Facing a $24 million budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year, Sonoma State University, a public university that is part of the California State University System, announced a slew of budget cuts last week, including the cessation of all eleven of its sports programs at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. The cuts were announced via email by University administrators with virtually no notice to the student body or staff. In the email, administrators stated the cuts were being made to “best serve its current and future students and adapt to a changing higher education landscape.” In addition to the entire athletic department, more than 60 other employees will be losing their jobs. The art history, dance, earth and environmental sciences, economics, French, gender studies, philosophy, theater and women’s studies programs are all being eliminated. Administration pointed to a decade-long decline in enrollment and a resulting loss of tuition, scholarships and grants as a main reason for the budget deficit and need for cuts. The school’s current enrollment stands at under 8,000 students, including both undergraduate and graduate students. Sonoma State athletics has enjoyed some success over the years, winning national titles in women’s soccer in 1990, men’s soccer in 2002 and men’s golf in 2009. Five Sonoma State alumni have reached Major League Baseball (Marshall Brant, Daniel Barone, Tommy Everidge, O’Koyea Dickson and Scott Alexander). Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Allen attended Sonoma State. Seawolves teams have competed in 105 NCAA Division II Tournaments across 13 sports in their history. In the week since the announcement, there have been actions taken by people trying to save jobs and programs at the school. A complaint has been filed with the Office of Civil Rights, claiming that the school’s decision targets minority students unfairly. The Athletic Department at Sonoma State is more diverse than the student body at large. Meanwhile, affected students try to figure out what happens next, while trying to hold on to what they’ve built at Sonoma State. "On one hand, we're trying to get them somewhere else, but on the other hand we're asking them to fight and that's a lot to put on them," said assistant soccer coach Benjamin Ziemer. "It takes commitment from our family and our friends to get us the opportunity to go to college, and to have that take from athletes and non-athletes alike, it just breaks my heart because I know probably a good amount of those students are not going to be able to go to college again somewhere else," said Joseph Sotelo, a golfer and third-year student.

Photos by Paul Baker Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Whittemore Center 128 Main St. Durham, NH 03824 New Hampshire Wildcats men's hockey website Whittemore Center website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 7,500 100 Years of Wildcat Hockey   The first hockey team at the University of New Hampshire took the ice in 1925. For many years, the team played on an outdoor rink that was dependent on the elements for use. That all changed in 1965 with the construction of Snively Arena. Named for former coach A. Barr “Whoop” Snively, the classic barrel-shaped barn served as home to the Wildcats for 30 years. Snively Arena still stands today, used as a recreation center located adjacent to its successor, the Whittemore Center.   In 1995 the Whittemore Center was built next door to its predecessor for $30 million. Frederick B. Whittemore was a noted philanthropist and founding director of the UNH Foundation. The facility was dedicated to Frederick and the Whittemore family. Originally built with an Olympic-sized (200 feet by 100 feet) ice surface, the Whittemore Center ice surface was reduced slightly to “NHL size” (200’ by 90’) in a 2022 renovation. The venue hosted the Women’s Frozen Four in 2002, 2005, 2016 and 2024.   The Wildcats have qualified for the NCAA tournament 22 times, most recently in 2013. UNH has reached the Frozen Four seven times, finishing as national runners-up in 1999 and 2003. UNH counts among its alumni 25 First-Team All-Americans. 47 former Wildcats have played in the National Hockey League, most notably Hockey Hall of Famer Rod Langway.   The UNH women’s hockey team also calls the Whittemore Center home. They have qualified for five NCAA tournaments, most recently in 2010. They reached the Frozen Four once, in 2006, and won a national championship in 1998, before the NCAA sponsored the annual national championship tournament.   Food & Beverage 3   There are small concession stands located on each side of the rectangular-shaped concourse. Each stand features one pillar of the arena menu standards (hot dogs, burgers, pizza, chicken tenders) A variety of snacks can be found at each of these stands. Again, the basics (popcorn, pretzels, candy, nachos) are well represented. Fans looking for unique items can search for chili and cornbread, meatball subs, or baked goods served up at one of the portable stands. A stand serving up Dippin’ Dots is popular with the younger fans in attendance.   Coca-Cola products are featured at the Whittemore Center. Fans looking for an adult beverage can choose from several national brands of beer and wine. If craft beers are more your style, brews from several local breweries are featured, highlighted by the Go Cats IPA from Deciduous Brewing.   Atmosphere 5   At any college game, the game day atmosphere is driven primarily by the pep band and student section. At the Whittemore Center, the students don’t disappoint. While this student section may not be as loud and salty as others in New England, they make their presence known with a repertoire of chants and songs. The band plays through most play stoppages, creating a lively atmosphere.   Even though the Whittemore Center is a gray, concrete building, UNH has made great efforts to soften what could be a drab and cold facility. Photos fill the walls all over the Whittemore Center of current and former UNH teams, alumni who played in the NHL, displays of New Hampshire hockey history, and more. Banners honoring championship and tournament teams hang over the ice. There’s a lot to check out at Whittemore Center.   There are 50/50 raffles and in-game contests to keep casual fans interested. A large video board hangs at center ice and is put to good use with replays, hype videos, fan cams, and graphics.   A highlight of every Wildcat game is the tossing of the fish onto the ice surface. After New Hampshire scores their first goal, a student tosses a fish from the crowd onto the ice. The tradition is said to have begun in the late 70s to mock the opponents having to “fish” the puck out of their net.   Neighborhood 3   The University of New Hampshire dominates the small town of Durham. The Whittemore Center is located about a mile west of downtown on Main Street. Durham has a nice, traditional small-town college feel to it, and there are a few places worth checking out for a bite to eat if you are visiting here from out of town. Clarks American Bistro and the Hop and Grill highlight several options located in the downtown area.   Fans visiting UNH from out of town will often head east to Portsmouth, located just 11 miles from Whittemore Center. Portsmouth features a picturesque, walkable downtown with numerous quaint shops and excellent restaurants.   Since there are not many lodging options in Durham, head to Portsmouth for more choices. Boston, Massachusetts is about an hour’s drive south on I-95. The White Mountains are located just a ninety-minute drive north of Durham and feature spectacular foliage in the fall and many outstanding ski resorts in the winter.   Fans 5   New Hampshire averages around 5,000 fans per game annually, which places them in the top 15 of all Division One teams nationwide. New Hampshire is a hockey-crazed state and UNH has a legion of dedicated, knowledgeable fans. With the Wildcats’ membership in the Hockey East Conference, the home schedule is guaranteed to feature several top-ranked and local teams. It’s not unusual to see visiting fans in solid numbers at Whittemore Center. When traditional rival Maine is in town, expect the intensity to ratchet up a notch or two.   The student section is located behind the goal on the east end of the arena. Often packed to the brim, the students fill Whittemore Center with noise throughout the night. Access 3   Durham is a small town with a population of 15,000 located fifteen minutes west of Portsmouth and an hour north of Boston. The town is easy to reach from Interstate 95 and New Hampshire Route 4. The University of New Hampshire dominates Durham, with the campus straddling Main Street.   The Whittemore Center is located on the western edge of campus alongside UNH’s other athletic facilities, including Wildcat Stadium and Lundholm Gymnasium . There are several parking lots surrounding the athletic facilities, but most fans will park in Lot A across the train tracks from the arena.   Whittemore Center features a large lobby located between Hamel Recreation Center (the old Snively Arena) and the Whittemore Center Arena. After the long walk from your car on a cold New Hampshire winter night, this indoor lobby is most appreciated. A 360-degree concourse circles the rink atop the seating bowl. The rink is visible from most spots on the concourse.   Fans will walk down to their seats, which consist mostly of blue folding stadium seats, with molded bleachers on either end. Views from all seats are excellent. Although there are several concession stands and three sets of restrooms around the arena, lines do form during intermission. Time your trips wisely.   Return on Investment 3   Tickets to Wildcat hockey games cost $32 for sideline seats and $24 for end zone seats. Discounts are available for seniors, youth and members of the military. Parking in the many lots surrounding Whittemore Center is free. Concession prices feel a little bit on the high side but are comparable to other venues in the area. Overall, a night at a Wildcat hockey game is an affordable entertainment option for southern New Hampshire sports fans. Extras 5   The Wildcat statue that guards the entrance to the Whittemore Center on Main Street provides an excellent gathering spot and opportunity for a group photo before you head inside.   Extra points are awarded for the displays of New Hampshire hockey history all around the Whittemore Center. From the moment you enter the lobby of the Whittemore Center, you are presented with the best UNH has to offer.   Oversized photos of UNH All-Americans line the lobby walls along with the Hobey Baker Award won by Jason Krog and the Patty Kazmeier Award won by Brandy Fisher. Banners hang from the rafters honoring Wildcat tournament and championship teams, including the National Championship Women’s team in 1998.   The Charles Holt Gallery displays photos of every men's hockey team to represent the school and the Russ McCourty Gallery shows photos of every women’s hockey team. Look closely at the photos of the women’s teams from 1977-1991. You may notice that in every team photo, coach McCurty is holding his pet cat.   A final extra point is awarded for the tradition of throwing a fish on the ice after the Wildcat's first goal.   Final Thoughts   This mid-sized rink in a tiny town with an oversized ice surface is loaded with displays of New Hampshire hockey history and enthusiastic fans. Despite the small-town feel here in Durham, Boston is just over an hour away. The University of New Hampshire is well-situated for their second century of Wildcat hockey.   Just be careful, the fish toss doesn’t always go as planned…     Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Kinsmen Arena @ Fort Erie Leisureplex 3 Municipal Centre Drive Fort Erie, ON L2A 2S6 Fort Erie Meteors website Fort Erie Leisureplex website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 1,600 Fort Erie Family Affair Fort Erie, Ontario is probably best known for being that Canadian town on the opposite side of the border from Buffalo, New York. Fort Erie has a population of almost 31,000 and is the closest Canadian point to the Buffalo Sabres , however, it has a decent hockey tradition of its own. Fort Erie is currently the home of the Meteors of the Junior B level Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The franchise was founded in 1957 as the Frontiers with a branded period as the Autos before becoming the Meteors in 1971. Boasting alumni including former NHL players Randy Burridge, Stan Drulia, Jarrod Skalde, and Andre Deveaux, the Meteors are a real family business. Former owner Tony Passero passed away in 2019, leaving the team to his family. Meaghan Passero is the current owner and Nik and Anthony Passero are the coaches and General Manager. Home for the Meteors is the Fort Erie Leisureplex.  Built in 1996, the Leisureplex features the Kinsmen Arena, a main ice pad with seating for 1,600 and home of the Meteors as well as a second ice pad, banquet halls, and the Fort Erie Sports Gallery and Research Centre. Food & Beverage 3 The concession stand is accessed from the meeting room between the two rinks.  The menu includes the expected arena concession items including burgers, onion rings, hot dogs, chicken burgers, and fries.  Soft drinks include Coca-Cola products, Gatorade, Chocolate milk, water, coffee, tea and hot chocolate.  The game reviewed was the school day game and the Meteors welcomed a capacity crowd full of elementary school children.  Due to this, the concession lines were massive and it did not seem that there were alcohol sales.  It is assumed that the Meteors do have a Blueline Club-type area where alcohol is normally sold for regular games. Atmosphere 4 The Fort Erie Leisureplex is an attractive facility from the exterior.   The main entry is from the northeast corner and features light brown brick with large tinted windows with pillars and a covered entry.  There are a pair of ponds to the northeast with benches around them and a few memorials including the Angel of Peace and a memorial to workers who have died on the job.  This natural area is central to the Leisureplex and Fort Erie Town Hall, which is adjacent to the arena. Entering the Leisureplex brings fans into a large atrium, perfect for meeting friends before the game.  To the left is the Sports Gallery and Research Centre which appears to be open by appointment only.  A large staircase will have fans ascend to the main box office and Kinsmen Arena entry.  The landing at the top of the stairs offers access to the meeting room and windows to view both ice pads.  The landing also has a couple of arcade games and bubble hockey.  A trophy case can also be found on the landing, with Meteor artifacts specifically trumpeting the team’s 2024 Golden Horseshoe Conference Championship, the final one before the GOJHL reorganized. Inside Kinsmen Arena, the ice is Olympic-sized and oriented from northeast to southwest, with the best point for a centre ice logo picture from the southeast.  The seating bowl consists of six rows of plastic, maroon arena seats with plenty of space behind for standing room and to maneuver around the arena.  The northwest wall features painted visages of the greatest Fort Erie Athletes to give the rink a classic feel.  The northeast end features members of the Fort Erie Sports Wall of Fame, which includes the likes of Pierre Pilote and Randy Burridge. The gameday production at a Fort Erie Meteors game is akin to most other GOJHL games.  The teams are led to the ice by kids toting Meteors flags.  There is a Meteors mascot who is not employed by the team, but a fan who created a homemade outfit.  The PA announcer is good, however, the sound system does have some dead spots within the arena making announcements difficult to understand at times.  With the game being reviewed being the school day game, there are probably other promotions for regular games that did not apply to this particular game.  Neighbourhood 3 The Fort Erie Leisureplex is located in the Crescent Park neighborhood of Fort Erie. There are a few spots for pre and post game food and drink that are close by. Some choices include Green Acres Family Restaurant, Take 2 Restaurant and Bar, The Barrel, and The Plaice Bar and Grill. The Meteors are pretty much the only game in town, however there are other options that are close by. The region has other GOJHL teams including the Welland Jr. Canadians, Pelham Panthers and Port Colborne Sailors. The Junior A Niagara Falls Canucks and Buffalo Jr. Sabres are also in the area. The Buffalo Bills  and Sabres  are also just on the other side of the bridge. Other tourist options include the Fort Erie Racetrack.   For fans wishing to stay in the area, the Comfort Inn and Knights Inn are not far. Fans 3 At the time of writing, the Fort Erie Meteors averaged over 370 fans per game in the 2024-25 season.  That ranked them 14th in the GOJHL.  The previous season the Meteors averaged over 500 fans which ranked them 8th.  A normal game will probably find closer to 300 fans in the stands as the sold out school day game can skew the results a bit.    Access 4 The Fort Erie Leisureplex is located in the Crescent Park neighbourhood of Fort Erie.  It is south of Garrison Road on Municipal Centre Drive.  It is 2 km south of the Queen Elizabeth Way and west of the Peace Bridge.  Getting to the arena is not difficult and there is plenty of parking on site.  There is very limited public transit in the area and there are bus stops on Municipal Centre Drive.  Fans should consult the Niagara Transit website for fares, schedules and maps.  Even with a full house during the School Day game, getting around the arena is not terribly difficult, although the staircase to get to the Kinsmen Arena may require fans with mobility issues to look for the elevator.  The washroom facilities are adequate for the facility. Return on Investment 5 Fort Erie Meteors hockey offers tremendous value for the sporting dollar.  Meteors tickets are just $10.  Parking is free and concession prices are not too steep.  The product on the ice is solid and the arena is comfortable and provides a great atmosphere for hockey.  Overall, the Meteors put together an experience that will not cost much and offers fun for the whole family. Extras 3 An extra mark for the Fort Erie Meteors remaining a family business in the good hands of the Passero family. An extra mark for the Meteors as the only game in town. An extra mark for an excellent experience at the annual School Day Game. Final Thoughts The Fort Erie Meteors have been a family run business for years, from the time Tony Passero ran the team, to present day when his family continues the tradition.  The Kinsmen Arena @ Fort Erie Leisureplex offers a great atmosphere for Junior B hockey and taking in a Meteors game will give fans a great experience for a small investment. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

The Des Moines Menace introduced a new look today for one of soccer's older franchises. According to the club's website, the crest has been modernized without changing its original integrity. The new branding combines the look from 1994-2001 and its current branding. The colors of black and white remain the same, along with keeping the original identity. It is a style that is not your ordinary mark in the soccer world and one that should appease the fanbase in Iowa. The horizontal wordmark features the handwritten typeface and updated logo, plus the two gold stars to represent the two championships won by the franchise in 2005 and 2021. It is a throwback to the 1994 logo that featured the soccer head but with a few tweaks. The secondary logomark features the main logo without the wordmark, featuring enhanced coloring in the eyes and mouth with bolder black borders. The flames feature a forward motion. The Des Moines Menace are members of the USL League Two. Founded in 1994, the team has found success in the last 31 years with two championships and three regular season championships. The club plays its home games at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines. Check out the video from SAC Sports Adventures for the stadium experience, ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Nininger Hall E College Street Bridgewater, VA 22812 Bridgewater Eagles website Nininger Hall website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 1,000 Fly Like an Eagle, Into Nininger Hall Bridgewater College is located in Bridgewater, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley portion of the state. The school has about 1,800 students, and the athletic programs compete in Division III of the NCAA, in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Bridgewater basketball calls Nininger Hall home. The 1,000-seat arena is located in a building that also contains Bridgewater's health and human sciences department. Food & Beverage 2 There is a concession stand at Nininger Hall, but when Stadium Journey visited, it was closed, as it is staffed by student groups and we visited over winter break. Other fans indicated the menu was pretty basic, so this rating represents our best estimate. Atmosphere 5 Entering Nininger Hall puts you in a lobby with murals and banners honoring Bridgewater athletics. The ticket table is right in front of you, and you will turn left or right to get to the doors to the arena. Once you get inside, most seats are plastic bleachers, all of which have a great view of the court. The stands on one side are slightly elevated up a short flight of stairs from court level but everyone has a good angle. There are a few chairback seats at Nininger Hall, but they are reserved for season ticket holders. The triangular roof of the arena helps trap sound in and make the crowd seem louder than it otherwise would sound. Scoreboards on both baselines show only basic information like the score, clock, team timeouts, and fouls. Halftime entertainment at Eagles games usually involves some sort of contest between fans. Speaking of contests, you may receive a raffle ticket upon entry for a chance to win a prize from the gameday sponsor, which could be anyone from Domino's Pizza to a local golf course. Bridgewater has a small cheerleading squad, although they can usually be found in the stands rather than on the court. There was no band present when Stadium Journey visited. The PA music was standard for the most part, but after the game, they played "Fly Like an Eagle" about Bridgewater's nickname. Overall, a Bridgewater game at Nininger Hall has an impressive atmosphere for Division III. Neighborhood 4 Bridgewater is a small town in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, but that does not mean nothing is going on. Most businesses are located along Main Street (Route 42), a short drive away from the Bridgewater campus. Francesco's Italian, El Charro Mexican, and the Cracked Village Pub are all good places to check out. Smiley's Ice Cream is located closer to I-81 and you will probably drive by it on your way in. It serves delicious ice cream made on-site, including special flavors that vary weekly as well as many regular flavors. It is one of the best ice cream places in the Shenandoah Valley in our opinion. We recommend the banana ice cream, made with fresh bananas. . Fans 4 Bridgewater draws a few hundred fans to a typical basketball game, which doesn't fill Nininger Hall but is a good crowd for this level. The fans here are loud and seem even louder because of the triangular roof. They cheer on their team throughout the game and are not afraid to yell at the refs if they feel they have made a bad call. As the ODAC covers a relatively small geographic footprint, there will typically be fans of the visiting team present as well. If you are rooting for the road team, you should not expect any issues from the home fans. Access 3 Bridgewater's campus is located a few miles off I-81 and US 11. Once you get on campus, there is a large lot across the street from the arena, and if this fills up, fans can park in most other lots on campus, as long as it is a weekend or after 5 PM on a weekday. As Bridgewater plays few if any weekday afternoon games, these time restrictions should not be an issue. A small lot is located right next to the arena, but this is reserved for gameday personnel and fans cannot park here. There are a couple of handicapped spaces in this lot for fans who require them. Restrooms are located in the lobby across from the arena doors. Go out the doors and turn right (or turn left from the lobby as you come in.) The women's room is on the left right before the door to the stairwell, and the men's room is inside the stairwell on your left at the bottom of the stairs. You will not have to climb any stairs to get there, just enter the stairwell and it's right there. These bathrooms are of a sufficient size for the crowd. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $10 for adults, with discounts available for youth and seniors. They should be purchased through the HomeTown Ticketing app in advance and displayed on your phone as you come in, though they will help you purchase them on-site if need be. Either way, it will go through the app, so there is no point in waiting. Officially you need to buy two separate tickets for a doubleheader involving the men's and women's teams, but as they do not clear the arena in between, there is no way for them to enforce this. Overall, a Bridgewater basketball game is a very good value. . Extras 3 The murals in the lobby and the banners in the arena honoring Bridgewater's athletic accomplishments are each worthy of an extra star here. A third and final star for the promotional raffle giveaways from local sponsors. Final Thoughts Bridgewater College may be Division III, but the experience at an Eagles basketball game is on par with many low-level Division I schools. Hoops fans visiting Virginia's Shenandoah Valley will want to check out a game at Nininger Hall.

