Review by Paul Swaney, Stadium Journey Co-Founder
FANFARE Score: 22
Food & Beverage: 2
Not much here, and certainly not anything to write home about. Hot dogs etc. can be found, and coca cola products are offered. I did appreciate that they had souvenir cups available, always an easy way to take home a keepsake.
Atmosphere: 3
This is Indiana, and although Mackey lacks the charm of Hinkle Fieldhouse, and the history of Assembly Hall in Bloomington, it still has that Indiana basketball feel. It’s a single bowl design with a raised floor, so sightlines are good no matter where you sit. I wish the students were a little closer to the action, as they feel somewhat removed.
The Purdue Pep Band
The band rates as average by Big Ten standards.
Neighborhood: 3
The one can’t miss attraction has got to be Harry’s Chocolate Shop. When I arrived it was 10:45am- time for a drink. Our choice was a Boilermaker. Neither me nor my friend knew exactly what that was, but figured this was the place to try one (it’s a shot of whiskey inside a beer by the way). We had another beer and an order of homemade potato chips covered with gorgonzola cheese.
Next, we decided to see a different venue in the city. Unfortunately, the other bars in the area were either closed or lacked any personality. So we found our way back to Harry’s for a sandwich and another beer. I would like to highly recommend Harry’s as a great place to come for a beer and some food when in West Lafayette. The downstairs section just oozes character, and I especially appreciated the Ass Hole of the Week picture, displayed in a toilet seat above the bar.
Fans: 4
I was lucky to see the fans with plenty of opportunities to be raucous. Coach Matt Painter received a technical foul to the end the half, which threw the crowd into a frenzy, and in the second half Michigan’s Manny Harris connected with an elbow to Chris Kramer’s nose, leaving behind a pool of blood, and some ramped up Boiler fans.
It is clear that these fans love basketball, and love their team.
Access: 4
I was able to find free parking about a half mile from the arena, and it was a breeze to get in and out of the arena and back on the road.
Return on Investment: 4
With great sightlines throughout, and reasonable prices, a trip to Mackey is well worth the investment. Parking is free and prices at neighborhood restaurants and bars are a good value. They team has been in or near the top 10 in the country for the past few years, all the more reason to go to a game now.
Etc.: 2
One point for the historically significant honoring of players who were consensus All-Americans with their numbers hung in the rafters including legends such as; Glenn Robinson, Joe Barry Carroll, Rick Mount, and John Wooden.
Another point for the raised floor, something I just love.
