Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Timmons Arena 1250 Duncan Chapel Rd Greenville, SC 29617 Furman Paladins website Timmons Arena website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 3,500 Furman Once, Furman Twice, Furman Three Times… On February 20, 2024 it was announced that Timmons Arena would undergo a $40 million renovation following the season, as part of Phase II of the “Timmons Arena Project”. Renovations will include adding donor suites, premium seating, and hospitality amenities; an enhanced student experience; improvements to concessions and merchandise areas; and redesigned entry points. The most important need though is for improved flow for fans around the arena. Renderings courtesy of Furman Athletics The Paladins moved to the on-campus Timmons Arena in 1998, after leaving their previous home of 38 years, Memorial Gymnasium, which had been lovingly nicknamed “The Brown Box”. Furman has been a member of the Southern Conference since 1936, which is only equaled by The Citadel Bulldogs, who also joined the conference the same year. During that time the Paladins have won seven Southern Conference regular season titles and seven conference tournament championships, to go with seven NCAA Tournament appearances – their most recent appearance in 2023 saw the 13-seed Furman knock off the # 4 seeded Virginia Cavaliers. Food & Beverage   4 The upper-level concessions offer various combination platters served with an entrée, fries, and a drink; these platters include chicken fingers, a burger, or a hot dog. The menu’s inclusion of fried mozzarella sticks, fried pretzels, and even fried Oreos and funnel fries might make fans feel as if they are at the state fair more so than at a college basketball game. Concessions on the court level of the arena are a bit more limited to hot dogs, sausages, pizza, candy/snacks, and soft drinks. The lines here get rather backed up, especially during the half time break. Alcohol is sold at Timmons Arena; selections include personal-sized bottles of white and red wines, hard seltzer, domestic beers, and craft beers from Sierra Nevada and Wicked Weed. Atmosphere   3 Timmons Arena in its current appearance blends in nicely with the campus architecture, but it doesn’t stand out as the school’s basketball arena. Its elongated, hexagonal shape provides several logistical challenges when it comes to housing basketball and navigating the facility. Given the interesting design of the arena and the unbalanced arrangement of banners in the rafters at each end of the court, it makes the court itself seem to not be centered on the floor – viewed from the baselines, the scoreboard is actually centered above the floor, but the optics of the off-balance banner alignment certainly doesn’t make it appear that way. Throughout the game the in-game host, who doubles as arena DJ, does a good job trying to keep the interest of fans in the game. Between the on-court contests, the cheer and dance squads, the Furman Paladin mascot, and a pep band, the Timmons Arena basketball experience does offer fans a great deal of entertainment to complement the game. Given the size of Timmons Arena, every seat is close to the action, but structural support beams do block the view of the scoreboards for fans seated in the upper reaches of the seating across from the benches. While the scorer’s table does have basic time and score information, the main scoreboards do provide a bit more of a look into the stats. Going forward, artist renditions of the future of Timmons Arena show that the game experience will change a great deal, and the experience will never be the same as it was before. While the arena will be completed on the same footprint as Timmons Arena, it will not simply give the facility an updated look, but it will without a doubt create a new facility all together. Neighborhood   3 Located on the northern reaches of Greenville, Furman is roughly where the city turns into suburban neighborhoods, before becoming more rural as the suburbs give way to the mountains of South Carolina. Furman’s campus covers a sprawling 750 acres. Beyond the academic, residential, and athletic facilities, Swan Lake, a walking trail around it, and even a golf course open to the public are all within the campus confines. If approaching Furman from the back side of campus, Highway 25 has several food trucks serving various types of Latino food, and the approach from Highway 276 has a higher concentration of chain restaurants. Furman’s campus is just over 6 miles from all that downtown Greenville has to offer. Options in the are a bit limited, however, when it comes to the immediate vicinity of the arena. Downtown Greenville provides visitors with numerous points of interests, including scenic Falls Park and Liberty Bridge skywalk, or Main Street Greenville with several restaurants, shops, and a handful of breweries. The downtown area also has a strong concentration of hotels for visitors. Early afternoon games at Timmons Arena could pair nicely with an evening watching the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, at nearby Bon Secures Wellness Arena. Fans   3 Furman basketball fans turn out to the tune of about 2,100 per game, but tend to be more reactive to plays rather than creating an atmosphere that might be considered a home court advantage. Fans do get loud for runs that the Paladins go on, but it just seems as if there really needs to be a spark lit under them for the fans to get loud. Also, while students make up a large section across from the visiting team’s bench, they do not seem to make much of an impact on the game’s atmosphere until a turning point might present itself – it just seems that, as intimate a setting as Timmons Arena is, the student section should jump out at you, but instead it does take a moment of searching. Fans on the whole are into the game and support the Paladins, especially through cheers and holding their “FU” towels, but as a whole, they seem to be more waiting for something to happen in the game to collectively get loud about, rather than making it the norm for the arena. Access   2 Furman is north of downtown Greenville; it can be a bit of a challenge to get to as there is no direct interstate access to the facility. Two major throughfares, US Highways 25 and 276, run along either side of campus; the challenge is even after exiting I-185, there are still 10 miles of surface streets and traffic lights to contend with. Parking at Timmons arena is free, but it might take a bit of guidance to get to. Much of the parking immediately surrounding the arena is composed of donor lots, but additional parking can be found in the area closer to Paladin Stadium – shuttle trollies take fans to the Poinsett Parking area on the far side of the football stadium. The doors on either side of the front of Timmons Arena lead fans to a security check before they can pass into the main lobby area, for tickets to be scanned for entry into the playing area. The lobby can be a bit tight, and the configuration requires fans to have tickets re-checked if passing between the two sides of the arena via the main lobby. Navigating Timmons Arena can be a bit of a challenge. Seating on the near side of Timmons is easy enough to access, but if sitting in the stands across the arena, it requires going to the floor level, navigating around the back side of the social gathering areas, then along the sideline of the floor to get to your seats. This does create some uncertainty about how to get to your seats if the ball is in play; there is not direct access to seats on this side of the floor. Rather than a natural flow for fans to follow, ushers and other arena personnel are strategically positioned to direct fans away from restricted team areas and toward the locations accessible to fans. Return on Investment   4 Get in the door prices run $18 for seats in the upper section of sideline seating. What is a relief is that, despite using Ticketmaster, a promotional code is automatically applied to the order which avoids service and convenience charges. When factoring in free parking with an $18 ticket and reasonable concession prices, fans are definitely getting their money’s worth. Extras   3 Furman does a good job recognizing the historical achievements of the program – the lobby area proudly displays trophies earned by the program over the years, and also serves at the Furman Athletics Hall of Fame. The rafters specifically honor the six players who have had their numbers retired, along with recognizing the 46-year career of Coach Lyles Alley. Banners also display Southern Conference regular season and tournament championships alongside NCAA tournament and NIT appearances. Both scoreboards pay tribute to Frank Selvy’s 100-point game against Newberry College in 1954; the All-American Selvy would go on to be the #1 draft pick in the NBA’s 1954 draft by the Baltimore Bullets, where he would garner NBA All-Star honors in 1955 and ‘62. Final Thoughts During the upcoming construction, the Furman’s men’s basketball team will play their home schedule at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, just a few hundred feet from where The Brown Box once stood, playing a major role in the history of Furman Basketball. The Paladins are no strangers to Bon Secours Wellness Arena, as it has served as a secondary home in the past, as part of Furman’s Weekends at the Well. Timmons Arena is definitely an arena full of quirks and oddities, the kind that only alumni and Furman fans can appreciate – it is typically those unique features that make it such a special place for so many. When fans return to Timmons Arena at the start of the 2025 season, it appears that it’ll be a completely new facility both aesthetically and emotionally. There can be no replacing something that so many have grown to have deep emotional ties to, but the updated version will gives fans an opportunity to appreciate the work and generosity of all those involved in creating a new experience, while bringing the basketball experience for fans, players, and coaches alike into the 21st century.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Dantzler Arena Perkinston, MS 39573 Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Bulldogs website Dantzler Arena website Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 1,540 Gulf Coast Bulldogs Dance at Dantzler Arena Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is one of 15 schools that compete in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) for basketball. The MACCC is also part of the larger Region 23 of the NJCAA, which also includes five Louisiana community colleges. Located in the tiny zero-red-light town of Perkinston, Mississippi, the Bulldogs have a pretty storied basketball history – since the first year of basketball on campus in 1927 the Bulldogs have won the MACCC State Championship 11 times, with the most recent being in 2012. MGCCC also won the Region 23 Championship 14 times, with the most recent being in 2009. In addition, MGCCC advanced to the NJCAAA Tournament twice in 1990 and 2009. The MGCCC women's basketball team has had a little more success than the men's, as they won one NJCAA National Championship in 1973 and advanced to the championship game the next year, where they were runners-up. The school has gone by many names since it opened as Harrison County Agricultural High School in 1911. The school became a junior college in 1925 and changed its name to Perkinston Junior College in 1942, before changing it to MGCCC in 1962. Today the college has four campuses throughout the Gulf Coast region, with a total enrollment of 8,700 students, making it the second-largest junior c, college in the state. The Bulldogs men's and women's basketball teams play at the newest athletic venue to open on campus, the beautiful Dantzler Arena, which opened during the 2022-23 season. The new arena is part of a series of construction projects for the college that also included a new residence hall, an upgraded baseball and soccer field, and a new entrance road into campus. Food and Beverage   2 There is one small concession stand located in the lobby area as soon as you enter the arena. The food and drink options are extremely limited with nachos, popcorn, candy, and chips being the only items on the menu. Bottles of Coca-Cola products are sold for $3 as well, and as usual, no alcohol is sold on campus, or anywhere in Stone County for that matter. Unfortunately, because of the lack of food options in Perkinston, you may want to grab a bite to eat before you leave your house if coming for a game here. Atmosphere   4 Dantzler Arena replaces Historic Wentzell-Weathers Center, which opened in 1957 and was home to the program until 2022. The shiny, new arena holds 1,450 seats and is named after the Dantzler Family, who owned and operated a nearby sawmill in Perkinston in the 1940s. Alfred Dantzler III, the youngest of the family, was a longtime supporter and donor of the college. Dantzler Arena is an architectural beauty – from the outside the building looks quite intimidating, with the front of the building constructed with bricks, while four Greek columns make up the front entrance. The side walls of the arena are made of out tin, which makes the inside of the venue echo pretty loudly, especially when the building is packed. There is one main entrance to the building on the south side; as soon as you enter you walk into a pretty spacious lobby, with a large trophy case being the first thing that greets you. Inside the trophy case, you will find trophies, jerseys, and basketballs from some of the past years of the Gulf Coast Basketball program. Also, in the lobby, you will find the ticket table, a pop-up merchandise stand, and a large scrolling marquee on both sides of the wall that displays upcoming games and University-related events. Once inside Dantzler Arena, you realize that the gym is sunken, something that doesn't look evident from the outside of the building. But the facility is built into the side of the hill, so you are entering on the second floor of the building. The court faces north and south, with 10 rows of metal bleacher seating in the Bulldog colors (blue and grey) on each side, and a walkway that separates the rows, with five rows on the first level and five rows on the second. The arena has low ceilings, and the A/C duct work runs along the ceiling, creating a few obstructions if you sit in the last two rows. The student section makes up the entire west side bleachers, while the east side bleachers are a little calmer, consisting of mostly visiting fans and family members. On the far north end of the court is another student section, and the MGCCC Band of Gold also sits there, while the Perkettes Dance team entertains the crowd from the floor. Above the end court on the north side of the arena are all the past banners of the MGCCC State Championships the Bulldogs have won in men's and women's Basketball, while above the end court on the south side is a rather larger suite for the Bulldog Club, which overlooks the court. The centerpiece of Dantzler Arena is the two large videoboards that are on the walls above the ends of the court. The video boards are quite large for Juco basketball but are of excellent quality and show replays, advertisements, and promotions. Neighborhood   2 There is no neighborhood whatsoever, as the only thing in the tiny town of Perkinston is the college. This area's thousands of acres of undeveloped pine forest made it ideal for the lumber and timber industry, and at one time this area was filled with hundreds of sawmills. Perkinston was built right on the railroad and was an important stop for the transportation of goods to the Gulf Coast. However, when the mills depleted the resources by using up most of the timber, the mills shut down and people vacated the communities along the railroad, Perkinston included. Today there is nothing in Perkinston besides the campus. Abandoned homes and an abandoned general store line the main road along the railroad as you come into campus – today it is a ghost town around campus except for a post office and elementary school. Fortunately, much of the land is under protection now, which has led to many outdoor activities in and around the area. Perkinston is located inside DeSoto National Forrest, and the forest offers many hiking trails nearby, the most popular being Tuxachanie Trail a few miles south of campus. Also nearby is the POW Recreation Area, a campground located on the grounds of an abandoned WWII bunker and barracks. Across the street from MGCCC’s campus is perhaps the most famous spot in Perkinston, called Perk Beach – this campground and sandbar located on Black Creek makes for a great swimming hole, and you will find many students out here on the weekends. About 15 minutes up the road is Wiggins, where you can find a few fast-food restaurants and chain stores. There isn't much to do in Wiggins, so don't expect too much. Wiggins does have Flint Creek Water Park, a popular campground right on a lake, as well as Paul B. Johnson State Park, which is located nearby. For hotels, you'll find a few smaller chain hotels in Wiggins as well, but Hattiesburg and Gulfport/Biloxi are your best bets for any big hotels, or if you want to do any shopping; both cities are about 45 minutes away, with Perkinston located right in the middle of the two. Fans 4 Like most athletic events on the MGCCC campus, the basketball program has good attendance for every game. This is partly because there isn't anything for the students to do with 40 miles, so you can expect a good turnout, with the Bulldogs averaging about 1,000 fans per game. Students take up the entire west side bleachers, and many of them will stand throughout the game, along the railing by the walkway. Because of this, you may not be able to see the action of the court when sitting on that side, as many students will be blocking your view. As mentioned it can get quite loud in the venue – the tin walls amplify sound well. So, with the Gold Band playing and 1,000 students standing up and stomping on the metal bleachers, it can be quite intimidating for visiting opponents. Access   4 Perkinston is located halfway between Hattiesburg and the Coast, conveniently located right off Highway 49, the main road from the coast to Jackson. Perkinston is about 40 minutes north of Gulfport and 40 minutes south of Hattiesburg. You can't help but see the campus as you drive on Highway 49 – Dantzler Arena is located on the back side of campus near the rest of MGCCC's athletic facilities. Parking does fill up in the lots surrounding the arena, so I recommend parking at AL May Stadium, the school's football stadium right across the road. It is also easier to get out when you leave if you park next to the football stadium. Once inside the Arena, everything runs smoothly; the only issue is the obstructed views on the top rows and the students who stand on the concourse in the student section along the west side bleachers. Return on Investment   3 Tickets are $8 for general admission, and you are free to sit wherever you like. For most games, the women's team will play before the men's, and if the women's game runs long they sometimes shut the ticket stand down early, so it is possible to get in the men’s game for free. Extras   3 If you are interested in checking out an old historic basketball gym, the old Weathers-Wentzell Center is still standing and located on the south side of campus. The old gym housed the Bulldogs men's and women's basketball teams from 1957 until 2022 and is currently used for intramural and rec sports for the college. The gym is named after former coach Bob Weathers, who guided the Bulldogs from 1961-2002. After 41 years at the helm of the Bulldogs program, Weather retired as the second-winningest basketball coach in Junior College history and was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame. His son Wendell took over the program in 2002 and coached Gulf Coast until the 2018-19 season. Gulf Coast has one NJCAA National Championship to the name – the 1973 women's team won the 1972-73 NJCAA National Championship, and there is a banner commemorating this feat on the northeast side of the facility. The 1990-91 men's team, coached by Weathers, also made it to the 1991 NJCAA Final Four in Hutchinson, KS. The MGCCC women's basketball program has produced one player who won a gold medal, but not in basketball; instead, it was in track & field; Gulfport native Brittney Reese won the gold medal in the long jump in the 2012 London Games. She also won silver medals in the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, but before she won Olympic medals, she played basketball here from 2004-06, before attending Ole Miss, where she was the NCAA indoor and outdoor Long Jump Champion in 2007 and 2008. The Bulldogs men's team has produced one player to make it to the NBA in Journeyman player Ira Newble, who played here from 1993-95, before transferring to Miami (Ohio). His best years were the five years he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2003-2008, coming off the bench for Lebron James. Gulf Coast also produced a pretty big-time college player in Moss Point native Dale Brown, who played here for two years before leading Kentucky to the 1993 Final Four, where they lost to Michigan. Former Wichita State coach and Pascagoula native Isaac Brown also played here from 1988-1990 – Brown guided the Shockers to the 2020-21 NCAA Tournament.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 William H. Greene Stadium 2400 6th St NW Washington, DC 20059 Howard Bison website William H. Greene Stadium website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 10,000 Home of the Howard Bison Located on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., Greene Stadium is home to the Bison’s women's lacrosse, soccer, and football teams. The stadium opened in 1926 as the home of Bison football, although the lacrosse program was not founded until much later. Howard's women's lacrosse program is among the lowest-ranked of all teams in the country and has not defeated a Division I opponent in almost ten years. Howard does not have a men's lacrosse program. In 1977, Howard Stadium was expanded to 9,000 seats and the Bison moved back on campus. In 1986, the stadium was renamed Greene Stadium in honor of William H. Greene, who was a doctor and donor to Howard. There have been several proposals for a new stadium to replace or renovate Greene Stadium, which is aging and of poor quality, but none have come to fruition. Howard is one of the oldest and most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the country and competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with many other HBCUs. However, the MEAC does not sponsor women's lacrosse, so the Bison compete in the Northeast Conference for that sport. In addition to this review of women's lacrosse, Stadium Journey also has a review of the football experience at Greene Stadium. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food or drink for sale in Greene Stadium. A food truck is available just outside the stadium for Howard football games, but is boarded up and not in use for lacrosse. There is a drink machine inside Burr Gymnasium next door, or you can bring in your food and drink. Atmosphere 2 All seats at Greene Stadium are uncomfortable metal bleachers on both sides of the stadium. However, accessing the far side requires walking down to field level and around the track, so most fans choose to sit on the near side. There is not much going on here other than the game itself. The PA announces starting lineups before the game but does not even announce goal scorers or penalty cards. The scoreboard is designed for football and does not show the time remaining on penalties, so you just have to keep track of it yourself. From the stands, you will be able to hear a good deal of the action on the field, although the running track that surrounds the field means you probably won't hear all of it despite there being almost no crowd noise or anything else going on. Neighborhood 5 Howard University is located amidst several historically African American neighborhoods in Washington. Shaw, U Street, and Columbia Heights, each of which have their history in the African American community, surround the college. Ben’s Chili Bowl, located about a 20-minute walk away in the U Street neighborhood, is not just an outstanding restaurant but a historic landmark as well. The chili, hot dogs, half-smokes, and burgers are renowned throughout the area, but keep in mind there is often a long line to order due to their popularity. And, of course, you’re in Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, and there’s plenty to do throughout the city. The best part is that most of it is free. Whether it’s taking in the many monuments on the National Mall or visiting one of the numerous museums, there is so much you can do here. All government-run attractions are free to the public, but some of the privately-run ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the White House or Capitol, you will need to book that in advance. Fans 2 The crowd at a Howard lacrosse game is mostly friendly and family of the players, and there will be as many cheering for the visiting team as the Bison At most, they'll get about 100 fans and often much less. In a 10,000-seat football stadium, this is quite noticeable. Even if the fans try to make noise, they're so spread out, that it has little to no effect on the atmosphere. Access 3 Howard University is in a tricky spot to get to. It’s just far enough from the heart of downtown that it isn’t easily accessible via public transportation, and just close enough that it’s hard to drive there. The closest Metro stops are Shaw and Columbia Heights, but each is about a 20-minute walk away. There is some street parking available relatively close to the stadium, but much of it has a two-hour limit, which is likely too short if you are attending a lacrosse game. There are some paid lots, but you may have to walk a bit to get to the stadium from there. Your best bet, if you are not coming from too far away, is to take an Uber or Lyft to the stadium, but even then, depending on traffic, it may be quicker to get out and walk the last block or two. Once you are inside the stadium, it is still difficult to get around. There is a narrow pathway behind the bleachers on the near side, although this is less of a problem for across than football since the crowds are so small. To get to the other side, you have to walk down to field level and around the track. There are a few port-a-potties located on the track, or you can walk next door to Burr Gymnasium and use the restrooms there. Return on Investment 3 Admission to Howard lacrosse games is free, and you won't spend anything on concessions since there aren't any. However, the barebones experience and high cost to get here take this score down a couple of notches. . Extras 0 There are no real extras at a Howard lacrosse game, although you may be able to walk around Burr Gymnasium before or after the game and see some of the basketball history there. However, as that is a different facility and a different sport, we are not counting it as an extra. Final Thoughts Howard women's lacrosse is as barebones as it gets. With extremely small crowds and Howard on a decade-long losing streak versus Division I opponents, a trip here for lacrosse is only for extremely dedicated fans of the sport or fans of one of the programs. Everyone else interested in checking out the stadium should consider doing so for football, where the experience is significantly better.