Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Shadek Stadium 423 W Liberty Street Lancaster, PA 17603 Franklin & Marshall Diplomats website Shadek Stadium website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 2,500 A Diplomatic Field Franklin & Marshall College (“F&M”) is a private college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1787. The school was originally named for Benjamin Franklin, but in 1836 it was merged with a college named for the fourth Chief Justice of the United States John Marshall. Famous alumni include Roy Scheider, Treat Williams, and the late Commissioner of Baseball, Bowie Kuhn. The college’s sports teams are called the Diplomats and mainly compete in the Centennial Conference at the NCAA Division III level. This new stadium replaced 4,000 seat Sponaugle–Williamson Field in 2017. The former home was built in 1920 as Williamson Field, although the playing surface dates back to the 1890s. Sponaugle–Williamson Field was named after S. Woodrow Sponaugle, who coached football and basketball, in addition to being the athletic director at F&M for 15 years. He shares the stadium’s dedication with Henry S. Williamson, who was a trustee of the college from 1894 to 1917. Shadek Stadium is named for Larry Shadek, class of 1972. The stadium is located on Franklin & Marshall’s North Campus, formerly the site of Armstrong World Industries, just north of Clipper Magazine Stadium, home of the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Shadek seats about 2,500, about 1,500 fewer than the old field. Food & Beverage 2 There is a simple concession stand located in the middle of the main grandstand. The food offerings are slim, but if you need a hot dog and/or hot chocolate during the game this will do just fine. Otherwise, you may want to wait until after the game for more food options. The stand is large enough that the food offerings could be easily enhanced. Atmosphere 3 The new stadium doesn’t have the historical charm of the college’s old facility. But the setting is ideal and the design is very nice. There is a large stand on the home side of the field, with a smaller one on the opposing side. You can walk easily from one side to the other on the south side of the stadium. There is also a nice grass berm for additional seating along that walkway. The stadium also has lights, which allows night games, a feature not available at the old facility. Neighborhood 3 The stadium is located just north of downtown, right near Clipper Magazine Stadium. So make sure to walk around downtown before the game. There are many shops and restaurants right near the stadium. The Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, College Corner Cafe, and The Fridge are some great options within easy walking distance. Besides downtown, the main commercial areas of the Lancaster area are the outlet’s area east on Route 30 and surrounding the Park City Center Shopping Mall north of downtown. Fans 4 The stadium seemed very loud for its small size. I could not tell if the fans were just that loud, or if the design creates a louder environment. Either way, the stadium makes for a great atmosphere for fans. Access 4 Lancaster is an easy area to navigate. Routes 30 and 222 are large roads that any tourist visit to the area will be more than familiar with. Even though the stadium is located in a busy town, you will seldom find traffic to be too bad. Lancaster is located about half an hour from the state capital Harrisburg. It is also about an hour and a half to Baltimore and the same distance to Philadelphia. There are many parking spaces around the college. Return on Investment 4 There is no price to attend games at Franklin & Marshall. When it seems that even high schools games charge at least $5, the free admission seems like a steal. Coupled with the free parking and the low concession prices, it is such a steal. Extras 3 Everyone may not like artificial playing surfaces, but the two-tone color of the artificial turf is nicely designed. There are some nice athletic history items on display within the center entrance to the stadium. Check out neighboring Clipper Magazine Stadium before or after the game to see a nice quality independent league baseball stadium. Final Thoughts Shadek Stadium is a simple stadium, located within a pleasant area of Lancaster. The low cost of attendance, as well as the fairly high quality of Diplomats football, makes this stadium a must-visit.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Costello Athletic Center 175 Riverside St Lowell, MA 01854 UMass Lowell River Hawks website Costello Athletic Center website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 2,000 River Hawk Hoops The University of Massachusetts – Lowell got its start in the 1890s as two separate institutions, the Lowell Normal School (later renamed Lowell State College) and the Lowell Textile School (later renamed Lowell Textile Institute). These two schools merged in 1975 to become the University of Lowell. In 1991 it joined the University of Massachusetts system. Today UMass Lowell is the second largest campus in Massachusetts, with an enrollment of over 18,000 students in almost 200 Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral programs. Total enrollment has increased 50 percent since 2007. The Costello Athletic Center was built in 1964 to house several of the University of Lowell’s athletic programs. Today it serves as the home to UMass-Lowell’s men’s and women’s basketball programs. In 2020 the facility underwent a $3.05 million renovation to modernize the gym, create office space for the program and to add new fan amenities. UMass Lowell has been competing in the America East Conference since moving the program up to the Division One level in 2013. Long a Division Two powerhouse, the school competed in 10 D-2 Tournaments, winning a national title in 1988. The school has yet to qualify for the NCAA Tournament since moving up to Division One. While no River Hawk alumnus has played in the National Basketball Association, Stan Van Gundy, who coached the squad from 1988-1992, has coached several NBA teams. Food & Beverage 1 There is a small snack cart in the front hallway that serves up a few items for hungry River Hawk fans. Hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn and candy are available along with Pepsi products. While it’s not an extensive list, no item costs more than four dollars. Atmosphere 3 The America East Conference holds its postseason tournament at campus sites. One can only imagine the home-court advantage the tiny CAC would provide should the River Hawks ever host the game. Stadium Journey had the privilege of visiting during the program’s first ever sellout at the D-1 level. This occurred during the semester break without a great deal of representation from the student body. Even without the students, all the elements for a great time are in place. The pep band takes up residence on the near end balcony, playing during all stoppages. This is a great improvement over the usual piped-in music many arenas use. The student section (aka “The Nest”) is situated on the same balcony, freeing up the far side balcony for the rest of the fans. While many of the students had yet to return to campus, the “Flag Guy,” decked out in a UMass Lowell hockey jersey was there, standing at center court doing his thing in response to every River Hawk three pointer or big play. The cheerleading squad lines up along the baseline and performs throughout the game. The PA announcer leans into his work, filling this small gym with even more noise. There are contests (i.e. dizzy bat race, dress like a hawk) for the younger fans in attendance during every play stoppage. It makes for a family-friendly and entertaining time, even when the CAC is not packed to the rafters with fans. Neighborhood 3 The University of Massachusetts-Lowell is located in the north-central part of the city of Lowell, right near the city line of adjoining Dracut. The campus straddles the Merrimack River along the rapids that used to fuel the mills that made this area a magnet for industry back in the day. Lowell long had a poor reputation as a city with low employment, high poverty and crime rates which was best to avoid. Statistics show that Lowell is as safe or safer than other similarly-sized cities in the area, but the reputation continues. Lowell is a working-class city. There isn’t much in the immediate vicinity of the CAC to draw visiting fans, but visitors to the city may be interested in exploring the Lowell National Historic Park, which has preserved several old textile mills to tell the story of the industrial revolution. On the grounds of the park is a memorial to native son Jack Kerouac, who was one of the icons of the “Beat Generation.” Most out-of-towners will likely make their way to nearby Boston, 25 miles to the southeast, but for those looking to stay in town, most lodging options are located out by Interstate 495. There are many excellent smaller restaurants scattered throughout Lowell. Visitors may want to check out Good Thymes or Cobblestones. Fans 2 It can be a bit tough to accurately gauge attendance numbers at UMass Lowell. The CAC’s capacity is listed at 2,000, although the venue feels a lot smaller than that. Stadium Journey had the good fortune to be at the River Hawks’ first-ever sellout at the Division One level in January 2023. The box score lists that game’s attendance at 850. A look at attendance figures from past years lists average attendance generally in the neighborhood of 1,100 fans. So we’ll take these numbers at face value. Stadium Journey visited the CAC during the semester break, just before students had returned to class, so the student section (aka “The Nest”) was filled with other fans, mostly locals and families. Since the America East conference has a compact geographical footprint, it’s not unusual to see a good representation from visiting fans. The fans that packed the CAC were into the game, but not overly rowdy. It is a comfortable and affordable place to bring the family. Access 3 The Costello Athletic Center is located on the north bank of the Merrimack River along with several of the university’s other athletic facilities, including Cushing Field. The school’s more noteworthy sports facilities, Tsongas Center and LeLacheur Park , are located on the other side of the river. Interstate 495 travels to the south of Lowell, meaning that to reach the UMass-Lowell campus one has to drive through the city. There is ample free parking near the CAC in the North Garage and Riverside Lots. The CAC is a tiny building, with little wasted space. Fans will enter through the front door into a small lobby where they can purchase tickets and enter the building. All tickets are sold as general admission. Fans wishing to sit in the four rows of floor-level seating will proceed directly ahead, those wishing to sit on the balcony will proceed to the stairs located at either end of the hallway. All seats are molded plastic bleachers with excellent views of the action. Rest rooms are clean and large enough for the typical River Hawk crowd. Just time your trips to the snack cart and rest rooms appropriately. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to River Hawks games are sold as general admission for just ten dollars. Seniors and members of the military can purchase tickets for eight dollars, with youth tickets discounted to five dollars. Parking is free in the Riverside lot near the Costello Athletic Center. Snacks are inexpensive, making a trip to a River Hawk basketball game a most affordable entertainment option for local sports fans. Extras 2 An extra point is awarded for the displays visiting fans will encounter in the front hallway at Costello Athletic Center. The UMass Lowell Athletic Hall of Fame is located here. Fans may recognize the names of many NHL players among the honorees, as well as MLB Gold Glove catcher Mike LaValliere. Other displays honor championship teams, award winners and All-Americans. There’s even an interesting display on the school’s history to be found. A second extra point is awarded for the renovations that took place at the CAC in 2020. What was formerly dead space behind one end of the court has been transformed into bright, new office space and a lounge area. The closing off of this open end has created a cozy, intimate gym for the River Hawks. Final Thoughts It’s easy to get overshadowed in the crowded sports scene in greater Boston. It’s even easier to be overlooked when you play basketball at a hockey school in the area. Still, the UMass Lowell River Hawks have managed to create a fun and affordable game experience within the cozy confines of the Costello Athletic Center. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre 61 Maria St Penetanguishene, ON L9M 2G2 Penetang Kings website Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre website Year Opened: 1954 Capacity: 700 Kings of the Bay Tucked into a southeast inlet on Georgian Bay sits the town of Penetanguishene, Ontario.  A small town of under 9,000, Penetang, as it is commonly referred, is generally known as a summertime destination with the marinas and beaches, while winters can be quite harsh with the effects of Lake Huron playing havoc with residents.  However, the hockey tradition in Penetang is strong.  The Junior C level Penetang Kings have been on the ice since 1977 and have enjoyed tremendous success.  Before the Kings, the Penetang Hurons played for two seasons before folding in 1975.  The Kings were a powerhouse in the 1980s and were led by future NHL player Brian McReynolds, who might just be Penetang’s most favoured hockey son.  The Kings have won nine league titles and finished with three Schmalz Cup Championships as the top Junior C team in Ontario.  The Kings currently play in the Carruthers Division of the PJHL. Home for the Penetang Kings is the Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre.  Built in 1954 as the Penetanguishene Arena, the town-owned Community Centre enjoyed a large renovation which added other amenities as well as a lobby and the Penetanguishene Sports Hall of Fame.  The town of Penetanguishene is in the process of approving a replacement facility.  Currently earmarked for a 2033 opening, there is still time to check out this classic hockey barn. Food & Beverage 3 The lobby of the Community Centre houses the main concession stand.  The menu includes the typical arena fare including hot dogs, onion rings, chicken fingers, fries, and burgers.  Some more unique items include peameal bacon sandwiches, grilled cheese, fried egg sandwiches and soup.  Soda, Powerade, slushies, coffee, tea and hot chocolate are the beverage options.  The Community Centre did not appear to have alcohol sales or a typical Blueline Club, which is common at this level of hockey. Atmosphere 3 The Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre is clearly an old hockey barn that has been given an addition to modernize it.   The main entry for the Community Centre is at the southwest corner near Maria Street.  The exterior is attractive enough with light brick with blue siding above.  The rest of the building has the expected barn-like look to it with even more blue siding.  Inside the Community Centre fans immediately stumble upon one of the highlights of the facility, the Penetanguishene Sports Hall of Fame.  Part museum and part Hall of Fame, there are plenty of artifacts to go along with the entries for the enshrined members.  Fans will find such local products as Brian McReynolds, Kris Kontos and Andre Benoit.  Canadian Olympic Silver Medalist Figure Skater Brian Orser is also an enshrined member, remembered for the “Battle of the Brians” at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.  Fans can also purchase histories of the Penetang Kings in the Hall of Fame.  The lobby for the arena is where the concession stand is found and has some windows looking on to the ice.  Inside the arena, fans are immediately struck with that “Old-School Hockey Barn” vibe.  The ice is east-west oriented.  The roof is supported by huge, wooden support beams that meet at a high, sharp, point.  The lobby is at the west end and there is an upper level.  This seemed to be used for operations and not a Blueline Club as with many other arenas at this level.  The scoreclock is found at the east end and there are plenty of minor hockey banners hanging around the arena.  The speakers hang above centre ice, where a scoreboard would normally be.  The west side of the speakers is where the three Schmalz Cup championship banners from 1984, 2006 and 2007 hang.  Beside those banners is a single banner listing the championships from the former league the Kings played in, the Georgian Bay Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League.  The arena is also very cold.  There are gas heaters above some of the seating, but for the game reviewed, the heaters were not on.  The seating consists of four rows of aluminum benches with backrests. The benches are on aluminum platforms, similar to seating that would be found at a small football stadium.  Unfortunately, this is not the best selection for building materials in an arena.  The coldness is magnified as not only do the benches make the fan cold, but the aluminum flooring also does the same thing.  A blanket is not just a good idea in this arena, it is a necessity! The gameday production at a Kings game is not unlike most other Junior C experiences.  The game starts off with minor hockey kids skating on the ice with flags.  Promotions include a 50/50 raffle.  A printed program is also free for fans.  The PA system is decent and the announcer does a good job. Neighbourhood 3 Penetanguishene is a small town of the South Basin of Georgian Bay.  There are a few options for pre or post game food and drink.  Some options include World Famous Dock Lunch, Phil’s Family Restaurant, Captain Ken’s and Northern Caribbean.  The Kings are really the only sporting option in Penetang, but they have a pretty solid rivalry with the Midland Flyers, which is just 5 km from arena to arena.  Some other tourist options in the area include the Penetanguishene Centennial Museum, Carl Beck House and King’s Wharf Theatre.  Penetang also offers plenty of outdoor options, which would be better enjoyed at the very beginning of the season rather than in the dead of winter.   For fans who wish to stay in the area, the Hampton Inn Midland is an option or checking out some B&B options may work also. Fans 4 Assessing fans in the PJHL can be difficult.  Many teams do not report attendance figures and the league does not publish compiled statistics.  That being said, the Penetang Kings appear to enjoy decent support for Junior C hockey.  At the time of writing, the Kings averaged 243 fans per game.  The previous season, 2023-24, the Kings averaged over 280 fans.  The fans in attendance for the game reviewed were not terribly loud and typical of Ontario fans.   Access 4 Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre is located in Penetang, on the South Basin of Georgian Bay.  It is located at Maria Street and Thompsons Road, a block east of Main, the main road from Midland, 7 km from Highway 12.  Getting to the arena is not difficult, however, fans are encouraged to check the weather before heading out as winter driving near the lake can be treacherous at times.  There is plenty of free parking on site.  There is limited transit in Penetanguishene with a stop on Thompsons Road.  However, the schedule may not coincide with Kings games.  Fans should consult the LINX Transit  website for fares, schedules and maps. Getting around the arena is not too difficult and washroom facilities are adequate for the arena. Return on Investment 5 Penetang Kings hockey, like most other PJHL experiences, offers tremendous value for a small investment.  Adult tickets for the Kings are $10 with discounts for students, seniors and children.  Parking is free and concession prices are decent.  The product on the ice is good and the opportunity for fans to see a game in an old-school hockey barn, even if it is a cold one, is a welcome opportunity.  Extras 2 An extra mark for the excellent Penetanguishene Sports Hall of Fame. An extra mark for the Kings’ rivalry with the Midland Flyers. Final Thoughts Penetanguishene may be a summer town, but checking out the Penetang Kings in the winter is a good experience.  Fans should consider checking out the Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre while they still can.  Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

The Frozen Four is upon us once again. The culmination of another college hockey season means it's time for Stadium Journey to do what we do best, rank things. We endeavor to visit every college hockey rink at least once every four years to keep our reviews current for those who love to travel the country visiting hockey barns old and new. To coincide with the Frozen Four, we are presenting our ranking of the top 25 Division One hockey rinks in the nation. We currently have reviews of 54 of the 62 Division One rinks on our newly-redesigned website. We're working hard to get to those final eight missing rinks. At Stadium Journey we evaluate a facility's game day experience according to our patented FANFARE rating scale. This scale takes into consideration a facility's concessions, game day atmosphere, neighborhood, fan support, access, value, and more. It's a bit of a different way to evaluate a facility, and historically our rankings have created much debate. That's OK, we can take it. Plus, isn't healthy debate the reason why we make lists like this? You'll notice that there have been some changes in our rankings as we move to our newly-redesigned site. There is no longer a place for readers to contribute their scores. After much consideration, the decision was made to discontinue crowd reviews, as the vast majority of them came from previous Stadium Journey reviews and simply were not being utilized as designed. Our rankings are now based solely on the reviewer's FANFARE score. Where two or more venues are tied, a counsel of Stadium Journey elders is consulted to break any ties. We encourage our readers to share your input on our social media channels. Stadium Journey can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To see the full review of each rink, just click the link underneath the photo. We hope you are enjoying our new site. Without further ado, we present our top 25 college hockey rinks of the 2022-23 season. 1. Yost Ice Arena - Michigan Wolverines 4.57 Steve Ohnsmann - Surprisingly, the Yost Ice Arena was known as the Yost Field House and was first used as a basketball arena for both the men’s and women’s programs before the Crisler Center was built in 1967. In 1973, the building was converted into an ice arena and the Wolverines hockey team has been there ever since. This is the definitive “old school” hockey arena and should be on the bucket list for all hockey fans. 2. Ralph Englestad Arena - North Dakota Fighting Hawks 4.43 Daryn Skjefte - The Ralph Engelstad Arena is unlike anything else in college hockey. The extreme detail that goes into every aspect is vibrant and outstanding. The excitement can quite literally be felt from a mile away, and regardless of the turn-out of the game, you will have a good time. The arena is truly the best in college hockey for several reasons. This should be a spot to see on everyone’s bucket list. 3. 3M Arena at Mariucci - Minnesota Golden Gophers 4.43 Dennis Morrell - Get here to see a game, you will be talking about for weeks and months after your visit. Witnessing a game here is very special. While the fans make up a huge part of the experience make no mistake, the venue and the university add a great deal to creating a magnificent live hockey experience. 4. AMSOIL Arena - Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs 4.43 Jared Townsend - AMSOIL is certainly one of the best college hockey game day experiences you’ll find in the state, if not the entire U.S. Midwest. It’s more than just getting your money’s worth, it’s an experience that’ll make you want to recommend attending a game here to others, even if they’re not UMD Bulldog fans. 5. Compton Family Ice Arena - Notre Dame Fighting Irish 4.43 Marc Viquez - The arena itself is a true spectacle because it looks like an older facility on the outside, but once you’re inside you see it is truly a modern and state-of-the-art venue that offers everything a fan needs in terms of food, comfort, and entertainment. 6. Kohl Center - Wisconsin Badgers 4.43 Paul Swaney - Time a visit in November and you may be able to see two games on your trip to Madison depending on the basketball and football schedules. College hockey fans should come to a Wisconsin game- it’s one of the finest venues in college hockey. 7. Baxter Arena - Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks 4.29 Nolan Searl - A fan favorite, and unique UNO tradition, happens after the first Maverick goal of every game as a fish gets thrown onto the ice. What started as a rogue operation was eventually embraced by the university and the fans. Once the fish is on the ice, a guy driving a mini-Zamboni with a wheelie bar comes out and scoops it up in a net. It’s pretty hilarious. 8. Magness Arena - Denver Pioneers 4.14 Matt Finnegan - A game at Magness Arena allows fans to enjoy some of the nation’s top college hockey at a reasonable price. From families with children to rabid hockey fans, a Pioneer home game provides a great, overall experience for everyone. 9. Goggin Ice Center - Miami (OH) RedHawks 4.14 Marc Viquez - The Goggin Ice Center is the perfect venue for the Redhawks hockey team and provides an ideal canvas for its fans, students, and alumni to cheer on the club during the season. The program can hold its own against the best of them in the college hockey world and the Hawks fans won’t let you forget that when in attendance. 10. John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena - Michigan Tech Huskies 4.14 Paul Swaney - A journey (and it is a journey) to Houghton, Michigan to see the Michigan Tech Huskies is well worth the trip. Whether you live in the area, are a major hockey fan, or you are just following your team on the road, you will enjoy what you find at MacInnes Arena. 11. Centene Community Ice Center - Lindenwood Lions 4.14 Lloyd Brown - The Lindenwood University men’s hockey program has finally made the leap into NCAA Division I competition. Their home ice at the Centene Community Ice Center will immediately become one the top collegiate hockey venues in the Midwest. 12. Tsongas Center - UMass Lowell River Hawks 4.00 Paul Baker - It’s easy to be overshadowed in the crowded Boston hockey scene, but the Tsongas Center remains as one of the better hockey rinks in the area, even after a quarter century of use. While professional hockey is no longer in the cards for this cozy mid-sized arena, The UMass Lowell River Hawks have a home that measures up to any college arena in the country. 13. Agganis Arena - Boston University Terriers 4.00 Paul Baker - Boston has no shortage of choices for the college hockey fan, with eleven Division One clubs located within an hour of the city. Even with all these choices, Agganis Arena and Boston University stand head and shoulders above them all. In a city that bleeds Bruins’ black and gold, there is a corner of the city along Commonwealth Avenue that proudly sports red and white. 14. Mullett Arena - Arizona State Sun Devils 4.00 Lloyd Brown - While Mullett Arena has been panned as an NHL venue due to its small capacity and lack of NHL-level amenities, it shines as the college-level home of the Sun Devils. It offers a great gameday experience for both players and fans. The Inferno student section adds to the college vibe in the on-campus arena. I guess you could say I’m the (Sun) Devil’s advocate for this new venue! 15. Matthews Arena - Northeastern Huskies 4.00 Paul Baker - Many buildings use the term “historic” as a synonym for “old”. Matthews Arena truly presents as the former, even as it continues to function as the oldest indoor rink still being used in the world. Renovations have kept the facility up-to-date without sacrificing the historic features of the rink. Matthews Arena is a must-see for any hockey historian. 16. Gene Polisseni Center - RIT Tigers 4.00 Dave Cottenie - A trip to Henrietta to see the RIT Tigers is an excellent experience that college hockey fans should consider undertaking. Although probably not considered a bucket list venue, even among college hockey die-hards, the Gene Polisseni Center more than meets the expectations of the hockey fan and is easily competitive with other college hockey venues. 17. Martire Family Arena - Sacred Heart Pioneers 4.00 Greg Venuto - Martire Arena is a great venue to take in a hockey game. Both families and local hockey fans should not pass up the chance to check out the impressive new facility and watch Sacred Heart as the program attempts to make its mark on New England hockey. 18. Mullins Center - UMass Minutemen 4.00 Paul Baker - The Mullins Center is an attractive on-campus facility that serves as a home for the UMass Minutemen basketball and hockey teams. Still going strong in its 30th season, the arena provides western Massachusetts hockey fans with a comfortable place to watch a recent national championship team do their thing. 19. Berry Events Center - Northern Michigan Wildcats 4.00 Paul Swaney - There is no doubt that college hockey fans should include a trip to Northern Michigan University as a spot to see great hockey. Whether you are following your team on the road or just looking for a new venue, you won’t be disappointed by what you find at the Berry Events Center. 20. Pegula Ice Arena - Penn State Nittany Lions 3.86 Paul Baker - The Pegula Ice Arena is already mentioned as one of the marquee collegiate hockey venues in the nation. Penn State hockey has likewise enjoyed a meteoric rise to be considered one of the premier programs in the nation. When you step into Pegula Ice Arena for a Nittany Lion game, be ready for one of the best game day experiences in the nation. 21. Silvio O. Conte Forum - Boston College Eagles 3.86 Paul Baker - If you were to Google “what an arena looked like in the 1980s,” there’s a good chance Conte Forum would top the search results. With Boston College's history oozing from every corner of the facility, Conte Forum has a cozy, intimate feel to it. With the Eagles, a fixture at the top of the national rankings year in and year out, a trip to Chestnut Hill is a must for any hockey fan visiting Boston. 22. People's United Center - Quinnipiac Bobcats 3.86 Paul Baker - One of the best sports stories of the last decade was the ascension of tiny Quinnipiac University to the top of the college hockey world. After a couple of down years, the Bobcats are back at the top of the polls and People’s United Center is filled with rabid Connecticut hockey fans. This hidden gem of an arena is a must-see for anyone who enjoys college pucks. 23. Cadet Ice Arena - Air Force Falcons 3.86 Matt Finnegan - The Air Force Academy is worth a visit for its beauty and tradition alone. A game at Cadet Ice Arena is a different and fun way to experience the school. The program is consistently competitive and, especially against Army or local rivals Colorado College and the University of Denver, things can get loud in Cadet Ice Arena. 24. Bentley Arena - Bentley Falcons 3.86 Paul Baker - The trend of Atlantic Conference teams moving away from local community rinks and into cozy on-campus arenas is a welcome one. Bentley Arena, with its intimate, eco-friendly design, is a great place to catch a game and a hidden gem in the crowded Boston hockey scene. 25. Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center - Minnesota State Mavericks 3.86 Jared Townsend - Verizon Wireless Center isn’t as flashy as more modern hockey arenas, but the point is, it gets the job done. Whether it’s the game ticket ($16) or the concessions (all very affordable), you can have an enjoyable experience among the great fans at this arena without having to worry about spending too much.

