Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Wellness and Events Center 100 Lock St. Newark, NJ 07102 NJIT Highlanders website Fitness and Wellness Center website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 3,500 Impressive New Digs for NJIT Hoops For several years, NJIT has waited for a new venue that befits its status as a Division I basketball team. The Estelle & Zoom Fleisher Athletic was barely adequate, seeming more like a high school gym in some respects. Finally, in 2017, the Wellness and Events Center was opened and it is certainly a shiny new addition to the campus. Not only is it the home court for the Highlanders men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as volleyball, it contains several other facilities for the student body at large. But Stadium Journey is only concerned with the experience as a men’s hoops home. So how does it compare to its predecessor? We went there to find out. Food & Beverage 1 There is a single tiny concession stand with bags of chips and candy (M&Ms, Hershey bars, Starburst, Sour Patch Kids, etc.) for $2, and hot dogs for $3. Bottled soda (Pepsi products) and water are $3. As this is a campus venue, no alcohol is served. Atmosphere 3 The building, with its silver siding over tinted windows, dominates a significant portion of the city block on which it lies. The main entrance is located at the corner of Lock and Warren Streets and upon entering, you will walk up a long hallway to get to the box office, with large windows on the left providing a view into a large gym below. After picking up a ticket, you walk through a set of doors into the court, which seats 3,500. There are reserved box seats lower down on both sides of the court, and each end zone has single-seat benches without a back, along with a couple of rows of box seats. There is an upper section of metal benches on one side of the court, which is not sold but is open to sitting in if you prefer some space to yourself. Red dominates the scene, with all lower-level seats displaying this color. The concourse is carpeted and encircles the entire seating bowl, though there is nothing to see as you make your way around. There is a team store near the concession stand. Before the Highlanders are introduced, a nice promo video is played that gets the crowd going. During the breaks, there are a few contests and of course, the dance team and cheerleaders perform. There is no band, however. Above one end is a large video scoreboard that is quite impressive, while the other side sports a smaller digital board. The hashtag to use here is #ProtectTheWEC, which is mildly creative. Neighborhood 2 The NJIT campus is just west of downtown Newark, but there is little around the actual venue. Rutgers-Newark campus is just down the road, and the Prudential Center is about a 15-minute walk, but that would not be advised, at least at night, as Newark is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the country. If you do decide to venture on foot, there are a couple of bars that are nearby, though both were mysteriously closed on the Saturday night I was in town. McGovern’s Tavern has been around since 1936, while Kilkenny Alehouse has a College Night on Thursdays and both looked inviting, though doors were locked. There is also a pub on campus, but that seems more suited for college kids. If you are looking for quick eats, Smashburger has a location just a block east on Warren Street, while Pizza Hut is a block north of Warren. Fans 2 NJIT was the lone remaining independent in Division I hoops until they joined the Atlantic Sun conference in 2015. Despite having newfound conference rivals, the team doesn’t draw particularly well; with just over 600 announced for the game, I attended, meaning that fans who wanted a section to themselves got it. Those fans in attendance did watch the game and make some noise at the appropriate times, but it would be much more interesting if the team was able to rely on a stronger following. Access 4 Getting here from NYC is quite easy – just take the PATH train from World Trade Center or NJ Transit from Penn Station to Newark, and then walk up Raymond Street if you are brave enough. If not, hop on the light rail to Warren Street; the 4-minute ride will cost $1.60. Note that weekend trains are only every 20 minutes. Inside, you can walk around the concourse with no issues, and there are no ushers checking tickets. With so few fans, there are no lines anywhere. Return on Investment 3 Tickets here are $10 for general admission, which is all you need as you can sit pretty much anywhere. In fact, you might be able to get in for free. After purchasing my ticket, I went through the door into the gym, looking for someone to scan or tear the ticket, but nobody was there. NJIT is a mid-major school and they play entertaining basketball in a stadium that is maybe 20% full. If you like having space to stretch out and watch the game, this is the place for you. Extras 0 There is nothing related to the history of the program on display at the WEC. There were displays at the Fleisher Center, which is still standing, so perhaps they will be moved at some time. Final Thoughts The WEC is a nice, new building that deserves more fans and some history on display to make it a more compelling destination for sports travelers who want to get off the beaten path in the New York City area.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Lundholm Gymnasium 145 Main St Durham, NH 03824 New Hampshire Wildcats website Lundholm Gymnasium Year Opened: 1938 Capacity: 3,000 The Home of New Hampshire Hoops Lundholm Gymnasium is named for Carl Lundholm, a University of New Hampshire graduate and athletic director at the school from 1939 to 1963. The gym is located inside the Field House, the hub of the Wildcat athletic department. This quaint facility serves as home to both the men’s and women’s basketball teams, the volleyball team, and the gymnastics team. The court at Lundholm Gymnasium is dedicated to Gerry Friel, who served as head coach for the men’s basketball team from 1969-1989. The New England Basketball Hall of Famer was the school’s all-time leader in victories with 188 until current coach Bill Herrion passed Friel’s mark during the 2019-20 season. Basketball has been played at the University of New Hampshire since 1903. Members of the America East conference, the team has yet to qualify for the NCAA tournament. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small concession stand in the Field House lobby that serves a limited menu for Wildcat fans needing a snack during the game. Hot dogs, nachos, and snacks make up the entire menu. Stadium Journey recommends the awesome Whoopie Pies. Coca-Cola products are featured at Lundholm Gymnasium. No alcohol is sold at this on-campus venue. During the cold New Hampshire winters, the hot beverages offered here are popular items. Atmosphere 2 In a small gym like Lundholm, the game day atmosphere begins and ends with the presence of the pep band and student section. While the active pep band fills the gym with noise throughout the game, there is no organized presence from the student body. Basketball is far down on the food chain here at UNH, and most of the students seem to save their energy for hockey games. The cheerleading squad, dance team and mascot add some flavor to the experience. The crowd seems to mainly consist of locals who follow the Wildcats closely. Banners honoring Wildcat tournament and championship teams in basketball, volleyball and gymnastics hang on the Lundholm Gymnasium walls. There is a scoreboard on either end of the gym that displays basic game statistics. Neighborhood 3 The University of New Hampshire dominates the small town of Durham. The university is located just west of downtown on Main Street, less than a mile from the gym. Durham has a nice, traditional small-town college feels 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. Students regularly pack Libby’s Bar and Grill or Durham House of Pizza for a pre-or post-game meal. Fans visiting UNH from out of town will often head east to Portsmouth, located just 11 miles from Lundholm Gymnasium. 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 2 Attendance at New Hampshire basketball games has declined over the past few seasons. You can expect a crowd of about 500 fans at a Wildcat basketball game. Obviously, basketball is not the marquee sport at UNH, but those fans who do show up at Lundholm Gym are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the team. Unfortunately, there isn’t much of a turnout by the student body. Access 3 Durham is a small town with a population of just over 16,500 located fifteen minutes west of Portsmouth and an hour north of Boston. The town is easy to reach, located just off of Interstate 95 and Route 4. The University of New Hampshire dominates Durham, with the campus straddling Main Street. There is an Amtrak station across the street from the Field House, which serves Boston and points beyond on the eastern corridor. Wildcat Transit has busses that connect Durham with nearby Portsmouth, Dover and Newmarket. More information on local public transportation options, including bus lines and airports, can be found here. Lundholm Gymnasium is located on the western edge of campus adjacent to the school’s other athletic facilities. Wildcat Stadium is attached to the back of the Field House and Whittemore Center is located on the opposite side of Main Street. Fans will park across the street from the Field House in Lot A and arrive at the facility via a tunnel that passes underneath Main Street. The Field House is the hub of New Hampshire athletics, as it contains the department’s administrative offices, Swazey Pool, gymnastics training room, the Paul Sweet oval, and Reggie Atkins track. Fans coming here for basketball games will enter a small lobby that contains the ticket booths, concession stand, restrooms, and the UNH photo gallery. Lundholm Gymnasium will be directly in front of you as you enter. Seating inside Lundholm Gymnasium consists of molded bleachers without backs on either side of the court. There are no seats on the ends of the court. With the small size of the gym, all seats feature excellent views of the action. Return on Investment 5 Going to a Wildcat basketball game is a most affordable entertainment option for New Hampshire sports fans. Tickets are sold as general admission for only seven dollars. Seniors and students receive a two-dollar discount. Parking in Lot A across the street from the Field House is free, and aside from the nachos, no concession item costs more than $4.50. Extras 1 When visiting Lundholm Gymnasium, be sure to take a walk around the Field House and check out the photos of every single varsity program to ever represent the university. Not just championship teams, but every single squad. Every sport, every year. It’s an impressive gallery. Hidden amongst these pictures of thousands of young men and women are a hockey Hall of Famer (Rod Langway, class of ’79), a baseball Hall of Famer who went to UNH on a basketball scholarship (Carlton Fisk, class of ’63) and a hockey player who is best known as an actor who played a hockey player (Michael Ontkean, class of ’70, a.k.a. Ned Braden from the cult classic Slap Shot). Also, check out the women’s hockey teams from 1977-92, where coach Russ McCurdy would pose for the annual team photo holding his cat. Final Thoughts Lundholm Gymnasium is typical of the smaller facilities that dot the northeast. While far removed from big-time college basketball, these gyms have a charm all their own. If visiting Durham, be sure to give yourself some time to explore the Field House and the incredible display of New Hampshire's athletic history.

Photos by Paul Swaney, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Binghamton University Events Center 4400 Vestal Parkway East Vestal, NY 13902 Binghamton Bearcats website Binghamton University Events Center website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 5,142 Binghamton Bearcats Basketball When you notice that the name of the arena is something very generic like “Events Center” you fear the worst, a non-descript building with little charm. Fortunately, that feeling largely disappears when you step foot into Binghamton’s Events Center for a Bearcats basketball game. Get over the name and you actually have a pretty good facility to see college basketball. Opened in 2004, the Binghamton University Events Center hosts the basketball program which has only been a Division I program since 2001. The program played in its lone NCAA basketball tournament in 2009. It’s an attractive facility both inside and out, and despite being a multi-use facility, in really pulls off the basketball game experience well. Food & Beverage 3 Food and beverage selections are pretty standard, with one notable exception. First, the basics include hot dogs ($2.25), candy ($2.50), popcorn ($2.75-$3.50), nachos ($3.50), and soft pretzels ($3). Drinks include bottled water ($2.75), coffee, and hot chocolate ($2). Soft drinks are provided by Coke. The one unique and locally-inspired item is a “spiedie”. A spiedie is a sandwich of marinated cubes of meat (in this case chicken, but it could be pork, beef, venison, or lamb). The sandwich is served on a garlic roll, and topped with ranch sauce. It’s very good and well worth the $4.50 price tag. It’s always nice to have something local when you go to a game. Atmosphere 3 The amount of cheerleaders and dance teams is rather overwhelming. I counted 52 during my visit. When the cheerleaders outnumber the players and the pep band combined, then you may have too many. They do a good job and stay involved at all junctures, but how many cheerleaders do you really need? There’s also a Bearcat mascot, named Baxter. Baxter makes his rounds both in the stands and under the opponent's basket where he’ll try to distract the opponents during their free throws. All of the seating within the Events Center is retractable. Sideline seats are all green plastic chairbacks, which are somewhat flimsy, but comfortable and provide better-than-average legroom. There are no cupholders in these seats. Each baseline features green plastic bleacher seats. The student section and pep band are on the end of the floor nearest the opponent's bench. Speaking of the pep band, it is a small, but talented ensemble. The 12 members belt out current hits whenever they have the opportunity. There is one lone scoreboard, which is four-sided and center-hung. The scoreboard has no video capabilities, instead cycling three ads throughout the entire game. The score, time, time outs left, team fouls, and period are on display. During my visit, one fan had an opportunity to win a car by sinking a half-court shot, and he failed dismally, but it was still fun to see the high-stakes contest. Neighborhood 3 Binghamton’s athletic facilities, including the Events Center, are located just off of Vestal Parkway, and there are plenty of chain restaurants that line this busy thoroughfare. Just name your favorite chain, and you’ll likely find it here. If you are a beer lover, then the Ale House is probably the place that you’ll want to visit before or after the game. The good news is that they have 36 beers on tap, and all of them are interesting. They also have excellent pizza. The bad news is that the service, at least during my visit, leaves a lot to be desired. I was ignored before finally receiving service, mostly because the bartender and another staff member were busy flirting with each other. It’s too bad because this is a nice little bar. Don’t let the hole in the wall look fool you. If you are more patient than I am, then you’ll likely enjoy this spot. Fans 3 My visit coincided with senior night, which is always a special event, regardless of what school or sport you visit. The fans gave standing ovations to the four seniors who were honored, most notably Jimmy Gray, the team’s leading scorer and a local product from Binghamton. The student section, located behind the basket nearest the opponent's bench, was as lifeless as a corpse, unfortunately. The school has an enrollment of about 12,000 undergrads, so the student turnout was really disappointing. What’s worse is that at halftime, the students banded together to do a little dance number, showing that they clearly have the energy to be a force during the game, but simply choose not to. To their credit, the fans came alive in the last portion of the second half, which helped the overall atmosphere, but once again made their inability to make their presence known earlier in the game that much more frustrating. Other fans are in the game, but unfortunately, it’s not enough to make up for the lackluster students, an essential element of truly great college basketball. Access 4 Parking is free and the campus can be found just off of Route 17 which is just a couple of miles from I-81. When you enter the campus, there is a sign asking visitors to stop by the information booth. I did, and the person working there seemed perplexed why I would stop, so my advice is to skip this and just proceed into the campus, keeping to the right for the Events Center. The main concourse in the arena is above the seating sections with only one concession stand open during my visit. The restrooms are clean and modern, although not too large. You may expect lines if it is a full house. Also, be careful when washing your hands as the sinks spray excessively hard. Depending on your height, you may be left with a wet middle section. Return on Investment 4 Chairback seats will cost you $12, and all other seats are only $8. This is a fantastic bargain, but when you factor in free parking along with a spiedie and drink, you’re under $20 per person. This is well worth it to get to see some Division I basketball, even if the America East Conference is not the highest level of competition. If the students would turn out in greater numbers, then the return would be even greater. Extras 3 One extra point for the pep band, which has a greater presence than their numbers would indicate. I have seen plenty of other programs with small pep bands that are nowhere close to the talent of this group. Also, an extra point for making this multi-purpose arena feel like a basketball arena. This is not always an easy feat, but Binghamton is successful in this endeavor, making for a much better fan experience than I originally expected. The dance team is also very good and does a good job of performing synchronized dance routines during the breaks. Final Thoughts I understand that not everyone is as big of a college basketball junkie as I am, so Binghamton is not going to be a sought after destination for many travelers. However, if you love the game and are anywhere in central New York, it is well worth your time to check the Bearcats schedule and see if you can’t go see a basketball game at the Events Center.

Photos by Afi Ahmadi ,Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 SEFCU Arena 1239 Washington Ave Albany, NY 12206 Albany Great Danes website SEFCU Arena website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 4,538 Great Danes of Albany As a Division, I basketball conference outside of the Power 5, the America East Conference is generally defined as a mid-major. The reality, however, is that the level of basketball can more appropriately be categorized as low-major, as the competitiveness of its basketball programs simply cannot keep up with the Atlantic-10s and Horizon Leagues of the mid-major world. The primary reason for this distinction tends to reside in the bottom half of conference, where the bad teams are very bad, consequently dragging down the conference’s reputation as a whole. The University of Albany has taken the conference lead in trying to reverse that image. A model of consistency over the past decade, the rafters at SEFCU Arena are adorned by the numerous banners of success for both the men’s and women’s basketball program, all of which has occurred within the past 10 years. Food & Beverage 2 SEFCU Arena generally provides typical small-arena offerings (pretzels, hot dogs, popcorn, chicken tenders, LOTS of candy, all costing anywhere from $3 – $5). The venue offers fountain Coca-Cola products. There is one concession area, with two lines, located on the right side of the lobby as you enter through the main doors. Because all of the food is pre-prepared and pre-wrapped, the line moves quickly enough. Credit and debit cards are accepted. There is a hidden “Beer Garden” down a hallway to the right as you face the concession area. It’s not a secret (there is a sign directing you to it), it’s just not obvious or plainly visible from the lobby. The use of the term “garden” is stretched as far as conceivably possible here. It’s basically just an undecorated room with a bar at one end and a series of roundtables. Nonetheless, it’s a nice alternative if you’re of age. Atmosphere 3 SEFCU Arena appears to be the right size and has the proper ambiance for this level of basketball, but it also has a couple of noteworthy deficiencies. The scoreboard is the primary culprit. Outdated and tired, it only offers options for two teams: “Albany” and “Visitor.” The scoreboard also lacks any space to identify current player scoring or timeouts remaining, a staple most fans have become accustomed to at most other venues. There is a large projector screen in one corner offering occasional replays and halftime statistics, but overall one would expect to have certain information available at a glance, which simply does not exist. It also doesn’t help matters that the public address announcer rarely provides the identity of the person committing the foul or even a scorer. Perhaps there was an issue with the microphone or audio during my most recent visit because the lack of information was very noticeable. Neighborhood 3 Albany is never going to get confused for a quaint college town, but for the purpose of attending a college basketball game, you could certainly do much worse. There are ample hotels and eateries just a few minutes from the arena, so no complaints about not being able to find a room or get a table. In addition to standard chain restaurants that lurk around campuses, the locals generally recommend favorites Across the Street Pub, and Maggie’s. Each offer pub fare while providing the opportunity to watch games. A more upscale nearby option is Barcelona, a Mediterranean restaurant, but reservations are recommended if a large crowd is anticipated for the game. Fans 3 For a small, one-bid conference, most America East teams tend to have a bit of a die-hard following, and Albany is no exception. For the most part, the fanbase is made up of community members and alums. When students do attend, they generally sit in the “Danger Zone” (named for the Albany mascot, the Great Dane), which is located under the basket closest to the opposing bench. Students generally generate the extra emotion which can be lacking for a regular season conference game. Venue intimacy gets an assist in keeping the arena loud throughout. Access 4 The arena is an easy find on campus, accessible via near-parallel streets on each side. It’s also just a short drive through campus when coming off the highway, making access a non-issue. SEFCU Arena provides a couple of parking lots containing ample space for a nominal fee. It would be difficult not to find a relatively convenient parking spot. Bathrooms inside the arena are convenient and easy to find (immediately to the right and left as you enter the lobby). Return on Investment 4 Seats with chair backs are located in the center and the first few rows behind each bench, and cost $18 per ticket, while the remaining reserved seats are $12. As noted, the food and beverage are fairly priced. While nobody will mistake the quality of play with its major conference brethren, the America East is certainly a competitive conference within itself, and the quality of the product on the floor makes the ticket cost almost nominal. . Extras 2 The most notable halftime promotion during my recent visit was a game of musical chairs, where contestants were each given a basketball at center court, and dribbled around a series of chairs. When the music stopped, the participants had to dribble to the nearest basket, make a layup, and return to the center to take a seat. Of course, when the players disbursed, chairs were removed from the middle, leaving one or more contestants without a seat upon return. This took place for approximately five to six rounds until a winner was crowned, walking away with a flat-screen TV. As far as halftime entertainment goes, it was quite engaging. All other promotions and t-shirt tosses are nothing that a regular basketball spectator doesn’t become numb to after a while, so such items fail to stand out as extra entertainment. Much of the entertainment slack is adequately absorbed by a solid pep band and dance team. Final Thoughts Unquestionably, the amenities at SEFCU Arena need modernization. On the plus side, when the energy level is high, you feel like you’re in a Hoosiers-type setting. Conversely, a Hoosiers-type setting doesn’t really pass in 2016. For the conference’s premier men’s and women’s basketball programs, a little investment seems justified. It’s unclear whether such changes would garner more student support, but it would certainly improve the overall fan experience.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Bud & Jackie Sellick Bowl 4600 Sunset Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46208 Butler Bulldogs website Bud & Jackie Sellick Bowl website Year Opened: 1928 Capacity: 7,500 A Relaxing Day at the Butler Game The Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl is the home to the Butler Bulldogs football program. The stadium was constructed in 1928 and at one time sat 36,000 with the option of increasing capacity to 72,000. At the time the Butler Bowl, as it was known until 2016, hosted the likes of Red Grange and the University of Illinois and Notre Dame football. However, throughout the preceding nine decades the stadium’s capacity would shrink to 20,000 and then to 7,500. The facility has seen copious transformations in the last decade that included the construction of student apartment housing on the east side of the field, a new brick press box, new stadium lighting, and new south-end seating and entrance. The stadium sits below the fame of Hinkle Fieldhouse and provides an intimate feel to any football contest. 