major arteries in and out of London. Western Road is a large road that moves fairly quickly, but if you are coming from out of town to Western, you will have to do some significant driving through the city. Public transit is available that travels on Western Road and Sarnia Road. London Transit Commission buses stop right on the roundabout in front of Alumni Hall. Check out the LTC website for rates, schedules and maps if you are interested in public transit. There is plenty of parking on Western’s campus and unattended lots are free on the weekends. Probably the most convenient parking is in the large lot to the south of Alumni Hall that can be accessed from Huron Drive. Getting around Alumni Hall is not a problem at all based on the number of fans that are usually in attendance. However, like much of Alumni Hall, washroom facilities are dated and in need of an upgrade. Return on Investment 5 Western Mustangs basketball provides good entertainment for very little investment. Tickets for Mustangs basketball go for a mere $8 a person. There are also discounts for seniors, non-Western students and youth. Kids 5 and under are free. Combine the low ticket price with free parking and decent concession prices and you have a recipe for a very affordable brand of entertainment. CIS basketball is high calibre and fast paced. It is well worth your time. Extras 3 An extra mark for Mustang Days. Mustang Days are a celebration of Mustang athletics with as many athletic events packed into one weekend as possible. An extra mark for ample opportunity to pair Mustang hockey with Mustang basketball for an awesome CIS doubleheader for little money. An extra mark for the display of Mustang history at Alumni Hall and specifically in the J.P. Metras Sports Museum. Final Thoughts Alumni Hall is a unique facility that plays as a great backdrop for university basketball. Although it is in need of a bit of a facelift, a Mustangs game at Alumni Hall will not disappoint. Take some time and pull back the giant purple curtain and check out what you are missing in London. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Mitchell Field 19 Ave N.E. Swift Current, SK S9H 2Y3 Swift Current 57s website Mitchell Field website Capacity: 550 Swift Current Baseball Baseball has been part of the Swift Current sports landscape for more than a century. The 57s, previously known as the Indians, have been competing in the community going back to the 1950s, playing in the Southern Baseball League for several years before becoming a founding member of the Saskatchewan Major Baseball League in 1975. The SMBL eventually expanded into Alberta and rebranded itself as the Western Major Baseball League in 2001, now the Western Canadian Baseball League. Swift Current has won the most championships in WCBL history, with six, the most recent coming in 2017. Going back to the SMBL and SBL days, they have another eight championship trophies. So this is a franchise with a history of winning. Food & Beverage 3 Fairly typical options on the menu here. Burgers, hot dogs, and an assortment of candy are available at the main concession, next to the main entrance on the first base side of the diamond. The same menu is also available at the concession on the far end of the clubhouse, up the third baseline. Prices are reasonable, with a tasty double cheeseburger costing $10 and a can of Coke for $2. There is also an adult beverage stand tucked into the bleachers between the first base stands and the home plate stands with a selection of beer and coolers. Again, the alcoholic options are available in the clubhouse concession on the third base side. Atmosphere 3 Sitting at a small-town ballpark on a summer afternoon feels like what baseball is all about. Most of the fans in the stands know each other and you can hear them chatting about this and that between pitches. Or riding the umpire for questionable ball and strike calls. It’s comfortable and relaxed, just what a lazy weekend at the ballpark should be. Views from around the park are good, especially in the main stands right behind home plate. Locations higher up and off to the left or right of home are also good and give the fan a decent view of the prairie farmland in the distance. Seating down the third baseline, past the home dugout, is unobstructed, but the seats are pointed towards left field, not the middle of the diamond, so you’ll probably find yourself turning about 45 degrees to face the action. The seats themselves, are molded plastic, quite comfortable, and spread well apart, giving everyone decent amounts of space, so you don’t feel jammed in together. Neighbourhood 3 Mitchell Field is located on 19th Ave NE, right near the edge of town. The park is located in the residential neighbourhood just up the hill from the Innovation Credit Union iPlex, home of the Swift Current Broncos . To the south past the iPlex and the railroad tracks is industrial. To the east is essentially prairie farmland. The bottom line is that the immediate area provides no pre- or post-entertainment or dining options. Having said that you’re not too far away from anything in Speedy Creek (as Swift Current is sometimes known). Mitchell Field is only a couple kilometers south of the Trans-Canada Highway and along that highway, you’ll find the bulk of the commercial district for the city. Along the north and south service roads you’ll find all the typical franchise restaurants you might expect in a city, plus a couple of mom-and-pop places as well. You can find Original Joe’s at 935 Central Ave. N. adjacent to the west end of South Service Road, with the local Boston Pizza (1601 North Service Rd. E) also close by. If you’re thinking about an ice cream cone after a hot day in the sun, try Dairy King , right across the street from Original Joe’s. To the southwest of the diamond is the downtown core, with several other options, including Akropol , a Greek restaurant. Fans 4 As noted above, the fans were not afraid to voice their opinions throughout the game, which was refreshing compared to some of the more sedate crowds around the league. Fans responding to the game, pitch-by-pitch, show that they are engaged and focused on the action on the diamond, not simply there to hang out with their pals. Access 5 Access to the diamond is easy from just about anywhere. Situated a couple blocks from the east edge of town and a major artery, but only a few blocks west of downtown, Mitchell Field is only a few minutes away from anywhere in town. Parking along the neighbouring streets is free and plentiful. Moving around inside the facility is also easy, with a wide concourse lane from the south entrance to the park and running between the dugouts along the backstop fence. The walking area continues behind the 57s dugout and up the third base line to the far reaches of the stands and the clubhouse concession. Return on Investment 4 Pricing is quite reasonable at Mitchell Field, and right in line with other teams in the league. Adult tickets are $14, students are $7. Children under 12 are just $3 but are free if accompanied by an adult, so this is a very family-friendly venue. For the quality of the ball being played, this is a bargain. Extras 2 The exterior of Mitchell Field’s grandstand is adorned with all 12 of the championship banners the team has earned over the years. A nice reminder of the team’s proud history as you walk up to the diamond. Just to the third base side of the main grandstand is a pro shop, with all the team ball caps, shirts, and bunnyhugs (that’s the Saskatchewan word for a hoodie) you might want. Final Thoughts Mitchell Field is a lovely place to take in a ball game. Nice atmosphere, comfortable, and welcoming, this is a park well worth visiting on your travels.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium 475 N Main St Lexington, VA 24550 VMI Keydets website Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 10,000 Key(det)s to the Stadium The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) is located in Lexington, Virginia, and is one of six Senior Military Academies in the United States. The SMAs represent a sort of middle ground between the service academies and civilian universities. Of the six academies, VMI is the only one that does not also admit civilian students, but all of them share some common traits. All SMAs have a Corps of Cadets with military standards and training comparable to the service academies, but unlike service academies, students are not required to enlist in the military upon graduation. Nonetheless, many choose to do so and have served the United States in wars around the world. Unlike the service academies, senior military academies are not tied to any one branch, and VMI graduates have gone on to serve in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Many VMI cadets and graduates also fought in the Confederate military during the American Civil War, and it was referred to as the “West Point of the Confederacy” at the time. VMI’s athletic teams are known as the Keydets, and their football team has called Alumni Memorial Field home since 1962. In 2006, thanks to donations from VMI alumnus P. Wesley Foster, Jr., the stadium was extensively renovated to include a new scoreboard as well as new concourses and restrooms. To honor him, the school renamed the field Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium. Food & Beverage 3 There