The Stanley Cup playoffs are underway, so we at Stadium Journey felt it was time to do what we do best - rank some arenas. While the winner of the Cup will be determined on the ice, there's no one way to rank the rinks that these teams play in. Here's our try at it. The results can be as unpredictable as the action on the ice. To determine our rankings, Stadium Journey utilizes our patented FANFARE rating scale, which takes into account a venue's Food, Atmosphere, Neighborhood, Fan support, Access, Return on investment, and a final Extras category. When two or more venues are tied, a Stadium Journey Council of Elders is consulted to break the tie. We hope that this list produces some good-natured debate. After all, isn't that why we do these things? Feel free to share your opinions on Stadium Journey's social media pages. Without further ado, we are proud to present Stadium Journey's rankings of all 32 National Hockey League arenas for the 2022-23 season. 1. Bridgestone Arena - Nashville Predators 4.86 David Welch - When Nashville was first awarded an NHL franchise in 1997, many did not think hockey in the state, better known for its allegiance to the University of Tennessee and ‘Rocky Top’ would work. Nothing could be further from the truth; not only has hockey worked in Nashville, but it has also thrived. 2. Amalie Arena - Tampa Bay Lightning 4.57 Chris Green - The Tampa Bay Lightning have broken all expectations for a Florida hockey franchise, and their game-day experience has become one of the best in the league. From the spotless interior of the venue to the bounty of food options, there is plenty to love at Amalie Arena. Your dollar goes far thanks to the excitement on the ice, and there are no bad seats in the house. 3. Capital One Arena - Washington Capitals 4.57 Richard Smith - The pre-game video show is quite impressive. For 2023 the show begins with mascot "Slapshot' stealing the Declaration of Independence from the National Archives in a nod to the movie National Treasure. The show concludes that he brings it back to the arena and letters from the document become re-arranged to display "Let's Go Caps!" 4. Climate Pledge Arena - Seattle Kraken 4.43 Lloyd Brown - The Climate Pledge Arena is much more than just the newest rink in the NHL. It is an experiment in using the most current “smart” technologies to minimize (hopefully to zero) the carbon footprint the facility leaves after each event it hosts. Hopefully, Climate Pledge Arena will usher in a new generation of sports facilities built not just to create a wow factor, but also one where the environment receives major consideration. 5. Rogers Place - Edmonton Oilers 4.43 Jim Flannery - Rogers Place is a worthwhile place to visit even if you’re not there for a hockey game. There is so much to see and do in and around the building without ever walking through the gates that you could spend a couple of hours just checking the place out. This is continuing to get better as more features get added. Once you’re through the gates, this is a beautiful building with truly state-of-the-art features that should impress almost everyone. 6. United Center - Chicago Black Hawks 4.29 Lloyd Brown - A visit to the Windy City and a Chicago Blackhawk game will provide you with a very enjoyable sports adventure. Seeing an Original Six team play is always on an NHL bucket list and the United Center is a very impressive place to take in a game. Afterward, you’ve got an enormous number of fine restaurants to choose from and Chicago offers numerous attractions to visit over a long sports weekend. 7. Bell Centre - Montreal Canadiens 4.29 Dave Cottenie - Without a doubt, a trip to Centre Bell to see the Montréal Canadiens needs to be near the top of any hockey bucket list. Although the arena itself is not earth-shattering, the Canadiens put on a terrific product, even when the team is down. The fans add to the dynamic more than any other fanbase in the NHL. Finally, a trip to see the Habs is as much a trip through hockey history as any experience there is. 8. PPG Paints Arena - Pittsburgh Penguins 4.29 Patricia Beninato - There seems to be an article in Pittsburgh media every week about plans to develop the area around PPG to entice people to hang around. Still, government vs. development is a long-time battle that doesn’t look to be won by anyone any time soon. Because Pittsburgh’s downtown is so compact, though, it’s an easy walk to the Strip District a few blocks away, where there’s something for every taste. 9. Madison Square Garden - New York Rangers 4.14 Greg Venuto - Madison Square Garden is special, from the lobby at Chase Square to the exhibits which commemorate special events. The inside features the iconic ceiling with a cable-supported roof. The 28’ x 57’ scoreboard (which displays the names and numbers of all skaters on the ice throughout the game) over center ice is riveting and then your eyes are drawn to the Chase Bridges which cross the ice at the top of both sides of the upper bowl. 10. Nationwide Arena - Columbus Blue Jackets 4.14 Greg Venuto - Nationwide Arena is a beautiful and fan-friendly arena to watch an NHL game. Despite being over 20 years old, it seems new and up-to-date. It is worth a visit if in town and the benefits are reasonable prices and plenty to do just outside its doors. 11. UBS Arena - New York Islanders 4.14 Ken Thorp - The UBS is a decent venue. They have enough bells and whistles to provide an adequate game day experience. They have a ridiculous amount of food choices as well as concession stands. They work extremely hard to keep the fans engaged in the game. 12. Scotiabank Arena - Toronto Maple Leafs 4.14 Dave Cottenie - There is no doubt that a trip to see the Toronto Maple Leafs should be on every hockey fan’s bucket list. Couple that with the opportunity to take in the Hockey Hall of Fame and all of the other things that Toronto has to offer and the Leafs can be the center of an excellent getaway. Time will tell to see if the Leafs can move through the playoffs further than previous years and grab that elusive 12th Stanley Cup banner. 13. Enterprise Center - St. Louis Blues 4.14 Lloyd Brown - St. Louis has always been a great sports town, with good teams and classy fans. The renovations at the Enterprise Center have brought the fan experience to new heights, with the Stanley Cup Championship win of 2019 being the cherry on top. If you enjoy good food, great beer, and terrific hockey, head on out to the Gateway City. You won’t be disappointed! 14. Xcel Energy Center - Minnesota Wild 4.14 Lloyd Brown - Overall, the Xcel Energy Center may be aging a bit, but it’s still one of the best places you can go to see a professional hockey game, let alone a sporting event. Friendly fans, good food, and very easy access make this arena second to none. 15. TD Garden - Boston Bruins 4.00 Paul Baker - The 2022-2023 season has been an incredible ride for the Boston Bruins and their fans. The team has set NHL records for victories and points in a season. As the playoffs approach, New England sets its collective sights on the ultimate prize in hockey – The Stanley Cup. The entire region is hoping for another long playoff run in one of the more underrated venues in the league, the TD Garden. 16. Ball Arena - Colorado Avalanche 4.00 Lloyd Brown - The Pepsi Center continues to be the premiere venue in the Rocky Mountain region for indoor professional sports. It provides more than 200 nights of sports competitions and concerts per year for the residents of the Mile High City. 17. Cryto.com Arena - Los Angeles Kings 4.00 Paul Baker - As the Kings look to rebuild after a solid decade near the top of the National Hockey League, some of the enthusiasm that was present at the Staples Center has disappeared. While southern California’s sunny skies and warm winter temperatures may not scream hockey to a northerner, the Staples Center remains a great venue for professional hockey. 18. Prudential Center - New Jersey Devils 4.00 Steven Kee - The Prudential Center is a stunning facility, offering almost everything the hockey fan could ask for in the 21st century. The arena is accessible via mass transit, close to great restaurants, and provides a variety of services and features throughout the game. With the Devils playing winning hockey, the experience will only improve at “The Rock.” 19. FLA Live Arena - Florida Panthers 4.00 Chris Green - All-in-all, FLA Live Arena is family-friendly and provides a quaint atmosphere. The last few seasons are proving that this quaint atmosphere can also swell into a roaring crowd, thanks to successful records. In addition, a better game day experience has led to a more welcoming environment. The Panthers are definitely on the upswing, and a visit to FLA Live Arena will certainly reflect that trend. 20. T-Mobile Arena - Vegas Golden Knights 3.86 Lloyd Brown - The Vegas Golden Knights have “broken the ice” as the first professional sports team to set up shop in Las Vegas. Early indications are that the team will prove the criticism that Vegas is not a “hockey town” wrong. The city has sold out several games in its inaugural season, and the team’s performance on the ice is far above what is expected of an expansion team. 21. KeyBank Center - Buffalo Sabres 3.86 Robbie Raskin - KeyBank Center is a solid place to catch a hockey game in one of the best American hockey markets. Sabres fans are welcoming and friendly, the arena is comfortable and has been updated pretty well over the years. Unfortunately, the attendance has followed the Sabres’ on-ice performance after being pummelled by border closures. The experience at KeyBank Center will surely rise a couple of notches when the fans come back to a winning team. 22. Rogers Arena - Vancouver Canucks 3.71 Lloyd Brown - In Canada, ice hockey reigns supreme, and Vancouver was the first Canadian city on the West Coast to receive an NHL franchise. This has led to a long history of sellouts throughout the club’s 50-year existence. Packed stands lead to a great environment in the seating bowl. The seating areas fill early as the crowds do not want to miss even the warmups. 23. Honda Center - Anaheim Ducks 3.71 Paul Baker - While hockey may not be the first thing on your mind as you wander around southern California during a warm winter day, a trip to the Honda Center provides a mighty good experience for any fan, whether you are coming from the frigid north or not. 24. PNC Arena - Carolina Hurricanes 3.71 Will Halpern - The Hurricanes are back to relevancy in NC and the NHL and there is a renewed energy around the franchise, which is evident at PNC Arena during games. Now the team has a chance to host their first outdoor game next season as part of The Stadium Series, and the Hurricanes and their fans show no signs of slowing down anytime soon. 25. Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia Flyers 3.71 Steven Kee - The Wells Fargo Arena was state-of-the-art and similar to other designs that opened up during the early to mid-1990s. The parent company of the Flyers, Comcast Spectacor, completed close to $265 million in renovations to update and enhance the game day experience at the venue. The renovations resulted in the world’s first Kinetic 4K center-hung scoreboard; it also features two independent crown trusses that move vertically and are equipped with pyrotechnic capabilities. 26. Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary Flames 3.71 Jim Flannery - Action at the Saddledome has created some fantastic memories over the years. Whether it was seeing the Flames pull off the dramatic overtime win against the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven of the first round of the 1989 playoffs or the run to the Stanley Cup finals in 2004, tens of thousands of fans have had amazing experiences in this location. 27. Canada Life Centre - Winnipeg Jets 3.57 Lloyd Brown - Winnipeg has been given a second chance with an NHL franchise and there is no chance of the fans allowing the team to move elsewhere again. They fill the Canada Life Centre for every game, cheering loudly for the local boys while organizing chants to disrupt the visiting team’s concentration. The whole town turns out in its blue-best when the Jets are in town. Winnipeg is one of the more isolated of the NHL outposts, but it is well worth a visit as you check the rinks and arenas in the central portion of Canada. 28. American Airlines Center - Dallas Stars 3.57 Michael Davis - American Airlines Center is one of the finest sports venues in America, located in a great city and home to a hockey organization that seems committed to being in Dallas for a long time. The only thing American Airlines Center needs to be rated in the upper tier of NHL venues is for the Stars to become more competitive regularly. However, a visit to American Airlines Center to watch the Stars play is a wonderful way to spend an evening in Dallas. 29. SAP Center - San Jose Sharks 3.57 Dave Cottenie - The San Jose Sharks are a great experience for all NHL fans. Their influence throughout the 90s is undeniable and they have had great influence in opening up the southern belt to NHL hockey. A trip to the Shark Tank will be a memorable one for hockey fans everywhere. 30. Little Caesars Arena - Detroit Red Wings 3.29 Meg Minard - Affectionately known as Hockeytown, Detroit is a unique market in the United States where a pretty substantial argument can be made that it is a hockey-first market. While Little Caesars Arena is a great improvement over the old Joe Louis Arena, it is too dark, too steep, too loud, and way too expensive for the average ‘Joe.’ 31. Canadian Tire Center - Ottawa Senators - 3.29 Dave Cottenie - It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Ottawa Senators and their much-maligned building in Kanata. It must be said, however, that regardless of the situation with the Canadian Tire Centre, the Ottawa Senators are still an NHL experience and fans will still have a great time during the game. Proper research and preparation can overcome some of the Capital City issues, but reinvigorating the fanbase with a new, exciting, better-located venue can’t be a bad thing. 32. Mullett Arena - Phoenix Coyotes 3.00 Sean MacDonald - Overall, Mullett Arena provides a unique Big 4 experience that should attract fans who want something out of the ordinary. Yes, it is expensive, much like an exclusive club, but with only 123 regular season games played over the three seasons, attendance will be limited to 565,800 fans. If you want to be one of them, now is the time to travel to Tempe and visit the Mullett.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Bill Gies Recreation Centre 1401 Queens Bush Rd Wellesley, ON N0B 2T0 Wellesley Applejacks website Bill Gies Recreation Centre website Year Opened: 2023 Capacity: 500 A is for Apple … J is for Jacks For people of a certain vintage, the lyric “A is for Apple … J is for Jacks” produces an earworm of a jingle advertising sugary breakfast cereal, Apple Jacks.  In Wellesley, Ontario, Applejacks has a bit of a different connotation.  The Wellesley Applejacks were established in 1987 and began play at the Junior D level.  Their name is derived from the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival which attracts thousands to the area each fall.  The Applejacks moved up to the Junior C level when Junior D was dissolved.  The Jacks currently play in the Provincial Junior Hockey League in the Doherty Division.  In their short time in Junior C, the Applejacks have already earned a Schmalz Cup in 2023 as the champions of Junior C hockey in Ontario. The Applejacks moved to a brand new home in 2023.  The Bill Gies Recreation Centre was built as a replacement for the outdated Wellesley Arena.  The Rec Centre was named after donor Bill Gies who was a home builder in the area.  Construction delays and funding issues forced the Applejacks to begin the 2023 season at the St. Clements Arena.  Wellesley is a township that includes the town proper and surrounding agricultural areas and small communities, with a township population of over 11,000. Food & Beverage 2 There is a very small snack bar on a temporary table in the upper level of the Bill Gies Recreation Centre that doubles as the Blueline Club.  Chips, candy and popcorn are available.  Pepsi products and coffee are the main soft drinks available, however if fans wish to try something truly local, then the hot apple cider will be the drink of choice.  A kiosk in the same area sells beer and other alcoholic beverages. Atmosphere 3 Bill Gies Recreation Centre is one of the newest facilities in the PJHL.  The exterior is fairly simple with light siding above tinted glass and dark brick.  The main entry to the centre is on the east side.  It opens to a lobby with temporary tables selling tickets and 50/50 tickets.  Since the building is new, there is not much in the way of history or other interesting items about the community for fans to look at.  The lobby is at ice level and has windows allowing fans to see the game.  Fans will need to head up the stairs to access the Blueline Club and the seating area.  The Blueline Club is above the lobby at the east side and also has temporary merchandise tables. Inside the arena, entry is from the east side and the ice is oriented from west to east.  The spot to get that perfect centre ice logo picture is from the south.  All of the seating in the arena is on the south side, which includes five rows of plastic seats.  The sections closest to the ends offer wooden benches.  The seating area is elevated above the ice surface providing better sightlines.  The bottom row of seating is at about the same height as the top of the glass.  A bit of a unique aspect of this arena is the track that encircles the ice surface at the upper level.  On the west end and north side it offers the perfect view for fans who like to stand during the game, but for whom ice level is not choice.  The northwest corner offers a mini-stick arena which can keep the youngsters occupied as well as keep those pesky mini stick games contained.  A simple scoreclock hangs above centre ice and to the west are the Wellesley Applejacks championship banners, featuring the 2023 Schmalz Cup.  The Applejacks embrace their history also keeping banners for their Junior D titles. The gameday production at an Applejacks game is fairly simple.  The PA system is good and the announcer does a good job with announcements and promotions, not getting overly excitable and more difficult to understand.  His reference to the arena as the Wellesley Orchard is an original aspect of the team. Neighbourhood 2 Wellesley is a small community at the west end of Waterloo Region.  It is the epitome of a small town.  There are a couple of spots for pre or post game food or drink, however, fans may want to consider doing their research for gameday as Wellesley is very quiet at night.  Schmidtsville Restaurant and Olympic Pizza are the options in town.  Fans will have to head to Waterloo if they are looking for something else.  The Applejacks are definitely the only game in town, but Wellesley is close to New Hamburg, Tavistock and Woodstock so away games are not a challenge at all.  The area is known for the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival.  For fans wishing to stay in the area, there are some B&B possibilities.  Heading to Shakespeare or Waterloo will be where fans need to go for a more traditional hotel. Fans 3 Assessing fans in the PJHL is difficult as some teams do not publish attendance figures and the league does not compile and publish attendance statistics.  At the time of writing, for the 2023-24 season, the Wellesley Applejacks attracted around 230 fans per game.  The game being reviewed saw a good crowd of over 360 fans.  The previous season, the Applejacks attracted nearly 190 fans per game, however the Bill Gies Recreation Centre was just opened and the first 9 games of the season were held in St. Clements.  There is constant motion at an Applejacks game with kids running all over, one of the detriments of having a track around the rink.  The fans in attendance are knowledgeable and supportive and due to the competitive nature of the division, there are always plenty of fans of the visiting team as well.   Access 4 Getting to the Bill Gies Recreation Centre is not difficult.  It is located west of the traditional town of Wellesley at the west side of Waterloo Region.  It is at the end of Queens Bush Road at Hutchison Road.  It is 12 km from Highway 7-8 and there is plenty of rural driving to get to Wellesley so proper planning during the winter months is important as snow can be a real issue.  There is plenty of parking on site.  At the time of writing, there were no public transit options to get to Wellesley or the Rec Centre.  Getting around the arena is not a problem at all and the washroom facilities are adequate for the size of the facility. Return on Investment 4 PJHL hockey offers some of the best returns on investment possible.  Tickets for the Applejacks are $12 with discounts for students, seniors and children.  Tickets must be purchased at the door and cash or debit are accepted.  Children 5 and under are free.  Parking is free and the concession prices are good.  The quality of hockey is good and fans will have the opportunity to watch the action from an arena that is modern, clean, bright and comfortable.  Extras 3 An extra mark for the unique name and identity of the Applejacks that closely relates to the community. An extra mark for the Bill Gies Recreation Centre as a community hub. An extra mark for the Bill Gies Recreation Centre as a new, bright and modern facility. Final Thoughts The Bill Gies Recreation Centre is a new, modern, clean facility which is home to a Junior C hockey team that has the support of the community.  The Wellesley Applejacks offer a fun experience for fans and at the end, the “A is for Apple … J is for Jacks” jingle might just be stuck in their heads! Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Ramsey Center 92 Catamount Road Cullowhee, NC 28723 Western Carolina Catamounts website Ramsey Center website Year Opened: 1986 Capacity: 7,826 Catamount Country Basketball has been played at Western Carolina University since 1928 when it was a junior college. Just a year later, the school would be chartered as a four-year teacher’s college named Western Carolina Teacher’s College. Originally playing as members of what is now the Conference Carolinas starting in 1930, Western Carolina would continue this partnership until 1969 when they left the NAIA ranks to join NCAA’s Division I. After starting their transition as an independent program for the 1969-70 season, the Catamounts have played as members of the Southern Conference since 1977. The highlight of Western Carolina basketball likely came in 1963 when the Catamounts advanced to the NAIA national championship game before losing to Texas Pan-American. 1996 would see another major high-water mark in Catamount basketball history, as the team won the Southern Conference tournament and advanced to their only NCAA Tournament appearance in school history. The 16 seeded Catamounts would give the number 1 seeded Purdue Boilermakers all they could handle, before falling in the final minutes by a score of 73-71. Western Carolina basketball has had three on-campus homes, first playing at Breese Gym which was a product of the Works Progress Act of the New Deal in 1939, until that venue was replaced by Reid Gym in 1956. Reid Gym would be home to Western Carolina basketball for 30 years until it was replaced with today’s home, Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center. All three of these facilities are still in use on campus.   