Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Maryland Softball Stadium 8537 Paint Branch Dr College Park, MD 20740 Maryland Terrapins website Maryland Softball Stadium website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 1,000 Turtle Ball The University of Maryland, College Park, was founded in 1856. It is recognized as the flagship school of the University of Maryland system. The University of Maryland has traditionally been known as a basketball school. As a longtime member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the university has seen a great deal of basketball success under coaches such as Lefty Driesell and Gary Williams, even winning a national championship in 2002. Softball has not been one of the more visible teams on campus. They have only been around since 1995, but have made the 2010, 2011 and 2012 NCAA Tournaments. Opened in 2002 the University of Maryland Softball Stadium sits right alongside the Xfinity Center. Food & Beverage 2 The food offerings are pretty simple. But the variety and prices are not bad for a college stadium in this area. Hot dogs are $3, with pretzels ($3), popcorn ($3.25) and cracker jacks ($3) making up the bulk of the menu. Sodas and water are $3. Atmosphere 2 The stadium is a nice stadium tucked away between Xfinity Center and Paint Branch Drive. There are stands that run from the first base to third base sides. The seats under the press box and behind home plate are regular seats whereas the rest of the stadium is bench seating. The view behind the fences is mixed. There are plenty of green trees above the fence, but you can see the busy street right behind the fence. The street action can be a bit noisy. Neighborhood 3 The neighborhood is a mixed bag. The softball stadium is far from the main part of campus, with only the Xfinity Center and some other athletic fields in the area. The town of College Park is located directly south of the campus along U.S. Route 1. RJ Bentley’s Filling Station, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Jimmy John’s, Ledo Pizza, and Five Guys are all good options in this “downtown” area. Looney’s Pub and Bobby’s Burger Palace are two other great options, and are located in The Varsity building (8150 Baltimore Ave) north of the downtown area, and may be even closer to the stadium if walking. The Sheraton College Park North Hotel at 4095 Powder Mill Road in nearby Beltsville is the best lodging choice, but it is not within walking distance of the campus. You will always have the dizzying array of Washington, DC options to choose from. The College Park Station of the Washington Metro is close by, and is your best bet for getting to DC, as the traffic and parking situation is far from ideal. Fans 3 Fans of Maryland softball tend to primarily be family or friends of the players. What this means is that weekend and later afternoon games will be busier than early afternoon weekday games. The fans who do attend really care about the game and are extremely knowledgeable. Access 3 The University of Maryland is not far from the Washington Beltway. But it is just far enough away that getting to the stadium is not too easy, either. U.S. 1 and University Boulevard are full of traffic lights, and will be very full of traffic, even on non-game days. Depending on game times, there should be plenty of free parking in nearby lots. Look at the signs closely as rules and regulations will differ greatly between parking lots. If travelling to the game via the Washington Metro, get off at the College Park Station and take the shuttle directly to the campus. Head towards Xfinity Center as the stadium is close to that. Return on Investment 4 There is no charge for University of Maryland softball games so the return on investment is quite good. Extras 2 See if you can stop into the Xfinity Center on the way to the softball game and catch a glimpse of the 2002 men’s and 2006 women’s national championship trophies. Wander over after the game to see Cole Fieldhouse as construction changes it to an enclosed football practice facility. In 1966 that arena was where Texas Western (now UTEP) upset Kentucky for the national championship. Final Thoughts The University of Maryland Softball Stadium is a nice little stadium that is tucked away behind a much more famous athletic facility. It should still be a stop for any dedicated sports fan.

Photos by James Hilchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Duane Banks Fields 960 Stadium Dr Iowa City, IA 52242 Iowa Hawkeyes website Duane Banks Fields website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 3,000 Hawkeyes on the Diamond Duane Banks Field, originally the Iowa baseball field, opened in 1974 when Duane Banks was the manager. The Hawkeyes went on to tie for the Big Ten Conference that season with an 11-4 conference record. Banks was a legendary coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes baseball team, taking over in 1970 and remaining head coach until the end of the 1997 season. Banks compiled an 810-575-4 record in his tenure at Iowa and led the Hawkeyes to their only College World Series appearance in 1972. In 2001, the Iowa baseball field was renamed Duane Banks Field. Hawkeye baseball alums include Jim Sundberg, Mike Boddicker, and Wes Obermueller. Upgrades have been made to the stadium over the years including stadium chair back seats behind home plate in order to entice season ticket holders. Wooden bleachers were replaced with metal bleachers on either side of the stadium seats and fencing and drainage were also improved. Lights were installed in 2002, and paid for by a donation by former Hawkeye and major league pitcher, Cal Eldred. More recently, a new video board was installed over the left field wall. The next phase will include more stadium seating and a new press box. Food & Beverage 3 Currently, only credit cards are accepted. Duane Banks Field just covers the basics. Hot dogs, brats, and walking tacos along with nachos, popcorn, pretzels, candy, and ice cream are available and range from about $3-$6. Coke products are the soda of choice, with bottles being $4. A relatively new addition to the menu is beer, which can be had for $7. With some quality restaurants in the area, you’re better off just having a snack and something to drink and taking in the good eats around town before or after the game. Atmosphere 3 The ballpark is aesthetically pleasing. The field is well manicured and trees line your view beyond the outfield wall. Stadium seating is below the press box but is largely for season ticket holders. Until the planned upgrades are made, bleacher seating makes up the rest of the ballpark. There are no bad views anywhere in the ballpark. During the game, Herky the Hawk makes the rounds entertaining fans and getting them involved in the game, while cheerleaders entertain the crowd between innings. The Hawkeyes have hit on the right balance of in-game entertainment without overdoing it. Neighborhood 4 Duane Banks Field is located amongst the other sports stadiums on the University of Iowa campus and, frankly, there is nothing to see. However, there is plenty to do and see in Iowa City, all within a few miles of the sports stadiums. If you are looking for somewhere to have a drink before or after the game, the Vine Tavern and Eatery and the Wig and Pen Pizza Pub are directly across Second Street. Wig and Pen offers up some great pizza (go with the thin crust) and the fried pickles are highly recommended. For those that like the outdoors, there are plenty of parks as the Iowa River runs through Iowa City. The scenery is gorgeous and while plenty of people are out enjoying the weather, the parks don’t seem overcrowded. Less than two miles east are a couple places definitely worth seeing. The University of Iowa Museum of Natural History and the Old Capitol Museum are downtown. The Old Capitol Museum, built in 1840, was where Iowa made the transition to statehood. The old building is well worth seeing and the architecture is tremendous. The Natural History Museum is great for kids. Both have free admission and are well worth a look. Directly across the street from the Old Capitol Museum is The Airliner Bar. The Airliner has a tremendous atmosphere, plenty of televisions for sports of all kinds, and daily food and drink specials. Airliner has been around for 70+ years, so it’s no surprise to always find it busy. There are plenty of hotels in the area, with the Hampton Inn being the recommended choice. Fans 3 An overwhelming majority of fans wear something black or gold (University of Iowa colors) at the games. If you don’t wear those colors, you will certainly stand out in the crowd. The fans are pleasant to any fans of the visiting team. Herky gets the crowd going early and the fans are engaged throughout, which adds to the college baseball atmosphere. There is usually a good mixture of both students and other fans in attendance. Access 3 The field is located a couple miles off I-80. Parking is free and there is plenty of it when there aren’t other bigger sporting events going on concurrently. Duane Banks Field is easy to get in and around. The walkways at the bottom of the seating bowl are wide and there are no problems maneuvering around the seating bowl. Restrooms are an issue. They are located on the third base side, are not overly large, and could use some upgrades. They are handicap accessible. Much like the concessions, you may be standing in line for a while, but they have added some portable toilets to help a bit. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children. Parking is free. While concessions are a little on the high side, you can still take in a game for a very reasonable price and see some quality college baseball. Extras 2 Herky’s Locker Room has a stand behind home plate. Here, you can buy Iowa Hawkeye shirts, hats, and other Hawkeye merchandise. Kind of a fun promotion, each time a visiting player strikes out, t-shirts are thrown into the crowd. Final Thoughts When one thinks of Hawkeye sports, baseball may not be the first sport that comes to mind. The Hawkeyes are building a successful program and Banks Field and a fun town with a lot of different options makes for a quality experience in Iowa City.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Goodrich Park 705 Chandler Lane Crawfordsville, IN 46250 Wabash College baseball website Goodrich Park website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 500 Have a Good Time at Goodrich Park Wabash College is a private liberal arts men’s college in Crawfordsville, Indiana. It was founded in 1832 by several Dartmouth College graduates and Midwestern leaders. The current student enrollment is around 900, and the campus features a multitude of athletic facilities, including Goodrich Park for its baseball program. The ballpark opened on March 19, 2011, and features permanent seating, a concessions stand, a concourse, press box, dugouts, and a viewing hill behind the right field. The ball club had called Mud Hollow Field home for 50 years before moving into Goodrich, named after John B. Goodrich, a former alumnus, whose family is known through its philanthropy at Wabash and throughout the state. Baseball was first played on November 24, 1866, with a 45-32 victory over Asbury College (now DePauw) on the commons in the south part of town.” Today, the club that plays in the North Coast Athletic Conference has one of the nicer facilities in the conference. The college is known for the annual Monon Bell Classic against DePauw University. The annual football game dates back to 1890 and is among the oldest rivalry games in college football, having met 126 times as of this writing. Food & Beverage 2 The ballpark offers a small sample of baseball treats that include hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, and soda. The prices are reasonable and make for a nice snack as you enjoy the baseball game. Atmosphere 3 Goodrich Park is a pleasant little place for baseball off the campus of Wabash College. The 500-seat ballpark offers permanent red seats that are situated just four rows down from the concourse, a concession stand, a press box, and a grassy knoll outside the left-field area of the ballpark. Fans on the knoll watch the game from their portable seats, and many will bring their dogs to the game. There are others, mainly students, who provided a bit of a football-tailgate experience with food, drinks, and party games. It was quite different than the garden fans inside the ballpark keeping score and watching the action on the diamond. There are portions of the ballpark named after donors such as the concourse named after Frank and Lisa Kolisek, along with the concession stand and press box. The giant wooden W, which was once on display at the Little Giants old ballpark, is featured predominately at the current stadium. Neighborhood 3 Downtown Crawfordsville is a few miles away from campus and features many spots to enjoy dinner or a drink. A few of the places include Backstep Brewing Company, Brother’s Pizza, Harry’s Hideout, The Barefoot Burger, Alice’s Restaurant, Valentino’s Italian Cuisine, and Arni’s. If with the family, try Arni’s for the kid-friendly environment and thin-crusted pizza. If you are with a few friends or alone, Backstep Brewing Company is the newest place in town for craft beer. It’s located in the old Monon Hotel and offers live entertainment on certain nights. The town also has a couple of places of interest that includes the Rotary Jail Museum and the General Lew Wallace Study & Museum. If the weather is nice, Indiana Zipline Tours are nearby, and the Sugar Creek Trail features a path through the wilderness. Fans 3 Fans inside the ballpark do their share of cheering and keeping score of the game, while the ones on the outside of the ballpark enjoy the game from the comfort of the grassy hill. A few students and alumni are also having an enjoyable time, but perhaps it’s not the baseball that is causing their celebratory mood. Access 4 The stadium is located on the corner of the main road to campus and residential homes. There is parking behind the outfield and along with the street level. The main entrance allows fans access to everything on the concourse. Return on Investment 3 All of the games are free and open to the public. The concession stands are affordable but just enough to enjoy a snack. The school spirit is alive with the fans on the hill, and downtown Crawfordsville is one of those small Indiana towns that is nice to visit on a Saturday afternoon. Extras 2 The ballpark earns a point for the giant W that was taken from the old ballpark now on display on the concourse. The second point is of the hill area where fans enjoy themselves at the game in various forms. Final Thoughts Goodrich Park is a very nice looking ballpark for Division III baseball. It’s a small, little place that offers everything one would want from this level of baseball. However, I would hang out outside the stadium and enjoy the game from the hill. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on YouTube @ballparkhunter, Twitter @ballparkhunter, and on Instagram.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 PVCC Baseball Field 18401 N 32nd St Phoenix, AZ 85032 Paradise Valley Pumas website PVCC Baseball Field website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 250+ Take a PAWS Opened in 1985, Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC)’s main campus sits in northeast Phoenix and northern Maricopa County, including Cave Creek, Carefree, and North Scottsdale. The athletic teams, known as the Pumas, are part of the NJCAA – Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC). The baseball team joined the ACCAC in 2009 and is one of the newest members of the conference. The team qualified for the NJCAA D2 World Series in just their second season (2010) and were the ACCAC Co-Champions in 2015. They play their home games on campus at the pleasant-looking, comfortable baseball field, built in 2008. The first official baseball season began in the spring of 2009. Food & Beverage 0 As expected for a community college, neither food nor beverages are offered at the venue. That does not stop the fans in attendance as many bring in their own snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, and coolers. Some even bring umbrellas and portable canopy tents and make an afternoon out of it! Atmosphere 3 The ballpark provides the typical, pleasurable ACCAC game day experience. The main seating area, the grandstand per se, is ten rows of bleachers with no backs directly behind home plate. A thick chain link fence with thicker poles guards the seating area from the sharply hit foul balls. The best place to sit is on the top row; fans can lean their backs against a backing for support and that area is above the backstop’s horizontal poles. Picnic tables and a four-row bleacher set are on each side of the grandstand. Many fans bring their lawn chairs and park in those areas as they are in the shade. Third base side picnic seating, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The grandstand was not an original part of the baseball field construction. It was added a few years after the opening and is a shiny set of refurbished stands. The stadium does not have lights; the team only plays day games, common amongst ACCAC baseball stadiums. The home dugout is on the third base side and is larger than the visitor’s dugout. The stadium has a small Daktronics scoreboard in right-center field providing the basic line score. It can be a little difficult to read in the bright sunlight. The diamond is of remarkably green natural grass for the desert so kudos to those that maintain the field. The seating area and walkways are free of debris and garbage making it a nice, pleasant venue to visit. Music is only played pregame; none during the nine innings which helps make watching the game more relaxing. If a softball game is played at the same time, plenty of that game’s music is heard. A PA announcer is not present to call the game or players. Print your own rosters at home if you’re looking to keep score and identify the players by something other than their number. Neighborhood 3 Paradise Valley Community College is in the northern part of Phoenix in a mostly residential area with some commercial businesses within walking distance. A great place to eat for breakfast or brunch is Sunshine Breakfast Bar (three miles from PVCC Baseball Field). Another place to eat nearby is NoRa Asian Fresh, a fast-casual AZ chain restaurant serving Asian Fusion meals. Across from the campus are The Buffalo Spot (fast food chicken) and Biryani and Bites (Indian). The closest brewery is Fire and Fury, three miles from the park south on 32nd St. If traveling in from out of town, the closest hotels are the Cambria Hotel Phoenix or the Holiday Inn Express Phoenix North (both four miles from the baseball field). Be warned: hotel rates in the Phoenix area increase dramatically during spring training in March. The best museum in all of Arizona, the Musical Instrument Museum, is only three miles from campus. It may not sound interesting but it is a fantastic place to explore for a few hours. The campus is adjacent to the Paradise Valley Golf Course. For other sports to see, Salt River Fields at Talking Sticking (spring training home for the Rockies and Diamondbacks) is probably the closest at about 16 miles southeast. Peoria Sports Complex (spring training home for the Mariners and the Padres) is about the same distance in the opposite direction. Downtown Phoenix is 18 miles south and sports fans can visit the Diamondbacks or Suns when in town. Fans 3 Fans are mostly friends and family of the players: parents, grandparents. A few students show up. Many of the fans in attendance know one another. And, since several of the opposing teams are also in the Phoenix area, expect to see some visiting teams’ fans. Everyone is respectful of each other, as it often is at NJCAA games. Access 3 The ballpark is on the Paradise Valley Community College campus off 32nd Ave, a little over a mile off the101 Loop/State Route 51. The closest parking is in the Q Building lot off 32nd Ave. If the Puma’s schedule softball and baseball games for the same time frame, get there early for a spot. Additional parking is beyond the outfield off E Michigan Ave, a few hundred feet in the opposite direction of the grandstand. Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is 18 miles due south. Metro Valley Transit Bus Route 16 (no stop at the airport) provides local service to the college (get off 32nd St and Grovers Ave). The baseball field is adjacent to the softball field. On occasion, both games are played at or near the same time. Fans can walk between the two ballparks and see two games if desired. The campus provides ramps and walkways from the parking lot to the grandstand. For those unsteady on their feet, the grandstand has handrails up the middle of the seating area for ease of climbing. Modern, clean restrooms are in the Q Building just a few hundred feet away. Return on Investment 5 The Pumas offer the best-priced tickets: free. If you want to be outside on a lovely Arizona spring day, pack some snacks and drinks and head to North Phoenix for a relaxing few hours of baseball. It’s a no-frills experience but one fans of the game of baseball will enjoy. Extras 2 ACCAC baseball switched to using wooden bats twenty years ago. It’s pleasing to watch college ball and hear the crack of a bat vs the ping of one. Another piece of information worth an extra mention is the current baseball coach, Victor Solis, who founded the baseball program along with the retired Athletic Director Greg Silcox. It’s nice to see continuity in the program’s history and management. Final Thoughts Take a pause from the daily hustle and bustle in life and visit a Puma baseball game one spring afternoon.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Schottland Tennis Center Athey Park 108 Gibson Ave. Chestertown, MD 21620 Washington College Shoremen and Shorewomen website Year Opened: n/a Capacity: 250 Tennis On The Shore Washington College is a college in Chestertown, Maryland which was granted its charter in 1782. It is the 10th oldest college in the United States and one of the few to have received support from George Washington to honor him. The original desire was to have this college as the Eastern Shore Campus of a public “University of Maryland” with Annapolis’ St. John’s College the Western Shore counterpart. That obviously did not happen. Each year, Washington College awards the nation’s largest undergraduate literary prize. Since 1968, the Sophie Kerr Prize has been presented to one graduating senior who demonstrates the greatest literary promise. Washington has had sports since the 1800s, with the baseball team dating back to the 1870s, likely the oldest team on campus. Men’s teams are known as the Shoremen; women’s teams are known as the Shorewomen. The Schottland Tennis Center is a nice, but fairly simple facility. Eight courts surround the center’s building. The building has locker rooms, offices, and meeting spaces. Washington College has two national tennis championships to their credit. Food & Beverage 0 There is not a permanent food stand or any other options for sale at the tennis center. Atmosphere 2 This is a very good tennis facility, but like many tennis venues it has a simple, quiet atmosphere. Neighborhood 4 Chestertown is a town and county seat of around 5,000 in Kent County, Maryland, and is located on what is known as Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It is 1.5 hours from Baltimore and Philadelphia. The nearby downtown district of Chestertown is full of history and sites for visitors, along with some nice shopping and dining. BAD Alfred’s Distilling, the Evergrain Bread Company, and Play It Again Sam are good spots for dining. Check out the High Street Town Dock and see if there are any charter boat trips through companies such as the Chester River Packet Company. Wilmer Park and the nearby area around the Hodson Boathouse at Washington College makes for some nice waterside walking on a nice day. Fans 3 There is a pretty good group of fans who attend tennis matches here at Schottland. I would imagine most of the crowd is family and friends of the players. Access 3 The actual town of Chestertown is not an issue getting around and accessing, but the problem is how isolated from major urban areas the town and college is. You will have to go way out of your way to visit Washington College. There may also not be much parking on campus as it is a historic campus and if there are many events going on, the available spots could be hard to find. Leave yourself plenty of time to find a good spot. The North Commons area may be a good place to start, but make sure to follow parking guidelines, especially for weekday events during regular school semesters. Return on Investment 5 Matches are free, so the value is very good. Extras 1 Not many extras, but the list of championships and past players is a nice thing to see. Final Thoughts This is a simple facility, but if you want to see some good tennis action, the Schottland Tennis Center is a good stop for any sports fan.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 MU Ballpark 3200 Cold Spring Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46250 Marian University website MU Ballpark website Year Opened: Unknown Capacity: 500 Small Town College Baseball in Indianapolis Marian University was founded as a teacher training school in 1851 by the Sisters of St. Francis. It would become a four-year university after it merged with Immaculate Conception Junior College to form Marian College. On July 1, 2009, Marian College became Marian University. The baseball program began in 1955 and joined the Mid-Central Conference of the Crossroads League for the 1987-88 academic year. The ball club captured 8 regular-season titles, 2 tournament titles and has made 10 NAIA regional appearances and 3 National Tournament appearances. Marian University Ballpark has seen improvements in the past decade with a new scoreboard in 2008, safety nets and additional fencing in 2014, and most new windscreens showing the latest information on university athletics. It has been described as one of the more traditional ballparks in all of collegiate baseball. Let’s find out more about the home of the Marian Knights. Food & Beverage 0 There appears to be a concession stand at the bottom of the press box, but it was closed during our visit, despite the temperature being 70 degrees on a Saturday afternoon. It is unknown if this is closed permanently, especially considering the country is still coming off a worldwide pandemic. Most of the fans in attendance brought their food from home or a nearby fast-food restaurant-a common sight for ballparks of this size and caliber. Atmosphere 3 It was a beautiful 70-degree day in early March and the first ideal day for baseball in Indiana since September. There was a nice crowd was on hand for the doubleheader that included: fans in the grandstand, folks down both foul lines, and a few students behind the left-field fence. The grandstands were notable as being constructed out of wood instead of the usual aluminum style. The home side is more extensive than the visiting side on the first baseline. The ballpark features lighting, a Daktronics scoreboard behind left field, a two-story press area, and batting cages that feature end zone turf from the football field. The view behind the outfield walls is of the multiple buildings on campus that give it a cozy, little field to the venue. A PA announcer does a great job of player announcements throughout the 9-innings. As with many ballparks of this caliber, the players in the dugout provided a steady flow of ambiance from chatter, clapping, and good old-fashion ribbing. The two dugouts are lined up against the fence, hoping for either a big hit or an out-depending on the inning. There are also plenty of fans in the stands that provide a lot of chatter, usually from a family member showing support. Neighborhood 3 Marian University is 6 miles north of downtown along the White River. The area near the school features a collection of retail chains and local establishments, but your best bet would be to head downtown or Speedway, a 4-mile drive. Speedway is home to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the downtown area has improved over the past few years. Besides being home to the Indy 500, fans can enjoy the IMS Hall of Fame and Museum throughout the year. A few spots of interest include the 1911 Grill that overlooks two indoor kart tracks offering American pub food. Bourbon and Barbecue serve smoked Memphis-style brisket and pork and features an impressive array of bourbon. Big Woods and Daredevil Brewing are great spots for local-craft beer and cuisine. Downtown Indy offers many spots, but I would recommend Mass Ave. or Fountain Square for a collection of local restaurants, bars, breweries, and the Bottleworks District that offers The Garage, an upscale and adult-friendly food court with regional and world cuisine and drinks. The former Coca-Cola bottling plant also houses a bowling alley, hotel, and movie theater. Fans 3 The majority of fans at the game were friends and family from both clubs. It was a beautiful day to be outside, and many took advantage of the record-setting temperature for early March. However, when the temperature dropped a few days later, the number of fans presumably diminished. Access 2 The ballpark is on campus but has a very unorthodox setup. The parking lot is located on the right side of the field, separated by a small road that is filled with fans before the game and after. This area leads to the grandstands, but parts of the road are uneven, providing for some difficulties for people with walking disabilities. Return on Investment 3 All games are free of charge, and one cannot complain about that. The wooden bleachers provide a nice spot to watch the game, or one can set up a seat and enjoy the view from the perimeter of the diamond. It would be wise to bring food to the game and pick a date against a local university: Huntington University, Taylor University, or Indiana Wesleyan. Fans travel well in this league and provide the best experience to the game. Extras 2 The wooden bleachers were different and added, as one fan described as, a little character to the venue. The campus is pretty and worth a walk around if you have the time - it also adds a nice backdrop. Final Thoughts MU Ballpark proves that there is always a ballpark nearby. When the weather is ideal, there is no reason why someone would not want to enjoy nine-inning baseball. The tickets are free, the baseball is fine, and you will probably enjoy yourself having a good talk with your fellow fans. However, don’t come to the game hungry – bring some food. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on YouTube @ballparkhunter, Twitter @ballparkhunter, and on Instagram.