are several concession stands scattered throughout Foster Stadium, all of which serve the same items. Main courses include grilled chicken sandwiches ($5), hot dogs ($4), pizza ($3/slice for cheese or pepperoni), and nachos ($4 or $5 with extra cheese.) Snacks include hot pretzels ($3), popcorn ($3), king-sized candy ($2), and chips ($2). Water, soda, and Gatorade are all available for $3 each. Atmosphere 5 There are bleachers on both sidelines at Foster Field. On the home side, bleachers tower over the field and provide a scenic view of the historic buildings and citadels on post. We recommend sitting on this side if possible, even if you are a neutral, as the sight lines are much better than the visitor’s side. There is a large scoreboard located behind one end zone, which also features a video board and an out-of-town scoreboard. About 20 minutes before the game, the entire Corps of Cadets will march into the stadium as the band and drumline play “Shenandoah.” The band continues to perform throughout the game, and, as is typical of military bands, is one of the best in the country. Although they are at every home football game and have performed around the world, their best–known role has been leading the entire Corps of Cadets in marching in every Presidential Inaugural Parade since Richard Nixon’s in 1969 and for several before that as well on an irregular basis. The Keydets have a mascot named Moe, who is an anthropomorphic kangaroo and can be seen in the stands and on the field throughout the game. Neighborhood 1 Lexington, Virginia has been given the rather cynical and ironic nickname Lex Vegas. Unlike its Nevada counterpart, Lexington is a small, quaint, conservative college town in Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley. Even more unlike the real Vegas, the entertainment scene here is almost non-existent. There are many ways to take in the natural beauty of the Valley in and around Lexington, plus some historic sites on and around the Institute, but that’s about it. Fans 4 VMI fans are extremely passionate about their team and extremely loud. The language they use isn’t exactly clean, either, so make sure to keep that in mind if you bring small children to the game. They will cheer on their team loudly, proudly, boldly, and brashly and aren’t afraid to holler at the opposing team or the referees. The Corps of Cadets will get into it as well, but unlike the rest of the fans, will generally at least keep their language clean, being that they are cadets and all. You can expect to feel this energy for all four quarters, especially if the game stays close. Access 3 There are several options for driving to a VMI football game, all of which start with taking Interstate 64 to Exit 55. Fans coming from the north or south will need to first take Interstate 81 to Exit 191 for I-64 – Exit 55 is the next exit once you get on. There is limited parking available on post on the Parade Grounds and the garage below the Corps Physical Training Facility (CPTF.) This parking is rather expensive at $20. Your best bet, therefore, is to park at the satellite parking lot for free and take the shuttle bus over. This is typically located at Rockbridge County High School, but if the two lots there fill up, fans will be directed to a nearby lot at a Lowe’s store. Once inside, you should have no trouble moving around the concourses. The restrooms are more than ample for the crowd, but the line for concessions can get long at times. Return on Investment 3 Tickets start at $25 for general admission seats, which will get you into either side section on the home side or anywhere on the away side. There are reserved seats in the center three sections on the home side above the Corps of Cadets seating for $3 more. This is a little above average, but is cancelled out by the below average concessions and the added atmosphere at a VMI football game compared to most FCS contests. Extras 4 One star for the great energy and valor brought by the VMI band. Any band worthy of performing at the Inaugural Parade not just for one President, but for 12 Presidents at 15 parades dating back to William Howard Taft in 1909, is definitely something special. A second, somewhat related star, for the pageantry exhibited by the Cadets as they march onto the field before the game. There is a cannon located behind one of the end zones which is fired off after every VMI score and before kickoffs. If weather conditions are just right, the smoke will form a ring which will carry into the sky. A fourth and final star for the energy brought by the fans and by the Corps of Cadets, which is more comparable to something you’d see at a Power Five school than at an FCS school. Final Thoughts Military academy football is always something special, and while the experience at a senior military academy like VMI might not be quite as special as it would be at a service academy, very little is. Foster Stadium is a beautiful place to watch a football game, especially on a mid-fall day in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. With the Corps of Cadets and the VMI band out in full force, a VMI game at Foster Stadium is an incredibly underrated experience in the college football landscape.

Photos by Jared Goodman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Segra Stadium Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 Fayetteville Woodpeckers website Segra Stadium website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 4,786 Taking Flight in Fayetteville Segra Stadium, the new $38 million home of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, is one of three new facilities at the minor league level in 2019. The 5,000 seat ballpark is expected to become an anchor for development and revitalization in downtown Fayetteville, North Carolina and is just one part of a larger plan for progress. Most of that plan has yet to be carried to fruition, as construction continues in the area surrounding the venue. Despite Segra Stadium being the only completed piece of the puzzle so far, fans are still showing up in droves to watch their minor league baseball team. The franchise, originally called the Buies Creek Astros, was based at nearby Campbell University for two full seasons before moving south to their permanent home in Fayetteville for the 2019 campaign. Both the Astros and the nearby Down East Wood Ducks were established following the 2016 season in order to replace a pair of folded franchises from California. Food & Beverage 5 The stadium serves a wide variety of food and drink, from over two dozen types of craft beer to massive pulled pork sandwiches to plastic baseball caps filled to the brim with loaded nachos. Traditional ballpark fare is available as well, but why not splurge and get something unique? There are six concession stands located around the ballpark – an outfield bar area and several food carts on the concourse only make it more convenient for hungry fans. While the options at Segra Stadium abound, expect to pay a premium. Concession prices are just a tad higher than what’s typically seen at other Carolina League parks. Atmosphere 4 With Fort Bragg, the world’s largest military installation, in Fayetteville’s backyard, it’s hard to ignore the military tie-ins at Segra Stadium. Black and red are the predominant colors, featured in everything from the team’s logo to the chair backs in the seating bowl. Pixelated camouflage is also present in several different areas, sometimes even extending to the players’ uniforms. It’s undeniable that the military is the prevailing theme at Woodpeckers’ games. The stadium itself features a wrap-around concourse, an element that’s becoming the norm in newer ballparks. Directly below the massive scoreboard in left field is a berm that abuts the bullpens, while a netted children’s area behind the berm includes a small-scale baseball diamond for youngsters. Unique and futuristic rocking chairs are prevalent in center field and are available to anyone, regardless of their ticket type. One unique aspect that is unparalleled in the minor leagues is the fact that train tracks surround portions of the stadium. Fayetteville’s Amtrak station is located in foul territory on the third base side, while a freight line runs behind the right field fence. While it doesn’t happen often, it might surprise you to see and hear a large diesel train pass by during a game. Neighborhood 2 The ranking Fayetteville receives in this category will drastically improve once the development surrounding the ballpark is complete. Development plans call for a commercial office tower, a Hyatt Place hotel in front of the stadium’s main gate, a complete renovation of the historic Prince Charles Hotel next door, and a new parking deck on Hay Street. Until these projects are completed, the uninviting area around the stadium will remain under construction. For now, there’s no enticement for fans to arrive before the gates open and stay after the game ends. Fans 3 After 20 years without professional baseball, the fans in Fayetteville sure seem happy to have a team to cheer for. While it feels like the stadium is primarily geared towards military personnel and their families, Fayetteville residents are still among some of the faces you’ll see on an average night. When the Astros decided to move their high-A team here in 2016, they probably didn’t have a doubt in their mind that pro