Food & Beverage   3 Concessions are available both on the concourse and on the court level. Options are a bit on the limited side, but the staples are taken care of – hot dogs, personal sized pizzas, jumbo pretzels, and nachos with cheese sauce are available, along with the familiar candy, popcorn, and chips. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are offered. Soft drinks are from the Pepsi family, as is bottled water and Gatorade. A handful of hard seltzers and teas, as well as wine, are also available. Typical nationally recognized beers are offered, as are Sierra Nevada's’ Hazy Little Thing and the Western Carolina Catamount-branded Paws Pilsner.   Atmosphere   3 Ramsey Center is a multi-use facility that hosts concerts, graduations, and other large events, so it is considerably larger than the typical crowd basketball might draw. The upper levels of seating are tarped off, which helps to concentrate more fans around the court itself, while student seating runs the entirety of the seating bowl behind the team benches; both of these go a long way in creating as much of a home court advantage as possible. The seats here are colored with a gradient pattern that emulates the setting mountain sun, which does a good job bringing the personality of the western Carolina mountains into the Ramsey Center. In a bit of subtlety, the interior lighting also creates a purple hue as the backdrop for the arena. A four-sided overhead scoreboard shows a video feed of the game; despite the screens being a bit on the smaller size, they fit the size of the Ramsey Center perfectly. A secondary screen at one end of the court provides individual player statistics, but it uses a screencast computer display which can be a bit busy to sort through. Alternatively, the opposite walls of the seating area have more traditional, time-score-foul scoreboards. In a bit of a throwback to a past era of college basketball, the Cathouse pep band is a featured part of breaks in the action at Ramsey Center, and while popular music still has its place as part of the game experience, the Cathouse band really dominates the time during stoppages in play. Many breaks in the action are filled with on-court games involving both students and members of the general fan base. Though some of the games are what might be found at many other sporting events, a handful are unique twists on old favorites. In all, the game is a fun experience that just seems to be missing the air of excitement that consistency in the win column would bring. Over the past two decades, the Catamounts have struggled to string together consecutive winning seasons, with just two during that period – the atmosphere is right for a truly electric experience that comes with consistent winning. With four coaches since 2017, though, being able to build a stable program appears to have been a challenge; such is life for small school programs, whose coaches who are often poached by schools in larger conferences following a successful run.   Neighborhood   3 On campus, Ramsey Center is in the Western Carolina University concentration of athletic facilities. The eastern concourse of the arena overlooks the adjacent Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmore Stadium , home of Catamounts’ football. The town of Cullowhee is nearly exclusively made up of Western Carolina University, so there are a limited number of places to grab a bite to eat near campus. One stop might be Rogers Bros., whose menu is typical pub grub, while Nobel Residence Hall on Centennial Drive houses a selection of options, such as Chili’s and Subway, along with a taproom for local Innovation Brewing. The neighboring town of Sylva has a larger selection of restaurants, both chain and locally owned, as well as the main brewing operations for Innovation Brewing. Throughout the winter months, the Tuckaseegee River is a popular spot for fly fishing. The area is also known for its numerous waterfalls through nearby Cashiers, Franklin, and Highlands. In addition, the Blue Ridge Parkway that runs just west of Cullowhee is known for its picturesque drives. Though Cullowhee itself might not have an abundance of stops to fill the time before or after a game, the area has plenty of options to make a full day of a trip to Catamounts basketball.   Fans   3 Crowds at Ramsey Center do tend to be a bit on the smaller size, averaging roughly 1,800 fans per game; this puts the Catamounts in the lower half of the Southern Conference in terms of attendance overall. Students do their part showing up to support Catamounts basketball – a line for students starts forming more than an hour before the doors open. While students fill much of the seating behind the benches, however, they tend to be a bit more reserved in their enthusiasm, other than a cluster of them at center court. Credit should be given, though, to the Catamounts pep band and their efforts to create a home court atmosphere. Support for the basketball program seems to be split evenly between students and alumni/community members.   Access   3 With no direct interstate access in the immediate vicinity, Cullowhee, North Carolina is not a town that one would just happen upon while passing through the area. The town is most readily accessible from the south via US Highway 23, or from northern points by way of US-74. The mountainous nature of its surroundings also limits the number of roads leading to Cullowhee. Parking is available in close proximity to Ramsey Center, with surface lots concentrated on the west and northwestern sides of the arena – both of these lots are just a short walk across the street. A large parking garage is also found to the south. Inside the facility, an exterior concourse runs around the entirety of the arena and is wide enough to make navigation pretty easy. The top of the seating area is also wide enough to allow fans to move to almost any other part of the arena without losing their view of the court – this set up is a small, but nice feature that helps simplify getting around the arena.   Return on Investment   4 Online tickets for Catamounts basketball games start at $11 for adults and $6 for children. A $3 fee is added to online ticket purchases, so you should factor in roughly $15 per ticket when you attend. Concessions prices at Ramsey Center are as forgiving as you will probably find at any other college basketball arena; given these low costs, the primary factor in terms of return on investment may simply be the time associated with traveling to Cullowhee.   Extras   4 Catamount mascot Paws is an active part of the game experience – the purple accented mountainous feline makes its way around the stands, helping lead the rounds of the Western Carolina fight song, stopping for photos, and assisting with on-court contests. The wall of the southwest entry point displays the story of Henry Logan, who became the first Black intercollegiate athlete in the state of North Carolina in 1968. Logan was a four-time NAIA All-American and still holds the school record for points in a game (60), points in a season (1,049), and career scoring average (30.7). Logan also led the nation in scoring as a senior, averaging 36.2 ppg. The rafters of Ramsey Center recognize the retired numbers of Catamount legends, as well as the accomplishments of the teams that call the venue home, namely men’s and women’s basketball, and volleyball. One banner of note that hangs amongst the Catamounts retired numbers is one recognizing Ronnie Carr, who made the first three-point basket in college basketball history. Western Carolina also might display the largest American flag in all of college basketball during the singing of the National Anthem ; just prior to the start of the song, a massive flag unfurls at the visiting end of the floor, an impressive display of patriotism.   Final Thoughts Western Carolina does a good job at taking what could easily feel like a dated facility and bringing a modern feel to it, helping to create a comfortable college basketball atmosphere that nicely complements the game on the court. But the experience goes beyond just the comfort of the arena – there also seems to be a special connection between the athletic program here and the surrounding community. Unlike larger schools with massive followings, Western Carolina appears to have a deep emotional bond with its students, alumni, and community members; this close-knit relationship helps makes the game experience truly special, going beyond just the action on the court.

If you enjoyed ESPN's recent doc, The New York Sack Exchange , which focuses on the ups and downs of the Jets' fierce defensive line in the '80s, you must read Greg Prato's book, Sack Exchange , which is a 400-plus page oral history of the '80s Jets. In addition to the Sack Exchangers, Greg interviews their teammates, the coaches, their opponents, and one hilarious, Jets fanatic. It's compelling, especially for Jets fans.  The book is available here . You can find Greg on Twitter @GregPratoWriter. STADIUM JOURNEY: We must ask. The Jets just hired a new coach, Aaron Glenn. Thoughts? Will the playoff drought continue? GREG PRATO:   I would have preferred a head coach with not only prior head coach experience, but also success in the postseason and at least 1 Super Bowl appearance. Hopefully, Mr. Glenn works out, but judging from the Jets' awful track record regarding head coach hiring post-Rex Ryan, I'm not going to get my hopes up too high. I hope I'm wrong though. STADIUM JOURNEY:  You were primarily a music writer and then you tackled the '80s Jets. What inspired you to take this massive project on? GREG PRATO:   The early '80s was when I first started following sports, and since I've lived on Long Island my whole life, the Jets, Islanders, and Mets were all either amid success - Islanders and Jets - or at least taking steps towards it - Mets. But unlike the Isles and Mets, the Jets didn't go the distance in the '80s. But that said, I had fond memories of those teams and never saw a book solely about that era, so, why not do a book? STADIUM JOURNEY: Sack Exchange is a 400-plus page behemoth. How long did it take you to get this thing done? GREG PRATO:   To be honest it's been quite some time since it came out  - heck, Rex Ryan was still their head coach at the time - and I've put out so many other books that I can't recall exactly. But if I had to guess I'd say about a year to do the interviews, assemble it, then a year for ECW Press to design it and put it out. STADIUM JOURNEY: Who was your toughest interview to nail down? GREG PRATO:   None were difficult to nail down from what I remember. I just wish I was able to interview Freeman McNeil, but my efforts proved unsuccessful. Someone else I tried to get an interview for the book was Sam J. Jones, who played Flash Gordon in the 1980 film and whose character was also the QB for the Jets. A few good questions would have been good to include in the book such as: "If you weren't busy saving the universe, could you have guided the Jets to victory in the 1982-83 AFC Championship Game?" Unfortunately, my efforts wound up being intercepted by AJ Duhe.  STADIUM JOURNEY: You interview one Jets superfan for the book. Johnny "Bubba" Caruso is quite the character, to put it mildly. How'd you find Bubba? GREG PRATO:   Johnny "Bubba" Caruso is a relative of my wife. He is probably the biggest Jets fan I've ever met and is an unforgettable personality. I just knew I had to include him in the book. Luckily, he accepted and his quotes, and memories remain among my favorite of the entire book, as he attended many Jets games at old Shea back in the day.  STADIUM JOURNEY: Are your memories of Shea Stadium good ones? Or did you think the Jets needed to escape to Jersey? GREG PRATO:   I unfortunately never saw a Jets game at Shea, although I did see many Mets games there. I did not like - and still don't like - that the Jets play in Jersey. What will it take for the team to come back to Queens? Maybe a move back to Queens would get rid of the awful stench of the Jets' history ever since they fled for Jersey in '84.  STADIUM JOURNEY: Since you're a music guy, did you see any concerts at Shea?  GREG PRATO:   I did not, although I've seen tons of concerts at nearby Nassau Coliseum back in the day. STADIUM JOURNEY:  It would've been fitting if you were in ESPN's documentary. Did they interview you? GREG PRATO:   They did not. For some reason, Greg Prato turns into a ghost-like character when it comes to being interviewed for documentaries, as evidenced by docs such as the ESPN Sack Exchange one and a recent yacht rock doc, even though I penned a popular book entitled The Yacht Rock Book a few years back. I plead with future documentary-makers: Greg Prato is not a ghost. Greg Prato is a real man. And Greg Prato has feelings, just like everyone else. STADIUM JOURNEY: If you were to write a book on the '90s Jets, what's the title? And by the way, are you considering doing that? GREG PRATO:   I am not considering it, but it's not a bad idea.  A title? How about A Tale of Tuna, Testaverde, and a Torn Tendon ? Also, I must admit that in addition to penning the Sack Exchange book, I also issued another book a few years back that deals with the '90s and all eras of the Jets, entitled Butt Fumbles, Fake Spikes, Mud Bowls & Heidi Games: The Top 100 Debacles of the New York Jets , which is also available via Amazon. STADIUM JOURNEY: Should the Jets return to Queens? Do you think there's a chance that it could happen? GREG PRATO:   They should move back to Queens. But Woody Johnson is not a good owner and is obviously content making big bucks whether the Jets win or lose, so why put in any extra effort?  Jon Hart is  @manversusball

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Ocean Bank Convocation Center 11200 Southwest 8th Street Miami, FL 33199 Florida International Golden Panthers website Ocean Bank Convocation Center website Year Opened: 1986 Capacity: 5,000 College Basketball in Miami’s ‘Burbs FIU basketball isn’t exactly steeped in historic excellence – known more for their hiring and firing of Isiah Thomas as their head coach a decade ago than for consistent winning, the FIU program has had a rough go of it the last few years. Ironically, the team’s facility seems to show the same dreary emotion; in an arena that looks state-of-the-art from the outside and in the lobby, the reality of what awaits inside is rather disappointing. The exterior and lobby are a result of a facelift that makes the venue initially welcoming, akin to that of the Tampa Bay Rays. While the program is doing the best with what they have, however, it clearly shows its age and deficiencies.   Food & Beverage   3 There isn’t anything spectacular about the Ocean Bank Convocation Center concession stands, nor is there anything inherently bad. Food is not very expensive either; cheeseburgers cost $9, hot dogs are $8, and salted pretzels are $7, while treats like candy ($3), and chips ($3), cotton candy ($6), and ice cream ($8) are also available. Drinks are $4 for water, soda, or Gatorade, but you can also find lemonade ($3) and Celsius ($8). Beer ranges from $8 to $9.   Atmosphere   2 The best thing here is the unique floor design that FIU’s court features – with waves crashing onto a beach on one side and tropical palm trees on the other, the floor definitely stands out. That, however, is where the uniqueness ends. The arena echoes a lot with poor acoustics, so the little noise that is made by the few fans in attendance is amplified, oddly making it seem even more empty. Also, the extremely old lighting in the rafters hums loudly whenever it is turned on, making the arena feel every bit of its nearly 40 years of age. The upper stands were rarely ever opened all the way for fans, and in recent years have been completely folded back into themselves, creating seating only in the bottom-most sections. The blue folding seats have seen an upgrade in recent years, but still remind you more of old high school gymnasium seating than Conference USA college basketball, and the entire inside of the arena seems old, stuck in the midst of the 1980s. In fact, it’s hard to tell any difference between now and when the arena was used for the filming of an episode of Miami Vice, thanks to the wood paneling used for the end zone and upper-level seating sections. The upper concourse is no longer open to the public due to the small size of the crowds, so fans enter at the ground floor and continue into the arena through the ground floor instead of walking up to their seats. The nicest part of the arena is the exterior of the main entrance, which is complete with new entry doors, ticket booths, landscaping, and a statue of a Florida Panther, while the second floor features suites that are available but rarely used.   Neighborhood   3 FIU’s arena is located on campus, which makes it convenient to attend for students. Unlike stadiums in the middle of a city, though, there is a sense of security on campus, as you are seemingly separated from the rest of the neighborhood around it. However, there still remains the issue of how that surrounding neighborhood looks, and it isn’t exactly the best in Miami. However, upgrades have come to the Sweetwater area in recent years, thankfully, making it better. While Sweetwater is a town known locally for its political corruption and severe street flooding during hurricanes, a recent increase in restaurants and high-rise apartments across from campus has meant that the immediate area looks better than before. Put a college campus in the middle of it, and you have FIU. The campus itself is growing by the day, with new construction all over the place and new buildings popping up. Ocean Bank Convocation Center is on the far west end of campus, situated in a corner near FIU’s tennis courts and a parking garage. Very few hotels are nearby, making the idea of an overnight trip hard if you want to stay close to the action.   Fans   2 It is hard to get really excited about college basketball when few fans show up. Most students who do show up only stay for part of the game, often coming and going throughout the evening – few are actually passionate fans who follow the progress of the team on a game-by-game basis. Some student athletes do attend to support friends on the team, but that also is on an “as I was passing by” basis. One of the most disappointing things is the fact that the arena, as old as it is, looks even more so without fans, and the lack of excitement and electricity in the facility is hard to ignore during college basketball games.   Access   3 Getting to any stadium at FIU isn’t too hard, but traffic can sometimes be problematic. As is typical in Miami, traffic backs up right around the exits nearest FIU’s campus on a daily basis. If you find yourself hoping to get to a game and rush hour happens to have lasted a little longer that day, you may be in for a late arrival. That said, plan accordingly and give yourself more time than you think you’ll need – the campus is right off Florida’s Turnpike.   Return on Investment   3 Tickets for FIU basketball start at just $8 for general admission seating, and go up to $10 for assigned seats. Courtside seats are impressively priced at just $60, a steal for college basketball in a big market. Parking is plentiful nearby in school lots (Lot 10) and garages (Panther Garage 3), both of which offer parking which can be paid for using your phone. The investment in a ticket, travel, and concessions may be affordable in terms of what you get back, but there simply isn’t anything to get overly excited about here – for the same amount of money and investment of time and travel, one could travel to the eastern side of Miami for another NCAA basketball experience that far outperforms FIU in a better location, or you could go north to Boca Raton for an FAU basketball game .   Extras   3 There are often giveaways to students and fans at FIU basketball games, and that is never a bad thing.  FIU’s mascot Roary is also a frequent visitor to games, mingling with fans and trying to pump up the energy. Lastly, the FIU dance team, cheerleaders, and band are always on hand to liven up the experience, including the use of a spiral wheel and inflatable mascots to distract visiting free throw shooters.   Final Thoughts FIU basketball is doing the best they can with what they have been given. The face lift to the arena was much needed, and has improved the fan experience, but not by much. Unfortunately, a lack of success on the court, mixed with not having a rich history, means this program is often overlooked and skipped by fans in the over-saturated sports market that is Miami.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Multipurpose Activities Center 1 Campus Dr Mont Alto, PA 17237 Penn State-Mont Alto Nittany Lions website Multipurpose Activities Center (MAC) website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 1,500 Another Penn State Penn State-Mont Alto is a commonwealth campus of Pennsylvania State University located in Mont Alto, PA approximately 45 minutes south of Harrisburg, PA. There are a little less than 1000 full-time students who attend the university. The Pennsylvania State University is a geographically dispersed university with campuses located throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Most people only know of the flagship University Park campus. Penn State-Mont Alto teams participate as members of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). The Nittany Lions are also a member of the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC). All members of PSUAC are Penn State Commonwealth campus with team nicknames such as Lions, Roaring Lions, and Nittany Lions. Mont Alto's teams use the Nittany Lions name. It seems like it could get confusing at times. Penn State Mont Alto has nine four-year and seven two-year degree programs. The school began in 1903 as the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy and the forest technology is still well regarded to this date. In 1929 the Forest Academy merged with Pennsylvania State University, establishing Penn State Mont Alto. We attended the venue during a men's and women's doubleheader and the images are from the women's action. The experience should be the same no matter what game you attend. Food & Beverage 1 There is no permanent concession stand, although vending machines are available. Atmosphere 3 The arena is a gym that is similar to many high school gyms. Because of the size, it can get loud pretty quickly depending on the game's action. Neighborhood 3 Penn State Mont Alto has a small population of 1,580. There is not much to do around town as the university covers most of the small community. Frank's Taste of Italy is the only restaurant in town. You would need to go to Chambersburg, Gettysburg, or Emmitsburg across the line in Maryland for more options. Fans 3 There were a decent number of fans in attendance and they were quite enthusiastic.  You are also likely to find a good number of fans of the opposing teams as many of the opposing schools are located close by. Access 2 Penn State Mont Alto is located in a small town with only small roads leading to it. It is not difficult to find but it is in a very rural setting. Parking should be easy even during weeknight games. Return on Investment 4 There is no cost to attend a game at Penn State-York and the parking is free. . Extras 2 We liked the lion statue in the lobby. There is a nice display of Penn State-Mont Alto's athletic history in the building's lobby. Final Thoughts The simple gymnasium at Penn State-Mont Alto is a fun place to watch a game.