5,647 seats include 250 chair back seats along the west side of the stadium. The most prominent feature might be the student hill that takes up the south side of the stadium that fills up with many fans at the beginning of the game. Food & Beverage 3 The Hinkle Fieldhouse concession stand is the main area for food and beverage. The choices include hot dogs, chips, candy, popcorn, and Pepsi products. However, it contains Italian beef sandwiches and nachos with house-roasted beef and cheese. Premium and domestic beers are available at popular pricing. There is an outside kiosk that features breaded chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, brats, and pretzels for additional choices. Atmosphere 4 The Bulldogs play in the 11-team Pioneer League and entertain schools from eight different states from coast to coast. During our visit, the Princeton Tigers were making its first-ever trip to the state of Indiana in 150 seasons and brought along quite a few followers with them to the stadium. The night was clear, the weather was comfortable, and the crowd is intimate. All of this made for an ideal night of college football on the last weekend of summer. The parking lot is filled with tailgating, campers, and various picnic tables adorn with brats, burgers, dips, and plenty of chips and drinks. Inside, the views from the student hill are quite perfect when holding a can of beer and cheering on your favorite team. The stands themselves are of bleacher quality and provide a close enough experience to the game. The Sellick Bowl has all that one would expect from the program and perhaps all you would ever need: two opponents, a few friends, and a nice night to enjoy the football game. The wrought iron fencing, the brick exterior and interior, and the presence of the Hinkle Fieldhouse provide a beautiful backdrop to an already picturesque Butler campus. If there is time, take a stroll around the historic buildings, just a short walk from the stadium. Neighborhood 4 The campus is located within walking distance of Broad Ripple Village, a nice place to shop and walk around during the day, but a destination for the younger college crowd after dark. Downtown Indy is only six miles south of campus, but the best place to enhance your visit is in SOBRO (South Broad Ripple). Twenty Tap offers distinctly different craft beers, along with their own, that are unavailable throughout the city. They offer menu options of vegetarian banh mi sandwiches, fried cheese curds, and poutine during the fall and winter months. The beer options also include a $4 pint of the day. Next door is Fat Dan’s offering mouthwatering and lip-smacking smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken wings, juicy burgers, pressed Cubanos, Italian beef, and house-smoked meatloaf and Reuben sandwiches. There is even a draft beer of the day. Across the street is Yats, which offers Cajun and Creole cuisine at affordable prices with eclectic surroundings. If you are looking for a hangout with pub food and sports, The Bulldog the traditional Butler hangout, and the Broad Ripple Village is a few miles up the street off of College Ave for more bars, small pubs, and shopping. The best slice of pizza in Indianapolis is served at Goodfellas - Jersey Shore large slices. Fans 3 The Butler fans were energetic during our visit to the stadium. It was homecoming and alumni and students set up tailgating several hours before kickoff, with many opting to remain in the parking lot instead of attending the game. Once inside, a small student section did their best to cheer the home team and many enjoyed a much more relaxing day on the hill in the back of the south end zone. Access 4 The football stadium shares the parking lot with the basketball arena, but many people park throughout campus or on the residential streets surrounding the campus. This can make for an interesting beginning to the football game as many people walk in droves toward the main entrance. There is parking down the hill on the north end near the baseball stadium, but it does require a little bit of a hike. Once inside the stadium, the concession areas are all located on the west side along with bathroom facilities. If you happen to be on the visitor’s side or down the hill, it may take a little bit of walking to get a drink or use of facilities. Return on investment 3 The cost of a ticket ranges from $12 to $15 depending on what type of seating you wanted the game. The price of a youth ticket is $8. The parking is free and the concession prices are extremely reasonable. If you are at the game on the right night and with the right crowd, it can be a very welcoming place to watch football and one that should not be overlooked. Extras 3 The stadium receives a point for the hill on the south side of the stadium. It’s a great way to enjoy the game with friends and cheer on the Bulldogs to victory. The stadium receives the second point for the Hinkle Fieldhouse looming in the distance of the football bowl. The iconic basketball venue towers over the field and creates an ambiance that’s second to none in the city of Indianapolis. The stadium receives the third and final point for the brick exterior and interior of the stadium. The historic venue feels right in place in the 21st century. Final Thoughts This was my second football game at the Sellick Bowl and I was satisfied with what I witnessed during my visit. The stadium was full of festive moods, and plenty of socializing, and was just as good as any other small college football program in the area. It’s nice to know that somewhere tucked away on the Butler campus one can enjoy college football the right way. ______ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 State Farm Stadium One Cardinals Drive Glendale, AZ 85305 Arizona Cardinals website State Farm Stadium website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 63,400 House of the Cards The Cardinals are far older than most people realize. Although they have only been the Arizona Cardinals since 1988, the organization has been around since 1898. From their beginnings in Chicago as the Morgan Athletic Club and the Racine Street Cardinals, they have played in Chicago and then St. Louis before making it to the desert of Phoenix, Arizona. From 1988 to 2005 the Cardinals played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on the campus of Arizona State University. This new facility opened in Glendale in 2006. Originally called Cardinal Stadium, it has also been known as University of Phoenix Stadium before the current State Farm sponsorship. The stadium cost $455 million and includes a retractable roof. The field is maintained outside of the stadium and then brought into the venue by way of a giant moveable tray. The end zone area on the side of the facility where the field tray rolls in and out of the facility can be expanded to accommodate an additional tier of seating that slopes down from the scoreboard level. The stadium is also home to the annual Fiesta Bowl game. The first Fiesta Bowl held here is very famous on its own. The Boise State Broncos won by defeating the Oklahoma Sooners 43–42 in overtime. It has been called one of the greatest college football games ever played, due to the combination of an underdog team, trick plays, comebacks by each team, and a thrilling overtime finish. Food & Beverage 4 There are a large amount of the usual standard kind of food stands all over the stadium with names such as Mr. B’s, Desert Breeze, 1st Round Draft, Gridiron Grill, Red Dog, Rings, and things, Sportsman’s Café, TD Café, Touchdown Tortillas and Wings of Honor. The problem is that with all of these names, and extensive menus, the variety between the stands is basically non-existent. The prices are in the middle range for NFL-type stadiums. There are none of the usual name-brand franchises you often see at other stadiums. There is also a lack of southwestern and/or Mexican items found all around the venue, and this is quite a shame. Coca-Cola is the soft drink of choice here. Many beer and liquor options exist. Atmosphere 4 State Farm is known for its distinctive architectural style. The rounded metal panels that make up the exterior of the stadium can be seen from quite a ways away. The actual inspiration for its shape is the barrel cactus that is commonly found growing in the region. The stadium’s roof can be opened or closed in a 12-minute span. There are four levels to the stadium. The Red Zone is a massive area where there is an impressive video screen, a fun walkway bridge, and a lowered section near where the field tray is placed into the stadium. There is a Cardinals’ Ring of Honor along the front of the Club level displaying the best players of the team’s long history. The game atmosphere is very good with the usual NFL activities keeping the fans involved. When the roof is closed the stadium can get very loud. Neighborhood 4 The Glendale neighborhood around the stadium is growing along with the stadium. The Glendale Sports and Entertainment District is located across from the stadium. Besides many hotels and restaurants, it is the home to the Desert Diamond Arena which was formerly known as the Gila River Arena. Until earlier in 2022, the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL called this arena home (they temporarily play at the Arizona State hockey arena). The Yard House is a great option for food or drinks in this area. There is a fairly new Top Golf facility close to the stadium. Also coming soon is the Crystal Lagoons Island Resort featuring a first-of-its-kind Mattel Adventure Park. Glendale is a few miles west of Phoenix, so the many options of this ever-growing metropolitan area are available to the fans. Fans 3 The Cardinal fans are known as the Red Sea, and they have a pretty good tailgate scene at the Great Lawn across from the stadium. Once inside the stadium the great scene outside seems to break down a bit. Inside you notice that the fans are not the most engaged in the league. It is partly because so many people who live in Arizona come from other parts of the country and may already have teams they support. One day they are Cardinals fans but when the home team comes to town, “boom” they are fans of the opponent. It has gotten better, especially when the Cardinals have shown life. Access 4 State Farm Stadium is located just off AZ Loop Highway 101. It will be fairly easy to find parking around the stadium, but you should plan on purchasing that ahead of time. There are over 25,000 spaces around the area. For early season games, where the Arizona temperatures are likely to soar, one needs to be very aware of where you are going as too much heat exposure could be a bad idea. The stadium has six entrances and your best option will be marked on your ticket. Return on Investment 4 We found that generally Arizona Cardinal games are priced better than other NFL venues, especially on the secondary market. You may find tickets for around $50 to start. It is the NFL, so there are still many very expensive tickets and options if you choose to go that route. We found parking as cheap as $10 on the secondary market, but even with normal prices ranging from $30 and up, it is not the worst value comparably. Extras 5 The Pat Tillman Plaza is a great place that the stadium uses to honor the memory of the former Cardinal who lost his life serving in Afghanistan. The Roof is an extra that identifies the stadium so well. One look and you know what stadium you are at. The roll-in turf system is such a creative way to ensure a great field for game days. The Cardinals try really hard to display the extensive history of this franchise. Besides the Ring of Honor, there are areas around the main concourse displaying things that have happened in the team’s past. The Great Lawn, although not in the stadium itself, is a great place to gather and tailgate before games. Even if you are not a traditional tailgater you will find food, entertainment, and more in this great spot. Final Thoughts State Farm Stadium is a distinctive venue that offers fans a great sporting experience. The fact that it offers a cool place to watch games away from the sometimes oppressive heat of the desert is just one more win for this venue.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Hawkins Arena 1400 Coleman Ave Macon, GA 31207 Mercer Bears website Hawkins Arena website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 3,200 Home of Mercer Bears Basketball Mercer basketball was one of the darlings from the first round of the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament when the #14 seed upset the #3 seed Duke Blue Devils. That upset and the publicity Mercer received following that win is predominantly displayed at the home of the Mercer Bears, Hawkins Arena. Hawkins Arena, originally opened as the University Center on January 8, 2004, with the Bears playing their first game in their new home game against Gardner-Webb. The Bears’ new basketball facility replaced the 500-seat Porter Gym, which had been Mercer’s basketball home for 70 years. Food & Beverage 3 Hawkins Arena features one concessions stand tucked into the corner, next to the main entrance. The food available is what you’d expect from most any basketball concessions stand, e.g. hamburgers, hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, and candy. One item that is a bit unique to appeal to the vegetarian/vegan crowd is the veggie burger. Unlike Mercer’s football stadium, though, alcoholic beverages are not available for purchase at Hawkins Arena; non-alcoholic beverages include Coca-Cola products. While there is just one concessions stand, there are two areas set up around the concourse where fans can grab either Marco’s Pizza and a drink or Zaxby’s chicken tenders. One of the unique benefits of having the arena as part of the University Center is the food court that is a short walk down the hallway from the basketball arena. It’s nice to have so many options, just steps away from the arena. Atmosphere 3 Hawkins Arena is a part of the beautifully designed University Center building. Twin spires bookend the entryway where fans are welcomed into the Mercer Sports Hall of Fame. The interior of the foyer is walled with large windows that look out into the venue. Fans enter above the orange-clad seating and make their way toward court level to their seats; the black-perimetered court compliments the orange seating. A wide walkway rims the seating bowl but does not completely encircle the arena. Premium court side seating is also available, as is a grouping of suites along the roof line. Dead ball timeouts are filled with entertainment – most have either an on-court competition or fan interaction shown on the scoreboard. While it is fun and does keep fans engaged, at times it is also nice to be able to have a break from the constant sensory input. Neighborhood 4 Even though Mercer is situated in a city of over 150,000, it still has a college town feel to it. Downtown Macon is adorned with Mercer Bears banners from many of its light posts, and features several billboards promoting Mercer athletics. Around campus there are two separate areas where fans can grab a meal or drink on their visit. Mercer Village is a small area just north of Hawkins Arena that offers several choices of food – Margaritas Mexican Grille, JAG’s Pizzeria , Nu-Way Wieners, and Francar’s Buffalo Wings are all options in Mercer Village, while just south of campus there are Amici Pizza and the Library Taphouse. All of these choices are less than a half mile from Hawkins Arena. Those coming to town for an extended stay are in luck with two hotels, Courtyard by Marriott or TownePlace Suites, right at the south end of campus. Fans 3 While early season, non-conference games tend to be lightly attended, conference games typically have Hawkins Arena close to two-thirds to full capacity. Fans are actively engaged in the game and respectfully jeer opposing players. The students section seats have an “Assignment Sheet” taped to them that encourages students to “give the other team a hard time, but to be cool with it.” Students, along with the band members, do keep their rowdiness civil. One of the fun things to see are the oversize props used to attempt to distract opponents while they shoot free throws. The cheer squad has a clever promotion during free throw attempts, as they entice the crowd to “get loud” in exchange for a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts for the loudest fans. Fans at Mercer basketball games do a great job remaining in the game and making things as uncomfortable as possible for the visiting team. Access 4 Located less than a half mile from Interstate-75, getting in and out of the Mercer campus is pretty simple. The parking lot is a little bit of a walk, but there is a shuttle bus if you choose to use it. Otherwise, while the lot is not directly next to the arena, the walk is not significantly further than it would be at a large university. As fans approach the arena they are greeted by a large inflatable Mercer bear tunnel at one of the entry ways. Other points of entry into the arena are located just around the side of the building, in proximity to the ticket office. Return On Investment 4 With free parking and ticket prices as low as $10 for general admission, the cost of tickets is extremely affordable. Mercer also does a good job at enticing families to come out to the game by offering children’s tickets for just $5. Concessions prices are very affordable as well – none of the entrée options, i.e. burgers and hot dogs, cost more than $6 while all the snack foods like popcorn, candy, pretzels, frozen lemonade, and sodas are available for $4. Nacho chips are $5, but they do come with cheese or jalapeno cups, which frequently cost extra at other venues. Much as other sports at Mercer, tickets and concessions are both very reasonably priced, and they do a good job at making it affordable to bring a family to games. Extras 3 Mercer does a great job at highlighting not just their basketball history, but the history of their entire athletics program throughout Hawkins Arena. From the Mercer Sports Hall of Fame in the main lobby, portraits and banners of the men and women who have had their numbers retired, along with banners of the NCAA and conference successes of both programs, Mercer takes visitors on a walk through the history of their athletics programs from their very early days up to the present. The role the pep band plays in helping to create that college basketball atmosphere, to the feel of a collegiate event, is the role the pep band plays at games. During pre-game, timeouts, and halftime, the band does a great job at bridging the gap between not relying on piped in music while still playing current, popular music. The ticket offers that Mercer provides for $5 are great offers; it’s not just the price but the conscious effort to make the game accessible to kids and families. Final Thoughts Hawkins Arena is a beautiful facility and does a great job at showcasing not just the Mercer Bears basketball and volleyball programs, but they do a great job at telling the history of Mercer athletics – the athletics history walk in the lobby gives a fascinating look at the Bears programs. It does feel, though, as fans are constantly being asked to have their attention focused on either the game or what ever in-game contests or activity is happening.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Cooper Field 37th St NW & O St. NW Washington, DC 20057 Georgetown Hoyas website Cooper Field website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 3,750 A-Hoya, Mate, it's Georgetown University Football Georgetown University has called many stadiums home over the years, but currently plays its home games at Cooper Field in the middle of its Washington, D.C. campus. The history of Cooper Field is a complex one. It originally opened as Harbin Field, a soccer facility, in 1994. In 2003, the Hoyas’ football program began to play there as well, but it wasn’t until 2005 that it was properly converted to a football facility. Known at the time as Multi-Sport Field, the venues played host to several other Hoyas’ teams as well, and still is home to the field hockey and lacrosse programs. Renovations to Multi-Sport Field had been planned for many years, as it was sorely lacking compared to other FCS facilities, and they finally occurred during 2018 and 2019 thanks to a donation from Peter and Susan Cooper. The stadium was renamed in their honor and expanded from 2,500 to 3,750, and permanent restrooms, concessions, and a concourse were added. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand located just inside the entrance to Cooper Field. Hot dogs are $6, while hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and smoked sausage are $7. Snacks include cotton candy ($5), candy ($2), hot pretzels ($6), and churros ($7 for two.) Drinks include bottled water and soda ($3), iced tea and Powerade ($4), and hot chocolate and cider ($3.) The lines can get long during the game, so we suggest getting food early if possible. . Atmosphere 4 Although once regarded as one of the worst venues in FCS, the experience at Cooper Field has improved significantly since the renovations. A proper concourse is now located under the bleachers, and fans can walk up steps or a ramp to their seats. All seats are bleachers which can get a bit uncomfortable, but as the stadium is small and the front rows are elevated, you will have a great view of the action from anywhere. A small scoreboard is located behind the end zone to the left of the bleachers. Cooper Field Scoreboard, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey The Hoyas have a small pep band, although they do not march on the field like at many other football stadiums. They do play music during breaks in the action, but it can often be hard to hear, especially since they will sometimes play music over the PA system at the same time. As the stadium is located in the heart of the Georgetown campus, many of the historic buildings are visible from the stadium. Some fans elect to watch the game from the walkway outside the McDonough School of Business rather than enter the stadium and watch from the bleachers. Neighborhood 5 Cooper Field is located in the middle of the Georgetown campus, and you’ll probably have to head off campus to really do anything. However, the Georgetown neighborhood (which lends its name to the school, not the other way around) is one of the best in D.C. There are numerous restaurants ranging from casual sandwich shop Booeymonger’s to luxurious upscale restaurants such as 1789, and everything in between. Georgetown Cupcake sells exactly what its name implies, Clyde's of Georgetown is a locally popular American pub and bar, and Chaia is known for its fancy vegetarian and vegan tacos. All of this is located just a short walk or drive away from the University. If you’re willing to head downtown to the National Mall area, the District has so much more to offer, and the best part is that most of it is free. Whether it’s taking in the sights and monuments on the Mall itself, or visiting one of the many museums such as the various Smithsonians, there’s something for everyone. All of the government-run attractions are free, but some of the private ones are not. Just keep in mind if you wish to tour the White House or Capitol, you will need to book in advance. . Fans 5 Although Cooper Field only seats 3,750 fans, one of the smallest Division I venues in the country, Hoya fans pack the bleachers and the stadium is nearly full every game. Some of the fans come decked out in the Georgetown blue and gray, while others are just looking to take in a football game at a more affordable price than what you’d pay for the professional team in DC. This means that the fan base will range in knowledge from those who know every player on the team to those who could be heard telling their kids that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones played football at Georgetown, which he most certainly did not. Regardless of their familiarity with the Hoyas, the fans are passionate and will cheer for Georgetown, particularly following big plays. The attendance numbers may be small, but they do not tell the whole story. The fans at a packed Cooper Field can be as good as anywhere else, even if there aren’t that many of them in absolute terms. Access 4 Parking is conveniently available in a garage that is right at the stadium if you use the right elevator to exit. Unfortunately, this bank of elevators isn’t clearly marked, but even if you use the wrong one, you shouldn’t have to walk more than a minute or two. Parking in this garage used to be free on Saturdays, but now costs between $15 and $25 depending on what time of day you get there. For an early afternoon start, it will cost $25, but if the game starts in the evening, you may be able to get away with paying only $15. The concourses are easy to navigate and a massive improvement on the way it used to be here. Restrooms are available off the concourse and are of a sufficient size for the crowd, though some toilets were not working by the end of the game when we visited. Unfortunately, the Washington Metro does not run to the Georgetown neighborhood and the closest stops are several miles away. There are buses that stop nearby, but your best bet is to drive or take an Uber or Lyft if driving is not an option. Georgetown is nowhere near downtown and is just across the river from Virginia, so you do not have to worry about city traffic coming in. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are only $10, and just $5 for youth, and concessions are affordable as well. However, the parking that can cost more than twice what a ticket does brings this down a notch. A family of two adults and two children will pay almost as much to park as they will for their tickets. For smaller groups or fans traveling alone, the price to park may make up the majority of the cost of going to a game here. Extras 2 One bonus star for the gorgeous setting of Cooper Field in the middle of Georgetown’s campus. The field is surrounded by historic buildings which remind you of the college setting. A second and final star for the Jack the Bulldog statue near the entrance. Jack is the Hoyas’ mascot, and although neither the live nor costumed versions made an appearance during our visit, the statue is a nice touch. Jack the Bull Dog Statue, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts When most people think of Georgetown athletics, they think of the men’s basketball team once led by Patrick Ewing as a player, and now led by him as coach. Few think of the Hoyas’ football team, and many don’t even realize they have a football team. Part of this is because the Hoyas are among the worst teams in FCS, and until recently their stadium was among the worst in the country. Although the team still ranks near the bottom of the country, the stadium experience has vastly improved since the renovations. Although Cooper Field is small in size, and not particularly fancy, a visit here is still a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon watching football at an affordable price.