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Cameron Indoor Stadium 301 Whitford Dr Durham, NC 27706 Duke Blue Devils website Cameron Indoor Stadium website Year Opened: 1940 Capacity: 9,314 One of the Toughest Road Games in the USA Cameron Indoor Stadium opened in 1940 and was originally named Duke Indoor Stadium. The facility was named for former Eddie Cameron in 1972. Cameron underwent a $2 million renovation in the 1980s and another set of improvements in 2009 to improve the gameday experience. The building follows the gothic architecture of the other buildings on Duke’s campus. The plans for Cameron were first sketched by Eddie Cameron and Wallace Wade on a book of matches in 1935. Even though Cameron is one of the smallest indoor arenas in the nation, its quaintness and sellout crowds give Duke one of the top home court advantages in the nation. Food & Beverage 4 Cameron Indoor offers a good variety of concessions despite the concession stands being small in the historic facility. Options include a Fully Loaded Double Stack Cheeseburger ($8), Hog Heaven BBQ Sandwich ($7), All Beef Grilled Hot Dog ($5), and Pizza (cheese or pepperoni) for $10. Snack options include candy bars ($4), nachos ($5), peanuts ($4), popcorn ($5-$8), and soft pretzel ($5). Duke offers Coke products, $4 for a 20oz and $5 for a souvenir 32oz, as well as Dasani Water for $4. Atmosphere 5 Cameron Indoor is small and from the outside, it doesn’t look much different than any other campus building. Upon entrance, you still may not realize you are in one of the hallowed halls of college basketball, except for displays showing various national championships and all-Americans, as the concourse is extremely cramped. The portals to enter the seating bowl are small, and the seats are wooden, small and cramped. Be prepared to be “jammed” into your seat once it fills up. However, this just adds to the charm of attending a game at Cameron. Since the building is small, all the seats are right on top of the court and offer a great a great view of the action. There is a large four-sided center hung video board which offers score, time, fouls, and video replays. The Cameron Crazies, pep band, and the Blue Devin mascot are all very involved in the action, creating on of the loudest environments in college basketball. There national championship banners, and jerseys of retired All-Americans hanging from the rafters that just add to the atmosphere and experience. Neighborhood 3 Cameron Indoor Stadium is located in the middle of the Duke campus. While there are not a lot of food options in the immediate area, the campus has many points of interest that are worth checking out, including the Duke Chapel and the Duke Gardens. The Chapel and Gardens are only a short drive away. The American Tobacco Campus is only a few miles from Cameron Indoor Stadium and has revitalized downtown Durham in the last 10 years. There are a plethora of restaurants and bars surrounding to eat at. Be sure to visit the Tobacco Road Sports Café which sits above the blue monster at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. It offers great local food, and several TV’s so you can keep up with other games. Other popular restaurants around at the American Tobacco Campus include Mellow Mushroom, Tyler’s Taproom, and the Bullpen. For a complete list of restaurants and attractions at the American Tobacco Campus visit: https://americantobaccocampus.com/restaurants. Fans 5 Duke basketball fans are perhaps the most famous and well known in all of college basketball. Every men’s basketball game at Cameron Indoor Stadium has sold out since November 26 1990. The Cameron Crazies camp out in order to obtain tickets to the games and surround the court with chants and antics constantly throughout the game. Even though Cameron Indoor seats just over 9,000, the Duke fans always fill it to capacity to ensure that it is one of the loudest buildings in all of college basketball. Access 3 While sitting in the midst of campus gives Cameron Indoor a picturesque setting, it makes access a nightmare. Unless you are an Iron Duke club member, parking near Cameron Indoor is essentially non-existent. Be prepared to park across campus and walk at least 10-20 minutes. These parking areas are signed well though, so just follow signs and attendants and you should be ok. Once inside the building, it is signed well and pretty easy to navigate to your seat. Return on Investment 4 Since Duke sells out every game it is unlikely that you will be able to find tickets for face value from the university itself. So, if you are interested in attending a game at Cameron, be prepared to for out some serious cash for tickets on the secondary market. Depending on the game, these tickets can range from a couple hundred dollars a piece to several thousand dollars, as was the case in Coach K’s final season, 2021-22. Extras 5 A few things to check out on your visit to Cameron Indoor Stadium: Krzyzewskiville (a tent city) just outside the entrance to Cameron where Duke students camp out for weeks to obtain tickets to the biggest games of the season. The Duke basketball museum adjoins Cameron and has trophies from ACC and national championships, retired championship, and historical memorabilia from Duke basketball. The famous Cameron Crazies are in their place surrounding the court nearly an hour before every game and have planned chants and cheers throughout the game to give Duke an unbeatable home court advantage. USA Today has named Cameron “one of the toughest road games in the USA”. Final Thoughts Even though Cameron Indoor Stadium is old, small, and cramped, the experience of attending a Duke game is like one you won’t experience anywhere else. From the sellout crowds to the Cameron Crazies to the product on the floor (which is always good) a trip to Cameron is a must for any college basketball fan.

Photos by Gregory Koch , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park 270 Veterans Memorial Drive Harrisonburg, VA 22807 James Madison Dukes website Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 1,200 Diamond Dukes Nestled in the scenic Shenandoah Valley town of Harrisonburg, Virginia is the campus of James Madison University. JMU’s athletic teams, known as the Dukes, compete in the Colonial Athletic Association, although they will be moving to the Sun Belt Conference in the 2022-23 season. The Dukes’ baseball team plays at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park, an artificial turf stadium that opened in 2010 and seats about 1,200 fans. Veterans Memorial Park also includes the Dukes’ softball stadium, which is located right next door to the baseball field, as well as an art complex and a memorial to veterans that gives the park its name. Food & Beverage 3 A concession stand is located directly to your right as you come in and offers a good range of options. Cheeseburgers and hamburgers are available for $4.75, hot dogs are $3.50, sausages are $5, and chicken tenders are $7.50 and come with fries. Fries by themselves are $4, while hot pretzels, candy, nachos, chips, blow pops, sunflower seeds, and peanuts are all available as snacks. Soda is $3.50, while hot chocolate and coffee are $3.50, or $6 in a souvenir mug. Bottled water is $5, and due to recycling efforts by public universities statewide, comes in an aluminum can rather than the typical plastic one. Atmosphere 4 Walking into Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park will put you on a concourse. The restrooms will be to your left, the concession stand will be to your right, and straight ahead you will find marketing and giveaway tables, signs honoring the accomplishments of Duke’s baseball, and stairways that take you up to the top of the seating area. From there you will need to walk back down to your seat. The three sections closest to home plate are chairback seats, while the others are bleachers with backs. Although some of the chairbacks used to be reserved, all seats are now general admission. The chairbacks are likely to be in the shade for most of the game, while the other seats will be in the sun. Which one is better depends on personal preference and when you go to the game – on a cold day in February or early March, many fans will opt to forgo the seatbacks to sit in the sun, but once it starts to warm up, you’ll appreciate the shade. A scoreboard in the outfield shows a linescore as well as runs, hits, and errors. Scoreboard at Eagle Field, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey The team does a lot to keep fans engaged, throwing miniature foam baseballs into the stands after every Duke’s home run, plus the usual t-shirt toss at some point during the game. The spacious concourse dedicates a significant amount of space to the history of JMU baseball, with banners and signs showing Dukes All-Americans, major leaguers, and appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Neighborhood 3 Harrisonburg is a quaint town in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Although this doesn’t have the excitement of the big city, there is plenty to do here, including the Virginia Quilt Museum. For meals, there are plenty of options depending on your budget. The famous southern chain Cook Out has a location five minutes from campus, which serves up burgers, chicken sandwiches, and other options. Try one of their trays for a great value, as it comes with two sides and a drink for around $8. If you’re looking for something more upscale, or at least something with table service, the Magpie Diner on West Gay Street is open for breakfast and lunch and is a local favorite. There are many hotels to stay at in Harrisonburg ranging from budget hotels to a Doubletree. Note that at the time of writing, many dining options in Harrisonburg are limited to takeout or unavailable entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this article is written to reflect the “normal” state of things. Fans 4 Although Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park is a small stadium, Dukes fans do their best to fill it. Expect to see hundreds of fans decked out in purple at any given game. The fans are passionate and extremely loud, especially when the Dukes have big plays. You would not be able to tell how small the crowd is by the sound of it. Part of that is due to the compact space of the stadium, but most of it is due to how they are such great fans. Access 3 Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park is located a few miles off Interstate 81 via exit 247B. After exiting onto Market Street, continue a short while before turning left onto Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. Continue for about a mile and a half before the road ends at High Street. Continue through the light and you will be in the parking lot. You will need to navigate a roundabout in the middle of the parking lot to wind up in the lot nearest the stadium – other areas serve the Veterans Memorial itself or other parts of the park, although you can park there if the stadium lot fills up. Getting around the stadium once you get inside is easy enough, although it is a bit confusing to have to walk up and back down. Foul balls regularly fly onto the concourse so be careful while you are walking down there. A staff member will normally shout “Heads up!” when a ball is heading that way but be alert yourself anyway. Restrooms are located directly to the left of the entrance and are of sufficient size for the crowd. When getting out of the stadium, you may have to wait at the traffic light for a few minutes as the timing of the cycle was not designed for such traffic patterns as occur postgame, but once you get out, you should not encounter any problems. Return on Investment 4 JMU used to charge for baseball tickets, as is evident by the ticket window that is still outside the stadium but switched to free admission a few years ago. This was the right decision as it significantly enhances value. Concessions are affordable, parking is free, and this is a very nice stadium, all of which combine to make a trip to a JMU baseball game top value. Extras 2 One star for all the banners and signs on the concourse honoring Duke’s baseball history, which have already been discussed above. There are free programs available at the marketing table. While they’re not too extensive, you can’t really argue with the price. Final Thoughts When thinking of the top college baseball experiences in Virginia, fans will think immediately of the University of Virginia, which is home to one of the top college baseball programs in the country. However, while the JMU baseball program isn’t nearly at the same level as the Cavaliers, Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park is a hidden gem here in the Shenandoah Valley. With free admission to a beautiful baseball stadium, a trip here is a great experience for college baseball fans across Virginia.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Marty L. Miller Field 50 Presidential Pkwy Norfolk, VA 23529 Norfolk State Spartans website Marty L. Miller Field website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 1,500 Miller Time Located in Norfolk, Virginia, Norfolk State University is one of many historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the country. Their athletic teams, known as the Spartans, compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), one of two Division I conferences composed entirely of HBCUs. The Spartans baseball team has played at Marty L. Miller Field since 1997. Located next to the Spartans’ football stadium on the south side of campus, it is named after Marty L. Miller, who spent more than 50 years as a player, coach, and administrator at Norfolk State. Food & Beverage 2 There is a food truck down the first baseline near the ramp to the bleachers which serves basic options, although prices are affordable. Hot dogs are $2, sausages are $3, and there is a wide range of snacks available, from chips to candy to gum, for no more than $1. Rather bizarrely, individual pickles are available for 50 cents each. Presumably, they are supposed to be put on the hot dogs and sausages, but they are listed as a separate item, not an add-on, so fans can order just a pickle as well. Sodas are available for $1, bottled water for $1.50, and Gatorade for $2. On cold days early in the season, Swiss Miss hot chocolate and coffee are available for $1. Note that the stand is cash only, so be prepared. Atmosphere 2 Marty L. Miller Field is a rather basic stadium with a few sets of bleachers accessible up a ramp from the entrance area and not much else. There is a scoreboard in the outfield which shows the linescore, but there isn’t much else here. The two sections of bleachers directly behind home plate have backs, but the back bar is so far back that it may be more comfortable not to use it. The other two sections of bleachers do not have backs. There are the usual announcements and walk-up music, but beyond that, there isn’t much going on here. The school doesn’t do much to promote the baseball team at all or keep fans engaged, unfortunately. Neighborhood 3 There is not much to do in the immediate vicinity of campus, but if you’re willing to drive a mile or two away, downtown Norfolk is a lively area. Whether it’s local comfort food like Tony’s Diner (which you will likely pass on the way in) or a sports bar like Baxter’s, almost everyone will be able to find something they enjoy. If you arrive during one of the first couple weeks of the season, you can make a short drive down to Virginia Beach and make a long weekend out of it. Fans 2 There were only about 100 fans in attendance when Stadium Journey visited, and many of them were fans of the opposing team. However, those Spartans fans who do attend are extremely passionate and vocal throughout the game. They come decked in the Spartans’ colors of green and gold and cheer the team very loudly throughout the game. If there were more of them, the atmosphere here could be quite intimidating for visiting teams, but unfortunately, there aren’t nearly enough people to have that kind of impact. Access 3 The Norfolk State University campus is located either right off I-264 or a few miles off of I-64 depending on where you are coming from. Regardless of how you get to campus, you will need to use the gate off of Park Avenue which will put you on Presidential Parkway. From there, the stadium and lot are straight ahead on your right. However, if for some reason you don’t know where to go, the guard at the gate can direct you. Parking is free and there are additional spaces by the softball stadium and tennis courts if that lot fills up. Although the baseball stadium lot is generally far enough away to be protected from foul balls, many of the spaces at the softball stadium are within foul ball range, so if there is a game there on the same day, plan accordingly. Restrooms are located behind and under the bleachers and are of sufficient size but are dimly lit by strange buzzing lights. Return on Investment 4 Admission is free, parking is free, and concessions are extremely affordable. However, given the rather basic experience and paltry attendance, there isn’t enough here to offer the top score. Extras 1 There are free programs available at the concession stand. They aren’t that extensive, but it’s hard to argue with the price, particularly with so many places eliminating physical programs. Final Thoughts Norfolk State baseball has a very small but very passionate fan base. If the team would put more effort into promoting the team, they could attract more fans and a visit to Marty L. Miller Field would be a better experience. The reality is, however, that like many HBCUs, Norfolk State is a football school first and foremost, and the baseball team operates in their shadow figuratively as well as literally in this case.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Northwest Florida State Baseball Complex 100 E College Blvd Niceville, FL 32578 NWF Raiders website Northwest Florida State Baseball Complex website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 800 Juco Baseball on the Beach Northwest Florida State College is a large public state college located on the outskirts of Eglin Air Force Base in Niceville, Florida, about ten miles north of the beach resort town of Destin. The college originally opened in 1963 as Okaloosa-Walton Community College, and a temporary campus was constructed on the base of Eglin until the permanent location opened at its present site in 1969. NWF began offering four-year degrees in 2003, changing its name to Northwest Florida State College in the process. NWF is unique in that even though they are a four-year state college they still compete on the JUCO level as members of NJCAA Panhandle Conference. The conference includes 5 schools, all in the panhandle of Florida – NWF, Pensacola State College, Gulf Coast State College, Chipola College, and Tallahassee Community College. Since the first season of NWF Baseball in 1992 the Raiders have been one of the better teams in the Panhandle Conference. The Raiders have won Panhandle Conference four times (1996, 2000, 2011, and 2019), and made 12 FCSAA/Region 8 postseason appearances. Perhaps the best season was in 2015 when they advanced to and won the NJCAA World Series, claiming the Raiders first and only National Championship. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand open at the front entrance of the Baseball Complex that has a limited menu – hot dogs and Gatorade at $3; popcorn, candy, and water at $2; chips and coffee at $1. Canned drinks are also sold for $2 but they only have Coke and Sprite. They also sell NWF baseball hats in three different colors and styles for $20 a hat. I thought it was really cool they sell the hats, as NWF has a really cool logo. Atmosphere 3 Northwest Florida Baseball Complex opened in 1992 and features capacity for about 800 fans The field faces northeast and is located on the back side of campus. There is one main entrance behind home plate, with the main feature that stands out being the large 2015 National Champions sign that greets you as you enter the Baseball Complex. The concessions stand is right under the large brick press box tower behind home plate as soon as you enter the Complex. The grandstand features 10 rows of metal bleacher seating that extend from home plate to the dugouts. It can get kind of crammed here as you cannot see the game from anywhere except the bleachers. There is not a lot of standing room here either as you cannot walk in front of the bleachers; there is just a little space near the dugout for you to stand. So for the most part you are confined to the grandstands. The visitors’ dugout is down the first base line, while the third base line features the home dugout and clubhouse, which includes locker rooms and indoor batting cages for the baseball and softball teams. They also have some outdoor batting cages that the visiting team utilizes. The outfield signage features local business advertisements alongside a crimson picket fence, giving the NWF Baseball Complex a real small, hometown feel. I almost felt like I was at a small-town high school baseball game. A basic scoreboard also sits in left field that shows the line score and says ‘2015 National Champions’ along the top. The school’s athletic facilities provide the backdrop beyond the outfield. The Raiders Softball Complex takes up the left field and is constructed as an exact replica of the Baseball Complex. If you want some good views of the baseball game you can even sit in the softball bleachers that loom over the outfield wall. The school’s basketball home, the Arena at NWF sits in right field next to a large on-campus water tower that provides an impressive view from the bleachers. Neighborhood 3 There’s not much happening in Niceville, as it remains mostly a retirement and military community. The college sits just off base property and the neighboring areas consist of woods and outlying airfields. However, there are few places in the city worth checking out – a few miles south of the college is Turkey Creek Trail, which features a boardwalk over a beautiful crystal clear creek. The trail runs deep into the woods and even has spots where you can hop off the boardwalk and go swimming in the creek. The U.S. Air Force Armament Museum also sits nearby in an old airplane hangar. When driving by you can’t miss the place as giant planes are scattered on the grounds. Inside are 29 restored vintage airplanes as well as the largest collection of artifacts and memorabilia associated with the Air Force. The museum has free admission and remains a hidden gem spot if you are in the area and want to experience something different than the beach life. But if you want to experience this area of Florida at its best you just have to go about 10 miles south of campus to one of the top tourist destinations in the country, the Emerald Coast. Destin remains the most popular resort town on the Emerald Coast, with 80 percent of the over 5 million tourists each year who visit staying in Destin. The beach is what brings most people to the area, but the Destin area has something for everyone. For those who like shopping, Destin has two full-sized outdoor shopping malls, Destin Commons and Silver Sands Premium Outlets. For nature lovers there are two state parks, Henderson Beach State Park and Grayton Beach State Park, with secluded beach access and plenty of camping and bike trails. For family activities, Destin has a water park and two amusement parks with rides and small roller coasters (Big Kahuna’s and The Track). Destin is also known as a sportsman’s paradise with its nickname as the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village. Countless marinas offer public and private charter fishing. You can go 80 miles out in the gulf to fish in deep waters or you can fish in the bay, or take a trip out to Crab Island, a popular sandbar right under the Destin Bridge in the Pass which is only accessible by water and boat. There are also over 20 golf courses in the area ranging from public to private – Destin is known as the “Golf Capital” of Northwest Florida. The area also has many restaurants in all the little beach communities around Destin. You may spot Jerry Jones, Emeril Lagasse, Tim McGraw, or one of the Mannings while dining at one of the many Five Star restaurants in Baytowne Village, or you could visit the more touristy restaurants and bars at Destin Harbor or Okaloosa Island. But to experience Destin like the locals, try some of the upscale seafood restaurants at Miramar Beach or in the Sandestin area, or to experience another famous section check out Seaside, a community which is most famous for being the filming site of The Truman Show with Jim Carrey. Yes, Destin and the whole area have it all and you could spend weeks in the area and have plenty to do. Fans 3 There were only a couple of hundred fans in attendance at my most recent visit. It can get kind of cramped in the bleachers because there is no standing room and everybody is confined to the grandstands. A lot of time you will be stepping over people when getting up and going to the restroom or concessions; luckily at least there is a lot of legroom in the metal bleachers. Because of its beach location NWF also attracts a lot more visiting fans than most junior colleges would. Many players’ parents take advantage of weekend series here by getting to watch their son play college baseball and get a weekend beach trip out of the deal. During my most recent visit, the Raiders played a Junior College from Mississippi and there were more visiting fans than Raiders fans. After talking to some of their fans they told me that they were all staying at the same hotel on the beach for the weekend. Access 2 There are two ways to get to NW; if coming from out of town to the north take I-10 to the Crestview exit, then drive about 20 minutes south on Highway 85. The highway is a rural back road that runs through Air Force Base property so there is little there in terms of scenery. The college is conveniently located on the corner of College Blvd and Highway 85, with the NWF Baseball Complex located on the back side of the campus. But if coming from the south the Mid-Bay Bridge runs right out of Destin and onto Highway 85. The bridge is a toll road and is constantly having work done on it, so the three-mile bridge could take upwards of twenty minutes to cross. Once on campus the stadium is easy to find; just look for the giant water tower and beautiful basketball arena. There are also plenty of parking lots so that shouldn’t be an issue. Once inside the actual Baseball Complex the only areas you are free to move around in is the bleachers, so it could get kind of crammed during a packed game. Return on Investment 4 There is a table set up at the main gate where they sell general admission tickets for $5, and you are free to sit anywhere in the grandstands with these. During the most recent game I was at there was actually a player serving as a ticket taker. I loved the small-town laid-back feel here. You are also free to leave and come back as many times as you want, as I left during the game to ride my bike around campus for about an hour, before coming back to watch the rest of the game. With the cheap concessions one can purchase a ticket, drink, and hot dog for less than $10. Also you get to see some of the top JUCO players in the State of Florida. Early in the season NWF plays schools from as far away as Miami, so you are guaranteed to see some players that will eventually be taken in the MLB Draft. Extras 4 The Raiders have had seven players make it to the Big Leagues in the program’s history. The most notable alumni include Outfielder Jason Michaels who had an 11-year career with the Phillies, Mets, and Astros; relief pitcher Tony Sipp who played 11 seasons with the Indians, Astros, and Nationals, and won back-to-back World Series rings in 2018 and 2019; all-star pitcher Hector Santiago who played with the White Sox, Twins, and Mariners; and Pensacola native pitcher Jeff Farnsworth who was drafted in the second round out of NWF in 1996 and spent the 2002 season in the bullpen for the Tigers. Headed into the current season there are currently six NWF alumni on minor league rosters, as well as one in the Majors. The college also gets in national spotlight every November around Thanksgiving, as the arena in right field hosts the Emerald Coast Classic College Basketball Tournament. The first year of the tournament was in 2014 and usually takes place during Feast Week, college basketball’s version of Bowl season. Ole Miss, Iowa State, Virginia, Creighton, Cincinnati, Florida State, Tennessee, and LSU are just some of the top basketball teams to come through the campus to play games. Another extra for the historical significance of the campus – in the beginning of 1942 Air Force Lt. Colonel Jimmy Doolittle used Eglin AFB and the area where the campus is located as a training ground for a secret mission. Ultimately they were putting the plans in motion to bomb Tokyo in retaliation for Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbor. The Tokyo Raid marked a major turning point in the US’ favor during WWII and Doolittle would receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for his efforts. When the current campus opened in 1963 the teams were nicknamed the Raiders in honor of Jimmy Doolittle and his crew. For years the surviving members of Doolittle’s Raiders would hold their annual reunion on the campus. NWF’s mascot is even a World War II era pilot named Jimmy; there is a small historical display at the front of the Arena’s main entrance. Another extra just for the college’s prime location less than 20 miles from some of the whitest beaches and clearest waters in the country. It has to be cool for some of these players to go to college so close to the beach.

Photos by Connor Comeau, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Marriott Center 701 East University Parkway Provo, UT 84604 BYU Cougars website Marriott Center website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 63,470 Rise And Shout Since 1971, the BYU Cougars have played their home basketball games at the Marriott Center. Since the team moved into the facility, it has undergone many renovations, with the most recent in 2015. After those renovations, the school added the brand new Marriott Center annex in February 2017, complete with a practice court, a strength and conditioning center and team lounge just to name a few things. The Cougars have been part of the West Coast Conference since 2011 and have had great success since joining the conference, making either the NCAA or NIT tournament in each of the seven seasons they have been in the conference. Ever since then, the basketball program has enjoyed great success and the level of fan excitement continues to grow. The upgrades that were made to the arena have had a big impact. Food & Beverage 4 Prices for food and drinks at the Marriott Center are right around the price you would pay for stadium food. But what the food lacks in price more than makes up for in quality. One of the concessions stands you will see while traveling around the concourse is for BYU Signature Concessions. Some of the items you will find here include BYU Creamery ice cream, with flavors such as Cookies & Cream, Graham Canyon, Roasted Almond Fudge and Rose’s Snickerdoodle, with all flavors costing $4. Other items include the BYU Brownie ($2) and Cougar Crunch ($6). The signature item here is a giant gourmet sandwich ($9), with your choice of either Turkey on Wheat or Ham on Rye. BYU recently made the switch to Pepsi, so it will be all Pepsi products if you’re ever attending a game, with a bottled soda costing $4. An important note: BYU is an LDS campus, so that means there is no alcohol served on school grounds, including at sporting events. Atmosphere 4 With BYU on the rise in the West Coast Conference, game day on campus has become an even bigger deal. On the outside, the Marriott Center looks like a typical arena built in the 1970’s. But once you get past the concourse and into the arena itself, it’s a completely different experience. The renovations in 2012 and 2015 added prime chair seating to the lower bowl, a new sound system and new video boards, which makes the fan experience that much more enjoyable. At a capacity of 19,000, BYU has the largest arena in terms of capacity in the West Conference Conference. Attendance varies from game to game, but for the most part the arena is either full or close to full on game day. Neighborhood 4 The arena itself is on the northern fringe of campus, just about kitty-corner from LaVell Edwards Stadium. And while it is located on the campus itself, it sits along University Parkway, a major road that leads from the arena, through downtown Provo, all the way to Interstate 15. If you are coming from out of town, be advised that there are few, if any, bars located in the city. BYU is an LDS campus, and alcohol is not served and is not allowed on campus. If it is food you’re looking for, then there are no shortage of options in town. About two miles from the arena is one of my favorite places to eat: Pizza Pie Cafe. They do have a few locations outside of the state, but PPC is mainly a Utah chain. Prices vary depending if you arrive for lunch or dinner. The restaurant is all-you-can-eat, which includes 13 regular pizzas, five dessert pizzas, pasta and a salad bar. It is a local favorite and I highly recommend coming here if you ever visit. For those looking to a place to stay, there are hotels less than a mile from the arena. For those of you that like to stay in budget hotels, the Super 8 University hotel across from the stadium is a good option. If you prefer something that is a little more upscale, there is a Courtyard by Marriott just a little further away. Fans 4 Even with the move to the West Coast Conference, the Marriott Center is as a formidable place to play as any, especially when it comes time for conference play. One of the most noticeable things when it comes to the fans is BYU’s student section, known as The Roc. Even with late 9PM tip-offs being the norm during conference play, the student section makes itself known, especially in big games when Saint Mary’s or Gonzaga come to town. With the recent success of the BYU basketball program, it seems the student section has become more formidable over time. With the energy The Roc brings, that really isn’t a surprise. During the game, the rest of the fans seem to feed off the energy the student section brings. The arena sees a good crowd during BYU home games, even though some games don’t tip-off until 9PM. Access 4 Some of the parking in front of and close to the Marriott Center are reserved for permit holders, but there is plenty of public parking to be found two or three blocks away from the arena. When I was there, the most expensive price I saw for parking was $10, so you won’t be paying a whole lot in terms of parking. Getting to the stadium is very easy. If you are coming from either direction on Interstate 15, you will take the exit for University Parkway (exit 269). Once you are on University Parkway, it is a straight, 4-mile drive to the arena. Return on Investment 4 For those looking for single game tickets, you are getting a good deal. The range on tickets is between $15 and $80, but that may go up a little bit if a more high profile opponent visits town. For students, they have to purchase what is called a ROC Pass, which gives them access to all home events for the academy. Prices will vary depending on whether the pass includes access to football games or all other events except football. Extras 2 Located next to the arena is the Marriott Center Annex, which was completed as part of the arena’s renovations in 2017. The annex includes two practice courts, athletic offices, a strength and conditioning center and a BYU Basketball Hall of Honor, just to name a few. Another extra for the Cougars’ energetic mascot, Cosmo the Cougar. He is one of the more energetic mascots that I’ve seen, and it looks like both the players and the fans love him. He is definitely a big presence during home games. Final Thoughts While not a bucket list arena, the Marriott Center is definitely an arena you should visit if you are ever in Provo for a game. With the renovations complete, the interior has more of a modern look, which you will be hard-pressed to miss. With its recent success, don’t expect BYU to fade anytime soon.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 State Farm Center 1800 S 1st St. Champaign, IL 61820 Illinois Fighting Illini website State Farm Center website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 15,500 It’s Called The Assembly Hall The State Farm Center at the University of Illinois is often still known affectionately as the Assembly Hall. The arena reopened with its new design in December 2015, after the first few “home” Illini games were played at Springfield’s Prairie Capital Convention Center. Max Abramovitz is a world-renowned architect that also designed the Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, Pittsburgh’s U.S. Steel Tower, and Paris’ Tour Gan. The University of Illinois alumnus also designed this building. It was once the world’s largest edge-supported dome and is 400 feet in diameter and rises 128 feet above the floor. Many people compare it to a UFO when looking from the outside. The roof is supported by 614 miles (988 km) of one-quarter-inch steel wire wrapped at the base of the dome under intensive pressure. It is the second-largest arena in the state, second only to the United Center in Chicago. Food & Beverage 4 There are some good, but pretty normal options available. Once the outside concourse is finalized, expect to see better operations out here. Hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, and pretzels are the usual suspects and are a pretty good value. Jalapeno cheese dogs and Kansas City-style pulled pork and Italian beef sandwiches and Polish sausages are some other options. Atmosphere 4 You will see orange at State Farm Center, lots of oranges. While the football team at Illinois has often tended to emphasize the color blue, orange tends to dominate the crowd attire at an Illini game. The dome structure means that the arena is very wide and open. Sometimes that means that the sound does not seem as intense as in some other arenas. The new suites and expansive seating options have made it more difficult to travel between some sections of the arena, something that was done pretty easily before the renovation. The big-money contributors still get the best seats, but it can mean that the closer you get to the court, the less rowdy of a crowd you will find. The Illini cheerleaders and dance squad are on hand to get the crowd riled up. The male cheerleaders used to run with a giant flag through the top deck of the arena, but the new design has made the 360 degrees run impossible. There is the new, high-quality scoreboard. New ribbon boards have also been installed above the suites. Your eye will be drawn to a large number of banners above the scoreboard. The 1989 and 2005 Final Four teams are prominent, but so are the jersey signs for the honored players of the entire history of the Illinois basketball program. The seats, as well as the outside concourses, are broken into large circular sections. The Orange Krush student seating section is different than it used to be. The suites do break up some of the flow of seating. Neighborhood 5 The neighborhood closest to the State Farm Center is mostly made up of research facilities, dorms, and academic buildings, not to mention high-quality athletic facilities. Culver’s at 2302 S Neil Street and Espresso Royale (1411 S Neil Street) are a couple of close quick service establishments nearby. A very short walk away is the area along Green and Wright Streets called “Campustown.” There are many bars, shops, and restaurants in this area, and they tend to cater to young college students. Older fans will want to center their post-game activities around downtown Champaign. Once a pretty boring downtown area, one will now find many bars and restaurants. The Esquire Lounge is a local icon and should be a stop for everyone. Try a pork chop sandwich and you will fit in nicely. Other great downtown spots are Blind Pig Brewery, Jupiter’s, and Farren’s Pub & Eatery (at a very hidden location at 308 N Randolph Street). There is also a much larger version of Jupiter’s on the outskirts of Champaign (2511 Village Green Place at The Crossing Center) that is also a good choice. If visiting that second Jupiter location also try Billy Barooz right next door (2521 Village Green Place at The Crossing Center). Urbana is a bit slower pace kind of town. But three places jump out as must-visits. Black Dog Smoke & Ale House offers amazing barbecue, just expect to wait in line to get in and that the tasty burnt ends will go quickly. Crane Alley is a nice bar with some great beers and Masijta Grill is a great Korean barbecue. Fans 3 Fans can get pretty loud. The main problem is Illinois has one of those programs that gives some of the best seats for the high-dollar donation types. That leaves the more rowdy “everyman” fan sitting further away from the game. Fans have also been known to sit on their hands during exciting parts of the game, even asking the more engaged fans to sit down. The student section, known as the Orange Krush, is almost always on point and keeps the feeling pretty intense. Big Ten Conference games are where you will see the fans get more intense. This is always a knowledgeable basketball crowd. They will cheer, jeer and get engaged as needed. Access 4 Champaign and Urbana are both easy cities to navigate. The State Farm Center is not located close to a major highway but most roads leading to the area will be four-lane ones. There are many parking lots available, but it would be a good idea to look at the official university parking site so that you head the right way. Champaign-Urbana is at the crossroads of I-57 and I-74, as well as being the eastern terminus for I-72 so getting to the area from Chicago, Indianapolis and points west will be pretty easy. Return on Investment 3 Big Ten games will cost the most of any ticket as they start around $50 and go upward. Attending a non-conference game can get you in much cheaper. Look for special ticket packages that include a mix of game types for the best value. The prices can be a bit high, but the level of talent at Illinois and their conference opponents is pretty amazing to watch live. Extras 4 The architecture of Max Abramovitz’s design is a great extra. From the outside, it looks like a giant UFO crashed along the prairies of east-central Illinois. Take a look at the names of the honored players. One will not only see a recent NBA star in Deron Williams but former Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo who played here at Illinois from 1960 to 1962. Check out the outer concourses to see if you see where the old and new parts of the venue are tied together. The Orange Krush student sections are an extra all in themselves. Final Thoughts This venerable old building with a unique UFO shape is a great place to watch some high-quality basketball. It will be the University of Illinois’ arena for some time to come.