Photos by Richard Smith , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Nelson Gymnasium 1015 Philadelphia Ave Chambersburg, PA 17201 Wilson Phoenix website Nelson Gymnasium website Year Opened: unknown Capacity: 250 Phoenix Rising Wilson College is a private liberal arts college located in Chambersburg, PA. that almost closed in 1979 but ended up staying open. Until 2014, Wilson was an all-women’s college but became coed that year. The college is known for its Single Parent Scholars program, which allows single parents to bring their children to live with them on campus. A little over 1,000 total students attend Wilson. Their sports teams are the Phoenix and the basketball team plays at Nelson Gymnasium. They are a member of the United East Conference. Wilson has six women’s sports teams and five men’s sports teams. Food & Beverage 0 There is no permanent food stand open for basketball games. Atmosphere 3 Nelson Gymnasium is one of the smallest gyms we have seen for NCAA action. This does make it a pretty loud experience for even games with very few fans. There is a small set of bleachers, a simple set of scoreboards, and a simple PA system. It is a fun place to see a game but the atmosphere won't wow someone expecting more traditional NCAA action. Neighborhood 3 Chambersburg is a nice little town located just to the north of the Maryland and Pennsylvania border. There are a few food and drink options in the immediate vicinity. You can’t go wrong with Mario's Italian Restaurant or the Copper Kettle. There are other options as it is a fairly busy area with quite a variety of places to go. Nearby Shippensburg or Hagerstown in Maryland, also each have many options. Fans 3 As with most small college gyms, the bulk of the fans tend to be family or friends of both teams. There will be some local fans who just happen to stop by for the game as well. Access 4 Chambersburg is located right off Interstate 81, a major route from the south through to the northeast. Accessing the campus is easy as you get off that main road as it is marked well. The college is located about half an hour from the state capital Harrisburg. It is also about an hour and a half to Baltimore and the same distance to Philadelphia. Parking is fairly plentiful near the gym and it is free. Return on Investment 5 Tickets and parking are free. Extras 1 The quaint gym is an extra on its own. Final Thoughts There is not too much to see at a Wilson basketball game, but the setting is still a pleasant place to see some intercollegiate action.

When the original professional Brockton Rox baseball franchise decided to demote itself from the independent Can-Am League to the Summer Collegiate Futures Collegiate League, they promised their fans the move was a temporary one, and they would move back to the professional circuit once they straightened out their finances. That was in 2012. Today, at a press conference held in the Brockton City Hall, the return of the Brockton Rox to professional baseball was finally announced. The new ownership group, consisting of members of the Frontier League’s New York Boulders' ownership group and Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Rice, proudly unveiled their new logo and mission, calling 2025 a “revival season” for baseball in Brockton. The original Rox franchise, which has played in the summer collegiate Futures League for 13 seasons, folded at the end of the 2024 season. The team’s owners decided to focus their finances and energies on the professional New England Knockouts. This new ownership group’s first act was to revive the city’s recognizable franchise name, the Rox, which is a derivative of the names of the nearby Red Sox and local boxing legend Rocky Marciano. The Rox ownership group poses at the press conference announcing the rebranding. Co-owners Bill and Rob Janetschek were part of the group that purchased the New York Boulders in 2020. The elder Janetschek and Rice were both part of the Fenway Sports Group at the minor league level. Joining forces in Massachusetts was a no-brainer for both of them. Said Janetschek, "The first person that came to mind, as far as trying to engage someone from the local community, was Jim. When I found out about this opportunity, I reached out and said, 'Would you like to be an owner of the team in Brockton?' It took him 30 seconds to say yes." Co-owner Shawn Reilly stated that ownership’s first mission will be to put a competitive team on the field for 2025. They will then focus on longer-term projects, such as hosting non-baseball events like concerts and holiday festivals at Campanelli Stadium. Reilly said the team will offer lower ticket prices and a series of promotional nights, such as Star Wars night. Re-engaging the community after years of lackluster attendance will be a priority. Reilly pointed to a sold-out game played by the Savannah Bananas in 2023 as proof that “if you give them a reason to come, people will come.” Rox co-owner Shawn Reilly addresses the crowd. “This is a great sports town. We know it’s here,” Reilly said. “We’re really excited to be here to bring professional baseball back. I can promise you our ownership group and front office will work hard every day to bring affordable family entertainment to the residents of the city.” The Rox open their Frontier League season on the road on Friday, May 9 at the Tri-City ValleyCats. Their home opener is scheduled for Friday, May 16 against the New York Boulders at Campanelli Stadium.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Fishers Event Center 11000 Stockdale St. Fishers, IN 46037 Indy Ignite website  Fishers Event Center website Year Opened:  2024 Capacity:  7,500 The Indy Ignite Ready to Ignite Indianapolis The Indy Ignite are members of the Pro Volleyball Federation and play at the Fishers Event Center. The club began play in 2024 and attracted a crowd of 6,089 for its inaugural game.  The 8-team league provides a livable wage to women volleyball players with salaries. The Indy Ignite name was announced a year before its first game and pays tribute to the burning passion of the volleyball community, the fierce deterioration of its athletes, and the league’s effort to spark a new interest in women’s pro sports. The golden torch logo is inspired by the state flag and the bronze statue of Victory atop the Soldiers & Sailors Monument in downtown Indianapolis. Food & Beverage 4 The Fishers Event Center offers multiple food and beverage spots on the first and second floors. The Fuel Zone locations offer fans grab-and-go options for food and beverages. Customers pick up their items and pay for them with their credit card. There are a few kiosks where cheesesteaks and supreme nachos are prepared to order. The arena’s food court is divided into two sections: District Eats for quick bites like freshly made burgers and pizza held individually under warmers, and District Drinks for refreshing beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.  Other items include giant-sized brats, barbecue pork sandwiches, ham and cheese kolaches, burgers, and hot dogs. Kickin’ Chicken prepares fried chicken sandwiches in front of customers for its sandwiches: regular, Buffalo, and Nashville hot. There is plenty to wash down all the food with Coke products, beer, wine, hard seltzers and ciders, and mixed cocktails. The city's historic railyard inspires the Railyard Pub. The elevated bar offers packaged beers and signature cocktails: Kentucky lemonade, margaritas, and Moscow mules. The local beers include Full Day Ray, Sun King, and King Jugg varieties, within 3 miles of the arena. King Jugg makes the official Black Dog Indy Fuel Ale. All of the beer comes by the can and is available in the grab-and-go from the refrigerators.  Atmosphere 3 Professional volleyball is new to the Indianapolis market, and fans have taken an interest in the Ignite. The first game attracted a sell-out crowd of 7,000 people, while the second game filled the arena to 75 percent capacity. Fans line up for merchandise and then after the game for post-game autographs. The court is set up in the middle of the floor with additional private seating on each side. One of these areas is filled with a group of supporters banging inflatable thundersticks and a mini-bar area for easy access for fans sitting courtside. The team’s mascot, Pepper, walks around this area for pictures. Fans are concentrated on the action on the court, which could be as short as 90 minutes to 2 and a half hours. There are plenty of “oohs” and “ahhs” during long sets where the players make acrobatic and diving moves to keep the ball alive. Music is played briefly after each scoring and during breaks between sets. There are moments of entertainment during breaks, including the Firestarter Dance Team, on-court gimmicks for kids, and a giant volleyball game with an inflatable ball in the stands.  Only clear bags are permitted. Non-clear bags must be smaller than 4.5” x 6.5”, and the arena is a cashless venue. All concessions and merchandise must be made through credit card, debit card, or mobile payment. There are no programs offered at the game. Neighborhood 4 The FEC is in Fishers, Indiana, off of I-69. The arena is within walking distance of   The Yard at Fishers District,   which features a variety of restaurants and bars. They include quick bites such as Shake Shack, Chicken Salad Chick, Torchy’s Tacos, and Bibibop Asian Grill.  The 1933 Lounge, The HC Tavern and Kitchen, and the Sangiovese Ristorante are fine choices. Sun King Brewery is located at The Yard and includes The Fishers Test Kitchen, local chef-inspired cuisine, and rotating test concepts. A few blocks across the interstate are a few more choices, including Full Day Ray Restaurant and Brewery, Parks Place Pub, and King Jugg Brewery. Indiana’s only IKEA and Top Golf locations are within eye-sight of the arena, along with Portillo’s, a spot for iconic Chicago food: Italian beef, Vienna beef hot dogs, sandwiches, and ribs. Fans 4 The fanbase for Ignite games is a mix of die-hard volleyball and casual fans.  They enjoy watching a professional volleyball match and cheer with attacks and kills on the court. When it is a match point, the crowd stands until the game is over. After the match, fans line up in the lower concourse to secure an autograph or photo with their favorite players. Access 5 Fans cannot walk around the upper concourse, as the premium club and suites take up the majority of the western portion of the building. Fans enter from the ground floor and access staircases to the upper concourse. There is enough room to walk around during volleyball games. A few standing-room-only spots towards the northern part of the concourse have slightly obstructed views. Return on Investment 3 There is a demand for Ignite tickets. The costs start at $30 (plus $12.50 fees) on the team’s site and Ticketmaster. Some secondary websites list tickets around the same place or slightly higher for home matches.  The average price for standard admission tickets is around $21.60 before fees. Parking is hassle-free, with 2,000 spaces around the FEC. Fans can pre-pay for the game or scan to pay upon arrival. The cost to park in the general admission lot is $10, while the VIP lot is $20. Menu prices include $6 for a hot dog to $13 for a chicken sandwich with a fry basket. Macro beers are $10, and microbrews are $13. The team shop offers plenty of options for the Ignite at-home games in the Fuel Shop. There is the Merch of the Night, an exclusive offer of 25% on select items each night. Extras 3 Players sign autographs after every game on the lower concourse; based on the number of fans waiting in line, there is a huge demand to meet the new stars of the city. The arena offers grab-and-go items from drinks to food for easy access to and from your seats. After every Ignite home victory, fans can grab a free appetizer with an entree item at the Parks Place Pub. Final Thoughts The Indy Ignite impacted the sports scene in town during its inaugural season. Management has done proper marketing and research, creating an interesting niche for fans in the area. It is an exciting time to be a fan of women's sports, and the PVF is among the many options to choose from here in the United States. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Westchester County Center 198 Central Avenue White Plains, NY 10606 Westchester Knicks website Westchester County Center website Year Opened: 1930 Capacity: 5,000 Westchester Knicks Have a Home in White Plains The Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League have made the Westchester County Center their home since 2014. It is a multi-purpose arena in downtown White Plains, New York approximately 33 miles from midtown Manhattan. The building is owned by the Department of Westchester County Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Westchester, which plays in the Eastern Conference, is the affiliate of the NBA’s New York Knicks. The G League, the letter G originates from its sponsorship by Gatorade, was founded in 2001 as the National Basketball Development League (NBDL). Every NBA team has a G League entry and there is one additional entry. The Mexico City Capitanes made their G League debut in the 2021-22 season playing exclusively on the road. The season consists of at least 50 games. The 2024-25 NBA G League season structure included two parts. The first segment was the second time 16-game Tip-Off Tournament. All 31 teams competed in the Tip-Off Tournament which culminated at the G League Winter Showcase presented by The General Insurance with the Winter Showcase Championship Game. The Winter Showcase concluded on December 22 with the Westchester Knicks defeating the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the final. The Knicks have won both tournaments. Following the tournament, team records were reset before the 34-game regular season which began on December 27. After the regular season, the top six teams in each conference qualify for the G League Playoffs presented by Google Pixel, which concludes with the G League Finals presented by YouTube TV beginning April 1. Top players who were called up from the G League include Danny Green, Alex Caruso, Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Duncan Robinson, Christian Wood, and Hassan Whiteside. On January 1, 2025, Tyler Kolek appeared in a rare double-header for the Knicks and the Westchester Knicks. Kolek, a second-round pick in 2024, scored 36 points and 11 assists for the Westchester Knicks and just hours later scored 2 points and 4 assists for the New York Knicks. The County Center is the perfect venue for a G League team. The venerable building, which opened in 1930, holds 5000 but the Knicks never come close to filling the building. The County Center does not host many other events. Dancing With the Stars, the Royal Hanneford Circus, Card Shows, and Trade Shows are some of the events that come to the County Center. The County Center also hosts the Section One high school basketball championships (consisting of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, and Rockland Counties) the first week of March. Two semifinal games and a championship game are played in three Classes and the championship game is in Class D. Food & Beverage 3 The Westchester County Center concession stands are run by Nathan’s and offer standard food choices such as burgers, hot dogs, cheesesteaks, chicken fingers, salads, French fries, popcorn, pretzels, soft drinks, and beer. Pepsi products are the beverage of choice. Mixed drinks, white claw, and high noon are also available downstairs at a small bar. Atmosphere 3 The County Center, renovated in 1988, has seating behind the South basket but has a Stage on the North Side called the Founders Club. The club is the Westchester Knicks version of the Delta Club at Madison Square Garden. A VIP wristband allows fans access to unlimited premium food, soft drinks, and a postgame free throw and photo at center court. There is additional premium seating with 10 round courtside tables on the right side of the building with six seats at each. There are nine rows of seats just behind the basket on the lower level which cost $22.25 per ticket. On the left sideline, the front section has nine rows of seats, and another section with eight rows. There are two video boards in the corners at the North End and one board above the basket in the South End that shows the lineups on the floor and running statistics. There are side line scoreboards that flash team statistics including rebounds, shooting percentage, assists, turnovers and time outs remaining. The boards are updated in real-time and are quite informative. The Knicks roll out many contests during time-outs and between quarters to get the crowd into the action including the always popular T-Shirt toss. The staff and the mascot, named Hudson, enthusiastically attempt to fire up the crowd and wave “Let’s Go Knicks” signs. Hudson’s jersey number is 914, the area code for Westchester County. The recorded organ sounds reverberate throughout the arena to ignite the offense, while the sound system blares a drum to enlist the chant of “De-fense” from the crowd. Just like a typical NBA game, the sound system is rarely silent. The sounds and music are played at an acceptable decibel level. Neighborhood 3 The area, which is safe, is fairly limited for pre-game options, but at least there are a few restaurants within walking distance on Central Avenue (City Limits Diner is probably the best option) and Smashburger is .3 miles away on Tarrytown Road. There is also Buon Amici, a solid classic Italian sit-down restaurant. The good news is the building is right off the Bronx River Parkway and less than a 10-minute walk to Metro North’s White Plains train station. It is also served by the Westchester County Bee Line Bus System. Fans 3 The Knicks do not draw big crowds but are popular with families, kids, and groups (schools and local recreational teams). On a weeknight, sometimes only 500 or more are in attendance but the weekends can attract crowds close to 2000. The crowd is somewhat complacent and waits for a big play or to be prompted by the music or scoreboard. The County Center was used as an emergency healthcare facility during the pandemic for almost three years. The Knicks had to play two seasons at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport Connecticut and only averaged 711 fans in 2022-2023 the second worst in the league. They returned to the County Center last season to the delight of the locals. The best places to follow the team are on social media including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Twitch TV, TikTok and the team website. Access 4 The good news is the County Center is easily accessible by car, bus, and a short walk from the downtown White Plains office and shopping district. There is also a Bee Line Bus Terminal and a Greyhound bus station next to the Metro North Station. The lobby/box office is small and can get crowded as game time approaches. The line to get in can back up as tip-off approaches. The seats are wide and offer excellent legroom since it is an older building. The only issue is the extremely small steps and no railings in the aisles which can be problematic. The design of the building is a benefit since there are no luxury suites and the upper level is situated directly above the lower which allows fans to be close to the court. The bathrooms are large and clean. Return on Investment 4 The return on investment is affirmative except for the first row in the lower level which are called celebrity seats and run $149. Lower level tickets are $49 but seats in the corner are only $16.85. Upper level is $28.60 at midcourt, $22.25 behind the basket. Section 60 right and 60 left upstairs offer a solid vantage point for $22.25. The upper level offers an excellent view but the sideline closest to the seats is not visible unless you are seated in the first two rows. The view directly behind the basket is somewhat obstructed. But if seated just to the right or left of the basket the view is stellar. Parking is $15 and there are two lots directly outside the building. There is free street parking if you are willing to drive around and hunt. The best bet for saving money is to sign up for texts and get 10% off merch plus information about ticket deals and giveaways. Extras 2 Points are awarded for the excellent views of the court from the balcony and also for the two Westchester Knicks School Day games which begin at 11:00 AM. Final Thoughts The Westchester County Center is worthy of a Stadium Journey. The Knicks provide fan-friendly entertainment and a chance to see talented players up close and at an affordable price. It is a worthy outing for families and fans of all ages. Follow Greg Venuto’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Facebook.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Gaughan Group Stadium Brisbane Rd. London E510 5NF Leyton Orient FC website Gaughan Group Stadium website Year Opened: 1937 Capacity: 9,271 Leyton Orient: Passion, Unity & Determination Leyton Orient FC is London’s second oldest football club, established in 1881 and competing in various leagues. They wear red, which symbolizes the passion, unity, and determination. The same can be said for their home, officially known as the Gaughan Group Stadium for sponsorship reasons. The O’s, as they are affectionately known, began play as Orient FC and was founded by members of the Homerton Theological College who had earlier formed a cricket club. During the winter months, they switched to football and, by 1898, adopted the name Orient since many members were involved in the Orient shipping line.  The club played at various stadiums before settling in at Brisbane Road in 1937. They have remained at the stadium since, but all four stands have been renovated since moving the old Mitcham Greyhound Stadium stand in 1955. It is now known as the Old Main East Stand, features the team name on its gable, and is used by home and away supporters. The Tommy Johnston Stand (South) Stand opened in 1999 and was named after the club’s all-time leading scorer. It has seats for 1,336 spectators and is a few feet above the pitch. The Justin Edinburgh (West) Stand opened in 2005 and seats 2,872 people. It is a tall and vertical structure and houses the team offices. The North End Stand was completed in 2007 and seats 1,351 people. Food & Beverage 4 On the day of our visit, the two concession stands at the corner of the West Stand were operating. The small area has quite a selection of items, from nachos, hot dogs, pies, ciders, and lagers. The options are few, but they are served hot and made with natural ingredients. An assortment of pies includes steak and kidney, chicken bāltī , chicken and mushroom, Tuscan bean, cheese, onion and potato, and pork sausage rolls. They are all homemade and minced meat pies served with double mash and covered with parsley sauce.  A pie and double mash costs £6.25 Nachos and hot dogs are served plain or with beef chili, nacho cheese, or both. All hot dogs are 100 percent beef and larger than ones at ballparks in the United States.  Snacks such as chocolate bars (Kit Kat, Snickers, and Twix), Pringles, sweet popcorn, and candy floss are available.` The Stadium Journey recommendation is the pie and double mash. It is priced at £6.25 ($8.15 US/$11.24 CAN). It is London comfort food and perfect for the cold fall days of the English Football League. Top it off with a dab of malt vinegar, or trade in the minced meat pie for one of the other varieties. Atmosphere 3 The game that we attended was a midweek Bristol Street Motors Trophy match. A midweek knockout cup competition in which EFL League One and League Two, plus an additional 16 invited sides from Premier League and EFL Championship clubs with Category One Academies. Only the west stand was open for fans, while the east stand was designated for the away team supporters. This was not the ordinary match for The O’s, but one underneath the floodlights. Fans for the game entered through either Gate 7 or 8 and made their way to their seats under the protective roof. Many grabbed a pre-game bite or drink in the two concession areas at the stand before heading to the seating before kickoff.   The club has two mascots, Theo and Cleo, who entertain fans, young and old, before the game and celebrate goals with them if applicable. Inspired by the club’s crest, the two wyverns first appeared during the 2000-2001 season.  Despite one stand being opening, while the east side stand was strictly for away fans, there was energy in the building. The supporters constantly encouraged the players every chance they had to score. When one goal finally got through, several fans rushed near the end line to hug and celebrate with one of the mascots.  Neighborhood 4 The Leyton neighborhood is in South London and is going through gentrification, with young professionals moving into the area. According to the Leyton Area Guide, “With the lively cafes on Francis Road, the bustling High Road, the family-friendly footie action and easy access to the Olympic Park, Leyton can often feel like a city within a city.” Francis Road is hopping with cafes, delis, shops, restaurants, and other curiosities that should entertain onlookers and guests before and after a match. Burnt is a smokehouse specializing in ribs and brisket. Bamboo Matt offers a South American twist on Japanese classics. Yardarm is a deli on one side and a wine bar on the other. Bread & Oregano offers traditional Greek street food. There are a few pubs to visit, including the Gravity Well Taproom, offering signature craft beer, vegan cuisine, and occasional kitchen residencies. William the Fourth Houses offers sports screens, a beer garden, and kitchen residences. Finally, The Leyton Star provides a chilled atmosphere for a pint and includes burgers and a game room. There are pubs for pre-game beer, including the Coach and Horses and Lion and Key. Fans 3 The O’s averaged 8,116 people last season in League One, the club's highest in 30 years. The support is solid at around 5,000 this century, with most based in east London. The Leyton Orient Supporters Club and the Leyton Orient Fans Trust are the two supporters groups at matches. The team has a rich history and a passionate fan base for London’s second-oldest club.  Fans provide constant encouragement to the players on the pitch. The O’s had a chance to score a goal. There were more “ohs” than “O’s” during the match, but it erupted when a goal was made. The same could be said for penalties and free kicks that the supporters felt didn’t go their way. Matches against its rivals, West Ham United, might bring out more revelry. Access 3 There is no public parking at the stadium, and permit parking is available on the residential streets. It is advisable to take public transportation; thankfully, there are plenty of options to Brisbane Road. The London Underground is a 10-minute walk along the Central Line. The London Overground is a 15-minute walk from the stadium. Bus 58, 69, 97, and 158 run near the stadium.  The stadium is separated into four different stands designated on your ticket stub. You must enter the proper section for admittance. There are nine entrances, including two exits (way outs) for away fans in the East Stand. Return on Investment 4 The cost of a ticket depends on the stand you are sitting in for the game. The cheapest adult ticket is £27-£33 for the North Stand, but the prices go up from £30-£37 for the West Stand. The prices are lower for seniors (concessions) and kids under 18, who gain admission for as low as £11 in the East or North Stands. Food prices are extremely reasonable. A pie and two mash costs £6.20, a pie by itself is £4.50, and a pint of beer is £5.80. Nachos and hot dogs start at £3.80 and £5.20 each. The team shop is open only before or after the match, with kits selling for £52.99 and team caps at £12.99. Extras 4 Leyton Orient scores additional points, which includes serving an array of  English football staples of pies, mash, and sausage rolls. The two mascots bring a nice touch to the match. They celebrate with fans in the stands. The stadium itself is a classic English football ground with tons of history. Lastly, the supporters' group was welcoming after the game in their club area. Final Thoughts There have been many changes with Orient since the new ownership arrived in 2017. The club had just been relegated to the Northern League, ending a 112-year stay in the EFL. Since then, the club won the Northern League title in 2019 and then the League Two title in 2024. The plan is to move higher, and it should be a fun ride to watch as the team continues its march. ------ Follow Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Facing a $24 million budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year, Sonoma State University, a public university that is part of the California State University System, announced a slew of budget cuts last week, including the cessation of all eleven of its sports programs at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. The cuts were announced via email by University administrators with virtually no notice to the student body or staff. In the email, administrators stated the cuts were being made to “best serve its current and future students and adapt to a changing higher education landscape.” In addition to the entire athletic department, more than 60 other employees will be losing their jobs. The art history, dance, earth and environmental sciences, economics, French, gender studies, philosophy, theater and women’s studies programs are all being eliminated. Administration pointed to a decade-long decline in enrollment and a resulting loss of tuition, scholarships and grants as a main reason for the budget deficit and need for cuts. The school’s current enrollment stands at under 8,000 students, including both undergraduate and graduate students. Sonoma State athletics has enjoyed some success over the years, winning national titles in women’s soccer in 1990, men’s soccer in 2002 and men’s golf in 2009. Five Sonoma State alumni have reached Major League Baseball (Marshall Brant, Daniel Barone, Tommy Everidge, O’Koyea Dickson and Scott Alexander). Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Allen attended Sonoma State. Seawolves teams have competed in 105 NCAA Division II Tournaments across 13 sports in their history. In the week since the announcement, there have been actions taken by people trying to save jobs and programs at the school. A complaint has been filed with the Office of Civil Rights, claiming that the school’s decision targets minority students unfairly. The Athletic Department at Sonoma State is more diverse than the student body at large. Meanwhile, affected students try to figure out what happens next, while trying to hold on to what they’ve built at Sonoma State. "On one hand, we're trying to get them somewhere else, but on the other hand we're asking them to fight and that's a lot to put on them," said assistant soccer coach Benjamin Ziemer. "It takes commitment from our family and our friends to get us the opportunity to go to college, and to have that take from athletes and non-athletes alike, it just breaks my heart because I know probably a good amount of those students are not going to be able to go to college again somewhere else," said Joseph Sotelo, a golfer and third-year student.