Photos by Robbie Raskin, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 KeyBank Center One Seymour H Knox III Plaza Buffalo, NY 14203 Buffalo Sabres Website KeyBank Center Website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 18,690 Building Back in Buffalo It has been a tough couple years for the Buffalo Sabres. Mediocrity on the ice, a very public squabble with their captain, border closures that alienated the vital Canadian fans and wreaked havoc on attendance, follwed up with bust-after-bust signings of players in futile attempts to right the ship. At last, it seems the bottom has been reached and the Sabres are building back with some optimism. A new cadre of young players are coming of age with promise, the players in blue and gold appear happy to be there, the border is reopened, and attendance is slowly but surely ticking back up. Cautious optimism, but signs of a club back on track. KeyBank Center has been home to the Sabres since it opened in 1996, and though it is not an outstanding arena today, it's a comfortable arena with solid amenities and a welcoming fan experience. Even if the Sabres have a way to go before they return to any kind of glory days, KeyBank Center is a great place to catch some hockey and Buffalo is one of the best places in America to do so. Food & Beverage 4 KeyBank Center does an excellent job of showcasing the Buffalo cuisine with a variety of local franchises and generic concessions featuring local items. When in Buffalo, the thing to try is surely Buffalo Wings, which can be had at Fryer or La Nova. Fryer also serves the Buffalo staple sandwich ‘Beef on Weck.’ Rachel’s Mediterranean Grill offers fresh wraps on both the 100 and 300-levels. Another neat spot is the Perry Market, on the 100-level concourse, featuring a rotating menu of fusion cuisine. On a given night, the items on offer might include Hawaiian Beef Dogs or Korean Chicken Quesadillas. An affordable option is Red Hots, where Sahlen’s hot dogs go for $6. Another neat concept is the grab-and-go market style vendors in the 100-level atrium, where you can grab a beer and snack item off the shelf and take it to go. Another neat item is Perry’s Ice Cream, with special Sabres-themed ice creams on offer starting at $6.25 There are also ‘Walking Taco’ stands for the trendy item now seen throughout American venues. From over the much-closer border comes Tim Hortons, the ubiquitous Canadian café chain. The eponymous Tim Horton, an NHL legend, spent time on the Sabres and has his number 2 retired and hanging from the rafters at KeyBank Center. Offerings from over the northern border are highlights of the beer selection as well. Labatt Blue is the showcase beer offering here, with a marquee Blue Zone bar area overlooking the atrium on the 100-level, and with Blue, Blue Light, and Blue Seltzer widely available throughout the arena. Something that Canadian fans will find a pleasant surprise is the availability of Molson Canadian as well; you always get one or the other of these arch rivals in Canadian venues. Big American brands are available too; Bud, Coors, Miller, and the rest. There is also a large variety of craft beer, including next-door brewery Southern Tier. Regional brand Genesee rounds out the offerings. Atmosphere 3 The Sabres do a great job of enlivening what might be an unremarkable ‘90s building with a focused and friendly presentation that keeps it about the hockey. Entering the arena through the main doors brings fans through the Alumni Plaza, with its statue of the famed ‘French Connection’ line of the 1970s. Check out the statue of the three Québecois players who brought a decade of excitement to Buffalo. Inside is the expansive atrium with the Blue Zone above. Rising up escalators past the team store brings you into the largely nondescript concourse and seating bowl decked out in Sabres blue. Arriving before the game, fans are treated to a live concert held in the seating bowl. Many NHL clubs in the US have employed this practice, though it is all but nonexistent in Canada where such a tradition could be seen as gimmickry. Here, it creates a welcoming atmosphere as you kick back in the wide seats before puckdrop. Once the game begins, there are blissfully few distractions on the crisp and modern videoboard; the Sabres resist the temptation to employ gimmicks and keep their presentation to the hockey. At one end, an LED ribbon displays out-of-town scores in the NHL and other sports like NFL and NBA. Another good use of the LED ribbons is closed captioning of announcements, which is considerate. Hanging above the ice is a pair of crossed sabres which drop to the ice as the players emerge and shoot smoke after goals. Interestingly, the Sabres use a different goal song after each horn, as opposed to sticking with one track each time. Music-wise, there is a good mix of traditional organ and various genres. Neighborhood 4 KeyBank Center is very near the heart of Buffalo, on the edge of the downtown district. The area has seen a good deal of revitalization in recent years and has grown as a destination for entertainment. Immediately surrounding the arena is the Historic Cobblestone District, with a number of bars and restaurants catering to event goers at the arena and nearby Sahlen Field. The craft beer trend that has taken over many American downtowns is in full force here, with popular Southern Tier Brewery and The Draft Room popular craft sports bars steps from the entrances. The Draft Room, just across from the arena’s main parking garage on Illinois Street, is within the Labatt Brew House. Labatt, though a Canadian beer brand, enjoys immense popularity in Buffalo and has become something of a cultural touchstone for Western New York. A couple blocks further east are Lockhouse Distillery and the Seneca Casino, with all the entertainment options that entails. Nearby there is the Hofbrauhaus, for German cuisine and of course beer. A word to the wise – the neighborhood deteriorates quickly beyond the casino and can be dangerous at night, but you should be fine up until the casino. Heading toward downtown, there is Sahlen Field, home to the Buffalo Bisons baseball team. Though the walk is short, it can be somewhat desolate and windswept (past parking lots, under a freeway, and the like). In warm weather, nearby Niagara Square is home to the art deco landmark City Hall and further north up Main Road, you come to a more vibrant neighborhood. Between Huron and Tupper Streets are a number of dining and nightlife options. Especially in winter, the short cab ride or $4 Metro Rail ride are great options. And when in this part of Buffalo, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is worth a visit. Or go slightly further up Main Road (you’ll want a cab) to visit the iconic Anchor Bar, home of the Buffalo Wing. Buffalo’s downtown is moving in the right direction and with a little preparation and a good map, visitors will find it a very welcoming place indeed. Fans 3 There’s no denying that Buffalo is one of the best hockey cities in the United States. This is one of those rare regions where hockey ranks a close second to football, without baseball or basketball in between. That said, Buffalo fans have put up with a lot in recent years. Unfortunately, Sabres attendance this season is second-last in the league, ahead of only the perennially last Arizona Coyotes. Those who’ve been around the NHL long enough know that despite the attendance woes, Sabres support is deep in Buffalo. Noticeably friendly, the Sabres fans can be roused into noise by strong performance on the ice. And those fans who do come out in these lean years are there to support their club through thick and (very) thin times, leading to a small but mighty crowd most nights. For what it's worth, the Sabres have long relied on Canadian fans crossing the border from nearby Niagara Region and though the border is now reopened, the number of Canadians visiting the US remains far below pre-pandemic numbers. This is surely one part of the Sabres attendance story, and not really a mark against the culture of the fanbase. The fans in Buffalo are reliably friendly and welcoming to out-of-towners, and they make for a fun atmosphere. Still, it would be very difficult to give full marks for fan support to the worst-attended team in a proper NHL arena this season. Things will no doubt turn around for Buffalo when things get better on the ice. Access 5 Getting to and around KeyBank Center is a piece of cake. The most popular mode of transportation is arriving by car, and it is easy to drive and park. There are ample surface and covered lots near the arena, and the abundance of parking means it doesn’t cost as much as it might otherwise. Lots adjacent to the arena tend to cost $25 on hockey nights, with a going rate of $12 if you’re willing to walk 8-10 minutes away. Vehicle access is helped by the immediate proximity of Interstate 190, which passes a block from the arena. For the many fans coming from Canada, it shouldn’t take more than fifteen minutes to reach the arena from the Peace Bridge border crossing; simply follow I-190 into the downtown. Crossing the border for just the evening is usually quite easy but remember your passport! For those wishing to arrive by public transit, the NFTA Metro Rail system runs up Main Road and has a ‘Special Events Station’ open during Sabres games. It makes for a good option for getting from the arena to the busier parts of Downtown, a couple stops up the line. Return on Investment 4 Sabres tickets are among the best deals in the league, starting in the high $40 range. Parking and concessions are similarly reasonably affordable. Prices are dynamic; meaning basically that they rise dramatically when the Maple Leafs come to town and return to normal the rest of the year. Aside from those Leafs dates, taking a family to a Sabres game can cost well under $200 altogether. That is a good deal these days, and the experience is sure to be an enjoyable one. A handy note – KeyBank Center does accept Canadian currency at concessions and the team store. Though the exchange rate may not always be in Canadian fans’ favour, there’s no need to change money before coming to KeyBank Center. Extras 4 Extra point for the use of closed captioning on all arena announcements. This is not just vital for hearing impaired people, but handy if you’ve missed a call on the ice. Extra point for the frequent use of the organ, a hockey tradition that is no longer found at many NHL arenas. The Sabres in-game presentation is excellent and hockey-focused. During the second intermission, a video interview with a Rochester Americans player highlights the connection between parent club and AHL affiliate. This is useful especially when the Americans play just up the highway. An extra point to the Sabres who embrace their Canadian fans with extras like taking Canadian Dollars at concessions and playing the Canadian anthem alongside the American one before each game. Final Thoughts KeyBank Center is a solid place to catch a hockey game in one of the best American hockey markets. Sabres fans are welcoming and friendly, the arena is comfortable and has been updated pretty well over the years. Unfortunately, the attendance has followed the Sabres’ on-ice performance after being pummelled by border closures. The experience at KeyBank Center will surely rise a couple notches when the fans come back to a winning team. In the meantime, Sabres hockey is affordable, enjoyable, and focused on the hockey as it should be. Visiting Buffalo around a hockey game is a solid choice, and any fan will go home happy for having done so.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Webster Bank Arena 600 Main St Bridgeport CT 06604 Sacred Heart Pioneers men’s hockey website Webster Bank Arena website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 10,000 Pioneering a New Era at Sacred Heart Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, has played Division One hockey since the team’s inception in 1993. Unfortunately, the Pioneers have been little more than an afterthought in the crowded New England hockey scene. For their first twenty-three seasons, Sacred Heart’s home rink was the Milford Ice Pavilion, a community hockey rink in a neighboring town. Sharing the MIP with Sacred Heart were local high schools and youth organizations. As you can imagine, it was a less-than-ideal situation for a Division One program. Stadium Journey ranked the MIP next to last among all Division One hockey facilities in 2015. To improve the stature of their program, Sacred Heart entered into a five-year agreement with the Webster Bank Arena in neighboring Bridgeport to play all their home games at the arena beginning with the 2016-17 season. As part of the agreement, the team will have a dedicated locker room, along with workout and equipment facilities, at the Webster Bank Arena. Sacred Heart has traditionally played a few games per season here in Bridgeport, but will now exist as a co-tenant with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League and the Fairfield University Stags basketball team. The Pioneers compete in the Atlantic Hockey Conference. They have not enjoyed a winning season since the 2009-2010 campaign. The team has yet to qualify for the NCAA tournament. Food & Beverage 4 With the small crowds present at Sacred Heart hockey games, visiting fans will surely be surprised by the variety of concessions available at Webster Bank Arena. One concession stand is open during Pioneer games. Hot dogs, chicken tenders, and burgers are sold here, along with a wide variety of snacks, including french fries, peanuts, popcorn, and candy. There is a portable cart open selling assorted snacks, including pretzels and churros. Also, open during Pioneer games is Rita’s Italian Ice stand, which sells Italian ice and ice cream. This stand had the longest lines during the game. If you are headed to a Pioneer hockey game and want to grab a bite, you should check out the menu at the Limerick Pub, located directly adjacent to the main entrance of Webster Bank Arena. Not only does the Limerick Pub feature a full bar serving mixed drinks along with several brands of draught beer on tap, but a varied menu is also served at Limerick Pub’s small counter. Irish nachos, loaded baked potatoes and corned beef sandwiches are sold here, as they would be at any self-respecting Irish pub. In addition, beef stew (in a bread bowl), chicken wings, short rib sandwiches, and salads can all be purchased by hungry Pioneer fans. It’s a surprisingly diverse menu, especially considering the small crowds in attendance. Atmosphere 2 Perhaps the largest obstacle that the Sacred Heart gameday staff will encounter in the early days of their stay at Webster Bank Arena is how to make the large area lively when there are only a couple hundred fans in attendance. The staff here are working out the kinks, but early signs are promising. Most prominent at Sacred Heart hockey games is the school’s pep band, which sets up in the northeast corner of Webster Bank Arena. The band is hooked up to the arena’s PA system and fills the rink with sound during play stoppages. Strangely, almost the entire seating bowl is open for Pioneer games. This has the result of spreading out the crowd, making the arena feel emptier than it otherwise may feel. The most prominent feature of Webster Bank Arena is the giant video board that hangs over the ice, stretching from blue line to blue line. It’s used to good effect here, showing game highlights and some games during play stoppages. Neighborhood 3 Downtown Bridgeport has a really bad reputation, and in the past, it may have been a deserved one. However, like many other cities in the region, the city’s leaders have worked hard to revitalize the downtown area. The building of the ballpark and hockey arena next door were to be the anchors of this revitalization when they opened in 1998 and 2001, respectively. Unfortunately, the development of the Harbor Yard area never happened. The lots that were ticketed for the development of a retail center next door to the sports complex remain empty. They are presently used for parking at game events. While this development has not occurred as hoped for, the downtown area is not the wasteland it was rumored to once be. Downtown Bridgeport proper is located on the other side of Interstate 95. Access can be gained through several underpasses near the arena. There are several restaurants worth visiting in the area, with Ralph N Rich’s serving up fine Italian fare, and the newly opened Barnum Publick House serving a traditional bar menu. For those looking for other things to do while visiting Bridgeport, the P.T. Barnum Museum is located a short walk from the arena. Fans 2 Before Sacred Heart moved their home games to Bridgeport, they had the lowest average attendance in all of Division One hockey. Early returns this season are promising, as 1,200 fans attended opening night. Even games held on weekend afternoons so far in 2016 have exceeded the average attendance at the Milford Ice Pavilion. Student turnout continues to be minimal thus far at Webster Bank Arena, but expect that trend to improve as the team progresses through its inaugural season here. Access 5 Arenas don’t get any easier to find than Webster Bank Arena. Located directly off Interstate 95, all one has to do to get to the rink is take exit 27 (whether traveling northbound or southbound), follow the signs for a block, and you are there. Parking is available in a surface lot across the street from the arena or in a parking garage next to the arena. Those looking for free parking can find on-street parking within a short walk of the arena. Despite downtown Bridgeport’s less-than-sparkling reputation, the area around the arena is safe. Getting to Bridgeport is a snap, as Interstate 95 passes directly through downtown. The city is located 60 miles northeast of New York City, an hour’s drive south of Hartford, and 20 minutes from New Haven. Amtrak’s northeast corridor trains pass directly behind the arena, with the station only a couple of city blocks from the arena. Webster Bank Arena has a somewhat unusual design in that the concourse is on street level, and fans walk up from the ice level to their seats in the seating bowl. This setup means that handicapped seats are located right on the glass. All seats at the Webster Bank Arena are blue folding stadium seats. Except for a few sections at the end of the rink near the entrance, all of the seating bowls are open. Fans are given an assigned seat with a ticket, but most fans sit where they please. With the small crowd present, why not spread out? Likewise, all restrooms are open during Sacred Heart hockey games. Predictably, there is no wait to use the facilities, and plenty of room to roam on the concourse. Webster Bank Arena is modern and clean, and this is evident when a small crowd is present. Return on Investment 2 One drawback Pioneer fans will notice in moving to a professional arena is that now they will be paying professional-level prices to catch their favorite team playing. While ticket prices are reasonable at ten dollars, everything else at the Webster Bank Arena feels much pricier than it should be. Parking in the garage next door to the arena costs ten dollars. Concession prices, while comparable to many arenas in the American Hockey League, feel much too high for this level of college hockey. For example, Purchasing two sodas and two candy bars here will cost you almost $20. Extras 2 An extra point is awarded for the school’s attempt to make the hockey program competitive in the crowded southern Connecticut hockey scene. Fans will reap the rewards of these efforts. Any Pioneer fan who caught a game in the cold, cramped Milford Ice Pavilion will feel as if they have traveled forward in time as they watch a game in the modern, comfortable Webster Bank Arena. A second extra point is awarded for the slick gameday presentation which integrates the best parts of college hockey (the pep band and student sections) with the best parts of professional hockey (the giant video board). Final Thoughts It is a big year for many teams in the Atlantic Hockey Conference. Schools that have traditionally played in small, substandard community rinks are moving to local professional rinks, or are making plans for new on-campus facilities. These moves are designed to make the programs more attractive to recruits and fans alike. In moving to Webster Bank Arena, Sacred Heart has made a quantum leap towards making the program more competitive with the other schools that play in southern Connecticut, and Pioneer hockey fans are sure to reap the rewards. ------- Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Phoenix College North Gym 3150 N 11th Ave Phoenix, AZ 85013 Phoenix College website Phoenix College North Gym website Year Opened: n/a Capacity: n/a Bears In Phoenix Phoenix College is a community college in Phoenix, Arizona. It is the flagship of the Maricopa County Community College District and was founded in 1920, making it one of the oldest community colleges in the nation. Famous alumni of Phoenix College include Nick Nolte, CeCe Peniston and A Christmas Story’s Peter Billingsley. The Phoenix College Bears compete in the NJCAA as part of the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Conference.. The basketball team plays in the North Gym which is informally called “The Bears Den”. Food & Beverage 1 There is a very small snack bar in the Gym’s hallway. Don’t expect to have a full meal here. There are some small snacks and drinks that are about all you will get. Atmosphere 2 The “Bears Den” is a simple gym that is equivalent to a small high school gym. Generally only one set of bleachers is open during games. The atmosphere is not very enthusiastic, but it will also depend if many students are on campus to enhance the crowd. Being a community college, student attendance is going to widely vary per day and time of the game. Neighborhood 4 Phoenix College is located in the Encanto Village, near downtown Phoenix. Encanto is also home to the Arizona State Fair,which includes the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the original home of the Phoenix Suns. The Phoenix Art Museum is also nearby. Encanto Village has a fairly eclectic restaurant scene with many good options nearby. Durant’s is a high end steakhouse with the look and feel of a dive bar. George & Dragon English Pub may be a more reasonable option for a post game bite. Fans 2 Most of the fans are family members, with a few students and locals thrown into the mix. Although not large in number, the fans seem to appreciate the action and offer good support. Access 4 Phoenix College is located northwest of downtown Phoenix. It not far from I-10, along a fairly major road, Thomas Road. The North Gym is located, shockingly, on the north part of the campus. It sits right next to Marich Field, the home of the Bears baseball team. There is a large parking lot on this side of campus, so parking should not be an issue. One should check local parking regulations, especially for games that occur on regular college operating days. Return on Investment 3 Tickets were $10 for the game we attended, but that was part of a weekend long tournament event, so it may be cheaper, or even free, on other days. The return on investment for attending a game at Phoenix College is fairly good. . Extras 1 There are not a lot of extras at Phoenix College, but one should look out for the feral cat colony on campus. It is a Trap, Neuter, and Return program that is working with the Animal Defense League of Arizona to manage the cats. You will need to refrain from feeding the cats, as their care is under that program . Final Thoughts Phoenix College basketball doesn’t offer much for the sports fan besides a simple, but enjoyable, small college gameday.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Grand Canyon University Arena 3300 West Camelback Road Phoenix, AZ 85017 Grand Canyon University website Grand Canyon University Arena website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 7,000 Havoc House Grand Canyon University is a large private Christian university located north of downtown Phoenix, AZ. 20,000 students attend the physical campus with another 70,000 doing so online. The university opened in 1949 and has been located in Phoenix in 1951. Grand Canyon University has been controversial in that it has held a for-profit status for many years. The school is trying to shed that status but so far the federal government is not convinced. That for-profit status has made some other colleges unhappy about Grand Canyon playing NCAA basketball, although recently much of that controversy has been cooling. Grand Canyon University offers over 200 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs through its nine colleges. Grand Canyon University is a member of NCAA Division I with most sports participating in the Western Athletic Conference. The school's mascot is the Antelope. One of the most famous alumni is comedian Bill Engvall, while businessman Jerry Colangelo is maybe the person most known as having a Grand Canyon affiliation. The Grand Canyon University Arena, most often referred to as the GCU Arena, was opened in 2011. Just over three years after opening, GCU Arena closed on March 3, 2014, to undergo a massive remodel that saw an addition of 2,000 more seats. Food & Beverage 3 GCU Arena has five concession stands offering a decent amount of food offerings at a very good value. The Qdoba offerings or the burger are our recommended choices. Pepsi is the cola brand of choice and there is no alcohol sold. Atmosphere 5 It is quite weird that a new arena went through a massive remodeling so soon after it opened, but the additions made a very good arena even better, as well as larger. The new upper deck addition did create some weird things in GCU Arena. The upper deck itself has some support straps that hang into view, but luckily they don’t impede views much. There are also some weird seats under the upper deck along the north part of the arena. They are very nearly enclosed and make a theater kind of seating area. We really liked that seating area very much. It is unlike any other seating area we have seen before. The game atmosphere is pretty amazing. We will touch on the student section under the Fans area, but there is so many things that enhance the experience here. There is a band, cheerleaders as well as the perfect amount of basketball cheer to make it a special place. Just one note, the arena is very loud, both from the fans as well as with the music played. Much of the concourses are carpeted and likely will see wear and tear quicker than a tiled or concrete floor. Neighborhood 3 Grand Canyon University is located in a very urban and sometimes rough neighborhood. There may not be too many local establishments that a sports fan will enjoy in the direct area so it may be best to do those kinds of things away from the arena. The university claims to have lowered crime rates in the area, as well as increasing property prices. The university also does a good job of engaging and working with the local neighborhood to try to become a good neighbor. Posting and the Highland Food Hun are some local options for food. Otherwise, downtown Phoenix is likely where a fan will need to look for good restaurants and bars. Rise Uptown Hotel is a good hotel option. If the GCU Hotel opens for guests again that is another good choice as it is right on campus. Fans 5 The student section alone makes it that this arena gets a full set of stars for fan support. That student section, called the “Havoc”, deserves a place alongside all great student sections in the country. It may even be at the top of that list. They are loud and proud throughout the entire night. They are cheering, singing, dancing and creating a great atmosphere unlike almost any this reporter has witnessed previously. We also saw the students rush into the arena, run up the stairs all in the search for the best seat. It was quite a sight. The other fans in the arena are nearly just as joyous and engaged as the students. They may not dance and sing as much as the students, but they clearly know the game and enjoy the basketball experience. Access 4 The university is located north of downtown along 33rd Avenue. The access to the area is good and the free parking at either the large garage off of 33rd Avenue or other nearby parking lots makes getting to a game fairly easy. Security checks are outside of the arena itself and makes it an easy way in to the venue. Return on Investment 4 The Antelopes offer fairly cheap tickets, sometimes far under $20. With the decent priced concessions and the free parking, the return on investment here is strong. . Extras 4 The Jerry Colangelo Museum is located next to the arena and showcases items from the businessman’s life and career in and outside of basketball. Colangelo was a star basketball player at Illinois as well as being identified with the United States Olympic Team. A vault of Bibles is buried underneath center court. The unique upper deck and related seating makes for some interesting extras to see here at the GCU Arena. There is a very good team store located at the entrance level of the arena. Final Thoughts GCU Arena is a gem of an arena that offers a great basketball atmosphere with a student section that rivals any other in the nation.

