Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 George Mason Softball Stadium 4601 Rapidan River Road Fairfax, VA 22030 George Mason Patriots website George Mason Softball Stadium website Year Opened: N/A Capacity: 700 Patriot Games The George Mason Softball Stadium is the home to the George Mason University Patriots softball team. Located on the school’s campus in Fairfax, Virginia, the stadium underwent major renovations in 2009 and can seat up to 700 fans, including berm seating. Food & Beverage 2 There is a food truck which sometimes shows up to GMU games which has a limited but decent enough selection. Meals include burgers ($5), hot dogs ($3), and chicken tenders ($8). Fries are $4 by themselves and can be added to any meal for $3. Other options include nachos ($5), pretzels ($4), cookies and candy ($3), brownies ($4), and chips ($2). Powerade and soda are available for $4 and bottled water for $3. On cold days, coffee and hot chocolate are available for $3 each. Atmosphere 3 The GMU Softball Stadium is a small but intimate environment. There is a set of bleachers without backs behind home plate and additional seating is available on grass berms down the lines. Fans can bring blankets or lawn chairs and sit there. A scoreboard in right-centerfield shows the basic information but nothing else. The atmosphere here is pretty standard – a public address announcer and music between innings and before each batter. There is not much else going on, but that is not unexpected at this level. Neighborhood 3 George Mason’s campus is located in suburban Fairfax County, just across the border from the City of Fairfax, which like all cities in Virginia is a politically separate entity from any county. This confusing situation aside, Fairfax is a typical suburb located about 25 miles outside of Washington, D.C. The University Mall shopping center is located across the street from campus and features Brion’s Grille as well as several chain places and a movie theatre. The 29 Diner is a local favorite as well. While Fairfax doesn’t have the same excitement you’d get in the District, it’s still a nice suburb with plenty to do and eat before or after the game. Fans 2 The Patriots do not draw well and most of the fans who do show up are friends and family of the players. When we went, there were as many fans as the opposing team as there were for the Patriots. Those who do show up can get into the game, but there simply aren’t that many of them. Unfortunately, this is pretty standard for college softball in this part of the country. Access 3 George Mason’s campus is about six miles off the Capital Beltway (I-495) or three miles off I-66. Once you’re on campus, there is ample parking available near the stadium, either right outside it or in nearby lots. If you must use public transit, you will use the Vienna-Fairfax/GMU station on the Orange Line, but this is about five miles away. A shuttle to campus is available but lets you off nowhere near the stadium. Despite the name, the Virginia Square/GMU station should not be used as it serves Mason’s satellite campus in Arlington, many miles away. There are restrooms available on the concourse. While small, they are of ample size for the crowds. Return on Investment 4 Admission is free and concessions are affordable. However, there is not enough here to get the top rating. Extras 2 There are free programs available next to the press box. Look for the banner in centerfield honoring Nakoma Sours, an All-American centerfielder for the Patriots who was killed in a car crash during her sophomore year in 1995. Final Thoughts College softball is simply not a huge deal in most of the country, and George Mason is no exception. While it’s hard to argue with the chance to spend an afternoon watching sports at no cost, regardless of the circumstances, there isn’t a whole lot going on here to encourage non-locals to make the trip.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Fieldhouse at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex 1921 West Gate City Blvd Greensboro, NC 27403 Greensboro Swarm website Fieldhouse at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex website Year Opened: 2016 Capacity: 2,100 Basketball Swarms the Gate City The state of North Carolina is known for many things: delicious BBQ, beautiful mountains and beaches, and basketball. The Tar Heel State is home to eighteen Division 1 college programs, including big ACC programs like Duke, North Carolina, NC State, and Wake Forest, and smaller mid-major programs like Davidson, High Point, UNC-Charlotte, and UNC-Greensboro. The state also boasts the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets who in May 2015 decided to own its own NBA Development League team that would play close to the team’s home base in the Queen City. Seven cities were considered in both North and South Carolina before it was officially announced in October that Greensboro was the city selected, and two months later the name Swarm was announced as a homage to the Hornets’ parent brand. Greensboro is a natural fit to house minor league basketball given its history of hosting the ACC Tournament several times over the last few decades at the Greensboro Coliseum. The Fieldhouse, located just steps away and formerly known as The Pavilion, hosted many events over the years, from exhibitions of the annual Central Carolina Fair to many ACC Fan Fests for the Men’s and Women tournaments. In 2016 it was converted to host the Purple and Teal. With locker rooms, a field house-type roof, and permanent seating the building was truly transformed. The team is still in its infancy playing in the NBA Gatorade League, but there is a buzz about the future greats of the NBA playing in a basketball-rich city. Food & Beverage 3 There is nothing spectacular about the cuisine at the Fieldhouse but the prices aren’t outrageous. Bottled water and Pepsi products go for four dollars a bottle. Chips, candy, and popcorn are two, three and four dollars respectively, while french fries, and pretzels, and a jumbo hot dog are four dollars a pop. If you’re feeling hungrier, you can get a chicken tender, or tender sandwich basket (with fries) for eight dollars each, or fifty cents more for a cheeseburger basket. A domestic or specialty beer will set you back eight and nine dollars. Although the food is solid, it might be worth trying one of Greensboro’s great eateries to get the most out of your experience when visiting the Gate City. Atmosphere 4 The NBA Gatorade League started in 2001 with eight teams in just the Southeastern United States, and nearly two decades later currently hosts twenty-eight teams. The League has an eye on future expansion. It is hoped that all 30 NBA teams will own and operate their own affiliate much like the Hornets do with the Swarm. The League has seen a boost in credibility over recent years with the introduction of two-way contracts and it’s becoming a premier place for young players to compete for a coveted NBA roster spot. The Fieldhouse is the perfect place to watch the best of the up and comers. The arena houses 2,118 chair back and bleacher seating on three sides of the court, and since you are no more than twelve rows or so from the hardwood, there is not a single bad seat anywhere in the Fieldhouse. The venue’s concourse is behind the basket closest to the entrance. It features an arcade-style basketball hoop set up for young ones to practice their jump shots, concession stands to grab something to eat or drink, and a table selling a nice selection of Swarm merchandise The buzzer that indicates the end of a period, shot clock, or substitution is very loud, so those with sensitive ears should be aware There’s an appealing simplicity about the Fieldhouse: two electronic scoreboards are found on the walls behind both baskets, but there is no video board or any other bells and whistles at the Fieldhouse. While there are some fun promotions led by Sergeant Swarm, the team’s mascot and the Buzz Brigade promotions squad, the focus is on fast-paced, high-intensity professional basketball. Neighborhood 4 The Fieldhouse is part of the Greensboro Coliseum Complex and sits adjacent to the Coliseum on Gate City Boulevard, one of Greensboro’s main drags. There are many places to grab some delicious food. For example, right across the street sits Stamey’s, home to delicious slow-cooked Lexington-Style BBQ for the last eighty years. It’s a wonderful place to get that old-fashioned pork or chicken goodness on a plate or as a sandwich. There is a plethora of delicious side items, including Brunswick Stew, hush puppies, slaw, and collard greens. Drive one street over to Spring Garden, and take in some of the best burgers not just in Greensboro but throughout North Carolina. There are ten different gourmet options including The North Carolinian which is topped with a fried egg, bacon, pimento cheese, lettuce, and a fried green tomato, The Brooklyn and Cuban Cow are also worth trying. They’re modeled after the classic Reuben Sandwich and Cuban Sandwich respectively. There are also numerous starters including my favorites, fried goat cheese and fried crab cake balls. Don’t forget the Wall of Fries, where you can get more than a dozen styles of fries and potato chips including Sweet Thai Chili, Cordon Bleu, or Poutine. Finally, no trip to Greensboro would be complete without a trip to Yum Yum about a mile up Spring Garden Street on the campus of UNC-Greensboro, where you can grab a tasty hot dog and some sweet and creamy house-made ice cream, at a more than a century-old institution. I’d recommend getting your hot dog “all the way” for a North Carolina style that includes mustard, onions, their in-house chili, and slaw, along with a glass bottle of North Carolina’s very own Cheerwine, before treating yourself to a scoop or two of their “better ice cream.” The prices are surprisingly very low, and even with large crowds, there is never a long wait time. The main brewery that locals and visitors both love is Natty Greenes which has locations across the street from the complex as well as downtown. There is always a lot going on in the Gate City. When you’re in North Carolina’s third-largest city and the biggest city in North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad Region, you don’t have to go too far to find something to keep you busy for a day or weekend. If shopping is on the top of your list, then the three-story Four Seasons Mall and the outdoor Friendly Center are five and ten minutes away. Those with children should check out the Greensboro Science Center, and the Greensboro Children’s Museum. Both offer hours of entertainment for young ones, with the former boasting a zoo and an aquarium, and the latter offering large climbing structures. History buffs should check out The International Civil Rights Center and Museum in the site of the old Woolworths Department Store, where sixty years ago four North Carolina A&T students sat at a segregated lunch counter to help bring about integration. It is considered one of the most important events of the Civil Rights Movement. Nearly two hundred years earlier one of the most important battles of the American Revolution took place and you can stroll around the more than 200 acres where American and British soldiers fought in what is widely considered the turning point of The Revolutionary War. All of these attractions are located just a fifteen-minute drive from the Fieldhouse, but if you’re wanting something to check out in the complex itself, a few hundred yards away from the home of the Swarm is the ACC Hall of Champions, a shrine to the fifteen Atlantic Coast Conference members, where you can learn about the history of some of the greatest moments in each of these school’s athletic histories and maybe get your picture with your favorite ACC school’s life-size mascot statue. There are many hotels to stay near the complex including a Holiday Inn, Red Roof Inn, Drury Inn & Suites, and a Comfort Suites, all within a five-minute drive, as well as plenty of hotels downtown three miles east if you’re wanting to be more centrally located. Fans 3 The Swarm is only playing in its fourth season, so the team is still trying to define itself. On weekends and other big nights, like its home opener, and the school day game, the Swarm can sell out the Fieldhouse, however on this mid-week affair even against a regional opponent the stands only looked about a third full which for a venue of its size, does mean less than a thousand people are in the seats. That being said, the fans who were present were engaged and knowledgeable and were focused on the game and not just on socializing or looking at their cell phones. The crowd would get loud for big plays, and it still made for an exciting atmosphere to watch some pro hoops. Fan attendance could consistently increase as both the Hornets improve and the Swarm sign some local talent from any of NC’s many great college programs, but the trend of G-League franchises playing in small venues of a few thousand in most cases seems to be an advantage as the league continues to establish itself as basketball’s premier minor league. Take a look at the inside of the Fieldhouse during a game here: Access 4 The Fieldhouse shares a parking lot with the far more massive Greensboro Coliseum and there is an ample amount of parking. Parking is five dollars, but you can often find spots really close to the Fieldhouse’s entrance. For those who are taking public transportation, the number 11 GTA will get you from the Coliseum to the Greensboro Depot downtown for $1.50 one way and can connect you to Greyhound and Amtrak service as well if you’re coming from beyond the Triad. Lines are very short (sometimes nonexistent), and walking around the concourse behind the basket is never too problematic. Return on Investment 5 Going to see the Greensboro Swarm is an incredibly good deal: tickets start at twelve dollars, and with concessions not too unreasonable, and parking very low, watching some potential future NBA stars in an intimate fast-paced setting will only set a person back $25-$30, which is often less than the cost of just a ticket at an NBA game. The quality may not be as high, but these are still some very skilled players, and for those who follow the Hornets it allows an opportunity to see players on the rise in the organization up close. To stretch your dollar further Fieldhouse Fridays offers dollar hot dogs, and two-dollar soda and beer. That, combined with a chance to shoot postgame on the Fieldhouse hardwood, would be the ideal time to catch the Swarm in action. Extras 3 The first point goes to the unique Fieldhouse design and layout. They could have easily made a plain standard gym or arena but instead it has the feel of an airplane hangar. The next point goes to the map on display in the concourse of all of the G-League franchises and where they are located, which not only provides a reference to those who aren’t familiar with the circuit but also helps to showcase the league itself, showing how it has grown nationwide. Finally, a third point for the incredibly friendly staff at the Fieldhouse. Final Thoughts North Carolina has an extremely rich basketball tradition stretching from the mountains to the coast and right in the middle is Greensboro. The Greensboro Coliseum’s Fieldhouse is a unique compact space that hosts high energy, up-tempo basketball one rung down from the NBA. The Swarm is still relatively new on the block, but with the strong partnership of the Hornets, and the Greensboro Coliseum known for hosting some basketball classics next door, the Swarm has found a nest in the Gate City, and as the Hornets improve the buzz around the Swarm will only increase.

Photos by Jarod Goodman and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 The Palestra 235 S 33rd St. Philadelphia, PA 19104 Penn Quakers website The Palestra website Year Opened: 1927 Capacity: 8,725 The Cathedral of College Basketball Across the Schuylkill River from downtown Philadelphia lies the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, a historic colonial-era Ivy League institution that often receives more acclaim for its academics than for its athletics. But the Penn Quakers have left their mark on the sports world nonetheless, and none has made more of an impression than the men’s basketball program. Penn has fielded a team since 1897, and that team has played since 1927 in one of the most historic sports venues in the entire world: The Palestra. Food & Beverage 3 Don’t eat at The Palestra. While there’s a modest selection of concession items available, you’re in Philadelphia after all; there are so many incredible dining experiences to be had in the City of Brotherly Love. Additionally, while you’re attending a game at the historic Palestra, you’ll want to explore the place as much as you can and soak in the atmosphere as much as possible. Simply put, just don’t bother standing in line or wasting time getting food at the game. Should you decide to pop over to one of the concession stands anyway, moderately priced options will greet you. Some main dishes include cheeseburgers ($8), pizza slices ($5), and hot dogs ($4). There’s a variety of snacks available as well, such as nachos, popcorn, pretzels, and peanuts, all priced around $2-$5. The beverage of choice at Penn is Coca-Cola ($5), and bottled water is $4. The one unique stand in the building is the Cookies & Creamery kiosk, where you can grab a cup of ice cream ($5) or some cookies ($3) for a little treat. Atmosphere 5 The architectural and historical beauty of The Palestra is astounding. The exterior of the gym is eerily similar to a venue that is 13 years its junior, Duke’s Cameron Indoor, but that’s where the similarities end. From the moment you walk inside the door, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a time machine and been transported to a bygone era. The exposed brick hallways, the steel archways that support the convex roof, and the high-up window panels that let sunlight flood the court are the main contributors to the Depression-era ambiance. The majority of the seating in the venue is composed of old wooden benches, though chair-back seats are present in the premium lower bowl. However, none of that matters, as every seat in The Palestra is close to the action due to the intimate design. What makes the arena truly unique are the end zone bleachers; there’s no barrier between the fans in the front row and the activity happening on the hardwood, giving those lucky few an incredible game day experience. To keep track of the game, two helpful scoreboards are perched high in the end zones. Sitting anywhere near the video board in the east end zone makes it hard to see highlights and replays, but the opposite wall has a handy scoreboard that records a variety of game statistics. Neighborhood 4 The Penn campus, along with neighboring Drexel University, makes up the hip district known as University City. Just across the Schuylkill River (pronounced skoo-kuhl, if you were wondering) from the business-oriented downtown, both neighborhoods are awash with entertainment and dining choices. Downtown is by far the most touristy and lively of the two, featuring several significant Revolutionary-era landmarks such as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Other attractions of note include Philadelphia’s iconic City Hall, the Museum of Art made famous by the 70s blockbuster Rocky, and the National Constitution Center. Philly also has a rich maritime history as a strategic port on the Delaware River, and this history is on display daily at the Independence Seaport Museum. Foodies will love Philadelphia for many reasons, but the obvious draw is the iconic cheesesteak. Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks, located at 9th and Passyunk, seem to be the main perpetrators in the circulation of the Philly cheesesteak culture. Beefy battles aside, the Reading Terminal Market is also a popular destination with hungry tourists. Dating back to 1893, this gastronomic paradise is home to over one hundred vendors that serve up delectable dishes from pretzels to artisan cheese to fresh produce. Fans 3 The Palestra is electric during Big 5 games and when Penn takes on their arch-rival Princeton. For these packed-out games, it’s sometimes hard to move around the cramped gym and it can be a bit incommodious at times. But the atmosphere that the student section and the Quaker faithful produce amidst these contests is nothing short of special; it’s something basketball die-hards should experience at least once. When the Princeton Tigers or a Big 5 team isn’t on the schedule, don’t expect any wild crowds at The Palestra. For any other game on the slate, the arena doesn’t fill up. Sure, the fans that do find their way to the benches are all over the action and pay attention to the entire game, but it pales in comparison to those staple games. Access 3 The Palestra, and the University as a whole, are located in a cramped and dated part of Philadelphia, forcing game day visits to become a complicated, multi-step process. For starters, there is extremely limited parking near the gym. The lots in the surrounding area are reserved on basketball game days, but there are two primary garages to choose from. The first is located at 34th and Chestnut Streets, while the second is adjacent to the Penn Museum at South Street and Convention Avenue. Rates for these garages vary; you can also use the Parking Panda app to find a pre-paid parking space, and this is usually your best bet. Another option would be to take Philadelphia’s mass transit, called SEPTA, to the game. Three modes of SEPTA will drop you off near The Palestra: Regional Rail – Both the Penn Medicine and 30th Street Stations are within a 10-minute walk. Subway – The 30th and 34th Street Stations are both along the Market-Frankford Line, though the latter is slightly closer. Trolley – The 33rd Street stop is only about a 5-minute walk from The Palestra. Return on Investment 4 Single-game tickets start at $17 and go up from there. Tickets to the annual Princeton game or a Big 5 matchup may cost you more. Concessions, should you choose to grab a bite, are moderately priced and probably won’t run you more than $10 per person. Parking rates vary depending on the location and time but expect to pay anywhere between $5 and $30 for a space. After everything is said and done, a family of four should look to spend around $130 for a game at Penn. This is well worth the experience at the holy grail of college hoops. Extras 5 The hallways of The Palestra are a living museum, so plan to arrive plenty early and learn all about the rich history of the Penn Quakers and their glorious home. There are dozens of display cases that feature memorabilia and informative plaques alike, covering all Quaker athletic programs and showcasing their accomplishments by decade. These cases don’t just highlight the University of Pennsylvania either, but rather all of the Philadelphia Big 5 schools. Speaking of the Big 5, The Palestra has been the home of the basketball teams from Philly’s institutions of higher education for many years. While each university has its home arena, Penn annually hosts St. Joseph’s, Villanova, Temple, and La Salle at their venerable gymnasium. The Palestra opened on New Year’s Day of 1927 with a win over Yale in front of a capacity crowd of 10,000 – then the largest basketball crowd on the east coast to ever attend a game. (Thirty years earlier, Penn and Yale played in the first-ever basketball game to feature five players on each team.) Since its debut, The Palestra has hosted more games, more visiting teams, and more NCAA tournaments than any other venue in college basketball. Final Thoughts The history that Penn has both written and witnessed at The Palestra is what makes it a venue that should be at the top of your bucket list, college hoops fan or not. Whether the Quakers win or lose, you will not regret seeing a game at The Cathedral.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Tranquilo Golf Course at Four Seasons Resort Orlando 3451 Golf View Dr Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 LPGA Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions website Tranquilo Golf Course at Four Seasons Resort Orlando website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 50,000 True Golf Enjoyment in Disney’s Back Yard The Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions is unique in golf for several reasons. First, it is located at the Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Second, it features only LPGA pros who have won a tournament in the past year. Finally, it also features some top-level sports and entertainment celebrities, as well as some of the best access to them that fans can expect. While modestly advertised, this “best kept secret” remains popular among fans and locals in the know, and features a game-day experience that rivals the best in the local sports scene. While professional golf has a history at Disney World thanks to the 41-year run of the Walt Disney World Golf Classic at the Palm and Magnolia courses, the 2019 tournament is the first official return of golf that is part of a season, and not just a one-off event – from 2013 to 2018 the event was a PGA tour and celebrity invitational. Food & Beverage 4 The food booths are pretty well spread out around the golf course, making it easy for fans to grab a bite to eat or something to drink. While most concessions stands have limited menus for food, the drink options are quite extensive. The most extensive menu is found at the main food stand just past the shuttle drop-off zone for the 3rd and 17th holes. Here you can find a grilled hot dog for $5, a grilled cheeseburger, grilled Italian sausage, or grilled chicken sandwich for $8, or a Mediterranean chicken salad bowl for $10. The stand also offers turkey spinach wraps and almond tarragon chicken salad sandwiches for $9. Snacks like Smucker’s Uncrustable PB&Js are $4, while chips, crackers, cookies, and fruit are $2; drinks like bottled water and soda are $4. Various alcohol companies that sponsor the event are also on hand to sell variations on popular cocktails using their respective products. For example, The Glenlivet has their own bar setup that features seven different cocktails ranging from $12 to $20. Local brewer Crooked Can Brewery is also on hand with their beers at various concessions stands and in their beer garden, with beers costing anywhere from $8 to $9. In addition, this year American brewer Yeungling featured a beer garden that included free samples of their latest beer, as well as their other beers for sale. Atmosphere 4 The weather in Florida in January is almost always as picture perfect as it gets – highs range in the upper 60s to low 70s in the day, meaning it’s perfect golf weather. The course itself is also stunning; the 18-hole course is laid out on the property that was once Disney’s Osprey and Eagle golf courses, but now is part of the Golden Oak neighborhood and Four Seasons Resort. The fans also turn up in respectable crowd sizes, meaning popular players are usually followed by a solid crowd of patrons to cheer them on. This may not initially look like the PGA stadium-style setups that are popular among bigger tournaments, but the facilities and atmosphere here are no less enjoyable. A minimalist golf tournament taken to its max potential, fans are sure to enjoy their day at Tranquilo Golf Course. For example, where massive grandstands may usually sit at various greens, here fans can find stacks of comfortable outdoor lounging chairs which can be positioned wherever you want to watch from, giving fans the best view possible at each hole. The relaxed setting transfers over to the 18th hole, where a DJ spins tunes throughout the entire day, and fans party to celebrate the final hole for each group’s day. Neighborhood 5 Tranquilo Golf Course is located on the property of the Four Seasons Resort, which is deep in the heart of Walt Disney World. Nestled between the Fort Wilderness Camp Grounds and the Port Orleans Resort, the sounds of the Magic Kingdom train whistles and monorail horns can be heard as the wind blows over the property. Because of this, you’re not far from pretty much everything you need on your trip. For obvious reasons, the best place to stay would be at the Four Seasons Resort. Guests of the resort get a special entrance to the course and tournament, placing them literally steps from the first tee. The other resorts closest to the course would be Port Orleans Riverside, Fort Wilderness Campgrounds, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. For food, anywhere on Disney’s Property is a go-to. Kona Café at the Disney Polynesian Resort is a popular stop for sushi and a south seas flavor for dinner, while California Grill at the top of Contemporary Resort is also a popular go-to for a more upscale experience. In addition, popular tourist stops include EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and the Animal Kingdom theme parks. In addition, Disney Springs, accessible via bus and by car, is home to countless restaurants, bars, and shopping opportunities for the whole family. Fans 3 While you may not have that Sunday crowd feeling at the 18th hole, the fans here are no less passionate than those at the LPGA Tournament of Champions. The addition of various celebrities and athletes also helps bring out bigger crowds. There still could be a lot more people on various days at the course, but part of the appeal is the ability to see top-level golf without the massive crowds of people. The big downside here for fans hoping to grab autographs from celebrities is the large number of autograph hounds and resellers that attend the event in hopes of getting that prized signature. Access 4 Getting to the tournament is pretty easy and very stress free. Parking is free for the tournament, but is not located on the property of the golf course, so make sure you have everything you need before you leave your car, because a trip back to the car for anything is not as easy as at a normal sporting event. Most fans park at the Magic Kingdom parking lot; once there you will also find will call and the box office. Fans can also go through bag checks and security checkpoints in the parking lot as well, making it easy to get into the tournament as soon as you arrive, without waiting in line yet again. Once through security, fans are put onto a Disney bus and driven to the course, which is no more than a 5 to 10-minute trip. Once at the course you are dropped off right at the entrance to the clubhouse next to the driving range; pickup for the parking lot is also in the same place. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for the weekend are $15 for a single day or $30 for the full four-day weekend. Combined with free parking, this easily vaults to the top of the list for best bang for your buck in professional sports in Florida. When also considering the time of year, location, and ease of access, it is hard not to want to attend the same tournament year after year. It also is extremely family friendly, with most golfers and athletes/celebrities willing to stop for photos and autographs after the tournament, especially for kids. Extras 4 The event has several vendors and displays throughout the course that give fans a chance to see some new golf technology – these displays almost always feature free giveaways. Also, tournament merchandise, once only available in modest amounts at the pro shop in the clubhouse, now features a massive air-conditioned tent. Inside, fans can find a variety of merchandise, including t-shirts as well as hats, sports memorabilia for autographs, and branded merchandise from some of the celebrities appearing in the event. In addition, the autograph zone near the media center and scorer’s check-in area allows fans to get up close and personal with the visiting athletes, celebrities, and LPGA pros after the tournament is over. Final Thoughts This is easily the best hidden gem of sports in Florida. A perfect mix of location, event access for fans, affordability for tickets and concessions, and perfect weather for the time of year, this is the event fans of the LPGA say is one of the most enjoyable on the calendar.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 American Family Fields of Phoenix 3600 N 51st Ave Phoenix, AZ 85031 Milwaukee Brewers Spring Training website American Family Fields of Phoenix website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 7,000 Desert Brews American Family Fields of Phoenix, previously known as Maryvale Stadium, is the spring training home of Major League Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers. Originally built in 1998, it received an extensive renovation, which was completed in Feb, 2019 in time for that season’s spring training games. The renovations brought the facility up to par with the many new super-modern stadiums being built in the Phoenix, AZ area the last ten+ years. The recent renovations included new clubhouses, an umpire room, and an updated press box. The aluminum benches were removed and replaced with traditional stadium seats. A new digital scoreboard was added as well as an overhaul of the playing surface and warning track. Other fan amenities of the renovation included upgraded parking and an enhanced hall of fame entry walkway and home plate promenade plaza entrance, larger bathrooms, concession stands, and a main team shop. American Family Fields is an excellent-looking, inviting stadium, but man, the game day operations have to do something about all the noise and music piped in between pitches and batters. It’s a spring training game and people come to watch the game and relax, not be or assaulted by the cacophony often heard at MLB games. Food & Beverage 4 American Family Fields offers decent food choices with some unique Wisconsin fare. Wisconsin curd burgers, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and bratwursts from $5.75 – $13 are for sale, and cheese curds, nachos, pretzels, and French fries run $5.25 – $8.25. Coca-Cola brand sodas run $5.50/$7 with bottled water at $5. Bratchos (bratwurst, nachos, and cheese bowl) is a uniquely Wisconsin item served at American Family Fields. Individual concession tents line the outfield concourse with treats like Kettle Korn, shaved ice, and Mister Softee. Napa Valley Noodles offers their signature bowls for $11 in both chicken and vegetable varieties. Smokehouse BBQ provides smoked pulled pork and chicken sandwiches $11.25/$10.25 and smoked jumbo brats and hot dogs ($9.25). I tried the smoked chicken sandwich – the taste is not worth the price. Peddlers sell beer, peanuts, water, and other snacks in the stands. Baseline Brewstop carts dot the inner concourse offering Miller Lite, Coors Light, Saint Archer Hazy IPA on tap and cans of domestic beer and Coke brand bottles of soda also available. A Baseline Cocktail cart is along the concourse offering wine and some of the hard stuff. Two Leinie Lodges (originated in Wisconsin – owned by Miller Brewing Company) are on the outfield concourse path offering their refreshing beers. A Bloody Mary cart with those priced at $13.50 and $19.50 for a souvenir one is on site. Throughout the ballpark, premium canned beers are $13.50 with domestic cans going for $12.50 (Bud, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, etc.). Atmosphere 3 American Family Fields has one level of traditional blue, stadium fold-down seats on the infield and down the lines and an abundance of berm seating beyond the outfield. Not all seating sections have cup holders but there’s plenty of leg room. New this 2020 season, a protective net (medium thickness) runs in front of the entire seating area except the grass berms. Generally, 26 rows of seats round out the infield with the seats in the higher rows getting the shade first as the sun sets behind home plate. Sit in the lower rows or on the berms if trying to catch some rays. The press box and offices sit on ‘stilts’ above the home plate area. A flat, slotted roof covers the inner concourse helping provide shade and relief from the sun. One can walk the entire concourse. Lots of tables are provided on the outfield footpath to stop, take a break, or eat some snacks. Slotted Roof at American Family Fields, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Music, when played at a sporting event, should add to the enjoyment of the total experience. (What would a Bo-Sox game be without “Sweet Caroline”?) Unfortunately, at American Family Fields there is music competing with PA announcements, squashed in between pitches and batters, and generally at an unacceptable volume. This does NOT add to the enjoyment of the spring training experience. Promotions include 50/50, some trivia questions, and the famous racing sausages make their way from Milwaukee to Phoenix to compete in the middle of the 6th inning to the delight of fans. The scoreboard sits in left field and provides some player basic information (height, weight, DOB, etc.) and also includes a photo of the player and the batting order and line stats. Nice! Neighborhood 2 The ballpark is located in the northwest portion of Phoenix in what once was known as a not-so-safe neighborhood. The safety has improved a bit but it sits in a residential area with not much in walking distance except for a few fast food restaurants. Downtown Phoenix is just eight miles away and a vast variety of eating establishments are located there. Some recommendations are Pizzeria Bianco (Italian), Breakfast Club, and Angels Trumpet Ale House (gastropub). The Grand Canyon University Hotel is just five miles from the ballpark and is a good place to stay if visiting from out of town. It also includes the Canyon Grill 49 restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and happy hour. The Holiday Inn-Phoenix West is three miles south of American Family Fields and is another option for lodging. For golfers, the GCU golf course is nearby. Other sports nearby are any of the spring time Grand Canyon University sports like their baseball and basketball venues. The closest spring training ballpark is Camelback Ranch, home of the LA Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox. Fans 4 Brewers fans are classy. This being a Milwaukee-based spring training facility, plenty of tailgating is seen throughout the parking areas with chairs and grills and games pouring out of the back of trunks. And, as the fans do in Milwaukee, they clean up their spaces immaculately after the tailgating ends. It’s quite impressive. Average attendance has increased from a little over 5,000 to 7,400 since the renovation. Many fans are seen wearing the traditional logo (ball in an M-B’d glove) as well as the wheat set logo. Access 3 Getting to the ballpark is most convenient by car. Bus stops range from a half mile to a mile and a half from the stadium but walking is not recommended. Once arriving, individuals will direct you where to park at a cost of $10 (twice as much as many of the other spring training facilities). The parking is quite a distance from the entrance though golf carts are provided to take fans to the home plate entrance, if desired. The closest airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor about 12 or so miles away. Our recommendation is to enter via the newly updated home plate entrance to stroll the impressive retired number walkway amongst Arizona landscaped gardens with plenty of places to sit and wait for the gates to open, or to meet up with friends. Approaching American Family Fields, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The standard security check is in place and moves relatively quickly. Clear bags are not required though no bags should be larger than 16” x 16” x 8″. Once inside, fans will find bright, spacious, new restrooms. We can only wish that there were more as lines can form particularly on high-attendance games. Fans can walk the entire concourse – always a nice feature of a ballpark. Return on Investment 2 Parking is $10 cash, which is twice as high as some others in the East Valley. Programs are $5 (about average with rest of the Cactus League). Ticket prices range from $8 – $32 – more affordable prices than other spring training venues in Arizona. Concessions are the typical overpriced amount found at all ballparks. Although the ticket prices are lower than other teams, the noise and music played throughout the entire game just does not make me want to return here for spring training. Extras 3 For those who collect hard ticket stubs, the Brewers have good-looking ones with a player’s photo on the top third of the ticket. Christian Yelich is on the one I received while Lorenzo Cain is on my receipt. American Family Fields has excellent team merchandise stores. Be sure to check out the ancillary one down the first base concourse as they offer different choices than the one just near the home plate entrance. A clever element provided is the temperatures in Phoenix and then Milwaukee are announced, which is a fun idea. Of course, they played music over the announcement so unless listening for it, fans can’t really hear it. The renovations certainly helped boost the design of the park and the ease of navigation around the concourse. Final Thoughts American Family Fields of Phoenix is a beautiful baseball stadium and the renovations have helped improve the look, feel, and comfort. Brewers fans are some of the best in MLB. The noise and racket played between almost every pitch and batter really detracts from an enjoyable game day experience. It feels like it’s not about the game but the music. And that is really too bad.