baseball would do well in this area. This likely hypothesis was confirmed when, later that year, Fort Bragg hosted the first-ever MLB game to be played in North Carolina. It was also the first-ever game to be played on an active military base and drew a crowd of nearly 13,000. Access 3 The only major road passing through Fayetteville is Interstate 95. Heading north, the next major city one encounters on this road is Richmond, Virginia; Savannah, Georgia is the next large city to the south. However, there are several spurs which provide access to cities such as Raleigh-Durham and Charleston, SC. Traveling to Fayetteville from the east and/or west is moderately difficult due to the lack of major roads in either direction. Parking at the ballpark is no easy task either. Unlike other ballparks at this level, there is no dedicated lot for Woodpeckers games. Fans are instead encouraged to either find free on-street parking or to park for a fee in the deck located at Franklin and Donaldson Streets. No matter which option one chooses, there will be at least a quarter-mile of walking involved. Return on Investment 3 Service fees are typically waived in the minor leagues when you purchase tickets directly at the box office. This isn’t the case here in Fayetteville, making a day out at the ballpark just that much more expensive. Tickets for a family of four, at the bare minimum, will run about $46. Parking adds at least $5 and concessions for the whole gang will set you back about $20 per person. All totaled, you’re looking at about $130 for four people to visit Segra Stadium for the night. This is on the extremely high end of the minor league scale. Extras 1 One extra point for honoring our nation’s military and looking out for the servicemen and women stationed at Fort Bragg. Final Thoughts While Segra Stadium is unique in some areas, overall it’s a pretty plain vanilla ballpark. The team does a good job of drawing fans and entertaining them on game day, but the high prices and distant parking options are bound to turn some folks away. Only time will tell if the fans will continue to show up or if they will grow weary of the hassle and spend their time and money elsewhere. Hopefully the revitalization of downtown Fayetteville will keep fans engaged, and it will be exciting to see what the final product will be.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Watsco Center 1245 Dauer Drive Coral Gables, FL 33146 Miami (FL) Hurricanes website Watsco Center website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 7,972 These 'Canes Are Able The University of Miami (more popularly known as simply “the U”) was founded in 1925. It currently has a student body of nearly 20,000 students on its Coral Gables campus. The “U” is a private research university, and is known for its work in the fields of medicine, international business, and marine biology. The University of Miami first fielded a basketball program in 1926. The program has run continuously since then, with the exceptions of the 1971-72 and 1984-85 seasons. In 1991 the program joined the Big East Conference, then moved on to the ACC in 2004. In the 2012-2013 and 2022-2023 seasons, the Hurricanes won both the ACC regular season title and the ACC Tournament title. The “U” is no Johnny come lately as far as success on the basketball court. It has been to March Madness twelve times and the NIT twelve times. The Hurricanes have made the Sweet 16 five times (as of 2023), the Elite 8 twice and the Final Four once. In 2023 they lost to eventual national champion UConn in the finals. The on-campus Watsco Center is home for both the men’s and women’s basketball programs. It opened in 2003 and has a seating capacity of 7,972 in its basketball configuration. Food & Beverage 3 There are eight concession stands along the concourse as it encircles the court. Each stand includes at least one specialty item, plus the typical arena standards. The Chicken Stands have crispy chicken sandwiches ($13), grilled chicken sandwiches ($13), and chicken nachos ($12). The Burger Stands offer hamburgers w/fries ($13), cheeseburgers w/fries ($14), veggie burgers w/fries ($11), specialty burgers w/fries ($15), and hot dogs w/fries ($6.50). The Pizza Stand has cheese pizzas ($11), pepperoni pizzas ($12), and meat lover’s pizzas ($14). Dessert items include cotton candy ($6), candy bars ($5), Dippin' Dots ($9), popcorn ($6.75), nachos ($7), pretzels ($6), and Icees ($7). All stands feature Coca-Cola brand sodas ($5.25) and water ($4.25). Premium beers are $12, while domestic brands are $10. Hard seltzers are $9 and wine is $11. Atmosphere 4 The exterior of the Watsco Center is relatively plain, with the exception of the palm trees that front it. However once inside you’ll be greeted by the vibrant green and orange colors of the Miami Hurricanes. There are a number of displays featuring highlights of past Hurricane teams, as well as information on upcoming events at the “U”. Once inside the seating area, you’ll notice how close the seats are to the action. A majority of the seating bowl is lower than the concourse, putting you closer to the court. There is a much smaller set of seats above the concourse. Seats surround the court on all four sides, with the pep band, cheerleaders, and student section filling the seats behind the baskets. The court graphics feature the green and orange Hurricanes color scheme, with a huge “U” at midcourt. A four-sided center-hung videoboard constantly provides game stats and highlights from the action on the floor. There are a large number of banners hanging from the rafters. They include banners representing each ACC member institution, the retired numbers of Hurricane elites, and the various championships that athletic teams have brought back to the “U”. Banners Hang from Watsco Center Ceiling, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 5 The Watsco Center is in Coral Gables, FL, which is located just five miles south of Downtown Miami. The city is known for its preservation efforts, resulting in lots of Mediterranean-style architecture, beautiful fountains and tree-lined streets. Coral Gables is also known for the Miracle Mile, a district filled with great restaurants and shopping. Restaurants and nightlife near the Watsco Center include the Shake Shack and the Titanic Brewery and Restaurant. Lodging near the arena includes the Miami Marriott Dadeland and the Courtyard Marriott Dadeland. Two tourist attractions in the area are the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and the Coral Gables Museum. Fans 4 The Hurricane fanbase has really become energized by the 2023 trip to the Final Four. The ACC portions of the schedule are typically sold out before the season gets underway. The basketball program is extremely popular with the students, compared with the football program, whose home games are more than 30 miles from the campus. The student section fills up well before the game gets underway, allowing the students to good-naturedly taunt the visitors during warm-ups. The student body is strategically located behind the baskets, where they can do the most to confuse the players at the free-throw lines. Like many fanbases, Hurricane fans do not sit down until the home team scores its first basket. The Hurricanes cheer squad and the Miami pep band do a terrific job in keeping the energy level high throughout the game. Access 4 Despite being located in the largest city in South Florida, the Watsco Center is easily accessed via some of the main thoroughfares in the area. The Watsco Center can be reached via either I-95 coming south, or via US 1 coming north. An economical way to reach the Watsco Center is via the METRORAIL light rail system. Take the rail system to the University Station, which is located across the street from the arena. The fare is $2.25 each way. While on-campus parking is pretty much limited to season ticket holders and boosters, there is plenty of parking located along Ponce de Leon Avenue. The concourses and lobby are large and easy to navigate. The concession stands tend to get backed up at halftime. Return on Investment 3 After the run to the Final Four in 2023, a ticket to a Hurricanes basketball game is now the hottest ticket in town. Unfortunately, the Watsco Center is one of the smaller venues in the ACC. To allow the widest number of people to attend games during the season, the “U” offers a five-game ticket package in addition to its season ticket package. The five-game ticket package identifies games against FSU, UNC and Duke as marquee games. The ticket package pairs one marquee game with four games against lesser opponents. The fans get to choose which games they want to pair with the marquee game. Marquee games cost $65, and each of the four less in-demand games are $15. Tickets can also be purchased for individual games, as long as they are not marquee games. Midcourt tickets nearest the floor are $45, lower sidelines are $35, upper sidelines are $30, tickets in the corners are $20 and baseline tickets are $15. The nearest on-campus parking lots to the Watsco Center are reserved for season ticket holders and boosters. There are several large pay lots along Ponce de Leon Boulevard that charge $11 for parking on game nights. The METRORAIL light rail system stops right in front of the campus and only costs $2.25 each way. Concession prices are priced at movie theatre prices. Extras 3 In addition to Hurricanes basketball, the Watsco Center has hosted concerts by Coldplay, John Mayer, Drake, and Green Day. Other events held at the venue include the Billboard Latin Music Awards, The X Factor, All Elite Wrestling, and presidential debates in 2004 and 2016. Win or lose, the Hurricanes team and fans stand and sing the alma mater at the end of the games. Sebastian the Ibis is one of the top mascots in NCAA sports. He roams the stands throughout the game and is happy to pose for photos. Sebastian the Ibis Mascot, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts The Hurricane warnings are out… University of Miami basketball games have become the hottest ticket in a very competitive sports market. The Watsco Center figures to be filled to capacity for the foreseeable future.