Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Bowman Gray Stadium 1250 S Martin Luther King Jr Winston-Salem, NC 27107 Winston-Salem State Rams website Bowman Gray Stadium website Year Opened: 1937 Capacity: 17,000 Racetrack Plus Football Equals Bowman Gray Unique among college football stadiums, Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina has a NASCAR-sanctioned asphalt quarter-mile short track surrounding the field itself; while many football venues have a running track around them, especially in this state, few if any have a real racetrack around them. The racetrack is still used for stock car racing and the facility was even featured in a racing-themed TV show on Discovery Channel. As for football, the stadium was also previously home to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, before BB&T Field opened in 1968; in fact, Brian Piccolo, 1964 ACC player of the year and subject of the 1971 film Brian’s Song, played his college football at Bowman Gray. Bowman Gray Stadium has been the home of the Winston-Salem State Rams since 1956 and is scheduled for some big renovations starting next season (2020), including new restrooms and a track resurface. The stands are in the shape of a horseshoe with the press box on the west side, visitors seating on the east side, and an athletic center behind the north end zone. The stands hold 17,000 fans but there is additional standing room for several thousand more behind the wall at the top of the stands, where the concessions and bathrooms are located. Food & Beverage 4 Bowman Gray Stadium has a great selection of food and beverages, including three main stands (one on each side) plus several other smaller stands and food trucks despite the small attendance, so lines are kept to a minimum. Prices are reasonable and the variety is pretty solid. Food options include spicy and PDQ chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, nachos with or without chili, pizza, fish and chips, chicken tender baskets, corn dogs, popcorn, peanuts, packaged candy, pork skins, pickles, funnel cake, sno cones, and Dippin’ Dots ice cream, while beverage choices include soda, bottled water, coffee, hot cocoa, lemonade, and orangeade. Nothing is over $7, and the venue even offers fountain soda refills for $2. The best item on the menu is definitely the PDQ chicken sandwich with its honey butter spread. Atmosphere 3 Usually at HBCUs the band is one of the biggest draws at a football game, and WSSU’s Red Sea of Sound here does fine, but the PA announcer is probably the star of the show – he uses a lot of voice inflections to keep the fans entertained and even razzes the refs on occasion (but in a subtle way so as to stay out of hot water with the league). Also, one of the traditions at Rams games is ‘pointing’ during kickoffs, so throughout the game you will hear the announcer say “we are pointing at Bowman Gray,” and if you don’t know which way to point you should “look at the football team” – that seems to be his main catchphrase. Red Sea of Sound, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey One downside at Bowman Gray is that all the seats are metal bleaches without chair backs, which can be a little cold in November; you can rent or bring your own seat back, however, if you choose. Another downside is that the video board (which doesn’t show replays) is on the small side and is also well behind the south end zone, attached to the athletic center, so it is really hard to see especially if you sit on the north end, so you may want to sit close to it. On the plus side, however, you can sit wherever you want (most seats are general admission), and the concourse above the stands is open to the field, so you won’t miss any of the action if you go grab some food. Neighborhood 3 Bowman Gray Stadium is located within site of downtown Winston-Salem, which could be a plus, but there are also several freeway overpasses and merges around the venue, so it is not that easy to walk to anything nearby. The university is also located in what you probably wouldn’t consider one of the nicer areas in town. A couple of recommended restaurants nearby (although they are on the other side of I-40 as I hinted above) are Mellow Mushroom and King’s Crab Shack and Oyster Bar, and there are numerous other eateries in that part of town as well. There are also hotels in that area, such as Fairfield Inn & Suites or Hawthorne Inn & Conference Center, if you plan to be in town for the weekend. And if you are looking for something to do before or after the game, there is a Kaleideum Children’s Museum near Bowman Gray Stadium, as well as a NASCAR museum and a Moravian church which you can visit, as well as several other parks and museums. Fans 2 WSSU doesn’t have very many fans at the game, probably only a couple of thousand at most, but you will see a good contingent of visiting fans, since most of their conference opponents are within a couple hour’s drive. That said the stadium will seem pretty empty most of the time, which is a little disappointing, but those who are there do tend to wear team gear and are pretty vocal in their support of the Rams; you can buy WSSU team gear at the stadium if you need it. Access 4 Bowman Gray Stadium is easy to get to, given the freeways around it, and you can park literally right outside the stadium for $15 – the parking lots on the north and east sides are technically closer to the stadium; if you park on the west side you have to walk up a slightly rickety ramp to get to the venue. But there are several entrances around Bowman Gray Stadium so getting in is easy; note that students enter on the east side. Once you get inside the venue, moving around is easy and lines are short. There are many more bathrooms here than are needed to accommodate the crowd, and you can sit wherever you want, or stand and watch from the top of the concourse. Return on Investment 4 Seeing a football stadium with a NASCAR track around it is pretty cool and the PA announcer makes your visit well worth the time. Tickets run $20 for adults (lower for kids, seniors, and students) which is average if not slightly on the high side for this level of football in the area. The $15 parking is probably a little on the high side comparatively, and there really isn’t an easy way to park and walk further because of the freeways, so you are probably stuck with that parking cost. However, concessions are reasonable for the quality and amount you get, so all in the return on investment is solid at Bowman Gray. Extras 5 I mentioned the racetrack and the PA announcer, and the Brian Piccolo history, and the band also does a good job. I would also mention one architectural feature – the entrances into the stands have red (WSSU-themed) scrollwork arches over them with the section numbers, which is a nice aesthetic but also makes it easier to find your seat. Scrollwork Arches, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts I definitely think it is worth visiting Bowman Gray Stadium for its history and ease of access. The Rams are not having great success on the field of late, but if they win a few more games that should bring a lot more fans to this unique and historic football venue.

Photos by Richard Smith , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Kris’s Meadow Chambersburg, PA 17201 Wilson Phoenix website Kris’s Meadow website Year Opened: unknown Capacity: 500 Phoenix Rising Wilson College is a private liberal arts college located in Chambersburg, PA. that almost closed in 1979 but ended up staying open. Until 2014, Wilson was an all women’s college but became coed that year. The college is known for its Single Parent Scholars program, which allows single parents to bring their children to live with them on campus. A little over 1,000 total students attend Wilson. Their sports teams are the Phoenix and the soccer team plays at idyllic Kris’ Meadow. They are a member of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC). Wilson has six women’s sports teams and five men’s sports teams. The sign at the field also refers to it as the Rhonda Brake Shreiner Soccer Field but we could find very little other references to that title. A few health care resources in the area are also named after Rhonda Brake Shreiner who lost her battle with cancer in 1999. She must have had a connection to Wilson College sports. Food & Beverage 0 There is no permanent food stand open for soccer games. There may be stands open for certain games as there is a concession stand located at the softball field right next door. Atmosphere 2 To get to Kris’ Meadow you will need to drive down a very small rural road that goes through a farm. Once it looks like you have gone too far and are on private property there is a good bet that you are actually there. There is a small parking lot right by the field. The field is down a slight hill from the parking lot. Many people will watch from the end lines at the top of that hill. The only other seating area is an extremely small metal grandstand along the sideline. Best bet is to bring your own chair to watch the game. You will not get much else in atmosphere at Kris’ Meadow, but the pretty farm setting is pretty okay on its own. Neighborhood 3 Chambersburg is a nice little town located just to the north of the Maryland and Pennsylvania border. There are a few food and drink options in the immediate vicinity. You can’t go wrong with the Roy Pitz Brewing Company or the Copper Kettle. There are other options as it is a fairly busy area with quite a few variety of places to go. Nearby Shippensburg or Hagerstown in Maryland, also each have many options. Fans 3 As with most small college fields, the bulk of the fans tend to be family or friends of both teams. There will be some local fans who just happen to stop by for the game as well. Access 4 Chambersburg is located right off Interstate 81, a major route from the south through to the northeast. Accessing the campus is easy as you get off that main road as it is marked well. The college is located about a half an hour to the state capital Harrisburg. It is also about an hour and a half to Baltimore, and the same distance to Philadelphia. Parking is fairly plentiful near the field and it is free. Return on Investment 5 Tickets and parking are free. Extras 1 The field is literally in a farm. If that is not an extra I am not sure what is. Final Thoughts There is not too much to see at a Wilson soccer game, but the field and its farm setting is still a pleasant place to see some intercollegiate action.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Buccaneer Field 9200 University Blvd North Charleston, SC 29406 Charleston Southern Buccaneers website Buccaneer Field website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 4,000 Big South Pirates The Charleston Southern University Buccaneers football program began in 1991, but their home turf, the aptly-named Buccaneer Field, opened 21 years earlier in 1970. The facility is a multi-purpose one with a running track surrounding the football field, and two sets of grandstands (one on each side of the field) behind the track. The CSU Buccaneers compete in the Big South Conference of college football’s Football Championship Subdivision (FCS); the stadium holds 4,000 fans. Food & Beverage 3 Buccaneer Field has more than enough options to keep you satisfied during the game – the main stand on the home side features burgers, hot dogs, and Chick-fil-A sandwiches, as well as nachos, popcorn, packaged candy, and chips. There is also a standalone Chick-fil-A stand toward the north end zone, as well as a couple food trucks/carts near the south end zone which offer additional fare such as fancy donuts, teriyaki or sesame chicken bowls, peanuts, egg rolls, and Italian ice. The lowest priced item at the stadium is a donut for $1.50, while the highest are the chicken bowls for $8; burgers are a very reasonable $4, with hot dogs selling at 2 for $5. Drinks include bottled water, canned or fountain sodas, and Gatorade for $1 to $3. Atmosphere 3 Buccaneer Field provides a solid atmosphere for college football – while the venue is not large, the stadium fills up pretty well for the average game. The west stands are the home side and include the press box tower, and most of the fans sit on this side. Almost all the seats in the facility are metal bleachers, but at the top of the middle section on the home side you can chair back benches and bucket-style chair back seats, decked out in the blue and gold of the Pirates. There is a pirate-themed play area on the south side for the kiddos, as well as some field-level seats behind the north end zone. The CSU band, or Pride of the Lowcountry as they are called, also plays modern music during breaks in the action, and of course performs before the game and at halftime. The PA announcer also helps keeps the fans entertained with very lively music during timeouts, and of course the Buccaneers staff throws out t-shirts to the crowd to keep them revved up and on their feet. Neighborhood 4 There is a gas station across the street, but there aren’t really any restaurants within walking distance of Buccaneer Field, being on campus as it is, but there are plenty within a 3 to 4-mile drive south down Highway 78 (aka University Blvd). There are a slew of Mexican restaurants in that direction plus Cracker Barrel, Carraba’s, Mei Thai Restaurant and Sushi Bar, and Phuong Vietnamese Restaurant to name a few. But if you are looking for someplace to hang out before or after the game, and maybe take in some other college football action on the day, check out Montana’s a couple miles east of the stadium. If you plan to be in town for the day or weekend, there are plenty of historical sites to take in around the Charleston area, such as the H.L. Hunley, the first combat submarine to sink an enemy warship, which is on display in North Charleston. In fact, nearby Johnson Hagood Stadium (home of the Citadel Bulldogs football team) was the original burial site for some of the sailors who served on the Hunley – their remains were mistakenly covered over when that stadium was constructed, and were subsequently moved to Magnolia Cemetery when the remains were found by historians in 1999. Besides the Hunley, the first shots of the Civil War were fired right here in Charleston at Fort Sumter, or for more recent naval history check out Patriot’s Point, where the main attraction is the WWII aircraft carrier USS Lexington. In addition, you can also find haunted ghost tours in downtown Charleston (if you are into that sort of thing). Fans 3 CSU boasts a pretty good group of fans, who cheer for their team and generally pay attention to the game. They understand the game and know when the ref makes a bad call, and they know when the game is on the line. You will see plenty of team gear in the home stands, but if you forgot yours there is a table set up selling Bucs team gear. Access 5 Buccaneer Field is in a good area traffic-wise, so the stadium is quick and easy to get without having to spend too much time waiting at lights. In addition, there is plenty of parking for $5 right across the road from the stadium if you don’t have a parking pass, so you won’t have far to walk once you get there. Once you are inside, there is plenty of room to move around, and the concessions lines are not long at all. There are also bathrooms right underneath the concourse, and you can walk around and watch from wherever you want, even if you have a general admission ticket (the upgrade seats typically will not be filled all the way). Return on Investment 3 Tickets to football games at Buccaneer Field start at $20 for general admission, which is pretty average/slightly on the low side for FCS football. There are some stadiums that charge a lot more (starting in the $30s) but you can also find a few that are a little cheaper. But on the plus side, $5 for parking is an absolute bargain, and the concessions here at CSU are more than fair. Extras 3 The play area for the kids is a nice touch, and instead of foam fingers fans can get foam pirate sabres, which all the fans seem to enjoy (the adults too, if I may say so). I did not see a mascot, but the band and PA announcer do a great job with the music, providing a fun atmosphere. Foam Sabre, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts Buccaneer Field is a great little stadium at which to take in some football, and Charleston itself is a great tourist destination, especially in the fall when it is not quite so hot; if you have the time, make the trek down to Charleston and take in a Bucs game on the way – go Bucs!

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium Gold Coast Rd and Shark Street Brookville, NY 11568 LIU Sharks website Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 6,000 The New Shark Tank Long Island University has two campuses: one in Brooklyn, and the other in Brookville, which is known as LIU Post. Up until this year, each school had their own athletic program, with the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds playing in Division I, while the LIU Post Pioneers were in Division II. This past summer, however, the university combined the two programs, and rebranded as the Sharks. With the unification, all programs would now be Division I, including football. This made the Sharks the newest members of the Football Conference Subdivision (FCS), and they became the fifth Division I gridiron team in the greater NYC area, along with Columbia, Wagner, Fordham, and Stony Brook. As such, in order to maintain Stadium Journey’s complete list of Division I football venues, we paid a visit to their gridiron, Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium. Food & Beverage 2 There is a single fixed concession stand offering basic items such as hot dogs, nachos, and pretzels, each for $3. Candy and chips are $2, the same price as bottles of soda (only Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite). Coffee, hot chocolate, and tea are also $2, while Powerade is $3. There are also vending machines inside the Pratt Recreation Center with a larger variety of drink (Coke Zero for example) that is also 25 cents cheaper. During homecoming, food trucks are located outside the stadium where you can get something a bit more substantial such as grilled cheese sandwiches. There is no evidence that these trucks would be at every home game. Alcohol is not available inside the stadium. Atmosphere 3 Outside the stadium, there is an active tailgate scene as well as a small amusement park with 3 or 4 rides. Again, I believe this was a special occasion for the homecoming game, but it did add to the festivities. You walk through a small gate to get to the stadium itself. There are two seating stands, but only one was in use, specifically the one behind the Sharks bench, which is somewhat protected from the sun. There is no covering on either stand, so if it is raining, you will need a poncho or umbrella. The middle three sections are chair backs, while the rest of the seating area is general admission. Rosalie Nuti Memorial Park at the north end of the field has several tables and chairs for fans who want to relax away from the crowd, and is a good place for kids to expend some energy. You can also stand near the end zone here if you prefer that vantage point. There is a dance team at one end, and cheerleaders at the other, which makes the GA sections a bit livelier. There were a few promotions such as a potato sack race for kids, but as this was an FCS game not on television, very little dead time. On a beautiful autumn day, this is a great place to spend a few hours watching football. Neighborhood 2 The stadium is located on the campus of LIU Post, which is in the town of Brookville on Long Island, about 25 miles east of New York City. The Steinberg Art Museum is on campus and is open from 11-3 on Saturdays up until Columbus Day. The closest hub is next to the Greenvale Long Island Railroad (LIRR) Station, which is about 3 miles west. Here you can find a few pubs and eateries such as the Barefoot Peddler. Another mile west is the Nassau County Museum of Art, which has a nice outdoor sculpture garden that is ideal on a sunny afternoon. There are no hotels close to campus and you would be best advised to find lodging that suits your other reasons for visiting New York. In general, there is nothing within walking distance of the campus, so a car is necessary if you want to explore the area. Fans 3 The game I attended was only the Sharks second home game in Division I, but there was a crowd of nearly 5,000 on hand to celebrate homecoming. This was double the showing for their first game. Fans were knowledgeable and respectful and having a good time despite their team getting blown out. It will take some time to see if they can maintain this level of support as the team will struggle for their first few seasons in FCS. Access 3 Getting here in a car from NYC is fairly straightforward, as you will take the Long Island Expressway to Glen Cove Road, go north to Northern Boulevard, and then east to the campus. It’s only 25 miles but it will take at least 45 minutes on a Saturday morning. There will be staff on hand to guide you to the parking lots, which are free. Get there 3 hours early if you wish to tailgate. If you are limited to transit, the Nassau County NICE bus is your only option. The N20h bus from Hicksville or Great Neck LIRR stations is the one to catch, but with limited runs on weekends, you will need to plan your trip in advance. It is possible to walk the 3 miles from Greenvale, but this is not recommended. Uber or Lyft do pick up on campus and a ride to Hicksville is about $15. Once inside, there is no problem moving about the stadium, or waiting for concessions or restrooms. Return on Investment 4 General admission tickets are $10, with the chair backs going for an extra $5. Coupled with the cheap eats and free parking, this is a very affordable afternoon for Division I football and a great way to escape the city for a while. Extras 2 The Pratt Recreation Center is to the west of the stadium and includes several display cases with trophies, including some commemorating national titles in Division II women’s lacrosse. Another point for the hard ticket, which shows the two helmets atop a background of shark fins, along with the date and a unique number. Every school should endeavor to provide similar souvenirs to their fans. Final Thoughts The unification of LIU’s athletic programs was a welcome surprise as it resulted in another Division I football program in the area. Few sports fans visiting NYC will bother to make the trip to Brookville, but that is their loss as the experience is well worth the trip. As the team gets better, expect the overall game day presentation to improve as well, making a game at the Shark Tank a Saturday afternoon to remember.