Imagine if Lord Stanley presented the Stanley Cup to the winners of the top amateur hockey team in Canada only to have it sent back to him on two occasions. Could you have imagined his bewilderment at seeing his contribution to the sport returned to him on multiple occasions? Well, that happened to another man who donated a trophy to a similar sport, one that most folks have never heard of. However, it does make for an interesting story in the annals of sports history. Perhaps if the league had taken care of its business, the Horlick Cup might be better known today. The Horlick Cup was a silver trophy presented to the winning team in the Western Polo League. It wasn’t the type of polo on horses, but the kind played on roller skates like hockey. The sport changed its name in the 1920s to roller hockey and is still played today in many parts of the world. However, the cup was created in 1904 when the sport was widely popular in the Midwest, where the Western League had most of its teams. The cup was two feet high with two polo stickers crossed the front with a ball at the button. The tulip-shaped trophy had two handles and was supported with a base. The trophy would be kept permanently if a polo club won it in three consecutive seasons. William Horlick, a businessman and philanthropist, donated the trophy. He made a fortune through the invention of malted milk and lived in Racine, Wisconsin, where he owned a polo team in the league the season before. He later donated land for Horlick Athletic Field, which hosted the Racine Legion of the National Football League and the Racine Belles in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The trophy was awarded to the Elwood Grays, who finished the 1902-03 season with a 50-30 record, five games ahead of the Richmond Quakers. The cup arrived by train and stopped in Richmond for folks to admire before heading to Anderson to be engraved. It was on display at the Opera House drug store before being awarded to the Grays before their last game of the season. The inscription read, “Winners of the Pennant, Western Roller Polo Association, 1902-03.” It also listed all six player’s names. The cup was displayed in the window of the Nasbaum and Mashmeyer store. The following season, the Richmond Quakers captured the cup with a 52-36 record, one game ahead of the second-place Marion Foxy Five. The trophy was presented to the Quakers before their last game against Elwood. The Coliseum was decorated for the occasion, and small flags were provided to the fans. The cup was placed on a stand in front of the net that was draped with an American flag.  Both teams lined up on opposite sides, and members of the Elwood teams handed silver horseshoes to the Quakers in a sign of good luck while holding the cup. A speech was given in front of a raucous 2,000 faithful in the building.  The Quakers held the cup and skated off the floor while an orchestra played in the background. After the season, the Horlick Cup was put on display in the club room of the Elk’s Club since most of the roster were members.  Before the start of the season, Richmond released a statement that would remain in the Western League for the season but leave for the proposed National Polo League the following season due to salary limits on players. They also intended to keep the Horlick Cup, a clear violation since they had not won it in three consecutive seasons.  The Western League began its third season but lost two members, Indianapolis and Elwood, early in the season. After 40 games, the league was down to four clubs and announced that it was folding for the year. Marion was in first place with a record of 23-16, while Richmond was in second place with a 22-18 record.  Marion felt that the cup was rightfully theirs and that the league managers awarded them the pennant when the league shut down operations. It also qualified them to hoist the cup regardless if the season ended prematurely.  On the other hand, Richmond said since the season ended early, Marion was not the rightful owner of the cup. It should be kept with them until the league is reorganized, or Mr. Horlick should be consulted on the issue. Marion president Ben Larrimer said that if M.C. Henley, president of the Richmond Athletic Association, did send it to his team; representatives would travel to Richmond to take it. Henley then replied that it would be sent to Marion once the engraving was completed on the trophy. The Marion club had joined the Central League after the Western Loop folded and became eligible for the Hennings Cup, which was created that season but finished near the bottom of the standings. However, as they were still playing regular season games, the club was still setting its eyes on Richmond who was holding their trophy. On March 16, Marion challenged Richmond to a series of games plus 70 percent of the receipts. However, Richmond, thinking that they were the true cup champions, challenged Danville, winners of the Higgins Cup in the Central Polo League to a post-season series. However, none of these challenges occurred, and the cup was sent back to Horlick in Racine until the Western League was revised again.  The league would be revised two years later with a smaller schedule of games. The new loop consisted of Anderson, Marion, Logansport, and Kokomo. They would play an 18-game schedule, with the pennant winner awarded the Horlick Cup. For the third time, Marion had a chance to rightfully claim the championship. The cup was sent back to Indiana and put on display at the four different rinks. Newspaper articles once again talked about the silver cup; most folks thought Marion would be the clear favorite to capture it. After a two-year hiatus, roller polo appeared to be back in favor with fans in all four cities. Opening night games in Anderson and Logansport attracted 1,200 and 1,000, respectively, with paid attendance figures much lower than expected. Kokomo played in front of 2,000 howling fans the next night. However, the average crowd at games could be as low as 300 fans per game in some cities. After just 10 games and one week left in the season, Anderson called it quits due to low gate receipts and players. With only three teams left, the league attempted to add Lafayette as a fourth team to finish the season, but that fell through. Kokomo then decided to throw in the towel a few days later due to a disagreement with scheduling. In the end, Marion and Kokomo were tied atop the standings with 6-4 records, and no decision was made on who would win the cup. Since Kokomo had quit the league, Marion might have had a claim to the cup, which was on display in town. The cup was left in the hands of the Marion club, but they felt that they did not rightfully earn it and sent the trophy back to Mr. Horlick in Wisconsin.  The local paper had this to say. "It is some satisfaction to know that they had to break up the league to keep Marion from taking the cup." For the second time, the trophy was sent back to Horlick. There were never any attempts to revise the Western League, although other leagues would pop up in the next few years. It does not appear that anyone contacted Horlick to ask for his cup, and after two fiascos, she probably found a better use for it.  Whatever he did with the trophy remains a mystery over a century later. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

One of the best aspects of a new baseball team is its branding. Today, we are delighted with creative designs or something with a little nod to the history or tradition of the game. The main objectives are to provide a pleasant-looking aesthetic, durability for the players, and merchandise sales across the nation. Several ball clubs in both minor or partner leagues introduce their uniforms long before the season begins, but that was not the case for one independent ball club a little over 25 years ago. They debuted at home with nothing on their jerseys. The East Chicago Conquistadors were members of the Mid-America League in 1995. The four-team league had all of its clubs in Indiana (Anderson, Merrillville, and Lafayette). Team owner Richard Grottanelli stepped down as president of another independent loop, Mid-South League, to purchase the Conquistadors for $15,000 after the original investors stepped down due to a lack of funds four months before the start of the season. File Photo/The Times The Conquistador name was picked by Grottanelli, even though there was a fan vote that resulted in 120 submissions. A few of the names suggested were the Zebra Mussels, Steelers, Blockbusters, Harbor Lights, and the Harbor Fugitives. When asked why he chose a name, Grottanellis stated that he liked it and it would fit well with the local population. A few of the names suggested were the Zebra Mussels, Steelers, Blockbusters, Harbor Lights, and the Harbor Fugitives. When the Q’s took the field in front of 1,648 people at Block Stadium on June 13, they came out wearing white pinstriped pants, gray tops with green block numbers on the back, and a cap with a cursive Q insignia. There wasn’t any identification whatsoever on the front of the jersey. The only exception was the dark caps that featured an attractive cursive “Q”. The fans must have questioned the person next to them in the stands about their home club’s peculiar look. The plan was to have green, red, and black tops with a big ‘Q’ across the front–perhaps on the right chest of the jersey. The team did feature a massive ‘Q’ letter in its logo, but it is unknown whether the planned design would have been that logo or the cursive ‘Q’ that adorns caps. File Photo Yvette Marie Dostatni/The Times The official logo also incorporates a morion helmet on top of the letter ‘Q’ with two pointed lances crisscrossing behind the helmet. The rest of the wording was in the standard blockish font. It was not a creative logo, and one would assume the club would have made the Zebra Mussel look bland. Grottanelli assured that the team uniforms would be ready soon, but he was not sure when they would arrive. He attempted to contact the team’s supplier-Wilson-but did not have much luck getting through with anyone. He added that he was “terminally on voice mail.” Photos from the Munster Times during the season show photos of the vapid jerseys, absent of team identification or nickname. It had to be odd for both players and fans to witness the drab jerseys that clashed with gray tops and white bottoms. The Q’s did not appear to have road uniforms, based on a photo from a game at Loeb Stadium against the Lafayette Leopards. The same jersey design appears to be identical to what they wore at home. However, there was a lot more for him to deal with that maiden season, which included manager Drayton Patterson’s termination and Grottanelli taking over the position, only to turn it over two weeks later to outfielder Jerrone Williams. Grottanelli accused Merrillville Muddogs pitcher Chris Hall of scuffing balls during a doubleheader and was rejected from both games. This prompted Muddogs manager Ron Kittle to say that “he belongs in the circus”. The franchise was sold to Dave O’Neill on July 23, who also owned the Anderson franchise. A few days later, the team debuted its new uniforms, described by new GM Jennifer Blatt as a reflection of its new image both on and off the field. Photo Frank Oliver/Lafayette Journal and Courier There was a slight mishap from its supplier, Main Sporting Goods, which had a few youth sizes in the shipment. The three players, who were assigned those numbers, opted for extra adult sizes with different numbers instead of squeezing into the youth tops. The club debuted the new red pinstripe white jerseys in a doubleheader sweep against Anderson. They would win the very next game to make it 3-0 in the new pinstripes. David White smacked his first home run of the season and the following to say after the doubleheader. “Now that we have the new uniforms it is like a whole new season for us. Baseball is very much a mental game for us in that new uniforms can change a whole team’s attitude.” Unfortunately, the new uniforms’ mojo wore out very quickly as things came to a head during a doubleheader on August 13. Williams quit as manager, center fielder Darrio Green also left the team, and Jackie Robinson left the club after a player he instructed did not steal a base. Robinson watched the game from the stands at Block Stadium, but he did return for the nightcap. The night concluded with backup catcher Ed Lewis escorted from the stadium by East Chicago Police after he allegedly assaulted Blatt. The next day in a game against Lafayette, players forfeited the second game of another doubleheader due to a lack of players and safety for the remaining ones playing out of positions. File Photo Yvette Marie Dostatni/The Times The Q’s failed to make the playoffs, but the league canceled the season when Lafayette pulled out of the postseason. East Chicago had a 23-35 record, attracting 5,444 fans on the season. Their uniforms, which they only wore for 18 days, were either taken home by players or stashed away by ownership. The East Chicago Conquistadors were a small blip in the history of independent minor league baseball; anyone who witnessed a game at Block Stadium that season has long forgotten about them. However, the formation of new independent leagues has not ended 26 years later, but none will ever, at least I hope not, have such a look as the Q’s did during their lone season. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Dave Cottenie and Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Raymond James Stadium 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway Tampa, FL 33607 Tampa Bay Buccaneers website Raymond James Stadium website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 69,218 Raise the Flag The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the most tumultuous histories in the National Football League.  Founded in 1976 by notoriously cheap lawyer Hugh Culverhouse, the Bucs quickly earned the moniker “The Yucks” due to their significant ineptitude on the field.  The Bucs famously began their first two seasons at 0-26.  Through the 80s, Tampa would put together fourteen consecutive losing seasons.  The fortunes would begin to change when the team was sold to the Glazer Family in 1994 after Culverhouse’s death.  A soft rebrand away from the “creamsicle” uniforms and Bucco Bruce and moving to a new stadium along with the hiring of future Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy put the Bucs on the winning ways.  They won their first of two Super Bowls in 2002.  The second golden era of the Bucs dovetailed with the arrival of Tom Brady, arguably the greatest football player ever, and culminated with the 2020 Super Bowl. The current home of the Buccaneers is Raymond James Stadium.  Built in 1998, Raymond James Stadium replaced Tampa Stadium, affectionately known as “The Big Sombrero.”  Not one of the best stadiums in the league based on current standards, Raymond James Stadium is a cautionary tale for the future of the NFL.  It is a perfectly adequate stadium that is comfortable and functional, but did not cost billions and is not a marvel and therefore passed over as in need of replacement. Food & Beverage 4 Concessions at Raymond James Stadium are solid with plenty of variety for fans.  All of the typical stadium options can be found at the stadium.  Burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, and pretzels can be found at many stands.  The Little Caesars stands offer pizza options and the PDQ Chicken stands offer excellent chicken fingers and waffle fries.  Some more unique options include pulled pork sandwiches, burnt end sandwiches, burnt end mac and cheese, BBQ Bacon dogs, and citrus chicken nachos.  Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice.  There are several spots all over to purchase a variety of alcoholic beverages including the north and south ends. Atmosphere 4 Raymond James Stadium is a stadium of a nineties vintage that is more simplistic in its design than its more modern counterparts.  However, Raymond James Stadium is a more than adequate facility. The exterior of the stadium is fairly simple but not unattractive.  There is plenty of concrete on the exterior, but plenty of markings for the Buccaneers also.  Massive player portraits are featured on the exterior touting their tenure with the team.  Although there is no main entrance, one would consider the south entrance as the one for new fans to enter.  At the south fans will find Bucs Beach, a large gathering area complete with beach complements such as sandy areas, decorative surfboards, Adirondack chairs, and a lifeguard tower for the DJ.  This area also plays a part in the pre-game festivities.  There are plenty of photo ops in this area including a large helmet, a Go Bucs sign, and a cutout board where fans can put their face on the Bucs flag.  Upon entering the gates, fans will need to ascend to the main concourse which is behind the lower bowl seating.  The concourses are wide and fairly simple with plenty of concession stands and some Bucs markings.  Large gathering areas at the north and south are out of the concourses and open to the field.  The north end has a large picnic area with umbrellas and tables for fans to meet at.  The south end offers a bit more and is the signature area of the stadium.  A large pirate ship plays a large part in the gameday production and is central to the Bucs leaning into their identity.  The concession stands at the south end also have facades to make them look like an old port town that seems to be right out of Pirates of the Caribbean.  Massive videoboards are at both the north and south ends with secondary boards in the four corners of the stadium that offer more in the way of ads and stats during the game.  The upper decks are separated into east and west sides and give the stadium an open feel.  There are no coverings over the upper seating areas.  The Bucs share their history with several spots crowing their 2002 and 2020 Super Bowl Championships including the west side facia and the flags above the east upper deck.  The Bucs Ring of Honor is found on the east facia and includes Hall of Famers Tony Dungy, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch, Leroy Selmon, Warren Sapp, and Ronde Barber along with Monte Kiffin, Paul Gruber, Bruce Arians, Mike Alstott, Jimmie Giles, John McKay, Doug Williams and Malcolm Glazer. The gameday production at a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game is as good as any in the NFL.  The pregame party at Bucs Beach is the place to be before the game.  There is plenty to do at Bucs Beach and the atmosphere is good.  The Bucs mascot, Captain Fear, enters the stadium through Bucs Beach much like a college marching band, coming from a small parade with the Bucs Cheerleaders, off of a float-like ship, complete with police escort.  Before entering the stadium, the cheer team and mascot rile up the crowd and toss out some giveaway items while being joined by the Bucs Drumline.  Inside, the entrance of the players is similar to many other teams, where the announced player enters through fog machines to plenty of hype.  During the game, the use of the ship and cannons is frequent.  A highlight of the production is the Captain of the Krewe where a celebrity captain yells out to “Raise The Flags” and the sails on the ship are unfurled and massive banners cover the north and south end stands much like a soccer tifo.   The cannons are shot off on a Buccaneers score followed by the Bucs fight song.  The crowd also gets involved at every first down when the PA announcer yells that it is “First Down Tampa” and the crowd responds with “BAY!”  Overall, it is a great atmosphere for NFL football despite it not being the most modern stadium. Neighborhood 3 Raymond James Stadium is located in the Drew Park neighborhood of Tampa.  The stadium is a bit isolated and surrounded with parking options, making it a good spot for tailgating.  There are a few options for pre or post game fare that are not too far away, including Kona Grill, Miller’s Ale House, La Teresita and Armature Works.  There are some other sporting options in the area.  The annual ReliaQuest Bowl  is held at Raymond James Stadium right around New Years Day.  The Gasparilla Bowl is also held at the stadium and it is also the home of the South Florida Bulls  until their new on campus stadium is built.  Across the parking lot from Raymond James Stadium is George Steinbrenner Field, home of the Tampa Tarpons  and the New York Yankees Spring Training .  For at least the 2025 season, it will also be home to the Tampa Bay Rays .  Other sports options include the Tampa Bay Lightning  and USF Bulls  basketball.  There are a ton of other Tampa tourist options including Busch Gardens, Zoo Tampa, Florida Aquarium and Tampa Riverwalk.  Hotels near the stadium include the Country Inn and Suites and Holiday Inn. Fans 4 Attendance at Bucs games is a bit more elastic than most other NFL stadiums.  For the 2024 season, at the time of writing, the Bucs averaged over 63,000 fans per game, which put them in the bottom third of the NFL.  The previous season they averaged nearly 64,000 per game.  There is some room for improvement here.  The fans get a bit of a bump as they are fairly smart, keeping quiet during offensive series without scoreboard prompting, and being loud during defensive series.  They are by no means the loudest fans in the league, but do their team proud, nonetheless   Access 3 Raymond James Stadium is located in the Drew Park neighborhood of Tampa, northwest of downtown, east of the airport.  It is surrounded by North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa Bay Blvd., and North Hines Ave.  It is 3 km north of I-275 and south of US Highway 92 and not terribly difficult to get to.  There are plenty of parking lots surrounding the stadium, perfect for fans who make tailgating a part of their football experience.  The negative side of the tailgating parking lot coin is that getting out of those parking lots can be difficult and take a significant amount of time.  The city does a good job of controlling the flow of traffic once out of the stadium, however, getting to the street could take the most time.  For fans who wish to take public transit to the game, there are HART buses that travel Himes Ave.  Fans should consult the Hillsborough Transit Authority  website for fares, schedules and maps.  Inside Raymond James Stadium, it is not terribly difficult to get around, however, fans with seats in the upper decks need to be aware that the decks are completely separate and it is impossible to get from one side to the other without going down to the main concourse.  Raymond James Stadium is also a cashless facility so bringing some plastic is a necessity.  The washroom facilities are decent for the stadium and closed captioned announcements are printed on the corner videobaords.  The security protocols to get into Raymond James Stadium are significant and should be reviewed before heading to the game.  Stadium Journey encourages fans to consult the Raymond James Stadium  and Tampa Bay Buccaneers  websites before heading out for the latest security protocols including bag policies and prohibited items list. Return on Investment 3 All NFL experiences are expensive and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the higher side of the cost equation.  According to the Fan Cost Index in 2023 the Bucs were in the top third of the NFL in cost at over $670.  Dynamic pricing makes figuring out the cost of tickets a bit challenging, but it seems upper deck seats at Raymond James Stadium start at $100 and get over $215 for the lower bowl.  Parking is definitely expensive as well.  Prepaid parking will run at least $40 or $50.  Cheaper parking can be found at some of the local businesses along Mabry Highway.  Concession items are also expensive.  As for the return, fans will definitely have a good time at the game and the Bucs do all they can to put on a good show, but as with all NFL experiences it seems “once-in-a-lifetime” pricing is the order of the day. Extras 3 An extra mark for the team leaning into their identity and making the most of their pirate motif. An extra mark for the Bucs making the most of the facility that they have and putting together a strong product. An extra mark for a team that has pulled itself from being a laughing stock to a two-time champion. Final Thoughts The NFL experience is one that will definitely excite fans, however, the cost issues surrounding NFL games are becoming prohibitive and it is clear that the stadium arms race is, once again, on.  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers provide a great experience in a solid, yet unspectacular, venue, but fans will definitely pay for the privilege.  It will be interesting to see if, like many other current owners, the Bucs make noise about requiring a new home. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 EverBank Stadium 1 Everbank Stadium Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32202 Taxslayer Gator Bowl website TIAA Bank Field website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 67,814 80 Years of Gator Bowl Of the plethora of end-of-the-season NCAA College Football Bowl Games, the Gator Bowl stands out as one of the longest-tenured.  Established in 1946, the Gator Bowl enjoyed its 80th edition in 2025.  Normally played after the hustle and bustle of the New Year's Day games, the Gator Bowl has been a staple in Jacksonville, Florida, and is among the most prestigious of the second-tier Bowl games. Since 2012 the title sponsor for the game has been TaxSlayer.com and there was even a short tenure when the bowl was titled the TaxSlayer Bowl.  The game currently features teams from the SEC, Big Ten, and/or ACC.  The 2025 edition pitted the Duke Blue Devils against the Ole Miss Rebels. Home for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl is EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.  Built in 1995, EverBank Stadium replaced Gator Bowl Stadium and was built for the NFL.  EverBank Stadium is due for a $1.4 billion renovation and should be ready for the 2028 NFL season.  For the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, the field is renamed the Bill Gay Grounds, making the official home of the Gator Bowl, Bill Gay Grounds @ EverBank Stadium.  Bill Gay was the founder of W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractors Inc. and the former chair of the Gator Bowl Association. Food & Beverage 3 The concession selections at EverBank Stadium are okay, but not over the top for an NFL facility.  The majority of items fans will find on the menus are typical stadium fare including burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, chicken tenders, pizza, and fries.  There are several stands in the main concourse that serve alcoholic beverages and the beer selection is focused on major domestic brands.  Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice here and there are a few spots with self-serve options. Atmosphere 3 The main entrances for EverBank Stadium are from the east and west.  The west entrance is the most significant as it has the largest gathering area in front and the statue of the Jaguar for the NFL team.  The exterior gives off 1990s-era vibes with huge ramps visible from the outside.  It is not unattractive and there is some glass at the main west entrance.  Before heading to the stadium, checking out the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall on the west side is a good plan.  The Gator Bowl makes good use of the facilities in the area.  Flex Field is the practice facility for the Jags and hosts the pregame tailgate, which is free for fans to enter.  Once inside, fans can head to Daisy’s Place, the covered pavilion that is home to the pre-game pep rallies for each team.  There is little in the way of markings for the Gator Bowl inside the stadium, and it is clear to fans that this is the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Inside the seating bowl, fans will find two tiers of seating, with a massive lower level.  For the 2025 edition of the Gator Bowl, the upper deck was closed off.  The field runs from south to north, and the best spot for the 50-yard line logo photo is from the west.  However, when choosing seats, fans will want to do some research and ensure that they are on the side of the team that they are supporting.  It is not critical but will aid in the enjoyment of the game for fans who have a horse in the race.  At the north and south ends, there are massive video boards, which are used well throughout the game and are crystal clear.  There is a small pool that is glassed in at the upper level of the north end, but it was not in use for the 2025 game.  The seats are ready for replacement as they are faded and from a vintage where making seats smaller and cramming more in was the order of the day. The gameday atmosphere at the Gator Bowl is solid.  The pregame tailgate is in the Flex Field practice facility across the parking lot.  Fans who enjoy the school bands will love this game as the bands perform three times, once each at the pep rally in Daisy’s Place, pre-game, and halftime.  Other events take place during the week that are part of the Gator Bowl festivities.  A 5K race and pep rallies at Jacksonville Beach are highlights of the week’s events. Neighborhood 4 EverBank Stadium is located in Downtown Jacksonville.  There are a number of spots for fans who want some pre or post game food or drink.  Intuition Ale Works, Tailgate Bar & Grill, Flavorikan, All American JAX, Chart House, Southern Grill and Avenue Gril are all options.  There are other sporting options in Jacksonville and some may even coincide with the Gator Bowl.  EverBank Stadium is also the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars .  Just west on Adams Street are VyStar Ballpark and VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, homes of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp  and Jacksonville Icemen  respectively.  UNF Ospreys  basketball or JU Dolphins  basketball may also be of interest for fans.  Other tourist attractions in Jacksonville include the Fairgrounds, USS Orleck Naval Museum, MOSH museum and Southbank Riverwalk.  Jacksonville Beach is also a good option.  For fans wishing to stay near the stadium, the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville is a good option. Fans 3 Second tier bowl games are often dependent on the matchup that they can secure.  The Gator Bowl is no different.  The 2025 version of the game featured the Duke Blue Devils and the Ole Miss Rebels.  The attendance for the game was just over 31,000.  This was well below what would be considered a normal Gator Bowl crowd.  This lead to the upper deck being completely empty.   Access 4 EverBank Stadium is located in Downtown Jacksonville, just north of St. John’s River and encircled by Gator Bowl Blvd. The junction of Highway 115 and Highway 1 is just north of the area and I-95 is about 3.5 km to the west.  Getting to the area, therefore, is not that difficult.  There are a number of surface parking lots in the area.  Pre-Purchasing parking using a parking app is a good idea, especially for fans from out of town.   For fans who wish to take public transit, there are buses on AP Randolph Blvd.  Fans should consult the Jacksonville Transit Authority  website for fares, schedules and maps.  Getting around the stadium is not terribly difficult, although the concourses are a bit on the narrow side.  The washroom facilities are adequate at the stadium. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl start at $50 and go up to $165.  When purchasing bowl game tickets, patience is a virtue and the secondary market can offer good deals closer to the game, especially if the matchup is not involving high demand teams.  Concession prices are what one would expect and parking will cost some money.  The gameday atmosphere at the Gator Bowl is great and fans will definitely enjoy the experience. Extras 3 An extra mark for the longevity of the Gator Bowl, with the 2025 edition marking the 80th Anniversary of the game. An extra mark for the charities that the Gator Bowl foundation has donated money to. An extra mark for the 2010 edition of the Gator Bowl, which marked the final game in iconic Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden’s career. Final Thoughts The longevity of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl shows that the organizers must be doing something right.  Although a second tier bowl game, fans will still enjoy the atmosphere at Bill Gay Grounds @ EverBank Stadium.  It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Gator Bowl once the renovation of EverBank Stadium commences.  The game will temporarily be bumped to a different site and will definitely offer a different atmosphere upon its return to Jacksonville. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Gregory Koch and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Hersheypark Arena 100 W Hersheypark Dr. Hershey, PA 17033 Lebanon Valley Flying Dutchmen website Hersheypark Arena website Year Opened: 1936 Capacity: 7,286 A Piece of History at Hersheypark Arena Hersheypark Arena is a historic hockey venue in the town of Hershey, Pennsylvania. From 1936 to 2002, this classic hockey barn was home to the Hershey Bears of the Atlantic Hockey League (AHL). In the 1960s, it played host to three Philadelphia Warriors games, including the one when Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points. This building is full of history, but it has not had a professional tenant since the Bears moved to the newly built Giant Center elsewhere in Hersheypark in 2002. However, the arena is still home to hockey. The Flying Dutchmen of Lebanon Valley College, located about a 15-minute drive away in Annville, play their home games at Hersheypark Arena. The Dutchmen compete at the Division III level, the lowest level of college hockey, in the Middle Atlantic Conference, known as the MAC for short. The arena is also home to the Hershey Cubs junior hockey team as well as assorted middle school and high school athletic and music events. However, most events where a large crowd is expected are now held at Giant Center. Despite popular belief, Lebanon Valley's "Flying Dutchmen" nickname comes not from the ghost ship of legend but from the Pennsylvania Dutch (actually Germans) who settled the area of Central Pennsylvania known as Pennsylvania Dutch County. Food & Beverage 3 There are signs for a food court at Hersheypark Arena, located through a doorway in one corner of the arena's ring concourse. You will find signage for many different stands, including pizza, burgers, and even a Subway, but only one stand is open. Here you will find a basic menu, with chicken strips, hot dogs, and cheeseburgers being the only meal options. French fries and candy (Hershey's products. naturally) are available as well, and soda, bottled water, and Gatorade are available to drink. Prices are quite reasonable, with the chicken tenders at $6.25 being the most expensive option. With the other stands still having the signage up but not being open, it feels like a food court at abandoned malls where most of the businesses have closed but still have the signage up that has been there since the 80s or 90s. As you will see in the rest of this review, this is not atypical for this arena.    