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Greyhound Park at Bill Bright Field 1410 National Ave Indianapolis, IN 46227 UIndy Greyhounds website Greyhound Park website Year Opened: 1976 Capacity: 750 Release the Hounds at UIndy's Ballpark Greyhound Park at Bill Bright Field is the home of the UIndy Greyhounds baseball team in Indianapolis. The Division II program has called the stadium home since 1976 and consists of 700 bleacher seats and standing-room areas against the fence down each foul line. It is standard for this level of baseball but not far different from many on Division I baseball in the Midwest. The giant indoor track bubble looms large over the right field fence, and a small press box houses the media staff. The Hounds have captured 16 GLCV regular season titles and have appeared in 15 NCAA Tournament appearances. They reached two World Series in 2000 and 2012. The team made national news when pitcher Brady Ware tossed a no-hitter and hit for the cycle. Food & Beverage 0 There are no food stands in the ballpark, but fans are encouraged to bring something to eat. You will have fans, both young and old, snacking on fast food burgers and sandwiches or even a cooler of food and beverages. This is a similar vibe to ballparks of this size across the area and beyond. Atmosphere 3 The gameday atmosphere did not feel any different than many of the ballparks of this kind in Division I baseball. The grandstand wrapped around the infield and provided close-up views of the diamond, fans were decked out in school colors, and there was heavy banter from each dugout. The final out of the no-hitter and cycle game, Photo by Edward Bujdos There are also the sounds that provided the soundtrack to the ballpark. You will hear the cleats against the concrete with players fetching foul balls that land in the parking lot, the ping of the ball off the aluminum bat, and the whip of the pitch from the bullpen down the left or right field line. Neighborhood 3 The 65-acre campus is located south of downtown Indianapolis and is home to 4,063 students. There is not much within proximity of the university except fast-food restaurants, but less than 5 miles north of campus is Fountain Square. The eclectic and funky neighborhood features some of the city’s best restaurants and sports to grab a drink. Kuma’s Corner, Bluebeard, Chilly Water Brewing Company, Hotel Whiskey Tango, Siam Square, Three Carrots, and World Famous Hot Boys are among your choices for dining. There is also duckpin bowling in either authentic 1940 or 1950s decor at Atomic Bowl Duckpin. Fans 4 There are quite a few fans in the stands rooting for the Hounds and the visitors from Grand Valley State. Others pulled up lawn chairs and sat down the foul lines, while a few perched on a small hill down the left field side of the stadium. In total, close to 160 people were in attendance for the Sunday afternoon game we attended. They were more than just the parents of the players, and there was plenty of action on the field to create a buzz in the stands. Access 4 UIndy is easy to access on Interstate 65 on Hanna Ave just south of downtown Indianapolis. Once on campus, look for the giant bubble, and you will find the ballpark next to the football, softball, and basketball venues. Return on Investment 4 Our game witnessed two home runs and a play at the plate, which means the baseball can be well above average. Admission is free, and parking is ample, making it a nice escape for baseball purists on an unseasonably warm late winter afternoon in Indianapolis. Extras 2 After each homerun, the Hounds would welcome the hitter as he crossed home plate to jump up and down in unison. The giant indoor track bubble behind right field adds to the aesthetics of the small ballpark. Final Thoughts Greyhound Park is a splendid way to spend the afternoon on abnormally warmer winter days where all you need is a sweater. The admission is free, the fans are friendly, and the vibe is infectious for an honest day at the ballpark sometime in February or March. _____ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium 550 Taylor Ave Annapolis, MD 21401 Navy Midshipmen website Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1959 Capacity: 34,000 Football In the Navy Few football programs in the college sports scene harken back to the old days of sports like Navy. Having been playing football since 1879, Navy’s football program is filled with history and pride. This is reflected in the pageantry of the game day experience at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. This facility is also home to the annual Military Bowl , and has hosted various other sports over the years, including soccer and lacrosse. Practically assembled via previous class donations, the stadium features numerous small touches of history and education about the school’s past, as well as America’s military history. And while it may lack the modern touches of other stadiums, this facility is one that is a must see for any college football fan. Food & Beverage 3 The food choices are solid enough for a sports stadium at Navy games. Beer prices are what would be expected, ranging from $9 to $11, with other beverages including coffee or hot cocoa ($4), bottled water ($6), and Gatorade or bottled soda ($6). Food options include hot dogs ($4), pretzels ($5), nachos ($6), popcorn ($5), candy ($3), and more. Burgers run $7 while sushi options, sub sandwiches, and wraps cost $8. The stadium even features a healthy food options booth, complete with veggie sticks ($2), kale chips ($2), and fruit cups ($8). Additionally, food trucks and pop-up vendors fill the area as well, including Chick-fil-A and others. The biggest downside to all of this is the crazy long lines that fill up and never seem to dwindle during games. Atmosphere 3 Navy-Marine Corps Stadium is a mixed bag in terms of the overall aesthetic. Opened in 1957 it has seen some updates, while also keeping some of its original character. The northwest end zone features general admission seating on a raised berm, as well as grassy areas for fans to watch from. These areas run all the way up to the end zone wall, meaning you can get close to the action, and usually feature kids and families. The northeast and southwest sidelines offer two-level seating, while the southeast end zone features a large scoreboard with limited end zone seating, as well as several multi-level suite boxes with viewing patios. The overall stadium itself is solid enough but lacks anything overwhelmingly modern. Restrooms are small, and the passages under the grandstands are equally as cramped when a full crowd tries to navigate them at the same time. Neighborhood 5 Annapolis, the state’s capitol, is a beautiful town located on the shores of the Severn River’s exit into the Chesapeake Bay. It is located almost equidistant from both Baltimore and Washington D.C., providing easy access to two major metropolitan cities full of shopping, dining, and major airports. The area around the stadium is quaint and features many historic sites, including the Maryland State House. Shopping and dining are plentiful downtown near the Annapolis waterfront area as well, and fans can find plenty to entertain themselves there. Fans 4 The fans at Navy football are unique – many of them are graduates, veterans, or their families. Of those, many have been coming to games for generations. But perhaps the most interesting aspect of Navy’s fans is the student section; over 4,000 current Navy students arrive in formation by division on the field before the game, dressed in full Navy uniform. Overall the fans here can be on the older side, but don’t make any mistake; these football faithful can be loud when the time comes for critical plays. Access 4 To get to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium you simply need to drive on US 50 from the DC area, or on I-97 to US 50 from the Baltimore Area; these two routes will both drop you steps from the stadium. Once you’re there, parking is plentiful – official stadium parking is $40 for pre-purchase or $50 on the day of, with numerous lots in the area ranging $20 and up. Signage in the stadium is plentiful as well, making it easy to get around and navigate the facility. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Navy football games start at $25 for kids and $35 on the end zone grassy hill and for standing room only, then go up to $50 for reserved seats. Kids 2 and under are free for standing room only access as well. Couple this with the price of concessions and it is incredibly affordable for FBS college football, especially at a program as historic as Navy. Extras 4 The northwest end zone features the Navy goat statue as well as a memorial garden for the military, which showcases plaques and memorial statues from the Navy’s past. Also of interest is the Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet on display outside the stadium, which is a popular photo spot for fans. The field itself also pays homage to former star players, with yellow player numbers painted near their corresponding yard lines, and finally, the stadium’s ring of honor features historic and notable Navy battles instead of former player names like at other facilities. Final Thoughts The game day experience at Navy is incredible – the history of the program is evident from the moment you arrive at the stadium, and the pageantry is nothing short of college football greatness. While the stadium itself initially lacks anything aesthetically that really stands out, the small touches around the facility make up for that. With the location and affordability, it is easy to see why so many college football fans recommend going to Navy home games.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium 550 Taylor Ave Annapolis, MD 21401 Navy Midshipmen website Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1959 Capacity: 34,000 Navy Blue and Gold Lacrosse Located on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, Maryland is home to the US Naval Academy. Although Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is better-known for hosting Navy's football team, it is also home to the Midshipmen's lacrosse program. Although Navy lacrosse has never won the NCAA Championship, they are one of the most successful college lacrosse programs of the pre-NCAA era, having won a whopping 17 championships. Food & Beverage 2 While there are several concession stands at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, most of them are closed for lacrosse games, and the two that are open have limited selections. Hot dogs ($4), nachos ($6), candy ($3), chips ($1), popcorn ($5), pretzels ($5), and caramel corn ($5) are your only options to eat. Soft drinks and bottled water are also available. Atmosphere 3 Just walking into Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium will tell you this is the home of Navy Athletics. The logo is painted all over the place and the walls lining the field list all the areas of the world that the US Navy has fought over the years. When the Navy team runs out onto the field before the game, they do so waving an American flag to remind you of where you are. Alas, there isn't much else going on during the game other than the game itself. There are no distractions or march-ons of the Brigade of Midshipmen or anything else that you would see here for Navy football. Some lacrosse fans may like that, while others will be disappointed. Music is played after Navy goals, but that is about it. It is worth noting that only the lower level of the Blue (west) side of the stadium is open for Navy lacrosse games due to the small crowds. About 60% of these seats are chairbacks, while the remainder are bleacher seats. The bleacher seats are reserved for the Brigade of Midshipmen during football games, and as they typically stand for the whole game, presumably the athletic department did not see any point in installing chairbacks. However, student presence is minimal at best at lacrosse games, so fans can sit wherever they want. Neighborhood 5 Annapolis is a small-sized city of about 40,000 people, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. There’s a shopping center located across from the stadium with a few basic restaurants, but you can find far better food a short drive away. Annapolis being located on the Chesapeake Bay, there are plenty of great seafood restaurants nearby, including Buddy’s Crabs & Ribs, The Boatyard Bar & Grill, and the Sailor Oyster Bar, all located within a couple miles of the stadium. If you want an authentic sweet treat after your meal, The Boatyard sells the official state dessert of Maryland, Smith Island Cake, which is made fresh on Smith Island daily and brought up by ferry. The real attraction, though, is the U.S. Naval Academy itself. The grounds are beautiful, and there’s so much history, so be sure to take a tour while you’re in town. Keep in mind, however, that driving onto Academy grounds is prohibited without proper military clearance. Fans can board a shuttle from the parking lot to take them onto Academy grounds. Fans 4 Attendance at Navy lacrosse games can vary significantly. For an early season game against a non-conference opponent, Navy will likely draw under 1,000 fans. For a game against a regional rival like Loyola or Johns Hopkins or their archrival and fellow service academy Army, they will draw several thousand, perhaps over 10,000. The experience here varies depending on where you go more than at many other schools.. Attendance has also trended downward since COVID, even as restrictions have been gone for several years now. It remains to be seen if this trend will continue. Fans in attendance are your typical bunch and range from passionate to subdued. They can get into it after Navy goals, but as they tend to be spread out throughout the large stadium, despite the fact that many sections are closed off, it still will rarely get that loud here unless the Mids are playing a rival. Access 4 Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is located just off U.S. Route 50. Take Exit 24 for Rowe Boulevard, and the stadium is just up ahead. Parking is available in a lot next to the stadium for $10, which is a bit pricey but not outrageously so. Both cash and credit cards are accepted. Once inside, it is easy to move around the concourses and other areas, as they were designed for much larger football crowds. The lines at the concession stands will rarely get very long, although it might be different at more in-demand games. Likewise, the restrooms designed for football crowds are more than capable of handling lacrosse ones. . Return on Investment 3 Tickets are $10, which is about typical for lacrosse in this area. They may be more expensive for games against rivals like Army, but for most games $10 will be the price. Concessions are affordable if limited, but $10 to park is as much as the ticket itself. All of this makes a trip here an average value to see a lacrosse game, nothing more, nothing less. Extras 3 Look for the Blue Angel plane outside the stadium as you come in. There is a marketing table on the concourse with giveaways such as roster cards and yearbooks, all of which are free. A third and final star for the team store, known as the Goat Locker, which sells Navy merchandise during the game, Final Thoughts Lacrosse is very popular in the state of Maryland - in fact, it's the official team sport. Navy is just one of several highly successful lacrosse programs in the state. For the best experience, we suggest visiting one of the games against a regional rival, or the Army-Navy game in years when it is held here, even though the price may be slightly more expensive. However, whenever you visit, you can enjoy taking in lacrosse in this historic setting.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Cascade High School Gymnasium 6565 S County Rd 200 W Clayton, IN 46118 Cascade HS Cadets website Cascade HS Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 1,800 The Gym in the Middle of the High School The Cascade High School basketball gym is unlike any other of its kind in the state of Indiana. The playing court and seating bowl are not in a separate building or even separated by a wall, instead, centered in the middle of the high school, where students and teachers roam the hallways daily. Think of a town square, but instead of a courthouse, you have an open plaza with benches and green space. However, replace the benches with wood bleacher seating and railing and install a basketball court. The students’ lockers, hallways, and individual classrooms are visible from the upper portion of the gym space. It almost feels like the anti-gym in a state where the basketball gym takes precedence over the high school. The high school was the consolidated three former schools of Clayton, Amo, and Stilesville. It cost $1.2 million to build and opened for the academic school year of 1964-1965. The name Cascade was the result of using a combination of the three former schools to create the name Cascade High. It was told to me that the Cadets nickname sounded well when paired up with the school name. The boys’ team captured a sectional title in their first year in 1965 and added five more since then, including three from 2001-2006. The girls’ program won two sectional titles in 1986 and 2007. Food & Beverage 3 Unlike many schools this pandemic year, food is sold at home games. The concession stand is located on the upper level in a somewhat small room. Fans can choose from a selection of hot dogs, coneys, nachos, candy, popcorn, and bottled soda. The prices range from $1 to $3. Atmosphere 3 There is no other place to watch basketball like Cascade High School. The Cadets have a gym that offers a sunken-type design with a wraparound concourse and a mostly unobstructed view from the seating and concourse area. Fans are up close and personal to the action and are situated about 6-7 feet above the court. There are many great