Photos by Lloyd Rothwell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Blue Sox Stadium 81 Eastern Road Rooty Hill, NSW 2766 Australia Sydney Blue Sox website Blue Sox Stadium website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 2,000 Who Rocks? Blue Sox! The Blue Sox are Sydney’s team in the Australian Baseball League, and were formed in 2010/11 when the league relaunched. The Sox are now into their second season of private ownership under the ABL’s new preferred business model. This approach has reinvigorated the franchise, with the fan experience much improved. Blue Sox Stadium is located within Blacktown International Sports Park (BISP), a multi-sport precinct set in the far-western suburbs of Sydney. The baseball stadium served as one of two ballparks used during the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games; the other is now known as Giants Stadium and is used for AFL (Greater Western Sydney Giants), and Twenty20 BBL cricket (Sydney Thunder). Blue Sox Stadium is now the home of Baseball NSW and is regularly used for junior tournaments. The capacity is around 2,000. Food & Beverage 4 The ABL has long prided itself on offering a more diverse range of food than is usually available at most mainstream Australian stadiums. While the offerings here had decreased in recent years, the new owners have significantly improved this aspect of the fan experience. Several food trucks set up in the forecourt behind the grandstand adjacent to the entrance to the stadium. Your choices include various burgers, hot dogs, cheesesteak, nachos, and pizza. The most popular stand is the pizzeria, and expect to wait 5-10 mins for your order to be made. Your meal will likely cost between $10-$15. Cash and card are accepted. Smaller snacks are also available including churros and popcorn helmets. The trucks also sell soft drinks and water but you’ll have to visit the bar for alcoholic drinks. Atmosphere 4 The ballpark is back looking spick and span with ownership also giving this area due attention. If history interests you, then take note of the Sydney 2000 commemorative plaque near the entrance. Around half the pool games were played at Blacktown involving every team including USA, Cuba, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Sydneysiders are rightfully proud of the Olympics they helped deliver and similar plaques are located at numerous sporting venues across the city. The majority of seating is situated within the original grandstand, while additional options include a ground level behind home plate and a picnic area along the first baseline which is a great option for families. When making decisions regarding seating, it’s worth remembering that the roof does not cover the stand in its entirety. If you’re not already familiar with local weather, the temperature in the western suburbs of Sydney can be as much as 10°c warmer than on the coast, hence if you’re attending a day game you may wish to choose a higher seat in the grandstand for the shade. All in all, there are plenty of options to choose from to deliver an experience that will suit every fan. Unfortunately during our visit the scoreboard was not operational. While we noted it was a little small and basic during our last game here, we hope it is back up and running again soon as otherwise there is no visual representation of the score and innings number. Syd the mascot is visible throughout the game, and there’s also a host who coordinates the various promotions that take place in between innings. Interestingly walk up songs look to have been ditched, as they were not used during our visit. Neighborhood 2 The stadium is located in the far western suburbs of Sydney – around 45 mins drive from the CBD without traffic. There is very little in the way of attractions in the area immediately surrounding Blacktown Sports Park. A 24-hour McDonald’s has recently opened across the road, however other than that, the only other option for entertainment and refreshments anywhere close by is West HQ (55 Sherbrooke St) where you will find a large licensed club and a number of other facilities including ten pin bowling and a hotel (Novotel Rooty Hill). However, a new zoo has recently opened nearby (Sydney Zoo, 700 Great Western Highway Bungarribee) and is receiving positive reviews. If you’re travelling to Sydney from interstate or overseas, the harbour city is home to numerous sports teams so you may wish to check the schedules for both male and female cricket (Big Bash League – Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder), basketball (Sydney Kings and Sydney Uni Flames), and soccer (Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers). Fans 4 We’ve been pleased to see crowds start to return in line with the improved experience. Average crowds appear to have settled around the 1,000-1,250 mark although last year saw a record crowd of 2,345 attend a game against ABL newbies, the Auckland Tuatara. It’s also pleasing to see the franchise is engaging with local junior baseball clubs and having junior teams as key features of the various fun promotions. Access 2 The best way to get to Blue Sox Stadium is by car, full stop! Parking is plentiful and free. The Sports Park precinct is near two of Sydney’s major motorways; the M4 and M7 and easily accessible from all areas of Sydney – although it can take up to an hour from the Sydney CBD. The other option is by train. Rooty Hill Station is about a 15 minute walk from the ballpark. The park itself is now even easier with new signage having been installed. The bathrooms are adequate but a little messy towards the end of a game. Return on Investment 4 While there has been a small increase, tickets to see the Blue Sox remain fantastic value. The highest value seats behind home plate are a relatively cheap $30, scaling down to a mere $15 for general admission – with very affordable options for families. Free parking is also a bonus, meaning the only time you’ll really have to open your wallet wide is for food and drinks. Extras 3 Extra points are awarded for the improved merchandise offerings this season, the historical aspect, and the overall family-friendly atmosphere. Final Thoughts The Blue Sox offer an unparalleled sporting experience at this price point, particularly in an expensive city such as Sydney. The ABL at Blue Sox Stadium is an excellent choice for locals and travelers during the Sydney summer months.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Empire Ballpark Nicholson Rd & Wilfred Rd Thornlie, WA 6155 Australia Perth Heat website Perth Ballpark website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 4,500 Originally posted 1/28/2016 The Power of Perth Since the return of the Australian Baseball League in 2010, the Perth Heat has been the team to beat. They have been champions for the 2010/11, 11/12 and 13/14 seasons and were the runner up in the 12/13 season. Perth Heat are heavily involved in the local community and are particularly well known for their support of the Team Spencer charity, raising money for research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Barbagallo Ballpark (now known as Perth Harley-Davidson Ballpark) is the premier baseball facility in Western Australia and has had steady upgrades over the last few seasons. Additional funding is already secured as part of a staged plan to continue to upgrade the ballpark. The next tranche of funding is set to upgrade the toilet block and the stadium lighting. Baseball through all age groups is played at Barbagallo approximately 250 days/year. Barbagallo is a lovely venue with lots of space for kids to run and play catch, good food and beverages, fantastic customer service, and a lovely family/summer feel. Note: Stadium name changed to Empire Ballpark Dec, 2020. Food & Beverage 4 There is a wide variety of food and drink options at Barbagallo Ballpark. There is one permanent concession stand/kiosk located on the concourse towards the third base side that is run by local organizations as part of fundraising for that group. It offers hot dogs, pies, sausage rolls, candy, soda, chips, ice cream, etc. ranging from $1-$6. There’s a bar with eight different beers (lagers and ales) as well as bottled beer on offer. Draft beer is $7 and the bottles go for $5-$8. Wine and pre-mixed spirits are also available. The food specialty is in the trucks that provide a variety of food options including Dal Pizzaiolo (Woodfired pizza) full pizza for $15, Gringo’s Grill (hot dogs, chilli dogs, pulled pork sandwiches for $5-$15), Kazz’s Caribbean Kitchen (jerk chicken, corn, rice, and curry for $15), and Chillout In Style (shaved ice, ice cream, candy floss, chillers) for $5. Except for Chillout In Style, which is located by the left field bleachers, all concessions are on the concourse. Pizzas can be delivered to your seat after ordering at the truck, or you can lean on the fence behind the corporate boxes and have a nicely unimpeded view of the infield while you wait. Pre-packaged, but unbranded food such as sandwiches, fruit, and chips are permitted inside the park. Atmosphere 3 The outfield has some tall gum trees and it is very pleasant to watch the sky take on sunset colours above them. The coastal plain of Perth is very flat and Barbagallo Ballpark has only one level – from inside the ballpark, the field is the easiest thing to see. With the reasonably large space available and a comparatively small seating capacity, Barbagallo Ballpark has some grass areas from which the game can be seen. The hill beside the left field dugout is a hugely popular spot for children, who spend most of the game hanging out, playing, and trying to snag foul balls. Both before and after the 8th inning there is the “running of the kids” across the outfield. Reserved seating consists of three sections directly behind home plate. The stretches down to first and third base are general admission seating. The wheelchair section is next to the players’ families section on the concourse above third base. There is a small set of bleachers down the third base line and a much larger set down the first base line. At the very top of the first base bleachers is a set of resort-style outdoor lounges on fake grass. Corporate boxes line the edge of the concourse and there is a VIP Corporate Lounge above first base. The boxes and the lounge have food and drink service. Right next to the first base dugout is the On Field Lounge, which is the closest seating to the field. The reserved seating is under shade sails which also provide some shelter from rain, should something as unlikely as rain happen during a Perth summer. Shade comes to the first base side first, however shade from the reserved seating sails also moves over the third base general seating at the same time. All seating in the ballpark has a good view of the game. I would only recommend reserved seating for day games when it is simply too hot to sit in the sun. Players in the ABL are very accessible and are often available before and after games for signatures. There are plenty of opportunities to talk to players pre and post game – the outfield in particular is very accessible. Home team players pick their own walk-up music and walk-up music for the visiting team is selected on their behalf. The ground announcer takes plenty of time to announce the players and their positions, which is helpful to those who like to keep score. There is between-innings music and crowd participation games in the longer breaks after the 3rd and 6th innings. The LED video scoreboard is clear and easy to see in both day and night. Neighborhood 2 There really is nothing within easy walking distance of the ballpark. The ballpark is within Tom Bateman reserve and the immediate area is bounded by a major north/south road, the Roe Highway, a freight rail line, and suburban housing. The Thornlie train station is on the far side of the Reserve and into the suburbs – approximately a 2km walk. That train line takes you back into Perth in under 25 minutes. You can choose to get off early and go to the cafe/restaurant suburb of Victoria Park (Victoria Park Station) or the all-night party at Burswood Casino (Burswood Station). Perth is a beautiful city and one of the most isolated in the world, located in one of the original 25 worldwide biodiversity hotspots. The Mediterranean climate is similar to Southern California, so it can get very hot and dry over the summer. You may wish to visit earlier in the season rather than later for the best baseball weather. Take a few days if you can to explore the beaches, rivers, vineyards and forests within the city limits. There are free bus services throughout the downtown area and inner suburbs and in the historic beachside suburb of Fremantle. Perth beaches are white sand with crystal clear cool water. The Swan River is filled with people paddling, rowing, fishing, boating and skiing. Kings Park in the heart of the city has beautiful views over the city and both Perth Water and Melville Water. The low range of hills behind the city are largely reserved for state and national parks and there are plenty of hiking trails through which to explore them. The historic town of Guildford about 20 minutes from the city centre makes a great base for exploring the still-rural Swan Valley, which is home to the oldest vineyards in Western Australia. Fans 4 The Perth Heat has a solid fan base and regularly attracts first timers to the ballpark. Crowds have doubled since the 2010/11 season. Baseball knowledge is very uneven across the crowd, but people are very happy to talk with pretty much anyone about anything. The crowd and staff at Barbagallo are one of the friendliest I have encountered in my travels. Heat stalwart Spider, who runs that Catch Card competition is cheerful, friendly, always willing to talk to everyone, the first ‘staff’ face seen inside the ballpark and really sets the tone for the evening. Funds from the Catch Card competition help support the Heat interns. It is more than 1,500 miles to the nearest city and team in the league. This is true of all other sporting codes except Australian Rules Football, where Perth hosts two teams. Given the cost of travel, it is uncommon for supporters of other teams to make the trip to Perth. The incredibly one-sided nature of the crowd is the same across all sports in Perth and is one of the most distinctive things about attending a home game for any Perth team. If there is the odd supporter of the opposing team at Barbagallo, they are generally treated very well. Even if they are Canberra Cavalry fans. The freight train that often runs behind the outfield wall is called the Rally Train. On some evenings the crowd will sing along with Darryl Braithwaite’s “Horses.” Take Me Out to the Ball Game gets its traditional airing in the middle of the 7th, but YMCA gets far more crowd participation. Access 3 Barbagallo Ballpark is located in the Tom Bateman Reserve, in the suburb of Thornlie, about 15km from the heart of Perth city. The reserve is home to Barbagallo Ballpark, a softball diamond, a kids playground and two large grassed sports grounds. There are really only two ways recommended to get to the ballpark. Driving is the easiest way and the ballpark is located near the intersection of two of Perth’s major arterial roads. There is plenty of parking available for the cost of a ‘gold coin’ donation ($1 or $2). When parking, be aware that later arrivals must make a sharp u-turn onto a grassed area. Cars with larger turning circles may need to swing wide to make this turn. The other option is to go via train and walk or bicycle the 2km from Thornlie station. With the current ‘speed-up’ rules in place, games are ending in plenty of time to walk back to the train station before the last train, but the 30 minutes between trains in the evening can make for a long boring wait. Should you choose this option, a full-fare ticket is $4.40 each way to the downtown area. It is free to take a bicycle on the train. Game tickets are easy to come by, with a caravan just to the left of the gates providing options to pick up pre-purchased tickets and cash sales taking place just inside the gates. Bag check is quick, easy, cheerful and friendly. Wheelchair access is available and the wheelchair ramp provides a view of the back of the clubhouse. It is pretty common to see the players relaxing here prior to the game. The wheelchair section itself is right next to the section for the players’ families on the concourse near the food trucks. The toilet block is small and lines for the ladies can get very long, very quickly. There are plans and funding in place to upgrade the toilet block at the end of the 2014/15 season. It is very easy to move around the ballpark and most people are considerate about moving between batters or innings. The hills down from the general admission seating to the bleachers are steep and a little rough. High heels are not recommended in this area. Return on Investment 4 At $19.90, general admission in Perth is substantially more expensive than general admission tickets in South Korea and is on a par with reserved seating at most minor league parks in the USA. Crowd engagement is also much lower than in those international ballparks, which is more a reflection of the laidback attitude of the Australian crowd than the effort put in by the Perth Heat staff. That said, there are regular promotions and group sales can get your ticket pricing as low as $10 each, which is in-line with international pricing. Multi-game punch cards and a range of membership options also bring the per-game price down substantially and are well worth the investment if you live in the area. Given the small size of the ballpark, all tickets are good tickets and there are a huge range of seating options for general admission. General admission ticket, dinner, a beer and a coffee work out to more than $40 – though of course you can bring your own food and drink and limit this cost. If you are planning to get dinner at the ballpark, getting a group together for a Corporate Box at approximately $50 each including complimentary food and drink is definitely the way to go if you can manage it. Overall, a Perth Heat game is solid value for the money and a very enjoyable experience. Extras 4 I cannot recommend the Perth Heat staff highly enough. They have always been utterly amazing, including times when I have been ordering tickets from overseas to be shipped to various places around Western Australia. Given that baseball is still something of a niche sport in Australia, Perth Heat does a solid job of getting out in the community and being visible. For a small park, the food choices at Barbagallo are excellent – fresh, delicious and ranging from Aussie standards, to ballpark standards, to the slightly unusual and a little bit gourmet. The range of on-tap beer is also a solid step up from what you might expect of a park this size. The crowd in Perth really are super-friendly. I cannot say enough what a great baseball community you’ll find in the stands in Perth.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Chase Family Arena at Reich Family Pavilion 200 Bloomfield Ave. West Hartford, CT 06117 Hartford Hawks basketball website Chase Family Arena at Reich Family Pavilion website Year Opened: 1990 Capacity: 4,017 Empty Nest Syndrome In March of 2021 the University of Hartford Hawks were the talk of the NCAA, qualifying for the first basketball tournament in the school’s history. Less than two months later, the entire athletic department was thrown into turmoil as the school announced they were downgrading their program to Division Three. A feasibility study conducted by a local consulting firm estimated that the financially struggling university would save $9.2 million annually by moving to the lower division. The transition to Division Three will be completed by September 2025. The University of Hartford was founded in 1957 when Hillyer College merged with Hartford Art School and the Hartt School. They took their athletic team names from Hillyer College, whose teams were known as the Flying Hawks, due to the presence of their basketball court on the fourth floor of their gymnasium. The Hawks play their home basketball games at the Chase Family Arena at Reich Family Pavilion, named in honor of the Chase and Reich Families for their history of gifts and contributions to the University. In addition to the basketball arena, the facility is home to the school’s volleyball gym, swimming pool, locker rooms, training facilities and administrative offices. Basketball has been played at the University of Hartford and its predecessors since 1949. Originally a member of Division Two, the Hawks qualified for four straight D-II tournaments from 1972-75. The 2021 Tournament appearance was the school’s only while in Division One. The Hawks now compete as an independent, having left the America East Conference as part of its transition. Vin Baker is the school’s only alumnus to play in the National Basketball Association. Food & Beverage 1 There is a concession stand in the lobby of the Reich Pavilion, but it was not open during Stadium Journey’s visit on a Sunday afternoon. It has been open during previous visits and still looks operational. In the past, this stand has offered a basic menu, including hot dogs, pizza slices and chicken tenders in addition to assorted snacks. A single point is awarded in this category due to the presence of a vending machine selling bottles of Coca-Cola products, water and energy drinks. It appears that fans are able to bring in their own snacks to Hartford basketball games. If the snack bar is open, you can add a couple of points to this score. Atmosphere 2 As you may imagine, interest and excitement around the basketball program has plummeted since the announcement that the program would be downgrading to Division Three. Still, the Hartford athletic department does their best to put on a good show for the fans that do show up. From any seat in the gym you can hear sneakers squeak, coaches shouting instructions to their players and fans yelling encouragement to the players. The “small school” experience is only amplified with the tiny crowds in attendance these days. The cheerleaders and spirit squad are present but add little to the overall atmosphere. The few students who do show up are there to watch the game, not get rowdy. Scoreboards on either end of the gym display basic game information while pixilated video screens show graphics and the occasional video. Neighborhood 2 The University of Hartford is located in West Hartford, surrounded by an affluent residential neighborhood, including the Hartford Golf Club. There aren’t any restaurants located within walking distance of the campus, meaning fans will have to travel a little to find entertainment, dining and lodging options. Downtown Hartford, which contains a great many restaurants and places of interest, is just a ten-minute drive away. Stadium Journey recommends City Steam Brewery and Black-Eyed Sally’s Southern Kitchen and Bar, among others. Fans looking for local attractions will want to check out the Mark Twain House or Harriet Beecher Stowe House while in Hartford. The state capitol building is also worth a look while in the area. There is no shortage of lodging options in downtown Hartford. Fans 1 For several years in the late teens, Hartford was averaging around 1,400 fans per game. As you may imagine, attendance has plummeted since the Division Three announcement. Stadium Journey attended a game against a local opponent on a Sunday afternoon with a reported attendance of around 300. Looking at other box scores from the 2022-23 season, this crowd appears to be right around the team’s average. The crowd at Chace Family Arena is a mix of die-hard fans, family members and a smattering of students. Most of the fans in attendance have a personal connection with the players on the court. Fans are enthusiastic and supportive. With the bulk of Hartford’s schedule consisting of local teams, you may find supporters of the visiting squad in attendance. Access 3 The Reich Family Pavilion is located on the north end of the University of Hartford campus alongside the school’s other athletic facilities. The campus is located where the towns of West Hartford and Bloomfield meet the city of Hartford. Downtown Hartford, including the XL Center and Dunkin’ Donuts Park , is located just a few miles away. Most fans traveling to the University of Hartford will arrive via Interstate 91 which runs north-south through Hartford, and then will arrive at campus via either Route 44 or 218, which run adjacent to the campus. Detailed directions to campus can be found here . Parking is available in lots that surround the Reich Family Pavilion. There are more than enough spots here to handle a typical crowd. While the vast majority of visitors to the University of Hartford arrive by car, those utilizing public transportation can take the 56 or 58 bus to campus. Check out the CT Transit website for more information. Fans enter the arena into a small lobby, which contains entrances to the pool and volleyball court, as well as the snack bar, ticket booth, and stairs to the upper deck. The bathrooms, which are more than adequate for the average Hawk crowd, are also located here. Seating at the Chase Family Arena consists of individual red folding seats along both sidelines, with wooden bleachers along each baseline. Each sideline has an upper section, which is set aside on the south side as the Gordon McCullough VIP Section. This section has its own bar and dining area attached, but it has been closed since the demotion announcement. All seats in this small gym have excellent views of the action. Return on Investment 4 Seats for Hartford Hawks cost $15 for reserved seating on either sideline, or $12 for pavilion seats in the upper deck. Parking is free in the lots surrounding the Chase Family Arena. Drinks in the vending machine cost $2.25. A night at a Hartford Hawks basketball game will certainly not break the bank. Extras 2 Extra points are awarded for the displays in the lobby that honor the Hawks two most distinguished athletic alumni, Baseball Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell and NBA first round pick Vin Baker. The University’s Athletic Hall of Fame has a display in the lobby. Baker’s retired jersey also hangs in the Chase Family Arena. Banners honoring conference titles and tournament appearances by both the men’s and women’s basketball programs hang from the rafters and on the walls of the facility. Final Thoughts Chase Family Arena served as a fine home to the Hawks when they were a mid-major Division One program. Now that the squad will be moving to Division Three, interest and enthusiasm in the program has plummeted, with the game day experience in Hartford now just a shell of what it used to be. This cozy gym now is in the unique circumstance of being too large for the school’s needs. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Raymond James Stadium 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway Tampa, FL 33607 South Florida Bulls website Raymond James Stadium website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 65,647 College Football on the Bay The college football experience in Florida provides fans many options. One of the more overlooked stops may very well be USF. Playing in a massive NFL stadium may have its disadvantages, but the fanbase more than makes up for what may be a detriment to the game day experience. The team has experienced highs and lows over the last few decades, but nonetheless offer a solid fan experience regardless of their record. The team’s annual War on I-4 rivalry matchup with UCF is arguably one of the best in college sports, and provides an excellent atmosphere for fans on both sides. Food & Beverage 4 Being in an NFL Stadium has its perks, chief among them being the sheer quality and variety in the concessions available on game day. However, not all stands are open for USF games, which inherently will limit your options. With that said, whether you want your standard stadium fare like burgers, hot dogs, and nachos, or if you have a feeling for something a little different, like a fresh-pressed hot Cuban sandwich, you can find what you need at Raymond James Stadium. Prices are comparable to those at other sports venues, so expect to spend between $10-$15 per person for a main dish and drink. The other added bonus at Raymond James Stadium is that the pirate ship end zone features an open-air plaza that gives you a great view of the playing field during the game, meaning you don’t have to worry about missing the next play while you are sitting down to eat. Atmosphere 3 Raymond James Stadium is your quintessential 1990s football stadium in general layout and construction. It features a lot of exposed concrete and generally lacks any real architectural features beyond the Bucs’ pirate ship. Nevertheless, the team has made the best of this without a need for extensive renovations. The Tampa Bay Bucs branding is everywhere, from paint colors to logos and photos being displayed, which can take away from the USF college atmosphere. Even with some green accents added with temporary signs, it definitely feels like a stadium you’re renting more than a home field. The facilities are clean and easy to find thanks to the signage all over, however. Fans can also expect a generally comfortable experience here thanks to the palm trees in the end zone and the Florida feel of the small torches around the exterior of the stadium. Neighborhood 3 Raymond James Stadium itself is a bit removed from the downtown Tampa area. Thankfully, there are restaurants on the main drag nearby, but there is also an assortment of strip clubs and adult stores, making the drive into the stadium a bit of an interesting one to say the least. For hotels, look to the Tampa Stadium Hotel or the Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore. For food, there is a popular Chili’s down the street, as well as a new Panera Bread. Also, a short drive from Raymond James Stadium is the Cigar City Brewing Company, where you can take tours of the brewery and sample locally made cigars. The Tampa International Plaza Mall is not far either. Fans 3 The fans at USF games are loyal to their team. Much like the rest of Florida’s college football schools, students fill in the student section every game, regardless of the opponent. Locals have embraced USF as the local college team, but due to the sheer size of the stadium itself, rarely are able to take over their home field. When bigger teams visit, the split among home and away fans can easily be 50/50. Before the game starts, tailgating is always solid thanks to the good weather year-round. USF games are also full of families and younger fans thanks to the lower ticket prices. Access 4 To get to Raymond James Stadium you can take I-275 through the Tampa area. The main roads in and out of the stadium area are all multiple lanes wide, meaning traffic doesn’t get as congested as at other sports stadiums that only have one-lane roads. Parking on site is plentiful, as is the less expensive parking in various lots and properties around the area. Also, the gates are all open when the stadium opens, so fans are not forced into using just one or two of the gates to get in and out. Note that Raymond James Stadium now uses the commonly accepted Clear Bag Policy guidelines for those coming into the game. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices for USF Football are massively less than those for the Bucs, so fans can get an NFL stadium visit without the NFL price. With that said, prices start low enough to bring a large group or family without breaking the bank. Even reseller tickets online can be found for as low as $15 a piece. Add to this the variety of teams that visit USF, and you generally have a solid college football experience without paying big market prices. Extras 3 The large Tampa Bay Bucs pirate ship located in the end zone of the stadium is ever present during USF games. While not accessible during USF games, you can still get up close to it when walking around. Games for USF also feature a pre-game run across the end zone with kids selected from the stands that follow the USF mascot. The team also features giveaways each game such as t-shirts and on-field games for prize packages. Final Thoughts Going to college football games in Florida is usually dominated by the bigger schools in the state. Don’t let that fool you, however, into thinking the smaller conference schools aren’t just as enjoyable – USF is a program that has experienced the ebb and flow of success over the years, but always enjoys a solid fanbase that flocks to a massive NFL stadium to watch their team play.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Ford Field 2000 Brush St Detroit, MI 48226 Detroit Lions website Ford Field website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 65,000 Lions Loyal The definition of sports futility may just be the Detroit Lions. In the conversation for most long suffering fans, the Lions have tortured their fans by only winning one National Football League playoff game since 1957. Most fans forget the dominance of the Lions in the pre Super Bowl era, which is understandable. There may be many who sleep on the Lions as a force in the NFL, however, nobody should sleep on the experience at Ford Field. One of the centerpiece items built to help revitalize downtown Detroit, Fied Field opened its doors in 2002 and signaled the end of the Lions existence at the Pontiac Silverdome. A resurgence in the experience for fans, Ford Field has also hosted the NCAA Final Four, NCAA Frozen Four, Mid-American Conference Championship game and Quick Lane Bowl as well as a ton of concerts and WrestleMania 23. Until 2014 the Lions were under the care of owner William Clay Ford. With his death, the team is owned by his daughter Sheila Ford Hamp. A trip to the Lions will show fans what Lions Loyalty is all about. Food & Beverage 4 The concession scene is very strong at Ford Field. Fans will be more than pleased to find local favorites inside Ford Field including Slow’s BBQ, Hungry Howie’s Pizza and Big Boy. Other options include Taste of Greektown, Hon Cho Poletown Sausage and Lefty’s Famous Cheesesteaks. The Street Eats of Detroit and Goalpost Grille provide more traditional stadium fare. There is little for the fan to desire. Some stands provide “Power Hour” specials which give special pricing from 11 to 12 on a regular 1 pm game. There are plenty of beer options available throughout the stadium. Leinenkugel, Miller Lite and Blue Moon are all available, but the presence of Bud Light is pretty overwhelming. A number of bars throughout the stadium also offer a variety of other alcoholic beverages. Pepsi products are the soft drinks of choice at Ford Field. Atmosphere 5 Ford Field is one of the centerpiece buildings that have highlighted the return to downtown. Built into a former warehouse, Ford Field has maintained some of that industrial charm, heavily relying on a brown brick exterior with some marble inserts with Ford Field and Lions logos. Large, glass atriums at the southeast and southwest corners of the stadium offer great gathering places. Unlike the majority of NFL stadiums, Ford Field is completely enclosed. Some may consider this to be a detractor for the stadium, but the harsh Michigan winters make domed field a welcome feature. A far cry from the Pontiac Silverdome, the roof at Fied Field features huge translucent panels which bring in plenty of natural light. Also, the southwest and southeast corners are open and the light from the atriums help give fans the feeling of being outdoors while enjoying comfort from the elements. The north and south concourses are very different. The south concourse nods back to the industrial roots of the area with wrought iron gates at the entrance of sections and brick walls and cobblestone flooring. The north concourse is the complete opposite with a much more modern feel to it. Posts in the concourses are covered with images of current Lions players and Lions greats of the past. The east-west oriented, field turf field is surrounded by two main tiers of seating. The south side features four tiers of luxury boxes. The fascia of those boxes has the names of the 19 members of the Pride of the Lions ring of honour. Members include Alex Karras, Roger Brown, Herman Moore, Bobby Layne, Joe Schmidt, Doak Walker, Lou Creekmur, Dick Lane, Lem Barney, Dick LeBeau, Dick Stanfel, Jason Hanson, Chris Spielman, Jack Christiansen, Dutch Clark, Yale Lary, Charlie Sanders, Alex Wojciechowicz and Barry Sanders. Opposite, on the north side hang the banners the Lions have earned for various division and conference championships. The American flag is surrounded by the 1935, 1952, 1953 and 1957 NFL Championship banners, earned before the Super Bowl era. Massive video boards hang above the north and south end zones. There are plenty of other screens around and massive ribbon boards encase the southeast and southwest pillars. The south side is where fans will want to be for that perfect fifty yard line logo picture. The fun at a Lions game begins outside in the Pride Plaza. Food trucks and a variety of football related games will welcome fans along with a DJ and short zip line. The Lions drumline, Honolulu Boom performs outside before the game and again inside. Once nearing kickoff, the energy level increases with performances by Honolulu Boom and the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders, leading to the player introductions with entry from the southwest corner. The rest of the gameday experience is what would be expected at any NFL venue with the mascot, Roary, taking part in promotions and on field excitement. Everything is ratcheted up after a Lions touchdown where Theo Spight belts out his rendition of “Gridiron Heroes,” possibly the best fight song in the entire NFL. Spight’s rendition of the classic tune, modernizes the song from the thirties and makes it a critical part of the atmosphere. Neighborhood 4 The last two decades have produced a distinct change in downtown Detroit. Currently, there are plenty of places to go for some pre or post game food and drinks. These include Hockeytown Cafe, Fishbones, Delmar Detroit and Harbor House. It has taken some time to get to this point, but the necessity of heading right to the car after the Lions game is no longer a necessity. Right across the street from Ford Field is Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers. The Pistons and Red Wings play at Little Caesars Arena, which is just on the other side of the Fisher Freeway. Fans of college hoops can head over to the University of Detroit Mercy and take in a Detroit Mercy Titans game at the hidden gem, Calihan Hall. The Fox Theatre, Gem Theatre, and Greektown Casino provide other avenues for entertainment within steps of the stadium. The Hilton Garden Inn and Atheneum Suites provide hotel options within walking distance of the Lions. Fans 4 It is hard to find a group of fans that are more loyal than Detroit Lion fans. To refer to them as long-suffering may be an understatement. In 2022 the Lions have ranked close to the bottom of the league in attendance. However, the 65,000 capacity is pretty small by NFL standards. In 2021, the Lions ranked dead last in the NFL with a capacity below 80 percent. This could be because of the pandemic and the nearby border to Canada being closed. In the end, however, Detroit Lions fans are loud and passionate and have stuck with a team for a long time when the on-field product has given them little reason to return to the stadium. Access 3 Getting to Ford Field can be a bit of a challenge, but some pre-planning can go a long way. Fans coming in by car should be prepared to get there early and maneuver some traffic. There are plenty of parking options within the vicinity. Pre-purchasing parking through a parking app is the best option. There is some tailgating in Detroit and fans driving, who do not want to tailgate should plan well and avoid those lots. The Greektown garage is a pretty good option. For fans wanting to take public transit, The Detroit People Mover loops around downtown Detroit. There are also bus stops that run along Beaubien to the south. Check out the Detroit People Mover, Detroit Department of Transportation and SmartBus websites for schedules, fares and maps. If getting to Ford Field is a bit of a challenge, leaving the stadium can be painstaking. The flood of pedestrians and plenty of traffic in a very small area makes driving out of downtown a real challenge. The NFL has some of the tightest security and getting into Ford Field, even two hours before kickoff, is not super quick. Fans should research before heading out and know the latest security details, including bag policy by checking out the Lions and Ford Field websites. Return on Investment 3 The Detroit Lions are a great experience, but as with any NFL experience, fans are going to pay. The lions are relatively cost effective as compared to other NFL teams. With a fan cost index of over $480, the Lions ranked 29th most expensive in 2021. Fans heading to the Detroit Lions game will undoubtedly enjoy themselves, however, even with a relatively affordable experience compared to other NFL spots, the Lions remain a pricey endeavor. The NFL pushes the "once in a lifetime" pricing model which pushes fans to view NFL games as a necessary luxury. Extras 4 An extra mark for the announcement that the Lions will erect a bronze statue of the likeness of NFL Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders in front of Ford Field before the 2023 season. This would be the first such honour for any Lion. An extra mark for Theo Spight and “Gridiron Heroes” the touchdown song of the Lions which is sung live after each trip to the end zone and victory. The song is old school but sung in a modern, catchy way. An extra mark for the hearty Detroit Lions fans who have endured years of futility and still come out to support their Lions each game. An extra mark for the traditional Lions game on Thanksgiving Day. An NFL tradition for decades. Final Thoughts Whether it is enjoying the fun in the Pride Plaza or belting out Gridiron Heroes with Theo Spight, the fans of the Detroit Lions make the most of their experience each and every game. Not being required to sit through the cold Detroit winters is a plus and the loyalty of Lions is unquestioned after a long drought of on-field success. Taking in a Lions game is something that all football fans should consider in their travels. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 W. B. Adams Stadium 445 State Rte 602 Ferrum, VA 24088 Ferrum Panthers website W. B. Adams Stadium website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 5,500 Small Town Football W. B. Adams Stadium opened in 1960 and seats 5,500 fans. The venue is used as the home field for Ferrum College’s football and lacrosse teams. The Ferrum Panthers football team currently competes in the NCAA’s Division III, where they are a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Food & Beverage 3 W. B. Adams Stadium has two concessions stands, one on each side of the field – the main location is under the home stands, while the concessions stand at the baseball stadium (behind the football field’s end zone) is open for fans sitting on the visiting side. The same items are sold at both locations, however, and the baseball stadium stand has shorter lines, so it is worth it to make the short walk to the other side. On offer are burgers, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts, candy, Gatorade, bottled Pepsi products, and bottled water. Prices are phenomenal with the most expensive item being only 3.75 (cheeseburger); nachos with chili are only $3, candy is only $1.25, and bottled water is only $1.50. Atmosphere 3 W. B. Adams Stadium seats 5,500 fans, which is on par with other football facilities at the D3 level. There is a good bit of crowd noise from the fans, and the cheerleaders are on hand to keep the fans in the game, waving gold pom-poms which sparkle a little in the sunshine. I did not see a mascot roaming the sidelines, and the scoreboard is static (meaning there is no video to watch replays), but on the plus side you can get really close to the action here, and there is plenty of energy on the home side despite a losing record this season. Ferrum’s baseball stadium is visible from the home stands (to the right of the visitor bleachers), and there are also plenty of trees around one end of the field. Most of the seats are metal bleachers (both on the home side and on the visiting side), but there is a small section of plastic chairback seats in the upper middle section of the home side. Neighborhood 2 W. B. Adams Stadium is surrounded by Ferrum College’s other athletic facilities, including the football practice field, practice soccer field, baseball stadium, wrestling center, basketball arena, etc. Like many small colleges and universities, athletics drives enrollment at this 1000-student institution, and as such Ferrum boasts 11 men’s sports and 14 women’s sports. Other than that there is very little near the stadium, or in town for that matter – there is of course a post office and gas station downtown, as well as a Dollar General and a few fast food joints, but to find much more in the way of shopping and dining you will have to drive about 10 miles west to Henry’s Fork, along Highway 220. Fans 3 Despite a losing record on the field of late, there are still plenty of fans here cheering on their Ferrum Panthers. The stands aren’t full by any means, but there are a good number of fans sitting on the home side, with a few sitting on top of the hill watching from blankets and folding chairs. There is plenty of Ferrum gear to be seen, which is also sold at the stadium; all items are half price during the last home game of the season. Access 3 Ferrum, Virginia is located about half an hour north of Martinsville and about half an hour south of Roanoke, in a rural part of eastern Virginia. Getting here will likely require you to drive along some winding roads through some hills, but once you arrive there is plenty of parking within a short walk of the venue, and there is plenty of room to move around the concourse. The restrooms are located in a separate building about 100 feet from the main concourse (home side), or if you are sitting on the visiting side you can use the restrooms in the baseball stadium (which is located behind the end zone). The cost to park right behind the home grandstand (Black Helmet Club) is $250 for the season, but you can park for free on campus, which is just a short soccer-field’s-width walk away from the football field. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to W. B. Adams Stadium for football games is only $10 per person, which is on the cheap side compared to other similarly-sized sports venues. This is a pretty good return on investment given the free parking, low-cost concessions, and how close you can get to the action on the field, not to mention the solid energy from the crowd, with lots of yelling, cheering, and the occasional cow bell in support of the Black and Gold. Extras 2 The Panthers host some special events at some games, for example Black Hat Day, a nod to the school’s boosters (who are named the Black Helmet Club). The staff also plays some great music throughout the game. Final Thoughts Being a D3 football stadium, this is obviously a different experience than some of the Power 5 contests you may have been to, but if you are in the area, W. B. Adams is definitely worth a visit. Go, Panthers!

Photos by Lloyd Rothwell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Adelaide Oval War Memorial Dr North Adelaide SA 5006, Australia Adelaide Strikers website Adelaide Oval website Year Opened: 1871 Capacity: 53,698 Strikers Winning in Adelaide First established in 1871, the Adelaide Oval has long been known as one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world. Pleasantly placed on the banks of the River Torrens and in the parklands just north of the CBD, the stadium features stunning vistas including of the iconic St Peters Cathedral, located immediately north of the oval. Most regularly used for cricket during its long history, Adelaide Oval also has a strong connection with Australian Rules football. The venue has also hosted lop level rugby union, having previously been the home of the Australian leg of the World Sevens Series as well as hosting two matches of the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Despite growing demand for tickets to popular events such as Ashes test matches, increasing capacity and redeveloping the ground took many years. In 2003 the Chappell Stands were added to the eastern side of the ground in front of the Victor Richardson Gates, grandfather of the three Chappell brothers – all of whom played cricket for Australia. It took until 2009 before plans for a major redevelopment were announced. The redevelopment was completed in 2014 at a cost of over $500m, and increased capacity to 53,583. The final design maintains the charm of the original ground by incorporating the famous old scoreboard, hill area, Moreton Bay Fig and cathedral views, while also quickly building a reputation as a modern gem. Interestingly the playing surface was also slightly modified; as a cricket ground Adelaide was known for its long straight, boundaries and short boundaries square of the wicket. These changes made the surface more suitable for AFL, and along with the modern amenities and larger capacity, saw football returning to the stadium fulltime, with both the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power now calling Adelaide Oval home. The Adelaide Strikers, like all the other Big Bash League Twenty20 cricket franchises, was formed in 2011 as a new identity separate from existing state teams. They have since experienced moderate success on the field, and are extremely well supported in their home state of South Australia. Food & Beverage 4 The design of the new stadium means that no seat is located more than 40m from a food outlet. There’s a wide range of food available with all the usual fare supplemented by healthy options and specialty items. Interestingly, as of the end of 2016, the stadium management authority has worked to lower prices of many of the most commonly bought items including meat pies, beer and bottled water. One of the biggest reductions was a $0.30 drop in the price of local beer, West End Draught. While this may be a step in the right direction, it is worth noting that this “reduced price” is still $8.90 which makes it one of the most expensive beer prices in all of Australia. Similarly, even the most basic hot food such as hot chips are $5.50, as are meat pies. Anything more such as a burger or pizza is around the $10 mark. Admittedly the serving sizes are quite good (as is the quality), but the indisputable fact is that prices here are even more expensive than what you will experience at most sporting stadiums around the world. Any queues move relatively quickly, except for the Norgen Vaas ice cream stand which can have wait times of over 5 minutes between placing an order and receiving your ice cream. Also, keep an eye out for concession stands that are “card only” – helpful for some but not for others! Atmosphere 4 The Adelaide Oval is the greatest success story of modern stadium building in Australia. It’s a beautiful and well-designed building that captures all the charm and character of the original ground and the stunning surrounds, and adds an advanced, modern viewing experience. The combination is simply stunning. Over 75% of all seats are covered, providing protection from the elements. The old scoreboard combines with three video screens to keep spectators informed. The spacious atriums within the stadium concourses add to the sense of space and atmosphere. Neighborhood 5 Adelaide is a cosmopolitan city characterised by its grid-like set up featuring straight wide streets and abundant parklands. In contrast to most other capital cities around the country, it was established as a colony of free settlers rather than a penal settlement. Adelaide is regularly cited as one of the most livable cities in Australia and is well known for its many festivals and close proximity to the wine growing region of Barossa Valley. The northern area of the CBD is the heart of the city. Major venues such as the Convention Centre and Casino are on North Terrace, while Hindley St and Rundle Mall serve as an entertainment and shopping precinct. Further afield, a tram ride down to the beach at Glenelg is a popular tourist activity. Fans 4 The Adelaide Strikers are the highest drawing of all the BBL teams, most recently averaging a remarkable 42,000 fans per game. The crowd is a sea of blue, with the locals wholeheartedly embracing their team. The fans are well-informed and engaged in the brand and the action. Access 4 Along with the redevelopment of the stadium, the new Riverbank Footbridge provides an easy connection across the river from the CBD. That being the case, the best method of transport is bus, train or tram and then soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the view as you stroll towards the stadium. Alternatively, drive into the CBD and utilise a paid parking station for around $25. The plaza surrounding the stadium is easy to navigate with several interactive fan experience opportunities. Once inside, access to upper levels is made easier by a number of escalators and elevators while concourses are spacious and clean. Another quirk of the stadium is the abundance of restrooms, with Australian design standards exceeded by more than 30%. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices offer value for money with Adult General Admission from as low as $20. The usual discounts for children and families also apply, making entry for most very affordable. While refreshments are amongst the most expensive you will ever encounter, the Strikers and the Adelaide Oval is undeniably a fantastic experience worthy of your hard-earned cash. Extras 4 In the Riverbank Stand you will find a museum showcasing Sir Donald Bradman (1908-2001). To the uninitiated, Bradman is without question, the greatest cricketer of all time. Indeed, statisticians have calculated that the dominance asserted by Bradman with his test batting average of 99.94, is more significant than any other comparative sportsperson across all sports. One of the more unique experiences at Adelaide Oval is the Roof Climb, a two hour guided climb across the roof of the stadium, even during games! While not available on event days, general guided tours of the stadium are available at other times and are well worth the effort, but be sure to book in advance. Given the BBL occurs across the Christmas / New Year period, it is natural that a number of games will take place on key dates. The Strikers host the New Year’s Eve game at Adelaide Oval, after which you can celebrate by watching the fireworks on the banks of the river before heading back into the city to party on. Final Thoughts The Adelaide Oval is simply a must-visit stadium. Do yourself a favour and visit the City of Churches!