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Johnson Hagood Stadium 68 Hagood Ave Charleston, SC 29403 The Citadel Bulldogs website Johnson Hagood Stadium website Year Opened: 1948 Capacity: 11,500 Precision & Pageantry Home of The Citadel Bulldogs, Johnson Hagood Stadium opened in 1948 and is named after Brigadier General Johnson Hagood, CSA, who commanded Confederate forces in Charleston during the Civil War and later became Governor of South Carolina. The venue opened with a capacity of over 22K, but a couple of years ago the college determined that the east stands were badly in need of repair, leading to their demolition and the subsequent placement of temporary bleachers in their place, giving Johnson Hagood Stadium a current capacity of 11,500. The Citadel is currently raising funds to build new stands on that side, which when completed will raise the capacity to about 14K. The stadium is nicknamed, The General. Food & Beverage 4 Johnson Hagood Stadium offers a strong selection of concessions items from a mix of regular stands and food carts; the prices are slightly higher than average for this level of football, and lines can get a bit long during big games, especially during halftime. Under the main grandstand (west side) there are two large concessions stands which offer a range of items such as burgers, pulled pork, brisket, tacos, grilled chicken sandwiches, corn dogs, and bowls of mac ‘n cheese for $5 to $12, plus snacks such as popcorn, packaged candy, and pretzels for $2 to $5. There is also a smaller Papa John’s stand here that sells slices for $4 each, and just outside the main stands (near the south end zone) there is a food cart featuring some of the same snacks as the main stands, but adding Dippin’ Dots and funnel cake, as well as drinks. There is nothing on the far side except a beer cart, but not very many fans sit over there anyway (only a couple of hundred). Drink options at Johnson Hagood Stadium include beer and wine/spritzers starting at $5, as well as sodas, bottled water, and lemonade starting at $3. Atmosphere 5 Pageantry is one of the key elements in college football, and nowhere is it more in evidence than at The Military College of South Carolina – from the cadets marching in formation to the raising of the American flag before the national anthem, from the artillery pieces in the northeast corner to the team coming onto the field amid a haze of blue and white smoke, and from the bulldog statue in the northwest corner to the Corps’ Regimental Band and Pipes, college football doesn’t get any better than this. The atmosphere is punctuated by the presence of the cadets; smartly dressed complete with caps and sitting en mass in the southwest corner, the cadets march in by company before the game and form a tunnel for the team to run through as they take the field, drumming their arms the whole time, wave their caps in unison during kickoffs, and cheer loudly throughout the game in support of their Bulldogs. The artillery is also fired off every time The Citadel scores (even after extra points), and the cheer squad runs across the end zone waving their flags, most notably the large light blue standard emblazoned with the old-school looking Bulldogs logo. The architecture is also impressive, with its castle-esque look evocative of the college’s namesake, and of course t-shirts are thrown out into the crowd to keep the fans engaged. In addition, during special occasions such as Homecoming, former cadets wearing matching shirts based on class year are invited to march onto the field during pregame, to stand in solidarity with the current class of cadets. The pageantry you will experience at Johnson Hagood Stadium definitely makes it worthwhile to visit Charleston for Bulldogs football. Neighborhood 5 There are plenty of restaurants near Johnson Hagood Stadium, ranging from fast food to seafood and Italian; two within walking distance of the facility are Purlieu, specializing in French cuisine, and Harold’s Cabin which offers local fare plus a coffee bar. There are also numerous other nearby choices, from upscale eateries and wine bars (including vegan options) to more low-key pizza and beer joints. If you plan to be in town for the day or weekend, there are also plenty of historical sites to take in; the first shots of the Civil War were fired right here in Charleston at Fort Sumter, or for more recent naval history check out Patriots Point, where the main attraction is the WWII aircraft carrier USS Lexington. The H.L. Hunley, the first combat submarine to sink an enemy warship, is also on display in North Charleston; in fact, the site of Johnson Hagood Stadium itself was the original burial site for some of the sailors who served on the Hunley – their remains were mistakenly covered over when the stadium was constructed, and were subsequently moved to Magnolia Cemetery when the remains were found by historians in 1999. Fans 4 Led by the uniformed cadets, the fans at Bulldogs games are absolutely stellar – they are loud and proud of their team. Most of them wear team gear and cheer on their Bulldogs with an uncommon passion, and the tailgating scene stretches all around three sides of the stadium, and a good ways down Fishburne Street. The only drawback is that there are just not enough of them at typical games, although they do show up for big games. As a result, the college has struggled to replace the now defunct west stands, since the staff is uncertain if the seats will be able to be filled. Access 4 There are multiple parking lots around the stadium, a couple on the back side but mostly along Fishburne Street; most of them require a pass but at least one is a cash lot. However, if you don’t arrive early you may be out of luck, as these lots fill up pretty quickly, which means you may have to drive around and find some parking on the street, which of course gets scarcer as kickoff approaches. There are a couple of sections nearby which seem a little rundown and perhaps a little sketchy to park in, but I noticed several high-end vehicles even in those sections, so it seems like the presence of a military college a mere few blocks away makes fans feel perfectly safe. Once you get inside the stadium moving around the concourse is easy enough, and you can walk across the south end zone to get to the visitors side if you want, and a handful of fans even watch from the fence on that side. Concessions lines can get a little backed up, but there are plenty of bathrooms and plenty of space otherwise, so you don’t have to stand elbow-to-elbow. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to football games at Johnson Hagood Stadium are a little on the high side for this level of football (FCS), starting at $32 for general admission, and parking and concessions are also slightly higher than average. So this will not be the cheapest football game you can find in the area, especially if you have a large crew, but the experience definitely makes up for it. You might be able to get cheaper tickets from a third-party reseller, however, or you may be able to take advantage of a Bulldogs ticket promotion. Extras 4 The architecture here is pretty grand and ornate, and having the cadets in the stadium with you really adds to the experience – seeing a military unit march in is always impressive, and having the Regimental Band and Pipes perform during halftime is enjoyable to watch, even though the band is on the small side. The smoke that streams out when the team comes onto the field is a nice touch, as are the flag bearers swinging the state flag and The Citadel banners. And as an added bonus, having real artillery fire during the game to commemorate home team scores cannot be discounted. Final Thoughts Some FCS stadiums are better than others, and this is certainly one of them – even if you are not in the local area this is one college football venue that is worth a look, even if you have to make a bit of a drive to get here. The city of Charleston itself is also a great tourist destination, especially in the fall when it is not quite so hot, so make a weekend of it and come on down to Johnson Hagood Stadium.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Bennett C. Russell Stadium High School Blvd Navarre, FL 32566 Navarre High School Raiders website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 3,000 Football on the Beach In terms of entertainment options on the Emerald Coast of Florida, high school football often takes a back seat. Nicknamed Redneck Riviera, the Emerald Coast is a popular summer vacation destination for millions of people around the country, but particularly has become a top tourist destination for people in the southeast United States. From the spring break crowds of Panama City to the family crowds vacationing for the week, to the military crowds from nearby Naval Air Station Pensacola and Elgin AFB in Fort Walton Beach, the Emerald Coast has it all. Though mostly known for its tourists and spring break crowds, there are some less tourist-oriented places along the Coast, where one can go to escape the crowds and the nightlife. Situated about halfway between Pensacola and Destin is the town of Navarre Beach; nicknamed Florida’s Best Keep Secret and Florida’s Most Relaxing Place, the town is mostly void of the many high-rise condos that line Destin and Pensacola Beach, and the town is mostly void of commercial and corporate restaurants. Instead, the city is a bedroom community for mostly retirees and military personnel, but the population has skyrocketed of late, and risen from a tiny 1,500 in the 1970s to over 40,000 people in 2014. With an enrollment of over 2,300, Navarre High School is one of the largest, yet youngest high schools in the panhandle area of Florida. The Raiders play their games at Bennett C. Russell Stadium – the stadium opened when the school opened in the 1970s and is named after longtime Santa Rosa County superintendent Bennett C. Russell, a former principal at the high school. The Raiders have been to the playoffs 12 times, but are one of two Pensacola area high schools never to win a playoff game. Notable alumni include Nationals first round pitching prospect Matt Cronin and former Clemson tight end Jordan Leggett. Leggett, a member of the Buccaneers practice squad, was a crucial part of the 2016 Clemson Tigers national championship team, and played a critical role in their win over Alabama in the 2017 National Championship Game. Food & Beverage 3 As soon as you purchase your ticket you walk into the south end zone and toward the expansive display of concessions stands and various food trucks. There are two concessions stands set up, one on each side, and the usual fare can be found such as cheeseburgers and chicken tenders ($4); hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, boiled peanuts, and funnel cake ($3); fries ($2.50); and popcorn ($2). There are also several unique items sold such as fried Oreos and several types of ice cream, as well as a Kona Ice stand, a Dippin’ Dots stand, a pork and BBQ food truck, and a food truck that sells tacos. Also, if you purchase any meat product from the stand you get a ticket, and can walk over to a grill set up behind the stand to watch it get cooked fresh. Needless to say this is one high school football stadium where I recommend getting something to eat at the stadium. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere was intense on this particular night and playoff stakes were in the air. One of the more intense rivalries in the panhandle area took place as the Raiders took on one of the top ranked teams in the state, the Niceville Tigers from just up the road. About 20 miles separate these two schools, so it’s pretty fierce with both teams’ fans showing up in full support. The stadium is located on the east part of the school right next to the school’s baseball and softball fields. The main entrance is in the south end zone, which, with its many palm trees outside the entrance embodies Florida quite nicely. There is no concourse here, so you enter onto the grass behind the end zone, which is separated by the track and a fence. The expansive collection of food trucks and concession stands is located here as well so it can get quite packed, especially before the game or at halftime; there are also two smaller concessions stands located on the north side of the stadium. You cannot walk under the stadium on either side, so you have to walk in front of the grandstands and then go up, which can be quite frustrating. There is also a tent set up with several tables selling various t-shirts and Navarre Raiders gear, which is a nice touch not found at a lot of high school football games. The field faces north and south with the home side and press box on the west side, and visitors on the other. The home stands are regular metal bleacher seats that extend about 15 rows up, while the home side is set up in 5 sections alternating between the school’s colors of red and light blue. The section on the 50-yard line is the chair back section reserved for season ticket holders, though I was able go up and find a spot right under the press box; under the press box is a banner showing all the Raiders playoff appearances. Neighborhood 3 The main attraction in Navarre is definitely the beach; the school is located about 3 miles from the beach and the surrounding restaurants that line it. From Highway 98 take the Navarre Beach Causeway out onto Santa Rosa Island, where there are many public beach access points and several high-rise condos, though not as many as in neighboring Destin and Pensacola Beach. Navarre Beach is known as kind of a secret getaway, and as soon as you get off the bridge is Juana Pagodas, a popular spring break destination known for its club type atmosphere. The bridge empties onto Gulf Blvd which travels east and west parallel to the beach; go east and you encounter miles of sand dunes and sea turtle nesting grounds that are off limits. Also the buffer zone of Elgin AFB is located nearby, so you cannot travel too far east on Gulf Blvd. Going west towards Pensacola Beach would be your best option as there are several seafood restaurants and bars lining this stretch. Navarre Beach Marine Park is located here as well, which is a sea turtle education and nesting center. I recommend paying the $5 admission and strolling through the mini aquarium; there’s a sea turtle tank and various other native aquatic wildlife and fish. Notable restaurants along this stretch include Broussards and Windjammers, which is a bar located at the foot of Navarre Beach Pier – stretching almost a quarter mile into the gulf and rising 30 feet high, the pier is currently the longest pier in the state of Florida. I recommend taking a walk to the end of it; the pier is a popular fishing spot as well and hundreds of people fish off the pier daily. As you walk to the end of the pier just take a glance at all the different types of fish, sharks, sting rays, etc. that people pull out of the water. The town of Navarre Beach is also notable as a filming location for the 1978 movie Jaws 2. Though not as successful as the first one, Jaws 2 was filmed almost entirely in Navarre Beach, and though the majority of the filming locations have been destroyed by hurricanes over the years, the Navarre Beach water tower remains standing and was featured prominently in the film. Keep heading west and you’ll encounter miles of small beach cottages and town houses – celebrities who own town homes on this stretch of the beach include Jerry Jones, goth author Anne Rice, who wrote several of her novels while sitting on Navarre Beach, and professional wrestler Mick Foley, who owned a gym in the area for a number of years. If you head west on Gulf Blvd, the area is protected as part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, so there is no development for about 20 miles until you reach Pensacola Beach, though there are multiple areas for beach access and camping. There are also several more attractions and hotels in Pensacola Beach, so if coming into town for the night I recommend staying in Pensacola as there are not a lot of hotels in Navarre. Fans 4 It can be quite frustrating for fans of the Navarre High Raiders; on one hand the school has made seven straight playoff appearances, but on the other hand they were handed seven straight playoff losses. The Raiders are one of two Pensacola area high schools not to have played in a State Championship, and the Raiders haven’t even advanced to the second round, as they have been defeated in the first round of the playoffs every year. Fans still turn out though, and they seem knowledgeable about the players. The student section is rather large, and there is also a large student population on the home side, which shows that students support the school. There’s not much going on in Navarre Beach on a Friday night besides the football game, and many of the schools the Raiders play are local, so many of the visiting teams have a good turnout as well. Access 2 The town of Navarre can be quite easy to access depending on where you are coming from; if coming from the Destin area or Pensacola you can take scenic Highway 98. This stretch of highway takes you right past beach towns with excellent views of the beach. If coming from out of the area, Navarre is located about 30 or 40 minutes south of the interstate, depending on traffic. The traffic on Highway 98 can be a nightmare because of tourists trying to get to Destin and Pensacola, so plan for delays in traffic. The high school is located about 2 miles north of Highway 98, which is the main highway into town. The scenic Navarre Beach is located south of Highway 98 along scenic Gulf Blvd so you can take this route as well. The school is located in a neighborhood and there is limited parking at the school, so many people parallel park in front of people’s houses, which creates a bottleneck in traffic when the game ends. Once inside the actual stadium it can be quite difficult to move around; the stadium is quite small, even for high school standards, and you cannot go under the concourses either, which causes a lot of people to just stand in and around the aisles. The area in the south end zone near the concessions stands and food carts has a lot of congestion with people gathering, and several kids running around almost knocking people over. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are priced as follows: $7 general admission, which allows you to walk all around the stadium on both sides $10 chair back seats on the 50-yard line, though once the game started I was able to go sit in one of the chair backs and didn’t have anybody ask for my ticket. The general admission price is about average compared to most of the area high schools, and the concessions prices are about average as well, so I considered this a good return on investment. The Raiders also constantly play other high school powerhouses in the area, so you could be watching the next great Pensacola area football player. Extras 3 One extra for the outside and architecture of the stadium – the Navarre High School maintenance department does an excellent job of maintaining the area right outside the stadium, giving it a real Florida beachy feel, though there is nothing special about the actual stadium and I think it is quite small. The area around the stadium, however, is lined with various palm trees that embody the State of Florida quite well. Also, there’s no denying that you are near the beach when walking up to the ticket office. Another extra for the location of the high school itself; the school is located a convenient 3 miles from Navarre beach. The town is a really underrated place, and you can’t beat being able to go down and enjoy the water without the constant crowds that plague most Florida beaches. Another extra for the tents set up selling various Navarre Raiders gear. There isn’t just one table set up selling a few t-shirts, but two tents with multiple tables selling basically every sort of gear imaginable. They have one table set up selling all kinds of various t-shirts and pants ranging from sweatpants to pajama pants, and these aren’t just basic cotton shirts either, but Nike dri-fit shirts and polo shirts, many of them ranging from $5 to $20. There are also several tables set up with mostly shirts, but there is also one selling various stickers, programs, foam fingers, etc. Needless to say, the expansive display rivals the kind of thing you would see at a small college, not a high school football game; I was very impressed.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Hovey Field 1500 N Lombardy St Richmond, VA 23220 Virginia Union Panthers website Hovey Field website Year Opened: 1907 Capacity: 10,000 At Home in Hovey Home of the Virginia Union Panthers, Hovey Field opened in 1907 and is the oldest football stadium in D2, and is the second-oldest college football stadium still in use overall (second only to Harvard Stadium); football has been played here continuously since it opened. The stadium is named after the second president of the university, George Hovey, who donated about $8K of his own money to purchase the land for the venue. The stands on the east side of the field are the original ones, but are now mainly used by visiting fans – the bleachers behind the north end zone were added in the 1940s, and the larger stands on the west side were added in the 1980s. The field itself is still the original grass surface, but during the off-season next year the Panthers will install new turf. Located in Richmond, Virginia, Hovey Field is surrounded by some of the campus’ original granite buildings, as well as the Panthers basketball arena (beyond the south end zone). The building housing the basketball arena was actually built for the 1936 World’s Fair and was moved here later – it is one of only two buildings that remains from that World’s Fair. Food & Beverage 3 There are not a ton of options available for sale at Virginia Union Football games, but the limited menu should be more than enough to keep you sated for a few hours. The lone concessions stand is located under the home grandstand, but most fans sit on that side anyway, and the venue is small enough that even if you side on either of the other two sides it is a quick walk to get a bite to eat. Food options at Hovey Field include chicken wings (a sauceless version that is easier to eat on the go), burgers, hot dogs, fries, nachos, chips, popcorn, and candy bars – for these options the prices range from $2 to $6, with the $3 burger a great value for the money. Drink options include canned soda, bottled water, and Gatorade for $2 to $3. Atmosphere 3 A recent news article said that Hovey Field is the worst stadium in college football, but that report is completely untrue. Admittedly the bleachers on the north and east sides could use some work, being wooden bleachers and thus having the potential for splinters, but I was easily able to sit on them without feeling like they would fall apart. Regardless, all the seats here are general admission, so you are welcome to sit on the much newer, metal bleachers on the east side if you prefer. Like at most HBCUs the band is one of the driving reasons for attending a football game, so you should definitely stay in your seat during halftime so you can watch the show – the band doesn’t perform during pregame, but you can watch them march, or should I say, swagger, into the stadium when they take their seats, and you can see them movin’ and swayin’ in the stands throughout the game, with their color guard flags waving and twirling in the breeze. The band plays plenty of great music during the game, too much for the refs’ taste in fact, as the band does occasionally get called out for making too much noise during plays on the field – the Virginia Union marching band is proudly known as the “Ambassadors of Sound”. Neighborhood 3 VUU’s campus and Hovey Field are located near downtown Richmond in probably what is not the nicest area, but there are a few attractions nearby as well as some restaurants. The main area around the stadium consists of other campus buildings and a residential area, but there are a number of restaurants to the east and to the south; college students seem to adore pizza, and they can get their fill at nearby Mellow Mushroom. However, my recommendation would be a quaint little place simply called “Lunch”, which boasts a cool looking black-and-white interior, plus all-day helpings of sandwiches and other lunch choices. The closest hotels to Hovey Field are Diamond Inn & Suites and Enys Hotel, but these are on the cheap side and therefore may not be the kind of place you would be comfortable in; but never fear, there are plenty of more well-known brands to the southeast closer to I-95/Virginia Commonwealth University, such as Marriott and Hilton, as well as some upscale off-brands like Quirk or Graduate. And if you plan to be in town for the weekend, nearby attractions include the Keystone Antique Truck & Tractor Museum or Petersburg National Battlefield Park. Fans 3 The fans at Hovey Field are really into the game – you will see many of them in gear and they cheer loudly for their team. As I mentioned before most fans sit on the west side, so that set of bleachers will be pretty full during most games, while the other two sides will be fairly empty. Still, on the plus side you can sit anywhere you want, so fans who want different views of the action can move around with ease. Virginia Union Panthers Fans, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Access 4 Getting to Hovey Field is pretty easy since it is only a couple miles off 1-95, although there will be a little traffic coming in and out despite the small stadium size, given that the streets around campus are not very wide and get easily congested, the college and neighborhood being as old as they are. But you can park right next to the stadium (at a cost of $15), or you can park further away and walk if you want to save a little money, which might be a good option anyway if you want to avoid the little bit of traffic right around the venue. Once you get inside there is plenty of room to move around – there are not a lot of bathrooms so they do bring in port-a-johns, but you can find regular bathrooms under the main grandstand to use instead, and most fans seem to do just that. Return on Investment 3 While concessions are on the low side, parking is a little on the high side for this level of college football and ticket prices are as well, being $25 for general admission except for students/seniors, who get $5 off. However, this cost is less than higher college divisions – as a comparison, tickets at nearby E. Claiborne Robins Stadium (also in Richmond and home of the FCS Richmond Spiders) cost between $30 and $55, and though that stadium is much nicer and more modern, that venue is a little more off the beaten path and concessions cost a little more there. So, if you just want to take in a football game and the team you are rooting for is not a factor, you can weigh the options and decide whether cost or other considerations are more important to you. Extras 3 Unlike some D2 schools, and even some higher-level football schools, the Virginia Union Panthers do have a mascot, and also do some interesting promotions that enhance the game day experience – for example, at homecoming they have antique cars parked on the street next to the stadium for fans to take a look at, and they also invite cheerleaders from past years to perform on the field during the game. The venue also has some history, being the oldest D2 stadium in the country and having some historic buildings around it, so there are certainly good reasons to make the trek. Final Thoughts Virginia Union doesn’t have as much money as some of the other football programs in the area, so your expectations should reflect that when planning your visit. However, the team is solid on the field of late and has even won a National Championship, so Hovey Field is certainly worth a look if you are in the area.