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

Photos by Eric Moreno Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 American Bank Center 1901 North Shoreline Blvd Corpus Christi, TX 78401 Corpus Christi IceRays website American Bank Center website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 8,500 Corpus Christi IceRays The franchise that would eventually become known as the Corpus Christi IceRays came into existence in 2001, first as the Pittsburgh Forge, before moving to the Texas Gulf Coast and their current home at American Bank Center in 2010. The IceRays are members of the National American Hockey League (NAHL), one of the top junior hockey leagues in the country. A previous incarnation of the IceRays existed from 1998 to 2010 as members of the Central Hockey League and Western Professional Hockey League before the current team’s owners decided to venture into junior hockey with the current club. The new version of the IceRays has seen some success, making the playoffs five times. The team has also brought another layer of professional sports to this often-underserved region of Texas, and the fans have responded in kind. The IceRays are one of the highest-attended teams in the NAHL and play in one of the nicest facilities in minor league hockey. Food & Beverage 4 There are two levels of seating at the American Bank Center, and that means there are two levels of concessions as well. On the first floor, there are two main concession stands near the entrance areas that specialize in your traditional stadium fare – your hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, etc. There is also a similar stand on the second floor that carries the same items. The stand on the second floor also sells cheese and pepperoni pizza by the slice, which is always nice to have at a game. American Bank Center DogFather Concessions, Photo by Erice Moreno, Stadium Journey In terms of specialty dining, American Bank Center has a Chick-fil-A kiosk on the first floor that sells its signature sandwiches and chips. There is also a gourmet popcorn stand that sells slices of local Corpus Christi dessert favorite The Ultimate Cheesecake Bakery. Also, on the first floor is The Dogfather, a specialty hot dog and sausage stand; this is a good alternative to your standard variety of hot dogs. A personal recommendation would be to hit up the Hurb’s Burgers stand on the second floor. This is another local joint that offers a $10 double cheeseburger and chips combo; it’s dang tasty and I recommend getting it with their special sauce. It also happens to be right next to the arena’s full-service bar, which if that’s what you’re into is a great spot to be. Atmosphere 3 American Bank Center is truly a top-notch facility and is home to numerous events throughout the year for Corpus Christi. In addition to being the home of the IceRays, it is also home to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s basketball teams and plays host to pretty much every big entertainment act that comes through the region as well. As such, it has the look of a big-time entertainment venue. The hockey setup for IceRays games at American Bank Center is a basic horseshoe with one end of the arena closed off and without seating; it’s draped off with black curtains and is where the Zamboni enters from at the end of each period. That being said it doesn’t detract from the sightlines or acoustics. The black of the seats and curtains couples with the exposed piping in the ceiling, which has been painted an almost neon-lime green to create an interesting effect. The other point of interest in terms of atmosphere would be the team store, which is located on the first floor near the main entrance. The glass windows on the second floor look right out onto Corpus Christi harbor and, from some exits, you can go out onto balconies and sit outside. It’s one of the best views in the city, and you’d be hard-pressed to find another one like it in all of minor league hockey. Neighborhood 4 Corpus Christi has long been a destination retreat for many South Texas residents. Less than a two-hour drive from San Antonio, it is the closest beach for most Texans, and it is the first destination most head to during the summer months. The prime spot to head to is North Beach, which is across the Harbor Bridge from American Bank Center. With 1.5 miles of beachfront, that is open year-round during the day and at night for camping and anchored by fishing jetties, North Beach is the prime spot for visitors to Corpus Christi. In addition to its beachfront restaurants and hotels (more on those momentarily), North Beach is also home to two of the city’s main tourist attractions, the USS Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium. Commissioned in 1943, the USS Lexington is a retired naval aircraft carrier that saw service during World War II and the Korean War before being retired. It now serves as a fully interactive museum of military history. The Texas State Aquarium is home to numerous species and is one of the top facilities of its kind in the country. Both are great spots to visit when checking out an IceRays game. In terms of dining options, there are quite a few to choose from in the downtown area of Corpus Christi near the arena. One popular option is Brewster Street Icehouse – serving up a line of signature burgers, like their Hello Sunshine and Brewster Bucket List, as well as sandwiches like their Seafood Po’Boy and their South Texas Philly, Brewster Street is a popular sport in the Concrete Street entertainment area. For something a little more “of the place,” since you’re on the Gulf Coast, why not seafood? The Railroad Seafood & Brewing Co. is a relatively new sport and combines locally sourced seafood with craft beer brewed onsite; it is a real taste of what the Gulf is all about. In terms of lodging, numerous spots up and down the shore are sure to fit within anyone’s budget. Some of the closest options include the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel and the Holiday Inn Corpus Christi Downtown Marina. Just be forewarned, depending on the day and time of year that you head down, hotels in this part of the city tend to be very popular, and thus tend to fill up fast. Fans 3 In my experience, minor league sports fans tend to fall into two categories: very casual or very loyal. The IceRays have traditionally been at or near the top of the NAHL in average attendance every year since they joined the league; for the current season, they are averaging just under 2,100 fans per game and sit at third in the league. The crowd, from what I experienced, is a good mix of the casual and the diehard fans. There is also an apocryphal story, which I can’t find confirmation of but you need to see, about how passionate this fanbase can be (scroll down to item #6 when you click this link). You will see plenty of IceRays fans kitted out in their sweaters, and they will be loud and cheering throughout the night, but you will also see a ton of college-age fans out for an inexpensive night of fun (the team frequently runs college nights where students with a college ID get a free ticket). All in all, it’s a great crowd and a fun atmosphere with good energy, especially at weekend games. Access 3 American Bank Center is located right along the shore (on Shoreline Drive, in fact) before you cross over Harbor Bridge in downtown Corpus Christi. The city itself is located about a two-hour drive from San Antonio, which also puts it at close to three hours from Austin and three-and-a-half hours from Houston. Corpus Christi International Airport does feature daily flights to and from Houston and Dallas if that’s the route you want to go. Once on site, parking is ample in the lots and will run you $10 per car. There is free parking in certain spots on the street at certain times; just be mindful of those areas and those times or you will find yourself with an unwanted souvenir parking ticket, courtesy of the Corpus Christi Police Department. The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA), the city’s public transportation option, does offer a line that makes a stop at American Bank Center. If you choose not to drive, you can plan your route from their website. Return on Investment 4 The great benefit of minor league sports is that they offer the chance to see the pro game at an affordable rate; this holds for the Corpus Christi IceRays, where general admission tickets start at $10 per person. When you factor this in with the relatively inexpensive concessions ($10 for a double cheeseburger combo at Hurb’s y’all!) and the parking costs, you’re getting a good bargain. For young fans, this is a great way to introduce them to the sport. Extras 3 The IceRays, like a lot of minor league teams, do a lot of hustling to get fans into the building. They have a Pucks and Paws night, Thirsty Thursdays, family skate nights after games, and much more. There are also games and contests during intermission periods, including a chuck-a-puck contest for a year’s worth of Whataburger. The IceRays also have their mascot, Stinger Ray, who patrols the stands, skates the ice, and tosses t-shirts from the back of a pickup truck during one of the aforementioned intermissions. Like most mascots, Stinger Ray is around quite a bit for photo ops throughout the game. Stinger Ray, Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts I have always enjoyed my visits both to Corpus Christi and to American Bank Center. As a lifelong resident of this region of Texas, I am pretty nostalgic about trips to the coast and what they signify. I imagine that’s the way folks on the East Coast feel about going to the Jersey Shore each summer. Regardless, Corpus Christi is a special place, with a lot of things to do and see. The IceRays and American Bank Center both do a great job of making the games feel big. The fans also have a passion for their club; the venue is great, the view is great, and the city is great. I wouldn’t mark it down on your bucket list, necessarily, but make a stop in and catch an IceRays game if you’re down on the Texas Gulf Coast during the season. I think you’ll have a great time. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos Courtesy of Delaware State University Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Memorial Hall 1200 North DuPont Highway Dover, DE 19901 Delaware State Hornets website Memorial Hall website Year Opened: 1982 Capacity: 3,000 Step Into the Hornet’s Nest Delaware State has been a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) since its founding in 1970. The MEAC is made up of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) located between Florida and Delaware. Delaware State is the smallest of the MEAC schools with a little over 3,600 students and was ranked 9th among all HBCUs by U.S. News & World Report in 2014. It opened in 1891, eventually to be named Delaware State College and later changed to a university in 1993. One of their most unique programs is the university-based flight school, and it also has a fine business school. The Hornets basketball team plays at 3,000-seat Memorial Hall, a fairly nondescript building near the front of their Dover campus. They have appeared in the NCAA Tournament one time in 2005 and twice in the National Invitation Tournament. In 2015 they played in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) Tournament. Food & Beverage 1 There are no permanent food stands in Memorial Hall. and no outside food is allowed into the facility. The recommendation is to eat before or after a Delaware State game. Near the back of the arena, tucked away in one of the corners, is a table set up selling some very basic food options. Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, popcorn, pretzels, soda, water, and Gatorade is about all you get. Local favorite Grotto Pizza will also be at some games selling their slices. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at a Delaware State basketball game is pretty great. Memorial Hall is basically a large high school gym type of design. There is no concourse as once you get past the box office lobby you enter directly into one corner of the arena. Simple bench type stands surround the court on four sides. The arena may be simple in design, but the place is very loud. The students, fans, cheerleaders, band and music DJ keep the fun going. Expect to also see the step squad from opposing teams, as well as the home squad, to provide even more of a fun environment. Many of the games will also be a men’s and women’s doubleheader, so check the schedule and come early, if possible, as you will certainly enjoy it. Look out for the cool Hornet mascot wandering the sidelines. Neighborhood 3 There is no real neighborhood around Memorial Hall. The arena sits off the very busy DuPont Highway. You can see the Dover Mall and Dover International Speedway from the entrance. You can have even heard stock cars screaming around the speedway at times as you walk towards the game. A closed big box store is located right next to the north stand, with another still opened store nearby as well. So if you need pet supplies you will be good to go. The area is good if you need food and sustenance before or after the game. Legendary local chain Grotto Pizza has a sports bar located across the street at 1159 N DuPont Highway. They have never been a favorite of mine but fans of them will flock there. Other great choices include Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop on Gateway S Blvd, Restaurant 55 at 2461 S State St, La Tolteca Restaurant at 859 N Dupont Hwy and 33 West Ale House & Grill at 33 W Loockerman Street. The Fire and Ice Bar at Dover Downs Casino is another choice for a drink after the game. Fans 4 The gym is small and fills up quickly. Even students have often turned away because of the facility being at capacity. The fans are loud and proud of their Hornets. When a big rival is in town, such as their Delmarva peninsula neighbor University of Maryland Eastern Shore, expect to see the intensity upped to another level. Access 4 The university is right off of a major road in DuPont Highway. A toll road, Route 1, which takes you most of the way north to Wilmington, is also nearby. Dover is about a one and a half hour trip from Philadelphia or Baltimore, and at least two hours from Washington DC. It seems close by on a map but is isolated at the center of the Delmarva Peninsula. If venturing to a shore destination such as Ocean City, Maryland or Rehoboth, Delaware, then Dover may make a quick, enjoyable stop, but as a destination, it is not the easiest location to travel to. Watch out for NASCAR weekends when traveling in the area; those weekends are not recommended unless you have no other options, as traffic can pile up, so leave yourself additional time in those cases. There may also be tolls unless you are already on the eastern shore or the Delmarva region. If traveling from the DC and Annapolis area you will have to pay tolls across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. If going around the top of the bay from Baltimore you will have to pay very hefty tolls on either Route 40 or I-95. And coming from Norfolk you will need to pay for the Bay Bridge Tunnel. Parking is easy as you will be directed by university police to various lots around the campus. There is no cost to park, but expect a midday evening game to be more difficult to park because of classes. Return on Investment 4 Tickets run from $10 for general admission up to $25 for courtside reserved seats. Since the arena is so small the best bet is to just stick with the general admission level. Just make sure to plan ahead since the arena is small. You do not want to be turned away at the door. Even students are encouraged to go online and claim their tickets ahead of time. Extras 2 There is a Delaware State University Athletic Hall of Fame display in the entrance lobby. Although Delaware State is not super well known in terms of sports, the listing of the greats of numerous sports from here on campus is a nice stop on the way in and out of the game. If you have never witnessed a step squad, make sure to sit down and enjoy their act/competition. It will blow you away. Final Thoughts There is really not much to Delaware State’s Memorial Hall. A simple, small gym located in a pretty boring looking building. But the small, intimate size allows for a loud and fun environment for basketball.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Physical Education Complex 2500 W. North Ave Baltimore, MD 21216 Coppin State Eagles website Physical Education Complex website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 4,100 The Eagles of North Avenue Coppin State University is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) located in Baltimore, MD. The school is a publically-funded State of Maryland university. It was founded in 1900 and was eventually named in honor of Fanny Jackson Coppin, an African-American woman who was a pioneer in teacher education. Famous alumni include NomaD and former NBA player Larry Stewart. The Coppin State Eagles compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The MEAC is a collegiate athletic conference whose full members are HBCUs in the Southeastern and the Mid-Atlantic United States. The Eagles were the 1976 NAIA National Champions before joining the NCAA. In 1997, the Coppin State Men’s Basketball team defeated the University of South Carolina in the opening round of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship becoming just the third #15 seed to defeat a #2 seed. In the 2007–08 season, Coppin State became the first team in NCAA College Basketball history to reach the NCAA Tournament with 20 losses. The boring-ly named Physical Education Complex was built in 2009 and became home to the Coppin State University basketball team in the 2009–2010 season. The arena replaced the Coppin Center. Food & Beverage 2 There are concession stands on either side of the stadium. Chicken and hot dogs are the two main selections, in case you’re looking for something filling. Snacks include nachos, popcorn, chips, and pretzels. Concession stands are cash only. The offerings are basic but good. Atmosphere 3 The very open and spacious concourse circles around the seats. All the seats are blue and yellow and provide a nice look and atmosphere. There is a four-sided scoreboard hanging above the center court with a video screen on one end of the arena. The Coppin cheer and dance squad will also help the atmosphere. There may also be the Coppin Pep Band to help out the atmosphere. Neighborhood 2 The neighborhood right near the university can be pretty rough. It is a good idea to be extremely aware of your surroundings in this part of the city. Mondawmin Mall is located across the street from the arena itself. An early development of the influential Rouse Company, the mall was one of the earliest enclosed malls in the country. You may also recognize it from scenes in the film Species II. Unfortunately, the mall area was in the heart of both the 1968 and 2015 riots in Baltimore. That is not mentioned to scare you but make you aware that one needs to be careful. Baltimore is a great metropolitan city, with many fun and exciting places to spend time both before and after a game. Relatively close to the stadium is the Mt. Washington neighborhood that straddles I-83 South (known as the Jones Falls Expressway, or the JFX, by locals). The Mt. Washington Tavern (5700 Newbury Street) is an excellent restaurant with both fine food and bar food type menu. The place is large, and there always seems to be room for more. Towson is another good option for visitors. There are many shops, restaurants, and attractions in this area. Also check out the Hampden neighborhood, with its variety of quirky shops and restaurants. Fans 4 The fans are good and knowledgeable. Depending on the opponent, the crowd sound and participation level can differ. The team tends to start with a bad non-conference record because they play so many games at bigger teams for the paycheck. It unfairly starts them in a hole by the time the MEAC season begins. Access 2 The university is located a bit away from the closest major highway in the area, the Jones Falls Expressway, known locally as the JFX. The best option for visitors is to head towards the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, located not far away. From the north take the JFX South to Exit 6 (North Avenue). Turn right and go to 2500 West North Avenue. From the west take I-70 East to I-695 South and follow to Exit 15 (Rt 40 East). From Rt 40, turn right onto Hilton Parkway – Hilton Parkway eventually turns into Hilton St. Turn right on North Avenue and follow to the 2500 West Block. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are nicely priced and parking is low or free depending on the game. Tickets go on sale at the ticket window, located in the Physical Education Complex, approximately one hour before tipoff. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, $5 for high school students with a valid student ID, and $5 for non-Coppin State students with a valid ID. Prices and access may be different for Homecoming and Morgan State games. Coppin State students are admitted free of charge with a valid student ID for all games including Homecoming. This is a fair value for a nice level and quality of basketball. Extras 4 There are historical displays around the venue celebrating the history of the men’s and women’s teams at Coppin. Pay special attention to the ones mentioning long-time coach “Fang” Mitchell, who was quite a character around the area. There are some nice banners above the court, especially the NAIA championship banner. The side of the arena offers a nice window view of the nearby road and offers a good amount of light into the arena. HBCU schools always offer a great atmosphere from the cheer and dance squads. Final Thoughts The Coppin State University’s Physical Education Complex is one of my favorite arenas to watch a basketball design. It is a well-designed arena that offers a great deal of basketball atmosphere.