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Gaylord Palms Resort 6000 W Osceola Pkwy Kissimmee, FL 34746 NXL World Cup of Paintball website Gaylord Palms Resort website Year Opened: 2015 Professional Paintball in Paradise Thinking of professional sports in Central Florida, paintball may not come to mind first. However, the NXL World Cup features some of the best paintball athletes in the country every year just outside Disney World. Located adjacent to the Gaylord Palms Resort, the NXL World Cup is unique in that parking and access for all four days is free to all fans. Special tickets can be purchased for access to different viewing areas, but free access still gets you up close and personal to the action. Food & Beverage 3 The food and beverage options here are limited, but what is available is solid and won’t break the bank. Food trucks are brought in with various options for guests, from local BBQ and pizza to frozen smoothies and healthy options, you have a variety to pick from. Drinks are also available at several bars around the property, with options that include water ($2), domestic beers ($6), and import beers ($7). The lines are usually never too long, but unless you have a VIP viewing ticket, you’ll find a great lack of places to sit and enjoy your food. Atmosphere 4 For an event that is assembled in what is usually a cow pasture the rest of the year, it really is transformed into an incredible facility. Vendors line the entrance on both sides, selling the latest and greatest paintball gear and merchandise. Special lounges are also there for players and family as well as vendor VIPs. On the back side of the property, numerous paintball fields are set up in a quad that allow fans to get in between them and right up close to the action. Be sure you’re doing your laundry as soon as you go home, as there is sure to be some paintball splatter when you’re this close to the matches. Neighborhood 4 The fact that you’re literally across the highway from Walt Disney World and just minutes from all the area hotels, restaurants, attractions, and shopping makes this a solid area to hold the event. Across the street is Gaylord Palms Resort, while down the street is Walt Disney World and all its hotels. Food options are plentiful as one mile away is US-192, which is full of restaurants and shopping. In the opposite direction is International Drive, another place where you can find your choice of restaurants and hotels. Fans 4 The sheer number of fans who show up to this event is staggering. 2022 showcased the largest World Cup turnout yet, with teams and their families from all over arriving to watch the best of the best in paintball take on the competition. Something unique about it all is the sense of camaraderie and family. This is a fierce competition after all, but everyone cheers each other and respects the healthy competition taking place in front of them. The fans are also very knowledgeable about the sport, and are more than happy to help newcomers understand what is going on. Access 5 Parking is free on site, with $30+ VIP parking available to get you a closer spot to the main entrance. The field is massive and offers plenty of spaces to park, and signage is easy to see, to direct you where to go next. Once inside a QR code can be scanned by fans to access an event guide, and a facility map is posted to help you get the lay of the land. Return on Investment 5 Access to general admission areas is free to all fans on all four days of the event. Tickets to the grandstand for the pro field start at $15 per day, while VIP Club access starts at $40 and goes up from there. When factoring in the cost for a family of four to enjoy a day in the Florida sun watching paintball, you’re likely to get away with just paying the bare minimum for food and drinks as well as merchandise. Extras 3 The facility features several vendors for kids to keep them entertained during the event. Fans also can get up close to the fields in the back, which is equivalent to curtsied seating, for free. Finally, there is a massive party on Sunday night that features raffles and giveaways and is available for all to attend. Final Thoughts This may not be on everyone’s radar when looking at Florida sports, but NXL World Cup paintball is definitely a unique event in Orlando. Providing free parking and free general admission access is unique in sports and, given that this event is a yearly occurrence, showcases the fanbase that exists and helps propel the sport forward. No doubt this is a unique competition that the whole family can enjoy, whether you’re a diehard paintball participant or someone who has never watched a single competition.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium 4301 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78209 Incarnate Word Cardinals website Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 6,000 UIW Cardinals – Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium Founded in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is the largest catholic university in Texas. In 2009 the university fielded their first-ever football team. Starting out as an independent program, the UIW Cardinals moved steadily up the proverbial ladder before landing in the Southland Conference in 2014. As members of the FCS the Cardinals have found success in recent years, winning their conference championship in 2018 and 2021 and making the FCS playoffs in both of those seasons. Since the start of their program the Cardinals have called Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium home – the on-campus stadium was renovated in 2010 to double its capacity to its current level, as well as add luxury suites and a press box. With the program currently riding high after a playoff run, UIW is looking to build momentum for another run at a conference title. The enthusiasm is palpable at Benson Stadium these days. Read on to learn more about the Cardinals nest. Food & Beverage 3 The food and beverage scene at Benson Stadium is in the category of being ‘just fine’. They have the traditional lineup of game day favorites with three locations for eats and drinks – two on the home team side and one on the visitors side near Sullivan Field. Manned by the local group Just Smash’em, these three stands offer up nachos ($8), hot dog and chip combos ($9), sausages ($9), and their signature line of fresh-squeezed lemonades ($7) in a variety of flavors. There are also free-standing stands on the home side, with one selling beer, one selling hamburgers, and one food truck outside the entry gate on the south end of the stadium, which sells Just Smash’em lemonade and kettle corn. Again, it’s all perfectly fine; in fact, I have to say that the lemonade is quite good, if a little on the high side in terms of cost. I think anyone going will find something to snack on during Cardinals games. Atmosphere 3 I had the good fortune to have my visit to Benson Stadium during UIW’s homecoming celebration. With that in mind, I will say that the atmosphere for the game was especially good in comparison to past visits. The parking area – aka the fan zone – in front of the stadium was filled with tailgaters and revelers. The home stands were packed with Cardinals fans (more on them shortly) and they helped add to the energy and excitement of the game. The stadium itself is a typical college multipurpose, multi-sport facility. As such, the field is ringed by a running track, which pushes fans and the stands a little bit further away from the on-field action. Not a huge complaint, but it is noticeable compared to larger stadiums. With UIW the main draw will be the gorgeous campus – it has numerous tree-lined walking paths throughout campus, many leading toward the athletics complex. Noted for its architecture and public art, visitors should take some time before or after Cardinals games to take in the sights. Neighborhood 5 Located near San Antonio’s popular and vibrant downtown, UIW and Benson Stadium are in a prime spot in the city, a 15-minute drive from the San Antonio International Airport, and 10 minutes from virtually all the city’s main tourist attractions and some of its best dining and lodging options. In terms of attractions, the San Antonio Zoo, Witte Museum, McNay Art Museum, Doseum, and Historic Pearl, with its multitude of attractions, dining options, and world-class hotel, are all within 10 minutes of the stadium. For dining options, I have a couple of suggestions for some local favorites that are not too far from the campus. First off, Cheesy Jane’s Big Malts is a retro-inspired joint serving up some of the best burgers, malts, and shakes in the city. Be on the lookout for the bean burger and the choco-banana shake; just a tip from me to you. Next up is an Alamo City institution, Good Time Charlie’s Bar & Cafe – this is Texas-style comfort food (think chicken fried steaks and chalupas) at its highest, and in a funky setting to boot. I recommend it if you have time. Fans 3 For home games at Benson Stadium the Cardinals are averaging just under 2,500 fans per game. This usually means the home team stands are packed, while there are slim pickings on the visitor’s side. This isn’t an indictment of the school, the team, or the program – it’s just a reality of FCS-level play. The student section is consistently packed for home games, which is a great boon to the atmosphere of games here. My last visit was also the most people I have ever seen at UIW tailgates, which is always great to see; a really good tailgate scene really adds to the energy of college football. Access 4 As mentioned the UIW campus and Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium are located near the city’s downtown area, which is the main tourist hub in San Antonio. It is a short, 15-minute drive from the airport, and conveniently located off Interstate 37/U.S. Highway 281, as well as one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, Broadway Street. That is all a long way of saying, it’s easy to get to the campus, and it’s easy to get there from pretty much any spot in the city. The Alamo City’s public transportation option, VIA, also runs several bus routes to the campus for those who wish to go that route. Once on campus parking is ample, however, those wishing to park in the athletic complex will need to obtain a parking permit. If you don’t have one, again, you can park for free in open spots on the campus, which will give you a chance to take that tour I was talking about earlier. Return on Investment 3 Single-game tickets for UIW football start at $15 per person. This is, quite frankly, an incredible bargain for a team and program that look poised to make continuous playoff runs over the coming years. The staff here brings in an exciting mix of non-conference opponents and play at a high level. You get a lot of bang for your buck at Benson Stadium. While the concessions might cost a little more here than in similarly-sized venues, the prices still pale in comparison to those at much larger venues, so you’re still getting a good bargain, especially when coupled with the free parking. Extras 2 In terms of Extras, UIW offers up the standard pomp and circumstance that are found at most college games. The UIW band, the Marching Cardinals, perform throughout the game and during halftime. It’s also pretty fun to watch them march into the stadium before games, so get to your seat early. Other extras include the schools cheerleaders and dance team, who all perform throughout the game and help get the team fired up during lulls in the action. There’s also the team mascot, Red the Cardinal, who patrols the sidelines and interacts with fans in the stands. Final Thoughts Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium is a really nice venue, especially for a school that has only had a football program for just over a decade at this point. It can’t really compare to some of the grand football palaces in the sport and, quite frankly, it is smaller than a good number of high school venues in Texas. However, I think visitors to the stadium will enjoy themselves. If you find yourself in the Alamo City during the season and are looking to get your college football fix, take in a UIW Cardinals game and enjoy the ride. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by Jared Goodman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Berglund Center 710 Williamson Rd NE Roanoke, VA 24016 Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs website Berglund Center website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 8,672 Skates and Sticks in Star City In 1971, three premier sports venues were constructed throughout Virginia, including the Norfolk Scope, Richmond Coliseum, and the Berglund Center in Roanoke. The latter, as the premier sports and entertainment venue in southwest Virginia, has hosted several hockey and basketball teams over the years. Today, Berglund is currently the home of the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs of the independent Southern Professional Hockey League. It has a capacity of 8,562 fans for hockey and features eight restrooms and six concession stands at the arena. The building received $6.2 million in renovations that included a new heating system, an upgraded electrical system, and, the replacement of all of its seats. The building had hosted hockey in the past that included the Roanoke Express (ECHL) and the Roanoke Valley Vipers (UHL). The Yard Dawgs entered in 2016 and its nickname and logo pay tribute to the region’s railroad heritage. The city has a long history as a railroad hub and the arena is near the nearby Roanoke Shops and train lines operated by Norfolk Southern Railway. Food & Beverage 4 There are plenty of options at Dawgs games to satisfy a variety of appetites. Cheesy favorites seem to be the best-selling concession item, from mac & cheese ($4) to grilled cheese ($5) to fried cheesecake ($7). There’s also a cheesy hot dog, cheese curds, BBQ mac & cheese, and finally, cheese sticks. Of course, the classics are still up for grabs as well. They include pretzels ($5), popcorn buckets ($10), nachos ($5), Polish sausages ($5), jumbo hot dogs ($4), chips ($2), candy ($3), and sodas for $4.50 each. Bottled water is $4. Alcohol is also on tap, ranging from domestics for $7 to crafts for $9. The Big Lick Brewing Company, a local joint, has a special “Paws & Pucks” beer available for $7. Last but not least, stop by Gate 3 for a breakfast treat – you can get a delicious waffle loaded with the toppings of your choice for just $8. Atmosphere 3 A railroading town through and through, Roanoke is undoubtedly proud to have a hockey team that capitalizes on the city’s Steamtown lore. The Rail Yard Dawgs tend to put on a good show for their crowds, beginning with the blue smoke that pours into the seating bowl during the Dawgs’ entrance. Enter Sandman, whether an ode to nearby Virginia Tech or not, is still good listening and accompanies the team onto the ice. Speaking of the ice, it’s a bit swampy and watery – but what sheet in the South isn’t? Another potential detractor is the noise level of the PA announcer. No, he’s not too loud; rather, he’s much too quiet and is often drowned out by the crowd, the game, or both. But don’t let any of that stop you from getting up and getting loud when the home team scores – an electric diesel horn sounds when the Dawgs find the twine. It’s a very slick sound that’s apt for a locomotive-minded city such as Roanoke. Neighborhood 4 The Berglund Center is located near downtown Roanoke and all that the city has to offer. Two main attractions are located here and are worth a visit if you have time. Railroad geeks will want to stop at the Virginia Museum of Transportation, which only seems fitting if you’re also visiting for a Rail Yard Dawgs game. This large station contains over fifty pieces of rolling stock, including two Norfolk & Western Engines, along with many other steam and electric trains. There are also wings dedicated to both automobiles and the aviation industry in the state of Virginia. A few blocks from this gem is the Taubman Museum of Art, a state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2008 and contains ten galleries showcasing primarily 19th- and early 20th-century art. Downtown Roanoke is also home to a plethora of dining options, from laid-back burgers and barbecues to fancy steakhouses and fine dining establishments. It all depends on your tastes, but it’s rarely necessary to wander into the suburbs for a meal at a national chain. Fans 4 There aren’t many fans to pack Berglund Center during any given home game, but the loyalists who stick around are amongst the most engaged in the SPHL. From the typical “you suck!” chants to jeering the opposing players that find themselves in the penalty box…er,… dawg pound, there’s never really a dull moment on hockey night in the Star City. Access 3 Roanoke is the cultural and commercial hub of Southwest Virginia, nestled along Interstate 81 in the Roanoke Valley. I-81 begins at the Canadian border and passes through four states before stretching across western Virginia, ultimately terminating near Knoxville, TN. I-581 provides direct access from the interstate to the downtown core and the Berglund Center is conveniently located just off this spur. The center is surrounded by a massive parking lot, and there’s a $5 charge to park here. If the parking lot sells out (or if you’d just like to nab some free parking), you can park for no charge at a few downtown garages and take the complimentary shuttle bus to the arena. The arena itself is interesting to navigate. Fans aren’t able to walk around the concourse, as it’s closed off at Gates 1 and 12. This is because part of the concourse is used as a non-ticketed lobby of sorts, housing the box office and ticketing windows. Return on Investment 3 The cheapest seats in the coliseum start at $11 and go up to $24. It’s recommended to buy your tickets on the day of the game since they never sell out. By purchasing them online in advance, you’ll be subject to lots of additional fees. The Dawgs occasionally hold $7 discount days, which is an absolute bargain that you should take advantage of. Parking is $5; or, if you’re willing to walk or take the free shuttle from downtown, it can be free. Combined with concessions, a family of four is looking at spending approximately $150 for a hockey outing in Roanoke. Extras 2 The Star City’s most famous landmark, the Mill Mountain Star, is featured on the underside of the center-hung scoreboard – a simple, yet nice touch. The Dawgs have their very own mascot (or perhaps, conductor?) named Diesel, a loveable railyard dog. What else would he be? Final Thoughts It’s a bit pricey to see independent hockey in Roanoke, but if you love old barns and quality gameplay, then it might just be the place for you. Consider chugging on down to the Star City and stationing yourself at the Berglund Center.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Crown Coliseum 1960 Coliseum Dr. Fayetteville, NC 28306 Fayetteville Marksmen website Crown Coliseum website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 8,500 Making its Mark in Fayetteville While not built specifically for hockey, the Crown Coliseum has been home to minor league hockey since it first opened its doors in 1997. Until 2001, the Fayetteville Force kept the Coliseum full and the fans made it loud. Unfortunately, the novelty of hockey wore off with the locals, and the team folded along with many when the CHL condensed. The next year, the FireAntz came to town and several years later, the team continues to rank in the upper half of Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) attendance. The club acquired its current nickname after the 2016-2017 season when new ownership changed the name of the FireAntz to the Fayetteville Marksmen. The change reflects the city of relationship with the local United States Army post, Fort Bragg, as well as the native Carolina red fox. “The fox identifies with the Marksmen, as it is indigenous to the area, but is also wild, cagy, and ferocious characteristics showcased on the ice. And, much like the team, the fox exhibits a softer, cuddly side for kids, school events, and non-profit atmospheres,” team President Jeff Longo said. “With the community involvement, our mascot will be a role model for kids in Fayetteville, help bring attention to fundraising initiatives and provide entertainment at every game.” Food & Beverage 4 Crown Coliseum has an impressive spread of concessions. Just about anything you would want to find at a sporting event, the Coliseum is bound to have it. There is a huge, open area that the staff affectionately calls “the food court.” The food court features four different stands along with numerous carts. Coca-Cola is the beverage choice. Outside of the usual concessions, there are nuts, pastries, smoothies, and BBQ sandwiches. If you can’t find something you like at Crown Coliseum, you probably aren’t looking hard enough. Atmosphere 4 Even when the fans are into it, the Coliseum is bigger than most minor league arenas and it tends to drown out some of the energy. The Marksmen bring in an above-average amount of fans, yet it feels like less because the Coliseum is so big. The emptiness aside, the club knows how to make fans happy. There are theme nights, promotions galore, and many other ways for fans to get involved. The theme nights are all listed on the team’s website. There is scout night, military appreciation night, star wars night, and kids night, which is when I attended. For kids' night, each kid that bought a horn is invited to come onto the ice at intermission and blow as loud as they can. The promotions and games are generic (chuck-a-puck, dance-off, etc.). One issue the Coliseum has is the lack of multiple cameras. During games that focus on individual fans, it is hard to see them due to the lack of cameras. The Marksmen only have one camera, and it cannot focus on any one fan. In 2013, the Marksmen added an area for fans that is called “The Pub.” A simple idea, an open spot on the club level features a bar, a TV, and several tables. This offers fans a different perspective on the game at no extra charge to them. Neighborhood 1 The coliseum itself is part of a much larger complex called the Crown Center. Much like the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, the Crown Center has a small arena, ballroom, expo center, theatre, and the coliseum itself. The only problem with the Crown Center is the lack of business around it. The area offers ample parking, but few options for post-game festivities. The team tries to combat this by organizing post-game hangouts at Carolina Ale House, located not too far from the Crown Center. Fans 4 Although you may not believe it at first, these fans know a thing or two about hockey. They are loud and behave like some of the best puck heads around. The only problem is that there aren’t enough fans to fill the Coliseum. The fans that do come are excellent, banging on the boards, starting their cheers, and wearing the team’s jerseys. The only thing that detracts is the fact that the fans don’t fill the Coliseum. The Marksmen rank near the top of attendance numbers in the SPHL, yet the Crown Coliseum makes this rather large fan base look relatively small. Access 3 Fayetteville, North Carolina is part of the state’s I-95 corridor, making it an easy city to visit from anywhere on the east coast. The Crown Coliseum is only about 15 minutes off of the highway, an overall easy drive. Once inside the complex, the availability of parking is subject to what else is happening at the Crown Center. The night I attended, Bill Cosby was performing at the theatre making parking a little challenging. When the team is the only event of the night, parking is much easier. It may be a good idea to check schedules and see what else may be going on before you head out to a Marksmen game. Return on Investment 3 Even though it’s about on par, I can’t help but feel like $14 is a bit much for an upper-level ticket to a minor-league hockey game (a lower-level league as well). The story is the same with concessions. While not much more expensive than the average concessions, it just feels like you’re paying for more than what you are getting in return. Extras 3 The management goes to great lengths to try and get the town involved. These events happen about once a month and are simple ways that the team interacts with the city. There are post-game hangouts at the local Carolina Ale House, pre-game pep rallies at Hooters, meet and greets at Fazoli’s, and post-game on-ice meet and greets. One thing that amazes me about the Marksmen fans is the number of jerseys in the crowd. Normally, you expect to see a few of the team’s jerseys, but many other professional teams mixed in (especially with the Carolina Hurricanes being so close in Raleigh at PNC Arena). I don’t think I saw a single jersey that wasn’t a Marksmen one. I felt almost out of place not wearing one. The Marksmen name and logo tie in well with the local area and is a very sharp-looking design in the world of minor league hockey, When other clubs in the SPHL offer hokey and goofy designs, Fayetteville makes its “mark” with its jerseys and logos. Final Thoughts The Fayetteville Marksmen are an example of what minor league sports should be about. With a pro team only an hour away, the team knows that they have to be different from them. They embrace the city of Fayetteville and in turn, it seems the city has embraced the team. No minor league arena (or major league arena for that matter) is without its flaws, but the Crown Coliseum is an overall great place to see hockey, even if it’s not in a typical hockey market. The Crown Coliseum may not be the greatest hockey venue, but it is certainly one of the SPHL’s best.