Atmosphere 4 Hersheypark Arena is a building with decades of history, and most of the arena is as it was when the Bears moved out in 2002, and as it had been for some time before that. Hand-painted signs direct fans to the various seating sections, and although it still says reserved like it was when the Bears played here, all seating is general admission for LVC games. Other hand-painted signs surround the rink marking off various locations. Even the no-smoking signs are hand-painted. Signage throughout the arena honors historic moments that happened here, including Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game and the Hershey Bears' Calder Cup championships. (For those who are unaware, the Calder Cup is the AHL equivalent of the Stanley Cup, awarded to the champion each season.) Although there are two levels of seats at Hersheypark Arena, only the lower level of blue wooden seats is open for Lebanon Valley games. The rows of seats closest to the glass have been gutted, so fans who like to sit there will be disappointed. However, you will still be up close to the action wherever you sit. The upper level, with its garish burnt gold color scheme that feels like something out of a shopping mall in the 1980s, is visible, although fans cannot go up there. This color scheme seems very retro, as you would never see a major arena use it today. Like so much else in this building, it contributes to the historic feel. There are scoreboards behind both goals showing only the most basic information - the score, the clock, the period, and any penalties. One unusual quirk is that these scoreboards are incapable of displaying any time greater than 19:59. When the period starts, they will display 0:00, and then one second later, they will change to 19:59. They also do not display tenths of a second in the final minute of a period. This also means that before the game starts, the clock counting down to puck drop will have to loop around several times. Do not be alarmed if you arrive early and the clock shows only five minutes until the game starts. While the history and charm of Hersheypark Arena merit a high score in this category regardless, Lebanon Valley does make some effort to improve the fan experience further. A spotlight shines on the ice before the match as the referees come out, but oddly enough it returns to full lighting before the players take the ice. There is music during breaks in the action, including organ music reminiscent of the days when there was a live organ here for Bears games. Neighborhood 5 Hersheypark Arena is part of the larger Hersheypark complex. Although the amusement park itself is closed during the winter when college hockey is going on, there are other places fans can visit. Hershey's Chocolate World is located across the parking lot from the arena and is a family-friendly venue featuring chocolate tours, chocolate tastings, chocolate mascots, and so much more. (We should point out that the chocolate mascots are costumed characters whose costumes look like chocolate bars. They are not made out of chocolate. Unlike the Pop-Tarts Bowl , there are no edible mascots here.) The Hershey Story Museum includes displays on the history of chocolate and a Chocolate Lab where kids can make their candy. Fans without small children, or who don't want to deal with kids on a sugar rush, will find plenty of things to do in town as well. Troegs Brewery offers tours and tastings in addition to a full menu of food. There are plenty of hotels for fans staying overnight, which will be much more affordable in the winter months than they would be in the summer. Fans 2 Lebanon Valley draws a few hundred fans a game, which is decent for Division III, but as this arena seats several thousand, they don't come close to filling even the lower bowl. The fans who do show up are knowledgeable about the team and the sport, and you can often overhear them having insightful conversations with each other about the action on the ice. However, they're simply aren't that many people who show up, particularly given the size of the arena. Access 4 US Routes 422 and 322 and Interstates 83 and 76 all run through or near Hershey, so there are many ways into town. Once you get to Hersheypark itself, take the Hersheypark Drive loop road through the complex and follow the signs for the arena. You will have to drive through a parking gate at some point, which may or may not be staffed with an attendant depending on what is going on elsewhere in the complex. If there is an attendant, let them know you are going to a Lebanon Valley game at Hersheypark Arena and they will let you through for free. The arena is near the back of the complex, with a spacious lot available adjacent to it that is more than big enough for the crowds. If there is an event going on before the LVC game, such as a Hershey Cubs junior hockey game or a public skate, there may be people still parked there when you arrive. These will clear out at least an hour before the puck drop of the Flying Dutchmen game. Only one entrance to the building is open for Lebanon Valley games - Entrance 4, on the right front side of the arena. This will take you into a small lobby that has one doorway to the seating bowl. A narrow concourse rings the entire seating bowl, with other doorways off of it leading to restrooms and the concession stand. This narrow setup, combined with forcing the entire crowd through a small point of entry, would have been extremely crowded for a sold-out Bears game back in the day but is not a problem at all for the couple hundred fans Lebanon Valley draws. Likewise, the restrooms might have gotten crowded when the Bears were drawing thousands of fans, but are more than sufficient for what the Dutchmen draw. As at many old arenas, the seats are quite narrow, but with the small crowds, you will have room to spread out and will not feel cramped. Getting out of the arena after the game is easy. Since you are near the end of the one-way loop road, it is far easier than getting in since you can be back on the main road in under a minute instead of having to drive through the entire complex. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Lebanon Valley games is free, and parking is also free. While free parking is often given at lower levels, keep in mind it can be quite expensive at the nearby Giant Center or at Hersheypark itself when it is open in the summer. So being able to park here for free is a good deal. Concessions are also quite affordable, particularly considering you are in a major tourist destination. All of this makes a Lebanon Valley hockey game an excellent value. Extras 3 One point for the building itself is that, looks much as it did when it opened in 1936. With hand-painted signs around the arena and old-time standings boards showing historic AHL standings, this is an arena right out of another era. A second star for the signage honoring all the history that happened here, from the Bears' league championships to Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game. A third and final star for the banner hanging from the rafters honoring Lebanon Valley's 2001 ECAC Northeast conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. Final Thoughts Hersheypark Arena is a historic hockey barn from another era. At almost 90 years old and still going strong, the arena hasn't changed much over the years. So much history has happened here, and just walking in feels like taking a step back in time. Although Lebanon Valley doesn't draw anywhere near the crowds the Bears once did, a visit to Hersheypark Arena should be on every hockey fan's bucket list for history alone.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 TIAA Bank Field 1 TIAA Bank Field Drive Jacksonville, FL 32202 Jacksonville Jaguars website TIAA Bank Field website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 67,164 Duuuvall! In many ways the Jacksonville Jaguars are a story of ups and downs. Most recently famous as a pop-culture reference on the NBC show “The Good Place” for their history of being bad at football, the team from north Florida now find themselves as potential contenders. Playing in front of packed crowds is once again the norm, and fan fever is at an all-time high. However, their results on the field are often mixed. A year after making a deep playoff run with Blake Bortles, the Jaguars muddled around at the bottom of the pack, and continue to do so this season. What sets the Jaguars apart, however, is their continued commitment to their fans. Known for being fan-friendly and fan-focused for many years, including their down years, the team has continued their commitment to enhancing the fan experience in Jacksonville, even with their recent run of success. What was once considered an average stadium now features a broad range of unique aspects that make TIAA Bank Field one of the more unique and enjoyable NFL stadiums to visit in America. Indeed, one may also scoff at Jacksonville’s place as an NFL hotbed for fans, but the Jaguars’ faithful are starting to slowly turn that opinion around. And while success leads to more butts in seats, a consistently impressive game day experience has helped keep those butts in seats for more and more games as time has gone by. Food & Beverage 3 The food options at TIAA Bank Field are pretty standard for a professional sports stadium. Drinks start at $4 for bottled water (a must-have in the hot Florida sun), $5 for bottled soda or Gatorade, and $10 to $12 for bottled beers. Various concessions stands also offer cocktails and alcoholic drinks. On the food side, prices remain among the highest in the NFL; foot-long chili cheese hot dogs cost $12, while pizza runs $10. A small hot dog costs $5, an Asian BBQ skewer runs $11, and popcorn costs $7. BBQ sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and chicken tenders with fries all cost over $10. The stadium does offer local food from local restaurants in the area, but options there are going to run equivalent to your standard concessions in price. There is a wide variety at TIAA Bank Field, but the price will hit you hard in the wallet. Atmosphere 4 TIAA Bank Field debuted in 1995 and features a popular late-90s unfinished industrial vibe with lots of concrete. While stadiums and arenas like Miami’s AmericanAirlines Arena feature similar aesthetics that have remained relatively untouched, Jacksonville’s stadium has seen several upgrades throughout the years. Most notably are the fan zones in the end zone areas of the stadium – the north end zone features a VIP suite deck area that includes two pools with clear sides that look out onto the playing field. The seating also feels more intimate with just two bowl levels, instead of the multiple levels like at more modern stadiums. Thanks to recent winning streaks, the packed crowds of loyal fans has helped as well, as TIAA Bank Stadium rocks whenever the Jaguars score. On top of that, the team’s new rallying cry of “DUUUVAL!!!” (a reference to the city’s location in Duval County, Florida) hypes the crowd before key plays. Finally, the massively expanded HD video screens in both end zones feature game stats, replays, and information for fans that the old scoreboards couldn’t offer. Neighborhood 3 The neighborhood immediately around TIAA Bank Field is one of sports facilities and parking options; the home of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp is located quite literally in the parking lot of the Jaguars’ home stadium. Across the street you will find Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena , home to both Jacksonville University athletics and the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL, as well as Jacksonville Sharks arena football in the spring and summer. Also nearby is downtown Jacksonville, which offers a bounty of food and shopping options. Not too far is the Jacksonville Beach area, where visitors can dip their toes in the hot sand and warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. That said, all those options are a short drive away, which means it may be a bit of a walk to get to them if you forgo driving. Fans 4 The fans here are loud. The home of the Jaguars sees some of the NFL’s key demographics swell in attendance as well, with young fans and women making up a large contingent of the fans in attendance. In addition, families are also taking advantage of the Jags being the 5th lowest average ticket cost in the NFL, with many younger fans coming with their parents for some Sunday football. You can rest assured the NFL experience is alive and well in Jacksonville’s fan base. Access 3 TIAA Bank Field is inherently very easy to find and get to. Located just across the St. John’s River from I-95 and just off US-1 alternates 228 and Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, the stadium rises from the river’s shores. However, navigating the area is tricky, as the closest bridges are all a few lanes too small for game day crowds – traffic backs up easily and heavily in the area before and after games when fans pack the small streets in and around TIAA Bank Field. Parking on-site, while plentiful, will cost you upwards of $35 in the immediate vicinity of the stadium. Alternatively, public transportation options range from $7 to upwards of $10 for buses that pick fans up from designated areas in and around Jacksonville on game day. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices for NFL games are expensive for the average fan. Despite the Jaguars being among the most affordable tickets in the league, you still are looking at several hundred dollars for a family of four when tickets, parking, and concessions are all factored in. That said, the stadium experience in Jacksonville has improved considerably thanks to recent updates and continued success on the field. Extras 5 During the game, the stadium honors local first responders and military members. Jacksonville is a big military city, especially with a large US Navy and US Coast Guard presence. The Jaguars also frequently have military flyovers before kickoff. During the break between the third and fourth quarters, the team also honors an active-duty serviceman/servicewoman who has been recognized for an act of valor or recently returned from a deployment, by having them ring the Navy Mutual Bell. Located on the end zone mezzanine overlooking the field, the bell tolls and signals fans to rally behind the Jaguars heading into the final quarter. In addition, there are cooling stations throughout TIAA Bank Field for fans, that offer somewhere to sit and cool off on hot Florida game days; some of these include large bendy-buses with air conditioning on full blast. Furthermore, outside the main entrance on the west side of the stadium sits a massive Jaguar statue that fans can take photos of. On the same side of TIAA Bank Field as the statue sits the Veterans Memorial Wall. Dedicated in 1995, the memorial honors more than 1,500 Jacksonville area veterans and war heroes from all six service branches (Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, Marines, and Merchant Marines).\ Finally, during the pre-game ceremonies Jaxson de Ville (the team’s mascot) performs stunts like ziplining into TIAA Bank Field from the top of the lighting towers, thrilling fans and getting everyone into the mood for exciting football. Final Thoughts With continued local investment from the team’s ownership and the potential continued success of the team in Jacksonville, the future looks bright for the Jaguars and their loyal fans. This is a game day experience that many visiting fans find impressive upon their arrival, and for good reason. The Jaguars consistently produce a solid fan experience all around, and have given fans good reason to be excited about the future.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 121 Financial Ballpark 301 A. Philip Randolph Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32202 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp website 121 Financial Ballpark website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 11,000 121 Financial Ballpark - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Following the reorganization of Minor League Baseball coming into the 2021 season, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp saw themselves receive a promotion from their parent club, the Miami Marlins . The Jumbo Shrimp would move from the Double-A Southern League to the Triple-A International League. At a capacity of 11,000 fans, 121 Financial Ballpark was the largest AA ballpark, and it seemed to be too large of a stadium for the level, so a move from Double-A to Triple-A only made sense. No matter the classification, the Jumbo Shrimp have long been known as one of the most innovative organizations in Minor League Baseball, providing an entertaining evening at the ballpark. Food & Beverage 5 All the typical baseball favorites are available at each of the concession stands around the stadium. Hot dogs, burgers, pizza slices, and a litany of fried foods. Soft drinks come from the Pepsi family of beverages. When looking for specialty menu options, each concessions stand around the concourse has its own theme and featured items – for example the All American Jax has the Duval Heavy Hitter, consisting of six chicken tenders, fries, nacho cheese, bacon bits, topped with green onions served in a batting helmet. Alternatively, Southern Fried Freebird has a multitude of fried foods, including several offerings featuring fried shrimp, while Sweet Tea-Bows unexpectedly offers baked cheese ravioli and BBQ pulled pork pizza as their featured items. Hand grilled sausages can be found at the Sausage Fest-Duuuuuval cart, a play on the Duval County which is a common call and response from Jacksonville Jaguar fans. For a bit more of an adult experience at the game, the Wheel House Lounge on the suite level, and Tiki Terrace in left field, provides fans with fully stocked bars and views of the game. Along with the usual suspects of Bud and Miller beers, the Jumbo Shrimp have their own branded Kolsch style beer from the nearby Intuition Ale Works. The Craft Cave also provides an extensive selection of adult beverage options; brews from Sun King Brewery, the aforementioned Intuition Ale Works, Voodoo Ranger, Sierra Nevada, Dogfish Head, Aardwolf Brewing, Fishweir, and Veterans United Craft Brewers are all available at the Craft Cave, under the third base side of the grandstand. Seltzers, canned mixed drinks, wines, and Twisted Tea are also available for non-beer drinkers. Overall the Jumbo Shrimp provide a wide selection with their food and beverage options, from a slew of specialty food items to a deep selection of craft beers and drinks. Atmosphere 4 Fans enter at field level, then climb stairs to the main concourse. The concourse extends from just off the cut of the infield grass on the third base side around to right center. Stairs from the right center bleachers lead down to the kids’ inflatables section, around to the grassy seating areas in left field and Tiki Terrace, before heading back to the grandstand. The picnic and grassy areas along the third baseline, around to the Adirondack chairs behind the chain link fence in left center field, is a very popular area to watch the game from. There is not a lot of space for kids to get out and move around in the grandstand, but this area provides some relief from the confines of the ticketed seats. The outfield wall configuration is a bit of a throwback to the days when stadiums were built to fit the city block they were on. With a low right field wall reminiscent of that at Fenway Park , at just 317’ home runs feel like just a bloop away. To compensate for short fences to right and left field, centerfield is a deep 420’. The confines of the playing area create opportunities for home runs and balls into the far reaches of the gaps. When choosing the ideal seats, keep in mind that the sun sets behind the third base side of the stadium, so the right field bleachers can be a bit challenging to deal with until the sun sets. The berm areas, down the left field line and around to left field, are popular with families, but can get a bit crowded. If just wanting to have a seat to watch the game from and not have to worry about moving at any point, then anything on the third base line is a good option. If moving is not much of a problem, however, then the outfield bleacher tickets would be perfect. The Jumbo Shrimp have long been known for the fan friendly atmosphere they create – their gate giveaways and theme nights are typically held in the highest regard by their MiLB peers, for their originality and fun nature. Neighborhood 4 121 Financial Ballpark is in the sports complex area of Jacksonville, sandwiched between TIAA Bank Field , home of the Jacksonville Jaguars , and VyStar Veterans Memorial Stadium , which the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL), Jacksonville Sharks (National Arena League), and Jacksonville Giants (American Basketball Association) all call home. The stadium is just a few feet from the baseball club’s former home, Wolfson Park, that was razed to make room for the Jags’ outdoor practice field. The area has a very sporty feel to it with the surrounding stadiums and the handful of pre and postgame entertainment options; That Sports Bar at the Arena, Intuition Ale Works, and Tap Room are all just steps from the ballpark. Fans 3 After one season in AAA, Jacksonville ranks in the middle third of teams in attendance, averaging just a tick under 5,000 fans per game. This is consistent with their draw while they were AA members of the Southern League. Weekend games typically draw over 8,000 fans, which creates a distinctive vibe throughout the stadium as you pass around the concourse. Many fans come showing their support for the Jumbo Shrimp decked out in the team’s shirts, jerseys, or any of the several gate giveaway items. Overall, most fans seem to be engaged in the game and are supportive of the Jumbo Shrimp. Access 3 121 Financial Ballpark is not directly off any of the major interstates that pass through the Jacksonville area, but downtown Jacksonville does not seem to be extremely congested with traffic on weekends. Arriving early makes parking easier when accessing the lots around the stadium. Parking is readily available around the ballpark. A multi-level parking deck sits directly across the street from the front entrance of 121 Financial Ballpark, while the back side of the stadium has several parking lots that are part of the TIAA Bank Stadium complex. There is enough parking close to the stadium to leave fans with just a short walk; golf carts also offer a shuttle for those who might need some assistance. The stadium’s main entry point is the home plate gate, but can get crowded in anticipation of gates opening. There are also secondary entry points on each side of the stadium. Return on Investment 4 Standard general admission tickets start at $8 for advanced, in-person purchases, with a $2 service fee applied to online sales; tickets do jump to over $20 a ticket when moving to the grandstand. The general admission tickets offer both a reasonable price and, if sitting in the outfield bleachers, still provide an up-close vantage point for the action on the field. If purchased ahead of time, in person, the fees can be avoided. Jacksonville does have a significant Navy population, and offers discounted tickets for both active and retired service members. There are several options of tickets for differing game experiences, but if all you want is an affordable ticket to watch baseball, the general admission ticket will suit you fine. Extras 4 The Jumbo Shrimp do a lot in recognition of the baseball history of Jacksonville; support beams around the main concourse feature some of the stars who have made a stop in Jacksonville on their way to the majors. The field level concourse also honors the Legends of Jacksonville baseball through their Wall of Fame – the honor recognizes players, managers, and those who have significantly impacted the Jacksonville baseball landscape. Instantly recognizable names include Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan, and Randy Johnson, to name a few. The bar top at Tiki Terrace has a really cool feature in that it has used minor league baseball cards of the Jacksonville Expos, Suns, and early Jumbo Shrimp players to create the bar’s surface. AAA baseball is using the ABS Challenge system for their Friday, Saturday, and Sunday contests; ABS (Automatic Ball Strike) games allow players three challenges of umpire ball/strike calls throughout the game. If the call is overturned the team retains their challenge, while if they are wrong they lose one of the three. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday games use an automated strike zone. Given the layout of the ballpark and its proximity to the streets outside the stadium, those looking to channel their inner Zack Hample can try their luck chasing down baseballs during batting practice from outside the stadium. Final Thoughts The Jumbo Shrimp understand that at the origination level, their job is to entertain the fans, and it is their parent club who is responsible for the product put on the field each game. Jacksonville does an outstanding job making an evening at the ballpark well worth the experience no matter if you attend for the game on the field, the entertainment aspect of the atmosphere, or any combination of the two.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Toyota Arena 4000 East Ontario Center Ontario, CA 91764 Ontario Clippers website Toyota Arena website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 9,736 AC Clippers We Are IE The Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario are one of the newer teams in the G League beginning operation in 2017. They are affiliates of the Los Angeles Clippers who are just 45 miles west of Ontario. The G League (Gatorade League) is the developmental basketball league (minor league) of the NBA. The Agua Caliente Clippers play their home games at the impressive looking Toyota Arena (formerly known as Citizens Bank Arena). The Toyota Arena, operated by the city of Ontario, boasts being the largest and most modern arena in the Inland Empire region as well as hosting over 125 events each year. Other sports teams who call the Toyota Arena home are the Ontario Reign (AHL – American Hockey League) and the Ontario Fury (MASL soccer). The team name comes from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, a federally recognized tribe with resorts and casinos in Palm Springs who are a significant sponsor of the Clippers. Note: In July 2022, the team name changed from Agua Caliente Clippers to Ontario Clippers. Food & Beverage 3 One main concession stand and a few stand-alone food carts are open for Agua Caliente games. Dawg Gone, the major stand just inside the main entrance offers a variety of hot dogs, bratwurst, sausage, and chicken tenders $5.75 – $10.50 Veggie trays and fresh fruit cups cost $5.75. Snacks such as popcorn, nachos, pretzels, peanuts, candy, cotton candy run $5 – $8.75 (the highest is for bottomless popcorn). Coca-Cola is the soft drink provider with choices running $5.75 for a regular and $7 for a souvenir cup/$2 refills. A few stand-alone food carts dot the east end of the concourse providing ice cream, nachos, and other additional snacks. Just one full bar complements the concourse concessions offering a large variety of beers including local craft brews as well as wine and cocktails. Expect to pay $12 – $14 for beer and up to $14.50 for a premium cocktail. The self-order kiosk is not in operation during an Agua Caliente game as the crowd is much smaller and not all the concession stands are open. During a Clippers game, concessions are only open on the east side A very small merchandise area sells Agua Caliente Clippers merchandise. Atmosphere 2 The Toyota Arena has quite a sleek looking exterior with tall glass atrium entrances with the rest of exterior dark grey on the bottom, beige on top. Palm trees line the front and east sides. No benches are provided outside to sit and wait for friends but the southside main entrance handicapped walkway has a ledge that can be used. The concourse wraps around the entire seating area, however, the west end of the concourse and seating area is not used and is a ghost town during an Agua Caliente game. Fans enter the seating area midlevel and go down to seats (rows run A – N). Handrails are provided. Most of the upper level seating is curtained off with only the sections facing center court open. Twenty-four suites are edged between the two layers of seating. No fans occupied any of them during this review’s match up. Extremely comfortable, wide, blue-cushioned seats with cup holders and minimal legroom furnish the arena. Two rows of floor seats round three sides of the basketball court. The temperature is comfortable; depending on your heat/cold tolerance – a long sleeve t-shirt may be all that is needed. The music selection is not too loud and is played throughout most of the game. Several promotions and giveaways are offered at an Agua Caliente game. T-shirt tosses, shoot a basket for money during one of the breaks, an autograph session at the end of the game, different dance studios entertaining the fans at half time are just some of the treats provided to the fans. Neighborhood 4 The surrounding area resembles a business park with office buildings dotting the nearby streets. Currently under construction right across the street from the arena is an Element by Westin hotel. Other plans for the same nearby area are to build residential town homes and dwellings, restaurants, brew pubs and a shopping center. A few nearby places to eat include Hamburger Mary’s (not recommended as service is slow and the food not worth the price), Benihana’s and El Torito. Ontario Mills, one of the top shopping malls in Southern California, is within a few minutes’ drive and provides a surplus of dining options ranging from coffee to fast food to casual sit down as well as an AMC move theater and 200+ shops. An excellent hotel to stay when visiting the Toyota Arena is the LaQuinta Inn and Suites. It provides a free shuttle to/from the Ontario International Airport and even to the arena, which is a little over ½ mile away. It’s spotlessly clean and provides a good breakfast in the morning. Lodging adjacent to Ontario Mills include all the usual chains like Hyatt, Hampton Inn, Country Inn and Suites, Ayres, Aloft. Most hotels provide a shuttle drop off to the arena. Other places for entertainment can include the Whispering Lakes Golf Course for those golf enthusiasts, the Planes of Fame Air Museum for aviation history buffs, and the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is just about 15 minutes outside of town. One unique and unusual place to visit in Ontario is the Graber Olive House, home of the renowned Graber Olives. Guides tours particularly during harvest time Oct – Dec (also the beginning of the hockey season) are offered. Fans 2 The Agua Caliente Clippers draw very few fans. Those that do attend, understand and appreciate the game on the court. It would be nice to see more fans at the arena for basketball especially since the parent team is so close. Access 4 Getting to the Toyota Arena is relatively easy. It’s less than 2 miles from the I-10 and I-15 interchange and less than 3 miles from the Ontario International Airport. Parking is plentiful and costs $10 for a Reign game. Parking attendants look like they do a thorough job of directing traffic to and from spots. Rideshare drop off and pick up is on the north side of the arena on Ontario Center [road]. OmniTrans offers bus service (Route 81) with the closest stop at Concours St and Mercedes Ln. However, it doesn’t look like service is offered late at night to get back after an evening game. Check OmniTrans for schedules and fares. Gates open one hour prior to puck drop and entrance to the arena includes the typical security check. At this time, clear bag regulations are not enforced. Traversing the concourse is easy with more traffic during intermissions and at the end of the game. Handicapped seating is available at the top of the first level of seating and above the second level. Restrooms are plenty clean and available throughout the venue. Lines will form between periods. Return on Investment 3 An evening out at an Agua Caliente Clippers game is an affordable sports choice for fans in the Inland Empire region. Tickets range from $12 (end seat) – $100 (floor seats) plus an additional $4 service fee. Concession prices are on the major league level. $10 to park is high for G-League, as is a $12 beer or $14.50 cocktail. To combat some of these expenses, the Clippers do offer value packs: Chick-fil-A 4 for $44 includes 4 tickets and Chick-fil-A meal vouchers on select dates, and $5 Bud Light Thursdays. The organization has giveaways throughout the season and many theme games. Since the Clippers in no way sellout, get the end seats and then move over after the first quarter. Extras 2 The half time entertainment and theme games are quite enjoyable. The Toyota Arena is an attractive looking building and it does provide comfortable seats for watching basketball games. Final Thoughts Attending an Agua Caliente basketball game is a stark difference than attending a Reign game at the same arena. Hopefully, as the G-League and minor league basketball gets more popular, more fans will come out the Toyota Arena to watch the Clippers.