Photo courtesy of John Jay Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 The Doghouse 524 West 59th St New York, NY 10019 John Jay College of Criminal Justice men’s basketball website The Doghouse website Year Opened: Capacity: Welcome to the Doghouse A name, just a name, can go a heck of a long way. There’s The Pit in New Mexico and The RAC in New Jersey, just to name two. You may never get to these name venues, but you won’t forget their names. Located in midtown Manhattan, a mere three subway stops away from Madison Square Garden, the John Jay College of Criminal Justice has a venue on its fourth floor with an unforgettable name: The Doghouse, where admission is free and every bleacher seat is excellent. The Doghouse is often overlooked in New York City’s congested professional sports market. The John Jay Bloodhounds, members of the CUNYAC, play at the Division 3 level, which means no scholarships and no bells and whistles like a fancy scoreboard or Jumbotron. However, the Bloodhounds are turning into a force on the hardwood. In 2020, the Bloodhounds won their conference regular season with a 20-7 record. Food & Beverage 4 There is none, technically. However, one of John Jay’s organizations might be hawkin’ modest snacks as a fundraiser. Another quick option: You can go downstairs to Tenth Avenue and purchase a very reasonably priced plate ($6) from the mega-popular halal truck and bring it back in. Also, an enormous Whole Foods is a few blocks east, as are a multitude of excellent food selections just outside (which can be brought in). F&B is not a problem at John Jay; they have food options – just not in the traditional sense. Atmosphere 4 It can vary depending on the game. For meaningful games, including homecoming, The Doghouse fills up and flips out, getting loud and intense. Fun! We’re talking hundreds of fans, not thousands. John Jay doesn’t have a pep band, but they blast lively music during breaks, and they have a lot of energetic, aerodynamic cheerleaders, who rarely take a play off. Neighborhood 5 It’s a hustling, bustling mecca, steps away from destination sites and attractions. Lincoln Center is a few blocks away as is a Broadway show. A stroll or bike ride in Central Park is even closer. You can rent a bike through Citi Bike. And there’s no shortage of dining options. In addition to the above, The Greek Kitchen, Ocean Dragon (Chinese at a hole in the wall) and Jake’s Saloon (pints and pub fare) are all just a block south. Further away, uptown, there’s Cafe Fiorello (Italian), which is an institution. Parm (Italian) is much newer, but also excellent. For sweets, Magnolia Bakery is off the charts. And that is just the tip of the iceburg. Fans 4 Most of the fans are students, faculty or alums, and they can get passionate. In the tight quarters, expect to hear everything, so those with ultra-sensitive ears should be on alert for, uh…. colorful language but nothing that’s not on cable. Access 4 Don’t expect much of a line or hassle but be prepared to show ID and to go through a security screener. John Jay is easily accessible by public transportation, about 15-10 minutes from Penn Station and Grand Central Station. By car, it’s very close to the West Side Highway. You can hunt and peck for a space on the street, or you can pay for an overpriced garage, which NYC has no shortage of. Return on Investment 5 It’s free! Excellent, nearby halal is cheap. It’s good basketball in a small space on a micro budget. Extras 2 Since it’s free admission, everything is extra. With that said, John Jay offers an upper level of seating: The Alumni Skybox, unveiled in 2013, surrounds the court and is on the fifth floor. Final Thoughts John Jay offers good college basketball in a small space, and it doesn’t break the wallet, to say the least. Jon Hart is @ManVersusBall

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Melbourne Cricket Ground Brunton Ave Richmond, VIC 3002 Australia Melbourne Stars website Melbourne Cricket Ground website Year Opened: 1853 Capacity: 100,024 The Stars of Melbourne The Stars are one of two Melbourne franchises established when Cricket Australia launched the Big Bash League Twenty20 cricket tournament in 2011. The BBL represented a move away from the traditional state-based model of domestic cricket up until that point, and was a deliberate marketing ploy to create new fans with more modern and exciting team identities. The Stars are owned by Cricket Victoria and have consistently achieved strong results, having qualified for the semi-finals every season bar one. Unfortunately a penchant for losing finals matches at the pointy end of the season means they’re yet to taste glory. The Stars play their home games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), one of the great sporting cathedrals in the world. With a capacity of 100,024, the ‘G is the largest stadium in the southern hemisphere and the largest cricket ground in the world. The stadium opened in 1853 and has hosted international cricket, rugby union, and rugby league, in addition to having served as the main stadium for the 1956 Summer Olympic Games and 2006 Commonwealth Games. The MCG has been the venue of two ICC cricket World Cup Finals (1992 and 2015), and hosts an annual test match each summer beginning on Boxing Day (December 26th). The MCG has also hosted AFL football since the 19th century. Under the AFL’s policy of centralised stadia, numerous clubs play some or all of their home games here including Melbourne, Richmond, Collingwood, and Hawthorn. Close to capacity crowds are regularly achieved each year for the AFL Grand Final and the traditional Anzac Day Clash between Essendon and Collingwood. Food & Beverage 3 The food options are largely just the basics for Stars games, as only limited outlets are open. The MCG has proven to be one of the more price conscious major venues in Australia over recent years. While any reduction in the cost of attending live sport should be applauded, stadium food is always an expensive proposition, and this proves to be the case at the ‘G too. By way of example, a single staple item such as hot chips costs around $5, however anything more substantial (like a burger), will be approximately $12. The drink selection is not huge, with beer priced around $10, spirits $11.50, and wine $10.40. Soft drinks from Coke cost $4.70, with bottled water slightly cheaper. The quality is ok without being outstanding. Atmosphere 4 The MCG has been substantially renovated over the years and is a modern stadium the equal of any other around the world. The ground is broken up into four broad seating areas; the Great Southern Stand (Gates 4, 5, 6), Ponsford Stand (Gate 1), Olympic Stand (Gate 3), and the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) Members Pavilion. The MCC is off-limits to the general public, with the remaining areas available for general admission. Keep in mind that given the size of crowds relative to the overall capacity, the upper decks will likely be closed off. As it is utilised by so many teams and sports, there are not many features unique to the Melbourne Stars. On the plus side, as a stadium of national significance there are many cool features to explore at the ‘G. It’s worthwhile arriving a little early to explore the surroundings and enjoy the pre-match entertainment. If you have time you should definitely visit the Australian Sports Museum and consider arranging for a tour of the ground. The museum received a $17m redevelopment in 2019/20 and is housed in the Olympic Stand. Check for opening times but museum entry has previously been included in the price of your game ticket. There are numerous statues placed throughout the precinct featuring some of the all-time great superstars of cricket, AFL, and athletics. Additionally, keep an eye out for historical plaques and honour boards dotted around and throughout the venue – such as the XVI Olympiad plaque at the entrance to the Olympic Stand and the boards listing all players who have represented Victoria in first class cricket (men and women) downstairs in the Ponsford Stand. Lillee Statue at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Photo by Lloyd Rothwell, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 5 The MCG is found within the Melbourne sports and entertainment precinct east of the city centre. The immediate area includes the Melbourne Park Tennis Centre (featuring Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne / John Cain Arena, and Margaret Court Arena – home of the Australian Open Tennis Tournament, as well as netball and basketball), and AAMI Park (rugby league, rugby union, and soccer), in addition to several community and elite training centres. Sports history buffs should take note that Punt Road Oval, now a training venue, was the original home ground of the Richmond Tigers AFL Club. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants in the nearby suburbs of Richmond and East Melbourne. Further back are Flinders Street and Southbank, both of which offer quite trendy establishments which should cater to most tastes. The Crown Casino is about a 20-minute walk away. The southern capital has a thriving laneway culture of bars, coffee, and restaurants. Craft beer is popular too, with Slowbeer a must for aficionados, despite having recently moved slightly further away to a larger premises in Fitzroy (351 Smith St). Richmond is historically a working-class neighborhood and features lots of old pubs. The Corner Hotel (57 Swan St) is well known as a live music venue but also garners lots of game day traffic. First-timers to Melbourne should be sure to see some of the more popular tourist attractions. Head up Eureka Tower (7 Riverside Quay, Southbank) for a bird’s eye view of the city, take a tram out to the beachside suburb of St Kilda, and checkout the Queen Victoria Market (Queen St, Melbourne). Fans 3 Expect the biggest crowds when the Stars host their crosstown rivals, the Melbourne Renegades, however attendances of 20,000 or more are common for most other games. Keep in mind that for the most part, the BBL is run around the long summer school holiday period. There are occasional games on either side of the holidays, and these will draw a smaller crowd. The fans are well decked out in the team colour of green and are big adopters of the KFC sponsored “buckets.” Access 4 Getting to the precinct is relatively easy, although public transport is probably the best method. The stadium is close to trains (Richmond and Jolimont), trams, and busses. Visitors who are staying in the CBD will find a well-defined and easily walkable path along the Yarra River and up to the MCG. If driving, car parking is available in Yarra Park. It’s best to check for live updates via the MCG app or Twitter account as there is limited parking. Despite the appearance of a coliseum, like most cricket grounds, the MCG is made up of several separate grandstands, meaning access is generally limited to the stand in which you are seated. Expect the usual security and bag checks prior to entry. Return on Investment 4 The cost of attending a Melbourne Stars BBL match at the MCG is fairly standard. An adult ticket will set you back around $30. As with most venues there are discounts for pre-purchase, children, and family passes. BBL is a great family-friendly experience, and offers decent value for money. Extras 5 The MCG has a wonderful history and occupies a unique place in Australian sport, and indeed, culture. Take the time to enjoy the precinct and soak in the history, and be sure to visit the newly renamed and renovated Australian Sports Museum. Expect some form of pre-game entertainment, or watch the players warm up. During the game there are cheerleaders, mascots, and typical crowd engagement activities such as dance-cam. Final Thoughts Consider this remarkable coincidence. The very first international cricket test match was played at the MCG in 1877 between Australia and England with the locals winning by a margin of 45 runs. Unbelievably, in a Centenary Test played to mark 100 years since the first match, also at the MCG, resulted in an Australian victory by exactly the same margin!