vantage points during the game. Fans get an ideal look from all corners of the upper concourse. There is a view from directly behind the basket rim. Fans are not permitted to sit on the court level, at least during our visit. However, there isn’t a bad seat in the house, and one can expect a very personal experience at a Cadets game. There are a few oddities at the anti-gym that includes the main concourse being the actual classroom hallways during the school day. Patrons at the game are given lockers and individual classrooms, including the art teacher who has a nice display of student projects in an outside display case. There is also the narrow out-of-bounds area underneath the basket that is no more than a couple of inches. Padded walls as much-needed protection for any player who may need it during a rebound or layup. The floor was replaced in 2014 and looks sharp with the school colors of Columbia blue and black. The large school logo is located on the center court, while the original center court logo is on the walls in the Cadet Center a few yards away. There are also placards hanging up against the walls of past team championships and a few banners on the opposite end. On the concourse, the retired jersey of Stephen V. Long is on display to honor the former student and army veteran who lost his life in the Pentagon attack on September 11, 2001. Neighborhood 2 Cascade High is located in Clayton, Indiana, 9 miles north of the I-70 exit. The town was founded in 1829 as Clayville and named after Henry Clay, a Kentucky statesman. The population is close to 1,000 and is located 27 miles west of downtown Indianapolis. The town is known for its annual Fall Festival in September which features horse pulls, tractor pulls, a live band, kids’ games, food, and a parade. The town also sponsors the annual Triple F Ride in June, which is a non-profit bike rally, and Movies in the Park on Friday evenings. Fan 3 The Cadets have a nice fanbase that supports their hometown team. The pandemic has reduced the crowd side during our visit, but they’re a core group of fans. Access 3 The school is located north of both SR 40 and I-70 and is not hard to get to from Indianapolis. Visitors should look for the event center sign when arriving at the high school for the best access to the court. The sign for the Cadet Center is not for the high school gym, but for the middle school and auxiliary gyms. Once inside, the concourse is wide enough to move fans around to their seats quite easily. Return on Investment 3 The price of a ticket is $5, the food is inexpensive, and it is not too far from the big city. The curious little court is worth checking out if in the vicinity. It is one of the most unusual in the state. Extras 3 Cascade High School earns a point for having its basketball court in the center of the school and smacked down in a pit. It is not a separate building or room like many other gyms in Indiana. The gym earns a second point for the colors of Columbia blue and black that are highlighted on the center court. The final point is for the small concession stand way above the gym’s north end. Final Thoughts The home of the Cascade High School Cadets is the anti-gym but offers all of the features of a classic, sunken gymnasium. The views are great from all angles, the atmosphere is warm, and it is a fascinating example of high school hoops in the Hoosier state. _____ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel .

Photos by Chuck Utech, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Carver-Hawkeye Arena 1 Elliot Dr Iowa City, IA 52242 Iowa Hawkeyes website Carver-Hawkeye Arena website Year Opened: 1983 Capacity: 15,400 Iowa Basketball at Carver-Hawkeye Built into the Iowa soil, Carver-Hawkeye Arena (CHA) houses the University of Iowa men’s basketball, women’s basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, and wrestling. Open since 1983, one enters the arena on the ground floor and looks down to the court. The court is encased by seating all the way around, leading up to the large concourse. The arena is currently constructed to hold 15,056. CHA has hosted Big Ten and NCAA Wrestling championships, NCAA Women’s Tournament games, and also the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials. Food & Beverage 3 Concession stands are abundant. Coca-Cola products are served. Prices range from $5 for a regular to $6.50 for a souvenir. There are no alcoholic beverages served at this time, although other in-state venues have made the change to augment concession sales with beer. There are many choices when looking at food options and they fit the traditional arena food bill of fare: Hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, and popcorn. Wimmer’s hot dogs ($4.50) and bratwurst ($5.50) are proudly served. Nachos and cheese, are $6; a large Bavarian pretzel is $7. Popcorn is $6.50 for a regular but the family size (souvenir) is $12 and allows for one return fill-up trip. Easily found items, in addition, include tots, burgers, chicken tenders, and walking tacos. All are in the $6-$9 range. One item that is the biggest hit is the soft serve ice cream. Lines form early. A cone is $4, and a bowl $7. It is a CHA tradition and fans love their pre-game soft serve. Atmosphere 4 A benefit to bowl seating is the layout can be very convenient. This, and to good views as well proportional fan distribution. The fans cover the entire circle, with a small notch carved out for the band. The student section is noisy and is prompted by the band throughout the game. Fans can sense when the home team needs a boost on offense or defense and dial up the volume. There are moments when CHA can get quite loud. The fans can take that deafening roar to a dead silence when needed during a free throw. It is fun to hear it go from 100 to 0 decibels. Neighborhood 4 Plenty of pre and post-game opportunities within a short distance from CHA are available to choose from in the Iowa City and Coralville area. Starting with pizza options, Falbo Brothers downtown on Gilbert St. and Wig and Pen are excellent choices. The Fieldhouse and the Mill also are excellent options. Cedar Rapids is about 20 minutes to the north. It has been rebuilt since devastating floods a decade ago and is worth a visit. The National Czech and Slovak Museum and African American Museum are great cultural experiences. The Five Seasons Center downtown has been renamed the U.S. Cellular Center. This famed building has seen many basketball games in its own right and once housed a game coached by Billy Packer and McGuire in the is. Riverside, Iowa is about 15 miles to the south. It has a casino and a TopGolf suite. For those wanting a quirky time, visit the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk of Star Trek. Fans 4 Hawkeye fans do cheer when the team is doing well. Their passion can spill over to disdain when the team is not doing quite as well. They are passionate about the team. Knowledge is abundant as well and they have fun with the opponent fans in a lead or dialall-star80sgood-naturedhappy-go-lucky kind of way. The Iowa student section and the band are entertaining, even if they do not carry the notoriety of other fan bases in the Big Ten or even rival Iowa State. Wins are celebrated with a polka, “In Heaven, there is no beer.” Access 3 Access to CHA is different than access inside. CHA sits in an area of Iowa City that bottlenecks easily at times of heightened traffic. Although it is not as bad when 70,000 are exiting Kinnick Stadium , the throngs arriving or leaving can cause delays. The staff does yeoman work flowing traffic, but there is just not a large infrastructure in the neighborhood for the large masses. Within CHA, the concourses are wide and it is easy to get around even with the soft serve line. There is a wide assortment of handicapped access seats available. Bathrooms can get busy at peak times. Return on Investment 4 From parking across the street for $5, to tickets, concessions, programs, and souvenirs, CHA is an excellent bang for the buck. B1G basketball for $20-$35 on average is good stuff. The value is heightened with the bowl seating and excellent views throughout the arena. There is premium seating (Carver Terrace) available near the top of the bowl for the ultimate experience. Prices start at $200 a game for a table. Extras 5 May sound odd, but a pre-game handicap is the long lines for, must-see soft-serve ice cream. Get in on it early. Whether it is inside or outside, staff and security are plentiful and courteous. Traffic flows even after a largely attended game. The staff is full-on “Iowa Nice” and more than happy to assist with questions or finding a seat. Iowa traditional sports have had a fair amount of success over the years. There are banners, displays, and mentions of the accomplishments throughout. On-court activities for fans such as trying to get a hole-in-one, t-shirt toss, or shooting a half-court shot are fun fillers. The Iowa yearbook comes with a Poster front/Roster back. In addition, there are booths set up with free posters and schedules while supplies last for various athletic activities. Final Thoughts A trip to Carver-Hawkeye Arena is an enjoyable experience. Reasonable pricing, fun for, and passionate fans make this a great spot to see a game. The Iowa City area is excellent with plenty of outside activities available for those looking for a full weekend.