Just under 100 miles from Orchard Park, New York, in Keswick, Ontario,  football fans eat, drink, and watch the Bills in a backyard, where there's an enormous bright red Bills helmet. Blake Parnham is the founder and host of the Bills Helmet Bar, and he took a few moments to discuss his weekly jamboree. Here's their website:  Bills Helmet Bar . STADIUM JOURNEY: What inspired you to start the Bills Helmet Bar? BLAKE PARNHAM:  The construction of the Bills Helmet Bar happened completely by accident. In the spring of 2019, we decided to build a patio behind the house, adjacent to the deck. This project coincided with the Toronto Raptors 2019 Championship run. Having been confined to the indoors for most of the wet Canadian spring, we set up a television on our new patio and watched the Finals games outdoors. When the Raptors finally won, we looked to the back of the property and considered the possibilities. I’m not sure whether it was the buzz, the hysteria of winning the championship, or the light of the full moon, but our giant football helmet glimmered in my eye. We decided to stand it up on the side of the patio and make a bar out of it. The very next day, we began our new project.  As far as our tailgates, this began in 2020. With the inability of Canadians to cross the border and for fans in general to attend home games, someone reached out to us, asking to attend the Week One Jets game at our bar. He conceded that it was still in the depths of the pandemic, and it was okay if we said no, but he hadn’t missed a home game in eighteen years. We had a family meeting - admitted that it was objectively weird for a stranger to come to our home - and then said, “Hey, why not.” This is really how our tailgates began. STADIUM JOURNEY: What kind of experience can patrons expect at the Bar? Is there food? What kind? BLAKE PARNHAM:  The Helmet Bar tailgate has grown each year. During that 2020 season, it was mostly our family and this one new friend. Since then, we’ve grown to a crowd that almost always eclipses twenty people and often is larger than forty, even in winter. People bring whatever they like to drink, but we always cook enough food for everyone. My friend, “Chef Rob,” and I typically theme the menu to the local cuisine of our opponent. Think Cuban sandwiches for Dolphins games; and Nashville chicken sliders for Titans games. We do put a little donation bin out to help with costs, but that’s not required of people. Photo Courtesy of Bills Helmet Bar/Instagram STADIUM JOURNEY: Can anyone join in the fun? Can someone just show up? Opposing fans? BLAKE PARNHAM:  Everyone can join Helmet Bar tailgates, though they can’t just show up. Since the Helmet Bar is also our house, we don’t publish our address. But people are free to message us on one of our social media accounts. Then, I provide our address and the relevant info about the tailgates.  As for opposing fans, they're welcome. Canada is unique because - since there’s no Canadian team - there are football fans of just about every   team around. If folks like football, they’re good enough for us. Just don’t cheer too loudly. STADIUM JOURNEY: Is the Bar open when it snows or rains? How do you handle inclement weather? BLAKE PARNHAM:  [With exception to the games we attend in person,] we have been open every game since the beginning of the 2020 season, though we haven’t finished every game. During the Cardinals Hail Murray game, a tornado came through and took out our electricity for 48 hours, so we had to scramble to a different location for the unfortunate second half.  As for rain, we have a little pop-up canopy that we put over the patio and a bunch of heavy-duty tarps that we layer across it to keep people warm. But for snow and cold, all bets are off. We’ve been snowed on like crazy, and have sometimes had to put our open drinks on a cooking grate over the fire to keep them warm . Photo Courtesy of Bills Helmet Bar/Instagram STADIUM JOURNEY: Are there any special plans for the championship games this weekend?  BLAKE PARNHAM:  I’m actually grateful that the AFC Championship game is second. The NFC game will be a healthy distraction for us all.  This Sunday, we’ll be doing much the same, on a larger scale. I will set up the Bills Helmet Bar flag in the morning, start cooking, and wait for folks to roll in. Given that it’s a road game, I expect it to be a larger crowd. Several of our regulars are also season ticket holders who don’t come for home games. Given the importance of the game, the fact that it’s on the road, and the fact that it’ll be relatively mild temperatures - -3C - I have no idea what that means in Fahrenheit. It should   be the biggest crowd we’ve ever had. At least, until February 9th. STADIUM JOURNEY: Buffalo is getting a new stadium. Is this a good thing? When you attend games, what happens to the Bar? BLAKE PARNHAM:  It’s been incredible to see the progress of the new stadium. It looks so much different now than it even did at the beginning of the season. However, I'm not super keen on it. The Ralph is home, and much like moving houses, it'll feel weird for a while. I’m going to miss it. But eventually, it’ll feel like it belongs, I’m sure.  We typically attend one or two games a season, and when this happens, we simply close the bar. I put out on social media that we’ll be at the game, so no one comes by. However, this year, when we told all of our friends that we had tickets to the New England game on December 22nd, almost all of them bought tickets to come along. It was a great Helmet Bar takeover of Orchard Park and one of my favorite days yet.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Pensacola Bay Center 201 E Gregory St Pensacola, FL 32502 Pensacola Ice Flyers website Pensacola Bay Center website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 8,049 Welcome to the Hangar Hockey on the beaches of the Florida panhandle is something that might seem crazy to some.  After all, the humid subtropical climate and year-round sunshine, combined with a location in the football-crazed south, might make hockey seem like something that wouldn't be a big draw. But for over 25 years hockey has thrived in the minor league loving sports city of Pensacola. Hockey was born on the Emerald Coast in 1996 with the ECHL's Pensacola Ice Pilots, who played until the 2007-08 season. Then after a season of no hockey, the Ice Flyers of the SPHL were founded in 2009 and have played ever since to great success. As of 2024, the Ice Flyers have made the playoffs 13 times and won the President's Cup four times (2012-13, 2013-14, 2015-16, and 2020-21). The team's nickname pays tribute to Pensacola's Naval history, which is only appropriate given the fact that Pensacola is home to one of the largest Navy bases in the country. However, the Navy base may best be known as home to the Blue Angels flight squadron, who perform all over the country throughout the year, but are based in Pensacola. The Ice Flyers play in downtown Pensacola at the Pensacola Bay Center. Affectionately nicknamed ‘The Hangar’, the 8,049-seat venue opened in 1985 and was known as the Pensacola Civic Center for a number of years. From the outside the venue cuts an impressive figure, sitting at the foot of I-110 and being the first thing most people see when driving into downtown Pensacola.   Food and Beverages   3 There are four full-service concession stands in The Hangar, as well as several pop-up bars located throughout the facility – there are two concession stands each on the east and west side concourses. On the west side you can find Blue Reef Grill which sells hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, and pretzels, as well as Coop's Chicken Kitchen which sells chicken items such as tenders and sandwiches. On the east side you'll find Five Flags Filling Station, which sells the same items found at Blue Reef Grill, as well as Tarragona Taco Company, where you can get tacos and nachos. For drink selections Coca-Cola is the official soft drink provider of the Bay Center, while for alcohol local brewer Pensacola Bay Brewery has a stand set up on the west concourse offering all their signature beers (Napoleon IPA, Treasure Grove, Riptide Amber, Lighthouse Porter, Pensacola Premium, and Desoto). You will also find a full-service bar called Slap Shot Bar located in Section 124, on the open concourse on the south side of the building.   Atmosphere   4 There's no denying who the main tenant is here when arriving at the Bay Center; signage of past players and championship banners take up the poles in the parking lot, as well as a giant ‘Home of the Ice Flyers’ signs sitting above the main entrance and box office, located on the west side of the building. Pensacola Bay Center has kind of a unique shape with its perfectly symmetrical square design and flat roof. Once inside the building there is one concourse on the second level, designed in a wraparound configuration, consisting of concession stands and a team store – the east and west sides do not offer views of the ice, but the north and south sides do. Pensacola Bay Center has received some renovations in recent years, the most notable being the high-definition LED scoreboard hanging at mid-ice that was installed in 2020. The new board replaced the very outdated dot matrix board from the 1990s, which was so old they couldn't get replacement parts for it. Also hanging from the rafters are the Ice Flyers two retired jersey numbers, as well as banners celebrating the teams’ four President’s Cups. During part of the season they will tarp off the upper decks, making for a much more intimate experience, but there are several $5 admission games throughout the season where they will remove the tarp, allowing fans to sit in the upper deck. The mascot is Maverick, a bald eagle dressed as a pilot, who is a constant presence at The Hangar during games. In addition, when the Ice Flyers score fans will move their fists up and down in unison; this has become sort of the unofficial cheer of the team, as almost 90% of the crowd will participate in this celebration. The Ice Flyers also do a tremendous job making sure every game has a different feel to it, with almost every night having a theme or having the Ice Flyers wear an alternate jersey. For example, this season the Ice Flyers wore jerseys modeled after Toy Story, the Cars movies, Peanuts, Ugly Sweaters, St. Patrick’s Day, Mardi Gras, and SpongeBob. Photo courtesy of the Pensacola Ice Flyers Neighborhood   4 The Hangar is located in downtown Pensacola, several blocks north of the famous Seville Quarter and all the bars and restaurants of Palafox Street. No trip to Pensacola would be complete without a trip to Rosie O'Grady's – famous for its dueling pianos and signature Hurricane cocktail drink, the place is located in the Seville Quarter, a one-block section of buildings that resemble those you would find in the French Quarter. These buildings, most of which were built in the 1800s, also feature numerous other bars and restaurants as well. Another popular place just down the street from Pensacola Bay Center is McGuire's – this place has been a fixture of Pensacola for over 40 years and gets pretty packed on weekends, with live music in over five bars. McGuire's makes for a great pregame and postgame hangout after Ice Flyers games, but you can also find plenty more bars and restaurants on Palafox Street, as well as tons lining the Pensacola Bay waterfront, about a mile south of the Bay Center. The beaches of Pensacola are located about 10 minutes away as well, where you can find plenty of restaurants and beach-related activities. With the year-round warm weather, it's also not uncommon to be able to go for a swim in the Gulf before an Ice Flyer game. In addition, plenty of lodging can be had, from cheaper hotels near the Interstate to more expensive hotels downtown. During the winter months you may find cheaper rates at some of the hotels on Pensacola Beach, should you want to stay out there. And of course, no trip to Pensacola would be complete without a trip to the National Naval Air Aviation Museum. Located on Pensacola’s navy base, this large museum has many exhibits and over 150 vintage aircraft, and is devoted to the history of naval aviation in the U.S. The famous Blue Angels are also stationed at Pensacola NAS for most of the year, but during the winter months are based in California – if you are lucky you may get to see the Blue Angels fly over while practicing.   Fans   4 Year in and year out, the Ice Flyers are consistently one of the top teams in terms of attendance in the SPHL, never finishing below 4th in the League. The 2023-24 season set the record for most tickets sold in franchise history, and they also averaged 5,300 fans per game, also the most in franchise history. Many of the locals remember the days of the old Ice Pilots of the ECHL, part of hockey's I-10 corridor when there were eight ECHL teams from Jacksonville to Lafayette. The teams created fierce rivalries among themselves and brought packed houses to an unlikely hockey market; that fan support has carried over to the Ice Flyers days. The Pensacola area is also unique in that it attracts people from all over the country – with the beaches and year-round warm weather, the area attracts a lot of snowbirds from the north who flock to warmer climes in the winter. You'll encounter a lot of these people at The Hanger, and in addition, Ice Flyers games have a large military presence, with lots of people in attendance from all over the world who are stationed at Pensacola NAS.   Access   4 Pensacola Bay Center is located at the southern end of I-1110, a north and south auxiliary road that connects Interstate 10 to downtown Pensacola. With the arena located about 10 miles south of I-10, the Bay Center is not hard to miss as it sits at the foot of the I-110 extension, and is the first thing most people will see upon entering downtown. There are many parking lots scattered around the arena, each charging about $10 to park. Unfortunately the free lots that used to be located about a block south, across from the cemetery, are now paid lots as well. Entering the building you can enter at ice level and walk up to your seats, or you can take the ramp up to the second level; personally I like the ice level entrance better. Once in Pensacola Bay Center everything runs smoothly, although the concession lines sometimes back up during intermissions.   Return on Investment   3 Tickets in the east and west lower bowls will cost $19, while tickets in the north and south lower bowls will cost $15; you cannot find a better return on investment for minor league hockey in the south. The Ice Flyers do a great job keeping fans entertained with their constant promotions and theme nights – some of the promotions this season include wiener dog races and a Mardi Gras parade on the ice, so you don't even have to enjoy hockey to have fun at an Ice Flyers game. With the success of the Ice Flyers in Pensacola, hockey will be played here for many years to come.   Extras   3 The Pensacola Bay Center is the largest indoor multi-purpose venue on the Florida panhandle, and the arena also receives the national spotlight each year as the host of the Sun Belt Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament , every year since 2021. March Madness takes over Pensacola during this week, and the Ice Flyers usually go on the road. Multiple concerts have also taken place here ever year – Michael Jackson even rented out the building for a few weeks to rehearse for his 1988 "Bad" World Tour; fans would camp out in the Bay Center parking lot every day hoping to catch a glimpse of the King of Pop.  Kiss was the first event in the Bay Center when they opened the building in 1985.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 Daniel S. Horgan Arena 403 Oxford St. Auburn, MA 01501   Anna Maria men’s hockey website Daniel Horgan Arena website   Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 1,500 AMCATS MIH   Anna Maria College is a private Catholic college located in Paxton, Massachusetts. Founded as a women’s college in 1946, it became coeducational in 1973. Today the school boasts an enrollment of 1,500 students who study in six graduate and undergraduate schools.   Anna Maria’s athletic teams are known as the AMCATS, which is an acronym derived from “Anna Maria College Athletic Team Sports.” The school started sponsoring men’s and women’s hockey in 2018. Beginning in the 2024-25 season, the Amcats hockey teams joined the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Association. Neither team has appeared in the NCAA D-3 Tournament yet. Both teams play off campus: the men’s team plays at the Horgan Arena in Auburn, and the women’s team plays at Buffone Arena in Worcester.   In the 1970s Bobby Orr and the Big, Bad Bruins were taking Massachusetts and New England by storm. The demand for ice skating rinks all over the region skyrocketed. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) responded to this demand by building dozens of rinks all over the state. One of these rinks was Horgan Arena in Auburn, a town in central Massachusetts located just to the south of Worcester.   Daniel S. Horgan served as the chief engineer for the Massachusetts Department of Public Works. He settled in Auburn and served as the President of the Auburn Rotary Club. Mr. Horgan passed away in 1973, before the completion of the hockey rink. In recognition of his service to the community, the rink was named in his honor.   Food & Beverage 2    There is a small snack bar in the lobby that serves up a variety of snacks for visiting fans. In this chilly rink, hot coffee, hot chocolate, and tea are the most popular items. If you’re in the mood for something cooler, a variety of slushies are available. Also on the menu are pizza slices, hot dogs, and an assortment of breakfast sandwiches. Fans looking for snacks can grab some nachos, popcorn, pretzel bites, cookies, or ice cream treats. If you’re looking for a soda, candy, or chips, the vending machines in the lobby have you covered. Pepsi products are featured at Horgan Arena.   Atmosphere 2   Community rinks like Horgan Arena don’t have much in the way of amenities that are conducive to creating a lively game-day atmosphere. The Anna Maria staff do their best with the limited resources they have. The DJ does double duty as the PA announcer, filling the rink with noise during play stoppages and doing a nice job keeping fans up to date on game information from his post behind the penalty boxes. If sitting near the temporary speakers set up here, be warned that it will be loud. The DJ here plays more hip-hop music than you may be used to hearing at a hockey game. As someone who is not a fan of the genre, his selection of music is outstanding, if a bit out of place at a hockey game.   There’s a basic scoreboard on the west end of the rink that displays score and time. Some banners are hanging around the facility recognizing the different teams that call Horgan Arena home, but little to identify this as the home of the Amcats besides a small sign under the scoreboard.   Neighborhood 2   Horgan Arena is part of the Auburn Recreational Complex, which also includes a baseball field, softball field, tennis court, basketball courts, dog park, and track. Much of the surrounding area near the Complex is residential, but with two interstates cutting through the area, there is also a significant commercial presence in the area.   The Auburn Mall is a short drive away for fans looking to do a little shopping. Routes 12 and 20 contain the majority of the businesses in town, and fans will find all the typical chain options as they drive through Auburn. Fans looking for some local flavor should check out J. Anthony’s Bar and Grill, Bar One and Sushi, and the Bentley Pub. There is a Comfort Inn and a Holiday Inn Express and Suites near the arena should you be looking to stay in the area after the game.   Fans 1   As you would expect, a crowd at an Anna Maria hockey game is what we at Stadium Journey would call a “friends and family” crowd. Stadium Journey visited Horgan Arena on a snowy Saturday night during semester break, and the crowd in attendance numbered about 50 hardy fans. Everyone in the stands appeared to have some sort of connection with the players on the ice and were enthusiastic in their support of the home team. With the Amcats’ schedule consisting entirely of New England teams, chances are you’ll see a good turnout from visiting fans as well. With the Anna Maria campus located 11 miles away in neighboring Paxton, there’s not a big turnout from the student body. Access 4   Horgan Arena is located in the center of Auburn, MA, a town of about 17,000 residents located just to the southwest of Worcester. Interstates 90 (the Mass Pike) and 290 intersect right near the rink, making it easily accessible from all points in Massachusetts and beyond. The rink itself is located in a mixed residential and commercial neighborhood, which will give visiting hockey fans a few options for things to do before or after an Amcats game.   If anyone has ever been to any of the DCR rinks in Massachusetts, you will notice that they all have an identical design. If you have ever been to a UMass Dartmouth game at Hetland Arena in New Bedford , you’ll be sure to feel a case of déjà vu.   There is a large parking lot adjacent to the arena. Fans will enter a small lobby where the skate shop, vending machines, and snack bar are located. The visiting locker room is also here. It’s also the place to be during intermission, as it’s the only place in the building with heat.   As you enter the rink, seating on the near side consists of molded bleachers while seating on the far side consists of wooden bleachers. There is a standing room available at either end of the rink. Bathrooms are located to your left as you enter. You will be sharing the restrooms with the home team (well, the men’s room). Nets obstruct views of the ice from all points in the facility.   Return on Investment 4   Admission to an Anna Maria hockey game is seven dollars for general admission seating. Parking is free in the large lot adjacent to the rink. Concession prices are reasonable, and visiting an Amcats game is an affordable entertainment option for central Massachusetts sports fans. Extras 1   While nothing is going on at an Amcats game that can be considered extra, an extra point is awarded for the team’s name itself. The acronym is a most clever alternative to the typical Wildcats and such.   