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Jones Convocation Center 9501 S King Dr Chicago, IL 60628 Chicago State Cougars basketball Jones Convocation Center website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 7,000 The Jones Convention Center is the Cougar Den The Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center is a 7,000-seat multi-purpose arena home to the Chicago State University Cougars basketball program. The $47 million used to construct the venue was allocated from the State of Illinois treasury by then-Senate President Emil Jones. It is an impressive facility that stands proudly on campus adjacent to its baseball field. The Cougars men’s program has the distinction of being the easternmost team in the Western Athletic Conference. The school joined the program in 2013 and its closest rival school is UM Kansas City followed by UT Rio Grande Valley. Before moving to NCAA Division I the program operated in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Cougars won the Great West Conference Tournament championship in 2013 to earn an automatic bid to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament. The team had also appeared in three NAIA Tournaments placing third in 1984. Before the JCC was built the Cougars played at the 2,500-seat Dickens Athletic Center that was built in 1971. The basketball program began in 1966 when the school was still called Chicago Teachers College before adopting its name the following year. Food & Beverage 2 The food and beverage consists of one concession stand serving nachos, hot dogs, and chips. The food looks as if it was prepared off-site and brought in by aluminum serving plates. There are more concession areas but they were closed during the game. However, the facility has a piece of paper with beverage options that include Bud, Miller, and Coors products for $5 along with spirits: Hennessey, Malibu, Bacardi, and Courvoisier for $8-$9. Atmosphere 2 It’s hard to generate much of an atmosphere in a 7,000-capacity facility with well under 150 people watching the game. It’s a beautiful facility with great seating dimensions and plenty of room to move around that one could only wonder, when full, what that may be like. However, it appears that many games at home offer a similar feeling as was the case for this afternoon’s contest. Many other teams play under similar conditions–I was at one last month–but with enough time to ponder around the nearly soulless arena, there are many key elements to a great college basketball game that are missing. There is no presence of a band, a team mascot, or a dance or cheer squad anywhere in sight. A student section, which could add a lot of noise all by itself, is also missing from the contest. Several banners are hanging from the rafters that add a nice touch and its video board hanging from above center court is first-rate. The building itself, from its interior, is impressive but several of its doors were locked making several attempts to get inside the main lobby. The lobby is spacious and features a curved ramp leading to the gym's upper levels. What you will get at a game like this is the option to sit wherever you like and be as close as possible to the action on the court. You’ll hear all the players, the squeaks of their sneakers, the bounce of the ball against the court, and the chairs from the bench. Also, the fans that are in the stands make you appreciate how hard they cheer and desire their home club to win. Neighborhood 2 The campus is at Roseland University. There are many restaurants within a few blocks of the university and including The Caribbean Jerk Palace, The Crazy Crab, Jack’s Famous Chicken and Subs, and Ware Ranch Steak House. Argus Brewery is nearby and offers tours on Saturdays including all you can drink while you venture around its impressive brewery and building. Another brewery is about 5 miles from campus called Horse Thief Hollow. Downtown is about a 20-minute drive or 45-minute ride on the Red Line presenting access to Millenium Park, the Magnificent Mile, the Theater District, and other spots in the area. Fans 3 The die-hards at the game cheer every basket and every defensive stop possible during the contest. They show unbridled passion unmatched because they are here for the primary purpose of supporting the players in hoping that the Cougars can find a way to win. There is nothing more but the game itself leading them to today’s contest. Access 3 The campus is right off I-57 but one has to exit before getting to the campus and driving through the neighborhood that features road conditions that can use repairs. The same could be said once you enter the campus but once inside one should have no trouble finding their seat, bathrooms, and the one concession stand. Return on Investment 2 Floor seats for all home games are $20, general admission prices are $10, and senior citizen tickets are $5. The parking is free and there is plenty around the building but when games are attended by just a few fans Chicago State Cougars game is merely for the die-hard college basketball fan. Extras 2 The gymnasium itself is very beautiful and impressive for the college. It’s a perfect venue if the team could ever attract 5,000 fans to the game and maybe one day they will and we’ll look back at these times as the early pioneering days of Chicago State basketball. Any building that can supply banners hanging from the rafters earns a point for me and this arena has a few of them to add a nice touch to the proceedings. Final Thoughts The Jones Convention Center – it’s a beautiful building and could be a wonderful place for basketball once the college program develops a fan base and a following throughout the area. Those days are not there yet and attending a game is merely for the true basketball fan. In a city where there are plenty of other sporting event options, including college basketball, the Jones Convention Center may not make the top of your list. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunterand his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Hugh Stephens Field at Estes Park 2204 Henry St Ashland, VA 23005 Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets website Hugh Stephens Field at Estes Park website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 500 Home of the Yellow Jackets Randolph-Macon University is located in picturesque Ashland, Virginia, and has been listed among U.S. News & World Report’s 150 best national liberal arts colleges. Randolph-Macon’s athletic programs compete in the NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). The Yellow Jacket’s baseball program calls Hugh Stephens Field at Estes Park home. This beautiful ballpark has a capacity of 500 obstruction-free viewings and is a perfect home for the Yellow Jackets. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small tent near the entrance of the ballpark that has a small selection of snacks such as chips, popcorn, and candy. However, this is not a big deal as fans are free to bring in food and beverage as they wish. Atmosphere 3 Although small, Hugh Stephens Field is an impressive ballpark for a Division III school. There are seven rows of seating that run from dugout to dugout. Two center sections behind the plate are chairbacks, while the other sections are bench back. Many fans bring their camping chairs and set them up in the grassy area down the right field line. The exterior of the ballpark is encased in a sharp brick façade. There is a small scoreboard in left field that shows line score, ball, strike, out, etc. Due to the reflection of the sun, the scoreboard is hard to see in the late afternoon when the sun is setting behind the press box. \ Neighborhood 4 Randolph-Macon is located near downtown Ashland, Virginia, approximately 25 miles north of the capital city, Richmond. The downtown area of Ashland is very picturesque as railroad tracks run right through the middle of Railroad Ave. There are several restaurants and shops on both sides of Railroad Ave. Randolph-Macon’s campus and Hugh Stephens Field are located just north of downtown Ashland and are easy walking distance from downtown. While downtown, you will almost certainly see a freight train or Amtrak pass through as the railroad tracks are very busy. There are many local restaurants downtown including the Iron Horse, The Caboose Market 7 Café, Trackside Grill, and Origin Beer Lab. If you are looking for something sweet, both Sugar Fix Bakery and SweetFrog Frozen Yogurt are nearby. I-95 is about one mile from campus. In this area, you will find chain restaurants like Cracker Barrel and Chick-fil-A. A Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express are located in this area as well. If you are looking for other sports to visit while in the area the Richmond Flying Squirrels are about 30 minutes to the south and the Fredericksburg Nationals are about 45 minutes to the north. Other college baseball teams in the area are the VCU Rams who play at The Diamond and the Richmond Spiders who play at Pitt Field. Fans 1 Most of the fans in attendance are only family or players girlfriends. There is mild cheering from fans when the Yellow Jackets score, but that is about it. When we attended, there were almost as many visiting fans in attendance as there were Randolph Macon fans. Access 3 Hugh Stephens Field is easily accessible from downtown Ashland and Interstate 95. Point your GPS to the Day Field, the Yellow Jackets football and lacrosse stadium, and it will direct you to a parking lot that is behind Day Field and adjacent to Hugh Stephens Field. Parking here is free on the weekends and is also free along Center Street if the lot is full. Entrance to Hugh Stephens Field is easy as there are no tickets or security. There is a large brick entranceway that reads “Hugh Stephens Field at Estes Park.” There are no restrooms inside the ballpark, but there are two porta-johns outside the entrance. There is a handicapped-accessible ramp to get up to the seating bowl and reserved spots for wheelchairs on the front row. Return on Investment 5 Hugh Stephens Field offers free parking and free admission for all home games. Extras 2 An extra point for plaques on the brick façade under the press box telling the history and donors of Randolph Macon Baseball. A second extra point for free programs that are in a mailbox as you enter the ballpark. Final Thoughts Randolph Macon is probably not anyone’s first choice for baseball in the Richmond area. However, if you are in the area and the Yellow Jackets are playing, Hugh Stephens Field is a nice little ballpark to check out.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Santander Arena 700 Penn St Reading, PA 19602 Reading Royals website Santander Arena website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 7,083 Royal Treatment in Reading Minor league hockey came to Reading, Pennsylvania in 2001 after the Columbus Chill relocated to make way for the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets. The team was originally an affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings but went through several affiliation changes between 2008 and 2014. That year, they became an affiliate of the nearby Philadelphia Flyers and have remained such ever since. The Royals play their home games at Santander Arena in downtown Reading. This cozy arena seats approximately 7,000 fans and is part of a complex that also includes Santander Performing Arts Center just down the road. Food & Beverage 5 Considering the level, Santander Arena has an extremely impressive selection of food. Fans will find classics such as hot dogs, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, and locally made soft pretzels. Reading has been nicknamed the Pretzel Capital of the World due to numerous pretzel factories located here, so it is no surprise you can get that classic treat here. There are more unique local options as well, including Chickie’s & Pete’s Crab Fries and a Central Pennsylvania treat known as a Grilled Sticky. The crab fries are French fries topped with crab seasoning and served with warm white cheese sauce on the side for dipping. Note that despite the name, crab fries contain no actual crab. A Grilled Sticky, on the other hand, is more of a sweet treat. It is a cinnamon bun which is cooked conventionally, then cooked again on a grill, and can be optionally topped with a scoop of French vanilla ice cream. Atmosphere 3 The Royals try to make the atmosphere work with promotions before and during the game, but the experience here is rather typical in terms of atmosphere. A loud horn will go off after goals as smoke shoots from the scoreboard, but beyond that there isn’t much unique here. The good news is that in such a small arena, every seat is close to the action. They’re also all chair backs, which isn’t true everywhere. The seating bowl is less steep than at many arenas, but not so much so that you can’t see over the fans in front of you. This does mean fans in the top rows can be surprisingly far from the ice, but it also means you can sit higher up and still get the experience of watching through the glass. Some people think hockey is at its most pure when watched this way, while others feel it just obstructs their view. Ultimately it will come down to personal preference. Neighborhood 1 Reading, like many cities in Central Pennsylvania, has fallen on hard times in the past few decades, leading to businesses shutting down and crime increasing. While the area around the arena is perfectly safe, fans should exercise caution when walking around the city. There is a small shopping center right across the street from the arena, but your best bet is to head a few blocks west towards the Riverfront area. There are several bars and restaurants located there. However, the reality is that Reading is a city in bad shape and you may not want to stick around for long after the game. Fans 4 Although the Royals don’t usually sell out, and often don’t come close, they do have a base of extremely loyal fans. Those who show up cheer loudly and know the team very well. There is a core group of fans who show up to just about every game and can really get into things. Some of them will even wave flags with the Royals logo during the game, something that would be more expected at a soccer stadium than a hockey arena. Unfortunately, the team doesn’t do a good job at attracting people beyond this core group, which really limits their potential. Access 4 Reading is served by U.S. Routes 422 and 222, which overlap each other through part of the city before splitting off again. Once you get close to the arena, there are several garages and lots you can park in, with prices ranging from $2 to $12 depending on how close to the arena they are. We recommend parking in the South Penn Garage, which is located diagonally across the street from the arena between Cherry and Franklin Streets. Parking here will cost $5. There is also a garage right next door to the arena at the Doubletree Hotel which costs $12 but is free for guests staying there, and a metered lot on the other side of the arena which costs the same. This all seems like a waste of money, though, when you can park about 20 feet further for less than half the cost. Return on Investment 5 Tickets start at just $11 and even the most expensive seats in the building will cost just $23. Parking is a bit pricey but not too bad if you know where to go. Concessions are affordable as well. To add even more to the value, the Royals frequently offer promotions where select concession items cost just $1. The schedule for these promotions is available on the team’s website, so look there for more info. When combined with the fact that there is not a bad seat in this building, a trip to Santander Arena can be an extremely affordable way for a family to watch a professional hockey game in an intimate environment. Extras 2 One star for the banners hanging from the rafters honoring legendary Royals of days gone by. A second star for the wide range of concessions here, including several unique to the local area. Banners Hanging from the Rafters at Santander Arena, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts When asked to name a professional hockey team in Pennsylvania, almost everyone would name either the Philadelphia Flyers or Pittsburgh Penguins. However, minor league hockey is alive and well in the Keystone State as well, with the Royals and several other in-state teams building up their own fan bases in mid-sized cities. Although Reading may not be the most desirable city to visit in Pennsylvania, and in fact may be towards the bottom of the list, a trip to see the Royals at Santander Arena is reason enough to come to town.

Photos by Jared Goodman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 John Paul Jones Arena 295 Massie Rd Charlottesville, VA 22903 Virginia Cavaliers website John Paul Jones Arena website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 14,593 Champions of Design The University of Virginia, established in 1819, has a long and storied history on the basketball court. Since the sport was introduced at the school in 1905, the Cavaliers have made 23 NCAA tournament appearances, claimed 3 ACC Championships, and even won their first-ever National Championship in 2019. During their tenure as one of the most legendary programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Virginia has utilized several venues as their home courts. For 42 seasons, the Cavs were holed up in the 2,500-seat Memorial Gymnasium. A much larger University Hall debuted in 1965, increasing capacity for home games to almost 8,500. But the team outgrew this concrete coliseum too, ultimately landing at the sparkling new John Paul Jones Arena in 2006. The venue, the largest ACC arena located outside a metropolitan area, is able to hold almost twice as many fans as its predecessor – and it often has in recent seasons. Food & Beverage 4 The dining options available at JPJ are numerous and reflect a great variety of tastes, meaning there’s something for everyone. For a main course, try any of the following: taco trios ($9), cheesesteaks ($7), salads ($7), burrito bowls ($9), chicken tenders/wings ($9/$8), footlong corn dogs ($6), Bojangles’ chicken boxes ($9), hamburgers ($7), Papa John’s pizzas ($8), or hot dogs ($4). Snacks and sweets include: Route 11 potato chips ($3), popcorn ($5), pretzels ($5), and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (2 scoops for $6, waffle cone for $7). A few other delectables such as funnel cakes, cotton candy, Dippin’ Dots and kettle corn round out the menu. Wash it all down with a Pepsi-brand soda ($5) or bottled water ($3). Atmosphere 5 This isn’t a big arena, by any means, but as any college basketball fan will tell you, bigger does not mean better. Capacity sits a little under 15,000, but you could easily mistake it for more than 20,000 when the fans get up. Everyone is extremely passionate and loud. JPJ Arena may be one of the most vertical venues I’ve ever been to. Bring your walking stick, because it’s a steep climb up to the second level. This only means fans at that level have a better view of the game. You will never go uninformed at a Virginia game. There are screens everywhere you turn, with live stats for different players, as well as team stats and trends. Accompanying the screens are the numerous banners from the long history of success. Neighborhood 5 If you plug “college town” into a search engine, photos of Charlottesville will fill your screen. The historic city owes almost everything it is today to the incredible University of Virginia. Founded in 1819 by former President Thomas Jefferson, UVA set the bar high in architecture and academics for institutions that followed. Today, the university continues to act as the pulse of Charlottesville – the two are inseparable. Hotspots in the town, for both students and locals alike, include The Corner and the Downtown Mall. The former abuts the university itself and is chock-full of college bars and eateries. The latter, meanwhile, is home to scores of restaurants and shops. Considered to be one of the largest pedestrian malls in the nation, it’s worth paying a visit to this popular district. Just to the south of the downtown area lies the former residence of founding father Thomas Jefferson. Monticello, as he called it, attracts thousands of visitors each year and is a must-see when visiting the Charlottesville region. On the more natural side of things, go for a scenic ride down either Skyline Drive or the Blue Ridge Parkway, which meet just twenty miles west of C-ville at the entrance to Shenandoah National Park. The trip is especially worth it in early autumn, when the trees that line the highway begin to turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red. Fans 4 JPJ has to be one of the loudest venues in the ACC, due to its compact and vertical design. Fans who pack the house each and every game day are both very involved and incredibly loud, the perfect recipe for an electric atmosphere. They rally behind head coach Tony Bennett and his legendary defense, the intensity culminating in a thunderous roar as the seconds tick down and the Cavs force a shot-clock violation. The Hoo Crew student section seems to lead the charge, singing and chanting the songs of school throughout the game. This rowdy group is really the spark that lights the fire underneath the seats of every UVA crowd. And after clinching the National Championship in 2019, they’re fired up now more than ever. Access 3 Charlottesville is nestled in piedmont Virginia off Interstate 64, just east of the Shenandoah Valley and about an hour west of the state capital of Richmond. Unfortunately, Hoo-Ville is not all that easy to get to, as it’s pretty isolated from any major cities. The closest, Washington, D.C., is about 2 hours away. Once in the general vicinity of John Paul Jones Arena, expect some congestion. It’s recommended to arrive about an hour before game time in order to allow for any traffic you may incur. As far as parking is concerned, you have a few options to choose from. Expect to pay around $10 or so to park in one of the signed lots near the arena. Generally, a pre-paid parking pass is needed to use these spaces anyway, so be sure to do your research in advance. Free parking is available at The Park, the Darden School of Business and the Law School; all are about a 15-20-minute walk from JPJ. However, one of your best bets for secure parking is probably the Central Grounds Garage. While hourly rates still apply, and it’s a 15-minute walk down the street to the arena, the structure is both safe and very large. Return on Investment 3 The prices of your tickets will vary greatly, depending on who the Cavaliers are playing. Against some non-conference opponents, or weak ACC teams, seats are going for just a few bucks a pop. But when big names such as Duke or UNC are headed to JPJ, expect to pay top dollar to get in the building. Parking can be free if you’re willing to put in a little effort and don’t mind a short walk. Otherwise, expect to pay between $10-$20. Lastly, anticipate spending at least $20 per person on concessions inside JPJ. All told, a family of four can cheer on the Hoos for as little as $100 (non-conference, free parking) or as much as $300 (popular conference opponent, premium parking.) Extras 3 The arena is the proud home of loads of trophies and titles that UVA has gained throughout its history. These cases and plaques line the concourses of JPJ, showcasing the achievements of both the men’s and women’s programs. Much to the chagrin of UVA fans, the Cavaliers will forever be known as the first team to lose to a #16-seed in the NCAA Tournament. In 2018, they became the answer to a trivia question when they were upset in the Round of 64 by the UMBC Retrievers. The very next season, however, Virginia exacted their revenge in the Tournament and claimed their first-ever National Championship. Today, the center-court floor from that historic 2019 Final Four in Minneapolis is on display at John Paul Jones Arena, a constant reminder to fans of their ultimate comeback success. Finally, the on-campus architecture is just so incredible that it’s deserving of another mention. You simply won’t find another university like it anywhere in the nation. Final Thoughts At times, it may cost you an arm and a leg to pay John Paul Jones Arena a visit. However, it’s definitely worth it in every respect. The home court of the historic University of Virginia should be heralded as one of the best venues in the ACC, if not all of college basketball. Put this place on your bucket list, just below Allen Fieldhouse, The Palestra, and Cameron Indoor.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 The Arena at Northwest Florida State College 100 E College Blvd Niceville, FL 32578 NWF Raiders website The Arena at Northwest Florida State College website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 2,442 Basketball on the Emerald Coast Northwest Florida State College is a large public state college located in Niceville, FL about 10 miles north of the beach resort town of Destin. The college originally opened in 1963 as Okaloosa-Walton Community College, and a temporary campus was constructed on the base of nearby Eglin Air Force Base, until the permanent location opened in its present site in 1969. The college began offering four-year degrees in 2003, and became an official state college in 2008, changing its name to Northwest Florida State College in the process. NWF currently has an enrollment of about 15,000 students, which makes it the largest college between Pensacola and Tallahassee. NWF is unique in that even though they offer four-year degrees they still compete on the JUCO level as members of NJCAA Panhandle Conference. The conference includes 5 schools, all in the panhandle area of Florida – Pensacola State College, Gulf Coast State College, Chipola College, and Tallahassee Community College are the four other schools that compete in the conference. Since the Panhandle Conference was formed in the 1991-92 season, the Raiders have been one of the better teams in the league, winning 9 conference titles and 4 FCSAA Florida state championships. They have made the NJCAA Tournament 11 times, and made the NJCAA national championship game four times (1995, 2012, 2013 & 2015), winning two national championships in the process (1994-95 and 2014-15). In addition, over the past two seasons NWF has had 17 players sign with D1 teams, including every sophomore from the 2018-19 team, which was ranked number 1 in the country for most of the year. Notable alumni include former Boston Celtics forward and 2001 number 11 NBA draft pick Kedrick Brown, former Washington Wizards point guard Donnell Taylor, former Phillies outfielder Jason Michaels, and former Nationals and Astros reliever Tony Sipp. Food & Beverage 2 Even though The Arena at Northwest Florida State College is one of the nicest JUCO basketball facilities I have ever seen, the concessions could definitely use an upgrade – only the basics are sold here such as hamburgers and nachos ($4), hot dogs ($3), and popcorn and chips ($2). Coca-Cola is the soft drink provider with 20oz bottles selling for $2. If coming to a game here I recommend getting something to eat at one of the many seafood restaurants in Destin, as you won’t find much here, since Niceville doesn’t have too many places to eat. Atmosphere 4 Since 2011 NWF has played at the beautiful, state-of-the-art Arena at Northwest Florida State College, which is located on the north side of town. The sleek, modern complex rivals some Division 1 programs in terms of its atmosphere, and currently has a seating capacity of 2,442. The court faces east and west with the main entrance being located on the east side of the building. As soon as you enter there is an impressive World War II display located on the east side dedicated to former Air Force General Jimmy Doolittle, who was stationed at nearby Eglin AFB. You also get to find out how NWF got its nickname as the Raiders as well (more on that in the Extras section). The first thing that struck me when entering the venue is I couldn’t believe this was a local JUCO arena. The facility is really nice and definitely still has that new feel to it despite being 8 years old. The venue has one wraparound concourse that wraps around the entire building. When the basketball team isn’t playing the concourse doubles as a jogging track as well. The basketball court itself has ten rows of comfortable, cushioned, chair back seats with cup holders, and they are designed with enough space so that you don’t disturb other people on the aisle when you get up to move around. Also, the concourse was designed to make sure you’ll never miss a second of the action, as you can walk the entire concourse and get a great view of the court at all times. The venue features two concessions stands and two sets of restrooms, one each located on the north and south sides. In addition, there are various displays spread out on the concourse as well, such as pictures of past Raider teams, scholar athletes, and a large Wall of Fame that takes up the entire north side of the concourse. The rafters of the building are lined with a ton of different banners signifying feats and championships from all the school’s athletic programs. The two big national championship murals on the west side of the building stand out, as well as the huge HD scoreboard on the east side. The 11×29 foot scoreboard is very impressive for this level of basketball, and not only shows replay, but they also utilize the scoreboard for various promotions, and show cool graphics and hype videos that other schools at the JUCO level perhaps wouldn’t have the proper staff or budget to feature. I’ve been to several JUCO and smaller level D2 and D3 basketball facilities before, and The Arena at NWF College definitely has them all beat. Neighborhood 4 Niceville is a small military town home to Eglin Air Force Base and not much else. The campus itself is kind of in a secluded area to the north of the base; the only notable thing to visit in the immediate area is the U.S. Air Force Armament Museum, the largest collection of military weapons in the country. The museum also houses a large collection of World War II era planes. Other than that, however, there is not a lot to do on the north side of Choctawhatchee Bay. However, a short ten-minute drive across the Mid-Bay Bridge will take you into one of the most popular beach resort towns in the country. Nicknamed the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village, Destin has become one of the fastest growing beach towns in the country. Forty years ago Destin was a sleepy fishing town, void of any commercialism or tourism. 40 years later, though, the city attracts 3.7 million visitors a year. Driving over the bridge into Destin, the many high-rise buildings and the view of Crab Island to the north present some of the most spectacular and stunning views you’ll ever see. Crab Island is just one big sandbar filled with boats, floating bars, and blow up water slides, and is popular for its Billy Bowlegs Festival held every June. Destin has become a tourist trap in recent years, and it’s estimated that 80% of the visitors to the Emerald Coast visit this town. Because of this, many of the Destin restaurants and gas stations will have much higher prices than other towns north of the bay. Destin is split up into two sections: Miramar Beach to the east and Holiday Isle to the west. The two areas are separated by Henderson Beach State Park, a popular spot for its bike trails and bird nesting grounds. Destin is home to many franchise and chain restaurants found in similar-sized cities such as Hooter’s, Joe’s Crab Shack, Bubba Gump Shrimp, and Miller’s Ale House, but there are also many local seafood restaurants as well. On the Holiday Isle side Back Porch is a popular restaurant with a bar located right on the beach, with picnic tables in the sand, while Harbor Docks is another popular place located right on the harbor – Hog’s Breath Saloon, Coyote Ugly, and Boshamps Oyster House are nearby as well. The Destin Harbor Boardwalk is a popular spot for tourists and includes a multitude of different shops lined along a boardwalk overlooking the water; Margaritaville, AJ’s Oyster Bar, and Brotula’s Seafood House are just some of the restaurants located on the boardwalk, while across the street is the popular McGuire’s Irish Pub as well as Dewey Destin’s. The Miramar Beach side is where the locals hang out and tends to be less crowded. Popular restaurants on this stretch of beach include Club 790, Crab Trap, Capt. Dave’s on the Gulf, Pompano Joe’s, Whale Tail Beach Bar, and Lulu’s, another popular Jimmy Buffett-owned bar located on the north side overlooking the bay. For things to do besides water-related activities, there is Big Kahuna’s Water Park and The Track, which includes miniature golf, an arcade, kids’ rides, and bungee jumping. For shopping, the Destin Commons is a popular outdoor shopping center that includes Bass Pro Shops, Belk, World of Beer, Uncle Buck’s Fish & Bowl, a 14-screen movie theatre, and a bunch of other shops and restaurants. Lastly, Silver Sands Premium Outlets includes over 50 different outlet stores such as Nike, Columbia, Under Armour, and Polo. In addition, Destin has the highest concentration of golf courses in the panhandle area with over 15 different resort-style 18-hole courses in the area. If staying the night on a budget, your best bet might be to make the 30-minute drive to Crestview up by the interstate, as Niceville is not home to many hotels, and staying the night in Destin will cost an arm and a leg. Fans 3 The NWF Raiders have had a lot of success on the court in recent years, and the attendance shows that here. With the baseball opening weekend occurring during my most recent visit, many fans were treating this as doubleheader, watching the baseball team play and then walking next door to the Arena to watch the men’s and women’s teams play. With so much to do in the area for the locals it’s nice to see that they show up in numbers here. The Arena holds about 2,400 fans and I would say the building was 80% full for both the men’s and women’s games. Panhandle Conference schools are all located within 2-3 hours from each other, so each opposing team brings a strong fan base as well. The athletic department at NWF does an astounding job at their overall presentation of the game. They had a small 30-person band sitting on the east side of the building – even though the membership is small they still had an intimidating presence, and you couldn’t tell the band was so small just by listening to them play. In between timeouts there are also a bunch of promotional contests, plus basketball bingo and 50/50 raffles going on throughout the building to keep the fans engaged. All along the concourse there are tables set-up, and there was also a local girl scout troop selling cookies, an alumni table, and a small stand selling various Raiders and NWF apparel. There is also the Raider Club located on the north side of the building; this is a sectioned off lounge area for alumni and boosters with all the food and drink you could want. To say that I was impressed is an understatement; they definitely go all out here and present a top-notch experience. I was not expecting to see this level of commitment and fan engagement while attending a JUCO basketball game. Access 3 The campus itself is kind of hard to find if you are not familiar with the area. There are two ways to get here from the north and south – most people coming from out of town will come to Niceville from the north, in which case they would take Interstate 10 to Crestview, then drive about 20 minutes south on Highway 85. This highway is a rural two-lane back road with not a lot of scenery, but the college is conveniently located on the corner of College Blvd and Highway 85, with the basketball arena located at the front of campus right next to the baseball stadium. If coming from Destin or Fort Walton Beach, the campus is about 10 miles from the actual beach, but of course traffic will be a nightmare so it could take longer. The Mid-Bay Bridge is a two-lane bridge as well, and is constantly having work being done on it, so the three-mile bridge could take upwards of twenty minutes to cross. Return on Investment 4 General admission tickets cost $7 and you are free to sit wherever you like. During most every game the women’s team plays before the men’s team, so sometimes the second game starts later than scheduled; because of this sometimes the ticket office closes early. For example, during my most recent visit the men’s game was scheduled to tip off at 7:30, so I arrived at about 6 pm to catch the end of the women’s game. That game actually went to OT, delaying the start of the men’s game until about 8:30. So by the time the men’s game actually tipped off the ticket office had closed, and fans were free to come and go without paying. I’m not sure if the ticket office closes early for every game, but most every men’s game starts at 7:30 and is preceded by the women’s game, so there is a good chance to get in free. I consider visiting The Arena at Northwest Florida State College a good return on investment; even though the fact that this is still JUCO basketball, the majority of the players will sign with D1 teams, so you never know which next big time player you may be watching. Extras 3 Since 2014 the college has hosted the Emerald Coast Classic, one of the premier college basketball tournaments. The 8-team, single elimination tournament is usually held during Thanksgiving week, and has become one of the more popular college basketball tournaments in the country. The first and second round games take place at their respective college campuses, while the third and championship rounds are scheduled to take place here, and are televised nationally on CBS Sports Network. The Emerald Coast Classic attracts some pretty big name basketball programs as well – the 2019 tournament featured Florida State, Purdue, Tennessee, and VCU, while the 2020 tourney will feature Florida, Illinois, Iowa State, and Oregon. Past tournament participants include basketball powerhouses Baylor, Memphis, St. Bonaventure, and New Mexico, while past tournament winners include Florida State (2019), Cincinnati (2018), TCU (2017), Virginia (2016), Iowa State (2015), and Ole Miss (2014). I urge all college basketball fans in the panhandle region to experience the Emerald Coast Classic; the prices are the same as they would be at an NWF game. A lot of the teams playing will make the NCAA Tournament, so you are getting to see some pretty big basketball schools for such a low price. If you were wondering how NWF got its nickname the Raiders, then you are in luck – at the arena’s main entrance is a mini museum documenting artifacts, memorabilia, and interactive displays honoring former Air Force General Lt. Jimmy Doolittle and his crew, who were responsible for the Tokyo Air Raid. The raid served as retaliation for Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbor four months prior. Training began on the secret mission in 1942 at a tiny airfield at Eglin Air Force Base. Eglin was selected due to its vast remoteness and number of fields available for training. The planes would only have 450 feet of runway space to take off from the aircraft carrier, so they practiced on smaller airfields and runways at Eglin. On April 18, 1942 sixteen B-25s, dubbed “Doolittle’s Raiders,” took off from the deck of the U.S.S. Hornet in the Pacific Ocean, en route to bomb Japan. Due to detection by the Japanese, the planes had to take off sooner than expected, so they ended up running out of fuel and most were forced to crash land. Some crashed into the China Sea, while others were able to make it to China before crashing inland – despite this only two crew members lost their lives, even though fifteen of the sixteen planes were lost. The significance of this mission would mark a major turning point in the war, and Doolittle received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his efforts, and was promoted to Brigadier General of the U.S. Air Force. When Okaloosa-Walton Community College opened in 1963, they were nicknamed the Raiders, in honor of Jimmy Doolittle and his crew, and for years the surviving members of Doolittle’s Raiders would hold their annual reunion at the campus and base until their final member died in 2013. NWF’s mascot even looks like a World War II era pilot, and is named Jimmy as well. Final Thoughts Whether you are here for the Emerald Coast Classic or are here watching NWF play, The Arena at Northwest Florida State College remains an excellent place to watch a basketball game. Ticket prices are cheap, concessions are cheap, and the atmosphere here is unlike any other JUCO level facility in the country. Visiting the Emerald Coast makes also for a great weekend – you can check out a basketball game and then visit the beach.