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Globe Life Park in Arlington 1000 Ballpark Way Arlington, TX 76011 Texas Rangers website Globe Life Park in Arlington website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 48,114 Globe Life Park’s Final Season Globe Life Park, originally called the Ballpark in Arlington, has been the Texas Rangers’ home since 1994. On April 11 of that year, a sold-out crowd of 49,119 witnessed the Texas Rangers beat the Milwaukee Brewers in their brand-new ballpark. The Ballpark was a welcome sight, replacing the old minor league stadium turned MLB venue, Arlington Stadium. The new ballpark was designed to be retro-style, incorporating features of baseball’s classic ballparks. The right field Home-Run Porch was designed in honor of the old Detroit Tigers Stadium, while the white steel frieze that surrounds the upper deck was from pre-1973 Yankee Stadium. The out of town manual scoreboard was taken from Fenway Park, the non-symmetry was classic Ebbets Field, and arched windows come from the White Sox’ previous field Comiskey Park. The Rangers added their own unique features in Greene’s Hill, a sloped section of grass beyond center field to be used as the batter’s eye and named after former Arlington mayor Richard Greene. The signature office spaces complete the center field corner of the ballpark. The Ballpark has changed over the past 25 years with renovations, but for the most part has remained true to its original state. There have been four name changes over the years, although local fans still use the original name or call it Rangers Ballpark. Globe Life Park has become the home that the Texas Rangers envisioned when it opened in 1994. Since the ballpark opened, the Rangers have won seven division titles and two American League Championships. Four of the five players that have worn the retired Rangers uniforms called Globe Life Park home. There was also an All-Star game here in 1995, Kenny Rodgers’ perfect game, Rafael Palmiero’ s 500th home run, and Adrian Beltre’s 3,000th hit, although arguably the biggest moment ever here was the last out in the American League Championship Series versus the New York Yankees; Neftali Feliz’s strikeout of Alex Rodriquez to send the Rangers to their first World Series in 2010. The Ballpark has hosted numerous events besides Rangers baseball. The Big 12 Baseball Tournament was held inside the ballpark in 2002 and 2004, and other local college baseball teams from the University of Texas-Arlington and Texas Christian University have played regular season games inside the Globe. The 2019 season at Globe Life Park is the Final Season for Texas Rangers baseball here, as the Texas Rangers and their fans will soon move into their newly updated ballpark, Globe Life Field. Globe Life Field will provide the Texas Rangers and their fans with the most updated amenities – the new facility will have a retractable roof for those brutal summer temperatures in North Texas, the field will be turf instead of grass, and the safety netting will extend down the foul lines. In addition, the new Texas Live! will bring outside atmosphere to the new ballpark that was lacking during the warehouse days. Food & Beverage 5 The Texas Rangers and Delaware North Sportservice are pioneers in the improvement of not only Globe Life Park but all sport venue food services, leading the rest of Major League Baseball in upgrading its game menus to be more than just traditional hot dogs and ballpark nachos. Although the nachos staple was introduced to the sports world by the Texas Rangers at the old Arlington Stadium, that same company, Ricos, continues to provide the chips and has a production plant nearby Globe Life Park. Besides nachos, the Texas Rangers in 2015 unleashed the Boomstick – a two-foot-long hot dog slathered in chili and cheese that costs $27. The Rangers have made unveiling new concessions offering an annual tradition; last year the Dilly Dog (a hot dog nestled inside a cored-out dill pickle and fried in corn dog batter) was the headliner for $10, and this final season highlighted a 2-lb chicken strip, vegan offerings including a burger and street tacos, and the visually striking RWB dog – a ballpark frank lined with red and blue relish. Next season, the Rangers and Delaware North Sportservice will continue to be together; this agreement will carry over the menu from Globe Life Park and create new opportunities. The biggest announcement showing that these two identities will continue in creating a better food and beverage atmosphere for fans is from Delaware North general manager Casey Rapp. He mentioned that the upper deck food options at the current Globe Life Park are “pretty generic” – in the new ballpark however, he said the food options will be more diverse. Baseball and food lovers should be prepared for the Globe Life Field food options as being the best in baseball starting in 2020. Although the food menu here is creative and pricey, Globe Life Park has plenty of the normal stadium food fare, with plenty of options on every level of the stadium. There is barbecue, burgers, pizza, garlic fries, and chicken tenders, but visitors who want to visit the Texas State Fare stand can also get deep-fried Oreos and Twinkies among other items; some of these food items are in the $10 to $25 range, and this is where the Dilly Dog was offered to fans. Globe Life Park allowed outside food and drink items, however, rumors have it that this will no longer be in place for Globe Life Field. Overall, Globe Life Park provides the best food options in Major League Baseball – the only problem is that they came needing a Texas-sized wallet. Texas-Sized Food at Globe Life Park, Photo by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Atmosphere 4 There is no doubt that Globe Life Park is a great venue for baseball; the groups of Rangers fans entering through the large red-brick facades and trellises hanging from the rooftop bring memories of the ballparks of old. Also, the large concourses with murals of past Rangers players generally bring a great energy of anticipation, and when there are large crowds the atmosphere is one of the best in sports. The fans that arrive early as the gates open have plenty of things to do – the large pro shop in centerfield is a good place to start, or get a table inside the air-conditioned Rebecca Creek Saloon next door. Or, just outside both the pro shop and restaurant, fans can take photos with a statue of Nolan Ryan. There is also something special in hearing the Rangers PA announcer Chuck Morgan announce, “It’s Baseball Time in Texas”; this is one of the sweetest things to hear in the ballpark. Chuck will continue to be the PA Voice of the Rangers at Globe Life Field. Besides Chuck Morgan, the Rangers employ in-game entertainment with the Texas Six Shooters, a group of young ladies that send t-shirts into the crowd, wave Texas flags after a Rangers score on Greene’s Hill in centerfield, and dance to Cotton Eye Joe on the dugout during the 7th inning stretch. In addition, the team’s mascot, Ranger Captain, a horse in a Rangers uniform, is visible throughout the ballpark and the community; these will continue when the Rangers move to Globe Life Field next year. But overall the atmosphere depends on the fans, and there have been plenty of games where the atmosphere has been the best and then stale later. Nevertheless, the memories at Globe Life Park are second to none for Rangers fans, and that means a better atmosphere than most MLB ballparks. Neighborhood 3 The immediate neighborhood around Globe Life Park is warehouses, office building, and parking lots – anything outside of those was on the outskirts, on the other side of AT&T Stadium on Collins Street. There is no public transportation in the city of Arlington so there is plenty of foot traffic, but no nearby gathering places until last year when Texas Live! opened across the street. Texas Live! is a $250 million world class dining entertainment district which opened in 2018 across from Globe Life Park – this entertainment venue will become an extension for the Rangers’ new home Globe Life Field which is set to open in March 2020. There are plenty of food and drink options inside Texas Live! such as Lockhart Smoke House, PBR Texas, Pudge’s Pizza, and Troy’s, as well as the outdoor concert venue Arlington Backyard. In addition, Loews Hotel opened in August 2019, providing a close luxury hotel besides the Sheraton-Arlington. If you prefer to be away from the congestion of Collins Street, but still want to find a couple of restaurants that would be a good pre or postgame hangout, you can visit the old downtown area of Arlington between E. Abram Street and E. Division St, only a couple of miles from AT&T Stadium. In this small area there are plenty of options such as Flying Fish, Twisted Root Beer Company, J Gilligan’s Bar and Grill, Babe’s Chicken, and Grease Monkey Burger Shop. There are also two local craft breweries to visit here as well; Legal Draft Beer Company and Division Brewing. Globe Life Park is in the Arlington Entertainment District which consists of Six Flags over Texas, Hurricane Harbor, and the Dallas Cowboys’ ATT Stadium. Fans 3 Texas will always be a football state. However, there are plenty of Rangers fans that come out to the ballpark, and just like most baseball fans, to be a constant force for 81 game seasons depends a lot on how the team plays on the field. The cliché that everyone loves a winner is true – the Texas Rangers attendance was the highest the season after the team won back to back American League Championships. Yet, the final season of the Ballpark brought in 16K less per game, and the MLB scheduler didn’t help the Rangers either, scheduling the popular teams like the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees on days that could have brought in the same number of fans, giving the other lower games a higher attendance rate. There are those loyal Rangers fans that have been coming out since Arlington Stadium in the 70s, however, and Globe Life Park is “a cathedral”, a word used by former President and Texas Rangers owner George W Bush. The Texas weather was a mighty deterrent though for fans during those afternoon day games, but for the fans that did show up you see a ton of team apparel – Rangers red, white, and blue being heavily present; Texas Rangers jerseys, shirts, and caps are everywhere. Rangers fans are also vocal and supportive, and become some of the best in baseball – just ask the fans that have experienced Rangers playoff games, or those back-to-back American League Championship years. Access 3 Globe Life Park in Arlington is easily accessible off Interstate 30, and between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is only 15-20 minutes away. The constant killer on access is the lack of public transportation; Arlington, Texas is the largest populated city in the state that does not have good public transportation for its citizens. This leads to ridesharing ($25 Uber ride from DFW), or taxis and rental cars. The good news for drivers, however, is that there is plenty of signage leading up to the park from the highway. Parking is ample around the field, with prices ranging from $10 to $40. For fans staying in the area around the ballpark, however, there is the Arlington Trolley, which makes stops at nearly all the hotels in and around Globe Life Park in Arlington, and shuttles you from attraction to attraction and back again. Return on Investment 5 The 2019 Texas Rangers average ticket was $54, which ranks them in the lower 1/3 of MLB pricing charts. Single game tickets start as low as $17 for upper level seating and can run as high as $300 for the Commissioner boxes near the infield. That said, the secondary market is a great place to look for those non-premier games during the week, where tickets can be found for as low as $10 including fees. The prices are sure to increase next season with the move to Globe Life Field, and the option of bringing your own food and drinks may also change. Globe Life Park is a gorgeous and perfect venue for baseball; the ROI here for the Rangers continues to be the best option when compared to the other sports teams in the DFW area. Extras 5 Arlington’s “Cathedral for Baseball” gave millions of Rangers fans 26 seasons of incredible memories; the ballpark’s infrastructure is one that truly represents the state of Texas and is one of the best in sports. A main concern for the future of Globe Life Park is because of the architectural masterpiece that has been a staple in Arlington for almost 3 decades. The ballpark has been renovated inside many times over the years to provide fans different amenities, and the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame near centerfield was a staple that provided the history of Rangers baseball as well as an educational place for young campers during the summer. The Rangers, the innovator of the original dot on the old Arlington Stadium videoboard, changed to live human dots, Texas Legends, and mini dots. The creation of Texas Live!, the new mixed-use entertainment complex which opened last year, also brought a better atmosphere to Globe Life Park on game days, and will continue into the future at Globe Life Field. Final Thoughts The erection of Globe Life Park revitalized baseball in North Texas. Although, the Texas Rangers were playing two decades prior to Globe Life Park, the Texas Rangers weren’t a national interest in baseball outside of the Dallas – Fort Worth area. There are many die-hard fans that loved Arlington Stadium, but realized that the new ballpark in Arlington would give the Texas Rangers instead credibility, among the other MLB ballparks and fans. For a quarter-century, Globe Life Park did more than just make baseball in North Texas creditable. Globe Life Park became place that represented the very heart of all Texans. Although, many fans will enjoy the new amenities of Globe Life Field, it will always be bittersweet not being in Globe Life Park. Final Opening Day 2019, Photo by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Robinson-Hale Stadium S Capitol St Clinton, MS 39056 Mississippi College Choctaws website Robinson-Hale Stadium website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 8,500 The Choctaws of Clinton, Mississippi Situated about 15 minutes west of Jackson, Mississippi is the nice, quaint, picturesque town of Clinton, home of the Mississippi College Choctaws. MC, as locals call it, opened its doors in 1826 and is Mississippi’s oldest college, along with being the second-oldest Baptist affiliated college in the U.S. The Choctaws first fielded a football team in 1907, and up until the 1930s regularly scheduled matchups against the likes of Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and LSU. Since 1972 Mississippi College has been a member of Gulf South Conference (GSC) of NCAA Division II; the Choctaws have won one D2 National title (1989) and four conference titles. GSC has become a football rich conference in recent years with member schools Delta State, Valdosta State, West Alabama, West Florida, and West Georgia constantly being ranked in the D2 football polls. On the west side of campus right off Interstate 20 is Robinson-Hale Stadium. Originally opened in 1985, Robinson-Hale Stadium underwent major renovations in 2011 – the renovation brought the capacity up to 8,500 making it one of the largest stadiums in Division II, and MC is constantly ranked among the top ten teams in the country in terms of average attendance each season. The stadium honors two men who helped establish the football program at Mississippi College; Stanley Robinson served as head coach and athletic director for 36 years, while Edwin “Goat” Hale is a former quarterback for the Choctaws (1915-16;1920-21) and is also the first Mississippi native to be elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. Food & Beverage 2 The stadium is set up with the home stands sitting on one side and the visiting stands sitting on the other, but there are only two concessions stands in operation, one on each side. The basic ballpark fare can be found at both and prices are reasonable, with costs being hamburgers $4.50, nachos and hot dogs $4, popcorn $3, and chips or Coca-Cola products in cans for $2. As usual for a religious college no alcohol is available at Robinson-Hale Stadium. Atmosphere 3 With a seating capacity of 8,500 Robinson-Hale Stadium is currently the eighth largest D2 on-campus football stadium in the country. Its most recent renovations occurred starting in 2006 with the installation of a state-of-the-art synthetic playing surface and a new track, followed by new iron fencing, new ticket booths, and new entrance gates added in 2011, and finally a new HD scoreboard installed in 2014 – much like the Choctaws basketball team next door, however, the scoreboard doesn’t show much in terms of replays. Robinson-Hale Stadium is set up like most stadiums of this size, with home fans sitting on one side and the visiting fans sitting on the other. The field faces north and south with the typical metal bleacher seating; the Choctaw fans sit on the stands to the east, while the visiting fans sit on the side to the west. The press box is located on the east side about 40 rows up, and at Robinson-Hale Stadium the home stands are kind of built into a hill, so when you enter you enter midway up the bleachers and can either go up or down, making the stadium seem to double in size when you enter. The home side definitely looks more modern and up to date then the visiting side does, though those stands do tend to fill up because Gulf South Conference teams travel pretty well. The home side extends from goal line to goal line, which accounts for about 80% of the 8,500 seats at Robinson-Hale Stadium, but the visiting stands only extend between the 40-yard lines. In addition, if you purchased a ticket from the home side ticket booth you are not free to walk to the visiting side, and vice versa, so make sure you know what side you want before you come inside. There is a small concessions stand on the visitors side but not much else. The view to the north at Robinson-Hale Stadium doesn’t provide much besides a view of the woods, but the view to south provides a back drop of the golf ball-shaped A.E. Wood Coliseum, home of the Choctaws basketball team, to the southeast. The MC parking garage is directly behind the south end zone and Frierson Field, home of the Choctaws baseball team, is to the southwest; about 100 yards behind the parking garage you can see I-10. There are various people tailgating in the south parking lot and in the south parking garage, and the four-story parking garage provides excellent views of the field from the upper levels free of charge. Many fans took advantage of that fact and tailgated and grilled out by their cars with plenty of shade and excellent views of the field, while fans in the stands had to endure the elements of a hot Mississippi September afternoon; it was almost like a party atmosphere in the parking garage though, with a lot of fraternities and college kids. There are no banners or anything at the stadium signifying past athletic feats, but there is one banner outside the stadium honoring former Choctaw and New Orleans Saints running back Fred McAfee. McAfee, perhaps the school’s most distinguished athlete, had a 15-year NFL career as an all-pro kick returner and was elected to one Pro Bowl in 2002. McAfee was eventually inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame, Division II Sports Hall of Fame, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, and Mississippi College Hall of Fame. Neighborhood 3 Clinton is a nice, small, neat little college town, located about 20 minutes west of downtown Jackson. The town of Clinton was founded in 1823, with Mississippi College being founded three years later. The town was overrun with Union officers during the Civil War which destroyed much of the town, however, in the years after the war the college and the town underwent a massive reconstruction phase that resulted in hundreds of new antebellum homes, most of which are still standing. Most of the buildings on campus were built in the years following the war, and they are made with beautiful white marble columns. Perhaps the most historic building on campus is the Provine Chapel; opened in 1860 it is the only building on campus that predates the war, and was used as a Union hospital, as well as the first floor being used to house future president Ulysses S. Grant’s horses. I recommend getting to the game early and giving yourself ample time to walk around the campus – it is very small, but scenic. Historic Olde Town Clinton is just a couple of blocks north of campus, and is Clinton’s downtown area. I suggest walking from campus to the downtown area, as it is just a couple of blocks north along Jefferson Street. The street is lined with many beautiful antebellum homes, and with its brick-lined streets provides a very picturesque setting. In addition there are numerous mom and pop shops and small art galleries in the downtown area; a majority of the shops in this area are closed on Saturdays but there is one sit-down restaurant called 303 Jefferson (the name is the same as its address), which would be a good place to get a drink or get a hot meal. There is also a large bookstore with a cafe attached to it, but that is also closed on Saturday nights – it would be nice if some of these shops and eateries were open later. However, the road headed into campus (Highway 80) has all the regular fast food chains, so you should be able to find plenty to eat. For lodging the area south of campus has several hotels (Fairfield Inn, Hampton Inn, etc.) and you are only a short 20-minute drive from Jackson, where additional lodging and restaurants can be found. For something to visit while in the area, I recommend making the 30-minute drive west to Vicksburg, which is also a very historic town, so history buffs can spend a weekend walking around the downtown area and the Vicksburg Military Park, which was the site of one of the most important battles in the Civil War. You pay per vehicle and can drive all around the different historical areas of the park, so one could spend hours here and I highly recommend it. Fans 4 Last season the Choctaws averaged about 4,100 fans per game, and this season the average is slightly lower at about 3,400, but this is partly because Homecoming and Senior Night haven’t happened yet; those two games usually account for a huge spike in attendance. I was pleasantly surprised to find the Student Section pretty full, with many fans engaged and into the game – between the people tailgating in the parking lot and in the garage, it definitely raises the score one point. It was great to see a nice turnout for this level of football, with fans treating it like their own D1 football game. Because of the close proximity between the schools in the Gulf South Conference, and because of the easy access into Clinton, many rival fans turn out for games which can create a raucous atmosphere. In fact, for some games like when Delta State comes to town there are just as many opposing fans as Choctaw fans. Access 4 You will not find a more accessible college anywhere in the state than Mississippi College. Conveniently located in the center of the state, you are within a 3-4 hour drive to anywhere in Mississippi. The main road into Clinton is I-20, and you would take this road if traveling from the east or west. Note that I-20 can have horrendous traffic, especially at the I-55 junction, so take this into account, though it shouldn’t be a problem on a Saturday. Mississippi College’s campus is located on the far west side of town, so take Exit 35 and you will see the large golf ball-shaped dome; this is A.E. Wood Coliseum, home of the Choctaws basketball team. The football stadium is located right next to the coliseum and the baseball field, and there is plenty of parking around the coliseum and its surrounding lots. Highway 80 runs from Jackson right into campus, but it takes you through a rough section of town in the south Jackson area. However, if you want to take the scenic route the historic Natchez Trace Parkway also runs right through Clinton – this two-lane road is very peaceful and completely void of red lights and commercial traffic. The Trace has tons of areas you can pull off and visit such as Indian mounds, old cemeteries, historic houses, natural trails, campgrounds, etc. so if you have the time, I suggest driving down the the Trace just for its scenic beauty alone. Just make sure you go the speed limit though – the whole parkway is administered by the National Park Service and the speed limit is between 40 and 50; you will have to pay a pretty hefty fine if you are caught speeding. Return on Investment 3 Tickets were priced as follows: $10 for general admission which allows you to sit anywhere in the grandstand, and is about an average price for this level of college football – the whole stadium is bleacher seating on both sides, except for a few chairbacks in front of the press box. The chairbacks cost $15, or you can purchase a season ticket package for the chairbacks at $75. Parking is free here and concessions prices are reasonable, so although you aren’t going to be watching future NFL stars on the field, I consider it a good return on investment with another plus being the easy accessibility. So if you are in the Jackson area on a Saturday night in the fall I would definitely recommend a trip to Clinton for a Choctaws football game. Extras 3 One extra for the level of competition that comes through here on a yearly basis – though the Gulf South Conference isn’t the SEC or a power 5, it is one of premier conferences in D2 football. Fans get to see some pretty good football come through Robinson-Hale Stadium on a yearly basis, with teams like Valdosta State who have won four D2 National titles, or Delta State who have over 10 playoff appearances and who played for the National Title in 2000, or newcomers like West Florida who reached the D2 National title Game in just their second year. So, fans attending games here are watching players who could play D1 football, or at the very least compete with some of the teams in the lower level conferences at the D1 level, so the level of competition is quite high. Another extra point goes to the campus itself – I recommend just walking around the campus and the town of Clinton before the game as the area is very pretty. The campus and downtown area cover just a couple of blocks, so you could easily walk around downtown Clinton for 30 minutes or so before the game. Another extra goes for the accessibility; Mississippi College’s campus is one of the most convenient campuses I’ve ever visited. You could go from driving on the interstate, to parking, to sitting down in your seat in less than 10 minutes, as Robinson-Hale Stadium is literally 100 yards or so from the interstate. Final Thoughts Robinson-Hale Stadium remains an excellent place to watch a football game. Though you will not find a lot of frills or excitement, you will get to see some exciting football during most games from a D2 conference powerhouse. There is always guaranteed to be a good turnout for a Choctaws game, and the college has a beautiful historic campus; the downtown area also provides a nice setting, and this campus remains one of the most accessible college campuses I’ve ever been too. So, if you are in the Jackson, MS area on a Saturday in the fall then I recommend a trip to Robinson-Hale Stadium.

Photo Courtesy of EIU Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 O’Brien Field 600 Lincoln Ave Charleston, IL 61920 Eastern Illinois Panthers website O’Brien Field website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 10,000 Deep In the Heart of Illinois The history of football at Eastern Illinois University dates back to when the first classes opened in the fall of 1899. It was one of the first extracurricular activities on campus; in within 45 days of the schools opening it played its first intercollegiate football game. Throughout its history, the program has seen its ups and downs but for the last 45 years, it’s been one of the more consistent brands in college football. In 1970 O’Brien Field opened as the new home for both the football and track and field teams. Known as Lincoln Stadium at the time, the 10,000-seat facility would be later renamed in honor of Maynard O’Brien who coached both sports during his tenure at the school. The stadium has seen a few improvements during its history that included a $2 million renovation project in 1999 that featured new offices for coaches, meeting and video rooms, and locker rooms, expanded weight room and athletic training facilities. A decade later a modern video and audio scoreboard was added to the north end zone. The program has been one of the most successful of its kind winning 60 percent of its games since O’Brien opened and appearing in 16 NCAA FCS playoffs since 1981–tops in the state of Illinois of all college football programs. The program also boasts a national championship that was won in 1978 and was a finalist in 1980. The school has also produced three NFL coaches: Mike Shanahan, Sean Payton, and Brian Childress and two quarterbacks in Tony Romo and Jimmy Garoppolo. Food & Beverage 3 The stadium offers basic varieties of food choices at the games that include nachos, hot dogs, fries, and popcorn at the concession stands. The facility offers Pepsi products. The best options are located outside the venue at portable concession stands that are set up before each game. This area is named Vendors Row and offers County Catering, Smoky’s House BBQ, and Kettle Corn and Dirty’s. Smoky’s House BBQ has pulled pork sandwiches and smoked Polish dogs, and they are both terrific choices. There is a Papa John’s pizza stand offering 10-inch pizzas. There is a stand offering shaved ice, or kettle corn if you are looking for something cool. Atmosphere 3 The excitement begins early with some of the better tailgating at this level of college football. There are also inflatables for the kids and a live band to add to the revelry 2-4 hours before kickoff. The Panther Walk begins with the EIU Marching Band leading the football team to the stadium from the library performing the school’s fight song and other traditional songs. The stadium itself is rather simple and offers metal bleacher-style seats with plenty of legroom. The seating features no covering and blankets and jackets can become common in mid-October. A smaller visitors’ seating area is at the opposite end of the stadium. The ends of the stadium are open allowing for views of the surrounding area. A bright blue track circumnavigates the football field and retired numbers of Tony Romo and Sean Peyton are also on display along with the Panthers 1978 national championship. The marching band, rather large and impressive, entertains patrons at halftime and throughout the game. Neighborhood 2 Charleston, Illinois, has a population of 21,838 and EIU has an enrollment of around 7,800. The town offers quite a few local establishments to grab a bite or drink before or after the game. Pagliai’s Pizza, Roc’s Blackfront Restaurant, Brick House Bar & Grill, Dirty’s Bar & Grill, and Smoky’s House all provide great prices and atmosphere. A few tourist attractions include the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, part of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, which preserves the 1840s home of Abraham Lincoln. Fox Ridge State Park provides rolling hills, lush valleys, and scenic hiking trails. The Dudley-McFarland House was built in 1892 by the architect Charles D. Mitchell, a native of Charleston. A few of the museum artifacts are stored there, including period furniture, art, and fixtures. Fans 4 The stadium offers seating for 10,000 and most crowds are nearly half-full but there is a lot of energy and passion from the fans to create a pleasant ambiance. The student sections cheer, the locals applaud for positive gains on the field, and everyone seems to enjoy the Panthers add another win on the season. Access 5 O’Brien Stadium is small enough that getting around is rather simple during the game. There is plenty of signage on campus to direct motorists to the venue and there is plenty of parking in the lots adjacent to the stadium. Return on Investment 3 The price of a ticket to an EIU football game is $20 for all seating in the stadium. The price to park is $5 in the surrounding lots adjacent to the field and concession prices are reasonably priced for an inexpensive day of college football during the season. Extras 3 O’Brien Field earns a point for the retired jersey numbers that hang on the stadium’s walls and the multiple banners of former Panthers who have made a name for themselves in the NFL. The list is impressive from Superbowl winning coaches to All-Pro quarterbacks. O’Brien Field grabs a second point for Vendors Row outside the stadium that offers an array of great food from local establishments. O’Brien Field earns a third point for the PMB that kicks things off with the Panther Walk before the game. They lead the football team, cheer team, and Pink Panthers to the game along with fans playing a list of music en route to the stadium. Final Thoughts O’Brien Field is a rudimentary facility that is fixed up with enough history to create a pleasant environment at the game. The crowds are large enough to provide a backdrop any football player would want during the season. The small-town setting makes it a small oasis in the state of Illinois.