Photos by Marc Viquez Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Freedom Hall 937 Phillips Ln. Louisville, KY 40209 Bellarmine Knights website Freedom Hall website Year Opened: 1956 Capacity: 6,206 Bellarmine Knights are at Home in Freedom Hall Freedom Hall is one of the iconic buildings of college basketball, a mecca to many fans of the sport and especially Louisville Cardinals fans who watched them play between 1956-2010. Crowds of around 19,000 were common, especially after the Cards captured the 1980 NCAA Final Four, but after the team relocated to the KFC Yum Center, it appeared that it would no longer be home to college hoops. That changed in the summer of 2020 when Bellarmine University Knights basketball program was elevated to NCAA Division I status and moved into the ASUN Conference. The university’s athletic director said that Freedom Hall was a natural choice as it’s steeped richly in basketball tradition and minutes from campus. To say that the building is rich in basketball tradition is an understatement. Besides being the home for the Cards for 54 years, the place was home to Kentucky high school championship games, the former home of the Kentucky Colonels of the ABA, countless NBA exhibition games, and the host of six NCAA Final Four–a record for one individual building. Adding to its lore is being the home for Louisville-native Muhammad Ali’s first professional boxing match on October 29, 1960. Bellarmine played in the building’s second game before an exhibition game between the Boston Celtics and Minneapolis Lakers in November of 1956. The Knights have also played a handful of contests in the old building before settling permanently. The arena can seat 18,252 for basketball games but is capped at 6,252 for the university. The university was established in 1960, and the basketball program competed in NCAA Division II and played at Knights Hall on campus. The Knights became a powerhouse making 11-straight NCAA DII postseason appearances from 2009-to 2019. The team made four Final Four appearances during that time, culminating in the 2011 Final Four championship against BYU-Hawaii in Springfield, Massachusetts. There were many improvements made at Freedom Hall in 1984 that included lowering the floor to accommodate more seating. In 2017, the lower bleachers were replaced, a new scoreboard and sound system were added, repairs were made to the concourse flooring, and a paint job after the acoustic tiles were removed from the ceiling. Food & Beverage 3 Concession stands and kiosks are open on both levels of the concourse and provide more than enough options for fans at the game. The standard hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, and fries are featured. The Kentucky Pork Association stand includes the following options: boneless pork chop sandwich, pork burger, pork bbq, baked country ham sandwich, brats, and chili dogs. Domestic and imported beers are available, along with premium cocktails. Waffle cones and various ice cream flavors are provided by local Ehrler’s Ice Cream. Coke products are the drink of choice at Freedom Hall. Atmosphere 3 Despite the size of Freedom Hall, the atmosphere is pleasant for the Knights. The massive building did not quell the good mood of the home crowd, who provided a great backdrop for the evening’s contest. The majority of the faithful sat in the lower bleacher section consisting of foldable chairs, while a few enjoyed the game from the upper seating bowl. The new scoreboard has video capabilities and hangs above the center court. The Knight new floor design is quite nice in design, and both the cheerleaders and the band provide the usual college exclamation points. A small student section does its best to provide a home-court advantage along with the team mascot that walks around the cheer section. The outer concourse area is broken into upper and lower levels that are fully separate from the seating area. There are no views from the concourse levels, and one could feel the slightest isolated while walking around with the game taking place just a few feet away through the vomitorium. The concourses do provide bathrooms, concession areas, and exits for easy access. The end court stands are standard bleachers and mask the additional seating and floor section of the building. The stats scoreboard is at the far end of the arena and provides a little old-school charm along with some of the building’s signage. To many who have grown up attending games here, there appears to have been little that has changed at Freedom Hall. However, there is not much that celebrates the venue’s rich baseball history. There are no banners, trophy cases, photos, murals, or mention of what has taken place since 1956. Bellarmine does not even have its 2011 Final Four banner hanging up from the rafters. The building has been home to more than just basketball, but a lot could be on display in the walls of the vapid concourse. Neighborhood 3 Freedom Hall is located 5-miles south of downtown Louisville on the grounds of the Kentucky Exposition Center. Louisville Muhammad Ali Internation Airport is adjacent to the complex that is directly off of I-65 and I-264. Churchill Downs is also nearby the complex. It is easily accessible by car, but one has to leave the complex to access other areas of Louisville. There is a multitude of hotel and restaurants chains nearby the complex. The best suggestion would be to travel 5 miles north to downtown and enjoy the many options of the city that includes the following museums: Louisville Slugger Museum, Kentucky Science Center, and the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft. There are numerous distilleries in town that include the following: Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Rabit Hole Distillery, Kentucky Peerless Distilling, Angel’s Envy Distilling, and Brough Brothers Distilling. The Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs are within a few miles from the complex and are must-see options in Derby City. Church Hills Down is home to the Kentucky Derby, but there is plenty of other horse racing throughout the season. Also nearby are Patterson Stadium (baseball) and Cardinal Stadium (football) on the University of Louisville campus. Fans 3 Despite the size of Freedom Hall, the Knights fans make the massive building very comfortable. There is never a feeling that the team is playing out of its league in the historic hall. The Bellarmine fan base provides an impressive atmosphere that should add another notch to the history of the arena. Access 4 Freedom Hall is located 5-miles south of downtown Louisville on the grounds of the Kentucky Exposition Center. It’s home to various exhibition buildings, Kentucky Kingdom amusement park, and Hurricane Bay water park. The complex is easily accessible from I-65 and I-264, and there are plenty of parking spots surrounding the arena. Inside the arena, two concourses wrap around the interior seating bowl for easy access to individual seating and sections. Return on Investment 3 The cost of a ticket is between $15 to $25. There is not a bad seat in the house, but lower section seating puts the customer close to the action on the court. Parking is $10, understandable for being in an exposition complex, and concessions are reasonable, but a few items are a tad high including, hot dogs for $6. Extras 3 Freedom Hall has a grand history, but none of that is on display on the interior walls of the concourse. It is somewhat sad since there have been many celebrations from college basketball, an ABA championship, concerts by national acts, and Muhammad Ali’s first bout. Thankfully there are plaques, including one of Ali, of Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame members on the walls. A second point is awarded to the Kentucky Pork Producers that offer plenty of tasty products at the game. Final Thoughts Freedom Hall has seen a lot of sporting events during its tenure, and there was a thought that it would be too big for Bellarmine. That doesn’t appear to be the case, as a substantial crowd provides a wonderful backdrop for the evening. However, the outside concourse could use some improvements to honor the building’s amazing history. Even with that in mind, Freedom Hall is worth a visit for being what it has always been, a historic home for college hoops. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Toyota Stadium 9200 World Cup Way Frisco, TX 75034 FCS National Championship Website Toyota Stadium website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 20,500 FCS National Championship – Toyota Stadium Since 2010, the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) National Championship has been held in the North Texas city of Frisco at Toyota Stadium, home stadium of FC Dallas of the MLS. The 2021-2022 season culminated with a clash between the dynastic North Dakota State Bison and the underdog Montana State Bobcats. The weather on the day was not accommodating and the final score was not what the thousands who came in from Bozeman, Montana, would have wanted. However, the event had parking lots packed with fans from both Big Sky states well before the sun rose across the horizon, and between the Bobcat fans and the diehards from Fargo drew an announced crowd of 18,942. In the pre-pandemic era, the city of Frisco rolled out the red carpet for both schools. In the past few years, however, the festivities are decidedly more scaled down, yet the game is still a very big deal and definitely has that air about it. Read on to learn what makes the FCS National Championship a must-see event for any college football fan. Food & Beverage 4 Toyota Stadium has a great selection of food and beverage options for game attendees. The main concessions area lines the concourse near the east and west entrance gates; here you’ll find everything that a sports fan could want to consume during a game. The Eastside Kitchen, the Corner Kick, and Midfield Market concessions kiosks all feature traditional game day items such as Ultimate Nachos ($11), turkey legs ($10), chicken finger and French fry combo baskets ($10.50), hot dogs ($6), pretzels ($2.50), and draft and bottled beer ($10). There are also numerous free-standing beer and alcohol stands scattered throughout the stadium, as well as hot chocolate ($5) stands, which are much appreciated on cold winter days. Atmosphere 5 Quite frankly, the atmosphere at the FCS National Championship Game was on par with anything I have ever experienced in college football, so far. Obviously, the crowd size doesn’t compare to any of the palaces of college football, but the energy and excitement that came from the crowd was palpable. While there was not much in the way of signage in and around the city of Frisco denoting the National Championship, when you get near the stadium itself the gravity of the circumstances can truly be felt. As mentioned, the parking lots around the stadium were filled to the brim with Bison and Bobcat loyalists, and they were there well before the game even thought about starting. This was despite the cold (which probably is not the right adjective for these folks from up north) and rain that was omnipresent throughout the weekend. Toyota Stadium was completely decked with National Championship signage and paraphernalia for both competing teams. One wall was also covered with a blowup of the FCS playoff bracket that showed the teams’ marches toward the championship game. Speaking of which, the stadium converted its two team stores into selling merchandise for the game, which all sold like metaphorical hot cakes. The reason for the score in this section is really all about the energy from the crowd. I’m not sure if this can be repeated at the game every year – North Dakota State’s fans travel for sure, and Montana State hadn’t been in the title game since 1984, so I’m sure that played a part in their fans’ travel plans. Still, for those who were fortunate to attend this time out, I’m sure it will be a game they’ll never forget. Neighborhood 4 Voted by Money magazine as the number one city in America to live in, Frisco is also one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. While it is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, it seems as far from the big city feel of Dallas as you can get. Driving up Main Street you still get the feel of the small town that Frisco used to be. You can see the shops that still fill up the main square, and you can still see the water tower with the sign that bears the logo the city uses (and the logo is everywhere). Long story short it’s quaint, and yet you’re only 20 minutes from Dallas proper and 30 minutes from Fort Worth proper. So, if you get tired of small-town charm, you can do it up in the Big Cities. With all that being said, if you want to stay in Frisco there are still options for you in terms of entertainment, dining, and lodging, of course. For kids of all ages, you have to – have to – visit the National Videogame Museum. This interactive, hands-on museum (yes, you get to play with everything) gives visitors a tour through the history of their favorite electronic pastime, and best of all, it culminates in the arcade where you can play the museum’s whole extensive collection of games. Also, while you’re in town, sports fans should make a visit to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. This is especially true since it is literally built right into Toyota Stadium and can be seen behind the south end zone. Visitors can see the history of American soccer, much of which is due to the patron saint of the sport in this country, Lamar Hunt – a statue of whom resides directly opposite the museum on the north side of Toyota Stadium. The Hall of Fame also offers a unique interactive experience that allows visitors the chance to experience key moments in U.S. soccer history. When it comes to food, the entertainment district right around Toyota Stadium has numerous options for you that are within walking distance. One great option is Super Chix Chicken & Custard – this place does chicken sandwiches (a la a certain fast-food chain from the south) with a twist; Chicken Cordon Bleu, Crispy Avocado, and Korean BBQ are just a few of their options, along with chicken tenders as well as frozen custard. It’s the definition of fast casual dining. Also, if you’re looking for a little of that famous Tex-Mex cuisine, the Blue Goose Cantina is right around the corner from the stadium; it’s a great spot for pre or post-game quesadillas, nachos, fajitas, and margaritas. For hotel options, there are also several chain hotels that are within walking distance of Toyota Stadium; this is great if you are lucky enough to book early and don’t want to pay for parking. The Candlewood Suites Dallas-Frisco NW Toyota Center and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dallas-Frisco NW Toyota Stadium are literally right behind the stadium, and are imminently affordable. If these two are booked, however, there are easily a half dozen other hotels in the same area. Fans 5 As has been mentioned numerous times since the start of this review, all the grades are skewed due to the involvement of the fans. I have been to bowl games and soccer matches in this stadium and nothing so far has compared to the fan engagement that I saw during this game. I’m especially blown away due to where the two teams that played in this game come from – it is nearly 1,500 miles from Bozeman, MT to Frisco, TX; it’s also almost 1,100 miles from Fargo, ND. Now, I’m not saying that all 18,000 people who were in the stands drove here or were from those two states, but there were a lot of Montana and North Dakota license plates in the parking lots that day. Bottom line, the fans were great, they were loud, and they made this a great experience. Fans in Line to Enter Toyota Stadium, Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Access 3 Frisco is 20 minutes from downtown Dallas and 30 minutes from downtown Fort Worth. It’s also just over 20 minutes from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Once on site, there are four main parking lots for fans to choose from. The one drawback when it does come to being away from the big cities is the lack of public transportation – your options are virtually nonexistent. That said, if you don’t want to drive to the game your best bet is going to be utilizing a rideshare service. One other factor to be aware of; there are only two main thoroughfares to access the parking lots, and as it starts getting closer to game time, traffic starts to back up considerably. You’ll need to take this into consideration when heading to games at Toyota Stadium. Return on Investment 3 Single seats for the National Championship Game start at $90 per person and rise accordingly based on location in the stadium. Parking was set at $25 per car. Concessions were kept at their MLS prices, but this is still not a bad deal considering the circumstances of the game. You’re still going to spend a good amount of money, but it probably pales in comparison to the FBS version of the title game. Extras 4 In numerous previous reviews I’ve mentioned my fondness for the extras that go along with the sport of college football – these were all present and accounted for the FCS National Championship Game. Both Montana State and North Dakota State brought all their accompanying pomp and circumstance to Frisco with them. The Bobcats brought their spirit squad, their marching band, the Spirit of the West, and their mascot, Champ. The Bison did the same with their cheer squad, their band, the Gold Star Band, and their mascot, Thundar. All of this just added to the atmosphere and gravity of the game. The Spirit of the West, Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey In addition to what the teams brought, the stadium itself also offered up such extras as firing off ceremonial fireworks during the player introductions and during the post-game celebrations. The NCAA also gave fans the opportunity to take pictures during the game with the FCS National Championship trophy. Final Thoughts This game was definitely a bucket list event for me, and it did not disappoint. The energy from the crowd on both sides more than made up for the bad weather and the lopsided score. Congratulations go out to the North Dakota State Bison for their record breaking ninth National Championship, and congratulations to the Montana State Bobcats for an unbelievable season of their own. This is an event I would absolutely take in again. If you’re a sports fan, I would encourage you to make the trip to Frisco for the game; if you’re a college football fan, this is a must-attend event and definitely one you should add to your bucket list too. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 H-E-B Center at Cedar Park 2100 Avenue of the Stars Cedar Park, TX 78613 Texas Stars website H-E-B Center website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 8,000 Texas Stars: H-E-B Center at Cedar Park Located in the north Austin suburb of Cedar Park, H-E-B Center – since it’s opening over a decade ago – has quickly become a hub for numerous events and concerts, as well as the home for the majority of Austin’s indoor minor league sports franchises, including the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League, the Austin Sound of the Extreme League, and the Texas Stars of the AHL. The minor league affiliate of the NHL’s Texas Stars, the Austin version has called H-E-B Center home since the facility opened in 2009. In that time the Stars have experienced a pretty good amount of success on the ice. The team has won two Division championships (2012-13, 2013-14), three Conference Championships (2009-10, 2013-14, and 2017-18), and the Calder Cup Championship (the AHL equivalent to the Stanley Cup) in 2014. The Stars also have the rare distinction of having retired the jersey of their former player, Travis Morin , who retired holding nearly all of the team’s important offensive records. Texas, understandably, is not known as a hot bed for hockey – however, because of the makeup of the population in the city of Austin, the locals have fully embraced the Stars and turn out in droves in green and black for games. Read on to learn what make H-E-B Center at Cedar Park one of the premier stops in the AHL. Food & Beverage 4 When it comes to food and beverage options, H-E-B Center has fans covered. All the concessions for fans sitting in the general admissions areas are on the main concourse, which is nice. Traditional game day standbys like burgers, hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, etc. are offered, and can come in your basic, run-of-the-mill variety or a little turned up, if you will. For example, at the 183 Chophouse stand you can get a standard cheddar cheeseburger, or you can get a Black ‘n Bleu Hockey Burger (with bacon and bleu cheese). For hot dogs, at the 50s-themed diner Fairlane’s you can get a Nolan Ryan all-beef hot dog topped with whatever you want, or you can get, for example, a Janis Joplin dog (with Hatch green chilis and mac and cheese) or a James Dean dog (bleu cheese coleslaw and Frank’s Rod Hot Sauce) all for $6, which is a great bargain. The Texas tried and true cuisine favorites of barbecue and Tex-Mex are also represented at the Texas Smokehouse and Rojo’s Mexican Hideaway stands. At these two stands you can get such classics as Frito pie, tamales, chopped and sliced beef sandwiches, street corn, and carnitas tacos. Also, chain restaurants such as Chick-fil-A, Pizza Hut, Bahama Buck’s, and Amy’s Ice Cream are on site and offer pared-down versions of their signature menus. Atmosphere 3 Quite frankly, minor league sports are a mixed bag when it comes to the atmosphere. You’ll always have your core group of hardcore fans, but, depending on the size of the market, crowd sizes vary wildly. However, for the most part in my limited experience, minor league hockey seems to be an outlier – even here in Texas. In a city like Austin, where a good portion of the populace is transplanted from outside the state – many from places where hockey is a religion – the Stars have become a welcome reminder of their former homes. Since formally adopting the colors of their parent club in the Big D, you will see the stands of H-E-B Center littered with green, black, and white. Many are wearing the sweaters of current and past Texas Stars players or current and former Dallas Stars players. You’ll also see random Detroit Red Wings or Quebec Nordiques sweater or caps, just for fun. The team proudly flies its championship banners from the rafters, including Morin’s retired jersey and those of the Austin Spurs , and the crowd (more on them shortly) has responded to the team’s success in kind with enthusiasm and gusto. They cheer with every near goal and hard check. They have also carried down the parent club’s tradition of emphasizing “Stars” during that portion of the Star-Spangled Banner” – I’m not a fan of it personally, but to each their own. Neighborhood 3 Cedar Park is a suburb of Austin and is around a 25-minute drive from Austin’s downtown area. If you choose to come in for a game, you can’t go wrong staying in either town. Austin has everything you could want; the city is the de facto live music capital of the world with performances of every kind going on anywhere you can fit more than five people and a microphone. It’s also got museums, is a top destination for foodies, and has major league sports , as well as world-class hotel options to go along with all its entertainment and dining options. Cedar Park, while it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles Austin does, is still a charming small town nonetheless. When looking for things to do before games, Cedar Park has quite a few options – for outdoor enthusiasts, the Brushy Creek Regional Trail and Balcones Canyonlands offer visitors the chance to see native wildlife, as well as feature hiking, biking, running, and paddling and canoeing options. For a little family fun that’s off the beaten path, the Austin Steam Train Association offers train rides on weekends from their station in Cedar Park, including themed runs such as murder mysteries, as well as dinner ride options. When it comes to dining options, there are many dining and hotel options available in Cedar Park that are not only unique to the area, but are also close to H-E-B Center. For dining, the Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill is a favorite due to its unique southwestern-themed menu, and offers up fare such as tinga chicken rellenos, blue corn crust crispy salmon, and Baja shrimp tacos. Another option to keep an eye out for is Lucy’s Fried Chicken – as the name implies it offers top-notch fried chicken in all its varied forms; a sneaky great option is the fried chicken spaghetti. When it comes to hotels, there are numerous options depending on your budget, and many are within driving distance of H-E-B Center. These include the Springhill Suites by Marriott Austin Cedar Park and Westin Austin at The Domain . Fans 3 For Stars games, H-E-B Center is set up in a horseshoe configuration with the east end seats being mostly removed. Still, even without these seats the team averages just under 5,500 fans per game. The arena normally seats around 8,000, so even at close to 75% capacity, this is pretty impressive on a regular basis. The fans that come out show up decked in their green and black Stars gear, and are engaged from the minute the puck drops until the final buzzer sounds. It’s a passionate fan base that has proven to be knowledgeable, and that makes it fun to watch Stars games at H-E-B Center. Access 3 H-E-B Center is about a 25-minute drive from downtown Austin; it’s also about 28 minutes from Austin’s Bergstrom International Airport. The arena is located directly off state highway 183, though be forewarned that this is a toll road. Once on site, parking for Stars games is plentiful and is free, which is a nice bonus. However, unlike Austin, public transportation options are few and far between in Cedar Park. There are currently no light rail or bus stops at H-E-B Center. Your best bet, if you choose not to drive to the game, is to look into utilizing a rideshare service. Return on Investment 4 Single-game tickets for Stars games at H-E-B Center start at $21 per person. This is pretty much on par with the other teams across the AHL, which also goes for concessions; when you take into consideration the free parking, Texas Stars games at H-E-B Center can be quite a bargain, especially if you’re bringing a family. Since the AHL is the last stop for most players before they get to the NHL, there’s a good chance you’re going to see some top-level players at highly affordable prices. It’s also a great way to introduce novices to the sport of hockey. Extras 3 Like most minor league franchises, the Stars employ a lot of the traditional things to attract fans, and to keep them entertained while they’re in the arena. There are games during the intermission periods, there’s organ music of course, and there are giveaways and theme nights ($2 draft beer night, Halloween goalie mask night, Star Wars night, etc.). All of these are great. Perhaps the biggest draw though is the team’s mascot, which is arguably one of the most unique that I’ve come across, Ringo the Ringtail . Ringo (Ringo…Stars, get it?) is a life-sized ringtail, which looks like a cross between a fox and a raccoon and is a species unique to south Texas. He’s become quite the legend across the AHL, and young fans flock to him whenever he patrols the stands of H-E-B Center. Final Thoughts I’ve been to several events at H-E-B Center, including several Stars games, and I have enjoyed myself every time. This is a great venue, especially for hockey. There is no such thing as a bad sightline here and it still feels new, somehow, even though it is now over 10 years old. The Stars really do strive to put a great product on the ice, and they try to make sure they are worthy of the venue. I think anyone going will enjoy themselves. The arena isn’t necessarily bucket list worthy, but it is definitely more than worth your time to make a visit to Cedar Park. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Finneran Pavilion FANFARE Score: 4.43 Finneran Pavilion 113 N Ithan Ave Villanova, PA 19085 Villanova Wildcats website Finneran Pavilion website Year Opened: 1986 Capacity: 6,500 A Renovated Classic in Philly In 1985, under the direction of coach Rollie Massimino, the men's basketball team won the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament in the first year of the 64-team field. The final game, against defending champion and ten points favorite Georgetown, is often cited among the greatest upsets in college basketball history. The Wildcats won its second national championship in dramatic fashion again in 2016 when Kris Jenkins sank a buzzer-beater to defeat North Carolina 77-74. It was another incredible victory in the championship game of the Final Four and brought sought out championship back to Philadelphia. It was no surpise that the team would win another championship not too long after. One year after that first dramatic NCAA victory, the Pavilion was opened. The Pavilion arena was originally called the John Eleuthere du Pont Pavilion. When that namesake was convicted of the murder of Olympic wrestling gold medalist Dave Schultz the current name came into usage. Du Pont is the subject of the 2014 film Foxcatcher, in which he is portrayed by Steve Carell and Dave Schultz by Mark Ruffalo. Channing Tatum is also in the movie as Schultz’s brother Mark. The Pavilion replaced the Villanova Field House as home to Villanova basketball. That building still exists just next door and has since been renamed the Jake Nevin Field House. The Pavilion was closed between 2017-2018 for a major remodel. In 2018 the newly remodeled and renamed Finneran Pavilion open again. The Wildcats had been part of the Big East since 1980. DePaul University, Georgetown University, Marquette University, Providence College, Seton Hall University, St. John's University, and Villanova University chose to split from the football playing schools in order to focus on basketball. In 2013 these schools retained the existing Big East Conference name, logos, and men's basketball tournament site while adding Butler University, Creighton University, and Xavier University. The football-playing members of the old Big East formed the American Athletic Conference. Much of the pre-2013 history is shared between the two conferences. Villanova University is a private university located northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school is named after Saint Thomas of Villanova and is the oldest Catholic university in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as it was founded in 1842. It is part of the Order of Saint Augustine within the Catholic church. Food & Beverage 4 There are some very good food options at Villanova games. There are a few concession stands around the arena but there are also a few located at the new entrance to the arena. The options range from the regular arena standards to more creative tacos and other craft items. Atmosphere 5 Not all Villanova games are held here at the Pavilion. They move a few Big East games a season to the Wells Fargo Center in downtown Philadelphia. That is a bit of a shame as the sound and atmosphere here are pretty fun. The on-campus arena just does not hold enough people for the biggest of games, even after remodeling. There is only so much space to go along. Finneran Pavilion is a very strange building. The ceiling itself is unique with its hyperbolic paraboloid roof providing some unique angles. The seating concourses are split between four direction-based stands. The remodel effort took the best of the quirky facility and added more modern amenities and offerings. That along with the new, better main entrance has taken a very cool facility and made it into one of college basketball's best. There are cheerleaders, a good pep band, and mascot. All the usual college atmospherics is in place here. And the crowd can get quite loud. The concourses are still small in parts and shockingly way too wide also at parts. It is a fun place to wander around, but it is strange too. Neighborhood 4 Villanova is part of the Main Line in Philadelphia. This area has some of the wealthiest towns in the country, including Lower Merion, Radnor, and Gladwyne. There are many food options in and around the area. Peace a Pizza (4 Station Road, Ardmore, PA) has good pizza by the slice, often with some unusual options. 333 Belrose Bar & Grille (333 Belrose, King Of Prussia, PA) is worth a bit of drive for high-end dining. Kelly's Taproom is the closest within walking distance and has many good food and drink options. Wayne, PA is another popular area to explore before games. Pipeline Tacos and Teresa's Next Door are good options for food and drink respectively. Of course, the city of Philadelphia is close by so many options exist in that large city. May I suggest Philip's Steaks at 2234 West Passyunk Avenue for traditional Philly cheesesteaks? Fans 5 Villanova fans take the game pretty seriously. The student section is pretty lively and the general stands are filled with proud Wildcat fans. All games are essentially sellouts, so the fans attend and do their part pretty well. Access 3 Villanova University is located on Route 30/Lancaster Avenue, not very far from I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway). Route 30 is busy but is usually not a problem to drive on. Parking is plentiful around the stadium, although you may want to plan ahead a bit. There is no parking charge for basketball in general, but that will depend on the lot you choose. Public transportation is close by as you can take a SEPTA train from 30th Street Station in downtown Philadelphia to the on-campus Villanova stop. Check the schedules for night and weekend games. Return on Investment 5 Villanova basketball tickets at The Pavilion are sold out on a season ticket basis. Occasionally, individual tickets are available depending on the opponent. Usually, you'll have to find tickets on the aftermarket. Depending on the opponent the prices will vary dramatically. Because of the arena size, it is no wonder they move some games into the larger venue downtown. If you can score a ticket to Finneran Pavilion it offers a great value, even if it is on the surface fairly high. Extras 5 The roof of the Pavilion and the unique concourse system is worth a trip alone. It can be a bit frustrating to get from one area of the arena to another because of this unique setup. It is also a bit strange to see the seating sections arranged in such a dramatic setup. Right inside the main entrance are many areas that commemorate the Villanova past along with their three national championships. The cool displays and the nice large entrance are worth a few extras by itself. The unique stands are also a great extra. Final Thoughts Finneran Pavilion is one of the most unique looking arenas around. It offers a great place to see some very high-quality basketball in a fun environment. In a world when some basketball arenas are getting larger and more corporate, it is good to know there is a building in Philadelphia that is a true classic hoops hall.