Final Thoughts   With the great availability of rinks in the greater Worcester area, it’s kind of surprising that the Anna Maria men’s hockey team has chosen to play so far from campus. Perhaps as the program becomes more established, they will move to a facility closer to home. For now, Horgan Arena serves as an adequate, if unspectacular, home for the Amcats. ----   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Daskalakis Athletic Center 3333 Market St Philadelphia, PA 19104 Drexel Dragons website Daskalakis Athletic Center website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 2,509 The Power of the Penn Right down the street from the University of Pennsylvania’s amazing Palestra is another Division I basketball arena that gets much less fanfare. The Daskalakis Athletic Center that the Drexel Dragons play in is literally within walking distance from basketball greatness, and although a nice arena, it seems far from the Palestra on the basketball royalty scale. Drexel is the “other” Division I school in the Philadelphia area. It used not to be a part of the Big 5 which consisted of the University of Pennsylvania, La Salle University, Saint Joseph’s University, Temple University, and Villanova University. It was instead part of the “City 6,” which is all of the Philadelphia Big 5 schools along with Drexel. At the start of the 2023–24 season, the Big 5 expanded to include Drexel University. Drexel University is a private research university founded in 1891. Its founder is its namesake, financier, and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel. Its original name was the Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry. The Dragon has been the mascot of the school since around the mid-1920s. Before becoming known as the Dragons, the athletic teams were known by names such as the Blue & Gold, the Engineers, and the Drexelites. Drexel's mascot, “Mario the Magnificent,” is named in honor of alumnus and Board of Trustees member Mario V. Mascioli. The Daskalakis Athletic Center, which opened in 1975, is home to multiple Drexel University Dragons sports teams including basketball and wrestling. The overall building houses gyms, a natatorium, a rock climbing wall, and a squash canter although the “DAC” generally refers solely to the basketball arena. Since 2012 there have been many renovations and changes to the seating sections of the arena. Food & Beverage 3 The food options at the DAC are pretty basic. A concession stand sits outside the entrance to the arena. Do not expect anything besides the usual simple offerings. Hot dogs and pretzels are the best bet. There are also nachos, funnel cake, pizza, and churros. Atmosphere 4 Four sets of stands surround the basketball court. Each stand section is made up a little bit differently from the others. All of the seats are close to the action. The student section is located on the south stands. They tend to stand the whole game and provide a pretty good and loud atmosphere for games. Depending on the game, the stands in this area may be full or fairly empty. I get a sense it is not very consistent. There is also a very good pep band, as well as cheerleaders and a dance squad to enhance the surroundings. Drexel’s mascot Mario the Magnificent is also around to delight kids. Neighborhood 5 The Daskalakis Athletic Center is located in a unique section of Philadelphia called University City. It is not just the Drexel University located here, but the University of Pennsylvania is right next door. It is quite a sight to see two Division I schools separated by just a street. Penn has a massive campus and the Ivy League school is worth a walk around to see the many historical buildings (check out Locust Walk for the best tour). If you want to touch upon your inner Ivy, stop by the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, which is right near both The Palestra and Franklin Field on the east side of campus. University City also provides a decent mix of bars and restaurants and the best ones are found along a trendy row of brick buildings on Sansom Street. The New Deck Tavern is a fun, Irish-style pub, while the White Dog Café is a little more upscale with incredibly delicious food using a menu featuring only local ingredients. If you’re in the mood for Asian, University City has plenty of options with many different countries represented. Just a mile or two down the street is the center of Philadelphia, where there is plenty to check out. Independence National Park includes the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center, and Independence Hall. Other great museums surround the Park, while in the heart of the city, it is worth seeing City Hall and JFK Plaza, where the famous “LOVE” sign is located. Fans 3 The student section even when not filling their section is still pretty loud. The arena is pretty small so the sound fills it up pretty nicely. The arena does not fill often, but it is small enough that you might want to plan for some big games, especially if it is a CAA rival or Big 5 team matchup. Access 2 University City is not difficult to get to; however, parking can be an issue in the area. The best option is the parking garage at Chestnut and 34th Street. Finding a spot on the nearby streets is a possibility too, depending on game time and day. The Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) is the best way to arrive at campus and to reach the garage get off I-76 at Exit 345. This brings drivers onto Drexel’s adjoining campus, and it is fairly easy to get to the garage from there. The other option to arrive at Penn is by using SEPTA, the mass transit system around Philly. There is a subway line (MFL) that stops right at 34th Street, which is within walking distance of the arena. Return on Investment 3 Generally, tickets are around $20-$25 each. That is slightly pricey, except the arena is located in a large metropolitan city. If you have to pay for parking expect your outlay to be a bit more. Extras 2 The CAA is a very good basketball conference with some very good basketball rivals. So expect to see a high caliber of play consistently throughout the schedule. Also, make sure to visit the Drexel Dragon Hall Of Fame in the lobby entrance that runs from Market Street towards the back of the Daskalakis Athletic Center. Final Thoughts The Daskalakis Athletic Center is a nice arena, but being so close to the Palestra makes the facility seem a bit of a letdown. Fans will still see some great action in this small, loud arena.

Photos by Terry McCutchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 The Field House 2600 S. Neal Street Commerce, TX 75428 East Texas A&M Lions website The Field House website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 3,055 East Texas A&M University Men’s Basketball East Texas A&M University, formerly Texas A&M University-Commerce, is the fifth-oldest state college or university in Texas, having been founded in 1889. The school opened under the name East Texas Normal College as a training school for teachers in Cooper, Texas. After a fire destroyed the original campus, the school was relocated to its present-day location; the name was changed to East Texas State Normal College when it received full state funding in 1917. In 1923, the school again changed its name, this time to East Texas State Teachers College.   The school voted to remove the word Teachers from its name in 1957, then added university instead of college in 1965, becoming East Texas State University. In 1996, the school was voted into the Texas A&M system, thus becoming Texas A&M-Commerce – this name was used until November 2024, when the school became East Texas A&M to better connect with the region where most of its traditional students reside.   With an enrollment of 11,500 in 2023, this is the third-largest university in the Texas A&M University System. Located in Commerce, which is on the northeast corner of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and only 60 miles from downtown Dallas, most of the current student body hails from either the metroplex or one of many small towns in northeast Texas.   ETAMU’s mascot is the Lions, and the school sponsors twelve varsity sports, which have competed since 2022-23 at the NCAA Division I level in the Southland Conference; previously the sports teams had been members of the Lone Star Conference for most of their history. The men’s basketball team was formed in 1916 and won the first of over 20 conference championships in 1931 – they won the NAIA National title in the 1954-55 season and have made the national tournament 19 times.   The home of Lion basketball is The Field House. Built in 1950, The Field House is designed in the shape of an airplane hangar and covers over 69,000 square feet, most of which is continuous hardwood flooring set up to accommodate multiple basketball and volleyball courts. The Quonset-shaped building is quite a contrast to the rest of campus, which is mostly an expanse of new, modern buildings made of brick, lots of glass, and state-of-the-art architecture. With moveable stands, the massive open space and 58’ 58-foot ceilings in The Field House can host five full-court basketball games at the same time. Rumor has it this is the largest non-stop hardwood floor west of the Mississippi River; it is unique and a peek back into a time long past.   Food & Beverage   3 Concessions in The Field House are unspectacular but do offer many of the basic items you have come to expect – food choices include hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, assorted chips, and candy, while drinks include Powerade, water, Coca-Cola products, and Dr Pepper. Alcoholic beverages available include Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, White Claw, Beatbox Wine, Dallas Blonde, and local lager Tupp’s Bold Gold.   There is only one concession window with one or two workers, but that is sufficient. The only time there may be a wait longer than one or two people in line is during half-time. Prices are a little higher than what is expected for this level of play, with drinks costing between $4.75 and $7 and snacks costing between $3 and $6, except for nachos which are $7.50, and Beatbox Wine which is $8.   Atmosphere   4 Basketball games inside The Field House are entertaining for all ages. Because the school is located in a smaller community, the NCAA D-I athletics contests are consistently the top entertainment option around here. The Lions are supported by a cheer squad, a dance team, a pep band, and fans of all ages from Commerce and the surrounding towns.   On one end of the gymnasium, there are two large inflatables for children to play on before and during games – the inflatables are within eyesight of the visitor stands and one end of the home stands. When I asked if these were set up at all home games, the gentleman from the inflatables company stated that they were, and said this allows their kids to play so the adults can enjoy the game.   There are crowd participation games that take place during long stoppages of play, and there is also half-time entertainment – at the game I most recently attended there was a game of “basketball” musical chairs involving several children, followed by a scrimmage involving a couple youth basketball teams. All the activities planned created an environment where there was very little downtime when there was no action on the court.   Neighborhood   3 East Texas A&M is located in the northeast Texas community of Commerce. Commerce has a population of approximately 10,000, one of the smallest university towns in the state of Texas. Being in such a small town the college is the center of activity, as well as the largest employer and biggest attraction in the region.   If driving into town from the Dallas area via Highway 24, the main entrance to campus greets you as you enter town. Most of the buildings seen from the road are new and built using sustainable techniques that meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.   The area across Highway 24 from the university consists of convenience stores, fast food restaurants, and major chain stores that reside in Commerce. The neighborhoods that surround ETAMU include a mixture of apartment complexes and modest single-family homes, as well as small duplexes and other rental properties. Within a half mile of campus sit historic, century-old houses that were original to the city. At games during Christmas break, before the start of the spring semester, there is not much life on or around the campus.   If looking for a meal before or after the game, there are a few restaurant choices in town – Luigi’s Italian Restaurant and Lone Star Eatery Grill & Bar are both across the street from campus, while Lulu’s Burgers  and Mariscos del Golfo  are both just a few minutes’ drive away. Fast food establishments across the street from ETAMU include Braum’s, Chicken Express, Sonic, McDonald’s, and Domino's.   For a small town, Commerce has just a few viable hotel options, which include Magnuson Hotel , Lion’s Den Extended Stay , and The Yellow Rose of Texas . Hotels in Greenville, a short 20-minute drive away along Interstate 30, include Hampton Inn & Suites , Best Western Plus Monica Royale , and Comfort Inn & Suites , among others. Sulphur Springs is 30 minutes away along I-30 as well and also has multiple hotel options. In addition, if you are coming from the north Paris and Sherman are both within an hour’s drive, and both have plenty of accommodations to choose from.   Fans   4 Lions fans are a loyal and supportive group; this loyalty is displayed by cheering during the game, led mainly by the pep band, cheerleaders, and the student section. The support led by these three groups goes deeper than just simple cheering, however, as there are also organized chants for specific actions by the opponents. For example, after an opponent substitution, the crowd will count the steps of the player heading to the bench until he is seated, at which time they all yell at top volume, “SIT DOWN!”. Also among the fans are groups of youth basketball teams from surrounding areas, as well as older adults – at a recent game I attended there were three different youth basketball teams in attendance.   Access   3 The Field House at East Texas A&M is easily accessible, sitting on the north end of campus just one block east of TX-24. It sits behind Memorial Stadium, easily visible – just look for the enormous maroon Quonset hut-style building that looks like an airplane hangar. Parking is plentiful, with a large lot extending from the football stadium past the gym, allowing fans to park within a short walk of the entrance. There is no charge for parking, which is an added benefit.   Return On Investment   3 All tickets inside The Field House are general admission, costing $10 or $15 depending on how high in the stands you prefer to sit. A limited number of courtside seats are also available for $30. In addition, once conference games begin in late December, there is at least one men’s and women’s doubleheader against the same opponent for one ticket price.   Concession prices are slightly more here than at most comparable-sized schools, but this is offset by free parking and the no-cost children’s play area.   Extras   3 Free parking within steps of The Field House is worth extra recognition; most schools have prioritized and monetized prime parking spots, so the sacrifice of this income for general public parking is well appreciated.   The unique, historic building that is The Field House provides a memorable game experience – while void of many modern amenities, the gym is a step back in time and a reminder that this is not professional basketball, but a game being played by college students.   What the pep band adds to the atmosphere during the game is worth an extra shout-out; the choreographed chants directed at the opposing team are entertaining, and also help to give some home-court advantage to the Lions.   Final Thoughts East Texas A&M Lion basketball, as a member of the Southland Conference, provides a quality game experience. The game day activities are sure to entertain fans of all ages. Considering The Field House is a venerable edifice, an afternoon or evening spent on the campus of ETAMU is well worth the time invested.   Though there are no current plans in place that I am aware of, I would suggest putting a trip to the northeast Texas campus near the top of my basketball bucket list, to avoid missing a game in the historic Field House.

Photos courtesy of Gregory Koch Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 E.B. Henderson Sports Complex 4200 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20008 UDC Firebirds website E.B. Henderson Sports Complex website Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 1,500 Firebirds of Fury The University of the District of Columbia, known as UDC for short, is a historically black college (HBCU) and the only public university in the District of Columbia. The school was founded in 1851 and is located in the Van Ness neighborhood in Northwest Washington. The school's athletic teams are known as the Firebirds and compete in Division II of the NCAA, in the East Coast Conference. The Firebirds' basketball team plays their home games at the E.B. Henderson Sports Complex on the UDC campus. Known by the generic name Building 47 until 2022, about its number on the campus map, the arena was renamed after UDC alumnus Edwin Bancroft Henderson. Although few know his name, Henderson's contributions to the game of basketball were immense, He taught physical education in D.C.'s public schools in the early 1900s, teaching Black children at a time when the schools, and society in general, were still segregated. He is credited for introducing the game of basketball to the Black community in the Washington region, and later elsewhere in the country, at a time when Black people were forbidden from even attending games involving white players, let alone playing in them. He has been called the Father of Black Basketball for all his work behind the scenes. Food & Beverage 1 The lobby at the E.B. Henderson Sports Complex contains what appears to be a concession stand, but when Stadium Journey visited, it was closed and blocked off by yellow caution tape. It may be open for some games but was not on this occasion. There are vending machines in the lobby that sell soft drinks and bottled water, so it does get one star here. Atmosphere 4 Walking through the front doors of the E.B. Henderson Sports Complex will put you in a lobby with a trophy case, restrooms, and vending machines. Turn right to get to the arena doors, then walk through them to get into the arena itself. There are two sets of plastic bleachers, one on each side of the court. Although this is larger than many Division II gyms, you will still have a great view of the action wherever you sit. There are video boards on both baselines that also show player stats, a rarity at this level. The player stats scroll through player by player, which can be confusing until you figure out what it is showing. After a violation by UDC's opponent (traveling, double dribble, etc.) the PA announcer will often shout "You can't do that!" before declaring that UDC now has possession of the ball. There is a dance team at UDC games, but they mainly stay in the stands to do their routines rather than come out onto the court. Neighborhood 4 The UDC campus is located in the Van Ness neighborhood in Northwest Washington D.C. You will find many places to eat or drink nearby, including Sfoglina Italian and Pho 14. The Tenleytown neighborhood is about a 15-20 minute walk away heading west on Van Ness Street and offers even more options. Fans 2 UDC averages a couple hundred fans a game if that. Those who do attend are quiet for the most part but can get worked up over bad calls by the refs or bad plays by the Firebirds. They do cheer good plays as well when they occur. There does not appear to be a large student turnout at Firebirds games - it is mostly friends and family of the players plus some locals. Access 5 Getting to the UDC campus is very easy, whether you are driving or taking public transit. The Van Ness-UDC Metro stop on the Red Line is located right next to campus, an easy walk from the arena. You can also park in the campus garage a short walk away, entering off Van Ness Street. Parking in the garage is officially $8 for 1-3 hours and $12 for 3-6 hours, so depending on how early you get there and whether you are attending a doubleheader with the men's and women's teams, expect to pay somewhere in this range. That being said, when Stadium Journey visited, the parking pay machines were down and the gate was up, allowing us to park for free, so you may get similarly lucky. Restrooms are available to the left of the front doors of the building and are of a more than sufficient size for the crowds that turn up for basketball games. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are $15, which is on the high end for Division II, but certainly won't break the bank. There may be a substantial charge for parking as well. All of this means a UDC Firebirds game is merely an average value, no more, no less. Extras 5 Look for the firebird statue outside the doors to the E.B. Henderson Sports Complex, referencing UDC's unique mascot. A second star for the statue of E.B. Henderson himself nearby, honoring his significant contributions to the sport. Once you get into the lobby, look for the trophy case honoring UDC athletic achievements. Finally, when you are in the arena itself, check out the 1982 National Championship Banner and the jersey honoring former Firebird and Harlem Globetrotter Charles "Choo Choo" Smith. Rather than display a replica of his college jersey, they display a replica of his Globetrotters one. Final Thoughts UDC doesn't get nearly the attention of the Division I basketball schools in the DC area, nor is the experience comparable. Still, hoops fans in the area may want to check out a Firebirds game. Considering the men's and women's teams often play doubleheaders, it can be a fun way to spend an entire afternoon watching basketball.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Mullett Arena 411 S Packard Dr Tempe, AZ 85281 Map It Valley Suns website Mu llett Arena website Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 5,000 Valley of the Suns Beginning operation in the fall of 2024, the Valley Suns are the newest member of the G League, an NBA developmental lea gue.  The NBA Development League (NBA D-League) was renamed the NBA G League as part of a multiyear expanded partnership between the NBA and Gatorade in 2017-18.  The Valley Suns are an affiliate of the Phoenix Suns , the last NBA team to own or operate a G League team. The Valley Suns play in Mullett Arena on the Arizona State University (ASU) campus in Tempe, AZ.  The arena is better kn own as the home of  ASU Sun Devils ice hockey and was home to the Arizona Coyotes for two years before they moved to Utah in 2024.  Mullett Arena also hosts ASU women’s basketball, volleyball, wrestling, and concerts.  The venue displays some, but not much, Valley Suns signage; it’s still undeniably an ASU facility. While the team is still new and fans have not quite come out in droves to watch them, it is gaining some traction for basketball fans in the Phoenix Metro area.  And for good reaso n, as a ttending a Valley Suns game is an immensely enjoyable few hours of sports entertainment. Food & Beverage 2 Three concessions stations were open to the general public on the day of this vis it: a  Wetzel’s Pretzels, a grab-n-go Marketplace, and a Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers stand.  A Venezia’s Pizza stand is sometimes open, so look for that near section 108.  The Wetzel’s and Marketplace are near the entrance; the cheeseburger and pizza selections are on the upper level.  A Coors Light Club Chill with tables and chairs is also on the upper level, but only fans with special tickets can get food there.  Mullett Arena Coors Light Club Chill, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The Marketplace has packaged snacks ($3 - $10) and canned and bottled drinks ($5 water; $17 premium bomber/seltzer).  Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers, an Arizona sports bar chain, sells burgers ($16/$17) and slider and chicken baskets ($15/$16). Soft drinks are Coca-Cola brands.  Fans can bring in one sealed bottle of water.  The food choices and selections are enough for a Valley Suns game.  The prices are on the high side.  We recommend getting a snack, if needed, and then heading  to one of many restaurants and eateries in the nearby Tempe area. Atmosphere 4 Fans have a pleasurable and fun few hours w atching good basketball at a Valley Suns game at Mullett Arena.  It’s a college arena holding 5,000 seats, so every seat has a decen t view of the court.  Sitting at c enter court is probably the best view but even the corner seats have decent sights.  Plastic fold-down seats surround the court with rows running A – P with P being the highest row.  Courtside seats line the hardwood floor.   Cement bleachers (student section used during ASU hockey games) situated behind one of the baskets remain empty during a Valley Suns game.  A drink rail surrounds the upper level where some fans socialize for parts of the game. The venue also has loge boxes and suites; they are not used during Valley Suns games (at least the game we attended). The arena has a vividly crisp center-hung video scoreboard that shows gameplay, score, players on the court and their stats, time outs left, and time.  Two smaller dot matrix boards are attached to the second-level seating façade.  The team conveniently posts live closed captioning on the ends of the ribbon boards so fans can read the announcer’s calls. The pre-game music is painfully loud; fans are unable to converse during that time.  Bring earplugs or noise-canceling headsets if you or your family are sensitive to deafening noises. Thankfully, the volume is lowered during game time and is not played during game action , only d uring pre-game and stoppages. Game day operations turn off the lights during the National Anthem and player introductions.  Many fans turn their phone flashlight on and wave it during the pre-game which is always a fantastic thing to see and participate in. The temperature in the arena is perfect.  A long-sleeved shirt is sufficient for most fans. The mascot, named Ray, is a furry orange blob who participates in activities such as fan contests and t-shirt tosses.  He/she is seen roaming the court and by the stands, ready for a picture and some fun and mascot antics. Ray, the Valley Suns Mascot, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey In-game promotions include a t-shirt toss, a hi-lo card game sponsored by a casino, name as many specific topic items as you can, a dance cam and funny face cam, a scream for courtside tickets, and more.  