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Ford Center 5600 Division St. Evansville, IN 47715 Ford Center website Evansville Thunderbolts website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 9,000 A Bolt of Thunder in Evansville It was officially announced in March 2016 that the ECHL Evansville Icemen would relocate their operations to Owensboro, Kentucky after the conclusion of the season. The team also announced that it would be on hiatus and resume play for the 2017-2018 season at the renovated Owensboro Sportscenter in hopes of building a new facility somewhere down the road. However, those plans fell through and the club wound up moving to Jacksonville, Florida. Enter the Southern Professional Hockey League and placed an expansion franchise in town for the 2016-2017 season. The club was nicknamed the Thunderbolts after the WWII Fighter plane that was manufactured in the town. The Evansville plant produced 6,000 P-47 Thunderbolt planes and helped save the town during the war. The Ford Center is beautiful, modern, and perfect for minor league hockey with a seating capacity of 9,000 people. The $127.5 million indoor facility opened in 2009 and has been home to hockey since 2010. The cutting-edge design featuring a gorgeous interior and exterior design does not try to represent buildings of the past but set the tone for the future. The design should look as sharp now as it will 30 years from now. Food & Beverage 3 There are various concession areas throughout the main concourse that offer hot dogs, bratwurst, chicken tenders, pizza, mini corn dogs, French fries, popcorn, pretzels, and nachos. The prices are reasonable, and there is something for everyone. The more unique options are highlighted by chipotle cheddar burgers, loaded nachos with chicken or beef, pork tenderloin sandwiches, and grilled chicken sandwiches. The nachos are big enough to share for two and are a bargain at $8. If you are with the kids, they will enjoy chicken tender baskets and Dippin’ Dots ice cream. There is also a kiosk that serves falafel and baklava. Bud and Bud Light cans sell for $7.25 a can and local Carson’s Red Dawn and Tin Man Rivet are on tap for $8. Wine and well drinks are also available costing between $7.25-$8. Atmosphere 3 The game-time atmosphere at the Ford Center is somewhat peculiar. There is a lot of action taking place in the main lobby where fans enter and are greeted by staff personnel, the official team mascot, and Iceman cheerleaders. There is usually something that is given away for free and I can’t think of a better way to start your evening of hockey. Fans then hop on the escalator and move up to the main concourse toward their seats. This is where they will find the official team merchandise table, ticket information, and the Chuck-a-Puck table. It is also where they would find the majority of the concession menu items of the arena. There is a lot of synergy taking place on these two levels and one feels very energized before the game. Ford Center Escalators, Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Once fans enter the seating area and get a view of the ice, which was decorated in pink graffiti for Breast Cancer Awareness Night, they might take a look around the venue to see where everyone is at. They must be patient since fans arrive at the game right before the faceoff. However, looking around one might get the feeling that hockey takes a back seat to the Evansville Purple Aces basketball program; a collection of championship banners, retired jerseys, a memorial, and memorabilia in the front lobby adorn the building. Deservingly, the Aces have been the main sporting event in town for many years. Neighborhood 3 The Ford Center is in a nice part of downtown that appears to be up and coming. Fans walking the streets before and after the game are within a stone’s throw away from the Backstage Bar and Grill, Milano Italian Cuisine, and the Children’s Museum. Less than two miles away is Franklin Street which offers a few additional great restaurants including Lamasco Bar, Gerst Haus, and Bru Burger in a renovated Greyhound bus terminal. Carson’s Brewery is an ideal spot for craft beer, especially Carson’s where one can sample 25 different beers including Vanilla Cow, Sweet Leaf, and Red Hot Harlot, a cinnamon-infused honey blonde ale. Tami will serve you quite well in the room. Tip her well. There are plenty of lodging options in Evansville. They include the Fairfield Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, and Baymont Inn & Suites. The only decision is price and location, but you’re sure to find a nice price somewhere in town. Fans 4 The team has averaged between 2,000 to 2,300 fans during its time in the SPHL. The Evansville hockey supporter has been through a lot during the last decade. They welcomed the Icemen into ECHL in 2010, only to lose them to Owensboro in a public fiasco with its owner, and then quickly welcomed in an SPHL team. This could be quite irksome to any fanbase, but they have shown respectable support for minor league hockey in the River City. Another interesting note is the copious amounts of different jerseys worn by the fans during the game. There must have been at least 12 different styles during my final visit to see the Icemen in Evansville. Access 4 Being a downtown location you would think it would be difficult to find a parking spot. However, that is not the case for the Ford Center. There is free parking a couple of blocks away from the arena in vast lots. Many locals complain about the distance, but the walk does not seem to be that much of a problem. Inside the arena, there are plenty of restrooms that serve men, women, and families. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Bolts games start at $13 for upper deck seats and top out at $32 for glass seats. This is common with the other teams in the league and affordable with other minor league operations. You have your choice of ticket prices and the arena has more than enough tickets on most occasions. The parking is free and concession prices are varied and reasonable. Extras 3 The Ford Center provides great views of the ice from your seats and there is not a bad seat in the house. It is a great size for a minor league hockey arena and features a wraparound concourse for easy access. One final point for the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) for finally connecting Evansville to Indianapolis with the nearing completion of I-69. Instead of a 3-plus hour drive through multiple state roads and downtown squares, a motorist can drive a two-lane highway in much less time. Final Thoughts The Thunderbolts have created a new piece of history for the sport in the River City. Evansville’s history in minor league hockey is much younger compared with other teams in the league but they might just play in the best arena in the SPHL. The Ford Center is a fabulous state-of-the-art indoor venue for minor league hockey. The fanbase is strong, supportive, and knowledgeable; just give them a good product, and they will be back.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Mitchell Stadium Stadium Dr Bluefield, WV 24701 Bluefield State Big Blue website Mitchell Stadium website Year Opened: 1936 Capacity: 16,000 Football along the Border June Schott Field at Mitchell Stadium in Bluefield, WV is shared by 4 teams – the Rams of Bluefield University (NAIA), the Big Blue of Bluefield State University (D2), and two area high schools. This review will be about the fan experience during a Big Blue game; note the similarity between the two college’s names (who both play at the same venue to boot), so be mindful of which team is playing on which date. Mitchell Stadium opened in 1936 and was built during the Great Depression as part of FDR’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) – despite its age the 16,000-seat stadium maintains a modern feel due to some recent upgrades. The facility actually reminds me of UTEP’s football stadium, being that the two grandstands were carved out of the mountains; you can actually see the curvature of the hillside along the north side right behind the top of the stands, which is a cool feature. The venue is located inside the town of Bluefield’s city park, which straddles the VA-WV line, so if you had a mind to you could walk a few hundred feet from the stadium and be in a different state. Stadium Carved into the Hillside, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Food & Beverage 3 There are two concessions stands on the south side – the menu is limited but there is enough to get you by for a couple of hours during a game. The offerings consist of hot dogs and nachos (either can come with cheese and/or chili for $1 more), popcorn, chips, candy, and pickles, as well as coffee, canned or bottled Coke products, and bottled water. The prices are very reasonable, ranging from $1 for coffee (which is a great deal) to $4 for a hot dog/nachos with BOTH chili and cheese. Atmosphere 3 Of note at Mitchell Stadium are the bleachers carved out of the hillside, the modern turf field with brightly colored end zones (which are only lettered ‘Bluefield’ so as to be appropriate for all 4 teams which play here), and the live Great Dane mascot which fans are welcome to walk up and pet – the dog is huge but is very friendly. The staff also plays some really great music here, and those in attendance can be seen dancing along to it throughout the contest. There is also the requisite band and cheer squad, as well as a fixed stand selling Bluefield State team gear on the south end, so you will find all the standard accoutrements when attending a football game here. Bluefield State Big Blue Live Mascot, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 Mitchell Stadium is located in the small town of Bluefield, WV (population 10K) inside the city park, so there is not a whole lot in the area, but there are several great restaurants a few miles away along nearby Highways 19 or 460. Two places I recommend are Blue Spoon Café or Macado’s – Macado’s is a local favorite with several locations in WV/VA, and is most well-known for ‘overstuffed’ sub sandwiches, but it has a sports bar feel (including serving appetizers, wings, and burgers), so is a great place to hang out before or after the game if you want a beer and/or to catch other football games on TV. The stadium is several miles from I-77, which is the main (and perhaps only) path through the nearby mountains – if coming from the south you will most likely have to drive through the East River Mountain Tunnel. Most fans will take I-77 (from the north or south) and then take 460 west to the facility. Fans 2 The fans are great at Mitchell Stadium, and you can even see a handful of them out in the parking lot tailgating, but the stands are honestly pretty empty – at the game I attended most recently there were literally three people on the visiting side, and the home side wasn’t much better. In fairness the weather was pretty rainy, but it would be nice to see more fans at the games. Access 3 Getting in and out of Mitchell Stadium is pretty easy – getting to the stadium itself may be the harder part, since as mentioned before you probably have to come through the mountains to get here, which makes it a little trickier given the winding/indirect roads. But once you arrive there is free parking right below the stadium, just a short walk up some stairs (or a ramp) to the venue. The concessions and bathrooms (both are behind the south end zone) are also a quick walk from either the home or visiting stands, and the lines are super short, but I would note the bleachers are pretty steep, so you may not want to sit too high up. Return on Investment 3 Admission is only $12 to games here, parking is free, and concessions are very low cost, so it certainly won’t break the bank to take in a game here even if you are bringing a large group. Personally I love attending games at small stadiums like this, where you can get really close to the action on the field, but if you are looking for a large, raucous crowd you won’t find that here. There are certainly other football venues with larger crowds/more noise in the area if you prefer that scene, but if your favorite team is playing here that day, or you are just looking for a pleasant day out, attending a game at Mitchell Stadium is a great choice. Extras 2 The Big Blue have a great saying in “Guard the Hill”, and the graphics they show on screen throughout the game are pretty cool, especially the iconic Great Dane head. They also ring a victory bell after every home team score, and the midfield logo showing the (twin) states of Virginia and West Virginia (in a bold reddish color) is also a pretty sweet nod to the region.

Photos by Aaron S Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 The Bank of the James Stadium 3180 Fort Ave. Lynchburg, VA 24501 Lynchburg Hillcats website The Bank of the James Stadium website Year Opened: 1940 Capacity: 4,000 Minor League Baseball in the Virginia Hill Country Baseball had been played in Lynchburg, Virginia since 1886 and the city has represented many leagues from the Virginia League, the Appalachian League, the Southern League, and the South Atlantic League. Baseball has been played at one place since 1940, what is now called The Bank of the James Stadium was known as City Stadium for most of its 80 years. The first game took place in front of 7,000 fans on April 11, 1940, between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers. That same year it served as the home of the Lynchburg Senators of the Virginia League where 2,500 fans came out on opening day to watch the Senators play its first game. Later on that year the club captured the league championship. The stadium has been the home to Carolina League baseball since the 1966 season and the Hillcats since 1995. The man who brought Carolina League to town was Calvin Falwell who has served as the president of the Lynchburg Baseball Corporation since 1956 and was known as “Mr. Baseball”. The stadium would be rededicated in his honor in 2004 before the club secured naming rights with Bank of the James in 2020. The ballpark has gone through multiple renovations since 1978, but the most extensive rehab took place in 2002 when $6.5 million altered the look of the facility. The improvements included the completion of a brand new concourse with seatback chairs, two picnic areas, two new concession stands, eight luxury boxes, a new press box, and a brand new state-of-the-art scoreboard Food & Beverage 5 The Bank of the James Stadium has a great selection of food and beverage options for such a small stadium. Hot dogs, corn dogs, burgers, chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, pizza, pulled pork, brats, Italian sausage, and grilled chicken salad are all available at prices ranging from $3 to $8.50, including kid’s meals for $4. Numerous snack items are also available including nachos, peanuts, Cracker Jack, chips, French fries, mac ‘n cheese bites, pretzels, and Little Caesars crazy bread ($3 to $5). If you find yourself craving something sweet, The stadium also offers many different dessert items, including Oreo churros, several ice cream selections, and assorted types of candy ($2 to $5). Drink items are equally numerous, with selections including bottled water, fountain soda, Gatorade, Rockstar energy drinks, hot chocolate, several coffee choices, including cappuccino, and even beer and wine. Beer starts at $5, the wine starts at $6, and non-alcoholic drinks run $2 to $4. Atmosphere 3 The Bank of the James Stadium has comfortable seating, with wide chair back seats in the section behind home plate, and in the first few rows along the first and third baselines (most of the seats along the baselines are metal bleachers). Most of the section behind home plate is covered by a roof, so you will be protected from the sun (or rain) if you choose to sit there, which is actually the general admission section (unlike most sports venues where general admission would be the “worse” seats). The scoreboard at Calvin Falwell Field is pretty basic and does not include a video board, and the in-game activities between innings are pretty standard. Neighborhood 2 There is not a lot to do in the immediate vicinity of The Bank of the James Stadium, though the region offers plenty, such as Appomattox Court House National Park and the National D-Day Memorial both within a 30-minute drive. Less than a mile from the baseball field, though, is Fort Early, a Civil War-era battlefield with a couple of monuments, and you can also visit Amazement Square (a children’s museum) in downtown Lynchburg. Downtown is also the place to be if you are looking for a bite to eat while visiting – Depot Grille and Market on Main are both great choices. And if you are looking for a place to stay while in the area, most of the hotels near downtown are bed and breakfasts, but there are a slew of national chains southwest on Highway 29 near Liberty University, including a Hilton Garden Inn and a Fairfield Inn & Suites. Fans 2 The Lynchburg Hillcats averaged about 1,858 fans per game, with Sundays tending be the least attended. This ranks them second to last in the league. This level of attendance doesn’t lend itself to much crowd noise, although it does make it really easy to park and to get around the stadium. Access 3 Getting to The Bank of the James Stadium is not hard, per se, since there isn’t a lot of traffic in the area, but the venue does feel like it is a bit out in the middle of nowhere, so you won’t be able to use Interstates for much of your trip, meaning you will hit a lot of stoplights on your way in and out of town. The stadium does have some free parking on site, however, which is nice, in addition to some reserved parking slightly closer to the front entrance for about $6 per vehicle. Moving around the concourse is easy, thanks in part to the small crowd size, and there are no lines to speak of. The only downside really is that the parking lot is not that well kept up – on one recent visit, I ended up ruining a pair of sneakers, due to the summer heat being so bad it melted some of the asphalt. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to Lynchburg Hillcats games start at only $6, which is a pretty good deal and is in line with other minor league parks in the vicinity. Free parking is also a plus, and the concessions prices are reasonable, albeit coming in at a slightly higher price point perhaps than similar venues. The only downside is the out of the way location, so depending on where you live, you may be able to find a baseball game that is a little easier to get to. Extras 3 The Lynchburg Hillcats have a great logo, with nice bright colors, and there is a huge play area for the kids inside the park. It is the only ballpark in professional baseball that allows dogs to all home games. Also, the staff does a lot of great promotions throughout the year. Final Thoughts The atmosphere can be somewhat laid back and down-home at the ballpark. A Hillcats game is comfortable and relaxing but not over the top in excitement or exuberance. That said, there are other parks nearby you could visit with bigger crowds and better amenities. But if you do find yourself at The Bank of the James Stadium for a game, you will certainly have a decent time.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Dickerson Stadium Stadium Dr Dunbar, WV 25064 West Virginia State Yellow Jackets website Dickerson Stadium website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 5,000 Building Better in Dunbar Dickerson Stadium, home of the West Virginia State Yellow Jackets (yes, two words) is in the midst of some great renovations that will make the venue better and better over time. Opened in 1963 and holding 5,000 fans (about 20% more than the school’s enrollment), the facility recently added a turf field, lighting so the team can host night games, a new athletics center on the northwest side, and new bleachers on the visiting side – next on the list, when they receive enough donations, is a new set of home stands complete with press box and new concessions. Food & Beverage 4 The concessions selection at Dickerson Stadium is not bad, but not as wide as at some other sports venues you might have been to – on offer are pizza, hot dogs, nachos, candy, chips, popcorn, canned soda, bottled water, coffee, hot cocoa, Gatorade. The pizza is actually phenomenal, however, and on the plus side the prices are very low – canned sodas and bottled water are only $1 each, which is crazy good, and the most expensive thing on the menu is only $4 (hot dog with chili; a slice of pizza or hot dog sans chili is only $3). Note that the concessions are cash only, however, so please plan accordingly. Atmosphere 4 The staff does a lot here to enhance the gameday atmosphere, which makes up for the still dated home stands – for example before the game and after WVSU scores, the stadium lights flicker on and off in various sequences (during night games only of course), which is a really great effect for fans to see – this occurs most prominently between the 3rd and 4th quarters and at halftime, as well as after WVSU scores. There is also what I call a ‘glitter cannon’, which launches gold foil confetti into the air after each Yellow Jacket score, which is another great effect, especially at night when the accompanying light show makes the foil pieces glitter even brighter. The Jackets also have a great mascot (Yellow Jacket-dressed individual, complete with stinger) who leads the team onto the field, and a great band in the form of the WVSU Marching Swarm. The cheerleaders also perform (from a spot right in front of the home side bleachers) throughout the game to pump up the fans in attendance. Yellow Jacket Mascot, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey The only drawback I would mention is the wooden bleachers on the home side, which are peeling and at least in need of new paint, if not replacement – but as I mentioned the University is planning to upgrade these as soon as possible. The metal bleachers on the visiting side are actually in better shape, so I would recommend sitting there instead if you want to avoid potential splinters (although of course the visiting side doesn’t have any concessions below it, so it would mean extra walking if you do sit over there). I would also mention the scoreboard is static, so if you miss a play you will not be able to re-watch it on screen; there is a videoboard section, however, that plays team graphics sometimes, such as during third downs or after home team scores. There is also a team gear stand near the main entrance. Neighborhood 3 Dickerson Stadium is located on the banks of the Kanawha River (pronounced Ka-naw) in the small town of Dunbar, WV. The Pitch Sports Bar & Grill is nearby, as is Ridge View BBQ, which oddly enough boasts the best wings in the state. There is not a lot to do in Dunbar itself, being mainly home to West Virginia State University, but Charleston is only 5-10 minutes away, which offers plenty of hotel, dining, and entertainment options if you plan to be in town for the day or weekend. Fans 4 WVSU football boasts some pretty solid fans, the home stands being pretty full even in years when the team is not doing so well on the field. You will also see plenty of fans sporting the Yellow Jackets black and gold, and those in attendance cheer loudly for their team. Access 3 Dickerson Stadium is easy to get to, not far from I-64 and only a few miles down the road from Charleston, WV (where I-77 and I-64 meet up). There is also free parking right in front of the facility, making for an easy walk into the stadium. The main entrance is actually on the visiting side, but there is a walking path around the southeast end (the northeast end is blocked off to fans) so you can get to the home stands. Dickerson Stadium Main Entrance, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey The only concessions are located underneath the home stands, as are the only bathrooms. The bathrooms themselves are a little dilapidated, but again the school is planning to replace the whole shebang on the home side as soon as they get the funding, so this should improve over time. Return on Investment 4 Admission is only $15 for football games at Dickerson Stadium, which is a great deal to see college football, especially adding in the cheap concessions and free parking. This is a pretty good return on investment for the mostly-modern stadium, with new lights, new brightly colored turf, and the light shows, mascot, and cheer squads enhancing your experience. Extras 3 The Yellow Jackets have great uniforms – black shirts and black pants with a large gold logo on one side of the helmet. The scoreboard also displays game stats throughout the game, i.e. rushing yards/passing yards/penalties, which is not common but great for football junkies who like to keep track of such things. I also can’t say enough about the light shows throughout the game. Final Thoughts West Virginia State University is a D2 program, so you may not expect much from your visit. Certainly it doesn’t have all the pomp and ceremony of some of the bigger FBS programs, for example, but it is a great experience for this level of football, and on the plus side the small, intimate stadium means it is much easier to move around than the larger venues, and you can also get much, much closer to the action – if you are able I would definitely recommend a visit to Dickerson Stadium. Go, Jackets!