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

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Arizona Stadium 540 N Vine Ave Tucson, AZ 85721 Arizona Wildcats website Arizona Stadium website Year Opened: 1929 Capacity: 50,782 Bear Down for Arizona Football Arizona Stadium, the home of Arizona Football, was originally built in 1928 but has been revamped and modernized through recent renovations. The 50,782-seat facility is a historic site on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. The stadium combines old-style charm and modern conveniences due to renovations in excess of $100 million between the 2013 addition of the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility and the 2018 renovation of the east side; the building of the new football facility in the north end zone enclosed the stadium’s seating. The facility now offers suites, improved concessions options, and comfortable seating, but the west side is also about to experience a major renovation with a cost estimated between $120 and $150 million; as of now the west side has only received some minor enhancements like more points of sale for concessions plus more TVs and restroom trailers – basic commodities fans have been wanting for years. Other renovations prior to 2013 included a new artificial surface with the ghost-lettered phrase “Bear Down” running in-between the hashes and over the large Arizona logo. Arizona Stadium has played host to the Arizona Bowl since 2015. Since its inception, that game has been played between teams representing the Mountain West Conference and the Sun Belt Conference. However, the inaugural game was played between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the Colorado State Rams, both Mountain West Conference teams, as the Sun Belt Conference did not field enough bowl-eligible teams that season. For movie lovers, the stadium’s parking lot, located on the northeast end of the facility, was one of several filming locations for the 20th Century Fox comedy Revenge of the Nerds; the film’s Adams College Greek Games sequence was shot in the space on Cherry Avenue between East 4th Street and East University Boulevard. Food & Beverage 3 Arizona Stadium covers all the traditional stadium fare; the highest cost regular food item is the Polish sausage at $6 with nachos $5, while Hebrew National hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, and soft pretzels cost $4. Coca-Cola products range anywhere from $3 to $7. Some of the other items available are a little more on the pricey side, such as cheesy Philly cheesesteaks, Italian Jobs (a ciabatta sandwich made with Italian salami, ham, Italian mozzarella, pesto, and olive oil), peppered turkey, beefy BBQ nachos, and chicken tenders all at $10. On the west side of the stadium is the Roadrunner mobile kitchen (food truck) that serves crafty burgers and hot dogs for prices between $5 and $8; there are also a couple of money saving combos for families such as the family combo for $32 including 2 hot dogs, 2 orders of nachos, 1 box of popcorn, and a small packaged candy. In an effort by the University of Arizona to enhance the game day experience, beer and wine are now available to all fans of drinking age. The beer selection is Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Light, Corona, Modelo Especial, and Barrio Blond, with prices ranging from $7 for a 16oz draft to $10 for a 24oz premium. The wine selection covers all types at $8 for a 6½oz cup; beer and wine are all sold in plastic cups with sales stopping before the end of the third quarter. The east concession stands are the newest in the stadium and provide tables and TVs for fans to use when they eat their food. And while the alcohol sales may have enhanced game day for fans, the food items are just on par, meeting typical expectations for a major college football stadium. Atmosphere 3 Across the country the college football atmosphere begins long before the actual kickoff, and the University of Arizona begins the night before a home game with something titled Bear Down Fridays, which is a traditional pep rally including the band and the spirit squads. Then, six hours before kickoff on game day, fans begin tailgating along “The Mall” at U of A, which is the long grassy area in the middle of campus along 3rd Street. Tailgating requires advanced purchase of a season or game-specific tailgate pass, and in the event of inclement weather it is possible that tailgating could be canceled. There are other tailgaters in the various parking lots next to the stadium and around McKale Center. Overall, the tailgating scene here is very mild compared to other schools that create a larger-than-life tailgating scene, such as at LSU before a night game in Tiger Stadium. For fans that aren’t into the tailgating scene on the mall they can visit the Jim Click Hall of Champions, which houses Arizona’s achievements in all sports. In addition, four hours prior to kickoff the Coca-Cola Fan Fiesta opens inside the Arizona Football practice facility, the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center. The fan fiesta offers fans a chance to eat and watch other games before the gates open. The next main event would be the Wildcat Walk – two hours prior to the game the Pride of Arizona, the spirit squads, and fans greet the Arizona football team. This takes place on the north side of Arizona Stadium at the corner of University and Cherry Ave. The team walks toward the stadium and the players touch the John Button Salmon statue, which is located just outside the stadium on Cherry Ave, before the team enters the stadium through the north end zone, coming straight out of their new locker room onto the field. Arizona and Salmon are tied together forever with Arizona’s slogan and fight song; Salmon was a former Arizona quarterback, catcher on the baseball team, and student body president, but after the first game of the 1926 season he suffered a severe spinal cord injury in a car accident. During coach Pop McKale’s last visit to the hospital before Salmon died, the quarterback gave his coach this message: “Tell them, tell the team to Bear Down” – Bear Down became the official fight song in 1952 and is played after every Wildcat score. The Pride of Arizona Marching Band’s pregame performance starts about 20 minutes before kickoff, after which the band forms a tunnel in anticipation of the Arizona team’s entrance into Arizona Stadium, after which the visiting team enters through the northwest corner of the stadium. Wilbur and Wilma the Wildcats are U of A’s mascots, and are seen throughout the game, and the Pride of Arizona marching band sits in the southeast corner to add to the atmosphere. There are also fireworks every time the Wildcats score, as well as performances by the Arizona Pom Squad during the game. The atmosphere is always better when the stadium is filled, and this hurts the atmosphere at Arizona Stadium. Overall, the atmosphere is enjoyable and fun; get there early and experience the entire game day schedule that is available when you attend an Arizona football game. The atmosphere might be disappointing to those fans that have visited SEC schools, but then again for some, this smaller version may be just the right atmosphere. Neighborhood 4 The University of Arizona is in Tucson a couple of miles from the downtown area; Arizona Stadium is located on southeastern corner of the campus. The school is a public research university and was the first university in the Arizona Territory, with a current enrollment of 45,217. Tucson is the second most-populated city in Arizona and the 33rd largest in the US. Tucson is more than a typical college town, but the neighborhood around the campus implies otherwise. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops on University Blvd and 4th Avenue that you can enjoy before and after the game. Before the game, the Maingate area on University Blvd would be the better choice, at either Gentle Bens or No Anchovies, both near U of A’s Old Main Building and tailgating scene on the mall. For a place on the east side of campus off Speedway try Dirtbags, or the after party area would be on 4th Avenue at The Drunken Chicken, Bison Witches Bar, or Ermanos Craft Beer and Wine Bar. For fans who are looking more for local craft breweries, the Public Brewhouse is a block from 4th Avenue, behind Ermanos on N Hoff Avenue. Another craft beer find is the Crooked Tooth Brewing Company on 6th Street, just a few blocks from 4th Avenue. The only downside is that these establishments are near the campus, but not very close to Arizona Stadium. Tucson has plenty of hotels for travelers, however, the closest to the stadium is Aloft Tucson-University, on the east side of campus at the corner of Campbell and Speedway. Or, Tucson Marriott University Park is in Maingate Square on the west side of campus; both these hotels are within walking distance of Arizona Stadium. For those that would like a resort vacation with their Tucson journey, I would suggest the El Conquistador Tucson-Hilton in Oro Valley on the side of Mt. Kimball and down the road from Catalina State Park. Fans 3 The Arizona fan base in the last five years has averaged around 48,000 a game, which translates to 86% of Arizona Stadium’s capacity. The average attendance does rank in the Top 50 for FBS schools, but the school lacks a strong football base, and is more nationally known for their men’s basketball and women’s softball programs. This season (2019) Arizona is averaging their lowest home attendance since 1975 at 38,777 per game, despite strong efforts from the university to create a better game day atmosphere. There is plenty of tailgating by the fans, but compared to the top-tier football programs there is a lack of atmosphere/excitement that other schools have just a few hours from kickoff. During the game the fans are routine – they are vocal when expected, but nothing as deafening as their PAC-12 counterparts at Washington or Oregon. The Arizona fan base is dedicated and loyal but small in numbers. I’m not sure what excuse the city of Tucson is using for not being present inside Arizona Stadium; as a matter of Fact, UA athletic director Dave Heeke recently tweeted to the Arizona fans: “It’s time to fill up Arizona Stadium (next Saturday when Washington comes to Tucson). No excuses! Come on Wildcat Fans!” Access 4 Arizona Stadium is located on the southeast corner of campus near the intersection of 6th Street and Cherry Street; Cherry Street is on the east side while 6th runs along the south side of the stadium. There are many parking garages on campus that charge varying rates ($10-$20) depending on the proximity to the stadium. All parking garages can be paid for using either cash or credit cards, while the surface lots are cash only, and cost $10 to $15. Most of the surface lots are restricted to Wildcat Club members, campus permits, or other specific passes. There is possibility of free parking, however, near Arizona Stadium for those early arrivals, or for carpoolers with four or more riders in the Tyndall Ave., Main Gate, Park Ave., and Highland garages. For an alternative means of transportation to the stadium, Tucson’s Sun Link Streetcar is an easy and economical way to reach campus. A one-day pass costs $4 and connects Mercado San Agustin (Tucson’s public marketplace), downtown Tucson, historic 4th avenue, and Main Gate Square to the University of Arizona. Although, the closest drop to Arizona Stadium is a few blocks away at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium (UA’s softball field) on 2nd Street/Cherry. All Arizona Wildcat events support the Clear Bag Policy that has been implemented across the country, and the gates open to the general public an hour and half before the scheduled kickoff time. The mixture of the stadium’s old and new concourse varies on handling the crowds, but overall walking around the stadium is easy. For fans that have lower level seating, a quick trip to the upper deck for a view of Tucson and mountains is well worth the time. However, most games at Arizona Stadium are played at night, and the temperatures during football season drop considerably at night, so it can get very cold sitting in the upper level of the stadium – add the desert wind and it could get uncomfortable, so be prepared. Nevertheless, overall the access is better than expected for a relatively old stadium during a college football game. Return on Investment 3 Arizona football individual game tickets have a wide variety of price levels. The levels range anywhere from $16 to $400 per ticket depending on the opponent and location. The non-conference schedule opponents have cheaper tickets, while the most expensive PAC-12 opponent ticket is the game versus Washington. There are no really bad seats in Arizona Stadium, so a $16 to $55 range for the upper level along the sidelines, or a $23 to $47 lower level end zone are reasonable prices for NCAA PAC-12 football. Keep in mind that the Arizona student section, a.k.a. Zonazoo, takes up the entire lower half on the east side of the stadium behind the Arizona bench, which prevents the general public from buying tickets in these areas. For fans searching for tickets on the visitor side, the visitor section is section 17, which is in the southwest corner of the stadium. The concessions, parking, and ticket prices all contribute to the high average return on investment for Arizona football. Extras 3 Arizona Stadium is nearly a 100-year-old landmark on the campus of the University of Arizona, and the views of the mountains and downtown Tucson from the upper deck seating is breathtaking. Attending a game at this historic venue is a history lesson in past architecture and society. The structure still incorporates the original construction of the stadium in the west side seating, with the first 30 rows of the stadium, and the south end zone concourse are from a time when it was okay to have small access ways and tight passageways when going to the restrooms or concessions. The University of Arizona football program isn’t royalty among the college football scene, as are a few of their PAC-12 counterparts like the University of Washington, the University of Southern California, or the University of Oregon. The football team also has yet to play in the PAC-12’s most iconic postseason bowl, “The Granddaddy of them All,” a.k.a. the Rose Bowl. However, the Wildcats do have some football greats in their ring of honor; Teddy Bruschi, Antoine Cason, Chuck Cecil, Lance Briggs, and Chris McAlister. The Arizona program has also participated in 21 postseason bowl games and has claimed a share of at least six conference titles. Arizona Stadium’s old and new presence creates a special feeling in being able to link the past to the present, from the players to the bowl games, to the years that the Wildcats won the Territorial Cup versus their in-state rival Arizona State; this feeling is lacking in the strictly new renovated stadiums in some parts of the country. But after each Arizona football victory, at the University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Center, an 1,820-pound bell salvaged from the USS Arizona is rung. Final Thoughts Arizona Stadium combines the past with the present. The old-style charm from the past with an insert of modern conveniences, this historic site has had football played inside the stadium since it was built in 1928. There are always pro and cons, but keeping a historic venue in operation via upgrading and rebuilding is a good thing. The university continues to reach out to football fans in and around Tucson to create an atmosphere inside Arizona Stadium that can rival others in the PAC-12 as well as around the nation. Tucson is a wonderful place to visit during football season – the weather is better than most, there are plenty of things to do, and Arizona Wildcats football is moving upwards both in terms of game day atmosphere and in performance on the field. To continue the Arizona rally cry, Bear Down and make a visit to Arizona Stadium, and be a part of Tucson’s college football experience.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Yale Bowl 81 Central Ave New Haven, CT 06515 Yale Bulldogs football website Yale Bowl website Year Opened: 1914 Capacity: 61,446 A Second Century of Football at the Yale Bowl Football has been played at Yale since 1872. The team originally played at Yale Field, a 33,000-seat venue that eventually proved to be inadequate for the popular team’s needs. Charles A. Ferry, class of 1871, designed a new stadium for the university that would seat over 70,000 fans. Even though capacity has been reduced over the years, it remains the largest university-owned stadium in FCS. In its century of existence, the Yale Bowl has hosted National Football League games, international soccer friendlies, concerts and countless other events. Its unique design inspired imitators across the nation, including the Rose Bowl and Michigan Stadium. The Yale Bowl was named a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Yale University was the most successful college football team in the formative years of the sport, winning 27 national championships between 1872 and 1909, as well as two of the first three Heisman Trophies. The school boasts 100 All-Americans, 28 College Football Hall of Famers, the first professional football player and several coaching legends among its alumni. Thirty-one former Bulldogs have gone on to play in the National Football League. Food & Beverage 3 There are several concession stands that line the outer edge of the Yale Bowl property. These stands don’t stray far from stadium basics, but fans should find what they need. Burgers, hot dogs and sausage sandwiches anchor the menus here. Veggie burgers are available for fans looking for an alternative. Assorted snacks, including nachos, candy, popcorn, fried dough and pretzels also dot the menus. Mr. B’s Ice Cream truck is a popular spot for younger fans. Not every stand has the same menu, so a bit of searching may be necessary to find what you are looking for. Coca-Cola products are featured at the Yale Bowl, and alcohol is not sold during Yale football games. Atmosphere 3 If you’re in New Haven for the annual edition of “The Game” crank this score all the way up to the maximum. Crowds of over 50,000 pack Yale Bowl whenever Harvard comes to town, and the atmosphere ratchets up accordingly. At a typical Yale football game, the atmosphere is much more sedate. While the Yale staff put on a good show, even a crowd of 10,000 leaves the Yale Bowl mostly empty. On the plus side, there is A LOT of room to spread out and roam this large facility. All the elements of a typical college game day experience can be found here, including the cheerleading squad, the Yale Precision Marching Band and Handsome Dan, the original live mascot. The current Handsome Dan, an Olde English Bulldog named Walter, is the 18th Handsome Dan to prowl the sidelines. There is an active, but laid-back, tailgating scene in the many lots adjacent to the Yale Bowl. The team throws a Fan Fest with games, giveaways and a giant inflatable bulldog overseeing the whole scene. After the game, fans are able to go down onto the field and play catch. Neighborhood 3 The Yale Bowl is not located within the downtown Yale campus, but about a mile and a half to the west on the West Haven town line. Visiting fans will not find a whole lot to do in the immediate vicinity of the Yale Bowl. Historic Yale Field, Reese Stadium, and the Connecticut Tennis Center (the former home of the WTA’s Connecticut Open event) are adjacent to the football stadium. Visiting fans may enjoy exploring the Yale campus and downtown New Haven while in the area. The Yale campus is noted for its unique architecture, and New Haven has a well-deserved reputation as a foodie hotspot, with excellent bars and restaurants located throughout the city. A couple of spots in particular may be of interest to visiting fans. Just blocks from the old campus is Louis’ Lunch, which claims to be the birthplace of the hamburger. New Haven is also home to a unique brand of brick oven pizza, called apizza by locals. Frank Pepe’s and Sally’s Apizza, located just over a block apart on Wooster Street, are world famous for this pizza style. Many locals tout a third location, Modern Apizza, located only a half mile from campus. Fans looking for lodging during their visit to New Haven will find no shortage of choices around the Yale campus. A detailed list of hotels can be found here. Fans 3 The average yearly attendance for Yale football fluctuates wildly from season to season depending on if the Bulldogs host the annual Harvard-Yale game. While a crowd of over fifty thousand can be expected for Harvard games, for other games, crowds range between 7,000-10,000. Expect Ivy League games to be better attended than non-conference tilts. Either way, there is plenty of room to spread out in this 60,000-seat facility. Yale football attendance has been in a steady decline since the glory days of the program, when forty thousand fans would regularly show up at the Yale Bowl. Before the Ivy League downgraded to FCS in 1981, the team still averaged twenty thousand fans per game. At a Yale football game, you can expect to see a healthy dose of fans who have been coming to games for decades alongside casual fans, families and students. There doesn’t seem to be a large turnout by the student body, or a cohesive student section, but this may be a factor of playing in such a large facility. Access 4 The Yale Bowl is easy to find. Simply take Exit 44 and head north on Ella T. Grasso Boulevard. After about two and a half miles, take a left onto Derby Street. The legendary columns of Walter Camp Field will be on your right. Most of the parking is located on Central Street, just past the stadium complex. Be aware that Yale football has adopted a clear bag policy for all games starting in 2019. Bags can be purchased at stands just outside all gates. Check the Game Day Central Page for more information. Once you pass by the statue of Handsome Dan that guards the main gate and enter the stadium, it may be hard to believe you are steps from a facility with a capacity of over 60,000. While many football stadiums look like giant spaceships dropped in the middle of an open field, the Yale Bowl couldn’t be more unassuming. When the stadium was built over 100 years ago, its builders simply dug a big hole in the ground and used the dirt to build up a large berm all around the hole. The seating bowl was built into this berm. It was a revolutionary design at the time and influenced the design of later stadia, such as the Rose Bowl and Michigan Stadium. Surrounding the Yale Bowl is a wide paved concourse where you will find the concession stands and buildings that house the restrooms. These restrooms may be dated, but they are plenty large enough for even the biggest Yale football crowd. Fans will enter the seating bowl through one of 30 long portals, which deposit fans onto a walkway about halfway up the seating bowl. This walkway circles the entire field, as does a second walkway that runs along the top of the seating bowl. Be sure to check out the views from the top of the Yale Bowl while you’re here. All seats at the Yale Bowl consist of wooden bleachers with backs. Many of the bleachers have been replaced and all have been painted in recent years, but some old bleachers remain in spots. Luckily, if you happen to sit on a bench that looks like prime splinter territory, there’s lots of room to move around. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Yale football games are a great bargain, ranging in price from $12-$20. Discounts are given to children and seniors. While seats are sold only in the sections between the 20-yard lines, fans are able to roam around the entirety of the Yale Bowl. Parking in the lots surrounding the Yale Bowl costs five dollars. If heading to New Haven for the Harvard-Yale game, you must purchase parking in advance. Extras 3 Extra points are awarded for the sense of history here at the Yale Bowl. While Yale football is far from the national power it was during the first half of the 20th century, the football played here continues to be of a high level. To this day, Yale ranks fifth all-time in wins in college football history. Be sure to check out Jensen Plaza by the main entrance, where every letterman in Yale football history has their name engraved in the bricks. Traditions abound at the Yale Bowl, from the many Ivy League championship banners that surround the field to Handsome Dan, the first live mascot in college sports. If you plan to visit Yale for the latest incarnation of “The Game,” the annual matchup between Yale and Harvard, expect much, much more from the Yale Bowl. Played annually since 1875, the Harvard-Yale rivalry is one of the most storied in the nation attracting over 50,000 fans when the game is held in New Haven. The accompanying tailgating scene alone is worth the price of admission. Final Thoughts While Yale football is far removed from its glory days, any college football fan should be sure to visit the Yale Bowl at least once. It looks remarkably similar to how it looked when it opened in 1914. For a truly legendary experience, head to New Haven sometime in late November for “The Game,” still one of college football’s marquee events. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Armstrong Stadium Marshall Ave Hampton, VA 23669 Hampton Pirates website Armstrong Stadium website Year Opened: 1928 Capacity: 12,000 All Ahoy for Pirate Football! Hampton University is a historically black college (HBCU) located in Hampton, Virginia, in the southeast portion of the state. The school was founded in 1868 and is considered one of the Black Ivies. Hampton’s athletic teams, the Pirates, previously competed in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference MEAC) along with many other HBCUs. However, in 2018, the school moved to the Big South Conference. By the time they elected to move, the conference football schedule had already been set, so the Pirates competed as an independent in the sport for one season before joining the Big South in 2019. Armstrong Stadium has played home to the football team since 1928. It originally had a capacity of just 1,500, but through a series of expansions and renovations over the years it has been expanded to 12,000. Food & Beverage 3 There are a few concession stands throughout the stadium – one in each corner of the open end and a third behind the home bleachers. However, the menu at each stand is the same, so just go to whichever one is closest. Main courses include hot wings ($7.50, or $8.50 with fries), chicken tenders ($6.50), hot dogs ($4, or $4.50 with chili and cheese), and nachos ($3.50, or $4 with chili.) Snacks include French fries ($2), peanuts ($2.50), chips ($2), and king-size candies ($3). Various bottled beverages are available for $3.50 each. Atmosphere 5 There are stands on three sides of Armstrong Stadium, all bleachers except for a few chair backs at midfield on one side reserved for large donors. Some of the bleachers are metal, while others are of the more uncomfortable wooden variety and showing their age. A large video board is located in the open end zone somewhat off-center, while a smaller scoreboard showing just the basic information is located behind the other end zone. The real strength of the atmosphere at a Hampton football game, like at many of the HBCUs, is the marching band. They perform a lengthy pregame show and continue to play during the game and at halftime. The Hampton marching band is one of the best in the country and has played at parades and other events around the world, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and the New Year’s Day Parade in Rome. They are truly something special and add a lot to the atmosphere. Hampton Pirates Half Time Show, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey There is also a Pirate mascot as well as cheerleaders, but they pale in comparison to the band. Neighborhood 3 Armstrong Stadium is located on the Hampton University campus, so you will have to travel at least a little bit to find much of anything. There is a shopping center located across the street from campus that has a few chain restaurants as well as a local Chinese place. If you’re willing to head further away, there are several hotels and restaurants located near the Hampton Coliseum a few miles off campus. If you go to a game early in the season, you can head about half an hour down Interstate 64 to Virginia Beach and have a whole weekend getaway, but later on, the weather will likely not be desirable. Fans 2 When we entered the stadium, the ticket taker told us to “enjoy the show.” While she likely misspoke, this reflects how the majority of Hampton fans see the game – as a marching band show with a football game on the side. Although they’ll stay in their seats and give at least some effort to cheer for the first half, after the marching band has their show at halftime, most fans will head home. Those that remain behind do get into the game, but with a mostly empty stadium, that doesn’t help a whole lot. Access 3 This rating really does not tell the whole story. While a 3 is considered average, to claim access to the stadium is average is akin to sitting with your legs in the freezer and your head in the oven and claiming your body temperature is average. First, the good – getting on campus is extremely easy. Take Exit 267 off Interstate 64, head straight through the light at the end of the exit ramp, and you’re already on campus. Now, the bad – once you get on campus, things can get messy. The parking areas are not clearly marked, and you will often receive conflicting information from different people on where to park. Supposedly parking is $5 according to the website, but when we finally found the right lot, there was nobody there collecting money. Bring cash just in case. After you park, you have to figure out how to get in the stadium. Depending on what kind of ticket you are buying or picking up at will call, you may have to go to one of four different ticket windows in completely different locations. Often, only one gate opens on time, in the far corner of the stadium. Access through this gate requires cutting through the soccer stadium to get in. It should not be this difficult to get into a game. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are $20 each for general admission, with discounts available to youth, seniors, and military. Parking may or may not be free depending on whether they have anyone working the lots that day. Concession prices are about average too. All in all, the value here is average, nothing more. Extras 2 One star for all the great energy the marching band brings. They are truly something special. There is an inflatable pirate ship behind the open end zone which doubles as a bouncy slide for the kids. Final Thoughts Attending a Hampton football game is a tale of two halves. For the first half, the crowd is large and at least somewhat into it. Then the marching band does their thing at halftime and most of the crowd goes home. At that point, the atmosphere greatly diminishes. However, this should not be considered a poor reflection on the marching band itself, which is truly one of the best in the country.