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field 100 Stadium Dr Williamsburg, VA 23185 William & Mary Tribe website Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field website Year Opened: 1935 Capacity: 12,672 Football In The Colonial Capital Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field has been the home of William & Mary Football since the facility was built in 1935. The first game in the facility was the 1935 season opener when the Tribe battled the University of Virginia to a 0-0 tie. A $28 million renovation in 2016 added suites, a press box, and an upper deck which now make Zable Stadium a great spot to catch some FCS football. Food & Beverage 4 Zable Stadium offers a good variety of food options to keep you from getting hungry while at the game. The concession stands on the main/lower level concourse of the home side stands offer hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, Italian sausage, chicken tenders, and fresh-cut fries. Snack items include nachos, pretzels, popcorn, and candy (M&M’s, gummies, etc.). Beverage items include fountain Pepsi products and bottled water. Keep in mind that the concession stands on the upper level of the home side only offer nachos, popcorn, hot dogs, and candy, along with bottled water and soda. So, if you are sitting in the upper level and want more filling options, you’ll have to take the hike down to the lower level. There is one smaller concession stand for the fans sitting in the visiting sideline stands in the corner near section 119, which has similar offerings as both stands on the home side. Atmosphere 3 Zable Stadium is a brick structure with two levels of seating on the home side and one seating level on the visiting sidelines. On the home-side stands, there is a single level of suites between the upper and lower level. At the top of the upper deck, is a large and spacious press box. Brick archways surround the facility including in both end zones. As is the case with many older FCS facilities, a track surrounds the field. This pushes the fans back, but as long as you are sitting higher up, should not affect your view. The track is open for fans to walk on in both end zones to get from one side to the other. The field is artificial turf and there is a large video board in the south end zone. Zable Stadium Home Side and Press Box, Photo by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey William & Mary have a small band that plays on the field pregame as the team runs out through green smoke. The band also plays throughout the game. In the northwest end zone corner, there is an army artillery canon. Keep in mind it fires at the start of the game and second half, as well as after each Tribe score. It is loud, so don’t be startled! Zable Stadium has a mix of bench back and bleacher seating. For an afternoon game, we recommend sitting on the home side so the sun will be at your back and not directly in your eyes. Neighborhood 5 If you are looking for other things to do while in town for a William & Mary football game, there are many options in the Williamsburg area. Colonial Williamsburg has many colonial-style homes, shops, restaurants, and attractions in the downtown area. One interesting restaurant with great food is Food for Thought, which has a menu as diverse as the minds of great American thinkers. Food for Thought’s décor features biographical pictures of inventors, scientists, and social leaders while the walls display thought-provoking quotes used to set the tone for a positive and enjoyable dining experience. Also, nearby is Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement on the east coast; and Yorktown, the site where the British surrendered and the Revolutionary War ended. There are also many other resorts and attractions nearby including theme parks Busch Gardens and Water Country. Fans 2 William & Mary have not made the FCS playoffs since 2015 and have had several down seasons in a row, so fan support is not the greatest. Unless the Tribe is playing James Madison (which will not happen again due to JMU moving to FBS, expect only around 6,000 fans in attendance. This is only 50% capacity of the renovated stadium. When we attended in 2021, there were 10,000 in attendance, but several thousand of these were the aforementioned JMU fans. Access 3 Zable Stadium is located right off of Richmond Road in Downtown Williamsburg. Due to this location near Colonial Williamsburg and being on campus, allow yourself some extra time going to the game. The two-lane roads surrounding the stadium back up easily. Most of the parking around the stadium is reserved for season ticket holders. However, there is general parking for $10 near Kaplan Arena. There are also many pay-to-park lots in downtown Williamsburg. The easiest gates for entry are in the south end zone. Once you enter here, you have easy access to stands on either side of the field. Note if you are sitting in the lower level on either side, you will simply walk along the sideline and up into the stands. If you are in the upper deck there are stairs and elevators to access. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices start at $20 and go up, which is about right for this level of football. $10 parking is a little steep so we suggest finding free parking on the streets/lots around downtown Williamsburg. Throw in affordable concessions and you can have a good experience watching FCS football without breaking the bank. Extras 1 Zable Stadium earns an extra point for the colonial soldiers that roam the sideline throughout the game. This is a nice touch and fits the vibe of the stadium’s setting in colonial Williamsburg amidst many historic buildings. Final Thoughts Most folks will not think of William & Mary football when visiting Williamsburg, VA. However, recent renovations make it a nice facility for FCS football on a fall afternoon in the Colonial Capital.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Independence Stadium 3900-3934 Fisk St Shreveport, LA 71109 Independence Bowl website Independence Stadium website Year Opened: 1924 Capacity: 65,000 Bowling in Shreveport Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, opened in 1924 and has a capacity of 65,000. The facility is owned by the City of Shreveport, and is most well-known for hosting the annual FBS Independence Bowl – this is the only college football game you will probably see in the venue, in fact, as there are no college teams who use it regularly, though the facility does host some high school football games. The stadium was also used a long-time ago as the home stadium for the Shreveport Steamers of the short-lied and now defunct World Football League. The Independence Bowl itself is sort of a mixed bag in terms of its participants and conference tie-ins; while most bowl games have deals with certain conferences, the Independence Bowl has gone a step further and made deals with specific teams – for 2021 thru 2025 for example, the game has contracted to alternate between BYU and Army as one of its participants, while the other will come from either the American conference, the PAC-12, or Conference USA depending on the year. It remains to be seen how the deal with BYU will go given the Cougars pending move to the Big 12. Food & Beverage 5 The food and beverage options at Independence Stadium start long before you enter the stadium gates – given that this bowl game is the biggest sporting event in northern Louisiana every year, it shouldn’t surprise you that there are plenty of options surrounding the stadium. Ranging from the fan fests sponsored by each participating team and by the various bowl sponsors, to the restaurants and bars only a block or two from the venue, to the food trucks brought in for the day, you will have no problem finding a bite to eat, and some it will even be free – at the most recent Independence Bowl, for example, the BYU fan fest offered free Brunswick Stew to all fans (although they did run out quickly), and one of the event sponsors had a tent with free barbecue, sides, and bowl-branded souvenirs such as mugs, mini footballs, and lanyards. The food trucks on-site offered items such as corn dogs and hot dogs, and the on-site bars offered a slew of alcohol selections. And if you don’t get your fill outside, you can of course eat once you enter the stadium as well – Independence Stadium has concession stands both on the main level and at the top of the grandstand (the ones on top have shorter lines but may require a longer walk up the stairs, depending on how far up you are sitting). Some of the stands offer pretty basic fare like hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels, and nachos, but there are also some more interesting options such as pizza from Johnny’s, ice cream from Counter Culture, barbecue from Real, and of course, Cajun cuisine from Marilyn’s Place, which is a must given that the stadium is located in Louisiana. The specialty items will of course cost more, but there are plenty of lower cost options for fans on a tighter budget. Atmosphere 3 It is best to get to the game early if you want to take in the full experience, including the aforementioned fan fests and seeing the participating schools’ bands march in. There is also a flyover before kickoff (assuming the weather isn’t bad, which unfortunately happens from time to time), and you can buy game swag either outside the stadium, or inside after you enter. Independence Stadium is laid out in a bowl design with grandstands along the sidelines and in the south end zone, and some tents set up at field level on the west side. The best seats in the house are actually in the suite area at the top of the south side, which has covered seating, so if you are worried about inclement weather or too much sun that is your best bet, although these cost a little more. The press box and box seats are on the west side, while the main scoreboard is located above the north end zone, although there is another smaller one on the south side. While most of the seats are regular metal bleachers, there are some chairbacks seats in some areas if you prefer those. Neighborhood 3 Cajun cuisine, seafood, and gambling are the order of the day when you visit Shreveport; there are a couple of great restaurants about 5 or 6 blocks from the stadium, with a few more closer to the airport, plus several casinos across the Red River in Bossier City. John’s Seafood is within walking distance of the stadium and serves calabash-style fresh seafood. However, if you are looking for something more in the Cajun line, try Monkhouse Seafood Diner near the airport (about 2 miles west of the stadium) – Monkhouse is best known for its catfish and stuffed shrimp. If you are going to be in town overnight, most of the hotels are near the airport, but there are additional options in Bossier City. If you want something near the airport, Residence Inn on Monkhouse Drive a is a great choice, with well-appointed rooms and rates starting at under $100. Some of the options in Bossier City have even cheaper rates, however, since they are subsidized by the casinos, and offer more of a resort-type feel, such as the Horseshoe Casino Hotel. In addition, Bossier City is not that much further away from Independence Stadium than the airport. Fans 3 Like many bowl games, the stands can seem pretty empty at Independence Stadium during the Independence Bowl, given how far away the participating teams usually come from, and the fact that the game usually happens during the holiday season when many fans are spending time with family. That said, however, at this game you will get some of the most diehard fans of the two schools that exist anywhere, namely those willing to make the long trek to this faraway game, so you will get some great energy and some pretty decent crowd noise, including the ubiquitous fans with no shirts and chests painted in their team’s colors. Access 4 Independence Stadium is probably one of the easiest stadiums in the country to get in and out of for a bowl game. Located just 2 miles from the Shreveport Regional Airport, which being a small airport has light traffic, short lines, and rental cars right outside the terminal, the stadium is easy to get to even if you live several states away. You can also park right outside the stadium for $20, and there are more than enough concessions stands and bathrooms to accommodate the crowd size. The only potential downside is that the traffic is all routed one way after the game, in an attempt to empty the stadium as quickly as possible, so you may end up having to circle back once you get a few miles from the venue – however, this is a small price to pay in order to get out quickly. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to the Independence Bowl run about $40 for lower-level seats, but you can usually get them cheaper from 3rd party re-sellers. The parking and food and drink prices are also reasonable, especially when you consider the specialty options available from the food trucks and some of the vendors inside the facility. The festivities outside the stadium before the game also help make the visit worthwhile. Extras 3 Although it didn’t happen during my most recent visit due to poor weather, the jet flyover was very impressive when I was able to see it, and goes well with the patriotic bent of this particular bowl game. This is also the only college football game you will probably see in this particular stadium, so if you are interested in visiting different stadiums like I am, you should see a game here at least once. Final Thoughts Independence Stadium itself is a little dated, though it has had some recent upgrades, and of course the Independence Bowl is not the highest profile bowl matchup you can find in the area. However, Shreveport is a great town to visit, and the Independence Bowl staff does a wonderful job setting up a great event with fans fests before the game, free souvenirs from the vendors, a jet flyover to boot, and a stadium that is easy to get to and move around. All in all, you can’t go wrong taking in the bowl game here at Independence Stadium, especially if you are lucky enough to have your team here for the game.

Photos by Dennis Morrell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Cable Dahmer Arena 19100 E Valley View Pkwy Independence, MO 64055 Kansas City Mavericks website Cable Dahmer Arena website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 5,800 Pro Hockey in Western Missouri Cable Dahmer Arena is the current home of the KC Mavericks, the premier ECHL team in Kansas City. It was built in 2009 in Independence, Mo to serve as the home and front office of the Mavericks as well as the KC Comets of the Major Arena Soccer League. It hosts more than just sporting events, as concerts, festivals, and trade shows are held here as well. The Mavericks organization was founded in 2009 as the Missouri Mavericks of the CHL. They got off to a strong start in the league, qualifying for the playoffs and making it past the first round for their first 5 years. In 2014, the team transitioned to the ECHL, where they made the postseason in the 2015-16 and 2018-19 seasons. The city of Independence has a few notable historical distinctions. It was known as the “Queen City of the Trails” since it was the start of the Oregon, California, and Santa Fe trails. Independence was also the hometown of US President Harry S. Truman, and the Truman Presidential Library and Museum is in the city. Food & Beverage 4 Cable Dahmer Arena offers a nice selection of concession options with a few unique items worth trying. The typical cheeseburgers ($13), hot dogs ($5), and nachos ($6) are all available along with Bavarian Pretzels ($7) and grilled chicken ($13) at the main concession stands. Pie Five Pizza Company has two locations in the arena that serve up fresh pizza ($7 per slice), souvenir sodas ($8) and hot cocoa ($4). Scattered around the outer concourse, you’ll find several Dippin’ Dots and Bavarian Pretzel stands. The most unique offerings come from The Chocolate Fountain, where you could get chocolate coated cheesecake ($7), bananas ($6), marshmallows ($3), pretzels ($3) and Rice Krispies ($3). Alcohol is available at Biergarten, Jack Daniels and the main concessions. Pepsi and Coke Products are available inside the arena. Prices are a bit higher than other sporting events, but The Chocolate Fountain is a nice touch, and you should be able to find something to eat if you get hungry during the game. Atmosphere 4 The arena is built like most hockey stadiums, with 20 minor seating bowls surrounding the edge of the rink. VIP and box seating is located above the general admission area on the second floor. Concessions are dotted around the fringe of the arena with some vendors selling soda and cotton candy among the bleachers. The interior features of the arena feel more modern than other minor league rinks with a sleeker look that resembles newer NHL arenas. You can see all the action on the ice from any point, so you won’t need to fret over seating locations. The score is displayed on jumbotrons above each goal. The screens also show replays, player closeups and promotions. They are a nice touch over a traditional scoreboard and add to the overall experience. Music is played in between the action but is cut out once play begins. The mascot, Mac, is usually in the stands engaging with fans or making noise with his drum. When the Mavericks score a goal, all the lights are turned off and loud train whistles are played, along with strobe lights. All the extra effects are a nice touch that make the game more exciting without getting in the way of the action. A Mavericks game feels like a smaller version of what you would find in the NHL and a step above most minor league venues. If you’re looking for a professional hockey experience, Cable Dahmer Arena has you covered. Neighborhood 4 The arena is in Independence, Mo and is situated near Independence Commons, a shopping center that has an AMC theater and some major retailers. The Kansas City Symphony at Union Station in only a few miles away and features world class performances. It is 15 minutes away from Arrowhead Stadium and less than 10 from Coco Waterpark and Cool Crest Family Fun Center if you want more to do on your visit. There are several chain restaurants nearby along with some local eateries like Salvatore’s and V’s Italiano Restaurante. Independence is mostly known as the home of the United States 33rd President, Harry Truman. There are several museums and sites honoring this President in the city that are very worthwhile checking out when in town. If time permits, do visit the Harry Truman Library & Museum. There is a #33 Truman banner hanging from the rafters at the arena – nicely done in honor of this US President. Independence has plenty of things to do outside of the KC Mavericks and if you’re still looking for more, you can always take a short drive to Kansas City. Fans 3 Attendance has been significantly lower this year due to the pandemic, but the fans present were still loud and energetic. Most sport a jersey along with team gear and many stayed till the final seconds. There may not be a lot of fans, but the ones that do show up care about the team and are engaged with what is happening on the ice. Access 4 The rink is less than one mile from the nearest I-70 exit and a 45-minute drive from KCI airport and public transport is available. Parking is free and the lots directly surround the building. Four restrooms are on the first floor, located at each corner of the arena. There is handicapped access to restrooms and exclusive seating area. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices for the lower seating area range from $12-$65 depending on the section. Premium access cost varies depending on the event, but usually ranges around $150-$350 for suites. Parking is free but concession costs are a bit high. This is about average for the ECHL. Extras 3 There are nightly promotions and there is usually something for the kids, like Chuck-a -Puck or small contests during intermission periods. There is a raffle where you can win signed jerseys and other player gear. There are a few nice extras, but they aren’t going to bring you to the game. Final Thoughts Cable Dahmer offers an above average experience for the ECHL. The arena feels sleek and new and has nice selections available at the concessions. Independence also has plenty to do after the game and is close to Kansas City if it’s not enough. If you’re looking for an NHL experience on a budget, a Mavericks game is well worth it.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Alumni Stadium 1282 N Dupont Highway Dover, DE 19901 Delaware State Hornets website Alumni Stadium website Year Opened: 1957 Capacity: 7,193 Fear the Swarm! Delaware State has been a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) since its founding in 1970. The MEAC is made up of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) located between Florida and Delaware. Delaware State is the smallest of the MEAC schools with a little over 3,600 students and was ranked 9th among all HBCUs by U.S. News & World Report in 2014. It opened in 1891, eventually to be named Delaware State College, and later changed to a university in 1993. One of their most unique programs is the university-based flight school, and it also has a fine business school. The Hornets football team plays at 7,193-seat Alumni Stadium, which is also their track and field venue. They are a four-time conference champion and made their first-ever FCS playoff appearance in 2007 losing to in-state rival Delaware. The team has had its ups and downs over the years. In 2007 they were named Black College National Champions, a mythical championship shared with Tuskegee University. The lowest point in the program’s history came on November 9, 1980, when Delaware State lost to the Portland State Vikings by a score of 105-0 in the most lopsided loss in Division I-AA Football history. Food & Beverage 3 There is not much at Alumni Stadium in terms of food, at least officially. If you enter the main entrance by the south stands you will see that the grandstand has two food stands that are empty and not always used. But there are usually food trucks and local vendors located on the grassy areas surrounding the track and field. Grotto Pizza may be there and it is always worth trying the popular Delaware pizza option. A more official-looking stand in the northwest corner may also be open that sells a fish dinner with 2 sides and Brown’s Famous Funnel Cake, Hot Dogs, and Italian Sausage. Atmosphere 4 The stadium has a very unique atmosphere. At first glance, it looks like a pretty poor facility. There are high schools with better stadiums. And the track around the field makes views feel pretty far away. The south stand is mainly bleacher seats with a few areas with seatbacks. The north stand is entirely bleacher seats with no seatbacks. But the crowd is into their team. The band fires up the sound and gets everyone into the action. The stadium alone deserves a low rating, but the atmosphere makes up for the lack of facilities. The stadium also has a new state-of-the-art Daktronics multi-media display system, featuring a high definition video screen and scoreboard that enhances the action. Neighborhood 3 There is no real neighborhood per se around Alumni Stadium. The stadium sits off the very busy DuPont Highway. You can see the Dover Mall and Dover International Speedway from your seats. I even heard a stock car screaming around the speedway as I walked towards the game. A closed big box store is located right next to the north stand, with another still opened store nearby as well. So if you need pet supplies you will be good to go. The area is good if you need food and sustenance before or after the game. Legendary local chain Grotto Pizza has a sports bar located across the street at 1159 N DuPont Highway. They have never been a favorite of mine but fans of them will flock there. Other great choices include Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop on Gateway S Blvd, Restaurant 55 at 2461 S State St, La Tolteca Restaurant at 859 N Dupont Hwy, and 33 West Ale House & Grill at 33 W Loockerman Street. The Fire and Ice Bar at Dover Downs Casino is another choice for a drink after the game. Fans 4 The fans are enthusiastic even when the team is not living up to expectations. The amazing band, cheerleaders, and dance team help the fans get energized. Access 4 The university is right off of a major road in DuPont Highway. A toll road, Route 1, takes you most of the way north to Wilmington is also nearby. Dover is about a one-and-a-half-hour trip from Philadelphia or Baltimore, and at least two hours from Washington DC. It seems close by on a map but is isolated at the center of the Delmarva Peninsula. If venturing to a shore destination such as Ocean City, Maryland, or Rehobeth, Delaware, then Dover may make a quick, enjoyable stop, but as a destination, it is not the easiest location to travel to. Watch out for NASCAR weekends when traveling in the area; those weekends are not recommended unless you have no other options, as traffic can pile up, so leave yourself additional time in those cases. There may also be tolls unless you are already on the eastern shore or the Delmarva region. If traveling from the DC and Annapolis area you will have to pay tolls across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. If going around the top of the bay from Baltimore you will have to pay very hefty tolls on either Route 40 or I-95. And coming from Norfolk you will need to pay for the Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Parking is easy as you will be directed by university police to various lots around the campus. It is free except for the annual homecoming game where parking will be $20 or if you choose to park right by the stadium. Return on Investment 3 Tickets run from $10 to $25. Homecoming gets a price bump from $30 to $40. Youth tickets are normally $5 ($10 for homecoming) with seniors 62 plus for $10. Parking is free except for the homecoming game. The price seems just about right for the experience you will have. . Extras 1 There is not much to this stadium. The lack of official food seems weird, but the local vendors offer some great food at a great value. This is the one true extra here at Delaware State University. Final Thoughts There are many high schools with far better facilities than Alumni Stadium. But the crowd and atmosphere, as well as the fine quality of play, visits Delaware State football a good time for any fan.