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Constellation Field 1 Stadium Drive Sugar Land, TX 77498 Sugar Land Space Cowboys website Constellation Field website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 7,500 Traveling Through Space with the Cowboys The Sugar Land Space Cowboys made their debut for the 2022 Pacific Coast League season. It was a bold new name for the Houston Astros Triple-A affiliate that is a 30-minute ride from Minute Maid Park. The space connection between the two organizations hopes to solidify a partnership that began in 2020 after MLB cut ties with 40 ball clubs in the minor leagues. The team began operations as the Sugar Land Skeeters in the independent Atlantic League in 2012. A league where most of its members were situated in eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Long Island, New York. The hope at the time of its expansion into Texas was to have more cities nearby, but by the time the ball club left in 2021, the closest opponent was 1,130 miles away in High Point, North Carolina. Constellation Field cost $37 million to build and includes 7,500 seats, a wraparound concourse, and a Texas-shaped scoreboard. The focus is for fans to enjoy various food and drink options and allow time for the kids to enjoy areas such as the Splash Zone and Playland behind the center field. Food & Beverage 4 Constellation Field has an eclectic abundance of food from your normal ballpark snacks to a few local options. The Galactic Grill stands are the main areas for your favorites that include hot dogs, corn dogs, chicken tenders, burgers, fries, pretzels, peanuts, popcorn, and soda. If you are with the kids, this is the spot, but also check out the bottomless popcorn buckets at the Buttered & Boozed stand on the 1st base side of the concourse. The regional options include nachos that include barbecue and Buffalo chicken style at the TEX-MEX stand and a few feet from it is the Burger Kitchen that serves scratch-made burgers and chicken tender baskets. These are more of the grown-up variety and come in huge portions. Not so huge are the slices at The Slice Pizza Spot where fans can purchase a regular slice or one topped with pepperoni. Once again, perhaps a stop for the little ones. Behind the outfield concourse is probably the best spot for barbecue and for around under $15 gets you a two-meat combo of either brisket, pulled pork, sausage links, or sliced brisket. The beer options include macro brands from Miller, Modello, and Much Ultra, but also Houston’s own St. Arnold Brewing Company. The 20-ounce cans are available out of the coolers in the grab-and-go section. Another area brewery, Karbach Brewing Company sells the Crawford Bock cans that are designed like the Astros tequila sunrise uniforms of 1975-1986. Atmosphere 4 An honest-to-goodness atmosphere that is a collection of die-hards and casual fans enjoying a night out of baseball with friends and family. The ballpark has a little bit of everything that begins with a nice look at the ballpark exterior and main entrance located down the third baseline. The Pool Pavilion is located in the left field corner, is geared towards children only, and includes water spouts to cool them off during the hot summer heat. Adjacent to the pool is the kid’s play land that features a brand new sports court and playground options. The Bud Light Ice House features a bar, outdoor games, and Adirondack chairs behind the center field wall. Next door to the bar is the splash zone, another area for the kids to get wet during the game, and is open to any single ticket holder. The area features buckets of water raining down on the kids, while they forget a baseball game is taking place. The Grass Land is where the lawn seats are located and features a nice even slope to enjoy the game, a small narrow bridge connects the seating area with the main concourse. There are also a few inflatable rides for the kids down the third base end of the concourse. This is among the better kids’ zones at a minor-league ballpark. Orion is the official mascot of the team and he can be found throughout the stadium. The souvenir shop offers an ample amount of team merchandise from t-shirts, caps, and official team jerseys. The colorful look, styles, and branding could keep visitors busy for a while in the crowded shop. The scoreboard lights up with the team colors of light blue, orange, and navy blue once it gets dark. Neighborhood 3 Sugar Land is one of the most affluent and fastest-growing cities in Texas. Its population has boomed from 24,529 in 1990 to 117,869 in 2018. A former company town that was home to Imperial Sugar only became a general law city in 1959. Current plans call for transforming the former Imperial Sugar plant into a mix-used lifestyle center that looks to open sometime in 2019. The 850,000 square foot area will be within walking/biking distance of the ballpark and features an upscale restaurant and retail space, residential units, a hotel, and the Ft. Bend Children’s Discovery Center. All around the ballpark you can see residential and retail complexes popping up that will create a walking and livable space for the ballpark. Downtown Houston is 19 miles away, but traffic can seem much further. There are enough restaurants and places to keep you busy in Sugar Land. Sugar Land Square is a primary entertainment district featuring restaurants, sidewalk cafes, shopping venues, and a public plaza. Jupiter Pizza and Waffle Company, The Rouxpour, The Sugar Refinery, and The Burning Pear are just a few of the local options to choose from at the square. If you are in search of Tex-Mex and barbecue options, Brookstone BBQ, Rudy’s Bar-B-Que, Torchy’s Tacos, Lopez Mexican Restaurant, and Lupe Tortilla are among the options. Fans 3 The Cowboys average attendance was 3,412 fans per game this past season, well over 1,000 fewer who saw them play as the Skeeters in the season before the pandemic. The stadium experience was not too much different when there were the Skeeters and many parents enjoyed a break with their children running around the kids zone in the outfield. Access 4 The ballpark is easy to navigate through games. The concourse is wide, wraps around the field, and offers plenty of signage for exits, concessions, and bathrooms. The stadium itself is located a few miles off Highway 90 and near Interstate 69. The only spot that gets a bit cumbersome is walking behind the pool pavilion toward the kid’s play area. Return on Investment 4 The lowest ticket for a game is $10 and parking is equal in price. All ticket purchases are digital and cannot be purchased at the team’s box office at the stadium. The cost of food and drinks averages as low as a regular hot dog at $6.19 to as high as $12.99 for barbecue nachos. Merchandise is plenty and there are various styles and colors to choose from at the gift shop. The ballpark is officially a Triple-A ballpark, but still the Double-A design that was quite popular in the Atlantic League when it was built. Extras 4 Sugar Land receives a point for the Texas-shaped scoreboard, somewhat reminiscent of the one that stood at Arlington Stadium between 1972-1993. The scoreboard is a definite focal point of the ballpark and lights up after a club wins. The kids zone offers a splash pad playground and areas for outdoor games. The spaced theme areas include the Galatic Grill, a mural featuring the club’s mascot, and the playing of the Jonzons Crew 1983 song “Space Cowboy” after a win. The final point is for the indoor batting cage that is available for fans during the game. Final Thoughts Constellation Field offers a nice alternative for baseball in the Houston area; it is a place where families can sit back and enjoy a night out without paying for an arm and a leg. There is plenty of activity to keep the kids busy and numerous seating options to make it a decent night of baseball.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 CAA Arena 265 Cannifton Rd Belleville, ON K8N 4V8 Belleville Senators website CAA Arena website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 4,400 From Bulls to Sens The best word to describe the city of Belleville, Ontario in 2015 was shocked. From 1981 to 2015 the residents supported the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League. Always a bit of an underdog situation with a modest population of just over 50,000, it never seemed that the Bulls were in too much danger. However, it was the changing landscape of the American Hockey League that would really make huge changes in Belleville. The affiliate for the Montreal Canadiens had been in Hamilton, Ontario for a number of years. However, the Canadiens had intentions of bringing their affiliate back to Quebec, in a brand new building to be built in Laval. The long-term survival of the Hamilton franchise was in doubt without the draw of the Canadiens affiliation. It was at that point that Hamilton Bulldogs owner Michael Andlauer made a quick move to simultaneously sell the Bulldogs and purchase the Belleville Bulls and move them to Hamilton to become the Bulldogs of the OHL. Belleville was left without hockey. After two years, Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk would purchase the Binghamton Senators and move them to Belleville. Hockey would return in 2017. The franchise was originally christened in New Haven as the Nighthawks. In 1992 they would become the Senators, move to Prince Edward Island in 1993 and then Binghamton in 2002. Home for the Senators is the CAA Arena. Formerly known as the Yardmen Arena, it was originally built in 1978 by the Belleville Yardmen, a group of railroaders who would raise more than $3 million. It is part of the larger Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre. With the arrival of the American Hockey League, Yardmen would undergo significant renovations to the tune of over $20 million. The most significant renovations would be to increase the arena capacity and change the size of the ice rink from international dimensions to NHL dimensions. To help placate the costs of the renovations, the city owned arena would sell the naming rights to the arena in 2018 to the Canadian Automobile Association in a seven year deal. Food & Beverage 4 The concessions selection at CAA Arena is strong. Three main concession stands offer different features at each. The Sidney Slice offers pepperoni and cheese pizza slices as well as deluxe nachos, which include beef brisket. The Front Street Grill offers hot dogs, sausage, burgers, chicken burgers, chicken tenders, fries and poutine. The Cannifton Carvery offers beef brisket sandwiches, chili cheese dogs and chili served in a bread bowl. Most stands also offer arena staples like popcorn and candy. Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice at the CAA Arena. Coffee, water and iced tea are also available. Coors Light, Molson Canadian, Strongbow Cider and Bacardi Breezer are available for fans who wish an alcoholic alternative. Prices are about what one would expect for concessions at minor league hockey. Atmosphere 3 CAA Arena is part of the larger Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre. The exterior of the arena itself is not overly spectacular; a dark upper portion with non-descript entrances. The better view of the building is probably from the back side, where fans must enter through Quinte. CAA Arena is not huge or intimidating from the exterior and could probably pass for an industrial building on the exterior. On the inside, the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre brings all of the pieces together. The CAA Arena as well as swimming facilities and other hockey arenas are all joined together with a bright and vibrant concourse. The upper level of the back side of the building will give fans the opportunity to meander through the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame. The local sports halls of fame are always fun to explore just to see who can be found. The highlights in Belleville are new inductee Andrew Raycroft and Bobby and Dennis Hull. The arrival of the AHL and Senators in Belleville has brought an updated colour scheme to the CAA Arena. Bright red, white and black entrances into the arena are new and welcoming, even proclaiming to welcome fans home. Inside, the concourses are fairly open giving a consistent view of the ice. The numerous levels featured at CAA Arena offer plenty of little corners and odd spots to view the game which are perfect for the standing room only fan. The south end of the arena offers bar seating and a social area as well as club seating. Upgrades to the arena are noticeable when entering the seating bowl. Lower and upper levels still remain, but the north end of the building has been opened up and numerous seats have been added to increase capacity. Also, fans can see how the ice surface has shrunk down to an NHL size rink. Ice level is fairly wide open now and moving around at the bottom is easy. Older seating is immediately identifiable as the lighter green seats are older than the darker ones. There is nothing wrong with the older seats, but it does give fans a unique perspective on the different iterations of the arena. The brand new video board is above centre ice and at the south end of the arena hangs a simple score clock. The sound system is also new and crystal clear. Unfortunately, remnants of the old Belleville Bulls days are gone. There are no banners hanging to commemorate the old days. The only banner hanging is in the north end and signifies the inaugural 2017-2018 season in the AHL. The game day experience in Belleville is not atypical. A fairly decent selection of music is played during down moments in the game. The Senators employ an in-game host who leads the promotions. Theme nights are also part of the experience. The game that was reviewed featured Super Hero Night and Spider-Man, Iron Man and Deadpool were in attendance and ready for photo ops. Neighbourhood 3 Belleville is not a huge city, but there are a few options for pre and post game fare. CAA Arena is located in a fairly residential area, immediately east of the Moira River. There is not much within walking distance of the arena, so hopping in the car is the best idea. Some of the restaurants fans should consider include the Slapshot Bar & Grill, Quinte Restaurante, Linguine’s, Burger Revolution, Northway Family Restaurant and the Boathouse. In Belleville, the Senators are basically the only game in town. There is not much in the way of other sports in Belleville. As for other activities, heading south toward the lake early in the season will bring fans to a number of different parks. Also, fans may consider the Glanmore National Historic Site. For fans wishing to stay in the Belleville area, there are a number of options. Comfort Inn Belleville and Best Western Belleville are both options to consider. Fans 2 It’s hard to fully get a grasp on the situation in Belleville. All were shocked when the Bulls were sold and moved to Hamilton, but closer analysis sees that the Bulls were consistently near the bottom of the OHL in attendance. The upgrades to the arena have surely helped, but it is hard to say that the situation in Belleville has changed much. Truth be told, AHL hockey is much different than OHL hockey and only time will tell if Belleville truly embraces the AHL experience. In their inaugural season, the Senators averaged just over 3,600 fans per game which ranked them last in the AHL in attendance. In their second season, attendance has fallen off a bit. Although it would seem that the Senators affiliation with Belleville would be a positive, the Senators have been pretty bad in Ottawa in recent years and the fans have been not-so-subtly revolting against owner Eugene Melnyk. It is too early to say that the Senators in Belleville are a failure, but they still have a ways to go to be proven a success. Fans in the stands are pretty reserved and quiet, but do get loud for the big play or goal. Access 4 Getting to the CAA Arena is not difficult at all. For those coming from out of town, CAA Arena is located immediately south of the Macdonald-Cartier Expressway or Highway 401. Fans will not have to travel too much through the city to get there. There is plenty of free parking at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre. For those looking for the public transit option, there is a bus stop right in front of the arena. There is also a shuttle bus which runs from the Quinte Mall. Fans are encouraged to check out the Belleville Conventional Transit website for fares, schedules and maps. Getting around the CAA Arena is not terrible, but the concourses can be on the narrow side and there are plenty of stairs to get around to the different levels of the arena. The washroom facilities are also more than adequate. Return on Investment 4 Going to a Belleville Senators game will not break the bank. Tickets for the Sens will run between $23 and $27. There is a surcharge of $2 for premium games. Parking is free and concession prices are what one would expect. The product on the ice is decent and the game day production is good as well. Extras 3 Two extra marks for the City of Belleville not giving up on hockey after the shock of losing the OHL’s Belleville Bulls. An extra mark for Belleville’s own superfan who dresses up and celebrates each goal with cymbals. He also travels the arena to different sections to share the joy. Final Thoughts The return of hockey to Belleville was absolutely necessary. What the future holds for the Senators will be interesting. The residents of Belleville need to fully embrace the Senators and AHL and get out to the arena to make the Senators at CAA Arena an even better experience. When near Belleville, it is a great plan to check out the CAA Arena and the Belleville Senators. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Place Bell 1950 Rue Claude-Gagne Laval, QC H7N 0E4 Laval Rocket website Place Bell website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 10,062 L’Éclat Rouge des Rocket In 2015, Hamilton Bulldogs owner Michael Andlauer sold his AHL franchise to the Montréal Canadiens. The Bulldogs had been the affiliate of the Canadiens from 2002 and would immediately and temporarily relocate to St. John’s, Newfoundland to be rebranded as the St. John’s IceCaps. However, the long view of the NHL franchise was to have their American Hockey League affiliate much closer. In 2017, the IceCaps relocated to Laval, Québec, just north of the Island of Montréal and their brand new facility, Place Bell. The IceCaps were immediately rebranded as the Laval Rocket, a tribute to the most popular Canadien ever, Maurice “Rocket” Richard. Laval followed the lead of the former QMJHL team the Montréal Rocket, who played out of Aréna Maurice-Richard in Montréal and eventually moved to Prince Edward Island. Place Bell was built by the City of Laval with the Canadiens affiliate in mind. Place Bell opened its doors in 2017 at a cost of $200 million. As of 2022, it is the second newest venue in the AHL and provides a very different environment than the other AHL venues or the cross town parent club. Food & Beverage 4 Concession options at Place Bell are pretty decent. The biggest issue with concessions is that patrons will have to maneuver the French menus. Lafleur hot dogs and Pizza Pizza slices are easily recognizable. Poutine, fries, chocolate, candy and cotton candy are all readily available. The soft drink of choice is Coca-Cola and coffee and other hot beverages are also available. What looks like a fairly pedestrian menu gets a bump up with the presence of Montréal Smoked Meat sandwiches and a wide variety of alcoholic beverages beyond just the popular Molson Export beer. A little Google Translate may be in order, but getting through the menu is possible. Atmosphere 3 Approaching Place Bell, fans will immediately be struck by its exterior. As the newest AHL facility at the time of this writing, Place Bell has a presence in the neighborhood and is not inconspicuous. The venue is highlighted by a large, white upper exterior that, for the moment, looks clean and sharp. The entrance to the main facility is well below the white facade and features a glass entrance into a very small entryway. To the west end of the building are the other parts of a larger complex, including an Olympic sized ice surface with room for over 2,000 spectators. Entry into the concourses at Place Bell lead to a fairly attractive breezeway with plenty of red accents. The relatively short history of the Rocket becomes painfully obvious as the murals along the concourse walls do not share historic moments for the club but their American Hockey League schedule, franchise map and up to date standings. A small area featuring promotional games, picture opportunities with the Rocket mascot Cosmo and cornhole games can be found in the east concourse. Entry into the seating bowl assaults fans with the stark contrasts Place Bell offers. The ceiling seats and walls are all very dark and for pregame, the lights are turned low. A platform on the southeast corner is the spot for the local DJ and intermission act for the concert series. A smoke machine works in the area to give the arena an eerie feel. The four sided videoboard at centre-ice is brand new and crystal clear. On the south side of the videoboard are flags as well as the Canadian Division Champions banner for 2021. The seating bowl features a single bowl with an upper deck equating to a capacity of 10,062. One of the most curious features of Place Bell is the lighting, which does not hang over the ice but around the upper perimeter similar to an outdoor facility. The gameday production is bold for sure. There is very little that is traditional about a Rocket game. As compared to a Canadiens experience, the Rocket are significantly more French with fewer bilingual and translated items. Goals and penalties are bilingual yet promotions by the in-game host are exclusively in French. The production is much more like a nightclub rather than a traditional hockey game. French hip hop music is dominant and the in house DJ mashes much of the musical selections. The lighting is also treated like a club with strobe-like effects on the pregame and moving spotlights like one would find at a concert. It is different for sure and is probably more divisive than what hockey fans are used to. Neighbourhood 4 Place Bell is located north of the Prairies River, in the Laval-des-Rapides neighbourhood, close to retail and education. Centre Laval and Quartier Laval offer large scale shopping options within walking distance of the arena. Montmorency College is right across the road as well as a Université de Montréal campus. Not as flashy as a big city, downtown area, Laval does offer some spots, both local and chain, for pre and post game food. La Belle Province is a local favourite and there are plenty of Italian restaurants in the area including Restaurant Terracina and Lugano’s. For other sporting options, fans will have to head south, into Montréal for the Canadiens, Alouettes, or CF Montréal. University sports are well represented also with the McGill Redbirds, Concordia Stingers, Montréal Carabins and UQAM Citadins. Fans could also head north for some QMJHL hockey with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Fans looking for other cultural experiences in the immediate area could go to the Musée de la santé Armand-Frappier, a local science centre, or head back into Montréal for all it has to offer. Le St-Martin Hotel, Holiday Inn and Comfort Inn are all close for accommodations. Fans 4 Averaging between 4,000 and 6,000 fans, the Laval Rocket find themselves smack dab in the middle of the AHL attendance rankings. Attendance has shrunk a bit since the opening of Place Bell, however the coronavirus pandemic has played havoc with crowd sizes all over the place and it will be interesting to see where the Rocket settle in. Fans are generally more boisterous than your average Canadian fans, however they are not nearly as committed or loud as fans of the parent Canadiens. Access 4 Place Bell is located in the Laval-des-Rapides neighbourhood of Laval. Laval is essentially a suburb of Montréal, north of the island. Montréal traffic is as much an issue as any other big city and getting into Laval depends on where a fan is coming from. Place Bell is located immediately east of Autoroute 15 and south of Autoroute 440. There is plenty of parking around the arena at the campus of Montmorency College. For fans wanting to head to the game taking public transportation, there are a number of options and a major Metro Station is within a few steps of Place Bell. The Gare de la Concorde Train station is a few blocks east of the arena. Fans should check the Société de Transport de Montréal or Société de Transport de Laval websites for fares, maps and schedules. Getting around the arena is not difficult at all and the washroom facilities are adequate for the crowd at hand. With the coronavirus pandemic protocols and security protocols are constantly changing. Stadium Journey emplors fans to consult the Place Bell and Laval Rocket websites to get the most up to date security and protocol information possible. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the Laval Rocket go from $19 through $49 in advance of gameday. Excellent seats can be had from $33 down and the excellent sightlines gives Rocket fans the opportunity to enjoy the game from just about anywhere for a very reasonable price. Parking will cost a few dollars for fans arriving by car and, of course, the Metro or other public transportation would also cost a few dollars. Concession prices are about what one would expect and the product on the ice is good. Laval is not as established an AHL club as one would find on the east coast, but they are finding their niche as a cheaper alternative to the parent Canadiens. Extras 2 An extra mark for the continued honouring of Montréal Canadiens legend Maurice “Rocket” Richard, probably the most popular Canadien of all time, with the naming of the team. An extra mark for the Rocket attempting to create a very different sporting experience. Final Thoughts As one of the newest AHL franchises, the Laval Rocket are establishing their niche in the Montréal sports market. Place Bell is shiny and new and central to the Laval community and fans will enjoy a trip to see some hockey there. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.