And even better, it’s not done to the extreme.  It’s a very enjoyable game day vi sit,  and we find ourselves wanting to go back.  Neighborhood 4 Mullett Arena sits on the ASU (Arizona State University) Tempe campus between Mountain West Stadium and the Track Field grounds near Desert Financial Arena.   Tempe is a vibrant, active community and college town.  Numerous restaurants and bars are open within a mile of the arena for a bite to eat or drink before or after a Valley Suns game. Eureka is the closest, serving craft beers, cocktails, and a delicious selection of house-made fare.  Cornish Pasty Co, Snooze (breakfast), Postino Annex, and Alter Ego (breakfast, lunch, and dinner – Asian inspired) are j ust several of the many other nearby eateries to choose from.   Several breweries are a short distance away (less than 2 miles):  Hundred Mile Brewing, Four Peaks Brewing, Pedal Haus, and The Shop Beer Co. all serve their delicious craft beers.  Other things to see and do when visiting Tempe include Rio Salado Park (river park for hiking and birding), ASU Art Museum, Tempe Marketplace (shopping), Papago Park, Phoenix Zoo, and the Desert Botanical Gardens.  A plethora of other sports are in session at the same time as the Valley Suns:  ASU football , basketball (men’s and women’s), volleyball , and ice hockey. February and March bring Cubs spring training at nearby Sloan Park , and ASU baseball at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The Hyatt House Tempe is .2 miles from Mullett Arena, so quite walkable.  Ten or more other hotels are in Tempe but a little further.  Lodging is pricey downtown.  A Holiday Inn Express and a Comfort Inn are a little over a mile from the arena and may be less costly.  It’s a bustling downtown and city; one worth checking out when in the area.  Fans 3 The Valley Suns are new and still establishing themselves in the Valley.  Attendance averages between 400 – 600 fans per game, with attendance increasing as the season progresses. The fans haven’t yet learned to wait for stoppages of play to head to or from their seats. However, they are extremely engaged.  Most stand until the team gets its first basket. They cheer on the players wholeheartedly throughout the game.  Phoenix Suns gear is seen in the crowd, with a trickle of Valley Suns jerseys and shirts in the mix.  Those will come with time. Access 4 Getting to Mullett Arena is pretty easy with parking and public transportation available.  It is a mile south of the Loop 202/Scottsdale Rd exit.  A four-story parking garage is adjacent to the arena, though, at $20 to park, it’s pricey.   The arena is five miles from Sky Harbor Airport. The ASU campus and the city of Tempe have plenty of public transportation.  Fans can take the Valley Metro train to the Veterans/College Ave stop and either walk to Mullett Arena (a little over ½ mile) or hop on the 48 bus which drops you off right in front of the venue.  Check Valley Metro  for schedules, fares, and maps. Fans painlessly enter through a security che ck before even getting to the ticket booth (outside).   Gates open an hour before the scheduled tip-off.   Clear 12” x 12” x 6” bags an d small clutches are allowed.  The concourses are small though not crowded with the fan base at a Valley Suns game.  Steps go upstairs to the higher rows with one elevator available between sections 104 - 105 (it’s gated o ff; you have to ask to use it).  Otherwise, fans access the seats by ascending a short flight of stairs through portals or onto the court directly between sections 106 and 107. The restrooms are new and sparkling cl ean. Return on Investment 4 Except for the parking, the price for Valley Suns games is quite reasonable.  They start at only $15 ($19.50 with fees and taxes) and go to $150 (floor seats).  The team offers season and partial-season tickets.  Student Rush tickets are $10 (check their website for details).   Mullett Arena only offers e-tickets (the staff texts you with a link). The game day experience is immensely enjoyable, so very worth your sports dollar expenditure. The $20 to park in the garage is too much.  Use Valley Metro for a more affordable choice to get to the arena.  The concession prices are also high, but you don’t need to eat during a two-hour contest. Extras 3 Having live closed captioning during a Valley Suns game is worth an extra mention.  Mullett Arena Closed Captioning, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The game day staff at Mullett Arena and a Valley Suns game are tremendously helpful, friendly, and polite and make you feel remarkedly welcomed.  A merchandise area near the entrance has slick-looking t-shirts, sweatshirts, and trinkets (even hat pins)!  Final Thoughts A Valley Suns basketball game provides a family-friendly atmosphere.  Bo th young and old fans will enjoy the back-and-forth action on the court, the pleasant staff, and the activities and contests.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Harry A. Gampel Pavilion FANFARE Score: 3.86 Harry A. Gampel Pavilion 2095 Hillside Rd Storrs, CT 06269 Connecticut Huskies website Harry A. Gampel Pavilion website Year Opened: 1990 Capacity: 10,299 The Basketball Capital of the World   The University of Connecticut bills itself as “The Basketball Capital of the World.” While fans from certain corners of the country may take issue with this self-designation, a solid argument can be made for its veracity. Not only was the game of basketball invented just a few miles up the road in Springfield, MA, but since 1995 UConn has brought home a combined 17 national titles. The men’s team is reigning back-to-back champions and has won six titles. Their success pales compared to the uber-successful UConn women’s team, which has brought an incredible 11 trophies home to Storrs.   Home for Huskies basketball is the on-campus Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Built-in 1990, the venue is named after the UConn class of 1943 alumnus who donated one million dollars towards the arena’s completion. The facility serves as home to the men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams. The Huskies play a portion of their schedule every season in downtown Hartford at the XL Center,  which has a larger capacity.   Both Husky basketball teams boast impressive resumes. In addition to their six national titles, the UConn men’s team has qualified for 37 NCAA Tournaments and has reached 7 Final Fours. 41 Husky alumni have played in the NBA, including Naismith Hall of Famer Ray Allen.   The women’s team has won 11 national titles, qualified for 35 NCAA Tournaments, and has reached 23 Final Fours. 20 UConn players have been selected in the first round of the WNBA draft, with five of them being the first pick overall. 49 Husky alumni have played in the WNBA, including Naismith Hall of Famers Rebecca Lobo and Swin Cash. Food & Beverage 4   There’s not a whole lot of room at Gampel Pavilion for concession stands. There are cramped concession areas tucked into the four corners of the gym. Stands run by UConn dining offer stadium basics, such as Husky Dogs, burgers, calzones, and mini chicken tacos. Fans looking to save a few dollars can grab a combo meal. There’s a decent variety of snack foods here, too, so hungry Husky fans can pick up some pretzels, nachos, fried dough, popcorn, or even mozzarella sticks.   Coca-Cola products are featured at Gampel Pavilion. Fans looking for adult beverages will find a selection of beer, wine, and mixed drinks at the main stands as well as stands set up specifically for alcohol sales. UConn has partnered with local breweries to make some specialty beers for UConn fans, including Husky Hops by Kinsman Brewing, TwoConn Easy Ale by Two Roads, and UConn Territory by Urban Lodge.   Fans looking for some more unique menu items will find what they’re looking for at stands operated by local favorites Bear BBQ and The Family Brick Oven Pizza. Stadium Journey recommends the Bear Attack, a tray of mac and cheese and cornbread crumbles topped with your choice of brisket or pulled pork.   Atmosphere 5   When you visit Storrs, be ready for a professional show and a raucous atmosphere. Recent renovations have modernized the look and feel of the gym, and the staff here have kept pace. The sound system is top-notch, and the proceedings are moved along with an emcee who keeps the volume and energy level up throughout the game. His counterpoint is the professional PA announcer, who will add the appropriate energy level to the proceedings while keeping the fans informed of the goings on.   The new video boards on either end of the gym are put to good use throughout the game with hype videos, replays, crowd cams, and more. There are giveaways, t-shirt tosses, and other contests to keep the casual fan involved. A student hit a half-court shot during Stadium Journey’s visit to win a $2,000 scholarship.   The student section is packed with rowdy students who come complete with their chants, songs, and routines designed to distract the opponent and entertain themselves. The pep band plays during stoppages and the cheerleaders perform and participate in the promotions. Johnathan the Husky roams the arena interacting with fans. Not content to let the students have all the fun, some UConn superfans get involved in the fun, leading cheers at designated times during the game. Neighborhood 3   The University of Connecticut is located in the village of Storrs, part of the town of Mansfield. Downtown Storrs is located just outside the entrance to campus. Storrs has a population of just over 15,000 residents, which pales in comparison to UConn’s enrollment of 32,000. It’s no surprise that the 4,000-acre UConn campus dominates this small town.   Visitors to Storrs can still find some solid dining options in town. After the game, head to the Mansfield Town Square, where Blaze Pizza, Dog Lane Café, and MOOYAH Burgers are located. Visitors looking for lodging options in town may want to look at the Graduate by Hilton or Spring Hill Inn. If you want more information about things to do in Storrs, check out DowntownStorrs.com .    Since there aren’t a ton of options near UConn, many fans coming to the area will move on to Hartford, located about a 30-minute drive to the west, or the twin casinos of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, located about 45 minutes to the southeast.    Fans 5   As you might imagine, demand for tickets for the two-time defending champions is high. For the 2023-24 season, the Huskies sold out 13 home games and boasted their highest average attendance since the 2005-06 season. Stadium Journey visited Storrs on a Saturday afternoon near the end of semester break and Gampel was filled to the rafters with crazed Husky fans. Even the student sections were packed, even though school was not yet back in session.   UConn basketball is the hottest ticket in the state, and fans are proud to call the Husky hoops teams their own. Fans are into the action in a big way, and Gampel can get loud when the Huskies are on a roll. You’ll be sure to find a mix of students, diehard UConn fans, alumni, and locals when you visit Storrs. Despite how hardcore the fanbase is here, this is a place where you can feel comfortable sporting the opposition colors.   Reported attendance for every game thus far in the 2024-25 season has been a sellout of 10,299, even for the so-called “lesser” games that generally drew smaller crowds in the past. Access 3   The University of Connecticut is located in rural Storrs, a small village located about a half-hour drive east of Hartford. Storrs is not directly served by any highways, so fans visiting Gampel Pavilion will have to navigate some country roads to reach campus. Interstate 84 runs about seven miles north of UConn. Complete driving directions to Gampel Pavilion can be found here .   Gampel Pavilion is located on the southwest edge of campus alongside UConn’s other athletic venues, including Tuscano Family Ice Forum , Elliot Ballpark ,  Marrone Stadium, and Burrell Field. Fans who have not been on campus in a while may be surprised by the changes in the area, as the baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, and hockey teams all have received new venues in recent years.    There is plenty of parking within a short distance of Gampel Pavilion for fans arriving by car. The South Garage is located right across the street from the arena, with several surface lots, and the larger North Garage is located about a five-minute walk down the street. Just be ready for a slow egress after the game.   Fans enter Gampel Pavilion through one of four entrances at each corner of the facility. Located near these entrances are concession stands and restrooms. There is a single small walkway located halfway up the seating bowl that circles the court. Fans can watch the action while moving around Gampel, but there is no room to stop and loiter here.   Lower-level seats at Gampel are individual blue folding stadium seats. One side of the upper-level seating consists of these same stadium seats, while the rest is made up of molded bleachers without backs. With Gampel’s small size, all seats are right on top of the action and offer excellent views of the court.   Getting around Gampel Pavilion can be difficult, particularly at halftime. Plan your trips around the arena carefully.   Return on Investment 2   With the high demand for UConn tickets and the smallish capacity at Gampel Pavilion, tickets can be difficult to come by. A quick scan of the UConn website shows ticket prices starting at $69 but with only single tickets available as of this writing in mid-January. A look at secondary ticket sites shows even the cheapest tickets starting at $90 and above. It looks like your best bet is to get tickets early on in the season.   Parking in the South Garage right across the street from Gampel Pavilion costs $20. We’ll assume the North Garage is priced similarly. Concessions prices at Husky hoops games are also a bit on the high side, especially when compared to other venues in the area. Extras 5                                                                                                 Gampel Pavilion is split evenly in half, with each side of the facility dedicated to one team. It’s refreshing (and only fair) to see the tremendous women’s program receiving its due here.   Recent renovations to the Gampel Pavilion have removed some of the clutter in the place and have modernized the displays of Husky hoop success. Check out the banners honoring national titles, Hall of Famers, UConn Ring of Honor members, and more.   J. Robert Donnelly Husky Heritage Sports Museum is located just a few minutes from Gampel Pavilion. It is billed as the ultimate destination for Husky fans. Click here  for more information.   UConn Bookstore – While there are no souvenir stands inside Gampel Pavilion (where would you put them?), the UConn Bookstore is right across the street. They have an extensive selection of Husky merchandise, with specials available every game day.   Stadium Journey’s top recommendation for any trip to Storrs is a visit to the UConn Dairy Bar. The Dairy Bar, operated entirely by students, has been in operation since 1953. All products are made fresh on-site. While enjoying your ice cream you can see the cows grazing in the adjacent fields.    Final Thoughts   For some reason, it feels like UConn and Gampel Pavilion get overlooked when people talk about the best college programs and venues in the country. Maybe it’s because no one thinks about New England as a college hoops hotbed. But if you’re planning a basketball Stadium Journey, Gampel should be on your shortlist. Gampel Pavilion combines the best of big-time college basketball with the best of small-town college life. ____   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Ben Alkaly Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Great Southern Bank Arena 685 S John Q. Hammons Pkwy Springfield, MO 65897 Missouri State Bears website Great Southern Bank Arena website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 11,000 Big-Time Arena in a Small City Springfield, MO, serves as the gateway to the scenic Ozarks of southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas. Still, there are a few reasons to stop in town instead of just passing through on the way to natural wonders … One of them being college basketball in a pro-style venue.  The Missouri State Bears of the Missouri Valley Conference (moving to Conference USA in mid-2025 as the school steps up to FBS status) ply their trade in Great Southern Bank Arena, an 11,000-seat gem opened in 2008 in the northwest corner of campus. True to Springfield’s roots straddling the Midwest and South, in 2024 the venue also became home to the Missouri Thunder of the Pro Bull Riders Team Series. The venue also hosts a robust concert calendar. Make no mistake, however, college hoops are king – and queen – in these parts. Most of the Bears’ success in men’s basketball came when the program was named Southwest Missouri State before a 2005 rebranding. The Bears were four-time NCAA tournament runners-up at the Division 2 level (1959, 1967, 1969, and 1974), and have been to the Big Dance six times since moving up to D1, the last being a magical run to the Sweet 16 as a No. 12 seed in 1999. Winston Garland is the most accomplished Mizzou State pro, enjoying a nine-year NBA career after being drafted in the second round in 1987. His is one of five men’s hoops jerseys hanging in the rafters. However, the name most synonymous with Missouri State Basketball is Jackie Stiles, who scored a then-NCAA women’s basketball record 3,393 career points from 1997 to 2001, which stood for 16 years. Stiles led the Lady Bears to the 2001 Final Four and won the Wade Trophy as the nation’s top player before becoming the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2002. The Missouri State also reached the 1991 Final Four. Display Honoring the Missouri State Bears Women's Basketball, Photo by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey Until 2022, the home of the Bears and Lady Bears was named for the late John Q. Hammond, who among many gifts to his alma mater donated $30 million for the venue’s construction. Great Southern Bank secured naming rights for $5.5M. Food & Beverage 4 This is one arena where you won’t go hungry, or be uninspired by the food options. Several concession stands offer the standards – burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and tenders, fries, nachos, popcorn, etc. – with entrees a bit on the pricy side ($13- $15). Then there are specialty stations; Pizza Ranch, a local chain, does whole pizzas for $35 and slices for $7. On the opposite side of the arena, the Cantina has three tacos for $14, premium nachos for $13, and a rather rare menu item for college hoops, elote (corn smothered in cream, lime juice, and cheese). To satisfy your sweet tooth, there’s an outpost of the local frozen yogurt chain Orange Leaf. For some reason, beers are one dollar cheaper ($9) at Pizza Ranch than other outlets, but all options are identical: Miller, Coors, Bud Light, Budweiser Ultra, Yuengling, plus White Claw for the seltzer fans. There’s a selection of Bacardi and Cutwater canned cocktails for $12 (the mai tai packs a punch!), however, it was explained to me that the full bar only opens for concerts. Wine is $8 a glass, while fountain drinks run $6 and bottled water $5.  For somebody like me who is often struck by menu paralysis, I suggest doing a lap around the concourse to see what strikes your fancy. Atmosphere 4 That trademark Southern (Midwest) hospitality revealed itself the second I stepped inside Great Southern Bank Arena. With my visit falling during the holiday season, cheerleaders in Santa hats were handing out festive Missouri State-branded mugs, with free game programs strewn about the table. Missouri State Bears Guest Services, Photo by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey Walking from concourse to seats is when one realizes this ain’t your average mid-major college basketball arena. Separating the lower and upper chairback seating sections ringing the court are 22 private suites. Adding to the big-time feel of Great Southern Bank Arena is the PRIME Overtime Club, included with all higher-priced season ticket packages or to all-season ticket holders for an additional $100 membership. This 4,500-square-foot social space just off the concourse, with views of the court, offers elevated food and drink and is where the Bears coaches’ shows are recorded. The concourse is also home to the Missouri State Athletics Hall of Fame, with museum-caliber displays of great Bear athletes and teams. If that doesn’t get your school spirit flowing, a large team shop is located just to the right of the main entrance. Large TV monitors throughout ensure fans don’t miss any of the court action while shopping. Neighborhood 3 Located amid campus buildings and student apartment complexes, there’s not much near Great Southern Bank Arena to hold one’s pregame interest. Thankfully, downtown Springfield’s bars, eateries, and shopping options are just a mile away, making for a short drive or invigorating walk if the weather is cooperating. Nonna’s  is a delicious, traditional Italian trattoria, while a former Springfield resident recommended Black Sheep Burgers  as well as Café Cusco  for Peruvian food on the north side of town. South of campus, along E. Sunshine St., one will find every fast food establishment imaginable. At the corner of Sunshine and Campbell is the Holy Grail for outdoors enthusiasts … The original Bass Pro Shops is an attraction even for those who prefer creature comforts. When in town, sports fans may be able to catch an early season Missouri State baseball game at Hammons Field , just a half mile away. Fans 2 While there is a dedicated courtside student section in sections F through I behind the basket, it was not discernable from the rest of the crowd during the late-December holiday break. The Bears can use all the support they can get, as performances in recent years have seen Great Northern Bank crowds dwindle to a fraction of capacity. With a reversal of fortunes and an engaged student body, the arena is a sleeping giant ready to rock again. Game production is polished but not over-the-top. The lights dim for player intros, cheerleaders and the dance team work to keep the energy high at timeouts, but some of the more modern elements like an in-arena DJ are missing. The four-sided square scoreboard and video board also feel a bit past its prime. Access 4 A Bear statue and glass-strewn atrium welcome guests to Great Southern Bank Arena. The metal detectors were visible (but not set up) during my visit, and fans are limited to one bag sized no bigger than 11x8.5”. General public parking can be found in Bear-Park North at 725 E Cherry St, a four-story structure with 1,241 spaces about a five-minute walk from the arena. Prices vary. Springfield is a remarkably easy city to navigate, as streets generally follow a grid pattern and are hemmed in by four highways. The Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) is located in the northwest corner of town, with non-stops to major hubs throughout the Midwest and South, and flights as far afield as Los Angeles. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices at Great Southern Bank Arena range from $10 in the upper deck and behind the basket, to seats priced at either $26 or $40 along the sidelines. There may be family packs or other promotions available. Ticket prices are in line with a facility of this stature, while concession prices are on the high side given the Heartland location. During these inflationary times, lowering the cost of food and drink may entice more families to the arena. Extras 2 Attached to the aforementioned Bass Pro Shops is Johnny Morris’ Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium.  Opened in 2017 and named for Bass Pro’s founder, it has routinely been voted America’s top aquarium. About 45 minutes south of Springfield in the heart of the Ozarks is Branson known for its theme parks and concert halls that attract top country music acts. Final Thoughts With just over 170,000 residents, Springfield straddles the line between a small city and a big town. However, if you were to close your eyes upon entering city limits and open them only after entering Great Southern Bank Arena, you’d think you were in a major metropolis. Here’s hoping to high-caliber Bear (and Lady Bear) hoops shortly, drawing crowds that are befitting of this stellar venue.