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Sebring International Raceway 113 Midway Dr Sebring, FL 33870 HSR Classic 12 Hours website Sebring International Raceway website Year Opened: 1950 Kicking Off Sebring’s Race Season The start of the race season shows up early in Florida, and Sebring is a perfect place to celebrate that. The annual SpeedTour weekend, featuring SVRA, TransAm, and International GT, showcases sportscar racing’s past and future. Held each year in late February, this race is a great place for families and car enthusiasts, complete with car shows and thrilling race action. Food & Beverage   4 There is no shortage of food vendors around the track at Sebring. From the main paddock and the ever-popular Track Shack (get The Beast…it is probably the best item you can eat at the track and is only known on the secret menu at Sebring) to the various drink and snack stops around the track, you never have to go too far to get something to quench your thirst, or ease the pain of hunger. The cost of everything is also what one may consider moderately fair, as food and snack items range from just a few dollars to $12-$14 for bigger items at the Snack Shack. The event also invites several food trucks to the event as well, which are set up near the paddock area. Atmosphere   4 The Sebring facility is steeped in racing history; fans from around the world regard it as one of the best tracks for many reasons. SpeedTour weekend features a much more laid-back vibe compared to the IMSA 12 Hours, and everyone seems to be here to have a great time. The track lacks many conventional amenities one would expect from a top-level racetrack, but makes up for it with viewing access and history. Access to Green Park is included all weekend, something not always open to smaller events. Neighborhood   3 There isn’t exactly anything around Sebring International Raceway, as it is located in the middle of nowhere. Sebring itself is a town located in the middle of Florida, at least an hour and a half drive from the nearest major city or population center. Thus, while the town of Sebring itself may have some shopping and dining, as well as a few hotels, you are likely better off camping at the track and staying there the whole weekend. Fans   4 The fans at SpeedTour weekend cross over from other events at Sebring, including IMSA, SCCA, and HSR events. Trackside camping is popular all around the track, and as usual, several fans decorate their campers and campsites with lights and decorations. Thankfully, the craziness of IMSA weekend is nowhere to be found here, and a much more family-friendly atmosphere can be enjoyed because of it. Without a doubt, Saturday is the best day to attend, with the most racing action on track happening that day, complete with car shows and fan access to several grid walks on pit road. Access   3 The roads in and out of Sebring aren’t exactly major highways, with the biggest road being US-27 running towards Miami to the South and Orlando to the North. There is plenty of parking at the track, however, and trams help take you from parking lots farther away from the main grandstands and paddock to points of interest around the track. You never feel like you are too far from anywhere either, as there are several perfectly placed crossover bridges around the track to get you to points of interest throughout the weekend. Any fan can also come down to the paddock and get up close to the stars and cars that are in attendance. Return on Investment   4 Tickets to SpeedTour weekend are much less expensive than IMSA’s 12 Hours in March – this means you get to enjoy the sights and sounds of the race cars of yesteryear without breaking the bank. Without a doubt, this is a great event to take younger fans to as well, and your access is much more up close than traditional races you may go to. Extras   3 Taking in the race at Sebring has its perks for fans, with various autograph sessions held throughout the weekend. In addition, fans also have the opportunity to get into the paddock area of the track free of charge, giving an up-close view of the teams as they prepare for one of the year's biggest races. Also, before the main event on Saturday, all the teams bring their cars out to the false grid before the race starts, where fans can come to see the cars and drivers up close, next to the vintage planes, before the cars head out onto the track. Final Thoughts The annual SpeedTour weekend is a great place to watch some racing action on one of America’s most historic race circuits. Filled with exciting action, this weekend is a must-go for all the fans who don’t want the craziness of the IMSA 12 Hour weekend, and instead are looking for a family friendly race day.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images Who doesn’t love a mascot? Basically, since the dawn of team sports, those teams have been used to entertain their fans. The NFL is no different, as virtually every team has a costumed, larger-than-life character patrolling their sidelines, interacting with fans, and, well being a living symbol of their team. So, for the sake of argument, which mascot is the best? Which one do fans love the most? That is exactly the question that casino slot experts Raging Bull Slots attempted to answer. Their researchers combed through Instagram and used a series of metrics to definitively prove that the most popular mascot in the NFL is: the Cleveland Browns’ Brownie the Elf “Mascots in the NFL play a crucial role in creating a vibrant and engaging fan experience each game,” said a spokesperson for Raging Bull Slots. “Beyond serving as entertaining symbols, they contribute to the team's identity and fan camaraderie. A well-designed mascot can become a beloved figure, fostering a sense of community and loyalty among supporters.” Metrics used in the research included mentions, follows, and engagement rates. The Browns have a long, on-and-off history with Brownie, who is based on a creature from English lore. When the Browns were formed in 1946, the first ad promoting their ticket sales featured the elf, with the text reading, "The Brownies are Coming!" Brownie the Elf scored a 20 on the metric rankings, with just over 29k Instagram followers, and the highest engagement rate at 10.4%. Sourdough Sam, the mascot of the San Francisco 49ers ranked second and had a follower engagement rate of 9.2%. Photo courtesy of Getty Images “Ultimately, mascots bring fun to every game, and engaging with supporters on Instagram is a great way to keep fans involved throughout the season,” said the spokesperson. ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Capital One Arena 601 F St NW Washington, DC 20004 Washington Capitals website Capital One Arena website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 18,506 Rocking The Red In DC Capital One Arena opened in 1997 as the home of the Washington Capitals, replacing the aging Capital Centre in Landover. Since then, the Caps have experienced a dramatic rise in popularity and success thanks to players like Alex Ovechkin, culminating in their victory in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final. In addition to hosting hockey, Capital One Arena serves several other functions as well, including playing host to the Washington Wizards and Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball. Although there was a time not so long ago when this wasn’t the case, a Washington Capitals game at Capital One Arena is a memorable experience for any sports or hockey fan. Owner Ted Leonsis has done a fantastic job at growing the team and improving the arena atmosphere since buying the team in 1999, and his efforts have shown, both on and off the ice. Food & Beverage 4 Capital One Arena has plenty of food and beverage offerings that are sure to satisfy any fan, and recently they have added some unique options as well. Main course options include Papa John’s pizza, cheeseburgers, and chicken tenders, and the last two come with fries. Other options include Italian sausage, hot dogs, and Chick-fil-A. In the past few years, arena ownership has added even more options beyond the standard ones, including tacos and donuts. Rita's Italian ice and frozen custard are available for fans with a sweet tooth. Snacks include popcorn and hot pretzels. Thirsty fans can buy bottled water or soda, all Pepsi products. Beer and other alcohol are also available to fans of all ages. The one bad part is that prices are expensive, as a meal and non-alcoholic beverage will easily cost over $20, and alcohol is extremely pricey as well. Atmosphere 5 A Capitals game at Capital One Arena is a fantastic experience, starting before the puck is even dropped. A few minutes before the pregame, fog will descend from the rafters of the arena. While this may seem odd, it does serve a purpose. When the pregame starts, the lights will go out in the arena as spotlights shine through the fog, creating patterns on the ice and in the air. Meanwhile, graphics, including the Capitals' logo and video of Caps players, will be projected onto the ice itself. The team is introduced, the anthem plays as an American flag projects onto the ice, and the puck drops. A large scoreboard and videoboard overhangs center ice and shows player and team stats as well as live video of the game. Smaller boards in the corners show the players on the ice for the Capitals as well as live odds of this game and others around the country, presented by Caesar's Sportsbook, which has a location attached to the arena. (The arena and the two blocks surrounding it are also the only parts of DC where fans use the Caesar's Sportsbook app, due to DC's unusual sports betting laws.) The backs of these boards serve as video boards for fans sitting in the corner sections of the upper levels. Unless you are sitting in one of these sections, you will not be able to see the back of the board, but you will likely have a better viewing angle of the one at center ice. There will be content held off-ice during media timeouts and shown on the big screen. Between periods, youth teams come onto the ice and play a hockey match. The Capitals' mascot, Slapshot, is an eagle. He can be seen roving the arena and interacting with fans. Each player has their personal goal song which is played over the PA system after they score. Neighborhood 4 Capital One Arena is located in the Chinatown neighborhood of DC, though the area has gentrified significantly since the arena was built. The Greene Turtle is a popular sports bar located right around the corner. while the Gallery Place shopping mall is also right around the corner and includes numerous stores and a movie theater. Unfortunately, a lot of other businesses in the area have closed in recent years, between COVID and rising crime in the area. The neighborhood is still pretty safe despite public perception to the contrary, but you are in a major city so be aware of your surroundings. Your best entertainment options will involve traveling a bit away from the arena, but not far. That’s because you’re in DC, the nation’s capital, and there’s a lot to do. The best part is that most of it’s free. Whether it’s checking out the many memorials and monuments on and around the National Mall, visiting one of the numerous museums, or simply taking in the historic sights, there’s something for everyone here. All government-run attractions are free to the public, though some private ones are not. Keep in mind, however, that if you wish to tour the Capitol or the White House, you will need to book that in advance. Fans 4 Although Capitals games are not the constant sellouts they were a few years ago, the fans still Rock the Red as the saying goes, and cheer on their team. Expect the place to erupt after Capitals goals. Cheers of "Let's Go Caps!" and "C-A-P-S Caps Caps Caps!" can be heard throughout the game. While the crowds are not as large or raucous as they were during and immediately after the Stanley Cup run, they are still large, loud, and passionate about their team. Access 4 Capital One Arena is located just steps from the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station on the Red, Green, and Yellow lines. While this may seem like an amazing thing, the unfortunate reality is that Metro is difficult at the best of times and unusable at the worst. The last few years have seen numerous construction projects shut down several stations for weeks or even months at a time. Even if one of these isn’t ongoing, there is track work almost every weekend that increases headways on many lines and often closes several additional stations. The result is that there could be 24 minutes or more between trains, and that’s assuming everything functions properly, which it frequently doesn’t. The good news is that even people coming from outside the immediate DC area can take the Metro by parking at one of the suburban stations. Keep in mind that you will need to pay for parking with the same SmarTrip card you paid your fare with or you will be subject to a much higher rate at certain stations. If you don’t want to chance it with Metro, you can drive to the game. Ample garage parking is available but is costly. The exact cost varies by the day and based on availability, but expect to pay at least $20 and probably much more. You can also take a rideshare such as Uber or Lyft. Once you’re in the arena, the concourses are wide enough to allow for easy navigation. There can be long lines at concessions or restrooms during halftime, but if you leave as soon as the half ends, you should be back in your seat by the time the game resumes. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Capitals games will start at $50-$60 for upper-level seats and go up from there. Seats in the lower level will cost several times that. Concessions are expensive as well. This is all typical of NHL arenas nowadays, and the experience here is good enough to still make this an above-average value. Still, you can expect to pay quite a bit for a Capitals game. Extras 4 Look for the banners in the rafters honoring Capitals' history, including the 2018 Stanley Cup Championship. If the Capitals are losing or tied late in the game, expect the "Unleash the Fury" video to play on the jumbotron during one of the final media timeouts. This video consists of various clips from movies and people shouting "Unleash the Fury" to pump up the crowd and excite them and the team to rally to victory. The pregame show and ability to project images onto the ice during this show and at other times, while related, are each worthy of their extra star here. Final Thoughts While the experience of a Capitals game at Capital One Arena has diminished somewhat since the Stanley Cup run a few years ago, it is still one of the better experiences in the NHL. Hockey fans will want to Rock the Red and check out a game here.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Pauley Pavilion 650 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90095 UCLA Bruins website Pauley Pavilion website Year Opened: 1965 Capacity: 12,829 The House The Wizard Built Originally opened in 1965, Pauley Pavilion was named for the primary donor, Regent Edwin W. Pauley. The original cost of the facility eclipsed the $5 million mark with contributions coming from the state, the student body, and the alumni. On December 20, 2003, former coach Wooden and his wife, Nell, were honored as the court was named "Nell & John Wooden Court." Upon its opening, Pauley Pavilion was designed to accommodate various athletic events. Before the renovation, the baseline seats behind the 2nd half-visiting team's basket were a great distance from the floor. Legend has it that Coach Wooden, the gentleman he is, wanted it that way to prevent his teams from having an “unfair advantage.” Though it has been 29 years since their last run to glory, the UCLA Bruins basketball are still college National Champions leaders with 11 banners hanging upon the rafters, 10 of which Coach John Wooden is responsible for.  They are members of the Pac-12 Conference. Food & Beverage 4 Along the south concourse, fans are permitted to an outdoor patio to soak in the Southern California weather. Food trucks occupy the space and along the outdoor patio, providing additional concessions for fans. In addition, this area also provides an extended concourse for fans to roam as well as dining tables for those wanting to dine outside. This is a much-welcomed addition, providing fans more room to dine, stretch and roam while providing the opportunity to soak in the outdoor elements. The area for food trucks can allow UCLA to rotate vendors and options do vary. Some of the food truck offerings include a wide variety of taco and burrito options from Malibu Cove Seafood, including the surf and turf with steak, grilled shrimp, rice, black beans and a citrus salsa, one of my favorites. Other food truck offerings include tasty taquitos from Roll ‘Em Up Taquitos, a fan favorite, kettle corn and real fruit ice cream New Zealand style from Creamy Boys Ice Cream. The inner concourse offers your usual arena fare: Bruin Dogs, nachos, peanuts and Cracker Jack, an assortment of candies, and Coke products. Other dining options include California Pizza Kitchen and Jersey Mike’s, offering their share of specialty pizza and sandwiches. Beer and wine are also now available at men's and women's basketball games. Atmosphere 5 The moment you approach Pauley Pavilion you feel a heavy sense of tradition. If it is your first time coming to a UCLA basketball game, you will want to enter through the north entrance. Outside the north entrance is a statue of the late great John Wooden, the man responsible for 10 of the 11 National Championship banners that hang in the rafters. John Wooden Statue, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Like with any historic venue that undergoes a renovation, fans at first can be resistant to change, as many of the Bruin faithful were. But even the most storied venues get an occasional facelift, and Pauley is no different. When the facelift was complete, Bruin fans quickly warmed to her new look as the renovations not only provided wider concourses but countless displays throughout that pay homage not only to UCLA basketball’s storied history but its other athletic programs as well, over 100 plus total national championships. UCLA Honoring Past Glories, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 The popular area just outside of campus is known as Westwood Village and there are certainly options for everyone. During weeknight games, players from both teams are known to roam around The Village. Most will say hi and take pictures with you. If you're in the mood for a drink, Barney's is the main watering hole for thirsty fans. Diddy Riese has been serving ice cream and cookies to Westwood since 1983. Lines can be pretty long for this popular vendor, serving up ice cream sandwiches for the student-friendly price of $1.75. Not your same old chocolate wafers with vanilla ice cream between them, you can choose from 12 flavors of ice cream as your filling and from 10 types of freshly baked cookies as your "bread." Fat Sal's is also another local favorite that serves up huge sandwiches. The one I always get is the Fat Bruin, served on extra wide hero bread with cheeseburgers, chili, bacon, onion rings, fries, ketchup, and garlic aioli. Fans 3 UCLA Game Time, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey With a young and inexperienced team going through transition, fans haven’t filled Pauley much this 2023-24 season. However those who have shown up have been very supportive, if at times critical. UCLA hoops fans, like their crosstown football counterparts, are a demanding bunch. With 11 National Championship banners hanging in the rafters, an annual trip to the post-season tournament is never enough to satisfy. To the majority of Bruins fans, a trip to March Madness should be a given, so yes, expectations are always high. Attendance during conference play generally tends to pick up, especially against rivals Arizona and USC. When things are going great for the Sons of Westwood, Pauley is rocking where even the Hollywood types can be seen. Access 3 The UCLA campus is located in Westwood, and as a result, fans are likely to face some frustrating traffic on the way to the game. To get to Pauley Pavilion, you'll likely take either the 10 Freeway or the 405 Freeway and take the Wilshire or Sunset Blvd exit. If it is a weekday game, traffic is inevitable, especially on Wilshire. Once you approach the arena, take note of the many signs directing fans to the parking. Most spots go for approximately $11 and in a secure garage. If staying on LA's west side, several of Santa Monica Big Blue Buses operate inside the campus and will drop you off a short walk from the venue. Given Pauley Pavilion’s location, like with most any venue in LA, give yourself plenty of preparation time, and bring plenty of patience. Return on Investment 4 For most games, advance ticket planning is not necessary. With most games not selling out, particularly early season games when the schedule may include some least attractive opponents, tickets can be found below face value as low as $5 on various third-party sites. Ticket prices can be somewhat pricey however, with the team struggling this season, tickets to even higher profile opponents such as University of Arizona have been available as low as $13 if waiting toward the day of game. Extras 5 Located right next to Pauley is the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame. Open up until tip-off before most games, the HOF features many of the school’s many athletic accomplishments, including all the national title hardware accumulated over the years as well as the Victory Bell on years the football team has defeated their crosstown rivals. UCLA The Victory Bell, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Also on display at the HOF is a replica display of John Wooden’s den, displaying many memorabilia dedicated to The Wizard. A popular meeting spot for fans is the John Wooden statue outside of the arena. This life-sized statue lists his years with the program and one of his more memorable quotes on a plaque below. The statue is located outside the north entrance of the arena. The statue of Mr. Wooden is not only a focal meeting point for fans, but it’s also one of the more popular photo-op spots among the faithful. Inside the arena, fans may also note an empty seat behind the Bruins' bench. This seat was where Wooden would sit once his coaching days ended, so the school keeps it open as a tribute to him. Fans are allowed to take pictures of the seat after the game. Out of respect for The Wizard, most fans will not sit in his seat. Also inside the arena, fans will spot many "Incredible Moments" signs on pillars throughout the concourse. Difficult to miss with their UCLA blue and gold color scheme, these signs honor many of the great achievements in Bruin sports history. No other NCAA men's program has as many NCAA Championship banners as the UCLA program has on display at Pauley. Eleven in total, the first of the championships came in 1964, and the most recent occurred in 1995. Each of the banners has a blue background with gold print showing the year and the phrase "National Champions." While most programs will also acknowledge their conference titles and Final Four appearances, only National Champion banners are raised here. Before the renovation, the banners were located along the rim of the court. With the banners currently hanging above the court, the 11 banners give Pauley that special imposing presence. Beginning in 1990, UCLA began retiring the jerseys of several of its notable players. The first two inductees to be named were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (#33 who played as Lew Alcindor) and Bill Walton (#32). In 1996, four additional players retired: Walt Hazzard (#42), Sidney Wicks (#35), Marques Johnson (#54), and Ed O'Bannon (#31). In 2004, a seventh member was added as Gail Goodrich (#25) also had his number retired during the game that commemorated the 40th anniversary of UCLA's first championship. Lastly, fans need to take a stroll down Wooden Way, where they will find one of the more interesting collections of college basketball memorabilia that they will ever encounter. There is John Wooden's Pyramid of Success, hardwood from previous UCLA home courts, a list of All-Americans, the wall of champions, signed basketballs, and much more. Final Thoughts UCLA Royce Hall, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey If you appreciate a deep history, give yourself plenty of time before or after the game, to check out the numerous displays throughout the concourse, particularly those along the east concourse, appropriately named Wooden Way. Even in a year of transition for the program, a visit to Pauley Pavilion should be on every hoop fans list.