Photos by Paul Baker Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Whittemore Center 128 Main St. Durham, NH 03824 New Hampshire Wildcats men's hockey website Whittemore Center website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 7,500 100 Years of Wildcat Hockey   The first hockey team at the University of New Hampshire took the ice in 1925. For many years, the team played on an outdoor rink that was dependent on the elements for use. That all changed in 1965 with the construction of Snively Arena. Named for former coach A. Barr “Whoop” Snively, the classic barrel-shaped barn served as home to the Wildcats for 30 years. Snively Arena still stands today, used as a recreation center located adjacent to its successor, the Whittemore Center.   In 1995 the Whittemore Center was built next door to its predecessor for $30 million. Frederick B. Whittemore was a noted philanthropist and founding director of the UNH Foundation. The facility was dedicated to Frederick and the Whittemore family. Originally built with an Olympic-sized (200 feet by 100 feet) ice surface, the Whittemore Center ice surface was reduced slightly to “NHL size” (200’ by 90’) in a 2022 renovation. The venue hosted the Women’s Frozen Four in 2002, 2005, 2016 and 2024.   The Wildcats have qualified for the NCAA tournament 22 times, most recently in 2013. UNH has reached the Frozen Four seven times, finishing as national runners-up in 1999 and 2003. UNH counts among its alumni 25 First-Team All-Americans. 47 former Wildcats have played in the National Hockey League, most notably Hockey Hall of Famer Rod Langway.   The UNH women’s hockey team also calls the Whittemore Center home. They have qualified for five NCAA tournaments, most recently in 2010. They reached the Frozen Four once, in 2006, and won a national championship in 1998, before the NCAA sponsored the annual national championship tournament.   Food & Beverage 3   There are small concession stands located on each side of the rectangular-shaped concourse. Each stand features one pillar of the arena menu standards (hot dogs, burgers, pizza, chicken tenders) A variety of snacks can be found at each of these stands. Again, the basics (popcorn, pretzels, candy, nachos) are well represented. Fans looking for unique items can search for chili and cornbread, meatball subs, or baked goods served up at one of the portable stands. A stand serving up Dippin’ Dots is popular with the younger fans in attendance.   Coca-Cola products are featured at the Whittemore Center. Fans looking for an adult beverage can choose from several national brands of beer and wine. If craft beers are more your style, brews from several local breweries are featured, highlighted by the Go Cats IPA from Deciduous Brewing.   Atmosphere 5   At any college game, the game day atmosphere is driven primarily by the pep band and student section. At the Whittemore Center, the students don’t disappoint. While this student section may not be as loud and salty as others in New England, they make their presence known with a repertoire of chants and songs. The band plays through most play stoppages, creating a lively atmosphere.   Even though the Whittemore Center is a gray, concrete building, UNH has made great efforts to soften what could be a drab and cold facility. Photos fill the walls all over the Whittemore Center of current and former UNH teams, alumni who played in the NHL, displays of New Hampshire hockey history, and more. Banners honoring championship and tournament teams hang over the ice. There’s a lot to check out at Whittemore Center.   There are 50/50 raffles and in-game contests to keep casual fans interested. A large video board hangs at center ice and is put to good use with replays, hype videos, fan cams, and graphics.   A highlight of every Wildcat game is the tossing of the fish onto the ice surface. After New Hampshire scores their first goal, a student tosses a fish from the crowd onto the ice. The tradition is said to have begun in the late 70s to mock the opponents having to “fish” the puck out of their net.   Neighborhood 3   The University of New Hampshire dominates the small town of Durham. The Whittemore Center is located about a mile west of downtown on Main Street. Durham has a nice, traditional small-town college feel to it, and there are a few places worth checking out for a bite to eat if you are visiting here from out of town. Clarks American Bistro and the Hop and Grill highlight several options located in the downtown area.   Fans visiting UNH from out of town will often head east to Portsmouth, located just 11 miles from Whittemore Center. Portsmouth features a picturesque, walkable downtown with numerous quaint shops and excellent restaurants.   Since there are not many lodging options in Durham, head to Portsmouth for more choices. Boston, Massachusetts is about an hour’s drive south on I-95. The White Mountains are located just a ninety-minute drive north of Durham and feature spectacular foliage in the fall and many outstanding ski resorts in the winter.   Fans 5   New Hampshire averages around 5,000 fans per game annually, which places them in the top 15 of all Division One teams nationwide. New Hampshire is a hockey-crazed state and UNH has a legion of dedicated, knowledgeable fans. With the Wildcats’ membership in the Hockey East Conference, the home schedule is guaranteed to feature several top-ranked and local teams. It’s not unusual to see visiting fans in solid numbers at Whittemore Center. When traditional rival Maine is in town, expect the intensity to ratchet up a notch or two.   The student section is located behind the goal on the east end of the arena. Often packed to the brim, the students fill Whittemore Center with noise throughout the night. Access 3   Durham is a small town with a population of 15,000 located fifteen minutes west of Portsmouth and an hour north of Boston. The town is easy to reach from Interstate 95 and New Hampshire Route 4. The University of New Hampshire dominates Durham, with the campus straddling Main Street.   The Whittemore Center is located on the western edge of campus alongside UNH’s other athletic facilities, including Wildcat Stadium and Lundholm Gymnasium . There are several parking lots surrounding the athletic facilities, but most fans will park in Lot A across the train tracks from the arena.   Whittemore Center features a large lobby located between Hamel Recreation Center (the old Snively Arena) and the Whittemore Center Arena. After the long walk from your car on a cold New Hampshire winter night, this indoor lobby is most appreciated. A 360-degree concourse circles the rink atop the seating bowl. The rink is visible from most spots on the concourse.   Fans will walk down to their seats, which consist mostly of blue folding stadium seats, with molded bleachers on either end. Views from all seats are excellent. Although there are several concession stands and three sets of restrooms around the arena, lines do form during intermission. Time your trips wisely.   Return on Investment 3   Tickets to Wildcat hockey games cost $32 for sideline seats and $24 for end zone seats. Discounts are available for seniors, youth and members of the military. Parking in the many lots surrounding Whittemore Center is free. Concession prices feel a little bit on the high side but are comparable to other venues in the area. Overall, a night at a Wildcat hockey game is an affordable entertainment option for southern New Hampshire sports fans. Extras 5   The Wildcat statue that guards the entrance to the Whittemore Center on Main Street provides an excellent gathering spot and opportunity for a group photo before you head inside.   Extra points are awarded for the displays of New Hampshire hockey history all around the Whittemore Center. From the moment you enter the lobby of the Whittemore Center, you are presented with the best UNH has to offer.   Oversized photos of UNH All-Americans line the lobby walls along with the Hobey Baker Award won by Jason Krog and the Patty Kazmeier Award won by Brandy Fisher. Banners hang from the rafters honoring Wildcat tournament and championship teams, including the National Championship Women’s team in 1998.   The Charles Holt Gallery displays photos of every men's hockey team to represent the school and the Russ McCourty Gallery shows photos of every women’s hockey team. Look closely at the photos of the women’s teams from 1977-1991. You may notice that in every team photo, coach McCurty is holding his pet cat.   A final extra point is awarded for the tradition of throwing a fish on the ice after the Wildcat's first goal.   Final Thoughts   This mid-sized rink in a tiny town with an oversized ice surface is loaded with displays of New Hampshire hockey history and enthusiastic fans. Despite the small-town feel here in Durham, Boston is just over an hour away. The University of New Hampshire is well-situated for their second century of Wildcat hockey.   Just be careful, the fish toss doesn’t always go as planned…     Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Kinsmen Arena @ Fort Erie Leisureplex 3 Municipal Centre Drive Fort Erie, ON L2A 2S6 Fort Erie Meteors website Fort Erie Leisureplex website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 1,600 Fort Erie Family Affair Fort Erie, Ontario is probably best known for being that Canadian town on the opposite side of the border from Buffalo, New York. Fort Erie has a population of almost 31,000 and is the closest Canadian point to the Buffalo Sabres , however, it has a decent hockey tradition of its own. Fort Erie is currently the home of the Meteors of the Junior B level Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The franchise was founded in 1957 as the Frontiers with a branded period as the Autos before becoming the Meteors in 1971. Boasting alumni including former NHL players Randy Burridge, Stan Drulia, Jarrod Skalde, and Andre Deveaux, the Meteors are a real family business. Former owner Tony Passero passed away in 2019, leaving the team to his family. Meaghan Passero is the current owner and Nik and Anthony Passero are the coaches and General Manager. Home for the Meteors is the Fort Erie Leisureplex.  Built in 1996, the Leisureplex features the Kinsmen Arena, a main ice pad with seating for 1,600 and home of the Meteors as well as a second ice pad, banquet halls, and the Fort Erie Sports Gallery and Research Centre. Food & Beverage 3 The concession stand is accessed from the meeting room between the two rinks.  The menu includes the expected arena concession items including burgers, onion rings, hot dogs, chicken burgers, and fries.  Soft drinks include Coca-Cola products, Gatorade, Chocolate milk, water, coffee, tea and hot chocolate.  The game reviewed was the school day game and the Meteors welcomed a capacity crowd full of elementary school children.  Due to this, the concession lines were massive and it did not seem that there were alcohol sales.  It is assumed that the Meteors do have a Blueline Club-type area where alcohol is normally sold for regular games. Atmosphere 4 The Fort Erie Leisureplex is an attractive facility from the exterior.   The main entry is from the northeast corner and features light brown brick with large tinted windows with pillars and a covered entry.  There are a pair of ponds to the northeast with benches around them and a few memorials including the Angel of Peace and a memorial to workers who have died on the job.  This natural area is central to the Leisureplex and Fort Erie Town Hall, which is adjacent to the arena. Entering the Leisureplex brings fans into a large atrium, perfect for meeting friends before the game.  To the left is the Sports Gallery and Research Centre which appears to be open by appointment only.  A large staircase will have fans ascend to the main box office and Kinsmen Arena entry.  The landing at the top of the stairs offers access to the meeting room and windows to view both ice pads.  The landing also has a couple of arcade games and bubble hockey.  A trophy case can also be found on the landing, with Meteor artifacts specifically trumpeting the team’s 2024 Golden Horseshoe Conference Championship, the final one before the GOJHL reorganized. Inside Kinsmen Arena, the ice is Olympic-sized and oriented from northeast to southwest, with the best point for a centre ice logo picture from the southeast.  The seating bowl consists of six rows of plastic, maroon arena seats with plenty of space behind for standing room and to maneuver around the arena.  The northwest wall features painted visages of the greatest Fort Erie Athletes to give the rink a classic feel.  The northeast end features members of the Fort Erie Sports Wall of Fame, which includes the likes of Pierre Pilote and Randy Burridge. The gameday production at a Fort Erie Meteors game is akin to most other GOJHL games.  The teams are led to the ice by kids toting Meteors flags.  There is a Meteors mascot who is not employed by the team, but a fan who created a homemade outfit.  The PA announcer is good, however, the sound system does have some dead spots within the arena making announcements difficult to understand at times.  With the game being reviewed being the school day game, there are probably other promotions for regular games that did not apply to this particular game.  Neighbourhood 3 The Fort Erie Leisureplex is located in the Crescent Park neighborhood of Fort Erie. There are a few spots for pre and post game food and drink that are close by. Some choices include Green Acres Family Restaurant, Take 2 Restaurant and Bar, The Barrel, and The Plaice Bar and Grill. The Meteors are pretty much the only game in town, however there are other options that are close by. The region has other GOJHL teams including the Welland Jr. Canadians, Pelham Panthers and Port Colborne Sailors. The Junior A Niagara Falls Canucks and Buffalo Jr. Sabres are also in the area. The Buffalo Bills  and Sabres  are also just on the other side of the bridge. Other tourist options include the Fort Erie Racetrack.   For fans wishing to stay in the area, the Comfort Inn and Knights Inn are not far. Fans 3 At the time of writing, the Fort Erie Meteors averaged over 370 fans per game in the 2024-25 season.  That ranked them 14th in the GOJHL.  The previous season the Meteors averaged over 500 fans which ranked them 8th.  A normal game will probably find closer to 300 fans in the stands as the sold out school day game can skew the results a bit.    Access 4 The Fort Erie Leisureplex is located in the Crescent Park neighbourhood of Fort Erie.  It is south of Garrison Road on Municipal Centre Drive.  It is 2 km south of the Queen Elizabeth Way and west of the Peace Bridge.  Getting to the arena is not difficult and there is plenty of parking on site.  There is very limited public transit in the area and there are bus stops on Municipal Centre Drive.  Fans should consult the Niagara Transit website for fares, schedules and maps.  Even with a full house during the School Day game, getting around the arena is not terribly difficult, although the staircase to get to the Kinsmen Arena may require fans with mobility issues to look for the elevator.  The washroom facilities are adequate for the facility. Return on Investment 5 Fort Erie Meteors hockey offers tremendous value for the sporting dollar.  Meteors tickets are just $10.  Parking is free and concession prices are not too steep.  The product on the ice is solid and the arena is comfortable and provides a great atmosphere for hockey.  Overall, the Meteors put together an experience that will not cost much and offers fun for the whole family. Extras 3 An extra mark for the Fort Erie Meteors remaining a family business in the good hands of the Passero family. An extra mark for the Meteors as the only game in town. An extra mark for an excellent experience at the annual School Day Game. Final Thoughts The Fort Erie Meteors have been a family run business for years, from the time Tony Passero ran the team, to present day when his family continues the tradition.  The Kinsmen Arena @ Fort Erie Leisureplex offers a great atmosphere for Junior B hockey and taking in a Meteors game will give fans a great experience for a small investment. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

The Des Moines Menace introduced a new look today for one of soccer's older franchises. According to the club's website, the crest has been modernized without changing its original integrity. The new branding combines the look from 1994-2001 and its current branding. The colors of black and white remain the same, along with keeping the original identity. It is a style that is not your ordinary mark in the soccer world and one that should appease the fanbase in Iowa. The horizontal wordmark features the handwritten typeface and updated logo, plus the two gold stars to represent the two championships won by the franchise in 2005 and 2021. It is a throwback to the 1994 logo that featured the soccer head but with a few tweaks. The secondary logomark features the main logo without the wordmark, featuring enhanced coloring in the eyes and mouth with bolder black borders. The flames feature a forward motion. The Des Moines Menace are members of the USL League Two. Founded in 1994, the team has found success in the last 31 years with two championships and three regular season championships. The club plays its home games at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines. Check out the video from SAC Sports Adventures for the stadium experience, ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Nininger Hall E College Street Bridgewater, VA 22812 Bridgewater Eagles website Nininger Hall website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 1,000 Fly Like an Eagle, Into Nininger Hall Bridgewater College is located in Bridgewater, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley portion of the state. The school has about 1,800 students, and the athletic programs compete in Division III of the NCAA, in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Bridgewater basketball calls Nininger Hall home. The 1,000-seat arena is located in a building that also contains Bridgewater's health and human sciences department. Food & Beverage 2 There is a concession stand at Nininger Hall, but when Stadium Journey visited, it was closed, as it is staffed by student groups and we visited over winter break. Other fans indicated the menu was pretty basic, so this rating represents our best estimate. Atmosphere 5 Entering Nininger Hall puts you in a lobby with murals and banners honoring Bridgewater athletics. The ticket table is right in front of you, and you will turn left or right to get to the doors to the arena. Once you get inside, most seats are plastic bleachers, all of which have a great view of the court. The stands on one side are slightly elevated up a short flight of stairs from court level but everyone has a good angle. There are a few chairback seats at Nininger Hall, but they are reserved for season ticket holders. The triangular roof of the arena helps trap sound in and make the crowd seem louder than it otherwise would sound. Scoreboards on both baselines show only basic information like the score, clock, team timeouts, and fouls. Halftime entertainment at Eagles games usually involves some sort of contest between fans. Speaking of contests, you may receive a raffle ticket upon entry for a chance to win a prize from the gameday sponsor, which could be anyone from Domino's Pizza to a local golf course. Bridgewater has a small cheerleading squad, although they can usually be found in the stands rather than on the court. There was no band present when Stadium Journey visited. The PA music was standard for the most part, but after the game, they played "Fly Like an Eagle" about Bridgewater's nickname. Overall, a Bridgewater game at Nininger Hall has an impressive atmosphere for Division III. Neighborhood 4 Bridgewater is a small town in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, but that does not mean nothing is going on. Most businesses are located along Main Street (Route 42), a short drive away from the Bridgewater campus. Francesco's Italian, El Charro Mexican, and the Cracked Village Pub are all good places to check out. Smiley's Ice Cream is located closer to I-81 and you will probably drive by it on your way in. It serves delicious ice cream made on-site, including special flavors that vary weekly as well as many regular flavors. It is one of the best ice cream places in the Shenandoah Valley in our opinion. We recommend the banana ice cream, made with fresh bananas. . Fans 4 Bridgewater draws a few hundred fans to a typical basketball game, which doesn't fill Nininger Hall but is a good crowd for this level. The fans here are loud and seem even louder because of the triangular roof. They cheer on their team throughout the game and are not afraid to yell at the refs if they feel they have made a bad call. As the ODAC covers a relatively small geographic footprint, there will typically be fans of the visiting team present as well. If you are rooting for the road team, you should not expect any issues from the home fans. Access 3 Bridgewater's campus is located a few miles off I-81 and US 11. Once you get on campus, there is a large lot across the street from the arena, and if this fills up, fans can park in most other lots on campus, as long as it is a weekend or after 5 PM on a weekday. As Bridgewater plays few if any weekday afternoon games, these time restrictions should not be an issue. A small lot is located right next to the arena, but this is reserved for gameday personnel and fans cannot park here. There are a couple of handicapped spaces in this lot for fans who require them. Restrooms are located in the lobby across from the arena doors. Go out the doors and turn right (or turn left from the lobby as you come in.) The women's room is on the left right before the door to the stairwell, and the men's room is inside the stairwell on your left at the bottom of the stairs. You will not have to climb any stairs to get there, just enter the stairwell and it's right there. These bathrooms are of a sufficient size for the crowd. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $10 for adults, with discounts available for youth and seniors. They should be purchased through the HomeTown Ticketing app in advance and displayed on your phone as you come in, though they will help you purchase them on-site if need be. Either way, it will go through the app, so there is no point in waiting. Officially you need to buy two separate tickets for a doubleheader involving the men's and women's teams, but as they do not clear the arena in between, there is no way for them to enforce this. Overall, a Bridgewater basketball game is a very good value. . Extras 3 The murals in the lobby and the banners in the arena honoring Bridgewater's athletic accomplishments are each worthy of an extra star here. A third and final star for the promotional raffle giveaways from local sponsors. Final Thoughts Bridgewater College may be Division III, but the experience at an Eagles basketball game is on par with many low-level Division I schools. Hoops fans visiting Virginia's Shenandoah Valley will want to check out a game at Nininger Hall.