Photos by Robbie Raskin, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Woodbine 555 Rexdale Blvd Etobicoke, ON M9W 5L2, Canada Queen’s Plate website Woodbine website Year Opened: 1956 Capacity: 42,000 A Royally Good Time One of the unique aspects of horse racing worldwide is that major racing nations have three important races that comprise their national ‘Triple Crowns’ of horse racing. Usually, the races are restricted to three-year-old throughbreds. In Canada, unlike in most other nations, each race of Triple Crown is run on a different surface; the Queen’s Plate on synthetic Tapeta, the Prince of Wales’ Stakes, run in Fort Erie, Ontario, on dirt, and the Breeder’s Stakes on turf. The Queen’s Plate, however, is the single most prestigious, and carries with it a massive sense of occasion as one of Toronto’s most prominent social events in the year. Held annually at Woodbine in Toronto, the Queen’s Plate is held as part of a two-day summer festival. Usually occurring during late June or early July, this year’s running took place over the Canada Day long weekend (28-29 June, 2019). Toronto’s socialites took a pause from their usual commute north to their cottages to spend the weekend seeing and being seen, as well as enjoying the oldest continuously-run horse race in North America. Inaugurated in 1860, the Queen’s Plate was first held at Toronto’s Carleton Race Course and moved around the province of Upper Canada (which became known as Ontario). It has flipped between being known as the Queen’s Plate and the King’s Plate, pending the current reigning monarch. Its $1 000 000 purse makes it a tremendously important race for breeders and jockeys, but it is also a massive betting occasion at the track and around the country. It is also a popular event for the royal family to attend, with Queen Elizabeth having last personally attended in 2010. The two-day festival features dozens of individual races, culminating in the running of the Queen’s Plate itself. The first day, usually Friday, is considered the pre-party, with an air of anticipation over the racecourse, while Saturday is the big day with all its pomp and circumstance. Woodbine itself is Canada’s premier horse racing destination and has been since it opened in 1956. It is also home to a large casino, and will soon be home to a major entertainment and residential precinct, now under construction. Open daily for much of the year (and with the casino open year round), the racecourse features a number of other notable races including the Canadian International Stakes, the Breeders’ Stakes, the Coronation Futurity, and many more. For horse racing fans or just those looking for a royally good time, a trip to Woodbine is surely in order next summer! Food & Beverage 5 Depending on from where you choose to enjoy the race, your food options go from good to superlative. Within the grandstand, there are a number of upscale restaurants and bars as well as typical concession booths. Starting with these, the Trackside Grill offers burgers, sausages, and chicken sandwiches from $5.25 for a basic hamburger and up. Prices are reasonable; a sausage and chips combo goes for $8.90. Various sides like onion rings, poutine, and chicken fingers are also good value. The Carvery offers roast beef, a diverse menu of salads including mango prawn and teriyaki salmon, and a surprisingly robust rotating menu of soups. Bowls of soup are $5.25 and there are a handful of options. While the hot weather of this year’s race didn’t warrant it, the beef brisket soup looked particularly appetising. Another option in this food court area is the Southern Fried Chicken stand, offering exactly what it sounds like. On top, Café Superior is a good spot for a latte and baked good or ice cream, if that’s in the offing. Pizza Pizza and Tim Horton’s, two Ontario standbys, offer affordable bites. Moving up a little, the Hoofbeats Lounge is near track level and is the place for grab-and-go hot items, with a dining room and track side patio. Inside the casino is the Willows Dining Room. It features both buffet and a la carte service and usually has a nightly special for casino-goers. It also features a slide-up noodle bar with quick and savoury soups and noodle bowls. For drinks, there are a number of bar counters as well as sit-down pub spaces within the Grandstand. The Finish Line Bar offers the best view. Each year, an official cocktail is also created for the race. There are stands throughout the Grandstand and track side selling premixed examples; this year was a sweet vodka-and-prosecco-based number named the Royal Blush. Getting classier, the Woodbine Club Dining Room is a rich, wood-panelled space known for its prime rib. It is a popular place for couples to share a bottle of wine overlooking the track. A lunch buffet is $45, while supper is $50. Finally, the pinnacle of dining within the Grandstand is the Club Lounge. Appointed sumptuously like a Victorian drawing room, this room is for members only and is as much a library, clubhouse, or sitting room as a dining room. It is, quite plainly, stunning, but you will have to know someone to get in. The list of choices continues on Queen’s Plate weekend, though, if you venture out of the Grandstand. There are dozens of spots in the various garden parties surrounding the track in which access can be purchased. Places like the G.H. Mumm Garden Social, the Hats and Horseshoes party are just a couple of ticketed areas with food, drink, and social events. Topping all these is the very exclusive White Party, held in a private clubhouse on the far side of the track. While the menu could be raved about for an entire article, some highlights include seafood charcuterie platters, multiple carving stations, constant parades of hors d’oeuvres, and of course an open bar. For most racegoers, though, the food court selections will be the go-to, and for the price, you can do extremely well there. No matter how much racegoers spend, no one should go hungry or thirsty at Woodbine. Atmosphere 4 Woodbine is currently undergoing something of a transformation from a racecourse and slots casino into a major entertainment neighbourhood. At least six towering cranes loom over one corner of the grounds, with plans in place for wholesale redevelopment of underutilised car parking and open fields on its periphery. For now, Woodbine is centred on its tall Grandstand, which is in some places showing its age, but is still very much capable of hosting any race. The Grandstand features alternating seating, bars, restaurants, and casino spaces. Walking along, one might pass two or three table games and slots salons, a bar or two, and access to both enclosed and outdoor seating areas. Throughout all of this are plenty of betting terminals and in-person betting desks. For Queen’s Plate weekend, the massive but exclusive Hats and Horseshoes party is set up around a walking ring with tents for food, drinks, betting, and live music. Well-known headliners play each night of the festival. Beside this garden atmosphere are the open paddocks, where fans can check out the behind-the-scenes of their favourite horses and, naturally, bet on them from within. Helpfully, within this area there is an onsite milliner who can provide fascinator hats for the ladies, as well as florists. The entire area is bedecked with flowers and greenery in a beautiful setting. The horses are paraded to and from the paddock surrounding races and offer a close interaction between spectators and the horse teams. Downstairs near the paddock is an extensive Hall of Fame, which is a great place to familiarise yourself with past winners of the historic races held at Woodbine. Outside is a statue of Northern Dancer, Canada’s most celebrated racehorse and the leading progenitor of thoroughbreds in the world today. His final race win, the 1964 Queen’s Plate remains one of Canadian horseracing’s greatest moments. The Grandstand is over seven stories high with sweeping views over the three tracks that comprise Woodbine. Innermost is a turf oval, followed by the slightly wider Tapeta (essentially synthetic dirt) upon which the Queen’s Plate race itself is run, and the outermost course is the E.P. Taylor turf course. Closest to the grandstand, it is similar to many British racecourses in that it is non-ovular, which is a departure from American horse racing courses. Along the west side, near the so-called clubhouse turn of the Taylor turf course, the clubhouse hosts the White Party. As the most exclusive of all the parties within the festival weekend, this event includes live bands, multiple open bars, sprawling buffets, and a close-up view to the middle Tapeta track and interior turf oval. Access to this