Photos by Greg Johnston, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Huskies Stadium 920 Tower Road Halifax, NS B3H 3C3 St. Mary’s Huskies football website Huskies Stadium website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 2,000 Huskies Stadium In Halifax No other university football program in Atlantic Canada can boast about their historic success quite like Saint Mary’s University. Since their inaugural season in 1956, the Huskies have earned twenty-four Jewett Trophies as the conference winner, along with three Vanier Cups awarded as the champions of U-Sports football (1973, 2001 & 2002). Located on-campus in the south end of Halifax, Huskies Stadium has hosted football games since 1970. From 2010 to 2014, the stadium endured many renovations including the completion of the Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness. This modern masonry building is connected to the stadium’s east side and is home to the ticket office, Courtside Lounge, and locker rooms. Other enhancements include replacing the gridiron with Field Turf and tearing down a charming, yet crumbling, grandstand. Traditional aluminum bench bleachers replaced the grandstand along both sidelines. In an effort to gauge interest of a professional franchise in Halifax, Huskies Stadium temporarily expanded their capacity by nearly 10,000 as it hosted a Canadian Football League (CFL) exhibition game between the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tigercats. The event was a success as it drew a sell-out crowd of over 11,000 fans. Though Halifax is still without a CFL team, efforts have been made for a franchise to commence within the next few seasons. Huskies Stadium was listed as a possible home for the expansion franchise; however, plans are moving towards other stadium options. Food & Beverage 1 Huskies Stadium offers a small menu for the hungry fan with two concession stands located at field level, which sell pizza and hot dogs for $4. Accompany your main dish with fries, chips, or candy. Quench your thirst with a pop, juice, or water. The Courtside Lounge, an exclusive area that requires a special ticket, has another concession stand located upstairs in the Homburg Centre. This kiosk offers a similar menu as field level, with additional features such as a grilled chicken sandwich and sausage. Beer, wine and spirits are also available for purchase at the Courtside Lounge. In addition, for general admission ticket holders, alcoholic beverages can be purchased in the sectioned-off beer garden located just off the southeast end zone. Molson Canadian, Coors, and a few ciders are available to enjoy while not missing a second of the game. Overall, the game day experience of food and drink is low on quantity and quality. Best to enjoy a meal prior to the event. Atmosphere 2 A game at Huskies Stadium offers a simplistic experience focused on football. The Humborg Center, adjacent to the sideline, was completed in 2012. It is equipped with locker rooms, Saint Mary’s Sport Hall-of-Fame, a ticket office, fitness area, and a gymnasium. While the street-side of the facility is visually pleasing architecturally, the field-side reveals a largely flat, bare masonry wall. Ten rows of cold aluminum bleachers line the field in front of this wall. Though all seats are general admission, students tend to sit within the five rows of bleachers lining the opposite side of the field, which makes for a more lively fan experience on this side. As an added bonus, both teams’ player benches are along these bleachers as well. The sights and sounds coming from the benches add to the event’s drama. Barrier free seating is available in the first row of all seating areas. While all seating options offer a close view of the action, you do feel somewhat far away, due to a running track separating the bleachers from the field. It may be best to move around until you find your ideal view of the game. Many students living on-campus have a unique opportunity to catch a game from their dorm room window. A four story dormitory hovers around the south end zone, while a tall twenty-plus story student housing building towers right next to the field, providing spectators with a high view from above. There are no permanent washrooms available around the general seating area; instead, several porta-potties are located on the northwest and southeast corners of the field. Find the bright, clear scoreboard behind the north goalposts. It appears the scoreboard is equipped with a video screen to show statistics and replay the action; however, this technology was not used during the game of this review. There is a disc jockey who plays a wide range of music between plays, while the public address announcer clearly describes who made the plays after each whistle. Don’t expect much entertainment other than the game as Saint Mary’s does not employ cheerleaders, a marching band, or halftime entertainment. Husky, the mascot, roams around to greet fans and provide photo opportunities. In addition, patrons can line up and get high-fives from SMU players as they storm the field from the locker room before the game and after halftime. Neighbourhood 5 Halifax is an energetic city with plenty of activities for a wide range of demographics. Take a walk through Saint Mary’s ever-changing campus as new modern buildings take shape, complementing adjacent, classic older facilities. Explore the campus surroundings and you’ll find historic Victorian style houses and upscale mansions. A ten minute walk south terminates at Point Pleasant Park. Here, walking trails lead you many directions to enjoy the sights of nature and historic old British battery ruins. In the summer, one ruin is used by a popular non-profit theatre group called “Shakespeare by the Sea.” North of campus you’ll find restaurants and stores mingled around neighbourhoods. If time and food allergies allow, try the peanut butter burger at Darrell’s Restaurant and get dessert next door at the Gingerbread Haus. Spring Garden Road is where you’ll find a plethora of bars, restaurants and shopping for an all-day event. Fans 3 Huskies Stadium is home to a wide age range of loyal supporters. Students and alumni flock to the games, wearing their school spirit to the event. Young football families and former Huskies players from all generations are prevalent on game days, contributing to an overall camaraderie of all in attendance. Actual attendance figures have steadily declined over recent years, depending on the importance of the game and weather factors. A typical game attracts a range of 1,200 to 1,500 fairly subdued spectators. Fans mostly sit on their hands and rarely engage in a chant. When fans do get riled up, the surrounding buildings help hold in the sound for higher amplitude. Access 4 Halifax is the largest city in Atlantic Canada, located on the east coast of Nova Scotia. Direct flights to Stanfield Airport in Halifax are available from most major Canadian cities, and a few American cities. A drive from the United States appears short “as a crow flies,” but a drive from Portland, Maine is about 10 hours, as you must drive around the Bay of Fundy. However, the drive is beautiful no matter where you are coming from, so slow down and enjoy the ride. The city is a three-hour drive from Moncton, NB and Charlottetown, PE. Take the Trans-Canada Highway until hwy 104. Once in the city limits, Robie Street will lead you right by Saint Mary’s campus. Take a left on Inglis street and park in the lot just before Tower Road. This parking area is free after 6pm and on weekends. Route numbers 4, 10, 14, & 29 of Halifax Transit all have stops at the corner of Inglis and Tower, where the stadium is a mere five-minute walk away. Huskies Stadium is easily accessible once you arrive at Saint Mary’s campus. Leave some time before the game and check out Gorsebrook Lounge, a popular on-campus bar and grill with windows looking onto the playing field. After paying your bill and finishing the last swig of your beverage, the main entrance is less than a minute walk away at the northeast corner of the field. If you arrive without a ticket, signs point you to the ticket office located in the Homburg Centre. A pop-up souvenir stand sells shirts, hats and numerous other fan gear to help you cheer on the Huskies. As you enter with your ticket, be sure to have your hand stamped; this allows you to leave and return to the stadium as you please. Free programs are passed out, with information featuring both teams rosters. Access around the stadium is pretty straight forward as fans follow the field-side running track to all seating areas, concessions, and porta-potties. Return on Investment 4 Even in the event Halifax lands a CFL franchise, attending a game at Saint Mary’s will be much more affordable to get your “football fix.” Season, individual, and student tickets can be purchased in-person or online at http://www.smuhuskies.ca/fan_zone/tickets. For the 2019 season, general admission for an adult costs $12, while a senior or alumni ticket cost $10. Students and children (ages 6-12) are admitted for only $5 and SMU students have free admission. Access to the Courtside Lounge will cost you $30/ticket. With a lounge ticket you’ll get access to the Saint Mary’s Sport Hall of Fame, increased food and beverage options, indoor access and permanent washrooms. Another bonus for paying extra for a Courtside Lounge ticket is overhearing some fascinating conversations between former players from decades past. If you want to catch the game without paying, join others who are strolling by or picnicking outside the north end zone fence. Extras 1 One extra for the on-campus stadium with student housing having an aerial view of the game. Final Thoughts For a pure football fan, attending a game at Huskies Stadium without all the pyrotechnics and entertainment during game breaks may be refreshing. However, the lack of any amusements outside of the mascot, and the absence of crowd engagement leaves a disconnecting feeling between the event and the crowd. Though the renovations have improved a stadium that was previously outdated, it’s apparent more could be done to improve the overall environment around the game.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Crusader Stadium 905 University Drive Belton, TX 76513 UMHB Crusaders website Crusader Stadium website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 9,118 Mary Hardin-Baylor Building a Dynasty at Crusader Stadium Tucked away in the small Central Texas town of Belton is the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Chartered back in 1845 by the then Republic of Texas, the college was originally known as Baylor Female College, the women’s branch of Baylor University. The college became co-educational off and on over the years before permanently becoming so in 1971, and was renamed to its current name in 1978. The school began its football program in 1997 and since that time, the Crusaders have not only had only one Head Coach during their existence, the venerable Pete Fredenburg, but they have dominated the competition over this stretch. The Crusaders have won 15 American Southwest Conference titles, the first in 2002, and have won two NCAA Division III National Championships, most recently in 2018. They have done the bulk of their recent winning from a gorgeous on-campus facility, Crusader Stadium. Designed to look like a football palace from days gone by, Crusader Stadium blends in perfectly with its campus surroundings and feels right at home in a small town such as Belton. Championship Banner, Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Food & Beverage 3 In terms of concessions items, Crusader Stadium has all the staples and then some. There are four main concession areas, three on the home team side and one on the visitor side of the stadium. At each of these you can get hot dogs and pretzels ($3 each) or Slovacek Sausage Dogs – a personal favorite – and nachos ($4 each). You can also get a souvenir soda for $5 or bottled water and sports drinks for $3. In the middle stand on the home side there is a little something special offered – Freezing Point Creamery, in nearby Temple, has set up shop and is offering two very special Mary Hardin-Baylor specific blends. First up is the neon purple Crunilla, a Mexican vanilla-flavored ice cream, while next up is Sader Gold, a bright yellow cotton candy flavored scoop. You can also get yourself a Crusader cup, which is a blend of the two and perfectly matches the home team’s color scheme; each of the scoops can be had for $4.50. In the South end zone you can find a Chick-fil-A tent, which offers a pared-down menu of its signature items, as well as bottled sodas. Or, in the North end zone on each sideline there are additional tents that offer Ultimate Nachos (covered in pulled pork) and Cru Dogs (think of a tricked-out chili dog) for $5 each. Atmosphere 4 One of the things that I was most impressed by on my most recent visit to Belton and Crusader Stadium was just how seamlessly the venue has been integrated into the campus. With is old-school red brick facade, hillside seating in each end zone, and a backdrop of the high glass windows and columns of the Bawcom Student Union behind the visiting team’s sidelines, Crusader Stadium looks like it has been there for centuries and it still looks gorgeous. The sight lines of the stadium are great and visitors have great vantage points from every point, both in the lower as well as in the upper decks. The Crusaders have also done a great job of highlighting their past successes, including the large sign under the scoreboard in the North end zone (the largest such video board in all of Division III) highlighting their recent National Championship and the retired number of former Crusader Jerrell Freeman, the only player from the school to make it to the NFL. Neighborhood 3 Belton is the quintessential college town; everything around the campus is built and tailored to highlighting that. That being said, there are still a lot of things to see and do in the area either before or after a Crusader games. If you’re into the outdoors Central Texas is a great spot for you, which includes fishing at Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir. This man-made lake is a favorite of anglers in this part of Texas and is open year-round. Or, if you’re looking to experience the water in a different fashion, then nearby Summer Fun Water Park is just what you’re looking for; water slides, a lazy river, and pools are all part of the attraction. In terms of food, when you come to this part of the state there really is only one true and just option: barbecue. Belton has a couple of great ones, which you should be sure to seek out on your visit. Both Schoepf’s BBQ and Backyard Bar-B-Q are local favorites that have earned devotees from across the state. If you’re looking for great examples of Texas-style barbecue, you can’t go wrong at either of these spots. Fans 4 From 2016-2018 the Crusaders have appeared in three consecutive Division III National Championship games and won two of them. With this much sustained success, it shouldn’t be hard to imagine that the fans of Mary Hardin-Baylor come out in droves to games at Crusader Stadium. The four main parking lots that parallel Crusader Stadium can be counted on to be full of fans tailgating, and will be decked out in the purple and gold of their team. You can also expect the stands and end zone to be similarly filled with loud, purple-clad fans. I was particularly impressed with the large crowd in the student section – this is a key component of all college football games, in my opinion. To have a loud, rowdy student section automatically adds to the game-time experience, and the Crusaders student body do their football team proud. Access 3 Belton is located right along Interstate 35 and is about halfway between Austin and Waco; it is about two hours from San Antonio, 45 minutes from Austin, and 40 minutes from Waco. Once you get to Belton, signage abounds leading you to the campus and to Crusader Stadium. Parking is ample among the four lots fronting Crusader Stadium. Specific lots have been designated for tailgating and there is a reserved lot for those with parking passes. However, the open lots are free, but do tend to fill up fast. There isn’t much in the way of public transportation in Belton, but ride sharing services are available if you’re inclined not to do your own driving to Crusaders games. Return on Investment 4 Single-game tickets for Crusaders games start at $10 ($8 if you buy online ahead of time) for General Admission seating and $12 ($10 bought in advance) for Reserved seating. For as good as this team is, this is a real bargain. When you take into account the free parking and really affordable cost for concessions items, you really can’t beat what you get at Crusader Stadium. This team has captured the attention and affection of the locals, and on the field they have the attention of the college football world. This would be a great introduction for new fans to the sport to get them hooked on all the good things about college football. Extras 3 Mary Hardin-Baylor has all the great pageantry that accompanies college football – the Crusaders have their own marching band, dance team, cheerleaders, and mascot CRUnk the Crusader. All of these combine to make game day fun for all members of the family. Final Thoughts I loved my most recent visit to Crusader Stadium. I admit that I might be a little biased in that college football is my favorite sport and that I love any and all things Texas football. However, I don’t think I would be out of line to suggest that the Crusaders and Mary Hardin-Baylor have built something special in Belton. If you are looking for that great college town vibe from your sports, then Crusader Stadium has that in abundance; plan a visit when you can. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by Stephen Hoogerward, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Selhurst Park Whitehorse Lane London, England SE25 6PU United Kingdom Crystal Palace FC website Selhurst Park website Year Opened: 1924 Capacity: 26,309 Into the Eagle’s Nest Selhurst Park is a football stadium in the south of the British capital city of London, more exactly the stadium is situated in the London suburb of South Norwood (borough of Croyden). Selhurst Park is the home ground of Crystal Palace FC, nicknamed ‘the Eagles’. Selhurst Park is one of the 20 Premier League grounds and has a capacity of 26,309 seats. The stadium was designed by famous Scottish stadium architect Archibald Leitch and it was opened on the 30th of August 1924 by the Lord Mayor of London (not to be confused with the mayor of London). That same year, the first game at this ground occurred, unfortunately Crystal Palace lost (0-1) in front of a crowd of 25,000. In 1953 the stadium’s first floodlights were installed consisting of numerous poles around the ground. These were replaced in 1962 by real floodlights. Real Madrid marked the occasion by playing the first game under the new set of lights. At the time this was considered a real footballing coup for lower league Crystal Palace, as Real Madrid had never played a match in London before. The stadium offers a glimpsed of both its past and present with brickwork, steel frames, and turnstiles that look as if they have been in place for decades. There are high arching entrance ways, modern corporate boxes, and narrow aisles that define this classic English Football stadium. Its compact size fits into the surrounding streets of the neighborhood where homes are just mere meters from the perimeter of the grounds. Nowadays the stadium has a double tiered stand behind the goal, called the Holmesdale Stand. This stands looks very impressive with a capacity of 8,147 (lower tier 5,341 and upper tier 2,806 seats), but is just the second largest inside Selhurst Park. The Main Stand has a capacity of 6,163. This stand was opened in 1924 and includes the Directors Box. The Whitehorse Lane Stand has a capacity of 2,245, and is the smallest stand at Selhurst Park with two tiers with 42 luxury Executive Boxes and a video screen (Jumbotron) on the roof. The Arthur Wait Stand (named after the former chairman of the Eagles) is the biggest stand with a capacity just under 10,000 seats, including 2,600 for away supporters. This old stand shows its age and still has wooden seats and roof-supporting pillars, which is very uncommon in the Premier League, but it certainly gives character to the ground. This summer Crystal Palace was given permission from the Croydon Council to proceed with a £100million stadium redevelopment that will increase Selhurst Park from 26,000 to 34,000. The main stand will have a capacity of 13,500 and offer hospitality and entertainment facilities. It will remain open during the renovation process. The exterior of the stand will feature a glass front with a tribute to the original Crystal Palace. Food & Beverage 3 You will find your usual concession items at the grounds that include pies and pints. There are handmade pies that include steak and ale, vegetarian, vegan, and mushroom and leek. There are also 100 percent pure beef burgers, hot dogs, sausage rolls, and chicken goujons. There is even more options that include beef chili, chicken curry, and beef stew and dumplings, and fries. The price range is £4 to £4.50 for each hot item. You can wash it down with Coca-Cola products, wine, and Carlsberg beer varieties and a couple of beers made for the team by Wolf Brewery: Palace Ale (blonde ale) and Palace Ruby Ale (red ale). Atmosphere 4 The stadium features four stands: the Arthur Wait stand, Holmesdale Road stand, Sainsbury’s stand, in the Main stand. The Arthur Wait stand features the Red & Blue Bar, Sainsbury is home to executive suites and boxes, and the Main stand is home to the 2010 Club, Stephenson Lounge, and Speroni’s restaurant where the man of the match is presented after the game. The Fanzone is located by entrance 10 and is open three hours prior to the game. Visitors can enjoy food, drinks, and pre-match entertainment from a resident DJ. The kids’ zone offer fun games and interactive sports, and chances to enter competitions to win a place in a halftime challenge on the pitch. You will also find Crystal Cheerleaders and Fanzone Presenters to provide assistance with any questions prior to the match. During the match against Norwich City, the atmosphere during our match was very vocal. Just what you can expect when two teams fighting for relegation meet each other. Maybe we were lucky to have seats next to the away section. I think that some 2,500 Canaries (nickname for Norwich City fans) made the trip from Anglia to South London. Though Selhurst Park is a very old ground, it is still capable of producing a good atmosphere as both supporter groups make a lot of noise during the match. Neighborhood 2 Selhurst Park is situated in the heart of the borough of Croydon and has mostly houses around its perimeter. In this area pubs are rare. For a good PMDS (Pre Match drinking Session) you definitely need to go to Selhurst Road. There are many restaurants and pubs. The White Horse and the Selhurst Arms are pubs that are especially for the more fanatic home supporters, though more neutral visitors are welcomed with an open heart. Both pubs are located close to each other at a 15 minutes walking distance from the football ground. Fans 4 When you have 26,000 supporters packed into the stadium the atmosphere is good. Most of the 2,500 Norwich fans who visited this away match of their team were dressed in their yellow and green club colours. Home supporters are dressed in their red and blue shirts, but not so dominantly as the away support. Before and after the match you’ll notice the friendly atmosphere as home and away fans mingle outside the ground. Access 2 There are freaking buses that operate from all directions to the stadium. The nearest train stations are Selhurst, Norwood Junction, and Thornton Heath that are all within a 10-15 minute walk. There are also more trains leaving Central London that will assist fans since there is no parking available at the stadium Most streets around the ground are designated as residents only parking on matchdays, so the best place to park the car in the Edith Road area is close to the Selhurst train station. This area is also where the away fans are advised to park their cars. Takethe M20 towards the London Ringroad (M25 south bound). At exit 7 we took the M23 onto the A23 (London Road North) and followed it for some 11 kilometres. From there the Selhurst Park stadium is well signposted, but we used our navigation set to direct us to Edith Road. From there it was a 5 minute walk to the pubs mentioned before. The stadium has 14 entrances, 3 retail shops, sore ticket offices, 5 accessible entrances, and one sensory room for patrons who are on the spectrum. The crowds average around capacity at 25,000 plus for games and once you are in your seat most are focused entirely on the game until half-time to move around. You will get somewhat cramped and cozy with a few thousand people, but it can be easy to move around when needed. Return on Investment 4 Adult Ticket prices range are £22.50 (severely obstructed), £27.50 (obstructed), and £30 (unobsturcted) for home matches. These are very reasonable prices for a Premier League game and one at a historic ground. Affordable parking lot prices are available and food and beverages are quite reasonable. Extras 3 The Crystal Palace club shop is located on Whitehorse Lane and is open on matchdays (before and after the match). Crystal Palace earns another point for its sensory room that includes a rubber ball and noise-cancelling earphones. Match Day programmes at the stadium or £3.50 at the club store and you can also a download it for just £1.49 on your mobile device. Final Thoughts Selhurst Park is an enjoyable experience when staying in London. The cozy conditions of the smaller ground give both fans and supporters a chance to enjoy football in a darling of venue. You are on top of the action and the grounds are always packed with friendly revelers enjoying an afternoon of football.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Stephen C. O’Connell Center 250 Gale Lemerand Dr. Gainesville, FL 32611 Florida Gators website Stephen C. O’Connell Center website Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 10,133 Alligator Alley Florida is a football school. Everyone knows this. The National Championships that the Gators won with the likes of Gator legends Steve Spurrier, Tim Tebow, and Danny Wuerffel are iconic and well-known. However, it wasn’t that long ago that the Gators brought National Championships in basketball back to Gainesville. The likes of Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer, and Billy Donovan are synonymous with the unlikely back-to-back championships the swamp is proud of. Florida has been playing basketball since 1915. They are currently a member of the Southeastern Conference and not normally the powerhouse that Big Blue, the Kentucky Wildcats, is. Since 1980, the home of the Gators has been the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Named after the 6th president of the University of Florida, who served from 1967 to 1973, the O’Connell Center shares the same architectural design as the Yuengling Center on the campus of the University of South Florida in Tampa. It was a way to stretch the limited state funding. In 2016 naming rights were sold to the medical firm Exactech for 10 years. The home for the Gators is currently known as the Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The Gators basketball teams share the facility with the volleyball and gymnastics programs. It offers a great experience for college basketball in a power conference in what is often a forgotten corner of the SEC. Food & Beverage 4 Concession items at Exactech Arena are about what you would expect from a college basketball experience. There is decent variety at the numerous concession stands, but nothing that an ardent traveler would go out of their way to sample. Popcorn, burgers, hot dogs, fries, peanuts, nachos, and pretzels are all available. Not all items are available at all stands, so a quick tour of the arena to get a handle on concessions is not a bad idea. In a humorous tidbit, all chicken products are referred to as Gator Bait. BBQ Pork nachos and jambalaya are the most unique options. Soft drink options include Pepsi products as well as bottled water and sweet tea. Hot coffee and tea are also available. However, it just wouldn’t be the University of Florida in a variety of Gatorade products that several were not also prominently on the menu. Alcohol is not available at Exactech Arena. Atmosphere 4 The O’Connell Center is an attractive building from the exterior. Directly across the road from the legendary Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and surrounded by the requisite Florida palm trees, the O’Connell has a surprisingly modern look to the exterior with plenty of color present. Getting a picture with the bronze bull gator statue across the street is a must for visiting fans. Entry into the Exactech Arena brings fans into a plush atrium filled with the requisite orange and plenty of video screens. The date of this review was also the same day as the Peach Bowl in which the Gators were participating so, understandably the screens were tuned to the football Gators. The decor in the concourses is very nice and small details are considered. Pictures highlighting key moments at the Exactech Arena and some historical murals as well. The Alligator Alley kids zone has plenty of activities for the kids and is a great gathering point before the action starts. Inside the seating bowl, fans are welcomed by three levels of seating separated by a pair of walkways. The court runs from east to west and the best spot for a picture with the center logo facing the correct way is from the north side. Blue seats with orange highlights keep the school colors continuous through the arena. The east end of the arena features basketball banners. Final Four appearances are memorialized in blue and the National Championship banners for 2006 and 2007 stand out in orange. Above the court hangs a four-sided video board which is not overwhelming and adds to the atmosphere. Surprisingly, however, there are very few remnants of those championship teams. It could be just a matter of time until some of those championship players have their numbers retired and hung in the rafters for all the Gator-faithful to see. The game day experience is solid at the Exactech Arena. The Gator band can be found in the southeast corner of the arena, right beside the “Rowdy Reptiles” student section. The cheerleaders and Pom team keep that college feeling strong and the Gator mascot, Albert, can be found around the arena participating in the festivities and interacting with fans. Considering the game that was reviewed was during the winter break, the student section was particularly impressive and played a significant part in the game. Neighborhood 5 Exactech Arena is located at the north end of the campus of the University of Florida. As with many large universities, there are several local options for pre and post-game fare close to campus. Heading north to University Ave is probably the best place to be. Several recognizable chain restaurants can be found in the immediate vicinity, however, travelers who are looking for a more local option should check out The Swamp, Leonardo’s Felipe’s Mexican, The Social at Midtown, and Mother’s Pub and Grill. For travelers looking for other sporting options in the area, Florida Gators athletics are about all that will be found. Florida offers a full complement of athletic teams and courses, the crown jewel is the legendary Florida Gators football team who calls nearby Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium home. Other entertainment options could include the Florida Museum of Natural History. For fans that are looking to stay near the university, there are several options. The Hilton and Holiday Inn are both solid options, very close to the O’Connell Center. Fans 4 Keeping in mind that Florida is a football-first school, the basketball program does enjoy strong support. In years past, Florida has ranked in the top 50 in NCAA basketball attendance, recently ranking as high as 35th. Florida routinely averages between 9,500 and 10,500 fans per game. The game that was reviewed saw over 9,800 fans in attendance at a time when the school was quiet for winter break and the football team was playing in the Peach Bowl. The student section, known as the Rowdy Reptiles, brings energy and excitement to the game and sits courtside, beside the band. Access 3 The Stephen C. O’Connell Center is located at the north end of the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville. The campus is a fair hike east of I-75 and the arena is just south of University Ave. Patrons coming from out of town will have to do some meandering through Gainesville to get to campus. Once on campus, parking can be a bit of a challenge to maneuver. The date of the review saw the campus quiet for winter break so it was unclear as to how much parking enforcement was happening. However, there were plenty of cars pulled up over curbs and near sidewalks. When walking to the arena, mind the signs around greenspaces that warn you not to travel them after dark. Presumably, the wildlife comes out after dark. For fans looking for public transit options, there are plenty. Buses travel all over campus. Fans are encouraged to check out the Gainesville Mobility website for options including maps, fares, and schedules. Many college basketball facilities feature major league security procedures. Fans are encouraged to consult the Gators website for the most up-to-date security information before heading to the game. Inside, the O’Connell Center can be a bit of a maze and there are a number of different levels and ways to get lost. There are plenty of stairs and this would be a detractor for fans who struggle to ascend and descend staircases. Washroom facilities are found on the main concourse level and many fans will require descending those staircases often if too much Gatorade is on the agenda! Return on Investment 4 The opportunity to see some top-ranked college basketball in Florida for a decent price is a possibility. Tickets can be had for under $20 for a decent opponent. Keep in mind that the top-selling opponents are Kentucky, Tennessee, and other Florida teams. Parking can be found for a decent price and concession prices are not out of whack. Combine that with a solid product on the court and a surprisingly strong basketball experience and fans can enjoy a great experience without dropping a mortgage payment. Extras 3 An extra mark for the opportunity to get a photo with the bronze bull alligator outside of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, on the opposite side of Gale Lemerand Dr. An extra mark for the naming of the building after a former Florida president. An extra mark for the opportunity to poke around Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The main team store is inside and it is open for fans to walk right in and check out The Swamp. Final Thoughts A trip to Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center is not a mecca experience however, fans will be pleasantly surprised at just how good the experience is. Gators basketball offers a great return on investment and a whole lot of fun that the whole family can enjoy. ----- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and Instagram.