Imagine if Lord Stanley presented the Stanley Cup to the winners of the top amateur hockey team in Canada only to have it sent back to him on two occasions. Could you have imagined his bewilderment at seeing his contribution to the sport returned to him on multiple occasions? Well, that happened to another man who donated a trophy to a similar sport, one that most folks have never heard of. However, it does make for an interesting story in the annals of sports history. Perhaps if the league had taken care of its business, the Horlick Cup might be better known today. The Horlick Cup was a silver trophy presented to the winning team in the Western Polo League. It wasn’t the type of polo on horses, but the kind played on roller skates like hockey. The sport changed its name in the 1920s to roller hockey and is still played today in many parts of the world. However, the cup was created in 1904 when the sport was widely popular in the Midwest, where the Western League had most of its teams. The cup was two feet high with two polo stickers crossed the front with a ball at the button. The tulip-shaped trophy had two handles and was supported with a base. The trophy would be kept permanently if a polo club won it in three consecutive seasons. William Horlick, a businessman and philanthropist, donated the trophy. He made a fortune through the invention of malted milk and lived in Racine, Wisconsin, where he owned a polo team in the league the season before. He later donated land for Horlick Athletic Field, which hosted the Racine Legion of the National Football League and the Racine Belles in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The trophy was awarded to the Elwood Grays, who finished the 1902-03 season with a 50-30 record, five games ahead of the Richmond Quakers. The cup arrived by train and stopped in Richmond for folks to admire before heading to Anderson to be engraved. It was on display at the Opera House drug store before being awarded to the Grays before their last game of the season. The inscription read, “Winners of the Pennant, Western Roller Polo Association, 1902-03.” It also listed all six player’s names. The cup was displayed in the window of the Nasbaum and Mashmeyer store. The following season, the Richmond Quakers captured the cup with a 52-36 record, one game ahead of the second-place Marion Foxy Five. The trophy was presented to the Quakers before their last game against Elwood. The Coliseum was decorated for the occasion, and small flags were provided to the fans. The cup was placed on a stand in front of the net that was draped with an American flag.  Both teams lined up on opposite sides, and members of the Elwood teams handed silver horseshoes to the Quakers in a sign of good luck while holding the cup. A speech was given in front of a raucous 2,000 faithful in the building.  The Quakers held the cup and skated off the floor while an orchestra played in the background. After the season, the Horlick Cup was put on display in the club room of the Elk’s Club since most of the roster were members.  Before the start of the season, Richmond released a statement that would remain in the Western League for the season but leave for the proposed National Polo League the following season due to salary limits on players. They also intended to keep the Horlick Cup, a clear violation since they had not won it in three consecutive seasons.  The Western League began its third season but lost two members, Indianapolis and Elwood, early in the season. After 40 games, the league was down to four clubs and announced that it was folding for the year. Marion was in first place with a record of 23-16, while Richmond was in second place with a 22-18 record.  Marion felt that the cup was rightfully theirs and that the league managers awarded them the pennant when the league shut down operations. It also qualified them to hoist the cup regardless if the season ended prematurely.  On the other hand, Richmond said since the season ended early, Marion was not the rightful owner of the cup. It should be kept with them until the league is reorganized, or Mr. Horlick should be consulted on the issue. Marion president Ben Larrimer said that if M.C. Henley, president of the Richmond Athletic Association, did send it to his team; representatives would travel to Richmond to take it. Henley then replied that it would be sent to Marion once the engraving was completed on the trophy. The Marion club had joined the Central League after the Western Loop folded and became eligible for the Hennings Cup, which was created that season but finished near the bottom of the standings. However, as they were still playing regular season games, the club was still setting its eyes on Richmond who was holding their trophy. On March 16, Marion challenged Richmond to a series of games plus 70 percent of the receipts. However, Richmond, thinking that they were the true cup champions, challenged Danville, winners of the Higgins Cup in the Central Polo League to a post-season series. However, none of these challenges occurred, and the cup was sent back to Horlick in Racine until the Western League was revised again.  The league would be revised two years later with a smaller schedule of games. The new loop consisted of Anderson, Marion, Logansport, and Kokomo. They would play an 18-game schedule, with the pennant winner awarded the Horlick Cup. For the third time, Marion had a chance to rightfully claim the championship. The cup was sent back to Indiana and put on display at the four different rinks. Newspaper articles once again talked about the silver cup; most folks thought Marion would be the clear favorite to capture it. After a two-year hiatus, roller polo appeared to be back in favor with fans in all four cities. Opening night games in Anderson and Logansport attracted 1,200 and 1,000, respectively, with paid attendance figures much lower than expected. Kokomo played in front of 2,000 howling fans the next night. However, the average crowd at games could be as low as 300 fans per game in some cities. After just 10 games and one week left in the season, Anderson called it quits due to low gate receipts and players. With only three teams left, the league attempted to add Lafayette as a fourth team to finish the season, but that fell through. Kokomo then decided to throw in the towel a few days later due to a disagreement with scheduling. In the end, Marion and Kokomo were tied atop the standings with 6-4 records, and no decision was made on who would win the cup. Since Kokomo had quit the league, Marion might have had a claim to the cup, which was on display in town. The cup was left in the hands of the Marion club, but they felt that they did not rightfully earn it and sent the trophy back to Mr. Horlick in Wisconsin.  The local paper had this to say. "It is some satisfaction to know that they had to break up the league to keep Marion from taking the cup." For the second time, the trophy was sent back to Horlick. There were never any attempts to revise the Western League, although other leagues would pop up in the next few years. It does not appear that anyone contacted Horlick to ask for his cup, and after two fiascos, she probably found a better use for it.  Whatever he did with the trophy remains a mystery over a century later. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

One of the best aspects of a new baseball team is its branding. Today, we are delighted with creative designs or something with a little nod to the history or tradition of the game. The main objectives are to provide a pleasant-looking aesthetic, durability for the players, and merchandise sales across the nation. Several ball clubs in both minor or partner leagues introduce their uniforms long before the season begins, but that was not the case for one independent ball club a little over 25 years ago. They debuted at home with nothing on their jerseys. The East Chicago Conquistadors were members of the Mid-America League in 1995. The four-team league had all of its clubs in Indiana (Anderson, Merrillville, and Lafayette). Team owner Richard Grottanelli stepped down as president of another independent loop, Mid-South League, to purchase the Conquistadors for $15,000 after the original investors stepped down due to a lack of funds four months before the start of the season. File Photo/The Times The Conquistador name was picked by Grottanelli, even though there was a fan vote that resulted in 120 submissions. A few of the names suggested were the Zebra Mussels, Steelers, Blockbusters, Harbor Lights, and the Harbor Fugitives. When asked why he chose a name, Grottanellis stated that he liked it and it would fit well with the local population. A few of the names suggested were the Zebra Mussels, Steelers, Blockbusters, Harbor Lights, and the Harbor Fugitives. When the Q’s took the field in front of 1,648 people at Block Stadium on June 13, they came out wearing white pinstriped pants, gray tops with green block numbers on the back, and a cap with a cursive Q insignia. There wasn’t any identification whatsoever on the front of the jersey. The only exception was the dark caps that featured an attractive cursive “Q”. The fans must have questioned the person next to them in the stands about their home club’s peculiar look. The plan was to have green, red, and black tops with a big ‘Q’ across the front–perhaps on the right chest of the jersey. The team did feature a massive ‘Q’ letter in its logo, but it is unknown whether the planned design would have been that logo or the cursive ‘Q’ that adorns caps. File Photo Yvette Marie Dostatni/The Times The official logo also incorporates a morion helmet on top of the letter ‘Q’ with two pointed lances crisscrossing behind the helmet. The rest of the wording was in the standard blockish font. It was not a creative logo, and one would assume the club would have made the Zebra Mussel look bland. Grottanelli assured that the team uniforms would be ready soon, but he was not sure when they would arrive. He attempted to contact the team’s supplier-Wilson-but did not have much luck getting through with anyone. He added that he was “terminally on voice mail.” Photos from the Munster Times during the season show photos of the vapid jerseys, absent of team identification or nickname. It had to be odd for both players and fans to witness the drab jerseys that clashed with gray tops and white bottoms. The Q’s did not appear to have road uniforms, based on a photo from a game at Loeb Stadium against the Lafayette Leopards. The same jersey design appears to be identical to what they wore at home. However, there was a lot more for him to deal with that maiden season, which included manager Drayton Patterson’s termination and Grottanelli taking over the position, only to turn it over two weeks later to outfielder Jerrone Williams. Grottanelli accused Merrillville Muddogs pitcher Chris Hall of scuffing balls during a doubleheader and was rejected from both games. This prompted Muddogs manager Ron Kittle to say that “he belongs in the circus”. The franchise was sold to Dave O’Neill on July 23, who also owned the Anderson franchise. A few days later, the team debuted its new uniforms, described by new GM Jennifer Blatt as a reflection of its new image both on and off the field. Photo Frank Oliver/Lafayette Journal and Courier There was a slight mishap from its supplier, Main Sporting Goods, which had a few youth sizes in the shipment. The three players, who were assigned those numbers, opted for extra adult sizes with different numbers instead of squeezing into the youth tops. The club debuted the new red pinstripe white jerseys in a doubleheader sweep against Anderson. They would win the very next game to make it 3-0 in the new pinstripes. David White smacked his first home run of the season and the following to say after the doubleheader. “Now that we have the new uniforms it is like a whole new season for us. Baseball is very much a mental game for us in that new uniforms can change a whole team’s attitude.” Unfortunately, the new uniforms’ mojo wore out very quickly as things came to a head during a doubleheader on August 13. Williams quit as manager, center fielder Darrio Green also left the team, and Jackie Robinson left the club after a player he instructed did not steal a base. Robinson watched the game from the stands at Block Stadium, but he did return for the nightcap. The night concluded with backup catcher Ed Lewis escorted from the stadium by East Chicago Police after he allegedly assaulted Blatt. The next day in a game against Lafayette, players forfeited the second game of another doubleheader due to a lack of players and safety for the remaining ones playing out of positions. File Photo Yvette Marie Dostatni/The Times The Q’s failed to make the playoffs, but the league canceled the season when Lafayette pulled out of the postseason. East Chicago had a 23-35 record, attracting 5,444 fans on the season. Their uniforms, which they only wore for 18 days, were either taken home by players or stashed away by ownership. The East Chicago Conquistadors were a small blip in the history of independent minor league baseball; anyone who witnessed a game at Block Stadium that season has long forgotten about them. However, the formation of new independent leagues has not ended 26 years later, but none will ever, at least I hope not, have such a look as the Q’s did during their lone season. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Dave Cottenie and Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Raymond James Stadium 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway Tampa, FL 33607 Tampa Bay Buccaneers website Raymond James Stadium website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 69,218 Raise the Flag The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the most tumultuous histories in the National Football League.  Founded in 1976 by notoriously cheap lawyer Hugh Culverhouse, the Bucs quickly earned the moniker “The Yucks” due to their significant ineptitude on the field.  The Bucs famously began their first two seasons at 0-26.  Through the 80s, Tampa would put together fourteen consecutive losing seasons.  The fortunes would begin to change when the team was sold to the Glazer Family in 1994 after Culverhouse’s death.  A soft rebrand away from the “creamsicle” uniforms and Bucco Bruce and moving to a new stadium along with the hiring of future Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy put the Bucs on the winning ways.  They won their first of two Super Bowls in 2002.  The second golden era of the Bucs dovetailed with the arrival of Tom Brady, arguably the greatest football player ever, and culminated with the 2020 Super Bowl. The current home of the Buccaneers is Raymond James Stadium.  Built in 1998, Raymond James Stadium replaced Tampa Stadium, affectionately known as “The Big Sombrero.”  Not one of the best stadiums in the league based on current standards, Raymond James Stadium is a cautionary tale for the future of the NFL.  It is a perfectly adequate stadium that is comfortable and functional, but did not cost billions and is not a marvel and therefore passed over as in need of replacement. Food & Beverage 4 Concessions at Raymond James Stadium are solid with plenty of variety for fans.  All of the typical stadium options can be found at the stadium.  Burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, and pretzels can be found at many stands.  The Little Caesars stands offer pizza options and the PDQ Chicken stands offer excellent chicken fingers and waffle fries.  Some more unique options include pulled pork sandwiches, burnt end sandwiches, burnt end mac and cheese, BBQ Bacon dogs, and citrus chicken nachos.  Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice.  There are several spots all over to purchase a variety of alcoholic beverages including the north and south ends. Atmosphere 4 Raymond James Stadium is a stadium of a nineties vintage that is more simplistic in its design than its more modern counterparts.  However, Raymond James Stadium is a more than adequate facility. The exterior of the stadium is fairly simple but not unattractive.  There is plenty of concrete on the exterior, but plenty of markings for the Buccaneers also.  Massive player portraits are featured on the exterior touting their tenure with the team.  Although there is no main entrance, one would consider the south entrance as the one for new fans to enter.  At the south fans will find Bucs Beach, a large gathering area complete with beach complements such as sandy areas, decorative surfboards, Adirondack chairs, and a lifeguard tower for the DJ.  This area also plays a part in the pre-game festivities.  There are plenty of photo ops in this area including a large helmet, a Go Bucs sign, and a cutout board where fans can put their face on the Bucs flag.  Upon entering the gates, fans will need to ascend to the main concourse which is behind the lower bowl seating.  The concourses are wide and fairly simple with plenty of concession stands and some Bucs markings.  Large gathering areas at the north and south are out of the concourses and open to the field.  The north end has a large picnic area with umbrellas and tables for fans to meet at.  The south end offers a bit more and is the signature area of the stadium.  A large pirate ship plays a large part in the gameday production and is central to the Bucs leaning into their identity.  The concession stands at the south end also have facades to make them look like an old port town that seems to be right out of Pirates of the Caribbean.  Massive videoboards are at both the north and south ends with secondary boards in the four corners of the stadium that offer more in the way of ads and stats during the game.  The upper decks are separated into east and west sides and give the stadium an open feel.  There are no coverings over the upper seating areas.  The Bucs share their history with several spots crowing their 2002 and 2020 Super Bowl Championships including the west side facia and the flags above the east upper deck.  The Bucs Ring of Honor is found on the east facia and includes Hall of Famers Tony Dungy, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch, Leroy Selmon, Warren Sapp, and Ronde Barber along with Monte Kiffin, Paul Gruber, Bruce Arians, Mike Alstott, Jimmie Giles, John McKay, Doug Williams and Malcolm Glazer. The gameday production at a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game is as good as any in the NFL.  The pregame party at Bucs Beach is the place to be before the game.  There is plenty to do at Bucs Beach and the atmosphere is good.  The Bucs mascot, Captain Fear, enters the stadium through Bucs Beach much like a college marching band, coming from a small parade with the Bucs Cheerleaders, off of a float-like ship, complete with police escort.  Before entering the stadium, the cheer team and mascot rile up the crowd and toss out some giveaway items while being joined by the Bucs Drumline.  Inside, the entrance of the players is similar to many other teams, where the announced player enters through fog machines to plenty of hype.  During the game, the use of the ship and cannons is frequent.  A highlight of the production is the Captain of the Krewe where a celebrity captain yells out to “Raise The Flags” and the sails on the ship are unfurled and massive banners cover the north and south end stands much like a soccer tifo.   The cannons are shot off on a Buccaneers score followed by the Bucs fight song.  The crowd also gets involved at every first down when the PA announcer yells that it is “First Down Tampa” and the crowd responds with “BAY!”  Overall, it is a great atmosphere for NFL football despite it not being the most modern stadium. Neighborhood 3 Raymond James Stadium is located in the Drew Park neighborhood of Tampa.  The stadium is a bit isolated and surrounded with parking options, making it a good spot for tailgating.  There are a few options for pre or post game fare that are not too far away, including Kona Grill, Miller’s Ale House, La Teresita and Armature Works.  There are some other sporting options in the area.  The annual ReliaQuest Bowl  is held at Raymond James Stadium right around New Years Day.  The Gasparilla Bowl is also held at the stadium and it is also the home of the South Florida Bulls  until their new on campus stadium is built.  Across the parking lot from Raymond James Stadium is George Steinbrenner Field, home of the Tampa Tarpons  and the New York Yankees Spring Training .  For at least the 2025 season, it will also be home to the Tampa Bay Rays .  Other sports options include the Tampa Bay Lightning  and USF Bulls  basketball.  There are a ton of other Tampa tourist options including Busch Gardens, Zoo Tampa, Florida Aquarium and Tampa Riverwalk.  Hotels near the stadium include the Country Inn and Suites and Holiday Inn. Fans 4 Attendance at Bucs games is a bit more elastic than most other NFL stadiums.  For the 2024 season, at the time of writing, the Bucs averaged over 63,000 fans per game, which put them in the bottom third of the NFL.  The previous season they averaged nearly 64,000 per game.  There is some room for improvement here.  The fans get a bit of a bump as they are fairly smart, keeping quiet during offensive series without scoreboard prompting, and being loud during defensive series.  They are by no means the loudest fans in the league, but do their team proud, nonetheless   Access 3 Raymond James Stadium is located in the Drew Park neighborhood of Tampa, northwest of downtown, east of the airport.  It is surrounded by North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa Bay Blvd., and North Hines Ave.  It is 3 km north of I-275 and south of US Highway 92 and not terribly difficult to get to.  There are plenty of parking lots surrounding the stadium, perfect for fans who make tailgating a part of their football experience.  The negative side of the tailgating parking lot coin is that getting out of those parking lots can be difficult and take a significant amount of time.  The city does a good job of controlling the flow of traffic once out of the stadium, however, getting to the street could take the most time.  For fans who wish to take public transit to the game, there are HART buses that travel Himes Ave.  Fans should consult the Hillsborough Transit Authority  website for fares, schedules and maps.  Inside Raymond James Stadium, it is not terribly difficult to get around, however, fans with seats in the upper decks need to be aware that the decks are completely separate and it is impossible to get from one side to the other without going down to the main concourse.  Raymond James Stadium is also a cashless facility so bringing some plastic is a necessity.  The washroom facilities are decent for the stadium and closed captioned announcements are printed on the corner videobaords.  The security protocols to get into Raymond James Stadium are significant and should be reviewed before heading to the game.  Stadium Journey encourages fans to consult the Raymond James Stadium  and Tampa Bay Buccaneers  websites before heading out for the latest security protocols including bag policies and prohibited items list. Return on Investment 3 All NFL experiences are expensive and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the higher side of the cost equation.  According to the Fan Cost Index in 2023 the Bucs were in the top third of the NFL in cost at over $670.  Dynamic pricing makes figuring out the cost of tickets a bit challenging, but it seems upper deck seats at Raymond James Stadium start at $100 and get over $215 for the lower bowl.  Parking is definitely expensive as well.  Prepaid parking will run at least $40 or $50.  Cheaper parking can be found at some of the local businesses along Mabry Highway.  Concession items are also expensive.  As for the return, fans will definitely have a good time at the game and the Bucs do all they can to put on a good show, but as with all NFL experiences it seems “once-in-a-lifetime” pricing is the order of the day. Extras 3 An extra mark for the team leaning into their identity and making the most of their pirate motif. An extra mark for the Bucs making the most of the facility that they have and putting together a strong product. An extra mark for a team that has pulled itself from being a laughing stock to a two-time champion. Final Thoughts The NFL experience is one that will definitely excite fans, however, the cost issues surrounding NFL games are becoming prohibitive and it is clear that the stadium arms race is, once again, on.  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers provide a great experience in a solid, yet unspectacular, venue, but fans will definitely pay for the privilege.  It will be interesting to see if, like many other current owners, the Bucs make noise about requiring a new home. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 EverBank Stadium 1 Everbank Stadium Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32202 Taxslayer Gator Bowl website TIAA Bank Field website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 67,814 80 Years of Gator Bowl Of the plethora of end-of-the-season NCAA College Football Bowl Games, the Gator Bowl stands out as one of the longest-tenured.  Established in 1946, the Gator Bowl enjoyed its 80th edition in 2025.  Normally played after the hustle and bustle of the New Year's Day games, the Gator Bowl has been a staple in Jacksonville, Florida, and is among the most prestigious of the second-tier Bowl games. Since 2012 the title sponsor for the game has been TaxSlayer.com and there was even a short tenure when the bowl was titled the TaxSlayer Bowl.  The game currently features teams from the SEC, Big Ten, and/or ACC.  The 2025 edition pitted the Duke Blue Devils against the Ole Miss Rebels. Home for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl is EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.  Built in 1995, EverBank Stadium replaced Gator Bowl Stadium and was built for the NFL.  EverBank Stadium is due for a $1.4 billion renovation and should be ready for the 2028 NFL season.  For the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, the field is renamed the Bill Gay Grounds, making the official home of the Gator Bowl, Bill Gay Grounds @ EverBank Stadium.  Bill Gay was the founder of W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractors Inc. and the former chair of the Gator Bowl Association. Food & Beverage 3 The concession selections at EverBank Stadium are okay, but not over the top for an NFL facility.  The majority of items fans will find on the menus are typical stadium fare including burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, chicken tenders, pizza, and fries.  There are several stands in the main concourse that serve alcoholic beverages and the beer selection is focused on major domestic brands.  Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice here and there are a few spots with self-serve options. Atmosphere 3 The main entrances for EverBank Stadium are from the east and west.  