event is provided by shuttle from a private parking lot. In the interior of the racecourse is the beautiful park-like setting of water features and gardens, as well as a bright and modern video board. There is also the Winners’ Circle, sponsored by champagne brand G.H. Mumm. Back to the Grandstand, we find the most notable feature of the facility; its Royal Box. Bedecked on Queen’s Plate day with flowers and coats of arms, the Royal Box is where members of the Canadian royal family (the same as Britain’s) and their Canadian representatives take in the race. Usually around 3pm on race day, a grand ceremony featuring pipe bands, military parade, and gorgeous horse-drawn chariots will deliver the royal delegation along the red carpet to their box. With all the pomp and circumstance of this weekend, it can sometimes seem that a few areas of the Grandstand are not quite on the same level. By no means is the facility becoming dilapidated, but surrounded by the flowers, chariots, and beautifully-attired people, the standard décor can be almost incongruous on this weekend. Neighbourhood 2 Woodbine isn’t in the city centre, as few racecourses are anywhere. It is, instead, out by the airport in the northwest corner of Toronto. That’s not to say there aren’t good options for food and drink nearby, but it isn’t as though fans stroll from the grandstand into a mecca of options. This is changing, however, as Woodbine is redeveloping itself into a major hub of theatre, sport, racing, gaming, and living. Construction is well-underway and the area surrounding the tracks, now sparse, will soon be a major destination for all. In the meantime, if you do wish to eat outside the grounds, Al-Meezan Spicy Grill is across the road and serves Middle Eastern, while Sweet Mahal offers Indian desserts. Around the corner on Islington Avenue is Chubby’s Fish and Chips, and old standby with a very good poutine. Fans 5 The Queen’s Plate is where Toronto’s high society come out to start their summer social season. This means thousands of men in suits and vests and women competing to outdo one another with spectacular fascinator hats and dresses. Attendance has always been strong and sellouts are the norm on this weekend. Access 3 Expect this score to rise as Woodbine’s redevelopment progresses and a planned new train station opens on the Kitchener train line. In the meantime, the best public transportation choice is the 37A bus from Islington subway station direct to Woodbine’s front door. Various other buses from Toronto and surrounding suburbs stop outside the main gates, while the nearest train station, Etobicoke North, is about two kilometres away and connected by various buses. From certain suburbs, a shuttle bus makes getting there easy. The ride is $10, cash only, and departures are from Scarborough, Markham, Richmond Hill, and Thornhill. This shuttle includes free wifi and a washroom onboard. Tickets can be booked online at casinowoodbine.com/shuttle or can be obtained on a walk-up basis Car is still the most popular means of access on race weekend, with free parking, or valet for $35. The racecourse is located along Highway 427, though traffic backups on race day can occur, and parking can be a struggle if you don’t arrive early. Return on Investment 5 For a full day of racing, entertainment, and a true scene, tickets start at an extremely reasonable $15 for the Friday general admission. Costs rise as you get into the big Saturday, and access to the Grandstand itself begins at $43 for the Friday. On the Saturday, expect to pay closer to $100 for those same seats. Premium tickets and tickets for the exclusive parties, on the other hand, can run many hundreds of dollars or more. With free parking, though, and good deals to be had on food, the day out can leave fans with plenty of money left over for betting and hat-shopping. Extras 4 An extra point is needed for the fact the Queen’s Plate is much more than the race. Even including the eighteen or more prestigious other races associated with the event (such as the King Edward Stakes), the day includes pageantry, fashion, dining, parties, and the chance to glimpse royalty. A bonus for the prominent support of breast cancer charities, supported by ticket sales and donations throughout the event. A bonus for the introduction of very good mobile apps for betting. Woodbine and its sister tracks have launched hpibet.com which means fans can bet without ever leaving their seat. A final bonus for the redevelopment of Woodbine, which is ambitious and will transform the ground magnificently. Final Thoughts The Queen’s Plate is so much more than just a horse race. It brings a level of pageantry rarely seen at any event and is one of the premier social events in Canada. Often graced by royalty, access is still easily attainable for affordable sums. An integral part of summer and the longest-running horse race on the continent, the Queen’s Plate is a royally good time!

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 CCBC Baseball Field 7200 Sollers Point Rd Baltimore, MD 21222 CCBC Dundalk Lions website CCBC Dundalk Baseball Field website Year Opened: n/a Capacity: 250 Lions At The Field One of the largest colleges in Maryland is largely unknown outside of the Baltimore area. The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) has an annual enrollment of greater than 72,000 students. Created in the 1990s by a merger of Essex Community College, Dundalk Community College, and Catonsville Community, the new college kept each of those three main campuses, along with a bevy of extension campuses around the suburban Baltimore area. The three colleges shared a common board of trustees for years, but operated independently. Essex, Dundalk, and Catonsville have each kept their own distinct athletic identity. CCBC Dundalk began in 1970. The school mascot is the Lions and they play three sports total. Dundalk won the NJCAA Division II national championship for basketball in 2000. They are a member of Region XX of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference, The Baseball Field is located next to the Dundalk Wellness & Athletics Center, which is pretty much the middle of the campus. Food & Beverage 0 There are no food options at or near the baseball field. You are free to bring your own food. Atmosphere 2 There is not much else in terms of atmosphere as it is a JUCO-level baseball game. The team does have a PA announcer and plays walkup music for players. There are two small bleachers and two garden areas for seating around the main part of the field. There is a tiny chain link and no netting, so be aware of flying balls as this field is mainly unprotected. Neighborhood 3 CCBC Dundalk is a suburban community college with its main neighbor being the Dundalk High School and Sollers Point Technical High School. One of my favorite places to eat in the area is Squire's Italian Restaurant, which has a large menu of offerings. Their pizza is well-known in the area. Fans 2 The attendees at most games are family members or other athletes. There may be a few local residents who attend the games. The fans are knowledgeable and friendly to visitors. Access 4 CCBC Dundalk is located not far off of the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) via Merritt Boulevard. Please note that the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was part of I-695, could make getting to the field from the south a little more difficult. You will need to use one of the Baltimore tunnels instead. There is plenty of free parking on the campus. If classes are in session you may expect to park a bit further away from campus. Be careful parking right by the field, as the lot right by the field would seem to be a magnet for foul balls. Return on Investment 5 The games are free to attend. That, along with the free parking, means that you can attend a good-level JUCO program at no cost. . Extras 2 If you go inside the Dundalk Wellness & Athletics Center, there are a few plaques around the that honor student-athletes from Dundalk's years past. Walk around campus and see the solar panels that have been added to many parking areas on campus. All of the CCBC campuses have added these and expect to get more than a quarter of their electricity from solar. This 5.1-megawatt project is expected to generate 6.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year and joins the 16.1-megawatt array at Mount St. Mary’s University in an effort by local colleges to expand solar usage. Final Thoughts The CCBC Dundalk Baseball Field is a basic pleasant baseball field located in a nice setting. Although nothing fancy, it is a nice little stop for a baseball fan traveling around the Baltimore area.