Photos by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Swinney Recreation Center 5030 Holmes Street Kansas City, MO 64110 Kansas City Roos website Swinney Recreation Center website Year Opened: 1941 Capacity: 1,600 Roo-Roo-Roo(t) for the Home Team You have to love a team that’s comfortable in its own skin. The Kansas City Chiefs are omnipresent in the City of Fountains, and had a noon home game the day I visited University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) for a 1 p.m. men’s basketball tipoff. Confused as to why the athletic department would want to go head-to-head with the defending NFL champs, it quickly became apparent that the Roos march (punch?) to the beat of their own drummer.   And why shouldn’t they? Opened in 1933 as the University of Kansas City, the local university predates the local NFL team by 27 years. The Kangaroo became its mascot in 1937, a nod to the Kansas City Zoo's acquisition of two baby kangaroos. In 2019 – prior to the school’s sports team moving from the WAC to the Summit League – that name was shortened to Roos (no apostrophe) and the athletics department rebranded to Kansas City Athletics.   The PA announcer at my late December game even leaned into the Roos’ friendly rivalry with other area sportsmen, introducing them as “Kansas City’s tallest team!”   1954 was the first year of men’s basketball in these parts, competing at the NAIA level before transitioning to NCAA Division I in 1987. The Roos have hopped around to a number of Kansas City home courts over their six decades, including Municipal Auditorium, Kemper Arena, Hale Arena, and the Independence Events Center before a move back to the on-campus Swinney Recreation Center in 2019-20 as part of the aforementioned brand refresh. Opened in 1941, the venue has undergone numerous renovations and now accommodates up to 1,600 fans. What fans will immediately notice upon entering Swinney is the yellow court with dramatic blue silhouette of the KC skyline along the south sideline. Looking up, no real estate is wasted as two large videoboards flank the baskets at both ends. Swinney Recreation Center Full Court, Photo by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey A true multi-purpose facility, under one roof Swinney Recreation Center holds weight rooms, five multipurpose courts (one visible behind the west stands), racquetball and squash courts, three fitness studios, and a 25-yard indoor lap pool. An indoor track “runs” above the court, within touching distance of the top of the east stands. Food & Beverage 3 The concessions at Swinney are impossible to miss, located on the left wall of the venue’s entry lobby; there are no other entrance points. Menu offerings are fairly robust for an arena of this size, including hot dogs ($6.25), hamburgers ($6.25 or $6.75 with cheese), nachos ($6.25), Dippin’ Dots ($5.25), assorted chips and candy ($3.25 each), and popcorn ($3.75), or an option to upgrade to something called Velvet Crème Popcorn in a variety of flavors ($6). On the beverage side there’s bottled water ($3.25), Coca-Cola soft drinks and iced tea ($3.50), domestic beers ($6.75), local offerings from Boulevard Beers and Quirk Seltzer ($7.75 each), and red or white wine ($6.25). Atmosphere 3 You know you’re at a college basketball game the moment you step foot inside Swinney, with floor-to-ceiling window panels separating the lobby from the court just beyond. In front of the glass is where you can find the spirit table – where a friendly staffer was handing out free gameday posters – and a merchandise area featuring several types of Roos-branded scarves, a nod to Kansas City’s recent prowess in college soccer.   The Athletic Department really packs a lot into this relatively small lobby, including a blue wall with “Kansas City Athletics Points of Pride,” a coloring and crafts station for kids, and another with bios of the three head coaches currently prowling the sidelines in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball.   To get to their seats, fans either head right for the east grandstand or left for the west. A hard left from the west entrance leads you to the restrooms, which are in a unique configuration; the men’s room has two doors, one at each end of a “U” configuration, and since the women’s restroom doors are immediately next to those, I have to assume they form an even wider, surrounding “U.”   Fans moved freely pregame and at halftime, although with just two doors leading to seats, I could see this getting bottlenecked a bit if approaching capacity.   One facility enhancement suggestion is to curtain off the small windows that run above the length of the east bleachers. Being a day game, I found the light pouring in from them to be a distraction while sitting on the west side. Neighborhood 4 UMKC is located just to the east of Country Club Plaza, designed in the 1920s as the first planned suburban shopping center designed for automobile access. The area certainly feels historic, with European-style apartment buildings interspersed with businesses, fountains, and waterways.   In the Plaza you’ll find a branch of the legendary Jack Stack Barbeque , while other famous names in KC BBQ include Arthur Bryant’s , Gates , and Joe’s . That said, don’t overlook modern, craft barbeque establishments like Q39  or Wolfepack which serve mean cocktails as well as burnt ends.   Just southeast of campus, along Troost Ave., are a couple spots that work well for a pregame bite and beverage: Tiki Taco  and Gaels Public House & Sports . Combine a Roos' game with a visit to   The College Basketball Experience , located inside downtown Kansas City's T-Mobile Center arena. The top floor is chock-full of interactive hoops stations where you can work up a sweat, while downstairs hosts the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for children. Fans 3 Given its intimate confines, there is no bad seat in Swinney, with the top row being just 12 rows above the court. And despite going head-to-head with the beloved Chiefs, and Roo students being on holiday break, the stands filled in respectably. Only a few red-and-gold shirts with the trademark arrowhead logo and/or faces buried in phones were spotted among the Roo faithful.   The designated Rowdy Roo student section is in the corner of the east stands, but was indistinguishable from other seating areas on my visit due to the university break. The furry KC Roo mascot makes the rounds and tries to hype up the crowd on the court, as do cheer and dance teams. Access 4 Swinney Recreation Center is located less than 10 minutes south of Kansas City’s downtown core, and about 30 minutes south of MCI airport, which recently opened a gleaming new central terminal. Take I-25 south until it becomes U.S. 71, then exit at Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard and hang a left. Another left at Rockhill Road will lead you onto campus. Swinney Recreation Center is atop the hill next to the Student Success Center. Free parking is available on levels 5 and 6 of the Cherry Street Parking Garage (50th and Cherry Street, just off Rockhill). With my game falling on a Saturday and Roo students on a holiday break, parking was also free in the lot facing the Student Success Center. Public transportation aficionados should check RideKC or Google Maps, for optimal routes to campus. Swinney’s ticket booth is just to the left of the entrance doors, and there is no security screening to pass through. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices at Swinney Recreation Center are as follows: Sideline reserved seats: $17 Courtside seats: $50 (includes access to the Boulevard Courtside Club  which includes two drink tickets, a pregame buffet and chalk talk with an assistant coach, and halftime snacks, located in an area of tables behind the west bleachers.) Free Parking in the Cherry Street Garage – with closer options in lots 38 and 4 for $6 – coupled with fairly reasonable ticket and concession prices means a visit to Swinney won’t break the bank. . Extras 3 Swinney Recreation Center is named after a Kansas City banker who raised $250,000 to build a recreational facility for students.   Flocks of Canadian Geese can be found on campus during the winter, especially near the intersection of Locust and Cherry Streets. UMKC Geese, Photo by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey Combine a Roos’ game with a fun, educational experience; the highly-rated National Museum of Toys and Miniatures  is located in the southwest corner of the UMKC campus, accessible from Oak Street. Final Thoughts Limited to a 1,600-seat arena embedded within a larger recreational facility, the Kansas City Roos certainly “do more with less” when it comes to the gameday basketball experience. From the efficient use of lobby space with respectable concessions to the unique blue and yellow court design with large screens flanking the basket to the VIP experience available for just $50, there’s a definite fan-first approach. After all, the Roos are competing for butts-in-seats with the sports behemoth in town. Swinney Recreation Center Court Graphics, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Dickey-Stephens Park 400 W Broadway North Little Rock, AR 72114 Arkansas Travelers website Dickey-Stephens Park website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 7,300 All Aboard Travs Baseball Baseball in the Little Rock area has been around since 1887 with the Little Rock Travelers. Named from the folk song, “The Arkansas Traveler” the team from Little Rock enjoyed two titles and fielded a team until 1961. Baseball royalty including Pat Gillick and Cal Ripken Sr. saw their careers run through the Arkansas capital. The modern Arkansas Travelers were established in the International League in 1963. After one year, Arkansas traveled to the Pacific Coast League for two seasons before settling in at the Double-A level and the Texas League. The Travelers spent the bulk of their existence as the affiliate for the St. Louis Cardinals (1966-2000), but as of 2017 have been the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Since moving to the Texas League, success has not been a stranger to the Travs as they have enjoyed eight league titles (1966, 1971, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1989, 2001, 2008). In 1960, Arkansas baseball legend Ray Winder led a public stock drive purchased the New Orleans baseball franchise, and moved it to Little Rock. The modern Travs have been a publicly owned company ever since Arkansas Travelers Baseball Inc. The home for the Travs is Dickey-Stephens Park. Located across the river from Little Rock, in North Little Rock, Dickey-Stephens Park was named after two sets of brothers, Major Leaguers Bill and George Dickey, and businessmen George and Jackson Stephens, and is located near the Union Pacific Railyard. The City of North Little Rock-owned park takes the railroad motif and rolls with it since opening in 2007, and provides a terrific backdrop for Minor League Baseball. Food & Beverage 5 Concession options at Dickey-Stephens Park are excellent. Several concession stands offer a wide variety of ballpark options and options well beyond the expected ballpark fare. For those who love hot dogs, Nathan’s are the dog of choice at the park, and Seattle, Chicago, Detroit, and Texas Dogs can be found at the Fielder’s Choice stand. Frito Chili Pie, BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Jalapeno Cheese Stuffed Pretzels, Cheese Curds, and regular and Deep Fried Pickles are among the best choices. Carnival fare such as corn dogs, deep-fried Oreos and deep-fried PB&J take the options to the next level. There is a huge selection of beer that can be found at Brewski Junction for those interested in a brew on a baseball evening. There’s something for everyone at Dickey-Stephens. Atmosphere 4 Overall, Dickey-Stephens Park is a nice park with a classic feel that needs a bit of a paint job. Dickey-Stephens Park takes a train station motif and weaves it throughout the ballpark. The exterior is brown brick and is built to look like an old-time train station, complete with a clock tower. Outside of the main gate hang four bronze plaques immortalizing the two sets of brothers, the Dickeys and the Stephens, who are the fathers of baseball in North Little Rock. Also outside of the main gate is a sculpture of a batter, which adds to the ambiance. Inside the main gate, the train motif continues with an old-school wooden ticket booth which serves as an information booth and customer service. The 360 concourse is behind all of the seating and beneath the luxury boxes. The luxury box and press box level features unique forest green siding under a shingle roof. The seating area is split with five rows of green stadium seats in the lower section and twelve rows in the upper level. Berm seating is found past the right and left field fences. The beer garden is at field level past the first base dugout. A nice view of the Broadway Street Bridge can be seen from the third base side of the ballpark. The team store keeps the train theme going as the Travelers Crossing; berm seating areas are The Platform and The Yard; and concession stands are named The Box Car, Border Stop, and Doubleday’s Depot. The Travelers Museum is found in the concourse behind home plate, but unfortunately was closed on the day of this review. Past right field, a train can be found to give kids rides and Otey’s Splash Pad and kids area give the little ones a place to let loose and keep cool. For a team with such a significant history as the Travelers, there is very little history on display. Plaques for baseball dignitaries Ray Winder, Jim Elder, and Max Moses are found in the concourse, but there were not any obvious indicators of the eight league titles that the Travelers have earned or the obligatory displays of MiLB players who have gone on to the Majors. The gameday production at a Travelers game is fairly simple. One of the main features is the old-school organist, who is quite young and plays from the concourse behind the plate. The video board stands past left field and features a clock and faux flags at the top. It is assumed that mascots Ace and Otey are found during most games, however, the game that was reviewed featured very high temperatures, making it understandable that the mascots were nowhere to be found. Neighborhood 4 Dickey-Stephens Park is located right along the river in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Just North of the Arkansas River and Arkansas Capital, North Little Rock does offer some spots for pre or post-game food and drink. Flyway Brewing, Brood and Barley, Diamond Bear Brewing, Skinny J’s, and Diamond Bear Brewing are all options worth considering. As far as other sporting options go, Little Rock is fairly limited. Heading south, across the river is the best plan, and taking in some Little Rock Trojans NCAA Basketball may be the best plan, however, the seasons do not readily cross. Trojans baseball may be a better plan. As far as other tourist options go, the Northshore Riverwalk Park is mere steps from the Ballpark and the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum is a couple blocks away near the fairgrounds. Otherwise, heading south to Little Rock offers more options including the Historic Arkansas Museum, Clinton Library & Museum, and Gateway Bridge Trail. For fans wishing to stay near the ballpark, the Wyndham Riverfront can be seen from the park. Fans 4 The Travs have enjoyed strong support at the box office for a long time. In 2023, the Arkansas Travelers averaged over 4,800 fans per game, up over 400 fans per game from the previous season. This puts them in 43rd place in all of Minor League Baseball and 4th in the Texas League. Although the attendance wasn’t up to average on the game that was attended, probably due to the three-figure temperature at first pitch, the Travs did enjoy a supportive crowd and into the game. Access 4 Getting to Dickey-Stephens Park is not too difficult. Located in North Little Rock, on the north shore of the Arkansas River, the park is west of I-30 and there is easy access from the highway. The main parking lot is to the west of the park and there is easy access with a convenient tunnel underneath the road leading to the park. For fans wanting to take public transit to the game, some buses travel along Maple Street and Broadway and the trolley travels a block east on Main Street. Ticket windows are located outside, on the north side of the ballpark. Getting around the park is not too difficult and the washroom facilities are good. The washrooms do lack any air conditioning or fans making them pretty rough on a hot day. Return on Investment 5 The Arkansas Travelers offer terrific value for the sporting dollar. Tickets for the Travs begin at $7 for berm seating and go up to $15. Parking is under $10 and concession prices are what one would expect for a minor-league park. The park is a great venue for Minor League Baseball and the product on the field is strong. Overall, it is a great opportunity to get the family out to a game and not break the bank in the process. Extras 2 An extra mark for the railway motif, which is found throughout Dickey-Stephens Park and offers a unique experience among minor league parks. An extra mark for the history of the Travelers. The Travs boast the third-longest nickname duration in MiLB behind the Buffalo Bisons and Indianapolis Indians. Final Thoughts A trip to Dickey-Stephens Park to see the Arkansas Travelers is a great way to spend a summer evening or weekend afternoon. The Travs offer great value in a unique setting at a family-friendly price. A must for all baseball fans. ---- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Would you travel to a farmers/flea market for pizza, especially in the middle of New Jersey? Yes, some parts of the state are in the middle of nowhere, but if you find yourself close to the Columbus Farmers Market you will find a variety of pizza worth searching. In Columbus, New Jersey, two pizzerias are serving a style of pizza so regional that it isn’t served anywhere else in the country. Kate and Al’s and Pete’s Pizza have been cooking their brand of pizza in cast iron square pans for as long as their customers can remember and it is something that is not quite anything else you have had before. Is it a tomato pie that they serve in nearby Trenton or like they do 30 minutes away in Philadelphia? No, the Trenton pies look more like a New York-style pizza, and the Philly pies are served at room temperature with no mozzarella cheese. Then what the hell is this type of pizza? Pete’s slices feature a light and airy crust that tasted somewhat buttery to me at times. The sauce was dominant on this slice and slightly sweet to my taste buds, and the extra sauce seemed to skim around my plate. There was a little bit of a crunch from the edge of my crust and cheese was not the main attraction, but that sweet amount of tomato sauce that layered on the pizza slice. Kate and Al’s have a similar pizza and the one I had was cruncher and thinner. There also seemed to be more cheese on this slice and still a heavy amount of sauce. The crust was denser and brought back some memories of some square pizzas I had growing up, but this version was far superior. Both places have their legions of fans and many have stated that they have never eaten at the other location; I felt somewhat odd having slices from each location, but that is not the case for patrons who will only eat pizza at either Pete’s or Kate and Al’s. One gentleman had his son with him who was trying Pete’s for the very first time. He said the pizza was not greasy and had a slight crunch from the burnt cheese that he loved. A few more customers said they only eat at Pete’s, because this was the first place they had pizza at as a kid. Over at Kate and Al’s boxes were stacked on top of one another waiting to pick up, a line of customers waited around the take out area for their slices. There are a few tables on the inside and outside of the building, but over at Pete’s the countertop is a perfect way to enjoy your pizza and talk to others who all seem to have been brought up on this style of pie. Then there is the red cream soda that a few say compliments the taste of the pizza. It is the number one soda sold at Pete’s and after 10 minutes, about five customers requested the red soda. A local vendor produces the syrup and only a few places offer it at their restaurants.   Fans pick up pies to take home for football games, Fridays during lent, and any other day of the week. The pizza is different from what you would find in the state, but think about it as a saucy Detroit-style pizza without the crispy edges. Whatever it is, it’s quite delicious. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter   @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at   Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Surprise...  Nary a Pork Roll in sight, ‪ Marc  and ‪ Dan  return to discuss the latest twist in the new Sixers arena.  They are here to stay.  What happens to the Market Street location and will the Wells Fargo Center still stand? _________________________________________________________________________________ Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Memorial Gym 18 Gym Drive Orono, ME 04473 Maine Black Bears website Memorial Gym website Year Opened: 1931 Capacity: 3,100 Shout ‘Til the Rafters Ring When discussing college basketball’s oldest venues, Memorial Gym on the campus of the University of Maine – Orono is often left out of the conversation. Built in 1933, Memorial Gym, lovingly referred to as “The Pit”, is one of the ten oldest Division-I basketball venues in use today. The Black Bears men’s basketball team played at “The Pit” for 50 years, however, the growing popularity of the women’s basketball team created a need for a larger venue than the 1,300-seat capacity of Memorial Gym. As a result, both teams moved to Alfond Arena , located across the parking lot and originally built as the home of UMaine hockey. Alfond would be the UMaine basketball home until 2011 when the Black Bears started bouncing between Alfond Arena  and Memorial Gym. Upon the opening of Cross Insurance Center in neighboring Bangor in 2013, however, the Black Bears would move almost exclusively off campus for its basketball games. Memorial Gym then underwent extensive renovations to update the facility, expanding its capacity to 3,100 fans, including being brought up to date with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Maine would continue splitting time between Cross Insurance Center  and Memorial Gym until the 2023-24 season, where except for the border battle with the University of New Hampshire , basketball would be exclusively played on campus. Then in January 2024, an $80 million gift from the Harold Alfond Foundation  was announced, which includes funding to construct Morse Arena, the future home of UMaine’s men’s and women’s basketball teams – the new facility is slated to be completed in time for the 2028 season. Currently members of the America East Conference, the Black Bears had previously been a part of the Yankee Conference dating back to 1947.   Food & Beverage   1 To say concessions are basic at Memorial Gym might be a bit generous – there are no hot food options; just popcorn, candy, cookies, and Maine Whoopie pie. Beverages include bottled soft drinks from the Pepsi line of products, along with Gatorade and Aquafina. In the name of transparency, this review was conducted over winter break, and signs did reference a second concession stand available inside the adjoining New Balance Maine Field House, but there was no sign of it being open.   Atmosphere   2 Memorial Gym is a relic when it comes to college basketball arenas, a true time capsule that brings back memories of the era of cagers.  At the time it was built, not a lot of thought was given to obstructed views created by steel beams that frame the center court section of seating. The historic nature of the building also creates some unique features – there are not many college basketball venues that still have wooden seats throughout, and still have a wood plank ceiling. A large HD video board is attached to the far end wall and provides a video feed of the game, cues for fans to get loud, and advertisements during breaks in the action. It also keeps track of individual player points and foul totals. In addition, smaller, more traditional scoreboards with basic time and score information hang from the wall on each end of the floor at the court level.  Timeouts are commonly filled with various fan cams that are popular with younger Black Bear fans, and while students are on campus, the pep band and cheerleaders fill the second tier of seating, which certainly adds to the overall college basketball experience. Memorial Gym is everything that basketball in Maine is – a small gym that can get packed and warm during the cold Maine winters. Despite upgrades to become a bit more modern and accessible, Memorial Gym still comes with limitations that make the environment a bit of a challenge when considering the overall comfort of the facility.   Neighborhood   4 Orono is a vibrant, small college town that, despite its somewhat remote location, gives visitors just enough food and beverage options in town to make it worthwhile to arrive a few hours before tip-off. The UMaine campus is separated from the Orono neighborhood of Marsh Island by the Stillwater River. Marsh Island is just over a mile from the athletics facilities and is home to a handful of bars, restaurants, and breweries. One popular spot, Pat’s Pizza on Mill Street, has been an Orono staple since 1931. Orono has a small town center but does pack a lot into that area’s relatively small size. One of the more popular pregame establishments is Orono Brewing Company – while their craft brews are their most popular attraction, there is also a strong food menu. The town of Orono also neighbors the better-known and more populous Bangor, which might be the best option if you are looking for lodging or entertainment to fill the time before or after a UMaine basketball game. On campus, Memorial Gym is clustered with the other UMaine athletic facilities – just across the parking lot is the aforementioned Alfond Arena , as well as Harold Alfond Sports Stadium , which hosts Maine Black Bears football, field hockey, and track & field.   Fans   2 Attendance at Black Bears men’s basketball tends to be a bit inconsistent at Memorial Gym, though in a bit of an oddity, on-campus games during school breaks tend to have larger attendance numbers than those that occur when students are on campus. The Orono community also does a decent job filling the seats at The Pit as part of weekend family plans- weekend games routinely draw over 1,200 fans, whereas typical crowds with students on campus have 500 to 700. While many of these are weekday games, with an undergraduate enrollment of nearly 10,000 the small attendance figures are a bit disappointing.   Access   2 The University of Maine campus, in the central Maine town of Orono, is a bit secluded from most of the population in the rest of the state. The main artery of travel up the eastern seaboard, Interstate 95, does pass through Orono, however, so it does at least provide a direct route to town. The UMaine athletic facilities are easily accessible from the interstate, and parking is directly in front of the main entry to Memorial Gym. Memorial Gym only has one entry point that is used to access the court, which is fine for early arrivers, but the closer to tip-off the more the long, narrow entry point can become backed up. The age of Memorial Gym also definitely creates some issues when it comes to simply accessing the gym’s seating areas – the floor seats have a direct route from the entrance, but navigating between the seating along the sideline and baseline requires going down one set of stairs and coming back up another set. There is an elevator to access the upper-level seating across from the team benches, but there does not seem to be the same access on the other side. The setup of Memorial Gym is a bit unfortunate in that the entire front of the building is used for visiting team access and is not accessible to fans. On the plus side, the lobby of the building is home to the University of Maine Athletics Hall of Fame, with photos and bios of its inductees.   Return on Investment   4 Balcony seating starts at $15 when purchased at the door, which seems consistent with schools at similar levels. However, even adding a flat fee of $2.25 per ticket, purchasing online is less expensive than waiting to buy a ticket at the door – the same $15 balcony ticket purchased at the door is just $12.25 when purchased online. Floor-level seats are available for under $25. There is no cost for parking, and prices at the limited concessions seem fair. In all, UMaine basketball is an extremely affordable entertainment option.   Extras   2 If you can access the main lobby at court level following the game, the University of Maine Athletics Hall of Fame shows the history of UMaine’s brightest stars throughout the school’s more than 140-year history of athletics in Orono – the Hall of Fame is a nice look at the athletes who have written the story of Black Bear athletics. Following weekend games, players are made available for an on-court autograph session; this is a nice way for the team to make connections with the community, as well as inspire the next generation of Maine hoopsters.   Final Thoughts Some of the inconsistencies with men’s basketball attendance could be tied to not just the struggles the Black Bears have had putting wins in the win column, but also that they have not had a consistent facility to call home for quite some time. Between playing at Alfond Arena , which was not designed for basketball, and traveling to Bangor, the Black Bears have not established a true home court in quite some time. The future does show promise, with facility upgrades on the way and an increased focus on drawing some of the top high school talent in the state to Orono. The coming years could see the Black Bears head back to Bangor for part of their schedule if crowd sizes spike as they are anticipated to over the next few seasons. If given the opportunity before Morse Arena is completed, taking in a game at The Pit might be a priority, while the historic venue is still accessible.