The west entrance is the most significant as it has the largest gathering area in front and the statue of the Jaguar for the NFL team.  The exterior gives off 1990s-era vibes with huge ramps visible from the outside.  It is not unattractive and there is some glass at the main west entrance.  Before heading to the stadium, checking out the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall on the west side is a good plan.  The Gator Bowl makes good use of the facilities in the area.  Flex Field is the practice facility for the Jags and hosts the pregame tailgate, which is free for fans to enter.  Once inside, fans can head to Daisy’s Place, the covered pavilion that is home to the pre-game pep rallies for each team.  There is little in the way of markings for the Gator Bowl inside the stadium, and it is clear to fans that this is the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Inside the seating bowl, fans will find two tiers of seating, with a massive lower level.  For the 2025 edition of the Gator Bowl, the upper deck was closed off.  The field runs from south to north, and the best spot for the 50-yard line logo photo is from the west.  However, when choosing seats, fans will want to do some research and ensure that they are on the side of the team that they are supporting.  It is not critical but will aid in the enjoyment of the game for fans who have a horse in the race.  At the north and south ends, there are massive video boards, which are used well throughout the game and are crystal clear.  There is a small pool that is glassed in at the upper level of the north end, but it was not in use for the 2025 game.  The seats are ready for replacement as they are faded and from a vintage where making seats smaller and cramming more in was the order of the day. The gameday atmosphere at the Gator Bowl is solid.  The pregame tailgate is in the Flex Field practice facility across the parking lot.  Fans who enjoy the school bands will love this game as the bands perform three times, once each at the pep rally in Daisy’s Place, pre-game, and halftime.  Other events take place during the week that are part of the Gator Bowl festivities.  A 5K race and pep rallies at Jacksonville Beach are highlights of the week’s events. Neighborhood 4 EverBank Stadium is located in Downtown Jacksonville.  There are a number of spots for fans who want some pre or post game food or drink.  Intuition Ale Works, Tailgate Bar & Grill, Flavorikan, All American JAX, Chart House, Southern Grill and Avenue Gril are all options.  There are other sporting options in Jacksonville and some may even coincide with the Gator Bowl.  EverBank Stadium is also the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars .  Just west on Adams Street are VyStar Ballpark and VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, homes of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp  and Jacksonville Icemen  respectively.  UNF Ospreys  basketball or JU Dolphins  basketball may also be of interest for fans.  Other tourist attractions in Jacksonville include the Fairgrounds, USS Orleck Naval Museum, MOSH museum and Southbank Riverwalk.  Jacksonville Beach is also a good option.  For fans wishing to stay near the stadium, the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville is a good option. Fans 3 Second tier bowl games are often dependent on the matchup that they can secure.  The Gator Bowl is no different.  The 2025 version of the game featured the Duke Blue Devils and the Ole Miss Rebels.  The attendance for the game was just over 31,000.  This was well below what would be considered a normal Gator Bowl crowd.  This lead to the upper deck being completely empty.   Access 4 EverBank Stadium is located in Downtown Jacksonville, just north of St. John’s River and encircled by Gator Bowl Blvd. The junction of Highway 115 and Highway 1 is just north of the area and I-95 is about 3.5 km to the west.  Getting to the area, therefore, is not that difficult.  There are a number of surface parking lots in the area.  Pre-Purchasing parking using a parking app is a good idea, especially for fans from out of town.   For fans who wish to take public transit, there are buses on AP Randolph Blvd.  Fans should consult the Jacksonville Transit Authority  website for fares, schedules and maps.  Getting around the stadium is not terribly difficult, although the concourses are a bit on the narrow side.  The washroom facilities are adequate at the stadium. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl start at $50 and go up to $165.  When purchasing bowl game tickets, patience is a virtue and the secondary market can offer good deals closer to the game, especially if the matchup is not involving high demand teams.  Concession prices are what one would expect and parking will cost some money.  The gameday atmosphere at the Gator Bowl is great and fans will definitely enjoy the experience. Extras 3 An extra mark for the longevity of the Gator Bowl, with the 2025 edition marking the 80th Anniversary of the game. An extra mark for the charities that the Gator Bowl foundation has donated money to. An extra mark for the 2010 edition of the Gator Bowl, which marked the final game in iconic Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden’s career. Final Thoughts The longevity of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl shows that the organizers must be doing something right.  Although a second tier bowl game, fans will still enjoy the atmosphere at Bill Gay Grounds @ EverBank Stadium.  It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Gator Bowl once the renovation of EverBank Stadium commences.  The game will temporarily be bumped to a different site and will definitely offer a different atmosphere upon its return to Jacksonville. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Gregory Koch and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Hersheypark Arena 100 W Hersheypark Dr. Hershey, PA 17033 Lebanon Valley Flying Dutchmen website Hersheypark Arena website Year Opened: 1936 Capacity: 7,286 A Piece of History at Hersheypark Arena Hersheypark Arena is a historic hockey venue in the town of Hershey, Pennsylvania. From 1936 to 2002, this classic hockey barn was home to the Hershey Bears of the Atlantic Hockey League (AHL). In the 1960s, it played host to three Philadelphia Warriors games, including the one when Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points. This building is full of history, but it has not had a professional tenant since the Bears moved to the newly built Giant Center elsewhere in Hersheypark in 2002. However, the arena is still home to hockey. The Flying Dutchmen of Lebanon Valley College, located about a 15-minute drive away in Annville, play their home games at Hersheypark Arena. The Dutchmen compete at the Division III level, the lowest level of college hockey, in the Middle Atlantic Conference, known as the MAC for short. The arena is also home to the Hershey Cubs junior hockey team as well as assorted middle school and high school athletic and music events. However, most events where a large crowd is expected are now held at Giant Center. Despite popular belief, Lebanon Valley's "Flying Dutchmen" nickname comes not from the ghost ship of legend but from the Pennsylvania Dutch (actually Germans) who settled the area of Central Pennsylvania known as Pennsylvania Dutch County. Food & Beverage 3 There are signs for a food court at Hersheypark Arena, located through a doorway in one corner of the arena's ring concourse. You will find signage for many different stands, including pizza, burgers, and even a Subway, but only one stand is open. Here you will find a basic menu, with chicken strips, hot dogs, and cheeseburgers being the only meal options. French fries and candy (Hershey's products. naturally) are available as well, and soda, bottled water, and Gatorade are available to drink. Prices are quite reasonable, with the chicken tenders at $6.25 being the most expensive option. With the other stands still having the signage up but not being open, it feels like a food court at abandoned malls where most of the businesses have closed but still have the signage up that has been there since the 80s or 90s. As you will see in the rest of this review, this is not atypical for this arena.    Atmosphere 4 Hersheypark Arena is a building with decades of history, and most of the arena is as it was when the Bears moved out in 2002, and as it had been for some time before that. Hand-painted signs direct fans to the various seating sections, and although it still says reserved like it was when the Bears played here, all seating is general admission for LVC games. Other hand-painted signs surround the rink marking off various locations. Even the no-smoking signs are hand-painted. Signage throughout the arena honors historic moments that happened here, including Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game and the Hershey Bears' Calder Cup championships. (For those who are unaware, the Calder Cup is the AHL equivalent of the Stanley Cup, awarded to the champion each season.) Although there are two levels of seats at Hersheypark Arena, only the lower level of blue wooden seats is open for Lebanon Valley games. The rows of seats closest to the glass have been gutted, so fans who like to sit there will be disappointed. However, you will still be up close to the action wherever you sit. The upper level, with its garish burnt gold color scheme that feels like something out of a shopping mall in the 1980s, is visible, although fans cannot go up there. This color scheme seems very retro, as you would never see a major arena use it today. Like so much else in this building, it contributes to the historic feel. There are scoreboards behind both goals showing only the most basic information - the score, the clock, the period, and any penalties. One unusual quirk is that these scoreboards are incapable of displaying any time greater than 19:59. When the period starts, they will display 0:00, and then one second later, they will change to 19:59. They also do not display tenths of a second in the final minute of a period. This also means that before the game starts, the clock counting down to puck drop will have to loop around several times. Do not be alarmed if you arrive early and the clock shows only five minutes until the game starts. While the history and charm of Hersheypark Arena merit a high score in this category regardless, Lebanon Valley does make some effort to improve the fan experience further. A spotlight shines on the ice before the match as the referees come out, but oddly enough it returns to full lighting before the players take the ice. There is music during breaks in the action, including organ music reminiscent of the days when there was a live organ here for Bears games. Neighborhood 5 Hersheypark Arena is part of the larger Hersheypark complex. Although the amusement park itself is closed during the winter when college hockey is going on, there are other places fans can visit. Hershey's Chocolate World is located across the parking lot from the arena and is a family-friendly venue featuring chocolate tours, chocolate tastings, chocolate mascots, and so much more. (We should point out that the chocolate mascots are costumed characters whose costumes look like chocolate bars. They are not made out of chocolate. Unlike the Pop-Tarts Bowl , there are no edible mascots here.) The Hershey Story Museum includes displays on the history of chocolate and a Chocolate Lab where kids can make their candy. Fans without small children, or who don't want to deal with kids on a sugar rush, will find plenty of things to do in town as well. Troegs Brewery offers tours and tastings in addition to a full menu of food. There are plenty of hotels for fans staying overnight, which will be much more affordable in the winter months than they would be in the summer. Fans 2 Lebanon Valley draws a few hundred fans a game, which is decent for Division III, but as this arena seats several thousand, they don't come close to filling even the lower bowl. The fans who do show up are knowledgeable about the team and the sport, and you can often overhear them having insightful conversations with each other about the action on the ice. However, they're simply aren't that many people who show up, particularly given the size of the arena. Access 4 US Routes 422 and 322 and Interstates 83 and 76 all run through or near Hershey, so there are many ways into town. Once you get to Hersheypark itself, take the Hersheypark Drive loop road through the complex and follow the signs for the arena. You will have to drive through a parking gate at some point, which may or may not be staffed with an attendant depending on what is going on elsewhere in the complex. If there is an attendant, let them know you are going to a Lebanon Valley game at Hersheypark Arena and they will let you through for free. The arena is near the back of the complex, with a spacious lot available adjacent to it that is more than big enough for the crowds. If there is an event going on before the LVC game, such as a Hershey Cubs junior hockey game or a public skate, there may be people still parked there when you arrive. These will clear out at least an hour before the puck drop of the Flying Dutchmen game. Only one entrance to the building is open for Lebanon Valley games - Entrance 4, on the right front side of the arena. This will take you into a small lobby that has one doorway to the seating bowl. A narrow concourse rings the entire seating bowl, with other doorways off of it leading to restrooms and the concession stand. This narrow setup, combined with forcing the entire crowd through a small point of entry, would have been extremely crowded for a sold-out Bears game back in the day but is not a problem at all for the couple hundred fans Lebanon Valley draws. Likewise, the restrooms might have gotten crowded when the Bears were drawing thousands of fans, but are more than sufficient for what the Dutchmen draw. As at many old arenas, the seats are quite narrow, but with the small crowds, you will have room to spread out and will not feel cramped. Getting out of the arena after the game is easy. Since you are near the end of the one-way loop road, it is far easier than getting in since you can be back on the main road in under a minute instead of having to drive through the entire complex. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Lebanon Valley games is free, and parking is also free. While free parking is often given at lower levels, keep in mind it can be quite expensive at the nearby Giant Center or at Hersheypark itself when it is open in the summer. So being able to park here for free is a good deal. Concessions are also quite affordable, particularly considering you are in a major tourist destination. All of this makes a Lebanon Valley hockey game an excellent value. Extras 3 One point for the building itself is that, looks much as it did when it opened in 1936. With hand-painted signs around the arena and old-time standings boards showing historic AHL standings, this is an arena right out of another era. A second star for the signage honoring all the history that happened here, from the Bears' league championships to Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game. A third and final star for the banner hanging from the rafters honoring Lebanon Valley's 2001 ECAC Northeast conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. Final Thoughts Hersheypark Arena is a historic hockey barn from another era. At almost 90 years old and still going strong, the arena hasn't changed much over the years. So much history has happened here, and just walking in feels like taking a step back in time. Although Lebanon Valley doesn't draw anywhere near the crowds the Bears once did, a visit to Hersheypark Arena should be on every hockey fan's bucket list for history alone.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 TIAA Bank Field 1 TIAA Bank Field Drive Jacksonville, FL 32202 Jacksonville Jaguars website TIAA Bank Field website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 67,164 Duuuvall! In many ways the Jacksonville Jaguars are a story of ups and downs. Most recently famous as a pop-culture reference on the NBC show “The Good Place” for their history of being bad at football, the team from north Florida now find themselves as potential contenders. Playing in front of packed crowds is once again the norm, and fan fever is at an all-time high. However, their results on the field are often mixed. A year after making a deep playoff run with Blake Bortles, the Jaguars muddled around at the bottom of the pack, and continue to do so this season. What sets the Jaguars apart, however, is their continued commitment to their fans. Known for being fan-friendly and fan-focused for many years, including their down years, the team has continued their commitment to enhancing the fan experience in Jacksonville, even with their recent run of success. What was once considered an average stadium now features a broad range of unique aspects that make TIAA Bank Field one of the more unique and enjoyable NFL stadiums to visit in America. Indeed, one may also scoff at Jacksonville’s place as an NFL hotbed for fans, but the Jaguars’ faithful are starting to slowly turn that opinion around. And while success leads to more butts in seats, a consistently impressive game day experience has helped keep those butts in seats for more and more games as time has gone by. Food & Beverage 3 The food options at TIAA Bank Field are pretty standard for a professional sports stadium. Drinks start at $4 for bottled water (a must-have in the hot Florida sun), $5 for bottled soda or Gatorade, and $10 to $12 for bottled beers. Various concessions stands also offer cocktails and alcoholic drinks. On the food side, prices remain among the highest in the NFL; foot-long chili cheese hot dogs cost $12, while pizza runs $10. A small hot dog costs $5, an Asian BBQ skewer runs $11, and popcorn costs $7. BBQ sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and chicken tenders with fries all cost over $10. The stadium does offer local food from local restaurants in the area, but options there are going to run equivalent to your standard concessions in price. There is a wide variety at TIAA Bank Field, but the price will hit you hard in the wallet. Atmosphere 4 TIAA Bank Field debuted in 1995 and features a popular late-90s unfinished industrial vibe with lots of concrete. While stadiums and arenas like Miami’s AmericanAirlines Arena feature similar aesthetics that have remained relatively untouched, Jacksonville’s stadium has seen several upgrades throughout the years. Most notably are the fan zones in the end zone areas of the stadium – the north end zone features a VIP suite deck area that includes two pools with clear sides that look out onto the playing field. The seating also feels more intimate with just two bowl levels, instead of the multiple levels like at more modern stadiums. Thanks to recent winning streaks, the packed crowds of loyal fans has helped as well, as TIAA Bank Stadium rocks whenever the Jaguars score. On top of that, the team’s new rallying cry of “DUUUVAL!!!” (a reference to the city’s location in Duval County, Florida) hypes the crowd before key plays. Finally, the massively expanded HD video screens in both end zones feature game stats, replays, and information for fans that the old scoreboards couldn’t offer. Neighborhood 3 The neighborhood immediately around TIAA Bank Field is one of sports facilities and parking options; the home of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp is located quite literally in the parking lot of the Jaguars’ home stadium. Across the street you will find Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena , home to both Jacksonville University athletics and the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL, as well as Jacksonville Sharks arena football in the spring and summer. Also nearby is downtown Jacksonville, which offers a bounty of food and shopping options. Not too far is the Jacksonville Beach area, where visitors can dip their toes in the hot sand and warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. That said, all those options are a short drive away, which means it may be a bit of a walk to get to them if you forgo driving. Fans 4 The fans here are loud. The home of the Jaguars sees some of the NFL’s key demographics swell in attendance as well, with young fans and women making up a large contingent of the fans in attendance. In addition, families are also taking advantage of the Jags being the 5th lowest average ticket cost in the NFL, with many younger fans coming with their parents for some Sunday football. You can rest assured the NFL experience is alive and well in Jacksonville’s fan base. Access 3 TIAA Bank Field is inherently very easy to find and get to. Located just across the St. John’s River from I-95 and just off US-1 alternates 228 and Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, the stadium rises from the river’s shores. However, navigating the area is tricky, as the closest bridges are all a few lanes too small for game day crowds – traffic backs up easily and heavily in the area before and after games when fans pack the small streets in and around TIAA Bank Field. Parking on-site, while plentiful, will cost you upwards of $35 in the immediate vicinity of the stadium. Alternatively, public transportation options range from $7 to upwards of $10 for buses that pick fans up from designated areas in and around Jacksonville on game day. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices for NFL games are expensive for the average fan. Despite the Jaguars being among the most affordable tickets in the league, you still are looking at several hundred dollars for a family of four when tickets, parking, and concessions are all factored in. That said, the stadium experience in Jacksonville has improved considerably thanks to recent updates and continued success on the field. Extras 5 During the game, the stadium honors local first responders and military members. Jacksonville is a big military city, especially with a large US Navy and US Coast Guard presence. The Jaguars also frequently have military flyovers before kickoff. During the break between the third and fourth quarters, the team also honors an active-duty serviceman/servicewoman who has been recognized for an act of valor or recently returned from a deployment, by having them ring the Navy Mutual Bell. Located on the end zone mezzanine overlooking the field, the bell tolls and signals fans to rally behind the Jaguars heading into the final quarter. In addition, there are cooling stations throughout TIAA Bank Field for fans, that offer somewhere to sit and cool off on hot Florida game days; some of these include large bendy-buses with air conditioning on full blast. Furthermore, outside the main entrance on the west side of the stadium sits a massive Jaguar statue that fans can take photos of. On the same side of TIAA Bank Field as the statue sits the Veterans Memorial Wall. Dedicated in 1995, the memorial honors more than 1,500 Jacksonville area veterans and war heroes from all six service branches (Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, Marines, and Merchant Marines).\ Finally, during the pre-game ceremonies Jaxson de Ville (the team’s mascot) performs stunts like ziplining into TIAA Bank Field from the top of the lighting towers, thrilling fans and getting everyone into the mood for exciting football. Final Thoughts With continued local investment from the team’s ownership and the potential continued success of the team in Jacksonville, the future looks bright for the Jaguars and their loyal fans. This is a game day experience that many visiting fans find impressive upon their arrival, and for good reason. The Jaguars consistently produce a solid fan experience all around, and have given fans good reason to be excited about the future.