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Jim Scoggins Stadium 500 W Maxwell St Pensacola, FL 32501 Pensacola High School Fighting Tigers website Year Opened: 1950s Capacity: 10,000 James ‘Jim’ Scoggins Stadium For over 100 years Pensacola High School has served the community of south central Pensacola as its main public high school. Originally opened in 1870 as the Pensacola School for Boys, the school went through several name changes and changed locations several times before officially being recognized as Pensacola High School, and becoming permanently settled in downtown Pensacola in 1905. In 1952 a fire gutted the buildings, forcing PHS to relocate once again, this time to its current home on Maxwell Street about a mile north of the old locale. Currently Pensacola High School is the oldest secondary public school in the panhandle region of Florida; with a current enrollment of 1400, PHS is the third largest high school in the city. Notable alumni include former Buffalo Bills Head Coach Kay Stephenson, former WNBA all-star and Tennessee standout Michelle Snow, former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Aldron Chambers, and current Cleveland Browns defensive back Demarious Randall. The Tigers currently compete in Class 5A District 1, which consists of West Florida HS, Choctawhatchee HS, Arnold HS, and Pine Forest HS. The Tigers first fielded a football team in 1905, which makes Pensacola High the oldest football program in the state of Florida (high school, college, or pro). The Tigers can also lay claim to being the oldest FHSAA State Champion as they won the first title in 1905, which they followed up by winning 4 other state championships (1908, 1953, 1958, and 2009). Since the 1950s the Tigers have played at Jim Scoggins Stadium, named after the winningest coach in PHS history, Jim Scoggins. Scroggins also held the record for being the all-time winningest coach in the state of Florida until being surpassed in 2007; Scoggins guided the Tigers to an undefeated record and state championships in 1958 and 1959. Food & Beverage 3 There are two main concession stands, one on each side of the field at the south end of the stadium. Anybody coming to Jim Scoggins Stadium should not be looking for a culinary experience, but the basics can be found and the prices are reasonable. Food prices are as follows: cheeseburgers ($4), hamburgers and nachos ($3), fries, hot dogs, and boiled peanuts ($2). An extra point goes to the fact that combo meals can be purchased, which includes fries and a drink. Combo prices are as follows: cheeseburger combo ($7), hamburger combo ($6), and hot dog combo ($5). Also, the fact that Pensacola High adds some variety and deals to their menu increases the score by one star. There’s also no denying that the hamburgers and hot dog will be fresh as they are cooked to your choosing in a grill set up outside the concessions stand. Coke is the soft drink provider with regular 20 oz bottles selling for $2, with bottled water also $2, Powerade for $3, and Monster energy drinks for $4. Atmosphere 3 The stadium is set up like a normal high school stadium with the home stands on one side and the visitor stands on the other; the field faces north and south with the home side on the west end and the visitor side on the east side. The first thing you notice when entering Jim Scoggins Stadium is just how big the home grandstands are; they are just regular bleacher seating but extend about 30 rows up and extend from about the 10-yard line on each end, which sets the scene for an impressive and quite large configuration. There is also a basic scoreboard in the south end zone, with the Jimmy Haynes Fieldhouse in the north end zone, which houses the team’s weight room and locker rooms. The concession stands are located in a separate building along with the restrooms, on the south end of each side. There is a rather large band that takes up the entire section of the bleachers at the north end. The band plays a little too much though, as there are a lot of plays on the field when the band will play through the whole play and into the next one. The band was into the game though, and they tried their hardest to cheer up and bring school spirit to the rather empty home side. It also didn’t help that the Tigers came into their most recent game 0-4 and got blown out during the game. The visitor side was not as impressive as the home side but did contribute more fans. These stands are basic concrete steps with no seats, meaning you sit on the concrete throughout the game; the stands on this side extend from the 20-yard line on each end and go up about 15 rows. If you go to the top you can get a good view of the newly renovated and beautiful Pensacola High School. Neighborhood 3 There is not much to see or do within walking distance of Pensacola High School. The only notable landmark is the Crystal Ice House located a couple of blocks away on the corner of Maxwell Street and Davis Highway. The 1930s era landmark was a first of its kind, as it was at one time a drive through where they would sell ice to travelers. The building resembles a block of ice with a polar bear attached to the roof. There is nothing notable about the place, and it is fenced off, but it makes for a photo op as it has been named one of the 7 wonders of Pensacola. The area around the high school may look a little run down as the few noticeable convenience stores and liquor stores on the street have bars on the windows. There shouldn’t be anything to worry about, however, if you are minding your own business. Downtown Pensacola is located about 1.5 miles south of the high school. The downtown area is also very unique as there are no high-rise buildings, but the area resembles a smaller version of New Orleans with its French Quarter-inspired buildings. There is plenty to see and do downtown, and that area also has every single type of restaurant and bar you can imagine; the main bars and restaurants are located on Palafox Street and Seville Quarter. If in town on a Friday night in the fall when Gallery Night is going on I highly recommend attending. Held usually the third Friday of every month, Gallery Night is like a night arts & craft festival for adults. Many of the local bars and art galleries have tents set up displaying local artists; other cities do this but Pensacola is so far the only city on the Gulf Coast that has a Gallery Night. Each night usually attracts about 10 to 15 thousand people, so if in town on this night be sure to stop off; the event takes place on Palafox Street in downtown. Fans 2 As mentioned there is a low turnout for some games on the Tigers side. The Tigers played their crosstown rival the Pensacola Catholic Crusaders on my most recent visit, so there was a good turnout on the visitor side. Unfortunately the Tiger football program is not the best this season, and it showed not only on the field but in the stands as well. The students sit around the 50-yard line while many of the fans were spread out throughout the stands, and the few fans that were there left after the homecoming festivities at halftime. However, with its close proximity to downtown there is always something going on in Pensacola for people of all ages, so the PHS football team has a lot to compete with on Friday nights. Access 2 Pensacola High School can be kind of a difficult place to find if you do not where you are going or you are not familiar with the area. The school is located on Maxwell in the North Hill subdivision about 1.5 miles north of downtown, just a couple blocks west of the I-110 interchange. All of the streets in the neighborhood are one-way, and it’s easy to get them confused since the streets are not always visibly marked with one-way signs. If coming from the west side of Pensacola Jordan Street will be your best bet, as it is one-way and heads east, with the high school one block north. Maxwell Street is the main street if coming in from the east, Maxwell is one block north of Jordan Street. However, if coming from out of town then I-10 to I-110 will be your best bet; just take the Maxwell Street exit and go west about 4 blocks and you will see the school. Jim Scoggins Stadium is different than most stadiums as there is no concourse underneath the stadium; on the home side there is one accessible part under the stands, but other than one restroom there isn’t much there. On the visitor side you cannot go under the stands at all, but need to walk around them. Return on Investment 4 General admission tickets are the only seats you can purchase here, but you are free to walk from one side to the other and sit anywhere you want which is what I did; these tickets are $7 which is about average for high school football games. Concessions remain fairly cheap, and they have combo meals at Jim Scroggins Stadium which is something that other high schools do not. I felt this was a good return on investment, as the Tigers compete at FHSAA 5A, which is the highest level of high school football in Florida. Many of the players on both teams later sign with D1 teams, so you could be watching the next Florida State or Florida great in action. Extras 2 In 2004 Hurricane Ivan devastated the city of Pensacola. Even though the high school is located far enough inland away from the storm surge, a tornado still ripped through the campus, flattening the middle portion including the gymnasium. The school was basically rebuilt in 2005, and when it opened it was one of the biggest looking high schools I have ever been too. The gymnasium that they rebuilt is a mammoth 37,000-square foot facility that is truly state of the art. The top of the arch-shaped building can be viewed from the home side overlooking the visitor stands. For the best views of the high school, go to the top of the visitor stands on the 50-yard line; the whole school can be viewed from here as well. Final Thoughts Pensacola High School remains a fine place to watch football on a Friday night. Though the overall atmosphere is nothing special, the high school is one of the nicest looking high schools in the state from an architectural standpoint. The view of the school from the top of the stadium alone is worth the price of admission and who knows, you might be watching the next great future Pensacola NFL player.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Reeves Field 3701 University Avenue Washington, DC 20016 American Eagles website Reeves Field website Year Opened: 1949 Capacity: 700 Fly, Eagles, Fly Reeves Field is located on the campus of American University in Washington, D.C., and has been the home of the Eagles soccer team since 1949. The stadium is named after John M. Reeves, who served on the University’s Board of Trustees for 23 years. The stadium also contains a track which serves as the home of the Eagles’ track and field programs. Many professional and national teams have used Reeves Field as a practice facility while they visit D.C., including Major League Soccer teams such as the San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders, European teams such as FC Barcelona and A.C. Milan, and national teams from the United States as well as foreign countries like Bolivia and Portugal. Food & Beverage 1 There is one small food cart at Reeves Field, and the selection is extremely limited. Water and Powerade are $3, soda is $2, and assorted chips, candy, and other snacks are $1. There is nothing you can make a meal out of. Outside food and beverage can be brought into the stadium, so we recommend doing so or eating before the game. Atmosphere 2 Reeves Field seats only 700 fans, so there is not a bad seat in the building. After entering, you will walk around the track to the bleachers on the far side of the field. You can also choose to just stand along the track and watch from there as some fans do. The bleachers are pretty much the only part of the field in the shade during the day, as they lie under some trees. This is nice on late August afternoons when the heat can be scorching, but once you get into the fall, it can be annoying to have leaves landing on your head during the game. The trees also tend to attract a lot of pesky insects. There is a large scoreboard located in one of the corners, which also shows shots on goal and corner kicks. Unfortunately, the university really doesn’t do much to keep fans engaged or even interested here. There is very little promotion of AU soccer, and the university puts almost no effort into the game day experience. For soccer purists, this is not necessarily a bad thing, as you can often hear the players and coaches shouting on the field, but fans looking for an atmosphere like they’d get at an Eagles’ basketball game will be sorely disappointed. Neighborhood 5 American University is located in the Tenleytown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. This is several miles from the center of the city, but don’t let that discourage you from visiting. There are a number of restaurants nearby, including local favorites Z Burger, District Taco, and, of course, a number of chain restaurants. Tenleytown is a safe neighborhood to walk in, but due to its distance from downtown, you may be better off driving. Of course, this being the nation’s capital, there is plenty going on elsewhere in the city as well, and the great thing is that most of it’s free. The National Mall and all of its monuments and memorials are absolutely gorgeous on a fall afternoon, and if it’s a rainy day, you can stop into one of the many museums. All government-run attractions are free of charge, though some privately-owned ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or the White House, you will need to schedule that in advance. Hotels are extremely expensive in DC itself, at least the ones of decent quality, so if you’re staying overnight, your best bet is to stay in the Virginia or Maryland suburbs and drive over. Fans 1 As with most minor sports, the fans in attendance are mostly friends and family of the players. There is often a strong contingent of visiting fans as well, as most of the Patriot League schools are a day trip away from Washington. Unfortunately, the AU fans usually aren’t that into the game, and many times are drowned out by visiting fans. They do cheer when the Eagles score a goal, but that’s about it. Access 3 Although we gave Reeves Field an average rating in this category, that certainly does not tell the whole story. For weekend games, it is easy to access the stadium. Just park in the garage above Bender Arena, take the elevator down to the lobby, and Reeves Field is a short walk around the corner and down a hill. Parking is free and plentiful, although the spaces can be pretty tight. If you drive a large vehicle, be warned. On weekday afternoons, the parking situation is completely different, and since Reeves Field does not have lights, all weekday games will be in the afternoon. At these times, parking in the garage above Bender is reserved for permit holders, so you will need to park in the School of International Service Garage on the entirely opposite side of campus. This will also cost you $2/hour. We recommend visiting on a weekend for this reason. Although there are no restrooms at Reeves Field itself, nearby buildings are open during the matches and you can use the restrooms there. Return on Investment 2 Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth and seniors. This is above average for college soccer, and most of the schools that charge this much are power-conference programs like nearby schools Maryland and Georgetown, not American’s fellow Patriot League schools. In fact, most Patriot League schools don’t charge at all for admission to soccer games, so it is disappointing to see AU charge so much. To maximize your value, we recommend you go on a weekend so at least you don’t have to pay for parking. Extras 1 There is a free program available at the entrance. That is about the only extra here. Final Thoughts Unfortunately, college soccer is not a huge deal at the vast majority of schools in this country. While some manage to draw big crowds, American University is definitely not one of them. Part of that is because of lack of interest, but part of the blame lies with the athletic department as well – lack of promotion combined with ticket prices that are disproportionately high for the level of play lead to people not showing up. That is a disappointment because Reeves Field is a nice, intimate stadium, and if the school could actually promote the team and get people to show up, it would be a great place to watch a soccer game.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Alumni Memorial Stadium 420 Institute St Salisbury, NC 28144 Livingstone Blue Bears website Alumni Memorial Stadium website Capacity: 6,000 Blue Bears of the Gridiron Founded in 1879, Livingstone College first fielded a college football team in 1892. The Blue Bears play their home games at Alumni Memorial Stadium in Salisbury, NC, and currently compete in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the NCAA’s Division II. The stadium holds 6,000 fans in grandstands on either side of the field and has a running track around the outside – like many college athletics tracks in the state of North Carolina, the track itself is named after philanthropist Irwin Belk, founder of the department store chain. Livingstone College is a Historically Black College (HBCU). Food & Beverage 4 Alumni Memorial Stadium has multiple food and beverage options available from its concessions stands, and the prices are very reasonable. Outside the stadium proper there is a stand run by a local church which offers chicken tenders, Polish sausage, hot dogs, and fries, as well as bottled soda and bottled water – the combos of chicken tenders with fries or Polish sausage with fries are a great deal at $5. In addition to the stand outside, inside the facility you can find an Italian ice stand, which is a great choice on those hot days early in the season, as well as a traditional stand that sells fish sandwiches, burgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken wings, hot dogs, sausage links, popcorn, nachos, fries, chips, cookies, and packaged candy, as well as 12 or 20 oz sodas. Nothing is over $5, and they also have a combo option which will save fans $1. Note that no alcohol is permitted inside Alumni Memorial Stadium. Atmosphere 4 At HBCUs one of the biggest draws at a football game is the band and the cheerleaders, and at Livingstone these do not disappoint. The Blue Bears’ Blue Thunder Marching Band takes the field with authority and passion to perform during pregame, and following that actually takes quite a long time to get to their seats at the far end of the home stands, moving and swaying in unison as one by one small groups march across from the field to the stands, until finally all of the band members are together again. Blue Thunder Band Taking Their Seats, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey This process continues to entertain and delight fans even after the game has already started, and the band members are joined by a dance team garbed in glitter, as well as by the cheerleaders performing on the track in front of the Blue Bears bench – even if the action on the field is not enough to make the experience enjoyable for you, the entertainment provided by the band and dance team surely will. The visiting team’s band also performs during halftime, so you will have the chance to see not one but two great bands during your visit. On the home side at Alumni Memorial Stadium, most of the seating is on stone steps (painted blue for the Bears) with only a single row or two of chair backs in the top row, which are usually the first to be taken, while on the visitors side you will find more traditional metal bleachers – for my money the stone steps are actually more comfortable, but be aware of the multiple seating options in case you have a preference. In addition, the stadium has a scoreboard behind one of the end zones, which does not include a video board for replays, so make sure to pay attention if you want to catch the action. On the plus side, however, the walking path at the top of the stands is open to the field, so you can keep an eye on the game while you get up to get a snack. Neighborhood 3 Salisbury, NC is your quintessential rural small town, with a population of under 34K living in an area of about 18 square miles. Despite its small size the town boasts a theological seminary and three colleges, including Livingstone and crosstown D2 rival Catawba, and offers several attractions for fans in town for the day or weekend. A few restaurants close to Alumni Memorial Stadium include Hap’s Grill (a tiny but popular burger joint) and the very unique La Cava, which is an Italian restaurant set up inside a former church. For fans of the outdoors, nearby Kelsey Scott Park offers slides and swings for the little ones, while those with an interest in history can check out the NC Transportation Museum a few miles to the east. And, if you plan to be in town overnight there are plenty of hotels near the stadium (at the I-85 exit), including a Comfort Suites and a Courtyard by Marriott. Fans 2 Livingstone College does not currently pull in a ton of fans for football games, but as the team keeps winning and the band keeps playing that should improve over time. As a result, however, at present the stands seem a little empty, but the fans who are there are very vocal in support of the Bears (or against certain calls by the refs). You will see a lot of fans in team gear, and if you didn’t bring any of your own you can buy it from a stand at the stadium, or pick up a Blue Bears towel or noise maker (i.e. thunder sticks) as you enter the venue. Access 4 Getting to Alumni Memorial Stadium could not be much easier – located in Salisbury, NC, the venue is only a few miles off I-85 and offers parking for $5 right next to the facility. There is no traffic to worry about as you approach, even if you arrive within a few minutes of kickoff, and unlike some venues there are plenty of signs pointing the way to parking; the event staff are also friendly and courteous if you do end up needing some assistance finding your way. Once you get to the stadium you will use the main entrance on one end of the home stands (near the parking), and if you are sitting in the visitor stands you will then walk down the stairs and across the field to that side. The concession stands are only located on the home side, but they are easy to get to and the lines are short. There are also more than enough bathrooms to accommodate the size of the crowd, and since the venue is not full you will have plenty of room to spread out if you want to. Return on Investment 4 If you are in the area I would definitely recommend a visit to Alumni Memorial Stadium – the band is worth seeing and the action on the field is generally competitive; despite a losing season in their last campaign the Bears are starting out this year (2019) on a high note. Tickets to games here are slightly higher than other venues in the area at $15 ($10 for faculty/staff and $5 for children), but the parking and concessions are on the low side so that should make up for it, even if you are bringing a large group. Extras 2 The Bears do have some signage around the field and logos on the field itself, and the stands are painted in the team’s colors which is always a plus. The track around the field does mean fans are a little further from the action than they might like, but the venue is small enough that you are still plenty close enough to hear the crack of the pads against each other; in fact I would recommend sitting at the top of either grandstand to get a better view of the action, as the nearest seats to the field might even be too close.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 Alumnae Field 4701 N Charles St Baltimore, MD 21210 Notre Dame Gators website Alumnae Field website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 200 Gators In Baltimore Notre Dame of Maryland University is a Catholic liberal arts college located in Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in 1873. It is right next door to the “Evergreen” campus of Loyola University Maryland (which it shares a library facility). It is an all-women’s college, as well as having separate part-time coed degree programs. The university has 3,400 students, 550 in the traditional Women’s College, 926 part-time undergraduate and 1,926 graduate students. The original name of the school was the Notre Dame of Maryland Preparatory School and Collegiate Institute. It also spent many years with the College of Notre Dame of Maryland name. In 2011, the school attained university status with the addition of several graduate-level programs. Notre Dame’s athletic teams are members of Division III of the NCAA. All sports but swimming compete within the Colonial States Athletic Conference. Although the swim team does not compete within a conference, it participates in the yearly Old Dominion Athletic Conference swim championships. Overall the university participates in eight varsity sports. The university’s sports teams are known as the Gators and they only participate in women’s sports. Alumnae Field is home to Gators field hockey, lacrosse and soccer teams.. In 2013 the field hosted the Costa Rican National Soccer Team for the squad’s preparation for the CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals. Food & Beverage 0 There is no permanent food stand at Alumnae Field. Atmosphere 3 Alumnae is on par with a rec or high school field, at best. It is a simple facility at the bottom of a hill. Fans can sit on that hill, a very small grandstand or along a nearby building. There is an announcer and scoreboard for the games. Neighborhood 3 Notre Dame is in a very good part of Baltimore City. The problem is that there is just nothing much around the local neighborhood. Luckily Baltimore is a big city that is not too big to get around. Miss Shirley’s at 513 West Cold Spring Lane is noted for their great breakfast and down-home food. They are one of the closer options to campus. Also relatively close to the university 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 is an excellent restaurant with both a fine food and bar food type of menu. The place is large, and there always seems to be room for more. Parking is the biggest problem here, so it would be worth paying the nominal valet charges. Radisson Hotel at Cross Keys is the closest hotel and has a new and exciting lobby restaurant that is another option. Venturing further from Pimlico, one may want to try out the suburb of Towson with its variety of shops and restaurants. Try the Charles Village Pub in the heart of downtown Towson for good food and drinks. Some other great options are Glory Days Grill, Sushi Hana and Zia’s. Fans 2 As with most small college fields, the bulk of the fans tend to be family or friends of both teams. There will be some local fans who just happen to stop by for the game as well. Access 3 The campus is located in a quiet north Baltimore neighborhood. That means that getting to the campus is not easy. The best route is to travel I-83/The JFX, south and get off at Cold Spring Lane. Other options include exiting I-695, the Baltimore Beltway, and driving south via York Road or Charles Street. York is the busiest route, but may be easier than the high-speed curves of Charles Street. If one is attending weekend games, there should be no problem finding parking. There is a big lot near the tennis courts, and is just a short walk away from the field. I have not attended a game here on weekday nights so I am not sure how filled that parking lot gets. You may want to arrive a little early just in case. Return on Investment 4 You are not going to be watching the highest level of competition, but the cost is about the best you can find. That’s right, there is no admission cost. Combine that with free parking, and you have a pretty great night out. Extras 1 The Notre Dame campus is small, but quite pretty. Take a quick walk around before the game. Final Thoughts There is not too much to see at a Notre Dame of Maryland University women’s soccer game, but the field is still a pleasant place to see some intercollegiate action.