Photos by Terry McCutchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.84 Gerald J. Ford Stadium 5800 Ownby Dr University Park, TX 75205 First Responder Bowl website Gerald J. Ford Stadium website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 32,000 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl In the landscape of college football bowl games, the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is a relative newcomer - it began with the name Ticket City Bowl in 2011, changed its name to the Heart of Dallas bowl in 2013, before settling in with the current name in 2018. It was originally played in the venerable Cotton Bowl located in historic Fair Park before moving to its current location on the SMU campus, in the more upscale University Park neighborhood of Dallas. Gerald J. Ford Stadium opened on the SMU campus in 2000, on the site of former Ownby Stadium. Named after alum and donor Gerald J. Ford, the stadium was built in the collegiate-Georgian architectural style that is prevalent on campus. As part of its 32,000 seats, expandable if needed, there are over 2,100 club level seats plus 2,000 seats in 41 luxury suites. There is a giant HD video screen perched at each end of the stadium – all fans, regardless of their location, are able to see one of the scoreboards easily to view replays, advertisements, and up-close pictures of on field special recognitions. The sound system is clear, and can even be heard one block away at the parking garage. Seating for the stadium is in a horseshoe, with the south end zone open; this latter end zone houses the newest addition to Ford Stadium, the $100 million Garry Weber End Zone Complex and Armstrong Football Center. Built in 2022, largely through generous donations from donors Garry Weber, Bill Armstrong, and Liz Martin Armstrong, the three-story complex houses SMU’s football performance facilities, coach’s and administrative offices, hospitality and recruiting areas, and Letterman’s Lounge. In addition, there are 1,200 exclusive suite level seats inside.   Food & Beverage   4 Concession stands and kiosks serving general foods are plentiful – there are 10 full-service concession stands plus at least 10 more drink only portable stands and walk-thru lines. Bagged snacks, such as chips and peanuts, are also available at the walk-thrus to take some of the traffic out of the full-service lines. Most foods you would expect are available in the general concession stands – the all-beef hot dogs and nachos are the heartiest items, costing $7 each. Giant pretzels ($7), giant popcorn ($8), peanuts ($6), cookies ($5), candy ($5), and chips ($4) are all options, while a couple of unique offerings include Takis ($5) or a cup of melted cheese ($1). In addition to regular snack bar items, there are some Dallas centric choices available; Mi Cocina offers MiCoRitas frozen margaritas, while Ferris Wheelers  and Rudy’s  both serve barbecue items, and Nutty Bavarian Nuts  has a stand for their snacks. Coca-Cola products are offered in 32 ounce souvenir cups, which cost $7. Other drinks include Powerade ($6), Dasani water ($5), Smart water ($7), and domestic beers ($11). Beer options included Coors light, Miller light, Modelo, and Michelob Ultra, as well as a local brew, Pony Pils. Pony Pils is an American Golden Lager brewed by local brewer, Lakewood Brewing, specifically for SMU. Lakewood donates $1 per case to a scholarship fund to be used for a STEM scholarship given to future brewers. SMU has posted numerous concession maps on the walls in the concourse for fans to reference. For the First Responder Bowl, this map proved very helpful but not 100% accurate – there were some specialty offerings listed on the map that were unavailable during the bowl game.   Atmosphere   5 The two teams playing in the game go a long way in determining the overall atmosphere. Since moving from the spacious Cotton Bowl, which seats well over 90,000, to Ford Stadium, the game atmosphere has been improved with crowds ranging from 10,000-28,000. The First Responder Bowl Committee strives to invite at least one team that is either a service academy or located in Texas to ensure local fan interest. Teams chosen to play since the move to SMU have included North Texas , Texas State , UTSA , Rice , and Air Force . Directly across Ownby Drive from the west side of the stadium, in the parking lot of the Meadows Museum, there is a free public tailgating area set up. Here, fans are offered free food and drink with donations being accepted for nonprofit agencies that are represented. In addition to the food and drinks, there are also children’s games and other giveaway items available for fans to take home as souvenirs. At the most recent game I attended, two Texas teams played and the crowd was electric, even though both teams had records that were barely above .500. Split almost evenly, half the crowd roared after each play while the remaining fans groaned. Both schools were able to bring full bands, dance teams, and cheer squads to support their team as well. With such large numbers of alumni in attendance, each school hosted large tailgates on The Boulevard, 50 yards apart from one another. This made for a great scene as the tree-lined street was filled with green and white on one end and maroon and gold on the other. Upbeat dance music pumped from both locations, and laughter and conversation could be heard between drum beats as the smell of the grills wafted through the oaks.   Neighborhood   4 Ford Stadium is located on the campus of SMU, which is in the University Park neighborhood of Dallas. University Park is a stable, upper-middle class neighborhood with numerous restaurants and shopping areas along Interstate 75. There are also many food choices along Hillcrest Avenue, which forms the western edge of campus – restaurant options range from Jimmy John’s and Bubba’s Cooks Country  to Kyoto Sushi , Torchy’s Tacos , Desperado’s Mexican , and Campisi’s Egyptian Italian ; this list only represents a small number of the numerous options available within a short walk of the stadium. Hotel accommodations are plentiful within 2 miles of the SMU campus. There are several luxury choices including The Lumen  and The Beeman . Other options that are less expensive but still highly rated include DoubleTree by Hilton-Campbell Centre , Hyatt House/Lincoln Park , and La Quinta Inn-Uptown .   Fans   4 Crowds for the First Responder Bowl are dependent on the teams playing and the weather. Usually scheduled for the first week of January, Texas weather can be fickle. With average high temperatures in North Texas normally in the mid-50s and a 60% chance of sunshine on the typical winter afternoon, fans consider this ideal football weather. With good weather, regionally relevant schools, and the intimate setting that Gerald J. Ford Stadium provides, the crowd is typically engaged and involved in the game. The most recent game I was able to witness seemed more like a long-running rivalry game than a year end bowl experience, based on the fan reactions. Both fan bases were out in force and cheered their respective teams on as heartily as possible.   Access   3 The Southern Methodist campus is easily accessible using the Mockingbird exit off I-75 (North Central Expressway). It is a short drive from either major airport, only 20 minutes from Dallas Love Field and 30 minutes from DFW International Airport. However, if taking public transportation is your preference, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail Red, Orange, and Blue lines all stop at SMU/Mockingbird Station, which is within an easy half mile walk of the stadium. Traffic flow is marked with signage, which assists fans to find parking and entrances to the stadium. Prepaid parking passes are available for $20, which is a normal parking charge for parking in the DFW metro area. The neighborhood around SMU’s campus is fairly flat and well-marked which is beneficial for walking. Once inside the stadium there are many signs posted and friendly ushers available to help direct you to your seat, or assist with other issues if needed. There are also QR codes posted throughout the concourse with emergency access contact information should additional help be needed.  After dark, there is plenty of lighting in all public areas for safety.   Return On Investment   3 Tickets to the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl range in price from $33 to $177, but first responders can get up to 4 free tickets in appreciation for their service to their communities. Concession prices here are average for high-level college games such as this – light snacks and a drink can be taken care of for between $10 and $15, while heartier choices will cost more. Parking passes cost $20 if paid online prior to game day, increasing to $25 or more on game day. There is free parking available if you are willing to walk a few minutes, however, and public transportation has a stop within a half mile of the Gerald J. Ford Stadium. I would consider the cost of attending this event to be average for NCAA FBS college football, especially considering this is a bowl game in a Power 5 football stadium.                                                                                                                                                                                                           Extras   4 Thanks to generous sponsors, all first responders are eligible for up to four free general admission tickets to the game. During the game, first responders are also recognized and celebrated for their sacrifices and support of their communities. Special recognition, namely national honors, for individual first responders who have gone above and beyond the call of duty is an added bonus during the event. Having over twenty stations to purchase drinks and packaged snacks, including beer, water, and soft drinks is an extremely efficient usage of concourse space; this limits time in line and cuts down on time missing the action. The most recent SERVPRO First Responder Bowl I attended pitted two Texas Group of Five universities against one another – the battle that ensued created a rivalry-style game, which proved to be entertaining both on the scoreboard and for fans in the stands.   Final Thoughts The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is a great game to attend, even for the casual sports fan – it checks the box for sports travelers who want to experience different festivities in the sports landscape. Taking place in a newly renovated college stadium, Gerald J. Ford also presents an intimate venue for the action. With the express emphasis to recognize and celebrate first responders, this game’s mission is evident from the coin toss to the final whistle blowing. Community helpers who are in attendance feel appreciated by being personally being applauded, and many of their peers are recognized on the field with state and national honors. I believe the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is a game that should be on your bucket list. With unlimited activities available in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area to add to a multiday trip, this game becomes a great destination for a January weekend.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Cross Insurance Center 515 Main St Bangor, ME 04401 Maine Black Bears men’s basketball website Cross Insurance Center website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 5,800 A New Den for the Black Bears For decades, the University of Maine Black Bears played their home games at the on-campus Memorial Gym, affectionately known as “The Pit”. Unfortunately, the team outgrew this 1,800 seat home, which required almost a total makeover to bring it up to building and safety codes. From 1988 to 1992 the team played their home games at the old 6,000 seat Bangor Auditorium. In 1992 the team moved back to campus to play their games at Alfond Arena, the home of the school’s hockey teams. That move proved to be a difficult one for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams, as four teams had to share the facility, and the hockey teams were given preferential treatment. With the completion of the $65 million Cross Insurance Arena in Bangor, the Black Bears basketball teams moved once more, this time back to downtown Bangor, 12 miles from the Orono campus on the site of the old Bangor Auditorium. The new arena aims to have the feel of a big-time basketball arena while being sized appropriately for the small central Maine market. A member of the America East Conference, the Black Bears have yet to appear in the NCAA Tournament. Jeff Cross, who played 21 games with the Clippers in 1984, is the only UMaine alumnus to play in the National Basketball Association. Food & Beverage 4 The Cross Insurance Center boasts a good array of concession choices for an arena of its size. There are several stands scattered around the concourse, which may or may not be open depending on the size of the crowd. Many of the stands feature local names and themes, including Queen City Gourmet, Blue Ox Grill, Tapas on the Penobscot, The Q Barbeque. Papa John’s Pizza also operates a stand here. Pepsi products are featured at the Cross Insurance Center. Alcohol is not sold at UMaine games. All the typical arena foods are present and accounted for here at the Cross Insurance Center, but some items stand out from the crowd. If you feel particularly hungry, try the Penobscot Pounder, a ½ pound angus hamburger topped with poutine (for those not familiar, poutine is a Canadian delicacy featuring French fries topped with cheese curds and other toppings) and homemade bacon. Several variations on the typical French fry are available here, such as sweet potato fries, poutine, crab fries, and pickle fries. Should you run out of popcorn at any time during a game, bring your bag back to the concession stand and refill it for only two dollars. My personal recommendation for a true central Maine experience is to try a W.A. Bean and Sons Red Snapper hot dog and a whoopee pie. Atmosphere 2 With the average crowd at a Black Bears game only filling about a quarter of the arena, the atmosphere at a UMaine game is understandably laid-back. While some fans will enjoy the understated experience, fans who are looking for a loud and lively gameday presentation should look elsewhere. All the typical college touches are here, including a (sometimes) rowdy student section, a pep band, cheerleaders and mascot. Videos are shown on the scoreboard located on the north end of the arena, with stats displayed on ribbon boards located at the top of the arena along either sideline. Fans who have visited the UMaine campus for a hockey game at Alfond Arena may be surprised and disappointed at the difference in atmosphere here. Neighborhood 4 The city of Bangor is located in central Maine, boasting a population of just over 33,000. This makes Bangor the third largest city in the state. Located 12 miles from the University of Maine’s campus in Orono, the city got its start as a lumber town (explaining the 31 foot tall statue of Paul Bunyan in front of the arena). Downtown Bangor has experienced a revival in recent years, with several small shops, businesses and restaurants taking up residence in what had become an abandoned downtown area. Today, the Hollywood casino is located right across the street from the Cross Insurance Center. Also, Bangor resident Steven King’s house is located not far from the arena, and is a popular stop for out-of-towners. Fans 2 Maine averages just over 1,400 fans per game for their home games in Bangor. Despite the Cross Insurance Center’s location 12 miles from the Orono campus, there is a decent turnout by the student body on most nights. As you would probably expect from basketball fans from Maine, those in attendance are, for the most part, laid back, although they can make their presence known when the Black Bears start rolling. Access 4 Bangor may be quite out of the way for any team traveling to the most northeastern corner of the United States for a game, but the Cross Insurance Center is very easy to get to. It is located just off of Interstate 395, which is a spur off of I-95. Located a block off the highway on Main Street, ample parking is located behind the facility. Most fans will enter the building via the Southwest Entry Plaza, which deposits fans right onto the main concourse. There is another entry plaza on the southeast corner of the building, which accesses the arena at the floor level. The building features wide, clean concourses and restrooms which are more than adequate for the typical Black Bear crowd. The concourse runs along the top of the seating bowl, which features individual red folding seats with cup holders. The seating bowl is laid out in a horseshoe fashion, with luxury boxes lining the top of the arena. All seats are close to the court and offer fantastic sight lines of the action. Return on Investment 4 Maine Black Bears games are very affordably priced. Reserved tickets (sections 104-105 and 115-116) can be purchased for $13, with general admission seating (all other seats) priced at $11. Seniors and youths are admitted for only $6. If you attend a Black Bears game with a group of 20 or more, your tickets will cost just $5 per person. Season tickets can be purchased for either the men’s or women’s teams for $120, or for both teams for $200 per seat. Parking in the lot directly behind the Cross Insurance Center costs $5, with the lots a little further away free of charge. On many chilly Maine winter nights, the five-dollar charge may be money well spent. With affordable concessions, a night of UMaine basketball is an affordable entertainment option for central Maine sports fans. Extras 3 An extra point is awarded for the UMaine women’s basketball teams, which are treated on an even playing field here, and generally draw bigger crowds than does the men’s teams. An extra point is awarded for the giant statue of Paul Bunyan located in the front lawn of the Cross Insurance Center. It provides a most unique approach to the venue, as well as providing a great photo opportunity before the game. A final extra point is awarded for the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame, located on the arena’s concourse. You may not think it, but basketball plays an integral part in the state of Maine’s sporting culture. The Cross Insurance Center hosts the Maine High School Basketball playoffs every year, and exhibits from Maine’s basketball history are displayed here. Final Thoughts Maine will never be thought of as a basketball hotbed, and the campus’ location in the far northeastern corner of the country hardly makes it a popular destination for traveling basketball fans, but the Cross Insurance Center is a solid, modern facility in which to take in Division One basketball. It’s worth a visit by any dedicated basketball fanatic.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 American Family Field One Brewers Way Milwaukee, WI 53214 Milwaukee Brewers website American Family Field website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 41,900 Baseball, Beer, & Brats at the Brewers Game American Family Field is the home field of the Milwaukee Brewers. Originally known as Miller Park when it opened in 2001, the ballpark is known for its tailgating before the game, its ballpark food of Wisconsin treats, and strong fan support. It houses a fan-shaped retractable roof that opens or closes in 10 minutes.  The ballpark received $500,000 worth of public funds to renovate the stadium. It resulted in a 12,077 square feet video board in center field, a 2,840 square foot board in right field, LED displays, and the creation of the 3rd Street Market Hall with 4 new restaurants in the right field loge level. Before moving into American Family Field, the Brew Crew called County Stadium home from 1970-2000. The ballpark is gone, but the field is now the site of a Little League baseball park, Helfaer Field. It is located near the AAF and it provides the opportunity for kids to run on the field before a Brewers game. The renovations will guarantee the Brewers will stay in town until 2050 (the club’s 80th anniversary since moving from Seattle) and enhance what many considered a ballpark to visit during the season.  Food & Beverage 5 American Family Field was named t he second-best MLB stadium for food by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. This year includes the addition of four new eateries that are located in the 3rd Street Market Hall Annex in the right field loge level and include the following establishments: Kompali Tacos:  Steak tacos, Chicken tacos, Vegetarian Tacos, and Chips and Guacamole. Smokin’ Jack’s BBQ: Texan Sandwich, Pork Shoulder Sandwich, The Smokey Bird Sandwich, and Smoked Meat Nachos. KAWA (Asian fusion) : Crab Rangoon (3 pieces), Spring Roll (4 pieces), Godzilla Roll, and Chicken Fried Rice. Anytime Arepa (Venezuelan):  Brisket and Cheddar Arepa, Chicken and Cheddar Arepa, Black Bean and Cheddar Arepa, Mini Empanadas (3-piece basket – Chicken, Ground Beef, and Cheese) and Tostones and Mild Salsa.  The J. Leinenkugel's Barrel Yard (Loge area in right field) is a restaurant and experience overlooking the field. It features a three-barrel brewing system and brewmaster. The restaurant is opened all-year-round and offers a full menu of steak dishes, chicken wings, Wisconsin cheese boards, cheese soup, and a Wurst platter. Fans enjoy a patio view of the game on the concourse with a wait staff. However, more options specialize in Wisconsin favorites of sausages, burgers, brats, hot dogs, and sausages. A few highlights include the peppered brandy burger with melted Swiss cheese, bacon, and caramelized brandy onions; the Tipsy Polish with caramelized brandy onions, fries, pickled peppers, and Bavarian sprinkles; and the Top of the North hot dog with kraut, jalapeno mayonnaise, bacon, brown mustard, and Super Secret Stadium sauce. The options do not end here; the concession stands serve pizza slices, chicken parmesan sandwiches, giant helmet nachos, Vienna beef hot dogs, chicken tender baskets with fries, and fried cheese curds. The highlight of the beer selection includes the Local Brews bar, located on the lower level near section 207. It serves 24 beers from numerous Wisconsin breweries, including Spotted Cow from New Glarus Brewery, Ninja Dust from One Barrel Brewing Company, and GumbSkull Sea Salt & Lime Lager from PetSkull Brewing Company. Atmosphere 5 Everything begins about 3 hours before the game in the ballpark parking lots. The birth of tailgating was born here when the Braves came to town from Boston, and the tradition continues today with multiple tables, tents, and grills serving up some of the best foods in the major leagues. The stadium is separated into four different levels. Fans enter through the field level (100), and the wrap-around concourse houses an abundance of food and merchandise options. There are also island bars allowing fans to enjoy the game from all four sides of the structure. There are also open views from many parts of the concourse, allowing fans not to miss the action on the diamond. The Loge level (200) is where you will find a few interesting sections that enhance the game day experience. As mentioned earlier, the 3rd Street Market Hall Annex was recently added. The Miller Lite Landing offers sweeping views of the field from above the left-field wall. The area also has a wait staff, drink rails, charging stations, and TV sets. When the roof is open, the view is ideal for pictures from this vantage point. The 300 level is where you will find club-level suites with a wait staff. A few more suite and all-inclusive areas include the Vizzy Loft, Johnsonville Party Deck, and the Association Bank Power Alley. X-Golf is located on the Loge level and features seven state-of-the-art indoor golf simulator bays over two floors – with three bays that offer expansive views of the playing field. Reservations are required. The Terrace level (400) offers some of the better views of the entire stadium.  The ballpark is known for several unique features: Famous Racing Sausages, Bernie’s Chalet, and the Bob Uecker seats in the last row of the stadium in the 400 level. The sausages race between the 6 inning, and featured five different sausage and mini sausage mascots racing from the left field corner to the first baseline. The team’s mascot, Bernie Brewer, will slide down from his chalet after every Brewer home run. The Aurora Health Care® Kids Zone is a special kids' interactive playground located on the Terrace Level behind home plate. The area offers slides, areas to test kid’s speed, pitching, and face painting. Fans can also look around the walls of the ballpark to see team logos, sayings, and murals honoring the Brewers history in the town. Neighborhood 3 American Family Field is 4.3 miles from downtown Milwaukee. It should not be surprising since it was built next to the team’s former home County Stadium. When County Stadium opened in 1953, it was designed with the motorist in mind and was the first major league ballpark constructed outside the city limits. It is best to drive to the game and visit downtown Milwaukee afterward. The Milwaukee Riverwalk is worth a visit on a warm summer day and is accessible to the Milwaukee Public Market which is located in the Historic Third Ward where cobblestone streets line up next to restaurants, shops, and bars. The city is home to the Harley-Davidson Museum and a few brewery tours that include Miller, Lakefront, and Specher. If craving more baseball, the Milwaukee Milkmen  and Lake Country Dockhounds  of the American Association play 15 and 30 minutes respectively from the stadium. Still, the Lakeshore Chinooks of the Northwoods League play less than 20 minutes north along the shoreline at Kapco Park . Fans 5 The Brewers are known for having some of the best fans in the major leagues. The club averages well above 15 other major league teams, and fans are decked in team gear from the powder blue shirts of the 1980s to the current navy blue jerseys. They support their ball club regardless of record on the field. Access 4 Being set outside of downtown, the ballpark is easy to access with multiple lots to choose from before the game. There are 8 preferred parking lots and 3 larger general parking lots that are a little further walk. Once inside, the main concourse is the hub of activities with escalators and elevators available to take you to your proper section. The Molitor Lot is the furthest parking lot but provides the quickest access to I-94. Several restaurants offer shuttle service from downtown Milwaukee, including Brewski's Sports Club, Paulie's Pup & Eatery, Jack's American Pub, and Who's on Third. Return on Investment 4 Brewers tickets are among the cheapest tickets in the major leagues. Based on the   website TickPick , tickets are as low as $5 during the week and as high as $20 during the weekend or giveaway nights. If the Chicago Cubs are in town, the price will be higher, and it's advised to purchase parking passes in advance for a steep discount. General parking Monday through Friday is $13, compared to $15. A preferred parking ticket for a weekend game will cost $20, compared to $40. The Brewers concession prices are in line with many major league ballparks. They are a tad on the high side; however, “The 414 Menu” offers four items a la carte for just $4 each – a junior hot dog, junior nachos, Cracker Jack, and 16 oz. soda is ideal for folks with little kids or on a budget. Extras 4 First, tailgating is among the best in baseball and is a tradition. Take time to arrive early to check out the scene or bring something to eat or drink. The Famous Sausage Race is a must-see at the game and among the team’s favorite traditions, along with Bernie Brewer sliding down his chalet after every Brewers home run. Another extra is when the roof is open, the best part of the ballpark might be the Miller Lite Landing, offering sweeping views of the field from above the left-field wall. Final Thoughts American Family Field is one of those major league ballparks that might not stand out to most, but after a visit, you might want to reconsider. It is known for its tailgating, loyal fans, great food, and racing sausages. Also, ticket prices are among the least expensive in the league, making it affordable for anyone looking to enjoy a game at a major league ballpark during the season. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com