Photos by Jon Hart, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Furst Gymnasium 2501 Amsterdam Avenue New York, NY, 10033 Yeshiva Maccabees men’s basketball website Furst Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 1,000 The Marvelous Maccs In New York City, a town where professional sports rule, Yeshiva University basketball is soaring. The Maccabees are currently 21-1, their only loss being their opening game, an away tilt at Occidental in California. If they stay on course, the Maccs will be in the upcoming Division 3 NCAA basketball tournament, which the Maccs made in 2018. For elite college basketball, Yeshiva basketball offers it at a more than reasonable price: Free. Right now, it’s simply one of the best deals in college sports. Food & Beverage 0 Less is more. There are no concessions. However, fans may bring their own snacks. In the surrounding, bustling Washington Heights neighborhood, there’s no shortage of food options. Atmosphere 4 The Maccs are streaking, and the positive vibes are flowing. It’s D3, no athletic scholarships, so the amenities aren’t what you’d find at Madison Square Garden. It’s general admission and seats are benches. Everyone’s very close to the action. There’s an overhead track that circles the court Neighborhood 4 The Washington Heights neighborhood is on the rise, and there’s no shortage of food options, from slices to Mexican. Check out Where To East in Washington Heights for some of the best places to eat in the area. Fans 4 The Maccs are no secret to their student body, and they turn out to root for their classmates. They’re enthusiastic, as well as polite. If there was heckling, it would be frowned upon. Access 4 By public transportation, the Center is just a few blocks away from #1 subway stop. A ride from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden takes about 40 minutes. For drivers, you can hunt and peck for a space or pay too much for a garage. Yeshiva is close to several major thruways. Security is tight at the Center. Expect the airport treatment at the door, albeit more polite. Return on Investment 5 Again, it’s free, so the only investment is travel and your time. If you appreciate basketball, the Maccs are definitely worth your time. It’s high-level basketball in a small place. Extras 2 Former New York Knick, ex-Georgetown star Michael Sweetney is an assistant coach for the Maccs. Between breaks, Jewish music is played. Final Thoughts The Knicks are, well, the Knicks. St. John’s is rebuilding. Right now, Yeshiva is the best team in town. And it’s free, one of the best deals in college sports. Yeshiva basketball won’t be a secret for long. Jon Hart is @ManVersusBall

Photos by Chuck Utech and James Hilchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 McLeod Center 2501 Hudson Rd. Cedar Falls, IA 50614 Northern Iowa Panthers website McLeod Center website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 7,018 UNI Fight The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) is sometimes overshadowed by the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. The Panthers have called 7,018 seat McLeod Center home since 2006 and the experience stands on its own. Prior to 2006, the adjacent UNI DOME was the home of UNI hoops action. While the Dome could provide larger crowds (it is still the football stadium), it was not ideal for always viewing hoops action. McLeod provides great viewing and a fan friendly atmosphere for men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling and women’s volleyball. The center has also seen concerts and other events pass through. UNI basketball has given fans teams to remember such as the Eldon Miller led 1990 squad that upset #3 seed Missouri in the first round of the NCAA tournament and the Ben Jacobson led team that went to the Sweet 16 in 2010 defeating top seeded Kansas. Food & Beverage 3 Traditional stadium food and drinks are on the menu for the most part. Prices more than make up for it. Coke products are proudly served with sizes that range from regular ($4), large ($5) and souvenir ($6). Coffee is $3 and a bottle of water is $4. 2019 marked the first year for public beer sales in McLeod as they followed the lead from fellow Missouri Conference foe Drake that introduced it in 2018. The maximum per person on a trip is two but one can get a Busch light, Coors Light or Angry Orchard for $7. A local favorite is the Gable, by Singlespeed Brewing Co. It is a nod to Iowa legend and gold medalist in the Munich 1972 Olympic games, Dan Gable, from nearby Waterloo. For food, Klements products are proudly served. A Dome dog is $4; brat $4.50. A walking taco is $5. Pretzels are also $4 as is a regular popcorn. A large popcorn is $5. A personal pan pizza tops out at $7. Want to satisfy a sugar craving? There are options. Blue Bunny novelty treats are $4. Soft serve ice cream in a dish or cone is $4. A shake is $4.50. Mini donuts are also served. They run 6 for $4, 12 for $6, a big ‘ol bucket for $17. Atmosphere 4 The school colors for UNI are purple and gold. Those are prevalent throughout the experience. One enters on top and then goes into bowl seating. Up top is the wide concourse, restrooms, merchandise, concessions as well as programs. Each corner features a charging station for those needing extra battery life in their devices. In addition, there are split the pot tables where one can purchase a chance to win a portion of proceeds with the rest going to local charity. There is also a table where one can purchase a small soft basketball to then hurl down to the court later for a chance to win a gift card. This proved very popular as little basketballs were raining from the rafters. There is a main video board over the student section. There are also smaller boards throughout for easy viewing. The crowd gets fired up as the team is introduced and the school fight song plays in conjunction. Bleacher seating is in the corners and baseline. The corners can get a little loud as they pack up with the majority of $10 ticket sales. The sidelines feature traditional chair backs. It is an attentive and active crowd throughout the arena. Neighborhood 5 Cedar Falls is the epitome of a college town. It has a full repertoire of options to choose from. The university area has a strip called “The Hill.” It has many options for fans on game day. There is a University bookstore for souvenir hunting, some eclectic shops and tattoo parlors and of course food and beverage establishments. The Other Place or The OP as the locals call it, is a great spot for pizza and drinks. Just past that neighborhood a few minutes away is another great option. Peppers Grill and Sports Pub on E. 18th Street can accommodate a legion of fans and all of their eating, drinking and sports needs. Peppers features an excellent appetizer, pepper cheese sticks, their take on mozzarella sticks. Try with both ranch and marinara. The staff at all of the local establishments are quite friendly, hospitable and provide a fun game day experience before and after. For an added treat, visit the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. This museum features everything a sports fan could want. It is a treasure trove of knowledge and memorabilia. It also features an amazing mural of a young Abraham Lincoln being challenged to a wrestling match. There are displays of icons such as Dave Schulz and Cael Sanderson, and Frank Gotch. Fans 4 Fans are into it. They are knowledgeable and support the home team. There was some tailgating even on a cold winter day prior to game time. The band and student sections are engaged from opening tip until final buzzer. The fans stand at the beginning of the game and at the start of the 2nd half and do not sit until the opposing team scores. Access 5 Cedar Falls is located in the northeast quadrant of the state of Iowa. It is about 2 hours northeast of Des Moines and about 90 minutes north and west from Iowa City, which are on I-80. Cedar Falls is on Highway 20 which is a freeway that goes east / west across Iowa. The UNI Dome is a great landmark as one approaches and the McLeod Center is next door. To the immediate west is parking for season ticket holders and for special access. Free parking is across the street, to the south. Concourses are wide and lines are short. Even prior to tip with 7,000 filling the center, the ability to get around is not too difficult. Return on Investment 5 Ticket prices run from $10-$40. $10 tickets scream great return and feature excellent views still. If one takes that, the fair cost of concessions, a souvenir and a trip to Cedar Falls into consideration, a family outing can be had at both a reasonable expense and with maximum enjoyment. Extras 4 An extra point goes to the Eldon Miller banner as well as all the banners hanging from the rafters. Miller’s efforts helped put UNI on the map and are celebrated inside. In the future, one could expect to see Coach Jacobson there as well. An extra point to the full color, informative and free program available as one comes in. An extra point goes to the staff. They are knowledgeable, courteous and more than happy to assist anyone. An extra point goes to the arena for embracing alcohol sales but doing it in a very conscientious manner. The staff is professional and allows adults to make appropriate decisions. Final Thoughts A trip to Cedar Falls to see a Missouri Valley Conference basketball game can be rewarding. With the 2018 trip to the Final Four by Loyola of Chicago, “Hoosiers” images were conjured for folks dreaming of the smaller school defeating large universities. The McLeod Center houses those dreams and passionately puts them on display.

Photos by Jon Hart, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Francis S. Levien Gymnasium 2960 Broadway New York, NY 10027 Columbia Lions website Francis S. Levien Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 3,408 The Lion’s Den Columbia, President Obama’s alma mater, plays their home games at the modest, 2,700 seat Francis S. Levien Gymnasium. Located in Morningside Heights, a twenty-minute subway jaunt from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden, Levien only offers good seats and better seats. Warning: Most of the seats don’t have seat backs. Columbia, which won the CollegeInsider.com post-season tournament in 2016, plays in the ultra-competitive Ivy League, which is on the cusp on becoming a two-bid conference. It’s solid, competitive mid-major college hoops in a small place. Food & Beverage 3 Columbia has upgraded its selections. In addition to candy, chips and soda, there are personal pizzas, Subway wraps and grilled hot dogs. Pizza is the most popular. The surrounding neighborhood offers an array of excellent food choices. Atmosphere 4 Columbia games draw. Students turn out and sit in the designated student section, which is across from the team’s benches. Alums, either Columbia or from the opposing team, also make up much of the crowd. The recently reinstated Columbia band, the best worst college band, is back again playing. However, they’re more restrained. Columbia has a large dance and cheerleading squad. They keep it simple and low to the floor. Neighborhood 5 A stroll around Columbia’s well-lit surrounding streets is a must. There’s no shortage of excellent dining options. Here are just a few, but there are plenty more. Shake Shack, which is great for burgers, shakes and other treats, is right across the street. A few blocks downtown, pizza spot Koronet has humongous slices. A bit more downtown, Sal and Carmine’s, has smaller slices but awesome crust. For Seinfeld fans, Tom’s Restaurant is close. A local’s guide to area restaurants can be found here. Fans 4 The fans turn out for the Lions. Arrive early if you don’t want to wait in line for tickets on game day. The student section has the potential to get rowdy and creative but nothing too crazy. Access 4 Drivers should be able to get a free space on the street with not too much effort. There’s also overpriced parking lots in the neighborhood. If you’re coming via public transportation, the #1 subway stop at 116th Street is mere yards from courtside. Return on Investment 4 Compared to the Knicks and Nets, a Columbia game is a bargain. Tickets start at $20. Extras 3 Columbia’s magnificent campus is a sight to behold. For a wonderful stroll, Central Park, arguably the best park in the world, is not far. Again, there are a lot of great eating venues in the area. Worth noting: Current Columbia coach Jim Engles has a history of pulling off upsets. In 2014, his NJIT squad upset Michigan in Ann Arbor. If you’re in NYC, and you’re into hoops, Levien Gymnasium should be added to your itinerary. Jon Hart is @ManVersusBall

Photos by <att Finnigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Moby Arena 951 West Plum St Fort Collins, CO 80521 Colorado State Rams website Moby Arena website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 8,745 Ram Proud Very few arenas can combine unique architecture, history, and competitive NCAA Division I basketball. Yet Colorado State University’s Moby Arena does just that. The building opened in 1966 and was initially named the Auditorium-Gymnasium. An article in CSU’s student newspaper, The Collegian, described the arena with its white, curved roof as a beached whale. That mention gave way to the arena’s informal nickname of “Moby Gymnasium,” a tribute to Herman Melville’s legendary tale of a captain’s pursuit of a white whale named Moby-Dick. The school embraced this cetological reference and, in the late 1980s, CSU Athletic Director Oval Jaynes formally adopted the “Moby Gymnasium” moniker. Today, a visit to Moby Arena provides an enjoyable college basketball experience. It sits in the middle of campus, within walking distance of bars, restaurants, and student housing. Fort Collins has a thriving downtown area, Old Town Square, less than two miles away from campus, and a bustling student neighborhood, West Campus, is just across the street from Moby. Fort Collins also has an extensive network of trails and parks, so fans wanting to see the Rams play have plenty of pre and post-game entertainment options. Food & Beverage 2 Moby Arena has the basics, and not much more. The Aggie Grill offers a guacamole burger basket, including a burger with guacamole, tortilla strips, and fries, for $10. A cheeseburger basket costs $9. Sriracha dogs ($7), hot dogs ($6), nachos ($6), bratwurst ($6), pretzels with cheese ($5), popcorn ($4), and candy ($4) are also available. Fans have limited options for drinks at the concessions stands: bottled water ($4), fountain soda ($4-$6), and coffee ($4). Coca-Cola products are sold at Moby. Chick-fil-A and Krazy Karl’s pizza also have concessions stands at Moby. An original chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A is $4.75 while a spicy chicken sandwich costs $5.25. The Moby Loft is a standing-room area on the arena’s west concourse that opened in 2019. Of-age fans can enjoy beer and wine while still being able to watch the game. The space has room for 300 fans, with canned domestic and craft beer ($8), Captain Jack margaritas ($8), wine spritzers ($8), and red and white wine ($6). Fans must remain in the loft while consuming alcohol. But the Loft provides an ideal place for fans to congregate as they enjoy the game. Atmosphere 3 Moby Arena’s whale design is unusual in college sports venues. Most seats are along the sidelines, while student and pep band seating is at either end of the arena. Seats are comfortable, with good sight lines and no obstructed views. Most seats have chair backs, with some bleacher seating in the end zones. The Rams’ home court, more than 23,000 square feet, is emblazoned with ram’s horns and provides a nice representation of CSU’s colors, logo, and nickname. Moby’s public address system can be difficult to hear, particularly when the band is playing. A scoreboard hangs from the ceiling above center court to provide replays, in-game promotions, and player statistics. Smaller scoreboards hang in the corners and offer more in-depth player stats during the game. Of note, a ram-themed display above Moby’s east concourse illuminates to measure crowd noise and encourage fans to get loud during the game. Neighborhood 5 Fort Collins is an idyllic college town that surrounds the CSU campus. With trails, parks, and the Cache la Poudre River running through town, outdoor opportunities abound in Fort Collins. Several neighborhoods near campus feature great bars and restaurants. Less than a mile from Moby Arena, West Laurel Street has several dining options. The B&B Pickle Barrel serves excellent east coast-style deli sandwiches, with a full bar and plenty of TVs for watching games. Downtown Fort Collins has restaurants for most every taste. The Exchange, located downtown, is a newer, open-air plaza that has several restaurants around its perimeter with plenty of room for gathering outside. Ice cream lovers will enjoy the Old Town Churn, an ice cream stand built into a giant, well, ice cream churn at the Exchange. Beer lovers will also recognize Fort Collins as one of the top destinations for craft brewing and there are numerous ways to visit the breweries. More than 20 breweries call Fort Collins home. The New Belgium Brewing Company and Odell Brewing Co. are the town’s largest brewers, but the smaller breweries are also key members of the town’s brewing fabric. Fort Collins-based Magic Bus Brewery Tours can arrange for both bus and walking tours of Fort Collins’s breweries. For those who prefer their beer brewed on a larger scale, Fort Collins’s Anheuser-Busch brewery also offers tours. Fans 3 Head coach Niko Medved has the Rams playing very competitive basketball, on pace to win 20 games and possibly advance to the NCAA Tournament in 2019-2020. Yet the Rams have averaged just slightly more than 3,100 fans per game. CSU’s official student fan group, Ram Ruckus, provides energy and noise; all students are welcome to join. The other fans in attendance are engaged and loud. Access 4 Fort Collins sits approximately 60 miles north of Denver and is approximately a 45-minute drive from Denver International Airport. Moby Arena is located on the northwest corner of CSU’s campus, near the intersection of Plum Street and South Shields Street. Parking ($15 per car) is available in the lot between Moby and South Shields Street. Fans will have little difficulty finding the arena or a place to park. Transfort, the City of Fort Collins’s mass transit authority, operates several bus routes serving the CSU campus (the 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 19, 31, 32, 33, and max lines), including one that links CSU with downtown Fort Collins. The CSU Transit Center is less than a half-mile from Moby Arena. Rideshare services Lyft and Uber both operate in Fort Collins but Moby Arena does not have a dedicated rideshare drop-off or pick-up location. Moby Arena has two ticket window areas, the larger of which is in a lobby on the building’s north side and the smaller of which sits on the building’s southwest side. Fans should consider purchasing tickets from the windows on the north side, as there are several options. Security lines move quickly into the building. Once inside, concourses are not wide but fans should not expect any problems navigating the arena. Concession lines move quickly and efficiently. Return on Investment 3 Tickets range from $14 for reserved seats in Moby Arena’s corners to $30 for a reserved seat along either sideline. Because of Moby’s smaller size, fans can get close to the action regardless of where they sit. Concession prices are slightly lower than what fans should expect to pay at an NCAA Division I basketball game. Although parking at Moby costs $15, there is also plenty of free street parking within walking distance. Extras 3 Moby Arena receives a point for the exceptional CSU Sports Hall of Fame Exhibit, located on the south concourse. The school chronicles its programs’ athletic and academic highlights with an extensive collection of photos and memorabilia. The City of Fort Collins also earns a point. The myriad dining, entertainment, and outdoor options are unlike what other college towns can offer. Finally, Moby Arena receives a point for its history. It provided the setting for the 1976 film, “One on One” with Robby Benson, Annette O’Toole, and Melanie Griffith. Final Thoughts Colorado State has succeeded in a challenging feat: to maintain Moby Arena’s design and function while modernizing the building to appeal to present-day basketball fans. With a Rams team on the rise and a beautiful campus (and town), a game at Moby Arena is worth the drive from Denver.