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Bazemore-Hyder Stadium 1204 Williams St Valdosta, GA 31601 Valdosta State Blazers website Bazemore-Hyder Stadium website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 11,249 The Blazin’ Brigade Bazemore-Hyder Stadium at Cleveland Field is the home field of the Valdosta High School Wildcats, but is also used by the NCAA Division II’s Valdosta State Blazers. The overall facility was named after two prominent Wildcats coaches, while the field itself was named after a former school superintendent. Though football was first played here in 1923, the old stadium was demolished and a new venue built on the same site in 2004. The new venue includes a Wildcat Museum to celebrate the many accomplishments of the high school club. The Valdosta Blazers have played football here since 1982, and in four decades and earned 4 national championships (#Titletown, USA). The Blazers currently compete in the Gulf South Conference. Food & Beverage 4 Bazemore-Hyder Stadium has concessions stands on both sides of the field, and offers a strong selection of menu items including pulled pork, BBQ chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, Italian sausage, nachos (with or without barbecue), popcorn, and packaged candy for $2 to $5 (except for the BBQ nachos which are $8). The home side also offers a few additional items such as shaved ice, kettle corn, and caramel corn. You can also buy bottled Coke Products or bottled water for $3. Atmosphere 4 Bazemore-Hyder Stadium is a great little facility – while not large compared to FBS or FCS facilities (which require more seating by rule), the Blazers’ 11,249 capacity is on the higher side for D2. The trees surrounding the stadium on three sides provide a pleasant setting, and there is plenty of Blazer signage all around the facility, making it hard to tell this is really a high school football stadium (a lot of shared stadiums don’t do as good a job hiding the other team’s décor, so seeing that here is a great touch). Bazemore-Hyder Stadium has grandstands along both sidelines, on the north and south sides of the field – the larger home stands have chairback seats and chairback rails all the way across, making for more comfortable seating for fans. The visitor side, however, has regular bleachers in all areas, and the two grandstands are not connected, so you will have to enter on the side where you have your tickets. The east side of the stadium is taken up by the field house with locker rooms, while the west side has a large scoreboard, including a videoboard for instant replays, which is big enough that it can easily be seen from anywhere in the venue, no matter where you are sitting. The Valdosta State marching band is known as the Blazin’ Brigade, and along with the cheer squad they put on a great show before the game, when the team comes onto the field, and during halftime, with lots of red-and-black banners waving in the breeze. The band is also very large and does a lot of great formations, including playing popular songs from both today and yesterday. Blazin' Brigade, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 Valdosta, GA has a population of around fifty-six thousand, and is located next to I-75 not far from the Florida-Georgia line; the stadium is nestled between Highway 221 on the south and Highway 41 on the east and north. There are several Mexican restaurants near the venue (El Cazador is the closest), but Soultry’s Southern Cuisine is only a couple of miles away (next to I-75), as is Texas Roadhouse, if you are looking to take in some other games before or after the Blazers contest. There are plenty of hotels in Valdosta, with enough options to fit any budget – all of these are located in the corridor next to I-75, about 3 miles west of Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. There are also a couple of parks within a few miles of the facility, as well as the South Georgia Selfie Museum if you are looking for a more modern and unique type of tourist attraction to visit. Fans 3 Even for a D2 playoff game the Valdosta State Blazers do not draw a huge crowd to Bazemore-Hyder Stadium, but the fans who are there are plenty loud, and they definitely outnumber the visiting fans, which is always a refreshing thing to see from the fans at a smaller school. The facility also sells Blazer team gear underneath the home side (not a huge selection but a few items), so be sure to pick up your VSU swag while at the game. Access 3 On the plus side, Bazemore-Hyder Stadium is easy to get to since it is located near several different highways, and you can park right across the street at the VFW for $10, which is a great deal and makes for a short walk to the venue. The concourse is also very easy to move around, and there are plenty of bathrooms and concessions stands to accommodate everyone. The downside is that the two different grandstands are separated, so you cannot move freely from one area to the other, and you have to enter on the side where you have your ticket. Things are particularly congested on the visitor side, with long lines to buy tickets (and for concessions), so be sure to buy your tickets online before the game so you can avoid some of the wait. Ticket lines were almost non-existent on the home side, however, and the concessions lines are shorter on the home side as well. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Valdosta State games at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium start at $12, but it is worth it to pay a little more to get the chairback seats on the home side, as well as the better concessions and shorter lines on that side. Concessions are also a great deal with most items running under $5, which is much less expensive than a lot of other venues – for the experience you get, seeing a Blazers game is definitely a great return on investment for your sports dollar. Extras 3 Valdosta State has an awesome mascot (a person in a matchstick costume with a flame for a head, amazing costume!), and they play several videos on the big screen during halftime to keep fans entertained after the marching band finishes their show. They also have a solid football program with no fewer than four national championships in less than twenty years, so you are sure to see some great talent on the field. Valdosta State Banners, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts Bazemore-Hyder Stadium is definitely worth a look – you may not have heard of the small school known as Valdosta State University, but if you are a football fan you should have heard of the Blazers and their recent string of successes. If you are in the south Georgia area, make time to take this great little stadium in rural GA.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.71 Road America N7390 WI-67 Elkhart Lake, WI 53073 NASCAR Cup Series Road America website Year Opened: 1955 Capacity: 150,000 Mid-American 4th of July Power Road America is often regarded as one of the greatest race tracks in the world, let alone the USA. Its annual schedule features NASCAR on the Fourth of July weekend. Fans from all over the Midwest flock to this track to witness some of North America’s best sports action, in a beautiful setting that proves to be both fan friendly and easy to navigate. Food & Beverage 5 There are a lot of places to eat at Road America, and the ones that exist are an absolute treat for the pallet. With over 20 concessions stands located around the course, Road America is led by the Gearbox, a hillside concessions stand and bar that features some of the best views on the property, as well as the best food around. Being in Wisconsin, you can get the best cheese and sausage foods there, as well as a brilliantly tasty breakfast food called eggers. The addition of the IndyCar Series to the Road America schedule means even more food options are now available around the race course. Of course the beer is also cold and tasty, perfect for sitting under a tree feeling the cool breeze as the cars go speeding past. Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere around Road America during race weekend is very family friendly and relaxed. The best in the sport are taking part in some of the most exciting racing around, and despite the tension of the competition, everyone – including the teams and drivers – is in a relaxed and fun-loving mood. There is just something about the beauty of the countryside and the forests around the premises that put everyone in a “let’s go race and enjoy every moment of it” state of mind. In addition, the quality of the on-track action is enough to make any fan excited to see what happens around the next corner. The excitement fills the air every time a car takes to the track, be it for practice, qualifying, or for a race. Road America has also undergone a recent renovation, including the addition of new entrance gates, a new store, and brand-new shower and bathroom facilities in the camping grounds. Neighborhood 4 The area around Road America is exactly what you would expect to find in rural Wisconsin – rolling hills, farmland, forests, and small towns. The town of Elkhart Lake is quaint and small, but is seething with racing history and lore. Famed racing announcer David Hobbs calls the small town home, and the fans here are all die-hards who watch everything that happens on the track. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay near Road America, there is a wide variety of small bed-and-breakfasts to pick from in and around Elkhart Lake, as well as some cabins that can make you feel like you’re roughing it…sort of. In addition, the town of Sheboygan is only 20-30 minutes away by car, providing fans a chance to stay in a hotel chain of their choice (Holiday Inn, La Quinta, etc. are all located in Sheboygan). If you’re looking for something to eat, Sheboygan has a wide variety of restaurants, from Applebee’s to McDonald’s. But by far the most must-see eatery near Road American is the Stop-Inn Tavern at Siebkens Resort in Elkhart Lake, a local bar that all of racing royalty has passed through at some time or another. And, for those looking for something to see and do, the Kettle-Moraine State Forest is not far from the track, providing some great hiking options. In addition, the Kohler factory is in nearby Sheboygan, and Road America’s location is just a 30-minute drive from the Great Lakes. Fans 5 Fans at Road America are much like those in the rest of the Midwest – die-hard and series-knowledgeable. They’re also absurdly kind and sweet, willing to help in any way possible when you need assistance with anything. They also pack the camping areas around the speedway, making for one brilliant fan block party. Over 250,000 fans packed the track during NASCAR race weekend, making it a race unlike any other on the schedule. NASCAR Cup Series at Road America - Fans Watching From the Hill, Photo by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Access 4 Getting to Road America isn’t as difficult as getting to some sports facilities. That said, it is off the beaten path; at least a 10-minute drive from the nearest highway, Road America requires you to drive down some single-lane roads through the hilly countryside. However, with the addition of IndyCar to the schedule, the facility has greatly increased its signage nearby. The entrance is so sudden and not easily marked that in the past one would be liable to drive right past it, were there not a major race going on that weekend. Now, however, with the new signs it is much easier to get on the right path to the entrances. Once you’re at Road America you will also discover that there are several other entrances to the track that you didn’t know about to begin with, which can be frustrating if you had to wait hours in line. Check the fan map of the venue to identify the alternate gates and entrances. The biggest plus at Road America is that the main entrance had a complete a few years ago, adding more entrance booths for faster processing of fans and campers. But what sets the track apart from others is the ease of which traffic flows from the track after major events. After the packed NASCAR weekend, long lines eased out of the track without much trouble, meaning there wasn’t much backup for fans going home. Return on Investment 5 Despite being practically in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin, Road America is one of the best tracks at which you can watch a race. The facility is huge, but you are given plenty of options to watch the race from without having to move from place to place. Watching from the right location can give you up to six corners of the track to see all at once, and you also get access to the grandstands all around the track, as well as access to the paddock, with your admission ticket to most races. Extras 5 Where once a zip line ended now stands a high vantage point for fans to watch the action at the track inside the final turn. The former zip line landing platform is now a giant viewing zone, and while you may have to climb a lot of stairs to get there, the view is well worth it. Additionally, if you have ever wanted to try your hand at racing, you can sign up for racing school at the track. You can also take a trip to Elkhart Lake, and follow the original track layouts through historic markers along the roadside. Before it had its current layout, Road America was once a true street course, running through Elkhart Lake itself and over the hills on the various roadways in the nearby area. If you can’t peel your eyes away from your mobile device, you can also engage with the race on social media, and see your photos and tweets on the various big screens around Road America by using specific hashtags and handles on Twitter and Instagram. However, if treetop views or social media aren’t your thing, you can also take a wandering hike through the forest on several pathways that meander through the mountains above Kettle Bottoms and Canada Corner – these trails lead from the top of the peak to the bottom of a newly-cleared pathway along the infamous straightaway. Final Thoughts If you want to see racing history meet modern-day sports stars, take a trip to Road America. You will not be disappointed in what you find. In addition, if you want to take a step above that, go camping on the property during race weekend. The fans are nice, the action is top quality, and the weather is almost always beautiful – it’s hard to find a better place to see racing in North America than Road America. The new NASCAR Fourth of July race weekend creates the perfect mix of celebrating America with watching one of the world’s top racing series at one of the world’s top racing tracks.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Columbus Civic Center 400 4th St. Columbus, GA 31901 Columbus River Dragons website Columbus Civic Center website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 7,459 River Dragons Fire Up Columbus Columbus, Georgia has a long history of minor league ice hockey. The Columbus Cottonmouths were based in the city from 1996-2017. They played in the CHL (1996-2001), the ECHL (2001-2004), and the SPHL (2004-2017) at different points in their history. They won the CHL Championship in 1998. The Columbus River Dragons came into existence in 2019. They are members of the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) which serves as the Class A level of professional hockey. Other teams in the FPHL are in Battle Creek, MI, Danbury, CT, Danville, IL, Winston-Salem, NC, Elmira, NY, Harrington, DE, Mentor, OH, and Port Huron, MI. The River Dragons’ lair is the Columbus Civic Center. It was built in 1996 and has a seating capacity of 10,000 (7,459 in its hockey configuration). It also has three suites which are available on a game-by-game basis. The Dragon Party Pits are a set of group/party seating areas located at the ice level at the end of the ice where the River Dragons are on the attack twice during the game. The Civic Center features a Daktronics center-hung four-sided scoreboard. The Dragon’s Den sells team merchandise at the concourse level. Food & Beverage 3 There are six concession stands located at the concourse level of the facility. The number of these stands that are open on a given night depends on the expected attendance. Service was very efficient the night we attended a game, so we did not encounter any lines. The menu of items served at the stands is limited, as it offers only the usual arena staples of hot dogs, candy, popcorn, and soft drinks. Atmosphere 4 The return of hockey to the Columbus area has brought a great deal of excitement to the River City. The team has picked up where the Cottonmouths left off and built on their legacy by offering a very impressive team that won an Ignite Cup in its second year of existence. The staff of the team does a great job of keeping a night out at a game as entertaining as possible. They do all sorts of competitions in between the periods and Scorch and Torch can often be found roaming the stands, posing very willingly with the fans. There is not a bad seat in the house. The concourses are wide and allow for easy navigation between periods or prior to the game. Torch Serves as the River Dragon's Mascot, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 The Columbus Civic Center is in a sports complex known as the South Commons and Golden Park. The complex features the Civic Center, a stand-alone ice skating rink, a baseball park, a football stadium, and a skateboard park. Golden Park is home to a softball stadium that served as the women’s softball venue during the 1996 Olympic Games. The South Commons complex lies along the eastern shore of the Chattahoochee River, which serves as the Georgia/Alabama state border. The Civic Center is just south of downtown Columbus. It is also just north of the Fort Benning Army base. Ft. Benning is the largest training facility for the US Army in the country. There are two military-related museums near the venue. The National Civil War Naval Museum offers a look at the various ships and ironclads used by both the Union and the Confederacy in battles to control access to the ports that were vital supply lines to both sides. This museum is located across the parking lot from the Civic Center. Fort Benning is home to the National Infantry Museum and is located a few blocks east of the Civic Center. Downtown Columbus is located just north of the Civic Center via Veteran’s Parkway. It features the home of blues legend Ma Rainey as well as the homes of John Pemberton, the inventor of the formula for Coca-Cola, and the residence of author Carson McCullers, who wrote: “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.” Fans 3 The River Dragons fanbase is a combination of the hardcore fans who have been involved in Columbus hockey since 1996. They are easy to identify, as it is not usual to see fans still wearing their Cottonmouth jerseys. The team is very involved in the community, especially doing appearances in local schools and at youth hockey games taking place next door at the Columbus Ice Center. This seems to be paying off, as there are a number of teams at each game. The team recognizes the teams before the game and in between the periods. The youth teams often take the ice themselves in a very short game between the periods. A third component of the fanbase is members of the military. Fort Benning is a close neighbor to the Civic Center and troops going through basic training frequent River Dragons when they are allowed an evening off base. Columbus is also the permanent home for many retired military personnel. Often these service members grew up in towns where hockey is more prevalent than in the South. They know the game well and enjoy seeing it played at any level. Access 4 The Columbus Civic Center is easy to access as it is located at the intersection of two of Columbus’ main thoroughfares. It is equally easy to access from Phenix City, AL, which is just across the state line from Columbus Directions from the North: Take I-85 South to I-185 South. Take I-185 South to Exit 1B (Victory Drive/US Highway 27 North) Turn right at end of the ramp. Continue Victory Drive until you reach the Veteran’s Parkway intersection. Turn left at this intersection into the Civic Center parking lot. Directions from the West: From Phenix City, AL take US Highway 280 East, crossing the Chattahoochee River into Georgia. At the intersection of Victory Drive and Veteran’s Parkway turn right into the Columbus Civic Center’s parking lot. Return on Investment 4 A night out with the River Dragons will not burn a hole in your wallet. Seats on the sides of the rink at both the 100 and 200 level cost $12. Seats at the south end of the ice cost $10. Parking at the Columbus Civic Center is free for River Dragons games. The concessions sold at the Civic Center are very reasonably priced. Hotels in the area cost less than $100 a night. Extras 4 The team mascots are a pair of dragons named Torch and Scorch. Present River Dragons Coach and General Manager Jerome Bechard is “Mr. Hockey” in the Columbus area. He has been a part of the Columbus hockey scene since 2004 as a player, coach, and General Manager. The Columbus Ice Center is located next door to the Civic Center. It serves as the home ice for the youth hockey teams in the area and is also the home ice for the Auburn University club hockey team. The River Dragons are one of the few Class A hockey teams that have a TV contract. WTVM broadcasts twenty-two games a year. Final Thoughts Minor league hockey has returned to the River City in the form of the Columbus River Dragons. They have already brought a great deal of excitement to Columbus as they won the Ignite Cup in only their second year of existence. The Dragon’s Lair is located alongside the Chattahoochee River at the Columbus Civic Center.

Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Jack Coffey Field 441 E Fordham Rd Bronx, NY 10458 Fordham Rams website Jack Coffey Field website Year Opened: 1930 Capacity: 7,000 Proud Tradition Jack Coffey Field, a 7,000 seat multi-purpose stadium located in The Bronx, New York, serves as home to Fordham University’s football and soccer teams. In addition, Houlihan Park, home of the school’s baseball team, is also located here. The field is named for Fordham alumnus, baseball coach, and major league player Jack Coffey. Coffey graduated from Fordham in 1910, and played for the Boston Doves in 1909, as well as the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox in 1918. The Fordham Rams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision and play in the Patriot League. Since beginning competition in the FCS, the Rams have made the playoffs 5 times. Fordham football is best known for the “The Seven Blocks of Granite”, the name given to Fordham’s legendary offensive line of 1936 with Leo Paquin, Johnny Druze, Alex Wojciechowicz, Ed Franco, Al Babartsky, Mike Kochel, Harry Jacunski, Natty Pierce and Vince Lombardi. The nickname was also commonly used to refer to the Fordham lines of 1929, 1930, and the 1937 teams, but it is the 1936 line that is today the best known. Food & Beverage 2 Concession stands at Jack Coffey Field offer your typical stadium fare. There are stands underneath the grandstand operated by Fordham’s Dining Services that sell hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, peanuts, and drinks. The grill offers a Grilled Foot Long for $6 and a Philly Cheesesteak for $8. Coca-Cola products are featured at Jack Coffey Field. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at this campus facility. Atmosphere 3 The game-day experience at Jack Coffey Field is average. The Fordham pep band performs at Jack Coffey Field, and the cheerleaders perform throughout the game. The scoreboard is nice but a bit far away since none of the seats face it. The cheerleaders, dance team, and band entertain the crowd, but the crowd is fairly laid back. Neighborhood 3 The campus, while set in the Bronx, feels like a suburban setting with plenty of trees and greenery. Visitors often can forget they are in the middle of a city until hearing an occasional horn or siren from outside the gate. The campus borders the New York Botanical Garden, with the Bronx Zoo located just a few blocks from campus. Visitors to the area looking for places to eat during their trip to Fordham should head over to Arthur Avenue where several fantastic Italian restaurants can be found in addition to some great bakeries. A few of our favorite restaurants include Roberto’s, Antonio’s, and Tra Di Noi. Fans 3 Fordham attracts decent crowds to Jack Coffey Field for football games. They averaged 3,000 per game this season over 5 home games. There is a good mix of students and alums. The crowd gets into the celebration after each Fordham score as the cheerleaders and some reserves do pushups for each point scored. Access 3 Fordham University is located right in the middle of the Bronx, only a few miles from Interstates 95 and 87, as well as the Bronx River Parkway. Public transportation is a good option to get to Fordham. The Metro North Railroad out of Grand Central Station or coming down from Westchester has a stop next to the campus. The D line of the NYC subway system is located about a 12-minute walk from campus. In addition, city buses stop regularly just outside the gate. If driving, there is a large parking garage ($20) on campus, located a short walk from Jack Coffey Field. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Fordham Rams football games are very affordable, with general admission seating costing only $15. Children and seniors are admitted for $10 and chairback seating is $20. Parking in the garage adjacent to Jack Coffey Field costs $20. With affordable concession prices, catching a Fordham football game is a less costly entertainment option for New York sports fans. Extras 3 Fordham alumnus Chase Edmond was a 4th round pick in the NFL draft and is currently a running back for the Arizona Cardinals. Fordham has attempted to schedule a couple of big-time opponents each year. This year they were a last-minute addition to Nebraska schedule and played at Florida Atlantic (which qualified for a Bowl game). They got the opportunity to play before the biggest crowd in Fordham history with over 85,000 fans in attendance in Lincoln, Nebraska. Next year they are expected to play at Ohio University. Situated in front of the Rose Hill Gym is the Fordham Victory Bell, which is traditionally rung after every football victory. The bell was presented to the University by Admiral Chester Nimitz and blessed by his Eminence Francis Cardinal Spellman as a memorial to those who lost their lives during World War II. Final Thoughts Fordham offers an enjoyable venue to take in a football game. There is also plenty to do in this area before or after to add to the experience. The campus, with its Gothic architecture, ivy-covered buildings and expansive lawns, makes Rose Hill one of America’s most attractive college campuses.

Photos by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 War Memorial Stadium E Grand Ave & N 22nd St Laramie, WY 82071 Wyoming Cowboys website War Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 29,181 At Home on the Range The bucking bronco evokes images of the Wild West when the United States was expanding through the Rocky Mountains during the late Nineteenth Century. The University of Wyoming’s logo is a bucking bronco (“Steamboat”) that pays homage to the state’s rich history during the United States’ westward expansion. The Steamboat logo is ubiquitous at the University of Wyoming’s Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium – and on imagery throughout the state. This stadium debuted on the Laramie campus in 1950 between two ranges of the Rocky Mountains: the Snowy Range to the west and the Laramie Range to the east. "The War," as the Wyoming faithful call it, has received several updates since opening. None of these modifications have materially altered the War’s look or feel. The Wildcatter Stadium Club and Suites opened in 2010, providing indoor seating and luxury boxes. The University renovated the War’s playing surface in 2013 and added a new scoreboard behind the south end zone in 2016. In 2018, the McMurry High Altitude Performance Center opened just beyond the north end zone. It houses much of the football program’s infrastructure and, built in sandstone in Romanesque Revival style like many campus buildings, sets the backdrop to action at that end of the field. The War can also make several other claims. Sitting at 7,220 feet above sea level, the War is the highest NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision stadium in the country. It is the largest sports venue in the State of Wyoming and the state’s only college football venue. The War seats 29,181 loud and fervent fans, providing an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams and an enjoyable experience for nonpartisan college football fans looking to see a game in a picturesque location. Food & Beverage 3 The food at the War is generally good. A cup of Wyoming’s famous Chugwater Chili can be purchased for $5 at several concession stands throughout the War, as well as from a food truck on ground level in the stadium’s southeast corner. The made-to-order jackalope taco (a ground beef taco in a large, soft tortilla) sells for $9.75, while a burrito, nachos, and taco salad go for $11.75 apiece. Not into western or southwestern-themed food? The War also has a sushi and steak concession stand selling freshly made California rolls ($8), veggie rolls ($7), and shrimp tempura ($11). The hot dog ($4) is fine, too, but the bratwurst ($5) is cold and inedible. Individual pepperoni and cheese pan pizzas from Pizza Hut sell for $7. The War sells Pepsi products, with 20-ounce bottles and fountain soda going for $4, while souvenir soda mugs are $6 apiece with $3 refills. Bottled water and Gatorade also sell for $4 for a 20-ounce bottle. Red Bull products are available for $5 a can, providing jolts of energy for fans battling the aftereffects of a late night, the rigors of aging, or both. A surprisingly large variety of beer and hard seltzer is available at the War. Beer stands are available throughout the stadium, selling craft beer on tap for $8 and domestic beer on tap for $7. Cowboy State Brewing, launched in 2017 by Wyoming natives to provide the University of Wyoming’s concession stands with craft beer, sells its flagship beer, CSB Gold, throughout the stadium. The Kona Brewing Company’s Big Wave Golden Ale and several Breckenridge Brewing beers are offered. The familiar cavalcade of brews can be found, as well: Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Light, Michelob Ultra, and Busch Light. Atmosphere 4 Wyoming is the least populated state in the U.S., with approximately 577,000 residents. Despite that fact, the Cowboys’ fanbase has a passion that far exceeds its numbers. Fans come from all parts of Wyoming to cheer on the state’s highest profile team. Though the Cowboys do not sell out every home game, they enjoy a loyal following that gets loud at the right times and can intimidate visiting teams. The War has opposing grandstands on its east and west sides, with room beyond each end zone for fans to stand at field level. The Cowboys have a robust tailgating scene, and the Pepsi Pregame Zone serves as a covered, climate-controlled pregame alternative in the indoor practice facility just to the War’s northeast. The area just outside the entrance to the High Altitude Performance Center is worth a pregame visit. Fans can cheer on the players from a close distance as they take the field before the start of each half or pose for photos with Wyoming’s live mascots. The Wyoming Athletics Department has designated midfield, lower-level seats as the student section. More schools should reserve premium seating for the students. Doing so creates a better atmosphere, although it does displace high-paying donors. The War does not have any obstructed seating and there is not a bad seat on either side. Neighborhood 4 The War sits at the University of Wyoming campus’s southeast corner, along Laramie’s Grand Avenue. With a student enrollment of approximately 10,000, the entire campus is within walking distance of the War. The Cowboy football team’s original home, Prexy’s Pasture, now serves as UW’s quad, ringed by academic buildings. Prexy’s Pasture is a main thoroughfare for students as they travel through campus between classes (though some less hearty alums report finding indoor routes through buildings around the pasture that enabled them to escape Laramie’s cold winter weather). Another campus highlight: a life-sized, copper statue of a Tyrannosaurus rex that has greeted visitors to UW’s Geological Museum for more than 50 years. Former UW professor Samuel “Doc” Knight spent 4,000 hours building the campus icon. Downtown Laramie is an easy, five-minute drive west from the War. This historic neighborhood has shops, bars, and restaurants in buildings, some of which operate in buildings far older than anyone reading this review. The Buckhorn Bar and Parlor is one such example. It has been a stalwart in Downtown Laramie since 1900, with a bullet hole still in place after an agitated patron fired shots in the bar (“I Survived the Buckhorn” t-shirts, with an image of a bullet hole in a mirror, sell for $21). Around the corner on the same block, Elmer Lovejoy’s fronts the Union Pacific rail yard and serves quality bar and southwestern food. Closer to campus and east of the War, Grand Avenue has several chain hotels and the amount of fast-food and fast-casual restaurants as one would expect so close to one of I-80’s off-ramps. Fans 3 Even in the 2021 season, during which the Cowboys went 6-6 (and congruently, 3-3 at home), large crowds still came to the War. The semiannual Border War game with Colorado State routinely sells out and is always charged, as the schools are only an hour’s drive apart along U.S. Highway 287. Access 3 There are two, primary routes to the War for those coming from outside Laramie: from the east on Interstate 80 or from the west on Interstate 80. Parking can be purchased ahead of time for two lots adjacent to the War and fans should do that because of a paucity of signage directing fans where to park without passes. Although signs around the War note that parking information can be found at 1670 on the AM radio dial, there is nothing broadcast on that frequency. Fans can park for free on some of the streets around the War and in some campus lots and those areas provide better options for those who did not prepurchase a parking pass. Ticket takers and security lines move quickly with friendly staff. Once inside, the War has plenty of room to move around. Both the east and west grandstands have seating in the lower deck or in the upper deck. Circular ramps connect the lower levels with the upper and, although the ramps are steep, motorized carts shuttle fans who do not want to walk. The War’s upper reaches provide nice views of the surrounding mountains. Concession stands are placed primarily under each grandstand (on the lower level) or behind each grandstand (on the upper level). Because the War is an older stadium, fans cannot view the field while waiting in line for most concessions, but lines move quickly. The bar area underneath the large scoreboard on the stadium’s south side is a very pleasant place to get a drink and watch the game from ground level. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Wyoming football are as good a deal as a fan will find. Single-game tickets in 2021 ranged in starting price from $29 to $49, for the Cowboys’ “Border War” rivalry game with Colorado State. Season tickets in 2021 sold starting at $159 per seat, with the most expensive being $235 a seat. Wyoming even offers a child’s season ticket (ages 3-12) for $89. With free parking on the streets contiguous to the War, the experience is a solid bargain. Extras 4 The War receives a point for maintaining its vital role as a memorial dedicated to the men and women who served in the U.S. armed forces during World War II. The War opened in 1950 but in the interim, the university has not forgotten the stadium’s purpose. The university in 2017 relocated its existing Veterans Memorial Plaza to a location between the War and the indoor practice facility. The “World War II Soldier’s Cross” statue and a 20th Century Wyoming Veteran’s Memorial commemorate the Wyomingites who served the United States in the military and merits a visit. Another point is awarded for the university’s recognition at the War of one of a sad but important moment in Wyoming football history, the Black 14. In October 1969, fourteen African American football players asked head coach Lloyd Eaton to meet with them. The players sought Eaton’s permission to wear black armbands during the team’s upcoming home game against Brigham Young University, protesting the policy (rescinded in 1978) that prohibited African Americans from serving as priests in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Eaton had a team policy that prevented players from participating in demonstrations and dismissed all 14 players from the team at the end of that meeting. In 2019, marking the 50-year anniversary, eight of the 11 living players returned to Laramie and were honored on campus. A marker on the War’s east façade memorializes the important story of the Black 14 – even though the saga likely represents the program’s lowest moment. The marker is placed near the ticket windows and keeps alive a critical part of the Cowboys’ history. The Cowboy-themed public art in and around the War earns a third point. This is a great and unexpected aspect of attending a game at the War. The bronze “Breakin’ Through” statue on 22nd Street, southeast of the War, depicts a female rider and her horse busting through a sandstone wall. Horse and rider measure almost 16 feet tall and almost eight feet wide, while the wall stands approximately 20 feet high. A statue of a cowboy aboard Steamboat, the horse whose silhouette has served as UW’s logo since the early 20th Century, stands north of the War and a smaller version stands between the High Altitude Training Center and the north end zone; players touch it entering and exiting the field, and fans do the same as they walk by. Finally, and perhaps most enjoyably, UW’s equine mascots collect a fourth point. Cowboy Joe V, a Shetland pony, is the Cowboys’ live mascot. A team of student handlers tends to Cowboy Joe and runs through the end zone with him after each UW score. During pregame, Cowboy Joe and the handlers greet fans on the small lawn outside the High Altitude Training Center along with a horse named “War Paint” and his rider, who lead the Cowboys onto the field at the start of each half. Final Thoughts Wyoming has created a fun game day experience that summons imagery of the state’s western heritage with a historically tough brand of football. With Cowboy Joe and War Paint pacing the sidelines, UW has successfully given life to the iconic Steamboat logo that appears on the players’ helmets and on the War’s field. Follow Matt Finnigan’s stadium journeys on Twitter @mattfinniganco.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 New ASU Stadium 500 Harris Way Montgomery, AL 36106 Alabama State Hornets website New ASU Stadium website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 26,500 Montgomery Sting The Alabama State Hornets play their home games at New ASU Stadium (or simply ASU Stadium) in Montgomery, Alabama, about a mile away from the Cramton Bowl, home of both the annual FBS Camellia Bowl and the annual FCS Kickoff game. The venue opened in 2012 and currently seats twenty-six thousand five hundred, but is expandable to fifty-five thousand if needed. The four highest attended games at ASU Stadium have all been against in-state rival Tuskegee, where the current attendance record of 27,858 came in 2019. In fact the first game ever at the facility was also versus Tuskegee, on Thanksgiving Day in 2012 and resulting in a two-point win by the Tigers, which represents the second-highest attendance ever at the stadium of 27,500. The tradition of having a Thanksgiving game at the facility (which the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL also follow) was renewed in 2021, billed as “Turkey Day Classic 21”. Food & Beverage 5 ASU Stadium has fabulous concessions options available to fans – while the main stands in the concourses along both sidelines have a more limited menu, offering only hot dogs, wings, nachos, popcorn, chips, and packaged candy, as well as bottled soda, bottled water, and frozen lemonade, where the facility excels is with the array of food trucks behind the southeast end zone, including half a dozen vendors offering items such as gelato, funnel cake, barbecue, mixed drinks, wings, etc. There is also a Dippin’ Dots stand on the home side. The most expensive items are the food truck selections (prices vary) and the wings and nachos from the main stands ($9 and $8, respectively), but everything else at the main stands comes in under $4, so it is possible to feed a group without hurting your wallet too much. Atmosphere 4 Three things make watching a Hornets game at ASU Stadium a great experience – the first is the PA announcer, who is really into the game and very excitable; he really helps draw the home crowd into the game with his loud, boisterous game calls. The second is the atmosphere around the stadium – the tailgating scene is very impressive with tents and grills galore set up outside the facility, and the street next to the stadium closed down and packed with rabid Hornets fans. Tailgating Outside New ASU Stadium, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey The third thing, though, which is a real treat, is watching the Majestic, Mighty, Marching Hornets perform at halftime – most HBCUs have great marching bands, but the Hornets take it to the next level with multiple formations, including spelling out the word “Blues” as a tribute to the popular music genre, and four drum majors who dance with swagger and pizzazz. The Marching Hornets are accompanied by the Stingettes and the Honey-Bees, the ASU dance team and cheerleaders, who also both give great performances. For some games you may also be lucky enough to see two HBCU bands perform at halftime, depending on who the Hornets’ opponent is that day. Neighborhood 4 ASU Stadium is located on Alabama State’s campus and mostly surrounded by other campus building and athletic fields, but is bordered on the north by I-85, with Jackson Hospital located on the other side of the freeway within sight of the sports venue. As such there isn’t much in the way of restaurants or hotels in the immediate vicinity, but from a historical perspective there are plenty of museums and attractions nearby, given the history of the city of Montgomery. The state capitol is not far away, and you can also find the first white house of the Confederacy and the Dr. Martin Luther King home/Dexter Parsonage museum. More well-known are several other civil rights museums, including the Rosa Parks and Freedom Ride museums, which are definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. And for the music and literary fans among us, there is also the Hank Williams museum and the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald museum. Fans 3 Most games at ASU Stadium draw between 10,000 and 15,000 fans (about 50-60% full), with only a few contests here drawing 20,000 or more (most notably games against Tuskegee). Attendance of course depends on how well the Hornets are doing at that point in the season, as well as who their opponent is for that day. The fans who are here, however, tend to be pretty into the game, and you will see plenty of ASU gear in the stands and in the concourse. Many fans tend to come into the game late (since they are still partying outside during kickoff), so expect to see the stands most full around the middle of the second quarter. For games again local opponents you will of course see plenty of attendees wearing the opposing team’s colors, sitting on the visitors side. Access 3 Getting to ASU Stadium is pretty simple given that the venue is literally right next to I-85, but concessions lines are pretty long in the concourses, so you might try heading over to the other concourse, or to the food trucks in the end zone, to see if you can find a shorter line. It also helps if you get to the game early and get your snacks before most of the fans arrive from the tailgates. There are plenty of bathrooms to accommodate the crowd, however, and there is plenty of room in the stands, so you should be able to sit pretty much wherever you want – the tickets do have assigned seats, but since the stands are usually only half full or less you don’t necessarily have to sit where you are supposed to. Fans also also welcome to sit in the berm, on the hill behind the northwest end zone. There isn’t really any parking right next to the stadium unless you have a pass, but there is plenty of parking to be found along Carter Hill Road (on the south side of the stadium) for $20 or less depending on how far you want to walk – the $20 parking is the closest I found, and wasn’t too bad of a distance from the facility. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for ASU Hornets football start at $25, which is a pretty good deal for college football – I have rarely seen tickets at this level go for under $20, so $25 is not bad, and a lot less than other FCS stadiums. Given the experience you will have including the PA announcer and the halftime performances, I think this is a pretty solid return on investment for your sports dollar. Extras 3 ASU has a great mascot and a nice facility that is new enough not to look dated. There are tents with club seating behind the southeast end zone, and the bleachers are raised a little above the field to make it easy to see the action. There is also a large scoreboard behind the northwest end zone which makes it easy to see replays even from the far side. Final Thoughts ASU Stadium is definitely worth a visit – the modern facility may not have everything you would want at a sports venue, but it is a great place to spend a fall afternoon, and allows fans to get really close to the action. If you are in the Montgomery area, make time to cheer on the Hornets – go ASU!