Photo courtesy of Kristella Cruz The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) announced on February 28th that it has acquired H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas, the current home of the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros of the United Soccer League, which ceased operations in 2023. The move paves the way for UTRGV to use the facility as its homefield for the Vaqueros football program, which will play its inaugural season in 2025. Also announced at a press conference was the rechristening of the venue to UTRGV Stadium. Built in 2017, the stadium currently seats approximately 10,000, with the ability to expand to 12,500. In addition to their new home, the Vaqueros will play one game each season at Sams Memorial Stadium in Brownsville, Texas. "UTRGV Stadium gives both our community and football program immediate access to a premier facility while also providing additional possibilities for our university," UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. "Its location off Expressway 281 also ensures convenient access for our fans, as well as visitors who make their way into the Valley for games." Image courtesy of UTRGV Athletics The UTRGV Stadium complex features 20 acres of festival grounds that can be utilized for tailgating, concerts, and campus or community events. The stadium’s LED video board is 43-feet-by-24-feet, and was lauded as being state-of-the-art when installed. Lastly, there are 30 luxury suites and eight patio suites for premium game day seating. “Continuing another historic chapter in our longstanding relationship with the university, this partnership between the City of Edinburg and UTRGV symbolizes our steadfast commitment to nurturing growth and opportunity within our community,” Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza said. “Bringing Division 1 football to Edinburg enriches our city's sports landscape and paves the way for new possibilities for our residents and visitors alike … I eagerly anticipate UTRGV football's transformative impact on Edinburg and the entire Rio Grande Valley.” ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photo by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey With the advent of the cell phone, everyone in the world became a photographer, and with the launching of Instagram, everyone in the world could share their photographs with, well, everyone in the world. This has been a boon for sports franchises, as fans can be seen throughout every game snapping pics (selfies and otherwise) so that they can share them with their online followers. Taking it a step further, the website onlinecasinos.com researched which venues in the U.S. were the most popular. In other words, which stadium was “doing it for the Gram” – analysts for the site ranked every sports stadium in the country based on the number of Instagram posts that featured each venue’s unique hashtag. Baseball and football venues dominated the top 10 rankings, with MLB showing its popularity also, with six ballparks claiming spots. This includes taking the top spot overall, namely Yankee Stadium with over 658,000 Instagram mentions in 2023. Arguably the most famous sporting venue in the world, Yankee Stadium is home (of course) to MLB’s New York Yankees, New York City FC of the MLS, and the annual college football Pinstripe Bowl. “An interesting aspect of the research was that stadium capacity did not seem to affect how ‘Instagrammable’ sporting arenas across the U.S. were,” a spokesperson for onlinecasinos.com said of the findings. “This is shown by two of the top three having less than 50,000 seats, indicating that the historical significance of both the team and venue have more influence than stadium size.” Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Wrigley Field in Chicago, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, and Fenway Park in Boston rounded out the top five; Wrigley Field and the Rose Bowl both have the distinction of being registered National Historic Landmarks. Furthermore, Chicago and New York both placed two venues in the top 10. Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey “The fact that six baseball stadiums placed in the top 10 also alludes to [size not equating with popularity on Instagram], with it being one of the nation's oldest established sports, and therefore the stadiums often established long before Football, Soccer, and Basketball arenas are ultimately more Instagrammable,” the spokesperson said. Top Instagrammable Sports Venues in the U.S. ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Bush Stadium at Averitt Express Baseball Complex 345 University Drive Cookeville, TN 38501 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles website Bush Stadium at Averitt Express Baseball Complex website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 1,100 Wings Up The central Tennessee town of Cookeville is home to the Tennessee Tech University Golden Eagles. Located in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee, Cookeville was established as a mill, logging, and mining town, which prospered from the rail line that ran through the area. The University was founded in 1909 as Dixie College; the school was soon renamed Tennessee Polytechnic Institute, and then gained university status in the 1950s, again seeing a name change, this time to Tennessee Tech University. Tennessee Tech has been a member of the Ohio Valley Conference in all but the conference’s first year of existence, 1948. Since joining the league, the Golden Eagles have won 10 OVC regular season championships, 4 conference tournament titles, and have made 6 NCAA tournament appearances, advancing to the Regional Finals in 2018. Food & Beverage   4 A small concessions trailer is situated up the first baseline, and has a bit of a limited menu, but does grill hot dogs and burgers on site. Hot dogs can have chili and/or cheese added, while burgers can add cheese, a second patty, or chili. A signature item here, “The Dexter”, is billed as a “burger, bacon cheese, beef hot dog, more bacon, more cheese”, and can definitely be a food challenge unto itself. A handful of snack items are also available, including the traditional baseball sunflower seeds, chips, candy, peanuts, popcorn, and Italian ice. Beverages include Pepsi products and bottled water. Beer is not sold at Bush Stadium. While the concessions trailer does not offer a lot in the way of spectacular options, the fact that they grill burgers and dogs by hand really makes the experience one that brings a bit of nostalgia, reminiscent of days gone by when the grill was a staple at youth baseball concession stands. Atmosphere   3 Bush Stadium could best be described as a low thrills facility with not a lot in the way of extras; the scoreboard gives fans basic inning-by-inning scoring and ball-strike-out information, and the restrooms consist of a cinderblock building down the right field line. The small, aluminum grandstand runs dugout to dugout and is centrally topped with a modestly sized press box. The bleachers are bookended on either side by brick dugouts, which complement the brick clubhouse down the third base line. Seating is comprised of two side sections of individual, plastic molded seats, while the section directly behind home plate has bleacher seats with back support. The playing field is comprised of a synthetic surface, backed by a padded wall running a symmetrical 335’ down both lines, 365’ to each power alley, and 405’ to dead center. For purists of the game, baseball at Tennessee Tech might be a welcome relief from an onslaught of in-game ads, scoreboard games, and sound effects during seemingly every play. Tennessee Tech keeps the game the focal point of the day, and the lack of the aforementioned features doesn’t seem to bother home fans all that much. The sun moves from the first to third base side of the field, so without an overhang to produce shade for the whole grandstand, seats on the third base side do receive shade before the rest of the seating area does. However, during cold, early season games, the sun on the first base side might be a source of welcomed warmth. Neighborhood   3 Bush Stadium is in the northwestern corner of Tennessee Tech’s campus, neighbored by basketball’s Elban Center and some student housing – the Golden Eagles’ softball complex is just a deep bomb away over the right field fence. Within a mile of the stadium, fans looking for a bite to eat can pay a visit to Spankie’s (for typical American cuisine), House of Thai, or get a pre-game coffee on those chilly game days, from Crepe and Creme on the front edge of campus. For more options, downtown Cookeville is about a mile from Tech’s campus center. Also, a host of chain and other restaurants can be found along North Willow Avenue, which separates the athletic fields from the rest of campus. For those wanting to learn a bit about the history of Cookeville, they may want to visit the Cookeville History Museum, or the Cookeville Depot Museum, both in the downtown area.  Alternatively, visitors wanting to take in some of the natural beauty of the Cumberland Plateau can venture north of Cookeville to Cummins Falls State Park, or to Burgess Falls State Park to the south, both within 10 miles of campus. Fans   3 The seating area at Bush Stadium does not lend itself to extremely large crowds, but fans are dedicated to showing up, even for early season matchups where the weather might be less than desirable. Tennessee Tech baseball fans do not seem to be an overly rowdy bunch, but do show a knowledge of the game, as well as a willingness to chirp at calls like any typical fanbase would – complaints from the bleachers are consistent about what most might consider borderline calls. What is a bit disappointing is the level of student support at games. While there are pockets of students spread around the seating area, they don’t appear to have an organized backing of the Golden Eagles. Access   4 The Tennessee Tech campus is about 3 miles north of I-40, which runs between Knoxville and Nashville from eastern to middle Tennessee. Those traveling from anywhere along that route will have a straightforward trip to Cookeville, while those coming from the Chattanooga area will primarily use TN-111, which is a scenic highway through the eastern Tennessee mountains. Once at Bush Stadium, parking is readily available in the lot along University Drive, which is close to the front entrance. The seating area is accessible from both the home and visiting sides of the field; a single walkway runs in front of the bleacher seats, so fans in the front few rows may have their view of the game temporarily interrupted by others making their way to and from their seats. Return on Investment   5 The return on investment goes beyond the fact that there is no admission charged for Golden Eagle baseball. Of course, getting in free is a breath of fresh air, but what is equally refreshing is that concessions don’t gouge extra dollars from visitors – concession prices are kept in check here, even though there is lack of revenue coming in from more traditional sources, such as ticket prices. Extras   3 Pennants recognizing the conference championships of the Golden Eagles wave from the top of the grandstand; this adds a nice touch in recognizing the historical accomplishments of Golden Eagles baseball over the years. Just to the left of the entry point, a plaque honors Howell W. Bush, a former Golden Eagle baseball and basketball player, and the namesake of the stadium, in recognition of his funding the addition of lighting at the baseball stadium. Free rosters and scorecards are also available in the magazine boxes along the grandstand-walkway, behind home plate. Final Thoughts Baseball at Tennessee Tech’s Bush Stadium is as straightforward a college baseball experience as can be found out there – it is refreshingly not overproduced to the point where attention is drawn away from the reason most are there, i.e. for the baseball. The experience does not come with a lot of extras, but is a good atmosphere for those who enjoy the simplicity of the game of baseball.

Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Rose Hill Gymnasium Fordham University Bronx, NY 10458 Fordham Rams website Rose Hill Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1925 Capacity: 3,470 Makeover Complete at Rose Hill Gym Fordham University completed a 2-year project to build a new student center in 2022 and the culmination of the project was a new entrance to the legendary Rose Hill Gymnasium which connects the student center to the Arena. The new entrance creates an airy, sun-filled arcade with a sparkling glass entrance. The arcade brings together the new campus center with the Rose Hill Gym and the athletics facilities. It is an impressive upgrade. Upon entering the arcade under a new glass canopy, students and fans can now either proceed left into the addition of the Joseph M. McShane, S.J. campus center and the original student center, right to enter the gym, or straight to head into the Vincent T. Lombardi Memorial Center, which is home to an indoor track, aquatics center, intramural and recreational basketball and volleyball courts. The completion of the project enabled Fordham, a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference, to put back the bench seats under the basket to the right side as you enter which were not in use during construction.  The building still only seats 2,850 but can fit 3,200. There are chairbacks on both sidelines and bench seating behind the baskets. The historic Gymnasium opened on January 16, 1925, and is often compared to some of the meccas of college basketball including The Palestra in Philadelphia, Matthews Arena in Boston, Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, and John J. Lee Amphitheater in New Haven. Rose Hill is the oldest gym still being used in Division I. The facility, which hosts basketball and volleyball, has undergone several makeovers during the past decade.  New video boards were installed in 2013, all of the stands were replaced in 2017 and in 2019 the entire floor and subfloor were replaced. The name Rose Hill dates back to 1787 when Robert Watts, a wealthy New York merchant, acquired the property and named it after his family’s estate in Scotland. Food & Beverage 3 Beverages have been upgraded since our last visit as Fordham unveiled a Balcony Bar serving beer and mixed drinks for the first time at Rose Hill.  There is a new concession stand as you enter the arena with standard stadium fare and is equipped to take both cash and credit cards. Water and bottled soda are $3.50.  Coke products are sold.  There are new bathrooms situated next to the concession stand. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere received a boost the last two seasons from what every school needs - wins. The Rams moved up to finish 3rd in the Atlantic 10 in 2023 and reached the A10 Semifinals at Barclays before falling to eventual champion Dayton.  But under second-year coach Keith Urgo, Fordham took a step back this regular season as the team could not replace three impact players.  The Rams returned to a familiar position in the bottom five of the standings. Urgo dubbed the building “Rose Thrill” last season due to the raucous atmosphere bolstered by the student section which had a group that removed their shirts, painted their chests, and became The Shirtless Herd.  The fans have not brought the same energy this 2024 season as only one game has sold out thus far (an ESPN2 contest vs. Duquesne). The game day experience at Rose Hill Gym has been average for many years.  The team relies on support from a loyal but small contingent of alumni, as student support is lacking. The atmosphere is enhanced by the band, cheerleaders, and dance team who perform throughout the game and there is an in-game MC to lead the promotions.  The two large digital scoreboards at each end of the court are clear and often provide replays. The sound system is excellent, but probably a touch too loud. The public address system is a bit garbled. Fordham Dance Team, Photo by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 The campus, while set in the Bronx, feels like a suburban setting with plenty of trees and greenery. Visitors often can forget they are in the middle of a city until hearing an occasional horn or siren from outside the gate. The University also boasts an impressive church built in 1845. The campus borders the New York Botanical Garden, with the Bronx Zoo located just a few blocks from campus. Visitors to the area looking for places to eat during their trip to Fordham should head over to Arthur Avenue where several fantastic Italian restaurants can be found in addition to some great bakeries.  A few of my favorite restaurants include Enzo’s, Roberto’s, Antonio’s and Tra Di Noi. Fans 3 Fan support has been decent this 2024 season but not what it was last season.  The Rams are averaging 1,805 which is up from 1,135 from last year, but of course, more seats are available. The school is always striving to get more locals and students in the building. When the place is packed it makes for a great atmosphere as sound reverberates and it can get loud.  All of the seats are close to the action even on the balcony which contains only two rows of seats. Access 3 Fordham University is located right in the middle of the Bronx, only a few miles from Interstates 95 and 87, as well as the Bronx River Parkway. Public transportation is a good option. The Metro North Railroad out of Grand Central Station or coming down from Westchester has a Fordham stop next to the campus. Botanical Garden stop is another option and actually a shorter walk to the gym.  The D line of the NYC subway system is located about a 12-minute walk from campus. In addition, city buses stop regularly just outside the gate. If driving, there is a large parking garage ($15) on campus, located a short walk from Rose Hill Gym. The school runs a shuttle from the garage to just outside the gym for those who do not want to make the 5-minute walk. Sometimes fans can get lucky and find a few free spots on Southern Boulevard. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Fordham Rams basketball games are affordable, chairbacks are $35 ($30 for youth and seniors), and baseline reserved is $25/$20. With affordable concession prices, catching a Fordham basketball game is a less costly entertainment option for New York sports fans. . Extras 4 One point for the historic significance of the building which will turn 100 in January.  From the stone facade to the seats so close to hear the players and coaches, Rose Hill is a real treat and a true throwback arena. Rose Hill Gym Front, Photo by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey The new entrance which includes a new box office, concession stand, bathrooms, and book store is both an aesthetic and functional improvement to the game day experience. Hanging from the rafters are the Fordham conference and playoff appearance banners on one side and the flags of the Atlantic 10 and its 14 conference opponents on the other. Five retired numbers hang from the baseline - Charlie Yelverton (34), Ken Charles (44), Bob Mullens (7), Ed Conlin (11) and Anne Gregory (55). The proximity to Little Italy and the great stores, restaurants, delicatessens and pastry shops of Arthur Avenue is worth of another point.  Fans should make an effort to get to the Bronx’s Little Italy either pre or post-game. Final Thoughts A Stadium Journey to this basketball mecca should be on every sports fan’s bucket list. There is also plenty to do in the area before or after to add to the experience. The Little Italy section of the Bronx is a 10-minute walk offering some excellent Italian restaurants and pastry shops.  The campus, with its Gothic architecture, ivy-covered buildings, and expansive lawns, makes Rose Hill one of New York City’s most attractive college campuses. Follow Greg Venuto’s stadium journeys on Twitter @VenutoGreg and Facebook Facebook.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Morrell Gymnasium 6 Polar Loop Brunswick, ME 04011 Bowdoin Polar Bears website Morrell Gymnasium Year Opened: 1965 Capacity: 1,500 Polar Bear Basketball Bowdoin College was the first university chartered in Maine. Founded in 1794, it actually predates the state, beginning its existence when Maine was still a part of Massachusetts. Today the school boasts an enrollment of 1,850 students who study in 35 majors and 40 minors. Considered a “most selective” university and a “Hidden Ivy”, Bowdoin boasts many notable alumni, including Franklin Pierce, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Joan Benoit Samuelsson and Robert Peary. The school’s athletic teams are named the “Polar Bears” in honor of Peary’s explorations of the North Pole. Bowdoin athletics have enjoyed a great deal of success over the years, including four national titles in field hockey and another in men’s tennis. Three Olympic gold medalists are Bowdoin alumni. The basketball teams are mainstays in the NCAA tournament, with the men having reached the dance on four occasions and the women on 18 occasions, including finishing as national runners-up in 2004, 2018 and 2019. Morrell Gymnasium is named for Mal Morrell, class of 1923, who served as Bowdoin’s Athletic Director from 1928-1967. It serves as home to the Polar Bear basketball and volleyball teams. Recent renovations added the Peter Buck Fitness Center, as well as redesigning the entryway, lobby and locker rooms in the facility. Food & Beverage 2 There is a table in the lobby which provides some basic snacks during Polar Bears games. Hot dogs, chips and candy are sold here, along with cans of Pepsi products. It’s not much, but it will do the trick if you need a snack during the game. Plus, no item costs more than four dollars. Atmosphere 4 The experience at a Bowdoin basketball game will feel familiar to those who have attended games at this level in the past. It’s not an incredibly loud or extravagant presentation, but you will be entertained while watching a game here. Most impressive is the support the basketball teams receive from the student body. During Stadium Journey’s visit the student section was packed and loud throughout the game. It’s not something you see often at a Division Three game. There are scoreboards mounted on either end of the gymnasium that display game information. The PA announcer adds some energy to the proceedings without being too intrusive. Music is played during stoppages at a reasonable volume. Part of the charm of watching a game in a small gym like this is that you are close enough to the action that you can hear the squeak of sneakers, coaches barking instructions to the players, and the chatter on the court. Neighborhood 4 Bowdoin College is the focal point of this small town and is located centrally to many of the points of interest in Brunswick. While there’s no dining or lodging options within immediate walking distance of Morrell Gymnasium, Everything you’ll need in this small town is a short five-minute drive to Maine Street (It’s awesome how they added an “e” to Main Street. Still makes me smile). For a town of this size, there’s a surprising amount of attractions for visitors. There’s an active arts and entertainment culture here and plenty of Maine charm to experience. The Maine State Music Theater, Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum and Bowdoin Museum of Art are all located on the Bowdoin campus. Of course, in this area there is no shortage of breweries. Among the offerings in Brunswick are Brickyard Hollow Brewing, Flight Deck Brewing, Moderation Brewing and Black Pug Brewing. If looking for dining options, locals swear by the Brunswick Diner for a bite to eat, or try some farm-to-table eats at 55 North or some wood-fired pizza at Nomad. Among the many fine boutique hotels in town is the Brunswick Hotel and Tavern, located right near campus. Several chains have locations out by I-295. Of course, visitors wishing to explore the area beyond Brunswick may venture out to Freeport, home of the L.L. Bean Outlet Store, or to Portland, a city with endless dining and cultural options. Portland’s praises have been sung on this site on numerous occasions. Fans 3 The basketball teams at Bowdoin enjoy good support from the community. Crowds range in size from 100-300 fans. These numbers are pretty typical of other Division Three schools in the area. Stadium Journey visited Bowdoin for the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2024, with a near-capacity crowd of over 1,200 fans in attendance. Most impressive amongst the typical “friends and family” you see at a small school basketball game was the presence of a packed student section. Just like the student sections you’ll find at larger schools, the kids filled the upper level of Morrell Gymnasium, standing the whole game and taunting the opposition. The gym was filled with noise from this section throughout the game. Access 3 Brunswick is a coastal town of over 21,000 residents located about a half hour drive north of Portland. Interstate 295 runs through Brunswick on its way from Portland to Augusta. The Bowdoin campus is located about four miles from the highway, easily accessed by Route 1 and Maine Street (notice what the town did there?). Amtrak’s Nor’easter trains have their terminus here in downtown Brunswick, connecting visitors via rail to Portland, Boston and beyond. Morrell Gymnasium is located on Bowdoin’s main campus, away from the school’s other athletic facilities. Bowdoin is a large campus with lots of green, open space, but you really wouldn’t know it if you’re a visitor unfamiliar with the campus visiting during a dark, winter night. The signage on campus isn’t great, and you may find yourself wandering around Bowdoin as you search for the gym. There is a small parking lot behind Morrell Gymnasium, but this fills quickly, forcing visitors to park in a lot on the opposite side of College Street. Again, this lot is hidden behind some buildings without any signage to alert visitors to its presence. It’s about a half mile walk from this lot to the gym, which may be uncomfortable on a frigid Maine winter night. The path from the lot to the gym is paved, but there are no signs directing you. It’s very possible that you’ll be taking an unplanned tour of campus on your way to the game or back to your car. Once you find the Peter Buck Center, you’ll enter into a bright, attractive lobby where you will see many trophy cases and displays showcasing Bowdoin’s athletic success. Front and center in the lobby is a stuffed Polar Bear, kept fresh inside a glass display case. Two doors on your left will allow you to access the gym. Rest rooms were a bit of a walk from the gym, located in the Smith Union Center next door. There are two levels of seating in Bowdoin Gymnasium, with a few rows of molded plastic bleachers on the lower level and wooden bleachers on the upper level. All seats have great views of the action in this cozy gym. Return on Investment 3 As mentioned earlier, Stadium Journey visited Morrell Gymnasium during an NCAA Tournament game, with NCAA mandated ticket prices of $15 for general admission seating. You will undoubtedly be paying less should you be visiting during a regular season game. Like many schools at this level, one admission ticket allows you to see both the men’s and women’s teams play, as long as the schedules line up. Parking is free in the nearby lots, and the concession prices top out at four dollars for any single item. A night watching the Polar Bears play is a most affordable entertainment option for southern Maine sports fans. Extras 2 Bowdoin is absolutely a regional athletic powerhouse, and their impressive history is displayed throughout Morrell Gymnasium. Banners honoring tournament appearances by the men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as the volleyball team, are displayed throughout the gym. Trophy cases and displays in the lobby contain mementos commemorating past Polar Bear victories. An additional extra point is awarded for the stuffed Polar Bear keeping watch in the Morrell Gymnasium lobby. Final Thoughts Often touted as one of the premier locations to watch Division Three basketball in the country, Morrell Gymnasium doesn’t disappoint. There’s plenty of Maine charm to go around in Brunswick and nearby Portland. Make a Bowdoin basketball game part of a weekend trip, and you have found yourself a fantastic Stadium Journey well off the beaten path. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Starry Baseball Field 236 N Grantham Rd Dillsburg, PA 17019 Messiah Falcons website Starry Baseball Field website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 1,000 The Falcons Nest Messiah University is a private interdenominational evangelical Christian university in Grantham, Pennsylvania, although the mailing address is in nearby Mechanicsburg. Starry Baseball Field is part of the larger Starry Athletic Complex. The university began as Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training Home and was part of the Brethren in Christ Church. The name changed over the years going from Messiah Bible School to Messiah College, and in 2020 Messiah University. The university is now interdenominational and not part of the Brethren in Christ Church but still is evangelical with an influence in the Anabaptist, the Radical Pietist, and the Wesleyan holiness movements. The Falcons mascot is named Flex, although he was previously known as Fandango. The Falcons compete in Division III of the NCAA and are a member of the Middle Atlantic Conferences. The Falcons receive some of the biggest support in Division III and boast some of the best attendance of all schools at that level in the "Olympic" sports. The Falcons have been very successful in athletics. The men's and women's soccer teams won the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2012. The Falcons men's soccer team are eleven-time national champions. Messiah University is the only NCAA college to win the men's and women's soccer national championships in the same year, and they have achieved that distinction four times. There also have been national championships in women's softball, women's field hockey, and numerous individual championships in wrestling and wrestling. The Falcons baseball time are five-time conference champions in 2003, 2005, 2008, 2011, and 2012. An amphitheater seating system was installed at Starry Baseball Field in 2010. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small concession stand near the field called the Falcon Hut. It offers cheap concessions from a limited menu. it is a nice little facility but it doesn't offer much if you are looking for more than a small snack. Atmosphere 4 The Starry Athletic Complex is a great little complex to watch sports. You have to access it via a covered bridge. Each of the various fields offers great views and a fun environment for each of the Falcons sports teams. Starry Baseball Field is a nice little field and the amphitheater seating, along with the hills for seating, makes for a nice comfortable place to watch a game. Messiah's "A Warmer Welcome Campaign" is an ongoing effort to enhance the outdoor athletic facilities at the Starry Athletic Complex. The Campaign is set to include a new concession and hospitality facility that will serve Messiah’s entire outdoor athletic complex, expanded and enhanced new seating for lacrosse and softball fans, and improved dugout areas for the baseball field. Neighborhood 3 Starry Athletic Fields Complex is south of the main Messiah campus. There is not much of a neighborhood in Grantham but one can venture into Mechanicsburg and/or Harrisburg for more things to do before or after a game. There is a Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar in Camp Hill if you are feeling like eating a large meal. Vitality Bowls in Mechanicsburg could be a healthier option. Fans 4 Messiah has one of the best fan bases around. They support Falcon sports, no matter which one. If visiting on any given weekend, you are likely to find multiple games going on, with each a healthy attendance. Access 3 Messiah University, itself, is not that hard to access as it is located nearby the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-83, I-81, and U.S. Route 15. You may have more issues once on campus. The university is easy enough to get around, but the Starry Athletic Fields Complex is located to the south of the main Messiah campus, across an old-style covered bridge. Once across the bridge, there is a medium-sized parking lot that could fill quickly. We ended up parking across the campus and walking as there were so many events going on, not just at the athletic complex. This was not a bad thing, as we found a nice little walking trail, along with a swinging bridge. You need to be aware that the main parking lot might not work out for you. Return on Investment 5 There is no charge for attending a game at Starry Baseball Field. Even if there was, you could easily watch the game for free along the field. The limited offerings of the Falcon Hut are also very good with prices. Extras 4 The ability to easily watch so many sports without almost any extra walking is a great extra. Go north of the nearby Criste Tennis Courts to find a delightful swinging bridge that crosses Yellow Breeches Creek. Once across the bridge above look for the campus fitness trail which offers a great walking trail around a good part of the Messiah campus. The Climenhaga Homestead is a historic house on campus that was built by the first dean of the college (Asa Climenhaga) as a way to become better connected to the campus and its students. The homestead now houses guest rooms, meeting rooms, and conference facilities. Final Thoughts Messiah University is already a great spot to watch sports, but with the upcoming "A Warmer Welcome Campaign" it may go to another level. Starry Baseball Field is a simple place but is one that offers a great place to spend a bit of time.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Goodyear Ballpark 1933 S Ballpark Way Goodyear, AZ 85338 Map It Cincinnati Reds Spring Training website Goodyear Ballpark website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 10,311 Reds in Goodyear Goodyear Ballpark, opened in 2009, is the spring training home for Ohio’s two major league baseball teams: the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Guardians.  It is also home to the Guardians and Reds Arizona Rookie Complex League ball teams.  The attractive venue is celebrating its 15th anniversary this 2024 season. It is an extremely enjoyable, good-looking ballpark. The main home plate entrance is beautiful, with plenty of shaded places to sit and wait for the gates to open.  It has several sculptures, palm trees, and other Arizona landscaping to admire. The facility also hosts instructional league games in the fall as well as other events like car shows, July 4th celebrations, local and national baseball tournaments, graduation ceremonies, and more throughout the year. Since 1891, the Cincinnati Reds have had spring training in 24 different cities.  The team moved their spring training site from Florida to Goodyear, AZ, in 2010.  Arizona is delighted to have them as part of the Cactus League. Food & Beverage 4 Baseball fans won’t go hungry at Goodyear Ballpark as there’s a wide choice of refreshments, entrees, and drinks for sale. The permanent stands (Queen City Grill, Hanger 46, and 1901 Charter Grill) more or less offer the same choices:  chicken tenders, hot dogs, Cincinnati cheese coney, Cleveland Polish boys, cheeseburgers, pizza, and traditional snacks, soda, and beer ($5.99 - $12.99). I find the portable carts along the concourse have a better variety:  Salsa (nachos), Steakadelphia (Philly cheesesteak sandwiches), and Burgertopia (hamburgers).  The first baseline has several kiosks (similar to those found in a carnival) selling tacos, kettle corn, ice cream, flavored ice, and more.  The tacos look delicious, and fans can’t go wrong with a Handles (from Ohio) ice cream cone or cup. Good Hops sells adult beverages (including mason jar cocktails), soda (Coca-Cola), water, and snacks.  Other choices for the hophead are the AZ Craft Beer Corner (local AZ brewery beer pints and flights) and Goodyear’s Saddle Mountain Brewing, selling a few choices of their own brewed beers. Fans can bring in a bottle of factory-sealed water and their own food if it fits into a quart-sized clear bag. Atmosphere 5 The staff and game day operations do a fabulous job at making a Reds spring training game leisurely and enjoyable.  And the Cincinnati fans revel in watching their Reds play ball. A single seating bowl descends from a main concourse, which encircles the entire park.  The seats are standard stadium fold-down seats, are comfortably wide, have cup holders, and the rows have average legroom.  Plenty of wheelchair seats line the top of the concourse. Grass berms stretch beyond the outfield walls.  The bullpens are adjacent to each other in left field in front of the berm area. The stadium has a Right Field Pavilion and a Party Patio (under the scoreboard in left field); both offer tables for four on a single-game basis. Goodyear Ballpark Right Field Pavilion, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The seating areas get plenty of sun, with shade available in the top rows on the third base side and behind home plate.  The third base side has three sections of shaded, cushioned club seating.  Bring sunscreen, though the ladies’ room offers sunscreen for those who forget. Medium-thick nets extend to the end of dugouts (sections 107 – 117). Sit further down the baselines to watch the game net-free.  Fans can view the gorgeous Estrella Mountain Range beyond the first base side. The scoreboard sits in left field and shows the starting lineup, photo of the player at bat (Reds players), line score, pitch speed, the current time, and a McDonald’s logo.  Murals and posters of former players and team logos line the outer concourse walls and just inside the home base entrance, boasting the history of the teams who play at the park. The announcer (female) calls the starting lineups nice and slowly, giving you enough time to complete your scorecard.  Music is never played over any PA announcement.  When played, the music volume is loud enough to enjoy, and still have a conversation with your neighbor without yelling to be heard.  More baseball sports venues should emulate this. Staff throw out t-shirts, and a few sponsors have contests.  Kids can run the bases on Saturday games in March.  Check their website for additional promotions.  Game day is more about the delight of the game, time with family and friends, and the lovely AZ spring weather. Neighborhood 3 Goodyear Ballpark sits across the street from Phoenix Goodyear Airport, which handles mainly general aviation (non-commercial) operations. The city of Goodyear is about 17 miles west of Phoenix, AZ, and like several other suburban areas, is expanding, building, and growing. Besides the ballpark (which is a major attraction in Goodyear), the city is home to Luke Air Force Base, a slew of shopping centers, eight golf courses, Estrella Mountain Regional Park (hiking, trails, picnicking, camping, and fishing), and more. The usual chain restaurants are also a few miles from the park, like Oregano’s, Rubio’s, P.F. Chang’s, etc. For someplace local try Haymakers (breakfast, burgers, beer, bourbon) or Pho House Restaurant (Vietnamese).  Goodyear has over 100 restaurants, so check Visit Goodyear for an up-to-date list of places to eat or drink. Saddle Mountain Brewing Company, Transplant City Beer Co, and 8-Bit Aleworks provide the local hops in Goodyear. Be sure to check their websites for hours of operation. Most of the hotels straddle the I-10 interchanges and are three to five miles from the ballpark. The closest is a Comfort Inn.  The Best Western Phoenix Goodyear Inn and Townplace Suites by Marriott Phoenix Goodyear are other choices not too far from the park.  Be aware that hotel prices are exorbitant during spring training. For other sporting events, visit the same park and watch the Cleveland Guardians play their spring training games. Camelback Ranch (home of the LA Dodgers and Chicago White Sox) is another nearby spring training facility. Phoenix Raceway is a little over eight miles from the park.  Check their schedule to see if a race or event is being held. Fans 3 Reds fans do a good job at rooting on and cheering their team at spring training.  There are plenty of Reds’ caps, jerseys, and shirts in the crowds.  While they don’t sell out, a decent number still come out and root for their team.  Crowds are higher on weekends and when the Reds play the Dodgers or Cubs. Access 3 Goodyear Ballpark is located 17 miles west of downtown Phoenix and 22 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. It is about two miles south of Interstate 10.  Public transportation is not an option to get to this ball field. Parking (free) is mostly on grass lots.  Common at Cactus League spring training facilities, golf cart-type shuttles are on hand to bring fans from the parking lots to the home plate entrance, if desired. The ballpark has four entrances: first base, home plate, third base, and center field, with the home plate entrance being the busiest and most scenic (it’s next to the ticket booth). It can get crowded on the concourse behind home plate. Once inside, except for behind home, the concourse is wide open and is easy to traverse. Fans walk through a scanner and may or may not get their bags checked.  Guests are welcome to bring small bags and purses into the ballpark, as long as their dimensions are less than 16″ x 16″ x 8″. Plenty of serviceable restrooms are spread along the concourse and along the concourse path in the outfield.  Guest services (to the right after entering the home base entrance) offer assisted listening devices for those who are hard of hearing. Return on Investment 4 The Reds spring training home is less expensive to attend than other Cactus League venues. Ticket prices range from $12 (berm) to $35 (club or premium field box).  Tickets are $2 more when purchased on game day.  The ballpark offers a variety of other discounts.  Active military receive a free ticket.  Veterans can purchase outfield tickets at a child’s price.  Seniors received $5 off an infield seat for mid-week games during the early part of spring training.   We recommend checking third-party sites for even better deals. Parking is free, and food and drink prices aren’t as expensive as other Cactus League ballparks.  Plus, fans can bring in their own snacks and water in limited quantities. Extras 5 A few additional things are worth noting. Goodyear Ballpark does a tremendous job of honoring our military and veterans. Statues, a POW chair, ticket discounts, and more demonstrate the respect and appreciation the city has for those men and women. A merchandise shop sells a nice selection of clothes, caps, and trinkets.  Check the clearance racks for discounted items. Giveaways are provided throughout the season, though this might be specifically for the facility’s 15th anniversary. Fans can still watch net-free baseball! The team and ballpark have extremely friendly staff, including parking attendants, ticket booth personnel, ushers, security, and concessions personnel.   They are not pretentious and are genuinely nice people, easy to chat with. Final Thoughts Attending a Reds spring training game at Goodyear Park is a pleasurable afternoon or evening out.   We recommend visiting this diamond if in town for the spring.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 ENMAX Centre 2510 Scenic Dr S Lethbridge, AB T1K 1N2 Map It Lethbridge Hurricanes website ENMAX Centre website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 5,479 Rock You Like a Hurricane ENMAX Centre opened its doors in 1974, in anticipation of the 1975 Canada Winter Games. The Sportsplex (as it was then known) was designed for a multitude of purposes. The stadium converts easily to a number of different applications for curling, concerts, hockey, basketball, banquets, etc. Beginning in 2009, the ENMAX Centre underwent a major facelift, with $34 million in upgrades. New features included new luxury suites, a new scoreboard and sound system, new press facilities, new locker rooms for the teams, and a new restaurant and lounge on upper level of the north end. Now in its 50th year of operation, the facility’s upgrades keep it looking and feeling like a more modern arena. The Lethbridge Hurricanes ice hockey began their history as the Winnipeg Jets in 1967 and have been in operation ever since. They changed their name twice while in Winnipeg before moving to Calgary and becoming the Wranglers in 1977. They remained in Calgary until 1987 when they relocated to Lethbridge and were renamed once again, becoming the Hurricanes, a name they have stuck with now for more than 30 years. They are a member of the WHL (Western Hockey League). Food & Beverage 3 There are five primary concession stands around the arena: two each on the east and west sides and one on the north end. Depending on which concession you step up to, you’ll find some different menu options. The three stands to the north of the building all share a fairly standard arena menu that includes fairly conventional concession fare, including hot dogs ($5.50), popcorn ($6.75 for a regular), and fries ($5.25). Pizza ($7.50) is also available at some spots. If you’re looking for something in particular, you may want to shop around at each stand as the menus do vary from place-to-place. There are also a few other specialty stands, including a concession with specialty cocktails (Pina Coladas, Caesars, etc), one with specialty coffees, a Hawaiian shaved ice stand and a roasted nuts stand. There is also a modest selection of beer on tap ($7.50), coolers, hi-balls and wine ($7.75-$8.50) available at the stands. All things considered, the main concession stands are fairly pedestrian in their pricing, options, and quality, but there’s usually also a feature item on the menu, so you might give that a shot if you’re looking for something unique. Upstairs in the Canadian Western Bank Lounge there is a row of seats right up front allowing fans to watch from the lounge’s vantage point as well as a number of tables that give you a view of the ice surface. Further back, there are more tables for a real dining experience with a detailed and delicious-looking menu. The lounge opens two hours before game time, so this is an excellent option for pre-game dining in a very nice location prior to a Hurricanes game. Atmosphere 3 The vibe at the ENMAX Centre is fairly laid back, as it seems to be at most WHL arenas. There are cheers at the right times but the stadium, typically around two-thirds full, is pretty quiet otherwise. Another issue is the seating. After checking a number of different seating locations around the stadium, one thing that stood out, particularly in the corners, was legroom that can most charitably be called “cozy.” In spite of the seats themselves being new and quite comfortable, the lack of legroom makes it awkward to stay facing forward without having to slide your knees to one side or the other. The legroom is snug for a person who is five-foot-eight; it could be downright unpleasant for a six-footer. Additionally, there are about 50 seats in the upper decks of Sections “AA” and “SS” where about half of the view of the rink is completely blocked off by the luxury boxes. You can still see the game on the video feed on the scoreboard, but it makes this handful of seats less than ideal. Aside from those flaws, sight lines from everywhere else in the building are excellent and the venue’s overall atmosphere is fun and inviting. Also on the plus side, there are a number of touches that help provide a sense of Lethbridge’s hockey history. The rafters at the south end of the stadium are lined with championship banners, including eight earned by the Hurricanes over the years. On the west wall of the concourse is the Hurricanes Hall of Fame, with the names of all the award winners who have earned accolades over the years. ENMAX Centre - Banners Behind the Goal, Photo by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 5 You really can’t ask for a better location than that of the ENMAX Centre. Located right on Scenic Drive, one of the major thoroughfares for Lethbridge, the stadium is also just a couple blocks from Mayor Magrath Drive and most of the key shops and services in town. You are within walking distance of fast food, casual dining, bars, pubs, shopping; pretty much everything is right there. From Five Guys Burger and Fries to Boston Pizza to Brown’s Social House and everything in between, there is something for everyone. A few blocks to the east of the rink is Legend’s Pub, with a good selection of beers and excellent pizza. North of the arena along Mayor Magrath you’ll find the Kingsman Alehouse, with an even better beer selection and a menu full of quality English pub-style food. Fans 3 The fans are obviously dedicated, as they supported the team through a six-season playoff drought from 2010 to 2015. But it’s a relatively small group of fans. With the stands only filled to 60 or 70 percent capacity, the place feels a bit empty at times. Still, the people who are there clearly know their hockey, as most Canadian audiences do. They cheer at the right moments, boo at the right moments and appear engaged throughout the game. Access 4 Parking at the ENMAX Centre is outstanding, however, the city has begun to charge $5 per vehicle in the last couple years for non-season ticket holders, which is a hassle and makes the event a little less cost effective. There is also reserved parking for fans attending the luxury suites. If you’re looking for a free alternative—and you’re willing to walk an extra couple blocks—the parking is free in the neighbourhood directly north of ENMAX Centre. Having said that, getting in and out of the parking lot is a snap, with traffic clearing out quickly and easily following the game (you can typically get back on the streets from the middle of the lot in about five minutes or fewer). With the stadium situated on a major artery, next to a second major artery, getting to and from the ENMAX Centre from anywhere in Lethbridge will be a quick trip. After a game, it is possible to get to the extreme north end of town in fewer than 20 minutes. If you’re looking to bus in, there is a stop right in front of the stadium, again making getting to and from the venue simple. Approaching ENMAX Centre, Photo by Jim Flannery Return on Investment 4 With game-day tickets available for $25.50 a seat for adults and $14.25 for youths, pricing for walk-ups is excellent, providing great value for your viewing dollar. There aren’t many better deals out there for this level of competition and entertainment. An excellent value for your money. The two dozen luxury boxes are leased by ENMAX Centre and are a hot item, so if you’re interested, make your inquiries to the facility well in advance. Season ticket sales for the devoted fan go on sale in the spring, with early bird deals as well as loyalty pricing for returning season ticket holders. Extras 5 ENMAX Centre has a number of great touches to add to the experience of taking in a Hurricanes game. The Hurricanes have a souvenir stand in the northeast corner of the main concourse called Top Shelf, where fans can pick up hats, tee-shirts, jerseys, and various knick-knacks, all at fairly typical prices. A nifty feature that I’ve seen in many junior hockey arenas is standing room spots all the way around the perimeter of the concourse, which are sold in the same manner as the seats. Apparently many fans prefer to watch games from these standing positions, rather than the seats, so this gives the audience one more unique viewing option. As a facility and franchise with very close ties to the community, ENMAX Centre makes several community tables available around the concourse, allowing community-based fundraisers and awareness campaigns an opportunity to bring their message to the fans. The Hurricanes also have a mascot, Cane, to keep the kids in the audience entertained and to help out with various promotions and giveaways during the game. Also of note, among the upgrades to the facility are the new scoreboard and sound system. The scoreboard provides a hi-res video feed of the on-ice action which is readily visible to everyone in the stands. The excellent sound system beams music and public address announcements to the audience and has characteristics that put it on par with the systems in NHL-quality stadiums around North America. It’s always nice to see recycling bins at stadiums and ENMAX Centre is no exception, allowing the fans to be green while enjoying a night out. Final Thoughts When all is said and done, this is a great place to see the stars of tomorrow doing their thing. If the team can find ways to draw more fans to games with creative marketing strategies, it’ll bring the energy up in the building and make it that much more entertaining.