Photos by Jared Goodman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Dale F. Halton Arena 9201 University City Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28223 Charlotte 49ers website Dale F. Halton Arena website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 9,105 Good as Gold in the Queen City While the men’s basketball program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte may not perform as well on the court as its parent institution in Chapel Hill, the 49ers have been able to hold their own in NCAA’s Division I since they joined in 1970. The 49ers started out in the on-campus Belk Gymnasium, but it wasn’t long until the team moved into the much larger Bojangles Coliseum off Independence Boulevard. After a short stint at the Charlotte Coliseum, then-home to the NBA’s Hornets, the Gold and Green returned to campus in 1996 to play at the newly-constructed Dale Halton Arena. Despite playing in the fairly weak Conference USA, the Charlotte men’s basketball team has been able to survive in a very-crowded region chock full of occasional Tournament contenders such as Davidson and Winthrop. With Halton’s capacity hovering near a bold 9,000, the Niners are able to continually “Pack the Mine” with between 4,000 and 5,000 fans each home game. Those figures vary, of course, during non-conference play depending on the opponent. Overall, fans of both Charlotte and the visiting team enjoy a fun game day experience and an intimate, yet modern, facility where they can sit back, relax, and watch some hoops. Food & Beverage 4 Halton Arena’s main concourse is reminiscent of a mall food court. Four corner stands, situated underneath the seating bowl along one side of the concourse, serve up a wide variety of dishes for every palate. One of these stands exclusively offers Bojangles’, a local chicken and biscuits favorite, but expect prices to be slightly higher than you’d see at one of the chain’s restaurants. A 5-piece supremes basket, for example, is $8.75, while seasoned fries and a legendary iced tea are $3.50 each. Domino’s is another chain that has a counter at Halton, offering pepperoni or cheese pizzas for $6.50 each. The Pick Axe Grill next door serves up some more unique items. The Jalapeño Bacon Cheeseburger basket ($8) and the Chili Cheese Fries ($4.50) are probably the highlights here. You can also grab your basic hamburger ($6.50) and hot dog ($4), and wash it all down with a bottled water or Coca-Cola fountain drink for $3.50. Typical arena snacks are available at all of the concession stands, including pretzels, popcorn, nachos, candy, funnel cake and cookies. These items are priced fairly at $3-$4 a pop. Atmosphere 3 While The Mine doesn’t appear very big when empty, it becomes quite clear during games just how large the seating bowl actually is. Despite decent attendance, the arena often looks only half-full, though that perception can quickly change when the crowd gets noisy. The center hung scoreboard is large and top-of-its-class as far as mid-major arenas go. The LED screen provides a center-court view of the action to fans, as well as player stats for both teams. A radio broadcast of the game is also pumped into the main lobby area so that fans waiting in line at the concession stands don’t miss a minute of the action. Chair back seating is present in most of the building, though seats located in the last few rows of the upper seating bowl are typical bleacher-style. Neighborhood 4 The Niners home court is nestled close to the center of campus, so it’s a short walk if you want to explore anything in the general vicinity. It’s an even shorter drive to the nearby restaurants and shops, which mostly include chain retailers on Tryon Street (the main thoroughfare through “University City”), University City Boulevard and JW Clay Boulevard. The region’s only IKEA store is just a few miles from campus and offers a full restaurant and snack bar in addition to the furniture goods on display. But perhaps the best perk of Halton’s location on-campus is its proximity to the LYNX Light Rail system, which provides speedy service to Uptown Charlotte, the hip NoDa neighborhood, and the revitalized South End. All three offer a variety of dining and nightlife options just a 20-minute train ride from campus. The nearest stop, JW Clay Station, offers a 5-level parking deck for those wishing to drive, but is also easily accessible on foot via footpaths. From the arena’s front door, it’s just a short 10-minute walk to the light rail platform. Fans 4 The whole arena seems to be with the team from tip-off, cheering every made basket and jeering the away team at every opportunity. Average attendance is around 4,000 to 5,000 fans, though the actual attendance per game varies greatly on the opponent. 49ers fans are amongst the most loyal in Conference USA. The green chair backs are always filled with fans in green attire, turning Halton into a blinding sea of green. Fans of the away team are usually confined to a very small section and are consistently drowned out by the loud and enthusiastic Charlotte crowd. Access 4 Getting to Halton Arena could not be easier. The campus is bordered by several major thoroughfares, including Tryon Street and University City Blvd. Once inside UNCC, it’s a short drive to the West Deck, a multi-level parking structure next to the Belk Gymnasium. Best of all, parking is free and from the deck it’s a short walk down some stairs and down a sidewalk to the arena’s main entrance. On the return trip to your car and off-campus, it can be a bit trickier as traffic tends to snarl as you attempt to exit the deck, but once you hit the street you’re in the clear. UNCC is served by the LYNX Light Rail Blue Line, which has a stop at JW Clay Boulevard and is just a 15-minute walk away. The CATS bus system has several stops on-campus as well. Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is about 20 minutes away by car and is serviced by most of the major North American airlines. Interstates 85, 485, and 77 are close to campus as well, providing access to Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Virginia in the north and Columbia, Greenville and Atlanta in the south. Return on Investment 4 What you get for the price of your ticket is admission to the game. (Rarely, the Niners will have a promotional giveaway, and even those max out at 2 or 3 per season.) But a 49ers basketball game is quite affordable, with tickets ranging from $5 for youth to $10 for adults. That price includes a reserved seat of your choice and if you purchase tickets at the box office on game day rather than online ahead of time, you’ll save yourself about $2 in added fees. Between the free parking and cheap concession items, you likely won’t spend more than $20 per person on a trip to The Mine. Extras 2 Staff will often give out free Chick-fil-A sandwich coupons (or coupons to another local restaurant chain) when one of the teams achieves something on the court. For example, if the away team misses two free throws in the last 5 minutes of the game, everyone in attendance is awarded a free chicken sandwich. Past tournament achievements made by the 49ers are honored by way of celebratory banners hung in the rafters. The team also honors famous basketball alumni such as Cedric Maxwell, who led the Niners in their first tournament appearance in 1977 to the Final Four. Final Thoughts While Charlotte may be overshadowed by their larger in-state ACC counterparts, the Gold and Green have not only a loyal following, but a great venue for their fans to enjoy. You’ll find a night out at Halton well-spent and thoroughly enjoyable, even if the team doesn’t always take home the W.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Walter Pyramid 1250 Bellflower Blvd Long Beach, CA 90840 Long Beach State Beach website Walter Pyramid website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 5,000 25 Years Under the Pyramid Opened for business in 1994, the Walter Pyramid, or as locals affectionately call it, The Pyramid, has become as much an iconic sight in Long Beach as The Queen Mary. OK… that may be a stretch. Celebrating 25 years of operation, it is one of four pyramid buildings in the U.S. along with others in Las Vegas, Memphis, and San Diego. In addition to hosting Long Beach State athletics, it was also the home of the NBA Summer Pro League from 1995 to 2007. When seen from a distance, when you see the sight of a blue shaped pyramid, there’s no mistaking where you are. Food & Beverage 3 Dining options are your standard venue fare of hot/chili dogs, hamburger, cheeseburger and chicken sandwiches from $5.50 to $10.50, chips, peanuts, cracker jacks assorted candy and popcorn from $3.50 to $4, kettle corn $5-$7, $frozen treats $3.75 to $5, regular and bottled coke products from $3 to $5 for a souvenir cup, $4 for coffee and hot chocolate, domestic and premium beer from $9-$11. Atmosphere 3 Watching a game at The Pyramid is one of the more unique experiences in college sports due in large part to its unique setup, given its status as one of four pyramids in the country. Long Beach State does a nice job of displaying their athletic program’s feats throughout the arena with murals along the concourses featuring famous Long Beach State alumnus. The seats are placed on movable sections supported by hydraulics, giving fans the chance to create a louder atmosphere as they can stomp their feet on the metal panels. With a capacity of just over 4,000 seats the inside of The Pyramid, while feeling rather cavernous, is rather intimate with no seat being too far away from the action. Neighborhood 3 The area surrounding the campus of Long Beach State does not really offer much in terms of pre/postgame dining and entertainment. However, The Pike is where the major attractions such as The Queen Mary, Aquarium of The Pacific (one of my favorite Long Beach attractions) and dining options such as CPK, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and Q Smokehouse are among the local dining options. Should you happen to have some time to kill before the game and find yourself in The Pike, I highly recommend The Aquarium of The Pacific. One of my favorite things to do at The Aquarium is the touch tanks where you get to pet little baby sharks and rays. Fans 3 With a program that’s currently struggling, the crowds are sparse. Those that do show do their best to back the LBC. Because of the program’s current struggles, the presence of students in the stands is also lacking. Those that do show up in the student section are mostly made up of families and kids. In an area where there are countless pro and collegiate programs, getting the stands filled even close to capacity can be a struggle. Access 4 Arriving to the arena should not be too difficult as it is easily accessible from the 405 freeway and Pacific Coast Highway. Should you decide to use public transit, the Long Beach Transit offers service from downtown LB, with routes 91 and 94 taking passengers inside campus leaving them a short walk away from the arena. When entering the arena, most fans walk up a flight of stairs through an upper concourse that encircles the entire arena. The concourses here at The Pyramid may be some of the widest concourses you will find yourself walking through in any of your indoor arena visits. One of the nice things about the concourse here is that you can walk all the way around and not miss any of the action happening on the court. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices to see Long Beach State basketball start at $12 and vary based on seat location and level of game. With every seat close to the action Long Beach State games are a good bargain and a great alternative for the locals who don’t want to travel all the way to Los Angeles to see a basketball game in a nice intimate venue. Extras 4 One of the nice things about walking around The Pyramid aside from the ability to walk around the wide concourses without missing any of the action on the floor are the various murals and quotes from past Long Beach State athletes who would go on to stardom, among them Lucious Harris, Craig Hodges, and quotes from recent MLB stars Evan Longoria, Troy Tulowitzki and of course Jared Weaver. Along the west concourse is the school’s Hall of Fame display that also include former 49er and UNLV head coach Jerry Tarkanian. Next to the HOF display is a kids play area where kids can get in some mini hoops action away from the hoops action on the court. At the south end of The Pyramid is a good-sized LED video board that not only displays game stats but shows highlights and other game related action as well. The size and display of the board are so impressive it’s comparable to those used in NBA venues. Final Thoughts It would be very difficult to miss the location of The Walter Pyramid while on campus. One only has to look toward a blue pyramid shaped building and walk toward it. A basketball game inside The Walter Pyramid is one you should experience. It’s not often you can say that you viewed a sporting event under a pyramid-shaped building. At 25 years of service, The Pyramid has housed its share of high caliber athletes. The Pyramid was also the host to the Southern California Summer Pro League during its inaugural year until 2007, hosting NBA teams with their first and second round draft picks as well as other pro summer league teams. It was at The Pyramid where during the summer of 1996 a budding star named Kobe Bryant would make his professional debut.

Photos by Chuck Utech, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Carver-Hawkeye Arena 1 Elliot Dr Iowa City, IA 52242 Iowa Hawkeyes website Carver-Hawkeye Arena website Year Opened: 1983 Capacity: 15,400 Iowa Basketball at Carver-Hawkeye Built into the Iowa soil, Carver-Hawkeye Arena (CHA) houses the University of Iowa men’s basketball, women’s basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, and wrestling. Open since 1983, one enters the arena on the ground floor and looks down to the court. The court is encased by seating all the way around, leading up to the large concourse. The arena is currently constructed to hold 15,056. CHA has hosted Big Ten and NCAA Wrestling championships, NCAA Women’s Tournament games, and also the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials. Food & Beverage 3 Concession stands are abundant. Coca-Cola products are served. Prices range from $5 for a regular to $6.50 for a souvenir. There are no alcoholic beverages served at this time, although other in-state venues have made the change to augment concession sales with beer. There are many choices when looking at food options and they fit the traditional arena food bill of fare: Hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, and popcorn. Wimmer’s hot dogs ($4.50) and bratwurst ($5.50) are proudly served. Nachos and cheese, are $6; a large Bavarian pretzel is $7. Popcorn is $6.50 for a regular but the family size (souvenir) is $12 and allows for one return fill-up trip. Easily found items, in addition, include tots, burgers, chicken tenders, and walking tacos. All are in the $6-$9 range. One item that is the biggest hit is the soft serve ice cream. Lines form early. A cone is $4, and a bowl $7. It is a CHA tradition and fans love their pre-game soft serve. Atmosphere 4 A benefit to bowl seating is the layout can be very convenient. This, and to good views as well proportional fan distribution. The fans cover the entire circle, with a small notch carved out for the band. The student section is noisy and is prompted by the band throughout the game. Fans can sense when the home team needs a boost on offense or defense and dial up the volume. There are moments when CHA can get quite loud. The fans can take that deafening roar to a dead silence when needed during a free throw. It is fun to hear it go from 100 to 0 decibels. Neighborhood 4 Plenty of pre and post-game opportunities within a short distance from CHA are available to choose from in the Iowa City and Coralville area. Starting with pizza options, Falbo Brothers downtown on Gilbert St. and Wig and Pen are excellent choices. The Fieldhouse and the Mill also are excellent options. Cedar Rapids is about 20 minutes to the north. It has been rebuilt since devastating floods a decade ago and is worth a visit. The National Czech and Slovak Museum and African American Museum are great cultural experiences. The Five Seasons Center downtown has been renamed the U.S. Cellular Center. This famed building has seen many basketball games in its own right and once housed a game coached by Billy Packer and McGuire in the is. Riverside, Iowa is about 15 miles to the south. It has a casino and a TopGolf suite. For those wanting a quirky time, visit the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk of Star Trek. Fans 4 Hawkeye fans do cheer when the team is doing well. Their passion can spill over to disdain when the team is not doing quite as well. They are passionate about the team. Knowledge is abundant as well and they have fun with the opponent fans in a lead or dialall-star80sgood-naturedhappy-go-lucky kind of way. The Iowa student section and the band are entertaining, even if they do not carry the notoriety of other fan bases in the Big Ten or even rival Iowa State. Wins are celebrated with a polka, “In Heaven, there is no beer.” Access 3 Access to CHA is different than access inside. CHA sits in an area of Iowa City that bottlenecks easily at times of heightened traffic. Although it is not as bad when 70,000 are exiting Kinnick Stadium, the throngs arriving or leaving can cause delays. The staff does yeoman work flowing traffic, but there is just not a large infrastructure in the neighborhood for the large masses. Within CHA, the concourses are wide and it is easy to get around even with the soft serve line. There is a wide assortment of handicapped access seats available. Bathrooms can get busy at peak times. Return on Investment 4 From parking across the street for $5, to tickets, concessions, programs, and souvenirs, CHA is an excellent bang for the buck. B1G basketball for $20-$35 on average is good stuff. The value is heightened with the bowl seating and excellent views throughout the arena. There is premium seating (Carver Terrace) available near the top of the bowl for the ultimate experience. Prices start at $200 a game for a table. Extras 5 May sound odd, but a pre-game handicap is the long lines for, must-see soft-serve ice cream. Get in on it early. Whether it is inside or outside, staff and security are plentiful and courteous. Traffic flows even after a largely attended game. The staff is full-on “Iowa Nice” and more than happy to assist with questions or finding a seat. Iowa traditional sports have had a fair amount of success over the years. There are banners, displays, and mentions of the accomplishments throughout. On-court activities for fans such as trying to get a hole-in-one, t-shirt toss, or shooting a half-court shot are fun fillers. The Iowa yearbook comes with a Poster front/Roster back. In addition, there are booths set up with free posters and schedules while supplies last for various athletic activities. Final Thoughts A trip to Carver-Hawkeye Arena is an enjoyable experience. Reasonable pricing, fun for, and passionate fans make this a great spot to see a game. The Iowa City area is excellent with plenty of outside activities available for those looking for a full weekend.