Photos by John Severs, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 PK Park 2800 MLK Jr Blvd Eugene, OR 97401 Oregon Ducks website PK Park website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 4,000 Oregon Ducks Baseball The University of Oregon had a respectable baseball program for over 100 years, starting play in 1877, with several conference championships and an appearance in the College World Series in 1954. In 1984, the university made the decision to reduce the team to the club level, but Oregon is a state that is hungry for baseball. Despite not having a pro team, the state has always supported its minor and independent teams well. With Oregon’s biggest in state rivals, the Oregon State Beavers, winning national championships in 2006 and 2007, it was clear the Ducks needed to get back on the baseball field. The timing was auspicious, as the Class A Eugene Emeralds were in need of a new home after spending 40 years at Eugene’s Civic Stadium. PK Park, named after Oregon’s former Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny, opened in time for the Ducks to take on the reigning NCAA Champions, the Fresno State Bulldogs, in their first game at the new stadium in 2009. Food & Beverage 4 PK Park has all the standard ballpark options. Hot dogs, corn dogs, chili dogs, all manner of dogs are available. Nachos, popcorn, candy and ice cream are also available, and there is a separate tent from the main concessions station that offers pizza and one pound of chicken wings. Things are a little pricey ($4 – $8 range), but not out of line for stadium food. Buying a meal and drink will cost you around $12-$15 per person depending on your hunger level and personal food preferences. Atmosphere 4 The seating in PK Park is excellent, with great sight lines and seats very close to the field. There is no outfield seating, so you won’t be catching any home runs, and the box seating has some sight line issues, but that’s not going to bother most fans in attendance. The seating behind home plate and near the baselines is plastic individual seats, while once you get to the outfield it switches to aluminum benches. Because the Ducks share space with the Emeralds, the atmosphere at times trends more toward the professional rather than collegiate. There’s a raucousness and charm that college sports tends to bring out that PK Park lacks, but that’s more a difference of taste than of quality. Neighborhood 2 PK Park stands in the shadow of Autzen Stadium and is surrounded by parking lots. It’s not far from campus (about two miles from the heart of the campus), but it will be a bit of a walk. Other than that, there’s not much in the immediate vicinity. There are some good restaurants nearby if you’re willing to make the hike. The O Bar and Grill is a three minute drive away, or eight minute walk, and a great place for a beer or burger before/after a game. A sports bar called The Cooler is nearby that seems pretty good. It’s a big hangout for Ducks games. There’s also a McMenamin’s (an Oregon chain) not too far away. Those have great burgers and a good beer selection. If you’re coming in from out of town there’s a Hyatt and a La Quinta nearby for lodging. And while in town, you may be able to catch an Oregon Ducks basketball game at Matthew Knight Arena. Fans 5 The fan presence is great. The student section is always rocking, and the Ducks seem to draw a good crowd from the local community. Of special note, try to grab tickets to an Oregon State game if you’re planning a trip. Beaver fans will absolutely make the trip to Eugene, and it creates an incredible, raucous atmosphere. Access 5 PK Park is not too far from the interstate, right next to Autzen Stadium. There will be plenty of signs directing you to where you want to go. There’s plenty of parking available between PK Park and Autzen, and even if there’s an absolutely massive turnout at the game you should have no problems. Parking in all Autzen Stadium lots is free. Oregon has adopted the clear bag policy for entry to all its sports venues. Return on Investment 4 The return for your sports entertainment dollar is very good for a Ducks game at PK Park. Tickets range around $10 (some games have $3 general admission seats). The stadium itself is excellent and the Ducks put out a good product. The food is good, and just a tad pricey. If you’re looking for a place to bring the family, a friend or just check out a game by yourself, PK Park is a great place to see amazing baseball. Extras 2 With Oregon only recently returning to college baseball, there’s not much of a history to draw on yet, but the stadium does make sure to display the big names of Ducks’ baseball and the program’s achievements. Final Thoughts Oregon did a great job bringing their program back, and a great job building them a stadium. PK Park places the fan experience first and foremost, and is a great place to see a game.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Husky Stadium 7502 Fondren Rd Houston, TX 77074 Houston Christian Huskies website Husky Stadium website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 5,000 Houston Baptist Gets Their Dawgs Up at Husky Stadium Note: In Sept 2022, the university changed its name from Houston Baptist to Houston Christian. Houston Baptist University (HBU) was founded in the Sharpstown section of Houston, Texas in 1960. As a private, non-secular university the school built itself an impressive resume of accolades and academic achievements. As it grew in stature, so did HBU’s desire to grow in the world of athletics, so in 2014 the Huskies took to the gridiron with the launch of the inaugural season of their football program. After one independent season, they joined the Southland Conference of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in 2015. Now entering their sixth season, the Huskies have done a tremendous job of growing their fan base and making Husky Stadium a great experience for fans, and a formidable place to play for their opponents. Food & Beverage 2 Due to its size, there really aren’t many options in terms of concessions at Husky Stadium. There are two main stands, one at end of the bleachers (north end and south end) – your typical stadium food is on the menu at both stands including cheeseburgers, Frito pie, hot dogs, nachos, and sausage wraps. To give you an idea of the affordability of what Husky Stadium has to offer, the most expensive item on the menu is the cheeseburger at $7. In terms of beverages there is no alcohol for sale – being that this is a Baptist university it makes sense – but there are bottled sodas, bottled water, and sports drinks, and there are also sno cones on the menu for $2 each; during the early part of the season, these are especially popular as Houston is extremely humid well into October. Something to take note of when making your food purchases at Husky Stadium; hot dogs, sausage wraps, and nachos can all be purchased and picked up at the main concession stands. However, for burgers and sno cones you must purchase a ticket at the regular stands, and then take that ticket to a separate stand under the bleachers where your food will actually be made. This extra step is something you should keep in mind if you want to make a food run during crucial moments in the game. Atmosphere 3 A word that would best describe Husky Stadium to me is quaint; this isn’t a negative at all, but there are numerous high school football stadiums in the state of Texas that dwarf Husky Stadium; here there is only one set of bleachers, with the home fans and student section on the north end (for the most part) and the visiting fans on the south end. With the single set of stands, this provides everyone with a nice, clean look at the action on the field, which is always appreciated. There is also a grassy hill area beyond the north end zone that has proven popular for students to hang out and catch the game from. There is a courtyard with an antique street clock on a bricked pavilion out in front of the box office at Husky Stadium. Known as McNair Plaza (and named after the philanthropist owners of the Houston Texans, the late Robert McNair and his wife Janice), this is a prime spot for photos before games. Overall, Husky Stadium has the look and feel of a nice, small college football program and that is a good thing. For fans with no skin in the game that just want to catch some college football, this is a great place to get that experience. Neighborhood 3 In keeping with a similar theme from the Atmosphere section of this review, the Sharpstown neighborhood that is home to Houston Baptist feels every bit like the quintessential small college town. Though it is only a few turns away from Interstate 69, Sharpstown feels light years away from the hustle and bustle that epitomizes the city of Houston. Like any typical small college town there are a lot of businesses catering to the college crowd; chain stores and restaurants abound. However, within the boundaries of Sharpstown proper foodies will be delighted to know that there are Jamaican, Chinese, Japanese, Afghani, Indian, and Ethiopian restaurants to name a few, within a short distance of Husky Stadium. If you are looking for activities before or after Husky games, the university’s cultural arts center is home to no less than three unique museums: the Dunham Bible Museum, the Museum of American Architecture and Decorative Arts, and the Museum of Southwest History. Fans 3 Houston Baptist averages around 2,200 fans per game. While that might not seem like a large number, in a stadium the size of Husky Stadium that can give the appearance of a lot of people in the stands. On my most recent visit I was glad to see a large mix of both current students and older alumni in the stands; for college teams, especially those in their nascent years, I think it’s important to have this mix to grow your fan base. Those in attendance on this particular night came decked out in the orange, blue, and white of the Huskies and were particularly vociferous all evening long. There was also a good number of tailgaters in the lots in front of the HBU athletics complex before the game. Access 3 Husky Stadium is just a few short turns off Southwest Freeway/Interstate 69, about 20 minutes from downtown Houston. Sharpstown isn’t accessible by Houston’s public transportation system, and around the venue you won’t see any of the shuttles that populate the downtown area of Space City. However, Sharpstown is easily navigable and is surprisingly light in terms of the wider area’s infamous traffic. Parking is ample and, best of all, free for games at Husky Stadium. There is only one main exit onto Fondren Avenue from these lots, which takes you through the university’s iron gates, but despite this limitation you won’t have any problems either entering or exiting the lots at Husky Stadium. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Husky games are also pretty affordable by college football standards. Single-game tickets cost $25 for reserved seating or $14 for general admission, bleacher seating. With the low cost for concessions and the free parking, this is truly a bargain. They have yet to host a major FBS opponent at Husky Stadium, but there is good football being played in the Southland Conference and you can catch it here for a price that won’t put a hurting on your wallet. Extras 3 Right off the bat, I have to tell you that I’m a sucker for teams that have a live mascot at their games. Houston Baptist University has their own in a purebred Siberian husky (naturally) named Wakiza or Kiza for short. Kiza III made her debut in time for the 2017 season and can usually be found behind the stands in Kiza’s Corner, where she is available for photo ops with HBU fans. The school also has a two-legged version of their mascot in the costumed Mingo; he can also be seen patrolling the stands and sidelines during Husky games and is also popular to take photos with. HBU also boasts all of the other accompaniments that college football has to offer, including their cheerleaders (who throw up the school’s Dawgs Up sign during opposing team’s third downs), the Houston Baptist Elite Dance Team, and the HBU band; all combine to make the game day experience at Husky Stadium something special. Final Thoughts I truly enjoyed my visit to Husky Stadium – it is truthfully nowhere near the level of much larger college football programs in terms of amenities, size, or scope, but that doesn’t diminish what makes it special at all. This is good football stadium and I believe anyone who attends a game here will draw that same conclusion. Husky Stadium and the Sharpstown neighborhood are hidden gems in the city of Houston and will be ones I visit again in the future. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Jamieson Stadium 801 Westover Terrace Greensboro, NC 27408 Greensboro Pride website Jamieson Stadium website Year Opened: 1949 Capacity: 10,000 Football Goes to High School in Greensboro Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, Jamieson Stadium opened in 1949 and primarily serves as the home of high school football’s Grimsley Whirlies, but the venue is also used by Greensboro College’s Greensboro Pride football team. The Pride football program was founded in 1997 and currently competes in the USA South Athletic Conference of the NCAA’s Division III. Food & Beverage 3 Jamieson Stadium does not have a ton of options at its concessions stands, but on the plus side nothing costs more than $3, which is a great thing if you plan to take a family or large group to the game. The menu consists of hot dogs with chili and coleslaw, cotton candy, and nachos for $2 each, or popcorn, packaged candy, and chips for $1 each; you can also get Gatorade for $3, or bottled water and Pepsi products for $2 each. There are two grandstands at Jamieson Stadium (one on each side of the field), but there is only one concessions stand which is on the home side – the venue is small so it is not a far walk between them, but keep that in mind if you plan to sit on the visitors side, in case you want to get your food and drinks before you walk across. Atmosphere 3 The Greensboro Pride don’t currently attract a ton of fans to their games, maybe only a few hundred at most, but those fans are LOUD, and the venue is small enough you can easily hear the noise from the crowd as you watch the game. There are lots of calls of encouragement to the team and to specific players, and the PA system can easily be heard all over the stadium. There is not much in the way of entertainment besides the action on the field, but Greensboro does have a small band to entertain fans before the game and during halftime, and you can also purchase Greensboro Pride team gear at Jamieson Stadium, from tables set up on top of the home stands. All the seats are bleachers without backs, and there is no video board for replays; just a regular static scoreboard. Greensboro Pride Team Gear, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey The Pride recently changed their team logo, so at the game I attended most recently they didn’t have their new banners put up yet, so I only saw the high school team’s colors and banners; however, that will change if you attend a game later this season. Neighborhood 4 There are a couple of nice restaurants near Jamieson Stadium such as Print Works Bistro or Green Valley Grill, but one of the most popular restaurant destinations in Greensboro is Natty Greene’s Pub & Brewing Co. on Elm Street downtown; this popular stop is named after Revolutionary War Hero Nathaniel Green. If you plan to be in town for the day, Greensboro, NC is not a huge city by any stretch, but there are plenty of historic sites and other attractions in the area. One of most well-known is the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, which commemorates the sit-ins that occurred in Greensboro during the 1960s – those sit-ins were actually some of the most influential and significant protests of the entire Civil Rights movement. You can also visit the Greensboro Science Center, which includes an aquarium, zoo, and hands-on activities for the kids. Or, if you are a military history buff (or aspire to be), you can visit Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, and learn about Nathaniel Greene’s actions during the Revolutionary War. Fans 2 The Greensboro Pride don’t have a ton of fans showing up to games right now, and a lot of the fans who are there are wearing the other team’s color – the visitor stands get fuller or emptier depending on how close the visiting school is to Greensboro, as you would expect. But the fans are loud, and the yells and catcalls from others really help you get in the spirit of the match. Access 5 Getting to Jamieson Stadium is very easy; traffic in the area is light on Saturdays and the stadium is not far off the major freeways of I-40/I-85/I-785/I-804 – just head down Wendover Ave/Highway 220 (which is an exit off the freeways mentioned above), then turn onto Wendover Terrace and you will easily see the high school as you approach (the school buses are packed in front of the venue). Parking at the stadium is free and there is plenty of space right outside the main gate, and once you get inside there is plenty of room to move around; there is a walking path around the field that connects the two grandstands, which is set about 25 to 30 feet above the field, so you can easily keep an eye on the game as you walk to and from your seats. There is only one concessions stand, at the top of the home side, but there are bathrooms behind both grandstands. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Greensboro Pride football games are only $5 (or $3 for students), which is the cheapest I have ever seen for a college football game. Add to that the free parking and the very low-cost concessions, and you can’t beat the value here at Jamieson Stadium. Extras 2 There aren’t many extras here at Jamieson Stadium, mostly just some no-frills college football in a pleasant atmosphere. However, there is also no stress, no traffic, no long lines, and no huge crowds to fight your way through, so for football purists this is a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The PA announcer also plays lots of great music – not a slow song in sight, but the kind of fun music that makes you want to stand up and dance. Final Thoughts There are several college football teams in Greensboro, NC, including the North Carolina A&T Aggies and the Guilford Quakers, among others, as well as the Wake Forest Demon Deacons about a half hour to the west in Winston-Salem. You won’t see any big-name teams coming through Jamieson Stadium like you might at BB&T Field, but on the plus side you will spend a lot less money, and seeing a game here will take you back to a simpler time and a simpler way of life, where you can simply watch football without all the modern distractions – I highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Charger Park Soccer Field 851 John Wright Dr NW Huntsville, AL 35805 Alabama-Huntsville Chargers website Charger Park Soccer Field website Year Opened: 1973 Capacity: 200 Getting a Charge Out of Soccer The University of Alabama in Huntsville, or UAH to locals, is a state university that is part of the University of Alabama System. The school began in 1950 as an extension of the University of Alabama but drastically changed in 1960 when Wernher von Braun, a German rocket scientist brought to the United States under Operation Paperclip, after working for the Nazi regime, helped create a research institute to provide advanced engineering and science curricula to NASA scientists and engineers. This set forth a more scientific path for this institution. UAH offers 89 degree-granting programs, but Engineering is the largest college program at the university. UAH is known for engineering and science programs, including astrophysics, atmospheric science and aerospace engineering. It is a Space Grant university, and has a history of cooperation with NASA at the Marshall Space Flight Center, and the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal. UAH sponsors eight men’s and eight women’s varsity athletics programs and is a member of the NCAA Division II, except for men’s ice hockey, where it is Division I. In most sports they are a member of the Gulf South Conference. Unlike many southern schools, there is no football team at UAH. Dr. Stromecky was the founder of the UAH Soccer team in 1969, as well as their first coach. Throughout his career he lead the UAH Soccer team to 16 NAIA District Championships, and six NAIA National Tournaments. Charger Park Soccer Field has been around for awhile, but was integrated into Charger Park, built in 2010, which is also the home of the baseball and softball teams. Food & Beverage 2 For many games there may be no food stands in operation. If the small stand is in operation expect a very simple menu with very good prices for hot dogs and similar items. Atmosphere 3 The field is a beautiful and immaculate soccer pitch. Fans watch the game either from standing or sitting in their own chairs along the sideline or by sitting in the small, simple metal bleacher. The setting for games is nice, if unremarkable. Neighborhood 4 Huntsville is now the largest city in Alabama (Birmingham has a larger metro area) with a population of 194,585 people. The area is home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command nearby at the Redstone Arsenal, and the state-owned US Space & Rocket Center. The replica Saturn V at the center can be seen quite aways away, especially on the nearby UAH campus. Nearby University Drive going west towards Madison has a plethora of food options, from both chains to small operations. Phil Sandoval’s Mexican Restaurante, Shaggy’s Burgers and Tacos, ChopChop and TopGolf are some of the best options in that area. One should also look at the numerous brewpub options around the area. Downtown Huntsville is also becoming a nice quaint place for a stroll. There will be a few food and drink options down there as well. The Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment complex is an old factory and mill that houses numerous small artist studios as well as food and drink from options like Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea Company and Alchemy Lounge. Fans 3 The fans are also very knowledgeable about the game and action. Many of the fans in attendance will be family or friends of the players. Access 5 Huntsville is served by several U.S. Highways, including 72, 231, 431, and an Interstate highway spur, I-565, that links the two cities of Huntsville and Decatur to I-65. The UAH campus is off of Sparkman Drive, just south of I-565. There should almost always be plenty of parking found by the soccer field. Check the signs for games that happen during normal class times. Return on Investment 3 The games are free to attend currently as they are being sponsored by a local credit union. Extras 2 Drive around the campus of UAH and check out the beautiful surroundings, as well as the intimidating nature of the learning what happens in places such as the Optics building and the Von Braun building. See if you can see the Saturn V rocket from the soccer pitch. Final Thoughts The University of Alabama in Huntsville has managed to make a very basic, although pretty, setting into one of the better soccer fields in the area. If in the area, make sure to stop in and see if you can catch a match.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Fargodome 1800 N University Dr Fargo, ND 58102 North Dakota State Bison website Fargodome website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 19,000 Oh, Give Me a Dome…. Where the Bison Roam Located along the state line of Minnesota and North Dakota, Fargo, ND is home to North Dakota State University (NDSU) and its Bison athletic teams. The Bison name was chosen due to the fierce and powerful nature of the animal, and the fact that the prairies of the north central portions of the USA were the home grounds for these magnificent beasts. The football home of the Bison is the Fargodome, a 19,000-seat indoor facility located on the NDSU campus. It opened in 1992 and has seen sellout crowds ever since. The NDSU football program is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference and competes at the FCS level of the NCAA’s Division I. It provides a real home field advantage for the Bison, as they have a .865 winning percentage for games in the ‘Dome. Food & Beverage 3 The Fargodome offers a combination of national brands and generic concession stands to provide food and beverage at games. Amongst the national brands are Domino’s Pizza, Subway, Dippin’ Dots, and Cold Stone Creamery. Their prices match what you would find at their outside retail stores. The generic concession stands are known as the Dakota Grill. They offer burgers, brats, chicken strips, popcorn, hot dogs and nachos, and Pepsi brand sodas. The prices charged are very reasonable. Concession stands at the Fargodome are staffed by volunteers from area churches and non-profits, with a percentage of the proceeds going to that non-profit. This is always an admirable policy. Atmosphere 4 The NDSU Bison are without question the most dominant football team at the NCAA’s FCS level. Before joining the FCS, they won eight National Championships at the Division II level and never skipped a beat, winning the FCS National Championship seven times. In that period, they have won 35 Conference championships, while only having three losing seasons since 1964. Since joining the FCS, the Bison boast of a 32-2 record in the FCS playoffs. The Bison are not afraid of playing the big boys, as they have scored victories over FBS opponents….Iowa, Iowa State, Colorado State, Kansas, Kansas State, and Minnesota. Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz is probably the most successful player to come out of the Bison program. All this success has led to a great game day atmosphere in Fargo. It starts well before kickoff, as the parking lots around the Fargodome swell with tailgaters clad in the school colors. The Gold Star Marching Band puts on a pregame concert at the pep rally that precedes each contest. The action then moves inside the building. The Fargodome is a long, but not necessarily high building. The stands along both sidelines and the end zones are elevated above the field, providing everyone with great sight lines. There are no beams to obstruct the view. Even the top row in the stadium is near the field. In addition to the excellent views of the field, the atmosphere is also helped by the noise level in the stadium. Part of this is due to the indoor nature of the stadium, but it is mostly due to the NDSU fan base, known collectively as the Herd. The student section is on its feet for nearly the entire game. In case you can’t hear what happened on the field, the Fargodome boasts of an excellent video package. Each end zone has an HD video board measuring 100’ X 30’. There are banners saluting the many National Championships, but they have been forced to list multiple years per banner due to space limitations! The NDSU Bookstore operates several team stores throughout the building, ensuring that there will be a sea of yellow and green rocking the stadium. Neighborhood 4 The city of Fargo offers a wide variety of options as far as entertainment, restaurants, lodging, and attractions. It is a major destination for residents of both North Dakota and NW Minnesota, as it is the largest city in the region, with more than 113,000 residents. The Fargodome is located on the campus of NDSU, next door to Newman Outdoor Field, the baseball home of the Bison. Most of the restaurants in the immediate area are of the fast-food/pizza joint variety that serves the student population. Two restaurants to check out in the Fargo area are the Fargo Brewing Company and Ale House and the Old Broadway Grill and Sports Zone. Two attractions to check out in the area are the Roger Maris Museum in the West Acres Mall and the Hjemkomst Center across the river in Moorhead, MN. It features a museum saluting the Norse heritage of the region, including a scale replica of a Viking ship. Two recommended places to stay within walking distance of the ‘Dome are the Candlewood Suites Fargo and the Homewood Suites Fargo. Fans 5 The Bison fan base is known for its loyalty, friendliness, and volume. NDSU games have been sellouts for years, with families handing down tickets through the generations. This is very important when your facility has a 19,000-seat capacity. NDSU fans arrive early (read Friday) to set up for massive tailgating parties to rival those in Green Bay. They are hard to miss in their yellow and green outfits with RV vehicles sporting the same colors. They display the typical Midwestern friendliness and welcome visitors to eat with them. You will not hear a lot of trash talk in Fargo. Once inside Bison fans do get loud though. They have been measured frequently at reaching the 111-115 decibel level. The construction design of the Fargodome only amplifies that noise. One of their favorite cheers is “First down… ah, move the chains!” Helping the fans crank up the volume is the NDSU Marching Band, known as the Gold Star Band and the team’s mascot, a bison by the name of Thundar of Norse mythology. Fans get especially fired up for the Bison games against their main rivals… the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks (located just 50 miles north of Fargo on I-29) and the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits. The team typically plays its early-round games in the FCS playoffs as well, which are raucous events. Even when the team plays away games, the Bison faithful will make the trip. Access 3 There’s no doubt that Fargo is rather isolated, as it is located 236 miles northwest of the Twin Cities via I-94 (a 3.5-hour drive). There is also no doubt that weather can play a factor in reaching there for some late-season games. However, once you reach Fargo, the Fargodome is hard to miss. It is located just off of I-29 and is by far the biggest building on the NDSU campus. Parking around the building is plentiful, and there are two hotels located across the street from the facility, within easy walking distance. Hector International Airport is also right across the street, with frequent flights to the Twin Cities area. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $65 for seats along the side of the field and $45 for end zone seats. That may sound expensive, but only 19,000 fans fit in the stadium and you will be watching one of the most dominant football programs in the NCAA FCS level. Parking at the Fargodome is only $5, and hotels in the area are less than $100 a night. Concession prices at the Fargodome are very reasonably priced. Your trip to Fargo will not cost you a lot of buffalo bills! Extras 5 Each year the Fargodome hosts one of the largest pancake breakfasts in the world. The Kiwanis-sponsored event draws more than 10,000 people and serves up more than 30,000 flapjacks on an annual basis. The Fargodome is the major concert arena for the entire state of North Dakota and most of northwestern Minnesota. Artists who have performed in the arena include Taylor Swift, Prince, Garth Brooks, Katy Perry, and Celine Dion. Fargo is subject to floods from the Red River of the North when there is a sudden winter thaw. The Fargodome serves the community both as a shelter for families evacuated from their homes, as well as a site for filling sandbags to hold the waters back. Roger Maris was a Fargo native and came back to the town after retiring from baseball. The Roger Maris Museum is located in the West Acres Mall located just down the street from the Fargodome. When you stop at the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center upon arrival in town, make sure you get a selfie made with the woodchipper from the movie “Fargo.” Yes, the bloody foot is still protruding out of the top of it! Final Thoughts One of the best-kept secrets in college football is the success the NDSU Bison have had at the FCS level. The Fargodome allows you to enjoy the top-ranked play of the Bison, without having to deal with the brutal late fall and early winter weather experienced in the Northern Plains. While in town, check out the lively art scene offered by citizens of Fargo.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Joseph L. Bruno Stadium 80 Vandenburgh Ave Troy, NY 12180 Tri-City Valleycats website Joseph L. Bruno Stadium website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 4,500 Enjoy the Show at The Joe Joseph L. Bruno Stadium is named in honor of the former New York State Senate majority leader who helped secure funding for the ballpark. Constructed in under a year, "The Joe" cost $14 million to build in 2002. Tri-City refers to the cities of Albany, Troy and Schenectady, which combine to make up the Capital District. The ValleyCats have won eight division titles and three New York-Penn League championships, most recently in 2018. The franchise began play back in 1977 as the Little Falls Mets. In 1989 the team moved to Pittsfield, MA, where they played as the Pittsfield Mets for a dozen years and as the Pittsfield Astros for a season before moving to the Capital District. The team remains as an Astros affiliate to this day. Among the notable alumni to play at The Joe are J.D Martinez, George Springer, Ben Zobrist and Hunter Pence. Food & Beverage 5 For a smaller ballpark, the Joe has an impressive array of food and beverage choices. In addition to the typical ballpark fare, there are plenty of regional and unique items to be found. Buddy’s Grill, located down the right field concourse, has a menu consisting of specialty burgers and that central New York delicacy, spiedie sandwiches. For those fans who haven’t heard of the spiedie, it consists of marinated chicken, beef or lamb served in a sub roll. It’s something not usually found outside central New York, and locals can’t get enough of it. Other stands offer items that depart from the ballpark norm, such as gourmet mac and cheese, wood fired pizza, bratwurst served with beer cheese and perogies. Fans with a big appetite should head to the Nacho Stand, where nachos and burritos are served in a full-sized batting helmet. The cola wars are nowhere to be found at The Joe. Instead of Coke or Pepsi, the featured soda at the Valley Cats is RC Cola/Dr. Pepper. Fans looking for an adult beverage will find all the national brands. In addition, local favorite Brown’s Brewing Company runs a stand selling a sampling of their excellent craft brews. Try the ValleyCat Ale, Cherry Razz or Special Occasion IPA. Atmosphere 4 The ValleyCats staff try hard to make an interesting game day experience at The Joe. Veteran minor league travelers will find much that is familiar here, from the enriched promotional schedule to the on-field contests for younger fans to the active mascots, Southpaw and Pappy. There is a party deck at the end of the left field concourse. Rowdy’s at the Joe offers full bar service, a deck with tables that overlook the field, and games for fans. Beyond Rowdy’s is a sensory path for younger fans needing a break from the game, as well as a play zone full of inflatables. Berms in left and right field offer places for young fans to blow off some steam, with a massive group party deck overlooking the action in deep right field. A large video board in left field is put to good use with replays, game stats and sponsor advertisements. There is more than enough going on at The Joe to keep the casual fan entertained. Neighborhood 3 Bruno Stadium is located on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College, about five miles from downtown Troy and seven miles from downtown Albany. Fans who have not visited the area recently may be surprised with the amount of development that has gone up recently. Route 4 contains a great many strip malls, with a growing number of dining and lodging options for the visiting fan. Nothing is within walking distance of the ballpark, but the Tipsy Moose, Junior’s Bar and Grill, The Deli and Brew and Kennedy’s Tavern are all a short drive away. Fans looking to stay nearby will find College Suites at Hudson Valley most convenient. Fans 4 The ValleyCats average in the vicinity of 4,000 fans per game, annually landing in the top three of the New York-Penn League rankings. A crowd at The Joe is similar to many minor league crowds, running the gamut from hard core fans to casual fans to groups and those there just for the party. The ValleyCats, like all minor league teams, market heavily to younger fans and families, and both these groups turn out in abundance. Access 3 Bruno Stadium is located on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College, just a few miles from the junctions of Interstates 787 and 90. Located on the eastern edge of campus, there are numerous parking lots a short walk from the ballpark. Lots closer to the park are reserved for season ticket holders and groups. Bruno Stadium follows the typical minor league ballpark blueprint, with a single concourse atop the seating bowl which stretches from foul pole to foul pole. There are berms in both left and right field, and a party area in left-center field. All seats consist of plastic folding stadium seats. The field is visible from all points on the concourse, but seats further down the lines are not angled towards the infield. An underrated seating area at The Joe are the picnic tables located underneath the scoreboard in left field. One drawback to the design of Bruno Stadium is that the concourse is very narrow, with many portable stands and other obstacles (party decks, lines to concession stands, tiki huts) in the way. This concourse can get very crowded and become very difficult to navigate at times. Likewise, the bathrooms are on the small side and can become crowded when there is a large crowd present. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to ValleyCats games range in price from $7.50 for grandstand tickets to $12.50 for premium box seats. Purchasing tickets on game day adds three dollars to your purchase price. If you are a AAA member, be sure to ask for the discount given to members. Parking is free in the many lots adjacent to the ballpark. If a big crowd is in attendance, be prepared to walk a little bit. Concessions are moderately priced, making a Valley Cats game an affordable entertainment option for baseball fans in the Capital District. Extras 2 The ValleyCats display their history throughout the ballpark. Check out the Wall of Champions right by the entrance to the ballpark, where league championships and the names of every player to pass through the Tri-Cities on their way to the majors are displayed. The 2018 NY-Penn League banner hangs on the façade of the luxury boxes behind home plate. A second extra point is awarded for the free programs and many giveaways at the Joe. Final Thoughts While “The Joe” may not stand out from the crowd as a facility, the ValleyCats do a whole lot right at Bruno Stadium. With a game day experience that features a top-notch menu, excellent customer service and numerous extras, a trip to Tri-City is certainly one worth taking. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Dantzler Stadium 3400 Dantzler St Moss Point, MS 39563 Moss Point Tigers website Dantzler Stadium website Year Opened: 1925 Capacity: 8,000 Mississippi’s Own Death Valley – Dantzler Stadium Bayou Tigers Perhaps no other high school football stadium in the state of Mississippi has seen more success and history on its field than Moss Point Dantzler Stadium in Moss Point, MS. Eight State Championship Game appearances, five State Title wins, 31 playoff appearances, 20+ straight winning seasons, plus countless NFL and Division I college players, and it’s safe to say Moss Point High School has seen it all. Football began being played on the site in 1925 with the current grandstands being constructed in the late 1940’s. The stadium is named after the L.N. Dantzler Lumber Company, which at one time was a sawmill that sat on the river, and the fact that the high school is located on Dantzler Street. Not much has changed at the stadium since its opening over 60 years ago, except the field name – in 2013 the playing field was renamed Jerry Alexander Field; Alexander was a coaching legend at Moss Point and is the school’s all-time winningest coach with a record of 167-55. In his first year at the program he won a State Championship (1991), and before retiring in 2007 he had won four more. In the mid 90’s and early 2000’s there was no other team in the state more feared than Alexander’s Tiger team. He created a dynasty and had many future college and NFL players play under him – Mississippi State quarterbacks Derrick Taite and Kevin Fant, Georgia Tech quarterback Demarius Bilbo, current Astros reliever Tony Sipp, and Minnesota Vikings defensive end Tom Johnson are all players who came out of Moss Point and played for Coach Alexander. Though the football program is not what it once was, there’s no denying the fact that at one time this was not only a Mississippi football powerhouse, but a national powerhouse as well. The school was consistently ranked in the top 10 in the country during the late 90’s thru early 2000’s, and the team would play other high school powerhouses from all over country on ESPN during this time period as well. Food & Beverage 2 There are two concessions stands located at Dantzler Stadium, one on the home side and one on the visitor’s side. The stand on the home side is located under the stadium, and the stand on the visitor’s side is located as soon as you enter the venue. The concessions are about what you would expect, nothing seems to stand out, though the prices are pretty cheap which is always a plus. I’m not sure about the home side, but the burgers and hot dogs on of the visitor’s side are grilled right outside the stand, so I know they are being freshly cooked. The concessions are priced as follows – nachos, hamburgers, and corn dogs ($3); hot dogs & pizza slices ($2); popcorn, pickles, chips, & sunflower seeds ($1). Coca-Cola is the soft drink provider, with bottles of Powerade, Dasani water, and 24 oz. bottled Coke for $2 each. Atmosphere 3 There’s nothing special about the overall appearance of Dantzler Stadium. The grandstand is rusting and aging, and the press box is small and outdated. But the location and view are what makes this place so special – the north side of the stadium is open and features two several hundred-year-old oak trees, while behind those is the Pascagoula River, and behind that is the Highway 613 high-rise. There is not a better view at any Mississippi high school than sitting in Dantzler Stadium on a Friday night watching the sunset. The field faces north and south with open end zones and the gorgeous view of the river located on the north side, and the scoreboard and football facilities located on the south side. The west grandstand is the visitor’s section and is the basic aluminum style bleacher setup; the east side is the home side which has a bleacher grandstand as well. There is nothing to write home about on the home side as the display of support by the Moss Point fans is not very good; it’s a shame how far this school district has fallen in recent years. Their band only has about 20 members in it, and the stands are only half full. The visiting side brings all the support and contributes to most of the crowd noise. Because of the rivalry matchup I gave the atmosphere one more star than it deserves. Neighborhood 2 Moss Point High School is located in a mostly residential area. The area around Dantzler Stadium, especially on River Road to the west, is very pretty. The road winds around Krebs Lake just south of the Pascagoula River and presents a very scenic drive, especially at sunset. The area around the high school is mostly just houses, and there is not a lot to do in the neighborhood. A short drive east about a mile will take you to downtown Moss Point. This area is not much of a downtown like you would expect but does have a nice River Park that plays hosts to all types of events throughout the year. During the fall the whole park turns into a pumpkin patch, and during the Christmas season it hosts Christmas on the River, which is a huge parade of boats decorated with Christmas lights – it is truly a sight to see. There is also a spot where you can rent kayaks and travel up the Escatawpa and Pascagoula Rivers and view the wildlife. Or, if you have your own boat you could even camp out on one of the many sandbars and little islands throughout the river as well. There are definitely not a whole lot of places to eat at Moss Point, but there are a few. In downtown Burnham Drugs is one of my favorites – the place looks like a regular local pharmacy from the outside, but the inside houses an old 50s style diner that serves typical foods such as burgers and sandwiches. The food is very cheap; you can get a burger and fries for less than 4 dollars. The diner is only open during lunch though and has limited seating, so make sure you get there early to beat the lunch crowd. Another place I recommend is Dubs, one of the few locally owned restaurants in Moss Point, located on Main Street just south of downtown. This Moss Point staple has been open for decades and serves really good fried foods. Another locally owned establishment is Faye’s Kitchen, but this is located on the east side of the city and in a rundown part of the town. Faye’s has been open for years dating back to the days when International Paper had a paper mill across the street. Though the paper mill is now gone Faye’s is still open, and though it looks a little rundown from the outside, it serves the best soul food in Moss Point. Besides the restaurants, there is really only one bar I can recommend going to and that would be Scotty’s. Also on Main Street, Scotty’s is a pretty cool bar if you want live music in the city. Scotty’s has good food as well, though the place is really small, and is located in a rundown shopping center. As you could guess Moss Point is not exactly the safest city and is consistently ranked as one of Mississippi’s most dangerous. However, you should be fine walking around the high school and surrounding areas, and even the River Road area is nice and safe. The areas that are most dangerous would be Main Street in downtown to the Pascagoula city limits, and east Moss Point behind Walmart. Even though some of the restaurants I mentioned are in these areas, I would advise using caution when in the parking lots. You should be safe if you go from your car into Scotty’s or Dub’s, but I don’t recommend venturing too far off and you should always be aware of your surroundings. If staying in town for the night I recommend not staying in Moss Point, but instead traveling up Highway 613 to the I-10 exit in Escatawpa just a few miles north. Here you’ll find countless hotel options, as well as all the basic fast food restaurants. The casinos of Biloxi are about 30 minutes away as well for those who want to gamble. Fans 4 On my most recent visit, Dantzler Stadium hosted Jackson County’s fiercest rivalry “The Battle of the Cats” as the Tigers faced the Pascagoula Panthers. These two schools first faced off in 1925 and are pretty evenly matched with an overall record of 37-40-3 in favor of the Panthers. Just four miles separate these two schools and this matchup usually opens the high school football season each year. This is one of the more intense rivalries on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, so it’s safe to say the score is higher during this game based on the fact that students and alumni from both schools show up to support their local high school, as the two cities legitimately do not like each other. Not every game here is this well-attended, however; usually the stands at Dantzler Stadium are only about half full, which is a far cry of how it was 20 years ago. Access 3 Moss Point High School is a pretty easy place to find – if coming from the east or west, Interstate 10 will be the fastest way to get here. Just take the interstate to exit 68 which is Highway 613, about 2 miles west of the Alabama state line, then take the highway south about three miles through downtown Moss Point, turn right on Dantzler Street, and the school will be on the left with the stadium right across the street. If you want to take the scenic route I recommend taking the River Road route, located a couple blocks west of Dantzler Stadium. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are fairly cheap; $6 gets you general admission seating anywhere in the stadium. Because of the size of the stadium there are no premium seats, but factor in the cheap ticket prices with the cheap concessions prices plus the fact that you are getting to see a historic high school venue, so the return on investment is good at Dantzler Stadium. The breathtaking sunset view to the north is almost worth the price of admission on its own. Extras 2 One extra for the view; I have not seen a better view at a high school football venue than here at Dantzler Stadium, especially since many of the games here start at 7 pm. For August and September games you are almost guaranteed a view of the pretty sunset, but sit in the middle section of the stadium, or on the south side for the best views of it. Also, if coming to Dantzler Stadium, if you have time make sure you take the River Road route as the views along there are gorgeous as well. The whole area is basically nestled in a swamp, and the Spanish moss hangs from the trees over the road. Final Thoughts Though the Moss Point Tigers football team is not what it once was, there is no denying the history and success of the Tigers program; Jerry Alexander really turned this school into a football powerhouse. Though Dantzler Stadium needs to be fixed up and it’s not what it was 20 years ago, it still remains a great place to watch a football game on a Friday night.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Shaw Field 3700 O Street NW Washington, DC 20007 Georgetown Hoyas website Shaw Field website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 1,625 Hoya Soccer at Shaw Shaw Field, formerly known as North Kehoe Field, is the home to the Georgetown Hoyas men’s and women’s soccer teams. Although it opened in 1996, it was only used for practice for the first five years of its existence. In 2001, the Hoyas began playing their games there as well. Shaw Field underwent significant renovations in 2012, including a new scoreboard and an updated seating area with chair backs. Georgetown’s school colors, blue and gray, date back to just after the Civil War, when Union blue and Confederate gray were chosen in an effort to unify both the school, which had students who had fought on both sides, and the nation as a whole. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small tent at one end of the concourse that serves your basic concessions. Those looking for a main course can buy hot dogs ($3), nachos ($5), or hamburgers ($5, with cheese optional at no additional cost.) Snacks include popcorn ($4), pretzels ($3), chips ($1), and candy ($2-$3.) Lemonade and Powerade (listed on the sign as Gatorade) are $4 each, while bottled water and soda are $2 each. Credit cards and cash are accepted. Concession Tent at Shaw Field, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Atmosphere 3 All seats at Shaw Field are chair backs bolted onto bleachers, and all of them are on the same side of the stadium. Seating is general admission, so be sure to arrive early if you want to stake out your choice of seats. There is a scoreboard in the corner of the field which also shows the number of shots each team has taken so far. The Hoyas have previously held unusual promotions at soccer games such as Millennial Day, where the first 500 fans in attendance (basically anyone who arrived on time) received participation trophies and no verbal communication was permitted in the “Millennial Communication Section,” only texting. However, these have been the exception rather than the rule, and usually there is not much going on other than the game itself. Part of this is due to the nature of soccer, with no interruptions, but there is also no halftime entertainment or other things going on like you would see at some places. However, considering this is college soccer we’re talking about, not basketball or football, this is about what you’d expect. It would be nice to see the team do more of these unusual promotions, or at least some sort of regular promotions to improve the atmosphere, but for now, they’re few and far between. Neighborhood 5 Shaw Field is located in the middle of the Georgetown campus, and you’ll probably have to head off campus to really do anything. However, the Georgetown neighborhood (which lends its name to the school, not the other way around) is one of the best in D.C. There are numerous restaurants ranging from casual sandwich shop Booeymonger’s to luxurious upscale restaurants such as 1789, and everything in between. All of this is located just a short walk or drive away from the University. If you’re willing to head downtown to the National Mall area, the District has so much more to offer, and the best part is that most of it is free. Whether it’s taking in the sights and monuments on the Mall itself, or visiting one of the many museums such as the various Smithsonians, there’s something for everyone. All of the government-run attractions are free, but some of the private ones are not. Just keep in mind if you wish to tour the White House or Capitol, you will need to book in advance. Fans 3 Although college soccer really isn’t all that popular in most of the country, the Hoyas manage to draw a decent crowd to Shaw Field, consisting of everyone from longtime Hoya supporters to families with young children. The place rarely comes close to filling up, but it won’t be deserted, either. There is a small student presence at most games, and they will typically stand behind the goal. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to get too involved. Fans can get loud and involved at times, but at other moments it will be dead silent here. Small Student Section at Shaw Field, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Access 3 Parking for Shaw Field is available in the Southwest Garage, just past the entrance gates to campus. Parking is free on weekends but is a pricey $5/hour on weekdays. Once you exit the garage, you will need to walk up a large hill and several flights of steps to get to the stadium. The good news is that once you’re in the stadium, you should have no problem moving around. There are no permanent restrooms at Shaw Field, just a few port-a-potties outside it. Return on Investment 2 Tickets are $10 for adults, or $5 for youth and military. This is a bit on the high end for college soccer, and admission is even free at many places. How much you pay for parking will vary widely depending on when you visit, so if possible, come on a weekend or university holiday to maximize your value. Extras 2 There are free programs and roster cards available at the entrance. The programs are quite impressive for college soccer. Shaw Field is also perhaps the only sporting venue in the world where you can experience a helicopter delay. The helipad for Georgetown MedStar Hospital is located directly behind the goal, and for safety reasons, the game must be delayed, and that side of the field cleared, whenever a medical helicopter is arriving. Final Thoughts College soccer isn’t as popular in most of the country as other sports like basketball or football. However, Shaw Field is a nice place to take in a college soccer game, and the crowds are decent most games given the size of the stadium. While it would be nice if ticket prices could come down a little bit, a trip here is still a fun way to spend an afternoon.