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 121 Financial Ballpark 301 A. Philip Randolph Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32202 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp website 121 Financial Ballpark website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 11,000 121 Financial Ballpark - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Following the reorganization of Minor League Baseball coming into the 2021 season, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp saw themselves receive a promotion from their parent club, the Miami Marlins . The Jumbo Shrimp would move from the Double-A Southern League to the Triple-A International League. At a capacity of 11,000 fans, 121 Financial Ballpark was the largest AA ballpark, and it seemed to be too large of a stadium for the level, so a move from Double-A to Triple-A only made sense. No matter the classification, the Jumbo Shrimp have long been known as one of the most innovative organizations in Minor League Baseball, providing an entertaining evening at the ballpark. Food & Beverage 5 All the typical baseball favorites are available at each of the concession stands around the stadium. Hot dogs, burgers, pizza slices, and a litany of fried foods. Soft drinks come from the Pepsi family of beverages. When looking for specialty menu options, each concessions stand around the concourse has its own theme and featured items – for example the All American Jax has the Duval Heavy Hitter, consisting of six chicken tenders, fries, nacho cheese, bacon bits, topped with green onions served in a batting helmet. Alternatively, Southern Fried Freebird has a multitude of fried foods, including several offerings featuring fried shrimp, while Sweet Tea-Bows unexpectedly offers baked cheese ravioli and BBQ pulled pork pizza as their featured items. Hand grilled sausages can be found at the Sausage Fest-Duuuuuval cart, a play on the Duval County which is a common call and response from Jacksonville Jaguar fans. For a bit more of an adult experience at the game, the Wheel House Lounge on the suite level, and Tiki Terrace in left field, provides fans with fully stocked bars and views of the game. Along with the usual suspects of Bud and Miller beers, the Jumbo Shrimp have their own branded Kolsch style beer from the nearby Intuition Ale Works. The Craft Cave also provides an extensive selection of adult beverage options; brews from Sun King Brewery, the aforementioned Intuition Ale Works, Voodoo Ranger, Sierra Nevada, Dogfish Head, Aardwolf Brewing, Fishweir, and Veterans United Craft Brewers are all available at the Craft Cave, under the third base side of the grandstand. Seltzers, canned mixed drinks, wines, and Twisted Tea are also available for non-beer drinkers. Overall the Jumbo Shrimp provide a wide selection with their food and beverage options, from a slew of specialty food items to a deep selection of craft beers and drinks. Atmosphere 4 Fans enter at field level, then climb stairs to the main concourse. The concourse extends from just off the cut of the infield grass on the third base side around to right center. Stairs from the right center bleachers lead down to the kids’ inflatables section, around to the grassy seating areas in left field and Tiki Terrace, before heading back to the grandstand. The picnic and grassy areas along the third baseline, around to the Adirondack chairs behind the chain link fence in left center field, is a very popular area to watch the game from. There is not a lot of space for kids to get out and move around in the grandstand, but this area provides some relief from the confines of the ticketed seats. The outfield wall configuration is a bit of a throwback to the days when stadiums were built to fit the city block they were on. With a low right field wall reminiscent of that at Fenway Park , at just 317’ home runs feel like just a bloop away. To compensate for short fences to right and left field, centerfield is a deep 420’. The confines of the playing area create opportunities for home runs and balls into the far reaches of the gaps. When choosing the ideal seats, keep in mind that the sun sets behind the third base side of the stadium, so the right field bleachers can be a bit challenging to deal with until the sun sets. The berm areas, down the left field line and around to left field, are popular with families, but can get a bit crowded. If just wanting to have a seat to watch the game from and not have to worry about moving at any point, then anything on the third base line is a good option. If moving is not much of a problem, however, then the outfield bleacher tickets would be perfect. The Jumbo Shrimp have long been known for the fan friendly atmosphere they create – their gate giveaways and theme nights are typically held in the highest regard by their MiLB peers, for their originality and fun nature. Neighborhood 4 121 Financial Ballpark is in the sports complex area of Jacksonville, sandwiched between TIAA Bank Field , home of the Jacksonville Jaguars , and VyStar Veterans Memorial Stadium , which the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL), Jacksonville Sharks (National Arena League), and Jacksonville Giants (American Basketball Association) all call home. The stadium is just a few feet from the baseball club’s former home, Wolfson Park, that was razed to make room for the Jags’ outdoor practice field. The area has a very sporty feel to it with the surrounding stadiums and the handful of pre and postgame entertainment options; That Sports Bar at the Arena, Intuition Ale Works, and Tap Room are all just steps from the ballpark. Fans 3 After one season in AAA, Jacksonville ranks in the middle third of teams in attendance, averaging just a tick under 5,000 fans per game. This is consistent with their draw while they were AA members of the Southern League. Weekend games typically draw over 8,000 fans, which creates a distinctive vibe throughout the stadium as you pass around the concourse. Many fans come showing their support for the Jumbo Shrimp decked out in the team’s shirts, jerseys, or any of the several gate giveaway items. Overall, most fans seem to be engaged in the game and are supportive of the Jumbo Shrimp. Access 3 121 Financial Ballpark is not directly off any of the major interstates that pass through the Jacksonville area, but downtown Jacksonville does not seem to be extremely congested with traffic on weekends. Arriving early makes parking easier when accessing the lots around the stadium. Parking is readily available around the ballpark. A multi-level parking deck sits directly across the street from the front entrance of 121 Financial Ballpark, while the back side of the stadium has several parking lots that are part of the TIAA Bank Stadium complex. There is enough parking close to the stadium to leave fans with just a short walk; golf carts also offer a shuttle for those who might need some assistance. The stadium’s main entry point is the home plate gate, but can get crowded in anticipation of gates opening. There are also secondary entry points on each side of the stadium. Return on Investment 4 Standard general admission tickets start at $8 for advanced, in-person purchases, with a $2 service fee applied to online sales; tickets do jump to over $20 a ticket when moving to the grandstand. The general admission tickets offer both a reasonable price and, if sitting in the outfield bleachers, still provide an up-close vantage point for the action on the field. If purchased ahead of time, in person, the fees can be avoided. Jacksonville does have a significant Navy population, and offers discounted tickets for both active and retired service members. There are several options of tickets for differing game experiences, but if all you want is an affordable ticket to watch baseball, the general admission ticket will suit you fine. Extras 4 The Jumbo Shrimp do a lot in recognition of the baseball history of Jacksonville; support beams around the main concourse feature some of the stars who have made a stop in Jacksonville on their way to the majors. The field level concourse also honors the Legends of Jacksonville baseball through their Wall of Fame – the honor recognizes players, managers, and those who have significantly impacted the Jacksonville baseball landscape. Instantly recognizable names include Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan, and Randy Johnson, to name a few. The bar top at Tiki Terrace has a really cool feature in that it has used minor league baseball cards of the Jacksonville Expos, Suns, and early Jumbo Shrimp players to create the bar’s surface. AAA baseball is using the ABS Challenge system for their Friday, Saturday, and Sunday contests; ABS (Automatic Ball Strike) games allow players three challenges of umpire ball/strike calls throughout the game. If the call is overturned the team retains their challenge, while if they are wrong they lose one of the three. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday games use an automated strike zone. Given the layout of the ballpark and its proximity to the streets outside the stadium, those looking to channel their inner Zack Hample can try their luck chasing down baseballs during batting practice from outside the stadium. Final Thoughts The Jumbo Shrimp understand that at the origination level, their job is to entertain the fans, and it is their parent club who is responsible for the product put on the field each game. Jacksonville does an outstanding job making an evening at the ballpark well worth the experience no matter if you attend for the game on the field, the entertainment aspect of the atmosphere, or any combination of the two.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Toyota Arena 4000 East Ontario Center Ontario, CA 91764 Ontario Clippers website Toyota Arena website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 9,736 AC Clippers We Are IE The Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario are one of the newer teams in the G League beginning operation in 2017. They are affiliates of the Los Angeles Clippers who are just 45 miles west of Ontario. The G League (Gatorade League) is the developmental basketball league (minor league) of the NBA. The Agua Caliente Clippers play their home games at the impressive looking Toyota Arena (formerly known as Citizens Bank Arena). 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 Ontario Reign (AHL – American Hockey League) and the Ontario Fury (MASL soccer). The team name comes from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, a federally recognized tribe with resorts and casinos in Palm Springs who are a significant sponsor of the Clippers. Note: In July 2022, the team name changed from Agua Caliente Clippers to Ontario Clippers. Food & Beverage 3 One main concession stand and a few stand-alone food carts are open for Agua Caliente games. Dawg Gone, the major stand just inside the main entrance offers a variety of hot dogs, bratwurst, sausage, and chicken tenders $5.75 – $10.50 Veggie trays and fresh fruit cups cost $5.75. Snacks such as popcorn, nachos, pretzels, peanuts, candy, cotton candy run $5 – $8.75 (the highest is for bottomless popcorn). Coca-Cola is the soft drink provider with choices running $5.75 for a regular and $7 for a souvenir cup/$2 refills. A few stand-alone food carts dot the east end of the concourse providing ice cream, nachos, and other additional snacks. Just one full bar complements 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. The self-order kiosk is not in operation during an Agua Caliente game as the crowd is much smaller and not all the concession stands are open. During a Clippers game, concessions are only open on the east side A very small merchandise area sells Agua Caliente Clippers merchandise. Atmosphere 2 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. The concourse wraps around the entire seating area, however, the west end of the concourse and seating area is not used and is a ghost town during an Agua Caliente game. Fans enter the seating area midlevel and go down to seats (rows run A – N). Handrails are provided. Most of the upper level seating is curtained off with only the sections facing center court open. Twenty-four suites are edged between the two layers of seating. No fans occupied any of them during this review’s match up. Extremely comfortable, wide, blue-cushioned seats with cup holders and minimal legroom furnish the arena. Two rows of floor seats round three sides of the basketball court. The temperature is comfortable; depending on your heat/cold tolerance – a long sleeve t-shirt may be all that is needed. The music selection is not too loud and is played throughout most of the game. Several promotions and giveaways are offered at an Agua Caliente game. T-shirt tosses, shoot a basket for money during one of the breaks, an autograph session at the end of the game, different dance studios entertaining the fans at half time are just some of the treats provided to the fans. 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 2 The Agua Caliente Clippers draw very few fans. Those that do attend, understand and appreciate the game on the court. It would be nice to see more fans at the arena for basketball especially since the parent team is so close. 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 Agua Caliente Clippers game is an affordable sports choice for fans in the Inland Empire region. Tickets range from $12 (end seat) – $100 (floor seats) plus an additional $4 service fee. Concession prices are on the major league level. $10 to park is high for G-League, as is a $12 beer or $14.50 cocktail. To combat some of these expenses, the Clippers do offer value packs: Chick-fil-A 4 for $44 includes 4 tickets and Chick-fil-A meal vouchers on select dates, and $5 Bud Light Thursdays. The organization has giveaways throughout the season and many theme games. Since the Clippers in no way sellout, get the end seats and then move over after the first quarter. Extras 2 The half time entertainment and theme games are quite enjoyable. The Toyota Arena is an attractive looking building and it does provide comfortable seats for watching basketball games. Final Thoughts Attending an Agua Caliente basketball game is a stark difference than attending a Reign game at the same arena. Hopefully, as the G-League and minor league basketball gets more popular, more fans will come out the Toyota Arena to watch the Clippers.

Just under 100 miles from Orchard Park, New York, in Keswick, Ontario,  football fans eat, drink, and watch the Bills in a backyard, where there's an enormous bright red Bills helmet. Blake Parnham is the founder and host of the Bills Helmet Bar, and he took a few moments to discuss his weekly jamboree. Here's their website:  Bills Helmet Bar . STADIUM JOURNEY: What inspired you to start the Bills Helmet Bar? BLAKE PARNHAM:  The construction of the Bills Helmet Bar happened completely by accident. In the spring of 2019, we decided to build a patio behind the house, adjacent to the deck. This project coincided with the Toronto Raptors 2019 Championship run. Having been confined to the indoors for most of the wet Canadian spring, we set up a television on our new patio and watched the Finals games outdoors. When the Raptors finally won, we looked to the back of the property and considered the possibilities. I’m not sure whether it was the buzz, the hysteria of winning the championship, or the light of the full moon, but our giant football helmet glimmered in my eye. We decided to stand it up on the side of the patio and make a bar out of it. The very next day, we began our new project.  As far as our tailgates, this began in 2020. With the inability of Canadians to cross the border and for fans in general to attend home games, someone reached out to us, asking to attend the Week One Jets game at our bar. He conceded that it was still in the depths of the pandemic, and it was okay if we said no, but he hadn’t missed a home game in eighteen years. We had a family meeting - admitted that it was objectively weird for a stranger to come to our home - and then said, “Hey, why not.” This is really how our tailgates began. STADIUM JOURNEY: What kind of experience can patrons expect at the Bar? Is there food? What kind? BLAKE PARNHAM:  The Helmet Bar tailgate has grown each year. During that 2020 season, it was mostly our family and this one new friend. Since then, we’ve grown to a crowd that almost always eclipses twenty people and often is larger than forty, even in winter. People bring whatever they like to drink, but we always cook enough food for everyone. My friend, “Chef Rob,” and I typically theme the menu to the local cuisine of our opponent. Think Cuban sandwiches for Dolphins games; and Nashville chicken sliders for Titans games. We do put a little donation bin out to help with costs, but that’s not required of people. Photo Courtesy of Bills Helmet Bar/Instagram STADIUM JOURNEY: Can anyone join in the fun? Can someone just show up? Opposing fans? BLAKE PARNHAM:  Everyone can join Helmet Bar tailgates, though they can’t just show up. Since the Helmet Bar is also our house, we don’t publish our address. But people are free to message us on one of our social media accounts. Then, I provide our address and the relevant info about the tailgates.  As for opposing fans, they're welcome. Canada is unique because - since there’s no Canadian team - there are football fans of just about every   team around. If folks like football, they’re good enough for us. Just don’t cheer too loudly. STADIUM JOURNEY: Is the Bar open when it snows or rains? How do you handle inclement weather? BLAKE PARNHAM:  [With exception to the games we attend in person,] we have been open every game since the beginning of the 2020 season, though we haven’t finished every game. During the Cardinals Hail Murray game, a tornado came through and took out our electricity for 48 hours, so we had to scramble to a different location for the unfortunate second half.  As for rain, we have a little pop-up canopy that we put over the patio and a bunch of heavy-duty tarps that we layer across it to keep people warm. But for snow and cold, all bets are off. We’ve been snowed on like crazy, and have sometimes had to put our open drinks on a cooking grate over the fire to keep them warm . Photo Courtesy of Bills Helmet Bar/Instagram STADIUM JOURNEY: Are there any special plans for the championship games this weekend?  BLAKE PARNHAM:  I’m actually grateful that the AFC Championship game is second. The NFC game will be a healthy distraction for us all.  This Sunday, we’ll be doing much the same, on a larger scale. I will set up the Bills Helmet Bar flag in the morning, start cooking, and wait for folks to roll in. Given that it’s a road game, I expect it to be a larger crowd. Several of our regulars are also season ticket holders who don’t come for home games. Given the importance of the game, the fact that it’s on the road, and the fact that it’ll be relatively mild temperatures - -3C - I have no idea what that means in Fahrenheit. It should   be the biggest crowd we’ve ever had. At least, until February 9th. STADIUM JOURNEY: Buffalo is getting a new stadium. Is this a good thing? When you attend games, what happens to the Bar? BLAKE PARNHAM:  It’s been incredible to see the progress of the new stadium. It looks so much different now than it even did at the beginning of the season. However, I'm not super keen on it. The Ralph is home, and much like moving houses, it'll feel weird for a while. I’m going to miss it. But eventually, it’ll feel like it belongs, I’m sure.  We typically attend one or two games a season, and when this happens, we simply close the bar. I put out on social media that we’ll be at the game, so no one comes by. However, this year, when we told all of our friends that we had tickets to the New England game on December 22nd, almost all of them bought tickets to come along. It was a great Helmet Bar takeover of Orchard Park and one of my favorite days yet.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Pensacola Bay Center 201 E Gregory St Pensacola, FL 32502 Pensacola Ice Flyers website Pensacola Bay Center website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 8,049 Welcome to the Hangar Hockey on the beaches of the Florida panhandle is something that might seem crazy to some.  After all, the humid subtropical climate and year-round sunshine, combined with a location in the football-crazed south, might make hockey seem like something that wouldn't be a big draw. But for over 25 years hockey has thrived in the minor league loving sports city of Pensacola. Hockey was born on the Emerald Coast in 1996 with the ECHL's Pensacola Ice Pilots, who played until the 2007-08 season. Then after a season of no hockey, the Ice Flyers of the SPHL were founded in 2009 and have played ever since to great success. As of 2024, the Ice Flyers have made the playoffs 13 times and won the President's Cup four times (2012-13, 2013-14, 2015-16, and 2020-21). The team's nickname pays tribute to Pensacola's Naval history, which is only appropriate given the fact that Pensacola is home to one of the largest Navy bases in the country. However, the Navy base may best be known as home to the Blue Angels flight squadron, who perform all over the country throughout the year, but are based in Pensacola. The Ice Flyers play in downtown Pensacola at the Pensacola Bay Center. Affectionately nicknamed ‘The Hangar’, the 8,049-seat venue opened in 1985 and was known as the Pensacola Civic Center for a number of years. From the outside the venue cuts an impressive figure, sitting at the foot of I-110 and being the first thing most people see when driving into downtown Pensacola.   Food and Beverages   3 There are four full-service concession stands in The Hangar, as well as several pop-up bars located throughout the facility – there are two concession stands each on the east and west side concourses. On the west side you can find Blue Reef Grill which sells hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, and pretzels, as well as Coop's Chicken Kitchen which sells chicken items such as tenders and sandwiches. On the east side you'll find Five Flags Filling Station, which sells the same items found at Blue Reef Grill, as well as Tarragona Taco Company, where you can get tacos and nachos. For drink selections Coca-Cola is the official soft drink provider of the Bay Center, while for alcohol local brewer Pensacola Bay Brewery has a stand set up on the west concourse offering all their signature beers (Napoleon IPA, Treasure Grove, Riptide Amber, Lighthouse Porter, Pensacola Premium, and Desoto). You will also find a full-service bar called Slap Shot Bar located in Section 124, on the open concourse on the south side of the building.   Atmosphere   4 There's no denying who the main tenant is here when arriving at the Bay Center; signage of past players and championship banners take up the poles in the parking lot, as well as a giant ‘Home of the Ice Flyers’ signs sitting above the main entrance and box office, located on the west side of the building. Pensacola Bay Center has kind of a unique shape with its perfectly symmetrical square design and flat roof. Once inside the building there is one concourse on the second level, designed in a wraparound configuration, consisting of concession stands and a team store – the east and west sides do not offer views of the ice, but the north and south sides do. Pensacola Bay Center has received some renovations in recent years, the most notable being the high-definition LED scoreboard hanging at mid-ice that was installed in 2020. The new board replaced the very outdated dot matrix board from the 1990s, which was so old they couldn't get replacement parts for it. Also hanging from the rafters are the Ice Flyers two retired jersey numbers, as well as banners celebrating the teams’ four President’s Cups. During part of the season they will tarp off the upper decks, making for a much more intimate experience, but there are several $5 admission games throughout the season where they will remove the tarp, allowing fans to sit in the upper deck. The mascot is Maverick, a bald eagle dressed as a pilot, who is a constant presence at The Hangar during games. In addition, when the Ice Flyers score fans will move their fists up and down in unison; this has become sort of the unofficial cheer of the team, as almost 90% of the crowd will participate in this celebration. The Ice Flyers also do a tremendous job making sure every game has a different feel to it, with almost every night having a theme or having the Ice Flyers wear an alternate jersey. For example, this season the Ice Flyers wore jerseys modeled after Toy Story, the Cars movies, Peanuts, Ugly Sweaters, St. Patrick’s Day, Mardi Gras, and SpongeBob. Photo courtesy of the Pensacola Ice Flyers Neighborhood   4 The Hangar is located in downtown Pensacola, several blocks north of the famous Seville Quarter and all the bars and restaurants of Palafox Street. No trip to Pensacola would be complete without a trip to Rosie O'Grady's – famous for its dueling pianos and signature Hurricane cocktail drink, the place is located in the Seville Quarter, a one-block section of buildings that resemble those you would find in the French Quarter. These buildings, most of which were built in the 1800s, also feature numerous other bars and restaurants as well. Another popular place just down the street from Pensacola Bay Center is McGuire's – this place has been a fixture of Pensacola for over 40 years and gets pretty packed on weekends, with live music in over five bars. McGuire's makes for a great pregame and postgame hangout after Ice Flyers games, but you can also find plenty more bars and restaurants on Palafox Street, as well as tons lining the Pensacola Bay waterfront, about a mile south of the Bay Center. The beaches of Pensacola are located about 10 minutes away as well, where you can find plenty of restaurants and beach-related activities. With the year-round warm weather, it's also not uncommon to be able to go for a swim in the Gulf before an Ice Flyer game. In addition, plenty of lodging can be had, from cheaper hotels near the Interstate to more expensive hotels downtown. During the winter months you may find cheaper rates at some of the hotels on Pensacola Beach, should you want to stay out there. And of course, no trip to Pensacola would be complete without a trip to the National Naval Air Aviation Museum. Located on Pensacola’s navy base, this large museum has many exhibits and over 150 vintage aircraft, and is devoted to the history of naval aviation in the U.S. The famous Blue Angels are also stationed at Pensacola NAS for most of the year, but during the winter months are based in California – if you are lucky you may get to see the Blue Angels fly over while practicing.   Fans   4 Year in and year out, the Ice Flyers are consistently one of the top teams in terms of attendance in the SPHL, never finishing below 4th in the League. The 2023-24 season set the record for most tickets sold in franchise history, and they also averaged 5,300 fans per game, also the most in franchise history. Many of the locals remember the days of the old Ice Pilots of the ECHL, part of hockey's I-10 corridor when there were eight ECHL teams from Jacksonville to Lafayette. The teams created fierce rivalries among themselves and brought packed houses to an unlikely hockey market; that fan support has carried over to the Ice Flyers days. The Pensacola area is also unique in that it attracts people from all over the country – with the beaches and year-round warm weather, the area attracts a lot of snowbirds from the north who flock to warmer climes in the winter. You'll encounter a lot of these people at The Hanger, and in addition, Ice Flyers games have a large military presence, with lots of people in attendance from all over the world who are stationed at Pensacola NAS.   Access   4 Pensacola Bay Center is located at the southern end of I-1110, a north and south auxiliary road that connects Interstate 10 to downtown Pensacola. With the arena located about 10 miles south of I-10, the Bay Center is not hard to miss as it sits at the foot of the I-110 extension, and is the first thing most people will see upon entering downtown. There are many parking lots scattered around the arena, each charging about $10 to park. Unfortunately the free lots that used to be located about a block south, across from the cemetery, are now paid lots as well. Entering the building you can enter at ice level and walk up to your seats, or you can take the ramp up to the second level; personally I like the ice level entrance better. Once in Pensacola Bay Center everything runs smoothly, although the concession lines sometimes back up during intermissions.   Return on Investment   3 Tickets in the east and west lower bowls will cost $19, while tickets in the north and south lower bowls will cost $15; you cannot find a better return on investment for minor league hockey in the south. The Ice Flyers do a great job keeping fans entertained with their constant promotions and theme nights – some of the promotions this season include wiener dog races and a Mardi Gras parade on the ice, so you don't even have to enjoy hockey to have fun at an Ice Flyers game. With the success of the Ice Flyers in Pensacola, hockey will be played here for many years to come.   Extras   3 The Pensacola Bay Center is the largest indoor multi-purpose venue on the Florida panhandle, and the arena also receives the national spotlight each year as the host of the Sun Belt Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament , every year since 2021. March Madness takes over Pensacola during this week, and the Ice Flyers usually go on the road. Multiple concerts have also taken place here ever year – Michael Jackson even rented out the building for a few weeks to rehearse for his 1988 "Bad" World Tour; fans would camp out in the Bay Center parking lot every day hoping to catch a glimpse of the King of Pop.  Kiss was the first event in the Bay Center when they opened the building in 1985.