Photos by Will Halpern, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Truist Stadium 1601 East Market Street Greensboro, NC 27411 North Carolina A&T Aggies website Truist Stadium website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 21,500 Aggie Pride in Greensboro Editor's Note: Truist Stadium opened in 1981 under the name Aggie Stadium. In 2018, the stadium’s name changed to BB&T Stadium, and in 2020, the stadium’s name changed to Truist Stadium. The spirit, culture, and tradition that you can feel throughout the campus of North Carolina A&T State University can be felt far beyond BB&T Stadium, and the chant of “Aggie Pride” is much more than a slogan: it is a way of life for the students, faculty and alumni of A&T. North Carolina A&T was founded in 1891. Aggie Football has been played on and off since 1901, but it wasn’t until 1924 that the football team became an integral and consistent part of the university. From 1924 until 1969 the team played in the CIAA. In 1970 it became a founding member of the MEAC, with other HBCU schools. The Aggies have won 16 conference championships, including one this 2019 season, and have won a total of seven Black College National Championships, which while not technically recognized by the NCAA, is a source of pride among both major Division 1 HBCU Conferences, whose winners compete against each other in the annual Celebration Bowl in Atlanta to crown the HBCU National Champion. Including this 2019 season, the Aggies have captured the crown the last three seasons, and in four of the last five seasons. Prior to 1981, the team shared World War Memorial Stadium with various Greensboro minor league baseball teams. The on-campus stadium was originally known as Aggie Stadium until last season when it became BB&T Stadium. The stadium has a capacity of 21,500 but often sees crowds that top that, including a record 34,769 in 2001. The stadium also boasts the Irwin Belk Track, which is an Olympic quality track, and routinely hosts various track events, including the high school State Championship. Food & Beverage 4 BB&T Stadium has selections of food and beverages throughout the stadium. There are a couple of main concessions stands that offer chicken tenders with fries, sausage dogs, hot dogs, and nachos for ten, eight, five, and six dollars respectively. There is also an Off the Hook Chicken and Fish food truck selling various items, including crab cake sliders, beef sliders, and fish and chips, all for nine dollars. Pepsi products are offered for three dollars. There is a beer and wine garden plus Henry’s Popcorn Shop, as well as funnel cake, fried Oreos, and Favor Desserts, which offers various selections of cupcakes – you will not go hungry when attending an Aggie football game. Atmosphere 4 BB&T Stadium is a fantastic place to take in a game, and the electric atmosphere starts even before you enter the stadium’s gates. The Aggie Fan Zone outside the stadium is packed with tailgaters playing music and grilling up some southern classics, including amazing chili. Because my most recent visit was the final game of the season against the hated rival North Carolina Central in the annual Aggie-Eagle Classic, there was an extra buzz around the stadium despite heavy rains pounding the Aggie Faithful throughout the afternoon. If the weather had held up, they were expecting a sold-out or even an overflow crowd at the stadium, however, the heavy rains led to a little more than half-full stadium, which on every another occasion would result in a lower score, but there was still a lot of energy throughout the game, and the fans in attendance made it clear that it would take a lot more than inclement weather to slow down the cheers of Aggie Nation. If Mother Nature had held up its end of the deal, the score would no doubt be a five, as alongside the fans, the great PA Announcer not only enthusiastically announced first downs and touchdowns, but they also heralded the Aggie Defense after third downs. The cheerleaders are fantastic, and the Blue & Gold Marching Machine are among the best college marching bands I have ever heard, adding to a truly wonderful home-field advantage. Seating is bleacher seating, with a nice-sized video board in front of the Joseph and Kathleen Bryan Wellness Center, all behind the north end zone. There are no seats on this side of the stadium but there is seating behind the south end zone, with a basic scoreboard as well in that area. Neighborhood 4 BB&T Stadium is located on the north end of North Carolina A&T’s campus. The stadium is about a mile and a half east of downtown Greensboro, and the area around the stadium is filled mostly with campus buildings and some fast food restaurants The main places to check out are going to be in downtown Greensboro. However, if you don’t want to venture too far, there are a couple of choices near the stadium – Fox Pizza and Subs serves up a variety of specialty pizzas and gourmet sandwiches, along with pasta, burgers, and more, while Mrs. Winners Chicken and Biscuits serves up some southern favorites, including chicken sandwiches and boxes plus a variety of breakfast biscuits and sides, including potato wedges, macaroni and cheese, and coleslaw. In downtown Greensboro there are numerous places to grab a bite to eat and drink – Crafted: The Art of The Taco offers twelve different tacos, including my personal favorite, the Big Truck, which includes pulled pork, mac and cheese, tobacco onions, scallions, and is topped with bacon BBQ sauce. For those who don’t like tacos, the restaurant also offers eight different kinds of burgers, and starters including various types of chips and dips, such as nachos and Mason of Bacon, which is literally a mason jar filled with bacon. Or just down the road is a Greensboro institution, Natty Greene’s, which is known for having multiple beers on tap from their own brewery; this restaurant also serves up delicious appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Finally, a true hidden gem, if you are in Greensboro beyond Saturday’s game day is Cincy’s, which is open from 11 to 2 Monday through Friday, and is located around the corner from Elm Street, the main street in downtown where the aforementioned eateries are located. Cincy’s serves up authentic Cincinnati Style chili, both on hot dogs and over spaghetti in two, three, four, and five ways, depending on whether you want to add cheese, beans, or onions. It is one of the few places to get authentic Cincinnati chili at a restaurant in NC. They also have sandwiches, burgers, and wraps, if you’re not feeling the chili. Besides its restaurants, Greensboro has tons of other places to check out – those who have a need to shop should check out Friendly Center and Four Seasons Mall, both ten minutes away from the stadium. With nearly three hundred stores between the two, there is something for everyone. For those with children, the Greensboro Science Center and Greensboro Children’s Museum, fifteen minutes and less than five minutes away from the venue respectively, will provide hours of entertainment for the young ones. Greensboro is also home to the ACC Hall of Champions, ten minutes away from NC A&T, a museum that honors the best of the conference and its fifteen member schools, including in-state Wake Forest, Duke, UNC, and NC State. Also, five minutes away from BB&T Stadium in downtown Greensboro is the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, at the site of the Woolworth’s, where in 1960 four North Carolina A&T students sat at a segregated lunch counter to help bring about change and integration. The majority of Greensboro’s hotels are not in downtown, but around Greensboro Coliseum, which is a few miles west of BB&T Stadium. There you can find plenty of chain hotels such as Best Western, Embassy Suites, and Holiday Inn. There is also a Hyatt in downtown, and if you are looking to stay closer to the university there are a couple of bed and breakfasts, like Haynes and Double Oaks, if you’re looking for something a little bit different. Fans 4 It’s no secret that Aggie Nation ranks among the best fans among the many passionate fan bases at HBCUs, and even across North Carolina. A&T may not play in the bigger conferences like other in-state schools such as UNC, NC State, App State, or ECU, but with a large alumni base and a student body of more than 12,000 that bleeds Blue and Gold, the Aggies can hold their own. Fans are loud and proud, and a football Saturday is always an event. The last two seasons the Aggies have averaged about 15,500 fans per game, or a little more than 70% capacity, and while there is definitely room for growth, the atmosphere around BB&T Stadium during the game pushes the Aggie team to play among the best. With the team’s recent success, the hope is for the venue’s attendance to continue to grow. Access 4 Getting to BB&T Stadium is not a painful process with its location close to downtown. Several Greensboro Transit Authority buses will take you close to the stadium including the 6, 10, and 14. Traffic, if you choose to drive, is not too tough even around the BB&T Stadium, and there are a number of parking lots throughout campus. If you’re not looking to spend any money on parking, then parking in one of the many lots on East Market Street across campus from BB&T Stadium might be to your advantage, as shuttle service is offered from lots 12, 16, 17, and 42. Even if you’re not in one of those lots, you’ll be very close to the shuttle regardless, as the lots are close together. There are also lots closer to the stadium but to park in either the pink or orange lots, you’ll need to pay twenty dollars, and the adjacent lots are reserved for those with a credential or permit. Handicap parking is available in the pink lot on the corner of Benbow Road and Sullivan Street, but those spots tend to fill up. However, in the event they do fill up, there are spots in the general parking lot across campus with shuttle service available. There are a few gates around BB&T Stadium, and the lines are never too long, though it is recommended that you buy your tickets in advance, as lines at the box office outside the stadium on game day can tend to get a little long. The concourses are fairly wide but can get fairly crowded at times, but lines for concessions and the bathrooms are never too long; the bathrooms are clean and well-kept as well. Return on Investment 4 The average ticket price for Aggie Football is around twenty-five dollars per ticket, but you can sometimes find tickets for less on the secondary market – for this particular game against rival NC Central, tickets were averaging forty-five dollars each. The food prices aren’t terribly high, but not super cheap either, but if you choose to take the complimentary parking option and attend a game other than the biennial Aggie-Eagle Classic, attending an Aggies game won’t set you back too far. If you’re okay with spending a little more, however, getting to the big rivalry game is worth it if you’re in Greensboro in late November of an odd number year. Extras 5 First, a point for the great tailgating scene outside BB&T Stadium, packed with music, food, and lots of students and alumni decked out in Blue and Gold. Point number two for the excellent PA Announcer, getting excited at all the right times and hyping up the already enthusiastic Aggie fans in the stadium. A third point for the incredible amount of merchandise available for purchase at the stadium – most stadiums have a place to buy the home team’s gear, but here there are stands selling everything from soaps and shampoos and other goods to various t-shirts, as well as visiting team gear (there are lots of places to buy Aggie gear too, of course). It is not often that you can do your Christmas shopping at a football game, but at an Aggies game you can do just that. Another point for the Wall of Fame with various Aggies that have excelled in their various sports, prominently placed in the stadium’s concourse, and finally a point for one of the best college bands I have ever heard, the Blue & Gold Marching Machine. It was also nice to see that North Carolina Central’s band, the Marching Sound Machine, was able to make the trip and play as well, as they are a great band in their own right. Final Thoughts North Carolina A&T State University has been one of the football powerhouses in the MEAC and throughout HBCU Football, and have a passionate fan base to match. The campus is decked in Blue and Gold with chants of Aggie Pride coming from the more than twelve thousand students, and thousands more alumni throughout the season, including at large events such as the annual GHOE (Greatest Homecoming on Earth) and Aggie-Eagle Classic. Between the fans, band, and the recent championship-winning seasons, attending a game at BB&T Stadium should absolutely be on your list of college football games in North Carolina.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Centre Ice Rink 644 Fairgrounds Road Harrington, DE 19952 Delaware Thunder website Centre Ice Rink website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 700 Hockey In The First State The Centre Ice Arena, also called The Centre or The Centre Ice Rink, is a 700-seat facility built in 2002. It is located on the grounds of the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington, Delaware. The facility hosts ice hockey, figure skating and public skating in the winter, and then hosts the 4-H and FFA exhibits and demonstrations during the Delaware State Fair in the summer. The Delaware State Fair is the annual state fair for the state of Delaware. It is held in the town of Harrington, which is located 16 miles south of Dover. The fair is a ten-day event at the end of July. The Harrington Raceway & Casino is also located at the fairgrounds. It is a harness racing track that opened in 1946 with a casino that opened in 1996. The Delaware Thunder were announced as a member of the Federal Prospects Hockey League in 2019. This is the first professional team to be located in Harrington and one of the few in this small state. The Federal Prospects Hockey League has also previously been known as the Federal Professional Hockey League and the Federal Hockey League. It is an unaffiliated low minor professional league. The league has ten teams located in Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, and Ohio. There is one planned expansion team for 2021. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small concession stand in the lobby area of the Centre. It is nothing much, but the prices are fair and the offerings are decent. Expect hot dogs, hamburgers, pretzels and nachos with Pepsi offerings as the beverage choice. They do offer beer for Thunder games. Atmosphere 4 The Centre Ice Rink is a basic community ice rink with a decent amount of seating on one side and none on the other side. There is also quite an opportunity to stand around the corners right at the glass, as well as seating in the lobby. If you choose the lobby for your seating choice you will be watching through glass and listening through the speakers only. The ice does not have an overhead scoreboard and the center of the roof is offset from the placement of the ice. Centre Ice Rink, Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 Harrington is in a rural area south of Dover. The main attraction in the area is the State Fairgrounds and the attached casino and racetrack. There are food offerings at the casino, but there are some other food offerings in the local area, mainly of the fast food variety. If you want more options you can go a few miles north and Dover will have pretty much any food option you can think of. Legendary local chain Grotto Pizza has a couple sports bar locations in Dover. They have never been a favorite of mine, but many fans will flock there. Other great choices include Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, La Tolteca Restaurant and the 33 West Ale House & Grill. Fans 5 The fans are where this venue really shines. The fans in this rural area has quickly adopted to this team and have shown up in droves. It is a small venue but they have often filled it up past capacity. The fan supporter group is trying to make it a fun experience similar to soccer fan groups. Expect some chanting and the occasional use of drums and percussion. Access 4 The Centre is located right off Highway 13, a major north/south road through Delaware. There is plenty of parking in the area due to the massive state fair complex. There is a lot right by the Centre that fills quickly but you could easily park at the casino and walk over to the ice venue. Return on Investment 4 Tickets run from $14 for general admission up to $20 premium seating. There will also be the opportunity for VIP sections and group seating at various prices. The prices are pretty good and the great attendance has seemed to show that. Extras 3 The pro shop not only sells Thunder merchandise but is also a skating and hockey shop for the use of the other venue users. The casino and state fair complex is an interesting extra. Even if you are not a gambler, a casino can be a great location for decent food options. It is also pretty interesting to visit a state fair complex when a fair is not going on. The variety of buildings and facilities are pretty amazing. I ended up seeing some motorcycle racers practicing at a nearby agriculture building on the grounds. The exuberant fans are another cool extra. It is nice to see an area adopt a sports team at the level seen here in central Delaware. Final Thoughts The Delaware Thunder and the Centre Ice Rink will not be mistaken as a high level professional venue. That does not mean it is not a fun place to watch a hockey game with a great group of fans. A true sports fan will enjoy the experience here.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Bren Events Center 100 Bren Event Center Dr Irvine, CA 92612 UC-Irvine Anteaters website Bren Events Center website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 4,984 Zot Zot The Bren Center, which officially opened in 1988, is a nice intimate venue that serves as the home to many of UC Irvine’s athletic programs. This small, non-descript venue holds just under 5,000 for basketball, guaranteeing that no matter where you are seated, you will never be far away from the action. Upon arriving to The Bren, a statue of an anteater is located just outside the arena’s southeast entrance. A catchphrase that one will hear a lot on game nights, particularly after a made free throw, is Zot Zot, used from the comic strip B.C. Food & Beverage 3 Nothing beyond your usual arena basics. Your options… Standard Fare Hot Dogs, Chili Dogs, Bratwurst, Foot Long Hot Dogs $5-$7.50 Hamburger/Cheeseburger $8-$8.50 Chicken Sandwich $8.50 Snacks Popcorn $4.50-$7.50 Nachos $5/Deluxe Nachos $7.50 Theatre Candy $4.50 Churros, Salted/Cinnamon Pretzel $4.50 Chips $2.50 Drinks Pepsi products $4-$5 Hot Chocolate $3.50 Coffee $4 Bottled water $3.50/Gatorade $4.50 Domestic beer and wine $8/Craft beer $9 Atmosphere 3 In this non-descript venue, don’t expect to be overwhelmed by a huge history of national title banners hanging from the rafters or exhibits honoring famous alumni. The Bren Center does honor the university’s athletic accomplishments, both team and individual wise. On the north end of the arena, you will see a display of banners that honor each athletic team’s national championships. On the other end of the Bren in the concourse, an athletic Hall of Fame can be seen honoring famous UCI athletes. Neighborhood 4 Not far from the Bren is the University Center. Tender Greens, Chick-fil-A, Blaze Pizza, Chipotle, and Taco Bell are some of your pre and postgame dining options at the University Center, as well as the SoCal favorite, In-N-Out. Not far from campus in Newport Beach is Fashion Island, offering a more extensive restaurant selection from both fast food to casual. Fans 3 Coming off a March Madness run that saw their Anteaters advance to the 2nd round, a near capacity crowd was out in force. Throughout the night, chants of “Let’s Go Eaters” and “Zot Zot” can be heard especially after each successful free throw. “Zot Zot” is a rally cry used among the UCI Anteater faithful based on the comic strip B.C., in which the anteaters tongue makes this sound. The comic strip and the university have developed a strong bond over the years. Access 4 UCI is conveniently located near several freeways, particularly the 405, 73, 55 and 5. Several Orange County Transit Authority bus lines run by the campus, including line 79, which has a stop by The Bren. Otherwise, most of the bus lines lay over by the University Center. Atop the seating bowl is a walkway where fans can roam without missing any of the action. There is also an outdoor patio for those who want some fresh air or to go out and stretch. Return on Investment 3 With ticket prices starting at $11 for General Admission and as much as $28, UCI basketball is a good bargain that won’t put a hole in your pocket. The small size of The Bren Center means that you will never be far away from the action. The Bren does not offer much in terms of frills so don’t expect anything to distract you from the game. Extras 3 In the outdoor patio is a beer garden as well as jenga and cornhole games to keep fans occupied before tipoff. Flatscreen TV’s are also provided in the patio to view other college and NBA games. Outside the entrance is a statue of the anteater, which makes for a nice central meeting spot should you be attending with others while arriving separately. The statue is a favorite picture spot for fans as well. Below the statue is a plaque that tells you how UCI received its nickname. Speaking of the anteater, Peter the Anteater is the school’s official mascot and one of the more unique and playful ambassador’s that is a true face of the university. A photo op with Peter should not be passed up. Final Thoughts The UCI program has had some recent connections from the NBA. Max Hazzard, last season’s Big West tournament MVP, is the grandson of former NBA star Walt Hazzard. Colin Welp is the son of Christian Welp, and Jeron Artest is the son of, yup, Ron Artest, known these days as Metta World Peace. The Anteaters of UC Irvine are coming off one of their most successful tournament runs in school history. On the heels of last season’s March Madness run that saw them advance to the second round, the furthest in school history, the Anteaters once again find themselves in a run toward another NCAA post-season berth. If you’re looking to watch a college program that can once again be one of those teams that puts the Madness in to the month of March, a trip to the Bren Center can be worth your while..

Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Bert Ogden Arena 4900 S, I-69C Edinburg, TX 78539 Rio Grande Valley Vipers website Bert Ogden Arena website Year Opened: 2018 Capacity: 7,688 Bert Ogden Arena - The Rio Grande Valley Vipers Nest The 2019-20 season marks the 13th that the Rio Grande Valley Vipers have played as members of the NBA G League. As affiliates of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, the Vipers have had a pretty good run of success down in the southern-most part of Texas. Since their founding, the Vipers have captured five Conference titles, three Division titles, and three G League Championships. Since 2018, the Vipers have called Bert Ogden Arena their home. Located in Edinburg, Texas, the arena is state-of-the-art and is the crown jewel of sports venues in the Rio Grande Valley. With seating of nearly 7,700 (though it can be expanded to 9,000 for certain events), the arena sports a 40-foot-by-20-foot LED video scoreboard, which is the largest in South Texas. When not in use by the Vipers, the arena plays host to some of the biggest acts to tour in this part of the country, including musical stars Jennifer Lopez, Cher, and Marc Anthony, as well as events such as WWE and the Harlem Globetrotters. The community has embraced the Vipers and are – understandably – incredibly proud of Bert Ogden Arena. After my visit, I can easily understand why. Food & Beverage 4 One of the things you will notice on your visit to take in a Vipers game is that all the concessions areas are on the main concourse. All the standard stands offer your traditional stadium fare: popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, soda, bottled water, etc. They also offer the unique combo menus that their parent club, the Houston Rockets, offer. The all-in-one combo cups feature a large souvenir cup topped with a bowl filled with either nachos (try the Valley favorite topped with Hot Cheetos), a hot dog, French fries, or hot wings for $11-$15 depending on your order. Fuddrucker’s Burgers also offers a pared-down menu including a two-foot Monster Dog ($15) and the World’s Greatest Hamburger ($8). There are also deep-fried Oreos ($5), a Hot Cheeto-topped burger ($8), loaded tater tots ($6), deep-fried corn on the cob ($5), and a souvenir, bottomless bucket of popcorn ($18) offered at these stands. In terms of local favorites, there are stands for Taco Palenque (I highly recommend the pirata taco – a beef fajita taco topped with shredded cheese and refried beans at $5), Il Forno (pizza), and Kumori (sushi). For thirsty adults, the Budlight Zone, Buddy V’s Cadillac Bar, and Viper’s Den are all open throughout the game and offer bottled and draft beers as well as cocktails and well drinks. Drink costs range from $3 bottled waters to $20 for double shots of liquor; a 16-ounce beer will run you $6 and a frozen margarita is $5. One pretty neat innovation to keep in mind is the Fanfood app that visitors can download to their mobile devices. This app allows attendees to order their food from their seats and have it ready for pickup at designated windows on the main concourse. This has helped cut down on wait times at concessions windows, and helps fans cut down on missed game action. Atmosphere 3 You can still feel the newness at Bert Ogden Arena; it still has that new stadium vibe and feel to it and that’s a good thing. The arena is configured into a traditional horseshoe shape, with fan seating on the lower bowl, main concourse level, and second floor. The third is reserved for suites. The baseline opposite the main entrance is set up for table-style seating and is known as the Baseline Zone. It is complete with table-side service and offers great views of the action on the court. The lower deck, as befitting of a seat in that area, offers plush, leather-like stadium chairs and unobstructed views of the court along both sideline areas. These are very nice seats and I would recommend them if you’re planning a visit. The Vipers feature both a dance team, the Snake Charmers, and an entertainment crew, the Venom Hype Squad. They perform during breaks in the game and also at halftime. The Vipers also have their mascot, Fang, patrolling the arena and interacting with fans. Also adding to the atmosphere are the three championship banners the Vipers proudly hang from the rafters. This is a proud franchise in a proud community, and it shows in every detail in Bert Ogden Arena. Neighborhood 2 The McAllen-Edinburg-Pharr-Mission metropolitan area is the fifth-largest such area in Texas and is by far its southern-most. It is also made up of nearly two dozen communities spread out over much of Hidalgo County, with Edinburg being the second-largest behind McAllen. Bert Ogden Arena is located right alongside Interstate 69 C, which makes it very convenient to visitors. This, however, is both a plus and a minus, as it is convenient to drive to, but in no way should anyway try to walk there. Also, being alongside the highway precludes it from being a part of any real neighborhood, and also limits what you can do immediately before and after Rio Grande Valley Vipers games. In terms of dining options, there are tons all up and down the highway in the immediate vicinity of the arena. If you’re looking for the familiar, IHOP, Subway, and Burger King are all within eyesight of the parking lot. However, if you want to try some of the true local flavor, that means Mexican food and Treviños Retaurant and Delia’s Tamales – street tacos at Treviños and, naturally, the tamales at Delia’s are true fan favorites and draw diners from miles around. If you’re in town for a game during the later part of spring, the Vipers schedule usually overlaps with another of the Valley’s pro sports teams, the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros of the United Soccer League. HEB Park, home of the Toros, is a short six-minute drive from Bert Ogden Arena, so if you stay in the area, you might get the chance to catch two games in Edinburg. If you’re looking for something different, I recommend taking in some culture at the Museum of South Texas History. This museum truly digs deeply into the rich history of the region, going back to prehistoric times and up until now with its complex geopolitical landscape exhibit. It is open Tuesday through Sunday until 5 pm, and at $9 a person for adults and $5 for kids under 12 it is a real bargain. Being along a major interstate highway does have its ups and downs. In terms of places to stay, there are truly a lot of options that are all within a short distance of Bert Ogden Arena, but none are truly within safe walking distance. Your closest option is going to be TownePlace Suites by Marriott McAllen Edinburg, which is just five minutes away. If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, Tru by Hilton Edinburg is also five minutes away. Fans 4 The Rio Grande Valley Vipers are consistently ranked among the highest attended teams in all of the G League. Being basically the only game in town has helped make the club truly the “thing to do” in the Valley, and fans have embraced their club with open arms. Anecdotally speaking, at the game I most recently attended, fans were already at the arena hours before the game and virtually everyone was decked out in red Vipers gear of some kind. The crowd was truly on the verge of being deafening at points in the game. While the concourse is always busy with fans running out to get refreshments and grub, there wasn’t a point where I felt the stadium was empty – these are good fans and they really love their team. Access 3 Getting to Bert Ogden Arena by car is no trouble at all. It can be seen from quite a distance away on the highway, and there is really good signage marking how to get there. Once on site, parking is ample and free. Navigating around the facility itself is also really simple. There is only the one main concourse to walk around and stairs take you up and down inside the bowls to the seats (there are private escalators and elevators taking guests up to their suites on the third floor, however). Where the drawbacks do come into play is in the area of public transportation, as the bus service in the city does not make a stop at Bert Ogden Arena. There are Uber, Lyft, and traditional taxi options though, if you choose to go that route. In terms of actually getting to Edinburg, that can be a task. The McAllen-Edinburg-Pharr-Mission area is roughly a four-hour drive from San Antonio, which is the nearest large city nearby to speak of. However, the McAllen International Airport does feature daily flights to and from Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Mexico City. With that in mind, you should be able to take a connecting flight from anywhere else in the country to visit the area. Return on Investment 3 From my experience, what fans can expect when they take in a Rio Grande Valley Vipers game at Bert Ogden Arena is pretty typical of what they will find at other G League games and facilities in terms of cost. Tickets for games range from $12 to $55, depending on where you want to sit, and concessions are pretty much on par with other stadiums at this level of pro sports. Extras 3 Aside from its aesthetics and the bonus of free parking, Bert Ogden Arena offers pretty much the standard in terms of Extras for minor league sports. The main concourse is littered with vendors and games where fans can win free swag and sign up for new services. The main draw in terms of Extras has to be the Lil’ Dribblers Zone located behind the Baseline Zone. This kids only area has tables for young ones to color and draw, face painting, and inflatable play areas for young ones to keep them occupied from opening tipoff to the start of the fourth quarter. It is completely supervised, but parents and guardians are allowed to be back there while their kids take a break from the on-court action. Final Thoughts I was truly impressed with the facilities that the Rio Grande Valley Vipers have to offer their fans. While I wouldn’t count Bert Ogden Arena as a bucket list stop, I would put it at the top of the list of things people visiting the RGV should do on their visit – it has the look, feel, and vibe of a big-time basketball arena. I think anyone who takes in a game at Bert Ogden Arena will feel exactly the same. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Diaz Arena Leopold Van Tyghemlaan 62 8400 Oostende, Belgium KV Oostende website Diaz Arena website Year Opened: 1934 (renovated 2017) Capacity: 8,432 Diaz Arena of KV Oostende – Let’s Get It On Note: The stadium name changed from Versluys Arena to Diaz Arena With their previous home Albertparkstadion said to be holding the club back, comprehensive renovations gave KV Oostende a brand-new facility for the start of the 16/17 season. The costs of developing on the same site were said to be in the region of 18M Euros and brought the capacity up to 8,432. New bars, hospitality suites and conference rooms at the new stadium brought an increased stature for this welcoming club that paid immediate dividends. A first ever (unsuccessful) Croky Cup final appearance in March 2017 was followed by Europa league participation in the 17/18 season, thus fulfilling the dream of the then owner Marc Coucke. The coastal city of Oostene (Ostende) in West Flanders has gone from fishing village through strategic war time location to its current form, a city skyline dominated by cranes and developments, a city moving with the times. It’s got that contented vibe often associated with a holiday destination. The promenade is huge, the sandy beach vast and the street art and lively bars attract plenty of summertime visitors. KV Oostende, nicknamed the Kustboys, were founded back in 1904. Since then their trophy count has been modest but in early 2020 they find themselves in the Belgium top flight, albeit in a relegation dogfight. Food & Beverage 3 The new ‘main stand’ contains the VIP sections together with sections A and B. The vociferous home fans are based behind the goal in section C. Opposite the main stand is D stand, with the North Sea end (also containing away fans) known as E stand. In the corner of the main stand and the C stand there is an excellent KVO-themed supporters bar, Club 31, selling local dikke mathile, Filou and Maes beers. The main stand concourse has soft drinks at 2.40 Euros, Maes at 2.80 Euros and the stronger Filou at 3.60 Euros. For food, head to either corner of the C stand where burger vans and kiosks provide chips & mayonnaise, burgers, etc. There is an outdoor ‘fan zone’ and another supporters bar behind the D stand with a lively atmosphere and the usual fayre on sale. The longest queue is in the main stand and it is for the chocolate waffles! Don’t forget as ever in Europe, to make any purchases you’ll first need to buy a 1 Euro ‘Consumptie Kaart’, load it with cash and use it for all refreshment purchases. In the immediate vicinity of the ground, if it’s not the middle of winter, walking just a few steps over to the beach / promenade will yield some upmarket restaurants / bars with great sea views. Atmosphere 3 Despite the renovation, the Versluys Arena still has a nice eclectic mix of stands. The main stand with its curved roof is the largest with approx. 3800 seats, all with excellent views of the action. If you are fortunate enough to buy a seat in the VIP section, the seats are padded, perfect for a cold January night match with a biting North Sea breeze. The two stands behind the goals bring the noise and colour to matches. Home fans in the C stand with their banners and chants and away fans in the corner of both the D and E stands are almost always vociferous too. The D stand has three separate structures including the centerpiece, a small but smart stand and two smaller, older stands on either side. Fans of symmetrical stadia will be disappointed that the side stands are slightly different in size! The scoreboard in the corner of the C and D stands can be seen from most areas of the ground, the pitch itself was enlarged during the renovation to meet UEFA standards. Neighbourhood 4 The Versluys stadium is located 2 miles south of the city centre. Whilst the area around the stadium has some accommodation and refreshments options, we’d recommend staying in the centre where there is much to see and do. The Hotel Royal Astrid is recommended, with a tram stop (Koninginnelaan) right outside you can get to the stadium and the town centre in about 7 minutes either way. Opposite the hotel, you can also see the Leopold statue and be on the beach and promenade in 2 minutes. The hotel does not have parking but there’s a car park adjacent with a cost of 24 Euros for 24 hours. Options for bars and restaurants are numerous. All along the promenade you can grab a drink and some food and watch the world walk, pedal and scoot past. The Langestraat area has the busiest bars at night and the main shopping area has some good eating options too. The Manuscript and the Green Man Whiskey bars are recommended. Visit the Oostende Beer Tourism website for some excellent further suggestions. Seafood is obviously a good option here when hunger hits, so head to Bistrot de la Mer if that’s your thing. Our recommendation is a homely bar/restaurant in the main shopping area called the Tudor Rose. It is quirky to realise our journey from Southampton to Oostende was following in the footsteps of a certain Mr Marvin Gaye. The US soul singer took the ferry on the very same route for a period of reflection and reinvigoration after his heavy lifestyle had took its toll. There are no passenger ferries any more, but it’s said he enjoyed his time here and there’s not many better name-dropping recommendation than that! Attraction wise the Atlantic Wall WW2 bunkers and armory installations are recommended and the street art is to die for! After a recent festival there are some fantastic pieces to see. For a map and more info visit Street art in Ostend. Fans 3 There will be some fans around from the time when two Oostende clubs, VG and AS, merged in 1981, the current stadium was then the home of AS Oostende. Now in their 7th consecutive top-flight season, average attendances reached as high as 7,344 in the 16/17 season when they recorded their highest ever league position of 4th. Attendances have fallen recently with 5077 the average so far in 19/20 season, the 12th highest out of 16 pro league clubs. Despite losing on the night, the home fans in the C stand kept the noise going throughout the game. In the posh seats of the main stand the support was a little less raucous but that’s to be expected. Access 4 If you are flying in, Oostende-Brugge Airport is the closest, although international coverage isn’t anything like comprehensive. Lille and Antwerp airports, also not huge, are around 100K away and so the two Brussels international airports will be your likely entrance points. From Brussels you can get a train to Oostende in less than 2 hours via Brugge. The Oostende train station has a classic and grand entrance, an attraction in itself, and is just a few minutes’ walk from the city centre. To get to the ground from the train station the best option is a tram which takes less than 20 minutes. Get off at Oostende Northlaan (which is located opposite the stadium). The tram number is zero and it’s heading towards De Panne. Take the tram back into town after the game, all trams heading north will arrive back at the train station. To take a bus from the station, number 6 is suggested although the bus driver on our visit refused to accept that. Take the tram, it’s quicker anyway! If you are driving, you’ll arrive in the area on the E40 / A16. If you head to Middelkerke, south of Oostende, you can then drive along the N34 coastal road which includes views of Hitler’s WW2 defence bunkers and anti-aircraft armoury. From here the stadium will visible be on your right-hand side. Car parking suggestion from the club is Sea’rena MediaMarkt, Nothlaan 13. Once inside the stadium all except the main stand is on the same level with no stairs. Accessing the larger main stand requires climbing stairs although lifts are available if you require special assistance. To gain access to the various bars inside the ground avoid buying in the E stand which restricts your movement to the rest of the stadium. Tickets can be purchased from the fan shop/ticket office behind the C stand or online. Return on Investment 5 Our 24-hour visit was easily achieved on a shoe-string budget. £50 return tickets for the car on the Eurotunnel from the UK. Only half a tank of diesel. Match tickets from 15 Euros each and a variety of good value accommodation options ensures this is a value-for money option! Extras 2 Free gloves given out at all the stadium bars from the Belgium beer company ‘Maes’ were appreciated on a cold January evening! No programme is issued which is always a disappointment (even though they are less and less available in mainland Europe these days). A team sheet given out in Club 31 is therefore appreciated. Final Thoughts Antwerp, Brussels and Brugge are top of most people’s lists when visiting Belgium, all have their merits. Go off the beaten track however and in the case of Oostende you will find a gem. Whether it’s the street art, the history, the beach or the seafood, 24 hours in this coastal city is time well spent. The stadium, with its elements of old and new, together with tall inward leaning floodlights to die for and decent prices is highly recommended. If you’re asked to visit, there should be only one reply, the words of Marvin Gaye – Let’s get it on!