This week's episode takes a look at the world of rebranding from the low levels of baseball all the way to the NBA! Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 NM State Softball Complex 1830 Stewart St, No1654 Las Cruces, NM 88003 Map It New Mexico State Aggies website New Mexico State Softball website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 1050 Aggie Softball The NM State Softball Aggies team has had winning seasons over the last decade, reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2018. The team began play in 1975 and is currently a C*USA (Conference USA) member. They play their home games at the picturesque NM State Softball Complex on campus in Las Cruces, NM.  The complex was built in 1981 and received renovations in the 2000s.  The university has hosted many conference tournaments featuring top competition from around the country throughout the years.  It also hosts the annual Troy Cox Classic, which Stadium Journey saw during its visit in 2024. Food & Beverage 2 A small concession truck sits behind the stands selling snacks and drinks. Nachos, hot dogs, chips, pickles, popcorn, Cheetos w/cheese, and candy cost $2 - $5. Sundays are $2 hot dog days. Drinks include bottled Pepsi products, water, and Gatorade ($4). Beer choices include canned Coors Light, Modelo, and Mixed-Up Aggie-Rita (a canned raspberry margarita cocktail made especially for NM State). The canned alcohol sells for $8. Outside food and drink are not allowed except for bottled water. Atmosphere 3 NM State Softball Complex offers a pleasant game day outing. Ten to twelve rows of bleachers with handrails sit behind the home plate area.  Two smaller ancillary bleachers are adjacent to the main set and do not have handrails.  The press box sits on top of the bleachers.   The bleachers do not offer any shade, so remember to bring sunscreen for day games.   A medium-thick net guards the seating area, protecting fans from foul balls. The infield dirt is clay with a polymer additive that repels water.  It requires no watering and maintains a consistent playing surface year-round. The outfield is pleasantly treelined.  You can see Presley Askew Field (baseball) through the trees.  The stadium flies other C*USA school flags along the outfield wall. The music is a tad loud but mostly played just between innings.  The music person sometimes plays music at the same time the PA announces the players; fans cannot hear who’s coming to the pitcher’s circle or on deck.  They should take lessons from their women’s basketball counterparts. Neighborhood 4 The NM State Softball Complex is near the other on-campus NM State Athletic fields in Las Cruces, NM.  Plenty of restaurants and hotels are within 1 – 2 miles of the arena. Ten or more restaurants (including fast food) are along University Ave from I-10 to the arena:  I-Hop, Burger King, Panda Express, and Chick-fil-A.  The Game Sports Bar and Grill is a decent pregame place to visit for a beer and a bite.  Weck’s, an NM breakfast/lunch chain, is a worthwhile visit before an afternoon game. Other things to see and do when visiting Las Cruces include the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum about three miles from the stadium.  The Museum of Science and Nature or the Las Cruces Railroad Museum may also be worth a visit, depending on your interests.  Of course, a visit to see the world’s largest chile pepper may be in order, too! Plenty of hotels are near the university.  The closest are the Hilton Garden Inn Las Cruces, Comfort Suites University, and Sleep Inn University.   A whole slew more is within two–three miles of the complex. Other sports in the area are the Aggies baseball team and the men’s basketball team.  A trip to El Paso, TX (a 45-minute drive) will take you to the El Paso Chihuahuas, AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Fans 3 The fans in attendance are extremely encouraging to the players.  Average attendance is generally over 600 fans.  For the Troy Cox Classic game, a great many visiting fans were in the stands. Access 3 The softball stadium is near the rest of the university’s athletic fields, south of the Pan American Center. Getting to the stadium is an easy drive off I-10. Free parking is in front of the stadium. Handicapped parking is available, as is a ramp to the bleachers and a few areas for wheelchairs. Las Cruces does have a bus stop (Aggie Green), but it looks operational only M – F, 7am – 6pm, so it may not be suitable when attending late afternoon/evening or weekend softball games. Las Cruces Airport is 12+ miles from the university. The ticket office is a separate building with polite staff manning the booths. I didn’t notice any rules about a bag policy. Your best bet is use a clear stadium bag 12” x 6” x 12” or a small clutch. Clean, accessible restrooms with plenty of stalls are near the ticket booth. Return on Investment 4 The cost of attending an Aggies softball game at NM State is a sports dollar value.  It is $7 for a single game.  The Troy Cox Classic costs $20 for the entire tournament (10 games), $7 for a single game, but $10 for the game against Nebraska.  Kids under 12 get in free. They don’t charge for parking, and even the concession prices are not out of this world. . Extras 2 The stadium proudly displays the Ross Kremer Wall of Honor which honors outstanding Aggies softball players and team accomplishments. The NM State Softball team is entering its 50th season in 2024 with 1,144 wins and a dominant reputation. The team has brought ten championships home to Las Cruces. Final Thoughts Watching a reputable softball team in an attractive stadium is an enjoyable few hours of entertainment on a spring afternoon.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Murphy Center 2650 Middle Tennessee Boulevard Murfreesboro, TN 37130 Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders website Murphy Center website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 11,520 Bluenited When considering some of the most relevant college basketball venues across the state of Tennessee, Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville or Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gymnasium might be the first that come to mind, but the most important very well might be Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University, which has been at the center of the State of Tennessee’s basketball community for decades. Opened in 1972, Murphy Center replaced neighboring Alumni Memorial Gymnasium, whose capacity of 2,500 had been outgrown – Murphy Center would open not just as the home of Blue Raider basketball, but has hosted the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association’s state boys and girls basketball championship games since 1973 as well. Members of the Ohio Valley Conference for 48 seasons, the Blue Raiders joined the Sun Belt in 2000, where they would remain for 12 years before moving to their current home, Conference USA, in 2013. Despite a major reshuffle in that conference, Middle Tennessee recently reaffirmed their commitment to Conference USA as members for the foreseeable future. Food & Beverage   3 Concession stands are situated in the corners of the arena, behind the walls of bleachers (more on this in a moment) at the top of the seating bowl. Concessions are nothing that will knock your socks off, but just the typical hot dogs, nachos, soft pretzels, popcorn, chips, and candy. Sweet treats seem to be the biggest point of interest when it comes to concessions – lines for various flavors of frozen lemonade and the always popular Dippin’ Dots tend to get rather long, along the track that surrounds the seating area. Beverage choices include soft drinks from the Pepsi family and bottled Gatorade. Beer and seltzers are sold at Murphy Center. Basic domestic beers can be purchased at any of the concession stands, but the biergarten dabbles more in creating a social atmosphere for fans to hang out, while they enjoy several craft beers from Murfreesboro brewers Cedar Glades Brews and Mayday Brewery. While the concessions are less than impressive, the beer garden does add a level of social gathering to an arena that might not typically have such a feature. Atmosphere   4 From the outside, the appearance of Murphy Center is very geometrically balanced, with many flat planes and right angles. The building sits elevated upon a mound, as a temple of sorts to basketball.  Large, glass windows wrap around the entire arena, from floor to roofline, leaving few questions about where the nickname “The Glass House” comes from. Murphy Center’s interior design was inspired by Notre Dame’s Joyce Center, with its oval shaped seating bowl, while the exterior’s geometric simplicity is reminiscent of Air Force Academy’s Clune Arena. When originally opened in the ‘70s, Murphy Center was used as a multi-purpose facility, with the floor obviously for basketball, but the upper concourse having a six-lane track and long jump pit built in. Today, this track provides space for a sizable children’s play area of inflatables. The Murphy Center court strays from the traditional hardwood appearance, rather using more of a gray that nicely complements the school’s primary blue color; the seating bowl is a sea of blue seats that encircles the court level. Upper bleacher seats back each of the court level sections, which gives the arena its 11,000+ capacity, but these bleachers are commonly pushed in and rarely used. Foregoing a traditional center hung scoreboard, two large video boards at each end of Murphy Center show a live video feed of the game, with sidebars showing running player scoring, rebounding, assist and foul totals, and a litany of team stats. LED scoreboards also hang over each of the four tunnels leading to the floor, which provide game time and score information. There might not be a college basketball pep band in the country that makes an entrance quite like that of the Blue Raiders – following a drum solo, both the pep band and cheer squads march down the rows of the east stands, as they fill their seats and begin dancing, before picking up their instruments to entertain fans during pregame. Throughout the game, mascot Lightning is an active participant of the spirt squad, willing the Blue Raiders to victory. While Lightning primarily hangs out in the student section, he will occasionally wander around the lower levels of seats, mingling with fans during stoppages in play. Given the configuration of the seating bowl at Murphy Center, the seats at midcourt are the furthest from the playing area. This mostly impacts those sitting at the lowest level, as they have to contend with being pushed back from the action with an awkward dead space/walkway in front of them. Neighborhood   3 Murphy Center sits prominently at the corner of Greenland Drive and Middle Tennessee Boulevard, backed by Floyd Stadium (MTSU football) and Reese Smith Stadium (MTSU baseball). Visitors will not have to look far if wanting to sit down for a bite before the game – Campus Pub and Boro Bar & Grill offer up dive bar experiences within walking distance of Murphy Center. Boro does offer live music late night, so it might offer a bit more entertainment post-game. Alternatively, on the opposite end of campus along East Main Street, Boulevard Bar & Grille provides a bit more of a family friendly atmosphere. If a more concentrated area of bars, restaurants, and shops is what you are looking for, however, take East Main Street away from campus to Murfreesboro town center, where there are several options built around Rutherford County Courthouse. Fans   3 Attendance at Murphy Center has been on a decline since the height of the program’s recent success during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. During this run, the Blue Raiders averaged over 5,000 fans per game; these days that total is closer to 3,000. Middle Tennessee fans are supportive of their Blue Raiders, and a lot of that credit goes to the “Blue Zoo Student Section” and the pep band. What is a bit disappointing, though, is that with a reported enrollment of over 20,000 students, the number of students in attendance at games does not reflect this size. A lot of credit needs to go to the those who are in attendance, however – the Blue Zoo and the Blue Raiders pep band do a great job in setting the tone for the atmosphere within Murphy Center. Alumni and community members also comprise a large portion of those in attendance. Access   4 Middle Tennessee's campus is located less than 4 miles from I-24, which runs regionally between Chattanooga and Nashville. Even though it is not directly off the interstate, Middle Tennessee’s campus is still easy enough to get to via local streets. A moderately sized parking lot along Greenland Drive leaves a short walk to Murphy Center. As referenced earlier, Murphy Center was built as a multi-use facility with a track built around the top of the seating bowl. This track provides fans with a great deal of space to move around the arena, and not have to worry about lines for concessions or the children’s play area backing up and impeding the flow. Return on Investment   3 Purchasing tickets from the Blue Raiders athletics site apparently avoids Ticketmaster fees; tickets here start at $15 and are not subject to the $4.40 service fee. This seems to be a good way to go simply to save a few dollars, and the savings can be used for the $5 parking charge in the lot just outside Murphy Center. Concessions are a bit inflated, but this isn’t much different than you would see at other arenas. When compared to other schools in Conference USA, Middle Tennessee’s prices seem to be in line with the rest of the conference. Extras   4 Banners recognizing MTSU’s conference regular season and tournament championships, along with their NIT and NCAA tournament appearances, hang from the rafters. The retired # 40 of George Sorrell is also displayed amongst the Blue Raider accomplishments. The bounce house area behind the bleachers is a popular location for parents to bring children throughout the game – it can be a great getaway for kids, as getting them to sit in their seats the whole game might be a bit too much to ask for. A history of Murphy Center lines the back side of the bleachers, celebrating its 50th anniversary. This timeline recognizes not just the basketball highlights, but also other prominent moments, including performances from Bob Hope, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks, The Who, Elton John, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, U2, and an almost endless who’s-who of the entertainment world. A display in the court level concourse tells the story of chemistry professor Dr. Aaron Todd and “Operation Full House”. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2004, Dr. Todd made a list of 5 things he wanted to accomplish, one of them being to see Murphy Center set its all-time basketball attendance record – Dr. Todd made it his mission to fill Murphy Center past its capacity of 11,520. On February 26, 2004, Dr. Todd would see his work come to fruition, as 11,807 fans packed Murphy Center for a late season match up against conference rival Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Final Thoughts In the upcoming years, Murphy Center is slated for substantial enhancements as part of the athletic department’s "Build Blue” master plan. Changes will include the addition of premium suites along the top of the seating bowl, bringing seats at center court closer, and the addition of a new grand entry point. Rendering courtesy of Middle Tennessee State University While Murphy Center will have an updated look, design plans appear to have given special care to not change the facility too much, to the point where it becomes unrecognizable. Rendering courtesy of Middle Tennessee State University Murphy Center is quietly one of the special college basketball experiences in the country; the facility holds a lot of history that has long made it a special gathering place not just for Blue Raider supporters, but for those from all corners of Tennessee.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Galt Arena Gardens 98 Shade Street Cambridge, ON Cambridge RedHawks website Gait Arena Gardens website Year Opened: 1922 Capacity: 1,100 Classic … What is in a name?  What is in a label?  When it comes to labeling something as the “oldest” there is always a bit of debate In 1973, the City of Galt, and the Towns of Preston and Hespeler were amalgamated to form the city of Cambridge.  Long before this, the Galt Arena Gardens opened its doors for the first time in 1922.  Debate remains as to if it is the oldest hockey arena in North America or not.  Matthews Arena in Boston makes a claim.  However, officially, Galt Arena Gardens is considered the “Oldest Operating Arena in the World” meaning, it has continuously operated as a hockey arena for over 100 years.  Owned and operated by the City of Cambridge, Galt Arena Gardens is undeniably a gem and in one word, classic. Galt Arena Gardens is the current home of the Cambridge RedHawks of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.  Playing at the Junior B level, the RedHawks began their existence as the Hespeler Shamrocks in 1960.  Later renamed the Cambridge Shamrocks at the time of amalgamation, the Shamrocks would eventually head east and settle in Guelph to become the Guelph Platers, among other monikers.  Upon the departure of the Shamrocks in 1982, Cambridge would welcome the expansion Cambridge Winter Hawks that would play south in Galt.  The Winter Hawks would remain until 2017 when their owner made a push to move up to the Junior A level and eventually withdraw from the Ontario Hockey Association.  The Winter Hawks would fold and Scott Hunter would purchase the Guelph Hurricanes, formerly the Shamrocks, and move them to the Galt Arena Gardens in an act that would bring the franchise full circle.  Many who would take the ice at the Gardens would go on to play in the NHL, however, none has put a stamp on the hockey world more significant than Mr. Hockey himself, Gordie Howe.  The 1944-45 season for the Galt Red Wings saw a young Mr. Hockey entertain hockey fans from Galt just prior to him heading to Detroit. Food & Beverage 3 The concession experience at Galt Arena Gardens is not unique for the GOJHL.  There are two main stands on the two separate levels.  Whether they are both open depends on the size of the crowd.  The menu includes what one would expect at this level including hot dogs, chicken strips, poutine, fries, onion rings, nachos, candy, chocolate bars and chips.  Pepsi products are the soda of choice at Galt Arena Gardens and coffee, tea and water are all available.  In the upper east end of the Gardens fans will find Alumni Hall.  This enclosed area is licensed and alcoholic beverages can be purchased, but must be consumed within. Atmosphere 5 Galt Arena Gardens remains truly unique in the hockey landscape.  Built in 1921, it enjoys Heritage Status.  The City of Cambridge, however, has gone beyond to provide upgrades and renovations to retain both the classic feel of the building and modernize it to ensure its functionality for years to come.  The journey back in time begins with the exterior.  Galt Arena features a gorgeous brick exterior with multiple shades of brown.  The design almost gives it a remparts look to it.  The wrot iron marquee awning welcomes fans to the main entrance.  An added bonus is the stone pillars that are to the north and mark the entrance to Soper Park. After entering the main gate, fans are welcomed into a modestly sized lobby.  The history begins there and fans are welcome to discover the artifacts in numerous trophy cases.  The prevalence of former Red Wings Kirk Maltby and Gordie Howe are immediately felt in the trophy cases.  There are a few articles on Mr. Hockey and his time in Galt that have been plaque mounted as well as a portrait of Howe standing outside the arena.  Jerseys and other artifacts from Kirk Maltby are predominant in the cases as well.  Fans can traverse the stairs to reach the upper level, where a full 360 degree loop is possible on the upper concourse.  The interior of the ice surface is striking.  The peaked hardwood ceiling with iron supports gives that barn-like feel to the arena, however rather than the expected triangle peak, the summit of the ceiling is recessed and has small windows at the top to allow natural light in.  The ice surface runs from east to west with five rows of elevated seating around three sides.  The east end has rows of plastic benches and the remainder of the seats are updated, plastic arena seats.  Getting the centre ice logo picture is from the south side.  Fans should consider choosing their seat so that they are situated under one of the gas heaters above the seating bowl as the arena is quite cold.  History continues to flow through the arena.  There are murals at the west end and two large portraits of Kirk Maltby and Gordie Howe.  The portrait of the Queen is at the opposite end above Alumni Hall.  Old pictures can be found throughout the arena, mostly on the west side.  Fascinating artifacts from a time gone by are found in the northwest and southwest corners behind the seats including old zambonis, doors, ticket booths, signs and even a phone booth.  Even the concession stand on the top level has old soft drink signs.  Hanging throughout the arena, above the ice, are various championship banners, mostly from the Cambridge Winterhawks and the Senior A Cambridge Hornets.  The lone Cambridge RedHawks banner for the 2022 Conference Championship hangs on its own and the retired number 91 of Ryan Clarke from the Winterhawks also remains. The gameday atmosphere is fairly simple at a RedHawks game, not dissimilar to any other GOJHL experience.  The PA system is decent and the announcer does a good job, however his excitement often results in buzzing through the speakers, making it a little more difficult to understand the announcements.  The RedHawks do have projectors that are used during pregame to project images on the ice.  The mascot, Rowdy the Redhawk, can also be found traversing the crowd and interacting with fans through the game. Neighbourhood 4 The Galt Arena Gardens is located in the East Galt neighbourhood of Cambridge.  There are a number of places for pre or post game food and drink within a very short drive.  Some options include Q BBQ, Alberts Doughnuts, EVO Kitchen, Thirteen, The Black Badger, Voodoo Wingz and Capri Pizza.  Fans can head to downtown Galt, a short drive from the arena, to take in the Gaslight District, Hamilton Family Theatre and Cambridge Community Theatre.  For other sporting options, fans can head north to the Hespeler area and catch some Junior C, Hespeler Shamrocks hockey.  For fans wishing to stay in the area, The Laundry Rooms are a close option. Fans 4 The Cambridge RedHawks have a solid fanbase.  Typically, Saturday Night is RedHawks night and the biggest crowds are drawn then.  In the 2023-24 season, the RedHawks have averaged over 540 fans per game, an improvement of nearly 100 fans per game from the previous season.  This has Cambridge ranking fifth in the GOJHL in attendance and third in their conference.  Although the average doesn’t seem like a lot, the capacity of the Galt Arena Gardens is only 1,100 and there is a significant difference in attendance from a midweek game versus a Saturday. Access 4 Galt Arena Gardens is located in the East Galt neighbourhood of Cambridge.  It is east of Highway 24 and significantly south of Highway 401.  Getting to Galt from the 401 can be a bit of a challenge and the lasting effects of the city amalgamation can still be felt when driving from one end of Cambridge to another. Highway 24, Hespeler Road, can be very slow going at times.  There are large parking lots on the north and south sides of the arena that offer free parking, which should be sufficient for fans who get there with enough time to spare.  Fans wishing to take public transit to the game can find bus stops on nearby Beverly and Dundas Streets.  Fans interested in public transit should consult the Grand River Transit website for fares, schedules and maps. The lobby of the Galt Arena can get a bit congested, but getting around isn’t too difficult.  The washroom facilities are adequate for the arena. Return on Investment 5 Junior B hockey offers tremendous value for the sporting dollar.  Cambridge RedHawks tickets are sold for $12 for adults, with students and seniors going for $10 and children for $6.  Parking is free and concession prices are about what one would expect.  The product on the ice is solid and worth the price.  However, the opportunity to take in all that is the Galt Arena Gardens itself is worth the price of admission alone. Extras 4 An extra mark for the extra attention paid to the 1944-45 season that saw Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, call the Galt Arena Gardens home as he played one season of Junior Hockey with the Galt Red Wings. An extra mark for Galt Arena Gardens as the longest running, continued use hockey arena in the world. An extra mark for the excellent job the City of Cambridge did modernizing Galt Arena Gardens.  They have kept all the charm and history of the arena while making it functional and modern. An extra mark for the full circle journey of the Cambridge RedHawks having been founded as the Hespeler, and later Cambridge, Shamrocks. Final Thoughts A trip to see the Cambridge RedHawks is a must for all true hockey fans.  Taking in the majesty and history and sheer force of the Galt Arena Gardens is where fans will truly be awed.  Not the most high profile of cities or leagues, a trip to Cambridge to the Galt Arena Gardens is worth every cent.  It is just Classic. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

The city of Pensacola has had a long love affair with the game of baseball. It has hosted teams at the youth, college, recreational, military, and minor league levels over the years. It also has served as a spring training site for teams at the major league level. Baseball in Pensacola: America’s Pastime & the City of Five Flags by Scott Brown provides an in-depth look at the baseball teams and baseball stadiums that have called the city home. Pensacola is one of the oldest cities in Florida, as it was founded in 1559. It would be another three hundred years before the sport arrived in the city. The military has played an especially key role in bringing baseball to the area. Pensacola has always had a large military population due to its strategic location as a port city on the Gulf of Mexico. Baseball games were first reported in the area during the Civil War, as a means of building morale and good physical conditioning for the troops stationed in the arena. The Pensacola Naval Yard had an entire baseball league, with each ship berthed at the facility sponsoring a team. During World War I Ty Cobb was one of the first professional ballplayers to visit the base as a part of a morale-boosting tour. World War II saw several major league ballplayers train for active duty at the Naval Air Station. Among these players was Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams, who was an aerial gunnery ace during the war. He also served as a flight instructor at the airfield. One of the airfields in the area was called Bronson Field. It served as the home of several major leaguers during the war and had a team nicknamed the Bronson Bombers. Pensacola’s first minor league baseball team was known as the Fliers as a nod to the base’s major contribution to the game. Following the wars, Branch Rickey and the Brooklyn Dodgers utilized the decommissioned air base as a home for an annual rookie training camp. Pensacola also had civic league teams sponsored by area neighborhoods or local businesses. They typically played their games at either Palmetto Beach Park, Maxent Park, or Magnolia Bluff Park. Even though Pensacola is in the Deep South, several black baseball teams shared the same ballparks with white teams in Pensacola. They would play on opposite nights or have segregated seating in the stands, both of which were considered highly unusual in those segregated times. Pete Caldwell Field was the home of the Pensacola Arthur Giants, while the Pensacola Seagulls were a barnstorming Negro League team that played their home schedule at Legion Field. Pittsburgh was the first major league city to see the potential of Pensacola as a spring training site. The team was known as the Allegheny’s at that time. They erected a simple diamond with a 500-seat grandstand. They were followed by the Cleveland Naps in 1913. The Boston Red Sox held their spring training camp in Pensacola in 1930-1931, while the NY Giants arrived in town in 1936. While they did not hold spring training in the city, the Yankees played a series of exhibition games in Pensacola on their way back to New York City after their preseason camp. Both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig played in these games. Minor League-affiliated baseball has been in Pensacola since 1927, with some interruptions along the way due to wars and league failures. The Pensacola Fliers/Pilots operated from 1927-1950. They were affiliated with several teams, including the Brooklyn Dodgers, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Washington Senators. They played their home games at Maxent Park, a 5,000-seat venue that eventually was renamed Legion Park. The Fliers team folded after the Southeastern League went out of business in 1951. The Fliers then merged with the Miami Flamingos and moved to South Florida. In 1956 the Alabama-Florida League added the Pensacola Dons as a new member. Dons named honored the Spanish Conquistadors who once ruled over this portion of Florida. The Dons played their home games at Admiral Mason Park along the Pensacola Bay waterfront. The stadium offered several modern features for the times, including concrete and steel construction and lights for night games. At first, the Dons were not affiliated with any major league team. In later years, the Dons were affiliated with the Kansas City Athletics, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Chicago White Sox, and the Baltimore Orioles. During the last season of their existence, the Dons became the Pensacola Senators as a result of becoming affiliated with the Washington Senators. The team met its end when the Alabama-Florida League went out of business. The Pensacola Pelicans were Pensacola’s representatives in the minor leagues from 2002-2011. They played in three different leagues over the years, including the Southeastern League, the Central Baseball League, and the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. They played their home schedule at Jim Spooner Field on the University of West Florida campus. They were extremely successful both on and off the field, setting the plate for the next team to move into AA-affiliated baseball. The current Pensacola minor league representatives are the Pensacola Blue Wahoos of the AA Southern League. They began playing in 2012. The home of the Wahoos is the 5,000-seat Admiral Fetterman Field at Community Maritime Park. The ballpark is located along the shoreline of Pensacola Bay. Due to its proximity to the waterfront, the stadium had to be designed to withstand 150 MPH winds during hurricanes. Over the years the Blue Wahoos have been affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds, the Minnesota Twins, and the Miami Marlins. --- Scott Brown’s Baseball in Pensacola provides a great read for anyone interested in the history of baseball in the Deep South.