Photos by Andrei Ojeda and Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Toyota Arena 4000 East Ontario Center Ontario, CA 91764 Ontario Reign website Toyota Arena website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 9,736 Together We Reign Affiliate of the NHL LA Kings, the Ontario Reign are an AHL hockey team playing in Ontario, CA. AHL hockey (American Hockey League) is kind of like AAA in baseball, the highest level before reaching the pro’s. The Reign play their home games at the sleek looking Toyota Arena (formerly known as Citizens Bank Arena). An ECHL hockey team called the same name, Ontario Reign, played at the same arena until the 2015 minor league hockey shake-up, during which the LA Kings moved their AHL affiliate from Manchester, NH to Ontario and the ECHL Reign moved to Manchester with each keeping the former team’s name. The Toyota Arena, operated by the city of Ontario, boasts being the largest and most modern arena in the Inland Empire region as well as hosting over 125 events each year. Other sports teams who call the Toyota Arena home are the Agua Caliente Clippers (G-League basketball) and the Ontario Fury (MASL soccer). The Ontario Reign provide quite an entertaining evening of hockey. Food & Beverage 4 Plenty of appetizing food is available for purchase at the Toyota Arena. Dawg Gone (hot dogs, bratwurst $5.75 – $10.50), Urban City Taqueria (Mexican $7.75 – $10), The Pizza Joint (pizza and chicken wings), Fuel Filling Station (burgers, chicken tenders $10.50 – $11 served with fries), and Good Guy’s Sandwich Co (sandwiches, mac ‘n cheese $5.75 – $12.75) round out the permanent concession stands. Snacks are offered at all of these. Coca-Cola is the soft drink provider with choices running $5.75 for a regular and $7 for a souvenir cup/$2 refills. Stand-alone food carts dot the concourse providing ice cream, nachos, and other additional snacks. Two bars complement the concourse concessions offering a large variety of beers including local craft brews as well as wine and cocktails. Expect to pay $12 – $14 for beer and up to $14.50 for a premium cocktail. Something I had not seen before, but I understand this is popping up more and more at sports venues, is a self-order concession stand kiosk, where fans can use digital display systems to order and pay for food thus reducing wait time at the traditional concession stands. Atmosphere 4 The Toyota Arena has quite a sleek looking exterior with tall glass atrium entrances with the rest of exterior dark grey on the bottom, beige on top. Palm trees line the front and east sides. No benches are provided outside to sit and wait for friends but the southside main entrance handicapped walkway has a ledge that can be used. As nice and bright and beautiful as the exterior is, the interior is unexpectedly dark; both the concourse and the seating area. The dark concourse wraps around the entire seating area with views of the ice rink only available behind one of the goal nets as the rest of the entrances to the seating sections are draped with black curtains. I’ll guess this is done more for the concerts performed at the arena than for hockey games. Fans enter the seating area mid level from the concourse and go down to seats (rows run A to O). Or climb some steps from the concourse for seats in second level (rows A up to N). Handrails are provided. Twenty-four suites are edged between the two layers of seating with the remaining twelve suites located above the second level near the northeast entrance corner. Extremely comfortable, wide, blue-cushioned seats with cup holders and minimal legroom furnish the hockey arena. It’s chilly in the rink during the hockey game so be sure to bring extra layers. The music selection is upbeat but too loud to have a conversation with your neighbor. No closed captioning is offered nor are the goal and assist scorers’ names displayed on the scoreboard. That information is only announced audibly. The scoreboard is center hung and is the perfect size for the rink. It provides a video of the game action, and the basic hockey information such as goals, time left, period, penalties, SOG, and time outs remaining. Local restaurants and businesses sponsor seat or section promos and giveaways for which the fans go bonkers. When an opposing player gets called for a penalty, all fans shout “Get in the Shed” as he’s skating to the box – sponsored by Tuff Shed. Intermission entertainment includes local dance clubs and acts and youth hockey clubs. The organization has theme nights like a Wild West Night or Comic Hero Night. A newer feature of the Toyota Arena is the outdoor North Patio where pregame Beer fests and other merrymaking is offered on select nights. It is an altogether fun time at a Reign game; one worth going to more than once a season. Neighborhood 4 The surrounding area resembles a business park with office buildings dotting the nearby streets. Currently under construction right across the street from the arena is an Element by Westin hotel. Other plans for the same nearby area are to build residential town homes and dwellings, restaurants, brew pubs and a shopping center. A few nearby places to eat include Hamburger Mary’s (not recommended as service is slow and the food not worth the price), Benihana’s and El Torito. Ontario Mills, one of the top shopping malls in Southern California, is within a few minutes’ drive and provides a surplus of dining options ranging from coffee to fast food to casual sit down as well as an AMC move theater and 200+ shops. An excellent hotel to stay when visiting the Toyota Arena is the LaQuinta Inn and Suites. It provides a free shuttle to/from the Ontario International Airport and even to the arena, which is a little over ½ mile away. It’s spotlessly clean and provides a good breakfast in the morning. Lodging adjacent to Ontario Mills include all the usual chains like Hyatt, Hampton Inn, Country Inn and Suites, Ayres, Aloft. Most hotels provide a shuttle drop off to the arena. Other places for entertainment can include the Whispering Lakes Golf Course for those golf enthusiasts, the Planes of Fame Air Museum for aviation history buffs, and the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is just about 15 minutes outside of town. One unique and unusual place to visit in Ontario is the Graber Olive House, home of the renowned Graber Olives. Guides tours particularly during harvest time Oct – Dec (also the beginning of the hockey season) are offered. Fans 4 Reign fans are pretty hardy and passionate. They like to drink (though they’re not obnoxious) and they like to yell at the ref, especially when a call is made against a Reign player. They often become seat coaches as the third period rolls around. Lots of Reign and LA Kings jerseys are worn by fans. They are as interested in the action on the ice as they are in winning a Double-Double from In-N-Out. Have no fear, they are very respectful to other fans in the stands. The AHL Ontario Reign have generally been in the top five of average attendance records since their 2015-2016 initiation averaging between 7,600 and 8,500 a game over the last few seasons. So, they certainly support their team. At the game we visited, most fans stayed all the way to the very end of an exciting overtime game. The only disappointment I have is very few fans bring cow bells. Only a handful; it’s quite wimpy for such a strong crowd. Access 4 Getting to the Toyota Arena is relatively easy. It’s less than 2 miles from the I-10 and I-15 interchange and less than 3 miles from the Ontario International Airport. Parking is plentiful and costs $10 for a Reign game. Parking attendants look like they do a thorough job of directing traffic to and from spots. Rideshare drop off and pick up is on the north side of the arena on Ontario Center [road]. OmniTrans offers bus service (Route 81) with the closest stop at Concours St and Mercedes Ln. However, it doesn’t look like service is offered late at night to get back after an evening game. Check OmniTrans for schedules and fares. Gates open one hour prior to puck drop and entrance to the arena includes the typical security check. At this time, clear bag regulations are not enforced. Traversing the concourse is easy with more traffic during intermissions and at the end of the game. Handicapped seating is available at the top of the first level of seating and above the second level. Restrooms are plenty clean and available throughout the venue. Lines will form between periods. Return on Investment 3 An evening out at an Ontario Reign game can be expensive compared to many other AHL venues. Tickets range from $24 – $28 (upper corner defending end) to $80 – $102 (on the glass). These prices include the $3 service fee the Ontario Reign adds to each ticket. Concession prices are on the major league level. $10 to park is high for an AHL arena, as is a $12 beer or $14.50 cocktail. To combat some of these expenses, the Reign do offer value packs. Chick-fil-A 4 for $64 includes 4 tickets and a Chick-fil-A meal (Wednesdays and Sundays), $2 Bud Light Fridays, Family Fun Pack where tickets start at $27 and include a hot dog and a soda, and more. Check the Reign website for details on these offers. All that said, it IS a fun, exciting time at a Reign game and the prices here are much lower than their parent club, the LA Kings, 45 miles to the west. Extras 3 The Ontario Reign will host the 2019-2020 AHL All Star Game at the Toyota Arena, something that is always an enjoyable time. Retaining the team name of Reign after moving from Manchester deserves an extra mention. Several banners hang from the rafters, including ECHL Reign Division Championships, the Manchester Monarchs 2014-2015 Calder Cup Championship, and a banner for the 2015-2016 AHL Division Championship. Final Thoughts I like it here. It’s a good minor league hockey environment. One worth visiting again.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Chase Fieldhouse 401 Garasches Lane Wilmington, DE 19801 Delaware Blue Coats website Chase Fieldhouse website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 2,500 Blue 76ers The Delaware Blue Coats joined the NBA G-League in 2013 as an affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers. At the time, they were known as the Delaware 87ers and played at the Bob Carpenter Center on the campus of the University of Delaware in Newark. In 2018, the 87ers rebranded as the Delaware Blue Coats, and in January of 2019 they moved into a new arena in Wilmington, the 76ers Fieldhouse. The Fieldhouse was a joint venture by the 76ers and the Buccini Polin Group and is part of a sports complex which also contains a youth training center and several turf fields. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand at 76ers Fieldhouse on the lower level, serving a somewhat limited but sufficient menu. Main courses include chicken tenders ($7), pizza ($7 for a personal), cheesesteaks ($6) and hot dogs ($5). Snacks include tater tots ($5), and chips, muffins, and assorted snack cakes for $2 each. Drinks include soda, Gatorade, and bottled water for $4 and coffee for $3. Alcohol is also available at a separate stand next to the main one. Cocktails are $9 for a single or $17 for a double, beer is $8-$10, and wine is $8. Unfortunately, the lines at concession stands can move very slowly, so get your food before the game if possible. Atmosphere 4 All seats at the 76ers Fieldhouse are chair backs along the two sides of the court, accessed by walking up from floor level. The one exception is a VIP mezzanine on the second level of the arena. There are two scoreboards, one on each end of the court. One of them shows detailed player stats while the other is more basic. Unfortunately, depending on where you are sitting, it is possible your view of one of the scoreboards will be obstructed by the basket. There are glass windows on three sides of the court which let in a lot of light during day games. The glare can often be distracting. 76ers championship banners hang from the rafters, which are a nice touch but also reinforce that the Blue Coats are always going to be secondary to the Sixers in this area. The team does a good job of keeping the fans engaged. Music plays almost constantly and can get quite loud at times. Unfortunately, sometimes it gets so loud that it drowns out any noise the crowd makes. There is a mascot named Coaty, a blue horse who roams the stands and floor throughout the game. Neighborhood 2 76ers Fieldhouse is located in a business district, but as far as businesses you might actually go to for fun, as opposed to tire shops, pharmacies, and supermarkets, there isn’t much within walking distance other than a Domino’s. Your best bet is to take the bridge across the Christina River where you will find a lot of restaurants on the other side. You can find everything from bars to breweries to seafood joints, but although they’re just across the river from the arena, you will have to basically drive in a circle for two miles to get across and come back down. Fans 3 Although the Blue Coats rarely sell out, they draw well for a G-League team, frequently drawing over 2,000 fans a game. Fans range from young families with small children to senior citizens, reflecting the affordable and family-friendly atmosphere here. Those who do show up are engaged in the game and cheer on the Blue Coats. The team also frequently partners with local youth groups and sports teams to fill up the arena further. Access 3 76ers Fieldhouse is located on U.S. Route 13 Business, just off I-495. This should not be confused with the regular U.S. Route 13, which also runs near the arena but cannot be used to access it directly. Parking is available in a few lots behind the arena for $5. While it can be confusing which lot to park in, staff will do a good job of directing you to the right place. Once you’re in the arena, the concourse is plenty wide enough to allow room to move around. However, one odd quirk is that the path from the court to the locker rooms goes directly across the concourse. As a result, if you are sitting in Sections 6-10, you will need to wait until all personnel return to the locker room at halftime and the end of the game before you can leave the seating area. Return on Investment 3 How much you will pay for tickets depends on where you sit and when you go. Tickets for weekday games range from $12 for seats in the upper rows to $26 for front row seats near center court. On weekends, prices will range from $14 to $31. Parking is a bit pricey for this level, and concessions are about average. If you’re willing to sit in the upper rows, a Blue Coats game can be affordable, but if you want to sit lower down it can get pricey. For what is essentially a minor league, this is a bit much. Extras 2 The Blue Coats have a giant drum which they wheel out before every game to be played by a fan to pump up the crowd. There will often be live music from a local band on the concourse before the game, which is a nice touch and adds some local color to the experience. Final Thoughts Sadly, the NBA has not done a good job of promoting the G-League. However, that doesn’t seem to have deterred the Blue Coats from marketing themselves. As the only professional basketball team in Delaware, and one of only two professional teams, period, there is a large untapped market potential here that the team has taken advantage of. However, as the name of the arena, the giant glass window with the 76ers logo, and the championship banners in the rafters reflect, any professional basketball team here is always going to be second class citizens compared to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Nicoson Hall 1400 E Hanna Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46227 UIndy Greyhounds website Nicoson Hall website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 4,000 A Small Hidden College Basketball Gym in Indy Nicoson Hall on the campus of the University of Indianapolis (UIndy to many of us) is named after former basketball coach Angus Nicoson who led the program for 30 years and compiled an impressive record of 483-279 between 1947-1977. Nicoson transformed not only the basketball program but other sports on campus into a highly-respectable one. Fans entering the lobby will notice a bronze portrait of him that was dedicated in 1991. Another legend designed the building, architect Ralph Legeman’s patent design was used to construct the building. The $600,000 gym was dedicated on January 19, 1960, and was one of 27 of its kind built for both high school and collegiate gyms between 1949 and 1968. The design features no structural support for the seating bowl and roofing, top of the gym supported by steel trusses, and street-level entrances with multiple exits to move traffic after the game. The Greyhounds had played the previous two seasons at the Southport Fieldhouse a few miles south of campus and at the Barn since its inception in 1922. The team became members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 1980 and have made several NCAA Tournament appearances including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2015, the same year the Hounds were ranked number one for two weeks. Nicoson Hall has also hosted wrestling matches during the 1987 Pan American Games, a training camp for the Indiana Pacers, and has hosted several college teams practicing for Big Ten and NCAA Final Four tournaments held downtown at either the RCA Dome or Lucas Oil Stadium. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small concession of items stand located on the main level of the building offering a few items that include hot dogs, nachos, chips, candy, and soda. The selection is small and it might be wise to grab something to eat before or after the game but the food items are similar to what you would find at local high school gyms in the area. Atmosphere 3 Nicoson Hall features a wraparound concourse at street level with permanent hardwood bleacher seating forming an octagon around the gym court. The walls are decorated with team photos of current and past players and in one corner of the building is the Greyhound Lounge for private members complete with a roped off area with bar stool tables and chairs. A healthy crowd welcomes the Greyhounds onto the court that is lead by the cheer team that waves flags. There is a lot of room to move around throughout the seating bowl and both ends feature a large open space that provides more than enough room for both cheerleaders and a small press. The ceiling features a few championship banners but their colors of grey and white are somewhat camouflaged by its surroundings. A $500,000 donation from Ray Skillman Auto Group saw the installation of a sleek and modern playing surface in 2015. A new carpet and efficient LED lighting also included that summer as well at the gymnasium. There are also two simple scoreboards up above the concourse and a student section behind one of the nets provides a space for the Hounds most fervent fans to cheer the home team and chastise the visitors. Speaking of Hounds, the school has a mascot named Ace who patrols around the venue. Sadly, he was not at the game we attended. Other features of the gym feature a small concession stand and a lobby that features two beautiful murals on the school’s hoops history. Neighborhood 3 The campus is not located in one of the best neighborhoods of Indianapolis but it’s only three miles away from one of his best neighborhoods, Fountain Square. The hip little spot offers local restaurants, concert venues, and small shops that attract visitors from all over the city. The neighborhood has been up and coming the past decade and should only improve with more development. Hotel Tango Distillery is a great spot for homemade spirits set in a rustic vibe, Chili Water Brewery and Fountain Square Brewery are two great spots for craft beer. Kuma’s Corner offers some of the best burgers in a heavy metal theme establishment, Revolucion serves tacos and burgers in a contemporary Mexican restaurant with bold folk art photos on the wall, and for a nice dinner, the Bluebeard serves sharing plates and craft cocktails in a renovated 1924 warehouse. Duckpin bowling at the Fountain Square Theater takes visitors back in time with a 1930s or 1950s theme era bowling alley. Radio Radio is a concert lounge and rock-music venue with a small dance floor and video screens. A little closer to the UIndy campus is the Garfield Brewery and The Thompson House that offers wing specials on Tuesday and Sundays all day long. Fans 4 Fans in Indiana love their basketball at all levels and the UIndy faithful provided a nice backdrop to the game at hand. A beating of Lindenwood delighted the small but passionate fan base who saw its club move to 11-3 on the season. Access 4 Nicoson Hall is located on campus along the main road a few miles from the I-69 exit. There are two parking lots on both sides of the gym that are free of charge after 3 pm. The gym itself consists of one main lobby with ticket booths and a wraparound concourse with bathrooms, a concession stand, and plenty of exits for patrons after the game. Return on Investment 3 The price of a ticket is $10 per person and $5 for students and seniors 65 and older. The parking is free after 3 pm and concession prices are average in price. The cost is reasonable for Division II basketball and could make for a nice alternative for your basketball viewing in the state of Indiana. Extras 3 The Robert Legeman design is a nice feature of the building that is still the fixture with multiple high school venues in the state. The main lobby features two nice murals detailing the school’s basketball history. The gym’s lighting is a nice feature at the game. Final Thoughts Nicholson Hall looks like many other buildings of its kind that are home now to high school basketball in the state of Indiana. However, it features much better lighting and a few touches here and there to set it apart from the others of its kind. However, it’s not hard to have a somewhat high-school feel while watching a game on the campus of UIndy. However, that is not a knock on the gym. It is indeed inviting to enjoy a college basketball game in this hidden little gym in Indianapolis.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Hinkle Fieldhouse FANFARE Score: 4.57 Hinkle Fieldhouse 510 W 49th St Indianapolis, IN 46208 Butler Bulldogs website Hinkle Fieldhouse website Year Opened: 1928 Capacity: 10,000 One of College Basketball's Historic Cathedrals The Butler men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and volleyball teams call historic Hinkle Fieldhouse their home on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. The facility has been regarded as one of the nation’s great basketball arenas since it opened in 1928; through more than eight decades of service, it has stood the test of time maintaining splendor, character, and atmosphere. The facility has virtually remained unchanged since its opening, but there have been many changes to the historic venue. The original seating capacity was 15,000 in 1928 but scaled down to its current 9,100 through renovations in 1989 and 2014. Another major change took place in 1933 when the basketball court was reconfigured to run east to west instead of north to south to provide better seating views for events. In 1989, $1.5 million in renovations were made to the reception area, team offices, and locker rooms. In 2014, $36 million in renovations included wider concourses, added restrooms, expanded concessions, an elevator for public use and ADA accessibility, and the replacement of 9,700 window panes with energy-efficient glass and tuck-pointing of 282,000 bricks to the fieldhouse’s exterior. Originally christened the Butler Fieldhouse, the arena was renamed in 1966 in honor of the school’s legendary coach and athletic director Paul “Tony” Hinkle who served as head coach for football, baseball, and basketball. Upon his retirement in 1970, Hinkle led the Bulldogs to 560 victories and one NCAA National championship in basketball (1924). He was and is the face of Butler University sports. Hinkle Fieldhouse was home to the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) basketball tournament from 1928-1971, hosted six U.S. presidents, four professional basketball teams, U.S. Olympic basketball trials, tennis matches, track meets, roller derby, bicycle races, and housed the U.S. military barracks during World War II. The largest crowd (14,500) ever to watch a volleyball match took place at the fieldhouse during the 1987 Pan American Games to see the USA defeat Cuba for the gold medal and the facility was featured in the iconic movie “Hoosiers” as the site of the championship game. Food & Beverage 4 The food options have improved drastically at Hinkle in the past few years and there are more kiosks available for fans to grab something to eat that is not too far away from their seats. There is an ample amount of basic, but tasty food available inside the building that seems about perfect for the game day crowd. The concession stands are located at the corner of the upper concourse of the facility and offer hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, and freshly popped popcorn. Pulled pork sandwiches, Chick-fil-A sandwiches, and sweet treats are also available. Street tacos are available with either beef, chicken, or bean and vegetables. Fans can also enjoy these same toppings on street nachos from the same kiosk. Another kiosk offers beef burgers, foot-long brats, and foot-long cheddar sausages. Fans can enjoy Pepsi products and also both domestic and premium beers that include Coors Light, Bud Light, and Miller Lite while the premiums include Yuengling Lager and local Upland and White Claw varieties. The Efroymson Family Gym is open on the lower concourse to Bulldog Club members only. The area offers complimentary snacks and Pepsi products along with wine, beer, spirits, and sandwiches for an additional cost. Atmosphere 5 The Bulldogs recent success as a national powerhouse and two Final Four appearances (2010 and 2011) have created a surge in popularity with the school. Along with the move into the Big East, fans are now able to witness high-caliber basketball universities of Villanova, St. John’s, and Georgetown, along with local rivals Xavier, Marquette, and DePaul. There is not a bad seat in the house. A majority of the better seats are on top of the action that includes a porch on both ends of the playing court creating a perched view over both ends of the court. There is a lot to take in at a game at the fieldhouse, including a multitude of banners from both the men’s and women’s programs, hand-painted directions to seats and restrooms, beautiful brick interior, ramps, narrow railings, an excellent pep band and perfect acoustics created by the arched interior. They do not build them like this anymore and it is great to see the old lady still smiling proudly after 88 years of service. There is a lot of history crammed into the arena, displayed on the main concourse. Spend some time checking out the interactive exhibit that shows highlights of legendary coach Tony Hinkle, the building of the arena, and memorabilia that includes trophies, bronze shoes, and basketballs. You may want to break away from the basketball action and take a walk around to soak up some of the nostalgia. There is a lot here and the arena would be a treat even without an event taking place. Butler Blue IV is the official mascot of the university and he can be seen being walked on a leash around the arena during the game. Hink the Bulldog is the man-made mascot who parades around the court during contests and helps wave flags along with the cheerleaders during time-outs and breaks in the action. Both bulldogs are potty trained and friendly. It is an old-time atmosphere and a nod to basketball past; it’s an atmosphere that defines the meaning of Indiana basketball. The upper-level seats are wooden bleachers, but there is enough room to keep you comfortable during the game. The lower section features theater-style seating that creates a little more comfort for the fans. There is not a bad seat in this intimate 9,100-seat facility. Neighborhood 5 The campus is located within a residential area and close to Broad Ripple Village, a nice place to shop and walk around during the day, but a destination for the younger college crowd after dark. Downtown Indy is only six miles south of campus, but the best place to enhance your visit is in SOBRO (South Broad Ripple) just a few blocks away from campus. Twenty Tap offers distinctly different craft beers, along with their own, that are unavailable throughout the city. They offer menu options of vegetarian banh mi sandwiches, fried cheese curds, and poutine during the fall and winter months. The beer options also include a $4 pint of the day. Next door is Fat Dan’s offering mouthwatering and lip-smacking smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken wings, juicy burgers, pressed Cubanos, Italian beef, and house-smoked meatloaf and Reuben sandwiches. There is even a draft beer of the day. Across the street is Yats, which offers Cajun and Creole cuisine at affordable prices with eclectic surroundings. Further down the road is Mama Carolla’s, which offers world-class Italian cuisine in an authentic setting that is a popular destination in the city. If you are looking for a hangout with pub food and sports, Moe & Johnny’s is the traditional Butler hangout, and the Sinking Ship offers some interesting vegan and vegetarian options along with plenty of flat-screen TVs for sports. Fans 5 The fans are rowdy, loud, and boisterous during the games and can be heard blocks away from the building. The program has been extremely successful for the past decade and with two Final Four appearances this decade, it is easy to understand the excitement. These fans are loyal regardless of how the team is performing on the court. Many alumni young and old stay in the city after college and continue to spend their seasons watching basketball at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The fans are respectful to opponents during the game. Access 3 There is a small lot adjacent to the arena for season ticket holders and there are lots throughout campus and a few places for visitors to park. Your best bet is arriving early and finding a spot on the street or certain spots on campus. Some homeowners may charge a small fee of $10 to park on their lawn and sometimes the narrow streets can become congested with cars looking for the opportune space. The outer concourse wraps around the lower portion of the seating bowl and houses many of the murals, photos, and trophy cases highlighting the building, the basketball program, and Tony Hinkle himself. You will also find food kiosks and the official team store. The upper-level concourse wraps around the building and provides a stunning view of the court and is where many of the food kiosks are located for purchase. It may also be fun to walk the residential neighborhood streets with both students and alumni on your way to the fieldhouse. Inside the venue, it is very easy to walk around the upper and lower concourses; bathrooms are accessible from the top rows of the upper section and on the main concourse entrance area. Return on Investment 5 The price of a ticket sometime depends on who the Bulldogs are playing and how far in advance you purchase your tickets. The box office will offer the best options with upper-level seats selling for $18 but they can then alter from $35 to $55 depending on the opponent. Games are played routinely at near-capacity crowds and Butler and tickets on the secondary market can be as low as $6 during the week. In other words, this is probably among the best buildings and programs in college basketball. A $15-$30 price tag is a bargain for this type of environment. Extras 5 The history seeping through the walls of the building is truly a spectacle in itself. The average visitor may want to walk around the concourse to view the accolades, trophy cases, banners, and other memorabilia. You might even want to give yourself a few hours extra just to take it all in before the game. The end court seating hovers over the floor like a balcony, providing a great view of the action on the court. Butler Blue III is an actual bulldog who has walked around on a leash throughout the game. He is a friendly canine and can be spotted on the main concourse or even on the floor at times. If you’re a sports movie buff, then it is exciting to be in a place where the championship scenes from Hoosiers were filmed. Final Thoughts There are college basketball arenas and then there are its cathedrals. The Hinkle Fieldhouse is the latter and entering its eleventh decade the atmosphere gets only better. The Bulldog program continues to rank high on AP Top 25 and provides its fans with winning basketball and an atmosphere that is loud, energetic, and exciting. Hinkle is what college basketball is meant to be and how wonderful is it that near the end of this current decade, the building will be celebrating its 100th anniversary?

Photos by Will Halern, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Kenan Memorial Stadium 78 Stadium Dr Chapel Hill, NC 27514 North Carolina Tar Heels website Kenan Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1927 Capacity: 50,500 Carolina Blue Beacon on the Hill The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, founded in 1788, was the first public university in the United States to enroll students, doing so in 1795. Exactly a century after its founding, UNC launched its football program. The Tar Heels is a state nickname dating back to the Civil War. North Carolina is now known as the Tar Heel State, and with the Chapel Hill campus being the state’s flagship university it only made sense to adopt the nickname. From 1888 until 1921 the school competed independently, after which they spent the next three decades as part of the Southern Conference, before becoming a charter member of The Atlantic Coast Conference in 1953; the Tar Heels are ACC members to this day. The Tar Heels first played at Emerson Field, about a half-mile from Kenan Memorial Stadium, on the site of what is now Davis Library, which is UNC’s main library. The stadium only held 2,400 fans and it was clear the team needed a bigger place to play, so in 1927 Kenan Memorial Stadium opened. The stadium has been renovated and updated over the years, most notably in 2011 when the stadium was enclosed, and in 2018 when most of the bleacher seats were replaced with individual seats, dropping the capacity from 62,582 to 50,500. The stadium is now close to a hundred years old, but still looks modern, while at the same time keeping some of the original charm. Food & Beverage 4 Kenan Memorial Stadium offers a variety of food and beverage choices to keep everyone attending a Tar Heels Football game happy. The main concessions stands offer a Chick-fil-A sandwich and chips combo for seven dollars, a Hunt Brothers pepperoni or cheese pizza for six dollars, a Backyard Bistro Half Pound Angus Cheeseburger and Chips combo for seven dollars, or a Kayem Jumbo Hot Dog for five dollars Pretzels, peanuts, popcorn, and candy are also offered, and you can get a regular fountain Coca-Cola for five dollars, with a souvenir cup for just a dollar more. If the lines at the main concessions stands are moving slowly, then Hunt Brothers Pizza and Chick-fil-A also have their own stands offering the same items, with the addition of a full Hunt Brothers Pizza for twenty dollars if you are feeling especially hungry. There is also a Gourmet Pretzel stand, and if you’re looking for something a little more off the beaten path, check out Trash Talk Food Truck, which offers Trash Plates for twelve dollars, where you can pick a cheeseburger, hot dog, or both on top of macaroni salad, home fries, and topped with mustard, onions, and Trash Meat Sauce. The truck also offers chicken sandwiches and burgers or hot dogs with various toppings. Frozen Minute Maid Lemonade, Dippin’ Dots, and Ben and Jerry’s with six different ice cream choices are offered for dessert. The trend in some college football stadiums recently has been the introduction of adult beverages, and Kenan Memorial Stadium now offers domestic beer including Bud Light and Coors for eight dollars, and premium beer including Corona and Blue Moon for ten dollars. Atmosphere 4 Kenan Memorial Stadium has always had great views of the field, as the front rows of the stadium are only a few feet from the field, and even in the nosebleeds you get a great view of the action. Beginning last season Kenan Memorial Stadium eliminated all bleacher seating except for the student section behind the West End Zone, and replaced them with individual chairback seating, making for a more comfortable game day experience. The North Carolina Cheerleaders, Rameses (the Tar Heels ram mascot), and the Marching Tar Heels band also add to the energy in Kenan Memorial Stadium. In addition, there are two decent-sized rectangular video boards, hanging behind each end zone, which is a nice touch to give fans on either side of the stadium a chance to view promotions, contests, or instant replays. There is a large amount of premium seating, with some behind the south stands (on the side with the UNC logo facing the correct way), but the majority are in the Blue Zone area behind the East End Zone. The only downside is getting up to the second levels, which requires a walk up a couple of flights of narrow stairs to a narrow concourse, which is divided into sections and does not go all the way around the stadium, so make sure to read the signage so as not to climb up and down the stairs multiple times to find your section. Neighborhood 4 Kenan Memorial Stadium is located right in the heart of UNC’s campus. Chapel Hill is a college town in the truest sense of the definition, as the town of Chapel Hill and UNC are interwoven. A few blocks from the stadium you will find Franklin Street, Chapel Hill’s main drag, filled with shops, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. The first place to grab a bite would be Top of the Hill, a great combination of local southern cuisine with a twist – they offer Chicken and Waffles, Biscuits and Gravy, Edamame Burgers, and Cajun Pork Benedict, which you can top off with a Crème brûlée Cheesecake for dessert. Sutton’s Drug Store is another place to check out – opened nearly a century ago they offer breakfast, hot dogs, sandwiches, and milkshakes, all at a great price in an old-time friendly setting. Chapel Hill offers a number of bars as well, including He’s Not Here, Goodfellows, and Boxcar Barcade, so you’re never too far from a place to grab a drink or a fun spot to hang out before or after the game. Chapel Hill may be a college town, but there is more within the town limits than the university. For those who enjoy being outside on a late summer or crisp fall day, take a stroll around the Coker Arboretum or the North Carolina Botanical Gardens, or catch a show at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center – this is among the oldest and largest planetariums in the country, and has been a fixture on the UNC Campus for seventy years. The Tar Heels also have a rich basketball tradition, so check out the Carolina Basketball Museum next door to the Dean E. Smith Center, popularly known as the Dean Dome. Or, for those who enjoy shopping head east on Franklin Street to University Place, a small shopping mall with a movie theatre, or for a more hip feel, take Franklin Street going west to neighboring Carrboro, where you can get some breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Elmo’s Diner. You can then explore the rest of Carr Mill Mall, a shopping mall converted from an old cotton mill, or the adjacent Weaver Street Market, a fair trade and organic farmer’s market and Co-Op. Or, perhaps you can catch a show at the Carrboro Arts Center or at Cat’s Cradle, a haven for up-and-coming and/or indie national touring acts – you can do all of this within ten minutes of Kenan Memorial Stadium. There are a couple of chain hotels, the AC by Marriott and Aloft Chapel Hill, both less than two miles from Kenan Memorial Stadium, but if you are looking for something more luxurious, both the Franklin Hotel and the Historic Carolina Inn are located less than a mile from the stadium. These two are likely to fill up fast, however, so make sure to book ahead of time if you know you are going to be in town for a game; there are also a number of other hotels in nearby Durham if you don’t mind a short commute. Fans 4 There is no doubt that Tar Heel fans are among the most passionate in the Atlantic Coast Conference, but in the last few years the Heels have fallen on some tough times, Kenan Memorial Stadium averaged just over three-quarters full during the 2017 season, good for tenth in a fourteen-team conference. However, in 2018 attendance rose dramatically from 76.65% to 86.38%, which happened in part due to the stadium’s capacity going down nearly 13,000 in the off-season. However, with a new coach and a program on the rise, enthusiasm for Carolina Football is going up. The game I most recently attended was the battle for the Victory Bell against hated rival the Duke Blue Devils, and the fans were loud and passionate, and weren’t afraid to let it be known when they disagreed with an official’s or coach’s decision. With a stadium that seems to be at about the right size, and a more comfortable experience now, Kenan Memorial Stadium will continue to assert itself as one of the best atmospheres, and one of the toughest places to play, in the ACC. Access 4 Getting to and from Kenan Memorial Stadium can be a little tricky. There is some heavy traffic, as is only to be expected at a lot of college football stadiums. However, with its location close to the center of UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus, and the large amounts of public transportation, you can park anywhere you want. The closer lots to the stadium on East and West Rosemary Streets will cost you twenty dollars, but you can use the spots the entire day, so you can arrive early and stay late, and take in all that Chapel Hill has to offer. There are also a number of lots around UNC’s campus that will cost you no more than $12.20, and many of them you can pay for in advance, so you don’t have to worry about having the exact cash needed to park. Some of these lots include the Hibbard and South Chiller Lot, with the cheapest being the Cameron-Graham Lot that will only cost you $6.75; handicap parking is available at the Ambulatory Care lot on Mason Farm Road. There are also numerous buses that will take you to the stadium, including the J, A, U, and the Tar Heel Express, all free of charge, like all of Chapel Hill’s Transit buses. Chapel Hill does not have any official bus or train stations, so if you are coming from out of town, you’ll need to take a bus or train to either the Durham Amtrak or Greyhound Stations, or Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Luckily all of those options are within a half hour of the stadium, and you can take a number of Go Triangle Buses from any of those locations. The 400 bus will take you from downtown Durham (where the Amtrak and Greyhound stations are) to Chapel Hill, and if you’re coming from the airport, taking the 100 to the 700 will get you to Kenan Memorial Stadium for $2.25 each way. There are several gates all around the facility, and while lines can be a bit long, you won’t have to wait too long to get into the stadium. Walking around the concourse can be a little bit tight, but not terribly hard. Handicap seating is available in sections 100, 112-119, or 131. The restrooms are showing their age a bit, but are well kept and fairly clean. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices for games start at $20-$25 and go up to $50-$55 depending on the game. Food prices and parking aren’t too bad, so depending on where you want to sit, park, and how much food you buy, it shouldn’t cost any more than fifty dollars to attend a UNC Football game, which given the level of competition of playing in the ACC, a Division 1 Power Five Conference, is a good value. Extras 5 The first point goes to the Belltower Tailgating Area, where you’ll find some great tailgaters decked out in Carolina Blue, convening, playing some corn hole, listening to some tunes, and cheering on the Carolina football team, all under the beautiful Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower. Speaking of which, a second point goes to the bell tower being lit up in Carolina Blue after a win. Another point goes to the Victory Walk, where fans can cheer on the team as they walk with the Marching Tar Heels band and the cheerleaders to Kenan Memorial Stadium – the walk starts at the bell tower two and a half hours prior to kickoff. A fourth point is for the playing of AC/DC’s Hell’s Bells and Eric Church’s Carolina before the start of the fourth quarter, bringing more energy to an already energetic Carolina fan base, and finally a point for the large Tar Heel Team Store located inside the stadium, where you can get all your Tar Heel apparel without having to leave Kenan. Final Thoughts Kenan Memorial Stadium has been home to North Carolina Football for the past ninety-two years, but it would be easy to forget its age due to the recent renovations, including its new chairback seats and its two new large video boards. Mack Brown’s return to the program has given new life to Tar Heel Football after a recent dry spell, and in playing in a division as wide open as the ACC’s Coastal, the hope of competing for the ACC Championship as they did in 2015 could soon be on the horizon. Chapel Hill may always be known for basketball, but Kenan Memorial Stadium should be the backdrop for many future Carolina football victories, and put the program back on the map.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Swisher Gymnasium 100 Dolphin Drive Jacksonville, FL 32211 Jacksonville Dolphins website Swisher Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1953 Capacity: 1,452 Phins Up! There are few moments in sports more surprising than the 1970 Final Four appearance by the Jacksonville Dolphins. Led by future NBA star and Basketball Hall of Fame member Artis Gilmore, the Dolphins moved through the tournament defeating Western Kentucky, Iowa and Kentucky to make it to the Final Four. The Cinderella Dolphins made it one step farther defeating the St. Bonaventure Bonnies to make it to the National Championship game. John Wooden’s juggernaut UCLA Bruins would dash the hopes of the upstart Dolphins, but a miracle run was ingrained in the Jacksonville fanbase. The 1969-70 Dolphins also etched themselves in College Basketball history as the first team to average 100 points in a season. Currently, Jacksonville is a small, private university of just over 4,000 students. The Dolphins have been playing basketball since 1949. After playing as an independent and conferences that no longer exist, Jacksonville moved to the Sun Belt Conference in 1976. They currently play in the Atlantic Sun Conference, their home since 1998. The Dolphins call the Historic Swisher Gymnasium their on-campus home and have played there since 1953. They played in the Jacksonville Coliseum from 1969 to 1999, until it was demolished in favor of the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, where the Dolphins played from 2003 to 2015. They then returned to campus to the renovated gym. Named after Carl Swisher, the father of Jacksonville University, former chairman of the Board of Trustees and the man instrumental in finding the university a permanent home, the Historic Swisher Gymnasium is a small, intimate venue with a capacity of just over 1,452. The court is named after Billie Nimnicht, a local car dealership owner and big supporter of Jacksonville athletics during his life. One of the smaller schools playing in one of the smallest venues offers an entire different experience than one may associate with NCAA Basketball, but it is one not to be missed, for sure. Food & Beverage 2 The culinary experience at a Dolphins game is not the most extravagant. A simple menu at the one concession stand in the atrium includes hot dogs, popcorn, chips and candy. Beverages include soda, water and Gatorade. Beer and wine is also available, which is not necessarily the norm for a college basketball venue on campus. Although there is little variety and not much more than a snack available, the prices are very reasonable. Atmosphere 3 Definitely not an imposing structure, the Historic Swisher Gymnasium is neatly embedded in the centre of campus at Jacksonville University, steps away from the St. Johns River. A small, arched structure with windows along the curved roofline of the original gymnasium, there is a clear division between where the original gym stands and the additions to it with the latest renovation. Entering Swisher brings fans into the pride of the Dolphins. The atrium outside of the main gym is full of displays and memorabilia of the glory years at JU. A huge display telling the story of the 1969-1970 Dolphins and their run to the National Championship game along with their favorite son, Artis Gilmore, will give fans the opportunity to step into an area of JU athletics they are probably not familiar with. Trophies for the national runner-up are also photo ops for fans. Very smartly decorated, the atrium leads to the main concession stand which also sells some Dolphins gear. To the right is the entrance to the gymnasium, which is flanked by the original dedication plaque from 1953, information on the latest renovation and a curious sign above the entrance welcoming fans to the Artis Gilmore Court. Inside the seating area, it is obvious that Swisher could be a really tough place to play as an opponent. The court runs from east to west and fans enter from the east side with the majority of seating on the north side. The south side of the gym is the Swisher Splash Zone, which is presumably the student section. A very small capacity shows fans that if the gym was full, it could be amazing. The north and south walls hold simple videoboards, which basically only show the score and video of the game. More advanced statistics of the game including player points and fouls, are not shown on the board. To the upper left of the videoboard on the west wall, proudly hang the retired numbers for the Dolphins. The likes of Roger Strickland, Rex Morgan, Artis Gilmore, Otis Smith and Dee Brown. Hanging above the south stands are the Jacksonville Dolphins championship banners, which include 1970, 71, 73, 79 and 86 NCAA Tournament appearances, 2009 and 2010 Atlantic Sun Championships, 1979 and 1986 Sun Belt Tournament Championships, NIT and CIT appearances and the 1970 NCAA Final Four banner. The production at a Dolphins game is very simple. Some music between and fairly simple introductions and promotions highlight the game experience. During free-throws, fans are encouraged to put their Phins Up, and enthusiastically raise their hands and shake them, hoping for a good foul shot. It must be noted, that the specific game that was reviewed was during the winter break, when the campus was fairly empty so the gameday production may be a bit different during a normal game. Neighborhood 3 The Jacksonville University campus is located east of the St. Johns River and adjacent to the Lake Lucina, Monterey, University Park and Arlington Manor neighborhoods of Jacksonville. There are a few spots that are not too far for pre or post game meals. The River House Pub is right on campus and probably the one spot within walking distance. Smoke in the City BBQ, and Louisiana Fish and Chicken are also close. There are a number of fast food restaurants on Merrill Road, which is close to campus. For other sporting options, the Jacksonville Jaguars play at TIAA Bank Field and the Jacksonville IceMen play at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The Alexander Brest Museum and Jacksonville Zoo are other tourist type options worth checking out. Also, catching the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl during the football playoffs is a great holiday plan. For fans needing to stay in the area, Kings Inn and Regency Inn are decent selections. Fans 2 The Jacksonville Dolphins usually average less than 1,000 fans per game. This makes for one of the lowest average attendances in Division I basketball. That being said, 1,000 fans in Swisher would be terrific with such a small capacity. That being said, it was low attendance that pushed Jacksonville U to move their home games back to campus and leave the bigger, downtown Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. It will be interesting to see if demand for basketball will force either a move back downtown or an expansion of Swisher. Access 3 Jacksonville University is located east of the St. Johns River and east of downtown. It is west of I-295 and north of the Arlington Expressway. Getting to the university is not terribly difficult. For fans heading on campus for the first time, parking can be a bit of a chore. It is best to arrive early and scope out parking. There are some lots at the end of Dolphin Drive that most would not get to. For fans interested in public transit, there are buses that run along University Boulevard. Fans should check out the Jacksonville Transportation Authority website for fares, maps and schedules. The ticketing window at Swisher is actually outside the building. Getting tickets is not difficult and lines are rarely an issue. Inside, the low attendance means that getting around the gym is not that difficult. However, a full house would make the atrium pretty crowded. The washroom facilities are adequate for the facility as well. Return on Investment 5 Taking in a Jacksonville Dolphins game is one of the most affordable endeavours in sport. A Dolphins ticket is only $10 for General Admission, which all of the seats are, outside of those specifically reserved for season ticket holders. Concession prices are quite good and getting to the game is not costly. Although, not the most complex production, the Dolphins remain Division I basketball and it is a program that has some pedigree to its name. The experience is well worth the tiny investment. Extras 3 An extra mark for the Dolphins city rivalry with the North Florida Ospreys. Florida Gulf Coast is also a decent rivalry. An extra mark for the return to campus for the Dolphins An extra mark for the history of Historic Swisher Gymnasium Final Thoughts Not all college basketball schools are Duke, Kansas or North Carolina. With over 350 Division I programs there is a wide variety of experiences for the sports traveler. Although the Jacksonville Dolphins are one of the smallest programs in the country, the experience at the Historic Swisher Gymnasium should not be discounted. Heading on campus will mean a good time at a price that is far lower than any big program. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.