Photos by James Clotfelter and David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Stegeman Coliseum 100 Smith St Athens, GA 30602 Georgia Bulldogs website Stegeman Coliseum website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 10,523 Stegeman Coliseum – University of Georgia Bulldogs Originally constructed in 1964, the 10,000 seat Stegeman Coliseum has served as home to both UGA basketball teams, volleyball, and gymnastics. As it has undergone many renovations, the Steg now holds the modern amenities of new arenas, while preserving the history it has seen throughout its years. The University of Georgia basketball teams play1 in the D1 SEC (Southeastern Conference). Food & Beverage 3 Stegeman offers all the basics you would expect at a stadium, and not much more. All concession standings are grab-and-go with a cashless checkout at the end of the line. To give you an idea of what basic offerings include, expect hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, popcorn, Chick-fil-A, etc. In terms of drinks, Coca-Cola products are served in addition to basic beer and seltzer options. The offerings at Stegeman may not be as crazy and unique as other venues, but they provide reliable quality in what they do offer at a reasonable price mark. Atmosphere 4 The University of Georgia event staff does a great job of creating a noteworthy game day experience for its fans. Stegeman itself has been consistently renovated to keep its modern appeal. The Athletic Department has even described a "phased approach" to keep renovations frequent. Stegeman is broken up into two levels of seating (sections A-Z and sections AA-YY) with one concourse in between the two levels. At the east and west entrances is a glass exterior to allow the concourse to have an open sense with the natural light entering the arena. Here is where the concourse is at its widest and you can find merchandise, food, restrooms, free gameday programs, and frequent promotional giveaways. As you make the circuit around the concourse you will notice that the walls are embedded with UGA Athletic history. Walking around this part of the concourse is like that of strolling through a museum. Some walls serve as a timeline describing different historical moments or players from a variety of sports. Then others house shelves with trophies, memorabilia, or a team’s championship wall with the years a conference or national championship was won. The interior of the stadium is essentially a typical separated bowl you would find at many college basketball arenas; however, the bowl does not wrap all the way around on the second level, rather it wraps three-quarters of the court. The part of the upper bowl that is not connected to the other side harbors a mural of UGA legends and a small scoreboard displaying player stats. This design allows for a very intimate and thus loud experience at the coliseum. The main scoreboard is a 360-video board that hangs above the center court. It is mainly used for the score, replays, promotions, and crowd shots. All seats are chairbacks with the lower bowl being padded, and the upper being plastic. Being a medium-sized venue, no seat is a bad seat, so I’d advise you not to overspend on a ticket close to the court, as the sightlines from the AA-YY are more than adequate as you are still not far from the court. Before tipoff, a red LED light show is triggered for player introductions, accompanied by a pregame video, loud music, and smoke. After a tip-off, the promotions team runs numerous giveaways while the band leads most of the school's traditions. And last but certainly not least, late in the second half the coliseum’s lights will turn down and the crowd will hold up their phone flashlights to rally the team for the final stretch. Neighborhood 5 Being the oldest public university in the United States, The University of Georgia is renowned for having one of the most beautiful and historic campuses in the nation. North campus is adjacent to downtown Athens, which is the location of the arch, and the oldest buildings the campus holds. As you move south you will come across major attractions of the campus like Sanford Stadium, the bookstore, the student center, and finally Stegeman Coliseum. If you plan on grabbing a pregame bite while on campus, Tate Student Center holds a Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, and Barberitos. The classic city has numerous offerings for pre and post-game spots. Whether you are looking for a drink, a bite, or post-game nightlife, there are numerous options in Downtown Athens. Downtown is very calm during the daytime, meaning this will be the best time to stroll through if it’s your first time in Athens as you will be sure to find a pregame option, like El Paso, The Grill, and Taqueria Tusanmi. Arriving early will allow you to swing in the many shops downtown has to offer. After the game, if the college nightlife crowd is something you look to avoid, some options that are not immediately downtown are Locos Grill and Pub, the Blind Pig Tavern, the Taco Stand, and a staple of the state of Georgia, Waffle House. However, if you are looking for a night out after the game, look no further than heading downtown as Athens has the largest number of bars per capita in the United States. Hotels should not book up too quickly in Athens for a basketball game, but if the game you are attending is during the same weekend as a football game, it would be best to book early. If you are lucky, there is a hotel/convention center on campus that is right across the street from Stegeman, which would be the ideal hotel for basketball visitors. Fans 3 As a Georgia local and a current UGA student, the relationship between the basketball program and the fanbase is complicated, to say the least. With constantly being bottom four in SEC play, and never showing much promise of reaching the tournament, dawgs fans usually do not have very much to cheer about. However, under the Mike White era, there are signs that times are changing in Athens. While it has not been a successful SEC season, the Dawgs have shown growth, and the fans have been acknowledging the growth with their attendance. Fans are also excited about five-star recruit Asa Newell, and Jacob Wilkins, son of Dominique, joining the Dawgs next season in hopes of winning ways. Student turnout has increased to an all-time high, and even general attendance is climbing. Pretty much every conference game has been filled to the brim, and when the Steg is filled it can be a loud building to play in. The Athens faithful is interactive with the chants, songs, and traditions that are held at UGA basketball games. Dawgs fans are quick to get into the game itself and want to create that intimidating college atmosphere, but there is a big difference in noise levels when the team is winning, and when they are losing. As for non-conference games, attendance is prone to being sparse in the early months. This new era of Georgia basketball is expected to bring wins to the fans, and I will be excited to see how difficult the Steg is to play at night in and night out when the dawgs are rolling. Access 4 Getting to, from, and out of Stegeman is a breeze. The university opens up its parking decks for free during basketball games, the best parking deck being the south deck lot. And unlike the 90,000+ that are in town for a football game, Stegeman only holds 10,000, so the roads are much easier to navigate traffic-wise when comparing them to a football game. There are multiple gates located at every end of the arena, so getting in is almost always a breeze. The UGA clear bag policy is in effect at all athletic events and information on the regulations can be found on their website. There is one shared concourse by both levels of seating, and it is wide enough to support the crowd of a game. The bathrooms are plentiful, and the lines for concessions move quickly as they are grab-and-go lines. However, everything in Stegeman is cash only. There is a box office outside, but it is recommended to purchase your tickets in advance on your phone. Return on Investment 4 Unlike the UGA football experience, the UGA basketball experience won’t make the wallet cry. Single-game tickets start from $5-$15 depending on the game in question, and the resale market on the “TickPick” app can get even lower. Every fan receives a program on entry, and Stegeman holds many game-by-game promotional nights/giveaways during the season, so be on the lookout. The concession prices are reasonable, as basic items like hot dogs cost $2.50 and cheeseburgers are $5. Add free parking on top of that and there is a relatively inexpensive night out. Extras 2 The Promotional team at Stagman deserves a little recognition for the effort they give to the fan experience. They host many giveaways during the game and many creative promotional nights. The history being displayed in the concourse is certainly something that stands out as unique to Stegeman. Final Thoughts Stegeman houses SEC basketball for a reasonable price and offers a quality fan experience that you won't regret. It is far from a place like Allen Fieldhouse, but given the opportunity, Stegeman is well worth the visit.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Case Gymnasium 285 Babcock St Boston, MA 02215 Boston University Terriers website Case Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 1,800 Up On the Roof Case Gymnasium, referred to at Boston University as “The Roof”, is the home to the Terriers men’s and women’s basketball teams. The Roof is located on the top floor of the Harold Case Physical Education Center, above Walter Brown Arena, home of the BU women’s hockey team. The Case Center stands on the site of Braves Field, which served as home to the Boston Braves of Major League Baseball from 1915-1952. The Center is located approximately where the left field pavilion once stood. Many pieces of Braves Field still stand, as the stadium (now named Nickerson Field) is still used by BU’s lacrosse and soccer teams. From 2005-2015 the Terriers played the majority of their home games at nearby Agganis Arena. Unfortunately, Agganis proved to be too large for Terrier basketball, so in 2015 it was decided to return all basketball games to the cozy confines of Case Gym. The Terriers have qualified for the NCAA tournament eight times, advancing all the way to the Elite Eight in 1959. In addition, Boston University has qualified for the NIT six times.  Five Boston University alumni have gone on to play in the NBA. Food & Beverage 1 There is a small concession stand in the gym lobby that will do the trick if you need a bite to eat during a Terrier basketball game. Hot dogs, nachos and assorted snacks comprise the entire menu.  On the plus side, nothing sold here costs more than six dollars. Pepsi products are featured at Case Gym. There is no alcohol served at this on-campus facility. Atmosphere 3 Case Gymnasium has a real old school vibe to it. It’s a simple facility that probably looks much as it did when it was built in the 1970s. There’s no giant, center-hung video board, just a pair of dot-matrix scoreboards at either end of the court that post basic game information. One of the things that drives the game day atmosphere at a college basketball game is the presence of the pep band, cheerleaders and student section. While there’s not a huge turnout by the student body at Terrier basketball games, the pep band leads the way in creating a lively atmosphere. They play during all stoppages and keep the energy level up. Performances by the cheerleaders and dance team help keep the fans entertained and engaged. A typical crowd at Case Gym consists of locals, alumni and plenty of youth groups and families. The team keeps the younger fans involved with contests and giveaways throughout the game, including t-shirt tosses, free posters and the very popular pizza giveaway. Younger fans take over the court at halftime. You may even see Rhett, the school’s mascot, roaming the gym and interacting with fans. As you might imagine, a small gym like Case gets really loud when it’s filled and the Terriers are rolling. Unfortunately, a full gym is the exception rather than the rule. Neighborhood 4 Boston University is an urban campus, straddling Commonwealth Avenue for approximately a mile and a half on the Boston/Brookline city line. Located adjacent to Case Gym is Nickerson Field, home to BU’s lacrosse and soccer teams. It is also known to baseball historians as Braves Field, which was home to the National League’s Boston Braves from 1915 to 1952. Walter Brown Arena is located on the ground floor of the Case Center, with Agganis Arena  a block to the east. Fans coming to the BU campus will find plenty of choices for dining in the area. BU students recommend Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and T Anthony’s Pizzeria, both located within a block of Case Gym. The neighborhood features a diverse variety of dining options, with excellent Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese eateries nearby. The Paradise Rock Club, known nationally for hosting prominent bands like U2 and REM before they hit it big, is located a block away from Case Gym. It continues to host both local acts and up-and-coming national acts. If you expand your search beyond campus, Kenmore Square and Fenway Park are just over a mile away. Not far beyond that are the tourist destinations of Copley Square, Back Bay, Boston Common and Chinatown. All are easily accessed by the Green Line, which has stops up and down Commonwealth Avenue. Fans 2 The Boston University basketball team stands perpetually in the shadows of the school’s very successful hockey team, and the attendance at Case Gymnasium reflects this. Average attendance at Terrier games is just under 900 fans. This figure ranks below the average of the Patriot League, which itself is one of the more sparsely attended basketball conferences in the nation. Despite the smallish crowds present, Case Gym provides an excellent home-court advantage to the Terriers. With its cozy confines, the place can get really loud when the home team gets on a roll. This is done the old-fashioned way, as the fans in the stands provide the noise and energy here. Access 4 It can be easy to pass right by Case Gymnasium without even realizing it. Located at the end of a dead-end street, this nondescript building is marked only by a small sign containing the Boston University logo. Boston can be a difficult city to drive in, with streets laid out in seemingly random directions and construction projects a constant presence throughout the city. However, it’s pretty easy to get to the Boston University campus. It’s located right on Commonwealth Avenue, one of the city’s major drags. Case Gym is located at the end of Babcock Street, right off of Commonwealth Ave. Detailed directions can be found here. Parking is available in a covered lot located underneath New Balance Field, right across the street from the ground floor entrance to Case Gym. On-street parking is also available in the vicinity of Case Gymnasium but be aware of the times that meters are in operation. Additional parking can be found in the garage underneath Agganis Arena. The best method for arriving at Case Gym is to take public transportation, known in Boston as the “T”. The Green Line’s B train has a stop at the top of Babcock Street just a short walk from Case Gym. The main entrance to Case Gym is located on the back side of the Case Center, adjacent to Nickerson Field. Entering into the gym’s lobby, fans will find the concession stand, trophy cases and rest rooms. Depending on where your seats are, you’ll enter Case Gym through one of two doors. Seating consists of individual red folding stadium seats on both sides of the court with excellent views of the action no matter where you sit. We recommend you sit a few rows up to see over the constant traffic on the floor. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Terrier basketball games cost twelve dollars for all seats. Parking is available in the lot across the street from the Case Athletic Center or in the garage underneath the Agganis Arena for twelve dollars. There is plenty of on-street parking within a few blocks of the gym, but it can be tough to find an open spot when there are several events going on in the area at the same time. If you are lucky enough to find a spot, make sure to check the meters, as times of operation and prices may vary. To save money, many fans will take public transportation to Boston University. Known in Boston as the “T”, a one-way fare costs $2.75 and accesses most of the city. The Green Line’s B train has a stop at the top of Babcock Street, just a short walk from Case Gym. If you play your cards right, you can watch a Terriers game for under 20 dollars. Even if you aren’t so frugal, you won’t break the bank at Case Gymnasium. Extras 2 Boston University displays their basketball history throughout Case Gym. Banners honoring conference championships, tournament appearances, and retired numbers hang throughout the gym. A trophy case in the lobby is loaded with mementos from the school’s storied history. On the first floor of the Case Athletic Center is the Boston University Athletic Hall of Fame. BU may not play with the big boys in most sports, but they are certainly a local athletic powerhouse. Veteran ballpark travelers will want to check out Nickerson Field, originally known as Braves Field, home of the Boston Braves until they moved to Milwaukee in 1953.  The Case Athletic Center is located approximately where the left field pavilion at Braves Field once stood. The grandstand of Nickerson Field is the former right field grandstand, and the former ticket offices are now the school’s security offices. Final Thoughts Case Gymnasium, while a fairly basic facility, has many features that make it a unique Stadium Journey. From its location above a hockey rink to its past as a Major League Baseball stadium, there aren’t many gyms quite like this one. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Stephen B. Dolny Stadium 419 Montague Avenue Greenwood, SC 29649 Lander Bearcats website Stephen B. Dolny Stadium website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 750 Lander Bearcats Established in 1872 as Williamston Female College and later renamed Landers College in 1907, athletics at what is now Lander University would not start up until 1968 with the men’s and women’s basketball programs. Initially a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Landers would become a charter member of the NCAA Division II Peach Belt Conference, formed in 1990. The Peach Belt Conference stretches along the southern coast with teams in North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Lander University is about 30 miles north of the South Carolina border with Georgia in the small town of Greenwood. While relatively small in population (approximately 22,000), the city of Greenwood has an impressive list of notable one-time residents including Benjamin Mays, former mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Hootie Johnson, past chairman of the Augusta National; former Wichita State men’s basketball coach Gregg Marshall; and a slew of NFL players, most notably Ben Coates, Super Bowl champion tight end with the New England Patriots. Food & Beverage   4 The concession stand here is located outside of Dolny Stadium, centrally providing concessions for baseball along with the nearby venues. The lodge-style building stands separate from the baseball and softball stadiums; the building housing the concession stand features a deck that overlooks the softball stadium, offering fans the chance to check out the action before returning to the baseball game. The concessions offer many options from Chick-fil-A sandwiches and hot dogs to chili dogs and nachos with a choice of cheese, chili, or both. Candy, chips, and other snacks are also available. The beverage options at Dolny Stadium are extensive, including bottled and fountain Pepsi products and Aquafina water. For those looking for alcoholic beverages, the stand offers Michelob Ultra, White Claw, and bottle-poured wine. Also, Lander University has its own branded golden ale, Bearcat Brew, from the Greenwood craft brewery Good Times Brewing. Atmosphere   3 Dolny Stadium has a rather open feel to it, with only a small brick press box around the top of the seating bowl – the field is pretty much visible from any vantage point around the concourse. Chairback seats run 5 to 7 rows deep from the cut of the outfield grass. For those who might prefer to spread out a bit, or for kids to run and release a bit of pent-up energy, a small grassy berm of seating runs down the first baseline. In addition, a handful of picnic tables dot the concourse that runs behind the seating bowl. Dolny Stadium uses brick support columns and a brick backstop, which seamlessly complement finished wooden support beams in the seating behind the home plate. The combination of wood, brick, and blue stadium seats makes for a nicely presented facade. A chain link fence, with fence supports framed with padding, creates the wall from left field around to center. The wall is a bit short of the standard dimensions with left field at 325’ and 365’ to the left-center power alley; the center field runs at 401’. The outfield wall from the center around to the right is more of a typical padded fence backed with a large retaining wall. With a road that runs atop the wall, the right field distances are a touch short at 355’ to the right center power alley, while the right field goes 320’. A typical inning-by-inning scoreboard sits atop the retaining wall beyond the right-centerfield fence. There are not a lot of distractions by way of sound effects, other than some quips interjected during mound visits from the press box. Inning changes are kept simple, typically filled with either rock or country music as the pitcher comes out to warmups to begin each half-inning. When it comes to the seating at Dolny Stadium, there isn't a bad seat in the house. The seating bowl is right on top of the action, allowing fans to almost feel as if they are part of the game. The seats behind the home plate provide the most shade and cover from any potential sun or rain in the forecast. Several fans also choose to bring their foldable chairs, to sit along the back of the last row of stadium seats. Neighborhood   4 Dolny Stadium is part of Jeff Mays Sports Complex which also includes Doug Spears Softball Field and Van Taylor Soccer Stadium. The proximity of these facilities allows fans to check out other games that might be going on. The Mays Sports Complex is located just off the Lander campus, under a mile from the oak-lined Main Street that runs through downtown Greenwood. Visitors will find several shops and restaurants along Main Street – Mill House Pizza, Howard’s on Main, Kickers Takeout, Buenavista, Montague’s, and Southern Soul on Main all come highly recommended. Those looking for a taste of the local microbrew scene might find Sled Dawg Brewery or Good Times Brewing of interest, both just off Main Street. Closer to May Sports Complex, visit the Dixie Drive-In for a throwback burger dive experience. Fans   3 Lander University ranks in the top half of the Peach Belt Conference in attendance, with just a tick under 200 fans per game. Fans are vocally supportive of the Bearcats, but in all appear to be on the same side. As expected, borderline calls can create a bit of a buzz in the stands, but it is nothing that would not be seen from any typical fanbase. Access   3 Without direct interstate access to Greenwood, visitors heading to Lander’s Dolny Stadium face a bit of a drive. The most traveled roads in the area, I-26 to the east, I-85 on the west, or I-385 coming from the north, leave at least an hour’s drive on state or US highways. Once at Jeff May Complex, most parking is toward the back of the facility, which should suffice if there is just one event going on, but with multiple fields hosting events simultaneously, there might be some competition for prime parking spots. Lots are near Dolny Stadium, so other than navigating the stairs leading to the front entrance, accessing the stadium is straightforward – those needing the assistance of ramps will want to look to the sloped area along the first baseline for easier entry into the facility. The concourse of the stadium runs behind the seating bowl and is reasonably easy to get around, but does not continue around the whole field; rather it horseshoes around home plate and up to the cut of the outfield grass. Since the concession stand and restrooms are shared with the other facilities within the complex, fans do have to exit the stadium to reach them. The field is visible the whole time, however, so the amount of the game missed is minimal. Return on Investment   5 Admission to Lander baseball games is $5 for fans 13 and up, with kids 12 and under free. Concession prices are very reasonable as well and will not break the bank; even alcohol prices are more in line with what would be paid at a pub, more so than an inflated stadium price. And with free parking, Bearcat baseball is an extremely affordable experience. Extras   3 The outfield wall recognizes the Bearcat’s Peach Belt regular season championships and NCAA Division II tournament appearances in 2012, 2014, and 2016, as well as their 2014 and 2016 trips to the D2 College World Series. With Dolny Stadium’s proximity to the softball and lacrosse fields, it is easy to come for a baseball game and stay for a lacrosse or softball game. The Capsugel walking/jogging track runs 4/5ths of a mile through and around Jeff May Complex. Not only does this give fans a bit of an opportunity to get some exercise in, but fans can do so while keeping up with the scores of the various games around the facility – the track is open year-round for community members to take advantage of. Final Thoughts Dolny Stadium gives fans a comfortable baseball experience in an intimate setting, at a wonderful complex that promotes the simultaneous support of multiple Lander University athletic programs. Baseball at Lander University can be much more than just a baseball experience. Jeff May Complex brings together an entire community and athletic department and gives fans an easy opportunity to check in on the status of other games going on, and possibly stick around a bit longer than planned for tight games that might be reaching their conclusion.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Pan American Center 1810 University Ave Las Cruces, NM 88003 Map It NM State Aggies website Pan American Center website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 12,573 A-G-G-I-E B-A-L-L Pan American Center is home to New Mexico State men’s and women’s Aggie basketball and volleyball. The arena hosts various other events throughout the year.  The building is celebrating 56 years; it has had several renovations since it first opened in 1968. It sits proudly on the New Mexico State University campus in Las Cruces, NM. The New Mexico State women’s basketball team began playing in the 1973-74 season at the Activity Center.  They moved to the Pan Am Center at the beginning of the 1976-77 season and have been playing there since.  The team won the WAC championship in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.  They have been to the NCAA Tournament six times.  The Aggies became a member of C*USA (Conference USA) in 2023. Spending a few hours at a women’s Aggie basketball game is enjoyable, fun, and entertaining. It’s well worth the visit. Food & Beverage 3 The arena offers basic stadium fare, enough for a snack during a game.  Sausage and hot dogs, nachos, and popcorn cost $6.  Snacks like churros, jumbo pretzels, Cracker Jack, candy, and pickles run $3 - $5. Pepsi sodas run $6/$7.  Gatorade and bottled water cost $5.  Domestic beers and raspberry margaritas in a can are for sale as well. Fans can get a combo hot dog, chips, and fountain drink for $9.   The nachos seem to be the favorite item of choice for fans. Atmosphere 5 Aggies women’s basketball does a tremendous job at providing a safe, entertaining, pleasurable game day experience. Fans enter the seating area and either travel down to the first level of 25 rows of seats or up to a second level.  A walkway is between the two levels.  At the game I went to, the second level was closed off, and it looks like the university is replacing the chair backs and seats in that level. The seating consists of red plastic fold-down stadium seats (no cup holders) on all four sides of the court.  It includes two levels on the court sidelines and one level behind each basket.  The Jag and Linda Cheema Suites fill out an area behind one of the end zones. The arena has a nice-looking court with light and dark wood and the NM Aggies logo in the center.  Lots of banners (championship, NCAA tournament appearances, retired numbers) hang from the ceiling.  Photos of outstanding Aggie athletes line the upper outer concourse walls. The venue has a clear, crisp center-hung scoreboard over the courts which shows a video of the game, the score, which team has possession of the ball, time left of the quarter, and more.  The end zones both have scores displayed as well. Besides the game, the organization offers plenty of other entertainment.  A passionate pep band plays often.  Lovely! Wonderful!  And a small dance squad cheers on the team.  The players descend the arena’s stairs to get to the court before introductions and the beginning of the second half.  Other activities include t-shirt tosses, the YMCA dance, a young children’s dance club performing at half-time, dance cams over the video scoreboard, and more. The team has a phenomenal announcer who calls substitutions, who scored a basket, the play on the court, fouls, etc. in a clear, understandable voice.  All this is done without extraneous music played at the same time.  The Aggies baseball game day operations should take lessons from their women’s basketball counterparts. The announcer calls “Out of bound – Aggie Ball!”  The crowd responds with “Aggie Ball!”  It’s a chuckle full of fun.  Believe me-- it’s much more entertaining when you’re there than can be described in words.  It puts a smile on your face, and you just can’t help but participate. The temperature in the arena is comfortable.  A long-sleeved t-shirt suffices. Finally, the music volume is perfect as you can converse with your neighbor without yelling. Neighborhood 4 The Pan Am Center is near the other on-campus NM State Athletic fields in Las Cruces, NM.  Plenty of restaurants and hotels are within 1 – 2 miles of the arena. Ten or more restaurants (including fast food) are along University Ave from I-10 to the arena:  I-Hop, Burger King, Panda Express, and Chick-fil-A.  The Game Sports Bar and Grill is a decent pregame place to visit for a beer and a bite.  Weck’s, an NM breakfast/lunch chain, is a worthwhile visit before an afternoon game. Other things to see and do when visiting Las Cruces include the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum about three miles from Pan Am Center.  The Museum of Science and Nature or the Las Cruces Railroad Museum may also be worth a visit, depending on your interests.  Of course, a visit to see the world’s largest chile pepper may be in order, too! Plenty of hotels are near the university.  The closest are the Hilton Garden Inn Las Cruces, Comfort Suites University, and Sleep Inn University.   A whole slew more is within two–three miles of Pan Am Center. Other sports in the area are the Aggies baseball team and the men’s basketball team.  A trip to El Paso, TX (a 45-minute drive) will take you to the El Paso Chihuahuas, AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Fans 2 Fans of Aggies basketball include students, alumni, families, and others.  The arena is not full for women’s basketball games.  So far this 2023-2024 season, average attendance is 681. This surprises me as it’s such an enjoyable time.  Attendance increases as the season draws closer to spring. Besides playing tunes, the pep band dances, hops, cheers, spins, and fully encourages the players on the court.  It is fantastic to see such enthusiasm. Access 3 Getting to the Pan Am Center is an easy drive off I-10.  Plenty of free parking surrounds the east and south sides of the arena.  Handicapped parking is available, as are accessible seats.  Check here for more information on accessible features at the arena. Las Cruces does have a bus stop (Aggie Green), but it looks as if it’s operational only Monday-Friday, 7 am – 6 pm, so it may not be suitable for use when attending a game.  Las Cruces Airport is 12+ miles from the university. The venue has a little plaza area with benches outside the ticket office.  It’s a nice place to wait for friends.  The ticket office is a separate building with polite staff manning the booths. Clear bags 12” x 6” 12” are allowed, as are small clutches. Pan Am Center has plenty of clean restrooms on the concourse level. Return on Investment 4 Attending an Aggies women’s basketball game is well worth the price.  They charge only $7 for general admission (you sit wherever you want).  The parking is free.  Food prices are less than in other D1 schools. The university offers an Aggie Country Pass which, for one price ($140 adult, $80 senior, $70 NM State faculty) allows entry to all NM State home soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, baseball, and softball games.  This may be the way to go if you plan on seeing lots of games.  I’ve seen this type of package at other colleges but at far lower prices. . Extras 3 The fabulous PA announcer deserves an extra mention.  Fans can easily keep score of the game just based on his announcement. The stunning court floor is pleasing to the eye and makes an attractive addition to the arena. All the NM State banners and photos displayed provide visitors with the vast athletic accomplishments the university has produced. Final Thoughts Attending an Aggies women’s basketball game is a delightful few hours of entertainment and is well worth your sports dollar investment.  It deserves to be more popular than it currently is.

Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey As the Los Angeles Clippers play out their final season at Crypto.com Arena, excitement is building toward their move to the Intuit Dome come Fall of this year. With the Clippers strongly competing for the top spot in the Western Conference, along with the excitement of this year’s team and the anticipation of the opening of their new home, the Clippers wasted no time in rebranding their look with a new logo along with new uniforms for the 2024-25 season. https://twitter.com/LAClippers/status/1762138370116055305 https://twitter.com/LAClippers/status/1762244028140237067 With construction still ongoing the Clippers aren’t the only ones wasting any time in anticipation for the opening of the Intuit Dome. Two teenagers, likely juveniles, snuck inside the unfinished construction site of the new Clippers arena, adding to the recent news of the graffiti-plastered Oceanwide Plaza project across Crypto.com Arena. A video of their mischief was uploaded to TikTok earlier this week. It shows the two boys hopping a wall and entering Intuit Dome where they shot baskets, deployed a fire extinguisher on a practice court, and appeared to climb onto the roof and the rafters above the main court. This isn’t the first time a TikToker has broken into a local venue or construction site as Dodger Stadium and nearby SoFi Stadium have also been featured in TikToker videos. Unbeknownst my knowledge of the events that took place inside the unfinished venue, on the day I had a chance to pass by and snap some shots (No pun intended) outside the future home of the Clippers, I later happened to cross paths on Prairie Avenue with a media member, one of several in the vicinity covering the headline, and she expressed the potential danger of trespassing in the construction site, as explained by one of the construction workers via KTLA. “It’s unfortunate. They’re doing it as a thrill. But they’re putting their lives at risk,” Walter Zuniga, an Intuit Dome construction worker, said. “If you haven’t been trained … especially at night… not knowing what’s behind you, you could fall into a trench. It could even cost your life.” Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts has said he plans to contact the teens involved and their parents. Because of their juvenile status, their names cannot be released. ---- Follow and view all of Andrei’s journeys on Instagram @thestadiumjourneyman and @dreiinla to view his journeys throughout Los Angeles.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Crenshaw Gym 2204 Henry St Ashland, VA 23005 Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets website Crenshaw Gym website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 1,310 The Buzz Around Randolph-Macon The campus of Randolph-Macon College is located in Ashland, Virginia, about 20 miles north of Richmond. RMC's athletic programs, known as the Yellow Jackets, compete at the Division III level in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Randolph Macon's basketball team is one of its most successful programs, having won the Division III National Championship in 2022. The basketball team makes its home in Crenshaw Gym, which originally opened in 1964. The venue seats approximately 1,300 fans and is also home to the volleyball programs. Food & Beverage 1 There is one concession stand in the atrium of Crenshaw Gym that opens half an hour before tip-off. A very basic menu consists of chips, candy, bottled soda, and water. While limited, the options are affordable, with everything costing $2. Atmosphere 5 Although Crenshaw Gym is a Division III venue, the experience here is on par with many Division I arenas. Before the game, a drummer will beat a large drum faster and faster as the crowd claps along and gets hyped. The team's mascot, a costumed yellow jacket, also loves to get the crowd into it. Cheerleaders and a dance team perform on the court during breaks in the action. Crenshaw Gym is a small, intimate gym, with seats on both sides of the court. One side consists of chairbacks and the other of bleachers. Arrive early if you want a chairback, as the arena does fill up. Regardless of where you sit, you will be up close to the action, with fans all around you raising the energy in the building. There is a small atrium just inside the doors of Crenshaw, featuring a merchandise table, a concession stand, and a table selling tickets to those who were unable to use the app to purchase them. The atrium is festooned with the Randolph-Macon logo, reminding you that this is the home of the Yellow Jackets. From there, you can walk through a set of doors to the gymnasium itself and take your seat. Neighborhood 3 Randolph-Macon College is located in Ashland, about 20 miles north of Richmond. Downtown Ashland includes many options, including the Iron Horse Restaurant, The Caboose Market & Cafe, and Trackside Grill. There are hotels available as well, for visitors who are staying overnight. Richmond is a relatively short drive away and offers many more options than would be available here. Fans 5 Although Crenshaw Gym only seats about 1,300, Randolph-Macon fills it to near capacity for most games. The fans are loud and passionate about the Yellow Jackets. Many of them have some connection to the team, whether that is a parent of a student-athlete, a student, or an alumnus. Some of them have been coming to games here for many years. Randolph-Macon may be a Division III school, but the fans here are comparable to many at the Division I level. This is a boisterous crowd, and Crenshaw Gym can get extremely loud at times. Access 2 The Randolph-Macon campus is a few miles off Interstate 95. Once you are on campus, you can park in any lot you want, but lots closer to the arena may already be full when you get here. This will especially be true if there is some other event at the college earlier in the day and fans have arrived and parked for that. At a minimum, you should be able to park in a large lot across Center Street and the railroad tracks from the main campus, about a five-minute walk from Crenshaw. Just watch for oncoming trains, as you will need to cross the railroad tracks at grade. There are also no clear signs directing you to Crenshaw, so we suggest using Google Maps or a similar app on your phone to ascertain the specific location and the right way to walk. Restrooms are located off the gymnasium floor and are small, so there may be a wait to use them. One good thing about access is that the Ashland Amtrak station is located less than a 10-minute walk from Crenshaw Gym, with access up and down the Northeast Corridor. This may not help most people, but for some, it will be extremely convenient. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Randolph-Macon home games are just $10 each, available in advance through the Ticket Spicket app. This is on the high end for Division III, but won't break the bank. When you consider that the environment here at Randolph-Macon is one of the best in Division III, it is certainly a good deal. Extras 4 Free programs and a merchandise table are located in the atrium and are each worth an extra star. Look for the banners in Crenshaw Gym honoring Randolph-Macon basketball achievements, including the 2022 national championship. The pregame tradition with the drum beating faster and faster to get the crowd pumped up is worthy of an extra star as well, and not something you often see at this level. Final Thoughts Don't let the fact that Randolph-Macon is a Division III college fool you. A basketball game at Crenshaw Gym is as good an experience as many Division I schools. With an energetic, packed crowd, and one of the best teams in the nation taking the court, a visit to RMC to check out some college hoops is well worth it to any fan in the area.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Presley Askew Field 1815 Wells St Las Cruces, NM 88003 Map It New Mexico State Aggies website Presley Askew Field website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 1,000 Aggies Baseball Nestled amidst a grove of trees sits Presley Askew Field, home of the NCAA D1 New Mexico State Aggies baseball team.  The field is on the university’s Las Cruces campus next to the Softball Complex and the school’s football stadium, Aggie Memorial. After 18 years of being members of the WAC (Western Athletic Conference), NMS Aggies athletic teams joined the C*USA (Conference USA) beginning the 2023-24 season. The baseball team was conference champions in 2002, 2003, 2012, 2018, 2019, and most recently in 2022.  And it has had 71 MLB draft picks and 24 NCAA All-Americans. Food & Beverage 2 The stadium has basic food truck choices for sale along with a separate cart selling just alcohol, all at decent prices.  Items for sale include hot dogs, Frito pies, nachos, pickles, popcorn, candy, chips, and hot Cheetos with cheese.  The prices range from $2 - $5.  Sundays are $1 hot dog days.  The truck accepts cash or credit/debit cards. Bottled soda, water, and Gatorade cost $4.  16-ounce cans of Coors Light, Modelo, and Hop Knot IPA run $8 a can.  A 12-ounce Mixed-Up Aggie-Rita (a canned raspberry margarita cocktail made especially for NM State) costs the same amount.  Nutrl (a canned vodka seltzer) is $6 a can.  Pistol Pete’s 1888 (a blonde ale), made by a New Mexico brewery, Bosque Brewing, is also offered.  Pistol Pete’s 1888 is named after the Aggies mascot (Pistol Pete) and the year the university was founded (1888).  It’s quite intriguing. Atmosphere 3 The music volume is brutal.  Bring earplugs if you are sensitive to deafening recorded noise.  The music person plays loud tunes at the same time the PA announces the starting lineups (especially the visiting team), and the lineups are called way too fast to record on a scorecard.  The music person also blares songs the same time the PA is announcing a batter, so you can’t hear who is at bat.  Very bad.  And he/she plays it between pitches.  Ugh. The stadium’s grandstand is behind home plate and the infield.  Presley Askew Field does not offer any other seating for fans.  Canopies cover the seating area for shade (the sun sets to the west behind the seating structure/grandstand).  You’ll be in the shade, so wear warmer clothes or bring jackets during the early part of the season.  Fans appreciate the shade as the season progresses. The seats and rows are labeled and numbered, but seating is $7 general admission except for several rows directly behind home plate, reserved for season ticket holders.  Otherwise, sit where you want.   The seats are traditional stadium fold-down seats with no cup holders.  The rows offer minimal legroom.  A medium-thickness net protects fans from foul balls. The infield incorporates artificial turf and turf is between all the bases.  The home plate area is fake dirt, and the pitcher’s mound is real dirt.  The outfield is real grass.  I find it an odd combination, but it’s not unusual in college ball. The home dugout is on the third base side.  Trees line the outfield wall, making it quite attractive.  Sit high up in the grandstand, on the first base side, to see a nice view of the Organ Mountain Range. The scoreboard is in left-center field.  It is difficult to read during afternoon games because the sun shines directly on it. If fans bring foul balls to the press box, they win a sweet prize (softball does this as well).  Kids enjoy this.  The staff throws t-shirts into the crowd for excitement.  Two kids participated in a ‘dress like an Aggie’ contest where they had to put on a jersey and other articles to win a prize. Neighborhood 4 Presley Askew Field is near the other on-campus NM State Athletic fields in Las Cruces, NM.  Plenty of restaurants and hotels are within 1 – 2 miles of the arena. Ten or more restaurants (including fast food) are along University Ave from I-10 to the arena:  I-Hop, Burger King, Panda Express, and Chick-fil-A.  The Game Sports Bar and Grill is a decent pregame place to visit for a beer and a bite.  Weck’s, an NM breakfast/lunch chain, is a worthwhile visit before an afternoon game. Other things to see and do when visiting Las Cruces include the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum about three miles from Pan Am Center.  The Museum of Science and Nature or the Las Cruces Railroad Museum may also be worth a visit, depending on your interests.  Of course, a visit to see the world’s largest chile pepper may be in order, too! Plenty of hotels are near the university.  The closest are the Hilton Garden Inn Las Cruces, Comfort Suites University, and Sleep Inn University.   A whole slew more is within two–three miles of Pan Am Center. Other sports in the area are the Aggies softball team and the men’s and women's basketball team.  A trip to El Paso, TX (a 45-minute drive) will take you to the El Paso Chihuahuas, AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Fans 4 Full crowds attend Aggies baseball games, with attendance records averaging about 725 a game so far in 2024; weekend games get the larger crowds.  Some fans set up grills, tables, chairs, and tailgate before the game. Some fans bring their dogs.  A good mix of families, alumni, and students make their way into the grandstand. Fans are vocal and quite active in the stands.  A good portion of the attendees generate a lot of traffic traversing up and down the grandstand; they can’t seem to sit still during and between innings.  Maybe they just need to leave because of the music volume. Access 3 Presley Askew Field is near the rest of the university’s athletic fields, south of the Pan American Center.  Getting to the stadium is an easy drive off I-10.  Free parking, including handicapped, surrounds the stadium.  The entrance has a strong, stable ramp up to the grandstand, in addition to two sets of steps. Las Cruces does have a bus stop (Aggie Green), but it looks operational only M – F, 7am – 6pm, so it is generally suitable only for early midweek baseball games.  Las Cruces Airport is 12+ miles from the university, but only one commercial airline uses the airfield.  The next closest airport is ELP in El Paso, TX, about 50 minutes south. The ticket office is a separate building right in front of the entrance. I didn’t notice any rules about a bag policy.  Your best bet is to bring a clear stadium bag 12” x 6” x 12” or a small clutch. The venue has one set of clean, accessible restrooms with plenty of stalls. Return on Investment 4 New Mexico State Aggies baseball is a very affordable afternoon or evening out.  Tickets are $7 general admission.  You can’t beat that for D1 baseball.  Fans receive a hard copy ticket at the ticket office; no need to download it onto an app.  It is quite a pleasing way to purchase tickets.  More venues should do it this way.   The parking is free, and the food prices are reasonable. Extras 3 Several other things are worth noting.  The batter’s eye cleverly has the NMS Aggie logo silhouetted in it.  It’s quite unique. The stadium boasts an ‘All American’ corner displaying photos of and honoring former players and coaches. A huge merchandise stand across from the food truck sells all kinds of Aggie’s gear (shirts, hats, sweaters, jerseys, etc.). Final Thoughts Except for the music volume, taking in a New Mexico State Aggies baseball game is a perfect way to spend a few hours when in Las Cruces.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 G. B. Hodge Center Hodge Dr Spartanburg, SC 29303 USC Upstate Spartans website G. B. Hodge Center website Year Opened: 1973 Capacity: 878 This is Spartan Country In a time when college athletic facilities has become a race of who can build the biggest, most technologically advanced, extravagant facility, G.B. Hodge Center on the campus of the University of South Carolina-Upstate has kept simplicity at the forefront. With a seating capacity of 878, G.B. Hodge Center is the smallest venue in NCAA Division I basketball. USC-Upstate made the jump from NCAA Division II to Division I in 2007, becoming members of the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Spartans would stay in the A-Sun until the 2017-18 season, when they would leave for the Big South Conference, which is more concentrated throughout the Carolinas. While Upstate has not earned a trip to the NCAA tournament since joining the highest level, they have appeared in post-season tournaments in six of their seventeen seasons in Division I. Food & Beverage   3 A small concession stand in the lobby gives fans everything they would expect at any large arena – hot dogs, personal size pizzas, soft pretzels, popcorn, and nachos with cheese dipping sauce, along with chips, candy, and the ever-popular pickle are available. And as Georgia is to Coca-Cola, Pepsi is to the Carolinas; soft drinks here are from the Pepsi family of beverages, along with Aquafina and Gatorade. While the inside concessions might not be all that eye popping, BBQ plates from the Greenville-based Big Dave’s All American BBQ are sold outside the arena. Atmosphere   3 G.B. Hodge Center is a rather non-descript building, which would be a bit difficult to pick out if you weren’t sure what it is you were looking at. Its ability to blend into the surrounding campus buildings is part of the charm of G.B. Hodges Center. Once into what is considered Eddie and Anne Payne Arena, the walls of each end of the floor display a large videoboard showing a live feed of the game, along with individual player point and foul totals, as well as team field goal and 3-point shooting percentages and rebound totals. An accompanying more traditional scoreboard provides game time, score, and team foul totals. Despite the closeness of the primary seating area on both sides of the court, USC-Upstate has found room along the sideline of the parquet court for a row of courtside seating. Throughout the game, fans are entertained by updates of Spartan athletic accomplishments and appearances by Upstate student-athletes, but it is the game entertainment crew that deserves a lot of credit for the amount of on-court contests and engagement they have with fans. Neighborhood   3 The USC-Upstate campus is on the outer reaches of Spartanburg, in a bit of an isolated area with not much by way of restaurants or other points of interest. Downtown Spartanburg is less than 5 miles from Upstate’s campus, and provides visitors with a wide variety of restaurants, shops, hotels, and the typical points of interest of downtown areas. The campus of the Southern Conference member Wofford Terriers, as well as Division II Converse University, are also in Spartanburg, just 4 miles away – this could give visitors many more options in planning a full day of sports in Spartanburg. Those looking to experience more of what the city of Spartanburg has to offer might just be interested in taking a walk around the downtown area. Morgan Square is a lovely small park surrounded by several locally owned restaurants, and downtown Spartanburg also has a very vibrant art scene, with several public displays and sculptures throughout downtown. Fans   3 Despite being the smallest venue in D1 basketball, it doesn’t take away from the passion of fans that fill G.B. Hodge Center. The Spartans typically draw well compared to their Big South counterparts when considering their gym is typically half to two-thirds filled for conference matchups. Expect larger crowds for contests against other schools from the area; Gardner-Webb, Winthrop, Presbyterian, and High Point tend to draw some of the larger crowds. A large number of fans definitely is a good indicator of the level of fan support behind a program, but the numbers themselves do not tell the whole story. On nights when the Spartan Army fills G.B. Hodge Center, it can be every bit the homecourt advantage as some of the largest arenas in the nation. Spartan fans are a supportive group; it is just the consistency of filling the gym that seems to be the challenge. Access   4 USC-Upstate is conveniently located two miles off I-85 from North Pine Street, as it transitions to the I-585 bypass. G.B. Hodge Center is situated toward the front of Upstate’s campus, separated from the remainder of the athletic facilities that are concentrated at the back of campus. A relatively large parking lot sits in front of the arena, making accessing the entrance rather straightforward. The lobby is well laid out for fans needing to purchase tickets, or simply needing their tickets scanned for entry before moving into the gym. Accessing seating is not the most convenient set up, as limited space around the court requires fans to get to their seats on either side of the court via the lobby area. Fans are not able to cross along the baseline. The front row of seating can also create challenges when navigating the walkways. When factoring in the legs of spectators and fans coming and going to their seats, congestion can make traversing the walkway a bit of a challenge. Given the size limitations of the gym, passing from one side of the court to the other does require fans to return to the lobby. Return on Investment   5 With tickets starting at just $8 and court-side seats available for $20, it would be hard to find a better deal in Division I basketball. Parking lots are typically free, with the exception of homecoming, when there is a $10 charge for the lots adjacent to G.B Hodge Center; concessions are kept to a reasonable rate as well. All-in-all, the basketball investment at USC-Upstate is worth the minimal financial commitment required. Extras   4 A display featuring Stadium Journey’s recognition of G.B. Hodge Center as the # 15 best college basketball experience in the NCAA’s Division I definitely garners recognition and credit as an extra feature of G.B. Hodge Center. Casts of spartan warriors line the walls above each of the seating areas – this goes a long way in supporting the University’s “Spartans” nickname. While there is not a lot on display by ways of looking at the history of USC-Upstate basketball, the wall behind the team bench does proudly showcase the 1982 NAIA Championship banner. Following the game, children 12 and under are invited to the floor to get some shots up. This is a small gesture that on the surface seems inconsequential, but goes a long way in building the hoop dreams of the next generation of Spartans. Final Thoughts The beautiful thing about college athletics is that game experiences come in all shapes and sizes, and are special in so many different ways – from the largest arena, Syracuse’s JMA Wireless Dome (35,446), to Upstate’s G.B. Hodge Center with its seating capacity of 878. But, as exhilarating as experiencing games at the largest arenas in the nation can be, the arenas at the other end of the spectrum can be just as spectacular for their own reasons. What G.B. Hodge Center lacks in frills and extravagance, it more than makes up for in intimacy and the sense of community practically every fan in the gym feels for one another, and even visitors.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 CFG Bank Arena 201 W Baltimore St Baltimore, MD 21201 CIAA website CFG Bank Arena website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 14,000 A "New" Arena For Charm City The arena now known as the CFG Bank Arena has a long and storied history. It opened in 1962 as the Baltimore Civic Center. During its time as the Civic Center, the arena hosted legends such as The Beatles, Martin Luther King Jr., and Led Zeppelin, as well as being the home floor of the Baltimore Bullets of the NBA until their move to near Washington, DC in 1973. The indoor soccer team, the Baltimore Blast, as well as various sports teams have also made the venue their home over the years. The late 1980s remodel saw a name change to the Baltimore Arena. It also spent most of the early 21st century with the corporate name First Mariner Arena. and then the Royal Farms Arena. The Oak View Group, which was chosen by the City of Baltimore to manage the venue, closed down the arena in early 2022 to perform a massive renovation on the aging arena. The CIAA Tournament is the first event since the remodeling work was done. The official grand opening was the April 7, 2023 concert by Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band. The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is a collegiate athletic conference, mostly consisting of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). CIAA institutions play at the Division II level of the NCAA. The CIAA is the first NCAA Division II conference to have its tournament televised as part of Championship Week on ESPN and it has become one of the largest college basketball events in the nation. The last day of the tournament is known as “Super Saturday” in which the men’s and women’s tournament champions are crowned. For 15 years, the tournament was held in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 2021 event was the first in Baltimore. The yearly event has now been extended through 2025 for Baltimore. Food & Beverage 4 There are only two major food stands open, along with various grab-and-go locations, for the event. This may change once the final renovations are done. It does appear that the arena is going to be more of a concert and entertainment venue that just happens to host a few sporting events along the way. This means the food and drink options are more aimed at the drinking crowd element than food. The Big Chicken and Koko's Bavarian Biergarten Brewery offer simple menus but the food offerings are quite good. Prices are not cheap but are at usual arena price levels. Atmosphere 5 The CIAA had been a major event in the past for Charlotte. It looks like the event is having the same kind of effect on Baltimore. Besides the tourney, there are concerts and events throughout the city during the event. A 14,000-seat venue is not a large arena, but not small either. A benefit of the unique design of this facility is that it tends to make it feel more intimate than it really is. Even the largest events there can feel like smaller ones. The effect of this also means that even less attended events can feel loud. Being a long, multi-day sporting event you will see varying amounts of fans in the stands. Some games will be more packed than others. There are alumni from all the schools attending the event and offering their cheers. There will be bands, mascots, cheerleaders, and dance squads for all of the schools, and they all offer a great addition to the atmosphere. There are some unique changes to the arena since last year. The main concourse has now been moved to the level above the main seating bowl. Walls have been removed to make this concourse now an open view to the action in the arena. This is a massive change to the venue. There are other changes in the seating bowl, such as walkways having been removed and new entry points being added. The arena had a single suite before the renovation and now has several suites and theatre boxes along with some private and premium club spaces. The arena has also gotten fresh paint jobs everywhere. The arena now has a grey and black modern look and feel. Neighborhood 3 The CFG Bank Arena is right in the heart of downtown Baltimore, with its numerous entertainment and food options close by. But the arena is a few blocks from the more touristy sections of town. And those few blocks can make a difference. I am not saying it is unsafe, as talk like that is far overblown in the city. One just needs to use caution and watch their surroundings. The 2015 riots in Baltimore City should not be forgotten, nor should they stop you from attending an event at the arena. Just be aware of where you are. If you do have some time before the game (or after…) a visit to the Pratt Street Ale House is only about a block away. They have good brews and food. Try the crab pretzel for a serious Maryland food experience. Venturing further away from the arena one of my favorites is the Abbey Burger Bar right near the Cross Street Market. The beer selection is good and they offer a dizzying array of burger choices, all of which are likely to satisfy. For slightly more upscale cuisine a visit to the 1100-1200 blocks of North Charles Street where The Brewers Art and Sammy’s Trattoria offer good food at decent prices. Baltimore is home to many touristy attractions such as Harborplace, Fells Point, and Fort McHenry. The American Visionary Art Museum on Key Highway is located on the way to Fort McHenry and should not be missed, although its unique collection will not be for everyone. Fans 5 Tournaments will have varying fan bases, so it may change from game to game. I would imagine the extremely located schools have trouble filling the stands. Pep bands, mascots, and cheerleaders also make the atmosphere rival a big-time college environment. Access 4 The CFG Bank Arena is located in downtown Baltimore about a block from the Baltimore Convention Center and two blocks from Camden Yards. It is close to I-95, with only a couple of turns from the arena putting you on the highway home. Parking garages can be found in all directions from the arena. One garage is even physically attached to the arena. Look for parking deals to come with some event tickets. Street parking is not a great option. Return on Investment 3 The best value seems to be the all-tournament pass at $225. There are day tickets available and they do appear to be more expensive than in years past. Extras 4 Even with the updates to the arena, there are still some cool and unique seating structures around the venue. The weird old squared corner seats still exist but have now been rounded until a better format. The view should be much improved from those seats. It is things like that which will make the old-school design elements a feature in themselves. The fans themselves are an extra at an event like this. They support their respective teams very well and will make this an enjoyable event to attend. Check out the dance and cheer squads as they get the crowds excited. Final Thoughts This is not the same old Baltimore Arena that many may remember. The massive renovation work has transformed the venue into a state-of-the-art entertainment venue. And with a party-type event like the CIAA Tournament, you WILL have a good time here.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 CG Baseball Field 2626 E Pecos Rd Chandler, AZ 85225 Map It Chandler-Gilbert Coyotes website CG Baseball Field website Year Opened: 1987 (a guess) Capacity: 300 (approx) CG Yotes Baseball Chandler-Gilbert Coyotes are NJCAA – Arizona Community College Athletics Conference (ACCAC) members. They play their home games at the GC Baseball Field on the college’s Pecos campus in Chandler, AZ, a southeast suburb of Phoenix. As of this writing (2024), the Yotes (their nickname) baseball team has not won any NJCAA National Championships. Food & Beverage 0 The baseball stadium does not have refreshments for sale.  Fans can (and should) bring their own beverages and snacks.  The facility has a few picnic tables near the stands. Atmosphere 3 The CG Baseball Field is one of the few ACCAC stadiums that has lights.  Evening and night games can be played here, but the schedule still has mostly afternoon games. A scoreboard in left-center shows the basic line score.  Names on the outfield wall include Andre Ethier, Eric Young Jr, Dennis Sarfate, Rudy Owens, James Pazos, and Tyler Hollick. These former CGCC alumni players have all played for or signed with Major League Baseball. Stadium seating is ten rows of bleachers with handrails behind home plate and two smaller ancillary bleachers (4 or 5 rows) on each side of the main seating area.  The Coyotes dugout is on the third base side.  A medium thickness net, not a chain link fence, protects the seating areas from foul balls.  This makes watching the game a little easier for fans.   The bleachers do get shade for 3pm games.  You’ll want to bring sunscreen for games with an earlier start time. The field is actual grass, impeccably green and plush, the kind you want to walk through in your bare feet.  The home plate area and pitcher’s mound look like grey carpet. Visitors see trees and housing beyond the outfield and can even see traffic passing by on Gilbert Road. Game day operations play music between innings, and the home team players have walk-up songs.  The volume is okay.   Like at most ACCAC baseball games, they do not announce the game. Neighborhood 3 The ball field is adjacent to the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Pecos campus.  The cities of Chandler and Gilbert are southeast suburbs of Phoenix, AZ.  It’s suburbia, so shopping strips, fast food, and housing surround the college. BKD’s Backyard Joint and Copper Still Moonshine & Grill are decent sports bars/restaurants 1 - 2 miles away to visit after a game. Downtown Chandler is a little over three miles from the school.  It offers several breweries and brewpubs (SanTan, Pedal Haus, The Perch Brewery, and more).  Downtown Gilbert is five miles from the college and provides several places to dine and drink:  OHSO Brewery, Culinary Dropout, Snooze, Liberty Market, and more. Some of the top attractions in Chandler are the SanTan Gardens – Brewery & Distillery Tour, Crayola Experience (good for families with young children), Chandler Museum (with a wide variety of exhibits), and Chandler Fashion Center mall (for shopping). Mesa Thunderbirds (Mesa Community College) baseball is 10 miles away.  The Chicago Cubs spring training site is a little further.  Hohokam Stadium, where the Oakland Athletics have their spring training, is 12 miles distance.  Downtown Phoenix is 25 miles from the school. For places to stay, I’d recommend choosing something in Chandler like a Hilton Garden Inn, Best Western, or Crown Plaza Resort.  You may be able to get an Airbnb for a little less. Fans 3 A good number of fans show up for the CG Coyotes baseball games.  You’ll often see as many opposing team fans as Coyotes fans since the Phoenix area has several schools in the ACCAC.  Fans here fall into more than the ‘family and friends’ category.  Other students attend the ball games.  At the game I saw, the softball team members showed up after their game was complete. The fans are respectful; all clap their appreciation when a pitcher leaves the game, as well as any good plays at bat and in the field. Access 3 Getting to Chandler-Gilbert Baseball Field is best by car.  The field is a mile north of Loop 202.  It is 21 miles from Sky Harbor Airport. Valley Metro’s bus route 136 has a stop at the corner of Gilbert Rd and E Pecos Rd (the intersection of the school).  That stop is about ½ mile walking distance to the field. Plenty of free parking is available.  Finding a spot might be challenging for midweek afternoon games when school is in session.  The stadium is wheelchair accessible, but it is a 400 to 500-foot walk from the parking lot to the stadium. As with all ACCAC baseball fields, silly bag policies are not in place.  Fans just walk up and find a place to sit on the bleachers.  Sweet! Return on Investment 5 While Arizona is known for Cactus League spring training, that is utterly expensive these days.  It’s a joy to find local, decent baseball in the same area for absolutely no charge.  No parking charge, no fee for watching the game, and you even need to bring your own drinks and snacks - so no elevated charges for food. Watching the game for the game, and not all the extraneous elements, is priceless. . Extras 2 Displaying the names of former CG Coyotes on the outfield walls is worth an extra mention.  Seeing lights at the ballpark is unique and distinctive for an ACCAC college baseball field. Final Thoughts If you’re looking for an inexpensive, outdoor activity to enjoy during the spring months in the Phoenix Metro area, be sure to look up a Chandler-Gilbert Coyotes baseball game.